Chapter 2
Hinata rushed downstairs as she heard someone knocking harshly on the double doors. They rang the doorbell several times before she finally opened it.
"You've only been gone for a week and you're already becoming lazy?" Saya brushes past her and entered the house. "I guess that boy doesn't know how to deal with a maid." She sighs. "Well?" She said raising her voice.
"Good day, Madam. Um… Naruto isn't here at the moment." Hinata said while she played with the hem of her long sleeves kimono.
"Naruto?" Saya raised her eyebrow. "You are a disgusting girl! Have you no manners?" She raised her hand and slapped Hinata on her right cheek. Hinata's head turn and she trembled. "Where do you get off calling your master by his first name?" Saya eyed her. "And what is this?" she questioned as she studied the kimono. "Did he buy you a new kimono?"
Hinata held her cheeks and stared into Saya's eyes, she was panting heavily.
"Answer me!"
"Yes… madam. He did. He didn't like the kimono I was given." She responded. "He also instructed me to call him by his first name." Hinata felt her chest raising up and down.
Saya, who was wearing a western style clothes that consisted of a short sleeve mint green dress and a sunhat, hummed in amusement. "I see." She said straightening her portion. "I see you've gain weight." Hinata remained quiet. "And your face seems to glow." She said circling the girl. "Are you seducing the Namikaze heir?"
"No, madam. I'm just doing my job." Hinata replied.
"Very well." Saya said taking off her gloves. "Fetch me some tea with lemon." She demanded while she made her way into the parlor.
"Hinata," Naruto spoke, "run me my bath."
He had just come from a meeting with one of his friends and one thing led to another and the two decided they would do a quick spar.
Hinata went downstairs to greet her master and was stunned by the bruise on his right cheek and messy hair that had little figs in it.
"Sir are you okay?" she asked. She was helping him take off his blazer.
"I'm fine. Now run me my bath, lukewarm water." He told her.
"Yes, sir."
As he walked into the parlor, he unbuttoned his shirt when he spotted a teacup on his table.
"Hinata." He called out as he made his way to the bathroom.
"Your water is almost ready, Naruto." She had put some scented cherry blossom oils in the water.
He stepped into the bathroom, where Hinata was pouring some oil into the water. "Why is there a teacup on my table? Are you neglecting your duties?"
She bowed. "I apologize sir. Madam came by and requested that I make her some tea and that I accompany her to Town sq-
Hinata yelped when Naruto placed his two hands on her arms. "She was in this house?" She nodded her head, afraid to utter a word. "What did she want?"
"She just wanted to see how you were doing and to invite you to a party she is having tomorrow night."
"Hinata, when I'm not home do not let her enter this house, okay?"
"Y… yes s-sir." She said in between stutters.
"And what happened to your face?" He eyed her red cheek. He was unbuttoning his shirt when he asked, "Was it her?"
"Yes…"
"You know Hinata, you can't let her hit on you. She doesn't own you anymore." Naruto said as he threw his shirt onto the floor.
"Yes, sir." She kneeled as picked up the clothes he dropped onto the wooden floor. Hinata placed the clothes into a straw basket while Naruto entered the wooden soaking tub. He submerged his entire body into the tub before coming up for air. After doing so, Hinata added some Sakura petals into the tub. This was a routine she was accustomed to; especially from her previous houses.
She reached for a white wash cloth that was on sink and began to wash his back. She remembered the first incident they had when he asked her to run his bath.
"Good day, Naruto." Hinata bowed as the young lad strolled into the house. He was damp in sweat and dirt.
"I'm going to take a bath." He mumbled as he climbed the mahogany stairs. Hinata also followed behind him, her steps were quiet as a mouse. He turned around, which cause the girl to collide into his chest. "What are you doing?" He questioned. He furrowed his eyebrows.
She bowed. "You informed me you were going to take a bath, so I'm going to prepare it for you."
"Is it really necessary?"
