One
"Hey Hinata, did you really think that?"
"What?"
"I may look strong from your point of view, but I always screw up…I just act strong because I'm mad."
"That's not true! Even if you did make a mistake you were always from my point of view a proud man who makes lots of mistakes. When I looked at you, there was this impact on my heart. You're not perfect. You make mistakes and you get stronger from them. I believe that is true strength. Naruto-kun, you are a strong person, I think."
"Thank you Hinata." He gave her that bright smile she always loved. "I've always been last place in everything. I was nervous over nothing. I was a bit depressed, but I feel better now!" She slowly felt her face grow hot and a blush creep across her face. "I'll be going off to the match now!" He was turning to walk away, but then stopped in his tracks and turned back to look at her. "Hinata…"
Her heart began to race. "Huh?"
"I always thought of you as a dark, timid, weird person…"
Her heart slowly began to drop. Oh…
"But you know something?" He smiled at her one last time, and then turned to walk away. "I like people like you."
It was a dream. Hinata yawned sleepily and slowly opened her eyes, a small smile on her face.
I remember that conversation just like it was yesterday. Naruto had always played a role in contributing to her slowly growing self-confidence, and that little exchange between them during the time of the Chunin exams was no exception.
"Have a good dream?"
She glanced over and saw that Naruto was looking at her, sleep still in his bright blue eyes.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you, Naruto-kun…but I did have a good dream." She smiled at him.
He sleepily grinned back, and then suddenly reached over, enveloping her in his arms. "Don't be sorry, I wanted to wake up if you were going to." He buried his face into her hair, and she felt herself blush deeper. "What did you dream about?"
She almost didn't hear his question, distracted by the warmth of his body wrapped around hers. She hoped that he couldn't hear her heartbeat racing, racing, and racing…
"It was that one time, when you and I talked outside while the Chunin exams were going on. You were discouraged, and apparently I helped you feel better." She still found herself having a hard time breathing with him around, especially this close.
His body shook a little as he laughed. "Oh, wow! That was a long time ago. But I do remember, now." He nuzzled his face into her hair even more. "You were so cute, Hinata. I mean, you still are now. Actually, more like beautiful!" His arms around her tightened, and his voice tickled in her hair.
"N-N-N—" Hinata tried to deny this, but was interrupted by Naruto, who began to tickle her in the ribs, her most ticklish spot. "Naruto-kun, that tickles! S-S-ST-STOOOOPP!" She began laughing uncontrollably, trying unsuccessfully to pull away from him.
He eventually stopped, and pulled her close again, putting his mouth to her ear.
"Don't ever try to say you're otherwise," he said softly, his breath tickling her ear. "You're absolutely amazing, Hinata."
Her heart skipped a beat, and the blush crept back into her face. Good thing he couldn't see—how embarrassing. "Okay, N-Naruto-kun."
He squeezed her tighter, and then kissed the top of her head. "Well, I better get ready. I have another mission!"
Hinata promptly sat up. "Really? For what?"
The smile on his face went away a little. "We think we know where Sasuke is. We're going to try to bring him back here again."
"Oh." She knew how much this meant to him. "How long will you be gone?"
"I honestly don't know…but I'll try my best to get back as soon as possible, so don't worry." He smiled at her, and grabbed his clothes. "It'll be most of the guys and me. We'll get this done in no time!"
She couldn't help but smile at that. His optimism sure was admirable, no doubt. "Just be careful, Naruto-kun."
Before he went out the door, he took her by the hand and gave her a kiss. "I love you, Hinata," he said, and her heart raced. "Don't get too bored while I'm gone."
She held onto him tight, not wanting to let go. "I love you too."
As she watched him go, and he turned back to wave at her one last time, with a huge smile on his face, she couldn't help but have a bad feeling about the whole thing deep down inside. She didn't want him to leave, not at all.
