CHAPTER 8 – A Week of Despair

"I think Naruto hates me!"

In the past week, life seemed to be turning upside down for Hinata. She was depressed because Naruto had been avoiding her, exactly when Hinata was all fired up again in her attempt of winning Naruto's heart. And this (Naruto's behaviour), has turned off her spirit.

"Why is Naruto avoiding me?"

Hinata was thinking hard as she wandered on the streets of Konoha.

" Did I say or do something wrong to him?"

As she was thinking, she recalled what happened in the past week.

Flashback

Monday.

Naruto, Sasuke, Shikamaru, Kiba, and Lee were hanging out in the park. They were sitting in front of the fountain. Meanwhile, Hinata, Ino, Sakura, and Temari were walking past the park.

Ino: "Ah! It's Sasuke!"

Sakura: "Where?"

Ino: "I'll drop by and meet him." (walked away)

Sakura: "Hey! Wait!"

Temari turned her head facing Hinata and said,"Well, I guess we should follow them."

Hinata said, "Okay."

Temari and Hinata walked to the park.

Temari yelled, "Oi! Sakura! Ino! Don't you guys remember, we have to go to Tsunade's office."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. We can go later." said Ino, without even looking at Temari. Her eyes were fixed to Sasuke.

"Why don't you go first? I'm going to stay here for a while," said Sakura.

"Huh… You guys…" said Temari, sighed.

Hinata looked around and saw Naruto. Their eyes met. Hinata smiled. But Naruto quickly looked away. Her smile disappeared from her face.

"Naruto……" thought Hinata.

Sakura approached Hinata and tapped her shoulder.

"There's Naruto over there, go talk to him," suggested Sakura.

"But, Sakura…" said Hinata as she turned her head to Sakura, "He… ignored me."

"What do you mean he ignored you?" asked Sakura curiously.

"He... I-I smiled to him but…… He looked away as if he doesn't want to see me…" said Hinata quietly. She looked like she was going to cry.

"Hey… Don't give up yet. Maybe he's just…… tired or something," said Sakura, trying to cheer Hinata up.

"Yeah… maybe…." said Hinata.

"Go on, talk to him," said Sakura.

"O-okay," said Hinata. She walked slowly towards Naruto.

"H-hi, Naruto-kun," said Hinata.

Naruto didn't turn his head. He kept looking down. "Oh, hi," said Naruto.

"Why won't he look at me?!" thought Hinata.

"What is it?" asked Naruto.

"N-N-Nothing. I just… I just want to talk to you," answered Hinata.

"If there's nothing important, I 'll leave," said Naruto.

"Eh…?" utter Hinata.

Naruto stood up quickly and said, "I'm going home." Then he walked out of the park.

Kiba yelled, "Oi, Naruto! Where are you going?"

"Home," answered Naruto shortly.

As he finished his words he ran to the street. Hinata kept looking at him. She looked at his face. She couldn't guess what he's thinking. He had this unusual stiff expression on his face. He was sweating too. And he blushed a little.

"Is he sick?"

Tuesday.

Hinata was struggling in her kitchen. She spent the past hour to make a delicious lunch for Naruto.

"I haven't made lunch for Naruto again since he got the new task from Hokage," thought Hinata, "Maybe he'll love this." She smiled, thinking about the reaction he would gave.

But her smile slowly faded.

"I wonder what he thinks about me? Does he hate me?"

The thought filled Hinata's head for a minute. It was overwhelming. She just couldn't take it. She leaned on the wall and fell onto the floor.

…………………

Hinata walked on the street. Her head was spinning everywhere, as if she was looking for someone. And she was.

Her eyes widened when she walked past a small hill. It looked like she had found what she's been looking for.

She walked towards a man that was laying on top of the small hill.

"Let's do this, Hinata," said Hinata to herself.

"Naruto-kun," said Hinata.

The man got up and turned his head. "Hi, Hinata," he said. And then he smiled.

Hinata was blushing all over her face. "Oh, N-N-Naruto-kun… I… um… I haven't made you lunch for a long time so… I made it for you… again," said Hinata.

Naruto stood up and received the lunch box from Hinata. "Thank you," he said.

He sat down and started to eat.

"Can I… sit next to you?" ask Hinata.

"Sure," answered Naruto.

Naruto didn't speak, not even uttering something. He ate his food in silence.

"Why is he so quiet? It's not like Naruto," thought Hinata.

Naruto finished his food in no time. He ate like he hasn't eaten for a week. He's always like that but usually he eats and talks, but today he just eats.

Suddenly, Naruto stood up.

"What is it, Naruto-kun?" asked Hinata.

"I… I have to go to Tsunade's office."

Hinata stood up too. "O-Okay then."

He turned to Hinata and handed over the lunchbox. "Thanks for the meal." And then he turned around.

"W-W-Wait!"

"What is it Hinata?" asked Naruto as he turned his head.

"Could you… could you… stay here a little longer?" said Hinata with her head down.

"No."

"O-Okay."

Naruto turned around. "I don't want to stay here with you."

Hinata looked up.

She felt pain in her heart, it was like a knife stabbed it.

Naruto, still not facing Hinata, said,"I mean… I…… Mmmm……" He shook his head. "It's nothing. Bye."

With that he left Hinata alone on that hill.

…………………

For the rest of the week, Naruto kept avoiding Hinata.

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