How To Catch Someone's Eye

Ch. 18 "Busting Out Hidden Feelings."

I don't own Naruto, but I wish I did.

Plip.

Plup.

The sound of dropping water on the porcelain sink echoed in the room, for Naruto and Hinata stayed ever silent, trying to get their thoughts together.

Oddly, nobody ever entered and interrupted their awkward moment, but then, it wasn't really an awkward moment.

It was a pleasant and nerve-wrecking silence. It was the silence where there was peace, yet many thoughts ran through the mind. Like cloud-watching.

Until one of them broke it.

"Are you okay?" Naruto's voice cracked a bit when he asked her.

Hinata couldn't help but giggle at that. "I'm f-fine. Just sticky with orange goop."

"Heh!" Naruto grinned, rubbing the back of his neck. "Orange looks kind of your color."

"Thank you." Hinata muttered, her cheeks turning pink. Whoa, you're reading in too much here, Hinata. He didn't mean anything by that comment.

"Um," Naruto cleared his throat. "W-we should head back before they start worrying."

Hinata looked down at herself and saw that though her clothes were stained with orange, the slushie and stickiness was mostly wiped off.

She didn't like it.

Her clothes were wet and stuck to her body. Subconsciously, she covered herself.

"Oh!" Naruto hurriedly got out of his favorite black and orange jacket and handed it over to her. "Here, you can cover yourself up with this."

"N-no, it's okay." Hinata objected, just looking at the fabric as if it was a monster.

Naruto took note of her reaction and scowled. He had not expected such a horrified expression from her face. Maybe if I was Sasuke, she would've reacted differently. Gee, I thought she wasn't a groupie.

Hinata realized how she must've sounded. "N-no! It i-isn't like that N-Naruto-kun! At all!"

"Nope, it's fine." He held his hand up and smiled. "It's okay."

Hinata could tell his smile was forced. She gulped and pulled the jacket out from his hand. Before he could protest, she already had it on.

"You didn't have to do that." Naruto looked away, ashamed.

"I w-w-wanted t-to," To that Naruto's eyes widened, "but I just didn't want to s-soil it with the slushie."

With that said, she gave him a shaky smile.

I hope he doesn't think I'm a weirdo.

Naruto just laughed.

Hinata was taken back and just blushed, looking away. He must think I'm an idiot.

"Okay, Hinata, I got it!" He grabbed a hold of her hand. "Now let's go meet up with the others."

It irked Sasuke.

To the point where he was past his usual moodiness.

There, just to his right was Neji, mimicking his every move.

Every flick of his wrist, hair, or even the way his eyes moved. He copied all of them.

If tomorrow Neji cut his hair to look like Sasuke's, he wouldn't really be surprised.

What annoyed him even more was the faces Ino and Sakura threw at him. They looked like they had just taken a whiff of something unpleasant because they're faces were contorted.

Much to his luck, Rock Lee and Sai headed on home. He didn't need the extra jest towards himself.

A giggle or two would escape, but they sounded strangled, like a cat hissing.

"Hey, guys!"

Tenten reached the table and immediately caught sight of the girls' faces.

A curious look spread on her face as she followed their gaze.

It was then she bursted out laughing.

It took a few moments to comprehend the scene, but once she analyzed it, she couldn't control the laughter.

There, just in front of her was her crush, mimicking every little thing Sasuke was doing.

I guess the comment about being raised like a girl got to him.

"Where are Naruto and Hinata?" Sasuke just scowled. "Naruto's my ride home."

"They're busy in the restroom." Tenten winked at the girls, nudging Sakura to scoot over so she may sit down. "They should be here in a bit."

Sasuke gave a low growl, which was then mimicked by Neji.

Tenten bit her tongue as she tried not to laugh by focusing on her surroundings. She immediately spotted the familiar orange and cleared her throat. "Naruto and Hinata are here."

Finally. Sasuke rolled his eyes. I can go home.

Neji sighed. He was making progress. The manliness could be felt buzzing inside of him, and so he flashed a smug grin towards Tenten, who in return just raised a brow. Soon, you will be defeated.

"Hey guys, what'd we miss?" Naruto waved, halting just near Sasuke.

"Not much." Ino choked out, tears in her eyes.

