Hunter Naruto Uzumaki sighed happily as he landed his jumpship in the hanger on the Last City, he was dead tired from the battle in the Black Garden on Mars and all he wanted to do was get out of his armor and take a shower and sleep for maybe a solid week.
The blonde goes to his quarters, strips down and showers.
After showering Naruto cleaned his armor and redressed before going to meet with Zavala, Ikora, and Cayde-6.
"There he is, First you defeat Oryx and now you take down the old God in the Black Garden, you are great for me. So much bounty and Glimmer was taken from that throwdown." Cayde-6 said.
"You have done a great service to not only The Queen and The Reef, but also to the Vanguard and the City." Zavala said.
"Guardian, The Speaker has asked for you." Ikora informs Lara.
"I am on my way, Ikora."
"Go with the light." Ikora said.
Naruto goes to see The Speaker.
"I am here as requested, Speaker." Naruto said.
"Your notoriety is growing, Guardian. You're most recent victory in The Black Garden has drawn the praise of many across the system. You are the hope of many." The Speaker says.
"I am happy to lend my strength to help the innocent." Naruto replied."
"Spoken like a true Guardian." said The Speaker.
Four days later...
Naruto is speaking to Cayde-6 when he received a message directly from The Queen of The Reef.
"Yes, Your Grace, what do you desire of me?" Naruto asked.
"Your presence is requested for a banquet, Guardian to celebrate your victory in The Black Garden." Hinata informed the blonde.
"I understand Your Grace, I will be on the outpost as soon as possible." he replies.
"Excellent, I will eagerly await your arrival, Guardian." Hinata said before ending the communication.
"So, you've been invited to dine with the Queen of The Reef, looks like she's really taken a shine to you, Naruto." Ghost said.
"Hush Ghost, I don't need you making me more nervous than I already am." Naruto said with a heavy sigh.
Naruto removed his hood as he entered the Reef's Throne Room to meet with the Queen of the Reef, Hinata Hyuuga.
"I am here as requested, Your Grace." The Hunter says before bowing respectfully.
Hinata smiled and nods.
"Punctual and respectful as always, Guardian." Hinata replied.
"What do you require of me, Your Grace?" The blonde asked.
"I have been informed of a theft of a pair of gauntlets known as the Gauntlets of Relentless Bloodlust that are irreplaceable to The Awoken."
"I understand, Your Grace. Do you know how the gauntlets were stolen?" Naruto asked.
"No, I do not, Guardian. I do know that the Hive have them on the Moon in the Temple of Oryx."
"Say no more, Your Grace. I will gladly retrieve the Gauntlets of Relentless Bloodlust for you."
"I thank you Guardian, I have faith in your abilities." Hinata said.
"It is my honor and privilege to be in your presence and service, Your Grace." Naruto said before bowing.
"Your Grace, I have recently acquired a name." Naruto said respectfully.
"Interesting, I would like to know the name that you have chosen for yourself." Hinata states.
"The name I have chosen is Naruto Uzumaki." Naruto says to Hinata.
"It is a beautiful name, Naruto. I shall enjoy using it."
Naruto smiled at Hinata.
"Thank you for your kind words, Your Grace." Naruto said.
"You may retire to your quarters, Naruto Uzumaki."
"Your Grace." Naruto said before leaving the Throne Room.
Naruto is escorted to his quarters by a female Awoken guard.
"Clothing has been provided for you, Naruto Uzumaki. the guard said before leaving Naruto alone.
Naruto opened the closet and looked over the selection of suits and shoes, he took off his armor before taking a red suit down, Naruto found the wing tips that matched the suit, Naruto then secured his knife's holster on his left thigh (Just in case). Finally, Naruto put on the pair of red gloves to complete his ensemble.
Naruto smiled at his reflection in the full length mirror, he hoped that Hinata would like his ensemble.
Just then there was a knock on the door.
"Yes, who is it?"
"Petra, Her Grace has instructed me to escort you to the Banquet Hall." Petra says from the other side of the door.
Naruto took a calming breath before opening the door.
"You look devastatingly handsome, Naruto. I envy The Queen tonight." Petra says, causing Naruto to blush.
As the pair walked down the corridor towards the Ball Room Petra explained about some of the Awoken dignitaries that would be at the banquet.
"Counselor Vamna Cus will undoubtedly be in attendance shamefully attempting to push her daughter Lin Jun on Prince Neji."
Petra and Naruto approached the elegantly decorated doors of the dining hall, the two royal guards greeted Petra and Naruto and allowed them to enter the expansive hall.
Soft music filled Naruto's ears as he and Petra made their way across the huge room, gathering stares and surprised looks from everyone that they passed, thanks to Naruto's finely tuned hearing she could even hear some of the whispers of the beings that he and Petra passed. And some of what they were saying about the human was unflattering to say the least.
Petra and Naruto finally spot Hinata and Prince Neji talking to another pair of Awoken, two females.
"That is Counselor Vamna Cus and her daughter Lin Jun, Naruto." Petra whispers as Hinata glances over at the approaching pair, her pale eyes lighting up with joy at seeing Naruto in person again.
"Excuse me Counselor, Lin Jun, Cousin." Hinata says before walking over to Petra and Naruto, who kneel respectfully to Hinata.
"Your Grace, I am here at your humble request." Naruto says.
"You may rise." Hinata says, both Naruto and Petra rise to their feet. Seeing Naruto dressed so elegantly, but still holding his warrior pride made the Queen happy beyond measure, Hinata held out her arm to Naruto, the blonde wordlessly loops his right arm with Hinata's left.
"I shall return to my duties, Your Grace." Petra says.
"Very well Petra, you may go." Hinata replied.
"So Naruto, has your life taken any other eventful turns since last we spoke?" Hinata asks as they walked to a small group of tables.
"No, Your Grace, I am honored that you have taken such an interest in me." Naruto says.
Hinata stops walking, causing Naruto to stop as well.
"Oh my dear Hunter, I plan to show you that I am way more than interested in you." the lavender haired Awoken says in a low, seductive tone that made Naruto shudder nervously.
She put both her hands on Naruto's face and leaned forward to kiss him. Unbeknownst to himself, Naruto started to moan as Hinata held his face in her hands like a delicate flower whose petals she was sucking moisture off, kissing him softly, lovingly. Hinata didn't care if she was under anyone's gaze anymore, didn't care that she would fall for Naruto there and then and then she would break his heart. The kiss blew her thoughts to smithereens, shutting down her brain, until she was nothing but silly putty in Naruto's hands – a lump of skin and bones and lips and saliva, moaning as she held his face like he was hers and only hers.
All eyes were now firmly planted on Hinata and Naruto as they broke the kiss, Hinata smiled at the blonde that she still held onto.
"It seems as though we have attracted everyone's attention, dear Naruto." Hinata says with a wry smile.
"I believe that you may be right, Your Grace." the blonde answers with a smile of his own.
After the meal was served and Naruto and Hinata danced, they retired to the balcony.
"Naruto, I am very happy that you indulged my petty request for your company, but I have not been completely honest with you." Hinata says, looking down shamefully.
"Your Grace, it matters not whether or not your intentions for having me here were true or not, your slightest word demands my obedience." Naruto says.
"Your sense of honor continues to astound me, Naruto Uzumaki." she says before kissing the blonde lightly on his left cheek.
Then, she sighed heavily.
"But, I feel as though I owe you the truth." the Queen says.
"And what is that, Your Grace?" inquired Naruto.
"Vamna Cus and my Cousin, Prince Neji wish me dead. Please Naruto Uzumaki, you must protect me." Hinata said, her voice now full of fear and anxiety.
