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ᗰOᑎᔕTEᖇ	By : Sessakag Category: Naruto > Het - Male/Female > Naruto/Hinata Views: 44706 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Chapter Forty-Three
Anything But Orange

May 5, 2010

Naruto stepped outside and started down the hall leading to the stairwell. Up ahead he saw the tail end of a large dog.
“Yo, Kiba!” he called out, “Akamaru!”
He jogged up to man and dog, a wide smile on his face. While Akamaru barked a greeting, his two legged friend merely watched his approach with a enigmatic expression Naruto had never seen on the other man’s face before. He was still behaving strangely.
This Tamaki situation had to be pretty serious…
Kiba moped and pouted when they were on the outs, but this seemed deeper than mere aggravation or mild sadness. Whatever had happened between those two was really eating at the Inuzuka.
“Hey Naruto,” the feral man finally greeted.
“You guys headed out for a walk in the forest again?”
It was one of their most frequent pastimes, and had been since Akamaru was puppy, but strangely, the question brought his dark brown crashing together, and a dull pink coated his cheeks. Confused, the blonde raised a curious brow.
What was with that reaction?
“No.”
That was it, no follow up, no elaboration at all. Just no. It was so unlike him that Naruto was at a lost for words. Kiba was as talkative as him, and they often exchanged more than a few words about their plans for the day.
He blinked.
Okay…what the hell was going on?
“Soooo, a mission then?”
“No,” he repeated, irritation coating his voice.
Kiba was in a really bad mood. Nowhere near his normal, ‘I’m not in the mood’ energy. There were some seriously strong waves radiating from his friend.
“Kiba, what the hell is going on with you?” Naruto asked, “you’ve been acting funny since you found out Sasuke was back in town. He’s gone and you’re still acting funny, ‘ttebayo. Shikamaru said something happened with you and Tamaki, and if that’s the case then you could’ve just come out and said that. Everybody’s been busy lately, but it’s not like we’re completely outta reach. If you need a guy’s day to get some shit off your chest then let’s do it. Whatever happened, we can grab some beers and talk about it like we always do. Its obviously buggin’ the fuck outta you.”
“Maybe I don’t wanna talk about it.”
“That’s fine too. You don’t talk about it, but we can still hang out and talk about other shit. That’ll at least take your mind off of it for a little while.”
That’s what they’d done in the past. He and the guys didn’t share everything but they did support each other when something was bothering them, whether it was their love life, mission troubles or otherwise. Kiba especially took advantage of those mini get togethers, drinking, clowning and getting on everybody’s nerves.
It was fun.
Relaxing and unburdening for all parties involved even if no one shared what was on their heart.
The shaggy haired man in front him was usually the one to initiate a ‘man day’, but that hadn’t happened in a while. Come to think of it, Kiba hadn’t come sniffing around for food in forever either. The jonin had chalked it up as confirmation that Tamaki’s cooking lessons were panning out, but maybe something else was going on. Maybe they were on the verge of a break up or something. They weren’t all that prone to serious arguments, small spats here and there but hell, anything was possible.
What else could be bothering him this much?
Kiba sighed.
“Maybe some other time, Naruto,” he muttered, “look, we gotta go.”
“Alright,” he acquiesced with a concerned frown, “but we’re gonna hang out soon and you can keep it to yourself or tell us about it if you want to, dattebayo. And if you wanna talk about it before then let me know. Or if you need a fight, we can always find a empty training ground and spar.”
Reaching up, Kiba scratched at his shaggy hair, a pensive look on his face and that red from earlier returning to his cheeks.
It left him just as baffled this time as it had the first time.
“Yeah, I’ll let you know,” Kiba murmured, “later.”
Kiba turned and head back down the hall. With a small whine, Akamaru bumped his hand. Naruto gave the dog a scratch then watched as the hound trailed after his master. They disappeared into the stairwell and descended.
Naruto watched as they disappeared, his frown deepening.
What in the world had happened between those two to have Kiba this…moody?
Running a confused hand through his hair, the blonde started walking again. He hoped Sanzo would be a little more forthcoming than Kiba. Considering both of them had many temperament qualities in common, he was damn sure it wasn’t gonna be easy to break through whatever wall the teen had built around his emotional hurts.
But, it wasn’t as though he were a stranger to putting in hard work.
He was that knucklehead’s sensei, and just as those that had mentored him when he was young, the Jinchuuriki would do everything in his power to provide the boy with worldly wisdom, the training of a shinobi and a safe haven to speak freely while he grew into the man he was meant to be. Of course, camaraderie, precious memories and life lessons along with a slew of other experiences that bloomed between pupil and sensei were also apart of his responsibility, but that went without saying. This was something he had to put all of his energy into.
xxxxxx
“Hinata-san?”
Hinata looked down at the girl walking next to her. Worried with a touch of sadness, Tani had been quiet nearly the entire way to the Hyuuga compound. Hinata had tried a few times to banish the expression on her face with small conversation. Asking how her Yuma was, how her family in general was. She’d met quite a few of Tani’s siblings.
Yuma Nakamoto was the eldest at age twenty two. Riku Nakamoto was next in line, aged twenty; Hinata had had a fairly benign mission with her once. She had yet to meet Kaito Nakamoto, but from what Tani had told her, the sixteen year old girl seemed disinclined to follow the shinobi way of life. Lastly, their little brother, the only male among the five siblings, was no older than nine. Hinata hadn’t had the privilege of meeting him either, she had only heard stories about him from Tani and Naruto. The moment the child had been told his older sister had been assigned to his idol, he’d cropped up as often as he could, often pelting the blonde jonin with questions, interrupting training sessions and otherwise annoying both Tani and Sanzo. Since he’d started at the Academy, these occurrences were few and far between.
So far, the light conversation hadn’t produced anything other than lackluster replies, contrary to the enthusiastic way in which she normally spoke about her large family. Hinata had been seconds away from flat out asking Tani what was wrong when she spoke.
“Yes Tani?”
“What…would you do if one of your friend’s were…upset but you couldn’t get them to tell you what’s wrong?”
She stopped, Tani mirroring the standstill.
“Well,” the gentle Hyuuga began, “first and foremost, I would let this friend know that I love and support them, that whatever they’re going through, they aren’t alone in it. That they can tell me anything, whatever is hurting them, and we’ll work on it together…and if it’s not something that I can help with, if it’s nothing I can do to change their circumstances, then I want them to know that I’m more than willing to give them a ear to unburden their heart, and a shoulder to cry on whenever needed.”
She reached out and gave a gentle stroke to the forest colored hair atop the genin’s head.
“If it were my friend, that’s where I would start,” she told her with a soft smile, “we can’t always expect the people we love to open up to us about everything, but that should never stop us from being there for them as if they had. Whether they tell us what’s wrong or keep it to themselves, remain a place for them to find peace and understanding.”
Eyes shimmering with moisture and emotion, Tani nodded.
“And don’t be discouraged,” she told her, reaching for her hand next and giving the small appendage a encouraging squeeze, “you can only try your best to reach someone’s heart. The fact that you tried means more to that person than you could ever imagine. You have a wonderful, compassionate heart, and its hard, I know it’s hard, honey. It will always be hard to watch someone you care about struggle and hurt. It hurts you too. But instead of allowing it to eat away at you, comfort yourself with the knowledge that should they ever need you, when they finally need you, you’ll be there to support them in anyway that you can. That you’ll have created a haven they feel safe to retreat to.”
Tani seemed to contemplate that, her brows slightly furrowing.
“It may take you a while to reach that place of peace, and while it won’t stop the worry, it will give value to that worry you’re feeling. In the mean time, as you grow into a young woman, don’t give up trying to understand the people in your life. For the friends you care about, the people you love, never give up.”
She smiled at that.
“I won’t. I promise.”
“Then it’s a promise. Whenever you need advice, feel free to come to me again. It can be really tricky trying to understand some else’s feelings. Especially boys. They’re prone to putting on tough guy fronts,” she giggled, “it’s harder for them to express themselves than girls. As open as he is, Naruto-kun can be like that at times, but there are ways for us girls to read between the silent lines. Storming off, becoming irritable, picking fights, these are the most apparent signs, but there are more subtle behaviors.”
Curiosity shining in her innocent eyes, Tani leaned towards her.
“Watch what they do, not so much what they say. Sometimes, they seek your support with deeds rather than words, without even letting you know that you’re giving them comfort. They may come and sit next to you without speaking a single word and thank you later for simply being there at the time. Kiba would ask me to walk Akamaru with him when he was upset. Shino would invite me to catch bugs with him, and explain the different types in…more detail than usual. Naruto-kun will pout or reach for a hug without a word. Everyone communicates differently, it’s up you to learn when they’re speaking and in what way.”
Tani laughed.
“Sensei pouts a lot, Hinata-san,” the girl said, “and he’s always trying to hug you.”
“That is true,” the older woman laughed, adjusting the satchel full of wedding catalogs on her shoulder and once more moving towards the compound, “but there are different types of hugs and pouts.”
“Different ones?”
Hinata nodded.
“That’s why you have to watch very carefully to learn the difference between each smile, frown and hug. They can mean different things from one moment to the next and based on what you’ve learned, you’ll know how to respond to each and every one of them.”
They reached the compound shortly after. Hinata opened the doors for the young girl then stepped through. Both inclining their heads to the many Hyuuga they passed through the common area. The two climbed the short staircase to the main house double doored entrance, with Hinata ushering her teen visitor through the wooden panels.
“Onee-san!” Hanabi called the moment the two stepped through the main doors.
“Hanabi,” the older sister smiled, “good morning.”
“Ehh? You brought Tani with you?” the fifteen year old noted happily, “Hey Tani, long time no see.”
“It’s been a while,” the thirteen year old agreed with a smile.
