Title : Growth
Author : Wolfs Catalyst
Disclaimer : I don't own any of the Naruto characters, I'd tell you who does but I cant spell the blokes name.
Summary : Sasuke's decision influences Naruto's and Hinata's lives more than they thought possible. The pairings are going to be NaruHina with a bit of SasuSaku, ShikaIno and maybe others.
I started writing this right after the 210 manga came out so I haven't included anything after that. This is my first fanfic, any constructive criticism is welcome but no pointless flames please. If I've got some minor mistakes like surnames spelt wrong just tell me and I'll get to fixing it. Thanks all !! ^_^
Text : 'Blah blah' = Thoughts
'Blah blah' = Kyubi talking
*Blah blah* = Memory/Flashback
Firstly I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed, it really motivates me to know that you guys enjoy this fic. So thanks to: Wormkaizer, anon, Xoni Newcomer, kadashi the wandering reviewer and Gopu.
I will try to improve the grammar of the fic, I'm convincing my sister to beta read for me since she's better at picking out my mistakes. Thanks for the info on the lvl 2 curse seal Xoni Newcomer I wont make that mistake again. Again thank you, hope you guys enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 3
She had been searching for hours, wiping sweat from her brow and brushing back her dark blue hair Hinata searched for clues around the forest floor of anyone's passing. She would have used Byakugan but a full day traveling at a none stop run had drained her chakra dangerously low, she would need to keep some in reserve in case of fighting.
Sighing with disappointment she was about to move on when she heard a distant shout.
That sounded like Naruto - kun
Throwing caution to the wind she activated Byakugan, it hit her as it always did. The world became more vast and infinitely clearer, she almost stumbled with the rush of new information. Taking a second to get used to this new perspective she focused on the direction from where the voice had originated, moving past countless trees she saw the forest suddenly stop in a clearing. Two figures stood there, one with a distinctive orange jumpsuit.
Without another thought she took off again dodging branches and rocks as they came. Stopping at the edge of the clearing to asses the situation she almost screamed when she saw Naruto.
It seemed that the only thing that was holding her crush up were the two kunai pinning him to a tree by his hands. His body was a patchwork of cuts and tears, many leaking blood sluggishly.
His face was covered with blood that ran into his hair, leaving his normally bright blond locks a mass of glistening red spikes.
Even in this state however his cerulean eyes still burned with a passion that was entirely Uzumaki Naruto.
In that instant she knew she loved him, she knew it wasn't a simple crush she had held her captivated with him for so many years. Even bloodied, beaten and trapped he stood there defiantly, his eyes shining with determination. She knew he would never bow or break.
He was stronger than that and that was why she loved him.
And there opposite Naruto - kun was the cause of all his injuries. Uchiha Sasuke. Standing tall sneering he looked completely different from how she remembered him. His spiky white hair, Sharingan eyes and sneering face made him look like one of the devils of myth.
Staring at the monstrosity that used to be one of her class mates Hinata felt a rare emotion well up in the pit of her stomach. Anger grew within her.
I wont let him kill Naruto - kun
As she prepared to attack Sasuke's stance changed, with her enhanced vision she saw the gathering of Sasuke's chakra to his right hand. She had never seen this jutsu before, but with the amount of chakra being channeled to the Uchiha heirs hand it would not doubt be deadly.
Even as Sasuke began his own attack Hinata burst out of her hiding place intent on stopping him from doing more harm to Naruto.
Running with all her strength Hinata realized she wouldn't make it before Sasuke's attack connected.
I wont let him die! she thought fiercely.
With a burst of speed she didn't know she possessed Hinata leaped into the air. Taking out a kunai from the holster strapped to her leg she threw. The kunai found it's target, biting deep into Sasuke's right shoulder. The sudden impact wrenching him away from Naruto his attack only glancing the blond haired Genin.
Throwing a second kunai this time with a explosive tag right behind Sasuke forced the Sharingan user to jump towards her narrowly avoiding being blown to pieces.
As he flew closer Hinata executed a roundhouse kick, forcing a small amount of chakra from the pressure points in her foot as it hit.
Off balance from the sudden attack Sasuke could do nothing as Hinata's foot came rushing at him. With his Sharingan he could see it filling with chakra. His eyes widened with horror as he realized the girl's tactic.
