So… after quickly devouring the remainder of my Magnum Ego, I sat down during the wee hours of the morning, sufficiently sweetened and typed up this next chapter in seven hours, smiling contentedly the whole time. Read on to find out why! :D
Enjoy "Not as thick as some – With Sugar On Top."
"Absolutely not."
"B-but father, I-I-"
"The answer is no, Hinata."
Hiashi walked with his daughter through the Hyuga Estate, turning indifferently at her request whenever she moved to his sights. Leaving her behind as per normal occurrence, Hinata found herself reaching pleadingly towards Hiashi, aiming to barely touch his hand, just to let him know that she was still there… to wait for her, to walk with her, instead of holding the relentless lead that forced her time and time again to fall behind. He was always so far ahead, so far out of reach. All she wanted was to be noticed by him… to be loved like a daughter, she knew, was far too much to ask.
"F-father, please, it's o-only one n-night-" she said, leaning into him as she gently brushed against his rough palm.
"Hinata!"
Hinata whimpered as Hiashi released his Byakugan, snatching his hand away and turning to the cowering girl as his silently furious tone seemed to fill the entire estate.
"I said 'no'. You will not leave the Hyuga Estate tonight, tomorrow night, or any other night, unless a mission requires it. I will not allow it. My word is final, and you will obey it."
Hiashi turned on his heels, walking away from the incredibly ashamed heiress as tears tugged at her eyes. Determined not to allow Hiashi to hear, she narrowed her brows, quickly wiping away the tears lest they find home on her pale cheeks. She knew that what she asked was far from a long shot, but to be reprimanded in such a condescending way…
"… I-I'm not a child anymore, f-father…"
Hiashi swiftly stopped himself, his long dark hakama and haori gently swaying forward in protest to the halt of motion. Hinata froze painfully as a bolt of panic screamed through her spine. Her breath stifled, almost as if there was no remaining oxygen to breathe. Attempting to maintain an air of confidence, although an intensely crippling appearance of fear was far more prevalent, the Hyuga heiress felt the painful heat of anxiety welling in her cheeks as she faced her father. She prepared herself (at least mentally) for a disciplinary hiding, as was common placement for showing disrespect to superiors and elders, and following that an extended punishment that could have ranged from confinement to her quarters to a thoroughly succinct and lone cleaning of the entire Main House. As Hiashi turned to meet the determined eyes of her daughter, every fibre of her body told her to run, to leave – to turn around and never look back, as the fury so prevalent in his eyes tunnelled straight through her. He paced towards the frightened youth as Hinata slowly prepared to attempt to counter the inevitable strike – Hiashi's discipline was fast, furious and final. If he wanted to, he could force her body into paralysation and leave her lying on the cold floor for the night – something she was, unfortunately, familiar with. Stopping just before his now visually trembling daughter, Hiashi met her determined, albeit waning, gaze with utmost contempt and pearl-white rage. Following his movements with her eyes as he raised a palm, Hinata braced herself, closing her eyes and preparing for the iron of his slap to leave its painful shadow across her cheek.
"I know, Hinata."
A gentle palm placed upon her shoulder forced Hinata's eyes open in shock, unable to distinguish the differing realities she'd seemingly been enveloped into – surely, this wasn't realy, as such an alien predicament seemed so… unlikely. Hiashi wouldn't react this way – he was brutal with punishments, to say the least, and affection, even to his daughter, was something that not even the highest trained Byakugan would ever witness. Even in the deepest recesses of Hinata's memory, she couldn't remember one fathering embrace, one 'job-well-done' pat on the head – nothing. So why, all of a sudden, the sudden act (although small) of kindness? Tentatively tilting her head upwards, Hinata found Hiashi's eyes mellowed with understanding as opposed to burning with rage, with the latter being her aforementioned interpretation.
"I know you aren't a child anymore, but you are still my daughter, and as such my responsibility. I will not risk your sa-" Hiashi quickly cleared his throat, catching a cough with his fist. "… I will not risk your antics, however innocent they may seem, becoming a blemish on the infallible name of the Hyuga Clan."