"You are my master. Your hands shouldn't prepare anything since I am here, sir."
He scratched the back of his head before walking away. "Okay." He muttered.
"Which bathroom are you going to be using today, sir?" Hinata asked she followed suit behind him.
"This one." He said standing in front of a wooden sliding door. The window was embroidered with the Uzumaki symbol. "This is the bathroom I'm always going to use."
Hinata nodded her head. "Yes, sir."
Naruto slid the door open and stepped into the wooden room. Hinata followed behind slowly and it felt like her breathing stopped for a moment. The room, though not too big, was mesmerizing. There in the center stood a wooden soaking tub that was carved with little petals. The walls were also wooden that had the Uzumaki symbols hand carved into them. The wooden sink was delicate and smooth and above it, there was a little oval mirror hanging on the wall; and one square window looking out towards the garden.
"I like my water lukewarm." He told her. "Please have everything ready before I come back." He left on those words.
Hinata turned the water on the water and set it to a lukewarm temperature. Feeling that it was enough to his liking, she let the tub filled just enough not to overflow when he gets in. As the tub filled with water, she looked on the sink for some scented oils to pour into the bathtub. She spotted a mini bottle that had a leaf sign on it. She opened the bottle and smelled it. Much to her delight, it was a minty smell. She poured some into the tub. Deciding that it was good enough, she turned off the water and exited the bathroom to get some orange and lemon slices from the fridge.
Naruto was in his room when he heard someone running downstairs, then back upstairs. It reminded him of a dog he snuck in the house one day. The dog caused so much damages, he was grounded for a week.
Hinata gently placed the orange slices into the water and watched them float around, some bumping into one another.
"Is it ready?" He asked her as stood in front of the door.
"Yes sir."
Naruto sighed. "I told you to call me Naruto." He complained. He entered the room and waited for her to leave. Upon finding out she wouldn't budge, he eyed her. "What?" he barked. She jumped a little. "Why are you still in here?" He asked. "I'm about to take my bath."
"Yes, N-Naruto. It's my duty to help you."
"Help me with what? To take a bath?"
"Yes."
"I am more than capable of bathing myself." He unbuttoned his clothes. He turned his back against her and smirked deviously. "But if you insist." He threw his white button shirt onto the wooden floor, revealing his bare skin back. Hinata breath ceased for a moment, before it went back to normal. She was used to it; her watching her master undress, bathing them. It was her job. He pulled down his olive-green slacks and kicked them at her feet. "Make sure they're clean by tomorrow." He ordered.
"Yes." Hinata stooped down and pick up the clothes. She slowly looked up and her face reddened when she was staring directly at his naked behind that was pointing in her direction. He threw the briefs at her before gently getting into the tub. He submerged his entire body for several minutes. Hinata got up and placed the clothes into a wooden basket. She turned to face the tub and noticed her master was still submerged into it. Worried overcame her, and as she was about to call out for him, but he finally came back up for air. Some water splashed onto the floor. He went on the next side of the tub and pressed his back against the wooden walls and rested his arms on the rim of it.
Hinata stood there, frozen. At times he was intimidating and cold that it made her whole body tense up.
"Why did you put orange and lemon slices in here?" He asked as he lift one of the slices up.
"It's called a citrus bath, sir… I mean Naruto. It's good for the skin and will soothe the mind." She mumbled the last part.
She grabbed a white wash cloth that was on top of the wooden counter. "Um… if you would please come closer. I need to wipe you down."
Naruto stared at her. Her hair was placed into a high pony tail and she wore a pinkish lace up Yukata kimono shirt which was tied up with a white tasuki cord, and green pants that puff inwards above her ankles.
He squinted his eyes. "Why do I have to come to you?" He asked. After not answering he splashed some water on her, soaking her yukata shirt completely.
Hinata dropped her shoulders in defeat. "I do apologize, Naruto." She bowed.
