(Well, here's Chapter 38. I know it's been a while, and all I can do is apologize for the delay. Real life has a nasty way of dictating my muse and finding the motivation to write a 25+ page chapter to this is difficult. Though I have to say that I think my beta has either dropped off the face of the Earth or something happened, so I had to look this one over. It's been sitting on my computer about 2 weeks now, so enjoy. Leave a comment if you feel so inclined. The next chapter has a major event centered around Naruto, and I think that everyone will agree he isn't being ignored after that.)
Chapter 38: Home
That night I return to my room inside the bunker, and I try to sleep as best I can, because I know that tomorrow I'll have a confrontation with the Hokage's advisors and I'm going to need all my wits to even have a prayer of talking myself out of being nominated as Hokage.
Scene Transition
The next morning I wake early and dress, leaving the bunker and heading for the Hokage Tower. Early in the morning there's very little foot traffic going on in the village. In spite of that fact my face is still very well known, and everyone I see regards me with respect and reverence.
Sanctimonious pricks… A voice in my mind whispers. When you were a child and heir to the Hyuga clan they all hated you. Now they think you're the greatest and a big hero. It isn't like you did what you did for them, you did it to protect Naruto, Kushina, Shino, Fumiko and everyone else you care about. If Nagato could've leveled the village but spared the people you cared about you wouldn't have cared, it's what they all deserve…
Thinking that causes me to stop in the middle of the street, and I blink in surprise at the thoughts, wondering briefly where they're coming from.
Would I really have let Nagato kill everyone in the village if he had left Naruto and the others alone and let them live? Am I really that hateful that I would go along with that?
"Be careful Hinata…" Nagato's voice whispers a warning. "Your demon's chakra steadily leaks into your system, and even now it seeks to influence you, to bring about its release."
At Nagato's words I remember the time I blacked out during my training, the same time I very nearly killed both Jiraiya and Tsunade.
I have to find some way to control the Kyuubi. If this goes on then one day it could break out of the seal and destroy everything. There's no way I'll merge with it or anything like that, ever. I'm its container, its jailor, and that's all I'm going to be.
Think about that later! You have a meeting to get to, you have to turn down the appointment of Hokage remember?
Putting the thoughts about the demon aside for now I start down the path again, heading for the tower. Fifteen minutes later I arrive at the tower, and standing outside the tower are Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, the two village council members and advisors to the Hokage. Approaching the two of them I steel my nerves, setting my face in an impassive mask, losing control of my emotions won't help me win this argument.
"Hinata Hyuga, have you made your choice?" Homura asks calmly and I nod solemnly.
I open my mouth to say 'No' when there's a loud POP and a cloud of smoke appears three feet to my right, the cloud easily large enough to conceal a full grown man. My instincts kick in and I drop into a fighting stance, my left hand traveling down toward my weapon pouch when the cloud dissipates revealing Jiraiya standing there with his arms crossed over his chest, a disapproving scowl on his face. Seeing it's Jiraiya and not a threat, I lower my arms and relax my stance, my gaze darting between Koharu and Homura and then to Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya, what are you doing here?" Koharu asks in surprise, her eyebrows raised and a suspicious glint in her eyes.
Homura's face on the other hand may as well have been chiseled from stone. If he's surprised at Jiraiya's unexpected arrival he's determined not to show it.
"Now…you two couldn't possibly be thinking of offering the position of Hokage to a sixteen year old girl could you?" Jiraiya asks rhetorically.
"It is the will of the Daimyo." Homura answers him matter of factly. "The girl is the successor to the legendary Sage of Six Paths and is regarded as a hero by nearly everyone in the village."
"She's also just a sixteen year old girl." Jiraiya shoots back matter of factly, sparing me an apologetic glance before his face turns back Koharu and Homura, changing into a cold scowl. "Make her Hokage and she'll end up hating this village and finishing what Pain started."
Both of them stare at him with deadly serious expressions on their faces.
"What would you propose we do, Jiraiya of the Sannin?" Koharu speaks up. "The girl has been chosen by the Daimyo, and no other suitable candidates have stepped forward."
"I can't let a teenager assume the position of Hokage." Jiraiya proclaims matter of factly, uncrossing his arms before he looks to me his expression softening as he continues. "It isn't that I don't think you're immature or anything Hinata, but a teenager shouldn't be entrusted with running an entire village, regardless of how special that teenager is. It's inconceivable. You might be an adult in the eyes of the village but you're still just a child, and you should be free to live your life, fall in love and do all the things you want to do before you're tied down like this." Jiraiya explains before his expression hardens into a scowl as he turns his gaze back to Homura and Koharu. "I'll take the job; a Sannin is acceptable isn't it?"
The three of us are completely silent at that, and it's obvious that both Homura and Koharu are surprised at Jiraiya's proclamation, just like I am.
Well, Tsunade doesn't know him completely, apparently.
After spending three and a half years with him I thought I knew the Hermit of Myoboku fairly well. Before today I would've told you that there was no way that he would ever volunteer for the position of Hokage, especially after listening to his student complain about the position every time they get together to speak.
"The Sannin were both considered successors to the Fourth should he pass away." Homura comments and Jiraiya stares at the both of them unblinking.
"Hinata is just a teenager. She isn't the Sage of Six Paths and shouldn't be treated like a reincarnation of him. She wasn't born with the Rinnegan; it was given to her by the man who nearly destroyed the village on his deathbed." Jiraiya insists, keeping his gaze locked on the Hokage's advisors.
"Regardless of how Hinata came to possess the Sage's dojutsu she is the focal point of a lot of attention. The people of the village believe her to be a messiah and that she will guide them to lasting peace." Homura argues.
"Do you have any idea how you're going to create world peace Hinata?" Jiraiya asks without ever taking his gaze from Homura and Koharu.
I really don't have any idea how I'm going to do what the Sage of Six Paths and countless others have failed to do, so I shrug my shoulders apologetically.
"I have no idea how I'm going to make people cast aside their hatred and learn to love one another." I admit as I slip my hands into my pockets, looking away from the two advisors.
