Book 1

Awakening

Chapter 1 - Serendipity

A/N: Outfits won't be explained or described in any fashion until they're changed. From chapter 1 until any time of change, the outfits can be assumed to start the same way they did in Episode 1 of Part 1 of Canon- Naruto. I felt the need to mention this, as I find it very important to know what the characters (and to a lesser extent the surroundings) look like in clear detail when immersing oneself in 'Visual Writing'—the style used 99% of the time in FanFiction works, to simulate the effect of a manga.

"NARUTO!" A seemingly exaggeratingly enraged Umino Iruka shouted after a quickly fleeing figure. Said figure was none other than Uzumaki Naruto, the king prankster, resident Jinchūriki and self-proclaimed future Hokage of the Konohagakure no Sato. 'That is the last time I follow that kid into a store!' thought Iruka. Adeptly dodging the abundant morning foot-traffic and various obstacles characteristic of the market, he opted to take to the roof-tops until he was out of the business district.

'Dammit!' Naruto thought between labored breaths, hugging a wrapped bundle close to his chest, 'He's getting closer!' Hesitantly looking over his shoulder, his fears were validated as a quickly approaching Iruka invaded his field of vision. He quickened his pace, despite the painfully obvious protest of his lungs. 'I thought we were friends!'... Despite what one may imagine, it was a not a prank that Naruto was fleeing for his life in the aftermath of, but a loan of sorts... a loan which hadn't been discussed with... or agreed to by the loaning party.

It had been known to the majority of people that for the longest time, Naruto had a crush on Haruno Sakura; being the dedicated, determined and... out-going person that he is, he had openly professed his attraction to the young kunoichi acolyte on many-an-occasion. Unfortunately for Naruto, much like many things in his short life of 11 years, those feelings hadn't been returned, appreciated, or even accepted for as far back as he could recall. Some would say that the truly unfortunate fact was that he didn't quit, while some would find it endearing... others though, namely Sakura, found it disgusting and would stop at nothing to make it absolutely clear to anyone within earshot (along with the majority of females in Konoha, ages 8-15) that she was madly in love with Uchiha Sasuke; the lone survivor of the once famed Uchiha clan.

Naruto, never one to quit and being tired of being so harshly brushed off (especially in addition to the rest of what he has to shoulder on a regular basis) decided to try a different approach. He'd heard, or rather observed, that what girls seemed to appreciate more than powerful declarations of undying love (whatever that really was) was fairy-tale-romantic gestures. Once again, Naruto, never one to knock a method of doing something—especially in a realm of vast inexperience—decided to finally give the latter a shot.

Pulling back the wrapping of his bundle ever so slightly, Naruto re-engaged his earlier train of thought. 'I just wanted to buy one of those bouquets for Sakura-chan... but they were just so expensive. I didn't think Iruka-sensei would be so upset! I mean, it's just a loan, he knows I'll pay him back!' Once again, Naruto turned his head ever so slightly to check on the progress of his pursuer. 'If I can just make it to the Academy! Th-then I'll give the bouquet to Sakura-chan a-and I'll run back home, he'll never guess!' He smiled at his obviously ingenious plan between gasps for scarce oxygen. 'Besides, if Sakura-chan agrees to go on a date with me, it'll all be worth it..dattebayo!' Passing a familiar tree, Naruto recognized his location and began to redirect himself toward the front-entrance of the Academy main building.

Amid the obnoxious pretense of the classroom, in the middle column and back row sat the tranquil Hyūga Hinata at the two-person desk, patiently waiting alone for the class to begin. However, despite her outward silence, her mind was bubbling with thoughts; despite their abundance however, her thoughts held two primary foci: firstly, 'Where is Iruka-sensei? He's usually here several minutes before class begins;' and secondly, with the occasional spared glance to the available seat adjacent to her 'Where is Naruto-kun?' A gentle blush dusted her cheeks at the thought.

Despite Naruto being a notorious prankster and truant, he always would show up in the mornings. Now, quite in contrast to Hinata's wishes, Naruto would seldom sit next to her, and when he did, he would be almost completely oblivious to her presence. It's not that Naruto was a rude person, or didn't like her, it was simply that she never stood out. Aside from their occasional exchanged greeting (much to said Hyūga's joy), between Naruto falling asleep during lessons, playing pranks, or trying to procure a date... he simply never slowed down enough to focus.

'Naruto-kun...'

"Made it!" Naruto exclaimed to himself as he rounded into the academy, gripping the side of the nearby wall to diminish his momentum, while pulling himself slightly inwards with an outstretched arm to ease the sharp turn. Skidding to a halt inside the building, he quickly pivoted his head left, right and over his shoulder, frantically checking for Iruka.

"Okay... I just have to get to class now and find Sakura-chan," he said, slightly sing-songing the end of his sentence. He righted himself, satisfied that Iruka wasn't anywhere nearby and began his skip to class, grinning from ear-to-ear all the way.

