Reap What You Sow
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO, sadly.
Talking: "My Name Is Uzumaki Naruto"
Kyubi/Demon Talking: 'My Name is Kurama'
Thoughts: 'What Is that?'
Emphasis on A word: "What the Hell?"
A/N: Let The Story Begin.
Reminder
Tears hit the photo as he saw the imagine of his mother for the first time. Hinata smiled at him. "Your mother was very beautiful, Naruto-kun. You've got her face."
He chuckles through his sobs. "She-she is beautiful… so so beautiful! I'm a lucky son-ttebayo."
He looks up at Hinata with gratitude in his eyes, she blushes at the new found attention of the blond genin.
"Hinata-chan… I…"
"Hinata-chan… I… have never been so happy in my life-ttebayo. I don't know how I could possibly repay you."
Hinata's eyes softened towards her crush, she shook her head and used her hand to gently wipe away Naruto's tears, her hand never leaving his face. "This is rightfully yours, I want you to have it and I'm sure Okaa-san would want you to have it also, 'Ruto-kun."
Naruto's eyes widened slightly at the gesture, his cheeks reddening. He grasped Hinata's hand on his face with his and squeezed, he then pulls her in the tight embrace, crying into her shoulder quietly. Him not being used to overwhelming emotions he doesn't know how to compose himself, the only thing he can think of to do is cry. Naruto pulls away from the embrace much to Hinata's displeasure, he wiped his eyes and gave a big toothy grin.
He held onto her hand and walked into the direction of his home. "I want you to show me where I can put in my house."
WITH ANKO
Genma and Anko are checking out of the hospital, they bow and give their thanks. The Snake Mistress breathed a sigh of relief and shook her head. "I really hate hospitals, they stink."
Her partner laughed at her childish antics. "I'm sorry I didn't realise know how stressed you were." The tone of his voice was filled with guilt and shame as if he was blaming himself.
"Genma-kun… it's not your fault. I should have let you know I was feeling this way, however I didn't realise how bad it was until Kakashi dropped a bomb on me." She said conclusively. The Scarf shinobi stopped in his tracks with this new information.
"So it's Kakashi's fault?" He asked in a very dangerous tone.
Anko sweatdropped and realised it was too late to back out of this conversation. "Don't do anything rash now, he was just telling me something important and didn't know who to turn to. Okay? I'm fine now and I'm sure he will apologise in future."
It's rare to see Anko as the voice of reason but she calmed down Genma a considerable amount. Genma smiled at her and bent down, waiting for her to climb on his back.
The snake mistress twitched at the sight of this. 'Surely not… He isn't asking me to get on his back, is he? What am I? 9?' "I hope you're not intending for me to climb onto your back…" He chuckles at her.
"I am so serious Anko-chan, you're not walking until we get to your home." She blushed, not being used to be treated like a lady or anything but a dangerous human or harlot. She reluctantly climbed on his back and let her arms drape on his shoulders. He adjusts her for her to be more comfortable and walks at a steady pace. The villagers stare at the couple, in shock, bewilderment and happiness. They never thought to see Anko, a Tonkubetsu Jonin, a feared ninja with the Hidden Leaf to be in this intimate moment. Some are happy that the woman found someone to love her for who she is. She noticed the stares and buried her face deeper in the crook of Genma's neck. She whispers softly.
"Genma-kun, they're… staring."
Genma looks around and he sees the villagers smiling at the both of them and more so at Anko. "I think they're happy for you, Anko-chan."
"Why would they be happy for me?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, her voice was shaking not being able to process why a stranger would be happy for her.
Genma smiled softly. "You forget how close this village is, how all of us are strangers but family. Some of these people grew up with you, some of these people watched you grow, some of them look up to you."
He didn't hear from Anko after he said that and he got worried. He heard her sniff a little, so he decided to jump towards their house instead to get Anko out of feeling uncomfortable. He set her down once they entered their home, he bent down to look at her face. Her face stricken with tears and emotion.
"Do tell me what's the matter…" He said softly.
She wipes her eyes. "It's just I had such a… rough start to life. A-And… I didn't have a family back then. People used to see me as a nuisance and a freak for working with that scum Orochimaru. However now… I'm making my own family with you and…" She looks down at her stomach and caresses it. "… and this little one. To acknowledge that people I don't know respect me and want me to be happy. It's a reality check, and I'm crying because… I'm so fucking happy and I really don't know what I've done to deserve this kind treatment from you and everyone else. I'm-I'm truly happy, Genma-kun." She continued to cry harder and kept trying to wipe away her tears to no avail.
Genma sat next to his crying girlfriend, and wrapped his arm around her and let her cry into him. He kisses her forehead softly. "In my eyes, you deserve the world."
WITH KURENAI AND AME
Ame and her sensei were walking around the village, walking together but neither said anything. Kurenai was confused, her student clearly called her out to talk to her about something but she hasn't uttered a word. The red-eyed woman also thought back to her conversation with Shikamaru and this is her opportunity to bring it up.
Just as Kurenai was about to speak up Ame started talking. "I moved out of the Mishima compound." This caught Kurenai's attention.
"Why?" Ame ran her hand through her forest green locks.
"They have no use of me, I'm no longer heir. My little brother is. I'm actually going to be Naruto's neighbour… which will be fun." Ame could feel the future headache with the orange-clad genin. "I'm telling you this because… well I don't really have anyone I trust. I know it will get out sooner or later but I'm still going through the works."
They both walked into an empty park and they both sat on the swings. Kurenai looked at her student, even with a family clan name, she's just an orphan. 'She's just like Hina-chan.' Kurenai had a light-bulb moment. 'That's probably why she's telling me this.'
"Ame, as my student you're a part of my family. You don't need that clan." Kurenai said with the utmost conviction.
Ame smiled brightly at her sensei, thanking her for allowing her to be a part of her family. Kurenai look at the greenette with surprised. The older woman forgets that Ame Mishima is kid, just like the rest of them. She gives off this aura that she's experienced a lot and is much older. She pats the girl's head with affection.
"Well Ame, there's something I must talk to you about. Someone asked me to talk to you."
Ame looked at her with confusion, wondering what she needed to talk about.
"Now don't get mad…"
Big red flag. Ame is nervous where this is going. 'What does she know? I hope I'm not in trouble.'
"Shikamaru, asked me to talk to you. He acknowledges he upset you and wanted me to come talk to you." Kurenai knew that letting Ame know that she knows about her with her infatuation with Hinata, would send the girl in turmoil.
The greenette however remained rather calm with her eyes closed as if she was trying to see the answer she should give, and how she should react. "How much did he tell you?"
Kurenai heard the uncertainty in her voice, should she bend the truth or tell the whole truth? She exhaled slowly thinking about her options but she decided to do what was best.
"He told me everything, however, please don't feel like you can't talk to me about it. I'm here for you, as your sensei as well as friend." Kurenai tried reassuring the young girl.
Ame was embarrassed beyond belief, the one person she tells blabs. However, this is Shikamaru she was talking about. He wouldn't tell anyone if he didn't trust anyone enough to know. Ame remained quiet unsure of what to say, she felt awkward to say the least. But at the same time she felt comfortable in her sensei's presence.
"He said, if you want a different approach to the conversation with him, he's more than willing to listen this time instead of being a jerk." Kurenai giggled with Ame laughing at calling him a jerk.
Ame smirked. "He's not a jerk… he's troublesome." Both of them broke out in a gut splitting laughter, lifting the tension and awkwardness that had transpired before. As they both calmed down, Ame decided to speak up.
"I don't know what I feel for Bright Eyes, I'm sure it's just we're so similar. I respect her the most amongst my peers." A pink blush sat on her face. "I was never taught what feelings are, I can only just go along and try and think about what I feel. And do what I feel. So, yes I kissed her once. I wish I didn't, she's so nervous around me now." She said dejectedly.
Kurenai already knew that information but it still shocks her. She smiled at the girl's worries. "If you have been watching Hinata, you know that she's one of the most caring souls out there. She's probably embarrassed and doesn't know how to address the situation as I take you two haven't spoken about it?"
Ame shook her head. Neither of the girls brought it up to each other and they kept it under wraps. Something bothered Ame though, from the time her and Hinata kissed or rather when she kissed Hinata. "Kurenai-sensei, does Bright Eyes have issues with impulses?"
"However do you mean?" Kurenai inquired.
