Chapter 15: The Wanderlust
"There's something about arriving in new cities, wandering empty streets with no destination. I will never lose the love for the arriving, but I'm born to leave."
-Charlotte Eriksson, Empty Roads & Broken Bottles: in search for The Great Perhaps
Naruto, Hinata, and Jiraiya-Naruto & Hinata's Apartment
They don't head home until well after midnight, giddy with bright grins, holding each other's hands.
Remnants of grass and twigs cling to their clothes, moonlight on their backs casting them in silver to contrast the dark.
Naruto swings their arms up eliciting another squeal of laughter from Hinata, softly hushes her with light kisses to her cheeks and hair as they finally reach the apartment complex. Everyone's probably in bed now after a long day of mourning.
Life in Konoha must go on.
"Shh, if we wake the neighbors, they're going to complain to the landladies again for weeks y'know!" He orders lightly.
"You're the one causing the commotion!" Hinata gently argues back, stifling another giggle.
She stops them right as they approach the front door, activating her byakugan feeling goosebumps prickle her skin.
The sensation of being watched, why hadn't she noticed it earlier back in the woods?
'Naruto. I had only been thinking of Naruto.'
Hinata swallows. "Wait. Someone's inside."
Naruto freezes, instantly steps ahead of her narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "Someone we know?"
Hinata nods slowly, purses her lips knowing his coming reaction. "It's...Master Jiraiya."
Sure enough, the spiky haired man is sitting upon their living room coach as they enter, head lulling forward at the sudden noise. He wipes a sheen of drool from his lips, chuckles taking in their joined hands.
"Huh, and here I thought you two were going to end up camping out in those woods all night; it's nearly 3:00 am! By the way, you should get rid of this couch, I'm going to have back and neck problems for a week because of it. Though maybe that's a blessing in disguise as I might get to see Sayuko at the massage parlor!" Jiraiya yawns, stretching to a standing position. He ignores Naruto's darkening glare, flicks his lamp light on, squinting as an amber-yellow glow fills the room.
Naruto bristles, looks him up and down taking in crumbs and noodles staining his top. He helped himself to a cup of ramen and chips while waiting for them it seems, feigns innocence at his annoyed look.
"What? Don't look at me like that Kid; I swear I only took one ramen packet and bag of chips! There's plenty left, plus I brought you a gift!" Jiraiya mentions while nodding to his apparent overnight bag.
Naruto cracks his knuckles, steps forward, wind turning into a low whistle about the room.
"You were watching us?" Hinata asks to break the rising tension between the two.
Jiraiya grins her way. "Well, not exactly; I just had a toad follow you guys! I checked in every hour or so until I fell asleep. Too bad considering I missed the part where this happened!"
He nods to their hands, Hinata reddening at his snickering, huffing before moving towards Naruto's room to change.
'He didn't see us kiss, that's good at least.' She considers.
Naruto crosses his arms, not ready to drop this. "And how did you get into our apartment?"
Jiraiya gestures with his head to the open window in his room. "I would've picked the lock on your front door, but I didn't think that was very nice! Plus, if I really wanted to, I just could've gotten one of the landladies like Aika to open the door for me. She doesn't care what my business is here with you two."
Wind rises up throughout the room, causes books to tumble, Jiraiya unfazed by the flickering of the lamp's light, trembling of the ground at his feet.
He crosses his arms, looks him up and down. "Any reason you decided to play hooky on yesterday's funeral?"
Naruto arches a brow, matches his flat tone.
"Any reason you're pretending to be upset that I'm not going to mourn for an Old Man that I don't care is dead?"
Jiraiya hums before breaking into a wide grin, plops down on his sofa again patting the open spot beside him.
"Come on Kid, I didn't wait up 5 hours for you two just because!"
"Nothing you have to say can't wait until sunrise y'know." He counters.
Jiraiya huffs, waves up his stolen documents. "Nuh uh! This is actually important!"
Naruto ignores him, Jiraiya sighing before drawing in a breath, impedes his path with a spray of sticky oil.
A deep black tar-like ink seeps into his socks and pants. Naruto clicks his tongue, concentrates a gale of wind to cut it from staining and clumping.
