Ch. 2 - Intertwined Fates

Naruto woke up in a daze, as the world around him slowly became visible. It was dusk and he was well overdue to get home. Naruto moved his legs to stand up as he felt a weight that kept them from moving. There, resting quietly on Naruto's lap was Hinata. A smile was spread across her face as she breathed softly. That's right. Naruto remembered. Wow, I almost can't believe it… It happened so fast. I don't think either of us thought it was real. Naruto gazed down at Hinata's dark purple hair, glowing in the remaining sunlight. Naruto smiled and gently stroked Hinata's hair. Tucked her stray hands behind her ear. Naruto caressed Hinata's cheek with a single finger. Hinata's body shivered as she let out a sigh. Naruto admired Hinata's facial features as they slowly lost their detail in the diminishing light. She really is beautiful. He thought. It's a surprise that a girl like her would like a guy like me. The sun set and Naruto thought it would be best to wake Hinata and let her know that it was probably time to go home. Naruto gave Hinata a light shake. "Wake up Hinata. It's time to go."

Hinata slowly opened her eyes to a dark and grassy field. Hinata sat up and looked around. Aside from a few trees, she saw nothing but a shadowy figure. She squinted as her eyes adjusted to the lack of light. As the person became more familiar, she realized that she was looking straight into Naruto's eyes. Hinata quickly looked away and blushed. Remembering what had happened before she fell asleep, she felt suddenly embarrassed and joyous at the same time. "N-Naruto-kun, I'm sorry if it was uncomfortable with me sleeping on you… It was just so nice and I- I…"

Naruto placed a finger on Hinata's lips. "Hinata, calm down. It's alright. You weren't any trouble. It's… nice to have you around." Naruto noticed Hinata starting to go bright red. Naruto looked up at the stars staring to form. It seemed that they had something in store for the two. A couple of stars in particular seemed to shine brilliantly in the night sky. Surrounded by many other twinkling lights, these two were the only ones that mattered to Naruto. Naruto wrapped an arm around Hinata and pulled her closer. Hinata rest her head on Naruto's shoulder as they gazed into the night sky. "The stars are beautiful tonight."

Hinata snuggled up to Naruto for warmth. It had gotten considerably colder since the sun went down. "Yes, they are Naruto-kun." Hinata looked up at Naruto's face. The stars weren't of Hinata's concern. Naruto was the most outstanding thing in her eyes. Hinata's dreamy gaze was locked on Naruto's deep blue eyes, and constant smile. Hinata buried herself in Naruto's jacket, and held onto Naruto's waist. She didn't want to let go, even if it meant her life. Naruto had meant everything to her as a child, and things didn't change now. She would die to be with Naruto.

Naruto averted his gaze from the stars and stared down into Hinata's silver clouded eyes. Their eyes now interlocked, Naruto moved his arm down to Hinata's waist and braced her neck as he brought her towards his ever-waiting lips. A slight shade of pink found its way onto Hinata's face. She closed her eyes and brought her arms up around his shoulders. Their lips met as they held each other close. Their newfound love for each other as strong as the bond that held Konoha together. Their lips grew tired along with their tongues, but neither of them was willing to stop. The moment that could never last long enough would ironically last as long as they wanted it to. Naruto ran his fingers through Hinata's hair, as Hinata's hand began to make its way up Naruto's shirt. Hinata rubbed Naruto's stomach as she started to move towards his back, up towards his neck. Naruto gasped as Hinata's gentle touch made short work of his hormones. Naruto stroked Hinata's neck. Her breathing became heavy as she continued to rub Naruto's neck. Hinata opened her eyes and looked at the starry sky ahead of her. Her eyes went suddenly wide, as she became aware of the time. She quickly broke the unending kiss between them and withdrew her hand from Naruto's shirt. "I'm sorry Naruto-kun." She said quickly. "It's late, my father will be furious with me already, I have to get home."

