AN: Gah, big update. But I guess that's apology for not updating in like half a year. Blame it on my computer completely breaking down. I had to transport my Hard Drive to an external enclosure to salvage this.

To the people who have this on their story alerts- I am so, so sorry. I am just editing the other chapter so I should be able to update quickly now. Especially since my computer isn't old and slow anymore.

Well, this is the chapter you've all been waiting for. Well almost…

The moment Naruto approached the camp with his mother he was seized by a forceful hand, and slammed against a tree.

"You bastard. What did you do to Hinata-chan?!" Naruto blinked, unable to recognize the enraged boy before him. This wasn't the Shino he knew.

"She has been bawling her eyes out for the last three hours and she refused to see any of us. What the FUCK did you do?" The bug user demanded, not even bothering to keep his stolid expression anymore. Shino's bugs started forming a cloud of anger around him, but Naruto was oblivious to this.

"Hinata?" Hiroko wondered out-loud before her eyes suddenly snapped open with realization. She must've saw us and gotten the wrong idea!

"Naruto!" Hiroko barked commandingly as she stared hard at her son, but Naruto didn't need any commands. Without breaking a sweat, Naruto easily tore out of Shino's grasp, sending the bug user flying across the clearing and slamming into a tree. Without a second glance, Naruto proceeded into camp.

"Bastard." Shino spat at the blonde's retreating back as he picked himself off of the ground, blood tricking down his mouth. "You don't deserve Hinata. She's in more pain with you than with anyone else."

Naruto suddenly froze, his eyes gazing over. The bug user's words penetrated deep because he knew Shino was correct. Hinata… You are in pain whenever you're around me… I'm so sorry… Naruto clenched his fists in sorrow and looked down, but after a second, the blond looked back up, a new passion alight in his eyes.

"You're right Shino. I am not worthy of her. But if I can do anything to lessen her pain, I will do it." Naruto suddenly looked back at the bug user and flashed one of his signature grins. "I will bear Hinata's burden along with her!" He proclaimed before walking determinately into camp.

After a few seconds of initial shock, Shino found his voice again even though Naruto was already out of earshot. "You idiot! You are that burden!"

As Naruto neared the tent where Kurenai directed him, he couldn't help but hesitate. Am I really ready for this? Can someone like me possibly help her? The blond boy sighed, shaking his head to clear his mind of such thoughts.

This is for Hinata! And with that, Naruto walked though the tent flap, for better or for worse, he could not tell.

The sudden burst of light blinded Hinata for a second, but somehow she knew who entered. Sighing sadly, the heart broken girl turned away from Naruto, unable to face him.

"Excuse me for intruding Hinata…" Naruto said quietly. For a moment, no one spoke. Then Hinata finally decided to break the silence.

"Naruto-kun? Is there something you need?" She asked quietly, still with her back turned. She didn't want Naruto to see her puffy red eyes. There was no way she was going to show him any weakness.

"Ah… You're acting so cold!" Naruto said jokingly, his lame attempt at humor sounding even hollow to his own ears.

"Naruto-kun… If there's nothing you need, then could you please leave me alone?" Hinata asked frostily. Naruto winced at the harsh words, but he had already steeled himself to accept her words. He had to help Hinata and he was not leaving until he did.

"Please, Hinata… If there's anything I can do I-"

"So now you care?" Naruto cringed at the sudden attack but he couldn't stop now.

"I'm sorry Hinata. I didn't mean to hurt you…"

"Then why couldn't you listen to what I had to say?" Hinata asked softly. After just merging with her older self and Naruto's rejection, she was no longer herself anymore.

"Because I can't lose you." Naruto said softly, now finally understanding why Hinata was like this. It was all because of his stupid unthinking actions at that time.

"You were the first to accept me and to show me any affection at all. To hear the word, 'loath.' I wouldn't be able to stand it… That's why I had to stop you." Naruto confessed looking down at the ground with his eyes tightly shut. Even thinking back to that time hurt him more than any physical wound could.

