Honeysuckle Tea

[Chapter Three is all about coming back from their previous mission and preparing to take a little 'vacation' *Wink wink* ^_~ I hope you enjoy this chapter.]

"That needs to be washed... That too... That too...," she muttered to herself as she took all the clothes soiled due to harvesting the plants and threw them into a pile to be washed later.
"Hinata-sama...?" Neji had appeared in her doorway, gently knocking on the wooden trim of her door. Hinata gave a squeak of surprise and hastily stuffed a pair of underwear back into her bag before turning to see her elder cousin.
"H-hai, Neji...?"
"Sumimasen, I didn't mean to intrude...," he said taking a few steps in. "I just wondered if you were up for training this afternoon."
"Oh... I'm s-sorry Neji, I-I'm having lunch with Naruto this afternoon... Also, I'm a bit tired from all the traveling we had to do... Wh-what about Tenten-san...?" Neji went slightly crimson at this suggestion and crossed his arms, something he always did when maintaining or regaining his composure.
"I'm not allowed to see her yet, remember?"
Neji and Tenten were due to marry in a few days time, and by Hyuga custom they were not permitted to see the other from the day of their proposal till the day of their wedding. Hinata remembered that day well....

(Two months earlier)
"We are present on this day, to hear a proposal of marriage by Neji Hyuga and Tenten Iwasaki," Hiashi said addressing the room at large. Hinata and Hanabi sat on either side of him, while a stoic Neji and anxious Tenten sat side by side in front of them. Gai, Lee, Tenten's parents Tenrai and Ayeka, stood just behind them. Hinata had never actually seen the proposal ceremony before, in her opinion, it was needlessly tense and stressful and Hiashi's grimly strict expression did nothing to make the situation anymore comfortable. Hiashi closed his eyes solemnly, pausing for a moment...
"Byakugan!" Chakra surged through the veins in his head leading to his eyes, allowing him to stare through flesh, bone, and lies... "Neji... I understand this girl has been a close comrade to you for some time, and that maybe feelings of trust and friendship has spawned deeper feelings between you. However, let me be clear that historically, love's role in Hyuga tradition counted very little. Yet I understand both from first hand experience and by seeing how the times are changing, that that old callous stance on the matter is no longer, practical. Wealth, prestige, good breeding; these things no longer take priority as they once did. So... In that light, you will need to convince me that your love exceeds the importance of these things so valued by the noble houses of this village, and that this girl is worthy of marrying into our clan," his voice rang faintly in their ears, even after he stopped speaking. Hinata felt for them... If it was her in their place, she wasn't sure if she'd be able to even speak; just watching made her stomach turn.
"Uncle... Every passing season, every time I looked behind me, Tenten was there for me. Aside from all the help I received from her, she was my confidant, someone I was able to talk to freely... I-I, almost... don't know how to explain it to you, Hiashi-sama... Tenten always got me back to my feet whenever I had my moments of self-doubt, something only she saw. But, being with her just-" Neji paused, as if trying to find a way to put it into words. Hinata wondered if her father could see what she was seeing. This wasn't the self-assured and hawk-eyed Neji she knew, but an anxious and fragile side of her cousin she never knew existed. Neji falling in love and getting married was never an idea Hinata -nor did any of their other peers- thought to entertain... "-... Being with her just makes me unexplainably... Happy," Neji finished warmly. Tenten's anxiety seemed to subside and a more resolute edge in her expression took form. Still, Hiashi's expression was as uncompromising as that of a marble statue, only turning his head a fraction to address Tenten.
"Do you feel the same way...?"
"Hai, Hiashi-sama... Neji-kun always treated me like an equal, even though we both know I'm not. He saved my life many times throughout the years and helped me become strong... I don't think I'd have become a Jonin on my own otherwise. But, despite being so serious and stubborn we always managed to spend time outside of training and missions. I don't think I've met a more intriguing man," Tenten murmured gently, bowing her head in respect. Hiashi's piercing stare bore into Tenten and then Neji, straining as thought trying to detect some sort of irresolution or deceit. He closed his eyes again briefly, ending the Byakugan.
