Freya: So it's Freya here and it's been a long long long time since I updated this story. I'm sure you're all thankful but angry at the same time. Suck it up. I'm not obligated to write. I do because I'm bored and I like having an outlet.

BTW Naruto and its characters do not belong to me. If they did I'd steal Chouji's bag of chips. AND EAT THEM RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIS FACE! Booya! Freya has spoken.

EEK! I noticed that in the last chapter (the InoxKiba chapter) I mentioned near the end that it was raining. Ignore that…it never happened… Freya uses the Men in Black memory eraser thing on you You love Freya's stories…Now Read! Freya has spoken.

Chapter 13: Rejection is a good thing…

The wind blew and rustled the grass near Naruto and Hinata. He put his shirt back on and Hinata was wearing her clothes again. At least this way if they were discovered no one could say they were doing anything immoral.

"Let's see…where to start," Naruto questioned. Hinata waited patiently, it seemed to be one of her best traits. She never told him to hurry up or spit it out. She just waited for him to figure things out and talk in his own way.

"Do you know of the story of the Kyuubi, Hinata?" he asked. She nodded her head. I've heard that story a dozen times. I wonder why he asked that. Everyone knows about the Nine-tailed fox.

"It was defeated by the Fourth Hokage," she said and then lowered her eyes. "The Forth Hokage died in doing so…"

So she knows about that.

"I'm not sure if I'll get in trouble for telling you, but the Kyuubi wasn't killed or anything like that. It was sealed away…" he continued.

Hinata's eyes were wide. Something like that is still alive? "Sealed away? Where?" she asked.

Naruto noticed her reaction and didn't take it to be one he hoped for. Though what do you expect? I just told her that the Nine-tailed fox that tried to destroy the village was still alive and kicking. She knows that it's dangerous.

"Do you remember when we were kids Hinata? When the adults would whisper about me?" Hinata nodded her head though it wasn't something she liked remembering. "Can you tell me what they said about me?"

"They said…" Hinata thought about it. "…awful things. That we shouldn't play with you or talk to you. Even my father…he said not to go near you. When I asked why he just said…"

"Trust me Hinata. That boy will bring nothing but disaster to this village."

Naruto looked wounded by the comment and Hinata wished she hadn't said anything. Poor Naruto. No one in the village would be his friend. And he didn't have any parents to love him. He was so alone in this village.

"I had a feeling those were the kinds of things they said," Naruto replied. "They didn't tell their own kids. I guess that something to be glad for or maybe I wouldn't have made any friends at the academy."

"Naruto?"

"Do you know why I asked you those specific questions Hinata?" Naruto asked with sadness in his eyes. He seemed to be hoping she understood. He didn't want to say it outright.

The Kyuubi. It wasn't killed, just sealed away. Hinata ran the bits of information through her mind. The adults. They all said to stay away from Naruto. But why? Hinata didn't like the direction the facts were heading. The Kyuubi was sealed…and the parents didn't want anyone near Naruto…because…Hinata gasped. It couldn't be true!

"Naruto, you…" she whispered, a stunned look never leaving her face. That strange mark on his torso…his whiskers…

Naruto scratched the back of his head with a pained smile. Hinata figured it out. She's really smart after all. He looked down at the ground and no manner of grins or laughs could change how scared he was about her reaction. This is it. Acceptance or Rejection.

Naruto has the Nine-tailed fox sealed inside him. Hinata now knew why her father was so concerned. He's afraid Naruto will hurt me because of the Kyuubi's power.

"Sometimes, when I get really angry or I'm near death, the Kyuubi lends me its power. I become stronger…and dangerous…so it's easy to understand why the village hates me."

"You're wrong!" Hinata yelled, louder than she intended, and stood to her feet. Naruto looked up to see her eyes tearing up. Hinata, why are you crying? Naruto stood as well, afraid she was going to run.

"Hinata?"

Hinata shook her head and looked at him, tears threatening to fall from her face.

"They don't hate you Naruto! They hate the Kyuubi…" she hiccupped. Oh, no! I'm crying again. "You're not the Kyuubi Naruto! You're just Naruto!"

Hinata. He smiled at her and she took the three steps it took to reach him and leaned against his chest. Naruto placed his arms around her and held her close.

