304Chapter 2: A Game of Lying
"Oh, what a tangled web we weave...when first we practice to deceive."
― Walter Scott, Marmion
Naruto
"But what if she's old you know?! Like as old as you or Granny! Or what if she looks at me with disgust and ignores me?! I don't want my red thread to be broken when I'm just now seeing it!" Naruto blabbers, looking skyward for an answer. It's been nearly a week now since his birthday, trying to follow his red thread to a girl who seems to keep out of sight.
Or maybe is avoiding him on purpose.
'If she's older than me than that means she already knows we're connected, right? Though there's a chance she's younger and then won't know yet, maybe that's why I haven't seen her yet.' He decides.
It's the best answer he can come up with, running on this blazing hope that whoever his red thread guides him to still wants him.
Jiraiya barely looks up from his magazine, Naruto's been going on like this for over an hour now.
'Kid's running himself ragged over this.' Jiraiya sighs.
But then again, Minato had had the very same worrying thoughts Kushina would be displeased with him once she learned their red threads were connected.
And she was! If only for a little bit though.
"I don't think giving her one of your umm...'special edition magazines' is the right way to get her attention Jiraiya-sensei. She likes salt ramen so I think taking her out to eat would be nice with some small orchids or roses from Yamanaka's flower shop too." Minato mumbles, staring down at his feet.
Jiraiya chortles. This can't be the same child who dispatched a group of rogue ninja the other night, whose blue eyes frosted over when he heard two bullies discussing Kushina's attitude and scarlet hair with disgust that she's nothing more than a 'foreign red headed monster'.
"Fine, have it your way! I still think she'll be impressed with your maturity when you explain the article over '10 secrets on How to Get a Girl to Moan or-"
"No! I mean, I'll handle this my own way!" He quickly interrupts him before someone passing by hears this risqué discussion.
Later on when twilight washes across Konoha he indeed finds Minato with Kushina outside one of the training grounds. Her expression shifts between confused annoyance that he keeps searching for her here every afternoon offering to train together or get a quick meal before it morphs to surprise when he presents her with a rose as deep in color as her hair.
"I'm glad our threads are connected Kushina. Your red thread brought you here to our village not just because of your Uzumaki heritage, but to me."
Kushina's face flames down to her neck, fisting with her locks nervously. "What?! What about all the pranks I pulled on you?! I called you weird and strange so many times, you know! Or how I'm only known by our classmates as a 'tomato head' or 'red pepper'?
Minato shakes his head, stepping closer grabbing her hand before she pulls and tears out anymore of her hair. "I like your red hair Kushina, it matches the color of our thread; of our bond."
Jiraiya whistles lowly from his hiding spot in the trees. Minato had no need for his advice or any help from a magazine or book when his words alone are enough.
He watches a rare smile leap to Kushina's face since being forced to call Konoha home, jumping into his arms.
"Seriously?! Well, what are we waiting for; let's go get that ramen!"
He pushes away the memory, he doesn't deserve to be thinking of their smiling faces right now...
"You hurt me with your insults. I'm not old!" Jiraiya yells back after a moment, shutting his magazine close to observe his work.
The surrounding trees have been desecrated, swirl shapes and holes the size of fists to potholes litter the bark of blackened trees bent and twisted at odd angles.
He's improved, but he should be better at this by now.
Tsunade may just win her bet just yet that Naruto won't finish by her deadline.
"Believing in your red thread is stupid. You all of people should know that from the way you grew up." She scoffs.
Naruto stiffens, a slap would've been been less painful.
"You're wrong! I'll master the rasengan and find who my red thread goes to before the month is over!" He declares.
Amber orbs glitter in amusement then at a new potential gamble, smirking.
"Is that a bet? That's if they even want to be found. If you can't find them before October's end then you must give up on becoming the Hokage." She challenges him back.
Jiraiya winces as he watches them shake on it.
"Be careful what you wish for." She mumbles too softly for him to catch as she pushes Jiraiya out of the way, Shizune hurriedly tossing out apologies before following after her to most likely the nearest Pachinko bar.
