The courtship of Naruto Uzumaki

XXX VI. Happy Birthday, Naruto

"What do you think of his story, Shikamaru?" Tsunade asked after Leiko Iseki had been taken to a cell in the basement of the ninja complex by Naruto and Kiba following a retelling of his story, and a lengthy question and answer session. She sat comfortably behind her desk while Shikamaru, Sakura, Hinata and Choji stood before her to analyze the interview.

Of all her shinobi—even the older ones—Shikamaru was the best at analysis. He tended to treat every situation as a puzzle that required a solution. He wasn't always right, but he always had valuable insight.

"I think that whatever his reasons for helping his brother in the beginning what he told us today is what he now believes is the truth," he responded carefully after some consideration. Sometimes he cursed having a brain. How could he ever be just an average shinobi when he couldn't make his thought processes average? And unfortunately, Asuma, his first team leader had clued Tsunade in on the way he worked—or tried not to—when she'd first become Hokage so he couldn't get away with just getting by any more. If he didn't have something to say she was all over him—reminding him way too much of his mom. Women! Why was he always surrounded by aggressive, domineering women? Why could they never just leave him alone?

"That's no answer. Is he lying or not? Couldn't he be acting?" Sakura asked in exasperation. Shikamaru had an annoying way of sounding deep when he really said nothing. She preferred concrete, indisputable facts. She was much better with facts than with speculation. She could memorize facts. She was always good at memorizing information. Stringing the facts together into some logical sequence was not always her forte.

"That's always a possibility, but I've listened to the complete story twice now. If you remember— seeing that you were a witness—I also questioned him informally on the way back to Konoha. I heard nothing contradictory during that time, but we were in a darkened caravan—I couldn't study his mannerisms as well then. I was able to observe Iseki more closely through the second telling of his story."

"What could you learn hearing it twice?" Sakura didn't have the benefit of hearing Iseki's tale twice nor had she paid close attention on the way back to Konoha. She'd been too enthralled by the vampires. They'd been grotesque in their apparent death. They'd reached rigor almost instantly once staked. She definitely wanted to be involved in their study. She only wished Shizune were back from her mission to share in this fascinating examination.

"Actually, quite a bit. Iseki didn't tell his story in exactly the same way using exactly the same words the second time as if it was practiced and memorized. He didn't avoid answering direct questions or answering questions with questions. He didn't exhibit any physical signs of lying like looking up in the air to the left, making eye contact too infrequently, showing little facial expression, frequently touching his face or holding his arms and legs close to his body protectively."

"Not everyone exhibits textbook signs of lying. Really, Shikamaru, isn't acting his job? Wouldn't he be versed in those telltale signs? What's makes you so certain is wasn't just acting?" Sakura challenged although she was actually impressed by his observational skills. She still found it hard to believe that the lazy, napping, goof-off she'd gone to school with had actually been the smartest kid in class. She'd always thought that she and Sasuke were the smartest ones—they'd gotten the highest marks on every test. It was very irritating to hear Shikamaru figure things out so effortlessly when she often found analysis a struggle.

He shrugged. "I don't believe he's talented enough to fool me. He demonstrates all the signs of someone held hostage who through self-preservation develops a dependent relationship with his captor. That this relationship was based on a real and close previous relationship only made it more difficult for him to break away. He was tied by bonds of blood—in more ways than one," he explained with exaggerated patience. It was tiresome to always have to explain everything. Why was he the only one to get stuff?

"How does Chiyoko Maeda fit into the equation? He seemed to have no tangible ties to her. He didn't even try to protect her, did he?"

