A/N: With this chapter I will go over the 100,000 word mark for this story. I find this to be pretty cool for a story that I originally intended to be a one-shot.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Walking down the street, with a girl on each arm, a nervously smiling Naruto looks up at all of the colorful lanterns in the village. "So where do we want to start?" He wasn't sure what has suddenly made the two sisters act so oddly towards each other, but he wants to come up with some distractions quickly before his date starts falling apart. Things were feeling so weird that he had decided not to ask why Hinata had insisted that they exit through a side gate rather than go through the main gate of the family compound, or why Hanabi had given her that strange look when she had suggested the side gate.
Hanabi immediately starts tugging on one of Naruto's arms in excitement. "I hear that they have set up a stage near the main gate for some shows. Let's go see what kind of performances they are having for the festival tonight."
Hinata puts the barest of pressures on Naruto's other arm, just enough to get his attention, and speaks with a quiet voice. "Naruto-kun, I-I-I was hoping that we might go into the village and check out the vendors. I saw a few places that looked interesting when we there earlier today. Would it be okay with you if we take a closer look?"
Hanabi gives another tug and shakes her head. "Most of those people are the same ones from the village so they aren't going to have anything that we can't find tomorrow. These performances won't happen for another year, or ever if the performers don't come back, or they might do something totally different next year." She looks up at Naruto with a pleading look. "Please can't we go? We might miss something really good if we don't go soon. We should at least go and check out the posted list and see if there are any performances tonight that we wouldn't want to miss."
'Man, why didn't I pay attention and memorize the list when I went by there earlier?' Naruto looks from the determined expression on Hanabi's face, to the soft smile on Hinata's that says she will go wherever he leads, and is about to announce his decision when Hinata shakes her head and points down one of the streets.
"If we go that way we will pass by some of the shops on our way to the main gate. We can look at those on the way and see the rest after we try out the special ramen they are serving tonight at Ichiraku's."
Naruto just looks at her in amazement at how she can always find the positive in anything, even him. He was planning on telling Hanabi that going to the stage could wait, but Hinata's idea was so much better. "Great idea Hinata, that sounds like an honest compromise to me, let's go check out the shows and get back before they sell out of ramen. When I went by Ichiraku's earlier today, Ayame kept giving me this funny smile, but clamed up when I asked her why she was smiling or what the special is tonight."
Hanabi, not completely happy with the arrangement says nothing, but her disappointment is short lived once she walks past the first stall. As soon as they reach the first vendor she immediately starts pointing out different items for sale that catch her eye and even takes a closer look at some of the items.
Hinata smiles at seeing her plan working out perfectly. 'I knew once we got anywhere near the vendors she would not be able to resist doing a little shopping and leave me all alone with my Naruto-kun.' Hinata wraps herself around Naruto's arm and enjoys having him all to herself as they walk together taking in the sights and sounds of the festival.
Naruto, enjoying the sensation of Hinata's presence by his side, keeps his promise and makes sure that Hanabi stays where he can see her while she shops. 'I made a promise to Ko to watch them both and dammit I am not going to have him suddenly show up and ruin my date with Hinata by accusing me of breaking my word.'
As he and Hinata continue walking together Naruto notices that some people stop and stare at them, mostly at the beautiful woman by his side. That is when he starts noticing that the gaze of a few men seemed to linger a little too long on Hinata, especially one who's mouth was open wide enough to catch flies. Naruto's first thought was to walk right up to the guy, whose lips were now moving as his stared at Hinata, and give him a good shake before asking him what he hell did he just say about Hinata. Instead of giving into that impulse he just glares at the man and when the man looks up and sees that he has been noticed by an unhappy looking Naruto, his face goes pale before he quickly turns away and moves hurriedly down another street. 'That's right, I saw you and I remember what you look like, so if I ever catch you staring at her again you and a few of my shadow clones are going to have a little chat.' He is brought out of his ire when he feels the gentle pressure on his arm increase. "What, I'm sorry Hinata what did you just say?"
"Is something wrong Naruto-kun? You suddenly felt tense and I was worried that something had happened." She watches happily as the anger she felt from him melts away as he turns and looks at her, before averting his gaze downward.
Seeing her smiling at him with such concern, Naruto turns and looks down in shame at how he is acting like a jealous idiot. Which coincidentally puts his eyes in line with Hinata's bare neck and causes him to have a nearly unimaginable double blush. "I-I-I am sorry Hinata. I just..."
