Thank you for the reviews. This one is kinda unusual. But it's still connected to the first chapter. Everything is from Hinata's point of view.

I wouldn't say this is a prequel or replacement for The Last. More like a version of it. Don't get me wrong, I love the movie. I watched it more times than I can count. So this is like my love letter to it. Lol.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

KINDRED SPIRITS

Shopping was an activity Hinata liked doing alone. Most people hate the noise and disorder of the marketplace. But she never minded it. It was a nice break from the usual silence of her home. After about an hour of walking around, she tucked her purchase in her arm and headed to the exit.

"Hyuga-san!"

Drawn by the unfamiliarity of the voice, she turned towards the call. A guy in white overalls was walking to her. He was a stranger no doubt but he regarded her with a nervous face that suggested a prior encounter.

"Yes?" She smiled unsurely.

"I'm sorry if this seems strange but…"

The sound of his words trailed off as something clicked in her mind. A distant memory. But unpleasant things have a way of staying with you, even more than the good ones. He was much younger the last time she saw him. And unlike this friendly face, back then it was twisted with a cruel sneer. There's no mistaking it. That shock of hair, that chubby face. She tried to stay calm even as her heart drummed erratically.

"…but you seem to be in a hurry and I'm not yet off work. So if you can, I'd like to ask you out for coffee… or tea. Any time you're free, of course. If you want to…" He recited the words like he had been practicing them beforehand.

Why is he doing this? Does he not remember me? Is this really happening?

He stared at the ground with a slight bow, seemingly unable to meet her gaze. He looked and acted sincere. In the end, her curiosity won over her anxiety.

"Okay." She heard herself say. "This evening. Today. What do you suggest?" No need to put this off any longer.

"Uhm. The uh… café, close to the entrance. I manage it. I'll save us a table. Around six?" He said, his relief visible.

She knew the place. Had even visited it on occasion. "That's fine. See you then."

"Hyuga-san. Thank you for this."

She nodded and walked away with brisk steps. She would've ran but she didn't want to show how shaken she was.

Moments later and it still left her dazed. She was walking slowly on the quiet sidewalk when she felt a light tap on her shoulder.

"Hinata." Naruto greeted with a happy smile.

"Oh. Hey."

"Listen, I gotta run but don't forget. Dinner this evening at Ichiraku. Everyone will be there, I hope." He said excitedly.

Oh no. That completely escaped her mind. Blotted by that unsettling encounter just earlier.

"Uhm…"

"Oh come on. You'll be there, right?"

"Naruto-kun. I'm really sorry. But something came up. And I really can't miss this. You go have fun with everybody "

"Oh. Is everything okay?"

"Yes. Everything's fine. I'll see you soon, okay?"

"Okay…"

She turned away from his disappointed face.

PAGE BREAK

She had spent all day thinking of nothing else. So when she finally stepped into the coffee shop, she felt drained. More than anything, she just wanted it to be over and done with.

He greeted her cordially, like any good host would. They sat on a table by the corner. She chose to have coffee. She needed something to occupy her hands with.

He had that nervous smile again. But she couldn't find the grace to muster one herself.

"Hyuga-san. Thank you for being here. Do you remember who I am?"

"I-I do. I do remember you. But I don't know your name."

"Yumeno Toji. Please call me Toji."

"You can call me Hinata. Toji-san. Tell me why I'm here."

The coolness in her manner effectively wiped the smile off his face. He looked down, averting his gaze from hers.

"Hinata-san. The truth is, I've been thinking about this for a long time. The first time I saw you. Here."

"I work here. And I see you sometimes. I only just got the courage today to talk to you."

"I know I've been absolutely awful to you. We were kids, but that's no excuse. I was a bully. I said terrible things to you. I… hit you. I hurt you. And I am so ashamed of it."

"I have no right to ask anything from you. I could never undo what I did. I just… I want you to know how sorry I am."

Hinata had planned to be stoic. Impassive. But somehow, her eyes hurt. The tears threatening to escape. What she felt was a strange combination of sadness and relief.

She fiddled with her cup, not daring to speak lest the tears fall. His eyes were downcast, waiting for her judgment in tortured silence.

"What brought this on? It's been years. Why would you suddenly feel the need to apologize?" She finally asked. Her voice low and controlled.

Toji cleared his throat. "I'm sorry if it seems like I'm doing this just for my benefit. M-my daughter. She was born three weeks ago. And I made a promise to be a better person. For her. For my new family. A better person would try to make amends, no matter how undeserving he is."

"That's admirable… Tell me, do you remember someone else who was there that day?"

"Yes. There was this boy who defended you. And we… we beat him up. Everyone knows him. He's Uzumaki Naruto."

"Do you plan on apologizing to him as well?"

"I would like to. But I don't know if I can be that brave."

"Toji-san, I accept your apology. But Naruto-kun deserves it too."

He looked up, the uncertainty and dread clear in his face.

She finally managed a small tired smile for him. "In your own time."

