A/N: Ahem, as some of you may know, i am currently working on a Ichiruki fanfiction called Just for kicks, and i just want to say that i maybe or maybe not continue. I am at a standstill because my plot is clashing horrilbly. "Every heart" is dedicated to every ( in my opinion) beautiful Naruto couple.(Narunata, SasuSaku, NejiTen ShikaTem, ChojiIno, GaaraRaiyoshia, LeeNisi, KibaKira, ShinoHana, and some more*will be mainly Naruto and Hinata*) So, this is during shippuden, after Pain Arc. Sasuke is 'still' psycho, just so you'll know, and if i have it my way, he will be a 'very' bad boy. 'But' if you Sasuke lovers out there want him to reform, come home, get married, and have lots of babies with Sakura and or OC...you may request. (Raiyoshia is my OC, Kakashi's daughter, and her best friend, Nisi from the land of the sun*just put that in there; not a real Naruto place, not that i know of any way.)
Disclaimer: sigh...I do not own Naruto. That right goes to my sensei, Kishimoto-sama. Oh yeah, if the land of the sun 'is' a part of Naruto then of course i don't own it.
Every heart.
Chapter 1. Kick in the pants.
"You should grow some balls"
It was a nice, cool, afternoon in Konohagakure and the wind sent a gentle caress through the surrounding trees. Autumn was fast approaching, the summer receding, taking the lush, green leaves with the warm was a welcome relief from the blustering heatwave that took the leaf by storm the week before, so quite naturally everyone was out and about, not minding the immense workload on such a fine day. Though, this fact didn't pertain to one blond haired, blue eyed ninja.
Naruto sat alone in his two room apartment, finding nothing to hold his interest in the slightest. Ever since the encounter with Pain, the death of his sensei, and most importantly, Hinata's confession, Naruto was ulitmately at a standstill. He didn't know what to do. Yes, he'd killed Pain, and avenged Jiraiya's death (even though he still felt hollow inside), and the reconstruction of Konoha was underway ( Naruto felt only minor quilt for shurcking his duties), and then there was Hinata.
To say he was shocked would be the understatement of the century. In that moment that Hinata had confessed her love to Naruto, the said Shinobi's world had been rocked throughly and completely. Then Pain had killed (Or so Naruto had thought at the time), Hinata, and Naruto had felt...pain... immense pain; more so than when he learned about Jiraiya. The anger that had consumed his entire being, licked at his insides like a roaring inferno; naruto had gladly let the Kyuubi take control of his body. He had unleashed it willingly...because of had scared him when his comrades had told him what he had done, that he had actually partially transformed into the most dreaded, Nine-tailed fox. Never had he before...gone so far as to...want...to save a person, and then...failing. He'd completely lost it.
Now, as the Jyunchuriki host sat alone in his space, feeling lost. How could he ever approach Hinata? Did she really, truly mean what she had said to him...that she 'loved' him. If she did, What would Naruto do? He simply didn't know how to respond. The blonde ninja was in such deep turmoil that he didn't hear the warning signs of a most irritated, pink-haired, medical Kunoichi. The heavy breathing, stomping footfalls, and the occasional curse were left on death's ear, and unfornately for Naruto he was about to be subjected to one of the most violent chewing outs of his 17 years.
"UZUMAKI NARUTO, IF YOU DO NOT COME OUT OF THIS APARTMENT RIGHT NOW I WILL PERSONAL FORCE DOWN THIS DOOR AND DRAG YOU OUT MYSELF!"
Even though the words was a jumbled mass, Naruto understood them, and he quickly leaped from his bed sheets and answered the door. He wasn't surprised to see a fuming Sakura on the other side of the threshold. Hell, he'd be mad too, if he was ditching work...and he was!
Sakura looked like she had promptly came form Suna and back, twice. In short she looked a mess. Dirt was everywhere, to the top all the way down to the bottom; nothing was left uncovered. Sakura painted a very hilarious picture, and Naruto would have laughed if it wasn't for he fact that the medic-nin was mad as hell.
"What in the hell do you think you're doing, Naruto-kun!"
Naruto rubbed the back of his head, a sure sign that he was nervous. What could he say? Well, Sakura-chan, i was just thinking about the time i killed Pain and lost my sensei...and oh yeah! How could i forget? Hinata...she said she loves me! No need to worry though. I'm just depressed, is all!
" Uh..."
" Can it! I don't want to know. What i do know is that if you don't get off your ass, and come down and help with the Hyuga estate there will be hell to pay.. Courtesy of Tsunade-sama herself!"
Dread.
Yes, this was another reason why Naruto didn't want to get out of bed this morning. He had known perfectly well that the construction of the Hyuga mansion would be starting today. It was a given that somewhere along the line Naruto would eventually run into Hinata...and then what?
Exactly.
Dammit, he wasn't ready yet!
"Well?" Sakura all but spat. She was giving Naruto that 'look'. The look that said " I'm pissed and unstable, so don't fuck with me!"
