Secret Lovers

Chapter 3 - Naruto's Confession

For the most part Hinata's day was uneventful. With Kiba in Sunagakure she and Shino didn't have very much to talk to each other about. She couldn't tell him about her date with Naruto and Shino never really had anything to open a conversation with. Instead Hinata spent most of the day in her room pressing flowers. While in the middle of making a flower heart to give to Naruto she heard a knock on the door.

"Come in." Hinata said quickly sliding the heart under the bed.

"Hello Hinata." Neji said as he walked in "Been up to much lately?"

"N-not really." Hinata stuttered "Why do you ask?"

"It's just I could have sworn I saw you and Naruto at the Juken Diner last night."

'He saw us? Ok keep calm, there's no reason for him to think we were on a date.'

"Getting a private table." He added.

"Well we have a mission together." Hinata said "A top secret mission from the Hokage-"

"That's what Lee suggested." Neji said raising his eyebrow "Tenten on the other hand said it looked more like a date."

'Lee-kun and Tenten too? Who didn't see us?'

"So after we finished our meal I decided to find out for myself."

'Oh God!'

"And I think I heard the words 'second date' used a couple of times. So Hinata, been up to much lately?"

'I'm sorry Naruto-kun.'

"Yes." Hinata sighed "Naruto-kun and I were on a date."

"As I thought. So why were you trying to hide it from me? I asked Shino and he said it was the first he heard about it too."

'Shino-kun knows too?'

"What's with the secrecy?" Neji added looking Hinata right in the eyes.

"N-Naruto-kun wants it to just be between the two of us so no one else can make suggestions. At least until he knows if…" Hinata said avoiding eye contact.

"If what?" Neji asked scratching his head.

"If he feels the same way or not."

"I guess I can see his point but I think keeping your relationship secret might be overdoing it. Just asking for no advice would have probably made things a lot easier."

"I guess." Hinata sighed.

"The only advice anyone would have would just be to be yourself anyway." Neji said smiling "I'm sure Naruto can't complain about a suggestion like that."

"I guess not."

"I know I'm supposed to stay out of this but I really think you should be yourself. You seemed to be trying a little too hard when we saw you last night."

"I wasn't-"

"Naruto-san?"

"Ok I see your point."

"Naruto wants to fall for you right? Then why try and impress him?"

"I just really want to prove I'm someone he would be proud to call his girlfriend."

"I think you already did before you even started dating. Why else would he ask you out?"

'That's right. He asked me out. I don't need to prove myself. I just have to enjoy myself.'

"Thank you Neji-san."

"No problem. Tell Naruto if he dumps you he'll have to deal with me."

Hinata laughed. Once Neji was out of the room she picked up her flower heart and put it to one side. She then looked over at her Flak jacket and then back at her purple hoodie and smiled as she put it on.

Hinata had been standing outside Ichiraku Ramen for about half an hour before Naruto finally showed up. He looked restless and exhausted.

"Sorry I'm late Hinata." He said panting "I didn't keep you waiting too long did I?"

"Only a few minutes." Hinata replied forcing a little smile "Did anything happen?"

"No. I've just had a bit of a weird day." Naruto said adjusting his headband.

"Naruto-kun."

"Yes?"

"Y-your headband is upside down."

Naruto quickly switched it round before making an embarrassed laugh.

'Something seems wrong with Naruto-kun.'

"Are you sure nothing bad happened?" Hinata asked.

"Sure. And by nothing I really mean nothing. I spent the whole day at home."

'Maybe he's sick.'

Hinata looked at Naruto's tired eyes. It looked like he hadn't slept in days but they were so full of life the last time she saw him.

'No wonder he's in such a state. Could it have been the food from last night?'

"Are you feeling alright Naruto-kun? You seem sick. If you are I don't mind waiting until you feel better."

"Don't worry I feel fine. I just had a lot on my mind today." Naruto said rubbing his eyes.

"S-so Ichiraku Ramen." Hinata said looking down at the ground.

'I'm sure if something had happened he'd tell me.'

"Right. Can't delay our date even more."

'Wouldn't he?'

"Neji-san knows." Hinata said as Ayame went to prepare their orders.

"Knows what?" Naruto asked.

"That we're dating."

'Did I just say dating? As in this is a regular thing?'

"He does?"

"He and the rest of his squad were there when we were on our date. I tried telling him that we were preparing for a mission but…"

"He found out on his own?"

"Y-yes. And he told Shino-kun, assuming he knew already."

"Well I guess this is my fault for trying to keep this secret in the first place." Naruto sighed.

"If it makes you feel any better the only thing he suggested was to be myself." Hinata said smiling nervously.

"If you're worried I'd be annoyed about him wanting to help don't be. The only reason I wanted to avoid letting people give you advice was that I didn't want anyone telling you to act a certain way to get me interested or dress in a way that shows off your figure. Though that last one might have worked."

Hinata blushed as she noticed Naruto's eyes quickly look up.

"If Neji's advice is to be yourself then he's got the same idea." Naruto said his eye lighting up.

"Here's your order!" Ayame said walking in with six bowls on Miso ramen.

"Thanks!" Naruto said chopsticks ready to strike.

"Thank you." Hinata said still blushing.

"So are you two on a date?" Ayame said looking right at Hinata's bright red face.

"Well…" Hinata began.

'Mission? No that's not going to work. Catching up on old times? I guess that might work-'

"Y-yeah." Naruto said blushing a little himself.

'Naruto-kun's blushing again. And he stuttered.'

"I knew it!" Ayame said clasping her hands together "I always thought you two would make a cute couple."

'Do we?'

"You think?" Naruto said slurping up his first bowl.

"Sure. Anyway I know how this works. I'll leave you two alone. Call me if you need me." Ayame chuckled retreating to the back.

"Th-thank you for the meal Naruto-kun." Hinata said nervously.

'I should ask him. I need to know if he wants to make this a real relationship or not.'

"No problem."

'Do it now. Before he leaves.'

"Na-"

"Hinata. Sorry if I acted a bit weird earlier."

"You don't need to-"

"It's just…"

Naruto began to shake.

'Is he?'

"I…"

His skin started to go pale.

'Could he?'

"That is…"

He blushed looking down at his feet.

'I know that look. He really is. He really does.'

"Hinata I think I-"

But before he could finish his lips had been stopped in their tracks. He and Hinata looked at each other for a few seconds before closing their eyes.

'So this is what it feels like.'

"Love you." Naruto said as their lips separated.

Hinata quickly hugged Naruto and started to cry.

"What's wrong?" Naruto asked as Hinata started rubbing her eyes.

"Is it selfish that I wanted to embrace you first?" Hinata said tears falling down her smiling face.

"Maybe." Naruto said smiling himself "But that's just one of the things I love about you."

"So are we a real couple now." Hinata asked still bright red.

Naruto quickly grabbed her by the waist and gave her a kiss of his own. Hinata felt her heart melt.

"Does that answer your question, Hinata-chan?"

"I love you." Hinata happily sighed.