Naruto: Love in the Shadows

Prologue:Hinata's Little Secret

A shadow crept swiftly past the Ichiraku Noodle Shop. She paused for a moment to peer around the corner, not bothering to look behind her.

"Hinata Hyuga," said the voice behind her. She jumped and spun around. Standing behind her, stood Sasuke Uchiha. He ran a hand through his long, black hair and peered down at her, "what are you doing out so late?"

"I-I, umm, I just," she stammered. Struggling with the words, she held up a small container. Sasuke leaned over, looked into the container, and laughed to himself.

"Well, well. Fireflies." he said, "That's different." Hinata blushed slightly and nodded her head.

"I-I get them, every night…so I can…" she paused as if trying to find the right word, "…see."

Sasuke cocked his head and smiled at her.

"Doing some solo training by night, are we?" He asked. Hinata nodded and looked up at him.

"I'm only trying to catch up to the rest of my team," she told him, "even then, I'm still so far…behind…" she trailed off. Sasuke smiled softly and began walking past her.

"Well, I'm sure the training will pay off." He strode calmly past her. She whirled around as he passed by,

"P-Please don't tell anyone." She pleaded, "I-I don't want them to know…" Sasuke stopped briefly and glanced backwards at her,

"Of course not." He promised, and then he was gone.

Chapter One:Heartbeat

Anko Mitarashi stood before the Fifth Hokage's desk. The Fifth stood facing away, toward the window. Sighing, she turned and sat down.

"I suppose I should tell you why I called you here." She rifled through a few papers and pulled one out. Anko walked up to the desk and took it. After skimming for a few moments, she looked back to the Fifth.

"The Village Hidden in the Shadows…" she almost whispered, "how could anyone even get to it?" The Fifth shook her head and stood again, leaning over her desk.

"I don't know," she answered, "but that's all that even ANBU could get out of the turmoil." Anko set the report down and looked the Fifth in the eye,

"Lady Tsunade," she began, addressing the Fifth by her name, "what does this have to do with me?" Tsunade smiled and moved back to the window,

"Because, Anko," she said, "you're leading the mission."



Sasuke stepped carefully out of the showers under the training hall. He wrapped a towel around his waist and opened the door to the gym. Turning his head, he surveyed the damage that he had caused to the gym. Seeing the broken floorboards and the torn punching bags, he sighed.

"I'm going to have to pay for all of this…" he complained to himself. A small noise brought his attention to the front entrance of the gym. He looked over to see Hinata standing in the doorway, covering her face with her hands.

"I-I-I'm s-sorry!" she stammered, "I-I didn't know any, anyone was h-here! I'm sorry!" Sasuke laughed and walked toward her,

"That's alright, you didn't interrupt-" Hinata cried out and spun around, running out of the gym. Sasuke stood dripping in the doorway, frozen in mid-step.

"What's with her?" He shrugged and walked back to the showers.

Hinata stopped running to catch her breath. She slumped down to the ground and sat there, gazing up at the sky.

"Why was my heart beating so fast in there?" She asked herself, "I can't possibly have feelings for Sasuke-kun…" She stood shakily and started to walk again,

"Good morning, Hinata!!" A loud voice yelled out right behind her. She screamed and jumped up, only to land on her butt again. She looked up and saw a boy her age with spiky, blonde hair grinning widely at her from above. "Why are ya always on the ground, Hinata?" He asked, holding out his hand for her. She smiled and started to play with her hands,

"Well, Naruto-kun, I-I just, you see, I was only walking and I," she stumbled over her words, trying to explain. She blinked twice, finding herself in the air, held by two, orange-clad arms. She looked up with a shocked face and stammered again, "I-I-I-I-I, N-Naruto-kun…" Naruto smiled and set her down on her feet.

"Ya know, you don't have to explain," he told her, "you just have to let me help you up!" She blushed and looked down at her feet.

"T-Thank you, Naruto-kun." She whispered. Naruto leaned over a little,

"Huh? What was that, Hinata?" He asked. Hinata started to play with her hands again, and shifted around,

"N-Nothing…" she replied. Naruto smiled and began to walk away from her. He turned for a farewell,

"Well, see ya later, Hinata!" he cried before bolting off in the direction of the training grounds. Hinata stood, looking down at her feet. She stopped and put a hand to her chest.

"My heart…" she whispered to no one.