The Hyuuga bloodline ability allows her to expel precise amounts of chakra from her pressure points. When this attack hits she will be able to manipulate the chakra flow in her foot to knock my out.
As Hinata's foot smashed into his face just before the world blacked out Uchiha Sasuke cursed the bloodline of the Hyuuga.
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Coughing weakly Naruto tried to open his eyes.
"Am I dead?" blinking owlishly he tried to focus his cerulean blue eyes. He thought he heard someone reply, slowly focusing his eyes were beginning to make out the outlines of a face. Creamy white skin that almost seemed to glow was framed by dark blue hair. He blinked again and found himself staring into huge eyes that were the color of the palest lavender.
There was an angel flying above him 'I must be dead'
"Are you an angel?" he asked softly.
As soon as the words left his mouth the angel's cheeks turned from a creamy white to a tomato red. 'Do angels blush?' Naruto thought puzzled 'wait a minute' that blush reminded him of someone.
"H-hinata?" he asked hesitantly
" H-hai Naruto - kun?" was the soft reply.
Suddenly Naruto realized that he was lying on the forest floor and Hinata was not flying but simply looking down on him.
Sitting up he remembered what had happened. He tried to stand but was stopped by Hinata's hand on his shoulder.
"Hinata," he exclaimed "I have to go, I've got to catch Sasuke so we can drag his ass back to Konoha"
Hinata shook her head with a small blush still on her cheeks "Naruto - kun, it's okay, I-I've knocked him out. He's right over there"
Looking at where she was pointing Naruto saw Sasuke lying against a tree stump, his features had returned to normal. His raven black hair lay low covering much of his face, despite this Naruto could see that the curse seal had retreated. He was pleased to see a broken nose had been added on the list of the Uchiha's injuries.
Naruto couldn't believe it, the shy and quite Hyuuga Hinata had beaten the shit out of Uchiha Sasuke. Turning back to his savior Naruto couldn't help but stare.
"Wow Hinata," he mumbled "I knew you were strong but this is amazing" at his statement the shy girl's face reddened again her eyes downcast. Twiddling her fingers she replied " H-he was exhausted after his battle with you N-Naruto - kun I didn't do much, just caught him by surprise"
"What!? You did nothing? I thought I was a goner when he hit me with Chidori, you saved my life!" remembering the pain he had felt when lightning edge had hit him made Naruto clutch at his chest, with a start he realized that his shirt had been taken off and his wounds had been cleaned and smeared with ointment. Only his chest wound still ached and bled slightly, before he had thought that Kyubi had healed his wounds but it turned out that it was Hinata.
"I-I'm sorry Naruto - kun but I didn't want you to suffer so I took off your sh-sh-shirt to clean your wounds" Naruto looked up at Hinata who was looking mortified as she spoke. She almost squeaked the word shirt, she couldn't seem to look him in the eye.
Naruto being Naruto it took him a few moments to realize why the Hyuuga heiress was embarrassed 'Hinata is very shy, she must think I'm angry with her for taking off my shirt'
Seeing her distress Naruto put his hand on her shoulder "Hinata" he said seriously, surprised Hinata looked up with her now perpetual blush " There's no need to apologize, you saved my life and you made me feel better. Thank you Hinata - chan" squeezing her shoulder gently he smiled at her.
'H-he called me Hinata - chan' she couldn't believe it, she would have jumped up and danced for joy but that meant Naruto - kun wouldn't be touching her shoulder anymore. And that smile, she had never seen him smile that way. It wasn't his usual foxy grin but a gentle smile that made her stomach do back flips and her heart race. His bright blue eyes were looking right at her and she surprised herself by looking right back without flinching, realizing that she had been staring at him now for twenty seconds without saying a word Hinata started and replied.
"No problem Naruto - kun, anytime" she was proud that she didn't stammer and even gave him a small smile.
Naruto grinned and began rubbing his whisker birthmarks with one hand while running the other through his hair. His cheeks going red.
'Did I just make Naruto - kun blush!?' Hinata stared 'I didn't…………….did I? but she had, there on Naruto's cheeks was an unmistakable blush.
'I don't believe it I have!' fighting a crazy urge to shout "Now you know how it feels!" Hinata contented herself with a chuckle.