"You're n-not a monster. You're Naruto! You l-like ramen…and you're loud. You act silly and you b-buy a shy g-girl a flower on her first…date," she sniffled. Hinata smiled. "You kiss in the rain and risk your life to tell her about your past…hoping that she won't leave you all alone like everyone else."

Naruto could feel his own eyes getting misty as he listened to her. Hinata buried her head in his chest. He ran his fingers through her hair and kissed the top of her head.

Hinata let out a deep sigh as she tried to steady her breathing and stop hiccupping.

"I will never leave you alone Naruto. And I will never see you as anything else but Naruto. Nothing will change my mind. Not my father. Not the village. Not anyone," she said quietly. Hinata then whispered so softly that Naruto almost couldn't hear her. "You can trust me."

He tilted her head up to that she had to look at him. Hinata was embarrassed because her eyes still had the marks of tears on her cheeks. I'm such a crybaby.

"Please don't cry anymore, Hinata. Everyone will think I'm being mean to you…" he joked half-heartedly.

Hinata pulled a handkerchief from her pocket. Naruto got a hand on it and dabbed at her wet cheeks. After he was finished he handed it back to her and she put it back in her pocket.

"Naruto?"

"Hmm?"

"I have a plan," she smiled.

Back at the Hyuuga residence, Neji was meditating in the courtyard. He'd been doing so for almost two hours since his cousin left with 'Kiba'. He then stood to get himself something to eat. Upon arriving at the kitchen there was a knock at the front entrance. Not seeing any of the servants nearby he answered it himself.

"Hello, cousin. Back from your stroll so soon?" he said with sarcasm lacing every word. "Oh, and you brought…Kiba back with you…" Neji glared at Naruto. He obviously knew who the impersonator was. He's a hard one to trick.

"Yes. Is Father here?" she asked.

Neji resisted the urge to chuckle at her question. "Why, yes, he is…" He eyed Naruto again and then brought his silver eyes back to his cousin's. He whispered to her in all seriousness. "I hope you know what you're getting yourself into."

She nodded with determination in her eyes. Hinata looked positively fierce.

"I do," she said.

She marched down the halls with resolve in every step. Naruto followed close behind. While Hinata seemed sure of what she was doing Naruto was lost. Only twenty minutes ago she had told him that she'd figured out a plan. And she wouldn't tell him anything about it.

"I have a plan."

It took Naruto a minute to figure out what she was talking about. After realizing she was referring to the acceptance of her father. He became very excited and asked her what it was. The only thing she said was:

"If I cannot have his consent then I'll have his rejection."

Naruto didn't understand what she meant. It didn't make sense to him. Hinata's really smart, I'm sure she thought of a good plan. But I'm not sure why I have to be here. Naruto was worried. If he discovers my plan for seeing Hinata then I really won't be able to see her again.

They were soon outside the door to her father's study. Naruto swallowed nervously as he looked at Hinata. She had a smile on her face that could only be described as devious. He never thought she could smile like that. The smile disappeared in an instant as she knocked on the door.

"Enter," said a powerful voice. Naruto nearly jumped out of his Kiba skin.

Both Hinata and Naruto entered the room and their steps seemed to echo. Eventually they reached the middle of the room and all was still. What is she going to do?

"Father," Hinata sounded just as commanding. Something in her eyes made her father glare back at her. "I have a few requests of you."

"I'll see what I can do about them," Hiashi stated coldly. He glanced at Naruto but only for an instant. It was enough to made Naruto nervous but he tried to maintain his Kiba demeanor. "What's your teammate doing here? Does he need something as well?"

"No, he is simply here because I asked him to be."

There was a dead silence for a few minutes. It seemed like father and daughter were studying each other. It was a battle of wills. One seemed to be trying to break the other simply with their glares. Naruto could feel the tension in the air. This was not going to be the most civil of talks.

"I demand permission to date Naruto," she stated. Hiashi just as quickly answered.

"No."

"Then I demand a reason for your refusal," she argued. Hiashi took a deep breath. He didn't want to show himself being angry in front of her guest.

"When did you get so defiant…?" he asked himself rather than his daughter. Hinata stood her ground. I will not lose. He looked up at his daughter. "Why must a father explain his decisions to his daughter?"

"Because this decision was never yours to make! It is my decision to be with Naruto!"

