Hey thanks for reading, hope you guys enjoy the chapter.

* The little voice in Naruto's head is just doubt, nobody is whispering ideas.

I don't own Naruto and don't make any profit from this story.

This story is un-betad and all the mistakes are mine.

Chapter 6: What friendship is

The world felt hazy in an unknown way, never before had such a good thing happen to Naruto. It was like a scene out of her desperate dreams, but real. Never had anyone needed to be Naruto's friend, never mind wanted. It was surreal, a dream come true. In all her years in this village there is finally someone who she could love and maybe even be loved back. Naruto walked in a happy daze; it was unbelievable. If she had not just come from the area where they sealed their friendship, Naruto might have thought she had dreamed it all. But no. She can still see that smile in her mind's eye. A happy smile, a smile because of Naruto! It felt like a dream.

Naruto was so into her thoughts she didn't notice the man until she bumped into him. He definitely noticed her. "Why you little brat! What are you doing messing around with honest folk!? Begone Demon, go crawl back to where you came from! You're a blight! Scram! Before I teach you not to bother your betters!" Naruto hurried out of his way, seeing the way he started lifting his fist in her direction, looking around she saw that it looked like a mob might be forming. Swallowing her fear she ran into the forest, praying to anyone who might listen that she would not be followed.

Left, right, left, left and then right again, she ran until the sound of the village was a distant dream and all she could hear was the wildlife around her. Breathing, trying to force down the lump in her throat, the stupid cement feeling that was strangling her lungs. Breathe, Breathe, Breathe. Naruto felt a burning behind her eyes, a sensation she swore to never feel again. She was hot and not just because of the summer heat, her skin felt flushed and tingly, and the stupid pressure behind her eyes was building, prickling at her senses, warning her of their intent. Breathe, breathe, BREATHE! Naruto could not have stopped the strangled sob from escaping her, she tried, but the more she tried to supress it, the louder it slipped out. Breathe, breathe, breathe. At last, the emotion calmed, allowing her to finally take a clean breath. She was a bit startled at her reaction, she was sure it was an overreaction, The man had said nothing she had not heard before, the mob of angry villagers was nothing new, heck even the murder attempts as rare as they are, does not cause such a reaction, so why now?

As she was aimlessly wandering, still deep in thought, Naruto almost missed the new sound that was becoming more distinct as she walked. Tilting her head to listen more clearly, she heard a roar. Alright maybe not a roar, but it sounded like the clashing of two incredible powerful forces. Naruto hesitated to go closer, what if it was dangerous? But curiosity has always been her downfall. Hesitantly Naruto walked closer, the closer she got the louder the sound, but she started hearing something else as well, it sounded like water? Now doubly curious she hastened her steps finally arriving in a beautiful clearing that was teeming with wildflowers. But the sound came from the water running down from the mountain to the river. Naruto has never seen anything like it. The water crashed into the bottom creating all the noise she heard, but it wasn't a fight, it was the powerful flow of the water as it joined the river. It was peaceful realised Naruto. The might of the water made her feel small, not in a bad way, but in a way that made the hurt inside feel less powerful. Kicking off her sandals, Naruto stuck her feet into the river. It was cold, but with Fire Country being in the start of summer, it just felt nice.

Why had what the man said hurt her? She pondered. It was nothing new, nothing shocking. What changed? She did. She realised with a start. Meeting Hinata had chanced her. She had lowered her defences to accept her friendship and never raised them again. Naruto sighed, what now? She looked at the wildflower, beautiful and vibrant. Remembered Hinata's smile, the fragile hope buried beneath shaky courage. She couldn't take back her friendship. She didn't know why, but Hinata need it, and so did Naruto. But it makes her vulnerable a small voice in her head complained. Naruto breathed, what a mess. Imaging Hinata's smile made her think of the girl.

She was weird, Naruto acknowledged, but kind. Something is wrong with her. Naruto trusted her instincts fully, she knew that as kind as Hinata is, there is something wrong. Not with Hinata self, but something to do with her. She honestly wanted to be my friend. Naruto accepted, but for her to look at me with such fragile hope, it's wrong. But Naruto as much as she trusted her instincts, was an orphan, and worse a pariah. She just didn't have enough knowledge to understand what her instincts were telling her. She sighed. This was such a drag. But in her mind, she saw that smile, a smile because of Naruto. No matter what is wrong I'll protect her. Naruto vowed. Because Naruto might be small and not very strong yet, but Hinata felt even smaller and distinctively more fragile to her, and if her new friend needed Naruto, the Naruto would protect the fragile hope that Hinata showed her, till the day it blazes. Naruto felt it in her gut, that one day Hinata would show them all, and Naruto would be there by her side, proud and strong enough that anyone who wanted to douse that fire had to go through her first.

