Author's Note:

Okay, this section here gets a little... shall we say... steamy... in spots. I am pretty sure it doesn't cross any lines of going from 'T' to 'M'... But, I also think that a mild warning is in order, just in case you happen to be reading this on a crowded bus, or someplace where your Grandma could happen to walk by and read over your shoulder.

Just saying... It might be a little awkward...

And if anybody does think that this section drifts into rated 'M' territory, Please let me know.

-Cas

Naruto fumbled with the keys to his apartment. Hinata was sore from the hail, and her teeth would not stop chattering. "I've almost got it," Naruto muttered. "We'll be warm in a second." Hinata pressed up against his back and carefully slid her hands under his shirt. She grinned as she shook. This would have been romantic if she had any feeling left in her fingertips.

Naruto yelped, and dropped his keys. "Your hands are freezing!"

"I c-can't help it," she chattered. "I need to be w-warm n-now!"

Naruto retrieved the keys and opened the door. They both stepped inside. Naruto darted over and adjusted the thermostat. "That should help a little," he said, his lips turning blue. He looked down at Hinata who was hugging herself and shivering. He pointed to a door of to the side of the entryway. "The bathroom is right there. Why don't you take a hot shower and warm up. I'll get you some dry clothes and we can wait for our stuff to dry out."

Hinata was too frozen to argue. She was so cold she could barely think straight. She nodded and stepped into the bathroom. She shed her wet clothes and let the hot water sluice over her. After a while she stopped shivering and began to feel better. There was one solitary towel in the bathroom so she wrapped herself up in it and cracked the door open. "Naruto-kun?" she called.

"I left you some dry things by the door," he said from another room. "Take them and hand out your wet stuff. I'll do my best to dry it off." There was a small pile of clothes at the base of the door. She traded her wet things for them, and closed the door. She put on the thin, cloth shorts and the white t-shirt. They weren't much but at least they were dry. She squeezed as much water out of her hair as she could and stepped out of the bathroom.

Naruto poked his head around from the kitchen. He was blushing. "Hey," he said nervously. "I just... hung up all your... um, stuff." He looked away from her really quick, and started babbling away."Feel free to use the blanket if you're still cold. You can sit on the bed if you want. Sorry about the lack of furniture… I just moved in here." He stepped around the doorway. He was dressed in the exact same shirt and shorts she was, only his were soaking wet. "Sorry," he said half dodging around her. "I really need to warm up in the shower too. I'll put on some tea when I get out." He dodged into the bathroom and shut the door.

Hinata looked after him for a moment and then shrugged. She couldn't quite figure out what was bothering him. Maybe he was just cold. The transition from cold rain and hail to the warmth of Naruto's apartment had made her head feel woolly. She was getting warmer, but she still shivered every now and then. "Oh Hinata!" Naruto shouted through the bathroom door. "I'm really sorry... all I had that was dry was underwear. Don't worry though, it's straight out of the package, never been worn." There was the sound of shuffling feet from the bathroom. "Like I said, I just got here and I didn't have a lot."

Hinata looked down at her shorts. "Underwear?" she thought, trying to force herself to remain calm and rational. "Well that explains why they were so thin. They are comfortable though." She looked around Naruto's apartment and for the first time noticed how small it was. At first glance, it wasn't that noticeable because it was so sparsely furnished. The outside door opened into the bedroom, which right now only contained a mattress, pillow and a few blankets. There was a pack and few pouches of ninja gear stowed in the corner. Next to the packs were a few brand new packages of boxer shorts and white t-shirts that had been hastily torn open and emptied. She walked into the kitchen, which barely had enough room for one person to turn around in. It contained a small sink, a small refrigerator, a tiny stove, a table which would barely hold two plates, and two flimsy chairs. The oven door was opened on a low heat setting warming the room. The two chairs were backed up close to the oven door. Their wet clothes had been wrung out and hung over the backs of the chairs to dry. Hinata looked at the pile of her clothes and felt a wash of heat rush up her face. "Well, I did hand him all of my clothes, didn't I?" Spread out neatly on the top of her pile were her bra and panties.

She rushed back to the bedroom and wrapped herself in the blanket. She sat nervously for a bit and listened to the hail drumming on the roof and the steady hiss of the shower running. After a minute of telling herself that yes, technically she might only be wearing underwear, but really this was less revealing than a bathing suit, especially the ones that Ino typically wore. Her uncomfortable feelings faded somewhat... but she still had an undercurrent of embarrassment. "Poor Naruto," she giggled to herself, remembering the look on his face. "He must have been embarrassed as well."

The shower stopped. A moment later, a still damp Naruto stepped out. He was dressed in an identical pair of white t-shirt and boxers as she. "Hey, I'm really sorry about the whole underwear thing," he said again.

