Chapter Fifty-Four
Hinata's fingers traced delicately over the red cotton yarn as she put on the finishing touches to the red scarf. After months of start and stop, it was finally finished. Too late for his birthday, but not too late for him. She briefly pressed her cheek against the newly minted garment, feeling the giddy rush of joy that she would finally give it to him, that it would keep him warm this winter. A piece of my heart to carry with you, my love. "Naruto, you okay in there?" she called to him in the hospital room's bathroom.
"Yeah, just moving slow," he replied with some audible discomfort as she heard the shower turn off. Late yesterday, Tsunade had taken the drainage tube out of his side. Shortly after Hinata arrived this morning, Granny Tsunade made him hit the ceiling when she told him that he could shower for the first time in almost three days and go home as soon as his mom arrived. He would have follow-up in a week and then again a few weeks later to be cleared to resume training.
"Okay," Hinata grinned, "I have a little surprise for you when you get out." Hinata let a tiny bit of mischief seep into her voice
"Surprise?" she could actually hear the smirk forming on his lips. "Give me just a second!" The sound of Naruto struggling with towel and clothing intensified.
Hinata quickly stowed her knitting needles and excess yarn back into her knitting bag. As she did, she looked at the swatch of red material she had kept from the original scarf. On one hand, it was a fragment of the past, a past that might be better served by being discarded. The implications of Himawari's revelations swirled like oil and water in her mind. Hinata felt her stomach turn upside down at the thought of growing up without mom, of being disinherited, and not having the courage to be near Naruto.
Her fingers traced over the red swatch, reminding her of Kushina's beautiful red hair. "Hinata, remember you end up marrying my son in a time when my husband and I weren't there to love him; that means you are special, and not because of some title in you family in your family or some clan you were born into." Reassured, she gingerly placed the swatch back into the bag. She would find a way to remake it, just the way it had been before it was destroyed; it would just take a lot longer. The scarf was a fragment of Kushina's love for Naruto, and someday, Hinata would give it back to Naruto, repaired by her love for him. A gift for my husband.
"Hey, what's the big occasion?" Naruto asked as he exited the restroom, pulling his black shirt over his head. Despite knowing he was healing much faster than anyone normal would, the sight of the angry surgical scars on Naruto's right side made her dizzy with the thought of how close she'd come to losing him. Naruto must have noticed it, "Hey, you okay?" his still pale complexion reddened with worry.
"Fine, I'm fine," she shook her head, "just still a bit shocked at the surgical site."
"It will fade, give it time," he smiled, "I'm just glad I heal fast. Tsunade says I would have been here a week or more if it weren't for Kurama, and I'd be looking at three months of no training instead of being out just one." Naruto let out a slight laugh, "As it stands, I can't begin to think what I'm going to do for the next month."
"Well, we could do something light," Hinata coyly suggested as she got up from her chair, hiding the scarf behind her, "We can take frequent walks together, we can make plans for the Yokai Market, maybe practice some simple dance moves, and perhaps we catch up on some much needed reading." Hinata felt her cheeks heat up at the thought of having Naruto all to herself for the next month. She moved closer to him, beaming with her smile.
"That's some surprise," Naruto grinned. "You make this whole, 'no training for a month,' business sound almost pleasant."
"That wasn't the surprise," she giggled, tucking her arms further behind her and staring down at the floor like a schoolgirl caught doing something naughty. She looked back up at Naruto, "but when was the last time you took time off?"
"My birthday," he answered.
"And before that?"
A puzzled look crossed his face as his eyes traced toward the ceiling, and he rubbed his chin. "Hmm… I guess," he locked gaze with her, forming his crooked smile, "there was Hokage Rock."
Hinata's heart began to flutter at the mention of Hokage Rock. It all came back to her: the waves of anxiety, desperate desire to not let Naruto slip through her fingers again, and the warm passion of a dream realized. "T-there," she stammered, "is that, too." She smiled, grateful for all they had shared, hopeful for all they had yet to share, "But, I'm getting sidetracked." Hinata extracted the scarf from behind her back, "I meant to give this to you," she held it in front of her, "for your birthday, but it wasn't ready."
