Adult-FanFiction.org : Naruto

Protector	By : djserani Category: Naruto > Het - Male/Female Views: 1758 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, and I do not make any money from these writings.

Chapter List
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Hinata smiled through her tears. She knew her dress kimono would have stains, but she didn’t care. She watched two of her closest friends as they committed their lives to each other. Ino on one side of her and Tenten on the other, Hinata listened to the words they spoke.
“Do you, Uzumaki Naruto, take Hanuro Sakura to be your wife? Will you love her, honor her, and cherish her, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, until death do you part?” Tsunade spoke with a smile on her face.
Naruto smiled at Sakura, and said quietly, “I do.”
“Hanuro Sakura, will you take Uzumaki Naruto to be your husband? Will you love him and honor him, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health and keep him out of trouble, ‘til death do you part?” Tsunade smirked, Sai looked over quickly with a confused look on his face and Hinata was sure she heard Shikamaru snicker.
“I do. Well, most of it. I’m not sure about the trouble part.” Sakura said on a small laugh.
“HEY!” Naruto said, but he was obviously not truly offended. Gamakichi, Naruto’s closest friend in the toad village, tried, rather unsuccessfully, to cover his laugh with a croak. “Not you, too.” Gamakichi suddenly pretended to find a very tiny fly very interesting. Naruto sighed.
“Do you have the rings?” Tsunade held out her hands and Konohamaru carefully handed them to her.   Tsunade handed one to Naruto. “Naruto, place the ring on Sakura’s finger, please.” When he did, she handed the other to Sakura. “Place the other on Naruto’s hand.”
Sakura’s hand shook slightly when she fit the ring to his finger. She swallowed and made a visible effort to calm herself.
“I believe you have something of your own words to say.” Tsunade smiled.
“Yes, Tsunade-sama.” Sakura turned to Naruto. “I’d like to go first.” Naruto spared a brief glance for Tsunade before turning his attention back to Sakura. Sakura cleared her throat and chuckled quietly. “I had a whole speech prepared. But I look at you now and it’s gone and all I can think about is how you’ve been there for me so much in my life. I can only think about how much I love you and how I can’t begin to imagine a life without you in it. You have been my inspiration, my protector, the anchor in my world. I love you.”
Naruto looked stunned. It took him a full minute to close his mouth. He swallowed visibly and looked up at everyone surrounding them, their friends. He briefly thought that if someone were to try to attack, at least everyone was together. He glanced up at the stone mountain, carved with the faces of all of the Hokage. “Sakura, nothing I can begin to say will cover the way I feel. I have worked all my life and I feel I still have not lived up to you. After…” Naruto paused, “we couldn’t bring Sasuke back, I felt like a failure. I wasn’t worthy of you. Even now..”
Naruto cleared his throat. “I have loved you for so long, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t. Everyone told me that it was a crush – just a kid thing.” He smiled crookedly, “you can imagine how well that went over. But they were wrong. When we were apart, I was sure you’d found someone else. I even tried to leave you alone, but no matter what, my heart kept coming back to you. I love you, Sakura.”
They both took shaky breaths and turned back to Tsunade. “I have seen many things in my lifetime – no age jokes, Naruto! I’ve known many, many people. I have never seen two who were so…right for each other, as you are. Cherish each other. Always. I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss her, Naruto.”
“You’re not going to punch me this time are you. Hey!” Naruto looked alarmed when he saw a single tear slide down Sakura’s cheek. “Are…Sakura…are you okay?”
“I’ve never been better. I’m not going to punch you…unless you don’t kiss me soon…” She opened her mouth to take a deep breath and Naruto crushed her to him, kissing her with a ferociousness that surprised even himself.
Tsunade looked up at the people gathered behind the couple.   “Now, where’s the sake?!” Everyone cheered.   Naruto and Sakura laughed.
The bride and groom posed for pictures, along with their friends. Hinata realized that she was openly crying now, and struggled to clean herself up before she was to be in the picture. Sakura was beautiful in her long white kimono. It was fitted at the top, with a keyhole neckline trimmed in red. Her sash was red with Naruto’s signature flames at the bottom. The skirt of her kimono was full and the hem was also trimmed in red. He pink hair was grown out and pulled up in a beautiful bun and adorned with tiny beads, the color of Naruto’s Rasengan. Hinata watched as Gamakichi carefully set Sakura on the ground after their picture and then she moved forward to pose with her.
“Sakura-chan – oh! Sakura-san, I’m so sorry! You are so beautiful.” Hinata smiled through her tears.
“Hinata! None of that! And why are you crying?! Are you sad about Naruto…?” she whispered.