"Oi, you know I can just make more of that toad oil, right? I can make this far worse for you than necessary Kid if you really want me to. Just come sit down already so we can give each other updates." Jiraiya observes.
Naruto peers back up at him, vermilion swirling into cerulean.
"So can I."
He draws up his hands to unleash a vacuum of wind straight for Jiraiya's chest only for a hand to grab his arm midway.
Hinata.
She's changed into one of his old orange tees, red swirl of his clan on the shirt's shoulder faded to a dull copper red. A contrast to the newer silky blue pajama pants from her former days as a Hyūga.
'Former. She's really an Uzumaki now.'
Naruto takes her in for all of a minute before focusing on her frown.
"It's 3:12 am. You're about to make a further mess of the apartment."
Pearl eyes flash to Jiraiya.
"Clean up the oil please and then we can all sit and talk."
Jiraiya tosses Naruto a smirk, mouths a single word to him that instantly raises the room's temperature a degree.
'Whipped.'
He dodges his slash of air, grimaces at the tear to his kimono's sleeves, sting of a forming cut to his cheek at having moved back too slowly.
'Alright, I can't keep teasing him or he'll truly go about destroying this whole apartment building.' Jiraiya decides, calmly completing his task before joining them at the kitchen table.
He pulls out his paperwork and slides it over for the pair to view, clears his throat.
"Hinata, when did you become Hinata Uzumaki? I'm sure you realized being Naruto's sacrifice that both civilian and shinobi would talk about this, correct?"
A pink blush rises to her cheeks as she slowly nods, straightening her posture. "Yes, Yoshitaka, I believe that's his name wasn't going to let me stay at the Hokage Rock evacuation zone unless I gave him a proper full name. Even...Even with me explaining my status as the sacrifice, he seemed ready to have me escorted out until I gave him the name Uzumaki."
Jiraiya arches a brow, Yoshitaka can be a stubborn man he recalls with enduring records are up to date. "And you're okay with using the last name Uzumaki for all official documents and titles moving forward?"
A light grin etches her lips, half glancing to Naruto who beams at her in return. "Of course."
Jiraiya nods, satisfied with that subject out of the way. Naruto studies him impatiently once more, leans forward.
"Old man, why are you really here? It wasn't just to ask Hinata if she's okay with being an Uzumaki."
Jiraiya scoffs at his flippant tone, reveals a vest from the bag at his feet. "Geez, I'm getting to that Naruto! Here, since you want to rush the surprise and all."
He pushes the chunin vest towards him, smiles seeing Naruto's annoyance switch to puzzlement.
"Wait, did I actually-"
"Yeah, it took a bit of convincing from some of the jonin and those old farts, but congrats! You're officially a chunin now Kid! And that means you can take more missions outside the village. It will come in handy for the trip we'll be taking to find Tsunade!"
Naruto peers back up at him, suspicion coating azure once more.
"Who's Tsunade?"
Before Jiraiya can answer, Hinata gestures to the old photo Naruto had found of Jiraiya in his younger days.
"The blonde woman from Jiraiya's class. I believe she's known as the 'Slug Princess'. A Sannin as well."
Naruto yawns, leans his head against his palm. "Oh, so an old hag like the pervert here? Why do I need to travel with you to find her y'know?"
Jiraiya hums. "Because I don't want to be Hokage-or err because she's the best choice the village has to be the 5th Hokage! I can get her to agree to it! Plus, I have a new strong jutsu in mind I can teach you! So, what do ya say Kid? I can get permission from Koharu and Homura for you to go with me!"
"The village is in shambles, I'm still the jinchuriki." He ventures out slowly.
Jiraiya shrugs. "I know how to handle your moods! Besides, we're not even going as far as The Land of Wave. My spies have given me intel that Tsunade's been seen on more than one occasion in Tanzaku Quarters. We have to be quick though knowing how often she disguises herself on top of the high chance Orochimaru will come to her as well to aid in healing his arms."
Naruto's brows furrow silently.
'All of this sounds too good to be true.'
Ranking up to chunin, Pervy-Sage actually wanting to teach him? Traveling outside the village so soon after Old Man Third's death?
Cerulean falls to lilac, stretching. "I guess we can pack some of our leftovers from tonight's hot pot to take with us on the road?"
