The door creaked open with a whisper of hesitation.
Hinata peeked in, clutching the warm dinnerbox close to her chest.
The scent of miso and grilled tofu drifted softly from within—comfort food, her best attempt.
The room was dim.
Naruto sat on his futon, shoulders slouched, eyes blankly fixed on the ceiling, lips murmuring words she couldn’t quite make out.
His tone was low, soft, but animated, as if arguing with someone.
“Maybe if I fake a transfer of jurisdiction… no, no one would believe that… Maybe if I—”
She froze.
Was he… talking to someone?
There was no one else in the room.
Just him, the silence, and…
Kurama.
Hinata took a quiet step back, guilt immediately rising.
Eavesdropping is wrong…
Her gaze landed on the lunchbox she had brought earlier.
Still there.
Still untouched.
Cold.
Her chest tightened.
She cleared her throat gently.
Naruto flinched, blinking wildly as if yanked out of a dream.
He sat up fast, then offered an awkward wave.
“H-Hey, Hinata. Sorry, I didn’t—uh—hear you come in.”
“I knocked… a few times.” Her voice was soft, concerned.
“You didn’t… eat the lunch.”
“Oh—yeah.” He rubbed the back of his neck, guilt blooming across his face.
“I just… I’ve been kind of… not okay today.”
“Is something wrong?” she asked, stepping forward.
“I—I brought dinner too. I thought you might be hungry after training or reading…”
Naruto gave a faint smile, but it faded quickly.
Her hands tightened on the box.
“If… if there’s anything I can do, even a little, please let me help,” she said gently.
“You look like you’ve been carrying something heavy.”
He hesitated.
She stepped closer.
“Naruto-kun?”
He exhaled, long and shaky, before nodding.
“You’re kind, Hinata. Too kind. Alright… I’ll tell you.”
She sat down, eyes wide with worry, clutching the lunchbox like an anchor.
Naruto spoke slowly, voice low but steady—like each word cost him more than it should.
“It’s about Sasuke.”
Hinata’s breath hitched.
“Sasuke-san?”
“The Nations… they want her executed. Even after everything. After fighting Madara. Helping seal Kaguya. They still think she’s a threat.” He looked down at his hands.
“And maybe she is. But I can’t let them kill her.”
Hinata blinked.
“Lord Hokage… Kakashi-sensei… he negotiated something. A condition. Something that’ll stop the Union from demanding her head.” He paused, like the words themselves refused to leave his throat.
Hinata tilted her head.
“What… what condition?”
He finally looked her in the eyes.
“I have to marry her.”
Silence.
Crushing silence.
Hinata stared.
Frozen.
The lunchbox slipped slightly in her hands, clutched tight enough to hurt.
Naruto marrying…
Sasuke?
Her mouth opened, then closed.
Her heart was thudding so hard she could barely hear.
“I—I’m sorry,” Naruto stammered.
“It’s not what it sounds like! I didn’t want this, not like this. It’s just to protect her, I swear, Hinata! I’m not trying to—”
And then, with a shimmer of golden chakra, Kurama’s head formed behind Naruto.
Glowing eyes, sharp fangs, low and terrible voice.
“You’ve admired Naruto since childhood,” he said, the words cutting like wind through autumn leaves.
“That admiration became obsession. Then love. But have you ever asked yourself if he loved you?”
“Kurama!” Naruto barked, horrified.
“Shut up!”
“No,” the fox growled.
“You shut up, Naruto.
I’ve watched you two long enough.
Listen, Hyūga—hate me all you want, but I’m telling the truth.
Naruto has always loved the Uchiha girl.
Even if he doesn’t say it.
Even if he doesn’t understand it yet.
It’s not just duty.
It never was.
And you?
You deserve someone who loves you back.
You should accept this.
And move on.”
The head dissolved into golden mist.
Hinata stood, face pale, lips trembling.
Her eyes shimmered.
“Is… is that true?”
Naruto looked down.
“I never meant to hurt you.”
Hinata didn’t wait for more.
She turned, tears trailing silently down her cheeks as she ran out, the dinnerbox still clutched in her arms.
“Damn it, Kurama…” Naruto whispered, heart tight.
“You’ll thank me later.”