CHAPTER 12 - Jealousy (1)

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December

Hinata wasn't sure if it was the pregnancy hormones that had been making her feel extra uncomfortable about certain things or if it was something else.

She was pretty sure it was her hormones.

Kurenai had warned her that her emotions might get a little crazy.

And right now the emotion at the forefront was jealousy.

And Hinata hated it.

She didn't often get jealous. She wasn't really a jealous person by nature. Even if she had plenty of reasons to be.

Growing up it was made sure she knew she was always second best compared to her sister. It would have made sense for her to be jealous of Hanabi's abilities. How she excelled at everything. How her father seemed to prefer his youngest daughter. Instead, she was happy for her little sister. She sought out the positives despite the hardships. Of course, there were moments where she felt down and disappointed. But she never envied her sister. She never thought of her negatively. She never wanted to hurt her, and that was apparent when they sparred as children.

She even had reason to be jealous as a teenager. Jealous of Sakura, who Naruto had always seemed to have a crush on. Jealous of how every other female in her class seemed to have more courage and confidence in themselves to approach the boys they were interested in. But she was never jealous. Part of her was sad when Naruto's advances were rebuffed because she didn't like seeing him hurt. Instead of envying the girls she admired their strength.

Even before they became a couple she didn't really get jealous- she just wanted Naruto to be happy. It would make her uncomfortable, yes, when she would see all those fangirls fawning over him, hanging onto his arm as if he were their favorite person.

But she was never jealous. Not really.

But right now she was.

Jealous and annoyed.

The Rinne Festival was fast approaching and it seemed every female in Konoha had realized it because they congregated around Naruto in droves, whether she was with him or not.

Part of her was irked that they didn't even seem to consider the possibility that they could be a couple. That perhaps the eldest daughter of the Hyuga clan and Naruto Uzumaki had something going on.

Or if they did, they didn't care.

Hinata bristled. Maybe they thought she wasn't a serious enough adversary.

Regardless, she won.

But they didn't know that.

So here she was, sitting at Ichiraku's between Naruto and Shikamaru, and about half a dozen other girls.

She did give Naruto some credit. He wasn't exactly encouraging them but he also wasn't rude enough to just tell them to get out.

Which right now Hinata wished he would do. Which was so unlike her.

She sat staring at her bowl of ramen which was quickly going cold. The winter weather had rapidly settled in Konoha. The once sunny roads were now coated in a smooth layer of white snow. She slouched in her seat, hugging her lavender coat tighter around her small frame. One good thing about the cold was the winter fashion. Her loose coat was perfect to hide her growing stomach.

She stole a quick glance at the blonde haired man beside her when one of the girls had shifted out of the way.

"Naruto-senpai, where'd you get this scarf?"

One of the bolder girls had moved forward, hand stretched out to brush against the blue fabric wrapped tightly around his neck. Naruto had flinched, leaning away from her reach before hastily undoing the fabric and placing it safely under the table shelf.

"It was a gift," he said simply.

The girls all grumbled at that.

"A gift?"

"From who?"

"Was it a girl?"

Hinata returned her gaze to her bowl, feeling several eyes on her. She wasn't too surprised they had assumed perhaps she was the gift giver.

She wasn't.

She knew it was a gift from Naruto's mother. A cherished memory stitched with love from a woman long departed. She always found it so sweet how he carefully took care of that article of clothing. How he attentively made sure he wouldn't accidentally dirty it while eating or mess it up while fighting.

Hinata curled her fingers into the fabric of her skirt, remembering the scarf she herself had been knitting for a while, tucked away in a drawer in her bedroom. It was almost done but she needed more material to finish it up. She was hoping to give it to Naruto for the Rinne Festival as well and hoped he had space in his heart for it.

"Naruto-senpai, I have a gift for you too!"

"And me."

"Can I give you mine alone?"

Hinata frowned at her bowl. She wanted to leave. They had only been eating for maybe five or ten minutes before the horde had descended.

"You okay, Hinata?" Shikamaru asked, giving her a wry smile.

She gratefully turned her attention towards the shadow user, as she tried to ignore Naruto's awkward responses. Part of her felt bad but what was she to do in this situation?

"Not hungry?" Shikamaru prodded, nodding towards her barely touched bowl.

