Hmm….it would seem that my last intro was a bit convoluted. After consulting dictionary-sama I am going to re-place the honorifics/titles. If there is a problem, you may complain to dictionary-sama, not me.

-san: This is the basic honorific that means Mr., Ms, Mrs. and the like. It's also applied to jobs, a few animals and a couple of food. This implies a degree of familiarity with a person. For more formal setting the honorific 'shi' can might be preferred.

-kun: This is an informal honorific that is applied toward males. It is applied toward males of equal or lesser social status and to male children. It is also used in business dealings to address women, particularly younger women, by older males of higher social status.

-chan: This is a pet-name that is typically used for children, animals and people that one has known since they were young. To use –chan for adults tends to involve a level of familiarity and even intimacy, less so for women than for men.

The Japanese media tends to use the term –chan for pre-elementary school children and elementary school girls.

-sensei: Is used to refer to teachers, practitioners of a profession and for figures of authority. This term can be used to show admiration or sarcastically to say that someone is acting full of themselves.

-sama: This honorific is used to address people of higher social status than oneself and in business dealings to address customers. Otherwise it is technically a more formal version of –san. People also use it to address those who have a special talent or those who are particularly attractive. One can also use it in reference to themselves, but this is considered highly egotistical.

-dono: This term comes from the title 'tono' which means lord. (Interestingly enough the two words share the same kanji) It is no longer used in conversation, but I'm using it strictly because of the older origins.

-Iemoto: this is a very polite version of sensei typically used for a high ranking person that heads a school or group involving one of the traditional art forms such as tea ceremony or calligraphy. This title is not used for martial arts.

Hime/himesama: I probably won't use this title for one reason…the usage is questionable. I have seen where it is a noun and I have seen references to it being a title. The honorable dictionary-sama says it's a noun that means "princess, daughter of a high class family". That's how I'll use it until I see something official to contradict me. Anime references and the Wiki are not enough.

Hopefully this listing is more complete and less confusing than my last listing. It's how I'm going to use the titles. Should I find something wrong, I shall update the entire story. I dearly hate making silly mistakes. Hopefully I can find some neat info to include in the next posting.

I would like to congratulate Minako Aino, Typhonis, Minimerc, chumsley, and aki6 for their accurate reply on the exact reason why not to stick the chopsticks into the rice. As for your reply aki6, you do not pass food from chopstick to chopstick because that is how the bones of the dead are passed. A bit morbid, but one must remember the social structure of Japan…hmm…looks like I found my next set of info. Thank you very much for that idea aki6.

I love history, so I tend to enjoy sharing the information I know with others. In this case it should help people understand a bit more of what is happening inside the story as well. I'm done rambling now, see you at the end and enjoy the story!

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Chapter 5

Hyuuga Manor

The morning passed with little delay. Naruto had indeed taken to learning the basic manners quite well and for that Hinata was extremely pleased. It made life so much easier. Naruto seemed to be enjoying himself as well. Though less animated than normal, the tone in his voice and the obvious smile in his eyes let Hinata know that she was not boring. It was either that or he was excited about the prospect of lunch.

Hinata draws the morning lessons to a close, "Naruto-kun, you have a very good grasp of the basics. Manners can only truly be practiced by using them, much like jutsu." She hoped the last bit of comment would drive Naruto to understand the lessons better. Hinata lifts herself from the ground and brushes a few stray blades of grass from her clothing, "I need to run an errand at home. Afterwards, we shall head to lunch. Is that ok Naruto-kun?"

Naruto gives a firm nod of his head while getting up as well, "Yes Hinata-sama." He was slightly surprised how easy it was to be polite once he started. Part of his mind knew for a fact that he would not have made this type of progress if it had been anyone besides Hinata teaching him. He frowns a moment, thinking through everything he had been taught lately, "Hinata-sama, may I have the honor of…escorting you home?"

Mentally Naruto kicked himself. Many of the larger words did not come naturally to him. Whenever he had to pause and search for a word, he felt like an idiot. Uzumaki Naruto did not like to feel like an idiot.

