"What is it, Lady Tsunade?" Hinata asked as her teammates left. Naruto gave his girlfriend one last nervous look before closing the door behind him.
"Given everything that has happened over the last few days, it probably seems like it was weeks or even months ago," Tsunade started with trepidation, "But you may recall that just last week, you participated in the Jonin Trials."
Hinata nodded.
"We were going to post the results on Wednesday, but with everything that happened... you know, eighty percent of the participants going AWOL," she fixed the younger woman with a canny eye. Hinata looked away and tapped her fingers nervously.
"Anyways, we decided to hold off the announcement until tomorrow," the Hokage continued, her brief moment of superiority spent, "But before we do so, I wanted to discuss your exam with you."
The Hyuga Chunin bobbed her head again, growing worried.
"You did an excellent job on your Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and skills tests," Tsunade informed her, "Kakashi, Yugao, and Anko were all very complimentary."
The pale beauty brightened slightly at the praise, but she knew it could not be that simple.
"You also did well with the Genjutsu exam, too," the Hokage continued, "Shizune was quite impressed by your ability to break illusions. However, she was surprised and slightly concerned that you lost count and exhibited an extra technique without realizing it. Which isn't technically a problem, but she did point it out."
"Your weapons test on the other hand, caused some debate," the Sanin frowned, "Unique weapons, like your Kote, are not that uncommon, and do tend to be in the A or B Rank. On the other hand, having both Kote and Light Throwing Blades for your expert weapons was a bit of a tough sell. But in the end the Council agreed that you did pass the weapons test."
"Unfortunately, despite passing all five tests and having three outstanding showings... We are not promoting you to the rank of Jonin," Tsunade carefully controlled her own emotions, so as not to influence the young woman's reaction.
Hinata looked down at the floor, her bangs concealing her white eyes. She laced her fingers together, squeezing her digits tightly.
"I understand," her voice was weak and also hoarse.
"No, you obviously don't," Tsunade barked at her, "This is a perfect example of why the Council chose to stick you with Tokujo!"
Hinata's head flashed up, the remnants of half-formed tears scattering as her lovely eyes expanded in shock.
"Let me put it this way," the Sanin offered in a more gentle manner, "How do you think this little meeting would have gone if I had let Naruto stay? What do you think the little punk would have done?"
"He would have yelled at you," Hinata smiled at the thought, "He would have told you it was unfair, and demanded to know why I was being treated differently."
"That sounds about right," the Hokage agreed, "and then what would you have done?"
"I would ask Naruto to calm down," the dark-haired woman said, "I would point out that you must have a good reason to only promote me to Tokubetsu Jonin. And then I would ask you what I needed to do to become a full Jonin during the next Trials."
"Do you understand now?" Tsunade queried, "That is the reason we cannot make you a Jonin yet."
The Byakugan user's eyes narrowed as she tried to make sense of the Hokage's point.
"Hinata, everyone has different facets to their personality," Tsunade explained, "A cold-blooded killer could have a soft spot for babies, or puppies, or girls in glasses. But you take it to a worrisome extreme. When Naruto is around or involved, you are strong, confident, and able to stand up for yourself. And when he's not, you are little better than the timid wallflower you were when you graduated. If we could send Naruto with you on every mission, you would be a great Jonin, but that would also defeat the purpose."
Hinata consider that, and then inquired, "What do I need to do?"
"You need to become closer to the person you are when Naruto is around, even when he isn't. You don't have to be exactly the same; like I said, we all have different personas for different purposes. But if you want to be a Jonin, you need to be secure enough to guide a team of academy graduates, or handle an A-Rank mission solo."
"How do I do that?" the Hyuga scion asked.
"I can't tell you how," Tsunade shrugged sadly, "It's something you have to figure out on your own."
"However," the leader of the Konohagakure added conspiratorially, "It you can learn a few more Genjutsu, and button down your weapons, it will make it harder for the Council to vote against you. Especially if you could bring one of your more traditional B-Rank weapons up to A-Rank, and maybe a couple of Cs up to Bs."
