Chapter 18: Identical
Music drowns out Neji's voice, but Naruto doesn't need to hear him to know he's mad.
No, pissed.
His white eyes hold that same intensity to them, the very same glare Hiashi gave him just days ago.
"Is it true? Is it true?! I'm going to be an aunt?!" Hanabi's voice breaks through the tension, eagerly bouncing up and down attempting to push through the door to reach her sister.
"Ah, well err now isn't the best time-"Naruto begins.
"Yes, it is." Neji interrupts, cutting in as he pushed the door open wide enough for him to see the commotion inside.
And Hinata sitting in the center of the living room, blindfolded.
Naruto winches. 'Of all the things he could've walked in on…'
His eyes widen a fraction in pure horror, darkening as he twisted his gaze from Naruto to Hinata then back again.
"What the hell type of party is this?!"
Hanabi oohs in excitement, clapping her hands together delightfully. "Isn't it obvious? An adult party!"
So this is the secret life Hinata's been hiding from her!
Before either can stop her she strides into the crowd proudly, beaming at all the attention slowly being directed towards them.
"Aren't you-?" Sakura begins as Hanabi made her way forward through the line, cutting her off with a nod.
"Why yes, I am Hinata's sister; Hanabi Hyuga! And you must be Sakura Haruno going by my sister's descriptions of her friends. So…tell me, what type of game is this? I want to be in on the fun too!" Hanabi announced.
"Oh no you won't, you're not old enough nor mature enough to understand any of…whatever this is!" Neji remarked, reaching forth to shield her eyes from seeing anything else.
Never mind the strange looks of the other guests, he wasn't going to expose another family member to the strange things Hinata and Naruto liked to partake in.
Hanabi dug her nails into his arms, thankful she hadn't decided to cut them last night as Neji reluctantly loosened his hold enough for her to slip out.
"Stop it; I'm not a child for your information! Geez, you're embarrassing me and yourself with your constant stick in the mud attitude!" She hissed, crossing her arms against her chest.
Neji scoffed, shaking his head. "Embarrassing? You're not even 18 yet and your actions tonight running off without telling anybody just shows how irresponsible your thinking still is!"
"Going to visit my sister isn't 'irresponsible! And besides, I did say where I was going, you're the one wanted to follow along because you think I'll somehow be corrupted just by looking at the opposite sex!"
'Are Neji and Hanabi here?' Hinata frowned at the rising voices, peeking up from her blindfold.
Indeed, her sister and cousin are bickering only a few steps away.
The air has become heated and tense from their arrival, her friends stepping back from the argument and casting nervous flickers to elsewhere or walking off into another area.
Naruto catches her eye, shaking his head at her silent questioning.
He didn't exactly know why they were here either.
But nothing could be done about it now, she slowly rose from her seat and walked towards the duo.
"Enough."
The firmness of her tone cuts through their shouting match, both turning to face her.
Hanabi is the first to switch from frustration to joy, glancing at her baby bump before letting out a joyful squeal.
"Father said you were expecting, though I had to see it for myself; that's why he's so upset, right? Is it a boy or a girl?! Oh, and when are you due? I thought you said sex before marriage was wrong and-"
"Hanabi, too many questions. Not now." Hinata sighs, shaking her head as she felt her cheeks burn.
And her chest twinges as the spark in her lavender eyes dull, lips dropping back into a frown.
"Sorry." She whispers.
Hinata shook her head, parting a hand through her auburn locks affectionately. She stiffened at the gesture for a moment before relaxing.
The crowd slowly eased up as Ino boasted about mixed drinks and embarrassing stories to share from the kitchen, the pressure of dozens of eyes watching them slowly easing away.
"Why didn't you tell me you were having a baby shower?" Hanabi went on, stepping out of her hold.
"Because it would have brought you into a world you weren't ready for yet. I'm sure Hinata didn't want to expose you into potentially making the same mistakes she has." Neji brought up.
Hinata opened her mouth to respond, gritting her teeth to stop herself.
'No, don't be ugly back.'
Still, her stomach coiled tightly at his words, eyes growing watery as she looked away.
Naruto's hand comes to wrap around her and she does a double take as she realizes his arm is far furrier than normal.
He's transforming.
"Neji, you know we aren't some type of wild perverts. This is more about me than any of Hinata's actions, isn't it?" Naruto growls, voice unmistakably deeper too.
And Neji notices it as well.
"I…I didn't mean any harm by my words or by coming here. Please relax."
"No! You just called our son, our son that could one day look up to you like an Uncle a mistake!" He practically roared, hair on his arms bristling up as bloody red eyes narrowed.