"Again, I'm just speculating, but I believe as Iwao Iseki's sire, she was technically the dominant vampire. She was older and more experienced, however she depended on him to take care of her. In turn, Leiko Iseki took care of them both although, I don't think Leiko felt any real ties to her. He feared her with good reason since she could kill him at any time. That fear came across with the dislike and distaste he exhibited when he spoke of her. That makes me think that the ties between the two brothers had remained closer than victim and predator otherwise the she vampire would have had a greater hold on Leiko Iseki. His feelings would have been closer to stark hatred rather than merely dislike if she had been an active threat to him. His brother must have become a buffer between the two possibly for familial reasons. Maybe under further questioning Iseki would be able to understand this for himself—or not." He shrugged. "I don't think the reasons are important for our purposes. We can decide his guilt or innocence based on his actions not on his feelings."

"That may well be, however, it would be nice to understand as much as possible about vampires and the thrall they can hold on their victims. Chances are this is not an isolated phenomenon. We may have to deal with them again in the future. I'd like to be better prepared in that eventuality," Tsunade spoke before Sakura could object again to Shikamaru's conclusions. Ordinarily, she welcomed this sort of discussion because it brought out valuable ideas, but everyone was exhausted from their long night. She could see Choji and Hinata visibly drooping as they tried to remain alert while offering nothing substantive to the discussion. Even Shikamaru and Sakura were showing signs of fatigue. They were all still young, and usually full of energy, but not as used to pacing themselves as they would be with a few more years experience. Even at eighteen, as all of them were, they had not reached their full potential as ninja. Their best years were still ahead of them.

"I hope waking the vampires won't be necessary to answer all your questions. Besides their superior strength, they're very cunning and ruthless. I don't know if we can contain active vampires even with the best security of our prison," Shikamaru cautioned. He never wanted to have to fight those creatures again—not in this lifetime. He still couldn't quite believe how calm he'd remained fighting a childhood horror story. Being eaten by someone once human seemed more horrifying than being eaten by an animal. He didn't know why. It must be a visceral thing. Now that he knew how to kill them, taking one down would be easier, but still difficult without help. If he'd made one false move in his fight with that she vampire, and she'd gotten her fangs into him, he would have been a goner.

"No, I don't want to wake them, but I do intend to run some experiments before we burn their bodies past redemption. I certainly don't want any chance of them coming back to full strength. I, also, want to perform a thorough examination on Leiko Iseki, too. I'll be damned sure he's human before I let him go."

"You're going to release him?" Sakura asked with a frown. "Shouldn't he bear some responsibility since he knew of the attacks, but didn't stop them?"

"He was technically a hostage to the vampires, Sakura. I think they just sucked away his self-esteem, his will, and his hope. He was no more responsible than a child," Shikamaru defended if only on principle. He'd like to win one fight—any fight—against a female this day. He didn't count his fight with the she vampire as a win for himself. If Choji hadn't shown him the way, he would have fought until dawn thinking that to be her weakness, and probably have been taken down himself. Sakura would be a worthy opponent to best if only with words.

"What do you think, Lady Tsunade?" Sakura tried bringing in the big guns.

She rested her chin on her folded hands. "If Shikamaru's convinced Iseki had no personal hand in the attacks or killings then I'm inclined to consider him a victim. Of course, we'll question him more thoroughly to be certain. I have a new medic who specializes in mental disorders. He'd be interested in studying Iseki to find out the effects of living so long in the company of vampires. He likes unusual cases. If Iseki passes all our examinations—mental and physical, I see no reason to forcing him into the prison system. One could make the claim that he's been a prisoner for 19 years already. I think that punishment enough under the circumstances."

"What about the other members of the acting troupe?" Sakura asked moving on quickly since she'd lost that skirmish.

"Once we're fully staffed again, I'd like to send someone to seek them out, and question them. I'd like to be certain there are no other vampires in that troupe. Perhaps when we release Iseki we can escort him to a reunion with his troupe."

"That could be months from now."

She waved her hand airily. "I'm well aware of that. He can send a message to his troupe. We'll keep him busy here until we can spare someone to accompany him. That's just another price he'll have to pay for his unfortunate circumstances. If he really feels the guilt he seems to then that will be a small price to pay."

Naruto and Kiba burst into the room as she stopped speaking.

