Title: Pearl and Sky-blue eyes

Rating: T for now, but I'm probably going to change the rating next chapter

Chapter: Confession at Ichiraku's

Disclaimer: ALL rights belong to the guys who made Naruto…sadly I'm not a genius like them T_T

A/N: hi…I have a few things to say before you get started… 1# I have only started to watch the series (I'm currently at episode 214) so don't be all "that could never happen" or "that character died!" just think about it like a AU or something… 2# I'm planning on making this an M rated at some point (probably next chapter) so… guys and gals that are too young to read this (like me! ^o^) make sure you have permission to read this (or whatever). AND 3# please go easy on me… this is my first crack at romance and… I will *try* to make a lemon in this fic, but I could use some suggestions (please!) and…no more! You are free to read! YAY! Oh and review please!

It's a cool summer's night in Konoha and the villages "number one knucklehead ninja" is sitting in what could be his favourite place in the whole world; Ichiraku ramen shop. One person on his mind: Hinata Hyuuga.

He's had feelings for the girl with pearly eyes ever since his first chunnin exams, after her fight with her cousin; Neji Hyuuga. After that his feelings got stronger and stronger and now at the age of sixteen they are ready to burst. He hasn't changed much since then; he still wear's the orange clothes and he still has that "I'll show the world how great I will become" attitude, but… in a way… he has matured.

Right now he is just slurping up noodles, staring off into space.

"I know that look. So… who are you thinking about?"

The comment from old man Teuchi snaps Naruto back into reality.

"Wha-what are you talking about, old man?" Naruto goes slightly pink.

"Don't play dumb, I had the very same look when I met Ayame's mother… my friends said I looked like a fish, hehe" he bursts into laughter.

"Don't you have, like, a job or something?" Naruto is beginning to get irritated, yet he remains in a dazed expression.

"Awww, don't be like that… after all the times we've shared…and after all, I've been 'round the block a few times; maybe I could help…" the old man finishes cooking another bowl of ramen and serves it to Naruto "on the house!".

Naruto looks at the bowl of ramen, blinking. "Gee… thanks!" he slurps up the noodles in record timing.

The old man pulls up a chair and sits opposite Naruto. "So … about this girl… she isn't my precious daughter is she!?"

Naruto gulps down the broth and sets the bowl down. "Nah, it's not Ayame…I…I l-lo-like the most amazing girl in the world…"

At that instant Hinata overhears and decides to listen. 'Naruto… is in love?' she feels her heart sink. 'I…I hope… she pleases Naruto' she starts tearing up.

"More amazing than MY daughter!? Now this I have GOT to hear!" Teuchi takes a sip of sake.

"Don't get me wrong, your daughter is…er… great…but…the one I dream about is the kindest, gentlest, most caring person I ever met… and an amazing shinobi" Naruto's eyes shine in an ethereal light.

At the the mention of "shinobi", Hinata widens her eyes in shock. 'So…it's one of the female ninja?'

"So what's her name?" pries the old man.

Naruto turns pink. "Well…it's…her name is…"

Hinata's heart beats loud and fast.

"I…I l-like…"

'Oh, come on, Naruto-kun…kill me now…'

Naruto takes a deep breath. "Hinata".

Hinata gasps loudly and has to cover her mouth to avoid detection, her cheeks turning crimson and her eyes widening to the size of plates. 'Naruto…loves…me?' she lets out one word. "Naruto…"

"Hmm…aint that that Hyuuga girl? That's one prestigious family…" the old man takes a thinking pose, placing his chin between his index and thumb.

"Yup! Hinata Hyuuga… the most amazing, smartest and most gorgeous girl in all of Konoha, no, in the whole world!" Naruto has obviously been lost in his fantasy world.

Even now at the age of sixteen Hinata has to fight with all her strength to keep from fainting. 'N-Naruto-kun… I… I've waited for so long to hear you say that…'

The old man cracks a smile. 'hehe…to think I would live to see the day that Naruto actually falls in love'. "So. Have you tried sleeping with her yet?" he soon starts cackling like a crow.

"WHAT!?" Naruto's face visibly flares. "You sound just like pervy sage!"

"Oh, don't mind me, when you reach my age meddling in the affairs of youngsters is all that keeps you young" and with that he has another laugh attack.

Hinata turns red again.

