Author's note: Hi, I'm back! And cancer free! I'm so thankful for all of you who left notes of support and encouragement. I have hardly been on this site so I'll be trying to reply to some of my private messages soon, but wanted to get these up and going now that I have a chapter ready!

Getting back in the groove of writing hasn't been the easiest, but I'm consistently writing almost every day again (not always tons of words, but at least writing) and will be trying to update as often as possible. Maybe I'll eventually get into a posting schedule, but until them I'll just try to get things to you guys as quickly as possible.

Thank you again for all of your support. It meant so much to me at a dark time in my life when I wasn't sure what was ahead or if I even had anything ahead of me. My husband appreciated the comments, too, because they made me smile. You guys are the best and I'm going to do my best for you!

Hinata: Sweetheart of the Allied Nations

Chapter Ten: Old and New

Hinata blinked bleary eyes at the ceiling. It had taken her a few moments to recognize what should be so familiar. It was strange how being gone for so long could make home feel so foreign.

She knew the smells surrounding her - the smell of the detergent in her pajamas and sheets. She knew the incense she burned in her room when fresh cut flowers were not available to lend their sweet aroma. She knew the feel of her pillow and the color of the walls. She could hear the sounds of the maids shuffling in the hallway, a sound she'd become accustomed to early on in life.

And yet, though she knew these things, they felt unusual. Once she was settled back in she wouldn't notice any of it anymore. The smells and sounds and textures would fade back into her day to day life. The fact that everything felt so fresh and new made it feel almost as if she was just in another new place and it was strangely heartbreaking. She'd looked forward to being home for so long and right now it felt too new. The comfort of the familiar did not quite ease the feeling of what her senses were digesting as new and different.

She was home. She was back in Konoha, but even with all the familiarity things were different. The streets had changed. The buildings had grown. Her friends had matured. And Naruto had… well, she wasn't quite sure, but he was also different. The way he had looked at her made her heart pound and her lips turned into a hard frown at the achingly familiar sensation. He had kissed her. That was certainly different and she was a little upset that such an act had nearly undone all the work she had accomplished while away. It couldn't happen again.

So, she slid her legs off the bed, sat up, slapped her cheeks a couple times to get her mind back on track for her busy day, and slipped on her robe to walk to the baths. With everything she had planned for the day, she was going to start with a nice relaxing soak - during which she would decidedly not think about the way her (former - definitely former) crush's lips had felt on hers.

When Kurenai answered her door, a smile stretched across her face, Hinata's eyes had widened at the scene in front of her. A boy who had to be little Asuma was running around the living room in a circle, chasing a small puppy and giggling like crazy. He had been so small when she'd left, just over half a year, and still figuring out how to scoot himself across the floor.

Now, however, he no longer looked like a baby. His limbs were longer and stronger and his face had started to look less like an infant and more like a tiny combination of Kurenai and Asuma. He still had plenty of baby fat - he was still a toddler, after all - but clearly this was no longer a squishy baby. He was now a small person and it was a jarring reminder of how long she had been away.

"Crazy, isn't it? I feel like it was just yesterday I was bringing him home from the hospital. He hardly ever let me put him down and now when I try to hug him he squirms away to try to play. He's always on the move."

Hinata looked at her former sensei with her mouth still slightly agape. Kurenai's dark hair was pulled back - something she'd never seen before - and much shorter than it had been.

"Your hair - " she started, then realized how it must have sounded when the crimson eyed woman began to laugh.

"It's different, I know. I cut it probably half a year after you left. I got tired of him always pulling on it and I needed something easier to manage. Shikamaru always jokes that little Asuma skipped learning to walk and started sprinting instead. He and the boys have been a great help, but at some point spending twenty minutes trying to manage my hair seemed ridiculous when compared to an extra few minutes of sleep."

"I-I didn't mean it to sound that way!" Hinata exclaimed, "It looks nice, really! I was just surprised!"

Kurenai laughed again, the smile reaching her eyes.

"I know, Hinata, don't worry. If you'd hated it you would have made a carefully neutral face and not said anything at all about it."

Hinata pursed her lips at the accurate assessment and blushed slightly. She supposed Kurenai had spent so much time with her that it made sense she would know her so well. Still, she liked to think she had some mystery left about her.

