She's watching.
Again.
Her eyes stare with amazing clarity at the figure.
She sees every detail of his lazy gait.
She sees the emotions on his face clearly.
Hurt.
Confusion.
Determination.
She sees his blue eyes flick back and forth.
Sees his arms fall from the lazy behind the head position to his sides.
Sees his feet stop and him look at the ground still as a statue.
And she sees with a perception that few have the tear that slides down his shadowed cheek.
She knows why he cries.
She knows she is not the reason.
She knows she cannot help.
She closes her eyes tightly as his pain triggers tears of her own.
To see someone you love in pain is hurtful as well.
Her ears pick up the sound of his footsteps.
She quickly snaps up her head and watches through eyes still blurred with unshed tears.
She blinks to clear her eyes and stares.
The gate is there.
And he's leaving through it.
She should have said goodbye.
But it's too late now.
So all she can do is memorize the moment
Memorize how he looks.
Memorize how he talks.
How he laughs.
How he makes her blush.
She stares.
She watches.
Watches as he joins Konoha's most perverted ninja to train for two years.
Stares at his back while he leaves the village.
She sighs.
Slides down against the wall she was leaning against.
Now she sheds tears of her own pain.
Quietly.
Softly.
She doesn't want anyone to be disturbed.
She doesn't want to get in the way of anyone.
She closes her eyes and sits there while the tears fall and soak the ground.
He's gone now.
The number one knucklehead hyperactive ninja is gone.
Naruto is gone.
He's going to get stronger.
And I should too.
He's going to look different when he comes back.
Probably more handsome.
More masculine.
She tugs her short hair and decides to grow it out.
Then I'll become more feminine.
She decides.
Her tears have stopped now.
She will train.
She will work hard.
She will become beautiful.
Hinata stands up and walks home to sleep in her bed
And when he comes back she will be there to watch.
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He knows
He can feel the eyes on him.
And he feels the familiar tingle as he recognizes the chakra.
He came here to be alone.
So he could shed his tears about his ruined team with no accusing stares.
Somehow he didn't mind that she was watching.
He never minded when it was her.
He knew she wouldn't say goodbye.
She was much too shy.
Heck the last time he'd gotten too close she fainted.
Her face was surprisingly cute when it was as red as a tomato.
He lets the tear slide down the length of his cheek.
He had to leave.
But it hurt.
To leave her.
She didn't know what he felt.
He had gripped and clung to his crush on Sakura so she couldn't guess.
Her family wouldn't approve.
The village wouldn't approve.
If they knew that he loved her.
Hinata
She was so stunningly gorgeous.
And she didn't even know.
She didn't realize.
He recognized her.
That night in the waterfall.
Enjoyed the way she blushed pink when he told the others.
And loved being able to freely describe her as "ultra pretty"
She really was amazing that night.
And on the mission.
But he had to leave.
To train.
So he could bring back his brother.
And fix his broken team.
He starts to walk.
Farther away from her.
And with every step his heart gives a jolt of pain.
As he passes through the gate he hears it.
Tears.
Splashing on the ground freely.
And her quiet whimpers.
She's crying.
He wonders how she'll change in the time he's gone.
If it's possible to be more beautiful than she already is.
He tries to block out her tears and her quiet noises.
He runs.
He knows.
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She hides.
She hasn't overcome her shyness
She stands still
She can hear him talk to her teammates
Which is quite a task considering the beating of her heart in her ears
Her famous blush stains her cheeks
He was back
After so many years
And immediately he makes her blush
Her eyes glaze over as thoughts race in her head
What should I do?
Then suddenly he's in front of her
Her hazy gaze sharpens
Then becomes blurry
Her body drifts closer to the ground as her consciousness fades
Her body hit the ground with a soft thump
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He was excited
He couldn't wait to see her
Then suddenly those teammates of her showed up
He caught a glimpse of purple locks
Her
It had to be
He struggles to get away
Where'd she go?
There
He senses her chakra
Definitely her
The thought of seeing her again thrills him
He finally gets there
And sees that pretty blush on her cheeks
Her eyes widen and focus in on him
Then suddenly
She's falling
Fainting
He reaches out to catch her
And sighs when she falls through his arms
He looks at her now
Sees her long hair splayed against the ground
She's taller
More feminine
Definitely more feminine
He notices her curves.
She still wears bulky clothes
Hides away her gorgeous body
Her face has matured
Her pink lips tempting him
He squats down to look at her face closer
Her blush stays on her cheeks even while asleep
He picks her up
Holds her carefully
Delicately as if she could break
He drops her off at her house
Neji glares at him as he passes her off
Apparently he thinks her passed out state is his fault
Well… it kinda is
The door is slammed in his face
He sighs
He'll try to see her tomorrow.