Chapter 124: An Appointment With a Hyuga
Disclaimer: Naruto and all of its characters belong to Shueisha and Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I create.
"Dialogue"
'Thoughts'
-Author notes-
Chapter 124: An Appointment With a Hyuga
"Surely you're not here to thank me for slapping you around," Naruto said, eyeing Neji.
The Hyuga attendant, who was returning with tea, nearly dropped her tray at Naruto's blunt comment.
But Neji didn't react much to it. "In a way, I am thankful. That match opened my eyes… it showed me how much I still have to learn."
Naruto stared at him for a moment before nodding in approval.
"There's nothing wrong with being a frog in a well, as long as you eventually get out and see the vastness of the universe."
"Uh… yes," Neji replied, unsure if he fully understood what Naruto was talking about.
The attendant placed the tea down, stealing glances at Naruto.
"I'm surprised to see you two together. I thought there was some internal clan dispute between you," Naruto commented, sipping his tea.
"That's…" Hinata looked troubled. She wasn't sure how much she could disclose about her clan's affairs.
Naruto noticed her discomfort.
"You don't have to explain it to me. I'm just glad you worked things out." He had seen too many clans collapse due to internal conflicts.
Neji touched his forehead protector.
"We did, and I've come to understand that perhaps my fate isn't as absolute as I believed it to be."
"You shouldn't underestimate the power of fate. But you shouldn't resign yourself to it either," Naruto said with conviction.
"What do you mean?" Hinata asked, curious about his words.
Naruto took another sip of tea and placed the cup on the table. "I mean that you should always mind your thoughts, for they become your words. Words become actions, actions become habits, habits become character, and finally... character becomes fate."
"Oh..." Neji finally understood. "You mean that by obsessing over fate, I was only playing into it even more."
"Exactly." Naruto knew that fate and karma were real forces that affected every mortal. But he also knew that breaking free from those shackles required a path to ascend beyond mortality.
That wasn't a destiny meant for Neji, so he left him with a positive message instead.
"Thank you," Neji bowed his head down. "You've opened my eyes once again."
"Neji…" Hinata looked at her cousin in awe. She had never seen him act like this before, not even with her father. Neji's politeness always had a cold and distant undertone. But now, in front of Naruto, he seemed genuinely grateful.
"Thank you, Naruto," Hinata added softly.
They talked for a few more minutes about less important topics until the conversation shifted back to Tsunade.
"Wait, you haven't heard? They woke up yesterday," Hinata said, referring to Kakashi and Sasuke's recovery.
"Oh… that. I was planning to visit the hospital after this," Naruto replied, trying not to admit that he had forgotten about their condition.
He had been more interested in checking on Rock Lee's situation. If all went well, he could have his hands on the 'Eight Gates' technique by the end of the week.
"Then we shouldn't keep you. You must be eager to see your sensei and teammate," Hinata said kindly.
"Of course, I should do that." Naruto thought he should at least maintain the appearance of being a caring teammate, though, in reality, he hadn't developed a deep attachment to Kakashi or Sasuke.
Sasuke was consumed by his revenge, and Kakashi seemed trapped by past traumas that kept him distant from others.
Before they said their goodbyes, Neji made a request for a sparring match in the near future, and Naruto had no reason to deny him that.
Being on good terms with a major clan could only benefit him, and Hinata wasn't the only Hyuga member worth knowing.
"Before I forget," Naruto turned to Hinata, "I believe I promised we'd have dinner sometime. Are you available for this weekend?"
Hinata froze. Her cheeks turned bright red, but she didn't faint this time. She had been working hard to control herself.
Neji glanced at his cousin.
"Lady Hinata, I believe he's waiting for an answer."
"You're free Friday afternoon after practice, Lady Hinata," her attendant chimed in, deciding to help her out, even though she wasn't particularly fond of Naruto. Her duty was to assist her lady, after all.
"Yes, I'm free!" Hinata said, a little louder than she intended.
"Friday afternoon, then. I'll come by your clan's residence." Naruto nodded before taking his leave.
The three Hyuga members remained behind, watching as Naruto walked away.
It was then that Neji realized something.
"He's planning to visit the clan to invite Lady Hinata out... but what about Lord Hiashi?"
Hinata and her attendant gasped.
"Oh no… will Father be too angry?" Hinata asked, worried.
After the tournament, Hiashi had been furious about Naruto's overwhelming victory over Neji, his clan's genius.
And he was still very much against the idea of his daughter being involved with Naruto...now more than ever.
"I-I'm sure it'll be fine," the attendant tried to sound reassuring, but the look she received from Hinata made it clear she had failed.
For a moment, Hinata thought about chasing after Naruto to ask him to change their plans. But she had already missed one date while unconscious in the hospital... she couldn't face him now.
'What if he gets tired of me and cancels the date completely?' Hinata clenched her fists, anxiety building within her.
Chakra began emanating from her body.
"No… I can't let that happen." Her tone was cold, taking Neji and the attendant by surprise.
"Lady Hinata?" Neji felt a shiver run down his spine.
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