A/N: Well, it has not quite been three weeks, but I decided to go ahead and put out this small chapter. Things are going to get busy for me over the upcoming weeks and instead of putting out one giant chapter for the New Year's date, that might be delayed, I wanted to put out this setup chapter. Just so everyone knows, the date will be divided into a number of chapters so that things won't get rushed and bunched together.
Naruto, dressed in the robes he bought for the Hyuga family party, was smiling as the main gates of the Hyuga compound came into sight. The whole village, and people from the surrounding areas, were starting to fill the streets and the vendor's stalls looked like they were going all out this year with food, games and merchandise. There are so many red and gold paper lanterns strung up everywhere that, until just before the fireworks show, the streets will be lit up like daytime for the festival. Ichiraku's had closed right after the lunch rush and put out a sign saying they would be open in time for dinner and to be sure to come try their New Year's Special Ramen.
Kodi is on watch at the gate tonight along with another member of his clan that Naruto recognizes as the other one on duty the first night he walked Hinata home. The night that she had once again saved him, that time from a deep depression that was threatening to overwhelm him with its misery.
Naruto stops and looks at the gates thinking about how just one simple kind gesture from Hinata had pulled him back from the brink and changed his life. He had thought that he had nothing, even after helping to save the entire world he felt that he had gotten nothing in return. He had not fought so hard for personal gain, but deep down he had been bitter that his curse was nevertheless in affect and he was still alone.
Sure people had wanted him around, but not to really be with him. Instead, for the first few months after the war had ended, most people had wanted to be seen with the hero of the Fourth Shinobi War and savior of the world. Once they got what they needed, they moved on and left him standing there alone again. Even the person he had cared for more than anyone else had pushed him aside and left him feeling like he was a child again, unwanted and alone.
Most of his friends had families to go home to after the war and that was what he had been missing his whole life, and still was missing. Hinata's simple gesture of inviting him into her home had given him a taste of what he had only glimpsed from afar through other people's windows. That offer to be part of her family for one night had awakened something inside him that he had thought was lost, it was hope. Hope that there could be more to his life than just conflict, pain and death. The closest he had ever come to that kind of feeling before was during his time with Jiraiya, but the feeling of having a meal together in a hotel does not compare to the feeling of a home.
He had gone all out to be prepared for the party so that Hinata would not regret giving him the invitation, or be embarrassed in front of her clan. It seems that it had gone well because the Hyuga clan, who were not known for their tolerance of other clans, had treated him politely. It was probably due to him being a hero and all, but he didn't care, it was still nice to just sit at a family meal and not just watch but be a part of that connection in a way.
The most amazing thing was that a short time later Baa-chan had given Hinata and Shikamaru a mission that involved them helping him to be a better candidate for the next Hokage. The Hokage's choice of Hinata to help him had actually made perfect sense, because of her family's stature in the village. They were used to dealing with things of a political nature and would train the heir's especially, in dealing with sensitive political issues.
That mission, most likely an S ranked since it involved making him sit and listen, made it possible for him to come inside Hinata's world, nearly every day, and get a glimpse of how at least her family functioned. Of course the Hyuga clan was far from normal when compared to just about any other family except probably for a noble family, most likely. But to just sit at a table and watch a parent ask his child questions about her mission… man as a kid he would have given just about anything to have known what that felt like. 'If only old man Hyuga would show any sort of emotion, it is kind of creepy how he can sit there like a statue and listen without any change in his expression. You know, it might do the guy some good to try and smile every once in a while.'
His Hokage training has shown him the flaw in reaching what he has desired most of his life. Yes, he will be recognized as the leader of the village, like he is now seen as the village hero. The problem with both is the same, loneliness. The Hokage is the leader of the village but he must remain somewhat separated from everyone so that he can be impartial when he has to make judgments or send people he cares about on mission that may claim their life. So, even as he reaches his goal, he finds that the core reason for his loneliness remains unchanged.