A blush grows upon Hinata's face before she replies, "Yes, I would enjoy the company Naruto-kun." Hinata heads for the exit of the training area and waits, the bit of time waiting for Naruto being enough time to get her imagination under control. Thankfully, that was easier due to the extended bath that morning. Perhaps it would be in her best interests to take those extended baths in the morning and evening while teaching Naruto.

Naruto pauses at the gate next to her, though his mind was more concentrated on exactly what he should be doing. Finally he motions for Hinata to step out first. Once she steps from the training grounds, he follows shortly behind.

Very soon, the Hyuuga manor looms ahead, Naruto steels himself. Now was the hard part of the mission. Careful to stay in correct position, Naruto moves around to open the front gate to the Hyuuga household. The small smile he receives in return lets him know that the movements had been right. It was like seals in a way. Each movement had to be executed in a specific manor. The three years with Jiraya had done wonders on his ability to perform seals and using that same training, he was memorizing the movements. The reasons why each movement was important took a bit longer, although many involved social position and/or the protection of the person of higher social position.

Hinata gives a silent sigh as she clutches Naruto's financial ledger to her. On one hand, it was good to see that Naruto was learning. On the other hand, it was obvious to her that he was doing the right things because he needed to, not because he wanted to do them for her. This simple thought was enough to lower the young Hyuuga's spirits.

The sigh and shifting of Hinata's shoulders had not gone unmissed by Naruto. It was odd. Hinata had been a bit distant the entire day when typically she was very attentive and though not outgoing at least energetic. She had been a puzzle to him all day. Correction, Hinata was ALWAYS a puzzle. Today she was just more than usual. Maybe he wasn't learning fast enough for her? No, that couldn't be it. She always smiled when he did something right and she had smiled most of the morning.

As they both head up the walk, Naruto glances over at the pit of sand that had been finely raked that morning. It looked nice, calming even, though he had no clue what it was. He'd have to ask Hinata later. As the door slides open, Hinata is careful to remove her footwear.

"If you will excuse me Naruto-kun, I must deal with some…business and I shall return…" Hinata states before darting off down the hallway. She had wanted to say more, but any other words would have made it seem more like they were going to the meal as a couple and not just for lunch. While Hinata truthfully had no problem with that, she was not sure of the feelings of her companion. Embarrassment was best felt behind closed doors where none could see.

Hyuuga Hiashi had felt the entrance of the young Uzumaki before he had felt the presence of his own daughter. On a level, he understood the reason why, but the reasons behind his eldest daughters' weakness were evasive. At times, he was almost sure that Hinata was hiding her true abilities. That led to more questions. No, he would find out more information first. Once he has information, then he would speak to his daughter. In the meantime, there was a very important meeting he needed to accomplish at this moment.

From his position on the deck, Hiashi stands and takes the shortcut around the Zen gardens to get to the door. When Naruto turns, Hiashi gives a stern look. At least the boy knew a bit about how to sense others. Considering how uncontrolled Naruto's chakra seemed from a simple glance, this was a small wonder.

Naruto blinks, his mind almost freezing up on him. The sights, the sounds, it was all so alien to him, Now he had the head of the clan looking down at him expecting…crud! He'd almost forgotten! Naruto gives a deep bow, ensuring that his head is raised enough to watch Hiashi's movements. Respectful or not, he was a ninja and a ninja does not give a potential opponent the upper hand. "Hyuuga-dono…have you eaten rice?" He was fairly sure that he was being respectful enough. The sincerity in his voice wasn't there, however as the boy was attempting to make sure he was saying this correctly.

Internally, Hiashi laughs. It would seem that the boy had been paying attention to Hinata after all. He would overlook the lack of sincerity seeing how it looked like the young man was doing his best to remember almost two days of crammed lessons. "Indeed. Uzumaki-san. Have you eaten rice as well?"

Naruto rises a bit. He was torn, did he answer truthfully or did he answer respectfully? Such was not an easy decision, but he did not go back on his word! "I have eaten, Hyuuga-dono. Though I'm not sure ramen is as filling as rice."

