Chapter 14: The Eulogy
"Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you."
― Shannon Alder
Naruto & Gaara- Konoha West Forests
Sand burns his eyes, dries his throat.
"You're going to need to think of a creature that will get me close that can truly hold Shukaku down kid, and fast! It's gotta be something with claws and teeth that will at least let me have some type of grip on him!" Gamabunta grunts, none of his moves truly fazing or slowing down any of his attacks.
Shukaku unleashes a torrent of sand bullets he ducks under, scoffing at the beast's snicker.
'Claws and teeth?' Naruto frowns.
A demonic chuckle echoes from the back of his mind, draws close until he can feel heat crawling down his skin, whish of his heartbeat thundering in his ears. He's lasted this long without using the fox, gritting his teeth.
"You're out of options boy, we both know this. Are you ready to die today or finally give in to your last chance to end this fight?" He sneers.
Naruto draws out a slow breath, raises up his hands once more.
"I...have an image in mind; ready when you are."
Gamabunta nods, straightens himself in preparation.
"Transform!"
A shroud of smog instantly coats the forests in whites and grays, Shukaku halting in rocketing out another wave of dust and sand.
Crimson bursts out of the haze a second later, teeth sinking into his arm.
And for just a second, Shukaku fully stills, gazes into the Nine Tails eyes.
Golden eyes narrow quickly though, realization forming it's just an illusion.
"Go Naruto, you're in range now!" Gamabunta declares, Naruto already racing forward for Shukaku's head.
"Wake up!" Naruto orders, punch slamming into Gaara's jaw.
The crack rings out, viridian briefly gazing at him before closing once more.
His sand slithers forth towards him, locks around his arms and legs.
Naruto clenches his teeth, pushes his legs forward against the wall of rushing sand.
He draws back his head, steels himself for the coming pain.
"You're staying awake whether you want to or not!" Naruto declares, headbutt smashing through skin, Gaara's head twisting back in a gasp.
The air whistles around them, Shukaku and Gamabunta disappearing in puffs of smoke, pair tumbling back towards earth.
Naruto points out a hand downward.
"Wind Release: Twister!"
The gust pulls them into the canopies of the trees, crashing through leaves and brush to slow their descent. The sudden burst of air isn't enough to stop Gaara from being the first to tumble to the ground, jade eyes wide as Naruto lands just inches away.
Azure flashes with sanguine as Naruto peers over to him, stiffening in horror.
'Lost. I lost.' Gaara pants, tastes blood on his tongue, body refusing to move as Naruto stumbles over to him. Sand, he needs more sand, just enough to form a barrier between them until reinforcements arrive.
His sand crinkles at his sides, doesn't move beyond his hands.
Defeated. He's become no better than the very sacrifices given to him over the years, the blood he's spilled for both survival and amusement.
'Now is it my turn to be sacrificed?'
"Get back! Stay away!"
Naruto ignores his command, draws out a kunai.
"No. I'm making sure you remember what you and Suna did here today."
He drives the blade into his right shoulder, forms a jagged trail down to his hand.
With his other hand he covers his screams until only rasps escape her lips, sees his fear reflected back at him in his stare.
"Kill me. I'm...out of chakra." Gaara sputters when Naruto moves his hand back.
He takes in the wound before nodding, satisfied with blood mixing with the dirt and grass, his fingers locking up unable to push him back.
Naruto shakes his head, tosses the kunai away, suppresses again that malice heat before it can fully wrap around him.
"No. I told you before at the stadium I only kill for survival and as needs be related to missions. Remember that the next time you fight someone, when you see this scar in the mirror."
Gaara's voice breaks as Naruto's features calm.
"But...aren't you a jinchuriki too? Hasn't your whole life been just yearly human sacrifices? Isn't your life's purpose to kill?"
Naruto blinks away spots from his eyes before he can answer, notes blood dripping from his forehead and arms.
'Ah, Hinata's going to be upset since I bloodied my jacket up again. I'll have to take over laundry duty for a month.' He absently considers.
He falls backwards into a patch of dirt and leaves, cobalt studying his puzzled features.
"My purpose is to grow as a shinobi, to be seen as not just my village's jinchuriki. And once I become an ambassador, I'm going to travel abroad and show the rest of nations that rumors aren't always based on reality, especially when it comes to any holder of a Tailed Beast. You're more than just a weapon Gaara, you're a human being first."