"Well… when I did kiss her, broke it and apologised. Then uh… she pinned me against the tree as if she was going to kiss back… I've always wondered about that. Her eyes turned purple too, her eyes were actually bright."
Kurenai started sweating and starting thinking about the Bijou that Hinata holds. 'Is this Luna making her do that? If so, how dangerous could Hinata be to others if this goes unchecked.'
"I-I don't know about that Ame, Hina-chan's eyes were always white to me." Her red orbs shifted to the side as she lied. Was it noticed by Ame? She couldn't tell, her student is very good at masking her real emotions.
Ame's face was blank as if she wasn't listening to Kurenai at all, she didn't show an inkling of knowing if the older woman was lying straight to her face. "It's okay, I don't even think Hinata knows what's going on herself." She said with a small smile, which made Kurenai smile in return. With relief, anyways.
IN AME'S POV
She's lying straight to my face, which means I know something is weird. There's something that Bright Eyes is hiding and Sensei is in on it.
We chat a little more about smaller things, trainings and missions. I wanted to leave so I could investigate further about this eye business. I walked aimlessly through the village, not knowing where to start with this information I had.
I think to myself. 'Bright Eyes, turns purple for… whatever reason. I'm guessing, triggered by emotion perhaps. Is it genetic?' As genetics pass my thoughts I see a Hyuga. Younger than Hinata, looks like her. Is this the little brother she spoke of?
I stared at him, he looked depressed. A small child, already looking as if he's given up. My heart ached a little, he was disowned by his father at such a young age. If this was a normal child he wouldn't even know his parents, however as a Hyuga it would be hard to not know about Hiashi Hyuga. I want to talk to him, but would that make Bright Eyes pissed off?
NORMAL POV
Ame Mishima decided to talk to Hinata's little brother, not knowing how to pose a conversation to this young Hyuga. His clothes were in tatters, he had a zipped-up light blue jacket with a navy blue top, white shorts and blue sandals. He had a round face like Hinata with her blue shade hair. His eyes had a significant detail about them, it didn't have a typical gleam that most children possess. It lacked dreams, hope. It looked as dead as a fresh corpse.
"Excuse me?" Ame spoke up. Hinaro looked up at the greenette and felt fear climb into him, he felt her menacing aura suffocate him. He started sweating and held his head.
"Don't touch me! I d-d-didn't do anything! Please don't hurt me!" The gleaming tears poured out of his pearl orbs.
Ame started to panic, everyone was looking at her with judging looks. She grabbed the collar of his shirt and started jumping towards her home. The Hyuga child was still crying, and she was starting to get annoyed. 'To think this kid has Hyuga blood in him. No fucking backbone whatsoever.'
As they arrived, Ame spots Naruto and Hinata who was headed to his apartment, she mentally cursed and didn't know how to sneak Hinaro passed Hinata without being seen. She hides on top of the building forgetting about the distress Hinata's little brother is in, as he lets out a heart wrenching scream crying through his tears.
"Shut up! What is the matter with you?"
She checks where Hinata and Naruto is and they disappeared from sight. 'Did they go inside?'
"What are you doing-ttebayo?"
That annoying verbal tic made Ame's head lower in defeat. She looked towards the pair, Naruto and Hinata looked at her with a weird stare. The Uzumaki, looked behind Ame and saw a small child behind her. "Are you kidnapping kids now, ya' weirdo?" This caused Ame's face to flush red with anger.
"What kind of person do you take me for, baka?!" Her black eyes dangerously narrowed at Naruto which made him hide behind Hinata who only sweatdropped at his behaviour.
"Ame-chan, who is that behind you?" The bluenette asked sweetly.
Hinaro recognised Hinata's voice and clutched Ame's leg. He didn't want her to know it was him, he didn't want to be near her. Ame was shocked, he was crying just a second ago because he thought she was going to hurt him and now he's acting as if she's his protector.
Hinata leaned a little to get a better look at the boy behind her rival's leg, she gasped and fell backwards. Sweat seemed to pour out of her hands, she swallowed saliva and closed her eyes thinking how to approach this situation. 'I've faced a literal demon, it's time to face the demons I created.'
"O-Otouto, can you please come out?" She sat on her knees and waited patiently for her brother to show himself.
"Brother?! 'Nata-chan you never told me you had a brother-ttebayo." Naruto felt hurt that this was information kept from him, after all their years of being best friends, she couldn't mention this to him?
Hinata flinched, it's not that she didn't want to tell Naruto, it was just a sore spot for her that she couldn't bring it up to him. "N-Naruto… it's not as easy as it sounds. It's… w-well, it was hard to mention him. I-I haven't even told you what happened to my Okaa-san." She said with a small voice, barely above a whisper.
Ame had a look of shock on her face, she didn't even tell Naruto what happened. 'She didn't tell him but told me?' As much as Ame wanted to deny the feeling, she felt happy about this information. To feel special in regards to Hinata.
Naruto couldn't do anything else and back down, she was right. He still didn't know about her mother and he respected that. All he can do is respect Hinata's wishes, which he will gladly do so, he doesn't want to cause her further strife.
"Hey kid, come on out. Your sister isn't all the bad, I don't know what happened but she's willing to try-ttebayo." Naruto's voice was soothing and calming, almost as if he were a mature adult helping a child coming out of his shell. It seemed to work as Hinaro peered out from behind Ame.
Naruto's eyes sparkled with giddiness. 'He looks like a smaller male version of Hinata.' Naruto doesn't really care for cuteness, or children. But this child, radiated adorableness however it might be partly due to the fact he looks like Hinata.
"She won't bite-ttebayo. I'm Uzumaki Naruto, nice to meet'cha." He held out his hand for the younger Hyuga to shake. Hinaro looked at Naruto, he felt an aura that was the complete opposite of Ame. His aura seemed warm and he instantly trusted him. He reluctantly went to shake Naruto's hand. The orange-clad genin eagerly shook the kid's hand causing Hinaro to shake a little.
"I-I-I am… I'm-I'm Hinaro…" He was faltering under the attention from the older kids. Both Ame and Naruto collectively thought. 'He is as shy as Hinata was.'
Hinata twitched as she knew was Naruto and Ame were thinking at this moment. There was one thing that seemed to bother her…
"Ame-chan why are you with my Otouto?" Ame breath hitched, she expected the question but she didn't have enough time to think about a plausible answer.
"Well, I was going to ask him a question. He looked like you so I was going to ask if he were your brother, but he started crying bloody murder. Everyone thought I was beating up on the little shit so I took him away so I didn't get judged completely." Ame mentally breathed a sigh of relief, it seemed like a good enough lie.
It got quiet amongst the four as no one knew what to say in this moment.
"I almost forgot!" Naruto exclaimed causing everyone to jump out of their thoughts.
"What gives, baka?" Ame was visibly irritated at Naruto's outburst.
The obnoxious shinobi went to kneel next to Hinaro Hyuga, who didn't flinch when he approached Hinata noticed. She smiled a little, Naruto has the power to gain anyone's trust in an instant, it was amazing to her.
"I'm an orphan too. Well, both of my parents are dead. So, I understand how you feel-ttebayo. You've never seen your mother, right?" Naruto asked the small boy.
Hinata gasped in realisation what he was hinting at, Ame looked at her in confusion. What was the point of all this? Hinaro shook his head at the question, he always wanted to know what his mother looked like. He looks nothing like his father which makes him believe he looks like his mother more. Naruto brought out the photo of his pregnant mother and Hinata's. He points at the pregnant Hyuga woman. "This is your 'kaa-san. She's beautiful just like your sister."
Hinata blushed heavily at the compliment, her eyes flickered purple for a moment. Ame caught it she doesn't understand what this means though. She was staring intently at Hinata, to which Hinata noticed. She jumped slightly at the intensity of Ame's stare as her blush increased deeply.
Hinaro looked at the picture and looked at Hinata and he kept going back and forth. He looked at his older sister, with the gleam slowly coming back to his eyes. He tackled her over and hugged her tight whilst crying on to her shoulder.
The older Hyuga ran through his hair gently, caressing him as his cries started to die down. 'Otouto… I swear to protect you this time. Call for me, and I'll be there for you. I promise. I promise.'
As Hinata declared her promise to her little brother Hinaro, she invited him to Naruto's home where he was going to put the picture. He held her hand, such a foreign feeling as well as it feeling natural. Ame admitted defeat as it wasn't her time yet to go further in her mission, she went into the house next door where she now resides.
