Chapter 7: Hinata's Courage

Hinata rushed to Naruto's side to give him healing ointment. Naruto slowly regained consciousness; he quickly looked around to see Nazu lying unconscious on the ground. Naruto stood up and walked over to Nazu and picked him up. "Thanks, Hinata." Naruto smiled and motioned for her to follow. Hinata then remembered Tsunade. "Naruto, wait we forgot about Tsunade." Hinata turned around and helped her up, Tsunade wasn't hurt, just having trouble getting up.

*Scene Change*

Hinata sat next to Naruto who sat at the end of Nazu's hospital bed. Hinata touched her index fingers together, which was one of her habits. Hinata was blushing for she hasn't hung out with Naruto for a while. Hinata thought that maybe if she got along with Nazu that Naruto would appreciate her more and bring out his feelings for her. That is the reason she was sitting there with him, that and she said she would help Naruto protect him.

After sitting there for three hours, Hinata noticed Nazu opening his eyes. "Are-are you okay Nazu?" Hinata asked him. Nazu nodded and looked at his legs, but there wasn't a scratch on him. That was for two reasons, one his demon and Hinata had put healing ointment on them. Nazu stood up and started to walk towards the door. Naruto grabbed his shoulder, "What are you doing Nazu?" Nazu turned to Naruto and said, "I'm leaving this village to protect the people who live here." He opened the door and left the hospital.

*Scene Change*

"Nazu!" Naruto and Hinata shouted as they caught up to him just in front of the gate. "Didn't you hear me, I'm nothing but trouble. It's all because…" he stopped himself. He didn't want Naruto to worry about him anymore then he already does. Naruto looked at him with a puzzled look. Nazu had no choice; he had to tell them the truth. "Naruto, Hinata, I have a demon sealed inside me." Nazu said as he turned around and started to walk through the gate.

Naruto wasn't more worried about him, but about what his village wants with his demon. "Nazu, stop I want to keep the promise I made to you." Nazu turned around and remembered he promised to protect him. Nazu hid his face; he didn't want Naruto to see him cry, for he knew that Naruto would probably parish trying to help him.

Naruto could tell he was crying but didn't say anything. He knew how it felt to have a monster inside you. Nazu didn't know what to do so he ran over gave Naruto a hug. Hinata was mad; she really wanted to hug Naruto right there. Hinata sighed as she waited for him to stop. Nazu sniffled as he wiped his nose. "Hinata," Hinata jumped when Nazu said her name, "Will you help Naruto protect me?" Nazu looked up to her with a smile. "Re-Really? Of c-course I'll help." Hinata said. Nazu smiled, "Looks like everything worked out then. YAY!" Nazu was really happy, and then he asked, "Is there a place we can eat?"

*Scene Change*

At Ichiraku's Ramen shop Nazu, Naruto, and Hinata all sat next to each other. Nazu and Naruto just finished their fifth bowls of ramen. Hinata finished her first bowl and asked Naruto, "Na-Naruto do you want to hang out together later?" Naruto looked at her as he slurped his last noodles. "Wait this isn't hanging out?" He asked. "I mean later when Nazu isn't around like a-a date." She said.

*Time Shift*

Nazu wandered the streets of the village at about 10:30 P.M. Naruto and Hinata were on a date. He was all alone with no place to sleep for the night. Nazu was still scared from his experience the day before. Nazu didn't think they would strike yet, he thought maybe another day or so before a second attack. He just hoped that he would be able to make it through tonight.

*Scene Change*

Naruto and Hinata sat at a booth table in a fancy restaurant. Naruto insisted he buys for he didn't want Hinata to spend a lot of money on his appetite. Hinata was blushing but the rest of her facial expressions shouted, YAY! Neither of them knew what to say so they just waited for their food to arrive in silence. "Sorry, it took so long," the waitress said, "here's your food." Naruto quickly grabbed his napkin and put it on his lap. He was practicing his manners at home so he wouldn't be disgusting on his first ever date.

Hinata looked down at her beautiful white dress. Then she looked at Naruto's orange suit and tie. They looked brand new, he probably just bought it. "I've heard that the food here is really good, Naruto." Hinata said in her regular shy voice. Naruto nodded and started to eat. First he broke apart his chopsticks. Hinata followed his lead and broke apart her chopsticks. Naruto tried not to slurp his food so it wouldn't gross out Hinata. Hinata tried to start a conversation so that the dinner didn't seem as awkward. "So Naruto, how have you been lately?"Hinata asked. Naruto swallowed and then he spoke, "I've been tired and busy; I've been doing a lot of running around lately."

*Time Shift*

Naruto paid for the meal and Naruto and Hinata walked out hand in hand. Naruto and Hinata said good-bye to each other and went their separate ways. As Naruto walked away, he felt like he had triumphed at dinner.

THUD!

"Ow." Naruto and the person he bumped into said. "Oh, hi Nazu." Naruto said. Nazu looked up and saw Naruto standing over him. "Oh good! I wasn't sure if you were someone bad or not. I mean before you talked, I always remember voices. How did your date go?" Nazu asked. Naruto did a habit of his where he puts his arms behind his head and smiled, then he said, "Ha ha, well."

Well I have good news and bad news. Good news is I'm going to start telling a little about the next chapters. Bad news I won't be able to post a new chapter on Saturday, April 20th I won't be near a computer, fortunately I am way ahead of myself. So get excited for chapter 8, Nazu hears about Naruto's date, Naruto and Hinata train Nazu, and much more! Until next time TTFN!

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