Keeping his hand firmly atop her frail shoulder, Hiashi's infallibly proud gaze kept Hinata baffled as he eased a gentle palm underneath her chin.
"It's a parental matter, one I'm sure you'll be confronted with when you're older."
Softly patting her chin, Hiashi turned away from her, continuing to his previous destination and leaving his daughter in a stunned state of inadvertent shock.
"S… so, I c-can't-"
"My answer remains, Hinata. You will stay in the Hyuga Estate tonight," Hiashi said finally, not halting his departure or even turning to face her. She disappointedly looked to her feet as the grim realisation finally surfaced.
"However…"
Hiashi slowed his pace as he cocked his head, barely glancing back at his daughter.
"… if you wish to invite your friends here, they're more than welcome to stay, as long as they are familiar with and respectful of our customs."
A flint of happiness suddenly ignited within Hinata's body as she quickly found herself unable to quell the ever-growing joy welling up inside her. An excited grin flashed across her face as she gasped anxiously, taking a step towards Hiashi.
"R-really? I-it's ok if I-I have them stay here?" she stammered, poking her index fingers together feverishly. Hiashi nodded and then turned from her, continuing his steady pace out of the room.
"As long as they behave, Hinata. Rapscallions will not be accepted in the Hyuga household."
With that, Hiashi bade her farewell as she excitedly ran to her room, with not a more prominent thought than grabbing her coat and heading towards Konoha. She couldn't wait to tell everyone the news – Hinata was actually allowed to have friends over, for the first time!
"Whoa, what? At your place?" Ino queried, looking on disbelievingly at the surprisingly eager features of the Hyuga heiress.
"Yes, at my place! F-father said that you could all c-come and stay over, can you believe it?" Hinata squealed delightedly, rocking up and down on the balls of her feet as Ino laughed happily.
"Tell you what, I really can't believe it!" she replied, placing a hand on her hip and walking around her family's flower shop, tending to and pruning the forget-me-nots and petunias as needed. "You're dad – no offense – seems like a real fuddy-duddy, you know? Like, real strict and stuff."
Hinata smiled and shrugged contentedly, following Ino around the shop and stopping at the Calla Lilies.
"Yeah, I know," she mused with a happy sigh, delicately touching the differing bells of a select few flowers, "but you can come tonight, right?"
Hinata turned to Ino as she clipped a stem of forget-me-nots from the surplus in the ceramic trough in front of her. Gently placing it into the left side of her hair, she turned to Hinata and gave a quirky wink.
"You bet! The shop closes at five, so… wanna meet me here with the rest of the group then?"
"Sure! Oh, and sorry that we couldn't have it at yours like we planned, Ino. F-father wouldn't allow it…"
Ino shrugged, raising her hands carelessly.
"Eh, doesn't matter. It's still happening, isn't it? So what's there to be sorry about?"
Ino smiled as Hinata nodded in agreement. Once again turning to the lilies to her left, she gently fingered the pearly bells, smiling as memories came lovingly rushing back to her. Ino quickly leaned across to her, surveying the select few lilies that were on display.
"I'll have to go out back to get your favourite one, sweetie," she said with a laugh. Hinata suddenly popped back to reality, turning to Ino and shaking her head.
"O-oh no, th-that's alright! I was just remembering… when N-Naruto asked me… to…"
That was all she could get out before Ino released an excited squeal, happily grabbing her hands and jumping up and down excitedly. Excusing her otherwise polite behaviour for a fleeting moment of freedom, Hinata joined her as the two jumped up and down, squealing in excitement together. Ino happily wrapped her arms around Hinata as Hinata returned her embrace, happy to have made such a close friend in one who shares her love of flowers.
"I-I never thanked you properly, Ino," she said, swaying gently in the arms of her friend. Ino retracted her hold around Hinata, returning her hands to Hinata's as she smiled inquisitively.
"What are you talkin' about?" she laughed, playfully nudging Hinata as she crinkled her nose, brushing her hair from her face.
"If you hadn't told N-Naruto my favourite flower, h-he probably wouldn't have… well, asked me out."
Hinata barely finished before another excited titter left her lips. Ino mirrored her action, quickly turning to the lilies beside her and picking up her clippers.