The two had met a while back on one of the many occasions Hinata had made lunch for her then boyfriend and his genin team. While visiting her sister and father, Hinata had made use of the kitchen at the compound, planning to take the food to them after she left, however, itching to leave the ‘stuffy’ confines of the Hyuuga residence, Hanabi had pleaded to come along. And so, that day, Hanabi had been introduced to the two boys and girl. Of course, with the four kids being so close in age, they’d hit it off very well during lunch.
For the two adults, Sanzo and Hanabi’s mischievous natures had led to some…interesting and exasperating moments.
“Are you here to help us plan the wedding? Onee-san told us you were really excited about it.”
This brought a genuine smile to the green haired teen’s face.
She nodded excitedly.
“Great! I’m excited about it too, but I’m relieved I’ll have someone closer to my age to talk to while all the planning is going on,” Hanabi admitted with a roll of her eyes, “halfway through the exciting parts, the adults are gonna start talking about boring stuff; like what kind of diet they’re on because they gained two pounds, who’s feeling moody and bloated today, why Naruto-onii-san is the only one serious about their relationship considering he’s the only boyfriend to propose, what recipes they wanna swap this week. You know, the boring stuff.”
“Hanabi…” Hinata sighed.
Tani giggled.
“Can you please go and get ready?” the long suffering older Hyuuga asked.
“Sure,” Hanabi grinned, before reaching out for Tani’s hand, “come on Tani, you can help me pick something out,”
She led the younger girl deeper into the elaborate mansion. Hinata rubbed her temples as the two disappeared. It didn’t take long for her little sister to thoroughly exasperate her. She’d had fifteen years to practice and Hinata didn’t think she’d start mellowing any time soon, if ever. To Hanabi, being a pain in the neck wasn’t just a pastime, it was an art.
Hinata wandered in the opposite direction, moving towards her mother’s rooms.
“She needs time, Hiashi. Time and understanding.”
The softly spoken words stopped her just before an open door.
“I’m not objecting to providing her both,” her father replied, “I understand she’s upset. I understand that she is angry, however, that does not entitle her to behave in a disrespectful manner towards anyone she chooses.”
“I do not believe she meant to show me disrespect,” her mother negated quietly, “she raised her voice, Hiashi, it was no more than that. She is angry that I am not angry. She feels slighted, not just for herself, not just for Hinata, but for me as well. She apologized and explained this to me after her outburst.”
“Once is a mistake, twice forgivable, but this has been a constant pattern, Hanako. I will not allow these…outbursts to continue much longer. She’s expanded her temper to more than just you and I. Its getting out of hand.”
“I will talk to her again.”
There was a brief pause.
“Then I will hold my tongue for the time being.”
She heard the shifting of clothing.
Someone was getting up.
Hinata rounded the corner, being careful to keep her face composed. Her mother was seated at a low table, her father standing with his back to the door. There was tension in the room, and her mother’s face was drawn and distraught. It cleared the moment she noticed her eldest daughter.
“Mother, father, good morning,” Hinata greeted.
“Hinata, good morning sweetheart,” her mother replied warmly.
“Good morning,” her stern faced father said.
“I came to ask if you would like to join Tani, Hanabi and the others, we’re meeting at Sakura’s house to go over wedding details.”
“Of course. I would love to.”
Hanako stood, then moved to enfold her in a hug. Hinata accepted the embrace, a worried frown painting her lips.
The walk to Sakura’s residence saw the two teens trailing the two adults, engaging in pleasant conversation as the walked, while mother and eldest daughter spoke quietly about…exchanging recipes. Hinata had cringed internally when the conversation steered towards this very interesting, but, according to Hanabi, very boring topic. She couldn’t help wanting to discuss the various ways one could create the same dish. Cooking was a passion of hers. She wasn’t sure that this interest had anything to do with age as her little sister assumed, but more so an inclination towards the culinary arts. No matter how old she got, Hinata didn’t see her sister ever wanting to discuss cooking with her or their mother, or anyone else for that matter. Hanabi was of Naruto’s tenor, she equally hated being in the kitchen and avoided it as often as she could.
Everyone was waiting for them when they arrived. Sakura met them at the door.
“Good morning,” the two women and teens greeted.
“Good morning,” the pinkette responded, “you must be Hanako-san. It nice to finally meet you.”
“And you, Sakura-san.”
“Please come in,” she replied, stepping aide for the group to enter.
The kitchen table held the usual group with one extra. Hinata approached the familiar face as her group of friends rose to welcome and introduce themselves to her mother.
“Temari-san, good morning. I didn’t know you were in town,” Hinata said.
“The Kazekage sends his regards and wishes you the best,” the blonde replied, “he says he’ll be able to make it to your wedding in August.”
“That’s wonderful. I’m happy he’s able to attend, and I know Naruto-kun will be really happy. We worried the change would cut a lot of people from the guest list.”
“With things quieting across every nation, he’s been able to move around more fluidly. As long as this continues, short of important developments in Suna, Gaara will be there.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“Alright,” Ino chirped, “we’re all acquainted, shall we proceed to with the planning?”
They took a seat at the table. Hinata placed the somewhat heavy bag on the floor near her chair and began handing out laminated booklets.
“So, romantic theme, whimsical style.” Tenten reiterated for the group at large.
Hinata nodded.
“Orange sunset, and lilac hues.” Ino added.
Hinata nodded again.
“That sounds so pretty.” Tani sighed.
“I hope so,” Hinata giggled, “those colors are hardly traditional.”
“Well neither are you two, Onee-san, so it actually works.”
“Said that right,” Ino chuckled.
“Hmmm, so how an outdoor ceremony. There’s a perfect spot for it in central park,” Sakura suggested, “there’s this giant tree with really elegant branches. They’re low hanging, wide and there’s a ton of them. They’re shaped in a way that the tree creates a really romantic alcove above your head. Here, I took a picture of it.”
She took slid the picture she’d sat on the table towards the bride-to-be. Hinata looked at the scene and was immediately smitten with the location. The tree was in fact huge and quite lovely. Several smaller, but just as elegant trees created a wide path starting from somewhere off the picture and leading towards the main tree, like a sort of red carpet carved by nature. She could place seating along that path with the trees creating the illusion of outer walls.
“If we fix some orange, amber and maybe even tawny firefly bunch lights to the branches, some hanging some woven among them, it’d give you that sunset you’re going for along with a whimsical, romantic feel.”
“That’s perfect, Sakura, thank you,” she breathed, excitement stirring in her chest, “can I take this picture to show Naruto-kun?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you.”
“Alright, so we have a venue, and partial decorations, what about the lilac portion?” Tenten asked.
“I’ll be handling that of course,” Ino pipped up, “flowers, lining that pathway and leading towards the tree.”
“Towards sensei and the sunset,” Tani sighed dreamily.
Hanako laughed quietly.
Though blushing, Hinata couldn’t help but giggle. She also felt dreamy, imaging her walk to the man of her dreams.
“Aw, she’s adorable,” Temari laughed.
Tani gave a self-conscious but pleased smile.
“We can twined sheer lilac voile fabric between the trees above, and create a canopy,” Hinata murmured, “I think that would look nice.”
The females nodded.
“Absolutely,” Ino said, “I can weave some pretty flowers, strip lights and vines with them. More whimsical for your wedding.”
“That’d be wonderful.”
They talked at length about decorations and logistics in the space they’d chosen. They even settled on a general time. Right before afternoon melded into evening, when darkness was creeping towards the sky. It’d give her lavender decorations time to be appreciated fully before the setting sun and full darkness illuminated the artificial sunset they created above and around the wedding arch. Though the lights in the voile fabric would see that that soft color remained an integral part of the scenery.
“What about bridesmaid dresses?” Hanabi asked.
“I am not wearing orange to a wedding!” Ino declared immediately.
“You are if Hinata says you are.” Sakura announced.
“No way!” the blonde huffed, “orange is the worst color on me!”
“It’s her wedding, not you fashion show, ya know,” Tenten reminded her.
“I know, but it’s not just the color bringing out my worse features, did you all forget that I had to go through her soon-to-be husband’s closet?” she shuddered, “all that orange. Everything was orange! I drowned in a closet of tangerines!”
The table erupted into laughter. Though mostly quiet and observing, Hinata could tell her mother was vastly amused by the interactions occurring around her.
“How long are you going to use that excuse to avoid wearing orange?” her best friend questioned, arching a pink brow, “it’s been two years now, Ino, let it go.”
“It’s not an excuse!” Ino laughed, “I’m traumatized! You look absolutely gorgeous in that pretty orange dress you’re wearing Hinata, but even that is making me nervous!”
“Oh dear,” Hanako laughed.
“Suck it up buttercup!” she cackled, “if it’s orange Hinata wants, orange Hinata gets. You have any idea how long she’s been waiting for that goof ball?”
“Years,” Hanabi, Temari, Ino, Tenten, and Sakura answered in unison, bringing red to the woman in question cheeks.
“Right,” the medical nin continued, “so let her have what she wants without your bellyaching. God knows she’s earned it. I have no idea how she waited that long for him to even realize what love actually was. On top of that, having to deal with his high energy antics on a daily basis. She’s got the restraint of a monk.”
“The patience of a saint,” Temari commented with a exasperated shake of her head.
“The durability of steel,” Tenten added.
“And the tenacity of a lion,” Hanabi proclaimed.
“So cut her some slack,” Sakura grinned, looping an arm around the pouting girl’s neck, “you’ll only be dressed like a tangerine for a few hours…and of course immortalized as one when we take pictures.”
Ino threw her arms off with a huff.
Hinata laughed.
“To be honest Ino, I was thinking of having a combination of royal purple and lavender amongst my bridesmaids with orange bridesmaid bouquets-”
“Whew! Absolutely!” Ino whooped excitedly, “it’s your wedding! What you say goes! Purple to lavender hued gowns with orange bouquets, got it! We got it!”
