The Double Date Part Two

The Double Date Part Two:

Hinata stood in front of her mirror, examining how her new dress looked on her. It was deep purple, with an intricate pattern of pink flowers running down the left side from the shoulder down to the hemline, which ended just below the knee. She loved purple, she always felt that it made her look pretty. Hanabi entered her room without knocking. She'd taken to the habit of doing so right after the night of the party at Ichiraku's. She held up two t-shirts, one was plain and light pink and the other was a deep red with a pattern of black intertwining vines with small blue flowers running from the right shoulder, cutting diagonally across the body to the bottom left of the hem. She was frowning and held them out towards her older sister expectantly.

Hanabi: Well... Which one would be nicer?
Hinata: I love the red one more, but don't you have a dress with a similar pattern?
Hanabi (noticing the dress): Umm... It's beautiful... but won't it look obvious what we're doing if the guards see us leave the compound dressed like that?
Hinata: Oh, I've got something plainer picked out to wear out to of the compound, but I'm going to get changed into this when we're in the clear.
Hanabi: Of course!!

Hanabi runs out of the room and returns a moment later with the red dress Hinata mentioned. The pattern and flower colour were the same, but instead of running from the shoulder to the hem line on the front, it ran from the waist down to the hemline all the way around. The hemline ended lower than Hinata's, about midway down her shins.

Hanabi: Do you really think this one is the nicest?
Hinata: It's beautiful. Go put it on and we'll see how it looks.
Hanabi: What about hair and makeup? Clothes are one thing, but they'll get suspicious if we go out all dolled up.
Hinata: Ino has us covered on that. We'll be leaving early and going to Ino's place. Her and Sakura will help us with our hair, we'll be getting changed there too. They'll be our alibi if we end up staying out a bit too late.
Hanabi: What about dad? Are we sure we will be able to get out without him noticing?
Hinata: He will be away. He's part of a delegation meeting with the Sand Village in three days, so they'll be leaving tomorrow at dawn. Neji will be running the affairs of the clan while he is away.
Hanabi: Does Neji know I'm going out as well?
Hinata: It took some convincing, but since you'll be with me the whole time he eventually allowed it, though he has asked me to inform you that any inappropriate behaviour on Konohamaru's behalf will have dire consequences for him...
Hanabi (giggling): I'll make sure to pass the message on to Konohamaru!
Hinata (giggling): I say Naruto will be drilling the idea of good behaviour into Konohamaru as we speak.

Hanabi let out a snort and fell off the edge of Hinata's bed where she had perched herself. Hinata simply watched, dumbfounded, as her sister rolled on the floor clutching her sides.

Hinata: And what exactly is so funny?
Hanabi (wiping a tear from her eye): It's just... Naruto preaching good behaviour... That's not exactly something anyone in this village would ever expect to hear.
Hinata (suddenly irritable): And what's wrong with Naruto!?

Hanabi heard the anger seeping into her sister's tone and straightened herself out, raising her hands as a sign of peace.

Hanabi: Nothing's wrong with Naruto. If I had a problem with him, would I be going out with a guy whose almost the exact same as him! It's just we all know his old reputation. I know he's different now, the whole village does, it's just still a little weird to hear people talk about how responsible he has become.

Hanabi was right, realized Hinata. She always thought of Naruto as a good person, but it's only recently that the village began to share her opinion.

Hinata: Sorry Hanabi, I didn't mean to snap like that, it's just... How do I explain it? ... Konohamaru is a lot like Naruto, that's true, but as grandson of the third Hokage people looked past his pranks and boisterous nature and respected him because of who his family was... but Naruto was detested by the village in his youth...
Hanabi: Because of the Nine Tails?
Hinata: Exactly, but that's not the worst of it...
Hanabi: What do you mean?
Hinata: Naruto didn't know he was the Nine Tails host; a Jinchuriki, until he was twelve.
Hanabi: So what did they tell him?
Hinata: Nothing.

Hinata was quiet for a moment. Hanabi was staring at the opposite wall, her face a mix of confusion and anger.

Hanabi: So he spent twelve years of his life being hated by his village, without even being told why?
Hinata: Exactly. He had to endure all that, hated for all he was even though...

Hinata seemed to be about to make an important point, but stopped trailed off into silence instead.