"Come in! There's no point standing there. You have two years worth of hugs to try and wrestle out of my son and we have some serious talking to do. I don't suppose you can stay through dinner, as well?"

The Hyuga shook her head and tried to express her disappointment.

"No, unfortunately I have dinner plans as well as a formal meeting scheduled with my father late this afternoon."

Kurenai's eyebrows raised at that last bit of information.

"An actual formal meeting?"

Hinata sighed, and gave her former sensei a small smile. "Yeah, a real one. Something came up on my trip and I need to talk with him about it."

"I don't suppose you can talk to me about it?"

The Hyuga shook her head. "No, unfortunately. Strictly clan business." She knew Kurenai would know that meant it was about the Seal. Anything more would be putting her plans and possibly herself in danger.

"Well that's alright then, I'm sure there's plenty left for you to tell me about your time away. Why don't we go get some plates on the table and some tea on the stove and we can get started?"

Hinata smiled, so glad that some things never changed, and followed her former sensei to the kitchen for lunch. The sounds of little Asuma's toys and giggles helped steel her nerves for her upcoming meeting with her father. Messing with one of the oldest and most volatile traditions of her clan was a rather terrifying prospect, but she didn't want the next generation having to deal with something so barbaric. There had to be a better way. Whatever it took she would create that better future.

Lunch with Kurenai had been a joyful occasion. Once Asuma had come searching for his mother he'd stopped at the sight of Hinata. She was a little sad at first that she'd have to reintroduce herself to him, but he'd surprised her by uttering a quiet, "Na-ta?"

Kurenai had smiled and nodded at her son and gone on to explain to Hinata that she had shown him pictures of her and the team while Hinata was away so that he'd know what she looked like when she had returned. And Kiba and Shino had made tons of promises (well, mostly Kiba had) for her sake about how she would play with him and spoil him with sweets and presents. Hinata had happily hoisted the toddler into her lap and spent the rest of her time catching up and occasionally tickling Asuma.

Upon re-entering the Hyuga compound, Hinata's attitude did a complete 180. Her manner became brisk, her walk formal. She donned a mask of indifference and importance, something expected of an heiress on her way to a formal meeting with the clan head. She gave no clue in either demeanor or expression about what she planned to discuss with her father or the turmoil she felt knowing the dangers surrounding the idea. She had a job to do and if the clan elders thought they could intimidate her or predict her now, they would be sorely mistaken.

It was another new oddity in what was supposed to be her familiar home, but the lack of fear of the clan elders was something she welcomed instead of being bittersweet. They had suffocated her, disapproved of her, talked down to her her whole life, but after the war and spending so much time with powerful people around the shinobi world, she was now aware of just how small the Hyuga clan was. They were important, yes. They had a bloodline trait passed down from the origins of chakra themselves, but they were not the only important people in the world. And she would no longer be bullied into submission.

The elders had begun to play nice after the war, after the acknowledgement of her strength by her father and the village, but she knew they were just biding their time. They thought Hanabi would be both less compassionate to outsiders and easier for them to mold. They wanted Hanabi to have the title of heiress again. They were wrong about Hanabi, but that was no matter. She wasn't going anywhere. Not until she accomplished what she had always wanted to do for Neji. What she had always wanted to do for her cousin, turned protector, turned dearest loved one. She could not allow more Hyuga to be thankful for death, to feel freedom only in choosing how they died. They were family. They were blood. And that was unacceptable.

Hinata stopped outside her Father's private meeting chamber, nodding to the branch member who stood at attention outside to let him know he could introduce her. She was quickly let in and bowed to her father before sitting on a cushion in front of him. When the Hyuga on guard duty slid the door shut behind him, a faint pressure ran across the room as the privacy seals activated.

Hinata breathed in carefully and out through her nose. Hiashi sat before her not as her father, but as the head of the Hyuga.

"I'm surprised you didn't want to get settled in further before creating such a commotion," he remarked.

"I am unaware of what has warranted a commotion, as you call it. I merely requested a formal meeting with the head of Hyuga, as is my right."

The corner of Hiashi's mouth twitched up slightly at her attitude. It was what he had always wanted, always tried to get from her, going too far in the process. She wore it well, though he knew she was still the same Hinata underneath it all. He was proud of her.

