FREYA: Heyo everyone. I've decided to do a chapter about what Naruto was up to while Hinata was gone. It may not be very exciting but it'll be interesting. I do not own Naruto or its characters. If I did I'd drop Kankuro into a hole and burry him alive. Please enjoy the fanfic. FREYA HAS SPOKEN!
Chapter 7: Missing her?
Naruto woke up about an hour before noon. He made himself some instant ramen for his breakfast/lunch. He looked out the window and saw a clear blue sky. There were a few dark clouds in the distance though. As Naruto slurped up the last of his ramen he put on his coat and left his home. He started down the dirt streets with his hands in his pockets when he felt something in the left one. What the…?
"What's…?" He pulled out a small wrapped gift with a little note attached. It had 'TO: Naruto-kun' written on it. Naruto quickly realized it was from Hinata. He unwrapped it to find a container similar to the one he gave back to her. Medicine? It was filled to the brim with the medication to put on bruises and scrapes. She always thinks of others first, but I wonder when she put it in my jacket? He was looking it over and saw some writing on the bottom. He read it out loud.
"Naruto-kun, use this when you get hurt. I hope you don't get hurt but if you do…" the writing was getting smaller and a little squished so Naruto had to squint the read the rest. "…put it on your finger tips and rub in small circles." It wasn't signed but it didn't have to be. Naruto smiled as he sighed and put it back in his pocket. She's so cute. Naruto didn't know where he was going but he ended up wandering all around the village. He talked with Shikamaru for a bit and waved at Chouji when he saw him at the barbeque pork place. Without realizing it Naruto had wandered into Ino's flower shop.
"Welcome to-oh, it's just Naruto." Ino was disappointed that it wasn't a real customer. Ino then remembered that Naruto had gone on a date the day before and suddenly became very inquisitive. "Hey, Naruto! What happened on your date?! Did she like the flower? C'mon you gotta tell me!"
"Uh, it went fine. She loved the flower. I'm even going on another date with her tomorrow." The more Naruto spoke the wider his grin got. Another date with Hinata. I'm really excited but…His face lost the grin it had moment ago. I don't have any money!! My frog is totally empty!
"What's up?" Ino realized he'd stopped talking and was looking a bit morose. "Need another flower?"
"It's not that. I need some money. I'm a little low on cash right now. You wouldn't know anyone who needs an extra hand would you?" Naruto saw her put her hand to her chin as she looked up and thought about it. If Ino knew someone who'd be willing to pay him a little for some work then he'd have money in time. She snapped as a thought came to her. It gave Naruto hope that he'd have a job for that day.
"There is this guy; he needs someone to fix his fence. Some yahoo wrecked it the other day with his friends. I offered but he said no because he didn't want me roughing up my lovely hands. He told me that if I knew any guys that could help him fix it to tell them. I already told Lee and Gai about it an hour ago but I think they had to do some training first. Plus Gai has a mission to do. Why don't you and Lee head over there? I sure there'll be plenty of work for both of you." Ino wrote down the location and told Naruto to tell the old man that Ino sent him. She then told him where she thought Lee might be at. Naruto thanked her as he rushed out of the shop.
"Huh, I still have no idea who this mystery date girl is." She shrugged it off and went back to her flowers which were more important than Naruto's silly romance.
He rushed through the village but couldn't find Lee anywhere. He wasn't at the location Ino thought he'd be. Naruto did another swift run around but still couldn't find him anywhere. Maybe he's already at the old man's place. Naruto made up his mind and quickly made his way to the outskirts of the village to a little farm. He could see the broken fence from far off. Wow, that's a lot to repair. Out of the corner of his eye a familiar green suit caught his attention. It was Lee and he was already talking with the old man. Naruto ran up to the two.
"Good Morning, Naruto-san!"
"Morning, Fuzzy-brows. Hey, I was told by Ino that you needed help fixing a fence?" The old man nodded. He agreed to pay them both to fix it up. It would take a few hours but they'd be done way before sunset. They were set to work right away with a few tools and plenty of wood. Naruto used his shadow clones to carry planks of lumber over every time they needed it and Lee would paint whatever Naruto had fixed. They had worked for an hour, every once in a while chatting about nothing important, when finally Lee had to ask.
"Your date, with Hinata-san, went well?" Lee didn't stop painting. Naruto had to think of the right words to respond with so that he'd sound really savvy. Words weren't Naruto's forte so he quickly gave up.
