Hey all!
December 1st is the kick off for NaruHina month 2023. This is a 20 chapter story of life for Hinata and Naruto after the 4th Shinobi World War. Hinata is on a journey to find her joy again and Naruto wants to tag along.
This story, my chapters aren't as long as my regular stories. However, it's meant to be fluffy and cute. With a little bit of angst to build the story, but I promise it'll be more fluff than anything.
Story is rated M. Soooo yes. There will be lemons. If it's not your type of story. I fully understand.
Pairings: NaruHina, SasuSaku, SaiIno, ShikaTema
Without further wait, enjoy the first chapter out of twenty.
"I believe now is a good time to admit that I am not needed here father."
Hinata sat beside her father, Hiashi. In their garden, watching the koi fish in the pond. This was one of Neji's favorite spots in the compound. Just looking at it made Hinata feel sick. It gave her a horrible, nauseating headache.
Neji was gone. He died in war. The Fourth Shinobi World War. He died protecting her and Naruto Uzumaki. Hinata would never see Neji again, not until she died and went to the afterlife. Hinata has never felt so lost in her entire life.
She rather have been kidnapped and had her eyes gouged out by Cloud Village a million and one times, in exchange for Neji to be alive. Here. Sitting with her and her father. She didn't look at Hiashi. She just let him read a document that she gave him. A document she wanted him to sign. To give her approval for something that she needed.
"You are needed. Hanabi needs her sister. Konoha needs you Hinata. You just passed your gentle fist master course. I do not understand why you'd want to leave when you achieved such greatness."
Hinata closed her eyes and let the cool air blow her hair astray. It had grown to her waist. A week ago, she was thinking of cutting her hair. However, Neji thought she looked rather nice with long hair. So, Hinata kept it this length. In reality, it was a sign that she couldn't let go of her past.
"Hanabi has a life father. She has friends, and she does not need me. She just wants me here. Whether I am a shell of a person or not. I…am begging you to please let me go." Hiashi let out a heavy breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. He knew Hinata was hurting. Since the war. She hasn't been the same.
She never left the compound. Unless it was for missions. She didn't hang out with her friends anymore. She didn't smile anymore. She was just here. Training. Studying. Everything, but being happy. She wasn't the Hinata he knew anymore. She wasn't the Hinata any of them knew anymore. Depression had flooded through her veins. It wouldn't leave his daughter alone.
How could he deny such a request. "This is your 19th birthday present that you want Hinata? To be granted permission to leave? If I sign this. The Hokage will automatically agree. Where will you go? That doesn't even matter. Remember this, you're forever going to be my child. I always want to know what's going on with you Hinata."
Hinata looked at a white koi fish and smiled. That wasn't true. There was a point in time that her father didn't care if she lived or died.
They didn't have to discuss that though. They could bury that trauma in the ground forever and never dig it up. "I will travel. I will see the world. I will find my peace. Will you let me find myself again father. I promise I will not bring our family dishonor."
Hiashi chuckled at this. He never would think Hinata would go out and have a 'girls gone wild' streak. He knew she wouldn't bring embarrassment to their clan. "Fine Hinata. I sign this, and you are free to go as you please. I just ask, that you come back to us when you do find yourself. I want you to know. I understand Hinata. I miss him too. Every single day."
Hinata's jaw clenched and she slowly nodded her head. "I believe I have cried enough over Neji, father." Hiashi shook his head in disagreement. "The last time you wept was at the funeral ceremony for the fallen. You didn't even cry when our family had a private one for Neji."
Hinata let out a shaky breath and nodded her head again. He was right. "Crying has never gotten me anywhere father. It is for the weak. That being said. Thank you, for doing this for me."
With that Hinata stood up and bowed to her father as she retired for the evening in her room. She didn't fall directly to sleep. She spent some time just staring at the wall in her bedroom. Staring at nothing. Thinking about nothing. Feeling nothing.
This couldn't be life. Where was the joy?
Kiba and Shino watched as Hinata walked by them. Maybe she saw them. Maybe she didn't. Hinata never spoke to anyone anymore for them to know. For over two years. Hinata has been this shell. A blob. Just silent and never really present. They couldn't even drag her out of the Hyuga compound. At this rate, that compound was Hinata's village. She never left it, unless she had to.
On missions. She was quiet. Very professional. Not rude, but not social. Hinata was never really social, but it was like a light in her just dwindled until recently, when it went out completely.
Hinata stopped wearing her hoodies and pants. Instead she just wore a black kimono that almost touched the ground. The sleeves were long and went over her hands. She kept her hair almost the same. The back of her hair beyond her waist.