Jiraiya slowly strides over to Naruto, giving him a helping hand up. Perhaps they should switch to summoning exercises, but it's clear in the way his body leans into him that his mind isn't here despite having the chakra reserves to keep going.
"I want to meet her Pervy-Sage; so badly." Naruto mumbles as he guides him into the shade and passes him a water bottle. The sky darkens from blue to violet, fireflies slipping out of the grass into a dance of greens and yellows.
There's still time left, Naruto if anything is persistent and stubborn.
He won't give up on finding his red thread match or being Hokage even if he doesn't meet Tsunade's requirements in time.
Jiraiya pats at his back comfortingly, nodding as he drifts off.
"I know Kid; I know."
Sakura
"He's going to tear it Ino, he'll tear it and it will hurt like hell." She chews on her lip.
There. She said it out aloud.
Not even a full year yet and she knows her red thread match will sever their bond without a second thought.
Ino pats her hand comfortingly, passes her a warm blend of honey and mint tea that barely scratches at this ache within her chest, a scab wound she keeps picking at refusing to let heal.
She follows her gaze to the window where the rain patters down faster, rivulets freefalling down the glass.
It was raining the same day shortly after she found out Sasuke would eventually cut ties with his thread, with the village...
With her.
The Yamanaka clan probes people's memories she knows. Ino could maybe warp or scramble her memories, make her temporarily forget this pain that's coming.
'She wouldn't even if you begged, this will just make us stronger.' She pushes herself.
People still find happiness without their red thread matches, focusing on her medical training will be her top priority now.
They sit in amicable silence, storms fading in the passing minutes allowing the clouds to break and the last bits of sunlight for the day to slip out. Outside they see one of the store's regular customers, a girl a few years ahead of them that goes by Ichika.
Her raven locks are pulled back in a high ponytail, arms clasped tightly around what can only be her red thread match. She briefly recalls watching her with envy sometimes after school, imagining the moment she too would be swept up in her perfect romance.
'Finish more missions and before you know it, you'll be 13!' Ichika had chirped to them.
But being a shinobi doesn't seem synonymous with a long-lasting love, though it happens for a lucky few she supposes.
"...Remember when you and I, or really all the girls back in our class at the Academy proclaimed we would be the one tied to Sasuke?" Ino begins as they watch Ichika disappear into the watery evening light.
Sakura laughs softly with a nod recalling fights over ways to ensure Sasuke would instantly notice them; longer hair, adding tomatoes to her bentos, and padding her chest. Foolish really when none of them were even close to 13 yet to know for sure. Now that she can see her thread connection half of her wishes she didn't, not when she knows Sasuke doesn't want any part in it or a future with her. It'd be better if hers was like Ino's, tied to a boy somewhere miles away from the village.
"You don't even know for sure yet if Sasuke is going to sever you two's connection for real Sakura. His birthday came and went back in July and nothing happened. He could've just been saying it at the time out of frustration." Ino suggests.
Sakura shakes her head. Sasuke isn't one to lie or just say things aloud simply because.
"He'll do it, especially with Orochimaru continuing to whisper in his ear that he'll give him power." Sakura murmurs just loud enough for her to hear.
Ino can't find an answer for that, neither can, and Sakura shifts up from her seat, pointing to an unfinished bouquet of tulips behind her.
"Can I help you with finishing that? I need to kill some time before heading back home." She asks, verdant eyes shining for them to just let this topic drop.
Ino pauses, pursing her lips before nodding.
"Sure, though those tulips are for an important officer who wants to celebrate his and wife's anniversary this Saturday. You can't have those fat fingers of yours breaking the stems!" She jokes.
A weak smile pulls at her lips.
"You're the pig with trotters practically for hands, you should make sure nothing slips out of your grip!" Sakura snarks back.
Despite the teasing her hands are shaking, Ino thankfully not giving them a second glance or response to them. She's itching to do something; anything.
Her heartbeat rises like a pounding drum in her ears, palms sweaty tying a ribbon around a tulip and poppy.
