Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto! I only own my plot… I don't want to get dragged to court because I have nothing to pay /heh
Replies:FireDragonBL-hmm… this takes place before the chuunin exams… The previous settings are usually right after training or before…
Mee Yah- Thanks for understanding… hehehe… It's kind of tough here already…
Thanks for all those who read and reviewed my ficcy… DragonMan180, nonengel, FireDragonBL, harukakanata and Jays Arravan… Thanks also for those who have me on their author alert and favorites… /teary eyed/ hehe… Hope you like this one…
Chapter 3
It has been a few days since Neji's initial confrontation with Naruto. After Neji opened up his reason to Tenten, the female shinobi promised that she wouldn't tell Hinata about it. And in return, Neji wouldn't tell Naruto about his reason. Good thing Neji agreed not to tell anything to Naruto… Talk about close call… She thought. After Hinata and Neji's surprising dispute, Hinata didn't come for training. Tenten secretly passed by their training grounds, hoping to see Hinata. How many days have passed? Three days… I wonder where Hinata is… She's not coming to the bridge every morning either…
Meanwhile, Hinata locked herself up in her room for three days already. Since Neji attacked her, she grew scared and embarrassed at the same time. Yes, niisan! I… I love Naruto-kun! Hinata curled herself in bed and held the fox doll in her hands. She can't defend herself from Neji's attacks. So, the truth is that, she's not strong enough. I can't even defend myself from anyone… I really can't… Tears slowly fell down her pale cheeks as she gripped her pillow. Everyone in her family notices it, her weakness, her inability to express herself, and most especially her mercy to the enemy. The problem is that, she lets herself get pushed around. That's why she trains hard, to prove that she is worthy to be the heiress of the Hyuuga clan. I will be strong… She arose from her bed and looked out the window. The silence of the deep morning makes her thing about a lot of things. With a deep sigh, she got her jacket and skipped out of the room and onto the streets. If she stayed in that room for another minute, she'd keep on blaming herself. She then decided to walk and let her feet take her to where they want to go.
After a while, Hinata found herself by a wide field of grass and trees. A small stream flowed beside it and trees slightly covered it. Hinata smiled and sat on the soft grass. Maybe a change of environment can do her good. She closed her eyes and felt the cool breeze brush against her face. As she opened them again, a small dandelion plant caught her attention. Smiling faintly, she reached out and picked the dandelion. She looked at it and twirled it between her thumb and middle finger. Then, she sensed someone coming her way. She looked back and got her kunai. Tension grew in her chest as she waited for the person to emerge from the trees. Iie… Don't come any closer! She shut her eyes and threw the kunai as soon as she heard a tree branch snap. "Take this!" she squealed as she threw her kunai.
"What the hell!" someone called out as he eluded the kunai. "Hinata! What the hell are you doing!"
Hinata opened her eyes when she heard someone call out her name. She was taken aback; the person coming her way is none other than Naruto. The very humiliated Hinata blushed when she saw Naruto.
"Oh… G-gomen n-nasai! G-gom-gomen!" Hinata apologized repeatedly as she bowed down.
"Err… It's okay… Hinata. Stop that already!" Naruto replied as he sweatdropped. Hinata looked up to Naruto as the blond-haired genin grinned.
"So… What brings you here Hinata-chan?" Naruto asked as he sat on the soft grass. Hinata is still blushing as she fixed her eyes on Naruto. She remembered that she hasn't seen him for days either. Naruto looked up to her and noticed that she felt uneasy. "Are you okay Hinata-chan? You should at least sit down you know…"
"Eh! Err… G-Gomen… N-Naruto-kun…" Hinata replied as she sat on the ground. Naruto grinned as he looked at the green field with only the moon as the evening light. Hinata twitched her fingers as she looked at Naruto at the corner of her eye.
Naruto looked at Hinata and noticed her seemingly forlorn eyes. He knew Hinata for quite some time now. She never talked, or spoke up to anyone. Nobody knew what was bothering her or what is in her mind, in Naruto's perspective. But tonight, he can feel that she seems lonelier than the usual. He then noticed that Hinata is holding a small dandelion in her hand. He smiled as he looked around.