Naruto stood wide-eyed as he took the scarf in his fingers. "H-Hinata, this scarf," he gasped, "it's just like the one Mom made for me when I was little – the one that got destroyed by those bullies all those years ago."
Hinata nodded, "I-I hope you like it! I tried my best to recreate it as best as I could…"
Naruto cut her words off with a loving embrace, "I love it!" Naruto's warm tears began tickling down her cheek. He loves it! Naruto confirmed his words by taking her cheeks in his hands and pulling her in for a kiss. His mouth was desperate, seeking her warmth after being cruelly separated by circumstance. I never get sick of this!
"I hope we're not interrupting things," a crisp, amused voice came from the doorway. Hinata hurriedly separated her lips from Naruto as Gaara entered, followed by Temari, Kankaro, and Shikamaru who all stared with wide smiles. Caught in the act! "I didn't want to leave without saying good-bye, and thank you, Naruto," he bowed slightly, "and to you as well, Hinata."
"Thank you, Lord Gaara," Hinata bowed.
"Please, just Gaara," he blushed as he returned her bow.
"I hoped we'd find you here," a dignified woman's voice called as she entered the room
"Lady Yoshino, Lord Shikaku," Naruto and the others greeted Shikamaru's parents. Lady Yoshino wore dark purple robes and her silk black hair tied back into a ponytail. Lord Shikaku was dressed in his usual field uniform – midnight blue coverall with an olive-drab utility vest. Dark circles around his eyes betrayed exhaustion behind the canyon of scars on his face.
"Dad, Mom, what are you doing here?" Shikamaru asked, twisting his face in confusion.
"Getting ready to escort this lot back to Suna," Shikaku replied.
Hinata watched the faintest wince of pain form at the corner of Shikamaru's mouth, "Well Temari," he said, "I guess this is good-bye." Oh, poor Shikamaru, you didn't think your girlfriend would let you get away that easily. Hinata tightened her own lip for her part in the mischief to follow.
"Oh, I wouldn't be so sure about that, crybaby," Temari winked. Lady Yoshino giggled along.
"Am I missing something?" Naruto asked, cocking up an eyebrow.
"Am I?" anxiety washed over Shikamaru's face as his eyes popped wide open.
"Until a replacement is appointed," Temari straightened herself, "I am acting ambassador to Konoha."
"Oh hey, congratulations!" Naruto cheered. Gaara, Kankaro, and Lady Yoshino all averted their eyes in mischief.
Shikamaru and his father on the other hand, were both mortified. "Wait a minute, their embassy got destroyed in the fighting! Where exactly are you going to be located?" Shikamaru asked.
"Dear, we have plenty of extra room in the house…" a predator's grin formed on Yoshino's face, "… and it isn't often we have such a high-ranking dignitary that we can offer hospitality to."
Shikamaru's eyes popped open so far they almost fell out of his skull, "There has to be an alternative!" He desperately turned to Hinata, "Surely the Hyūga Clan would be a better choice!"
"Sorry, Shikamaru," Hinata suppressed laughter, "but with the recent surge in marriages, we are now experiencing a recent uptick in pregnancies, and we've brought in extra staff to help. For once, I'm sad to say we're short of space." Hinata turned to Temari, "Not that it wouldn't be an honor to host you."
"Another time, when I'm a guest and not an ambassador." Temari said with a wicked grin.
"Have you thought of what room you might want?" Yoshino asked.
"There is that great room with all the books and the telescope," Temari said innocently.
"THAT'S MY ROOM!" Shikamaru protested.
"Oh, so that explains it," Temari rubbed her chin as she grinned at the boy wickedly.
"Explains what?" Shikaku asked.
"That large collection of lingerie catalogs under his mattress; I was wondering what that was for!" Temari exclaimed.
Raindrops of sweat began pouring down Shikamaru's face. "Dear," Yoshino put her hand on Temari's shoulder, "Let's grab some tea and discuss getting you set up at the house; my lazy son will be of no use until it's time to start moving things around." Yoshino glared at Shikamaru with an acidic stare that could etch glass as she and Temari left the room.
"Dad," Shikamaru faintly spoke to his father, "am I in trouble?"
"You are, but not from me," he answered shaking his head in dismissal.
