Blinded By Tears
"That was disgusting! I'm going to kill Sensei!" Sakura groaned as she in vain tried to wipe the taste of his fingers off her tongue. She looked over at Sasuke, only to see him smirking. She blushed, did he think it was funny.
A mission all by themselves, Hinata couldn't believe it. Why had their Sensei given them this chance? Something about it just didn't feel right to Hinata. He had to have so anterior motive, there was no doubt about that. She gulped. She had to say something.
"N-Naruto-Kun… I-I d-don't like t-the l-looks of this m-mission…"
"Don't worry, Hinata. I'm sure we'll do just fine. You can count on it." He grinned at her. Hinata could feel herself blushing and looked down at her feet. She realized she was tapping her fingers together and urged herself to stop.
"Oy… Hinata-Chan why are you blushing?" Hinata froze; she didn't expect him to ask her something like that.
"I-I…. I.. " To her relief she was cut off.
"Hey, you there. Are you my escorts?" A tall, handsome, red headed boy walked over to them.
"Hai. We are here to take you to the Hidden Village of Sand."
"Hmm… Sounds fun."
"Fun? What do you mean by fun." To tell you the truth Sakura was very confused at the moment. This guy seemed dangerous, why would he need to be protected? Maybe he was just bluffing.
He shrugged. "You'll see."
'I don't like this guy. There is something all wrong about him.'
'Oh don't be a worrywart. It will all be fine. Anyways if he's dangerous we can just kill him when the time is right.'
'Just shut up.'
'Fine, but it's your loss.'
'Whatever.'
"Come on let's go." Sasuke said as he walked up ahead.
"Um… I just realized… Sensei never told us where we were going…" Naruto scratched his head and shrugged. Sakura turned to look at him, an angry look on her face.
"Naruto! You idiot! Don't you ever listen!"
Naruto sat in deep thought for a moment. "I don't understand…" He looked really confused now. Sakura sighed and shook her head, why did she even try.
Hinata couldn't help but to giggle a little at Naruto's answer. Then suddenly Naruto turned to her; a wild look on his face. He grabbed her hand. "Come on Hinata let's go!" He said it with a huge smile on his face and pulled her off in the direction of the others. Hinata was blushing madly; she just couldn't help it.
Kakashi began to laugh from his hiding place in the trees. They were so funny, and he was so clueless. This was going to be a long mission.
The first day went smoothly without any trouble. According to Sakura that was a good thing, but deep down Hinata could sense that this was just the clam before the storm. It began to worry her, how would Naruto treat her once he saw how worthless she was. How weak and pathetic she was. Hinata couldn't sit there with them any longer she needed to be alone, to think over her thoughts and maybe train a bit in the woods. Without warning she stood up and walked into the forest, causing everyone to stop and stare.
It was dark and cool in the forest, with plenty of places to train or think either one. Hinata couldn't think things through so she decided to settle on training. She started out with a few basic warm ups and then started to practice the 64 strike over and over again. She was so concentrated on it she didn't even sense the figure approaching her.
"Where do you think she's going?"
"Who cares, Sakura. I don't."
"Well you never know what could happen." Sakura knew Sasuke was in a bad mood but ignored it.
"Hnn.."
"I'm going after her, you two stay here."
"Go ahead Naruto. It will give me some time to talk some sense into Mr. Grouchy here." Sakura gestured towards Sasuke.
Naruto nodded and walked into the forest. He was surprised on how easily he found her. He'd thought she might have been trying to run off, but he realized that was a stupid thought. There must be something bothering her. Even though he didn't know Hinata very well, he knew that was the only answer. Slowly and quietly he crept up on her, and then in a burst of speed was behind her. Naruto's arms around her waist, pulling her close to him, he whispered in her ear.
"Hinata-Chan what's wrong?"
"N-Naruto-Kun?" She almost had gasped when she heard his voice. "W-what are y-you doing?"
"I'm sorry if I startled you. I didn't mean to Hinata-Chan." He was calling her Hinata-Chan. It made her heart jump, and her voice get stuck in her throat. She could barely stutter out her words.
"N-no N-Naruto-Kun i-it's a-alright y-you d-didn't s-startle m-me."
"Oh, good. So what's wrong?" Hinata realized he was still holding her and nearly fainted in his arms, but than he would think she was a complete loser. Then it hit her; he wanted to know how she felt. How could she tell him? How? Tears began to roll down her cheeks. "Hinata-Chan?"
Naruto was somewhat shocked that she was crying and he had no idea why she was crying either. He could only think of one think to do. Try and comfort her. Naruto gently turned Hinata around, removing his one arm he tipped up her chin so they were looking into each other's eyes. "Please, Hinata-Chan, tell me what's wrong."
To both their surprise she answered him. "Naruto-Kun… I'm weak and worthless… I'm a failure… My own family doesn't like me… I'm afraid… Afraid that if you see how weak… How weak I really am… You will hate me like all the others…"
Naruto was a little more than moved by her answer. "Hinata-Chan… Do not cry. You are my friend, maybe more than that. I could never hate you." He pulled her in close to him. "You aren't worthless or weak either Hinata-Chan. I've seen how strong you are. You're one of the strongest people I know, because you fight with you're heart and you try you're best, even when you're life is at stake. You are strong. Never let anyone tell you different."
"Naruto-Kun…" He said she might be more than a friend. That he could never hate her. In that moment she began to realize how foolish her fears had been.
"I wonder what's taking them so long. It's been almost a half an hour. Maybe we should go look for them."
"No, it would be a waste of time. The dobe can handle himself."
"Fine, but if they're not back in 10 minutes I'm going to look for them."
"Whatever."
"Hinata-Chan we should get back. They may worry." Hinata nodded and wiped away her fallen tears. Naruto took her hand and they walked out of the forest.
Hinata was happy for one of the first times of her life. She had never imagined something like this would ever happen. But something panged at the back her mind, telling her it would never last. That she was doomed to fail, and it would all come to an end.