The two laughed as they ran down the street. They kept running until they were sure no more photographers were following them.
Once they realized this they stopped to catch their breath.
Both still laughing.
"Sorry about that."
"It's okay." Hinata smiled. "It was actually fun. Coach Gai would be proud."
There was a moment of silence and than the two broke out into another fit of laughter.
"You know, you are really cool Hinata."
Hinata blushed. "T-thank you."
"So what do you want to do now?"
"H-how about we g-go for a walk?"
"Alright sounds good."
The two walked until they came to a small park. It didn't have much. Just some swings and a slide, but next to it was a big grassy hill.
"L-let's go there." Hinata grabbed Naruto's hand and took him to the hill. She than laid in the grass and Naruto followed.
"What are we doing?"
"Looking at the stars." Hinata than pointed to the sky. "Look that one looks like a bunny."
Naruto followed her finger. "What? I don't see anything?"
Hinata giggled. "You have to look closely. It's like connecting the dots."
Naruto than looked again. "Now I see it! That's so cool." He than pointed. "That group looks like a fox."
Hinata and Naruto both laughed as they continued looking at the stars.
'This is actually a lot of fun."
Hinata turned to look at Naruto. "You've never done this before?"
"No. But now I know why Shikamaru always looks at the clouds. So do you do this a lot?"
"I use to. My mother and I use to sneak out every night during the summer and look at the stars."
"Why did you stop?"
"She passed away when I was little."
"Oh geez. I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I miss her everyday. My father and I don't really get along. He favors my little sister and my cousin. He calls me weak."
Naruto stood up and put his weight on his elbow so he could get a better look at Hinata. "You're not weak. You may be shy but not weak."
"He thinks so. He especially hates my stutter."
"Heh. What stutter?" Naruto grinned.
It was then that Hinata realized that she hadn't stuttered with Naruto since they had left the club. Smile came onto her face. She must be getting really comfortable with Naruto to stop her stuttering.
Naruto looked down at Hinata and he caught himself staring at her eyes. The moon seemed to reflect off her unique eyes and made them sparkle.
"Naruto…are you okay?"
Naruto turned his head away quickly to hide the blush that was rising in his cheeks. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"What is it like? Being a famous musician I mean?"
Naruto fell back into the grass. "Oh. It's alright. Not as great as a lot of people think it is. Sure you get to do what you love but there is so much more to it than fame and fortune"
"Like what?" Hinata turned to look at Naruto.
"Well for one, you can't do what you want to do. There is always an agenda that you have to follow. Also you have to do what the record company says, no questions. If they give you songs to sing than you have to sing it, no matter if you don't like it."
"Oh…" Hinata was a little ashamed. She figured Naruto was complaining about the record company making him sing Mystery's songs, aka her songs.
"If it wasn't for Mystery I would still be stuck singing those crappy trendy songs." Hinata let out a mental sigh of relief. "I just wished I could sing what I wanted to. Not that I don't like singing Mystery's songs. I love singing them. The public seems to really respond well to her songs."
"Than you should write your songs. Who cares what the record company says. It's your voice, so it should be your choice. And maybe the public likes to hear you singing it." Hinata knew that she loved hearing Naruto sings her songs.
"Maybe…I have to say I love singing them. It almost feels like she is singing them to me. Like I'm the one that she loves. Heh, pretty dorky right."
Hinata stared into the stars. "No…not at all…"
The two laid there in silence. Neither feeling the need to talk.
"Hey there you are!"
Both Naruto and Hinata sat up and saw headlights staring at them and some figures walking their way.
"We have been looking for you two for a while." Kiba and Sasuke walked over.
"Oh hey guys whats up?" Naruto asked.
"Idiot. You need to tell us where you are going if you are going to disappear like that. I don't feel like looking for you all the time. I'm not your babysitter." Sasuke scolded.
"Oh whatever." Naruto went to stand up. "Hinata and I just wanted to get some fresh air. Nothing wrong with that." Naruto than helped Hinata to stand.
"Well it's late and we need to get home." Kiba and Sasuke walked back to the limo.
"Thanks Hinata."
