Falling in Love Slowly

ゆっくりと恋に落ちる

Hinata swung her legs as her eyes focused on her feet. Her short, hime cut hairstyle swayed with every movement she made. Her little body was covered with a traditional yet very expensive kimono while the obi was tied prettily at the back. She was too occupied on not falling off the window seat to notice the paper thin doors slide open. She did, however, hear a slight cough and her lavender tinted eyes glanced up to see her tou-san staring disapprovingly at her behavior. She lowered her eyes in sadness and tried not to fall from her seat. She sat on one of the four cushions and played with her kimono.

"Hinata, do you remember the guests we were to greet today?" her tou-san asked as he moved away from the entry of the door.

"Hai, tou-san."

"I present to you Namikaze-Uzumaki Minato and his son, Uzumaki Naruto."

"Naruto, matte, don't run in!"

A boy, about her age, ran into the room, looking more happy than tired. His kimono was a simple one though it lacked any color. It exposed his tan chest and his wild, yellow hair was gravity defying. His blue eyes, however, caught little Hinata's attention. He was very exotic and lacked any qualities that his homeland was Japan. He looked around the room in wonder and behind him came a looking sheepish but much older man. He looked like the exact replica of the little boy and if Hinata had to guess, he might be the father. It suddenly clicked in her mind that she's seen this man before.

"Gomen, Hiashi-sama, little Naruto can be a bit extroverted." Minato scratched the back of his head and grinned apologetically.

Hinata was surprised when Hiashi, her tou-san, merely waved off the behavior. "Please, Minato-kun, we've known each other since we were but toddlers. Do not address me in such a higher position."

"As you wish, Hiashi-kun." Minato flashed a smile and Hinata couldn't help but stare in a blunt way.

"Ne, ne, tou-chan, who's going to be my friend?" asked Naruto impatiently, tugging Minato's gray kimono.

"This must be Naruto, who I have heard so much about. I hope you don't trouble your kaa-chan much, Uzumaki-kun." Who were this people?

Minato nudged Naruto and the little boy bowed in a clumsy way. "I'm not, uh…"

"Hyuuga Hiashi." The Hyuuga Head nodded at Naruto's bow.

"Hyuuga-sama."

"If I can remind you, Hiashi-kun, we came here for something more than a little introduction." Minato's blue eyes landed on Hinata and for the first time in a while, Hinata felt faint.

"Of course, please take a seat. Any tea?"

"Do you have ramen?"

Hinata had to stifle a giggle at Minato's horrendous reaction to his son's outburst and Naruto's question. Who were this people? If she can remember, her tou-san did say Uzumaki…

"No, Uzumaki-kun, we have no ramen."

Naruto parted his lips to reply but his father pushed him to the cushion. Now the only two children in the room were face to face and Naruto's blue eyes widened when they locked gazes with Hinata. When he first entered the room he didn't see the little girl he was staring at now. She looked like the stern man his tou-chan talked about throughout the trek here yet her eyes weren't so white and plain looking. They were light lavender and Naruto couldn't help but stare at them for a while before looking the other way with a blush. He didn't have any friends to play with, considering they live a mile away from the Hyuuga Compound and a few days away from any large village. When his tou-chan approached him with an opportunity to play with someone his age, he couldn't help but agree quicker than a blink. Was this his new playmate?

Hinata, having similar thoughts to Naruto, couldn't help but stare once more at Naruto's blue eyes. They were such a deep and rich color that Hinata felt her cheeks burn slightly from the intensity of his gaze. Her heart fluttered and she tried to look at anything else but him. She failed, however, and instead caught sight of three whisker marks on each side of his cheeks. They were adorable. Adding to his wide eye expression, he looked as innocent as a bunny. She had to raise her hand to cover the smile and giggle that wanted to escape. A sudden thought passed through her mind. What if he came to be friends with her? Minato-sama was usually here with her tou-san so does that mean that Uzumaki-san would come along too?

"Hinata, please formally introduce yourself." She can hear the steel behind it and she could only feel the sadness that crept near her heart.

"H-Hai." She stood up and bowed to the two yellow-haired males. "My name is Hyuuga Hinata," she began softly. "It's a pleasure to meet you." She straightened up but her eyes remained on the wooden low table. She was a bit shy and nervous how they'll respond in kind.

