Hey, hey!
Woah, I thought I had edited this chapter days ago and when I went to prepare to upload it. I realized I didn't edit it at all! So, sorry for the delay.
This chapter is titled 'Talk To Me', because they've been separated for three and a half years. There is a lot to catch up on and talk about. Emotions will be expressed and it will be tense, but this chapter is good to show how the relationships with grow.
So, enjoy!
Hinata let out a content sigh as the hot water ran down her body.
She was in the shower now. Sasuke was much too tired to protest about Hinata getting out the bed, but she did end up half waking up Naruto. Naruto stayed in bed, but she predicted in the next hour or less he'll be out the bed to shower and freshen up.
Her body was sore. Hinata figured it would be. It was her first time and she wanted to feel alive. The pain and pleasure excited her. Now she was facing the consequences of probably the best night of her life. Hinata had no regrets. Matter of fact, she would not even heal or attempt to cover up any of her love markings. This was special to her.
When Hinata got out the shower and had towel dried her hair. She proceeded to brush it out. She then catered to her teeth and her face. Happy to see her bruises from Danzo were almost gone.
Hinata walked into the kitchen with a black thin robe with the Hyuga clan symbol on it in the back. It was a scandalous robe in Hinata's opinion that Hanabi gifted her for Hinata's birthday that just passed. Many gifts that Hinata deemed too embarrassing and inappropriate to wear around her home or the Hyuga compound. Hinata would bring to Sasuke's apartment and told herself she'd wear it on lounge around days with Naruto and Sasuke.
The robe stopped a little above Hinata knees and was almost sheer satin. Hinata's long hair touched the back of her knees and she let it all hang down to air dry as she started to prepare some morning tea. She was in the mood for mint tea this morning. She smiled at the reality that she would be able to enjoy the morning with Naruto and Sasuke.
Naruto had wrote in letters that he became a coffee addict. That sometimes if he didn't have coffee in the morning he'd start to get a caffeine headache. Hinata asked him if he'd just like to transition to tea that had caffeine in it, but Naruto liked the dark roast flavor with a dash of creamer. So, Hinata had gotten a coffee maker and had supplied numerous ground dark roast coffee with the filters. One even caught her attention. A vanilla roast. So, Hinata got that for herself to try with Naruto.
As Hinata had set up the tea pot to boil she heard a knock on the front door. The only people that knew Naruto and Sasuke were back in town and resided back in this apartment would be Neji, Tenten, Ino and Shikamaru. So it had to be someone she knew. Hinata peeped through the peep hole and sure enough it was Ino.
She opened the door and smiled at Ino, who in returned arched a brow and smiled at Hinata's after glow. Oh man, this girl had a time last night. "Hinata. Man, you look beautiful. The afterglow look on you has made you look like a goddess, girlfriend." Hinata had a bashful look on her face as Ino grinned at her. "May I come in? Or am I interrupting?"
Hinata shook her head and ushered Ino inside. It had to be important if Ino sought Hinata out. "Please come in. I've made tea Ino, if you'd like any."
Ino declined the offer, "No, I shouldn't be here that long. Just wanted to run over a few things. So, here's the updated mission plan for team seven and you. Sasuke and Naruto will be going on this mission with Kakashi. You'll still go as Anbu. Staying hidden. With the added bodies, Neji has decided to opt out the mission. Also, our intel has relocated Orochimaru. He's an extra three days away. So, your mission isn't starting tomorrow like we thought. It'll start in three days. So, at least you have a extra time before you have to go back to Anbu life."
Hinata nodded her head and took the briefing folder from Ino. "Thank you for the update. I really appreciate you coming to tell me Ino." Said person rolled her eyes. "Oh cut it Hinata. We both know this was the cover up for the real intel. So, are you okay with me doing this at Sasuke's apartment or do you want to go to the vault at the intel squadron?"
Hinata looked at the room that Naruto and Sasuke were in. Sensing Naruto was already up and probably listening. She wouldn't be surprised if Sasuke was as well. "We can do it here that's fine."
Ino nodded her head. She noticed all the curtains were covered in the apartment. Hinata was always on high alert and slightly paranoid now. "These are the two Hyuga's. Your elders that affiliate strongly with Danzo. Pretty sure based on my intel, these two helped with keeping the caged bird seal active in your clan. Not wanting to break down the social structure your clan has."
Hinata took the folder and opened it. Looking at the familiar faces of the two elders. "So, Hinata. I'm sure you see that one of them sitting down conversating with Danzo in secret is your grandfather. Your fathers, father." Hinata looked at the picture indifferent. "Yes. I see."
Ino looked at Hinata a little taken back. "So, you're still going to do this? You're going to kill them. While this would be a huge help for the intel and interrogation squadron because the goal is to eliminate Danzo. As your friend this is something I worry about for you."
Hinata nodded her head slowly. "Yes. I am. My father, Neji and myself have already discussed what would happen if the corruption had gotten too close to us. My grandfather has made his decision. He's been told, both of the elders have been told, to stay away from Danzo. They did not listen. They will face judgement by me."
Ino nodded her head as she listened to Hinata. "Okay. What about Hanabi? She is very close to your grandfather."