Naruto stuck his nose in the air, which reminded her of a little fox she encountered a few years ago. The small fox was a boujee little fellow.
She yelped when something wet her face. It was a lemon slice sliding down her face. "Please refrain from daydreaming in my presence." He warned her.
"I'm sorry." She bowed. "Sir… err- Naruto, I would really appreciate if you would come on this side, so I can give you a proper bath. I wouldn't want to have to step in the water and dirty it."
He scoffed, but that didn't stop him from moving towards Hinata. She had to admit that the young master did look seductive moving towards her. His hair was wet and stuck to his face, and it almost felt like he was trying to seduce her with his body action.
He turned his back against her and sat there. Hinata kneeled and began to gently wipe the nape of his neck with the washcloth. He shivered slightly when Hinata placed her left hand on his left shoulder.
"Are you okay, Naruto?" She whispered.
"Yes." He frowned. "Your hands are cold."
"Ah, I'm sorry."
"It's okay." He grumbled.
Needless to say, the master had a ticklish spot that Hinata spent the entire night soaking up the water into the bathroom because of him.
He relaxed in the water and picked up the cherry blossoms in his hand. "Hinata, you will accompany me to the ball?" Hinata face flushed at the request, until. "I'll need someone to fetch me something to drink once in a while."
She smiled weakly at the comment. "Of course, Naruto."
It was a sunny morning when Hinata greeted the mailman who was delivering from some mail to Namikaze's resident.
"Have a nice day." She told him as he petaled his bicycle away.
She flipped through the mail until she saw one for her.
To my beloved sister, Hinata
She walked into the garden and sat on the stone bench. Hinata looked around the garden and was unsatisfied with the outcome. The garden was losing its touch and color. She tried her best to take care of the flowers, after all they were the prettiest flowers she had ever laid her eyes on. But her being one person was hard enough as it was. She couldn't take care of the house, which was doubled the size of the Uzumaki residence, and taking care of Naruto and his childish antics.
She groaned. The man could be a real scrooge ball who seemed to make life a living hell. He did have his moments where he was kind, but other times he was childish and did stuff just because.
But she could say, she preferred this than her last few households. He never once beat her or touched her inappropriately. The first few nights she spent there, she couldn't sleep. She always stared at the door waiting for it to open, with him standing there staring at her hungrily.
She grabbed a small knife and gently tore the white envelope just enough for her to pull the paper out.
"Ah, Hanabi's writing is so cute. Mother would be so proud." She said adoring the symbols and it strokes.
My beloved sister,
Thank you for sending me the medicine. It was much needed.
How are you doing? It's been so long since I've last seen you and I miss you so much. Is everything going smoothly with work? I found it strange you forward me a new address. Were you fired? And do you have a new master? I hope they are nice people.
Lately, I have been hearing rumors that there is talk of war and it's causing a few problems here. The other day a man was killed by some of the other civilians for suggesting overthrowing the Kazekage for not letting the people know what was going on. It was such a gruesome sight from what my friends told me. They said he was drunk when he sputtered such foolishness. Did they have every right to kill the man?
I am scared. Some nights ago, an alarm went off and we were scurried in a basement for shelter. They said it was a test and that there was no need to worry. They assured us that there would be no more war. But I saw the war truck going in and out of the village every so often.
What am I going to do if war breaks out?
What are my friends going to do?
I pray to God that these are nothing more than just rumors.
But please continue to write to me. I find I am at ease when I a hear from you.
I love you.
My best regards,
Hanabi H.
Hinata hands trembled as she read the letter.
'Talk of war? There haven't been any rumors here.' She thought.
"Hinata!" The young maiden jumped when she heard the anger in her master's voice. "Do you know how long I've been looking for you?" He walked on the stoned pavement and towards Hinata. He looked down at her and saw she was holding a letter in her hand.
Hinata stared at the young lad as if she were in a trance.
He raised his eyebrow. "What is the matter?"