Hinata is too absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't notice Naruto stood up. She snapped back to reality when she saw something shoved in her face. Blinking repeatedly, she saw Naruto holding three dandelions in front of her.
"You don't look any happier than usual…" Naruto said as he grinned. "Maybe these can cheer you up! Go on, take it…" he added.
Hinata looked at Naruto and shifted her eyes on the dandelion in his hand. Her face turned into a shade of hot pink as she slowly took the flower from Naruto. "Anou… A-arigatou N-Naruto-kun…" she muttered as she smiled weakly.
Naruto grinned as he let himself fall down on the soft grass and lie down. He placed his hands behind his back and looked at the stars. "You know… I always see people giving flowers other special things to others who are lonely. I figured then that it cheers people up…" he muttered.
Hinata looked at Naruto as she held the dandelion in her hand. "H-have y-you… gotten a-any flowers b-before, Naruto?" she asked.
Naruto chuckled as he closed his eyes. "Nah! Who would be stupid enough to give anything to a cursed demon child to cheer him up? And besides, this town hates me. It's all because of kyuubi… I'm aware that no one actually likes me… Well, except for Iruka-sensei and maybe the folks at Ichiraku…" he opened his eyes and sighed. "They prefer to ignore me… I know soon they'll drive me out of Konoha."
"I… I… don't hate you… N-Naruto-kun… I d-don't think y-you're bad luck… either. For me…" Hinata muttered as she looked at Naruto. "y-you're one of t-the greatest person I know…" Naruto was surprised at Hinata's statement. The girl blushed again as she lowered her head.
Naruto smiled as he closed his eyes. "Arigatou, Hinata-chan… No one ever said those words to me before…" He muttered. Hinata smiled as she looked at the dandelion in her hands. I'm glad I managed to make him happy… "Okay, I'll ask again… What brings you here, Hinata-chan?" he asked.
Hinata twitched her finger as she looked at the grass. "Err… I… was j-just walking around… W-when I r-realized it, I w-was here…" she replied. "H-how a-about you?"
Naruto smiled as he closed his eyes. "I train here by myself…" he replied. "I want to be stronger and become a great Hokage!" he exclaimed as he grinned. "Sugoi!"
Hinata lowered her head and slowly stood up. "A-anou… G-gomen… y-you s-should be… training… I'll… leave now… I…" before Hinata could stand up, she felt Naruto's hand grasp her wrist. Hinata blushed as she looked at Naruto. She involuntarily bit her finger and froze.
"You can stay here for now… I'll keep you company…" Naruto said as he pulled Hinata back to her seat. "I guess I can make room for a quiet evening, ne?" Hinata looked at Naruto as she twitched her fingers. "Demo…" she muttered. Naruto smiled as he lied back again. The two stayed silent and the only sound you can hear is the faint rustle of the leaves and the flow of the stream. Hinata looked at Naruto and smiled. I never thought I'd be able to spend this quiet time alone with Naruto-kun… It seems that Naruto is thinking about a lot of things right now. His eyes are closed and his hands are behind his head. His yellow hair sways with the wind. Hinata could only wish that they would stay this way forever.
"People just can't understand, can they?" Naruto whispered. Hinata looked at Naruto as she twitched her fingers. Naruto closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "You know… All they do all day long is talk about other people… For me, all they do is to hate or judge me… Haven't they had enough?" he muttered.
Hinata lowered her head as she twitched her fingers. All they do is to hate or judge me… Haven't they had enough? The words echoed in Hinata's mind as she looked at the dandelions again. She always looked at Naruto in a third-person point of view. The hate that the villagers show to him, and their unawareness of the real Uzumaki Naruto makes her remember how weak she really is. I always get carried away with words and fear…
Naruto noticed Hinata's reaction and propped his elbows up. "Gomen nasai Hina-chan… We shouldn't talk about things like that, ne? You don't look too happy and I don't want to be added to your worries…" he said as he smiled. Hinata blushed as she lowered her head. "Hey… Is there something bugging you?" he asked. Hinata can see that Naruto is still the oblivious one. But still, having him ask about her problems makes her happy. She's happy enough to be living in the fantasy that Uzumaki Naruto even cared for her.