Hinata nods, considers if anything will spoil within the next few days.
"Tanzaku Quarters is within the borders of the Land of Fire. However, it's at least a 1-to-2-day journey. I don't think we'll really need to change our usual clothing attire, but I assume it may get colder at night there than here."
Jiraiya coughs, pair looking back to him and Naruto scowls as he carefully molds his features into one of stoicism.
'Ah, there's the catch. What he didn't say from the beginning.'
"Sorry, but who said Hinata would be going with us Kid?"
Kakashi-Team 7, Training Ground 3
"Good Morning Naruto, it's nice to have you join us."
For a moment, he wonders if Naruto even heard him at his empty stare back at him. He may be here physically, but his mind is far from these grounds as he takes in the thin stream of golds and violets on the horizon.
It's their first time all meeting properly since Lord Third's death, since the failed invasion.
Well, 30 minutes late isn't so bad when he just reached the grounds himself 5 minutes ago, considers how to go about this discussion in Naruto's current state.
"Yeah? What's so good about it?" He finally volleys back acidly.
Kakashi blinks, considers the path he came from layered with wrecked trees split in jagged angles, grasses and leaves at his feet blackened to an ashy gray matching his foul mood.
Naruto studies him flatly at his lack of response, says nothing else as he takes his seat beside Sasuke and Sakura.
A breeze picks up, brushes up his hair revealing blood that mars the top of his jacket and lips, plum colored bruise forming on his left cheek.
'That isn't the work of a jonin or ANBU member even.' Kakashi recognizes.
Remnants of deep shades of maroon still swirl about in the cobalt of his eyes, hands wound at his sides tight enough for his nails to leave crescents in his palms.
Sakura takes in his wounds warily, absently starts using medical ninjutsu to the scratches along his arms. Kakashi observes cautiously for Naruto to shove her away and to his credit, he hasn't decided to take his anger out on anything but the surrounding environment.
"Who'd you get in a fight with so early in the day?" Sasuke ventures to ask.
Naruto shrugs. "Pervy-Sage. We had a...disagreement that took me longer than I thought it would to take care of."
Kakashi settles himself opposite of them. "About?"
Scarlet streaks his eyes a tinge darker, subject still too fresh. "Don't worry about it sensei; it's none of your concern right now."
Kakashi blows out a breath, acquiesces holding up his hands.
Jiraiya is probably taking him to find Tsunade, away from Danzo or any of Sarutobi's old advisors to avoid the potential ideas of wanting to keep Naruto locked away until a new Hokage is officially titled.
"I called you all out here today not just for some light sparring, but to provide you with some updates on how mission assignments will be for the time being until we get a new designated Hokage." Kakashi begins.
Sakura leans forward curiously. "I assume you're going to say that most missions, unless they're absolutely critical, are temporarily on hold, right?"
Kakashi nods. "Yes, while the number of deaths we had during the invasion was thankfully not too high, many chunin and even a few jonin are currently out of commission from injuries sustained fighting off both Suna and Oto ninja."
His eye roams to Naruto and Sasuke quietly.
'Not to mention there's been reports of Akatsuki members in the area.'
And one of them could very well be Itachi Uchiha.
Sasuke catches his stare, frowns before masking it once more. "Is there something else you aren't telling us sensei?"
Kakashi smiles half-heartedly, no need to rile him and Naruto up any further than they currently are. "No, that's all the intel I've collected so far! All 3 of you will work on doing trio attacks today. It doesn't need to be at the level of say Ino-Shika-Cho in how they conduct formations, but I want you all to be able to do more teamwork-based attacks in case you all are ever ambushed."
Sakura is the first to readily agree, earth or water plus fire and wind can form multiple combinations of attacks that work both offensively and defensively.
'I'll have something to report to Anko on too that I've been practicing with my ninjutsu and taijutsu!'
And in return, she'll learn more about the very poisons she can use around her environment.
Naruto stands as well, gets into a stretch. "I could use some more practice with taijutsu and countering genjutsu."
"I'll start with fire and add it to your wind Naruto, though I can't figure out a way where earth can come into that mix." Sasuke considers.
Sakura waves up a hand. "That's okay Sasuke, I want to practice more with water related jutsu."