"And it is a poor decision!" he countered angrily. Hiashi then remembered himself and calmed down. Naruto was amazed that one could talk to their parent this way. It feels more intense than some missions I've been on.

"It is still my decision, poor or otherwise," Hinata evenly stated. "I do not need your blessing. Though it would be better to have it."

Hiashi clenched his hand and tried to hold in his anger in front of his rebellious daughter and her colleague. He needed this argument done with and done with quickly. Hiashi would speak with his daughter again after Kiba left.

"As long as you are a member of this Clan, you will never be given permission to be with that…creature!" He slammed his fist onto his desk as he said the last remark. The word 'creature' seemed to echo along with the hard sound of his fist crashing into the desk.

Hinata stared at her father and his glare reached back at her. But for some reason Hiashi's glare softened. He looked away and then back to his daring daughter. The Kyuubi container will never be allowed to court a member of the Hyuuga clan as long as Hiashi can say so.

"I see…" he said before looking back at Hinata. "So that's it…"

"Yes," she said boldly.

"Do you understand what you're doing Hinata? You will never be able to-"

Hinata cut him off. "I know what it means."

Her father sat down at his desk and sighed in defeat. Naruto was confused. What just happened? They were arguing but her dad suddenly gave up. What did Hinata say? What did she do?

"As head of the Hyuuga clan," her father seemed like he was reciting something out of a document. "I cannot give you permission. The clan cannot support your decision. And so that you will not tarnish or defile the name of the Hyuuga clan…"

Hinata held her breath. Naruto did so as well.

"…You, Hyuuga Hinata, are banished from these premises and are no longer considered a member of our clan. You have given up your privileges of next in line and are now nothing more than a villager of Konohagakure."

Naruto was horror struck. Is this what she meant by refusal?

"Hinata, you can't do this!" Naruto blurted out. Sure I want to date her but I didn't want her to get kicked out of her clan. If she can't be with her clan she'll be so lonely.

Hinata despite being exiled, by her father no less, was wearing a big grin. Naruto didn't understand. Wasn't she upset at all that she can never be accepted by her clan again? The concept of throwing your family away for someone you care about was foreign to him. Naruto had never had a family and felt that he had he would give it up for nothing. How could Hinata throw hers away so easily?

"As head of the Hyuuga clan, you cannot give me permission, correct?" Hinata spoke to her father.

"Never," he said.

"Then I want you to know something. Not receiving consent from you has made me very happy and there isn't anything in the world I would trade for it," she smiled. Hinata bowed with the most respect Naruto had ever seen. "Thank you Father, for letting me make my own decisions."

Hinata looked at Naruto with hopeful eyes and walked out the door. Naruto was about to follow him when Hiashi called to him.

"Kiba-kun," he said. Naruto stopped just short of leaving. Hinata was already running down the hallway to her room.

"Y-yes, sir?" he answered. Don't let him catch me now; I was so close to leaving!

"Could you do me a favor?" he asked. Naruto nodded his head. "Tell Naruto, to take care of her. And make sure she comes home for New Years."

"I can tell him that," Naruto smiled. Hinata's old man is not so bad. He cares about his daughters happiness regardless of the argument that just happened.

"And one other thing," he added. "Tell him, that he really must be something, if he can change her so much. I've never seen her more sure of her choices."

Naruto nodded and left the room, closing it quietly and he found his way to Hinata's room. He peeked in to find that she was grabbing all sorts of clothes and packing them into a bag. Hinata was talking to herself as she stuffed her carrier.

"I'll get a job and my own apartment. I'll buy a sofa and bed and maybe even a cat!" she giggled. It feels so exhilarating to do something without the shackles of the clan stopping me.

"You can't get a cat," Naruto said behind her, making her whirl around. He was no longer pretending to be Kiba. She smiled.

"Why not?"

Naruto rubbed his nose with a finger. "Because I'm allergic," he joked.

"You are not!" she threw her pillow at him. He wasn't expecting it so the pillow hit him straight on in the face. Hinata giggled as it hit the floor and Naruto still maintained a dumbstruck look. The orange jacket came spilling out of the pillowcase and she grabbed it up.

After giving it a big hug Hinata returned it to him. He took it and put it on. It smelled like perfume for some odd reason. When Naruto asked about it she giggled.

