"No good deed goes unpunished."

A distant buzzing was the first thing to pull her from her slumber.

It was distracting…like a mosquito in your room at night.

Eventually it stopped.

Then started again.

Then stopped.

And just when she thought she was going to get back to full sleep she was beaned in the face.

Hinata had been woken by slaps to the face before-it's not one of her fondest memories, truth be told-but even with that past experience behind her, it was rather jolting to wake up that way again. Minus slaps plural, to one accidental smack, courtesy of her adorably sleep rumpled boyfriend.

Scratch that.

Fiance.

That distinction actually took most of the sting out of his accidental clumsiness.

She scrunches her nose, wiggling the hurt away.

"Fuck! I'm so sorry, Hina." Naruto leans over her, his expression anxious, a moment before he curls his arms around her, tucking her close to his chest. "I thought that was you calling me and I got worried, and then I kinda hit you in the face. But, it was like one hundred percent an accident. I'm really sorry."

He sounds almost out of breath when he finishes, leaving her to blink sleepily up at him. She sighs, quietly, already pacified. She's ready to snuggle back in and get some more sleep, though. She's still emotionally and physically drained from the night before.

Staving off a panic attack took a lot out of her.

Not to mention the really good sex.

Naruto adjusts his hold, giving her face a couple of light kisses. He's very clearly awake.

She blinks her eyes open again, and stares up at him, seeing the wounds still marking his handsome face in the early morning makes her stomach clench, but she lets that go, in favor of focusing on his words. "Why did you think I was calling?" she asks. She had been there all night…

"I dunno I was just confused for a sec." He sounds casual-dismissive.

Her eyes narrow a little in scrutiny. Concern sharpens her focus. "How hard did you hit your head?" Head trauma was no joke.

"They didn't hit my head!" He laughs her concern off. "You're usually the one calling me. And you're not usually here."

She's not convinced. "How much do you remember?"

"From last night? Oh baby!" He scoots closer to her, a devilish smile flirting with his lips as his hands skim her body, coming to rest on her tattoo.

The sensation of his warm hands on her has the same effect it always has-even after years. She feels her heartbeat drum a faster tempo and her blood pulses to a new rhythm.

His voice, when he speaks, is low and rumbly and curls her toes. "I can't wait to see that tattoo while I'm hitting you from the bac-" His words are cut off by a quick pinch from her.

Hinata lets out a sharp exhale. He had definitely been spending too much time with his pervy coach if he thought he could talk to her that way!

Naruto's unperturbed by her fluster. He always did enjoy getting a rise out of her. Instead, he strokes his hands along the lines of her frame, tracing her arm until he slides his hand flat to hers, maneuvering them in such a way that her ring catches the morning light.

"I can't believe it didn't fall off last night." He smirks, using his thumb to nudge the band up ring finger.

Immediately, her fingers curl. She's not willing to take it off. She knows at some point she will-to have it sized-but...not yet. Not yet.

"Do you like it?" He asks her quietly. It's hesitant, almost.

She can see the unguarded vulnerability in his eyes. It's a look that only she is allowed to witness. The inner, scared, child in him that wants so badly to love and be loved. "I love it." She promises, just as quiet, pressing her fingers between his-linking them.

The buzzing sound returns. Hinata glances towards his phone and then at him. He seems in no hurry to pick it up.

"It's rung a lot," she tells him.

"Yeah. But now that I know it's not you," Naruto shrugs, kissing her temple and then down, trailing soft kisses over her cheekbone and then to the corner of her mouth, and then her chin.

It's an effective distraction. She's lost for a moment in the feel of his lips on her, but she has spent so much of her life being responsible she can't ignore the buzzing. She tips her head a bit while she speaks, still allowing for his trailing kisses. "It could be Teuchi. Or Jiraiya. Or Guy-Sensei."

"They all know I'm supposed to be going on a superfly date tonight."He murmurs, moving lower on the bed. He can't seem to find the angle he wants, or uncover enough of her to his liking. "How'd you get so little?" He grumbles, trying to push the blanket pile out of his way. "You need to eat more."

She had lost a ton of weight after they split, but she was putting it back on-more in the form of muscle than before-so she is tinier than when they were together, but she's by no means a waif. "I eat." She giggles, amused by his struggle.

