Alright I'm starting my twelfth chapter. Thanks for the reviews~
"Kyuubi Speech" "Midnight Speech"
Chapter 12
On with the storyHinata moved through the thick foliage of the forest with tentative steps, her strides short and careful. She avoided puddles of mud and any dirt that might tarnish her current attire. The little hyuuga moved with her hands pressed against her belly, fidgeting with the fabric of her top. She was looking straight forward, a look of worry clearly evident in her expression but today was a special day for her. Today she had a, dare she say it? A date with Naruto. So this morning she wore something special.
Adorned Hinata's tweenage body was a white kimono decorated with intricate lavender floral designs. The fabric of that gown flowed down to her feet where she wore sandals she rarely ever used. Wrapped around her waist was a large decorative obi that squeezed around her waist to accentuate what little curves the girl had. She even had a little flower tucked into her purple hair.
The outfit she wore was for traditional ceremonies but today she took it out of her closet for this occasion. Again she'd snuck out of the house without being seen to avoid any questions. An easy feat because it was her day off and nothing was expected of her, at least for the morning. Hinata walked through the forest to the place she was supposed to meet Naruto. This location was a little closer to Konoha then Naruto's usual clearing. Hinata had chosen where to meet because she planned on taking him into town since they'd never done so before. They always spent time at Naruto's clearing.
After a time of walking Hinata finally came to the meeting place. A large field with a wooden bench placed in the middle of a trail, the trail often time used by joggers. Hinata's breath hitched in her throat when seeing Naruto sitting atop that bench alone. She damn near froze at just the sight of him, he was gorgeous.
Naruto currently sat with both his thighs squeezed together, one of his hand rested atop his lap while he used his free hand to toss individual grapes at a number of squirrels that had gathered at his feet. The boy had a pleasant smile across his face. Hinata's eyes widened when seeing his beautiful smile. She could barely handle just how irresistible he looked. In fact she didn't move from her spot until Naruto finally gazed onto her, the boy canting his head to the side and looking at the girl with a warm expression.
"Morning Hinata-chan." Naruto said in a sweet voice while rising from his seat and instantly wrapping his arms around his belly, leaning most of his weight on one hip. Naruto let his eyes unabashingly move up and down her robed form. "That is a very pretty kimono." The golden-haired boy commented in a sultry manner. Hinata hesitated for a moment, trying to calm herself down before finally moving forward to Naruto.
"M-morning Naruto-kun." Hinata replied in a small stutter. She'd gotten better with talking to Naruto in the past few months she's been spending time with him. But there were still times where she could barely get the words out. Hinata bit into her bottom lip before suddenly leaping at Naruto and wrapping her arms around his neck. She crashed her lips against his in a passionate kiss.
Naruto smirked when seeing Hinata's leap, opening his arms wide before securely hugging his arms around the girl's waist. The kiss as always was entirely one sided. HInata pressed forward, clutching the back of Naruto's head with one side while Naruto stood still and allowed himself to be kissed.
This had been going on for some time now. When Naruto gave Hinata permission to kiss him anytime she wanted Hinata took that to heart. She kissed him as much as possible. Naruto never resisted but never returned her passion. Hinata let that kiss linger for a time, tasting of Naruto before finally pulling back and lowering onto her heels. She always rose up on her tippy toes to kiss Naruto even though Naruto wasn't that much taller than her. She were almost the same height in fact due to Kyuubi's influence. When she pulled back Naruto still maintained that subtle smile.
"Are you ready to leave Hinata-chan?" Naruto asked. Hinata just nodded her head before moving to Naruto's side and reaching for his hand. This was a gesture Naruto had no problem reciprocating. He met her hand halfway, entwining his fingers were her. Hinata always enjoyed just how soft and smooth Naruto's hands were.
"I am. I wanted to take you to a few places." Hinata said while beginning to walk down the jogger's trail towards Konoha. Immediately a subtle frown grew along Naruto's brow. Something HInata didn't miss.
"In the village?" Naruto questioned tentatively. Hinata looked over to Naruto and nodded, squeezing his hand affectionately.