"It is as you say. In that case, I request you speak on the matter at hand. What caused you to request a formal meeting with me?"

"The Seal."

Hinata wanted to be straightforward. Her father knew how she felt about the seal and she had no need to pretend otherwise with him. Although he had always upheld the practice, she knew that he harbored resentment against it after what happened to his brother and then to Neji. As expected, Hiashi had no visible reaction to the subject of her meeting. It was highly likely he knew the reason as soon as she had made the request. Most of the elders had probably speculated correctly, as well, which made caution all the more necessary.

"I believe I am already familiar with your opinions on that particular tradition. And I believe you are already familiar with the reasons and politics surrounding it. So why is this meeting necessary?"

"I received a proposal on my trip. From the Akiyama clan."

Hiashi raised an eyebrow and nodded. "Ah, yes, I believe the Head of that clan has contacted us with particular interest in your hand for his son. I fail to understand what that has to do with the Seal."

"The proposal was not from the Head, but from the son himself. And it was not regarding marriage, but help with the seal."

Hiashi's eyes narrowed instantly. The Akiyama clan was based in Tsuchi no Kuni and although most of the Shinobi Nations were aware of the seal, the interest was generally relegated to the idea that if one were to get their hands on a Byakugan, they would need to take down one of the main branch members.

"Explain."

Hinata nodded, having anticipated this reaction.

"Kazuma and I spent quite a bit of time together when I visited their clan. The night of our first meeting, he approached me in private regarding the Seal. Apparently their clan specializes in sealing and he thought I would be interested in his assistance. Professional assistance, of course. Payment and terms would have to be worked out."

Hiashi leaned forward, lacing his hands together on the table and studying his daughter for signs of genjutsu, transformation, or dishonesty. Hinata prepared herself to answer the rapid line of questioning that was about to occur.

"I was unaware their clan specialized in something like that."

"According to Kazuma, they don't want word to get out that they maintain their wealth through trade. However, most of the standard shinobi gear with seals is manufactured by their clan. Transactions are done through third and fourth parties in order to obfuscate their origin, of course, but I did investigate when I returned to Iwa and found these claims to be true."

"Standard shinobi storage and explosive seals are not particularly difficult. What makes you think they would be able to take on something like the Caged Bird Seal, assuming we allowed it?"

"Apparently the Akiyama clan were the ones who sealed the tailed Four and Five Tails into their jinchuuriki. I was also able to verify that this was the truth."

Hiashi seemed impressed at that, but not nearly convinced.

"Why did he approach you with the idea and how did he approach it? How do we know he is not trying to gain the favor of an unsealed Hyuga or access to steal the Byakugan from already sealed Hyuga?"

"He approached me for a couple of reasons. Firstly, because he knew my opinion on the seal and about Neji. Secondly, because he thought we had that in common - the with to abolish seals used by our families that we disagree with."

"What did he know of Neji?"

"He knew of our confrontation during our first Chunin exams. He knew of Uzumaki Naruto's promise to abolish the seal. He knew of my repaired relationship with Neji and his death on the battlefield."

Hiashi sat for a moment in thought.

"All of those things were witnessed by multiple people, but it is a little disconcerting that he was able to gather all that information and feel confident in his interpretation of your feelings on the matter."

"I agree. I, too was concerned with how much he seemed to know. But it seems the Akiyama clan has a rather extensive intelligence network. While their shinobi seals are a part of their income stream, they also work on larger, more discreet issues for people in all nations. Kazuma-san had just returned from a long job when I visited them."

"What was this job?"

"He would not tell me. I had wished to learn more about what types of work he was doing, but was also impressed that he did not disclose any details, even while trying to gain a new client."

"I see. If these issues are secret, how does the clan find out about them? If they keep their sealing reputation secret, they most likely need to approach their clients rather than having their clients approach them."

"I determined it likely has to do with their intelligence network. They probably make inferences much like what Kazuma did with myself and our clan based on information they have gathered. Their contract terms include the discretion of both parties involved."

"It is unfortunate we cannot understand more about what larger, more intensive work he has done with seals, but you did good to verify what he was able to tell you. The sealing of jinchuuriki is no simple matter and requires a level of mastery only few in our land have attained since the fall of the Uzumaki clan."

