Has it been thaat long? Guess it has. My bad.

I've been taking summer classes as well, and science classes at that, so I've had absolutely zero time to do anything beside read textbooks. Yes, my life is just full of fun.

Well, I won't bore you guys with my ranting so enjoy the chapter and please leave a review! Reviews make me a happy little ball of sunshine. :]

—DemonicAngel—

Disclaimer: Don't own nuthin', yada yada yada...

Chapter 9

Can You Feel the Love Tonight?

Hinata sensed the morning light from beneath her eyelids. Slowly parting them open, she stared at the pasty-white ceiling above her. A dream. A beautiful dream.

She had the most wonderful dream last night, filled with dances and music and her prince charming. She smiled to herself, shifting her head to one side of the room towards the dresser where she first noticed her hair appliances resting on the mahogany desk. Her curler and straightener and pins and ribbons, all sprawled over the surface.

When did I take those out?

She then swerved her head to the opposite side of the room, a gasp escaping her mouth as her eyes latched onto the shimmering white ensemble hanging on the closet door handle. It was real.

She ducked back under her covers. Oh god, it was real. What do I do? What do I do!

Smacking her hands on her cheeks, she shook off the panic. Get a hold of yourself, Hinata. And just as soon, the butterflies flew into her stomach and a smile crept on to her lips. She remembered the sweet kiss he planted on her lips at the party last night.

Her face grew hot from the thought and she pushed off the covers, the cold air hitting her skin, cooling it down. "Naruto and I…"

She couldn't even get herself to say it. "Naruto and I…" Are together.

Her heart thumped against her chest. Breathing out, she rose out of bed, feeling the soft carpet on her feet and glancing at the time. "It's already noon! How did I sleep so late?"

Better question, why did no one wake me up? She sprinted to the bathroom and stripped of her clothing to shower. Drying herself afterwards, she clipped up her hair and put on a pair of jeans and a loose t-shirt.

About to reach for the doorknob, she paused and slowly reversed her steps to the mirror. Her reflection displayed her frizzy hair scrunched up in a bun. Her eyes trailed down the rest of her, not approvingly either.

Oh boy, did she have some work to do.

Thirty minutes later, she stood with her hair full straightened and shining, face lightly make-upped to give a natural look, and small diamond earrings on her ears. She wore a knee-length orange summer dress with white sandals and the bracelet Naruto had given her years back.

There. That's more presentable.

It was her first day as Naruto's girlfriend and she wanted to look nice for him. She knew he wouldn't have cared either way, he was always like that but she didn't want to begin their time together dressed up like she didn't care.

Heading down, she followed her way to the loud chatter. Everyone must be having lunch.

It wasn't until she walked into the dining hall that she noticed that there was one head lacking. The conversations dimmed down until their was complete silence.

"Looking for someone?" Suigetsu said with a wolfish grin. No one else spoke but she could see the mirth in their eyes.

"N-no," she replied, trying her best to sound nonchalant. Damn her stutter, it always gave her away and she could just feel the heat rising up her neck. This was going to be impossible.

Cruising her way to her usual seat, she sat down and filled her plate with the lunch items provided. God, she was dying to know where Naruto was but she dared not ask. This whole situation was pathetic but she didn't want to supply them with any more reason to tease her now that she was finally with Naruto.

"Hinata?"

"Yes Sakura?"

"Would you pass me the salt please?" she asked all too sweetly.

Hinata narrowed her eyes but passed the salt. "Here."

"Why thank you." Hinata was drawing back her arm when Sakura's hand latched on to her wrist, speculating the jewelry dangling there with hawk eyes. "What a lovely charm bracelet Hinata, where'd you get this?"

Oh God. She just realized she hadn't ever shown this to the girls when Naruto had given it to her.

"It was a present," she said, flushing.

"From who?" Sakura tried not to smile but Hinata could see the corners of her lips twitching ever so slightly.