PAGE BREAK

As she walked out of the coffee shop, Hinata was grateful she felt much better leaving than when she came in. That heavy cloud that hung over her was gone. But in its place was a hollow feeling. Like there's something she's forgetting.

She started walking, her feet leading her away from the village. She knew where she wanted to go.

A little distance from the village was a sacred place. This burial ground was the resting place for all the lost shinobi of the last war. And the stone plates laid on the green grass spoke of their heroism.

She was the only one there, given that it's almost dark. She made her way to that particular headstone. The one she always sought out. The one that read, Hyuga Neji.

The headstone was clean like always. With a fresh bouquet of sunflowers neatly placed to the side.

Hinata sat down. Her visit was silent, like most of the time. There was no need for words. She just liked the feeling of somehow being closer to him. The passage of time eluded her. But the wind turning colder prompted her to leave.

As she walked back to the entrance, she almost screamed in fright at the figure that suddenly appeared in front of her. But she quickly placed who it was.

"Naruto-kun?" She asked tentatively.

"Yes. It's me. Sorry I scared you." He answered with a rueful smile.

"What are you doing here?"

"Well… You seemed really upset this morning. And I know you sometimes come here when you're upset. So I thought I'd find you here." He said softly.

"Oh… Thank you for your concern." She smiled at him. And for the flowers."

"It's no trouble. So, feeling better?"

"Yes. But I just want to go home now."

"I'll walk you home."

Quietly they walked the way back to the village. Until Hinata remembered that this was supposed to be his special day.

"So. How was your evening? I'm sorry I missed it."

"Oh. Just people eating. You didn't miss much. Everyone was asking for you."

He was supposed to be celebrating something. Hinata felt guilty taking that away. She figured she had to give him something else.

"Naruto-kun. Do you remember the first time we met?"

He made a small laugh. "Yeah. We must have been like, five? It was a snowy day… I think."

Hinata felt like she was threading on thin ice, but something pushed her on. "And do you remember what happened then?"

"Kinda. There was this big mean kid. And his friends. Wait why are you asking me this?" He asked with furrowed brows.

"Well…That guy. I met with him today."

"What? Why?" His voice was slightly raised.

"He was making amends. He might reach out to you soon."

"Oh. That's a first."

"His name is Toji. Do you remember him?"

"They kinda have the same faces. There were a lot of them." Naruto answered matter-of-factly.

Hinata felt like she was just punched in the gut. What was I thinking? Was that so wrong?

Before she knew it, the tears that she kept restrained were pouring slowly down her cheeks. But the darkness concealed her crying and she was thankful for it. Very subtly, she lifted her hand to her face to wipe her tears away. And then she walked a little faster ahead.

"It was an awful experience for you. I'm sorry you had to be reminded."

"Hinata. Something's really bothering you. What is it?" He murmured from behind her.

His gentle concern undid all her misgivings. She turned around to face him. And she let her woes flow freely into words.

"I'm sorry. I saw how alone you were. Always alone. And if… and if I had been a little braver, you'd have had someone. I know it's not gonna change anything but I'm sorry for that."

She averted her gaze from him.

"Toji-san apologized to me and I forgave him. I had to… You want to hear something awful? Neji-niisan was also a bully. He scared me even without doing anything. He had his reasons and I can't judge him now. It's strange how some things turn out. Because in the end, he's the one who loved me the most."

"And something even more awful… as terrible as that day was to you, it was wonderful to me. It's what brought you to my life. And I will always be grateful for that day when you came to save me. To a little girl who always felt alone, unseen and worthless, that was everything. And I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry."

To will her tears away, she took a deep breath and faced him fully. Naruto was looking at her with the gentlest expression. It made her feel even more underserving. And then he responded, with a smile, like he always did. But there was a tinge of sadness this time.

"You weren't repulsed by me, so I thought you were weird. So there's that. We didn't do anything wrong. We were kids. And we each had our own stuff to deal with."

"I got beat up badly that day, I think I passed out. But that was the first time I ever felt needed by anybody. For a moment, I imagined myself a hero. And to a little boy who always felt alone, hated and worthless, that was everything."

"So you don't have to apologize for anything. I also believe that things happen for a reason. That brought us together, somehow. More than I realize. And I'm grateful for it too."

She was suddenly aware of how close he was. She could see his eyes crinkling slightly.

Is it possible for anyone to be more perfect?

The wind ruffled his hair into disarray. Without thinking, she lifted her hand and gently smoothed it to the side.

"I want you to know, from now on and always, you have me. You will never be alone again."

In the darkness, she could swear she wasn't the only one with reddened cheeks. Made confident by that fact, she reached for his hand as they walked the rest of the way in mutual silence.

That night, Hinata took out a carefully wrapped item from her closet. It was faded red and tattered, of no use to anybody. But it was her most cherished. It was long overdue but tonight she decided to give the original owner the same in return. With a vow to be braver and go after what her heart had always wished for.