"Yes. I know you have a problem around large crowds so I thought we'd go to places that wouldn't have a lot of people there. Especially not at this time of day." Hinata said in a reassuring voice. Naruto stared at her with his bright blue eyes before nodding.
"Ok Hinata-chan." Naruto stated softly. Hinata leaned over and placed a small kiss against Naruto's cheek, trying to relax him. She could tell he was a bit tense.
"It'll be ok. I'll be with you the entire time." Hinata whispered as they headed into the village.
In the time that they'd been training together and spending time with one another Naruto had yet to tell Hinata the reason he didn't like to go into the village. He didn't lie to her, he just choose not to talk about it. Something Hinata respected. So Hinata just assumed Naruto was nervous around crowds. Since Naruto seemingly spent so much time alone it was reasonable for her to assume that Naruto was simply a recluse. She knew he was an orphan that lived by himself so it made sense to her. There was no way for her to know that the reason Naruto didn't like being around the villagers was because he was the infamous demon child who most of the adults hated.
But Hinata was true to her word. They stuck to the outskirts of the village. Small shops, seeing a few local sights that usually attracted some tourists at other times of the year. A typical date. One of their final stops was another one of Hinata's favorite shops she liked to visit. It had many finely crafted pieces of jewelry that she liked to admire. She rarely actually got anything but Hinata was a Hyuuga, and the daughter of the head of the Hyuuga clan so the owner never complained. Naruto received very little attention so far. But still some. They'd moved so quickly through the village and to so many lightly populated area that not many had time to recognize him. He really did look quite different from the orange jumpsuit wearing "dobe."
Hinata led Naruto into the shop holding his hand. She had a small bag of items she'd purchased that day. Naruto wasn't carrying anything. Hinata could tell the boy was quite nervous the entire day. He was constantly fidgeting. Hinata may not have noticed but despite her best efforts Naruto had gotten a few glares from some villagers who managed to recognize him. He hadn't said anything though but his reaction was very obvious to her.
"This is actually one of my favorite stores. The people here are very nice." Hinata said to Naruto, drawing his attention. He looked over to her with a tentative smile.
"Of course Hinata-chan." Naruto stated simply. That response caused Hinata to gain a concerned look on her face. She squeezed his hand affectionately once more and turned to face him, stopping in her tracks.
"We don't have to go in if you don't want to." Hinata said while standing in the middle of the door to the shop. Naruto shook his head and sighed lightly, calming himself.
"It's ok. This place does look nice like you said." Naruto said in a soft whisper. Hinata just nodded, leaning over to plant a small kiss against his lips before leading him into the store once more. As soon as they passed through the door a bell rang above their heads to signify the presence of customers.
As soon as that bell rang a person standing behind a counter, looking down at a newspaper lifted her head. It was a middle aged woman adorning her own formal kimono. She spotted Hinata and instantly her face brightened into a smile.
"Hinata-chan, it's so good to see you Dear. I have received many new designs I'm sure you'll be…." But the woman stopped mid sentence as she noticed Hinata walking forward with Naruto in tow. Hinata was smiling brightly at the woman as she approached the counter but Naruto could tell by the look of the woman. She knew.
"Who is this Hinata-chan?" The woman asked in a idle voice, trying to hide her suspicion.
"Oh hello Miko-san. It's good to see you. This is Naruto. We are...on a date." Hinata said as a harsh blush spread across her cheeks. Hinata's admission that they were on a date drew both Miko's and Naruto's attention.
"A date? How exciting." Miko said with a pleasant smile while gesturing towards the wall on the far side of the shop. "I hope you two don't get into too much trouble. Now would you like to see our new stock?" The woman asked while gesturing with a hand towards the wall. Hinata nodded her head politely before turning on her heels to head towards the wall, tugging Naruto with her.
"Thank you Miko-san!" Hinata called out excitedly. As Naruto was tugged along he turned his head to look back at Miko. A lump formed in his chest from the way the woman was looking at him.