"Thank you, Lady Tsunade; I will work on that," Hinata stood and bowed. As she turned to leave, the Sannin addressed her again.
"Oh, and Hinata?" she smiled sincerely as the girl looked back, "Congratulations on your promotion, even if it wasn't the one you wanted."
"Thank you, Lady Tsunade," Hinata smiled back.
After finishing some paperwork, the Hokage left her office and headed towards the hospital. Along the way, she was met by two more of her young charges.
"Lady Hokage," Sasame called out politely, sketching a slight bow after she hurried over to the medic. Kiba followed close behind his teammate, wearing an uncomfortable expression.
"We are heading to the infirmary," the orange-haired teen told the blonde woman, "Yugao-sensei said we could see Shino today. Are you going there too?"
"Yes, I need to check on a few things," she told the teens, "including your teammate."
They continued on in silence at Tsunade's leisurely pace, until the Sanin suddenly paused. She had felt Kiba's eyes boring into the back of her head. She turned around to glare at the younger man.
"Is there something you want to say, Kiba?" she demanded sternly.
"Yeah," he tried carefully to control his tone, "Yugao didn't give me a clear reason why we couldn't just use Naruto's blood to regenerate Shino's leg, like they did when Hinata got hurt fighting the vampire. I want you to tell me why."
"There are a number of reasons," she lectured him smugly, "For starters, Hinata's injury was fresh and untreated, but Iruka had already been working on Shino's leg for almost an hour when they got Naruto out. Which he had to do to keep Shino from bleeding out, since there was no way to tell how long it would take to get Naruto and if the knucklehead would have been in any state to donate blood."
Kiba frowned, not happy to be confronted by logic.
"Also, Naruto's powers were and still are changing because of what the Akatsuki did to him," Tsunade stated carefully so as not to give anything away. She still needed to talk to Hiashi Hyuga, and possibly the Kazekage and Mizukage, about how to present Naruto's Bloodline Trait to not only the village, but the world in general.
"So there is no guarantee it would have worked like it did on Hinata or Jiraiya," she continued, "Especially since Shino had stolen some of the Three-Tails chakra. There is no way to tell how the fox's fire chakra and the turtle's water chakra would interact if Shino had both of them at the same time."
Of course, no one but Shino had known that at the time, but Tsunade didn't want to leave any doubt in Kiba's mind.
"And lastly, even though Shino's wound was less complex and also less life threatening," she concluded, "it was much larger than Hinata's was, and helping Hinata almost killed Naruto. Would you want to risk Naruto's life even if Shino's wasn't in jeopardy?"
"Sure, why not?" he shrugged.
"Be quiet, Kiba," Sasame demanded; which was fortunate, because it made Tsunade break off from punching Inuzuka.
"I don't care how mad you are at Naruto," the younger woman continued firmly, "He is your comrade, and has never done anything to you to deserve that."
"Whatever," the dog-trainer said dejectedly, and resumed trudging forward, "Let's just go see Shino."
"I'm sorry, Lady Tsunade," Sasame whispered as the two women started walking again.
"You're not the one who needs to apologize," the Hokage's counter was gentle, but with an undertone of remaining anger, "And I'm not the one who deserves the apology."
Once again, they moved without conversing, until the hospital became visible and Kiba suddenly exclaimed, "What the hell? Shino?"
The two Kunoichi looked past him. Shino Aburame was walking past the front of the medical center towards the entrance, limping slightly. The injured warrior paused and rubbed his right thigh, while Kiba and Sasame ran over to him.
"Shino, what are you doing up?" Sasame asked, worried but excited. She looked like she wanted to hug him, but held back.
"Are you supposed to be out here?" Tsunade asked threateningly.
"Yes, Lady Tsunade," the insect user answered, "I was instructed to walk around the building once as part of my physical therapy."
"And?" the medic prompted, "How are you doing?"
"We are still adjusting," he answered, "And the sensation is still off, though I am told that should improve with time and practice."
"It will probably never be quite the same as it was before," she told him, mildly regretful, "But with a few months of therapy you should be ready for duty again. Heck, you can probably find some ways to turn this to your advantage."
