Tsunade was sitting on her couch sipping on Sake with a relaxed look on her face. The day wasn't that bad. Besides personally handing out missions and signing thousands of paperwork, it was nice to finally settle down for a bit. Her thoughts were on Naruto and possibly giving him the title of hokage. He had done everything needed. But she decided he needed to get his priorities straight in terms of settling down.
Speaking of such a thing, shouldn't he be here by now to discuss what happened?
The sound of the door opening was heard before, just as she guessed, came in Uzumaki Naruto with a thoughtful and confused face.
"Baa-chan…"
Tsunade nodded and patted the seat next to her.
"Sit down. It took you long enough to come to me," said Tsunade. She then handed him some sake and told him to explain what he needed help with.
Naruto told her everything. From the hug from Ino, to the kisses from the other girls, to the feeling of waking up with Anko sleeping next to him and finally finishing with Hinata's sudden appearance.
Tsunade was silent before smirking.
"What is there to be confused about? Marry them all!" Tsunade chuckled as she watched Naruto spit out his sake while coughing out words she couldn't understand.
"Baa-chan this isn't a joke, I'm dealing with emotion's here… how do I get through with this? What if they ask me to decide between them?" asked Naruto as he stared at his cup.
She sighed before getting serious.
"Naruto you're a grown man now… you can only get older. Time is short… I think, if you get to know them furthermore, you'll find the one for you. Hang out with them equally, take them out on dates, that way, you can figure out which one strikes your fancy," said Tsunade as she patted his head like a mother would a child.
Naruto smiled before putting the sake down and leaning onto Tsunade's lap as she ran her fingers through her head. This became a normal routine after a while, Naruto would drop by and Tsunade would answer any question he had. Only when they were in the company of one another would they act like a real family.
After a while Naruto spoke again.
"So, I'm thinking of a way to properly greet Hinata seeing as she really did surprise me tonight," Said Naruto as he spoke in low tones, feeling comforted by his adopted grandmother.
"Do you now? Mind sharing how you plan on doing that?" said Tsunade with a smirk.
Throughout the night Naruto gave some ideas and Tsunade either approved or would slap him on the head for coming up with such a foolish idea. Up until the sunrise the two talked and relaxed. Something ninja don't do often…but family did whenever they got the chance to.
Hinata woke up to smell the sweetest smell in her entire life.
It smelled like cinnamon rolls.
Hinata snuggled into her bed before realizing one thing…
She didn't eat cinnamon buns; hadn't eaten it in a year ever since she left for her special training program with Konan-sensei.
She suddenly sprung out of bed to find an assortment of cinnamon rolls displayed over her dresser in a box with a note on it.
As she picked up the note, she suddenly smiled.
Dear Hinata,
By picking up this picture, you have begun the H-I-N-A-T-A challenge. The trials you will endure involve your personality and all the special attributes that make you who you are. Taking one bite of these Cinnamon rolls will make your first letter = HEAVENLY.
If you would channel chakra into the bottom of this note, you will be led to the next challenge and note.
Enjoy the sweets first, their handmade!
Sincerely,
The Sage.
Hinata smiled sweetly as she read the last line before deciding to eat her breakfast. Taking up a orange frosted roll, she took one bite and felt like she was on cloud 9.
These…were amazing.
Faster than Naruto eaten ramen, the entire roll was finished before Hinata decided to save the rest for later. Getting ready to leave for her hunt for the next clue, she channeled chakra into the note and giggled softly at the next clue before leaving the Hyuga Mansion to do the next challenge.
(Konoha Stadium)
Hinata walked to the front doors to see a weird seal on the entrance. Not recognizing it, she deducted that it was something not for regular eyes. As she put her Byakugan on, she read the seal before walking up to it and putting chakra through the seal. The doors opened with a click and Hinata opened the door to find.
One hundred smiling Naruto's in different outfits, styles and sizes.
