Author's note: Hello everybody, how are you all? This is gonna be another POV chapter, this time it will be Hinata's perspective.
Thank you all for the birthday greetings, it really made my day.
Botan-kun - Thank you, I was afraid that I made that chapter too long, but you enjoyed it so that's good
Firedude328 - Short and to the point, thank you
KyLewin - Thanks, I put some humour in so to take a step back from the seriousness and emotion. I'm glad you liked the "blind ninja" bits
Keltosh - Not bad, eh? Thanks. And of course I'll keep writing.
Hisoka316 - First of all: thank you, I try to write so that everything is connected in some way. Second of all: Did I review one of your fics? I beg your forgiveness that I don't remember, what was it's name? Enjoy this chapter
Nonengel - Think nothing of it, what kind of writer would I be if I didn't update my Fic? I figured that Lee would be a good way to test out Naruto's sense, to break it in so to speak. You liked the fight? It was the first fight scene I had ever written, aside from the first chapter.
The Shinobi - Thanks, I wasn't sure how people would react to how and when they got together, but it looks like it has been well received.
TimeShifter - You'll find out how everyone feels next chapter. And I don't think I will be able to speed up my chapter releases, I write my main chapters at a day at a time in the fic timeframe. Sorry, but I'm afraid you're gonna have to wait. Though I will try to speed up the releases (No promises though)
Crutches - Thank you for reading, I'm glad that I could help you (get away from studying that is)
chibified kitsunes - Thank you, you remembered! What did you think of the chapter though?
Seiiryu The Destroyer - I say to you what I say to others that ask that question, I will finish this fic. Or die trying. You shedded some tears? That was exactly what I was aiming for. I've read a few fics that have brought me to tears and I wanted to see if I could do it as well, thank you.
Chibi-sasuke309 - Wow, the longest you say? Well, like I said before I doubt they're all gonna be that long (then again…) Thanks for reviewing
Daniel of Lorien - Thanks, I decided not to wait forever before getting them together. What better way of making Naruto feel better than telling him that he has always been loved?
Randomreader - Thanks, I was afraid that I messed up the whole chakra sense, but it looks like it has been well received. And yes, Chibified Kitsunes was kind enough to lend me one of her ideas, I tell you, she is one of the nicest people around. Kishimoto should consider it, you say? (Can he read English?) Thank you
Minimerc - That was you? Thank you SOOOO much. (truth be told, it took me a while before I figured out what you were welcoming me for, It wasn't until I re-read my previous chapter and my reviews that I figured it out, it was you who added this to KnH C2) And I'm very happy that I made you happy
Male-chan - My apologies, I made her strong and confident because she needed to be to help Naruto, and I would like it so that she is becoming stronger and more confident with each passing day with Naruto, but I am having her old self as well. Is OOC really a bad thing? Even if it's only slightly, well I'll try to remember what you like.
Magicians of the Yami - You love it? Cool, read on. Thanks for reviewing
Kenshinlover2002 - Like I said, it was long. I didn't realise until I was writing the end notes. Thanks for reading
Alixen - Thank you, I get so many kind reviewers, but you are one of the best. And I don't think I'll have any OC's, aside from those one-offs (mercenaries at the start, the two guys who wrecked Naruto's apartment)
Manatheron - I think I might have a lot of fun writing the next chapter (what with the Naruto/Hyuuga confrontation) Thanks for reading
violentlycheerful - Thank you for the "honoured sentence" And about the date; I live in Scotland, when I uploaded the new chapter it was 7:30 in the morning on the 10th of November. Scotland is in a different time zone from the main server. We must be a number of hours ahead of them and it came up with the 9th of November, but for me, I had turned 16 and had received some presents. Thanks for reading, and I had a very good day, thank you
Eva-Freak015 - Yes, I am now 16. I'm sorry, I cant tell you what I have in mind for the next chapter ('coz I don't know yet)
Xoni Newcomer – I didn't really think of it like that, I wrote it so Naruto used the basics for the rasengan to aid him, and to have Neji help him so he could use it with some practical skill. Thanks for reviewing, I will try and keep the realism in mind.
Out of Sight, Centre of mind
Chapter seven – Hinata's thoughts (POV)
Naruto-kun looks so cute, so peaceful when he's asleep, even with those bandages covering his beautiful blue eyes. He looks a lot better than he did a few hours ago, I can still feel some of the dampness from his tears on my shoulder. It still pains me that I had to see him that way, but I'm grateful that I was there to help him, I'm thankful that my courage didn't fail me and make me run away. I helped him, and then my dreams came true, my courage held up and I actually told him how I feel, well…he worked it out. But I still cannot believe that we are together now, I have to keep myself from thinking that I'm just going to wake up, like so many times before.
I was surprised when no guards questioned us when we arrived at the estate, in fact I didn't even see any guards. In any case I'm just glad no one came to question us. We walked in without anyone noticing, made our way through the estate without so much as seeing another person, although with a house this big, it's no great accomplishment. With the hour being so late, I thought it would be best if I brought him to my room instead of putting him in a spare room where he might be found. I didn't tell Naruto-kun because I was slightly embarrassed. I guided him to my bed and he lay down. I don't think he had hit the mattress before he fell asleep. No wonder, he must have been emotionally exhausted and his mind needed to recharge, not me however, my mind was moving in too many directions for me to fall asleep, I took the chair from my desk and put it next to the bed. Here I've sat for almost three hours, unable to take my eyes off Naruto-kun. Everyone else in the clan must be asleep by now, aside from those assigned to guard duty, to which I still don't know why they didn't appear and even ask us what we were doing. It was only going to be for tonight, and then we can go see Hokage-sama about Naruto-kun's apartment in the morning. I hope he wakes up early enough, I don't want to have to explain things to father. But at the same time I don't want to wake him too early, he will need every second of sleep in his currant situation.