"I already have," he answered evenly. The elder Kunoichi smiled and nodded.
"Good. When you are done with these two, get back to your room so I can give you a checkup," she instructed, and then entered the building.
"So what's going on?" Kiba stared at his friend's leg, "A transplant, or some sort of prosthesis?"
"Both, in a manner of speaking," Shino said flatly, "If you like, I can show you."
Sasame noticed that his sandals were gone, replaced by heavy combat boots, tucked under his pants. She nodded, and Kiba apprehensively responded, "Sure."
Aburame pulled up his pants leg, and unbuckled his boot. As he started to pull off the footwear, they could see a scar below his knee, but beyond that, his skin was unmarked. When he fully removed the boot, they saw that his second and third toes were fused together, as were the last two digits.
"Thanks to Sasame's suggestion, Sakura and Iruka were able to use the Fuma threads to secure my bones and save my knee," he explained, "But they were forced to remove the rest of my leg. Now in its place..."
His exposition was interrupted when a portion of his calf skittered down and then fused into his ankle. Both of Shino's teammates jumped back in surprise.
"We are still adapting," the insect trainer noted. He sent a pulse of chakra down, and his leg changed. The camouflage reflex was turned off, and the 'limb' was revealed to be a mass of beetles, clinging to one another in the shape of a human leg. Kiba looked confused and slightly disturbed, but Sasame leaned down to examine his living prosthetic.
"They are connected to my nervous system and chakra network, so they can act in place of my original limb," Aburame continued, "I can even feel what they feel, though the sensation is not quite the same. It will take some time for them to fully adjust to me. My father and the Hokage both expect the process will take three to four months. However, I plan to be back to fighting form in six weeks."
He sent another signal, and the insects went back to disguising themselves.
"And I can see where this could be useful," Sasame said, "Like you could train them to perform a telescoping kick, or to hide a kunai as a holdout weapon."
Shino smiled ever so slightly and nodded.
"Even simply having a larger colony has compensations," Aburame agreed, "Though I would not have asked for this, in the end I might be stronger for it."
Sunday morning was bright and sunny as the two groups faced off outside of Ninja Operations. On one side were the ten examiners of the Jonin trials, and on the other were the participants, as well as some of their friends and family members. They were all waiting for the Hokage. At last, Tsunade emerged, with three poster-sized printouts rolled up under her arm.
"To simplify things," she began without warning, "those who have not changed rank are not listed here, and no one was demoted. The rest of you, your names and results are posted here. If you have any questions, you can take them up with the proctors."
She stepped over to the bulletin board, and started to pin up the registers.
"I don't know why we're here," Shikamaru grumbled to Ino, while glancing at Temari across the gulf between the examiners and examinees, "We didn't even participate."
"We're here for Choji," she told him tartly. They were near the back of the crowd, while their recovering teammate was near the front, munching nervously on a sandwich.
Naruto pulled Hinata forward, anxious to see the posting despite being reasonably sure of his results. Hinata was able to see the board well before Naruto could, but let him drag her closer anyways. When he made it within range, he saw the results were a simple catalog of names, new ranks, and the classifications for the new Special Jonin. He scanned the list swiftly, taking in not only his results, but also those of his friends.
Aburame Shino – Tokubetsu Jonin (Tracking Specialist)
Akimichi Choji – Tokubetsu Jonin (Melee Combat Specialist)
Arashikage Tomi – Jonin
Fuma Sasame – Tokubetsu Jonin (Stealth & Traps Specialist)
Haruno Sakura – Jonin
Hyuga Hinata – Tokubetsu Jonin (Defensive Combat Specialist)
Rock Lee – Tokubetsu Jonin (Melee Combat Specialist)
Sakoshita Yanagi– Tokubetsu Jonin (Medical Specialist)
Tenten – Jonin
Uzumaki Naruto – Tokubetsu Jonin (Melee Combat Specialist)
Watanabe Kameron– Tokubetsu Jonin (Technology Specialist)
"All right!" Naruto crowed, "I knew I had it in the bag, no matter what Kakashi-sensei said!"
