A/N: I'm so, so, so , so sorry for the long gap in updates. My school life got in the way and there's a lot I have had to focus on this last year of university. Thank you to everyone who waited and to everyone favorited and followed despite the gap. And thank you to everyone who reviewed and read, it really motivated me to keep writing and thinking about this story. Each and every one of you is a balm to my soul and as dramatic as that sounds, your reviews make my day. So my gratitude has no bounds.
I won't abandon it. It'll just take time.
A HUGE Thank YOU to SeriousSam, who despite his busy schedule and own story, took the time to help me out with this chapter. This chapter in particular was difficult, and I thank you for your patience and the numerous drafts we had to go through. For those who don't know again, I will keep touting that his story My Precious People is one of the best I've read, so please go ahead and check it out.
On with the story!
Kinesthetic
Naruto bristled at the insistent knocking on his door, grinding his teeth as he tried to continue reading the large book in front of him. The knocking grew ever louder, and it was straining his concentration to its already tenuous limits.
"Why can't you just… leave me ALONE!"
He plugged his fingers in his ears, mouthing the words he had already read at least six times by now and each time he paused it was punctuated by another series of loud banging. His words came out broken and fragmented as he tried to work around the interruptions.
"…a system of… government by the…whole… population…or all the eligible…members of…a- SHIT!"
He rose from his breakfast table, the chair creaking under the weight of his frustration. Before his already battered door broke into splinters, he quickly opened the door to glare at his visitor.
Thinking it was one of his usual pesky friends he opened his mouth, ready to let loose a litany of insults.
"For the last time Kakashi-sensei, I DON'T need- "
His eyes widened as he saw who it was. That stupid smug look and that ridiculous duck-butt hair.
"..Sasuke."
The Uchiha simply stood there, his face and stance both a picture of indifference. He had his hands tucked into pockets as he leaned against the wall opposite the door. With a slightly mocking smile, he shrugged his shoulders.
"You don't need what exactly, idiot?"
Naruto narrowed his eyes in annoyance, feeling uncharacteristically sullen. Sasuke took note of the rumpled orange t-shirt hanging limply off his frame, food stains spotting it and the edges of the sleeves frayed and threadbare. The dark circles under his eyes marred his normally upbeat expression. The fingers on his right hand seemed to have developed a nervous tick as they twitched subconsciously.
This girl had taken something… that part of Naruto which made him bright, happy and basically all that sugar coated, sickeningly sweet shit that drew people to him in the first place.
Heaving an impatient sigh, Naruto stared crossly at his moody best friend and asked, "What do you want? I need to study."
Sasuke let out a bark of derisive laughter, incredulous that the Naruto Uzumaki was actually taking the time to learn something other than a new jutsu or flavor of ramen. "You? Studying for what?"
Naruto glared balefully at him, closing the door in the face of his unexpected and unwelcome visitor. He frowned when Sasuke's foot inserted itself between the door and the frame, stopping him from abruptly ending the conversation.
"Kakashi and Sakura are worried." Sasuke explained.
"So they sent you? They must be desperate."
"…"
The silence stretched on between them, as everything that remained unsaid was poised on the tips of their tongues. They hadn't seen each other in months, each of them caught up in their competition for that cherished title that would change everything. Naruto had been tearing up the training fields, his little Hyuuga tagging along and cheerfully supporting him at every turn. Sasuke had become somewhat of a hermit, focusing on his mental strength and wellbeing as the way to get the Hokage hat.
He'd left his best friend in the care of the Hyuuga, and she'd left him like this – his sunny personality dimmed and his Will of Fire diminished. It was a sickening sight to see.
Sasuke felt anger flare in the pit of his belly, because he was not going to let some sweet talking, flighty little witch of a Hyuuga break his friend and do… this to him. Naruto wasn't someone who would harm to his precious people or give up on his dreams. Even though they were rivals for the same position, this was not how Sasuke wanted to win – by default. He wanted the dobe to fight for it, same as he was.
So with a high level of resolve and unquenched vitriol, he punched Naruto in the face.
"FUCK! WHAT THE HELL SASUKE?" Naruto cried, clutching his bloodied nose in pain.
And Sasuke was relieved, because the fingers on his right hand stopped twitching… stopped missing something that wasn't there.
Hinata was neither particularly light, nor was she particularly heavy. Her long hair, though beautiful and silky, somehow kept finding its way into his mouth as the breeze blew. Her right arm was pushing slightly into his ribs, and he struggled with the thought of changing his grip, lest he might accidentally brush up against an inappropriate place.
But despite the slight awkwardness of the situation, he wouldn't trade this for all the fairy tale moments in the world. Not if they weren't with her. He hadn't felt this – warm – in a long time. He hadn't noticed how much he missed this; simply being able to simply touch her, knowing that she was alive and safe.
He slowly made his way through the foliage, treading softly so as to not wake her. True, he could have used jutsu or moved gracefully enough to avoid jostling her, but he was eking out every last second he could steal with her in his arms, enjoying the sensation of her being close enough to him to feel, and smell, and hear.
He was pulled from his thoughts by a slight murmuring sound, which he immediately identified as her soft voice.
"N…Nghh…" Hinata muttered in her sleep, her brow furrowed and her head turning slightly.
Naruto noticed her agitation and wondered just what she was dreaming about. The shadows receded as the sun rose through the trees, pink and purple still painted across slowly appearing sky of blue.
"Nii…san…sorry."
An unexpected pain lanced through his chest as he realized that as much as Neji's death had affected him, he couldn't begin to fathom what it had done to Hinata. Her agitation very clear, and her sleep in danger of being disturbed, he stopped walking and sat down. He propped his back against a rather thick tree branch, placing her on his lap in order to free his right hand.
Hesitantly, despite his earlier shows of affection, he swept his trembling fingers across her forehead, brushing back a few stray hairs in a comforting gesture. He smiled slightly as she relaxed once more and he stood up, heading back towards the makeshift camp once again, contemplating his fascination with touch – or more specifically, Hinata's touch.
Naruto was a tactile person by nature, his hands and fingers constantly seeking the physical warmth of another human being – something he'd been deprived of and starved for during his youth. Even when he had found friends and forged precious bonds by sheer strength of will and understanding, it was an area he'd sorely been lacking in.
He feared the consequences of touch, the rejection and the risks. He was leery of the connection it gave him because it was just another thing to be taken away, so that was why when Iruka-sensei or Ero-sennin ruffled his hair, or Tsunade Baa-chan kissed his forehead, he had no idea of how to properly react. It was simply because he was so unused to the sensation and he knew that it wasn't a constant in his life.
But then again, the connection it created ran deep. He understood Neji's wishes as he held him dying in his arms. He understood Sasuke's anger and his dreams of change as they traded their final blows in the Valley of the End. He felt Konoha's acceptance as they threw him into the air above the cheering crowd after he defeated Pein. Touch was an irreplaceable gift to him, and it was how he saw the world. So for all his hesitancy and fear, it was a precious commodity to be treasured…. even if he knew it couldn't stay.
Therefore… stand up together with me, Naruto… Because never going back on one's word… is my ninja way too!"
In one single, shining, defining moment Hinata Hyuuga held his hand and had given him words of encouragement, touching him both physically and emotionally. It had been an anchor that kept him from drowning in despair; her words flowing from her heart to heal his own.
In the months after the war, he had found himself craving more, relishing every brush of her hand, soft caress or gentle embrace. Her touch was truly something special – perhaps magical would be a more accurate term. It set his heart aflutter and made him dream of the future even more so than usual.
She had made him believe that if there was one constant in his life, it would be her touch… her love for him.
But despite that, he had found himself unable to completely understand her and the more he prodded, the more she closed herself off. Even before all of this she had closed herself off to him, like an animal huddling itself against the stinging cold of a winter wind.
It was then that doubt began to creep in and he had questioned his own feelings towards her, invariably doubling back to something that was both familiar and habitual – his feelings for Sakura. He feared that it was only Hinata's constancy that he loved and that in the end it would hurt her more to stay. He didn't know her, so that was why on that rainy day he had tried to end whatever "something" that had been growing between him and Hinata.
And she had simply asked him for more time, as if it hadn't been his fault that they were in this mess. After that, she had embraced him still, despite his uncertainty and the hurt he must have inflicted on her.
That was when he knew that Hinata Hyuuga was someone he could very much fall in love with, but it would simply take some time. Time which had been cut despairingly short, and a touch which had been taken away far too quickly. Once again, doubt had crept in and he wondered if it was ever really his to begin with.
