HAPPY MERRY EARLY CHRISTMAS!

Here's the latest of The crumpled within a stack of paper. This chapter is a bit long, and believe me it's for a good reason. There is a lot of content concerning Hina-chan's past. Unfortunately there isn't much dialogue, or comical moments but I did make attempt to place some in. I basically tried to progress Naruto and Hina-chan's relationship without making it unrealistically too fast.

She is really shy after all?

Enjoy

And I assure you the next chapter will be more entertaining.

THE CRUMPLED WTIHIN A STACK OF PAPER

CHAPTER FOUR- REUNITED WITH A PAST LOVE

A few weeks had passed and not so much as a single word was exchanged between servant and mistress. Hinata had to admit, it was mostly her fault. Any conversation which Naruto had ever started were immediately shut down by Hinata's inability to speak coherently. Secretly Hinata desired nothing more than to have a decent conversation with the guy. However her mind automatically became blank. It was as though some other person had suddenly switched off the off switch to her brain. Helpless to her turmoil of emotions and her embarrassment she would surrender to her low self-confidence; often excusing herself to prepare tea or spar or attend to her mother's garden.

On the other hand, Naruto was one second from pulling out every single strand of blonde hair on his head. He had been confined to the house, for Tenten's fear that he might make one slip behind his presence in the Hyuuga household. Being locked up in the same area day in and day out was enough to drive anyone mad.

To worsen matters Naruto couldn't figure out what went on in his mistress's head. So far she had not given him reason to find her a threat, yet he was always on alert in the event something would happen.

Apart from sparing or watching TV, a new favorite pastime of Naruto's, he would make comparisons between the women back at the inn and his mistress. Most of the time the comparison was really between Sakura and Hinata. Sakura, as violent as she was, had to be the most beautiful woman Naruto had ever laid his eyes on. She carried a strange sense of confidence, and was never afraid to say what she thought. Sakura was also intelligent and witty. Hinata was completely the opposite. She was plain and silent most of the time. Naruto didn't even have any idea as to whether or not she was half as intelligent as Sakura. There was one thing that Naruto was sure of, though. His mistress sure loved her tea.

He, on the other hand, couldn't stand tea. It didn't taste like anything and he had been forced to consume the damn thing everyday for a week now. Unfortunately, today was one of those days.

"AHHHHH, again." Tenten screamed causing both mistress and servant to wince in displeasure.

Naruto clenched his teeth as a feeling of numbness overcame the lower part of his calves. That was the other thing. Tenten sama was a torn in his side. He recalled the first week he had come to his 'home.' The bitch had started acting as though she were the boss of the place, although it rightfully belonged to his mistress. At first he had thought that the mistress would speak up against Tenten's abusive actions against him. However, she would walk away leaving Naruto to fend for himself.

He couldn't help but snort. Tenten's abusive behavior were for the stupidest reasons. Sure, he would call her a crazy bitch but he was only stating the obvious; of course he didn't tell her that. It would only make her angrier.

Honestly, didn't she have a husband to go home to bug?

She would even hit him when ever he didn't call his mistress, Hina-chan or something like that.

Naruto's gaze focused on her once more. He just couldn't call her that for many reasons. The first, she didn't seem too comfortable being called that. Second, he wasn't comfortable calling her that. Apart from Sakura-chan, he never really addressed women by their first name. Thinking about it now, he didn't think that he ever would call his mistress by that name.

Finally settling on that decision, Naruto refocused back to the task at hand. He shivered as his gaze fell on the teapot.

Meanwhile Hinata sighed as she attempted to reassess her kneeling position. Of all the training that Naruto had to undergo, she had to admit, she hated this one the most. The tea ceremony often took six hours minimum, yet she and Naruto were barely able to get past the first hour of it. It was almost enough for Hinata to give up her love for tea.

Absently she looked at the pregnant women who had steam coming out of her nostrils and ears. Hinata shuddered at the sight of Tenten's normal chestnut brown eyes, which were now crossing red. If Hinata recalled correctly, Neji had very much done the same thing to Tenten that she was doing to them now.