Hinata looked at Ino curiously. How did Ino know that? "My intel shows your grandfather and Hanabi frequently are together. He's taken her under his wing kind of since your father has put more attention on you and Neji. She's even had lunch with your grandfather and Danzo a few times. Things have gotten closer than you think."
Ino now was looking at Hinata sharply. "The intel squadron works well with you and Neji right now because we have the same goal Hinata. You have to get Hanabi in line to make sure our focus never points to her. Okay?"
Hinata had a blank look on her face. What was Hanabi thinking? "I…told her to stay away from that man. What is she doing?" Hinata looked at the picture Ino just gave her of Hanabi having lunch with their grandfather and Danzo.
Ino placed a hand over Hinata's as she noticed Hinata's knuckles start to turn white. "Hey. Don't start getting paranoid. Your sister isn't turning on you. She's just having lunch with her grandfather. She doesn't understand the severity of it all Hinata. That's all."
Hinata nodded her head as she looked back at Ino. This was basically the story Ino was telling Hinata to use as the coverup for Hanabi while she fixes the situation.
Hinata took several deep breaths and rolled her neck. Being the next clan leader was tiring. She had to deal with so many emotions already. "Thank you for all of this information Ino. You've been such a help with everything I'm going through. Please, tell me how I can repay you."
Ino rolled her eyes at Hinata. "You're always gifting me Hinata. Please stop. People are going to think me and you are an item. Remember that rumor that me, you and Sakura were a thing because we hung around each other so much? If you really want to thank me. Be a bridesmaid at my wedding."
Hinata looked at Ino confused. Wedding? When did Ino get engaged?
Ino smirked at Hinata and held her hand up to reveal an engagement ring. That was a VERY impressive rock Shikamaru got Ino. "Oh my! Ino! Congratulations! I am so happy for you and Shikamaru. Of course I will be your bridesmaid. I will not let you down." Ino smiled at Hinata and lightly blushed at how excited Hinata was for her. "Oh stop it Hinata. You're gonna give me a big head."
Ino got ready to get up to leave. Now that she updated Hinata. "Well, I'll get going. I'll let you, Naruto and Sasuke talk about everything." Hinata looked at Ino confused. "Of course I will tell them about the mission details."
Ino paused and sat back down on the couch. "Wait. You don't tell them about all this shit with your family and the caged bird seal?"
Hinata looked off to the side and pressed her fingers together. "I do. Only what I see as important. Naruto and Sasuke have so much going on. I don't want to stress them or burden them with my problems and issues."
Ino's eyes widened. "Hinata…that's what they are there for. That's what your significant others are there for. To be there for you when you have shit to unload off your chest. You can't just keep all of this in your head. It'll definitely push you over the edge or worse. A relapse. That time when Anko-sama first called you for a mission briefing at that dive bar. You didn't tell anyone and just went. I didn't even know about your sobriety back then. I just so happened to run into Neji and he asked me if I knew where you were. Remember?"
Hinata nodded her head as she thought about her first time two years ago that she was hit with temptation to drink. Ino continued on with the memory.
"Yeah. I told Neji where you were and what you were doing and I had NEVER seen that guy so freaking pissed and nervous. I had to follow him to the pub. I was with Shikamaru and we both followed Neji. When we found you with Anko-sama. You were so PALE. I had never seen you look so pale and sweat that much in my life. It was chilly outside and you had this thick layer of sweat on you. You looked sick. Neji immediately took you from the bar and gave Anko the meanest fucking stare I've ever seen from a Hyuga. She actually looked nervous."
Ino noticed Hinata looked ashamed of the memory. That wasn't how she wanted to tell her friends about her past troubles. "My point being Hinata. You have to talk and open up to people. Your lovers should be the MAIN people you open up to. They shouldn't get second hand information. That would push them away. Whether you're doing it to spare them the 'burden' or not. Trust me, your burden is their burden and vice versa."
Hinata let out a sigh. She never really thought about doing an emotional dump on Naruto and Sasuke. They just got back.
Hinata had been so caught up in her conversation she missed hearing Naruto start the shower, but she heard him turn it off. He had to have heard everything.
Ino stood up and stretched her legs. "Tell them everything Hinata. Tell them you were lonely. Depressed. Closed off your emotions because you didn't want to feel while they were gone. We all saw it. Especially after the Sakura situation. You just shut down man. You were a mini Hiashi the whole time those two were gone. The moment it got close to Naruto and Sasuke coming back you started smiling more and acting like a regular human being again. Let them know everything wasn't okay, it's fine to do that."
Ino looked at Hinata and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You can't be a leader and not share the burden. Your father does that. Now look at him. Be better than him Hinata." Hinata looked at Ino and smiled at her. Ino was a good friend. A genuine soul.
Ino looked up and saw Naruto leaning against the doorway. He had his hands in his pockets and was staring at the two females with a lazy, but calculating look on his face. His hair was wild and a little damp. He had a white, V-neck lounging shirt on with burnt orange pajama pants along with white socks.
Ino made her way to the front door. "Well. I shall leave you to enjoy your day Hinata. If you need some girl time and need to get away, hit me up." With that Ino left.
Hinata immediately knew Naruto heard everything. Even though he looked at her with an amused smile, she could imagine he held some frustration.
