Chapter Two: Unintentional Confession
Naruto and Hinata made their way through the village streets to the Ichiraku ramen stand. Everyone in the village knew how much the young man loved his ramen. Naruto quietly walked with Hinata until the reached the stand. Naruto parted the curtains and stepped aside, allowing Hinata to enter first. Hinata cast a warm smile at him and she took a seat in the center. Naruto waited until she was seated and he took the seat next to her and he smiled at her. Ayame and Teuchi both looked over at their customers and they both beamed to see Naruto.
"Naruto! You're back from training it seems. What can I get for you today?"
Naruto looked at Hinata and he smiled.
"I'll have whatever Hinata is having."
Hinata blushed visibly and she looked at him with her lavender eyes.
"N-N-Naruto, why do you want me to choose?"
Naruto gave her his big goofy grin and he put his arms behind his head.
"Because I always get the same thing every time. I want to try something new this time. And if you pick it, it should taste wonderful."
Hinata was smiling inwardly now. She felt like she was floating above herself, watching the scene unfold. It feels just like I always dreamed, to be able to just be by Naruto's side. Even if he doesn't feel the same way about me, I can be happy just like this… Thought the raven haired Kunoichi. Hinata had spaced out and she started to look at the menu. She decided and she looked at Naruto.
"Is pork miso ok?"
Naruto nodded and he smiled.
"Pork miso it is!"
The four people laughed. Teuchi and Ayame retreated behind the door to prepare the food. Hinata was feeling at ease now, and she turned to face Naruto.
"How was your training? You were gone for so long I'm sure you've surpassed everyone in the village."
Naruto shook his head.
"I wouldn't say that. I've definitely grown stronger, but I've not grown that strong. I need to strong enough to protect my precious people. Everyone in this village is precious to me in their own way. Even you Hinata. You're one of the few people I can relax and be myself around. I said it at the Chuunin Exam, but I like people like you."
Hinata smiled again and she looked at Naruto intently.
"I remember you saying that. It made me happy. I always thought you saw me as a weird quiet girl. I always wanted a nice day with my friends, but everyone is always so busy with their missions."
Naruto smiled and he nodded at her as he looked into her eyes. Blue met lavender once again and a pink hue rose in the shy Hyuga's cheeks. Naruto broke the uneasy silence while they waited for their food.
"How have you been? I've been worried about you Hinata. I know how your father views you."
Hinata looked down and she sighed very slightly.
"He's not happy as always. He's trying his hardest to marry me off to any clan that will have a Hyuga for a wife. I tell him I have someone I love, but he doesn't like the man I love."
Hinata was blushing a furious red now and Naruto smiled widely, but not at her. Teuchi had brought their food. In each of the ramen seller's hands was a steaming bowl of pork miso ramen. He sat both bowls down in front of them and he walked away. Naruto smiled eagerly and he waited for Hinata to break her chopsticks before doing the same with his own.
"Time to eat!"
He said and he dipped the chopsticks into the broth. He smiled as the food touched his lips.
"It's heavenly Hinata."
She smiled at him and she nodded as she ate as well. They continued in silence until both of them had eaten their share of the ramen. Naruto had finished his own ramen and he looked at Hinata once she had finished.
"I'll get this."
He said and he pulled the ryo from his frog wallet. Hinata giggled and she poked his wallet full of money.
"You've been saving up for a long time haven't you Naruto?"
He nodded and he handed the Ryo to Teuchi who smiled.
"You're both welcome any time."
Naruto hopped off of his seat and he tilted his head towards the main street.
"Can I walk you home? I have to go check in with Tsunade anyway."
Hinata blushed and she nodded.
"I-I-I'd like that N-Naruto."
The two of them started down the main street and they talked of each other's three years apart, how each of them had grown and matured.
"You're a Chuunin now? Congratulations Hinata. I'm really happy to hear that you've made it so far. It also doesn't surprise me that Neji is a Jounin now. He was always strong, but to think he'd make Jounin at 17. I'm still a Genin. I need to take the exam again."
He said with a heavy sigh at the end of his monologue. Hinata didn't know what else to say. She just lightly placed her right hand on his left shoulder and she smiled at him.
"Don't feel bad Naruto. You'll make a fine Shinobi. You're already one of the best in this village. Rank doesn't mean anything."
Naruto smiled at her and he placed his hand over hers. Hinata blushed again and she quickly retracted her hand. Naruto gave a smile and he stopped walking as they reached the Hyuga Compound.
"Thank you for a great time today Naruto. I had a lot of fun with you. I'll see you later ok?"
Hinata opened the gate and she entered the grounds. Naruto watched her go and he smiled to himself. He hadn't had that much fun in long time. However, he heard voices coming from the compound. Hw could see that Hinata was arguing with her father.
"I forbid you to see that demon scum again! How dare you defy me again!"
Hiashi Hyuga was livid. Naruto kept his head down and he listened to Hinata sob.
"I love him father! You don't know how I feel. You want to marry me off to a foreign clan, but you never once thought of what I want. I love Naruto Uzumaki, and you have no right to marry me off like I'm an object!"
Naruto felt the blood drain from his face. She loves me? Why me? I'm not good enough to be married to Hinata Hyuga. Hearing these words, Naruto stood up and he ran. He ran until he reached the Hokage Residence. He didn't know what to think anymore. He pushed that memory aside for the time being and he regained his composure for his meeting with Jiraiya and Tsunade. He hadn't even been back a day yet and he was already confused once again.
TO BE CONTINUED…