Author Notes: Hey, it seems like I got my own in-between chapters narration. That's so totally cool ;-)
So, regarding the following chapter: so many twists and turns. I wonder if you will be surprised by them the way I was. Yes, seriously, I hadn't planned most of them. I was simply writing and when I was finished were there these things and twists and I really wondered how my brain came up with them - and how to work with them ongoing.
And with this chapter down on the paper am I going to try to increase the speed slightly. Getting Hinata in her new role is my top target right now, but I'll try to work it out that it doesn't seem rushed or anything.
I know, not really convincing once you read this chapter, but well... I have fun while writing it and will allow my brain to come up with things. Might become tricky tying the loose ends together along the road, but whatever *shrugs*
Lastly am I totally sorry. It somehow seems like I have a talent to start events and create cliffhangers with them right away. But hey, since I try to post a chapter weekly is the waiting time for solving them not too bad, right?
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A Tale of Two Sisters – Chapter 6: Rumours
"Finally it's over. I so hate detention. Never again." Hanabi stretched herself while leaving the Academy. She understood the reasons why they had to go to detention in the first place, but that doesn't mean that she liked it. "I will never again do something that will give me these sessions. They are even more boring than the normal classes..."
"I don't know, it wasn't too bad. Sure, it cut off several hours of free time, but all considered..." Naruto shrugged. "Could have been worse. Remember, the boy gang got banned for three years. Sure, they deserved it. But what is one week of detention compared to that?"
"Yeah, I know... I still don't like it, okay? Anyway, now that we are done with it, what are we going to do? We have two free days as well now. Any plans?" Hanabi asked while looking at Naruto, who started thinking.
"Uhm... how about we go celebrate the successful mission?" Hinata asked, looking at both of them. "We hadn't time for that because of the detention, so why don't we go now?"
"Sounds like a good idea to me. I haven't spent any of the money at all yet, so what do you say we go eat something to celebrate? My treat." Naruto smiled brightly at both girls. "And after that we could hang out in my apartment, relaxing for the rest of the day and making plans for the free days. What do you say?"
Hinata looked at Hanabi with a questioning expression who in return smiled at her sister. "Yeah, that's a good plan. We accept your invitation!" Hanabi answered for both of them. "Though... have you found a place yet that is willing to serve you food? I guess it would be easier if we would go to buy some groceries and make something ourself..." Hanabi pondered to herself.
It became routine that the girls would go and buy stuff for Naruto the last two years cause due to the way he is treated inside the village couldn't he get anything by himself. They also tried to eat at different places, but each time were the reactions the same. They declined to serve Naruto and insulted even the girls for being with him.
Naruto grinned at Hanabi and nodded. "Yeah, I found a place. They are pretty cheap and serve the best ramen I ever ate!" his expression kinda changed into a dreamy one, remembering the tasty food. For some reason felt both girls uneasy right now.
"Uhm, yeah... sure... I guess you would say that about everything if they would serve something different, simply because it's the first location to serve you something. And what was that about cheap? You want to treat us to cheap food?" Hanabi had an evil smirk on her face and Naruo sweat dropped at that, while Hinata simply sighed.
"Hanabi..." Hinata quietly said. "You are mean to Naruto-kun again." Both Naruto and Hanabi couldn't help but laughing at that. That was something that became pretty much normal between them. Hanabi commenting about Naruto and the things he said or did in a bad way and Hinata telling her to stop that. It was kinda a game to them. On one side did they enjoyed Hinata's reaction, on the other side was this one way to help her further away from her shyness.
"Common sis..." Hanabi pouted playfully. "I was only teasing him. Well, partially." she giggled. "The part about the cheap food was serious." Naruto looked at her a bit surprised before Hanabi stuck her tounge out in Naruto's direction, resulting in a frown of him.
"You know, your sarcastic humour is really something. I can't tell if you are serious or not at all." Naruto stated smiling. "Anyway, we should get going. Don't want you to starve out here." he grinned, hearing a stomach grumbling. If Hinata's blush was any indication was it hers, but he didn't commented on that. Getting a nod from Hanabi did he lead the way to the location he told them about.
They were chatting about random topics on their way, when they suddenly heard someone shouting. "HEY! Wait up you three!" it was Ino's voice, so they stopped and turned around, waiting for the girl. They could see her running in their direction, stopping in front of them while panting hard.
"Finally... catched you..." she said between deep breaths. "I wanted to pick you up after detention but you were gone already..." she had a slightly worrying tone in her voice while still trying to catch her breath.
