December 28th
A blush covers Hinata's face as she moves a hand to cover the mark, glaring at Naruto across the room.
I told him no marks, and what does he do? Leave one in plain view. Guess I'm stuck wearing a jacket for a while. She walks past her boyfriend, Naruto flinching away so her shoulder doesn't brush his as she moves, and he turns to face her.
"Look at him flinching," Kiba laughs. "The hero of The Hidden Leaf is afraid of his own girlfriend!"
"Hey! Neither of you have been on the receiving end of the Gentle Fist." Naruto looks down at Hinata. "I'm sorry alright, I wasn't thinking and it won't happen again." His tone is low, hoping the two standing across the room will give them at least the illusion of privacy. "I promise." He reaches out, grasping her hand and giving it a light squeeze.
"Humph." The dissatisfied noise comes through her nose; she's still upset but she leaves her hand in his "So, guys, tell me more about this hot spring." She moves to the dishes they left on the table, as Naruto sinks down onto the couch.
"See Kiba, I told you." Shino moves into the main room "Leave them alone, in a locked room and they'll start acting like normal people around one another again."
"I don't even want to know what went on," Kiba motions to the couch, noticing how the pillows had made their way to the floor and the cushions had moved away from the back.
Naruto sighed, leaning forward to pick up a pillow.
"Shino's cousin opened a new hot spring, outside of town. A cousin from the non-bug side of the family," Kiba adds, noting Naruto's concern, "and we ran into Hinata this morning and she was thinking that after the night you had it might be nice. We can get in for free too, if she forgives you."
Naruto, standing, makes his way into the kitchen where Hinata stands washing their dishes, putting more force into scrubbing the pot she had used for the noodles than necessary.
"Hey," he wraps his arms around her waist, "I'm sorry, ya know. Let's go to the hot springs and relax, I'll take care of the dishes when I get back."
"Okay, I guess." She rinses the pot, and drains the water in the sink.
The group makes their way out of the Village passing the larger, more popular hot springs. A smaller, more modest dwelling comes into view not far in the distance.
"With this being a new place, and the business still having only one spring," Shino begins to speak, not looking at anyone, "in the hopes of preserving the modesty of all the guests special wraps are provided to be worn while in the spring."
"So, Naruto, no peeking!" Kiba teases, wagging his finger in a scolding manner.
They arrived at the bathhouse not long after that. The small building is tastefully decorated, with a welcoming staff, and most notably it is quite – something none of the other establishments can boast.
A dark-haired woman dressed in a floral kimono greets the group cheerfully.
"Welcome Konohagakure Oasis." The woman stands from behind a counter "The men's bath is through here," the woman motions to deep purple curtains draping the entrance to her left, "while our lady here will be on my right. Please enjoy your visit"
Steam could be seen gently curling out from under the curtains, the smell of fresh jasmine and sage lingering in the air. Everything around them was polished and clean, unused and new.
"If business picks up this place should really make a killing," Kiba said as he parts the curtain.
"See ya in there Hinata," Naruto smiles at her. She nods, still upset, and walks into the women's bathing area.
The bathing room was large enough to accommodate five to six people, Naruto suspected.
This would be great for after missions if they stay this empty, he thinks to himself, making his way over to the seated areas.
"So, Uzumaki care to elaborate why Hinata is upset with you? Skimp on the details though would ya she's kinda like my sister," Kiba says, digging for information.
"Oh well…" Naruto looks around trying to find a way out of this conversation.
Great, a guy who could sic his giant dog on me wants to hear about Hinata's and my relationship…he's gonna kill me.
"Come on spit it out Uzumaki, you and I both know that you couldn't make Hinata do something she didn't want to do so it's not like I'm gonna pummel you for taking advantage of her." Kiba looks over with a grin.
"Hmmm," Naruto lets out a sigh of relief.
"I however have no need to hear this." Shino wraps himself in a towel which seems to have elastic sewn into the top to hold it up while in the spring, and leaves through a smaller curtain covered exit.
"I don't think it's the mark Kiba, ya know." Naruto starts looking down at his hands. "I think I went a bit too far. We didn't umm ya know," he looks over at the other shinobi to make sure he understood.
Kiba nods his head motioning for Naruto to continue.
"Kiba, why do you want to know this?" Naruto asks, pausing his story.
"To be honest, like I said Hinata is like a sister to me. I have Hana, my actual sister, but Hinata and Shino are my partners and Kurenai–sensei taught us that your team is as good as family. And with that being said I know her pretty well so I may be able to help you out with her being upset." Kiba stands, wrapping himself in one of the special towels.
"Now you've made this really awkward to say." Naruto grumbles, grabbing a towel of his own.
"Just spit it out, Uzumaki I already promised I wouldn't hit you."
