Disclaimer:I do not own Naruto.
A/N: Slight warning to you Sakura fans. Their is minor sakura bashing in this. lol just giving you guys a heads up. Also I would like to thank those who took the time to read this story thus far. I really appreciated when people enjoy more work. Makes me feel useful =) This chapter is kind of dry in my opinion because it jumps all over the place. This is needed for the story to progress. Anyways enjoy the read!
Chapter 9 Silent No More
Naruto was to get married in 4 more days. Everything went extremely slow for him. Sakura on the other hand had planned everything out. They both had their dresses ready for that one special day. The village was getting excited to see the sage get married. Naruto had a mask for the people of the village and when ever he was alone or with people he truly knew he would revert to his Drowsiness, emotionless self. There was nothing he could do. He knew it. He really wanted to love Sakura but, he didn't know what had change. He wanted to see Hinata before she left to see if she knew what he should do. Now that chance is gone.
Tsume was walking around the village getting irritated at everyone talking about her uncle's wedding. She accepted his choice but, she still hated how everyone spoke about it. Kojiro stayed in the house. He was upset more than Tsume was and often times Sakura would ask what had happen to the boy. He never showed up to practice nor did he practice to begin with.
"Well well well. Look at what we have here! We got the husband to be coming around the corner" Kiba snickered as Naruto came into view.
"Hmph at least I have a girlfriend, Kiba" Naruto glared at the Inuzuka.
"Hey! I didn't mean that as an insult. What ever though. So 4 more days huh?" He asked leaning up against the tree. Naruto leaned against the fence opposite of Kiba.
"Yup"
"Ya know... it's not too late." Naruto snapped his head up to get a decent look at him, with a slight frown.
"I have no idea what you're-"
"I mean I should be kicking your ass for what you did to my teammate but, It's not too late." Kiba looked over his shoulder as a leaf caught his attention.
"..."
"I have to go and pick up Akamaru." He told him and took off. Naruto didn't like what he had said. He went to the training field to let off some steam. 'This is bullshit... Im the savior of the ninja world and yet im the only one who isn't happy what the HELL' he screamed in his head as he threw a rasen shuriken into the ground blowing himself into the water. He let himself resurface as half of his head lay in water and his eyes starred into the sky. He just laid there as a tear slid off his cheek.
"I wish I could kick my own ass too, Kiba" He told himself. He turned his face towards the training ground and saw Kojiro starring at him.
"Mister... Uzumaki." Kojiro said as he started to walk away. He didn't want to be anywhere near the sage.
"W-wait!" Naruto called out as he stood out of the water and teleported in front of the boy. The Hyuuga child starred up at the man before him a bit surprised but, then he remembered who he was.
"You know my father at first would of sworn up and down that his eyes were always better... then at one point he started saying that your eyes had the most clarity but, now that he's dead I truly think you're the one whose eyes closed." Kojiro spoke quietly. Naruto starred down at the boy. He gritted his teeth and tried to remain calm.
"Alright thats it, fuck it! I need to speak to your mother." He said quickly. Kojiro got scared at first thinking he was in trouble then remembered that he doesn't even care. He spoke his heart. Naruto let the boy lead him to Tenten's house. Naruto knocked on the door and Tenten opened it to find an angry Naruto and a Hyuuga boy that looked scared.
"Um I'm sorry did my son cause you any trouble, Naruto?" Tenten sweatdropped but, then glared at her son.
"Yes he did... and I'm glad. It's all been piling up but, I need your help." Naruto said scratching the back of his head. Tenten raised an eyebrow and then glanced back at her son who seem just as shock as she was.
"Oh? come on in then." She said quietly. They both walked in and Naruto paced around the house thinking rapidly. "Naruto? Whats wrong? Would you like some tea?" She asked him several questions.
"No ... I don't want tea... I don't deserve tea or anything that gives me luxury to live life the way it is." Naruto said closing his eyes.
"Why don't you deserve those things?" Kojiro said almost sounding like his dad for a split moment.
"Because... I let the one person who truly loves me, slip through my fingers. The worse part of it all... Is that I... I... I'm in love with her." Naruto stated as he finally stop pacing. He stood their with a blank face. Tenten dropped her cup and Kojiro just starred at the man intently.
"Wh-what did you just say?" Kojiro asked the sage as he couldn't believe what he said.
"I love your Auntie. I love Hinata... No wait... I'm in love with Hinata Hyuuga." He said as his grin started to spread all over his face.
"Oh Naruto! This is great and all but..." She trailed off forgetting about the broken glass on the floor.
