The NaruHina's back with a vengeance

Chapter 38: Love is the response of the body it haunts

It was the day of Naruto's succession party and the lively sounds of celebration filled the streets of Konoha, growing louder as Hinata, Neji and Hanabi made their way to the center of it all.

Hanabi led the way, planning aloud which stalls they should go to. Hinata half-listened as she peered around Neji's shoulders to take in the sights. Still, she made sure to respond appropriately to Hanabi's chatter.

Despite Hanabi's zeal, Neji's sedate pace had them winding through the streets leisurely. They were all dressed in kimonos, the Hyuuga emblem sewed discreetly into the sleeves and the insides of the collars. Hanabi had forgone her geta, allowing her to skip ahead of them.

They played games and ate food together until Hanabi ran off with Akio and Sota, their usual friction smoothed over by the festivities. Then Lee was dragging Neji off to compete at kingyo-sukui and Tenten was deftly linking arms with Hinata to pull her in the opposite direction, separating the cousins.

Cackling at the expression on Neji's face before they'd parted, Tenten loosened her grip on Hinata. "I hope Neji has a fish tank in his room," she said.

"We have a koi pond, but I'm not sure if they'd get along…"

"And it wouldn't be nearly as funny. Oh! Look there's Ino and Sakura." Tenten called out to the two girls.

Upon looking over, Ino and Sakura turned back to each other and had a whispered conversation. Hinata's gaze crossed Sakura's briefly and she faltered in her steps, bumping into Tenten in the process.

Apologizing to the older kunoichi, Hinata looked up and saw that Sakura had left. Ino waved them over with a cheerful smile.

"Where'd Sakura go?" Tenten asked.

Ino shrugged carelessly. "She saw some medics from the hospital and wanted to say hi. You both look great!"

"You look lovely, Ino-san," Hinata said sincerely, if a little distractedly. She couldn't help but search the crowd for pink hair, wondering about the expression she'd seen on Sakura's face.

Ino flipped her hair confidently. "I know. You should see me and Sai together, we're matching."

"You found the one guy that'll let you dress him up without complaining. Your perfect match," Tenten teased.

Ino's smile was gentle at the thought of her lover before it took on a mischievous edge. "Maybe the two of you will find your perfect match somewhere here tonight!"

Hinata's hands flew to her chest, clasping onto the silky fabric of her kimono. "P-perfect match?"

"All dressed up, crossing paths with your soulmate under the light of the lanterns," Ino continued in a singsong voice.

Tenten scoffed. "This isn't a romance novel, Ino."

Ino rolled her eyes. "Don't be so practical. Everyone needs a little romance. Right, Hinata?"

Hinata tightened her grip on her kimono. "Um, I don't think —"

"Ino! Leave her alone. It's a little soon," Tenten chided.

"She seems fine to me," Ino said. "It's been months now and I don't see her hiding out at Kurenai-sensei's anymore. It's not like she's going to stay single for the rest of her life just because it didn't work out the first time. Hinata's made of stronger stuff!"

"Well, it's not like I disagree, but…"

"See! She should be getting back out there! And we should be helping her."

"Are you helping or fishing for something? Because the kingyo-sukui stalls were over that way."

As the two girls talked about her as if she weren't there, Hinata withdrew further into herself.

Though she'd ended her relationship with Naruto, it hadn't been for lack of love. Truthfully, she hadn't had any plan in doing so other than the knowledge that she was unhappy and the hope of preventing that unhappiness from tainting their bond. She hadn't given much thought to what would happen afterwards.

"It's not like she's going to stay single for the rest of her life…"

Hinata had loved Naruto for more than half her life. She didn't know how not to be in love with Naruto. Having loved him for so long without him knowing…whether she was with Naruto or not, what did that have to do with anything?

"You may not believe me now, but the person you love at twelve isn't necessarily going to be the same person you love in your twenties."

Hinata shook her head. Whatever infatuation she felt towards Sasuke, being with someone else, someone other than Naruto…the thought had never crossed her mind.