She smiled up at him. "It's fine," she said cheerfully. "I'm just happy to be dry."

Naruto stared at her sitting on the corner of his bed. He blinked, and shook his head looking away. "Oh… All right then," he said quickly. "I guess… I'll go boil that water now." He strode into the kitchen.

Hinata began to get that uncomfortable feeling again. Something was obviously bothering Naruto. Was it the apartment? Was he ashamed of it? "I like your apartment," she called out to him. "It's very cozy in a spartan sort of way."

She heard him laugh. "Empty is more like it. My first one at least had all my stuff in it. I don't even have a picture to hang on the wall for this new one." He came back into the bedroom and sat down on the corner of the mattress. He was about an arm's length away from her. He looked around at the bare walls. "This is a little bit bigger than the old one though. I guess that is a good thing. Granny Tsunade was threatening she'd move me into a closet." He chuckled.

Hinata thought about living by herself in a place like this. It would sure beat being ignored. "It must be nice though, living on your own."

Naruto looked at her for a long time. He seemed to be weighing what he was going to say next. "Sometimes it was okay... I guess," he said. "Mostly it was pretty lonely." He glanced over at her. "How was growing up in the Hyuga compound?"

Hinata looked down and stretched out her legs. "There were always a lot of other people around and most of them were intent on taking care of me in some way. They would tell me what to wear, and how to be proper, and they would clean up my room and make dinner." She sighed. "In many ways though, it was pretty lonely as well. Even though there were all these people around everything was so rigid and strict. There was always this line separating the Head family from the Branch families that worked for us... I tried to talk to them, to get to know the other children but... I was always told it wasn't proper." She inched her hand on the bed towards him. "I always admired you back then," she said quietly." I liked how you never gave up, and always looked so free. You had such ambition and you always looked so brave, even though you must have felt so terrible inside."

Naruto reached out and took her hand. "I admire you too," he replied quietly. "You were always such a calm, kindhearted, wonderful person… It's kind of amazing when you consider everything that has happened to you." He glanced up at her shyly and started to lean forward. The kettle started to whistle. "Oops!" He got up. 'I'll be right back."

Hinata sat back down feeling pleased with herself. Her conversation with Naruto about his apartment had seemed to make him a little less tense, and that made her in turn feel better. Well... mostly better. She shifted uncomfortably. She had not dried her hair well enough. The moisture from her hair was dripping down the back of her t-shirt and making it stick to her back. Without really thinking about it, Hinata took her hair, twisted it into a thick rope, and swung it to the front. It was still damp and began to soak through there as well. She frowned. She would have to ask Naruto for another shirt. Hinata wrapped the blanket around her shoulders tighter. She wished he would hurry back with the tea. This was almost immediately followed by a fleeting, giddy thought that maybe they were going to start kissing again.

"Alright, here's the tea!" said Naruto, carrying in two mugs. One was printed with the phrase 'Office of the Hokage' and the other read 'A souvenir from mount Myoboku'. He started to hand the souvenir mug to her. "I've got butter and sugar to put in it if you like that, but I'm all out of milk."

Hinata reached up to take the mug and the blanket fell away from her shoulders. Naruto looked down. His eyes got very wide. "Gah!" he yelled. He dropped both mugs and grabbed his nose.

"Naruto? What wrong?" Hinata started to get up.

Naruto was blushing hotly and staring pointedly at the wall away from her. "Um, your shirt... got wet," he said nasally.

Hinata looked down. Her hair had soaked through the white t-shirt in the front, making it transparent. "Eeep!" she cried out and scrambled for the blankets. Naruto made a beeline for the kitchen and came back with a hand towel. He began to mop up the spill.

"I'm so sorry Hinata... um... I didn't get any on you did I?"

"No," came her voice from deep under the blankets. The cocoon shifted and soon her burning red face peeped out. She couldn't bring herself to look at him. "Naruto-kun?" her voice quavered. "Could I... please trouble you to for another shirt?"

"Sure," he said. Something flopped next to her on the bed. She heard Naruto hurry off to the kitchen. She grabbed the dry shirt and changed as quickly as she could under the mound of blankets. She tossed out the wet one, and wormed herself upright. Naruto had just seen her… her chest. She was mortified. Her skin blushed so bright she could feel it throbbing, and yet... there was an impish voice in her head that wondered if maybe he would want to see it again.

She looked around the apartment and analyzed her situation. Here she was, in Naruto's apartment without a chaperone. She was in Naruto's bed wearing next to nothing. She had used Naruto's shower. Naruto had just seen her underwear, which, the impish little voice in her head gleefully said, was only fair because she had certainly seen his. With a fresh surge of embarrassment and a curse at her naivete, she suddenly understood why Naruto was acting so nervous. A stern voice in her head suggested that this date had definitely turned into one of those 'compromising situations' her father was always warning her about. The impish little voice promptly spoke up and wondered if being 'compromised' by Naruto would be as bad as her father made it out to be.