" It's too late..." Naruto said numbly as his back hit the wall and he slowly slid down. He came to a stop on the floor and couldn't believe he had messed up so badly.
"No..." Kojiro said as he stood up. Naruto glanced at the boy.
"I'm getting married in a few days Kojiro... I can't just end it when im so close to marrying Sakura." Naruto said closing his eyes. Tenten sadly starred into the sink.
"Naruto... " Tenten trailed off. She didn't want to say anything. Her words could possibly destroy any of her friends lives. Sakura would be heartbroken for years but, then again Naruto and Hinata. She couldn't stand seeing them two unhappy. They belonged together.
"I'm sorry but, I say this with as much respect as possible. To hell with Sakura." He stated bluntly. Naruto turned towards the boy who was about to head out.
"Where do you think you're going, Kojiro?" Tenten asked sternly.
"To see to it that my father's final wishes are granted. Im heading to the Hyuuga estate, Mother." Kojiro said as he ran out the door. Naruto just smiled.
"The kid got guts." Naruto chuckled.
"He gets that from his father, which ironically transpired through him from you and Hinata." Tenten smiled.
"We are meant for each other then." Naruto starred up at the ceiling, still sitting on the floor.
Meanwhile, at the Hyuuga Estate, Kojiro managed to get a hold of Hanabi.
"Listen to me... You have to help him!" Kojiro begged His younger Auntie.
"I can't, I told you-"
"I know what you told me! Do you love your sister?" He snapped quickly trying to get her to think. Hanabi paused thinking silently.
"Yes... I only wish the best for her in her current situation." Hanabi said growing impatient.
"Then please hear me out. I need you to tell the Hokage about the information That Hinata gave you. Please, if you want to see her happy again, then please do this much for me." Kojiro begged as he sat kneeled before her. She thought about it giving up on it.
"Fine... You will not interrupt the council again. Is that understood? It's already bad enough that they don't like you." Hanabi said giving him a sad look.
"I'm sorry if I wish to follow my father's wishes and view points. Besides I'm not even part of the side branch. Im not a pure Hyuuga but, I still have their pride and my father's spirit and that's all that matters." Kojiro smirked as he left the estate. Hanabi sighed but reluctantly went to see Sasuke.
Tsume and Sasuke were talking about tactics and tricks that the sharigan can pull off. They were having a happy conversation when Hanabi walked in.
"I'm sorry but, may I have a word with you?" She bowed then glanced over at the red haired girl. "Alone?" She added. Tsume glared at the girl and was a little upset that she was pushed out of the room.
"Yes what is it?" Sasuke said as Tsume walked out of the room and closed the doors. Hanabi shook her head.
"Can't believe im doing this but, this is information regarding Hinata's whereabouts." She simply stated. Sasuke slowly smirked, knowing what this meant. "You seem to know something about this whole ordeal." She eyed the Uchiha.
"No... not really but..." Sasuke looked out the window. "Let's just say, I had a moment of clarity."
Kojiro ran back home when he happened to bump into Tsume. Tsume looking irritated glared at the Hyuuga boy.
"Oh so you finally decided to come out eh?" She asked the boy. The pale eyed ninja ignored her comment.
"Look I don't have time to talk, I have to get back home." he told her as he started walking toward his house.
"Why? Look I hate this whole thing as much as I do. I wish there was something we could do." Tsume said sadly as she looked at the ground. Kojiro looked over his shoulder.
"I already did something about it. Hanabi Should be talking to Sasuke right about now."
"Wait what? So that's what that was about? What did you do?" She asked him catching up to him as they resumed walking to his house. Kojiro explained the whole situation to her as they finally got to his house.
Naruto was still in the same placed from when Kojiro left. Tsume beamed when she saw her uncle.
"Hey, why are you here? and why are you so happy?" Naruto asked as he looked at the two.
"Kojiro and I have always wanted you to be with Hinata! It would make us cousins and also it will make you happy. For the longest time I always was mad at you for teaching me the rasengan. Thats a technique that your son should know and that only told me that you were afraid of being alone, So you tried your hardest to get with the girl of your dreams not realizing that Hinata is the one you belong with." Tsume explained to Naruto as she hugged him. Naruto smiled.
"The byakugan and the sharigan can really see some shit I would never be able to see." Naruto joked.
"No you're wrong Mr. Uzumaki. My dad said your eyes were the best." He smiled brightly. Tenten came back down the stairs happy to see everyone.
"So is it done Kojiro?" She asked her son.
