Chapter 9: Person of Interest
Hi everyone. I hope you're good. I'm so happy people are still reading and enjoying this story. Thank you for all the likes and comments. You have no idea how much it means to me. I have a lot of ideas still, it just not as easy to write it out at a fast pace, but I am trying.
So this chapter has a, like a, mini smut scene…well a smut light scene if you will. I haven't really written an intimate scene before but I enjoyed it. I'm really nervous for you to read it. You can totally skip it if it's not your jam, but if you don't entirely hate it please let me know if you would like to see intimate scenes more often. I want a feel of what you like/don't like so I know whether to include them in the story.
Hope you enjoy!
XOXO
IT was late Friday afternoon and Naruto was buried neck-deep in paperwork. He would have made some dent in his work if he was not out on a mission the previous day. Naruto usually doesn't engage in physical ninja work often. More often than not his status and job as Hokage takes precedence. That was one of the things that initially bothered him before he became Hokage. In the beginning, it never occurred to him even though it should have been obvious, Granny Tsunade was always in the village in her office during her time and so was Kakashi Sensei. It's obvious the same would apply to him. But sometimes, when the situation calls for it, Naruto would leave the politics and engage in the physicality of his prior profession.
This time, Boruto's team had gotten a sighting of the person that injured him and Naruto gave strict instructions not to engage. The blonde knew he could have sent anyone else instead to retrieve the perpetrator but thought it wise to go himself. This was an unknown subject they were dealing with and while he trusts Konohamaru's skills and judgment, his fatherly instinct kicked in and he wanted to reprimand the culprit himself.
Except in this case Naruto was positive the culprit was no older than 16, a child in his eyes; albeit an unruly, violent, and rude child, but a child nevertheless. The boy was just shy of his shoulder in height, with onyx hair that fell into his eyes and was shaved along the sides. He had a tiny tattoo of some sort below his left eye and when his eyes landed on Naruto his instinct was that of violence. It was at that moment that Naruto was glad to have come instead of sending someone else. He wasn't Hokage for nothing. He intercepted the boy's attacks with relative ease; it felt kind of nice to be engaging in physical combat with some stakes involved. The easier he dodged the more frustrated the young boy got and when Naruto thought he realised the fight was futile he ran leaving Naruto to chase after him.
The chase was easy; he already grasped the boy's mind-set and matched his pace to it. What wasn't easy was the thought of what to do with the child once he was caught. All it took was one look at the boy to know he was struggling and lost and carrying a lot of anger. Naruto knew all too well the path one can go down if guided by wrath.
"Naruto," he heard a knock as the door opened. Shikamaru walked through. "They are calling you down to the medical wing, to discuss our new prisoner."
Naruto nodded in assent and gathered his stuff. The chase was the previous day and the first plan was to question him which yielded no results. The boy was as shut as a clam if a clam was a picture of stony silence and eyes filled with rage. He refused to answer any questions, tried to escape at least 8 times, and attempted to kill anyone that came too close to him. In the end, he had to be restrained and kept in an enclosed space. Naruto left him in the hands of medical ninjas, to run a few tests, hoping to get some answers. If they were calling him to the medical wing it's safe to assume there are answers, at least he hopes there are.
Shikamaru accompanies him to the medical wing, an unspoken agreement that the message meant both of them. Naruto has always been glad for the man. As an advisor Shikamaru is exceptional. He managed to talk Naruto out of many scenarios that could have ended badly for them all. Shikamaru may like everyone to believe everything is worth too much effort on his part but Naruto knows he is a genius and just being in his proximity has made Naruto a better person. Also, he is a great friend and an exceptional drinking buddy.
They meet Sakura in her office, a pen in her hand perusing a file in front of her. She's wearing her medical ninja robes and offers them a smile upon entering. It sometimes stuns Naruto to see his friends all grown up.
"Hey guys, have a seat." She greets gesturing to the two chairs in front of her.
They both take a respective chair.
"Hey, Sakura. How's everything?" Naruto returns her greeting.