"What did we miss?" Naruto demanded panting. He'd run all the back from the detention area with Kiba at his heels not wanting to be left out of anything. He'd already missed too much of the excitement when that stupid vampire had paralyzed him.

Akamaru had stayed in the lobby. He tended to knock things over, break things, and damage doors and door frames in the narrow corridors and rooms of the ninja complex. It had been suggested quite forcefully on more than one occasion that he remain downstairs.

"Nothing you need to worry about, Naruto," Sakura told him. She considered his abrupt entrance into the room an unconscionable breach of protocol—but so like Naruto.

"Well? Is he guilty? What do you think, Shikamaru?" He didn't acknowledge her comment since he didn't want to waste time with an argument, but went straight to the source for answers.

"What do you think, Naruto?" Sakura asked before Shikamaru could answer. She didn't like being ignored. He never used to do that. She gave Hinata a quick frown blaming her for Naruto's inattention. Unfortunately, she wasn't paying any attention to Sakura either.

Naruto had no problem giving his opinion. "I feel sorry for him. I don't think he had anything to do with the killings. I think he just helped his brother when he had to," Naruto said without hesitation.

Choji laughed. "That's pretty much what Shikamaru said, but with a lot more words. What do you think about that, Shikamaru?"

He laughed in response. Naruto. That guy's gut could challenge Shikamaru's brain any day. "Naruto's smarter than he looks," he drawled.

"Hey—" Naruto protested. He didn't get very far in his complaint once everyone else started laughing, too. That sort of thing used to make him mad, but now that he was older he could take a little teasing without blowing his top. Besides, he had Hinata on his side now. She never laughed at his expense. Even now, she just took his hand, squeezed it, and smiled sweetly into his eyes. He felt so pleased with her that he just laughed along with the others, and allowed Tsunade to shoo him with everyone else out of her office with exhortations to get some rest so they'd be ready for their next shifts on patrol and guard duty.

Surprisingly, they all shuffled along without comment. It was a very good day when her shinobi followed orders without question, protest or attitude. Now that her village wasn't being threatened by an unknown assailant, she could do with some rest herself. But she wouldn't allow herself to completely relax until all her shinobi were once again under her care.

That was her nindo way.

The little house smelled sooo good.

Hinata had been baking from daybreak to have everything fresh and ready for the afternoon's festivities.

First she'd made a kasutera cake with whipped cream and fresh fruit between layers. She wished it could have been strawberries. Naruto liked strawberries, but they were no longer in season. She'd had to resort to raspberries, blackberries and plums to flavor her cake. Then she'd baked small daifuku cakes with chocolate filling. Last she'd made mizu-yokan, dorayaki, and anmitsu to offer a variety of sweets to the party attendees. She'd wanted something sweet to tempt every palette.

She'd planned the event for after lunchtime hoping everyone would realize to save their dessert for the party. She'd wanted a purely fun, frivolous, informal birthday party for Naruto. She didn't want him to have a party like the ones she'd had growing up. Her birthday parties had always been formal, family affairs, long, boring and ceremonial. As the Hyuga family heir, she'd always been reminded of her dignity and exalted status from the lesser branches of the family. She'd always hated it, never feeling worthy, and was glad that her father had transferred his interests to her younger sister. She was much happier now than she'd ever been growing up under her father's censorious thumb. Her confidence had only increased once she'd given up pleasing his impossible standards.

She was so thankful they'd solved the mystery of the vampire attacks. It would have been difficult to relax enough for a celebration, and now most of Naruto's friends still in the village could come to his party without shirking some vital duty. This was the first party she'd ever planned, and she wanted it to be perfect. She wanted it to be the best birthday party Naruto ever had.

Naruto had been disappointed when she'd told him she couldn't see him that day. His disappointment had given her a little thrill besides a little feeling of guilt. The guilt would be explained away once he showed up at the ninja complex, and found his surprise party. The thrill would be with her for a long time. She still couldn't quite believe that she and Naruto were a couple. How many people could claim that their dreams had actually come true? She never in her wildest dreams thought this day would ever come.

