Chapter Twenty-Three
Change
Hanabi – 26
Konohamaru – 27-28
Hanabi sat in front of her sister's vanity as Hinata combed through her hair, carefully twisting it into a high braid to be wrapped in a bun.
"Hey, Moegi-sensei is here." Hanabi looked at the corner of the mirror to see Boruto leaning over the doorframe lazily, nudging his head.
"Come in!" Hinata called softly, and Boruto whirled around, Moegi taking his place. Hanabi smiled at her.
"Hello, hello," Moegi chirped happily as she parked herself next to Hinata. "That's a nice braid, Ms. Hinata. Too bad my mom has no idea how to braid."
"I could braid yours after if you like, Moegi," Hinata offered kindly. Hanabi snickered and Moegi shook her head.
"I'm alright, we better get going as soon as you're all done anyway. Don't want Eiji going crazy on us for being late."
"Valid point," Hanabi agreed as she felt her braid being curled on the back of her head. With several somewhat painful shoves, Hinata had it pinned into place, ensuring it would go nowhere. "Thank you, elder sister."
"Of course." Hinata smiled up at her sister as she stood. "And please, Hanabi, do not get too wild tonight. I tire of hearing father complain about it."
"Oh, he can shove it," Hanabi half-joked. In all actuality, she was happy to hear her father was relaxing even more lately to complain openly to them. With every passing day, she was feeling more and more hopeful.
"Be well," Hinata called after them as Hanabi led Moegi out of the house.
"Has she met Eiji?" Moegi asked pointedly. "If there's one night we're getting wild, it's to-night."
Hanabi laughed as they turned through the streets until they were entering the Inuzuka neighborhood.
Already, the sound of loud music was filling the air, and she knew they were still several blocks away.
Perhaps the Hokage really didn't have as much power as she once thought, letting the Inuzuka get away with noise complaints flooding in. Did it seem a little corrupt to have so many of them in the police force? She knocked the thought away.
They were ushered in by several Inuzuka women who immediately filled their hands with drinks.
"I lucked out with good friends." Moegi laughed, staring at the beer in her hand in awe. "I haven't paid for a drink in years."
Hanabi kept close to Moegi for most of the time they were there since Eiji was busy being spoiled by her family to pay much attention to her. When she finally got around to greet them, she was already wasted. "Oh, thank gods!" Eiji yelled as she threw her arms around Hanabi. "You actually dressed up for once!"
"Yeah, yeah, I heeded your warning."
"If you come in that damn skirt and top with your hair a mess to my celebration, I'll kick your ass."
It wasn't serious of course, but she wouldn't be the one to put Eiji in a sour mood at her pre-wedding party.
Thankfully she wouldn't have to put too much thought into her actual wedding outfit, picked out for her by Eiji's family.
Just as quickly as Eiji approached, she was whisked away by several older women.
Hanabi continued drinking with Moegi.
"How are the genin?" Moegi asked as they found a quieter part of the building.
"Great." Hanabi nodded, biting back a laugh at the generic sort of conversation all sensei seemed to engage in. "Yours?"
"Alright," Moegi responded with a shrug, "they're finding their rhythm, slowly but surely, though they do irritate me pretty often."
"I hear that." Hanabi lifted her glass to clink Moegi's. "Chūnin exams in a few months."
"Yep, yep." Moegi nodded readily. "I'm recommending my kids. They need a little lesson on the tough world of a shinobi. Sometimes I wonder how war vets raised such soft children."
"Ouch, Moegi," Hanabi said as she perked an eyebrow, "little harsh, don't you think?"
"I do not." She shook her head with a smile.
Hanabi tilted her head. "Well, just think about it this way. They want a better life than they had, right? Our parents were always drilling us to be better, be the best—" she sucked in a breath as she ranted, "never relenting, always just train, train, train—"
"Hey!" Moegi laughed, setting a hand on her shoulder. "Breathe! Also, my dad was not like that. I think your Hyūga experiences make you a little biased."
Hanabi stopped at the words.
It was hard to consider that her life had been so unusual compared to others. But she just nodded, dropping it.
"Parties moving outside!"
They looked up to see the crowd slowly dissipating as they filed out. They looked at one another before shrugging, following the crowd. Hanabi blinked around as she found the men out there as well. An older Inuzuka whom she recognized as Eiji's older sister slapped her on the back. "We party separately for the first half of the night, then intermingle!"
"Oh," Hanabi responded while nodding, "sure."
"Come help us lift the bride!" she commanded, already ambling away. She looked at Moegi with surprised eyes, who shrugged, offering her hand to take her drink.
Hanabi followed behind Eiji's sister until she found several men hoisting Eiji up. Unsure of herself, she followed the lead of the older Inuzuka as the only one who wasn't one herself.
"C'mere!" Eiji beckoned as laughter fell out of her, grabbing Hanabi's hand. She was now horizontal on top of many Inuzuka plus Hanabi and she darted her eyes around as they began counting.
"Three!"
Hanabi watched Eiji fly into the air.
Inuzuka were a rowdy bunch, so she wasn't surprised.
She found the rhythm and joined in for several more throws until she was caught for the last time, several of the men shoving her upright while the rest cheered. Her family crowded around her and doted on her.
But they loved hard.
Eiji hooked her arm around Hanabi's neck to ensure she wouldn't get lost in the crowd, holding a beer bottle up with her other hand. Hanabi laughed, having to crouch down to meet her stance so she wouldn't struggle to hold on.
"Look!"
Hanabi's eyes shot upward just in time to watch Jun fly in the air.
"Oh no!" Hanabi bellowed out laughter at Jun's panicked face. How her quiet, gentle teammate ended up in this scenario, she had no idea. But it was hilarious. Eiji pointed below Jun and her eyes followed, finding Konohamaru joining the others in throwing him. She beamed at him, knowing he was too focused to notice her, but still felt joyful to see him anyway.
After a few more throws, they put him on the ground the same way they did Eiji and forced them together, Eiji being the one to catch Jun before he stumbled. Hanabi backed away to let them be.
"Man!" She whirled around to find Konohamaru and Moegi both converging on her, Konohamaru looking breathless. "Inuzuka know how to party!"
"That's for sure." Udon stumbled over now with two glasses of beer in each arm, clearly having spilled over his shirt on his journey. He doled them out.
"I'd like the Inuzuka to plan my wedding." Moegi laughed, thanking Udon for the beer.
"Me too!" Konohamaru agreed and Hanabi felt stupid for the way it immediately caught her off guard. Thankfully, the other two didn't seem to notice, and she perked an eyebrow up at Konohamaru. He had that knowing glint in his eye as he moved the conversation along, "if this is just the pre-wedding party, what's the after-party going to be like?"
"Watch it just be a quiet dinner," Udon snorted, making Hanabi laugh.
"Oh no, this will pale in comparison," Hanabi yelled over the noise.
"As long as the alcohol flows!" Udon lifted his glass, and the other three cheers'd him.
Hanabi definitely blacked out.
How did she know?
Konohamaru was in her bed.
In her panicked state, she fell out of the bed, slapping her head on the wooden ground.
How she wished they had carpet like Hinata's nice family home.
"Ehh—?" he groaned, unaware of the situation, but soon realized as he shot up to be seated. "H—Hanabi?!"
"Gods!" she whined, clutching her head as she righted herself. She looked down and immediately wrapped her arms around what she realized was her nude form. "Damnit! What the hell are you doing here?!"
"How—how am I supposed to know?!" Konohamaru snapped quietly, looking just as agitated. She grabbed the sheet off her bed, yanking it off of his also nude body to wrap around herself. "I'm in your room!"
"Quiet!" she seethed, scrambling to get to her feet. Urgently, she pulled her nightstand drawer open to search for pills. "Water, water, water."