"Everything's good. And Hinata…Is she okay? Any issues.." she trails off catching herself. They haven't shared their news yet. Naruto and Hinata decided it was better to wait until the end of the first trimester to tell their friends and family. They are having dinner with the Hyuga's soon when Naruto will have to tell his father-in-law that he has now impregnated Hinata for the third time and for the third time in his life it will become common knowledge the married couple engage in sexual intercourse. I mean it's not like Hinata's father is unaware of the fact, it's awkward when it's a subject of conversation. Naruto always has a moment where he fears for his life and then has to remind himself that Hinata is his wife and she has no problem with it; she is a very enthusiastic and willing participant.
"Hinata's good." Naruto finally responds.
Sakura turns to face Shikamaru, "And how's Temari?"
"She's good. A little temperamental but still good."
Naruto chuckles, "you better not let her hear you saying that."
"I value my life too much for that," Shikamaru adds and they all laugh in agreement. Despite their friend's frequent complaints about any and everything both Sakura and Naruto know Shikamaru adores Temari.
They dissolve into silence for a few seconds before Sakura lets out a sigh and then rests both her hands on the table.
"So, I'm guessing you want some feedback."
Naruto wants answers, as many answers as possible but he'll settle for information at this point. Anything so they have a starting point. "We want something, any information that you can find."
"Well, I can't give you much."
"What can you give us?" Shikamaru asks.
"I can tell you his blood type. I can estimate his age. I can tell you that I do not know his name. He isn't in our database or any other database in any other village we have an affiliation with. I checked. This child is a…ghost."
"But he can't be more than 16 years old. How was he able to survive so long without a record in any village?" Naruto contemplates.
"I don't know exactly."
"It could be possible -" Shikamaru postulates, "- if he was a prisoner or just hidden from the world."
"My guess would be prisoner," Sakura adds.
"What makes you say that?" Naruto questions.
"From the tests that I've run, there are signs of experimentation, abuse, and mistreatment. I have found healed injuries that were sustained years ago." Naruto can see that it's difficult for Sakura to continue but she takes a deep breath and persists. "There are signs of trauma and probably a lot more that I can't glean from a test."
She passes a file to them to look over but most of it is full of medical jargon that flies over Naruto's head. He understands the gist of it. Everything she said are things he suspected, just from a few brief minutes in the boy's company.
"And you don't even have a name?" Naruto asks again, knowing the question was useless but wanting to make sure.
"Not even that. Any time we have tried to initiate a conversation our attempts are met with some pretty foul language."
"Foul language isn't such a big issue. I mean you and Naruto are pretty used to that what with your experience with Sasuke…" Shikamaru trails off at the sight of Sakura. "…this is a very bad joke on my part."
Naruto stifles a laugh, camouflaging it with a stealthy cough that everyone sees through. They have all come a long way since their teenage years and even Naruto can admit Sasuke was difficult at best.
"Not just foul language Shikamaru…violence and aggression."
Naruto doesn't think it's wise to mention that those were Sasuke's MO as well. Shikamaru agrees and lets the conversation go.
Sakura gives them an out so his advisor puts the situation back in perspective. "Regardless of the many unknown variables, we still have to consider a plan of action going forward. As unstable as he may appear we cannot keep him as a prisoner without any proof of ill intention. We don't know if taking him has made us an enemy to a third party."
"You're right Shikamaru, but we also can't let him go. He may have valuable information for us. And if he has been mistreated, sending him back to the people that may be his captors could be even worse. We'd be condemning and punishing a child."
"What do you suggest we do Naruto?" Shikamaru implores gently.
Naruto sighs in defeat, "keep him here a few more days. I may have an idea." He does have an option but that option would require, "I just need to get permission first," he mumbles the last part under his breath but his friends catch it anyway.
"You're Hokage Naruto, who do you need to get permission from?" Sakura teases incredulously.
To which, Shikamaru guffaws, the pink-haired woman, and the advisor share a mischievous glance before saying in unison, "Hinata."
The response just makes Naruto roll his eyes but he doesn't deign to respond. He will need to speak to his wife first.
XOXO
It was late by the time Naruto made his way home on Friday night. He had missed dinner and had to eat alone while Hinata settled the kids and got ready for the night. He was so grateful for the weekend. He needed the extra two days to process the week. He knew it was still going to be an eventful weekend; they had to attend a Hyuga family dinner tomorrow night. Hinata and Naruto decided it was time to share their news with their family. Hinata was finally at the end of the first trimester which meant she was relatively out of the danger zone for complications or the possibility of a miscarriage which eased the blonde's fears tremendously.