He was pulled out of his reverie by a soft sigh and the warm sensation of her breath against his neck, as her head nuzzled further into his shoulder.
And it was then and there that he resolved that no matter what it took, he would keep her touch… and stay by her side.
"No matter what it takes. Do you remember that!? DO YOU?!" Sasuke shouted as he pulled back his arm, preparing to slam his fist once again into his rival's stomach.
Without missing a beat Naruto dodged the blow, only to have his shoulder clipped painfully by the attack.
They were in an all-out brawl now. Proper taijutsu and chakra attacks had been abandoned in favor of just beating the living shit out of each other. They accepted the bruises and the dull, throbbing pain with a certain kind of grim satisfaction, relishing the moment of simply releasing all that pent-up hostility. Every nerve had been rubbed raw, and they were taking out their anger and hurt on each other.
Sasuke hissed as a surprise uppercut to his jaw found its mark, and a faint popping sound and stinging pain signaled that his jaw was probably dislocated. He dug his heel into the already torn up earth, skidding to a halt a few feet from his assailant.
He looked up to see Naruto breathing heavily, his shoulders sagging and his jacket torn at the collar and shoulders. But it was the look in his eyes that made him angry all over again… it was resigned, a dim burning as if the pain of her absence would not let up even the slightest bit. And the blue of his friend's eyes was no longer bright, but instead was infused with shades of grey.
"Are you giving up because of HER?!" He shouted as best as he could manage with his jaw in its current state.
For once he was more emotional than his counterpart and it made him all the more confused and slightly fearful that whatever had been done to him was irreparable.
Not in the mood to deal with Sasuke or the accusatory looks or tone of voice he was firing at him, Naruto grimaced as he panted out,
"That's not…that's not it at all…I'm working on it…"
He clenched his fists in agitation because what the fuck did Sasuke know about him? How could he stand there and accuse him, the Naruto Uzumaki of giving up? Didn't he remember all those years of fighting to bring him back? Those grueling months of training through blood, bruises and broken bones? Those days spent laughing and smiling despite the hurt and trying – JUST FUCKING TRYING – to get the respect of someone who mattered…
"I'M TRYING!"
And with that, Naruto felt every emotion that had been simmering just below the surface over the past few months boil over, erupting like a volcano in all its raw power and unbridled fury. He rushed at his "best friend" and proceeded to rain blows down upon him and Sasuke, for all his talent was barely able to block the frenzied attacks because a Naruto fueled by emotion was the more dangerous than any enemy he'd ever faced.
And at the end of it all, when they were both equally bruised and beaten, Sasuke watched in satisfaction as finally – FINALLY – Naruto's tears fell and he gave into the pain that had been eating away at him for months.
Hinata had no more tears to cry. She had resolved not to anymore, and to her surprise there weren't any to begin with. All the emotions of yesterday were still there but they had simmered down, giving her the brief opportunity to breathe just a little more – let her sleep just a little more – than she had in the past few years since she had begun her dealings with the Daimyo.
So when she tripped over her own feet for the fifth time that day and misjudged the distance from one branch to the next in an effort to contribute in some small way to the security effort, she did not cry.
She did not cry when she realized she could no longer see the world through a Hyuuga's eyes.
She did not cry because she would never be able to see the stars in her own special way ever again.
She merely sighed and made her towards Karin's makeshift clinic after her shift had ended, exhaustion slowing her steps as each foot she placed in front of the other felt like she was wading through tar. She used the trunks of the trees near her in order to provide support for her weary legs as she looked around to better gauge her surroundings.
The sunbeams streamed through the canopy, creating dappled patterns across the ground and she enjoyed the play of the light across the green foliage. And even though she had to come really close to objects to admire their beauty and detail, the fact that she could still do that – albeit with blurry perception – was still pleasing to her senses. She took every facet, every nuance of the quiet and peaceful morning with a wide eyed stare, as if she were experiencing her surroundings for the first time.
She refused to squint because just like before, that meant it showed weakness. And a Hyuuga never squinted. They were skilled at a myriad of ways to express themselves through their eyes but it was improper, and more importantly unheard of for all those in possession of a Byakugan to squint.
Almost too soon, she reached the tiny clinic and a fresh wave of shame rushed through her as she realized she had been wallowing in her own self-pity when there were others who had suffered and lost far more than she had. Their families were torn asunder and their homes broken – who was she to complain when most of her problems had been of her own design?
Besides all of that, there were still the events of two nights ago echoing through her memory.
The soft brush of lips against her forehead, the relief of having a Naruto promise etched onto her heart, the familiar feelings of safety, trust and surety… they kept her going. She wasn't going to give up, not when there were others depending on her and not when she had just rekindled her friendship with him.
So when she saw Karin slightly hysterical, running to and fro and wincing as she rubbed her arms underneath the sleeves of her gray jacket, Hinata offered her services.
Karin blinked as she caught sight of a weary looking Hinata. But to her astonishment, she was not the same broken girl with bandaged eyes she'd seen only days ago. Granted, she still had bruises healing – yellow and purplish-black blotches dotted her fair skin – but it was the fierce look of determination radiating from her very being that made her stop and take a longer look.
And Karin could not help but grin, because she recognized it for what it was.
It was renewed faith.
Something had reawakened the Hyuuga's resolve and Karin had a very good idea of what – or more specifically, who– was responsible for the change.
"Feeling better?" She asked teasingly, with her hands on her hips and the corners of her mouth turned up ever so slightly in a knowing smile.
Hinata mirrored the smile; her heart buoyed by her renewed outlook. Despite her haggard appearance, she felt as sunny as the day was bright.
"Hmm, okay. The burn victims have recovered nicely. Some patients have high fevers with severe infections. We don't have any antibiotics though…." Karin finished grimly, chewing her lower lip in consternation and frustration.
Hinata noticed the dark circles beneath her eyes, along with her continued rubbing of her forearms and with a jolt, she remembered exactly how Karin healed people. Immediately taking charge, she grasped the taller girl's shoulders with a gentle firmness and sat her down on a nearby stool.
Karin's eyes widened and she began to protest, before Hinata's glare silenced her.
"You need to rest. You're no good to your patients exhausted to the point where you have no knowledge of what is going on around you." Hinata stated firmly, looking around the clinic to see what should be taken care of first.
She noted that two of the nurses she had saved from the burning building where bustling about. Despite their bandages and the fact that they were slightly injured, they still continued to help in whatever way they could.
Karin rose again, her obsessive compulsive tendencies getting the best of her. Hinata looked at her pleadingly, and because she was truly worried for Karin – as well as the fact that she wanted to be useful – she asked once again, yet a bit more firmly this time.
"Please, Karin-san."
Karin humphed and begrudgingly began giving her directions, pulling out a chart with a list of duties to be accomplished. Hinata smiled and with a muttered thank you quickly set about to work taking charge of the medical efforts of the makeshift clinic.
With a quiet cheer and an easy grace, Hinata took to the busy work like an albatross to water. But Karin could not help but notice there was still something weighty about the girl's expression… an underlying sadness and worry lingering at the back of her mind. Then when Hinata squinted and Karin saw the dawning look of horror appear on her face, Karin at least partly understood what it was about.
Taking care not to bring attention to herself, Karin quietly slipped out the clinic to look for her spare glasses.
"Damn…I can't see anything in here." Naruto muttered as he trudged through the slushy remains of Kusano's slimy jutsu. He placed one hand on the side of the cave, the other holding his tiny torch as he painstakingly made his way through Kusagakure's intricate cavern system.
He turned back towards his taciturn companion.
"Hey Shino – what do you think about all of this?" He realized his attempt at lightening the atmosphere fell flat by the lack of response.
Then the slight buzzing of his insects started, and Naruto realized Shino was more agitated and frustrated than anything else right now.
The buzzing grew louder, and he cringed inwardly. He would never admit something so hurtful to his friend, but Shino's bugs gave Naruto the chills. He quickened his pace and put several feet between them, feigning interest in the slightly luminescent green glow that seemed to emanate from the rock itself.
Shino was horrifically gloomy today, but it wasn't as if anyone could blame him. Hinata's story, though riddled with holes had enough substance behind it to land the finishing blow to Shino's patience. The friendship between them that had been slowly fraying, dissipating as the distance and the years between her and the rest of Team 8 grew, had received a harsh and significant blow.