Unfortunately, and fortunately, the vomit came before she could down any. She barely reached the sink before Konohamaru was behind her, gathering her hair despite his clearly annoyed state.
"Ugh…" she groaned, clumsily reaching out for the sink handle to wash away the sick. Shaky hands fumbled for a glass on the dishrack and filled it with tap water, gulping it down. He bumped her out of the way to grab another glass and repeat her actions.
She prayed that was the last of the vomiting, worried the pounding, sharp pain in her head might bring on another bout of sickness. After draining the glass, she slammed it down and braced herself on the sink, inhaling long breaths.
This was probably the worst hangover she'd ever had.
"I'm not drinking again for a while," Konohamaru grumbled, turning to lean against her counter as he grabbed the pills she had fished out. She darted her eyes over at him, finding him still naked.
"You have to get out," she whispered angrily, "out the balcony. Mask yourself or something, do not get caught."
"Give me a minute, Hanabi," he snapped unintentionally. She looked up at him, squinting.
"How could you come home with me?!"
"How could you bring me home with you?!"
"Oh gods," she whined, resting her forehead on the cool surface of the edge of the sink. The lingering smell of vomit made her stomach turn, so she pushed off, stumbling to her bathroom. She shot him a look as he refilled his glass, draining it again, and sighed. She held out a hand. "Come get washed up and then you can go."
He looked up at her suspiciously. She raised her eyebrows, tapping a foot impatiently.
"With you?"
"Yes!" she snapped, "it would be suspicious if the water turned on and off twice, or if my shower was double the time. Get in here."
His looked softened despite his clearly pained state. "Whatever you say."
It wasn't sexy. It was just necessary. She forced him in first despite the shower not being completely heated and he yelped. She resisted the urge to scold him for being so loud.
In an effort to speed things up, she lathered shampoo and began washing his hair. He turned in surprise, looking down at her. "Just be quiet, okay?"
"Yeah, alright."
She guided him through the washing until she felt like he was clean enough. "Now get out and let me finish up."
"Don't want help from me?" How he could joke at a time like this, she didn't know, but she didn't appreciate it right now, and he could tell. He lifted his hands warily, exiting the shower with haste.
With a sigh, she quickly washed herself up as well. She wasn't sure when she had become so comfortable being naked in front of him. Maybe it was just the urgency of the situation.
When she emerged from the bathroom in a towel, she was irritated to see him still pulling his clothes on.
"Didn't I say get out?"
"I'm going as fast as I can, Hanabi," he sighed, looking exhausted by her pushing. She frowned.
"Hanabi-sensei! Hanabi-sensei!"
"Oh you have got to be—" Hanabi's eyes blew wide as she dropped the towel shamelessly, rushing to her wardrobe. She quickly pulled on underwear and her usual outfit before darting to her balcony, peeking out of the curtain.
They had seen Eiji do it once, and now these brats thought they could hop on her balcony whenever they pleased.
There was no respect for the Hyūga name anymore, evidently.
"Girls!" she snapped irritably without opening the door, pulling the curtains closed.
"You're nearly an hour late! We're supposed to go out to the fields to collect herbs, remember?!"
Idiot. Idiot idiot idiot.
"With Boruto's team!"
IDIOT.
She looked over to see Konohamaru mouth 'fuck'.
"I was just on my way out! You go ahead and—and tell Boruto's team to go with you! I'll go check on their sensei!"
Konohamaru snapped his gaze at her, looking in disbelief.
Sumire asked innocently, "how'd you know Konohamaru-sensei's late, too?"
Konohamaru shook his head at her, eyes lowering. Hanabi choked on her own words.
He mouthed 'wedding' at her, pointing to his watch. "I—I just figured he might be, what with the wedding party last night! All of the sensei were out a little late! I wasn't sure!"
"Alright…" She heard Wasabi's suspicious voice. "Can you just hurry up, please, sensei?"
"Five minutes, give me five minutes!"
She activated her byakugan to check for their fading chakra networks. She slapped her hand over her forehead.
"Good one." Konohamaru folded his arms, looking at her with great disapproval. "Team 7 is probably trying to break into my apartment as we speak."
"You stay here while I leave, then leave five minutes later through the balcony."
"So I get to be the later one?" he asked with a glare. "Doesn't seem fair."
"I swear to the gods, Konohamaru," she mumbled as she pointed at him threateningly, "I will end you right here, right now."
"Hmm," he hummed, clearly unamused and not heeding what she was saying at all. She huffed in annoyance as she brushed past him, storming out of her room and locking it with her chakra behind her.
Konohamaru watched her leave and for the first time in a while, felt well and truly annoyed with the woman he normally adored.
"Goddamnit," he muttered, his pounding head making his skull feel like a bongo drum. His mind flashed to a vision of Boruto trying to break in his door, Sarada scouting around for sealing tags.
He looked at his watch. After three minutes, he opened her balcony door quietly, then shut it, sealing it with his chakra. He masked himself as best as he could, working to dim his chakra signature in the way Hanabi had been teaching him, then leaped as far as he could. He went to his mom's first, dodging all of her attempts at questioning him as he grabbed a spare outfit and flak jacket from his room she kept untouched for him. "I'll explain later, I have to go!"
He went to his apartment, and sure enough, his troublesome team was there. He stood above them on the opposite rooftop. "Where the hell have you three been?"
Boruto was the first to whirl around with angry eyes. "Us?! Where have you been, Konohamaru-sensei?!"
"Waiting for you!" Konohamaru snapped back, trying not to let guilt force him to backtrack. "But you've just been here, trying to break into my place! That is illegal, Boruto!"
"We weren't going to break in!" Sarada launched next. "We were just trying to make sure you were okay!"
"That's true," Mitsuki chimed in.
"Let's just get going, alright? Team 15 is already at the field."
"How?" Boruto asked as the three leaped to keep up with him. "We broke off at the same time to look for you and big sis!"
"Huh?" Konohamaru feigned innocence. "She wasn't there either?"
"No, neither of you," Sarada confirmed.
Gods, he felt like a well and true asshole for keeping this going. He had no choice, though. If he let his team catch on, Hanabi would personally see him hung.
"That's strange." Konohamaru coughed into his fist, quickly dropping it back to his side as he thought back to how Hanabi pointed out that was his tell-tale sign of a lie. "Well, I'll drop you guys off and check for her if she's still not there."
"Where is your scarf?" Konohamaru flexed his jaw at Mitsuki's questioning. These kids were far too observant. He didn't know whether to be proud or annoyed.
"It's been hot out, thought I'd change it up."
"You look weird."
"Thanks, Boruto."
"Are you alright, sensei?" Sarada asked, speeding up to come up next to him. She eyed him as he avoided hers.
"Yes, Sarada," he sighed, hoping she would take the hint and back off.
Thankfully, she did.
Now he had to deal with the other team.
True to her word, Hanabi was already out in the field with the three annoyed girls, standing back as they roamed the foliage.
"Hey!" Boruto skidded to a halt in front of Sumire. "Konohamaru-sensei said he was waiting on us."
"What?" Wasabi snapped, looking irritated. "I didn't see him or sense him."
"Hey!" Hanabi shouted, "quit chattering and do your mission."
Konohamaru fought back the urge to vomit as he finally settled in one place, several meters away from Hanabi who refused his gaze. He was refusing her gaze at the moment, too.
"They're gossiping," she whispered harshly, causing him to look up as they broke off into groups, whispering to each other.
"Well, can you blame 'em, Hanabi?" he whispered back, exacerbated. "Just try to relax. Being angry doesn't exactly invite them to calm down."
He heard her sigh in defeat and looked up. She was rubbing her temples. "My head feels as though it's going to pop."
"Right there with ya…"
"Remind me to hurt Eiji."
"If I don't first."
