Chapter Text
Light glinted on the shining red statue of the flame at Fire Park. There was a transcription reading of the will of fire.
When the tree leaves dance, one shall find flames.
The fire's shadow will illuminate the village,
and once again, tree leaves shall bud anew
Hinata remembered that poem recited at the Third’s funeral, so long ago. It never quite sat right with her. Everyone talked as if the ideal of a Ninja was to hide and wait, and let their desires become nothing, only barely existing in the shadows. Her uncle used that calm reserved energy to save her life by erasing his in turn, not through any showy display but by simply pretending to be what he was not. It took her a long time to understand how those ideals could mingle with the Will of Fire, how she could pursue her passions from the shadows? But maybe now- now she needed only be brave enough to touch those flames, even if they set her ablaze as well.
“Hinata-” Neji began but Hinata wasn't going to let him get the first word in, not this time.
“I love her.”
Neji blinked, even his vision not seeing that bold statement coming. The truth was obvious even to those without the Byukaguan, but for Hinata to say it plainly, especially with that pronoun?
“Are you sure that’s the best idea, cousin?” Neji finally managed.
Hinata crossed her arms. She could do this. What would Naruko do? Make some dumb joke? “What? I thought-um…you didn’t want to fulfill our fathers’ dream of ‘keeping it in the clan’”.
Too dumb. And without that easy confidence Naruko always had the joke sounded like she was serious!
“No! Of course not!” Neji’s pale face turned bright red but he quickly looked away back to the statue. “The possibility of the Byukugan being diminished in future bloodlines aside, I never wanted to just be another pawn for the clan. But I didn’t expect you would…go this far?”
“You knew though,” Hinata said, trying to keep the hurt out of her voice. “After Sunagakure attacked you said you finally understood what I saw in her.”
“I said, I finally understood what you saw in him .”
“Does that-”
“Of course it matters!” Shouted Neji. “For the future clan head to be galavanting around with another woman! Or that-whatever Naruto is now. You-”
“Naruko.” Hinata corrected.
Silence split the air between them. It was odd enough for Hinata to talk this much, but to talk back, and to interrupt was unheard of. But Hinata pressed her advance, stepping closer to him.
“Her name is Naruko. I don’t know if she chose this fate or if it was always going to be like this. And I didn’t even know I liked-”
Hinata stopped dead. This wasn’t about Naruko at all? This was about her- who she loved. Who she could love. That revelation was almost enough to melt whatever resolve Hianta had been building over the last two days. But it didn’t matter. Even with her voice shaking like a leaf, Hinata pressed on into the flames.
“But I chose her. Not whatever destiny had planned for us. I thought you at least would understand that much Neji.”
“But the clan?” Neji asked.
“You can be the new head. Or Hanabi. Or whoever. I don’t care. If the clan doesn’t want me as I am then I don’t want it.”
And with those words still in the air, Hianta left the park. Neji let her go, but from the very periphery of his vision he saw a bird, obviously kept warm by the rays of sunlight reflecting off the statue. But despite being some place safe and warm, the bird took flight, into the cold air above.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Naruko was face down in the mud, pummeled by her own shadow clones once again.
“After such a long training trip, you’d think you’d learned something other than how to be a dumb bimbo, ya know?” The shadow clone chided. Naruko hated that part of the jutsu. She never had problem summoning the chakra required to make dozens of clones, but she didn’t exactly control them. They were her, her every thought and every doubt externalized. Arguments with herself she never let the rest of the world hear.
After all Naruko was just trying to be herself, and everyone still treated her as a freak, just like they did when she was little. And now- now she was. As much as she tried to fit in as a normal girl, everytime her head hit the mud she just kept thinking about how it was way less soft than Hinata’s lips. Maybe Sakura was right about her.
“Well hey there champ of the hour! This a new stretch you’re trying out there little lady? Mind if I join?” Guy Sensei smirked, though it looked like he was talking to the shadow clone. He thought the victor of the bout was the original!
The clone smirked, “Actually Bushy-Brow Sensei little Naruko here is-”
The clone disappeared into a puff of smoke, leaving a very confused Guy before he turned around to spy the real Naruko sitting western-style on the ground. She was glad she at least stopped at home to replace her romper with the black and orange training jackets and shorts she got with the Sage. It was already covered in dirt!
Though the half skirt was also just harder to move around in then she thought. Naruko had heard rumour The Fourth had a similarly long jacket though, and he was the fastest ninja that ever lived! Maybe she should look more into him?
“Sorry Bushy-Brow. I’m just practicing for the duel tonight.”
“As expected for an energetic maiden in the full blossom of youth! And while Kakashi has to remain impartial as your sensei, just know I'm rooting for you girl, all the way!”
Guy Sensei’s compliments were…weird as always but they did ease some of the weight off her shoulders. It was like he was trying to mention her being a girl in every single sentence. And if he wanted her to win then-
Naruko’s eyes lit up like a bulb. “Can you teach me a new secret move! Something that will really show it to Sakura?”