Naruto inwardly shivered, but contemplated his options. One he could feign some mysterious sickness that could only be cured by bed rest (or until the Hyuga Estate was finished), but since Sakura was a medical ninja it wouldn't work. She could very well tell if he was lying or not, and when she realized he'd been faking...she would rip him apart. Two, he could make a run for it, and worry about the consequences later; very ' painful' consequences, at that. Lastly, Three, where Naruto sucked it up and confronted Hinata like a man.
Naruto sigh. If he didn't give an answer soon, he would be in some deep shit. So, reluctantly, he pushed aside his growing anxiety and replied:
" Give me a minute, will ya"
After he had dressed in his usual attire( we all know what Naruto wear. Orange and black jump suit sounds familiar to anyone?), Naruto locked his door and then followed the still irritated Sakura to downtown Konoha. It was a quiet walk along the bustling streets, and Naruto could still feel the tension coming off his teammate. He turned his eyes on the girl , who he swore his heart to many years before. She still looked the same to him, but with a air of maturity radiating off of her. He still had...feelings for Sakura, but he already come to terms with her regard towards him. Naruto understood that she would never feel the same way that he had felt about her. She was still in love with Sasuke, and probably always would be. As Naruto watched her, the blonde ninja hadn't realized that Sakura was all to aware of his eyes on her.
"If you have something to say, Naruto-kun, just say it already!"
Naruto's cheeks colored a deep red, and he immediately averted his eyes away from her. Sakura could be scary as hell some times. He shoved his hands into his pockets and looked at the ground, letting is mind wonder to the potential disaster that awaited him. Would Hinata take her words back? Would she laugh at him because he'd misunderstood her? Sighing, the depressed teen sunk deeper into his funk.
...
Hinata saw the shock of blonde hair first before the whole figure came into view, and her heart contracted painfully against her chest. He looked gloomy, and the fact that he didn't want to be here was very apparent; painfully apparent more some than others, who knew the reason why. Hinata promptly turned on her heels, heading in the opposite direction. How could she face him when he was obviously avoiding her. Informing Kurenai-sensei that she would be back soon, the heir to the Hyuga clan disappear into a puff of smoke. Hinata would rather cry in the solitude of her own company, and away from prying eyes.
...
Kiba watched as his teammate took her leave, shying away from the source of all her agony and pain. He knew exactly what she went off to do, and that didn't set well with him...at all. Snapping his very hostle gaze to the teen in orange, the dog trainer made up his mind to give the oblivious fuck a fine ass tongue lashing, but before he could put his plan to action, a soft but firm hand landed on his shoulder.
"Leave it be, Kiba. Let them work the problem out themselves"
Kurenai could feel the tension rolling off her student in waves, and they didn't recede until after several long minutes. When she thought he had calm down enough, Kurenai released her hold.
"...I just don't like to see her like this, Kurenai-sensai."
Kurenai knew exactly how Kiba felt. Hinata was like a daugther to her, and it was like a second instinct to want to intervene, but she didn't. This was something that Hinata had to handle on her own, her and Naruto both. Speaking of the energetic ninja, Kurenai turned her uncanny red eyes on him, watching for a minute as he work along side, Kakashi-san. Looking at him now, Kurenai could tell that his usual bright aura was dark and troubled, like he had a lot weighing down on his shoulders. The death of his mentor had taken a toll on the youth, and he would be forever regret it, but somehow Kurenai knew that wasn't his main occupation of his mind. When Naruto looked around slyly, as if trying not to get caught in the act, Kurenai's suspicions were realized.
He was looking for Hinata.
"Don't worry about it, Kiba" Kurenai said, a smile small gracing her lips. "Everything will be just fine"
Kiba grunted, as if he didn't believe a word of what his sensei had said, but he took her word for it, and didn't question her wisdom.
They both returned to work, unbeknowest on a pair on keen white eyes that had been watcing thing unfold.
...
Naruto was relieved that he hadn't run into Hinata, but if he was honest with himself he was disappointed as well; disappointed because he was starting to get impatient for answers. He'd thought he had seen a flow of dark raven-blue hair at on time, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. That was 20 minutes go. It didn't make sense for Hinata 'not' to be here. Even though she was practically royalty, but that fact didn't stop Hinata from doing what she could in any situation.
It just wasn't...Hinata.
So many questions were bombarding his brain. Did she love him? Why and for how long? Where was she? Was she avoiding him? Did she like ramen?
The last question was...random...but he sill wondered, anyway.
With a sigh, Naruto decided that he needed to get the weigh off his chest, and who better to spill his guts to was to, Kakashi-sensei,(of course Naruto would have prefered Iruka, but said nin wasn't available at the time. Just to let you know) who was fortunately at arm length at the time. He'd know about this kind of things, right?
Hopefully.
...
"Kakashi-sensei?"
Kakashi give his signature eyecrease and a small 'hmm' of acknowledgement, but continued with the task of applying the foundation. Naruto took a moment put on a layer of cement before he cautiously pressed forward.
"...Um...i...have a...problem...and i could use your option...on how to resolve it. You see there's this girl..."
...
Kakashi had neraly dropped the pack of dry cement that he had in his arms, which surprised the hell out of a lot of people. Hatake Kakashi, the famous copy ninja, one of the most feared men in all of fire country...almost undone by a measly bag of cement?