Hinata lowered her head and began her story. "Y-you s-see… My f-father… D-doesn't t-thi-think I'm s-strong enough… For my… clan… I care too much about people… That I can't even kill or hurt them…" She smiled faintly and sighed. "I can't meet my father's expectations… Not even the Hyuuga clan's reputation…" You can't even beat someone younger than you! What kind of Hyuuga are you! Hinata's eyes blurred from the tears as she tried her best not to let them fall.
"You know, I have two things to say to you… if you want something very badly… You'll do all options possible in order to achieve it… When you know inside of you that you can do it, then don't listen to what others say… Who the hell are they to say you're weak anyway? They don't know even the slightest thing about you at all!" he replied. Then, he looked up the stars and smiled. "Second, you're still lucky, Hina-chan… You have a father with you… Even though you don't seem to feel that he loves you, the bottom line is, you still met and lived with your father…" he added.
Hinata's eyes fell on the ground as she clutched her jacket. Oh yeah… Naruto-kun doesn't have any parents left… Naruto looked at her and smiled. "Are you getting what I'm saying, Hina-chan?" he muttered as he leaned on the tree. Hinata gasped as she nodded with hesitation. It's very rare to hear those words come out from Naruto's mouth. She finally felt composed and freed at the same time. Hearing what Naruto has to say made her aimless walk to this field worthwhile. So, walking did made me feel nice again…
"Arigatou, Naruto-kun…" Hinata whispered as she bowed down her head. She looked at Naruto again and noticed that he seemed down. The last thing he mentioned is that Hinata was lucky enough having a father. Hinata bit her lower lip and bowed now. Now, Naruto is the one having his own problems remembered. She has no idea on how to cheer him up. Her hands fell on her pocket and felt something that she always carries around. Hinata then remembered what Tenten said to her before. Well, maybe you could give it to him when he's sad or something… I'm sure he'll be happy when you give this to him… Hinata took a deep breath and got the doll from her pocket. She looked at it for a while, then at Naruto.
"A-anou…" Hinata blurted out as she held the doll in her hands. Naruto snapped back to reality and looked at Hinata. "You were saying something, Hina-chan?" Naruto asked as she looked at the nervous girl in front of him. Hinata nodded nervously as she closed her eyes.
"Err… Y-you see…" Hinata stammered as she tried to think of something to say. Just give this! "Anou… Here… It's for you…" she finally spoke up and showed Naruto the doll. "A-anou… I-I made t-this… wh-when we're still in the a-academy… B-before w-we found out… a-about kyuubi…" she stammered as she showed Naruto the doll that she had made. Naruto looked at the doll in Hinata's palm for a while. Is this too offending? I didn't mean it for him to remember about kyuubi…
"Is this really for me?" Naruto asked as he maintained his reaction. Hinata grew nervous and looked at the doll in her hands. She then nodded as she hesitated to look at Naruto's reaction. Gathering all her courage, she looked up to Naruto and saw a faint smile. "Arigatou Hina-chan…" he whispered as he took the doll from Hinata's palm. "This is the first gift I ever had… Well, except for the things that Iruka-sensei gave me… Arigatou…" he added.
Hinata blushed as she smiled as well. Naruto laughed out as he looked at the doll. "Kawaii Hina-chan! Did you really made this yourself?" he said. Hinata nodded shyly as she twitched her fingers. Naruto looked at Hinata and smiled. "I'll keep this with me for the rest of my life…" Hinata smiled as she twiddled her fingers. It seems that tonight is the happiest night of her life. She nodded as she looked at the dandelions in her hand.