Hinata raises a hand and lifts his burning face up to try and get him to look her in the eyes again. "Are you okay?" She then smiles almost mischievously when she realizes what is happening. "Naruto-kun, are you blushing?" His blue eyes slowly, almost hesitantly, rise up and look into Hinata's eyes. Seeing him look at her so hesitantly makes her heart feel like she, along with everything else in the world, has suddenly come to a stop.
Just before she had touched his face, all Naruto could seem to focus on was how some deep primal part of him wanted to lean forward and press his lips against the soft pale flesh of her neck. 'Why do I feel all weird every time I look at her neck tonight? I've seen plenty other girls with neck exposed in a similar way, so why does seeing Hinata like this make me feel like I am about to lose control?'
His thoughts come to a halt as his attention is drawn into the pull of her twin lavender orbs and as they both stare at each other they feel drawn closer like the tide when the moon is full. As this hidden magnetism brings them closer they both know deep down that they should pull away before everyone around them witnesses what should be a private moment. Unfortunately nothing those inner voices say seems to be able to break the spell they are helplessly under. Until at last, one outside voice breaks through and pulls them from the brink.
"Naruto-kun, you got to see this parasol that I found. It matches my kimono and my eyes perfectly." With aching regret, and some small amount of relief, they break away from their collision course and turn together to see Hanabi standing there, eyes shimmering from unshed tears pointing towards an umbrella.
Hanabi had been admiring all the different colors of the parasols that were on display and was so happy when she saw one in the exact same color as her eye's and kimono. She was thinking how cute she would look walking in the park with Naruto by her side as she would shyly peek from underneath to see him smiling back. She wanted to beat them both with the parasol when she saw her sister trying to kiss Naruto while her back was turned. 'Is this why she wanted to go shopping? Knowing that I might get distracted?' Fortunately, her training kicked in before she broke her promise and made a shameful public spectacle with her anger, and attacked them with the parasol that she had just found.
Inadvertently, Hinata had probably been saved by her sister from what their father would have called a shameful public display, by kissing Naruto publically in the middle of a crowded street. Some people would talk, they always do about something or another, about how unashamedly Hinata had kissed a boy on just their second date. Such talk could lead to questions about her virtue later which could cause her, and potentially the clan, problems later if things did not work out between her and Naruto and she was forced to be married to someone else.
Hinata's inner voice, which has become increasingly bold lately, mentions a positive to her purity dilemma. 'If something was to happen between the two of you, then he might have to marry you to protect your honor. You know he would do it too.' Hinata just mentally shakes her head at the thought of trapping Naruto in such a manner. If they were going to be together, then it would be that he loved her too and not out of some sort of obligation. 'I just wish sometimes that I was not an heiress of a great clan and I was someone from a lesser clan. All of the responsibilities of my station get in the way sometimes of just being able to say what is in my heart and allow myself to indulge in what I truly want.'
With their collision course avert the couple separates to a slightly less tempting distance as they approach the stall to take a closer look at what Hanabi had found. They both compliment Hanabi on how she looks holding the parasol and Naruto insists on buying it for her as a gift. This in return earns him an excited hug from a happy Hanabi. He had been feeling a little guilty lately that he had not given her a gift at the party, and so he feels that he is past due to get her something. With that thought in mind he realizes that he doesn't even know when her next birthday is, and that might be something important to know down the road.
While Naruto is busy purchasing the parasol Hinata excuses herself to go to the ladies room to powder her nose. Actually, she needs a moment to collect herself and slow down her erratic heart rate, plus the knowing smiles from some of the nearby people were giving them was making her feel a little self-conscious.
As she steps up in front of the mirror she pauses for a moment when the woman looking back from the reflection looks like her mother, or at least very much like the woman in the picture her father keeps in his desk. Hinata smiles and admires herself as she remembers how just a little while ago her father and Naruto had been transfixed by how she had looked tonight. As she checks her outfit and hair to make sure everything is still where it should be, Hinata can feel the nervousness wash away and be replaced with a small amount of confidence. 'The way he was looking at me felt so wonderful and the way he was glaring at those men who were staring at me was amazing.' She pushes away the thoughts of how those unwelcome stares had made her feel and focuses on the fact that Naruto had acted so protective of her, it made her feel so safe.
The sound of someone entering the room catches her attention and her good mood sours just a little as the blonde who hit on Naruto earlier in the day comes into view. Hinata just turns her head away and goes back to ensuring everything was still perfectly in place.
The blonde steps up beside Hinata and starts applying a fresh coat of lipstick. "I was wondering when I saw Naruto out there with that little girl if you had already been replaced." The blonde can see Hinata twitch in the reflected image. "If I had known that he was into the sweet innocent type I would have changed my tactics earlier today." The blonde emphasizes her point by clasping her hands together and blinking innocently.