Sasuke grabbed Sakura's hand, releasing it of its grip on Hinata's. "Enough Sakura, leave her alone. You know exactly who gave that to her."

"Oh fine!" Sakura huffed. Hinata sighed, grateful for Sasuke's intervention.

"Now tell her where Naruto is. The look on her face tells me she's dying to know." He smirked and everyone let out the laughter they had been holding in.

Hinata turned a brighter shade of red from his blunt claim, taking back whatever thanks she had given him earlier.

"Hinata, if you're going to blush this much just talking about Naruto, how will you ever fare when he kisses you again?"

"Neji!" she gasped, eyes widening. She was caught off guard with everyone speaking so freely about her newfound relationship.

"He's right," Tenten agreed. "Naruto's really open, you wouldn't want to faint if he holds your hand in public."

I won't fai—" she began.

"Or when you hug," Ino cut her off.

"Or have sex," Sai added.

"Sex!" Hinata squeaked, practically about to faint at this point.

"You know, I never thought about that. How will that work out…? Ino asked offhandedly, contemplating the matter.

A loud thud ended all conversation. Suigetsu had fallen off his from laughing so hard. "I'm okay!"

Karin smacked her head. "Alright guys, I think we've teased her enough." Hinata lifted her head and gazed at her with so much appreciation that Karin bit her tongue to hold back the clever comment she was just about to drop on the poor girl.

"So w-where is Naruto?" Hinata mumbled, gathering all the courage… and whatever was left of her shattered pride to ask.

Everyone turned their heads to each other. Sakura answered for them.

"I honestly don't know where he is. He left really early this morning without telling me where he was going and hasn't given a call since," she shrugged.

"And no one has called to check on his whereabouts either?" Hinata questioned further, a little disappointed by everyone's lack of knowledge.

Sakura smirked. "Why don't you call him on behalf of us, little miss love-struck?"

"I-I—" she stammered.

"If Naruto wanted us to know where he was, he would have told us by now so you don't have to worry yourself about that Hinata," Neji broke in, saving her from another round of humiliation. "But Uncle called, and he requested that you come visit him this evening."

"Father?" She wondered what his reason might be for seeing her, and then it dawned on her in horror. He probably found out about Naruto and is going to lecture her. Or worse. He disapproved. She started coming up with theories, fearing the worst, but Neji patted her shoulder.

"It'll be fine," he reassured her.

She bit down on her lip and nodded. It'll be fine. She was over-thinking things. Grabbing her emptied plate and glass, she slid out of her chair, moving towards the door to the kitchen.

"By the way Hinata," Karin said, stopping her in her tracks. "I love your dress."

"Oh, um thank y—"

"Orange really is your color," she winked and Hinata looked away to hide her blush. Gawwwd. Was there no end to this?

She exited the room before anyone else could squeeze in another comment.

— - —

"You all are terrible," Neji said after Hinata left, shaking his head.

"Oh shut up Neji, you were just as bad as the rest of us," Sakura said.

Neji shrugged. "So does everyone really not know where Naruto is?"

"No, I know," they all said at once and then froze, eyeing each other with raised brows.

That confirmed Neji's thoughts. Naruto probably told everyone separately so they would all know and no one would question his whereabouts nor discuss it with each other.

"Wait, how do you all know?" Ino finally voiced.

"He told me himself…?" Tenten replied, confused.

"Same here."

"Same here."

"Here too."

"And then he told me not to tell anyone," Sai said.

Sakura pouted. She had assumed she was the only one that had knowledge of this juicy detail and wanted to be the one to broadcast it to the rest of the family members. "That sly fox."

"He has his moments," Sasuke smirked, surprised as well at the blond's little stunt.

— - —

The sun was sinking in the horizon when Neji parked his car in front of the Hyuuga residence. He turned to face Hinata who was sitting in the passenger seat, twiddling her fingers once again.