The wall around the compound that is meant to keep the Hyuga clan separated and away from the rest of the village has a different meaning to Naruto now. To him the gate in this wall has become a symbol of hope, hope that his future does not have to be spent all alone. Hinata and even Hanabi have shown him that even though he has spent the majority of his life alone, his life doesn't have to end up that way. IF only he could truly shake this nagging fear, he might be willing to completely open his heart to someone again and take a chance.
Kodi bows deeply as Naruto approaches. "Good evening Uzumaki-sama."
Seeing Kodi smiling at him puts Naruto in such a good mood that he just returns the bow instead of arguing with the friendly Hyuga guard about just calling him by his name. "Kodi, how are you doing? Are they not going to let you free to have some fun tonight?" Naruto notices that the other guard barely acknowledges his presence with a curt nod and then goes back to staring straight ahead with a slight scowl on his face.
Naruto, growing up like he did knows a bully when he sees one. 'This guy has a similar look on his face that Neji did in the academy. He feels that he is near the bottom in his clan, but that still puts him over nearly everyone else in the village, just because he is a Hyuga. I hate people who think that they are better than others.' In true fashion he does what he has always done to a bully, he gets in their face. He holds out his fist in a friendly gesture to the guard. "Hi there, I don't think that we have been properly introduced. My name is Uzumaki Naruto, the future Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, what's your name?"
The guard looks down at the offered fist as if Naruto had held out a dead cat, before he slightly bows his head. "My name is Hyuga Kira, Uzumaki-san." He returns his eyes straight ahead once his introduction is completed.
Naruto, keeping his smile friendly, lowers his hand and returns the bow. "Nice to formally meet you Kira, please feel free to call me Naruto."
Kodi smiles as he watches Naruto toy with his cousin, but decides to interrupt before Kira says something that he might regret. "My shift ends in a few hours, so I will get to enjoy the best part of the festival, maybe I will see you three later tonight." He smiles broadly as he says the word 'three' and gives his fellow guard a dismissive nod when he notices the growing scowl. As he opens the gate the smile quickly vanishes as they see Ko standing there on the other side with his hands clasped behind his back.
Naruto notices that the other guard almost smiles as it is obvious that Kodi was caught breaking protocol. 'Maybe I should be a little more formal with Kodi when he is on duty? He is a nice guy and I would really hate to see him get in trouble on my account.'
"I will take charge of our guest from here Kodi." The look Ko gives the guard leaves no doubt that he had overheard the exchange and was not happy with the familiarity the guard had shown Naruto.
"Yes, otuo-san." Kodi bows and returns to his post beside the gate.
A few moments after Kodi closes the gate behind Naruto, Kira looks over with a smug sneer. "I warned you about getting too friendly with him, and that if you were not careful you will end up in trouble."
Kodi, keeping his head facing forward, turns his eyes towards his cousin. "I believe I told you where you can stick your opinions. We are both tiny little branches on a very large tree and we are here to serve and protect the heart of the tree. I like him, and more importantly she likes him, so suck it up and deal with it Kira."
On their way to the main house Naruto looks closer at Ko and can now see the family resemblance. "Wow, I never noticed the similarity before, so Kodi is your son?"
Ko nods, but his face remains blank of emotions. "Yes, he is my eldest son. My branch has directly served as the personal attendants for the clans's heirs for generations, and when I am gone it is my hope that Kodi will be allowed to carry on that honor for the next generation of heirs." He looks over at Naruto when he mentions the 'next generation' and is slightly irritated when Naruto seems to either be avoiding the subject or is completely oblivious to his meaning.
"That would be good. He seems to be a great guy and has been very friendly." Naruto gives Ko a smile at what he thinks is a complement, but the irritated twitch he sees in Ko's eyes for a moment tells him that he is wrong.
"It is not for our branch, especially those on guard duty, to be friendly. It is our branches duty to care for the children of the main branch and ensure that no harm comes to then, even if it costs us our life. That is our branches nindo, as Hinata-sama is known to say when she quotes you, Naruto-san." He looks at Naruto critically. "That is why I met you at the main gate, because I wish to talk with you about tonight."