The middle-aged woman held a deathly harsh glare towards Naruto, the woman's teeth gritted as she suppressed rage. Then Naruto felt it, the emotions of the woman as his eyes connected with her. He felt her rage, her sorrow as she recalled someone she lost to Kyuubi's attack. Like so many other villagers she blamed Naruto and saw him as no different than the demon that harmed the people she cared for. And her pain translated into pure hate. And Naruto could feel it all as if his own. The feeling was overwhelming.
He clutched his chest and began to shake visibly, tears beginning to form in his eyes. She wasn't the first to look at him in that way today, but every new person that did so hurt all the same. One of the few downsides about being a demon, the connection to others. Kyuubi and now Midnight had gotten rid of their connection to the humans due to how much they despised them. But Naruto, a sensitive soul, had yet to do so.
As Hinata looked through the new pieces of jewelry on display Naruto tried to control his emotions. But he could still feel it. The woman was glaring daggers into the back of Naruto's head and he no longer needed to look at her to feel it. Once the connection was established it lasted for quite a while.
From behind her fluffy black tail Midnight was staring at the woman, literally seething with rage.
"I'll murder her, rip her fucking eyes from her skull." Midnight growled out telepathically. Naruto just bowed his head.
"That wouldn't solve anything." Naruto stated solemnly.
"I don't fucking care! If she keeps looking at you that way I'll...I'll…" Midnight continued to seethe, starting now to emit a thin veil of red chakra. But before that demonic aura became visible Naruto spoke up once more.
"Please Midnight don't. Just...don't." Naruto whispered in a barely audible fashion, this time outloud. Hearing his words caused Midnight to stop that demonic chakra from flowing out, her attention turning to Naruto now.
"I'm sorry Naruto. I just can't keep watching them hurt you." Midnight explained. Naruto nodded his head in understanding. Hinata, hearing Naruto whisper something, finally turned her head around curiously.
"What did you say Naru…" But Hinata stopped in the middle of her sentence when seeing Naruto's face. It nearly brought her to tears. She dropped the jewelry she had in her hand and moved both hands forward to cup Naruto's cheek.
"What's wrong Naruto!?" Hinata blurted out in alarm. She could see the sadness and pain in his eyes, in his expression. It was heartbreaking. And the worst part was she didn't know why. Naruto wrapped his arms around his belly casting his eyes away from her in shame.
"I...I…" Naruto hesitated now. What was he to say to her? How could he explain what was going on. He didn't want to lie to her. So he just closed his mouth to silence himself.
"Please tell me? I'm sorry I brought you here. I should have paid closer attention. I'm sorry Naruto, please forgive me." Hinata said while quickly grabbing Naruto's hand and pulling him along and leading him out of the store.
"Thank you Miko-san for letting me see your recent products but I have to go now!" Hinata blurted out as she rushed Naruto from the store.
"Of course Hinata-chan. Next time try not to bring that demon with you." The woman called out before gasping and quickly closing her mouth. Upon hearing those words Naruto flinched and Hinata stopped in her tracks. Slowly she turned her head to look back at the woman in disbelief.
"Um,..what?" Hinata asked in a near breathless voice. What did she mean? But the woman simply looked down at the newspaper she was previously reading. Avoiding Hinata's gaze. The adults weren't supposed to talk about Naruto being the demon carrier.
"Oh nothing. I just meant...never mind. It was nice seeing you Hinata-chan." The woman explains quickly before going silent. Hinata stared at the woman for a long while, a look of complete confusion in her eyes. She then looked over to Naruto to see the boy looking away, still trying to hide his pain.
"Please...let's just go Hinata-chan." Naruto whispered in a barely audible voice. Hinata watched Naruto for a time before nodding and leading him out of the store. She looked back once more to the woman before the doors to the store closed, catching one final glare that Miko was sending her way. No that glare wasn't aimed at her. It was aimed at Naruto.
Hinata was quick to lead Naruto out of the village. They were both completely silent as they made it back to the bench they started the day at. When they finally arrived Naruto pulled his hand away from Hinata and turned his body a little to the side, now having both arms wrapped around his belly. He looked away from her still.