At Gaara's silence, he goes on, cracks him a faint grin.
"I assume the rules for sacrifices are different amongst each country y'know. In Konoha, I only received junk gifts and expired food every year up until last year. My 13th birthday was the first year I received a human sacrifice."
Gaara blinks slowly. "...And they aren't dead yet by your hand?"
Naruto thinks of Hinata's smile, the way her cheeks flush when he openly catches her staring at him.
"No, in fact, I've gained feelings for her and I need to tell her sooner rather than later."
He scratches a hand behind his head as Gaara's features morph into surprise, probably wondering why he cares so much for a girl tossed away to him like trash.
'Geez, now I'm being the weird one!'
But the admittance aloud fully cools the fire spinning about his chest, swallowing down the sting of sand and blood on the back of his throat.
"...You've given me a lot to think about Naruto as a shinobi and a jinchuriki. I've lost this fight." Gaara admits slowly.
Neither move nor speak then, watch above the continuous haze of smoke the color of ink, muddy brown of skies to the east clearing to reveal streaks of blue.
A siren rings out in the distance cutting through the quiet, Naruto lifting his head up a fraction.
He's heard so many blaring alarms like that from past fire drills back at the Academy, what to do and where to go if the village is under the attack.
Relief seeps into his bones as he listens closely, chime softer than the ones that used to make his head throb for hours on end.
'The all-clear.'
Jiraiya-Hokage Tower
A circle has formed around a fallen body, everything too quiet as he feels his stomach drop.
'I'm too late.'
Hiruzen Sarutobi is dead.
He keeps his features impassive taking in his light smile, used to seeing death come with age, with illness...
And more often than not, with war.
'What could've brought sensei to smile even in the face of death?'
Orochimaru, one of his own students, is the cause of his dying after all.
He considers everything his clone told him regarding Hiruzen's disappointment at his experimenting, how destroying the village would truly put an end to any shinobi stopping his plans for immortality.
'I thought watching comrades die and bleed out before me, whisper last words for me to deliver to loved ones had hardened my heart and stomach to seeing these types of things.' Jiraiya sighs.
Apparently not.
A sourness pools in his chest like weighted stones, looking up towards Kakashi and the other jonin.
"Where's Orochimaru?"
Genma absently waves a hand towards the sky.
"Escaped with his bodyguards. Multiple civilians and chunin reported he sustained some type of major damage to his arms, violet in color like a bruise."
'Must be something related to his ability to do any jutsu. Good, but only a temporary measure.'
He feels a certain set of eyes on him, picks out Homura and Koharu's staring from amid the crowd.
Danzo at least avoids his gaze, charcoal eyes locked on his fallen rival and friend.
A mix of emotions pass through his face before looking away back towards the village.
"This is such a tragedy; first Lord Fourth's untimely demise and now Lord Third has joined him..." Koharu murmurs.
"We'll get through this; the Will of Fire hasn't been extinguished! We will hold a celebration of life for Sarutobi and then move forward to find a new Fifth Hokage." Homura declares.
The knots in his chest tighten and dig in, restraining back a scowl.
'The funeral hasn't even happened yet.'
There's a hush of soft agreements and nods, ANBU stepping forward to properly clean and prepare Hiruzen's body for burial.
It's going to be a few days before the funeral actually occurs, the need to send out notices, preparing the coffin, flowers, and speeches.
He allows one final look at his sensei before sheets drape his face.
And slowly, all active jonin and chunin in roster begin a cleanup and recovery for the rest of the village. Ibiki sends him a look from across the tower, nodding he'll meet him back at his office.
"So, can I assume this is an update that little know about?" Jiraiya ventures to ask, Ibiki dropping his voice a fraction as he looks around.
His office is even more in disarray since the last time he was here, cabinets bent in twisted angles, papers and files scattered about with specks of dust, ink, and blood.
"Yeah, it's a tornado again in here, but this time from Suna nin trying to gain intel on Konoha's secrets." Ibiki grumbles.
Jiraiya waves it off, tapping a hand to his desk silently.
"Right, well to put it simply...yes. There's been a flood of rumors or really multiple reports regarding the Nine Tails and his latest sacrifice. During the evacuation process, it was heard and seen by numerous witnesses that the former Hyūga girl is now going around using the last name of Uzumaki instead."
