A/N: I try to save these things for last, but: Holy Cow, Wow! I never thought that I would get out of the writer's block funk that I've been in since who knows when. Now, I feel as if I finally have something that is worth for you guys to read. I had two other stories that I had initially wanted to publish on here, but after having re-re-think their entire plot and constantly re-writing them so that they would at least sound decent, I kind of had to take a break and let the thought process to return slowly. A couple of weeks ago, I think that spark has been rekindled (I'm keeping my finger's cross), and now I have something for y'all to read. :)

This new story is going to be anthology-like, each chapter focusing on a different couple. I feel that this chapter is kind of mehh, but, c'est la vie…next chapter will be better for sure!

Enjoy!

~Nilaf

Warning: Chapter 614 spoilers, and OOCness occurs.

Disclaimer: All that I own is the plot to this story. Any characters from Naruto solely belong to Masashi Kishimoto.

Admittance

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When Naruto had found her, she was drenched. Her jacket had absorbed every raindrop that came in contact, now clinging to her petite frame; her hair refusing to maintain its straight nature. Her head was lowered, her eyes focusing on the names etched in the stone.

"Hinata…" his voice began to grow faint, not knowing what to say to help console the girl. He slowly crept up behind her, draping his arms over her shoulders to embrace her. He rested his chin on her head, saying nothing. The rain continued to touch everything within its reach, even continuing to soak the couple where they stood. There was no movement, no signs liveliness at all; there was just stillness and the heavy feeling of grief that has engulfed them. There was no telling as to how much time had passed as they remained frozen in their moment; everything seemed to have merged together.

"Maybe I should take you home…" Naruto murmured. Hinata didn't stir, remaining oblivious to what was around her. Naruto took her hand into his, attempting to lure her away from the memorial. However, she wouldn't budge from her spot.

"Hinata…" Deciding to let her be, Naruto turned around and started to walk away. However, he felt something grip onto his jacket sleeve. He peered over his shoulder and saw Hinata grasping the material in her hand.

"Can-can I go home, w-with you?"

Naruto placed her hand in his, leading the way back to his apartment.

And the rain slowly began to lighten up…

The couple finally made it back to the apartment, even more soaked to the bone than they were just moments ago; the rain that supposedly had the intention to take a break had just turned into a torrential downpour. Both were standing in the door way of the apartment, shivering in the attempt to get warm despite their current state.

"Let me find something for you to change into," he stated. Naruto turned his back and began walking in the direction of his bedroom, leaving Hinata to stand alone in the foyer.

It was her first time inside his apartment. Not much came to mind when trying to describe it; the apartment wasn't particularly spotless, but there was something that made it have a charming essence to it. Hinata began rubbing her hands up and down her arms in attempt to stop her body's shivering. After what seemed to have been an eternity, Naruto finally returned with some items in hands.

"I hope that these will fit you for the time being." As he was about to hand Hinata some of his old clothes and a towel, he found himself noticing the horrible condition that the girl was in. Cold, wet, and miserable: three words that described how Hinata had looked at that moment.

"You should really try to get warm," he muttered. Before Hinata and a chance to reply to his statement, Naruto took hold of her hand and guided her to the bathroom door.

"While you're in there," he said, "I could take your clothes…"

And there was a brief pause, and a light blush colored both of their cheeks…

"Y'know, to dry them, and, stuff…" he finished as he rubbed his hand at the base of his neck.

"But - aren't you cold?"

Naruto couldn't help but smile at the concern that she had for him. It was… cute.

"I'm fine."

With that being said, Hinata entered the restroom, quickly stripping herself of the drenched garments, and handing them to Naruto for them to be dried.

When Hinata stepped into the shower, she couldn't belief how much relief she felt.

For the first time that day, she felt warm.

Twisting the door knob, Hinata made her way out of the restroom to find Naruto. She noticed that something was off; the apartment was eerily quiet.

'Maybe he's asleep…'

Remembering the direction that Naruto had went earlier to give her dry clothes. She found herself standing in front of a closed door. Placing her hand on the handle, Hinata cautiously opened the door ajar, poking her head in the space, only to find Naruto sleeping soundly on his bed, still dressed in his wet attire. Quietly, Hinata entered the room to examine the boy's resting form. She couldn't help but notice the way his chest would raise as he inhaled, and how peaceful his face looked. Instinctively, she placed the back of her hand on his cheek, making sure that he hadn't come down with a fever.

'His face doesn't feel too warm…' As if on cue, Hinata felt his grip on her wrist, immediately snapping her out of her reverie. Her eyes met his gaze, causing a faint blush to taint her cheeks.

Naruto couldn't help but smirk at her reaction, noting how she began to revert to her childlike tendencies.

"Is this your way of seducing me?" he asked, obviously poking fun at her. Growing even more embarrassed, Hinata's face nearly turned another hue of red.

"N-no… you do know that sleeping in wet clothes will make you sick…" she murmured her lips slightly pursed.

"We wouldn't want that to happen, wouldn't we?" Naruto raised himself up off the bed, wandering towards his dresser.

"Give me a few minutes; I'll be back." Naruto left the room, leaving Hinata standing alone. Not knowing what to do, Hinata found a seat on Naruto's bed. She brought her knees to her chest, hugging them tightly, and watched the rain hit the window.

She didn't know how much time had pass, but she heard footsteps entering the room. Hinata turned her, finding Naruto standing in the door way.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Huh?"

"You're crying…"

Hinata brought her fingers to her eye, noting the tears leaking out of it.

'Oh…' She hadn't notice that she had been crying.

Naruto approached her, taking a seat next to her on the bed.

"Are you alright?"

"I-" She couldn't form a proper sentence. No matter how hard she tried, the emotion that she felt inside would not stop pouring out of her eyes.

"I-I shouldn't be the one that's living," she whispered. Naruto's eyes winced at what she had said.

"Don't say that…" he murmured.

"I feel so guilty that I'm here, and that Neji-nii is-" Hinata couldn't finish what she had to say, as more tears spilled out of her eyes, and her body began to shake uncontrollably.

"Stop it," Naruto said, his voice now having a slight edge to it.

"I'm the one that should be-."

Caught off guard, Hinata was unable to finish what she had to say. Naruto tightly wrapped his arms around her, attempting to provide any comfort that he could to her, and rested his chin on top of her head. Hinata couldn't help but let out a sob.

"I-I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Naruto sat there with her crying in his arms.

Night had finally arrived. Naruto couldn't help but admire Hinata's sleeping form lying next to him.

"I know," he began, "that you feel guilty now, but you should remember what you told me: that his death shouldn't be in vain."

Naruto pushed back the strands of hair that were obscuring her face from his view.

"I'm grateful for Neji because…" Naruto pulled Hinata in closer to him, and brushed her cheek.

"…he gave me you."