When Hinata awoke, she was still laying exactly as she was the night before, her body on top of Naruto and her head tucked into his neck. As she slowly raised her head up to look at him, she saw that he was still very much asleep. She knew their time together would come to an end soon, and so she decided to lay her head back down and pretend to be asleep, just to enjoy this moment. Besides, his arms were still holding her tightly and there was no way she was escaping.
She thought of the entirety of the previous night, namely when Naruto kissed her. She had controlled herself in the moment, but as soon as their lips touched, Hinata had instantly yearned for more. As she laid there, a mild anxiety struck as she began to wonder if Naruto wanted more as well, or if he had even thought about it.
Naruto finally awoke from the most peaceful sleep he had ever experienced, and immediately regretted waking up, for he too was aware of the consequences that would come.
There was still work to do. The village was already getting back on its feet, but he knew it would be at least a few weeks before it was back to one hundred percent. Which meant, he would have to spend a while away from Hinata. She would likely be recalled to the Hyuuga compound as soon as it was built while he continued to work with the villagers. He wasn't looking forward to this but told himself that it would be worth it in the end. Hinata waited years just for him to notice her... surely he could wait a few weeks to see her again... right?
His thoughts were interrupted as an all too familiar voice invaded his headspace.
"Ugh, I never expected YOU to be one to get worked up over a female."
"K-Kurama? I was wondering when you'd wake up!"
"I told you I would be asleep for a while after lending you the last of my chakra. We're both still alive, so I'm assuming you defeated Sasuke? How else would you find time for... whatever it is you're doing."
Naruto ignored Kurama's remarks and got straight to Sasuke.
"Sasuke and I, um, we kinda tied, I guess. But everything is good now. He's come to his senses. He's already -"
"You mean, that Uchiha brat is still alive!?"
"Sasuke realizes his errors, and he's on the path to correct them. He's decided to leave the village again, to process everything and atone for his mistakes. We won't be seeing him for a while."
"I would hope not. But, it is good to see you again, Naruto."
"Aww, missed me that much?"
"Watch it, brat."
"I missed you too, Kurama."
"So, what's the plan now? I felt my chakra rush into you last night. Just what the hell is going on?"
"You sure have missed a lot over the past couple days."
"I don't care to meddle in your romantic affairs." Kurama said unimpressed.
Naruto continued, "The village is being rebuilt as we speak. After this, Hinata and I will be joining the construction effort soon. I don't know how long it will take, I'm just hoping I can get a better apartment."
"And how exactly did 'this' happen?"
"I thought you didn't care to meddle in my romantic affairs?"
"I don't. Forget I asked."
"Oh come on, don't be like that!"
...
"Kurama? Hello?"
...
"Asshole."
Naruto must have grumbled to himself out loud, because Hinata had immediately looked up at him with concern on her face.
"Naruto? What's wrong?"
"Nothing, sorry. Kurama is finally awake."
"Kurama... I like that name." Hinata said with a smile.
"Looks like I have a fan." Kurama said sarcastically.
"Better get used to it."
"Never."
"Sorry for waking you, Hinata."
"To be honest, I was already awake. I just... I don't want this to end." Hinata said as her voice began to sound more and more disappointed.
"I don't either, maybe we could just stay here forever. I don't want to go back..." Naruto said equally disapproving.
Hinata sighed. "As much as I would love that, we have to help." She said as she got off of him and stretched.
"How long do you think it will take? To rebuild everything..."
After Naruto threw his shirt back on, they both walked outside the tent and took a look over the village. It was only around 10 AM, but the progress from yesterday had nearly tripled since. And that was just from Leaf Shinobi, namely Yamato.
"When reinforcements from the other villages arrive, we should be done rather quickly." Hinata responded. "And once everything is back to the way it should be, you're all mine." Hinata said turning back to him.
"And what do you plan on doing with me?" Naruto said as he stepped closer, a devilish look on his face.
"As much as I would love to show you, I'm afraid you'll have to wait."
"I'm starting to think you're all talk..."
"Maybe that's just what I want you to think."
"Tease."
"Only for you."
Naruto laughed hysterically. Hinata had changed so quickly and for some reason he couldn't help himself. Or had she really changed? Has she always had this playful side to her that neither of them would have ever guessed even existed?
"What's so funny?"
"I just... I never knew you had this side to you. You were always so shy and nervous around me. I like it."
