Shadows of the Past

A/N: I owe a very special thanks to Naruto Tops for this chapter. As it was her idea about them having a nigh togther to celebrate their courtship I'm dedicating this chapter to her.

==============================

Although the dinner meeting had been a formality after Raven had received their consent it had given them a chance to talk with him and ask their own questions about his intentions pertaining to Hinata. Once everyone had been satisfied with his answers they had enjoyed their meals and the time to get to know this new Raven Hinata was so obviously in love with.

==============================

Hinata wakes up to the wonderful smells of a carefully prepared meal. Sitting up slowly she looks over and finds her breakfast in bed waiting on her nightstand. As she reaches for the tray she notices the note where the tray had been. Setting the tray beside her on the bed she opens the note and smiles as she reads it.

My Dearest Hinata-chan,

As this is the final day of the ritual that has kept me from your side for so long I beg that you endure our time apart for but a few hours more.

I hope that you enjoy the meals that I have prepared for you as I have tried Meena-chan’s patients {patience} to the breaking point this past week as she’s done her best to teach me how to cook a proper meal.

When you leave for school you will find a picnic lunch waiting for you. I hope that I made enough since I know you will wish to share with your students.

If these meals meet with your approval then I look forward to seeing you this evening for dinner. If not then I will understand and honor your wishes and wish you well with the rest of your life.

Forever Yours,
Raven Hiroku

Hinata’s eyes shimmer with unshed tears as she rereads his words. His love and kindness have meant so much to her since she first realized how much they cared for each other that the thought that they would finally be together filled her with more joy then she has ever felt in her short fourteen years on this earth.

She eats the breakfast meal he left for her and while it isn’t the best she had ever eaten it was still very good. She dresses quickly for school and as she leaves her room she finds the picnic basket he left for her. Collecting the basket she makes her way to the Academy nearly skipping as she walks.

==============================

That evening she arrives at the Hiroku compound and is greeted by a young guard that escorts her to Raven’s quarters. As she enters she is surprised to learn that Raven’s quarters are comprised of four rooms connected by the large sitting room she finds herself in now.

As Raven enters the sitting room from his bedroom he pauses as his breath catches in his throat at the sight of Hinata. Though it has only been two weeks since they last saw each other the sight of her in her evening gown he sent her that after noon is simply stunning.

The silver sleeveless floor length gown compliments her pale complexion perfectly. The gown has a slit up the left leg that only comes up to just above her knee while the modest neckline reveals only the top curves of your young breasts. Her simple teardrop pearl earrings and pearl necklace bring out the color of her opal eyes almost as much as the faint pink blush on her face from his admiring eyes does. “You look absolutely beautiful Hinata-chan,” he finally says walking towards her.

“Arigato Raven-kun,” she manages to say as he takes her hand leading her to the table where their dinner is waiting. The simple meal of rice balls, ramen and dumplings makes her giggle as he looks up at him. “Meena-chan must have really been upset with you,” she says referring to his letter.

“Sorry about that,” Raven chuckles. “I…ah…kind of wanted something simple so we could have time to talk since we haven’t seen each other for two weeks.”

“It’s okay,” she tells him reaching across the table to take his hand in hers. “It looks delicious.” Giving his hand a reassuring squeeze she breaks the simple contact so that he can eat the meal he had prepared for them.

After they finish their meal Raven leads her over to the couch across from the table and as they sit together he can’t help but draw her closer so that she’s resting her head against his chest while he wraps an arm around her shoulder. “This is nice,” Hinata almost purrs as she snuggles against him. “Though there is something familiar about this.”

Raven’s laugh causes her to look up at him as he smiles down at her. “We were sleeping at the time but you did the same thing on our mission.” He tells her eliciting a blush from the kunoichi. Her blush only deepens as he tilts her head up and captures her lips in a soft kiss.

As her hand slowly moves up to caress his cheek he catches the glint of silver from her bracelet out the corner of his eye as she deepens their kiss. He smiles inwardly as he remembers how he sent her the charm bracelet along with a charm to represent each of the people most precious to her.

The rest of their evening is spent between talking, cuddling and stealing the occasional kiss. The morning sun finds them both fully dressed sleeping on the couch with the jacket of Raven’s suit acting as Hinata’s blanket.

For the remainder of Raven’s leave they spend every available moment together. In addition to their daily lunches they would also eat dinner together. Most of their time in public is spent either talking or sitting quietly enjoying each other’s company while their private time finds them snuggling and kissing between conversations.