"See?" Jiraiya continues. "She's just a teenager. She isn't concerned with being Hokage or leading the world to peace. All she wants to do is live her life and protect the people she cares about."
Homura nods agreeably, his mouth set in a thin line.
"Jiraiya of the Sannin, your offer to assume the position of Fifth Hokage is hereby accepted. Congratulations." Homura says in a flat emotionless voice.
"Yeah…" Jiraiya mutters dryly, lowering his arms. "Congratulations to me."
Scene Transition
Word gets around quickly, and within twenty four hours the village is abuzz that Jiraiya of the Sannin has been appointed as Hokage. Two days later the village holds a coronation ceremony, the entire village showing up to see Jiraiya officially begin his duties as Hokage. Myself, as well as Naruto, Kushina, Tsunade and the rest of the village council all stand atop the tower near the door. Looking out Jiraiya stands on the edge of the roof, the Hokage's long white robe fluttering around his shins as he holds onto the Hokage's hat with his left hand. The crowd below cheers in approval, chanting Jiraiya's name as the man removes the hat, grinning down at the assembled crowd before him.
"Long live Icha Icha!" Jiraiya boldly declares, throwing the hat into the air in celebration and making a V for victory with his right hand.
The people below cheer louder, and both Tsunade and Kushina shake their heads in disapproval, the same thoughts reflected on their faces as I feel.
Is this really what needs to happen, or is this just the best in a worst case scenario?
Scene Transition
Hours later the coronation ceremony is over, and both Naruto and I walk to the Hokage's manor, the both of us solemn at the prospect of moving out and finding a new place to live.
Though technically Minato is still Hokage, he's just out of the village at the moment and has been entrusted with running a Unified Shinobi Alliance. Though Jiraiya is the Fifth and I'm sure that once things get settled a bit then they'll ask Naruto, me and Kushina to move out of the Hokage's manor.
As Naruto and I approach the manor two men in nobleman's clothes stand next to gate and I get the feeling that the two of them are waiting for me.
Oh no, what now?
"Ah, good morning Hy…Senju-san, Namikaze-san!" One of them says in greeting. "We've been waiting for you!"
"Can I help you?" Naruto asks pleasantly.
The two men are dressed in noblemen's clothing. They both have the soft skin and perfect completions of people who haven't ever had to spend a day outside and never worried a day in their lives about money or anything else. They're both dressed in dark robes with ornate designs in the fabric, the clothing probably made of silk. They both have dark hair, one has it cut short and slicked back while the other has it long and tied with a thong at the nape of his neck, the dark hair shiny and soft, not a speck of dirt in it.
The two of them have their arms in their sleeves, both of them standing straight and proper.
"We're here to give a present to Hinata Senju." The long haired noble explains, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
"What present?" Naruto asks calmly.
"As the hero who carries the will and power of the Sage of Six Paths, a manor has been built for you." The second, short haired noble explains.
They built a house for me?
"We'll take you to it, so please follow us."
Naruto looks to me, and I shrug my shoulders, nodding cautiously toward him.
"Sure…" Naruto agrees with palpable hesitation.
The two nobles start walking, and the two of us fall in step behind them. The two nobles lead us through the village and it isn't long before I notice the newly erected house in the distance.
That must be it…
The house is large and expensive looking and could easily rival the Hokage Manor. It sits on a ½ acre plot of land that's been walled off with a concrete wall and a large green dual door gate at the front. The land around the house is plush with grass and trees at the corners of the estate. There's a statue between the gate and the front door of house, but I can't get a good look at it over the wall. It can only really be described as a mansion though it's more suited to one of the rich nobles of the village or maybe even the Hyuga clan, but instead they're going to give it to me.
"This house was built in your honor." The first noble explains as the four of us walk around the 7 foot high wall surrounding the estate. "It was only just completed yesterday."
"It seems really nice." I comment as we stop at the gate leading inside. "But I really think it would be best if you left refugees live here rather than just give it to me."
"This house was completed especially for you Lady Senju. Whatever you choose to do with it is your prerogative, though reconstruction is nearly complete, and very few are left still without homes."
"Well…I suppose I could at least check it out…"
"Splendid!" The first agrees, opening one of the gates.
The two of them lead us inside, and I get a good look at the statue I noticed earlier. The Statue is a made of gray stone, and is a person, or rather two people standing back to back. It stands seven feet tall with a three foot high base. The side facing the gate is me, my face rendered in a proud expression complete with the Rinnegan carved into the statue's eyes. The side facing into the manor is a representation of the Sage of Six Paths, the visage carved into the stone nearly identical to the face that appeared when I lost control of my body when Madara showed up.
They really believe that I'm going to be the one to bring the world to peace…
"You're a big hit with the Rinnegan…" Nagato's voice whispers in my ears. "I was treated the same way, by Yahiko and Konan and the others. They believed I was the messiah."
I don't respond to Nagato's comment, keeping the fact that he even spoke to me to myself and instead focusing on the house as the man leads me through the two level home, showing me the living area, dojo, full kitchen, powder room, and upstairs the two 'guest' bedrooms and a master bedroom complete with full bathroom attached to the bedroom. There's even a second bathroom upstairs as well. There's even a door in one the guest bedrooms that leads up to an attic, and a door in the kitchen that leads down into a basement. The tour ends with the four of us downstairs near the front door.
"You're really just giving all of this to me?" I ask curiously, and the first noble nods.
"Of course. This village is proud of its shinobi, and we take care of the stand outs and encourage them to thrive. We hope that this house will be the start of another great and powerful clan."
One can only hope…
Scene Transition
Several hours later I finish moving my things from the Hokage manor into my new home. Naruto has been a big help with my moving in, and right now I'm just tightening down the sheets on the master bed, smoothing the sheets as footsteps sound from the hall outside the room. Naruto appears in the doorway a second later, his open vest hanging from his shoulders revealing the black t shirt underneath, a grin on his features.
"The two guest beds are made if you wanna let someone use em." Naruto leans against the doorframe.
