A/N: Well I logged on today and saw a few likes/reviews, much more than I had expected! I would have been happy with even just one view! So with the little added bit of motivation, I am going to push onto the next, and hopefully longer, chapter. I must say, I hadnt fully realized how taxing writing is... eight hours of concentrated work yields about 1,500 words... wow.
I do not own the story or any of the characters within it, enjoy.
-x-
Small puddles had begun to form in the dents and valleys that pocketed the forest by the time the pair of ninja had found suitable shelter. A misplaced pine tree provided enough cover from the rain to keep the two reasonably dry, and the soft bed of last-years pine needles was softer than the floor of any cave would have been. Still, the blonde removed his jacket and gently spread it across the ground for the kunoichi to sit on; which of course earned him a blush and an embarrassed "thank-you".
A gang of darker grey clouds had rolled in and mixed with the light ones, blending to transform the sky into a churning expanse of stormy movement. The wind gained speed as well, occasionally shaking the dense canopy, rain falling through the leaves like sand through a shifter.
Their shivering slowly abated, leaving in its place an awkward silence as the two ninja became accustomed to the new surroundings. The dampness left by the rain was oddly sobering. "Ne, Hinata?"
"Hai?". She looked up from her shoelaces, which she had been toying with since she had sat down on the orange jacket. Pale violet eyes searched the blondes face, looking for a raised eyebrow, or a slight smile, something to aid her in guessing what he might say next.
"I'm sure glad that I'm not stuck in this storm by myself". He watched the rosy pink blush spread across her cheeks and with the pink that already surrounded her nose due to the cold. Her lips quivered at the corners and then aligned into a genuine smile, eyes returning to her shoes as she tried to hide her excitement at the compliment. Perfect, he thought to himself, I thought that might do the trick!
Twirling the white lace around her finger and then threading it through the bunny-eared loop, her mind wrestled with all of the things she could say. Lips slightly parted as a tiny noise flew past her tongue, out into the cold air. The thought was cut short as an inner shyness leapt up from her throat and reeled the words back in, her mouth closing after them. Not if I can help it! She tightened the shoestring around her finger, temporarily cutting of the circulation and sending a tinge of pain up her arm. Her lips opened marginally in response, a small gasp darted out. The pain distracted her shyness just long enough for the words to break free and escape through her parted lips, "I.. I'm glad that its me who is here to keep you company".
Encouraged by the newly gained freedom of their comrades, more words rushed from her heart and into reality."I would much rather be here than at home with my father. He is alright at times, but it's still so obvious that he favors Hanabi over me. It's just not fair, I want to be realized too, I train so hard, I just want him to recognize my potential. I don't have to be the favorite, I just want him to acknowledge that I am there. I want him to acknowledge that I am trying! I just want..."
Her mouth closed sharply, shocked by how much she had allowed herself to say. If her words had been about ANYTHING else, she would have been so proud of herself. How could I possibly say that about my father? How could I be so disrespectful? How shameful...
The thick cotton of her clothing finally gave up, letting the damp rain water seep through its final few layers and weigh down her whole body. Despite the chill that now enveloped her limbs with a struggling shiver, she could feel the guilt burn away her stomach,gnawing on her core. The silence berated her, she spoke out of self defense, "I don't deserve his acknowledgement."
A sullen sound came from the dark space next to her, she had forgotten he was there. In the light his yellow hair seemed washed with a lonely gray. The usually brilliant blue orbs were cast down upon the pine needles, their gleaming surface covered by sorrow as they stared into a stale image of the past. "I wanted to be acknowledged too, it is all that I wanted, for so long. I craved attention and love, I needed a companion, and no one was there for me."
Blue eyes raised to meet two sheets of pale violet focused on him, unwavering, searching. "But then I met Iruka-Sensei, and Sakura-Chan, and Sasuke... and things slowly got better. They acknowledged me, one by one, and I felt more and more at ease and confident with myself."
The pale violet sheets fluttered gently as if blown by a soft breeze. Small clear droplets formed at their corners as they were faced with two intensifying blue mirrors. Two small holes had remained unclouded by the storm above, and it was as if sunlight was being pumped directly into her veins, from his eyes to hers.
"Hinata, I know how it feels to want to be acknowledged. And I also know that many people love you, and many people see you as a great ninja, and a great friend. But I want you to know that I think you are one of the greatest I have ever met. No matter what your father thinks, I know that you try your hardest in everything you do, and I know that he will see that someday."
The only connection that he had with her was cut off as delicate eyelids moved down to cover the two beautiful lavender gems. I stone began to bulge in his gut, growing heavier and heavier until it tore through and left an overwhelming feeling of dread in its place. Did I take it to far? Hinata... I just wanted to help... I know how it feels. Sharp nails dug into the orange fabric of the jumpsuit stretched across his knees, apprehension tugging away at his heart.
A wave of euphoria rushed from her upper chest to every extremity of her body, her soul nearly leaping up and dancing around the natural shelter. She recreated what the blonde had just said on the dark of her eyelids, visualizing the words, embracing the feeling that racked her from head to toe. It was the only thing she could do to keep herself from leaping forward and embracing him instead.
Finally convinced that she had heard him correctly, she needed to tell him scream out how she felt. With eyes still clenched shut she did her best to stay in control, "Na-Naruto kun, thank you!"
