Chapter 7 -Ichiraku's is for every occasion
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters mentioned in this story.
When team 7 returned to the village hidden in the leaves, Naruto avoided Hinata like how Grandma Tsunade avoided blood.
He needed a plan. Naruto was known for being spontaneous and unpredictable but on the way home, Sakura made it clear that girls didn't like last-minute or thrown-together dates. They appreciated the effort that a potential partner put into planning the dates. They could be planned and spontaneous.
"The hell, I thought spontaneous was supposed to be unplanned, this is hard." Naruto thought.
Pulling out the book Sai lent him, Naruto hid in his apartment planning the perfect date.
It took Naruto a week to read Sai's book and plan an awesome date using Sakura's and the book's advice.
Naruto took a piece of paper off his desk and scribbled something down.
" Hey, Hinata, sorry I haven't seen you in a while. I've been a bit busy dattebayo.
Meet me at training ground 3 for a sparring session tomorrow morning at 8 am." Naruto read the note out loud.
Nodding his head he summoned a shadow clone and gave him the letter.
" Give this to Hinata, wait for her answer and then dispel. Don't give away the plan." Naruto ordered the clone.
"You got it, boss." The clone said before running out the front door.
The clone headed to the hospital first since it was closer, if she was there then he would check the compound.
Arriving at the hospital clone Naruto went up to the nurse at the reception desk and asked, " Is Hinata Hyuga working today?"
Nodding the nurse directed clone Naruto to the hospital's training lab room.
Peeping through the window clone Naruto could see Hinata with her Byakugan activated performing some sort of surgery. Deciding that it would be better to wait for her to finish than to interrupt the clone waited about 15 minutes.
Seeing that she was done, the clone Naruto knocked and walked in.
"Hello Naruto-kin, what are you doing here?" Hinata asked.
Normally Hinata would be excited to spend time with Naruto but her medical ninjutsu certification exam was just around the corner and she didn't have the heart to tell Naruto she couldn't hang out with him today.
"Just making a delivery, here you go," clone Naruto said.
Hinata scanned the contents of the note and to say she was slightly confused was an understatement. While Hinata didn't view herself as weak anymore she knew she was nowhere near Naruto's level.
"So are you coming?" Clone Naruto asked.
"Alright," Hinata said hesitantly.
Poof
A cloud of smoke rose from where the shadow clone dispelled.
"That's odd." Hinata thought.
Usually, Naruto-kun talks a mile a minute. The clone was very quiet and even Naruto's note was kept short. Hinata mused.
Returning to the task at hand Hinata looked at the model in front of her. She was attempting to replicate the surgery that Lady Tsunade performed on Lee-san.
Hinata remembered the lecture she received from Lady Tsunade about the use of the Byakugan in medical ninjutsu. Hinata had the potential to perform surgeries and medical treatment that would otherwise have been too complicated and risky for normal shinobi.
Lee-Kun's surgery was a prime example. It had a success rate of 30% at the beginning. After more information was discovered that rate increased. Having the Byakugan and gentle fist technique would have the success rate at 65% to start with.
However, neither Lady Tsunade nor Sakura-chan knew intimately how the Byakugan works or the gentle first technique so Hinata had a much harder time than when Sakura-chan learned.
Hinata's task was to not only learn medical ninjutsu but also to figure out how to get the Byakugan and gently first to work in tandem.
For example, instead of simply shutting off a chakra point, Lady Tsunade and Sakura theorized that Hinata could rewire the chakra network, Hinata just had to figure out how.
She learned the fundamentals of medical ninjutsu and then began incorporating her clan's ability with it and Hinata was proud of her results.
She was nervous about taking the exam and she focused on the concepts that she created herself. Focusing once more she started the surgery over again.
The next morning Hinata arrives at training ground 3 and sees Naruto meditating.
"Good Morning Naruto-kun," Hinata greeted.
"Morning Hinata," Naruto said as he opened his eyes and took in her appearance.
Hinata had her hair tied in its signature low ponytail, she wore cream-colored pants, a mesh long sleeve shirt, and a short kimono blouse with the Hyuga emblem on both arms.
She looked good. More confident and sure of herself. Naruto noted.
Standing up he joined Hinata for a warm-up.
Once they finished their warm-up they stood opposite of each other and Hinata activated her Byakugan.