The thought of someone tricking their way into Naruto's heart made Hinata's skin crawl and she could feel her hands clinching in frustration. Deciding not to give into the impulse being screamed by her inner self, Hinata walks towards the exit. She had almost made it out when the blonde's next comment stops her in her tracks.
"I had heard rumors about him being a pervert, but I just thought that was all they were, silly rumors because of who his teacher was and all." She turns and does her best to hide the fact that the cold smile on Hinata's face was as unnerving now as it was earlier today. "I thought at best he might be into some freaky stuff, but I would not have thought that innocent little girls are his thing." She is unable to stop herself from taking a step backwards as Hinata walks closer.
Every fiber of her being was telling her to shut up, but her mouth would not stop talking. 'Besides, what is this timid little rich brat really going to do, cry and call her daddy's guards? Everyone knows about how timid the heir of Hyuga clan is and how their status may be jeopardy with such a weak heir about to take control.' With that thought in mind she goes ahead and pushes the little rich girl just a bit more. "So tell me, are each of you spending time with Naruto alone or are the two of you getting to know him intimately togeth… urk.'
Hinata's hand strikes out, without even activating her byakugan, and hits the girl in the throat, stopping the flow of chakra to her neck muscles, causing them to seize up and effectively cutting off her ability to breath. Hinata steps in closer to look directly into the girls quickly bulging eyes. "You should never equate shyness with a lack of strength. I was the only one who went to Uzumaki-san's aid while everyone else, even his teammates, stood up there and watched as he was about to be taken by Pain. Also, be thankful that I am a skilled kunoichi of the Hyuga clan's main branch, because a fraction of an inch different and I would have crushed your windpipe." Hinata strikes the girl a few more times, one to allow the girl to breathe again and the rest to render her body temporarily immobile.
Hinata looks deeply into the girl's frightened eyes, now with her byakugan activated. "Let me set you straight on a few things tonight. First, you will only address him as Uzumaki-sama, at all times. Secondly, the Hyuga clan will not tolerate any disparaging remarks towards Hyuga Hanabi, especially any conjecture towards her purity. Do you understand?" Hinata waits patiently for a moment before smiling. "I'll take your silence as a confirmation."
Hinata straightens up and glares at the girl before continuing. "Thirdly, I will not tolerate any questions about my own purity, and for the record it is still intact." She gives the girl a disdainful sneer. "A woman of the Hyuga clan does not give such a treasure away freely like some commoner."
She fills her left hand with just enough chakra to make it glow, but not so much as to draw attention from someone outside, to make sure the girl understands her final point. "Uzumaki Naruto has been a completely honorable man the whole time we have been together. As for his actions towards Hanabi-chan, they have been very polite and in no way lewd. My sister does have an infatuation with Uzumaki-san and if he decides that he prefers her company over mine, then I will not stand in their way. I have only wanted him to be happy my entire life and if it is my younger sister that makes him happy, then I will stand aside for her, and as the leader of the Hyuga clan I will bless their union." Hinata fights back the tears that want to be shed as she continues to pour out to the girl what has been on her mind the last few days. "It is up to him to decide what his heart wants, but I will not lie to him or try to entrap him. Instead, I will be the person who stands nearby ready with the love and support he was missing for such much of his life, be that as a friend or more, it will be for him to decide."
Hinata walks towards the exit and turns back just before opening the door. "The chakra I used to immobilize you should fade very soon, but I would suggest that you use this time to think about what I have said and remember that I will not warn you again." Before walking out into the street she takes a moment to hide her anger with a determined smile, so that he will hopefully not see the anger still simmering in her heart.
Now that the transaction is complete Naruto looks over at the returning Hinata, "How about you? Is there something that has caught your eye?"
Hinata's cheeks turn pink as she is caught off guard by his question and looks down at her shuffling feet. Finally she raises one hand slowly and points.
Naruto looks behind himself in confusion. "You want a parasol too?" When she shakes her head he looks behind himself again, now more confused than ever. "You want some dango? Okay, but I was kind of hoping for some more of those cinnamon rolls I had earlier." He raises his eyebrows up and down a few times to emphasize what he was really meaning.
Hinata looks up at him eyes wide and hands covering the mouth of her bright red face. She then gives a curious looking Hanabi a 'Wouldn't you like to know?' look and then goes back to pointing. Seeing that he doesn't understand she takes a step closer and places one finger on his lips.
After thinking for a moment Naruto's face goes pink before he starts laughing. "I asked if I could buy you something too." He kisses her fingertip. "You can have those for free anytime you want."