"Yeah." Naruto continued to nail another board up. His clone brought him another plank. He quickly nailed it. Lee wasn't going to pry any further, that much Naruto could tell. If Lee was going to find out about Naruto's date it would be because Naruto talked about it on his own. Naruto was unaware that Lee had seen them that day, so a few minutes later he decided he would talk about it.
"At first I didn't think I liked her that much. I just wanted to help her express herself better. But I noticed how nice and caring she is." Naruto was beginning to feel a little sad that he hadn't talked to her today. Do I miss her? Am I lame or what? "For some reason when I took her home I was disappointed that the date was over. I think it's because I want to get to know her more. We're alike in some ways." Naruto nailed a few more boards down.
"So, that's it?" Lee took a break from painting and helped Naruto nail down a few pieces of timber. Naruto thought about his date. He'd gotten to hold her close. Talk to her about things. He even kissed her. Naruto hit his finger with the hammer and pain shot up his hand. The blonde yelled and put the finger in his mouth. He could feel it throbbing.
"You should be more careful Naruto-san," Lee spoke. "Here you paint for a while."
Naruto painted the fence for the rest of the day and it was done a lot sooner than the old man expected. He had a few other things for them to do if they were interested. Naruto said he'd do them but Lee declined. He had to get back for more training. Before leaving he called Naruto over.
"Naruto-san. You shouldn't stay too long." Naruto didn't understand.
"What're you talking about Fuzzy-brows?"
"You should go see Hinata-san." Lee's face was serious.
"Why d'you say that?"
"You really like her." Naruto felt his breath get caught in his throat. "It's written all over your face, Naruto-san. Not to mention that you've been sighing all day. I mean you painted over your hand like eight times. You should just stop by and say hello or something. You don't have to wait for your next date to talk to her." How did he know about the second date? Did Ino…? Wait a minute, paint? He looked down at his hand he saw that there was in fact white paint on it. He put it behind his back.
"Hey, who told you about my second date with-"
"So you are going on another date? I was just guessing. But that's all the more reason to go talk to her. See you later Naruto-san." Lee flashed his nice guy pose and ran off. Naruto was left speechless but that didn't stop his thoughts from racing. Is it really written on my face? Was I really sighing? No way. I'd have noticed. The more he thought about it the more he felt like Lee was right. Naruto tried to shake his thoughts away as he went back to work.
Naruto went about the next hour doing miscellaneous chores. Sweeping and dusting. He felt like a maid. He used his clones to pick fruit off of trees and even washed some windows. All the while he couldn't get Hinata out of his head. He could see her smiling and holding his hand. The more he thought about her the more he wanted to follow Lee's advice and go see her. I really do want to go see her. He finished with all the work and the old man paid him a little extra for it. Naruto thanked him and told the old man that if he needed help again to tell Ino and she'd tell him.
With that Naruto bounded off to the Hyuuga estate. He whipped through the village. Many times he would look at the white paint on his hand. I didn't even notice I'd painted on myself. What did Fuzzy-brows say? Eight times? Naruto couldn't believe he was so out of it. He arrived at the door and was about to knock. What would be my reason for showing up? I was in the neighborhood and…just thought I'd stop by? It might work. Naruto knocked and after a minute someone answered the door, though it wasn't who he expected.
"What do you want, Naruto?" Neji glared. Naruto looked like he didn't know what to say. That's right, Neji lives here too. I forgot. All prospects of getting to see Hinata seemed impossible with Neji as the blockade. Naruto stood there a little unsure of what to say. Neji was getting impatient. "Well?"
"I, uh, I just happened to be in the, uh, neighborhood and I thought I'd…"
"Save it. I already know why you came here." Neji said with an icy tone. Then why'd you ask…? Wait…what?
"You…do?" Naruto was panicky. Does he know about the date with Hinata? Does he know that I kissed his cousin right at the very spot I'm standing? Does he care? Naruto was getting more and more worried with every thought. "I didn't…I mean, I only…It was just a d-"
"What are you babbling about you idiot?"
"Huh?"
"You came to test your skills right? And you're just standing there blathering incoherent sentences." Naruto felt the tenseness in his body go away. He felt a little better knowing the knowledge of his date with Hinata was safe from her cousin. For some reason he didn't think it'd be a good idea for Neji to know. Naruto then noticed what Neji said. What? He thinks I came to fight him?