"S…sir, have you heard of any rumors of war in Suna?" she questioned.
"War in Suna? He repeated. "Who are they to go to war with?"
Hinata handed Naruto the letter and he glanced over it.
"I'm pretty sure these are just rumors, Hinata." He threw the paper to her. "You've been spacing out lately. Why?" he inquired.
"Um… I haven't noticed." Hinata replied as she picked up the letter off the ground.
"Of course, you haven't. I've been calling out to you since yesterday. Are you feeling ill again?"
"No sir. But do you think war will come about? Do you remember the war of Konoha? We lost a lot of people during that time."
"That was thirteen years ago." Naruto muttered. He picked up some of the mail and flipped through it.
"That wasn't long ago, Naruto!" Hinata shouted. "It killed so many people and parts of the country is still recovering from it." Her eyes began to water. "My family died because of it."
"Hinat-
"No." She said slapping his hand away. "The Hyugas were loyal and now look at us. We've become nothing more than rags and dirt all because the messenger came too late and the Hokage isn't doing anything to-."
Naruto quickly placed his hand over her mouth. Her eyes watered as he stared down at her coldly. "Know your place woman." He sneered. "Do not mention Hokage in this household or wherever you go. Do not talk ill of the Hokage or you will surely lose your life." He warned her. "Do I make myself clear?"
Hinata nodded her slowly, and the tears splattered over his hand. He released his hold on her mouth and sighed. "Hinata, I do apologize." Naruto said. "I can reassure if there were to be war with Suna, Konoha would be the first to know. They are our allies."
Hinata stared at the ground with a hesitant look.
"Hinata, may I remind you who household you're in?" He responded in an angry tone. "I need you to get yourself together.
"I'm sorry, Naruto." She rubbed her eyes.
He let out a heavy sigh. "I didn't mean to do that, but," he reached her height and whispered into her ear, "that man is ruthless and will kill you without hesitation. Please be mindful wherever you go."
Hinata eyes widened.
"I am hungry. Make me something to eat." He demanded her.
He looked around the garden. "And why does the garden look like this?" It had been a long time since he stepped foot into his mother garden, thirteen years to be exact. The water fountain with a mother holding her child still laid in the centered, but it had little vines covering it, and the flowers were decaying and weed was everywhere.
"I try my best, but you may need to hire a gardener." She informed him.
"I'll think about it. My food, please." He reminded her.
Naruto waited for Hinata downstairs by the house door. A few minutes ago, he had send her back to her room to change into something fitting for the party. She wore a grey kimono, something he thought he had told her to get rid of. She explained it was her duty to let everyone know she was his maid, and nothing more. But he was not having it. He fanned back to the room to wear a formal western dress. Much to his dislike, he would have preferred her wearing a traditional kimono, but hearing his auntie nagging was out of the picture.
"Hinata!" He called out to her.
"I'm coming sir."
He heard heels click-clacking on the tile floor and out of the corner Hinata popped up. He was struck. She wore a navy blue laced tulle V neck ball gown. She had her head lowered and strolled towards him slowly.
He was surprised at the outcome because the dress was handmade by a local seamstress. He knew she needed at least two or three gown dresses due to his Auntie invites he will received. He would send his best regards to the Misses.
"Um… Naruto." She said in a hush tone. He shook his head slightly because he had been staring to long. "Should I change?"
"N… no." He stuttered. "You're just going to take your slow time again. Let's go. We're already late." He ordered.
The two walked side by side on the pave way towards the Uzumaki Manor which was only six minutes away from his house. The sound of crickets could be heard, and there was a full moon out. Hinata mind lingered onto Hanabi and what she said about the war.
"When we get inside get me something drink." He told her.
They had entered the Uzumaki manor, and there seemed to be quite a few people entering the household. Hinata bowed at the young boy standing in the front taking invitations. She smiled at the familiar face. It was Haku. They were next in line and Hinata took out the invitation.