Hinata marveled at the sight and if she was herself four years ago, would have fainted already. But after confessing her love to him, this was just a walk in the park. After thinking about what he wished for her to do, she nodded as she began dispelling each clone that did not look like the real him including a Naruto dressed in Jiraiya's garb and a red haired Naruto (she chuckled at that) and an extremely shy looking Naruto( she sweat dropped at that) finally she arrived at the final two Naruto's dressed in Hokage garbs. After staring at them with her Byakugan she finally noticed the one difference.
One had no cute whisker marks.
Dispelling that one, the final Naruto smiled.
"You have completed the challenge, here is your next clue and scroll." Handing the girl the scroll, the clone saluted before dispelling himself.
Hinata opened it up.
Congratulations! You have completed the intelligence challenge.I=INTELLIGENT Your knowledge was always top notch in my book. You are the smartest woman I know! Now, for your next challenge, follow the tail.
The Sage
Hinata looked around before seeing a waving tail at the end of the entrance, walking towards it, she watched as the tail waved before walking off. Hinata followed at a slow pace before speeding up ads the tail started turning corners faster.
After running through the bath houses, hokage monument and past her own home, she found the tail waving inside of Ichiraku's. Hinata walked in to find a yipping Kyoshi licking ramen with Ayame next to him.
"Ahh! Hinata-san, welcome back, Na…I mean 'The Sage' wanted me to give this to you," giggling, Ayame handed Naruto a note and a leash that was tied to Kyoshi.
Hinata… the next letter that makes your name is N- NURTERER. Your usage of healing ointments and carefulness with nourishing plant life proves to me that you care for all things in a very delicate manner. As such, I put my trust in you by leaving you to take care of Kyoshi here. Nourish him, train him, feed him, teach him… Because this quality is one I have learned how to do from you, so why not let the teacher show the student how it's done.
The Sage
Hinata smiled before taking Kyoshi for a walk after he finished his Ramen.
(Academy)
After taking Kyoshi back to the manor, letting Hanabi rub it's belly, feeding him some fine cuisine and giving him a bath, Hinata let Kyoshi lead her to the Academy and into the classroom of Iruka.
"Hinata-san! Right on time, I've been given this note to give to you," said Iruka with a knowing smile as he handed her the next clue.
Hinata, Your next challenge is to be Aspiring. How do you do that you ask? Simple, everyone wants to be like their sensei. In some aspects anyway… as such, your challenge is to teach the kunoichi how to be the best that they can be, we wouldn't want another Sakura/Ino accident now would we?
The Sage.
Hinata chuckled as she awaited her next assignment. The room filled with the students returning form playing outside. As they filled in their seats, many of the young students either looked at the Hyuga with the fox or some just ran up and petted the fox before Iruka got the classroom to finally settle down.
"Alright class, today we are in for a special treat, the kunoichi will be getting a lesson from the next Heir to the Hyuga clan herself," said Iruka, the females gasping in awe and amazement. Everyone knew of the valiant effort Hinata had put up to defend Naruto and Konoha during the Pein invasion.
"With that being said, the boys will be going outside to get some lecturing about the history of Konoha today," said Iruka, the males of the class groaning, some wanting to hear the discussion.
Slowly but surely, the class was left with the young women and Hinata who breathed in and out to calm herself down.
"Well… being a Kunoichi requires…"
Hinata closed her eyes as she remembered her times with her team and the missions and friendship to family feeling.
"It requires a lot of important bonding with your teammates in addition to being strong enough to defend both yourself and your teammate. To be a kunoichi of Konoha means that you fight not only for your village, but you're out there facing the evils of the world… You find that you will fight your hardest protecting whatever you held dear to you. If you hold Konoha dear to you, you'll fight for Konoha, if you hold your teammates dear; you'll fight your hardest."
"Did you mean it when you said you love me?"
"I did…and If I had to do it again, I would. Because it's true."
"Hinata…"
"I have to go Naruto… I need to be stronger… don't wait for me… as long as your happy Naruto-kun…that's all that matters."
"Hinata… I…"
"Goodbye Naruto-kun…my love…"
"If you love something, you'll die for it… being a kunoichi to me… meaning you will fight for what you believe… for what you love… with determination. Never give up… that has become my nindo. My ninja code… and as a kunoichi of Konoha…" Hinata finally opened her eyes to see the room in awe and silent.