Early the next morning, Hinata woke up in a good mood. She managed to slip back to the Main house without being noticed. Naruto told her to go back and get a good night's sleep. He even walked Hinata out of the fields since she didn't know her way out. Hinata looked at the dandelions on her bedside table. She smiled as she arose from her bed and got dressed. As she went out of her room, she noticed that the maids are looking at her in an odd way. She ignored the anomalous looks of the maids and went downstairs to eat breakfast.
"Hinata-sama…" a maid muttered as she bowed down. Hinata looked at the maid and twiddled with her fingers. "You're father wants to have a word with you… He is in the training hall." he added. Hinata nodded as shivers went down her spine. First were the uncanny looks of the maids, and now her father calling her into the training hall? She bit her lower lip as she walked in the hallway. As she arrived at the door, two ANBU officers are guarding the door. ANU officers? What are they doing here? She opened the door and peeked inside. Hiashi is standing by the window holding a cup of tea on his left hand.
"Anou… Otousan…" Hinata muttered as she closed the door behind her. Hiashi remained still as Hinata took cautious steps and looked up to her father.
"Where were you last night?" Hiashi muttered as he had his back on Hinata and sipped his tea. Hinata gasped as she looked at her father. Did he figure out that she left last night? "A-anou… I-I'm in m-my… room, otousan…" Hinata muttered as she lowered her head. Her little white lies are not a bit convincingat all.
Her father turned around and placed his cup on the windowsill. "You're not in your room, Hinata…" he muttered. Hinata looked up in surprise as his father grabbed her hair and shoved her on the floor. Hinata cried out in pain as Hiashi tightened his grip on Hinata's hair. "You're with that demon Uzumaki Naruto last night! What were you doing out in the fields with that demon?" Hiashi bellowed as he shoved Hinata on the floor again.
"He's not a demon, otousan!" Hinata called back as tears fell down her cheeks. Hiashi's rage grew as he pulled Hinata's hair and faced her. "Why are you with that demon! He is cursed and you know that! You were with him last night by the woods! Instead of training you're wasting precious time with that… MONSTER!" Hiashi bellowed.
The ANBU officers knocked wildly on the door. "Hiashi-sama! Is everything okay in there!" they called out. Hiashi ignored the continuous knocking and pulled Hinata's hair even harder. "Otousan! Stop it! Please!" Hinata cried out as her tears fell down on the floor.
Meanwhile, Kurenai is on her way to the training hall. She noticed Hinata's sudden absence from training. She then saw two ANBU officers banging on the door. "What's happening!" Kurenai asked and ran towards he door.
"Hiashi-sama… I think he's hurting Hinata…" one of the officers said. Kurenai's eyes widened as she banged on the door as well. "Hiashi-sama! Open the door!" Kurenai called out.
"We can't force the door open…" the other officer said. Kurenai closed her eyes as she concentrated hard to enter the room. After a while, she finally made it inside. She saw Hiashi gripping Hinata's hair as the poor girl cried. "Hiashi-sama!" Kurenai called out as she ran towards the two.
"Stay out of this! I know how to handle my daughter!" Hiashi shot back as he tightened his grip on Hinata's hair. "Now… I'm going to ask you again… What were you doing with that demon fox last night?" Hiashi asked again in a cold and coarse voice. Hinata sobbed as she looked down. Hiashi grew cold as he drove Hinata to the floor. "Answer me Hinata!"
"I…" Hinata began as she tried to speak in between sobs. Kurenai glared at Hiashi as she attacked him. But Hiashi managed to fling her across the room. "Kurenai-sensei!" Hinata called out as she struggled from his father's grasp. "Otousan! Stop it!"
Hiashi glared at her daughter with disgust. He pulled Hinata's hair and faced her. "I'll talk to Hokage-sama about this! It's unacceptable for Uzumaki Naruto to join in the chuunin exams! He is cursed! He doesn't belong here!" he bellowed as he flung Hinata aside. "I don't want you talking to that demon, you heard me? I don't want you staying with him! I'm going to ask Hokage-sama to disqualify Uzumaki Naruto!" he added. With that, he walked out of the room, leaving Hinata breaking down in a corner.
