AN: Hey guys! I want to thank you all for all the favs, alerts, and reviews! They mean a lot!
So anyways, I got today off of school, SNOW DAY! And because of that, I was able to finish this chapter! I really enjoy writing this story. I'm just so inspired for it. I've done my research for it and have big plans. My goal is to cover this story from the time Hinata has the demon sealed within her to where we are now in the Naruto manga. I hope I can do it.
So ya! I hope you guys like this chapter. If there are any spelling mistakes I apologize in advance. I tried to reread and go over everything.
(Oh and btw, if you guys don't like Hinata's new appearance, just imagine her as you like)
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor will I ever.
*Time Skip-One Year*
Hinata didn't really keep track of the days after that. Every day seemed to blur into another. She lost track of time easily.
She had managed to get an apartment, a dainty old one that would fall apart soon that is. But it was better than nothing. She would have asked some of her friends if she could stay with them, but didn't want to be a burden. Team 8 was the same as ever, although Kiba and Shino looked at Hinata a little differently though. It hurt her to know that her team mates showed fear towards her. After all, she was the same girl who had been placed on their team all those years ago.
Hinata had gained confidence over the past year though. At first she would burst into tears at the looks of disdain and would spend nights crying herself to sleep. But she soon learned that crying got her nowhere. This was her life now. She would have to accept that. So she ignored their hatred, even though it still got through to her sometimes. She no longer stuttered which she found as an upside to everything that had happened.
Right now she was laying in the shade beneath a great oak tree, far into the forest that surrounded the village. Hinata found it easier to cope with things when she wasn't in the village. The forest was peaceful and there wasn't anyone there to give her glares of hatred. Out here, she wasn't seen as a monster or a freak. Out here she was herself.
Hinata sighed as she stared up at the clouds that drifted lazily across the sky. Her hair was splayed out around her and a thought occurred to her.
"I should really cut my hair." She mused, sitting up and grasping a strand.
Her hair had grown significantly and she was growing tired of its style. She wanted something different …something new.
In fact, her whole wardrobe could change. She had been wearing the same style that she had for years. Most of her friends had changed their look and it wouldn't hurt to change hers too, right?
Smiling to herself, Hinata slowly stood. She gathered what little she had with her and rushed back to her apartment.
…
Hinata sighed as she looked through her closet, trying to find something that would be her new outfit from then on.
Digging around, she finally found something.
"Bingo!" She shouted joyfully, gathering what she needed before running into the bathroom to get started.
She hastily pulled off her old outfit and got to work putting on her new.
She began wrapping the tops of her thighs, stopping just past her knees. Hinata quickly slipped on her fishnet tank top before pulling a purple dress over her head. The dress cut off on both shoulders and fell mid-thigh. Hinata put a purple belt just under her breasts and returned her head band to its original spot around her neck.
There was a pair of ninja boots/sandals lying the corner that she found perfect. They reached up to her knees.
At first she was going to cut her hair, but quickly decided against it. Instead Hinata opted for going for a side braid, braiding her hair to the left. After finishing that, she then moved to fix her bangs. She parted them in the middle and pushed the other together so there were no open gaps between them.
When Hinata looked in the mirror she finally felt happy for the first time that year. Her new look meant a new beginning for her. All the bad things that happened to her were gone with her old look. For now on, she would only look to the future, not the past.
…
Hinata panted slightly, sweat dripping from her brow. She had been training all morning and was now tiring. She had secessfully developed her new technique without the help of her team mates. Hinata smiled.
"I did it." She panted, reaching up to wipe away the sweat.
Hinata was about to leave, but a shout from somewhere in the forest stopped her.
"What was that?"
She listened intently as another shout sounded. It suddenly occurred to her that someone could be in trouble.
Quickly, she jumped into the trees and began jumping from limb to limb, trying to locate the position of the voice.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, she collided with a blur of orange. She felt the breath get knocked out of her and the next thing she knew she was falling.
…
Naruto's pov
"PERVY SAGE!" I shouted in annoyance, wishing he would hurry his lazy butt up. Seriously, the guy is as slow as a snail.
"I'm coming, I'm coming."
I rolled my eyes at his remark. At this pace we would make it back to the village by midnight.
I turned to resume jumping through the trees as quick as I could, but suddenly collided with something purple.
I gasped as I was knocked backwards and thrown towards the forest floor.
Hinata's pov
I collided with the ground and rolled a few feet. It hurt, but the pain was tolerable.