Fox ears perked up, ready to hear if he would have a smartass remark to that.
Hinata patted his arm gently, all too aware of at least 4 tails coming to wrap around her sides.
Anyone who walked out of the kitchen and saw Naruto at this moment would probably scream, faint, or do both.
"Naruto, you need to calm down. This is supposed to be a celebratory and fun party, don't let your anger get to you."
She fingered the key charm around her neck, hoping it would trigger him to gaze to his own.
But Naruto is only baring his fangs towards Neji, sharpening nails itching to tear at him…
"Naruto, I said calm down!" She repeated a bit louder.
And when he still doesn't look her way, she puts her hands to his face and forces him to. A sudden heat sears through her belly and up, breathe coming in quick pants to calm rising ire.
Whatever he sees makes his eyes grow, warm and bright blue orbs abruptly returning back.
"Hinata…are you okay?" He asks, concern and awe in his expression making her heart pound just a bit faster.
'Why is he looking at me like that?'
She smiled, nodding her head. "I'm fine. I should be the one asking you that anyways."
His fingers reach forth though to her head, brushing against an object she knew definitely hadn't been there before.
Her breathing stills as she traces his path.
"You have fox ears."
-X-
"Your future in-laws seem nice, I mean I'm sure they'll come around eventually." Sakura attempted. Ino immediately nudges her with a look, though she ignores it.
Naruto shrugged, gazing at white puffs of his breath disappear in the night as he took out another bag filled with trash to the curb.
The party couldn't be salvaged after such a fiasco.
The streets are damp from mist coming in, skies shrouded in gray lit up with the faint glow of red from the streetlights. It would probably be foggy by the time morning light rolled in.
Speaking of which, it's almost 12:30 am now. Why haven't these two gone home yet like everyone else?
'Right, they said they weren't leaving without answers first.' His thoughts answered for him.
"Were you ever going to tell us you could sprout fox ears and tails when you get mad? As a matter of fact, were either of you going to bring up that Hinata has the same issue?!" Sakura asks bluntly, stuffing crushed beer bottles into the recycling bin with a bit too much force.
This is the 5th time she's asked him since running to check on the commotion when they became too loud in the living room and the 5th time he'll refuse to give a response back.
At least Neji and Hanabi had the decency to say they could discuss this matter another time over lunch next week or something.
Well really, Neji just looked too sick to say anything after Hinata gained fox ears as well…
"Listen, we knew something was up from the moment you kept requesting Hinata as a client back at Jewel after Hours, but if there's something about you that you spread to her, we want to be able to help in any way possible!" Ino attempts.
"I don't know what caused it either though! It's the first time Hinata's gained fox features since we started going out!" Naruto huffed, exasperated by them following him around.
Not even Sai or Sasuke could've convinced them leave (stating in unison they'd call for taxis), adamantly staying by Hinata's side and inevitably his.
"Sasuke said you've been having this problem since puberty or when you get around women you find attractive. There has to be some connection there!" Sakura suggests.
"We'll ask Tsunade to look into it." He responds, hoping that will satisfy her.
Her face retains a scowl before she eventually sighs and gives in with a nod.
And he manages to convince the pair that it really is getting late, he doesn't have all the answers to their questions.
Or even the ones he has now.
Hinata hugs the duo goodbye as they pick up their belongings, reddening as their gazes linger far too long between her and Naruto.
"You know you can call us for anything at any time, right?" Sakura questions just as they get to the door.
The taxi honks again from below, figure of a young man appearing from the shadows to frown impatiently.
Ino sends him a glare strong enough to return him back to said driver's seat.
"Of course. I promise I'll inform you two of everything I learn as soon as I can." Hinata breathes back, squeezing her back just as tightly.
It's only once the taxi disappears into the dark does her straining smile finally dull, fisting her hand gently across her stomach.
"Well, that was some party; wasn't it? I'm sorry Sakura and Ino were so pushy with you, they bombarded you with so many questions…" Hinata trailed off.
And she had absolutely no idea how to explain away this all.
'Yes, Naruto gets fox ears and tails when he gets overexcited sometimes and apparently I do too now. Don't worry, we're still the same as ever though!'
Time wasn't going to let this issue just blow over.
Naruto laughed, shaking his head as he led them back inside. The room smelled with remnants of cake and alcohol, Hinata sniffing the air before wrinkling her nose.
"Do you think we truly got the last of all the leftovers? It seems like there must be some hiding in other spots." She muses, walking around surprisingly well in the dark finding scraps of food hidden by the sofa cushions and plants.