Hair still damp from the shower, Naruto made his way toward the front of their home. There was a stillness in the air, a sense of peace and tranquillity. The kids were long since passed out, and Hima sprawled unceremoniously across the sheets when he peeped in. Boruto on the other hand was curled in a tight ball, covers on the floor, and pillows were thrown haphazardly around him. Naruto picked up his blanket and covered him before leaving silently.
By the time he made it back to the kitchen, Hina was putting the last of the dishes away and wiping down the counters. She was humming under her breath. Naruto was taken aback by the sight. She wore her blue nightdress, loose around her body, bump barely visible in the silky fabric. Her hair was unbridled, swaying across her back with her movements. They've been together for years but there are always moments Naruto is reminded of her beauty. And now, singing happily, pregnant with his kids, she was glowing incandescently.
He makes his way to her, arms circling her waist and settling comfortably. He nuzzles his face in the crook of her neck, hunching down to blanket himself around her figure. She lets out a soft laugh, her fingers reaching up to tangle in his blonde strands, massaging his scalp in soothing motions.
"You feel so good," he murmurs contently. "I missed this," he leaves soft burning kisses along the side of her neck to the tip of her shoulder.
She moans at his ministrations. "That feels so good," she says, closing her eyes. He takes that as a sign to continue, kissing back and forth across her skin, his hands caressing and squeezing at her waist. He teases at the thin strap of her dress, letting the blue material fall off her shoulder in a graceful sweep, exposing her body to him. Naruto enjoys the sensuality of the moment, lets it seep into his pores, and allows the comfort it brings. Each swipe of his lips as he inches upward lights a fire in his belly, stroking his desire for her.
In a soft movement, she turns around, burying her fingers in his hair and leaping up on her toes to catch his lips in an embrace. He accepts eagerly, never able to deny her anything. They kiss slowly, languidly. The movement is familiar and comfortable, long since experts at each other's bodies. Her touch still stirs pleasure in his center.
He turns his head slightly, tongue darting out to taste her, her taste a live wire to his senses. He is met with the familiar lavender and vanilla scent and can taste the sweetness of the dessert she prepared for them, all an aphrodisiac to him.
He bends a little, securing his arms on the back of her bare thighs, lifting her with ease, and placing her delicately on the counter. He does it all without breaking his mouth from her. She parts her legs, allowing him to slot in place, two puzzle pieces locking. Lost in the sensation of her lips he runs his fingers seductively along the tops of her thigh to just above her knee.
"Naruto!" She keens, tightening her fingers in his hair, almost painfully. Her response stirs Naruto on, wanting to bring her as much pleasure as possible.
He parts from her lips, moving down the column of her neck. She tilts her head, embracing his actions, and inviting him in.
"Naruto, more; I need more," she pleads seductively. Everything Hinata does can be seductive. He happily delves, peppering open-mouth kisses, leaving a blaze in his wake. The fallen strap gives him more skin to work with, his lips at the top of her breast. He brings one hand to cup it, the weight settling in his palm. He squeezes almost unconsciously, too busy sucking a deep bruise onto her chest.
Hinata lets out a frustrated huff, "honey, stop teasing."
He laughs and then takes a nipple into his mouth, through the soft satin, staining the material with his saliva. He pays gentle attention to the pebble before grazing his teeth and playfully biting, soft in his affection except Hina lets out a gasp as she flinches away.
He immediately pulls away in confusion, his desire making him slower to comprehend.
"Don't bite Naruto! Especially not so hard. They're sensitive."
"I'm sorry, I didn't realise." He rubs soothing circles at her waist. He felt like he was gentle. It slipped his mind that his wife was probably more fragile in certain instances now than she was before her pregnancy. He burrows his head in her chest as an apology.
She isn't using a bra so her breasts are free. He cocks his head to the side in silent thought, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. They are definitely bigger than the last time he looked at them, really looked at them.
It's been years since Hinata was last pregnant and it's almost as if he is going through it for the first time. He had forgotten some of the changes her body went through.