A hand on her shoulder brought Hinata out of her unpleasant thoughts. Tenten's worried brown eyes came into view.

"Oh geeze. Sorry Hinata-chan. Let's change the topic," Tenten said.

Ino wasn't on the same page. "How about him? He's got that roguishly handsome thing going for him. Maybe Sai can introduce us!"

Ino's voice had an insistent quality to it that had both Tenten and Hinata following her gaze. Across the street there was a burly man speaking to Sai. They both wore neutral faces, but Hinata felt that the interaction wasn't a pleasant one. She wasn't the only one who sensed it.

"Ugh, never mind. He probably has a bad personality if he can't get along with Sai," Ino said loyally.

Tenten shot Hinata an incredulous glance, but neither of them voiced any disagreement. Sai could be a little strange and often didn't get along well with people, but he was their friend.

Hinata felt the prickling sensation of being stared at. Turning her head, she made eye contact with the man who had been standing beside Sai. He was by himself now, thick arms with corded muscles crossed across his chest. His brown hair was gelled up in a way that reminded Hinata of Chouji as a genin. His gaze wasn't hostile, but it didn't feel friendly either. It was almost appraising.

A tug at her sleeve had Hinata breaking eye contact.

"How about him?" Ino asked. She'd moved on, continuing to point out other attractive men.

When Hinata glanced back she found the man had disappeared into the crowd. Hinata's brows furrowed together, Ino's voice fading into the background.

Then a familiar chakra signature pushed its way into her awareness. It was faint, suppressed as usual, so much so that neither Ino nor Tenten reacted. But Hinata had become so used to it that it was impossible to miss.

Excusing herself, Hinata let the chakra signature lead her through the crowd. It shifted abruptly, disappearing and then reappearing directly behind her. A hand wrapped around her wrist and Hinata relaxed into it immediately, allowing herself to be pulled to the side into a little pocket of space. The crowd moved around them, but Hinata didn't pay it any mind, instead looking up at the taller figure in front of her.

A gold mask with a ghastly expression obscured the features of the man facing her. Hinata smiled.

"Hinata."

"Sasuke-kun," she returned.

He was wearing a dark blue kimono rather than his usual gear and though his stance was confident, Hinata suspected he was uncomfortable in the formal clothing.

"Because I had to wear a kimono, it felt like it happened too often…"

"You're on duty," she observed.

Sasuke hated crowds. Undoubtedly he would have made an appearance for his best friend, but the only reason Hinata could conceive of for him to be wandering around like this was if he were part of the security detail. At the very least the mask seemed to be doing its job. Of all the times she had been in public with Sasuke, it was only with such a garish mask that he drew the least amount of gawking.

Sasuke inclined his head.

Unconsciously Hinata's other hand rose to his mask. She wished she could see his face. Just before her hand made contact, Hinata caught herself and withdrew, curling her fingers into her palm. She ducked her head, a little embarrassed by her boldness. Along with embarrassment, the emotion she'd felt while with Sakura also crept up.

Guilt.

Knowing Sakura was suffering, pushed away by Sasuke because of her feelings for him, meanwhile Hinata was allowed the privilege of being close to him despite her silly crush.

The worry of Sasuke finding out and hating her.

And yet she didn't move away. She didn't pull her wrist from Sasuke's hold. Eyes shut, she soaked in his presence.

Recently Sasuke had been wreaking havoc on Hinata's mind, but ironically when she was with him everything quieted down. His thumb stroking her pulse point made her heart tremble and yet soothed her nerves.

It was confusing.

It felt like there was this string connecting them and though it should have loosened with proximity, it felt like it drew taught the closer they were. Sometimes the tension was so great that Hinata felt it were about to snap.

But it was all in her head. It had to be.

Sasuke hadn't wanted to speak about the kiss. Had agreed to forget about it.

Whatever Hinata was feeling, she was feeling it alone.

It wouldn't be the first time.

Blond hair and blue eyes flitted through her mind and Hinata startled. She pulled away from Sasuke, his hand holding firm for a moment before releasing her wrist.