"Not so much anymore," she admitted guiltily.

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck subconsciously. "You know he doesn't mean anything by it, right?"

"I know," she answered immediately, glancing over her shoulder to see the girls were attempting to tug Naruto right off his seat.

Ayame was shooting angry glares at the young women. Obviously she didn't appreciate their behavior in the middle of her family's restaurant.

"You know, Kurenai-sensei had these moments as well," Shikamaru stated, pushing his empty bowl away.

"What do you mean?" Hinata asked as she turned her back on her boyfriend.

The way Shikamaru looked at her made her feel like she was being analyzed. She didn't realize her behavior was that different from normal.

"Kurenai-sensei is a pretty level headed woman," Shikamaru said. "But there were moments during her...you know-" He gestured vaguely towards her abdomen. "That I felt like her emotions got the best of her. One time she saw me smoking and I was genuinely afraid for my life."

Hinata giggled. "She warned me about hormones."

Shikamaru shivered, clearly lost in some memory. "Hormones."

Her smile slowly faded as the voices of Naruto's fans continued to irritate her.

"Naruto-senpai, I've been having some trouble with specific moves. Do you think you could show me later?"

"Show me too!"

"I want to know how it's done."

"No. I want private lessons."

"Naruto-senpai, I bought you chocolates-"

Hinata shut her eyes, inhaling deeply as she tried to maintain her composure. She always knew Naruto was destined for greatness. She always saw it in him- since they were children.

And now everyone was all over him.

Her eyes fluttered open. Shikamaru was watching her carefully.

"You want me to walk you home?" he asked.

She shook her head. "I...I normally wouldn't feel like this," she admitted softly.

Shikamaru nodded. "I get that. That's what I'm saying about all these…" he waved his hands. "Hormones."

Hinata couldn't help but laugh. He made the word sound like a taboo.

"But I do think I'll be heading back now. I kind of want to be alone for a little while," Hinata said, glancing over at Ayame and Teuchi and giving them a small wave goodbye. She noticed how their expressions fell and Ayame mimed knocking Naruto over the head with the ladle she was holding. Hinata smiled but shook her head.

Naruto seemed to sense her movement and she immediately saw his shocking head of blonde hair peek up over the shoulders of the women congregating around him.

"Hinata? You're leaving?" he asked, looking confused as he slid off his stool just as she got to her feet.

She nodded, hyper aware of the not so friendly eyes on her.

"Wait, I'll come with you-"

"No, it's okay, Naruto-kun," she said immediately, shaking her head as she inched her way towards the opening of the restaurant. She could feel the cool night air biting at her skin as she left the comfortable warmth of the cooking food and sort-of-good company.

She didn't like seeing the hurt expression on his face so she turned away, one hand on the noren.

"Hinata-"

"Isn't she a ninja? Isn't she capable of walking home by herself?"

Hinata visibly flinched.

"Of course, she's strong," she heard Naruto defend. "But…"

He trailed off and she knew. She knew that he fully believed in her strength. Before they became a couple there were many moments where Sakura would encourage him to walk her home and he wouldn't understand why. She's strong, he would say. No one would mess with her.

But now the situation was different. He realized his feelings. And that alone helped him understand what Sakura had been hinting at every time.

And she was pregnant.

"Hinata!"

But she had already left.

She walked quickly through the streets, careful not to slip on any icy patches. Her warm breath left puffs visible in the cold air and she wrapped herself tighter in her sweater. She was moving instinctively towards Naruto's apartment but after some hesitation she switched paths.

She frowned, remembering the words those fans were saying. They were so bold. Would they be so bold if they knew he was claimed?

She was frustrated.

But determined.

She loved Naruto and Naruto loved her.

Konoha would know soon enough.

She faltered.

Well, they would find out eventually.

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Shikamaru watched the scene play out in silence.

The girls seemed to cling to him even tighter as soon as Hinata stepped out of Ichiraku. Naruto looked conflicted and he made to chase after her but Shikamaru remembered what Hinata had said to him.

"Naruto," he spoke, puzzled blue eyes meeting his dark ones. "She wants to be alone."

His eyebrows furrowed and he turned back as if he could see through the parted curtains but Hinata was gone.