"Any further input...?" Hiashi said to Neji and Tenten's witnesses.
"Hai, Hiashi-sama!" Tenrai said, stepping forward. "Let me just say that... Neji is a very fine young man. We're but a modest family, as neither I nor my wife are shinobi and Tenten is our only child, so you can imagine the pride we have in our daughter and would not see her off to marry just any boy. He's always treated me and my wife with great respect, we know he adores our precious Tenten, and we are honored to give them our blessing."

Gai was next to step forward, placing a hand on Neji's shoulder.
"Oh noble Hiashi, where to start about these great kids here..?" Gai said smiling to reveal every one of his pearly white teeth. "From almost the first day I met Tenten and Neji they seemed to grow on each other. I've been their sensei for almost five years and so I doubt there is another soul who knows them as a pair better than I do. They really are a class act and excellent teammates." Lee had walked forward standing besides Gai.
"I could not agree more, Lord Hiashi. Individually they are outstanding ninja; together they are without equals both in love and in battle. I speak to you as their close friend and can positively say that they will grow a strong and far reaching branch of the Hyuga Tree," if anything, it was Lee's closing statement that made Hiashi's eyebrows raise, forcing a more emotional expression to break through his stony countenance. Hanabi seemed impressed with their heart felt accounts and looked questioningly up at her father who took no notice of her. Hinata too looked over at Hiashi, wondering what sort of thoughts were racing through his mind.
"Very well... Stand," Hiashi said simply. Neji and Tenten got to their feet, both looking a bit pale but maintained a collected front.
"Based on what I could see with my Byakugan and the testament given by your witnesses... I, Lord Hiashi Hyuga, hereby give you, Neji Hyuga and Tenten Iwasaki, my blessing to marry." The tension in the air defused in an instant, tears poured freely down Hinata's cheeks as the sheer weight of the anxiety was suddenly lifted. Due to being half blinded by tears, she only remembered seeing her father pour a cup of sake for all to take a sip from, a sign that the engagement was now official.

"Hai... I'm sorry, I-... It just slipped my mind, Neji... P-perhaps tomorrow. Try... Try asking Lee-san or Sasuke-san for help," Hinata suggested apologetically.
"Hmph. I suppose I'll ask around then. Thank you for your time, Hinata-sama," Neji turned and left Hinata to her unpacking.

A few hours later, Naruto was woken up by someone insistently knocking on his apartment door. "(Yawn) All right all right, I'm up already, sheesh...," Naruto mumbled, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. Naruto turned the door knob and opened it wide, coming face-to-face with Hinata. Instead of her usual shinobi gear, Hinata was dressed in a plain white sweat shirt with a yin-yang patch on the left arm and black jeans. "Oh, hey! Sorry, I ended up taking a little nap after I finished cleaning. I forgot what it was like getting a few extra hours in, -ttebayo," he himself was dressed more comfortably too, a black T-shirt with the First Hokage's necklace sparkling against it and a pair of navy wind-breakers.
"I... I know. When you didn't answer the door at first I sort of...," she looked away slightly, as using the Byakugan to look into homes was a very shameful thing to do, but Naruto acted as though he hadn't heard a word she said and instead began drooling over the wrapped bento in her left hand.