Her sides were hurting by the time she finished laughing. Wiping tears, Hinata smiled at the chortling table. She was happy she had friends like these. They were making this entire undertaking such an amusing task. She knew wedding planning was supposed to be stressful and chaotic, she felt the opposite.
“Of course, I’ll take care of the bouquets, yours as well if you’d like?” the beaming Yamanaka offered.
Hinata nodded.
“I’d love that.”
The happy Hyuuga pulled out a few more catalogs.
“If everyone could circle a design they like, we could meet again another time and decide the cut of the gowns,” she suggested, “and what hues everyone will would like to wear.”
The women agreed.
“And the cake?” Hanako questioned.
“Ah, well, I’d like to pick the design and go on a few cake tasting appointments with Naruto-kun.”
“He’ll enjoy that.”
“I think so too.”
“How about catering?” Temari prompted, “do you have a set menu?”
“Partially,” she said, “I’ll have everyone’s favorites, but I don’t really know what to order for the other guests. The caterer wants to schedule a tasting for the menu. I’d like you all to come if you don’t mind.”
“Of course, just let us know when,” Sakura answered.
“Hmmm, I don’t know. If I wanna look as good as possible before the wedding I’m gonna have to shed these stubborn two pounds,” Ino said, “food tasting probably won’t help the situation.”
Hanabi snickered then sent Tani a look. Hinata didn’t know whether to laugh or scold her little sister.
“Oh come on, one day of food tasting won’t hurt,” Tenten dismissed, “besides, those two pounds are probably just bloating.”
Hanabi and her co-conspirator held back giggles.
“And if you’re really worried about weight, then go on a diet,” Temari suggested.
Hinata refused to look at those teenage terrors.
“I have a few recipes that are low in calories but very filling,” her mother told them, solidifying her eldest daughters exasperation.
xxxxxx
Stowing away the Kiba situation for later, Naruto stepped out onto the streets of Konoha. Senjutsu had pinpointed him the direction of the teen and informed him that he wasn’t alone.
Seinosuke was there with him.
At least the boy wasn’t by himself. Even if he was reluctant to speak about it, having someone near was always comforting, at least he believed so. He made his way to the comic book shop near the heart of Konoha and found the two teens immediately. There were standing outside near the display table. Seinosuke was holding up a colorful issue of some shinobi geared hero that look suspiciously like the blonde haired Uzumaki.
He wasn’t surprised.
Quite a few things had been modeled after him, named after him and written about him. Books, magazines, movies and other media forms he’d signed his approval of, all of which dived a generous portion of the proceeds to him and the village. As embarrassing as it was sometimes to come across stuff like this, it no longer shocked him to see his name, face or characteristics plastered everywhere he turned. For good or ill, Naruto Uzumaki was a global celebrity.
Sanzo stood quietly listening as his teammate spoke a bit animatedly about the book, but Naruto could tell his mind was miles away.
He walked towards them.
Seinosuke noticed him immediately.
“Sensei!” he called with a wave.
Sanzo turned, saw him, then arranged his face in one that feigned mild curiosity. Already he could see why Tani was worried. His face said ‘I’m fine’ but his eyes expressed the opposite.
“Hey you two,” the blonde greeted, “buying more comics?”
Seinosuke shook his head.
“No, I was showing Sanzo the one I got last year. They were out of stock for a long time but when I came yesterday there were more of them.”
“Which I told him I’m not interested in,” Sanzo huffed, “it’s just a knock off of the real one they made about sensei. A lot of the stuff they put in there is probably all made up anyway. Besides, what’s the point in reading about him when we can just ask him ourselves?”
“It’s fun,” the other boy shrugged.
“It’s a waste of time.”
“So why’d you buy the first six volumes when sensei’s manga came out?”
Flustered, Sanzo sent his friend an annoyed glare. Even in something so small and benign, the teen just could not admit to doing things he himself scorned aloud.
“Who told you that?” he demanded, “Tani and her big mouth probably.”
“Didn’t need her to, you always go on and on about how you don’t like something when secretly, you actually do. It’s so obvious,” the silver haired genin explained, “plus I’ve seen you reading every book from volume one to six out in the woods behind the training grounds after we’re done training.”
“You said you couldn’t stand those Hinata fanboy clubs, and I quote, ‘because they’re stupid and cringey’ but Tani caught you at a few of their meet ups, dattebayo.” Naruto added, a cheeky grin on his face.
“You always complain about Naruto-sensei ‘rambling about his life story’ but you’re constantly asking the other adults about him and watching his interviews. Some of them you saved on your phone, I saw it.”
Naruto raised an amused brow.
He knew his contradictory student held great admiration for him and was smitten with his significant other, but he didn’t know Sanzo was that interested in his life and accolades.
“You always act like you could care less about personally training with Naruto-sensei, but right after and for nearly a week it’s all you talk about.”
Annoyed and blushing, Sanzo’s mouth opened and closed like a fish before he settled on a response that bypassed the damning observations rather than addressed it.
“S-shut up Seinosuke! I was just skimming through that manga because I was bored!” he sputtered before settling his embarrassed gaze on the grinning blonde, “a-and you know Tani makes up stuff just to get a reaction out of other people!”
That was true, but, if the truth was more damaging, she’d settle on that instead. Given the charges she leveled and the half shaven headed teen’s reaction, they were more inclined to believe her in this regard as well as others. Just as Sanzo was easily read, so was Tani. They knew when she was pulling their leg or telling an embarrassing truth by the twinkle in her eyes.
“Why are you here anyway sensei?” Sanzo questioned rudely.
Smile widening, Naruto decided to give the kid a break. He’s been having a hard time outside their teasing, after all.
“Just finished running some errands and was about to find something to eat when I saw you two across the street,” he lied.
Though, he was actually really hungry.
Considering he’d skipped out on eating before he left the apartment, his empty belly was the perfect opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.
He’d get some food, then get Sanzo alone for a man to man conversation.
“Come on, I’ll treat you two to a late lunch, dattebayo.”
The mention of food knocked the irritation from the young boys face. Sanzo loved food as much as he did and with his mentor picking up the tab, he was even more excited about it.
That was until Naruto led them to the eatery.
“Ramen?” Sanzo pouted.
“You seriously gonna complain about a free meal?” the blonde questioned as he took a seat on an empty stool.
Seinosuke also picked a spot and sat without complaint.
“Dango would’ve been better,” muttered as he took the unoccupied seat between them.
“Nothing bonds a sensei and pupil more than hot ramen, young man!” a burly older man announced.
Naruto grinned as his long time favorite restaurant owner stepped from the back of the shop.
“Been a while since I’ve seen you old man Teuchi,” the jonin greeted.
“Got yourself a fiancée that’s skilled in the kitchen,” the older man nodded, “I expected to see less of ya. Can’t be helped. I’m just glad to see you happy and almost married. And of course, that you still come to see us every once and a while. One large miso char siu ramen?”
Naruto nodded.
“Thank you.”
“And for you two gentlemen?” the tall man questioned.
“Guess I’ll have the same,” Sanzo huffed without much interest.
“And I’ll have Tonkotsu ramen and a side of gyoza, sir.”
“Coming up!” Teuchi announced before setting to work on their orders.
“I thought you liked ramen.” Seinosuke said.
“I do,” the teen shrugged, “but I was in the mood for dango.”
“You’re always in the mood for dango,” the other boy sighed with a roll of his eyes, “you eat it at least twice a day.”
“I do not. Most days I only eat it once, and it’s not like it’s every day of the week. Besides, the last time I had dango was a week ago.”
“That’s only because you don’t have money for it this week,” the silver haired teen pointed out.
The comment, though innocent, seemed to dig at something deeper for his student. Both genin and jonin observed with concerned eyes, the quick change from normal contrarian Sanzo, to this moody, unhappy kid. Seinosuke gave him a telling look, one the blonde returned with a reassuring nod.
“Even if it’s not twice a day, you shouldn’t eat sweets that often,” Naruto scolded, “it’ll rot your teeth, but since you haven’t had one in a week, if you’re still hungry after this, I’ll take you to get dango once we’re finished.”
That seemed to mollify the green eyed teen.
Teuchi shook his head at the boy as he sat Naruto and Sanzo’s bowl in font of them. He turned for the last bowl as Naruto dug into his. Ichiraku was a close second to the ramen Hinata made back at home, and he had always believed whole heartedly that no one could beat Ichiraku Ramen. However, there was a significant difference, these noodles held memories of the past, while the one she made held the future. They hit his stomach and his heart differently.
“Kids your age just don’t appreciate the power of good, wholesome ramen,” Teuchi declared, setting down Seinosuke’s order, “Why, I remember Naruto when he was your age. Came here all the time with every sensei he’s had and look how he turned out! A sensei himself. Hero of the Leaf. Worldwide celebrity. Ramen can take you farther than you realize young man,”
“But isn’t that because of the mentors he’s had?” Seinosuke questioned, amusement curling his lips, “Having Rokudaime-sama and one of the Legendary Sannin as mentors, it’s no wonder sensei turned out as he strong as he is now. I don’t think ramen helped him become a war hero. He learned ninjutsu and taijutsu from two of the best shinobi’s in the world.”
“Hmmm, that’s not all he learned. Jiraiya-sensei sounds cool from the stories sensei told us, but every time he talks about him, he calls him Ero-Sennin,” Sanzo said, chewing as he talked, “even though he taught him some really cool jutsu, I think the biggest thing sensei learned from him is being a pervert.”
The sensei in question choked on his noodles. He turned shocked blue orbs to the boy sitting nonchalantly next to him.
Further down, Seinosuke laughed silently.
