One time, in college, Ino, Hinata, and Sakura had ended up in a sex shop.
The other girls were far more experienced than she was...being that they had any experience.
Even so, Hinata found some of the items intriguing and was completely embarrassed about it.
Ino, on the other hand, found it endearing.
"There's nothing wrong with a good girl having a naughty side, Hinata. Embrace your inner freak."
Shopping with Ino was an adventure-to put it mildly.
Ino navigated the boutiques and the sales people like an expedition commander, barking orders and managing to have racks of dresses lined up for Hinata's inspection. It was a little overwhelming, because Hinata didn't like to upset or disappoint anyone, so on principle alone, she hated shopping. The pressure to buy always tripped some of her issues. Having Ino with her, however, circumvented that. Because Ino took charge.
"You just show me what you like, and I'll handle the rest." Ino had told her upon entering the first shop. It touched Hinata that her friend could so clearly see her discomfort but instead of mocking her or making her feel awkward about it, she just rolled with it.
The first place had been a bust. Hinata was short but her figure was curvy. Most dresses fit awkwardly on her frame. It's one of the reasons she wore oversized tops and flowy skirts. It was easier to simplify and not draw attention to her oddly proportions.
The second shop was marginally more successful, in that there were a few dresses that Hinata liked, but none that were really appropriate for such a formal event. She did pick up a new sweater dress though, so not a total loss.
By the fifth, though, Hinata was feeling a little overwhelmed and frustrated. "I shouldn't be this picky," she says, sipping her hot tea as she and Ino maneuvered through the people along the sidewalk.
Ino made a 'pfft' sound and waved gloved hand. "I disagree. This is a big deal, right? For Naruto?" She casts her an appraising look. "And for you, too. So, you should absolutely be picky. You're going to look stunning and he's not going to know what hit him." Ino flashes her a smile, her teal eyes squinting.
Ino, herself, paints such a striking figure in her grey wool coat and plaid scarf with her long blonde hair running down her back in a neat tail. She's tall and poised with flawless skin and sharp features. Hinata imagines if she looked like Ino, this would have gone much faster. Ino could wear a literal plastic bag and zip ties and look so stunning she'd start a new fashion trend.
Hinata exhales into her cardboard cup and mentally checks herself.
She is not Ino.
And that's okay.
She's Hinata.
And that's okay, too.
Ino seems to sense the mood shift so she moves a little closer, linking their arms. "Tell you what...I'm going to take you to one of my favorite boutiques. It's a little more high end than the budget you suggested, but...I think you'll like it. Plus, they do custom fittings."
With nothing to lose, Hinata nods.
Ino is greeted by name the moment they step into the high-end storefront. A woman approaches her and proceeds to air-kiss Ino's cheeks. "Ms. Yamanak, how have you been? It's been too long."
Ino smiles indulgently but makes no excuses for her long absence. Hinata envies that kind of confidence. "Janice, this is my dearest friend, Hinata. We're looking for the dress-something classy and formal. Black tie affair."
"Mm." Janice eyes Hinata critically. "Can you remove your jacket, dear?"
"Oh, uhm, sure." Hinata slips her coat from her shoulders and hands it to Ino.
Janice circles her, making her feel a bit self conscious. She fidgets with her bracelet.
"It's hard to get an idea of your lines with that bulky top. This way, please." Janice motions for the girls to follow. As they move deeper into the store, Hinata sees several dresses on mannequins that literally stop her breath. She has never been affected much by clothing before, so it's a unique experience.
"These dresses are beautiful," she says quietly, in awe.
Ahead of them Janice smiles over her shoulder. "Thank you. We have some very talented designers and seamstresses."
Hinata blinks. "You make them here?"
Janice nods. "Mm, yes. Each piece is a one of a kind."
They enter a smaller section away from the retail portion with several shoji screens and cushiony chairs. More dresses are displayed in the area.
There's one...dark material but with a hint of shimmer.
Its cut is simple.
Strapless and long.
Hinata walks towards it, almost compelled to do so. It's a deep, deep blue, she realizes as she gets closer. So dark it's nearly black. She touches the fabric, enjoying the soft slide of it between her fingers. As it glides she catches hints of sparkle hidden in the material.
"Ah." Janice follows behind her. "From our 'Night Sky' collection. An exquisite piece."
Hinata can only nod.
"Try it on." Ino urges.
Hinata glances at the daring plunge and bites her lip. She backs away from the dress.
"It's really lovely, but I don't think it's for me."
Janice makes a sort of 'tut' sound but doesn't say anything else.
"Okay, let's find one that is for you," Ino replies easily enough.
"Can I get you ladies a beverage?" A new voice asks, nearly jumping Hinata.
A slim brunette peeks at them from beneath the fall of asymmetrical bangs. She's wearing a pressed white top and black pants and carrying a tray.