Guy’s smile didn’t waver though it did strain. “Naruko, there’s a million moves I can teach you and I’m sure with years of time and dedication you can master every one. But there’s not one that can change your friend's mind. That’s just how some people are.”
“She’s not my friend.” Naruko muttered, staring at the skid marks face left in the dirt, “Not anymore. And why should she be friends with a freak like me?”
“Hmm. That doesn’t sound like the girl I know. I was hoping you’d give me some big speech about how you’ll make Miss Sakura change her mind no matter what. Isn’t that your Ninja way? What happened to all that fire you showed in the restaurant?”
Naruko’s gums had healed but she could still remember the taste of her own blood in her mouth- and Jiraya’s besides. “I almost hurt her. I probably would’ve if Kakashi didn’t step in. And then Hinata…”
Guy sat down next to Naruto. Just close enough to be comforting, not close enough to be overwhelming. There was only one person Naruko wanted to be that close right now and that was the problem!
“Seems to me like you can’t focus on training cause proving Sakura wrong isn’t actually your biggest priority right now. There’s another mountain you gotta climb first. Is that right?”
Naruko tugged at the legs of her shorts. It was a dumb trope. She was a stupid pathetic girl in love. She was a girl so how-
“What if- what if Sakura’s right about me? I like a girl, what if this is just another stupid fantasy?” The weight of her own doubts hit her harder than the pinkette ever did. Naruko always knew she was different, but to think everyone else was right about her? What next? Maybe she really was a demon? Everyone else kept saying it after all!
Guy sat back and rubbed his chin. If it was anyone else Naruko would think he was making fun of her. But Bushy Brow-sensei? He couldn’t lie even if he tried. “Ya know, I liked a girl too when I was in the spring-time of youth! Another pale quiet type, not unlike a certain Hyuuga I know-.”
“No offence Bushy-brow Sensei, but I really don’t wanna hear ‘bout your love-life right now, ya know?” The last thing Naruko wanted right now was to be like him. The thick caterpillar eyebrows, the stupid butt chin jutting from his face, the deep bass voice that shook through her bones. Her bones? If Naruko released the jutsu, would she become that?
“Hold on! I’m getting there! See it turned out the girl I liked was actually a boy the whole time! Can you believe that, little lady?”
Naruko raised an eyebrow. How dumb would Guy have to be to not notice his crush was the boy the whole time? It should be obvious unless-
Oh.
Oh.
“What did ya do?”
Guy gave one of his signature smiles, “Well took me a bit to understand him but it didn’t change my love! So after that I asked if he still wanted to be with me, as himself in the full wild blossom of youth! Not as some bonsai someone else wanted to cut him into. And he said yes! Sure you won’t find our names written down on any certificates but we don’t need a piece of paper to make it real!”
Naruko smiled at that and thought back to everything she’s done with Hinata since coming back. Hinata’s insistence she was still the same person at Ichiraku’s. Her taking her hand in the flower shop, explaining who she was to Ayame and the others. It was rare Naruko ever got to peel back the nervous blushing and whispers that the purple-haired girl squeaked out, but seeing her stand up, to put it all on the line for her when she could’ve just faded into the background? It felt like a seal was opened, just like when Naruko understood who she herself was, she finally understood who Hinata actually was- and it filled her like a warm bowl of Ramen.
Naruko stood up and dusted some of the dirt off her shorts. She’d have to look presentable when she saw Hinata again after all! “Thanks Bushy-brow Sensei, you’re the best! And don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone about you and Asuma-sensei! Believe it!”
And with that the girl ran off, leaving a very confused Guy Sensei in her wake.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Hinata hovered outside the back entrance for Ichiracku’s Ramen, kicking herself for not planning where she would meet Naruko after all this. Ichiraku’s was both their favourite spots for dinner even if they had a pretty late lunch. More than that, they had promised to get their new clothes and the sunflower from Ayame that night. Hinata missed the sunflower already, the way its bright yellow petals lit up the room like Naruko’s hair. The way that Naruko always looked at her like she was the sun.
Hinata knew she was nothing more than a shadow. What could she be to Naruko? The jinchuuriki pretended to hate Sasuke as a kid yet ran off for years following a desperate hope to see him again. What if that changed too? What if Naruko was a normal girl after all who only liked boys? And like every other girl in the village of course she liked Sasuke. Was it wrong for Hinata to still see her this way? She was trying to be supportive of who Naruko truly was but Hinata could not extinguish the flames in her heart, only hold them close so they couldn’t burn anyone else.
Too late for that. She left an ultimatum with Neji. She abandoned her title, everything her father ever wanted her to be. And why? Because she was weak. Weak like Hanabi and Neji always said. Weak in the knees and weak in the head.
Then why…why did Hinata feel so strong recently? She led the charge to find Konohamaru like it was any other rescue mission. She told Neji off- well that was nothing new. Neji was the one person that got under Hinata’s skin like it was her fault their family was so messed up. But still, Hianta almost never fought for herself. She was weak after all, getting pushed around was what she deserved. But Naruko- Hinata would fight God Himself to protect that damn smile.