She didn't look like the meek, sweet Hinata they knew. She kept her head held high, and her eyes scared the villagers when they looked at her. The looked so empty and dangerous. "Hinata!"
Kiba and Shino were hanging out with Naruto and Sakura today. Deciding to go out for some lunch. That's when Kiba and Shino eyed Hinata walking down the street. To the direction of the Hokage's office. Naruto yelled her name and Hinata paused to look at him.
They were in a hut eating. So it wasn't like Naruto yelled out of a restaurant. Hinata didn't voice her acknowledgement. She just looked at him. With that scary look she looked at the villagers with. Naruto frowned as he looked at her. He noticed the change in Hinata. It was very obvious. How distant she was and how void she looked the last year or so. Like she was fading away.
"Are you going to the Hokage's office?" Hinata arched her brow as she simply nodded her head.
Kiba, Shino and Sakura frowned at this. The Hinata they remembered would never treat Naruto like this. Like he was a nuisance.
Naruto seemed to brush it off and smiled at her. He put some money on the table to cover his meal and went over to Hinata.
Naruto was in a jonin ninja vest. Since everything was stable and they were in a time of peace. He was able to correctly take the appropriate exams to have his justified rank. He wore his jonin vest on top of a long black sleeve shirt and black cargo pants. The threading a bright orange color for the pants. "I have to go there too. Can I walk with you?"
Hinata tilted her head as she looked at Naruto. She had bags under her eyes and it looked like Hinata hasn't been sleeping properly at all. She looked like she did not want to be bothered by anyone, especially Naruto. "I would rather you-"
"Come on, lets go." Naruto had already started walking and ushered for Hinata to walk with him. Completely cutting her off and ignoring her rejection that he could sense was coming from her.
Hinata watched as he walked ahead of her and frowned. This was not okay anymore. Invading her personal space was not okay anymore. Dismissing her was not okay anymore. She glared at Naruto's back and followed behind him silently.
The three remaining ninja's watched the whole exchange happen. Sakura blinked as she looked at Kiba and Shino. "Woah."
When Naruto and Hinata arrived to the Hokage's office. Hinata watched as Naruto knocked and opened the door to the office. Kakashi was sitting at his desk as he looked at Naruto, who was looking behind him to Hinata. "Come on. You said you were coming here right?"
Hinata looked at Naruto with dull eyes. What was he doing? "I will wait out in the hall while you talk to Hokage-sama. I do not wish to impose on your privacy."
Naruto furrowed his brows and looked at Hinata. Since when did Hinata have such uppity manners? Naruto looked completely thrown off and slightly annoyed. Also, where did Hinata get that 'noble' voice from. Like yes. Hinata has always been polite, but this was pushing it.
"Impose? What? Hinata, just come on in. I'm just giving him my mission report. Sensei, tell Hinata to just come in."
Kakashi rolled his eyes at Naruto, but smiled at Hinata. "Don't mind him Lady Hinata. Please. Come in. You're not imposing at all." Kakashi took Naruto's mission report and looked at Hinata at the same time. "I received all the needed paperwork to grant you leave from Konoha. So, have you figured out how long you will be gone Hinata?"
If Naruto was being nosey. He wasn't showing it. While Kakashi was multitasking and looking over his mission report, Naruto was looking out the massive window. His hands dug deep in his pockets.
Hinata chose to ignore Naruto at this point. "Over a year sir. Maybe two at the earliest."
Kakashi stopped reading the report and looked up at Hinata. "Oh. So this is a hiatus. I see. I'm surprised your father agreed to this."
Hinata didn't have a reply for that. She just slowly nodded her head. Kakashi kept eyeing Hinata as he put the report down to look over later. "Is everything alright?"
No. "Yes sir."
Kakashi narrowed his eyes as he looked at Hinata. "Hinata. Don't lie to me."
Hinata continued to look at her leader with lackluster eyes. "There is nothing for me to have a problem on sir. My missions are successful. I have passed my gentle fist master course. Only me and my father hold the title in our clan. Hanabi has been officially deemed heiress of the Hyuga clan. I have more time on my hands now sir. Everything is fine."
Kakashi crossed his arms over his chest and looked at Hinata from his seat. "We had an anniversary visual of the fallen two weeks ago Hinata. You weren't there. I cleared your mission schedule along with many others so you could make time. The visual was all day. You didn't show up once."
Hinata slowly nodded her head in acknowledgement. "I apologize. I didn't know it was mandatory."