Jiraiya arches a brow. "And were any Hyūga around to hear this proclamation?"
Ibiki nods. "Two. Hoheto and Tokuma Hyūga. People's reactions have been overall...mixed to negative. The general assumption is that the Nine Tails casted a genjutsu of some kind on her to make her say such a thing to the belief Hinata only said it just so she wouldn't be escorted out of the evacuation zone."
Jiraiya feels a grin edge up before he can fully hide it, sorrow temporarily put at bay.
"Oh really? And I assume you have the confirmation paperwork of this with Hinata's signature?"
Ibiki nods, removes it from his jacket to pass over to him.
Onyx scours the listed names before coming across Hinata's neat penmanship in black scrawl.
Hinata Uzumaki.
'Huh, so it's not just the latest in gossip.'
Interesting.
"Mind if I hold on to this for a bit?" He asks, already rolling the list into the pocket on the inside of his kimono. He pats the side of his chest giving the signal. The smallest toads he has on hand silently get to work just like he instructed, quiet footfalls allowing for them to slide in and out of his vest without being seen or heard.
All he needed was that minute.
Ibiki's smile cracks for a fleeting second and Jiraiya chuckles, removes the list once more.
"Never mind, don't want you to get in trouble with those sticks in the mud."
Ibiki nods thankfully. "I'll make sure to get you a copy once we sort through the hassle of clean up measures Master!"
'No need, I have the original now.' Jiraiya smiles back, nodding along.
Naruto & Hinata-Naruto and Hinata's apartment
It seems unfair that Lord Third's funeral occurs on a sunny day with all the sadness and destruction surrounding them. Wind gently sways at the trees, greenery of the forests and mountains bright with fading dewdrops. The morning showers that drifted in late last night left as fast as they came, scent of rain and earth scattered across the village.
The only other clouds in the sky are too far on the horizon to reach Konoha by today.
"Why should we go? I don't care that he's dead y'know." Naruto barely hides an outright scowl, voice deceptively low and calm. He doubts they're even invited to the memorial spot designated for his burial despite being on two official genin teams, granted there's a silent expectation that everyone in the village will be going to the service.
Nobody though is going to want the jinchuriki and sacrifice around on what is already going to be a depressing day, a reminder of loved ones lost.
Hinata sighs, sits down beside Naruto along the wood flooring already dressed in the standard black mourning outfit given to every Konoha citizen. It isn't like they can use the excuse of a mission or clan matter if they skip the funeral. All businesses, stores, and any planned meetings are closed or postponed for everyone to pay their last respects to Lord Third.
She smells the residue of ramen and basil on him, clicks her tongue reminded of the chamomile tea she drank earlier in preparation for this day. Still, her hands feel clammy, nervous at what gossip has spread about her since leaving the Hokage Rock.
"It's not mandatory." Naruto continues at Hinata's silence.
"True. But people will notice if we're not there."
Naruto shrugs. "And why is that a problem? You're forgetting again that on any normal day people don't want either of us around them unless necessary. Emotions are going to be running high since people are already upset and angry by Suna's attempted invasion, not to mention all the shops destroyed and other people killed due to the attack."
Hinata considers her next words, looks towards his bookshelf. Between a scroll with amber bindings and one looped with a gold ribbon is the Uzumaki scroll she got him from the Central Library.
'When did he get those other scrolls?'
At some point, Naruto either went back to the library to force Miwara or another attendant to give him another scroll about the lost clan or he went back into Lord Third's personal collection...
Naruto follows her gaze, leans his head against his palm openly frowning now. "He went and died without ever telling me the full truth about my family, why I'm the village's jinchuriki. I wouldn't have to waste time trying to get answers from Pervy-Sage or Kakashi-sensei if he had. Yeah, he got this apartment for me and gave me an allowance, though it doesn't change how long those nights felt being here alone. Geez, now that I think about it, he really only visited to give me my yearly sacrificial gift, my monthly allowance, and ensure I hadn't run off somewhere outside the village..."
Hinata squeezes at his free hand as his eyes gain a vacant look, cerulean becoming tinged with drops of black.
