A/N: Wow the last chapter went off better then I could have hoped. As I was mapping out this story I realized my plans would make this one a lot more romantic then the first one, it wont be all romance but there will be a lot I hope you don't mind!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, however I do own most of this plot
Chapter: 2
"Hinata-chan?" Naruto asked bewildered.
The Hyuuga only nodded smiling warmly at the gathered ninja. All was silent, until another soft voice broke the silence.
"It's good to see you Hinata-san," Shino said from his spot next to Akamaru.
Hinata smiled before walking to the Aburame and giving him a small hug. Surprisingly he returned the gesture, and everyone continued to stare in awe.
"Wow, not that this moment isn't touching or anything," the other cloaked figure said.
"Demo it would be nice if I got some hospitality as well!"
Everyone turned to watch the other cloaked figure but still remained silent, after a few moments Shikamaru mustered the 'courage' (more like forced into it by Ino and Sakura) to talk.
"If you want our hospitality then you'll have to reveal yourself." He said.
With a little grumble the hood was removed to reveal four spiky blonde ponytails protruding from the young woman's head.
"Is that anyway to treat a lady, Shikamaru Nara?" Temari asked, hands on hips.
"What lady? I don't see one." Shikamaru retorted earning a playful punch from the sand village girl.
Silence again. Hinata finally decided that she was sick of the uncomfortable silence and that if she was forced to break it she would. Clasping her hands behind her back she decided to speak to Naruto first.
"I'm sorry! I doubt you came here to just stand around outside the ramen shop, you should probably go in and eat." She replied.
"You're right!" the blonde young man exclaimed happily. "Let's go in and eat!"
Everyone nodded and began filing into the restaurant except for Hinata and Temari. Just as the last person disappeared into the shop, both teenage girls were about to take off.
"Hinata-chan?" Naruto asked, sticking his head outside the shop and searching around for the quiet girl. "Aren't you and Temari going to come in and eat with us?"
She smiled a very slight blush coming across her cheeks, unnoticeable to either teen staring at her.
"That's very kind Naruto-kun, demo I have to give my report to Tsunade-sama." Hinata said, touched that the boy who barely ever looked at her had asked if she wanted to dine with him.
"Now that you mention it," Naruto contemplated. "I think Ero-sanin wanted me to do that to. Hey! I know!" He exclaimed excitedly. "Why don't we go together? After we eat some ramen of course!"
"I don't know Naruto," Hinata began, shying away from the bright young man.
"Nah, I insist!" He cried grabbing Hinata's hand who in turn grabbed Temari's.
When they entered the shop they were greeted with a loud happy hooray and welcome from staff and visitors alike. Most were common villagers but a few were ninja. Hinata recognized Anko and Genma who sat in a back corner accompanied by two other Jounin, all-staring at her. She shifted slightly, uncomfortable from their intense and studious stares, alerting the blonde boy who still clasped tightly to her hand.
"What's wrong Hinata?" Naruto asked, dragging her back to reality.
"Mmm, nothing Naruto, Nothing to worry about. Why don't we sit?" she said gesturing to the table where everyone else was piled.
The kitzune nodded before dragging her to the table and all three taking a seat near each other.
"Hyuuga's back," Genma said sullenly as he returned to his food.
"What's with that tone?" Anko asked, slurping in more noodles, while still keeping her highly trained eyes on the girl.
"Nothing, it's just that I heard some things," Genma shrugged.
"What kind of things?" one of the other Jounin asked.
"Oh Ayame, I forgot your new," Anko said, grinning.
"I'm new to!" the other said.
"Well Ayame, Natsu," Genma began. "Have you ever heard the story about Gaara of the desert?'
Both girls nodded with bated breath as he continued to weave his story.
"Well you see he had become Kazekage of the sand village." Genma said, winking at Anko discreetly, who got the idea and disappeared. "And he was, for awhile, a good ruler. But then when he lost control they begged us for help. So we decided we would send the fiercest ninja we had, Hinata Hyuuga."