She pops her knuckles in emphasis, draws up a fist before leaping into the air.
'Listen for the flow of water underground, then strike!'
"Water Release: Water Quaking Pillar!"
A geyser of water bursts forth from the ground, rushes for Naruto and Sasuke.
Naruto draws in a deep breath, unleashes a burst of wind that does nothing to steer the water's direction. Sasuke spits out bursts of fire, flames spiraling around the gush of water.
"Geez, use another wind type of attack if you actually want it to be effective moron." Sasuke taunts as Naruto leaps to avoid a direct hit to the fusion of fire and water.
"Nobody asked you asshole." Naruto snaps back, adjusts his position, nods for the two start over with their attacks.
"Language Naruto, Sasuke has a point." Kakashi calls out to him to avoid a fist fight starting.
Naruto snorts, casts one look to him before forming the signs to upgrade his attack.
"Wind Release: Tornado!"
The bullet of water morphs into a violent twister of now boiling hot water and biting wind, slams into the adjacent trees shattering bark to pieces of ripped wood, waterlogged branches, and blackened leaves.
A cyclone of elements.
'That wasn't so hard after all.' Kakashi silently marvels, flipping to his bookmark on where he last left off in Make Out Paradise.
Naruto lands beside him, wrinkles his nose in disgust at his reading of choice before abruptly smirking.
"Hana dies at the end of this book, right after that night she had with Saigo at that love hotel or whatever y'know!"
Kakashi instantly snaps the book shut, tips of his ears growing just as pink as Sakura's hair who looks half curious, and half annoyed at Naruto's behavior to hear more about Hana and Saigo's apparent escapades.
"What?! No, there's no way in hell she would, that's a major spoiler." He mutters, covering his ears.
Sakura rolls her eyes. 'I've never seen Kakashi-sensei look so alarmed all because of some cheap smutty novel.'
But just in case, maybe she should read it for herself if her Mom has a copy lying around somewhere about the household while renovations finish...
'I'll never understand what sensei finds so interesting about those have nothing to do with training.' Sasuke wonders, even Sakura can't help but want to try and sneak a peek at the pages.
Naruto simply nods. "Language sensei!~ And is it? Too bad Pervy-Sage got a little too loose with leaving his manuscripts around."
Hinata-Naruto & Hinata's Apartment
"You were foolish."
Hinata sighs, presses another alcohol-soaked cotton ball straight to Naruto's cheek without warning.
Naruto jolts, grits his teeth to bite down a curse. "Ouch, ugh that stings! Be mad at Pervy-Sage; not me y'know!"
"You forced his hand to get him to have me join you all on this trip. I...I don't want to get in the way of any other underlying objectives he needs to do."
"Hypocrite." Naruto spits out.
Venom laces just saying that single word. How can women be one of Jiraiya's three 'vices to ignore' when he indulges in said sin almost nightly?
"You're not the only one who knows how to steal things y'know." He adds icily at his silence.
He pushes back from the table, heads for his bedroom returning back a moment later with the manuscripts for his next novel.
Jiraiya's brows furrow, waves away the stack of papers away without a second glance. "Kid, you think I go around leaving my original copies just out and about wherever I happen to be staying? I thought you knew me better than that!"
Naruto rolls his eyes. "You show them whenever you want to impress whatever call-girl or stripper has peaked your attention. It never probably occurred to you that during one of your outings to The Ruby Crown you ran into me via my sexy jutsu. The same 'woman' who you couldn't resist showing a sneak peek of your next installment to that 'she' made copies of once you fell asleep in her lap."
Hinata pauses mid-sip of her water, considers how far back in time was the night walk Naruto did that led him to follow the Sannin to one of his most favored clubs of Konoha's red-light district.
'How many times did he watch him? Memorize which clubs he would be at and on which nights?' She absently wonders.
It doesn't matter, pearl eyes twist to Jiraiya's cracking facade, the twitch of a scowl, the shadow that falls over his features akin to a coming storm.
Jiraiya isn't the type to openly show anger. Like Hiashi, all he has to do is glare...
