They had been in Suna for five days. Five days of tedious meetings, a lot of diplomacy. Five days that had been agonizing for Naruto.
Just as Temari was taking him to see her room, which she indicated would be next to Hinata's bedroom, they saw a man coming out of the girl's room. Naruto didn't have to strain to listen to the conversation that was going on between him and the young woman, who was staying inside the room.
-Actually, it's a pleasure to see you again. See you in a while- the boy told him.
-I'll see you later Ronin-san- she replied as she closed the door.
What the hell was HE doing in Hinata's room? Naruto felt that already familiar and unpleasant pressure on his chest again, and the stupid grin Ronin was wearing as he approached them didn't help him eliminate the desire he had to bust a rasengan in his face.
That same afternoon, once they had been called back to the negotiating table, Naruto saw the most beautiful creature that his eyes had ever seen enter the room... dressed in a strange navy blue silk kimono, much lighter than the traditional one. , and with strange details of stones that seemed to sparkle, with her hair tied in a braid and wearing a necklace that fell delicately between the neckline of the kimono
when he looked directly into her eyes to greet her he realized it was Hinata. It was as if the shy girl he had held in his arms that morning had been transformed into a goddess, holding everyone in that room under her spell. Naruto realized that he had never seen her on diplomatic missions, if this was her representing the leader of the Hyuga he didn't understand how the elders of the clan still doubted her ability. Hinata could be more than a leader, a queen.
"Gentlemen, this is Hinata Hyuga, heiress of the Hyuga clan of Konoha, very soon Hinata Otsuki, princess of the village of the Moon" Gara commented, drawing everyone's attention.
-It's a pleasure to meet you- she said with a slight bow -My fiancé has asked me to represent the village of the Moon during this negotiation, so in these meetings I will fulfill my duty towards him and his village, but at the same time I will be an adviser of Mr. Uzumaki, who is the emissary of the village of Konoha-
That was another low blow for Naruto. Negotiations were not yet his forte, and during this mission he had counted on Hinata to help him find the best balance between the concessions Konoha would make and the benefits he would reap. Now she was leaving him halfway, for doing her duty with another man, and he didn't know to what extent he was going to be able to count on her. He felt abandoned.
A couple of days went by between super complicated meetings, projections and even more complicated decisions. That if he ceded percentages of the profit from production in exchange for access to roads, that he should introduce a cross-border tax for villages outside of that negotiation. Naruto got lost between one note and another, and from time to time, he rambled even more by paying attention to the jokes and glances that Ronin had with the Hyuga.
Hinata had maintained her extremely professional demeanor, even in her dealings with Naruto himself, but Ronin took advantage every time he could to ask her for private audiences, to clarify, according to him, negotiation issues that only concerned the wind village and the moon.
The man's insistence on spending time alone with Hinata was driving Naruto crazy.
But just as she made time for Ronin, she did it with every member present. She met frequently with Gara (who had made it clear to Naruto that he was joking about proposing to Hinata, which Naruto didn't find funny at all) and with Naruto himself.
During the times alone with her, Naruto did his part to be attentive, make the best decisions or at least make the right comments. A very primitive part of himself wanted to show the girl that he was an intelligent, trustworthy man and that he would make a good leader.
Hinata for her part tried to find the best way to review the agreements that the blond made with the other villages, and she presented suggestions to the boy to try to improve the agreed conditions in favor of Konoha.
"Getting the village of the wind to grant us a part of the land to use for agriculture is a complicated issue, but if you want me to, Naruto-kun, I can take charge of negotiating with Ronin-san on this point," she told him.
-No way Hinata, I could put you in a compromising position with those of the wind, and that's the least I want. I will speak to Ronin myself, and if necessary I will forward our offer to Chief Oz-
-It seems reasonable to me, I'll leave it in your hands then- Hinata walked to the window of the study where they were at that moment, allowing Naruto the view of her back, adorned with the same symbol of the necklace that she was wearing now.
-You no longer carry the symbol of your clan-
-No, it is my duty to wear these clothes. Toneri sent them to me from the Moon, he wanted me to represent his nation, also his family name. Once I arrive to the Moon, I'll ask to add the Hyuga clan embroidery, as well as the Konoha symbol-
-I was going to say that I like how these new clothes look on you, but given the information that they are a gift from your fiancé, I think what I would like most about them is to see how I take them off and fall to the ground in my room-
-I appreciate the compliment Naruto-kun, and although I have to admit that I feel more comfortable with other clothes...-
-Other clothes like my shirt for example?- he said as he slowly approached the girl, at an unwise distance.
-Other clothes in general… I remind you that by mutual agreement, the deal we had is finished, please, don't suggest something like that again. Sakura will be here soon, and at this moment I represent my fiancé.- he gently placed a hand on the blonde's chest to make him move back. He meekly allowed himself to be done, while a strange blush took over him.
-Please excuse me, my comment was out of place- his heart was beating rapidly. He felt very sorry for the well-deserved reprimand that Hinata gave him.
-It seems that someone put you in your place boy, point for the Hyuga-
Kurama's mocking comment only served to increase Naruto's nerves, he didn't dare to see her face for the first time in a very long time.
-Don't worry, you're not the first one I've had to remind that I'm an engaged woman- she said, looking distractedly at the window.-
What was he listening to? Naruto felt the familiar pressure on his chest again, accompanied by anger. Had any of those men been disrespectful to her?...he could kill whoever dared...
-And what gives you the right to make a move on her, what makes you any different kiddo? She said it herself, you behaved just like the others.-
That had been a slap in the face for Naruto, who, absorbed in those thoughts, did not look at her companion, until he heard her speak.
-This symbol on my back is a big responsibility- she said -The Moon is my future, it is logical that it encompasses most of me... but... I will have the symbol of Konoha embroidered on each piece, because I will always fondly remember everything I had there .- said the last lost in the blue eyes.
For a few endless seconds they stared at each other, until she woke up from their reverie and decided that the audience between them had lasted long enough.
Watching her leave, Naruto began to realize that the symbol of Konoha on Hinata's back was a small consolation, but it didn't calm his cravings…because just for a moment, the symbol that he was beginning to fervently desire for her, the one that he imagined filled their future so brilliant, it was that of the Uzumaki.