Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Author's Notes: First let me say how very sorry I am that I have not updated in so long. Life has a way of taking control and running away with my time. I'm trying to get that time back little by little. I did not want to post the next chapter until I was reasonably sure I would be able to update more regularly. For all of you who have stuck with me and The Mission thank you so much and I hope you enjoy! As always please let me know what you think, reviews are greatly appreciated even if you have some constructive criticism!
~Luna
Hinata had just returned to her room after meeting with her father, a discussion that had included clan business and her role in her current mission when there was a knock on her door. She hurried to open the door and let in the kunoichi waiting in the hall. Ino stood, arms full of garment bags and looking quite pleased with herself. Hinata reached out and gathered some of the bags from the other kunoichi as she greeted her with a smile of her own. "Ino-chan! Please come in, thank you for bringing the clothes."
As soon as the clothes were dropped on Hinata's futon and the table or floor Ino turned and wrapped her arm around Hinata's shoulders in a quick familiar squeeze. "You're welcome Hina-chan! I got a quick summary of your mission from Shizune-san. How is it going? How are you managing?" "It's going surprisingly well. Naruto-kun and I are settling into a familiarity of sorts quicker than I thought we would." Hinata returned the squeeze around Ino's waist then stepped away to begin unpacking the clothes and examining what she would be required to wear for the foreseeable future. Ino stopped her half way to her goal however and smiling wickedly said "Oh please let me. You just sit down there and take them in." A shiver slid down Hinata's back and she closed her eyes for a brief second longer than usual before taking a seat and a breath and letting her friend open the first bag.
The following hours were full of blushes, groans, sighs and aborted giggles on the parts of both young women. When it was over Hinata had a smile on her face and a fluttery feeling in her stomach. "This will definitely be a change to what he has seen me in, in the past" she managed to say as she caught her breath and took a quick sip of the tea that had been brought to them shortly after Ino's arrival. It was cold now but still flavourful and she enjoyed the refreshing coolness as it slide down her laugh roughened throat. "That's a guarantee, he won't know what hit him" Ino confirmed moving to sit next to Hinata and sip her own cool tea. "When will you meet him next?" "We need to meet each day, spend the full day 'training' and preparing. We will meet tomorrow at Ichiraku." Hinata let the color that rose in her face come and go and did not look at Ino. Their friendship had developed because it was needed for the missions they often performed together but the depth and continued connection remained because they had come to like and care for each other. Hinata would never have expected to get so close with Ino before the missions but now couldn't imagine what life would have been or would be like without the pale haired kunoichi.
Ino made a small noise in her throat and then reached out to touch Hinata's hand. "I think you should wear something other than your normal training clothes when you go tomorrow. Not necessarily something that you have for the mission" she hurried to clarify as Hinata tensed. "Just something you have already, maybe one of those soft dresses we picked up in the capital while on the mission six months ago. They were so pretty and they really bring out your eyes. You could surprise him." The wicked gleam was back in her eyes and Hinata shook her head just a little at her impish friend. "We did not agree to wear civilian clothes tomorrow I would feel over dressed, and he might feel uncomfortable" Hinata managed to say, but Ino waved it away with an elegant hand and rose to move to Hinata's small closet. "Send him a note tonight and he'll be all set, it ruins the surprise but then you won't have to worry. And really Hina you need to get used to wearing the civies around him, and to seeing him in his."
"I know. We've discussed the need but…." Hinata trailed off as Ino pulled a soft cotton sun dress out of her closet. It was deep blue and had been embroidered with pale blue and white flowers around the hem. Vines and leaves crawled up the length to the waist. When she wore it, the vines, leaves and flowers would appear to climb and slide over the fabric when she moved. The sweetheart neckline and inch wide shoulder straps were modest but feminine and a light blue long sleeved jacket would complete the look. Hinata let herself imagine wearing it to meet Naruto, let her apprehension slide through and out of her before moving to her desk to pen him a quick letter which she then gave to the hawk waiting quietly on the perch by her window. She stroked the predator's feathers and offered him a treat before sliding the window open and with a light touch of chakra to show him where to go sent him on his way.
"Alright" she said as she turned, "how should I do my hair and are the dark blue flats ok?" Ino's smile lit her face and made her look even more beautiful. "I'll show how to do the wrapped braid, your hair is long enough now and the flats should be fine. You'll be more comfortable that way and you can save the heels for another time to really throw him." Ino winked and Hinata flushed but smiled back and moved to sit in front of the small vanity so that Ino could show her how to do her hair.
Hinata stood outside Ichiraku waiting for Naruto, just past eleven and he was still nowhere to be seen. She tried not to fidget as villagers passed, some glancing at her and smiling. She knew that they were not used to seeing her in clothes other than formal kimono or her training clothes. As time passed and the sun rose higher Hinata moved further into the shade of the ramen stand. This late in summer the heat was more subdued but the dark color of the dress made her feel warm. Skin prickling and emotions rocking between exasperation and nervousness she tried to determine if she should wait longer or go and search for the absent blonde shinobi. The choice was taken from her a few minutes later.