"Saa... This smells great, dattebayo!" Hinata managed a smile with her pale cheeks turning a gentle rose color before handing him the bundle. While he set up the table, Hinata allowed her attention to wander around Naruto's apartment. She had only been inside once before, the day Tsunade released him from the hospital, she, Kakashi, Iruka, Sakura, Sasuke, Konohamaru, and Ino threw a small recovery party for him. Also, unlike before then, when the floor was partially concealed beneath empty ramen cups and snack bags, the place had fairly nice hardwood flooring that was polished so thoroughly she could've used it as a mirror. But one thing made her laugh heartily, one of the walls in Naruto's bedroom was covered from floor to ceiling in instant ramen cup tops. Oh, it may not be as elegant or spacious as the Hyuga manor, but there was just something about Naruto's home that lifted her spirits. She walked over to a picture frame on his night-stand that held a photo Sai had taken when Hinata took Naruto by surprise with a kiss in front of the Ichiraku Ramen stand. Hinata took a seat on his bed which was a simple wooden box frame with puffy blankets on a pleasantly firm full-size mattress and started looking at each picture he kept on the night stand.
"-ne, Hinata-chan? Hinata...?" Naruto said a little bewildered, finally noticing that Hinata wasn't there and walked over to his room to find her looking fondly at a large group picture taken when they were still all Genin. "Oi, what's up? Aren't you hungry, Hinata?" he took a seat next to her, placing an arm around her and gazing at the picture as well.
"N-no, I'm all right. Please go ahead and eat, Naruto-kun," she said quietly.
"Yeeeah, see, I thought you were sitting at the table with me so I had already started eating, dattebayo. But once again, your cooking totally rules, believe it!" Hinata didn't reply, instead placed the picture back and leaned against Naruto. He brought her in close, where Hinata then rested her head on Naruto's chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart like she did that night in Cha no Kuni, this sound always soothed and roused her affection. Hinata closed her eyes as she listened and felt Naruto's finger gently lift her head up from under her chin. She peeked out at him from under her eyelashes seeing only his closed eyes and the bridge of his nose up close. As they kissed, Hinata was once again stricken by that physical longing for Naruto, and looking for some way to suppress the feeling, she shyly slid her tongue passed his lips, causing the unexpecting Naruto to recoil.
"Naruto-kun, I'm sorry! I... I-" Hinata squeaked, blushing scarlet.
"Hinata-chan, calm down...! It's all right! I just didn't expect you to kiss me that way...," Naruto said hastily but smiled all the same.
"Y-you're not upset...?"
"Nah. But come to think of it, I don't think we've ever kissed that way... It's nice...," Naruto said thoughtfully, shrugging and taking the initiative this time. Need rippled through Hinata again, more powerfully than ever when he returned the same passionate kiss, stroking and caressing her tongue with his. When they broke the kiss, Hinata once again placed her head against his chest while he rocked back and forth with her in his arms. Around that time, Hinata noticed that she wasn't the only one taken by desire as she looked down. The fabric of Naruto's wind-breakers was taut and raised above his groin, which made her curious about something...
"N-Naruto-kun...? C-could I ask you a personal question?" she breathed softly.
"Hm? Yeah, what's up, Hinata?" Naruto replied tenderly. Hinata struggled to find the right words, but sensing that he was about to ask again, she let the question quite bluntly fall out of her mouth.
"D-do you... Touch yourself...?" Naruto did the smallest of double-takes. Even though she stated before hand that it was a 'personal question', he didn't expect it to be that personal, not from Hinata at least.
"Um... Well... If you're asking me what I think you're asking me... Uhh, heheh... I guess I'd be lying if I said 'no', dattebayo... Why do you ask, Hinata-chan?"
".... That night at the hotel...," Hinata whispered. Naruto didn't say anything, only looking down at her. "...While you slept, I just couldn't help myself, and I-" Naruto cut across her, whispering back.
"It's all right, Hinata, you don't have to explain... I know what you mean," Naruto said burying his face into her neck.
