Naruto P.O.V
I stalk out the room in my anger. 'How dare she? Hugging onto another man in my presence?' I growl in my head. I thought maybe there would be rivalry. I saw the chunnin exam, he shows her no mercy. I could only assume this meant they were sworn enemies. The touches almost made me break character, snap his fingers into two. I could only breath as I mentally rage.
'Well, you haven't been the nicest to your mate kit' Kyubi says, amuse. I can only roll my eyes at his amusement. Of course, the thousand-year-old demon sees this as funny. He has already gone through this way back, and no longer must worry about it.
'What am I supposed to do? I am the nine-tail fox, strongest out there. I need her strong, she has to be able to defend herself.' I argue back, feeling myself starting to finally calm down. I know it hurts her, but this is what we do. Kyubi softly growl.
'I know kit but sometimes you have to show her kindness. There is a balance to these things. All hate will indefinitely rupture any bond that can potentially be made. She's learning to obey you. She gripped your hand kit, she knows she can't fight and win.' Kyubi reasons, whole heartedly believing that. I nod my head, rubbing my face.
'Start first by knocking any other male out' Kyubi sighs, knowing this all is frustrating me. 'See what the relation is.'
'Yea okay,' I still anxiously rub my hands together as I walk to her room.
Hinata's P.O.V
I got myself up after his sudden departure. I rub my face where his thumbs press, leaving red marks on my face. I make my way to my room, flinching at the mess still in the hallway. Naruto must have scrubbed the floor till early morning, I can only barely see the red mark on the floor. I step over it, grabbing the kunai's absent mindedly and take them to my room. I look around, before setting them on the dresser. I quickly tidy up the room, wiping the little droplets of blood and smile at my progress. Small victory for today. As I begin to turn, I jump. Naruto is now sitting at the bottom of the stairs. His eyes narrowing as he sees the kunai's on my dresser. I stand there, trying to figure out when he got there. How can he almost make me feel so vulnerable with just his eyes?
"What is you relation with Neji?" Naruto asks, holding not much bite in his voice for once. I tilt my head a tad. That's an odd question, everyone knew he is my cousin. Naruto rolls his eyes.
"Why are you two so close? I saw that famous fight for my own eyes," Naruto presses. I give a soft hum.
"It was all fake. Neji hit me only four times in reality…um he knew that I wasn't ready. At first his hate was real, but he realized it's a system rigged against both of us," I say, fondly. I remember the day as if it were just this morning. The fights, the anger, before I truly bow to him. I gave the respect he craved from the elders. He never forgot it. Naruto nods, rubbing his jaw. I can tell it's clenched.
"Okay," Naruto looks around my room, before he grabs the kunai's, examining them. He mumbles to himself and leaves back upstairs. He says nothing else. I frown, finding it odd. There is something wrong with him.
Naruto seem to only become an evolving trainer. When I almost best him, he brings more of his power to the forefront. I am getting stronger, getting to where he is out of breath. I take my small victories, knowing that I will never reach his power. I walk to the dojo, quickly and begin my stretches. Niisan didn't walk in, but Naruto does. He's in his civilian clothing.
"We're going out get dressed," He walks out. I smile at the thought of getting out for once. When I got back out of my room Naruto stood beside me. I nod telling him that I was ready. We walk out the door. I drink in the sights, his house is a fair size, and it lies on the outskirts of town. No wonder that man broke in, it's not a house for a ninja to live in. He walks in front of me with a brisk pace. I keep up as best as I can before I start to lengthen my stride. When we enter the village Naruto's demeanor changes to a bubbly happy one. He grabs my hand and begins to drag me around, as if excited to take me somewhere. I fall into pattern and stumble around with wide eyes. He skids to a stop and pulls out his frog wallet. I can't help the involuntary laugh. Naruto looks at me, before chuckling and handing me some money.
"Buy some food for the house," Naruto says, softly so no one around can hear. I know he wants to keep it all a secret. I nod rush off to find food. I enter a market, watching all the surprise faces. Once I had 3 bags full of food, I stand to the side and wait. Naruto will be upset if I move too far but in earshot, I can hear a conversation. I start to ignore it until I hear something disturbing.
"Naruto I-I love you," I know the voice very well, Sakura's voice. I know it's wrong, but I begin to listen in on the conversation.