"W-what? You don't dislike me?" Hinata whirled around, unable to understand what she was hearing. Loath? When did I ever say that?

"W-what are you talking about?!" Naruto said suddenly as he looked up, straight into Hinata's lavender eyes. The blond boy suddenly gasped, his mind momentarily wiped blank by Hinata's intense stare.

"I-I mean when you were about to say that you loathed me…" Naruto took a deep steadying breath before continuing. Even if it hurts me, this is what Hinata really feels and I must accept it for her sake.

"I am sorry Hinata. I'm not considering your feelings in this." Naruto said abruptly, a rueful smile plastered on his face. Without pause, Naruto grinned cheerfully at Hinata, even while tears blurred his vision. It hurts…But…

"If you hate me then I will accept it." Without another word Naruto turned around and proceeded to the tent flap, unable to keep his façade any longer. I can't do this anymore. Naruto realized as he felt the grin slipping from his face.

"Naruto! No!" The blond boy froze, but it was only for a second.

"Hinata… It's already hard to deny my own feelings. Don-" The rest of Naruto's words were drowned out as he felt someone press against his back and two delicate arms suddenly embrace him in a warm hug.

"H-Hinata! You don't have to hurt yourself for me! I know you've kept in your hatred all this time, but it's ok now!" Naruto protested as he tried to free himself from the girl's grasps, but Hinata was not to be denied.

"Baka, since when did I ever say I hated you?" Hinata whispered as she released Naruto from her grasps. This time when Naruto looked back, there were tears on the pale girl's face, but for some reason she was smiling.

"B-but back then-" Hinata suddenly hushed Naruto, pushing a finger to his lips.

"Last time you didn't let me finish…" Hinata said shyly, and for the first time in hours, a red flush crept up her cheeks.

"But if you weren't going to say you loathed me, what were you going to say?" Naruto asked the typical confusion clouded his eyes. The blush that was on Hinata's cheeks suddenly glowed even deeper, but miraculously Hinata managed an answer.

"That's for me to know, and you to find out." Hinata replied cheekily before she swiftly pushed a mystified Naruto out of her tent.

As Naruto looked back at the closed tent flap, a small blush of his own ran though his face.

I really like her…

So… You finally understand? About time. Naruto jumped as the Kyuubi's voice boomed though his mind. Although the Demon Fox sounded as arrogant as ever, there was a slight tinge of regret within its voice. As Naruto materialized in front of the demon, he couldn't help but admire the fact that the Kyuubi looked less pompous than it usually was.

"You! Bastard fox!"Naruto then paused, seeming unsure of what to say.

Ho ho! I bet your wondering how to thank me? The Kyuubi asked lightheartedly, sniggering slightly, but its laughter soon drifted off as the Kyuubi noticed that the blond wasn't cursing like he usually would've.

"Actually… Yeah… Thanks."Naruto said sheepishly. For a moment, there was silence, but it was immediately broken by the Kyuubi's snort of disbelief.

Ok you imposter. What did you do to Naruto? The Demon Fox demanded, growling at the Naruto clone before him.

"W-what? I'm serious!"

Impossible. The Naruto I know is a brash, stupid, unthankful bastard who wouldn't know the meaning of gratitude if it were stuck up his ass like the chronic constipation that afflicts him. The Kyuubi rumbled, clearly enjoying its rant about his container, all the while the said container was reddening with rage.

"Screw you bastard fox! I was wrong to try to thank you!"Naruto screeched, stamping his feet in anger.

Now there's the Naruto I know! The Kyuubi said approvingly, before slouching onto the ground. But there's no need to thank me. It makes me sound like I helped you.

At the sudden change in attitude, Naruto was mollified once more. Sighing, the blond decided to object, although he knew it would go against his interests. "No, that's not true. I would've never known my mother was here or made up with Hinata if it weren't for you."

Suddenly, a large grin graced the Kyuubi's face. So you finally acknowledge Hinata's love for you? Good job. She'll make a fine mate. If my projections are correct then our children will have no shortage of food with her around.

