If Only I could have spent a little more time with you.

I do not own Naruto.

Crying.

Naruto hears someone crying. He is alone in the forest. It is one of the forests in the village. He was training by himself. Sakura has somewhere to be with her parents. Sasuke has a training session. Sasuke asked if Naruto wanted to come along but Naruto refused.

''Maybe another time.'' He said.

He enjoys spending time with Sakura and Sasuke. But he also thinks they should have time for themselves to enjoy being with their families. Naruto is used to being alone. Though he isn't really alone, he has Kurama after all. He has the fox almost at the point where he will be apologizing to Shukaku. Maybe then Shukaku will allow Gaara and Naruto to talk? Naruto really hopes so. He wants to help Gaara.

Naruto follows the sound and tries to sense if there are any chakra signatures nearby. There are, but they are small. When he arrives at the place where the sound of someone crying comes from he sees 3 children bullying another child. When he looks closer he can see it is Hinata who is crying.

Angers creeps into his emotions. How dare they bully Hinata? She is always so nice to him! Something about this situation seems familiar. This has happened before in the past. But then Naruto got beaten up when he failed to do the clone jutsu. Well not this time he grins as he makes the sign for the shadow clone jutsu. He has been practising a lot after all and not without results.

''What do you guys think you are doing!'' He screams and the bullies looks toward them. They begin to laugh only to stop when they see his shadow clones.

''Three of them?'' Bully number one says.

''How is that possible?''Bully number 2 exclaims.

''Fools that is probably just the Clone Technique.'' Bully number three replies.

''But how can he do that?'' Bully number two says as he evades a kick just in time.

''They are just illusions just dispel them so that we can find the real one!'' Bully number three orders.

Bully number two gets hit by Naruto's shadow clone's fist.

''Agh!''

''That must be the real one!'' Bully number three points but then he gets hit by the real Naruto.

''What? Impossible!'' Bully number two says while trembling.

''Leave her alone!'' Naruto demands.

''Let's get out of here!''

The bullies run away and Naruto helps Hinata up.

''Are you okay?'' he asks.

''Y-yes. T-thank y-you for helping m-me.''

Naruto smiles at her. ''Your welcome.''

''Y-you were really b-brave and s-strong.'' Hinata comments.

''Well I did train very hard. I am sure that next time you can handle them on your own.''

''I-I don't think I-''

''Nonsense!'' Naruto waves with his hand. ''As long as you train and believe in yourself I am sure you can do it Hinata.''

Hinata's eyes widen at the sound of her name.

Naruto remembers Hinata fighting Neiji. Naruto remembers Hinata Fighting against Pain. Naruto remembers her slapping him and taking his hand and fighting in the war.

''You can be very brave too, you Know. I know you are strong.'' He smiles. ''You just have to show it to others so that they know too!''

''I-I-...Y-You really think so?'' Hinata stutters.

''I don't think it I know it!''

Before Hinata can respond to that a voice calls out to them.

''Hinata-sama!''

''That must be your escort.'' Naruto notes. ''See you at the academy Hinata. If you need any help just ask. '' With that Naruto leaves and Hinata gets taken back to her home.

Author's note

I don't know if in Canon this moment happens before or after they are in the academy but let's just say while they are at the academy okay?