"Your voice sounds like kaa-chan's lullabies," responded Naruto quickly, daze look on his face.

Hinata's head snapped up to meet his and she didn't know how to respond. Her lips parted in bewilderment and both children, once again, were lost in their own little worlds.

"Naruto, don't say that," scolded Minato, his blue eyes narrowing slightly.

"Eh? Why not? It's true!" exclaimed his son, his blue eyes taking a challenging glint. Minato can only sigh with a smile and shake his head. He was so much like Kushina but right now was not the time for his very…outgoing personality. He was about to ask Naruto to be polite when Hiashi coughed.

"It seems we are getting a bit out of topic." He glanced at his daughter who was blushing madly from Naruto's compliment. 'This is interesting…' "Minato-kun, did you explain to your son what his purpose for coming is?"

Naruto cocked his head to the side and stared at his tou-chan for an explanation. Minato nodded and began, "Naruto, a long time ago the Uzumaki and Hyuuga clan were great allies. They were two of the tree strongest clans the Fire Kingdom has ever seen. But a few centuries ago the Uzumaki Clan was attacked by an unknown force that, up to this date, has yet to be discovered. Your kaa-chan wouldn't be here if the Hyuuga Clan didn't arrive in time to save the little survivors they found. So as a repayment, the Uzumaki Clan decided to serve the Hyuuga as butlers so to speak." There was a silence that followed soon after.

Naruto bunched up his eyebrows, trying to process everything his tou-chan said. On the other hand, Hinata's eyes widened when she understood what Minato-sama was implying. All the times she saw Minato-sama and her tou-san together wasn't because they were only friends but Minato-sama was serving her tou-san! Once she managed to understand that, her face of clarity changed to one of confusion. So why was Uzumaki-san here?

Hiashi allowed a small smile when Hinata glanced at him before looking between Minato and Naruto. So she was already placing the pieces together eh? Minato's eyes locked gazes with Hiashi and they both nodded in the same time.

"Naruto," said Minato, turning his body to look directly at his only son, "what I'm trying to say is that you're going to be Hinata-sama's personal butler now."

"EH?!"

Hinata blushed red at the prospect. She felt her heart beat wildly and the urge to faint returned. As she thought about the idea more it seemed less appealing. She never did like having anyone doing anything she could do. She hated the fact that there were servants waiting for any demands from her or people who feared her only because of her name. To her, everyone is equal and no one should be less than her. A sudden thought popped into her mind. She glanced at the confused looking blond and a small smile graced her features. In the few minutes she's been introduced to him, she already liked him. He was unique in his own special way but he was also a new fresh air she has never smelt before and it made her excited that maybe, just maybe, they can become friends.

"Tou-chan, what do you mean?!" Naruto was completely outraged. He didn't like to follow the rules much and he knew just enough to know what a butler is. He was going to be a slave to Hinata and he didn't like it one bit. Not that he was worried that Hinata would abuse her title—she didn't seem like the type—but he was more mad at the fact that he wasn't going to make friends with her. Unless he can…? The more he left the thought hanging, the more the idea seemed more appealing. So what if he became her butler? It wouldn't stop him from becoming friends with her. And taking in that she would be by his side for, maybe, the rest of their lives, this could be the chance he's been hoping for! He'll finally get a friend to play with!

Minato cocked an eyebrow when Naruto's flushing face turned to a wide smile. His son jumped into the air with a grin and pointed to a startled Hinata. "I'll become your butler, Hina-hime!" 'And become friends too, dattebayo!' he added mentally. Minato's lips parted but Hinata beat him to the punch line.

"I-I'll be honored, Uzumaki-san." Hinata bowed to the ever grinning blond but glanced at her tou-san. 'I shall not tell him that Uzumaki-san would be more than my butler. He will become my friend…I hope.'

"It seems they got acquainted rather quickly, eh, Hiashi-kun?" Minato smiled at his son's grin. This was the chance for Naruto to make a friend. He only hoped Hinata wasn't like the other arrogant, cocky Hyuuga's.