"Ok…just give an old man one last bit of fun and answer one more question… would you like to?" old Teuchi visibly enjoys watching Naruto squirm.

"I…I would…more than anything…" he has turned from pink to scarlet, but his eyes are deep with thought and feeling.

Hinata feels her heart skip a beat. 'Na-Naruto… do…do you really mean that?...you… really… want to… with…me? I…I must be dreaming…'

"Hey Hinata! What are you doing out here by yourself?" The voice comes from a pink-haired girl… about seventeen years old.

"S-Sakura…shh!"

"Come on, let's have some ramen with Naruto!"

'Damn it Sakura… not now…'

Sakura grabs Hinata by the wrist and drags her inside the ramen shop. "Hey Naruto, hi Teuchi!"

"Hi Sakura, hi Hina-" he visibly pales when he realizes Hinata is there. 'Could…she have listened?' "Hi Hinata…"

"He-hello Naruto…" Hinata can't stop blushing after hearing the words Naruto spoke. Sakura pulls up a chair and motions for Hinata to sit, which she does, although be it awkwardly. Teuchi asks the girls what they will be having. Sakura asks for a diet ramen, Hinata just asks for what Naruto is having.

After what seems like an eternity of awkward silence, Sakura decides to speak up. "Sooo… how was your last mission, Naruto?"

Naruto's body has tensed over the last few seconds, so talking is very uncomfortable. "Oh, yeah… umm… Me and Lee escorted that painter to the land of tea…"

"Good…" 'Right something is…off… he's not bragging like usual' "and you, Hinata? How have you been?"

"I… ok…" Hinata feels just as tense as Naruto.

"Hmm…" 'Ok… now I know something is wrong… hmm…maybe…if I were to leave them alone…THAT'S IT! CHA! AND WHO SAID THAT SAKURA AINT ROMANTIC!?' driven by inner Sakura, she gets up. "uh… you know…I was actually doing an errand for lady Tsunade… see you all later!"

The old man serves the couple their ramen. "uhh… I…gotta go out back… watch the shop for me."

The two sit in silence for what seems to be another eternity. 'Shit! She must have overheard me… how can I even look her in the eye now? Fuck!' Naruto's fists clench. "Uhh…Hinata?"

"Y-yes, Na-Naruto?"

"Uhh… you didn't happen to overhear anything did you?" in order to speak he has had to stick a kunai in his side.

'Yes I but nothing much, just the fact that you secretly love me too and want to have sex with me… and the fact that that is a dream come true and…and…' she takes a deep breath. "Umm…what do you mean, Naruto?"

Naruto plunges the kunai in his side even deeper. "Uhh… just a little conversation between me and the old man."

"Well…I…oh, Naruto-kun… I'm so sorry…I…I listened in on your conversation…and…I…I heard everything!" she turns to face him and starts tearing up.

Naruto begins to panick, he was never good with these situations and Hinata was the last person he wanted to see crying. "Hey, don't cry! It was really my fault…I should have admitted my feelings sooner… I'm sorry. Hinata"

"But… d-did you mean what you you said? About liking me?"

"Every word" he brushes her tears away.

"E-even…" she turns scarlet. "Even when you said… you…wanted…to…" she can't bring herself to say it.

"Y-yes…" Naruto himself has gone a dark shade of red.

"Oh, Naruto!" Hinata throws herself onto the boy she has loved and adored for the bigger part of her life, letting out all the emotions she has had bottled up for the last twelve years.

Just then, the old man comes back. "So, you two have fun?" Naruto throws the money on the counter and leaves with Hinata. "wow…those two must be in a hurry…"

"Uhh…Hinata?"

"Yes, Naruto-kun?"

"Do…you want me to…uhh…walk you home?"

"yes…I…I would like that…" she heads of in a direction.

"Umm…Hinata…isn't your house that way?"

"Yes…but…I was hoping we could take a detour…"

"Oh…ok…"

And with that, they set off for Naruto's house…

A/N: Well? How was that? Too much fluff? Not enough fluff? Too sudden? Too ooc? If you have any criticism, please review… and…I really could use a couple of tips for a lemon… just one or two… and romantic one, understand? I write romance, not porn. Well… I bid you adeu! And just to be clear: "…" is speech; '…' is thought, ok? Good! Adios! I will change the rating to M next chapter, so watch out foolz!