Naruto took Hinata's hand and looked into her eyes. "I'll walk you home." Naruto's eyes pleaded to be with her just a little bit longer. Hinata smiled and gripped Naruto's hand. They walked hand in hand through the starlit park keeping silent, letting they're smiles speak for them. Hinata finally spoke up. "N-Naruto-kun, earlier today… What made you, um… you know…"

Naruto brought his hands behind his head. His eyes shut in thought. "Well I… don't know… I just… " Naruto's words faded off. There really was no way to describe it. It just… happened. The girl that was all but noticed by Naruto was now his way of life.

Hinata accepted Naruto's silent answer. She didn't understand what happened to her either. It was probably a question better left unanswered. Hinata looked over at Naruto. He seemed to have a puzzled look on his face. He looked over at Hinata. "Hinata… how long have you had these… feelings?"

Hinata looked away from Naruto's gaze as she started blushing. She pushed her two index fingers together as she thought up an answer. She looked up at Naruto. "Well, for as long as I can remember. I've always liked you. I always dreamed that someday you would notice me. Day after day, I've watched you and admired you. After seeing how hard you always worked during training, all I ever saw was an innocent boy that worked his hardest to become noticed and respected. Something that I hope to achieve someday." Hinata became somewhat depressed. Her father was always scolding her for something, and no one else gave her much attention.

Naruto placed an arm on Hinata's shoulders. His eyes were sad and understanding. It pained Naruto to think that Hinata had actually suffered a fate similar to his own. Both not regarded by anyone as anything special. Alone in a world surrounded by people. Naruto ran his hand across Hinata's cheek. "Hinata, no matter what you think of yourself or of how others think about you, know this…" Naruto leaned over and kissed Hinata's forehead. "…I love you."

Tears began running down Hinata's face. She had never been so happy. She finally got the attention of the person she wanted the most. She could face whatever her father had to say to her. Nothing could ruin her mood. "N-Naruto-kun, I…" She paused and clutched onto Naruto's arm. "Thank you." Hinata looked at the road ahead and noticed a shady silhouette sitting atop a roof. When they got closer Hinata recognised the figure as Inazuka Kiba. Hinata waved and gave a cheerful smile. "Hello Kiba-kun, what are you doing out so late?" Kiba looked down at the waltzing couple. His face filled with hatred. He got up and jumped from the roof, the moonlight outlining his fleeing figure. Hinata sighed. She always felt that Kiba had some sort of liking for her, she just never saw Kiba as a boyfriend but more like a brother. Always watching over her, protecting her from life's problems. It just seemed to Hinata that he cared for her too much to accept him as anything closer than a friend.

Naruto raised a brow at Kiba's display. "Geeze, that guy's never had any respect. Not even the common courtesy of returning a simple hello."

Hinata wrapped tighter around Naruto's arm. "Don't blame him Naruto-kun…he didn't mean to be rude. He was probably just tired, and didn't see me." Hinata couldn't help but think how this would affect the relationship between her and Kiba. If it bothered him this much to see her with Naruto, how could they keep the same bond as they had before? It would cause too much tension and too much suffering for Kiba. Hinata couldn't have that. He was too close a friend for her to cause Kiba any more pain. If that was the case, Hinata couldn't accept Kiba's friendship as long as she was with Naruto. Hinata became depressed at the thought of possibly having to lose one of her best friends as a cost for finally getting the boy she loved.

Naruto and Hinata continued walking. The numerous possible outcomes running through Hinata's mind. She never thought that being with Naruto would put her in such a predicament. What was she supposed to do? She started to look over at Naruto hoping that he could give her some encouragement. When she turned her head she found that he was already watching her with a look of concern in his eyes. Had she really been that obvious in what she was thinking about? Her face showed every worry going through her mind, her uncertainties. Naruto spoke softly. "Are you okay Hinata?"

Hinata fiddled with her jacket. "I'm alright Naruto-kun, I'm just worried about Kiba-kun. I don't think he'll really approve of us." In truth Hinata really didn't care what anybody else thought, but she'd rather have Kiba's consent, than have to deal with his constant growls and glares.

