Welcome to this chapter of The Hyuuga Way. As I stated in my last chapter, I will be going over a little bit of the culture I am using for this particular fiction. This is mostly because there are multiple social structures that have existed in Japan over the various eras.
I am using the Edo period social structure. The Edo Period is one of the most well documented social structures from Japan. I mean this in a sense that it covers those people that were not nobles. It is for this completeness that I use this particular social structure. This social structure is based off of Confucian shouldnot to be confused with Shinto or Buddhism which are both religions.
Without further rambling, here is the social structure…
The Noble Class- Some people may call it the Samurai class, I beg to differ. Daimyo were not necessarily Samurai. The Emperor technically belongs to this class and is the highest ranking. Then the Daimyo are the next highest and the Samurai fall under both of them.
The Peasant Class: This actually amounted to about 80-90 of the population. They were the ones who paid the taxes and generally did everything. This group is actually 3 different groups that influence day to day operations of life.
The Farmer is highest since everyone needs to eat.
Then there are Craftsmen who create useful items for the home.
Finally, there are merchants who don't actually make anything, but instead sell what others have crafted. It wasn't until the transfer of wealth from rice to money that the merchant class became more respected.
Outside these boundaries are two other classes.
The Entertainer Class: This class involves all those who do not actually create something, but are still appreciated. Geisha, entertainers and minstrels all fall under this class. While technically they can be killed without problems, it's not a good idea to kill the favorite Geisha of a Samurai. Another name for this class is hinin or "non-people" since they don't actually exist in the order.
The Eta Class: Basically this class does all the "dirty work" of society. Tanners, slaughters (you know the people who cut up chickens and pigs before they get packaged in the stores?), and undertakers are all under this class. Pretty much anything that has to deal with touching a dead body, an action that no respectable person would do.
Now you know, and knowing is half the battle!With myobligatory 80's reference out of the way, I would like to comment that technically Naruto would have started in the Eta Class. By becoming a ninja his social status would have risen. Seeing as it's a Ninja village I would expect that the ninja would take the place of Samurai. This situation would normally be impossibility except that he had help from the Third Hokage. That goes into laws…and feudal Japanese law is VERY confusing. This is due to a combination of things. The first being the person of higher social status is always telling the truth over the person of lower, the second being the concept of "face" which is not typically understood in the western world.
Face tends to translate as sincerity. The illusion of sincerity does more for a person than the actual truth. Allow me to give a small example.
A Samurai dislikes the decisions of his Daimyo. He tells his friends this, his friends tell the geisha this, and somehow or another it gets back to the Samurai's lord. When questioned, the Samurai tells his Daimyo that he never said such a thing. This is where "face" comes in. As long as the Samurai still completed his duties without question and gives the illusion of unwavering loyalty to his Daimyo the Daimyo will write it off as nothing but hearsay.
Another example is a drunken Samurai who kills someone in a fit of anger. While everyone KNOWS the Samurai was drunk and everyone KNOWS that the Samurai killed the person nobody will speak up to get the Samurai in trouble. Typically the Samurai will quietly pay the family for their loss (typically in animals and/or rice) and the entire situation is forgotten.
Now that my ramblings are done…must resist…I never came across the words in the manga, but what the heck! Time to continue with the story! Believe it! See you at the end with the Loto guide to Sushi types. Trust me…you'll probably need it.
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THE HYUUGA WAY
Chapter 6: Meal lessons
Naruto wasn't quite sure what to think of these more formal clothes he had been given and is now currently wearing. His normal outfit was a little baggy, but this was beyond his normal allowance of baggy. The hakima and the weird pants that he had underneath had a dual usage as far as he could tell, and both these uses were in his own benefit. The first benefit was that his legs were hidden, meaning that if he made any small mistakes nobody would notice. The second benefit seemed to be that because of the bagginess, even if he wore this to official functions he could hide small weapons. He certainly couldn't complain.
The large shirt-thing he now wore was certainly new to him as well. Like the pants, it was baggy, but not overly so and it made his shoulders seem much wider. The cloth was a nice as well, obviously made for the weather since he had heard something about a winter weight style as well. He hadn't heard the exact type of shirt he was wearing, but he was fairly certain it had a special name.