"Sorry," Hinata whispered. "I shouldn't bother you then."

Sasuke's response was immediate. "You're not."

Hinata's shoulders relaxed. She hadn't even realized they'd tensed.

"Uchiha-san and Hinata-sama."

Hinata's guard shot back up, but instead of backing up she found herself taking a step closer to Sasuke. It didn't escape her notice that Sasuke had been addressed by name despite his mask and suppressed chakra.

Turning to greet the newcomer, Hinata immediately recognized the woman despite having seldom interacted with her.

Fūma Kiyoko, Utatane Koharu's disciple, and beside her Shimura Daishiro, Mitokado Homura's protégé. The Konoha Go-Ikenban regularly paid visits to the major village clans to maintain their influence and vice versa with the clans needing to keep their favour, a mutually beneficial relationship. Hinata had seen them come and go from the Hyuuga compound, though she'd never sat in on the closed door meetings with only her father and grandfather in attendance.

Kiyoko wore a pale pink kimono, her face and hair perfectly made up. Daishiro's muted grey kimono was understated, but Hinata could recognize the high quality of the silk. Rounding out their group was a second man, Fūma Kotaro, Kiyoko's younger brother, dressed in a brown kimono that matched his gleaming eyes.

Hinata returned the greeting, bowing politely. Sasuke didn't bother with the formalities, though only Daishiro appeared upset by this, mouth twitching into a slight frown.

"Hiding from your fans?" Kiyoko asked, red lips pulled into a teasing smirk. When Sasuke failed to respond, she didn't miss a beat. "My brother here is quite the fan as well," she said, gesturing behind her.

Rather than seeming embarrassed by his sister's remark, Kotoro nodded enthusiastically. "Yes. It is an honour to meet you, Uchiha-san. I have long admired your family's work in founding the Konoha Keimu Butai."

"The Konoha Keimu Butai was founded by the Niidaime," Daishiro corrected. "Authority over it was handed to the Uchiha clan as a sign of good faith." When he spoke, his voice gave no hint of any underlying emotion, whether negative or positive.

"Yes, but the Uchiha made it what it is today," Kotoro countered good-naturedly.

Sensing Sasuke's unease at the unexpected discussion of his family, Hinata pressed closer to him until their arms touched.

"You should take some credit, Kotoro. The Fūma clan did an exceptional job stepping in after the…incident," Daishiro said.

Glancing at the man sharply, the words left Hinata's lips before she could think twice. "Could it be that you have something to say to Sasuke-kun about the Uchiha clan, Shimura-san?"

Daishiro blinked slowly. "No, not at all, Hinata-sama. Apologies, I was simply clarifying the facts."

Hinata nodded stiffly, holding Daishiro's gaze. "I agree, it's important to be clear about all the facts."

"Oh my, Daishiro continues to be a wet blanket as usual," Kiyoko tittered, nudging the man in question in the side and breaking the eye contact between him and Hinata. "Come, let me buy you a drink before you completely ruin the atmosphere." She fastened both her arms around one of his, pulling him along. "We were just stopping by to say hello. Please enjoy the festivities together!"

Kotoro followed reluctantly. "I hope to speak to you again, Uchiha-san. It's been too long since we had an Uchiha on the Konoha Keimu Butai," he said before leaving.

Disconcerted, Hinata watched their retreating figures before turning to Sasuke. Tilting her head back, she stared up at his face, wishing again that she could see through the mask to the expression underneath. But even the byakugan wouldn't help with that.

Her first instinct was to apologize, but she doubted it would be appreciated with how often Sasuke told her not to. At a loss, the seconds ticked by and Hinata lost her chance.

"I should get back to patrolling," Sasuke said, face angled away from her.

The edge of his jaw was clenched where it disappeared under the mask. Hinata's eyes lingered on the stretch of uncovered skin between the mask and his kimono. "…Okay," she said belatedly. Again she reached out and again she started to withdraw just before she made contact, but this time Sasuke reached back.

