DISCLAIMER: I do not own "Naruto" and am in no way associated with it's writers or producers.
--
Naruto was walking across the village. His hands were in his pockets. He held his head down, feeling blue. It was very late at night, almost midnight. Most of the Leaf villagers had already turned in for the night. Many shops were closed, many were asleep in the houses, and therefore many of the lights were turned off and it was very dark.
But he just kept walking. He wandered into a dark street with his head still staring at the ground; Naruto suddenly noticed the ground getting brighter. He looked up and saw the moon in the sky. Naruto began to smile at the bright moonlight, but as quickly as it came, it disappeared behind a cloud. Naruto's smile went away and he kept walking. It was too cloudy that night.
"Man" Naruto thought. "I never thought it could feel this gloomy. And on such a cool crisp beautiful night".
But he didn't feel as gloomy as he felt alone. He had no one with him. No one to talk to right now. Sasuke was long gone. And Sakura was no help, feeling they were drifting apart.
Naruto tried to think of some good things about the mission: getting to hang out with team 8, with Shino, Kiba and Hinata. Especially Hinata. That moment at the hospital when he was hanging in front of her face, that mysterious woman he saw in the river, how he and Hinata found and caught the bikochu together, watching her newly perfected 8 Trigrams jutsu, catching her in his arms. He remembered how determined he was to find and rescue her from those other freaks that captured her.
'Hinata', he whispered.
"Now that's something I'd love to live through again" Naruto thought with a bright smile. But his smile eventually faded again as he kept walking.
Naruto's stomach started rumbling then. He realized he was real hungry. That might help, he thought: a late night snack. Naruto remembered that the ramen shop didn't close 'til midnight, and if he hurried, he could get something, and then maybe visit with the chef if for a couple minutes.
He began racing around the corner for the ramen shop. It didn't close until about another thirty minutes. That's plenty of time, Naruto thought with a smile.
He was about to reach the next corner when he suddenly screeched and stopped to a halt. He looked out in surprise.
Coming around the other side of the fence, there was Hinata!
Hinata was walking alone down the same road. She was seemingly humming to herself and just looking at things. She came and turned her head to see Naruto there as well.
Seeing him she gasped out loud and froze. She ran back by the fence and stuck her head out. Naruto stared at her just as wowed as her.
"N….Na….Naruto?" Hinata whispered in her high pitched voice.
"Hinata?" Naruto said.
They were only standing a few feet from each other.
"Wow Hinata" Naruto brought up a smile. "I never thought I'd run into you of all people this late." He was scratching his head.
"I….. I….. um…" Hinata whispered.
"I mean what brings you out here?" Naruto said.
Hinata was still frozen that she had run into Naruto.
"I uhh…." she spoke. "I…. well, I just wanted to go for a walk."
"Huh?" Naruto asked.
Naruto didn't realize the real reason she was walking was because she to couldn't sleep. Things were on her mind as well.
"I mean I love just getting out and going for walks on nights like this." Hinata spoke up. "I mean and coming to see the moon and feel the warm air. Don't you….. Uh I mean……"
"See the moon huh?" Naruto still depressed looked up. "Well it's kinda hard to see up there you know. It's really cloudy."
Hinata gasped. "Oh I know. How silly of me. How could I be so foolish." Hinata panicked.
"Hey, that's cool!" Naruto stopped her with a smile. "It's still a great reason to go for walks at night. I'd do it."
Hinata froze again. "Re…really?" she said.
The two kept looking at each other in silence. They weren't sure what all else to say at that moment.
"We….Well…." Hinata stuttered. "It's getting real late huh…… I guess I should be heading back home."
"You sure?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah" Hinata said. "I mean….. well…. I've been out for quite a while and I don't want anyone at getting worried or something, so….. I guess…."
Naruto sighed. "Yeah, I guess so."
Naruto and Hinata stared at each other for a couple more seconds. Then Hinata started to turn and walk on as Naruto walked away to. She couldn't believe herself, Hinata thought.
But then Naruto stopped and turned around.
"Hinata! Wait!" Naruto shouted.
She gasped and turned around. Naruto began scratching his head, silent for a couple seconds.
"Listen Hinata….." Naruto began to stutter. "I….. I know it's late but…… I'm kinda hungry and I was on my way to the ramen shop to get a midnight snack or something."
"Huh?" Hinata whispered.
"And……. well, I was just wondering….. I mean you don't have to if you want to but……" he said looking down
"You what?" Hinata said.
"Since you're here, I was wondering if you wanted to come with me?" Naruto finally said. "I mean I don't know if you actually care for ramen but or if it's not too late…. but if you want some company, I'll take you there." Naruto smiled. "My treat! What do you say?"
Hinata couldn't believe it. Naruto asking her out? For real?
"Well if you don't want to I can….." he said.
"No!" Hinata finally spoke. "I mean yes! No I don't have to go home yet…… I'd love to go!" she said with an excited smile.
Hinata finally ran up to Naruto in excitement and hugged his arm. Naruto gasped. Hinata realized what she had done. Her face turned beat red. "Oh, I'm so sorry Naruto. I didn't mean….."