Hinata takes his arms and starts walking towards their next destination. "Well, then I already have all I could want or need."
At hearing her declaration Naruto begins to chuckle some more, which turns into a full laugh when he looks over to see Hanabi standing there, holding her parasol, in complete shock at what she just heard her sister say.
As they finally get close to the main gate they see the stage and that a group is currently setting up for a drum performance. As they approach to find some seats they hear somebody call out Naruto's name and turn to see Kiba, Ino, Tenten and Shino standing not too far away waving for them to come over.
As they approach Naruto notices that Kiba's attention seems focused on Hinata and more importantly not directly at her eyes. "Hey mutt, what's with the staring?"
Kiba's eyes snap up and he looks at Naruto with an angry glare before he slowly turns to look over his shoulder to look at his girlfriend, who by the way was staring at him arms crossed and one eyebrow raised. "I, uhh…"
Shino leans over to Kiba's ear to lend some potentially lifesaving advice. "Carefully choosing your words right now might be advisable."
While Kiba is distracted giving Shino an unhappy glare, Ino leans down and whispers in Akumaru's ear. The giant dog moves closer to Ino, who sits down side-saddle and rides slowly away from the group. Kiba just watches in embarrassment as his closest friend takes his girlfriend's side and leaves him standing there alone. "Ino, don't be that way. Akumaru you big traitor bring her back." He starts walking alongside the two of them trying, with no success, to get either one of them to look in his direction.
The group stands there smiling at the antics of their friends, all except Hinata whose shoulders hunch up as if trying to shrink into her kimono. Since she had started blossoming at an early age she has known that boys, and even some men, would look at her in a certain way that made her feel uncomfortable. That is part of the reason she had started wearing the baggy clothes whenever she could, to help hide from that unwanted attention from anyone other than Naruto, who had never seemed to notice anything unless it either had pink-hair or was ramen. Now that kind of attention has gotten her teammate in trouble with his girlfriend and it makes her feel a little guilty for trying to get more attention from Naruto, which has been a great success.
Shino, always being perceptive and protective of his adopted little sister, leans over and whispers in her ear while everyone else is distracted by the Kiba and Ino show. "Don't feel bad, Ino enjoys making him beg."
Hinata turns and looks at Shino and could tell, even with most of his face hidden, that he was smiling. The image of Kiba squatting down like Akumaru begging for a treat suddenly pops into her mind and she forgets all about the unwanted attention as she begins to giggle loudly. When Naruto turns and smirks in his special way at her she has to cover her mouth to try and stifle the giggles, but that only makes it worse.
Naruto leans closer, dangerously close, and lowers his head to look at her face. "What is so funny?" When she shakes her head and giggles even louder he grabs her wrists gently and tries to pull them away from her face. "Okay, I have to know, please Hinata." He turns his head so that his ear is closer to her mouth. "Just whisper it in my ear."
As she tries to get her giggling under control she can't help but look closer at his own exposed neck and understands better now why Kurenai-sensei's suggested wearing her hair up for the festival. While he was away on his last mission she and Kurenai had trained some together and their conversations had inevitably come to the birthday party. Hinata had told Kurenai of how she had taken her advice and tried to be bold. It was that boldness that had led to their first kiss, and looking back now it was that first bold kiss that had broken the ice and led to so many more wonderful moments.
With happy tears flowing down her cheeks she had thanked Kurenai for the encouragement that led to such a pivotal moment in her slowly growing relationship with Naruto. It was at that time her sensei had asked if Naruto had even seen her with her hair up. When Hinata shook her head Kurenai just smiled and suggested that on their next date Hinata should try that, to surprise him. Kurenai would only smile when Hinata had asked why would something so simple as wearing her hair up, be a nice surprise for Naruto.
'Is this what he is feeling when I catch him staring at my neck? A desire to brush his lips ever so softly from my ear all the way down to… where it begins to curve out to… my collarbone?' She could feel the blackness closing in strongly this time. There seems to be no way to stop herself from fainting no matter how loudly her inner voice screams, as the thoughts of his lips touching…
Hanabi was watching as her sister was giggling at some unknown joke and then as Naruto cranes his neck to be told what was so funny. She saw how instead of whispering the secret in Naruto-kun's ear, her sister's lips began to descend towards his neck, her eyes completely glazed over. 'Oh no, she is about to faint. If she faints we might have to go home early and that will ruin my whole evening.' Hanabi felt a surge of panic rise up and she tugs harshly at the sleeve of Hinata's kimono. "Onee-san!"
