Chapter 3

I do not own Naruto or any of its characters.

- Last Time -

"Did you mean it?" Naruto just said.

"Huh?" Was all she said in return.

"When I was fighting Pain you said you loved me. Did you mean it?" Naruto re-iterated.

"Y-y-y…." She tried to say yes but found it difficult so she just said, "Uh-huh."

I see. Hinata I…" Naruto tried to say when he turned to her but his words were cut off when Hinata made what felt like the boldest move of her life.


Hinata leaned forward causing Naruto to swallow a lump in his throat. She made her move before Naruto could move and before even she could realize it they were kissing. It started out as a soft kiss due to Hinata's shyness and Naruto being to dumbfounded to do anything. Naruto wasn't used to this kind of affection and Hinata was practically throwing herself at him. Eventually though Naruto started to return the kiss.

At first Hinata felt like an idiot when Naruto didn't move. She felt stupid for being so bold when she had no knowledge of if Naruto even reciprocated her feelings.

"He doesn't like me." She thought as she blushed but continued to kiss Naruto.

After what felt like an eternity to Hinata, Naruto started to return the kiss. This made Hinata feel like her heart did a flip inside her chest and her head feel light. Hinata fought off her oncoming faint and tried to intensify the kiss by licking at Naruto's lips. After three years of traveling with Jiraiya, who had kept asking Naruto to review his books, recognized this sign and parted his lips and allowing her to deepen the kiss. Hinata slowly slid her tongue into his mouth causing Naruto to marvel at how a girl as shy as Hinata was exploring his mouth, which he only assumed, expertly.

Naruto's hands naturally went to her waist as Hinata intertwined her fingers in Naruto's hair. He let out a soft groan from the feeling of her gentle fingers playing with his hair, then he continued to kiss her.

"Atta' boy Naruto, 'bout time you made a move." The old man from the Ramen shop said as he walked to the counter and grinned.

A/N: I can't seem to remember the name of the owner because it's late so I'm just calling him by Naruto's nickname for him.

This caused the two ninja to cease kissing. They both pulled back blushing and trying to catch their breath.

Hinata stood up looking at Naruto, then said, "I have to go!"

"Hinata wait!" Naruto called out as she kept running.

Naruto just sighed and watched her go once he realized it was no use. Just as she was out of sight Naruto was knocked off his stool by Sakura.

"You idiot. No wonder she ran away when you practically threw yourself all over her!" She said.

Naruto got up rubbing his head where Sakura had hit him and said, "It wasn't like that Sakura."

"Really Naruto, then how did it happen?" She said as she noted that he left off the chan he usually added with her name.

"We were talking and she just kissed me." Naruto explained.

"Right, I'm supposed to believe someone as shy as Hinata was the one who made the move." She chided, oddly feeling jealous of Naruto's turn of attention.

"He's telling the truth." The old mad interjected.

Sakura turned to the store owner and asked, "Really?"

"Yea, I saw the whole thing. I think I broke them up though because I made a comment about Naruto finally making a move but really I was joking because it was Hinata who made the first move." The old man explained.

Sakura sighed to herself then said, "Well I didn't expect that. Naruto for her sake take it slowly and don't hurt her, she's loved you for a long time."

"Really?"

"You didn't know? Naruto you must be dumb as a brick, how did you miss it?" She asked completely unphased by Naruto's lack of noticing.

"How was I supposed to know? She always fainted whenever I got near her, besides no one has ever loved me like that before so how was I supposed to recognize it?" Naruto shot back at her.

Sakura sighed again and said, "I guess you have a point."

"You know Naruto when you were gone for three years Hinata came and ate here everyday to make sure we stayed open for your return. We have watched her wait for you everyday until you returned." The old man said.

Naruto turned back to where he saw her run. The only thing he could think to say was, "Hinata…"


Three days later

Naruto showed up to his training late, which was early for Kakashi, and noticed he and Neji were arriving at the same time.

"You seem excited Naruto." Neji stated.

"Yea, I finally mastered transferring and recalling my chakra so Kakashi-sensei said he was going to move on to the next phase of my training by trying to help me unlock another path." He responded.

Just then Kakashi appeared in a cloud of smoke holding another book as usual. As he put his newest book away he turned and said, "Morning Naruto, are you ready to start…"

"What the hell are you reading now?" Naruto said stopping his sentence.

Kakashi looked back at the book in his hand saying, "Hm, oh, just something I picked up on the way here. It looked promising but…" Kakashi sighed then continued. "Sadly, I haven't found a good substitute for Jiraiya's books. He truly was a genius with words."

"Ero-sennin…" Naruto said while staring down at the ground. It was obvious he was reliving some of his memories with his deceased master in his head.

Seeing Naruto's reaction Kakashi tried to change the subject by saying, "Oh by the way, Sakura informed me that your not so inept with women after all."

"What?" Naruto said snapping out of his daze.