Hanabi: Even though what?
Hinata: Oh, sorry... got lost in my thoughts there... um... even though he had no control over what he was...
Hanabi: Well then I guess he's even stronger that I ever thought.
Hinata: Oh really?

Hanabi picked up her dress and stepped over to Hinata's door. She nodded and didn't look back at Hinata when she spoke next.

Hanabi: Yeah... I don't know what it was that gave him strength, but if I was cast down and spat on by the village like he was, I probably wouldn't have come back in its time of need, you may be shocked to hear this, but if it was me, I'd have left the village to wither and die...
Hinata: I'm not shocked. I've had those thoughts myself... I think everyone in the village has; which is probably why people love and respect him so much now. He had every reason to leave the leaf at the mercy of Pain... but he returned, he fought, and he saved us all...
Hanabi (suddenly laughing): And now you're dating him. I bet there are plenty of women in the village who are about to die of jealousy!
Hinata (laughing as well): And I say you'll have few envious onlookers yourself, considering you'll be dating his number one student.

Hanabi left, giggling, while Hinata changed out of her dress and packed it carefully into the bag she was going to be brining to Ino's the next day. With her packing complete she crawled onto her bed, stretching herself out, yawning as the golden rays of the early evening's sunlight shone in through her window. As she waited for Hanabi to return with her dress she closed her eyes and thought back over the conversation she just had with her sister. She couldn't believe she nearly let slip what she knew of Naruto's family. Of who his parents were. Naruto had sworn him to secrecy, not wanting to draw any more attention to himself, he would tell the others at another time, but he thought there were enough things to deal with in getting the village ready for war. He didn't want to distract them. As well as that, Naruto didn't know too much about them other than they few things he's heard, Hinata believed he wanted to understand his parents better before he allowed it to become common knowledge. He wanted to have answers for the questions he'd inevitably ne bombarded with. As she lay on her bed, bathed in the warm, golden light she began to drift off, and found herself back in Ichiraku's sitting next to Naruto as he tried to find a way to tell her who his father was.

TWO DAYS AGO:

Hinata sat next between Naruto and Kiba in Ichiraku's. It was about one o'clock and the sun was bright in the sky. A cool breeze blew in through the large entrance; Its usual hanging drapes pulled back to give a view of village and the hive activity around the construction sites poking their heads up from behind the nearby buildings. Kiba and Hinata had entered the ramen shop after a morning training session, finding Naruto stuffing the contents of what must have been his third bowl of ramen into his mouth. Teuchi smiled and waved the two of them in.

Teuchi: Kiba, Hinata, how are you? Sit down and have a bite to eat.
Kiba: Hey Teuchi! I'm good. Can I get a bowl of miso pork please?
Hinata: Good day! May I try your chicken option on the menu?
Teuchi: Coming right up! Another bowl Naruto? .... Naruto?

They all looked over and Hinata let out a gasp of fright when she saw Naruto's face had turned purple, as he was choking on his Ramen. Teuchi reached across the counter and brought his hand down on Naruto's back with a resounding thump. Naruto doubled over, coughing and spluttering as air finally started to make its way into his lungs.  

Kiba: Smooth move there Naruto!
Naruto: Screw... *cough*... You... *cough*... Kiba! ... *cough*
Teuchi: One fresh bowl coming up!
Naruto (returning to his seat): Thanks old man Teuchi!
Hinata (reaching over and rubbing Naruto's back): Are you sure you're okay?
Naruto (blushing a little and giving a thumbs up): I sure am! It's not the first time that's happened.
Ayame (handing Naruto a bowl over the counter): And with the way you eat it won't be the last!
Kiba: Could you imagine it, Naruto Uzimaki, the shinobi who defeated Pain, defeated by his love of ramen, they'll sing songs of your legend for years.

Kiba, Ayame and Teuchi all burst out laughing as Naruto scowled and started on his fourth bowl of ramen, slowly this time.

Teuchi: Wow! It's a miracle; I can see Naruto's chopsticks, not just a blur of motion!
Kiba (still laughing): He's got to make a good impression for his girlfriend!

