I once read an interview that Masahi Kishimoto did saying that after the war Naruto and Hinata were seen spending a lot of time with one another around the village. So, I decided to do some mini one shots taking place from right after the war up the of More Than One Life. I'm aiming at having around 24 to cover the two years between the war and The Last.
For timeline purposes, I'm gonna say the war ends in November since Narutos birthday is October.
The Funeral - November
Her long dark blue hair moved slowly in time with the breeze. Naruto kept the movement in his sight as he made his way to the front of the crowd where she stood. The people of Konoha silently moved aside, making room for their hero to walk unquestioned.
"Hinata." Naruto spoke, almost a whisper, when he finally reached her.
He actually came and found me, waded through all those people when he could have just stood with Sakura in the spot I saw her save for him. Hinata thinks to herself as she turns to meet the bright blue eyes she loves.
"Naruto-kun." Hinata replies in the same hushed voice, her face already stained with tears. While his eyes normally glow with happiness today they seem glazed, she gives a silent nod as turns back towards the front trying to hide her devastation from him, she barely notices the soft sad sigh from behind her.
I should tell her, when the services are over she needs to know that I'm here for her. What Neji did will never be forgotten, what she did for me will never be forgotten. Naruto thinks as he tries to focus above her head, pay his respects, but a movement distracts him. Hinata absentmindedly scoop her hair up and moves it to one side, leaving the pale skin of her slender neck exposed.
Hhhhmmm, her skin looks like it would be soft…like the silky skin Pervy Sage would go into lengths describing in his dumb books. A puzzled look crosses Narutos face as the thought enters his mind.
As the services end and people begin to return to their homes Kiba and Shino appear at Hinatas side.
"Come on Hinata we'll go get you some food, I know you haven't eaten much lately." Kiba lightly grabs her arm moving to guide her through the crowd.
Why are they here? And not her family…. why wasn't she standing with her clan? Never mind that idiot, talk to her. Naruto takes a step forward as he feels a familiar hand on his arm, turning he sees Sakura at his side, she's motioning for them to leave
"Hinata?" Naruto questions, his voice louder this time, stepping out of Sakuras grip.
"Yes?" She turns, a light blush dusting her cheeks.
"Just uummm well," Naruto at a loss for words, he does the one thing he always wished someone would have done for him when he was down on himself, when I thought he had no one to count on and was all alone.
He pulls Hinata into a tight, one armed hug, her head tucking perfectly under his chin. She hesitates at first but after a moment wraps her arms around his waist.
I hope she doesn't think this is weird. Friends can hug each other, right? Naruto questions himself.
Maybe he does care. Maybe mine and Neji Nii-San words reached him. Hinata thinks, as she tries not to cry. He smells like a hospital, hell I don't care, Naruto-kun could hold me forever…it makes me feel better. Despite her best efforts the tears start to once again fall.
"Hey, don't cry. I didn't mean to make you cry." Naruto starts nervously rubbing the back of his neck.
"Sorry, I cry at almost anything these days. Thank you though Naruto-kun." Hinata steps backwards, when the last thing she wants is to leave his embrace.
"I just wanted to say that what Neji did will never be forgotten by me. And I don't want you to think you can't come talk to me if you need, ya know." Not bothering to take a step back leaving the small space between them.
"I gotta get going back to the hospital Granny Tsunade made me promise I'd come right back she thinks she's figured out how to fix my arm." Naruto turns, hopefully quick enough to hid his own blush that was creeping forward from the back of his neck.
Hhhmmm I never feel this way wan I touch Sakura. Naruto rubs the back of his neck feeling the heat on his hand.
"That was unexpected." Shino mumbles almost to himself, taking in the socked expression on both Hinata and Kibas faces.
"Food does sound good after all." Hinata wraps her arms around herself not wanting to loss the feeling of his. "I'm feeling a little better after all." Her eyes follow his blond hair through the crowd until it disappears.
The next chapter of More Than One Life will be out today or tomorrow! :)