AT NARUTO'S HOUSE
Naruto, Hinata and Hinaro stood in Naruto's room, it was quiet but it wasn't uncomfortable. Hinaro looked around at Naruto's small apartment, he liked it. It was simple, he felt comfortable. His home feels very lonely, he doesn't live with anyone, the Third Hokage visits every once in a while to see how he's doing, as he has no one to take care of him.
"Where are you going to put it 'Ruto-kun?" She smiled at him as she held her little brother's hand. Naruto smiled back and placed the photo of his mother and Hinata's on the little night table he has on the side of his bed.
All kids looked at this single photo with overwhelming emotions, both mother's lost. However, they found each other. Was it pure coincidence or was it fate?
Whilst Hinaro and Naruto were looking peacefully at the picture, Hinata felt uncontrollable anger. She balled her fist tightly until her nails broke the skin of her palms. She was shaking, angry tears filled her eyes.
"…them all…" Both boys looked at Hinata in shock, too see her physically shaking from anger. Naruto swallowed saliva, he's never seen this expression on his best friend before. He didn't hear what she said, and decided to prompt her.
"U-Uh, wh-what did you say-ttebayo?" His voice trembled with nervousness. Hinaro let go of Hinata's hand as she was squeezing him and took a step back.
She turned to him, her eyes wide with pure anger, flickering from pearlescent white to blazing purple. "All of them… I'm… going to kill all of them… the ones who killed her… they deserve it…"
Naruto held her shoulders and shook her a bit, she came out of her thoughts and her eye colour stopped switching. "Hinata. Tell me, what was that about-ttebayo?"
She looked at Naruto with his sky blue eyes filled with worry, she let out a breath she didn't know she was holding and took his hands off her shoulders. She gestured him and her little brother sit on the bed.
She looks at her brother with guilt, he never knew the demise of his mother, he's now 8 years old and all this time he's been in the dark. Her best friend Naruto, who she's known for majority of her life, never knew this information that was important to her. The main factor of why she was living with Kurenai Yuhi. He's questioned it a couple of times but she always said she wasn't ready. She told Ame Mishima before him, this goes beyond guilt it felt like outright betrayal on her behalf.
Hinata took a deep breath to calm her nerves, she released her tensed knuckles.
"Some Hyuga members murdered my Okaa-san…" She looked at Hinaro. "…Our Okaa-san. I also believe our… I believe Hiashi Hyuga planned it."
Naruto was in disbelief. 'This… was the secret she kept from me?' He gulped and looked at the floor. He couldn't understand why anyone would do that. Beside him, Hinaro looked crestfallen. He knew his biological father wasn't the best person but to aid someone in murder he didn't know. He didn't want to believe it. He never had a relationship with his mother so he doesn't feel the same anger Hinata does, he looks at his older sister's face. It still affects her clearly, she really wants to kill them.
"I had been disowned already and I ran away, they could have easily caught me. I was four years old, I guess they already thought I was too useless. Hiashi berated me into thinking I was weak, just because I wasn't like Neji-niisan… thankfully Kurenai-'kaa-san, and Asuma-'tou-san found me that day. I met Anko-neechan too." She smiled bitterly at the worst day of her life, but became one of the best things in the future to become. Her gratefulness for the people she met from that tragic event, was overwhelming. She wants to hate that day, the day she lost her mother. However, she met some of the best people she knows.
Naruto felt sick, he can't imagine being in her shoes, he can't imagine the pain she has. There was a flashback where he called her a cry-baby, and guilt entered his pores. This alone, proves one thing to Naruto…
He stood up and approached Hinata, and wrapped his arms around her and embraced her into a hug. Her head dropped onto his shoulder, he felt her arms wrap around him.
"Hinata… you're the strongest person I know-ttebayo."
She froze for a second then relaxed, hearing her best friend, her crush say that about her made her cheeks warm and her heart beat rapidly. Both Hinata and Naruto felt a smaller body join the hug, to see Hinaro smiling up at them. Naruto ruffled his hair and Hinata pinches his cheek affectionately.
WITH SASUKE
The youngest Uchiha, walked around the empty Uchiha compound, he imagines his deceased family members doing what they normally did. He walked pass the house of his aunt, who used to give him Tomato's every morning. To think that'd be over in a day. He angrily punches the wall of the Uchiha crest, and lays his forehead against it.
"Itachi… why…?" The lonely Uchiha questioned this every day, ever since his clan was purged by his big brother.
Strength. Strength to kill. That was the main focus on his mind a while back but after meeting Asuma Sarutobi. Killing Itachi was rarely on his mind anymore, the hatred for his big brother was starting to disappear. Was it a good thing? Was it going to hinder him? Was he losing sight of his goal?
He thinks about Naruto and how he's getting increasingly strong, what was his secret. A flash of Hinata went through his mind, then the other people who grew a liking towards the Uzumaki. He looks around the empty compound once more, the reason the Uchiha was so strong was Unity. Faith in each other's strength.
Sasuke starts walking out of his compound, he's going to visit a certain Haruno.
He finds himself in front of the door of the girl who can single-handedly annoy Sasuke to no end, but he keeps his mind open.
'Should I apologise for what I said the other day?' The lonesome Uchiha struggled with communication, all he can do is hope that Sakura is willing to let him talk. He was going to bang on the door hard but he thought twice. He shifted his fist and knocked on the door softly three times.
A man with spikey dark pink hair opened the door with a smile on his face, then he saw the Uchiha and that smile quickly disappeared.
"What are you doing here Uchiha-kun?" There was clear disdain in Sakura's father's voice.
Sasuke sweated a little, he didn't know how intimidating Sakura's father was. It was like he was looking up at an angry predator and he was the prey. "I, uh, well. I have come to see Sakura." This was so unlike him, he couldn't even form a sentence properly. He hasn't done anything to this man so why did he feel like the villain. Sasuke tries his best to be mindful of his manners and behaviour.
Kizashi Haruno narrowed his eyes. "Why do you want to see her? You have caused her unbearable sadness when you last spoke to her."
'Ah. That's what he was pissed about.'
"I know… I want to apologise to her, if you will let me." Sasuke's voice was so low, Kizashi could barely hear him. However, he seemed sincere enough for the father.
"She's up in her room, upstairs the second door on the right."
Sasuke bowed at him and took off his sandals, he saw Sakura's mother, Mebuki and bowed towards her before taking his leave for his target's room. He stood outside her door, he could hear her shuffling around, Sasuke swallowed a ball of spit and gently knocked on her door.
"Come in!" Sakura shouted out.
'Here goes…'
Sasuke turned the handle and opened the door slowly. He saw Sakura on her bed reading some book, she isn't even looking at him.
"What do you want? I'm trying to read here."
Sasuke looked incredulously at her. He chuckled a little which was audible to Sakura who quickly spun around to see her long-time crush in her room, smiling.
"S-S-S-Sasuke-kun, what are you doing here?" She straightens her hair out.
He awkwardly stood looking at her, getting to his destination was the easy part, but talking? Very hard.
"I wanted to come see you." He started out with, he was proud of himself for saying that. However, this made Sakura nervous.
'Does he want to attack me once more about my training and how annoying I am?' Nevertheless, her thoughts contradict her face as it supports a deep blush.
"O-Okay… what do you need?" Her voice was shaky. She was afraid but she was secretly happy he came to see her.
Sasuke noticed the hesitance of her voice and he accidentally voiced his thoughts. "Are you scared of me?"
To Sakura's surprised her dark, brooding crush sounded… hurt? Worried? She couldn't place her finger on it. She rarely sees Sasuke with other emotions apart from anger and irritancy.
She waved her hands frantically. "No, not at all Sasuke-kun! I'm just… not used to you in my room and wanting to see me…" She got more quieter towards the end. Seeing him physically relax was a weird sight to her.
"Okay." Things got quiet. Sasuke was looking around his teammates room, it resonated her quite well.
"I want to apologise for what I said the other day. Actually, how I said it." Sasuke didn't regret giving her a piece of his mind but he wasn't mindful of his delivery. He acknowledges that people are sensitive and not as hard as he is. "You're my teammate, I should try and help you with respect."
Sakura's emerald green eyes widened, she didn't expect to apologise. However, she shouldn't just let him do all the talking.
"I apologise too Sasuke-kun. As a team, we should all take training seriously and that we should work together to not be a liability for our sensei." She felt proud of herself for that, this was the step in the right direction for better teamwork.
'Asuma-sensei was right, communication goes a long way.'