Hinata went red in the face and leaned forward, lowering her head and busying herself with tucking into her lunch. Kiba winced as he regretted his foolish words. Naruto leaned back and glared at Kiba, issuing a quick series of hand gestures indicating the unpleasant things he had in store for Kiba. Leaning forward again Naruto decided to change the subject a little.

Naruto: So, Hinata, is Hanabi excited about the date? Cos Konohamaru won't shut up about it!
Hinata (relieved): Um... Y-yes! She'd a little flustered trying to get ready, it's a little strange.
Naruto: Why's that?
Hinata: Hanabi was a lot more skilled than I was in the ways of Hyuga training techniques and built up more confidence than I ever had, so to see her flustered like that is a strange change to see in her.
Kiba: Well, it's not surprising to hear a young kunoichi is going weak in the knees over a strong shinobi like him!
Naruto (sarcastically): It's almost as if you're talking from experience...

Kiba fixed Naruto with a murderous glare while Ayame and Hinata giggled. Teuchi laughed while he poured fresh noodles into the boiling pot. Kiba relented and grinned as he tucked into miso pork with a passion.

Naruto: And people thin I'm bad!
Kiba: At least I don't have a daily encounter with near death as a result!
Ayame: Just every other day.
Kiba (waving his hand dismissively): Still better than him.
Teuchi: So I'll take that as a request for a second bowl then?
Kiba: sorry Teuchi, I'd love to, but I've got some training to do with Hana.
Naruto: I thought your mother drilled you in your family's combat techniques.
Kiba: This isn't combat training. Hana's going to be teaching me some more complicated treatment techniques for tending to injured ninja hounds, so I'll be able to look after Akamaru if we get stuck behind enemy lines or something like that.
Naruto: sounds pretty handy.
Kiba: Yeah, Shino's gonna be with us too. She's worked with his family in helping them take care of their insect swarms.
Naruto: I didn't realize your family worked so closely with Shino's clan.
Kiba: We didn't, not until Hana started training as a vet anyway. She's interested in all living creatures, so when she was approached by someone in Shino's clan to help, she was happy to help. It's weird though, Shino's been a little off recently...
Naruto: What's wrong with him?
Hinata: I think it's the upcoming war. We all talk about it a lot, how we're feeling, our worries and the like, but Shino is a little withdrawn. He doesn't tell us how he feel, just reflects a lot on how things have changed... I think he's just dealing with it in his own way.
Kiba: I still don't like it! I hate it when he holds back like this, we only end up worrying about him and we don't need that kind of distraction when we're about to march to war any day now.
Hinata: It'll be alright, he'd never allow such issues to endanger our team, he'll talk to us eventually.
Kiba: I hope so.

With that Kiba paid for his meal and left. Naruto almost though Hinata would leave with him, but was happy to find that she stayed next to him. While Ayame was busy taking stock of the ingredients she would need to restock and Teuchi was busy working on his noodles, Naruto moved his stool closer to Hinata's. She reddened a little at his increased closeness, but didn't look away, instead she smiled.

Hinata: Um... Naruto?
Naruto: Yeah?
Hinata: About our date... we can't have late.
Naruto: Because of Hanabi?
Hinata: Yes
Naruto: I get it, she can't stay out late or your dad would find out about the date, right?
Hinata (caught off guard): I... You see... It's not like...!!!
Naruto (placing his hand on hers and laughing): It's okay Hinata, I understand!
Hinata (surprised): You do?!
Naruto: I think so. We're about to go to war, your father wouldn't exactly love the idea of you beginning a relationship now, he'd be afraid that it would only prove to be a distraction and possibly get you killed. And the idea of fact that both his daughters are interested in dating at the same time would probably give the guy a panic attack!
Hinata: That's it exactly!

Hinata breathed a sigh of relief. She had been worried that Naruto might have taken it the wrong way. She kept picturing him getting the idea that might believe she was afraid he wasn't good enough for her family. But seeing him sitting next to her, smiling warmly, she felt her heart soar. Feeling his hand in hers she squeezed gently, leaning over and kissed him on the cheek.

Hinata (blushing): Thank you for understanding.
Naruto (blushing and scratching his head with his free hand): Of course! Fathers are always there to protect their child... (Naruto's expression became distant and a little sad)...  despite the distance, the love is always there...