He's been a major help, after the two noblemen left Naruto reminded me that I needed to buy bed clothes, silverware, appliances, curtains and other necessities. Fortunately the house already has some furniture, and whatever I've needed Naruto has been more than happy to send his shadow clones out as gophers.
Well, I did have quite a nest egg saved up thanks to grandmother and living off of other people all this time, and Minato even had an account set up with a high interest yield in my name. A lot of that money was spent getting settled in here, but this is hopefully the last time I'll ever have to buy most of these things, hopefully…
"You know…if you wanna bring some of your things over and keep them here I wouldn't be adverse to it." I suggest with a smile.
He looks thoughtful, cupping his chin in his hand and muttering 'hmm.'
"Well…I don't have to…"
Standing up I walk over to him and wrap him in my arms, surprising him before I press my lips to his, slipping my tongue into his mouth. Pulling back after a moment I look into his eyes with a smile on my face.
"I'd rather you stay here." I tell him, and his eyes twinkle in a certain way that I know exactly what he's thinking about. "But, you have to bring your things over before we break in the bed."
Naruto nods and I lower my arms before he disappears from the doorframe like he's been shot out of a cannon.
Scene Transition
The next morning I'm lying in bed. The night I moved in to my new home Naruto and I hardly slept a wink. A light coat of sweat rests against my skin. Sitting up I hold the blankets to my chest as look around to see Naruto out of bed and looking around. He's wearing his boxers and is on his hands and knees, feeling around the floor for something in the dark.
"What's wrong Naru-kun?"
He freezes in surprise, slowly turning his head toward me he laughs nervously.
"Uh, nothing. I'm just looking for something."
Wrapping a blanket around my body I slip off the edge of the bed and onto my bare feet, the plush burgundy carpet soft beneath my feet.
"I'm going to go grab a shower."
I start walking toward the bathroom door when Naruto speaks up from behind me.
"Hey! Wait a sec!"
Turning around Naruto is now on his feet with his hands behind his back. His face is red…
What does he have to be embarrassed about?
"It isn't very much, but…" He trails, walking toward me and dropping to one knee.
He's…
The realization of what he's doing dawns on me a second before he takes his hands from his back and holds out a small black jewelry case. Opening the case he reveals a gold ring with a modestly sized diamond mounted in it.
It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen!
"Hinata Senju, will you marry me?" Naruto proposes.
For nearly ten seconds the room is silent, and Naruto kneels there holding the ring out and waiting for my reply. When I don't say anything, the confidence seems to bleed out of Naruto's face, his eyes looking away and his elbows bending slightly, a hint of concern coming into his voice.
"Umm…?" He mutters in a low voice.
I snap out of my delirium, remembering how to speak and that I need to say something.
"Yes!" I adamantly agree. "A thousand times yes!"
He sighs in relief, suppressing a chuckle he removes the ring from the box and slides it onto my finger, the ring fitting snugly on my hand. For a moment it's all I can do to look down at the ring finger, and the diamond sparkling there.
"Hinata?" A familiar female voice echoes from the front door.
Both Naruto and I share a knowing look.
"We need to get dressed, now!" I articulate my thoughts and Naruto nods eagerly.
The two of us throw on our clothes in a mad rush, and I forgo putting on the jacket or the haori instead just settling on the black fishnet sleeved shirt and the blue pants.
"I'll be just a minute!" I call out to Kurenai from the doorway of the bedroom.
Checking my appearance in the doorway just to make sure, I bolt out of the room like I'm shot out of a cannon. My feet practically never even touch the steps as I bolt down the stairs and run toward the front door. Stopping at the door a moment I take a deep breath to compose myself before I step out of the front door. Walking to the gate I open it from the inside to see Kurenai standing there with Norito in her arms wrapped in a blue blanket.
"Good morning Kurenai-sensei, little Norito…" I greet them with a smile.
Kurenai smiles at the greeting, Norito silent in her arms.
"He's a little sleepy right now so you'll have to forgive him if he doesn't say hi." Kurenai apologizes with an easy smile. "Can we come in?"
"Sure." I motion for her to enter.
She walks through the open gate, the gate closing behind her. Following Kurenai inside I lead her to the sitting room, offering her a chair she eagerly sits down. Sitting across from her on the sofa her red eyes glance around the room, taking in the room's simple decoration.
"Unfortunately I just moved in yesterday and I haven't had time to buy drinks or refreshments yet."
"That's OK Hinata, I know that you just moved in, so don't worry about it."
"Well…how have you been Kurenai-sensei?"
"My maternity leave is almost up so I'll have to return to active duty soon." Kurenai explains.
Normally a female shinobi would take years of time off to devote herself to being a mother. Normally those kunoichi never return to active duty, focusing instead on raising their family instead of supporting the village. With the recent events and losses to Konoha's shinobi, people like Kurenai are needed all the more; so she'll likely have to hire a nanny or have a member of her family look after Norito while she's working. It's unfortunate, but it can't be avoided. Even with the Alliance, if Konoha were to show weakness the other members of the alliance wouldn't hesitate to dissolve the Alliance and pounce, annihilating the village and splitting the spoils, probably fighting amongst themselves over who would lay claim to the Hyuga and their Byakugan and if Haruka survives her Sharingan.
"I hope to have the situation with Akatsuki resolved before that happens…" I explain for Kurenai, trailing off when I see her smiling at me. "Is something wrong? Is something on my face?"
Kurenai shakes her head slowly, chuckling lightly.
"It's nothing like that. I just never thought that a pupil of mine would rise like you have, though I can't really take much of the credit because both Jiraiya-sama and Tsunade-sama spent four years with you, you only spent a few months with me."
"I only did what I did to protect the people I care about. However history chooses to remember what I've done is completely out of my control. Just like the Sage of Six Paths couldn't dictate whether or not other people called him a messiah. He just did what he did to protect people who couldn't protect themselves."
"That's true." Kurenai agrees. "However the Sage had abilities that no one else at the time did, fantastic abilities that no one else had that he could've used for good or evil, and he too chose to protect those who couldn't protect themselves." Pausing Kurenai looks toward the door, a grin coming to her face. "Why don't you come in Naruto?"
