Chapter 126

Though, when he comforted her by brushing the top of her head with gentle pats, her stomach did back-flips before bursting into thousands of fluttering butterflies. Amazingly the sun didn't explode, the earth didn't shatter, and Naruto was happy. That's all Hinata wanted; was for him to be happy.

At first, it was obvious her taijutsu was far superior to his Academy makeshift mix of close quarter combat. Initially, Naruto didn't grasp that her Jūken inflicts internal damage, and while she wasn't using her Byakugan to target his tenketsus, she doesn't even have to try hard to target his organs. Terrified as she was every time she landed a mildly strong hit, Hinata loved how Naruto wouldn't give up, wouldn't stay down, and ask for another round.

With Kurenai-sensei's permission, she instructed Naruto-kun on where he was telegraphing his attack and how they were easy to see with her eyes. To her great relief, Naruto-kun was amazed and she loved him all the more for it. Though Kurenai-sensei would only allow three rounds per day, by their fifth sparring session, he was keeping up with the speed of her technique. When Hinata had to actually try in order to land a clean hit, it made her want to train longer and harder to make certain she was always helpful to him; a sentiment she was happy to learn she shares deeply with Haku-san.

The beautiful boy certainly threw her off. From his spars with Naruto, Hinata learned the beautiful brunette was a highly skilled shinobi. Yet, in a world where the best killers gain the most notoriety and monetary income, Haku—exceptionally trained in the killing arts—chose to heal rather than kill and that greatly touched her. Naruto also never mentioned how absolutely gorgeous he looked—but after a couple of hesitant interactions, Hinata's eyes could easily see his sincere loyalty.

It was as if their connection to Naruto made them fast friends and Hinata grew to enjoy her conversations with Haku-san nearly as much as her time with Naruto-kun, Kurenai-sensei, and her team. Their connection was so clear, Haku may say to her, 'I never thought I could embrace my purpose to this degree,' Hinata was certain he meant to say, 'I've never been so happy.' Naruto's heart and never-quit attitude amazed them both—in Hinata's case, sometimes to tears—and she was further happy to have a partner in their love of Naruto.

Wearing her standard white and gray jacket and navy blue pants she makes her way to Konoha Hospital before Haku's welcome party. At Naruto's jovial invitation, Hinata happily accepted to see her favorite sensei and it warmed her heart to see how much Iruka-sensei and Naruto-kun cared about each other.

It was the very relationship she wanted with her father, and yet at the thought of her family, old familiar wounds rooted deep within her soul ached. It wasn't every hour that she thought of her family. It was hard to when she's constantly surrounded by her teammates, her motherly sensei, Haku-san, and Naruto-kun. They just wouldn't give her many moments to dwell on that ache, and though she felt guilty about it, she was happy to be away. Not that she would ever abandon her little sister, but at the very least, she knows Hanabi will remain safe as the favorite daughter.

"The best five days," Hinata whispers to herself, praying to kami she didn't jinx herself somehow. Her one regret was she hadn't learned if Ino-chan was seeing anyone. Aside from meeting Sakura-chan regularly, Hinata hadn't seen anything out of the ordinary. She hopes Kiba-kun doesn't do anything too reckless at the party. Above everything else, she just wanted Haku to feel welcomed.

HAKU

"You train very hard, Naruto-kun," Haku mentions to Naruto after hearing all his clones grunt in unison. They are both having breakfast on top of the newly created water-fall Kurenai-san managed to set up for Naruto-kun. His welcoming party wasn't until noon and they still needed to meet Hinata-chan to visit Iruka-san before welcoming everyone who is attending the celebration. While clones of Naruto are attempting to split the heavy rush of water with chakra alone, Haku marvels at his life now.

After Naruto slurps his noodles, he answers his friend, "I have to."

"Why," Haku curiously asks. "I know you want to build a better world, but to nearly kill yourself every day to be Hokage… I wonder if there's more to your plan for the future."

"I wouldn't say more," "But it's a big world, you know, and I'm not really ready."

"What is it you expect might happen that you feel such need to be strong for,"

"Mmm, you're going to think it's stupid," Naruto asserts.

