Chapter 9: Of Afternoons

"We love the things we love for what they are." -Robert Frost

Naruto

"Danzo's dead?"

Naruto repeats Tsunade's statement, just to make sure it's clear. It isn't a surprise really that he and Sasuke would clash, but to know he killed him changes things knowing how strong Danzo is.

No, was now.

Tsunade gives him a frustrated look at his interruption, but nods. "This is based on preliminary reports I received late yesterday night into this morning from our spies near the Land of Iron."

'That must mean Sasuke is already on the move again, but to where exactly?' Naruto frowns.

Eventually he was going to head back for the village, either to attempt to capture him to aid the Akatsuki in extracting Kurama from him or to exact revenge against Konoha for everything that happened to his clan.

Or both.

"Based on what the Akatsuki have done and will plan to do, war preparations are going to be made here and throughout the other nations. Naruto, considering you are part of their plans you can no longer go on any missions or excursions that will take you away from the village unless it is to put you into hiding/protection. And no, this isn't up for discussion." Tsunade explains, adding in her last point at seeing Naruto about to refute her decision.

"I'd rather not just sit here and wait for them to come in and potentially destroy the village again." Naruto grumbles under his breath, it's hard enough to bear watching Konoha be ravaged over and over knowing he is part of the reason it keeps happening.

Hinata bumps her elbow gently into his side, giving him a look not to argue and he sighs.

He forces himself to listen to the rest of Granny's points but his mind already is starting to drift...

'The Akatsuki, Sasuke, Kurama. There's so much to do and I'm running out of time.' The realization stings.

A headache blooms at the back of his head, about to swirl and encompass until he feels a hand brush against his own. Hinata is still staring straight ahead at Granny, but her hand twines with his own and everything weighing on his mind briefly disappears.

For now, there isn't much he can do in terms of helping plan for the war and as much as probably both Kakashi-sensei and Granny want him to stay here in the village he knows he's going to leave again before the week is over.

Because out of the all the things circling in his thoughts, channeling the power Kurama can give him comes first.

"What makes you so sure I will share my power with the likes of you? I never did such a thing by choice for my past jailers and you won't be any different or-" Kurama starts.

"You will, you should know by now I'm not like any of the past people you've been unwillingly sealed into!" Naruto interrupts cheerily.

Kurama scoffs dryly, eyes burning and sharp. Naruto may not be as much of a brat as of late, but he still was ignorant to many things including that of his own family...

"So you say." He snorts.

"If you're referring to my Mom, then I already know." Naruto mutters before Kurama can finish.

'There's a lead on the guy who had the Eight Tails beast. I'm sure he isn't dead.' Naruto reminds himself, pushing away Kurama's voice for now.

"Alright, that's all my updates for now; don't and I repeat, don't stick your nose into anything without permission Naruto." Tsunade warns, amber orbs focused solely on him.

Kakashi-sensei too watches him carefully, but says nothing. He'll be busier now helping Granny with preparations even if he doesn't feel there is much he can add to the meetings surely coming.

Naruto meets his stare, Kakashi arching a brow waiting for him to speak and the urge to tell him what his research with Hinata has gathered so far regarding his family rests on the edge of his tongue. Photos they found buried deep within the library regarding the Uzumaki clan hidden between torn pages, brushing away the ash off burnt pictures to reveal striking long scarlet hair and a name inscribed barely legible at the bottom.

Kushina.

'Why didn't you tell me about my mother, I know you knew who her. Maybe you couldn't tell me about my Dad knowing his enemies, but why not her?'

He bites back the questions though, instead twisting back to Tsunade to give her one of his winning smiles despite this tension lingering in the air, bright and easygoing. "Sure thing Granny!"

"Are you getting hungry? I can make us a light brunch or we can get lunch somewhere?" Hinata suggests on the walk back to his apartment, taking him out of his thoughts.

"Oi, Hinata you're the one always making us lunch! I can make a meal for us this time." Naruto relates and a laugh bubbles up from her.