Kakashi looked at Hinata and tilted his head. She knew it wasn't mandatory. Or she would have went. Hiashi went with Hanabi and made an excuse for Hinata's absence. "Well. I'm going to approve this. Since your father already gave his blessing. I hope you find what you're looking for out there Hinata."
Hinata looked at Kakashi in his eyes clearly for once. "Thank you sir. I hope so too." Kakashi could tell just by looking at Hinata what the issue was. It wasn't his place to call her out, but judging how quiet Naruto was. Naruto knew the issue just as well. "Well. Whenever you want to leave Hinata. You can do as you wish."
Hinata bowed at Kakashi and turned to leave after he dismissed her. When the door shut Naruto finally turned to look at Kakashi. "She hasn't been okay in a while. Everyone is worried about her. Especially Kiba and Shino. She won't talk to us sensei."
Kakashi shook his head as he went back to reading Naruto's report. "There's nothing we can do about it Naruto. Don't go bothering Hinata when it's obvious she needs space and time."
Naruto frowned at this. He didn't really want to jump and act fast because he was emotional, but that was just how he worked. "Well. Sasuke is coming back soon. Right? Just to spend some time in the village and hang out with Sakura. Like what a real couple is supposed to do. So, you'll have those two in the village in case anything happens."
Kakashi looked confused for a moment and put the report back down. "Naruto. You aren't going to go following Hinata out there. She wants to get AWAY from Konoha. Not see it's hero every five seconds."
Naruto shook his head as he looked at Kakashi. "I'm not okay with her being alone. I know what it feels like to be in a dark place in your head and alone. If she isolates herself, and won't have anyone there to pull her out of it. Hinata isn't going to be okay. What if she doesn't make it back?!"
Kakashi let out a sigh and rubbed his temples. Naruto wasn't wrong, but gosh did he not want to invade someone's privacy like this. He also didn't want to lose anymore ninja's from Konoha. Especially someone he knew. "You can't be gone the same amount of time Hinata is leaving for, and you know it."
"Well. Just give me like a year. Two tops! If you need me back really bad. Just send for me!"
Kakashi looked at Naruto completely flabbergasted. "Where…where is this coming from Naruto?"
Why is Hinata so important to you now?
Naruto looked at Kakashi confused. What kind of question is that? "Hinata is a really good friend. She lost someone really close to her and Neji was someone important to me as well. She needs help. I want to help her. Let me help her please."
Kakashi rubbed his neck as he listened to Naruto. Why couldn't he just say he liked the girl?
She left at four in the morning.
Hinata wanted to leave at a time where she didn't have to speak to anyone. She wrote a note to her father and Hanabi. So they knew that today was the day. She wrote a note to Kurenai. Hinata told her it was a blessing Kurenai came into her life when she did, and to take care of Kiba, Shino and of course her baby girl. That she loved them. That they were her true family.
Hinata walked until the sun started to peak out. She had one backpack on her back that was filled with basic necessities and tons of scrolls that she sealed what she really needed and wanted.
Hinata took a deep breath the further she walked from the village. Today. She wore a cream colored mini kimono. This was Neji's go to color. She wanted to celebrate being free today with Neji.
Hinata continued to take deep breaths as a soft smile covered her face. This was their dream. Her and Neji's. To leave the village someday. Just because they wanted to. To be free and no longer caged in.
It had to be about five hours of nonstop walking for Hinata before she made it to an opening. A large river that she needed to cross over to continue her travels. Hinata smiled again as she expanded her arms, focused chakra to her feet, and walked on the water. Crossing it with ease and having fun while doing so. Skipping and twirling as she crossed it.
When Hinata made it over she closed her eyes and took another deep breath as she smiled. "Does this make you happy?"
Immediately Hinata's smile dropped and she looked in front of her to see Naruto. He was staring at her with a smile and Hinata couldn't help but look completely upset with seeing him. "Why are you here?"
Naruto was in the Hokage's office and clearly was eavesdropping. She should have known to follow her gut and to wait for Naruto to finish first and then go in. She said too much without saying anything at all.
She barely spoke while in the office with the Hokage. Why would Naruto just jump up and follow her?
Naruto was about to answer Hinata's question with some random excuse, but was stopped when Hinata started poking him in the chest. Pushing him back. She was pushing him rather roughly.
"Why did you do this? You have no right to invade my privacy Naruto Uzumaki. You think because you are one of the strongest beings on this earth, that you can just mess with people's lives like this. How DARE you!"