Naruto was surprised. "Oh uh, he-he heh heh…… it's nothing." His face to blushed a little. He still couldn't believe he asked her to come; much less that she accepted his invitation.
"Quick we gotta hurry, or else we'll be late!" Naruto ran, and pulled Hinata's coat to get her running.
That same evening, Sakura was sitting at home in her room.
She was still shocked and crying about what'd happened earlier. She never thought she'd live to see the day Naruto tried to attack her; and with the rasengan. And to think, it was all because of Sakura he did.
"Na…ruto" she whispered to herself.
She threw herself on her bed face first in tears.
"How could I have been so stupid?!" Sakura yelled at herself. "Making him run away from me like that?! And for what?! Just because I got mad?! And over something so stupid?!"
She rolled over. "I never meant to hurt him like that" Sakura cried. "So why did I?... and now Naruto probably thinks I'm nothing but a monster who hates him."
Sakura glanced over to her dresser. There stood her copy of the photo they had all taken of team 7. With Kakashi behind all them and her, Sasuke and Naruto all together with Sakura smiling.
'We've already lost Sasuke,' Sakura said to herself with a tear. 'I don't wanna lose you to, Naruto. I won't admit it, but I've always been happy somehow that you were on my team. I don't want you to be mad at me and make you run away'
She finally sat up and rubbed her eyes.
"Then that's it" Sakura said. "Tomorrow, first thing, I gotta wake up and find Naruto so I can apologize and tell him how sorry I am…… for everything."
A few minutes later, both Naruto and Hinata were sitting side-by-side on the barstools at the ramen shop.
Naruto was eating his ramen kinda slowly but still enjoying it, while Hinata just stayed sit. Hardly anyone else was walking around the village. It was just the two of them. The moment getting to be with Naruto made Hinata blush and smile. She sat silent.
"Hey Hinata" Naruto turned to her. "You haven't really eaten much."
"Oh, um…" Hinata finally came out of her trance. She was too lost in the moment. "Sorry."
"You okay?" Naruto asked.
"Yes Naruto. I'm just fine." Hinata said back. "I was just….. uh….. waiting for the noodles to cool down."
Not wanting to make herself look silly in front of Naruto again, Hinata began eating a couple more bites. She did enjoy the meal.
Naruto looked down at his bowl a sighed. "I guess you're not enjoying this as much I thought."
Hinata jumped up. "Huh? No that's not…."
"I didn't know if you really liked ramen or not. I invited just because I like ramen." Naruto said. "I guess I screwed up again."
"What?" Hinata gasped. "No Naruto, that's true at all. I love it. I'll eat anything. I was trying to….. well….. I just like….."
Hinata wanted to tell Naruto she just loved Naruto's company so much and she was just so happy him being there. That's why she hesitated eating. But she didn't know how to.
Naruto realized Hinata's face was turning reddish again. "You just like what?"
"Naruto" Hinata looked at him. "You didn't screw up anything. That's silly. I really just love being here, that's all."
"You sure?" Naruto asked surprised.
"Of course" Hinata began to realize Naruto wasn't himself. "Why, what's on your mind Naruto?"
Naruto just sighed as he put his fork down and clinched his fist. A breeze blew through outside. Hinata looked at him with a sad face.
"You're still upset about the mission, aren't you?" Hinata spoke to him.
Naruto lifted his head a gasped.
"You were real upset about it the entire time we walked back here" Hinata said. "It's still bothering you that much?"
"It's not just that Hinata." Naruto whispered.
"What do you mean?" Hinata asked worried.
"That whole mission was about one thing" Naruto went on "tracking down Sasuke and bringing back to the village. To keep a promise that I made. And to reunite my team: team 7." Hinata gasped. "I failed, and now I'm back where I started….. alone and by myself!"
"Huh?" Hinata whispered.
"The worst part about it" Naruto said. "My own teammate, Sakura was so upset, she tried to kill me because of it! She refused to try to forgive me and listen to me. I even had to defend myself against her just to cool her down!"
Hinata couldn't believe it. Naruto is really feeling that much pain?
"But none of this would've ever happened if I hadn't screwed up." Naruto looked down again. "If I'd just been more careful and paid attention, the mission would've been a success!" he clinched his fists and gritted his teeth. Hinata was really worried now. "We would've found Sasuke and we'd be together again! But now, they're all gone. And I've got no one that can help me out!"
Hinata finally cried out, scared for him.
"Naruto!" Hinata cried out, thrusting her hand on his shoulder.
Naruto taken by surprise suddenly calmed down.
"It wasn't your fault Naruto. Remember?" Hinata said "Things always happen. And no one could've prevented it. And I mean… even if we'd succeeded, there's no guarantee it would've brought Sasuke back. He left the village himself. And there's always gonna be more chances right?" Hinata kept crying out to Naruto. "The best of us always make little mistakes Naruto. It's nothing to beat yourself down over. Nothing!"
Her hand was still on his shoulder the entire speech. Hinata shed a few tears for him. "So please….. Naruto….. I just want you to….."
Naruto looked and stared at Hinata, completely stunned by her.
'Hinata', he thought. 'You…… you're really worried…….you're really crying and worried…about me…..'