"Hinata," he called. She didn't respond.

He bent sideways and put his hands on hers to stop her old habit. "Hinata," he tried again.

She fluttered her lashes and then recoiled. "Neji?"

"We're here," he said.

Hinata paled. "O-oh." She slowly turned the handle to open her door when she noticed he wasn't doing the same.

"Y-you're not coming?" she panicked.

He shook his head. "It's just you Uncle asked for."

"No, you have to come with me. Neji please."

Was she pouting? "Hinata. You're a full-grown woman. You can't have me holding your hand every time you have to speak with your father."

Hinata mentally counseled herself. "You're right. Of course. I apologize, that was very… childish." She straightened up, patting down her dress and got out of the car.

"Here I go then…" she said, taking in a deep breath. "But I'm sure it won't take that long anyways, you might as well come inside—"

"Hinata, go," he said sternly.

"Okay, yes, okay, bye." She shut the door and walked past the open gates.

"Have fun, cousin," he smirked, driving off.

— - —

Hinata reached the entrance of her house and rang the bell. A minute passed and nothing happened so she rang it again and waited patiently. Why was no one answering?

She then knocked on the door and shook the door handle a bit, which to her surprise, was unlocked. Stepping into her home, she looked around warily. "Hello…?"

"Father?" she called into the silence, but only heard the echo of her own voice. "Anyone home?"

Walking further inside, she heard nothing but her footsteps. About to call Neji, she stopped when she heard something towards the back of the house.

— - —

"You're back," Tenten announced, smiling as Neji walked into the living room.

"Yes," he replied, sitting down beside her. He leaned back, spreading one arm over the couch behind his wife.

"Well?" Ino urged. Everyone else had the same thought.

Neji frowned. "Well what?"

"What happened?" she demanded.

"I just dropped her off, what do you expect me to tell you?" he said, annoyed.

"At the least, you should have followed her just to see," Karin said.

"I'm not going to spy on my cousin on her very first—"

"But still!" Sakura cut him off. "You know neither of them will tell us anything!"

Just then, his phone beeped and he opened it to read the text. Smiling mischievously, he stood up and strolled over to his laptop, which was sitting on the table next to the plasma TV. He switched on both devices, hooking them together with the wire he had left by his laptop before dropping of his cousin. The TV monitor went from a black screen to one displaying a yellow field.

All the girls gasped. "But Neji, you just said…."

"I have waited for this moment for far too long. You would be foolish to think that I'm not just as curious as the rest of you."

Sasuke chuckled. "You know he's going to kill you if he finds out."

"Which is why," Neji looked sharply at the gathering, "he won't find out about this."

"Of course not. Are you mad?" Suigetsu said.

"I won't take the blame for this if he does though. Just warning you now."

Sakura waved him off. "Whatever, whatever, just sit down and enjoy."

— - —

Hanabi ran out the backyard door and hid behind the bushes just as she saw her sister emerge from the same door she was standing by a second ago. Phew, that was close.

She saw her scanning the area and then walking towards the archway leading to the back portion of the entire backyard.

Yes! Flipping open her cell phone, she quickly texted Neji.

Everything is in order, get ready. It's almost time.

"Hehehe." She felt so sneaky.

"Hanabi, what are you doing?"

Shit.

She turned around to stare at her father's cold eyes glaring down at her, his arms folded in front of him. Jumping up in a flash, she brushed off the dirt and leaves on her dress. "Nothing father," she said sweetly, trying to move past him in the direction Hinata had gone, but she felt a hand press down on her shoulder, stopping her.

"Where do you think you're going young lady?" Her father raised a brow and that's when she saw the shimmer in his eyes. Damn, he knows.

"Well I was just—" she attempted to explain.

"You were just about to come inside and help me with planning my dinner party," he said, ushering her in.

A vein popped in her head. "Father. You hate dinner parties."