"What's the matter, Ino?" Hanabi asked slightly worried. "Did something happen? I never saw you that irritated before." Ino nodded at that, still trying to get air back into her lung. She so needed to train a bit on her stamina was her thought while recovering.
"We were just going to get something to eat. Why don't you come along and tell us what happened?" Naruto suggested. Both Hanabi and Hinata smiled at that. They wouldn't mind having Ino's company as well.
Ino, finally having enough air answered. "Uhm, sure... guess that will work. Where are we going?" she knew as good as everybody that Naruto wasn't served anywhere, so she wondered about that.
Naruto just smiled back at her. "You will see. I recently stumbled upon that place. The food is good and cheap and they do serve me, believe it!" he somehow got overexcited to show the girls that place.
Hinata got a bit closer to Ino, whispering into her ear. "He hasn't told us either. He's making a big secret of that. But we will see soon I guess." she smiled slightly and Ino nodded, following the group toward whichever place Naruto had in mind.
"Uhm... that's it? It looks... well..." Hanabi pondered, checking out the object in front of them. It was basicly just a small stall on the street. There were a few seats in front of a counter but the interior was partially covered by some curtains. She had to admit that it smelled quite good from inside, but the looks were pretty plain.
"Remember Hanabi... he said it were cheap, so..." Hinata added her thoughts as well, getting a nod from Hanabi.
"Well, he did. Guess the rent for that stall isn't too high so they can afford cheap prices." Both of them were a bit sceptical about it, but they trusted Naruto. If he said it would be good...
"HEY! Don't talk like I wouldn't be here!" Naruto was slightly upset that the girls seemed to ignore him. "Besides, don't judge it before trying the food. And I'm inviting you, so please stop complaining."
Hanabi giggled. It was so easy to tease Naruto. "Okay, point taken. Well, let's go inside then. I'm hungry!" she exclaimed, following Naruto together with the other girls. Once past the curtain did they realize that the inside wasn't that much better. It was all pretty simple decorated, but the smell was really good indeed.
"Hey Teuchi, I'm here again!" Naruto happily shouted, gaining the attention of a slightly older man behind the counter. He was wearing a simple chef outfit and seemed to be the only person inside the stall. There were no customers right now and on the other side of the counter was he alone. Once seeing Naruto did he smile at him.
"Oh, hello again Naruto. I see you really can't get enough of my ramen, hmm? And you brought friends this time as well. Mind to introduce me?" Teuchi watched while all four of them took their seats, smiling honestly at all of them.
"Sure thing. That's Hanabi-chan, Hinata-chan and Ino-chan. They are all my classmates but we are friends for a bit longer now." he pointed from girl to girl while talking. "Can we please get 4 bowls of miso ramen? I told them that your ramen is the best and invited them to taste it." he smiled happily at Teuchi who nodded and went right at work, preparing their meals.
"So, Ino, what was it you wanted to talk about? Since we have to wait a little for our meals can you explain it now, right?" Hanabi said, looking towards Ino who nodded.
"Well, okay. You see, during the last week, while you had your detention, did I hear some new rumours. I'm pretty sure that they are just that, but... well..." Ino struggled a bit to find the best words, which surprised everyone. She never had problems talking. "Uhm... these rumours maybe are about you two, Hanabi, Hinata..."
Naruto was raising an eyebrow at that and was simply listening, intrested what Ino had to say. Hinata looked totally confused, thinking what kind of rumours these might be. She wasn't sure if she could handle being talked about behind her back. It was Hanabi who spoke. "About us? What kind of rumours? Don't tell me it's something about the mission record we got... it's not like we had any influence, it was plain random luck."
Ino shook her head and continued. "No, it's not about that. I mean, okay, sure, there is one rumour as well, but that can be ignored if you ask me. There will always be someone marked as the teachers favorite, so everything fine with that." she smiled slightly while Hanabi frowned. "It's way more... extreme... I guess. I'm not sure who came up with it either, but it's spreading fast inside the Academy."
"Ino... stop talking around and get to the point already..." Hanabi said quietly, glaring at Ino who swallowed before nodding.
"Okay, please promise to stay calm... They say that, because she is always following you and doing what you say, well... that Hinata would be your slave, Hanabi." Ino quietly said. "I've really no idea who came up with that and it's kinda stupid. Just because Hinata is shy and all... I mean, we are trying to push her a little since two years, right?"
Hinata blushed crimson red and let her head hang while Hanabi was opening and closing her mouth, but not finding words. Naruto raised an eyebrow at that before speaking. "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. And I'm the one everyone hates without reason... What's wrong with two sisters who get along quite well and spending time together? I'm not having siblings, but that's what I would understand as normal!"
