For Tomorrow- Chapter Eight

Hinata knew there were people staring at them. She could feel the pressure of their disapproving glares even as she stared into the baby blue eyes of the stranger with whom she had collided.

He was striking, with his bright blond locks and slightly tanned skin, which spoke of long hours in the sun, so different to the indigo's own pale skin that was considered beautiful, yet, if anything, added to his handsomeness. The chiselled jaw line and broad shoulders didn't hurt either.

Desperate to escape, the Hyuuga heir grasped at his wrist and hauled him to the dance floor, hoping to re-order her thoughts before she stuttered her chance away.

Confidence has never been my strong point... Hanabi on the other hand- Ugh, stop comparing yourself to her! It won't help you now of all times!

She spun round to face the blond stranger, only to see he had proffered his hand. Blinking owlishly in surprise at first, she tried to mask her emotions as she had been taught. Madam Shizune would have been very disappointed.

"Never let your guard down. You must control the events around you perfectly to secure your desired outcome. Never forget that, poppet. Or they'll eat you alive. I couldn't bear it if they did that, not to you." They were the final words from her teacher, whom she considered a member of the family. Madam Shizune had always been like her wise, worrywart aunt. She had been the one to teach Hinata how to communicate with others. She had brought the supposedly mute toddler out of her shell. Hinata owed her more than she could ever repay and still missed her adopted family member deeply.

Of course! We're on the dance floor and social protocol dictates- I should just accept his hand...

Taking his hand and positioning herself correctly in his hold, she tried to ignore the warmth spreading through her hand as they seamlessly joined the dance. She had no idea he was trying to do the same by repeatedly thanking Konohamaru for having the forethought to teach him the waltz (the experience consisted of several broken brooms and, when they had acquired Sakura's assistance, several broken toes and some internal bleeding on Naruto's part.)

"Miss Hyuuga, I presume."

He was desperately trying to sound confident and not get distracted by her eyes. Some part of his mind compared them to the moon's reflection in lavender water. He promptly told that part of his mind to bugger off. He could not start acting love struck, not now.

"Yes... I-I know this might be forward but please, call me Hinata. I've never really cared for all the 'Lord and Lady' business. Too much faffing about over silly titles."

Finally he had a name to go with the face... It was an elegant name too. And she didn't care for titles. He smiled.

She just keeps getting better.

"As you wish, Hinata. I am Naruto Uzumaki and I ask in advance for your forgiveness when I step on your toes. I have never been much of a dancer."

"I would never have guessed. Your waltz is better than mine and, if I am being honest, it's the only dance I know."

The shy Hyuuga smiled at her confession as if it were a terrible little secret. Maybe to her it was.

"I understand completely. I too always found better things to do with my time. My teacher didn't like me any better for it."

Hinata did not know that by 'teacher' he meant Konohamaru and he certainly wasn't going to tell her.

"I always ended up gardening instead. It is a hobby of mine." It shouldn't be so easy to talk to him, she noted, but his easy-going smile made her feel so comfortable. Naruto was barely an acquaintance and she had dared to discuss things openly that she would never have admitted to her old friends. "Do you garden, Naruto?"

"I garden all the time. I think I'm quite good at it too. Although some would beg to differ, namely those tulips I mowed over last week."

The older of the Hyuuga sisters laughed. It was a soft lilting laugh that sounded better than any melody to Naruto's ears. He wanted to hear more but the dance had ended. Needless to say, he was very unwilling to depart from her company. The blonde probably never would be. He needed to say something and fast.

"Hinata, would you do me the honour of accompanying me to the garden? I hear they have some beautiful specimens here." Naruto immediately slapped himself, in the mental sense of course.

The dark bluenette looked at him and a small furrow appeared in her brow as she thought. It would be foolish to trust a stranger and follow them into the darkness; that much was obvious but... She couldn't let this chance pass her by and those baby blues looked so hopeful and even... Slightly scared.

Scared of my rejection? Surely not... Maybe he has taken a liking to me...

She couldn't bear to get her hopes up and shook her head to dispel the thoughts.

"I would very much enjoy that, Naruto. Thank you."

