Disclaimer: I only own the plot.

Chapter 3

Naruto's mouth dropped in shock. Hinata was standing by her window, smiling at the enemy and no one had noticed?! Naruto wanted to go up there and talk to her, but he knew it couldn't happen. They were from opposite clans. He knew they would never have a chance.

Just then, as Naruto looked toward the fighting, he saw everyone freeze in mid-battle. He slowly made his way out from behind the bushes and began to walk. His mind guided him toward her, and his body responded. It was like...a dream.

He moved closer and closer as Hinata continued to smile in her night gown. As he reached her window, he climbed in. She helped him up, but help wasn't necessary. Once in her room, everything began to move again. Naruto looked out the window and saw that the fighting had resumed and blood and gore was shed. Then, he looked at Hinata.

"Did that just really happen?"

She nodded, not saying anything.

"Um, well." Naruto freezed up.

"So, you're one of the Uzumaki's?"

"Um, yea. Look-"

"It's fine."

"About what happened at the Ramen Shop, I-It seemed like we didn't hate each other. So, why must our clans hate each other? I really want to get to know you, Hinata Hyuga." Without knowing it, Naruto leaned closer to Hinata.

She whispered. "I don't know."

"Why can't we j-just get a-along?" Anxiety filled his body. What was it about this shinobi that made him feel like this?

"Well, Naruto, we can get along. We'll just have to keep it a secret." Hinata's expression changed into something warm and inviting.

Naruto smiled back. "Friends?"

"Friends."

--

The fighting continued throughout the night as Hinata and Naruto played a game of twenty questions.

"What's your favorite type of ramen?"

"I like all kinds."

"Does your clan have a special ability?"

"Yea, it called a byakugan."

Naruto stopped questioning the poor girl. "That's really cool. My clan doesn't have an ability. Instead we have a curse!"

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"I guess I wouldn't mind it as much. But the fact is, I have to live with it throughout my whole life."

"Why?"

"Because it's sealed inside me!" Naruto whispered, making sure they couldn't be heard.

Hinata gasped. "It's inside you?"

Naruto lifted up his shirt, revealing the seal. "Oh, Naruto, that's horrible."

"Not really. I guess I got used to it, but I still wish I could be normal."

Hinata came closer to him. When they were a mere centimeters away from each other, she reached in for a hug. At first, Naruto was a bit shocked. Nobody had ever given him a hug like this. He could feel her body heat and her heart pounding. It felt...good. Naruto slowly returned the gesture, wrapping his arms around her. For a long while, they just sat there, hugging.

Meanwhile, the battle began to die down. In the end, it was more of a draw than a victory for either sides. Naruto walked past the post-battle fields. Bodies lay, rotted and decomposed, in front of him. By this time, Naruto was used to it though. Finally, he met up with his father. He was badly injured and had to be aided by a healing ninja. Naruto looked around for a bit: he looked at his surroundings, the trees, and finally the Hyuga Estate.

There in the window, he saw Hinata gesturing for him to keep everything that had occured last night a secret. He looked around to make sure that nobody noticed him and gave her a gesture of his own, promising her that he wouldn't. She smiled.

Naruto gave her one last glimpse before he turned around and caught up with the remaining clan. As the sun began to rise, Naruto headed back to his estate wtih one thing that he didn't have before...a friend.

A/N: This was meant to be a sweet chapter in a way. Sauske should be coming up in either the next chapter or the one after the next chapter, so if you hate him...sorry! Once I finish with that battle the story is really going to make a dramatic turn, so stay tuned. Again please review. Oh and I would like to thank all of my supporters so far too! You guys are awesome!