Ch. 5 – Forbidden Secrets
Naruto stared past the large gates in front of him at the vast doors of the Hyuuga mansion. They made him feel more small and insignificant than he already did. Truthfully, he'd rather have kept as far away from Hinata as possible. He didn't want to have to see her with that dog for a boyfriend Kiba. He remembered what Hinata had said to him the night before. "Naruto... go." Tears began in Naruto's eyes. She rejected him, just like everyone else. Wasn't there anyone willing to accept him for who he was, and not the demon inside of him? Naruto couldn't think of anyone who had wanted to talk to him let alone be with him for more than they had to. There were two people that came to mind. Sakura had been brutally honest about her previous feelings for Naruto, but was now a sweet and innocent girl. Her every intention to cause Naruto the most pain possible, now was determined to do everything she could to make things better. Hyuuga Hinata, who was a forever shy and kind, mature beyond her age. A well-behaved and polite young woman, who's every aim, was to win Naruto's heart. A once formidable bachelorette, now barred off from Naruto in body and soul. The sun began to set, lowering into the big open field of the Hyuuga house. Naruto stood to watch the glowing shades of yellow and orange reflecting off the clouds. His eyes dull, and his movements minimal, he let out a sigh as he watched to sun disappear like Hinata's fading love. The lights went on inside the windows to reveal a figure slouched over a table. Naruto strained to see if he could make out the silhouetted body. The silhouette moved towards the window, illuminating her facial features. Two eyes the colour of a slightly purple hue. Dark purple hair glimmered in the soft light of the lamp. Soft pale white cheeks became visible as she poked her head out the window. It had already become obvious to Naruto that the woman looking out the window was Hinata. Her face lonely and sad, Hinata stared out over the estate, into the town now filled with lights. Naruto stood in front of the gates and observed Hinata's depressing gaze. Why is she so sad? Naruto couldn't stand to see her like this. He had to talk to Hinata, if not for him, then to at least see what was wrong with Hinata. He cursed the gates separating him and Hinata. He leaped over the gate and landed softly on the clean cut grass. He bounded towards Hinata's window, he wasn't going to let Kiba stop him from seeing Hinata, he could still live with Hinata being just a friend. Only a friend... No matter how much it pained him, if that was all it could ever be, he would take it.
Hinata stared out into the night sky. She admired the stars, twinkling and shining bright. Tonight was a night she found she couldn't sleep. There were too many things troubling her. Aside from brushing Naruto off earlier, her feelings of love were in a tangle. She couldn't tell the difference from love and lust. Which was it? Did she love Kiba? Or was it the heat of the moment that had caught her off guard? She rested her chin on her arm and sighed. A quick movement caught her eye. She watched as a stealthy but rather flamboyant boy jolt across her yard to the front doors. Hinata's face lit up as she quickly turned and ran out of her room down the stairs to greet her unexpected visitor. She reached the bottom of the stairs and reached out to turn the handle on the solid oak doors. Her hand came within and inch of the handle before she halted. What am I doing? She thought. Why am I so excited to greet him? A moment ago I couldn't stay far enough away from him. What is it I truly feel? Hinata's hand hovered above the handle, quivering. She couldn't stop shaking. She couldn't turn the handle until she was sure what she wanted. Just a moment ago she couldn't wait to invite Naruto inside for a cup of tea. Now she was afraid to even look him in the eye. She no longer felt anybody's support. Kiba's spirit had left her. She felt alone and scared. The house was empty. Hinata's shaky breathing echoed through the vacant rooms and halls. A knock startled Hinata causing her to yelp in surprise. A voice spoke from outside. "Are you okay Hinata-Chan?"
Hinata swallowed her collected saliva with a loud gulp. Her body still shaking violently, she turned the handle and opened the door. She replied. "Y-yes, Naruto-kun, I'm alright, you just frightened me a little." Hinata motioned towards the kitchen. "Would you like to have some tea Naruto-kun?"
Naruto studied Hinata carefully. His eyes filled with concern and worry. "Yes, please. Tea would be nice." The two walked towards the kitchen. Naruto took a chair as Hinata placed the kettle on the stove to boil. An extended silence pulled tensions tight as they waited for the water to heat up. Hinata soon poured some green tea and handed a cup to Naruto. Naruto sipped the tea and glanced up at Hinata. Hinata noticed the attention and immediately blushed and averted her eyes towards the floor. Naruto had expected this reaction somewhat. He decided to break the silence in asking the question that was most important in his mind. "Hinata...what's wrong?"