"It won't be just ramen?" She asks teasingly and he feels his face warm. In all their outings they've always gone to Ichiraku's or gotten the instant ramen from the convenience store down the road...

Crap, no wonder Sakura says he needs to change up his diet despite him never wanting to take her advice.

"I'll show you how to make different types of meat and rice bowls you'll like Naruto like donburi or tonkatsu. We can use the ingredients you already have at home, even the vegetables that you hate so much." Hinata explains, humming to herself.

His kitchen is soon filled with the aroma of spices and herbs that remind him of the marketplace, hovering behind Hinata helping her either chop and dice the vegetables or simmer the pork.

'We won't be able to keep doing this.' Part of him realizes at seeing Hinata tie up her violet hair in a loose ponytail to keep it from getting in the way, steam of the broths coating her forehead in a light sweat.

Days like this, afternoons like this are fleeting...

Her cheeks gain a rosy hue from the heat of the broths and steam, pearl eyes glittering admiring their work and absently he leans into her for a backwards hug, pressing close eliciting a small squeak out of her.

"Naruto, finish straining the rice!" Hinata orders with barely any conviction, flustering even more when Naruto ignores the command and snuggles deeper into her.

Jabbing him the back end of the spoon makes him finally release her.

"Ow, I can focus on my meal preparation and watch you!" He determines, ignoring the faint waft of smoke hitting his nose.

"You're going to burn your apartment down all due to your being in heat." Kurama adds in.

"I'm not 'in heat'! Stop cutting into my thoughts!" Naruto gripes back, but too late does he start to feel the tips of his ears feeling hot.

"Focus Naruto, you're going to burn the meal if you don't pay attention to each step." Hinata mentions, finally moving to meet his gaze when he doesn't immediately respond.

Cobalt to lilac watch each other, neither speaking or moving from their closeness.

Kakashi-sensei interrupted them earlier for better or worse and his stomach tightens at the notion they are truly alone again once more...

Naruto moves to rest his hand against her cheek, brushing away strands of hair that cling to her sweat. "Come with me back to the Land of Lightning. I have to complete my training on controlling Kurama before the war starts. And err, well if it would help if you were there with me you know!"

He said that all in one breathe, swallowing down nerves and the urge to fidget.

"Kumo? Why that location in particular when we just came from there?" Hinata breathes out.

'Father may be upset to know I'm leaving the village again so soon.' Another part of her considers, but she doesn't let the thought linger.

Traveling with Naruto is another chance to see more of the world, to find out more about Aoi...

"I'll go with you." Hinata smiles and Naruto grins back, leaning his head against hers.

He considers how to answer her earlier question, there is but one other jinchuriki now who can help him, the man he briefly heard the Raikage mention in passing during the Five Kage Summit.

"A man named Killer B resides there and based on the rumors I've heard, was smart enough to outsmart the Akatsuki into thinking they killed and captured him."

-X-

Sakura

"He's not a complete monster as you think you know." Karin mentions, studying the evening sky. The brief drizzle of rain from earlier had ended up leaving the sky a patchwork of grays and orange, the smell of dew still lingering as the air grows colder.

And yet still, Sakura is as seemingly wide awake as she has been since the early hours of the morning.

Watching her.

Why not just put her in chains? No, there's no reason to treat her like a prisoner when what keeps her stuck here is already coursing through her veins. Sakura cured her yes, but not without ensuring she can activate what remains of the poison in her blood should she try and disobey these new set of rules she is under.

Sakura finally glances up from her files, verdant orbs impatient and just a tinge bit exhausted at her interrupting her from her work again in the last hour. "Who? You mean Sasuke?"

Karin nods, shifting her body to look at her fully despite the slight jolt of pain that sears down her. "He's become colder yes, but he cares about me, Jugo, and even that idiot Suigetsu. We're a team and he worries about us in his own...ways."

