FANGIRL POV:
It's been almost a month since me and my team left Konoha. Finally we are almost back, after grueling weeks of heavy shinobi training and just living out in the wild for the most part. Preparation for the upcoming Chuunin exams was so difficult and extremely taxing. Our Jounin-sensei said we should take the next step after 5 years of being Genin. I hoped that this whole outside training thing is worth it, because I missed the entire Rinne festival, which happened 2 weeks ago. I could've spent my time getting the attention of Naruto-senpai. Sigh, just when I have all the momentum and I was gone out for weeks! I feel I am already getting close to win his heart, approaching him during his lunch at Ramen Ichiraku, asking him for fighting and battle lessons, and giving him gifts when there's an occasion. Well, there are a lot us girls doing those at the same time, but hey! My name got called by Senpai once! So I know I am in the lead among those who are chasing him!
We are almost there at the gates! Finally, I can go home, work on my beauty regimen and get back on my "Operation: Be Naruto-senpai's Girlfriend!" project soon! Maybe I can catch him tonight for dinner.
"Oi, Botan! Slow down! My legs are still sore…have some mercy on me!" my teammate Tatsu blurted out, disrupting my train of thought.
"Maa, maa, Tatsu-kun. I'm sure Botan-chan here is just excited to get back and see her "Naruto-seeeeenpai!" hahaha!" my other teammate, Maki, butted in with a teasing grin directed at me. Ugh, this guy…
"Oh, such young love! Well, if you become Chuunin after this upcoming exams, maybe there's a chance you can do long missions together and do some lovey-dovey stuff while camping! Ufufufu!" Koji-sensei chimed in with that perverted look on his face. Seriously, why do I have such annoying teammates!?
"Mou! Let's just rush back and report already! I just want to get back home and relax after that torture we had to endure!" I am so done with their teasing already and I just run to the gates as fast as I can!
I can't believe what just happened during those days that I was gone. I just got two shocking news within an hour after entering Konoha's gates. The first big news was that just a few days after Rinne festival, some chunks of the moon dropped in different elemental nations, and apparently the entire moon itself was about to fall down and kill everyone and destroy everything. We were just out there in a faraway jungle training our butts off without knowing that the world almost ended!
Good thing there was Naruto-senpai saving the world once again! He is so cool and strong and handsome and so…kyaaa!
But the other news is what shocked and devastated me. Apparently, Naruto-senpai just got a girlfriend! Just…how? Why? During those days while I was not with him, some random girl just stole his heart!? Unacceptable!
But wait…it's not really verified news yet, just a rumor for now. I just accidentally heard it from some gossiping old ladies on the road.
"The Hero of Konoha was seen kissing a girl from the skies! My shinobi nephew who was out there that night saw the whole thing!"
"Oh wow! Really? Who's the lucky girl?"
"He didn't see it clearly, but he said it's probably a teammate from that mission."
"I guess a marriage is not so far behind…oh, such young love!"
I could not believe when I heard it the first time. Just after saving the world, Naruto-senpai got a girlfriend!? I tried asking random folks to know the truth behind the gossip, and it seems not everyone was even aware of such talks. So there's still a chance that everything she heard was not true, and that she still has a chance!
I guess there's only one way to find out…
For three straight days, instead of meeting Senpai face to face and try to get his attention, I chose to silently follow and observe him from a distance, practicing my info-gathering ninja skills. At first I hesitated because Senpai is a skilled shinobi, and has very well-known sensory skills as a toad sage according to veteran shinobi. But if I want to know what's the score between Senpai and his rumored girlfriend then spying on him was the only choice. Surely, Senpai won't be fully alert while inside the village walls and everything's at peace, right? …Right!?
Fortunately, I successfully followed him for the most of those three days. Eating at Ichiraku for lunch, showing some skills in front of children in the Academy, visiting his friends, getting stopped by other girls on walks, and going back home alone after eating dinner at Ichiraku…again. For those three whole days, everything is like a routine, nothing out of ordinary. And there are definitely no signs of a girlfriend. Surely, at any moment during my "mission" a girl should have been there with him, accompanying him at least longer that any of Senpai's fans. But, nothing. Maybe the rumor was truly a mistake. Maybe there was no kissing that occurred, or maybe that wasn't Naruto-senpai that they saw kissing a girl above the sky that night. I'm starting to get more confident after my discoveries!