As all eyes suddenly turn to regard Hanabi after her loud outburst, she suddenly feels very small and ashamed. "Uh... I... I wanted to hear the joke too, onee-san." She looks down at her feet in shame at how lame the excuse sounds. 'Great, now I sound like some little child in front of Naruto-kun.'
At any other time Hinata might have been upset with her sister for shouting like that in public, but her sister's outburst had saved her from fainting right there in front of everyone. So she decides to return the favor and kneels down a little to smile at her sister. "You are right I, if I am going to make a spectacle of myself I should at least share what is so funny." She looks over to Shino with a grateful smile before looking back to Hanabi. "I just thought that it looked like Ino was enjoying how she was making Kiba beg and I had the mental image of him hunched down beside Akumaru as they both beg Ino for a treat."
Hanabi's eyes go wide and both hands cover her mouth as everyone turns to look over at Kiba, who seems to have patched things up with Ino, and they all start laughing at him again. Kiba just gives them all a sneer while Ino flashes a victory sign.
They were eventually able to find a spot where they could all sit close together and watch the performance. The two Hyuga's heiresses sat on either side of Naruto and somehow managed to smile at him and glare at each other simultaneously after Hanabi wrapped herself around one of Naruto's arms. He gives Hanabi a friendly smirk and shakes his head a little as he turns to look at Hinata, who is sitting quietly there with her hands in her lap. Naruto reaches over and places a hand on her waist and scoots up against Hinata, dragging with him a slightly confused Hanabi.
Hinata, feeling him press up against her looks over with a shy smile, knowing that her plan to get him to make a move has worked. 'Kurenai is so right. You have to make them work for it sometimes for them to realize how much they really want something. It is just so hard sometimes to be patient around him since… we've kissed.' She smiles as she places her head on his shoulder with a happy sigh.
The first performance was a troop of drummers that went through two different songs before they were joined by a dozen other musicians and four women in kimonos, who came out from the sides of the stage and started dancing to the music. The first song started off soft and slow, but the pace picked up as it went along. By the end of the second dance everyone in the crowd was entranced and was clapping for more.
An announcer steps up and surveys the crowd. "For our next song we are going to need some audience participation. Can I have three ladies volunteer to join us up on the stage?"
"I have someone right here who would be perfect. Over here take this one." Everyone turns to see Hanabi pointing over a confused Naruto's shoulders and towards her blushing sister, who is trying to hide her face in Naruto's shoulder.
Ino and Kiba, sensing a chance to perform some mischief together start clapping and cheering. "Come on Hinata go up there and show us what you can do, I bet Naruto would like to see you dance."
Naruto and Hinata look at each other and while she could tell he was interested in seeing her dance she could also see his concern for her. "Hinata, you don't have to do anything that you don't want to do, okay."
Before she can reply, one of the dancers reaches over and starts tugging her towards the stage. "Don't worry miss we will only be doing a simple dance and we will you help out along the way."
Hinata looks back at Naruto, who starts to stand and retrieve her when he feels someone grab his arm and tug him back towards his seat. He looks down and sees Hanabi wrapped around his arm again looking up with a pleading expression on her face.
"Don't worry Naruto-kun, onee-san will be fine, I promise." Hanabi gives his arm another hug.
"Yeah Naruto, loosen up a little and let's see what Hinata can do." Ino leans in close to his ear. "Besides, if you run up there now and drag her off the stage people would just laugh at her." She smiles knowing that Naruto's overwhelming desire to protect those he cares about will keep him still, for alittle while. 'He will stay there as long as he doesn't think that dragging her off the stage may protect her from an even greater embarrassment.'
Kiba just smiles and whispers as Shino looks over at him and shakes his head unhappily. "Lighten up Shino, I am sure Hinata will be fine and watching Naruto squirm helplessly in Hanabi's arms is hilarious."
Tenten, normally one to join in on a good prank can't help but watch with growing reservation as Hanabi tightens her grip around Naruto's arm and smiles at him happily as he sits back down. 'This looks like it is starting to get out of hand. I may have to get involved before someone really gets hurt.'
Everyone's attention is drawn to the dance floor as the music begins to play and they can see Hinata standing there nervously swaying to the music. Hinata scans over the faces of the crowd apprehensively, seeing them all watching her, and all she can think about is that they are all just sitting there waiting for her to fail, so they can laugh. Finally her eyes meet with Naruto's and she seems to draw strength from his bright blue eyes and can feel her pulse begin to slow down.
Naruto's stands up, jerking a surprised Hanabi up with him, and punches his one free fist up in the air. "Go on Hinata, show everyone what you can do, I believe in you Hinata."