Could she really have been so oblivious to the effects she had on others? Did she really not know how many people loved her enough to support her, no matter what the circumstances?
He couldn't even begin to fathom the bonds of Team 8 – the immense respect, trust and love they seemed to share with each other had always made him slightly envious. They were notorious for their mission completion record and smooth teamwork, each move carefully calculated and complemented to produce the most satisfying results.
He'd accompanied them on missions several times, and he always felt just a little out of place when they were together. They could communicate with the barest of gestures, the lightest of looks…subtlety was their game and bonds thicker than molasses seemed to make them the group with the least amount of drama and problems – Hinata's issues notwithstanding.
At least, that's what he had seen prior to Hinata's departure. After that, everything had quieted down. And maybe he had been too wrapped up in his own misery to notice that her leaving had affected others just as badly, if not more so.
Her sister… Kurenai… Little Asuma… Kiba… Shino… Ino… Sakura… Tenten… the pharmacist she purchased her ointment ingredients from… the baker who made those delicious cinnamon rolls she bought every Saturday morning… the children at the orphanage…
Both he and Hinata had been so oblivious to it all. He had been caught up in training to be Hokage, going up against Sasuke, resolving lingering regrets from the war, rebuilding and growing and learning that he hadn't realized how big a hole she had left, not only in him but in others.
Then again, he had always been oblivious to her problems. It seemed he was as bad a listener as everyone else had alluded to. So he thought better of what he planned to say and instead clicked his mouth shut, leaving the much welcome silence to envelop them.
And with all the grace of a drunken sailor, he slipped on some muck and fell to the ground.
"Oomph!"
Shino did nothing to help, gazing ahead as he saw Naruto topple over like a sack of potatoes. The corners of his mouth turned up the slightest bit, his sullen mood somewhat alleviated by the sight of their future Hokage sprawled out on the ground. The buzzing on his person abated for a bit. Strong and charismatic Naruto may be, but no one would ever call him graceful.
However, his clumsiness seemed to bolster their good fortune.
Naruto's splayed fingers twitched as he felt something strange underneath all the muck. Quickly, he pulled himself up and kneeled on the cold, slimy ground. He dug with his hands, but the ick kept slipping back into place like sand on a beach.
Wordlessly, Shino directed a line of his insects towards the somewhat haphazard man. The insects did what was needed, devouring the muck until a glint of silver showed up from underneath, a stark contrast against the cave's roughly hewn stone.
Quickly giving a thumbs up over his shoulder to his companion, Naruto rubbed off the rest of the dirt with calloused fingers, revealing the round piece of metal – a knob barely two inches in diameter set amongst the stone and engraved with strange markings. He narrowed his eyes, the torches they carried offering little help as he was barely able to make out the engraving in the dimly lit cavern.
His eyes narrowed when he finally realized what he was looking at.
"Shino – come over here!"
When he did not hear footsteps approaching and no acknowledgement of his words he turned, worried that his friend may have gotten sucked up by a hidden bog or fell into a deep hole hidden in the shadows. He didn't doubt the possibilities… not when it was dark and they were venturing through tunnels that once belonged to Otogakure's forces.
He felt his heart stop when right in front of his nose a towering dark figure appeared, the slight flickering of the sputtering torch making the person's presence more ominous. He felt an undignified scream lodge in his throat but he quickly squashed it down when he realized it was Shino standing in front of him. Still, a tiny squeak eked its way out and his heart started once again.
"What did you find?" Came Shino's calm tones and Naruto could hear the amusement lacing his words.
'Damn smart-aleck is enjoying my suffering way too much. '
Naruto quirked his head, noticing that the earlier buzzing had stopped. His expression softened when he realized his little quirks were helping Shino to forget about the situation with Hinata, even if only for a little bit, so he brushed it off.
Naruto nodded towards the silver seal on the ground, and Shino brought his own torch closer so that it plainly visible. Three tiny tomoe arranged in a circular pattern were delicately engraved onto the metal, and Naruto recognized it for what it was.
"The Cursed Seal of Heaven…"
Shino's breath came out sharply, slightly muffled by the collar of his jacket. "This makes sense. Why? Because Orochimaru was once allied with Kusagakure. It's not unlikely that this is the entrance to one of his former hideouts."
And despite the unexpected discovery, Naruto stood up and smiled at his companion, slapping him jovially on the back and causing Shino to momentarily break his stoic composure. Then again, Naruto always seemed to be doing things like that.
"Glad to see you're talking again!"
So despite his glum feelings towards his teammate for not confiding in him, he was glad that Naruto was always there to brighten things up – even if it was oftentimes unasked for. And though Shino was loathe to admit it, he still felt guilt at the blame he had placed on Naruto for all these years. Despairingly, he had not looked underneath the underneath. The idea that something like this could ever happen to Team 8 was unfathomable to his line of thinking. There had been such surety, such confidence in their bonds that being abandoned like that had been a shock, and he had not taken it into his calculations.
He looked closer at Naruto's shadowed face, his broad grin illuminated in the dim light. Shino's eyes narrowed as he noticed there was something in the way the tension of his jaw and the tendons of his neck were strained that gave Shino something he could finally identify with… and it was that through all of Hinata's misguided plans and efforts, they had both been left behind.
"How?"
Naruto stopped his celebration midway, his grin frozen on his face. His expression gradually fell, settling into a somewhat sympathetic contemplation as he processed Shino's simple question.
He knew what the Aburame meant without having to elaborate – how could he be smiling in the face of everything that had been revealed to him over the last few days? The one person that had believed unfailingly in them both had turned out to have her own story – a story that neither of them had been told about, simply because she had not trusted either of them enough to think they could offer her any sort of help.
He scrunched his face up in thought, and gave the most honest answer he could.
"Because she's always been the one who believed in me – and I think it's time I do the same for her."
"Another God-level Hokage?! You want to leave the fate of our entire country – nay, our world in the hands of an unrefined child who is a master of the Sage Arts and has the power of the Kyuubi at his disposal?!"
"With all due respect Daimyo-sama, this course of action is most unwise."
"But with THE Naruto Uzumaki at our side, we're sure to be safer than ever! And the Uchiha has publicly pledged to follow his lead!"
"EVEN WORSE!"
The hall erupted into shouts and arguments, discord popping up like weeds throughout the congregation. It choked what little creativity and intellect could have been squeezed out of the Daimyo's council, an ancient gathering made up of men and women from all ages and stations, dressed in red silk and puffery who considered themselves above all others because of a station they were somehow fortunate enough to be born into.
The Daimyo seemed to wilt on his high backed chair, his features melting into despair as the discourse devolved into accusatory rhetoric and political nonsense.
"ENOUGH!" He slapped his hands down on the marble table, the cracking of his reedy voice bringing their attention to him more so than anything.
"We will put it to a vote." He said calmly, continually sneaking glances at the double doors as if waiting for something.
The council buzzed because they had been deliberating for near a month on the fate of one Uzumaki and the Hokage robes which he so wanted. His political prowess, his honor, his actions, his words… every single thing that made him who we was had been scrutinized in such fine detail, and yet they still could not come to a decision. And the Daimyo knew firsthand that anything to do with the boy was always a gamble.
He had met him only once, and that was all it had taken for him to understand exactly why Naruto was so dynamic… and so dangerous. If he did not have his support, then things could go very wrong. On the other hand, if Naruto should ever choose, he could easily stage a coup d'état, wrestling the Daimyo's power away from him… easily tip the scales of balance and turn the world upside down in all matters.
But that was a future problem, something far down the road in comparison to what could happen should he force the boy into the position of Hokage without the consent of the council. A construct filled with nearly 200 of the Land of Fire's most illustrious and influential figures, village leaders and old aristocracy. Heads of state, university professors and the like.
How droll and archaic…
"Father, what abou-"
"I gave her until the start of this deliberation. I do not see her here. I do not see any evidence of support from the others. We will begin withou-"
The intricately carved double doors of the atrium were thrown open with such fortitude that one of the gold encrusted passion flowers decorating the wooden panels detached itself and skittered across the marble floor with several clearly audible clinks. (faith, belief)
"I HAVE THE SUPPORT!"
She came in dynamically, her hair billowing around her soft features, her eyes lighting up with the most profound sense of accomplishment. Her face was smudged with dirt, her chunin vest was ripped in multiple places and her pony tail was matted with burrs and dried leaves. But she strode in, her hand gripping a white envelope and leading a long queue of people, men and women dressed in varying degrees of finery, robes representative of their lands… emissaries and rulers come to give their two cents.
