The Sun Shining Through - Chapter 2
Disclaimer:I DO NOT OWN NARUTO! If I did…*the author sighs dramatically* let's just say, it would be VERY different…Enjoy
"We accept the love we think we deserve." - Stephen Chbosky
While on the way to the Compound, Hinata found herself anxious over what her father's reaction might be to her and Naruto's relationship and she was also upset at how good Naruto's mask was because she noticed that Neji-nii, who was an expert in reading people, didn't think anything was wrong.
Tenten and Neji were walking beside each other, behind Hinata, weren't talking. They were enjoying each other's company because both knew that once Neji got into the compound, Neji's branch house duties would keep him in the compound for the rest of the day, and they won't be able to see each other until the next day for daily training.
So caught up in their own thoughts, they didn't notice that besides speaking in the hallway back in his apartment, Naruto hadn't spoken a word. Naruto took the chance to speak to the fox and ask some questions that were on his mind.
"Kyuubi?..." Naruto directed this thought to the nine-tailed fox sealed in his gut, waiting for his answer. After waiting barely 2 minutes, Naruto went to 'speak' again but he was interrupted.
"…What do you want Kit?! You woke me up!"not responding to the angry reply like he usually would, Naruto continued, determined to find his answers to several of the questions that were running around his mind.
"Would having you sealed inside me affect any of the romantic relationships that I get involved in?" noting that his kit was serious when he didn't bite back a reply, Kumara decided that just this once he would answer the questions that Naruto had.
"I guessing, because you actually asked me that type of question, it means that you finally got together with that lavender vixen?" Hey, he was still a Kitsune he had to put in that jab, it was in his nature. Biting back another comeback (Naruto wanted the Kyuubi in a good mood), he just grunted his reply in his mind.
Stifling back his laughter so that Kumara could answer the question without suffocating from lack of air, he continued, "…To answer your question Kit, unless she was your soul mate, there wouldn't be any difference in a romantic relationship evenwithme sealed in you."
Stiffening at the words 'soul mate', Naruto asked another question to the Kitsune, his theory slowly being proven. "What doyoumean by 'soul mate'?"
"A soul mate, idiot of a kit, is the one person that you'll have an immediate connection with. They'll easily understand you better than anyone else you know and they'll bring a sense of calmness, strength, peace and happiness whenever you're around each other."
Naruto stayed silent while the Kitsune explained what a soul mate was, putting together pieces of past experiences and feelings whenever he was with Hinata at the time.
Kumara continued his explanation, "Because both you and your mother were my containers, you'll have more of a Kitsune nature towards certain things, like mating and personality, which is different to a humans."
Eyes widening at the comment about his mother, Naruto instantly asked another question, completely unrelated to his original line of thoughts, "What do mean that my mother was your previous container?!-"
Cutting off the Kit before he started to spout questions like they were going to go out of style and avoid the headache he knew he would get, Kumara answered all the questions that he knew his kit would ask,
"Your mother, Kushina Uzumaki – the Red Hot-Blooded Habanero – was my 2ndcontainer. She came from the Uzumaki clan that use to reside in Whirlpool country and they were known for their long lives and mastery of seals. That's all I know about her, now TELL me your original questions or I'll stop being so co-operative."
Knowing that the Kitsune would make good on his threat, Naruto stored any questions about his mother and heritage, as well as questions that were now popping up about the night of his birth. He needed to get back to the original reason why he woke up the Kitsune in the first place.
"What kind of Kitsune traits would I have?"
Gathering his thoughts, the Kitsune answered his kit, "There's your love of pranks, which is both a genetic trait and a trait you got from me, enhanced senses like smell and eyesight, and the fact that Kitsune mate for life."
Taking a breath the Kitsune continued, "That means you'll know when you have your mate, true mates are able to sense each others thoughts and when you do mate you'll be able to actuallyreadeach others thoughts."
"Mate?" asked Naruto, he heard the fox sigh before stating,
"Sex, kit. When you have sex." Naruto's face turned a blistering red that looked like a bad sunburn before starting to stutter out-loud.
"Wha-what! that-that…AUGH!" Jumping at the hand that had been placed on his shoulder and willing away the sunburnt blush, also ignoring the laughter from the kitsune in his gut, Naruto turned to his Hina-hime who was what had jolted him out of his semi-meltdown.
"Are you alright Naruto-kun?" taking a moment to register the question, Naruto nodded and said,
"I'm fine Hinata." Seeing her raised eyebrow, Naruto looked back at Neji and Tenten who were both looking at them weirdly and looking back at Hinata, he slightly shook his head and mouthed 'later'.
