Simplicity is Complexity
Chapter 7: Love Rages On
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. That is unless I get the position as creator. The chances of that… zero!
AN: I love love-triangles for a reason. One thing is for sure… well, I like the philosophy, the psychology, and the complexity within them. I don't think there is too much for me to say this time around, other than that I am so happy to see a vast majority of you liking my work.
By the way, I am starting to notice my chapters are undeniably long. Each chapter of mine, or nearly if I may be accurate, covered only a several hours during the day. Do you guys like that, or perhaps you don't care as long as I deliver the fluff, the illusions of nudity or sex, and lime? Answer that question for me if you do choose to review.
Nonetheless, I thank you all so much!
And yes, the love triangle will stay for a while. I like HinataNarutoHanabi triangles, they are fun to write!
Let the killing begin…
(Same scene as the last scene of the last chapter. Nothing has changed.)
She loved me. Why was I not surprised? She whispered something like that in her dreams last week. I remembered it as clear as a diamond. I had the nerve to neglect it back then, and now it had come back to haunt me. Baka-yaro… I was such a baka…
My mind was blank. No matter how hard I tried to absorb everything into gear, well, it just wasn't happening. She loved me for crying out loud! It wasn't as simple as a crush, let alone respectful admiration. Love was a whole different level, even if the feeling was like a sibling love. No doubt Hinata was referring to romantic love, because I never saw her like my little sister. I liked her romantically, too, but definitely not as far compared to her.
Her eyes were determined, yet her body was on a verge to frail. She appeared nervous, but desperate to know what my response was. Needless to say, if I didn't whip up something fast, Hinata would cry.
Fast, speed, quick, rush, quantity over quality… was this all people cared about these days?
"Ano… Hinata… I don't know what to say…" Bad start, I knew it was bloody awful, and surely I did not need any further negative insults.
Uzumaki Naruto, believe it or not, became sober.
"Just say if you love me or not," she pestered on, leaning closer and closer before she rested her head on my chest, arms wrapped with strikingly powerful force to forbid me from running away. What puzzled me was how her grip could be so strong, yet very affectionate and pleasing. "I want to hear it, Naruto-kun…"
"Hinata…" Stuck in an emotional calamity, I really hit the record this time around.
"I love you, Naruto-kun…" she confessed, and she was bold enough to plant a loving kiss on my cheek, "I always did love you."
Her words made the situation more approachable. Somehow, rather. "Why? Why do you love me? When did you start to love me?"
"Ever since I was a child," she returned her answer, kissing my cheek again, "Because you weren't the same as everyone else. You act differently to get attention-"
"I was a nuisance," I told her honestly.
"Don't ever say that," she corrected me, now she was caressing my right cheek slowly and tenderly. Her face may be blushing, but there was a charming timidity behind it instead of fear and humiliation. More she continued being so loving, my cheeks burned up gradually. My shyness told her too much; especially when she figured out that I liked her touch.
I couldn't afford to show weaknesses. That was my principle of living. And here she was, trampling over all the barriers I worked so hard to build up. I should be angry, and yet I wasn't. How could I summon up the rage at someone who loved me for who I was?
Although a demon, I had reason; the key element that made me an intelligent being compared to animals and beasts. My libido carrier, however, admired attitudes that matched those of a creature lacking a conscience.
"You had goals that you wanted, and you tried so hard to achieve it. You never gave up despite the odds, and you even gained strength when you were considered dead last among us. You grew stronger and stronger because of your endurance and persistence… and that was something I lacked…"
I was touched, but not that touched. In fact, I decided to burst her bubble. "That's a pretty naïve reason to love me. Because I am not good at giving up… that's all you know about me. You know nothing about what I like, what I fear, what I despise… you are falling in love with a mask!"
She shook her head, still watching me with that heartwarming smile. To be honest, I felt trapped with nowhere to run. She didn't look like one, but I could tell Hinata was a powerful manipulator in disguise.
"I don't think I am, Naruto-kun," she whispered, half seductively in my ear. I felt a sweat coming as soon as she nibbled it delicately, and more so when she used to tongue and brushed it. I was at my limits…
"Hinata… stop…"
She didn't stop to my discomfort, and more so when she continued to talk. "I do know you, Naruto-kun," she assured me, smiling sweetly, "And I really do love you. I can't imagine my life not having you around… you are like the light in my world when I am surrounded by darkness. And I know you are also feeling down… I know that you changed… but that doesn't mean that you don't care about people. I know you care about me… and I want to be your light in the destiny that you choose."
I couldn't move a muscle. I just kept absorbing and absorbing without second thoughts.
"Hinata… I…"
"I love you so much, Naruto-kun," she admitted, cheeks stained with fresh magenta. I knew she gathered all the courage she could muster to tell me this over and over again. Sooner or later, she would be emotionally drained. That was what I thought at first, but that belief could haunt me later on. "Do you love me?"