Shikamaru turned desperately to Naruto, "Is there any chance the spare bedroom is still available… indefinitely!"
"Of course, buddy!" Naruto laughed.
"No, that won't do," Shikaku interrupted.
"Why? I can't survive living under the same roof as her and Mom! One is bad enough; two are lethal!"
"Boy, now would be a time to learn," Shikaku patted his son on the head. "Because until I get back from taking her brothers back to Suna," the older man grinned, "you are Temari's protection detail. Have fun!" Shikaku left the room with a laughed.
Poor Shikamaru! Hinata laughed internally. Shikamaru was crestfallen, "Oh my god, I'm going to die. That troublesome woman is trying to kill me, both troublesome women."
Gaara patted him on the shoulder, "Have fun with that! Take care of my big sister!" Gaara said as he walked out. Kankaro was slightly more direct, "I like you, Shikamaru, but if you hurt my sister, I'll fucking kill you." Kankaro smiled widely as he exited the room behind his brother.
"Naruto," Shikamaru squeaked, "how the hell did I get into this shit?"
"Don't look at me, man, I only work here," Naruto chuckled. "I thought you two were an item, anyhow?"
"That was before Mom decided to play matchmaker and bring her into the house! She'll have the chance to embarrass me in front of Mom everyday! And mom will encourage it!"
"Relax, Shikamaru," Hinata giggled, "It won't be so bad! I suggest you do what your normally do, go with the flow."
"Go with flow!?" Shikamaru's expression morphed in disbelief as he sank back against the wall, "I don't want to rain on your parade, but that scary-ass woman is going to be the death of me! I'm going to have to share a house with her!" Shocked realization came across his face as he slid down the wall to the floor. "Oh god! A week of living with them and not even dad to protect me!"
"Considering how much she likes you," Hinata winked. She normally wasn't for playing matchmaker, herself, but she had to admit it was turning out to be quite fun, "I wouldn't fight it."
"Hinata, I might have kissed her once or twice, but her living in my house!" he protested, "And do you really think she likes me? I'm just some lazy kid who happened to get tangled up with her. I'm a ball of yarn being clawed at by a cat until she gets bored with me!"
"I think you're exagerating," Naruto stared at Hinata, "but yeah, she does like you, for real."
"Really?" Shikamaru raised his eyebrows and crossed his arms skeptically.
"Oh yes! All she could talk about was you after we finished Part II of the test," Hinata added, "She couldn't stop about how brave you were racing out into the lake, or how gentle you were caring for her after she got bit by the piranha…" To tell or not to tell. The angel and devil on her shoulder both laughed in her ears, "… or how nice your tush felt when she carried you over the finish line," Hinata giggled.
"She said… that?!" Shikamaru's jaw dropped.
"Shikamaru, don't think to hard on it," Naruto suggested, "but I would suggest finding a new hiding spot for your catalogs before your mom destroys them," he winked.
Hinata glared at Naruto, "You guys are unbelievable; do all boys have hidden magazine stashes?" Both boys turned bright pink. "Nevermind."
"Shikamaru," Naruto shrugged, "are you really afraid of living with her, or are you afraid you might actually come to like the thought of having her around?"
"Hey," he protested, "I'm not whipped like you!"
Hinata exchanged glances with Naruto. Poor Shikamaru, always in denial. "Anyhow, Shikamaru, we have to visit one other person before we leave here, care to join us?" she asked.
Shikamaru got to his feet, and shook off the dust, "I suppose I should go and protect Temari… from what, I'm not sure. Short of a legendary Sannin, I can't think of anyone crazy enough to try hurting her."
"Have fun," Naruto waved as Shikamaru left. "So," he turned back to Hinata, wrapping the red scarf around his neck lovingly, "ready purple-eyes?"
"Of course!" she took his hand.
Naruto reveled in being able to leave his room and take a walk longer than a dozen steps as he walked with Hinata down the hallway toward Sasuke's room. Even with accelerated healing, each step with his right leg tugged at the scar tissue in his right side. That's going to take a lot of getting used to! No training for a month, not even a brisk run unless absolutely necessary.
