Back at Tsunade's house Naruto was starting to wake up, but felt something heavy on his bed. As he looked to the right he saw Hinata sleeping halfway on his bed. He smiled caringly at her and noticed a strand of hair covering her face. He took his hand free hand and brushed it away making Hinata smile.
" Aishiteru Naruto-kun." Hinata said
Naruto's eyes widened, So she does love me.
Kyubi coughed, " OH SHUT UP!" Naruto told him, but accidentally spoke out loud waking Hinata up. As she woke up lavender met blue and both smiled at each other.
" Feeling better Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked sitting up
" Thanks to you and Gaara." Naruto said
Hinata smiled, Hai, Gaara-sama helped me with his sand so I could get to you without burning myself further. For that I'm grateful.
" Naruto-kun what was that?" Hinata asked
" I had to let my frustrations out and that seemed like the best way, but I didn't mean for you to get hurt." Naruto said looking at her burnt coat and arms, " How many tails were there?"
" Seven why?" Hinata asked
" I'm surprised you didn't get burned worse then, but that also means that I only have a couple more weeks till it's complete." Naruto said not taking his eyes off Hinata's arms, " Hinata let me see them."
Naruto reached over and pulled Hinata's arms to him. This resulted in Hinata letting out a hiss in pain.
" Gomen." Naruto said
" It's alright Naruto-kun." Hinata responded
" Iie, it's not alright. I'm suppose to protect my precious people not hurt them." Naruto said sadly
It was then his hands started to glow gold and he placed his hands over the areas on Hinata's arms. In an instant Hinata could feel warmth go through her body along with a strange sensation she had never felt before when healing someone. Once the glowing had subsided Naruto removed his hands from Hinata's arms and looked up at her.
" There all better." Naruto said smiling at her and Hinata smiled
She pulled back what was left of the sleeves of her jacket to look at her arms. She was amazed that all the burns were gone and there wasn't even any scaring either. She was brought out of this by Naruto's voice.
" Ne, Hinata-chan why don't we train the day of the Leaf Festival?" Naruto asked
" I don't think I can Naruto-kun. I'll have to go with the other Hyuuga's to the ceremony. Why don't you come with me?" Hinata questioned
" It's not that I can't go with you it's the villagers won't let me go to the festival. Every time I've tried to go I've been chased out by a number of them and after a while I just stopped going. I guess it's not the best way to spend your birthday, alone that is." Naruto said
Hinata finding this out reached over to Naruto and buried her face in his shirt. Naruto was shocked by this and just looked down at Hinata not moving until he felt his shirt dampen with water. He realized Hinata was crying. Trying to comfort her he finally moved his arms and started rubbing her back.
" Shh Hinata-chan, it's not that big of a deal. Really! So please stop crying." Naruto said softly Hinata just shook her head
How can it not be that big of a deal? He's never gone to the festival. What else have they done to him because they thought he's Kyubi? Hinata thought
Hinata was still crying in Naruto's shirt and he thought of a way to stop making her cry, "Ne, Hinata-chan I found out something rather interesting while you were still asleep. Do you know you talk in your sleep?" Naruto asked ginning
This stopped Hinata and she looked up at him blushing, " I-Iie." Hinata said
" Well you do and you said something interesting things before I woke you up." Naruto said smiling
Hinata released Naruto, but Naruto wouldn't let go of her hands. Hinata stared down at the bed not wanting to meet Naruto's eyes. She remembered the dream she was having before Naruto's voice had woken her up. It was the same one she always had. She was with Naruto and they were by a large lake having a picnic. She had made Onigiri in the shape of Naruto's head again. They were sitting and talking and finally Naruto had said that he loved her and she told him she loved him back too. She then began to worry.
What if I said that out loud and he doesn't feel the same way about me that I do about him. Hinata thought
" Naruto-kun if I said anything to offend you I'm sorry." Hinata said
Naruto looked at her puzzled and then smiled.
I can't believe she thinks I'm mad at her because she said she loves me. Naruto thought
Well she has loved you since the Academy and you're just now figuring it out. Kyubi told him
I wasn't talking to you and you need to leave me alone every once in a while and create some new Jutsu or something. Naruto told him
Yeah, like I can do that in here? Kyubi said
We'll you've done it before. Naruto said
He released one of Hinata's hands and took his now free hand and lifted her head so she could look him in the eyes.