Tenten, naturally coming from a middle classed family, was completely unaware about high society formality and particularly their ceremonies. Although Neji was determined to introduce her into his class, Tenten's reluctance became apparent after the first party she was forced to attend. Hinata was eighteen years old then, and for once she wasn't the disgrace of the party.

After all, who could top Tenten's wonderful performance?

It wasn't everyday that a girl spilt hot boiling tea on some of the most delicate parts of a high lord. Despite how comical Neji thought it was, as he hated Akimichi Chomaru sama, he was still furious. He immediately began Tenten's strict training afterwards. The whole thing nearly ended their relationship, but Tenten had managed to survive his harsh drilling.

Hinata groaned, it seemed that Tenten also learned her cousin's teaching techniques. Tenten showed no compassion towards her and Naruto-kun.

She blushed, Naruto-kun.

Diverting her gaze to him she saw him fall back onto his back, whining while rubbing his sore knees and calves. Hinata frowned, as she noticed how cold the tea in the teapot had become. Rising up from her knees she was about to get a refill when she felt a grip on her ankle.

It was her servant looking up at her with pleading eyes.

'Don't leave me with her Hyuuga sama,' he mouthed.

Hinata was lost in his azure eyes and swore she must have stood there for three minutes before coming too. She also noticed what he had called her.

Hyuuga sama

The title itself was enough to draw a bitter taste on her tongue as her soft smile fell from her face. She was kidding herself to think that he would address her as an equal, let alone a lover unless he was under Tenten's supervision. They would end up failing and she would be forced to marry some wealthy lord whose heart would most likely be colder than her fathers'.

Hinata blinked several times as she felt tears brim her eyes secretly hoping that Naruto wouldn't notice. Lucky for her, he didn't.

Knowing that composure wasn't a sure thing Hinata sputtered out an apology before rushing to the kitchen to prepare new tea. The tea had become bitter hours ago and she'd be damned if her servant had to drink it.

Depressed and frightened, Naruto watched his mistress analyze him for a few minutes, face beet red. He swore that he read some sadness in her eyes after he had addressed her as Hyuuga sama. However the look was gone in a flash and before he could react she made her decision to head off for the kitchen.

He pouted 'Why is her face always red anyways.'

His gaze moved to his 'trainer' who was angrily flicking through TV channels to vent out her frustration. Catching him staring at her, Tenten rudely asked "what the hell are you staring at?"

When he didn't answer she fingered him before going back to her previous activity. Naruto wanted to scream.

Why were pregnant women nutcases?

Meanwhile, Hinata had her head up against one of the rich mahogany kitchen cupboards.

They were entirely out of tea. Not surprising since Hinata loved the stuff and they had been using it for practice but still…

Hinata sighed "I better go buy some."

Silently she pushed herself off of the cupboard before glancing at the clock that hung just above her kitchen window, which was placed in the center of the eastern wall. Hinata noticed that it was still very early out. There wouldn't be very many people at the market.

Hinata yawned suddenly, rubbing bits of sleep from her eye. She had momentarily forgotten that Tenten had woken her and Naruto-kun up at five in the morning.

Kami, the extremes that woman went through.

Drifting her gaze to deep auburn polished table, Hinata frowned. It was designed in the traditional style, which was evident by the Hyuuga symbol craved in the very center. The table had been a christening gift for the house when Hinata had first moved out from the main house, which was now a few cities away. She tore her gaze from the table again. No matter where she went, her father's expectations of her were always sure to follow one way or another.

Deciding that she had left Naruto and Tenten alone for far too long, Hinata discarded her troubled thoughts and headed back to the living room.

Hinata was met with Tenten's hands wrapped around Naruto's neck strangled him to his would be death. Hinata watched horrified as Naruto's face turned several shades of blue before finally settling to a deep purple. Sure the woman abused the guy like crazy, but this was ridiculous.

"T…Tenten san!" Hinata screamed in the loudest voice that Tenten had ever heard the shy girl spoke in.

Tenten's hazel eyes went to her hands wrapped tightly around Naruto's blue neck. Smiling guiltily at her cousin-in-law Tenten eased her grip releasing Naruto, who collapsed on the floor.