"Naruto-kun. Please don't hold anything back. I am a ninja of the hidden leaf just like you, I can hold my own." Hinata said
Smirking Naruto said, " I wouldn't dream of holding back against you Hinata, let's do our best dattebayo."
Naruto was excited. He could feel Kurama's excitement as well. Originally he planned to ask Hinata to spar as a way for them to bond over their shared nindo's.
He forgot to mention that but it kinda felt like Hinata understood what he was trying to say.
Naruto was impressed. He never thought of Hinata as weak, in fact, he thought she was one of the strongest people he knew, but this was on another level. She was faster than she was before, her strikes never hesitated. He was in awe of her.
Hinata put her all into their match. Naruto was a brawler. He had no distinctive style; it was a bit of everything which was hard for her to counter with her clan's fighting style so she focused on speed and focused attacks. She wasn't faster than Naruto but whenever she found an opening in his defense she went in fast and she went in hard.
Naruto noticed that she was avoiding his prosthetic arm. He could see the little dots on his left arm standing out against his tan skin and his other arm was left untouched. The bandages that covered his arm weren't even fraying.
Naruto smiled. Hinata was Hinata through and through. At her very core, she was a kind and gentle soul who didn't want to hurt others. She was looking out for him in the middle of a match when they were supposed to not be holding back.
Naruto dodged an incoming strike from her twin lion fist and used the opening to hit her with an incomplete Rasengan. Hinata flew a few feet away running over to her. Naruto stopped short when he got a good look at her.
Hinata was sitting on the ground panting, she had dirt patches on her face from when she fell, she was breathing heavy and her mesh undershirt was torn, exposing her stomach.
Naruto's eyes narrowed at the large scar on her stomach. It was out of place on the smooth ivory skin that surrounded it.
Hinata looked up and Naruto when she finally caught her breath. Looking down at her stomach once she realized what he was looking at, she waited for him to gather his thoughts.
"Why do you have a scar? Didn't Sakura heal you?" Naruto asked.
"Medical ninjutsu can only do so much, sometimes it's better to let the body heal naturally, she just sped up the process enough so my life wasn't in any immediate danger," Hinata explained.
She wasn't insecure about the mark. It was proof of her convictions, her love for Naruto. There were other people who needed the pink-haired girl's skills, she wouldn't stress Sakura about a scar.
"It doesn't bother me Naruto-kun, I'm a ninja, remember." She said smiling.
Naruto smiled back and helped her up.
"Are you alright?" He asked
" A couple of bruises here and there otherwise I'm fine," Hinata said as she began opening the chakra points she closed during their spar.
"Hey, Hinata?" Naruto asked.
"Yes."
" let's go on a date," Naruto said
Naruto heard a thud hit the ground and he turned and found Hinata passed out on the ground.
Laughing he picked her up and leaned her against a nearby tree, waiting for her to wake up.
3 minutes later White-eyes opened and met cerulean blue.
"What happened?" Hinata asked
"You passed out when I asked you out on a date," Naruto explained.
Her eyes widened and she made an unintelligible sound.
"Me. You. Date. What do you say?" Naruto said
Hinata nodded her head dumbly and Naruto laughed.
Since you have your exam tomorrow morning how about we get dinner after?" Naruto asked
Hinata nodded still unable to put thoughts into words.
Accepting her answer Naruto got up and said, " We should do this again sometime, I'll see you tomorrow at 7 pm Hinata"
With that, the blonde ran off.
He had things to plan and people to see.
His first stop was to a new modern upscale restaurant. He spoke to the manager and made reservations for tomorrow at 7:30 pm. Did he use his status as the hero of the war to get the reservation?
Yes, but Sakura told him no Ichiraku Ramen.
"A girl's first date should be classy and memorable, especially a classy girl like Hinata." Sakura had lectured.
Naruto never really thought of Hinata as classy. Hinata was just Hinata. Naruto did however note that most of the Hyuga were uppity and had a stiff air around them.
Hinata never slouched. She was always formal and polite and she came from a very influential clan. People didn't call Hinata the Byakugan Princess for no reason. Naruto remembered Sakura telling him.
Naruto's next stop was to the Academy. He needed Iruka-sensei's advice.
In hindsight Iruka- probably wasn't the best person to ask for advice about women.
"I've never even seen him talk to a woman outside of school," Naruto muttered as he listened to Iruka lecture him about manners, how to dress, to be more grown-up.