Eyes filled with admiration.
Just like her eyes… whenever she looked at Naruto.
"I will do my best to be the strongest I can be in order to make sure nothing happens to Konoha," Hinata finished.
In the corner of her eye, she had seen a yellow flash just leave the area. She smiled.
"Any questions?"
After answering all the questions and hopefully giving the class a new perspective on being a ninja, Hinata got a note from one of the students who said it was just laying there on the table with her name on it.
Reading the note, she made her way to the sacred battleground for her next challenge.
(Sacred Battleground)
This area was the part of Konoha that was not fixed but left to pay homage to all the ninja that fought for Konoha, Naruto in particular. In the middle of the huge field was another stone showing the ninja's that died fighting off Pein and a huge statue with Naruto standing on top of the toads he came in with.
Kyoshi laid down by the statue so that Hinata can face the challenge on her own.
In the middle of the field was Naruto with a smile on his face.
"Are you ready for the next challenge Hinata-chan?" he asked.
As she nodded, Naruto flashed through hand seals.
"Genjutsu: Infinite Darkness Jutsu"
All light left the area and Hinata was unable to see a thing, all she heard was a voice.
That sounded just like Pein.
"Do you fear the unknown?" he asked.
"Do you fear what you cannot see? How do you expect to live without knowing what tomorrow may bring? Why do you try? Who do you live for?" another voice spoke, then another, until six voices began asking questions in rapid succession before they all spoke as one.
"What is love?"
They repeated this question. Hinata knew they wanted an answer… she breathed in before answering.
"Love is to be fearless… it is to jump into the unknown knowing you could die fighting… it is throwing away all nervousness and reason to do what's right. It's showing you care… you become stronger when you love someone…"
"What do you love?"
Hinata smiled.
"I love those who never give up… who continue to fight through anything. Those who smile in the face of danger… I love my family… I love my teammates… I love my sensei… I love Konoha…and…"
Hinata giggled as she realized what T stood for.
"The truth is I've loved Naruto since we were younger… always have always will."
The voice was silent before the darkness faded away.
"You pass."
The area cleared away to reveal a note hanging on the Naruto statue. Hinata picked it up and sighed in relief.
She had to go change her clothing for this challenge.
(Konoha Park – Eight O'Clock pm)
Hinata arrived at the gate of the park to find it closed. She found the gate open once she got within six inches of it.
Hinata had changed her outfit into a purple dress that went to her mid thigh. She came with some of the rolls she had gotten this morning as well as some more food that she had cooked herself.
When she got into the middle of the park, she gasped.
There were candles set up in a circle with a table in the middle. On it was two cups and two plates with a lavender table cloth underneath. Sitting to the left of the table was Kyoshi. But it was the man standing behind her suddenly that had her attention.
Strong arms wrapped around her and a deep voice whispered in her ear.
"Welcome back Hinata-chan."
Hinata fell into his arms and felt comfort.
Naruto released her after a few minutes and guided her by hand to the table where she sat down.
The two made small talk before Hinata sighed and smiled at Naruto.
"What is the real reason for all of this Naruto-kun?" she asked suddenly. Naruto too sighed, it took her long enough to ask.
"Because I remember what you told me before fighting Pein…" Naruto said.
Hinata was silent, but if one were to look, you woud see that her palm became sweaty and her hand was shaking. She had tried to forget about that confession, as such, she'd taken to trying to avoid being alone with Naruto whenever he was around, no matter how much he would try to talk to her, she would disappear. When the apprentice training trip with Konan came along, Hinata jumped at the opportunity to get away from Naruto so that things can calm down and she would come back confident and ready to talk to Naruto about what she said to him all that time ago.
But, as she peered into his blue eyes, she felt her years of training slowly falling apart… she was scared… she was worried… what would he say? Why did he affect her so? What was it about him that made her so nervous and…
Scared?
She jumped a bit as she felt her hand being grabbed by Naruto.
"I understand now why you were acting the way you were Hinata," Naruto said with a comforting smile. Hinata remained staring at him, her eyes unblinking and hanging onto every word.