"What just happened?" Naruto murmured, slumping back in his seat.

"Naruto-senpai!"

"Are you done yet?"

The girls were starting to get on Shikamaru's nerves. Their squealing and level of energy was too much for him to handle right now. It reminded him of when they were back in the academy and people like Sakura and Ino would be vying for Sasuke's attention.

He sighed, staring pointedly at the Jinchuriki.

"You need to put your foot down," he said.

Naruto frowned and fidgeted. "I know," he mumbled. "Sakura-chan and Ino tell me the same thing."

"Then do it."

Most of the girls seemed unaware of the conversation the two men were having. One was clinging to Naruto's arm, holding on tightly to his orange sweater and Shikamaru watched as Naruto gently but firmly pulled away, standing to his full height. There was a different aura around him that even Shikamaru felt and the girls seemed to sense it too because they quieted instantly, stepping back from him.

"I need you all to understand," Naruto said, taking a deep breath. "That though I appreciate how much you all… admire me. That when I'm with my friends- I want you all to respect my time with them. What I don't appreciate is how you all may unintentionally disrespect them when you interrupt us. I understand the Rinne Festival is approaching and you all want to have your feelings known but…" he seemed to struggle to find the right words and to let them down gently. "But...my heart is already taken and I don't want any of you to get the wrong idea."

There were quiet murmurings as the girls processed Naruto's words. Shikamaru hid his smile behind his drink. Naruto handled it pretty well, in his opinion. Maybe now the fans would get the hint? Shikamaru was sure news of this would spread like wildfire.

Especially the fact that Uzumaki Naruto just admitted he liked someone.

"We're sorry, Naruto-senpai," one of the girls apologized, bowing low.

"Yes, please forgive us."

"We didn't realize we were overstepping-"

Naruto seemed to grow more flustered with the onslaught of apologies. "Ah, eh- it's okay," he said, waving his arms in front of him. "Now you guys understand so it's fine-"

The girls had quickly filed out after that, red in the face from humility, embarrassment, anger? Shikamaru wasn't sure but he really didn't care.

Ayame harrumphed once the restaurant had cleared out, her hands on her hips.

"Those girls," she started. "The least they could have done was place a couple orders. Taking up space-"

"Ayame, Ayame," Teuchi chuckled, clasping his daughter on her shoulder. "Aren't you just glad our Naruto over here admitted his feelings?"

The shop owner's daughter immediately smiled, leaning over the counter to squeeze Naruto's cheeks.

"So cute!" she exclaimed. "Hinata-chan is so lucky that a baka like you finally-"

"Hey!" Naruto shouted, pulling his face bag to rub his assaulted cheeks. "I'm the lucky one," he murmured.

Shikamaru couldn't help but smile at the look of adoration on the woman's face.

"So cute!" she repeated.

Shikamaru watched as Naruto rolled his eyes, glancing over at the bowl Hinata had abandoned.

"Huh. She hardly ate," he said.

"Yeah. Didn't seem like she had much of an appetite," Shikamaru admitted.

Naruto's frown deepened. "Hey, old man, do you mind packing this up for me?" he asked, pointing at cold noodles.

"You're bringing it back to her?" Shikamaru asked as Ayame quickly and efficiently transferred the bowls contents into to-go containers. He saw her add in some extra vegetables and warm broth as well.

Naruto nodded, pulling out his frog wallet.

"She needs to eat," Naruto said.

"She can usually eat several bowls," Ayame giggled. "And recently she's been eating a lot more."

Naruto smirked, looking oddly proud at that fact. "Heh, yeah. Shikamaru, did you know Hinata can out eat me when it comes to ramen? Me! Crazy. She's one hell of a woman."

Shikamaru snorted. "You would judge someone on their propensity to eating ramen."

"No ramen, no life, Shikamaru."

"Yeah, yeah," the Nara waved him off, dropping his own money on the counter as he thanked Teuchi and Ayame for the food.

He stepped out with Naruto at his side, his hands shoved deep in his pockets. He pulled out a cigarette and was preparing to light it when he hesitated, glancing over at the man beside him.

Shikamaru sighed, storing away his smoke for later.

"What's wrong?" Naruto asked, head tilted to the side.