Kazuhiko thought she was the most beautiful thing he had ever laid eyes upon. He could only numbly listen as the emissaries brought forth their arguments, presenting their case before the council.
Princess Koyuki of the Land of Snow vouched for the boy who had saved her country and herself.
Gaara the Kazekage had expressly set aside two days to come and argue for his friend; someone who had changed him for the better and that he felt Konoha deserved a million times over.
Mei Terumi sent Ao-san and Chojuro as her representatives to voice her outrage that someone as talented and kind and… handsome as Naruto would even be denied such a thing.
Killer B, sent in his brother's place, rapped something along the lines of "yo bite yo' tongue and sit, because Naruto as Hokage is da shit" after a particular few council members had stood up in outrage and protest.
How Hinata had managed to keep a straight face after that, she would never know. But she loved every moment, because even those who had not come had sent in letters by the thousands. Not simply leaders and heads of state, but from everyday citizens.
The man who owned a shop in the Land of Tea… the single mother whom Naruto had saved from a pack of bandits as he was just passing through their village… the fisherman Naruto had purposely extended his mission with just to help him catch enough fish to feed his starving family…
All of the people he had touched, directly or indirectly had come to his aid, and Hinata stood with them, just as changed and grateful as the rest of them.
If there was anything that Naruto had been grateful for during his journey with Jiraiya, it was that the old man had actually limited his exposure to the ins and outs of his sexual adventures, only hinting and cackling to himself occasionally.
Sure, Naruto had known about the basics – had known since he was a kid, in fact – you don't grow up on the streets without learning a thing or two. But to the extent that Jiraiya "researched" and indulged in the most salacious of the Shinobi vices was something that had never appealed to him. Despite the ridiculously overblown and disheartening rumors regarding his personal life, he'd had eleven total dates in the past five years, three of which had resulted in long-term relationships which dissolved into shambles over the course of several months.
That included his thing with Sakura…
So despite his experiences, Naruto was woefully ignorant on the subject of fetishes. Oh sure, he joked now and then about how he had a thing for ramen, that Orochimaru must have a long tongue for purposes other than jutsu, that Rock Lee was turned on by the mere mention of youth, and so on…
They were harmless jokes really, but Naruto himself had never experienced an intense pull to a particular characteristic or trait. He seemed to prefer girls with long, dark hair but it had never occurred to him exactly why until these past few days. And he nearly laughed at the absurdity because it had taken five years, thousands of miles between them and her almost dying for him to realize exactly why he liked long, dark hair. It had taken him so much just to realize that he loved her and only her.
But when Hinata had stepped out of the clinic, disheveled and sporting a pair of red framed glasses, courtesy of Karin, he was struck dumb by the sheer force of his heart beating through his chest and the blood rushing to his cheeks and…elsewhere. She made it worse by gasping slightly in surprise, her pink lips parted as she gave him a small, warm smile in greeting.
It was then Naruto realized he had a thing for girls in glasses… specifically for Hinata in glasses.
"Naruto-kun?"
He blinked owlishly, distracted by her every movement. He gaped at her newly acquired look as if she were the most beautiful person in the world. To him, there wasn't a shade of a doubt as to the truth of that statement. And that was all that mattered.
"…Uhhh…"
Hinata frowned slightly. Naruto's eyes had glazed over, and he was staring dumbfounded at her face, as if someone had coldcocked him over the top of his head with a frying pan.
Self-consciously she wondered if her new spectacles really looked as awkward and out of place as they felt and she fidgeted with the lenses, adjusting their position on the bridge of her nose.
"They...umm, Karin-san gave them to me. She said I was squinting too much and they might help."
She trailed off, peeking earnestly over the rim of her frames. Nervously, she bent her head, ducking under the cover of her heavy bangs – a gesture so familiar and disheartening, that she quickly performed an about-face with her poise and demeanor.
'I'm not twelve years old anymore!' She chided herself mentally, before composing her features into a more calm and confident state.
Somehow the scene seemed familiar to Naruto, a sense of déjà vu causing his world to spin just the slightest bit as it brought back a memory from years ago when she had done something bold and unexpected to change how the world perceived her. And just like back then, he replied with…
"I-It looks cute, Hinata."
He flushed slightly, but refused to look away because that had been his error last time, and he wasn't about to repeat it. The action, though small had been one in a series of mistakes he'd made, and every single one had repercussions and consequences that had led them down a road of separation and hurt.
"It looks really cute, Hinata." He repeated, confidence infusing his voice. He wanted her to know he was being earnest and sincere with his assessment of her new look.
Hinata frowned, wondering why that sounded so familiar until the memory Naruto was referencing came to the forefront of her mind. But unlike last time, she was in a better place and appreciated his compliment without one ounce of self-deprecation or inadequacy.
"Thank you. I think it's a nice change." She answered, smiling slightly at the irony of the situation.
The comment dissipated the tension surrounding them. The fact that this time, the exchange had gone right in this deceptively simple conversation gave them both hope that their future may not be as cloudy as once thought.
Naruto suddenly sported a goofy grin as a joy unlike any other flowered in his heart.
"To the council, then?"
Hinata nodded, her expression brightening and a giggle accompanying it as Naruto made a show of letting her lead the way, bowing at the waist in a mockery of gentlemanly manners.
They walked in silence for a few seconds, until Naruto began to talk business. There was much in the way of investigation and logistics to be done in the next two days before their departure. Kusa was still vulnerable, and morale of the citizens was devastatingly low.
Naruto knew if there was any chance of recovery and even growth, everyone would have to rally themselves to help rebuild the village faster. And that included the support he was offering from Konoha.
He rattled off his to-do list, pausing only when Hinata asked relevant questions. She corroborated and reported her own findings, impressed at how well Naruto was taking charge of the situation.
He will make a fine Hokage, she thought, I would not have gathered the support I did had I not believed in his ability to lead.
"Also, did you send the sample of that muck to Granny for analysis?"
"Yes. Alba-chan left last night. The sample reached her this morning and should be in the lab by now."
She hummed thoughtfully wondering what, if anything the decayed plant matter could tell them.
"Great! You're always on top of things Hinata!"
Naruto paused when he realized this could be a perfect place to insert some form of innuendo, but quickly dismissed the childish thought – at least for the time being. He could tease her playfully like that later, when things were more casual and certain between them. For now, he should focus on the task at hand and working towards strengthening their renewed friendship.
Hinata did not fail to notice the pause after his statement, and it did not escape her that the Naruto she knew could have easily added some sort of double meaning to his compliment. She glanced slyly at him out of the corner of her eye, and the slight flush on his cheeks only confirmed her conjecture.
Her gaze softened fondly. He always could be tactful when he needed to be.
And as they walked along in comfortable silence, their hands brushed the slightest bit. They both felt the beginnings of something old rekindle within them; a warm heat that filled their hearts and sent shivers down their spines which could only be attributed to their brief contact.
On his part Naruto relished the feeling, embracing it fervently without one iota of hesitation. He loved her – he knew it – he just had to be patient.
But along with that patience, he also knew Hinata would not give in so easily. And at the moment, he was more right than he knew.
Hinata warred internally with herself, one half of her screaming to give in and fall all over again, succumbing to feelings that were rooted deeper than she had ever could have thought. In recent days she had come to the realization that even if she were so inclined, eradicating them would be nigh impossible.
The other half was fighting viciously at having those chains renewed, binding her so inextricably that she would feel like the proverbial bird in a gilded cage.
A brief, rueful smile appeared on her lips and vanished just as quickly when she realized that she was already bound. The chains that trapped and constricted her freedom were of her own design, and each link was inscribed on one side with the flame insignia of the Fire Daimyo and on the other with the name of the Daimyo's son, Kazuhiko.
And she wondered which she would be more comfortable with… bound to the Imperial Court in a loveless marriage, paraded around like a china doll for the Daimyo's son to flaunt and brag about, or with her childhood crush whom she still apparently loved, despite the fact that she still had no idea where she stood in his life, Ino's comments the day after the attack notwithstanding.
A light breeze that blew through the woods was enough to quell the warmth in her belly. Hesitancy reigned in her thoughts, despite the progress of the night before.
The only certainty she had was that things would never be simple between them ever again.