"Naruto-kun...," she was relieved that he took this so well as opposed to overreacting or thinking her a pervert. Hinata tilted her head back as Naruto tickled her neck with affectionate kisses. He could hear the rhythm of her breathing increase, as well as the occasional sigh floating from her mouth. The way he brushed his lips and tongue gently over her skin made Hinata squirm. It had gotten to the point where the only coherent train of thought she had, was to satisfy her need to be close to Naruto; to be loved, to be touched... Perhaps her thoughts were loud enough to be heard, or maybe she had barely uttered what she was thinking without realizing it, because she then felt a set of fingers searching blindly for the bottom of her sweatshirt. Naruto almost cautiously inched his hand under Hinata's shirt, feeling the soft skin of her stomach, then the linen sarashi covering her chest, and gently cupping his hand over her right breast. "...! N-Naruto-kun...," she gasped, feeling slightly dizzy from the massive upsurge of blood to her face. As bold and brash as Naruto was, even he considered this a bit daring... Even as his hands trembled, he acted with resolve, working the linen wrappings apart with his fingers so they fell loose around her body. Hinata felt her chest expand slightly as the sarashi relinquished its supportive grasp on her body. Naruto lifted the sweatshirt up a ways, exposing Hinata's bare chest, to which a coil or two of sarashi still gently clung. Naruto stared transfixed... It wasn't as though he hadn't seen breasts before; in fact, he often found them quite unremarkable. Yet unlike the busty beauty he sometimes transformed into, Hinata's had the look and soft curvature of some delicate work of porcelain, her modestly size breasts just as pale, making a seamless transition to carnation pink buds. Naruto's staring forced her to instinctively draw her arms close to her body and turn from him.
"Hinata-chan...?" Naruto whispered, hoping he hadn't done anything to offend her. She wouldn't look at him, but bowed her head a bit, smiling softly.
"Gomen... Naruto-kun. I-I... I really do, need you... But... It just... Wouldn't be right to betray my father, or my clan in this way... P-please don't be upset, but I can't... Not yet," Hinata said timidly, beginning to re-wrap her modest undergarments.
"I-it's no big deal... I understand. Besides, I wasn't planning to go that far, I suppose I was just a bit curious," Naruto said a little nervously, scratching the back of his head.
"B-but I should probably get going back home now. Father wants to spend time with me.... I know... I find it a little strange too," Hinata giggled, looking at Naruto's shocked expression. "I'll see you later, Naruto-kun."
As she got up to leave Naruto stood up and stopped her, gently taking hold of her hand.
"Wait."
"Hm...?"
Naruto scratched his head again, looking away from Hinata slightly. "I was just wondering... I really don't know what to do with all this money, so I was just gonna ask you if... If you'd like to, maybe we could, I dunno..."
The way he was beating around the bush made her feel a little impatient, and yet at the same time she finally understood how it must feel to be him when she was fishing for the right words to use. "J-just spit it out already, Naruto-kun...," even Hinata's voice, which was always just barely above a whisper, caused Naruto to look up at her at these words struck dumb, but seeing her warm smile and rosy cheeks loosened his tongue a bit.
"Heh, yeah... Gomen... Anyway, if you like, let's go run off and have some fun for a change! Let's go somewhere, anywhere, someplace you wanna go!" Naruto said with his old spunky nature back and tossing Hinata back into her rabbit-like timidity.
"Y-you mean... Just the two of us...?"
"No, let's bring your dad along too... Of course just the two of us!" Naruto said chuckling. Hinata looked to the side, blushing furiously and pressing her index fingers together.
"Oh... Uh, well... Sure, Naruto-kun... I'd like that," She just stood there in a protracted pause until Naruto cleared his throat.
"So, how about it? Where would you like to go? I'll take you anywhere, -ttebayo!" Patting his overstuffed wallet, he stood up and placed his arms around her waist. "Come on, you must want to see someplace special, right?"
Hinata looked up into his face, melting at the sight of his warm smile and crystalline blue eyes.
"I-I.... I'd like to see Kumogakure, maybe see Hatsuka-san and Fuyuhachi-san while we're there. I just, never seen it before...," Hinata murmured. Naruto's smile widened and he drew her in close.