Then he scanned the list again, squeezing his girlfriend's hand.
"I'm sorry, Hinata," he told her, "I was sure you would make Jonin."
"That's OK," she responded, distantly, "Tokubetsu Jonin is fine for now..."
He noticed her odd mood, but before for he could comment, he was distracted when something slammed into him lightly from behind. He looked back to see the grinning face of Rock Lee.
"So, we have both been acknowledged as melee specialists, eh Naruto," the green clad youth noted grandiosely, "It seems to me it is past for us to spar again, especially given our new ranks and recognized expertise!"
"Bring it on, Bushy Brow!" Naruto answered joyfully.
"Come on you two," Sakura interrupted, happily exasperated, "You're Tokujo now, you should at least try to act responsibly."
"Maybe we need a Jonin to keep us in line," Uzumaki grinned at his pink-haired teammate, "Know where we could find one?"
She smirked at them, and Lee offered, "Yes, congratulations, Sakura."
Hinata had slipped away when Lee appeared; seeking another from within the throng. She knew that bringing those two together at this point was probably still a bad idea. Though he had withdrawn from the crowd, he could not escape her eyes. She caught hold of his jacket as he started to slink away, and he turned back, glaring. When he recognized who had stopped him, his expression softened, if only slightly.
"Kiba, I'm so sorry," Hinata told her former teammate. He sighed heavily and shrugged.
"Yeah, it sucks," he said with false bravado, "But it wasn't entirely unexpected. I knew my weapons and Genjutsu were borderline going in."
She had to resist the urge to nod. Those disciplines tended to be a ninja's weakest areas, unless the shinobi chose to specialize in them.
"But I also messed up the Ninjutsu exam," he admitted, "That guy Yamato kept giving me this funny look. It was so creepy, it threw me off my game, and I couldn't get the Abyssal Flare to work. I kept trying to make the jutsu happen, and so I ran out of time, still one A-Rank technique short and without 'adequately' showing my mastery of fire chakra."
"I..." she stammered, unsure what to say.
"Hey, at least I tried, right," he forced a grin, but only barely, "Which is more than Shikamaru or Ino can say. And in two years I'll definitely be ready."
"You should go back," he turned away, "I'm sure Shino and the others will want to congratulate you."
"You should come too," she suggested.
"Nah, I'm really not in the mood," he grunted, "Especially since that idiot somehow managed to surpass me again."
Her expression darkened moderately, and she didn't try to stop him this time. Instead, Hinata took a quick breath, and turned back to the gathering, which was rapidly developing into a full-fledged party.
Jiraiya looked out the window of his room, watching the impromptu celebration that had sprung up between the hospital and Ninja Ops. When the door to his room opened, but he did not need to look to recognize who it was.
"I'm surprised you're not still down there," he commented to the newcomer, "I'm sure with the original Ino-Shika-Cho team in attendance, it won't be long until they break out the high-grade sake."
"I wasn't in the mood," Tsunade countered dryly.
"You still upset about the knucklehead and his girl not making Jonin?" he asked quietly.
"No, not upset," she said thoughtfully.
"Disappointed?"
"It's hard to be disappointed by something you're expecting," she answered.
"Melancholy?" Jiraiya suggested, and this time his teammate nodded.
"That's probably the best word," she agreed.
"It will happen," the Toad Sage reassured her.
"Will it?" she asked apprehensively, "By the time the three of us were their age, we had all been Jonin for at least a year."
She fixed him with a brief, smug look, but the pervert ignored it.
"Rank doesn't always equate to skill," he reminded Tsunade, "I might have lost a step or two in the last decade, but I could still kick sixteen-year-old me's butt; blindfolded. And I don't hold any illusions that I could beat any one of those kids without the surprising them in a place of my choosing. If anyone is worthy to take up our mantle it will be Naruto, Sakura, and Hinata."
"Maybe," Tsunade shrugged, "Though lately, I've been wondering if we shouldn't just let the title of Sannin die with us. It was forced on us been Hanzo, and hasn't exactly been a blessing."