Kazuo Yoshida was a simple man, but also a nervous one because of his position. He had a family of eight to feed and a small farming village to run. It was a tiny haven, a small cluster of lush fields located in the northeast corner of the Land of Tea and his particular fields had the fortune to be the best of the lot. In fact, they were the preferred source of tea for both the Wasabi and the famed Hyuuga clan.
At least they had been, until years of rogue shinobi plundering their stock and the river unintentionally being rerouted during the Fourth Shinobi War had rendered them weak and reduced their yearly crop to half of what it had once been.
He ran a hand through his graying hair as he surveyed his strange visitor, a frown tugging at the corner of his thin lips and the crow's feet at the corners of his eyes deepening by the second. He cursed his luck and his impulsivity. He hadn't had one moments rest since that stupid day, and the rewards he had been promised were nowhere to be seen. If they materialized at all, they would be long in coming.
He was beginning to think that they had been cheated, proving to be the simple country bumpkins that his…employers probably took them for.
So that was why when this plain, dark haired man with a pale face, average features and unremarkable brown eyes had come to his humble abode bearing a strange message regarding these affairs, he had eagerly let him in.
The clock ticked carelessly on and at some point Kazuo felt that his finest ensemble with the burgundy hakama and threadbare embroidery was much too stifling at the moment. He surveyed the man in front of him, beads of sweat gathering at the base of his neck and across his forehead. Steam from the deliciously scented oolong tea in front of him rose to cradle his senses, increasing the heat in the surrounding area and making him feel oddly stifled. His visitor had yet to speak past three syllables after the initial message, and Kazuo was beginning to fidget nervously.
He carefully surveyed the man. There was no headband; nothing to provide even the barest hint of a clue as to where he hailed from. He looked as nondescript as possible and while his movements were smooth, there was no superhuman speed attached to them, nor notable flare of chakra or weapons strapped to his person.
He was a civilian just like him and yet, Kazuo could not find any comfort in that.
Finally, the man shifted slightly and pulled out something from within the folds of his tan cloak. It was a simple golden pin, delicate and carefully wrought. It displayed a simple flame insignia cradling a red ruby stone.
Kazuo's eyes bulged out of his sockets, his throat went dry and he swallowed thickly as the sweat began to run down the back of his thick neck.
It was sign of the Fire Daimyo. He had been found out. After five years of freedom he had been found out – and just like that, Kazuo began babbling nonsense, trying to offer up some sort of plausible explanation regarding his innocence. The nondescript man remained expressionless and if Kazuo had been just a bit more attentive, he would have noticed the way the man's eyes flashed red for the most miniscule of moments, and how his taut mouth curved up into a slight sneer.
"I-I swear I had nothing to do with it! Nothing to do with Lord W-Wasabi's death!" Kazuo proclaimed.
The very denial itself was all the confession the plain man needed. He waved his hand vaguely and the shadows of the room darkened and lengthened, peeling off the walls and the wooden floors with an oily slickness, frightening the blubbering Kazuo. They coalesced into a tall figure, clad in a dark gray cloak and wearing a porcelain bird mask.
ANBU…from what village it wasn't clear, but if they were associated with the Land of Fire, then they were most likely from Konoha.
Before the man could react, the pale man's features seemed to shape and warp, slowly revealing a man covered head to toe in a gray cloak and hawk-shaped mask, a soft red glow emanating from the eye holes.
"Kazuo Yoshida. We have a warrant for your arrest." Hawk said in a dark, low voice.
Frightened and pushed in a corner, Kazuo went for his last resort. A trembling gasp escaped him and not knowing if it would work he stuttered out, "M-May I at least finish my tea?"
Slightly amused, Hawk titled his head and humored the strange request. After all, where this man was going he would most likely be living on moldy bread and gruel for the rest of his life – assuming he wasn't given the death penalty for his involvement.
Hawk was mildly annoyed at the ease of this operation. Why the fuck Tsunade thought it necessary to send him and one other ANBU to arrest this pathetic shell of a man he couldn't fathom. He watched as Kazuo lifted the simple blue porcelain cup in his shaking hands, and was therefore unsurprised when the cup fell out of the man's trembling grip and onto the pale wood floor, where it broke in two. The tea dribbled down through the cracks, creating rivulets in the planks and the clinking of the pieces resounding through the tensely silent room. The ANBU didn't even flinch, merely watched as the pathetic man muttered his apologies as tears came to his eyes.
Then he knocked once on the planks and all hell broke loose.
The wood splintered as tendrils of decaying plant matter shot out, reaching for the ANBU codenamed Falcon, binding his ankles and wrists before he could even think to react. Hawk had been prepared, dodging just before the branches had sped towards where his heart had been but a second before.
He turned towards Falcon, who was still struggling against the roots and quickly painting a pack of wolves to repel the attack. They began tearing at the branches, growling and whining as the branches fought back.
"Falcon, do you see Kazuo?!" Hawk searched through the mass of writhing roots from his perch on the roof, the tepid mist let off by the things clouding his vision somewhat.
Falcon managed to disentangle himself and joined Hawk in the corner. He winced as the heat of black flames began to consume the branches, eerie high-pitched squeals of pain echoing through the room.
And as the flames reduced the plants to ashes they saw Kazuo slumped forward, his mouth hanging open and his eyes glassy. One of the branches had pierced through his chest, a large gaping hole decorating his threadbare haori.
Blood pooled on the floor, mixing with the spilled oolong tea and Hawk clenched his fists.
"Fuck." He spat out, waving a hand to dismiss the flames. He walked gingerly across the large room, analyzing the damage left behind. Falcon followed quietly alongside him, looking for any evidence that would help them complete their mission.
Sasuke stopped suddenly, holding up his hand to Sai and beckoning him towards Kazuo's body, his back slumped and his kimono slowly becoming soaked in his blood.
There on his sleeve, stained and small, was stitched the familiar red and gold flame of the Hyuuga clan.
Shino had been avoiding the group since that night, refusing to speak unless it was needed and barely acknowledging Hinata's presence. She flinched each time she approached him, accepting the consequences of her actions and feeling a bit lost all the same. She knew it would take a very long time to gain Shino's trust again, or even his forgiveness for that matter.
He was slow to anger and just as slow to forgive, and his favor once lost was arduously difficult to win back. And seeing his taut back and hearing the agitated buzzing of his insects each time she was within ten feet of him sent a lance of pain through her greater than any of the injuries she had received.
To give herself some reprieve and feel at least somewhat useful, she had pushed herself into the remaining talks Naruto had conducted with the council, wanting to be as helpful as she could. When the specifics of Naruto's promises became a bit tangled and just a little hazy, she would
step in to clarify them and set realistic expectations for a timeline of completion. Logistics were after all her specialty.
"I understand the need for haste Namida-san, but it is nearly impossible to gather that much stone within a week's time." Hinata pointed out practically, rolling up the sleeves of the oversized dark shirt as the humid heat of the forest pressed in upon them.
She looked around at the council, gathered in their makeshift spot hidden by a copse of trees away from the main camp. Their faces ranged from a permanent state of worry to a deep gratefulness etched onto the lines of their faces. And it had been more than once she had caught them staring at Naruto in a manner almost embarrassingly worshipful, as if he were Kami descended from the heavens.
"Well, we could do it – I mean, if we ask Gaara for help. I'm sure he'd be willing to help if we ask him." He muttered quickly to his associate, trying to offer a solution.
"You mean to say, if you ask him, right Naruto-kun?" She corrected teasingly, a small smile gracing her face and her eyes brightening just slightly.
He blinked adorably, as if he had been staring into sunbeams for too long and a light flush crossed his face. He turned back to the council members, the elders not missing a beat when it came to the interactions between the future Hokage and his ambassador.
A soft amusement spread through the council members as they watched him struggle to regain his composure. He cleared his throat, his blue eyes darkening to azure as he composed himself, trying once again to appear commanding and serious.
"Yes, of course. I will ask the Kazekage for his help in the matter of the stone transportation. You will have enough to finish the bridge, along with some additional man power from the Land of Waves."
Hinata made a quick mental note to discuss the economic ramifications of such a promise with him at a later time. Right now, all that mattered was assuring the safety and recovery of this village and she knew Konoha could empathize. After Pein, the village had rallied itself and rose up from the ruins of the attack, but the consequences and financial debt they had accrued still influenced their infrastructure and important decisions.
