Chapter 2 The good of the heart
Hinata awoke, but didn't want to open her eyes. She had been having a weird dream involving Saskue. He had tried to kill her! What kind of dream was that?! Suddenly, she realized she was snuggling up against someone's chest, and apparently being carried by the feel of the strong yet gentle arms. She didn't dare make a sound, shyness and embarrassment getting the better of her.
"Hang in there Hina-chan. Almost home."
She couldn't believe it. That voice! Opening her eyes a fraction, she looked up and what she saw nearly made her pass out again.
Naruto-kun! He...he's carrying me? That means the chest I was...OMG. Why? Why?! Oh God please don't let him think bad about me! Please. Just let him brush it off!
Hinata had been so embarrassed that her face bypassed pink and went scarlet. Her eyes had flown open in terror at what Naruto probably thought of her being rather...intimate with him, even though she couldn't control her unconscious desires. Her face, if possible, went even redder as she looked into Naruto's smiling, caring face.
"Hey sleeping beauty. Your up." He said brightly as trees whipped by.
"Sleeping...beauty?" She mouthed the words; complete shock was playing across her features. Then, she did the one thing she was best at...she fainted.
After several more minutes of travel, Naruto and the others, reached the Hidden Leaf village. Naruto and the others rushed Hinata to the Hospital, which was lucky as Tsunade was making her rounds. Of course, seeing four JunÃn, one carrying the other, but covered in blood, was not a sight one wanted to see early in the morning.
"Granny Tsunade! Come quick! Hinata has been hurt!"
Of course. Naruto had again failed to show her any respect. And of course, he was the loudest in the hospital, not caring one bit. He earned a good smack on the side of the head for his stupidity.
"What the hell was that for?!" he shouted angrily, still holding a semi conscious and rather red in the face Hinata, bridal style.
"For being a baka! What have I told you about calling me 'Granny'. And" she said menacingly, "What have I told you about hospitals and your loud mouth?" She hissed, cracking her knuckles.
The nineteen year old blonde wasn't paying attention. Tsunade's expression softened into a small smile as she watch Naruto stare down at the woman in his arms, ashamed to have woken her with his rather annoying shouting.
He really does care. She mused.
Hinata opened her eyes and saw Naruto's face over her's, still in his arms. He looked ashamed and apologetic.
He couldn't have done...that. Not with me unconscious. I mean...not that I'd mind...No! I mustn't think such things about my comrade! Her face darkened red as a rather x-rated thought flicked her through her mind.
"Naruto-kun? W-Where are w-we?" She asked, stuttering slightly.
"We're in Konoha hospital. You got wounded by that bastard. Sakura stabilized you, and I carried you all the way here myself." He said somewhat sheepishly. He didn't tell her that he'd enjoyed how she snuggled up against his chest.
"Naruto." Said Tsunade,"I'll take her to the nearest room and examin her. You three will wait outside."
The fifth hokage started to reach for the young girl when Naruto stopped her.
"I'll carry her. Just show me where the room is."
Tsunade smiled as she lead the way down the hall to an empty room near the other side of the hospital.
Naruto, you've changed.
Naruto stood pacing outside Hinata's room. It had only been fifteen minutes, but it felt a lot longer to him. He just wanted, no he had to know if Hinata would be okay. As if reading his thoughts, Tusnade stepped out of the room, smiling slightly.
"Gran-" Naruto never finished his sentance because a super human punch sent him spinnig down the hallway, landing four meters away.
"What the hell was that for, you miserable old bat?!" He shouted, rubbing the side of his face.
"If you want to live," she hissed, "you'll stop shouting. And I am not a miserable old bat. Baka!"
Tsunade glared at her self proclaimed little brother as he mumbled something unintelligble, and walked down the hall to them, uttering a whispered "Sorry".
"Now, since the baka had some sense beat into him, I'd like to see-"
"Yeah, yeah. We know. Our mission reports. Here." He shoved the papers into her hand.
"Now, tell me...I mean, tell us how Hina-chan is!" He said impatiently.
"My, my, Naruto. Since when did you start calling her 'Hina-chan'?" Tsunade asked slyly.
Naruto went as red as a tomato and mutterd something about 'since today'.
"Nevermind, Naruto.Hina-chan," She said as Sakura giggled. Naruto's blush went even brighter red as Lee simply watched, amused. "Will be fine. We're keeping her here overnight so she can rest. Also, the Hyuga's are all out on missions. This way, she has a place to stay till they return tomarrow."
She smiled as Naruto let out a sigh of relief.
"Can we see her?" He asked with his blush still in place.
Nineteen and still acting like a twelve year old boy. Tsunade mused.
"She's asleep now. I guess it's okay as long as your quiet." Tsunade couldn't help herself from teasing her little brother about his new crush, "Be good Naruto. Have fun with Hina-chan!"
Tsunade smiled evily as she watched Naruto blaze red and began to sputter. She knew he wouldn't shout at her. She heard a door open, followed by footsteps. The last thing she heard as she turned the corner was a door shutting softly.
So. The baka found someone to love. About time he matured.
Naruto was asleep. It was well past midnight by now. Naruto had to beg to be allowed to stay. Now he was roused from his deep sleep. He couldn't understand why his pillow was so soft and warm. Or why he'd heard a small gasp of surprise. Naruto opened his eyes, and sat bolt upright, complete with an intense blush. He knew now why his pillow had felt so nice. He'd fallen asleep with his head on Hinata's thigh!
Hinata flushed crimson as she smiled slightly. Naruto grinned in embarassment. He attempted to bring his hand to the back of his head, but realized that they had been holding hands. The embarressed teens looked into each others eyes, smiling sheepishly, still holding hands.
"Hina-chan." he whisperd, grining stupidly.
"Naru-kun." She blushed, smiling.
Naruto decided it was now or never. Now was the time to ask her. He prayed she said yes.
"Hina-chan," he began, still lost in her lavander eyes, "I was uh, was wondering. i-if you'd like to hang out? Like a...date?"
He finished, completely losing himeself in her beautiful features.
"A-a-a-a d-d-d-date?" She hatered herself for stuttering. Naruto found it rather cute. Her face blazed a bright scarlet as her long dark blue hair settled around her smooth face.
"I-If you don't want to..." he let his voice trail off, the fear of rejection mounting every passing second.
Oh crap! He thought. She's goning to say no and I'll look like the total baka Granny Tsunade says I am!
Relax, whelp. Can't you see she's into you. Don't know why anyone date an idiot like you, though...
Damn you to hell you fox! I don't need your insualts right now! Wait...Did you say...she likes me?!
I belive that is what I said. Slow on the uptake as usual.
If you don't have advice, go away. Go lick yourself in the corner or something.
You little...Very well. If you want my advice, here it is. She is obviously attracted to you. She is a mature female of your kind and is ready to bear children.
What the hell?! That doesn't help!
Shut up and listen. My advice: Become life partners and mate.
Gah! That still didn't help! What are you?! You talk like Pervy Sage!
Hey, you asked for advice, I offered it. If you don't like it, figure it out yourself.
All you did was tell me to...to...do her! Forget it. I'll deal with this myself. Wise Demon king my ass!
You little brat!
Naruto continued to look at her, still blushing. Still fidgeting.
He looks so cute when he looked all worked up. She thought.
"Yes. I'd love to go on a date with you. She breathed, blushing fercily.
Naruto couldn't remove the stupid grin off his face after that.