" Hinata-chan remember when I fell asleep I was trying to tell you something." Naruto said with a red tint on his cheeks
" Hai you said ' You think…' but that's as far as you got." Hinata said
Naruto moved in, as Hinata's eyes grew wide. He closed he eyes and kissed her Hinata relaxed and returned the kiss. As they parted Naruto smiled at her.
" That's what I wanted to say." Naruto said
Hinata smiled widely and flung herself on Naruto so hard they fell down on his bed both laughing.
" I'm so relieved you're not mad at me." Hinata said laughing
" Now why would I be mad at you Hinata-chan? Even if I didn't like you I could never hate one of my precious people. Thought it might be awkward being around you after that." Naruto said grinning
Hinata hit him in the arm because of his joke. Hearing the commotion Shizune entered the room seeing the two she smiled.
" Hi Nee-chan, where is Oba-chan?" Naruto asked
" She and Jiraiya had to head over to the tower to hand out the scrolls, remember? You have the day off, while Hinata needs to head over to see Tsunade." Shizune said
" I'll go with her." Naruto said happily
" IIE!" Shizune shouted, but then cleared her throat, " I mean Hinata's got to go train with Tsunade and you can't go or you'll bother them."
" Oh ok, I'll go train with Kyubi then." Naruto said getting up off the bed
He held out his hand and helped Hinata up and they walked to the front door and got their shoes on and left. Shizune sighed in relief that Naruto hadn't gone with Hinata.
After exiting the house Naruto headed for Field 10, while Hinata headed over to the Hokage Tower. Upon reaching the door she went to knock, but it opened with everyone in discussion. Hinata looked at the door and saw a hand made out of sand on it. She turned to Gaara and bowed to thank him and entered. Gaara though looked at her curiously he had thought he had sensed Naruto's chakra, but was surprised that it was Hinata. As Hinata entered further Tsunade looked up and saw her.
" Hinata so nice of you to finally join us. We've almost got everything figure out. Where is he?" Tsunade said
" In Field 10 training with Kyubi." Hinata responded
" Good, than we have only one more thing to figure out." Tsunade said
" Like?" Hinata asked
" Like something to keep Naruto distracted and not come to Tsunade-sensei's house." Sakura said
" I might be able to help there, but I must talk to Otou-san first." Hinata said
" What do you have in mind?" Temari asked
" Taking him to the Leaf Festival, since he's never gone before." Hinata said
" NANI!" the Konoha Chuunins said and Tsunade frowned at this
" What do you mean never been?" Tenten asked, " All of us have gone."
" Yes, but none of the villagers consider you to be Kyubi in human form." Jiraiya said
The teens all frowned at this.
" I have to see if it's ok with Otou-san and if it is I'm going to take him with me." Hinata said smiling
Tsunade raised and eyebrow seeing a new gleam in Hinata's eyes. Tsunade ginned and Jiraiya looked at her.
" What are you going to do?" Jiraiya whispered
" Just watch." Tsunade whispered back
" Hinata you seem very happy now, did something happen between you and Otouto?" Tsunade asked and Hinata's cheeks flushed red, " I KNEW IT! WHAT HAPPENED?"
" Ano…" Hinata said starting to push her pointer finger together
" Dope finally figured you liked him?" Sasuke asked
Everyone looked surprised, 1. That Sasuke had figured Hinata had liked Naruto, since he had been gone for so long and 2. That Naruto had finally figured it out too. Hinata just nodded her head with embarrassment. The konichi's all screamed with excitement and flew over to her.
" Really? What did he do?" Ino asked
Hinata started blushing worse and whispered in Kurenai's ear. Kurenai smiled and told Sakura.
" HE KISSED YOU!" Sakura screamed
Hinata nodded, most of the males jaws dropped at this information.
Temari grabbed Hinata and sat her in a chair, " Ok I want details. Everything down to the last second before you left him."
Hinata was wide-eyed and panic stricken now and looked at Tsunade for help, but saw she wanted to know as bad as the other girls. Hinata sighed in defeat and started to explain what had happened to Naruto and what he did when he woke up, though she left off the part about being burned by Naruto's charka. The Chuunins were also surprised at his request about the day of the festival, but the adults didn't think it was unusual. Tsunade now seeing that Hinata's arms looked all right figured either she had healed herself or Naruto had.