Naruto stops and gives the man his full attention, any hint of mirth is pushed aside as the man who was the closest thing Hinata knew as a friend for so much of her young life asks to speak. When she tells Naruto stories of her childhood, invariably they include Ko. Those stories would be about how he took care and watched over her nearly every moment of her life after her mother died, right up until she graduated from the academy. "Sure, what is it that you need to talk about, Ko-san?"
"Tonight is a major festival for the village and there will be a large number of people, including foreign visitors, moving about. You have been given a great honor this evening, not only are you escorting one of clan's heirs, but both of them by yourself. Normally when attending festivals the heirs are watched by at least one branch member each, sometimes without their knowledge, because there will be so many people filling the streets. Tonight it will only be you escorting and essentially guarding them both." The look in Ko's eyes left no doubt that he did not like this plan. "There will be members of our clan attending the festival and keeping alert when they are nearby, but we have been told not to follow or interfere tonight unless the situation seems to absolutely require our presence. I know that you are a great hero to the village and for what you did in the war, but these are the clan's heirs, so I hope that you are planning on taking this honor very seriously?"
Feeling more than a little insulted, Naruto looks Hinata's old protector directly in the eyes, but keeps his anger in check out of respect for all that the man has done for Hinata and what he means to her still. "Look old man, I can see that you are not happy that I am taking both Hinata and Hanabi out with me tonight. Let me say, that if you think that for a moment I would let anything happen to either one of them, then you really don't know my reputation very well. I give you my word that I will protect both of them with my life tonight, and any other time that we are together, believe it." Naruto's voice comes out flat and full of violent promise to anyone who would try to harm either one of the girls. He decides at the last moment to add one jab to his retort. "Neji was supposed to be a prodigy amongst your clan and I kicked his ass, so I am pretty sure that Hinata and Hanabi will be plenty safe with me around to watch over both of them."
Ko, showing no signs of regret for upsetting Naruto, bows slightly. "That is all I ask of you Uzumaki-san, to make sure that no harm comes to Hinata-sama or Hanabi-sama." He begins walking again and leads Naruto to the main house and holds open the door for him.
Naruto nods without saying anything else to the man, and makes his way into the meeting hall where Hiashi is seated and seems to be waiting for him to arrive. 'Great, am I going to get the same speech from him too?' When he reaches the appropriate distance he bows deeply to the clan elder. "Good evening Hyuga-sama, I hope all is well with you on the eve of the New Year."
Hiashi returns the bow. "Yes, and the mild weather we are having tonight is a good omen for the year to come." He gestures to the cushion beside him. "Please be seated Uzumaki-san, I believe we have some topics to discuss before my daughters are ready to leave."
'Yup, here it comes. The, you had better behave yourself or I will personally make your heart explode speech.' He takes the offered seat and tries to hide his nervousness with a friendly smile. "Sure, what is it that you wish to discuss, Hyuga-sama?" Naruto was falling back on the advice Shizune had given him for the big party, 'Important people like it when you keep acting like you know they are important, so use the honorific as often as you can without being obnoxious.' It was the not being obnoxious part he was still trying to figure out, but if there ever was somebody to let him know he was crossing a line it would be Hinata's father.
"First, what time do you plan on having my two daughters back home tonight?" He gestures for Naruto to have some of the freshly prepared tea that a servant had just brought and put down on the table in front of the two men.
'I had not thought about that, so what would be an acceptable time to bring a man's daughter home from a festival?' Naruto could see Hiashi looking at him expectantly.
'KIT, JUST TELL HIM THAT SHE WILL BE HOME WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE IT. BESIDES, HE SHOULD BE BEGGING YOU TO TAKE HIS KITS AFTER ALL WE DID TO SAVE EVERYTHING HE HOLDS IMPORTANT, THAT INCLUDES HIS OWN KITS. SO JUST TELL HIM THAT THEY WILL BE HOME ONCE YOU ARE DONE HAVING FUN WITH BOTH OF THEM, AFTER BREAKFAST MOST LIKELY.'