Getting his message, Hinata took her hand off Naruto's shoulder, nodded, mouthing back 'ok' then looking to her right and gazed right at the Hyuuga compound.
Following her gaze, Naruto stared at the compound, mentally calming himself down. All he had to do walk into the compound. Meet with the head of the Hyuuga Clan and Hinata's father, Hiashi Hyuuga. Tell him that he, Naruto, was dating his daughter, Hinata. No big deal…he was doomed.
Exhaling a breath that he didn't know he was holding, Naruto waited for Neji to say good-bye to Tenten before approaching him.
"Neji." Turning to face Naruto, Neji was shocked at the serious look on Naruto's face, although he didn't show it, "I want you to take me to Hiashi. I need to talk to him, its important."
Finding himself nod, Neji silently gestured for Naruto to follow him. Moving to be in front of Naruto and Hinata, Neji walked past the two guards who were guarding the entrance of the Hyuuga Compound. The three ninjas didn't speak while they walked past the open area of the compound.
Naruto could feel a few heated gazes, and looking out the corner of his eye, Naruto could pinpoint the reason for those hate-filled stares. They looked to be some of the Hyuuga Elders, even after proving himself to be loyal to the village and saving them from Pain, these Elders seemed to be unable to let go of their prejudices.
Tightening his jaw, Naruto resisted the urge to snap at the old men. Anger wouldn't change their opinion of him – it would just prove that he was an unstable in their eyes. He needed to prove to Hinata's father that he was mature enough to date his daughter and snapping at the Hyuuga Elders would stop that plan right in its tracks.
Noticing Naruto's anger and his stiff jaw, Hinata covertly gazed around the compound trying to see the cause behind Naruto's anger and noticing the hate-filled gazes of the Hyuuga Elders at her boyfriend, Hinata nearly snapped at them herself.
But being the Hyuuga Heiress, anger it is neither the answer nor is it proper to publicly show that negative emotion. Speeding herself up until she was shoulder-to-shoulder with her boyfriend, Hinata put on a cold façade, but peeking out the corner of her eye, she could see Naruto doing the same, and the gratitude and love that was shining in his eyes from her silent gesture made her feel so warm inside.
Leading the secret couple through the Hyuuga corridors, Neji registered the event. Curious as to why it happened; Neji put it at the back of his mind and decided he would ask the two after they saw Uncle. Two minutes later, found the three ninjas outside Hiashi Hyuuga's office and knocking on the door of the office, Neji waited for Hiashi to acknowledge them.
"Neji," looking to Naruto, Neji raised a eyebrow in question, "Could you stay with us while we talk to your Uncle?" going to answer, Neji was unknowingly cut off by Hiashi.
"Enter." At the word, Neji opened the door and gestured for Hinata and Naruto to enter the office. Entering the office, Hinata knelt in front of her father, who was sitting behind his desk and finishing paper work, Naruto followed Hinata's example and knelt beside her.
Hearing the door shut, Naruto looked towards the sound and was glad that Neji decided to stay. Neji was seated at the side of the room, in the same kneeling position as Hinata and himself.
A minute passed before Hiashi decided to look up and acknowledge the three teenagers in his office. Thanking Kami and the Log that his daughter was okay and well, Hiashi moved his attention from the well-being of his eldest daughter and mentally raised an eyebrow at the fact that Naruto Uzumaki, the most active ninja his age, was sitting still, not fidgeting in his seat and looking quite serious. Hiashi decided to break the silence.
"Is there reason why both my eldest daughter and Uzumaki Naruto are in my office?" Waiting for an answer, Hiashi was surprised to see that Naruto spoke first and in a respectful, but direct, manner. It seemed that today was full of surprises, but the next thing Naruto said and did was the last thing Hiashi expected from the orange ninja.
"Hiashi-sama, I requested that Neji escort me into the compound to speak with you on an important matter." Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, Naruto decided to get the point before he chickened out.
"I am asking for your permission to date your eldest daughter, Hinata Hyuuga." Bowing low, Naruto waited for Hiashi's reaction. The three other people in the room were a mixture of being stunned and proud.
Hinata was extremely proud of her boyfriend, both for bravely asking for father for permission to date her and his respectful way made her fall even more in love with the man beside her. Neji was shocked at Naruto's boldness and his request; he thought Naruto liked Sakura – obviously not.