Naruto smiled to herself, Imagining the Man she bumped into face if he saw how strong they would be. Imagining the man chibified running from a chibi Naruto and Hinata was funny, it definitely cheered her up. But he wasn't alone she recalled. There was a mob forming. A feeling of horror replaced the laughter, imagining Hinata being chased by 'n mob for being her friend chased through her head. A beaten Hinata asking Naruto why? A dead Hinata, trying to escape but not knowing how. Naruto felt sick. Is this going to happen if she is my friend? Naruto desperately asked, wondering if she had cursed her friend without realising. Should I have said no? She wondered. Then the smile flashed in her mind, and she had her answer. No, I did the right thing. But how to protect her? Naruto wondered still reeling from the things she imagined. Hinata is a girl. Naruto realised, being a girl is dangerous if you are unwanted. How can I protect her?

She can't become a boy, Naruto mused, her parents would probably realise. Maybe if she wasn't my friend? Naruto ignored her heartache at the thought. This is for the girl who smiled because of me, she determined, pushing down how devastated she would be if they stopped being friends. While rubbing the ache in her chest she felt her pendant through her shirt. An idea slowly crept towards her "An illusion" she considered. The pendant did not make her a boy, it only made people think she is a boy, so what if they are friends but people think they aren't? Naruto bolted straight up, splashing into the river. Luckily it was fairly shallow so only her pants got wet. "That's it!" That's how she can protect her friend! By pretending they aren't friends! Now she only had to find Hinata and tell her! Luckily, they made plans to meet up tomorrow at the alley where they had become friends. Naruto spent the rest of the day by the river planning how to protect her friend from her curse. It was the start of a prank to fool the entire village. But at that moment it was only a lonely girl trying to protect the person who smiled because of her.

Hinata was nervous. She had snuck out of the compound, eager to go see her new friend. And wasn't that a trip. She had a friend. A friend that was happy in her company. But that is why she was nervous. What if he decides he doesn't want to be friends with a failure? She wondered, her thoughts spiralling. Was it a mistake? Was it pity? She didn't know. But he was warm. Surly he can spare some warmth for me? And he was brave, maybe he can be brave for both of us? Hinata wished with all her heart that yesterday wasn't a dream, that the warm brave and courageous boy had really said they could be friends, that she didn't imagine the smile he gave her, a smile full of wonder. It made her feel powerful and brave, to see that smile. After going back to the compound where the cold seeps into your heart was torture. Going through the motions, hearing what everyone thought of her was depressing. It tore down the high she was on. It threatened the small embers that had started growing in her veins, threatened to choke the hope and joy she was feeling. It left her feeling small, and fragile in a den of wolves. Made her question the small piece of sunshine that appeared in her life. No. She was not going to doubt Naruto, He was the one that showed her how to be brave, he showed her that you don't have to be cold. She is not going to… What on earth was he doing? Hinata rounded the corner of the alley to witness Naruto trying to blend into the shadows with a shirt tied around his head, to conceal his features. "Naruto?"

"Hinata!" Naruto exclaimed joyfully, then changing tracks he pulled the unresisting girl into the trees. "Come with me" he said, his tone warm and inviting. Hinata felt her worries melt in the face of his warmth and sincerity. Feeling foolish to have doubted her new friend. Naruto's hand was warm in hers and he led her deep into the forest, so deep in fact that she was starting to get worried about it. Before she can question him, she heard the water, and he pulled her into a clearing with a waterfall. It was beautiful and peaceful, all-around colourful wildflower bloomed, in purples, reds and yellows, with a soft clean white in between. "Naruto this is beautiful" She breathed amazed at the beauty of the clearing. "Is this what you wanted to show me?" She asked still awed by her surroundings.

"No, not exactly" Naruto replied nervously, scratching his head. Instantly her nerves came back. Was he going to take back his friendship? Did he bring her here so nobody could see him talking to a failure like her?

Naruto watched her new friend start to panic in confusion. She hadn't even said anything yet. Seeing that Hinata isn't snapping out of it, Naruto gently took her hand. "Hinata?" She queried softly afraid of spooking the other girl.

Hinata snaped back into reality. Seeing her friend look at her so concerned, made her blush in embarrassment. She hadn't meant to get so carried away. "S… Sorry" Hinata mumble flushed red from the tips of her ears.

"W… Why did you want to b… bring me here?" She asked, gathering courage from the concern her friend showed her. It was unlikely he was tired of me if he looks so worried. Hinata reassured herself. Looking at Naruto, she saw he was nervous, so she sucked up her fears and patiently she waited for his answer.

Naruto was nervous. What she was about to do might cause her friend to leave. 'She might never want to be friends again' a little voice whispered. 'Shut up' Naruto snarled at the voice, the image of a dead Hinata more powerful than her fear.

"Hey Hinata" Naruto cautiously started, still scared of her reaction. "What do you know of me?" She peeked at Hinata, making no sudden movement.

Hinata was startled at the question, why ask me that…? Then she paused and looked at her friend. He looked frightened, is he afraid of me…? No, she realised he is afraid of my reaction. So Hinata took a breath, gathered her courage, and thought of how to answer. "I know that you are an orphan" she started hesitantly. Seeing Naruto nod encouragingly she continued, "The village doesn't like you a lot" She looked at Naruto afraid of his reaction to her words, but all he did was winch and nod for her to continue. "that's it" Hinata finished, unsure of why she had to say these things.