Lady Tsunade had played a great part in making this celebration come true. She'd helped Hinata organize staff to help her, and a place for the party. When Lady Tsunade asked no one could refuse.

Shino was manning the front gate during the party. He'd told her that he wasn't much for parties when she'd sought out someone for that duty. He had no problem filling in if she needed him. Her first thought had been Neiji, but she still didn't feel comfortable asking him. She knew he no longer felt as angry towards the main branch of the family as he'd done when younger, but she still didn't feel she'd won his respect. She always fancied a sneer just twitching on the corner of his mouth whenever he looked at her. He was more powerful than she was, and would probably always be so, not only because he was male while she was female, but more so because he'd developed his abilities on his own while she'd been given every guidance and instruction available. He was more driven, and more gifted than she in the family skills. If they had to fight today, she would hope to give him a tougher bout then their one meeting during their first chûnin exam, but still he would undoubtedly win. It was a lowering thought, but she was thankful there was no reason for her to fight him to prove it.

Kiba, Choji and Shikamaru were coming to help her carry everything to the ninja complex. Sakura, Ino and Tenten had agreed to help her set up for the party. Lady Tsunade was keeping Naruto and Naomi busy. So far everything was going perfectly. She'd never felt so confident in her arrangements. It was a heady feeling.

The other people she'd invited, Lee, Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon arrived just as expected. She made and served tea to everyone while they waited. Lady Tsunade was detailed with bringing Naruto and Naomi at the proper time.

Everyone stood around awkwardly as if they'd never done this before.

Shikamaru kept Choji away from the food. He was already salivating as he studied the buffet of desserts. It didn't matter in the least that he, Shikamaru, and Ino had eaten a hearty barbeque lunch. That was over an hour ago. When Hinata had described all the treats she'd made while he helped bring them over for the party, he'd just grown hungrier in anticipation.

Sakura and Lee weren't arguing as usual. They seemed to have made up their differences. She was holding onto his arm, and he was beaming his pleasure at the company. It was nice to see them a happy, united couple.

Ino was chatting to Kiba. He wasn't doing much chatting back, but he wasn't trying to get away either. She still hadn't gotten him to ask her out, but she had every confidence that they would be going out soon—even if she had to ask him.

Konohamaru, Moegi and Udon were standing sort of together, but they still hadn't resolved their differences. Udon, in themiddle, looked anxiously from one to the other. Moegi watched Konohamaru out of the corner of her eyes, but barely spoke to him. Konohamaru watched the door for Naomi, and hoped Moegi wouldn't embarrass him by behaving rudely again.

Hinata kept busy serving tea while she awaited Naruto. Now she was suddenly having doubts. Would he like having a surprise birthday party? Would he like the cake she'd made? Would he like her present? Had she remembered to invite everyone he'd want at his party?

But she needn't have worried about anything. When Naruto walked through the door, and everybody yelled 'Happy birthday, Naruto and Naomi!,' it was the happiest moment of his life.

His mouth gaped open in surprise, then he started grinning. She'd never seen him smile so widely before. "Wow! A birthday party? For me? And Naomi?"

"Of course, Naruto. It's your birthday tomorrow isn't it?" Tsunade asked indulgently. It was nice seeing Naruto the center of attention for a positive reason for a change.

"Yeah, yeah. Nobody ever had a birthday party for me before."

"Hinata planned it."

"Hinata." He looked over at her anxiously looking back at him. His heart swelled. No one had ever done anything like this for him before. No one had ever cared about him the way she seemed to care. He walked towards her brushing quickly through his well wishers, and took her hands in his. "Hinata," he said in a voice breaking with emotion. "Hinata." He didn't know what to say.

"Naruto, are you ready to open your presents or would you rather have cake first?" she asked softly. She'd never seen that look on his face before. He looked dazed. Was he pleased?

"Presents? And cake, too? Wow! Hinata. Wow!" She'd told him that she wanted to celebrate Naomi's birthday, and had asked him for a present to give her, but he hadn't even suspected that he was included in the surprise.

