Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Pen Name: sarahh86
The Courage To Say The Truth
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From an outsider's point of view, it seemed that the Hyuuga heiress, Hinata was unbearably quiet, a total weird freak, and a complete failure as a kunoichi.
What they didn't allow themselves to see was that behind that timid exterior lay a compassionate, misunderstood, and completely strong woman who tried her best to please everybody.
And it didn't take long for someone in particular to notice...
She healed his bruises, gently running her fingers over his wounded head, trying to lessen the pain. "I think that that should do it." she said happily as she retreated from the energetic man slowly.
He smiled his brilliant toothpaste smile at her. "Thank you Sakura! Aside from a beautiful flower you are a great medic as well!"
She was about to thank him when he suddenly shrieked and his eyes watered pitifully. "My jumpsuit is ruined!"
She glanced down at his outfit. It took him that long to notice? "It's not a big loss. You could just get one in a different color, how does black sound?"
He looked at her with a baffled expression as she imagined him walking around in a black jumpsuit. It was so emo she shuddered. "Okay bad idea."
A knock sounded on the door and Hinata walked in. "Hello Sakura."
"Oh hi Hinata! I needed for you to go check and see how Kiba is doing."
She nodded carefully and as she turned back she heard Lee say "But now that I think of it, black does match better with me..."
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"So what should I do?"
Kiba ruffled Akamaru's ears for five seconds, as if deep in thought.
-and then burst out laughing.
"What the hell is so funny?" the blond ninja asked in annoyance as he glanced at his friend clutching his stomach, and then wincing in pain.
"I just can't believe it Naruto. I mean you've faced the Akatsuki for God's sakes and Orochimaru. Not to mentioned countless other freaky weirdos and you're scared of telling my teammate how you feel about her?"
"Well yeah..."
Kiba grinned. "Wimp."
Naruto opened his mouth to retort a comment but then shrunk his shoulders as he realized that he hadn't found the courage to tell her for months.
Kiba patted his dog softly. "Guess it wouldn't do any harm in telling him would it Akamaru?"
"Tell me what?"
He looked up amused at his buddy. "I guess it's up to me to tell you before you go insane. Hinata-
At that precise moment Hinata walked in and tripped over Naruto's chair (which he unconcernedly placed almost in front of the door) causing him to topple over as well.
They fell to the ground in a heap and stared at shock at each other.
She had ended up pinned under him with her body completely pressed to his with his mouth just centimeters from hers.
It didn't take long for their faces to grow unbearably hot.
Kiba didn't make it any better. "If you two want to make out then please get a room."
Naruto quickly pulled himself off of Hinata and helped her up. His face almost matched hers in embarrassment.
"Um...Ki-Kiba, Sakura sent me in to-to check and see how you were d-doing." she stuttered, turning away from Naruto in a desperate effort to calm her heart, and redness down.
"I'm pretty good now, except for this pain my back, my shoulder, my head. Oh and I can't move at all, except for my hand."
She let out a soft chuckle, her face returning to its normal color. "Well I'm here to help you. Tell me where it hurts."
Akamaru barked loudly with a mischievous glint in his dark eyes. He knew what Kiba was planning.
She softly sat him up and he winced at the movement.
"It hurts in my back-ow!"
She gently ran his hands over his skin until he sighed. "Yeah that feels good."
The tone in which he said those words made Naruto grit his teeth.
He saw Hinata innocently drawing his hands over Kiba's skin with...was it anger?
Kiba grinned cockily at Naruto. Maybe this'll teach the idiot to get her before another fool does.
"That feels real good." he sighed, smiling arrogantly at Naruto while the other clenched his fists.
It's your own fault kid. Haven't you realized that she likes you already?
No she doesn't. If she did she'd have told me...right?
The Fox uttered a loud sigh. Just how dense are you? Take a look at all of the years you've known her and how she's acted with you.
