AN: What I hope is the final chapter will now commence. Not that I didn't enjoy this, but I have to move on. Maybe do a Bleach thing soon. In any case, my writing will be on hold soon and then I might have more time then ever.
Naruto: Because of summer break, right?
Rei: Actually my silly blonde friend, Ama-Kitchi and her family are moving in the near future to the other side of the States, And she is graduating soon, so those thins combined might help after the move.
Amaya: But I do need to get a job eventually.
Rei: Details, details. You're moving to the tropics. And I won't let you. (Grabs Amaya and runs of cackling)
Naruto: Oo I guess I'd better deal witth this.
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Disclaimer: Amaya Zorifuki owns neither Naturo nor the jokes from FRIENDS.
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Chapter ten: Hinata's nature
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"Thank you for that Kiba." Hinata said after she opened her gift from him. A blue and silver dragonfly hairpin, (he learned from his mistake) She only had a few left, including the guy she had admired for a while.
Truth be told, his was the one she was most afraid to open. She had known his to go on a few dates in the past. Nothing long term though, they had only been with him once or twice. In fact, Naruto's longest relationship was with Sakura for about three weeks before he realized that she wouldn't give up Sasuke. They were now at a point of friendship.
In turn, Hinata had had minor dates, but they were horrible, from a penny pincher to a candle eater. (That one was memorable) But she always came back to the same place of admiring Naruto, with just something more behind it.
Anyway, back to the plot at hand, Hinata only had a few gifts left. She was about to reach for one, when Shikamaru piped up.
"Can we pause for a sec, I need a smoke break."
Everyone moaned at him, for smoking and for making the birthday girl wait. But she said it was fine and he excused himself. Chouji went with him to keep him company. Tenten sighed and looked around.
"I still can't believe that we're all that big three-zero." She mused, "It seems like it was yesterday that we were all genin."
The sighed, Kiba spoke up, "Remember that one incident that happened when we all went to the beach? That was crazy."
--Flashback--
The girls lay on the beach, sunning themselves. As the others did their own thing. Naruto was nearby, doing who knew what when Sakura stood up.
"I'm going to get some drinks, anyone wanna come?"
Tenten and Ino stood to head out while the others placed orders of sorts. From a mound of sand, Naruto's head came popping up.
"I'd like a soda."
"Naruto," Ino started, "What are you doing?"
"Digging a hole." He said, like it was the most obvious thin in the world.
The girls rolled their eyes, "Anyway, we'll be back soon."
They left, leaving Hinata and Naruto alone. She was nervous of course, but at the point of this memory she was about twenty-four. So she had a bit more backbone then when she was a teenager.
"Hey, Hinata, check it out!"
She stood up and peered into the hole, where Naruto was holding a rather massive seashell. "I would have missed it if not for the hue hole."
She giggled, especially when the tide rolled in and began to fill the hole. Her laughter turned to agony when she felt something brush her leg. She let out a shriek of pain and fell. Naruto rushed out of the hole and was at her side in a flash.
"Hinata, what is it?"
"I think I got stung by a jellyfish."
"What?" He cried, turning to the ocean, "Damn jellyfish, DAMN ALL THE JELLYFISH!"
"Naruto," Hinata cried, "It really hurts."
He began to look at the wound, he had picked up a few things from Sakura. She kind of beat them into his head. He remembered something about jellyfish stings, but as they crept into his brain, his face began to pale.
"What is it?" Hinata asked, noticing his expression.
"Well, I know what to do here."
"Tell me, hurry."
"You're going to have to…pee on it."
There was a pause,
"WHAT?"
"I read about it, there's a kind of ammonia in…that, that gets the stinger out."
Hinata felt like she was going to pass out. Not from pain anymore, but from embarrassment. She knew that the others were either in town or at the beach house they were staying at. No one else around for miles.
"Okay, but I can't bend that way." She squeaked out, "You'll have to do it for me."
Naruto sighed, and asked her to look away. They decided to use the hole. After that, he carried her back to the beach house, neither spoke for a while.
--End flashback--
Everyone laughed at that memory as Naruto and Hinata blushed. The two of them had their moments, but that memory clung to the back of their minds, it wasn't the only one, but the others wouldn't bring those up.
"What about that time when we all went to see that hockey?"
So much for that.
--Flashback--
It was a simple prospect. Get in, watch the game, leave, and maybe get a bit to eat. But once again higher powers just felt they had to screw with them. They had pretty good seats, and they were all exited, even though some of them were out of their element. (Neji, Shino, Hinata etc.)
Hockey was fairly new to Konoha, mainly because it didn't have much ice to use. Hockey came from the land of snow, and began to spread, it was fairly enjoyable. Even becoming a favorite to Ninja, who began to use it even in warmer weather.
A ninja had figured that they could use the ninja skills to walk, or in this case, glide along the water pushing a more lightweight puck that floated.
Anyway, they were getting ready for the first ninja hockey match on Konoha at the local pool. Seating had been erected, barriers had been put up, and diving boards had been removed. The twelve ninja in question had managed to nab tickets.
It was fairly enjoyable. Considering the face plants on the barriers, but water hockey was a bit safer then ice hockey, for one thing, the lack of ice made falls more bearable.