Naruto's grin turns wicked drinking in his rage, mirth shining in his eyes. He lights a match letting the orange-red flames dance near the paper's edge, leans back when Jiraiya stretches his arm out. "Yes, the 'newbie' Wakumi didn't have to do much to win your affection, did she? Just flash enough skin and send a few winks and compliments your way!~ At least with enough sake in your system, you never questioned why she was only interested in hearing about your novels."
"Alright, that's enough Naruto."
And in an instant, Jiraiya's out of his chair beside him, kunai at his neck, fire sputtered out.
Scarlet bores into onyx, wind turning into a howl about the room, tiny cuts litter Jiraiya's arms as his hold tightens on Naruto's shoulders. "Kid, you're really testing my patience here."
"I'm not the one who listened to the second head they have downstairs. So go ahead and try to cut my throat Pervy-Sage, see if you can truly take on a jinchuriki and survive since you've faced stronger enemies than me, right?"
Hinata grabs the strewn papers, pushes them into Jiraiya's hands until the metal drops from his hands with a sharp clang.
"Lady Tsunade. She's purposely kept away from the village for years and is a woman of hundreds of disguises and names. But the one thing she can't change is her chakra signature and I can use my byakugan to help you with that, if you'd like. If not, I understand. And I'll stay here in Konoha training on my own and taking missions with my team. I'll even stay at Kurenai-sensei's house to avoid any concerns of me staying here at the apartment alone."
Naruto huffs his disagreement though doesn't refute her suggestion as he slinks out of Jiraiya's hold.
Jiraiya looks between the duo, rubs a finger to his forehead.
"Fine she can come; not like you aren't giving me hell already. At least Hinata will keep you from screwing up any plans I create."
He grabs up the manuscript papers as he heads for the door, feels the weight of Naruto's stare on his back.
"You're going to give me the answers I want on the Uzumaki clan at some point during this journey y'know!" He calls out.
Jiraiya merely waves a hand over his shoulder.
"Who says it has to come only from me? Maybe you can convince Tsunade to pass along some information too."
Naruto grabs Hinata's free hand, squeezes it until lavender finally meets his gaze properly.
"Stop thinking you would be in the way Hinata. It makes sense you would come along considering, well to others you're my sacrifice. There's no way I could feel comfortable leaving you behind here in Konoha."
Hinata blows out a breath, lightly brushes her lips against his, gently taps at his chest until he loosens his hold.
"I'm sure you saw amid our mail that I've received a formal summons from my Father requesting a meeting."
The sanguine seal of the Hyūga clan rests dead center on the envelope, faint scent of tulips and chrysanthemums from the garden lingering throughout the parchment paper.
Usually, such ink and paper are only used for letters to be sent to the Hokage or daimyo.
Naruto shrugs. "It can wait until we come back."
Hinata shakes her head, it will dig and take root in the back of her mind if she doesn't settle things with whatever her Father wants to discuss or say to her before they head out. He's most likely taking advantage of there currently being no formal Hokage in place to avoid having to go through the usual channels of paperwork and meetings on why he wants to meet with the jinchuriki and sacrifice.
Especially a sacrifice he gave away himself less than a year ago.
"If he for some reason wants to request you back-" Naruto starts, crimson tinging his eyes.
"I'm not going back to the Hyūga compound or using that name ever again. However, I haven't forgotten that I still do want to end the policies of having a Main and Branch clan, of having to brand Branch members with the Caged Bird Seal before they even reach the age of 5. I won't make any progress on any of that ignoring Father's requests." Hinata interrupts.
Naruto's shoulders sag, Hinata staring back at him resolutely.
"Fine. 2 days from now is okay, right? I can have a toad deliver the message before nightfall."
Hinata & Hiashi- Hyūga Manor
"I thought Father said you would be coming alone. And why did Lady Hirika say you're an Uzumaki now? You're not married to the jinchuriki, are you?!" Hanabi whispers her a series of questions, withers and hurriedly looks away when Naruto sends her a frown.
Hinata hides a giggle while shaking her head, squeezes at her hand protectively that Naruto won't harm her. "I will always have an eye or two on me being our village's sacrifice Hanabi. We're not married, I'm using Naruto's last name for...official reasons."
Hanabi squirms, brows setting together. "Fuyuma at school said she heard her Mom and Aunt say that as a sacrifice, Naruto forced you to take his name or else he would've hurt you."