"I'm not smoking around you," Shikamaru mumbled as they started walking down the path, following a smaller set of footsteps. Hinata hadn't left all that long ago and the steadily falling snow wasn't enough to cover up her retreat.

Naruto still looked confused.

"I don't want any of the smoke to get in your clothes," Shikamaru explained. "And get back to Hinata."

At this he watched a small smile form on his friend's face. Naruto nudged him gently with his elbow.

"You're a good guy, Shikamaru, you know that?"

"Mhm," Shikamaru shrugged. "Sure."

"Nah, you are. Hinata told me about how good you are with Mirai too. Maybe you can babysit for us one day," Naruto said with a grin.

Shikamaru chortled. "I would watch Hinata's child any day. But your demon child? There's not enough money in the world."

Naruto paused in his gait, a smile on his face. It didn't go unnoticed by Shikamaru how his eyes seemed to unfocus for the briefest moment.

"Kurama isn't sure he likes how you used the word demon," Naruto laughed, resuming on their walk. "He's wondering if it's a snide comment about him."

Shikamaru wasn't often taken by surprise but that surprised him.

"Your bijuu is talking to me?" he asked.

Naruto nodded, eyes shining bright in the passing light of a lamppost.

Shikamaru slumped forward, eyes on the road. "Well, tell him I meant no offense to him. I was referring to your crazy amount of energy and loud personality."

Naruto snorted. "He liked that."

They walked in silence for a while as Shikamaru wondered if he should talk to Naruto about certain things he noticed. Watching the Jinchuriki from the corner of his eye he noticed how his demeanor had changed. How his shoulders were tight and there were hints of concern on his face.

"She's fine," Shikamaru insisted.

"I know that," Naruto mumbled.

Shikamaru glanced up at the sky, snowflakes melting on his face.

"You're one of my closest friends, Naruto," Shikamaru said quietly. "So I want to tell you that I'm happy for you. Despite how all this happened. I'm glad you two are together."

He could feel Naruto's eyes on him. Naruto and Hinata had found time to tell each of their friend's the true reason behind Hinata's pregnancy. It was a surprise to everyone but… their health, safety, and happiness was all that mattered.

"Thanks, Shikamaru."

"Don't thank me yet," he continued. "You know, Naruto. You aren't the only one with fans."

"Huh?"

Shikamaru dared a glance at Naruto. His mouth was set in a thin line, his eyes narrowed.

"The Rinne Festival… women aren't the only ones who give gifts," Shikamaru continued. "They're on the receiving end too."

Naruto looked away from him, staring instead at the snowy ground as they walked. "So you mean…"

"Hinata's gotten popular over the years too," Shikamaru confirmed.

"I mean that's obvious," Naruto said, chuckling nervously.

"No, not obviously," he said, frowning at Naruto as he looked at him in confusion. He sighed. "Listen. These girls are comfortable coming up to you while Hinata's around because they don't see her as a threat- or competition, whatever-"

Naruto laughed at this. "She's the only one that matters. There is no competition. It's just Hinata-"

"I know that," Shikamaru grumbled. "I'm just saying. Your fans are notoriously more obvious. But the guys after Hinata aren't coming up when other people are around."

Naruto glowered. "What are you trying to say?"

Shikamaru slowed to a stop, eyebrows raised as he spotted the girl in question. It seemed that even though she left several minutes before them, her walk back wasn't as straightforward and unhindered.

He went to point her out but Naruto had already noticed her.

Of course he did.

"Don't interrupt," Shikamaru said immediately. "Just watch."

"But-"

"Watch."

Hinata was standing under the flickering light of a lamp, hands clasped together as a man called out to her and ran to stand in front of her, looking nervous in his own right.

"Who-?" Naruto started but Shikamaru hushed him. They were a good distance away, partially obscured by a wooden fence as they watched Hinata from higher ground.

The young man blushed a deep red before handing her a wrapped gift, saying something they couldn't hear. Hinata said something back and the man just nodded before running away as if he were never there.

Hinata stood in the same spot for a moment before returning on her walk as if nothing had happened.

"Who the hell was that?" Naruto finally burst out, the lines on his forehead tight with fury.

"I think I recognize his face. Some jonin," Shikamaru answered.