For the first time in Sakura's existence of life, she witnessed the rarest thing in this world.
She looked at the last Uchiha of Konoha's face. A bright toothy grin that emulated happiness and sheer belief.
Sasuke was also finding himself weird, he couldn't control his face muscles in that moment. He felt himself smiling, he looked on the mirror Sakura has in her room. It looked so weirdly on him. He hadn't smiled like this since before Itachi slaughtered his clan.
He turned to Sakura, he was embarrassed however he was starting to like this feeling.
'Is this what I missed out on? Is this what Naruto feels every day?'
"Sakura, if you ever want to train together I'll be more than, uh… happy to do that with you." The words coming out of Sasuke's voice seemed lighter, it wasn't so harsh. It was completely alien.
WITH SHIKAMARU
The lazy ninja on Team 7 was at one of the training grounds, in the shade of the trees. He was looking up at the sky and watching the clouds float by. He can't help but think about what happened in the wave mission. He already figured out Naruto is some kind of jailor for the Kyubi, that makes sense. However, Hinata remains a mystery.
'No matter what I think about, or excuses, explanations I think of. None of them will make sense. Am I scared? No. I am not. Scared for Hinata? Definitely. However, Naruto has it worse off at the moment. People KNOW he has the Kyubi save for our generation.'
Interrupting the Nara's thoughts, Hana Inuzuka, the older sister of Kiba Inuzuka sits down next to him. He gets up slowly, and eyes her.
"Hey, Hana-san." He lazily addresses her.
She smiles a doggish-grin. "Hello Shika-kun."
Truth be told, Hana and Shikamaru's older sister Shikarla are best friends. He sees Hana often over at his compound to play with his sister. They're on different teams however it didn't break their bond.
"Did you need something from me?" He asks carefully. He didn't have any type of bond with this Inuzuka other than he's his sister's best friend.
"Actually, I'm meeting Shikky-chan to train. I came too early, and saw you and decided to bother you." She giggled, though he didn't find it funny. Disturbing his cloud watching was sin.
"Well, congrats, you've bothered me, mendouksai." She laughs harder at his famous catchphrase.
It was quiet after her laughter died down. Shikamaru was not that bothered by her presence but he felt slightly irritated that she was interrupting his precious cloud watching. Hana watched the younger boy with confusion, she doesn't get what's so great about looking at the sky.
"Don't you feel small?" She asked, supposed to say it in her head but it blurted out anyways.
The lazy genin shrugged and remained silent.
This was started to piss off the Inuzuka and she emitted a low growl.
"…Mendouksai…" He sat up and really acknowledged Hana's presence. While Kiba and his mother share the feral look of the Inuzuka, Hana doesn't possess that. She had soft black eyes, she had the traditional Inuzuka trademark of the fang-like tattoos on each side of their face, she was the same age as his sister so she was about 18. Her hair was a soft deep brown and wore it in a low ponytail with two locks of hair framing her face. She was wears a flower bracelet on her left wrist and wears bandages on her right wrist. She possess the chunin form fitting flak jacket with no pockets which isn't zipped up all the way which exposes her cleavage, she's also seen wearing form fitting black shorts that are cut just above the knee, additionally she wore black sandals, she didn't wear her forehead protector on her forehead unless she leave the village for a mission but for now she had it tied around her arm. Shikamaru also notices that Hana has a tattoo on her up right arm which symbolises a flower, he snorted at the irony or her name and flowers. Hana's face was still in a scowl.
"…Yes, to answer your question."
Hana perked up. "Oh?"
He eyed her carefully. "When I look at the sky, I notice how vast it is… we are not just small compared to it, we are tiny. I feel insignificant compared to the sky, it has a purpose which helps everyone on this earth globally. These days, I want to be like the sky. I want to have a purpose that helps. It's not just the sky, it's also the clouds… they are free. They have a purpose, they provide shade, provide rain to water crops, and gave us beautiful weather like snow… I am in awe as well as jealous. Does that answer suffice for your random question?"
While it did, Hana couldn't help but see her best friend's little brother in a new light. She genuinely wasn't expecting an in depth answer like that but he provided anyways. She gave a doggish grin. "I really… liked that answer. I don't know why Shikky-chan is worried about you."
As troublesome as he thinks his sister is he knows that she always has his back. He smirks "She's my older sister, it's her job to worry."
"Too right it's my job!"
As if on cue, Shikamaru's older sister had finally arrived for the training her and Hana are supposed to do. Shikarla had long black hair went down to her lower back, her eyes were black and lazy like her fathers but had the fierceness of her mother. She wore a black long-sleeve undershirt with her chunin flak-jacket over it, unlike Hana who had no pockets, she had pockets on one side of her jacket. She also wore black form-fitting shorts cut above the knee with black sandals. She proudly wore her forehead protector over her forehead.
"Ohayo, Neechan." He lazily greeted.
Unlike Shikamaru, Hana practically tackled the older Nara and started nuzzling into her like an excited puppy. He could almost see Hana's tail wagging excitedly, he shook his head at his imagination knowing it was troublesome if Hana could hear his thoughts.
Hana was on top of Shikarla talking to her about her talk with her little brother and how it wasn't as boring as she thought it was going to be. The currently crushed Nara is looking up at the Inuzuka girl with soft eyes. "I'm glad my little brother wasn't rude, Hana-chan."
Hana looked down at her best friend, suddenly heat racing to her face 'Wh-Why is she looking at me… like that...'. "N-No… he wasn't…" she said as she slowly got off her best friend and offered her a hand. Shikarla takes Hana's offered hand gently and gets up. She gives a small appreciative smile to her.
Thump.
Thump.
'Why am I at a loss for words... I speak to her all the time!'
Shikamaru watched on with amused eyes. As if she could feel his eyes she started growling at the boy. He smirks in her direction but quickly stops as his sister turns to look at him in confusion.
"I… don't know what is going on between you two but Hana-chan we should get our training started. It's been delayed enough." Her voice containing irritancy.
Hana started stretching, already getting ready.
Shikamaru turned to leave the field when his sister called out to him.
"Shika-kun, why don't you join us today?"
He looked at Hana for approval and she gave a doggish grin. "I don't have to meet my teammates so I guess I could train with… mendouksai…"
Both women groaned at his favourite catchphrase.
"What isn't troublesome for you Shika-kun?" Hana whined.
"Cloud watching." He responds without hesitation.
They groaned again. "Let's just start, shall we? Shika I want you to spar with Hana."
"Hai."
WITH ANKO AND GENMA
Anko and Genma were cuddling on the sofa at Anko's house, an unlikely couple however it works. A knock on the door breaks their peace, Anko was going to get up to get it but Genma forced her back down.
"You need to rest." He said sternly.
She smirks at him. "I'll do as I'm told for now, Daddy."
He chokes on his saliva and doesn't bother retorting. He opens the door to see their friends Asuma and Kurenai.
Kurenai barges Genma out of the way and goes to her best and embraces her in a tight hug.
"Okay, okay, okay, Nai-chan." She tries to shrug her best friend off her but to no avail. Anko gives up and pats Kurenai's head. "I'm alive, no need to cry about it you big baby."
Kurenai snuggles in Anko. "I was worried! When I heard you were in the hospital I got scared. For you and the little one." Kurenai says as she gently pokes Anko's small bump. It's small but you can tell there's a life growing.
Anko hits Kurenai's hands away from her stomach. "Stop that." She said with irritation but she smiled at her best friend's concern. "I'm just happy I'm out that godforsaken hospital. I swear I can smell people's snot!". Everyone chuckled at her comment, Anko being childish as ever.
"I knew you would be okay." The bear-like man grinned at the Snake Mistress. While Asuma is not a wordy man, everything he says holds weight. You know he means what he says, which is comforting.
Genma kisses Anko's forehead gently and ruffles her hair. "I have to go on a mission. With big boy Asuma over there." He points towards the Hokage's nephew.
"I'm here because I don't want you by yourself." Kurenai chimed in.
Anko twitched slightly. "I'm not a fucking toddler. Stop making me feel like I'm some frail woman."
Genma tried to calm down his partner. "It's just you collapsing made us all worried, and you are preg-".
"Oh my Kami, whatever. Just go on your stupid mission." The newly-pregnant woman has put her foot down and folded her arms. She was in no mood.
'There's no use talking to her like this…' Genma calmly put a Senbon into his mouth to chew on and asked Asuma if he was coming on his way out the door. As the door shut, Kurenai went in front of Anko's line of vision.
