Note:I am very sorry for not updating this story for a long time. I am very busy at school so I don't have the time. I hope you enjoy reading this. And please write a review. Thank you!

CHAPTER 9 – Smile

"Hinata?"

Hinata, who was sitting in a café, turned her head and saw the person that called her.

"Oh, Hi Sakura," said Hinata.

"What are you doing here? Are you okay? You look sick," ask Sakura.

"I'm okay," said Hinata in a not convincing tone.

Sakura said, "Oh, really?" Her eyebrows raised.

Hinata didn't say anything. Tears began to fill her eyes.

"Hey, Hinata... What-are you okay?," asked Sakura, worried.

Hinata began to sob.

"Is it about Naruto?", asked Sakura softly.

Hinata cried even harder.

Sakura hugged her. She let Hinata cried in her chest.

After a few minutes, Hinata stopped crying.

"What is it, Hinata?" asked Sakura.

"He hates me"

"What?"

"He hates me... He keeps avoiding me. Did I do something wrong to him?"

Sakura raised Hinata's head and looked at her.

"Go and talk to him."

Hinata shook her head.

"No. You have to talk to him. Ask him."

"But-"

"It's okay," convince Sakura,"Go."

Hinata stood up slowly and walked towards the door.

...

Tsunade was sitting in her office. She handed a paper to Naruto.

"It's the route you have to take on your next mission," said Tsunade.

Naruto looked at the paper.

"You will be assigned from 6 months until a year."

"Whew, that's pretty long."

"Yeah, but the others already have their own missions so I give this one to you."

"Okay then."

"Start preparing after you left this building, will you?"

"Un, don't worry."

...

"HIIIINAAAATAAAAA!"

Hinata was surprised when Ino suddenly appeared.

"Oh, hi Ino."

"Hey, do you want to go with me? I'm going to that new restaurant with Tenten and Temari. Are you comin'?"

"No, thank you."

"Eh... Okay then," said Ino,"Ooh, have you heard that Naruto is going to go on a mission for 6 months?"

"What?"

"Yeah, I heard it when I was going to Tsunade's office. She ordered Naruto for a mission. She said that it'll take 6 months until a year. What mission could it be? I bet he's going far."

Hinata didn;t say anything.

"Well, see you later Hinata!" said Ino as she left Hinata.

...

Hinata wandered aimlessly. She walked pass the Hokage statues when she saw him.

Naruto was carrying a bag. He was busy reading a piece of paper. He didn't even looked at his steps. Just walk and whistle along the way.

Then he looked up and saw Hinata.

"Oh, uh, hi Hinata."

Hinata looked like she was going to cry.

"Hey, what's wrong?" asked Naruto as he walked towards Hinata.

"Are you... really going to go far away?" asked Hinata.

"What?"

Naruto became confused.

"Are you assigned to a mission for 6 months?" asked Hinata.

"Yeah, how did you know?"

Hinata began to cry.

"Hey, Hinata-uh-"

"Don't go," said Hinata suddenly,"I want you to stay. Please."

Naruto didn't know what to say.

Hinata was trembling.

"I like you! I love you! Since we were kids. Always," she said. Tears still flowing from her eyes. "I hate myself for not being able to tell you." She sobbed. "Uh...But now you hate me... I-", said Hinata. She cried even harder.

"I don't hate you."

Hinata looked at Naruto. His face was red. He blushed.

"Argh... I just-well you-you became so cute and so kind and I just- well-"said Naruto. He blushed even more.

Hinata couldn't believe what she saw.

"I like you," said Naruto as he looked at Hinata,"So, are you my girlfriend now?"

Hinata smiled.

...

"Hinataaaaa!"

Naruto came towards Hinata. He was grinning all the way.

Hinata smiled at him.

On the top of the hill they met.

"Hey, guess what, Sakura is going to treat everyone on a feast! Whooo...!" said Naruto. He was so excited.

Hinata laughed.

Then, Naruto told Hinata about his last mission.

"He was going towards me, I immediately attack him, and then-", told Naruto.

He was going on with his story. Hinata couldn't stop smiling.

Naruto looked at Hinata.

"Hey... Why are you smiling like that? You don't believe at my heroic act?" said Naruto as he pouted.

Hinata laughed."Of course I believe you..."

Naruto smiled. They looked at each other for a while. Smiles on their faces.

Naruto leaned his face closer to Hinata's. Hinata blushed.

Their lips touched. Their eyes closed.

And then they separated. Still blushing and smiling.

Naruto looked at Hinata. He smiled broadly.

"I love you Hinata."

Hinata smiled.

"I love you too."