"The Sannin are the three shinobi who protect and inspire the Hidden Leaf Village," Jiraiya said firmly, "And though the three of us may have fallen short... some more than others, I think those three might just be up to the challenge."
"I'll think about it," she said noncommittally. Then her expression changed, angry yet amused, "So are you about ready to quit playing up your injury? I'm starting to get complaints from the nurses."
"The free sponge baths aside," the sage grinned briefly before sobering, "This is a convenient excuse to stay in the village while I work on the other project."
"And how is the 'other project' coming?" she asked dubiously.
"Slowly, however we are making headway," he answered, "Shikamaru says it is a poly-logarithmic shifting cipher. Which goes right over my head, but we have figured out part of the beginning and end of the message. The first word is 'Snake's' and it ends with the numbers 'two three eight'."
"What does it mean?" she prompted more openly.
"Not sure," he shrugged, "We're thinking the numbers are part of a phone number or coordinates. Though Shikamaru won't give up the idea that it's the page number of a book or verse of a scroll."
"Hmm," she considered that, and then threw up her hands, "Well, you might have been right about decoding the message after all. But you still can't stay here. You'll have to find someplace else. I think Naruto's old room in the barracks is still available."
"OH NO," Jiraiya protested.
"Naruto, there is something I need to talk to you about," Hinata suddenly and cautiously said to him. They had left the party and had nearly reached the point where their paths diverged. She stopped walking, thankful that they were all alone. He paused, apprehensive. He had recognized that she was only pretending to have fun at the celebration, and wonder what was bothering her. He put on his best smile, and turned back to face her.
"Sure, what is it, Hinata?" he said more lightly than he felt. She tapped her fingers together, not looking at him.
"Well... I'm not sure how to say this," she started uncertainly, "But... you know we've been spending so much of our time together... And, well... We can't keep doing this. We have to stop seeing each other like this."
Naruto froze, a look of dismay on his face.
"You... you're breaking up with me, Hinata?" he asked, his voice hollow, "Why? Is it something I did?"
Her eye went wide and filled with tears when she realized how he interpreted her poor choice of words. She leapt though the distance between them, grabbing him tightly.
"NO," she screamed at him, "No, no, not ever."
He relaxed in her arms, and wrapped her up in turn.
"I'm sorry, Naruto, that wasn't what I meant at all," she reassured him fiercely, "I love you. I can't imagine ever wanting to break up with you."
He lifted her chin gently and kissed her happily.
"It's OK, Hinata," he told her when he broke off the lip lock, "I'm sorry too. It's just you've been so distracted today, so I got worried and jumped to conclusions. Tell me what it is, and take it slowly."
She nodded, releasing him.
"It's about my promotion," she started from the beginning, "Lady Tsunade told me yesterday that I passed all five trials but was only being promoted to Tokubetsu Jonin."
"What?" he rumbled loudly, "That's not fair!"
She smiled at his predictable, supportive reaction, and continued, "No, she had a good reason. She told me that I'm a different person around you, and she is right. When I'm with you, I'm the woman I want to be. But the rest of the time, I still struggle not to be the shy doormat that you never noticed."
"Hinata, you're not like that..." he tried to protest, but she shook her head.
"I am," she told him, "When Lady Tsunade told me I wouldn't be promoted, I just accepted that I didn't deserve it. I didn't even think to ask why. And most of this last year, I have let Sakura walk all over me. I stood up to her only once or twice, the rest of the time I just took her abuse."
"So, going back to my original, badly phrased point," she took a deep breath, "I won't be able to train with you as much for a while. Starting next week, when we aren't on missions, Tenten will be helping me with my weapons skills on Mondays and Thursdays, and Shizune will be teaching me more Genjutsu on Tuesdays and Saturdays. And more importantly, they are going to try to help me become stronger and more independent, without relying on you."
"We can still train on the other days," she added quickly, "and go on dates in the evenings. And we'll still have assignments together. But I can't become who I need to be away from you if we're always together. I really am sorry, Naruto, but I need to do this for myself."
"Hinata," he chided her gently as he embraced her again, "It's fine. I don't want to be the one to hold you back."
"Thank you, Naruto," she sounded relieved.
