Disclaimer:I do not own Naruto.

The next day, Hinata went to school with bags under her eyes and fresh new scars on her wrist. For her first to third period, everything was fine until passing period to fourth.

Hinata had to go up the stairs to the second floor for to get to her class. As she got to the top, she saw Shion there. Shion had long blond hair and she was a cheerleader. She was also one of the people who liked to pick on her.

"Well, well," said Shion as she crossed her arms under her chest and stood in front of Hinata, "What do we have here? If it isn't the ugly loser."

Hinata lowered her head, "E-excuse me, p-please," said Hinata as she tried to get around her.

Unfortunately, Shion shifted her position every time to block Hinata's way. Shion smirked and put her right index finger to Hinata's forehead.

"You don't go until I say you can go."

Hinata averted her eyes so she wouldn't make eye contact with Shion. After a few seconds, Shion sighed.

"You're such a loser," she said, "I'm tired of looking at you, you can go when you get back on top of here."

Hinata was confused. What did she mean? She was already at the top. Her confusion was answered when she felt a hand on her chest that resulted her falling backwards and her stuff to fall.

Shion had pushed her.

Hinata closed her eyes as she waiting for the hurtful impact with the floor. What she didn't expect was to meet a nice firm chest and strong arms around her. When she turned around, she met the eyes of Naruto Uzumaki.

"Are you okay?" he asked with his voice laced with concern.

Hinata got out of his grip, "Y-yes. S-sorry!" she said as she bowed to him, "t-thank you."

Naruto grinned, "No problem, Hinata."

Hinata smiled shyly at him, then something popped into her mind. 'He called me Hinata! He... He knew my name!?' she thought. She was about to question him, but Shion came down.

"Oh my god, Hinata!" said Shion as she ran down the stairs, "are you okay!? You need to be careful! You're such a klutz, tripping on the stairs like that!"

Hinata looked at Shion and saw her glare at her.

"Naruto," said Shion, "I tried to help her but she fell before I can grab her hand. Thank god you were here to save her," Shion then went to hug Naruto.

Naruto looked at Hinata and saw her look at him. She then looked at the ground sadly.

"T-thank you, S-shion for trying t-to help me..." said Hinata softly and lowly. She tried to keep in her emotions.

Oh god she hated her, but what could she do?

Naruto sighed and got out of Shion's grip. He pushed her away from him and went to Hinata's side. When Hinata felt a hand on her shoulder, she flinched at the contact. She then slowly lifted her head up to see Naruto frowning at her and behind him Shion was staring daggers into her.

"Hinata," said Naruto, "You don't have to lie. I heard everything, and luckily I got here to catch you on time."

Shion gasped and Naruto turned around to her.

"Shion, don't ever talk to me again. And don't you dare do anything to her again." Naruto said angrily.

"Y-you're taking her side, Naruto!?" asked Shion, not believing she heard right, "The side of a nobody against a cheerleader?"

Naruto glared at her, "She isn't a nobody! Her name is Hinata Hyuuga, and I'd rather take her side than yours with that ugly personality you have." Naruto then turned to face Hinata, "Come on," he said while smiling, "let's go pick up your stuff and get to class."

Hinata nodded shyly, not knowing what to say. As Naruto and Hinata walked up the stairs to pick up her things, Shion scoffed and walked to her own class angrily. A minute later, they gathered all of her stuff and Naruto offered to carry it. Despite already being five minutes late to class, Naruto walked Hinata to her class. Naruto handed her stuff and when she held out her hands, Naruto smelt something... Intoxicating. He quickly handed her stuff to her and ran off.

"Sorry! Got to go, Im late to class!" He shouted.

It was quite funny to Hinata to see Naruto run to his class. What was so funny? His class was next door. Naruto quickly halted after four big fast steps and opened the door then hurried inside. When Naruto was gone, Hinata went inside her own class. After fourth period, they had lunch. Hinata was surprised to see Naruto outside her classroom's door. He looked at her and smiled then waved. Hinata ignored his gestures and walked away. While she was walking, she didn't notice Naruto was walking after her.

"Hinata!" he called out.

Hinata ignored it and started running. She ran then turned the corner to hide behind the wall. She thought she lost him, but no she didn't. Suddenly, Hinata felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Hinata?" asked Naruto.

Hinata stared in shock. How? How did he get there so fast? She didn't even hear him. She didn't hear footsteps.

Hinata slowly looked at him to see his worried face.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"W-why?" asked Hinata with teary eyes, "Why a-are you doing t-this to me?"

"Doing what?" asked a confused Naruto.

Hinata looked to the ground, "W-why do you b-bother yourself with me? I-if this is a j-j-joke, it's not funny."

"Why would this be a joke?"

"Why else?! Y-your one o-of those popular kids! Y-you shouldn't c-concern yourself w-with me!" Hinata started to cry, "Why? W-why didn't y-you just let m-me fall?"

Naruto glared at her, "Hinata," he said with anger, "Don't you dare say that. Why do you think so lowly of yourself? And do you think that im so low I would do that to you?" he then lifted her chin with his hand so she would be facing him, "I've had enough of this. For two damn years I've been watching you."

"Then w-why? Why d-didn't you help? I was so a-alone," replied Hinata.

Naruto smiled genuinely at her, "Because, you are strong. You have a strong will. You have one thing that no one else has, the will to never give up. Even if its been happening for years, you still come to school. And I have been helping you from afar. During freshmen year, I saw you being physically bullied and its been happening for a long time. Haven't you noticed that after that day, hardly anyone ever hits you anymore?"

'He is right... it did tone down a bit...' thought Hinata.

"Although," Naruto continued, "I couldn't do anything about the verbal bullying back then, but now... Now I've had enough. Hinata..." he looked at her with pleading eyes, "Please let me be your friend. I will protect you from now on."

Hinata looked at him and cried.

"I-i'm sorry," she whispered, "I can't a-a-accept your f-f-f-friendship."

"Why?"

"Because... I-i'll only r-ruin your r-reputation. P-please, dont get i-i-invovled with me a-anymore."

Naruto smiled at her, "You care about others before yourself. Hinata," he said genuinely, "I'm going to be your friend whether you like it or not. I don't care about my reputation. It's just a status, but you're a human being."

"Are y-you sure?" asked Hinata.

Oh how she wanted a friend so bad! She just didn't want to bring them down with her. She didn't want to be a burden.

"Don't think you're a burden to me. Yes, I'm positive! Let's go get lunch, Hinata!"

Before Naruto dragged her to the cafeteria, he cupped her face with his hands and used his thumbs to wipe her tears.

'His skin is so cold, it feels like its frozen... but its summer...' thought Hinata.

"There," said Naruto as he smiled.

He then took Hinata to eat. After lunch, they went to fifth period together, since they had it together. It was rare for Naruto to be seen walking with a girl, so when they walked down the hallway gasps and comments could be heard. Nothing can be said without Naruto hearing.

Naruto shot glares at some people. When he looked at Hinata, he saw her walking uncomfortably. He scooted closer to Hinata to let her know he was there for her. Hinata looked up to see Naruto grin at her, and everything else was forgotten.

End of chapter 2.