Finally, she giggled and he smiled.
Like dumb kids.
Despite her bad attitude, something still tried to force him to her, told him to hold her. But he didn't.
Wouldn't be professional, anyway, even if they were public with their affairs. They were doing a job, after all. Even if they weren't leading with the best example.
Suddenly, a firecracker began popping between them.
"Oh—GODS!" Hanabi screeched, grabbing her head as Mitsuki casually put out the flame with a small water jutsu.
Konohamaru darted his eyes around furiously, watching Boruto bolting off.
"BORUTO!"
Hanabi spent the latter half of the day at the lake, thankful as people began clearing out to return to the village. She was in no mood to interact with anyone or return home.
If she saw Boruto, she might close all of his chakra points out of instinct.
She did apologize to her team. It wasn't their fault, and she was horribly late. Not a very good thing for a sensei to do. She wondered if they'd tell Shino and she'd get a scolding. She wondered if that happened if she would point out Konohamaru was late, too, just to drag him in trouble with her.
She wouldn't.
She sighed.
She still didn't know who insisted who go to her place, but she had an inkling that it was probably her.
Gods she felt dumb.
She really had to stop blaming him for all of her problems, it was a bad habit that she knew even he could only take so much of. She pondered how to make it up to him as she looked over the lake, mindlessly plucking grass from the ground beneath her. Her eyes followed a flower petal that whisked over it before drifting into the lake, balancing gently with surface tension. The sun was setting sooner and sooner as fall approached and she felt herself feeling a little sad about it. But eventually, winter would come, and so would at least one or two days of snow, Konohamaru's favorite time to kidnap her.
It wasn't all bad. She may have been a warm-weather girl, but she could learn to like the cold, too. A boy born to frigid temperatures was probably the best person to teach her.
A particularly nasty whip of wind hit her, causing a full-body shiver. She reached around herself and tightened her shirt around her, cursing the thin material of it.
It was becoming easier and easier for her to sense the pulse of his chakra. So many nights together, secret dates, just constantly sensing for one another. It was uniquely his, and she could detect it right away.
So, it came as no surprise when she felt the thick material of his scarf drape around her, then loop once before settling. She hung her head as she felt his back sit against hers, away from her, and leaning on her for support.
Carefully, she pulled her head back and let it rest against his, their backs pressing against one another with each breath.
He really knew how to calm her, even when she wasn't asking for it.
"I'm sorry." His voice came to her as a little sigh.
"No, I'm sorry," she corrected with sadness in her voice. "I was the one who got us into this mess. After all that about being secretive, I go and do this…"
"It's alright," he responded gently, reaching back to lace a hand with hers. "It's fine. Boruto let it go. Sarada's probably suspicious, but she always is."
"Namida's clueless." She chuckled softly. "Sumire doesn't push. But Wasabi is on my case."
"Sounds about right."
"If they saw us right now, the whole village would know."
"I don't know if you really understand this," he started, and she already knew what he was going to say, "but the whole village kind of already does know. And if I'm being honest, no one really cares."
She bit her lips together, lifting her head from his to scoot away, and he mimicked the action, looking at her in the eyes now. She wished her eyes didn't feel glossy. "I do understand that. Do you understand that it's not that part that matters?"
He dropped his eyes to the ground, that pitiful look of sadness taking his features. "Yeah. I understand that."
"I'm…trying. I'm trying."
"I know," he breathed, looking back up at her, repeating words he'd been saying for a while now, "and I'm a patient man."
Her jaw flexed as she thought of Moriko and how she described Konohamaru's father. Suddenly, she could see how he was so like him, even if she never knew the man herself. Moriko's detailed stories were enough, and now she understood when she told her that he reminded her of him. Kind, loyal. Patient.
She let him lean in to take her for a kiss, struggling to justify pulling away.
If the whole village knew and didn't care, why should she?
That line of thinking for a Hyūga was dangerous, though.
Especially for the heiress.
She was surprised when Naruto summoned her and had no mission for her or her team. Instead, he asked her to sit.
"Your old man says you've been making big moves."
"Huh?" Hanabi pursed her lips, furrowing her eyebrows as she took a seat in front of him.
"You know better than I do." He leaned back, tilting his head at her. "You're working on getting them to drop the seal, right?"
"Uhm…"
"I've been talking to your dad, Hanabi. And I'm the Hokage, y'know."
"Right."
"I just want to make sure you know I support everything you're doing." Hanabi leaned back now as well. "Everything."
"Lord Seventh?"
"And I'm not afraid to throw my weight around as Hokage to help you, too." He flashed her a grin, rubbing his hand over his chest. She tilted her head.
"You aren't?"
"Hell no!" He laughed loudly, waving a hand. "Of course not! I'm married to a Hyūga, my kids are half Hyūga! And you're my sister." He paused as his expression turned serious. "And you know as well as I do, the clan has to change." Her eyes widened with surprise at his forwardness, though she supposed she shouldn't be. "Hiashi knows it, too."
"So…" she finally responded, moving to cross her leg over the other as she leaned over, "you're telling me you'll stand up to the council? With me?"
"Yep."
Her mind flashed to that conversation with Kakashi ten years ago. How livid she was to find out the Hokages seemingly had no courage against her clan. Suddenly, Naruto looked different.
"It's…it's not just the seal, Naruto," she whispered, leaning forward. He nodded at her to continue. "It's the main and branch. I want them merged. No more servants. Independence for every Hyūga. And…and I…"
He kept quiet as he waited for her to continue. When she shut her mouth and her jaw flexed, signaling her unwillingness to finish the sentence, he leaned forward as well, resting his elbows on his desk. "You don't want to be clan leader."
"No," she replied quickly, shaking her head. "I…I will be the clan head. That would be too much to ask at this point. It's just…"
"You don't want to be married off."
Her silence confirmed his words.
"And that's completely fair. Like I said, I support everything you're doing." She let out a puff of air. "I promised Neji. I promised Hinata. I promise you. Excluding times of crisis, I'm at your beck and call for this, okay?"
"Really?" she asked, hopefully. His serious expression softened to a smile.
"Absolutely."
She left his office feeling like a weight on her heart had been detached.
Could she really do it?
"And what of the branch that currently have the seal?"
"I've thought of that," Hanabi quickly retorted, slowly breaking down those barriers. "I've spoken with our Hokage, and he's willing to put up the money needed to research it in the Konoha hospital. He'd even put Sakura Haruno in charge of it, and seek several seal specialists. He's on board, 100%."
For once, she was glad she had discovered something she never wanted to: the initial journal for working on the caged bird seal. She'd surrendered it to Naruto for inspection by Sakura and other seal specialists. She thanked the gods she hadn't decided to turn it in. It could actually prove useful, now.
She bit back a grin at the exasperated look of her elders, who glanced at one another.
"I motion that we table it," one of them called and she glared at him, "until we're certain there is a way to remove it."
"I object to that," she snapped, stepping forward, "whether there is a way, I will not stand for children continuing to receive the seal."
"But it's been over 15 years, Lady Hanabi," one of the women said, gently. Hanabi frowned. "No children have been marked since, courtesy of your father."
"How does that strengthen your point?" Hanabi tilted her head. "It would be best to announce the official end of the seal to put the branch at ease."
"I'm just not sure how the branch with seals would—"
"They'd be in favor." She turned to Tadashi, who was standing dutifully next to her. He handed her a folder and she took it to them. "A list of every branch member who favors its dissolution. A mere 2% are not in favor." She stepped back, looking back at Tadashi as she muttered, "and the ones who weren't are senile…"
Tadashi pressed his finger to his lips and she nodded, turning back to the long table. One of them sighed. "You still depend on a branch member, yourself, Lady Hanabi." He gestured at Tadashi, who raised his eyebrows. "And you know we respect you, Tadashi, but if we announce its end, who's to say some in the branch will not rebel?"