"Well, you still make me nervous, but I'm trying to do better."
"Hinata, you don't have to worry about that. You make me nervous too, ya know. It's weird, you're the only person that has ever made me feel that way."
Hinata grabbed Naruto by the shirt and forcibly pulled him to her, looking up at him as their bodies collided.
"I better be." She said seductively, her eyes piercing his. Naruto felt his heart rate rising at the sudden change of her attitude. He had to admit, she could really get him going.
"I told you, you are. And you always will be." Naruto said with a smile.
"Just checking." Hinata said happily as she stepped back. Naruto chuckled to himself and admired her for a moment, thoughts of last night replaying in his head. He began to wonder if she would have let him flip her over during her massage.
'Cool it, Naruto. Too soon.' He told himself.
"I'm really going to miss you, Hinata."
"You don't know how happy it makes me to hear you say that, Naruto. I'm going to miss you too. But it should be over before we know it. Also, I heard that there's going to be some kind of phone line installed, so we should be able to call each other sometime soon."
"I guess that makes me feel a little better." Naruto replied.
As soon as Hinata had sealed all of their supplies back into the scroll, they were ready to get to work. They began the dreaded descent down to main area, and upon reaching the bottom, they turned to each other once more.
"I guess this is goodbye, for now." Hinata said depressingly.
"Not yet." Naruto replied, resulting in a questioning look from Hinata.
"What do you -?"
Hinata was interrupted as Naruto took her hand and pulled her to the other side of a tree, what was left of it, where nobody could see them. As soon as he was sure they were out of sight, Naruto pinned her against the tree and crashed his lips passionately into hers.
Hinata immediately melted into the kiss, reliving the new but intense sensation. For a moment, it was just as it had been last night, pure and innocent. That was until Naruto pulled away and looked her in the eyes with a desire so powerful she was sure he was about to take her right there. Hinata quickly took a liking to Naruto's sudden aggression as she felt her cheeks become hot. She didn't care that she was blushing. She'd let him do this to her no matter where they were.
Naruto pressed his lips to hers once more, running his hand through her long hair. He still had her pinned to the tree, and Hinata realized how much she liked being taken control of. Naruto was instigating this, and the only thing more exciting than that was that she couldn't escape even if she wanted to.
Their singular, loving kiss slowly progressed into a fast and lustful makeout session, each kiss hungrier and more intense than the last. Hinata nearly gasped as she felt Naruto's tongue trace her lip, silently asking for permission. Hinata wasted no time letting him in. As soon as his tongue had slipped into her mouth, she felt an entirely new sensation.
She could not have prepared herself for this sudden moment of realization... they weren't just kissing anymore, they were making out. Hinata had always daydreamed of a beautiful first kiss with Naruto, as she had experienced last night. But this, this was something her dreams could never do justice. This wasn't just love, this was an intense, ravenous desire to be physically closer to one another. No, it wasn't a desire, it was a need.
Hinata found herself running her hands through his blonde hair, occasionally moving them down to his muscular chest. This gave her an idea... she wanted Naruto to touch her where nobody else could. She wanted to feel his strong hands caress every bit of her, every bit that had always belonged to him. She wanted him to take what was his.
Naruto pulled away once more before she could drop the hint. He tilted her chin up and made her look him in the eyes, a certain hunger present in them.
"I love you, Hinata."
"I love you too, Naruto. I love you so much." Hinata was smiling brightly even though she was pretty sure her eyes were tearing up. She wasn't used to being told that, especially not from him.
"You really always have, haven't you?" Naruto said with dreamy eyes, willing himself to stare through her and see the essence of her soul. He seemed to be reminiscing about the past, as if he was thinking of all the times he should have known her feelings, but didn't.
"For as long as I can remember."
"I'm so glad I found you, Hinata. I can't believe I went all that time without seeing you. Now that I do, I don't know how I ever lived through all that hell without you in my life."
"Get used to it. I don't intend on going anywhere." She said smirking at him.
"I could definitely get used to this." He said grinning at her.
Naruto gently planted another kiss on her lips, to which she gladly returned. The pace was slow and sweet again, but equally disappointing as Naruto pulled away another time.
Her disappointment didn't last long as he slowly landed soft kisses on her cheek and down her jaw, getting closer and closer to her neck.