"I know, right? This rumour is so... far away from the truth than possible. I mean, the last record of slavery in Konoha is from the time of the first Hokage. Plus, who would get such a stupid idea as to say that two sisters would enslave each other or something. Especially considering their age. They are as old as us or even younger in Hanabi's case!" Ino entered an argument with Naruto over this rumour while both sisters were still silent.
'That's so stupid. Even if true... who would get such an idea? I don't get it at all... It's not like I would do the things to Hinata that are all described inside the books. We are just going outside together and I'm deciding what to do. But she is shy anyway, so that's totally normal, isn't it?' Hanabi thought to herself, still trying to find words to answer.
Hinata's thoughts weren't as complex as Hanabi's. 'That's so embarassing if everyone is talking about it. They can't know, but a rumour sticks around for a long time...' she wasn't moving either, letting her blushed head still hung.
"Rumours are just that, rumours. Don't get yourself depressed by them. And if they worry you, well, you are still children. Just say that you are playing." Teuchi said smiling, while placing one bowl of ramen if front of everyone, getting their attention. They were all so hard inside the discussion or their own thoughts, that none of them thought about the place they just were.
"Ah, thanks a lot, Teuchi. It looks delicious as usual. Common girls, try it. It's really the best out there!" Naruto stated excited, changing the topic from the rumour to the food in front of them.
Ino was the first to start eating, stopping after her first taste. "Not bad at all. Who would have thought that something that simple could taste that good. And is it really as cheap as Naruto said?" she asked, looking at Teuchi who handed her a menu. Ino had a quick look on it before raising an eyebrow. "Wow, now that really is cheap. Guess I have to spread this information!" her gossip senses activated themselfs by these informations. She just couldn't help her nature.
While Ino was busy with the menu did Hinata start to eat as well. She figured that there was no reason to think about that rumour, cause she wouldn't be able to do something against it anyway. So why not enjoy the meal and the company. "It's delicious. Thanks for the meal, Teuchi-san. And thanks for inviting us, Naruto-kun." she smiled slightly getting smiles from both in return.
Hanabi however was still in thoughts, holding her right forearm with her left hand, digging her fingernails into the burn scar that started slightly above her wrist and covered halfway up to her elbow on the outer side of her arm. This self inflicted pain finally got her out of her thoughts and she started eating as well.
"I don't like that rumour at all..." she was mumbling before having a first taste of the ramen, getting into a little better mood right away. "Mmh, it really is good. Sorry for teasing you about it before, Naruto." she gave him a small smile and he had a bright one for her in return.
"I told you, Hanabi-chan. It's your fault for not believing me. Teuchi is just the best. I'm super happy that I found his ramen stand." he was grinning from ear to ear before finishing his bowl of ramen. "Ah, I could eat these all day!"
Teuchi was watching his young customers with a smile on his face. "Ah, youth, so innocent and so full of feelings for each other. Nothing beats young love." he said more to himself then anybody, but they all could hear it quite well.
Ino reacted to it as first. "Yeah, Hinata-chan's feelings for Naruto are so totally visible. If she weren't so shy would she have told him already." Ino was kinda in gossip mode before realising what she just did. She looked over to Hinata who looked at her with an angry face in return, that had a full blush on it. Ino ducked down on her seat. "I'm sorry, Hinata..."
All eyes suddenly turned to Naruto, who was scratching the back of his head, also slightly blushing. "Uhm... yeah, that's embarassing, but... I know of them too for two years now..." he gave a small smile to all. "Hanabi already told me back then but I wanted to wait for Hinata to overcome her shyness and tell me. Don't wanted to push her or something..."
Hinata blushed even more, averting her angry look on Hanabi. "You... did what?" Hanabi couldn't answer and was simply shocked by the expression her sister had right now. She didn't knew that her sister could become angry at all, and her expression just now screamed to kill someone.
"Hey kids, please calm down everyone." Teuchi tried his best to solve this situation. "Please don't fight. I was just talking to myself. And I didn't meant that at all..." his tries weren't the best.
Ino however listening to him suddenly gasped and put both hands on her mouth, looking between Hanabi, Hinata and Naruto, figuring the deeper meaning of Teuchi's words. He only said them in a try to calm them down, but suddenly did she realize that all three had somehow feelings for each other and not just Hinata for Naruto. Her eyes were wide when she figured that out and she suddenly got up from her seat, turning to leave. "I just remembered something. See ya later." she quickly exclaimed before running away, not wanting to say anymore by accident.
