Disclaimer: Meow meow meow… I don't own Naruto. I wish I owned Kakashi… Oriya from Yami no Matsuei too… yum…

The Princess and the Rogue – His and her fairytale

I love Kakashi – normal

I love Asuma – Kurenai thinking (italics)

I love Kurenai – Asuma thinking (bold)

Yay! Ramen with Hinata! – Naruto thinking (bold with italics)

Chapter 10 – Moving On

A week had passed since Itachi had kidnapped Hinata. The whole team was on the alert and to Asuma's back's dismay, they had to move to another village thus making Asuma carry the heavy and weak Kakashi there. They had now settled in another inn with Hinata, as usual cooking meals. The moral in the group was low due to the fact that one of their teammates was injured. Even so, romance blossomed in the group. It seemed to have become official that Kurenai and Asuma were dating. During break times, they would be constantly seen together; whether this too decreased the group's morale was questionable. Even after a week, Kakashi was weak but was recovering slowly…

"Hey," said a gruff male voice behind Kurenai. Kurenai turned around to be greeted with a light kiss on the cheek from Asuma. He sat down beside her and put his arms around her waist. Kurenai was glad to oblige for she was worried.

"Asuma," she started. "We know that the morale in the group is low but for some reason, I feel that Hinata's been distant lately. She hasn't really been talking to Naruto either and he's worried. He told me yesterday that he was concerned for her 'cause she's always locked in her room if she isn't cooking or training and she isn't talking to anyone. I didn't realize it at first but I'm really worried about her. She said she was fine after the incident but I didn't feel she was but she's not one to hide her feelings from me or Naruto."

Asuma's fingers ran through Kurenai's hair and brought her head gently closer to him. Kurenai buried her face in his jounin vest while waiting for a reply. Asuma lit a cigarette and took a puff.

"Well, when you ask her she's going to say she's fine just because she doesn't want you to worry or to think she's weak but the fact is I think she's still a bit traumatized by the whole thing. I mean Uchiha Itachi isn't just some benevolent weirdo who comes by and helps you. He might have done something to Hinata that she's afraid to say. You might really have to talk to her about this one Kurenai."

"But she won't talk to me."

"Well, has Naruto tried talking to her?"

"He said he tries but he's just doesn't know what to say when he's near her. He says that she looks so upset that he doesn't know what to do anymore."

"Well, I suggest you try and get Naruto to be up front and talk to her 'cause she loves that guy no matter how flawed he could be. Besides, he has a talent for doing these sort of things."

"Yes, well he's a boy…"

"And?"

"Boys don't know how girls think," she said teasingly.

"Really?" Asuma cupped Kurenai's face and gave her a passionate kiss. Although she was distressed about Hinata's situation, her stress faded away for one moment as she savoured the taste of Asuma's mouth.

Naruto was watching Hinata cook in the kitchen. Usually, she would add all the ingredients of her meal with a smile and a happy tune. But for the past week, the kitchen was silent save for the sounds of the food cooking.

"Talk to her up front about the situation Naruto-kun. It will probably make her feel better if she talks about it and if the situation is worse than you can handle, you can always tell me or Asuma about it. Okay?" That was Kurenai-oneechan's advice…

Naruto worked up all the courage he had to walk into the kitchen. For the past week, he was scared of talking to her in fear of offending her or upsetting her even more. It was obvious she was avoiding him and everyone else.

"Hinata-chan…" began Naruto.

"N-nnaruto-kun, I-I'm cooking now… please d-don't disturb me now," she muttered while her eyes were downcast.

"No Hinata-chan. I really have to talk to you." Naruto was tired of being ignored.

"J-just let me f-finish l-lunch first and then we c-could talk."

Naruto complied and sat in the kitchen as he watched Hinata silently. Lunch was served but neither Naruto or Hinata ate very much. When everyone left to either wash the dishes or do other chores, Naruto dragged Hinata into the inn's little herb garden. There, they squatted down in between the rows of parsley and basil.

"Hinata-chan, tell me what happened to you when that bastard Itachi kidnapped you." Their eyes met for a moment but Hinata quickly looked away.

"Ano… ano…" muttered Hinata as she mindlessly traced patterns on the gournd. Naruto was losing his grip; he punched the ground with full force, making Hinata jump backwards.

"Dammit Hinata! Why can't you tell me what happened?" Tears were forming in his eyes but he closed them quickly to try and hold the tears. "You aren't talking to me and I know you're upset but I don't know what to do. Tell me what to do Hinata. Onegai."

Tears were already falling down Hinata's cheeks. She thought of the reason why she joined the group in the first place. To become a stronger person… to be with Naruto-kun. 'It's my turn to be strong for Naruto-kun," she thought. Still in tears she pulled Naruto in a gentle hug and Naruto was glad to return it.

"Hinata…"

"Naruto-kun… that day… Itachi took me to the wood and when I woke up he was there. He looked at me in such a strange way Naruto-kun; I was so scared. He didn't hurt me but he kissed me on the cheek. I was so scared that he was going to take me away and that I'd never see you again. I thought that if you did, you would hate me."

"Hinata-chan… I would never hate you. I'm sorry if I ever made you feel that way." Naruto held her tighter. "But you did see me again and that's all that counts right?" Hinata nodded.

"You know Hinata, I'm glad you told me that. I thought that perhaps you were mad at me or upset with me and I… I don't ever want that to happen because… because…"

Naruto pulled out of the embrace and held Hinata at arms length.

"I would never want you to hate me because I love you Hinata…" Naruto flushed but still looked straight into her eyes.

"I love you too Naruto-kun… ever since the day I saw you." Nothing was said afterwards, nothing needed to be said as the two kissed for the first time.

By dinnertime, Hinata had gone back to her own self from her newfound happiness. The secret of their new relationship had come out somehow and Naruto was being teased quite unmercilessly. Of course, he didn't mind for he was now one of the happiest people on Earth.

Asuma and Kurenai watched from their own spots of the dinner table. They were happy for the new couple. As they were watching them, Kurenai put her hand on top of Asuma's. The blissful adventures of love…

Suddenly…

"Sorry I'm late, I saw a black cat so I had to take another path," said a healthier looking Kakashi. His comment was replied with a hearty: "YOU LIAR!"

Izumo finally got up and got everyone's attention.

"Everyone, we are now about ten miles from the capital city. Let us all pray for success in helping Kurenai-san! To Kurenai-san!" All of them toasted Kurenai.

So it's time I find out more about myself…

She smiled at Asuma.

"You know, you wouldn't have made it this far without me," he whispered.

"I'm glad," she whispered back along with a kiss on the cheek.

I'm finally moving onto another chapter of my life… and hopefully, it will be a good one.

TBC…

Notes: Gosh… I can't believe I whipped up a chapter so quickly… hope the romantic scenes weren't too… I dunno anything bad… I also wanted Naruto to be the first to confess this time… hope that worked out.

Please review!