For shame.
Kakashi was either ignoring the qawking stares of his comrades and friends or he was just so absorbed with the new information given to him, and that was strange in itself. Hatake Kakashi...didn't do absorbed. Except maybe for the Icha Icha series, but he hadn't picked up one of his precious novels since Jiraiya had died. This little talk was bound to happen, and unforunately the copy-nin was the only male figure, aside from Iruka-san, that Naruto had. Sighing, Sharingan Kakashi called for a break, leading the blonde haired ninja to the outskirts of the village.
...
"Alright, Naruto, what is this about a girl now...?" Kakashi trailed off, eyeing his former student with a critical eye. He was pretty sure what girl he was talking about.
"Uh...well...you see there's this girl-"
"Yeah, i figured as much, Naruto. What about the girl?"
"Um...well, she kinda...sorta said...shelovedmeandidon'tknowhowtorespond"
A normal person wouldn't have understood a word spilled from Naruto's mouth, but Kakashi heard it loud and clear,and the copy-nin's brows furrowed in evident confusion. He didn't think they were on the same track anymore. Sakura was in love with Sasuke; it was common knowledge.
"Who are we talking about,Naruto?"
At the question said teen looked back toward the direction of the construction sight of the bearly started Hyuga compound. With a faraway look in his eye, Naruto confessed.
"Hinata"
Kakashi's eyes widened in evident wonder . He hadn't even thought of the Hyuga heir as a potential canidate. The Yamanaka girl was his best quest, actually.
"Really?"
Naruto slowly shook his head positive, digging the heel of his foot into the tough earth. He refused to meet the copy-nin's eye, seeming to think the sky very interesting at the moment.
Damn.
Today was just full of surprises.
Appatently.
"Have you talked to her?"
At this the blonde ninja blushed, keeping his eyes skyward.
"Not exactly. You see, that's my problem. I...don't know what to say"
The copy-nin arched a brow in disbelief, hoping the teen wasn't serious, but knowing Naruto...
" Please tell me you didn't leave the girl hanging?"
The sheepish expression on Naruto's face said it all, and Kakashi internally groaned. Running his hand down his masked face, the copy-nin gazed heavenward hopelessly asking for some kind of higher help.
The boy was clueless, absolutely, clueless.
"How long since it's been?" The copy-nin was sincerely afraid of the answer. Naruto seemed reluctant to answer, and Kakashi shook his head.
"Been a while?"
"...Since...Pain..."
Kakashi sighed. "You're hopeless"
Naruto pulled his most annoyed face, but after a second it disappeared.
"I know"
Oh. Now, he was going to sulk. Just what Kakashi needed right now, a confused, hormonal, teenage boy on the verge of depression; if he wasn't there already.
Great.
Fan-fricken-tastic.
"Go talk to her, Naruto. "
With that, the copy-nin turned on his heels, making his way back to the village. If he didn't get it then well...
"Wait! Kakashi-sensei. What do i do?"
The copy-nin stopped. He stood there for several seconds before he inclined his hand to the side just a fraction of an inch.
"You should grow some balls."
Kakashi left, leaving Naruto to gape after him stupidly in the surrounding brush.
...
Hyuga Neji was not a stupid individual.
No, hardly so.
He was above average and beyond even, and he prided himself for being quick and precise. Ultimately, he was known as a genius, and nothing ever got past him. Ever. So, it didn't take the Hyuga long to realize that his cousin was in dire anguish, and the reasn behind all her agony.
Uzumaki.
"Hn. What does Hinata-sama see him anyway?"
Neji had forever pondered this, but he could never grasp a answer. It was just not fathomable to him, and that was a bother as well. Uzumaki Naruto was a annoying, childish, loud mouth, and sometimes just being around him made Neji want to shut him up. Permanently. But...
Hinata-sama loved him, so his death was forfeit.
Lucky him.
However, at the moment, Neji was seriously reconsdering Uzumaki's luck.
He'd made his cousin cry. Again.
Neji was furious.
This had to stop...or began; depending on how you saw it.
"Don't worry, Hinata-sama. I will 'talk' to him. He doesn't have a clue how special you are"
Silently, Neji leapt from the tree he was perched on, taking to the branches two at a time.
...
Hinata looked up just in time to see a few leaves as they hit the ground noiselessly. She looked to the trees, but didn't see anything out of the ordinary. Maybe, she was imagining things...but it was nice to entertain the thought of having a guardian angel.
When tonton flew...or Naruto asked her on a date. Which ever one came first.
...
Naruto, with his hands shoved in pockets, was making his way back to his apartment. After a long day of sulking, working and thinking, Naruto had finally made a decision.
He was going to talk to Hinata.
The talk with Kakashi had really given him the kick in the pants he needed. First thing in the morning, he'd make it a mission to find Hyuga Hinata. Right after a trip to the bathhouse,of course.
...
A/N: So this is it. Message and review, please. Anyway, here is a preview of chapter 2.
"...Naruto- kun...could you love someone...like me..."
What? Did you expect a whole paragrah or something? , ma'am, No, sir.
...I like to tease.