"What's wrong Ino-san?" Hinata frowned. I don't see Sai anywhere. Did they—?

Ino dramatically dabbed her eyes. "I'm just so proud. Good job, Hinata!"

The warmth crept to her face. The not subtle wink directed towards her did not go unnoticed by Naruto.

"What she talking about?" He wrinkled his nose.

"Oh, nothing your small mind can ever comprehend." Ino twirled her hair. "Anyway, we still have to go find outfits."

"My mind is not small!" Naruto shouted, glaring towards Ino.

"U-um," Hinata squeaked. "I'd rather h-head on home and clean up."

"Aw," Sakura's green eyes darted to the girl. "Well, it can't be helped. We could choose what you will wear."

"Thank you." Hinata nodded.

"How are you going to go home? We came here in Ino's car." Tenten reminded.

"I can take you on the way to the compound. Hiashi-sama has requested for an audience concerning our situation." Neji opted, taking that as a cue to stand.

"I don't want to trouble you, plus you know how father is. Tardiness is nothing to be tolerated." Hinata shook her head.

"He request you be there also." Neji firmly stated, his face entirely indifferent.

"No thank you. I cut my ties with them quite a while ago." Hinata attempted to akimbo, yet she succeeded only in making herself look childish and silly. "I can walk myself, it's not far."

"I'll take you." Naruto placed an arm around her shoulders, patting her left.

Hinata froze. "I-I d-don't really—."

"It's fine." Naruto let his arm fall back to his side. "It's no biggie."

"She's welcome." Ino elbowed Hinata lightly on the side. "You guys should get going, the more you wait, the more it is going to be cleaning up the mess, Hinata."

"Go." She hissed in her ear. "The jacket was a big step. This is an even bigger one. Don't let it pass."

"O-okay." Hinata felt her nerves calming down a bit.

"Come on." Sasuke stood there impatiently, tapping his foot. "Let's go, I have to finish Iruka's report."

The girls gave a chorus of "Bye Hinata," as they waved and headed towards the section for girls. Neji waved her off also as he went towards the exit near the food court.

Hinata took a deep breath and followed the two boys.

"So where you do you live?" Naruto asked, slowing his pace down so he could be side by side with her, leaving Sasuke to slow down and follow behind them, a smirk planted on his face.

"The apartment complex in between Ichiraku's and the hot springs." Hinata began to fumble with her fingers. "It's not far, really, I can walk myself."

"I offered, so you don't have to." Naruto smiled reassuringly. "Plus, how are we men if we let you walk by yourself?"

They heard a scoff behind them, causing them to turn and face Sasuke.

"Oh don't mind me." Sasuke snickered. "It's just that, Naruto's such a dobe."

"Am not!" Naruto yelled much too loudly, causing Hinata to cringe.

"A-a-are too!" Sasuke smirked. "Right Hinata?"

"U-um—!" Hinata's face flushed red.

"Shut up, teme!" Naruto turned and walked on, his hands clenched and shoved in his pockets. "Have fun walking by yourself! Come on, Hinata."

Hinata gave Sasuke a look and saw that he gave her a wink.

"Go ahead." Sasuke ushered her. "I don't want to go home yet anyway."

She blushed and gave a slight nod before she ran after Naruto, who amazingly was already across the building in such a short period of time. Her never ceased to flutter as she felt herself giddy when she saw that Naruto was waiting for her.

"I'm s-sorry for making you wait." Hinata closely panted.

"It's fine." Naruto took a hold of her hand and pulled her towards the exit. He led her to his car, which was a small orange car that was a two seater. He whistled. "I'm glad Sasuke left, cause then it would've been awkward for you to sit on his lap cause of the lack of seats."

Hinata felt herself smile at Sasuke's action.

Naruto's grin softened. "Sorry, I'm not really great at planning ahead. I bet the teme thought of this, that's why he decided to walk."

"It's okay." Hinata quickly came to stop him making himself feel even worse. "I-I'm sure he wouldn't want y-you to simply stand there and m-moping on."

"No you're right, he would want to be here and make fun of me for it." Naruto laughed, unlocking the doors and opening the passenger door for Hinata before he walked around the car to his side and did the same. "So, let's get going."

"O-oh, right." Hinata stepped into the car and sat on the cheer, leaning her back a bit to put the seat belt on and immediately took her back off of the seat in order to not get the jacket even more soiled. "Thank you, for doing this."

