I smiled, watching my party become a success. The entire Rookie Nine, their jounin sensei, and a number of other people were in attendance. The lights reflected off the pool, dancing happily in the waves created by various people swimming and jumping in. The music was loud enough to dance, quiet enough to talk over. I chuckled as I watched Konohamaru get punched by Moegi. For what, I didn't know. All I knew was that he probably deserved it, especially by her standards.
Chouji was standing close to the tables, all loaded with different types of food. Ino was shouting as she was lifted by Kiba and dumped into the pool. Kiba laughed as Ino swam to the surface, flicking her long hair out of her face. He stopped laughed when she grabbed his ankle and pulled him in.
Shikamaru stood to the side with Zabuza, neither wanting to be their but forced. Haku was laughing, dancing with Sakura and Tori. Sasuke was laughing with Kakashi, just telling him that he had recreated the Chidori. Even Shino was talking, chatting with one of the random chuunin. The party had a number of crashers but I didn't mind. The more the merrier, right? A party was no place to start complaining about the number of people.
Glancing around the party, I realized a few things were missing. It wasn't the same without Gaara, Temari, or Kankuro. They deserve to be here, I decided, about to Hiraishin to Gaara's kunai when I felt a tap on my shoulder. The scent of lavender floated into my head and I smiled, turning to face Hinata-chan.
I'm not going to lie: my jaw dropped for just a few seconds. My eyes took in the lavender dress, coming to just below her knees, something very controversial within the Hyuuga clan. Even more impressive, I spotted a bathing suit strap hiding under the dress's halter straps. Hina-chan had her hair down, the bangs framing her face curled. Her blood steel necklace glinted in the light emanating softly from the lanterns. I glanced at my own attire, a simple black shirt, my normal Sage jacket, and some dark jeans, and felt underdressed.
"You look nice, too," she chuckled, filling the silence my staring had created. She grabbed my hand and stood next to me, watching the patio from our vantage point on the second floor balcony. "What are you doing up here by yourself? We're all here to celebrate your accomplishments."
"Nah, Chouji's here for the food," I said, chuckling. "Zabuza is here because Haku made him come, Shikamaru is here because Ino made him come, and Asuma is here because Kurenai made him come. Kiba's here because you, Ino, and Sakura are here. Shino is here because he didn't have to do anything else," I said, pointing at each guest and explaining why they'd come. At the end of my speech, Hina-chan hugged my arm.
"I'm here to celebrate your accomplishments," she said in my ear. I smiled and pulled an arm around her. She seemed to think about something before looking up sadly. "It doesn't feel right without the Sand Siblings here."
"I was just thinking about that. I was actually about to Hiraishin to Suna and get them, I left a kunai with Gaara and Sandstorm," I said. Hinata-chan's eyes brightened and her thoughtful expression morphed into a carefree smile.
"Well? Get going," she said, pushing me playfully. I chuckled and closed my eyes obediently, following my kunai to Suna. I opened my eyes to see Gaara talking to a mortal raccoon on a sand dune somewhere outside of Suna. Feeling my chakra, he glanced up and his face broke into a smile.
"Taicho," he greeted, dismissing his summon and walking to give me a hug. "Why are you here? Did something happen in-"
"No, nothing happened," I chuckled. "Do I need an excuse to visit my favorite student? Never mind, don't answer that. Are Temari, Sandstorm, and Kankuro around?"
"Yeah, they should all be at my place. What's up?"
"Party in Konoha," I winked. "The Rookie Nine is celebrating my becoming jounin and two new additions to the shinobi force: Yuki Haku and Momochi Zabuza."
"You got them away from Gatou in time?" Gaara asked excitedly, fighting a blush as he thought about Haku. I nodded happily.
"They're living in the Namikaze compound with me. I'll catch you up later, take me to Temari and Kankuro," I promised. Gaara nodded and led me into the village, bypassing the guards and taking me directly to his house. Approaching the building, I could hear two people fighting and I smiled to myself, remembering how the three sand siblings never quite got along unless someone was in danger.
"Temari-oneechan, Kankuro-oniisan, I'm home!" he called. Temari shouted a greeting from the kitchen. I smiled and held a finger to my lips, wanting to surprise the kunoichi. I stepped into the doorway, ready to repeat my familiar greeting.