The others left behind were irritated by that, not really understanding why Ino just left in this hurry. The positive side was, that they got distracted from their discussion about Hinata's feelings and that Hanabi spilled them back then. Naruto was the first to get out of this state, addressing Teuchi with his next words.
"So, anyway, I'm paying for all. We actually wanted to celebrate, but guess we will do that another time, since we got distracted today." after handing over the money did he turn towards the girls, smiling. "So, let's go to my apartment. We still need to plan what to do on our free days." he had a bright smile on his face again, like the whole rumour and feeling discussion would have never happened.
The girls thanked Teuchi for the meal that really was good before getting up and following Naruto through the streets to his apartment.
Naruto's Apartment
Once they arrived did Hanabi aim straight for the couch and sat down on it, stretching her body and yawning. "Somehow am I way more tired than usual. What a stressful day..."
Hinata sat down beside her, watching around the apartment while talking. "I'm still angry at you. Why did you tell him? You knew how I feel for him and that I wanted to overcome my shyness before telling him. But you already told him two years ago? And you never said a word about it?" she just couldn't help but feeling betrayed by her sister.
"Oh, common sis... It was the day I met Naruto for the first time and I just told him to proove that there are people who don't hate him at all. If you remember are we his very first friends at all. I just wanted to help him, you know?" Hanabi replied, looking her sister into the eyes.
"I understand that, but... do you know how I feel? Having feelings you can't talk about and then being betrayed, getting even more feelings that combined with the first ones create something terrible you barely can stand at all?" Hinata became furious talking to her sister.
"Uhm... would you please calm down?" Naruto interrupted. "And please don't talk about me like I wouldn't be here. You know, I'm right here, see?" he waved at them, trying to get their attention, but without any success.
"Oh, and you think that I'm totally without feelings and emotions or what? That I'm just a little girl that doesn't know anything about these things?" Hanabi was getting furious as well, starting to shout at her sister.
"I never said that! But it hurts being betrayed by your own family. And more by your own sister which you love with all your heart. I trusted you with all my secrets and now do I learn that you spilled one of them two years ago. When will you talk about the next one, huh?" Hinata's voice got louder as well. Not to mention that she was straight forward right now, nothing from her shy self was around at this moment.
"Now am I the evil one here, or what?" Hanabi asked, getting somehow frustrated by that argument. "Okay, then I'll play evil. Now shut the hell up and know your place, sl-..."
"THAT'S ENOUGH! STOP IT ALREADY!" Naruto shouted, silencing both girls in an instant. "Yes, something went wrong in the past. But will it change it to discuss and shout about it? No, it won't. So just calm down, appologize and be the happy sisters you always were!" he was breathing hard from his shouting, but it worked. Both girls look first at him and then to the ground, feeling guilty quite the same.
"I'm sorry sis..." Hanabi was mumbling, not daring to look up. "I know I shouldn't have done that. And I had no right to yell at you..."
Hinata hugged her sister, whispering into her ear. "It's okay, Hanabi. Really. I... am sorry too. But, uhm..." she blushed slightly, lowering her voice even more that Naruto really wouldn't be able to hear it. "You know what you were going to call me, right?"
Hanabi was slightly confused by that, not knowing what her sister meant. It took her some moments before she realized that she was about to call her sister a slave. In front of Naruto. While yelling at her. Inside an apartment which probably wouldn't have thick walls. Which the whole building might have heard. She put both hands on her mouth to cover it, while paling.
Hinata was comforting her sister, gently rubbing her back. Naruto smiled at the scene. "See, isn't that better. You get along so well, don't let it be ruined by such a thing. Want something to drink?" he went over to his kitchen to catch something to drink for all three.
"I... I lost my temper right now. I'm really sorry for that. Both of you, I'm sorry." Hanabi said, finally returning to her normal self. She took the offered drink thankfully, devouring it with one big gulp. It was just water, but it helped her to settle down.
'Heh, I like that girl.' Naruto could hear a quiet voice deep inside his head. Actually, he wasn't sure if he heard something at all. It was more like a silent sound inside the wind. If at all. Must have been his imagination. "Now that we are all calmed down, I think we wanted to make some plans for our free days. So, any suggestions?" he smiled brightly at the girls, happy that they weren't attacking each other anymore.
Both Hanabi and Hinata thought about it, touching their lower lips at the same time. Hinata was the first to talk. "How about we go shopping together? We still have our money from the mission, so..." she couldn't finish her sentence, cause Hanabi shook her head, interrupting her sister.
