One
Who is he, exactly?
Who is that boy, and why is he always alone?
He's just like…me.
"Hinata-sama, where are you going?"
Hinata stopped in her tracks, already halfway out the door. "I—I want to go train!"
"Train? You're only seven, Hinata-sama. You haven't even started at the Academy yet, that isn't for another few years!"
She pouted a little, but then put on a determined smile. "I know! B-But I want to be strong…I want to make my family proud of me."
"Well—all right. Be back before dinner! Do you want me to accompany y—"
By that time, Hinata had already run off.
"Ow!"
Naruto rubbed his throbbing temple and frowned at the kunai knife now lying in the dirt at his feet. "How did that hit my head? I threw it towards the target! It must have slipped somehow…" He glared at the target that was about fifteen feet away, then leaned down to retrieve the knife. He was about to throw it again when suddenly he heard slight rustling in the bushes behind him.
"Who's there? Show yourself, fiend!" Naruto whirled around, gripping the kunai tightly in his hand.
When a small girl slowly walked out into the open, he was taken aback, but also a bit disappointed.
"Aw, man," he exclaimed, lowering the kunai knife, "I thought you were a gang of rogue shinobi! I was about to kick their asses!"
"O-Oh," the girl said quietly, "I'm s-sorry."
Naruto calmed down a bit, and then grinned. "It's okay! It'll happen someday, you best believe it!" He peered at her curiously. "Hey, what is your name, anyway? What are you doing here?"
She nervously clasped her hands together. "H-Hinata. I—I wanted to t-t-train here."
"Hinata? Nice to meet ya!" He flashed her that smile of his once more. "I'm training, myself! This is my special area."
Hinata glanced around, still wringing her hands shyly.
"I'm Naruto," he said to her, "and I'm going to be Hokage one day!"
She managed a small smile at him, and slowly unclasped her hands, not feeling as nervous anymore.
I know who you are, she thought to herself. I've seen you before…you're always alone. You cause trouble to bring attention to yourself.
Everyone thinks you're dangerous…
Hinata couldn't exactly pinpoint why she was so fascinated with him, but she was. She had to know more about this boy—she wanted to know more about him. So when Naruto eventually asked, "Hey, want to train together? Since you kinda found my special place anyway…"—she surprised herself by saying yes.
It was getting dark outside, and Hinata gasped, her hands still up in the air posed to strike.
"What's wrong?" Naruto turned around towards her, a perplexed look on his face.
She put her hands down, her eyes wide. "I should already be home! I'm g-going to be in so much trouble…"
"Oh, I'm sure you'll be fine," Naruto reassured her, rolling up his sleeves. "The sun is barely going down!"
Hinata barely heard this, her heart rate quickly rising. She hurriedly picked up her weapon pouch from the ground and bowed her head, her cheeks warm and pink from embarrassment. "I'm sorry—I, I have to go now…"
Naruto nodded, and then grinned at her. "Okay, see you around, Hinata! Don't tell anyone about this place!" He waved, and she couldn't help but smile a little.
"I—I won't!" She turned and ran as fast as she could, all the way back home.
Naruto…as in, that thing in ramen…?
I…I like it.
"Hinata, you know you're supposed to be home by dinner. What were you doing?"
Hinata cringed a little, nervously fiddling with her chopsticks. Her father had always been intimidating, but he was especially scary when he was disappointed in her. "I-I was training, Oto-san."
He raised an eyebrow, putting down his water. "Training? Why, Hinata, you're only seven."
She sighed—she was tired of constantly hearing that same thing from everyone. Since when did her age determine whether she should work on her shinobi skills or not? "Yes, Oto-san, but I w-want to be the best I can b-be!"
"Well, you still need to be home on time," her father said sternly, as if he hadn't even heard her. "Were you with someone?"
Hinata almost mentioned Naruto, but then remembered how most people acted around him—and realized that her father would probably be no exception.
"No," she lied, taking a sip of water.
Soon the subject was dropped, and dinner went on.
But Naruto was still on her mind for the rest of the evening, even when she finally climbed into bed and fell asleep.