"Ano Genma-senpai," Ayame said in a meek, childlike voice. "I thought Hyuuga Hinata-san was the weakest member of her clan?"
"That's exactly what she wants you to think," Genma said, in a low whisper, earning a collective gasp. "As a matter of fact she killed her uncle Hizashi. Besides, I've seen her fight myself, if she lost it's because she wants to loose."
Both girls squirmed a bit, to engrossed in the story to notice Anko carrying a large bucket filled with sand.
"Well anyway we sent her their and for awhile nothing changed, until…" he paused for dramatic effect. "She was nabbed by the Akatsuki!" both girls quivered hugging each other for comfort. "And surprisingly the kazekage went after her, where they clashed!"
The girls seemed a little relieved but still unaware of the approaching Jounin.
"Do you know how, the Kazekage kills his victim's?" Genma asked.
Both girls gasped and shook their heads.
"By burying them alive with SAND!" Genma almost shouted the last part just as the bucket was turned over and poured on their heads.
They shrieked attracting stares from everyone in the restaurant, while Anko and Genma laughed.
"That was mean Senpai!" Ayame grumbled as her other friend continued to shake.
"Yes it was mean," Genma agreed
"But oh so worth it!" Anko snickered.
The Jounin's continued their meals in silence glancing at the silent teens in the corner. Just as it seemed like there were going to speak when a loud squawk cut through the air.
Soon their ramen was ordered and another silence fell over the friends. Sakura, who was extremely interested in hearing Hinata's stories decided to be the first to speak.
"So how was your trip back here Hinata-san?" Sakura asked cheerfully.
"Good, nice and quiet." Hinata said, laughing a bit at a memory.
"That's good…" Sakura began but was cut off by Ino.
"Hinata, I know this is a little tactless but, can you tell us about your run in with the Akatsuki?" Ino asked excitedly.
All eyes turned immediately to Hinata whose smile had faded. Temari glared at the other blonde girl about to open her mouth when Hinata lifted her hand to reassure her protective friend. Slowly her mouth opened as she contemplated how to start, however just as she was about to open her mouth a loud squawk filled the air.
"What was that?" Tenten asked, staring at Hinata's bag that had made the obnoxious noise.
A smile curled the edges of Hinata's mouth and Temari began to giggle at the other stunned faces.
"It's Kazu-kun," Hinata said.
"Kazu-kun?" everyone asked in unison.
She pulled her backpack up onto the table and began to dig through it. Everyone stared, expecting a parrot but instead a small ginger cat appeared from the folding's of the bag.
"It's a cat?" Kiba asked astonished.
Sakura blushed as she remembered her advice she gave to the Kazekage and wondered if that was the result. The green-eyed monster began to rear its ugly head.
"Demo, Hinata-san?" Ino asked. "What was with the squawk?"
"Kazuma enjoys imitating other animals," Temari answered as the white-eyed girl giggled and played with the small cat.
"Imitate other animals?" Shikamaru asked. "That's impossible."
"Not for Kazu-kun!" Hinata said as he wiggled out of her grasp and came to inspect Akamaru who had placed his nose on the table.
The two animals inspected each other, and then Kazuma gave out a squawk. Akamaru wagged his tail and let out a loud resounding bark.
"Akamaru!" Kiba snapped, trying to silence his dog.
"No wait Kiba-kun!" Hinata hissed.
Akamaru barked again but this time a little softer. Kazuma tilted his head and slowly opened his mouth and…barked!
Everyone was astonished except for Hinata and Temari were clapping for him. Kazuma barked again and again, and soon everyone was laughing and clapping, even Shikamaru.
"Alright guys lets eat!" Chouji said, as the ramen was set in front of them.
"Looks like Naruto's trying to put his moves on Hinata already," Anko observed as said boy tried to shove some of his ramen in said girl's mouth.
"Do you blame him?" Genma asked, also watching.
"I think it's romantic," Natsu sighed.
"I think she'll be with him," Anko said.
"It's not going to last," Genma scoffed.
"You want to bet?" Anko said, smiling.