The only Uzumaki was too involved in his own thoughts about how adorable she looked when she was lost in her own little world, shaking her head- at what was beyond him- that he almost missed her answer and, having expected a sound 'no', took several moments to process it. The grin it caused lit up his face like someone had promised him a lifetime's supply of ramen. A quaint thought, really but he'd have nowhere to store it all. Poor ramen.

Looping their arms together in the traditional fashion, Naruto led her out into the chilly night air. Hinata's reaction to the garden was much the same as Hanabi's and she found herself longing for their new home to have a garden. With as much space as the Akamichis had the possibilities were endless.

What really caught her attention was the maze in the centre, its entrance clear in the glow of the moon's reflection. It managed to look mystical in the twilight as the roses sparkled with dew, rather than the foreboding sight one would have come to expect under the night's harsh influence. Apparently, it had caught Naruto's attention too as he grasped her hand in his and started to walk rapidly towards the entrance, a mischievous grin clear on his face despite the hour. Collecting up the many petticoats of her dress, Hinata couldn't help but smile and follow. There was something about this man... She just couldn't put her finger on it... But she liked it. She liked it very much.

As they headed towards their goal, neither noticed the newly formed couple underneath the distant oak tree.

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Her laugh was louder now. It drifted into the night sky from their place in the maze.

They were lost, that much was certain. Naruto was not sure how to get out and part of him didn't care. He had been happily distracting Hinata with stories- only partly made up, mind you- of his many so called adventures with Konohamaru.

The blonde's smile was aching from overuse but he couldn't force the corners down. He couldn't stop. Why should he? He was having too much fun.

"You really did that? I would never dare!" Hinata's face was flushed and her eyes were wide and bright with curiosity.

"You bet! You should have seen Sasuke's face at the end. He was redder than one of his precious tomatoes!"

They had been having a non-stop conversation since they entered and Naruto had been trying to make Hinata laugh at every opportunity. It was working. With every sentence they learnt something new about each other.

For example: Hinata's favourite colour was lilac because she liked its calming influence, her favourite past times were cooking and gardening and she had been trained in hand to hand combat since she was seven.  Naruto always went for the ones who could kick his arse to hell and back and although he had no doubts Hinata was more than capable of such a feat, he could tell there was something different about her compared to the others. Something much, much better.

Not what one would expect of someone with her frame. Though it probably means she's more agile and flexible rather than brute force. That must really come in handy-

Ack! Stop right there thoughts. You saw her dad, didn't you?! I like my family jewels attached to my body, thank you very much!

Naruto's own fighting experience was learnt during street scraps, a way to make money without tax or too much questioning, if the police didn't find you, that is. He had become a master of tactics under the tutorage of one Shikamaru Nara with help from his copious amounts of luck and ability to be completely unpredictable.

When his companion stopped abruptly, it caused the only Uzumaki to worry but he did not do so for long.

They had reached the middle of the maze where the bitter breeze could not reach them. It was enchanting.

Candle lamps illuminated the space in a soft amber glow and brought warmth that caressed their cold bodies. A bench made of oak wood with intricate Celtic designs including a merge of the Akamichi and Yamanaka family crests took pride of place in the centre. The complication of the bench's design contrasted with the simple stone bridge it where it resided. A faint rustling could be heard, indicating a small stream flowing beneath the bridge.

Naruto had fallen in early on in their exploration but it was shallow enough that everywhere above his knees was fine. Hinata had giggled at his display when he thought he was going to drown, which was always a plus.

By the time Naruto had finished absorbing his surroundings Hinata had already taken a seat on the bench above the water.

Definitely like something out of a fairytale. And now for the not so dashing hero to enter the scene.

Hurrying to sit beside her, the blonde almost fell up the step to the bridge before finding his place on the seat. To say he was surprised when she leant into his side would be an understatement and he tried to dismiss it as her searching for more warmth. He couldn't help but hope she had ulterior motives.

"I was so dreading coming here tonight but I've really enjoyed my evening, Naruto. Thank you."

Stunned aqua orbs looked down to connect with smiling lavender and before he knew it he was edging closer as she moved up to meet him. They were close enough to feel each other's breath as it ghosted past their skin-

"HINATA!"