Naruto walked over to the counter and started to prepare himself some coffee. "Your tea is ready Hinata. Do you want me to make yours while I wait on the coffee?" Hinata quickly stood up and made her way over to Naruto in the kitchen. "Oh! Umm, yes please. That would be nice."
Naruto looked over at Hinata with an amused grin. "I'm not mad. Sasuke, who I'm sure eavesdropped, might be a little butt hurt, but I get it. We were long distance. Sasuke wrote he wanted you to come out there and you didn't for reasons I understand. There was no reason to dump all of the information on us at those times. Just like we didn't dump it all on you."
Hinata looked at Naruto curiously as he prepared her tea, "Me and Sasuke didn't spend three years together, Hinata. The first year we spent like six months together. The second year maybe four months and the third year we maybe had three months together and that was towards the end when we were gearing up to leave. That's why a lot of our letters to you were separate. We didn't want you to worry about us being separated. You kept telling Sasuke to watch what I ate and he couldn't keep that promise because he wasn't around me."
Her eyes grew big and Naruto gave Hinata her tea. "I mean, I took what you said serious. I really got into my vegetables and fruits. Meal prepping. Watching what protein I took in. Ramen is for my cheat days now. Sasuke just sees that I'm leaner and have all these sexy muscles. He doesn't know how I'm on a routine now. How hard it was to cleanse my mind, body and soul. I wanted to share my advancements with you and Sasuke together. So I waited. Kurama, remember him?"
Hinata nodded her head and listened. "I just told you and Sasuke I have a good understanding with Kurama now. Me and the fox are getting along and Kurama isn't trying to take over my body and I'm not demanding chakra from him. I didn't tell you or Sasuke about the merge yet. I wanted to wait until we were all physically together and could just…talk. So, I understand why you didn't talk about certain things Hinata."
Naruto poured his coffee and put a little bit of creamer in it. "That being said. We're here now Hinata. Now we don't sugar coat how we feel. What is going on and what we are thinking. Now we can be a couple and now we can live."
Hinata smiled at Naruto and how he was always so understanding. Yet at the same time he got his point across that he wasn't going to let this slide again. "Could I-I…umm. Try your coffee?" Naruto smiled at Hinata. It was a sneaky, alluring smile crossing his face. His eyelids lowered as he towered over Hinata and held his coffee with one hand.
"My dark roast? I thought you just wanted to stick to your light vanilla roast or tea?" Hinata blushed and played with her fingers. Naruto lifted her chin to look at him as he placed the hot cup of coffee near Hinata's lips. "Be careful. It's hot."
Hinata leaned up and blew in the cup a little before taking a sip. Not enough creamer at all. Very strong. She made a 'bleh' face and pulled back. "Oh Naruto-kun! That is too strong and bitter." She thought Naruto shared the same sweet tooth as her. She was shocked that Naruto liked his coffee bitter like this.
Naruto laughed and backed away as he sipped his coffee. "I don't drink coffee like you and Sasuke drink tea. I'm not trying to bask in it and feel content. I just want the caffeine. I think your black tea is utterly disgusting, but you and Sasuke love it. Now that is some bitter stuff. I'm sure when you want a pick me up you don't care about the bitterness and just want the tea."
Hinata giggled at Naruto and how he faithfully defended his drink. He was so adorable because he was slightly offended to the point he over explained.
The two turned to the bedroom to see Sasuke come out. He was fresh and clean from his shower but still looked tired. This was early for him, he just got out of bed and showered to be around Naruto and Hinata.
Naruto made Sasuke a cup of tea as well and the three sat on the couch. Hinata enjoyed her peppermint tea a lot more than Naruto's coffee. Maybe she'd like the vanilla light roast better. "Hold on. I want you to try the light roast Hinata." Naruto hopped up and went to the kitchen to brew Hinata the light vanilla roast.
Sasuke watched Naruto as he grew comfortable in the couch. He had on a long sleeve black thin shirt along with dark navy blue pajama pants. Sasuke and Hinata both got cold easily. Sasuke complained about it less than Hinata, but if he had a choice he preferred to be warm. He looked at Hinata as he rested his head on the couch.
"I'm not really a morning person at all, so I only heard bits and pieces. Ino said that me and Naruto are going on the mission with Kakashi, Neji is out and that we're leaving in three days instead of one. Then you two became annoying and started to talk in a lower tone, I heard some talk about Hanabi and your grandfather. How your grandfather works under the table with Danzo. How is Hanabi connected to this?"
Hinata laid her head on the couch head rest as well and looked at Sasuke. She knew Naruto was listening as the coffee brewed. "Ino knows my plans about the list. She also knows that I'm working to eliminate all threats to my goals, even those that aren't on the council. Internally my father has informed me of Hyuga's that opposed our goals, but he didn't have proof. He just knew some of our elders were affiliated with Danzo even though me, Neji and my father had a meeting and told everyone in our clan to stay away from that man. Yet my grandfather and his closest friend didn't listen. They even took Hanabi with them to have lunch meetings with Danzo."
Hinata reached over and took the folder from the table and handed it to Sasuke. He took it with one hand and held his tea in the other. He sipped his tea as he used his other hand to look through the files and pictures. "So, they disobeyed you three. I'm guessing there will be punishment."