"Nonsense," she said, quickly trimming one of the bells off of the liveliest of the bunch, "Naruto would have asked you out either way. Besides, I think we both know that if it wasn't a flower, it-"
"-would have been a cinnamon roll!"
The two giggled girlishly as Ino clanked the clippers noisily on the bench, taking the bell of the lily and placing it in Hinata's thick dark locks.
"There, that'll do for now," she said as Hinata continued to titter. "I'll bring some more over tonight so we can decorate each other's hair!"
"Sounds great!" Hinata cried as she nodded happily.
"Hello?"
The doorbell sounded as a customer entered the flower shop, looking around hurriedly. Ino quickly turned, holding a hand up and greeting them.
"Hi, be right there!"
Returning to Hinata as she nodded, Ino gave the heiress a confident wink as she picked up her clippers and made her way to the customer.
"I'll see you at five, Hinata!"
"S-sure thing!"
Hinata quickly made her way out of the shop, her next destination playfully dancing through her mind as she sped through the dirt streets of Konoha.
"Anko, I'm starting to worry. This place is practically your second home."
"Correction: this place practically is my home."
"It almost seems that way."
"Except it smells better."
Kurenai and Anko shared a quick laugh from the counter at Anko's favourite café. Treating each other to numerous cups of coffee, the dark-haired women released double-edged sighs – one part lax, one part miserable. The two Jonin had found themselves without the warmth of their lovers for almost a fortnight - the subject rapidly becoming a matter that almost ruled their conversation for a good majority of the morning. Dawning upon the unfortunately accurate conclusion that the two just weren't coping that well, Anko sipped her less-than-warm coffee and released a deep sigh, pulling the hair tie from the spiky bun atop her head and allowing her violet tresses to tumble down and dangle just above her waist.
"Ugh… it's been ages since I've had dessert…" Anko groaned, snaking her fingers through her long and straight hair, shaking it vigorously. Leaning miserably on the table and catching her face with her open palms, she stared longingly at the dark cup of half-finished cold coffee, reminded only of his dashing charm, his strong chest, his rigid physique... his gentle, intelligent eyes… strong, safe embrace…
She missed Kakashi. She missed him more than anything. What was worse, she had no idea when he was coming back.
"Just to double check; dessert as the euphemism, right?"
Anko shot Kurenai a glum side-glance, meeting her questioning scarlet eyes with gloom as she grumbled.
"… or the safe word."
Kurenai barely and unconvincingly choked back a snicker, pressing a finger to her tightening lips as she quickly closed her eyes. Anko released another discontented grunt.
"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, but… well…" Anko began before shifting uncomfortably, donning an adorable look of reminiscence, "… we both have a… sweet tooth…"
A loud snort echoed through the café as the scarcely avoided snicker avalanched into a piercingly loud cackle. Kurenai found herself leaning over the counter, face distorted as her breathing became terribly weighted. Anko tried to supress a small grin crossing the corner of her lips as she turned to Kurenai.
"Are you enjoying yourself?" she said, finding the laughter infectious as a slight giggle welled in her own throat. Kurenai turned to her, tears almost running down her cheeks as she began to motion some sort of act with her hands, desperately trying and miserably failing to maintain an air of decency.
"It's… it's just that Kakashi is -*snort*- so timid… just imagining him on his back screaming 'Anko, DESSERT, DESSERT!' Oh God, I think I'm gonna wet myself!"
The peaceful serenity that swaddled the café was quickly abolished with boisterous, childish laughter as Anko head-butted the counter, wheezing breaths through scarcely open lips as Kurenai folded an arm over her stomach and slapped a hand over her mouth. The two Jonin were sure they could have been heard in the next building, but having their attentions turned from their distant lovers for an ephemeral instant granted them a chance to laugh, to smile and, albeit briefly, to forget the loneliness.
"What makes it worse is that's actually happened more than once!" Anko blurted out, barely audible beneath the duos tightly shut eyes and raucous laughter. Residents in the café quickly caught the bug, sending titters and chuckles throughout the diner, even through the staff as they passed the cackling women. Passing the time thereafter with idle conversation and more coffee as their laughter eventually subsided, the pair quickly and inevitably found themselves on the subject of their respective lovers.