Hanabi felt her hands shake as she held back her true thoughts. Tadashi stepped forward. "Lady Hanabi has me on payroll. And I believe in her movement. I work for her of my own free will."
She looked up at him, feeling herself calm as he defended her.
"I also have a strategy for ensuring branch will be less likely to rebel, as well," she continued as Tadashi stepped back again. "That would be the next item to discuss after we've resolved this."
"Care to share?"
"Care to take this seriously?"
She cursed herself for retorting so quickly. They stopped to look at one another, mumbling under their breath to one another.
"I think our time is up," one at the end announced, pushing his papers in front of him away. "We'll reconvene this time next week."
"I…" Hanabi gritted her teeth, feeling very irritated and lost now. "I have a mission with my team next week."
"Then we will reconvene this time in two weeks."
"Tomorrow."
"Unfortunately, Lady Hanabi, you are not the only priority," another chimed in with a pointed brow, "two weeks."
Tadashi grabbed her arm before she could get too far, just outside of the compound as she took off.
She wanted to scream.
She'd been at this for years, and just when she felt she was making progress, it was cut short.
She was surprised to be pulled into Tadashi's chest, his large arms encasing her. She breathed a sigh. "It's working, Lady Hanabi. Remember that."
She let her head fall forward on his chest before pulling away. "Thank you, Tadashi."
Despite his words of comfort, she needed to let this pent-up rage out somehow.
When she was safely within her team's training grounds, she let out the highest-pitched, throaty scream she had probably ever given. Then she slammed her fist into the ground, unable to care that she was tearing the earth up in her fit. And then, she fell flat on her back. No cushion, just soft earth to catch her fall. She found herself wanting that sting against her back.
"Need someone to take that anger out on?"
She hadn't felt his chakra. Probably because she was having a tantrum. Konohamaru stepped over her, feet on either side of her legs as he held out his hand. She stared at it for a few moments before grabbing it, hoisting herself up.
Wordlessly, she activated her byakugan.
He was certainly no scrappy genin anymore.
The power behind that Rasengan was scary. She found herself with her back against the large oak, the poor tree having received too many blows at this point. It was permanently dented with the outline of bodies and fists. She let herself fall forward, coughing painfully, but there was no blood.
That had to have been the full power of that jutsu, right?
"Sorry, went a little more than quarter strength on that one."
"Quarter?!"
There was no sympathy behind his voice as he yanked her by the shoulders back up onto her feet, circling around her to brush off her back of tree debris.
Now she could understand how such a technique was so important to the war effort at one point.
"Wanna see it with fire style?" His voice was prideful. She had to smile—she was proud of him, too.
"Yes, actually." She stepped away from him, still inhaling deep breaths as she embraced the pain in her limbs. She grabbed the canteen from her hip to take a long drink of water while keeping her eyes on him as he resummoned that insane wheel of chakra. With a few wiggles of his fingers and the muttered, "fire-style Rasengan," it was engulfed with flame. Her eyes widened.
"Wait." She tilted her head thoughtfully. "How fast does that thing travel?"
"Beyond reason." He grinned up at her, still holding the little ball.
"How big?"
"Again, beyond."
"Make it bigger."
He tilted his head at her as she dipped her stance, one that he'd become familiar with. Swiftly, he was figuring it out. "With your rotation?"
Without responding, she activated the byakugan and whispered, "Rotation," and she was twisting at a speed 'beyond reason.'
When she saw the bright flash of chakra pushed into the dome, she watched excitedly. Instead of disintegrating, it enveloped the dome. When he used it during the chūnin exams, he had launched it at her with full force, so it breached and disintegrated. This time, he seemed to pick up what she was putting down and pushed it in at a controlled speed.
She wished she could see what it looked like from the outside. She kept going for a few seconds more until the chakra began dissipating and relented shortly after, her hair twisting around her head and shoulders. She deactivated the byakugan, eyes flashing over the burned circle around her before looking at Konohamaru.
"Did you just invent a cooperation ninjutsu?" he asked in disbelief, staring at the ashen circle. He looked up at her beaming face and she felt giddy at his awe. He immediately wrapped himself around her, scooping her up above him into his arms to twirl her. "You are so amazing!" His tone was high with pride as he began laying kisses all over her forehead, nose, and cheeks. She let laughter fall out of her as his lips tickled her, attempting to catch some of the kisses with her own.
"We—we have to show that off!" he began again, roughly lowering her to the ground. "To our kids! To Naruto—Hinata, my mom! Moegi, Udon, Eiji, Jun! Hell, even Tadashi—"
"Relax!" She laughed, pressing a palm to his chest, feeling his heartbeat thump against it. She lifted her widened eyes up to his as she felt it race, clearly even more excited than she realized. Her heart fluttered, too, briefly when he so candidly said 'our kids'. Meaning their little teams, of course, but—
"How can I?" he asked, eyes flashing with eagerness. "You're just so damn perfect!"
The words seemed so contrived, but coming from his lips, they sounded like the most natural thing in the world. "It was your jutsu, too," she whispered, chest swelling with his praise. He grinned at her, not that cocky grin, not the lop-sided one that teased her, but the one that told her he was madly, deeply in love with her.
And because she was equally madly, deeply in love with him, she let him whisk her back to his apartment.
On his way to the Hyūga compound, Konohamaru made the split decision to stop in Yamanaka's flowers before he got there.
Apparently feeling bold, Hanabi had told him to pick her up directly to take her to the wedding. It surprised him, but he couldn't complain. It was one step closer to what he, and she, had always really wanted. To finally have full acceptance.
Might as well go all out, right?
He swung the door open, triggering the light chiming of the bell above him, finding the store itself empty except for some grunting from the backroom. He saw Ino's head poke out from the doorframe, flashing him a smile.
"Hey kiddo!" Konohamaru frowned at the nickname that seemed to stick. "Sorry, super busy back here for the Inuzuka wedding. You need something?"
"Uh—yeah, was just gonna pick something up." Konohamaru coughed into his fist, glancing around.
"Inojin!" she called, ducking behind the door again. The tired blond slugged his way out, glancing up at Konohamaru with a light wave. "Help him out, okay?"
"Hey, Konohamaru-sensei."
"Hey, just looking for…" He wasn't sure why he was feeling tongue-tied at that specific moment as he tried to make himself look busy investigating flowers.
"Flowers?" Inojin finished for him sarcastically, smirking up at him. He nodded briskly, pretending to seem like he knew what he was looking for. "Like…just one? In a vase? Or a bouquet?"
"Bouquet!" Konohamaru snapped his fingers as if he knew all along.
Inojin laughed. "Mhm, okay, gotcha. How about…" He strolled to the other side of the shop, picking out an array. Konohamaru followed him and glanced over curiously, finding a nice, colorful arrangement he was constructing. In the middle, he stuck a large, bright sunflower. He turned to Konohamaru and tilted his head. "Look about right?"
"Uh, yeah, that's great, actually." He craned over to inspect it. Inojin nodded and brushed past him to tie it up.
"Want a vase, too? It's always better to give girls flowers without the extra work."
"Yeah, actually, that sounds good—wait—" Konohamaru cleared his throat, furrowing his eyebrows at the boy. "I mean, what makes you think it's for a…" He paused, feeling silly for saying, "…girl?"
He didn't notice Ino poking her head back out to observe the interaction. Inojin smirked as he began clipping the stems and plopping them into a vase. He rolled his eyes at Konohamaru's dumbfounded expression. "Whatever, here we go." He presented the full vase and Konohamaru shook his head, pulling his coin pouch from his pocket.
"Right, thanks, Inojin." He relaxed, beaming down at the boy as he collected the flowers.