Hinata openly frowns now. "You know already not to believe everything you hear Hanabi."
She hopes Neji is looking out for her maybe despite their still fractured relationship, at least ensuring none of the older Branch members are picking on her or being too harsh during sparring sessions knowing she's stayed close to her.
They pass a guard who wrinkles his nose at her, chef who puckers her lips as she looks up from today's menu.
"What's an Uzumaki doing in the Hyūga manor?" She sneers just loud enough under her breath for her to hear and she restrains a scowl back.
Shino had said she could borrow some of his beetles as extra protection and part of her wishes she hadn't said no.
But it isn't like any of Kiba or Shino's insects or dogs will easily sway the minds of the Hyūga or even regular civilian.
Thin streams of clouds drift overhead, reflect over the viridian green as they reach the Hyūga garden's koi pond. Hinata smiles as a mix of silver to orange spotted koi nibble at their fingers, ripples of raindrops along the pond's edge making her return back to the covering of the patio.
Lady Natsu moves out of the shadows, clears her throat. "We must get going back to your calligraphy lessons Lady Hanabi."
Hanabi pouts, only moving to get up at her promise of an extra dessert for later.
It's been close to a year now since she's taken in the fresh smells of moss and pine that always lingers around the garden during the spring to late summer months, fingers brushing at leftover dew along the grass from these passing afternoon showers.
Despite Naruto's protests, he waits outside the door for her just like she requested.
Her stomach tilts, shaking her head as Lady Hikami offers her a cup of chamomile tea.
Anything she takes in right now may just come back up, heartbeat drumming loud in her ears.
Hiashi regards her quietly and Hinata straightens her posture, morphs her features to match his stoic gaze.
"How much was it?" Hinata asks softly to break the silence.
Hiashi's lips purse downward, stirring at his cup of green tea waiting for her to explain herself.
"How much ryo did you pay Homura and Koharu for this meeting to happen? We both know policies regarding all the paperwork needed in setting up a meeting with a jinchuriki and sacrifice normally takes months to process."
Hiashi arches a brow at her tone, so the rumors are true, she's gotten a sharper tongue since departing from the compound.
"That's none of your concern Hinata, today's business is in regard to your health. It has come to my attention that Dr. Hashijimi wasn't fully forthcoming with you regarding the medicines and tonics she gave you to keep you...pure I should say before you were sacrificed. They should be out of your system before winter comes, but do you recall said herbs I'm talking about?"
An iciness rushes down her skin, knots forming in her throat. "I-I do. What exactly were these side effects that I should've known of Father?"
Hiashi clasps his hands together. "They were medicines meant to prevent you from getting pregnant should the jinchuriki have come onto you inappropriately. I'm afraid Hashijimi failed to provide you with accurate consent and education on the side effects of each herb so I'm doing so now in her place."
Numbness joins the chill of goosebumps prickling her skin despite feeling the rise of a blush warming her face, teeth clenching.
But it is Naruto who speaks next, pulls the door open off its hinges crashing it to the ground. Lady Hikami yelps, Hirika by her side instantly guiding her out of the room.
Sanguine turns to pearl. "What is that supposed to mean?"
Hiashi avoids his stare, sips at his tea. "It means Hashijimi failed in her duties as-
In a breath he's beside Hiashi, wind blade a low screech throughout the room, tanto and naginata blades poised on his back in turn.
"You know what I mean old man. Do you think so lowly of me that I would assault Hinata?"
Hiashi scoffs, waves him back unfettered. "Well, you didn't exactly care about Hinata that night I first left her there, though it seems your feelings have changed."
Hinata roughly pushes past Hiroko and Hizami, lightning crackling along her fingers when they turn their blades to her, pausing seeing the ice in her gaze.
"Step back from Naruto before I force you to."
Hiashi shoos his guards to follow her order, finally peers toward Naruto. "Not at all. It's Hashijimi as I was saying that failed in her duties not just as the doctor for our clan, but in ensuring Hinata was aware of what was in the teas and tonics she gave her."
Naruto cracks his knuckles, studies him long enough for Hiashi to break his gaze first, clear his throat.
"Where is she?"
Hinata's fingers weave around his arm, pulls him backwards.