Kurenai managed to stand up and approach Hinata. "Hinata, are you okay?" she asked as she took the girl in her arms. Hinata cried as she embraced her sensei. "Sensei… We have to something about otousan… N-Naru…to-kun has w-waited for so l-long for this chuunin exam… Don't let otousan take away his dream! Please sensei!" she sobbed as she fell down on her knees. "It's okay if they keep on pulling me down… I'll have my strength as long as Naruto-kun has his…"
Kurenai hugged her student as she began to think. Hinata… Why do you prioritize Naruto so much… You always seem to care for him… Well, I only realized it up until now… You always look at Naruto from far away… Why? "Don't worry Hinata… I'm sure Hokage-sama won't allow that… After all… Naruto is still a ninja… and a human being as well…"
Meanwhile, in Naruto's apartment, the blond haired genin lay on his back and looked up to the ceiling. He had just woken up from a very shallow sleep last night. He kept on pondering his thoughts about last night. y-you're one of t-the greatest person I know… Naruto smiled as he took out the doll from under his pillow. Hina-chan is such a sweet girl… I never thought someone would give anything to me… he thought as he smiled and held it up in the air.
"The girl… her name is Hyuuga Hinata, right?" a deep voice muttered somewhere around the house. The voice belonged to the kyuubi inside Naruto. They never talk in public or even get along well. The only time that they can actually talk is when they're alone or when Naruto feels lonely. But still, kyuubi isn't the type to talk to when Naruto has problems.
"Why are you asking me that all of a sudden?" Naruto shot back as he placed the doll beside him.
"Why? Is that too bad to ask, then?" kyuubi answered. "I didn't listen on purpose you know… News flash… I'm stuck in the belly of a stupid 12-year old kid! Eavesdropping is a developed hobby in me already…"
"Why you— Fine… never mind… Anyway… Yeah… Her name is Hinata… but why the sudden interest?" Naruto replied as he rolled on his side. Kyuubi mumbled as Naruto heard it sigh.
"The girl is pretty nice to you, kyuubi boy… I never thought someone actually likes you as you are…" kyuubi replied. Naruto hissed and looked at the doll, then his lips curved up in a faint smile. "Hey… Hello? I can feel you're smiling… Don't tell me you like the girl… I thought you like the pathetic loudmouth girl with you…"
Naruto lightly punched his belly as he rolled on his back. He heard kyuubi groan and stifled a snicker. "Why you! If you do that again you're hurting yourself too!" kyuubi shot back. Naruto closed his eyes and muttered. "I don't care… Besides Sakura-chan is not pathetic… And with Hinata… I don't—"
I'll always be here for you… Cuz… I… know that what they're saying are just presumptions… They don't know you at all!
Naruto sighed as he closed his eyes. Why can't he even say that he didn't like Hinata the way that he likes Sakura? Is there a reason behind Hinata's kindness towards him? Nah… It can't be… Hinata won't like me… And besides, I have Sakura-chan! He grinned as he placed the doll under his bed and continued to sleep.
"Hey! Hey whiskers boy! Don't sleep on me darn it! I'm bored! Can we at least walk around a bit?" kyuubi complained as he muttered to keep Naruto awake.
"Shut up kitsune! It's Sunday and I want to sleep!" Naruto shot back as he buried his face on the pillow. The kyuubi murmured as it settled itself. Baka Naruto! You're the most insensible being on this planet! Heck… I'm the one who's in your belly but still I can feel that Hyuuga Hinata likes you! I'd eat you alive if I had the chance! Baka…
In the meantime, Hiashi waited outside the Hokage's office. He is determined to talk the Hokage about Hinata and Naruto's issues. For goodness sake! My daughter is sneaking out of the house for that demon! I think he's distracting her training… Darn it! Why am I given with such a weak daughter! I'm better off with Hanabi as the heiress… If Hinata heard that statement, she would have broken down in front of him. But like Hiashi always says: There's no room for weaklings and quitters in this world.