"Anko you know that was uncalled for." There was a clear tone of disapproval coming from the red eyed beauty.
"Tch."
Kurenai wasn't going to go down this hole, or rather she didn't want anyone to go into any holes. However, she surmises that this time would be very different.
"Do you want to come back to mine and cook dinner for Hinata and Naruto?" Kurenai shut her eyes in hope that Anko would agree.
To her surprise, her best friend visibly brightened up at the idea. "I will always want to see my little brats."
WITH NARUTO, HINATA AND HINARO.
Hinata was humming and brushing through her little brother's hair. Naruto and Hinata had realised how dirty the little Hyuga was and went through a cleaning session. Hinaro is now wearing a white top that belonged to Naruto in his younger years supporting the Uzumaki crescent in front. He kept his light blue jumper and is wearing Naruto's old black shorts.
Naruto looks at the pair in awe. Amazed how siblings could look so alike, he felt a pang of jealousy. 'I wonder… I wonder what it's like to have siblings…' As if Hinata could read Naruto's mind she spoke out loud.
"We're all family here."
Hinaro looked up at his sister in confusion of what she meant, pearl eyes staring into another set of pearl eyes.
"Hinaro-kun… even though Naruto-kun isn't related to you, I just know he will treat you like family. Family isn't determined by blood in my eyes… it's whether the person has your back 100%." She looked at Naruto and smiled unaware of the confidence that's flowing through her system. "And Naruto has always had my back, he doesn't say it but… he shows it."
Naruto didn't know what to say back, he was definitely flattered. So flattered a pink blush sat on his cheeks. He scratched his cheek timidly "Well, gee, Hinata-chan I didn't know you felt that way."
Hinaro looked back and forth between the older pair, he was young but he's not stupid. "I just don't understand why you guys haven't done the kiss yet." While he made smooching noises.
Both Hinata and Naruto went full bright red, and did all they could to convince the young Hyuga that it wasn't like that. While Hinaro rolled his eyes not believing a single word they were saying, he laughed for the first time ever. He felt so tickled and happy and he wasn't used to this feeling, he felt so light.
Naruto ruffled his hair playfully and Hinata pinched his cheek gently.
"Do you think I could live with you Naruto-niisan?" Voice barely above a whisper but both genin caught it.
Naruto would take Hinaro in a heartbeat, but he scratched his head to think properly about that decision. He bent down to Hinaro's level, oceanic blue eyes meets pearlescent white eyes. "Would hold down the fort when I'm gone?"
Hinaro cheered. "I would Naruto-niisan!" Naruto gave a toothy grin in return while Hinata's heart filled with warmth.
After the trio, finished up at Naruto's house they made their way towards Kurenai's home, only to bump into the woman herself and her best friend Anko.
"'Kaa-san!" Hinata called out to Kurenai, upon hearing that voice the woman spun round. She expected to see Naruto but she didn't expect the shorter boy next to him.
"Hey Hina-chan, who's this?" She asked to get to the matter at hand.
Hinaro instinctively went behind Hinata and Naruto to hide from those red eyes. It wasn't that he was scared, he just doesn't like being observed. Growing up alone, all he got was stares and people making their judgements. Naruto dragged Hinaro forward with the biggest foxy grin. "This is Hinata's brother-ttebayo."
Hinata face palmed.
Hinaro gave a weak smile.
Kurenai and Anko blinked in unison.
"'Ruto-kun…"
Naruto looked at everyone with confusion. "What? What did I say?"
Hinata shook her head dismissively. "Ano… it wasn't the best way to enter the conversation is all."
"Pft, we were going in that direction anyways-ttebayo." He started sulking.
Kurenai watched the two in bemusement. 'Is it me… or do they seem closer?' She smiled to herself quietly, she was happy the two found each other when they did otherwise they could have lead very different paths.
"Why don't we go inside and talk, instead of out here. Who knows could be watching?" Anko said aimlessly.
Hinaro started looking around nervously. 'Who's watching? Hyuga?'
"Anko!" Kurenai warned.
Anko grinned, she loved scaring children. She has a natural talent for it.
As the five of them went into Kurenai's house, Hinaro couldn't help but look around. He's never been in another house that's decorated like how Kurenai's was. There were photos of Kurenai and smaller Hinata, photos of Kurenai and Anko as teens. He's never seen a house decorated with love. He mentally compared this house to Naruto's. Naruto's house seemed empty and cold even though Naruto had practically lived there his whole life. He found himself wandering around, Hinata was about to stop him but Kurenai stopped her.
"Let him be, he's just a curious cat." The older woman giggled.
Hinata smiled gently and watched her little brother explore the house she grew up in.
The little Hyuga was fascinated by the pictures, he's never had his picture taken before. He stumbled across a picture of Kurenai with a man with a cigarette in his mouth. He picked it up in awe, they seemed so happy with each other. He felt Kurenai's presence next to him.
"That's my boyfriend Asuma Sarutobi." She exclaimed in utter happiness.
He cocked his head to the side. "Sarutobi…? As… as in Konohamaru Sarutobi?"
She giggled. "You know Konohamaru-kun? He's Asuma's nephew."
Hinaro made a face at that fact. Which didn't go unnoticed by Kurenai.
"What's wrong with that?"
"N-Nothing."
Obviously Kurenai didn't believe him and prodded him further.
"You made a face when Konohamaru was mentioned."
Hinaro sighed and looked around the room. All of them were eager to listen to him. While Hinata and Naruto don't know Konohamaru, Anko and Kurenai does. There's no point not saying anything now.
"Well… he's… stuck up. He does all this stuff and expects people to let him off just because he's the Hokage's grandson…"
Kurenai pinched the bridge of her nose and suspected it would be something like that.
"Also… ever since he got a crush on Hanabi, he's been bullying me at the academy."
"He's been what?!" Naruto slammed his fist on the table.
Hinata looked mortified. "Hanabi?"
Kurenai and Anko kept calm, they both noted that bullying at the academy seems to go unnoticed for the children who have little to nothing.
Anko just realised. "Hanabi? As in Hanabi Hyuga?"
Hinaro nodded. "I know she's my sister… I found out when I saw Hiashi pick her up from the Academy one day… I didn't realise at first but it just makes sense."
Hinata frowned. Once more, bottled up anger was welling up in her spirit like she's about to explode. The room got chilly. Kurenai and Anko looked at Hinata with a worried look.
"Hanabi… she's two months younger than you." Hinata stated quietly, her voice icy as can be.
"She is?" Hinaro asked quietly. 'I don't really understand why she mentioned that.'
Hinata nodded. She put a hand on his head and kneeled down. "You have to understand… while our mother was alive and breathing, before anything went… bad, She was pregnant with you and gave birth to you. All the while Hanabi had already been… uh, made."
Hinata scratched her head not sure how to get the correct words out of her mouth. Hinaro still looked at her in confusion.
Anko chimed in. "Your dad fucked another bitch two months after he fucked your mother. Even though, he was married to your mother."
While everyone in the room sweatdropped at Anko's brashness, Hinaro finally realised and looked horrified.
"So… so… so… Hiashi was doing things with another woman while he was married our Okaa-san?"
Hinata nodded slowly. While Hinaro has a hard time understanding feelings, he's feeling something he felt before. He felt anger.
He broke out in hysterics. "B-But why?! When you're married to someone… you-you love them!? You… trust them! S-So why?!"
Kurenai felt a pang of remorse. Even though she wasn't married to Asuma, she still cheated on him all the while claiming she loves him. She glanced at Anko to see her reaction. She jumped slightly at Anko looking right at her, with a smirk.
"What are you smiling at?" Kurenai asked with a tenseness in her voice.
Naruto was quiet in all of this. It was a lot to take in, he only just found out Hinata's past, and all the ugliness that comes with it. He felt pain for Hinata to go through that, while he doesn't understand how she's feeling, he could only sympathise. He didn't know his parents, so he can't understand from that perspective so he thought about it if he lost Kurenai, Anko or even Kakashi. It made his heart skip a beat, his mouth became dry, and tears formed in his eyes.
"I'm not smiling at anything. This is no smiling matter 'Nai-chan." With an annoying smugness to her voice.
Hinata could see that Kurenai and Anko were about to bicker from the look on Kurenai's face. She was about to speak up until she looked at Naruto's face, fighting to hold back tears.