"I know what you mean," Kurenai said, idly stirring her drink as her thoughts drifted to a burly and bearded man. "I'm gonna go crazy if Asuma doesn't get back soon. Where did they go, anyway?"
"I don't even know. Hiruzen has them on some wild goose chase, following some rogue ninja or something. Last I heard, they were headed for Sunagakure."
Kurenai released a deep sigh, sipping her coffee as she and Anko shared a forlorn gaze at the darkened mixture in their cups.
"No chance they'll be back soon, then?" Kurenai offered, praying for a positive response. Anko rolled her eyes.
"They honestly can't be too much longer, it's been almost two weeks!" she argued, resting her chin on the countertop and sulking. "Bastard… longest mission I've had in the past three years was a grand total of four days!"
"But you got to spend that with him, at least?"
Anko's heavy heart finally gained a small breath of comfort, lifting the weight as Anko gently swooned to her first memories of Kakashi revealing his feelings for her.
"… I wish he'd say it more…"
"Sorry?"
Anko unknowingly mumbled her last thought, eyes widening upon the realisation. Turning to Kurenai, she immediately relaxed into an exasperated groan before flailing her arms. Girls can be girls, right?
"I wish he'd say that he loves me more," she whinged, cupping her hands around her coffee and bringing it to her nose. "He's the reason I drink so much of this crap… he reeks of the stuff whenever he returns from a mission…"
"I hear you," Kurenai said, forming a surreptitious grin over her reddened lips as her and Anko folded their legs in tandem. "Hate smoking, hate smokers, but God, do I miss the smell when he's not around…"
Kurenai and Anko exchanged glances, sharing a smile and a sigh before raising their cups of coffee, clinking mugs before taking another sip.
"To being whipped."
"Or, you know, you could say 'to being in love'?"
Spraying the countertop with coffee as they quickly choked in surprise, Anko and Kurenai turned towards the entrance to find Asuma and Kakashi leaning against the wooden pillars. Kakashi released a charming laugh as Asuma quickly shot a wide smile towards Kurenai.
"I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I checked your house first," Kakashi shot towards Anko, who quickly drew a large smile and removed herself from her seat as Kurenai quickly mopped the countertop. "I should have known that you'd be here."
"Yeah, you shoulda," Anko proclaimed, quickly walking towards him and punching him playfully in the shoulder, "and how about you tell me the next time you're gonna be gone for two weeks?"
"Same for you, Mister!" Kurenai said, quickly tailing Anko before making her way to the door and wrapping her arms around Asuma. Returning her gesture with muscular arms, Asuma embraced Kurenai before laughing happily.
"Very well then," he said, turning to and placing a wrist on Kakashi's shoulder, "welcome home, Kakashi."
Kakashi turned to Asuma, returning the gesture.
"Oh, yeah, welcome home, Asuma. Gee, wouldn't it be nice to hear those words from our partners?" he said playfully, shooting a quick glance to Anko who had folded her arms and sarcastically raised her brows.
"Yeah, ya know, that'd be just swell-!"
Kurenai halted Asuma's speech by lovingly covering his lips with her own. Anko, not one to be shown up, grabbed Kakashi's face mask, swiftly lowering it before seizing his collar and pulling his lips onto hers. Fierce flames of desire quickly erupted beneath the flurry of passions as Kurenai rested her hands on Asuma's chest and Anko lazily draped her arms around Kakashi's neck. After two weeks, two long weeks, they two Jonin would finally fall asleep in the arms of their lovers. Anko hesitantly pulled herself from Kakashi's lips, savouring the prominent smell of coffee and eyeing him mischievously as he mirrored her playful smirk.
"Welcome enough for you?" she teased, widening her smile to show her pearly whites. Kakashi shrugged, running a hand through her long hair.
"For now, at least," he remarked, turning his attention to her hair as his face began to redden. Anko tittered childishly.
"Nawww, you still blush when I kiss you, sweetie!" she trilled, crinkling her nose and continuing to giggle as Kurenai joined in and Asuma turned to the couple. Kakashi shrugged – he knew it, they knew it… it was practically pointless to try to hide it.