"What?" she exclaimed at Hinata's accusing eyes "The idiot deserve it? He called me a crazy bitch. CRAZY Bitch! Me!"

Naruto pulled himself up with some support from Hinata's couch, "That's because you are."

Hinata winced as Tenten tossed on of her infamous daggers an inch from Naruto's ear. She knew well that Tenten had missed on purpose. The dagger was just a warning in the case that Naruto was stupid enough to continue. Unfortunately, the dagger hit the arm of Hinata's very expensive, very laborite cream leather couch.

Tearing her gaze to look at her pale ceiling, Hinata forced herself to relax her fried nerves.

Tenten immediately realized what she had done "Oh Kami, Hinata I am so sorry. I'll buy you a new couch."

Forcing a small smile Hinata shook her head, "Le..let's just go b..buy some t.tea. I'm…o…out."

Tenten glanced at the couch unsure and glared at Naruto once more before nodding her head in consent.

Hinata continued to breathe deeply while heading for the closet near the door to grab a pair of new white runners and her thick wool coat, despite the fact that it was hot out.

Tenten wasn't as quick. She lingered in the living room for a few moments, contemplating kicking Naruto in the stomach. One glance at the dagger drilled into the side of Hinata's coach told her otherwise. Swiftly she pulled it out before she settled for giving Naruto a good knock in the head.

"Stay here," she barked as she finally slammed the door shut behind her. Tenten also performed a quick sealing jutsu to ensure the idiot wouldn't sneak out.

When she was done she ran past the main steel gates to find Hinata a few steps ahead.

"Hinata, wait up," Tenten called out. Hinata paused for a moment, allowing her cousin-in-law to come up. Silenced enveloped them for a few more blocks before Tenten finally spoke.

"I'm really sorry about the couch Hinata,"

"I…it's ok," Tenten noticed that Hinata's stammer echoed an unusual undertone of weariness. Something that wasn't common for the Hyuuga heiress.

"Is something wrong?"

Hinata just shook her head and continued walking. They passed a few more large estates that like Hinata's house were guarded by large intimidating gates. Making their way down the hill and passing an intersection they finally entered the market. A few elderly folk were browsing around the streets. Some older women were taking the time to look at the window displays for any possible purchase. Reluctantly, Tenten followed Hinata into the tea shop where she stood uncomfortably while Hinata conversed with the woman salesclerk about any new inventory.

Not for the first time, Tenten watched with awe as Hinata seemed to speak with complete ease to the women. Not once did Hinata stammer.

Neji hadn't been kidding. Get Hinata talking about tea and she could go on for hours. Tenten could agree but disagree with her husband's past statement. Hinata could talk for hours about tea, but only to the woman salesperson that was standing before them.

Tenten took in the petit woman's features. She had extremely straight black hair all pulled back into a tight bun. Crows feet were already beginning to gather at the edge of her ebony eyes, yet Tenten agreed that this woman had aged gracefully. And with good taste too. Tenten nodded in approval at the woman's choice of a simple white kimono tied with a black sash.

"Hello Hyuuga Tenten," Tenten shook out of her reverie as the older woman addressed her.

Tenten immediately placed her hands in front of her "Oh no, just call me Tenten."

Hinata excused herself after that, and Tenten watched helplessly as the girl disappeared in the aisles of tea.

Turning her attention back to the woman Tenten decided to start conversation, but the woman had beaten her to it.

"Your cousin really loves tea." The woman laughed then, "You should see her go on about tea, she can talk for hours."

"Mmmmmm"

The woman's gaze became serious then "Many of the other sales people tell me she doesn't speak much. But I find I don't agree."

"How do you figure?"

"She speaks a lot to me."

"How long have you known her?"

"Hmmmm since she was four years old. Her and her mother would come her all the time during their vacations away from the main city."

That caught her attention. Tenten diverted her attention away from an elderly couple who had been curiously looking into the shop. "You knew her mother!"

This was news to Tenten, as Hinata barely spoke about her mother. Apart from the Hina-chan thing, Tenten had learned most of her facts from Neji. Even then, her husband wasn't a very reliable source for information since the majority of his childhood and beginning of his adolescence years had been lived in hatred towards the main family.

