Her Embrace
The weather in Konoha was cool and chilly as it had rained heavily the previous day. Though the ground was muddy, Hinata reveled in the moment as a cold wind hit her face. She was just out for a walk round Konoha as her team-mates were out on a mission and her clan home wasn't really a fun place to be. She smiled again as memories from the past few months replayed in her mind and the wind continued to provide a tranquil moment.
She could not believe how quickly the past few months had flown by. It had been the best months of her life. Both she and Naruto were close friends now. Due to the incident which happened at Kurenai’s place, Naruto came to see her at least once a week for her aid in treating his training injuries. She remembered how it took all the concentration she had to function normally with a shirtless Naruto so close to her at the beginning. But after a period of time, it got easier.
She could now relax around him and blushed occasionally as long as he was fully clothed and only stuttered in like sixty five percent of her speech when he was not. She was amazed by her progress. During the sessions, she had opened up to Naruto more than she ever thought possible and he also seemed to enjoy their conversations.
“Hinata!”
Hinata looked up when the yell of her name broke off her train of thought.
“Ino-san” She greeted cheerfully as she walked up to the blond.
Elsewhere...
Four black blurs raced towards Konoha leaping rapidly from branch to branch. Kiba, Akamaru, Shino and Naruto were on their way home from a reconnaissance mission in the Hidden Rain Village. Rumors had filtered into Konoha that it seemed certain individuals in the mold of Pain had begun gathering a large army for unknown purposes. Naruto had taken Hinata’s place on Team 8 as ordered by the Hokage due to the fact that an analyst in Shino combined with Kiba and Akamaru’s sensory skill needed to be complimented with brute force. And Naruto was as brutal as they get.
“Why is it that sneaking out is always harder than sneaking in?” Kiba asked.
“That’s because the probability that a mission will take longer than the previously agreed estimate is around the range of 75 percent. Kiba, you should know this” Shino replied.
“Hmm Hmm” Naruto nodded as if agreeing with Shino causing Kiba to sweat drop. “Baka! You totally didn't understand any of that” Kiba yelled.
“It isn't my fault you don’t know it and I do. Baka!” Naruto replied.
“Anyway, we should hurry as I’ll like to make it home before night falls. That’s because I got word from my father’s insect about a new species of insect that has been discovered and I will like to be home during its investigation” Shino remarked thus interrupting the electrical glares Kiba and Naruto were sending each other.
“What’s so special about investigating some bug?” Naruto furrowed.
“It’s an Aburame thing. We analyze the conditions needed for the bug to inhabit one’s body and the head of the Aburame spearheads the investigation. Needless to say, I shall assume the post of clan head soon and my presence is required in situations such as these” Shino finished.
“Clan head” Naruto started. “So there’s an Aburame clan?” he finished looking deep in thought.
Shino’s eye twitched and a gloomy aura enveloped him causing Kiba to burst into a fit of laughter. “That was harsh Naruto!”
“Ehh? Why dattebayo?” Naruto asked.
Kiba sighed before continuing “Never mind. I just want to get home too. I miss mum and sis. Right, Akamaru?” The ninja dog barked in agreement.
Naruto smiled at them before withdrawing into his thoughts. He had saved Konoha a lot of times and he had even been among those that saved the whole world once. He had the acknowledgement he so wanted when he was younger but he still felt incomplete. Once he got back, he was just going to be alone in his room as usual. “It must be nice to have someone waiting for you to come home” he sighed to himself.
Shino and Kiba were able to decipher the expression on his face and realized what he was thinking. “Maybe later in the day we’ll come over to your place to play around Naruto. Right, Shino?”
“Yes. That’s because we’re comrades and we’ve got your back” Shino replied.
Naruto smiled as they continued to inch closer to Konoha. “Thanks, guys.”
A few hours later....
Hinata just happened to be at the gates when they returned. Her discussion with Ino had left her feeling flushed and she just walked unconsciously towards the gate as she imagined different scenarios on what Ino had advised her. Nevertheless, she sighed with relief as they emerged from beyond the gates. Logically, she knew that it was silly for her to be worried as they were strong ninjas but she just couldn’t help it. These were the three men closest to her heart.
“Shino-kun” she called as she threw her arms around Shino who had been in the lead. She also knew that public displays of affection made Shino uncomfortable so the hug didn't last long. “I was worried” she finished as she pulled back.
“The delay was unavoidable and it was illogical for you to worry. But…your unease about our absence is highly appreciated.”
Hinata smiled as she watched him adjust his glasses and turn to address Naruto and Kiba. “He’s like a big brother”
“As team leader, I will take our information to the Lady Hokage. You may escort me but it is not necessary as the debriefing can be done later tonight in Naruto’s apartment”
Kiba and Naruto said their thanks to him as he dissipated into a mass of insects and dispersed into the wind.
“Don’t I get a hug too?” Kiba pouted. “Kiba-kun” Hinata giggled as she threw her arms around her other older brother. The hug lasted longer.
Naruto watched their reunion in silence. He was happy to see Hinata. He had missed her. He knew he had because it wasn’t a foreign feeling to him as he had missed Sakura during his two and a half years of training with Ero-sennin. He smiled as he watched them talk. Hinata was smiling and happy and…he was angry at Kiba for it. He shook his head “Angry? Why am I angry?” he asked himself.
Kiba realized the struggle Naruto was having with himself and snickered. “Hey! Aren’t you going to give Naruto a hug too?” He asked innocently forcing a blush from Hinata. “It’s good to be home. I’ll see you guys later!” and with that he was gone.
Naruto and Hinata both stood quiet for a minute before Hinata started.
“I'm glad you’re back.”
“Really?” Naruto grinned while scratching the back of his head. “We didn’t really have to fight though. It all went smooth” he replied. He then looked at Hinata. Her head was slightly bowed. Kiba had made it awkward for them. “S-so I’ll be goi….”
But Naruto was interrupted as Hinata slipped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest. Her head felt light but she was determined to stay awake. “I w-was wo-worried about y-you! W-welcome home.”
Naruto looked down at the hyuga heiress as thoughts raced in his mind. “S-she fits perfectly…I love the feel of her body against mine….i don’t want her to let go…” but the thoughts were quickly countered with “It’s just a hug between friends…She hugged Kiba and Shino too”
“What is this feeling?” he finally asked himself before proceeding to wrap his hands around her.
“I see. Thank you, Hinata.”
Thanks for sparing the time to read. What did you think? :flowers...And ohh, here are the links to the previous chapters:
You must be registered for see links
You must be registered for see links
..Yeah it's a continuation, post war period. There's still a chapter I'll like to add to it and thanks a lot man.
