Wow. I can't believe how many story alerts I got when I published the story. You guys make me feel so special (and not in the retard way)! Thanks! Anyway, I'll try to finish this story fast before I start procrastinating and getting lazy.
-Chapter 2: Making it up to her-
-Naruto's POV-
I've never seen anyone's face so red. I've seen Hinata's face this color before, but that was years ago so this time I was taken by surprise. Her eyes started to roll back and I felt her weight under her give out. She was fainting! My arms instinctively wrapped around her to catch her. The first thing I noticed was that she was extremely light. If I think about it, this was really my first time embracing a girl like this. Hinata's body suddenly felt so delicate in my arms. I could feel how thin her arms really are through her baggy sleeves and I could see how slender her neck is as it stretched because of the weight of her head lolled back.
"Hinata! Hinata!" I called out, trying to wake her. Her body stayed limp with no response. The red started to fade from her face. Slowly, I laid her on the ground. My eyes closed and I ran my hand through my hair trying to figure out what to do. 'Who knows how long she'd be out? I can't leave her here. I can't exactly take her home either, Hiashi or Neji would kill me.' I contemplated.
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO POOR INNOCENT HINATA?" Someone yelled behind me. My head whipped around so fast I thought it was going to snap off. In front of me, there stood an angry looking woman. Her long blazing red hair blew around her as if flames where licking at her skin. Combined with a wide eyed look, a dark shadow casting over her face and gritted teeth, she appeared to me like a demon from hell.
"I'll ask again. What. Did. You. Do?" Her voice was at a growl, pronouncing each word firmly. I felt one of her hands grip the collar of my orange jumpsuit then suddenly I was lifted up by her brute strength, with my feet dangling off the ground. My face paled while beads of sweat poured downed, I was starting to believe made her hair was actually fire from hell. This girl was like Sakura and Tsunade combined.
"I.. she…fainted." I managed to choke out. If she was any other enemy ninja I would have won a battle in no time, but the crazy look in her eyes made me immobile. Was Sakura every this scary? Her eyes squinted in disbelief, but she loosened her grip. I tried again. "I was telling her she would be a great wife. Then her faced got all red and she passed out!"
"You idiot! Why would you say that!" She released her hold on me. My hands instinctively went around my neck for protection incase if she wanted to attack again. She took a deep breath and I hoped it was because she was calming down.
"I don't think I did anything wrong! I was just giving her a compliment! Why would you random choke someone? Are you crazy?"
"Because I thought you drugged her and were planning to do pervy things!"
"Why would I do that? Hinata's my friend!"
"Enough yelling!" After her last outburst she calmed down a bit. The red headed ninja dragged her hand down her face is exasperation. In a frustrated voice she said, "Come on. Carry her to my place unless you want to be decapitated by the Hyuugas."
-Aka's place-
"Just set her down on the couch. I'll be right back," Aka instructed Naruto as he entered her house. She watched as Naruto gingerly placed Hinata on the sofa before disappearing into the kitchen. The sounds of dishes, pots, and pans moving around filled the house.
The whiskered face boy sighed. He had a lot of thoughts running through his head. 'Why did Hinata faint? She didn't seem sick earlier.' He didn't hit her or anything. Not that he could even be capable of harming the shy girl. 'Maybe she was suffering from an illness where she randomly feels fatigue and faints. Hinata use to faint often when they were younger,' he recalled. Though, 'why hasn't she done it in the last couple of years?' Naruto groaned in defeat as he slouched in the chair he sitting in.
"She fainted from embarrassment." A voice from behind him answered his mental questions as if she read his mind. The demon like girl he met earlier, wasn't really a demon anymore. She smiled widely at him, pouring tea for the both of them. "My name is Aka by the way. I'm sorry about earlier. I'm usually friendly, but I get a little over protective when it comes to Hinata. She's really my closest friend!"
He felt the atmosphere of the room brighten and he wonder if the fire monster he saw earlier was his imagination. Naruto returned her smile. "I'm Naruto! It's alright. I think I would have been mad if I saw Hinata passed out with some random guy!" His smile faded and his eyebrows furrowed in concentration. "What I don't get is why was she embarrassed? She even fainted!"
With no restraint, Aka laughed loudly at his question. He sat there with a completely confused face, having no idea why she was finding this funny. He glared at her, he knew he was slow but this situation to him didn't make sense and he didn't deserved treated like he was stupid. Wiping her tears her tears away when she finished, she asked, "What are the exactly words you said to her?"
His teeth stayed gritted and for awhile he refused to answer her question. She just sat there with her elbows on her knees and her head resting in her hands all while she had a huge grin on her face. Naruto glared at and she continued to smile back at him. The two was in a strange staring contest. Finally, the blonde's left eye twitched in frustration and he closed his eyes trying to think back thirty minutes ago. After awhile he opened his eyes and answered, "This is incredible. I can't believe your teammates get to eat stuff like this from you all the time. I'm so jealous. I wish you and I could marry so you could cook for me every day. You'd be like the perfect wife." He had repeated each sentence perfectly without the enthusiasm as before when he said it to Hinata.