"Yeah, we can do that... Land of Lightning, here we come dattebayo."

(Three weeks later)
It took some careful planning. A trip this long required skirting around their schedules and making sure they wouldn't be needed back home. Naruto went to Tsunade and made the arrangements to have Konohamaru and Moegi take over his and Hinata's patrol duties for a few weeks while they went to Rai no Kuni. Hinata had a harder time on her end. She went to her father, Lord Hiashi. Knowing that he'd never allow her to go alone with Naruto just to get away from home for a while, she told him the reason was to spend time with their friends in Kumogakure; Hatsuka Nekogami, Fuyuhachi Harukahama, and Tobikuma Akemi. Though still a bit suspicious he relented and gave her permission.
The morning they were to leave... Hinata rose at 3:40 AM, bathing and getting ready now that most of her things had been packed. But she was just too excited to sleep that night and thus took the extra time to make sure everything was accounted for. She ran a hand through her short hair as she did; having cut it again to the style she used to wear it in. Hinata went to the kitchen, taking four fully packed bentos and placed them in a special pack to keep things cold.
"O-hayo, musume," Hiashi grunted sleepily at her from the tiny table in the kitchen. It was still dark and Hinata had not seen him sitting there, giving a startled jump of surprise.
"O-... O-hayo, oto-sama," Hinata said giving Hiashi a courteous little bow. "Why are you... Up so early?"
"I just wanted to see you off, you'll be gone a week or more," Hiashi's voice wasn't as stern or commanding like she was used to, but appeared to have adopted a warmer, more parental tenderness to its tone.
"Oh...," Hinata didn't really know what to say. She always knew her father cared very much for her and he showed it in small ways every now and again, but it wasn't something she was used to. Hiashi stood up from the table and walked around it to face Hinata, looking a little uncomfortable.
"I, ah, have something to give you," he began, not quite meeting her eyes. Hiashi reached into his yukata and pulled out a sleek envelope of white rice parchment, the elegant kanji on the front read. 'Nara Blend C: Tea Leaves' "Yoshino-san always made the best tea... Your mother and I shared some of our most precious moments drinking this special blend. It's very elegant, light, and easy on the body. Perfect for a couple's night out. I thought you and Naruto-san might like to try it and see what you think." He handed the package to Hinata to look curiously at it. "It's called 'Honeysuckle Tea', the most exquisite in all the Fire Country."
"B-but... Why?"
"I told you... Besides, I don't want my daughter's life experiences be too... much of a burden," Hiashi smiled softly down at his oldest, his subtle movements and expression telling Hinata exactly what he meant. She flung herself forward, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and embraced him tightly.
"I love you... Oto-sama," Hinata whispered into his chest. Hiashi placed his arms around her loosely and ran a gentle hand over her soft hair.
"Hai... Now, be sure you packed everything. I'll see you upon your return," Hiashi let go of Hinata, wanting to cling to what was left of his rigid dignity, quickly left back to his bedroom at the far end of the manor. The sun rose soon after that, bringing with it Naruto's hyperactivity to the Hyugas' front door.

Leaving a note of last good-byes on the kitchen table, Hinata and Naruto set out on a journey that would take them five days across vast grasslands, over rocky mountains, and through thick forests. It was some days later when they arrived in the Lightning Country, a place that was usually over-cast by iron gray clouds that rumbled menacingly with thunder. Naruto and Hinata decided to travel along the western coast line, so they wouldn't be impeded by mountains or forest, which became thick alarmingly fast the farther they went. With Kumogakure's mesa in their sights, they were forced to set up camp on the rocky and endless stretch of coast as rain clouds moved towards them from across the sea.
"That storm looks pretty nasty, Hinata-chan... We won't make it in time, so let's stop here tonight," Naruto said as he pulled out an equipment scroll, producing a large tent that they nestled under the cover of a few large stones.