"H-Hinata." Haku stuttered. "It's been so long." He said eyeing the girl up and down. She was pretty, not that she wasn't before, but she looked fuller. He eyes the bachelor who made his way inside the house.
"Is he treating you alright?" He asked.
"He's better than her." She replied.
"Are you two?"
Hinata shook her head. "No. I am still his maid and he is my master. Nothing more."
Haku nodded his head. "Please take care."
"You too, Haku."
Haku smiled before taking the next set of invitations. Hinata entered the familiar household and made her way into a grand room. The room was lively with some people talking, and others dancing. Hinata knew her mistress held some nice parties, but she was never invited inside. She heard some people laughing at one another, and the golden rays from the chandelier showered the place with its grace.
"Oh, the drink." She reminded herself.
She walked over to the table and grabbed a small glass cup of a beige liquid substance. She eyed the room for blonde hair. After several minutes of scanning and searching for her master, she spotted him standing next to a man who didn't look like he wanted to be there.
"I had a feeling something was going on."
"You and I both know he needs to be taking down."
"I know. I feel there is going to be another war. The man is to senile to be our Ho-
"Shh…"
Hinata approached her master, and what seemed to be a friend. She was unsure of what to call him in front of others, so she stuck to sir.
"Good evening, sir." She bowed at the black hair man who held a drink in his hand.
"This is Uchiha Sasuke." Naruto introduced his best friend.
Sasuke bowed slightly.
"Hello, Mister. Uchiha." She greeted. "Sir, here is your drink." She said handing him the glass.
"What took you so long?"
"It was kind of hard to find you. I do apologize." She said as she bowed slightly.
The young man eyed the girl. "You hired a maid?"
Naruto sighed softly. "She was forced onto me by that woman, Sasuke."
The young man known as Sasuke nodded his head slightly. "And you accepted it?"
"Did I have any other choice? Do you believe she literally slept outside in the rain when I told her to?"
Hinata felt her face burned with the embarrassment. There were literally talking like she was not present in front of them.
"Ah, such loyalty." Sasuke said amused. He took a big gulp of the drink.
"You say loyalty, I call her a fool." Naruto frowned. "Hinata, instead of being up under me why don't you make yourself useful and go fetch us some sandwiches. Now."
Hinata bowed. "Yes, sir." She walked away.
"Do you talk to her like that often, Naruto?"
Naruto turned his head slightly and was approached by the first female doctor, Tsunade, and her assistant Shizune.
Sasuke bowed respectfully at his senior. "Good evening, Lady Tsunade."
"I'm surprise you haven't let her go." Tsunade said, wearing a warm smile. "Why don't you try to treat her nicely, after all she was once was from a clan of high ranking."
"Keyword: was."
"Is she from the Hyuga clan?" Shizune asked.
Tsunade nodded her head. "Yeah, that was before the war nearly wiped most of them out. The only survivors that were left were three small children."
Shizune was taken back, while Sasuke looked away. His family had been fortunate because they were basically on the far west of Konoha, while the Hyugas unfortunately were on the north side where the enemy attacked first.
'To think that man wouldn't take care of the surviving Hyugas. They really did a lot for Konoha.' Shizue thought.
"Naruto, you better take care of that girl." Tsunade said walking away. "Do you think your mother will be pleased?'
His head quickly snapped up. Sasuke placed his hand on top of his shoulder and shook his head. "It makes no sense to argue here, Naruto. Let's enjoy ourselves like it's our last." He advised.
"Sir." Hinata said. She walked up to him in a cutesy manner and handed him a plate of sandwiches. "Mister." She turned to Sasuke and him a plate. "Would you like me to take that drink from you?"
Sasuke handed her the glass cup and took a bite of the sandwiches.
"Nephew!"
