DISCLAIMER: I certainly don't own Naruto or any other anime. Naruto is owned by Masashi Kishimoto and all the credit really belongs to him. This fanfiction is created for entertainment purposes only. I don't make money off of this and I'm doing it all for my enjoyment and hopefully for others to be entertained.

I would like to thank everyone who has reviewed this document so far. It's nice to know that my writing style is clear and understandable, not to mention the story itself being enjoyable. This chapter is NOT for Hanabi lovers. I warn you, there will be much Hanabi bashing for a few chapters. Without further ado, let me continue with the story.

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The Hyuuga Way 3

Lessons

Hinata smiles as she listens to the last bit of Naruto's story. At times she had been embarrassed for the poor boy that had no idea the mistakes he was making, other times she had wanted to laugh at the simple things that had been overlooked, however each word reminded her of what needed to be done.

Finished, Naruto turns to look at Hinata, "So…what do you think? I wasn't that bad was I?"

Hinata pauses. He would have to ask that question wouldn't he. Best to answer honestly, "N…No you were not Naruto-kun, b…but there is room for improvement. Especially since a Hokage needs to be well versed in etiquette."

"Etiquette? Is that some kind of new food?" Naruto asks, partially to lighten the mood and partially because he was curious.

Hinata gives a small laugh, "No. E…Etiquette is the term for rules that govern how things are done properly."

Naruto frowns once more. Another thing he didn't know. It wasn't exactly a fun thing to learn about himself, "I suppose I'm going to have to learn if I'm going to be Hokage."

"It's not going to be easy Naruto-kun, but I'm sure you can do it." Hinata comments, her voice assured of the blonds success in this arena.

Naruto gives a smile and nods, "Of course! Nothing is going to stop me from being Hokage! Now I just need someone to teach me."

Naruto's face twists a little as he lies back on the ground to think, "Sakura-chan would probably hit me every time I make a mistake. Tsunade-baachan is always really busy."

As the boy speaks, Hinata looks at the ground as if the grass were the most interesting thing in the world. She dearly wished she could voice her wish to teach him. It just wasn't fair! Why did she have to freeze every time something like this came up? Sure it wasn't entirely proper for her to offer, but if she didn't would Naruto ever actually ask her?

Naruto turns to Hinata, "Hey Hinata, you know a lot about this etiquette stuff right?"

Snapped from her thoughts, Hinata gives a nod, "Y…yes…"

Naruto gives a broad smile, "Could you teach me then? I could show you some jutsu or something to make up for the time.

Hinata blushes at the thought of learning something from Naruto, something like that would make their time alone even longer, "I…it is fine Naruto-kun. I…I would be h…happy to teach you…"

'She's doing that blushing and stuttering thing again. She was fine when we were talking earlier.' Naruto muses. "Well then…when do we start? I've got a while longer before I can go on a mission."

Hinata shakes her head, "H…how about tomorrow? I need to c…collect the information y…you need to learn…"

Naruto smiles and gives a nod, lifting himself up off the ground, "I guess that makes sense. Well, how about we go to Ichiraku for supper since it's getting late. My treat since you're going to be teaching me tomorrow."

Hinata blushes deeply as she gets up. Her mind could think of many improper things involving a student and a teacher, not that she would dare to voice such things. That didn't make it any easier on her. Not two days ago she'd heard about a manga involving something very similar to this situation. She really should be going home; she should eat supper with her family. However, from her mouth slips, "I…I would like that Naruto-kun."

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It is quite late as Hinata slips back into the Hyuuga mansion. She had gotten lost in her speaking with Naruto about jutsu and missions over ramen. At least it was a subject that did not make her mind wander places it should not. She had even tried some crab miso in addition to the traditional ramen that she had eaten.

Carefully, she slows her steps and concentrates on making herself small. She did not wish to alert anyone to her being out so late. Well, late for her. 9PM was later than the Hyuuga heir ever dared to stay out. Chaos would ensue if she did not take care of the household, of that she was quite sure.

As she steps into the mansion itself, the real mission started. She could not use her Byakugan. The chakra usage would alert those in the house of her presence. With a very silent sigh, she masks her chakra by making the signature too small to be any Hyuuga. They would be looking for her signature and not something too weak to even be a normal human. At the front door, she slips off her shoes. It would make things slightly easier. She then removes her jacket, stashing it in the front closet. It was too bulky and she needed to be small.