"It's not just your ears, your nose has gone into overdrive as well." Naruto whispers, pressing her back against him.
He isn't sure what to make of it, but…he likes it.
'It's probably due to the pregnancy, don't get used to it.' A nagging thought pops into his mind, but he pushes it aside to dip a kiss into her neck, smirking at the heat that rises as her pulse point beats to life.
"I don't know about you, but I can get used to not be the only one in this city who gets fox qualities when excited." He purrs lowly.
Fingers thread and weave a path down her shoulder, coming to rest at the groove of her stomach where her baby bump ends.
"Are you going to stop me?" He poses.
Tsunade said to keep his hormones in check, but she said nothing about hers.
And right now they both need distractions off of this crazy night, tipping each other to the edge until one of them gives in.
A flash of unmistakable scarlet glitters and vanishes in Hinata's eyes as she turns to face him.
"Should I?" She questions back.
He beams, locking her place as they back into a corner hallway.
"Of course not."
-X-
"You'll only have 15 minutes to impress them, so give it your all." Tsunade's voice echoes back to the forefront of her mind.
The wall clock next to her ticks to 10:13.
By 10:30, it will be time for her interview.
"And you're sure you don't want to wait until your pregnancy is over?" Tsunade questions, auburn eyes slowly roving over to her swollen belly.
If she waited the next 3 months, this position would surely be gone.
She glances down at her reflection in shiny beige tiles, every curl is in place, no wrinkles in her top, buttons all aligned…
When she breathes in, the scent of alcohol rubs and disinfectants tease the back of her throat.
So this is what a hospital smells like.
The neurology and vision unit has just had their grand opening in Konoha's ever growing medical center, the main hospital looking to spread out with new clinics and even outpatient facilities in development to attract visitors and compete with neighboring regions.
This north branch of the hospital offering two wings to cover said specialties is exactly what she's been looking for.
Sakura and Ino each had interviews for the emergency and psychiatric units respectively later on in the week, she just happened to be first.
'You got this Hinata, Granny recommended you for a reason!' Naruto beamed.
Her jittering stops then, patting her key charm close.
"Ms. Hyuga, are you ready?" A voice questions from above her, one of the evaluators approaching to bring her in.
"Yes."
The first questions are easy, the same 'getting to know you' type of questions that she, Sakura, and Ino have quizzed each other over hundreds of times in preparation for this day.
"For Madam Tsunade to recommend you as a beginning intern on this floor is quite a feat, your excellent grades, resume, and past volunteering we see have brought you close to the medical field despite many Hyuga being known for associating with business and engineering." The manager of the unit, Kaito Shimizu notes.
She confines a grimace tugging at her lips at the image of her father popping to mind, nodding her head to keep her smile intact.
This is it, the hard-ball questions are coming.
"As you know Ms. Hyuga, this unit can become very fast-paced and stressful. The brain and our eyes are two of the most major organs we use on a daily basis. Explain to me your treatment plan and assessment for a 36 year old patient coming in with headaches, nausea, and blurred vision. His only known medical history is high blood pressure for which he takes prescription medicine for every morning." He continues.
"I would begin with stat labs and CAT/MRI orders of the head and brain to assess for any potential brain bleeds, blood clots, or trauma to head. Figure out what the patient had been doing within the last couple of hours before coming into the emergency room, and provide mild pain/nausea medicine for relief in the interim until the results came back in." She explained.
There's collective nodding from the board as they write down her response, the next minutes go by in a blur as the scenarios become gradually tougher, the patients sicker, and the priorities of the doctor narrow…
But by the end Mr. Shimizu is smiling, clasping his hands together as he closed back her file.
"Ms. Hyuga, would you like to take a quick tour of this unit before we end this session?"
Hinata barely held back an eager nod, following after him through long hallways, golden lights hit against dark blue walls decorated with still photos and drawings of sights around Konoha, from black and white panoramic views down to a young girl's artwork of her family at what looked to be Konoha's downtown zoo.
"I think the finest masterpieces can be done by our patients just from the views they get outside their windows on all sides, some of those showcased pieces even came from our unit after they recovered." Kaito notes at her admiring.
A sign above notes they've reached the south wing, rooms 1101-1130.
"Part of our training to build the best of the best doctors Konoha has to offer is for our newest residents and graduates to work with the more experienced faculty for at least year or so. When you start working in this section, you'll be assigned to be with Dr. Toneri Otsutsuki." Kaito explained, checking the main board to see the assigned staff for the day.
"Oh, we're in luck; I believe he's assigned to this section today. I'll introduce you to him!" Kaito beams, gesturing for her to keep following him to the doctor's area in the back.