"Yes, it does," responded Hiashi. He stood up abruptly and Hinata stood up shakily. "Tomorrow bring your son, Minato-kun, so we can discuss the arrangements. Have a good day." He bowed to the Uzumaki's before leaving the room. Hinata was slower and bowed quickly. Before she was able to leave the room, there was a tug on her sleeve. She turned around and came face to face with Naruto.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Hinata!" She gasped and her eyes didn't leave Naruto's grinning face before her tou-san called her. She left the room, almost stumbling over her feet, but she couldn't hide the small smile on her face as well as the blush that now coated her round cheeks. It was refreshing the way Uzumaki-san spoke her name. She can only hope that they'll become friends.

"Hinata!" The loud booming voice echoed in the hallways and the Hyuuga's all looked at the running yellow-haired Uzumaki with disappointment. At seventeen years old, the young Uzumaki was a tall, handsome man with the liveliest eyes anyone has ever seen. His skin was tan while his hands were marred with scars—most likely from his martial arts training. He paid no mind to the narrowed eyes of the Hyuuga and, instead, ran straight to a seventeen year old Hinata.

For her part, Hinata grew to a true beauty. Her once short indigo locks now reached her waist and her body morphed to a much more womanly figure. Her pale skin remained the same since she spends so much time indoors and her hands, while hidden by the public eye, were callous from the secret training she has been receiving from Naruto. She watched as her dear friend skidded in front of her and his large smile caused his eyes to close. She doesn't remember when she started falling for her first friend but all she knew was that her feelings were getting deeper and deeper by the second.

She knew that in any time her tou-san would announce an arranged marriage that has been the discuss topic ever since she turned fifteen. She sighed when she thought about her fate. Yet as she smiled at the young man who became more than just her best friend, she couldn't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, she can change what's bound to come.

"Hinata, how are you today?" His voice popped her thoughts and she fiddled with her sleeves. His presence alone made her a nervous mess and his beautiful eyes made her blush pink.

"I'm fine, Naruto-kun, and you?"

"What have I said about the –kun? I want you to just say 'Na-ru-to.'" They began to walk alongside each other, their feet carrying them to Hinata's personal garden.

"Gomen…Naruto." Truth is that she couldn't really say his name without feeling like her heart was about to come out of her throat. It fluttered happily at the way she said his name and she couldn't help but smile softly.

Naruto, from the corner of his eye, saw her smile at the ground. His heart beat erratically and he gulped when his eyes took in her beautiful figure. She grew into a fine woman and the only one who was able to help him in more than one way. She fired his conviction to keep going in his martial arts. He was never a prodigy at such complex fighting so when he first confessed to Hinata about his secret training, he was afraid of the discouragement he'll receive. But to his happiness, she encouraged him all the way. She even attended his training sessions in the dojo, chanting his name from the sidelines. He never told her his actual purpose in learning how to fight. As he saw her slide the doors open to go into the garden, he vowed to never let anything hurt her. He loves her and he'll be damned if anyone tried to hurt her.

"Naruto, are you okay?"

He shook his head and offered her his most tender and sincere smile. "Hai, I am, Hinata-sama." He bowed mockingly, a private joke between the two.

He never did become her butler.

Minato smiled the moment he passed the old, rusty gates of his wife's family compound. Naruto was planting seeds on the field, his tan skin dirty from the work, while his wife, Kushina, was racking rows and rows for their upcoming farming. He smiled when Kushina spotted him and she dropped the hoe. She ran, not minding her bare feet getting muddied, and jumped into his open arms. He laughed and kissed her lips.

"How's my beautiful wife?"

"Better since you're here, dattebane!" He chuckled at her nervous tick and waved to his son who was also running towards them.

"Naruto, why are you here so early?"

"Eh, Hinata decided to let me out early." He gave his tou-chan a nervous smile and rubbed the back of his head.

Minato narrowed his eyes but was momentarily distracted when Kushina began to push both of her favorite men towards the large clan compound. She kept chanting something about ramen and too soon, her son began to march eagerly to the old house. Minato stayed behind, smiling at his family antics. His eyes focused on a bright looking Naruto and his heart broke when he remembered the dreaded news he had. He wasn't blind to the looks Naruto and Hinata shared. They were filled with affection and love, caring and warmth. They both fell so hard that they probably haven't noticed that the other held feelings for the other. But it could never be. It was true that Naruto was Hinata's "butler" but became more than just a servant. The moment Hiashi came to him and asked for his son to serve his daughter, he knew that Naruto would resist even though he was eight at that time. He was pleasantly surprised that he took it so well and for a moment thought he was getting along with the Hyuuga heir. But one day he stumbled upon the two in a blissful summer afternoon. Naruto was supposed to be sitting in a respectful manner; not talking unless Hinata let him but what he saw made him almost drop his tray. His son was painting alongside Hinata, who was smiling and encouraging him to keep stroking.