The reply would give Hiashi pause. The boy seemed to live off ramen. If what was just said is true then…perhaps the best option would be to ask, "I trust millet is unappetizing."

The face was truly all Hiashi needed to see. Millet, a much cheaper quality version of rice, was probably something the young man could afford. However, it would seem Naruto's encounters were less than satisfactory. Thinking slightly, he could probably imagine why. Instead of compounding the young mans discomfort, he would change the subject. "You are waiting for Hinata-chan are you not?"

That question confused Naruto slightly. He thought the reply would be obvious. However, Hinata had told him it was rude not to give a reply, "Yes Hyuuga-dono. Hinata-sama felt that I should put into practice the lessons I have been learning." Naruto swallows. Dang this was hard to keep up! He wanted to be relaxed, to be himself, but he suspected that doing so would not garner any favor with Hinata's father. If her father didn't like him, then he wouldn't be able to continue the lessons which meant he wouldn't be able to spend as much time with Hinata. The last two thoughts gave him pause. He really did need these lessons and being with Hinata was more enjoyable than he had thought. Sure she was shy, but she was his friend and it was really easy to talk to her. It was kind of like talking to Sakura, only not. Gah, more confusion! Best to stick with the mission.

Hiashi nods calmly. Hinata had not told him about this, but if she had factored it into the weekly ledger then he would not argue. The time with Naruto was good for her. He could tell that even if she did not become a better shinobi out of this, she was proving to be an apt teacher. "What do you intend to speak about during your meal?"

Once more Naruto had no answer. To be truthful, the only place he'd ever truly eaten outside his own home was at Ichiraku's. A small frown creeps over his mouth as he replies, "I…I don't know Hyuuga-dono."

Hiashi's eyes narrow very slightly. This was not a good thing to be hearing. While he expected the young man's ability to interact with others to be low, he had not expected it to be nearly nonexistent outside of a mission. Worse was the fact that he had contributed to the problem. However…this could be a good thing. He could kill two birds with one stone so to speak. "Perhaps you should ask Hinata-chan what she likes. After all, she has told me many things about you Uzumaki-san." He then turns stern, his voice even as he adds, "But we cannot allow you to leave the house looking as though you were on a mission. You are going to be eating and conversing, not killing your food." As one of the Branch members passes, Hiashi motions for him to stop. "Take young Uzumaki-san to freshen up and give him something more suitable to wear. If he is to eat with my daughter he shall need to look more presentable.

Naruto's mind races to understand what is happening. This wasn't exactly how he had expected things to work. He was supposed to wait for Hinata and then go to lunch. How did this happen? Why did it happen?

Hiashi heads back toward his sitting with a final bit of warning for Naruto, "I expect Hinata-chan to be telling me good things about the meal Uzumaki-san."

At that, Naruto's mind wonders, 'What did he mean by that?'

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Hinata was slightly surprised to find her father to be away from his favorite meditation spot. The room was spacious yet cozy, giving a clear view of the Zen garden and what seemed to be waves of sand surrounding the two stones that represented Izanami and Izanagi. Typically the elder Hyuuga liked to meditate before his mid-day meal.

This was but another thing to add to the growing distress of the younger Hyuuga. Not to mention the fact that Hanabi had been busy muttering something about plans when she had passed her sister in the hall. This was looking far too much like interesting times than Hinata really wished to see in her lifetime. Knowing her father would return shortly, Hinata kneels down upon one of the mats and then sets down the ledger. That…thing…was the main reason her day was shaping out to be poor. It was a thing of dishonor. She touched it because she had to, otherwise it would need to be burned to get rid of the taint of dishonor that clung to the paper.

As she glares at the ledger, Hiashi enters into the room silently and takes his customary spot. The past few days had been educational to say the least. He had always known that Hinata took great pride in running the house efficiently. This had been confirmed the previous night when she had proven her distain for Hanabi's less than favorable antics. He was quite sure that Hinata would make a fine head of the household and an excellent wife despite her build. Now as he saw the ledger, he knew there were larger problems. Hinata was not one known to release any kind of intent of any kind. However, somehow this collection of papers had given Hinata reason to have just the smallest bit of violent intent. It would be best to diffuse this situation quickly and allow his eldest daughter a bit of enjoyment, without worrying about whatever was troubling her. "Daughter, tell me what seems to be the trouble."

