Something There

"There you go" Hinata said as she handed Naruto a piece of cloth after having breakfast together.

"You finished it. So fast?" he asked her surprised. This kind of knitting according to Tsunade was really difficult and it took his mom to make that much months, "you never cease to amaze me, Hinata."

"Oh no! More than half was already done, I just added some final touches to it… hope-hope you like it…" she said half smiling and half fearing what he might do if she did something wrong. But to her utter surprise, Naruto hugged her. Tightly.

"It's perfect" he said. Hinata was speechless. Naruto hugged her for two more seconds before breaking it off realizing what he just did made him as nervous as Hinata was. It has been almost a week since the day he realized his feelings for her and he had been trying to avoid her. His brain says no but his heart always wins the competition and he give into the temptation of being with her. It tortures him to the end of the world knowing that someone like Hinata would never return his feelings, he thinks he doesn't deserve her love. He could not be more wrong.

"Um… so yeah I'll go and put it up their grave with some fresh flowers…" he said trying not make eye contact and give away his nervousness about he was about to ask her. Once again, his brain was fighting his heart.

She will say no!

But what if she says yes?

You'll make a fool of yourself!

But there is no harm in asking! His heart fought his brain. Even though it was a very simple thing yet he was having problem voicing it out.

"Sure! I am glad you liked it!" Hinata said and was making her way to go out.

It's now or never, Nartuo!

"Hinata" he called and she stopped at the door and turned towards him, perplexed, "… do you…maybe… wanna come with me? To my parent's grave I mean…" his heart won as he asked her shyly.

"Yes!" she replied a bit too quickly. Naruto smiled brightly and nodded.

#

At noon both of them met at the bottom of the stairs. Naruto led the way to his parent's grave; it was just behind the mansion a few meters away. There was another garden there but this one had both red and yellow roses covering the two grave stones. It looked like a shrine for the fallen heroes. Naruto had two garlands made of white carnations and Hinata was holding the red scarf that she completed. As they neared the Naruto paused before going in, it has been a long time since he had visited them. As he saw from far that the flowers were blossoming, he felt ashamed as it should be his duty to water the flowers and take care of his parent's grave not someone else's. But here he was standing, with a crushing guilt that suddenly came over him - they died protecting him and he in return was angry at them for leaving him alone in this world, with a monster sealed inside him. He hated the choice they made. Suddenly his whole body started feeling heavy. His eyes were fixed on the gardens ahead. But why would any parent want to leave their kid alone? He could hear this heartbeat increasing, he started remembering the stories Jiraiya told him about his parents. How brave they were, how unselfish they were… how hard it must've have been that they had to leave their only child alone in this world, with a target on his back. Naruto didn't used to believe Jiraiya that was until the day he met Sasuke and he started having these dreams about his parents. They were more of a memory than a dream, a very vague and long-lost memory in which his mother is holding him in front of her and both his parents are smiling at him. That was all he needed to love them. He had not thought about that memory since Sasuke had gone but now it was all coming to him, making it harder to walk each second.

I am just a selfish person! I don't think about anyone other than myself! He thought, clutching his chest. For the first time in his life, his eyes were teary and he absolutely did not want to cry in front of Hinata of all people. But he could not also face his parents himself, even though he barely remembers them, he knows they will be disappointment in him for what he has become. As now he once again remembered how much they loved him and what they had sacrificed for everyone's sake.

I was not worth their sacrifice! I-I am useless! I blame others for this but all of this happened because of me!

Hinata was shocked to see Naruto like this. The past week had been a blur for her as he was a complete gentleman to her. For god's sake he served her breakfast! She put in extra effort to complete the scarf within the week, just to make him happy. She liked seeing him happy and smiling than brooding all the time. Smiling really suits him, it's like what he is actually be supposed to do. Plus, she knows that he was trying to make up for the incident the other day. She has forgiven him for that, she understands how precious parents' things can be to an orphan. She too would have lashed out if someone touched her mom's stuff like that. But like now she understood that Naruto was undergoing an emotional turmoil.

Must be visiting his parent's grave after a long time, I think… she said sadly smiling at him and then with her free hand she grabbed his free hand and locked her fingers with his. The sudden warmth on his hand made Naruto come back to reality and he looked at her. For confidence. For assurance. For comfort.

"Hey, it'll be alright" Hinata said coming close to him, "you'll be fine. Okay?"

Naruto just looked at her, he wanted to move but his legs were refusing. He just nodded at her and she smiled not sadly but a sweet, loving smile which gave Naruto butterflies. Because Naruto's feet refused to move, Hinata led them. As led them Naruto felt his body getting lighter and completely in her control. The tears he was struggling to control where no longer in his control, but he did not care if he was sobbing. He knew as long as he was with Hinata, he will be fine. She will not judge him for crying or even lashing out on her, she is the most understanding and kind person he has ever met.

How did I ever hate her?

They both reached the graves and as they entered, they saw not two but three graves. A grave that Naruto completely forgot existed near his parents. He was not ready for this.

Namazaki Minato, Uzumaki Kushina… who's that? Hinata thought.