Now, as he waited near the door for Hinata once more, his mind turned to think. Things moved fast in fights, but he'd never had anything move this fast outside of a mission. Konoha was always the calm in the storm so to speak. Worse, at the moment, was that he couldn't yell or rant or do any of the things that he would normally do to let off steam. In a sense, he was trapped. Trapped by rules that he knew should not be broken while at the Hyuuga Manor but did not fully understand. Did Hinata feel trapped like this at times? If she did, could he help her feel less trapped?
The sound of steps interrupts his thoughts. 'Hinata' He assures himself before turning.
Hinata could not help but to stare. Naruto stood not 10 feet from her dressed in a manner that many Hyuuga would be proud to see. The baggy clothing might hide much of Naruto's body, but that was fine for her imagination. In fact, it only helped to make her imagination start to wander. Slowly, the young heiress' face turns from pale to red to pure crimson.
Typically Naruto would ask if Hinata was feeling ok. However this time he was a little distracted to comment. Especially with Sakura on his Team, Naruto felt that seeing a girl would be no big deal. As he takes in the lovely black lotus print on Hinata's orange kimono, his teenage mind could not help but to remember a few things Jiraiya had told him. Quickly he shakes his head to get rid of the perverted thoughts. What would Hinata think if she knew? He didn't know, but he doubted it would be good.
Naruto's motion shakes Hinata from her thoughts as well. She would definitely need a long soak in the furo tonight. Part of her mind shifts to the matters at hand, another part was debating if she should thank her father or exact vengeance as only the lady of the house could do.
"Naruto-kun, are you ready to head out?" Hinata asks quietly, her head turned down to the ground slightly in an effort to hide what blush was left on her cheeks.
Naruto returns the comment with a firm nod. Hopefully food would be enough to distract his mind. His mind deciding that kimono's are an evil creation, "I'm ready whenever you are Hinata-sama."
As the two head from the Hyuuga manor, a sly grin crosses the face of the young kunoichi known as Hyuuga Hanabi. She did not need to directly embarrass them at the meal that was her current project. No, she could ensure that her sister would embarrass herself and likely the lowly Naruto at the same time. Her family would be pleased to be rid of the hinin known as Uzumaki Naruto.
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Bluffing was one of the lessons learned in the Shinobi Academy. Today, Naruto planned on putting those lessons to good use. He also intended to talk to those Hyuuga Branch family members again. Obviously the Hyuuga had a funny idea of what was considered an average restaurant.
The place looked modest on the outside, but once past the koi moat and through the sliding doors it was positively huge compared to any eating establishment that the blond ninja had ever been.
There wasn't a stool in sight. In fact each place seemed to have individual sitting pads among the modest tables. What really drew in Naruto's attention were the fine wall scrolls and the giant fish tank that was filled withother koi thatseemed tobe happy inside the building. To be truthful, even being inside the restaurant without getting yelled at was impressive to Naruto, muchmore being in one that was 'modest'. Had he not been trying to keep him jaw from dropping, he might have wondered what the Hyuuga would call extravagant. His bluffing practice was in trying not to look fully astounded by his surroundings.
Hinata did not need to hear words. The expression on Naruto's face was enough to please her. She was now certain that Naruto would be on his best behavior. This was actually one of Hinata's favorite places to eat when she got the chance. The people were friendly and it had a balance of elegance and simplicity that she enjoyed. However, she normally ate here alone or on occasion with her team. This would be the first time she brought Naruto. The face of the manager seems slightly cross as he walks across the establishment toward the two young shinobi.
The manager gives a bow and then addresses Hinata. Naruto had long since proven himself as an able shinobi. The current list that most attributed to him was the defeat of Hyuuga Neji, the defeat of Gaara and a tie with Uchiha Sasuke. Naruto's power was not questioned. Naruto's loyalty was not in question. Nay, the manager gave voice to his worries quietly, "Hinata-sama, while perhaps it is not my place, why have you brought him here? I am afraid he might disturb the other customers…"
Hinata's eyes narrow ever so slightly. She knew full well of the worries the manager was addressing, "Uzumaki-san has been taking lessons from me, which have been going quite well. As for any other concerns, as long as there is no fighting we both shall be content to be peaceful." Now was Hinata's turn to practice her bluffing, "Of course, if there is a problem with Uzumaki-san eating here, I can take my business elsewhere and recommend the same to the rest of my family."