"Yes, but I think it's time I finally host one," he said, the tiniest of smiles gracing his lips. "Besides, now I have a reason too."

'He is far too happy with this situation,' Hanabi thought. And now she was going to miss everything. This was so not fair! If only she hadn't been caught. She fumed to herself as her father lead her into his study.

— - —

Hinata had heard a noise earlier and found herself standing in the backyard; this was getting a bit freaky. Where was her father anyway? He said he wanted to see her and then left her to a dark empty house, without a clue of where he was.

That was when she heard music faintly playing in the distance. She started following it, wandering through the archway and finding herself tracing her steps back to a familiar place. The little maze that she had wondered through finally ended, the music very audible now.

Walking into the large field that was part of her home, the place she spent the most time in during her days before college, her eyes grew wide at the view in front of her. All the trees that surrounded the meadow were covered in twinkling golden lights and at the center sat a small round table. There was a tall gas flame torch positioned at each corner, making a square encompassing the table at the center. Another set of colorful lights were tied to each of the torches, outlining the square.

The music box was set at the bottom of the table, which was clothed with a checkered tablecloth that touched the ground and two thin candles were resting at its center.

"Surprise," she felt whispered into her ear, before a delicate kiss was planted on her cheek.

— - —

"OHMYGOD! OHMYGOD! OHMYGOD!" Ino screamed. Sai pushed down on his ears with his fingers.

"Ino, please calm down," he pleaded.

"OH GOD THEY ARE SO CUTE AND PERFECT!" Sakura yelled back, both of them ignoring him as all four girls held hands and jumped up and down, screaming in joy at the couple on the TV screen.

Sasuke glared at Neji, covering his ears as well. "Way to go Hyuuga. I will be tone deaf by the time this night is over."

"My ears are bleeding," Suigetsu groaned.

Neji ran circles on the side of his temple with his forefinger. "How was I supposed to know they would freak out this much?"

Suigetsu gasped. "YOU GUYS JUST MISSED IT!"

"WHAT?! WHAT?!" they yelled in horror.

"Well maybe if you stopped screaming and sat your asses down, you would know!" That shut up them up. They sat down quietly, eyes glued to the tv.

Sasuke let out a sigh of relief. "Thank God."

"And that is how you get it done," Suigetsu said, sinking back into the couch.

— - —

Naruto took Hinata's hand and lead her to the table, pulling back her chair and pushing it forward as she sat down, then taking his own seat.

Hinata didn't know what to say. She was so shocked, and happy, and amazed all at the same time. "You… did this all for me?"

Naruto grinned. "Yup! Been at it since this morning. I wanted you to be surprised."

"I was, and I still am," she said. A smile had crept on to her lips and was now taped onto her face with no sign of wearing anytime soon. "This is all so beautiful."

"I'm glad you like it," he replied. "When I came to see your father this morning, I didn't think he would agree to this."

Hinata's brows shot up. "You talked with my father?"

"Yeah, I wanted to be the first to tell him about… us," he blushed faintly, "before anyone else could tell him the news."

Hinata was so touched that he would think about something like that.

"And then of course he grounded me about all the things he would do if I did anything to do, you know the usual protective father act," he continued, "and then after that I explained to him that I wanted to do something special for you, for our first date, and he agreed with my plan about this whole idea.

"But don't think I wasn't nervous the entire time, I was sweating pellets. Your father is very intimidating when he wants to be."

Hinata laughed. "Now that I can agree with one hundred percent."

Naruto smiled. "So, shall we get to the main course?"

He lifted the metal container to reveal two plates with their delicious dinner, fresh ravioli and a garden salad and then another container to uncover the dessert, cinnamon rolls. Hinata's face lit up from that.

"You made this all?" she asked, breathing in the mouthwatering scent of the food in front of her.

Naruto scratched the back of his head. "Your sister kinda helped… a lot."

Hinata grinned. "I wondered why this looked so familiar. But either way, thank you, for everything, I couldn't have asked for a better first date."