Nothing crazy will happen tomorrow…right?
Today, I chose to stop spying on Senpai and continue my original "Operation: Be Naruto-senpai's Girlfriend!" mission. I prepared my plan of approaching him and getting to talk to him during lunch. Hopefully, there are fewer girls to get in the way today. I'm gonna wear my new kunoichi gear today to impress Senpai. Maybe we can discuss about Chuunin exams. I'm so excited!
I waited for Senpai a few meters from the stall of Ichiraku, expecting him to come any minute now. And just at the usual time, he finally arrived! Now is my chance to approach Senpai while there's no other girl around him! Just as I am about to approach him, I noticed something different about him…
He looks chipper than usual. He looks happy just about every time I see him but right now, he seems…glowing. Like brighter than his usual brightness, which is still so bright.
His shinobi uniform looks well-kept today. Usually his clothes look like straight from the clothesline. He still looks handsome nonetheless, but still. It's unusual to see him wear ironed out clothes, even his shinobi uniform.
And after greeting the old man and the lady at the counter, he just said goodbye and skipped Ichiraku…what!? Now my plan for today is ruined! Maybe Senpai is just going out on a mission. It's possible, right? But he just looks happier and more handsome today, and he doesn't carry any bags. So is the rumored girlfriend really true? Something's going on and I can't think straight! …or maybe I'm just overthinking things.
Okay, calm down…deep breaths. Since my plan for today is out of the window, it's time to secretly follow Senpai again. Just to be sure.
Senpai is heading towards the gates of Konoha. After chatting with the guards, the gates opened. Yeah, maybe he truly is going out on a mission. But he's all alone. Solo mission perhaps? He's not going out yet. Let's wait some more.
About 10 minutes have passed. Senpai is just standing there. He is obviously waiting for somebody. And then Senpai just started running outside the gates. So he's waiting, but not for his teammates to join him. He's waiting for somebody to come home. Just who could that be?
I hid behind a tree just nearby the village gate, ignoring the looks the guards are giving me right now. I saw Naruto-senpai approaching a shinobi team, a fanged man riding a big white dog, a hooded man wearing dark sunglasses, and a pretty woman with pale eyes. Why is Senpai waiting for them? I need to listen in to their conversation.
"Oi Kiba! Shino! Hinata!"
"Naruto, I'm happy that you finally greet me. Why? Because…"
"What are you doing here Naruto!? Can you just wait for us inside?"
"I'm home, Naruto-kun!"
"Hinata…welcome back!"
"Naruto-kun…."
"Hinata…"
"Oi, stop ignoring us and acting cool in front of Hinata, idiot! Shino, say something!"
"I'm getting ignored again…"
"Sorry, Kiba, Shino…ehehehe…are you alright Hinata? How's the mission?"
"Everything's fine, Naruto-kun. How is your day?"
"It's better now that you're here Hinata…I'm really glad."
"Oh Naruto-kun…I'm glad as well."
"Ugh…so early and they are already flirting. And back to ignoring us again…"
"Indeed. But I'm truly happy for them."
So Naruto-senpai is actually waiting for that woman named Hinata. Is she the rumored girlfriend? It can't be…but from the conversations I just heard, they seem awfully close. And flirting, as the fanged man just said. Is this it for me and Senpai? Why that woman? I never see Senpai got close to her or together with her on all the occasions I've met him. Is there something more to it? I'm feeling heartbroken right now but a shinobi must endure! I need to have conclusive proof that Naruto-senpai is dating Hinata-san. My thoughts got interrupted when Senpai just talked in a much louder voice.
"Sorry, Kiba, Shino! Can I borrow Hinata now? Let's meet again some other time!"
"Wait Naruto-kun! We still need to report back to Hokage-sama!"
"It's fine, Hinata! We will just cover for you. Go and have fun!"
"We will go now, Naruto. Take care of Hinata for us. Just a reminder, we just got back from a mission."
"Of course! Let's go, Hinata!"
"Oka-kyaaa!"
Did Senpai just carry Hinata-san bridal-style and took off!? No…this isn't really happening. This is not real. No, I'm still not convinced! I need to follow them!