Hinata stares at Naruto in wonder. From the way he was talking it was almost as if he was talking from personal experience, but his parents had died when he was born. Was he referring to Jiraiya? The old sage had been the closest thing to a father Naruto had ever really known. Hinata leaned closer to Naruto and placer her hand gently on his cheek, her touch bringing him back to reality.

Hinata: N-Naruto? Are you okay? You seem to have something on your mind...
Naruto: Sorry, it's just...
Hinata: Is it Jiraiya-Sama? He seems to be on your mind recently...
Naruto: No... Not the pervy sage...
Hinata: Then what?

Naruto is quiet for a moment. Hinata could see that he was debating something with himself. She hoped he would share it with her. She hated to see him like this; he seemed to be haunted by the memory of something. After another moment he let out a breath. He turned around in his seat and looked around, carefully scanning for anyone who would be within eavesdropping range. He gave Teuchi and Ayame a quick look, then fixed Hinata with a serious look.

Naruto (in a low voice): I've decided I can't keep this from you. I've found out who my father was...
Hinata (in a low voice as well) Really?!?! That's so amazing. Who is it?
Naruto (sighing): You may not believe me...
Hinata: I trust you not to lie to me Naruto.
Naruto (looking Hinata right in the eyes): Minato Namikaze
Hinata (after a couple of seconds): I believe you.
Naruto: Really?!?
Teuchi: You'd be an idiot not to notice the resemblance!
Ayame: I've had a theory that he was for years!
Naruto jerks back from Teuchi and Ayame who were leaning over the counter and were nearly on top of Naruto and Hinata. Hinata lets out a frightened squeak and Naruto falls backwards off his stool.  Naruto bolts upright fixing the two storeowners with a murderous glare before his expression softens a little and he sits back down.

Naruto: If you're going to eavesdrop then would you at least make an effort to hide it, you scared the hell out of us!!
Teuchi: Sorry about that, but when we heard that we couldn't resist. But I'm glad you got to find out about your fathers. How did you find out about him?
Naruto: I'm still a bit fuzzy about the specifics of exactly how he did it, but when my father sealed the nine tails in me sixteen years ago, he managed to place some of his chakra in the seal. It was an emergency precaution for if the seal ever came close to being broken. When I lost control during the battle against Pain, his chakra activated and he manifested in my mind and resealed the monster inside me. He told me he believed in me, and then he was gone... there was only really enough of his power there to explain a little and the secure the seal... and then he was gone...

He felt a piece of cloth against his face and realized that tears were running down his cheek and Hinata was dabbing them away with one hand, her other arm was slowly rubbing up and down his back. He smiled, eternally grateful for her gentle kindness and he wrapped both his arms around her waist and pulled her close and kissing her on the lips. She reddened and stiffened in surprise, but soon relaxed into it. Pulling his lips slowly from hers he rested his head on her left shoulder. She rested her head on his shoulder in return and her never felt so at peace in his life as he did at this moment, his head resting on Hinata's shoulder, breathing in the scent of lavender from her long dark hair.

Naruto: Thank you Hinata!
Hinata: For what?
Naruto: For being here with me.
Hinata: I'll always be here for you!

They thanked Teuchi for the meal and Naruto covered for both of their food with some of his Ichiraku coupons.  As he watched the two young lover leave, arm in arm he smiled to himself.
Teuchi: A bright and excitable soul paired with a gentler yet equally as strong soul...
Ayame: Just like his parents. Hey dad, why didn't you tell him about his mother, about Kushina Uzimaki?
Teuchi: I'd love to, but he's trying to wrap his head around the story of his father, with little more than a brief meeting from beyond the grave and the stories of others. He's trying to piece his past together, and he's trying to do so with a war about to erupt. He can only deal with this one parent at a time. If he tries to take it all on in one go, he may lose his focus and that could get him killed on the battlefield. When he gets around to his mother in his own time I'll tell him all I know. I'll tell him the source of his obsession with ramen...

BACK IN THE PRESENT:

Hinata stirred and found herself staring bleary eyed at a concerned looking Hanabi. Sitting upright she stood up stiffly and rubbed her eyes.

Hanabi: Are you alright, you were crying.
Hinata: Sorry, it was a strange dream I was having.
Hanabi: Are you sure?
Hinata: Yeah, I've no reason to be sad. I'm going out tomorrow evening with the man I love, and my sister is going out with the boy she 'kinda likes more than just a friend'.
Hanabi (a little embarrassed): Alright, alright, don't go all mushy on me!