"Naruto-kun! Are you alright?" It was like she teleported next to him, concern dripping off every word she said.
He was quiet for a moment, unable to voice his thoughts. He sniffled, and looked at everyone. He cared about them all deeply, but do they know? He even looked at Hinaro, he only just met him but felt a strong sense to protect him. He thinks back to the conversation he had with Ame Mishima. She was right, these people came into his life. These people who he considers family.
He wiped the tears away from his eyes, and gave a toothy grin.
"I love you all-ttebayo." His voice still shaky from crying.
Kurenai couldn't help but sigh from happiness. "I love you too Naruto!"
Anko supported a pink blush on her face and mumbled 'I love you too Squirt' under her breath.
Hinaro gave a gentle smile.
Hinata gave a toothy wolfish grin. Naruto looked at her smiling face for a second. 'I think I love you the most.' Hinata embraced him tightly, and he hugged back just as tight. He felt a small body next to them and chuckled looking down at Hinaro. Kurenai put her hands on both Naruto and Hinata's head. Anko bent down next to Naruto's ears and whispered.
"Now kiss…"
Naruto went bright red, Anko really knew how to catch him off guard and he hated it. As they all broke away from the hug Hinata excused herself to go to the toilet.
Naruto watched her go upstairs then tried punch Anko's arm, to which she easily caught his fist. She laughed at his face.
"What's up Squirt?"
Naruto playfully glared at Anko. "Nande-ttebayo?"
Kurenai and Hinaro looked at each other and shrugged.
"So tell me… how did you and Hinata meet again?"
Hinaro scratched his head. "I don't know who she is… I think her name was Ami?"
Naruto then tuned in "Oh! You mean Ame? That's right you don't know her at all, do you?" The little Hyuga shook his head in response.
"She scares me…" Hinaro trailed off.
Both Naruto, Kurenai and Anko seemed confused by that statement.
Anko snorted. "The brat is rude, but scary? I don't think so kid."
Naruto nodded. "She's just…" He motioned a closing action with his hands. "…a closed book. She's nice when she opens up, I promise." He grinned widely.
Kurenai cocked an eyebrow. "Since when have you and Ame been so close Naruto?"
He chuckled dryly. "Well, she's going to be my neighbour, so there's that."
Kurenai remembered Ame telling her she would be Naruto's neighbour. There seems to be more to it but if Naruto wanted to say, he would say it so she just let it be.
"Wait that brat is going to be your neighbour? Doesn't she have that whole clan thing?" Anko asked in bewilderment.
Naruto shook his head. "I can't say but let's just say, her clan is as shitty as the Hyuga."
"Language." Kurenai warned.
Anko shrugged. "I think the language was the perfect fit."
WITH HINATA
As she closed the bathroom door she slid down and panted quietly. She got up slowly and looked in the mirror. He eyes were flickering like crazy, she put a hand over her chest to feel the beats of her heart. Her face was flushed and she was sweating.
"Why did Anko say that to Naruto?"
She closed her eyes to remember the moment, her ears have a much sharper listening to distance and she heard Anko loud and clear. Thoughts of Naruto and her coming together for a kiss crossed her mind many times, but this time it seemed much more intense.
'You seem overwhelmed, young pup.' Luna rumbled in her head.
Hinata however ignored her and splashed cold water on her face.
'Fine. Ignore me.' Hinata felt the cold tone coming from Luna. She sighed.
"Gomenasai. It's so hard to… keep this under control. How am I supposed to control my emotions…"
She looks at the running water. 'Especially when he says things like that…'
'I can still hear your thoughts.'
"Maybe I wanted you to hear it!" Hinata snapped back.
'I think, Hinata-san, you don't realise how much you like this Naruto boy.'
"He doesn't either." She sighed in hopelessness. "Can I confide in you about something Luna-san?"
The tailed beast's interest were peaked. 'Well, it's not like I can tell anyone else is it?'
Hinata shook her head. "I know… but what I mean is that you won't… laugh or find me weird."
'Come see me.'
Hinata looked around at the family grassy field where Luna resides within her. The flowers seem fruitful and healthy but she notices there's a patch of dead flowers and dead grass. She already knows that's the anger that has been seeping through her mind.
She feels a tap on her shoulder and turns around to see Luna in her human form. From first glance she could see the silver chain with sealing markings around her neck leading towards the tall cages. Her white thick locks followed down majestically.
'What troubles you pup?'
Hinata shifted uncomfortably, not knowing how to even mention something so uncharacteristic.
'I know I like Naruto…' Luna narrowed her eyes slightly. '…Okay! More than just… like. However, but there's this feeling with Ame which makes me confused. It's different but… Ame makes me feel… weird.'
Hinata's face flushed red as she tried to explain what she means, she couldn't even look at Luna in the eyes.
Luna snickered. 'So easily I can deduce that you're in love with Naruto and in lust with Ame.'
"Lust?!" Hinata exclaimed.
Kurenai jumped as she heard Hinata shout from the bathroom. She knocked on the door. "Hina-chan, are you alright in there?"
"U-Um… Hai!"
Kurenai listened closely to the door.
'What do you mean by that?!'
'Lust in that feeling when you really want to f-… you really want to do sexual things with someone. However, I do believe my chakra plays a part in that too.'
Hinata leaned in closer to Luna, egging her to go on.
'Us Bijou… we have assigned traits, if you will. For example Kurama's has the wrath trait, and Chomei has envy.'
"So, like sins?" Hinata questioned out loud. Kurenai furrowed her eyebrows, as Anko approached quietly. Kurenai motioned 'shh' and pointed at the bathroom door. She mouthed. "She's talking to someone." Anko raised her eyebrows at this and listened with Kurenai.
Luna giggled. 'Cute. I get what you're trying to say but it's not like that at all. As children, us Bijou have normal emotions but as we grew up we noticed we have become susceptible to specific emotions, that we call "traits". I hope you can understand that at least.'
Hinata nodded slowly. "So… what's your trait, Luna-san?"
Luna barked out laughing at Hinata's slowness. 'Pup, my trait is Lust.'
This made Hinata's pearl white eyes go wide. "W-Why does that affect me?!"
After that question Luna rolled her eyes, it seemed like such a stupid question to her, as she has been over this story how many times over. 'Let's not forget our chakra's are practically mixed with each other's, and because of that my chakra reacts to your emotions. However, my chakra reacts strongly towards lust regardless of how you feel.'
Hinata ran a hand through her bluenette hair, she felt dizzy and splashed more water over her face. "So how does Ame come into this?"
Both Anko and Kurenai look at each other with a cocked eyebrow.
'I don't know the answer to that question. Either, deep down you bare feelings for this Ame girl too, or when she kissed you it has triggered my chakra ever since so every time she comes around it makes your body react… or simply…'
'Simply what?' Hinata cocked her head to the side in question.
'You're simply becoming a horny teenager.'
Hinata looked at Luna in the eyes who seemed to think that was hilarious. She left the grassy fields and returned to reality.
"All I've learned is that I get horny for Ame…" She sighed.
Both Kurenai and Anko started coughing and choking outside the door. Hinata ran to the door to open it to see both Kurenai and Anko with their hands wrapped around each other's throat.
"A-Ah! Hina-chan, don't pay us no mind, I'm just trying to kill Anko-chan." Kurenai said with urgency in her voice.
"Don't worry Squirt I won't let her kill me." As she winked at the confused girl in front of them.
Hinata shook her head and giggled and went downstairs to join Naruto and her little brother. As she was out of sight, Kurenai and Anko looked at each other in shock. Kurenai mouthed.
"Did you hear what I heard?!" She aggressively motions her hands pointing towards Hinata's now left presence and her ears. "Horny for Ame?!"
Anko shrugged. "Some people can just turn your gears like that." With that statement Anko left Kurenai to be confused on her own.
The Snake mistress joins up with the children downstairs, only to hear that Naruto and Hinaro will be leaving to go home. She turns to Hinaro and takes a good look at him. 'He reminds me so much of Hinata, it's uncanny. How that monster Hiashi can be part of two beautiful children like Hinata and Hinaro will never make sense to me.'
"Well, it was nice meetin' ya kid. Don't let that those fucktards Konohamaru and Hanabi bully you at the academy. I know you got power in ya kid, don't hide it." She finished with a reassuring grin. Hinaro's eyes gleamed in admiration for Anko's… "kind" words.
"Arigatou, Anko-neechan!" He bowed towards her. She grimaced.