"Hai... Naruto go see Sasuke. He can now give you information about where Hinata is. Please hurry." He told him.
Naruto stood up smiling at everyone. "Thank you guys... you guys mean a lot to me. We'll all be family now" He smiled getting happy as he jolted out the door, heading towards the office.
"Hey Karin... You do know what this means right?" Sasuke asked her as he saw a grin spread across her face.
"Yes it means I can finally tell that slut off right? Hell Yea!" She laughed as Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"The idiot should be here any second no-" And at that moment he burst through the door and ran up to the desk and slammed his hands down on it, causing papers to fly about.
"Sasuke! Tell me now!" Sasuke already knew what the man before him wanted. He chuckled.
"Whats the rush for? Did you finally... Get it?" Sasuke said not caring about the papers scattered around them. Naruto smirked.
"I.."
"Sand Village." Sasuke told him not wanting to hear a speech. Naruto eyes darted towards the Uchiha's to confirm. Sasuke eyes never faltered and silently confirmed it for the blonde. Naruto jolted towards the door then stop.
"Permissi-"
"Permission granted. Go." Sasuke once again beat him.
He was ready to tell Hinata about the way he felt. He was foolish this whole time. Thinking that Sakura was the one for him when all along it was the loyal shy Hyuuga who always rooted for him on the sidelines.
Meanwhile Sakura was just leaving the house when she saw Naruto headed towards her. She stop and decided to see what he wanted. Naruto frowned once he saw Sakura. He knew what he had to do.
"Whats wrong hun?" Sakura asked smiling cutely. Naruto stopped and looked at Sakura.
"There is something I want to tell you." He said uneasy.
"I'm listening."
"Thank you Sakura for finally giving me a chance after all these years." He smiled sadly.
"You know... I realize how great of a guy you are Naruto! You're kind and caring. You never give up and you care about your friends." She beamed happily.
"Yeah but, how long has it took you to realize that?" Naruto asked her seriously.
"Um some years but, look we're together now and I've never been this happy in my entirely life. I was actually thinking about... you know... losing it today or maybe after our honeymoon." She blushed and fidget for awhile.
"Oh..." Naruto said frowning.
"Oh?" Sakura glared at him.
"Well... that sucks."
"What the hell? I finally say that I want to lose it and you say 'Oh'?" She started to get angry getting ready to knock him out. He laughed lightly.
"To be honest I wanted to break it off actually. I already pawned the ring." Sakura stood there numbly taken back by his words.
"Wha... what?"
"I'm miserable... and depressed. I ... I simply... I can't be with you. I don't even know why I even liked you to begin with. Maybe it was because when I first met you, you were an innocent little girl who kept to herself. You were like me at first... sort of anyways... but when team 7 was formed you became selfish and bitter. Partly because Sasuke was there... and mainly because no one else liked me in the academy so it was just the cool thing to do. Everyone looked down on me... Or so I thought..." He trailed off getting a burst of happiness.
"But... I" She stumbled.
"Don't feel bad... everyone else talked shit about me... I'm not mad at you. I just had a moment of clarity. The one person I thought who was weird but, care about me the most. Even when everyone else doubted me she cheered me on. That was back then though... and later on she showed me more. She put her life on the line to save me and even told me she loved me. She then went on to snap me out of my grief in the middle of war. She has always stayed by my side and shared my morals... It's no one else but, her..." Naruto trailed off then turned towards Sakura.
"Hinata" She said sadly. Naruto then brushed passed her.
"I'm sorry... You can keep the ear rings and even take back my present. Keep the house too." He said over his shoulder entering the house. He ran up the stairs and took out the present Hinata gave to him. His dad's thunder god technique. He then went to the backyard. He used one of the seals at the bottom of the box in order to teleport himself to sand village.
Sakura stood there in front of the house on her knees. She couldn't believe what had just happen. Tears fell to the dirt road. 'Im a fool... Using Naruto as a safe goat. And now... I actually love him. Baka... Baka...' she told herself.
Naruto arrived at the gates of the sand village. It was dark and the wind blew roughly against Naruto.
"Damn it... looks like I'll have to find her later on. Need to find a room." He told himself as he enter the gate. Maybe it wasn't too late.
A/N: Yeah so um I guess I don't have much to say about this. hmm I think my favorite part would have to be Sasuke and Naruto conversation and Naruto and Sakura conversation. Well this chapter was decently fun to write. The next chapter is like my absolute favorite. It gets really juicy in chapter 10 xD See you guys there! Don't forget to review!