Disclaimer: I do not in any way, shape or form own the Naruto franchise. If I did, Naruto and Hinata would have been married and have had approximately several dozen children by now. Constructive criticism and reviews are critical to improving my writing, so please do so.
The Journey Home
The Hawk ANBU had given Hinata one more night and morning to pack and prepare for the journey. He informed her that the Daimyo and other political contacts had been notified of her departure. All she had to do now was pack and say farewell to the few friends she had made in the two months she had stayed here.
As soon as he had left the café, she had gulped down her lukewarm tea, grabbed her coat, gave one last thank you and bear hug to Narumi-san, and rushed to her tiny flat. Two streets from the corner coffee house was her small apartment complex. It was a plain white, five-story building with a few pink flowers at the gate. Nothing special really, but she had come to like living there.
"Let's see, I have my clothes, keys and I've already paid two months' rent in advance..."
She didn't plan on staying long in Konoha; two months at the most and she would come back her. 'I'll use my rent as an excuse to come back.' She mused as she efficiently packed her sparse belongings and toiletries into a large camping backpack.
Several of her new ninja attire had been packed, including an assortment of tight long sleeved dark shirts and black athletic tights. All were extremely comfortable, warm, and practical. Due to the odd weather she often encountered in her travels, she was always prepared.
She quickly stuffed her trusty, sturdy anorak jacket into the bag as well. Though travel proof, it was also stylish with its military green hue and faux fur lining on the hood.
'What else do I need?' She looked inside her closet wistfully, slightly regretting that she could not take her pencil skirts and white blouses with her. In her political business, she had grown accustomed to wearing professional clothing and had even liked the streamlined look it had given her. Thankfully, her active attire had been kept in supply due to her constant training.
"At least my physical skills have sharpened too. I wonder if everyone else has gotten stronger."
'Has He changed?'
She shook her head of the unnecessary thought, and stowed her bag near the edge of her twin bed. Tapping her chin, she remembered to place her close-toed ninja boots near the bag. Lastly, she gently retrieved her Leaf headband from her nightstand drawer. She hadn't worn it since she had arrived to the Capital from the Land Of Tea.
"Well, that's that. Tomorrow, Fate's gonna kick my ass, right Neji-nii-san?"
She chuckled a bit sadly at the reminder of her deceased cousin. He may have decided that everyone made their own destiny, but after leaving Konoha, she had started to believe the opposite. Taking some comfort in the fact that she would be able to see her precious people again, and worrying at their reaction to her lack of contact for the past years, she fell into a fitful sleep.
"Oi HINAATAAA!"
The girl in question turned on her heel to find the source of her name, knowing who it was simply by the tone and manner of voice. The cinnamon rolls in the box she currently held were being squished beyond recognition at the sound of that voice. She was nervous.
She shyly gazed up at the approaching blonde. It had been only a year since the Fourth Shinobi War, and he had grown at least several inches since then. (She now only reached his chin.)
"Hello Naruto-kun." She said gracefully, giving him a bright smile.
In that one moment, with the Konoha sun shining on her face, the genuine smile and her indigo hair following her every movement, Naruto was struck dumb. He could feel the beginnings of a blush on his heated face. This wasn't normal! She was supposed to be the one blushing, not him. He brushed it off, as only the Naruto Uzumaki could do.
"E-Erm…uhh…ointment…"
"Sorry, but what d-did you say?" She asked tentatively, straining to hear past his mumbles.
"OINTMENT!"
She jumped at his shout. Up went the box of cinnamon rolls, raining its contents on the two in the middle of the bustling street. Passerby stared at the odd duo, some curious and most others chuckling about young romance.
"I-I'm so sorry Naruto-kun!" She ducked her head, blushing in intense embarrassment.
Hinata glanced up at Naruto, horrified. His usually upright blonde hair was pasted to his head by icing and random pieces of cinnamon goodness caught in between. His eyes were wide in disbelief, and his face completely covered in oozing sweetness. Even his beautiful orange cloak was covered in icing, its woven black flames seemingly doused by the mess. She searched her Chunin vest pockets frantically.
"Ahah! F-Found some n-napkins!"
Unconsciously, she reached towards him, hoping to at least clean up some of the spill. He stiffened as she made contact with his whiskered cheek, gently wiping away the remains of her dessert. Blood again rushed to his face, and to his..erm…lower regions.
"Eh Hinata, it's alright!" He laughed boisterously, attempting to hide his discomfort. "Look you have some on ya too."