Naruto's eyes twitched with annoyance. He knew this wasn't a good idea and now he was paying for it. "W-what?! You bastard perverted fox! Even if I love Hinata, it doesn't mean she loves me back! And what did you mean by that food comment?"

I was merely implying that she would fill out quite nicely, but what you just said has me more intrigued.

Naruto suddenly paled in dismay at the Kyuubi's impish glare and he quickly scoured his memory for anything he said that could be used against him. What did I say? What did I say?!

So, you admit you love Hinata? Oh unrequited love! Now you know how it feels, eh? The Kyuubi mocked, knowing it had hit the spot when the blond suddenly flushed red with anger and embarrassment.

"I-I never said I loved Hinata! Stop putting words in my mouth!" Naruto commanded, trying to look unemotional but failing horribly.

Oh really? I do believe we have a playback feature somewhere in here… Ah, here it is! Naruto jumped back as the Kyuubi suddenly smashed the floor with one of its massive claws. Suddenly, Naruto's voice filled the chamber repeating the same phrase over and over, "Even if I loved Hinata."

"Even! I said even! Damn it! Don't you know anything about key words?" Naruto hollered over his own voice, but despite his best attempts he could not believe himself.

So you're saying you have no feelings for this girl at all? The Kyuubi asked slowly as the echoes died out.

"I didn't say that-"

Then what's the problem? The Kyuubi asked. Instantly, the Demon Fox retreated from Naruto's accusing glare.

Oh… Me… Well, good luck on your love escapades. The fox said as it suddenly disappeared into the shadows of its cage.

"I already told you! It has nothing to do with love!"

"What's up with you two? Why are you whistling so early in the morning?" Kurenai asked, herself in high spirits at seeing Hinata finally out of her tent. If Hinata didn't recover, then Kurenai would've taken the matter up with Naruto and the new girl.

The two Shinobi exchanged embarrassed glances at each other, but they didn't bother answering their sensei's question. Instead, Naruto decided to change the subject.

"Hey, what happened to Haku and the eyebrowless freak?" The blond asked suddenly, for the first time realizing that the two were nowhere in sight.

"If you mean the two Missing Nin, they escaped the moment it appeared that they were losing." Kurenai answered, her eyes narrowing as Naruto sighed in relief.

"That's good. I could care less about the freak, but Haku's a different story." Naruto said carelessly, oblivious to Kurenai's displeasure, and Hinata's sudden confused expression.

"Umm… Naruto-kun… What do you think about Haku?" Hinata asked blushing deeply as Kurenai and Naruto suddenly stared at her in disbelief.

"You didn't stutter!" Naruto said just as Kurenai proclaimed, "It's a miracle!"

"N-Naruto-kun! Please take me seriously."

"S-sorry." Naruto said sheepishly before falling silent as he considered the girl's question. "She's a friend." He said, after thinking for about five seconds.

"But I heard you two talking and you said that she was pretty!" Hinata blanched as these words left her mouth. She wasn't thinking again!

"Ah Hinata! Is this jealousy we're seeing here?" Kurenai asked mischievously.

"Eh?" Naruto asked, as usual, clueless to the ramblings of women. "Of course I said she was pretty. I've not going to lie and say she's ugly." The blond boy reasoned, proving the completely untrue stereotype that all blonds were stupid. Kurenai face twitched in annoyance at Hinata's vain attempts, and she decided to help out the poor girl.

"I think what Hinata's trying to say is, what do you think of her?" Success! Kurenai crowed as Naruto suddenly went into a blushing frenzy.

"W-what are you saying you perverted sensei! She's my teammate." Naruto protested immediately, unaware of the hole he was digging himself.

"Oh, so you think of Hinata in that kind of way?" Kurenai ventured grinning as Naruto stared back at her in confusion. "I never said that you thought of Hinata like 'that'. You're the one who assumed…" The meddling sensei wasn't even finished with her reasoning when Hinata collapsed onto the ground in a dead faint.