"Ya know she's going to be even more mad at me if she finds out I'm talking about our, um, sex life" Naruto takes a deep breath, as Kiba rolls his eyes. "I well, I um, well I fingered her and thought it went really well and I guess not cause now she's upset with me" Feeling heat crawl up the back of his neck.
"Now that I doubt." Kiba twirls the small start of his goatee. "What happened after?"
"I told her I was glad I was the one to have all her first, and how I couldn't wait to well um, be the first one to make love to her." Naruto, the blush making its way across his face, at the mention of sex with Hinata. "Then she asked me if I had ever, then you guys knocked on the door." Naruto seems confused.
"Did you answer?"
"Yeah I told her I was a man and it was in my nature."
"See there's your problem right there." Kiba chuckles slightly "You didn't clarify. I'm betting Hinata thinks that you've had sex, and seeing as she's your first girlfriend it woulda been some tramp you met on the road most likely."
"Fuck," Naruto mumbles. "Why do women have to be so complicated?"
"Why do you think I'm not dating anyone?" Kiba laughs as he steps out into the spring.
"Cause you can't get someone to agree to it." Naruto laughs, dodding the wet cloth Kiba throws after him.
Damn it. I didn't even think about it that way, I thought she was asking if I had ever masturbated. Naruto blushes at the thought. Hell I'm 19 of course I have, but no way I would just throw something as important as sex away on someone I didn't care about…. someone who isn't Hinata, he thinks, parting the curtain.
While the men's towels are only big enough to cover from their waist to right above their knees, Hinata's huged right above her breasts, falling to the same length. She has pulled her long hair away from her face and up into a haphazard bun, a blush from the heat covering her skin.
"Where's Shino?" Hinata asked, looking around as she entered the spring. Kiba points towards the far corner where the shinobis glasses could be seen poking out of the water.
"Typical." Hinata shakes her head.
"So, is your family having their annual New Year's bash?" Kiba asks, relaxing against the wall.
"Yep, some of them have been running around for days making sure everything is perfect. Sure, you don't want to ditch your fun family and come?" She smiles broadly at Kiba.
"Nah, I'll take a bonfire up in the mountains over spending time with your strict dad any day." Kiba playfully flicks water at her. "What about you Naruto?"
"Oh, well, uummm. Normally I just watch the village fireworks from my apartment's balcony but since I don't have that anymore, I'm not sure. Probably just turn in early I guess." Hinata's face falls as he finishes.
"Naruto-kun, you could come to the compound if you want. I mean it normally isn't any fun just my father and the council talking over the year, but there are fireworks and pretty good food." Hinata offers, swallowing her pride.
"If you'd have me I would really like to come." Naruto reaches a hand out to her, but she moves away pretending not to notice his gestures. Frowning, Naruto moves to lean against the wall, closing his eyes. The warm water combined with the quiet atmosphere Naruot feels sleep overcoming him.
"Is he asleep?" Hinata asks Kiba a few minutes later.
"Yeah, I've heard Sakura talk about him sleeping before and apparently he has a knack for falling asleep and staying asleep anywhere." Kiba moves to sit next to her. "Anything you want to talk about?"
"Would you think less of a girl if she let you do things to her?" Hinata asks, looking down at the water.
"What do you mean?"
"Physical things Kiba, intimate physical things." She looks up at one of the men she knows she could depend on no matter the situation.
"Well, I mean, if I was in a committed relationship with someone I cared about I wouldn't think any less of her. That's part of a relationship."
"Even if you had just started dating?" she asks.
"Hinata, you love him. Hell, you've loved him for as long as I've known you. And yeah it took him some time, more than it should have, but he's Naruto and he's dense. But he loves you too, he made us all realize that last night." Smirking at Hinata before continuing. "When he asks to talk to you later let him, he means well." Kiba stands.
"My mom always said something I normally found embarrassing, but, a couple must learn to care for each other in and out of the bedroom well, living room in your case" He winks at the shocked girl at his side "Now let's get him out of here before he drowns, I couldn't deal with you if he died." Kiba picks up the bucket from the side of the springs, filling it and flinging the water at Naruto.
"The hell!" Naruto jumps out of the spring, his calves colliding with the shallow wall behind him, stumbling and falling on his ass.
Hinata throws her hands up to her mouth, trying to contain her laughter while Kiba openly roars, bent over shaking with mirth. Even Shino who had left the spring earlier but was still relaxing in the hot steam outside gave an out of character laugh.
"You guys are assholes, what a way to wake a guy up." Naruto glares at the pair still in the water.
"Ah come on Naruto no need to call your girlfriend names," Kiba manages between laughs. "You shoulda seen your face."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah alright. I'm going to go get dressed." Naruto makes his way back to the changing room.
As they return to Konoha they part ways with Kiba and Shino.