He decided he would take some advice From the chapter of Sai's book, "how to woo a woman."
Lastly, Naruto went shopping because he definitely didn't have any clothes that would be appropriate for the restaurant.
Later that day Hinata met up with Sakura for their weekly lunch.
"Are you nervous about the exam?" Sakura asked as she placed her order.
" I thought I would be, but I think I'm ready," Hinata said.
" That's great! Lady Tsunade is really excited to see how you managed to incorporate the Byakugan into medical ninjutsu, so even if you don't do as well as you hope on the other parts of the exam she'll still certify you based on your work with the Byakugan." Sakura reassured the girl.
Hinata frowned. She didn't want to just get certified because she had the Byakugan, she wanted to prove that she deserved it because of her skill.
"Anyway, enough about that, what's new with you?" Sakura asked.
"Well, Naruto-kun asked me on a date this morning after our spar," Hinata said shyly.
"You. Me. Date. What do you say?"
Hinata's face flushed thinking about it.
" Hinata that's great. I'll bring the girls by your house tomorrow and we'll help you get ready." Sakura decided.
"Sakura you don't have to go through the trouble," Hinata tried to argue.
Do I dress that badly that everyone thinks that I am incapable of dressing myself ?" Hinata thought to herself.
" I insist, besides it's been a while since we all hung out it'll be fun," Sakura said.
The next day Hinata woke up early for her exam. Lady Tsunade, Shizune, and Sakura were at the hospital's lab.
Hinata had done this before. She could do this.
The first part of the exam was basic medical ninjutsu practical. Sakura would ask Hinata to perform a specific task, She would do it, Tsunade, Sakura, and Shizune would take notes.
The scribbling of pens made Hinata nervous. She tried to focus and pushed through.
Next Shizune would be testing Hinata on Herbology and poisons.
Shizune handed Hinata a poison then instructed Hinata to create an antidote using herbs and other ingredients found in the village.
Once she found what she needed she headed back to the hospital and made what she hoped was the antidote.
Shizune put one of her senbon in the poisons and stabbed herself with it.
"Shizune!" Hinata said. Her eyes went wide.
" This is the most effective way to test the poison, If your antidote is ineffective you fail, I have an antidote I created before the exam just in case," Shizune explained
It was a simple paralytic but Hinata was still worried.
They waited 30 minutes. Once Shizune regained feeling Hinata exhaled a breath she didn't know she was holding.
Next Shizune had her create poison from ingredients and herbs around the village.
Hinata had no interest in making or creating poisons, but she learned. Hinata had earned her status by creating antidotes for Lady Chiyo of the Sand's poisons. Poisons and antidotes go hand in.
Sakura had shown her the ingredients Sasori of the Red Sand used on Kazekage's brother. So, Hinata replicated that poison and presented it to Shizune, however she did not inject herself with the poison this time.
" I know you're a kind person but it is fundamental that you understand that poisons and antidotes are two sides to the same coin. We can't create antidotes without understanding the poison and we cannot create a poison without understanding that more often than not an antidote can be made. You've demonstrated this." Shizune praised.
If Shizune was being honest she was not expecting Hinata to do so well when it came to poisons because of her kind nature but she was pleased that the girl proved her wrong.
Finally, Tsunade instructed her to use her Byakugan, Hinata went through the basic medical ninjutsu with her Byakugan. Next she ran through the surgery she practiced the other day.
"Where are your notes on the Byakugan and medical ninjutsu," Tsunade asked.
Hinata handed Lady Tsunade her medical Journey. The journal is where Hinata made observations about how her Byakugan worked with medical ninjutsu as well as for instructions on how to do it.
"This is very well written. As medical ninjas, we have a duty to keep researching ways to improve medicine. Just because we have a way to do something doesn't mean there isn't a better way to do it." Tsunade lectured.
It was one of the things she hated about the Hyuga. They were stuck in their ways and wouldn't allow the Byakugan outside of what it was traditionally used for; which was combat.
" I understand Lady Tsunade," Hinata said.
" Well, then I'm pleased to announce that you are hereby certified as a medic," Tsunade said and she smiled warmly.
" You had high marks in all subjects, even the ones that were thought to be the most difficult for you to do," Shizune said.
" Congratulations Hinata," Sakura said as she hugged the girl.