"Now look what you did you perverted sensei!" Naruto growled as he gathered Hinata in his arms, careful to avoid any suggestive places. Because of Kurenai, Naruto was beginning to think of Hinata as more than just a teammate, and frankly, it was frightening him.

"Egh, don't shout this early Naruto." Naruto whirled around, smiling widely as Hiroko approached him an impish twinkle in her eyes.

"Mom!" The blond shouted without thinking. A moment later Naruto clamped his own mouth shut as he realized that Kurenai was still standing besides him, but it was too late.

"Mom?" Naruto apprehensively twisted his head back to face his sensei, his face paling at the evil expression Kurenai had on her face. "I think we need to have a talk together."

"So you're saying that you two are into S&M, and Hiroko here is the S while Naruto is the M? Somehow I don't believe it." Kurenai said, skepticism etched across her face as she stared at the two kids kneeling before her.

"What? We're professionals! How dare you accuse us of being posers?!" Hiroko cried as she jolted up, attempting to look extremely affronted, but failing horribly. Naruto was just covering his face in shame, unable to look at his mother.

"Prove it." Kurenai said easily, causing a prolonged silence to descend upon the conversation.

Dear god no. Naruto thought his face glowed red from embarrassment.

"Eh, what?" Hiroko asked dumbly, still not believing that Kurenai actually said what she did.

"I said, prove it. Here's a little something to help you." Kurenai said calmly as she produced a whip out of nowhere and handed it to the dumbfounded girl.

For a few seconds Hiroko just stared at the whip in disbelief, but then she snapped her head up and looked defiantly at Kurenai. "Fine then! Naruto, get up!" She shouted, cracking her whip dangerously close to Naruto's head.

"But mom!" Naruto whimpered, as he stared up at his mother pleadingly. The boy suddenly cringed as he saw the wild expression in his mother's eyes, and tried to crawl away.

"That's right! Who's your mom?" Hiroko snapped as she snapped the whip again, this time near somewhere better left unmentioned. "Bark like a dog!"

"Kobayashi, woof. (Props for whoever gets the reference)" Naruto yelped, unconvincingly, tears swimming in his eyes. This is my mother we're talking about! Even if she has a different body she's still my mother!

"Ok, that was the lamest attempt of S&M I have ever seen." Kurenai said as she massaged her temples, causing Hiroko to freeze just as she was about to give Naruto another taste of her whip.

"H-how would you know?" Naruto's mother challenged, as she pointed the whip threateningly at Kurenai. Naruto suddenly looked up his face scrunched in thought. His mother actually brought up a good point. How did Kurenai know anything about S&M? And more importantly, what in the world was she doing with a whip in the first place?!

Kurenai froze, suddenly realizing that she was trapped in a corner. Damn you Anko! Kurenai cursed, her face burning red from embarrassment.

"Ok then! Let's just forget this little incident and call it quits, ok?" Kurenai asked, smiling forcefully as she took back her whip and turned around to avoid facing the two kids.

"Wait, I'm not letting this go!" Hiroko said, grabbing Naruto by the scruff as he tried to escape the tent. "How do you know so much about this stuff?"

Realizing there was no way out of this, Kurenai sighed. Well at least I can clear my name up in this. She thought before starting her reluctant explanation. "I-If you must know, there's this Shinobi named Anko… A real freak…"

"Anko's a man right?" Hiroko interrupted suddenly, causing Kurenai to stare at her uncomprehendingly.

"No she's a woman."

"WHAT? You're a lesbian?!" Hiroko cried, her shout so deafening that it caused a certain Shinobi to drop though the roof of the tent and straight onto Kurenai's lap.

"I'm sorry ladies but I couldn't help but overhear that there's a certain lesbian who loves S&M?"

"KAKASHI!" Kurenai roared, her eyes twitching madly at the sight of the open pervert, whose mask was curiously stained red for the moment.

"We should go…" Hiroko said quickly as he dragged Naruto from the tent, leaving the eavesdropper to his fate.