Naruto turned in the direction of the voice and saw his auntie Saya approaching them. She wore a long green dress that sparkled, and her was placed in a bun. "It is so nice of you to join." She said kissing him on the cheek, leaving a red lip stain. Hinata seeing it took out a handkerchief and dab her tongue on it a little.
"Sasuke." Saya said kissing the boy as well.
"Sir." Hinata called out. Naruto look in her direction, and she gently wiped the lipstick stain from his cheek.
Before she could remove her hand, Naruto gently grabbed it which made Hinata gazed into his blue eyes. The touch of her small dainty hand sent a shiver down his spine that he couldn't explain. Him gripping her hand was also involuntary.
"Oh, and who is this?" Saya said broking up the two. Her eyes slightly widened when she noticed it was Hinata. Naruto quickly let go of her hand and stared at his auntie in a bore manner. "Hinata, is that you?" She said surprisingly.
Hinata bowed. "Good evening, miss. I'm here accompanying Naruto as instructed.
Naruto scoffed. "There is no need to explain yourself to this woman."
Saya smiled slightly. "I see. Well, enjoy yourselves." She told them before walking off.
Sasuke couldn't help but smirk. "Are you still going at it with her?"
Naruto eyed her down until she was out of his sight. "I do not trust her."
"Um, Mister." Hinata said approaching Sasuke. "Forgive me for interrupting, but you have a stain on your cheek." She told him. She took out another handkerchief. "Do you wish for me to remove it?" He signaled Hinata to remove it, and she did.
"I'm surprise I haven't seen Shikamaru." Naruto spoke up.
"You know he hates going to these kinds of things." Sasuke replied.
"He surely has an old spirit." Naruto commended.
"Sasuke. Naruto."
The youngster turned their heads to a young woman approaching them. Hinata also stared in the direction and was mesmerized by her beauty. She had long pink hair that stopped at her middle back, and round jade color eyes. Her skin was fair and pale, and her lips were colored with a light pink lipstick. She wore a long light green gown that also sparkled with the rays of the chandelier.
"Sakura." Sasuke acknowledge her.
She giggled childishly. Everything about her screamed beautiful and she seemed to light up the room with her gorgeous smile. Hinata couldn't but stare in awe.
"Hello, Sakura." Naruto greeted. "Where is your sidekick?"
She tilted her head to the side before smiling. "Ah, Ino should be here soon. Do you believe she actually dragged Shikamaru along?"
Hinata couldn't help but stare. Sakura was a cheery person and seemed to smile a lot. Versus her who was gloomy and unkempt.
Sakura feeling someone stare at here took notice of Hinata. "Who is this?" She asked.
Hinata lowered her head and cowered behind Naruto when she felt all eyes on here.
"This is Hinata. She was given to me by my auntie." Naruto enlightened her.
Sakura smiled. "Hi there Hinata," she bowed. "I'm Sakura."
Hinata bowed slightly. "Good evening, Miss Sakura." Hinata thought the girl couldn't smile any wider, but she did.
"I hope you're taking care of Naruto. He can be stubborn at times, but he is quite a nice guy." She said latching onto the boy's arm. 'Those eyes look very familiar. Ah, she's from the Hyuga clan. I thought all of them were wiped out.' Sakura thought.
Naruto was annoyed. "Remove yourself off of me."
Sakura frowned as she let go of Naruto.
"I guess I'm not the only one Naruto treats like that." Hinata thought.
"Hinata, get me another drink."
Hinata bowed before taking her leave. She stood in front of table and poured the glass with some red wine.
"Do you think he's fucking her?"
The tip of Hinata's ear reddened when she overheard a woman's voice spoke. It was such a distasteful word coming from a woman's mouth.
"I think so. He's young after all. You know men will fuck anything thrown at them."
"I wonder who they are talking about." Hinata said to herself.
"I don't know what Saya was thinking giving him such a young maid. She couldn't have opted for an older woman?"
