It was mid December when the first snow fell. The sky was full of large, thick clouds, the near absence of sunlight creating a soothingly dark atmosphere. Hinata awoke in her bed with her plushie in hand and looked out her window to see tiny white flurries decorating the outside world.
She found something to appreciate in all four seasons, the cherry blossoms blooming in the spring, the bright sunny days of summer, the leaves changing colors in the fall... but despite all of that, winter had always been her favorite.
She loved the scenery when it snowed, how the entire world seemed to transform into a soft white blanket. The cold weather gave her an excuse to bundle herself up in cozy blankets while she snacked on warm cinnamon rolls and sipped hot chocolate.
But perhaps her favorite part of winter was that it always reminded her of Naruto. Any time it snowed, it reminded her of when they first met. On that cold night, when her three-year-old self ran away and got lost with tears streaming down her face, it was him who fearlessly took her hand and guided her through the snow-filled streets and back to her home, a kind smile plastered on his face the entire time.
That was the start of everything she had ever felt for him. And now, watching the snowflakes fall outside her window, Hinata smiled to herself as she remembered the rosy cheeks of a young Naruto showing her such kindness. Then, she remembered something he said just before he had parted ways with her.
"Wow, look at this place! You live in a big house like this, and you're out here crying? I'm... alone. I don't have anyone, but I never cry! Hehe!"
As a young child unfamiliar with his situation, she hadn't quite understood what he meant by that at the time. When she grew a little older and came to learn that he had no family of his own and was considered an outcast, well, it hurt her. How could someone with such a kind heart deserve to live like that?
And then last month, when she cooked him his very late birthday dinner, she learned just how bad growing up had really been for him...
"Naruto, who took care of you when you were little?"
"Lord Third gave me a monthly allowance for rent and stuff. I was usually still pretty low on food, though, because I didn't know how to cook anything but instant ramen. I taught myself to fish when I was four. It wasn't easy, but I managed."
"You mean, even when you were four years old, you had nobody taking care of you?"
"Well... yeah."
That crushed her. When those words left his mouth, Hinata felt her heart break a little. She had felt an immediate need to assure him that he would never experience anything like that ever again.
"I swear, I will give you a better life than that."
She meant every word of that promise and had every intention of keeping it. Through it all, she would make every effort to ensure that Naruto always understood her love, care, and appreciation for him. She would remind him every day that she belonged to him, and that she would always stand perfectly happy by his side.
Still watching the world through her window, Hinata got lost in her thoughts and fantasized about her future with Naruto, as she had always done for as long as she could remember. But now, she smiled as she realized just how much more there was for them to experience together as a couple, and eventually, as a family. Moving in together, getting married, having children... ideally in that order, but who knows?
After their last trip up to Hokage Rock, they had certainly taken a big step in their relationship. She was glad they had taken that opportunity while they could, since Naruto had been sent on his next mission (a rather long one at that) just a couple days after. She still wasn't sure if that was considered very lucky or very unlucky, but thankfully, he was supposed to be coming home some time today.
Naruto himself had certainly had a fit about being sent away again so soon. It didn't help that Kakashi (who was now fully instated as the Sixth Hokage) had given him a bunch of material to study during his down time while he was away.
Because of the timing of his departure, they had not been able to have a second time like they hoped. However, that didn't stop a restless Hinata from taking care of herself when she was all alone at night with her thoughts, memories of that intimate night eating away at her mind her until she just couldn't help herself. Almost every night since Naruto left for his mission, her hand had found its way into her underwear as she remembered how exhilarating it felt when he finished inside her, something so unexpected yet so dangerously enjoyable.
That night was something even her wildest dreams could never have done justice.
Still she wondered, what would come next for them? Exactly what "step" were they supposed to be working toward now?
"Well, before anything..."
Hinata's heart began to beat a little faster as she remembered... Naruto still hadn't met her father yet. Before they began planning for the long term, there was that to deal with. They had talked about it before but never decided when they would sit down with her father and break the news to him.
After taking their relationship this far and showing such commitment to each other, Hinata decided that it was finally time to have that conversation. The next step... the one that would open the last door to their future together.
"How would I even bring it up to Father? What if he gets angry? I... I don't know what to do..."
She decided that when Naruto came home today, after a proper greeting of course, she would bring it up to him and see what he thought. But for now, breakfast.
Hinata exited her room and made her way into the kitchen to find Hanabi already eating at the kitchen island.