He quickly divested Hinata of her napkin supply, and began wiping her face somewhat hesitantly. She could do nothing but stand in utter disbelief, as he gently wiped her face. His face scrunched in concentration, focusing utterly on the task of cleaning the mess. Naruto for his part could only focus on the spots of icing. It was all he could do to distract him from…other things. (He shifted again, in discomfort.)
"Done." He stated firmly after several minutes of silence.
"U-Umm Naruto-kun, what did you mean b-by ointment?"
He suddenly remembered his original purpose for finding her. Embarrassed, he rubbed the back of his head, only to cover his hand in more stickiness. He quickly pulled it out, and discreetly wiped it on his jacket.
"Ah…I came to thank you for the ointment you gave me the other day. It really did help heal that wound faster."
."It was no p-problem! I'm glad it helped." She blushed, as per usual then gave him her brightest smile yet. He shifted his glance to the left, unable to stare at the brightness for too long.
"Well, I wanna thank you. For everything you've done…so, uhh I'm going to treat you to Ichiraku Ramen tonight!"
"Oh no-no! You don't have to!" She protested, vehemently shaking her head.
"I don't go back on my word, you know that. So tonight at 6:30, I'll meet you there." He gave her a foxy grin, a thumbs up and walked away, leaving a fumbling, blushing Hinata to ponder what it all meant.
The rain pattered ceaselessly as the duo made their way through the dense brush, leaping in rhythm. Hinata was miserable to say the least. She had grown somewhat soft in the luxury provided by living in a large city. Right now, she missed her soft, small bed and her warm mugs of tea. Right now, she did not like the rain, nor did she like the thorns and thistles attempting to tear her clothes to shreds. Right now, she really did not like the Hawk ANBU.
That was surprising. She was usually so good at liking people.
"Hurry up, Hyuuga," came the cold and terse voice. It sounded vaguely familiar, but she had long ago stopped trying to figure out whom it was. It was imperative that ANBU remain unidentified, and so she honored that rule.
"With all due respect Hawk-san, it usually takes at least two days to reach Konoha from the Capital." She gritted out in a steely voice. The cold, wet environment did nothing to ease her annoyance. She angrily tightened the cords on her jacket, welcoming the warmth of the fur on the hood.
"...We'll make camp now." He said quietly.
Hawk-san was not the type of person to be easily surprised. So when the usually shy and quiet Hyuuga had responded in such a cold voice, he had nearly slipped off the branch he was on.
'She's changed. This should be interesting.'
He gave his signature smirk under his mask; amused by effect the Hyuuga's return would have on the knucklehead, future Hokage he called his best friend. Hawk-san stared on as the little Hyuuga princess expertly set up her small tent and ingeniously set up a small fire, sheltering it from the rain with an intricate structure of branches.
She was now holding some fish she had caught over the fire. The ANBU was hungry and felt his mouth water as the smell of natural forest seasonings wafted towards him. He could not be so weak though. He had all but told her that they were not to be 'travel buddies' and that they would not be sharing supplies. His job was to only escort her home and he had no need for he friendship. 'She didn't take that too well…judging by her mood.'
He discretely tightened his grip on his cloak. ANBU could not afford to lug around tents or large amounts of supplies. So his cloak and the tree branch he was currently in were going to be his shelter for the night. The soldier pill he had taken prior to leaving the capitol would serve as his meal for the evening.
"Sasuke-san."
He again nearly fell out of his branch in disbelief. 'How did she find out?' He leapt down to the girl by the fire, intrigued. She turned towards him with a blank look on her face. He waited.
"Would you like some?"
He could only gape behind his mask at the offered stick of fish she was holding out to him. All he could do was grudgingly accept with murmured thanks. He plopped himself on the overturned log next to her and began to methodically devour the delicately seasoned trout. He glanced over at the other fish she was grilling. He was again shocked. She had given him the larger of the two. 'What is she trying to pull here?'
"I'm sorry," came her quiet reply to his silent question. "I shouldn't have snapped at you like that."
"Hn."
She looked at him, long enough to make even him uncomfortable through his mask. 'Her eyes can see through me.'
"Truce?" she broke into a small smile, completely altering her visage into something altogether…too bright. He ignored the slight racing of his heart or the slowly growing smirk under his mask.
"Hn."
A/N: I'm going to try to do regular updates so long as people keep reviewing. I will warn you there will be slight Sasuhina hints throughout the story, just to add conflict. After all, why should Naruto have all the fun?