"You were afraid of what I would say, that I would deny your love and that hurt you more than anything else on earth… so you figured, if you could avoid me… you wouldn't have to hear it… you could hold on to your proclamation without hearing my response…" Naruto slowly rose out of his seat with his hand in Hinata's hand.
"The quick excuses to leave whenever I came into a room, the constant missions you would go on whenever I was on a mission myself, the training trip for two years in Ame… do you think I didn't notice you were avoiding me?" Naruto said, his eyes looking a bit hurt but also determined.
Hinata felt a part of her die… she didn't mean to hurt Naruto in any way, shape or form. She didn't know that avoiding him like that was hurting him…how could she have been so stupid?
Naruto suddenly smiled.
"Do you know what the last letter stands for Hinata?" He said softly, slowly pulling her out of her seat.
Hinata shook her head slowly, a bit surprised at the gesture of him wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Let me show you…"
In a flash of light, the two were gone.
(Undisclosed location)
When Naruto landed, Hinata held onto his shirt to stop her dizzy feeling.
"Heh, sorry about that, I forgot people aren't used to moving so fast…" Naruto said, rubbing his head.
"I-it's ok…" Hinata whispered, as she looked around to where she was, she gasped.
This was the first time Hinata ever talked to Naruto the day he went off to fight at the Chunin exams.
Except there was a dazzling array of floating candles and… was that a violin.
"Amazing…" Hinata whispered.
Naruto chuckled.
"How'd you know the last letter?" Naruto said softly before leading her into the middle. There he held her right hand and bowed.
"May I have this dance?"
Hinata nodded and giggled at his antics.
As they danced under the moonlight with the sound of violins, Naruto finished his thoughts and finally spoke.
"Hinata… this is the place where I told you I thought you were weird…but also the place where I told you I liked people like you… it's taken me a couple years, but I now realize the truth…" Naruto moved his head to look her directly in her eyes.
"I've spent these past two years searching within myself for the answer and right response to your declaration and it's simple…" Naruto smiled.
"I've come to love you Hinata… I've missed you in my life for the past two years… this hunt was done just for you… because I've been saving the moment to do so for these past two years… everything has to do with a part of you that I'm in love with…" Naruto said.
"Your H stands for heavenly…" Naruto pulled away from her and kissed her right hand.
"Your I stands for intelligent…" Naruto kissed her forehead, getting a blush out of her.
"Your N stands for nurturer…" Kiss to her left hand.
"You're A stands for aspiring…" Kiss to her neck…another blush.
"You're T stands for truthful…" kiss to her cheek. Naruto blushed himself for the final one.
"But the A…" Naruto slowly leaned in before kissing her on the lips… the background burst into fireworks as the floating candles turned into bursting light that faded away soon after.
Hinata was in an amazing amount of serenity and peace… her body shook and she was trying not to black out like she was so accustomed to doing.
Naruto finally pulled away from her lips, breathing slightly hard, just as she was. Suddenly, he smiled.
"Amazing…"
Naruto smiled before relishing in her touch… but he soon frowned… the decision he had made concerning Hinata might change things… he just hoped that she wouldn't change just because of what he had to say.
"Hinata… I have something to tell you… something that has come up in the time you've been gone…
Hinata knew that it was serious judging by his tone… but at the moment, nothing could bring her down from the high she was feeling right now.
Tsunade smiled at the sight of Naruto and Hinata hugging and talking. It took him long enough to smarten up. He had finally confessed how he felt, but how would she take the situation he was in.
Tsunade just shook her head. It would only get worse as things kept coming up.
Like the specific nin requested for the mission she received this morning.
"Poor Naruto…" said Shizune with a worried expression on her face.
Tsunade smirked.
"If he's anything like his past sensei… it's more like lucky Naruto," said Tsunade as she played with the scroll with the kanji for 'snow' on the top of it.
End
Soon, the ladies selected for this story will be revealed in about… 3 more chapters… then the fun stuff occurs… like all of them in the same area at the most inopportune of times for Naruto.. heh, heh…what fun…
REVIEW… I stress on this because it's needed… How am I supposed to know if people like it if they don't review? Hm?
That's what I thought… until next chapter…