He turned to leave, but before he could, Inojin piped up, "no problem! I'm sure Hanabi-sensei will love them."
Konohamaru's mouth dropped open as he darted his eyes back and forth. From the backroom, he heard Ino cackling. "Why does this seem so familiar?"
"Uh—" Konohamaru choked on his words, hurriedly exiting the shop.
Were kids always this clever?
Hanabi found him chatting happily with Tadashi outside of the gates and rolled her eyes when his jaw fell open upon seeing her. She turned her face to cover her now burning cheeks.
"You look quite lovely, Lady Hanabi." Tadashi bowed to her.
"All thanks to Natsu…" Hanabi commented loftily, stepping in front of the men.
She tugged at her dress.
It wasn't exactly what she would choose, but it was Eiji's wedding. And Jun's, but mostly Eiji's.
It was a tight, strappy, crimson dress. She managed to reel it in when she told Eiji her chest was bigger than hers, not as an insult, just because she couldn't have them parading about. She put similarly red lipstick on and gave Natsu her instructions for her hairstyle, pinned up behind her head to give a spiky look and thick strands of hair framing her face. The cherry on top? Eyeliner and mascara. She'd only worn it on a few occasions. It was considered too tasteless for Hyūga, so she'd only ever seen it on herself when Eiji insisted on dolling her up.
For as rough as Eiji was, she was fashionable.
Konohamaru's eyes dipped to her neckline, his mouth closing into a warm smile as the aquamarine pendant shimmered in the middle. "Yeah, you look…"
She shot him a glare before punching his arm. His lip upturned into a smirk, and he shook his head.
"You look boring," she pointed out, upturning her nose at his simple suit and tie. He chuckled before bending over to pick up a vase full of flowers, presenting it to her. Her eyes grew a centimeter at it as she carefully took the glass into her hands. "Flowers? Really?"
"Well—I mean, it's a wedding." He rubbed the back of his neck, peering off. It made her smile. Shyness from Konohamaru was so rare, it was a sight she delighted in. "Flowers are like half of it, right?"
She had to laugh, examining each flower. She was actually…impressed with the selection. She wondered if he really picked them out, but decided it was more polite to just simply thank him. "Well, they're lovely." She pulled it up to take in the scent of the sunflower, smiling faintly. "Sunflower…facing the sun."
"Oh." Konohamaru raised his eyebrows, realization seemingly dawning on him. "That must be why…smart kid."
"Who?"
"Nah, nothin'. Glad you like 'em."
She eyed him suspiciously as Tadashi outstretched his hand in offering to take the flowers. Decidedly, she shrugged it off.
"You two look nice together."
She stopped at her father's voice, glancing up at him. His features were softer than she'd ever seen.
"Would you mind if I took a picture before you go?"
"Yeah, why not," Konohamaru agreed on her behalf, and she shifted uncomfortably.
"Just of me, right?" Hanabi asked reluctantly as one of her clansmen kneeled in front to frame them for a picture. "Wait—"
"Both of us, dummy," Konohamaru whispered over her, forcing his hand around her waist to yank her into him. She blinked rapidly as the bright flash hit her eyes.
She must've looked like that white-eyed little lamb in the photo because she was completely thrown.
"Beautiful." Hiashi admired the picture as it printed. Hanabi peeked over.
Yep, she looked silly. Konohamaru was giving a close-eyed, toothy grin, looking charming and handsome as ever. And just for good measure, Tadashi was in the background, clearly unaware he was in the frame.
"Please give Eiji and Jun my congratulations. I will see you in the morning, Hanabi."
Konohamaru didn't give her a chance to question it. "See ya, Lord Hiashi!"
"Am I in some strange alternate universe?" Hanabi asked incredulously as she was dragged behind Konohamaru. He relented his grip on her, letting her catch up next to him. "Did that happen the way I saw it?"
"Think it did."
"I…"
"Special day, right?"
"Yes…yes, it is."
The pair found Udon and Moegi, as well as Tora shortly after. Despite Jun having no family or real friends outside of this small group, Inuzuka overflowed into the groom's side of the venue.
Hanabi stood with Jun and one of Eiji's brothers, straightening his robes.
"Is it odd I feel as though I'm going to be sick?"
"Uh, no."
"It's similar to the day of the battle portion of the chūnin exams…" Jun sighed, hanging his head. "I'm going to be an awful husband."
"Dude!" Her brother exclaimed before Hanabi could. "You're not seriously saying this in front of me right before you're about to marry my sister?"
"Yeah, Jun," Hanabi cut in as a more passive voice, "relax. What do you always tell me? Breathe, count, go to a happy place. Preferably one with Eiji in it."
Jun readily took her advice, eyes fluttering shut as he inhaled long breaths in through the mouth, out through the nose at a steady pace. Hanabi watched him carefully until his eyes popped open, one bright yellow eye and the other with a long scar through it, significantly dimmer yellow, the whites milky. She'd grown used to how he looked after the incident but still found her eyes trailing over that injured eye, guilt panging her. "Thank you, Hanabi."
Hanabi nodded with a big, reassuring smile before stepping away to let another Inuzuka know they were ready on their side.
She quickly rejoined Konohamaru outside, and he hooked his arm into hers. She looked up at him and smiled.
They'd keep pretending a little longer, but for now, they could relax.
After a traditional ceremony conducted with the priest, they exchanged sake cups and Hanabi smiled as Jun shook with the liquid hitting his tongue.
Surprisingly, it was a very conventional affair. Nothing like what she imagined an Inuzuka wedding to be like.
But the wedding party afterward was just what she expected.
They indulged in drink, but both were adamant about not having a repeat of the pre-wedding party.
Eiji even did the bouquet toss.
Hanabi rolled her eyes as Udon steered her into the group of women.
Then she threw it, and the women parted right down the middle, leaving her by herself. She stumbled forward when she was pushed, and instinctively grabbed the bouquet before it hit the floor.
Cheering began around her and she twirled around, eyes wide. She locked eyes with Tora, who was smirking at her, lazy stance.
Then a little further to the right, Konohamaru looked similarly bewildered.
"Little shit…" Hanabi whispered, tightening her grip around the bouquet as she turned back to Eiji, who was being escorted off the little stage by Jun.
Maybe one more drink.
At some point, Konohamaru ended up with Eiji.
Eiji, yet again far drunker than she probably should have been, grabbed Konohamaru's cheeks. "Make a wife out of her, dumbass."
"I'm trying, Eiji!" He laughed, letting her drag him as he embraced her affectionately, even after everything. "You little runt, you really think I don't want to?!"
She was clearly in a good mood, choosing not to come after him too hard with that jab at her height. "I'd hate to call you a coward."
"I'd hate to be a coward. Gods, do you even know how much I love her—let's not even kid around right now, yeah? I—" he declared, perhaps too loudly, alcohol boosting him up, "I love her with every fiber of my being!"
"Then make her know it!" she demanded, but that playful glint stayed as she tightened her grip threateningly. "Make her yours. She's not a weak girl. She needs a push, from you, fucking doofus!"
His heart momentarily skipped. That silly tease. Hanabi did talk about them to her friends. Something about that made him swell. He grinned, patting her cheek.
"You think so?" Konohamaru leaned in close, almost eager for her approval. More than Hiashi, Hinata, or Naruto. Eiji had always been apprehensive when it came to him and Hanabi, but right now, she was giving it all up, and he couldn't help but ask for more, "really?"
She nodded, smile ever present. "Yes, she does. And if you don't give it to her, I'll kick your ass to the fucking moon."
He sucked in his teeth. Hanabi loved her, and it forced him to respect her. "Promise?"
