2 days later...
The sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple as Naruto and Hinata walked side by side down a quiet street in Konoha. The evening air was cool, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves in the trees lining the path. Hinata had just finished her duties for the day, and Naruto had insisted on walking her home.
"So… how was your mission today?" Naruto asked, hands casually tucked behind his head as they strolled.
Hinata smiled, her dark eyes softening. "It went well. We were just helping with some supply routes to the outer villages… nothing too dangerous."
Naruto chuckled. "Sounds like a walk in the park for you, Hinata."
Hinata's cheeks flushed slightly at his words. "W-Well, it's important work," she replied modestly, her gaze briefly turning to the ground. "And it gave me a chance to… practice some new techniques."
Naruto grinned. "New techniques, huh? I'd love to see them sometime," he said, his voice full of genuine interest.
Hinata glanced up at him, her lips curling into a soft smile. "I'd be happy to show you," she said, her voice quiet but sincere.
As they continued their conversation, Naruto found himself stealing glances at her. Hinata hadn't changed much since he'd last seen her all those years ago. She was still kind and gentle, with that unwavering determination he had always admired. But now, there was something more. She had grown more beautiful in his eyes, and he couldn't help but notice how her hair framed her face or how her eyes sparkled when she laughed at his jokes.
His mind drifted back to Sakura's encouragement a few days ago. Just ask her out, Naruto. What's the worst that could happen?The thought made him nervous, and he felt his palms begin to sweat. But as Hinata laughed at another one of his stories, he found himself considering it more seriously.
"Naruto?" Hinata asked, breaking through his thoughts.
"Huh?" Naruto blinked, realizing he had been staring. "Oh, sorry! I was… just thinking."
Hinata tilted her head slightly. "About what?"
Naruto hesitated for a moment, feeling his heart beat a little faster. "Just… about how you're always so supportive," he said, trying to sound casual. "It's nice."
Hinata's blush deepened, but she smiled softly. "Thank you, Naruto. That means a lot coming from you."
They continued walking, and Naruto felt a wave of determination wash over him. Alright… now or never…
As they neared Kurenai's house, Naruto took a deep breath and finally spoke up. "Hey, Hinata?"
"Yes?" she turned to him, her expression curious.
He paused, feeling his nerves flare up. "I was wondering… would you… would you like to have dinner with me sometime?"
Hinata blinked, caught a little off guard. "Dinner? Of course, I'd love to—"
"Just the two of us," Naruto quickly added, cutting her off, his voice a bit rushed. "I mean… like…"
Hinata looked at him, confused. "Like… a date?"
Naruto's face turned bright red. "Y-Yeah," he stammered, rubbing the back of his head nervously. "I… I was trying to ask you out on a date."
Hinata's eyes widened, and she remained silent for a moment, processing his words. Naruto felt a lump form in his throat, worried he had made her uncomfortable.
"I mean… it's okay if you don't want to go," Naruto quickly added, his voice stumbling over his words. "I just… I really like you, Hinata. I thought… I thought I'd give it a shot."
Hinata paused, her heart racing as she digested what he said. Naruto's eyes darted nervously as he braced himself for her response, his heart pounding in his chest.
Finally, to his surprise, Hinata nodded. "I… I'd like that, Naruto," she said softly.
Naruto's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?"
Hinata smiled, a warm blush spreading across her cheeks. "Yes. I… I'd love to go out with you."
Naruto tried to suppress the smile threatening to spread across his face. "Great! I mean, awesome! I-I'll come by tomorrow, then! When you're ready."
Hinata nodded, her smile growing. "Okay. I'll be ready."
They reached Kurenai's door, and Hinata turned to face him one last time. "Goodnight, Naruto," she said gently.
"Goodnight, Hinata," Naruto replied, waving as she stepped inside. As the door closed behind her, Naruto stood there for a moment, a wide grin breaking across his face.
He couldn't believe it—Hinata had agreed to go out with him! He felt like he was walking on air as he turned and began heading back into the village.
Inside his mind, he felt the faint rumble of the Nine-Tails' presence, the usual growl emanating from the dark depths. "I did it," Naruto announced with glee, a triumphant grin on his face. "I finally asked her."
The Nine-Tails just growled in annoyance from behind his cage, its fiery eyes narrowing."Why are you bothering me with news about your human mating ritual, brat?! Does it look like I care?"it barked, clearly unimpressed.
Before Naruto could react, he felt a mental shove and was abruptly booted out of the mind plane. He blinked, finding himself back on the street, still grinning.
"I've got to tell Sakura," he murmured to himself, excitement bubbling in his chest. He hoped she was free—he needed to share the news with someone.