Tenten shook her head; she wasn't even clear what that was all about. All she knew was that her father-in-law had been murdered by another wealthy family, who had intended to murder Hinata's father instead. Both Neji and Hinata's father were identical twins. Neji's father had been at the wrong place at the wrong time, but even that truth was questionable. Neji had also been angry about another detail…

"Oh yes," the woman interrupted "Very beautiful woman I tell you; made the god's jealous."

Just then Hinata came with arms filled with boxes of tea. The woman brought a hand to her cheek while Tenten raised an eyebrow.

"Oh my, that's a lot of tea dear. You sure you need that much? It seems like you're going to be doing nothing but drink tea for the next week."

Tenten had to laugh at the woman's statement earning herself a curious stare from the saleswoman and a blushing Hinata. The woman analyzed Hinata for a moment before smiling and cashing in the tea.

"A…Arigatou… Kasumi san," Hinata replied before bowing awkwardly.

Kasumi laughed lightly, noticing the Hyuuga heiress sudden stammer. For a moment her ebony eyes drifted to Hinata's companion. She sensed that Hinata was close to the woman, yet there was something between the two.

A rival?

Kasumi wondered for a moment before she widened her eyes at recollection of something important.

"That's right!" she exclaimed. Rushing to the back of the store Kasumi pulled a full cartooned box from the bottom of a dusty wooden shelf. However, the box was in mint condition as Kasumi placed into the arms of Hinata's companion.

"It's a sample of our new promo." She explained.

Tenten managed to open the lid, "Ramen?"

"Yup," Kasumi exclaimed happily. Her eyes went starry then as she clasped her hands together "It's always been my dream to open a drop-in ramen restaurant. This promo is just to encourage future customers and since Hinata-chan ordered so much tea, I figured that it's only fair she receive a box of ramen"

Hinata looked alarmed "Y..you'll still be selling tea?"

"Of course Hinata-chan," Kasumi couldn't help herself as she ruffled the younger girl's hair "Wouldn't want to disappoint my number one customer."

Tenten grunted as she readjusted the box in her arms "We should go Hinata."

"Ha Hai," Hinata hugged Kasumi before grabbing her purchases and followed Tenten out of the store.

When they were half-way up the mountain of a hill Tenten finally turned to Hinata "You seemed to know what was her name…Kasumi well"

Tenten didn't miss Hinata's sudden tenseness "Ha, hai s..she was my…m..om's friend"

There was a sudden sadness in Hinata's voice that caused Tenten to back off. Deciding that it was better to change the subject she turned to the box full of ramen in her arms "What are we going to do with these?"

Hinata looked over at Tenten curiously as Tenten continued "Hinata you don't eat ramen."

"It..it would've been rud…rude not to a..accept." Hinata stammered

Tenten rolled her eyes as Hinata's mansion-like house came into view. Hinata's house was very simple, with a single gate guarding it. However, there was a large garden that could be seen from where they were standing. Tenten also noticed how much greener Hinata's garden plants seemed to be in comparison to her neighbors. Plant that green didn't happen automatically, a lot of time had been put into them on Hinata's part.

Frowning, Tenten decided that her cousin-in-law should really talk to a certain blonde more.

Tearing her gaze to Hinata she noticed that there was an almost unnoticeable smile on her pale features. There was also a red hue on her face.

Unable to contain herself Tenten replied in a husky voice "Did you miss Naruto-kun while we were away?"

Steam shot out of Hinata's ears and before Tenten could react, mumbled protests were spilling out of Hinata's mouth. Finally the embarrassment was so much that Hinata made a mad dash for the house, leaving a cloud of dust behind.

Tenten arrived at Hinata's front gazes a few minutes later only to see Hinata sitting nervously at her front steps twiddling her fingers.

Tenten's brow furrowed "What are you doing?"

Hinata looked at the ground ashamed "I…I forgot my key."

Tenten looked at her cousin skeptically, knowing all too well that her cousin was a really bad liar. Hinata's nervousness in regards to spending some time alone with her slave was obvious enough by her twiddling habit. Looking heavenward Tenten wondered how in the hell this was going to work.