Naruto came back in holding the same two mugs again. Only this time he was shirtless. Hinata stared at him and felt the blood go rushing to her head. "I got the tea again," he said, oblivious. He carefully put the cup down in front of her this time, and scrambled back to the far corner of the mattress.

Hinata tried to avoid staring too much. Her heart was already beating too fast. She picked up the mug and took a sip. "This tea is very good," she said politely, hoping it covered the fact that she felt like she might faint at any moment.

"Thanks," said Naruto still looking away from her. "I guess I just got lucky. I bought whatever the store had."

Hinata took another sip. "Did... um... your shirt get wet when you spilled the tea?" she asked with a quaver in her voice.

Naruto sucked in air and brushed his hair back from his head nervously. "No... actually... I only had two spare t-shirts. So when yours… got wet, I gave you mine." He took a drink and stared out the window at the rain and hail.

"What do you miss most about your old apartment?" Hinata asked quickly, desperate to change the subject.

Naruto looked a little relieved. "Well, that depends on whether you mean my stuff in the apartment, or the actual apartment itself. My old place had this cool little balcony off the kitchen nook. In the summer I could eat there, or if it got too hot I even slept out there sometimes." He smiled. "It was a great view. I could see everywhere in the village from up there." He sipped his mug, and wrapped his hands around it for warmth.

"What about your belongings?" Hinata prompted.

Naruto shrugged. "It was mostly just stuff… junk I picked up when I was a kid. The one thing I wish I still had is an old picture of team seven from when we were all kids." He laughed reminiscing. "I look so grumpy in that picture." He gazed over at Hinata

Naruto hunched his shoulders over his mug "How about you?" he asked. "What was it like for you when the village was destroyed? Did the Hyuga compound change much?"

Hinata shifted uncomfortably. "No, not much. Father was able to have it rebuilt almost exactly." She picked at some lint stuck to the blanket. "Some days it feels like it was never destroyed at all. It was one of the first places repaired. We do have a large number of construction firms and lumber companies in the clan holdings." She sighed. "My father was very proud that day to have the first home rebuilt in Konoha. They finished it in four days. 'This is a testament to the prosperity and influence of the Hyuga clan!' he said. 'We must strive to use that for the greater good of our family and our fellow villagers.' The next house took a week to restore." She turned and glanced at him. "Does it... bother you... who my family is?"

"No. Should it?"

Hinata looked a little uncomfortable. "When I first started as a part of Team Eight, Kiba used to tease me about it all the time. 'Hinata's going to treat us all for lunch!' or 'Check out the Hyuga girl's fancy new gear!' he'd say. Kurenai-sensei had to have a talk with him to make him stop. He didn't do that again, afterwards.

Naruto shook his head and shivered. "Nope, that doesn't bug me. There were a lot of people both rich and poor who didn't like me at all when I was growing up." He smiled. "You were always nice to everyone." He finished off his tea. "So, you never told me what it was that you missed."

She took a sip from her mug. "I suppose what I miss most is my flower collection."

"You collect flowers?" asked Naruto, hugging himself.

Hinata smiled. "My mother and I used to. When I was very young we would go through the family gardens and pick the prettiest blooms, and then we'd press them between big books. Once they were flat enough we'd put them in special binders with the name of the flower and the date and where we found it." Hinata stared out the window wistfully. "Once she took me for a walk through the woods and we found a patch of wildflowers there." She smiled. "We spent days pressing and sorting them all." Hinata looked down into her tea. "That is my earliest memory of my mother."

"That sounds very n-nice," said Naruto.

Hinata looked back at him. "Are you cold?" she asked.

"It's n-not too bad," he said, his teeth chattering. "I'll be alright."

"Naruto, come here and share the blanket with me." There was a stunned moment of silence as Hinata realized what she just said and blushed hotly.

Naruto blushed as well. "I'll be alright in a s-second," he said. "Don't worry."

"Naruto," said Hinata, "you have shown me every hospitality and kindness. The least I can do is share your own blankets with you." The stern voice in her head grumbled loud disapproval at this suggestion. It sounded a little like her father.

Naruto edged over towards her. He picked up the smallest corner of the blanket and draped it across his lap. Another shiver ran across his shoulders.

Hinata took the blanket and threw it around him. She brushed up against his leg. It was ice cold. "Naruto, you are freezing!" she admonished.

He looked up at her sheepishly. "Sorry, the heat doesn't work too well in here."