"Oh well, another girl just got her heart broken. That Naruto sure is making a lot of girls cry. Hahaha!"
"It is inevitable. Why? Because Naruto and Hinata will surely end up in marriage. His fans need to give their hopes up."
Oh no! Did I just get discovered in hiding by Hinata-san's teammates? No, focus Botan! Focus! There's no giving up now! No time to cry! I need to catch up to where they are going!
Just as I am about to give up on finding them in the woods within the village, I finally caught up to them in a very secluded area. I hid at a certain distance, hoping they will not find me. Surely, if Hinata-san's teammates found me, they surely will see me without fail. But it seems they are busy with each other to be so alert. I thought I was ready to confirm and accept everything. But I was not ready for what I am about to see!
There was Hinata-san, leaning against a tree trunk, pinned by Naruto-senpai. Looking at each other intensely. And slowly, their faces are inching closer for a kiss…
That's it. No doubt about it now. Senpai and Hinata-san are surely dating. And my face is getting wet from my falling tears.
Even though it hurts to see that moment, I am stunned and just continue to watch things unfold. The simple kiss between them turned into a more passionate one. Oh my…and my face is feeling hot right now!
After what like an eternity they finally broke out of their kiss. And they are panting with red flushes on their faces. And I am panting with an equally flushed face. I don't understand what I'm feeling anymore!
I don't think it's proper to watch them anymore…but my body won't cooperate! I am too curious for my own good…and it's really starting to get steamy!
Senpai reached out for the neck portion of Hinata-san's dress and opened it up a bit. Senpai then dove in to pepper her with kisses on the neck. Hinata-san, while madly blushing, seemed to protest and pulled out Senpai's face.
"Naruto-kun, please…I still need to bathe. I'm still sweaty from the trip back home…"
"You still smell so good, Hinata. And still so beautiful. Don't worry…"
Senpai then return to kissing Hinata-san's neck, so intense that she elicited a moan of pleasure. Is this how passionate they have become in that short amount of time!? And now from feeling heartbroken, I am starting to feel hot! I'm really sorry for becoming a peeping tom this moment but I can't help it, okay!
Just as things start to escalate further into madness, we heard a sound of ruffling leaves. It shocked both of them, most likely feeling that someone is watching. And it shocked me, because I might get busted from peeping. Somehow that sound doused whatever heat I'm feeling and it turned into cold sweat and dread.
"Naruto-kun, somebody might see us here…" Oh shit. Oh shit! They will find me!
"Wait a moment, let me check with my-" I need to get away before they sense my presence!
"Wait, Naruto-kun…" Oh wait…
"What is it?" Looks like I'm gonna be saved…
"Let's go to your apartment. Now." WHAT!?
"As you wish, Hinata-sama…" HINATA-SAMA!? What play are they doing!?
And just like that, Senpai carried Hinata-san again, jumped so fast and moved like they just teleported, and left me all alone. I am so shocked at what transpired that I can't move my feet or utter a word. I am really taking some time to recover from what I just witnessed…
"Oi Botan! You're spacing out! Did something happen yesterday?"
"Seems like Botan-chan is devastated by the rumors, Tatsu-kun."
"What rumors, Maki? That Naruto-senpai already has a girlfriend?"
"Bingo!"
"Ouch! My condolences, Botan!"
For one, it's no longer a rumor. It's an established fact. Something that everybody in the village will find out soon enough. And two, while I feel devastated after learning the truth, I still am shocked with what I just witnessed yesterday. Of course, I can't bring this up to them, or they'll accuse me of being pervert!
Just thinking about it makes my whole body feel hot…wait am I becoming a pervert!?
Somehow, I felt hurt less today like I was yesterday. Maybe what I felt for Senpai was just superficial, and what Hinata-san has for Senpai is so deep. Just by what I had seen between them is enough to convince me that what those two have right now is something special. I guess her teammates are right; she needs to give her hopes up, and those two will probably get married sooner rather than later.
