CHAPTER 1
Hi. That's right, I'm back!
This story is going to have kind of a slow start, but I'm just having too much fun with my characters to speed through to the action. So, don't expect anything too dramatic for another couple of chapters. I've also gone back and changed something (again) from the prologue. A small half-sentence - you probably won't notice it. But essential to the plot. (I hope I've freaked you all out with that one).
So I'm trying to push myself to keep up to date with publishing chapters, and I'm aiming for every couple of days but bare with me - I'm not usually so reliable! Also, I was wondering how graphic I should make this story? No spoilers, but you guys are quite used to my rather tame stories, and I'm not sure how brutal I can be with you all still loving me. Tastefully brutal? Let me know!
Undrafted work, so let's not judge. (Seriously, if I can't even force myself to draft university essays, please don't expect so much of me).
Enjoy!
_FURY_
"Good morning, Hinata-sama."
"You're looking stunning today, Hime."
"Heading to the Hokage's office this morning, Hinata-hime?"
"Do you need any help with those bags?"
Hinata smiled at the kind civilians of her country, declining their offers of help. "I'll be fine, thank you so much." She smiled at them demurely, calling them all by name, and gaining their respect and adoration all at once.
They all knew of her condition, especially now that she was almost eight months pregnant. Granted, they had known for majority of her pregnancy, even back when her stomach was still flat enough to hide all aspects of the boy growing in her womb. She laughed joyfully to herself, her husband simply couldn't keep the news to himself once he found out, and in moments the village knew of his child on the way. She tried to tell him they needed to keep it a secret for a month or so at least, and he agreed at the time, but was springing off the walls for on days on end until Shikamaru guessed it, Naruto blurted it out to Sasuke, and Lee conveniently told the village.
Stopping by a meticulous garden, Hinata gently plucked a flower, and continued on her way, enjoying the sunny spring's day and the busy village she loved.
"Hinata-sensei!"
Hinata smiled, and turned to see her favoured pupil running up to her. "Kohana-chan." One of Ino's younger cousins whom she'd taken as an apprentice when she was in ANBU sped up beside her. "How are you this morning?"
The blonde grinned happily as she took pace with her old teacher. "I'm doing really good, Hina-sensei. Thank you for recommending me for the special jounin exam, I'm really excited about it!"
"That's okay, Kohana-chan. You deserve the promotion. You're aiming for ANBU, correct?" Hinata smiled, "I think you definitely have what it takes."
Kohana laughed loudly to herself, "If I'd never seen you fight, I wouldn't be able to believe someone as kind as you could've ever made ANBU, Hina-sensei."
Hinata smiled, "You know as well as any that appearances are deceiving. And while I'm going to get busy with this little one," Hinata placed a gentle hand on her bulging stomach, "I'm quite happy to work at the Academy with the other little ones."
"The Hokage made you quit ANBU as soon as he found out, hey?" Kohana laughed, "Of course he did, the overprotective bastard!"
Hinata smiled to herself, "It's not that he made me quit… He just…"
"-Would've only given you D Rank missions? Wouldn't even let you train? Please! Hina-sensei, your husband's an insane person sometimes."
"I wouldn't say that." Hinata smiled. "And don't you have somewhere to be, Kohana-chan?"
"Oh, right! I'm late."
"Make sure you stay aware of your surroundings, and be careful," Hinata looked at her old student, "Especially with all the disappearances that have been happening around."
Kohana rolled her eyes, "You worry too much Hina-sensei! No one's disappeared anywhere near Konoha! Too scared of your husband, I bet." She winked at her sensei. "I promise I'll be careful. I've gotta stay around long enough to constantly ply your little one with sugar as vengeance for some of the horrible trainings you've put me through." She laughed.
Hinata smiled as her apprentice disappeared in a swirl of leaves, and continued up the stairs of the Hokage Tower. "Konohamaru-kun, is Naruto in a meeting this morning?"
Naruto's assistant looked up from his desk, and smiled at the older Hyuuga. "Yeah, but he said you can go straight through."
"Oh, no." Hinata turned to the seats, "I don't want to interrupt."
"Just go," Konohamaru laughed, "Boss'll probably get more out of the negotiations if you show up."
Hinata tilted her head gently to the side in confusion, but allowed Konohamaru to guide her into the Hokage's office. "Boss, your wife is here."
