Chapter 6:
A Den of Memories, Part 3
Hinata hummed cheerfully as she dipped a small dish into the bubbling pot of ramen. She took a taste and smiled to herself with satisfaction. The broth was savory and aromatic, but not too heavy—just the way Naruto liked it. He was eating dinner with her for the first time in nearly three weeks, and she wanted everything to be perfect.
Her heart did a somersault as she heard the door open. "I'm home, Hinata," Naruto called. "It smells incredible in here, dattebayo!"
She wiped her hands on a dishtowel and stepped into the entryway. "Welcome home," she beamed. "Everything's ready. I just need to set the table and then we can eat."
"Ah...about that." He looked away and her stomach plummeted. "I'm sorry, Hinata, but it was a crazy day at work, and I couldn't leave the office, after all. I'm just a clone sent to pick up dinner and bring it back."
"I...see..." Through sheer force of will, she plastered on a smile. "It's alright. Your work is important, after all. Just, um, give me a minute and I'll put some into a container for you."
She stumbled into the kitchen and began ladling ramen automatically into a bright orange thermos.
"Hinata?" Naruto was still waiting in the hall. "Is this plant new?"
"Plant...?" In her frazzled state of mind, it took a moment for his words to register. "Oh, yes. It was a gift from my Aunt Umeko."
"What?" Naruto's voice, though not exactly cold, was several degrees cooler than usual. He strode into the kitchen. "Have you been meeting with her?"
"Y-Yes," she stammered uncertainly. "Why—?"
"I don't want you meeting with her again. Her husband—Daichi—is the leader of the pro-seal faction. He's probably thinking he can sway me to his side through you."
"B-But we never talked about—"
"I don't want you meeting with her again," he repeated firmly. "And I don't want any gift of theirs in our home."
She stared at him, feeling the beginnings of anger roil within her like the bubbling pot of ramen on the stove. "I don't think that you have much of a right to decide what is and isn't in this home, given that you're hardly ever here."
Her voice was barely above a whisper, but she knew from Naruto's expression that he had heard her. She blanched as she realized what she had just said. She opened her mouth to try to say something, anything, to make it better, but before she had the chance, he disappeared in a puff of smoke.
She began to pace the floor frantically, the thermos of ramen forgotten and growing cold on the counter. Why, oh why, had she said that? Yes, it was hard not having him here, but she had known from the start what she was getting into. It had always been Naruto's dream to be Hokage, and as his wife, she had promised to always support him, but now—
She froze in place as the door creaked open. She barely had time to process what was
happening before she found herself wrapped in a familiar embrace.
"Hinata." Naruto's voice was muffled as he kissed her hair. "I'm so sorry."
She shook her head, hiding her face in his chest. "I'm the one who needs to apologize. I know you're doing the best you can."
"But I hurt you," he said hoarsely.
She stepped back so he could see her face. "I'm alright. I know how important your job is and how busy you are. Just being by your side is enough."
"But it's not enough for me," he said with a wan smile. "I'm afraid you've turned me into the greediest man in the world."
He bent over and kissed her lightly on the forehead. "I'll do better from now on," he murmured. "I promise that I will, and you know I never go back on my word."
"I know." She squeezed his hand gratefully. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
Their eyes fell on the innocuous plant which had been the cause of all the trouble. Naruto heaved a sigh. "I really do hate it, after all. Now I can't look at it without remembering our first argument."
"We can just get rid of it," she said quickly.
"No," he replied after a moment's thought. "We should keep it. It will give me the much-needed reminder that my sweet, long-suffering wife is much too kind to give me." He looked at her, equal parts teasing and serious. "You really should complain more, you know."
She smiled, a blush suffusing her cheeks. "Are you sure you should be saying that? I could turn into a nagging wife, you know."
He burst into boisterous laughter. "I can't imagine how that would ever happen, but half of me kind of wants to see it. Now, enough talking—let's eat, shall we? We don't want your delicious ramen getting cold, dattebayo!"
She gazed up at him, feeling as if she couldn't possibly be any happier. "Hai."
Author's Note: And the secret of the plant is revealed, haha! I really enjoyed writing this flashback, so I hope you enjoyed reading it as well. Stay tuned for tomorrow's update, and as always, please leave a review to let me know what you think!