"Geh!" Naruto starts from behind the wall.
Naruto emerges from behind the doorframe, scratching at the back of his head in embarrassment before he walks into the room, taking a seat next to me on my right on the sofa across from Kurenai.
Her senses haven't dulled in spite of her being on maternity leave for over a year.
"It's nice to see you Kurenai-sensei." Naruto says in greeting.
Kurenai's eyes look to Naruto and then me, a smile coming to her face.
"You two are lovers now." She says more statement than question.
Both of us blush in embarrassment and Kurenai giggles playfully, her next question coming out naturally.
"Do Minato and Kushina know?"
Naruto shrugs his shoulders and I mirror the expression.
"They probably know, but they haven't discouraged us from being together, so…" I answer.
"Ah…so that must be an engagement ring on your finger Hinata?" Kurenai asks astutely.
Blushing cherry red in embarrassment Kurenai giggles at my reaction, clearly pleased with what she's done.
Scene Transition
"See you two later!" Kurenai says good bye, waving to both Naruto and I as we stand in the gate to my home.
It's now near noon, and the three of us spent hours just chatting. Most of what we talked about was stuff that happened since we last spoke, and Kurenai told us about what's going on in her life, how Norito first crawled and all the other firsts that come with raising a baby.
With Kurenai disappearing from sight both of us start back into the house, closing the gate and the front door behind us.
"It's good to see our old sensei after all this time." Naruto comments and I nod my head in agreement.
The door bell goes off; an electronic chime that echoes throughout the entire house, signaling that someone else is at the gate. Both Naruto and I share a questioning look, the unspoken question between us being 'who could that be?'
"Maybe Kurenai-sensei forgot something?" Naruto suggests.
Naruto stays in the house a moment while I leave the house and head for the gate. Opening the gate reveals not Kurenai-sensei but Kushina Namikaze. The red haired woman wears her normal clothes and smoldering anger in her eyes.
"Kushina-san…" I greet the woman, and Naruto emerges from the house, spotting his mother he quickly ducks back inside, trying in vain to avoid detection by his mother.
Did he sneak out or not tell her he was here?
Kushina scowls past me toward the front door, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Time to come out Nar-u-to…" Kushina says his name in a sing song tone and Naruto emerges from the doorframe, looking like a child who got caught with his hand in the proverbial cookie jar. "What are you doing here Naruto?"
"Uh…I just got here?" Naruto tries to lie, but Kushina sees right through it.
"You never came home last night." She says matter of factly. "That and most of your stuff is missing from your room."
Naruto's face turns red in embarrassment and I quickly raise the ring on my ring finger, showing it to my soon to be mother-in-law.
"Naruto just proposed to me."
Kushina looks at the ring for a few moments, scrutinizing the relatively modest diamond ring before she nods approvingly.
"It's about time." She says with a grunt. "Can I come inside?"
"Sure." I agree, motioning for her to come inside.
As Kushina enters the house she slips off her shoes before she follows me to the sitting room. Motioning for her to sit down on a chair I take a seat on the sofa across the coffee table. Naruto takes a seat next to me, the two of us intertwining our fingers while Kushina looks on.
"Sorry." I apologize to her. "I haven't had time to stock up on drinks or snacks, so I can't offer you anything. I didn't think I'd have visitors this quickly."
"It's fine. I understand that things have been hectic lately." Kushina says with a dismissive wave.
"So…how did you know that I was living here now?"
"I know practically everything that happens inside the village." Kushina says matter of factly. "Funding for the construction of this house was made through the village, I personally approved it."
"Oh…"
She personally approved the funding for building this house? Then she had to know all of this would happen…
"Well, not that I don't enjoy talking with you, but I did come here to speak about something specific."
"What's up Kushina-sama?"
"Minato will be arriving tomorrow along with the other four Kage and their respective entourages."
Tomorrow?
"Wha…?" Naruto mumbles in surprise.
"Konoha will be the first village to host the unified shinobi government. Every six weeks thereafter the governing council will rotate from village to village."
"Wow…" I mutter in surprise, and Kushina continues.
"In his latest message it's explicitly stated that Minato wants you present to welcome them to the village." Kushina continues. "That and he has ordered the ANBU moved up to high alert for the duration of the council's time in Konoha. Minato isn't going to risk another catastrophe while all five of the Kage are present in one village."
"What about Jiraiya-sensei? Shouldn't he be present to welcome the others?"
"He's got his hands full just handling the day to day running of the village." Kushina says with a grin.
Well, that's to be expected. The village can't appear to be weak so they can't start refusing missions even with this new government.
"So, what can we do?" Naruto asks, and Kushina smiles at her son.
"For now the both of you are on standby." She explains for both of us. "The mission to hunt down Akatsuki will come soon, and your team has the most experience in dealing with them."
With that she stands up, sighing regretfully.
"Unfortunately, I have to get back. Even with Jiraiya there's a lot of prep work to do for tomorrow and if I don't do it, it won't get done."
Both of us stand up as well, following Kushina to the door both Naruto and I embrace the red haired woman before she leaves.
"I'll see you soon Okaa-san." Naruto says his good bye
"See you tomorrow Kushina-sama." I say my good bye as I hug her. "Take care of yourself."
Slipping her shoes on Kushina nods, smiling at the both of us.
"I'll see you both tomorrow." She says her farewell before she waves good bye and slips out the front door.
Following Kushina outside I make sure the gate is closed and no one else is outside before I return to the manor, finding Naruto back in the sitting room, looking thoughtful as he sits on a padded chair.
"I'm going to go grab a shower now."
"OK." Naruto agrees absent mindedly.
Scene Transition
Thirty minutes later I emerge from the shower, feeling refreshed. I have a towel wrapped around my body and a second towel wrapped around my hair. Since this is my house I walk out of the bedroom and back to the living area, and Naruto is still in the living area, still sitting on the chair looking thoughtful.
"The shower's all yours."
"Yeah…" He agrees in that same absent minded tone.