Hinata scooted closer, All thoughts of propriety fleeing her head, She put one arm around his back and another around his front. "You feel so warm," said Naruto. He leaned against her.

Hinata shifted herself against his back, wrapped her arms around his chest, and her legs around his waist. The fatherly voice in her head once again made a loud protest. She leaned her head against his shoulder and pulled the blanket tightly around them.

Gradually he warmed up. She began to feel a heat building inside her as well. Hinata began to run her hands over his bare chest telling herself she was looking for cold spots. Without really thinking, she slid her calves down over his thighs. "Um, Hinata?" he croaked back at her.

"Shh… I'm just warming you up," she whispered in his ear. They both knew it was a lie. Little by little they began to shift against each other in small subtle ways. Naruto pressed back against her chest. Hinata ran her hands over his stomach and he inhaled sharply. The next time she just used her nails. She smiled as he shuddered.

Naruto dropped his hands to her thighs and began stroking them with his fingertips. She gave him a squeeze and began to kiss his shoulders. As she kissed his neck, Naruto slid his hands down to her feet and rubbed her toes. "That tickles," she murmured, curling them.

She moved from kissing his neck to his ear. Naruto turned his head as far as it would go, but she could only reach his cheek from this position. She covered it with kisses. Naruto ran his fingers up from her feet, her caressed her knees, and slowly climbed up her thighs. Hinata pulled herself to him more and kept kissing the side of his face. He reached his hands back as far as they could go. They slid over the thin fabric of the boxer shorts and caressed her hips. Hinata gasped.

Naruto turned in her embrace. He caught her in his arms and pressed his mouth to hers. She kissed him back equally as hard. The stern voice in her head warning her about all the things that were wrong and could go wrong in this situation was really screaming now.

Hinata ignored it. She was surprised at how easy it was.

They wrapped their legs together and rolled so they were lying on the bed. Side by side they kissed. Hinata twitched as Naruto's tongue flicked out and licked her lips. He tried it again and this time she opened her mouth. His tongue gently danced against hers. A warm spot began to pulse at the base of her spine. She gently pushed forward and began to explore Naruto's mouth. When she finished she tilted her head back and breathed out. She liked his taste.

She opened her eyes and looked up at him. Naruto was brushing her hair away from her face. He smiled down at her as he combed her hair through his fingers. "I like your hair," he said quietly. "It's so smooth and straight." The strands slipped through his grasp. Hinata reached up and locked her fingers with his. She pulled herself over on top of him and began to kiss his chest. She ran her fingertips down his ribcage and felt him shudder.

Naruto started to kiss and lick her neck. Hinata took a trembling breath. "I like that," she murmured. "Oh! I like that a lot." A dull pounding swelled in her ears, drowning out the protests of the stern voice in her head.

Naruto eased her back down on the mattress, kissing her face, her neck, her shoulders. Hinata made a small groan and arched her back to press herself up against him. Her t-shirt slid slowly upwards exposing her stomach. She felt Naruto hesitate and breathe in sharply. He shifted his weight on top of her.

His lips grazed her stomach. "Is that okay?" he whispered. Hinata nodded. Warmth spread through her abdomen in pulsating waves as Naruto kissed and licked his way along her stomach and lower rib cage. Hinata ran her fingers through his hair. Her breath began to come in fast pants. Her skin felt like it was burning with fever. The stern voice was almost gone, swept away on a sea of sensation. Gently she pulled Naruto up towards her head. "Was that okay?" he asked, a little bit worried.

Hinata nodded and held his face. "I just wanted to look at you," she whispered. She ran her hands down his chest again. Her heart was pounding so fast. Her whole body tingled with the touch of him. She wanted to feel him everywhere. She wanted to be as close to him as possible.

Naruto was using his arms to prop himself up above her. His eyes were closed and his mouth hung open slightly. He would shiver and grunt as her fingertips found sensitive spots. A surge of desire crashed over Hinata. She wrapped her legs around Naruto's hips and squeezed.

Naruto moaned and his eyes snapped open. They locked gazes. Hinata's hands drifted down over his boxer shorts. She slipped her hands inside the waistband. Naruto moaned her name and pressed up against her. Hinata slid her hands around his hips. Naruto looked down at her, his eyes wide.

Hinata's hands started shaking. A sudden cold spear of anxiety pierced through her desire. She'd read enough romance novels and attended enough of the 'kunoichi only' lectures at the Academy to know... technically... what the next steps were supposed to be. She was also a Hyuga... of the Head family... Technically she was never supposed to need this knowledge until her wedding night.

What was she doing? Was this really her? Was this really happening? "What do we do now?" she whispered up to him.

