Since this is the final chapter I would just like to thank everyone who reviewed, and a thank you to Midnight Angel of Darkness for the spelling corrections. I'll always mess up spellings when I'm writing in the moment but it's still appreciated. Thanks again everyone, now onto the ending.
Naruto's eyes snapped open. He sat up, sleeping in a sleeping bag next to Hinata(who was in a seperate sleeping bag) in the Hyuuga household. Hinata was wide awake. "Good morning Naruto"she said. "How long?"asked Naruto. "Since yesterday"she said. Naruto lowered his head. "Sasuke"he said. "Even if you beat him, he would've ran away again. There's nothing you can do"said Hinata. Naruto didn't seem convinced. "Naruto, I, I'm sorry"she said. "For what?"asked Naruto. "For being reckless. I got mad at my sister and ran out, that's how I got captured"said Hinata. "It's nothing. Even if you hadn't, I still would've gone out. Sasuke's my friend, even if I'm not his"said Naruto.
Hiashi stepped in at that moment, and went down on his hands and knees in front of Naruto. "Thank you for the safe return of my daughter"he said. Hinabi stepped in as well. "I'm, sorry sister"said Hinabi, bowing to her sister before leaving.
Hinata and Naruto sat out in the garden together. "Isn't it a beautiful day?"asked Hinata. "Yeah"said Naruto. Naruto looked to her. "Say, how are you anyway? Did they hurt you?"asked Naruto. "Nothing serious"she said. She blushed, looking to him.
"Well, even if we didn't get Sasuke back I'm glad we at least got you back"said Naruto. Hinata twidled her fingers. "Something wrong?"asked Naruto. Hinata, overcome with emotion, grabbed Naruto's head and began kissing him on the lips, Naruto pushing her back. "What are you doing?"asked Naruto. Hinata blushed turning away.
"I'm sorry Naruto, it's just, ever since I met you, I've been able to finally enjoy life. I have actual things to look forward to, I have real friends, and I'm back with my family. You changed me Naruto, and, I love you! I love you Naruto!"she said.
Naruto had a grim expression on his face. "Naruto?"she asked. "Hinata, I'm sorry but, I can't return your feelings"he said. "What do you mean?"asked Hinata feeling a crushing blow inside of her. "You're a good friend Hinata, but that's it"said Naruto.
"You're just saying that because you're upset about Sasuke, it's understandable"said Hinata standing up, holding back tears. "I'm sorry Hinata, but I don't love you"said Naruto. This was the killing blow within Hinata, who lowered her head. "Hey, we're still friends though"he said. Hinata didn't respond. "I better go"said Naruto running off. Hinata simply stood there for a moment, feeling humiliated, grieved, and defeated. The emotion just downpoured in her mind until she snapped. She began tearing out flowers and bits of grass, tears flowing and Hinata screaming with every tear. "Hinata!"said Neiji rushing out. Hinata kept tearing, Neiji grabbing her arms and trying to hold her back but she broke free and kept going, Neiji then wrapping his arms around her but she broke free and spun around.
"Calm down!"he said. Ten-ten came out next, rushing over as Hinata slapped Neiji hard. She got over by Neiji's side, using both of her hands to hold down one of Hinata's wrists while Ten-ten held the other, both sitting on her legs. She continued to scream and squirm, finally calming down and panting. Neiji and Ten-ten let her up, Hinata content to cry in her palms.
"I'm sorry, I made a fool of myself didn't I?"asked Hinata lowering her palms after a moment. "I can't say, I've never fell in love with anyone so I can't relate to your pain"said Neiji. "No offence Neiji, but she needs girl to girl talk. C'mon Hinata"said Ten-ten helping her out, the two walking back in together.
Shikamaru, Chouji and Lee were eating at the table in the Hyuuga dining hall, Lee and Chouji scarfing down food until Gai hit Lee in the head. "That's poor manners Lee! 500 laps around the Hyuuga house now!"he said. "Yes Gai sensei!"said lee making a mad dash out and beggining his laps.
Gai looked over at Kakashi, who was heading into another hall. Gai followed quickly. "Kakashi"he said. Kakashi stopped. "I know it must be hard for you, losing your prized pupil, the one you taught your best techniques, the one who shares your abilities, the one you could identify with. It's worse then seeing him killed, him just leaving you and betraying the village. I don't know what I'd do if that ever happened to Lee"said Gai. Kakashi turned around. "Did you say something?"he asked. Gai went balistic. "Damn you're so hip!"thought Gai.
