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Graveyard shift was the one watch that Hinata always seemed to end up on. According to the others, she was the least likely to let anything get by her, what with those Byakugen eyes of hers. However, they didn't say it out loud, but she just knew that it was really because they couldn't afford to have any of the good fighters be tired during the day. She was expendable like that. On the inside, the young girl felt like screaming, kicking, and putting up as much of a fuss as she could-- but, being Hinata, she said nothing and just kept watch.
Tonight, she was sitting in the living room of the house, wearing her usual oversized jacket and capri pants. She had to bite her lip to keep from screaming again. Come to think of it, she had been put on the graveyard shift ever since that first night. She'd been sleeping during the day for two solid weeks now!
"Hinata?"
Somehow, even though fully alert and aware of all that was occuring outside, the young ninja still jumped a few inches into the air with a light yelp. "YAHH! I-uh-I... I'm... w-w-who is it?" Two blonde pigtails came into focus. "Naruto-kun! Wh-wh-what are you doing up this late?"
Naruto emerged, wearing a pair of grey, cotton sleep pants and a white tank top. The pants were slightly big on her (they were borrowed) so the top of her underwear was showing through. The girl who was not really a girl walked over and sat down next to Hinata. "Couldn't sleep. And I figured you could use some company." Naruto paused for a moment. "A lot has happened in this past week, after all."
"Yeah." Hinata just sat there silently.
Just a few days ago, between shifts, something thunked against the outside wall. Since Sasuke was just starting his watch, he went to check it out. That was the last anyone saw of him. He was just ...gone. No one knew if he had ran off, if he had been taken, or what. Neither Neji nor Hinata could find him with their Byakugen. That was when they found it. A kunai had struck the wall just to the left of the doorpost, but that wasn't important: the forehead protector that was stuck on it, was. After careful examination, Sakura finally realized that it was the one that Kakashi wore over his left eye at all times, except in battle; when he used his sharingan. That very night, Sakura woke up screaming. She had a dream in which both Kakashi and Sasuke were being torn to pieces by an unseen force. Unseen until the end, anyway... it was the eyes.
The silence continued. Outside, a chorus of crickets began its serenade. A dull thud signaled that someone upstairs was turning over. "I hope Sasuke's alright," Hinata said, quietly.
"I'm more worried about you, Hinata." Naruto was feeling unusually caring tonight. Perhaps it was just the late hour, and it was the fatigue talking. Maybe it was the fact that her usual, hyperactive personallity was slowly fading away to a more mature, calm spirit (without her knowing it). Or maybe it was because the moon had just shone through the clouds at that moment, casting a heavenly glow on the black-haired girl; all at once, Hinata looked less like a shy, quiet little ninja-in-training, and more like an angel of the night. Absolutely gorgeous.
"Naruto-kun... I, uh... you look beautiful tonight." It was out of her mouth before she even knew it was on its way there. "I mean, uh... um..." What she meant to say was that she liked the way the moonlight was making Narutos hair glow like a burning ember. That even though her secret crush was now a girl, it didn't matter. That there was just something about the way those blue eyes looked into hers...
A deep blush spread its way up her neck and took over her face, making it look much darker in the moonlight. She could have sworn her collar was starting to steam. How could she have just let that slip? How?!
The blonde was a little stunned. That was the first time she had been called beautiful. Naruto had only been a girl for a few weeks, after all. "Hinata... thank you, I... uh... you look beautiful, too."
Silence fell upon them once again. Both of them smiled at each other, both in an exceptionally better mood than they had been only minutes ago. Still, there was something else... a feeling of anxiety. Like they both knew what they wanted to do, but neither of them was willing to move first. After what seemed like ages, their hands started moving towards each other, slowly, until Hinatas small, ice-cold hand made contact with Narutos larger, warmer hand.
Their bodies seemed to like the idea, and they started moving closer to each other. They moved little by little, achingly slow. Both girls were losing themselves in each others eyes. Naruto quickly brought her free hand up to the other girls cheek, caressing it lightly. Closer and closer. It was one of those moments that seemed to be stuck in slow-motion. There was no need for words; their bodies would say everything. Hinata brought her hands up, placing one on Narutos back, one on the back of her head.
After what seemed like hours, their lips finally met. Hinata was suprised at how warm the kiss really was. And she liked it. She pulled closer and their bodies met, indescribable warmth flooding through her thin jacket. Both girls wrapped their arms around each other, deepening the kiss.
All at once, Naruto pulled away. The warmth that was stolen from the black-haired ninja left her in a slight shock. "Wait. Hinata... I'm a... aren't we both...?"
The young Hyuuga simply unzipped and removed her jacket, revealing a black sleeveless shirt that was the same color as her capris. She put her finger on the blondes lips, stopping her mid-sentence. "Shh...I knew that when we started. And I don't care..." She pulled Naruto in once again, this time right back where they left off. Funny, ...the longer this went on, the more comfortable she became, and the less she held back. In fact, hers was the first of their hands to start stroking her partners back. Naruto was also coming to accept her feelings towards Hinata, allowing her own hand to descend from her lovers cheek, down the shoulder, and around the side and back, pulling her closer.
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This was the scene repeated over and over, for the next three nights in a row. No one seemed to catch on to the two girls little affair, but they all sensed that something was different between the two.
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On the fourth night, Naruto was making her way downstairs once again. This time, however, she found her black-haired lover staring out the front door, not moving. The look on her face was one which displayed a mix of shock and horror. It was like a whole different girl sitting there in that living room. Slowly she stood up and walked over to the door, stopping in the doorway.
"Sasuke."
Naruto ran over and looked over the other girls shoulder. Darkness loomed everywhere. Even though she was well aware of the capabilities of the Byakugen, the blonde hoped she'd be able to at least see a shape that resembled their lost friend. Nothing. Maybe she should just let her eyes adjust. Yeah, that's it.
Finally, a shape came into view. It was staggering. Knowing that could only be Sasuke, Naruto ran outside. Not even paying attention to her surroundings, she threw one of his arms over her shoulder and half-carried him back to the house.
Inside, a latern was lit. Sasuke was set down on the couch. Hinata began looking him over. She checked his arms, legs, ...when she got to his face, she stopped. His eyes were blank; the eyes of one who is unconscous. Also, there were countless scars and cuts all around his eyes and down his cheeks. When she parted his hair, ...she revealed a set of cuts arranged to form the kanji for 'death.'
Neither of them said anything. There was nothing to say. Someone was out there, doing things like this...
Hinata suddenly whipped her head around and faced out the open door. That look was back, only this time there was a lot more fear than before. Naruto turned, not expecting to see anything due to the contrast between the lit room and the darkness outside. Except there was something. Another shape. Standing strait up, not moving. And two glowing red spots, right where the eyes were supposed to be.
"He's here," Sasuke whispered from the couch.
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Go time! It's down to the beginning of the final showdown! And yes, I know... I could've dragged the romance out a little more, but there was no need. I just wanted to get it out of the way. For those who are wondering about why I picked Hinata, and I know you're out there... so sue me. I have a thing for the wallflower type.
R&R!