As he walked through the streets of Konoha, the glow of the lanterns reflecting in his bright blue eyes, he realized he was happier than he had been in a long time. He couldn't wait for tomorrow.
The night was cool, and the streets of Konoha were calm under a starless sky. A soft drizzle began to fall as Naruto and Hinata walked side by side, their steps falling in rhythm with one another. They chatted animatedly, their voices carrying softly through the night air. Naruto had a bright grin on his face as he recounted a memory from their childhood, one where they'd both gotten lost during a training exercise and ended up at the wrong destination entirely.
Hinata laughed, the sound light and melodic. "I remember! We were so embarrassed, especially after Kiba found us," she giggled, her laugh filling the quiet night.
Naruto's heart warmed at the sound. He liked making her laugh—no, he loved it. And seeing her smile like that, her cheeks flushed with joy, made him smile back almost unconsciously.
But as they walked, the drizzle turned into a steady patter. Hinata glanced up, feeling the raindrops hitting her face. "It's starting to rain," she noted softly, glancing over at Naruto.
Naruto frowned a little, glancing up at the dark clouds. "Yeah… I wish I could just teleport you home, but I never marked your place."
Hinata smiled at his thoughtfulness. "It's okay, Naruto. We should probably hurry up before it gets worse."
A moment later, the rain began to pour more heavily. They broke into a light jog, darting under the nearest awning just in time to avoid getting soaked.
"Ugh, I hate rain," Naruto muttered, running a hand through his damp hair. "Always makes everything so cold and soggy."
Hinata shrugged, a small, amused smile playing on her lips. "I actually like rainy weather," she confessed, looking out at the downpour with a content expression.
Naruto stared at her in disbelief. "How could anyone like rain?"
Hinata chuckled, her eyes still on the falling droplets. "I enjoy the coolness it brings… and the sound of the rain hitting the ground. It's… calming."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Calming? It's just a mess! I mean, you get soaked just standing in it."
Hinata laughed softly. "Maybe," she agreed with a teasing grin, "but it can still be beautiful."
Naruto found himself laughing with her, the tension in his chest easing. He turned to look at her again, noticing how the dim light seemed to soften her features, the rain making her hair glisten. He watched as she looked back at him, her gaze steady, unblinking.
His heart began to race. He swallowed hard, and before he could think too much, Hinata reached up, gently brushing her fingers against his cheek.
"There," she murmured, wiping a bit of sauce from the corner of his mouth. "You should really have better manners when eating," she lightly scolded with a smile.
Naruto chuckled nervously. "Sorry, sorry!" he muttered, feeling his cheeks heat up.
But he noticed that Hinata's gaze didn't waver, her fingers lingering for just a moment longer than necessary. She seemed to catch herself, her eyes darting to the ground as she blushed.
Naruto's heart thudded loudly in his chest. He felt a wave of confidence, stronger than he'd ever felt before. He took a small breath and called her name softly, "Hinata…"
She looked up, her eyes wide with curiosity.
He moved closer, his hand reaching for her cheek, feeling the soft warmth of her skin under his fingertips. He could see her eyes widen in surprise, and he began to question himself. What am I doing? his mind screamed. But then he pushed the doubts away. He had prepared for this moment, imagined it so many times in his head.
People in relationships kissed all the time… why was he so nervous? With a final surge of courage, he leaned in, closing his eyes, and kissed her.
The world around him seemed to disappear. The kiss was gentle, his lips barely brushing hers. But it was the most sensational feeling he had ever experienced, a warmth spreading from his lips all the way to his chest, flooding his senses. Nothing Jiraiya had told him over the years had prepared him for this — the softness of her lips, the way his heartbeat quickened, the way time seemed to stop.
As he pulled away, Naruto's head spun, his breath a bit unsteady. He opened his eyes to see Hinata blinking, her cheeks flushed a deep crimson. She looked stunned, her lips slightly parted as if she were trying to find words.
"I-I'm sorry!" Naruto blurted out, suddenly panicking. "I should've asked… I mean, I just… kissed you out of nowhere—"
Hinata's lips curved into a shy smile. "You don't have to apologize for anything, Naruto," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the rain. "I… I wanted to kiss you, too. I just… I couldn't bring myself to do it."
Naruto felt his heart swell. He stared at her, a bit lost for words. "Oh… really?" he stammered, blinking in surprise. "I… guess I should ask next time, then…" He immediately realized what he had implied and started to backtrack. "I mean, if there's a next time! Not that I'm assuming—"
Hinata cut him off with a soft, meek voice, "You… you don't need to ask…"
Naruto stopped, stunned. He saw her shyly glance up at him, the same affection he felt mirrored in her eyes. He swallowed hard, trying to stop himself from babbling.