Hinata nodded her head. "I have to take action. I will discuss this with Neji and my father, but I am sure the decision to end their life will be the final say. Minus my sister. Hanabi will have to understand that our grandfather is not a good person. It's just…frustrating because like Neji said Hanabi is very rebellious lately. She is not understanding the bigger picture."
Hinata ran her hands through her hair as she thought about her little sister. "I thought her dating outside our social status would be good for her. She's dating Konohamaru."
Naruto whipped around and looked utterly shocked. Konohamaru was with HANABI. That evil little girl. "Get the fuck out of here! Sorry. Sorry. I'm just shocked. I saw Konohamaru yesterday and he said he was dating someone and I wouldn't believe it until I met her. It's freaking Hanabi."
Hinata smiled at this for a moment before she went back to her thought process. "If this gets out in my clan that Hanabi was with our grandfather and his friend. They…will want her punished. She cannot keep doing these rebellious things and have Neji or my father bail her out. They'll start to look at me to discipline her. Especially considering the serious punishment I'm willing to do to our elders."
Hinata shook her head and frowned. "If I hurt Hanabi. She will never look at me the same. That drift that my father and my uncle had will happen with me and Hanabi. She's ruining everything and I don't understand why. I wasn't like this at her age and neither was Neji."
Naruto came to Hinata with the vanilla coffee. Creamer already added. He sat beside Hinata on the couch now putting her in the middle. "She could ruin everything Hinata, but she's your sister. The reason you're doing all of this is because of Hanabi." Hinata shook her head in disagreement.
"I've always wanted the seal abolished, because it's wrong and immoral. People shouldn't live in fear. I was one of those people. Living in fear. Neji lived in fear for a very long time before I removed it. I wanted to do this before realization hit that Hanabi was in danger of being sealed. Hanabi knows how important this is to me. She knows how I think, she shouldn't be caught with Danzo. She shouldn't disobey me."
Sasuke looked up from reading the documents and looked at Hinata. She looked off in space with a serious frown on her face. Her brows knitting together as she scowled. "You're being paranoid. Every leader becomes paranoid at some point. My father was very paranoid. Which probably is what led to him wanting to do a coup. Don't get like that Hinata. Talk to Hanabi first."
Hinata shook her head a little to get her thoughts together. She looked at Sasuke and smiled, "I will do that when I get back from the mission. I plan to speak with Hanabi and the Hokage. Me and Neji made a decision yesterday before you arrived that we need to fill the Hokage in on everything now."
Naruto nodded his head as he sipped his second cup of coffee. "Yeah, I think she's going to flip, but it'll be worth it."
Hinata took a sip of her cup of coffee and her eyes immediately lit up. She could taste all the flavors now. Hazelnut and vanilla. It was a good combination. Naruto smirked as he looked at Hinata. "That one better? I know you like to drown yourself in sweets Hinata, so I put a little bit of extra creamer in for you."
Hinata looked at Naruto and happily sipped the coffee. "This is very good Naruto-kun. Thank you."
Sasuke watched the two as he sipped his tea. He just didn't like coffee at all. He's tried it several ways and it just wasn't his thing. Naruto arched his back and listened to it crack. He sighed in relief and looked back at Hinata. "So. It took some time for you to be able to be around social drinkers. I think you should have told us that in the letters. The whole process and how you overcame it."
Hinata let out a sigh and placed her cup down on her lap. "I. Was very ashamed that I foolishly, once again thought I could overcome the urge so early on. I was only sober for a little over a year. I thought it was fine and I didn't want to disobey Anko-sama so early into me joining Anbu. She's so respected in the ninja ranks. I was honestly shocked that the dive bar was somewhere ninja's frequented to talk about such vulnerable information."
Hinata took another sip of the relaxing coffee and thought back to that day. "I don't even remember what Anko-sama was talking about. All I could do was stare at her glass of gin on the rocks." Hinata closed her eyes and shook her head lightly. Like she was shaking off an urge.
"I could just taste it. Taste the immediate relaxation even if the drunken feeling would take time to hit. I just stood there though. Telling myself to not ask for a sip. To ignore people my age around me drinking. To not order anything. To just stand there and wait for all of this to be over. Then Neji rushed over to me."
Hinata opened her eyes as she remembered how angry Neji looked at Anko and at her. "He gave Anko-sama a look that stunned her and left her speechless. I have never seen her speechless. Neji didn't say anything to me until we were away from Anko-sama, Shikamaru and Ino. He took me to the lake, and when we got there he exploded. I deserved it. I was being foolish and irresponsible. Usually when Neji or my father use to yell or dig into me, I would want to drink more and crumble. This time I could see how much I hurt and scared him. How he really was worried for me. This tongue lashing came from the heart I suppose."
Hinata smiled at the memory and sipped her coffee again. "I apologized. Neji apologized. I locked myself away in my room for about two days just to get my cravings and mind under control. Kakashi-sensei came to visit, to make sure I was really okay. It was kind of a big deal for me, and for once, my father had a fatherly moment. He told me that I resisted my first temptation and that he was proud of me. That I could keep doing it."
