[Disclaimer: Alas, Naruto will never be mine]
A/N: The events of this chapter happen concurrently with Chapter 16.
A Yukata is a summer style kimono. There are both men's and women's styles. It is generally lighter and easier to wear than a traditional kimono and was originally created for the bathhouse.
A Yakuza is a Japanese gangster. Souke means the 'Main Branch'.
Chapter 17 – Laughter and Forgetting
Hinata sat waiting for Naruto to pick her up at their usual meeting place, the low stone wall that ran next to the Ichiraku ramen shop. He was a couple minutes late as usual, not that she minded. The sun stood high in a clear creamy blue sky today washing the earth with its brilliance. Even the ancient looking ramen shop sign seemed lively as people walked up and down the small street shopping and enjoying the weather. Hinata loved the feel of sunshine. Sitting there with her eyes closed she basked away oblivious to the goings on around her.
"You should be careful dear or you'll catch yourself a sunburn."
Hinata opened her eyes slowly adjusting to the light. In front of her stood an ancient looking little grandmother with her small shopping bag filled with the day's groceries. She wore a kindly expression on her worn face, its lines traced lightly over rice paper skin. She tipped a finger at the broad-rimmed straw hat she wore as if to emphasize the meaning of her words.
The pale chuunin sat up a little and bowed politely to the woman. "Thank you oba-san, but I don't ever get sunburn."
Having her good advice ignored, the elderly woman looked at Hinata with a mildly stern expression before shuffling away. Taking a couple steps she turned to shake her head in disapproval at her before continuing on. Hinata simply bowed again politely.
No one would believe that someone as pale as Hinata would not burn or even tan in the strong sun, but it was something she had known about herself for a long time. It was a trait all the Hyuga shared.
She could still remember her nursemaid's disbelief at first when she was still very small. The woman had spoken with her mother as they sat watching her play. "Kotori-sama," she called, "Hinata-sama will not come in from the garden when I ask her and the sun is too strong for her young skin."
"Let her be, Suzu," Hinata's mother had replied as she came out to the house. "She is a Hyuga and the Sun will never harm its beloved clan,"
Kotori Hyuga was distance cousin of the main branch and the ideal bride for the Souke heir, Hiashi. Though an arranged marriage, Hiashi had loved his wife greatly. Hinata had always thought her mother was like an angel. Her raven silk hair and alabaster skin gave her a haunting, ethereal beauty. Hinata remembered with a longing her mother's kind manner and gentle voice, eyes like deep pools of amethyst that spoke of love never needing to be said. Kotori was a delicate woman and had died giving birth to Hanabi. Hinata's father, grief stricken, had sworn to his wife on her deathbed that one of her daughters would succeed him to become the head of the clan some day.
That daughter would never be Hinata.
"Hinata, are you okay? I'm sorry I'm so late. I just got back."
Hinata woke from her daydream to stare at Naruto who appeared in front of her. "I'm crying," she thought. She quickly wiped the moisture from her eyes. "I'm sorry, Naruto-kun. I'm fine." She forced herself to smile. "It's just the brightness I guess."
Naruto looked down on her with concern, his face always an open display of his feelings. "Well you shouldn't sit out in the sun like that," he told her holding out a hand to help her up. "You'll get burnt."
Hinata found her smile more easily as she reached out and felt his always warm and strong hand holding hers. "You're right," she said.
"Yosh! We're off kimono shopping!" he shouted receiving several stares from passersby.
Hinata laughed at his infectious enthusiasm and quickened her pace to match him before she was dragged along. The tall blond ninja strided along on a personal mission she had been trying to persuade him to do for a while now.
This was the first Firenight festival they would share as a couple and when Naruto had shown her the old threadbare orange yukata he had, she had at first politely suggested that he may want to just think about considering a new one. Of course, the subtly of the suggestion was lost on Naruto who had defended his favorite, meaning only, kimono vigorously.
Naruto was a chuunin now and could afford a new one Hinata had decided. So, on the way back from the dry cleaners she had accidentally 'tripped' and tore a huge hole in it with a kunai she happened to be holding at the time. It was a terrible accident.
After a brief mourning period of anywhere from between to two to five seconds, Naruto had quickly come to agree with Hinata that perhaps it was time to purchase a new kimono.
As Naruto led her through the streets of Konoha she was amazed at how alive the village seemed. Today, every shop and stall seemed bustling with activity, with the festival but a week away it was to be expected. "Still," Hinata thought, "this is the happiest Konoha has seemed for a long time, maybe since the tragedy of Sandaime's death."