Tenten cups her hands around her mouth and shouts as loudly as she can over the now increasing volume of the music. "No Hinata, show Naruto, what you can do."
Something about what Tenten said resonates deeply inside Hinata. 'That's right, I don't have to dance for the entire audience. I can just dance for Naruto-kun.' With that singular thought in mind Hinata's eyes focus only on Naruto's cerulean depths and she matches the movements of her body perfectly to the tempo of the song.
Everyone in the crowd watches as Hinata performs the dance number almost perfectly, nearly matching the performance of the dancers who have been practicing for weeks. During the entire dance Hinata's eyes never break their focus with the one person in the crowd that truly matters.
Naruto himself sits in the audience watching Hinata, his eyes never breaking his gaze with hers as he taps the rhythm of the song perfectly on his knee with his free hand. His eyes seem to will Hinata to give the performance her best.
Hanabi looks out and sees that her sister, instead of becoming self-conscious and faltering like she had expected, seemed almost happy as she dances on the stage. 'Why is she so happy? She has nearly fainted at home when she has had to perform dances in the past at family gatherings.' The answer was in Hinata's eyes, which never seem to falter in their focus as she dances gracefully on the stage. Hanabi looks up and sees that Naruto's eyes are similarly focused on Hinata, almost hypnotized by the graceful performance he is watching.
As the song comes to its conclusion Naruto is the first to stand and applaud, and is quickly followed by the rest of their friends and then the audience. The only person it seems that does not immediately join in on the applause is Hanabi, who just sits there half-heartedly clapping until Naruto looks down at her smiling and she picks up her pace.
The announcer steps up and gestures for the crowd to let him speak. "Wow, our volunteers were truly amazing tonight." He turns and gives them a quick applause before turning back to address the crowd. "Well, what is a dance without partners? Do we have some male volunteers in the audience to come up here and dance with these lovely ladies?"
Hinata's eyes grow wide and she stares at Naruto nervously. 'Will he… come up here and dance with me, or… will I have to dance… with somebody else?' Her eyes quickly scan the crowd to see if anyone else has raised their hand yet. 'Maybe I should run off the stage? I would embarrass myself, but at least he won't be forced to come up on the stage.'
Ino leans forward and speaks into Naruto's ear. "I wonder which young man in the audience is going to have the honor of dancing with Hinata? I mean, after that performance I'll bet she will have no trouble finding someone willing to be her dance partner." She leans back covering her mouth with one hand to stifle her laughter.
Kiba leans forward ever so slightly. "Yeah, last year one poor girl had to dance with Rock Lee, who pranced around up there like his pants were on fire screaming something about the power of youth." He starts chuckling as he recalls last year's festival. "The poor girl ran off the stage crying before the song was half done and Rock Lee just stayed up there and finished dancing by himself."
Tenten could see Hanabi's grip on Naruto's arm tighten dramatically as it becomes apparent that the others were trying to convince Naruto to leave her and go up on the stage with her sister. "Don't worry Naruto, Hinata will be fine. Look, two boys have already raised their hands to go up on the stage. I am sure one of them will dance with Hinata." Tenten then pats Naruto on the shoulder in an irritating fashion.
Hanabi was about to turn around and thank her sensei when Naruto stands up and yells loud enough for most of the audience and performers to hear him clearly. "LIKE HELL!"
Hinata is a little shaken when she hears Naruto's voice, with just a hint of that old anger he was so well known for when they were children, as he stands up and shakes off a shocked Hanabi. She feels her hear flutter as he walks towards her with a determined gaze. She feels a thrill run through her as he looks over at the first two boys to raise their hand and gives them a challenging glare.
As he is walking up to the stage Naruto can feel his body temperature rise as the thoughts of watching somebody else put their hands on Hinata flashes through his mind. 'If anybody thinks that I am going to sit quietly while some guy is up on that stage dancing with Hinata, then they had better think again.'
Everyone watches as Naruto walks up to a visibly shaken announcer and bends his head to speak with him quietly. They watch as the announcer shakes his head and then nods when Naruto points at his own chest. Naruto then points towards the band and the announcer nods rapidly and rushes over to the band and the quickly gathering dancers to have a quick chat. Two of the dancers look up from the huddle and over at Naruto curiously as he approaches Hinata.
Ino looks over at her friends, who all seem to have the same concerned look on their faces as her own. "What do you think that was all about? Do you think that we might have pushed him a little too far this time and he threatened that poor announcer?"