That was another failure on her part. Hanabi was much more beautiful than she was. The younger Hyuuga had the wispy build, the pale porcelain doll skin, and the long hair that defined the classic beauty that was expected of a Hyuuga. Hinata, in comparison, was everything a Hyuuga was not supposed to be. Her build was too thick, not to mention the hips and bust that she took great pains in hiding from her father. It was embarrassing to think that even with the binding she wore in the presence of her father, she was far too…robust. Her entire physique did not assist her endeavors to hide.

Pushing such failures on her part aside, Hinata melded into the shadows with a low powered jutsu she had picked up a few months prior. The flickering of the candles held by the branch members that were still up gave her plenty of shadows of which to move to her room and slip inside. It would be another hour before she finally fell asleep, content in the knowledge that much of the next day would be spent with Naruto.

The next morning, Hinata arose earlier than usual. She needed to ensure that all was ready for her to be gone most of the day. Sadly, she could not trust her younger sister to be able to take care of the household for her. Hanabi had been quite insistent that she did not need to learn anything on the subject and Hinata did not have the courage at that time to tell her sister that she would have to learn it anyway. Had her father known, the elder Hyuuga might then understand the reasons why the younger sister seemed to always have more time to practice than the elder.

Once content that all would be taken care of, Hinata dons her jacket to join her family for the morning meal. As she enters, Neji and Hiashi turn slightly to give her notice, with Hanabi quite content to disregard her sister.

As Hinata settles onto her spot near the table Hiashi speaks, "You were out late last night. Our visitors inquired about you."

Hinata gives a small bow, "I…I am sorry father. T…"

"Hinata…the bonsai." Hiashi comments sternly.

The words hit Hinata hard enough to stop her in the middle of speaking. With a deep breath, she starts over, "My apologies father. A situation came up with the assistant to Hokage-sama in the talks with the Village of Sand." It wasn't a lie. It wasn't totally the truth, and her father would probably pick up on it, but it wasn't a lie and that is what counted.

Hiashi takes a bite of his meal while thinking and then replies, "I see. Will your presence be required today?"

"Yes father. I will be out of the house most of the week to help with the talks. I have left instructions for the day with the Branch Members." Hinata replies, hoping that her father would not pick up on the last important detail.

Hiashi nods, "Very well. If something happens here, I wish for you to continue your mission. I will have Hanabi take care of any emergencies."

At the comment, Hinata visibly pales. That was what she had been afraid of. Beside her, Hanabi grips her chopsticks a little too tight, cracking the wood.

Neji smiles secretly. Perhaps this would teach Hanabi that she still had much to learn. He could not resist the small comment, "Hanabi, it is bad luck for your chopsticks to crack during the meal. Is everything ok?"

Quickly Hanabi turns her attention to Neji, "Everything is fine. The house knows better than to have problems with me, unlike Hinata-chan who always seems to have people scurrying about like mice."

Neji smiles, "We shall see." Are his final words for the meal as he turns his attention back to his food.

During this time, Hinata had taken the exchange as an invitation to finish her meal quickly. There was no need for her to stay around and become the center of attention once more. Hiashi looks up from his bowl to where Hinata should be, only to find the spot empty. Funny, he hadn't sensed her leaving, nor could he sense where she was currently. Perhaps…no, that couldn't be. The Hyuuga family was a combat family. She couldn't have mastered those techniques.

Hinata desperately did not want to stay to listen about how she was a failure. She didn't need that today. Today, she wanted to do something important. She had it planned out for the most part on how to teach Naruto manners. Though she doubted he would pick up on the subject quickly. Some things were easy for her crush and other things were fundamentally beyond his understanding. She felt that manners were something that he did not understand through no fault of his own.

It was odd for her today. The previous day everyone had been so cheerful when they saw her. Other days, they at least nodded to say they saw her. Today, they didn't see her at all. Not that it mattered. She wanted to get to the training area quickly.

Her destination in sight, Hinata picks up a bit more speed. Soon she would have the entire day to spend with Naruto and that was something nobody would truly be able to take away from her. Especially since her father had already condoned the action.

Naruto had arrived a few minutes prior, having always woken up early to meet people on time. He didn't fully understand why he was looking forward to this, but then again, Hinata is his friend and he always enjoyed talking to his friends. Admittedly, Hinata didn't talk too often. She was as much of a mystery to him. Much like the reason he liked ramen, he liked Hinata and that was that. No real reason, he just did.