"Don't begin thanking me yet, this date has barely started," he said. "Also, I wanted to tell you this from the second I saw you, but you look beyond beautiful."

She blushed, staring back into his eyes. "So do you," she said without thinking, blushing even further when she realized how closely they were leaning towards each other.

He let out a quiet laugh, feeling the heat crawl up his face as well. "Well, lets dig in!"

— - —

"I think I'm going to be the one fainting, I'm so happyyyyyy!" Sakura rejoiced and then turned to Sasuke and smacked his arm. "Why can't you be cute like that!"

Sasuke rubbed his arm; she was too strong for her own good. "Because love, Uchihas don't do 'cute'."

"Oh, how could I forget," she said sarcastically, rolling her eyes. He took this moment to run his fingers up her spine and bite the skin on her neck, his tongue dancing over the spot sensuously.

"We do 'seductive'," he murmured, smirking.

"Oh, how could I forget," Sakura breathed out raggedly, very much aroused.

Sai returned to the room, popcorn in hand, just as a cushion flew across the room.

"Take it outside, we don't want none of that here," Suigetsu warned them.

They both glared at him before returning to their original seating style.

"Did I miss something?" he asked Ino, handing her the popcorn.

"Just the usual," she shrugged, turning her attention back to the TV.

— - —

Naruto finished the last bite of his dessert, noticing that Hinata was just about done too. Standing up he patted down his shirt and held his hand out for her.

"Would the beautiful lady please join me for a dance?" Hinata briefly stared at his hand, then at the beaming man before placing her own hand in his.

He helped her up and walked her over to the small boom box, switching the song to something better suiting their new positions. "I hope you like this song, specially picked just for you."

Hitting the play button, Naruto took Hinata's hand again giving it a gentle jerk, a gasp escaping her lips as her chest bumped against his. The soft melody of a piano began to resonate in the field with the introduction of an ensemble amplifying the previous tune.

I still hear your voice when you sleep next to me,

I still feel your touch in my dreams.

Forgive me my weakness, but I don't know why,

Without you it's hard to survive.

Naruto brought his arm around Hinata's waist, his right hand still connected with her left. Stepping forward, she naturally kept pace with him, her steps fluid and graceful.

Cuz everytime we touch, I get this feeling,

They swept across the field like a single body, their strides matching.

And everytime we kiss I swear I could fly.

Hinata blushed, images of her last kiss clouding her mind. She bowed her head, concealing her face from him.

He stopped in place and combed his fingers through her hair, tucking it behind her ear and bending forward to meet her eyes. "You don't have to hide from me," he whispered. Taking both her hands in his, he pressed them over his heart.

Can't you feel my heart beat fast?

I want this to last.

I need you by my side.

She felt his heart pounding against his chest and butterflies filled her stomach. Before she knew it, the palm of his hand hugged the small of her back, prodding her forward, his other hand cradling her chin as he gazed ardently into her pale eyes.

Their lips were mere centimeters from each other when a newfound fearlessness overtook Hinata and she smashed her lips against the man's.

Cuz every time we touch, I feel the static!

And every time we kiss, I reach for the sky!

Can't you feel my heart beat so?

I can't let you go,

I want you in my life.

Naruto blinked his eyes several times, completely surprised. His eyes found Hinata's as her lips brushed over his teasingly. Smiling, his fingers tangled themselves through her silky strands, his tongue tracing over her bottom lip, causing a shiver to run down her spine. Mouths crashed against one another once more, both of them fully engrossed in each other before separating to take in air.

Naruto stared at Hinata's flushed face, entranced, his own face glowing.

"Wow," he breathed. "That was…"

"Incredible," she finished for him, reeling him back in for another kiss.

— - —

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH," all four girls screamed, enraptured by the scene at hand.

Sasuke smirked, "About time, dobe."