Step after step, Naruto continued to class. He was entirely lost in his own little world, fantasizing about a certain pink-haired kunoichi finally accepting his feelings and going on a date with him... Up until now, most would have thought it'd be impossible for his grin to have grown any larger. 'What, Sakura-chan? You want to kiss me...! Well, alright then... Heeheehe...'

But, as everyone knows, the higher you are—physically or mentally—the harder you fall; and fall Naruto did, upon hearing a loud call of "Where is he?!" emanating from where Naruto presumed to be the front-entrance.

"Crap! Iruka-sensei!" Naruto hurriedly dashed to the (luckily) nearby classroom door. Throwing it open, he leapt to the center of the room and from there, into the rows of desks in two swift bounds. Taking pause at the desk where Sakura was seated, he thrust the red, rose bouquet into her arms and let out in haste, "These-are-for-you-Sakura-chan!", still in mid-dash.

Not giving her a chance to react, Naruto continued his mad-dash and leapt clean over the desk and its occupants, attempting to catch himself with one outstretched arm on the top of the desk now immediately under him. He only succeeded in sliding off and landing back-first on the ground behind said desk. This desk, just happened to be the one Hinata was seated at.

"N-naruto-kun? A-are you alright...?" Hinata barely choked out, still surprised that the primary occupant of her thoughts seemingly swooped in out of nowhere.

"Err..." Naruto groaned, still rubbing the back of his aching head.

"Hinata? Oh hey, I didn't mean to surprise you. I was just passing through to give Sakura-chan some flowers; I've gotta get out of here though, before Iruka-sensei shows up..." Naruto spoke while shakily standing up, still mildly disoriented.

"I-I see.. w-wel—"

"NARUTO!" An earsplitting screech rang out, promptly silencing Hinata and drawing the attention of a good majority of the present class.

Naruto turned his head only to be greeted by a familiar bouquet colliding with his face. "S-Sakura-cha—"

"SHUT UP!" Came the vicious reply.

Before Naruto could even open his mouth in protestant confusion, Sakura continued. "I'm sick of your crap, Naruto! You almost hurt Sasuke-kun! Who the hell do you think you are just jumping over his head like that...?!"

A subtle glance at her eyes would reveal that Sakura's explosive outburst was in anger with her own circumstances, above anything else. Naruto had done his best lately to ease her struggle, but it had clearly been a vain effort.

Naruto began to open his mouth to reply, but his usual gusto escaped him; his gaze diverted downward—the newly forming creases around his eyes showed his further deflation at the all too familiar sting of rejection... and contempt.

"WELL?!" Came the shout from the still-ferocious pink-haired kunoichi.

Hinata spoke in an almost inaudible whisper, "Sakura-san..." She held one hand in a semi-clenched fist near her person...
It was clear that Hinata was beyond displeased with Sakura's behavior, especially as it was directed toward Naruto. And while it was clear that the rest of the class more or less shared in that sentiment, at least to some extent, none cared enough to voice it... to reach out.

It was happening again. Hinata had always been, to say the least, saddened, by Sakura's treatment of Naruto; however, as someone with low self-esteem she had always rationalized to blame herself for Naruto's suffering. Looking around the room, it was evident that Naruto was still alone, despite having made great strides; and if someone, namely her, were to just stand up for him or reach out to him even once, his life could be made that much more bearable... that much brighter. She felt like a hypocrite. How could she say she cared for Naruto, if she was indirectly contributing to his suffering. The lack of an answer disgusted her... her own weakness disgusted her.

Iruka, dashing around the corner finally concluded his hastened approach to his class. He slid the door open with authority and with a quickened step approached the center of the classroom; that is, until he noticed the ongoing spectacle...

"Are you mute now or something Naruto-baka? Because normally, we can't get you to shut the hell up! You're always going on and on about how you're going to be great, how people will recognize you, accept you, like you... that will never happen Naruto... because you're annoying, stupid, incompetent!..."

Naruto visibly flinched at each of her choice words... his gaze remained fixed at his feet—his hair casting the ever-necessary shadow over his dejected view; as it hid the lone bead of sadness which only continued to grow on the sill of his eye. He'd long since given up asking the question 'Why?', forsaking it for the more reliable 'When?'

Hinata leveled her gaze with Sakura's, although Sakura refused to make eye contact as she was still piercing into Naruto with malice.

Hinata clenched her fist, and spoke again, with stronger conviction clearly evident in her voice. "Sakura-san..."

"And you're the last thing on this planet that anyone would ever care for!"

A single tear trailed it's way down Naruto's cheek... it landed on the floor with an agonizing lack of sound. Naruto's mind raced, though Naruto was long past the point of facilitating conscious thought; his soul lamented, omitting cognizance to dull the ache.