"Yeah," Genma said, taking the bate. "$100 that she starts with Naruto and then winds up marrying her cousin due to clan rules."
"Fine," Anko said. "I say that she marries Naruto and they live happily ever after."
"I say that, she will start off with Naruto then get married to someone who has yet to reveal themselves." Ayame said, flashing her 100.
"Yes, well I think that she'll be with the Kazekage!" Natsu, said happily, also revealing her 100.
Everyone stared at Natsu before they burst out laughing. Her smile faded and her 100 disappeared back into her pocket.
"Alright deal!" Anko said, recovering first. "A deals a deal!" she said holding out her hand.
"Deal!" Natsu said, confidently, grabbing Anko's hand.
"Deal," Ayame said after a moment, and then all eyes were fixed on Genma.
"You afraid?" Anko taunted him.
"Hell no!" he snapped grabbing their hands. "Deal!"
And they all shook hands, the deal done, waiting to see whose theory held water.
After eating they all began to part ways, Neji grabbed his cousin's hand and held her tightly to his side as they waved bye to everyone.
"Hey Hinata-chan," Naruto said sheepishly. "Would you mind if I walk you home? I need to talk with you."
"Of course Naruto-kun," Hinata said, pulling away from her cousin, squeezing his hand before walking ahead with Naruto.
Neji watched them and looked as if he was slapped, but was shocked back into reality as Temari laid her hand on his shoulder.
"It's alright," the blonde woman said. "You'll catch up with her later, leave those two alone."
Neji nodded and walked slowly with Temari who told a few stories that he seemed to miss while the other two talked.
"So Hinata-chan," Naruto began. "Are you ok?"
"Yes, of course, why?" Hinata asked, curious.
"I want to apologize," he said, making Hinata pause mid stride before picking up the pace.
"Why?" Hinata asked her eyes widening.
"For abandoning you." Naruto said. "I swore I wouldn't but I stopped after awhile."
"I'm okay now Naruto-kun," Hinata said trying to shake off the chills, trying to force it's way up her spine. "There's no need to be sorry."
"No, it's not okay, from now on, me and you will be great friends, right?" Naruto said, as Hinata remained silent. "We will be friends won't we?" he asked afraid of rejection.
"Of course Naruto-kun, we'll be best friends." Hinata said as they made it to the Hyuuga mansion.
"Good," Naruto began, but Hinata was no longer paying any attention as she watched her father and sister training in the front yard.
Slowly Hinata left Naruto's side and slowly began walking to her family members face stony, but her eyes gleaming with apprehension. Neji and Temari had also made it, both stopping next to Naruto and watching the reaction. Finally the training session between the two main house Hyuuga ceased and Hiashi was about to open his mouth and praise his daughter when he caught sight of his eldest. He turned towards her and watched as she continued to slowly cross the yard. Hanabi had also turned and caught sight of her sister.
"Konichiwa, Chi-chiue," Hinata said bowing low to her father. "I have returned."
"Rise," Hiashi said in a detached, cold way.
Hinata slowly rose her eyes still trained on the ground and her hands clasped in front of her.
"Nee-san!" Hanabi cried, running toward her father and sister.
Hiashi held out his hand freezing Hanabi, who stood back against her will, giving her sister anxious looks.
"You have returned," Hiashi restated, lowering his hand. "And…" he began harshly making Hinata close her eyes. "I have never been happier."
Hinata's eyes shot open and she looked at her father disbelievingly, earning a small smile. Naruto smiled, and slowly walked away while Temari also bade farewell to Neji who looked on the scene. Hanabi smiled and ran to her sister before blabbering on about how much she was missed but the Hyuuga was no longer listening, instead she was watching the blonde young man walk away, a frown on her face. Through that whole time of meeting with the man she had once loved terribly she hadn't felt…anything.
A/N: oooo It seems Hinata has gotten over her obsession with Naruto. The next chapter will still not be very exciting but it will help develop the plot. Oh and as a side note.
Konichiwa: Hello
Chi-chiue (sp?): Most honorable father.
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