Naruto : Saga of Tanya the Kunoichi

"Hey Hinata, where did you go earlier?" Naruto smiled at her, putting down the papers he's marking.

"I chatted with Tsuyu for a while. You are still marking them?" Hinata smiled slightly, but her eyes looked at Naruto with details, as if trying to see any crack.

"Oh. Tsuyu?" Naruto's eyes told Hinata he felt uncomfortable for a second, but he returned to normal.

"I am giving them their marks tomorrow-ttebayo." Naruto continued marking, like everything was usual.

Hinata sat next to Naruto on the couch, looking at the news on TV.

"...What did you guys talk about…"

Naruto's voice sounded anxious, even if his hand kept marking the papers, but his stiffened body showed as if he was pretending.

"Hm? We chat about our children. You know, Kouga and Boruto, talk between moms." Hinata showed no trace of breaking her character.

"Haha… is that so…" Naruto let out a soft laugh, that sounded more of a nervous laughter.

Hianta's eyes soften. He didn't want to pressure her husband. Like Tsuyu said, just be there for him.

Hinata rested her head on his shoulder all of a sudden, surprising Naruto. He stopped marking the papers, chuckled slightly.

"Hey, what's this…" 

Naruto pulled Hinata into his arms. Hinata blushed slightly, but rested her head in his chest.

"Mm? Why Hinata." Naruto ran his finger through Hinata's long hair.

"Nothing. I just want to be close to you…" Hinata muttered.

"Haha. Alright."

They stayed there for a while. 

"Hey… what's wrong Hinata?" Naruto felt concerned. It felt like Hinata had something in her mind.

"... No… It's all good… I…" She couldn't stop her eyes from feeling the stings. She tried to cover her face, but Naruto already knew.

"Hey, come on… what's the matter?"

"Naruto…" Hinata muttered his name, looking at him carefully, trying to see through him.

"I love you… always… no matter what." 

"Hinata…" Naruto wiped her tears from her cheeks. His heart hurts seeing her like this.

"What is wrong… please tell me…"

"I am fine… really… I am just… I am sorry… Naruto… I didn't know…"

"Know… know what, Hinata…" Naruto felt his heart stop for a second. But he assumed it was nothing.

"Does it hurt… Naruto?" Hinata placed her hand on his heart, looking at him.

Naruto took Hinata's hand, holding them gently.

"Haha… what are you saying Hinata? I am all good-ttebayo!" Naruto grinned, rubbing the back of Hinata's hand.

Hinata bit her lips. How can you pretend like this… how can you hide them so long…

She held back her tears, and gave Naruto a smile. She won't force Naruto to open up. She just needed to be there when he was ready, or when he couldn't hold up anymore.

"Want to… eat at Ichiraku for dinner?" Hinata asked.

"That sounds great!" Naruto smiled as usual. She really couldn't see through Naruto. Or maybe Naruto was really fine? Was it all an illusion that Tsuyu showed her?

"Mm… Naruto…" Hinata's hand placed on his lap… her finger softly drawing on him.

Naruto gulped his saliva. He didn't say much, just pulled her up and brought her to their bedroom.

***

I will try to make you happy… as much as possible… Naruto.

Hinata looked at Naruto's relaxed expression, his eyes closed. There was nothing wrong at all, except he wasn't in the mood just now. It took time even then. But still, Naruto tried to give love to her. 

And that was why she felt scared. Scared that he hid too much, too deeply. She was scared Naruto couldn't handle it one day. She snuggled into him, hoping she could give him warmth.

***

It was late. Hinata opened her eyes from her nap, noticing Naruto turned away from him. She stretched a little, and decided to take a bath quickly before going for dinner later.

As Hinata left the bed, Naruto opened his eyes. He only felt heavy. That he made himself go through with it, to keep Hinata happy. So they all can be happy.

He brought his hand to his face, feeling like crap. Like a heavy weight in his chest, stopping him from feeling. He couldn't even stand up… He didn't know. He just felt numb mostly. Maybe it was because of what he took to treat his sickness. But each time he was left alone, each time there was nothing to distract him, this feeling of numbness would come over.