He leads her up to a white haired man, back turned to them as he studies a variety of monitors and paperwork spread around him.
"Dr. Otsutsuki, this is Ms. Hyuga, she should start working with you next Monday once all her paperwork finishes going through." He announces.
'Monday? As in next Monday coming up?!'
She doesn't even have time to question him as he turns around to talk to the charge nurse making rounds, leaving her alone to ask Toneri any further inquiries regarding the floor.
His gaze is still focused on the screens and files surrounding him, it's as if he never heard him.
"A-Ah, it's nice to meet you…Dr. Otsutsuki." She speaks up, biting her lip at her stutter.
'Not the best first impression I could've made.'
Doctor's never show their anxiety or fears after all, calm mask on for any situation they walk into.
But he finally looks at her then, silver eyes piercing into her until a cool grin sweeps across his face at her clear nervousness.
"Just Toneri is fine."
-X-
'I have enough to buy the ring!'
Yes, if his counting is correct, he'll stop by the jewelry store on the way home.
Hinata had practically busted through the door the other night, giddily proclaiming she was about to begin working alongside a variety of other medical students, residents, fellows, and physicians as a part of a new paid internship process Tsunade had created with the help of the medical board.
He didn't understand half of what she was talking about, all he knew was Hinata was steadily reaching her goals and he couldn't get left behind.
It was the very reason why he was walking along these oak floors, filing away another court case that had ended earlier that morning.
Konoha's courthouse could be just as busy as a hospital.
"You could never be a lawyer, let alone a judge Naruto with the grades you have…who would even want to elect you or better yet, want you near any rule policies when you break them all the time?" Sasuke questioned.
Well, I guess that means Sasuke won't be voting for him in the near future any time soon!
"Sasuke, you know history, politics, and government are just about some of the only school subjects that I actually pay attention and don't fall asleep in! Besides, I can be very persuasive if need be; I have a way with words!" He boasted, wiggling his brows to prove his point.
So maybe he won't be winning student council president this year, or even next year…
Becoming a head judge in Konoha's crime and law division unit was the much sweeter option anyways.
Sasuke only sent him a flat look. "Stop doing that moron."
He goes back to clicking away at his computer, unaware of Naruto's falling mood.
All Sasuke would have to do is say he's running and the female population of Konoha High will vote for him in a heartbeat, hell possibly even a few guys too knowing what connections an Uchiha could bring being at the top to sway the faculty to change certain rules.
But Sasuke doesn't need the fame or notoriety.
People love him regardless of his stupidly cold attitude.
And people like him…people like him are just in the background.
His clicking abruptly stops, glancing up at Naruto thoughtfully to see his same happy façade crumbling.
"It isn't that you couldn't get the job Naruto, it's that people would be afraid of you once they saw any of those fox features come out."
"Yeah, yeah. We've been over this before."
Ick, it was annoying how Sasuke made a good point back then and even now.
Iruka had told him his best bet to build his connections with others was to listen in on more court cases, help out, and volunteer as much as he could between sessions.
At least officials by now were starting to recognize his face whenever he stepped through those brass doors every morning he could when he didn't have class.
However, it wasn't enough.
And this lowly job just filing away cases on top his teacher assistant job would never take him where he wanted, though that would soon change…
'Yes, all that sneaking through the scheduled cases each day is about to pay off…'
The head judge Nomura currently was getting up in age, locks of once pristine auburn hair riddled with strands of gray and a stern face now marred with wrinkles. Whispers spoke of plans to have him be talked into retirement or an 'extended vacation' within the next couple of years if he didn't choose to step down himself.
But the main thing most attorneys and counsellors disliked about his preceding over cases was his growing leniency in his old age.
Leniency that many plaintiffs took advantage of to get extra bonuses added on. (Say, like letting a certain godson have more privileges in return for not spreading secrets he had on many of the top officials getting out.)
Jiraiya truly covered all his bases when it came to helping him!
He swallowed as he bustled in with the other court staff and juries to the stands, sweat clinging to the palms of his hands. If there was one thing that stuck with him through all the government classes he had taken it was that those that weren't a little twisted never lasted long in this field.
Today he would put said lesson into action.
"Alright, current time is 9:02 am. Our next court case is Jiraiya vs. Akari Masuda. Defendants, please rise to the stands." Nomura announced.
And he watched as Jiraiya made a show of walking slowly up to the podium, one eyeing studying the crowds for him and discreetly smiling and sending him a wink when their gazes caught.
A fake case and fake defendant Jiraiya had hired.
All he had left do now was watch.