"No problem." Naruto smiled, igniting the car. "But if you don't mind, can I take you somewhere before dropping you off?"

"U-u-um," Hinata bit her lip. "I d-don't want to further b-bother you that I already have."

"Getting ramen won't hurt me. It's near your apartment anyway." Naruto chuckled when she turned silent. "Ichiraku's it is."

Okay, so I haven't updated in a while…

I very much don't like transitions, because they don't dare give you time to do many things. To top it off, mid-terms are a pain.

Thank kami that school is nearing to end (the year went by so fast) and now the teachers are not as strict, therefore, more spare time!

This chapter isn't much, but I am sure to pick up this story! I added a side story that contains back stories of some of the characters a bit.

Next Chapter:

A walk home.

Doki-doki feelings.

*Side Stories*

Tenten.

"Hey! Leave him alone!" Tenten shouted, jumping in front of the bullied kid, a wooden sword ready in her hand. "You jerks! Don't you have lives? Stop picking on people just because they're not stronger than you so you can make yourself look stronger! Pathetic!"

"Watch your mouth, Usui." A chunky boy who towered a good two feet from her head spat. His name was Uno, a repeat student who flunked the third grade twice already. He enjoyed picking on his classmates rather than focusing on his studies and making sure of his succession to the next grade. What he doesn't profess to his peers is that he very much doesn't like change, ergo, he doesn't want to pass on to the next grade.

"Yeah, watch it tomboy." The boy next to Uno, whose name was Haya, sneered. "We're not afraid to hit you since you're technically not a girl."

It was close to the truth. Tenten was not like the other girls, who tended to themselves. Instead, she was like one of the boys. Her short hair didn't help in distinguishing her from the other boys. If you met her for the first time, you would instantly overlook the fact that she is a girl and not a boy with a high pitched voice.

"Why you—!" Tenten clenched her teeth and readied the sword. "I can take you punks any day!"

"We'd like to see that." Uno laughed. "Tomorrow, in the training grounds."

"Don't be late." Haya followed after Uno, who already turned away and walked on.

"I wouldn't dream of it!" Tenten shouted after them. "Don't chicken out, idiots!"

That angered Uno, who picked up a rock and threw it their direction. "Shut up, tomboy!"

Tenten was quick and deflected the rock with her wooden sword, as if she was playing baseball, and made it fly back towards the bullies. "Wusses!"

"Um," The kid who was being bullied spoke up. "I am very much in your debt! Thank you!"

Tenten had forgotten about him. She inspected the kid and saw the reason why they picked on him. He looked foreign as well as weak. The hair style of his was funny as well as his clothes were uncommon.

"That shirt, are you Chinese?" Tenten offered a hand to help him up.

The boy nodded. "Yes. And I also am Indian. I have just arrived to this country the week prior."

His speech pattern is funny too. It's like this kid has the words, "Bully Me," on his forehead. Tenten shook her head. "What's your name?"

"Rock Lee." He smiled. "You are my first friend in this country!"

"Hold up!" Tenten pointed the sword to him. "I didn't say anything about being friends."

"I know. I am sorry." He began to tear up. "I am just weak. Ever since I have come here, I have been made fun of and picked on."

"I know what you can do. Come on." Tenten grabbed a hold of his hand and dragged him across town and in front of her house.

"Where did you take me?" He squeaked out.

"My house." Tenten entered and took her shoes off. "My dad runs a dojo where he teaches martial arts of all sorts."

Rock Lee stood there, a question in his eyes.

"Dad! There's someone here I want you to meet!" Tenten shouted.

"You speak Chinese?" Rock Lee's eyes turned wider than they already were.

"I'm half, like you." Tenten smiled. "Now come on, take off your shoes."

"What ever for?" Rock Lee looked at the pile of shoes by the entrance.

"You're going to learn how to defend yourself."

"I was beginning to think you weren't going to show." Uno boasted, his hand on his hip. "Ready to eat your words?"

"The only one who's going to be eating is you." Tenten stuck her tongue out. "Let's get this over with."

"The rules are—." Haya began but was interrupted by Uno.

"No rules." Uno smirked. "Begin!"