But he told himself it would be fine. It will be over. He just needed to hold on and tomorrow will be better. It will feel lighter. And a lot of days, it did get better. But it always… come back.

Why hasn't it… stop yet? His eyes stinged red. A bead of tear formed in the corner of his eyes, but it was quickly wiped. He took a deep breath.

We are going to Ichiraku. It's been a while.

Naruto thought about the warm ramen, it never failed to make him feel better as his expression became better.

***

"We are going to Ichiraku for dinner-ttebayo." Naruto smiled, patting their heads.

"Yes dad." Boruto nodded. "I want miso!" Himawari added.

"Sure sure. Come on." 

The family head to Ichiraku, having dinner together.

Naruto noticed Boruto was looking at him. Or maybe it has been a while since Boruto looked at him like this.

"What's up!" Naruto wondered what his son wanted.

"You really love Ichiraku…" Boruto muttered. He noticed in the Tsukuyomi world Tsuyu made. Aunty would always bring Naruto here. It's like Naruto's favourite spot.

"Of course. The ramen here is the best! Hehe. Look over there. Your kaa-san picture…"

"Eh? Mom? How is this possible-ttebasa! Champion…?"

"Uwa! It's mom!" Himawari exclaimed.

Hinata slapped Naruto's back for even pointing it out. It's embarrassing enough.

"Ouch ouch! Your mom even won against Chocho's father!"

Hinata slapped his back more. Teuchi just laughed seeing them. 

***

They returned home full. Himawari was already sleepy and went to bed.

Boruto lounged next to Naruto in the living room for a while.

"Hey it's late. You are still a kid." 

Boruto pouted, crossing his arms. "Not sleepy yet."

"Fine. Since it's the weekend." Naruto just smiled. Seeing Boruto actually just staying here to just hang out around him, he felt slightly happy.

Then Hinata sat next to him. Suddenly taking his hand in hers.

Hinata didn't say a word, her words locked onto the TV casually.

However a feeling of discomfort creeped up on him. He looked at Boruto's eyes. That look. Hinata's look too.

He felt his heart racing. No, what are they thinking?

"Hinata…" Naruto's voice was shaky.

"Mm?" Hinata turned to look at him. Her eyes soft, looking at him caringly. A look one gave on those they felt sad or pity for.

"Why… are you looking at me like that…" He finally noticed. He couldn't ignore it. He just couldn't.

"What are you saying… it's because I love you…" Hinata's hand on him became firmer.

Boruto looked at Naruto, moved closer to hug him. He felt sad his dad went through a lot..

"I love dad too…" Boruto muttered.

"You two… what's… what's wrong with you two… hahaha… this is all so sudden-ttebayo…" Naruto's voice was shaky. His heart raced, as if he was getting caught doing something wrong.

"Naruto… I understand… it must have been hard…" Hinata suddenly couldn't hold her own tears.

"No, what are you saying Hinata…" Naruto denied again.

"Naruto. It's okay… we understand."

Naruto's eyes widened, his body trembled.

"No… what are you two…"

Seeing the two still clinging to him, he stood and pushed them both away. It was as if a secret was being pried open. As if his mask was about to be seen.

"Haha… it's a bit hot don't you think…" He muttered nonsense, as if trying to escape.

"Naruto… hey…" Hinata took his hand once more. But he avoided it.

"Haha… um, I am already sleepy-ttebayo. I'm going to bed first."

Naruto scurried away to their bedroom, not leaving them any chance to speak more to him.

Boruto looked dumbfounded. 

"I will talk to your dad… just give him space okay, Boruto." 

Hinata patted Boruto's head. She's glad Boruto was understanding.

Boruto mm-ed and got to his own bedroom.

Hinata silently pushed the door open, seeing Naruto sitting on the edge of the bed, his body facing away from her.

As she closed the door, she sat down on the other side of the bed.

She wanted to say something, but was interrupted.

"What did Tsuyu say to you…" Naruto's words were low. His hands clenching tight. He was biting his lips, as if trying to hold himself together.