Hinata's head jerks up from her reverie. She had been contemplating the best way to destroy the papers along with those that had stolen from Naruto at the same time. While not entirely pretty, she could not resist the thought. After all, it was the law. For the first time, it was anger and not nervousness that caused her to stutter, "F…father, t…they stole from h…him. S…stole from N…U…Uzumaki-san blatantly."

Hiashi visibly frowns. This was a very serious charge that Hinata was bringing up. Stealing held very consequences. "Calm yourself. How much was stolen from Uzumaki-san?"

Silently Hinata opens the ledger and turns it around. Without the stutter, the only outlet for her rage was a visible shaking of her arms, "No less than 20 ryo, though I believe more since some of these mission payments seem to have incorrect figures."

Hiashi did not need to do more than a cursory glance at the ledger. He could tell that nobody would ever give the young shinobi as much money as was taken out at times. Other figures were horribly inaccurate. Two koitome for a C rank mission? Preposterous! Two koitome could barely feed one person for a week. Closing the ledger, he gives a firm nod, "I shall bring this up to the Hokage. Do not worry about this matter any more; I shall personally make sure this is taken care of. However, you have something important to do, do you not?"

Hinata gives a small bow, "Yes father. I left Uzumaki-san at the front door."

"He looked dirty and ragged. I am afraid I insisted that he be cleaned up first." Hiashi comments, turning towards the Zen garden, "It may take a while longer. One of the Branch members saw that we had a little extra in the budget, so I asked for a new kimono for you. I think that it would be more proper for you to wear such for your meal don't you think?"

Hinata stops for a few moments. Her father was doing this? True, much of it was for the honor of the Hyuuga, but it was a bit much. "Thank you father. Not to seem ungrateful, but, why?"

Hiashi smiles, knowing his daughter cannot see and shakes his head, "You are happy in his company. This house could benefit from that happiness. I believe you would enjoy yourself more if he were to look proper and not like some sort of orphan. Of course, if he were to wear proper clothing then you must match. It is to ensure the colors suit the both of you so any corrections can be made by next week."

Hinata can only nod and turns toward the door, only to stop before opening it. "Father. I…I used our family in reference to Uzumaki-san while dealing with the accounting section."

"Then I suppose you shall have to make sure he enjoys the meal." Hiashi replies

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Meanwhile, Naruto felt like a half-drowned fox. The two branch family members next to him were ensuring that he was fully cleaned. Even with his insistence that he could wash himself, they had reminded him that they had orders to make sure he was presentable. Obviously, they had a different idea of presentable than he did.

He couldn't help to notice the architecture of the bath-house. The rest of the Hyuuga Manor was made of wood and rice-paper, but the bath-house was made of stone, ensuring that the water inside was hot and the air within was similarly toasty. Each corner of the bath-house had a vase that looked to be generations old. The Hyuuga certainly knew how to live in style. He wasn't sure anyone else in the village had stuff like this. Not that he could truly compare this to the public bath-house. He didn't usually have enough money to go there and even if he did they usually didn't let him in.

One of the Hyuuga shakes his head, "Uzumaki-san you should really be more studious in cleaning. Perhaps your smell is what keeps Hinata-sama from asking you to visit."

Naruto blinks, that certainly wasn't what he had expected them to talk to him about.

The other Hyuuga nods, "Indeed Uzumaki-san. Your clothing seems to have been washed in the river as well. If you need, you are free to bring your things here to be cleaned."

Naruto blinks again, opening his mouth to complain before he is dunked under the water. As he sputters to the surface, the first Hyuuga smiles, "Uzumaki-san. Perhaps you do not realize it, but Hinata-sama has been looking forward to this meal with you."

Naruto sputters a bit, spitting out the last of the water in his mouth, "She has?"