Sakura arches a brow, shutting the particular file she was reading closed. "Really? Why hasn't he come to check on you if he's so 'worried' as you say? For all he knows you could be dead in a forest right now."

Karin clenches her teeth, but says nothing. 'Sasuke does care! She's just jealous is all, jealous he has new teammates and abandoned her and that blond guy.'

It isn't like that blond guy is without a darkness to him either, she sensed it from him. A malicious chakra hidden beneath his cheery grin that frightened her upon seeing his presence during his earlier check in to see what Sakura was up to.

She swallows down a growing knot, meeting Sakura's gaze once more. "Look, I'm not the best actress. Sasuke will know I'm up to something even if you want me to be a spy."

Sakura chuckles lightly then, shrugging. "I've watched you long enough to know you can hide your emotions when you want to. That's one of your skills after all, being able to read people and read their chakra in addition to your healing potential."

Karin shakes her head still, nails digging into her palms. "Not when it comes to Sasuke! He'll see that I'm acting strangely, question what happened for me to be gone for so long."

But despite saying this it's clear Sakura doesn't care, lips pursed and flat as if she didn't say anything at all.

"You're going to betray Sasuke. Every 3 days you will give me an update on where he's located, what his plans are next, and especially who he has been associating with." She explains calmly.

Karin clenches her teeth in return, spitting out how fucking ridiculous this plan is and the urge to bolt out of here claws it's way up her chest. Sasuke will see through her instantly, burn her with his ink-black flames until she confesses. It won't matter how far she goes running off though now, Sakura can track her...

"Don't you love him too?! He'll only try and kill you once he finds out about this plan." She hisses.

Sakura gives her a tired smile, nodding. "Yes, I'm aware and I assessed the risks before I injected that poison into your bloodstream Karin. The thing is, you don't know the Sasuke from before, the one that was willing to actually lay down his life to save Naruto during our Wave mission so long ago, who actually liked to get a meal with us every once in awhile. That is the Sasuke I fell in love with it and still love. You've only seen the after, the results of Orochimaru's corruption and the need for revenge and blood clouding him. I know beneath that though remains the 'before', it's a process though for Sasuke himself to see he never needed to bury it in the first place."

'Sasuke will never go back to how he was, those days have long passed and she and the blond guy just refuse to see it.' Karin observes, but then Sakura's expression hardens back into ice.

"If there's one thing we can both agree on, Sasuke would never expect this out of me of all people nor would he expect this out of you." She remarks.

Karin blows a strand of hair from her face, frustrating boiling at the pits of her gut. "Team Taka is stronger than this! Envying our team for having Sasuke with us is you and the blondie's lost; don't act like that hasn't been your secret motivation to do all this!"

Sakura returns back to grinning then, as if in on a secret she refuses to divulge. "Is it?"

"Yes! Our foundation isn't weak like your Team 7's!" Karin spits, throwing up her hands in annoyance.

How could she not see this? All the signs were there.

Sakura blinks, leaning back in her chair. "Is Team Taka actually strong enough to withstand all the secrets and lies you all hold; of betraying each other for power? And really, you don't know the full extent of my plans. You're wasting your breath pitying me and making assumptions."

Karin bites her lip quickly at the retorts on the tip of her tongue. Nothing she's said has seemed to gotten under Sakura's skin, if anything it reminds her of Sasuke when he watches her with thinly veiled aggravation like she is a petulant child.

Her heart twists at the sudden comparison, the last thing she wants to think about is how alike Sasuke and Sakura are to each other at the moment.

They spend the next hour in silence, Karin only taking nibbles at the sandwich Sakura brings her from the hospital's cafeteria while she finishes up reviewing and charting on some intensive care patients. She assesses her body from head to toe one last time noting the red splotches from her rash are gone to her being fever-free for 24 hours now.

And then finally, she moves to practically run out of her office wishing she could ignore Sakura's call out to her.

"I look forward to hearing from you in 3 days!"