“Oh! No! I’m just so happy for you both! You both deserve happiness like this. It took me a while to realize it, but what I felt for Naruto…would never have lasted. You are what he needs. I will find the one that is right for me, don’t worry.” At that Hinata glanced over her shoulder and caught Kiba and Neji both looking at her. She blushed and turned back to Sakura.
“Here, now. I know you will. Now, let’s wipe those tears. You are too beautiful today to mar that face with tears, happy or no!” Sakura hiked up her skirt and used it to pat at Hinata’s tears.
“Sakura, no! It’s your dress!” Hinata used her sleeve quickly and shoved Sakura’s hands away and bent to help adjust the skirt.
“Oh, Hinata, really! I’m fine.” At that moment the photographer made an impatient noise and the girls turned back to him. Several clicks later, they were released to chat. Hinata watched Ino walk over to Choji and take his hand, almost unconsciously.   Her eyes tracked around the meadow they were in and saw Shikamaru holding hands with his wife, Temari while they were chatting with her brothers, Gaara and Kankuro. One of the other sand ninja…Mitsuni? Hinata couldn’t remember, was standing close to the Kazekage and blushing furiously, clearly uncomfortable among so many of these unknown people.
Hinata wondered about that, but moved on to watch Gai-sensei hamming it up for a few of the older ladies with Lee right next to him, casting him an adoring look, as usual. He seemed completely oblivious to how closely Tenten was standing next to him, her face adoring him. Hinata chuckled. It was so easy to see everyone else, but herself? She’d been wondering lately, with all the wedding plans, how she was supposed to figure things out about herself.
She’d made ANBU. She had the respect of her father. Things were still tenuous with him, but getting better every day. She had the respect of her team members and the Hokage. But she was still restless. She knew that someday, for the clan, she would have to marry. She was the Hyuga heiress, after all. But her father was strong and, she was sure, had no plans to die any time soon. That could, of course, always change, but as of now, well, she had time. She was sure of it.
The sound of cheering brought her out of her reverie as she saw Sakura waving. “All of the unmarried ladies line up! No Ino, you don’t count! You’re already engaged!!” Ino laughed and leaned on Choji’s shoulder. Hinata wondered if she could fade into the back but Moegi was dragging her over to the group.
“You can’t miss this! You’re single, too!” Hinata blushed and hurried over. Sakura turned, wound up with the bouquet and tossed it. She heard a squeak next to her as Tenten caught it.
“Tenten!! “ The girls cheered. Tenten turned at looked straight at Lee and Gai smacked him in the back of the head to get his attention.   Lee looked up, somewhat confused before catching Tenten’s eye and now it was his turn to blush. Gai just shook his head and turned to Kakashi. Hinata thought she heard something about rock, paper, scissors.
Hinata turned to make her way to the path to the reception area and caught Neji’s eye as he was watching her from Shikamaru’s side. She blushed again and hurried to the table set aside for the wedding party. She noticed as the guests were gathering that Neji was sitting at the table closest to the wedding party, almost next to her. She focused her attention on Sakura and Naruto as they took their seats, cheering with the rest of the guests.
Not surprising, ramen was the main food served by none other than Ichiraku himself. Apparently it was a surprise to Naruto as well because his face lit up as he kissed Sakura and dug into his bowl.
The wedding celebrations lasted well into the night with the guests drinking and dancing. Hinata sat quietly, enjoying the music when it started until, during the third song, she noticed a hand come into her vision. She looked up into Kiba’s smiling face. “May I have this dance?” Hinata smiled widely and joined Kiba on the dance floor. “You have been entirely too quiet. This is a party! You should have some fun!”
“Oh, I am, Kiba-kun! I’m so happy for Sakura-chan and Naruto-kun. They deserve to be happy after everything they’ve been through.”
“Yes, I can see you’re happy for them. But what about you, Hinata. Are you…okay?” Hinata was starting to get a bit annoyed. Did the entire village know about her crush on Naruto? But she reminded herself that Kiba was her teammate. Of course, he knew. It took him a while to figure it out, but he knew.
“Oh, I’m fine from that! The…village…just, well, it’s a bit unsettling. Seeing it like this – leveled. The only thing left is the stone mountain. I think it’s wonderful, though, that they had the wedding here, anyway. I know we’re only really starting to rebuild and there’s so much work, but I think we needed this. Oh, damn, I’m babbling!” She exclaimed when she saw Kiba patient expression.
“Please...don’t mind me. Hinata…I like to hear you talk.” He whispered.
Hinata looked up in surprise. They were barely moving to the music now, and Kiba was looking at her with the strangest, most intent look on his face. She heard Akamaru huff. “Kiba...kun?” Hinata’s heart missed a beat, then started again with an erratic rhythm.
Kiba leaned in slightly and Hinata stared at him, holding her breath.   “Hinata,” he breathed, but at that precise moment, Shino made an appearance at his shoulder.