"Why are you staring? Is something wrong?" She puts her arms across her chest, blocking herself from his view, suddenly self-conscious of the attention.
He grabs her wrists, his touch tender but firm.
"No, nothing's wrong. I just didn't realise. Your boobs are totally bigger," he grins in excitement and his words go straight to her face. Her cheeks fill with colour and she hides her face in her hair.
"Oh my god," she gushes. "I forgot how much of a pervert you can be." She smacks her hand against her forehead dramatically. "Who am I kidding? You trained under Jiraya Sensei and Kakashi Sensei, I shouldn't be surprised."
"Hey! I take offense to that!" He retorts before swooping upwards to capture her lips. He bites playfully at the corner of her bottom lip, "and no talking about my Sensei's when we're about to have sex."
She giggles and pulls him impossibly closer, locking her feet at the base of his spine, her arms hanging over his shoulder. The motion means he gets to press his hard length to her core. They both get lost in the sensation, their previous conversation forgotten. They continue kissing for a few minutes, each stroke of the tongue riling the other up more. Hazily and reluctantly Naruto pulls away. Her lips follow him, unwilling to break their connection.
"We should stop," he says and Hinata whines in frustration.
"You're joking," she huffs in disbelief. "There is no way you get to turn me on this much and then just leave me hanging." She hooks her leg tighter around his mid-section and hauls him to her chest. "I will murder you Naruto Uzumaki if you tell me you have a Hokage thing right now," she declares angrily.
He visibly gulps, fighting a smile at the same time, knowing it would only make her angrier.
"I wouldn't dream of it," he replies, kissing her softly on the nose. "I just meant we should stop doing this in the kitchen."
He picks her up, his hands grabbing onto her as she grips the back of his neck to keep herself upright.
"I know a much better location for our activities." He says as he makes his way to their bedroom.
He places her on the bed almost reverently. He kisses her neck again, giving all his attention to her pleasure, moving further down the path of her body. He lingers at her growing bump, leaving tattoo kisses on her belly mumbling to himself, "I'm so lucky," before continuing further,
He knows they have things to discuss but at that moment Naruto couldn't care to stop their lovemaking. He simply allowed himself to get lost in the feeling of his wife, her face and hands blurring out the world around; the stresses of Hokage, the mountains of paperwork waiting for him, and the unknown of the enemy all fading into the background. His entire world, his entire focus was on Hinata and his only goal was to make her feel as good as she made him his whole life.
XOXO
Hinata is pulled from the dregs of sleep when she feels Naruto's side of the bed dip in weight. Her eyes are closed and she is mostly buried in his pillow. She peels her one eye open to find her husband molding himself to her side. Closing her eyes she cuddles further into him, delving into his bare chest. She wonders briefly why he isn't wearing a shirt then dismisses the thought, enjoying the outcome. She hears him let out a soft laugh as he runs his fingers through her hair.
"Morning Sunshine." He presses his lip to her bedhead. "How are you feeling?"
She burrows deeper, in the juncture of his neck and shoulder, then mumbles, "I'm good." Her hand instinctively goes to her stomach. "We're good," she reassures.
There's a comfortable silence for a few minutes, Hinata dozing off again before she murmurs sleepily, "wha' time's it?"
"A little after 8."
Awareness comes quickly after that. It's a Saturday. The kids would be awake and hungry, most likely. Without saying a word Naruto senses her train of thought.
"It's okay. You can relax a bit more. The gremlins are taken care of." He says affectionately.
She eases a bit at the reassurance; then becomes suspicious. "They're still asleep?" She questions groggily.
"No. they're eating and watching cartoons." He responds, massaging her scalp as he speaks. The motion brings her comfort and she hums at the feeling as sleep begins to catch her again but she fights it off.
"Sweetheart…did you feed our kids ramen for breakfast?" She asks patiently.
"No," he guffaws, pauses, and then says, "I just made it for them…they can feed themselves."
He sounded serious. "I can't tell if you're joking or not." Naruto could eat ramen for breakfast, lunch, and supper. Not to mention he probably did that when he was a kid, as unhealthy as that is. So she checks again. "Please tell me you're joking."