Naruto made an abrupt turn into an open doorway as they had reached their destination. Aoi's Kimono shop was the best in town and also the most expensive. Naruto had been insistent though. "You said it yourself, "he'd told Hinata, "I'm a chuunin now and can afford this." She had simply meant a replacement, but then Naruto did always seem to have a little stash of money hidden away in his Gama-chan wallet for the right occasion.
The jingle of a shop bell rang softly as the two ninja entered. A middle aged woman in a stunning blue and green kimono with gold embroidery glided towards them from the back of the store. With her tall heels she matched Naruto for height and Hinata noticed in amazement how everything she wore, from the ornaments in her hair to the lacquer on her long nails to her generously applied eye shadow, matched her kimono.
"Naruto-san, Hinata-san, Allo, Allo!," she greeted them with her peculiar foreign accent. "You are a little late for ze appointmant, but zis is no problem." Aoi clapped her hands together twice. "Now Naruto let tus take a few quick meazurements to make sure you have'nt got-ten any biggeur since last I saw you! Momo," she yelled for her assistant, "Bring ze measuring tape!'
Naruto rolled his eyes as he took off his jacket and gave Hinata a knowing look. She had fitted him several times already and made a huge point of complementing Naruto on "ez healthy phyz-eek". Hinata thought his ego was a little overinflated, but she had to agree with him that she'd never heard of an inseam leg measurement for a kimono.
Yamori Aoi had come to Konoha to start a business now over a dozen years ago and while she was a bit of an oddity to the villagefolk, her skills were quickly to put to good use once word had got around. Shikamaru, whose mother came from a long line of local kimono makers, said she was a big faker, just a washed up geisha from Rock Country. Naruto's only comment had been that she was the prettiest man he'd ever seen. Hinata had to scold herself later for laughing at. "Boys can be so mean," Hinata thought. Regardless of what they all said, the woman made beautiful clothing.
The seamstress began to hum as she took measurements of Naruto's chest, back, sleeve and neck. All the while her assistant, Momo a tiny mouse-like girl who was a hand shorter than even Hinata stood by expectantly with tape, pins, scissors and anything else her employer might need. The girl wore a lovely pale rose kimono sashed with white that had tiny gold cherry blossoms along the sleeves and cuff. Hinata eyed her outfit enviously. "Maybe I should get a new kimono," she thought, "but I can't now. It's too close to the festival and I'd never get one ready in time."
Aoi took a step back and held the measuring tape out for Momo to retrieve from her hand. "Good!" she exclaimed, "I have zay perrfect yukata for yur almost perrfect bod-ee. Come witz me," she told them as she spun away towards the dressing rooms. Naruto's right eyebrow rose as he contemplated whether or not he should be offended. Suddenly, his foxlike smile appeared and he leaned over to Hinata. 'You should be proud of me, Hinata," he whispered in her ear, "I put on my best pair of boxers for this!'
Hinata watched as Naruto strutted off to go into the dressing room and shook her head. Sometimes Hinata couldn't tell if Naruto was joking around or if he still didn't realize how inappropriate some of his behavior was.
Hinata followed and stepped beside Momo to wait for Naruto to try on the first outfit. Aoi stood apart from them with her arms folded and stared intently at the curtain he would come out from. Fitting was the most crucial part she'd informed them.
Naruto strutted out in a brown and white checkered yukata and Hinata could tell immediately that he was playing around. He had found a scarf to wrap around his head instead of his forehead protector and had got a long wooden toothpick somewhere that he slid from one corner of this mouth to the other and his eyes roamed the place with a shifty look.
He approached Aoi and gave her his best yakuza impression. "Nice place got here, nei-san," he said all the while leering at Hinata and Momo, "but it looks like you could use a little insurance...if you know what I mean." With that he swaggered over to Hinata and Momo, "Hey, little nei-chans, you're pretty cute lookin'. How 'bout you come work me?"
Momo giggled behind her hands, while Hinata could feel the color of embarrassment rising in her cheeks. "Naruto!" she scolded in her whispery voice. The tall chuunin gave her his slack jawed yakuza look for a second more before breaking into his mischievous fox-like grin. Naruto dashed back through the curtains into the changing room as Hinata tried to apologize, "I'm sorry, he is normally better behaved than this."
Aoi's eyebrow arched a little as her lips curled up, "Iie Hinata-san," she said, "yur boy-a-friend is quite zay comedian."