Leaning over the back of the chair over his left shoulder, I look down toward his face.
"Naruto what's wrong?" I ask curiously, and he doesn't look at me as he answers.
"The five Kage are coming tomorrow, and I'm worried that something is going to happen since the five of them will all be in one place."
Moving around to his left side I sit on the arm of the chair before reaching out and taking his hand in mine, giving it a gentle squeeze.
"It'll be all right." I try to assure him as I hold his hand and he looks up at me with eyes that aren't so sure.
"Yeah…I guess." He reluctantly agrees, a sly smile coming to his face. "By the way, that look for you is really sexy."
He gives me a quick kiss on the cheek before he stands up, stretching his arms and legs.
"I'm going to go use the master bath."
"Go ahead, just keep it neat."
"Yeah, yeah…" He says with a wave of his hand, walking toward the master bedroom.
Scene Transition
An hour later I'm fully dressed and standing in the kitchen, working on making a late lunch for Naruto and me. Naruto walks into the kitchen, taking a deep breath.
"That smells good Hime." Naruto says with a grin, and I shrug my shoulders.
"I'm making breakfast for lunch, hope that's OK."
"That's fine. You've always been a good cook." He praises me. "Since you're cooking I'll set the table. One of my clones put all the dishes away, so I know where everything is."
He moves from cabinet to cabinet and drawer to drawer, setting the table for two. Finishing the food I set the bacon, eggs and toast on separate serving plates before I carry them to the table, setting them down as Naruto pulls a chair out for me.
"Would you like something to drink?" Naruto asks as I sit down, and I smile at him.
"Some orange juice would be nice."
"Got it."
He jogs back into the kitchen, opening the refrigerator he grabs a bottle of orange juice and a canned energy drink.
Not like he really needs an energy drink…
Coming back into the dining area Naruto pours my drink before he sits down, cracking the can before we both put our hands together.
"Itadakimasu." Both Naruto and I say in unison.
The two of us clean up the food, and once the food is gone Naruto stands up, scooping the dishes up in his arms.
"I'll do clean up, so don't worry about it."
With that I leave the dining room and walk to the living room. Taking a seat on the sofa I sigh contentedly.
You know…it's almost like we're living together like a married couple. We never really had a chance to talk about it with the recent string of visitors…
It's then that Naruto walks into the living room, sitting down next to me.
"Naruto…" I trail, and he blinks in surprise, looking at me with his full attention.
"What's up?" He asks casually.
"About the wedding…"
"What about it?"
"Do you have any ideas about it?"
He scratches his head in embarrassment.
"Actually…I was kinda hoping you had some ideas." He says with an embarrassed grin.
"I don't think that right now is a good time for us to get married. Once everything settles down is another story."
"Once Akatsuki has been stopped and the world is safe than we consider getting married." Naruto agrees, and I nod.
Scene Transition
It's been an hour since lunch, and I went to the mansion's dojo to meditate. The serenity of the room does a lot to relax me, helping me to clear my mind and just think. After an hour Naruto opens the door, poking his head in.
"Shino just called, wants to know if we can do dinner tonight with him and Fumiko."
"Does he want to eat here?" I ask curiously, and Naruto shakes his head no.
"He wants the four of us to go out together." He clarifies. "You wanna go?"
"Sure." I agree, and Naruto grins victoriously.
Scene Transition
Three hours later I emerge from the shower, a towel around my body and another around my head. The reservation for the restaurant is for 5:00 PM, and it's just after 4:00 now. I'd gotten in the shower after Naruto who said he had something to take care of and left.
With my left hand holding the towel to my chest I walk into the master bedroom. The room is quiet and still, no sign of Naruto or anyone else save for two white boxes on top of the bed that wasn't there when I got into the shower. Looking closer at the larger of the two boxes there's a note on top, and I easily recognize Naruto's handwriting. Picking up the note I read it aloud, a smile coming to my face as I read.
"I bought these for you for tonight." The note simply reads followed by his signature.
Setting the note aside I look down at the box, using my free hand to reach out and gently pull the top off the box, revealing its contents. Inside the large box is an elegant looking lavender evening gown along with several jewelry boxes and a handbag arranged around the neatly folded dress. There are three jewelry boxes, one large one and two smaller ones. Inside the larger box is a necklace with Amethyst stones of varying size set into the necklace. Opening the other boxes I find a pair of matching Amethyst earrings in one and an Amethyst studded bracelet in the other. Opening the smaller box I recognize instantly that it's a shoe box, and inside I find a pair of high heel shoes that perfectly matches the dress. Looking at the entire presentation I can't help but smile as I gently set the handbag aside and pick up the dress, looking it up and down, my smile widening as I imagine how I'll look wearing it.
Scene Transition
Thirty minutes later I'm wearing the dress, shoes and jewelry and looking at myself in the mirror. The handbag sits on the bed, the boxes empty and closed. I run my hands down the front of the dress, smoothing out any possible lumps in the dress. The door to the hall opens, and Naruto walks inside, dressed in a suit and tie, his hair slicked and neat. He smiles as he walks up behind me, looking at me in the dress and the modest cleavage and my exposed back he grins appreciatively.
"You look great Hina-hime, don't worry so much." He tries to assuage my worries.
Smiling happily at the compliment I give him a quick kiss on the cheek.
I wonder what Shino will look like in a suit, and what Fumiko will wear…
"We have a reservation for 5:00, and Shino made the reservation so we shouldn't have to worry about people making a scene." Naruto continues.
"One can only hope." I say with a smile.
Scene Transition
Twenty minutes later Naruto and I approach the restaurant Shino chose, the name of the establishment is called Hirashima's, named after the legendary First Hokage. We walk hand in hand and I quickly spot Shino and Fumiko, the two of them waiting outside the restaurant. Shino wears a charcoal colored suit and dark tie and Fumiko wears a black dress with a conservative cut. Both Naruto and I agreed not to bring up our engagement unless they do.
"Naruto, Hinata." Shino says in greeting, tilting his head politely in greeting.
"Naruto-san, Hinata-san." Fumiko greets the two of us with a smile.
