Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Caught part one The Goddess ❯ Chapter 10

The bank wasn't exactly busy the last hour for some reason. Usually that was when the people stormed the place.

 

Unusual indeed!

 

Looking down at his hands he smiled at the checkbooks that were there. The first was Sakura's. He didn't think she would take it without a fight, but he knew eventually she'd give in. There were very expensive things she wanted to do for the hospital and this money would help. The other one, the one he was the most excited about, was the one for Sasuke. He was given more money that Sakura because he had an entire compound to take care of. All he had to do now was find that ass and drag him back.

 

Though he had the feeling it wouldn't be too long from now.

 

His home was around the corner, but he still had one more thing he wanted to do today. Seeing the Hokage could wait, since he was about due for another mission anyway, but making sure one of his friends was ok could not.

 

He needed to make sure Hinata was ok.

 

Loosing family or friends was not easy. She was delicate, though strong. He didn't know how she would handle this.

 

His instincts told him that she had an inner strength that could rival anybodies, but then again her self doubting nature may keep her from using it.

 

Placing the checkbooks in his pocket, making sure they wouldn't fall out, he leapt onto the nearest roof. Taking a moment to look around, before heading off, he tried his best to guess where she would be. It had been long enough, maybe she went home. That was a good place to start.

 

He took off toward the Hyuuga compound.

 

It was about an hour before sunset, which gave the surrounding an almost fairytale like feel to it.

 

Reaching the compound he noted that the two guards standing by the gate were not the same as the ones before. Making his way toward them he could see their faces tighten. He would not get through without a fight.

 

“Uzumaki, what are you doing here?”

 

Turning around immediately Naruto mentally punched himself for not noticing Neji's presence.

 

“I was just…uh…looking for Hinata. Is she alright?” His hand went to the back of his head. A nervous twitch that he doubted would ever go away.

 

Not liking the sound in his voice, he stalked up to the blond and eyed him. “What happened?”

 

Seeing the burning within the Hyuuga genius's eyes panic filled Naruto. “No no no, I was just checking up on her, you know, since her sister died!”

 

Neji's face seemed to relax from the tense worried face to his normal hard one. “hm” he mumbled before heading toward the gate.

 

“Good evening Neji-sama” one guard bowed slightly. “Glad to see you in good health Hyuuga-sama” the other commented; bowing as well.

 

Neji bowed back. “Are you coming?” He called to Naruto, not bothering to stop or even look behind him.

 

That sort of thing would have really pissed Naruto off, if it weren't for the fact that Neji just saved him from having to deal with the guards.

 

It was easier this way.

 

Not taking much notice to his surroundings, he followed the fast walking Neji across the grounds, until they reached the entrance to the hall that took them to a series of bedrooms. Naruto quickly learned that Hinata's room was across and down two from Neji's. Without saying a word Neji left Naruto at Hinata's door and made his way into his own. Not even a minute later the Hyuuga prodigy exited the room, a towel in hand. Taking a moment to stare at the nervous looking blond, who stood in the hall staring at Hinata's door like an idiot, Neji shook his head.

 

What an idiot.

 

Walking over to Naruto he paused, only to glare at the blood, who was now looking at him in confusion. Raising his hand, Neji knocked on Hinata's door. Without saying a word, or pausing for that matter, Neji turned around, allowing his hair to fan out around him, and stocked down the hall toward the bathhouse.

 

Naruto gaped.

 

The door opened.

 

“Naruto?” A small confused voice was heard.

 

Slowly, the blond turned his head toward the voice, mouth still hanging open.

 

“What…um…what are you…doing…here?” A reddish tint took up a home on her cheeks.

 

Seeing a small smile spread across her face knocked him back into the present. She was smiling. That was a good sign that she was taking her sisters death better than he had hoped she would.

 

“I was just checking on you Hinata.” His trademark grin took up residence once again.

 

She could feel her heart flutter. He was here, in her house, on his own accord, making sure she was ok.

 

He had thought about her.

 

He was worried.

 

He cared.

 

She could have hugged him she was so happy.

 

Could have, but didn't.

 

“thank you…Naruto…I am…doing better” Her smile grew.

 

The reddish tint didn't however.

 

It struck him as odd, but he pushed it aside.

 

He wasn't sure what caused him to ask her to dinner but he did. It was supposed to be a way to make her feel better. To take away any lingering sadness she may feel for a few hours. Then her smile, the beautiful one that she had, that he somehow didn't notice too much before, just multiplied in beauty by a hundred. The largest smile he had ever seen her wear shone at him.

 

He was suddenly glad he asked her.

 

She agreed and asked for a few minutes to prepare herself.

 

Leaning up against the wall to the left of her door he sighed. He hadn't meant to ask her to dinner, but he wasn't regretting it, and a twinge of excitement and fear made itself known.

 

Was this a date? He thought of it as two friends hanging out while getting a bite to eat, but now that he thought about it…

 

A date.

