Hello guys! Sorry for the long delay on this new chapter, but I had all my exams in July. I'm back with a lot of motivation.

Thank you for your reviews that are heartwarming and encouraging to me. I'm glad to see that you like the story's theme.

Some information about Naruto and Hinata: I think I managed to portray the Naruto I want to have in this story, but he won't be the only one to misbehave. Hinata, behind her facade, hides a lot of things too.

And for clarification, yes, it's a NARUHINA story.

Kiba is just a side character, I need him for some reasons, but you will see for yourself.

Thanks for your support and I leave you with the continuation of this story.

PisaVisa

I Hinata

I would be lying if I said I didn't see his insistent glances at me.

Before I became Naruto's case manager, Kurenai Yuhi had alerted me that he was difficult to perceive. Ms. Yuhi had been his psychologist during his teenage years. Ever since he was 14 years old, Naruto had to see a therapist. A heavy past that no child should have to go through.

His father was the CEO of NamikazeElectronics, a large and successful electronics company and one of the five largest companies in France. His mother was a kind-hearted and generous woman who created many associations for charitable causes.

Both were tragically murdered in their summer house in Suna, in front of their own child. It was rumored to be a simple robbery gone wrong, but everyone had their own opinion on the case.

This story was widely talked about in the media, which meant that Naruto was suffering from all this journalistic attention. Grandfather Jiraiya Namikaze and Grandmother Tsunade took over the guardianship of the young man. But like any traumatized child, he grew up cold and distant. He often hallucinated, nightmares haunted him at night, and he often lied to avoid the consequences of his actions.

His joy for life had vanished and his darkest thoughts were brought to the surface. Between drugs, alcohol and fights, one can say that Naruto had lost his true self, even if he still had a family around him. The help of a psychologist wasn't welcome in his eyes. He wasn't willing to open up to anyone.

Not knowing what else to do, to make him smile, his grandparents pampered him constantly with gifts and the latest technology on the market. But what they didn't understand was how Naruto didn't want any of that. He just needed the affection and the love from his parents. They weren't bad people, they themselves were victims of their dead son's fate, but they could never fill the void in this lost child's heart.

Dr. Yuhi entrusted me with his case when he turned 18.

From the first time we met, I saw through him. I saw the pain in his beautiful blue eyes. Soon we formed a bond. I didn't want him to think I was treating him like any other patient. I really meant for him to trust me and understand that he would be safe in this place, and I wanted him to understand that he would never have to feel like he had to lie to me or be judged with me.

I got to know him, and yes, I would say that he's grown into my little protégé. Mrs. Yuhi was very surprised to hear that he's made a lot of improvement. She was happy to see that Naruto had finally found someone to confide in and deeply hoped that maybe, after so many years, he could forget his tragic past.

Nevertheless, I was aware of Naruto's bad tendency to twist the truth. I knew that he'd stopped taking his meds and that since that fateful event in February, he'd returned to illicit substances. Every lie was characterized by a nervous twitch of his left eye. It was very sneaky, almost invisible. So, I could easily detect them, but I didn't say anything, knowing I wanted him to tell me willingly and anyway, I couldn't force him to do anything.

He was an adult now. I didn't understand why he wouldn't trust me on these things, but he must have had his own reasons. He knew very well that I would be the very last person to judge him.

Maybe that's why I became a psychologist. It's not in my nature to judge anyone. I always had the patience to put myself in the other person's shoes. It gave me a different perspective from my own, which helped me to see things in a different way and to fully understand the other person.

I would also be lying if I said that I had no idea that Naruto had developed a "crush", as they say nowadays, on me. At first, I thought that it would pass quickly, that he was young and that it would calm down.

It all started after I visited him when he was hospitalized. From that day on, he complimented me when he saw me in my study. He brought me cinnamon rolls sometimes for our sessions. He also called me a lot more often, just to make sure I was okay or to see what I was doing. But honestly, I wasn't particularly worried. I thought he wanted to show his gratitude after his overdose and that I had picked him up to take him to the hospital.