The Hyuuga nods, taking some pumice and scrubbing Naruto's back, "Indeed. If she were not pre-occupied with so many things these past few days I am sure she would be dancing on air right now."

Naruto is dunked unto the water once more to get rid of the soap. As he surfaces again the Hyuuga continues, "In fact, I'm surprised she picked such a plain place for you two to eat at. I would think that she would want to impress you much more."

Naruto shakes his head. This was even more confusing than the conversation with Hiashi, "Plain? Impress me? She doesn't need to impress me."

The Hyuuga laughs and shakes his head, "It's not a matter of need Uzumaki-san. It's a matter of want. She wishes for you to know that you are one of her precious people without making it blatant." Sure he was understating things a bit, but the man figured the poor boy needed to be brought up to speed slowly. "Anyway, Uzumaki-san. If you like, Hyuuga-sama has stated that you are free to use the bath-house here whenever you like. Also, it would be our honor to wash your clothes for you. We only wish one thing from you."

Naruto raises a brow. He knew thee was a catch! There was always a catch when people were nice to him. Well, except Hinata. Hinata was Hinata, a little weird, a little shy, but she was one of his precious people. She treated him with respect; she was the first to treat him with respect. "And what's that?" Naruto asks blandly. Assured they would ask something impossible from him.

Another Hyuuga brings in a set of black and orange clothing. The Hyuuga motions for Naruto to leave the water, "It is but a small offering, but we hope that you will accept this."

Naruto blinks. He'd seen these types of clothing before. It was a lot more formal than he was used to. Still the simple fact was he had nothing to offer in return. "I can't accept this. I have nothing that you would want."

The Hyuuga Branch member gives a broad smile, "On the contrary, you can do something that we would like very much. Ensure Hinata-sama has a pleasant afternoon."

Naruto nods and steps forward, taking the clothing into both hands, "Then I am thankful for your generous gift. My own gift will be small compared to your generosity." Internally Naruto grimaces. While ritualistically correct, what they were asking for was slightly confusing. He looks at the clothing, slowly realizing that the he was confused as how to actually wear the clothing as well. As if on cue, the Hyuuga member steps forward to assist…

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Hinata looks at the kimono on her bed. Orange with black lotus prints upon it. It was a unique print to say the least.

Carefully, she removes her normal clothing to change. Everything needed to be done properly, especially if Naruto had been cleaned up as well. The thought of Naruto looking proper causes a giggle to escape her mouth and a blush upon her cheeks. It would certainly be interesting to see. Hinata smiles as she adds the under-layers of clothing. At least in a kimono her entire body was hidden. There would be no self-consciousness about her figure while eating and that was a blessing all in itself. Finally when the loose fabric covers her, Hinata takes a look into the mirror to ensure all is correct, including the elaborate bow she had managed to tie just for Naruto.

Now all that was left was to head out to the entryway to meet with Naruto. Would he understand everything that had happened since coming to the manor? She resigned herself to the knowledge that Naruto probably did not. She was fairly sure he would understand after more lessons.

Hinata slides her feet into a pair of slippers and heads for the entryway. The Zen Garden would relax her if nothing else. However, the sight at the front gate causes her to pause, etching itself permanently into Hinata's mind. She knew for a fact that she would need a long soak tonight.

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Ok, technically this is a direct continuation of the last chapter and the next will pick up exactly where this one stopped. Is it a cliffhanger? Yes. Is the cliffhanger evil? Yes. Why did I do it? It's the end of my thought process on this subject. The next part of this 'day', as it were, will be geared differently and I really hate to confuse subjects in my mind, it is bad enough I mix tenses in my head and in my writing. By the way, my wife says I mix tenses in normal speech as well, so we're all out of luck there.

While typically I update every week or so, the next chapter will probably be a bit earlier due to most of being already in my head. I doubt I'll hear complaints.

One thing I would like to bring up is my need for a pre-reader for my other story. It's for a dual reason which I would not like to bring up in any form other than direct conversation. So, if anyone wants to be the pre-reader, I'm open for volunteers.

That's all out of me for now, so everyone have fun and I'll see you around!

Edric Loto