“Sanzo,” the blonde coughed, “what-”
He needn’t have asked, the two teens spelled it out for him, and as he listened, Naruto felt his face grow redder and redder.
“You’re always hugging Hinata-san,” Seinosuke pointed out, “and trying to kiss her.”
Sanzo nodded before adding his two cents, “You watch her backside when she walks and sometimes when you two are talking you’re not looking at her face, you’re staring at her chest.”
Old man Teuchi gave a hearty laugh while Naruto glared at his two pupils, his cheeks ablaze.
“T-that’s normal behavior for two adults that love each other!” the flustered Uzumaki sputtered, “you two are way too young to understand right now, dattebayo!”
“It’s not hard to understand, Ero-sensei!” Sanzo laughed.
Blonde brow twitching, the hot faced Uzumaki debated whether or not to put the cackling prankster and his co-conspirator in a headlock. Sanzo was prone to embarrassing any and everyone without regard for decorum, dignity or propriety, Tani too, but Seinosuke wasn’t usually an active participant. Apparently the grinning genin was adding himself to their ranks.
Now he had three knuckle-headed motor mouths to worry about.
Naruto rubbed his forehead, willing his face to cool.
It seemed like the older he got, the more karma bit him in the ass. He had no right to complain about the current situation considering he used to be one of those motor mouth brats that didn’t know when to hush. He still kind of was, considering he still called his greatest master Ero-sennin, even though that pervy old man had earned that name for life.
Glaring for all he was worth at the two, Naruto turned back to his bowl.
“Keep it up and you’re both gonna be paying for your own ramen, and you can forget about dango. You just talked yourself outta of desert, ‘ttebayo,” he muttered, eliciting another belly deep laugh from Teuchi.
So he had a hard time keeping his hands, eyes and mouth to himself around her, big deal! His fiancée was the most gorgeous woman in the world, sweeter than sugar and sexier than should be legal. What man in his right man wouldn’t be all over her every chance they got? Granted, his affection was…strong and frequent but it wasn’t abnormal.
It didn’t make him a pervert…
Right?
He pouted with an unconvinced sigh.
Even he didn’t buy it.
He was kind of a pervert when it came to her.
Shit…
Well…he sort of knew that deep down…
Still!
He couldn’t be that bad. Aside from blushing and slapping her cute little hands across his lips, Hinata had never complained about his wandering hands and filthy mouth. From the way she behaved, he got the impression she liked his attention and that was all that mattered right? Maybe it classified him as a perv, but as long as his wife-to-be liked it, he didn’t see a reason to hold back his desire for her any way he could get her.
However…
He narrowed his eyes at the two boys chatting idly with each other, blissfully unaware or uncaring of the embarrassment they’d caused their sensei. He’d have to watch himself around his student from now on. Sure he hugged and kissed her a lot, but he hadn’t realized they were paying such close attention to the unconscious ways he ogled his lover. Even he didn’t always know when he was doing it. Lusting after her voluptuous figure was second nature to him, especially with the flattering clothes she decorated that masterpiece she called a body with. Like that dress she wore today. Seeing her cloaked in his favorite color, looking so soft and feminine, the bright orange had proclaimed to him and rest of the world that she was his, and that in itself was an aphrodisiac he couldn’t ignore even if he wanted to. Hinata was everything he’d ever wanted, and everything he hadn’t known he needed. She stirred his heart just as much as his body. He couldn’t help wanting to fill his senses with her incredible presence.
Still he would have to start paying attention to what he allowed his enthusiastically healthy libido to display if he wanted avoid this blistering embarrassment down the line. His students saw way too much, knew way too much and talked way too much. If they were this blunt about his obsession with Hinata, he shuddered to contemplate what else they discussed when he wasn’t around.
Naruto sighed.
At least his situation seemed to have dug Sanzo from the hole he’d been in. The teen looked animated and interested in whatever he and his teammate were discussing.
Grinning and laughing as he normally was.
“You’re lucky you got here when you did. Bunch of women been standing here for the last couple hours hoping you’d show up. I shooed em’ away not fifteen minutes ago. Having a world renown hero as our best customer has definitely boosted our customer count, but those young ladies didn’t buy one bowl of ramen. The whole lot of them came here just to wait for you to show up.”
“That’s everywhere, dattebayo,” Naruto shrugged, “it’s better than it used to be, especially right after the war.”
“Got that right! As much as I appreciate the increased patronage, I do not miss those early days,” the middle aged man admitted with a head shake, “It was like trying to hold back a strong tide. Ayame and I were sore for months afterwards. We had to close a few times because of our own exhaustion and lack of supplies.”
Speaking of…
“Where is Ayame?” he asked.
“She’s at another one of those seminars.”
Naruto grimaced.
“No, no, no, nothing like that,” the older man laughed, “she’s not changing the menu again, she’s taking some management courses. She’ll be taking over the business in a few years.”
The news brought a pang to his chest.
“You gonna be retiring soon?”
“Now don’t you go looking at me like that Naruto, I’ll be around for at least another five or six years, but Ayame wants to start preparing now to make the transition as smooth as possible. And even after I retire, I’ll still come by the old shop and have a bowl with ya. It’ll be a nice change sitting next to you rather than standing in front of you.”
Naruto smiled, the ache in his chest dissolving. When put like that, he felt like he was gaining something rather than loosing it. He’d never actually sat and had ramen with the man that had been a fond constant in his sad life. Now, he really wanted to.
“I’ll be looking forward to it, dattebayo.”
Mealtime passed with light chattered and more banter. While his students were mischievous and lovably exasperating quite often, the conversation, thank goodness, didn’t stray towards anymore embarrassing jokes. Sufficiently stuffed, the trio said goodbye to Teuchi minutes later and stood outside the establishment for goodbyes.
“I gotta get home, Mom let me hang out early this morning, but she told me I had to be back by seven to do chores,” Seinosuke said, “thanks for the meal, sensei.”
“You’re welcome, dattebayo.”
His hawkish orbs turned to Sanzo.
“I’ll see you later. If you wanna…hang out again, you can come get me whenever. I already asked my mom and dad, they said its okay if you come over really early, as long as I’m home by curfew and get my chores done.”
Really early?
Sanzo wasn’t an early riser by any stretch of the imagination. He was always late any time they had to meet up in the morning, and his tired brain kept him sluggish until noon.
“Yeah, I will,” Sanzo agreed with a slight hunch of his shoulders and a pensive stare at the ground.
Seinosuke paused, taking in his friend with a small frown before turning his gaze to his teacher.
“Bye Sensei.”
“Bye.”
In the ensuing silence, the jonin turned his attention to the quiet kid next to him.
“You need to go home too?” Naruto questioned.
He looked as though that was the last place he wanted to go.
“No…”
“Then how about dango?”
Surprised, Sanzo turned wide emerald eyes to him.
“Yeah, I know what I said, but I changed my mind,” the blonde shrugged, lying through his teeth.
He’d had every intention of taking the boy to have a treat. Hand to hip, Naruto gave him a questioning look.
“You too full for desert?”
“Tch, no way,” the teen blustered.
Sanzo headed in the direction of the shop and Naruto fell into step along side him. He purchased the gooey spheres for his student, then led them off to a spot Sanzo frequented. He took a seat on the grassy ground, resting an arm on his up-drawn knee, his sandaled feet mere inches from the happily streaming water of the small stream. Still gorging on the sweets, Sanzo sat, munching contentedly.
The silence between them was contented, but not something Sanzo indulged in. He was usually a nonstop talker.
“You wanna tell me what’s been going on with you?” Naruto asked as he polished off the last bite.
Though his chewing slowed, the teen at his side didn’t answer.
Undeterred, Naruto pressed on.
“Something’s happening at home isn’t it?”
More silence.
Naruto braced himself as he voiced his worse fear.
“Is he abusing you, Sanzo?” the jonin asked quietly.
He’d put that man six feet below if he was, but he hoped with all his heart Sanzo hadn’t gone through something so heinous.
“No,” he denied, shaking his head, depressed eyes gazing at the now empty stick in his hand, “it’s…nothing like that it just…dad…he doesn’t understand. He doesn’t understand anything…he doesn’t understand me…”
Relived it wasn’t something as horrific as physical or sexual abuse, Naruto relaxed muscles he hadn’t realized were laced with tension, a small fraction. Still, he braced himself to delve further. Just because neither of those were happening, that didn’t mean Sanzo wasn’t living under abuse. Emotional, psychological; abuse took many shapes and forms, and he needed to know, was this a simple miscommunication between father and son, or something more sinister”
“He doesn’t understand you?” he repeated, “what do you mean by that, Sanzo?”
He clammed up, gazing off into the distance, the long side of his hair sliding over one of his stubborn eyes.
“Tell me something, Sanzo,” the compassionate Uzumaki urged, “give me some clue as to what’s going on at home. He may not be hurting you the way I was afraid of, but whatever is happening is really bothering you. Let me help you. Let me try and understand, ‘ttebayo. You can trust me.”
“I do trust you,” he muttered.
“I’m glad to hear that,” he said truthfully, giving the teen’s bowed head a ruffle, “I wouldn’t be much of a sensei if you didn’t trust me, at least a little.”
Sanzo was quiet again. Naruto waited patiently, hoping the silence was in preparation of him opening up.
“My dad…he never listens to me, all he cares about is himself. He doesn’t care how I feel about…” he trailed off, a pained expression crossing his face.
Naruto had met the man before and saw him around occasionally. He hadn’t gotten any bad vibes from him, or the feeling that the man was unfeeling and cold…but people could be deceiving. Not everyone showed their true face to the world. The quiet, somewhat subdued man that was Sanzo’s father could very well be hiding an emotionally bereft personality. Though the times he’d seen him, Kenji Kurisu appeared to be quite proud of his son and inquired how he was doing on the rare occasions the two interacted. Downtrodden, a bit melancholy, but not uncaring or disinterested in his child.