Naruto was pushed back a few steps and looked at Hinata shocked. She had NEVER done this to him before. Never spoken to him so harsh. He knew she would be upset he followed her, but he wasn't thinking she'd be this upset.
He did it for a reason. He just wanted her to be okay!
Naruto grabbed Hinata's finger that was painfully poking his chest. "Hey! Stop that! You're hurting me ya know!"
Hinata's frown deepened as she looked at Naruto. He's been hurting her since she laid eyes on him as a child. Constantly breaking her heart. Never willing to look her way, unless it meant an adventure was going to be involved.
They only grew some sort of friendship because he didn't like Neji. Then when Neji beat her in the exams, and Naruto was assigned to fight him in the next stage. That was a whole new adventure for Naruto to have. Naruto never saw her for her. He only cared about the thrill of what following her promised.
"Get away from me. Stop following me now, Uzumaki."
Naruto paused at Hinata's cold tone. Her hollow eyes staring daggers at him. "I'm not following you! I can travel too, if I want! I figured, if Hinata could get some time to rejuvenate. Then so could I. So, that's what I'm doing. We both have been working super hard since the war. It's a giant world Hinata. I don't have to be out here because of you. I just so happened to see you and wanted to say hi."
Hinata didn't believe anything Naruto was saying. She actually felt offended that he was going this far to lie to her. "This is my life. This is my business. This has nothing to do with you Uzumaki. Leave me alone."
Naruto opened his mouth to retort back, that he was on his own personal journey, but Hinata cut him off. "If you are here for just yourself. You are right. This is a big world. Find another path, that does not involve me."
She meant that, in all perspectives.
Naruto furrowed his brows at her and could feel an underlining meaning to what she just said. "You know what. I get it Hinata. This isn't about me and I don't want you to think it is about me. You know, things have been hard after the war. Getting our lives back together."
Hinata continued to look at Naruto. Showing no emotion that his words were even reaching her. "This isn't about everyone getting their lives back together. This is about me, Uzumaki."
Okay, so talking to her wasn't working. Naruto was becoming stumped. Hinata was a caring person. Gentle and as shy as they come. This wasn't her. She was hurting inside and for some reason she didn't want people to see her in pain. Did she feel like no one would care? "You're right. It's about you and Neji."
Who was Hinata trying to fool? Naruto was there. Right fucking there when Neji died. When Hinata and Neji risked their lives for him. When Hinata cried and still pulled herself AND him together to get back into the fight. Naruto was there the day of the mass funeral for the fallen. Hinata looked broken. Like her light faded away from her. She lost someone precious to her.
From what Naruto knew about Hinata. She lost her mother when she was about six years old, and she lost her uncle when she was a child as well. Now she's lost Neji. Someone she deemed her brother. It all must hurt her.
It was like a switch went off in Hinata, because she glared at him. She really was giving Naruto a menacing glare. "I do not wish to speak of Neji with you Uzumaki. Please leave me alone. Forever."
Naruto ran his hands through his hair and let out a sigh. "Okay, look! You're right. I'm being some weird creep, and I'm following you. I listened to you and Kakashi in the office when I shouldn't of. I invaded your privacy, but Hinata come ON. I won't bother you. I won't talk a hole in your ear and I will be a good travel buddy. At least for a few days. Let me just-"
Hinata turned her back on Naruto and proceeded to walk away. "No."
Naruto ran in front of Hinata to stop her. "Wait, wait, wait! Okay. What do you want me to say Hinata? Sorry for lying to you? Sorry for invading your privacy? Is there any way I can convince you to let me just be a fly on the wall for a bit. Just to make sure this is what you want."
Hinata blinked at his last sentence. "You want to see if this is what I want? That's it?"
That's simple. In a day or so Naruto will grow bored and go off to look for an adventure. He was emotionally inept. He couldn't handle other people's emotional baggage, he couldn't even handle his own. "Fine. Do as you please Uzumaki."
Naruto let out a sigh of relief, but soon frowned again at Hinata. "Can I be Naruto again? You can talk to me normal Hinata. We know each other."
Hinata silently stared at Naruto and gave him a dull look. Naruto held his hands up in defeat. "Fine, fine. I'll play by your rules." For now.
End of chapter.
So, this is the start of their journey.
I have another story. 'Follow Me' that I post every Wednesday and Saturday. So this story I will post every Friday and Sunday.
Next chapter. Hinata gets annoyed with Naruto's presence, she thought he'd be gone by now. So, she decides to try to get him to leave, by upsetting him.
See you Sunday!