Smiling Hinata said, " Thank you, I won't let you down".
She passed and she had a date with Naruto.
Later that day Hinata opened her door to Ino, Sakura, TenTen, and surprisingly Temari.
The girls had several bags with them and Hinata could already feel her excitement from earlier fade.
" Hinata we bought clothes for your special date with Naruto," Ino said as she wiggled her blonde eyebrows at the girl.
"I appreciate that but I don't think that was necessary," Hinata said.
"Don't worry about it, it's an excuse for us girls to gossip and dress up," TenTen said.
"Especially since you'll get married soon and start having babies left and right and have no time for us" Ino jokes.
The thought of being Naruto's wife and having children instantly had Hinata's face red.
As the leafs Kunoichi busied themselves in Hinata's room pulling out outfits, Hinata sat next to Temari.
"I don't mean to intrude, the Nara idiot dumped me with the blonde and she brought me here," Temari explained.
"That's all right," Hinata said. She didn't mind.
Soon Temari loosened up and began helping the other girls dress Hinata like a doll.
"Hinata try this on," Sakura said as she shoved a dress in Hinata's hands
Hinata had no say, especially once Hanabi joined in.
"Hinata-neechan you need better clothes," Hanabi said flatly as she looked through Hinata's closet and then went towards the pile of dresses the girls brought.
Once a dress was decided Temari did her hair while Ino did her makeup.
Hinata really appreciated their help but it didn't feel like her, but she didn't want to seem ungrateful towards their help so she sat there while her friends went to town.
It was 7 pm and Naruto was standing outside the Hyuga compound and he's never felt more uncomfortable in his life. Naruto wore a black suit with the vest the same color as his eyes.
Sakura had banned the color orange for the night. His hair was slicked down with four different hair products. He thought he looked stupid and he could hear the stupid fox laughing at him so he knew he looked stupid.
He would deal with it because it was for Hinata. If this is the kind of look girls liked then he would do it for her.
When Hinata stepped out of the compound Naruto's jaw hit the floor.
Hinata's hair was curled around her shoulders, her bangs were swept to the side. Her cheeks were extra rosy and her lips were just as red. She was wearing a lilac dress with white flowers on it. The dress had a plunging neckline and a high slit. She also wore a pair of white heels.
" Holy fuck" Naruto said.
"Hinata. Fuck." He couldn't get the words he wanted to say out, he just kept staring.
Hinata squirmed under Naruto's gaze. Looking at him Hinata couldn't help but think Naruto was the most handsome made she'd ever seen.
"You look very nice Naruto-kun" Hinata managed to say.
"Thanks, you look nice too," Naruto said and extended his arm to her.
The entire walk to the restaurant both Hinata and Naruto were uncomfortable. Hinata kept stumbling in the heels Ino picked. Naruto kept pulling at his face trying to keep a more mature look instead of his normal goofy grin.
Once they got to the restaurant and got their seats, Hinata was pulling at the slit trying to keep it closed and pulling at her front trying to cover up her breast as much as she could.
The mascara Ino put on her eyelashes was bothering her.
Hinata was upset.
This isn't how she wanted her first date with Naruto to go.
Naruto was irritated. He was following the rules Sakura told him and what he got from the book and Hinata looked upset and unimpressed.
What did he do wrong?
" So… how did your exam go?" Naruto asked, trying to make small talk as the waiter filled their glasses with water.
" It went well, I passed," Hinata said rubbing at her sensitive eyes.
"HINATA THAT's-
I mean good job." Naruto said.
Hinata was confused. Naruto was an extremely cheerful and expressive person for him to pretend that he wasn't excited for her to pass was confusing.
"This is a very nice restaurant," Hinata said as she looked around at the fancy decor.
"Glad you like it," Naruto said.
This isn't how he was expecting this to go. He thought dates were supposed to be fun, not stiff and awkward.
He noticed Hinata pulling at her dress and frowned.
Hinata looked up and noticed Naruto fidgeting with the water.
Hinata stepped on Naruto's foot by accident and Naruto knocked the cup he was holding, on Hinata in surprise and pain.
Naruto looked at Hinata in horror as he held his foot.
The water spilled on her pretty dress and Hinata looked relieved instead of upset. Like she was expecting this night to be a disaster.
Then she laughed.
She was laughing at his failure and Naruto could feel his heart twist in a painful way.