"I'm sure it's not stupid," Haku assures him.

After a deep breath, he replies, "I want us all to understand each other."

Curious, Haku asks, "who's everyone, and in what way?"

"The five nations," he answers and Haku feels lacking, as if he truly doesn't understand the scale Naruto-kun is operating on. Naruto continues, "I've been hated for as long as I can remember, but not a single one of those people ever took the time to understand me, and the ones that did, didn't hate me anymore: Ji-chan, Teuchi-jiji, Ayame-neesan, Iruka-sensei, Kurenai-sensei, Kakashi-sensei, Sakura-chan, even the teme. And if you still hate someone after you understand them, then maybe you should fight. I mean, I learned everything I needed about you when we fought. I knew you were kind, and strong, and someone I could really care about. For some reason, I don't think it's any different with the five nations. We should all have that chance to understand each other like friends do."

Muling over Naruto-kun's philosophy, Haku asks, "and you would do this through strength?"

"I don't want to force them," Naruto answers. "Honestly, I don't know how I'll manage it, but I feel like if something really bad ever happens, all shinobi would come together to stop it. I want everyone to choose love and peace, instead of hate and war, so we can all make it."

"That does sound difficult," Haku admits.

"I know, but we're friends, so I know it can work," Naruto smiles. "I just have to be strong enough to show everyone that it's okay… to not fight? Which sounds weird I know, but… that's what I think."

"I think I know what you mean," Haku asserts.

"You do?"

"There's a saying in the Land of Water," Haku starts. "When Shinigami-sama whispers in your ear, 'you're not strong enough to withstand the storm,' you whisper back, 'I am the storm.'" Haku enjoys Naruto's smile, claiming, "You're the storm, Naruto-kun."

With a chuckle that turns into a smile, Naruto clarifies, "I want everyone to tell death that." Haku nods as the blond finishes, "and I'll protect those that can't."

"So you wish to fight death on behalf of the world," Haku states with a small hint of jest. "As fierce as this world is, you'll have to be quite strong to be heard by so many. Fortunately you have me, Kakashi-san, Hinata-chan and of course, your precious Nai-chan." Naruto laughs with Haku before the girlish boy asks, "do you think the both of you might become a couple?"

"Uh, I doubt it," Naruto answers, thinking how happy he is to be able to talk to someone about this. Naru-nii, unfortunately, doesn't have the time for a lengthy conversation, which makes having Haku that much appreciated. "She pretty much said no matter what we do, that won't ever happen, so…"

"I see. I like Hinata-chan," Haku slowly tells Naruto inspecting his every physical cue.

Naruto smiles and agrees, "Mn, I like her too. Her Taijutsu is crazy good. She's showing me so much."

"I think she'd make a good wife someday," Haku states inspecting Naruto closely.

Naruto tilts his head before his mouth spreads to a big grin. "Haku! Kami, are you in love with Hinata-chan?"

Haku deflates at Naruto's obliviousness, clearly not grasping the unasked question. Haku simply shakes his head answers, "no, Naruto-kun. She's a sweet girl but ultimately, not my preference."

"Oh," Naruto states with a shrug. "Well, you gotta tell me when you find a girl you love so I can root for you."

"…Thank you," Haku smiles. "As your tool-" "Friend," Naruto cuts in while Haku continues. "I want you to find love as well."

Naruto smiles broadly while his thoughts not only projects Sakura's smiling face, but Ino's, Kurenai's, and even Hinata. Naruto knows there are many types of love so he doesn't understand, but it's his hope everything becomes clear soon.

INO

Walking up the stairs of the nearly empty residence of the Haruno home, Ino smiles wickedly. The pair of kunoichi had decided to meet up Saturday before going to Iruka-sensei's house, and she was early… an hour early. Entering Sakura's room, she's thrilled to hear the shower running in the connected bathroom. Ino removes her purple, lace-up crop top, matching wrap skort and thigh high black stocking. After removing her lace underwear, Ino henge's into Naruto and sneaks into the hissing and humid bathroom.

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