She didn't budge, and that wasn't a good sign. Actually, I had been attempting to break free, and unfortunately two factors seemed to affect me. One: Hinata was using a strong hold but touching me affectionately. Two: Her hands were rubbing my back slowly and delicately to prove her sincerity. As long as I was captured in this embrace, I couldn't escape her questioning.
Kuso (Damn/Shit)…
"Hinata," I said, still struggling but to no avail, "I don't know what to say…"
"I know you have feelings for me, Naruto-kun," she told me, leaning her head closer to mine while I moved mine back as far as I could, "If you didn't… you wouldn't have taken me out to dinner… letting me stay in your room when I fell asleep… playing petal ball game fights when I felt bored and lonely…"
"Ano…"
The last example she recalled caught me unexpectedly. "And you wouldn't have drawn me on your art book!"
How did she know? I thought I hid that piece of creation from her. It didn't matter now, she knew that thing existed and it posed a problem. "Don't misunderstand-"
"I am not misunderstanding this, Naruto-kun," Hinata was sticking to her opinions than to listen to mine, "I know you like me. You have feelings for me. Your art told me everything… It was the most beautiful thing that I saw myself as... I was beautiful in it… I never thought I could look so wonderful in anything… You made me so happy… I know you spent a lot of time on it."
"I was just in the mood… I guess… for drawing, I mean,"
Once more, her words struck me hard. "Naruto-kun… Why… Why are you afraid to admit yourself to your feelings? What is there to be afraid of?"
She realized my weaknesses without trying! In another era, I could accuse her to be a witch. But right now, I recognized that her love for me wasn't simple infatuation. She really knew me. Hell, she knew how I think, and it was no fluke.
And I didn't like it one bit.
"You're wrong!" I declared, not willing to believe that I, Uzumaki Naruto, was losing this bad. Damn, that drastic response already gave off too many holes. Why did I have to do that?
"I am not wrong," she switched her tone to a gentle one before she placed her hand on to my cheek. She then began to feather softly. I held back a blush that was dying to come on my face. "Naruto-kun… I felt the same way… I was afraid to confront you… because I am weak… But something this week made me realize one thing."
"What is that?"
"If I don't tell you how I feel… I might lose you… I don't want you lose you to anyone else! Do you know that?"
"Watashi (I)…"
She pushed on despite I tried to answer her. Hinata wasn't even giving me a chance to reflect, and she was delivering the offensive. I didn't mind though, I could see her desperation, as if it was alive. "I had all the time in my life to tell you… but I didn't… because I was a coward… I was afraid that you would reject me for Sakura… Yes, call me a hypocrite if you must, but I was afraid… I am not afraid now though. If you do want to know how I feel, fine, I will tell you."
It was time for a counter attack. Honestly speaking, it wasn't much of a strike back, it was more of a pathetic attempt to guide Hinata out of this 'love' subject. "You don't have to…" It was better than nothing, I guessed. Maybe, just maybe, I could've put more thought instead of acting so impulsive.
"I want to though," she persisted, bringing me closer to feel her womanly frame and her heat. Never would I have thought Hinata was so bold! What in blazes happened to the old one? Sure, the one in front of me right now was still timid and meek, but of course something was different. Her timidity was no longer a nuisance and a bother. Instead, it transformed itself into charming cuteness –a delightful nature to be exact. Whenever she blushed whether significantly or slightly, people knew she was having a good time and happy.
"Hinata…"
"I was jealous of Sakura," she told me firmly. Her eyes were locked onto mine attentively as well. "It's not that I hate her… I can't do something like that. But… on the first day I found out I wasn't on your team… I was sad… I thought the only decent chance I had to know you better was taken away from me. Not only that… it had to be Sakura… the girl that you liked so much… I felt useless… as if this whole world was against me."
It pained me to listen. At the same time, to my disbelief, I wanted to hear it. I wanted to know how Hinata truly felt about life. Rather, I had an incredible yearn to understand how my life affected Hinata's. What was so special about me that Hinata could have something as miraculous as love.
"Gomen (Sorry)…" I said back for the sake of it. Of course my heart was drenched with my good friend 'guilt'. This friend of mine would never vanish as long as my emotions kept itself in tact. Sometimes I hated being human.
She shook her head understandingly at my apology. "There is no need to apologize, Naruto-kun," she said, kissing my cheek knowingly. She knew I liked it, and another reason for her not to stop was because I didn't tell her to end her physical affection. Perhaps I should have, but my head told me otherwise. "You were young… and I understand that you have your own crushes towards other people. I am just overly ambitious… I think… but I had to be when I see you and Sakura so happy sometimes… It's like my nightmare turning into reality, you know that?"
Finally, there was something I could relate to. "I know what you mean. Even back then… Sakura only cared about Sasuke. It wasn't like she didn't care about me, but she had romantic feelings for Sasuke. I, on the other hand, she loved me like a sister would. I wanted her to know how I truly felt, and unfortunately, she knew but insisted that her love for Sasuke would never collapse. I was quite envious over that Uchiha-bastard for a long while, but then again, I grew out of it eventually…"
"Do you think that I am stupid to be jealous of people?" she inquired, hoping a kind response from me. Her pearly lavender eyes looked intently into my cerulean ones, and with those tears inside her iris… I nearly couldn't keep my eyes off of them.