Hinata hugged her little sister and Hanabi laughed and squirmed, trying to get frre of Hinata's grip without creasing her dress.

Hanabi: Okay, okay, I love you too, now please, you're going to wreck my dress!
Hinata (letting go of Hanabi giggling): Oh my! You look beautiful!
Hanabi (blushing again): You're just telling me what I already know!

Hinata laughed at her sisters forced cockiness and pulled a bag out from her closet and handed it to Hanabi.

Hinata: Here, you should put your dress in here. It's bigger than you're bag, so your dress won't crease as easily inside it. There'll also be more room for your shoes and whatever else you want to bring.
Hanabi (taking the bag and checking the inside): This is perfect, thanks! I'll go change out of my dress and put my things in here now. Have you packed your things?
Hinata: I have. You won't have to pack anything for your hair or any makeup, Ino said she has all of those kind of things covered.
Hanabi (laughing): That's good, because apart from shampoo and a few combs, I have no hair products or makeup.

Hanabi rushed out of her room again to go pack her things for the next day. Hinata Lay back down on her bed for a few minutes, before she decided to go out to get some fresh air. She climbed the stairs to the second floor of the compound, crossed the large landing and walked out onto the large balcony. She stood with her hands resting on the wooden railings that encircled the balcony. She looked across the sprawl of buildings and the distant, but large piles of construction materials. This was her village. It had been hit hard, had suffered large casualties and had then been demolished in one stroke. At that moment, those that had survived due to the protection Tsunade had provided them, began to crawl form the rubble and looked on as Pain, the Akatsuke leader who had brought them to their knees descended to the centre of destruction, a crater that had been blasted clear of all signs of life, and found himself face to face with a furious Naruto. He had appeared, with the three great toads, Gamakichi, and the two elder toad sages and in the space of a few heartbeats, one of the six Pain puppets was destroyed. From there Naruto worked his way through the others. And when he faltered, Hinata stepped in. It was then she had confessed her love to him, it was then that Pain struck her down, and it was then that Naruto lost control over the monster imprisoned inside him. Hinata often wondered if it had been better had she not stepped in. Would Naruto have been able to find away to fight back and not have to lose himself to the rage of the nine tails? But now those doubts were being silenced. Naruto had actually met his father. It was in his darkest moment, but if he hadn't reached that point, he wouldn't have ever met him. Naruto asked Her, Teuchi and Ayame to keep what they had learned secret, and so they would. She went inside again for a moment and came out again with a blanket and sat on one of the two wooden chairs on the balcony. She wrapped the blanket around herself, shielding her body from the increasing chill in the air as day slowly gave way to night. She smiled, as her thoughts turned to Naruto and the darkness swept across the hidden leaf. She fell asleep again on the chair and when she awoke again, it was shortly after midnight. She stretched and stood up stiffly, he back a little sore from leaning against the wood for so long. She turned to go back inside, but nearly jumped when a dark bundle on the chair next to her moved. Leaning in closer, her hand automatically flying to the pouch with her kunai knives when she realized it was Hanabi. She stood confused for a moment, when she noticed a piece of paper visible on the table under the light of the full moon. She leaned in and scanned the writing on it. It was a list of things she wanted to buy to bring out on the date. New shoes, a small handbag and the words 'new dress' followed by a series of question marks was heavily circled in red. Hinata smiled and tried to rouse her sister. Hanabi would simply moan, seem to start to rouse before sagging back down, totally unconscious. Hinata sighed and picked her sister up as gently as she could and carried her back to her bedroom. Hinata was just thankful that her sister was a little small for her age, so she wasn't too hard to carry. She was a little concerned about dropping her on the stairs and has considered looking for assistance, but decided against it, as it was very late and didn't want to bother anyone else. After she had placed Hanabi in her own bed she returned to her own room and changed out of her clothes and climbed in under the covers. She was asleep barely a minute after her head hit the pillow. As she slept she dreamed of what the next day might bring. It would be her first date with Naruto, and Hanabi's first date with Konohamaru, this would be one of the biggest days of their lives, she hoped nothing would go wrong.