He rushed towards her, his fist outstretched and was ready to make impact with her face, but she quickly dodged it and in turn aimed a kick to his stomach.

Before it was to touch him, she felt a sharp jab on her knee. She cried out and fell down. She looked at her knee and saw a gash had formed. Confused at what could've made the wound, her eyes caught sight of Haya holding rocks, a smug look on his face.

"You dirty pigs!" Tenten grabbed her bloody knee, trying to subdue the pain.

"No rules, remember?" Uno stuck his tongue out. "Don't be a wuss. It's just a cut."

Tenten struggled to get up, wincing when she bent her knee. "Don't go blaming me then."

She raised her fists in front of her and charged towards Uno, who was prepared with his own set of fists. From her peripheral vision, Tenten could see that Haya was preparing to throw a rock.

She panicked and was prepared to dodge the rock, missing her chance of making an impact on Uno's jaw.

But the rock never came.

"Oy! You!" Uno halted.

Tenten looked towards the direction where Haya was and saw a boy, standing near Haya's unconscious body.

"It's not proper for dirty tricks when in combat." The boy said. He had bandages covering his forehead, and a glare that seemed unfitting on him. His eyes were pearly.

It was Hyuuga Neji, from her class.

"What do you know? Arrogant prick!" Uno shouted. "You Hyuuga thinking you're the best! Just because you're a genius and rich!"

Tenten felt herself be forgotten from Uno's mind and found that chance to tend to her wounded knee.

"Enough talk." Neji growled. "Picking on the weak. Fate detest people like you. Just because they're lower in rank than you doesn't mean anything!"

"You should be the one to talk!" Uno scowled. "Oh wait, I forgot, you're from the Cadet branch of the Hyuuga!"

"Watch your tongue." Neji began to shake.

"So, does your head hurt?" Uno exclaimed. "Piece of—!"

He wasn't able to finish his sentence because Neji had kicked him in the face, instantly knocking him out.

Tenten gasped when she felt the earth shake a bit when Uno fell.

"You, boy." Neji tossed her bandages. "Don't be stupid next time."

With that, he left, with Tenten holding on to the bandages.

Sakura.

He used to smile.

Sasuke used to smile.

A lot.

It was until the incident with his clan that he stopped.

It was that sad attitude that reached for Sakura's heart. Sure when she was younger she had merely followed him because he was an eye candy, but since the incident, her heart yearned to comfort him.

Many times she had succeeded, only for her to fail miserably and with him giving a glare her way.

She would cringe under the glare, but inwardly she would be content.

He showed emotion towards her.

And so when he called to her and waited for her the day that they went to go visit their friends in the hospital, it made her the happiest person.

She was honest when she had said that when they reached the room, the two stubborn ones were knocked out cold.

Sasuke had left, but she had followed him.

To the top of the school where the water tanks were.

"Stop following me." Sasuke grumbled when he reached the iron door that led to the outside.

"Um, I'm not. I just wanted to get some fresh air." Sakura's heart pounded.

"Whatever." Sasuke pushed in open and they were immediately met by blinding light. "Just don't bother me."

"Why do you always push people away?" Sakura muttered under her breath, but he heard her.

"Like you would understand." Sasuke glared at her. "You're parents weren't murdered by your psycho uncle."

Oh. So that's what happened. Sakura suddenly felt guilty. "I'm sorry."

"I don't want your pity." Sasuke walked on.

There was a room that was in the middle of the two water tanks where the electrical room was. There was a window and a door on the side that faced them, but on the side, there was a ladder that led to the top of that small compartment.

Sasuke climbed the ladder and reached the top, lying down.

"I do not pity you." Sakura just said. "I know I can never understand what you're feeling because my parents are not dead, but it's not good to keep to yourself."

Sasuke completely ignored her and didn't bother to reply.

"You don't have to go through it alone." She said before she exited through the same way they had entered.

He used to smile a lot.

And she knew deep inside that she would bring that smile back.

No matter what.

Hinata.

"You will never, in your whole existence, be fit to take the title of heiress." Her father thundered, throwing down her report card on the desk.

Hinata flinched, trying to fight back the tears that were waiting to come out.

"Get out of my sight."

She immediately stood up and stumbled out of the room and into the hallway, where she let the tears go.

