A/N: I would like to thank all those who took the time to read my first story "The Foxes Reluctance" it was short I know. I was nervous as to what the reaction might be so I dipped my toes into the proverbial waters and was surprised no one said it sucked. So now with a new found courage I am writing the story how I originally wanted to. It should only be several chapters long and I will update as often as I can. So without blabbering too much I bring you the first chapter of The Fox's Reluctance Redux. Yay Naruhina! R&R.
I will never own Naruto. I just like fan fiction.
The Fox's Reluctance: Chapter 1
The first time he saw her was like a fleeting dream. The most hated boy in konoha. That is what he was and Naruto knew it all too well. Everyone always glared at him. Those eyes never held any kindness for the poor orphan child and with the exception of Old Man Hokage it was something Naruto had grown to expect. That's not to say that it didn't hurt every single time but he had learned long ago to hide behind a mask. But when he saw her for the first time and saw those curious pale lavender eyes his mask slipped. In those eyes he saw no malice and that slight smile proved that fact. Like a fleeting dream that moment vanished when she quickly looked away and the moment grew cold. He was shunned once again but like a flickering candle that moment stayed with him even if it was over in a matter of a second.
It took two long years before he saw that strange girl again. It was the start of Naruto's fourth attempt at the final year at the academy. He was almost ready to stop it all together. He just wanted to be like everyone else and this was a ninja village so he had to become a ninja. He didn't know how much longer he could keep striving for something that didn't seem like it would ever happen. Maybe he could be a baker or something. 'The most hated baker in the hidden leaf village!' Naruto thought with heavy sarcasm. At least that was his thought moments before she walked in. Then all intelligent thought went out the window. It was at that moment only her.
Their eyes met for only an instance but it was like he was sent back in time two years. Her pale lavender eyes held the same kindness, the same lack of malice and that soft smile proved that fact. But just like last time the moment was gone before it could be fully grasped. Naruto's heart sank as his eyes fell to his desk. 'Yep the greatest baker who is hated by everyone.' Yet still that flickering candle which had started to dim found itself with a new strength. 'Well maybe I could stick it out for a little while longer.'
Time continued onwards like it usually does and Naruto found himself listening to the instructor's lesion. Again. For the fourth time. Hinata was the only thing that made the days bearable. Although each moment was over in an instant it was the only thing that kept him there. She was his anchor and he found himself anxious for the next fleeting moment. He quickly caught on that she would often stare at him only because he would often be staring at her. And soon he came to a rather astounding conclusion.
He loved her. Completely. Who wouldn't love her? How could he not love her with every fiber of his being? She was the first person to acknowledge him when no one else would. She saw pass the prejudice that the villagers had and saw him, the real him. She was the first of his precious people. No one else ever looked at him with any kindness. He would always catch her staring at him from out of the corner of his eye but she would look away blushing when he would return her gaze. He would catch her following him around the academy but could tell there was no malice in it. She cared for him and he knew it even then. He loved her cause she loved him. But that was not the only reason, no far from it.
He loved her gentle nature the most. She was always so kind and sweet. A little shy but that only made her more endearing. Besides he found her blushing cute. She was also beautiful. Her pale lavender eyes would always take his breath away and he could lose himself in her eyes. He always watched her even if she never caught on to it. She was amazing. So reserved but seemingly possessing some kind of inner light that made her shine. He had eyes only for her. He had been in love with her for years.
Of course this wasn't seen by others. Most believed Naruto was completely blind to Hinata's feelings for him. Of course this is exactly what he wanted. He had grown up really good at hiding behind the mask of a complete idiot. He hid his true feeling from the hateful villagers out of fear. Fear that they would turn their hate on his most precious person. He wouldn't allow that to happen. So he played the part of the dimwit who didn't seem to know how that pale eyed princess cared for him. It hurt so bad seeing the sadness in her eyes when she thought that he didn't care for her. But it was a necessary evil.
He wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and announce his undying love for the hyuuga heiress. When she was sad he wanted to make her smile again. He loved her smile. One day he would pursue her like he always wanted. "I'm going to be Hokage so that everyone acknowledges me!" That is what he started to say to everyone. That was his dream. No one knew that it was because of his desire to be with Hinata. If the villagers acknowledged him and didn't hate him anymore then he would be free. He could make his ultimate dream of being with her come true.
He acted like he liked Sakura knowing full well that Sakura was Saske's ultimate fan girl. He knew he could pursue her without worry of ever actually succeeding. It would seem weird if he showed no interest in any female after all. But he wished he could try with Hinata. But he couldn't, not until he was Hokage and didn't have the entire village hating him. That would take a long time and there was a chance that Hinata might fall in love with someone else. It would hurt but Naruto knew that as long as she was happy then he would be happy too. She deserved to be happy. Naruto wasn't selfish enough to deny her happiness.
So he threw all he had at that final attempt to be a ninja only to fail. Again. His dreams were gone and he was crushed. As he sat on his swing and watched the smiling faces of his former classmates he was lost in his sorrow. Reluctantly he stole one last glance at Hinata just in time to catch her looking at him. Her eyes showed that she was concerned for him. Typical Hinata. He had to look away as his heart clenched in his chest. That's when Mizuki approached him. He was always wary of Mizuki but when told of the other way he could graduate he jumped at it. It was his only hope after all and if it meant he didn't have to give her up then he would risk it.
Needless to say things didn't exactly go as they should of just like everything else in Naruto's life. He found out he was a demon and that was why everyone hated him. Could Hinata possibly love a demon? But Iruka showed him the truth. He wasn't the demon he jailed. He was Naruto, simply Naruto. Her Naruto. And in typical Naruto fashion he became a ninja. The most surprising knucklehead ninja. He would do whatever he had to, would climb any hurdle for his dream. 'Hokage.'
"Well at least I don't have to be a baker…"
"What did you just say Naruto?"
"Oh umm… Nothing Iruka-sensei"