Hinata remained quiet as her father considered things further.

"You mentioned that he approached you in particular because he felt you would relate to his desire to abolish a seal. Can you tell me more about that?"

"I can, but the information cannot leave this room. He told me in the strictest confidence, but I am fairly certain he knew I would have to reveal the information to you in order to gain your favor regarding his proposal."

"Of course."

"Their clan was once quite large and ended up having an internal struggle for power that resulted in the deaths of many. Once the struggle was resolved, they changed quite a few practices to keep it from happening again. One of those was the addition of a seal used on the women of the clan. Once they have their first child, they are sealed so that they can no longer bear any other children. This has kept strife like you experienced with your brother to a minimum, but I am sure you can see certain issues with the practice."

Hinata was not going to share what Kazuma had told her about his possible brother and the fate of his mother. That was something personal shared between the two and she knew her father was intelligent enough to consider the negative ramifications of such a seal without her having to share Kazuma's private struggles.

Hiashi furrowed his brows, considering what he had been told. "I am surprised such a practice is not more widely known," he said.

"It is a jealously guarded secret within the Akiyama clan. Women who marry into the clan are only told after their betrothal to ensure their compliance. But once they are engaged, the women generally choose to stay out of love. And those who don't agree are sworn to secrecy. I am unsure of the methods they use to ensure such secrecy, but it seems to be efficient as I have never heard even whispers of such a practice."

"So you are saying that Akiyama Kazuma approached you regarding the Caged Bird Seal. He knew enough of you and certain events surrounding you to infer that you would be interested in his assistance. He then offered you his professional assistance and in doing so gave you sensitive information concerning his own clan that only people within and marrying into the clan are privy to. Do I have the gist of it?"

Hinata nodded. She knew it sounded suspicious. She herself had wondered if she understood the entirety of Kazuma's intentions. She hadn't sensed any deceit in him when he approached her and he hadn't pushed or brought the subject up again after that first time.

"I was wary at first, and am still somewhat skeptical, but I do feel this is the best opportunity we have at the moment to make some kind of change surrounding the seal. And I will not let the practice continue forever. I owe it both to our clan, our family, and to Neji. I do not want death to be the only time a sealed Hyuga feels free and if there is something I can do to change it, I will, whether it is with the help of the Akiyama clan or another way."

Hiashi took a deep breath and sat back.

"You do, of course, know how dangerous it is to allow an outsider - particularly one with expert sealing knowledge - access to the Caged Bird Seal. They could use the knowledge to easily defeat and capture branch Hyuga. They could use it to steal a sealed Hyuga's Byakugan. They could essentially pick our clan apart so that we were no longer safe outside these walls. I understand your desire to do something about the seal, but bringing in an outsider seems out of the question."

Hinata's stomach dropped. She was aware of the risks, but this was an opportunity to abolish the seal. Perhaps create a new one. Or modify the seal so that it can't be used to inflict pain and brain damage on others.

"Hyuga-sama, I believe this is a chance to make a real difference for the Hyuga. To become a stronger clan, one that is united. We are strong, but we can be stronger together."

"What guarantee can you give that he will not use the opportunity to sabotage us?"

Hinata fell quiet. She'd honestly given it a lot of thought, but she hadn't yet figured out how to make sure this wasn't used against them. She hadn't planned to officially hire Kazuma until there was a plan in place to ensure he wouldn't take advantage of them, but she had decided pitching the idea to her father would be the first step. If it didn't get past him then it didn't matter what she came up with.

"I will think of something. I don't want to endanger the clan, I want to help it flourish."

"I'm afraid that's not a sufficient response. I cannot agree to something with such risk, and the elders have no desire to see the practice changed. They would crucify you should you bring this to them as you have to me."

She knew her father was right, but it didn't stop frustration from making her face hot and her stomach clench.

"There is one possible way to guarantee he would not use the job as a chance to destroy the Hyuga. One does not generally want to destroy that which he is a part of. If the secrets of the seal getting out meant that his own family would be in danger, he would be unlikely to spill said secrets."

Hinata furrowed her eyebrows, not liking where this was going.

"The desire to protect a wife and child is a strong motivator."