"Shino, Fumiko-san." Naruto returns Fumiko's smile and I nod toward them in greeting.
"You look really nice Fumiko-san." I praise Shino's girlfriend. "Shino, you look so different in a suit!"
Shino quickly looks away in embarrassment, the Aburame equivalent of a blush and Fumiko smiles at her beau's squirming under my praise.
"You look really nice too Hinata-san." Fumiko compliments me, and I smile at her, leaning against Naruto's arm.
"Well, Naruto-kun picked this entire outfit for me, so he deserves all the credit!"
Both Shino and Fumiko laugh lightly at that, and Naruto shakes his head slowly.
"Shall we go inside?" He asks, changing the subject and both Shino and Fumiko agree.
The four of us walk into the establishment, gentle piano music filling the air as we enter into the restaurant. The light is low, and the interior of the place gives it an elegant atmosphere, the piano in the far left corner of the room, a man playing the gentle tune that is somehow muted to allow for the patrons to have conversations with the music providing a gentle, calming background. In the middle of the restaurant is a large fireplace, casting flickering light across the interior of the restaurant and providing warm heat.
As we enter Shino is the one to approach the host and does the talking. After a few short words the four of us are lead to a booth, the host setting four menus down on the table, two on either side of the table. Shino and Fumiko take their seats on one side of the table, Naruto and I on the other. Shino sits across from Naruto on the outside of the table, Fumiko across from me.
We all open our menus seemingly at the same time, and looking at the menu I can't help but widen my eyes in surprise at not only the cuisine but also at the prices. Looking the menu over I can honestly say that I've never been into a place that's as expensive as this one, even during the time I was away with Jiraiya and Tsunade, and the whorehouses Jiraiya dragged me into while Tsunade was away gambling.
"It's amazing that this place is still so busy." I comment, my eyes panning around the establishment, eying the aristocracy of the village out for the evening.
"Well, it is far enough away from the blast that the people in this area wouldn't be affected." Naruto chimes in.
"I've heard that reconstruction is going well." Fumiko speaks up. "The latest projections estimate that rebuilding should be done within the month."
Though I don't know if Konoha will even be standing in a month. If Madara gets ahold of the Hachibi and somehow manages to make eight Jinchuriki loyal to him then this village won't stand a chance…
It's then that a server comes by, smiling warmly and greeting the four of us.
"Hello there! My name is Jun and I'll be your server tonight! Can I get you four something to drink?"
I quickly bury my head in the menu, trying to hide who I am so I don't cause a scene. We all order, and I do my best to keep my face behind the menu and not look at the server, waiting until the man has left before I even think about lowering the menu to look around.
"Is there something the matter Hinata?" Shino asks casually, his own menu on the table, his sunglass covered eyes looking at me with scrutiny from behind the shades.
"No. Nothing's wrong, I was just looking over the menu. I've never been here before and I wanted to get a good look at everything before I ordered."
Shino stares at me a moment, looking at me with scrutiny in his eyes a moment before he finally looks away, letting the subject drop.
"So, how have the two of you been doing?" Naruto asks, casually changing the subject.
Fumiko smiles at the change in subject.
"This is the first time since the attack that we've stopped to do anything even remotely fun." She explains.
"Well, it is important to take breaks, to recharge your batteries, otherwise you burn yourself out."
"That's true, but I feel a little bad going out to dinner while everyone else is struggling and working to rebuild."
"It's admirable that you want to help, but no one's a super hero, everyone has to stop and recharge."
"Yeah, I guess." Fumiko agrees, and the server begins to approach again.
I quickly raise the menu, feigning interest in one of the meals listed on the menu as the server passes out our drinks.
"You four know what you'd like to order?" The server asks politely.
The four of us order, the server dutifully taking our order and then politely dismissing himself. Once he's gone I lower the menu to see three pairs of eyes looking directly at me with open concern.
"What?" I awkwardly ask, looking around at the three of them, and it's Naruto who answers.
"You're hiding again." He says with a shake of his head.
"I am not." I flat out deny, but Shino presses the issue.
"You have done everything in your power to keep your presence here a secret." Shino says matter of factly.
"Well…" I begin, looking away from him and down toward the table. "People recognize me now, and I don't want to ruin your evening."
As if on cue a dark haired man in a suit approaches the table then, stopping at the side of the table. The three of them quickly look toward him, while I continue to stare down at the table, my peripheral vision enough to let me get a good view of the man and what he's here for.
"Excuse me." He says politely, bowing his head. "You probably don't know me, but my name is Hattori and I'm an ANBU here with some of my colleagues on our night off." He explains to all of us.
"Well, that's good, we were just talking about how ninja need to take time off to relax and unwind. May I ask what business you have with us?" Naruto asks amicably.
"You have Hinata-sama with you, do you not?" Hattori asks calmly, and the hairs stand on the back of my neck at the mention of my name.
I can feel Naruto's gaze settle on me, and I quickly paste on a smile before looking up, doing my best to look sincere as I smile at the man.
"Hello Hattori-san, what can I do for you?" I ask casually, trying not to sound nervous.
"Well, my colleagues and I would really like to meet the both of you, the Hero who stopped Pain and the Second Yellow Flash that fought against Sasuke Uchiha."
Naruto and I share a glance, and we both look at Shino and Fumiko, the two of them nodding their approval before Naruto and I stand up at the same time.
"We'll go say hi, but we're out with some friends and can't stay long." I explain, and Hattori nods in understanding.
"That's great! Thank you so much!" Hattori agrees, leading both Naruto and I toward another table that presumably is filled with his colleagues.
Their table is a corner table, a round booth with five people sitting at it. Three of the five are women in evening gowns and the other two of them are men dressed in suits. Looking around the table I can tell just from the way that they carry themselves that it's three couples, and one of the women is an ANBU while the third ANBU is a man. Since the ANBU are forbidden from dating one another, they all have dates that are civilians rather than shinobi.