At that moment, things suddenly began to make sense to Naruto. All the times he thought Hinata was following him, all the times Hinata blushed around him, why she suggested the mission……all because Hinata was that worried for him…….all because that's how much she's cared about him.
Naruto's heart began racing.
"Wow, Hinata" Naruto spoke up. "It's okay now." He put his hand on her arm and lifted it back down to the bar. Hinata gasped. "You don't have to worry about me and that anymore. I'm gonna be just fine." Naruto finally smiled.
Hinata looked at him and wiped her face. Her heart was racing to now.
"Re…really?" she whispered.
"Thanks Hinata." Naruto said, about to shed a tear himself.
Hinata smiled. "Naruto", in a great sigh of relief she leaned to hug his arm again and lay her head on it. However she suddenly realized it again a pulled away scared. "I'm…."
"Hinata……It's okay." Naruto smiled and whispered.
But then the chef finally came out and grabbed the ramen bowls. "Sorry to interrupt you two, but I'm afraid it's midnight" he said. "And that means closing time! Time for you to pay up and time for me to go home and sleep away!"
"Oh" Naruto and Hinata lost all track of time. "I guess so." Naruto gave him the money.
Before they knew it, Naruto and Hinata were alone again. The ramen shop closed. The lights in the street all out. Everyone gone home or in bed. The two stood side by side to each other. They both felt very comfortable and happy with each other's presence.
"You know Hinata", Naruto said. "Are you really ready to go home yet? Night's still young."
gasp "Re… really?" Hinata said smiling.
"Yeah, I'm not that tired just yet." Naruto said smiling at her. "It's still a beautiful night. Wanna keep going for a walk?"
"I……. I'd love to…..Naruto!" Hinata said to him.
"Sweet." Naruto said.
Soon he and Hinata were on their way again, walking back down the random streets together, just for fun. Although both of them did feel a little tired, neither would admit it. They were just enjoying the moment, the lovely night together while it still lasted.
Naruto and Hinata visited and had several conversations with each other. Talking about lots of things: their favorite things, their family and friends, the Chunin exams, their trainings…… having lots of laughs and staying lost in conversation. They walked through the village and decided to walk up to the top of the mountain; the great Cliffside with the Hokage faces that overlooked the village.
Soon they were sitting down on top of the cliff, looking at the city view.
"You know…… I just never get tired of coming up here." Naruto smiled. "It's even cooler to look at during the nighttime."
Hinata loved it as well. "It really is" she said. Her smile went away. "Too bad you can't hardly see anything though. It's so dark out there."
"Well……. You can still see a couple of the street lights." Naruto said.
"Yeah, but they're not really that bright" Hinata said. "That's why I like being able to see it when the moon is out." She looked up and sighed. "But like you said, the moon is behind all those clouds."
The breeze kept blowing all around them though. There were lots of big clouds, but there were still holes you could see through to see the stars.
Naruto and Hinata finally got up. They both sighed and looked at one another.
"Na…Naruto…." Hinata spoke up.
Naruto stayed looking to her.
"You know…… I want you to….." Hinata was smiling. Her heart pounding, trying not to blush. "I just wanted you know I'm having a lot of fun…… I mean I've had a lot of fun tonight with you..….. just by you being….." she froze up.
"Huh?" Naruto whispered. "Really Hinata?"
"Yeah. I mean how often do nights like this come along?" Hinata proclaimed. "But I guess…."
Her mind kept telling her it was getting real late and they should go home. But their hearts kept racing and warming up.
"You're ready to head back home again." Naruto spoke.
Hinata froze. "Well. I guess……. It is late and there's not much else to do…… it's not like I'm gonna get to see the moon over the village."
Naruto sighed and looked down. "Yeah I guess so."
But Hinata kept looking at Naruto. She just couldn't leave him now.
She walked up to him again to put her hand on his shoulder. "But it's okay, right?"
Naruto looked down at her, into her eyes. He smiled brightly. His heart pounding harder.
"Yeah" he said. "Of course."
He put his hand on her shoulder as well to calm her down.
"And you know" Naruto spoke. "I wanted you to know I had just as much fun tonight to, with you Hinata" Hinata gasped. "Thank you for everything. And thanks for being with me."
"You……" Hinata smiled brightly to him. "Always."
The breeze blew some more again. Naruto and Hinata begin to notice a brightness itching the corner of their eyes. Together they suddenly turned to see the wind had blown the big clouds away.
The moon had finally come out.
"Woah" Naruto whispered.
Still with their hands on one another's shoulder, they glared at the village, now with the moonlight shining over it. The moon shining over them.
"Well what do you know? It finally did come back out." Naruto whispered.
"Yeah" Hinata turned to him. "It really did."
Naruto turned his face back to her.
The two were standing alone, Naruto and Hinata. On top of the cliff, the cool breeze all around them, their faces in moonlight.. They stared into each other's eyes for a good while, still resting their hands on each other's shoulder. Their hearts racing, their minds at peace.
Without knowing or thinking it, their bodies begin to lean forward…..… lean together…… their faces and the lips leaning closer….. closer to each other……
TO BE CONTINUED