And that made him ponder and his mind traveled back to years behind...
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"Um...Naruto? This is for you." she said thrusting a small bottle at him, a small blush creeping on her cheeks.
He glanced at her confused. "What's that?"
"Take it Naruto," Kurenai said. "It's a medical ointment to heal injuries."
He smiled cheekily at Hinata. "Thanks!"
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"Hinata!"
He saw her fall the ground and he instantly ran to her, ignoring Sakura's cries for him to return.
Her frail body was hurt badly and he saw a small pool of blood lying on the ground right beside her.
He glanced anxiously at the medics and then leaned down letting his hands engulf a small amount of her blood.
Naruto's burning blue eyes blazed with anger, all of it directed towards Neji Hyuuga. "I swear I'll defeat you...for her!"
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"Hey Hinata what are you doing out here?"
Her cheeks colored and she stuttered as she spoke. "I-I was just training for a little bit," she glanced up at him. "What-what are you doing out here Naruto? Shouldn't you be on your way t-to the arena?"
"It's just that..." his eyes lowered to the floor and in her expression worry overcame embarrassment. "I don't know if I can win."
Her eyes widened in shock. He was doubting himself? No...He couldn't!
"You're very strong Naruto and I-I think that you can win. It was because of you that I decided to get stronger. Maybe nobody can tell the difference but-I feel stronger because of what you said to Neji. You made a promise and you never go back on your word. That's your ninja way..."
He stared at her. She was right. She was right! He couldn't go back on his word, he never went back on his word!
Her words struck him right at the heart and he grinned his infamous smile at her. "You're right! Thanks Hinata! You know, I like people like you."
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She was so kind, so caring, so amazingly pretty...was she waiting for somebody?
Was she waiting for him?
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"That should be all, Kiba." she said as she finished healing the countless cuts and scrapes on his back and chest.
"Thanks Hinata," then glancing a sneak glance at Naruto he quickly pulled Hinata towards him and kissed her deeply on the cheek.
Her eyes widened. He's never done that before! She glanced at Naruto to see what he had thought about that.
She couldn't understand his reaction. His hands were balled up tightly into fists and his beautiful azure eyes were gleaming with anger.
"Hinata, can I speak with Kiba for a minute please?" he asked, turning away from Kiba to look at her.
She flushed and his eyes momentarily softened. "Of c-course."
She exited silently and turned to walk down the hallway when curiosity dug into body fiercely and against her mind's warnings, she flattened herself against the wall and pressed her ear against the wall.
A few seconds later, she heard a loud slam and she heard Kiba's startled yell. "What the hell was that for?"
"What the hell is wrong with you? Why the hell were you flirting with her?"
"You said it yourself idiot. I was flirting with her, the same way others will do if you don't tell her your feelings already dumbass!"
His eyes sated, and he hated to admit it, but Kiba was right. Courage came naturally to him but for some reason, it disappeared out the window the second he caught those lavender eyes looking at him.
"Look at it this way, zombies want brains, men want women, especially one like her."
She wouldn't reject him, would she?
He wordlessly turned around and opened the door, making Hinata tumble through the door, pulling him along with her. They both toppled onto the ground.
Hinata saw his blue eyes, those eyes that had steadily enamored her over the years, for only a couple of seconds before their lips connected. None of them ever did figure out who made the first move, but of course, it didn't matter anyway.
It took them a long while to realize that they were being watched.
Sakura, Lee, Sasuke, Ino, Shino, Ten Ten, Chouji, Shikamaru, and oh-dear-lord Neji were all at the door gaping at the scene in front of them.
Neji closed his eyes and then opened them with his Byakugan activated.
"What were you doing to my cousin, Naruto?"
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Author's Notes:
Cliffanger ^_^ well so this is my futile attempt at humor.
Since this is in a set of many one-shots I just have to say that these stories have nothing to do with one another, unless I say it.
Hope you enjoyed and remember to review!