Naruto's eyes widened when Hinata said this. "Woah. That is a very big deal." Hinata nodded her head happily and looked down at her coffee. "I don't know when we became close, but we somehow did. I think my father was growing jealous of Kakashi-sensei and our relationship is all."
Sasuke chuckled at this. It was probably true though. "Why didn't you want to tell us about this? What else is locked away in that head of yours?"
Hinata finished her coffee and placed it on the table near them. "When I killed that retired councilman. I threw up in our Hyuga garden when me and Neji got back. I…did not handle that well at all. I had to grow numb to it. I had to get a lot more help on how to be a leader from my father than I initially wanted. It's not easy to be someone that people respect and possibly do not like. When I started growing closer to Sakura and Ino, I really felt like I found my outlet to let my guard down around."
She scrunched her brows and frowned. "Then the situation with Sakura happened. She…actually hurt me. I know she didn't mean to, but in my head I couldn't get over how I let her so close to me and she had alternative motives this whole time. How Neji and my father warned me, but I didn't listen. How is my family always right and why do I not listen to them?"
Sasuke sighed and placed his tea on the table. He scooted closer to Hinata and caressed her shoulder. The robe was so thin, it was easy to expose her skin. "So. You were mad with her. You're still trying to get over it, so you try not to talk about it. You can't bury that emotion. That feeling of betrayal. Sakura may not have meant it, but she did it."
Hinata looked at Sasuke and gave a sad smile. "Why would she mess with my head like that? Why would she mess with my emotions knowing I was…so…miserable at the time. I wasn't happy. She said she wanted to make me happy, she wanted to give me what you and Naruto-kun couldn't give me at the time. Yet, it…wasn't love. I cannot do that with someone that I do not love or does not love me. I was very confused. Angry. I felt stupid and gullible. I trusted her with my feelings like I trust Ino. Yet I know Sakura is a good person and really just wanted me to 'unwind'."
Naruto leaned back on the couch and slouched. He looked over at Hinata with the same relaxed expression he usually had. Now they were really talking and addressing the situation. Not sugar coating it. "Sakura doesn't know you Hinata. She doesn't know that having a one-night stand isn't unwinding to you. She really thought she was going to break through your shell and give you an experience on the 'wild side'. When in reality she scarred you because it wasn't fun to you. You felt like she was picking on you. Like you said, it was all a misunderstanding, but you should have told her how she made you feel."
Hinata nodded her head at this. She should of. "I was scared I'd lose a close friend. Sakura has been a great friend. If I cannot make it to Hokage-sama's medic training, Sakura is so advanced she trains me. I thought we were friends."
Naruto finally turned his body to face Hinata and Sasuke. "She is your friend. Just not a close friend and that's FINE Hinata. You didn't do anything wrong. Okay?" Hinata resisted the urge to bite her bottom lip and nodded her head as she looked at Naruto. A smile crossed his face and this brought a smile to hers. "Can you tell me about Kurama, Naruto-kun?"
Naruto looked at Hinata amused that she remembered to bring it up. It must have really been bothering her that there were things they didn't share with her while they were gone. "Oh right. Let's jump into it. Kurama. I don't really know how to say this, but the merge Kurama said a while ago. I've been thinking lately that it would be a good idea. I wanted you guys opinion first. He's not bad like what we were led to believe. We both have a mutual understanding. I respect him and he respects me. He…just wants freedom ya know."
Sasuke and Hinata looked at Naruto's nervous face. Hinata cleared her throat to speak, but Sasuke beat her to the punch. "That is ridiculous. Are you insane? You want to ruin chances of becoming Hokage. Ruin your chances of being with Hinata all so you can merge with your butt buddy."
It was like time froze. Hinata slowly turned and looked at Sasuke because she absolutely couldn't believe what she just heard. Naruto blinked at Sasuke. "What? What did you just say to me?" Hinata caught the hint and immediately got in between Sasuke and Naruto, sensing that Naruto was about to make a jump to strangle Sasuke.
"Sasuke. That was very inappropriate. That is not what Naruto-kun is saying at all." Hinata looked from Sasuke back to Naruto. She reached for his hands and felt them shaking with rage. Naruto almost yanked his hand away from Hinata, but realized what he was about to do. "Naruto-kun. Please calm down. I think Sasuke is just confused on what you are trying to say."
Naruto growled and shook his head. "No he's not. Teme always acts like this when things don't go his way. Everyone's idea is so STUPID but his. You want to know what's stupid? Still only blaming your brother for your family's massacre. Still being in this village even though they FUCKING CLEARLY hate anyone that has a dōjutsu. That's what's stupid. You emo, mentally unstable fucking prick!"
Hinata gasped at hearing Naruto. "NARUTO UZUMAKI!"
Said person flinched at hearing Hinata's tone. She never raised her voice at him. "So, what? You're taking his side now Hinata? After he didn't even hear me out about the nine tails. That's exactly why I never told you Sasuke the whole time we were gone. You wouldn't listen to me. Everything I do is stupid to you."
Naruto stood up from the couch, but the silent Sasuke stood up to match him. Sasuke placed a hand on Hinata's shoulder. Silently telling her to not worry. "That was a low blow Naruto, and you know it."