"Ah, no! I didn't come to fight you Neji! I really did stop by just to say hey and stuff!" Naruto waved his hands in front of him frantically. Neji saw the paint on Naruto's hand and made a face. Naruto noticed and put it behind him with a grin.
"That's unfortunate. I could use some actual competition. Hinata isn't worth fighting every morning." Naruto's face showed a little apprehension in what Neji was saying. I can't see why Hinata looks up to this person. "She's so pathetic. It sickens me to hold back fighting her. I thought maybe you'd spar with me and I'd actually see the results of my training." Naruto saw Neji turn his head and it revealed a small cut on his cheek.
"Where'd you get that cut Neji?" Naruto pointed to the already scabbed over injury. Neji didn't move his face but his eyes moved to look at Naruto. He looked down at his cheek and then away again.
"I don't remember. I didn't even notice it until you mentioned it." Naruto knew he was lying. Neji isn't going to admit that Hinata had landed a hit on him. That maybe she was getting better. What a jerk.
"I was wondering if Hinata was here. I had something to ask her about some medicine." Naruto lied. Neji looked at Naruto again with piercing silver eyes. The same eyes Hinata has. No, that's not true. Their eyes aren't the same. His were just filled with the malcontent of someone who doesn't like those who are weaker than him. Neji's eyes made Naruto shudder on the inside though his pride wouldn't allow him to show it.
"No, she left on a mission about half an hour ago. She was in a nauseatingly happy mood for some petty escort mission. She'll be back tomorrow probably. She has a lot of catching up to do with her training."
"Why do you hate Hinata so much?" Naruto didn't like the tone in which Neji spoke about his cousin.
"I don't hate her. The servants tell me Hinata didn't do anything while I was gone on my mission. She should have been training. That's why I'm agitated. They said she went out all day yesterday and didn't come back until late last night. Makes me wonder if she's serious at all about getting stronger. It is possible she did some training but I highly doubt-"
"She did," Naruto interrupted. Speaking without thinking again. Say something else.
Neji turned to him with his arms crossed. "What?"
"She trained yesterday. I saw her." I'm not really lying. She did spar with me for a bit so I think that should count for something. I can't just sit here and let him talk bad about her. It's wrong. "I passed by her in the woods when I went to do my training. She was working pretty hard."
Neji didn't argue, in fact he didn't say anything. His eyes said he didn't believe a word Naruto said but that didn't matter to Naruto. "Yes, well, she should try putting some of that determination into her practice here."
Naruto was starting to get angry with how Neji always seemed to be downing her. "I think she'd do better if she got some praise for her effort," Naruto spat. Sparks were flying between the two but neither made any movement. They stared each other down with resentment. Neji looked away first and shrugged.
"I don't argue with morons." He closed the door behind him before Naruto could protest. He made a face at the door and stuck out his tongue because he knew Neji would be able to see it with his Byakugan. Naruto then stomped off back to town. Well, that plan failed. She's not here right now, but she'll be back tomorrow in time for the date. Naruto felt a little disappointed that he didn't get to talk to her and even sadder that he'd have to wait until tomorrow.
Naruto spent the next few hours till sunset wandering around the village and wondering if she might be thinking about him. Once, while walking, he thought he saw Hinata. He whirled around and called out to her but it was just a girl with long dark hair from the village. His heart sank. I'm so dumb. I know that she's not here, but I really thought that maybe she was…He kicked a rock on the street. I'm seeing things now. Great. Maybe I should think about something else.
Naruto found himself thinking about their upcoming date. I told her that it'd be up to her what we do but I'd like to think of something in case she doesn't know. Maybe we could have a picnic. Or maybe we could go pick flowers or something.
Naruto wasn't coming up with ideas as well as he thought he would. I'd like to get her another gardenia flower. I'd put it in her hair again. Some flavored ice would be good too. I like sharing my dessert with her. Naruto was so lost in his thoughts that he ran into a street pole. BONK! He rubbed his nose which took the brunt of the blow. Geez! Fuzzy-brows was right! I'm really out of it! Maybe I should go home or something. Someone nearby was laughing at Naruto's mishap into the pole.
"Hahhahaha! Naruto!" Sakura laughed and immediately Naruto was severely embarrassed. "I saw the whole thing happen from start to finish!! Haha! You were walking in a daze and I saw you straying from the street into the path of the pole. I called out to you but you didn't notice!! Heh ha! I wonder what you were thinking about!" Sakura crossed the street, still laughing uncontrollably, and pat him on the back. She told him not to be too embarrassed about it. She was sure that it happens to everyone at least once. When Naruto asked if it had ever happened to her she flat out said no.