"Say 'Let's eat!' C'mon Naruto, we can't eat until you do," Choji interrupted slapping him on the back. "Happy birthday, buddy."

Choji's interruption seemed to break the spell on Naruto. He turned to the buffet. "Did you bake all this, Hinata? Really?"

"Would you like a piece of cake, Naruto?" she asked shyly.

"Oh, yeah! I want a piece of everything. If you baked it, it's got to be great."

She blushed.

"It all really does look wonderful, Hinata," Sakura added. "Ino and I can serve. Everybody get in line. Naruto and Naomi first," she ordered.

Everybody lined up under Sakura's instructions.

Naruto filled his plate with a sample of everything. Naomi had half as much. Hinata gave them tea, and followed them over to the table filled with presents.

"Are those for me—and Naomi?" he asked her. Nobody had ever given him a birthday present before. Neither of his two adult male role models, Jiraiya and Kakashi had ever taken much stock in birthdays. Everything he had was either earned or won. He didn't even know what people gave for birthday presents, but he was eager to find out.

"I've never had a birthday party," Naomi admitted excitedly. She felt as overwhelmed by the attention as Naruto. She never knew birthdays were acknowledged in this way. It was awesome.

"May this be the first of many for you both," Hinata wished them both. She found it so very sad and touching that these two people, one very dear to her, and one becoming dear to her, should have never had their birth celebrated. She was doubly glad now that she'd arranged this party.

After everyone had demolished all the treats on the buffet, Naruto and Naomi were the center of attention while everyone watched them open presents. There were plants, candy, charms, and books just to name a few things among the gifts.

But the two presents that Naomi cherished the most was a gold, charm bracelet from Naruto, and a blue silk scarf from Konohamaru. Hinata's gift of an intricately carved sandalwood box for keepsakes was also nice, but it didn't have quite the same impact of the other two gifts. She would never forget her first present from her only relative, and her first present from a boy who wasn't related to her at all.

Naruto was thrilled by everything. Just the fact that Shikamaru would buy him a book, Choji a box of chocolates, and Kiba a plant was mind staggering. He couldn't wait to buy everyone a present for their birthdays. But the two gifts he would cherish the most was a new frog purse from Naomi, hand painted to resemble Gama Bunta (she'd confessed that Hinata had helped her with the idea and execution), and the black robe with the orange nine-tailed fox embroidered on the back from Hinata. It was the nicest and fanciest piece of clothing he'd ever owned. He loved it, and put it on immediately to strut happily around his party, thanking his friends for the gifts.

This was the best day of his life, and he had Hinata to thank for it all. He couldn't wait for her birthday so he could show her just how much she meant to him. She was absolutely the most wonderful girl he'd ever known. How lucky he was to have Hinata as a girlfriend. He was happier than he'd ever been in his life.

Hinata was feeling pretty happy herself.

Naruto and Naomi had been so thrilled by the party that Hinata had basked in their pleasure knowing she was responsible. Nothing had gone wrong. Everyone had been on their best behavior. Everyone had brought wonderful gifts. She'd seen a plan of hers achieve a brilliant success. It was the best day of her life.

Tsunade and Konohamaru had helped Naomi carry her gifts home.

Naruto had carried his booty back to his place. He'd made arrangements to take Hinata to dinner later to thank her privately for a wonderful birthday party.

Kiba, Shikamaru, and Choji had helped Hinata carry all the party dishes back to her house. She asked Kiba to take Shino some cake she'd saved for him as a thank you for minding the front gate.

She washed everything, put it away, and was just sitting down to rest before getting ready to go out with Naruto in a few hours, when there was a knock at the door.

Who could it be? She'd already seen almost everyone she knew earlier.

She opened the door, then opened her mouth in surprise at her visitor. Before she could say anything a question was thrown at her that had her completely flummoxed.

"Hinata. Will you marry me?"

THE END