“Mind if I cut in?” Kiba growled at Shino, but he stood there, his ever-calm self.
“As a matter of fact, I do.” Kiba’s eyes narrowed and Akamaru stood up. Hinata elbowed him and tuned to Shino.
“Please, I’d be happy to dance.” Kiba gave her a mildly disgruntled look, but she smiled at him, still blushing and turned to Shino.
For all that she appreciated Shino in the field, he was still very quiet and…well, too reserved, for her to ever really understand him. She danced the rest of the song with him, then he bowed over her hand and disappeared back into the guests.   Kiba wasted no time, however and was back the moment Shino left.
“Could we continue?” Hinata smiled at him, but whatever Kiba was going to say earlier was gone. They laughed about their last mission when Akamaru caught Shino as he was marking a spot for a maneuver and the rest of the evening was fairly light.
Much later, the last dance was called and Hinata, standing on the edge of the makeshift floor that had been summoned by Captain Yamato, was tapped on the shoulder. Hinata recognized the chakra only a second before she heard the question. She must have been really distracted. “Do you think you could spare this last one for me?” His quiet voice breathed in her ear. Hinata closed her eyes.
“Of course, Neji.” She turned to him, taking his hand and laying the other on his shoulder. They began to move to the music. She stared into eyes that were exact replicas of her own. Her breathing shortened, she felt a bit light-headed.
Neji confused her. Though he had changed much since their fight in the Chunnin exams, he was still somewhere reserved around her. She’d seen him laugh and joke, as much as he ever did, with Lee and Tenten. She knew he was much more at ease around her father, because she watched them train together often. She still sometimes left tea for them. But around her, he was often still very reserved.
At the same time, she wasn’t sure how she felt about him. ANBU or not, she still wasn’t sure if he thought she was truly capable or not. She wanted him to think of her as capable – no, that’s not true. She wanted him to think she was good. She still trained every day, in the hope that she might someday be recognized. For her strength, for her abilities.
It was safer now, but not perfectly. Pein was destroyed. The Akatsuki were finally no more. But there were always enemies of the Leaf and there were always those who would seek to finish what Pein had attempted and failed to do. So they trained. At least, that’s why she told herself she trained. If she was honest with herself, she would admit that she still sought the respect and acknowledgement of some of her peers. No, one of her peers. But she couldn’t bring herself to admit which one. She looked up now at Neji and immediately wish she hadn’t. There would be no clarity from that quarter. Looking at him, she was reminded of the clan and their rules.
Neji wasn’t wearing his headband today, of course. Out of respect for the bride and groom, his forehead was clear, save the seal of the clan. She hated that seal. Hated what it stood for. While she was not ready for the responsibilities of being the head of the Hyuuga clan, there were some things she was looking forward to changing. She forcibly pulled her thoughts back to the reception and the dance.
“It was a beautiful ceremony.” She said quietly.
“It was. I wasn’t sure, though, if Sakura really wasn’t going to punch him. “ They both chuckled. “Hinata…” he began, but the song ended.
She stood awkwardly for a moment before she cleared her throat. “I should go say goodbye to Sakura and Naruto.” Neji nodded and she headed over to them.
* * *
He watched her go.   He could admit to himself that he thought she was more beautiful every day. He watched her train harder than anyone he knew, save maybe Naruto. He knew she was taking the future of the clan very seriously. She wanted so much to be worthy of her birthright. He wished he know how to tell her that she was.
He was still battling a few of his own demons, where Hinata was concerned. He never really got over what he’d done to her during the Chunnin exams. He was supposed to protect her. He was supposed to be the one that looked out for her. Instead, he nearly killed her. He chuckled quietly to himself. She wouldn’t want to hear him talking about protecting her now. She was ANBU. If anyone could take care of themselves, they could. But instead of comforting him, it gave him a new sense of unease. While they were very capable, they were also put in more danger.
He shook his head to clear his thoughts, bemused by where they were taking him. She wasn’t his to worry over. The Hyuuga had already told him that even if he couldn’t do it, things would change. Neji was free to find his own path. He wasn’t bound, truly, to the Hyuuga clan as Hinata’s protector. Yet he couldn’t figure out why it was that what he once wanted so badly no longer drew him.
He watched Hinata, her smile wide, hug Sakura and Naruto. She waved and turned to head toward the path to their temporary homes. She looked surprised to see him standing there. “Neji? I thought you would be on your way home…”
He pulled himself out of his thoughts. “I thought you might like some company.”
“Oh, um, sure…” she blushed again. They walked silently back to the Hyuuga homes. She was very aware of him the whole way, just a few feet away. “Well, um, good..n-night Neji-niisan.”
“Good night, Hinata-sama.” He watched her go inside before heading into his own home.
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