Chapter Text
Things are finally looking up.
That was the thought that crossed Hinata Hyuga’s mind as she stirred the vegetables she was making in her boyfriend’s apartment. Although Naruto Uzumaki didn’t much care for vegetables, she cared enough to force him to eat some, for living on ramen only isn’t the healthiest of diets and even Hokages have got to listen to their girlfriends once in a while.
His girlfriend.
She was still trying to get used to that word.
Again.
Hinata frowned as she remembered why things are finally looking up recently.
The first attempt at a relationship had been a disaster to say the least.
She was shy, still familiarizing herself with the concept of finally being noticed. And he was clumsy with handling his feelings and her own. So clumsy infact, that he confessed a few weeks after they started dating that he has slept with his lifelong crush Sakura Haruno.
Hinata had been devastated.
Old insecurities rearing their ugly heads up; was she not good enough? After everything; Rooting for him from the shadows. Believing in him when no one else did. Fighting Pein knowing that she was walking towards her death. Being ready to die for him when Obito launched that attack , if it wasn’t for her cousin Neji who got them both out of the way ; one of the three of them would’ve died .
Was she always to be disregarded for someone else better, stronger , more confident and sure of themselves? Was she still that unseen, timid, weak little girl?
And so those pink tinted glasses had been ripped off, just like her heart.
Naruto of course tried to explain; they were both drunk. Extremely drunk.
Sakura had been struggling with letting Sasuke go. After he set her down and explained calmly, well as calmly as an Uchiha can. That he was still not interested. She was his teammate, his friend on a good day. Nothing more, nothing less. He has moved on, not that there ever was anything between them from his side anyway.
As for Naruto, well he was dealing with his own struggles; being Hokage wasn’t all fun and games. Appeasing that clan without offending the other. Delicate diplomatic meetings. Political games with Konoha’s own elders and making sure that there were no threats from the other villages was exhausting.
Plus, the paper work. God how much he hated the paperwork.
Heavy is the head that wears the Hat.
Heartbreak, stress and Sake was not the best combination for making level headed decisions.
It was a mistake he said. It was still devastating.
Of course, Naruto kept asking for forgiveness and begging for a second chance.
Her friends all had different opinions
Kiba said that she should absolutely ignore him and that he would be more than happy to introduce him to his fist if he kept persisting.
Shino said that although she has a forgiving nature, it was best to think about it before making any decision.
Ino said that Hokage or not Naruto was still an idiot, and would she please let her help with finding a rebound. Then Ino being the helpful friend that she was, pointed out that the Kazekage was visiting the village soon, and can you imagine the look on Naruto’s face when said Kazekage swoops in and takes what his friend didn’t appreciate. Plus the political headache it would cause Naruto with the Hyuga Heiress being married to a foreigner, a Kage no less would be oh such a sweet revenge!
Hinata who’s face matched said Kazekage’s hair color at the time, pointed out the main flaw in Ino’s dastardly plan; being that she and Gaara never spoke a word to each other. And maybe marriage was a bit premature. To which Ino huffed and said that Hinata was no fun , always shattering her dreams .
Sasuke who happened to be at the Hospital that day signing papers near the station where both medics were chatting, agreed saying that Naruto was an idiot. Whether he was agreeing with Ino’s statement that Hinata could bag Gaara (Ino’s words not hers) or was just agreeing with the general census of Naruto’s idiocy was still a mystery to Hinata. Ino had squealed that even Sasuke Ice-Block Uchiha thinks she can do better! Said ice block left with his eyebrow twitching.
Another thing Hinata was still getting used to: Sasuke’s… friendship? Comradeship? Acknowledgement of her existence? Whatever that “ship” was, happened quite recently when both of them were assigned a special project from the Hokage at Konoha’s Hospital because even idiots have a few bright ideas once in a while.
After the number of devastating losses during the war, Naruto thought it was best to have all ninjas from chunin level and up learning the basics of medical ninjutsu to minimize future unnecessary deaths in missions.
He of course being the brilliant man that he was, gave said project to Hinata who happens to be quite the successful medic as an apology gesture. It was quite thoughtful. Although finding out later on that it was Sakura’s idea still left a bitter taste in her mouth.
And being the asshole that he was, had Sasuke overseeing the combat ninja’s attendance and remedial physical training for the medics, stating that no one would dare play hooky if the Uchiha was assigned to it. Sasuke of course knew the truth, said asshole was still pouting about losing their last no-hold-back training session.
But that is a story for another time.
Her Family of course had their own opinions about the matter.
The greedy elders were dismayed about the loss of political opportunities of having the Hokage married to their Heiress. Again, a bit premature. Not that Hinata cared much for their opinion these days.
Her father beyond a twitching of his eyebrows didn’t say anything.
The fact that almost half the clan knew of her predicament still embarrassed her, but that is what happens when one’s little sister screams at the top of her lungs that she would shove that big Hat up that blonde’s ass. Getting back with him was out of the question Hinata!