He grunts something that she doesn't catch before he wraps his arm around her waist, hauling her higher against the pillows. "I said more." He counters with a playful huff. He moves again, trying to kiss her neck-a spot she is notoriously weak for.

Hinata counters by tucking her chin. "What should I eat?" she asks with a breathy giggle. Naruto's early morning stubble tickles.

He pauses- interested. "Is that a sex thing?"

"No!" Her cheeks bloom.

"Sure," he teases. He kisses her jaw bone again, and she counters, drawing her shoulders up. The motion reignites the ache from the night before and she recalls the forearm bar across her throat. She doesn't want to make a big deal of it though, or break his content mood. She likes him like this. This is the Naruto she fell in love with.

"I'm actually kind of hungry." She moves her hands to his face, covering his seeking lips.

"What do you want for breakfast?" He asks through her fingers.

She tilts her head. "What do you have?"

He's still playful and relaxed. He reaches up and tugs her hands away, leaning in to blow a raspberry on her cheek. "I have frozen chicken, eggs, spinach and protein powder."

That sounded about as appealing and chewing tar. She can feel her face scrunch up reflexively.

"That's what I thought." He smirks at her, his blue eyes alight. "Let's go get pancakes," he suggests and her stomach sings his praises. "I know you like those cinnamon roll ones."

She hums happily, relaxing. Naruto leans in and then abruptly back. His hand comes behind her head, holding the back of her neck so that he can tip her chin up. His blue eyes-alight with play and mischief a moment ago-darken like a summer sky before a storm.

His breath is harsh. "...the fuck?"

Hinata tenses a little. She knows what his reaction will be before it even starts. "Naruto..."

He releases her and rolls onto his side of the mattress, rubbing a hand down his face even as his breathing rasps through his teeth.

"Naruto." She moves with him. She can't let him push her away. Not when he's going to be blaming himself for something he had no control over. "Hey," she moves closer, rising so that her chin rested on his shoulder. "I'm hungry." She reminds him. She didn't want him lost in what happened-she wanted to go back to cuddling and teasing and being in love. "Let's go get pancakes." She presses a lingering kiss to his warm skin. "Please?"

For a moment she's sure he's going to refuse. But then he looks at her-his gaze flickering over her features, and something in his expression softens. It's a look that causes butterflies to riot in her stomach. "You better give me a bite then," he murmurs.

She pauses, giving him a couple of blinks in lieu of anything more articulate. "What are you going to get?"

It's his turn to make a face. "I'll probably have to get some stupid egg-white, spinach, vegetable bullshit."

Hinata glances at him-at his lean build. Yes he's trim and muscled, but it's wiry. It's not natural. She's not his mother or his coach, so she can't really be a pushy bitch about his choice, buuuut she can get him some pancakes. Just for today. They're celebrating, after all. "I thought we were getting pancakes."

His lips quirk. He sees right through her. "Just pancakes allowed?" He asks. She nods. "Alright then." His agreement is easy enough. "Do you think they still have those Nutella banana ones?"

Hinata nods again. "Probably. Those things aren't really seasonal."

"You don't need to be so sassy." He huffs out.

Hinata immediately flushes with embarrassment. Had she been too pushy? Too bitchy-? "No, Naruto, I wasn't, I wouldn't-"

He kisses her cheek quickly, before rolling over to stand, leaving her flustered in the comforter.

She pushes a breath out, ruffling her mussed bangs.

He grins at her-smug. "Hurry up, Hyuuga; I'm starving." He makes to stand, only to exhale sharply and drop back down.

Hinata's heart drops too. "Are you okay?"

"Course." He attempts a smile, but it's more pinched than anything. Little beads of sweat are on his brow.

Hinata's hands work the fabric of his bedding. She frowns at his obvious lie.

The phone buzzes again, interrupting any rebuttal she was about to make. That's a significant number of calls this early in the morning. She looks at Naruto, her brows pulling down in concern. "You should really get that. It could be important."

"You can check it if you want." He shrugs at her.

Hinata shuffles to his side, reaching over to grab the phone. The ID is one that she's not familiar with, nor the number. "It says 'Spoiled Brat'."