'Turn off your mind; relax.'
Her heart doesn't listen.
Because her mind is still jittery, not distracted enough to not think of how her thread feels more like a bomb as of late, that it might be easier if she just detonates it now and saves Sasuke the trouble.
"You know you can always talk to me, even if the shop sign says close." Ino pats at her shoulder an hour later and Sakura forces a nod and tight grin.
"Right; don't worry about me!" She forces out.
It's the first of many new lies.
Lies she'll have to tell her parents and herself to keep moving forward.
Ino's expression dampens, always able to see through her imperfect masks.
"No can do Sakura." She hums as she shuts back the door, tinkle of the shop's bell ringing in her ears.
The walk home she feels equally restless and achy, reaching the convenience store that leads up to her home she figures out why.
Sasuke leans against the shop corner's side, half in shadow and half in the yellow-white glow of the streetlights.
And Sakura stops for too long a second, enough for Sasuke to reach out and twist at her arm.
"Stop it." He growls.
Sakura bristles straightening herself, she may not have all of Lady Tsunade's strength yet, but she isn't going to take being hassled for no reason lying down.
Not even for Sasuke.
"Stop what?!" She snaps back, crushing at his hand to let go, completely puzzled by his brash action.
Is it that curse seal burning at him, what's driven him to come here and wait for the exact moment she would be heading home?
Sasuke's hold loosens in brief surprise she's fighting back before he reinforces it, putting on a bruising pressure though Sakura matches his glare and force, makes herself appear unfazed by the pain seeping into her bones.
"Worrying, stressing! I can sense it or are you just doing this on purpose?!" He hisses.
'He can sense my emotions?' Sakura realizes.
Her stomach churns, such a thing is supposed to symbolize their closeness, something beyond just the red thread's effect.
And Sasuke hates it.
"Sorry for being unhappy you want to break our bond." Sakura can't help but snort.
To her horror, tears burn at her eyes, blinking them away quickly. Her nails tear into her palms nearly drawing blood, hands locking into an angry purple-red.
No, it's fine. It has to be fine, Lady Tsunade would scold her for being so upset over this.
'A red thread connection means nothing in this world Sakura. Look out for yourself and yourself alone.'
Why is it so hard to stick to that mantra?
Sasuke's expression changes then, maybe without him realizing it and Sakura catches the mix of want and desire of a life they could still lead if he buried his revenge, if he explored the feelings he has for her and what he could have if he stayed here in the village.
It's a mix of guilt and upset he's hurting her before it's gone just as fast, replaced with his usual stony façade.
"...You wouldn't understand. I have to get revenge for my slain family, to kill the man who did it. Love is an obstacle to that." He explains.
He's told her this dozens of times, it never helps her understand like he believes it should.
"Orochimaru just wants you for your eyes and body. He won't just stop at giving you power." She reiterates.
Naruto has said this to him too she's sure, but neither of them are getting through to him.
Maybe only Kakashi-sensei can stop him now, force him to stay and not give into these dark thoughts of defecting. Kakashi-sensei's had a painful life too after all, from his Father's suicide to cutting his own red thread after watching his sensei and team members die.
"I'm not meant for love, but I have these books for company at least! Whoever I was bound to is probably better off and is happy with a guy and family they got by choice; not by silly forced feelings." Kakashi had joked at the time when she held up an old class photo.
Sakura barely restrained a snort. Kakashi-sensei was the 'Sasuke' of his class, popular with the girls who had eagerly wanted to see if he was their red thread match.
Rin, his female teammate clearly loved him before her untimely death...
Too bad for them all he cut his thread as soon as he turned 13, not bothering to figure out who the mystery woman's identity would be.
"You'd rather be known as a closet pervert?" Sakura had volleyed back knowing she's digging and twisting the knife of old wounds for no reason at all but her own personal desires to hope history doesn't repeat itself when it comes to her and Sasuke, making him merely shrug in return.
She's pushing him too far, she can see it in the way his onyx eyes narrow.
