Sorry my chapters are so short! I know it drives you guys crazy and it drives me crazy too. I'm writing a lot more and trying to get better, so after a few chapters maybe this will change? :)

Chapter 39

Naruto works on the garden

Naruto wasn't able to sleep all night. He was angry at Lord Hiashi, angry at Kakashi for letting her go, and angry at himself. As he laid in bed he thought about the words Hinata spoke and how each one tore at him. If someone he cared about misjudged him so badly, it meant that he had to change something so this didn't happen again. Even though he was angry at Kakashi and her father, he was the one to blame for her leaving and he accepted that fact.

He decided that he wanted to do something to show Hinata that he cared about her so when she came home she would be surprised and could see how he felt about her. The only thing he knew she cared about was her garden, at her house where he yelled at her father. He knew that eventually he would need to be on better terms with her father anyways, and couldn't blame Lord Hiashi if he hated him for driving his daughter away.

At about 6 am Naruto decided to go visit her father and try to apologize. He walked to the outskirts of the village to Lord Hiashi's house and knocked on the door. Hinata's sister Hanabi opened the door and looked at Naruto, she had the same eyes as Hinata. "It's him," she called out into the house, "He said you can come in," she held open the door for him to come inside.

"Um thanks," Naruto said as he stepped inside. He was more expecting Lord Hiashi to want to pound him for his attitude the night before, not invite him in.

"I'm in the kitchen," Lord Hiashi called out.

Naruto walked to the kitchen and Lord Hiashi motioned for him to sit down. He was cooking breakfast.

"If this is a bad time…" Naruto started but then Lord Hiashi waived him off.

"It's fine, we're just having breakfast. Hanabi, put down a plate for our guest." He said to his youngest daughter.

She got up and put a plate down in front of Naruto. "Not to be rude, but aren't you angry at me for last night. I mean, I'm the reason that Hinata left, this whole thing is my fault." He pointed out.

Lord Hiashi started putting food on the plates and then sat down. "You are part of the reason why she left. I won't deny that this all might be your fault, but no, I'm not angry with you."

Naruto gave him a puzzled look.

Lord Hiashi tried to explain "Hinata left because she also wanted to. She's growing up too, and deciding what she wants her life to be. I think you drove her to want more for her life which is a good thing, you empowered her to believe in herself. It was pretty brazen to come here like you did last night but I suppose that's why Hinata likes you. I admired that you approached me directly as her father before going even to the Hokage, it shows me that you hold Hinata and her honor in high regard." He finished.

"How do I get her to see that though?" Naruto said as he was thinking out loud.

"You have to tell her," her sister piped in. "My big sister is sensitive and shy, she needs to be sure about things before she follows a path."

Naruto seemed to understand this and began eating. After a few minutes Hanabi broke the silence. "if you like my sister so much, why aren't you her boyfriend?" she asked.

Naruto froze, his answer was worse than driving Hinata away, he was overcome with guilt. "I didn't think she could forgive me, or even like me after…after what happened with…Neji," he said softly while hanging his head.

Hanabi looked up at her father who was taken by surprise, he knew Naruto seemed to be a kind person, but had no idea that Naruto felt as he did about Neji. "Naruto, that was Neji's choice to make, and that choice made him a hero. I know my daughter well and if it did effect her feelings for you, then I know it only made them grow stronger. She considers you worthy of his sacrifice, as did Neji. To feel guilt or shame about this is to dishonor him." Lord Hiashi finished.

"You're right, I'm sorry," Naruto said half-heartedly. He finished the remaining bites of his breakfast. "Thanks for the breakfast," he added, "and I'm sorry about last night."

Lord Hiashi was reflecting on Naruto's behavior and noticed that he had likable qualities, Naruto was starting to grow on him.

"I was thinking," Naruto began, "would it be okay if I kept up Hinata's garden while she's away?" he hated to ask her father for anything after all the kindness he had shown him.

"That'd be fine, why don't you start today and come back tomorrow at this time to do more?" Lord Hiashi offered. He didn't think there was even much to do, but he could help Naruto try to take his mind off Hinata.

"Alright," Naruto answered as he stood up and turned to go outside, he wanted to get started right away.

"Do you even know what you're doing?" Her father asked.

"Not a clue," Naruto said as he stepped outside. Her father was right behind him, ready to show him.