His son, Uzumaki Naruto suppose butler/servant, was learning a high class activity. Calligraphy, something only the richest know, was being taught to someone who was of the lower class. He never expected such a result. But the Namikaze kept quiet, hoping to Kami that the blooming relationship would die on its own. He was wrong, of course, when the next couple of years the feelings of a mutual turned into love. He was afraid that Hinata was only using Naruto but he found that she held no ill will towards his only son. Not only did she show Naruto things he never knew (such as reading, writing, as well as pouring tea and talking properly), she also encouraged his son when he all but failed in his martial arts. He underestimated Hinata-sama.

But now this relationship must come to an end.

Naruto sat cross-legged in his room. He cupped his chin in thought and narrowed his eyes on the scroll that held his somewhat nice looking writing. He grabbed the brush and dipped it on ink, carefully writing out what his heart held. He's been working on this masterpiece ever since he discovered his deep feelings for his beautiful Hinata. It was a scroll that contained his confession and he's been wondering when he'll yell out his love to Hinata. He finished the last of the words and smiled goofily. He grabbed the scroll carefully and placed it near his window for it to dry. He cleaned up his mess and hid his tools. He felt guilty hiding his new knowledge from his parents but he feared what their reactions would be. Would they announce to Hiashi what Hinata was teaching him all these years behind their backs? What would the punishment be for Hinata? He huffed and slid the door open, hoping that he could practice some moves before going to sleep.

"Hey there." Naruto jumped high and fell on the floor, rolling around the floor when his back pulsed in pain.

"Tou-chan, don't scare me like that!" He pointed to a smiling Minato and he flew to his feet, glowering playfully at his father.

"I thought you were a fighter by now, Naruto. They need to have their senses open at all times." Minato glanced at Naruto's open room and sighed. It was time. "Naruto, can I have a word with you?"

His tou-chan's solemn voice snaps Naruto out of his playful attitude. He nods and gestures for his dad to enter first. Once the older Namikaze is settled on one of the cushions, Naruto slides his door shut and sits on the other one. Their blue eyes clashed and Naruto fidgets. He's never seen his tou-chan this serious. What was going on?

"Naruto," sigh Minato, looking much older than he really is. "I need to talk to you about your relationship with Hinata-sama."

Naruto's back erected and his blue eyes flashed in defense. "What is it?"

Minato put a hand on his knee and leaned forward, his long yellow locks brushing his cheeks. "I know that you love her."

The room fell silent and Naruto glared at the wooden table. How does he respond? Denying seemed like the best option. "No, I don't love her." The words tasted bitter and Naruto winced. His heart beat loudly and he started perspiring. His fingers twitched and he felt the burning gaze of his dad.

"Naruto, don't lie to me. I've seen the way you look at her. While I am happy for you, you know this can't happen…" The last part was said in a whisper and Minato could no longer bear looking at his son. His blue eyes stared at his fisted hands. If only they weren't a dying clan, if only they were of a much noble clan, if only they were…but they're not.

Naruto didn't know how to react. He knew the truth all along and he shouldn't have been so surprised by his father's accusations but it still hurt hearing it. He could never love Hinata and it hurts. "I…" His throat was dry and his palms were sweaty.

Minato gave his son a tender look. "Naruto, you're a smart boy. Why did you let yourself fall for her?"

He stayed silent for a while before looking at his father with a certain glint in his eyes. "Because love comes in the most unexpected moments and I was not prepared for it."

Minato's eyes widened but could do nothing as his son stood up and left the room. He stared after his son and he clenched his fists, feeling useless. He could do nothing but pray that Naruto could get a happy ever after. Just not with Hinata-sama.

"Gah!" Hit after hit and he still couldn't feel a damn thing. His knuckles were bleeding and pulsing in pain yet nothing could beat the hurt that pumped in his veins right now. Flashes of a smiling Hinata made him pause and only then did he feel the tears of anger and hurt flow down his face. Why can't he be with Hinata? Why?