"Haha! We got out of that one unscathed!" Hiroko laughed as she slapped Naruto's back repeatedly.

"Mom, are you feeling alright?" Naruto asked, staring at his mother in concern. Although in the real world his mother always acted childishly, this was a bit too much. Maybe the trip here addled her brain or something? Naruto thought, horrified.

"Never better!" Hiroko replied, flexing her muscles to prove her point.

"Seriously, if there's something wrong-" His words drifted off as Hiroko suddenly grasped his shoulders and stared deep into his eyes. Even though he knew it was his mother before him, Naruto couldn't help but notice how stunning her new body was.

"Naruto, this is the first time where I'm not bothered by work and I'm able to spend some time with you." Hiroko said seriously before forcing Naruto into a headlock. "Don't mess it up." She threatened darkly as she rapped Naruto's skull with her fist.

"Ack, mom! Even if it is you, it's not your body!" Naruto chocked out, and Hiroko seemed to realize this at the same time because she immediately released Naruto, sticking out her tongue playfully.

"I didn't know my boy was so stiff." Hiroko stated, but even as she said this she felt another consciousness rising in her mind.

"Naruto!" Hiroko said suddenly, and the blond, who had recently been manhandled by his own mother, looked up in confusion.

"Listen to me carefully," She hissed, now painfully aware of her son's short attention span. "Whenever I don't act like myself, avoid me."

"Like right now?" Naruto asked sarcastically, but when his mother didn't laugh, Naruto suddenly felt a stab of worry run though his heart.

"I'm being serious. Do not talk to me, do not look for me, just stay away." Hiroko sighed in relief, as Naruto nodded slowly, no signs of humor present on his face.

"Good, you can start now." Hiroko said, before giving up her control on Jeanne's body.

Although Naruto promised her mother that he would stay away, he had his fingers crossed at the time. It was simply impossible for Naruto not to help his mother, but when his mother looked up again, her eyes were no longer cerulean, but a bright purple.

"W-woah!" Naruto gasped, backpedaling away.

"Wait!" The new girl said urgently.

Naruto paused, looking warily at this girl, confusion growing as he noticed her avoiding his gaze. After a moment, Naruto realized something. Mom's inside this girl's body! This girl is probably suffering like I was in the beginning!

Without thinking, Naruto suddenly knelt on the ground. "Although my mother is annoying, brash, and unthinking, could you bear with her a bit longer?" The blond pleaded.

"So you're Naruto…" The said boy looked up in confusion at the awed tone in the girl's voice.

"I've heard so much about you but… You're so much more than I expected." The silver-haired girl murmured, before shaking her head to clear her muddled mind. "My name is Jeanne, and as you already know, I am also your mother's 'container.'"

"So you know all about that?"

"Yes… But let's talk. Tell me about your relationship with your mother. I'm dieing to know." The pale girl sat down as she said this, patting the ground besides her.

"Uhh… Sure." Naruto said slowly, not sure what to make of the situation as he sat down besides the girl. It was strange, and now that the person sitting besides him was no longer his mother he was self-conscious of the intense stare Jeanne was giving him.

"Umm, could you not look at me like that? It's kind of creepy."

"Why? I like you so I stare at you. You are pleasing to the eyes. Is there something wrong with that?" Jeanne asked, cocking her head in confusion.

"You humans are so weird." She said with a giggle, as Naruto's mouth dropped down in surprise and a blush crept across his face.

"I'm sorry but I'm taken!" Naruto blurted out suddenly, wincing as the words came out of his mouth.

"Hmm? I don't know what you're talking about but it's alright." Jeanne murmured before looking away from Naruto and staring up into the treetops. "There, is that better?"

"Wha?"

"I'm not looking at you, now am I? Please go on and tell me about your relationship."

For a moment, Naruto just stared at Jeanne in utter confusion, but he shook his head and gathered his wits. There wasn't any harm in answering the girl's questions was there?