Naruto's face was flushed. "I don't know. But this feels so good," he said quietly. He leaned in and kissed her. He pressed up against her. "Oh Gods, Hinata," he groaned.

She never thought she'd be in this position. Here was Naruto, kissing her, touching her...and it felt wonderful. At the same time all the traditions and all the biases of the Hyuga clan were pressing down on her. "Is this what you want to be?" The stern voice bellowed inside her head, cutting through her wave of passion. "Is this what you want to become? A bed companion to a commoner? You would defy your clan and heap more shame upon your father... All for some boy who didn't even confess his love for you?" She could feel the disdain for her in this disembodied voice grow as Naruto panted in her ear. "You are no Hyuga!" the voice insisted with great finality.

It was too much. She felt the shaking start to spread over her whole body. She tried to force it away, to relax again, but she couldn't. She tried to stop it but it spiraled out of control. Naruto sat up "Hinata?" he asked looking at her with concern. "You're shivering. Is everything okay?"

She looked up at him. "Naruto, I… I…" She tried to speak but her mouth just wouldn't make the right words.

Naruto looked down at her. He gently pulled her hands away. "Hinata," he said, lying next to her. "It's okay." He put his arms around her shoulders. "It's okay," he whispered in her ear.

She trembled in his arms. "I'm sorry Naruto," her voice quavered. "I can't do it." She turned her head away.

"Hey now," he said calmly. He picked her up to a sitting position and held her. "It's not a big deal, I understand." He stroked her hair. Gradually she stopped shaking.

She refused to look up at him though. She felt like she was betraying herself, her desires, and him. "I'm sorry Naruto. I want to; I just... can't... do it... right now."

"Hey, like I said before, it's okay," He chuckled. "I understand. Things were happening so fast, I was beginning to think that we were in one of Ero-sennin's Icha-Icha novels." He looked off into the distance. "Of course I saw the reality that most of those stories were based on." He shook his head. "He got slapped a whole lot more in real life."

Hinata leaned against him, not really listening. "I feel really bad Naruto." She glanced up at him. "I really thought I wanted … I know I want to be with you. And then I was suddenly so scared, and now... I feel like I've ruined everything." Her head dropped to her chest.

Naruto held her shoulders with both hands. He leaned forward and kissed her. "Everything is fine," he said. "I mean it."

Hinata looked away and toyed with the blanket. "Do you still like me?"

Naruto sat back. "Of course I do! That doesn't mean I have to sleep with you! What kind of question is that?"

"I'm sorry," said Hinata flinching, "I just thought that you would want to… be with me."

Naruto looked away nervously "I'm saying the wrong thing again, aren't I?" He took a deep breath. "I like you Hinata, a lot. I'll admit I... was thinking about it right then, a lot." He shook his head as if to clear it. "A whole lot. But I'd be lying if I didn't say I wasn't a bit nervous about it as well." He looked away and scratched the back of his head. "You're the first girl I've been out with who has ever liked me back, and I feel like... I don't know what I'm doing here." He smiled. "The only advice I've ever had was from Ero-sennin, and he always used to say that sex was 'real sex' unless there was two bottles of sake, a can of whipped cream, and a pizza for afterwards, but somehow I think that his opinion is a little suspect." Naruto inched beside her and put his arm across her shoulder. He leaned his head against hers. "I'm not in a rush."

Hinata refused to meet his gaze. "I just feel like I've disappointed you somehow."

Naruto tilted her head up and kissed her. "Nope."

"And you still like me?"

"I'm still planning on asking you out for another date tomorrow night, if you are free," he grinned, "and if your father doesn't think I'm too sketchy for his daughter."

Hinata looked up into his eyes, wanting to believe him, but still needing reassurance. "Are you sure you like me?"

Naruto looked into her eyes, thinking. Then he chuckled. "What is it?" Hinata asked him.

"I got it!" he crowed.

"Got what?"

"I just figured out how to prove to you how much I like you," he smiled at her excitedly. "When you date someone you like, you introduce them to your friends and family right? Well, I'm going to introduce you to the important people in my life."

Hinata gave him a puzzled look. "Don't I already know everyone that you know in the Hidden Leaf village?"

Naruto smiled again. "Well, not exactly. You haven't met my roommate... Not officially anyway."

Hinata looked around at the bare apartment. "Roommate?"

They sat across from each other on the mattress. "Naruto, are you sure this is a good idea?" Hinata asked for the third time.

"Well, I've never tried it with anyone who wasn't a Jinchuriki before, but other people have come in with me once or twice. I suppose that the worst thing that could happen is that it just wouldn't work."

"That's not what I mean," said Hinata nervously. "Are you sure you want me to meet the Kyubi?"

Naruto looked at her. "What better way to show you how much I like you than to have you meet all of my friends?" He grinned. "There is no one closer to me than Kurama, literally."