"What in the world were you thinking about?" Sakura was still giddy from laughing at his accident. She wiped the edges of her eyes that had developed tears from laughing so hard. "Oh! Wait! Let me guess! You were thinking about all the different flavors of ramen rolled into one! Am I right?"
Naruto looked at Sakura and felt something was different. Usually when he was around Sakura he'd do anything to get her attention. Anything to get her to like him better. Right now, it wasn't even on his mind. It felt strange to him. Had something changed?
"What's up Naruto? Was my guess wrong?" Sakura asked.
Naruto cleared his thoughts. "No, you were right." Naruto grinned. Sakura raised a brow but continued walking with him. She asked him if he was headed home. Naruto told her he was. Sakura kept looking at Naruto with concern and a smile.
"Naruto, are you ok?" Sakura raised her brow again.
"Yeah, why?"
"I feel like something is bothering you. You sure you're alright?"
Naruto gave it some thought. I used to do anything to get her attention but now I feel like I don't need it. I tried to steal a kiss from her a few days ago because I liked Sakura-chan but now I don't really care to. How do you explain that?
"A friend of mine is having problems," Naruto finally responded after a few minutes.
"Really? What's the problem?" Sakura was curious.
"This friend used to really like someone. He used to try to get her to like him. But he went on a date with someone else who said she liked him. Now he doesn't like the first someone he liked the same way anymore. In fact, he's going on another date with the second someone again." Naruto was trying to avoid speculation by not using names but Sakura wasn't dense and it only made it more obvious the more he elaborated. From the moment he said 'a friend of his' she knew he was talking about himself. She smiled at his predicament.
"So, what's the problem?" Sakura asked, feigning ignorance, "Sounds to me like your friend likes the second girl better."
Naruto stopped in his tracks. Sakura stopped a few steps after. Is that right? Is that why I don't feel the same around Sakura-chan? I'm not attracted to her anymore?I mean, she's still my friend but…Does this mean I like Hinata more than I like Sakura-chan? It must because I'm going on another date with her instead of going after Sakura-chan. Naruto grinned to himself and started walking again.
"Yeah, I guess my friend doesn't really have a problem after all."
"Well, that's good. Be sure to tell your friend not to worry so much. I'm sure that if the first girl cared at all she would wish him luck," Sakura played along. She knew the first girl was herself. It didn't bother her that Naruto wasn't attracted to her anymore. In fact, she was glad he was going for someone other than her. She wondered for a moment who the second girl was but realized that it didn't matter.
They soon reached Naruto's home and Sakura waved goodbye. Naruto headed up to his room and looked out the window. He saw Sakura run off. Sakura-chan gave me some good advice. I shouldn't worry so much. The dark clouds he saw far off that morning were a lot closer now. I am worried about those though. I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow. He then grinned. Even if it did rain we'd be ok. It'd be fun to dance in the rain together. He tried to imagine Hinata dancing in the rain but couldn't see it happening. It was more likely that he would dance and she'd just watch.
He pulled off his jacket and changed into some pajamas. Naruto put on his silly sleeping hat too. He realized he still had paint on his hand and he quickly washed it off. That's embarrassing. I wonder if Sakura-chan saw it. Right before lying down to go to sleep he put the medicine Hinata gave him on the side table next to the picture of Team 7 from the old days when Sasuke was still with them. Naruto made a goofy face at the picture, rolled over, and went to sleep.
That night Naruto's dreams were full of ramen bowls and shadow clones. Then it slowly changed to sunsets and flavored ice. It finally changed into Hinata and Naruto running in the rain. Except with wasn't raining water but hundreds of thousands of gardenias. Naruto couldn't have had a bigger smile on his face while he slept.
FREYA: So, whatcha think? Not that I care really. I just thought I'd give you the honor of voicing your opinion. I did this chapter to show everyone what Naruto did while Hinata was gone. In chapter 6 Hinata was confronted by Kiba. I felt that Naruto's love for Sakura needed to be addressed. Isn't Sakura so supportive? Anyway, review if you want. The next chapter will be about their second date, and it's probably going to be a VERY LONG CHAPTER. So read a book or something to stretch your eyes. That's it. FREYA HAS SPOKEN!
