Thanks for the reviews everyone! So bear with me while I answer a couple of questions...

Elysium: Whoa, thank you thank you thank you for putting so much thought into your review. It's comments like yours that make this business seem worthwhile. Anyway, the fact is I'm Australian so I use Australian slang without realising it. "Tight" just means "stingy". Naruto's status is temporary, and will only last the next three months. And yes, Hanabi is definitely not stronger than Neji – I figure every ninja knows how to guard against his (or her) own jutsu, and with a clan as old as the Hyuuga there's definitely going to be a way to guard against the Byakugan (that the Main Family are probably keeping to themselves, the stingy bastards). Shizune is teaching Hinata medical jutsu, so that's why she's there... And I'm trying to keep the fic limited to the Hyuuga household, Naruto and Hinata. Everyone's reactions don't really matter, though it would be interesting... They'll probably only come in right at the end.

... Phew.

Kaged One: You made me laugh. Thanks! But yeah, the reactions of team 7 will be left to your active imagination for a while.

purpleandbrown: Naruto's motives come in later. He's the only one that knows why at the moment...

luna: I write in the present tense because I'm trying it out – my past tense was sounding dry and repetitive and I'm hoping a change will refresh it. Plus, the present tense works for one-shots and that was all this was going to be. But I'll do my best to sound less clumsy...

And in general: My style is spare and (I hope) subtle, so I apologise if things happen or characters appear that make sense to me but are just completely random to you. I'll start bringing in explanations... soon. Heh heh. Just enjoy the fic.

Chapter Three: Autumn

Hey, Hinata-chan!

Yeah, your family's weird. The food sucks and I swear the bloody futon's giving me arthritis but it's nothing a great ninja like me can't handle! :) Neji's looking after me anyway, which is good. I think your dad would have kicked me out days ago if he wasn't there telling me stuff and shutting me up.

Guess what? I've got a day off tomorrow and I really really want to get to know you better so what do you say to meeting me for ramen? If you can make it of course... You're pretty busy with family stuff, huh? But it's stupid that we can't see each other. See what you can do, ok?

Uzumaki Naruto

His handwriting is awful. His spelling is worse.

But that messy letter is straight from the heart. It is communication at its purest without the hated filter of formality, no more or less than exactly what Naruto was thinking at the time. It makes Hinata smile when she reads it, and she promises herself to be more straightforward and less formal with him next time.

That letter... No possession has ever been more precious to her. She tucks it into her jacket, her guilty, precious secret.

Tomorrow comes; Naruto hasn't heard from Hinata-chan yet, but that hasn't stopped his good mood! Not only is he going to see Hinata-chan for the first time in ages, but he gets to have ramen too!

And not that crappy instant stuff he's been smuggling into the Hyuuga complex, oh no. Proper ramen, from Ichiraku.

He can't wait.

Hinata wants to go. She really does.

But she knows her father, and the traditions of her clan. She's lucky she's even allowed out of the family shrine for her medic ninja training – it hurts, but she has to say no. Her father couldn't possibly allow her a day in town, especially on the same day as Naruto-kun, so she won't even ask.

Naruto glimpsed Hinata today.

It was early morning, at the end of summer. Dawn chill hung in the air as Naruto, Neji and a group of other branch house members made their way through the grounds, towards the main house. Naruto pulled his white yukata tighter around himself, muttering to himself about the general insanity of the Hyuuga family, and something about the #&! cold.

Neji was chastising him again when he saw her. Neji's whispered reprimands faded out of focus.

At least he thought it was her. Dressed in the white and red of a miko she was, kneeling blindfolded at one of the most beautiful Shinto shrines he had ever seen. He wanted to call out to her, run to her – but even he could tell she was absorbed, and he knew Hiashi would throw him out if he even tried.

He craned his head back over his shoulder, trying to get another look but Neji grabbed his arm and pulled him away.

"Restrain yourself." He scolded. "You're a Hyuuga now."

Autumn is here, and it looks like Naruto will spend the last of the first three months of engagement with the fallen leaves.

Broom in hand he clears the courtyard, sweeping areas when he feels like sweeping them. His mind is clearly somewhere else; riding the wind perhaps, as it lifts crisp brown and flies, spreading the leaves once again. Naruto doesn't seem to mind. He just keeps sweeping the same spot, his head down as though concentrating.

He doesn't think anyone is watching him. It just shows how naive he is – the house is full of masters of the Byakugan.

It is the first time Hiashi has seen the boy being quiet. For a moment he is relieved – maybe Naruto can be moulded into a proper Hyuuga husband in one short year. Maybe this boy won't be the worst thing to happen to the clan and there is hope yet.

Then a leaf hits Naruto in the face, and he wakes up.

He blinks in the grey light of an overcast day, and sees just what the wind is doing to his hard work.

"HEY! GET AWAY FROM THAT PILE!" He yells, like it will help. "THAT TOOK ME BLOODY HOURS, QUIT IT!"

Hiashi frowns as the hyperactive blond runs around like a whippet, screaming at the wind and trying everything he can think of to save his precious pile.

"... He's just making it worse..."

Tonight the window is closed, to keep out the wind's new cold bite.

Naruto is sprawled on his futon, his intense blue gaze almost staring through the rice paper walls. Next to him Neji is curled up on his side, his eyes closed. Naruto thinks he looks pretty like that, with his face is peaceful and unlined and his dark hair spread on the pillow. It reminds him of Hinata and his mind wanders, wondering what she looks like when she's asleep.

For a moment he is tempted to get up and find out, but maturity gets in the way. He settles for his imagination and with a sigh, pulls his blanket up over his shoulders.

"Hey Naruto." For once it is Neji that breaks the silence.

"Yeah?"

"What are you going to say to Hinata-sama tomorrow?" Neji doesn't bother to open his eyes. Naruto knows he is watching him.

"Dunno." Naruto says lightly. "I haven't really thought about it."

"Liar."

"Whatever Neji." Naruto frowns, stretching onto his back. "What do you think I should say?"

"I think you should avoid speaking altogether. At least while Hiashi-sama is there. You'll just offend him if you open your big mouth."

"Real helpful. Thanks Neji."

"My pleasure. But I'm serious, be polite. I don't think Hiashi-sama is happy about having a loudmouth like you as a son-in-law."

"You chose a strong boy."

Hiashi thought he would at least see some change in Naruto's behaviour after three months. He thought twelve weeks of nothing but rice and vegetables, less than four hours sleep a night and monotonous duties would at least leave him too tired to run around yelling and at least disciplined enough to show some respect for his superiors.

Unfortunately for him, Uzumaki Naruto is:

A complete stamina freak. Can't take a hint even if you punch him in the face with it. Uncannily determined.

Hiashi respects his strength, of course. He is far from blind.

Hinata pours his tea, her head bowed. "Thank you father." She says quietly. The scent of senchaarrests her sense of smell, speaking to her of the sea she's never seen, and little fishing boats leaving the jetty before sunrise.

"Still." Hiashi accepts the tea and sips it like he tastes nothing. "I am still not convinced he's an appropriate choice."

Hinata stays silent. Her father is right – there is nothing 'appropriate' about Uzumaki Naruto. In her mind there doesn't have to be. If he just stays the boy she fell in love with all those years ago, everything will be fine.

"But I suppose I have to give him a chance. He is your choice, after all." Hiashi sighs deeply, putting the cup down. "Bring me some sake. I think I will need it before I deal with him."

Once again, I'll probably update some time next week. Thanks for reading, and be kind and drop me a review!