"But will it be okay?"

"Oh, yeah... sure. It will be fine. He can be a bit of a grouch sometimes, but underneath it all he's a nice guy. Here, give me your hand." Naruto placed her palm on his stomach. Despite her best intentions, Hinata blushed again.

Naruto closed his eyes. Beneath her hand, Hinata saw the seal twist and grow. "Now what?" she asked in a quiet voice.

"Just close your eyes and relax," said Naruto calmly. "I have to figure out what's the best way to get you in."

Hinata closed her eyes and waited. She grew cold in the damp air and shivered a little. "Can I put the blanket back on? I'm a little cold."

"Sorry," said Naruto. "No blankets here."

Hinata opened her eyes. They were sitting in a clearing, surrounded by towering pine trees. A cold mist twisted amongst the branches. The full moon gleamed balefully overhead. Surrounding the forest, jagged mountain peaks clawed at the heavens.

"What?" gasped Hinata.

"Eh… It used to look more like a cage," said Naruto. "But after we became friends it started to look more like the forest. Kurama calls it a..." Naruto got a strained look on his face as he tried to remember. "A subconscious reflection of acceptance and individuation through symbolic imagery... whatever that means... He also says he likes it better this way." Naruto took a deep breath. "Kurama!" he bellowed, "Where are you?" Naruto's voice died away with an echo.

There was no response. "Now what?" asked Hinata.

"He'll come," said Naruto confidently. They waited. Hinata stomped her feet to keep warm. Naruto began to pace, frustrated with the waiting. "Kurama!" he yelled again, "I know you can hear me! Get over here you dumb fox!"

The answering roar shook the ground. "I'm busy!" rumbled a deep voice. "Come back later!"

"Come on Kurama!" called Naruto. "It's important!"

There was a resigned hiss of air. "Fine!" said the deep voice grouchily. "Just give me a second."

"Are you sure this is wise?" asked Hinata nervously. Naruto smiled reassuringly at her and reached out to hold her hand.

The ground jumped, and jumped again. The tremors got louder and closer. "The Kyubi's footsteps," thought Hinata, more than a little fearfully.

A towering shadow loomed over the treetops blocking out the stars. Moonlight glinted off its red eyes. "What do you want Naruto?" It rumbled. "I'm in the middle of something."

"Hey!" called Naruto, waving. "Come down here. I want you to meet someone." He stepped aside revealing Hinata.

The Nine-tails looked down coldly. "I am not a party trick, Naruto. I do not perform for the amusement of you and your friends." It sneered. "You called me away for this nonsense? Go away. I'm busy."

"Busy doing what?" asked Naruto. "You're stuck in here. What is there for you to do?"

"None of your business," growled the Kyubi.

Naruto put his hands on his hips and glared upward. "Hey! This is my body here! If you're doing something in it, I have a right to know what it is!"

The huge head dipped down. Fangs gleamed in the moon night. "We've had this discussion before. You wanted your privacy. I want mine." Hinata shivered as a huge red eye gleamed down on them. "If you want to rescind that on deal, fine by me. I'll start by asking why neither you, nor your lady friend here are wearing pants!" The fox grinned.

"Look I just want you to meet someone, alright? It won't take long."

The Kyubi shrugged. "Sorry, my calendar is full. I have better things to do than help you to thrill adventurous young ladies." The fox turned his back on them.

"Hey get back here! It's not like that at all! I want you to meet my girlfriend!" Hinata looked up at Naruto with a start. Did he just call her his girlfriend?

Kurama stopped, but didn't turn around. "What? So it is dinner and a movie and then come stare at the demon fox? Truly you are one of history's great romantic masters."

"No!" yelled Naruto. "I want her to meet all the important people in my life. Geez, why do you always have to be so touchy?"

The fox turned around and snorted. It's breath steamed in the air. Naruto nudged Hinata forward. "Go ahead," he whispered, "introduce yourself."

The Kyubi cocked its head and glared at her with one huge eye. Hinata nervously stepped forward and bowed her most formal bow, the one she would use when presenting herself to an emperor. "My name is Hinata of the clan Hyuga. It... it is a great honor to meet you Kurama-sama."

The fox sniffed the air. "Well she's more polite than you are," it grumbled to Naruto, "but that isn't saying much… I've met rocks with better manners than you." The Kyubi bobbed his head downward. "It is good meeting you Hinata-san. I don't often get visitors here." The huge head dipped even lower. "You say that you are of the Hyuga clan? Are you then a shinobi?"

Hinata nodded. "Yes I was promoted to jonin last year."

