Hinata had stopped blatantly avoiding him, but there was still a lingering tension between them the remainder of the week. She would talk to him, but it hadn't been like it was before and not even half as often. She just offered short, polite answers about topics that didn't really matter, like he was some coworker she didn't like but had to be nice to.
It hurt because Naruto was starting to feel like he was the only one who was trying to repair their friendship. Going out of his way to see her and be especially sweet.
It was just a cruel reminder that his feelings weren't reciprocated.
Those feelings became glaringly obvious in how desperately he needed her in his life. He could take it if she didn't love him back, but couldn't it just be like their relationship was before? They used to spend every day after school together, going to practice then grabbing a snack or sometimes studying. She had always been someone who he could count on to laugh at his jokes and build him up when he would get down on himself.
Lately, he'd been really down, mentally berating himself for being such a big idiot and ruining one of his most precious bonds.
He thought back to that moment a lot. The moment that he was so sure that she wanted to kiss him. It wasn't like he hadn't been kissed before, but as he leaned in, the anticipation tingling in his body made him think maybe it would be the first real time. Like maybe he'd experience those sparks they talk about in movies and shit.
He knew that was lame, but still, he couldn't help but wonder what it might have been like if she had actually let him kiss her before she ran away. Or maybe she wouldn't have run away if she could've felt his love for her through every caress of his lips against hers.
Even now he still wanted to kiss her... too bad he'd never get the chance to.
On Saturday morning, Naruto pulled into the convention center's huge parking lot. Swarms of cheerleaders with various uniforms and their families were filing into the giant building that would host today's competition.
This was the moment of truth. What the team had been working towards for the last few months.
He parked his car and took a deep breath to collect himself. Naruto had been feeling a little nervous since he woke up, but to be honest, he was more excited. He was confident in his and his team's abilities. Hopping out of his car, he popped open the trunk and grabbed his duffle.
"Hey Naruto!" someone called. He closed the trunk to find Shion in her uniform jogging up to him.
"Hey!"
"Are you hyped or what?" she smiled. Her high blonde ponytail bobbing back and forth as she approached him.
"Oh, for sure!" He waited for her to catch up and the pair of them made their way toward the convention center's main entrance.
"Wait…" Shion stopped dead in her tracks, and for a second Naruto thought she must have forgotten something in her car. "If I walk next to you, are you going to think I'm your girlfriend!?"
Naruto pouted at the jest. "Too soon."
Shion let out a happy burst of laughter and bumped him with her shoulder. "Oh you know I'm just teasing you!"
"You're mean!" he chuckled and bumped her back. As they neared the entrance, Naruto spotted Hinata and Sakura waiting outside.
"Hey!" Shion shouted and waved to their teammates. "Are you ready to kick some ass today?!" The blonde ran up to the other girls.
"Oh hell yeah!" Sakura cheered.
Naruto caught up to the girls, and couldn't help but notice how cute Hinata looked in her uniform. A big bow on the top of her head. Her makeup was much more dramatic than she ever wore, which only drew his attention to her beautiful pale eyes.
Heat spread across his cheeks when he realized he was staring and he tried to tune back into the girls' conversation.
"Yeah, we're just waiting for Tenten. But Ino and Coach Tsunade are already inside," Sakura said.
"Alright cool! I'll see you guys in there!" Shion replied and headed toward the door. She turned back and looked at Naruto. "Were you coming with me?"
Naruto looked at Hinata, who was still refusing to meet his gaze.
He sighed and followed after Shion. "Yeah, I'll go inside, too."
Sakura turned to watch her two teammates walk away. Once they were out of earshot, she looked back to Hinata. "So you and Naruto are still fighting?"
"What? We're not fighting," Hinata defended weakly. Sakura raised an eyebrow like she didn't quite believe that.
She sighed. "It's just hard for me sometimes… ya know, to see him with Shion. I know he doesn't mean to, but sometimes it feels like he's rubbing his relationship in my face."
"What are you even talking about?" Sakura looked confused. "Sasuke told me they broke up."
Pale eyes widened at the revelation. "What? When?!"
"Um, last weekend I think."
"Wait really?! Why is this the first time I'm hearing of this?!"
"Probably because you've been hiding from him." Hinata blanched at the accusation. "What? You think I wouldn't notice? He's your best friend - well second to me, of course - and then one day you suddenly can't even look him in the eye. What did that idiot do? Do you need me to clobber him for you?" Sakura said, holding up a clenched fist.
"No, no," Hinata shook her head, with a light laugh at her friend's antics. "It was me... I did something and it just made things weird."
"What did you do?"