Hattori quickly introduces us to his friends, and my suspicions are confirmed as he introduces them. They're all happy to meet Naruto and I, the two of us having gained quite a reputation, Naruto for not only being the so called Second Yellow Flash but also for fighting off the rogue 'last Uchiha' when he attacked Konoha. Me, I've gained my reputation thanks to the Rinnegan and the fact that I fought off Nagato when he tried to level the village. I do my best to remember their names as we exchange greetings, and we talk for a few moments. Through the conversation I get the feeling that the 6 of them are good people, the kind who work hard and then go out and have a few drinks after work, honest good natured people. After ten minutes Naruto and I excuse ourselves, saying it's about time we got back to our table, and they once again thank us all for the short meeting, Hattori saying it was nice of them to come over and meet his group before Naruto and I walk away, sitting down at our own table, Shino and Fumiko watching the both of us as we take our seats across from them.
"They were happy to see you." Shino points out, and Naruto nods.
"Yeah, they were good guys."
"Our server says our meal should be here soon." Shino explains.
"That's good. I'm starting to get ravenous." Naruto says jokingly.
Fumiko's eyes settle on me, a smile coming to her face.
"How do you deal with all the adoration that's being heaped on you?" She asks curiously.
"Well…people didn't always adore me. They used to glare angrily at me and treat me like I was some kind of monster."
Fumiko looks puzzled at that, and I don't need the Rinnegan to figure out that Fumiko doesn't know about the Kyuubi.
"You were hated?" Fumiko asks curiously, and both Shino and Naruto's eyes go wide in alarm.
"Well, Hinata was a member of the Hyuga Main Branch, and many people are jealous of what that clan has." Shino tries to explain.
"Though, I'm not a Hyuga anymore. I no longer have the Byakugan and I've passed on the secrets of the clan to Neji-nii-san. Tsunade-okaa-san just recently adopted me into the Senju clan."
"Oh, well congratulations." Fumiko congratulates me.
Scene Transition
An hour later the four of us leave Hirashima's, leaving a generous tip as we leave. Together the four of us just walk away from the place, no real destination in mind as we enjoy each other's company.
"If I could, do you think I could speak to the three of you, in private?" Fumiko asks, and Shino looks at Naruto and me, searching for approval.
I nod my agreement and Naruto shrugs his shoulders, his face saying he doesn't care one way or the other. We walk until we find a small bridge running over a creek, and it's relatively out of the way and it's there that Fumiko stops, stepping away from Shino and looking at the three of us one after the other.
"Is something the matter Fumiko-chan?" Shino asks in his normal monotone.
"You three are hiding something." Fumiko says matter of factly, her eyes darting between us.
Well, that didn't take very long did it?
Naruto blinks in surprise, his face settling into a blank mask and I quickly look away from Fumiko, afraid my eyes might betray something.
"We all have our secrets Fumiko-chan." Shino says matter of factly.
"It's something about Hinata, when we were talking about why she was treated like a monster you two weren't surprised at all about it."
"We've been teammates since we were twelve." Naruto speaks up. "We've all shared a lot about ourselves with each other, and our sensei."
Fumiko shakes her head no.
"I understand that, and I know that what you told me back there wasn't the truth, at least not the whole truth." She continues, her eyes focusing on Shino. "Don't you trust me; have I ever done anything to make you think that I'm not trustworthy?"
Shino shakes his head no, pushing his ever present sunglasses up the bridge of his nose.
"This secret is not mine to share Fumiko-chan." Shino says matter of factly.
"It's about Hinata-san isn't it?" Fumiko asks, and Shino nods curtly.
"Your intuition is impeccable, however I cannot explain anything more than I already have. It is Hinata's choice, not mine."
The law about the gag order about the Kyuubi is expressly clear on that. The only one who can say anything to anyone about the Kyuubi to someone who doesn't already know about what happened to it is me. Even if I tell someone and give them permission to tell another person, I still have to be the one to let the cat out of the bag.
Fumiko looks toward me, her expression deeply curious, and Shino for his part moves behind his significant other, nodding his approval of her character, trying to assure me that he believes Fumiko won't react negatively to the news about what's been sealed inside me.
Opening my mouth to explain it's like I'm twelve years old again, telling Naruto and Shino about it, the same fear of rejection bubbling to the surface in spite of the years I spent with the knowledge of the demon sealed inside me.
"My birthday is December 21st…" I explain to her, and Fumiko blinks in surprise.
"The 21st of December? Why do I know that date…?" She mutters in a low voice.
"It was the day Konoha was attacked…" I remind her, and she nods, her memory filling in the gaps.
"Yes! That's the same day that the Kyuubi attacked the village, and Hiiashi Hyuga died killing it."
"Hiiashi-sama didn't kill the Kyuubi." I correct her. "Nothing could kill it, instead it was sealed into a new born baby, Hiiashi's only daughter."
Fumiko blinks in surprise, her eyes going wide as she absorbs this new information.
"Afterwards the people of the village began to treat me like dirt. My mother wasn't a part of the Hyuga clan so I grew up without her. I was raised by my grandmother, and if not for her and my status as the heir to the main branch then I probably would've had a much tougher childhood. As it was the people of the village only glared at me and tried to make me feel like I shouldn't have even been born."
"That's why people spurned you when you were younger?" Fumiko asks curiously and I nod solemnly. "Well…I can understand that…"
…What…?
Shino's eyebrows rise in surprise at her remark, and Naruto's eyes go wide as he too didn't expect Fumiko to say what she said.
"Is that a problem?" Shino asks coolly, his surprise evident in the frost that has filled his tone.
Fumiko shakes her head no, half turning to face Shino and look between him and I.
"No, it isn't a problem, but I can understand why people would be angry. The Kyuubi killed a lot of people, and when people lose someone precious to them they want to retaliate against it. Since they couldn't attack the demon, they would attack its jailor instead." She explains. "My brother died during the Kyuubi attack, and my parents forbade me from becoming a shinobi because of it."
"Hinata did not kill your brother." Shino says matter of factly, and Fumiko nods her understanding.