"Anyways, I just wanted to at least know what my parents' names were and he couldn't even give me that. The Old Man always said family is important, that the village is like his family. However, it wasn't the same when it came to me, so I guess I might not even learn more about the Uzumaki and their abilities until I get farther away from the village it seems." Naruto huffs, leans his head back against his bed.
'Hinata Uzumaki. I used his last name; I have to tell him eventually.' Her thoughts spiral at the thought of him getting the news from someone else, opening her mouth to ask what he plans to do for the rest of the day if not attend the funeral.
He gently grabs her arm before she can shuffle back, light smile etching up his lips.
"I didn't forget that we still need to talk y'know, just not here. People are going to come here first to find out why we didn't go to the service and I'm not in the mood to get scolded or deal with a potential interrogation."
Hinata lets him move them into a standing position. "So where then?"
Naruto gestures in the direction of the woods to the east where they've trained before, groves deeper into the shade hopefully layered with enough moss and vine at this time of year that anyone tracking them would get lost before finding them.
"One of our usual spots."
Hiashi & Hashijimi- Hyūga Manor
Tansy. Wild Rue. Pennyroyal. Is that all?" He repeats.
Hashijimi nods slowly, lips pursed uncomfortably at Hiashi's dark expression.
They're going to be late for the Memorial, Hiashi not even paying the current time any attention.
'It's going to look bad to the other Clan leaders if he doesn't show his face.' Hashijimi notes, tapping her feet for them to get this talk over with.
He has a funeral to attend, and she's needed at the hospital.
"Yes, forgive me for asking Master Hiashi, but I don't understand why you need this information when you have my formal documentation and everything I submitted to Lord Third on Hinata's health prior to her being sacrificed. These herbs have been used for centuries to assist woman in starting menstruation or stopping...unwanted births. I gave Hinata low enough doses of these teas and medicines to prevent the worst-case scenario from occurring knowing that she started her menses already and I'm pleased to say they've worked and will be out of her system by her 14th birthday. Updates I've gotten have shown the jinchuriki isn't even interested in her that way beyond as a training partner and friend."
Pearl eyes finally look back up to her from a stack of paperwork, crack through the ice in her stormy gaze back.
"Consent. Where is Hinata's signed consent that she was aware of what were in these teas and tonics you gave her?" Hiashi hisses.
Hashijimi frowns, body locking up under the harshness of Hiashi's stare. Nails dig crescents into her palms as she breathes out slowly. "I, sir, I wasn't aware you wanted her to sign. Hinata is still a minor and as her Father, you agreed to her-"
His fist slams against his table stopping her, mahogany splitting open into a river of crevices.
"No! Unacceptable! Hinata may be a child, but she's still a kunoichi! If she was able to sign authorization forms regarding understanding the dangers of The Forest of Death for the Chunin Exams, then she should've signed that she understood what she was drinking was to ensure her health and safety prior to being sacrificed. Now I have no idea how to defend or help you when the beast comes for you!"
Hashijimi grows quiet, teeth snagging against her bottom lip, blood bubble erupting from the tension.
"I...don't understand?"
White eyes dig into her silently, goosebumps rising across her skin before balling up her hands into fists. She matches his steel with her own once more, not about to cower when she's dealt with patients twice his size.
"What reason does the beast have to come after me Hiashi? Answer me truthfully."
Hiashi's eyes narrow at her drop of formalities. "You say you've gotten so called 'updates' that the jinchuriki only sees Hinata as a friend. Well, you should fire said sources as it's clear the Nine Tails boy likes Hinata beyond that. And I cannot guarantee your protection once this news reaches his ears. That's all, you may go now."
Hashijimi doesn't move, opalescent eyes growing wide, temper spilling out.
"So, not even an extra guard? Is everything I've done for this village, for you, for the clan, and even for your pitiful eldest child mean that little to you?"
"The clan will always come first Hashijimi, you've known this since you were born no matter you being a fellow Main Clan member. You've broken rules that I can't defend against when it comes to Konoha's Medical Board or to the beast. I will not let the Hyūga fall apart because of one woman's mistakes."
Hiashi nods to one of his guards, Hiroshi stepping forward.
She waves away his hand before he can grab her, gritting her teeth as she marches closer.