Since that day, he had also opened up to me a lot more. He hadn't been this well for years, so I wouldn't complain, it couldn't be better.

Then a month and a half ago, I noticed a car parked in front of my house, naively thinking that it was one of my neighbors' cars. A beautiful black Mercedes with tinted windows, I couldn't tell you more. I had congratulated my neighbor, complimenting their new purchase, telling them at the same time that it would be nice to park it in front of their house, but to my great surprise it wasn't theirs. I had apologized, thinking that I was mistaken.

All this made me suspicious, and I wasn't comfortable not knowing whose car it was. I felt like I was being watched. After talking about it with Temari, a close friend of mine, she had managed to convince me that it was certainly nothing and as long as it didn't bother me, that I shouldn't pay any attention to it. Anyways, it always used to disappear the next morning, so I had stopped worrying about it.

Until I saw Naruto last night leaving in a fury, after discovering him. For the first time, I could see who that person behind the wheel of this car was, as he had the window down.

Of course, I was angry at first. Who wouldn't be? Not only was he the reason for my paranoid thoughts, but he had clearly not respected my privacy. If he was the reason for my justified fears all this time, he owed me an explanation. These were my first thoughts as I watched him take off at full speed.

I called him the first time to demand an explanation, but no one picked up. Then, after I calmed my anger, Kiba told me to call him one more time, but not to get an explanation, but rather to know where Naruto was at this moment. He had a point when he said that there must be a logical reason for everything. Kiba made me come to my senses and made me ask myself why he felt the need to stop at my place instead.

My guilty conscience got the better of me and I called him back immediately, thanks to Kiba, but with the intention of asking him if he was alright. He certainly must have had some valid reasons, I reassured myself. But without success, Naruto didn't respond. I started to panic because it was possible that something bad had happened.

After also sending messages, Naruto finally called me back after an eternity, and that's when Kiba told me to go and get him. Kiba has a big heart and I'm grateful for having him in my life! He wasn't for nothing my best friend and from time to time more than that. So instead of spending the evening with him as planned, I went to this bar where my patient was.

When Naruto got into my car, he didn't dare to look at me and looked straight ahead. He seemed nervous, sad, and angry at the same time. I observed him from time to time, as we were on the way to my home and was curious to know why he was feeling like this. I had some ideas, but I didn't want to make any false hypothesis which in the end confirmed itself.

Naruto loves me. It wasn't just a crush.

It hit me hard. Harder than I would have thought. From now on, everything would be different. All our conversations are going to be over-analyzed by myself, I will have to overthink on how to interact with him before I do what I have to do, in order not to make matters worse.

I will have to raise my walls again that he tore down so quickly when we met. He won't be the only one to suffer under this situation.

Without even being aware of it, Naruto brought something back into my life that nobody could give me until now. I, myself, couldn't say what precisely but I know that since he walked into my life, something has changed. And this "something" has given me a very significant contribution.

And I am afraid that it will impact me in more than one way.

Now, lying in my bed, after this overwhelming evening, I wonder where I could have made a mistake with Naruto. Did I give him hope? Had I made him believe that there could be more than a simple therapist-patient relationship? His declaration of love was sudden, but deep down I think I had known it for a long time without admitting it to myself.

What a mess...

II Naruto

The night I spent at Miss Hyuga's house was probably the best night of my life, and yet the worst. Me, Naruto, spent the night at Hinata's, the woman of my dreams, but I couldn't sleep with her. I had the privilege to enjoy her kindness, but at the same time she had shown me how much she was out of my reach.

Imagine the torture of knowing, the person you love is just a few feet away from you, separated by a single wall, but you can't take her in your arms.

I had to control myself not to join her in her room or watch her while she was sleeping. I love and respect her, so I will wait till she decides she's ready for me.

Considering the chance she gives me, by trying to prove myself worthy to her, I'm in no position to screw up.

Even if I don't like to admit it to myself, Kiba has an advantage over me. He knows her like the back of his hand unlike me who only knows her through social media. The fact that he's 26 years old and a mature adult, who has his life in order, is also a big plus.