The ladies walked past her and continued their mindless chatter. She walked back to Naruto and was met with a new face; a young blonde woman who wore her hair down and a side bang covering her eye. She was just as beautiful as Sakura. Her dress was a light blue dress, that was fitted on her. Honestly, Hinata had never saw such a thing, but she had to admit that it was quite beautiful on her.
"Here is your drink, sir."
"Oh-ho-ho-ho," the young blonde woman lips curled up. "And who is this?"
Sakura smiled. "That's Hinata. She's accompanying Naruto."
"A date?" She questioned.
Sakura giggled. "No, apparently Naruto's aunt provided him a maid, Ino."
"I mean who else is going to clean up the place of yours." Ino said jabbing him on his stomach.
"Why is everyone touching me today?" Naruto questioned as he snatched the drink from Hinata's hand. He drank it down in one gulp.
Hinata nearly jumped of her skin when she heard a voice groaning from behind Ino. Ino seeing the girl jumped, laughed. "Oh, don't worry Hinata. It's just Shikamaru." She said moving out the way so Hinata could spot the young lad lying on the floor.
"Um, is he going to be okay?" She noticing the boy stirring around.
"Oh yeah, he'll be perfectly fine." Ino reassured her. "By the way I'm Ino."
Hinata bowed. "Good evening, Miss Ino. My name is Hinata."
"So formal." She fanned Hinata.
Ino unlike Sakura, from Hinata's observance, seemed to be a rowdy character; wild. Hinata could tell by the way she had a tight grip on the man's collar she called Shikamaru.
"Look at all you of youthful people just standing here." Saya said sadly. "What a waste of youth. The floor is open. Go and dance." She said.
"Auntie, there's no one to dance with." Sakura complained. "And you can't expect us to dance with these dweebs."
"Sakura, Ino, you two are pretty young ladies and I'm sure someone will take your hands and twirl with you on the dance floor." She said twirling around.
"Fine." They sighed undefeated.
"Naruto, why don't you dance with Sakura." Saya suggested. She took the cup of his hand and gave it to Hinata. She pushed the young man onto the dance floor towards Sakura.
Naruto sighed. "Just dance with me so she'll leave me alone." He told her.
Sakura frowned. "That's not how you speak to a you- hey!"
Naruto wrapped his arms around her waist and danced with her slowly spinning her around every so often. Sakura blushed. "When did you learn to dance?"
"Living with my aunt for a time, I learned a few tricks just to keep her from nagging." He said a dry tone. "Don't be deceive." He almost said in a cocky tone.
As he was dancing, he took note of Hinata who was standing there just watching. She shined the most in the crowd and was surprise no one took notice of the girl. He couldn't deny it, but she was beautiful, but it seemed to be hidden.
The people on the floor dance to the sweet sound of the violin and the ladies swirled and swirled with their partners as the music went faster.
"You know she's apart of the Hyuga clan that was wiped away." Sakura told him. He took his focus off Hinata and stared into jade eyes.
"Yeah, I was told."
Their hands intertwined, and they danced around the room and other people.
"You better not get any ideas neither. I'm only dancing with you because you forced me to." Sakura scolded him. "I don't need Sasuke getting any wrong impressions."
"Don't flatter yourself, Sakura. Like I said I'm only doing this to keep her mouth shut." He glanced back at Hinata, who was talking with Sasuke. His eyes narrowed when Sasuke took her to on the dance floor and the two danced.
He couldn't keep his eyes off Hinata and wondered who thought her how to dance. Her face glowed, and the way her gown flowed with every step and twirled was like a fantasy. He watched the audience who was captivated by the sight. Sakura gazed at the direction Naruto was looking at and saw Sasuke dancing with the maid.
"I'm sorry if I am no good at this, Mister Uchiha." Hinata said.
"You're doing better than I imagined." Sasuke said. "And please call me Sasuke." He whispered into her ear.