Naruto was the most into the whole thin. He already had a team picked out. The team sponsored by Ichiraku Ramen.
"Go for It!" He shouted, calling into the field, "It's so cool."
Hinata was a little less enthused, the violent sport wasn't her thing and she swore she saw blood on that barrier. She politely stood up.
"I'm going to the bathroom." She said, and began to work her way through the crowd. Naruto turned to see her go, but he was slightly distracted by the sight of something small and black rush in her direction.
He immediately stood up and jumped in front of her, and she turned in time to see him get creamed by the puck. It may have been light, but at the speed it was going, it did some damage.
"Naruto!" Hinata cried, as some of the others rushed forward.
"Hey Hinata," Naruto slurred out, probably due to an oncoming concussion, "Wanna sign my puck?"
--End flashback--
"Hey, I protected Hinata, how is that amusing?"
"Because you were even more of an idiot for three weeks." Sasuke supplied.
Naruto huffed as Hinata turned an even deeper shade of red. The blonde Shinobi let out a moan and stood up. "I'm going to get some air." He said, "Since Shikamaru's out on the back balcony, I'll head out front."
He promised to come back, and stepped out. Hinata sighed and picked up a small gift that lay almost hidden on the table. She looked at it for a moment and saw the writing on it.
"For Hinata, love Naruto." She read out loud.
The others looked at each other with a slight trepidation as she stared at the word love. She looked up with a slightly awed expression.
"It's probably a friendly sort of love." She said.
The others looked nervous, Ino piped up.
"Actually sweetie, there's something we need to tell you."
--flashback--
The others were planning Hinata's birthday party the day before.. Things were fine, except for one small detail.
"I don't know what to get her for her birthday." Naruto moaned.
Ino looked over at him with slight annoyance. "Why not? You've had weeks to get her something."
"Yeah, but I don't know what to get." He said.
Ino sighed, "Well what did she get you for you last birthday?"
"A really nice leather scroll with a neat new jutsu in it."
Ino's eyes widened, "Oh, yeah, that was really something. Right Shikamaru?"
Shikamaru rolled his eyes, "Yeah, girls spend a lot of cash for guys they're in love with. Remember that one girl with erotomania and had a thing for Shino?"
The others had frozen solid, not for mentioning that incident, but saying the word. The genius noticed his flub too late as Naruto looked up.
"In love?" He said, "Hinata's been in love with me?"
Shika looked at the others, who had a look that screamed 'cat out of the bag' and the end of him.
"No, that was just air in my mouth."
But it was far too late, and Naruto suddenly leapt up.
"For how long?"
"…Since we were genin." Kiba admitted after a pause.
"What? Why didn't anyone tell me?"
"Because it was obvious." Sakura pointed out.
The bewildered blonde would have gone farther, but a thought struck him and a grin broke on his face. So he turned to the door and walked out. Ino tried to stop him.
"Wait, I'm in love with you, deal with me first!"
Shikamaru gave her an odd look, but then moaned and began to massage his temples.
Kiba clapped him on the shoulder. "Yeah, keep rubbing your head, that'll turn back time."
--End flashback--
Hinata stared at them, openmouthed. Her secret had been out for a day now? The sound of footsteps alerted her to Shikamaru and Chouji coming back in.
"Hey, what did I miss?" He asked.
Hinata looked up at him, "You told Naruto I was in love with him?"
Shika paled, "I think I need another smoke." And turned on his heel
She was now petrified as she fingers found themselves working at the paper. They soon left the gift and she found herself staring at a little brown box.
Her eyes widened at she opened it. Inside was a necklace on a silver chain. It was a piece of moonstone carved into the shape of a fairy girl. It looked pricey but beautiful. The others oohed and aahed at it.
"It's so pretty."
"Where'd he find that?" Tenten wondered.
Hinata let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. "We were passing by an antique shop about a month ago and I saw it in the window. I can't believe he remembered."
She didn't wait for anyone else to say anything, as she slipped it on and marched out to where Naruto was getting some air.
He turned and saw her coming his way. He noticed the necklace and began to say something.
"Hey Hinata, you like the ne-"
He was cut off, when Hinata, in an admittedly uncharacteristic display, threw her arms around him and planted her lips firmly on his. He didn't expect it, but at the moment, it didn't matter.
Meanwhile, the others stood in the doorway watching the new couple and cheering. Ino nodded in approval and Neji sighed, allowing this one for Hinata,
Unknown to them, another group watched them from afar. Kakashi, Gai, Tsunade, Kurenai Asuma and Iruka were smiling at their students.
They were all grown up. Iruka smiled and turned to the others.
"Imagine that in another ten year, they'll be forty."
The others laughed, because nobody wanted to think of that right now.
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AN: I…finished it. I can hardly believe it. It was a real blast to write, and I'm so thankful to everyone who reviewed and stuck by me. Thank you very much.
Naruto: Are you sure you're done? Completely?
Amaya: Well, I might put up a gag reel, just for fun, if the readers want me to.
Rei: I agree, if you want to see a gag reel, just let us know and we'll totally put something up.
Amaya: But I can't make any promised with the quality.
Naruto: Well, just in case, we'd all like to say something.
All three: /bowing/ thank you so much.