DISCLAIMER: ME NO OWN NARUTO

CH 4

NARUTO

Naruto most certainly could not believe his luck. A young lady was sitting at the bank of the river, her legs dipped into the water and a book in her hand.

She looked to be reading, which was surprising because other than Sakura and Tenten, he hadn't known of any girl who was able to read.

Stopping the horse from afar so to not disturb her, Naruto quietly climbed off his horse, edging near the young woman.

The hems of her elegant yet simple blue dress were slightly wet from where she dipped her feet into the water, and from his view of only a few metres behind her, her dark blue hair glistened in the sun.

'Miss,' he put a gently hand on her shoulder once near, trying not to scare her. But the girl, clearly surprised, gave a short cry, twisting almost violently and grabbing at his hand.

Naruto didn't understand why until she fell awkwardly into the water, pulling him down with her in the attempt to stop her fall.

They both gave a yelp as they splashed into the river together, causing the silent water to bubble with foam.

In all his years of swimming in the lake, Naruto knew it was only a mere two and a half metres deep, but in the spur of the moment, he held tightly to the young woman's hand and swam upwards in an attempt to reach the surface.

When his face met air, he gasped desperately before letting go of his grip on the young lady and putting his hands firmly onto her waist to haul her up, causing himself to duck below the water for a mere few seconds.

When he heard the silent rush to breathe in some air from above the water, confirming the female to be breathing, he pushed her up onto the riverbank.

Stumbling onto the bank himself, he collapsed onto his back next to her, panting hard.

He heard Joy, his horse, neigh in happiness behind him, and when he looked back, he smiled at her wearily, signalling a finger to make sure she stayed put with the cart.

Getting to his feet, he stumbled over to his beauty, patting down her mane.

'Shh, girl,' he search through the back cart and grabbed at the thick blanket he had brought along.

Jogging back over to the young girl who seemed to still be gasping, he wrapped the blanket around her from the back.

She looked back at him, and he caught the glimpse of beautiful white eyes, tinted with the lightest violet.

Swallowing, he sat beside her, careful to keep his eyes guarded as he watched her watch him curiously.

'Thank you, sir,' she said, voice quiet, holding onto the blanket with the edges of her fingers.

Naruto tried not to raise his eyebrows. No one had ever called her 'sir' before.

He shook his head at her.

'Do not be, miss, I am sorry I frightened you,'

She didn't say anything and a silence passed between the two.

'Came to fish?' she asked.

He nodded.

'I am sorry, I overreacted,' she stated.

Apologies, Naruto thought, so strange.

Before he could say anything, he caught sight of a brown piece of small solid bobbing the water, hitting gently against the bank.

Leaning over, Naruto picked it up.

'I am sorry,' he handed her the now drenched book.

'It is alright,' she said, taking it from him.

She turned over the wet pages before closing it and placing it on the floor.

Do you need a ride home, miss?' he asked, running a hand through his damp hair, soaking out the water.

She shook her head.

'The town is several hours away, I wouldn't want to take that much of your time,' she said, but he sensed that she was thinking of a way to get home.

'Let me take you back to my farm, we can send the messenger boy to ask a family member to pick you up,' he suggested.

She bit her lower lip.

'Thank you,'

Naruto offered a mere smile before standing up and extending a hand for her to take. Hesitantly, she took it and he lifted her to her feet.

'I hope you do not mind horseback, miss,' he said honestly.

She eyed Joy with curiosity, looking like she never rode it before.

'Of course not,'

Naruto patted Joy's mane again before hoisting the young lady up by her waist, onto her back. Holding onto the leather saddle's handle, Naruto pulled himself up as well, sitting in front of her.

Reluctantly, she wrapped her arms around his torso loosely when he told her to hold on.

'And by the way, miss, I am Naruto Uzumaki,' he said, not knowing what else to say, looking over his shoulder.

He saw her nod.

'Hinata Hyuuga,' she offered.

A Hyuuga

Naruto knew he saw her eyes before.

The rest of the ride home was silent, even though it was a mere half hour, but Naruto's hammering heart made it feel like hours.