She received many looks from the people she passed by. Shame, pity, contentment, and many more.

She needed to get out of the compound where everything mocked her. She rushed out the compound gates and was met by startled cries and pleads to go back in, yet no one dared to run after her.

This always happened.

Though the Hyuuga majority favored Hinata because of her kind nature, they were in agreement with Hiashi on the fact that she can never lead the clan into succession like her younger sister could.

She hiccupped as she ran aimlessly throughout the street.

At last, she reached the forests. Adults warned children many times not to enter the place with the talk of monsters, but Hinata found the place peaceful.

It was secluded, away from the village, the way she wanted to be.

There was also another reason why she loved the forest.

It was where he was always found.

She had stumbled upon him one day when she was in her fifth year of school. It was the first day of the second semester, and she just wanted to escape from the stress of school.

It was then that she was met with mutters and shouts, scaring the wits out of her, only for her to find that it was her classmate.

Uzumaki Naruto.

As she recalled, he was the lowest of the low in the rankings.

Hinata wanted to approach the boy, but she couldn't find the courage to, so she made ado with watching him.

He had around him many books and many crumpled up papers. It struck Hinata to see that he was trying so hard to lose the title of being the lowest in the class.

Something bubbled inside of her whenever she would go watch him.

And now that she's in junior high, in her seventh year of school, the feeling grew into admiration.

So here she was, panting and leaning on to a tree.

"Who goes there?" She heard him and froze.

"'Tis I, milord!" A voice that was higher and strained answered him.

Hinata became curious and walked towards the noise. She stood on her tip toes and saw a bit over the shrubs.

In the clearing was Naruto, a play book in his hands. It was then that Hinata remembered that the class was to do a play.

"What may ye be doing?" Naruto read, adding character into his voice.

He cleared his throat and changed his pitch. "Can I not watch from afar with admiration in my eyes? Is it not fine for me to hide in the shadows?"

His voice cracked and so he sounded like a braying donkey, causing Hinata to laugh, giving herself away.

She saw Naruto freeze, his eyes turning narrow as his face turned a bit pink. "Who's there? Whoever you are, come out!"

Hinata felt herself unable to speak as she walked out and faced him.

"What are you doing here?" Naruto's tone was so cold that Hinata winced. "I dare you to make fun of me."

"I can help."

She looked at her feet horrified. Did she just say that?

"Why would you want to?" She could hear the suspicion in his voice.

She forced herself to look at him. "Y-you need a partner so i-it could feel more realistic."

She gulped down her nerves when he smiled at her. "Thanks! That will help a lot! I really want this part!"

He was smiling at her!

Hinata returned it with a small smile of her own. She felt her neck go cold without her hoodie to cover it, her hair didn't help either.

"Okay, so, I'm on this part." Naruto passed her the play book and walked to his backpack, getting out another one. "You should be Fabriser and I'll be Pierre."

"O-okay." Hinata gave a big sigh and looked down at the book.

"'Who goes there'?" Naruto sounded angry, making Hinata cringe a bit. It was as if it was directed towards her.

"''T-tis I, m-milord'." Hinata's voice shook.

Naruto just smiled and nodded. "'What may ye be doing'?"

"U-um, 'C-can I n-not watch from afar with a-admiration in m-my eyes? I-is it not fine for me to h-hide in the shadows'?" Hinata felt her face go hot. It was as if she was actually talking to him.

"'Nay.'" Naruto took a hold of her hand and looked into her eyes. "'Would not it be moral for ye to not hide? True be my heart would I rather accommodate if thoust not hide'."

"'C-curiously, I may ask, wh-why, milord'." Hinata squeaked, her face growing hotter.

"'Nay, not milord'," Naruto took her hand to his lips and kissed it, though to her disappointment, he only kissed his own thumb, as according to the rule of hand kissing. "'But rather, my love.'"

He let her hand go and smiled. "That was a good job, um, what's your name?"

Hinata felt the air escape her lungs as she gave a final squeak before passing out.

Naruto stood there, panic surging in him when she wouldn't stir.

In the end, he never got the chance to audition, because in the middle of the year, he went to Europe with his guardian, leaving Hinata sad.

Neji.

There was something about the girl on the hill that irritated him.

She was so distracting.

Neji bit back a groan when the ball flew the wrong direction instead of to the net.