Hinata was indeed gorgeous.
"Iie," I said back, grinning slightly and forgetting about my current position, "It's natural after all. Besides… you would do anything for something that you love, right?"
Good God, damn it! Why did I have to say that? Now after my most tremendous efforts, I somehow transformed the situation back to square one!
"I would," Hinata said, smiling warmly, "I am sorry that I am such a jealous girl. I just can't lose you… I don't want to give up my light…"
Seeing how hopeless the situation had turned for me, I might as well attempt to survive through it in the most graceful way possible. "Why do you love me? What made me so special that you developed feelings for me?"
She was wise and she didn't even know it. If she just paid attention to what she said, I bet she could notice her level of intelligence. What a manipulator she was. "What, you don't like to be loved?"
"It's not that..."
"Then what is it?"
"No one should be loving me, that's what."
"You talk nonsense," Hinata stated, smiling kindly as if I was being silly, "You, amongst so many people I know, deserve to be loved the most. You're so unhappy everyday… it hurts me. I know you shout, laugh, blabber frequently in front of your friends… but when you are alone… you are a complete different person. Your eyes were covered with rage, envy, hate, desire, want, disgust, despise, and more… I know how you feel when you are training alone.
"I always wanted to find out how you could have two –or perhaps even more than two- completely different personas in life. I mean, it's not even natural. I know we have a home face and an outside face, but how could someone have such a horrifically dark one at home or alone and suddenly have a sunny bright one when exposed to the public."
Needless to say, the cheerful mood before became quite solemn with her doing the talking for once, and I was the mute guy who couldn't do a thing but to take in her output. In regular cases, it shouldn't be much of a surprise, but to keep in mind Hinata was an exception. During the chunnin exam, I was stealing the spotlight while next to Hinata, and all she needed to do was listen.
Whenever I recall those times, maybe I could've toned down a little, for Hinata, judging from her timidity and charming kindness, would listen regardless of what the topic was.
"I was in no position to ask you back then because I was nothing more than a stranger… and so… I watched you from afar to understand you better. I loved watching you, Naruto-kun… I don't know if it was your maturity or seriousness, but I admired it. Soon enough… I began to like you but it pained me so much that you started to have feelings for Sakura… since she was one of the prettiest girls in class. I felt stupid… I felt that I failed –again. I told myself to give up and look for another guy to like… but I knew I couldn't –especially not after I found out how depressed and sad you were the moment you return home.
"I couldn't give up on you… I had to let you know although you may not have the same feelings for me; you had a friend who cared about you. I hated myself greatly back then… I hated my cowardice. I couldn't summon up the basic confidence to face you… to give you Christmas or birthday gifts. I imagine myself handing those presents to you personally, and merely picturing you how happy you might be made my heart melt. But my negativity took the better of me each time. I would imagine you not liking it and turn away, and other sad thoughts would purge in my head. So… every year… I would leave the things in your mailbox and hope that you liked it, and maybe you would figure out who did this for you.
"Believe me, I loved the moment during the next day when you would come in the classroom and show off to everyone that you got something cool from someone. Your happiness delighted me greatly. When you were happy, I was regretting that I didn't give it to you myself because I thought you wouldn't like it. I was the one to blame for this mistake, and I dedicated to handed it to you in person next year. However, that wasn't what hurt me the most though. Do you know what it was, Naruto-kun?"
After all that, I thought I was a fucking moron with the justified interpretations. I had been living fifteen goddamn years as a demented retard. I didn't have the face to even be speaking to Hinata! "No… I don't know…"
"I wanted to break down each time when you declare out loud that Sakura must have given them to you."
Every speck of dignity I had left within me shattered immediately. Imagine the intensity of her sadness when she heard that painful statement. If I did something like that for Sakura, but she thought it was Sasuke's doing… I was certain that I would be devastated without question.
How much did I hurt Hinata initially? Perhaps that wasn't the question. What I truly wanted to tell her was how regretful I was to her kindness… and how I was a naïve idiot to have become so negligent. Was the only person I thought of Sakura and myself back then? Everyone had their crushes, yes, but being dense could always hurt others in any form of miraculous ways.
It was true that I never had the mind to think that my course of actions and decision makings could affect anyone in particular. Why should I, right? Logically speaking, my life represented that of an idiot. Loud; brash; clueless; dense; stupid; arrogant; playing innocent when clearly guilty, and hey, you name it, and I did it. It was merely expected from the general public that an idiot deserved to perish in society. I mean, come on, fools who refused to change despite the big picture was in front of their faces should just die instead of wasting precious oxygen.
Was I going through self-deception? Was I trying to deceive myself? Probably, I guessed. The way I deceive myself was identical to how I deceive people with my fake mask. Just how people lied to others. In the same way, I lie to myself.