"Who wouldn't? With the way you kiss, I'm lucky to be standing," he replied, to which Anko turned to Asuma and Kurenai, removing her arms from Kakashi's neck and placing a hand on his chest.
"Hinata," she started, then placed a hand upon herself, "Naruto."
Asuma and Kurenai laughed loudly as Kakashi rolled his eyes.
"In my defence, I've only fainted once from kissing you, and your hair looks fantastic when it's out," said Kakashi, trailing off in thought as he ran his fingers through Anko's long tresses. Asuma shrugged, taking Kurenai's hand and turning to Kakashi and Anko.
"Well, I dunno about you two, but I'm about ready to take this one to lunch," he said, turning to Kurenai and then returning to the two Jonin. "The more, the merrier, if you're interested?"
Anko quickly folded an arm around Kakashi's waist, smiling as he courteously placed an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close.
"Where to?"
"Bye, mum! I'll be back tomorrow, ok?"
Ino called back towards her mother as she quickly came dashing out of the house. Hinata, Sakura, Sasuke, Kiba, Akamaru and Naruto were all waiting for her, each with an overnight bag slung over their shoulder, under their arms or on their backs.
"Ready?" Hinata asked, taking Naruto's hand as Ino joined the rest of the group. Swinging her bag over her shoulder and quickly puffing her long hair out of her face, she smiled and nodded.
"All set!"
"And just quickly," Kiba added, looking towards Akamaru who was cosily snuggled on his head underneath his hood, "it's ok to bring Akamaru, right?"
Hinata smiled and nodded, motioning to the group.
"O-of course, Kiba! Come on e-everyone, let's go!"
The group happily made their way towards the Hyuga Estate, shooting stories of missions and trainings back and forth, spouting laughs and joyous banter as they made their way along. Happening upon the main entrance, Hinata greeted the guards.
"These are my guests; they'll be staying the night. Have the preparations been made for the bedrooms?"
The first Hyuga guard nodded, turning to his counterpart and proceeding to push the doors of the main gate open.
"Everything has been prepared, Hinata. We hope that your friends enjoy their…"
The guard paused as he spied Naruto cautiously, seeming to forget that he could speak when he observed the Jinchuriki holding the heiress' hand.
"… stay…"
"Thank you!" Hinata quickly replied, bowing low as the two guards did the same. Observing the group of Genin entering the compound and glimpsing Hinata's hand closed over Naruto's, the guards quickly closed the door behind them, exchanging glances.
"Hiashi is… ummm…"
"Yeah, my thoughts exactly."
"… and this is the main training room!" Hinata exclaimed, halfway through giving her tour of the estate. Opening the sliding door to reveal a large and grandiose room, paved with sheets of white and keeping in similarity to the remainder of the establishment, the group slowly made their way inside. Kiba and Naruto quickly jumped to the centre of the empty hall, looking around excitedly as Akamaru barked happily atop Kiba's head.
"Awww man! Just imagine some of the sick sparring matches that have happened here!" said Kiba, taking an overwhelming interest in the floor, searching for dents and scratches.
"Yeah, yeah! I'll bet that Hiashi has kicked every butt of every ninja that's ever come in here! He's like the strongest old guy I know! Well, apart from Grandpa Hokage!" joked Naruto, forming a hand sign and bowing.
"So I see you've found our training room rather easily."
Hinata, Ino, Sakura and Sasuke quickly turned around to find Hiashi standing directly behind them, his stern and authoritative look as prevalent as always. Hinata quickly stationed herself before him, bowing quickly.
"Father! These are my friends, the ones that I was telling you about!" Hinata replied happily, turning to Sakura, Sasuke and Ino as the three bowed.
"Pleasure to meet you, sir."
Hiashi smiled, raising a hand.
"Welcome to the Hyuga Estate. It's very easy to see why Hinata has made such friends as you. You all seem very resp-"
Hiashi's tone suddenly died, presumably along with Hiashi. Turning sheet white, the head of the Hyuga house twitched suddenly as he laid his eyes on the unnamed guests.