Kiba just shrugs at Ino's question. "Probably, he did just spend most of the last two years on missions, pretty much tearing apart anything and anybody that got in his way. Maybe he isn't completely over whatever the hell set him off."
"Look at his face." Shino gestures towards Naruto, who is standing there beside Hinata with no emotions showing on his face. "I don't think that I have ever seen him so calm. Do you think that is a bad sign?"
Kiba chuckles when he sees Naruto standing there like a statue. "Oh man, I think he has stage fright. I am so glad I am sober right now, because I really would hate to forget this moment." His chuckle turns into a full laugh as the image of Naruto frozen stiff up there while the entire audience laughs goes through his mind.
Hinata too notices the flat expression on Naruto's face and instantly becomes concerned. "Naruto-kun, don't worry. Just watch me and I will help you get through the dance."
Naruto looks over at Hinata and blinks before his face reverts to its normal smiling self. "Okay Hinata, I really appreciate that you are willing to help. I promise you that I will do my very best not to disappoint you, okay?"
The drummers begin and set the rhythm before the rest of the musicians add to the song. The song is familiar to Hinata and she finds it strange that they would pick a song like this one for a New Year's festival. She turns to give Naruto his first instruction and sees that he is already in the appropriate starting stance for the song. Her eyes trail up his body before resting on his face and she is surprised to see him smirking. "Wait, you know how to dance?" She asks in a whisper to him before realizing that she is the only one not moving on the stage.
Naruto places one hand gently on her arm and the other on one of her hips as he whispers in her ear. "Here, let me help you Hinata." He takes the lead as their dance together begins.
Hinata feels her face go flush as their bodies begin to move together on the stage. Now that she is over the initial shock, the years of practice takes over and Hinata focuses on his face to see a familiar look in his eyes.
"Uh, have the rest of you noticed that Naruto is not stumbling around up there, but actually looks like he knows what he is doing?" Ino cannot hide her shock and mild disappointment.
"Not only that, but he has that look on his face." Kiba adds.
"What do you mean by 'that look' Kiba?" Ino looks closer and sees an almost feral like smile plastered across Naruto's face.
"You are right Kiba, I've seen that look several times lately when he has come over and did some sparing exercises against my whole team." Tenten just shakes her head as she watches her two friends dancing together. "He always smiles like that when he is enjoying a challenge."
"Hinata has almost the same look on her face." Everyone shifts their gaze to Hinata, whose eyes have narrowed and a very uncharacteristic smirk graces her face. "She looks like she is actually enjoying herself up there dancing with Naruto in front of everyone."
As she realized that Naruto had tricked her and pretended to be scared, Hinata gives him at first a happy smile that he was not going to be embarrassed, but that quickly changes. Hinata's eyes narrow as she realizes that he has played a prank on her tonight in front of everyone and she feels a new determination take over. 'After what he just did, there is no way I am going to let him out dance me tonight.' Hinata focuses her eyes on his and lets her eyes issue a challenge for him to try and keep up with her moves.
As the dance number reaches the mid-point where there is a momentary pause, Naruto points towards the band and gestures for them to up the tempo for the second half of the number. His eyes never leave their focus on Hinata, but he raises his right eyebrow in a challenging gesture. "Do you think that you can keep up Hinata, or should I ask them to keep the tempo, slow?"
Not to be outdone, Hinata reaches down and raises the hem of her kimono to increase her mobility and kicks off her sandals. Her preparations complete she raises her chin in an arrogant gesture. "Just do your best to avoid stepping on my toes."
Tenten leans over towards the others. "Is it me or do they look…"
"…like they are sparing against each other." Shino, whose focus on his teammate and friends is momentarily broken by the sudden closeness of Tenten and a desire to lean in just a little closer, finishes his date's thought.
Kiba looks over at Akumaru, who gives a happy bark, and then back up to the stage. "Doesn't that idiot know that he is supposed to be dancing up there, and that not everything has to be a fight?"
Shino just shakes his head in disbelief. "I would normally agree with you, but I can't recall ever seeing Hinata smile for that long in all the time we have been friends."
Tenten nods and looks over at Hanabi and decides that this is a perfect learning moment for her student. "How about you Hanabi, have you ever seen Hinata smile for so long, or as happily, as she is right now?"
Hanabi just shakes her head quietly as she watches what was supposed to be an embarrassing moment for her sister, while she would be here with her arms around Naruto, fall completely apart. She cannot help but be in awe as she watches the two of them on the stage dancing together. The others were right, they do look like they are sparing against each other and enjoying every single moment of the challenge. Even as the music increases in tempo the two of them continue to dance in near perfect harmony with each other. 'They really do look amazing together. I've never seen onee-san this happy, even when she eats a freshly made cinnamon roll. Naruto-kun's smile for her is different than the one he gives me, because when he is smiling at me I can see in his eyes that he honestly cares. The smile he gives onee-san is more intense and seems to not just come from his eyes, but from somewhere deeper, as if he was smiling with his heart.'