I groaned as I sat up, my head still hurting from the collision. Wait, what was it I had bumped into?
Looking over, I saw a groaning blond rubbing the back of his head, eyes scrunched up in pain. Something clicked in my mind and I couldn't stop myself from shouting his name in surprise.
"Naruto-kun!" My cheeks flushed as soon as his name left my lips and I silently cursed for my slip of tongue.
I saw his head shoot up at the sound of his name and seen surprise flicker through his beautiful blue eyes. Oh how I could get lost in them forever…
"H..Hinata!?" My name cut through my thoughts and I quickly shook my head to rid myself of them. I nodded and saw the shock etched on his face.
"Eh, Naruto-kun?" I asked, relieved I was over my stuttering. He blushed suddenly and I cocked my head, wondering what was wrong.
…
Naruto's pov
"Naruto-kun!"
The voice caught my attention and I looked over to see a girl siting in the dirt. How did she know my name?
I took another glance at her and when I saw her eyes I instantly knew who she was.
"H..Hinata!?" I couldn't believe it. This was Hinata, the stuttering classmate of mine? It couldn't possibly be. But it was as she acknowledged the name.
I couldn't believe that this was Hinata. Sure, I hadn't seen her in a while, but gosh did she change. To be honest, with her long braided hair and slim figure, I'd say she looked even more beautiful than Sakura ever did. Wait … did I just think that?
"Eh, Naruto-kun?" Her voice snapped me out of my trance and I blushed when I looked up to meet her eyes. No, bad thoughts. I have eyes for Sakura and Sakura only … don't I?
"Oh sorry, Hinata-chan. I was just thinking." I saw her blush and I instantly noticed my slip up. Oh gosh, I hadn't meant to call her that.
"Oh, ok." She said, but I noticed the blush stayed on her cheeks.
"So what were you doing out here in the forest?" I asked, standing up and dusting off my clothes.
"Oh, I was training when I heard a shout. I thought someone might have been in trouble." Hinata answered, also rising to her feet.
"Ah, Hinata-chan. I guess it was me you heard." I chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of my head. Sheesh, since when did I act like this in front of Hinata?
"Oh, well. I'm glad no one was in trouble then." Hinata smiled.
I looked away so she couldn't see the blush tinting my cheeks. I cleared my throat and tried to ignore my fluttering heart.
"So, I was just on my way back to the village. Want to walk back with me?" I asked like it was no big deal, but at my mention of the village, I noticed a sudden sadness envelop her features.
"Eh, Hinata-chan? What's wrong?"
Hinata sighed and looked back in the direction of the village.
"Oh! It's nothing. Just thinking." She chuckled nervously, idling twiddling her fingers.
I cocked an eyebrow but said nothing more.
"Um, ok then." I said unsurely. Something about the way she acted told me she was lying, but I wasn't going to push it.
Hinata sighed and looked at me.
"Hey, um, Naruto-kun?" she asked.
"Yeah?"
"I, um, well, what I wanted to say was…I'm glad you're back." Hinata said, actually seeming to stutter.
I chuckled and gave her a smile.
"Thanks Hinata-chan. It's good to be back."
…
Hinata's pov
To be quite honest, as happy as I was that Naruto-kun was back (more like ecstatic), I was dreading going back to the village. I really didn't want him to find out what I had become. Naruto-kun may turn on me like the others had…
No! I shook my head fiercely causing him to glance over curiously at me. I smiled like it was nothing and continued walking.
No, Naruto-kun wasn't like that. He was understanding. Naruto-kun would never ridicule me like my family and the villagers had.
When I saw the gates of the village approaching, a feeling of uneasiness filled me.
"Eh, Hinata-chan? You look like you've seen a ghost." Naruto stated simply, slowing down to fall in line with my slow pace.
"It's nothing to worry about Naruto-kun. I'm fine." I laughed nervously, but I knew he could see through it.
I let out a surprised shriek when he put an arm around my shoulders and leaned in to whisper something in my ear.
"You're my friend, Hinata-chan. I know something's bothering you and I will find out what it is. I don't like to see my friends sad." Naruto whispered before pulling away and winking at me. I swear my heart stopped beating when he did that.
"Besides, you must be very popular with the guys Hinata-chan!" Naruto yelled, causing me to blush furiously. "You must have every guy falling for you!"
"M..me? No. Why would any guy want me?" I whispered, biting me lip. My words seemed to shock Naruto as he stared at me with utter disbelief on his face.
