Chapter 7 I'll be waiting

Hinata looked up into the eyes of her savior but she was not feeling very safe in his arms right now. He had a cold, hard look in his eyes and she knew why. Neji jumped down from the roof of the building and landed on the sidewalk lowering Hinata to her feet. Hinata keep her face to the ground avoiding even looking at Neji anymore.

"I've been looking for you everyone has been worried about you" Hinata felt a pang of guilt hit her heart. "Your father has not noticed your absence but it won't be long until he knows so I suggest you quit pretending to be something you're not and come home." Neji grabbed Hinata's wrist and started dragging her away but then stopped when he noticed Hinata was not walking with him. He turned to face her again. "I know what you did. I know about your deal" Hinata looked up now surprised to hear him say that.

'You met Ino?'

"The sea witch told me why you're here and I can honestly say it's one of the most foolish things you have ever done. You have had your fun but it's time to stop playing this daydream and you come home" Neji pulled Hinata hard and forced her to move forward. He was about to keep walking confident that Hinata was going to walk with him now when he realized she was still not following him. He turned around prepared to carry her back but that would not be necessary because Hinata was not staying in place on purpose a blond boy was holding her in place.

"Where the hell do you think you're taking her" Naruto glared at Neji holding onto Hinata's free hand.

Neji glared back at Naruto. "Im taking her home she does not belong here"

"Wait you know who she is"

"Yes I do she is part of my family. A family that is very different from yours and cannot mix." Neji tugged on Hinata's hand but she kept her eyes on the ground and stayed put.

"It doesn't look like she wants to leave with you" Naruto tugged on her hand and Hinata actually walked to him. Shocked Neji to let go of her hand.

"Is this really your decision?" Neji asked Hinata mealy nodded her head. "You are well aware of what will happen if you stay here and the conditions are not met everything you do will be wasted"

Hinata nodded her head again.

"I'm sorry but I can't allow you to do that" Neji lunged at Hinata but Naruto stepped in front of her throwing a smoke ball to the floor. The smoke blinded Neji and he could no longer see. He coughed and tried making his way out of the cloud but it was no use. The smoke soon dissipated and Neji realized he was alone. "damn it don't think this is over lady Hinata" Neji started walking to the beach then stopped and looked around scanning the village with his powerful eyes finally finding the couple he was looking for. "I will allow you one more day but that is all we cannot let these humans find out about our world. I'm sorry that I cannot spare you from the pain you will obviously suffer from this human's hand I just hope it will teach you not to meddle in their affairs anymore."

Naruto carried Hinata in his arms jumping from one roof top to the other. Once Naruto felt he had put enough distance between them and the new stranger her stopped at a house that sat at the edge of the village. And let Hinata get to her feet avoiding eye contact. Once standing Naruto grabbed her hand and led her to a nearby grove of trees. Hinata started to worry about his odd behavior.

'Did brother Neji's appearance anger Naruto? I really hope he does not see me as a burden. Wait what if he hates me now I don't think I would be able to stand that" Hinata was so lost in her thoughts that she did not realize Naruto had stopped walking and she bumped into him. They were now pretty deep in one of the forest that surrounded the village.

'Naruto?'

Naruto turned around still avoiding eye contact. He stood before her his eyes to the ground Hinata was getting really nervous now. She reached a hand out to him but Naruto caught her wrist he then pulled Hinata hard enough to force her to step forward. That's when Naruto wrapped his arms around Hinata and held her as close to his body as he could.

'Naruto what are you doing' Hinata blushed brightly and struggled a little under Naruto's grip but that only made him squeeze he harder. Hinata was getting dizzy and did not know what to do.

"I thought I lost you" Naruto gave Hinata another squeeze and sank his head into Hinata's shoulder. "I was so scared. I saw the horse coming down on you but no matter how fast I moved you seemed to move further away. " Hinata stood still surprised at what Naruto had just said. "I sorry"

'Naruto' Hinata brought her arms up and wrapped them around Naruto. 'Don't blame yourself' she placed on hand on the back of Naruto's head and started stroking his hair gently. 'I'm alright don't punish yourself for this'. Even though Hinata had not said a word Naruto seemed to get the message he gave her a final squeeze before finally letting her go.

Naruto sighed. "Sorry about that" He turned away from her immediately Hinata wondered why but then she noticed how bright his ears were and figured it out. She silently giggled to herself Naruto noticed this though and sighed. He sat down on the grass and looked up at Hinata then panicked and got up grabbing her again. "Are you ok! Nothing hurts right. You did not break anything" he started checking her hands and arms even putting his hand on her forehead to see if she was warm but then his senses came back to him and realized how silly he must look right now.

"Ahh I am acting so stupid right now" Naruto dropped to the ground falling on his back and covering his face with his hands. Hinata silently giggled again and sat down by him. Naruto eyed Hinata from under his fingers. 'she's ok, she's fine' Naruto then closed his eyes and thought back to what had just happened.

"Hey" Naruto sat up and looked at Hinata causing her to get a light blush on her cheeks. "Why did that weird relative of yours say our families can't mix?

Hinata stared into space trying to figure out what to say. 'Well you see you and I are actually different species and I'm second in line to secede the throne of the underwater kingdom. My bloodline is one of the rarest in the world and is much sought after…..yeah that will work' Hinata sighed and shrugged her shoulders.

"Well maybe he did not know he was talking to the future king of this land" Naruto beamed brightly at Hinata. "I can't wait until I can take the throne I'm too young right now though .Some old lady called Tsunade in running the place until I can take over." Naruto ran his fingers over his headband tracing the crown symbol on his head. "It's my dream to run this country as best as I can and I'm not about to give it up for anything right now."