And here I was preaching the theory "Honestly is the best policy"… I should be damning my soul to hell being a paradoxical creature despite humans was the most paradoxical of paradoxes.
It was an eternity of wondering in my head, but barely seconds in reality. Hinata, since she was ever so lovely and kind, smiled considerately as she tried to make my lips curve up into a happy grin. Even a smirk would do. Seeing that I practically zoned out –in which it had been happening drastically more frequent- Hinata moved on to the next best thing.
She kissed me fully on the lips without any tongues involved.
Yeah, that was definitely enough to snap me out of my melancholy. Hell, I was freaking out.
"What are you doing?" I demanded as I somehow gathered enough strength to suddenly break out of her hold. I even wiped my mouth, as if I was about to swallow poison. Seriously now, what had gotten into her?
Oh right… she was in love with me… How could I ever forget…
"I always wanted to do that…" she whispered, shivering a little when she noticed she could no longer share my warmth. That should have been obvious; I was at least 5 feet away from her by now. Meanwhile, I did feel guilty. "I liked it… really much…"
I took a step back fearfully as she stepped forward, wanting another kiss or a hug. It didn't matter which one she wanted, I knew I wasn't able to do either one. Her frame… her intentions, as I would put it, were dangerous to my hormones. It triggered some sort of urge that I had been trying to avoid ever since I went through puberty (and still going as a matter of fact) and reacting in front of Hinata was totally not beneficial.
In addition to my troubles, I felt a searing heat in my stomach all of a sudden in a circle. Could it be my seal? Why was it acting like this now? It burned bad, and I knew this all too well. That was the reaction of my demon master wanting to come out from my internal prison and expose herself to reality. Why now though? If Kyuubi came out at this moment, I could not make up or find any excuse to explain this to Hinata.
In the end, I had to control it by pushing Kyuubi back inside spiritually. I still didn't understand what made my master react. I had no time whatsoever to consider the factors; my best option was to escape as soon as I could. Unfortunately for my body, the more I attempted to keep her from coming out the greater the pain became.
By now, it was strikingly difficult to keep a straight face. Luckily, I somehow managed.
"Kuso…" I hissed a little too loudly as I clutched my stomach as the agony increased more, "Kuso…"
Hinata grew worried. "Naruto-kun, what's wrong?"
"Nothing! Nothing!" I yelled after I turned my back to her, shaking my hand to command her to move back in spite that I knew she wasn't going to leave me alone. I supposed it was better than not doing anything at all. "It's going to be okay!"
If I was trying to convince her that I was fine, perhaps I shouldn't have been shouting. Aside from that, I started to realize the pain was draining my stamina to take a sprint later on. Actually, I was beginning to doubt if I could even run for short distances as long as this ache continued to loiter.
"Naruto-kun," she said my name as she touched my back with her velvety hands, "Tell me… why were your eyes red just now?"
Crap… she saw it. Damn it… I leaked out too much energy. I should have manipulated my chakra better.
"You must be seeing things," I groaned, knowing that raising my voice wouldn't do me any good, "How could my eyes be red?"
"I don't know, but I saw it before you turned away. Naruto-kun, come on, look at me."
As if I could afford myself to do that. I was in deep shit, and I knew it. Her statements didn't contain any commanding meaning, but I knew women though. If I ever fall into a womanly trap (emotionally, not literally or physically, mind you) that would mean I didn't learn from my mistakes very well. I, for one, had never been intellectually inferior when it came to solving problems in the regards of growing for betterment for me.
The burning intensified again. I couldn't hold it in for much longer, and I had to do something fast unless I had the courage to tell Hinata who I really was, and in which I clearly did not possess at this stage of the game. Uzumaki Naruto had always maintained the principle of never give up and never surrender, right?
Guess what, bitches, I am surrendering.
Correct that, if I could, actually, I officially declare a temporary retreat.
Not hesitating for another blasted second, I generated a massive amount of energy into my right palm before it formed itself into a deadly, concentrated, swirling green essence bomb. I heard Hinata gasp lightly as footstep sounds became fainter with each step. "Rasengan!" I shouted, slamming the bomb onto the ground and it immediately ignited wildly.
Was I making an effort to commit suicide? Perhaps I was in a way. This move was specifically designed for me to annihilate my body just in case I happened to encounter someone stronger than I was, and he/she coincidentally wanted to claim Kyuubi's powers. To have a technique or method such as Hari-Kari, Icould nothave loved myself very much.
In this scenario, however, I was merely using the explosion's force to project me somewhere away from here. Of course, the next part to it was having my body in the air, but I never thought of the way to get down in one piece.
I smirked as I saw Hinata in the most bewildered state. She had no idea that I could perform something as ridiculous and unpredictable as that. At the same time, my eyes caught the sadness in hers despite it was only for less than a second. Damn it, her eyes truly made my guilt worsen! Why did she have to be so kind? No, I couldn't be like this at this moment; I had to imagine the dire consequences I was going to face if I chose to remain.