Hiashi felt a little bad at bringing it up, but he wanted to see how far his daughter would go for this. How motivated was she and just how willing was she to protect the Hyuga from the danger this idea would put them in. It wasn't just the possibility of expert knowledge of the seal putting their clan at risk, but there were the internal politics and strife that such a move would cause. The whole thing was dangerous.

"What if we brought him here so that you could speak with him yourself?"

Hiashi almost smirked. Hinata hadn't outright denied the idea, but she also hadn't agreed to it.

"And how would we pitch that idea to the elders?"

"Tell them he's a potential suitor. You said his father had sent a letter of intention and the Akiyama clan invited me to stay for a welcome back feast they were having for him. They are one of the more influential clans in the Nations so we could just say we are both trying to return the favor and flaunting the grandeur of the Hyuga to the heir of a fellow noble clan.

"I don't want them to know about the real reason for his visit until we have a decision and agreement in place. We'll need a plan to deal with any fallout and I don't want to risk any of that happening until we know we're moving forward. Perhaps if you spoke with him as well, he might be able to let us know more about his contracts and the types of discretionary agreements and guarantees he puts in them. In the meantime the elders

Hiashi was impressed and a little alarmed. Hinata was good at subtle deceptions, the kind necessary to stay as honest as possible in politics. This, however, would involve pitching an outright lie to the elders. He'd certainly discovered how motivated his daughter was in this matter, but she would be playing a dangerous game. Then again, he couldn't protect her forever. And she had spent the last two years living and breathing both diplomatic and political subterfuge. If she felt she could pull this off, then he would let her try to persuade him.

"That can be arranged." 'I hope you know what you're doing,' he added mentally.

Hinata smiled and stood. "Thank you, Hyuga-sama. I know you are not yet convinced, but I appreciate the chance. I will not disappoint you or the clan."

"Do not let me down. There is a great deal of trouble that could come from this and you will be the one to take responsibility if it happens."

A weight settled onto Hinata's shoulders, but it was one she was willing to bear. She knew this would be dangerous, and that she would be the one to suffer should anything go wrong. However, she was willing to sacrifice much for her clan and to fulfill her debt to Neji.

"Before you go, I did have one other thing to discuss," Hiashi said, gesturing for Hinata to sit once more. He had promised Uzumaki Naruto what assistance he could give and although this scheme of Hinata's made that complicated, he was still a man of his word.

"How can I be of assistance, Hyuga-sama," Hinata asked as she seated herself. She wondered at the strange gleam in her father's eye, but prepared herself to carry out whatever he asked. He was, after all, allowing her quite a few liberties. She was perfectly willing to return the favor.

Hinata was nervous, but sat perfectly poised as she waited for the person her father had summoned. He had told her that while she was away he had taken on the training and guidance of someone who had a future in the politics of Konoha. He said he had taken a special interest in the person, but would like her to take over the training in his stead now that she had returned as Hiashi already had much on his plate.

She had wondered at just who this person might be. Perhaps it was Shikamaru, who she knew from Ino was slowly taking over his clan as well as advising duties to the Hokage. Her father had been impressed with his strategy in the war, especially in the wake of Shikaku's death and had expressed on occasion that the Hyuga would be willing to lend assistance should he need any.

Or perhaps Tsunade had coerced Hiashi into bullying some discipline into Kakashi who seemed so unconcerned with many aspects of his Hokage duties. That would certainly explain the tardiness. She'd been waiting for a while now and her father had said he had sent a summons before their formal meeting which had lasted a while.

As the minutes ticked by slowly, she found herself drifting further into memories of lunch with her former sensei. She mulled over what Kurenai had told her regarding the kiss - that stupid kiss that still occupied her mind though it was last night and she had promised she would be better this time around.

She recalled the look of shock on Kurenai's face when she told her about Naruto's kiss. The oddity of seeing her generally collected former sensei's face go slack brought a small smile to her lips despite her mood. It had been a long, emotionally daunting day, but she had only one more task left to accomplish before she could have a fun night out with some of the friends she had missed so much when she was away.

"I don't think he did it to hurt you," Kurenai said, patting Hinata's hand gently as the young woman's eyes shone with unshed tears.