"You owe me a good month of research ideas for pulling out all those stops to get you that job! I almost got thrown out of the court room for having such a silly case and wasting their time with a supposed sex scandal!" Jiraiya huffed hours later over a bowl of ramen.
Naruto either pretended not to hear him or was too busy slurping at his noodles to care.
The dinner rush at Ichiraku's was finally slowing down, streets emptying out as wind rustled through the air.
"Why do you need such a higher paying job so soon anyways? I understand you have that kid on the way, but both of your incomes should be enough in the beginning I think." He prattled on.
Naruto looked up from his bowl, shaking his head. "You never know when other expenses may come up like getting sick or injured."
'Or getting married…'
Jiraiya scoffed, arching a brow at his serious answer before smiling lecherously. "Hey, you're not going to use this new position and extra income being a lawyer's research assistant for anything perverted, are you? I mean, you do have access to all those private session rooms now…"
"My mind isn't constantly filled with dirty thoughts like yours."
And he reached into his pocket for perhaps the 100th time that night when he wasn't looking, wrapping his fingers protectively around a wooden box holding a white gold engagement ring.
-X-
"Boruto, stop kicking your mother. She's trying to rest after a long day." Naruto spoke with sleepy authority, rubbing a hand against Hinata's rounded stomach.
A tiny foot pushes back in retaliation.
"Boruto, listen to your father." Hinata chimes in drowsily, patting her hand against the same spot causing the jerking to cease.
"He always seems to listen to you and not me." He mumbles, moving the hand on her stomach to come and wrap around her form.
His eyes lingered on her stomach a minute longer before he shut them. Family and friends had many guesses on what features Boruto would get from them, but all they truly wanted was a safe delivery.
"Boruto? Even his name sounds so similar to Naruto's." Neji snorts.
What else would he inherit? Same golden locks and sapphire eyes to match with that energetic personality of his father?
Would any of Hinata's features or quirks shine through?
Hiashi coughs, sending him a look not to push it.
Hinata fists her hands together, sharpness of her nails jabbing against her skin. She's sure her eyes must be shimmering between violet and crimson scaring her family, but at the moment she doesn't care.
"Neji, we thought of you when he decided on his name." She nearly growls.
"We want him to hopefully exude your calm attitude and intellect as he gets older, though I hope he doesn't obtain any of your harsh judgment of others. She continues on, sighing at the worried stares being casted onto her.
'Stop it, you're scaring them; relax.'
And a dozen heartbeats slow in her ears as she slowly uncurls her hands.
"Boruto is a nice name, I'm sure he'll be the perfect blend of you and Naruto." Hiashi clears the air and she nods to him.
The rest of brunch drags on, Neji saying nothing more.
Early afternoon light seeps through the manor as they prepare to leave, sunlight dancing across freshly polished Maplewood and sparkling against dampened grass.
Neji catches them sitting by the koi pond finishing up feeding time, clearing his throat to get their attention.
"We weren't overdoing it if that's what you're worried about-"Naruto begins, Neji holding up a hand to stop him.
His cheeks are slightly pink, gaze moving in all directions. "Before you two go I…I just wanted to apologize. Uncle is right, Boruto is a nice name and err…thank you for thinking of me when you decided on it."
Naruto smirked, watching his shaky behavior amusingly. "Not like you to get tongue-tied, huh?"
He scowled at him only making Naruto laugh aloud before looking over to Hinata who seemed to be holding in her own snickering.
"Apology accepted."
He swears he feels a tail brushing up against him as he glances around the room, though each time he opens his eyes nothing is there.
As he had first thought and Tsunade had explained during their now weekly checkups, Hinata's fox qualities seemed to be triggered by a mix of hormones, emotions, and pregnancy.
'I'm sure the episodes will end once the birthing process starts. Though as for your son, time will only tell on that issue.'
He tenses thinking about it again.
Boruto's due date is next week.
"You're tossing and turning a lot; what's wrong?" Hinata notes from beside him, sitting up to fix him with a concerned look.
Within his pocket is the same engagement ring box he couldn't find a good place to hide. His words become utterly and hopelessly jumbled at her sincere smile. Would it be too much stress proposing now? He could wait until after Boruto is born…
He gulps as the moonlight hits her cream skin, blush starting to heat her face at his blatant ogling.
The clacking of opening and closing the box reaches her ears, stare moving to his pajama pocket curiously.
"Ah, well Hinata there is something I want to ask you…"
-x-
Wedding bells maybe ringing soon! Looking forward to your thoughts on wedding ideas/themes Naruto and Hinata might go for. As always, I love hearing back from you guys!
Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!