"Thanks Gai"thought Kakashi.
Hinata and Ten-ten sat together in Hinata's room. "I feel so betrayed. Naruto's the reason I'm who I am now, I really do love him. It's so hard to accept he dosen't even care"said Hinata. "Don't go that far, he cares about you just not as much as you care about him"said Ten-ten. "It feels like he dosen't care"said Hinata. "He didn't leave in a happy mood Hinata, I'm sure he feels bad. Listen, I know it seems bad now, like it's him or no one else, but even if Naruto never returns your feelings, there are other guys out there"said Ten-ten.
"If I may ask, is there anyone you like?"asked Hinata. Ten-ten blushed. "Never thought about it really. The only male I have any real friendship with is Neiji, but that's about it. Even if I had more feelings for him, I know he'd never return them. I'm sure you'll find someone"said Ten-ten. Hinata sniffed. "Hey, is someone looking for love advice?"asked Jirayiah popping out, haning from the door way and petrifying the girls. Jiryiah landed on his feet.
"Were you just listening in on our whole conversastion you pervert!"demanded Ten-ten. "Listen doll face, let me give the advice!"said Jiryiah. "Doll face! You sexist pervert!"she held, hitting him in the face with the dull end of a kunai before leaving. Jiryiah held his forehead in pain. "Are you allright?"asked Hinata. "Yeah, now listen. If you want to find your true love, the first thing you have to do is develop! Right now you're as flat as a surf board and no one will accept you!"said Jiryiah. "PERVERTED HERMIT!" she yelled smacking him so hard he went flying through the window, landing on top of Lee. "Hey, you interupted my laps!"he said. Lee kicked him upwards.
"I'm a sanin for crying out loud, don't I deserve more respect!"he yelled as he flew off.
Sakura awnsered the door, a solemn Naruto standing there. "Sakura, I'm sorry, I couldn't get him back"said Naruto. "It's not your fault, you tried"she said beggining to cry. Naruto put a hand on her shoulder. "Sakura, I swear, I'll get him back"he said. "Oh Naruto!"she said latching onto him and crying her heart out. "I will, I swear"repeated Naruto. Sakura let go.
"Look at me, crying like this"said Sakura turning around. "I want to cry too Sakura, but one of us has to be the one not to cry, otherwise we both break down"said Naruto. "Thanks for coming over Naruto, I appreciate it"said Sakura. "Sure thing"said Naruto.
Sasuke was with orochimaru and Kabuto back at the hide out. "Those losers all died? Figures"said Sasuke. "They did their job at least, keeping them out of your fight until you could win, although that hyuuga girl still made a nuisance of herself. If we leave her unchecked, she might prove to be a threat"said Kabuto. "What will you do then Sasuke?"asked Orochimaru.
Sasuke snickered. "What will I do? Simple"said Sasuke. He clenched his fist. "I'll kill her and Naruto, both of them, with my own hands, just like I will with Itachi"said Sasuke.
Naruto went to the Ramen noodle shop, needing some food in his sour mood. He found Hinata sitting there. He turned away. "Naruto wait, I need to talk to you. It's important, please"said Hinata. Naruto complied, going over to sit with her. "Naruto, I'm sorry about the way I acted. I shouldn't have done that. I probaly made you feel bad and I never meant to do that. I lost control of myself"said Hinata. "It's okay, like I said, we're still friends"said Naruto.
"Yes. I still love you Naruto, and I probaly will for the rest of my life, but, I know that you don't love me, and probaly never will. I may one day find someone to romance with, to be truly passionate with. Still, I will always be there for you when you need me. Which is why I've decided I'll help you get Sasuke back in any way I can. I may not be as strong as you or Neiji, but I can still hold my own well enough"said Hinata. Naruto smiled. "Thanks Hinata, that means a lot"he said.
Hinata handed the ramen man money. "Where did you get that?"asked Naruto. "Father gave it to me"said Hinata. Naruto took out a slip of paper and placed it in Hinata's palm, closing it. "I'm glad we're still friends Hinata. I'm going to need some"he said walking out.
"It hurts, it hurts knowing that I can never be with you at a level beyond where we're at now and it'll always hurt. However I can at least amek what we do have with eachother worthwhile. I swear it Naruto"she thought. She opened her palm, revealing a coupon for free Ramen.
The End