"I guess, since I'm gonna have more free time," he pondered, "maybe I'll ask Kakashi-sensei to give me a crash course in Genjutsu again, now that I seem to be able to do it..."
"Wait a minute, Kakashi-sensei," Naruto complained over the top of the boxes labeled 'kitchen', "What are we doing here?"
They stood outside the gate to the largest estate in the Hidden Leaf Village. The Monday morning sun shone on a door marked with a familiar red and white fan.
"This is where I am moving to," Kakashi Hatake set down the light package of clothing he was carrying, and fished out an ornate key. He slid it into the lock and the tines of the key aligned with the tumblers, as the chakra in the device deactivated the defensive jutsu seals in the walls. He pushed the large gate inwards, and retrieved his parcel.
"What's going on here, sensei?" Naruto demanded again, "You said you had something important to tell us, and then you rope us into helping you move. Now you're saying you're moving into the Uchiha house?"
"Some of what I have to tell you will be easier with some visual aids," the Copy-Ninja informed his teenaged charges, "And this place affords us a special level confidentiality."
Sakura followed the older Jonin in, while Hinata waited for Naruto to finish his exaggerated fuming before following them in. Hatake closed the portal behind them and secured it. As he locked the entrance, Yugao Uzuki emerged from one of the homes near them. Ni-ne darted out afterwards, and charged Hinata, rubbing against the young woman's legs. Despite the distraction, the keen-eyed Kunoichi was the first to notice that the former ANBU agent was carrying a very recognizable bundle.
"Yugao-sensei, is that..." Hinata started.
"I would like you all to meet my daughter," Kakashi pre-empted her, "Rei Uchiha."
Then everyone turned to the sound of breaking plates as Naruto dropped his boxes in shock.
Kakashi finished explaining to his apprentices the origins of his daughter. He filled them in on Itachi's last request and Kisame's secret. Then Yugao took over, and told them how Kakashi attempted to dump her, and how she refused and chose instead to be Rei's mother.
"... and since the Uchiha estate belongs to Rei by right," Kakashi concluded, "The Hokage has convinced the clan leaders to let us live here and raise her."
"So you three are going to be a family," Naruto said thoughtfully, "Well, I guess four if you count Ni-ne."
Then he grinned broadly, "Well, if you ever need a babysitter, just give me a call."
"I'll keep that in mind," the male Jonin said blandly. Then his face grew worried and he added, "But that does bring up the second thing I want to talk to you three about."
"You see, Rei's life is not going to be easy," he explained, "I'm not sure if the Hokage intends to reveal the truth about Itachi, but either way, being his daughter will be a burden for her. And there will be those will want to use her, or expect her to become a perfect Uchiha, without giving her a chance to be her own person. And I need to be here to protect her from that. That's why, as of today, I'm retiring from active duty."
Yugao looked at him wistfully, while his teenage charges' jaws dropped.
"Rei needs a full time father," he continued, "I can't be gone for days or weeks at a time. And she has already been orphaned once, so I can't take the risk of that happening again."
"He already has the overprotective father act down," Yugao commented with a loving smile, "The Hokage finds it annoying, but I think it's cute."
"What does this mean for us, Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asked thoughtfully.
"That's up to you," he answered directly, "I have spoken with Lady Tsunade, and we both think there is still plenty I can teach you three. So, if you are willing, you will remain team Kakashi. I won't go on missions with you, but I'll remain your contact with Ops and you will have lessons here.
"I guess that's OK," Naruto rubbed the back of his head, embarrassed by his happiness to not be totally separated from his mentor.
"It would be weird not to have you as our teacher and squad leader," Sakura agreed. Then all four of them looked at Hinata, and Ni-ne meowed at the young woman.
"What?" the pale beauty was surprised by the attention, then realized she had not spoken, "Yes, of course. I was honored to become your student, Kakashi-sensei. I would be happy to keep the name Team Kakashi."
"So what are you going to do?" Sakura asked their leader.
"I'm going to take the next year or so off to raise my daughter," he informed them, "And next April, at the start of the new school year I will become a teacher at the academy. That way I can keep close to Rei but still contribute and get a paycheck."