"Where the hell have you been? Thought you went and died somewhere among these trees and rivers since we didn't get any word from you." Suigetsu is the first to ask at her return and she jabs him straight in the chest making him turn to liquid.

"None of your damn business! I went to go get healed up so I would stop being a hassle to Sasuke is all." Karin scoffs.

Her eyes search then for him, spotting his onyx hair just a few meters up ahead with Jugo. Sasuke turns to briefly glance her over to see that she is indeed looking healthier than she has in days before turning back around.

"We're heading towards one of the bases in the north to regroup; keep up." He orders simply.

Karin nods happily, smile faltering once she's sure no one is looking at her.

This plan has officially started now.

'Damn it.' Karin sucks in a breath, forcing herself to relax. Sakura's words are playing on a loop in her mind, the frostiness that laid beneath her mocking grin questioning this team she considers her sort-of family, of Sasuke's further motives...

'Is it?'

-X-

Hinata

"Don't try to hide it Hinata, I can smell him on you!" Kiba smirks, tapping his nose in emphasis. Akamaru barks his agreement and Hinata squirms, scooting back from him.

"I...I don't smell like Naruto!" She retorts, turning her attention from him back to her drink taking a larger than necessary gulp of her green tea to hopefully calm her down. The warmth is comforting, but it doesn't stop her from hearing Kiba's snickering over her behavior.

"I have to concur with Kiba for once, you smell more like Naruto's favorite ramen meals and even faintly of his soaps as of late." Shino adds in.

Hinata bristles, sending him a look that of course does nothing to faze the bug specialist.

"Now, now you guys! There's no reason to spend all of this night teasing Hinata. We're out tonight to discuss planning for the coming days ahead." Kurenai-sensei from in front, tapping the table gently to get all of their attentions.

Indeed even this small tea shop buzzes with energy, of whispers between civilian and shinobi that the potential for the Fourth Shinobi World War is becoming all to real.

"I remember Grandpa's stories from when he fought in the Second Shinobi World War, I don't want Dad to have to go through that." A woman murmurs to her presumed sister, squeezing at her hand before tacking on a grin for the man opposite as he returns with their orders.

Hinata looks over his attire, the traditional green vest that acknowledges his job and understands their worry.

Like all wars, this one won't be without deaths, without blood being shed...

Kiba straightens up and Hinata turns herself from the conversation to focus on what Kurenai has to tell them.

"As I'm sure you all have already heard from whispers, the Akatsuki has declared war on each of the shinobi nations in preparation for a plan that seems to consist of robbing all citizens young and old of their free will. More details are to come from Lady Tsunade in the coming days on exactly how team and team leaders will divided for taking them on." Kurenai begins.

"These Akatsuki guys are the same ones going after all the Tailed Beasts, right? Has there been any mention of how to protect Naruto?" Kiba asks, side eyeing Hinata knowing she must be curious about this as well.

'I haven't told them that I already met with Lady Tsunade earlier.' Hinata notes, keeping her expression neutral. She isn't going to make them worry by bringing up her and Naruto's plans, especially when she knows they won't be fully comfortable with it.

Kurenai shakes her head to Kiba's question. "I'm sure Lady Tsunade will want Naruto to be under heavier protection than he currently is, but there hasn't been any further mention of how that will exactly work. With Mirai, I don't think I'll be of much aid except for in minor rescue and evacuation operations."

"Any help is important sensei, don't undersell yourself." Shino points out, glancing up from his meal.

"Shino's right, all shinobi no matter their status or age will play a role in this coming war." Hinata adds in making Kurenai's grin widen.

They move on from the topic of war soon after to lighter subjects, Kurenai switching her teasing over to Kiba based on gossip she's heard of him visiting a woman known for her keeping of and raising cats.

"I'm not sure how Akamaru will feel about you getting into a relationship with a cat lover!" Kurenai jests lightly, Akamaru growling Kiba's way as if to ask if said rumors are true.