Naruto's nostrils flared and he looked at Sasuke chaotically. "So did you. You aimed way below the belt. That was so fucked up!"
Sasuke didn't disagree. "Yeah. I'm sorry about that. Let's just talk." Naruto looked at Sasuke like he grew two heads. "You can't just tell me I'm getting fucked in the ass by some demonic chakra fox and that you and Hinata are going to leave me. All because I want to be comfortable in my own skin! You never asked how I came to this conclusion. You never asked about Kurama. You just care about yourself!"
Naruto balled his fists and held them up beside his head in frustration. "You're just so fucking selfish. I give and give and GIVE for you and Hinata. I've changed so much to fit in for you two. I just wanted you to TRY to understand what I'm saying."
Sasuke held his hands up in a manner that he was surrendering. "I said I'm sorry. I was wrong. Calling you names while you were opening up was beyond disrespectful. I just. I just snapped. I…got jealous okay."
Hinata and Naruto looked at Sasuke at the same time. The young Uchiha avoided their stares. "Just sit back down Naruto."
Naruto slowly sat back down and watched as Sasuke sat back down in his spot. "What's so special about Kurama that you want to merge with him? Why do you want to be so close to him? I don't understand why me and Hinata are not enough for you Naruto. Why do you have to love everyone and everything? You have to grow a connection with everyone you come across. Why can't you just be satisfied with us? We always have to share you."
Sasuke didn't look at Naruto. This conversation was something Sasuke himself has kept inside. This was the only pet peeve he really had with Naruto. Sasuke could handle the loudness. The hyperactivity. The forgetfulness and childishness. What grinded Sasuke's gears. Was sharing. Naruto and Hinata both knew Sasuke was a selfish person.
Naruto was stunned at this point. He looked at Hinata to see if she felt anything like Sasuke. "So. I'm the selfish one?" Hinata pouted at him and shook her head. "We're not understanding each other right now Naruto-kun. Please explain. How did you and Kurama bond?"
Sasuke looked off to the side. Anywhere but Naruto, but he was listening. Naruto sat awkwardly on the couch. He wasn't someone that got nervous easily or had a nervous tick, so he just focused on looking at Hinata's lap to watch for her nervous ticks.
"Well. When me and Sasuke separated on turtle island. I had to do a lot of soul searching and training just so I could control myself along with Kurama. He fought left and right and hated my guts the whole time. To really get to Kurama though, I like had to go through channels if that makes sense. My parents. They had seals in place. Each time I broke one of those seals I came face to face with one of my parents. First my dad. I met my dad. Like I could feel him and everything. He was real."
Naruto had a saddened smile as he thought about his first encounter with his dad. "I was so mad at him leaving me I clocked him in the face. He ate it like a champ though. I shouldn't be surprised. He was the fourth Hokage. We talked about what I was doing. I asked for his advice and he said it would be best to ask my mom since she has closer ties with the nine tails. My dad is so smooth man. He's so CALM and the polar opposite of me. He's calm, loving, but scary and dangerous at the same time. He's so you Hinata. You remind me so much of my dad, which made a lot more sense when I met my mom."
Naruto smiled and looked at Hinata, who looked so amazed and proud to hear this memory. "It took me almost a month, but I broke through the other seal and met my mom. I was so mentally and physically drained I…really thought this was Kurama in a disguise or something. My mom has fire red hair. Made sense because my dad said her nickname was the red-hot habanero. I likened her to the nine-tails and she hit me HARD. Decked me in the face. My mom is so strong and has such a temper. She's such a hot head and she never gave me a chance to explain why I thought she was the nine-tails or anything. She just exploded."
Sasuke finally looked at Naruto with an arched brow. "Hinata's your dad and you're your mom." This brought a small smile to Sasuke's face. "Cute."
Naruto actually blushed at this and quickly avoided his eyes from Sasuke's and scratched the back of his head bashfully. "Yeah. That's what I thought too. I didn't understand why she would want to be the jailer of the nine tails and she said it was because she was specially chosen. Especially since she was an Uzumaki. All Uzumaki's have an insane amount of chakra. So, a lot of the time when I thought I relied and was using Kurama's chakra, I was just using my own. I have a lot of it. To the point it makes it hard to do basic ninja things. Like walk up a tree."
Sasuke had turned to look at Naruto fully now. Invested in the conversation. Hinata was just as intrigued. This made so much sense now. Sasuke slowly nodded his head. "So. That's why you struggled in the academy. Besides from the fact you lacked the discipline to study. It was all just too simple for you because it required such little chakra."
Hinata also nodded her head in understanding. "Me and Sasuke can focus on our chakra better for precision because our chakra is not as massive as yours. It's easier for us to be accurate compared to you, who has a lot more chakra to control and make precise. It makes so much sense why your training with Kakashi-sensei wasn't enough for you and you had to train with a Sannin. Oh my."
Naruto finally relaxed around them. Happy to see Sasuke and Hinata understanding him a little more. He wanted to wait until they were all together to bring this up, so they could share this experience together. The emotional roller coaster.
"Yeah! Exactly!"
Sasuke was hesitant for a moment, but he just had to ask. It was eating him alive. "Is your mother…loud? Like you? Does she jump off the roof when she gets excited too?"