"Sabaku no Temari, short as ever," I said. Temari jumped and tackled me in a hug, laughing. Kankuro looked a little less entertained by my sudden appearance.
"Calm down, Kankuro, this is Kiiroi Kitsune, Namikaze Uzumaki Naruto, Gaara's sensei?" she ran off a list of my identities; only the last sticking. He smiled and offered his hand.
"Sabaku no Kankuro, kick ass puppeteer," he introduced himself. I nodded, shaking his hand.
"I know. Listen, the four of you are coming back with me to a party. It feels really empty without you guys, Konoha genin do not know how to party," I added, knowing that it would encourage Kankuro. He looked a little confused but nodded. Without my saying a word, Sandstorm shifted into her human form and walked over to me. Temari, Gaara, and Sandstorm all grabbed onto me, looking pointedly at Kankuro.
"What?" he asked, oblivious. Temari rolled her eyes.
"Hiraishin time. Grab onto me and I came take you to Konoha in less than a second. Just hold on really tightly and don't let go until I say you can," I ordered. Kankuro looked a little skeptical but grabbed onto me. I closed my eyes, focusing on Hinata-chan's necklace. I pushed the five of us through, adding more chakra to make sure we stayed together and in one piece. I opened my eyes to the balcony as Hina-chan put her necklace back on. I chuckled as Temari and Kankuro stumbled, probably disoriented by having their eyes open during the jump.
"Okay, first things first," I said as soon as Temari and Kankuro's eyes focused again. "Everyone take off your Suna Hitai-ates, nobody knows I brought you here. Gaara, you can put on your Araiguma mask if you don't want anyone to know who you really are. I haven't given away your identity. Second, everyone meet Hyuuga Hinata, my mate. You can trust Hinata-chan, she knows everything about me and hasn't told anyone but her summons who, not so coincidentally, are also foxes so it doesn't really matter."
Temari and Kankuro untied their Suna Hitai-ates as Gaara unsealed his mask, looking at it. After a while, he resealed the mask.
"Are you sure? You can't undo this," I warned him. He nodded and untied the Hitai-ate he now wore around his neck.
"I'm sure," he said, sealing the forehead protector in with his mask. "The higher ups of Suna know who I am. I'm sure most of Konoha knows your identity, Kiiroi Kitsune. I'm sure they won't mind playing host to your student for a night," he said, his eyes searching for Haku, still dancing.
"If you're sure. Kankuro, Temari, Sandstorm; if anyone asks who you are, just say that you're an old friend of Kiiroi Kitsune. They won't do anything as long as you don't try to kill anyone," I smiled, leading the way to the patio.
The sand siblings invaded the party easily, no one really bothering them as they partied alongside the Konoha 11 plus Sasuke. Dancing with Hinata-chan, I realized I was about to ruin Tori's plans. I pulled Hina-chan away from the crowd, only laughing when she asked me where we were going, something I didn't even know.
We lay down in the grass of one of the training fields, watching the stars in the cold night air. Hinata-chan was next to me, wearing my coat over her dress and smiling at the moon.
"It's so beautiful," Hinata-chan whispered, staring at the sky as a comet raced towards the horizon. Still gazing at my mate, I found myself wondering which star I should steal out of the sky, just to make her happy. She suddenly turned to face me, smiling. "I don't need a star to be happy. Not as long as you're with me," she smiled, staring into my blue eyes with her lavender.
Not knowing what I could say, I sat up and leaned down until our lips met. All too soon, I needed to break for air. Sitting up, I smiled softly at my Hinata.
"I love you," I said, not for the last time.
"I love you too, Naruto-kun," she said, moving so that her head was lying in my lap. I brushed her hair away from her face and melted as I saw Hina-chan's face light up with a contented smile. It was more than content, it was peaceful, joy.
"Marry me?" She smiled and sat up, pulling me into a tight hug. When she pulled back, she met my eyes and a single tear rolled down her pale cheeks.
"Always and everywhere," she repeated our promise. I smiled and brushed her tear away before leaning in for another kiss.