Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of it's characters.

Author's Notes- I apologize for the late update but my two trusted beta readers DarkHope and Lady Azura have lives of their own and they are writing their own fanfics. Also I too share the blame because of the recent death of my Grandfather and unfortunately I have college to attend. I digress and know you guys would like to read than to read my own personal problems. I hope you enjoy and keep leaving comments and reviews because that is what keeps me inspired to keep on writing. I shall continue on with chapter 4.

Pairings-Mainly NaruHina and some hints of ShikaTema

Summary-Spoilers Ahead if you are not up to date with the translated Manga Naruto completes his wind manipulation training and Kakashi and Yamato are summoned to an important briefing. During this Naruto will train on his own and will soon discover what it truly means to protect those who are precious to you.

Spiral Towards The Sun
Chapter 3: Discovery

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Hinata quickly averted her gaze and tried desperately to suppress the blush that was creeping up to her cheeks. She began to fidget furiously, searching her mind for something to say - something that wouldn't embarrass herself or scare Naruto off.

Meanwhile, Said blonde Shinobi was glancing around their surroundings. His eyes landed on one of the trees, where shuriken and kunai were permanently embedded. His eyebrows rose, and he glanced back at the shy girl.

"Was that from you?" He asked, "Were you training?"

Hinata nodded.

Naruto grinned.

"Pretty impressive." He said.

Hinata blushed furiously. It was the only thing she COULD do.

"Hey Hinata, would it be alright if I trained with you?" Naruto asked, after about five minutes of silence. "Maybe we could have a little sparring match."

Hinata's blush deepened and she felt at loss for words. Naruto took a step back and shoved his hands into his pockets.

Man, she must be PISSED that I interrupted her training... He thought. Tsunade-baachan was right. I really DO have to respect other people's privacies...

Hinata's mind was reeling. She could hardly believe that Naruto was asking to train with her! She was extatic! She wanted to show him how strong she'd gotten over the past two years. It would mean the world to her if she could spend some alone time with him and impress him.

Naruto hung his head, obviously interpreting her quietness as something bad.

"I'm sorry I interrupted your training." He apologized. "I'll just leave you be, now. Ja ne!"

Just as he was about to leave, Hinata caught his wrist with her hand and stopped him from leaving.

"Wait!" She shouted. "Onegai... Naruto-kun... don't go..."

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

It's now... or never. She thought, before glancing back up at him. "I-I would... l-love... f-for you to... to train w-with me, N-Naruto-kun..." She stammered, and inwardly cursed herself for doing so.

Naruto's eyes lit up and he grinned from ear-to-ear.

"Really?" He exclaimed. "That's great! Thanks a lot, Hinata!" He wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug, causing the shorter girl to turn beat red, but he hardly seemed to notice.

Now... I can face Naruto-kun and show him how strong I've become. She thought. I just hope he won't be disappointed...

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-Meanwhile at the Hokage's office...-
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Iruka found himself standing in front of Tsunade's desk with the folder tucked neatly under his arm.

"Is there a reason you've asked me to be here, Hokage-sama?" He asked.

Tsunade turned to face Iruka and closed her eyes.

"A group of bandits have snuck into Konoha." She told him. "I need your help."

Iruka frowned.

"What do they want?"

"Their leader is an A-ranked Missing-Nin from Suna, and they've asked for some assistance. As their nation's ally, we have no choice but to comply."

"But why ask me?" asked Iruka. "Why not Kakashi or Kurenai? Or Yamato?"

"They're serving as back-up for Asuma and his squad. They're getting ready for a mission that's to take place north of Konoha... near the Temple of Fire." Tsunade explained, shuffling through the papers on her desk and handing him a scroll. "When you see Naruto, please give him this. It's for his training. Kakashi asked me to give it to him, but I'm quite busy right now, so you'll have to do it for me." She smiled. "He also added that there was something special inside of it."

Iruka nodded and began to make his way out of the office. He had almost reached the door when he suddenly stopped and turned around.

"Wait... if none of the Jounin are available, who are you assigning the mission to?" He asked. "And who's this Missing-Nin?"

"His name is Atacama." Came a low voice - most likely belonging to a woman - from behind, just as the door slid open.

Iruka turned around, mildly surprised to find Temari of the Sand standing in the doorway.

"And don't worry," she said, "I assure you, he will be taken care of." She turned to face Tsunade. "I accept this mission... however... I would like it if a Chuunin accompanied me. One Chuunin in particular..."

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-Back at the forest-
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Naruto stretched his arms over his head and yawned loudly, before positioning himself in a fighting stance. He grinned at Hinata.

"Alright, Hinata, let's see how much you've improved." He called out.