Naruto couldn't sleep. The events from the day were still swimming around in his head, especially what Hinata had said. "Just what was she going to say?" He murmured softly to himself, frowning in confusion. Not only were her words keeping him awake, but his own torrent of feelings were not giving him a moment's bit of rest.

"I'd like a Ferrari…" Muttered Hiroko, already deep in her dreams. Without warning she suddenly rolled around in her sleeping bag so she was literary face to face with her son.

"I need some private time…" Naruto sighed, getting up from his own sleeping bag, and escaping from the tent. He knew sooner or later his mother would eventually progress to kicking him in her sleep.

"Man, what was Hinata thinking?" Naruto groaned, plopping down on the grass.

"Can't sleep?"

"Holy shit!" Naruto screeched, bolting up, his eyes twitching madly as he stared that the silver haired girl that suddenly appeared before him. For some reason, whenever he was around this girl and it wasn't his mother in control, she always gave off a faint glow in the darkness.

"M-Mo- I mean Jeanne?" He asked, still not sure if his heart was going to be ok from the sudden shock.

"Hmm, you're catching on." The girl said cheerfully as she plopped down onto the ground and stared up into the skies. "You know… There are times where I just want to stare at the stars."

Naruto frowned, not sure how to react, so he kept his silence, but despite Naruto's unresponsiveness the girl continued, unabashed.

"It's a weird feeling, and it takes some time to get used to." Jeanne suddenly looked at Naruto, a small smile playing on her lips. "Naruto, you're not like me. You can't stare at the stars all night long. You only have a limited amount of time in this world and you should live your life to the fullest."

For a second, Naruto only looked at the girl in surprise, but then her words struck a cord in his heart. There was something he had to do, and he couldn't just waste time thinking about it.

"Jeanne… Thanks." Naruto said quietly before dashing off into the night. The said girl shook her head, with the same smile still on her lips.

"No, thank you. Now I understand my place in this world." She murmured, still engrossed with her stargazing.

He was sure it was Hinata's tent. It had been only this afternoon since he had been shooed away, and even his memory wasn't that bad.

"Hinata?" The blond whispered as he peeked in though a crack in the tent flap. Not here? He thought in confusion as he spotted the empty sleeping bag. Without a second thought, Naruto entered the tent feeling only more befuddled when he didn't spot the girl anywhere. Reaching down tentatively, Naruto felt Hinata's sleeping bag.

It's still warm! Naruto realized in surprise. Taking in a deep breath, he smiled. "That's definitely Hinata…"

"N-Naruto-kun? What are you doing?" The said blond suddenly jerked up from his reverie.

"H-Hinata!" He cried in surprise. Although it was dark, Naruto could see Hinata's growing blush, which only meant one thing. She had heard what he had said moments ago.

"I-It's not what you think! I wasn't stealing your panties like some pervert!" He shouted out suddenly, his older-self's over imaginative mind kicking into overdrive.

"I-I wouldn't mind if it were y- I mean…" Hinata broke off with a blush. The reply had come without thinking, and obviously it wasn't the reaction Naruto was expecting from the stare that he gave her. The awkward silence was only broken by Naruto's repeated failures at breathing.

"I-I just wanted to talk to you about something! Please meet me outside when you feel ready!" Naruto managed to choke out, before rushing past Hinata with an embarrassed expression on his face.

Why did I say that?! Hinata berated herself, nearly as red as lobster from humiliation. He'll defiantly think I'm some freak and- Wait… He wants to meet me? Outside? In the middle of the night?

There was only one explanation the poor girl could come up with.

A confession?!

Hinata was in disarray. If this was a confession then she was not at all prepared for it. Her hair was a mess, her clothing was caked with mud, and she didn't even have makeup. In the real world, she had it all planned out. It would've been at a romantic seaside trip during the sunset. She would've been prepared, dressed up with her best make up on. Hell, she even bought one of those push up bras just for Naruto, not that she needed it. But in this world she had nothing. It was a nightmare, truly a nightmare.

Wait calm down Hinata. I don't even know he's confessing to me. He might just be being himself again. With this, Hinata somehow managed to calm herself enough to think clearly.