"Yes, with everything I have, Konohamaru Sarutobi!" His heart felt like it was in a vice grip at her ready permission. He wanted to treat her to the very best ramen for this admission. "Goddamnit…being in love…gods it's something else. It's euphoric, it's better than sex!" Konohamaru swayed away, grinning all the while as the smaller woman squeezed his cheeks in a tough, but loving way. "I love that foolish girl, and your stupid ass better sweep her off her feet."
"I—I will. I will!"
"I'll thank you."
Konohamaru stopped, staring down at this girl he'd had so many squabbles with. He grinned, pressing an affectionate kiss to her forehead as he embraced her. He decided not even to comment on her height. "I love you, too, Eiji." He smirked as she reeled away, despite her drunken state, cheeks reddening at his affection for her. So unashamed, nothing romantic about it, just that sibling type of love he also had for both Moegi and Udon. He continued, "both of you. Damnit, I'm so happy for you."
She beamed up at him, shoving him away with a tenderness she didn't offer readily often. He bit his lip, the feeling swelling in his chest as he saw Hanabi happily giggling in Jun's arms. She laughed. "Go on, then. If this time next year, you're not planning your wedding, I'll hurt you."
"Like you promised, right?"
"Yes!" She giggled with joy, patting his cheek with love and a beaming smile that wasn't like her usual taunting ones. "Damnit, go. Leave me to my husband!"
Konohamaru chuckled and happily twirled her into Hanabi and Jun, both elated to embrace the tiny Inuzuka. Hanabi whispered something to Eiji before she forced her away, right into Konohamaru arms. He caught the tail end of her whisper, "make a man out of him, you dumbass."
If he was asked, yes. Of course. He loved Eiji as much as he could love what he could only describe as an irritating sister. An irritating sister he adored, despite it all. He embraced Hanabi's laughing form, hugging her close as he laid affectionate kisses across her face in the open. What should have been strange was the fact Eiji witnessed it all, but made no comment. Her knowing look was all she offered, and she let them be. Because they knew.
Everyone knew.
"Look at them," Hanabi offered happily, watching Eiji and Konohamaru dance, Eiji clearly telling him off about something, despite her glee. "Eiji's cussing him out, but she's so obvious. She loves him, like a brother and I'm so, so glad."
"He loves you."
"Huh?"
"Don't be silly," he chided gently, gripping her waist to draw her attention. Her fingers curled against him, her gaze dropping. "I'm not usually one to be so blunt, but Hanabi…please. Don't let love slip by you."
"How—how can you say that?! At your wedding, no less!"
"What better place to acknowledge it?" he retorted unashamedly, forcing her reluctant gaze. "Love. It's an amazing thing, Hanabi. Look." Jun nodded, still swaying with his teammate. Hanabi followed his eyes. "Eiji's telling him the same thing. We love you both, all we want is for you to be happy. Both of you."
"Jun…" she whispered, closing in. He shook her gently, causing her to look up at him.
"Hanabi…be happy. Please."
Her breath hitched as she looked up at her teammate wide-eyed. "J-Jun?"
"Don't be an idiot," he breathed, catching her off guard. She laughed in surprise.
"She really did sink her hooks in you!" Hanabi exclaimed happily, bringing him in close. "Jun, shut up. You don't think I'm a fool in love?"
"I know you are. So perhaps you should start acting like it."
She wobbled away from him, a beaming smile plastered on her lips. "You were always the one with words of wisdom."
He smiled down at her, that genuine smile that brought her comfort beyond reason. Her teammate she loved like a brother, always there, always there to protect her, heal her, bring her comfort. Her teammate now wed to her equally important teammate. His kind eyes, despite one being nearly blind, never radiated anything but warmth. His love emanated and made her feel warm herself. Her heart swelled almost painfully from how happy she was to be dancing with Jun at his wedding to her best friend. Her best friends.
"Your happiness is the world, to you." She paused, but he interrupted whatever she was about to say, "and that's important. I'm happy. Eiji's happy. You and Konohamaru should be, too. Let him make you happy, Hanabi. He looks at you…like I look at Eiji. I love that woman." Hanabi's breath caught at his open declaration as his eyes trailed over Eiji giggling in Konohamaru's embrace, no hint of jealousy, only admiring love radiating from him. "I've never really known love before her…" he admitted quietly, his gaze never leaving Eiji, "she's…amazing…." He set his eyes back on her. "And Konohamaru…it's so clear to anyone that cares about either of you. You'll both be happy if you just give in."
She stopped, hands locked around his neck. Just then, Eiji was being spun into them, happy laughter bellowing out of her as she crashed, forcing Hanabi out of her stunned state as she embraced her little teammate. "Oh, Eiji…"
"Thank you." Eiji's watery eyes looked up at her as she hooked her arms around Jun. "Thank you for being my best friend." Hanabi bit her lips together. "Embrace it," Eiji whispered delicately, more than she had ever in their nearly two decades together, "and goddamnit, make a man out of him, you dumbass."
Just as suddenly, Eiji was being whisked away by Jun, readily. She felt Konohamaru's arms wrap around her, whisking her away similarly from her dear teammates. She giggled uncontrollably as his lips fluttered over her relentlessly, unashamed.
She let him.
She wanted to let him.
At some point, over half of the Inuzuka were passed out, partied out. Eiji and Moegi hung on by a thread at a table together while Hanabi was falling asleep on Konohamaru's shoulder.
They had no idea where Jun and Udon were. They were quite possibly buried under some stray Inuzuka for all they knew.
But it was time to go, that much was clear.
"You got 'er?" Eiji slurred as Konohamaru carefully pulled Hanabi into his chest.
"Sure do." He chuckled, a little more measured in his response. He kept his promise not to drink too much (Hanabi did not) but it was still late. The sun would be out soon, and he wasn't entirely sure whether Hiashi would hold her to seeing her in the morning.
He struggled to give a damn, really. He could fret over her whereabouts all he wanted, Konohamaru had grown sour of the elder and all the other Hyūga elders.
But.
Hanabi would care. She was doing important things. So he would make sure she'd be up in the morning, even if she hated him for it. He'd take the time he had with her while he could, unsure of their schedules coming up with the chūnin exams. This was one of the few times they were able to be alone together, specifically carving out time from their hectic schedules to ensure their attendance. Not only were they both ramping up training for their genin's, but she was also cramming every little space of time with clan work.
As much as he wanted to be selfish with her, he couldn't. He was selfish in that he hoped he could be, later.
"You better put her to bed!" Moegi called before accidentally falling out of the chair as she leaned forward. Eiji barked an obnoxious laugh as she helped right the girl. "Got it?—Kono—maru—"
"Yep, got it." He grinned down at her as she slumped back in the chair, immediately falling asleep. "You'll be okay, Eiji?"
"Yeah, yeah." Eiji waved her hand. "I'll just…find my new husband…" She let out a yawn, as she slumped over onto her forearms on the table, struggling to hold up her head. "And…and…"
"Nighty night," he whispered good-naturedly before making his trek over the unconscious bodies.
He chose to leave her be when he tucked her into his bed. Initially, upon laying her down, she was practically falling out of the dress. It was a hard sight to hate. He drank it in before pulling at the material, ensuring it covered all the essentials, then tucked her in. As light peeked in through the window, he heaved a tired sigh and went into the living room, choosing to remain awake for now.
He had the day off, so he could sleep after she left.
She awoke feeling…not sober. Not good, either.
"I wasn't…supposed to driiiink…" she groaned as she pulled the blanket over herself, "that much…"
"Morning sunshine."
She looked up to see the reason for her current state of lucidity. Konohamaru had been nudging her, and she found him with a plate of pancakes and a cup of milk. She struggled to smile, instead letting it fall back into a frown.
"You're sweet…" she mumbled, pulling the covers back over. She heard him chuckle as he set the plate and cup down on the nightstand.
"Sorry, I figured you'd want to get up in time to meet your dad."