The manager quickly shakes his head and motions for her to pick a table, "Hinata-sama I would never turn away any friend of yours. I believe the table near where Koichi-san likes to swim is available for the afternoon."
Hinata gives a small bow, "Thank you for your generosity. I am sure that we shall enjoy the meal."
Moving past the manager, Hinata heads for the table.
At the moment he sees the bow, Naruto stops a broad, mischievous grin. This would be rich! The greatest prank ever played on anyone and all he had to do was be polite! It would astound them all! Stepping forward, Naruto gives the manager a deep respectful bow, "Thank you very much Manager-sama. I shall work to be worthy of the honor of eating at your establishment."
Internally, Naruto was laughing as hard as possible. The bewilderment on the managers' face was priceless! Who knew it could be so much fun to be nice? This could indeed be interesting.
Hinata motions to the spot away from the door. For a moment Naruto thinks, then realizes what needs to be done. With a small nod, he sits on the far side facing the door, "Thank you very much for inviting me Hinata-sama."
Hinata settles onto her own spot and replies, "You are very welcome Naruto-kun. Is there anything you would like to eat in particular?"
Naruto's mouth opens, ready to give his typical loud and boisterous reply. No! The illusion must be maintained! His typical reply is instead replaced with, "I have never eaten in a place like this. Maybe you should order for us?" Naruto gives a small sigh. That could have been said more respectfully. So many of the words either seemed so new to him or just didn't seem to fit in his speech right. There would be a lot more practice to be had. Still, the small smile Hinata gifts him with was certainly enough to ease his fears of having made a mistake.
As one of the serving girls sets and pours the tea, Hinata softly whispers what he suspects to be their order. He'd never figure out how girls do that. Sometimes girls were loud and painful and then others, like Hinata, were quiet and mysterious and slightly weird. Still, he would not and truthfully could not take back what he had said long ago, he liked the weird girl.
There is a motion to the side of Naruto's eye, causing the shinobi to turn his head and look at a large gold and white koi. It was a huge fish, easily over a foot long, much bigger than the ones outside. Hinata gives a small cough to draw back Naruto's attention. Sheepishly, Naruto turns back and lifts the tea cup to his mouth, allowing Hinata to drink at her leisure. "Sorry, Hinata-sama…the fish popped up out of nowhere and…"
Hinata nods and smiles, "Don't worry Naruto-kun. Koichi-san likes to meet people who sit at this table. It is said that Koichi-san has been in this restaurant for over 100 years."
Naruto looks at the koi once more, "Really? He doesn't look that old to me."
"Legends say that a koi can live thousands of years. I'm sure Koichi-san will still be around for a while." Hinata carefully lifts her tea cup to her lips. Green tea with a hint of jasmine exactly what she needed to keep calm. Bless the waitress. She would definitely be getting receiving a little extra money.
This definitely perked Naruto's interests. He'd have to ask about it later though, because he was sure the more he knew the more he'd want to yell about it. Subject change time. "You'll have to tell me about it sometime." Now how to actually change the subject? Something simple, something intelligent… "Do you eat here a lot?" Something that wasn't that line. He could almost feel the hit Sakura would certainly give him if it ever got back to her.
Hinata nods. This was a change for Naruto. She had thought that questions about the koi would be able to fill most of the afternoon and he was asking about her? A small blush tints her cheeks, "Not too often, but I enjoy the duck with glass noodles and mushrooms. Why do you ask?"
She would have to ask that wouldn't she? He certainly couldn't tell her that her father had suggested it. "Well, we're friends right? While walking here I kind of realized I don't really know much about you. This would be a good time to fix that."
Hinata stops to look at Naruto. She wasn't prepared for this! Sure she'd been thinking about it for over 4 years, but she wasn't ready! What if she said something wrong? What if she couldn't answer a question? "Yes, this would be a good time to talk." What if she said something like that? This had to be the weakness her father had been telling her about. "I actually like to sit near the fish tank. The blue water is calming..."