"I know. I know Naruto wouldn't do anything to hurt me on purpose, but that doesn't mean it didn't feel like a cruel joke. The idea that he could have suddenly developed feelings for me while I was gone seems so implausible. It makes more sense that he felt bad for upsetting me and tried to fix it by giving me what he thought I wanted, whether or not it was something he truly wanted.

Kurenai was quiet for a moment. From her talks with Naruto she knew that he had initially wanted to give Hinata a chance more out of a sense of making things right than an outright attraction. However, it had developed very quickly from that into actual feelings for the girl. Unfortunately Kurenai couldn't be the one to tell her student of his real intentions, but perhaps she could help ease her mind a bit.

"You know Naruto has never really had anyone to teach him what real relationships mean or what they look like. Kakashi was struck by such tragedy early on that he's never been able to develop a romantic relationship with anyone. He has some close friends, sure, but even that's been a struggle for him.

"And look at Jiraiya. Naruto definitely came back from his training stronger, but I don't get the idea that a man who spent his time mostly in red light districts and writing smut would have been much help in that area, either. Besides, Naruto has never really done things in a conventional sense. I'm not saying you need to go back on your decision to get over your romantic feelings. I want you to do what is best for you. But please don't completely close yourself off to him. I don't think that would accomplish anything either of you would be happy with."

Hinata sighed, looking at the now lukewarm tea sitting in front of her. Her legs were tiring of sitting properly, but she had to make a good impression on this person. Anyone her father had taken precious time and interest in had to be important, and she would both show them respect and command it in return. If only they would show themselves soon.

No sooner had Hinata decided to call someone to bring fresh tea, when the shoji doors were thrown open and a huge body came barreling in, already half bowed. As soon as he was fully in the room he bowed fully and apoligized.

"Moushiwake arimasen, Hyuga-sama. I was in a private meeting with Hokage-sama when your messenger arrived and did not receive the summons straightaway. I rushed over immediately, and sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding."

Hinata stared open-mouthed at the familiar head of blond hair.

"A-ano... it's nothing to be so worried about, Naruto-san. I appreciate the sentiment, but if you were meeting with Hokage-sama then it couldn't be helped."

At the sound of what was decidedly not Hiashi's voice, Naruto's head shot up and he stared intently at the beautiful woman who had occupied his thoughts all day. He had been informed that the Hyuga head had requested his presence immediately, and had been directed to this room, but had received no further detail. Although Hiashi would have understood the time it had taken to get there, he did not generally summon others for something that wasn't emergent and Naruto had wanted to make sure the Hyuga knew he understood the urgency of the summons and that he regretted the time it had taken - whether or not he was particularly at fault.

This, however, was certainly not what he was expecting.

Naruto had been staring now for a couple of minutes and the room was overflowing with tension, confusion, and a sense of expectation. Feeling compelled to break the silence, Hinata said "I was just about to request a fresh batch of tea since this one has grown cold. If you don't mind waiting here for a -"

"I'll do it!" Naruto said immediately. "Just give me a second!"

He disappeared out the door, leaving Hinata reeling. This was certainly an opportunity she had been hoping to have, but had not expected it to be thrust upon her so suddenly. She felt a bit of petulance towards her father who must have known exactly what he was doing both the previous night at dinner and now. What in the Elemental Nations was he thinking?!

"I'm back!" Naruto said, returning to the room followed by a branch Hyuga holding a tray with a fresh pot of tea and two clean cups.

"Arigato, Naruto-san, Itsuki-san," she said, smiling politely at the branch Hyuga who was less than a decade older than her and a splendid ninja.

"It is good to have you back, Hinata-sama. The compound is not the same without your lovely presence," Itsuki replied, setting the tea down on the table and bowing both in greeting and deference.

"It is sweet of you to say so. I look forward to visiting with everyone once my initial returning duties have been completed."

"We will look forward to that as well," he replied, bowing once more to Hinata and Naruto as he left and sliding the door shut.

The two were once more left alone.