Naruto and Hinata end up with their bodies pressed close together as the dance reaches its conclusion. Her right hand is in Naruto's left, while his right hand is wrapped around her waist and supporting her back as she is leans backwards looking up into his face. Hinata's left hand is upon his cheek with her fingers tracing his whisker lines, as her thumb rubs his chin gently. They stand there breathing heavily and looking deeply into each other's eyes as Naruto leans closer and touches his nose against her own, bringing their lips so temptingly close to each other.
They finally remember where they are and notice the cacophony of applause erupting from the audience and the other performers on the stage. As they turn and see the audience standing there applauding them, Hinata breaks free of Naruto's embrace and bows deeply to try and hide the deep crimson now covering her face.
Naruto is taken aback by all of the familiar faces from the village looking up at the two of them clapping and smiling. He can feel his face become warm and decides to take a lesson from Hinata and bows to the audience before grabbing her hand, and her shoes while heading for the edge of the stage.
As they were heading towards their seats all Hinata could think about was how amazing it felt to be up there with him on that stage. 'It was just like how we have been on the Hyuga practice field lately. I could sense exactly when he was going to make a change in the performance just before he even started, even without my byakugan being active.' Hinata knew before she looked up that he was smiling at her and he gave her hand a happy squeeze as their eyes met.
As they take their seats they are both congratulated by their friends, which starts a whole new round of blushing for both of them.
"Wow, that was amazing." Ino exclaims. "I am not surprised that Hinata could dance, but Naruto?"
"Yeah, I was expecting to see you up there looking like a dancing bear." Kiba says as he gives Naruto a slap on the back. "What gives man?"
Hinata looks over at him with a smile, happily surprised on how things have turned out. "Yes, when did you learn to dance, Naruto-kun?"
Naruto laughs as he scratches the back of his head. "Well, you remember back when I went on that long training mission with Pervy-Sage? We stayed in this one town for a few weeks while he did some research at the local Hot Springs and he set me up at this dance school to keep me occupied.
FLASHBACK
"Come on old man, just admit that you are shirking your duty to train me so you can go stare at a bunch of girls bathing at the hot spring." A young Naruto shakes his fist and stomps around the room the two of them are sharing.
Jiraiya gestures with the sake filled cup he is holding. "Now my boy, dancing is like a form of martial arts. It is all about getting into sync with your partner and performing complex maneuvers together without needing to utter a single word." He takes a long drink of his sake and then lets out a long sigh. "Besides, if you saw the girls that I glimpsed hanging out at hot springs you would want to be up there doing some research on your own." He lets out a long deep laugh that sounds as perverted as his statement.
Naruto, knowing that the old pervert had made up his mind, sits down and sulks into his instant ramen. "It's just that I don't see the point in dancing."
Jiraiya leans forward so close that Naruto can smell the alcohol on his breath. "Trust me boy, one day you will appreciate knowing how to dance, and I don't mean gyrating on the dance floor. I am talking about real dancing, between two people. It's the closest thing to having sex without worrying about a paternity suit." He leans back and lets out another deep laugh when Naruto blushes at the mention of the word sex.
His smile changes to something a little less perverted. "Think about this boy. Most girls like to dance, it's just a fact. The other fact, girls tend to pay more attention to a boy who knows how to dance." He gives Naruto a knowing look. "Now isn't there a certain girl out there that you have been needing to get to know better? Maybe a certain princ…"
"Pink-haired girl?" Naruto slaps his fist happily into his open palm, completely missing the frustrated shaking of his sensei's head. "That's right, I know who the first person I am going to dance with, Sa…"
END FLASHBACK
"No!" Naruto's head snaps up as he comes out of his remembrance.
"What's wrong Naruto-kun?" Hinata reaches and places a gentle hand on Naruto's arm and looks at him with concern when she feels how tense he has suddenly become.
Naruto just shakes his head and smiles weakly at Hinata, trying to hide the sudden stab of pain he feels in his heart. "I'm sorry, thinking about Pervy-Sage brought back a lot of memories." He gives Hinata a smile, realizing now who the old man had really been talking about. 'The old man was more perceptive than I ever gave him credit for being. I just wish that he had been a little less pervy sometimes, then I might have paid better attention to what he was saying.'