A rustle at the curtain signaled Naruto's next fitting and Hinata had to briefly considered hiding as he reemerged. Wearing a stylish red and black kimono, Naruto appeared with two long red streaks on this face. He had taken an old stringy white mop and holding it in his right hand had placed it on his head like a bad wig.
Naruto threw his arms wide and stomped his foot like a kabuki actor. "Behold! I am the great and famous Ero-Sennin, Jiraiya!" he yelled, changing his voice to mimic his former teacher. "I am the tamer of toads and annoyance of beautiful women. Yo-sha! No evildoer or women's bathhouse can withstand my power." Naruto stomped once again with a shout and imitating the drumming sound of a dramatic exit moved in a shuffling pace around the small space in front of the women to dash back in curtains.
Hinata decided there was no point in apologizing again. Momo leaned over and told her with a giggle, "Your boyfriend is very funny."
"Yes, yes very amusing." added Aoi who with a lightly tapping foot and twisted smile seemed both annoyed and entertained at the same time.
Hinata held her breath as Naruto entered for the third time. He was wearing a deep orange kimono with royal blue along the cuff and hemline. A warm grey like old silver played a flame pattern in the arms and bottom. It was a hair away from garish, but it matched Naruto's coloring and personality very, very well.
Naruto must have thought so too as he seemrf impressed with it walking a straight line to the long double mirror. "Hey Ninata, I really like this," he said as he twisted to look over his shoulder.
She walked up beside him to see him in the mirror. "It looks wonderful on you, Naruto-kun," she said appreciatively.
Naruto turned around and shook his butt a little in the mirror. "Yeah, I'm dead sexy," he said grinning at Hinata in the reflection. They turned to Aoi and Momo who waited patiently for their verdict. "Domo Arigato, Aoi-san, Momo-san," Naruto said,"This is best kimono I ever seen." Both women bowed politely and then they all headed to the front of the store for payment.
They were at the doorway when Naruto turned quickly, "I forgot to tell Aoi-san something, Hinata," he said, "wait outside for me, I'll just be just a sec!" She was a little surprised, but thought nothing of it as less than a minute passed before Naruto ran out with his kimono securely in its brown paper wrapping to join her.
Once they got outside again Naruto and Hinata found the sun had slipped down to cast long shadows along the village streets. The breeze was modest as the couple walked slowly hand-in-hand enjoying the early evening cool. Their discussion was lighthearted, Hinata's soft voice and gentle laugh punctuated with Naruto's dynamic outbursts.
When they got to the point where they would need to split up to head for home Hinata asked, "Naruto-kun would you like to get dinner? Ramen, maybe?"
The blond ninja's eye's lit up for a moment at the promise of food, but he looked away into the distance to make an irritated face. Looking back at her he said, "Sorry, Hinata, I have to go over to Hokage oba-chan's place and talk to her about something." He grinned at her in that disarmingly way. "I can't really put it off anymore!"
"Oh," said Hinata trying not to seem downcast, "I understand. Well, goodnight then, Naruto-kun," she said turning down the street towards her house quickly.
Naruto made a protesting sound as he threw a hand out towards her retreating figure. "Hinata, wait!" he said finally jogging up to her. The kunoichi turned as Naruto placed his hand inside his parcel. "I almost for got something," he said, "Close your eyes!"
"Ok,"said Hinata, laughing a little as she did as she was told, his childlike enthusiasm could be infectious. "What is it?" she wondered as she felt him place something in her hands.
"You can look now!"
Hinata stared at Naruto curiously as he almost bounced with anticipation. Looking down she saw in her hands a flat square package tied with string. She carefully undid the bow-tied knot and unfolded the paper to see what it held.
Naruto's grin widened to near face-splitting as he heard her gasp of surprise. Hinata gingerly held up a gorgeous silk yukata. It was the palest of lavenders worked with the design of a shining yellow sun peeking through rose-colored clouds. Hinata looked up at him with delighted expression.
"I asked Kurenai to find out your measurements for Aoi," he told her. "The woman kept complained that it was first time she made a kimono of that quality without a least one fitting."
Naruto's face showed a rare blush as Hinata took a step closer to him. While shy about most things, her forwardness with Naruto had surprised them both on a number of occasions. On tiptoes Hinata brought her hand up to his face and gently brought it towards hers. The ninja knowingly bent down and place his arms around her tenderly as their lips met. The kisses, almost chaste at first, deepened as arms and packaged kimonos were swept up in the embrace.