" Hinata let me see them." Tsunade said
Hinata raised up her arms that were now perfectly healed. The only way you could tell something had happened was the burnt sleeves of her jacket.
" Well whoever did this did a damn good job at it." Tsunade said, " Hinata I think right now you need to go and ask your Otou-san about he festival, but I'm sure he'll be alright with it. Tell him I'll even have Anbu follow you two to make sure nothing happens. Especially since Otouto now has every Konoha-nin on his side since they know who's Musuko he is." Tsunade said smiling
Hinata nodded and with that everyone filed out of Tsunade office and went to work they only have a few days before the Leaf Festival. Hinata headed home as Tsunade sighed behind her desk.
" Well Shizune is not coming in and since it's so close to the festival I don't have anything to do today." Tsunade said to Jiraiya who nodded
" GENMA!" Tsunade yelled and instantly Genma appeared again, " Tell everyone they have the rest of the day off. I'm heading home."
Genma smirked at the news and left in a cloud of smoke. Tsunade rose with Jiraiya following her and they left the tower. Tsunade had a lot of things to do before the party and on the top of that list was to get Naruto's present. She smiled knowing exactly what to get him.
" What are you thinking about?" Jiraiya asked
" I know what to get Otouto." Tsunade said
" Oh? And what's that?" Jiraiya asked
" Well you'll have to wait and see, but since he's so much like Arashi with a hint of Raimei I'm sure he'll like it." Tsunade replied
Jiraiya just raised an eyebrow to this.
Elsewhere Hinata had just arrived home and gone to her room to change jackets before looking for her father. As she was walking Hinata passed her very angry Hanabi, she knew were he was now. As she went to the dojo the door were open and Hiashi was sitting outside sipping tea. He smiled seeing Hinata come towards him. Hinata went over and sat next to him as another Hyuuga brought her tea. She thanked her and sat watching the Koi swim in the pond that was outside the doors.
" You have something you wish to talk to me about Musume?" Hiashi asked
" Hai Otou-san." Hinata said
" Then ask." Hiashi said
" I wish to take my boyfriend to the Leaf Festival." Hinata said blushing
Hiashi smiled, " So I take it Naruto-sama finally figured it out." Hinata nodded, " I'm glad he's a good boy and will make a wonderful husband if you say together."
" OTOU-SAN!" Hinata shouted
Hiashi chuckled, but then stopped and grew serious, " But I do not know about what you ask. I understand he's never gone, after all I'm the one that originally informed Hokage-sama about it, but you might be endanger if you're with him." Hiashi said
" Iie, Tsunade-sensei said she'll have Anbu follow us and all the Konoha-nin's are on Naruto-kun's side now. Onegai Otou-san it's his birthday after all." Hinata said
Hiashi smiled, " Are you doing anything for that?"
" Hai, we're throwing him a surprise birthday party at Tsunade's house after the festival ends." Hinata said
" So you'll stay there that night?" Hiashi questioned
" If it's alright." Hinata said
Hiashi nodded, " Alright I'll allow what you ask, but please by careful you are after all the heir to the Hyuuga Clan." Hiashi said
Hinata looked at him with surprise, " Demo, I thought…"
" You thought Hanabi?" Hiashi questioned and Hinata nodded, " Hai, she is indeed skilled in the Hyuuga Style, but to be able to create a new Hyuuga Style that my Musume takes knowledge only the Hyuuga Head possesses. And before you ask I'll deal with the elders about you and Naruto-sama seeing each other."
Hinata got up and bowed leaving her father to finish his tea.
On the other side of Konoha, Tsunade was coming out of a clothing store smiling with a wrapped box under her arm.
I'm sure he'll love this. Tsunade thought
Once inside the house she went and hide the present in her room. She then headed out to Field 10 to find Naruto and take him to dinner.
" Well better go and get Otouto, so we can eat." Tsunade said
With that she headed out, upon reaching the area she noticed a number of scorch marks and the ground split in places.
What the hell was he training with Gamabunta's Katana? Tsunade thought
She then saw Naruto sitting with his back against the middle pole in the field. There he had his eyes closed and was meditating. Tsunade was surprised at this.