Aka giggled, trying to control herself from laughing at him again. "No wonder she passed out cold from embarrassment." She tilted her head to the side, a slight twinkle of mischief in her eye. "Did you know what you actually said to her?"
"What?" Naruto scratched his head in confusion. "I don't get it. I thought I just complimented her."
"No!" She said, jumping up from her seat. She pointed an accusing finger to his face, excitement clearly plastered on face. "By telling her you wish that you two could marry, you unintentionally proposed to her!"
His face suddenly felt warm. Aka watched as the man's face color red, the blush even reaching down to his neck. "I-I didn't mean it like t-that." He sputtered.
"So you're saying that Hinata's not good enough for you?"
"N-No! I mean she's beautiful. She's strong. She's kind. All those things and all. She's probably got a bunch of guys following her around. I just mean that I didn't mean to hit on her like that. No wait. I was kind of hitting on her, but I didn't mean to take it that far. Not that I wouldn't want to marry her. Wait, What?" He was definitely rambling. His words were coming out so fast that even he couldn't understand what he was saying. Did he just admit he was trying to flirt with Hinata? A headache was starting form from all the confusion, along with a strange prick in the back of his head.
"W-what?" The two turned to the source of the soft voice. Hinata sat there, fully awake with eyes of a deer in headlights and a scarlet face.
"You're awake!" Aka shouted, tackling the clearly embarrassed female. "Naruto just told me about how he proposed to you!"
"I-I didn't!" Naruto argued in defense, his face as red as Hinata's.
"But you can't just mislead a girl like that without any consequences!" She gave a quick glance at the clock. "You know what, I actually need to leave for training with Lee soon so what you could do is make it up to her by the time I come back."
"Wait, he doesn't-" Hinata grew nervous as she knew her hyper friend was planning something.
Aka cut her off. "I'm going to go stop by your place and ask if you can spend the night over here. I'll pick up your stuff on my way back from training. Just make sure Naruto has you home by 9." She gave Hinata a tight hug and punched Naruto playfully on the shoulder before speeding out the door. "Spare key is on the counter." She yelled, slamming the door shut.
Hinata stared shyly on the floor. "I-I'm sorry I caused you so much trouble, Naruto-kun." She said in an apologetic voice. "Please, don't worry about what Aka said. It should be m-me who should be in your d-debt."
"Hinata!" Hinata's head snapped up at his stern voice. Naruto stood up, his hands balled into fists. With determination he said, "Stop apologizing right now! I shouldn't have made that inappropriate comment back there. I want to make it up to you. I really do so just please don't argue. I'll treat you to ramen! You were really light so maybe you faint easily because you don't eat enough." He smiled proudly at his plan.
"Oh." Her heart rate sped up, the blush still on her face. Naruto was asking her to go to dinner with him, almost like a date. Oh course it wasn't a date, she reassured herself. She wouldn't get ahead of herself here. She should be happy enough with this opportunity. "S-should we go n-now?" She asked, not knowing how to truly react to his offer.
The two left the house and walked to Naruto's favorite ramen place in silence. Hinata walked slower than him making sure that she kept her distant. She felt like going out to eat with Naruto was already a blessing. If she pushed her luck even more, she'd probably mess it up in some way. Her eyes glued themselves to Naruto's back. He walked with his hands in his pockets. The setting sun's light caught in his bright hair, making him seem angelic. Though he seemed angelic at the moment, she couldn't ignore the fact that he oozed masculinity. She noticed how broad his shoulders were and wondered about the muscles that lied underneath his jacket. He had definitely grown up these past few years.
Naruto took note that Hinata refused to walk beside him. Every time he would slow down, she would slow down as well. It hurt him. He couldn't understand why it bothered him so much since he usually ran ahead when he walked with other people. Maybe it was because it kind of felt like to him that Hinata was slightly afraid to be close to him. 'There is absolutely nothing scary about me!' he thought. He stopped abruptly causing Hinata to bump into his back.
"Hey," Naruto said in a low voice as he bent over so that his face was at her eye level. Startled, Hinata began to walk backwards after noticing how close their bodies were, but Naruto grabbed her hand. His face came closes, noses almost touching. Hinata looked to her right, timidly avoiding his gaze. "Hinata, are you scared of me?" He said huskily, his breath sweeping across her cheek. Shivers ran down her spine involuntarily.
"N-no." She stuttered. The familiar red was coming back to her skin.
"Then are you mad at me?" She shook her head.
"Why are you avoiding me then? You won't walk with me, talk with me, or even look at me."
Hinata forced herself to meet his eyes. They stared at her with intensity and she felt like melting or shrinking right then and there. "I-I'm s-sorry. I didn't r-realize it."
"So are you sure you still want to go out with me tonight?"
"Yes!" Naruto was taken abrupt by her hastily reply.
She didn't want to lose this opportunity. Hinata's blushed died down and she stared back into his dark blues eyes with equal intensity and new determination. Knowing that her reassurance chased his doubts away, Naruto turned back around and continued walking. Hinata kept up with his pace, though she was fighting to stay conscious when she noticed he was still holding her hand.