He took a deep breath, this time without the nervousness weighing him down. He reached for her again, his hand gently cupping her cheek, and without a second thought, he leaned in and kissed her again, more passionately this time.
Hinata responded immediately, leaning into him, her arms wrapping around his neck, pulling him closer. She returned his passion, her lips moving against his, and Naruto felt a surge of warmth flood his body.
The rain continued to fall around them, the droplets pattering on the ground, but Naruto felt like they were wrapped in their own little world, a cocoon of warmth and affection. The cool rain mixed with the heat between them, creating a perfect balance — a dance between the chill of the storm and the warmth of their shared embrace.
Hinata closed the door behind her, a soft smile lingering on her lips. The house was quiet—Kurenai wasn't home tonight, and she had the space to herself. Her heart was still fluttering from the events of the night. She made her way to the kitchen, the echoes of Naruto's laughter still fresh in her mind.
She reached for a glass from the counter, her cheeks flushing as she remembered the feel of his lips against hers, the sensation of his hands gently holding her close. The memory sent a pleasant warmth through her, a wave of emotion that she couldn't quite name but felt as though it was growing, deepening. She giggled softly to herself, feeling giddy, a hand lightly touching her lips.
But as she turned toward the sink, her breath caught in her throat. Her smile vanished. The glass slipped from her fingers, shattering on the floor, the sharp sound cutting through the stillness.
Standing in the middle of the kitchen was the woman from her dreams—the same pale-skinned woman who had haunted her since she was thirteen. Her expression was calm, almost serene, but her presence filled the room with an unsettling tension.
Hinata's face contorted into a mix of fear and annoyance. "Why are you here?" she demanded, her voice sharper than she intended. Her hands instinctively sparked with lightning chakra as she fell into a defensive stance. "What do you want from me? Why won't you leave me alone?!"
The woman remained still, her expression unreadable. Seconds ticked by like hours in the silence.
Hinata's frustration mounted. "Answer me!" she shouted, her eyes blazing with a mixture of anger and fear.
Finally, the woman spoke, her voice calm, almost ethereal. "I am connected to you, Hinata. In a way that transcends human understanding."
Hinata blinked, her hands still charged with chakra, her heart racing. "Connected to me? How?" she asked, bewildered.
The woman's gaze softened. "I have been attached to you since the moment you were born. Watching over you, guiding you… I am your ancestor, Hinata. You are one of the few of my descendants who carries the sight required to see me."
Hinata's breath hitched in her throat. "Ancestor?" she repeated, disbelief thick in her voice.
The woman nodded. "Yes. We are of the same blood."
Hinata's mind was reeling. "Why… why didn't you reach out to me before? Why wait until I was thirteen?"
The woman's expression didn't change. "I've always been trying, Hinata. But I could not reach you… not until then."
Hinata's eyes widened as she recalled the strange voice that used to call her name when she was younger, the voice she could never place. "The voice… was that you?"
The woman's blue eyes glowed faintly, and she nodded. "Yes. I was calling out to you, always trying to reach you."
Hinata's mind was spinning, but she shook her head, trying to focus. "What do you want?" she demanded, her voice firm despite the tremor in her chest.
The woman's voice remained gentle, almost soothing. "I am here to protect you, to guide you away from suffering."
Hinata felt a surge of anger flare within her. "Protect me?" she scoffed. "Where were you when I needed you most? When I felt alone, afraid… Where were you then?"
The woman listened calmly as Hinata vented her frustrations. When Hinata's voice finally broke, the woman spoke softly. "I can only act on your will, Hinata. I could not help you because I could not reach you… but now, I am here. I have no intention of harming you."
Hinata eyed her warily, skepticism etched across her face. "And I'm just supposed to trust you?" she muttered under her breath.
The woman's voice cut through her thoughts. "Trust yourself, Hinata. I am always here to guide you. All you have to do is reach inside… and ask."
Hinata felt a shiver run down her spine. "Reach you? How?"
The woman's lips curved into a small, mysterious smile. "You already know how… I trust you will figure it out."
The woman focused her glowing blue eyes on Hinata, as if she was staring straight at her soul. "Don't tell anyone about me, about us."
Hinata swallowed, her mind racing with questions. "Why can't I tell anyone about you?" she asked, a hint of defiance in her tone.
"To protect yourself," the woman replied simply. "No one must know."
Hinata opened her mouth to protest, but before she could speak, she blinked—and the woman was gone. The kitchen was empty, quiet, and still, save for the sound of her own ragged breathing. It was as if the encounter had been nothing more than a dream, but everything felt too real. Her hands were trembling.