"Severing my red thread made sense at the time Sakura, still makes sense to me all these years later. I'm too damaged by war and loss to be with anybody." Kakashi-sensei had replied.
Is Sasuke the same too?
Because Sasuke merely sighs; indifferent. "I'll kill Orochimaru before he even gets a chance to try."
Sakura nods, not bothering to hide a new set of tears forming.
'Asking him to stay is pointless and leaving with him means becoming a rogue ninja.'
As much as she loves Sasuke she can't choose or speak aloud to ever doing either option, can't leave behind all that she's learned and can continue to learn from Lady Tsunade in and outside of the hospital, not ever see her parents or friends again...
"So what happens to us then? To our red thread?" Sakura whispers.
Sasuke's gaze turns icy, a chasm opening between them.
"Either I break it or you do; pick before winter's end."
Hinata
'Is someone looking for me?'
Hinata glances over her shoulder, none of the vendors or various shoppers meeting her eye.
Strange.
She bundles herself better into her jacket, wind biting at her cheeks.
Naruto's birthday came and went without any grand proclamations of who his red thread went to, most of their peers teasing or jesting he isn't meant to be with anyone.
'There's still a chance then." Joy blossoms.
She doesn't want to believe Naruto isn't tied to somebody, his face had held such a giddy smile the day after his birthday after all so he seemed to be aware he had a red thread.
He just didn't know to who yet maybe.
It's nearing the end of October now, leaves golden yellows and fiery reds along the cobblestone streets of Konoha. Father has discussed more and more often as of late the assurance her 13th birthday celebration will go off without any interruptions on who her red thread will guide her to; a plain civilian or an up and coming shinobi. His whispered conversations are her final chance to prove to the elders and him that she is indeed either meant to be heiress of the clan or pushed aside in favor of Hanabi.
'What happens if I don't see my thread?' She wonders, the option hadn't even been considered.
It wouldn't be good for her she imagines, heart clenching at the very idea.
She turns to head to the Sweet Boutique Bakery to get a cinnamon roll, cheer herself up when she notes Naruto standing outside the door.
Her whole body freezes as his gaze slowly turns to her seeing her appearance in the window, grin etching up his lips.
"Ah ha! So you do like to frequent this store! I had to try at least 4 different bakeries before I came upon this place you know!" He huffs.
Admittedly, he couldn't give a good description of Hinata to the other shop owners increasing their ire when all he could to say was that he knew she's from that pompous Hyuga clan and that she always wears a tan jacket. Her voice more often than not disappears into the crowds and her face turns a beet red whenever he's tried to speak to her in the past despite helping him to cheat during some history and math exams.
She's weird, quiet, and can never meet his eyes for more than minute...
And yet his red thread is pulsing, tugging him in her direction.
Can't she sense it too?
Hinata can only blink, utterly confused.
'Huh?'
Naruto is the one who's been looking for her?
"D-Did you need me for something?" Hinata gathers herself, fighting down her warming face.
Naruto cocks his head in confusion. This can't be right, is Hinata pretending she can't feel the ties of their thread? His stomach twists wondering if it's because they happen to be in a public setting right now, that she refuses to believe it's him of all people.
'Wait, when is Hinata's birthday?!' He slaps his cheeks in realization.
"Aren't you older than me?" Naruto questions, he barely remembers when everyone's birthdays are from their class though most everyone had their birthdays back in the spring and summer he recalls.
Hinata shakes her head slowly.
"My birthday isn't until the end of December; the 27th to be specific." She murmurs.
They stare at each other for a long moment, Hinata's face deepening in pink while Naruto feels the urge to smack himself harder.
"Why were you looking for me Naruto?" Hinata starts but Naruto steps back from her.
He can wait a bit longer, at least he's completed one part of Granny's bet now. He hears the whispers of his darker thoughts he's only delaying an inevitable rejection. A noble clan like the Hyuga with arrogant pricks like Neji in their family would never accept him.
But Hinata hasn't moved away from him, looks at him fondly in a way that makes his insides squirm.