"Hey, Hinata" Naruto asks shyly "you want to come get some tea with me? So, we can talk."
"Naruto, I really do need to be getting home to help my father prepare for New Year's." Hinata says, hesitantly.
"Please, I understand that you're mad at me but I need to explain." His voice grows in confidence.
Hinata pauses, turning to him. Those large blue hopeful eyes she fell in love with stare back at her, and she can't bring herself to turn down his invitation.
"Fine." A slight bitterness still coating her voice as she makes her way towards the teahouse she would frequent with Sakura.
Oh great. Hinata thinks to herself. Those lovely girls. Her inner monolog much more sarcastic than her normal speech.
"Naruto-senpai!" A group of girls' wave at them from the other side of the café. "Senpai come sit with us!" One of the girls stands, motioning for Naruto to join.
"I already have company but thank you." Naruto motions to Hinata with his free hand.
"She can come too." The girl reluctantly replies.
"She and I," Naruto picks up his tea, stepping out from behind the counter to reveal their linked hands, "are going to sit over there, but again thank you."
"Was it one of them?" Hinata asked, sitting and casually sipping her tea, trying to hide her nervousness.
"What do you mean, Hinata?" Naruto replies, confusion coating his voice.
"I asked you if you had ever, um, ya know and you said yes so I could only assume it was with one of the girls who constantly throws themselves at you around the village." Hinata says coolly, letting her jealousy show and raising her voice slightly.
"Whoa, Hinata, I wanted to have this conversation calmly." Naruto reaches out for her hand as she pulls them back placing both under the table. "I think we've had a giant misunderstanding."
"Excuse me?" Hinata reverts to confusion.
"I was hoping you would have tea and I could convince you to come back home with me so we could speak in private." Naruto lowers his voice hoping the girls across the shop will not hear. "Hinata, I know I can be dense, hell Sakura tells me that enough, but I'm not dumb enough to throw away something like sex on someone like those girls over there." He nods his head slightly in their direction "I thought you were asking if I had ever masturbated okay?"
"Oh." Her face turned red in embarrassment from jumping to such a harsh accusation. "I just thought with you gone for so long and with your sensei being ya know…" she trails off.
"Hey, while Jiraiya may have been the biggest pervert around, but he at least taught me not to throw away something like that so casually. Now will you let me at least walk you home if you're still mad?"
"I'm not mad, I am sorry though, that I treated you in such a manner." Hinata looks down, ashamed.
"We just need to get better at talking, ya know? We're new at all of this. It's gonna take some time to learn how to read each other better." He stands, ready to leave.
The pair walked in silence down the road, drawing closer to the Hyuga compound.
"Kiba said something today, while you napped, that made me think." Hinata wraps her arm around Naruto's waist as he drapes his over her shoulders.
"What would that be?" Naruto replies curiously.
"That couples must learn to take care of each other both in and out of the bedroom. I want to learn how to do that before we go further than this morning. I want to know your likes and dislikes, the little details that make you special. I think if I knew those things about you and you, I wouldn't feel the way I did after."
"Hhhmmm." Naruto pauses outside the compound door. "If that's what you want, if that's what you need to make us closer to one another then I'm game." A broad smile covers his face. "I'll be training with Konohamaru tomorrow or the next day; why don't you come and watch and we could maybe work on a couple things for you?"
"We've never trained together, that would be fun!"
"So about New Year's there isn't anything special I have to wear or bring? I've never been to a thing like this." Naruto follows her into the courtyard, where workers can be seen clearing snow from benches and the fountain in the center.
"Father likes to be formal so robes would be appreciated and guests typically bring a small dish, nothing too big or fancy. We'll have plenty so don't worry about that too much."
"And you're sure if your father won't mind?" he asks, engrossed in the conversation and not noticing the footsteps behind him.
"I won't mind what?" Hinata's father steps into the light of the courtyard. "I thought I heard voices coming from here"
"Oh, hello father. I invited Naruto-kun to the New Year's celebration, if that's fine with you," Hinata quickly informs her father.
"Hhhmm." Lord Hyuga walks to the other side of the courtyard. "The council has spoken with me about how as a couple you two would need to make a public appearance, so yes I do believe that will be just fine."
"Thank you Lord Hyuga, I appreciate your hospitality." Naruto bows slightly to his girlfriend's father.
"Yes, yes." A slight smile comes to the older man's face. "Well I must check on the progress of the guest meals, seeing as we'll need another."
"Well I have some robes to buy I guess, I'll see ya tomorrow for training, right?"
"Definitely." Hinata smiles up at him.
"Bye now, love." Naruto kisses her on the forehead, an appropriate gesture as he had the feeling her father may still be watching.
"Bye." She bids him, smiling at his use of a pet name.