The fox smiled, revealing huge teeth. "Congratulations. I'm sure your clan must be very proud of your accomplishments... and Naruto here as well." Kurama cupped his paw around his snout. He attempted to whisper. "Maybe you could give Naruto some pointers, eighteen years old and still a genin. The boy is hopeless." Kurama's whisper tore the leaves off the trees.

"Hey! I'm right here you know!" yelled Naruto indignantly.

The Kyubi looked down smugly. "Why so you are. Be quiet little genin, the grownups are talking." He turned back to Hinata. "So you are of the Hyuga clan. Your family is both strong in its traditions and very proud." He nodded his head toward Naruto. "What are you doing with him?"

"Hey!" yelled Naruto again.

Hinata blushed. "Well, Naruto asked me out on a date."

"And your father approved? What is your lineage if I may inquire?"

"My parents are Hiashi and Hishyona Hyuga."

The fox sat on his haunches, and the earth shook. "Mmm… I remember Hishyona well. She was always very kind to Kushina Uzumaki, even after she became my Jinchuriki. The fox shook his head. "Hiashi, not so much, he was strong but lacked discipline. He had no self-control. His brother was always getting him out of trouble." Hinata's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Her father? In trouble? The fox slid forward and lay down on his paws. "I heard he became the head of the Hyuga clan." Kurama inched his head forward and studied Hinata. "You have the Byakugan as well. That is good." The fox took a deep breath through his nose. He stared at Hinata his head askew.

Hinata grew a little apprehensive under his scrutiny. "You have a good heart like your mother." The Kyubi spoke in a soft rumble. He inhaled again. Hinata had the feeling he was tasting the scent of her soul. "You are kind and loyal." He sniffed again. "You are stronger than you think you are, much stronger." The fox quickly glanced over at Naruto. "You will fiercely protect those you care for." His fiery eyes settled back on Hinata. "And you will never go back on your word." Kurama's mouth twitched upward in a smile. "I like that in a human."

Hinata bowed her head again. "Thank you for the kind words Kurama-sama. I must say, I never expected to meet you in person. I am pleased to have had the opportunity."

The fox raised an eyebrow and grinned good-naturedly. "Oh? And what were you expecting?"

Hinata smiled a little nervously. "The tales one hears certainly do justice to your magnificent appearance, but they never mention your civility." She bowed. "I will do my best to correct this oversight in my village." She looked up. The Kyubi was staring down at her with a puzzled frown on his face. Hinata quickly bowed again. "I apologize if I misspoke," she said hastily. "I did not mean to offend."

The fox chuckled. "No, no, there was no offence. Something is puzzling me. You seem very familiar. Like we have met before." Its huge head crept closer. Soon Hinata was staring at her own reflection in its giant pupil. "Did we once do battle?"

Hinata swallowed. "I... once fought by Naruto's side when the Akatsuki known as Pain attacked the Hidden Leaf Village."

Kurama looked up at Naruto and then went back to Hinata. "Ahh," he said knowingly, "you're that one. I apologize for not recognizing you sooner. When Naruto and I go through the various stages our consciousnesses tend to blend as well. It makes it difficult to sort out specific details afterwards." He extended a claw on the tip of one finger. "It has been a pleasure meeting you Hinata Hyuga. I hope to repeat the experience some day." Hinata reached out her hand and gently shook the enormous claw.

Kurama slowly climbed to his feet. He looked down at Naruto. "I approve." He rumbled.

"Huh?" said Naruto, confused.

The fox smiled. "You wanted to know what I think of her... I approve. You have my blessing."

"I wasn't seeking your blessing you dumb fur-ball!" said Naruto blushing. "I just wanted you to meet her!"

"Well, I met her, and I approve. It is my secret hope that maybe she can perform a miracle and teach you some manners as well." He sighed. "I can't believe I've been trapped inside someone as crass and uncultured as you for all these years." Kurama glanced back over his shoulder as he walked. "Would it kill you to go to a play, or an opera once in awhile?" He padded away.

"Would it kill you to take a bath once in a while, you flea ridden mop?" Naruto shot back. The Kyubi just chuckled as he strode off into the depths of the forest.

Naruto looked down and shook his head. He turned back to Hinata. "Well? What did you think?"

"He seems very… big... but nice," she said with a half smile. "I'm glad he likes me."

Naruto smiled back at her. "Yeah, he does at that," he said thoughtfully. He stretched. "Well we should probably head back and see what time it is."

Hinata put an arm around his waist. She leaned on him. "I hope the clothes are dry."

Naruto grinned. "Me too, I can't imagine what your dad would say if you came home wearing my underwear." A flicker of fear passed over Naruto's face. "Oh Gods, I just remembered… I left the oven on. We've got to get going." He made a tiger sign with his hands.

"Wait!" said Hinata. "How do I leave?"