"Don't-don't do that, no bowing at me."
He nodded. "Hai!"
Naruto embraced Anko in a gentle hug, being mindful of her stomach. It was flat but Naruto didn't want to take any chances. Anko was about to awkwardly pat his head however she remembered when he came to visit her at the hospital. Her body language changed and gave him an affectionate pat on the head. 'The runt isn't so bad.'
Kurenai ran down the stairs to catch Naruto and Hinaro before they leave.
"Get home safely you two, okay?" Both of the boys nodded in unison.
She kissed their foreheads gently and opened her front door. Both Naruto and Hinaro touched their forehead in surprise, they rarely get that kind of affection. Not related by blood but share similar experiences. They were a good match. The door shut behind them and Kurenai slowly turned to Hinata.
"You. Me. Anko. We need to talk. Now."
Anko looked at Kurenai like she was crazy but then she wanted to talk with Hinata too and this might be the perfect time to do it.
Hinata sweated a little, what is it that they wanted to speak about. Kurenai shut the windows and closed the curtains. She turned off the lights and light a few candles around the room.
"Hinata, all I want you to do is be honest with me… can you do that?" Kurenai asked with the most sincerity.
Hinata looked at Kurenai then at Anko. 'I guess today is the day…'
She played with her fingers nervously, not knowing the questions that was going to be asked. She didn't know whether to just start speaking, the room was quiet, the gazes were calculating. Anko spoke up first.
"I don't want to ask first, Kurenai you go." Hinata face palmed at Anko' calmness. It's like she doesn't care how tense the situation is.
Kurenai looked at Hinata with deep concern. "Hina-chan, you were talking to yourself in the bathroom." Hinata went deep red.
"A-Ano...! It's not... what you think..." She trailed off, how would she be able to explain the bathroom thing.
"You said you get... um... 'horny' for Ame, and I just wanted to let you know, you can talk to me about anything." Kurenai didn't know how to be any more open than that, she loves Hinata with all her being and she hopes that Hinata comes to her about anything without feeling scared.
"Ame kissed me!"
There was silence.
Kurenai smiled towards her pseudo-daughter, such an innocent thing to get worked up over.
Anko stared at Hinata with bewilderment then burst out with laughter.
"Th-That's all you're worked up about? A kiss?" She proceeded to laugh harder. Kurenai gently punched Anko's arm to get her to stop. She pointed at Hinata who wasn't joining in on the laughter.
Her face stricken with worry, unable to see through the unknown, not knowing herself.
"Y-You may find it f-funny, but… but… I'm trying m-my best to figure m-myself out. S-So Stop l-laughing at me…" She said this barely above a whisper, her stutter trying to become one of Hinata's natural enemies once more but she pushed through it.
She looked into Anko's eyes, fierce white eyes piercing observing brown eyes. Hinata's Byakugan activated, bright purple glazed over the whiteness of the Hyuga eyes. Is Hinata angry? Anko has never witnessed this on anyone before let alone Hinata.
Kurenai watched Hinata's eye change colour and felt the intensity of them. She realises over time Hinata has been becoming more and more unstable with her emotions. She isn't the only one to pick this up.
'The more she allows the bridge of succumbing to anger, the harder it will be to come back from that anger.' Luna looks around the field area of Hinata's mindscape. She realises Hinata is going down the wrong path but it doesn't matter what Hinata does. 'I just need that Pup to go crazy enough to break this seal… once she becomes overwhelmed with either lust… or anger, I will strike.'
Anko frowns, something isn't quite right, or there's a missing piece to this puzzle. She walks up to Hinata who looks up at her. Bright purple eyes staring aimlessly into stern brown eyes.
"Hinata. Calm yourself." Anko warned dangerously.
The Ex-Hyuga heiress eyes flashed white for a second and then remained purple. Anko and Kurenai stood up in anticipation, they felt like the young kunoichi was about to lash out.
"I apologise for what I said, okay? Just… breathe and relax Hina-hime."
Hinata's Byakugan activated on its own, bright purple eyes with white pupils narrowed and bore into cool brown ones. Anko got into a defensive stance wearing a concerned frown on her lips.
Jyubi's chakra started to engulf her body slowly, all the anger she's has been building up is reaching its boiling point.
Kurenai looked at her daughter with worry filled in her red eyes. "Hinata… what is happening with you? Please talk to me."
Hinata's Byakugan gaze fell on Kurenai, she tried to say something but the chakra filling her body was making it difficult.
"Y…You…You…are…not…MY MOTHER!"
It happened for a second. Hinata launched to attack Kurenai which left the Jonin too stunned to even move. Before her pseudo-daughter could touch her, Anko landed a nasty punch in her jaw, Hinata crashed into the wall unconscious.
IN HINATA'S MINDSCAPE
Hinata lay in her flowery field in her mindscape, her eyes blink open slowly. 'Wh-What… happened?' She hears Luna howl in the distance, Hinata had the inkling to go to her, as if she's being called.
Hinata gets up, observing her surroundings, it really is a beautiful. As she's walking she feels dried crunching from beneath her feet, her eyes widen. The patch of dead flowers increased its radius. She notes the air feels thinner in this area, a chill shoots down her spine. She starts sprinting towards the cage Luna resides in.
The Ten-Tailed Wolf was curled in a sleeping position, her eyes closed. Her chakra emitting coolly through the bars of the cage.
'L-Luna-san!'
Luna opens one eye and stares at Hinata, as if she were to stare into her soul. She closes her eye.
'Pup, you need to calm your mind.'
Hinata's face contorted in confusion, and racked her brain for an explanation to what the Bijou said. 'Calm my mind? I feel calm… don't I?' Hinata then remembers why she fell unconscious, Anko had punched her. But why? Hinata thinks deeper and it was evoking a burning feeling inside her. Anger. She was angry at Anko. Now the more Hinata thinks about it, she's been letting herself get angry more frequently, subconsciously or not it was becoming a problem that she needs to address.
Hinata looked up at the giant cage before her and the sleeping beast within. She had a surge of courage and walked into the cage. Luna didn't move a muscle nor did she open her eyes. She's letting her in. Hinata then lay her back on one of Luna's tails getting comfy. While Hinata wasn't looking Luna opened her and looked at the young girl. The Ex-Hyuga princess fell quickly asleep which amused Luna.
'You're a weird human… Hinata-chan.' Luna fell asleep after that last lingering thought.
WITH NARUTO AND HINARO
Two of the boys were on their way home, both of them smiling to themselves. Naruto who was an orphan never lived with anyone before. While he did live at the Orphanage it never felt like home. Hinaro also felt the same way, however he was still at the Orphanage, he wasn't able to get a home for himself unlike Naruto. A roar emitted from Naruto's stomach and he his cheeks flushed pink, he scratched the back of his head.
"Nyeh-heh. I'm hungry-ttebayo. Ano-sa! Do you wanna come Ichiraku Ramen with me?"
Hinaro was confused over the older boy's excitement. "I-chi-ra-ku ra-men…?" He sounded out with confusion, he tilted his head to the side like a confused puppy.
Naruto mentally screamed. 'He's the most adorable kid I have seen! Actually, Hinata is the cutest.' He blushed and mentally shook those thoughts away, now's not the time to think about Hinaro's sister being cute.
Naruto pulls up the flap to Ichiraku's. "Teuchi-jiji! I brought someone who has never had your ramen! Give us the best ya got-ttebayo!"
With that exclamation that seemed to have revved up the Ramen Owner.
"Yosh! Now what would you like Naruto-kun!"
"Beef ramen! Beef ramen!" Naruto exclaimed. Teuchi then turned to Hinaro and can't help but smile gently.
"What can I get for you, young sir?"
Hinaro looked at the menu. "P-Pork… M-Miso… ra-ramen…" He trailed off quietly.
"Speak up, young sir!" Teuchi declared which made Hinaro jump and spewing out stuttered out apologies, the ramen owner heard but he just wanted to get Hinaro to be more open in what he wants.
Naruto looks on Hinaro with amusement, even though him and Hinata didn't grow up together, they are uncannily alike. Naruto lets out a small laugh, which grows bigger and bigger. Until he's laughing until it feels like his sides are splitting.
Hinaro was confused. "Wh-what's so funny, Naruto-niisan?"
Naruto wiped a tear from his eyes, calming down from his laughing fit.
"You and Hinata are amazingly alike, ya know?"
Hinaro smiled and fidgeted with his fingers. Hearing that made him happy.