Besides, maybe with a little financial rearranging and balancing of the books, this could be easily doable. She might even be able to convince Konoha's economic advisors that it was a worthwhile investment.
"But first things first – we can't leave you guys vulnerable to another attack." Naruto finished, finally coming to the crux of the problem. As they had yet to catch Kusano and with very little to go on, the village was still in a precarious situation.
The elders muttered amongst each other, fearful that their fellow shinobi would be leaving soon while Kusano was still at large. Their shinobi force was much too weak at the moment to defend against another attack, and at the moment they couldn't even afford to pay for the mission they had initially requested. .
The Konoha ninja had gone above and beyond the expectations of even the most skeptical people in their village, but the seed of doubt in reference to their own sufficiency had been planted by Naruto during the meeting before the attack and had blossomed quite strongly afterwards.
The council was at a loss. They had nothing left to offer, and no right to request further assistance after having received far more than they bargained for.
However, before another comment could be made, a placid voice spoke out from the shadows just beyond a cluster of hawthorn tree branches.
"I'll stay."
The murmuring stopped as they turned in the direction of the voice. Naruto's eyes widened as Shino came into view.
"Shino-kun?" Hinata called softly, her fear of another rejection quieting her voice.
"Shino, you don't ha-" Naruto began.
"Until such time that Konoha sends reinforcements, I will stay to help."
"Bu-"
Hinata's protests died on her lips as Shino gave her his full attention. From behind his glasses he stared at her and as it had been many times before, she understood his feelings without having to talk.
The slight tickling on her neck let her know that she had once again been "bugged".
And with a sad little smile she nodded at Shino, her eyes silently pleading for him to see that she understood.
Believe in me, Hinata.
"I do…" She muttered under her breath. And that was all that was needed for now.
"If you're sure then, Shino." Naruto conceded, not noticing the silent exchange that had occurred between the two members of Team 8.
Shino merely shook his head in the affirmative.
Naruto clapped his hands, happy with the temporary resolution. "Now that that's settled, we'll head back tomorrow morning to get supplies here as soon as possible."
The council meeting ended shortly after, their morale boosted by the upbeat attitude of their visitors and as they walked past Naruto, Shino and Hinata, one by one they affectionately shook their hands and clapped their backs, a deep sense of trust firmly established between the two parties.
If anything could be said about the youth it would be about his bland, yet handsome appearance. His pale face and finely crafted nose had no distinguishing characteristics; it was simply was a pleasant amalgam of average features placed together to please.
His dark hair was inky black, swept at the base of his neck into a low ponytail and his eyes gazed out shrewdly and just a bit incredulously at the seedy, underground gambling hall. The incessant clicking of forcefully placed game tiles and the swishing of cards and the raucous laughter of winners and losers filled the smoky air, and the youth felt that this was certainly an inconspicuous enough place that the business at hand could be conducted quickly and without too much suspicion.
He turned to his cloaked companion, amusement sparking in his dark eyes at the discomfort and impatience emanating from the man next to him. The only parts visible on his shadowed face were his pressed lips and the glint of his glasses in the hazy, red tinged lighting. The man's pale fingers tapped against the wood of the large, wooden square table. The pieces were already set, the tiles and corners set up for four players.
He casually picked up a random mahjong tile, expertly maneuvering it between his fingers, twirling it as gracefully as he had done with a scalpel on many occasions.
"I don't think this is very dignified sort of meeting spot – particularly when our guest is someone like her."
"Comments such as that don't suit our new purpose, my friend." The youth answered drolly, his teasing words rolling over his silvered tongue. Then with a quick flick of his wrist, he snatched the tile from his associate's hand before he had the chance to place it in the field of play. He held it in his palm, face up as he stared disappointingly at it.
"Tsk. Plum blossom. How dreadfully predictable."
The hooded man smiled wryly, lacing his hands together at the comment. "I would say it's rather refreshing. A chance to start anew? To begin with a clean slate? Collaborating with others on ideas? I find that rather uplifting."
"Ever the optimist…." Smiled the youth, and then his grin widened, an almost maniacal gleam appearing in his gaze as he sensed their guests approaching. "But then again, optimism is something to be cherished, especially with recent happenings. Right, Tsunade?"
Tsunade frowned as she looked at the two, her arms crossed under a generous bust and the sleeves of her jade haori pushed up to her elbows. Tawny eyes took in every detail of her old teammate and his once student. Her brows raised at his choice of disguise, the long black hair and dark eyes making him look very much like an Uchiha.
"I'm surprised Orochimaru. A henge instead of a new vessel? My, my, my… perhaps people really can change."
"You're looking as haggard as ever." Orochimaru replied, his words oily.
"And here I was so looking forward to meeting you – old friend." She said sarcastically. The way he practically hissed his s's made her skin itch.
Kabuto merely looked between the two, amused at their interaction while he remained straight faced and cordial. She was still the Hokage after all, and it had been by her request that he accompany Orochimaru to join them at this little rendezvous.
Orochimaru kicked out the chair next to him, inviting his old teammate to sit down. "And where's our fourth player?" He inquired curiously.
She nodded over her shoulder, towards a particularly hazy corner where Kakashi Hatake stood, his face buried behind a very familiar book. With a lazy smile and languid wave in their general direction, he acknowledged their presence. He then buried his face back into the book, fixating on a particularly raunchy part of the story.
"Him? Then who did you leave in charge?" Kabuto asked casually.
"Why, Naruto of course." Tsunade answered as she glared at him, daring him to question her choice. It was a lie, though – Naruto was currently in Kusagakure helping to provide security and foster a relationship with their leaders.
"Tsk. Again, predictable." Orochimaru interrupted, dismissing the subject with a slight shaking of his head.
Then with a whistle, Tsunade beckoned their fourth player over to the table and quickly set up the game, pieces flying rapidly and fitting into place.
"Mahjong – a game for old women and retired politicians." Kakashi muttered under his breath, noting that two out of the four players sitting at the table fit those descriptions.
"On the contrary, it's quite exquisitely formulated. Interesting to say the least, and…"Orochimaru stopped, gently grasping at the plum blossom tile he had taken earlier. "…somewhat prophetic."
Tsunade tapped the empty spot in which the tile needed to be placed and once complete, she clapped her hands. With an eager smile, she looked avidly at the players and they shuddered under the intensity of her gaze.
"What are the stakes?"
Kakashi looked on with trepidation, thoughts of Tsunade-sama's reputation as the Legendary Sucker flitting through his mind. He suddenly found himself very concerned for Konoha's treasury.
"Let's see…How about I offer you several bases of operation in the lands west of Amegakure?"
Orochimaru proposed, a grin splitting his otherwise handsome face into a fearsome visage.
Tsunade tapped her chin thoughtfully, the wheels of her mind turning as to what would be a safe bet. "All right. I will offer you my collaboration, along with Konoha's resources on any medical research you want – within the confines set forth by the Kage Council, of course."
Orochimaru feigned affront, placing a slim hand over his heart in mock hurt. "You wound me, Tsunade. In the end, my research has borne nothing but fruit and has been used to strengthen and save countless lives. Have you not been able to recently replace limbs that have been
severed, or damaged beyond repair due to my discoveries?"
Kabuto shifted a little uneasily. Kakashi waited with a forced calm, knowing exactly where this was going.
Tsunade stilled, splaying a hand across one of the pieces in front of her. She picked one up and played it, then closed her eyes and exhaled slowly; her anger now palpable in the air around them.
"Regardless of how truthful you believe that statement to be, in those very same lands you reference, we have found monstrous abominations. Plant-like mutants, and horrible golems with the barest sentience, composed out of rotting wood. When an analysis was performed, we discovered their DNA was a match for the Shodai Hokage. Specifically, the sequence that was coded for his Mokuton."
She laced her fingers together, and waited…patience was often a virtue in games such as this.
Orochimaru laughed mockingly at the insinuation. "I find that very interesting, Tsunade," he said as he picked up one of his own tiles and placed it with a definitive 'clack' next to her own.
He lifted his head, giving her that same bone chilling, oily smile from before.
"Since I never utilized plant DNA in my experiments. I discovered many years ago that it was simply too unstable and volatile, which makes me wonder who discovered my research and had the resources to create the abominations you speak of…"
A chilly breeze swept through the small clearing, flowing through the stalks of grass and raising goose bumps on their skin. But despite the chill of the fall wind they remained still, speaking in calm tones. An air of momentary peace existed between them on their last night in Kusagakure.