Naruto gave Hinata a questioning look. He didn't much care about the fact that she wanted to have the permission of Kiba, who shouldn't have that kind of right in the first place. Naruto sighed. "If you really want the O.K. from that stuck up dog, then you can ask him tomorrow. But for now, it's late and we really should be getting home."

Hinata began to fidget with the strings hanging down from her hood. She began thinking of the rivalry that would begin between the two. She didn't want to get caught in the middle, let alone be the cause of a cat and dogfight. She sighed and stared at the ground as they continued walking. Time slowed to a crawl, Hinata's mind was trapped in an endless loop of heartbreaks, clashes, and putdowns. Hinata shook her head, ridding herself of those thoughts. She looked up to see her house behind closed steel gates. They seemed almost as restraining as her father. Hinata leaned over and gave Naruto a quick kiss on the lips. She waved him goodbye as she ran towards the gates of her house. With a loud creak, the steel bars swung open and slammed shut with a loud "Clang!". She quickly ran up to the doors and tried as quietly as she could not to make any noise. Failed. The lights snapped on as she was blinded by a brilliant white luminance. Her father Hiashi stood in the hallway, preventing Hinata from finding anyway to make it past up to her room. "Hinata! What are you doing out so late?"

Hinata began to quiver. She always hated it when her father got this mad. "I- I lost track of the time, and I-"

Hinata's father cut her off. "I told you to never have anything to do with that boy!"

Hinata found herself beginning to grow enraged. She didn't feel anybody had the right to shun people, or keep people from interacting with who they wanted. And she didn't feel that Naruto was any different. The only boy that now loved her for who she was, and the only boy that she had been in love with since as far back as she could remember. Her father had no right to keep her from him. She would forever protect her right to be with him. "You don't know him! You never knew him! I won't let you keep me from seeing him!" Hinata launched herself at her father, ready to attack with all her might.

Hinata's father evaded her attack, and countered with a direct blow to the stomach. Hinata coughed a bit of blood. Hiashi's were stern. "There are things you don't understand Hinata, don't go near that boy again."

The words echoed like the wind in an empty hallway. Hinata couldn't accept this answer. Never, not unless she knew a reason why. Hinata activated her Byakugan and tried for another attack on Hiashi's open stomach. Her attack was caught in mid-air. Hiashi winced a bit, Hinata's attack had made contact, despite it not actually hitting him. "I... won't spite him just because everyone else does... If you weren't so blind, you might actually see what he's like." Hinata coughed more blood.

Hiashi's expression changed slightly. He let go of Hinata and let her drop to the floor. He sighed as he turned away. "Go to bed Hinata, we'll discuss this more tomorrow morning." Hiashi, despite his seemingly malice based intentions, he didn't want to risk Hinata's safety. Maybe that boy needs someone like you...Hinata.

Hinata slowly picked herself up off the ground. She couldn't believe what she had just tried to do. She smiled weakly, she had just attempted to attack her own father, spite the fact that her attempt had failed miserably, she hoped she had made some sort of impact on her father's mind. Hinata dragged herself up the stairs, still coughing up small amounts of blood. She made her way to her room and threw herself onto her bed. She lay staring at the ceiling, she would rest happy. She protected the love she had for Naruto, she was finally able to stand up to her father. Hinata turned over to her side. Thank you Naruto, it's because of you...

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Meanwhile

Naruto turned away from the towering gates. Walking alone in the dimly lit streets. Hinata... a special someone that I love... This was all Naruto could think about. Someone that recognized him as a special person. Love was such a new concept to Naruto. He felt sick, his feelings for Hinata made him feel uneasy. He never had to rely on anyone before. It made him feel insecure. He decided that he would just have to get used to the feeling of needing someone elses help. Despite all the sleep that Naruto had gotten, he felt tired and the need to go to bed. He strolled up to the door of his house, unlocked the door, and made his way up to his room. He collapsed onto his bed. His eyes heavy, one thought went through his mind before he drifted off into an unconcious state. Thank you Hinata...

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Sorry that took so long everyone, I try to get these to you as fast as I can, please R&R.