Hinata fidgeted with her fingers a bit while watching him, not knowing what to say.
"Naruto…" Hinata began but was quickly cut off by Naruto.
"Hinata, I'm sorry you saw me this way today. I know I ruined our date." Naruto whispered solemnly. Hinata just shook her head and moved a hand up to touch lightly along Naruto's shoulder. That touch caused the boy to flinch a bit, making her pull her hand back.
"Can you please just tell me what's going on Naruto?" Hinata pleaded while reaching both her hands up now to cup Naruto's cheek. He flinched again but that didn't detour Hinata this time as she move his head gently so his face was facing hers. Naruto still averted his gaze, looking off to the side.
"I can't." Naruto responded shortly, pain evident in his voice.
"Why not?" Hinata questioned while scanning his face. "Please look at me." Hinata continued, finally causing Naruto to move his bright blue eyes to her face, looking directly into her lavender orbs.
"Tell me." Hinata insisted once more, in a softer tone now. Naruto gazed upon Hinata for a quite a time, biting into his bottom lip as he contemplated his response.
"I'm not...ready." Naruto confessed. Hinata nodded in understanding, still staring at him.
"Can you at least answer one question? Miko-san, when she spoke about a demon, was she talking about you?" Hinata questioned in a tentative manner. That reminder caused Naruto to once again tear his eyes from Hinata.
"No, don't look away. Please just look at me. Was she talking about you?" Hinata asked again. Naruto complied with her insistent demand, looking her in the eyes again but this time HInata could see the tears welling up in those bright blue orbs of his.
"Yes." Naruto stated in a breathless manner. Hinata's mouth widened in shock for a moment before her face scrunched into rage. She pulled away from Naruto and turned around on her heels.
"How dare she. What reason could she possibly have?" Hinata yelled out in anger as she prepared to storm back into that shop and give that woman a piece of her mind. But before she could the girl was stopped in her tracks as Naruto grabbed her by the wrist.
"Don't." Naruto whispered. A response which drew a shocked expression from Hinata.
"But that's not right Naruto. Is that why you don't like crowds? Because people are mean to you? Why? Because you are an orphan? What gives them the right!?' Hinata was yelling now, the girl filled with rage clearly.
From behind that black fox tail wrapped around Naruto's neck Midnight watched the scene in interest.
"I am really starting to adore this girl." Midnight confessed. Those words caused Naruto to let out a small bit of laughter, completely throwing Hinata for a loop. Almost instantly Naruto's mood lightened. Now that he wasn't around any villagers he didn't feel their hate and he could be more easily consoled. Naruto stepped closer to Hinata and looped his arms underneath her shoulders, engaging her in a small hug. Hinata still held a shocked expression on her face but she wrapped her arms around Naruto's torso, pulling him into an even deeper hug.
"Those people are idiots. I"m never going to their store again. They can't stop us from enjoying ourselves. I won't let them." Hinata stated defiantly. Naruto just nodded, his head buried into the crook of her neck. Naruto's posture was a little less than perfect now because of how vulnerable he had been feeling. So at the moment he was actually a bit shorter than Hinata since his frame was slightly hunched.
"You don't have to do that." Naruto said in a muffled voice because of the way his face was buried in her neck.
"Yes I do. And then I'm going to take you to the festival that's happening in two days." Hinata stated in a resolute manner. Those words drew an audible gasp from Naruto who lifted his head up and looked to her with a shocked expression. He shook his head frantically.
"No...I can't...there are…" Naruto sputtered but before he could continue his rambling Hinata placed a kiss against his lips, effectively silencing him. Naruto went wide eyed but gave no resistance as usual, the boy clutching lightly into her shoulder. Hinata pulled back after a while, staring intensely into his eyes.
"I won't let them stop us from having fun. I'm guessing you've never been to the festival. It's a lot of fun. Almost everyone will be there. You deserve to go and just because some stupid people don't like you doesn't mean you should be denied that fun." Hinata said before leaning forward to plant another kiss against Naruto's lips and pulling back, pulling entirely away from him now. The sun was starting to go down and she needed to get back home. Hinata took a few steps backwards while looking at him.