Hinata averted her gaze. "I…" she started, but was too ashamed and unsure of the right explanation. 'Tried to steal him from his girlfriend' sounded so catty, 'loved him first' seemed immature, and 'threw myself at him and then shot him down' was possibly the most accurate but it still felt so nasty coming out of her mouth.
Even the news that he did break up with Shion after the incident didn't bring her much comfort. Being successful in sabotaging Naruto's relationship didn't feel like something she could celebrate.
"It's hard to say…" she finally whispered. "I'm so embarrassed."
"Oh, honey…" Sakura cooed, softly rubbing her shoulder. "You know I'd never judge."
"What's up, guys!? Thanks for waiting!" TenTen bounced in front of them, saving Hinata from having to say anything more. She put on a brave smile, despite the unsettling feelings in her tummy.
She just needed to push all her feelings down and get ready to compete. Push down the shame and push down her love for Naruto. Even if he was newly single, she didn't feel like she deserved to be with him after what she did.
Jiraiya made his way through the throngs of people and into the convention center's main room. Bleachers surrounded an expanse of blue mats that sat front and center. The large room was buzzing with excitement and anticipation of the day's performances. High schools from across the region had gathered to show off their talents.
He scouted for a place to sit. Lucky for him, he spotted a familiar blonde near the front row with a few extra seats next to her. Her arms were crossed over her full chest, her expression serious. Jiraiya grinned as he took the seat right next to her.
"What are you doing here?" Tsunade asked, giving him a side-eye.
"Well, ya know, I heard I could find a beautiful lady here."
"These girls are underage, you pervert," she scoffed.
"I was talking about you," Jiraiya smirked, an amused twinkle in his eye. Tsunade just shook her head and fought the urge to smile. Her old friend never changed. "You know I had to come, it's all Naruto talks about these days."
"He's actually pretty good," Tsunade confessed. "Have you seen his tumbling?"
"I don't even know what that means."
Tsunade just chuckled, "well I guess you'll find out soon."
The announcer's booming voice was enough to hush the crowds, and soon the final round was underway. Tsunade had explained that over half the teams had already been cut in the preliminary.
A team would be announced and they would run out on to the mats, waving and smiling at the crowd before taking their positions. After a few performances from other schools, Jiraiya perked up at the sound of Konoha High being announced and Tsunade pulled out her phone to record the performance.
The speakers were filled with several upbeat dance songs remixed together combined with sound effects that added emphasis to many of their movements. The routine started with a well-practiced stunt sequence. The groups hoisted their flyers up above their heads. Standing on one leg, the girls pulled difficult stretches and nailed each pose with perfect synchronization.
Jiraiya watched with rapt attention. He could understand why his godson enjoyed this so much. Every member of his team was so enthusiastic. The bright smiles they wore seemed genuine like they were truly all having fun.
The stunt groups broke off to get in position for their tumbling sequence. One after the other the cheerleaders threw passes across the mat forward and back. Naruto stood in the farthest back corner, flanked by Ino and Sakura. On their count, the three bounded forward together each throwing a roundoff, back handspring, tuck diagonally across the floor. Followed by Hinata, who came from the opposite corner, with her roundoff, back handspring, full.
They then transitioned to a V formation, with Ino at the point. The blonde waved and blew the judges a kiss before the girls broke out into dance. Shaking their hips and hitting their poses in unison. During the dance sequence, Naruto and Kiba, along with two others stood together in the back, loading Tenten into a basket toss. Feeding off the crowd's energy, it felt like they threw her higher than ever before. At the peak of the throw, Tenten kicked her leg up and used the momentum to spin 720 degrees before they caught her.
Everything was going perfectly as they moved into their final formation, a complex stunt sequence that ended in a pyramid and concluded their routine. The crowd roared with applause at the impressive display. When they came down from their stunts and rushed off the mats, the entire team was practically vibrating with excitement. They knew they nailed it.
After the last high school performed, the judges deliberated and reviewed the final scores for each team. Tension was high as the five teams that made it to the finals were gathered on the edges of the mat. Each squad huddled together in anxious anticipation, eyes yearning as the judges brought out the shiny trophies.
Naruto felt like he was clenching his fists tighter and tighter as the third and second place winners were announced. His heart was beating so fast as the second-place team went up to grab their trophy. They either won first… or they didn't place at all. The two other teams yet to receive a prize looked just as hopeful.
"And your first place champions…" The announcer paused for dramatic effect, the drumroll heightening the tension. "Konoha High School!"
The entire Konoha team burst with excited energy, screaming and crying and hugging each other. The crowd applauded as cheerful music played. Naruto gave Kiba a double high five as they congratulated each other. Then he turned and locked eyes with Hinata.