They lay side by side, her midnight hair fanning out around the two, their whispers carrying over the chirping of the crickets and looking like giddy secret lovers on a late night rendezvous.
"I just don't know. I mean, everyone expects me to have some kind of answer for everything. Jiraiya, Itachi, Sasuke-teme, even my dad… He said he believed in me."
Naruto trailed off, his troubled gaze set upon the myriad of stars twinkling above the open glade.
He clutched a clump of dry grass in agitation, fingers digging through the moist dirt as if he could unearth his long sought answer.
Hinata listened, because that was what she had always been best at. A trait she now cherished, because it had allowed her to survive in the feudal court and gained the ear of many a high official and leading lady. But while before she would have offered encouraging words of belief and blind faith, now she did not.
As jaded as she had become, at the moment the pragmatic side of her was being painfully honest and she knew words such as those would offer Naruto little comfort tonight. They would be nothing but echoes and although well meaning, these wisps of stronger and more meaningful encouragements would do no good to a discerning Uzumaki. So instead she asked him…
"And what have you come up with?"
He closed eyes, knowing his answer might cause her some pain, but it was all he had come up with. Even after years of searching and all of his experiences, everything came back to this one, singular point. All of his enemies and all of his friendships… All of his failures and all of his successes…
"Honesty." He replied, with a slightly grim smile. And his premonition came true when he saw her recoil slightly in discomfort.
She knew it wasn't something he meant personally, but rather it was the only certainty he had discovered thus far. For him, it was something to be treasured, for every memory and action that cut deep and the pain they caused her.
Hinata turned her gaze back towards the sky, her thoughts still as scattered as the stars above.
Just like with Shino-kun.
She offered a counterpoint. "I've seen such a thing topple kingdoms. I myself have used hidden truths to shift the tides in Konoha's favor. Naruto-kun, there is no such thing as black and white in this world we have inherited."
She shifted her bespectacled eyes slightly to the left in order to observe his reaction.
He merely hummed thoughtfully, his expression remaining neutral as he saw the challenge in her gaze. The play of the moon across his form made his normally sunny hair seem almost silver, his tanned skin muted to appear almost as pale as hers.
Chiaroscuro, she thought just a little reverently, her heart racing in a way that signaled nothing good for her usual gravitas.
"But this world we inherited was also built on trust." He said, finally responding. "I've seen countries reborn and the tide of war turned in our favor all because an honest truth was told and light was shed on the situation."
He peered back at her quizzically. "You can't tell me your family communicates solely using secrets and lies, Hinata Hyuuga."
She laughed at that, knowing he was both correct and incorrect on the subject. "You're right. The Hyuuga started in the sun, of course."
Her fingers lifted to trace an airy spiral across the night sky. Naruto followed her graceful movements, his mouth parted slightly and his gaze eager to learn. While he found Baa-chan's method of instruction rather dull and boring, somehow with Hinata it always seemed more interesting.
"The branch family started after we signed the treaty and joined the newly formed Village Hidden in the Leaves. Those who first wore the Caged Bird Seal weren't forced into accepting it. In fact, it was considered a grand honor to be branded."
Her voice grew stronger here, more sure and steady. Her timbre lowered the tiniest bit and she seemed to say the words as if they were memorized by heart, a certain prideful tinge that he had only ever heard come from certain Hyuuga, like Hiashi and Neji.
"You were considered a warrior, one who would defend the clan and Byakugan. You held the trust and admiration of everyone and if you died, your reward would be that you died with honor, and a fully intact dojutsu."
"That's it?"
"For a Hyuuga with a Byakugan, the loss of even one eye is a heavy blow. It's a dishonor indicative of weakness. And we both know how poorly tolerated weakness is in my clan." She smiled despondently; her hands coming to rest over her glasses, as if the mere mention of such a loss made her injuries flare anew.
Naruto felt a pang of pity, unused to the fact that someone with such an unwavering resolve – who had stood up proudly in the face of death more times than even he had done – had lost such an important piece of herself, changing her forever. It was only now that he understood just how big that loss was – not just as a part of her abilities, but a part of her history and life… her family and her story.
He had to hear more – he had to keep her talking, so that she wouldn't fall into the silent pit of despair he'd seen her in when she first awoke from her injuries. He would not allow her to grovel in misery – he would ensure she stood, facing whatever life brought her way… and she would face it proudly, without fear.
"So what happened?"
"We compromised." She sighed wearily.
"Explain."
"In order to join the Coalition of Leaves, we were required to provide our services as shinobi. Requests from our village and Hokage took precedence over those even of our own clan. And so it was decided that those of us who had decided to bravely defend the clan and the Byakugan would be the ones to provide this… service. Some rebelled against this, feeling that they were being relegated to becoming nothing more lapdogs to a system they hadn't even agreed to."
She licked her lips, her mouth slightly dry from having to speak so much. She knew the spiel by rote; it had been ingrained into her from the very first day of her studies. And now, it was bitterly ironic because it was as much a part of her own story as every other major event in her life.
"The separation became solidified once active duty started and the First Ninja War began. By the time it was finished, the seal had been modified to also inflict pain. Trust was lost, but the clan survived."
She ended on a bitter note, just a little sad at the realization that she had become so cynical where once she had nothing but hope.
"I think I know what you're trying to say, but it seems that a lot of the messed up situations that both you and I have been in could have been avoided if the people involved had just been honest with each other – and talked."
Hinata wondered absently if Naruto was referring to what happened when she left the village five years ago; however she banished the thought almost instantly. He would never be so surreptitious.
"What 'messed up' situations are you referring to?"
"Well, the Uchiha Massacre for one. I mean, if the Konoha council had just listened to their demands – had tried a little harder to hear their side of the story – then things wouldn't have ended up like they did. At least from what Sasuke told me."
Hinata rolled over onto her stomach, laying her head on her arm and looking at her optimistic companion through half-lidded eyes.
"Tsk, tsk. Your knowledge of Konoha politics is a little rusty, Naruto-kun." She said teasingly, an amused smile playing at the corners of her pretty, pink lips.
He felt a warmth shoot through him, butterflies filled his stomach and a dull ache in the vicinity of his pelvis told him that he was in dangerous territory. A teasing Hinata giving him what seemed like the 'come hither' look without realizing it was hard enough to deal with, but to have her in such close proximity with her lilting voice sending pleasurable shivers down his spine, along with her natural scent of lavender and hibiscus filling his nose was almost too much.
"The council did try to talk with them – they made several concessions, in fact. They gave the Uchiha family an entire district, control over the police force and special honors in every ceremony. It was the Uchiha who decided to isolate themselves from the rest of the village."
He cleared his throat, her voice breaking him out of his heated introspection. Flushing slightly, he looked away from her and back to the stars, lest she see his blush and know exactly what he was thinking about.
"Y-Yeah, but that's not the whole story." He cursed himself for his shaky voice but if Hinata noticed, she didn't give him any indication.
She quirked an eyebrow above the rim of those infuriatingly sexy glasses and rolled over to lie on her back once again. "Explain." She repeated, parroting his earlier request with a slightly peeved tone.
He clutched at the stalks of grass again, squirming to take his attention away from the fact that the girl he loved was a very, very attractive woman and forced his thoughts back to the conversation at hand. With some difficulty, he managed to answer her pointed query.
"The victors write the history."
"How so?"
"The Uchiha were manipulated. It's true that from the start they were born to be volatile, but there was an agenda behind everything that happened to them. Do you remember Danzō Shimura?"
Hinata's eyes widened. "You mean the 'First No-Kage'?"
Naruto snorted inelegantly. "Who… Who calls him that?" He asked as his barking laughter filled the night.
"You mean you've never heard him called that?"
"No!"
"The entirety of the Diplomacy Corps calls him that!"
His laughs intensified, his belly aching and his eyes shining. Hinata had never felt better than in that moment; glad the she could bring some brevity and joy to their situation.
He settled after a bit, wiping the corners of his eyes with a calloused thumb. "Damn, Hinata. I haven't laughed like that in weeks."
She smiled at him graciously, tilting her head in a mock flattery. "You're welcome. Now please go back to your point about the Uchiha."
He took a deep breath, his expression darkening. "Danzō was the founder of ROOT, a branch of ANBU specialized in… shall we say the darker aspects of being a shinobi. Sai was actually a part of it."
Hinata nodded. "Go on."
