As Hinata had promised, she continued to visit the strange boy. Often, they played, studied the same subjects or relaxed and enjoyed each other's company.
"Hmm, I can't figure this one out. Hinata, what did you get for question five?" Naruto sat on his living room floor, his back leaning against Hinata's.
"I got B for that one." As she spoke, her small voice vibrated to his back. His homework, below him, laid complete with correct answers. On his other hand, an airplane ready to take flight.
"How did you get B?" He asked a follow up.
"Well, if you add the numbers at the top, and then subtract that by the total amount, you should get nine, which is answer B."
"I see now, thanks." he grinned as he let himself lean further.
After finishing the homework, Naruto and Hinata continued to lie against each other's backs. Enjoying the peace and familiarity.
Hinata however, had a few things on her mind. The type she would hope to forget upon entering her friend's house.
Earlier that morning, before setting off to school, Kurenai-sensei asked for the assurance of Hinata joining her team. In other words- allowing the Hyuga heiress to face dangerous situations.
Her father murmured, "Do as you please, a disappointment like her is not fit for a Hyuga title." As he finished off, Hanabi- her younger sister, charged at him full speed, only to be pushed off seconds later. "Even her sister, who is more than 5 years her junior, can outlast a battle with her." Kurenai observed the child on the floor struggling to stand.
"Are you sure? Hinata is the first-"
"Hanabi! Get up and fight!" he ordered. "She'll just continue to get in our way. Her kindness makes her weak, and that's a part of her she'll never be able to change."
"..." Kurenai bowed and turned. "I understand" As she left, she noticed Hinata standing, her gaze down. "Let's go."
Her own father called her weak, her sister who was much younger could win against her. Hinata was no genius like Neji, or a natural like Hanabi. So what was she?
"Hey, Naruto-kun, can I ask you something?"
"What is it?" he opened an eye questioningly.
"Am I a bother to you?" His eyes open in shock.
"What do you mean? Why would you ask that?" his voice lightly growled.
"Well, I was just wondering…"
"Hinata…" he turned to face her back, and noticed her head facing the floor. "Who said you were a bother?" She lifter her head, and breathed in- straightening out her back.
"No one." she whispered. Naruto sensed the sadness in her voice and lightly tugged her shoulder back.
"What?" She asked, her face empty of emotions. Somehow, this wasn't the Hinata Naruto knew. Her gaze was distant, cold, like a doll's eyes. For the first time in his life, he wondered whether he was the only one suffering alone. "Why are you crying?" Naruto threw his arms around her and held her tightly. Thus sending her falling backwards- her only support being her palms against the floor. Soon, after small hands clutched his orange jacket.
Years passed, and with that time Naruto had developed a rather protective sense over Hinata. After meeting her cousin, Neji, he realized what true hatred was really about. As hinata's sparring partner, he would show no mercy and attack her full on. Leaving her with purple bruises and multiple scars.
After practice, Hinata went over to Naruto's house. He was surprised when he opened the door to see her eyes covered with bandages.
"Hinata!? Your eyes! What happened? How did you get here?" he held her by the hand and dragged her in.
"I asked Kiba-kun for help." She blushed a little from locking hands.
"Your eyes...do they hurt?" he placed both hands on the side of her face. Each holding a cheek. "It was him wasn't it?" he whispered, brushing the bruises with his thumb.
"He's not at fault. Neji-nii was forced by father, it's a tradition I have to do as the first born." She covered his hand with her own, giving it a tight hug. "Don't worry, it doesn't hurt. This is actually because I overused my byakugan. It heals pretty fast, so I should be fine." She smiled to assure him she was in no pain.
"Alright." he sighed. "Be more careful next time then!" he lightly pinched her cheeks before removing his hands. "Anyways, do you want something to eat? I have spicy Ramen today."