Naruto sputtered. "A jonin? I'm just a genin…"

Shikamaru snorted. "By title sure but-"

"What the hell was that?" Naruto interrupted, looking furious.

"That's what I'm talking about," Shikamaru explained patiently. "No one's going to approach the eldest daughter of the Hyuga clan while the guys of Team 8 are there. No one approached her before the war with the lurking threat of Neji gentle fisting their ass into the next century. And no one sure as hell is going to talk to her while you're there. Uzumaki Naruto. The one man the entirety of Konoha knows she has feelings for."

Shikamaru smirked, glad to see Naruto at least had the decency to blush.

"They know she likes me so why even bother?" Naruto snarled, resuming his pace with heavy, stomping footsteps.

"Well, she's liked you for years and nothing happened," Shikamaru admitted. "So of course, they'll jump at opportunities if they can-"

"That's so annoying!" Naruto complained.

Shikamaru winced at his volume. "Just… pay more attention," he advised. "Just watch the men around her."

"How are you so good with this stuff?"

"Are you kidding? I was teammates with Ino. Guys are all over her. They were more obvious about it but it's the same premise. I've learned a thing or two. Especially how they mostly backed off once her relationship with Sai went public."

Naruto was quiet for a moment. "We're going to make it public. We just want to tell Kakashi-sensei first. Get her off missions and all that. It's the...pregnancy that makes things more confusing."

"Hey, I know," Shikamaru said, patting Naruto awkwardly on the shoulder. "I'm not trying to rush you guys. I'm just pointing things out that I've noticed."

"You give good advice, Shikamaru."

Shikamaru smiled. "So I've been told."

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Naruto could tell from the direction Hinata had gone that she wasn't going to be at his apartment when he got back. But opening the door to his dark and empty living room was still a disappointment.

It's not like she stayed everyday but after today it felt particularly worse.

He didn't stay long.

Remembering how she didn't eat and how off everything felt he wasn't going to just leave it like that. That wasn't his way.

So he left immediately and was standing outside the Hyuga compound within minutes. He debated sneaking in and going straight to her room but it didn't feel right in this situation.

Instead he knocked and prayed she would be the one to come to the door.

If anything he expected a branch member to answer but instead he was greeted by the shorter form of Hyuga Hanabi.

Great.

Naruto liked her. He did. He liked her a lot. She was fun to spar with and she matched his sense of humor with her own.

Which meant, as he watched her sneaky grin light up her face, she knew just how to push his buttons.

"Well, well, well…" she said slowly, opening the door wide. "What brings you here, Naruto-oniisan? At our front door. I would have thought you'd be climbing in Neechan's window-"

"Hanabi…" Naruto groaned. "Where's your sister?"

"Around," the girl said innocently. "May I ask why you're looking for her?"

Naruto narrowed his eyes, considering his options. He decided to go with the honest truth.

"I just want to make sure she's okay," he admitted, holding out the hand that carried the leftovers from Ichiraku's.

Hanabi stared at the plastic bag in surprise. "What's this?"

"Food. She left before she finished eating," he explained, pushing the bag into her hands. "Just...please make sure she eats, okay? I feel like she wouldn't want to bother anyone and admit she's hungry."

Hanabi held the food in her hands delicately, looking down and then back up at him, her usually sharp eyes softened.

"I'll make sure she eats," she promised.

Naruto stood straighter, clearing his throat and rubbing at the nape of his neck awkwardly. "And tell her I'll come find her tomorrow."

The young girl nodded, allowing the silence to stretch between them.

"And… tell her those...girls won't bother us anymore," he said, feeling his cheeks heat up as he confessed this to Hinata's younger sister.

Hanabi tilted her head. "Girls?"

"Just tell her, okay?" Naruto grumbled, turning on his heel. He paused a few feet away, turning his head to the side to give her a quick nod. "And give your father my regards."

And then he flickered and disappeared, Hanabi's surprised laughter and final words following him-

"Oh, maybe my future brother-in-law does have manners!"

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Author's Note:

I've been getting really busy lately so forgive me if there are any grammatical mistakes.

Rinne Festival is fast approaching! And with it...the looming threat. But first~ some happy moments between our favorite couple.