"I know…it just isn't that easy for me. I remember my brother when I was little, and my parents keep a shrine to him in our house and we visit the memorial stone at least once a year. I can't just accept her carrying the Kyuubi around like you two, neither of you lost anything because of it."
"Maybe not." Shino argues. "However, Hinata's entire family was taken from her because of the attack. Her father died sealing the demon away, and her family forbade her from seeing her biological mother. The only record of her mother's name has since been destroyed, effectively preventing her from ever learning who her biological mother is."
"What kind of parent has a child and then never tries to contact it?" Fumiko retorts, insinuating that my biological mother isn't the most responsible person in the world.
"My grandmother was the one who raised me." I repeat myself. "She died four years ago when the Sound and Sand village alliance attacked during the Chunin Exams. If not for Naruto's family offering to shelter me, I doubt I'd be standing here today."
Fumiko looks at me with disbelief painted all over her face.
"Her own family tried to have her killed." Shino speaks up. "She came to our compound in the middle of the night, fleeing from a hired killer."
"Why would your own clan try to have you killed?" Fumiko asks.
"Because I was a hindrance to my Uncle's ascension to leadership of the clan. I was all that stood between him and all the power and prestige that comes with being the leader of the Hyuga."
"Though, it was never proven that Hizashi sent the assassin after her." Naruto comments dryly.
Fumiko shakes her head slowly.
"I…I never knew about any of this." She admits, and Shino is the one to speak.
"Because you never bothered to ask." He reprimands her. "Just because you grieve for your brother doesn't give you the right to take it out on Hinata. She's lost family to the Kyuubi, and she doesn't blame the people of the village for their ignorance in blaming her. I wonder who that makes the better person?"
Fumiko blinks in surprise, her eyes drifting down toward the ground as she thinks about everything she's just heard, and I can see it in her eyes, her letting go of some of the grief and sadness brought into her life by the demon, and she bows to me in apology.
"I'm sorry." She emphatically apologizes.
"It's all right." I tell her. "I know that people are still angry at the demon, even after all this time…"
Fumiko shakes her head no.
"Still, it was wrong of me to think that you were responsible in any way, shape or form for what the demon did, and I understand now that blaming you isn't the proper thing to do. I couldn't help my reaction at hearing the demon's name, and all the grief and sorrow it's caused my family."
"What's important is that you learn from your mistake." Shino comments, and I nod my agreement.
"That's right." I agree, and Fumiko closes her eyes, nodding quickly.
"I will."
I smile at the girl, and Naruto grins one of his happy go lucky grins.
"Shall we get going?"
Scene Transition
Fifteen minutes later Naruto and I walk through the gate to my home. Entering into the house proper Naruto locks the door. Slipping our shoes off at the door the two of us walk into the living room, Naruto taking a seat on the sofa as I lean over the back of the sofa, resting my head on my hands.
"Well, that went well didn't it?" Naruto asks, and I laugh lightly.
"Yeah, it did."
"Now you've got someone else who knows your secret and doesn't hate you for it."
"I know, but it could've gone smoother. For a few moments there I thought Fumiko was going to say she hated me…"
"Yeah, it was pretty touch and go for a few seconds, but she understood. Ultimately that's all that counts. You really should consider telling more people. I can't imagine most of the people we know reacting negatively to it."
I shrug my shoulders.
"It's hard to tell people. I mean it's the source of so much of the scorn and hatred that I've felt in my life. Now all the sudden the entire village loves me. It's mind boggling."
"You'll get used to it, eventually the people will get bored and then they'll move on to something else."
"I hope so."
Naruto stands up, stretching his arms and legs.
"I'm gonna go grab a shower, is it OK if I use the master bathroom?"
"Sure, go ahead."
Scene Transition
Four hours later I step out of the shower, wrapping a towel around my waist and head, looking myself over in the bathroom mirror before I step out of the bathroom and into the master bedroom.
I wonder if Naruto and I will make love again tonight?
Stepping out into the master bedroom Naruto is lying on the bed wearing a sleeveless black shirt and orange sweatpants, his legs hanging off the foot of the bed at the knee, his hands behind his head as he stares up at the ceiling. Naruto's head pops up as I enter, and walking to the dresser I open the drawers and grab a night shirt from the drawer, unwrapping the towel and pulling it down over my body. Naruto watches the entire time, his eyes boggling for the few moments I'm effectively naked in front of him. Un-wrapping the towel around my head I slowly dry my hair as I walk to the bed, Naruto's eyes locked on me the entire time.
"You just wanted to see me in my underwear didn't you?" I ask coyly, and Naruto grins at the question.
"Is it bad if I was hoping so?" He asks as he scratches the back of his head.
Sitting down on the edge of the bed I can't help but wonder whether or not our relationship is going to become just about sex now that Naruto and I are no longer under Kushina's watchful eye.
"Naru-kun, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, what's up?"
"Well, now that we're living together, I don't want our relationship to be just about sex. I know you like it and I like it too, but there's more to being with someone then that…"
"Uh…where'd you get the idea that was what I wanted?"
"Well…before we were living together one of things we couldn't do was make love whenever we wanted. Now that we can I'm worried…"
"Well…being in bed with you is a nice perk, but I like being around you, with or without the sex." He says calmly, adding in a whisper. "Though I don't want to lose any of it."
"I'm really relieved to hear that Naru-kun."
"Has it been bothering you that long?"
"No, not really, but it really did have me worried. I didn't know how strongly you felt about our intimacy…"
"Sex is nice, but who I'm doing it with is important too. I'm not like some people who will sleep with anyone who spreads their legs for them."
"Talking about Jiraiya-sensei?" I ask with a grin, and Naruto chuckles, shaking his head slowly.
"Yeah, I've hardly spent any time with that Pervert and I can tell that he's a Super Pervert."
"He openly admits to being a pervert, and while we were away he took me to more than one brothel while Tsunade-sensei was busy gambling."
Naruto's eyes go wide in surprise.
"He took you into brothels? As in whore-houses?"
"Yep." I answer with a grin, and Naruto shakes his head.
"Mental note: never let my fiancée go off on training trips with Jiraiya ever again…"