Forming another set of seals, my body swapped with a broken log before the useless object fell from the skies, crushing a several branches and leaves as it struck hard onto the ground.
Hinata was no fool. She obviously knew I warped away to hide from her. And more so, she knew the Replacement Technique did not transport the user far away from the location the jutsu was initially used. In short, I was nearby.
"Naruto-kun!" she yelled from her spot, hoping that I was close enough to hear her, "Wait!" It wasn't long after before she took off in a quick sprint to find me.
To my discomfort, the previous declaration of hers was totally audible to my ears.
And shit… she was coming…
(Meanwhile)
I ran off the opposite direction from Hinata's hunting trail, hoping I could gain some distance to the highest degree. Each meter ensured safety in my case, but my running wasn't something I could rely on at the moment. The more I ran the more my seal burned. I didn't know how far Hinata was –nor did I care- getting rid of this pain was first priority, and therefore, I finally gave up my hopeless retaliation and allowed Kyuubi to be free.
A massive glow of saffron light radiated from my belly, and seconds later, as though the light formed a path, an essence would slowly appear meters before me like a fallen spirit from another dimension arriving to our reality.
At last, my demon master -who was wearing a sleeveless white kimono that only reached her upper thigh level, long shiny dark green hair naturally blew in a random direction other than upward although there was no wind, skin smooth as though the whitest snow purified it, eyes tainted with demonic red that seemed as if it had the powers to read anything, her legs were long and majestic like the darkest devils had made her as a seductive bitch, and an aura that appeared way to pleasant and welcoming for a demon- appeared a foot in front of my face, smiling ever so delightfully.
I practically leered at her, and more so at every part of her body. She let her hair down this time instead of tying it up or making it creative to show off her exotic beauty. Next, I scanned her arms. Okay, they were velvety white, as though it had the capability to cleanse the defile if she would be as kind as to bless her touch. Her feet were bare, like all the times I had seen her. Kyuubi was never too fond of socks, shoes, sandals and such even on the first day we had met another, and therefore she never had any on her.
The main problem was, in fact, her kimono. First of all, it was sleeveless, in which it was the first step to create the illusions of nudity. Then I observed the length of it… and dirty thoughts already roamed in my head once I noticed how much skin she was showing. To put it more bluntly, the tip was so close to her crotch that I sworn that I could see her panties if she just moved her legs apart, or anywhere in particular, by just a tiny bit.
If I knew Kyuubi… there was a very high chance that she wasn't wearing any panties…
Hell, the fact that she was wearing a kimono was already a shocker!
Dreadfully and drearily, I moved upwards to her breasts, which was conveniently nearly fully exposed due to her low cut kimono. If the wind blew right now, the frail piece of clothing would shift along with the air as it would do cut the teasing this kimono was trying to do the entire time. I could go describing the size and the tenderness of those twins, but I wasn't in the mood to do that. I could shorten the explanations though. To put it simply, Kyuubi had a breast size that was slightly smaller than Tsunade's. Of course, she loved her breasts, because she used it to seduce me ever so often when I was exposed to corruptive events.
Besides… she was my libido carrier, and also the sole reason why I could act so calm towards affection of any women because my demon master absorbed all of it. In short, she carried two shares of lust, and her desire for lovemaking or care was beyond my expectations.
"Hello, Naruto-chan," she greeted me sweetly, nailing me to a tree with her right hand on my shoulder. She even took the liberty to kiss my nose, as if it was something a master and apprentice should be sharing.
I was enraged. Despite this was my master, I pushed out of her hold and grabbed onto the helm of her extremely low cut kimono and yanked her close to me threateningly. Without me knowing, my rough action merely pulled away the sheet that covered her right breast, but luckily my eyes were looking attentively into hers to bother.
"What's wrong?" Kyuubi asked, giggling with glee.
"Teme!" I yelled to her face without mercy, my grip onto her kimono increased as I was choking her slightly, "What the hell are you doing? Were you trying to get me into a lot of shit with Hinata? You know I can't tell her about you! What were you thinking! What can I tell her if you came out? Why are you trying to come out anyway?"
She winced, but kept a grin nonetheless. "Itai (Ouch, ow), Naruto…" she began to whine to my disbelief. She was whining like a girl when I was being this serious? Clearly, she was playing.
"Nani…"
"Don't be so rough," she told me, her lips making a kissing motion before it returned to a smile, "This kimono breaks easily."
"You wouldn't…" I hissed dangerously.
"Kiss me, Naruto-chan," she suddenly ordered, smiling gently as her hands captured my waist and pulled me in a light yet passionate embrace. "I just want a kiss…" She pressed her chest against mine intentionally, and without my libido carrier in my body, I instantly got aroused. Even so, I used my best judgments to keep my emotions in check. I just realized without Kyuubi… I was in a lot of trouble… if I didn't know how to control my urges that was. It was a privilege, actually, to see that my will wasn't so easily tampered with.