The girl sitting before him slowly opened her eyes, letting tears stream down her cheeks. A shaking hand reached across the void and wiped them from her face. It was if two swirling spheres of energy had collided, raw emotion flooding from pent up potential into the cool air. As the hand was withdrawn, it dragged with it all of the unease and worry that had been festering in the air since the two had sat down.
Free of their burden, their shoulders slumped and they were able to look around the small cavity that they had taken temporary residence in. A large puddle was beginning to form near the gap in the branches that they had used as an entrance, and many smaller ones were letting loose small streams around the perimeter, soon their safe house would be flooded.
Once again ready for a slight change of scenery, the blonde stood up and held his hand out to the kunoichi. She accepted the offer and stood next to the boy whom she admired even moreso now than she had just earlier that day when she had been watching him in secret from behind a tree.
A few short jumps later they found themselves thirty feet skyward on a branch in a neighboring tree. Partially covered by some adjacent branches, the two were sheltered from the rain that had slowed to a light drizzle, but were still given a pleasant view of the slowly clearing night sky. A wind rippled through the forest from the mountains that lay on the horizon, blowing the clouds from overhead and revealing a dazzling display of twinkling light in their place.
Dark lush locks swayed lazily in the wind. The moon lit up the small scene on the branch enough for her to make out the placid expression on the face of the blonde sitting next to her. I can't believe that I am here, with him, alone.
Four legs hung from the branch, relaxed, carefree, and swinging slightly. In the corner of his eye he could see her looking at him, a smile spread across her face. That smile... She is smiling because of me... I like that.
Heat slowly escaped from the two bodies, taking wing and being sucked into the soaring night sky above. Even with arms crossed inside of her sweatshirt, a chill had once again taken over her body, inducing a steady shiver. "Ano, Naruto-kun... I'm, I'm cold."
He turned his head and saw her slender form wrapped around itself under a soggy cotton wrap. Could I...? He slowly slid over on the branch, closer to the greatest puzzle he had ever faced in his life. The desire to warm her was overwhelming, though an invisible weight kept his arm plastered to his side.
Her eyes snapped to her fingers which were already pushing against each other at the tips, out of habit. Is he trying to hug me? Why did he stop? Realizing that maybe what she had said was forcing him out of his comfort zone, she broke into a sudden panic. Words flew from her head in a desperate attempt to save the blonde from making a huge mistake, "Ma-Maybe we should just head back to town!"
Her words yanked the nervousness out from under him, and in a desperate attempt to save the moment, his arm rose from his side and draped awkwardly around her shoulders. Relief crashed over him as she inched towards him instead of away, her head slowly coming to rest on his.
Hinata... He felt a tight sureness constrict his upper torso, squeezing pure happiness through his body like warm honey. All of his limbs tingled as he restrained them from acting of their own free will, of his own free will. I don't understand, I want to hold her closer, I want to place a hand on her back, I want to grasp her thigh, I want to smell her hair, I want to kiss her lips... What is this feeling?
Never before had she been happier in her life than this moment now. Countless nights had been spent lying in bed and imagining what it would feel like to be in Naruto's arms, never did she think she would know for real. Her arms wrapped around his waist with the intent of never letting go, just incase she wouldn't get another chance to take hold again.
His fingers danced in her raven hair, exploring the wondrous new emotions that every part of her being brought to him. It was far from anything he had ever felt for Sakura. Where he had felt a desire, he now felt a curiosity. Where he had felt a hope, he now felt a necessity. Where he had felt a goal, he now felt an understanding.
Time pardoned the couple from its binds, allowing them to sit in peace for an eternity. Minutes seemed like hours, and seconds turned into minutes. Every small adjustment was an entirely new position, an entirely new experience for both of them. As the night wore on the kunoichi's head moved to the ninja's chest. A steady heartbeat in her ear served as the only indicator of the passing time, until a soft growl quivered deep within her hero's chest.
With a giggle she finally broke the silence, how long had it been since they had risen into the tree? Another whir sounded from deep within the body that she snuggled up against, "Is Naruto-kun hungry?"
Reluctant to end the embrace he considered telling her that he wasn't, but it had been nearly seven hours since his last meal, and he was not one to go without eating for such a long period of time. "Hai", he said with a sigh.
His eyes moved towards the moon, its pale beauty was surrounded by the sparkling dark sky. He had always loved the way that the stars and the inky blackness framed the moon at night, and suddenly now he felt like a complete idiot. It reminded him of her, of the girl now curled up against his body, why had he wasted so much time, why hadn't he seen it sooner?
An idea struck him as he glanced in the direction of town, "Hinata, I am tired, and we should probably head back to the village and get some sleep, but how would you like to join me for dinner tomorrow?"
Her heart fluttered, though sleepiness had eased the uncontrollable excitement that would have undoubtedly sprung from her body had she not just spent the night in a tree with her love. "Like, like a date?", she asked with a yawn.
"Hai, would that be alright with you?"
"Naruto-kun, I would love that very much", her eyes shut gently as she nuzzled her head into his chest playfully.
Elated, the blonde bent down and briefly pressed his lips to hers.
Violet eyes flew open in joyous shock; they were met with the first rays of the rising morning sun as it peaked its golden head over the horizon.