Hinata was peeking around the corner of the building she was hiding behind. She had been there for at least ten minutes now, peeking, then hiding again when she thought someone saw her.

Her dark hair fell in her face as she twiddled her fingers. She leaned against the wall with a sigh. She had overheard Sakura and Ino talking about how Naruto was supposed to be coming back today, and how he was coming from the East gate.

Almost immediately she had run off to get to the gate. That had been an hour ago. She sighed again, this time in defeat. She pushed off the wall and slunk off towards Naruto's old training grounds.

It had somehow become a habit of hers to go there and sit, remembering all the times she'd watch him train there. His leaving had been a tough blow, and she felt depressed every now and again. She did her best to hide her pain from her friends, but she knew she was horrible at it, and that every tiny change of her mood was clearly visible on her face.

That was why she came here. No one bothered her here, they knew she had to be alone sometimes, to work out her feelings.

Did she still love him, after all this time? Of course, if anything, these two and a half years had forced her to realize just how much she loved him, and how badly she had to let him know.

She stayed for about ten minutes, then started to head toward her house. As she was passing by the ramen shop Naruto loved, (and she visited one every week or so) something huge and furry pounced on her.

She shrieked and fell to the ground, the crowd around her moving to the side. She laughed as she realized it was Akamaru. Petting his head, she pushed her up off the ground, kneeling infont of him. She pat his head, wiping a stray tear from her pale face.

Kiba came running out of an alley, laughing when he saw them. He came to Hinata and took her hand, helping her up. " Hey Hinata-chan, sorry 'bout that! He just sorta... well y'know, no hard feelings eh? " She gave him a small smile. " Of course not Kiba-kun... "

He stared at her for a moment, then his face lit up. " Oh! I remember why I was looking for you! C'mon Hinata-chan, Naruto's back! I know you want to say hello... " He gave her no time to response, grabbing her hand and pulling her along before she could completely understand what he said.

Naruto... was really back?

She started to panic. She wasn't ready! Sure she had gone to see him about two hours ago, but that was it! She only had wanted to see him. She wasn't...

But it was too late, Kiba turned off onto another path, dragging the frantic girl with him. She gasped lightly when she saw him.

He had always been cute in her mind, but now... he was... a little different. She gaped at him. His soft yellow hair was longer, his face more sharp and detailed, his eyes were more beautiful than she remembered. He was holding his jacket because of the heat, and she could see that his muscles, on his arms at least, were more defined, and he wasn't as scrawny.

She took in every microscopic detail, drinking in the image like a delicious glass of juice. She saw a glint and looked at his chest curiously, a necklace she hadn't noticed shimmered in the light.

She hadn't finished gazing, when Naruto's cerulean orbs met hers, and a strong blush appeared on her face. He grinned, and her heart began banging against her chest. Kiba nudged her, and she looked at him, a panicked look on her face.

He smirked and pushed her into Naruto. He caught her in his strong arms, a shocked look on his face. She couldn't talk, couldn't think... couldn't hear! His amazing lips moved, but she didn't hear a word. She stared up into his face blankly.

His expression changed to a concern, as he leaned forward. His lips were moving again.

Hinata? Was that what he was saying?

His forehead touched hers...

and she fainted.