 

A date with Hinata.

 

A blush spread across his face. He just asked a girl, the heiress to a powerful clan, in which the leader could kill him easily, and she said yes. Did he have a death wish or something?

 

Neji was making his way back toward the blond.

 

He stopped at his door, eyeing the blond in confusing.

 

He must look like an idiot leaning against the wall like that.

 

Taking the prodigies gaze as a question that resembles `what the hell are you still doing in my house' or `did you hurt my cousin', Naruto stood straight immediately and began to explain. “She's getting ready”

 

“For?” Neji's eyebrows rose up.

 

“Dinner” Naruto had to force out. Neji wasn't acting all angry or over protective. He could feel the sweat starting to form on his forehead. “Dinner…to make Hinata happy…” it was pathetic, but it was all that he could manage to force from his lips. Neji was doing something to him, and he didn't know what it was, but damn it was scary. He could feel the blood flowing through his body. He could feel his heart beating heavily in his chest. He was scared of the prodigy.

 

He had never been scared of him before. Never during the exams. Never during missions. When it came to those kind of situations he was never afraid, but now. Standing there with the hyuuga genius, trying to explain that he was taking his cousin, the one person the hyuuga swore to protect, out to dinner felt as if he just signed his death certificate.

 

The tension was amazing.

 

And Neji stood there; amused.

 

God he wanted to punch the man in the face all of a sudden, but that wouldn't help his wanting to take Hinata to dinner.

 

Not that he originally wanted too. He was just getting excited about it.

 

“I'm ready” hinata's shy voice broke through the tension as she closed the door behind her.

 

“Where do you want to…go?” Naruto's widened as his ability to form word faded. She stood there, smiling her cute little smile, almost as to taunt him with her beauty. She was wearing a light purple kimono with pink and yellow butter flies around the bottom. Her obi was a mix of green and pink. Her hair was up in a messy bun, a few strands fell out of it. She wore the smallest amount of make up. He didn't even think she put any on except for the small amount of eye liner, mascara, and light pink lipstick.

 

Neji, who had seen her many times in formal wear was not as affected by it as Naruto was, though he'd be the first to admit she was glorious, and was indeed taking a risk like this with Naruto. It was never good idea to just jump into things, but Naruto was indeed a special case.

 

“Wherever you…want to go…Naruto” She smiled shyly.

 

Naruto shook his head, trying to regain some kind of control, before looking down at himself. He was wearing his normal orange and black outfit he wore everyday. Here she was, the definition of beauty, and he was covered in dirt and sweat from playing with the children earlier.

 

He couldn't take her out like this.

 

“Um…” He blushed. Great. Just great, how embarrassing this was for him…and how it would be for her if caught with him.

 

The excitement was replaced with nervousness.

 

“Whats wrong?” Hinata took a few steps forward until she was right in front of him. His face was turning a deeper red. He looked like he was either going to run for it or puke.

 

Her heart restricted. He didn't like her Kimono? Maybe it was her hair? Or her makeup? She was so sure she looked good in it.

 

“Hinata, it just that…” he took in a deep breath and let it out. “I can't take you to dinner looking the way that I do”

 

There he said it. It didn't sound like him, but there it was.

 

She giggled.

 

He eyed her. His hands making it to his waste. Why the hell was she giggling.

 

She was just plain weird.

 

“Its ok Naruto” her small voice softer than her giggles. “You don't…uh…look bad” She smiled again. “I think you…look very…uh…very…handsome.” She really needed to get over this stuttering thing. It was starting to annoy her now.

 

“Thank Hinata, but I better go change. I'll be back in fifteen minutes ok?”

 

“Wait! Naruto…that really isn't…nesassary.” She tried to grab his arm to stop him but he was already at the end of the hall.

 

“Don't worry Hinata. I'll be right back and I'll take you to a fancy restaurant.” He smiled at her before disappearing.

 

Neji, who had been standing be his door, watching the exchange, snickered.

 

Those two really were pathetic, but at least she was trying to change and he noticed her. Good start. Taking a good look at his blissful cousin he opened his bedroom door.

 

#$%^&*()*&^%$#$%^&*(*&^%$%^&*()*&^%

 

The night was young.

 

The sun had just set. The young couples had just left for their romantic dinners by candlelight or cuddling under that stars.

 

Kiba, Ino, Shino, Neji, and Choji were enjoying a nice night in their own separate clan compounds. Be it with family or by themselves it was indeed what the doctor ordered; time to rest.

 

Shikamaru was spotted sitting at the local bar, a nervous look on his face. It was almost as if he was worried about something… or someone. Tenten was seen wondering the street aimlessly glaring at a Kunai in her hand. Obviously something was bothering her. Lee was currently walking around Konoha on his hands after loosing a battle to Guy. EVERYBODY saw him. Tsunade was drinking and Kakashi was writing a report of some kind (aka ready sexually graphic novels while neglecting his work).