"See! What you're doing right now, it's all 'Nata-chan… Wh-what're you looking at-ttebayo?"
Hinaro smiles deviously. "You liiiiiike my siiiiissteeeerrr."
Naruto freezes then relaxes. "I do." Hinaro broke out into a wide grin.
"Why don't you tell her, Naruto-niisan!"
The orange-clad genin looked at the young boy, if only it was that easy. Even while Naruto is a kid himself realising that he's growing up is a scary feeling.
Teuchi comes back the ramen that the boys asked for. "This is on the house for the special guest today!"
"Teuchi-jiji, you rock!" Naruto chimed.
Hinaro gently broke the chopsticks, Naruto side-eyed the boy intensely waiting for him to take his first bite, have his first taste. Hinaro slowly picked up the noodles and blew on it a little, he then engulfed the first bite. His eyes lighting up with delight and content.
"It's good!" He declared.
"Yata!" Naruto shouted in returned, satisfied that Hinaro enjoys the ramen. The boys ate their ramen in peace, Naruto engaging in conversation but not trying to overwhelm him. He felt like it was easy to talk to the boy because he's some much like Hinata, he learned to have patience.
They said their thanks and parted from the restaurant. As they are walking up the stairs to get into Naruto's apartment Ame was also making her way up.
"Yo." She says coolly.
Naruto smiles. "Ame! 'Sup Neighbour-chan." Ame twitched at that nickname but decided not to comment on it, she knew it would be in vain if she tried to tell him to not call her that.
"Can I talk to you?" She eyes him, her metallic black eyes piercing through ocean blue eyes.
Naruto reading the tone of her body language was wary, he nodded and told Hinaro to go inside and that he'll come back soon. Hinaro looked up at Ame as he walked past slowly, it was as if his Byakugan eyes was analysing every cell. She glared at him and he sprinted inside.
Ame turned to open her door and Naruto was suddenly objected.
"Ch-chotte matte! You want to talk in your apartment?"
"Is there a problem?"
"N-No." Naruto manage to squeak out. Ame looked at him weirdly. 'What is his deal?' Then it clicked.
"Are you scared of being alone with a girl?" She snickered when he started blushing.
Naruto shook his head suddenly feeling frustrated and pushed pass Ame into her apartment. "Let's get this over with-ttebayo."
Naruto finds a couch and sits down.
"Make yourself at home, why don't you." Ame with piercing sarcasm.
Naruto smiles widely. "Gee, thanks!" Seemingly not catching onto her tone.
"I'm going to cut to the chase. Something weird is happening with Hinata."
Naruto sweats. 'She doesn't mean what I think she means… right?'
"What's wrong with 'Nata-chan? Is-Is she okay?"
Ame looks at Naruto's body language but doesn't give away that she's analysing him.
"A couple of times now… her eyes turn a different colour. Purple. Have you seen that too?"
Naruto was sweating now, he didn't know what to say. He didn't want to reveal Hinata's secret but he doesn't want to lie to Ame at the same time. He takes a breath and somehow gains composure, he thinks of Hinata and what she would do in this situation.
"I think… you should ask 'Nata-chan herself. If you respect her… you would ask her to her face-ttebayo."
Ame grunts. She paces around the room and then she sighs in defeat. "I couldn't come up with a retort for that. I hate to admit it but you're right. I'll talk to her myself.
Naruto mentally sighed with relief, he didn't have to expose Hinata's secret with her permission. Naruto stood up and stretched to get the awkwardness out of him. Ame eyed him warily, even though he presents himself in the way of what you see is what you get, but she can't help but think.
'I know nothing about you, Naruto.'
WITH KURENAI AND ANKO
Kurenai carried Hinata bridal style to her room to lay her to sleep. She looked at Hinata's calm and gentle face, and strokes her cheek tenderly, she slowly sweeps the hair out of Hinata's face and smiles to herself. 'You used to be so tiny…' Snapping out of her thoughts she hears Anko lean against the door frame.
"'Nai-chan, I know you're upset with m-"
"I'm not Anko-chan." Kurenai cuts off Anko, which surprises the Snake Mistress.
"R-Really? I punched her lights out!"
Kurenai takes a deep breath and sighs. "She's becoming more and more unstable… I am more worried about other things and besides my Hina-chan can take a hit or two."
"OUR Hina-chan." Anko reiterates. "Demo… what did you mean by unstable? Is the gaki going to go crazy or something?"
Kurenai ponders this inquiry seriously. "I don't know. What I do know is… Hinata is running out of time but I don't know why or how to help."
Anko looks at her with confusion, not understanding a thing she's saying. Kurenai's red orbs burrowed in brown ones, she took Anko's hand and led her downstairs away from the sleeping child.
Anko forcibly removes her hand from Kurenai's. "What is going on, 'Nai-chan?!"
"I don't know how to say this."
"Well, spit it out."
"You might not believe me-"
"Oh for the love of Kami!" Anko gets up to make her way out the house.
"She's a jinchuriki!"
Time stood still.
There was silence.
Which was followed by Anko's laughter.
"I already knew that 'Nai-chan!"
Kurenai was dumbfounded. "How?"
Anko smirked. "A scarecrow told me." Anko leaves the door frame to make her way downstairs expecting Kurenai to follow.
Kurenai took one last look of concern over her daughter, she hated not being able to help solve her problems but this was a challenge that Hinata would eventually face on her own. A pain stabbed her heart when she heard her say she wasn't her mother but Kurenai shook herself from such thoughts, that wasn't her daughter talking just then, she knows this. She sighed to herself. 'It still hurt…' Hinata's face contorted, she looked like she very uncomfortable, the Genjutsu mistress lay a gentle kiss atop her forehead and as if that kiss was some kind of magic, Hinata's face relaxed into a gentle smile. 'I love you. I hope you understand how much you mean to me.'
.
Translations:
Demo = But
Itai! = Ouch!
Niisan = Big Brother
Gaki = Brat
Baka = Idiot
Teme = Bastard
Usurantonkachi = Loser
Dobe = Idiot
Onegai = Please
Matte = Wait
Urusai = Shut Up
Nani = What
Mendouksai = Troublesome/What a bother.
Hai = Yes
Ohayo = Good morning
Ano = Umm
Kawaii = Cute
Gomen/Gomenasai = Sorry
'Kaa-San/Okaa-san = Mum
'Tou-san/Otou-San = Father
Otouto = Little Brother
Arigatou = Thank You
Neechan = Big Sister
Te-Te-Te-Te = Means "ow-ow-ow-ow" Because I say that when I get hurt.
Ttebayo/Ttebane = It's just an accent they have. Hereditary.
Shishi Rendan = Lion's Barage.
Honto = Really
Nande = Why?
Nani = What?
Yata = Hooray
Jutsu:
Suiton: Mizurappa = Waterstyle: Water Trumpet
Raiton: Kangehika = Lightningstyle: Wave of Inspiration
Genjutsu: Kanzen Shokyo = Illusionary Technique: Completely Erased
Goukakyuu No Jutsu = Firestyle: Fireball Jutsu
Kawarimi No Jutsu = Replacement Jutsu
Shunshin No Jutsu = Body Flicker Jutsu
Kiseichu Gijutsu: Shadan = Parasite Technique: Blockage
Kiseichu Gijutsu: Muchiuchi = Parasite Technique: Whiplash
Bubun Baika No Jutsu = Partial Multi-Size Jutsu
Nikudan Sensha = Human Bullet Tank
Bunshin No Jutsu = Clone Jutsu
Senbon Bunshin = Senbon Clone
Doton: Doryuheki = Earthstyle: Earth Wall
Gatsuuga = Fang Over Fang
Jiton: Awadetta Kunai = Megnetstyle: Whipping Kunai
Fuuton: Renkudan = Windstyle: Drilling Air Bullet
Kagezukami No Jutsu = Shadow Clutch Jutsu
Kagemane No Jutsu = Shadow Imitation Jutsu
Katon: Ryuka No Jutsu = Firestyle: Dragon Fire Jutsu
Katon: Housenka No Jutsu = Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu
Shintenshin No Jutsu = Mind Body Switch Jutsu
Shindenshin No Jutsu = Mind Body Transmission Jutsu
Raiton: Juho Soshiken = Lightningstyle: Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists
(A/N: Thanks for reading chapter eighteen. Please don't forget about those reviews guys, I want your honest opinion. Again, thank you!)
TO BE CONTINUED.