Naruto paused to stare at the girl on his left. Hinata was beautiful as ever, dressed in her dark blue mission gear with a pale-lavender windbreaker instead of her usual heavy jacket. Her dark hair flowed like black silk tied back with her forehead guard, and her cheeks were pink as cherry blossoms. To think, you almost lost this. His gut soured like bad sushi as he thought of what he had put her through the past several days. It's over, man, the Chunin exams are over. It's time to stop and smell the roses the way Dad and Grandpa have been nagging you.
"Naruto," she spoke up, "is something wrong?"
"No," he squeezed her hand, "everything right now… is perfect," Naruto stared into her pale Byakugan eyes.
"N-Naruto…" she smiled longingly.
"Love you," he whispered as he gave her a peck on the cheek, "here we are." As they entered, Naruto absorbed the wreckage that was Sasuke – both legs hung from the ceiling in traction, his head was wrapped in bandages, and his right forearm was cased from hand to elbow. Itachi was feeding his brother what looked like rice balls using chopsticks while Sakura was reviewing Sasuke's chart. "Hey, hero!" Naruto waved playfully.
Sasuke glared with one eye, "Oh god, I've died and gone to hell."
Itachi on the other hand, laughed, "Hey, Naruto, Hinata! Glad to see you're up and about!"
"And going home as soon as Mom gets here!" Naruto grinned. He turned to Sakura, "How about him?"
"I'm not supposed to discuss patient information, Naruto," she shook her head. For a while Sakura scowled, but soon her scowl turned to a smile, "But, it is good to see you, Naruto! I was so damn scared we were going to lose you."
"Yeah, I'm all busted up over it!" Sasuke groaned as he dug his head back into the pillow.
"Oh, come on, Sasuke!" Naruto smiled, "You got the distinguished service medal with valor device I hear. Promoted to chunin, special recognition from my Dad, your face all over the newspapers," he jabbed a thumb toward Sakura, "and a medical-nin student waiting on you hand and foot! What's not to love?"
"If it meant," Sasuke groaned, "not having two broken legs, a fractured pelvis, three broken ribs, a busted arm, and having to piss using a tube up in my bladder," Sasuke paused to sigh, "I'd gladly trade you for the bad appendix any day of the week."
Naruto felt his legs clamp together at the thought of a plastic tube up there. "Well, maybe next time," he quipped, "Still, it is good to see you, alive."
"Yeah, yeah," Sasuke closed his eyes.
"Speaking of," Sakura walked over to a sink in the corner of the room and started washing her hands, "It is time for us to change out that catheter." Sakura dried her hands and gloved up, "No offense, but I work best without an audience."
The tortured look on Sasuke's face hinted to Naruto the event was one worth skipping. "I think we'll be going," Naruto bowed, "See ya, Sasuke!"
"I think I'll be joining you then," Itachi got up from his brother's side. "I'll be back later, little brother."
As they exited to the hallway, a familiar voice shouted, "Naruto, Hinata!" Mom raced frantically toward them.
"Hey Mom, nice to see you, too!" Naruto gave his mom his billion yen smile and waved.
"I need your help, all three of you!" Mom huffed.
"Kushina, what's wrong?" Hinata's voice squeak. Enough damn emergencies already! I'm only just getting out of the hospital! I'm so over this year!
"I can't find Konohamaru anywhere!" Mom exclaimed on the brink of tears, "He didn't show up to training, and Asuma doesn't know where he is!"
A cold chill ran down Naruto's back, "Do you think he's been taken?"
"No," Kushina shook her head, "but he was beside himself at his grandfather's funeral yesterday! I'm worried he might do something dangerous!"
"We'll help you look for him, Mom!" Naruto nodded. "I'll take Hinata and we'll search his usual haunts near the academy; why don't you take Itachi and check the market district."
"After we search," Hinata added, "Let's meet at the Hyūga Compound, especially if we don't find him. We can recruit the others and search for him a lot faster that way."
"Got it," Mom shot a fist in the air, "this way Itachi!" The two ran off.
"Where would he go?" Hinata asked, "any chance he'd leave the village?"
"No," Naruto shook his head without hesitation, "he's too fond of it. Too fond of being Hokage someday." Just like his grandpa. Angry weights fell on Naruto's shoulder at the thought of having missed Lord Third's funeral. Naruto wanted to go, but Tsunade wouldn't allow it with the tube in his side. "I think I know where he is," he nodded in realization.