"You know that this won't work, sis. Not if Naruto is with us. Basicly none of the shops would let him in at all..." she said quietly, looking to the ground. Naruto frowned at that comment, but he knew she was right.
"Uhm... then how about we go train somewhere?" Hinata offered as second idea, getting looks from both Hanabi and Naruto, who thought about it.
"On our free days? We just finish one week of detention and you want to train already? That's... I don't know..." Hanabi shook her head on that, but Naruto was still in thought. Both girls looked at him, wondering what he was thinking right now, and they didn't need to wait for much longer.
Naruto was starting to talk out his thoughts. "I heard about a small ruin in the eastern forest. We could go there and check it out. We may be able to find something intresting at all. Plus we could also train a little while out there. What do you think?" he smiled at them, getting distrusting looks in return.
"No offense, but... do you remember what happened the last time we went into a forest surrounding the village? What if this information is false, dangerous or a trap again?" Hanabi raised an eyebrow while showing him her right forearm, giving him a good look at her scar.
Naruto chuckled nervously at that, trying to not look at her arm at all. In fact was he feeling guilty about that whole situation. If it weren't for him would Hanabi not be marked for the rest of her life with this burned scar at all. But before the whole situation became embarassing to them did Hinata speak up.
"Actually... I read about these ruins in a book. It shall be a small outpost from the time of the founding of this village. But they got scavenged so often that there won't be anything intresting at all I guess." All three of them entered their thoughts again, thinking about what else they could do.
Hanabi was getting more comfortable on the couch and closed her eyes, trying to come up with something. "Well, we might go and check it out, I guess. But... maybe we should tell someone that we are going there? I mean, what if something happens again? We will most likely not be as lucky as last time when we managed to contact the spooky white hair guy."
"That would be an option." Naruto scratched the back of his head. "But wouldn't we get bothered if we tell someone? I mean, since everyone hates me wouldn't we create a bad situation that way?"
Hanabi sighed and nodded. She came to the same conclusion while she spoke about her idea. "The only ones we might be able to tell are Iruka-sensei, the spooky white hair guy and Cat-san. But they most likely won't be thrilled to keep an eye on us. Isn't that right, Cat-san?" Hanabi asked innocently, getting confused looks from both Naruto and Hinata.
They could hear the sigh of a female, who then appeared at the window of the apartment, sitting down on the sill. "You know, I preferred it when I could tell that a Hyuga is using their eyes. But with you girl... each time you close your eyes to relax or whatever is there the risk of you activating them without anyone to notice it."
Hanabi giggled, finally opening her eyes again. "I can't help it. It kinda happens out of instinct when I'm relaxing. It's not even using much energy at all. But trying to use it while moving is something different..." she explained, smiling towards Cat.
"You know, this might keep you alive for a longer time. One of the biggest risks a shinobi has to take is being helpless while resting." Cat stated matter of factly.
"Mind telling us why you are observing us? Did the old man ask you to do that?" Naruto asked the ANBU, watching her carefully. He was sure that she didn't hate him from the few times he got in contact with her. First in the hospital after their adventure and he later learned from Hanabi that she was watching their prank as well.
Cat chuckled by the way Naruto was addressing the Hokage but shook her head. "Well, not exactly. It's more a favor I'm doing for Kakashi, but Hokage-sama has allowed it."
"Spooky white hair guy? Seriously, he is freaking me out somehow. Why is he intrested in us anyway?" Hanabi asked, thinking about her encounters with Kakashi.
Cat started laughing, getting confused looks from all three kids. "Okay, please, you have to tell me. How did you come up with that name? He usually goes by Cyclops if we want to annoy him because of the way he is covering basicly his whole face and one eye. But from what I heard is this name really bothering him. I just have to know."
Hanabi couldn't help laughing to herself by that information and Hinata giggled quietly, just observing the situation at all. She saw no reason to enter the talk. "Oh, that's pretty simple." Hanabi started to answer. "When I met him the first time was it inside an alley when he caught Naruto after a prank." Cat nodded slightly, showing that she knew this story.
"Anyway, he stood there in the shadows, holding Naruto when I arrived. And all you could see from him was his white hair. Like a ghost in the shadows. That's why I named him spooky white hair guy." she was grinning from ear to ear.
All of them burst into laughter by that explanation. Hinata and Naruto cause they didn't knew this story yet. They simply assumed that Hanabi had her reasons for this name. And Cat because she imagining a absent mindly ghost reading a book.
