As soon as he opened his eyes, a splitting headache preceded and he was forced to close them again before he was able to take in any surroundings.
From what Naruto could tell, he wasn't on that dirt road anymore. He felt around with his hand, coming into contact with what seemed to be a blanket. The air was crisp and clean.
Oh, God, I'm not in a hospital, am I?
"Naruto-kun."
He felt a hand on his forehead and twitched slightly in response. A cold chill ran up his spine.
The hand froze before the figure let out a sigh. "Are you alright? Do you want me to call Hokage-sama?"
At the mention of her name he shot up in fear of being found out and grabbed at the girl in front of him. Accidentally, and dear god, accidentally, his hands landed straight on her chest before he realized it.
"Uh-uhh...Hinata...etou..." He was dead, he knew it. If she was anything like Sakura when it came to that he would surely die.
He removed his hands in a quick flash, his face redenning in a mere second all the way from ear to ear. "G-gomen!"
He sneaked a peek at her face when he heard no response nor felt it.
She was blushing like mad, her hands up to her chest, fingers intertwined together, yet she didn't hit him or faint either.
The Hyuuga turned her gaze to stare at the wall beside her. "I'm glad y-you're aw-wake Naruto-k-kun. Sh-should I get Hokage-s-"
"No!"
Her attention immediately turned towards him in slight shock.
"I- I mean, we shouldn't bother her. She's the Hokage, ya know, and she has her own business to take care of. It was j-just heatstroke or s-somethin'." He attempted lamely to save himself.
A slight giggle escaped her lips and all Naruto could do was stare at her dumbfounded.
"Heh?"
She looked at him and smiled. "You stuttered, Naruto-kun."
"N-no, I didn't."
She laughed again.
The blond found himself smiling, almost, enjoying her company. He had been lonely for some time and it felt nice to talk to someone.
They didn't speak, only continued to laugh and smile when they just so happened to make eye contact and it was almost too wonderful.
Then, Naruto gasped audibly when he realized something.
"W-what is it, Naruto-kun?"
"What time is it?"
She turned around and headed to her kitchen a moment.
It was then that the blond realized he was on her couch, in her living room, in her home. What was he even doing there? How'd he get there?
She returned. "Three in the afternoon. Why?"
He started to get up, feeling himself lose balance slightly, catching himself by using Hinata's shoulder, sadly.
She wrapped her arm around his back and let him lean into her. "Naruto-kun, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." He pushed himself up. "But I gotta go."
She laughed. "I told them you were taking a break from today."
"What?"
"Neji helped me bring you back here and I went a-and told Kakashi-sensei that you needed a b-break."
Naruto didn't respond, only stood there in confusion.
"W-was it okay f-for me to say s-so?"
The teen scratched the back of his head and nervously smiled. "N-no, it was fine... I should get home, though."
She frowned and looked up at him, shaking her head in response. "You should stay. Father won't be h-home and I wanted t-to make sure you were f-fine..."
"Are you sure? I mean, me staying here?"
"Y-yes, of course."
"I don't really want to be a bother."
"Naruto-kun." She placed a hand on his arm and looked into his glimmering eyes. "You won't be a bother to me, I swear. I want to make sure you get better."
He shook his head. "I'm fine, I really am. I think I just needed to rest or something."
"Then, rest here."
"Huh?"
"You heard me."
"O-okay." Naruto nodded when she gestured for the sofa.
He sat back on her couch, exhausted. He didn't feel like arguing or complaining. He was just plain tired and he needed to rest.
Hinata smiled. "I'll make you some tea."
She didn't stutter. Her voice, smooth and soft and her movements elegant even for her nervousness. Hinata left Naruto and headed off to the kitchen once more.
She's... Beautiful...
I've wanted to write a NaruHina for so long. Anyhow, review.
Arigato!