When her fingertips grazed the silk of Sasuke's kimono sleeve, Hinata grasped onto it automatically. "You…you look nice," she blurted out stupidly.

Head tilted to the side, Sasuke's entire being projected amusement. "Because you don't have to look at my face?"

"N-No that's not — your face is nice too! That is, I meant to say, it's nice to see you!" Hinata's entire face felt hot. "It…it made me happy to see you. It always does…" She stared down at her geta-clad feet, mortified.

Sasuke's hand on her head had her looking up again, vision only slightly obscured by her bangs.

"I get it." Then, after a moment, he bent down. The edge of his mask brushed against the side of Hinata's face as he said softly, for her ears only, "I feel the same. About all of the above."

Hinata tried to respond, but couldn't form any words. Sasuke was gone long before she regained her wits.

The crowd had gotten thicker, but Hinata eventually found Team Eight. Mirai made for good company, shrieking in delight at everything. Kurenai was happy to have a break from holding her daughter while her former students took turns carting the young girl around as they passed from stall to stall. They spoiled Mirai with snacks and trinkets, Kurenai shaking her head but allowing it.

As they enjoyed the festivities, they bumped into their friends. Gai and Lee competing at wanage, Neji and Tenten nowhere in sight. Ino without Sai's company, sharing a single kakigori with Sakura while Chouji held one in each hand. Kurenai, too, saw her own peers, stopping to chat with Genma and Anko. They drank shōchū mixed with oolong tea, Mirai sticking to apple juice, and ate their fill from every street food stall they passed.

Eventually the sun sat low in the sky and the lanterns were lit up, casting the streets in a magical red-orange glow. Kiba had Mirai on his shoulders, Akamaru circling around him and yipping up at the girl who giggled in response. Shino and Kurenai were conversing quietly, the older woman reaching down to pet Akamaru absentmindedly any time he sidled close. Hinata hung back a few steps, watching them contentedly.

"Hinata-chan!"

She was far back enough that her companions didn't notice the call of her name nor when she stopped.

"Naruto-kun."

The boy in question grinned. He was wearing one of the yukatas she'd gotten him, mainly black with swirls of orange and blue and green. A white haori, not unlike the kage one, was draped over his shoulders.

Forgetting her hair was pulled into an elaborate up-do, Hinata made an aborted gesture to tuck it behind her ear.

"You came." Blue eyes regarded her as warm hands came up to clasp her shoulders.

Hinata tilted her head, puzzled. "Of course," she said.

Naruto let out an awkward laugh. "Not that I thought you wouldn't or anything! I'm just…glad." The low lighting of the lanterns did little to dull the brilliant blue of his eyes. "Will you walk with me?"

Hinata turned and saw that she'd lost her team in the crowd. Looking back at Naruto, she acquiesced with a nod. Naruto's answering grin was wide across his face.

As they walked, Hinata stayed a half step behind. For the most part people were distracted by food and drink and the celebratory atmosphere, but there were still plenty who took notice of Naruto and wanted to give him their well wishes.

Of course, the brightness of Naruto was impossible to miss even in a crowd.

"Oh man. Here, Hinata-chan!" Suddenly Naruto's hand was on her upper back, guiding her swiftly down a narrow alley until they were further away from the main street, the noise of the festivities more distant. There was only a narrow strip of light from the alley opening, but they had walked far enough that it didn't reach them, so when Naruto turned to look down at her his face was half-hidden in shadows. "Sorry about that," he said, voice uncharacteristically hushed.

"There's no need to apologize," Hinata said, voice equally soft. "It's a big moment for you. Everyone's happy for you."

"Are you? Happy for me?"

"I am," Hinata said honestly. "The happiest."

"It means a lot to me, having you here to support me," Naruto said.

Hinata's eyes softened. "I'll always support you, Naruto-kun. Nothing…nothing would ever change that."

"You always have. I shouldn't doubt you. I think...if you weren't here, it wouldn't mean half as much." Naruto's gaze was fixed to her face and Hinata had to lower her own.