Naruto shrugs again, but his lips twitch. "It's Konohamaru."

"He's called… eleven times. Maybe he needs your help?"

"What could he need me for? He's a rich little brat."

"Spoiled brat." She corrects, jokingly. She tries not to let the comment get under her skin. Naruto has always had a problem with affluent people. Not that she could necessarily blame him, but it could make some things in their future a little complicated. Considering…

She shakes herself out of those thoughts, refocusing on Naruto and the situation at hand.

"Thank you," he chuckles at her correction.

Hinata holds out the phone. "You should still answer. He might need you."

Naruto turns away from his closet to look at her. She looks back expectantly. She's not going to give up on this. Someone calling eleven times is not a good sign.

He sighs, shaking his head.

She raises a brow.

Finally, he relents, walking back over to her side. She thinks he's about to grab the phone when he bends to snag his pants off the floor. She watches the tightness of his jaw and frowns. He's hurting, but stubbornly pretending he's not.

She thinks about his back and wonders if they should stop by a clinic today. He probably wouldn't want to. Clinics are required to report things like that.

She shakes the phone.

"Thanks," he mumbles, pulling on his pants. He takes the phone from her and she scoots back into the covers. They're warm. "Hey! What do you think you're doing?"

"Hm?" She smiles innocently, tugging the covers up.

He snorts, rolling his eyes. "Get up! Come on, you talked me into pancakes and now I have a desperate need. Let's go."

Her voice is muffled from under the blanket as she counters, "It's cozy."

"Don't even. You're bed's way better. I've seen it. It looks like the inside of Urban Outfitters."

Her bed was too stiff, she wants to counter. This is much better. Softer. Familiar. She forgoes a reply in favor of rolling over, wrapping herself in a Naruto scented cocoon. Besides, if he's really hurting, she's not sure breakfast out is the best idea.

"I'm gonna go grab your clothes." Naruto informs her, walking away. Some of her clothing had been discarded prior to the bedroom-like her shirt and bra.

Hinata can hear his voice from the living room, but she doesn't try to listen in. Instead she curls up and presses her face into his pillow. She barely holds in her happy squeal. She can barely believe it. They're going to be married!

She wants to sing and cry and dance all at once.

She also just kind of wants to savor this time.

Naruto, it appears, is not of that mind. He returns, dumping her clothes unceremoniously onto the bed. "Let's go." He barks at her in mock seriousness, clapping his hands twice.

She's completely unintimidated. She's too happy. "Come cuddle me."

He's tempted. She can see it. But the lure of pancakes is strong. "After pancakes." Naruto counters.

Hinata puffs out her cheeks. She's really going to have to get out of the bed. She blinks at the ceiling and nods. Besides...she's kind of missing her furry companion. "We need to go check on Argus."

Naruto smiles and nods. "Okay. We need to go unlock the gym first, before pancakes. And then we can go get Argus, maybe go to the park."

That sounds perfect to her. "Okay."

"But first," Naruto playfully kicks the side of the mattress. "You gotta get dressed, lady."

Of course she does, she knows this. But...he's right there. She glances at her clothes, then at him, not moving.

He blinks wide eyes at her. "Oh my God, are you for real being shy right now?" Naruto scrutinizes her with narrow eyes causing her to blush "Are you serious?"

She can hear it in his voice. The incredulity.

They have seen one another naked a lot over the years. Just as recently as last night. It's kind of silly for her to be insecure, but she is. She always has been. Top heavy with wide hips on a small frame. Her proportions made no sense.

She wants to hide under the covers at the look he's giving her. So she does. "Stop," she laments from beneath the cotton.

She can hear him laughing. "Hinata! Fine. I'm gonna go brush my teeth. You have two minutes."

It takes her ninety seconds before she is making her way to the bathroom where Naruto is putting on some deodorant.

"Mmm, Old Spice." Hinata has always been partial to that scent on him.

Naruto grins at her from the mirror. "Look at me, look at you. Now look at me, look at you. You're really cute." He turns, leaning down, trying to give her a kiss.

She shakes her head. "Don't. I have morning breath."