A haze of gray shutters over the milk white of her eyes, turns venomous. She takes another step forward ignoring Hiroshi and Hizami's warning looks, voice dripping with contempt. She buries her quivering hands into her lab coat, swallows down the itch in her throat to cry. How many weeks or days does she have left now? Or is it hours? Will the jinchuriki find her at work, out in the open, or in her private quarters?
"I don't intend to go quietly to my death Master Hiashi, you better remember that."
Kakashi-Konoha Cemetery
"Do you plan to speak at his funeral?"
He had asked Asuma that question yesterday, received a half-hearted shrug in return.
"Konohamaru prepared a speech actually and I'll probably go up there with him. Just so he doesn't feel so nervous as it's his first-time public speaking. As for me, nah. We both know I never got on well with my Old Man, I always took missions as far as possible from the village when I could. I even purposefully joined the Twelve Guardian Ninja to get assignments as far away as Iwa and Kirigakure at times."
His attention goes back to the Hokage Rock, sighs taking in his Father's figure carved in stone, the empty spot of slab next to Lord Fourth.
Unlike Kakashi and even Gai, his feelings on his Dad's death now is mixed. Rarely home, rarely even trying to learn about his successes or failures...
Asuma rubs absently at his beard feeling Kakashi's stare, pulls a cigarette from his pocket.
"Well, at least the Old Man had the foresight to prepare a burial spot next to Mom."
Kakashi gazes back up to the podium while shaking away the memory, Konohamaru's voice a tiny rasp, tears sliding down his flushed cheeks.
"-And I'll never forget when Grandpa first showed me how to throw a kunai. Heh, it was raining that afternoon and both Mom and Dad were busy with assignments, so I felt pretty bored and alone until he came by. The rain was coming down in buckets by then, but Grandpa was able to somehow still see and land a perfect bullseye on the target. I thought he had cheated and told him so over lunch."
A light series of chuckles fills the air, Asuma pointing to his final line.
"Lord Third or Grandpa meant many things to everyone here. He was a teacher, Father, and leader for our village through both the good times and bad. I-I hope I can be as strong of a shinobi as him one day, but until then, I will carry on the Will of Fire he passed on to me."
Kakashi claps along with the others as Asuma helps guide him off stage, considers if he should go back to the Memorial Stone to visit with Rin and Obito one more time before heading home. Yugao had placed fresh flowers there for Hayate, was just as late as him in lining up to the gravesite.
Gai pats his shoulders as groups begin to disburse, a private ceremony to start for Hiruzen's closest friends and family now.
"Me and the others are going to get lunch at Yakiniku Q's. You're going to join us, right?! We can make a competition of who can eat more gyutan (salted beef tongue) and pork!"
It's on the tip of his tongue to skirt the outing with some excuse Gai will likely ignore. It's concerning that neither Naruto or Hinata were in attendance and his own exhaustion at the memories this day has dredged up make him just want to slide into bed with a Make Out Paradise novel instead of being social.
"I'll have to do a raincheck I'm afraid. There's some matters I need to look into." Kakashi mutters.
He notes Kurenai beside Asuma at the stage helping him sort through flowers and cards, he won't get a chance to ask where her student is it seems.
Gai shakes up a finger, sees in his gaze where his thoughts have gone.
"Oh no you don't Kakashi! I'm not letting you spend the rest of the day moping around in your apartment!"
'Why not?' He studies Gai flatly.
Gai shakes his head vehemently, wraps an arm around his shoulder, forcibly guides him along.
'One plate.' Kakashi absently decides, he can poke his head in and give his hellos before leaving.
"Come on Mr. Gloomy! I'm not letting my rival have to go through this day alone!
He's thankful his mask hides his sour expression once they arrive and join the others at a crowded booth, forcing himself to take another bite of his ikayaki and exchange pleasantries with his fellow jonin on what they all think is next for the village, on who should be the Fifth Hokage.
Gai claps his hands to the music overhead, cheeks flushed scarlet as Kakashi absently counts the amount of sake cups neatly stacked by his arms.
"Alright everyone, let's give a toast to Lord Third for all he did for the village over the decades and to all the fallen shinobi that predeceased him! May they all rest in peace and eternal youth! "
Silence greets him in return, Kakashi reluctantly holding up his untouched sake glass when Gai looks at him eagerly to help in the cheer.
"To every shinobi we've lost in the line of duty." He tacks on.
