*~~*

Naruto's heart was pounding like a drum. None of this had been planned; he'd certainly not meant to end up hugging Hinata in a field.

But he was.

And he liked it.

A lot.

When, he wondered, was the last time someone had tolerated a hug from him, let alone wanted one? Under his cheek, he could feel Hinata's pulse racing in time to his own. To him, it was a melody of euphoria: both his and Hinata's. A rustle of grass, and Hinata turned over, still resting under Naruto's protective arm. Both of their faces burned as they realized this put them nose to nose.

Hinata was beautiful. She was kind. She was a talented ninja. She was everything anyone could ever want. He stared into her light purple eyes and felt his very blood shake.

Naruto wavered.

The blonde ninja clenched his eyes closed, lowering his head under Hinata's chin. His left fist clenched into the back of her yukata.

"Naruto-kun?" Hinata's breath whispered over his neck as she voiced her concern. Hot, wet tears splashed against her neck, and she gasped.

"Naruto-kun?!" She started to rise, but Naruto pulled her more tightly against him. Surprised, she stopped, putting her free hand up to cradle the back of his neck.

"I'm sorry, Hinata-chan," he whispered, his voice ragged. More hot tears splashed her neck and collar bone. Eyes wide, she gently ran her fingers through the hair on the nape of his neck and whispered soothing noises.

"I'm sorry," he repeated. "I'm sorry. So, so, so sorry. You don't deserve this. You don't deserve some idiot ninja who can't even tell if he likes somebody. I'm an idiot! An idiot!" He gasped into her neck, clung to her.

Hinata felt herself shake to her core. Naruto had...? Naruto had deduced that she liked him? And he was trying to reciprocate her feelings? A burning warmth rushed her stomach.

"Naruto-kun!" she shook him once, hard, lifting them up off the ground. Naruto pulled back, surprised, eyes wide. Was she going to hit him, he wondered? For touching her like that? He looked up and winced. Her eyes were fierce. For the first time, he was forcefully reminded that Neji and Hinata were cousins.

"Naruto-kun." Hinata took his hands, and Naruto had to force back a flinch. "You are NOT an idiot."

Naruto blinked in surprise. "What?"

She smiled. "You are NOT an idiot."

"But..."

"You're not."

Naruto looked at her, confused. "You're not mad at me?"

Hinata smiled, and Naruto felt his heart clench. It was a gentle smile, full of sincerity. And, surprisingly, love. Yet, he also recognized the smile. It was the one she always wore in his presence. He'd been such an idiot.

"I'm an idiot."

"You're not," she insisted, clenching his hands in hers.

"I am," he gave a sheepish smile. "For not noticing how you felt until now."

Hinata flinched and blushed, dropping his hands. She started to pull away, but Naruto's hands shot out and recaptured hers, pulling her forward. Hinata gasped, landing on Naruto's chest. With blinding speed, Naruto captured her in a tight hug. Hinata buried her burning face in Naruto's neck.

"I promise," he whispered, his voice low in the dark. She could feel his breath rustle over her hair. "I promise to try to give you everything you want, Hinata-chan." He felt her jump under his hands but didn't let her go. "I mean it, Hinata-chan. It's a promise." In her mind, she knew what he meant. I promise to try to love you, too.

In her ears, Hinata could hear the echoes of all the times she'd heard those words from him before. It's a promise. And Naruto never backed down on a promise.

"It's your nindo," she rasped. Naruto chuckled and nodded, putting his chin on her head and holding her tightly.

"I believe in you," she whispered, and Naruto felt his heart jump again. His arms came down from around her sides, and Hinata sat up, smiling. The most adorable blush adorned her cheeks as she smiled at him, her eyes shining with happiness in the light of the moon. "I believe in you."

"Hinata-chan." He leaned forward, pushing a wisp of her hair out of her face. Her hand came up, running over the whisker-scars on his face. Naruto's eyes closed slightly, though he wasn't sure if it was from the smell of the flowers beneath them or the peacefulness he felt, or the soft, warm touch of Hinata's fingertips on his face.

"Naruto-kun." They were nose to nose again, both of them dizzy. Naruto wondered distantly what it was like to kiss someone. But it was already too late to be wondering, because he was lowering his lips to her own, pulled by some invisible strings that he didn't care to cut.

Then a sound like the moon exploding rocked their ears, and an enormous quake threw them to the ground. Half-deaf, they looked up, eyes wide.

A roaring fireball rose over the festival, turning the dark sky a bloody red.

*~~*