"Who's Uchiha Obito, Naruto?" she asked but she turned her gaze towards Naruto who had already fallen on his knees as guilt once again take over his body.

#

"He is visiting his parent's grave!" Yamato rushed in the living room where everyone was sitting.

"So what?" Kakashi asked lazily as half of his concentration was in the book he was reading.

"SO WHAT? Kakashi Senpai! You know the guilt he carries with himself! He cannot handle it on his own!" Yamato shouted.

"No, he has to" Tsunade said.

"Plus, he is not even alone. Hinata went with him" Kakashi said turning a page.

"How do you know that?" Yamato asked, "were you spying on them?!"

"No, unlike you Tenzo I was just present there when they were talking. Honestly when those two are together they don't give a shit about anyone around them… those idiots don't even realize it" Kakashi said the book still in his hands.

"Firstly, for once in your life can you please leave the prono book and take the situation seriously. Secondly, are you all forgetting that Obito's grave is also there!" Yamato yelled at everyone. Everyone looked a little distressed.

"Well now that is really a pain, he has never visited his grave… I don't think he even knew we gave Obito the grave there" Jiraiya said, feeling concerned, "but it is something he has to deal with himself. None of us can help him." Tsunade and Kakashi nodded in agreement and Kakashi even put down his book as soon as he heard Obito's name.

"But what if he loses control?!" Yamato said, "what if Hinata is-"

"Nothing will happen, relax" Jiraiya said smiling to himself.

"How are you so sure?" Tsunade asked.

"Tell me, did any one us had been in a fight with Naruto for the past week? Did anyone saw him brooding was long periods of time?" Jiraiya addressed the room and no one seemed to yes so he continued, "and have seen the change in his moods? The constant smiling? You guys get it don't you?"

"He will never hurt her" Kakashi said as he also has been noticing these things.

"Just wait and watch Tsuande, Yamato… our Naruto is finally growing up" Jiraiya said smiling.

#

"Are you okay?" Hinata panicked as she saw tears streaming down Naruto's face and as he clutched his chest. Hinata could hear his heart beat and his breathing was abnormal. His fox-like features were enhanced and his eyes were already red. But Naruto didn't feel anger boil inside him, it was pain.

He died because of me… because of me. I am the reason for all of their deaths!

"Naru-"

"THEY DIED BECAUSE OF ME!" he screamed, "all of them, because of me. I-I…"

"Hey… it's okay. They loved you and I am sure they don't regret dying to protect you. I know what happened to your parents, I am sure they loved you more than anything in this world. Naruto-kun, you deserved their love" Hinata said and placed her small hand on his chest to slowly Naruto's heartbeat calmed and his breathing started to returned to normal.

"I am not worth their sacrifices" he said looking at Obito's grave and remembering how he died saving Naruto from the White Zetsus.

"Uzumaki Naruto" Hinata's voice was stern suddenly and she held Naruto's hands and looked directly into his red eyes, "you might be a little bit proud and arrogant and sometimes a real pain in the ass BUT you are not worthless. I know that because you saved my life, you saved someone you hate. You are kind, thoughtful and brave. Don't say you are worthless! I know deep down you are an amazing person, a warm-hearted person…" Naruto's eyes were slowly turning back into his own deep blue colour. He was calming down.

Where did that come from? Hinata thought as she was still holding on Naruto's hand. She did not want to let go of him, she wanted him to know that she does not hate him. Absolutely not. Something she discovered last week and was unable to admit to herself. Until now.

I do not… I do not hate you… she thought, and held Naruto's hand firmly, No. I should but I don't. This is bizarre. He kidnapped my father and now he has me as his prisoner! That's right, her expression changed to sadness, I am his prisoner, he would never forgive me. He would never care.

Suddenly, Naruto looked up staring directly in Hinata's eyes. He was in pain, she could tell. He needed someone to tell him it's not his fault, it never was. He needed to have some sense knocked into him. He could not believe his ears when Hinata said he was kind, thoughtful and brave. He needed to hear that again.

Most importantly, he needed to look into her eyes and look for the sincerity in her words.

He has never treated me like a slave.

"Do you really mean that?" he said in a soft voice.

"Yes" she replied firmly, sadness no longer lingered on her face.

He knew she wasn't lying. Both were quiet for a long time and then Hinata released Naruto's hand suddenly realizing she was squeezing very hard. She was usually on edge, scared of Naruto might say. Scared if he understood her feelings. And if he did, what will he do.

"Thank you" Naruto said, standing up, "thank you, Hinata."

All she could do was smile.

But he hugged her. Tightly. To his surprise, she hugged him back.

After their long hug ended, both of them were completely red and flustered. But none pointed out the obvious fact. Naruto placed the scarf and garlands on his parents' grave. He did not have anything else so he made a mental promise to bring something on Obito's grave. The guilt was far from gone, but it was bearable. Something about Hinata made Naruto feel good about himself.

If only I could kiss her! was all he thought the rest of the day.

After coming back from the graves, both went to their rooms to rest. Thankfully, they avoided meeting with anyone else for the rest of the day.

But all Hinata could think of the rest of the day was, I like him. Shit.