"Good morning!" Hanabi said happily.
"Good morning."
"Hungry? I made breakfast. There's plenty left so help yourself."
"O-Okay, thanks."
Hinata loaded up her plate and sat across the island from Hanabi, who almost immediately took notice of her older sister's troubled state of mind.
"Big sis? You okay?"
"Hm? Oh, y-yeah. You?"
"Alright, what's wrong, Hinata?"
"What? N-Nothing's wrong!"
"You suck at lying."
Hinata finally let out a defeated sigh. There was just no getting past her sister's attention to detail.
"I haven't talked to Naruto about it yet, but I want him to meet Father. I think it's time."
"Oh..."
"I have no idea what to expect. I know he's changed, but still, you know how he is."
"Actually... yeah, I do. And I think he's changed quite a lot, and certainly for the better. Even during training now, he's not anything like he used to be. He's more patient, more willing to guide me when I make a mistake. He's supportive in his own way. It really seems like he cares and wants to be better."
"Must be nice." Hinata said with a sad sigh as her head hung low. That was all she had ever wanted from her father, just a little bit of care, a little bit of support.
She felt Hanabi reach across and gently grab her hand.
"Things are better now, Hinata. Just try to have a little faith, okay?"
"I... I will try."
"I know Father still has his demons, and I know you're nervous about telling him that you and Naruto are together, but I'm sure he-"
Hanabi's gaze averted slightly before her eyes widened and her face took on an expression that Hinata could only describe as "Oh shit..."
Confused from her little sister's sudden concern, Hinata followed her gaze and turned around to see her father silently standing in the doorway to the kitchen. At first, she was more shocked at the fact that Hiashi had shown his face. Nowadays, he was extremely distant, almost elusive, very rarely seen throughout the house. Remembering the topic of their current conversation and seeing her father in such close and unexpected proximity, Hinata's face grew terribly red and she felt her heart begin to race.
His face was expressionless, completely absent of any visible emotion. Still, he was definitely close enough to hear every word of what they had just been talking about. How long had he been standing there? How much did he hear?
"Hinata?" Said the leader of the Hyuuga clan.
"Y-Yes, F-Father?"
"When you finish eating, please come to my study. I'd like to have a word with you."
Hiashi turned back around and walked off to the secluded study room where he spent most of his time these days. Exactly what he did in there, neither Hinata nor Hanabi had any clue.
Hinata slowly turned back to look at Hanabi, who looked just as surprised and confused as her. Hinata felt her chest fill with panic.
"I'm so sorry, Hinata! I had no idea he was there!" Hanabi whispered frantically.
"No no, it's okay, I-I just... W-what do I do?" Hinata whispered, her anxiety causing her words to become shaky.
"Well, he didn't seem upset. I guess that's a plus. Maybe he wasn't paying attention and didn't hear anything?"
"Then, why would he want to 'have a word' with me?"
"Maybe he just wants to talk to you? I don't know... it must not be anything urgent, since he told you to finish eating first."
Hanabi was trying her hardest to be supportive and ease her sister's mind, but truthfully, she wasn't quite sure what to think of her father's blank demeanor.
Hinata looked down at her plate and felt her appetite diminish entirely. She was far too anxious to stomach another bite.
"I-I can't... I need to know now."
Summoning all of the strength she possessed, Hinata got up from her seat and nervously made her way to the study room. Her heart pounded harder with every step, and when she was right outside the door, she could feel it throbbing in her chest. Naruto's words echoed in her mind, soothing her just enough to allow her to bring her knuckles to the door...
"However he reacts, we'll deal with it together."
Naruto wasn't here right now, but maybe... maybe he didn't need to be, not yet. Maybe Hanabi was right, that things were different now and that Hinata was worrying for nothing.
"I can do this. Nothing will stop me from being with Naruto, not even my father."
She knocked on the door and anxiously waited for a response.
"Come in." She heard from the other side.
Hinata opened the door and finally walked into the one room in their new house that she had never seen the inside of.
It was a relatively small room. Along the walls, several shelves were stacked high with different scrolls and documents. At the center, facing the door, there was a small desk with a picture frame, papers strewn about, and a lamp that seemed to be the room's only light source. And behind the desk sat Hiashi, his eyes still glued to whatever document he was examining and his face still expressionless as ever.
"You wanted to speak with me, Father?"
Hiashi finally met her gaze and nodded.
"Please, sit." He said motioning to the chair across from his desk.