 

All was a peace for the first time in years. It was almost a serine feeling in the air that every person picked up on.

 

Naruto and Hinata slowly walked down the street, passing Naruto's favorite ramen stand. The feel of the night affecting them both as well.

 

It only took Naruto ten of the fifteen minutes to dress and return. She, along with Neji, who picked that moment to exit his room, were surprised at what they saw.

 

Naruto's hair was still unruly and kept up with his Konoha headband, but his clothing. He wore a Kimono. A traditional male Kimono. A black on with a green obi. It framed his muscular body, in which Hinata was familiar with, perfectly.

 

Neji caught her little gasp and shutter.

 

He smirked.

 

Making his way down the hall he turned toward the kitchen, his original reason for leaving his room.

 

Sighing happily Naruto was once actually glad that Tsunade forced him to get a Kimono for emergencies. He wouldn't have other wise. At first he was worried that Hinata wouldn't like it, since Tsunade, the crazed woman she was, was drunk when she picked it out.

 

He was unsure of the odd colors, but seeing her blush that way she did put his mind to rest.

 

At the end of the street stood a modest 3 story building. At the bottom of the building were double doors that led into a high-class restaurant that was popular when diplomats from other countries were to come. It was fancy. Everything sparkled. Everything. The floor was all white with some kind of sparkles sealed into them. The tables and the flatware on them were glass. A gorgeous crystal chandelier hung overhead, breaking into smaller ones that were over every table.

 

One thought entered Hinata's mind as Naruto led her into the building.

 

Could Naruto afford this place?

 

Sitting down at the table was harder than in needed to be when naruto was determined to be the one that helped her into her seat. Claiming that it was a mans responsibility he glared at the waiter when Hinata wasn't looking.

 

Then came the inevitable silence while both had already chosen what they wanted and were waiting for the waiter to come back. Picking a topic of discussion was in deed hard to do when both parties are nervous.

 

While Naruto shifted around in his seat, racking his brain for something appropriate to say, Hinata was having her own issues. She could see the muscles movie under the fabric of his Kimono. Images ran through her mind. His naked body moving over the water. Concentration shone through his features as he was determined to make his Chakra fuse with the water.

 

Her face was flushed. She could feel the heat from it.

 

“Naruto…what ever…happened with…that…girl?” She mentally smacked herself for asking, but curiosity killed the cat…or the hyuuga.

 

“Girl?” He really had no idea what she was talking about.

 

“the girl…that you saw…the night…you…” She couldn't finish. This was absolutely horrifying.

 

“Oh, you mean the girl that saved me?”

 

“You…called her…”

 

“A goddess right?” He watched her nod. This was a strange thing to talk about when on a date, but whatever she wanted. “I haven't seen her in awhile. She stopped coming to train. I probably scared her off, but her training method is amazing. It really does work” He said it before he realized what it meant.

 

“You mean…you train like her…na-naked?” Her inner female was giggling nervously from fond memories, while her face turned into something resembling a tomato.

 

His face burned as well. Was talking about his nudity appropriate for a first date…not that he planned on taking her out again. Well maybe. “Yeah.” A nervous chuckle rumbled in his chest when the memories of his training from the night before came back to him.

 

Luckily the waiter took that moment to come back for their orders. Naruto, not sure as to what everything was pointed at some random thing on the menu, earning a small compliment from Hinata on his choice.

 

He hoped it wasn't something gross.

 

Hinata requested a sushi wrap she favored.

 

Naruto didn't want to even think about it. Everybody loved sushi, but he preferred things that were cooked. Though he was a fan of food, not as much as Choji, but he still loved it. Maybe one day he would try it. After all it would make him somewhat of a hypocrite if he didn't.

 

“This place…its expensive Naruto…did you…get a raise?” She questioned. She knew that she shouldn't pry, but it was the first thing she could think of to say. She made mental not to make a list of things she could discuss with him when she returned home.

 

“Oh, well” A small blush spread across his cheeks. He hoped he didn't look as much like the idiot he felt he was. “Jiraiya left me some money”. Surprisingly talking about the old perv didn't bring back that dull ache he was use to every time his old teachers name was mentioned.

 

“Oh” She looked down at her lap shamefully. “I didn't mean…im sorry…I wont mention it again” She would have smacked herself if she could have get away with it.

 

“No, its ok.” He shook his head. “I'd rather remember him and the good times then lock everything away just ignore the pain”

 

He never ceased to amaze her. He was truly amazing. A smile, one full of pride for the young ninja, spread across her face. “that is very…intelligent…and…uh…admirable…of you…Naruto” Her voice floated to him a little louder than usual.

 

It took all his will power to keep his jaw from dropping. Intelligent? That was not a word that people used to describe him. He was strong. And when it came to thinking things up during a battle he was a pro, but intelligent?

 

“Thank you”

 

That was when his famous grin made its first appearance.

 

If Hinata weren't sitting she would have fallen to the floor from week knees.