"How...How do you know about that?! I mean, no it's not anything serious, I just go to visit her when I get some free time is all." Kiba coughs, looking between both her and Akamaru.

'It's not everyday I see Kiba reddening.' Hinata smiles, even she had heard passing chatter from his sister that things with this 'Tamaki girl' could get serious.

Back outside night has completely fallen, crescent moon clear and bright against the ebony of the sky. Wind rattles leaves against her feet, but the sound is soon swallowed by the commotion of festivals and shows about to start with show-staff dressed in glittering golds and reds, of the night markets alive with colorful spices and goods.

"Tell Lover Boy we give our regards!" Kiba laughs before heading southward with Shino.

"Let's all meet up again soon, it's rare I get a night off from watching Mirai!" Kurenai-sensei calls to them before they truly all go their separate ways and Hinata pulls on a fake smile, hopefully as bright as everything surrounding them.

She isn't sure she can keep such a promise.

'I wonder if Naruto is home.' She considers as she takes the route through the market stalls, pausing when she swears she hears her name being called out to her to the left.

Neji?

"You're out later than usual Lady Hinata." Neji mentions as he approaches and her body stiffens, unsure what to say. Did Father talk to him? Surely he's heard the whispers from the attendants of where she spends her afternoons into the nights.

"Well, I just came from meeting with my team. It's been awhile since we've all been able to catch up and not be distracted by missions and what not." Hinata explains.

Neji nods, though the milky hue of his eyes darkens for a flicker of a moment, enough for her to know what questions are truly weighing on his mind.

"Uncle says you spend your nights at Naruto's apartment more than the manor, correct? I assume he is treating you well based on him not giving me any details beyond that." Neji questions.

Hinata feels her cheeks burning, there is no point in denying it. "Yes, I do stay at his apartment more as of late. Naruto hasn't treated me badly Neji, you and Father don't need to worry. I enjoy his company and I believe he could say the same for me."

But even as she says all this her mind inevitably thinks of earlier, of when his hands briefly palmed at her breasts and he looked at her with such desire it made her shiver, the moment his lips could've been upon hers if not for Kakashi-sensei's interruption...

She swallows, willing the memory away.

"Naruto feels the same as you do I believe as well. That's why I asked to make sure he continues to be the upmost gentleman to you, it's important to use protection if it comes to it or for kunoichi you can ask at the hospital for-"

"Thank you Neji. I know." Hinata emphasizes, to cut him off.

Of all the things to talk about, her tone is far too bristled and sharp that he finally picks up on her annoyance. Did Father ask him to do this?

Lee's voice mercifully comes through from the crowd, asking where Neji has gone while Tenten tugs at his shoulder to relax.

"Neji! We're going to miss Gai's youthful performance to the children at the center square if we don't hurry; he saved us front row seats!" He yells.

Hinata holds in a giggle at Neji's roll of his eyes, he had other motives for wanting to talk to her besides just about Naruto it seems.

"Please come by for lunch or dinner, Naruto can come as well. Uncle would never say it aloud, but he misses having you at the table for meals." Neji states after a moment before heading in the direction of Lee's beckoning.

And once Neji is no longer in site she treks again for Naruto's home, noises falling away to a hush to further she goes. Her heart thrums fasters, the morning encounter she wanted to bury resurfacing...

"I'm home." Hinata states absently as she turns on Naruto's light by the entrance, flustering realizing her terminology when cerulean orbs widen in silence. Naruto is indeed here and not out enjoying most likely the last festivities Konoha will have before all shops close down for war preparations and rationing supplies, not at Ichiraku's enjoying his favorite ramen before he has to make do with the microwavable ones.

Cobalt eyes quickly soften, tint of red to his own face as he scratches a hand through his blond locks and Hinata feels her nerves slowly relax as she smiles back. For a second she wonders if his thoughts are drifting back to earlier as well, of what can happen between them now when they're close together with no distractions or interruptions. Maybe though she's just seeing in his features things that she wants to see as his eyes roam over her before he coughs and glances away.