Neji, Sai, and Suigetsu bore the same expression, thinking the same thing as well.

"Well, I think we've watched enough," Neji said, "we should give those two some privacy now."

Sasuke nodded, passing Hyuuga the remote. The girls hadn't heard this exchange, completely oblivious until their eyes met with a black screen.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" the four yelled in sync just as piercingly as before.

"What the hell happened?"

"Someone turn it back on!"

"We're going to miss everything!"

Standing up, Neji set the remote back in its place and unplugged his laptop. "Whatever you want to know, you can ask Hinata later. We've encroached enough on their date already."

Tenten bit down her lip, feeling guilty all the sudden. "Probably shouldn't have watched any of that to begin with."

Ino bobbed her head in agreement, the others feeling just as much remorse.

— - —

Lying down on a blanket in the field, Naruto gazed up at the sky sprinkled with a million twinkling specks. His fingers were entwined in Hinata's, who was resting beside him. His thoughts flashed back to their endless kiss and how they had danced afterwards for what felt like hours.

He craned his neck to stare at the beautiful girl lying next to him. The starlight reflected in her eyes, her rosy cheeks coloring her pale face. She breathed in deeply and then exhaled, breathing in the cool air. Naruto noticed her close her eyes, a calm expression polishing over her face. For a while he just observed her, immersed in his own thoughts.

It still poked at him how he hadn't realized all the details that showed how much Hinata liked him. But now that he knew, he vowed he wouldn't let a moment pass where he could return the same amount of love she had carried for all those years. It was as if he was hit with a new light and everything she did, everything she said mesmerized him. She was always perfect to him, even when they were just friends when they were younger. She always knew what to say, and cared not just for him, but for everyone.

If there existed an angel in human form, she probably had the closest resemblance to one. How could he have let such a person fly by him without noticing for so long? All he knew was that he was glad he had family and friends who were there to catch things he failed to see.

Naruto brought his face closer to kiss the edge of Hinata's lips. The girl's attention drew away from the stars and to the man beside her with an entranced looks transfixed on his face.

"Have I told you that you're beautiful?"

Hinata smiled adoringly, "You may have mentioned it."

Naruto sat up; legs crisscrossed, and took both of Hinata's hands in his, a serious look on his face.

"No, not just on the outside, but inside too. I don't think I've ever met anyone more genuine than you."

Hinata's heart swelled with affection for him as those words left his mouth. "I could say the same for you."

Naruto chuckled, lying back down. "Who, me? Nah, I'm just the stupid knucklehead who's oblivious to everything."

Hinata sat up this time, positioning her hands on either side of the blonde as she leaned over him. Her hair fell off her shoulders when her head tilted down to meet his cerulean blue orbs glistening like the sea under the moonlight. "No, I mean it Naruto. You're the most honest, down-to-earth person I know and not just that, but you always see the good in people.

"That's what I love most about you," she said with the utmost sincerity.

Naruto propped himself up against his elbow, his chest in line with Hinata's. He cupped his hand around her chin, his finger running back and forth across her bottom lip.

"You really mean that?"

"With all my heart," she replied just as his lips plunged onto hers, her cheeks no longer tinged from shyness but from the passion filled heat of the moment. His tongue slowly and cautiously ran over hers, asking for permission. He felt her pause for moment before giving him entrance to her mouth. He could feel her excitement through their lustful kisses, the adrenaline rushing through both their bodies, as their tongues explored one another. Finally breaking apart, he rested his forehead against hers, their chests heaving up and down as they gasped for breath. He stared into her eyes and she smiled back at him.

"And I," he said, "Love everything about you."

Gosh, I just love NaruHina. Why can't Kishi actually make this happen?

*Sigh*

Well I'm not losing hope. He has definitely gotta make Naruto and Hinata get together before the series ends. He musssst.

Anyhow, hope you guys liked it! Again, please leave a review!

Till next time.

Peace out.