'Does this mean Naruto - kun likes me?' She wondered
'What's this!?' Naruto thought panicking 'I'm blushing! I only blush around Sakura - chan, this cant be happening! Although Hinata - chan is very pretty'
Naruto began to grin nervously
The last thought shocked him, before this moment he would have swore that no body but his Sakura - chan was pretty. But there right in front of him sat Hyuuga Hinata, skin glowing from the sun, dark blue hair gently blowing in the wind her pale lavender eyes crinkled in merriment. She was laughing he realized.
'What is it!? Have I got something stuck in my teeth? Quickly bakka say something before she thinks you're a complete fool!
Naruto realized he was still rubbing his cheek, quickly he stopped. Giving a nervous laugh he stuttered out "S-so Hinata - chan we should begin er w-we should set off now"
"Not yet Naruto - kun I still need to bandage the wound on your chest it's still bleeding" she replied with a worried frown while rummaging through a small back pack she had brought.
"H-hai" he managed to say.
Taking the bandages from her pack Hinata instructed him to hold his arms up while she wrapped the wound.
Walking behind him she crouched on her knees and began to slowly wrap the wound, her hand gently holding the bandage to his chest as she began. Even through the bandage her hand felt warm.
Now being the despised demon fox of Konoha Naruto had rarely been touched by others and when he was it was often to be hit or grabbed for some prank or another.
Never in his life had someone touched him in this way. Sure Iruka - sensei had ruffled his hair or gave him a pat on the shoulder but this was completely different. Before he knew it Uzumaki Naruto's face was beet red and his breathing erratic.
Hinata noticing his quickened breathing asked him in a worried voice "Naruto - kun a-are you ok, is the bandage too tight?"
As she spoke her breath ruffled the small hairs on the back of his neck making him shiver and break out in goose bumps. Holding back a groan he replied shakily "Haha! No no Hinata! I'm fine just keep going!"
'Oh no! I'm a pervert. Damn you Jiriaya sensei you were only supposed to teach me jutsu's not to be like you!' Breathing deeply to calm himself Naruto focused his mind on the kind of ramen he would eat when he got home.
After several minutes of discussing the merits of beef ramen against prawn ramen in his mind he was relived to notice that he had returned to normal and that Hinata had finished his bandage.
"Arigato Hinata - chan" he said giving her a foxy grin "when we get home the ramen's on me" getting up he gave her his best Gai pose.
Blushing cutely she smiled and nodded.
Walking up to the unconscious Sasuke he felt his good mood evaporate 'You tried to kill me even after I spared your life. Sasuke you conceited kid………why didn't you listen to me?
Grabbing the Uchiha heirs foot he walked back to Hinata, Sasuke sliding behind him.
"Err Naruto- kun, his face is dragging along the ground he might be hurt" she said looking at unconscious boy with a sweat drop.
Looking back at Sasuke Naruto realized that his rivals face had indeed been dragging along the ground.
'I wonder if Sakura - chan will still like him with a face full of gravel' he thought evilly. Then stopped and sighed, he realized that if the pink haired kunoichi didn't care about the fact that Sasuke had tried to betray the leaf then a face full of gravel wouldn't put her off him either. Frowning he also realized that she would never return his feelings. But Sakura or no Sasuke still deserved to be punished and waking up uglier than he already was seemed like a good punishment in Naruto's book. But then it might upset Hinata - chan. Sighing again he picked up his rival in a fireman's lift.
Hinata got a worried look on her face turning to him she asked "Naruto - kun where are the others, are Kiba and Neji - nii san ok?"
"Don't worry Hinata - chan I'll explain as we travel, we can pick them up on our way back" Naruto smiled in what he hoped was a reassuring fashion.
Together, the heiress of the most powerful clan in the hidden leaf and the it's no. 1 hyperactive loudmouth ninja set off in search of their companions, their rescue mission a success.
Author Note:
I know that Hinata seemed to have beaten Sasuke far too easily but I'm basing this on the fact that she was protecting Naruto (one of her precious people) there fore giving it a 150%. Also Sasuke has been fighting for quite a while against Naruto so he's a bit knackered.
On another point the Hyuuga eye color. My mate says they're a plain white but I've been going over the anime and to me it seems like they have a slight purple tinge to their eyes so in my story I've described the eye's as a pale lavender.
Also how do you spell Hyuuga!? Is it Hyuuga or Hyuga that's kind of confusing me. And last but not least I hope I got all the honorifics right *sigh* I wish I knew Japanese