"Killing her won't change what's been done! I can talk to her, at least have her explain why she never gave me the full details of what was in each drink." She hisses lowly in his ear.
Naruto stills as she presses herself closer, crimson in his eyes steadily returning back to blue.
"She's hurt you enough, but I'll hear her out before I do anything."
His fingers brush at her still hot cheeks, sighs before his gaze turns towards the hospital and she knows then he's still going to try and find Hashijimi before today ends.
Hiashi points in the direction of the Konoha's main clinic. "Her shift hasn't ended yet at the urgent care center; she'll most likely be in her office."
Naruto silently gives him one last look before heading out in a swirl of wind.
Hinata watches him go, wounds her hands tight at her sides before releasing the pressure.
"You really shouldn't mourn or worry over that woman Hinata, that always was a weakness of yours, having a bleeding heart for others. The Hyūga have no need for a woman who will harm our reputation or make us look weak in the eyes of the other clans unable to follow simple procedures."
Hinata looks over to Hiashi, acid dripping into her voice.
"Ah, a bit like me then Father?"
She replaces Naruto's spot beside him, pleased to see him freeze when he attempts to lift his teacup back to his lips.
Hiashi stares down to his hands, sparks of lightning twisting around his fingers.
And he startles just slightly when he looks up at Hinata, lilac tinged with a darkness he's never seen from her.
"You're afraid of the beast that is Naruto, when you should be afraid of what he has taught me, what I will do to break apart the archaic rules of this clan someday soon."
She brushes off Hizami and Hiroko's arms as more guards enter, ensures Hiashi knows she's serious in not wavering from his gaze.
Hinata moves back first, relieved to not be trembling or stuttering before him like too many times before, Hiashi studying her silently as she turns to go.
Words mean little without action after all, but at his brief glance to his charred thumbs she's proven her point.
Hiashi scoffs and she hears over her shoulder as he lets out a string of commands to get the room back into an orderly fashion, ignoring her once again.
She smiles, moves in the direction of the hospital after Naruto.
'It's fine, you don't have to believe me just yet Father.'
She follows a trail of wind strewn debris Naruto leaves behind, a quivering secretary pointing towards the faculty offices without her having to ask.
A grimace mars his lips as she walks in, Naruto looking about Hashijimi's desk and files with a huff.
He plops down into her chair feeling Hinata's stare, shrugs as they take in the empty office.
"Looks like she fled as soon as she heard me coming."
Naruto, Hinata, & Jiraiya-Land of Fire Outskirts
Jiraiya, maybe as punishment, decides they should leave Konoha bright and early at 5:00 am.
"Ugh, the sky is still dark Pervy-Sage! What was wrong with leaving at sunrise y'know?!" Naruto gripes between bites of onigiri, he blinks cobwebs of sleep from his eyes, crescent moon seeming to mock his sleepiness hardly giving them enough light before hiding amid the clouds.
He leans his head into Hinata's, she about to do the same and topple them both over.
"We have to use the guise of night as much as possible or else Tsunade will get word we're coming, if she hasn't already!" Jiraiya mentions, chipper as if he isn't running on just 4 hours of sleep.
They trek until sunrise breaks through the clouds, sweeps across the mountains and sky in trickles of pinks, reds, and golds.
Jiraiya holds up a hand as they reach a hotel.
The Saffron Siren.
Naruto looks from Jiraiya's silly grin to the resort's name, groans under his breath.
"I didn't just choose this place because of its name I'll have you know! A spy of mine has told me it runs an underground casino that attracts customers from every nation. Anyways, we need to break for lunch and rest for a bit." He explains.
"High risk, high rewards." Hinata murmurs, reading the slogan underneath the hotel's logo.
Jiraiya nods giddily as a woman in a skin tight yellow dress walks in.
"Among other things! Now, don't think I'm letting two hormone addled teenagers share a bed or room, I'm purchasing a suite room and making sure they include a sofa bed in the living room section.
Hinata's face burns red while Naruto snorts.
"I'm not like you Pervy-Sage."
Jiraiya chuckles lowly. "Yeah, sure. That's what they all say until puberty fully hits Kid!"
They let Jiraiya handle getting a room, drop off their bags.