Konohamaru rolled his eyes as the Damiyo of rice country spun around almost as quickly as Naruto at the sound of his wife's entrance, to get a glance at the famed Hyuuga head and first lady. It was as if other countries were lining up to make a deal with Konoha if only to get a glimpse at the rumoured wife of the Hokage. Her deadly fighting skills were second to few, along with her silence on the battlefield that caused the creation of a skilled assassin. However, it was also her beauty, kindness and elegance that attracted the attention of the world.
Konohamaru would've usually left the office right after letting the Hyuuga inside, but the look on the Rice Damiyo's face said there was bound to be some entertainment. Enamoured with the young lady, he spun to greet her immediately, "Hyuuga-sama, it's a pleasure to meet you. The rumours of your beauty have not done you justice."
A vein pulsed in the base of the Hokage's throat as he watched the noble infatuate himself with his wife. Only Naruto was allowed to look at her like that! In reality, he would've been able to deal with it, if they only glanced, or admired. Hell, he knew his wife was the most beautiful woman in the world. But the extent that some men went to acquire his wife was downright degrading to his stature as Hokage. Offers for her presence, taking her out to dinner, to dine in their nations. His patience was at its lowest when someone tried to take his woman from him.
"Uzumaki-sama, if you will," Hinata corrected with a demure smile to the Damiyo, "And you must be the Rice Damiyo, Kagami-sama, I've heard many wonderful things about you and what you've done for Rice country. It is an honour, I agree."
"Of course," The Damiyo backtracked, failing to notice the proud grin on the face of the Hokage as he watched the interaction, "Uzumaki-sama. Thank you for your kind words."
Hinata smiled politely in return, "I don't wish to interrupt your trade agreements, I was just wondering if my husband would have a little bit of time to have lunch with his wife." The smile that greeted Hinata over the shoulder of the Rice Damiyo was priceless, and Hinata blinked back tears at sudden feelings of pride and astonishment that she managed to be married to such a man. Curse her horemones. "I can see that the two of you are busy," she bowed politely to the Damiyo, "So I'll just wait outside and keep Konohamaru-kun company while you talk business."
Konohamaru, who was shamelessly watching the scene in the doorway, looked to his pile of papers on his desk and back to the Hyuuga princess. "It would be an honour."
"I thought you were working at the Academy today, Hina-chan?" Naruto asked his wife, glancing at the clock mounted on his wall. She usually found herself at the Academy till the late hours of the afternoon most days – despite his complaints of how much time she spent on her feet. Hinata had put her foot down though –yes, she was almost eight months pregnant, but she was not an invalid. She needed to get out of the house and be productive and Naruto was worrying far too much. "At least you should be relaxing. Are you sick?" That idea set him off and he was in front of his wife in a second, "Are you unwell? What can I do- you should at least be sitting down!"
Hinata touched her husbands cheek lightly, "I am perfectly fine, Naruto-kun. Relax, my love." She bent down to pick a few of the papers he'd rattled to the ground in his movement only to be stopped by her husband as he proceeded to do it himself with a stern look in her direction. She got the point – she was to be doing as little as possible. Still, she couldn't help but smile at him – it simply showed how much he cared for her. "Iruka-sensei gave me a few hours off because he said you were in a bad mood this morning. And he said I was too kind to his students – they didn't like him as much anymore." Hinata smiled at her husband.
Naruto laughed, "That's understandable! I don't know a kid in the world who would prefer looking at Iruka-sensei when you're in the room."
Hinata blushed, but smiled appreciatively at the Hokage. "Why thank you, Hokage-Sama. I'll be outside, but you're welcome to take your time."
"Nonsense!" Hinata, Naruto and Konohamaru were surprised to see the Rice Damiyo re-insert himself into the conversation, and glanced to him in confusion. "The Hokage and I are almost finished our meeting, I would be glad to accompany you around the village for lunch. I have strong beliefs in our 2 year trial of my country's agricultural trade for resources will benefit the both of our lovely countries nicely. Besides, Mistress Hyuuga, a lady such as yourself should not be waiting in hallways of any sort." Konohamaru bristled at the masked dig at his company and his stature but let it slide after catching the look on his boss's face.
Luckily, Hinata caught that look too. She blinked daintily at the Damiyo, and Naruto watched with immense interest as his wife caught the noble in her sights. She giggled quietly, "Kagami-Sama, you have a wonderful sense of humour! Besides, haven't we not been trialling such a trade agreement for the last six months to great success? It's a marvel how wonderful you've been for Konoha – and we are eternally grateful. I only wish we could prolong our trade and our friendship for far longer than 2 years."
