Naruto was at a loss. He didn't know how to say what he wanted to say. Hell, he doubted his tongue would work right even if he did know what to say. Man, this is just my luck. Since when did Hinata become so cute? While Naruto was in his awkward mental state, Hinata was watching him intently. What is he thinking? She wondered. He said he had something he needed to tell me, but then he went silent. Oh, I hope he's not going to reject me. Naruto had a pensive look on his face. But just because he was lost in thought doesn't mean that he wasn't aware of his surroundings. He was aware all right.

Aware of Hinata biting her bottom lip, and staring deep into space with the cutest look imaginable written on her face."Hinata?"Naruto asked with a soft voice."Hmm? Oh! Yes, Naruto?"She blushed a little at being caught off guard. Naruto took a deep breath."Before I tell you, can I ask you a question first?"Ask me anything, Naruto!
"S-sure, Naruto."She squeaked out, her thoughts boiling over like a heated pot.
"Do you remember when you were five?"Wait..what?Is that really what he wanted to ask me?"Um…yeah, I think I do."I didn't expect that question. Hinata thought.

Naruto was hoping it would click soon, because he didn't know how to explain himself unless she remembered what happened when they were five. Hinata gave it some thought, and suddenly remembered what he was implying. But…but…how? She stopped her train of thought and decided to just ask him."Naruto, are you talking about when you saved me from those bullies?"So she does remember! Naruto thought, excitedly.
I almost forgot. It was so long ago. But I'm glad she remembered."Yeah, when we were little and you were getting picked on."I remember it like yesterday. Hinata thought.

[Flashback]
"H-hey, give it back! Please!"A five-year old Hinata shouted."Why don't you make us, weakling!"An older boy shouted back. The older boy was a playground bully. And he and his friends were playing catch with the necklace Hinata had gotten from her late mother. Now, Naruto wasn't doing much better. He was getting chased by a few Genin jerks and he was getting tired. He saw a clearing up ahead, and a small park in the clearing. Aha! Naruto thought in relief. I can finally hide in familiar territory. Naruto may have had his own problems at the moment, but he had just noticed Hinata's.
All he saw was a shy girl being picked on by a bunch of idiots. And he completely forget about the Genin behind him as he shouted,"Hey you! Yeah you, crapheaded jerks!"(He was five, what can I say for his vocabulary?)Now, both the Genin and the jerks picking on Hinata had focused on him, and he was jumped by both groups."You talking to us, punk? Cause' if you are, I'm gonna beat the shit out of you!"Hinata could only watch in horror, as they made good on their threat. But Naruto wasn't done. He stood up defiantly, and put his hands into a sign. Well, I've done enough "training", and I'm almost positive that older boys and men have a stupid weakness to this jutsu. It's not like I can beat them with sheer force. Not if I want that little girl to be safe."Sexy Jutsu!"He yelled, while letting his chakra flow into his body, combined with the hand sign.

Now, I'm sure Hinata was long passed out from grief, so she missed this little show (Hence her surprise later on.)The boys weren't so lucky. And as you would imagine, their noses were all a part of their bad luck. As in, blood shot out like a waterfall. And they took a dirt nap, mumbling incoherent words that sounded a lot like, "He got so hot all of a sudden!" and, "I need a corndog."Yeah, corndogs…

Naruto smiled victoriously and grinned a famous Uzumaki grin, all the while forgetting his lumps and bruises. But when his victory mood faded, he remembered the girl. I should see if she's alright. He saw something shine in the dust and picked it up. It was a golden necklace, simple, but with a fox crest engraved into a hanging ruby. It's beautiful. It has to be the girl's. It seems to fit. But it reminds me of that sinking feeling I get sometimes. Naruto walked over to the little girl and knelt down next to her unmoving form. Oh crap! Was I too late? Did she get hurt? He checked her face and arms for bruises, but found none. Well, I think she's alright. Naruto knew he should wake her, but he let a sad smile come to his face because he knew she would look at him in disgust when she saw him. No matter how cute or nice she looked. Even if he did save her. He sighed reluctantly and shook her awake."Hey. Hey! Are you alright?"She groaned in her sleep, and her eyes cracked open slightly.

What happened? Where am I? Hinata wondered. She opened her pearl eyes and scanned the land around her. Just to see Naruto holding her in his arms. She almost fainted again, but Naruto's gaze held her in consciousness."Naruto, what happened?"She asked His eyes snapped to hers when she said his name."You fainted. But how do you know my name?"He asked, tilting his head in confusion."She blushed and started stuttering."I-I uh, k-know who you a-are, because I h-heard a t-teacher say your name."She looked away and put her fingers up to her lips. Naruto felt a twist in his stomach as he watched her, but he ignored it."Oh. It must have been Iruka Sensei or something, huh?"He said with a wide grin. She smiled at his understanding."Y-yeah, but what happened to the bullies who were picking on me?"She looked around, trying to see if they had gone.

"Oh, them? I took care of them."He said with a proud smile."Here,"Naruto handed Hinata her necklace."One of the jerks had it in his hand when I beat him up. I was sure it was yours, so I took it from him."Hinata started to cry, and Naruto was at a loss at what to do."W-wait, don't cry!"He exclaimed. But she just hugged him tightly, and he was even more confused."W-why…?"She just looked at him with admiration, eyes shining bright with tears of joy."Oh thank you, Naruto! Those mean boys were picking on me, and throwing my mother's necklace around. But you beat them all up! You must be really strong."He grinned at her compliment."Got that right! I'm the strongest in the village! But I never asked your name. Who are you?"She looked him in the eye with pride, and said,"Hinata. Hinata Hyuga."She looked so darn cute with her nose in the air and her cheeks puffed out, that Naruto burst out laughing. Hinata frowned at him, crossing her arms under her chest."Don't laugh! I was just being formal, like daddy taught me."Her expression was starting to get to him. Oh man, what's wrong with me? I've never felt this warm around a girl before.

[Flashback End]
"Well, that's how I remember it."Naruto told Hinata. She was still lying down on top of him, trying to ignore the feeling to feint. She listened intently to his story, not noticing how warm he was getting."I see,"Hinata said quietly."But did you want to tell me before?"Unbeknownst to the other, they both blushed deeply at the question, and Naruto somehow knew what he was going to say."Yeah, that…"He started with a sigh. This doesn't look like a good sign. Hinata worried in her head."Ever since that day, I've been feeling a feeling for you that I haven't felt for anyone else. I tried to cover it up with Sakura, but that was stupid of me."

Hinata's eyes widened with every word he spoke. "But now I've finally accepted my feelings, and I want to share the warmth with you. The warmth that spreads from my heart and the passion I feel punching me in the gut."
Naruto paused to gather the courage to say his next thought, and Hinata leaned in closer to hear his words.

"Hinata, I Love You."