-0-0-0-0-

SAKURA

Sakura was beyond furious when Naruto had arrived home so late, and without fish and drenched in water, but her anger subsided when a girl around her own age entered the house after him, wrapped in blanket and looking equally wet.

'Where on earth have you been?' she scolded Naruto, though not as much as she would have if the girl had not been there.

He grinned at her.

'Swimming,' he answered.

Tenten came down the crooked stairs, glancing at Naruto, Sakura and lastly at the girl.

'Hello,' she said politely, and only someone who knew her so well would know she held confusion.

The girl smiled, her white pearl eyes shining.

'I am going to call Konohamoru,' Naruto said to them before turning to the girl.

'Do you have anyone specific you'd like to pick you up?' he asked.

'My brother and cousin, Sasuke and Neji,' she told him quietly.

'Tell him not to tell Father, and perhaps bring a spare change of clothes,'

Naruto nodded respectfully before disappearing through the door. Shikamaru, who had been standing around in the kitchen, listening, frowned as the blonde left.

Tenten invited the girl inside and they all seated in the small living room, and after Naruto came back, changed into some clothes and came down, he sat beside Shikamaru.

The girl introduced herself as Hinata Hyuuga, and she and Sakura had a friendly conversation and things and everything. Tenten had made her tea, and while she drank she seemed to get drier.

Hinata was looking around the room in awe, something she's been doing since she first entered.

Sakura wondered if a girl coming from a noble family like the Hyuuga clan, would be horrified at their living conditions of no gold and silver embracing the walls and everything still meeting their needs.

'Your home is very beautiful,' Hinata commented.

Sakura managed not to look surprised.

'It is so cosy and comforting in looks,' she continued.

'Home is rather big and empty, it isn't all the time you come to such homey houses.' She said.

Sakura smiled.

'Thank you, miss,'

Hinata frowned a little.

'I'd rather you not call me that, if that is okay,' Sakura nodded moments later, a little confused

Several hours later a knock came on the door and Sakura stood up to answer it.

'You're brother and cousin, I am assuming,' she told Hinata.

She opened the door, confronted by a young man. The first thing she noticed about him was his frown, and the second was his eyes.

So dark, she thought to herself.

Behind him stood another man, undoubtedly a Hyuuga, his eyes flashing white.

'We heard Hinata was here,' said the dark-eyed one.

Sakura nodded.

'Hinata, they're here,' she called into the living room. She heard shuffling and Hinata and Tenten coming over.

The dark-eyed man held up some clothes to her.

'I suggest you get changed quickly,' he said.

What a gentleman, Sakura thought wryly.

'You can get changed in my room, Hinata,' Tenten offered. Hinata nodded and Naruto led her upstairs.

That was when Tenten came up right beside Sakura and got a good view of the two men.

As soon as her eyes fell on the more familiar-looking Hyuuga behind the first, her face dropped to a frown. When Sakura looked at him, he had the same expression.

'I will wit in the carriage, Sasuke,' he told... Sasuke?

Sakura thought the other was Hinata's brother, seeming he looked more like her than... Sasuke.

Sasuke nodded and the one she supposed was Neji, left, leaving a troubled looking Tenten staring after him. Had they met before?

'Are you Hinata's brother?' Sakura asked Sasuke, unable to keep the confusion from her voice.

'Adoptive,' He corrected.

An orphan, Sakura thought.

After a few moments, Hinata came down the stairs, dressed in a white loose gown.

'Let's go,' her brother said.

'I will be there in a moment,' Hinata said softly.

Sasuke nodded, leaving towards the carriage.

Hinata turned to the rest of them.

'Thank you so much,' she said, sounding grateful.

The all smiled.

'Any time, Hinata,' Sakura said.

'You can come back any time,'

Hinata nodded. 'I will,' she said solemnly.

Hesitantly, she kissed Naruto's cheek before rushing out the door, leaving a reddened Naruto.

'She is nice,' Tenten clarified.

'And ladylike,' Sakura added.

'And pretty,' Naruto said.

The girls laughed as Tenten closed the door.

Originally NalSweetheart's