DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO AND ITS CHARACTERS. THEY BELONG TO THEIR RIGHTFUL AUTHOR AND PUBLISHER.

I'M SORRY FOR MAKING NARUTO INTO SHOJO.

FORGIVE MY GRAMMAR AND TYPOS. I'M TOO LAZY TO REREAD AND REVIEW.

THANKS FOR THE COMMENTS AND LIKES AND FOLLOWS.

Little boy with cerulean eyes

Will you come to her castle full of vines?

Will you rescue the maiden, slowly turning to ice?

Or will you run, believing in her lies?

The day I spent with Sakura chan was fun. She laughed on anything I said but it seemed hollow. It seems like she is still thinking of Sasuke. She's still breaking inside and I wished I could help. But in situation like this I am hopeless. I haven't know anything about romance. I might have this admiration towards Sakura chan and I was being confessed to by Hinata, but really romance isn't my thing.

Well, speaking of Hinata, I wonder where she is today. I really feel bad for her not coming with us. It might be much more fun if she was there with us. Sakura chan and her might have a girl bonding time. The two of them get along well. Who would not get along with Hinata, anyway? She's never been rude, always gentle in speaking and she cares about others around her. Only problem is her stuttering, which is somewhat lessened now adays.

Come to think of it, I have been thinking about her lately. I'm glad Kurama isn't bringing that topic up. Anyway, I should go back to Ichiraku, I'm kinda hungry.

There are two shadows in the corner alley, they seemed to be arguing. My mind told me not to get involve, but I must be really stupid. I ignored it and just approached them.

It is Hinata and Sakura chan, they seemed to be in a heated discussion. About what, I do not know. They are too far to for me hear. But I can see that Sakura chan seems distress. Then before my eyes Hinata had slapped Sakura chan.

"Hinata!"

I was not supposed to have that tone towards her. But seeing Sakura chan tear stained face I can't help it.

"Naruto!" it is Sakura who ran towards me.

Like that time. That night. She burried her face on my chest. Sobbing, showing me how weak and vulnerable she is.

"What's the meaning of this?" I asked through soft voice.

None of them dare to speak. I looked up at Hinata. There she is, shaking from head to toe, biting her fingers and her eyes filled with fear and guilt. Surprisingly, I can read her well. She knows what she had done. I know she won't deny it what she had done but I also know she won't tell me anything at all.

Then silence continue. Three awkward teenagers caught into something that I do not want to confirm. With the girl I once admired crying on my chest and the girl I have been thinking about standing few feet in front of me. Me staring at her and she staring back at me. What had happened to this gentle girl for her to take such drastic action?

I remembered what she said. She said she is happy for what is happening between me and Sakura chan. I sensed no grudge on her voice when she said it. But why had she done this? Was all that sugar coating things? Did she lie about being happy for me?

Sakura chan's grabbing the front of my shirt and sobbing harder erased my thought about Hinata. With the woman I once admired in my arms for the second time sobbing in my chest. I did not want to but disappointment rains down on me. Flooding me with cold emotions, drowning me and I knew it's spilling out of me.

"What is there to explain when I am judged already?" Hinata said in a very cold voice. There I can hear the sadness in her voice. I can hear how her voice broke, like a glass shattering to tiny pieces. She is broken too. "I'm sorry to both of you." Then she walked away.

I wanted to shout at her, to say that I still want to hear her explanation. I wanted to reach out for her, to hold her too. But I am coward. I am fooling myself. I feared that if I let her explain I will know the truth and it might be painful. I do not want to confirm my doubts. So this is all I could do, hold this girl in my arms, while my eyes watch another one's shadow fades away.

"Naruto...Promise me you won't let me go. Promise me you will stay by my side forever. Because if you don't I will die of loneliness." Sakura whispered to my ears.

I am scared. Those words, they scare me more than anything else. I could not leave her because I know how it feels like to be alone and left behind.

"Don't worry, I will be forever by your side." I assured her.

"Don't ever talk with Hinata. Can you do that for me?"

I did not say anything. I do not know what to say.

Time passed when Sakura chan finally stop. I walked her home in silence. I do not know what to say, like always.

"Thank you Naruto." She said with a smile even though her eyes are still bloodshot.

I just nodded and wait till she is inside. I silently made my way towards my apartment my hunger totally forgotten. My mind is full of Hinata's image. I can still hear her voice with sadness in it.