"Meet…my father? Oh…yeah," she sighed, curling the blanket further around herself. "Eeehhh I dunno. I don't really care."
He said warningly, "Hanabi…"
"Tryna get rid of me?"
"You know that's not it."
"Mmmph," she mumbled irritably, pulling her knees to her chest. "Fine."
"Eating will help," he offered as she pulled the blanket off. She looked to inspect the pancakes and giggled quietly when she noticed there were sliced banana's and chocolate chips. "Water first, though."
That's when she realized her throat felt like sandpaper.
Too much yelling.
She readily accepted the water as she sat up. She settled against the headboard of his bed with the water in her lap, contemplating.
"I'm gonna go tell him."
He paused, slowly sitting on the edge of the bed. "About?"
"Us. I'm going to tell him I'm not going to be clan leader."
"Wh—" Konohamaru choked on his own pancake, coughing. He hit his chest with his fist before clearing his throat. "Hanabi, what?!"
"I don' wanna be!" She threw her hands up, unintentionally knocking liquid out of the glass she had her hand wrapped around. "I just wanna be with you! And you're supposed to be the Sarutobi clan leader, right? So this is the only way!"
"Uh—"
"I don't care! I'll be a Sarutobi," she continued without letting him respond, "right? It'll be great, I'll be little miss Sarutobi, pop out Sarutobi's while you do all the great stuff, like be Hokage and all that!"
This froze him and she barely noticed. Her mind was feeling fuzzy.
"Ugh…" she groaned, clumsily placing the water back on the table before resting her head on her knees and elbows. "I just…it's never gonna happen…"
"Hanabi, that's not…"
"What? You don't want to?"
"I…I think you're still drunk." His voice sounded sad. "We should talk about this later…I'll let you go back to sleep."
"Yeah, fine," she grumbled irritably, forcefully yanking the covers back over herself. She sighed as she felt his hand rest on her waist, rubbing in an attempt to soothe. "Can you get back in bed with me?"
"Of course," he replied quickly, and she let out a hum of contentment as he crawled back in, wrapping her up in his arms from behind. She let her breathing slow as his thumb rubbed circles into her stomach. "Get some more rest, honey," he whispered into her hair, "your old man can wait."
"Okay." She nodded, letting her eyes flutter shut as the slow thump of his heart against her back lulled her back to sleep. She'd awaken later without remembering the interaction, but Konohamaru did.
Fortunately, when the Rinne Festival and New Year's rolled around, genin missions naturally took on a more relaxed nature. Decorating around the village, helping with festivities preparations, deliveries. Most of the time, Hanabi only needed to check in on the girls periodically, as did Konohamaru, leaving them both time to not just spend with each other, but work on their own projects. Especially Hanabi, who had just recently, finally helped pass new rules for the seal.
They had come to a tentative agreement that the seal would only be used on criminal Hyūga, main or branch. And as of right now, there were no criminal Hyūga, and it was easy to put that part in the fine print. She'd work on it more later, just content that it was now official: no Hyūga children would be marked from now on, no matter what.
And suddenly, she found herself feeling like a celebrity once more in her clan. If she had respect before for her simple status, she had their adoration now. It was never a part of the plan, she never sought it, but it was a natural byproduct of her efforts. And for now, it would work in her favor as she continued working towards all of the other things she wanted. Merging the houses, people like Tadashi and Natsu no longer having to be at the beck and call of main Hyūga, all Hyūga being free to love whomever they wanted, including herself.
She hoped it would be easier now than it would have been so many years ago. The change was already coming naturally, with main and branch children being encouraged to interact, branch Hyūga being allowed to pursue outside employment, her own sister having broken the marriage boundary over 10 years ago now. All of these things worked in her favor, and she encouraged all of her relatives to continue pushing those boundaries. She would.
Which is why she decided this year, she'd openly celebrate Konohamaru's birthday with him. She'd surprise him with chocolate-dipped banana's and hot chocolate at his doorstep just as she felt little crystals of snow dust her cheeks. She looked up to find a light sprinkling starting to come down and smiled.
She didn't always like the cold.
But she couldn't deny how perfect it was right now as she knocked on his door, clumsily trying to balance the items she carried.
She glared at the door when it didn't open. Byakugan activated, she didn't see him in his apartment and she let out a frustrated sigh. Of course, today of all days, he'd be gone.
So, she trekked back into the main part of town and found herself at Eiji's.
"Aw, thanks, but I don't like chocolate," Eiji teased as she welcomed her in.
"They weren't for you…" Hanabi muttered, depositing the items on the dining table. She glanced around as she pulled off her coat. "Jun isn't here?"
"Nah. Him and a bunch of other jōnin got called in."
"They did?" Hanabi questioned with a frown.
Could be related, maybe…
"Yeah, can you believe it? If he's not back for the New Year's Eve celebration, I'm gonna be pissed."
"Right." She nodded in understanding. "Well, here's hoping, right?"
"All we can do." She shrugged, falling to her bottom on the floor in front of the low table, where Hanabi joined her. "So, what brings you?"
Hanabi woke up the next morning to Yorimaru turning against her, nuzzling so close that it stirred her. She blinked her eyes open to see Eiji's arm hanging off her couch with the remote on the floor. She carefully pulled herself off the old pup and patted him gently as he whined before getting up. She grimaced as she saw the now rotten hot chocolate and banana's on the dining table and quickly deposited them in the trash. Seemed Jun hadn't returned home, and that probably meant Konohamaru was still gone, too.
She went back to Eiji's form on the couch and pulled a throw blanket over her before leaning down to whisper, "see you tonight."
"Mmph…" Eiji grumbled, turning her face further into the couch. Hanabi grabbed her coat and boots, then pulled her curtains closed before exiting the house, locked behind her. She tightened the coat around her as cold wind licked her cheeks, snow still falling.
Of course, it would be some of the heaviest snowfall they'd had in recent years, and he wasn't here.
It always seemed to be that way, why should it be any different? She was numb to disappointment now.
Despite it, she still made her way to Konohamaru's to do a quick check with her byakugan.
"Isn't that kind of frowned upon, sensei?" She jumped at Sumire's voice behind her, Boruto standing just to the side with a smirk on his face, head resting in his hands.
"Safety, Sumire," she mumbled, thankful for the cold wind that didn't let her cheeks get too hot.
"What're you doin' here, big sis? Going to see Konohamaru?"
"Uh—no." She shook her head, knowing she was obvious, but still couldn't bear to share that information with her nephew.
"He's gone." Boruto shrugged, beginning to walk away. Sumire glanced at Hanabi before following after him and she sighed, knowing she was being sucked in.
"He is?" Hanabi asked as she followed, curiosity getting the better of her.
Boruto nodded. "Him and some other jōnin…and Moegi-sensei. Investigating something some kilometers out."
"Boruto," Sumire whispered urgently, "are you sure you should be telling us this?"
"Huh?" Boruto raised his eyebrows, oblivious. "Why not?"
"When did he leave?" Hanabi ignored Sumire, pressing for more.
"Ahh let's see." He counted the days of the week backwards. "Like three days ago?"
"Was there…a timeline?"
"Jeeze!" Boruto exclaimed, grinning up at her, "isn't it usually me trying to get info out of you?!"
"Hush." She tapped his forehead with a glare. He shrugged.
"Dunno. Hopefully today, right?"
"Yes, it would be a shame if they missed out on the celebration." Sumire nodded agreement.
Hanabi paused, glancing between the two with suspicious eyes. "And what are you two doing? Together?"
"Oh, uhm—" Sumire stuttered, glancing at Boruto. "Boruto offered to help Team 15 with setting up some stands."
"And where is Team 15?" Hanabi folded her arms, eyebrows raised.
"We just took a break!" Boruto defended. "It's snowing! Just trying to enjoy it, y'know?"