Naruto had a pondering face and slowly nodded his head. "She does match my level of excitement. She said my dad had to calm her down a lot and she does get pretty loud. Even more than me in my opinion. Why?"
Sasuke slowly nodded his head. It wasn't a learned trait, it was genetics. Naruto definitely had ADHD, but Sasuke wasn't going to dive into this right now. Naruto was already on edge and thought he was picking. Sasuke just really wanted to know. It all made sense now and put him at ease a little because Sasuke always wanted to know why the hell Naruto acted this way. "I'm just asking."
Naruto side-eyed Sasuke for a moment before he continued. "So, I asked my mom how could I really tackle understanding the nine tails. How could I control it so I wouldn't be a danger. She looked at me so ashamed. She said I shouldn't try to control a tailed beast. They aren't monsters. They're misunderstood. When my mom was little a lot of people picked on her because of her features. Her hair being so bright red. She said my dad always came to her aid, and fought away the bullies, but being picked on and misunderstood made her want to understand tailed beasts. To see if they are really evil. She told me to open my mind more and understand before I make judgement just because everyone else made a one-sided opinion."
Hinata smiled at Naruto. "That's right. I agree with your mother. Kushina?" Naruto smiled at Hinata, "Yeah. That's her name. Kushina Uzumaki. I'm everything like my mother. So, I think it's fair I have her name. I'm not angry anymore that I didn't get my dad's last name."
Hinata's smile grew. Naruto really had an experience in turtle island. He had grown so much. "Oh Naruto-kun!" She leaned over and hugged Naruto around his torso. Just so happy and proud of him.
Naruto looked shocked at first before he looked at Hinata happily and hugged her back. "Aww shucks Princess. You're gonna make me forget my train of thought. It happens easily ya know!"
Naruto gave Sasuke a sly grin. "It is a family trait. To be so hyper and forgetful." Sasuke's cheeks dusted pink for being caught, "Finish what you were saying Naruto."
Naruto smiled back at Sasuke and continued. "Right. So, I did what my mom said. I felt like I owed it to her to try. Considering both my parents risked their lives to make sure I had a life. So, finally, after I was able to control my own dark aura. The dark me. The bitter, evil Naruto, because I had one. That was the person that just kept telling me to love no one. Trust no one. That I couldn't have you Hinata. That I couldn't have you or Sasuke and didn't deserve you. It took me like a week to get through that…depressed me. That I didn't even really know was there."
Hinata hugged Naruto tighter and listened to him talk. "So, after I got through that hurdle. I was strong enough mentally to face Kurama. I was used to his picking, belittling and mind tricks. I finally got him to like, chill ya know. Talk to me. Understand why he hates all humans. He's been imprisoned his whole life. The closest he got to freedom or a friend was my mom...and that ended horribly. The night during the nine tails invasion. Kurama told me some things. That he was under the control of the Sharingan. It wasn't Itachi though. It was another Uchiha that wore a mask. He has short spiky hair. He put Kurama into a blinded rampage. I guess he was controlled by the Sharingan and that's how the attack all started. That Uchiha was the one to fight my dad, and to get the nine tails to kill my parents."
Sasuke frowned at this. He almost felt attacked. "You believe it?" Naruto looked at Sasuke confused, "Yeah. Why wouldn't I. My dad confirmed it as well. Not about Kurama being controlled, but that he was fighting some masked Uchiha. It wasn't you or Itachi. What's wrong?"
Sasuke shook his head and looked off to the side. "Why…is everything that is bad connected to my clan? We weren't bad. I've heard several people compare us to just unstable, angry animals. Jealous, angry animals. That couldn't control our emotions. Hinata, your father is a prime example of thinking I'm just a Uchiha that is going to hurt you."
Hinata looked at Sasuke shocked. "My father likes you Sasuke." Sasuke frowned at this. "No he doesn't. When you went to rehab he couldn't stand to talk to me, Naruto had to be the face of the conversation half the time. Look, I'm just saying. Every time something in history happens. It's based off someone from my clan. Like we just can't stop fucking up people's lives."
Naruto blinked at Sasuke. "Hey. It's okay. It wasn't you Sasuke. I'm not Danzo, I'm not going to clump you up to your whole clan." Sasuke continued to frown. All he saw was Hinata hugging Naruto. The two of them on the other side of the couch and him sitting there alone.
Hinata continued to silently look at Sasuke. Watching as he silently distanced himself from Naruto and herself. Hinata sat up slowly and crawled to Sasuke. Being careful so he wouldn't believe her to be unauthentic. He was feeling left out. Isolated and like he was the problem.
Feeling left out. That was something Sasuke voiced multiple times that he didn't want to feel. That was an insecurity of his.
Naruto and Sasuke just got back yesterday. The three of them now had to reconnect aside from the body. They had to understand the adult them, what the adult them wanted and what triggered the adult them.
Sasuke didn't push Hinata away. He closed his eyes when she touched his cheek. Hinata leaned her forehead against Sasuke's and he automatically wrapped his arms around her and cradled her tiny frame. "I'm sorry about all of this. This isn't about me. It's about you Naruto."