"She… there were a few things." Hinata hasn't told Naruto about their decision to have him stay away from Kouga and Mika yet. And she felt that was a priority first.

"Tsuyu didn't want you to… interact with Kouga and Mika." She took her courage to say it.

"What? Why?" Naruto finally turned around to face Hinata. His expression was almost like someone who's about to boil over.

"She… doesn't want you to influence them."

"Influence them? She gotta be kidding me!"

Naruto's voice turned higher, almost surprising Hinata for a second.

"Calm down Naruto. It's just, she wanted you to trust her with her own children…"

"I… I do trust her… doesn't mean I can't… check up on them, right?" Naruto said, as if still trying to accept Tsuyu can do this.

"Naruto. It's for the best. Tsuyu doesn't like it when you… give attention to them… you have to… stay away from them…"

"THIS IS TOO MUCH! They are my nephew and niece! What do you mean, what did she mean by this!"

Naruto's voice turned loud and laced with anger, scaring Hinata.

"N-Naruto. Calm down…"

"Calm down? How can I… what did she think I am trying to do? Damn it…"

"I… I already talked to her… it's for the best Naruto…"

"What else did she say? Tell me." Naruto's words were almost cold. Hinata felt her heartbeat increasing, anxiety crept up in her.

"I…"

"Hinata… please tell me…"

"...Naruto… she… she cares for you… she just needs… you to get some… help." Hinata said carefully.

"Help? What help? I am completely fine Hinata. Believe me. Don't believe her nonsense. She was just overthinking it." Naruto's words were shaky. Fear struck deep inside of him. Fear of being seen.

"Naruto…" Hinata reached to hold his hand.

"Please… please Hinata! I am fine!" Naruto pulled away, his voice louder.

"Naruto… it's okay. I am here fo-"

"I am fine!"

"N-Naruto…"

Naruto closed his face with his hands, rubbing his face and his hair as if he was trying to get rid of the mess he was feeling.

"Damn it… damn it… damn it…" He muttered.

Hinata was not sure what to do… she felt her eyes tearing.

Naruto looked up at her, seeing her tears. It broke him. 

"No… no please don't cry. I am fine. I swear I am fine. Don't cry for me. I am fine…" Naruto took a deep breath, and his expression turned reassuring, trying to tell Hinata everything was going well.

"Naruto… please… I want to help…"

"Help…? What you mean help… I am doing fine… damn it." The last words escaped. As if he was on the verge of boiling over again.

"Naruto… it's okay. I understand… you are still hurt…" Hinata reached out again, taking his hand. 

She felt Naruto was shaking.

"I am here… Boruto too… he understands…"

"Fuck… no… not him too…" Naruto cursed, realising this was why Boruto was looking at him like he's so pitiful.

"This is too much… she has no right to tell anyone!" Naruto stood, his face almost distorted in anger.

"W-wait… Naruto-"

Naruto left the room, the door almost slammed open.

Hinata shook seeing him like this. She decided to chase after him. 

"Naruto… where are you…-"

"Hinata. I had something to talk about with Tsuyu. Mind your own business…"

"Naruto… we can talk together then… but it's already late. Let's talk tomorrow."

"No…" Naruto kept walking, heading towards her home.

An Eye Creature lazily sleeping on a roof opened its eyes, looking at Naruto and Hinata heading towards her direction. She placed a few of these around Konoha to make sure she could respond to any danger quickly.

Tsuyu was leisurely reading the latest reports on Project Mukoshin, Kabuto and Orochimaru had made good progress along with the others. With her husband's arms around her giving her cozy warmth. Though his hand was itchy, he was gently rubbing her with affection. Tsuyu ignored his perverted rough calloused hand that definitely didn't feel nice nor make her feel comfortable, yeah definitely.

Just then the image of those two transmitted to her, causing her to frown.

He's… coming for me. Tsuyu sighed. She already told Hinata to not force it… but it seemed she did.

Tsuyu pried Kiba's hand away from her and sat up, wearing her robe to cover herself properly.

"Mm? Where ya going…" Kiba opened his eyes, noticing his wife going away.

"Settling trouble…" Her words were calm with a hint of helplessness.