Hinata turned to the other Jonin and asked, "And what about you, Yugao-sensei?"
"I will remain on active duty," the elegant woman answered, "But the Wet Nurse Seal lasts around four months, and Shino will be out for around the same amount of time, so I will be taking some leave to spend that time with Kakashi and our little girl."
The conversation died down as the teen ninjas considered the bombshells they had been struck with.
"Yugao-sensei?" Hinata spoke up again, after the others had had a moment to breathe, "Why aren't you wearing your engagement ring?"
"I told you she would notice," Kakashi noted blandly.
"I wanted to have it with me," Yugao protested as she gently passed Rei to him. Then she slipped her left hand into one of her pouches and withdrew it wearing a golden band set with a broad, flat diamond and two small sapphires. Both of the younger women rushed to her side to fawn over the ring. Naruto grinned nervously and secretly sent his teacher a dirty look, but the older ninja could only shrug slyly in response.
A short time later, Sasame Fuma joined them, and helped finish moving the two Jonin in to their new home. They kept Rei's parentage a secret from Yugao's student, telling her only that the infant was the child of one of Kakashi's old ANBU friends. They also informed the trap specialist of her teacher and Kakashi's intentions. When Naruto asked Sasame about her teammates, the thread user told them about Shino, to Uzumaki's immense relief. She purposely avoided mentioning Kiba, which the members of Team Kakashi took to mean Inuzuka was still holding his grudge over the Kyubi.
After the new family was unpacked, they ordered pizza to thank the teens. And when their lunch was concluded, they dismissed the younger shinobi; claiming a desire to relax and settle into their new abode. The three girls left immediately, but the fox-faced boy hung back to approach Kakashi with his new training request. In the end both Jonin offered to help him with his Genjutsu, and Naruto left feeling generally pleased. He quickly jogged home, needing to shower again and get changed for his date with Hinata a short time later.
When he reached his condo, he was mildly surprised to find Sakura leaning against his doorjamb. She quickly straightened when she saw him. The medic did not meet his eyes, and instead stared at his chest.
"Hey, Sakura," he said haltingly, "Is there something I can do for you?"
"Naruto," she said softly, "there is something I need to say to you."
She took a step closer, raising her chin slightly. She was breathing rigidly and her cheeks were flush.
"Are you feeling OK?" he asked, "It's been a rough few days. Do you have a fever?"
As he said that, suddenly memories came rushing back. Asking another red-faced girl if she had a fever. But now he knew what that had meant.
"Sakura, no way..." he started to protest, but she was too close. She grabbed his shoulders and lifted her face to his. Her kiss was soft at first, but she pressed in harder, more urgently. Naruto tried to pull away, but she was stronger than him. He could not escape without potentially injuring her. Then he felt a wetness where her cheek brushed his. Finally, she released him.
"I love you, Naruto," she smiled shyly through her tears, "I've been in love with you for a while now. For so long I tried to tell myself that it wasn't true, that you were still the same shrimpy twerp who always messed things up and annoyed me. But Ino and Tenten and even Shizune kept teasing me about it. And when Lee asked me about it, I finally had to admit it to myself. You are reliable, and kind, and handsome, and I have to have you in my life."
"And now we can be together," she continued quickly. Sakura knew she was practically babbling, but she couldn't let him get a word in until he understood. And the Kunoichi also knew she had to be careful not to mention that name.
"Just like you always wanted," she forced out, "Dating, spending time together as boyfriend and girlfriend, anything."
She blushed deeper at the end, but she did not amend or take back the brazen offer. Naruto studied her, his face blank.
"Please, Naruto," Sakura pleaded, "say something."
He took her shoulders, and for a moment, her heart flew. But then Naruto stepped back, holding her at a distance.
"I'm sorry, Sakura," he whispered, "I can't give you what you want."
"I know you don't want to hurt Hinata," she conceded, finally acknowledging her rival, "You're always so loyal and considerate. And she will be sad, but she only wants what's best for you. We'll make her understand that this what you need to be happy."