"Let's just say the guy wasn't as against the Uchiha Massacre as he publicly made himself out to be. He used Itachi as his sword and Sasuke's survival as leverage. At the end of it all, we found out that underneath those creepy bandages he wore on both his head and arm, were dozens of implanted Sharingan. How they got there is still anyone's guess." He shuddered, as the image was one straight from the scariest of his nightmares.
"That's…That's monstrous." She answered after some time, her horror clearly etched in the lines of her face.
"That's not the worst part. Turns out that creepy Black Zetsu guy…"
"The one from the war?"
"Yeah. He was the one behind it all. He and his 'mother'…"
Hinata pushed herself up rapidly, her attention suddenly more rapt as her curiosity spiked, getting the best of her. But to be fair, it was a rare moment when any member of Team Kakashi spoke about what happened during the time everyone was trapped in the Eternal Tsukuyomi.
After releasing the technique, the world fell into organized chaos as changes, rebellion and rebuilding swept them all up in a frenzied movement to salvage what was left… leaving very little time to grieve and pick up the pieces of an altered world.
What had happened during her slumber never seemed to be her biggest concern, since the dream she had been having was rather wonderful – a life with Naruto without interference from her clan. But now…
"His mother?"
He looked at her with amusement, his smile daring her to take the bait. He non-chalantly pulled a nearby Hyacinth from the ground, stalling as he picked at the multi-layered blue petals. (play, sincerity)
"Princess Kaguya Ootsuki, the mother of all shinobi."
He heard her sharp gasp and saw her mouth hung open, like a fish out of water. He had done the unimaginable – shocking the normally reserved and proper Hinata Hyuuga, accomplished member of the Konoha Diplomacy Corps.
And then with his largest smile yet he leapt to his feet, a mischievous glint in his eye. "But that is a story for another time."
He held back his laughter, letting it sink in and enjoying the sight of her expression changing from rapt attention, to shock at his statement, to realization of what he'd just done, to finally a mix of amusement and annoyance.
He offered his hand to her, and finally laughed when she looked up at him with grudging acceptance. He was so used to Hinata's almost palpable bubble of personal space and contact avoidance, that he was surprised when she placed her slim hand within his large, calloused one curling her slim fingers around his own.
As it always seemed to happen when he touched her, an immense happiness welled up within him, making him feel as warm and fuzzy as Kurama on a perfect summer day – despite the cold of the night.
On a particularly chilly October morning, as crisp and wet as any day in fall could be expected to be, Hiashi Hyuuga received a particularly harrowing series of surprises.
The old adage was that a Hyuuga could see every single thing in every direction – except past the end of their turned-up noses. Nobody ever voiced such a thing out loud, particularly not when the Hyuuga had the fearsome ability to stop someone's heart with a simple touch. Their white eyes were frighteningly perceptive, perhaps in more ways than one.
That being said, a Hyuuga was never surprised. And even if they were, they were supposed to act with all the regal poise and grace that was associated with the clan.
Hiashi sat down behind his lacquered desk, the window overlooking the Zen garden wide open, his steaming Hibiscus tea placed in the finest cup and saucer one could acquire this side of Suna. A pile of mail rested nearby, waiting to be opened and viewed.
The steady drip of the rain on the stones laid out so neatly in his garden was comforting, and Hiashi had to admit that Hanabi had been right. He really needed to "cool his engines."
Still his thoughts flitted and whirred with everything that was going on. How was Hinata doing? When would she return from her mission in Kusa? What did she have in mind for the seal? How much longer could he push off marriage talks for Hanabi? Would the clan survive the storm he sensed was brewing? How could he slow down the recession of his hair line?
And so on and so on.
His peaceful reverie was disturbed by a knock on the door, firm and polite. He debated using his Byakugan to see who it was, perhaps thinking he could pretend not to be in his office, depending on the identity of the visitor.
The knock came again, and he realized with dry amusement that he was acting rather silly and childish. As head of the clan, he couldn't afford to be playing possum no matter what the circumstance.
He sighed. His time of respite was cut woefully short.
"Enter."
His visitor followed his command, stepping neatly into the room and shutting the door behind him. His Hawk mask gleamed in the dull sunlight of the room, its clay beak sharp and reprimanding. He inclined his head in the barest form of respect, bordering just barely on the edge of protocol.
"The Hokage requests your presence."
Hiashi merely laced his fingers together, and reclined the slightest bit in his chair, peering at the ANBU from underneath his furrowed brow.
"Why?"
While the Hyuuga were known to be self-centered with figurative sticks shoved up their asses, Sasuke always thought there was something just plain boring about them. They followed rules like no one else, hiding behind their rigid demeanor and blank stares to deal with difficulties. But this old geezer seemed to have a different perspective. Hyuuga were not known to question orders from the Hokage.
But there was something in the lines of this man's face and the set of his jaw, the poker straight
back and silvery eyes that pricked the edges of familiarity for Sasuke.
He's going to be a bigger pain in the ass than she was. He thought with dismay.
At least his daughter had been compliant. She may have snapped at him once or twice, given him cause to be late in returning from his mission but those were minor nuisances. On the other hand, Sasuke trusted the both of them about the same amount... which is to say, not at all.
"Talk to her about it." Sasuke replied tersely, the memory of Kazuo's bloodied form and the Hyuuga crest on his sleeve making him more anxious to get to the bottom of things. He didn't trust clans like the Hyuuga – large enough to hold their own section of town, while being volatile and sneaky enough to stage a coup d'etat if they so desired.
My clan went down that path, and look where we ended up, he thought bitterly.
Hiashi seemed to contemplate the ANBU's words. Then he heaved a weary sigh, looking like he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders – or maybe an Akimichi. You could certainly interchange the two.
Sasuke waited, and received his answer when the Hyuuga nodded his head wearily. When Hiashi waved him away, he realized with a tinge of annoyance that he was being shooed, like some kind of bothersome fly.
Without a word Sasuke turned to leave, noticing out of the corner of his eye that one of the envelopes on the desk sported a red wax seal, with a tiny golden flame pressed into it.
'The Daimyo's Seal?'
Storing away that little tidbit for later the hawk Anbu left, slamming the door just a little bit harder than necessary.
Hiashi stared at the closed door with slight amusement, feeling a sense of ornery satisfaction at having riled up the Uchiha so easily.
'The Hyuuga truly are superior when it came to poise and calm,' he mused.
He grunted slightly, frowning as he shifted in his chair, feeling the slightest ache in his joints as he did so. He wasn't that old, was he?
Quickly, before he could give that depressing line of thought further life, he ripped open the envelope with the Feudal Seal, carefully unfolding the rich parchment inside.
He brought his tea to his lips, every movement graceful and perfect.
"To the esteemed Head of the Hyuuga, Lord Hiashi. My name is Kazuhiko Takamitsu. As you may already know, I am the eldest son of the Fire Daimyo."
Hiashi frowned. What would this boy want with him? His eyes scanned the opening paragraph, filled with prevaricating speech and flattery that was done in just the right amount. This Kazuhiko certainly knew his societal protocol – and he was skilled with weaving words, much like Hinata was…
He skipped the flattery and the introduction, his Hyuuga eyes alighting on the one sentence that would decidedly ruin his morning.
"Let me be direct and to the point. I send you this letter to ask your permission to marry your eldest daughter, Hinata Hyuuga."
The expensive tea cup didn't stand a chance as it fell to the wooden floor, the pieces strewn across the wooden planks, shattered just as the calm of morning had been.
a/n: ANYONE ELSE HAPPY THAT NARUHINA IS CANON?!
This chapter had a lot of callbacks to previous scenes and aforementioned topics. That conversation between Naruto and Hinata about the glasses, parallels the scene from Chapter 3.
The Daimyo's son has made his move and now we get into the thick of things.
Next update won't take so long, I promise. Please Review.
Recommendations:
For the Love of the Hokage by Hendrixon. This story is absolutely darling. It's refreshing and funny, and it portrays a budding relationship between an endearingly awkward Hinata and Naruto with such sweetness and realness that it's certainly one of my favorites. If it sounds like your cup of tea, I highly encourage you to read it and leave the author a review.
For any SasuHina fans.. "They Know Me Here" by chancewriter. A SasuHina with the most bittersweet NaruHina back story I've read in a while. Also for those who are NaruHina fans, I would recommend "The Way of the Geisha" by the same author. A very interesting AU twist to the Naruto world wherein Hinata's kidnapping is sort of successful and she ends up as a geisha.