"I spray this on my pillows and sheets when they're changed. Since I was hiding your jacket in my pillow it smells like them now." Hinata showed him the half empty bottle and put it back into the bag. Naruto decided he liked the smell and that whenever he got the chance he'd buy her another one.

"Hinata, don't you regret your decision at all?" he asked, still surprised at her cheerful behavior after being dumped by her clan. She really is different. Hiashi said it was because of me…I wonder if that's true.

"I only regret not doing it sooner. I feel free Naruto! For the first time!" Hinata sighed.

"What do you want to do first?" he asked her.

Hinata had to think about it. Find a place to stay until she could get on her feet was a good plan. Finding a job was another thing. A sudden thought hit her and she laughed out loud.

"What? What's so funny?" Naruto grinned.

"I think," Hinata laughed, "we should go tell Kiba he doesn't have to pretend to be you anymore!"

Hinata was shocked when she was leaving. She hoped to say good-bye to her sister and her cousin but the house seemed deserted. It's fine. It isn't like I won't see them around the village.

Naruto didn't bother disguising himself as Kiba as they walked down the street. As soon as they left her home he reached for her hand. I'm so proud of Hinata; I'm grateful to be her boyfriend. Naruto held her bag in his other hand and over his shoulder.

They received a few stares and earned a couple whispers as well.

"What do you think they're saying?" Hinata asked him.

Naruto gave a big toothy grin. "They're all jealous because I have such a beautiful girlfriend," he whispered close to her ear making her blush. Naruto! Not when everyone can see…

When they arrived at the flower shop they were confused. The sign on the door said 'closed for repairs'. Regardless of their confusion Naruto opened the door anyway. He soon regretted it.

Despite the noises on the street, other sounds could clearly be heard on the other side of the counter. There was distinct moaning and panting. Naruto and Hinata had a very good idea what was happening and who was doing them. Maybe it wasn't a ruse after all…

"Hey, Kiba! Ino! You here?" Naruto asked in his loud obnoxious voice.

The sounds suddenly stopped. The ninjas that entered the flower shop heard a female voice swear a few times but it was Kiba who answered back.

"You're a little early Naruto," Kiba complained.

Hinata coughed and spoke up. "You won't need to continue the Naruto illusion anymore. I straightened things out with my family so I can see Naruto again," Hinata told a half-truth. Naruto made a face at her for not telling them everything. Hinata shrugged sheepishly.

"That's great! Love conquers all!" Ino squealed. Hinata wanted to laugh at the conversation that was occurring between them and the hidden couple behind the counter. One could only imagine the compromising position they were in.

"There's just one thing, Kiba," Naruto said. "You need to clear up that thing with Chouji. He thinks I was whoring it up with Ino! Sakura-chan does too! Fix It!"

Ino laughed out loud and Kiba swore under his breath. She said something like 'I knew it' and Kiba just growled. The blonde flower shop girl told them that she would take care of it…tomorrow. Right now they were a little busy.

"So if you don't mind," Ino tried to kick them out.

"We're going, we're going. Let's go Hinata, before their weirdness rubs off on us," Naruto led her out of the shop. What an interesting choice of words Naruto, considering how weird we already are.

They wandered about the village, heading toward Naruto's home eventually. Naruto had been thinking about it since they left her family's estate. Should he offer to let her crash at his place? Or would she rather ask Ten-ten or Sakura? Thinking so much was starting to give him a headache.

"Naruto?" Hinata called out to him.

He looked down at her to show that she had his attention.

"I can stay with you can't I? For a while at least?" she asked. Naruto was amazed that she was being so forward for once. He jumped at the opportunity she opened up. Yes!

"Of course!

She smiled and instead of looking at the ground Hinata looked up and into the sky. There were a few carefree clouds and the sky was a baby blue. It was nothing like the cobalt color of Naruto's eyes but it was just as comforting. I've made my decision and I'll stand by it no matter what!

Freya: I may write more to this story but with a different title. Maybe. So Undiscovered Feelings revealed is complete but the rest of the story isn't done. That is all. Freya has spoken.

WARNING: I no longer post fics here. If you'd like to continue reading my current works visit me at archiveofourown under the user name FormallyKnownAsFreya.