His kiss lands on her cheek instead, though they both know he wouldn't have minded kissing her.

"Can I use your toothbrush?" She asks, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. She managed a quick finger brushing of it in his room, but it was still a little unruly after being so thoroughly tousled the night before.

"Ew, Hinata, that would be like us kissing. Gross." He wrinkles his nose, but steps aside for her at the sink.

She doesn't have long to clean up, because before long, he's urging her out the door.

"Come on let's go, I'm starving."

"Stop being a baby." She smiles, slipping on her shoes.

"I'm not being baby."

"You should bring a coat, it'll be cold at the park."

"Alright." He opens the closet and then goes still, his frame locking up.

Hinata studies his averted profile, a furrow forming between her brows. She moves a little closer when he remains silent and still. "Hey...are you okay?" She asks, softly.

Whatever had his attention lets go and he nods slowly, looking over at her. "Yeah; ready?"

She hesitates, but only for a moment, before nodding. Stepping out the door brings her up short, her eyes immediately locked on the uniformed men in front of her. She knows before they say anything that they are here for Naruto. Behind her, Naruto is oblivious.

"Okay," he's saying, "the real question, is should I get hash brown with my pancakes? Cause you took like, forever, and I'm starving." He's turned away from the hall in order to lock the door.

"Naruto." Hinata's hand fists into his jacket material, trying to get his attention.

"What? Too many carbs? Should I get eggs then. I could just order two breakfasts, but then I'm still back to too many carbs."

"Naruto."

He glances over at her quickly. "What? Are you okay?"

One of the officers steps forward. "Are you Naruto Uzumaki?"

"Uh, yeah, who's ask…" Naruto turns and his voice trails off as he sees exactly who's asking.

Hinata also tenses, because Naruto doesn't have the best history with police. Naruto doesn't have the best history, period, but he has had a few particularly violent altercations and resisting arrest charges in his past. Seeing the number of officers standing in the hall, Hinata can only assume they already knew this about him.

The same officer steps closer. "Naruto Uzumaki, you are under arrest for six counts of assault and battery."

Hinata feels her breath catch in her throat.

No. Oh, no.

"Hands against the wall, please."

Naruto takes a step back.

"Naruto," Hinata cautions him. Old habits had him ready to bolt.

"Don't you have to read me my Amanda's or something?"

"Miranda's." Hinata corrects, quietly, her hand still clamped down onto his coat sleeve to keep him from bolting. One of the officers moved to her side, reaching out to pull her away. "Ma'am, you need to step away from-"

"Don't fucking touch her!" Naruto's voice drops as he moves himself, pushing her further back with the outstretched arm.

Hinata sucks in a breath. He's wearing the exact same expression as he had on the night before. She needs to get him calm. He needs to be calm. They can sort through this-but not if he reacts violently. Any good grace they have will be lost. She tries again. "Naruto, just listen-"

He's not.

She realizes it immediately.

He's not listening. He's shutting her out.

She's known at Eight Gates for her ability to see fighters moves before they make them-she can detect their slightest projection-and she sees it now. Naruto is not ready to submit. He's going to fight.

The officer reaches for her again and Hinata shakes her head, to no avail. Before the man can touch her, Naruto has his arm, yanking him off balance. He adjusts his stance, and she knows he's going to try and take out the man's knee.

They could explain last night. There was no way they could explain assault and battery on an officer.

He wouldn't have a chance.

"Naruto! Don't!" Her voice is loud in the hallway-louder than she's probably ever been with him, but she's desperate.

It gets through. He lets go of the cop abruptly. His eyes go wide and panicked, realizing what he'd almost done. He puts his hands up quickly. "I'm sorry!"

Hinata flinches when she hears the taser.

Naruto's legs buckle immediately, and he falls back into the door. "Fuck." He coughs, eyes fluttering.

Hinata pushes against the officer trying to pull her back. "Don't hurt him, please."

"Step back, ma'am!"

Naruto's eyes tip in her direction and she can see the fear in there, and the desire to get up, but he's down and out. "Fuck."

The officers converge on him, zip tying his hands, reading him his rights.

"Do you have any weapons? Do you plan to harm us in anyway?" The questions come out fast. The men are on edge.