Naruto was the first to get back to serious, addressing Cat again. "You still haven't told us why exactly you are observing us. And then inside my apartment at all..." he looked at Cat who smiled behind her mask, not that they could see it.
"As I said, I'm doing Kakashi a favor with it. I don't know his reasons, but it is a nice change to my usual work. You three are kinda fun to watch." She got a frown from Hanabi and Naruto by that statement and Hinata suddenly blushed slightly, now deciding to enter the talk.
"Uhm... so you overheard our discussions at the ramen stand as well?" that got her the attention of all. None of them had thought about the possibility of anyone listening into their conversations.
"Yes, I did. Not to mention your argument some minutes ago, even so that could be heard by half the village I guess. But don't worry, I'm not one to spread rumours." she got two angry and one worried look by that statement and decided to continue. "Oh, common kids, I'm a professional, you know? I mean, look at me. ANBU."
All three decided at the same moment to accept their defeat. They couldn't change the fact that someone listened on them and she is right, she is an ANBU and will most likely not talk about it.
Hinata was putting her fingers together, looking at Cat. "Uhm... if we decide to go to the ruins tomorrow, will you..." she wasn't able to finish her sentence, cut off by Cat who shook her head.
"No, I won't. I'm having something to do tomorrow. But I can inform Kakashi to keep the earpiece with him, just in case. As far as I know is he free tomorrow and in the village." Cat answered, getting a hopeful look from Hinata.
"Sounds good to me. What do you think, Hanabi?" Naruto asked, watching her carefully. He may be older, but he already realized that Hanabi is way smarter. She was having the plan when they went to the battlefield in the northern forest and was pretty quick with conclusions, so he left the decision to her.
Hanabi nodded at that question. "I'm okay with it. Please inform the spooky white hair guy, Cat-san. Then it's decided that we are going to the ruins in the eastern forest tomorrow. Maybe we can find something and if not can we at least do some practice out there."
Cat nodded her understanding and left the window sill, wishing the kids a nice evening. "So, what now? Do you two need to go already or can we hang out some more?" Naruto asked, smiling at the girls.
Hinata was looking towards her sister, waiting for her decision. Hanabi thought a moment about that, before answering. "Sorry, but we have to go for today." she appologized to Naruto before looking towards Hinata. "Sis and I need to discuss some things in private..."
Naruto nodded slightly. "It's about these rumours, right? Don't let them bother you. As Teuchi said, try to ignore them or tell that you are just playing. They are just rumours after all." he smiled at both girls who nodded and smiled in return, before giving their goodbyes to Naruto for the day.
'But I do wonder... how do you play slave at all? Playing slave... hmm... Maybe I should ask Teuchi what he meant by that?' Naruto thought to himself, before slowly calling it a day.
Hyuga compound
Both girls sat in Hinata's room in complete silence. Hanabi made herself comfortable on Hinata's bed while Hinata sat down at her desk, both in their own thoughts. After a while was it Hinata to finally break the silence.
"Do you think... that someone found out? These rumours are bothering me totally. What if everyone will recognize me as a slave from now on? Not using my name, treating me badly, hating me for that? I... I don't know what to do..." she quietly asked the questions bothering her, barely managing to hold back her tears.
"Don't cry sis. I'm uncomfortable with these rumours as well, but... I guess at one point would people learn anyway. Do you know why I'm trying to get you away from your shy self since that day?" Hinata looked at Hanabi and shook her head. "Because I believe that if you are an open minded girl, strong and sure of yourself, that our friends will accept the situation, once we decide to tell them. If you are all that will it not look like the shy little girl being forced to be a slave, but like the strong-willed one being fine with that."
Hinata was listening to her sisters thoughts, starting to think about it as well. "You see, the words from Teuchi-san today had a deeper meaning to them. I don't think that he knows, but what he meant by pretending that we play? It was more meant like even if others might look disgusted or confused at this situation, as long as we show that we both are fine with it, is everything fine. Playing children are carefree. So if we are the same with this situation..." Hanabi smiled reassuring at her sister.
Hinata tried to follow Hanabi's way of thinking, before paling. "Does that mean... that... I-I-Ino a-and Na-Na-ruto..." she looked with a expression between sadness and fear at her sister, who in return shook her head.
"No, of course not. They don't know anything. They are trying to help you out of your shyness because they think that you being more open-minded suits you. Plus they want to help you with your self confidence." Hinata nodded at her sisters words. "Nobody should know right now. But at some time do we need to inform a few people about it. Like... I don't know. Father? Hokage-sama? You told me yourself that you accepted the situation cause you don't see yourself getting your freedom back anytime soon. But as clan heiress... father needs to know, some day." Hanabi said quietly.