"Please." Naruto grinned and hummed a tune as he left to the kitchen. Unknowingly, leaving Hinata to play hide- and-seek with the couch. If Naruto had more time he would've prepared the soup on the stove, and boiled the water for a better serve. But, right now he didn't want this special time with Hinata away from her. So, the soup would have to be made by microwave particles.
"Haii! Here you go." the blonde carefully placed the Noodles on his caramel coffee table. He wasted no time in digging in, slurping the soup as quickly as he could. In fact, he was so busy, he hadn't noticed Hinata's blind hands searching for the chopsticks and Ramen cup.
"Umm...Naruto-kun." She turned to him, feeling slightly defeated by her disabilities.
"What is it?" he replied, mouth full of food.
"Where are the chopsticks? I can't feel them…" her eyebrows furrowed between her forehead; internal frustration hit.
"Ah!" he gasped, the Noodles falling back into the steaming cup. "That's right, you can't...see." he placed Ramen cup and utensils down.
The only thing Hinata heard was the sound of paper being ripped and shuffling nearby. "Say ah!" Naruto instructed.
"W-what?!" she jumped in surprise.
"Ah, not what. C'mon, before it cools." he held the chopsticks with Noodles near her mouth, his other hand under to catch any falling bits.
"No, really! I can eat on my own-"
"Hinata~!" He groaned, secretly sulking through the bandages.
"Th-that's ok. I just-!" he took her mouth with one hand while simultaneously pulling her lip downwards, her jaw opening in the process. "ghha!" she felt the warm, and long smooth sensation of the Spicy soup, a sting following the texture. She then quickly began chewing.
"There, good isn't it? Wasn't that hard." he grinned sympathetically.
"Hot! Haahh!" she gasped, trying to cool her mouth. Wasn't that spicy. Was it?
"Alright, I'll get you something to drink." Naruto stood up to retrieve cool water bottles.
"No, that's okay! I know where to find the water." She began to protest.
"Hinata, don't be so stubborn." Naruto tugged her hand back with more strength than he thought he might need, and sent her tumbling down, pulling him along for the ride.
With a great thud, Hinata laid on the carpet flooring, unaware of Naruto's body hovering a few inches from her. "Ah tah~ that really hurt-!" He, had bruised his knees on impact no doubt and scratched his elbow from hitting against the hard table. Below him, the pretty Hyuuga heiress laid, completely unaware. He took notice after the pain slightly receded.
"Naruto-kun?" her swollen lips mouthed his name. Why does she still add -kun? He questioned how, as children she was always overflowing in curiosity, always asking him all types of things, her brilliant pearled eyes gazing at him- how he missed them. Now, however, she lacked her freedom to be herself, a price to be paid for birth in the Hyuuga branch.
His azure orbs dug through the bandages in search for hers. He wanted to rip them off, those pesky bandages. They covered one of her best features, leaving her small nose and pink lips. "...Naruto…-kun…" there they go again. Mouthing his name, in her own tune, yet those three letters, as if someone else's name was added to his. He was not Naruto-kun and she was not Hinata-chan. He was her Naruto and she was his Hinata. It seemed so simple in his head, yet he sensed it was completely irrational, a paradox. "What's wrong?" her throat vibrated as her lips moved. Suddenly, the urge hit him. He wanted to touch them...to feel them. So he did. His index finger moved under her chin, while his thumb ran across the horizon of her swollen-pink lips. His hand was caught by hers, she sat up-moving him back in the process. They both sat like that until one spoke up. "Is something wrong? You're not saying anything. If i'm too much trouble, I can go…"
She thought he wanted her to leave?
"No, actually, I was just thinking how you can't tolerate spicy things." he chuckled at the end. "Stay here, I'll get the drinks, and no buts."
"Mmm...I'll wait here then." She replied, a bit confused and slightly embarrassed.
What was I doing?! I wasn't even thinking. Though, she didn't look like she mined…
He stared at his hand, the warmth of her small fingers around his palm remaining in the form of sweet heat. His lips stretching in a warm smile, while a light blush coaxed his whiskered cheeks.