But still- just going back to the shop and asking for her stuff back. It made the air stick in her throat like lead. Hinata shouldn’t be here. She renounced her clan for someone who barely enough noticed her. Maybe she’d do what what she always did best and just disappear-
“Hianta! Hinata! Hey, I’ve been trying to catch your attention for like the past minute, ya know!”
Heat flushed to Hinata’s cheeks. Even with the byakugan she failed to notice Naruko standing right in front of her, waving a hand in front of her eyes. A cute pout on the shorter girl’s plump lips. Her blue eyes sparkled like the sea and her hair was-well it was frizzy, one pigtail half undone and the other covered in mud. But Naruko wouldn’t be Naruko if she wasn’t a little bit of a mess.
“Naruko-I-uh” Come on! She was getting good at this! She said so much this morning!
Naruko looked at her concern writ large. This girl was going to fight to be herself in front of everyone in just a few hours and here she was worried about her. “Please Hinata, go on. I uh- I realize I tend to talk over people, ya know. But I really been appreciating your help today.”
Hinata was floating. Hinata was sinking. She couldn’t hear anything over the sound of her rushing herat. She could see everything for kilometers around but the only thing she could focus on was Naruko. Hinata breathed, slowly, carefully. And Naruko waited patiently, listening to every shudder of breath. Hinata wouldn’t faint- not now.
“Naruko- I- You don’t have to do this, you know. You’re an amazing person- an amazing girl! You’re you, no matter what anyone says or what comes of this fight. And- I really liked spending time with you today!”
That was what Hinata said. What she didn’t say was the ugly guilt of it all. That she was glad that Sasuke was gone and Sakura was being worse than usual just so the two could have a falling apart and Hinata could swoop in. Not a shadow, not a distant admirer, but a new friend. For a few moments perhaps Naruko’s only friend- like it was ever going to stay that way now. And now if they did make up- or Naruko found other fiends like Ayame and Ino she would drop Hinata like the useless weak-
“I like you too-”
The two girls looked at each other, the heat from Hinata’s cheeks matched by the pink playing under the shorter girl’s whiskers. It took Naruko a second to catch her mistake.
“I mean- The day too. I also enjoyed spending the day with you too, ya know!” Naruko scratched behind her head and gave her an awkward smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
The last breath stole its way from Hianta’s throat. Her heart sunk to the floor. So this was it? All that this led up to. They would be friends. Hinata never thought she deserved someone like Naruko. But Naruko needed her. So she could do this for her sake.
“I also like you.”
Hinata’s head snapped up so fast she nearly cracked it on the pipe behind Ichiraku’s. Naruko was looking at her, like someone would stare at the sun. Her gaze was intense, frightened, but solid and unwavering.
“I like you too, Hinata. The day was nice because you were there. You’re always so sweet. And with the way that things have been going since I got back it got me thinking of when we were little and the whole village was afraid of me. But not you, you were nice to me then too. And it gave me enough courage to actually reach out and try talking to people. And now half of them are leaving me again, but not you. Both times you were the first person to accept me as I am.”
Naruko took her hands in hers. Hinata had always imagined they'd be bigger. But no- they were small, sweaty and shaking like a leaf. But they were warm. And she could feel the sweet scent of summer rush into her as they held each other.
“I know- I’m probably not what you expected. I didn’t expect this either. But I also didn’t expect to see you so…ya know…brave. I guess I always thought I’d get there on my own but if it weren’t for you I’d probably just go back on the road again, fighting till I could prove myself. It’s nice you always saw that, even when I didn’t. I’m sorry I didn’t even know how brave you could be either, ya know. You’re a really nice girl and I don’t want to make your life hard just cause I’m kinda a freak. I thought I could fit in and be a normal girl now but that’s never gonna happen, ya know? Because- I still like you. So I’m sorry to be weird and I get that if you don’t wanna be friends with me any more cause-”
Hinata kissed her. It was the only thing she could think of to make that idiot shut up. Hinata hugged the smaller girl’s neck and leaned in close, using her lips to stay together. Naruko froze for a second- then kissed back. Hinata had dreamed of this moment for years, even if in most of those dreams there was a slightly different face on the other side. She always wanted her first kiss to be perfect, romantic, and beautiful. But it wasn’t, it was messy, awkward as the two nudged themselves to figure out where exactly their lips should go? Did their teeth touch? Were they supposed to do something with the tongue? Clearly neither girl knew what they were doing. But that didn’t matter. What mattered was that they wanted it. They wanted to press their bodies together and be together forever. So much so that it took a while before both remembered they weren’t breathing. Reluctantly the two pulled apart and lavender eyes met blue. Sweat trickled down Hinata’s shoulders from where Naruko had held her. And she smiled like the sun.
“It’s about fucking time!”
Both girls turned to see Ayame- once again in her work uniform carrying a potted sunflower in the crook of one arm and a shopping bag in the other. Not to mention a million dollar smirk on her face.
“I’ve been waiting all day for this!”