I heard a knock at my door, and I knew it could only be Hinata. Just the thought of her in a tight nightgown, showing of her well-rounded breasts, caused me an instant hard-on in the morning.

I cleared my throat and sat up straight in bed, covering the aroused part of my body, before answering. That would be too embarrassing if she would catch me in such a state.

The door opened slightly, and I saw Hinata's head peeking into the room.

Seeing me already awake, she gave me a gentle smile and entered the room completely.

"Good morning, Naruto, I hope you had a good rest." She walked over to the window to open the curtains and open the window at the same time.

"It's been a long time since I slept so well. Thank you for letting me spend the night at your place." I felt my face warm up as I saw her in her leggings and oversized hoodie. It wasn't a nightgown, but she still looked like a real goddess even in the early morning hours, showing her nice formed ass. She had tied her hair up in two buns, which made her look much younger, and it made her beautiful face look even more attractive without any hint of makeup.

Hinata is a natural beauty, and nothing could ever make me think otherwise.

"I'm glad. Do you want to have breakfast? Or do I have to take you straight back to your car?" I think she must have already known what I was going to say as she didn't wait for an answer and walked straight out the door. It was obvious that I was going to spend as much time as I could with her.

I quickly got up, putting something on in a haste, so I was just wearing my boxers and a t-shirt, hoping I wouldn't offend her with my look.

I went straight to the kitchen where I found her making fried eggs and bacon. The smell filled my nostrils and without thinking, my feet took me behind Hinata who was solely concentrated on making breakfast.

When she noticed me, looking over her shoulder, Hinata squeaked and put her hand on her heart to calm her breathing. I just smiled and kissed her on the crown of her head.

"Silly, it's just me, calm down." I laughed as I put my hands on her shoulders to turn her towards me. She looked up to me with her big moonlike eyes and her thick black lashes and if I could drown in these lavender orbs, loose myself in them, I know I would die as a happy man.

It was as if she could see trough me since the beginning. I'm still asking myself why she's the only one having this ability, but it must mean something. Not even my best friend Sasuke knew me as well as her.

"Naruto, you can't just kiss people on the head!" she scolded me, but I was too happy to let it bring me down.

"Sorry, but it was just so cute seeing you startled."

She pouted and I couldn't do anything but laugh.

"You're hungry?" Hinata asked, turning around to watch the eggs.

"Indeed, I am. Did I tell you that you look beautiful, Miss Hinata?" I murmured in her ear as I put my hands on her waist. I felt her stiffen at my touch but let them stay there to let her get used to them.

"No but thank you Naruto." She quickly said as she freed herself from my hold to take two plates. Why wouldn't she let me show her what a real man was? I doubt Kiba could make her as happy as I could. I would cherish her and consider her as my princess, if only she would give me the possibility to prove myself.

"Could you set the table, please, while I finish preparing a few things here?"

"Yes, sure." I did as I was told, and we both did our task, staying in silence with our thoughts.

"You know, I was thinking about inviting you to this party this evening." I tried to start a conversation, clearly fearing her answer.

"Oh." She replied without looking up.

"Yes, so if you wanna come, I would be glad to have you as a friend at my side." I closed my eyes, waiting for her answer, but could already hear her say "no". Why would she even go to a party where 19-year old's smoke and drank till they throw up. She's way classier to attend such immature kind of events. I'm so dumb, sometimes!

"Hm, thank you for inviting me, Naruto, but I think I want to spend my evening at home. I have a big day ahead and will probably be too sleepy for partying with young people." She giggled.

"You know, I could also stay with you tonight. I mean, you're right, these are just kids and I'm way more mature than they are anyways, so…" She turned to face me, and I saw her arched brow with a smirk on her beautiful plump lips.

"I didn't say that you're immature, Naruto, I just meant by saying this, that I'm way to old to party with barely legal adults." I started to get annoyed and just rolled my eyes at her comment.

What would it cost her to just spend some time with me? Am I such horrible company for her to just accept my invitation? Seriously, why does she see me as a kid?