She leaned against the counter, struggling to catch her breath, trying to process what had just happened. Was she going crazy? Or was this real? Her heart was still racing, and her mind was filled with questions, uncertainty gnawing at her from every angle.
Who was this woman really? And what did she mean for her future?
The sun was setting over Konoha as Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji made their way through the village, moving swiftly towards their mission's rendezvous point. The three of them moved in a formation born of familiarity, each step in sync with the other. The mission briefing had been brief, but the urgency had been clear—two individuals suspected to be part of the Akatsuki had been spotted within the Fire Nation, and they needed to intercept them before any damage could be done. Reinforcements were requested, and here they were, rushing to back up those already deployed.
As they walked, Ino's eyes caught sight of Naruto and Hinata across the street, holding hands and talking animatedly, their laughter audible even from a distance. Ino's eyes narrowed as she frowned at the couple, her steps faltering for a moment. "Seriously? What does he even see in her?" she muttered under her breath, but loud enough for Shikamaru to hear.
Shikamaru sighed, not breaking his stride. "Maybe… he just fell in love with her. Ever thought of that?"
Ino scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Oh, please, Shikamaru. Love? That sneaky little bitch probably blackmailed him into dating her!" She folded her arms across her chest, her frown deepening. "And look at him—he doesn't even look happy to be around her!"
Shikamaru glanced over at Naruto and Hinata. Naruto's face was lit up with a bright grin, his eyes crinkling at the corners as Hinata leaned in closer to him, clearly enjoying herself. Shikamaru shrugged. "Looks pretty happy to me," he replied lazily.
Ino shot him a look of disbelief. "You're just blind. They shouldn't even be out here in public like that! They should be on a mission."
Shikamaru scratched the back of his head, feeling a headache forming. "They're probably off duty, Ino. Didn't see Sasuke or Kiba heading out on any missions either."
"I didn't ask for your input, Shikamaru!" Ino snapped, shooting him another glare.
Shikamaru muttered under his breath, "Women… so petty, I'll never understand them." Then, louder, he added, "Focus, Ino. We have a mission to complete."
Ino huffed. "I'm perfectly focused! This isn't my first mission, you know." She jabbed a finger at him. "And don't use that kind of insensitive tone with me."
Shikamaru waved her off dismissively. "Whatever you say, Ino…"
Choji, sensing the tension between his teammates, quickly changed the subject. "Hey, we're almost at the rendezvous point," he said, pointing ahead.
They reached a small clearing where several other shinobi were already gathered. Shikamaru's sharp eyes quickly spotted Neji, standing with his usual stoic expression. "Hey, Neji," he greeted with a nod.
Neji returned the greeting with a curt nod. Beside him stood Rock Lee, bouncing on his heels, and a girl with her hair tied up in two puffs, wearing a white shirt and carrying a large scroll on her back.
The girl smiled brightly at Ino. "Hi, Ino! It's been a while!"
Ino blinked at her, clearly not recognizing her. "…Do I know you?"
The girl's smile faltered, her face falling in surprise. "Um… we took part in the Chunin Exams together?"
Ino tilted her head, trying to remember, but nothing came to mind. She stared blankly. "I'm… sorry, but I really don't—"
Before the girl could say anything, Rock Lee stepped forward, striking a dynamic pose. "Team Asuma! It's good to see you all again!" he greeted enthusiastically, his voice full of energy.
Neji cleared his throat, bringing everyone back to focus. "We've received intel on the targets. They've been moving erratically, trying to avoid detection. Our objective is to head to a predetermined location and support the efforts of the Jonin currently shadowing the suspects."
Choji nodded eagerly, his expression determined. "Right! I'm ready to meet up with Asuma-sensei and back him up!"
Neji gave a small smile at Choji's enthusiasm. "Good. I'll be leading this team. We move out immediately. Stay alert and prepared for anything."
The group nodded, and as they began to move, Shikamaru glanced over at Ino, who still seemed to be fuming. "Hey, Ino… can we try not to make any more enemies before we even get to the enemy?"
Ino scowled but didn't respond, focusing on the mission ahead.
As they set off, Choji leaned in towards Shikamaru and whispered, "Do you think Ino's okay?"
Shikamaru sighed, his expression resigned. "She's fine, Choji. Just… having one of those days."
Choji nodded knowingly. "Ah, one of those days…"
Shikamaru couldn't help but smirk. "Exactly. Now, let's hope the Akatsuki members are less troublesome than her."
As they sped through the trees, Ino shot him a glare from the side. "I heard that, Shikamaru!"
Shikamaru chuckled to himself. "Of course you did…"
And with that, Team Asuma and their new allies dashed off into the growing darkness, ready for whatever awaited them.