In that moment, surrounded by their team's happiness and the mutual sense of accomplishment it was like all the awkwardness between them was forgotten. Hinata smiled brightly as she jumped into his arms hugging him around the neck. He held her tightly against his chest, her feet barely able to touch the ground.
He breathed her in so happy to have her back in his arms. When she pulled back enough to look at his face, his stupid brain told him to do the unthinkable and he thrust his lips into hers with abandon.
The high from their victory combined with the feeling of her soft, full lips against his was absolute bliss. But it was only a moment before he remembered where they were and realized that a few hundred people witnessed their kiss.
A kiss he knew she didn't want.
Why did he do that?! He pulled away and set her on her own feet, as he tried to figure out what he was supposed to say. How he could possibly justify kissing her out of the blue, when last time he tried, it had practically imploded their friendship.
He looked at Hinata, who just stared at him, completely speechless.
"I uh I'm sorry?" Naruto stuttered, "I don't know why I did that… it was an accident! I just got caught up in all the excitement, ya know! I mean, it's not like I kissed you because I'm in love with you or anything. I just got so happy that we won, is all..."
Hinata blinked at him. Pale eyes wide with a flurry of emotions. "What did you just say?"
"I… I said I was happy we won." Naruto nervously scratched the back of his neck.
"No before that."
"Oh uh, I said I…" he exhaled a heavy sigh. Maybe it was time to just be completely honest. "I love you, Hinata."
Her lips parted with the softest gasp.
"C'mon! We're taking a picture!" One of their teammates called, pulling Hinata by the arm over to everyone huddled around their first-place trophy. Naruto hopped in the picture too, trying to smile despite his heart pounding so hard in his chest it physically hurt.
What the fuck was he thinking?! Kissing her was out of line, but blurting out his feelings?! That was just plain idiotic! She's never going to talk to him again!
After a few pictures and more congratulations, the team dispersed all going to look for their families in the crowd. He lost Hinata in the fuss of everyone filing out of the convention center and shortly gave up on trying to find her. She was probably going to start hiding from him again anyway.
At this point he probably deserved it.
He had no right going around and stealing her kisses. Being in love with her wasn't a good enough justification for such selfish behavior. Why did he even bother telling her that?! It probably just made her feel even more creeped out by him!
Thanks to his wild hair and tall stature, it was easy to locate Jiraiya in the crowd. His godfather congratulated him with a big smile and a pat on the back and even promised to take him out to his favorite ramen restaurant for dinner.
There was so much to be happy about, but his kiss with Hinata loomed over him like a shadow as he made his way through the parking lot. A nervous, hopeful feeling fluttered in his stomach when he spotted Hinata leaning against his car.
He quickly jogged up to her and immediately launched into another apology. "Hinata! I'm so so sorry! I really just... I don't what came over me! I mean, that's no excuse. I still shouldn't have done that when you made it clear you didn't want me to. I really am sorry! Do you think you could forgive me!? I mean I understand if you can't but -"
"Naruto!" she interjected. He froze, suddenly embarrassed by his rambling. "Can I please speak?" He kept his mouth shut and nodded. Really rather eager to hear what she had to say.
Hinata took a deep breath and glanced down at her hands that were clenching the hem of her skirt. A blush bloomed across her cheeks when she looked back up at him. "I love you, too," she said softly.
Blue eyes widened at her confession.
"Really?!" he asked excitedly. A shy smile spread across her lips as she nodded. "Like really really?!" he asked again and Hinata giggled.
"Yes, Naruto. Like really really."
He instinctively closed the distance between them. His fingers tangled into her hair as he tilted her head and pressed his lips against hers. Their kiss so much sweeter knowing that she loved him back.
But then Naruto suddenly pulled back and searched her eyes. "Wait! I'm sorry! Is this okay?" he asked nervously. What was wrong with him!? Did he even have any semblance of self-control?!
"It's more than okay," she whispered. Hinata clutched the front of his shirt pulling him down to capture his lips again. Naruto leaned forward pressing her against the side of his car as they deepened their kiss. He was practically light-headed, just totally giddy at the fact that he was finally kissing Hinata and that she loved him back.
The feeling was better than any trophy they could have won.
A/N: Like any true naruhina fan, I LOVE The Last movie, so I had to make Naruto's confession just like that one! Hehe! Thank you all so much for reading this fic! I had so much fun writing it and reading all your encouraging comments! I really appreciate your support! I hope you'll read my next fic too! I already have a few ideas in the works so be sure to keep an eye out!