Neji who has gone deaf in one of his ears, since he was meditating near the sisters at the time said that it was Hinata’s choice and if she believed it was time to give up on that dream, then it was time. And Hanabi would you please use your Lady mouth.
And that was the key word: Giving up.
Was she giving up too soon? Was she running away? Was she going against her Nindo, her Ninja way? Their Ninja way. And there lay the answer, Hinata has stopped being a quitter the day her cousin left her bleeding on the floor of that tower in the middle of the forest of death a long time ago. And Naruto had been a big part of that.
Hanabi being the Lady that she was said she hoped for her sister’s sake that the blond idiot learned to use his not- so-gentleman mouth for more than just screaming about hokageship and believing it!
To which Neji wished he was deaf in both ears, and Hinata released a scandalized gasp before fainting.
And so here we are. One unrelenting Hokage, a sincere heartfelt apology from one Sakura Haruno which Hinata genuinely accepted and one Hyuga heiress who doesn’t give up later. And we have a two-month steady healthy relationship that got Hinata humming while putting the vegetable in a plate before placing them in front of Naruto who was sitting at the table looking pensive.
Yes, things were finally looking up
“Naruto-kun, they really aren’t that bad. I promise they’re well-seasoned.” Hinata said seeing Naruto frowning at the plate.
Another thing she was happy about, was slowly and steadily overcoming her shyness around him. The fact that her stutter is fading more and more everyday is one of her best accomplishments.
“Yeah…thanks Hinata-chan.” Naruto grinned although she noticed it didn’t really reach his eyes.
He’s still under a considerable amount of stress it seems.
“How was your day? Any non-confidential good news that you can tell me about?” Hinata asked while tasting the food, it was quite good.
“Well it seems Gaara’s visit is finally happening once I convinced the elder he was not here to suss out potential weaknesses in our village’s defenses…bunch of paranoid old geezers” Naruto sighed still pushing his vegetables around.
“Naruto-kun! It’s their job to be paranoid” she giggled.
“Paranoid? More like a pain in the ass! I still don’t know how you manage to deal with your own clan elders. I had a couple of them in the last council meeting. And they make Sasuke look like a joyful easter bunny compered to their icy demeanor….hmm no offense.” He mumbled at the end.
“None taken...I’ve been dealing with them since I was five so I am used to it ” Hinata smiled , a smile that turned into a fit of giggles “Although I think Sasuke-san might take offense at being called a joyful easter bunny.”
“Excellent! I cannot wait to see the bastard’s face when I call him that.” his grin more genuine now at the thought of annoying his best friend.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea? Your arm is still healing from your last disagreement” She reminded him
“Maybe you’re right” He said a bit dejected “ohhh mind telling him when you see him next at the Hospital!” He brightened up again.
“W-what?! I-I can’t do that Naruto-kun! Sasuke-san would get so m-mad. A-and I need my arm to h-heal patients” Hinata answered with a horrified look as she imagined that conversation. Nope Sasuke would not be amused. At all.
“Aww, Hinataaa! He would never hurt you. He thinks of you as a fluffy bunny, even he can’t hurt a cute fluffy bunny”
“ I am n-not a f-fluffy bunny”she said red faced “You overestimate my c-cuteness and his patience!”
“ I disagree and so would he” he laughed at her puffed out cheeks.
“You would know, he’s one of your best friends after all” Hinata huffed, turning her head. Although she could see from the corner of her eye that his smile fell. Strange.
“Hmm…speaking of best friends….Sakura-chan is pregnan.t” He said now looking at his plate once again.
"Oh! I didn’t know she was seeing anyone or did she do an artificial insimination? I know she she’ll be a great mother either way...” She trailed off as she saw the look on Naruto’s face.
Oh no. Is he still in love with her? Is that why he looks so down?
Her own face crumpled when she realized that the look on Naruto’s face wasn’t sadness but guilt.
“I am so sorry Hinata. It was one time, when we were broken up” Naruto spoke once he gathered the courage to meet her eyes.
When we were broken up.
When he was asking for her forgiveness daily, saying that he would never do it again, that it had been a one time thing.
“Hinata…. Say something” He finished eyes pleading.
“H-how the h-hell, did y-you manage to p-put me in this p-position t-twice” Hinata's eyes were already shining with tears she refused to shed in front of him.
“I…you know I can’t walk away from this… I’ve always wanted a family…” He said shame and guilt shocking him up.
I’ve always wanted a family.
Being an orphan, he knew the true meaning of family and its value. He was telling the truth , her Byakugan told her that much . However she could also clearly see it wasn’t with her that he wanted it. It has never been her.
“Y-you l-lied…I t-trusted you a-and you s-still did it..a-again” Her voice broke as she lost the battle against her watery eyes.
Not wanting him to see how hurt she really was, she turned around fleeing his apartment, tears still running down her cheeks.
Things are finally looking up. What a joke.
She really shouldn’t have tempted fate.