Reluctantly after a time, Naruto ended their blissful moment his mouth returning to steal a few desperate last kisses as his body drew him away.
"When will I see you again?" asked Hinata with a dreamy look on her face.
"Soon, "said Naruto sounding rushed. "Tomorrow... ah, I don't know. I need to do this thing then I'll let you know... I'll be at the administration building tomorrow morning... If I don't see you I'll leave a note." Naruto again made a slightly pained face as he fought duty to the very last before disappearing in a violent swirl of leaves.
Hinata sighed as she watched the leaves of his escape technique float slowly to the ground. Despite the sadness of not getting to spend more time with him, Hinata was bubbly and content as she reflected on the day. "This is going to be the best Firenight festival ever," she thought.
The street lights blinked on little by little as the twilight of fading sun filled the sky. She resisted the urged to skip as she hurried on her way home. Hinata was only two streets away from home as she turned to find the last person she wanted to see when she was this happy.
Hyuga Neji stood leaning against a wall at the corner. His figure framed by a pool of light cast by a street lamp. He stared at her intensely and the reason for this ambush Hinata knew all too well. The kunoichi steeled herself as she unflinchingly walked towards where she would need to pass him to get to her apartment.
Neji got off the wall and crossed then recrossed his arms in a reflex of impatience.
Hinata read his body language clearly, he wanted to get over and done with whatever he felt was going to happen. "Well, I've been expecting this," she told herself.
"You live in a pretty rundown part of the village," he told her casually as she came to the lamplight's edge. "If you just asked the clan we would be more than happy to provide you a better living situation."
Hinata's face remained smooth as she replied. "I am fine with where I am living right now, Neji-nii-san. Please do not concern yourself about it." She waited knowing there was more to come.
Neji looked away as a wave of frustration passed over his face. Hinata knew her cousin preferred to see the world in purely black and white. To him, the grey patches were only the result of indecision and weakness.
They had forgiven each other long ago for the pains of the first chuunin exam and had achieved a sort of common ground for a time. Unfortunately, her father's decision had forced Neji to take on responsibilities and pressures he was never ready for. It had caused feelings and ambitions his father Hizashi had placed on him to resurface. It drove them slowly apart again and now as her relationship with Naruto blossomed a dark shadow fell between them.
"You know we needed to discuss this yet you've avoided me," he said at her his head tilting back up.
"I haven't been avoiding you," she said with a sigh, "I do not feel it is any of your business."
Neji seemed to ignore her answer. "Is it because you think I wouldn't approve? He's a valued member of my squad right now and even at chuunin, one of the most powerful ninja in the village. I also consider him a good friend."
Hinata closed her eyes for a moment and then opening them again as she started to walk away from him. It was pointless to talk to him like this.
Neji was startled by her coldness and turned towards her his voice raised a little. "You do understand my rights under village law, Hinata? I can deny you the right to marry him."
Hinata stopped dead as his words hits her.
Neji continued as the edge sharpened in his tone, "Any child of yours by him I have the right to take away... Even the Hokage cannot stop it."
Hinata's chest hurt as breathing became difficult. The intention behind his words caused both the anger and fear to rise within her. "Neji is never going to let me be happy," she thought sadly. Given what had happen to him she expected things to be different. She hoped he'd understand somehow.
Hinata turned to him at last, her package gripped to her chest like a shield. White eyes revealed a shared desperation that seemed to rebound back and forth under their icy gaze.
"Under clan law, I challenge you Neji," she said.
Neji's face became incredulous before hardening.
"You what?!"
"You stated that we must abide the laws put in place by the clan," she said harshly. "As an heir of the Souke of the Hyuga clan I challenge your leadership of the clan."
"Have you lost your mind?" Neji spat back.
Hinata did not recognize her voice as venom dripped from it. "Seeing you as you are now, I do not think you are fit to lead the Hyuga."
The tension rose under their unblinking stares. Hinata had struck deep at the core of Neji's being with her words.
It was an ancient tradition from the early days of the Hyuga when the role of the Main and Branch houses was less clear. Sometimes more than one Souke heir-apparent would be successfully raised to adulthood causing a great division in the clan. Dueling was a rare event and one that had been avoided for the past several generations. When it did occur the result from one of the candidates had always been an untimely death.
Neji broke the silence as he exhaled sharply through clenched teeth. "Why?" he demanded.
"I just told you," she said dismissively. "We will meet on the morning before the night festival. It is your right to choose the witness, Neji-nii-san. Please remember it must be outside the clan."