'Do you want him to just kill us both right here in his home before I even take them out tonight? I cannot just say something like that to their father.' Naruto could not believe how close he came to just saying what Kurama had suggested without even thinking.
'WHAT EVER, YOU HUMANS ARE STUPID. YOU FIND A RECEPTIVE FEMALE AND YOU MATE, END OF STORY. SO FAR YOU HAVE ONLY GOT HALF OF THE JOB DONE.'
Naruto's face turns crimson and he starts choking on the tea he just inhaled. "Sorry… some of it… went down… wrong." Naruto clears his throat to give himself another moment to compose himself. "I was thinking of bringing them home shortly after the fireworks show ends." After seeing Hiashi nod, Naruto adds. "Hinata has offered that I attend your clan's sunrise gathering at the temple tomorrow morning, if that is okay with you Hyuga-sama. That's why I was planning on coming back here right after the fireworks show, I wouldn't want them to be too tired to get up in time for the service."
Hiashi looks at Naruto in a way that seems like he is trying to come up nice way of saying that Naruto's presence at that Hyuga family tradition was not acceptable. As Hiashi's mouth tightens all Naruto can think is, 'I hope Hinata does not get too upset when he tells me no.'
Instead, what her father says is completely unexpected as his face goes pale, as if all of the blood had suddenly been drained from his body. He looks past Naruto wide-eyed as if he was looking at a ghost. "Hitomi-hime," is the only word that escapes his lips as he stands.
'Hitomi, wasn't that the name of Hinata's mother?' Naruto stands and turns around to see what has so visibly upset a man who normally looks like he was carved from the same stone as the Hokage Mountain. Naruto finds himself frozen in awe as he looks upon a lightly blushing Hinata. 'Kami, she looks like an angel tonight.'
Hinata is standing in the doorway trying her best not to look away in embarrassment at how the two most important men in her life are staring at her with rapt attention. She is wearing the kimono that she received as a gift from Naruto, but what has caught everyone's attention is that she is wearing her hair up in a Katsuyama style and decorated it with white plum blossoms that seem to help make her pale eyes shine like twin moons. The now fully exposed earrings she received for her birthday sparkle in the light drawing the men's attention even more intensely, if that was even possible.
Naruto finds that his attention is drawn towards Hinata's exposed neck as his gaze follows down from the earrings along the smooth, pale slope of her neck. He finds that the longer he looks the harder it is to tear his eyes away from her. Hinata had worn her hair short when they were younger, but had always worn her hitai-ate around her neck, as well as those hoody jackets she seems to be so fond of wearing, so he had never really seen her neck exposed like it was tonight. Even on the night of the big party, and their first date, when she had worn a kimono her hair had been styled long and in a way to cover most of her neck. Naruto had never really considered himself a neck guy, but he had to admit that he may have to rethink that choice after seeing her standing there with her hair up and wearing just enough makeup to enhance her already pale skin to where it seems to glow.
Self-conscious at all of the attention that she was suddenly getting Hinata looks slightly down and blushes as she raises her clasped hands over her heart. "I-I-Is everything okay? Do… I look alright?" She glances up hopefully at both men looking so fragile that a single misspoken word might shatter her as if she was made of fine porcelain.
"You… you look so beautiful, Hinata." Naruto spoke in a soft voice as if he was trying to soothe a frightened rabbit. "I can't believe how lucky I am to be going to the festival with the prettiest girl in the entire village." Naruto stops and glances over at Hiashi hoping that the man is not about to reach over and use his gentle fist attack to blind him or paralyze him for being so forward with his reply.
Instead the Hyuga leader looks over at Naruto and gives him a slight nod indicating that he would not argue with the boy's statement on how beautiful Hinata looks this evening. "Every day you seem to become more like your mother, not only in your actions, but in your beauty as well Hinata."