Hiashi Hyuuga was another that was shocked at Naruto's boldness and respectful speaking, but he was also thinking, 'You would be so proud of him and how he's turned out Minato, Kushina.' Keeping up his cold façade, Hiashi moved to stand up and the movement caused Naruto to raise his head but he didn't lift himself from his bow.
"Before I give you my answer Uzumaki Naruto, I want you to explain why I should allow my daughter to date you." The statement some-what surprised Naruto, he'd expected Hiashi to outright say no, but Hiashi was giving him a chance to prove himself and not because he was the 'demon container' but because Hiashi was genuinely concerned about who to give his daughter to.
His respect for Hiashi rose exponentially. Pausing to gather his thoughts, Naruto straightened out of his bow (Finally!) and sat up straight with a serious look in his face.
"Hiashi-sama, I admit that I wasn't a well liked person in the village nor am I very smart and I'm also impulsive, however, I am very loyal and dedicated to your daughter and I love her." Naruto looked at Hinata at his last words and he could see how proud she was of him and he could see her love for him.
Still looking at Hinata, Naruto continued to speak from the heart, "Hiashi, I am asking you to allow me to date your daughter, not as a hero of Kohona, but as someone that loves your daughter very much."
Turning back to Hiashi, Naruto waited for his reply. Noticing the glance between the two and seeing the pure love that the two held for each other, Hiashi's conclusion was easy to come to.
But that didn't mean that he couldn't scare his future son-in-law out of his wits first.
"I see. Then my answer is yes, you may date my daughter Naruto Uzumaki, but first…" led off Hiashi who reached for something long and sharp that was hidden underneath his desk, it was the Hyuuga family sword. Unsheathing the sword, Hiashi got into the first stance, "…I suggest you run Uzumaki."
Gulping, Naruto replied, "Understood." There was a poof of smoke and Naruto was gone from the room. Exiting the room, Hiashi quickly spotted the orange ninja who was currently dashing across the compound…and looking like a chicken with it head cut off along with screaming at the top of his lungs.
Sweat-dropping at the antics, Hiashi started running after the freaked-out ninja. 10 minutes later, along with several severely freaked-out villagers and funny looks, found the duo on top of the Hokage mountain standing on top of the Fourth's head.
Naruto was breathing heavily and trying to get his breathing under control while Hiashi didn't seem to be out of breath…at all. Naruto spoke first,
"Is there a reason why you're CHASING me with a SWORD?!" gasped Naruto who went back to trying to breathe properly. Hiashi merely stood there and answered,
"Yes." Silence followed.
"…You're not going to tell me are you?"
"No."
"Right…" Finally breathing properly, Naruto continued speaking, "I should go then and tell the Hokage about what just happened, shouldn't I."
"That would be wise." Knowing he won't be able to figure out why he was chased around the village by Hiashi when he was allowed to date Hinata, Naruto decided to think about it later. Standing up straight and moving to leave, Hiashi asked him a question,
"Does my daughter know the risks of dating you and why that is?" to which Naruto simply stated, "Yes, she does." And disappeared, Hiashi thought to himself, 'He's grown up well, Minato, Kushina,' before he too disappeared, ninja style.
At the Hyuuga Compound:
Waiting outside the compound was Hinata with Neji standing beside her. Neither cousin were surprised when Naruto turned up out of nowhere. Grabbing Hinata's hand and yelling a 'goodbye' over his shoulder to a slightly amused Neji, Naruto started running/walking towards the Hokage tower.
Looking at the running couple, Neji thought to himself, 'I'll ask about the reason for what happened in the compound later, I have a feeling that if I asked now – I wouldn't get a answer.' Neji turned around to re-enter the Hyuuga compound and return to his branch house duties.
When Hinata finally managed to get Naruto to slow down, stop and explain what had had happened, Naruto had told her what occur between the two men and she was just as confused as he was.
"I don't get your father." Stated Naruto, who was looking very serious and in response Hinata just laughed. Looking around and seeing that villagers were looking at the two weirdly, Naruto pulled a still laughing Hinata into a alleyway that was out of sight.
Crossing his arms and pouting, Naruto whined at Hinata, "Hina-chaaaan, stop laughing at me."
Laughter finally dying down, Hinata responded while wiping away the water that had collected at the corner of her eyes, "S-Sorry Naru-kun, it's just…" giggling a bit more, Hinata continued, "I couldn't help it, you looked so serious." Making the pout bigger, Naruto looked away when he felt a hand on his face and moving his eyes, Naruto saw that it was Hinata. Letting his face being moved by Hinata, he felt his eyes soften at the look on her face.