"Hinata-chan!" the yell rang out from down the street and Hinata's head whipped around in the direction of Naruto's voice to see him hurrying down the street to her. He was dressed simply in blue jeans and a loose t-shirt, blonde hair hanging in spikes over his forehead without the customary protector. She resisted the urge to reach out and brush it back. The shirt was swaying around him, a frog printed on the front and she couldn't help but smile. He was instantly forgiven. "I'm so sorry Hinata! I ran into Shikamaru on the way here and he needed to talk to me about something. I tried to make it quick but lost track of time." Naruto rushed the words out as he slid to a stop in front of her a small plume of dust rising about his feet. Sheepishly rubbing the back of his head and foxy grin in place he waited for her verdict.
"That's alright Naruto-kun. I understand." Hinata moved out of the shade to stand closer to him. "Are you hungry?" Naruto chuckled before answering, "When am I not? Let's eat!" Apology accepted and forgiveness given she watched as the foxy grin dropped and the squinted eyes opened fully. Naruto took in her appearance and he smiled a gentler smile before reaching past her to open the hanging flaps of the shop so she could pass under without ducking. She returned the smile and saying a quiet "Thank you" turned to enter the shop. She tried not to let the lack of reaction to her change of appearance bother her.
Naruto followed her in, close enough she could feel the heat of his body against her back. She moved quickly to a stool and took a seat. Ayame smiled from behind the counter as Naruto joined her. She looked from Hinata to Naruto a couple times before asking for their order. Naruto replied simply with "The usual Ayame-san, Thanks!" and Hinata ordered the daily special. Minutes later bowls were placed in front of them and they hadn't said another word to each other. Hinata cringed internally and tried to think of something to discuss other than the mission. When she came up blank she turned to look at Naruto to find that the silence had not bothered him at all. He was happily slurping noodles and smiling up at Ayame as she chatted with him about his last visit. Hinata turned back and again felt the discomfort of how awkward she always was with him. The slight ease that they had gained since the battle with Pein was diminished, at least on her part, from the necessity of being forced so physically close to him for the mission. She ate quietly, mind musing on the times she'd spent with him. The training they had already completed, which did not amount to much and the distance they still had to go before they would be able to realistically convince Tsubasa that they were intimate. Frowning slightly she missed Naruto speaking to her until she felt his warm hand land on her arm. She did not jump but it was close. Blinking out of her reverie she turned to him with an apologetic smile and said "I'm sorry Naruto-kun, I did not hear you".
Naruto nodded without upset and smiled back. "I asked if you had finished, you haven't taken a bite for awhile and I was wondering if you were ready to head out and continue our training?" Hinata looked back to her bowl which was still half full and set her chopsticks next to the spoon by her bowl. Turning back she nodded to him "I am finished actually." She turned to Ayame and after thanking her and paying for her ramen stood from her stood. She waited patiently as Naruto paid for his and then stepped out of the stall after he once again lifted the flaps for her. After they had both exited the stall she felt Naruto's hand land on her upper back before sliding down her spine to her rest on her lower back. She felt goose bumps rise on her arms and was grateful for the long sleeves of the jacket. The hand disappeared after he'd led her through the few people who had been immediately outside the stall. Then without saying anything they both turned to head to the same training ground of the day before.
Hinata waited until they were standing by the tree they had rested against the day before then took a deep breath and looked up at Naruto's face. "I am worried that we will not be able to convince Tsubasa that we are a couple. We don't have enough time to become comfortable with each other. We still have so much to do and…." She trailed off as his face changed. Naruto looked upset in a way that confused her. He seemed almost hurt. "You don't feel comfortable with me?" He asked when she fell quiet. "It's not that, really. It's just that we have to be able to touch" she released the breath that was half caught in her chest and finished " and kiss, be intimate in the most extreme way and I trust you completely but this might be moving too slowly." As the last word left her lips she wished she could take it back. She could see the wheels turning in his mind, eyes and expression lightening as he let go of the small hurt her earlier words has caused. "So we just need to move quicker?" he asked with a nod, almost as if he were answering his own question. "Yes?" she answered anyway, but it came out as more of a question and the exchange had her shaking her head and taking a seat on her hip, knees to her side and skirt draped to cover her legs completely. Naruto joined her sitting close. "We got pretty comfortable with just touching yesterday, being close, right?" he asked as he settled. She nodded, they had but it was still so new.
A quiet fell between them again and Hinata struggled not to feel off balance. She was the one with more experience in this type of mission and yet she found herself floundering. Her feelings were getting the better of her. The determination with which she had entered, the vow to put her feelings for the man next her aside was still there but she had loved him for the better part of most of her life. She reached up to rub her left temple and then felt a light touch at her right. Naruto's fingers slid along her hairline and the his other hand covered her own at her temple. He drew her hand away and then rubbed both sides for her. She sighed and willed her mind to settle, her muscles to relax. Closing her eyes she focused on the sensation of his fingers on her skin. When he slid them down to her cheeks and then along her jaw line and her neck she held still for him and simply felt.