"December 27th; midnight. Find me then." Naruto decides.
Hinata reaches a hand out to him, only coming back with air.
The night of when her red thread appears, hundreds of eyes will be upon her.
'How will I get away?' She asks herself, but part of her already starts forming ideas, the veil of darkness to make an escape.
"Where?" She asks before Naruto can disappear back into the crowds.
Naruto glances back to her, blue to lilac.
"Where nobody will look for you; my apartment."
Naruto & Hinata
A snowstorm sweeps in the morning of December 26th, blankets Konoha in a powder white snow that slushes at her ankles at the training grounds trying to stay warm blending fire with her gentle fist techniques and chills her legs entirely while getting final supplies at the shops.
Snowflakes dance down as she tries to match Natsu's pace to hurry back to the manor, pausing off and on to take in the endless flurries of white crystals that comes down from the blue-violet sky.
"Come Lady Hinata, this isn't a day to be distracted." Natsu urges, pushing her long.
"Aren't you excited big sister?! You're finally going to see who your red thread goes to tonight!" Hanabi beams eagerly upon their return and Hinata forces a smile trying to match her enthusiasm.
All she can think about is Naruto's soft command.
'Find me; midnight. Where nobody will look for you; my apartment.'
True, it's the last place anybody will expect to find her, on the shadier side of town where the buildings get layered with vines/weeds and more often than not windows are boarded up or outright shattered.
Tonight they'll feast on sashimi, roasted meats/stews, jasmine rice, sauteed vegetables, and all her favorite sweets.
But her appetite is lost, mind still running through a budding plan.
"Hanabi, if...if I go look for my red thread will you cover for me?" Hinata asks softly, giggling as Hanabi's eyes widen tenfold.
"Of course! I'll feign a stomachache! Or say you have the flu or your monthly cycle! Father will ask less questions then!" Hanabi lists out their options, Hinata squeezing her close thankful there's a chance to really and truly pull this off.
The compound stays uncomfortably busy as morning gives way to evening, footsteps pounding on the oakwood flooring back and forth whenever Hinata peeks out of her room. Hanami, her mother's old caretaker approaches her room around 5:00 pm, hands filled to the brim with kimonos vibrant shades of reds and yellows to cooler blues and pinks.
"I'm here to get you ready." She commands and Hinata knows better than to ask twice as she moves to stand and follow her to the bathroom.
She chooses a dark blue kimono out of the stack, embroidered with gold and pink leaves around the ends.
"Your mother was nervous as well Lady Hinata, unsure what to think of being tied to such a powerful man as your Father Hiashi." She hums as she brushes out her hair, pinning it back with a gold clip.
Hinata worries her bottom lip, wondering how much to ask a woman who probably knows too many secrets about both the Main and Branch families whispered throughout the years.
But her own memories of her Mother are fuzzy, all she can recall is her bright smile and the violet locks they share...
"And was Mother happy with Father? I mean, she and Father loved each other?" Hinata asks.
Hanami pauses in brushing her hair, humming gently.
"Despite the bumps in the road they had, yes. Hiashi always seemed to be truly content whenever he was around her." She nods.
With her death it's left him icier, stricter and more adhering to the old rules of the clan.
Hanami applies a final light coat of makeup and gloss, studying her work proudly.
"Now it is your time to shine Lady Hinata, no matter who your red thread guides you to, may you find happiness." She beams.
Hinata tacks on her best smile, butterflies swarming in her chest.
Dinner passes slowly, pulling out the same lines Father and Natsu have recited to her on how excited she is for her red thread match, that she will ensure the strength of the Hyuga clan isn't challenged no matter who her thread binds her to.
She retires to her room before the pressure builds, excusing herself to make her last minute preparations alone and calm a stomachache.
Not a complete lie; yet.
Moonlight has slipped into her room, silver glow passing over her unused kimonos and scrolls she's been reading for an upcoming mission that's not until the New Year. Her window is half open letting a chill spread across the room, goosebumps needling her arms. She glances towards her clock once more: 10:45 pm.