“How you feel about what, Sanzo?”
There was a pause in which he seemed to struggle. His response, when it came, was threadbare.
“About mom…”
Naruto felt his heart soften. Sanzo never spoke about the woman that had given birth to him.
“How do you feel about your mom?” he asked quietly.
There was an enigmatic look on his face, one, surprisingly, laced with anger. His little jaw clenched and his lips thinned. Naruto knew that stubborn lilt to his chin, that fire burning in his eyes.
He didn’t want to talk about it and he wasn’t going to.
That much Naruto knew.
And it confused the hell out of him, the wrath on his student’s face. From what he’d read in his file and been told about the boy upon being assigned his instructor, Naruto knew that his mother had perish due to illness not longer after he was born. Having lost her at a young age, Naruto could only wonder what had created the hard feelings Sanzo harbored when asked about his feelings towards the deceased woman that had given him life.
“I don’t wanna talk anymore, sensei.”
His voice was hard and uncompromising, laced with anger and underscored with sadness. Naruto was torn. He wanted to press, to unravel the distress surrounding his parents, but at the same time, he knew it’d only lead to a tantrum, and maybe, an even bigger wall.
“Then you don’t have to talk about it right now,” he replied, “I don’t want to push you into sharing what you’re not ready to share. I don’t know what’s going on between you and your father, or what your feelings are towards your mother, but I want you to know, I’m all ears when you want to talk about it. And I’ll help you in any way that I can. I care about you, Sanzo. I care about how you feel and when you’re hurt. I care when you’re sad and when you’re upset. You don’t have to carry it all on your own, ‘ttebayo. You have me, and I won’t let it bury you.”
It was late when the two parted. Naruto had walked the boy home, noting the lack of lights on and the emptiness of the residence. He wasn’t sure if that meant his father wasn’t home, or was asleep. Either way, the loneliness of the two story house felt reminiscent of the little apartment he’d grown up in, and it made his chest ache. He waited a few minutes for the a light to turn on in the Sanzo’s room before he turned and left.
Well, wasn’t as bad as he had feared, but he still had some digging to do.
He half expected this was some sort of miscommunication between father and son, but for his own peace of mind, he had to be sure.
For now, he’d mull over what he did know with his fiancée.
Speaking of.
Just as he had with Sanzo, Naruto took a few moments to seek out her gentle chakra signature. Finding it, he turned in the direction of the Hyuuga compound. She was just leaving it’s high gates when he arrived. She turned, unsurprised to see him there. Beneath the moons glow, her pale skin and neon orange dress stood out like beautiful beacon in the night. All at once, he felt his heart and mind settle.
He reached a hand towards her, smiling happily as she walked over and took it. Hand in hand, they started the walk home.
“Sanzo?” she questioned.
He gave a sigh.
“I’ll tell you about it later. How was the wedding planning?”
“Fun and productive,” she said, “we settled on a beautiful venue for the ceremony, and created a rough outline of the decorations. Sakura picked it out and took a picture of it, I’ll show it to you when we get home. I hope you like it.”
“As long as I get to make you my wife, and the place you picked makes you happy, I got no complaints,” he grinned, “still, I can’t wait to see what you came up with, dattebayo. I don’t know a lot about weddings, but making orange and lilac work seems like it would be really hard, so whatever you all came up with has gotta be amazing.”
“It is,” she cooed, “it’s going to be beautiful and unique. Like you.”
He chuckled then leaned down and planted a kiss to her crown.
“You might wanna stop being cute while wearing my color,” he warned, “or I’m not gonna be able to wait until we get home.”
Her face was fiery red, but the quiet desire in her eyes held his attention.
“What else did you do?” he questioned, his voice husky to his own ears.
“Picked out flowers and lights,” she murmured, her own voice holding a familiar tenor, “pretty fabrics and colors for the bridesmaid dresses. You still have to pick out your tux for you and your groomsmen to wear and I need your help picking out our wedding cake design. When we have time, I want to set up cake tasting appointments.”
He scratched his head.
Hell, he didn’t know anything about picking out formal wear. What if picked something that clashed with the wedding colors? Or suits that weren’t quite marriage ceremony appropriate?
He’d have the guys help him decide.
If nothing else they could keep him from settling on a design that was idiotic.
Worse case scenario, he could always visit that clothing shop for help, although, he kind of wanted to pick for himself. He wanted her to have whatever she wanted, but he also wanted to add his touch too. It was the ‘adding his touch’ that had him hesitant. He wasn’t one for finesse and harmonious selections in anything. His tastes were often loud and went against the grain. Hardly appropriate for their upcoming union.
He’d worry about that later though.
“Alright, I’ll get the guys to help me out with that,” he said, then, unable to help himself, “and let me know when you want me to taste your cake.”
Having spent years with him and his innuendos, she knew what cake he was referring to. The cake he loved the most.
“N-Naruto-kun!” she gasped.
“What?” he grinned, “at least I’m asking this time. I mean, if you’d rather I just slip beneath the sheets and taste the way I normally do then-”
Like clock work, she had his mouth covered in seconds, her face flushed despite the fact that there were very few people out at the moment, and none within hearing distance.
He laughed behind her hand.
“A-Are you going to behave?” she questioned.
He gave her a look.
You already know I won’t.
He kissed her little hand in apology though.
Her ears were steaming by the time they stepped through the door and he’d laughed so hard his sides still ached. However, the moment they shut and locked the door for the night, he focused his attention on another ache in his body. One that had been growing as he watched walk around in that graceful way of hers, wearing that dress he’d told her he was gonna do things to her in.
That time had finally arrived.
Naruto shrugged out of his sandals, his blue orbs rapt on the woman in front of him unlacing her own wedge sandals. Frilly, bright orange fabric, tempting pale skin, dark hair bunched atop her head, she was asking for it and who was he to deny her?
The moment her feet were bare, he moved.
Wrapping his arms around her waist, he dove for the tantalizing flesh her halter dress left exposed. A tremor swept her body as he blazed a warm trail from neck to shoulder.
“N-Naruto-kun-” she breathed.
“Finally got my hands on you,” he whispered against her ear.
Taking one of the dangling silky strings from the knot at her nape between his teeth, he pulled, unraveling the cute bow holding her top up. The moment the silky cloth slipped from her breasts, he filled his hands with their softness. He squeezed both, revealing in their size and firmness then gave her pert nipples a tug as he slathered his tongue over her jumping pulse, drawing the first of many moans that would pass her lips tonight. Turned on, the sex craving blonde pressed his hips forward, nestling his hardened length to her buttocks.
“Naruto,” she moaned
“You knew this was coming,” he muttered against her moist skin, rolling and toying with the stiffen points of her breasts as spoke, “I told you before, this color is dangerous on you, ‘ttebayo.”
“You picked it out,” she reminded him breathlessly.
“You wore it,” he countered.
She giggled.
“Should I have avoided it forever then?”
“Fuck no,” he chuckled, pulling her nipples with gentle pressure.
Her spine arched.
“Naruto,” she gasped.
“Hm?” he hummed against her throat.
“Hurry,” she pleaded softly.
Lust surge through his brain, the desire to fuck a harsh punch to the gut. Sucking in a heavy breath, he moved them towards the spot he wanted to make love to her this time.
He kissed the shell of her ear as he guided them across the room, lead them passed the couch before pressing her flush against the wall just beyond it. The panting blonde molded his body to hers, forcing his cock between her rounded cheeks. Nipping none too gently at the damp skin of her shoulder, he started a slow grind against her ass as he swept his hands along her waist, over her hips and down further. Running his calloused hands across the smoothness of her thighs, he revealed in their softness, tracing nonsensical patterns as he rocked against her buttocks. Reaching beneath the frill, he gave her silky panties a rough yank, drawing a gasp from her lips. Wordlessly, she widened her stance, giving him the room he needed. He pulled them down mid thigh, then slid his fingers between their apex, knowing what he would find.
Wet warmth greeted him.
He traced her clit, rotating the slippery hooded bundle of nerves with slow, deliberate strokes. She moaned, her dark head tumbling back and finding his shoulder as he touched her. Moisture coated his finger, the glide between her legs creating a delicious sound within their hushed living room. His pace quickened, his own excitement heightening as he felt her delicate body slowly fill with tension. Tell tale signs that climax was just on the horizon. She squirmed, a distressed mewl leaving her throat as she fought it’s call.
“Does it feel good, Hinata?” he questioned huskily.
He pumped his hips slowly, grinding his cock against her plump bottom in tandem.
“Hm?” he prodded, kissing the shell of her ear.
Speechless, his fiancée shuddered, unwilling or unable to give voice to the sensations dancing along her nerve endings. Aroused, he pressed hard, circled her clit before sliding his wet digit inside. Tight heat engulfed his finger. Already he felt the tremors. Despite the urgency lashing his spine, he fucked her languidly, enjoying the trembling of her body as he pumped her pussy agonizingly slow. She whimpered, bitting her lip, blissful torment suffusing her beautiful face.
“Does it?” he cooed, “answer me, ‘ttebayo,”
She slipped an arm around his shoulder, her shaky fingers gripping his golden locks as she arched her spine in a silent answer to his question, but the words remained lost to her moaning gasps. He added a second finger and gave his quivering female a quicker pace. She shudder, a high pitched sound of delicious torment leaving her throat.
“Tell me or I’ll stop,” he threatened quietly.
“No,” she whined.
“No?” he repeated, sliding his fingers deep, “no you don’t want me to stop? Or no it doesn’t feel good?”
“Yes…” she moaned, “…no…”
He chuckled, the husky sound low and rumbling. He loved doing this, teasing her in the throes of ecstasy. Her sharp mind was always foggy and struggling to process what came from his mouth when he was throwing her body into chaos.