Naruto smiled and shook his head. He crawled and sat behind Hinata as she molded herself to Sasuke. Naruto looked at Sasuke as he stared at him. "Our problem is we like to argue Sasuke. It's fine. I said things and you said things, but you're family. You are not an Uchiha curse. You're Sasuke. I…don't want to be a jailer Sasuke. I don't want my children to have to be a jailer. To have a 'burden' on them. I want to consume Kurama. We'll be one yes, but I'm going to be Naruto. I'm not going anywhere."
Sasuke squared his jaw. Feeling like he was the only overly emotional one right now. He furrowed his brows together when he felt Hinata kiss along his jaw line. To be emotional, frustrated, angry and stimulated at the same time. Sasuke would be lying if he said the thought of a sexual release didn't cross his mind. Just to get his frustration out and calm him down.
Hinata was pressed against his body and all she wore was that thin robe. Sasuke hoped she had the robe fastened tighter when Ino was here earlier. Right now it was slightly open. Revealing her delicious body. Her breast teasing him from being seen. Her skin was so smooth, and her legs looked and felt like cream. Her veins. He could see her veins everywhere and Sasuke was learning that was an excitement for him.
"Sasuke-kun. Pay attention." Sasuke blinked and looked back at Naruto, who had a grin on his face. Naruto said 'Sasuke-kun'. Being funny and to mimic Hinata. How Sasuke loved to be spoken to so tenderly. Sasuke cleared his throat. Hinata didn't stop her kisses on Sasuke's face, neck and collarbone. She had already made her decision and she would support whatever Naruto wanted to do.
Sasuke cleared his throat again because he was getting too distracted, but he didn't want to tell Hinata to stop. "Go ahead Naruto."
Naruto continued to grin. "I want to do this for my family. For my mom. For me and my future children. Kurama taking this merge, he's willing to give up the chances of being able to regenerate into another being. Typically if a tailed beast 'died' they would just regenerate years later. Kurama has been deprived of so much life, he's willing to wave that option by doing a merge. He stops with me. I don't have to worry about him being passed down to other Uzumaki children. You'll just have to deal with Naruto and a dash of Kurama. He's a quiet guy, so I promise he won't bother you. Hey, he might take that hyper trait out my system. He hates my hyper behavior too."
Sasuke listened. It was hard, but he listened. He liked a good build up anyways. Sasuke did have to take Hinata's hand from rubbing his inner thigh though. He held her wandering hand and continued to look at Naruto, as Hinata nipped at his neck. "Okay. I get it. It's not a dumb idea when you tell the whole story. So, you merge with Kurama. Who's the dominate one between the two of you? Or is it really 50/50? Also, does he…"
Sasuke paused for a moment because Hinata had maneuvered under his shirt and ran her tongue from his belly button to his right nipple and started to suck on it.
Sasuke's brain was not processing the way it should. His Hinata had grown and when she told them in the letters she was ready for them she meant it. He couldn't imagine Hinata years ago doing this. A three and a half year hiatus created Hinata to be very clingy to her men. This was a good and bad thing.
She was a wicked thing, but she was SO GOOD at calming him.
Sasuke bit his bottom lip, but continued to talk to Naruto. "Does he affect your DNA? You know, when you decide to have kids with Hinata. Are they going to have fox ears and a tail?"
Naruto watched Hinata's shape under Sasuke's clothing. He was fully amused how she had this calming control over Sasuke. How she automatically knew Sasuke just wanted comfort and attention. Sasuke melted under her touch immediately and started to behave and talk rational.
"Princess. Stop and listen up." Hinata immediately stopped and poked her head out the head of the shirt and her head was beside Sasuke's. Their cheeks rubbed together from now sharing a shirt. Sasuke wouldn't let Naruto do something like this. He would get so angry if Naruto violated his personal space like that, but not Hinata. He would let Hinata do this.
Naruto's eyes lit up. He wished he had a camera!
"I might get duel eye color. One me, one Kurama. It'll be like a 60/40 thing. Both of our chakra can't surge fully in my body. It's too much, so Kurama is willing to still have some of his chakra sealed off for storage. I'll be 60. Just to elaborate. As for children. That's a good question. Maybe Kurama's plan all along was to bed Hinata and have her have his litter. Do you want to talk to him? Ask him yourself and see his true form so you could decide if he's lying or not."
Naruto hunched over to Sasuke and Hinata. He kissed them both deeply one by one. "Use your Sharingan, Sasuke." Naruto reached to the bottom of Sasuke's shirt and pulled it off. Naruto ran his hand up to Sasuke's neck and gripped it as he deeply kissed him. Sasuke melted in the affection and groaned when he felt Hinata play with the bulge in his pajama pants.
"I'll do that after I get a release."
End of chapter.
So, I like the idea of Naruto being a hybrid. I don't know why. I just like it.
Sasuke is notorious for just talking very bluntly and what is on his mind. Not really caring about your feelings. However, he's in love now. He is more sympathetic to his loved ones feelings to a certain extent.
This is a lot of foreshadowing for Hinata that you can pick and choose which one will happen first.
Next chapter, our three favs will talk to Kurama. Sasuke and Naruto digs more into Hinata's behavior change and we have a lemon!
See you Wednesday.