Hinata finally makes a sound, slightly startling Naruto. He hadn't expected her to be so quiet, though it was fun to know that Hinata had learned such a neat ability.

Hinata smiles gently, placing a bag upon the ground and then kneeling in front of Naruto. She needed to be professional she reminded herself, focused on the mission. She could allow her mind to wander later. "Good morning Naruto-kun." She states politely, though still with the normal amount of affection that she adds. Not that Naruto ever picked up on it, she sighs to herself.

Naruto shifts slightly and then settles into a decent kneeling position, "Good morning Hinata…um…" His mind thinks about it all. Once more his lack of knowledge was catching up with him. He knew the Hyuuga family was important, but other than that he stayed far away from that part of town. Finally he settles on something normal, "sama."

Hinata couldn't help but blush very slightly, however she continues, "That's right. Today we'll start with some easy things. There are a few more obscure titles that people do not use often anymore, but you need to know as a Hokage and I thought that maybe you would like to learn about manners for eating for your first day."

Naruto, who had been dreading the lessons up until this time gives a smile, he didn't bother to hide his emotions as he replies, "Hinata-sama! You're awesome! This should be fun!"

Hinata stifles her giggle and then replies, "Naruto-kun, one of the first things you need to remember is that during these lessons you must be quiet and polite." She stops for a moment to let it sink in, "But when the lessons are done then you can be as loud as you like." After all, she wanted him to learn, not totally change everything about himself.

Naruto gives a sheepish smile and scratches the back of his head, "Sorry Hinata-sama. So what first?"

Hinata turns to her bag and pulls out a tea set, "First, we have tea…"

Mid-afternoon found Naruto and Hinata talking about the differences in manners while eating among friends and manners while eating among guests. The two bowls of ramen and a small plate of sushi were set to the side of where they were currently sitting.

The two look almost immediately as they feel the presence of another at the training area.

"Neji-niisan, what brings you here?" Hinata asks.

Neji gives a small shrug, "I just wished to inform you that your father will wish to ask about Hanabi's training when you get home."

Naruto tilts his head slightly confused, but he'd been through enough lessons today to know better than to interrupt.

Neji smiles, finding a silent Naruto entertaining, "You have something to say…Uzumaki-san?" He couldn't resist, and Naruto would eventually appreciate the joke once he knew better.

Naruto nods and pauses, trying to sort through all the things he had learned this morning, "What kind of training are you talking about?"

Hinata stiffens a moment and then answers, "Naruto-kun, you don't need to worry about the training Neji-niisan is talking about."

Neji nods and then turns to leave, "I would suggest you learn your own lessons fast Uzumaki-san. Hyuuga-sama said something about wanting to meet you in person sometime."

For once, just once, Naruto suspected that there was probably more to this than what was being said.

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Hinata finally arrives at the manor close to supper time. She turns to Naruto and gives a small blush as she bows, "I hope I did not bore you too much today Naruto-kun. The subject can be somewhat dry."

Naruto grins and shakes his head, "Nope. It was fun! I never thought there could be so much to learn about eating. Thanks Hinata." He pauses a moment and then adds, "-sama. I learned a lot today."

Her blush gets a little deeper as she replies, "Naruto…" she stops, not wanting to start stuttering, "You don't have to add anything to my name if you don't want to…"

Naruto smiles and laughs, "I'll think about it. See you tomorrow ok Hinata-sama?"

Hinata nods, "Ok Naruto-kun, see you tomorrow." She then turns to the manor. She didn't need to use her Byakogan to know that things were definitely not going well in the household. Carefully, she steps into the meal room and settles herself as she awaits dinner.

Once the dishes are set and the food is served, Hiashi takes the first bite and then states, "Hinata. Hanabi tells me that the Thatcher is greedy. What do you have to say about this?"

Hinata shakes her head, "I have always called upon Daisuke-san to work on our house. Mother is the one that told me of his prowess. He works well and always puts us on the top of his priorities."

Hanabi huffs, "I found his work to be less than satisfactory. He did not work fast enough, the cost was too much and he did not get here until almost noon."

Hinata pauses in mid bite. She sets her chopsticks to the side of her plate and bows to her father, "Father…if I may?"