“Yes or no Hinata?” he prodded, feigning confusion.
His quick thrusts lost their speed as he spoke.
“You gotta be a little clearer than that, otherwise I won’t know if I should stop or not,” he told her, punctuating his words with a further slowing of his fingers, nearly to a halt.
She churned in his arms, her pussy spasming in protest.
“Don’t stop,” she whispered, a pleading tenor coating her threadbare response, “don’t stop…”
Pressing damp lips to her skin, he resumed his fevered pace, much to the whimpering delight of the lush woman in his arms. He sucked hard at her neck, his hips matching the merciless rhythm. His own breaths harshened, and sweat dotted his forehead. The smell, feel and sounds of her sex was a heady intoxicant to his lust filled brain.
He freed his fingers then found her clit, slathering slippery wetness over the sensitive bud.
“God…” she hitched.
She strained, her damp hand pulling at his stunted locks.
Excited, knowing what was coming next, the panting Jinchuuriki traced a wet trail from her shoulder to the feminine underside of her jaw, tasting the heated saltiness of her skin as he watched the destruction hurtling towards her.
A breathless moment later, her back bowed and a hoarse cry left her lips. She arched into the messy fondling, squeezing his arm against her lush body and the hard wall as she orgasmed, driving his own need to a fevered pitch in the process. Wanting, needing to feel the milking squeezes, he thrust both fingers through rippling, delicate muscles and sopping wetness. She stiffened, shaking as he shoved them inside.
Hard pulls, scorching heat.
He groaned, the sweetest agony tightening his balls.
Unsatisfied with one delectable climax, he pumped his fingers, setting a merciless pace that brought back that rigidness in her slender form. It was too much for her already, he could tell by the sounds leaving her throat, the quakes that were harsh and uncontrolled. She whimpered softly, resting her weight on the wall as she shook.
She was squeezing already, on the cusp of a second climax.
Slipping his fingers from her fluttering pussy, he yanked at the loose knot holding his pants. With impatient hands, the horny blonde pulled his sweats down far enough to free his cock and entered her weeping body to the hilt.
“Narutooooo!” she wailed her body finally cresting.
He gripped her hips hard enough to leave marks, a hiss of bless leaving his lips as he fucked her through the shuddering orgasm. Tunneling through the contractions, Naruto twined a hand in the heavy mass sagging in the updo she’d twined her hair into. He pulled her head to the side, laving and sucking the luscious curve of her neck in a bid to distract his mind from the building pleasure where their sexes meshed. An unsurmountable task considering the strangle hold she had on his dick. He drew a quick breath through his nose as she squeezed.
His eyes closed, his straining muscles trembling.
“Damn Princess,” he wheezed, slowing his thrusts.
Her insides fluttered, then tightened again. The slippery vice around his cock knocked the air from his lungs and rational thought from his brain. Molding his front to her back, he fucked her in earnest, jolting her body with each hard driving thrust.
“Yes yes yes yes! Naruto!” she sobbed.
He grimaced as vicious bliss clawed his abdomen, warning him he was moments away from a premature finish. He paused, gripping her hips with hands that shook, panting harshly as she contracted, each milky pull threatening to force him into climax. Orgasm loomed, beating at the base of his cock with the roar of a lion. He closed his eyes, fighting its seductive call.
He wasn’t ready yet.
He wanted more before he gave into the carnal madness waiting for him.
Hinata was of a different mindset. His pretty Princess was more than ready to dive head first into the abyss. She squirmed, thrusting back as much as she could with her lush form sandwiched between him and the wall. Her shallow movements drew a shudder from him, rousing him from the silent battle he’d been engaged in. He passed a soothing hand over her thigh, then caught a hold of its underside.
“Naruto,” she mewled as he lifted her leg, “Please…don’t stop…”
Hooking her thigh over his forearm he started the pounding anew, launching them both back into the haze of pleasure as he beat a quick tempo against her ass. Toe curling ecstasy crashed through his body as he let sexual gluttony drive the ferocity of his hips.
“Na. Ru. To,” she chanted, “ohhhh, ohhhhh!”
She reached back, gripping his oblique with the bite of nails. Her jolting body arched, twisted then seized, gushing orgasm over his throbbing cock. He caught her as her knee buckled, bracing his weight as she became boneless in his arms.
Wrapping his arms around her shuddering body, he guided them both to the floor.
She was lost in ecstasy but he was still hungry.
He shifted, sat himself on the floor and pulled her atop him. Her slight weight settled against him, her dark head lulling onto his shoulder. He sucked hickeys along her throat as he arranged her voluptuous form the way he wanted. Pulling soft back to his chest, he slid her legs over each hardened thigh, savoring her damp skin brushing his outer legs, her plush buttocks on his groin. Cerulean orbs took in the erotic picture she posed, turned on by the way she was splayed and dazed atop him. He touched her, sliding a hand over the softness of her belly, panting as he reached up to squeeze one heavy tit then the other.
Sliding his tongue along her throat, his fingers found her clit, rousing her foggy mind to the here and now.
Her dark head turned on his shoulder as he touched her. She moaned softly then pressed wet lush lips to his neck, the underside of his jaw, before canting her head up to nip the lower lobe of his ear hard enough to smart.
Desire wash over him.
He answered her silent plea for more.
Planting his feet to the hardwood, bracing a hand to the shiny floor and tightening his arm around her stomach, he thrust upward, bouncing her in his lap, a sharp groan leaving his throat as he pounded her pussy. Each upward thrust was countered by gravity, pressing her down heavily on his cock. Pressure surged rapidly to his hardened length.
He wasn’t gonna last long.
It felt too good. The angle, the deepness with which he could fill her sopping sex, the clap of her buttocks on his abdomen, it was rapturous torture. The friction excruciatingly delicious.
“Narutoooooo” she wailed, “yes, yes, yesssss!”
Slender fingers gripped his hair, twining and pulling hard enough to hurt, the other gripped the steely forearm about her waist, digging deep groves with her little fingernails. Raining kisses along the column of flesh she bared, Naruto sucked in a harsh breath as a wave of ecstasy flayed his skin.
“Fuck,” he puffed against her throat.
His body was screaming, his toes were curling and his balls were aching. As if sensing his torment, she took pity on his quaking body, cresting again and coaxing his own climax from him in the process. His groan of completion was long and loud, his straining body shuddering as hot semen left his cock in a heady rush. He arched, trembling as hard contractions milked him. He flopped to the floor, jarring them both, his chest rising and falling with great gasps of air. Euphoria swept his mind, body and soul. Permeating deeper than his flesh. She turned her head and he turned his. Their lips met in a kiss that was all lust, all love and filled to the brim with carnal satisfaction.
“I love you,” she sighed against his mouth.
“I love you too,” he murmured back.
He smooched her mouth with gentle thoroughness, easing them to the side as he did. He traced the soft curve of her hip and molded his larger frame along her spine as he sucked at her lips. For several quiet moments, they revealed in the after glow of passion, caressing and expressing quiet affection, whispering their adoration for each other. When their breathing slowed and their bodies cooled, Hinata turned to her Jinchuuriki lover with half lidded eyes.
“What happened with Sanzo?” she asked softly, “is he alright?”
He sighed.
“He was feeling better when I left him, but he’s got something going on at home, dattebayo. I took him and Seinosuke out for ramen, took him out for dango then sat with him by the stream. I asked him flat out if he was being abused.”
She stiffened.
“He said it’s nothing like that,” he told her, running his hand along her arm in an effort to sooth her worry, “I believe him. He says he just doesn’t feel like his dad understands him or how he feels about his mother. She died when he was a baby but it seems like he’s either angry about it or angry with her. I’m not sure which. When I asked him how he felt about her, he looked so angry. It’s kinda hard trying to give him advice when I don’t know what it is he thinks his dad doesn’t understand about him, and of course, I didn’t grow up with a dad. I don’t know if this is normal behavior or if it’s something I need to speak to his dad about.”
She was quiet a moment, giving his own forearm a comforting rub. He could talk openly about his sad past now that there were years between then and the present, but it still had the power to bring an ache to her chest for the boy who had struggled alone in his tender years.
He gave her cheek a kiss for her efforts.
“Maybe I should talk to him,” she suggested, twining her fingers with his, “I had my own trouble with Father when I was young. Our situations may be a different, but I can at least tell him what I wish someone had told me growing up.”
That sounded like a great idea.
“You’re so damn sweet,” he declared, giving her neck a kiss, “regardless if its different or not, I know he’ll be happy to hear whatever encouragement you can give him, dattebayo. Especially coming from you and not just because he’s got that crush on you. Since the time we were kids, you always seemed to know just what to say right when I needed to hear it. It’ll be the same for him.”
She turned, giving him a soft smile.
“You’re the one that always knows what to say, Naruto-kun,” she countered, stroking gentle fingers along his face, “as strong as you are, you’re words are just as powerful.”
He pouted at her, and he could tell from the amusement in her eyes that she knew he was about to say something ridiculous.
He didn’t disappoint.
“If you don’t stop with the cuteness we’re never gonna get off this floor.”
She giggled then leaned in a breath from his lips.
“Who said I wanted to get up?” she whispered.
Knowing she was about to be in trouble with just her words, she solidified her impending downfall with a wet lap of her tongue across both his lips. Sure enough, his cerulean orbs darkened, his nostril flared and a beat later, he was on her.
And thus, they spent the night and morning on the living room floor.
xxxxxx
May 6, 2010
With a loud yawn, Naruto woke wiping drool from his lip. Blinking sluggishly, he gave a sleepy sigh, and waited for his brain to shake off the clutches of slumber. Almost immediately his body let him know it wasn’t too happy with him.
His backside ached.