Hinata, still looking at the floor, turned her head slightly. "Oh... Nothing is wrong Naruto-kun." She picked up her cup and sipped it lightly. The tea soothed her body, but not her mind. She couldn't look Naruto in the eye, and hardly had the nerve to talk to him. She wished Naruto would just up and leave. Leaving her alone once again. But at least if he left she could relax. She looked at Naruto, who was peering at her over his tea. She felt queasy. The fact that Naruto kept a constant eye on Hinata made her nervous and afraid. He didn't buy it... Hinata thought, disappointed. How was she going to tell him, without giving Naruto high hopes? But maybe... She thought. This is what I want... "Naruto" The words coming from her mouth were soft and sincere. She continued to stare down at the hardwood floor with her hands over her chest. "Do you... love me?"
Naruto almost spit out his tea at the question. He finished drinking his first cup and placed it down on the table. He gazed down at the floor. His focus blurred by his thoughts. He let out a gentle sigh and thought back to the day his heart was lost. The day he missed his target, and his only chance at love. "That day... you and Kiba... I didn't know what to think. I never thought about you like that. But... that day in the park was... That was the first time I realized who you really were. When I think back to it, you always tried hard at what you did, and you were always trying to get my attention, even if you weren't the most forward of people." Naruto smiled weakly. "I guess... I was just to busy trying to get everyone else's attention to notice yours Hinata. Sakura... and Sasuke. I was always trying most of all to get their attention. After people finally started acknowledging me, I started to see just how much you were trying to get my input on anything you did, even if it was just about how you did something different with your hair. Me always ignoring you all the time must've hurt... didn't it?"
Hinata gripped her jacket. A tear ran down Hinata face when she thought about the times that Naruto had brushed her off without taking a second glance. She sniffed as her tears ran off the tip of her chin into her tea. The murky water rippled back and forth, slowly settling, the ripples fading. "Naruto... You really hurt me... when you ignored me all the time. I felt like I would never get your attention. Like you wouldn't even notice if I was gone. Even if I were to..." Hinata drifted off in her words. Tears flowing in a steady stream down her face.
Naruto got up from his chair and made his way over to where Hinata was standing. He placed his hands around Hinata's waist. "Hinata... How could you think that?" Naruto placed a finger under Hinata's chin and brought her gaze to his. "I've always thought of you as a good friend. I would do anything to protect you, to try to make you feel better. These feeling haven't, and will never change. They're only enhanced by feelings of love and devotion. Everyone has always ignored me. My feelings. My dreams. My pleas. I've always been alone. Will you ignore these feelings as well and act as if they don't exist? I need your love Hinata... I need you."
Hinata struggled a bit from Naruto's grasp. Her tears continued to run down her rose coloured cheeks. Her eyes were red and sore from crying. "Naruto-kun, what about Kiba-kun? I- I can't just ignore him. No matter how much your words mean to me."
Naruto held Hinata tighter. "Hinata, can't you just forget about Kiba? Is he really who you want to spend your life with?"
Hinata pushed against Naruto. "Naruto please... let go!"
Naruto let go on Hinata as she stepped back. Naruto decided that if he was going to have any chance of convincing Hinata, he had to tell her about... that. "Hinata... do you want to know why everybody hates me?"
Hinata's eyes went wide. What was it Naruto was about to tell her? How could one thing cause the hatred of the entire town? Hinata's hands shook. She wasn't sure if she could take what Naruto was about to reveal to her.
Naruto stared straight ahead, into Hinata's eyes. "The one secret that ruined my life. Caused me endless suffering. It's all because of this... I am the demon fox from 14 years ago."
Hinata gasped. She looked at the boy she had adored all her life in a completely different light now. His eyes, his face and clothes. Nothing was the same.
Naruto stepped towards Hinata. His eyes were now sad and full of despair. "Are you going to avoid me like everyone else now? Now you know the real reason everyone hates me. Are you going to do the same? Or can you accept me like you did before?"
Hinata backed away from Naruto. She was about to turn and run before she realized what she was doing. How did this change anything? He wasn't anyone different. Why did Hinata feel the need to react any differently? She felt ridiculous for what she thought about doing. She finally knew why everyone hated Naruto, the question she had longed to understand, and she was about to turn around and do the exact same thing. Without reason, without hesitation, she would've left Naruto to weep. Weep in loneliness that he had to suffer through nearly all 14 years of his life. She couldn't leave him now. He had trusted her enough to keep his secret, to trust him even after she knew about his past. Her eyes turned sympathetic. She jumped into Naruto's arms, wrapping her arms around Naruto's shoulders. "Oh Naruto... I'm sorry, I almost doubted you. You were brave enough to tell me your deepest darkest secret, so I'll tell you something." Hinata looked into Naruto's eyes and then whispered into his ear. "I think foxes are much cuter than dogs."
Naruto's eyes became wet with tears. He yelled a cry of happiness and hugged Hinata tight. "Thank you Hinata... Thank you..."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Ch. 5
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Due to seemingly somewhat popular request, I have decided to keep this fic going. I will try to have Ch. 6 up as soon as possible. Thx for all your reviews! I'll keep this one going.