Glasses and cups clink and he pushes away the thought that Obito and Rin should be here too.
Sakura & Sasuke- Ichiraku's
"I'm surprised, he's not here either." Sasuke grunts between slurps of broth.
Sakura shrugs, looks around for their blond teammate again to no avail.
She can't even revel in this rare moment alone with him, neither really enjoying the ramen and plates of edamame and gyoza they've shared.
'He didn't show to Lord Third's Funeral or Ichiraku's now either?'
Even Kakashi-sensei showed his face despite running late as usual.
"It isn't just Naruto who's vanished, I didn't see Hinata with her team either." Sakura murmurs.
Sasuke arches a brow, peers up from his bowl of miso soup. "Haven't you heard? I figured Ino or something would've been the first to tell you."
Sakura shakes her head slowly, frowns taking in his flat look. Sasuke isn't one to keep up with gossip so for him to have gotten news before her...
"From what I heard some people mutter before the funeral started was that Hinata went with using Uzumaki as her new personal last name." Jade eyes instantly spark with curiosity, controlling her voice knowing where they are.
"What? Really?! Naruto's last name? Why?"
Sasuke shrugs at her rapid-fire questions. "I don't know, and I don't care. It doesn't affect me or you for that matter."
Sakura hums, leans her head against her palm stirring her chopsticks at remnants of egg and noodle.
"I wonder what Naruto thought of that."
But Sasuke's right, it doesn't matter really. There are too many other important matters going on within the village.
"The next time you want to test your skills in using poisons for more than just with flowers, come find me at the dango shop!"
Sakura looks away from the tied-up Suna nin, brows furrowing.
"When did you see me make poisons-"
Anko holds up a hand before she can finish.
"Don't act so surprised girlie! I used to get thrown into pits of snakes. If Kakashi ain't teaching you shit to help you grow the way you want, then I can, but only if you really want to grow."
She does want it; badly.
"Sakura?" Sasuke taps gently at her shoulder, jolting her.
"Hmm, yes? Sorry, my mind's been a bit all over the place lately."
"Your Dad. How is he?" Sasuke repeats and her heart sinks, bits of ramen coiling up, pressing against her stomach.
"Ah. It's been just one day at a time. He has crutches for now and an appointment has been made for him to get a prosthetic leg, but it's a long wait list and there's still the risk of infection, not to mention those phantom pains he keeps having..." Sakura swallows, clasping her fidgeting hands.
She pushes her half-eaten bowl away, stiffens hearing a pair of old women a few seats down from them.
"Those two. The pink haired girl and raven-haired boy, they're shinobi, aren't they? Why didn't they protect Lord Third? Why did he die alone up against that monster?"
Hazel eyes regard them with derision, her friend gently patting her arm. "They are but children Ryuko."
Ryuko blows out a breath, shrugs off her hand. "Don't part of our taxes and ryo go towards the Academy? They're graduating groups too early Katsumi, don't you think?"
Katsumi simply hums in return, adjusts her chopsticks to begin on her beef bowl.
"I'm more concerned that we still have the jinchuriki walking about freely. I heard from Akari that his latest sacrifice is running around using his name. Who knows what bidding he'll force her to do and if he can cast that genjutsu on others?"
Ryuko chuckles. "Well, don't know what the Hyūga will do to explain away that situation if it arises."
'Where do people get these ideas and attitude?' Sakura scowls, snap to her left getting her attention.
Both Katsumi and Ryuko look towards Sasuke as well, wither at his dark stare.
He tosses his broken chopsticks aside, puts down his ryo.
"The same boy you curse and sneer about also saved this village from Suna's Tailed Beast causing further destruction and deaths."
Sakura leans forward as well, verdant turning icy dropping her ryo before following Sasuke out.
"And in case you forgot, Naruto could've easily destroyed this village a long time ago knowing the terrible sacrificial gifts he's received in years past."
Outside, she gulps in cool breaths of air. If Naruto were actually here, he would've blown the ladies out of the restaurant or found a way to ensure their meals landed on them to scald their skin.
And all of their defending of him would be for naught.
"Where is that idiot? I don't think even Kakashi-sensei has found him." Sasuke notes.
They've checked his most frequent hangouts not damaged from the invasion, night setting in now as a swath of stars blanket a violet sky, silver crescent moon rising to greet them.