"I... don't like that. But I can understand it... and Hokage-same needs to know that there is a slave inside the village, right?" Hanabi nodded slightly, getting a small sigh from Hinata in return. "This will be so embarassing once they know..."
"And that's why we are working on your shyness, sis. Everything will turn out okay." she got up from the bed walking over to where her sister sat, hugging her. "Trust me, everything will be fine. And when the time comes to tell, we both will be ready for that."
Hinata was glad for her sisters kindness towards her and for the comforting hug. She really needed that right now. After some more time in silence did she pull away from her sister, smiling at her. "Thank you, Hanabi. I really needed that. I will do my best."
"I'm sure that you will. Cause you are my sis. And if you don't, well..." she couldn't help but grinning slightly. "I do know of ways to motivate you. The books are full of them." Hinata shivered slightly by these words and Hanabi giggled. "Just kidding sis. Just kidding... for now." she stuck her tounge out at Hinata who blushed and nodded. She would really do her best.
The next day
Hanabi and Hinata stood in front of Naruto's apartment. They were carrying some bags filled with groceries and had just knocked on his door. They hadn't spoken about that, but they guessed that Naruto would be in need of new food supplies and since he usually wasn't getting up too early in the morning did they decide to bring him some and to have breakfast together. This way would they be able to talk in slightly more detail about the day's planned activities.
It took some time before Naruto opened the door, rubbing one of his eyes. Seeing the girls at his door did he yawn loudly, before speaking. "Oh, it's you... morning... you are pretty early. Come in..." he yawned again and turned around, walking back into his bedroom to get dressed.
The sisters however stood some moments in front of his door, both slightly blushed the same by the look they just had. Naruto had open the door only wearing boxers, being too tired to actually care for his state of clothing. Plus it's his apartment, so why should he bother in the morning?
Once they got out of their shock did they enter the apartment and went for the kitchen, to put the groceries away. Hinata started making some easy breakfast for all of them, while Hanabi went over to the couch sitting down. Since she had nothing to do while waiting did she relax, closing her eyes.
It only took a few seconds however before she could feel a hand resting on her shoulder. "You know, maybe you should stop relaxing so often. Sure, you said it wouldn't use much energy, but isn't it bothersome if your eyes always activate on instinct once you relax?" Naruto asked her, being fully dressed when he came back from his bedroom.
"Honestly? It would be nice to just close my eyes and focus on nothing once in a while... With all the things I see while relaxing is my brain working more or less all the time to sort the informations out. Am already working on figuring how to only activate them when I want to, not automatically on instinct each time." Hanabi explained, having opened her eyes.
Naruto gave her a bright smile. "I believe that you will learn how to very soon. After all are you pretty smart and always quick with your brain." Hanabi nodded slightly, thankful for his words.
"She will be for sure. She has so many talents and will be clan head one day. Controlling her Byakugan shouldn't be a challenge for her." Hinata said while bringing breakfast for the three of them.
"That looks delicious, Hinata-chan. Thank you very much!" Naruto exclaimed happily, sitting down to dig into the food. Hinata couldn't help but blush at this compliment.
"Yeah, sis sure knows how to cook. She will make a good wife in the future, that I'm sure of!" Hanabi exclaimed grinning, raising her sister's blush to a crimson red.
"Stop it, Hanabi! I thought that we agreed that you would stop teasing me!" Hinata said slightly furious, looking her sister directly into the eyes.
"Huh, did we?" Hanabi tilted her head to the side, putting her finger on her lower lip in a thinking pose. "I can only remember that we talked about teasing you with your feelings for Naruto. Not that I could do that anymore anyway, since what happened yesterday..." she had a nervous smile on her face just now, thinking about the information bomb that exploded the day before regarding Hinata's feelings.
"Don't remind me on that! I... I... ARGH!" Hinata dug her finger nails into her leg, trying to calm down a little. "This topic is off limits for now. Bring it up again and I... can't gurantee for anything!" she was kinda furious, the betrayel to her still fresh in her mind.
Naruto watched nervously, not daring to interfere. On the other side was the thought about the girls having another way too loud argument like the day before not the best either.
"Oh, are you threatening me? That's intresting sis. You do know that I'm having possibilities, right? So many possibilities and you are going to not like any of them..." Hanabi grinned. "Or do you want to make a new bet with me? I'm willing to give you good conditions, but the pay will be high if you loose again."