Naruto stared past the large gates in front of him at the vast doors of the Hyuuga mansion. They made him feel more small and insignificant than he already did. Truthfully, he'd rather have kept as far away from Hinata as possible. He didn't want to have to see her with that dog for a boyfriend Kiba. He remembered what Hinata had said to him the night before. "Naruto... go." Tears began in Naruto's eyes. She rejected him, just like everyone else. Wasn't there anyone willing to accept him for who he was, and not the demon inside of him? Naruto couldn't think of anyone who had wanted to talk to him let alone be with him for more than they had to. There were two people that came to mind. Sakura had been brutally honest about her previous feelings for Naruto, but was now a sweet and innocent girl. Her every intention to cause Naruto the most pain possible, now was determined to do everything she could to make things better. Hyuuga Hinata, who was a forever shy and kind, mature beyond her age. A well-behaved and polite young woman, who's every aim, was to win Naruto's heart. A once formidable bachelorette, now barred off from Naruto in body and soul. The sun began to set, lowering into the big open field of the Hyuuga house. Naruto stood to watch the glowing shades of yellow and orange reflecting off the clouds. His eyes dull, and his movements minimal, he let out a sigh as he watched to sun disappear like Hinata's fading love. The lights went on inside the windows to reveal a figure slouched over a table. Naruto strained to see if he could make out the silhouetted body. The silhouette moved towards the window, illuminating her facial features. Two eyes the colour of a slightly purple hue. Dark purple hair glimmered in the soft light of the lamp. Soft pale white cheeks became visible as she poked her head out the window. It had already become obvious to Naruto that the woman looking out the window was Hinata. Her face lonely and sad, Hinata stared out over the estate, into the town now filled with lights. Naruto stood in front of the gates and observed Hinata's depressing gaze. Why is she so sad? Naruto couldn't stand to see her like this. He had to talk to Hinata, if not for him, then to at least see what was wrong with Hinata. He cursed the gates separating him and Hinata. He leaped over the gate and landed softly on the clean cut grass. He bounded towards Hinata's window, he wasn't going to let Kiba stop him from seeing Hinata, he could still live with Hinata being just a friend. Only a friend... No matter how much it pained him, if that was all it could ever be, he would take it.
Hinata stared out into the night sky. She admired the stars, twinkling and shining bright. Tonight was a night she found she couldn't sleep. There were too many things troubling her. Aside from brushing Naruto off earlier, her feelings of love were in a tangle. She couldn't tell the difference from love and lust. Which was it? Did she love Kiba? Or was it the heat of the moment that had caught her off guard? She rested her chin on her arm and sighed. A quick movement caught her eye. She watched as a stealthy but rather flamboyant boy jolt across her yard to the front doors. Hinata's face lit up as she quickly turned and ran out of her room down the stairs to greet her unexpected visitor. She reached the bottom of the stairs and reached out to turn the handle on the solid oak doors. Her hand came within and inch of the handle before she halted. What am I doing? She thought. Why am I so excited to greet him? A moment ago I couldn't stay far enough away from him. What is it I truly feel? Hinata's hand hovered above the handle, quivering. She couldn't stop shaking. She couldn't turn the handle until she was sure what she wanted. Just a moment ago she couldn't wait to invite Naruto inside for a cup of tea. Now she was afraid to even look him in the eye. She no longer felt anybody's support. Kiba's spirit had left her. She felt alone and scared. The house was empty. Hinata's shaky breathing echoed through the vacant rooms and halls. A knock startled Hinata causing her to yelp in surprise. A voice spoke from outside. "Are you okay Hinata-Chan?"
Hinata swallowed her collected saliva with a loud gulp. Her body still shaking violently, she turned the handle and opened the door. She replied. "Y-yes, Naruto-kun, I'm alright, you just frightened me a little." Hinata motioned towards the kitchen. "Would you like to have some tea Naruto-kun?"
Naruto studied Hinata carefully. His eyes filled with concern and worry. "Yes, please. Tea would be nice." The two walked towards the kitchen. Naruto took a chair as Hinata placed the kettle on the stove to boil. An extended silence pulled tensions tight as they waited for the water to heat up. Hinata soon poured some green tea and handed a cup to Naruto. Naruto sipped the tea and glanced up at Hinata. Hinata noticed the attention and immediately blushed and averted her eyes towards the floor. Naruto had expected this reaction somewhat. He decided to break the silence in asking the question that was most important in his mind. "Hinata...what's wrong?"