He grimaced as dull discomfort throbbed from the small of his back to his naked buttocks.
‘Definitely should’ve moved to the bed. Last time I’m sleeping on this hard ass floor,’ he grumbled silently.
It was worth it, considering why he had slept on the gleaming surface, and he knew damn well, it was gonna happen again, but next time, he’d be moving them to the couch, bed or even the living room rug when they were done and spare his cheeks the uncomfortable pressure.
He tucked his chin to his chest. Hinata was resting peacefully atop him, her arms and legs cutely sprawled and limp. She looked fairly worn out but infinitely satisfied.
A wry smile curled his lips.
He might’ve over done it a little bit last night…
And this morning…
He couldn’t help it. His Princess had looked so delicious in her orange dress…and irresistible out of it. There was nothing he could of done stop last nights fuck marathon. With those two elements sat boldly before him, the situation was completely out of his hands. Not to mention, that little lick to his lips. He’d blown a fuse and sex was the only thing left over in the aftermath.
He glanced at the clock on a nearby wall.
It was nearly 4 o’clock in the afternoon.
Yep.
Definitely got a little carried away.
Had it not been for her trembling exhaustion hours after the rising sun, he most assuredly would still have been all over her well into the afternoon. Even now, as he ran a hand along her bare bottom he was tempted to rouse her for another round. Unfortunately, he was sure she had shit to do to get this wedding together before November rolled around. And he needed to get up too, his ass was falling asleep. He shifted, gaining a measure of relief, but also waking his fiancée in the process.
Her head lifted from his chest, entrancing drowsy orbs meeting his own.
“Morning sleeping beauty,” he murmured, stroking hair from her face.
“Morning,” she mumbled sleepily.
She yawned, then stretched…
On top of him…
Naked…
This churning desire was normal right?
Given the circumstances…
“Say, Hinata?”
“Hm?”
“Do you think I’m a pervert?”
She blinked, looked him straight in the eye and answered.
“Yes.”
He blinked, then dropped his head to the wood floor with a thunk.
“No hesitation huh?” he muttered.
She laughed.
“You’re always touching me and kissing me and when we’re in public you-”
“I got it I got it, guess I’ll change my name to Ero-sensei.”
“Should I even ask why you would name yourself that?” she giggled.
“Nope.”
Well, Hinata had confirmed it. He was a pervert. He had not a single leg to stand on now.
Damn.
“What’s the matter Naruto-kun?” she questioned, poking his side, “there’s nothing wrong with being a pervert in the context we’re talking about.”
He raised his head, giving her a pout.
“I…actually like it,” she admitted softly, tracing patterns on his skin that tightened his belly, “I love when you touch me in the kitchen, or when you whisper naughty things in my ear while we’re wandering around town…if touching me and doing the lewd thing you do to me makes you a pervert then…I’m a pervert too for liking it.”
He grinned.
Reaching down, he gripped her cheeks and gently squeezed until her lips puffed like a fish.
“Oh now you tell me you like it,” he chuckled, “if you like the perverted things I say, why cover my mouth then Princess?”
She took his hand from her cheeks, a shy smile curving her lips.
“Just because I like it doesn’t mean it’s not still embarrassing Naruto-kun…and because…I’m not supposed to like these…embarrassing things. At least, that’s what I was raised to believe,” she confessed, turning her gaze from him as she traced the hard ridges along his abdominal, “ I liked it but it still shocks me when you do it and I don’t think I’ll ever out grow my shyness…but I can’t deny that it also…”
“Turns you on,” he finished for her, stroking the softness of her bottom lip.
Face red, she buried it in his stomach.
He laughed.
“Don’t be shy about it. I’m fine marrying a pervert, ‘ttebayo.”
“N-Naruto-kun!” she squeaked, dark head shooting up.
“What? I though you said there was nothing wrong with being a pervert in the ‘context we’re talking about,” he reminded his hot cheeked lover.
“W-well yes, but I-I umm…” she sputtered.
“First step is to face the truth,” he chuckled, “repeat after me; my name is Hinata Hyuuga and I’m a pervert.”
“N-no way!” she giggled.
“Why not, it’s just me and you,” he teased, “It’ll be our little secret, ‘ttebayo.”
She shook her head, blushing and smiling as she did.
“Your shyness pops up at the craziest times, sweetheart, considering everything we did last night, this morning not to mention we’re still sitting on the living room floor butt naked. Tell you what, if you give me something sweet I’ll let you off the hook,” he offered, sapphire gaze rapt on her plush mouth.
Her lips parted and desire lit her eyes. She lifted her torso, then slid her knees up, straddling his hips. Her pale skin bathed in sunlight, her messy dark hair and jiggling breasts entrancing the blonde beneath her. Placing delicate hands on his pecs, she leaned down, kissed his lips then licked them the way he usually did hers.
The way she had last night.
Shit…
They were both perverts and he wasn’t the least bit bothered by it.
“I need another taste,” he muttered, swinging her gently to her back and wedging himself between her thighs.
“Naruto-kun!” she laughed as he smooched her in earnest, “we need to get up!”
“Why?”
She dodged his attack on her lips, sacrificing her neck instead.
“The wedding planning,” she reminded him breathlessly, “the girls and I have a pretty good outline, but I need to make sure it’s doable for some of the shops in town. Otherwise, we may have to try and contract it elsewhere.”
He popped up with a pout, but she could tell it wasn’t genuine.
“And I also want to talk to Sanzo,” she added, stroking his whiskered cheek.
Tenderness melded his cerulean orbs.
“What stores do you need to go by?” he asked, “I know I said that you could have whatever you wanted for our wedding, but that doesn’t mean I expect you to do all the work yourself. I wanna help too, dattebayo. Confirming wedding decorations and what not shouldn’t be too hard for me to handle.”
She smiled.
“Would you really?”
“Of course Princess,” he grinned, “make me a list of businesses and what you need me to do.”
“Alright…” she agreed softly, again stroking his tanned skin, “but Naruto-kun…you have to get off of me so I can.”
The pout returned.
With a long suffering sigh, Naruto gained his feet, then helped his giggling fiancée to hers.
They showered together, the ever arduous Jinchuuriki struggling to keep his hands to himself, with the Hyuuga heir fending off his wandering caresses, laughing each time his bottom lip poked out at being denied whatever part of her he wanted to grope.
Once finished, they dressed for the day.
“Can you find Sanzo for me, Naruto-kun?” she asked, pulling her long dark hair from the neck of her sky blue dress.
“Yeah,” he replied, tugging his white collared shirt down.
He closed his eyes, stilled a moment before turning to her.
“He’s by the stream on that side road leading towards the training grounds.”
“Thank you,” she smiled, giving his lips a peck before wandering from the bedroom.
She was hard at work compiling his list at the kitchen counter when he rejoined her, zipping his orange pants as he moved. She handed him a slip of paper when he reached her.
“If you have any trouble, contact me.”
“Same,” he told her with a small smile, “he’s got a soft spot for you, but he can be a handful at times, especially when it comes to talking about stuff like this, ‘ttebayo.”
She nodded.
“Hopefully what I have to say will help him.”
She lifted to her tip toes and he bent. She gave him another kiss, this one to his cheek.
“I love you.”
“Love you too,” he grinned.
With that, they left the apartment and parted ways.
xxxxxx
He was sitting by the stream with his feet in the water, his vivid green orbs seeing far beyond the serene scenery. He looked lonely and lost, sad in a way she had never seen him before. He was always so bashful around her but he was also boisterous and fun. Quick to laughter, constantly teasing, pulling pranks and struggling with his quick temper. Not a single hint of these traits were present. He truly looked remote and
Compassion bloomed in her chest.
She wasn’t one for deception, but to wipe that heartrending look from his face, she’d happily pretend that her encounter with him was purely coincidental. Stepping quietly down the slopped hill, across the dirt path and into the grass bordering river, Hinata stopped next to the teen.
“Oh, Sanzo,” the Hyuuga woman called cheerfully, hoping she sounded convincing, “how are you this afternoon?”
A fetching pink tinted his cheeks.
“Hinata-san,” he murmured, “I’m fine…how are you?”
“Tired actually, but in a good way,” she smiled, “I’ve been so busy with wedding plans I’ve barely had time to rest, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Mind if I rest next to you?”
His flush deepened, but he shook his head.
“I don’t mind,” he replied.
Taking a seat, she gave a small sigh.
“Its really peaceful here,” she murmured, “I used to come to a place like this when I was little. A place so tranquil and soothing. I’d sit there for hours.”
Unlacing her sandals, she stuck her own feet into the water.
“Life is funny you know, so many twists and turns you never see coming until they’re right in front of you. I never thought I’d be living the life I am now. Months away from marrying the man I love,” she reached out with a fond smile and stroked back the dark strands covering his eye, “sitting beside one of the genin beneath his care. Having my mother back in my life. Having my father look at me with something other than disinterest and even worse, disappointment. I used to wonder…if he really loved me.”
He gave her a sharp glance.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Your dad he…he made you feel like he didn’t love you?”
She nodded.
“When I was younger,” she told him quietly, “as the oldest daughter, I had really high expectations place on me at an early age, and unfortunately, I couldn’t meet a single one. Father, the rest of my clan, they shunned me for it and I was passed over as heir in favor of my younger sister. It hurt me for so long, and I blamed myself for it even longer. I felt like I was weak and worthless. That no matter how hard I tried, I’d always be that weak and there was nothing I could do to change that.”
Even now, a dull ache always bloomed in her chest when she remembered it.
“It was hard, living that way, feeling that way, wanting his love but unable to attain it. At the time, I wish someone had taken the time to explain some things to me and given me some advice on how to deal with it.”
He turned to her, his eyes curious and expectant.