Naruto sat there racking his brain to come up with what to say. He'd intended to find Hinata and apologize, try to explain himself, and beg forgiveness if it came down to it. He'd intended to make some grand gesture, he was familiar with grand gestures, but this was just the two of them in a room separated only by a tea table and the beverage on top of it. It was quiet. It was simple. And despite all his training the past year and a half with Hiashi, he wanted to throw the table aside, grab her hands and make her understand that he hadn't meant the kiss to hurt her. He'd meant it to let her know he wanted to date her!

He was frustrated enough to want to pull on his hair, but he sat there politely. The only tell that he was uncomfortable was some slight fidgeting and given the situation, he really didn't care that fidgeting wasn't proper. At least he wasn't throwing himself at his hostess.

Meanwhile Hinata busied herself with pouring them each a cup of tea, placing Naruto's in front if him without lifting her eyes to look at him. This was it. This was her chance to say what she'd been wanting to say to him, but now that he was in front of her the memory of last night felt suffocating. Once she finished serving the tea she took a small sip of hers before setting the cup down and lifting her eyes to meet the piercing blue ones across from her. Eyes that belonged to her first love. Eyes that used to take her breath away.

"Hinata - "

"Naruto - "

Realizing both had spoken at the same time they each stopped, gesturing for the other to continue.

"You first, Hinata-san. You are my hostess and I was summoned here. It is only right that you speak first."

When had he become so versed in the rules of propriety? When had he learned to be so formal? When she was a little girl she had loved how carefree Naruto was, how he disregarded rules that had practically strangled her in her home. Seeing him like this, though, also had a certain attractiveness to it. He had matured, he had learned, he was becoming the leader she had always known he could be. A man who could sit in meetings with Daimyos and Kages. A man who could be counted on to lead Konoha. She took a deep breath to calm herself.

"I'm sorry," she said, looking directly at Naruto who's face morphed quickly into one of confusion.

"I know it's two years late, and knowing you you're probably already past it, but I have to say I'm sorry."

Naruto sat there confused for a moment. He had been the one planning to apologize. He was the one who made her cry last night. Not to mention he'd left her confession unanswered for years even if he hadn't quite understood why at the time. So why was she saying she was sorry?

"I'm sorry for how I acted during the mission to bring Sasuke back. I shouldn't have yelled at you and I shouldn't have caused you to worry about my feelings.

"I never meant for my confession during the Pein attack to be addressed. Honestly, I was just being selfish. Just like in the war. As much as I tried, I was selfish when it came to you. And Neji-"

She paused for a moment, tears pricking her eyes. After a deep breath she continued.

"I felt guilt for Neji's death. And I felt like you were ignoring me possibly because you felt I was guilty, too."

Naruto started to object, but she interrupted.

"I know you don't feel that way. But I did wonder. And although I hadn't meant for you to be obligated to respond to my confession, I wondered about that too. I wondered how you felt, how you saw me. And when you never said anything, I understood it to mean you didn't feel the same. But I had kept this tiny piece of hope that gnawed at my heart.

"I shouldn't have erupted at you and those aren't excuses, though I wanted you to understand I didn't do it because I hated you. I know how you worry about how your friends and comrades feel about you.

"No matter what you have my support. I have always believed you would do great things. But I don't want you to think you need to force affection you don't have to make me happy. I-"

"But, Hinata, that's not - "

"Please, Naruto-san, let me finish first. I've been wanting to say this for so long and I just need to get it all off my chest."

Naruto nodded, his stomach in knots at what she was saying. He'd learned so much from others about her past affections for him, but hearing all of this from her was hard. He was thankful she was being open with him, instead of ignoring him like he'd thought she might do. But what if she said she didn't love him anymore? What if she'd found someone else? What if that was the reason she was telling him he didn't need to worry?

"I don't want you to feel like you have to date me out of some sense of obligation or pity. It's alright that you don't have romantic feelings for me. Honestly, I just want you to be happy. And while I was touched by the gifts and notes you sent while I was away and appreciate that you would kiss me to try to make me happy, that's not what I want from you.

"I want you to be you, to have your own feelings, your own happiness. And, if I can be selfish one last time, I would like to be friends. While I was away I realized we never really spent much time together outside of missions and group outings. My father has given your training over to me so we will be spending quite a bit more time together than before. I hope we can put the past behind us and become friends while I teach you. Do you think that would be okay?"