Hinata, still looking at the floor, turned her head slightly. "Oh... Nothing is wrong Naruto-kun." She picked up her cup and sipped it lightly. The tea soothed her body, but not her mind. She couldn't look Naruto in the eye, and hardly had the nerve to talk to him. She wished Naruto would just up and leave. Leaving her alone once again. But at least if he left she could relax. She looked at Naruto, who was peering at her over his tea. She felt queasy. The fact that Naruto kept a constant eye on Hinata made her nervous and afraid. He didn't buy it... Hinata thought, disappointed. How was she going to tell him, without giving Naruto high hopes? But maybe... She thought. This is what I want... "Naruto" The words coming from her mouth were soft and sincere. She continued to stare down at the hardwood floor with her hands over her chest. "Do you... love me?"
Naruto almost spit out his tea at the question. He finished drinking his first cup and placed it down on the table. He gazed down at the floor. His focus blurred by his thoughts. He let out a gentle sigh and thought back to the day his heart was lost. The day he missed his target, and his only chance at love. "That day... you and Kiba... I didn't know what to think. I never thought about you like that. But... that day in the park was... That was the first time I realized who you really were. When I think back to it, you always tried hard at what you did, and you were always trying to get my attention, even if you weren't the most forward of people." Naruto smiled weakly. "I guess... I was just to busy trying to get everyone else's attention to notice yours Hinata. Sakura... and Sasuke. I was always trying most of all to get their attention. After people finally started acknowledging me, I started to see just how much you were trying to get my input on anything you did, even if it was just about how you did something different with your hair. Me always ignoring you all the time must've hurt... didn't it?"
Hinata gripped her jacket. A tear ran down Hinata face when she thought about the times that Naruto had brushed her off without taking a second glance. She sniffed as her tears ran off the tip of her chin into her tea. The murky water rippled back and forth, slowly settling, the ripples fading. "Naruto... You really hurt me... when you ignored me all the time. I felt like I would never get your attention. Like you wouldn't even notice if I was gone. Even if I were to..." Hinata drifted off in her words. Tears flowing in a steady stream down her face.
Naruto got up from his chair and made his way over to where Hinata was standing. He placed his hands around Hinata's waist. "Hinata... How could you think that?" Naruto placed a finger under Hinata's chin and brought her gaze to his. "I've always thought of you as a good friend. I would do anything to protect you, to try to make you feel better. These feeling haven't, and will never change. They're only enhanced by feelings of love and devotion. Everyone has always ignored me. My feelings. My dreams. My pleas. I've always been alone. Will you ignore these feelings as well and act as if they don't exist? I need your love Hinata... I need you."
Hinata struggled a bit from Naruto's grasp. Her tears continued to run down her rose coloured cheeks. Her eyes were red and sore from crying. "Naruto-kun, what about Kiba-kun? I- I can't just ignore him. No matter how much your words mean to me."
Naruto held Hinata tighter. "Hinata, can't you just forget about Kiba? Is he really who you want to spend your life with?"
Hinata pushed against Naruto. "Naruto please... let go!"
Naruto let go on Hinata as she stepped back. Naruto decided that if he was going to have any chance of convincing Hinata, he had to tell her about... that. "Hinata... do you want to know why everybody hates me?"
Hinata's eyes went wide. What was it Naruto was about to tell her? How could one thing cause the hatred of the entire town? Hinata's hands shook. She wasn't sure if she could take what Naruto was about to reveal to her.
Naruto stared straight ahead, into Hinata's eyes. "The one secret that ruined my life. Caused me endless suffering. It's all because of this... I am the demon fox from 14 years ago."
Hinata gasped. She looked at the boy she had adored all her life in a completely different light now. His eyes, his face and clothes. Nothing was the same.
Naruto stepped towards Hinata. His eyes were now sad and full of despair. "Are you going to avoid me like everyone else now? Now you know the real reason everyone hates me. Are you going to do the same? Or can you accept me like you did before?"
Hinata backed away from Naruto. She was about to turn and run before she realized what she was doing. How did this change anything? He wasn't anyone different. Why did Hinata feel the need to react any differently? She felt ridiculous for what she thought about doing. She finally knew why everyone hated Naruto, the question she had longed to understand, and she was about to turn around and do the exact same thing. Without reason, without hesitation, she would've left Naruto to weep. Weep in loneliness that he had to suffer through nearly all 14 years of his life. She couldn't leave him now. He had trusted her enough to keep his secret, to trust him even after she knew about his past. Her eyes turned sympathetic. She jumped into Naruto's arms, wrapping her arms around Naruto's shoulders. "Oh Naruto... I'm sorry, I almost doubted you. You were brave enough to tell me your deepest darkest secret, so I'll tell you something." Hinata looked into Naruto's eyes and then whispered into his ear. "I think foxes are much cuter than dogs."
Naruto's eyes became wet with tears. He yelled a cry of happiness and hugged Hinata tight. "Thank you Hinata... Thank you..."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Ch. 5
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Due to seemingly somewhat popular request, I have decided to keep this fic going. I will try to have Ch. 6 up as soon as possible. Thx for all your reviews! I'll keep this one going.