"I was told all the details of your kiss with Hinata." He explained.

"You kissed Hinata?" Neji asked just before he lunged after Naruto.

Naruto instantly started blocking his attacks as he said, "N-no it wasn't like that."

Neji swung towards Naruto's head and was just about to connect when Kakashi appeared before him holding his wrist in place.

"Now let's not start jumping to conclusions without all the details Neji. Oh, and for the record, Hinata was the one who kissed Naruto." Kakashi said as he looked to Naruto. "Anyways, that's enough talk. Are you ready Naruto?"

Both ninja relaxed then looked at Kakashi. Naruto nodded his ascent and waited for Kakashi to continue.

"Good, but before we begin, where is Hinata anyways?" He asked.

"She's been avoiding me since the, uh, incident." Naruto said glancing at Neji when he said the last part.

"Oh well, I guess we will have to go on without her then. Neji from here on Naruto's training is going to become more dangerous. You can leave now if you wish, I have no problem training Naruto myself."

"No, I'll stay. I wouldn't be able to call myself a ninja if I ran from danger. It's also my duty as part of the Hyuga clan to help protect the village. Helping Naruto with his training is another way that I am looking out for the village's safety." He responded.

"Spoken like a true ninja, very well, Naruto its time to test my theory." He said to the blonde haired ninja.

"What is it Kakashi-sensei?"

"I'm glad you asked. You have obviously mastered transferring and recalling your chakra now correct?" He waited until Naruto nodded then continued. "During the attack on the village there were reports of one of the Pain's being able to steal the chakra of anyone he held onto. For the next step we are going to modify your training of recalling your chakra and see if you can steal Neji's."

"Oh, I get it. Wow this is going to be so cool." Naruto said excited.

"Neji today all you will have to do is allow Naruto to hold onto you, and if I'm right, steal your chakra. Remember, if this works, if Naruto happens to hold on too long and steal too much chakra it could put you into a coma. Or worse, kill you." He said sternly.

"I understand." Was all the acknowledgement he gave.

"Naruto get ready." Kakashi called out.

Naruto walked over to Neji and got behind him. He grabbed Neji under the arms the same way that Pain had held him as he stole his chakra during the attack on Konoha.

"Ok Naruto, now try and see if you can see or feel Neji's chakra."

After a few minutes Naruto said, "I can sense it."

"Alright, Naruto I want you to focus on Neji's chakra then try and do what you usually do to recall your chakra from your clones."

Naruto and Neji stood like that for twenty minutes. Both ninja remained completely motionless except for the occasional twitch from Neji. Finally Naruto dropped his arms in frustration and walked away growling to himself.

"What's wrong Naruto?" Kakashi asked.

"Nothing is happening. I figured that this would be easy compared to my sage…Hold on I have an idea." Naruto said as he walked back to Neji.

Naruto grabbed Neji the same way again and both stood motionless for a minute until Naruto started grinning. Finally he let go of Neji who was now trying to catch his breath as though he just finished a hard work out.

"What happened?" Kakashi asked confused.

"Well when I had to learn sage Jutsu first I had to learn to see the nature energy around me then learn how to draw it in and balance it. All I did was focus until I could feel Neji's chakra, then I focused on trying to draw it in as if it were nature energy and not Neji's chakra. Naruto explained.

"I take it by Neji's appearance that it worked. Naruto I'm impressed, your starting to think more and not just try until it works.

Naruto looked back to where Neji was leaning on one knee and said, "Sorry I took so much chakra Neji."

"It's…ok…Naruto." Neji replied.

Naruto then performed a shadow clone Jutsu, making three clones appear. Naruto gasped loudly and started to fall forwards as a wave of dizziness washed over him. Just before he hit the ground Kakashi caught him.

"Easy Naruto. Every time you unlock another path it becomes harder to adjust. Take things slowly for now. Take a few days to readjust then be back here again in the morning. When you return we'll begin working on the next phase of your training."

"What's next?" Naruto said as he looked up at Kakashi.

Kakashi just sighed at his determination then said, "Next is Genjutsu. Don't worry about that now Naruto, you have a visitor."

Naruto looked confused then Kakashi nodded his head to the edge of the training ground. Following his nod Naruto looked over and saw Hinata clinging to the side of a tree watching them. When she realized they saw her she ducked behind the tree.

Naruto stood and said, "Neji one of my clones will help you until you've recovered."

"There's no need…" He started to refuse.

"Just accept it and be grateful." Naruto said forcefully, then continued. "Thank you Kakashi-sensei, I'll see you later. I'm sending my clones to help rebuild the village while I go have a talk with Hinata."

Kakashi watched Naruto walk away as he thought, "Go get her Naruto." Then he smiled to himself and disappeared.

Naruto walked to the edge of the training ground to find Hinata still blushing behind the tree.

"Hey Hinata, can we talk?"