Naruto jumped back like he had been slapped and Hinata looked completely distraught. She knew that voice. It had scolded her many times and comforted her after her mother had died, a rare show of affection on his part. Her father was looking for her.

Why now?! He was going to kiss me, I'm sure of it.

"It's my father. He probably wants to leave before it gets any later. We live quite a distance away. He must be worried." The words were forced and mechanical, like she was trying to convince herself more than Naruto that her father had good reasons to destroy her moment.

They were already nearing the exit of the maze, retracing their steps to find their way back. Naruto had not spoken since they had been interrupted. It was making her anxious and dreadfully so. Maybe she could fix this.

Stopping round the corner from the exit, she stopped. The indigo did something impulsive, something that would change her future dramatically.

Spinning on the balls of her feet, the usually shy Hyuuga placed one hand on Naruto's chest and the other on the back of his neck. Without giving him a chance to speak his bewilderment she tilted her head and pulled herself up to meet him in one fluid motion.
Naruto responded immediately, his hands finding refuge on her hips as he eagerly moved his mouth against hers. Each movement sent blots of electricity through his entire being. He wanted more from her- he wanted to feel more of this euphoria she was causing to swell within him but could not find it in himself to force her.  She was perfect; he decided after this that he could not-would not let her get away, noblewoman or not.

Hinata was beyond words. She couldn't describe how she felt as his warmth seeped through her chest and continued to warm the entirety of her anatomy. She never wanted it to stop, feeling safe and wanted. She was trying to remember everything: the feel of his hair, which was soft under her petite fingers, the smell that was undeniably cut grass and fresh soil from hours in the garden and his chapped, powerful lips on hers, dominating without taking over completely.

When they were on the verge of suffocating, they separated, albeit reluctantly. Knowing she had to leave before her father came searching again; Hinata gave him her address and an invitation to visit if ever he was in central London.

With only a single kiss to the cheek as a goodbye, the young Hyuuga left in search of her family and Naruto immediately felt the difference. He did not realise it yet but his heart needed her to help fill a void that had always been there. He would have to convince Konohamaru to let him visit her. Speaking of which, he better hope the young master wasn't too aggravated that he had fallen for the older of the Hyuuga sisters. It was only a minor setback and could be fixed but it was a wrench in the works none the less.

Who cares what Konohamaru thinks?! That kiss alone was worth it.

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As Hinata had approached her family she noticed her sister talking to the Sarutobi heir with her father and before she had approached, Konohamaru had kissed her sister's hand with a grin and left.

It was when they had reached their so called home that Hanabi gave in to her sisters prodding and explained.

"He asked father's permission to court me."

There was a faint blush on the younger Hyuuga's face as the brunette fought to keep a neutral face.

"And?" Hinata tried to encourage her sister to move on with the details, unsuccessfully trying to squash her emotions.

"Father agreed!" The lid of her emotions burst and the ecstatic smile was there for all to see.

"Oh, Hanabi, I'm so happy for you!"

Shakily replacing her mask, the brunette deigned to ask "And how was your evening, dear sister?"

"I... I think I've fallen for the young Sarutobi's friend. Naruto is just..." Hinata looked wistfully into the distance, avoiding her sister's gaze as her blush rose to the surface."I feel so happy with him. He is unpredictable and safe at the same time and there is something about him that makes it so I can't stop thinking about him. His smile, his humour, his over-active hand movements, everything about him is so... So beautifully Naruto."

Hanabi was overjoyed for her sister, who had always been plagued by suitors for their family's wealth. The plan went even better than expected because it had helped Hinata too. Maybe things were getting better for them now. They could only hope.

There was a swift strong knock at the door they both recognised as belonging to Iruka.

Not bothering to hide their smiles they told him to enter. His sombre face soon stopped their happy thoughts of a brighter future. Iruka had done nothing but look out for them since their arrival and his expression told the younger of the Hyuuga sisters that she had jinxed their time of rejoicing.

"Miss Hinata and Hanabi Hyuuga, Your father requires your presence downstairs."