"You look really nice Hinata-chan." When Naruto spoke minutes later, his voice was quiet. Words floating through the air and sliding along her skin. She felt heat begin to rise, in her cheeks and elsewhere. Her eyes came open, head tilted down as his fingers continued to work along her neck finding the tension and easing the muscles. As Hinata looked down at the grass and the fabric of his jeans as he sat in front of her she wished she had not braided her hair to wrap around the crown of her head and hang off the one side of her shoulder. There was nothing for her to hide her reaction behind and she desperately wanted to hide it. "I meant to tell you earlier but I was trying to get used to it first. You don't wear dresses, at least not that I've seen and you look good in them." Naruto continued and she felt her cheeks redden more. "Um, arigato Naruto-kun. You look very nice as well." She replied because she had to say something, it would be rude not too. He snorted, loudly, and just like that the small spell that had woven around them was gone. "I'm in jeans and an oversized old t-shirt Ero-senin gave me when I was 12. You are wearing a dress that, well it makes me feel a little under dressed to be honest" he was smiling and his fingers had fallen from her neck. Hinata's head rose quickly, not quite a jerk but close. Eyes wide with regret she replied "Oh no! I'm so sorry Naruto-kun. That was not my intention. It was Ino's idea that we wear civilian clothing today and I should have gone with my first instinct and said no." "No, no, it's fine. I like seeing you this way" he said quickly, obviously trying to make her feel better about making him feel better. She blinked and was utterly lost for what to say next. Then Naruto laughed, a small snicker at first and then a full on laugh and Hinata found herself smiling and laughing quietly along.
"So more touching practice?" Naruto asked after they had quieted. Hinata nodded and head tilting she reached up with a small smile "My turn" she said repeating his words from the first day. Naruto blinked smile still in place and nodded his head, leaning toward her just slightly. Her fingers brushed along his forehead and the tips of his hair starting in the center and then sliding down and along the sides of his face. She could feel the start of the growth of his beard, a prickling just barely sensed by her fingertips. Traveling down his chin and then his neck, she slid her hands towards the back of his neck and without giving him much warning leaned in. Shifting to her knees she let her arms continue to slide along his shoulders until her face was next to his. The just there stubble on his cheek tickled the skin of her own. Folding her arms around him she let one hand rest along his upper back and the other come to rest on the nape of his neck the ends of his hair tickling her skin. She stilled then, embracing him and waiting to see what he would do.
Instead of tensing as she'd half expected, he relaxed into the embrace and raised his arms to circle around her back. His arms were heavily muscled and felt good. His fingertips ended up brushing her ribcage on either side as he shifted to his knees as well. They ended up pressed close. Chest to chest and thighs touching, the embrace took on a different feel from her initial innocent intent. She shifted back a little to put some space between them and he let her, and again it struck her that it was her discomfort that was getting in the way. "Is this ok? Are you comfortable?" he asked in her ear. She nodded slightly and closed her eyes.
They remained that way for several minutes before drawing back at the same time. Naruto was smiling slightly and he looked completely comfortable. Hinata tried to return the smile but her body was tingling wherever they had touched and she was unsure if it would look as relaxed as his. As she worked to come up with something to say he surprised her by reaching out and running his hand over her hair following the braid to the end. Then he looked up and catching her eyes he asked softly "Can I take it out?" Hinata nodded and watched as he pulled the small band free from the end before working his fingers through the length, separating the stranding and drifting them over her shoulders. Again goose bumps worked over her skin as he massaged her scalp after the braid was out. Her hair was wavy from the braid and she waited for him to stop playing with her hair, but he didn't. "It's really soft" he remarked, eyes following his fingers. She nodded dumbly and let her eyes fall shut. It occurred to her that he was the one leading the training this time. Hinata could admit that she was comfortable with that, she trusted him explicitly and was actually interested to see where he would lead them next.
A minute later she felt the lightest brush of his fingers over her cheek and then down her neck, sliding behind and into her hair. With a little pressure he drew her forward and her heart picked up its pace just a little. Then jack hammered behind her sternum when she felt his lips slide along her cheek. Eyes shooting open she blinked dumbly at the side of his face. When he leaned back she tried to gather her composure. Naruto smiled at her, foxy grin and all and she smiled back on impulse. "There, not so bad right?" he asked, "We'll be fine Hinata-chan. We can be ready in time." She nodded, thinking that she never should have doubted Naruto's ability to do the impossible. "We should talk more about our back story" she said quietly and he drew farther back then moved to lean back against the tree much as he had been the day before. Opening his arms he smiled and waited and she moved to join him.