Hinata took her seat and waited. She couldn't bring herself to speak first, not when the topic of their conversation was yet to be explicitly revealed.
"So..." Hiashi began.
"Here it comes..."
"As you know, your birthday is coming up soon."
Wait... what?
"Y-Yes, that's right." Hinata replied trying to hide her confusion.
"Is there any way you would like to celebrate?"
"Celebrate?" Hinata asked, her eyebrow cocking slightly.
Her birthday was December 27, which was only about a week and a half away, but why was her father bringing up this of all things? And why now? Had he really not heard anything that her and Hanabi had just been talking about?
"I was just thinking... you've never had a proper birthday celebration, have you? I mean, not here, at home... with your family."
For her birthday, Hinata would typically just go to a small cafe or something with Sakura, or maybe Kiba and Shino if she felt like laughing at their bickering. But here at home, her birthday as well as Hanabi's had always just been another regular day when the sun came up and eventually went back down.
"No... I haven't. But, w-why would that cross your mind?"
"Hinata..." Hiashi said with a soft sigh, his gaze falling, finally showing some kind of feeling. It looked like...
"Guilt? Remorse? What is he thinking?"
She watched her father clench his jaw before straightening his pale eyes with hers again.
"I know I haven't been the father you and Hanabi deserve. I know that I was especially wrong in treating you so harshly over the years. I let myself become so caught up in the traditions of the Hyuuga clan and my responsibilities as its leader, that I neglected my responsibilities as a father. And I hate to say, that it was the death of Neji and the sacrifice he made that made me stop and realize that."
"Father... I..."
"I'm trying to change, my daughter. I want to be a better father, a real father, both to you and Hanabi. I want to be a part of your lives. I don't want to live the rest of my days as a stranger to my own children. I want us to be the family we should've been long ago. I want to correct my mistakes. I know I don't deserve it, but... could you ever forgive me, Hinata? Can we move forward from this and form a real bond together?"
Hinata's wide eyes were frozen in shock, every word from her father touching her heart. Hanabi was right. He had truly changed, and was still trying. Truthfully, Hinata had forgiven him already. She could see that he was silently trying to be better and that had been enough. But she decided that if he really needed to hear her say it aloud, then she would tell him. With tears in her eyes, she spoke to him.
"I forgive you, Father. I know you've changed. I know you're still changing, and that's okay. Hanabi and I would be happy to embrace these changes with you and move forward, together. As a family."
"That... that makes me very happy to hear, Hinata."
For the first time since her mother died, Hinata saw a real, genuine smile on her father's face. She glanced over at the picture frame on Hiashi's desk and saw an old photo of her mother and father together. Hiashi noticed her looking at the picture and turned it to give her a better view.
"You're still so much like your mother, you know? Her soul was pure, her heart was kind. I think her death had a lot to do with why I became so cold. When she passed, she took a piece of me with her. But, I also believe that she left a piece of herself within you."
Hiashi's smile slowly faded.
"Ahem, anyway. I understand if you'd be hesitant, but I'd like to celebrate your birthday at home this year. You're more than welcome to invite your friends, if you'd like. As long as your sister and I are a part of it."
Hinata almost chuckled aloud at how quickly her father had returned to his expressionless attitude. She could tell that he still had walls put up, but as long as he was willing to slowly break them down and open up over time, that wasn't a problem.
"I'd love to celebrate my birthday here. And, you're sure you're okay with my friends coming?"
Hinata found it hard to imagine her loud and reckless group of friends laughing and having fun in the Hyuuga main house. It had always been so hauntingly quiet, and a birthday party with the rest of her classmates was sure to change that.
"Of course, as long as they are respectful. I do have just one question."
"Okay..."
"Will Naruto Uzumaki be celebrating with us?"
Dammit... just when she thought she was safe. She could feel her cheeks reddening already.
"N-Naruto?"
"I understand you two have become quite close. You are seeing each other... romantically, yes?"
"F-Father! I... I don't what to say..."
"You have nothing to fear, daughter. Just tell me. Is it true?"
"...Yes. We are in a committed relationship together."
"Hm. I thought so."
"Then, you knew? How?"
Hiashi then let out a chuckle, something Hinata found frighteningly unfamiliar. A smile had been surprising enough.
"You've loved that boy for years, even when he was an outcast. It wasn't hard to see. When I first heard the countless rumors about you two finally being together, I had little doubt that they were true."
