Shadows of the Past

Two days after Raven’s heart to heart with Neji he receives the other replies to his letters and walks to his favorite place in all of Konoha to be alone. Sitting atop Hokage Mountain he looks down at the village below him and remembers why it is that he became a shinobi in the first place.

Raven draws the first letter out of his pouch and looks at it noticing the neat if somewhat imperfect calligraphy. ‘Hanabi is a lot better then I was at her age.’

Dear Sir,

I can only assume that you are this Raven-sama that I keep hearing mentioned around the compound. While I do not know you I do know how happy you have made Hinata-chan and for that I am grateful. From what I have heard from Neji-kun, Hinata-chan, and Father there seems to be no objections to your courtship of my sister.

The advice that you ask for is not mine to give as what I know of my sister was spoken in the strictest confidence and I will not violate that trust. This much I can tell you; Love her unconditionally and never give her cause to cry except in joy and you will always be happy.

Raven smiles at the young Hyuga girl’s words as he puts the letter away and pulls out the next one. He is forced to blink several times as he tries to decipher the nearly illegible handwriting. ‘Definitely Kiba’s.’

Hey Raven,

Ha, didn‘t expect me to recognize the scent did you? About Hinata, hell what can I tell you that you don‘t already know? She‘s one of the kindest and gentlest people I know and is ‘WAY’ too shy for her own good. I‘ve got no problems with you dating her but if you hurt her… I’LL HUNT YOUR ASS DOWN AND FUCKING KILL YOU…

Raven puts the letter away and laughs at the dog-nin’s protectiveness, as missed placed as it is. The next letter, or rather note is from Hinata’s other teammate Shino.

Raven-sama,

Lover her completely and you’ll have my consent.

Putting the bug-nin’s message away Raven can’t help laughing aloud. “Even his letters are short and to the point. The boy definitely needs a girl, or just needs to get laid.” He retrieves the next letter and pauses for a moment as he realizes that it is the one from Hinata’s father.

Dear Raven-sama,

I thank you for including me in your requests however I am unable to provide you with the information you seek as Hinata and I have not been as close as a Father and daughter should be for many years. As I have already given my consent for your continued courtship of my daughter all that remains is for me to bid you well in your endeavor.

I would however like to add that if you are sincere in your earlier statement about healing the bad blood between our clans and your feelings for my daughter then I wish you all the luck that Kami-sama deems fit to grant you.

Raven looks at the letter for along while with an ache of sadness. A single tear travels down his face as he resolves himself to aiding Hinata in healing the rift between herself and her father. His next letter is from Kurenai and he finds himself curious as to what his fellow Jounin has to tell him.

Dear Raven-kun,

I am afraid that I can offer you little advice in winning Hinata-chan’s heart since it is obvious that you already possess it. The consent you seek is easy enough to grant for I, like yourself, only wish to see Hinata-chan happy.

I know you to be a kind, generous and good man that can love Hinata-chan the way that she deserves to be loved. My only advice to you is to be patient with her and to always reassure her that you love her and will always be there for her when she needs you.

Hinata-chan is a very kind soul with a gentle heart, but that heart is easily broken so please Raven-kun treat her with care. I know that you would never intentionally hurt her and would lay down your own life to protect her. These are things she needs in her life right now, but more than that she needs you to remind her everyday how much you care about her.

As Raven puts the letter away he pulls the final letter out of his pouch and looks at it for a moment before opening it to read its sender’s reply. ‘What do you have to share Sakura-chan?’ He only sent her the request since Sakura has become Hinata’s closest kunoichi friend.

Dear Raven-sama,

I know that it is you asking by the handwriting and since I’m taking a break from studding to write this I’ll make it quick. Hinata-chan is a great girl and a good friend and deserves every bit of happiness in the world. I know you won’t hurt her and I know you care a great deal about her as she does about you so you have my consent.

Just a fair warning though if you do hurt her… Well let us just say, “There are things worst then death and I can do them all.”

Raven gulps at Sakura’s threat as the color fades from his face. He knows that she’s not exaggerating and putting the letter away with the others he makes a mental note to stay on Sakura’s good side from now on. Raven gets up from where he is sitting and makes his way back home to finalize the necessary arrangements for their dinner that Friday night.

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A/N: There is still one more chapter reserved for Raven's courtship of Hinata before Raven returns to active duty. I know these chapters are a bit slow but trust me everything will be pick up soon enough. I hope you've enjoyed everything so far and will continue to read the rest of the story.