Hinata blushed.
Oh, Naruto.
Naruto raised an eyebrow at her. "Is something wrong, Hinata? You look flushed." He reached out a hand and felt her forehead. Hinata squealed and blushed an even deeper shade of scarlet. "Naruto," she squeaked. "Don't!"
Naruto still looked concerned. "Are you sure you don't have a fever or something?"
He's worried about me. Oh, he cares! He really does!
Hinata shuffled away timidly. "No it's fine-I'm okay," she said softly. Naruto squinted his eyes and peered at her. "HUH? HINATA, DID YOU SAY SOMETHING?" There was a flash of pink and suddenly Naruto was on the ground. "SHUT UP, NARUTO!" Sakura stood over him, her fist over his head, her left eye twitching with annoyance. "Gah!" Naruto winced, a bump already forming on his poor, bruised head. Sakura turned to Hinata. "He's an idiot," she whispered loudly. Hinata managed a weak smile. "I'm hungry," Naruto whined from the ground. "Can we set up camp here?" Sakura sighed. "I don't know—what do you think, Hinata?"
"Me?" Hinata felt pinpricks of heat creep up into her face as both Sakura and Naruto turned to look at her. "I—I suppose," she stammered. Naruto grinned. "It's settled, then. I call getting the food. Sakura, you can go fetch some firewood and set up the tent—OW!" Sakura had punched him again. "What do you think you're doing, dunce?!" she huffed. "I'M team leader, remember?" Naruto sat on the ground, his head still throbbing. "Eh..yeah, okay," he said. Sakura glared at him. "Glad I made that clear," she said. Hinata watched the scene form a safe distance.
Sakura can sure be scary.
"—so how about you pitch the tent and make a fire, and we can just have some food pills for dinner." Sakura finished her lecture. Hinata helped Naruto put up a tan tarp. "Sakura's an old bossypants, eh?" Naruto said. He gave Hinata a big smile. ("I CAN HEAR YOU, NARUTO!") Hinata turned to hide a coming blush.
Naruto, why do you make me feel this way?
The sun dipped lower into the horizon. Now only a small sliver of it peeked out from the rocky silhouette of the mountains, tinting the clouds pink and orange. Hinata pulled her knees into her chest, now and then casting shy glances at Naruto, who was sitting close to her. So, very close.
We're watching the sunset. Together. Naruto and I.
Hinata gave a happy little gasp at the thought. She turned again to study Naruto. He was gnawing unhappily on a tiny food pill. "Stupid little things," he muttered. Then, louder, "These pills taste like CRAP!" Hinata giggled into her hand. "Oh, they're not that bad," she offered shyly. "Although they are a little bitter. " Naruto snorted. "What I want is REAL food, not these pathetic little balls of misery."
Just then, Hinata remembered something. "..wait, Naruto…" She dug around in the pocket of her coat and pulled out a rice cake wrapped in leaves. "Here," she said, offering it to Naruto. He leaped up and grabbed the cake. "Oh, wow, Hinata! Thanks! You're the best!" He pulled Hinata into a hug.
He—he's hugging me. Naruto—you're going to make me—
Naruto let go of her, right before she was about to faint from his actions.
"Oh, man, this looks good." Naruto seemed to be having a conversation with the rice cake before he shoved the whole thing in his mouth. Hinata watched him attempt to chew.
He's so cute.
The sun was gone. The forest was alive with animal sounds. A small fire near the tent blazed away in its stone prison. Sakura was warming her hands over it. "Come on, Hinata!" she called to her. "Yeah, Hinata," Naruto grinned. "Come warm yourself up! It feels great."