"I love you too Sakura" Naruto says, voice so gentle. It's as if he finally can get a load off. Before I can even register, I rush off. It hurts, the pain in my chest aches. It's like someone is sitting on my chest. Why? Why?! I grip the bags and finally slow to a stop. I shouldn't care right? I should be happy, maybe he'd set me free. I frown sinking to the ground. I grit my teeth, the sad truth only becoming more apparent. I like him. I like this stupid boy who abuses me for sport. I feel a hand, causing me to jump and look up. Kiba looks at me with a concern look.
"Hinata? Are you okay?" He asks, crouching down. I stiffen, knowing that this is a bad situation. Naruto seems to distaste any male affection or attention I seem to get. I remember the reason for me being here. I press my lips together tightly. I am only a toy to him; I deserve to be able to reach out to others. I smile.
"Yes, can you um…help?" I press my index fingers together, standing up. He grins his wolfish smile, gently taking the bags. He swings them over his shoulder in one hand, patting my head with the other.
"Where to princess?" Kiba pulls his old nickname, and I cringe a little. I give my nervous laugh, ready to forget the petty anger. Naruto is scarier to me to just disobey all rules. He holds no affection to me; I have no right to be angry at all.
"Hinata?" I almost feel sick when I hear Naruto's voice. He walks into view, feigning confusion. Kiba turns and raises a hand in a hello. Naruto grins and waves back.
"Hey Kiba, I was just looking for her. I wanted her to try this delicious ramen spot with me," Naruto says, beginning to inch closer to us. He is moving in a predatory way that causes Kiba to bristle a little. It's the canine in him I'm sure, if he were anyone else, they would know no better. Naruto is a master at hiding that side of him, as if a master manipulator.
"Princess just ask me for help with these bags, can't it wait till later?" Kiba asks, showing signs that he's uncomfortable. Naruto tilts his head, stopping within lunging distance. He slowly looks at me, the grin never leaving his face.
"But Hinata! You promised me ramen!" Naruto whines, dragging every syllable to my name. It's not endearing it's a warning solely for me. I look at Kiba, placing my hand on his shoulder. Naruto seems to home in on the contact, while Kiba looks down at me.
"I forgot…If Naruto doesn't mind, he can help me?" I murmur, softly to him. Kiba looks torn between us. I can tell that the way Naruto is portraying himself is making him uneasy. It's also the fact I haven't react towards it that's he's second guessing himself. Naruto nods his head, enthusiastically.
"Anything for the delicious ramen!" Naruto chirps, holding his hands out. I place my hand in one, which instantly closes around my much smaller one. Kiba takes that as a positive action. He places the bags in the other, reaching to pat my head, only for me to be pull out of his reach. Naruto fakes it like he's excited to get to the ramen and begins to rush off, calling out a farewell. When I look back Kiba has a conflict on his face. Once we are out of earshot Naruto drops his act. The low voice sends shivers up my spine.
"Why did you leave?" He asks, monotone. I don't answer just look up at him. He stops, still gripping my hand. He turns, slowly and looks down on me. His eyes begin to narrow, in a drastic way. I swallow, thickly.
"I-I was look-"A sharp pain erupts in my cheek. My eyes widen, instantly ripping back. I place a hand on my cheek. Naruto glares, stalking forward. I cower back, throwing my hands up. I breath harshly.
"The truth!" Naruto roars, grabbing me and lifting me up. He slams my back against a tree, eyes holding only rage. "You are with another male you stupid bitch! Princess?! How the fuck dare he?" I shake as I watch the village's hero show his colors. He bares his teeth, leaning into my face.
"I brought you here, gave you freedom and you disobey me? Maybe I should go back hm? Beat him until he begs for me- "
"Stop! Please!" I cry out, tears welling in my eyes. I shakily grip his forearms, gives a soft whimper when his hands tighten. "Please Naruto I'm sorry! Please don't hurt him!" I choke out, desperately bowing my head. Naruto is silent before I am cradle in his chest. I curl up in a ball, protecting myself.
"Hinata what's wrong?" Naruto asks. I stiffen up and peek up at him. There is a tad bit of concern in his eyes, yet the anger is still present. He does place a hand on my cheek, rubbing his thumb across it. I hate myself for pressing into his gentle touch.
"I heard Sakura…" I finally utter, making him frown. He looks for clarification. It seems to click before I truly need to elaborate. A look I can't put my finger on appears. He sighs, picking up the bags and walks us home. I curl back up in a ball, listening to his rhythmic steps. He has nothing else to say to me for the walk.