"You know what, Hinata? If you think you're much better than everyone, then stay at home like an old lady. I was just trying to be nice. Seriously, I just wanna spend some time with you and you don't even give me a chance. I don't even try to flirt with you, I see you as my friend first thing first."

"Oh Naruto… That wasn't what I meant by that." She came back with the eggs and the bacon on a platter, accompanied with some toast. She put the plate on the table and came to me to lay her hand on my cheek. I felt my face turn red by her intimate touch and just wanted to hold her tiny body in my arms.

"I'm sorry if I upset you… But you must try to understand me. It's a complicated situation for both of us. I really like you but not like you would like me. And at the same time, I don't wanna loose you, because I'm really attached to our bond."

"But you said you would give me a chance to prove myself worthy to you, Hinata. How can I do it if you don't let me?" I took her wrist to put her hand down. I just couldn't concentrate if she was touching me with her small and delicate manicured fingers.

Standing so close, I could see how tiny she was. I took her hand in mine and massaged it with my thumb. She looked up from our joined hands to my eyes and once again I lost myself in them. I could smell her lavender scent and I felt myself relax with her whole presence.

I closed my eyes for just a second, to calm myself down, to be in control of the situation. Till now, she was the one holding the reins as she knew she had so much power over me.

She stayed still, waiting for me to say something. She was lost and I felt the same, but I had to think of something to make her change her mind.

"Hinata, I know it's a lot to process, and really I understand you. But you said it yourself, we have a bond, stronger than we want to admit. I never had such a feeling with anyone, so it must mean something, you can't deny it. You feel the same."

"Naruto…" she tried to interrupt me, but I had to finish first before I let her destroy the last string of hope I had.

"No, wait, let me finish, please." She nodded and I saw her looking like a puppy with her big eyes. "I love you. Really love you. And seriously, seeing you yesterday with that Kiba guy, I… I just felt as if somebody ripped my heart. It was so painful and for a moment I thought about taking pills to forget this horrible scene, I witnessed." She gaped at my statement, but it was true. Her eyes were filled with tears, and I could just squeeze her hand to make her understand that it's ok.

"And then we spent the whole evening together and you can't just deny our connection. It's like we understand each other without having to say anything. It was this beautiful evening that showed me even more that there's more than just a patient-therapist relationship. We're constantly laughing and you're my support in everything I do. You're the most beautiful woman on earth and the kindest, too. Shit, how couldn't I fall in love with you? You're just perfect" she smiled sadly.

"And even after rejecting me, you let me stay here. How can I interpret all of this? Deep inside your heart, you know what I'm saying is right. You're an intelligent woman. You just need time to let me introduce you to what you could have with me and what I could give you. Please, Hinata, stop running away from me…"

Silence imposed itself in the big kitchen. She looked me in the eyes, and I couldn't look elsewhere. Time stood still for a moment. If we would stand in a crowd full of people, it would be just her and me. Nobody is more important than us.

I saw her nibbling on her inner cheek, debating with herself what to say. I'm incredibly sorry for putting her in such a situation but my heart was speaking, and I'm known for not giving up if I really want something. I will not let her go. Never.

"You know what, Naruto? Okay, prove it to me. Show me that you can be mature." The glint of hope in my eyes intensified and I could just grin.

"Start taking yours meds again, stop doing drugs, start going to classes. Stop fighting. Start. Growing. Up."

"What? How did you...?"

"You, yourself, said it. I know everything about you. And yeah, I know that you were lying all this time."

"But how?"

"That's not the question, Naruto. The question is can you that? Would you give up messing around, to start living healthy? Would you that if it meant that I would give you a chance?"

"Yeah, absolutely, yeah!"

"So, start now. I'm not speaking as your psychologist anymore. I've seen you make progress, but it's not enough. And maybe now, since you have a goal, you'll finally start to see that acting stupid isn't always helpful."

She stood straight in front of me, arms crossed and her eyes hard as stone, but she didn't scare me. On the opposite, she was right. My objective was her. And if I had to deal with my little worries in my everyday life to get her, I wouldn't hesitate to take care of them.

Let the games begin.