"Fuck you." Naruto groans.

Hinata presses her lips together.

The officers respond to his answer by pressing him harder. Naruto gasps in pain. He's not recovered from last night and Hinata's not sure how much more punishment he can take before the consequences are dire.

She shoves herself forward again. "You're hurting him!"

Behind them a door opens. "What is going on out here?" There's a pause as Mr. Umino takes in the scene. "I want to see some badge numbers. Now."

Hinata's breathing is shaky, but she holds it together, glancing at Mr. Umino as he steps into the hall. The cops are patting Naruto down. Hinata watches with an impending sense of dread as one of the men reach into his jacket pocket and pull out a trifold that Hinata knows is not Naruto's.

"Look what we got here." The man holding up the trifold wallet smirks, satisfied they have their perp.

The others yank Naruto to his feet.

The old Hinata would be in tears by now.

The old Hinata would be ringing her hands and scared.

And while she wants to do those things, she instead moves around the officers, blocking the stairwell. The men look ready to arrest her too.

"Ma'am-"

"It's not Ma'am," she counters, ignoring the way her voice shakes. She has never, ever, in her life thrown around her family name, but for Naruto, she would do anything. Even if it makes her feel dirty. "It's Hinata. Hinata Hyuuga."

She sees immediate recognition on the older two officers' faces. Anyone worth a damn in law enforcement knew of her grandfather. One of the most revered and reviled judges in the state before his death. Then there was Neji. Neji was a decorated officer who had both the Medal for Valor and the Police Combat Cross before leaving the force after his father's death to join the FBI. Her own father, who had taken a different path, was no less well known. Her family had more money than all four of these men would see in their lifetimes-combined. And while she had walked away from it-her father's will had reinstated it. She was the heir to a fortune-one that she didn't want-but one that she would leverage against anyone that tried to take Naruto from her.

"And," she continues, feigning an assurance that she does not feel. "I agree with Mr. Umino," she glances at the older man. He has his own phone out. "I'll have those badge numbers. Now."

One of the younger officers shakes his head. "We don't have time for this-"

"Make time." Iruka says, voice hard. He moves to each officer, snapping pictures of their badges. He eyes Hinata speculatively as he does.

Once done, the officers start forward again, their limited patience spent.

"Move," they tell her. "Or join your boyfriend in cuffs."

"Fiance" she corrects, but steps aside. She's shaking so hard that her teeth are chattering. Even so, she urges a barely conscious Naruto, "Naruto, do not say anything until you have a lawyer with you. Okay? I need you to promise me that. Can you promise me? Don't talk. Not one word."

She has no idea if he actually hears her, because the officers are carting him-too rough for her liking-down the steps. She feels herself starting to crack when Mr. Umino places a hand on her shoulder. "I'll get my shoes," he tells her. "I'll drive you."

She nods, grateful. "Thanks," she whispers, raw.

"We won't leave him alone," he promises.

Hinata closes her eyes, willing her tears back. "No, we won't." She reaches into her coat and pulls out her phone. She calls Kiba. He doesn't ask her why she needs him to go get Argus, he simply agrees. He knows where her spare key is. He and Akamaru will look after him until she can get home.

Three minutes after her call to Kiba her cell is ringing. She picks it up. "Ino."

"Hina, what is happening? Kiba called and said you sounded upset."

In broken half sentences Hinata fills Ino in the best she can while Iruka drives. "And..and they're going to give him some shitty public defender...I can feel it...and I d-don't know any lawyers...and, and-"

"Breathe, babe." Ino says, voice soothing. "Breathe. Don't you worry that pretty head over a lawyer. I've got you covered."

"Wha-?"

"You just get to your boy and be strong. Sai and I will be there soon. What precinct?"

Hinata gives her the info automatically. "You don't have to-"

"We're family." Ino cuts her off. "And Naruto isn't as alone as he thinks he is. They're used to running him when he had no one. He has you now. He has us. We'll be there."

Hinata does cry then. "Thank you." She hangs up.

From the driver's seat Iruka gives her a gentle smile. "Nice ring," he says quietly.

Hinata sniffs, curling her fingers. "We're getting married," she whispers.

She hopes.