Seeing her confusion Naruto took her hand again. The physical contact giving her courage. "Hinata, I am more than just disliked by the village." Here she paused unsure on what to say. Taking a breath, she continued. "The villagers hate me." Seeing a bit of denial creep into Hinata's eyes she rushed forth. "I don't know why, but ever since I was small, they would hunt me on my birthday, sometimes they would throw rock or bottles at me, other times they would beat me up till the ANBU stopped them, they would shout at me and call me names. I didn't even know what my name was till I was three." Naruto paused to take a breath, then look up from where she was studying their hands "I…" What she was going to say never materialised as at that moment she was tackled by a crying Hinata. "Wha...?"

Hinata was horrified. She could see how much effort it took for Naruto to share this with her. While she was not sure why he was telling her this, it was undeniably the truth. Her friend, her first friend ever, was being abused by the village they lived in. And the worst part is to Naruto it was normal. He wasn't nervous someone would hurt him for telling her this, he was nervous how she would take it, of her reaction. It made Hinata furious that the light in her life was surrounded by so much pain, she was crying for the boy who didn't cry for himself.

"Hinata?" Naruto questioned, still with her arms full of the crying girl. This was not the reaction she had expected. She was unsure what she expected, maybe disgust? Fear? Definitively not for Hinata to cry and hug her as if she would disappear.

"I… I'm sorry" Hinata sniffled. Trying her best to regain composure. "Why are you telling me this?" Here Naruto has to take a deep breath. "Because I'm scared" she finally admitted.

Hinata was stunned. Scared? Naruto never looked scared when confronted by the villagers when she was spying. Maybe of me? She thought, but that didn't feel right either. "Scared?" She finally questioned softly, her voice a bit hoarse.

"Of what?"

Naruto blinked back to reality having become lost in thought on how to explain. "I'm not scared for me" She admitted easily, "But of what they will do to you if we are seen together." Hinata opened her mouth to protest. There was no way that anyone was stupid enough to throw rocks at a Hyūga. Then she paused. No one would hurt her, but if her clan finds out she is friends with an outcast… She would be locked in the compound under guard 24/7, lucky if she could even catch a glimpse of Naruto in the marketplace before she would be whisked away. It would happen suddenly, before could even warn her friend. And having Naruto think she is avoiding him. Never. Steeling her resolve she looked towards Naruto. "I don't think they would hurt me" Seeing Naruto about to protest she continued. "I'm from an important clan Naruto, my father would kill anyone stupid enough to lift a hand towards me." Here Hinata paused hesitantly, "But if you have a plan, we could follow it. I don't want my clan to keep us separate if they don't approve"

Here Naruto pause. Hinata's from a clan?! But looking into her eyes she saw how scared Hinata was that her clan would interfere, that she won't be able to see her. That jostled something in Naruto, a small warm ember replaced her heart, burning a comforting warmth into a steeled chamber.

"Ok." Naruto started. "We only meet here." Before she could continue Hinata interrupted. "How will I find this place?" Sheepishly she bowed her head "I'm a little scared of the woods" Frowning Naruto thought for a second. "Maybe if you follow the river?" She looked at Hinata. "It goes east past the marketplace" Hinata lifted her head looking at the river. That could work. She won't get lost if she followed the river. "I can do that" She nods determined. "Then we will only meet here. And if we can't be here, then we leave a note behind this rock to let the other know." Naruto pointed to the rock in between the trees and the falling river. "Everyday at 10 am we meet by the falling water! Deal?" Hinata giggled a bit at Naruto's enthusiasm. "You mean the waterfall?" She asked still giggling.

"The what?" Naruto questioned, what the heck is a waterfall? "You mean the strange downwards river?" Naruto pointed to where the water ran into the river. Hinata paused concerned. "Naruto it is called a waterfall." Gently she asked, "Haven't you read the stories?" Naruto turned stiff, turning her head to the waterfall she simply answered "No" but her answer seemed to have reminded Hinata of her pariah status.

Thinking deeply on how to ask her question, Hinata cursed the villagers. How can they not see how wonderful and amazing Naruto is, how could they do this to someone who shines as brightly as Naruto? "Naruto, c… can you r…read?" Hinata cursed her stuttering. This was serious. But her nerves were at an all-time high. What if Naruto took offence?

"No" The answer was almost inaudible, so soft was it uttered. Hinata wasn't even sure she heard right. But looking at her friend whose shoulders were taunt and looked ready to snap if teased. She could see the answer anyway. "I… I could teach y…you?" She offered.

Naruto looked up so quickly she almost had whiplash. Hinata was not making fun of her, she isn't breaking the friendship, she is offering to help? The ember in Naruto's chest grew. Is this what friendship is? Protecting each other and helping without a hidden agenda, caring? What ever it is it caused a warmth to permeate Naruto from head to toe and caused her heart to burn, but not with the painful fire of hurt, but with a soft glow of sunlight on a cold day, a bowl of ramen when hungry. And Naruto knew she doesn't ever want to go back to before, where her heart only burned to survive, refusing to give up out of spite not hope.

But here before her was a girl, who smiled because of her, who cried for her, who was offering to help instead of laughing. And Naruto could not stop the desperate "please" from escaping. But given the heartbreak on Hinata's face she understood regardless.