Is what I did right? For standing there making her feel my disappointment and not running after her.

"What did you think?" I got surprised hearing Kurama.

"I do not know. But based on what I saw, Hinata was the one at fault."

"What you saw? You based it on seeing her hitting the pink haired one?"

"Well, where else would I base it? It is an enough evidence you know."

"How can you say it is an enough evidence?"

"Look, I saw it. I saw how she had slapped Sakura."

"You saw it. You just saw it."

"What do you mean by I just saw it?"

"You weren't there to know the reason behind it. You weren't there from the start. You just happened to saw her hitting her."

"Hinata slapped Sakura chan because she does not want us to be happy. That is all the reason for that."

"Haven't she toldyou before that she is happy for the both of you?"

"She lied."

"People sometimes lied about how they feel, yet it does not guarantee that her lying about it means it is the reason for it."

"Then what other reason does she have except for that?"

"I do not know. But I am sure there might be another one."

"How could you talk like that, as if you knew her so well?"

"That girl loves you ever since you were young. She admires you even the adults were telling her to avoid you. She saw you as something despite of all your foolishness. She never judged you on the fact that you have me inside of you. I think that kind of person won't hurt others just for such trivial and selfish reason."

I think about what he had told me. He is right. Always right when it comes to things like these.

Hinata had always been there watching my back even before I took noticed of her. She saw me first. She acknowledged my existence even before I knew her. She had run in front of me to saved me even if she knew she got no chance of winning at all. She had jump into that flaming field for those medicinal plants. She turned down my invitation so I can be with Sakura chan. I am so stupid that I failed to remembered those things.

I have to talk to her. I need to hear her explanation. But what if her explanation will put an end on the friendship I have with Sakura? No, I need to hear the truth whatever it is. I won't let this misunderstanding to bring awkward moment between me and Hinata and I also won't let the truth to be the reason why Sakura chan and I won't be friends anymore. I won't get angry nor disappointed to any of them. They are both my precious friends. Yes, tomorrow morning I will talk with Hinata.

There's nothing to be afraid of. The Hyuga won't hurt me and yet I still feel my knees shaking as I stood here in front of their gate. They are staring at me with their white lilac tinted eyes and it looks like they are reading me. Seeing what is it that I done with the daughter of their head.

"Come follow me, Hinata hime is training with her father." One of the Hyuga's around told me and I follow him.

Must be hard for the timid and gentle Hinata to live in such a strict compound surrounded by stoic people.

We walked in silence until we stopped in front of the largest house in the compound. In the garden there is Hinata and her father. They look like they are dancing. She moves gracefully that I could hardly believe that every move of her hand is fatal. Such amazing gentle fist.

"Hinata hime is strong but her gentle heart always prevent her in unleashing her true potential. It is such a waste." The one who accompanied me said as we watch her being thrown off the ground by her father's attack.

"She is not a waste." I said confidently. "Her gentle heart is her strength. It is what pushed her to fight and stand up to protect her friends. And look at her, no matter how many times she hits the ground she will stand up and do her best."

My gaze is still focus on her. I watch her as she fell down and stood up. It is just like before when she faced Neji. She knew the great difference between their strengths and yet she did not run away. She fight bravely, sticking to her words. Inspiring me, to swore that no matter how strong Neji is, I too would do my best and defeat him. Then, that time when Pein invaded Konoha. It was her who jumped between me and him, knowing she is no match and would die. She who had reminded me that time of my nindo, had inspired me again. That time when I was in despair at Neji's death and Tobi using it to drown me into darkness of my own desperation, it was her who brought me back. It was her who showed me the light. How terrible of me to judged her last night?

"Naruto." A calm yet strong voice broke my reverie. I looked up to see that the sparring is over and Hiashi Hyuga is looking at me. His stoic expression is intimidating. He looks nothing like her daughter. "Come with me."

"Eh?"

"I need to talk to you. Hinata, prepare us some tea." He strictly said. I tried to capture Hinata's eyes but she quickly turned around. Left with no choice I followed the head of the Hyuga.

I was never prepared for a moment like this. To be here, sitting in front of no other than the Hyuga Hiashi. The head of one of the greatest clans not only in Konoha, but maybe in the whole shinobi world. He gave me cold and stoic stares, no wonder why Hinata is scared of him. I wonder what it is he wants to talk about?