" Didn't think you had the capability to do that." Tsunade said
Naruto smiled, " Most don't, but I've been doing it for sometime." Naruto said opening his eyes as he looked up in the sky he could tell it was late in the evening, " Dinner already? Didn't think it was that late."
" Come one I'll treat you to Ichiraku." Tsunade said
Naruto smiled and got up from the ground, " You know you're going to regret that." Naruto said
" I'll just put it on the next Hokage's tab." Tsunade said
Naruto smiled at this.
" I saw Hinata's arms, did you heal them?" Tsunade said
Naruto nodded, " It was my fault after all and since I can heal others I thought it was for the best." He said
" Well you did a good job." Tsunade said
" Arigatou Oba-chan." Naruto said
" Anything else you want to tell me?" Tsunade asked
" Nothing I'm sure you don't already know." Naruto said eyeing her
" So you figured she told us?" Tsunade asked smiling
" Iie, I figured you grilled her with questioned until she told you." Naruto said annoyed
" Actually they didn't do that until we found out you kissed her." Tsunade said grinning with a now madly blushing Naruto
" See, she told you guys everything then." Naruto said embarrassed
" Hai, that and some other things, but that's for her to tell you." Tsunade said entering Ichiraku Ramen with Naruto
There already at the counter was Hinata sitting with a Miso Ramen in front of her. Naruto smiled and happily went over and sat next to her. She put her chopsticks down and smiled up at him. Tsunade ordered Naruto and her Ramen, while Hinata and Naruto started talking.
" Naruto-kun I want to asked you something." Hinata said softly
" Shoot Hinata-chan." Naruto said smiling at her
" I know you've never gone to the Leaf Festival and if you would well…" Hinata trailed off
" You want me to go with you?" Naruto said looking down at the floor Hinata nodded her head and Naruto sighed, " Hinata-chan I'm grateful you asked me, but I don't think it'd be best thing you coming to the festival with the Bakemono they celebrate destroying." Naruto said
This resulted in a whack on the head, but not from Tsunade, who was looking at him angrily, but from Teuchi the owner of the Ichiraku Stand. Naruto rubbed the back of his head and looked at Teuchi.
" Oji-san wha'd ya do that for?" Naruto asked
Teuchi was looking at him angrily holding a wooden spoon him his hand.
" I swear for nearly 18 years I've know you Naruto and not once have you ever thought of yourself as the Kyubi, so why start now? If Arashi was here he'd be upset hearing you talk like that." Teuchi said
" You knew?" Naruto asked
" About you being the Jinchuuriki of Kyubi or the Yondaime was your Otou-san?" Teuchi asked
" BOTH!" Naruto shouted
" I've know, I've known since you first started coming here who and what you were. Your love for Ramen is the same as you Otou-san's and I knew he wouldn't use a random child for the sealing." Teuchi said, " He was way smarter than that. Now give Hyuuga-chan here the proper answer."
Naruto looked over at Hinata who had gone back to eating and was not looking over at Naruto. He could tell she was on the verge of tears.
" I can't." Naruto said receiving another hit on the head by the wooden spoon, " Itai, damn it listen she'll be endanger if she's with me. The villagers might try to hurt her. I can't risk her safety, even if she want to be with me that day."
" She won't be endangered." Tsunade said
" Of course she'll…" Naruto started
" Not if I have the Anbu watching you and every Konoha-nin that knows whose Musuko you are now." Tsunade said
Naruto looked at her surprised she'd do that and then he looked over at Hinata who was still sadly eating.
If Oba-chan is willing to have the Anbu watch us then I don't see why I can't go with her. Naruto thought
" Hinata-chan." Naruto said and Hinata looked over at him, " I'd love to go with you."
Hinata smiled and hugged him and Naruto returned the hug.
Arigatou Kami, I don't know what we would of done if he kept saying no. Tsunade thought
She looked over a Hinata and winked, Hinata smiled back at her. The three finished their meals after Naruto's 15th bowl and they went their separate ways, but not before Naruto kissed Hinata on the cheek.
" Oyasuminasai Hinata-chan. I'll see you tomorrow." Naruto said and walked off with Tsunade
Hinata just watched him walk away smiled and headed home.
Aishiteru – I Love You
Oji-san – Uncle
Itai – That hurt/ Ouch!