"I-I'll try to find something for us to eat the-" Hinata began, but Naruto shook his head and pointed out at the black clouds slowly dragged a curtain of icy rain across the water.
"That storm is gonna be on top of us in a matter of minutes. Let's get inside, you brought bentos didn't ya?" Naruto tried not to drool when Hinata gave a nod. The two of them fit quite comfortably inside the tent, huddled around a gas lantern, and eating in relative silence. Meanwhile, the storm raged all around them outside the tent, pounding the top of it with bullet-like rain and howling wind. Naruto felt sort of silly as he ate his food in silence. He felt like he ought to say something, but no words occurred to him, and he watched Hinata eat each bite slowly. Naruto focused on her mouth for a moment, watching the gentle motion of her soft lips, feeling color creep up into his face he turned his eyes back to his food only to discovered every grain of rice had been eaten.
"Is e-everything ok, Naruto-kun?" Hinata wasn't used to seeing Naruto stare at an empty plate like that, normally he'd be asking for seconds by now.
"Huh? Oh! Yeah, I'm good, Hinata-chan. The chow was freakin' awesome as always, dattebayo!" Naruto set his plate aside and stretched. "Anyway, we should probably start thinking about sleep, Hinata. Kumogakure is still a ways off, but if we leave early we can make it a little after noon."
"Hai! Just look that way please... I need to change," Hinata opened her back pack and pulled out the same white yukata she always slept in. Naruto turned onto his side, looking away from her while she undressed, but when he heard the heavy tool belt fall with a loud 'clunk' and the soft metallic hiss that was her steel mesh shirt coiling on the ground, he glanced over his shoulder. Hinata had her back him as she pulled on fresh under garments, but not before he glimpsed the cleft that separated her somewhat muscular thighs, or her bare back. As she pulled on the yukata and turned around, Naruto went back to looking the other way, feeling a little hot around the face.
"You can look now, Naruto-kun...," Hinata, said pulling the knot of her obi tight in the back. "Naruto-kun...?" Hinata looked over at him, seeing his body rising and falling with his breathing. Smiling to herself, she reached over to the lantern and put it out, falling to sleep as she listened to the rain continue to bombard their tent.
It was a few hours later when Naruto woke up in the darkness of their tent. The storm had died down so that rain half-heartedly thudded against the canvas. It took a few moments for Naruto to remember what had woken him up. He was dreaming about something he saw years ago, a naked beauty danced across the sparkling surface of moonlit water, shrouded in a shimmering haze. The light coming from her penetrated the water itself and set the entire pond aglow with soft blue light, illuminating her surroundings but hiding herself in shadow, and it was only now that he realized the girl was Hinata.
Upon this discovery, Naruto became much more aware of his body and his erect member that he hadn't notice at first.
"Tch...," Naruto tried to ignore it, but every time he closed his eyes and tried to go back to sleep, Hinata's unclothed image swam before him. He looked through the gloom and could just make out her sleeping form, hearing her soft murmuring snoring. He searched his bag blindly and managed to extract a few paper napkins, then slid a hand under his sleeping bag and ran it across his manhood, letting out a small sigh of relief. Putting his left hand under his head, he stretched out his legs a bit and pulled the waist of his boxers down to his knees. Now that he was comfortable, Naruto took hold of himself, slowly sliding his hand up and down, closing his eyes softly so that he could see her image in his mind's eye. Naruto gripped his manhood more tightly and increased the speed of his hand, trying to imagine what it would be like to make love with Hinata. This thought, as well as the image of Hinata undressing was enough to send him over the edge. Naruto took the napkins in his left hand and pressed them gently over the head of his manhood as semen spilled from him, causing Naruto to give a small satisfied groan. He mopped up whatever the napkins didn't catch before pulling his boxers back up and turning over onto his side, feeling like he could finally get some sleep. Yawning widely, Naruto curled up under the covers and slipped off into a new dream...

[End of chapter 3.]