"For what?"
"Listening. It's nice to talk to someone who gets it." Naruto than gave her his signature grin that always made Hinata's heart flutter.
Some time later Hinata waved as she watched the limo drive away. The night was absolutely amazing. She wished it never ended, but the good news was that she had some new inspiration. She ran to her room and instantly started to write.
Sunday Night…
Shinobi was currently in their basement, each doing their own thing.
"It looks like Mystery sent us a new message." Shino announced. Within seconds the other members were huddled around the computer.
"What are you waiting for? Play it!" Naruto urged.
"First lets see what she said." Sasuke pointed out.
Hi Shinobi!
Just got to say that I loved you at Kyuubi. You were amazing, especially you Naruto. I always love hearing you sing. Hope you all like this song.
Love, Mystery.
The band listened to the song. But something about it sounded oddly familiar to Naruto. He just couldn't put his finger on it.
"So what should we do Kakashi?" Shikamaru asked.
"I guess we play it. I'll make some calls and try to get us on the radio again. The more we make Mystery's songs public and the more pressure she will have to reveal herself."
"I guess we should get started than." Shino said.
"Ugh. Why did she have to send it on a Sunday? Troublesome." Shikamaru mumbled.
Monday…
Most of the kids at Konoha High had the Monday blues and were shuffling through the halls, but not a certain Hyuga. Hinata was still on cloud nine from Friday night with Naruto. It was the closest she had ever been to him both physically and mentally.
It was so great that she created a new song in record time. She just hoped that Naruto wouldn't connect the dots to quickly.
"Hey Hinata!"
Hinata turned and saw the very same blonde she was just thinking about.
"Hi Naruto."
"Can I ask a favor?" Hinata nodded. "Can you meet me in the music room after school?"
"A…sure." Hinata was a little nervous. She could only hope it had nothing to do with Mystery.
"Great!" The bell than rang for school to start.
Hinata spent the rest of the day worried about what was going to happen after school. She had no idea what she was going to do if they figured out she was Mystery.
The final bell soon rang.
Hinata put her books away and with a final deep breath, headed for the music room. Hinata peaked her head in and saw Naruto had his back turned to her and seemed to be playing the guitar.
"N-Naruto?"
Naruto turned his head. "Hey Hinata. Thanks for coming."
"S-sure."
"I bet you are wondering why I asked you here." Hinata nodded to nervous to say anything. "After our talk on Friday I have been thinking a lot. And you're right. I should start writing my own songs again. My voice, my choice."
Inside her head, Hinata was jumping for joy. This wasn't about Mystery after all. "That's good to hear."
"Yeah. So I wanted you to hear some of the song that I have been working on."
"Okay." Hinata was truly honored that Naruto wanted her opinion.
Naruto smiled. "Great." He than went on to play a couple of chords and than started to sing a verse.
When he was done he looked at Hinata for her approval.
Hinata had a huge smile on her face. "That was amazing. I love it."
Naruto rubbed the back of his head. "Heh, thanks. It still needs some work though."
"Maybe but its good that you are writing your own music again."
"Yeah I think so too. Its all thanks to Mystery and you."
"Me?"
"Totally. It was you that told me it was my voice so it should be my choice."
"Well I'm glad I could help."
"I just hope that the record company doesn't get to mad. This isn't anything like what they want us to sing." Naruto looked up at the clock. "Oh crap. I didn't realize how late it was. I gotta get going. Shinobi is doing a live performance on the radio."
"You have a new song already?" Hinata asked even though she already knew the answer.
"Yep. Mystery sent us another song already and Kakashi says the more songs we play for the public the more pressure she will have to reveal herself."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?"
Naruto turned and gave her a confused look. "What do you mean?"
Hinata played with her fingers. "Mystery hasn't revealed herself yet, maybe she doesn't want to. Maybe she wants to stay unknown."
"Why would she want that?"
"Maybe she's afraid that everyone will laugh at her."
"I can't answer for other people but I know one person that wouldn't laugh at her."
"Really?"
"Me." Naruto gave a final wave and then ran out the door. Leaving Hinata standing there alone.