But the depth of Senpai's relationship with Hinata-san is still a mystery to me. I saw a lot of Senpai with his teammate Sakura-san, but talks within the shinobi circles is that they are just friends and that Sakura-san has turned down a lot of suitors, waiting for the return of their other teammate, Uchiha Sasuke. I saw a lot of Senpai visiting a flowershop owned by another kunoichi of his generation, Ino-san. But like with Sakura-san, Ino-san is known to show no interest in Senpai. But with Hinata-san, yesterday was the first time I saw Senpai with her. How long have they known each other? Are they meeting in secret? Maybe they were already lovers for quite a while and nobody knew until recently. What qualities did Senpai see from her that made him fall in love? I am idiotic to not recognize that Hinata-san is from the prestigious Hyuuga clan, but other than that, is there something else that only Hinata-san possess over other girls that are trying to get Senpai's heart?
Just as I am lost in my own thoughts, somebody just tackled me hard from behind. My wind got knocked out of me as my head hit the ground and I almost fell unconscious. A large man just grabbed me and before I knew it, a kunai was pointing at my neck and I got held hostage! What the hell is going on!?
"Konoha shinobi! Stop chasing me or I will slit this girl's throat!"
I hear my teammates screaming my name in panic…I can't seem to do anything…
"Good, good! Once I am far away from the village I will release you kid! Oh you guys don't you there do funny! I am serious!"
I can see the commotion and my comrades stop approaching the man with my blurred vision. I am crying. I can't move. I am a shinobi, about to apply for Chuunin exams, and yet I can't fight back. I feel sorry for myself. But I need to fight back, otherwise this criminal will get away and I will be responsible for his escape. But if I try anything with my current state, he might kill me. What should I do?
Is there anyone who can help me…? Naruto-senpai please…PLEASE HELP ME!
All of a sudden I hear a woman shout from a distance…
"Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!"
All of a sudden, a strong gust of wind flew above my head. The large man holding me hostage got hit in the face and was knocked hard. His hold on me suddenly loosens and I now have a chance to get away from him! I am still dizzy, and about to hit the floor again but I got caught by a woman…long dark blue hair, with a beautiful scent of fresh flowers, a face with soft features, and pale eyes that exude warmth when looked at directly…wait a moment!
I was saved and being cradled by none other than Hinata-san herself!
"Are you alright, miss? Can you stand up?" She has a warm smile that you can't help but smile back. I just nodded and she helped me stand up.
"Are you her teammates? Can you help her? I will handle this situation first."
"Yes Hinata-senpai!" Both my teammates were suddenly enthusiastic. Did they personally know her?
As the large man recovered and tried to attack Hinata-san, he suddenly froze and his eyes are now wide in shock. What did that man saw that made him fear the woman in front of her? Did Hinata-san just activate the legendary Hyuuga bloodline limit, the Byakugan? I wish I can see that face right now.
With one swift strike to the neck, the criminal just collapsed and knocked unconscious. And that criminal was almost twice as Hinata-san's height!
"Woah…" seems all of us who witnessed it have the same reaction.
Suddenly, she faces me again, with the same soft features and that warm smile. I am really amazed as to how a woman that smiled like that freak out a scary-looking dude.
"It seems you got hit hard on the head…" She wipes my bloodied face with her handkerchief. It smells so nice.
"Let me apply some ointment to help it heal faster…" She grabs a container from her sling bag and applies the ointment from the container to my wound. The ointment stings a bit, but her touch feels so good. I feel like I am blushing right now. She now puts on some band-aids on my wound. Wow, she is so prepared.
"Here, keep the ointment in case you need it. You need to be careful next time, okay?" She is so nice. I realize that everything I thought about her is nice…
She then talks to my teammates. "I hope you can take everything from here. Sorry, but I have to go now. My sister is waiting for me. Take care!"
"Thank you for the hard work, Hinata-senpai!" My teammates just bowed hard. What's up with these guys?
With a final smile and wave of goodbye, Hinata-san is now gone. With just a brief moment with her, it finally clicked on me why Naruto-senpai fell in love with Hinata-san. She really is something special. I can even see myself falling in love with her, and I don't swing that way!
"Sigh, Hinata-senpai is so kind and beautiful."
"You said it right, Tatsu-kun. I wonder if she has a boyfriend..."
"Maybe we can try courting her, Maki…"
Well, I guess condolences are in order for my teammates.
-END-