"Is this okay, Hinata?" He whispered, his warm breath on her neck sending shivers down her body. She found the tension too strong for her to speak, and all she could muster was a soft nod. Naruto tilted her chin away, opening up her neck to him. To her dismay, he pulled away again right before his lips made contact.
"Good, now I know for next time." He said as he backed away from her, freeing her from his dominance.
"N-Next time?" Hinata looked confused. She had given him permission, not that he needed it... but why did he hold back?
"Since you like to tease me so much, I figured I'd fight back, ya know, give you something to think about while we're away from each other." Naruto said while flashing his iconic grin with a hint of mischief.
"Oh, you are so evil." Hinata said as a small smile began to appear on her lips. She was still blushing, for the thought of him kissing her on the neck was still running through her head.
"Well, I guess I'm going to owe you for that. But for now, I'm afraid you'll have to wait." He said, mimicking her from earlier.
"I... I..."
Naruto laughed loudly as he watched her blushing face. He found her struggle to speak quite amusing.
"Naruto... I... I don't want to go."
"I don't either, but I promise, it will be over before you know it. Then... maybe we can pick back up where we left off."
"You mean where you left off. I was enjoying myself."
"And I'll make sure to make it up to you as soon as I can."
"Promise?" Hinata said sweetly.
"Promise." Naruto said with a chuckle.
Hinata hated it, but she knew it was time. If they didn't split now, they never would. That certainly sounded better. She looked to him, and he seemed to know exactly what she was about to say.
"Goodbye, Naruto." She said sorrowfully.
"Goodbye, Hinata." Naruto said, his voice equally disapproving.
Naruto embraced her one final time, to which she eagerly reciprocated. She desperately tried to hold back the tears in her eyes, and despite her effort, one managed to escape and fall onto his shoulder.
"I'll see you soon?" Naruto said.
"As soon as possible." Hinata replied, trying to hide the sadness she felt. She knew it was only a few weeks, hopefully, but it was such poor timing. They had just confessed their feelings for each other, and now they were about to be separated again.
'All in good time, Hinata. All in good time.' She told herself.
"Next time you decide to do something like that, could you give me a heads up first? I see everything you see."
"No promises."
Naruto approached as Yamato built another house, dropping to his knee afterward. Naruto knew he had to be tired, the village was already starting to look like people actually lived there.
"Dammit, this is exhausting!" Yamato said, sweat dripping profusely down his head.
"Don't overdo it, Yamato Sensei! There's plenty of help going around, you don't have to take this on all by yourself."
"Oh hey, Naruto! Where have you been?" Yamato said between heavy breaths.
"Ya know, just dodging the crowd I guess. Anything I can do to help?"
"Not for me, unless you somehow know Wood Style now. I've heard all about your strange new abilities. Befriending the Nine Tails? You really have come a long way."
"His name is Kurama, actually. Unfortunately, Wood Style is not one of my new abilities."
"In that case, I'm afraid I do have to take this part on by myself. But, even I have limits to my building skills. There's plenty of other carpenters and masons building different things the village will need. You should be able to help them with transporting their materials and equipment. A few shadow clones should do the trick."
Naruto weaved the hand sign for Shadow Clone Jutsu, followed by a hundred Narutos appearing out of thin air.
"Is this enough?" Naruto said with his signature grin.
Yamato chuckled and smiled back. "At this rate, we'll be done in no time! At least that's what I'm hoping for. I can't take much more of this."
"Leave it to me! Good luck, Yamato Sensei!" Naruto said as he and the clones dashed into different directions, each looking for a way to help speed up this process. The quicker they were done, the quicker he could see Hinata again.
"Naruto... thank you for telling him my name."
"You're my friend, Kurama. Not a nameless monster."
"Is the girl your 'friend' too?"
Naruto could hear the teasing in Kurama's voice. It didn't bother him. In fact he found it rather amusing.
"Her name is Hinata. And no, she's different than a friend. She's far more than that."
"She was one of the few that never mistreated you, isn't that right?"
"Exactly."
"Hm. Well, I guess she can stick around."
"You like her, don't you?"
"Don't push it."
Author's Note:
Come on, you didn't really think I forgot about Kurama, did you? ;)
All in good time folks, all in good time. See what I did there? Hehe... sorry.
Next chapter is coming! In the meantime, don't be afraid to drop a review. I love reading your opinions and comments.