"Hinata-chan…" He said quietly, before smiling at me. "You're a very beautiful girl, Hinata-chan. I know all the girls must envy you. Don't be so hard on yourself. You could have any guy you wanted." His remark caused me to smile sadly at him although my heart was fluttering wildly at his comment.
"You're wrong, Naruto-kun. I can't have any guy."
Naruto simply smiled cheekily at me.
"Come on, Hinata-chan. There's gotta be some guy you like!"
I giggled nervously at his remark causing him to light up.
"See! There is someone! Who is it!?" He shouted jumping around me.
I looked away and shook my head. "It doesn't matter, Naruto-kun. He'd never like me that way." If only you knew Naruto-kun, I added in my head.
"You need more confidence in yourself, Hinata-chan." Naruto smiled and I sighed. We had finally arrived at the gates.
…
Naruto's pov
"Ah! It's so good to be home again!" I laughed walking through the gates with Hinata following close behind me.
I was about to continue on walking before a shout caught my attention.
"Naruto! Naruto is that you!"
I instantly recognized the voice.
"Ah Sakura-chan! Ya, it's me!" I shouted, smiling as she came into view with Konohamaru and his team following close behind her.
To be honest, when I first started on the trip home, I was excited that I would get to see Sakura again. But now that I saw her, I don't feel as excited. In fact, she hasn't seemed to mature much. Nothing like Hinata, that is.
Sakura smiled at me and I found myself comparing her to Hinata. Sakura wasn't near as beautiful as I used to think. Actually, Hinata is way prettier….
"Naruto!" A smack to my head had me whimpering in pain.
"Sakura-chan! What was that for!?" I pouted, rubbing the spot and wincing.
"You weren't paying attention, idiot." Sakura snorted which I didn't find very attractive. Sakura was so violent and yet Hinata was so kind and gentle.
Wait, why was I comparing the two? I like Sakura…I think.
Sakura looked like she was about to say something, but stopped when she noticed Hinata standing a little ways behind me. Her face seemed to harden into a glare.
"What are you doing here?" Her voice was icy, laced with dislike. I saw Hinata flinch and look down.
"I met Naruto-kun in the forest and he offered I walk back with him." She mumbled, playing with the hem of her dress.
Sakura snorted. "Whatever. Now get lost, we don't want you around. Come on Naruto." Sakura bit out, grabbing my wrist in a bone breaking grip and started to pull me away.
"Wait! Sakura-chan!" I shouted but wasn't strong enough to pry her fingers from my arm. I looked back to see Hinata looking down, raising a hand to wipe her eyes. Was she…was she crying?
Finally we came to a stop, Sakura finally letting go of my wrist.
"What was that back there, Sakura-chan?" I asked. This wasn't the Sakura I knew.
"What do you mean?" She asked innocently, but I knew she knew what I was talking about.
"Don't play dumb with me, Sakura-chan. You know what I'm talking about."
Sakura frowned at me.
"She's a freak, Naruto. You don't want to be seen with her."
"Freak? Hinata-chan isn't a freak Sakura. " I said but was shocked when she started to laugh manically.
"She didn't tell you, did she?"
I was confused.
"Tell me what?"
Sakura smirked evilly. "She's a monster, Naruto. Didn't you hear? She was too weak to fight off the enemy and because of that they sealed a demon inside of her. Everyone in the village hates her. I mean, come on. She's a freak! Even her own family disowned her. She has a freaking demon inside of her and.." SMACK!
Sakura stumbled back, holding her now reddening cheek and staring at me with shock and confusion.
"Enough Sakura." I bit out through clenched teeth. "Hinata is not a freak. If anything, you're more of a monster than she is!" I yelled, fists clenched.
Sakura was about to reply angrily but I stopped her.
"No. Keep your mouth shut, Haruno. You've said enough." With that said I turned and took off, leaving a shocked Sakura in my wake.
...
Still Naruto's pov
I had expected to feel at least a little bit of remorse about hitting Sakura, but felt none. Actually, I was feeling satisfied. It kinda felt good not to be on the receiving side that time.
Anyways, what I did to Sakura was far from my mind. I was focused on Hinata.
Sakura said a demon had been sealed within her, causing her own family to disown her and the villagers to hate her. I grasped the clothing over my stomach, thinking about my own demon. No one deserves to be treated this way.
'Don't worry Hinata. I'm coming.'
AN: I was planning on adding in Naruto's dattebyo, but I kinda forgot. Oops. Oh well.
Anyways I hoped you guys liked it. Review? :)