Forbidden Encounters

"Why were you late getting home? I specifically told you to be back before the sunsets. The moon is in the sky right now. Do you know what that means?" Hanabi's father, Hiashi asked. The young Hyuga tried to not cower before her father's powerful gaze. She hadn't meant to stay out as long as she had, but...dare she say it? She actually had...a lot of fun today.

"Apologies, Otou-sama. I spent my time in the Konoha library. There was a tale of successful leaders that I found compelling, and I lost track of the time. To better serve the Hyuga clan, I looked to it for reference. I...lost track of the time. If you would like, I have the bag with the book the library loaned me," Hanabi said, holding the bag out to him.

Despite how calm her words flowed, her mind was anything but. Until this day, Hanabi had not once lied to her father. However, she would be daft to tell him that she spent her day with a commoner such as Uzumaki Naruto. She would be daft to tell him that the older boy took her to many interesting places around the village. Not one of them was something she deemed dangerous. Every activity they did, she found some measure of entertainment in. From scooping fish, to shoot prizes off stands, to even playing the store lottery, it was a fun time for her.

Her father looked at her for a moment before returning to his work. "There is no need for that. It is good to be enthusiastic about your role as the next clan head, Hanabi. However, make sure this doesn't happen again. Understood?" he asked, his voice as stern as she remembered.

"Hai, Otou-sama," Hanabi said. She then bowed to him and dismissed herself. Her walk back to her room was rather silent. She closed her room door, and threw her bag on the bed. She then sat on her bed as well. The young Hyuga exhaled. She grabbed the bag and out of it came a slew of books that had nothing to do with what she had just spoke about. Perhaps the gods were watching over her since her father hadn't called her bluff.

Hanabi turned over on her bed. Why was today so much fun? She had seen children play many times like that and she thought it was ridiculous. But, the sense of freedom that her day with Naruto had brought her was enough to reevaluate her previous views. Truth be told, she wished she could have stayed out for longer. In fact, she tried to, but Naruto was the one who adamantly refused.

"No way, Firecracker! I can't let my best friend get hurt by any….unsavory night time beasts! I'll take you home,"

And take her home, he did. Naruto walked Hanabi back until they were around the corner from her clan's compound. No doubt she knew why he had done this, and she was rather thankful for the consideration, but...when she was about to go the next words surprised even her.

"Will...we do that again?"

Naruto never answered her. He merely smiled and waved her goodbye. Hanabi wished she could have told him something else, but...she did not do so. Instead, she was here, in her room, wondering where the pleasant time had gone. Tomorrow, her life would continue as it always did...out of her control.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Hanabi opened her eyes and stilled when she saw Uzumaki Naruto smiling at her from behind her window. She widened her eyes and resisted the urge to scream. She grabbed her window and opened it.

"What are you doing here? Are you crazy?! Do you know what my father's going to do to you, and me, if he finds you!" Hanabi hissed out. Wait, barring any of that, how did he even sneak into the Hyuuga compound? The compound was not some trivial store that could be infiltrated! Yet, here he was in his goofy fashion.

"Heh, sorry. I'm not staying long. I just...wanted to see my best buddy one more time! Also, I didn't answer your question. You better believe we're gonna do that again!" Naruto replied.

Hanabi fought hard to keep the smile from her face. "I-I'm not your buddy. I just hung out with you because there was nothing better to do," she replied in that haughty way that some children tend to be. However, Naruto merely chuckled.

"Yeah, I bet. Oh, I also came because I didn't get to give my not best buddy something from the festival party!" the blonde replied. Hanabi blinked when she found a stuffed animal in the shape of a bear in front of her.

The younger sister of Hinata Hyuga looked at the offering before she folded her arms and huffed. "I don't need childish things like that. Give it to somebody else," she replied. Honestly, what would make him think that she wanted a toy?

Naruto looked at the bear before he gently pushed it into Hanabi's hands. "I'd...appreciate it if you did. In fact, I think you want it more than you realize," he responded back to her. Hanabi stared at him. Her mind felt hazy, and Naruto's words tickled the back of her head. They sounded so nice, and so mesmerizing. Also, when did his clear, blue eyes turn red? They looked like spectacular ruby jewels.

"If...If you insist," Hanabi said. She took the bear from him. She moved its soft fur between her fingers for a moment. Once she looked back, the blonde was gone. Absolutely no trace of his presence remained. Hanabi looked left and right. It was as if he were a mere ghost. The young girl closed her window and sat on her bed. Was it alright for her to keep this?

A knock on the door started the young heiress from her thought. "Hanabi-sama, it's Natsu. I'm here to prepare you for bed," a rather feminine voice spoke. The small girl exhaled before allowing her caretaker inside her room. The caretaker opened the door and Hanabi's eyes were filled with a sea of green hair over top Natsu's head. The woman's friendly smile slowly calmed Hanabi from any further thoughts in the evening. Yet, a single question lingered in her mind. How long would it be...before she could see Naruto again?

From outside the compound, on top of a roof, Naruto stared at the interaction between Hanabi and her caretaker, Natsu. "Oh don't worry, Hanabi-chan. We'll spend more time together. I didn't think you'd have such a beautiful caretaker. Hmm, Natsu Hyuga, you might not think I don't remember you, but I do. I'll have fun times with you as well," Naruto said to himself. He then jumped off the rooftop and headed home. It would be a busy day for him come tomorrow.

....

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