Neji looked like he was carved of ice as rage consumed him at her brazen words and foolish stubbornness. "Choose whoever you like, however I suggest someone skilled in the medical arts."
Hinata ignored the implication, "Then I choose Haruno Sakura, do you have any objections."
Neji did not reveal any disapproval at her choice. They both knew that it was yet another slight to him in this downward spiral of a conversation.
His hands came together in a seal as he told her, "As you wish... Hinata-sama."
Hinata stood quietly as the smoke of Neji's escape jutsu faded. She knew what she had just done and did not like herself very much for it. There had been a good chance that Neji would have understood and granted her the right to be with Naruto. It did not matter. The remote possibility of his denial or worse yet the control he'd have over any child she might have with Naruto was just too much to bear.
She had little reason to think she could defeat Neji. She had grown much since their first battle, but the difference between their abilities was still clear.
"I will not let him take my dream away from me," Hinata thought fiercely. Happiness with Naruto had been all she'd ever wanted for so long and now she had that in her grasp she was ready to fight for it and ready to die for it.
Hinata felt like laughing all of the sudden. For the first time she had stood up to someone that had terrified her for most of her life. Brave was not a word Hinata would ever use to describe herself, but it seemed to fit today.
Familiar voices traveled up the desolate street towards Hinata causing her to turn. She saw two women and as she made out the faces of Tenten and Ino, she waved to them in greeting.
"Hey, Hinata!" called out Ino, "Are you ok?"
Hinata realized what she must look like and made a more pleasant face. The girls walked up to lighted corner to join the doe-eyed kunoichi.
"I'm fine. Where are you guys coming from," Hinata asked.
"We were both at the hospital," said Ino, "I was volunteering in the children's ward today and Tenten was there to visit Lee."
"Yeah," said Tenten, "The doctors want him to stay the night for observation, but with the blood recovery medicine he took he'll be fine by the morning."
"Listen to her," said Ino leaning over to Hinata with a conspiratorial, "She's acts all laid-back, but when I got to his room she was there fixing his pillow, rubbing his neck, feeding him soup..."
"So! How did your date with Naruto go?" Tenten asked trying to change the subject.
"It was wonderful," she told them bringing out her package. "Look he bought me a new summer kimono." The girls ooh'ed and aah'ed as Hinata show them her gift.
"You'll look so beautiful at the festival Hinata!" exclaimed Tenten.
Ino added, "I'll make sure we have the perfect orchid ready for you at my family's stall when you come."
"Arigatou, Ino-san" said Hinata politely.
"Ooh, can you save one for me too Ino," said Tenten pleading.
Ino threw hands up. "I'm sorry Tenten, the orchids corsages are only for unmarried girls."
Tenten made a sour face. "I'm only engaged! Besides you Shikamaru act more like an old married couple than Lee and I do."
Ino raised her finger, "No, you see just because Shikamaru acts like a crotchety, old oji-san doesn't mean we act like an old couple."
The girls all laughed at her absent boyfriend's expense. They all started to walk casually down the street as they all shared the way home for another couple of streets.
"Oh yeah, Hinata guess what!" said Tenten. "I told Ino about what happen today."
Hinata covered her mouth as her jaw dropped, "No, Tenten you didn't! You mean. . ."
"Yes, yes, I heard all about Temari," sighed Ino.
Tenten grinned evilly.
Ino continued, "It's ok Hinata. I'm not worried that Ms. Suna-Boobs is going to steal my boyfriend from me. I have Shikamaru completely wrapped around my little finger."
"Then you're not going to get mad at him?" Hinata asked slightly confused.
Ino looked at Tenten who shook her head sadly before turning back to her obviously confused companion. "Of course, I'll get angry! I may even throw something," Ino added sounding pleased with the suggestion.
Hinata was lost again. "...but why when..."
"Because Hinata," Ino interrupted her, "guilt is an important part of a healthy relationship."
Tenten shook head, "Hai, Hai."
"You see without guilt then your boyfriend will believe that you are happy with whatever he does and this will make him lazy."
"Really?" Hinata said in wonder.
"When your boyfriend is guilty he works harder at making... you... happy." Tenten revealed.
"Hai, Hai," affirmed Ino with a firm nod.
Hinata looked mystified, "There is so much I don't know.."
"That's why you have us!" they said in unison.
The women all joked and laughed as they headed home. Hinata enjoyed the pleasure of their company. It filled the void, allowing her to forget for a small time the pain that her future held.
TO BE CONTINUED
A/N: We're getting back to Sakura next!