Naruto knew he was still holding it. How could he not know? Again, like earlier when he was holding her unconscious body, he noticed how fragile she really seemed. His large hand held her small one loosely and she held onto his with a gentle touch. Her skin felt soft and smooth, no evidence of harsh training or battles. The warmth of her hand blended in with his, creating a temperature that contrasted the cool evening. The heat not only seeped into his palm, but he could feel warm tingles slowly slithering up his arm and spread to the rest of his body. 'Should I let go?' He thought nervously. He was becoming way too aware of Hinata just from holding hands. 'What if she shies away again?'
"Naruto, stop standing around and stalling! Come on in and bring you girlfriend!" The old ramen chef called. Naruto blinked. The jounin was so focus on his thoughts, he hadn't realize that they've arrived. The color of skin drained as he secretly wondered how long he's been just standing in from of the restaurant.
"N-Naruto-kun, are you o-okay?" Hinata watched during their walk, her crush was lost in thought. They had been stand in front of the noodle shop for at least five minutes. He paled when the chef called her his girlfriend. A sadden notion ran though her head. 'Is he embarrassed that someone would think I'm his girlfriend?'
The Hyuuga heiress let go of hand quickly and stepped inside. His body went into a short panic mode when the tingling warmth left him. He quickly recovered and followed her in. With her head bowed she said, "I-I'm sorry. I'm just of friend."
Another prick in the back of his mind came up. There was a heavy feeling in his chest as she said that sentence. 'Why?' He asked himself. 'Well, when I asked her out for dinner I kind of thought it was more than friendly. She said yes, after all.'
"But we're on a date." The loud mouth male thought out loud.
Hinata's face lit up. "W-w-we a-are?" She asked, staring at him in disbelief.
Naruto blush lightly and scratched his cheek, his eyes suddenly finding the counter in front of him more interesting. "Well, that's what it..um you know…felt like." When she remained quiet, his eyes sadden a bit. "I'm sorry, you would have probably said no anyway if knew you'd be on a date with someone like me."
"No, it's not like that." A charge of courage went through her; unconsciously she put her over his to reassure him. "I-I was just confused. I w-wouldn't mind a d-date with you at all."
A smile erupted on his face and she couldn't help but return the infectious smile. The awkward atmosphere they created lifted. Then without a reason or the reason being happiness, the two laughed whole heartedly. Their laughter seemed to make the small noodle shop brighter and soon the cook and his daughter joined them as well. The rest of the night became enjoyable, both of them acted like they were back at the lakeside. The owner of the restaurant told stories about Naruto when he was younger and use to come there. Ayame, his daughter, teased the young adults.
-Hinata's POV-
Happy, overjoyed, and amazing, those are the words that describe my feelings at the moment. I had the most wonderful night of my life. If I were to die right now, I wouldn't regret a thing. I wave Naruto one last goodbye before turning around to go in the house. As I opened the door, I was surprised it was unlock. Silently, I close it but jumped out of my skin as the lights turned on and Aka stared intently at me while leaning against the wall.
"I told him 9! It's midnight!" She shouted like a concerned older sister. Then her frown evolved into an all knowing smirk. I wince as she grabs my arm and drags me to the couch to sit with her. "So…What happened?" She asks excited, she was practically bouncing.
"We went on a date to his favorite ramen place." I blushed at the word date, the word foreign on my tongue. "Then we went to the lakeside to talk."
"About?"
"W-what we usually talk about."
"Stop being vague! It's no fun! Did you hold hands?" She pouted disapprovingly at her answer.
"Y-yes."
"Oh that's great! How youthful and romantic!" Aka's eyes glimmered in happiness that her friend had finally started progressing in her love life. "So does that mean you two are dating?"
"I-it's only one date. I d-doubt we are." Hinata sobered up from her drunken high of happiness when she realize the reality of things. "This is one those once in a life time kind of things. We won't be doing this again."
"Oh darling, don't say that! You have to have hope! One day, maybe you'll be ready to make a second confession." She encouraged.
She smiled softly and looked at Aka. "No. This is fine for me. It's important I don't get too selfish. If I do I might lose him."
-Naruto's POV-
I felt like high fiving someone. I felt like doing a back flip. I felt like I was on top of a mountain. I felt insanely happy. My unplanned date with Hinata was amazing. After that really embarrassing moment in the ramen place, I felt like she opened up. I had mustered up courage to hold her on the way to walking her home.
I ran into my apartment, dancing around my living room. Maybe I should have hugged her farewell instead of just waving? All of a sudden, in middle of putting on my sweat pants on, two thoughts came across my mind. Was all this happy feeling because I spent time with Hinata? Does that mean I like her? I played around with this idea in my head before falling asleep, the stabbing feeling in my brain increasing the more I did.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
I changed this chapter a little from the original. In the original, Naruto wasn't suppose to realize it was a date (or even imply it was a date). I also took out this really hilarious scene (in fear it would ruin the cute atmosphere) where Naruto accidently drops a noodle down Hinata's shirt and Sai forces Naruto's hand to reach down there.
I'm sorry if this story is starting to seem rushed. Ideas keep popping in my head and I start getting ahead of myself. Anyway, tell me what you think! :D
-Your always procastinating writer,
KatsumiAshia-