"Sparkling lime water for me. Hinata?" Ino glances at her.
Hinata has never been served in a clothing store before. She had no idea such things even happened. "Uhm, no thank you." The brunette nods and walks off to get Ino's drink.
Janice motions them towards a counter and picks up some measuring tape then turns back to Hinata. "If you wouldn't mind undressing."
"Un-undressing?" She looks at Ino who nods reassuringly.
"Just to your bran and underwear will be fine," Janice says. "Unless you are going, how do they say: commando? In which case we have a fitting garment-"
"No, I have, uhm, I have underwear on." Hinata whispers.
"Oh, you are just darling," Janice tells her with a smile.
Janice takes some measurements and then has her assistant, Wendy, brings in a few different dresses for Hinata to try on. She has to admit the dresses were all modest, lovely, and elegant. They complimented her coloring and her shape. Even so…her gaze drifted back the dark dress in the corner.
"You should at least try it on."
Hinata startled, turning her eyes to meet Ino's in the mirror. Ino inclined her head , pointing her chin towards the Night Sky dress. "Try it on."
"I…"
"What's the worst that happens? You don't like it? Then you're no worse off. But what if you love it? What if it fits better than you think? What a terrible regret not to try."
Hinata blinks at her slowly. "Is that some odd euphemism for my relationship with Naruto?"
Ino snorts a laugh. "Oh, no. I already know you're ready to try that again. This is me telling you to put on the sexy dress."
Hinata turns, a bit off guard. "You...you think I'm ready to try again?"
Ino leans back in her chair, her expression curious. "Don't you? Isn't that what this is about?" She gestures to the fitting room and Hinata in general.
Hinata wants to shake her head, but she also knows that would be a lie. Did she decide to go to the banquet to stand alongside Naruto as his friend? Sure. But that wasn't the only reason she accepted. She wanted more. She wanted to try again. Was she ready to move back in together, and pick up where they had left off? No. Nor did she want that. That would feel too much like going backwards...like giving up. She wanted something different now. A new relationship, but still with Naruto. She loved him. That, through all of this, remained unchanged.
She inhales, taking in her reflection. Her rival looks hopeful. "Yeah. I'm ready." She grins. "Get me the dress."
Ino lets out a little squeal and fist pump.
The dress is even more stunning on her than she could have hoped. She switches positions, side to side, staring at herself a little dumbstruck. The dress does need to be altered, just a bit-the hem raised, the bust adjusted, the waist pinched, but Janice assures her that the dress will be ready in time.
Dress decided on, they move onto shoes and accessories. Hinata's not sure her wallet can handle much more, but Janice issues her a store credit that helps alleviate the initial punch.
At the jewelry counter Ino has Hinata pile her hair on top of her head and clasps a delicate platinum necklace around her throat. A tiny sun and moon charm resting softly against her skin.
"This one," Ino insists. "Is a gift from me."
"Oh, Ino, I can't-"
"You can and you will. It's a gift. For my best friend. I'm so proud of you." She kisses her cheek and quickly switches gears to avoid getting 'sappy' as she calls it. "Now… shoes. I'm thinking something strappy and come hither-y."
Hinata wipes at her moist eyes. "Come hither-y?" she asks, to avoid crying a bit.
Ino nods. "You do know that boy is kind of oblivious when it comes to you." she says, not unkindly. "So, you may want to be a little more obvious than staring adoringly from afar. You're going to have to be the assertive one, this time."
Hinata thinks about confessing her love to him in the hospital and then immediately moving him out of Sasuke's and into a new place together. She thinks she was pretty darn assertive before...but she understands what Ino is saying.
Shoes were far easier than the dress. She settles on a pair of silver strappy sandals (no heels, no matter how much Ino insisted). Hinata would be lucky not to kill herself or at the very least eat floor in heels.
The banquet is still a little ways off, but in the meantime, she sees Naruto more frequently. He likes to take Argus to different parks, plus it's nice just to hang out-even if she sometimes feels like he's using his friendship with her to see her dog… She smiles as that thought flits across her mind.
He's also at Eight Gates twice a week. Lee is growing attached to the idea of Naruto as his rival, so he's giving his all to helping Naruto achieve his full potential. She's still not sure that Naruto fully appreciates it but he doesn't mock Lee anymore (aside from the 'eyebrows' nickname that stuck) so that's something.
He even invites her to check out his gym which: "Isn't as nice as yours, but hey, you might see me win for once." So she goes.
Of course, on the day she does, Jiraiya tells him that he won't be sparring. He doesn't want to listen to her 'fucking mouth'.
Hinata's less offended and more amused by that than Naruto is, but she tells him it's fine. She'll still stay and watch his training regimine.