"Neji! What are you doing?" Uno shouted, running towards him and bumped into him. "Head in the game!"

Neji peered at the boy, a light glare in his eyes. "Move it, Takeshi."

"Hmph. You never did actually change." Uno muttered.

"I took you down once, I can knock you down again." Neji growled, pushing the tall and muscled boy.

Uno just grumbled as he went for the ball.

"That was certainly not youthful at all, Neji." Rock Lee appeared by his side, giving him a light pat in the back.

"It's that girl over there on the hill." Neji pointed. "She is distracting me."

Rock Lee squinted and smiled. "That is correct! Her beautiful unnatural colored hair is truly breathtaking against the sun!"

"That's not what I meant." Neji mumbled and walked to the centerfield.

"Ready to play?" Pita nodded his way, throwing him the ball before he did back flips to his position.

"Ball!" Uno shouted and began to run.

Neji huffed as he guided the ball in front of the goalie.

"Take the shot!" Uno yelled, running towards him. "Don't make me go over there and do it for you!"

Neji could hear the shouts and giggles, which annoyed him.

"Shut up!" He yelled and changed his course, kicking the ball much too hard.

It soared to the sky where it disappeared in the sun, which then reappeared on the course of the group on the hill.

It was a success.

He had curved the ball and was successful in hitting the distracting girl. The hoots from his teammates added on to his irritation.

It served her right for being so distracting.

Though, he felt as if he had encountered her before, in some other time.

Sasuke.

He woke on the sterile and uncomfortable hospital cot. It was his seventh day in the hospital.

Nobody bothered to visit him. Not even his brother.

It was times like these that he actually yearned for the screaming groupies to surround him.

The hospital was such a lonely place, sparing the boy they made him room with.

Sasuke did not want to sleep at all. Nightmares haunt him every time he closed his eyes, blinking included. The faces and splatter haunted him.

He grumbled and threw the covers off of him and jumped off of the cot.

He stumbled past the nurses, who didn't say anything to him but held pity in their eyes.

Sasuke began to grow hating on the eyes of those people.

He blinked and was immediately met by his mother's face.

"Tomatoes." He mumbled, his fingers twitching for the item. "Tomatoes."

"Hey, Sasuke-kun, why are you crying?"

He fiercely looked at the owner of the voice. He snarled, "I'm not crying! Stupid person, can't you see that dust got in my?"

It was a girl, with abnormally colored hair. Pink. Ha! Who in their right mind would have pink hair?

"You're just so ugly that my eyes began tearing up!" Sasuke continued, his fists furiously rubbing the tears from his eyes. "Move out of my way."

"What's your deal, man?" Another voice joined in.

There, by the doorframe was his roommate, Naruto. He was commissioned in the hospital because he was jumped in the alley, and because he was an orphan, they didn't complain that he was lodging in the hospital, though every adult avoided him like a plague and often shot nasty looks towards him.

"You don't talk to anybody like that." He shuffled towards the duo. "Much less a girl. Didn't your mom ever teach you manners?"

"Don't talk about my mom." Sasuke balled his hand into a fist.

"You don't like your mom or what?" The girl questioned, gripping onto her hold on her teddy bear.

"You don't know anything!" Sasuke yelled. "Shut up!"

Naruto pouted. "What's your problem?"

"You wouldn't know anything about losing some, idiot! You had nobody to begin with!" Sasuke pushed him away and ran back to his room, slamming the door behind him.

Why did he even get out of the room?

It's that entire idiot girl's fault.

A knock echoed in the room.

"Go away." Sasuke groaned, becoming annoyed.

"This is my room too."

It was Naruto.

Sasuke clicked his tongue in frustration and flung the door open. "Don't bother me."

He ambled to his cot and hopped on, securing himself with the thin blanket.

"You're right." Naruto did the same. "I don't understand what it is like to lose someone, but that's not excuse to treat people like trash."

"Have you seen their eyes? They're all the same." Sasuke muttered, laying his head on the pillow. "We're the same, so you should also feel this way."

"Well, if being solitary makes you a bitter old grandma, I sure wouldn't want to be alone." Naruto shrugged. "Don't push people away."

Sasuke glared, his vision being blurred by tears. "Shut up. You don't know anything."

Thanks for reading!