And then absently she reminds herself they need to get started on packing, to not think of Naruto's touch or continued staring.

"Welcome back, heh never thought I would get to actually say that someone you know!" He beams, encompassing her into a hug.

When she manages to peer up at Naruto properly there's no mistaking his expression this time as one thought comes to mind.

'Desire.'

But before either can say or even do anything about it Naruto moves back from her, face dusted pink as he excuses himself to his room.

-X-

Kakashi

The thing about his students are they're all so different personality wise.

He studies his old group photo of Team 7 as the last rays of sunlight filter across his room, it is of the few pictures he keeps in his room that doesn't completely strike up only sad memories.

Naruto is loud, mischievous, and hides his pain through smiles and juvenile jokes. It's a sharp contrast to Sasuke's quiet, the anger and bitterness he stewed in for too long that he as his sensei was unable to bring him out of.

And then there is Sakura like in this very picture who falls somewhere in between in terms of her disposition, but as of late he worries she is slipping into her own kind of darkness by using these cold and twisted kind of measures he would never have expected out of her.

'You never trained with her enough.' He reminds himself.

Though under Lady Tsunade's tutelage she's set to become the medic nin across all the nations with strength to boot he wouldn't have been able to give her.

He sets the frame back down just as a knock comes to his door, surprised and unsurprised at once to see Naruto there under the glow of his porch light.

"Naruto. Do what do I owe a visit at this time of day?" He asks, stepping aside to let him in. Naruto pauses for a long minute, seemingly deciding if this should be a short visit or not before finally moving forward.

He notes he's come alone and as if sensing his thoughts Naruto speaks up. "Oh, Hinata is back at my place sleeping."

'So this is a conversation he doesn't want her to fully be a part of yet.' Kakashi realizes.

Naruto takes in his room, he's pretty sure none of his students have been to his actual residence now that he thinks about it. There is much to look at, walls a plain sterile grey to basic wood flooring and furniture all a simple tan color.

And Naruto of course makes it a point to tell him. "You're house is quite...boring sensei. Yep, no other way to put it!"

He gestures then to Make Out Paradise book lying open on his living room table, scrunching up his nose. "I don't know what you see in Pervy-Sage's work."

"Read them and you'll see!" Kakashi answers smoothly, granted the idea of his own student using porn for advice probably won't do any wonders for his budding relationship with Hinata.

Maybe.

"Yeah, I already have. However, I guess I'm glad you still find appreciation of his work." Naruto responds dryly.

Kakashi shrugs, gesturing to the kitchen and offering him a water he refuses. Naruto didn't come here to question his taste in home décor or his avid love of Jiraiya's book series, especially when they both know he's hardly ever here with all the missions or assignments they go on and that he's been in love with the trashy romance for years.

So sure enough blue eyes sharpen even flickering red for a second, staring at him straight on. "Earlier I couldn't bring myself to say it you know, but Hinata and I looked more into my family history."

His statement brings up a flurry of memories of his time being on Team Minato, of being in the Anbu and his chest briefly tightens knowing what he will say next.

"Why didn't you ever tell me about my Mom? Weren't you assigned to watch over at some point or at least that's what I could gather from the little information there was." He speaks, voice tight.

There is no way to say any of this comfortingly, trying to find the right words without causing Naruto further anger and upset.

"...Yes that is true. Your Father Minato-sensei I should say assigned me to observe her from the shadows while she was pregnant with you. I know I've told you it before, but both your parents had enemies. In Kushina's case they were a few rogue shinobi here and there looking to draw the Nine-Tailed Fox out of her before her pregnancy came to term." He explains.

Naruto takes this all in quietly, though his eyes remain stormy. "You never talked to Mom much then, did you?"

'No, I was still upset about Rin, about Obito who may or may not be alive based on Lady Tsunade's report now.' He sighs.