Naruto almost gives a breath of relief. Now he had something to work with instead of trying to find something to talk about. "If you like water, I know a spot over by the stream. It's a little out of the way, but I can hide there and relax."
At the mention of hide, Hinata covers her mouth and giggles as she imagines Naruto huddled near the stream after a prank. "Hide? So you have a specific place you go when you don't want to be found?"
Naruto nods firmly, "Well, if a spot works, why abandon it? Hey, I thought we were supposed to be talking about you?"
"Sorry…" Hinata replies, blushing once more and taking a sip of tea to keep from saying more.
Naruto shakes his head, "There's nothing to be sorry about, but the subject kind of changed fast." Naruto leans back, moving out of the way as the waitress sets a plate of mixed sushi between them, then sets a small tray in front of each shinobi before excusing herself. "You know, I probably wouldn't have picked up on the subject change a week ago." Naruto admits and then points to the sushi, "Ok, I know what this is, but I'm guessing there's a lesson here."
Hinata nods, pleased to see Naruto utilizing the intelligence she had seen him usemostly for jutsu, fighting and pranks before. "Yes. Sushi has a few rules. Some of which you may enjoy. There are two ways to eat sushi. The first is to use your chopsticks and the second is to use your fingers. Either way is correct, but many people who profess to be sushi connoisseurs say that eating them with your fingers is the best way. Also, sushi is to be eaten in one bite. If it's too large for one bite, you need to cut it in half with your chopsticks." She looks down slightly, "Sadly, I've never mastered that art."
Naruto nods, taking in the information, then gestures to the tray, "So what's this for?"
"If you wish to have soy sauce with your sushi, you put the sauce in the tray and then place your sushi in the soy sauce for a moment before eating. If you want extra wasabi on your sushi, mix it in the soy sauce. Be careful…wasabi is very spicy and most sushi already has some in it."
Carefully, Hinata reaches over and lifts one of the rolls and places it in her mouth. All things considered, Naruto found this slightly entertaining. While still following the rules, Hinata had put an entire sushi roll in her mouth and was now chewing, the entire effect not entirely unlike like watching a squirrel chew upon a nut. Although he had to admit watching Hinata with the sushi was far cuter.
Still getting used to the large shirt, Naruto reaches over for one of the same rolls and pops it into his mouth. The flavor was…interesting. It was subtle, a hint of fish flavor and another taste he really couldn't place. Swallowing Naruto looks over to Hinata, "So…what is it exactly?"
"This is a Tekka Nori-Maki. Basically it's rice wrapped around tuna. The seaweed wraps around it to make it aesthetically pleasing. There are also Kani and Sake Nori-Maki on the plate." Hinata explains, carefully lifting another of the rolls and then eating it slowly.
Naruto looks at the sushi in disbelief, "I never actually had rice like this. While I was training with er...um…Jiraiya-sensei…I ate a bit of plain rice. He told me never to put soy sauce over the plain white rice. But we never had anything fancy like this.Those three yearswere really just a lot of training. I guess you eat like this a lot."
Quickly Hinata shakes her head, "No Naruto-kun, I usually eat very plain meals. There are times that my family eats more fancy foods, which is mostly when there are guests over or when we visit some of the village council or the Hokage. It's a necessity, but we don't eat like this all the time." Hinata's mind races, now Naruto thought that she was used to meals like this all the time! Could she have a made a more horrible mistake? She didn't want to seem like a high-and-mighty council member.
Naruto nods, trying to sort out the reaction. Hinata had answered much more quickly than usual. It was like when Sakura was trying to deny something. "Ok, so you eat more plain foods at home. What about ramen? Everyone eats ramen right?" He takes another piece of sushi and chews on it while he waits for a response.
Hinata's mind slows down to a more reasonable pace. At least Naruto didn't think they ate like this every day. That was definately a good thing. The question about ramen was probably out of curiousity, but she was thankful for it. "We have ramen once in a while. Father says it is to remind us that a shinobi cannot always be picky about their foods." Her tone hushes just a bit so that only Naruto can hear, "Personally, I believe he enjoys ramen with chicken. He requests it for lunch on occasion."