"You'll be my date and if anyone says or done anything mean they'll have to deal with me." Hinata said with a resolute nod while turning around and walking off. She walked now with her posture much more upright, her demeanor far more confident than usual. It seemed that protecting someone she cared about had triggered something in her, a strength she didn't knew she had.
Naruto watched her walk off with a dumbfounded expression, completely silent. When she dropped from view the boy fell down on his knees and stared at the spot where she had been.
"Oh dear." Naruto whispered. As he did so the black scarf around his neck sprang to life, the fox underneath that black tail hopping off of Naruto's shoulders to land on the ground in front of him and transform into the humanoid form of Midnight. Midnight had her back turned to Naruto, placing one hand along her hip as she looked down the trail towards where Hinata had walked off.
"She's got heart I'll give her that." Midnight said while turning around to look down to Naruto who was still staring down at the ground dumbfounded.
"You know you could have just said no." Midnight stated while shaking her head. But as she said this a plume of blue fire erupted from behind Naruto and out stepped the curvy form of Kyuubi. She kneeled down behind Naruto and wrapped her arms around his body. They were all comfortable being out in the open because they could sense any human coming from miles away and no human was around that would spot them.
"I think Naruto is finding it hard to say "no" to a sweet person like Hinata. Of all the things I've taught you, I think I've forgotten to teach you how to set boundaries Dear." Kyuubi cooed directly into Naruto's ear as her hands squeezed securely against Naruto's belly. She tugged his body back into hers and leaned her torso forward, her covered breasts squishing against his back as she nuzzled her cheek affectionately against the side of his face. Again a thing he was used to from his mother.
"I just didn't want to disappoint her. She's so kind to me." Naruto whispered in a defeated manner while placing his dainty hands over his mother's. Kyuubi nodded in understanding while kissing gently into the side of Naruto's neck, a sign of affection which served to calm Naruto's nerves. He raises a small hand up to sweep his blonde hair out of her way and tilted his head to the side, giving her full access to his flesh as she showered him in kisses. Midnight moved forward and dropped down on her butt in front of Naruto and Kyuubi, hugging her knees to her chest.
"You still have time to say no. The festival isn't for 2 days." Midnight explained while watching Naruto and his mother idly. Kyuubi had now dragged Naruto down to the ground, the two now laying on their side with Kyuubi spooning Naruto from behind. She still delivered those kisses to the side of his neck while their legs began to entwine. Naruto had his eyes closed, the boy squirming and releasing soft, relaxed breaths.
"Everytime I try I just...can't." Naruto explained in a worried tone. Midnight stared on in thought, before nodding.
"Then you'll need to prepare yourself for the consequences." Midnight warned in a serious tone, causing Naruto to open his eyes and look to her with concern evident in his gaze. He looked away in thought, refusing to look at her. Midnight watched him with an intense gaze, her eyes never faltering.
"Afterall, it will be the 12th anniversary of Kyuubi's attack on Konoha." Midnight commented in a dull tone. Kyuubi tore her gaze away from Naruto for just a second to gauge Midnight's behavior. The girl was clearly concerned and taking this very seriously. But somehow that didn't bother Kyuubi much. Midnight and Kyuubi exchanged glances before Kyuubi began to trail kisses up the side of Naruto's head to finally bit into the tip of her son's ear, drawing a soft gasp from the boy.
"Come now Dear, you're worrying my boy to no end. I'm sure he'll be ready. And if he's not, well isn't that why you are hear?" Kyuuubi questioned before delving her tongue deep within Naruto's ear while at the same time clamping her lips down around the outer lobe. This caused Naruto to gasp and close his eyes, the boy completely distracted now from the topic at hand, as was Kyuubi's intention. Kyuubi maintained an intense gaze on Midnight as she tended to her son. Midnight understood that look and nodded.
"Of course Kyu-chan." Midnight responded obediently. A satisfied smirk played across Kyuubi's face when hearing those words from the girl.
"Good."