"Naruto." Came his strict cold voice.

"Yes?" I gulped.

"Take care of Hinata."

Eh?! What it is he is telling me? Maybe he misunderstood me for being here. I should explain it to him clearer.

"Oh boy, the head had entrusted you his precious princess. Aren't you lucky?" Kurama teases me.

"Shut it. I will explain this misunderstanding to him."

"Well, whatever you want to do, do it but just a piece of advice, it is not wise to say something stupid at that person."

I look back at him and I gulped more. He sure is not someone who will take stupidness lightly. I have to be careful with my every words.

"Don't think I am giving you my daughter." He finally said as an after thought. "Someone as reckless and loud as you are will only cause a lot of problem to my daughter, who is timid and so kind."

"I don't plan of causing her any trouble." I unintentionally said.

"Well, I guess someone like you can at least protect her and bring good changes to her. So take care of her."

"I will take care of her. You have my word as a man."

What the heck, did I say? It is like I am taking Hinata as my wife! Before I could clear what I meant, something unbelievable happened. No one will believe it if I tell it to someone. Before my very eyes, the proud strict Hiashi Hyuga bowed down. I am too surprised to react.

"Thank you." He said and there is gentleness on his voice.

And all I could do is bow down too. He had straightened up when Hinata walked in the room carrying a tray of teapot and cups with some cookies.

"I have some important matters to attend to. Till later Hinata." Hiashi said and left us alone.

My head is still bowed down.

"I am sorry if my father is scary." Hinata said as she sat in front of me.

"Your father is really scary. He almost scared Kyubi out of me." I said as I let out a long sigh. Finally I was able to relax on my seat. I feel my bones stiffened. "But he thinks about your welfare a lot."

"Huh?"

"Nah, nothing." I rather keep our conversation secret and I know that it is what he wants too. "Anyway I am here to ask for forgiveness about what happened yesterday."

"There is no need for that. I had slapped Sakura chan."

"Yes you did. But I do not know the reason for it."

"Because I am jealous."

What? Am I hearing it right? She said it. But I don't want to believe it.

"I don't believe it."

"It is true. I don't like her. She who is beautiful, who is strong, who is always liked by people around her and who you love. I despised her. I hate everything about her."

I am not sure what to say. Hearing those words coming from her in a cold tone, it made me sad. But by looking at her I know she is lying. Is she the one lying or I am the one who is lying to myself? Why I could not believe that she is capable of hating?

"Lies. I do not know what happened but I am sure what you are saying now is just nothing but a lie."

"No Naruto it is the truth. I can't believe you are this stupid. Why can't you just believe what it is I am telling you."

I was quiet for a moment. She called me stupid with that same stoic face. I feel my blood rushing into my veins. Yet I still could not believe her lies.

"There is nothing to talk about anymore. You can leave now, I got other matters to attend to." She said and started to walk away.

"Do you know what type of person I hate the most?" I said in a low sad voice.

She did not say anything but she stopped on walking away from me. She is listening.

"I hate those who lied about their feelings."

"Why? Why can't you just believe me?" her voice it cracks. As if she is in the verge of tears. "I called you stupid. I said I am jealous. Why can't you just leave me like that?"

"Because when I was alone and judged by everyone you still managed to love me. You love me when no one even acknowledge my existence. I could not just believe on those lies Hinata. I know you can't breed hate."

I saw her fell on her knees. Her fist clenched and tears drenching the floor.

"Stupid! Stupid Naruto kun." She cried.

I just smiled. I am right about her after all.

I walked towards her and raised her face so she could see me.

"I would not ask about the reason why you did it. But I assure you nothing is going to change between us. You are still the gentle heart Hinata for me."

"Naruto kun..."

She cry even harder as she buried her face on my chest.

"Hey, Hinata don't cry. Your father might misunderstand things again and kill me." I said in panic.

Her sobbing did not stop but it she lowered her voice down. She exposed her vulnerable side to me just like Sakura chan did. But this is different from those moment I had with Sakura chan.

With Sakura chan, I feel that it is my duty to comfort her. To protect her with anything that will hurt her. But with Hinata, I just wanted to comfort her, no reason needed. I just wanted to protect her like it is the most natural thing I do.