"Hyuuga-sama… Hokage-sama is now ready to see you…" one of the ANBU officers said as he bowed down. Hiashi stood up and entered the Hokage's office. "Ohayou gozaimas Hokage-sama… I'm sorry for setting up an appointment at this early time…" Hiashi greeted as he bowed down.
"It's alright Hiashi… Now, what can I do for you?" the Hokage replied as he watched Hiashi sat down on a chair.
"Hokage-sama… I have no time to waste, so I'll make this quick…" Hiashi began. "I'm requesting the disqualification of Uzumaki Naruto from the chuunin exam"
The Hokage was surprised at Hiashi's request. Tsunade is also by the door, holding a pile of papers in her hands and overheard his request. "Why are you requesting for his disqualification, Hiashi…" the Hokage asked as he placed his pipe on his ashtray.
"The fact that Uzumaki Naruto has the demon kyuubi in him is proof already! He might use that against his opponents and who knows what he would do! I can't even understand why that demon is still here in Hidden Leaf! Catastrophes could repeat itself!" Hiashi explained in a seemingly commanding voice.
Tsunade looked at the Hokage with a worried face. The Hokage lowered his head and arranged his papers. "I'm afraid we can't do that, Hiashi… The boy is determined to be a chuunin, he is training hard and he's not causing chaos in this village." He replied. The boy would still pursue his dream… I'm sure Yondaime would like to see him fulfill his long-time dream…
"You're the Hokage! You can do something about it! He is a distraction to my daughter and I want him out!" Hiashi bellowed at the Hokage. Tsunade walked past Hiashi and placed the pile of papers on his desk. "Watch your intonation Hiashi… I'll have to force you out of this office if you keep up that tone of voice…" Tsunade shot back. "And if Hinata wanted to see Naruto, then you don't have the right to deprive her free will… If she's comfortable with Naruto, then so be it…"
Hiashi glared at Tsunade as he stood up and clenched his fist. "I'm sorry for wasting your time Hokage-sama… But I will do all means for that demon to stay away from my daughter…" he replied in a stern voice. The Hokage and Tsunade were left in the office staring at the door.
"I can't understand that Hiashi… Why doesn't he want Naruto to take the chuunin exam? And he seems so protective of Hinata but still he doesn't seem to care at the same time…" Tsunade muttered as she sighed. The Hokage nodded as he smoked his pipe. If only you didn't die… 4th Hokage… then Naruto wouldn't be left in this cruel world… But still…He is your son, and you are a legendary Hokage…
Hiashi walked furiously back to the Main House. He hated to be denied of his request. And it seems that the Sannins are on Naruto's side as well. He pushed the door opened and looked around. "Where's Hinata!" he yelled at the maids.
"S-she is not here… Hyuuga-sama… Her jounin teacher took her away…" one of the maids replied. Hiashi gritted his teeth as he punched the door and walked towards his office.
"From now on, Hinata is not a member of the Hyuuga Main House! She is not welcome here anymore!" he shouted back at the maids.
Hinata stood on the roof as she looked at the view of Konoha. She can see the Hyuuga Main house from her spot. The girl lowered her head as the wind blew harder showing signs of an upcoming rainfall. What were you doing with that demon! She shut her eyes as she tried to fight off the tears.
"Otousan…" she muttered to herself. "I won't come back until I'm strong enough… Kurenai-sensei will help me… And… I can't bear to stay away from Naruto-kun…"
With that, raindrops fell mercilessly on the town soaking Hinata who stood there frozen. While somewhere in Hidden Leaf, Naruto stood idly by the window and watched the rainfall. In his hand, he held Hinata's doll.
End of chapter… Spoiler Alert for chap4: Orochimaru makes his grand entrance…. Hehehe… Sorry if Neji and Tenten isn't here… They'll come back in the next chapter… Please drop a review on your way out! Take care minna-san…
-RaMeN FaNaTiC SeTsUnA-