"Relax Hina. They're eating cereal; they found the one with the most sugar and are gorging on it." She frowns at that. "Don't frown." He responds without even looking at her.
"It's your rule." It was her rule. She allowed them one day on the weekend to eat sugary cereal so she can't fault them for it. She found it better that certain unhealthy snacks in moderation worked better than forcing them to stay away from them altogether.
"Let them be for a bit longer. I kinda wanna talk to you about something." He sounds too serious for a Saturday morning. She moves to sit up so she can look at him clearly, but he rests his hand on her lower back, keeping her in place. So she just tilts her head to gaze at him.
"What's wrong?" She enquires.
"Nothing's wrong. Just wanted to run something by you."
He doesn't speak immediately, just continues playing with her hair, so she lets him be.
"You know that field mission I went on at the beginning of the week…"
She takes a few seconds to think about it. "Yeah…you went to retrieve a person of interest. Someone you think was involved in Bolt's incident."
"Yep," he agrees. "Well turns out that the suspect is a…child, well a boy really. He can't be more than 16."
That's a little odd, Hinata thinks. She can tell it's important to Naruto so she reserves judgment until she hears the whole story. Child or not this person hurt Bolt. Under normal circumstances, Naruto would be angrier. There has to be a reason he is not.
"Anyway, we brought him back to the village and Sakura ran a few tests. Suffice to say, his life wasn't all that pretty."
Hinata was starting to understand where this was going. Naruto was feeling sorry for the boy.
"Either way, despite all of that we can't really keep him locked up. We don't have evidence. I mean, we do...we have Boruto's testimony. That's enough for me. Be he isn't willing to talk. He doesn't want to defend himself or give us any information. I don't even know if he knows, or doesn't remember. There are signs of abuse so he could be working for someone and doesn't have a choice. I can't say for sure."
He does raise a good point. It is a tricky situation.
"That's why we can't let him go. I think it'll be better to keep an eye on him, keep him in the village," Naruto continues.
She nods her head against his chest to indicate she's listening and agrees with him.
"Look. He's rough around the edges…okay he's more than rough. He's angry and violent and unpredictable. But I don't know love. I fought him. I looked into his eyes."
She can tell Naruto is struggling to verbalise his thoughts precisely.
"He looked haunted. Lost. He just…"
"…he reminded you of you." She finished his thought. Naruto's silence means she hit the nail on the head. He runs his hand across his face in defeat.
"I know. I know. I know how crazy it sounds…"
"It doesn't sound crazy."
"We can't save everyone Hinata. You think I'd learn that by now."
"You have never been the kind of person who wouldn't try." She sits up to look at him. "So, let's try."
You don't even know what you're agreeing to."
"Maybe not entirely. But what other choice do we have?" she says because they're partners. His burdens are just as much hers. "Do we leave him in a cell? Keep him in a hospital? If you said he didn't have a good life what does it say about us? Aren't we just as bad as whoever hurt him if we do that?"
"Hina, you're pregnant. And we already have two kids. We're juggling enough. Where would he even sleep?"
"We have a spare room."
"That's going to be a nursery."
"We have months before the twins are here. We'll figure it out then." She leans forward and takes his face in her hands, fingers caressing his cheeks. "But right now, we are in a position to help someone. So we will. If you believe this boy is worth saving then we will try. I have never doubted you before. I will not start now."
He pulls her into his body, hugging her tightly. He pulls back, foreheads touching. "Thank you!" He kisses her and Hinata feels her skin tingle and butterflies erupt. He has always been able to make her come alive with a single touch.
He flips them until she is on her back and he is hovering over her possessively. "Did I tell you how much I love you? How amazingly wonderful you are?"
She purses her lip in thought. "Hmm, not today you didn't? You're slacking Mr. Uzumaki."
He tickles her. "The day just started Mrs. Uzumaki!" She laughs joyfully.
"No seriously, Hinata. I wish I had better words than 'I love you' because it's too simple to encompass the way I feel about you."
"You don't need fancy words Naruto. You show me your love; every day."
XOXO
What do you guys think? Did you love it? Hate it? What are your thoughts about our newcomer? Any theories? Anything you would like to see happen? Please let me know.
Thank you for reading. I appreciate you'll. Until next time :)