She tried to embrace him, to kiss him again, but he held her at bay firmly.
"You're wrong," he said carefully, "This isn't about Hinata. I'm not in love with you Sakura. And I don't think you're in love with me."
"How can you say that?" she gasped, her tears changing from worry and release to offense and sadness.
"I was a kid," he told her gently, "A lonely child. You were cute and elegant, but also very passionate when you argued with Ino or yelled at me."
"Not that you aren't still cute, elegant, and passionate," he reassured her, "But the reason I had a crush on you was because I saw myself in that hidden side of you. And I find you attractive. But that's not love. It's why we became good friends, but it's also the reason we would never work out. We're too much alike."
"Now you're the lonely one. You finally figured out I'm not the same as I used to be. And you're also a little jealous," he said, "So you have a crush on me. But I don't think its real. It's not like what I feel for Hinata and what she feels for me."
"You're right," Uzumaki confirmed, interrupting her protest, "if I told Hinata being with you would make me happy, I think she would let me go and pretend to smile. Because she puts me before herself, just like I put her before myself."
She remembered his determined look when Hinata was dying. He was tired and at least partially knew the risks, but did not hesitate to save Hinata, even though he had not admitted his feelings yet. She recalled the trial, and how after Naruto was promoted, he didn't seem to care. He was only looking for Hinata in the crowd.
"And I'm not doing that," Sakura whispered.
"You did once," he murmured, "When you offered to leave behind your friends, your family, and your honor, to go with Sasuke."
She froze suddenly, her eyes wide and unfocused.
"I'm sorry, Sakura," he said again, "I don't want to hurt you, but I need you to understand."
"You're probably right," she sniffed as she recovered, wiping her face, "Maybe I'm just using you as a substitute."
"Besides," she smirked unevenly at him, "If you dumped Hinata for me just like that, I could never really trust or respect you."
"I think I should go," she said after a deep breath, "I'll see you at Kakashi-sensei's place tomorrow, OK."
Sakura ran quickly to the end of the veranda, but stopped with a look of surprise and fright when she turned into the stairwell. After she recovered, the healer hurried away.
"Are you sure?" Hinata's silver eyes were also moist, as she stepped into the open-air hallway, walking slowly towards him, "She was the one you always wanted, before I forced my way into your life."
"You made me open my eyes," he shook his head, denying her claim, "But I offered you my heart of my own free will. I love you, Hinata Hyuga, more than I can even try to describe. Sakura may have been my dream in the past, but you are my dream in the present and for the future."
"I love you, Naruto," she dove the rest of the way into his arms. He held her for a moment and then kissed her ardently.
"And this was the real reason Sakura was bullying you?"
She nodded. Naruto sighed again at his failure to notice and to protect his beloved. Looking at her, another thought occurred to him
"So how much did you see?" he asked softly, "I didn't catch your scent until I told Sakura she was just feeling lonely, but it looks like you've been watching for longer than that."
He removed his right hand from her waist to affectionately trace one of the distended veins between her left eye and temple.
"I saw the whole thing," she told him sadly.
"I'm so sorry, Hinata," his voice was sad, and desperately sincere, "If I had known..."
"It's OK," she reassured him gently, "it wasn't your fault, and you didn't do anything wrong."
"But I'm not really feeling up to going out anymore," she said tentatively, "So, if it's alright with you, can we just stay in tonight?"
He laced his fingers in hers in affirmation, and opened the door.
"Although," he joked, "I haven't really had time to get groceries in the last two weeks, between the Jonin trials and getting kidnapped."
She squeezed his hand happily and said, "I'm sure we'll find something. I always can find what I'm looking for with you."
Naruto kissed her again, but when he broke off, he informed her, "That was pretty corny, Hinata."
"You must be rubbing off on me," she countered, finally smiling, "It's probably a good thing I'll be spending extra time with some better influences for a while."
"Hey!" Naruto complained, and she laughed joyfully as he closed the door behind them.
The End, A Growing Affection, Book 2
Beginning Sept '09, A Growing Affection, Book 3
Please see my profile, for a link to an image of Hinata from A Growing Affection.