Sakura groans softly.
"At this point, maybe he's gone into hiding on purpose."
Naruto & Hinata- Eastern Konoha Woods
"I'm impressed, seems your foraging skills have become better than mine y'know." Naruto chuckles at the collection of ingredients before them.
He had packed along instant ramen for them, but this is way better.
A mix of canned herbs, jams, preserved meats, and spices lay spread out along a picnic blanket. Hinata reaches to move the metal pot to the center, rearranges their gathered pieces of wood underneath it.
'We can do a hot pot!' He beams.
Hinata laughs lightly, heat rising to her face feeling his stare from the corner of her eye.
"Now, I wouldn't say that. More that, I've stored various items from past trips to these training spots either underground or hidden well enough that no passing animal or human would interfere with them." She explains.
Naruto takes care of building the fire, crackle of wood soon filling the quiet as they wait for the water to boil.
"It's colder out here, I don't think we've ever stayed out here so late." Hinata murmurs, white puffs of her breath fanning out into the dark.
This far from Konoha's bright streetlights and nightlife the stars can shine freely, paint the dark in streams of golds and whites.
An arm coils around her a second later pulling her close, head falling against Naruto's shoulder as he slides a blanket over them.
Her blush slides down from her neck to her shoulders, lilac peering slowly up into azure.
"Sorry, I know I didn't ask, though we'll both be warm sticking close." Naruto smiles. Everything she wants to say becomes stuck on her tongue, nodding helping him to slice up the cuts of beef and cabbage.
"W-We have enough ingredients to do it sukiyaki style."
Naruto follows her lead, pouring in the soy sauce in tandem as Hinata soaks in the noodles and tofu.
It's raced through his mind all day how to convey to Hinata his feelings, some way to be romantic and suave like those love dramas he sees her silently gush over that he's constantly trying and failing to watch all the way through without falling asleep.
Though when Hinata finally looks up at him again after pouring out their bowls, starlight flickering in her pearl eyes, he blurts out the first thing that comes to him.
"Be mine Hinata."
Hinata blinks, fire highlighting her flushed cheeks, lips pursing in confusion.
"Huh? Aren't I already as your sacrifice-"
Naruto holds up a hand. "You're not my sacrifice; not to me. I mean as my girlfriend Hinata, be mine."
Hinata looks from him to her bowl before setting it down, finds her voice.
"I used your last name back during the invasion. One of the men from Konoha's Infiltration team almost kicked me out of the evacuation zone because I couldn't give him a full name. So, so...I used Hinata Uzumaki."
Naruto pauses, nearly sloshes his bowl on himself while setting it aside.
"Who is he? Did you get his name or remember what he looks like?"
Hinata shakes her head at his tone. "It's not important and I wasn't told to leave. Don't go looking to harm him please."
Naruto blows out a scoff, reaches a hand forward under her chin, slowly tilts Hinata's gaze to study him alone forgetting both their pasts for the moment.
"Ah, so you've been mine for a while then huh?"
Hinata smiles, leans her head gently against his fingertips.
"Are you mine Naruto? Is it...Is it okay for me to say that too?"
Naruto chuckles, dips his head low catching her lips, tastes the sweetness of tea and cinnamon on her. Hinata curls her fingers to the hair at the nape of his neck, nervously shifts herself until she's nearly halfway into his lap.
He bumps their heads pulling back, winces at the spark of pain before Hinata giggles, bumping their heads again gently as she settles back beside him.
Naruto snickers in return, squeezes at her open hand, drinks in her now reddened lips.
"Silly, I've been yours for months now Hinata, you just didn't know that until now."
-x-
The first kiss of many has finally arrived and nothing will ever be the same for Naruto and Hinata as they progress to the next stage of their relationship! It was definitely my favorite part of this chapter to write besides Jiraiya's section!
I didn't want to post on April Fool's Day and have people think I was trolling lol.
And on that note, it's time to enter the Search for Tsunade arc with some further darker twists to canon! Stay tuned!
As always, pa-tre-ons get early access to chapters along with extra goodies. I did post an April Fools Day NaruHina and IzuOcha one shots along with other goodies and my original works. I go by TheLovelyMidnightWriter there!
Check out my Insta by the same name for my travel blog, book reviews, and anime drawings!
Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!