It's unbelievable how many times Naruto-kun has helped me; giving me courage, cheering me up and giving me purpose. He even saved my life once, he didn't know he had done so, but I am still grateful. It was a couple of weeks ago, I had been insulted by my sister, she got overconfident during one of our sparring matches, I just saw red and I struck her, I broke her nose. She may of deserved it but I still felt terrible, father was furious, he kept on telling me I was a failure, that I do not deserve the title 'Hyuuga' A part of me wanted to scream out that he was wrong, but I couldn't even raise my head to him. I ran, My eyes overflowed with tears, why couldn't I be good enough for the clan, if Hanabi had hit me and broke my nose, Father wouldn't care. Though Hanabi was a little busy at the time to say anything to me, father had taken her to the medics in the house to get her fixed up, I was feeling alone, the pain I felt could almost be compared to Naruto-kun's. I ran. I ran as far as I could and as hard as I could. But that didn't help, the pain, the feelings caught up with me, I couldn't stand it anymore, I would end it that night, I would not live to see another day of pain. I couldn't be anything more than a failure in my family's eyes, I would never amount to anything and worst of all Naruto-kun would never notice me. I collapsed, and completely toppled over onto the dry dirt of a small side street, far away from anything that could endanger my life, I couldn't do anything right. I cried there for I don't know how long. After an unknown amount of time I looked up, and there was the person who I have longed for, for as long as I can remember. The only person I know who had ever given me encouragement that actually helped me. He looked at me, I couldn't really see his eyes clearly, my eyes were teary and it was kind of dark. I didn't want him to see me in this way so I pulled myself into a tight ball on the ground in a vain attempt for him not to see me. Then he sat down on the ground next to my shivering, crying form and put his arm on me. I felt the warmth begin to spread from the spot where his hand lay. I decided that I was strong enough and I sat up but I couldn't bear to face him let alone speak. Then he said something that made me feel whole again, something that made me happy for the first time in a long time
"Its not your fault"
I smiled, I tried to say 'thank you' but I couldn't form any words, A few more tears leaked from my eyes but they were ones of happiness. But as always he understood. He helped me up of the ground and walked me home though I still couldn't say anything. I didn't want to go back home, but then I remembered Naruto-kun's way of life, I realised that I should not run away, that I should stand against it. I went home.
Naruto-kun left at the gates and I walked in alone. I made my way to my room but on the way, I ran into my father. He stared at me for over ten minutes and I forced my head to keep sight of him. But my eyesight couldn't stay on him. Then he spoke.
"Hanabi is alright" He said, and I felt a dull pain throb in my chest once again, is Hanabi all father cares about
"Hinata, You are now old enough and strong enough to receive the training, though it is your own decision" He continued. I was speechless, He had called me strong and even thought I was ready. I pushed my words out with all my might but even then it still sounded weak in my currant state.
"y-y-yes f-father" Without another word he walked away. I decided not to wait and went to my room to sleep. The following days were some of the happiest I had spent in the family. Though few things had actually changed except for my attitude. Hanabi was treating me better due to our little match and I was more confident, father had even stopped calling me a failure, of course he still favoured Hanabi but it was to be expected.
I can't believe that I am going to receive the training from the elders tomorrow, perhaps father will actually look at me with pride after this, I am still very nervous, I can still hear Neji-nii-san's warnings, and thoughts surface within me that maybe I should of listened. But then the image of Naruto-kun appears in my mind and I get filled with strength, then there is no longer any doubt in my mind, I will become stronger, I will be able to protect the ones I care about, The ones I love
Naruto-kun is sleeping peacefully and even snoring slightly, every now and again he twitches and lightly kicks his legs, like Akamaru when he's asleep. It's actually hypnotically cute when he does that. I can really feel a weight on my eyes, It's becoming hard to keep them open. It's as if I'm afraid if I close them then this all might be a dream. Once again I have to tell myself that that is not the truth, Naruto-kun and I are together and he is currently asleep in my bed while I am watching him sleep. I now feel confident that I can go to sleep and he won't disappear, but then a problem rose up to my thoughts that I didn't consider before; where am I going to sleep? I can't exactly get into bed with Naruto-kun, and I can't get to sleep on a chair. I can see no other alternative than to sleep on the floor, I'm going to be sore in the morning though. I get up off the chair and lie down on the rug next to my bed. The floor is uncomfortable but not too much that I wont get any sleep. I curl up on the ground and shut my eyes, feeling very happy with the days events. I can feel myself drifting inside my mind, now almost nothing matters to me, I feel at peace.
"Goodnight Naruto-kun"
Author's notes: Sorry for not updating sooner but my life as of the past couple of days kind of went into overdrive, I've just come off a four day weekend. This past Thursday I went golfing for most of the day. Friday; I went shopping (got Need for Speed Underground 2, kick ass game) then played pool for the rest of the day with my mates, Saturday I had to go to the north of Scotland to a town called Buckie (It was FREEZING, It's cold where I live but there was snow up there) Didn't get back till the wee hours of Sunday morning and today I had to study for a mid term exam (but I still found time to finish this chapter) And also wouldn't let me log in. So there is my reason for not updating sooner. Be prepared for a long wait before the release of my next chapter.
Till then, this is Scorpio, signing off…