"Seriously? What higher price could it be, considering what I paid the last time? You want to destroy my life or what?" Hinata asked sarcastical.
Hanabi raised an eyebrow. "Why would I want to destroy you, sis? There wouldn't be any fun in it. And for whom do you take me, suggesting that I would kill my own sis? Common..."
"Uhm... could you both please calm down?" Naruto asked super nervous, not knowing what was happening between the two sister. Hanabi was far away from her usual happy self and Hinata was far away from her usual shy self. It felt like both did a complete turn with their personalities. And both seemed to ignore him again.
"I wish I would have never made this stupid bet..." Hinata said, averting her eyes away from Hanabi.
"What was that? Didn't you tell me just a week ago that you are fine with it and that you would totally accept the situation? So you lied to me, sis, didn't you?" Hanabi got even more upset while Hinata shrank down on her seat.
"NO! I haven't lied to you. It's just... that... uhm..." Hinata lost her focus, trying to think of a reply to her sister.
"Okay, I got it sis. You can finish with this nonsense now. I've made my decision. I' so going to read the book now." Hanabi stated in a matter of fact tone, glancing at Hinata.
"Huh? Why would I care if you read a book?" Hinata was slightly confused by her sisters statement, not catching up to her thoughts.
"You know, the book you don't want me to read? I'll take it once we are home. Be happy that I'm being gentle with you on that one. I could do so much more..." Hanabi was a bit calmer by now, trying to focus on her breah to calm down even more.
Hearing her sisters words did Hinata pale visibly. "No, you can't read it. Please, don't do that, Hanabi..." she said quietly.
Hanabi raised an eyebrow. "Are you talking back to me? I can do something different as well, but you aren't going to like that sis, promised."
"I... I..." Hinata tried to voice a reply, but failed, letting her head fall in defeat. She lost against her sister, again.
Seeing her sister finally giving up put a smile on Hanabi's face. It felt good to her, being successful in this matter. She couldn't explain it, but it felt right.
"Girls..." Naruto spoke up, deciding that the silence would be a good time now. He had no idea what just happened between both sisters. "Would you please explain to me what you just talked about? And I never saw both of you like that. It was... scary..."
Hanabi blinked her eyes a few times, like getting out of a daze, focusing on Naruto while Hinata blushed a crimson red, still looking down at the ground. "I... we... uhm... I don't know... For some reason did I got all excited and furious. I..." she shook her head. "I have no idea. I had the same feeling yesterday when we were in your apartment..."
"Me too..." Hinata said quietly, not daring to look up. She was embarassed, remembering the discussion she just had right in front of Naruto which none of them really cared for. Lucky for them did none use the word slave just now, leaving Naruto pretty confused and in the dark. Though they weren't sure why they both lost their temper just now. Or why the same happened the day before.
"Uhm... okay... if you say so..." Naruto wasn't quite sure what he should think right now, so he decided to trust both girls. "So... are you both okay? You aren't fighting, right? Everyone is fine?" he put a nervous smile on his face. Hinata finally looked up and over towards Hanabi, who nodded.
"Yeah, we are fine. And no, we aren't fighting. Why don't we say we were just playing? You know, like that Teuchi guy suggested." Hanabi scratched the back of her neck with her hand, feeling some cold sweat on it. The whole situation made her totally nervous. One reason was the fact, that she tried desperately to hide their secret from Naruto. The second and more major reason however was the fact that she weren't able to think of a reason why both of them entered this kind of state.
"Great, I'm glad. I wouldn't know what to do if you two would start to fight each other. So why don't we just forget what just happened here and go already into the eastern forest? The ruins are waiting for us!" Naruto exclaimed happily, standing up and walking straight out of his apartment, leaving the girls behind. For some reason did he want to get away from his apartment as quick and far away as possible. He wanted to get away from the insanity he witnessed two times now happening inside it.
Both girls looked at the open door dumbfounded before Hanabi spoke up. "Uhm, I'm sorry sis. I really don't know what just happened."
"It's alright, really. Uhm.. will you..." Hinata started, but got interrupted by Hanabi.
"Yes, I will read your book. You won't get away from that." she grinned slightly. "Well, let's go already. We need to catch up to Naruto!" Hanabi stood up as well, walking over to the door and turning around there to look at Hinata.
Hinata sighed. This would turn out ugly for her, she just knew it. Hanabi would surely tease her about the book. Accepting her fate for now did she stood up as well, walking towards Hanabi to follow Naruto to the eastern forest. The day just started, but she wished it would be over already. She had a feeling that this day would become even worse for her...