"Where?" Hinata squeezed his hand tightly.
"Where I'd be if I were in his shoes," Naruto said solemnly as he thought of losing Mom, Dad, or Hinata. "This way," he walked with Hinata as briskly as he could.
Konoha Cemetery expanded wide with row upon row of headstones and other grave markers new and old. A quick stop at the caretaker's office pointed Naruto and Hinata in the right direction – to Lord Sarutobi's grave. Konohamaru's unmistakable form came into view as they approached, careful not to disturb him.
The boy sat curled in a ball in front of his grandfather's grave. The normally immaculate green uniform he wore was now ruffled, even the blue scarf he always wore hung loosely, like he'd slept in it and not bothered to straighten it this morning.
"Hey little brother," Naruto said gently, hoping they didn't disturb him. Konohamaru turned a red, tear-soaked face at them long enough to see who it was before burying his face back in his knees. He didn't say a word. Naruto thought back to being atop Hokage Rock after Sakura had asked him out only for her to later get caught making out with Sasuke at the Academy. He sat next to his friend on the left, carefully lowering himself against the pain of his surgical site, and Hinata sat to the boy's right. "I'm sorry I missed the funeral, Konohamaru," he sighed, the heavy weight on his shoulder sinking back in place. "Forgive me?"
"Why would need forgiveness," Konohamaru said bitterly. "You saved the village and almost died on the operating table. I was in the surgical theater when I got the word about grandpa!" the boy began sobbing.
"Konohamaru," Hinata put a hand on his back, "I'm sorry, too, I didn't have a scratch on me, but I was so worried about Naruto!"
"You're the boss man's lady," he shook his head, tears dripping as he buried his face in his knees, "of course you were worried about him!"
"And now we're worried about you, buddy!" Naruto put his hand on the boy's shoulder.
"I should have been there!" he wailed. "Mom and Dad should have been there!" The boy thrashed about as he cried. "Why the hell was he all alone!" Konohamaru collapsed forward on his hands and knees in front of the grave marker. "WHY!"
"Konohamaru," a soft voice came from behind them. Mom stood along with Dad, Hiashi, and Akemi. "There is lot more to it; your grandfather… he didn't want anyone else in danger along with him!"
"But WHY!" Konohamaru bolted to his feet, half-tackling, half-hugging mom. With great care, she slowly guided him down to his knees, hugging him close.
"I suppose," Mom cried, "We can tell you and Naruto now."
"Tell me what?" Naruto asked, puzzled.
"About this," Dad pulled a letter from his Hokage's jacket, "Lord Third's final message to us." He handed the message to Konohamaru and gestured for Naruto to come beside them.
As he went to get up, he felt Hinata reposition his arm, helping him to his feet with much less discomfort than if he'd tried rising on his own. He soon knelt next to Konohamaru and scanned the letter. My god! All of it had been planned! Everything suddenly made sense, why Lord Third had sent away his bodyguards and anyone who might have been able to protect him. He wanted to die. "Konohamaru!"
"H-he was sick!" the boy cried, "Why did he keep it from us!"
"Boys," Mom now hugged both of them, "he was suffering, and he didn't want anyone else getting hurt." Mom's voice quivered under the weight of tears.
"He was very brave, little brother," Naruto cried, "he protected the village, the way any good Hokage would want to."
Konohamaru cried for several more moments before getting up. He turned back to his grandfather's head stone and bowed, "Thank you, grandfather!" He quaked with tears as he rose upright.
"Son," Lord Hiashi spoke up, "I hate to interrupt," Hiashi fidgeted awkwardly. He's trying not to cry, either.
"Y-yes Lord Hiashi," Konohamaru wiped at tears, but he couldn't make them stop.
"We owe you a debt of thanks," Akemi continued, "You helped save Hanabi."
"It was," he choked, "nothing."
"Konohamaru, it means everything," Hinata's soft voice spoke up, "I nearly lost my sister to the same type of men who once took me, who once took Lady Kushina!"