"I love her…" He clenched his fists and repeatedly hit the post that was near its breaking point. The sound of flesh hitting wood echoed in the empty dojo, the moon's light showering the room. There was no point in being careful anymore. Sweat rolled down his face and he blinked when he heard Hinata's voice.

"You can do it, Naruto-kun!" He turned to the side and he saw Hinata sitting on her shins, clapping and smiling, screaming out his name in encouragement. The vision vanished and Naruto sighed.

"Gomen…Hinata…"

She was getting anxious. She's been sitting in her room for a few hours, patiently waiting for Naruto to arrive but he never came. It was odd, this feeling of loneliness and pain, but she reasoned that something might have come up. She felt selfish, wanting—no, craving—Naruto's presence in this moment. Hinata sighed and decided to drink some more tea to calm her restless mind.

Just then the door slid open and she nearly dropped the cup. She smiled suddenly when Naruto stepped in and shut the door close.

"Naruto, ohayo, how are you today? Would you like some tea?" A rush of happiness flooded her and she hoped that he didn't notice her chipper tone.

"Hinata, I need to talk to you." His serious tone made her almost drop the tea pot she held. She was on her feet the next second and her eyes took in his figure. Her eyes stopped on his bandaged hands and without thinking, grabbed his hands and led him to her futon.

"Please, sit there so I can heal you."

"Hinata wait—" She was gone the next second and Naruto sighed. He couldn't help but smile at her concerning gesture. She returned a second later and she started to apply the ointment to his bruised skin. The bloodied bandages were thrown to the trash and she delicately began to wrap new bandages around the healing skin. Her eyes were solely focused on nursing his bruises and he couldn't help but gaze at her in a loving way. He never thought that Hinata would be this kind. The day he came to the Hyuuga compound to "serve" her as a butler, he expected to have a hard time to convince the "spoiled Hyuuga heir." But to his pleasant surprise, she was more than willing to become his friend. He began to notice little things about her like how she treated him like an equal as well as the rest of her family when she has every right to be in a superior position. It fascinated him that she never exploited her wealth to gain anything in her favor. She was too kind to be the heir of the Hyuuga.

"Hinata." He stopped her hands by placing his hand on top of her own. She blushed from the contact and looked up. The tips of their noses touched and an electrifying feeling rushed throughout her body. "Hinata…I…" His voice became hoarse and he swallowed, trying to swallow the lump on his throat. "I-I love you!" His confession sent a warm feeling to her heart and she didn't know how to respond. Her hand went limp in his hold and Naruto bit his lip. It was now or never. "Do you love me?"

His eyes involuntarily watered and his heart beat erratically. Hinata, on the other hand, forgot how to breathe. She took in a long gasp and tried to calm down her jumping heart. It felt so right hearing him say those three words that left her in a daze. Her hands trembled as she grabbed his hands and placed it on her breast where he can surely feel the beat of her heart.

"I love you too." Her whisper confession sent his mind into overdrive and he let out a small whoop before leaning down and kissing her. It felt so great, feeling her lips against his. They were soft and sweet, something he never imagined. She moved against him and his body pulsed in happiness and pleasure. He broke the kiss and kissed her nose instead. She giggled happily and hugged him, mindful of his bruised hands.

"Hinata," spoke Naruto after a few minutes of content happiness, "let's elope."

She gasped and backed away a bit, her eyes scanning his serious face. "W-We can't."

"Why?"

"We'll be hunted! You'll have a bounty on your head for 'stealing' the Hyuuga heir."

"Hinata," he cupped her face and brought her close, "I don't care. I'll fight a thousand men as long as I can stay with you. I want to stay by your side forever. Until the day I die." Tears rolled down her cheeks and he brushed them away. "I'll run away with you but I won't go with it without your consent." He looked deeply into her eyes, trying to convey what she was feeling.

She didn't know how to respond. She played around with the possibility of getting married to him—something more of a daydream than a reality goal—but never took in the chances of running away with him. Negativity began to cloud her mind and she began to over think the situation.