Hiashi stops. He had rarely seen Hinata do anything like this. It was unexpected, but it would seem that the Hyuuga heir could take much punishment and insults in shinobi training, but she had little patience to mistakes about the household. As a result, Hiashi could only nod his consent…the household affairs were Hinata's responsibility and from the sound of it, Hanabi has crossed a line that should have been left alone.

Neji pauses as he hears the voice. More so, he inches away a little at the look in Hinata's eyes. It was that look of strength that he had been one of the few to ever see. That look meant, at least to him, that whoever crossed Hinata was in for a world of hurt. The scarier part was the perfect grace with which she executed the movements and bow. This was not a time to cross Hyuuga Hinata.

Hinata sighs, "I had hoped to come home and find that your boasting at breakfast was not just bluster Hanabi-chan." Hanabi opens her mouth to speak, but Hinata continues, "Do not speak until after you have heard everything Hanabi-chan. Daisuke-san has worked for us for many years. If you have soiled the reputation of the Hyuuga family with him it will be YOU not I that will walk over to his shop and apologize. It would also seem that the garden was not raked and we are running low on sake. Would you like to explain why these errands were not complied with as I directed?"

Hanabi straightens herself and answers, "They were meaningless tasks that the time could be better be spent training. I do not like your tone sister. You speak to me like a child and not your better."

Hinata frowns, her displeasure apparent to all at the table. Finally, Hiashi speaks, "Hanabi-chan…" the tone such that there is no misunderstanding. Like Hinata, Hiashi found these actions beyond childish, "That garden is to be raked every day. It is a symbol that shows everyone who enters the manor that we are neat and organized. By saying otherwise you have shown your lack of understanding of your duties."

Hiashi's face is stern and unapproving as he looks from Hanabi to Hinata, "Hinata-chan you were expected to teach Hanabi-chan her duties and she does not know them. I wish to know why." His voice is slightly more pleasant with Hinata. While Hinata did not do well as a shinobi, he knew that Hinata took her duties around the house very seriously. It did not fully make sense.

Hinata looks up at her father, her voice quiet. To Hanabi it was like an adder adding venom to a wound. Though the words that passed were pleasant, the meaning behind them was quite different, "When you told me to teach Hanabi-chan what she needed to know I took her to the side a bit each day. I had thought that she understood the importance. Perhaps I did not stress it enough. About five years ago, Hanabi-chan announced that she had learned everything she need to know about the household and turned to her shinobi training. I did not speak up at the time due to her assuredness and the need for training. It is entirely my fault that Hanabi-chan is not prepared nor understands the mistakes made this day."

Neji pales, the words spoke of Hinata failing, but the meaning behind the words was quite clear. Hanabi had decided she didn't need to learn and nobody had questioned it because Hanabi was a 'genius' and Hinata the 'failure' now it would seem that their assumption had been quite wrong. It made a lot more sense now.

Haishi nods and then takes a bite of his meal. His simple reply is, "I hope that the training with the Hokage's assistant is going better."

Hinata cannot help but to smile, "Yes father. The Hokage's assistant is a fast learner. He will know the rules for formal eating by the end of the week."

The head of the family takes a moment to consider this information and then speaks, "Very well, then we shall invite him to eat with us next week. Hanabi will be in charge of the preparations and I shall invite a few of our closest relatives."

Hinata takes a bite of food to cover her horror. This was an excuse to show the lessons she was giving Naruto to the rest of the family. It could very well mean the acceptance or denial of her engagement to Naruto. Even worse, if Hanabi did not prepare a suitable night her fate could very well be worse than her own. Hinata merely failed at being a shinobi. Hanabi was looking at failing to be a woman.

Later, in her room, Hinata allows her mind to drift from the mealtime ruckus to more pleasant thoughts. The entire day had been spent with Naruto and she hadn't fainted once! She was sure she had blushed quite often, but the entire day had been quite enjoyable. She checks to make sure the door is locked and nobody would be able to interrupt her…and allows her mind to wander places where propriety and reality held no sway between her and Naruto…

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Ok, so it was probably a very dry chapter. It could have been much worse, but I needed a chapter to set up what will happen later. Anyway, I'm now set up for continuing with more plot. Mwahahahahaha! I consider this chaper a nessessary evil, kind of like those manga episodes where it's spent telling you the difference between fighting syles. Have fun!

Edric Loto