"H-H-Hinata, wh-who are th-they?" he stammered, surprising Hinata momentarily before she suddenly remembered why she was apprehensive to bring Naruto here – she didn't think Hiashi liked Naruto!
"O-oh, that's… ummm, N-N-Naruto U-Uzumaki a-and Kiba I-Inuzuka," Hinata stuttered, furiously poking her fingers together, suddenly almost collapsing due to a semi-nervous breakdown. Ino quickly took to her side.
"Hinata! Are you alright? You got really red all of a sudden!"
Alerting each other to the commotion on the opposite side of the room, Naruto and Kiba quickly met the pale eyes of one Hiashi Hyuga, immediately forcing their jaws to the floor.
"N-no way!"
Hiashi winced nervously, taking a semi defensive stance as the two boys came racing towards him.
"Wow! Master Hiashi Hyuga! It's an honour to meet you, sir!" Naruto said, bowing low and smiling.
"A real honour, sir!" Kiba reiterated, bowing as Naruto had. Hiashi swallowed a brick in his throat as he darted between Hinata and Naruto.
"… the pleasure's… mine, I… assure you… why is… why is Naruto here?"
Naruto seemed hardly taken aback by the question and, much to Hinata's dismay, seemed only too eager to answer.
"Oh, that's easy! It's because we were all gonna have a sleepover at Ino's house, but then Hinata couldn't come, so we all decided to come to her place instead! You know, 'bring the party to you' kinda thing? Oh, uh… sir!"
Hiashi continued to shake as he turned to Hinata, who was unable to look him in the eyes as she practically sanded the ends off of her index fingers.
"… and you are a friend of my daughter's, then?" he asked hesitantly. Hinata suddenly popped her head up, her skin colour almost as sheet white as her eyes, clasping a hand over her mouth as she saw Naruto eagerly waiting to answer. Only one problem there - in the month that she'd been going out with the boy, she still had yet to tell her father about it!
'Oh God, oh God, Oh GOD , OH GOD! OH GOD, OH GOD! OH GOD! OH GOD! OHGOD! OHGOD! OHGOD! OHGODOHGODHOHGODOHGODOHGOD-!'
"Oh, I'm more than a friend, Master Hiashi!"
'Oh god, please Naruto, no! Don't tell him! Don't tell him, don't tell him, don't tell him…'
Hiashi craned his neck towards his daughter, fear consuming his eyes at the thought. He prayed that he'd heard wrong.
"M-m-more th-than a f-friend? Wh-what d-do you mean b-by th-tha…" Hiashi's thoughts were severed as the realisation suddenly dawned upon him. Hinata could no longer feel her fingers as she swore smoke was coming from the tips.
'Oh my goodness… this is happening…'
"I'm-"
Hinata swallowed, darting between Hiashi and Naruto so fast she thought she might get whiplash as Hiashi darted between Naruto and Hinata just as intensely.
"-Hinata's-"
For the first time in their lives, the Hyuga's were thinking the exact same thing:
'OH DEAR GOD NO, PLEASE DEAR GOD NO, DON'T SAY IT! PLEASE DON'T SAY IT! NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NONONONONONONONONONONONONO-'
"-boyfriend!"
'Boyfriend.'
'BOYFRIEND.'
'BOYFRIEND!'
'BOYFRIEND!'
*Thump!*
"A-ah! Master Hiashi! A-are you alright? Y-you just fainted all of a sudden!" cried Naruto, as Kiba and himself quickly rushed to Hiashi's side. The Hyuga leader had found himself sprawled comically halfway out of the open sliding door, eyes spinning as a very strange, high-pitched giggle seemed to be escaping his mouth.
*Thump!*
"Oh, god, he's hysterical! Someone call the- wait, what was th-"
Before Naruto could finish his thought, he turned to Ino, Sakura and Sasuke. Finding the exact same look and high pitched giggle coming from Hinata as she lay on the floor, still managing to feverishly twist her index fingers together, Naruto's mouth dropped open as he dashed to her side, panic-stricken as Ino and Sakura could barely hold back a laugh.
"Awww, come on! I wasn't even near her this time!"
More cuteness to come - let me know what you think! :D
R 'n' R, good writing to all!
LS.