"What… what are you saying?" I questioned, moving my head as far away as I could in this limited distance. In spite my hard work, it wasn't good enough, for she was still able to kiss me.
"Make me feel like a woman, Naruto-chan," she whispered in the most seductive way possible.
"I can't do that…" I grunted, obviously feeling somewhat sickening at her behaviour.
Her next words made all the blood rush into my face. "Touch me…" I was not weak in spirit, and in normal circumstances this sentence should not affect me whatsoever. But as she spoke, she moved my left hand to touch the area between her legs, stroking that sensitive spot that belonged only to a woman.
I was deeply relieved that she had panties on, but with or without it, I was getting aroused when that area became more soaked with each passing movement of my fingers, and before I noticed, my two strong fingers were covered with a womanly honey –within five seconds worth of rubbing.
I had to fight back.
I detested this.
Instead of rejecting her emotional healing kindness, my right hand formed a fist, and because she was too into her kissing mood (and perhaps more) she wasn't able to sense the angered aura I was blooming. And, of course, she didn't expect a heavy punch making a significantly large blow into her gut. In a natural reaction to either human or demon, Kyuubi screamed painfully and also grunted with equal agony once her back slammed onto a tree –hard.
In a very ungraceful fashion, she fell front first, as if she was going to faint from the sudden attack. But I knew my master wasn't this weak. Then again, my punch wasn't wimpy either.
"You deserved that," I told her with despise, "Trying to make my life almost a living hell just because you wanted a kiss…"
"Why…" she asked weakly, coughing as the pain was still affecting her body, "Why did you hit me… Why, Naruto! I just wanted a kiss! Can't you do that for me?"
"Your timing sucked shit!" I quickly argued, shutting her up in a flash, "You were jeopardizing my life because of your urges, you know that? Do you have any idea how much danger we would've been in if I couldn't hold you back in when Hinata was around? Can you afford being seen?"
"But… But…"
I was in no mood to listen to her justifications. I safely assumed they were brimmed with nonsense anyway. "But what!"
"Don't you understand how hard it is to be your libido carrier?" she cried as she purged that inquiry into my head. Suddenly, I regretted being angry at her, and more so when she began to disappear as I tried to talk to her again. I knew she ignored me afterwards, because Kyuubi would be extremely eager to talk more if I ever wanted to spend more time with her. And in addition, I didn't escape the hateful glare her red eyes held, as though I not only offended her greatly, but moreover she believed her care for me was all a waste of time for the ungrateful.
It delivered chills down my spine.
By nature, Kyuubi never preferred to go back inside my spiritual realm until I told her that she had to be gone. And every time, she pouted and then gave me a kiss on the cheek for me to remember her by.
I couldn't forget her no matter what I do. I supposed she just wanted to be sweet.
Now… it was too late.
I really messed it up today all right…
After all these years… arrogance still reigned on high…
"Naruto-kun!" I heard someone shout somewhere that wasn't all out too far from my location. It was a woman… and a kind woman if I might add. The one and only person who called me by that suffix was Hinata… and my brain quickly registered that it was indeed the Hyuuga princess. I had to give her credibility for her speed, but then again, I didn't run too far due to my well being. Now wasn't the time to be complimenting who or worrying about so and so. I had to keep in mind that if Hinata managed to discover my whereabouts, the extensive amount of secrets that I needed to share would be enough to break my tolerance.
"Shit…" I cursed inwardly, also worried that she was here so quickly.
"Don't run away from me!" she called out, despair and hurt coated thickly over her words, "Come out, Naruto-kun!"
Gomen-ne… Hinata…
On impulse, my hands began to form a warping jutsu, in which ended with a rabbit seal. Perhaps I was too focussed back then, but I now noticed the pain I had from earlier had vanished. This was good, really good. Over these years, I had been primarily working on my speed than my attack strength. As Jiraiya would say, during his rare serious days, it was useless to have power while endlessly unable pulling off its full potential due to my lack of agility. Instead of getting stronger, I was only emitting my obvious weaknesses.
He said I had more than enough brutality, and the wisest thing for me was to train on speed.
Because of this… I dedicated myself to be an assassin.
The next second I opened my eyes, I returned to an unfamiliar district of the town, of course, leaving Hinata behind. I examined my location immediately for my own benefit, since it was better to know than to get lost. A smile finally reached my lips as I remembered this spot. How lucky of me… I couldn't believe that I actually made it back to the front gates of my apartment.
My smile disappeared immediately once I caught someone's chakra essence, walking slowly and casually towards my general direction. Before I knew I was being too vigilant, I noticed I was standing in one of my preferred stances with my assassin knife charged up to the maximum, as if I was about to ambush. I sure felt stupid. If anyone saw such a pathetic display of decision making, I could guarantee that I would become the laughing stock of the day. I mean, who wouldn't laugh at somebody who actually think that he could be killed on a peaceful day, and in a peaceful country like Konoha?
