Summoner

Chapter 7

Hinata

It had been a few hours since everybody had gone to sleep and Hinata was taking her turn on guard. She sat in a tree above the group listening and watching out for potential enemies.

However, her mind was also wondering to a certain blonde haired young man. She now seemed to have competition for him and doubted she could match up to the other girls; all of them are so much more outspoken and strong. However, she had already decided to tell him how she feels, so the first chance she gets with him alone she will tell him.

She also felt her mind wondering to other assets of Naruto, such as what she saw before he passed out; it almost made her faint. His thing was simply huge, and she knew the other girls were thinking the same thing, and probably wondering how much it would hurt to do it with him, not that Hinata would mind. She blushed at her secret yet dirty thoughts as she looked down towards his sleeping bag she started because he was not there anymore.

Hinata looked around in worry when her eyes saw a pair of white covered legs by her standing on a branch was Naruto smiling at her. He wore white combat trousers with two red stripes down each leg, white running shoes, and a long-sleeved white tee shirt. She had no idea where he got the new clothes from or how he looked so clean, but he just did. He also wore his sword strapped to his back as if it weighed nothing, and she had tried lifting it so knew Kakashi was not exaggerating when he said it weighs a ton.

"It's a beautiful night isn't it, Hinata-chan," he said softly as he averted his gaze and looked up towards the stars. "Its nights like these that make me wonder about the world… like why we all have to fight amongst ourselves," he returned his soft blue orbs to hers with a small smile. "But it's always nice to share these nights with a beautiful woman."

Hinata startled and looked around before back to him. "Y-you mean me?" she asked nervously.

He chuckled lightly with a smirk. "Yeah I mean you hime," he agreed with a nod.

She smiled lightly as she climbed to her feet brushing herself off; it was now or never. "Naruto-kun… there's been something I've-I've wanted to t-tell you for so long, but I've been scared… and too shy," she began as a bright blush lined her cheeks as she looked at him her heart seemed to want to explode out of her chest. "I-I've always… cared about you… you-you inspired me because no matter who put you down you got right back up to prove them wrong. I had a huge crush on you at the academy…" she trailed of blushing deeper; almost purple.

Naruto stared at her with wide eyes; it would explain all of the blushing, and possibly the fainting. He had no idea and now he felt stupid for just thinking she is odd. She was always cute and quiet in class, but maybe if he was not so wrapped up in hiding his pain he could have been her friend and helped her be more confident. He could have maybe had someone to confide in, and she could have had him, and they might have even had something more by now, but that will be unknown, and they will have to see where these realisations lead.

"I-I love you Naruto-kun," she suddenly blurted out bringing him back from his thoughts.

His eyes were wide with shock; he had never heard anybody tell him they love him before, and never thought he would hear it from someone with such conviction. He did not know how to reply… did he feel the same way? Sure he loves her, but does he love her love her? He was not even sure he understood that feeling. He had always thought he loved Sakura like that but during his journey he realised he never had, and that it was just all a cry for attention, as Sakura always gave it to him even if what she gave was a punch.

He looked into Hinata's pale eyes to see fear in them… fear of rejection. He smiled lightly and hopped onto the same branch as her standing real close he could feel his heart race in his chest. "I-I don't think I know what that kind of love is…" he said embarrassedly looking away with a large blush in his cheeks he let his eyes gazes towards the heavens. "It's just… nobodies ever loved me before, so I don't know what I really feel. I've thought I've been in love before," he said before looking down at her teary eyes.

"I-I made you cry?" he asked; he felt some stinging in his own eyes at the mere thought but it stung in his chest to see her cry.

"N-no, Naruto-kun," she replied with a sniffle and a watery smile. "I-its ok… I think I understand what you mean. It can't be easy having no family or f-friends for most of your life just because y-you're a Jinchuriki, it makes me despise the village f-for hurting you."

He chuckled lightly as a few stray tears ran down his cheeks. "Wow, you lot know almost as much about me as I do. W-who told you? They're not getting executed are they?"

Hinata shook her head and reached out taking his hands in hers. "S-Sakura-san figured it out, a-and since she didn't know what the law said a-at the time it doesn't apply to her."

Naruto smiled at that piece of information as he gently stroked her fingers with his. "It's good to know I'm not loosing another teammate," he laughed getting a sweet smile from Hinata. "And I'm happy you don't think I'm a freak or anything; it's a load off my mind…" he smiled at her lifting her hands to his mouth and gently planting a small kiss on her fingers. She blushed brightly as he let her hands go. "Y-you should get some sleep Hinata-hime, and I'll take watch."

She shook her head frantically as she wiped tears from her eyes with the backs of her hands. "N-no, Naruto-kun, you should get some more rest, you were hurt a few hours ago, and it's my watch."

Naruto rolled his eyes comically causing her to giggle. "I don't sleep much, my fox heals me too freaking fast nowadays, and can't you sense them, I was kind of hoping to kick there asses before they get near enough to wake anybody."

Hinata's eyes widened in shock as she activated her byakugan and looked startled she frowned. "I-Its Gai's team," she suddenly said in confusion. "T-they don't seem to have noticed us yet… but they're heading through this way, towards Konoha."

Naruto groaned looking disappointed. "That sucks, I was looking forward to kicking some bandits' ass to make myself feel a little better about my inadequacies," he moaned while she giggled.

"Well… uh, how about I take you out when we get back?" she asked with a light blush. "You know, like a-a date… we could go get some ramen?"

Naruto looked at the blushing girl with a frown. "Ramen?" he asked uncertainly and she nodded. "B-but that isn't a good enough food to have on a first date is it. Yugito-chan always complains when I drag her out to a ramen stand, and we weren't even on a date, she likes these fancy places where she can have stake or something. Wouldn't you like something like that… or pizza, or uh, something else like that?" he rambled reasonably.

Hinata giggled with a grin she nodded. "Ok then… um, how about a picnic?" she suggested. "I'll make loads of different foods for you?"

"Sounds brilliant," he agreed giving her a soft kiss on the cheek causing her to blush brighter. "So are they here yet?"

She nodded her head. "Yes… three… two… one…"

"NARUTO-KUN IS THAT REALLY YOU. NEJI SAID IT IS!" yelled a young man with green spandex, black bowler hair cut with caterpillar eyebrows from the next tree over.

"What the freaking hell!" roared Kakashi as he jumped out of his sleeping back with everyone else all ready to kick ass, his eyes landing on the loud bastard, his identical sensei and teammates. "What the hell are you four doing here, can't you tell we were asleep damn you!"

"Sorry," said Neji bowing his apology. "I did tell Lee that three Konoha teams were here with most of you asleep, but he still had to yell his greeting," he sighed disapprovingly.

"Ahh, Kakashi my most youthful rival!" cheered Gai loudly. "I see you and these other teams are out on a most youthful mission and resting for the night. Maybe it would be ok for my self and my team to join you all for the night before the four of us head back to Konoha in the morning."

Kakashi glared at him. "Yeah yeah whatever just keep your voices down or we're going to attract bandits."

Gai rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly as everyone glared at him. "Uh, sorry Kakashi my most youthful rival."

"What the hell!" whispered Temari tiredly. "I think bandits would rather avoid coming to near sixteen ninja, half of which are jounin and the rest being chunin" she snickered lightly.

"She has a point there," laughed Naruto as he dropped from his tree.

"Naruto, what are you doing out of bed?" demanded Sakura angrily. "And where did you get those new clothes?"

"Magic!" he grinned cheerfully.

To Be Continued...