Naruto looked up. "Huh? Oh, It's just like leaving a genjutsu." He closed his eyes. "Release!" he called out. He faded from view.

Hinata followed suit. "Release!" she said and felt herself begin to float away. She was just beginning to wake up when a huge red hand seized her and dragged her back down.

She sat in the paw of the Nine tails. He stared down at her. She stared back with her mouth hanging open in horror. The Kyubi tried to smile. "Forgive me Hinata-san, but I needed to talk to you away from Naruto. Unfortunately, there is no time for exhaustive explanations." Kurama looked up nervously. "If we take too long he will suspect." He turned back to Hinata. "He plans on battling Sasuke Uchiha alone. He believes that if this happens the both of them will die." Kurama leaned forward. "You must prevent this at all costs."

"How?" asked Hinata in a stunned voice.

The Nine tails looked away. "Once before when you fought by his side we were able to do great feats." Kurama looked back shyly. "He cares for you more than he is willing to admit to anyone, even himself. If someone like you was with him he would be able to defeat every demon in hell just to make sure you were safe. His strength, you see, lies in protecting those he cares about." The fox edged his head closer. "I wish I could say more... Remember, do not let him battle Sasuke alone! Take as many as you can with you, but do not let him go alone."

Hinata nodded nervously, overwhelmed with the double shock of meeting the Nine Tails face to face and alone, and then having the demon fox beg her for help. "Thank you for the warning Kurama-sama. I did not know you cared so much for Naruto."

Kurama looked away. "I'll admit I've grown... a little fond of the fool. But I worry about more than just Naruto's fate here." Kurama took a deep breath. "Sasuke has cast in his lot with one who's hunger for power know no bounds… A fool of a man who believes he can become greater than the Gods themselves. He wishes to master the Ten tails. Sooner or later he must seek my chakra to further his goals." The fox looked worried. " And if he gains it, I worry for the world."

"But... but we killed the masked Madera!" exclaimed Hinata.

Kurama smiled sadly. "If only greed and arrogance were rare traits in your kind… There will always be another villain." The Kyubi looked up and let go of her. "He calls for you. You must go." Hinata felt herself begin to rise to the realm of consciousness. "Promise me! Do not let him go alone!" hissed Kurama.

"I promise," Hinata muttered right before she opened her eyes.

Naruto was hovering over her with a concerned look on his face. "Are you okay? It took you a little while there to come out of it."

Hinata sat up. "I'm fine. It was just a little trickier than I thought.," she said evasively. She reached up and touched Naruto's cheek, thinking on Kurama-sama's words. Naruto was planning on dying? He didn't seem to be that upset about it. He didn't seem to be upset at all.

Naruto kissed her. "I have good news, bad news and worse news."

He was so happy right now… so cheerful. Perhaps… perhaps the Kyubi was mistaken? Hinata smiled and hugged him. She decided that for the moment, she would keep an eye on him. If she did notice anything, she would protect him... she would always protect him, no matter what. "What is the good news?"

Naruto grinned back. "Well, the good news is that the apartment didn't burn down. The bad news is that our clothes are still wet, and the worse news is that we have seven minutes to get dressed and get back to the Hyuga compound before ten o'clock." He handed her her pile of damp clothes. "Sorry, it's been such an unusual evening."

Hinata stepped forward and pressed against him. "That's okay," she smiled up at him. "I loved this unusual evening with you." She leaned forward and kissed him. Naruto pressed back. Soon they were making out again.

Naruto glanced up at the clock. "Arg! We've only got four minutes now!"

Hinata caressed his chest. "I don't care if we're late."

Naruto stood up. "I do! I want to stay on your Father's good side!"

They dressed and ran back to Hinata's house. They were only five minutes late. Hiashi glared sternly at Naruto the whole time, but agreed to permit Hinata to go out on another date the next night. And the night after.

For the next few months Naruto and Hinata were together almost every available evening. Often times when their missions could spare it, they would spend time together during the day as well. It took Ino two weeks before she got over her jealous ranting and just accepted that there was one more couple in Konoha. Hinata even convinced Naruto to go to an opera with her. He complained the whole time, but in a good-natured way. She hoped Kurama appreciated it.

Everything was wonderful. Hinata felt happier than she ever had before. She felt that the mutual decision to take things as they came, took a lot of the pressure out of their relationship. They spent a lot of time kissing and making out, a few times they even came close again, but someone always shied away. After a while it was almost as if they made the unspoken decision to avoid places where they could get into... a compromising position.

Even so, Hinata felt like she was floating. Seeing him made her heart flutter. Kissing him made her toes curl. She often had to remind herself that this was all really happening. Naruto was for all intents and purposes her boyfriend. She was finally with him!

And then the letter came.