Believe it or not, Konoha was one of the safest villages around! In fact, the safety of this place was unreal. The inhabitants almost had no idea how dangerous life outside really was. In other villages, some people would never approach certain streets or distinct districts so they wouldn't get jumped on, or robbed, or beaten to a state where it was legitimate to declare that they were half-dead, or put it more regrettably, half-alive.
In this village, I didn't worry about where I went, since I knew no lives needed to be brutally wasted by idiotic choice making.
I decided to drop my guard, of course.
I waited half-anxiously for the person to turn at the block. And I was somewhat surprised when I saw her after a six second wait.
Sakura?
(At this precise moment)
"Naruto!" Sakura welcomed me with an exuberant and energetic greeting before she ran towards me. In addition to her cute affection, she even tackled me in a sisterly embrace when I had no idea she was capable of doing anything this caring. "Hello!"
"Sakura?" I inquired, to some extent I was asking it kind of rhetorically.
"How are you?"
"I'm okay, Sakura, I am fine."
"Are you sure that you are okay?"
I was indeed confused by her persistent inquiry about my well being. The Sakura I knew three years ago wouldn't care about me compared to the Uchiha bastard that preferred betrayal than to understand the values and importance of friendship and loyalty. This was a considerably shocking change.
"Yeah," I told her, inhaling her unique scent unintentionally, "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Really?"
"Yes. And… Sakura… Why are you hugging me?"
"You don't like being hugged?" I had to admit that she sounded a lot like Hinata, but the aura coming from her was definitely vastly different. There was no possible way that I could feel the identical comfort when I am close to this comrade of mine. Then again, we could not be anything further than brother and sister, in which I wouldn't complain, since I couldn't ask for something greater.
"It's not that,"
"I think you need a hug,"
"I need one?" I questioned, totally bewildered at her reasoning, "I do?"
"Yes, you do."
"And why, if I may ask?"
"Did Tsunade-sensei yell at you hard today? I know she was really ticked off when she saw your creation of monstrosities, and I really thought she would break you apart literally. Even if she wouldn't use force… I am certain that a great deal of emotional damage must be done, knowing her tactics, I mean."
"You seem to know her well," I said, holding her by the hips instead of permitting my hands to dangle stupidly by my sides. I had dreamed for this moment for as long as I had a crush on Sakura, but I never had the confidence to do it, because I knew her heart swooned only for Sasuke. Sure, I could put my pride on the side and hope that she would appreciate my love. Yeah, right, as if I could have a chance. A slap was all that was necessary to destroy the leftovers of my dignity, in which I planned to let them grow before they blossomed into confidence.
Now, I was holding her, like I wanted to do for so long, and more so she accepted it with a smile. Even on this safeground, I was not celebrating whatsoever. I no longer desired to have any of these opportunities with Sakura, perhaps all that was needed for me was to do a little rational thinking, redo all my goals, reflect on what was possible and not so probable, and lastly try to understand people from their perspective instead of viewing it in my opinion.
My arrogance was my downfall, and having too much self-esteem wasn't any better.
"And I think you know your sensei well, too,"
"I don't think so, Sakura,"
"He's a nice guy," she complimented Jiraiya, praising him in an expression that seemed so unknown to me. In fact, I could never picture myself admiring a pervert in that light –unless I was an apprentice to become a professional pervert. If not, someone must have committed some sort of malignant brainwashing to screw up my logic, along with my morals and values. "You must've learned a lot."
"You flatter me," I assured her, "My development could not match the amount of time that you have put in to be who you are right now."
She had a unique fit of giggles. Confident and yet humble. Sakura was quite a paradox sometimes. "If you think that you did not grow much stronger, then so be it. But even so, I have to say your vocabulary has improved a lot. You sure know how to make a girl happy –unlike the boy I knew in Team 7."
"Are you trying to be offensive?"
"Accusing you to be an idiot? Yes."
"I thought so."
"You've grown up, Naruto."
"And so have you."
"So… do I look more womanly now?" I didn't expect her to ask me the same question again. Well, the first time around, I tried to ignore her question by returning an answer that reflected my image as someone who had the intelligence of a ten year old moron. This time around, with Sakura looking high upon me, I should give her an honest, but most importantly mature, response.
"Of course you do." I stated, openly and without lies.
That caused a blush creeping on her cheeks. "Do you mean it?"
"You were very pretty back then," I continued for the sake of seeing her smile, "And you are gorgeous now."
"Why didn't you tell me that before?"
"Who knew," I replied, removing my hands from her hips before reaching into my shirt pocket, thus, changing the subject with skill and cleverness, "Before I forget, I got something to give you." She immediately detached herself from me, standing a foot away so I could have some more room. A few seconds later, I revealed one of the seven tickets (Hinata had the eighth one, and it was my duty to invite the friends) I obtained from Jiraiya earlier this morning. Sakura looked amazed.
"Is that for me?"
"Yeah."
"What is it, Naruto? Looks like an admission ticket."