“Father’s aren’t perfect. They make bad decision. They make mistakes. They may even leave you feeling like they don’t love you. And if you’re dealing with something that painful, if you’re not sure where to turn, what to do, find someone you know loves you and let their kindness, their warmth and understanding, fill the empty places in your heart. Let them strengthen you. Naruto-kun was that warmth for me. He was the boy I looked to when I was feeling lost and hurt. Seeing his smiling face got me through so many hard days, but I got through them.”
She gave him a soft, compassionate smile.
“Sharing your pain with those you love can carry you through situations and circumstances that have the power to break you alone.”
xxxxxx
May 11, 2010

He was out again.
It seemed he could only remain conscious for a handful of minutes every few days.
Though he was aware for brief periods and seemed lucid, not once had he spoke, nor opened his eyes.
Hiroto slowed his run to a light jog, his dark eyes scanning the terrain for a place to rest. They were a week from Fire Country, maybe longer considering the condition of his companion. Settling on a clearing surrounded by shrubbery not far ahead, he veered towards it. He wasted little time in lowering his burden to the soft ground the moment he entered their new camping area, placing him flat on his back near a tall oak tree.
There was a lot to do before sundown.
He stood again and began the process of preparing for the night.
It took him nearly two hours to create a fire, set traps, then gather mushrooms, herbs and fish. Once finished, he set about grilling the fish and boiling the mushrooms. As they began to cook, Hiroto used his utility knife to chop the herbs as finely as possible before adding them to the mushrooms.
He was lucky he’d been able to find the right medicinal plants here as well.
Had it not been for those pretty common greenery, Shino Aburame would have been starving by now.
When he’d first tried to feed him warm broth, the Aburame’s distress had been a terrible thing to behold. Contorting, thrashing, clawing at his throat, Shino had been the image of abject agony. An agony so great it wrested consciousness from the suffering shinobi not long after. When his body stilled and his muscles relaxed, Hiroto had given him a brief examination. Though he wasn’t a trained medic, and knew only basic first aid, he’d found at least the reason eating had brought the man such torment.
There was trauma to his esophagus.
Inside, the delicate flesh was an angry crimson as far down as he could see, even torn in some places. So, Hiroto gathered various numbing and healing herbs from the surrounding area, ground them finely, then added them to whatever broth he was able to make from scavenging. Once the liquid was cool, he spent nearly an hour spooning it into the mouth of the insect wielding ninja.
The herbs were helping it seemed.
Where’s he’d fought weakly if he were conscious or even unconscious, Shino had gradually ceased his struggles with each feeding, silently indicating the numbing agents had taken an adequate degree of effect. As they traveled day be day, hour by hour, the Anbu was plagued by curiosity about the man he was supposed to exchange positions with. His orders had been simple, locate Shino Aburame, relieve him from his tracking mission and continue to monitor Shukaku.
However, as he’d found again and again in his line of work, nothing was ever simple.
This was no different.
He’d arrived at the rendezvous spot and waited for nearly a day before searching the area. There had been no sign of Shukaku. No broken trees or footprints. Neighboring villages had not known the bijuu had been followed near their homes, and not a single person reported signs of his presence. This he’d put in his status report to the Hokage.
At the end of the day he’d sat by a campfire and questioned the strange circumstances.
Why had Shukaku wandered so deep into the Land of Lightening?
Why were there no physical signs of the tanuki spirit?
Where was Shino Aburame?
The next morning, he’d begun another search and this one had proved fruitful.
Lying near a riverbank, missing sunglasses, overcoat and headband, the Anbu had been mutedly surprised be the scene. He knew of the Aburame and had read Shino’s file beforehand. The first two items of clothing were extremely important to him and his clan as well as the insects they harbored within their boy. Therein lay another mystery, in the time he’d been transporting the man, Hiroto hadn’t seen a single bug crawling near, around or anywhere near him. He wasn’t completely sure but he was speculating that the creatures had retreated further into their living host and for whatever reason, weren’t keen on making an appearance.
Regardless, his job now was to cart him back to Konoha unless the Rokudaime ordered him to do otherwise.
Once the food was done, Hiroto slid his mask up to eat while set the broth aside to cool. Nearly an hour later, he spooned the broth into a bowl, lifted Shino’s torso with care, then began the slow process of feeding him.
He didn’t stir a single time.
Following the meal, he wiped the excess from his mouth, put aside the bowl, and wandered over to the log he’d placed near the fire. He took a seat, then whistled. A messenger bird returned the call with its own. Taking an empty scroll and ink from the satchel near his feet, he began writing out today’s report as the bird touched down next to his sandaled feet.
He was just getting to the part about the missing insects for yet another day when he felt a strange sensation on his neck.
There was something…slithering on him.
An invisible sensation skating across his skin…
His dark brows creased a moment before pain exploded inside his torso. He stumbled to his feet, wild eyes sweeping the expanse of their camp, searching for the source of the attack. There was no sign his traps had been triggered and no presence that he could sense. Agony bloomed. Gripping his chest, he squinted, taking in every shape beyond the campfire’s reach. There was no assailant hiding in the brush that he could see, no movement that was not borne from the gentle breeze. Teeth clenched as burgeoning physical suffering began a ominous climb among his insides, he swung his gaze to his incapacitated companion. Unmoving, unaffected and still unconscious, Shino lay where he’d placed him.
Safe beneath the tree.
This attacker, whoever it was, either wanted Shino enough to kill him or hadn’t gotten to the vulnerable shinobi just yet.
He moved, intending to close the distance between he and the Aburame.
Acute agony burst along his left thigh. He went down hard, crashing face first onto the ground below, wailing his suffrage into the dirt. He could feel blood beneath his pant leg, lots of it. He reached for the area, but pulled back abruptly when the slight brush sent shafts of torment up his entire leg. He sucked in harsh breaths, squeezing his eyes shut as he worked to process the pain and clear his mind. In the ensuing struggle for control, new pain bloomed. His right shoulder, the pain so intense dizziness washed over him. He could feel not only blood, but something else…something that horrified him to no end. There was a tearing, a sliding, then cool air blowing over nerve endings. His head turned, and though he knew what had happened, his mind struggled to comprehend it’s significance.
The muscle and tissue that composed his shoulder had sloshed off and lay on the dirt next to him. He stared at the crimson coated meat chunk covered in his skin…skin that held his Anbu tattoo.
His short circuiting brain distantly made the connection to what had happened to his thigh…
He could feel its weight in his pant leg.
He needed to get up…he needed to protect his charge, even if it cost him his life. His muscles tensed, strained, but refused to lift his large frame. He tried again, willing his body to rise as roaring pain pounded his skull. It was an exercise in futility, he couldn’t move. Reaching for the short blade at his hip, he pulled it from it’s sheath, then scanned the area again, searching for the culprit he knew had to be waiting for him to die.
There was no one.
Naught but darkness, shadows and searing torment screaming beneath his flesh.
Shattering pain forced the weapon from his hand.
Pulsating behind his eye.
With a animalistic groan, he slapped a shaking hand over it, feeling hot liquid seep through his fingers. He felt weight behind his crimson coated digits. He gripped the sphere that had left his socket and tossed it away.
Agony washed over his body, clawing at his insides.
Whether this corrosion was the work of poison or something else, his tortured mind knew what was happening.
He was being eaten away at from the inside out.
Even more importantly…
He was going to die.
Before that happened, before he took his last, agonizing breaths, there was on thing he had to do. He crawled towards the spot he’d been writing on the scroll, the effort taking more strength than he had in his body. With each inch he gained, he lost a piece of himself.
A chunk from his calve…
The skin from his cheek…
The upper part of his ear…
It was excruciating beyond what the human mind was meant to endure and with everything within him, he fought against the soul rending pain begging him to stop, the blazing pain screaming at him to quit…
To lie in the dirt and wait for death.
Hiroto refused.
Not yet.
Not until he’d accomplished his final task in this plane of existence.
When he was done, he would accept his fate and go to the afterlife with the grace and dignity befitting an Anbu. Clawing at the dirt, he pulled himself closer, wailing as his fingers snapped, bellowing his pain as his shin separated from his knee. He sucked in several breaths, lungs rattling as he willed his rapidly deteriorating form to move. Torturous moments passed before he reached the unrolled parchment. He couldn’t lift his head to see where he was writing, and could only pray the message written in his blood would be legible. His hand moved as he drew lines and curves, shaking and flopping as he etched onto the mission report what he knew would be his last words. When he finished, he slumped to the side, gripping his burning chest.
“Go,” he wheezed to the messenger bird, hot coppery fluid bubbling over his cracked lips.
With a squawk, the bird dipped its head, took the heavier part of the scroll in it beak then launched skywards.
He collapsed and allowed his screams to fill the night air.
How long he lay there, falling to pieces, he would never know. What parts of himself he had lost, he would never know. Numbness had set in, blissfully muting the torment that his world had been comprised of.
Gradually, different sensations and sounds filled the void it left.
The lulling beat of his slowing heart pounded softly in his ears.
The chill of the night, no longer beaten back by the fire, seeped into his bones.
He knew what was happening.
He could feel his lungs struggling to raise and fall.
He could feel weakness engulfing his mind and body.
He was dying.
As darkness crept into the eye still nestled within its socket, he became aware that there was a dark form not far from him, one that had been prone and unmoving last he had looked. Shino Aburame sat near the tree he’d laid him under, upright and leaning limply against the hard bark and yet…
Hiroto could see…
His eyes were open, crimson and glowing…and staring directly at him.
xxxxxx
It’s a heft chapter, but hey, I’m a long winded writer, you guys know how it is. Hope you enjoyed. I know some of you all are gonna have questions about that last part, lol. Can’t wait to read em. As always, please be sure to leave a review and I’ll see you all in the next chapter.
Laters
Sessakag~
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