"Oh..." Hinata said embarrassingly.
"I'll admit, I hoped for a while that you would grow out of it and move on. But when I heard of how you nearly sacrificed your life for him during Pain's assault on the village, as well as the confession you made to him... I knew then that you felt more for him than just a child's crush. And since then, Naruto has only proven his worth further, as have you."
Hinata blushed as she remembered how fearless she had been in the heat of battle, when her life was on the line for the sole purpose of saving Naruto. Although she nearly died, that fight against Pain was the first time she had ever felt truly alive.
"It's true... he really means a lot to me. Even if he was still an outcast, even if he didn't have your approval, I could never suppress my feelings for him."
"And you won't have to. As I said, you have nothing to fear from me. As long as he treats you well and makes you happy, I have no reason or desire to rid you of that."
"He's very loving and caring to me, and he makes me incredibly happy." Hinata said confidently and proudly. She had certainly picked the right boy to fall for.
"I'm glad to hear that. Still, I would like to meet him officially and speak with him. Soon."
"He comes home from a mission today. I could bring him here once he gets back?"
"Today won't be necessary. I'd hate to trouble him right after a long trip home. Soon, though. Perhaps tomorrow, when he's had time to rest?"
"I'll speak with him. I'm sure he'll be eager to meet you as well."
"Then it's settled."
Hinata felt quite surprised that the subject of her and Naruto dating had been discussed so easily. She had half expected to be branded as part of the side branch of the family before running away with Naruto and living out the rest of their days as rogue Shinobi. Needless to say, she was glad it didn't come to that.
"Honestly, I expected you to be upset about me seeing him. You know, because of... traditions." Hinata said.
Even though Hinata was technically no longer considered heiress, she had feared that the Hyuuga's rules and restrictions regarding marriage outside of the clan would still apply to her.
Hiashi stroked his chin for a moment, thinking.
"It's true, your relationship may conflict certain traditions, but nevertheless... changes are coming, Hinata. Neji helped me envision that as well. It won't be easy, but there are several Hyuuga practices that I intend to alter or do away with entirely, starting with the separation between the main and side branches. Although, I fear that the duty of completely fixing the nature of this clan will ultimately fall on Hanabi."
"So, you do still intend on Hanabi being heiress."
Not like that was much of a surprise, or a disappointment for that matter. Hinata never had any interest in leading the Hyuuga clan. A loving housewife loyal to Naruto Uzumaki sounded like a much more fulfilling life.
"Although you are my eldest child, and have certainly grown quite strong, you've never had any real desire to be heiress anyway, have you?"
Hinata cracked a small smile, silently thanking herself for being headstrong on escaping her undesired fate.
"No, I haven't. Actually... I really despise the idea. I think Hanabi is far more suited for that role."
"I figured so. Then, we will proceed as planned. Hanabi will be the next head of the Hyuuga clan, when her time comes."
"Understood."
"Very well. I'll be seeing Naruto tomorrow then, yes?"
"I imagine so. Is there a certain time I should bring him here?"
"Any time is fine. I'll be here."
After a little more small talk, Hinata was dismissed. She got up and walked back to the door and opened it, and just as she was about to step out into the hallway, Hiashi stopped her.
"Hinata... thank you, for giving me this chance. I won't let you down again."
Hinata nodded and stepped into the hallway, shutting the door behind her before her father could see her tears fall. These were tears of neither sadness nor joy, but rather tears of relief. Perhaps the heaviest weight that she carried had just been lifted from her, and in the most sincere way imaginable.
When she entered the hallway she noticed that Hanabi, who also had tears in her eyes, had been standing outside the entire time listening to their conversation. They smiled brightly before embracing each other, both of them feeling an overwhelming sense of sisterly love.
"Thank you, Hanabi, for helping me through this. You were right about him, about everything."
"I'll always be here to support you, big sister. Now, come on, let's go back to the kitchen. You barely touched your breakfast!"
Being practically dragged back to the kitchen by her little sister, Hinata's smiled widened uncontrollably. Her entire world felt a million times more forgiving now, and if Hiashi's declaration was true, it would only get better with time.
"Changes are coming, Hinata."
She couldn't wait to tell Naruto the same thing.
It pains me to say, that I have started my next college semester. Because of my classes and the extra work I have now, it is likely that update times will become a bit longer. However, I assure you that I am still working on this story when time allows.
Bear with me, guys! I'm not going anywhere! See you in the next chapter. :)