Hinata reaches up and touches one of the flowers. "Otuo-sama, I hope you don't mind that I styled my hair like that old picture of Oka-sama? I have always thought she looked pretty in that photo."
Hiashi, his throat suddenly feeling a tight, gives his daughter a nod and a slight smile before finding his voice. "I believe that she would have been very happy to see you dressed like that, if she had been with us tonight."
Hinata, receiving praise from both of men, looks and feels like she is glowing as her face lights up the room with a smile. Just seeing both men standing there together smiling, otou-sama was actually smiling at her, made her want to run over and wrap her arms tightly around both of them. Though she knew if she gave into that impulse she would start crying and all her hard work on her makeup would all go to waste before the night had even started.
Her emotional conflict was resolved by the appearance of Hanabi, who had decided to emulate Naruto and her sister by wearing a kimono tonight, a pale lilac one that matches her eyes. She was wearing her hair in her normal style except for a single red flower on her left temple. She looks at her sister and how she is wearing her hair up tonight and how Naruto cannot seem to keep his eyes focused on anything else. 'Heck, even otou-sama was smiling at Hinata and he never smiles at anything, like ever.' Feeling like the ugly duckling in the room Hanabi steps in front of Hinata and gives a little twirl in her kimono. "Naruto-kun, how do I look? This is a different kimono than the one you saw me in last time."
Naruto blinks and then looks down at Hanabi twirling in her kimono and gives her a warm smile. "You look very pretty Hanabi-chan. Tonight I truly am the luckiest guy in the entire village to be seen escorting the two prettiest girls in the Leaf Village to the festival."
Hanabi, overfilled with joy that Naruto has called her pretty, runs up and wraps her arms around him and places the side of her face against his chest. "Oh thank you, I am so happy that you think I look pretty." Hanabi turns just enough so that she can see her sister's face and give her a smile that says, 'That's right he said I am pretty, plus he gives me an honorific and not you, sister.'
Caught a little off guard by Hanabi's burst of affection Naruto puts his arms around her and pats her back. "Well, you do look pretty tonight, why would I lie to you?" He looks up and sees that Hinata's smile is gone and she is looking unhappily at her sister.
Hinata is trying hard not to let it show that it bothers her that he had added an honorific to her sister's name and that he gave her sister a hug. He has only done that once to her and that was before they had started dating. He had always added 'chan' to the end of Sakura's name and now right here in front of her he was doing the same for her little sister. 'Why won't he do the same for me? He did it once, why not again?' She could feel the old insecurities that had become buried over the last few months begin to unearth themselves. Hinata could feel a chill run up her spine as she watches a smiling Naruto put his arms around someone other than herself.
Naruto, sensing that the mood has change between the sisters, and that he is somehow the cause, steps back from Hanabi and claps his hands together. "Well, ladies if we don't leave soon the festival is going to be over before we get to have any fun." He turns to Hiashi and bows respectfully. "Hyuga-sama, I promise to bring them both home shortly after tonight's fireworks display has concluded."
Hiashi returns the bow and looks at his two daughters. "I expect that while you are at the festival you both will behave tonight in a manner befitting a member of the main branch of the Hyuga clan." Both girls bow to him and promise not to bring dishonor to themselves or to the clan.
After his daughters have left with Naruto, Hiashi shakes his head. 'I do not envy the Uzumaki boy, both of my daughters seem determined to win his entire attention tonight. Hanabi has always gotten what she has set out to acquire, but I do believe that she is going find her sister's will to be an immovable object this time. Hinata has earned her right to become my heir again by the hard work and dedication she showed in becoming the strong shinobi I saw during the war. Her desire to win the heart of the Uzumaki boy seems to be even stronger." He sits and takes a contemplative drink before letting out a very tired sigh. 'I just hope that my fears are for nothing and a decision of the heart doesn't bring the whole house down upon our heads.'