"And you conducted yourself bravely throughout her rescue, and the evacuation," Dad stepped closer to the boy, staring down at him. "In fact, you put us in a bit of a conundrum, all of us," he smiled.
"What conundrum?" Naruto was confused.
"Son, you see," Dad put his hands in his pockets, "there is no medal for meritorious action for an academy student," he turned his look back to Konohamaru, "In fact, you have to be a shinobi to officially be decorated."
"That's right," Naruto nodded, knowing where this was going. He felt a smile finally return to his lips. You deserve it, little bro!
"By the power vested in me as Lord Hokage," Minato withdrew a brand-new Hidden forehead guard from one pocket, "I hereby promote you, Konohamaru Sarutobi, to the rank of genin." He held out the guard to Konohamaru.
"I…I…" Konohamaru stammered as he stood in shock.
"And it is my honor as First Lady of the Village," Mom took the band in her hands, "to tie it to you, my student." Mom tied the guard around the boy's head.
Naruto saw a shuffling of movement as Dad handed a small wooden case to Akemi. "And it is my honor," she said, kneeling next to Konohamaru, "to present you the Meritorious Service Medal, teammate." She opened the case and pinned the medal to Konohamaru's uniform.
Finally, Naruto couldn't wait on the sideline. He walked up to his friend, putting a hand on his shoulder, "Congrats, buddy, your grandpa would be proud!"
"Boss man!" Konohamaru gripped him a bear hug.
"Easy!" Naruto choked, "I just had surgery!"
"Boss!" Konohamaru smiled through tears.
"Well, after Aunt Akemi and Hanabi visited me in the hospital the other day, what was I supposed to do but recommend you for a medal?" Naruto shrugged, "When Dad said a student wasn't eligible, I figured you'd earned your rank; he agreed."
"Speaking of," Dad interrupted, holding in his hands two scrolls, "I've given Sasuke his, as well as Shikamaru, Neji, and Temari. I think it's time you and Hinata have yours," he winked, "chunin!"
Chunin! "Dad!"
"Lord Fourth!" Hinata exclaimed.
"Congratulations, both of you!" Konohamaru hugged both of them.
For a moment, they embraced, but Naruto knew there was someone else who needed acknowledgement. He let go of his friend and girlfriend and turned to the headstone. "Thank you, Lord Third!" he bowed.
"Thank you!" the others said in unison.
After the emotional highs and lows of the day, Hinata was supremely glad to be home as she sat next to Naruto on a bench in her dojo. Unlike her private bedroom, this place was private while still being appropriate to have company. A few more years would have to pass before she could take him there.
"What are we doing here?" Naruto asked, puzzled, "It's not like I can do anything here." Naruto, Konohamaru, and Naruto's parents had come over for dinner to celebrate their promotion. Now that dinner was done, the adults had retreated to one part of the house while Konohamaru and Hanabi sat out in the garden.
Hinata grinned slightly as she stood up, "Wait here," she walked over to an old record player nearby. She started the turntable, set the vinyl record in place, and delicately set the player's needle. She was soon rewarded by the sound of a slow dance beat. Hinata hustled back to Naruto, and took him by the hands, "Come."
He stood as commanded and he began dancing with her a slow rhythm. "I see you're training me with what you can until I'm cleared," he smiled.
"Partly," she stared in his beautiful eyes, "but I really just wanted to say thank you, and this was the best way I could think to say it." She moved closer to him.
"Thank you for what?" he tilted his head as he pulled her closer to him.
"Just, thank you," she said resting her head on his shoulder. After the revelations from her future daughter, Hinata didn't know how to proceed with her life. The slightest mistake could have world-changing consequences for the future. "Thank you, for making me strong," her throat constricted, "for being you." Thank you for someday making me your wife and a mother!
Naruto hugged her to him, "No, thank you," he let out a long sigh, "Thank you for believing in me, for never leaving my side through all the awful things we went through this year." Hinata's heart pushed her closer to him, and soon they were locked in a kiss. They had survived a difficult year, and they would survive whatever waited in the future.
Author's notes: As always thank you for reading, and I hope you have enjoyed. The next two chapters are the last two in the story. As promised, I'll begin posting volume II on October 10, 2020. Stay healthy, stay safe!