"So, I'm going to head down to this supposed casino section. It's 18 so you two can find yourselves lunch at one of the restaurants upstairs. I got a toad watching you guys, so don't try anything!"
His eyes focus particularly on Naruto who ignores him, attention on Gamachan.
"Alright let's meet back in the hotel room in 1 hour!" Jiraiya decides, clapping his hands.
Naruto restrains an open scowl, levels himself not to unleash a gale of wind knowing there's too many eyes around.
He probably means 3 hours.
"We don't even know if that old hag currently resembles her childhood picture. Didn't Pervy-Sage say she makes herself look younger than her true age?" Naruto huffs into his ice water.
Full on yakisoba and curry hasn't made this situation any clearer to him.
Hinata nods absently, notes the woman at the end of the bar glancing their way before looking away.
She's been at the bar since they were seated.
Huh.
She doesn't match Jiraiya's description going by this woman's raven locks and ice blue eyes, though she's the only one in the bar area who's given them a second glance.
'She may know who we are.'
Hinata turns herself to look back at Naruto, his stare having moved to the woman as well.
"Think that's one of her covers?" He asks quietly.
Hinata nods slowly, but it's hard to have a point of reference even with her byakugan if this lady truly is the legendary Tsunade.
The woman beside her with what she thinks is a pet pig whispers something in her ear, hand shooing her back as if she's a fly.
Naruto rises from his seat. "Well, only one way to find out y'know! We gotta use the method Jiraiya recommended to get her attention."
"What do we have to gamble that she'll actually want?" Hinata questions, lightly tugging at his jacket to ensure they don't screw this up.
"Ryo. I doubt she'd pass up on that." He considers. He intertwines their hands and leads the way. The pig owner stiffens at their approach, holds out an arm before they can get too close.
"Excuse me, but my friend here isn't interested in anything you might be trying to sell."
Naruto pushes her hand out of the way, arm roughly knocking into the counter.
Obsidian eyes flash with annoyance until she sees Naruto's expression.
"Move; I don't need to talk to you." He warns.
Hinata sends him a look he ignores, takes her vacated seat.
The woman's companion yawns, swerves in her chair to look at them.
"Shizune, what are you being so noisy about-"
She stops herself seeing Naruto and Hinata.
Naruto puts down a wad of ryo and deck of cards.
"Care to make a bet with me for some extra money via a quick game of 5 card draw?"
Lips purse, eyes studying the cash curiously before they turn piercing back to the duo.
"And who are you to ask me something so bluntly?"
Naruto clicks his tongue.
"You know who I am old hag. Even with how long you've been away from Konoha, I'm sure you recognize my features. Tsunade is a name that came up within the scroll I stole regarding the Uzumaki clan."
Hinata nods along with the lie, supports it with sharp edges of truth. "People say you even learned how to gamble from your grandfather the first Hokage, that you're too afraid of blood since your lover Da-"
The woman bristles, snaps her fingers undoing the transformation.
Her fist splits the bar's counter into pieces, amber eyes bright with malice.
"Don't. I don't want or need to hear his name right now. Why would a Hyūga care to find me, you have that doctor Hashijimi or perhaps has your clan branded you with that seal? Casted you off with injuries they deem too worthless to heal?"
Hinata swallows at her acerbic tone, gathers her voice.
"I'm...Konoha's latest sacrifice to the jinchuriki."
Tsunade arches a brow, smiles humorlessly.
"Oh, is that right?"
Her attention switches to Naruto, sits up crossing her legs.
"Let's raise the stakes of this wager, shall we? Ryo alone isn't enough. If I lose, I'll come along with you back to that old pervert wherever he is, probably at that club downstairs. But if I win, you'll relinquish this girl from being your sacrifice."
-x-
I admittedly was a bit under the weather while writing this chapter, I like how it turned out though next update may take me a bit longer. Hope you guys like it!
So yes, Hinata came along with Naruto and Jiraiya! While I did have some drafts of her staying in the village, I found it more fun to go with the ideas I had with her joining them and will save those drafts for later on in the story.
As always, pa-tre-ons get early access to chapters along with extra NaruHina goodies, NSFW work stuff, my MHA stuff, and my original writings. I go by TheLovelyMidnightWriter there!
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