He's right about the gym not having quite the same feel to it as Eight Gates-less pumped up exuberance and more sweat and blood-but it's not bad. The large squared tiled floor looks recently mopped, and the flags on the wall are a nice touch. There are several practice mats and two main rings. The mats are clean and the fighters are respectful. Jiraiya is the only one that eyeballs her just a little too long.
Every once in awhile she catches Naruto's glance as he delivers a couple of quick kicks to the Muay Thai pads Jiraiya is holding. She can tell that he's still kind of surprised she agreed to come watch him work out here, considering her dislike of the aforementioned coach, but she's not there for the grey-haired, foul-mouthed pervert.
In the middle of a combo, Jiraiya backs up-throwing off Naruto's stance-and tosses the arm pad to the ground, his attention diverted by something across the gym.
"What the fuck-?!" Whatever Naruto wants to snap out is interrupted by his coach storming off, long hair flowing and fist waving.
"Hey, you little shits! Put those down before you break something!"
Naruto lets out a breath, hands on his hips, as he watches his coach wrangle some younger gym members. Nicely cut hips, too, not that she was noticing too much. "Stupid pervert." She catches Naruto mutter under his breath.
Hinata hops down from the pile of floor mats she was seated on and picks up the discarded kick pad-sliding her arm in and adjusting the straps. It's not that different than the pad Sensei uses when he wants her to practice her coiling and rapid fire strikes.
When Naruto turns back to her, she's already standing in a braced position.
He blinks at her. "Uh...Hina?"
"I can hold this for you."
She can see him shift, his hand rubbing at the back of his head. "Uh, thanks for the offer, but, I don't think I'd feel comfortable kicking you."
"Well, neither would I. So aim for the pad." She smirks at him.
He's still reluctant, so she shrugs and shoves against him with the pads, pushing into his chest. It's not hard, but it moves him a step back. "Come on," She laughs a bit, her cheeks red. "Don't be a p-pussy."
Hearing Jiraiya's favorite taunt from her causes a bark of laughter to erupt from Naruto. It's so clearly unexpected that he can't catch his breath for a moment. His eyes are crinkled closed and she adores him in that unguarded moment.
"Well, shit, Hina. I can't have you thinking that." He gives her a half hearted kick.
She rotates her stance. "Again."
He blinks at the sharpness of her tone. Another kick. Still too light to matter, but he does it.
She steps again, moving naturally into her familiar circle. She's making him move too, with each kick. "Again." She tells him. "Higher." Another step. "Harder."
He's hesitating still, but he follows her commands.
After a few minutes they realize that Jiraiya is back, but he's not watching Naruto, his gaze is on Hinata, and it's not in that leering, uncomfortable way. He's contemplative.
"I recognize that footwork," he says with a sniff. "Been a long time since I've seen any traditional Bagua. Most of the time these yahoos try to mix it up with their blended MMA shit."
Naruto stops moving, his gaze heavy on Hinata when he says, "That same blended MMA shit your trying to get me to do?"
Jiraiya snorts but doesn't dispute it. He's still watching Hinata. Like he's waiting.
She shifts a bit under their scrutiny and tucks some of the hair that escaped her ponytail behind her ear. She's not sure what they want.
When she finally looks at Naruto, she can't read his expression-at least not entirely, but then he falls back and gestures with his chin. "It's about time, I think," he tells her. "Show me."
She doesn't misconstrue his meaning. "What? Here? Now?"
He nods with a soft, encouraging smile.
She glances at Jiraiya who rocks back on his heels with a smug smile. "Aw, leave the princess alone, boy. If she's too scared-"
"Fine." she bites out. She motions for Naruto to give her some space. She came dressed in some yoga pants and an oversized shirt, so she's comfy. She takes a breath.
Then another.
Inhale.
Arms up.
Curl in.
Lower and press down.
Centering.
Exhale.
And then she moves.
Cheng Style sixty-four palm.
All hesitation and nervousness she has disappears as she finds her rhythm-her flow. Her body glides and flexes, pulls short and hard. She feels like every molecule of herself is aligned in purpose. She's euphoric.
It's what she imagines being high is like.
When she completes her routine she finds Naruto staring at her with his eyes wide and his mouth slightly parted. Jiraiya shares a similar look, though his mouth is closed in a firm line.
"Not bad," he grumbles. It's as much of a compliment as she's going to get from him, she thinks, but it still feels good.
She gives him a bow. "Thank you."
Jiraiya waves a hand and turns away. "Fuck. Cut it out with that respect bullshit. Don't make me actually like you." He marches away grumbling.
"That was dope as fuck," Naruto breathes when she turns back to him. She smiles-wide and bright-before bending to pick up the discarded pads again. "I think you still have twenty-five each leg, right?"
Naruto drops back into his ready stance. "Let's do this."