Naruto's face brightens at this revelation. Even the Hyuuga family ate ramen. He was indeed safe no matter where he went. Finishing the bite of sushi he replies, "Jiraiya-sensei had me eating a variety of foods while I was with him for training. I enjoyed a few, but as soon as I came back to Kanohagakure I never had enough money to afford anything more than ramen." He honestly didn't think it was a big deal. After all, it's how it had always been.
Once more Hinata stops. She needed to tell him about his finances, but what would he think? Would he be happy? Would he be indifferent? There was only one way to find out, "N…Naruto-kun…about your f…finances…" Hinata mentally curses. That damned stutter again. She really needed to stop that when she got emotional.
The stutter was a warning for Naruto. Over the past few days he rarely heard Hinata stutter in his presence. When she did, it was about something she was truly uncomfortable with. Why would his finances do that?
Taking another breath Hinata relaxes, takes a sip of tea and remembers her talk with her father. She would not be weak on this subject. "Naruto-kun, I will be taking over your finances from now on…if you don't mind of course." For a moment she taps her two fingers together, a nervous habit of which she resorted to on occasion.
Naruto found the fidgeting cute for some reason. Although he couldn't watch it long. The place her fingers fidgeted…it just wasn't right to look there for long. There was something more important t the moment anyway, otherwise his eyes might linger for just a few moremoments, "My finances? But that means you'll have to talk to the creepy finance ghoul. You don't have to go through that." To be truthful, Naruto hated tovisit the finance lady. She was mean and spiteful to everyone, but especially to him. He couldn't count the amount of times the lady had yelled at him just for asking for his weekly allowance.
Turning slightly shy, Hinata shakes her head, "Naruto…the folder I had earlier was your finances. I…already talked to the lady and got them."
The look of astonishment on Naruto's face is clear. Then it turns into a broad smile. Knowing that he wanted to yell, Naruto takes another sushi and eats it before speaking, "Hinata you're awesome. I hate the creepy accounting ghoul and you got what you wanted out of her. I think she has some kind of weird genjutsu to scare people off."
Hinata's face threatens to turn a deep crimson at the praise, but the current subject is thankfully interrupted by the arrival of a couple of plates of food along with an empty plate for each of the young ninjas and a pot of rice.
Naruto looks at the food and then picks up his chopsticks. "Let me see if I remember right. This is the 'take what you want to eat, but remember to eat everything on your plate' style place right?"
Hinata picks up her own chopsticks and begins to serve herself a plate, "That is correct Naruto-kun. Feel free to eat the duck with glass noodles and the sweet and sour chicken."
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While Hinata and Naruto eat, the others in the restaurant can only watch in awe. Truly the Hyuuga girl was more powerful than any had suspected. Naruto was being polite, quiet and eating at a reasonable pace which seemed to only happen with her around.
The manager smile, truly this could be a sign. Koichi-san seemed to take a liking to Naruto as well and for the manager that was an omen. From now on, the young Naruto would be quite welcome to eat here. As long as he kept up his manners of course. It seemed that a few people had told others about the Kyuubi boy behaving and they had come in…the boy was good for business. Yes, he would have to thank them both somehow at a later time.
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I apologize for this chapter being later than I had expected, even though I knew exactly what I wanted to type. I got distracted by two things that I loved from my childhood. The first being the TV show ALF. The second…the intro song to "Greatest American Hero" which is another favorite. There are still a few more plot points I wish before we actually get into the dinner with Naruto at the Hyuuga household. That leaves...umm...carry the one...divide by ramen...looks like about 10 days or so. No I won't be typing out what happens each day, I'm going to skip a few days here and there.
On an interesting note I found out about a series called World Ninja War Jiraiya. Then supposedly there's a legend about someone named Jiraiya who is married to a lady named Tsunade. Coincidence? Perhaps or perhaps not, you decide…
Anywho…Next chapter…the thing we all really want to see…the fate of the accounting department ghoul and everyone else that stole from Naruto! What? You thought Naruto and Hinata would kiss or something? Have fun!
Edric Loto