Konohamaru looked away to hide his grin at the gobsmacked look on the Damiyo's face at the Hinata's words, and shared a secret smile with his Boss in the corner of the room. Despite her kind-heartedness and appearance, Hinata had been training in diplomacy since she was four.
"Of course, Uzumaki-Sama," the Damiyo blushed at the attention he was getting, "I was saying to your husband I cannot find enough excuses to visit this wonderful nation! The trial trade agreement has been such a success in these past six months it should be solidified at once."
"Oh you're absolutely correct, Kagami-Sama," Hinata acted surprised like she hadn't the slightest idea that was where the conversation would go, "I'm impressed by your loyalty and your appreciation to your country. Please, visit as often as you can it would be an honour to have you as an esteemed guest in Konoha." She looked at the time, "It seems I may be overstaying my welcome. I've been on my feet all day, you see, and must take a seat for a while. But please, enjoy your time in our country, Kagami-sama. Naruto-kun. Konohamaru-kun." She politely addressed all members of the room before carefully manoeuvring both herself and Konohamaru out of the room and toward his desk.
Konohamaru caught a look from his boss to put her in a chair immediately, but the 18 year old couldn't wipe the grin from his face. He pulled out a chair to sit the Hyuuga next to him at his desk, "Sit, Hinata-Sama. You continue to astound me whenever I see you in action. Take it easy though, even when you joke about being tired the Boss gets crazy protective."
Hinata smiled, "Don't worry Konohamaru-kun. I'm in good health. I just thought it might be beneficial for the two of them to figure the rest out on their own, ne?"
"The two of you and your ability to coerce people to do your bidding makes me worry about your child and the sort of sway they'll have on Konoha." Konohamaru laughed, "For all our sakes I hope the kid takes after you."
_FURY_
He absentmindedly raked his fingers over the thorn tattoo twisting around his thick bicep, staring blankly at the two men in front of him, "Do we have a deal?"
The taller one fidgeted slightly, looking anywhere but at his face. "I… I.."
He sighed loudly, scratching harder on his tattoo. It was annoying, the lack of eye contact. This kid was clearly far too easily intimidated. His strong, athletically lanky body was obviously well trained. However, he was far too twitchy to be a ninja confident in his abilities.
"Double it."
That's more like it. He raised an eyebrow as the brawny one crossed his arms around his chest as if he was making the deal. As if negotiating was even an option. It was amusing, for the very least. This one was the complete opposite. Dumb as a brick, with no real idea what he was getting into.
That was good for him, at least. This one, he could get to do his bidding. He glanced at the tall one and found him fidgeting far too much to even stand up to his friend.
Good.
"Fine." He grinned at the two men. "We have a deal."
_FURY_
The trade agreement with rice was extended to five years, and Naruto stepped out of his office feeling accomplished. "Where's my wife run off to?" He looked around before focusing his accusing stare on his assistant. "She should be resting."
"What a pity," Kagami looked equally as disappointed, which caused the Hokage to hold back a growl.
Konohamaru smiled at his boss, "She said she was suddenly craving ramen and she would meet you at Ichirakus."
Naruto smiled fondly, "Konohamaru, make sure the Damiyo is well looked after until he chooses to return to rice. We can also provide transport and protection for the ride home for his comfort. There have been too many disappearances lately for us to take any chances."
Konohamaru grinned, Naruto was probably itching to leave now that he knew his wife was at Ichirakus of all places. Not that Naruto wasn't always rushing to leave the office whenever he could. He made a brilliant Hokage, but he found sitting at a desk all day far more draining than missions, training or death-defying stunts could ever be.
The Damiyo bowed low to the Hokage in respect. "It has been an honour to visit your beautiful country. Rumours of you and your family have travelled all the way to rice country, and I am glad to hear that your loyalty and reliability are true to word. Tell your wife it was wonderful to meet her, and it was an honour to speak with you once again, Hokage-sama."
"The honour was all mine, Kagami-sama," Naruto bowed in return. "Now if you don't mind, I have a lunch date to get to." He grinned before disappearing in a flash.
Konohamaru almost face-palmed. His boss was doing so well with his propriety and then he had to ruin it with his reckless attitude.
Some things would never change.
_FURY_
Good things come to those who wait.
Be patient, the rest is coming.
- The Devil.
(P.S Please Review, my fickle heart depends on it)