She was pouting with her big lavender eyes starting to water at the corner. Naruto's resolve crumbled faster than when he absolutely starving and he starts to eat his favourite Ichiraku ramen.
Sighing loudly, Naruto moved his hand from his side so it was now cradling the hand Hinata had to his face, "It's not fair, I just can't stay mad at you Hina-hime." Blushing in response, Hinata moved their intertwined hands from Naruto's face and let them hang at their side.
Tugging at his hand, Hinata started walking, "Don't we need to see the Hokage now?"
"Yep, I also need to explain why your father was chasing me around the village." said Naruto, who tightly squeezed his Hina-hime's hand before letting go and stuffing both hands into his pants pocket to avoid temptation.
Knowing why her Naru-ouji let go, Hinata smiled and moved her hands so that that were now clasped behind her back. The mention of her father led her back to the question she asked back at the front of the Hyuuga mansion.
"Naruto-kun, can you now explain why you yelled out before we went into my home?" and when Naruto went a dark red that could put some of hers to shame, she got really interested to what had happened.
Naruto looked down and started poking his index fingers together, doing an eerily good job of imitating a younger Hinata.
"Naruto-kun..?"
"W-Well, I was worried that because of the fox," Naruto gestured towards his stomach, "t-that it would affect our relationship…" Rasing an eyebrow, Hinata waited for Naruto to continue, she knew that if she pressured him he would clam up.
"A-and the fox said that, being sealed in me wouldn't do anything…" said Naruto, who led off, he was too embarrassed to finished his sentence. Looking at Naruto, Hinata could tell that he won't say anything else on the subject, the reddening of his checks was a tell-tale sign that he was too embarrassed to continue.
Oh well. She had an unlimited time to find out what had happened between the fox and her boyfriend. Naruto would tell her eventually. The two didn't speak for the rest of the walk to the Hokage's office. Naruto was trying to get over the embarrassing conversation from before and Hinata was naturally too shy to say anything.
The couple arrived at Hokage tower and Hinata followed Naruto up the side of the building, sticking herself to the wall with her chakra. After looking inside the building to see if the Granny was speaking to anyone, Naruto opened the window with a flourish.
"Yo, Granny!" Tsunade jumped slightly, turning to where she heard the annoying voice come from, she tried to frown at the orange ninja but seeing him smile a real smile and not one of those 'happy masks' that he always wore, Tsunade ended up smiling just a little, making the frown turn more into a smirk.
Slightly twirling the sake bottle in her hand, Tsunade spoke, "What do you want brat?" she was surprised when Naruto didn't immediately back chat the 'brat' comment; instead he just entered the room, with Hinata Hyuuga coming in after him. Stunned, all Tsunade could do was watch as Naruto walked to the front of her desk and sat down and blankly registered it when Hinata bowed and said 'sorry' for coming in without permission and followed Naruto's example.
Tsunade just stared at the two, Naruto was sitting calmly – no loud exclamations for a new mission, no fidgeting – and Hinata, who was also sitting calmly…IT DIDN'T MAKE ANY SENSE!
Whenever Hinata was in the same room as Naruto all she would do would blush red, look down and point her fingers together and the aura that Hinata would emanate was one of shyness and one with no self confidence. She had gotten better over the years that Naruto had been away but compared to now, they were nothing!
Hinata looked like the proud, confident kunoichi that Tsunade imagined she be later in the future and this time she seemed to emanate love and happiness…
"…nny? GRANNY!" Startled out of the reverie that she was in, Tsunade mentally shook her head and answered the brat.
"What, Gaki?" Tsunade smiled when Naruto pouted at the 'gaki' but that smile was quickly wiped of her face and was replaced by stunned surprise.
"Hinata and I have something important to tell you Tsunade." The serious expression on the usually easy-going brats face made it clear to the Hokage that whatever this news was, it was probably close to an S-Class Secret.
Signalling to her hidden ANBU to leave the room and sealing the room after all ANBU had left; Tsunade focused her gaze on the two teenagers in front of her. Leaning forward, placing both her elbows on her desk and bringing her hands to intertwine in front of her face, Tsunade was now serious.
"What is it Naruto?" seeing her favourite Gaki take a deep breath, Tsunade braced herself for whatever news the two were bringing.
"Tsunade, Hinata and I are now dating."
…That was notwhat she had expected, getting rid of the serious expression on her face, Tsunade leaned back into her chair with a huff.