Hinata gazed at the young man and blushed. His eyes were like charcoal, and it reminded her a little bit of Naruto's own; his skin was pale and had black hair that reminded her of the night. Totally opposite of Naruto whose own resembled the sun and sky.
"I know Naruto could be a little dick, excuse my language. But please take care of him, my dear friend needs it." He told her.
Hinata nodded her head slight. "I'll do my best."
Sasuke gave her a faint smile. "Thank you."
With those words, the music ended, and the audience applauded the youngsters who decided to dance.
"Who's that dancing with Sasuke?"
Ino growled. "Shikamaru, I literally told you who she was five minutes ago."
Shikamaru sighed. "All I wanted was a normal life, a wife that wouldn't-
"Shut it." Ino barked.
"Is she seducing the Uchiha child too?" Saya turned in the direction of a well-known voice, Setsuna, her childhood friend. "I overheard some of the ladies talking about it."
Saya scoffed. "It's not my concern. Naruto is to do whatever he chooses to do, and if it pleases him to have someone else takes what is, I have no say in the matter."
Setsuna giggled. "As expected from a hot-blooded Uzumaki."
Saya stuck her nose in the air.
"Hinata." Naruto called out.
Hinata scurried to her master. "Yes, sir?"
"Let's go." He said as he made his way out of the crowd.
Hinata bowed at Sasuke. "Remember what I told you." He reminded her. She took once more glimpse at him before taking her leave to follow Naruto.
As they were walking outside the boy swayed left and right, almost nearly falling in a puddle of water on the road.
"Are you okay, Naruto?"
"I'm just a little tipsy. Not a big deal." He told her.
He sat on a near by bench and slouched forward. Hinata went by his side to check up on him. "Would you like me to call a cab?"
Naruto shook his head. He looked up at the night sky and took a deep inhale of the air. "The air smells different tonight, huh?"
Hinata tilted her head to the side innocently. "I'm afraid I don't understand, Naruto."
"The air. Sometimes it smells different, almost as if it trying to remind you of the past." He informed her. "It smells," he paused, "nice."
Hinata figured the man was too drunk to fully understand what he was saying. She sat next to him and waited for a command.
"Did you enjoy yourself?" He asked her.
"It wasn't for me to enjoy myself, sir. But to serve you and make sure you had everything you needed. Are you feeling better to walk a little longer? We're almost by the house."
Naruto got up slowly and walked towards the walkway to his house. He nearly fell to the side until Hinata caught him on time. He was quite heavier than her fragile body and the dress she wore was not making it any better, but she mustered the strength to help him to his manor.
After a while, she finally made it inside. "Sir." Hinata called out. She lied him on the middle of the entrance floor. Naruto's eyes fluttered opened and he stared into her lavender eyes.
Hinata was taken back when he planted a kiss on her lips. He tried to get up, but it was no use. His body felt heavy, so he rolled onto his side and held onto her hand.
'He kissed me.' She thoughts. Her heart fluttered, and a wave of nervousness swam in her stomach. She looked down at him once more.
He'd look so cute, sleeping there on the cold-tiled floor.
Awakening sometime in the night, he got up frogly and looked around. He felt something warm touching his hand. Looking down, he saw Hinata laying next to him, still wearing her ball gown. He was confused. When did he get here? Had he blackout?
She had covered him in a blanket and rested a pillow underneath his head. Realizing he had was intertwine with Hinata's hand, he gently slipped away.
The girl lied on the cold floor, no blanket, and no pillow. Had she falling asleep while watching him?
Naruto tumbled a little, but he'd managed to get up. He picked Hinata up and walked to the maid's head quarter. He bumped into a vase on the table, and it fell to the floor. He cursed himself. He entered her room and placed her on top of the futon and collapsed next to her. With trembling hands, he grabbed the blanket and threw it over the two of them.
His eyes fluttered opened as the image of Hinata faded in and out. After a while of fighting sleep, he fell into a deep slumber of a dreamless night.
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