Hinata blushed and nodded.

"O-Of c-course..." She stammered, "J-Just... l-let me t-take off my j-jacket f-first..."

She turned around and unzipped the heavy material, before tossing it to the side. Naruto watched, almost in a trance-like state, and allowed his eyes to wander and observe her figure. He couldn't help but blush, nor could he stop the not-so-innocent thoughts and ideas that were slowly creeping into his teenage mind.

Hinata sure has grown... He thought, his blush increasing ten-fold when his eyes landed on her fully-clothed bosom.

Suddenly, Iruka's voice drifted into his mind.

"Honestly, Naruto, you keep getting more and more like Jiraiya every day..."

Followed by Tsunade's voice...

"Jiraiya... Naruto has grown more like you these past two years, hasn't he?"

He closed his eyes and clenched his fists, trying to rid himself of the impure thoughts that were currently plaguing his mind.

I'm not like Ero-sennin! I'm not! He thought angrily. I'm nothing like that pervert!

"N-Naruto-kun?" Hinata's quiet voice brought Naruto back to reality.

She was already in a fighting stance, ready to attack. Naruto nodded and got back into position.

I should really go easy on her... He thought. I mean, the last thing I want to do is hurt her...

Hinata had other thoughts...

Okay... Okay... just calm down... this could be my only chance to impress Naruto-kun! I have to give it everything I've got! No holding back!

With that, she began to perform a few seals.

"Byakugan!" She shouted, and immediately, her veins appeared on her temples.

She raced over to her opponent and prepared to strike him, but Naruto dodged it.

Barely.

He gulped.

Whoa... He thought, eyes wide. That was close...

Hinata spun around and attempted a roundhouse kick, but Naruto ducked out of the way, only to be knocked to the ground when the shorter girl dropped to the ground and swept her feet underneath his, causing him to fall. Naruto pushed back on his hands to support his weight and leapt back to his feet.

He took a deep breath.

I guess I underestimated Hinata. He thought, breathing heavily. She's gotten really good over the past two years... at this rate, she might even be stronger than ME... He furrowed his brow. Okay. This time, I'm not going easy on her.

With that, he rushed in and used his fist to strike Hinata, but she easily dodged the attack with grace. Naruto froze. That move looked familiar...

Shaking his head, he spun around and attempted to kick her, but once again, Hinata managed to dodge the attack. Naruto came to an abrupt halt. Something in his memory clicked, and all he could think about was the figure by the waterfall.

"Wait!" He exclaimed, trying to pause the fight, but Hinata had already rushed in and struck him in the face with her palm. He was knocked to the ground, but sat up within seconds, covering his nose with his hand. He stared intently at her.

"N-Naruto-kun!" Hinata squeaked. "A-Are y-you o-okay?"

Blood began to trickle from his nose, and Hinata dropped to her knees.

"N-Naruto-kun!" She stammered. "I-I'm sorry! I-I didn't mean t-to h-hurt you... a-are you o-okay?"

Is she...? Naruto thought, closing his eyes, The girl from the lake?

He opened his eyes and stared intently at her.

"Hinata... be honest with me..." He began, and Hinata tilted her head.

"W-What?"

"Are you..." He said, "Are you the girl from the lake?"

Hinata froze. Her eyes went wide and her face burned red, and for a moment, all she could do was stammer and stutter out incoherent words. Her heart beat rapidly and she suddenly felt sick, and without warning, she quickly gathered her things and ran off.

Naruto jumped to his feet and followed.

"Hinata!" He bellowed. "Wait!"

Man, she's fast... He thought, squinting.

Suddenly, a peircing scream echoed throughout the sky. Birds flew out of the trees and Naruto quickly followed the source of the scream.

When he reached the opening of the forest, he found Hinata. Only she wasn't alone. She was being held captive by a group of swordsmen. Her arms were tied behind her back and one of the men was covering her mouth with his hand.

Her eyes widened when she spotted Naruto, and she bit the man's hand. The man let go for a split second, but it was enough time for Hinata to shout, "Naruto-kun!"

Naruto glared at the men.

"Let her go!" He demanded. "Or else you're gonna regret it!"

One of the swordsmen laughed.

"If you want her... come and get her." He taunted.

Naruto clenched his fists and glared, before smirking.

"I was hoping you'd say that." He said.

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Author's Note: I will continue on with chapter 4 and will try to be more on time. Again I thank DarkHope and Lady Azura for beta-reading and truly appreciate what they have done so far. Please leave comments because it inspire me to keep on writing and hopefully I will get some time from college to keep on writing. Enjoy

Keep the NaruHina faith alive!