"That's it Gaki? I thought it was serious-" cutting her off, Naruto started to explain.
"It is serious Granny, me dating Hinata is dangerous. She knows Tsunade – about the fox, Akatsuki with the S-class criminals after me and my father's enemies – everything."
Tsunade was now wide-eyed and stunned. Looking to Hinata, Tsunade could see the love that the girl, now woman, held for the man-boy next to her. Tsunade was glad that she decided to put up the secrecy seals. Another thought stopped her.
"What do you mean, 'your father's enemies', Gaki?" sighing Naruto waved one of his hands around in an exuberant manner.
"Y'know, the Fourth Hokage? Minato Namikaze? My father?"
All Tsunade could ask was, "H-how? W-when?"
"Dad put a fail-safe around the seal, that if I ever went up to 8-tails, he would show up to stop me, which was what I did do when Hinata was almost killed by one of Pein's bodies, I just snapped and started to fight Pein." Stunned was the best way to describe the fifth Hokage of Kohona right about now.
"I was planning on telling you when you became chunnin Naruto." Reaching into one of the draws in the left side of her desk, Tsunade undid a complicated seal placed there and handed a bunch of files to Naruto.
Quickly rifling though the pile, Naruto could see that it was letters, diaries, pictures – all addressed to him from both of his parents. Smiling at the pile, Naruto looked up and smiled a true smile at his grandmother-like figure.
"Thank-you, Granny." Tsunade didn't yell at the brat for calling her 'granny' this time, she could tell that he really meant it and not it the teasing manner he usually did it in. Deciding to move back to the original conversation, Tsunade spoke up.
"Okay, now that I know that the two of you are dating, what do you want me to do with that information?" Pulling himself together, and putting the files in his lap Naruto answered the question.
"We've told Hinata's father about the two of us and he approves," Tsunade was shocked at that, "so we wanted to tell you for two reasons: one – because I consider you family Granny and two – because of how dangerous it is for the two of us to be dating."
Feeling happy that her gaki considered her family but she was still confused at the second reason, Tsunade voiced a question, "I get the danger behind Hinata dating you Gaki, but what I don't get is: how does you, a Kohona ninja dating the Hyuuga Heiress become dangerous?"
Hinata answered this time, "Hokage-sama, may I explain why?" gesturing for Hinata to continue, Tsunade listened to the Heiress' explanation. "Hokage-sama, because of my high position as the Hyuuga Heiress, there are many suitors from different families, not only from Kohana but from different villages and even some countries. If these 'suitors' found out that I'm dating someone like Naruto, who doesn't publicly come from a prestigious family or from a large amount of wealth, they would either come in hoards to prove to my father and myself that they are better than Naruto, or try to do Naruto harm so that they could get a chance at dating me."
Processing the information, the Hokage could see why the two came to talk to her. Looking at the two, Tsunade didn't want anything bad to happen to the couple in front of her. The two had gone through enough bad things in their lives to last at least three lifetimes.
"Okay, I'll help you two keep your relationship secret until the two of you decide to go public." Seeing the two relieved smiles that we sent her way in response, Tsunade felt that she made the right decision.
"Now, I need both of you lovebirds to get out of my office so I can do my paperwork."
Making a shooing motion, Hinata and Naruto (blushing at the 'lovebirds' comment) got up and made their way to the door that led out of the office. Reaching for the sake bottle that she unknowingly put down on her desk during the conversation, Tsunade went to take a sip when she registered a yelled comment coming from Kohona's Number One Unpredictable ninja that almost caused her to spit out the precious liquid.
"BY THE WAY, GRANNY, YOU'LL BE GETTING COMPLAINTS ABOUT HIASHI CHASING ME AROUND THE VILLAGE TODAY!"
Spluttering, Tsunade swallowed her precious sake before throwing a nearby paperweight at the grinning orange ninja, which missed, and yelled, "GET. OUT. NARUTO!" There was a pause, "…AND STOP CALLING ME GRANNY!
Chuckling at the chaos caused to Tsunade, Naruto covered his smiling mouth with one hand while tightly gripping his Hina-hime's hand with the other. The couple were currently standing on top of one of Kohona's many tall buildings, and as they stood there for a few seconds more, anyone who had chanced to look up at the time, they would have seen the couple surrounded by the sun, shining through the clouds, giving them a glowing golden aura…when they just vanished – out of sight.
TO BE CONTINUED...
A/N: The next installment of 'The Sun Shining Through', the third and final chapter is coming up real soon.