"Hinata, oi, calm down. Breathe with me." His bandaged hands put a strand of hair behind her ear and caressed her cheek. She let out one more deep breath before gazing into his eyes. It was dangerous what he was proposing. The unknown scared her a bit. What if they got caught and his life ends? Just the thought made her eyes water. But gazing into his determined blue eyes, she knew what her answer would be. Because with him, there was no such thing as a solid routine but it was always spontaneous and unexpected. She'll take her chances with him.

"Hai." Mindful of his bruised hands (she made a mental note to ask him later), she grabbed his elbows and smiled. "Hai!"

Naruto smiled suddenly and jumped to his feet, bringing Hinata along as well. He hugged her tightly and buried his nose in her ear. His heart jumped in excitement and his veins were filled with an adventurous feeling. "Tomorrow, at nine, I'll come to your window and we'll leave. Are you sure about this, Hinata?" He caressed her thumb—an excuse to touch her skin once more—and looked deeply into her eyes.

Without as second thought, she nodded and this time reached up to kiss his cheek. She blushed from his loving gaze but hugged him once more before pushing him gently away. "We can't risk acting any different. We need to act as casual as possible." A goofy smile was plastered on his face and she giggled. "Naruto-kun, did you hear me?"

"Hai, Hinata." He shook his head and gestured for Hinata to sit. He followed soon after and the rest of the day was filled with hush loving words and loud exclamations of anything. They were both young and in love but most of all naive to the world around them.

Naruto slid his door open. He peered outside his door and sighed when he saw no one in the hallways. He gripped the bag that held most of his clothes and prize possessions including a painting of his parents and the scroll containing all of his feelings toward Hinata. He slid the door shut and made his way to his parent's room. Being careful, he slid the door open and gazed at the sleeping forms of the people who raised him. It hurt thinking about leaving them and a few tears ran down his face but he knew that they'll understand that now it was his time to live his own life. They would be proud that he carried the Uzumaki and Namikaze and he'll be damned if he lets them down. He slid the door shut and made his way to the kitchen. He took out a small scroll and placed it carefully on the counter. He looked at it for a while before leaving his house, his heavy steps being the last thing he left on the dirt floor.

His breathing was coming out short and he didn't know if it was because he was already tired or he was nervous and excited. The Hyuuga Compound came into view and he slowed his steps while evening out his breathing. He managed to go in and made his way to Hinata's room with a determined look in his eyes. He was about to slide the door open when he heard a commotion from the end of the hallway. He shrugged off the loud voices until he heard a particular one that stopped his body.

"N-No!" The shriek was cut halfway and Naruto was already moving. It was unfortunate that Hinata's room was the farthest away from the Hyuuga Compound. He slid the door open and he gasped at what he saw. An elder Hyuuga turned pale when he saw him and a figure clad in black held a dagger close to Hinata's chest. In complete rage, Naruto flew in with his fist raised high. He landed a hit on the figure and the person flew back, the dagger thrown across the room. Hinata gasped and jumped when Naruto picked her up bridal style. He ran out of the room and crashed into her doors. He mumbled a sorry before crashing into her window. He heard the sounds of stomping close behind him but he ran into the forest. His heart thundered painfully in his chest and Hinata curled into him more, her body trembling. He glanced down at her and saw her right cheek swollen and her palms red. He turned around and saw no one coming after them.

Slowing to a stop, he crouched down and gently placed Hinata down. He made sure they were deep inside the forest before grabbing her swollen hand.

"Hinata, what happened?" He held back in his anger and instead focused on the trembling girl.

"T-The Hyuuga Elder came in to ask about something. I was escorted into a room and before I knew it, I was backhanded by h-him." She touched her bruised cheek and his eyes narrowed. "He was one of the few who didn't like the idea of me being heir. He planned to finish me off but you came just in time." She hugged him close, involuntarily taking in his scent. "Thank you."

He brought her closer and his hand roamed over her back. "I'm just happy I got there in time. Now, we run. We have each other and I hope that's okay with you?" He moved back and his eyes held worry, fear that she'll leave.

She was raised as a princess, she was born into royalty, yet she knew that it wasn't her home. This, sitting in the middle of the forest and running away from her family with the person she loves, this was her home. She kissed him quickly and he blushed at her bold act. She laughed and rose to her full height. He caught her before she collapsed and she interlocked their hands. "You are my home now, Naruto-koi."

He smiled and together they ran off into the distance to start a new chapter in their lives.

Fin