"Thank you Naruto-kun," Hinata said in between laughs.
"Hinata I'm sorry," Naruto said as he got up to go get napkins.
"Don't be. I'm sorry Naruto-kun. When I wanted to go on our first date I wasn't expecting to look like this or for you to look like that." Hinata explained.
"Do you not like the way I look?" Naruto asked.
The waiter comes and places two menus on the table.
"You look handsome but you do not look like yourself," Hinata said.
"And you're not acting like yourself."
"This is how everyone told me to dress and act," Naruto said, confused.
Hinata reached over the table and ruffled Naruto's hair loose until his fluffy spikes were pointing in all sorts of directions.
"Who told you?" Hinata asked and she leaned back in her chair and attempted to pull the dress in a more conservative way.
"Iruka-sensei, Sakura, the book Sai gave me," Naruto answered.
Hinata giggled.
" I never loved you because of your looks or how you acted. I loved you because no matter what you were always yourself and followed your own path." Hinata explained.
Naruto thought about it. Hinata was right. The make-up and the fancy dress were nice but this wasn't Hinata. The shit wasn't him and this expensive ass restaurant wasn't him and it wasn't Hinata despite what Sakura said.
"Let's leave."
"What?" Hinata said, surprised.
"Let's go. You've been uncomfortable since we left your house and I'm uncomfortable acting like someone I'm not so let's leave." Naruto said.
He got up and grabbed Hinata's hand and ran out of the restaurant leaving a confused wait staff behind.
Once they were out on the street Naruto started laughing at the ridiculousness of the situation. Hinata joined in too.
" Do you want to change into something else, there's a clothing store nearby?" Naruto asked as he took off his button-up and vest and just left the t-shirt he had on. He could deal with the slacks.
"I'd like that," Hinata said using Naruto's button-up to cover herself up some.
Entering the store Hinata and Naruto browsed around for an outfit for Hinata.
Naruto picked out a simple short lavender kimono and a teal obi. Hinata found a pair of sandals she liked and changed them in the dressing room. Feeling better they paid for the items and put their original clothes in the bag the cashier gave them.
Walking Naruto took Hinata's hand and led her to Ichiraku.
"Do you want ramen?" Naruto asked, hoping this would be a better place for them than the fancy restaurant.
"I'd love some." Hinata smiled as they made their way inside.
Sitting down, they both ordered and all of the tension from earlier melted away. They were both comfortable and in their own skin.
"This is better," Naruto said.
"Much better," Hinata replied.
Naruto reached over and ruffled Hinata's hair the same way she did to him in the restaurant. Once her bangs returned to the middle of her face, Naruto pulled his hand away.
Smiling he said, " Hinata you really are beautiful, dattebayo" Naruto smiled softly
Hinata's eyes widened and she forced herself to keep eye contact because of the way Naruto-kun was looking at her, she knew she had to memorize it.
They stared at each other, neither breaking eye contact.
" Just kiss her already you fool," Kurama said as he grinned. He knew his host liked the girl; he just needed a push.
Naruto leaned forward, never leaving Hinata's and Hinata did the same. Once they were close enough to feel each other's breath, Naruto hesitated.
Hinata didn't. She closed the gap between them and closed her eyes. Naruto closed his eyes too and pulled Hinata closer to him savoring the feel of her mouth on his.
"Two orders of miso pork ramen for the two love birds," Teuchi said as he placed the bowls in front of them.
Jumping apart the two blushed.
They spent the rest of the night talking and laughing, holding hands under the counter.
When Naruto walked her home he pulled Hinata against him and kissed her again and Hinata wrapped her arms around his neck.
"We're doing this again." Naruto declared.
Hinata laughed and asked, "kissing or a date?"
Naruto let out a low growl and said, " Both."
Pulling her into him again he kissed her softly before letting her go inside.
Authors' Note: So the deadline I tried to give myself, I won't be able to keep it. Good news; I'll definitely finish before I start classes. I'm glad that there were so many positive reviews for chapter 6. I was nervous about including the mission scene, I wasn't sure if that was going to go over well, I'm glad it did.
Sai is such an interesting personality to write for because he really is trying to be friends with everyone but he's emotionally stunted and takes everything so literally.
Lastly, Are there any suggestions that anyone would like to be included in chapter 8? Leave reviews.