"Well, she did use to pack us some lunches at times. She'd get easily excited over the most mundane things like getting a recipe just right and then just as easily become enraged if you pointed out something was burnt." Kakashi laughs lightly.

The bruise to his head for that comment lasted for a good while.

A small grin cracks through Naruto's expression, nodding. "I would've liked these stories you know."

But there is no turning back time.

His gaze softens, taking to studying the thin cracks along his wood table. "I'm not going to stay here in the village, I need to train to have a better handle on Kurama and the best way to do that is with a fellow jinchuriki. Hinata will be coming with me to train more on her byakugan and research into that one guy who took one of the Hyuga's clan's eye."

Kakashi nods his understanding, not asking for any further details.

"I already knew." He confirms.

He considers letting the secret slip of the fallen comrade he's always alluded to before during the early days of Team 7, it could give Naruto an idea of what he is up against even if he isn't 100% sure.

"For what it's worth, I truly am sorry for the way we handled things regarding your case." Kakashi mentions.

There's a flash of bitterness in his eyes once more, gone as quickly as it came.

"You've already told me." He states semi-mockingly back with a smile.

Naruto moves himself to stand once more, stretching. "I should get heading back, Hinata may have already woken up."

"Hold on Naruto, there's one thing I should warn you about." Kakashi abruptly brings up before he can head back into the night, weighing the implications of decision before continuing on.

"Do you remember the stories I told you, Sakura, and Sasuke of never abandoning your teammates no matter how dire the situation becomes, it was one of the first lessons I gave? Anyways, I stick by that motto because of the teammate I lost on a fateful mission." Kakashi clarifies.

Naruto's brows furrow in thought, vaguely recalling the gist of the storyline. It must connect in some way to this impending war and a frown begins to edge across his features once more, pointed and curious. "And?"

"His name was Obito, he was from the Uchiha clan."

-X-

Naruto & Hinata

"Where did you go?" Hinata whispers in the dark, poking at his cheek seemingly getting back at her for doing said action to her so many nights ago.

Naruto chuckles, grabbing her hand before she can trace against his whisker marks once more. "Paid Kakashi-sensei a visit, told him we were leaving the village and he'll have to suck it up and listen to Granny properly and stop re-reading Pervy-Sage's books!

Hinata lets out an unladylike scoff in disbelief before quickly covering it, flustering. "I'm sure you didn't say it like that!"

Naruto waggles his brows, he's pretty sure he's the only one allowed to see Hinata not acting so prim and proper as the Hyuga clan has raised her to be. He leans close to her, beaming as the heat of her blush crawls it's way down her neck.

"I did! Turned just as red in shock as you are now when I could recite some of the dirtiest chapters from memory." He discloses as if such a thing wasn't already an open secret within the village that Kakashi-sensei enjoys every novel in the series.

"It's getting late, we need to rest in light of tomorrow." Hinata mentions gently, changing the subject back to them actually going to sleep.

Except sleep is hard to focus on when she can feel his heart drumming when he pulls her to his chest, his warm breath right by her cheeks.

Naruto swallows, voice becoming so unusually soft and low tinged with nervousness that she strains to hear him.

"There's one thing I want to do before we truly call it a night." He murmurs.

"Hmm?" Hinata asks as he turns her to face him.

He thumbs the edge of her lips once she is looking at him properly, nerves tingling before he leans his face down.

"Can I kiss you?" Naruto asks carefully.

Words escape her, voice turning equally as dry as his as a flurry of anxiousness to excitement wraps around her. Hinata manages a nod, shutting her eyes and leaning into his touch.

His lips descend slowly first against the burning of her cheeks to the edge of her jaw, lingering there letting her get used to him, to ensure this is okay.

And then slowly Naruto tilts his head allowing their lips to meet clumsily, positions shifting to get closer, knocking heads as Hinata reaches her fingers to tangle gently into his hair.

-x-

Happy New Year Everyone, hope you enjoyed the bit of spiciness!

Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!