"That can't be true," Hinata murmured. "After all, it's your dream."

Naruto huffed out a breath and Hinata blinked rapidly when she felt it ruffle her bangs.

"It is. It doesn't feel real sometimes. I feel like if I stop to take a breath it'll disappear," Naruto confessed. "I'm happy that it's come true, but…there are moments when I look back and when I see that the space there is empty…"

Hinata's brows drew together. She recalled the constant ache of loneliness from back then. Short moments of emptiness in comparison to that…

"It doesn't feel good. I keep expecting to see you there, like always, and when I don't, it feels wrong," Naruto said. "Do you remember the first time I had to go to one of those fancy dinners with Kakashi-sensei? I made a total fool out of myself because I didn't remember any of the etiquette Shikamaru tried to teach me. I felt so out of place, like I didn't belong. And I tried to hide it, but…you could tell, couldn't you?"

Hinata remembered. The droop to his shoulders and the dimness in his eyes when she'd asked about the dinner. How he'd glossed over the entire thing instead of giving her the usual play by play.

"Then the next day, you told me you needed help with your volunteer shift. And it turned out to be handing out lunches at the orphanage and it felt great being able to do something for them, those kids like me. And I didn't realize it at the time, but it's like you were trying to tell me…"

"That you do belong," Hinata whispered.

Naruto's lips pulled into a crooked grin. "You were always doing things like that, taking care of me in small ways. I guess I didn't notice it at the time. Not until it stopped. And it made me think…did I ever take care of you like that? In small ways?"

Naruto leaned closer, the scent of his cologne enveloping her. It brought with it a feeling akin to nostalgia. Could you feel nostalgic for something that used to be commonplace just some months ago?

"You told me it felt like there was no room for you in my life, but if that was true, then how come it feels so much emptier without you? I think the problem was that I didn't know how to show that to you."

"Naruto-kun…" Hinata started, but had no idea how to continue.

"Hinata," Naruto returned. And then he kissed her.

Her hands flew to his chest, curling into the silk. She gasped in surprise and Naruto deepened the kiss. Again that feeling of nostalgia hit Hinata and she fell pliant under Naruto's touch. It had been so long since she'd been kissed like this. So long since she'd been kissed at all.

But that wasn't entirely true…

Hinata's eyes flew open as dark hair and a chaste press of lips came to mind. Her grip on Naruto's kimono grew tighter.

She'd never allowed herself to think of Naruto and Sasuke in the same capacity before.

Sasuke was an infatuation; Naruto was the love of her life.

Sasuke was a friend, Naruto was more.

Sasuke was…

Sasuke was…

Hinata turned her head, breaking away. "Naruto-kun, this —"

Chapped lips followed the line of her throat and Hinata whimpered at the nip of teeth against her skin. There was a flutter at the edge of her consciousness and Hinata looked to where the alley opened onto the main street, but found it empty. The brick of the alleyway pressed into her back as she pushed Naruto away. "Naruto-kun, stop. This isn't right. Nothing has changed, so —"

"I have! Or I can," Naruto corrected. "Today was supposed to be a dream come true, but it didn't feel like that. Not until I saw you! There was something missing until you looked at me and smiled."

Hinata's head felt muddled from the shōchū and Naruto's overwhelming presence and the fact that no matter how much she tried, she couldn't stop Uchiha Sasuke from infiltrating her mind. "Naruto-kun —"

The sound of a radio broke through the small amount of space between them.

"Naruto, where the hell are you? It's ten minutes till your speech."

Hinata released Naruto's kimono and wrapped her arms around herself instead. "…We should go."

"Hinata-chan…"

Forcing her lips into a weak smile, Hinata didn't meet Naruto's eyes when she said, "You shouldn't keep the village waiting."

I feel like I'm about to be burned at the stake lol but at least wait until next chapter until you go lighting any fires!

As always, thank you to everyone who's still reading! Your reviews keep me going ^^

MVH