"Don't get you're hopes up…" Hinata murmured quietly to herself as she exited the tent.

Sweat was condensing on Naruto's hands as he waited impatiently for Hinata. Vaguely, he wondered if it always took women this long to prepare.

"Ugh, I don't think I have the guts to do this." The blond muttered, feeling sick to his stomach.

If there's one thing you don't lack kit, it's guts.

"Easy for you to say. You're not the one doing this." Naruto said angrily, falling silent when he heard the soft footfalls of someone behind him. She's here…

"Naruto-kun? I-It's late." Naruto stiffened involuntarily at Hinata's voice. If he were to turn around now, he was sure he would be beyond the point of no return.

Screw it. I only live once. The blond thought, whipping around suddenly. What he saw eliminated all doubts from his mind and left him speechless. Enveloped by moonlight, Hinata seemed to glow with an ethereal light. The light flush on her cheeks contrasted sharply with her porcelain like skin and even though she was clad in her regular baggy cloth, her presence remained undiminished. Naruto knew that at that moment before him was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen in his life.

"I- You-"

"Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked, growing pale as she watched the blond struggle for a breath. Without thinking she approached Naruto with a hand outstretched.

"W-wait!" Naruto managed to cry, not sure if he handle any physical contact at the moment. He needed to have his feelings known before he lost his chance forever.

"Please listen to me Hinata." Naruto said solemnly, managing to convey the importance of his next statements with the tone of his voice. The pale-faced girl nodded with an air of unease. Taking a steadying breath, Naruto steered himself for the monumental task before him.

"I know this is sudden, being in the middle of the night and all, but this is important."

"I believe you Naruto-kun." Hinata smiled reassuringly at Naruto, knowing that the boy needed more help than she did at the moment.

Naruto gasped, feeling his stomach turn as she smiled at him. It was a weird feeling, one that he had never noticed before, and he was only dimly aware that he had never felt like this around Sakura.

"I can't believe how stupid I have been." The blond breathed, smiling ruefully. "Remember that time near the lake?" Naruto asked suddenly, the same smile still playing on his lips.

"Y-yes?" Hinata answered shakily, unsure what the boy was getting at.

"Do you still remember what you told me? I still remember very clearly. You said that I would always be Naruto-kun to you." Naruto said fondly, not noticing Hinata's sudden silence, or the flush that was starting to creep up her face.

"I was happy then, and it was the first time these strange emotions started to bloom, and they have only gotten stronger these past few days. When I thought you were about to say loath… Well, I think that was the breaking point."

The little color that was left in Hinata's cheeks suddenly left, and her breaths suddenly came in short erratic bursts. It can't be… No…It's too good to be true.

"I was an idiot before, but no more! I'm not sure what I'm going to say next, and you might actually reject me, but I'm sure I'm not going to regret this." The boy suddenly looked straight into Hinata's large lavender eyes, a fire burning in his eyes.

"Hinata, I love you!" The words came out unbidden but the moment these words exited Naruto's mouth, he knew that they were true. Everything that had transpired could only be explained by that those words and miraculously the words have found its way out of his mouth.

"H-Hinata?" Naruto asked uncertainly when Hinata didn't reply, merely staring at the ground. She really does loathe me…She lied that time because she's just that kind of person. In reality she hates me like everyone else. The blond realized, a swift piercing pain striking his heart. Suddenly, Naruto found himself sprawling across the grass, shoved down by two delicate hands.

"I loathe… I absolutely loathe…"

AN: Oh, another cliffhanger. Well don't worry guys. I finished all my chapters and I'm just editing them. In my opinion, my ending is quite… Epic (Using the term really lightly here). So just tell me what you think of this chapter. I'm feeling quite down these days and I need a pick me up.

PS: Sorry about that weird scene (You know which one I'm talking about). I thought it was funny…

Next chapter: What does Hinata mean by Loathe?

100,000 word breached! Yay, now it's going to be included in thoes searches with 100,000+ words.