Hinata bit her lip as she finished, feeling both exhausted and anxious. She'd practiced this speech a hundred times and though she hadn't anticipated any of the events from her return the day before and had hoped she would have more time to adjust to being in his presence without her heart fluttering, she did still want to be his friend. Even if she couldn't stand beside him as a romantic partner, she would be a steadfast supporter.

Naruto felt conflicted. He wanted to tell her he returned her feelings freely, without any obligation or pity. But she hadn't mentioned that she still felt anything for him, only that she didn't want him making advances. If he went with his first instinct, he would confess right there and then and would make her understand at any cost that his feelings were true. However, he'd learned a lot over the last couple of years. And he somehow felt like doing that would probably hurt her again. She seemed to have come to the conclusion that he had done all those things to make her happy when he'd hoped it would make them both happy.

Perhaps this wasn't the time to blurt out his thoughts. Perhaps this time he would take things at her pace. This training meant they would be spending time together regularly. And maybe that time would let him figure out if she still had feelings for him. And if not, it would give him the opportunity to get her to fall for him again. He wanted Hinata. But he wanted to do it right. And he wanted it to be right between them. So they could start on friendly terms. That was better than how things had been left between them two years prior!

As Naruto considered Hinata's words and she waited his response, Itsuki announced his presence once again.

"Hinata-sama, I'm afraid the elders are requesting an agenda for tomorrow's meeting in advance. Would you be able to provide one today?"

Hinata looked at the clock and shot up, realizing she would have very little time to prepare an agenda and get dressed to meet the girls that night.

"I'm afraid I'll have to create one, but if you come by my room in a half an hour I should have one ready for you. Will that be alright?"

"Of course, Hinata-sama. I'm sorry to bother you," he said, bowing and leaving once again.

Naruto quickly stood up before she could run out the door.

"Hinata-san, wait!" he said, grabbing her hand lightly to remind her of his presence.

"Oh, gomen Naruto-san, I was in such a rush I forgot we hadn't finished our conversation. We'll need to make a schedule, of course, and I'll have to find out what all you have learned from my father so I know where to start. And then I'll need to - "

"Hinata-san," Naruto said, interrupting her as she made what seemed to him an ever growing to do list. He would have to thank Hiashi somehow for asking Hinata to take over his training because the way things were going she would never have time to see him otherwise.

"I would like us to be friends."

He stood just six inches from her, towering over her by almost a foot. His eyes darkened as he chanced a glance down at her lips. He could still remember the way they felt the night before. He remember how soft she was, how her small hand had clung to his clothes, and how her body had felt crushed against his own.

These feelings were knew, different from the way he'd felt when she was away. He was used to the warmth that filled his chest when he thought of her. He was used to the comfort he felt knowing she had supported him his entire life, even when no one else had believed in him. He was used to the relief he felt knowing that she understood him, that she hadn't judged him when she'd pulled him out of a funk before the Chunin exam tournament, during the Pein attack, and after Neji's death. He knew his feelings for her had grown, but this physical closeness was new, this was different and a little overwhelming.

Naruto swallowed thickly, keeping his desires under control. He wouldn't scare her off again. Not when he'd been given this perfect opportunity.

"I-I would like that very much," she whispered, not bothering to chastise herself for stuttering when her first love was standing so close, looking at her very much like he had the evening before.

"Good," he smiled that beautiful smile that had always been her world. "You've got a lot on your plate so how about you send me a note when you find a spare minute and we can work out whatever you need to know to get started."

She breathed a sigh of relief. "That's so kind, thank you. I promise you will be a top priority. I'll send you something by the end of the week."

Hinata made a quick bow and did the closest thing to a run that was still proper within the household, getting the attention of female branch member along the way and saying something before hurrying on again. Naruto watched after her, eyes shining with determination. Hiashi had told him to woo her properly. It had sounded so old fashioned at the time, but maybe that's exactly what he needed to do. With a lightness in his step he hadn't felt in a couple years, Naruto left the Hyuga compound and headed towards Ichiraku. His favorite ramen would be the perfect way to celebrate.

I almost forgot, but I wanted to dedicate this in particular to Souls Veteran who write a sweet one shot with an encouragement to get well. I couldn't believe someone would do that for me and it really lifted my spirits. So here's to you, I hope I didn't disappoint!