'Why do they keep looking at me like that...'
"..."
'I was... I was just looking at the mask...'
"..."
'Jii-chan, why don't I have any parents...?'
"..."
'My name is Uzumaki Naruto!'
"..."
'I will be Hokage! I'll make them all accept me! Then they'll see... the real me..'
"..."
'Will I..? Will they...?'
"..."

Unbeknownst to Naruto, the tears continued at a slow drizzle, the first having merely been a forecast.

The growing spectacle now had the attention of the entire class.

By this point Iruka had decided to take action, but before he could speak...

"Sakura!" Hinata yelled (louder than anyone previously knew she was capable of).

"Y-You're wrong about Naruto-kun! He is not a stupid or annoying or incompetent, he's a caring person that's just wanted to make you happy... and to be happy himself! He's had no one Sakura, he'd been all alone his entire life... he had to deal with more than most people three times his age have ever experienced; yet he still pushed forward with a smile on his face."

An inspired smile slowly crept it's way onto Hinata's face, as if to crescendo in parallel to her speech.

"He's a kind, loving and bright person who tries his best at everything he does and refuses to give up..."

With the introduction of a new voice, the change in atmosphere slowly brought Naruto out of his internal cycle of lament.

'Is-is that Hinata? Is she talking about... me?'

Naruto opted to listen, as he slowly turned his gaze, still moderately tear-stricken toward a passionate Hinata. He observed in awe as she continued...

"Naruto-kun has plenty of people who care about him... and who want him to succeed. He has Iruka-sensei, Hokage-sama, Teuchi-san, many of our classmates here..."

The class, at this point in time, seemed to exude a collective smile at her words.

Naruto's eyes widened in astonishment with her finale...

"And myself especially... who happens to care for him deeply!" Hinata finished, without a hint of doubt or trepidation in her voice. Her eyes were now locked intensely with Sakura's wavering gaze.

Long after class had commenced, Naruto's thoughts still lingered on a certain Hyūga...

'I've always thought Hinata-chan was a nice girl... she's never looked at me with anything but kindness or acceptance as far back as I can remember...'

'She said all those nice things about me too... does she really feel that way? Does she really understand?'

However, despite his introspective questioning, one glance at his desk-mate would instantly serve to validate everything that had happened... and only further affirm his newfound respect for her.

Naruto chose to spend the rest of class stealing occasional sideways glances at Hinata. Little did he know, she was fully aware of each and every glance; and despite her earlier confidence, she was still back to her same old self when Naruto became the subject of thought.

'H-he k-keeps looking at me... Is Naruto-kun upset about what I said earlier? No... he doesn't look upset, he looks nervous...'

Simultaneously Naruto happened to be thinking along the same lines as Hinata...

'Argghh! I really want to say something to her... but what do I say?! 'Thank you'? Then I'd look like an idiot!' Naruto thought while taking another glance... mentally kicking himself, repeatedly, for his cowardice.

'Say something, Naruto!' he told himself.

Alas, a final glance only served to set him back to square one.

'I am so hopeless...'

And thus, the school day ended.

As she exited the the academy building, she caught sight of a lone swing flimsily held by two tethers to a low-lying branch... she couldn't help thinking 'I hope Naruto-kun will be alright...' as she prepared to make her lonely trek home; at this point in time she could hardly even recall a time when she'd been escorted back to the Hyūga Compound. Ever since her 'further descent' in the eyes of her family, she had more or less been left to her own devices, and while this gave her a long-sought after freedom, it only served to amplify the cold, critical emptiness that she'd long since been forced to accept as commonplace.

"Hinata-chan!" a voice promptly broke her out of her musings.

'N-N-Naruto-kun! D-Did h-he just c-call me Hinata-c-chan?!' she exclaimed to herself in a barely choked out whisper. She now sported a powerful crimson blush across her face.

Quickly turning she was met with the gaze of two powerful cerulean orbs. "Y-Yes, Naruto-kun?"

"Well... you see the thing is Hinata-chan, I've been trying to work out how to say this all day... I guess the most important thing is though, that I really wanted to thank you, for what you said... you know?" He said, hoping she'd understand him.

She simply nodded, still trying to process her new 'title.'

"Ok well, the next thing is... and I'm not sure how to ask this, since... well... would you like to be my friend, Hinata-chan?" He involuntarily winced his eye in anticipation for what he hoped wouldn't come.

Momentarily snapping back to reality she was able to reply with "O-Of course, Naruto-kun. I would love to b-be your friend." As she involuntarily brought her hands together in front of her, pressing her two pointer fingers together.

Visibly relaxing, he decided to continue. "Thats great! So, Hinata-chan, I was going to go to Ichiraku's, did you maybe want to come with me?" he said, brandishing his trademark grin, one that most had come to view as a metaphorical beam of sunlight.

Hinata froze for an instant. 'I-Is he a-as-asking me o-out on a date?!' A massive blush spreading across her face at the thought...