Hinata smiled at Naruto's enthusiasm 'he seems so confident about taking the throne' Hinata looked down at her hands 'I was knocked out of my spot in line for the crown by my sister but I don't really mind. I wonder how Naruto would have taken it if he was in my spot'

"Hey lets walk around I know this forest like the back of my hand" Naruto got up and held his hand out to Hinata who happily took it.

"I think I know of a place you will be happy to see" Naruto started leading Hinata through the trees.

'Where are we going?' Hinata thought to herself as Naruto followed an invisible path.

"Ok it should be around here" Naruto was about to pass a few trees when he stopped and faced Hinata. "I'm gonna need you to close your eyes". Hinata looked at him confused by his sudden request. "Only for a moment ok and no peaking"

Hinata nodded her head and shut her eyes Naruto came up behind her and started to lead her forward. A warm breeze hit Hinata's face and she knew they had stepped out of the forest now. They came to stop and she could hear Naruto walking around her.

"Ok you can open them"

Hinata opened her eyes to reveal a big field of flowers before her. There were so many colors around her she did not know what to do. She started running in front of her and silently gigged she turned around and smiled brightly at Naruto.

'Look at them all' Hinata spread her arms before her and continued running around the field of flowers.

Naruto sat down and watched Hinata run from one side of the field to the other. Stopping every moment to look at a flower or to follow a butterfly. Naruto felt a warmth in his heart he had never felt before as he watched Hinata play.

The day went on and Naruto had decided to take a nap while the warm sunrays hit him. When he woke up he noticed that Hinata had also fallen asleep she had tired herself out and had passed out in the middle of the field. Naruto walked to her and watched her sleep soundly. Watching her body rise slowly and the small smile she had on her lips. Naruto then found himself staring at Hinata's lips and started getting closer and closer to them. When Hinata stared to stir Naruto fell back on his heels and moved away from her.

'What am I doing? What was I about to do?' Naruto slapped his cheeks and got to his feet just as Hinata was waking up.

"Hey your up" Naruto walked up to Hinata pretending he was never near her. Hinata rubbed the sleep from her eyes and smiled at Naruto.

Naruto blushed slightly and turned away from Hinata. "Uhh it's getting late we should head back to the castle"

Hinata got to her feet and grabbed Naruto's hand out of habit now waiting for him to lead the way. Naruto looked down at her hand and smiled and pulled Hinata gently. Making their way back to the castle.

It was sunset and on the beach steaming stood a certain pinkette throwing rocks at the sea. She was in a secluded part of the beach because she did not want anyone to see her losing her temper.

"Damn it"

Sakura chucked another rock at the sea. "He's fallen for her I know it" Sakura started pacing back and forth on the beach.

"What do I do nothing is working. All I did was bring them closer together they never even went back to the castle" sakura stomped her foot.

"Then Sasuke also took her out. Even if my plan goes well what if Sasuke ends up falling for her too everything would not matter anymore" sakura got down on her knees and punched the sand.

"I will do anything to get rid of her at this point!"

"Anything?" a voice called out. Sakura looked up and found a blonde haired girl sitting on her stomach on a rock in front of her smiling at her showing off rows of sharp teeth.

"Who are you"

"I'm Ino the sea witch"

"Sea witch? I stopped believing in fairy tales a long time ago"

"Well you better start believing because some of those are real." Ino sat up and revealed her long ugly tail to sakura. Sakura gasped and believe Ino now.

"Now then did I hear you're willing to do anything to get rid of some extra competition you have"

"Well yes there is this girl that has been causing trouble for me I don't what her dead or anything I just want her out of the way"

"Well I may have something to give you but only if your serious"

"Yes I am!" sakura stood up and faced Ino.

"Ok that's good to hear" Ino held up a small vial containing a blue liquid inside. "This is a powerful potion that will make the drinker forget about any person you want. Feed this to the boy say the name of the person you want him to forget"

"Yes that's perfect…but I don't know the name of the girl no one does, she's a mute"

"It's Hinata"

"How do you know that?"

"I'm a magical sea witch I know these things. Now do you want it"

"Yes!" sakura reached for the bottle but Ino moved it out of her reach.

"Oh no not yet we need proper payment before I can give you this"

"What do you want name your price I can pay any amount"

"Hmm I don't want fortune what I want is" Ino eyed sakura for a moment. "Your hair"

Sakura held her hair in one hand and stroked it with the other. "My hair"

"Yes it's a lovely color and I want it don't worry I will only take up to your shoulders and it can always grow back. But this opportunity wont."

"But it's my hair" sakura continued to stroke her hair.

"Well if you don't want to get rid of her then I guess I can"

"I want to get rid of her!" sakura yelled and walked up to Ino.

"Good here" Ino handed sakura a knife. Sakura took it and grabbed her hair. She took a deep breath and cut.

Naruto and Hinata sat in the dining hall in front of the fireplace. Hinata was mesmerized by the moving flame before her. It moved like it was alive and gave off a warmth she had never felt before. She tried to touch it but Naruto caught her arm.

"You better not or you'll get burned" Hinata looked at Naruto and nodded and sat back down by him leaning into his shoulder. And Naruto rested his head on Hinata's.

They stayed like that for a while until Sakura walked into the room.

"Naruto"

Both of them turned to her.

"Hey you cut your hair. Why?" said as he eyed her new short hairdo.

"Oh I just thought it would be a nice change. Hey can I talk to you over in the kitchen for a moment"

Naruto did not want to leave his comfortable stop but agreed anyway. He stood up and looked at Hinata. "Wait here I'll be back" Naruto smiled at Hinata and she smiled back.

He walked with Sakura to the kitchen. "So what did you want to talk about?"

"Oh I just want to try this new drink I made"

Hinata stopped hearing their voices and assumed they had left the room. She waited in front of the fire place for Naruto.

She waited and waited.

But Naruto never came back.