Only about an hour left.
Can she escape now? Hanabi will cover her as promised, but she hates to place the burden on her facing Father's wrath alone.
"No, don't back down now." Hinata whispers to herself, heading for her window.
She makes it around the corner when she sees the amber glow of a candle, clicking her tongue at seeing the face above it.
Neji.
"Aren't you supposed to be in your room?" He questions.
"I'm getting some fresh air alone; I've been followed around all day basically since 6:00 am." Hinata replies.
Neji's eyes narrow, scoffing and she wonders if he can feel the stuttering of her rising heartbeat.
"What happens when I tell Uncle what you're up to? You're not sick at all; are you? Have you truly wasted his and the Elders time in making this grand feast and buying all these elaborate gifts and décor for you?" Neji questions, pearl orbs sharpening, lips twisting into a mix of a smirk and annoyance.
He sidesteps her again when she attempts to move past him, raises up a hand as he puts his candle down.
No, no, no. She doesn't have time for this, to deal with his misplaced rage.
'Midnight; find me.' Naruto's voice repeats in her head.
Even if she's late, she's coming.
Gathering herself, she pretends to follow his challenge, waiting for him to get close. If Neji senses her plan, he doesn't notice, anger festering up.
"Always the golden child despite being so weak, if my Father had been born first, everyone would properly acknowledge my strength instead of just seeing me as a strong branch member." He sneers.
She refuses to let the words pierce like in the past, matching his stare. "Neji, you're blaming me again for an action Uncle Hizashi chose to do on his own. If you'd just hear Father out, I'm sure he'd tell you the full story. I've heard him whisper it enough times with Grandfather how upset he is-"
"Shut it, I don't want to hear your pity." Neji cuts her off, launching himself forward.
'Fire, that's my best chance of stopping him.' She knows.
This time the target won't be a dummy or wood carving though.
Blue flames spark up, his hand jabbing high into her shoulder while she strikes low right into his stomach.
He gasps as the fire reverberates, burns beyond his skin dropping to the wood floor.
"I'm going; please don't try to stop me Neji." Hinata mutters quickly, not waiting for his response as she rushes for the gates. The commotion has drawn the attention of the guards, transforming herself into one of them to slip out.
Her outfit isn't made for these elements, the bite of wind on her cheeks, snowflakes sliding into the sleeves of her kimono freezing and melting along her skin.
She goes in circles, searching for Naruto's hole in the wall apartment after at least 2 wrong turns. It takes asking a convenience store manager how to find Naruto's place, ignoring his odd look at her state of dress and why she wants to find him of all people.
'12:14 am; late.'
Though her hands feel warm, a single bright red thread directing her now.
His lights are still on thankfully, Hinata stumbling up the steps to his door. She pounds hopefully not too loudly that his neighbors will peek to see what's going on.
"I almost thought you weren't coming." Naruto remarks with a weak chuckle as he clicks his door open a moment later, taking in her flushed cheeks and skin wet with snow.
Hinata shakes her head, holding up her hand, her red thread that thrums and glows like a beacon.
Connected right to Naruto's thumb.
"Are you upset?!" Naruto sputters seeing tears come to her eyes, Hinata quickly shaking her head as she steps inside his home. Her teeth are chattering, watching Naruto rush about to get her a blanket.
"No, I'm happy Naruto; so happy." Hinata breathes out when he approaches back, speaking honestly and fully from her heart for the first time tonight.
And slowly, boldly, she intertwines their hands.
-x-
There's a lot to unpack in this chapter, but I'm enjoying genin Naruto and Hinata interactions and the more that's too come! This is a story that is set to go from everyone's time as a genin up until when they become young adults on how their red threads not only affect their lives, but those of their family and friends. Especially in the case of Naruto and Hinata now that they know their threads connect!
Just wanted to do a double weekend update before I disappear for a bit, with my grandfather's passing on top of being sick I know I won't be able to write for the next few weeks or so.
Let me know your thoughts as always!
Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!