However her gaze remained fixed momentarily before drifting back to her cousin. She automatically took pity on the girl. It really wasn't her fault; her low confidence was a result of her disposition within society and her father's expectations or more like her inability to surpass them. Tenten decided to allow Hinata's lie to slide, although both of them knew her statement had been a lie.

Pulling the spare key from her pocket, Tenten passed Hinata to open the door.

They were met with a very bored and angry blonde boy who had taken liberality of getting muddled up in some cables that had been connected to the TV. Why he was tangled in them, neither Hinata nor Tenten knew or even bothered to ask.

Ignoring the idiot, Tenten headed straight for the kitchen leaving Hinata to deal with him.

She looked at him for a few brief moments before squishing her anxiety and assisting him out of the cables. Hinata could not help but come closing to fainting from overheat after accidentally making physical contact, little or otherwise. After she was done she hurried for the kitchen before Naruto could even say thank you.

His gaze followed her. There was a pout on his lips which usually made it present when he was either confused or upset. At that moment he was confused, unable to comprehend why his mistresses always seemed red in the face or even had steam out of her ears.

Naruto sat in the middle of the living room for five minutes before he decided to confront his mistress about his disposition. He would have to deal with the wrath of the bunbitch later.

Pulling himself from the ground Naruto took a deep breath before puffing out his chest in attempts to make he appear bigger. Taking big strides he was in the kitchen in less than five steps and was preparing himself to speak when a bright bowl spelt the most welcoming words he'd ever since.

"RAMEN!" he exclaimed causing Hinata and Tenten to look at him with astonished expressions on their faces.

Naruto was onto the box in less than a second emptying the contents before Tenten could so much beat him on the head for being so stupid.

"Chicken, Beef, Oriental, Spicy, They're all here" Hinata sweated as she saw Naruto's eyes become stars.

"Y…you can h..have th…them" she stammered. It was Tenten's turn to look at her with disbelief.

Naruto's attention fell onto Hinata causing her to squirm. He seemed to be analyzing her for any suspeicious tricks.

Dropping her gaze to the ground she explained "I..I don't e..eat that much ra…ramen"

Naruto didn't tear his gaze away from her but his pout changed into a foxy grin, which caused Hinata's heartbeat to skip a beat for an unknown reason.

Naruto couldn't help but be shocked at his mistress's generosity. All bells in his head warned him that by accepting any gift from her would mean indebted to her. However, looking at her Naruto saw that she was honest with her intentions. She really did look like she didn't care much for Ramen. He also realized that this was the first real enjoyable gift he had ever received.

Who wouldn't want to be reunited with a past love?

Before he could stop himself he replied, "Arigatou Hina-chan."

There was sincerity in his voice that didn't go unnoticed by Tenten as well as Hinata.

However Tenten couldn't help but ruin the silence by replying "It's about time you call her that idiot, it's been about what? A week! Try making it a practice."

Naruto shot her a glare which was met by Tenten's yawn.

Immediately excused herself, Tenten headed for the living room to watch some TV, leaving Hinata to put away the remaining groceries. Naruto surprisingly took charge of putting away the Ramen on the highest shelf which Hinata had kept empty because of her inability to reach it. Naruto reasoned that it was the least he could do for his mistress' generosity. Taking a glance at her without drawing her attention. Her face was red and he grinned once more.

Yup she was weird, but he liked people like her.

Hinata meanwhile was trapped in her own mind as she replayed what had just happened. Without paying much attention, she watched her hands move automatically placing the tea on the middle shelf. Her mother had always used that shelf for tea.

A memory of her mother popped into her head once more. It was the one where Hinata had stumbled into her mother planting flowers while her father was away on a business trip. She remembered her astonishment at how happy her mother had been hands and knees in dirt planting some of the most beautiful flowers Hinata had ever seen.

"It'll be our secret from your father ok my Hina-chan?"

She always did say that Hinata would blossom into the most exotic flower in the garden.

That made Hinata blush as she sighed once more.

Hina-chan. Nobody had called her that without it sounding weird. Her eyes drifted to Naruto, who had his tongue comically sticking out of his mouth as he placed his ramen on the top shelf.

So why didn't it sound so foreign when he said it?