"As a matter of fact, it is," I told her, taking the liberty to put the ticket in her shirt pocket, but I wasn't that skilled not to brush against her developing breasts by accident. She gasped very quietly at the touch, yet because I was so mature about the entire ordeal, Sakura knew it was just an accident. Perhaps it was all my imagination, but considering from Sakura's happy face, she thought my touch gave her a certain degree of pleasure.
Taking a breath, my comrade continued. "Where to?"
"Jiraiya was the one who organized this," I told her, this time keeping my hands to myself, "I think it is an admission to the hot springs out of town."
"Hot springs?" she was honestly surprised at this news. She appeared to be very excited, as if she hasn't had a vacation in ages. In all honesty, Sakura did seem tired in the mental department.
"I still need to find more people, since I still have five more people to invite… and I don't even know where they are…"
"Our friends, you mean? I'll take you there."
"I really want to sleep…" I lied, looking upwards to the bright skies that were radiated by the sun. I stole a glimpse at my watch… and it said 3:30 PM. Time… sometimes it just didn't go fast enough for its own good. There was a saying 'Time flies when you are having fun', and did that mean if I wasn't having fun now that this dreary boredom would never end? I was being silly, of course. And that should be the evidence to prove how desperate I was for the hours to fly by.
"You may have matured, but you really have developed a lazy nature," she scolded, taking on the liberty to become the big sister when I wanted to be the older one.
"Can't be helped," I returned a passive reply, yet friendly and kind nonetheless, "I worked too hard when you weren't around to see it. Because of my hard work, Jiraiya invited all of us to go on this trip."
Sakura eyed me queerly, doubt and mistrust clearly displayed in not only her expression, but her aura as well. Sakura was always cautious and sober around each and every activity and event, and therefore her sense of judgment towards anything in particular was incredibly high. She always thought things twice before commencing. "You work hard? Get real. I think Jiraiya-sama is merely pitying you."
I was hurt, but not that hurt. I seriously heard worse. Besides, this was Sakura, and she never meant her insults unless I was selfish enough to penetrate her ways of living. "You are coming along with us despite that you don't deserve it. So you shouldn't be the one talking."
"Whatever," she retorted, keeping her ticket safe by giving her chest a few secure pats, "Even if Jiraiya-sama doesn't invite me, Tsunade-sensei would be kind enough to let me go on a break."
"Right," I said, words covered using sarcasm and suspicion. "Rather not have me offer you the illusions of… free choice… I have taken the liberty to choose for you." I gave her the rest of my admission passes. "Distribute them for me."
"Who do you want to invite then?"
"It doesn't really matter. You got any good choices?"
"How about Tenten, Ino-pig… Neji-kun, Shikamaru, and Lee-san?" She sure made up her mind fast. Quicker than I first anticipated, if I was humble enough to praise her as such. "What do you think?"
I, unfortunately, was still half-dumbstruck. "Sure, sure, sure… Do as you like…"
"Are you even listening to me?"
"I hear you. Just make sure they come okay? More the merrier, as Jiraiya would put it."
"Is it me… or you almost like you don't want that much company?"
"I'm just lazy to find them. And moreover, I don't know where to look for them."
"You should come along, I am sure Neji and the others would be glad to see you. You have been back for over a week now, and it's practically like you haven't been back at all. In fact, some people don't even know that you're back."
It wasn't like I despised their company and presence, no. Then again, I could live without them, since I had been living alone for so long. I just didn't feel like moving anymore… I think I had too much human interaction today to begin with. After being an extrovert for hours, my emotions were drained to a degree where my head needed the rest. "Then I will see them tomorrow, one day wouldn't make much of a difference."
"It shows that you don't care." Sakura explained flatly in a way of persuasion.
As if I could let that affect me. "I do care, but in my own way." Before she knew what hit her, I already had the rabbit seal formed in my right hand, and in front of my chin. I activated a jutsu without her knowing. The look she held seemed ever so priceless. "I'll leave the rest to you. Later, okay?"
The next split second was an art of disappearing, in which Sakura could not react properly to. I presumed that my speed had outmatched hers, and in addition to her shock, I believed that she thought her powers in agility were greater than mine. After all, she managed to lay a kick in my ribs just yesterday, but now, Sakura wasn't too sure if she could do it again.
Before I forget, I needed to return that favour –someday… when she least expected it.
That night… my demon master looked for me once more. I didn't know how to say it… I saw her in a light, in which I never thought she could have. It astonished me so greatly, so intensely, that I had to stay up the entire night to consult her.
AN: That the end of this chapter. After all my stalling and emotional conflicts, I can ensure you that the next chapter will be the hot springs. There was supposed to be an additional scene here with Kyuubi, but then this fic would become way too dirty for its own good. First of all, it was complex, and second… it would be fairly explicit. I wish I could write it, and of course I will, eventually, but you will all know what happened between them later on.
Thank you all for your endless support! It makes me happy to see people actually caring about the existence of this fiction. Thank you! Thank you! See you again… real soon.