"Yeah, alright," Hanabi sighed, shoulders slumping, feeling a silly sense of jealousy, though she knew she shouldn't. "Go and enjoy it, you two. I'll see you tonight."
"Thank you, sensei." Sumire bowed with a smile as Boruto tugged her sleeve to follow him. She watched the natural interaction and felt her jealousy replaced with pleasant bubbling. Truly, she was happy her nephew was getting the chance at such a normal childhood.
And Sumire was a good girl.
She shrugged as she headed back to the compound.
As the sun set, Hanabi was settled next to Eiji on a bench, watching the town celebrate the oncoming of a New Year, one everyone hoped would be better than the last.
Things were getting a little tense, Hanabi knew. She wasn't clear on the exact details, not high enough ranking to be privy to such information, but she trusted those in charge. It was her brother-in-law after all. Plus, Konohamaru seemed to be taking on a lot of the strange occurrences cropping up, Naruto putting so much faith in him. She trusted them. Still, she was a little resentful that she wasn't spending this time with him.
Eiji wasn't as lively as she usually was with Jun being gone, too. She felt bad for her as well.
"Think you can still get us free beers?" Eiji teased as she kicked up her feet. Hanabi smiled.
"No, but I'd be happy to buy," she offered, getting up. Eiji flashed her a grin and she made way to a drink stand.
As she approached the stand, she found another Hyūga turned with drinks in his hands as well. She stopped and looked at him curiously, offering a smile. "Ando."
"Lady Hanabi." He bowed respectfully. "Getting a drink? Please, take mine—"
"Wh—" She laughed, shaking her hands. "No! I'll get my own, thank you."
"Please," he said as he pushed it out towards her, "it's the least I can do."
"For…?"
"For?" he questioned blankly, raising an eyebrow. "For abolishing the seal, of course. My wife and I have been sleeping easier these last few weeks since it was announced." She glanced up at his headband, frowning. "We no longer have to worry for our daughter."
Her heart swelled at the words.
"So please. I'll get another." He grabbed her hand and put the bottle in it, an act in and of itself that would have been frowned upon years ago—freely touching one another. She paused as she grasped it, looking up at him. "Thank you, Lady Hanabi."
"Well…" she sighed, glancing around before putting a smile back on. "How can I say no? Thank you, Ando."
He smiled at her, a genuine smile before turning back to the stand. She stepped backwards as she looked at him before turning back to where Eiji sat. She rejoined her, passing her the beer. "You're still getting free stuff!"
"Huh?"
"I saw that." She laughed, taking the beer without protest. "That Hyūga handed over their beer like nothing! Gods, what it would be like to be a noble clan leader."
"Hm…" Hanabi hummed, looking away. She wasn't quite sure how to respond, knowing the kind offering wasn't just because she was 'clan leader', which in and of itself was inaccurate, but didn't want to come off as boastful. She simply nodded, eyes trailing over the crowd. She smiled as she spotted Himawari dragging a similarly aged Hyūga behind her through the crowd, her new best friend as of right now.
Konohamaru may not be here, but it was a nice night, regardless.
Konohamaru slammed his back up against the wall as his fellow jōnin shuffled out. Moegi hung back when she noticed he'd trailed behind.
"Konohamaru?"
He opened his eyes to her concerned ones. "Huh?"
"You alright?"
He wasn't, really. The mission they'd been on took it out of him, discoveries he wasn't pleased to have stumbled on.
"Yeah, yeah. Just, y'know. Long mission."
"Not really." She laughed, folding her arms. "We've definitely been on longer. What's on your mind?"
"Nothing." He shook his head, lifting himself up.
"Missing someone?"
He didn't respond as he brushed past her, running a hand through his hair. She giggled behind him as she caught up.
"Better go check on the genin, huh? We might have time to make it before it hits midnight."
"Yeah, let's go."
They'd arrived about an hour before midnight, and once they did, they were all ready for rest, but it was New Year's Eve, and the village wouldn't let them rest even if they wanted to.
Besides, he was missing her. But first, team 7.
When he spotted his team sitting on the edge of a rooftop sharing food and chattering happily, he decided it was best to leave them to it. They were always squabbling over something or another, so seeing them at peace was good enough for him. He took the rest of the time he had to seek out Hanabi.
Normally, he didn't mind having his attention pulled by others, but found it annoying right now. He really just wanted to find her but found everyone wanted a piece of him right now for some reason. Udon beckoned him, inquiring about their mission, for which he told him to bother Moegi. Mirai tried to pull his attention to a new kunai she bought, and he felt guilty for telling her he'd check it out later. It wasn't until Hinata pulled his attention he felt relieved. "Any idea where Hanabi is?"
"Oh." She laughed, covering her mouth, Himawari slumped on top of her shoulders fast asleep. "I saw her taking off towards the compound with Tadashi. Think she's a bit tired."
"Oh?" He slumped slightly, trying not to make his disappointment that evident. "Ah, well."
"You should see if you can catch up," she offered kindly, smiling. "There's still a few minutes until midnight."
"You think?" he questioned honestly. She nodded. "I guess…I will."
Before he could take off, she called after him, "and happy belated birthday, Konohamaru!"
He smiled over his shoulder. "Yeah, you, too." He gave her a little wave as he jogged up the trail to the Hyūga compound.
There were so many people, it was hard to sense her chakra. But he detected a faint pulse of it and focused his in his feet to speed him up. Just as he heard counting down behind him, he found her walking alongside Tadashi. He felt his heart skip slightly when she stopped, glancing around—for him, he knew. She must've been sensing him, too, and as always, that excited him.
In a split decision, the way he made so many decisions about what he'd do with her, he bolted forward and scooped her up by the waist, eliciting that little surprised gasp as she instinctively grabbed his shoulders.
Just as the counting got to one, he beamed up at her shocked expression, searching his face. He repeated after the crowd in a whisper, "Happy New Year," and despite Tadashi's proximity, he pulled her down into a shameless kiss.
Hanabi couldn't resist him, as much as she told herself to. Seeing his bright blue eyes, despite looking so tired, but so high with a smile, made everything inside her bubble with excitement. And his lips on hers, just in time—she could barely even remember Tadashi was just there.
He held onto her in that possessive way, that way that told her even if she struggled, he wouldn't be letting her go. Even if someone saw them, his grip wouldn't loosen. She returned the kiss easily, wrapping her arms around his neck as he pulled her off her feet.
Those silly stories of princesses always seemed so far away from her own reality, until him.
After a moment, realization struck her and she opened one eye, finding Tadashi with his back turned to them, attempting to shield them from watchful Hyūga eyes back at the compound. The protective action made her heart swell and she sighed against Konohamaru's lips, letting herself conform to him for just a little longer before the kiss would naturally end.
When he finally released her lips, they both opened their eyes to see one another, and she smiled. "Happy New Year."
She rested her forehead against his, deciding they could stay like this for a tad longer. He rubbed his nose against hers, eliciting a little giggle as he whispered, "sorry I wasn't here."
"Don't be."
"But I am."
"You're here now."
Gently, he lowered her to the ground, slowly pulling their arms from one another to clasp their hands together, the cheering in the background as the new year was rung in making it feel like it was for them.
"Wanna go back?"
"With you? Yes."
She glanced over to Tadashi, who was clearing his throat. "I'll be returning to the compound. Be safe, Lady Hanabi." He glanced from her to Konohamaru, and she felt her cheeks tighten as he nodded at him. "Konohamaru."
"Happy New Year, Tadashi!" Konohamaru slung an arm over Tadashi, a far cry from the usual tense interactions they had once had and Hanabi clapped her hands together, beaming at Tadashi.
"You as well."
With that, they parted ways. And Hanabi walked hand in hand with Konohamaru back to the festivities.