Appearances Can Deceive

Chapter 5

'Surprise, Surprise'

And here I am, back once again with yet another thrilling chapter of Appearances Can Deceive. I guess you could consider this chapter a sort of filler until the Chunnin exams. Well anyway thanks to all my reviewers. You guys rock my pinstriped black and green knee high socks!

Ino had finally gotten free from Hinata's grasp and walked beside her as the two of them made their way with boxes of party favors, toward the Hokage tower. Hinata had explained to Ino, when she was sure they were far enough away from Naruto, that the reason that Hinata had been late was because she had stopped at some houses along the way to invite them to a welcome home celebration for Naruto. Tsunade wanting to talk to Naruto was just an excuse to get him there.

In fact, Hinata hadn't actually asked Tsunade whether it was ok to have the party at her office. But she decided Tsunade wouldn't mind if it got her away from her work.

Ino looked away and bit her lip afraid to ask whether or not Hinata had invited Shikamaru. If she asked Hinata would surely question her and she really didn't want to talk about it. She was still confused herself. Luckily Hinata decided to go through a list.

"I invited Kiba and Akamaru, Shino, Neji, Tenten, Lee, Sakura, Chouji, Shikamaru, Konohamaru, Moegi, Udon, Iruka, Kakashi, Asume, Kurenai, Jiraya, old man Ichiraku, and Ayame. In fact their providing the food." Hinata took a minute to think it over and see if she missed anyone. "Oh I also invited Hanabi, Yugao, You, Tsunade, of course, Shizune, some of the attendants at his apartment complex, and some people I passed on the streets."

Ino practically toppled over. "Jeez Hinata! You invited the whole village!"

"Well, he needs to see that people are glad he's back and that we care" Hinata smiled and held the box of party favors above her head as children raced around her in a game of tag. Hinata put the box back down when the kids were gone "And what better way to do that than a party!"

They both laughed, but Ino stopped as realization dawned on her. "Hinata how are all the people going to fit in Tsunade's office?"

Hinata stopped and her face fell. Ino was right she hadn't thought about that….what was she going to do? Ino sighed; this was typical Hinata, when it came to Naruto she never really thought ahead. She focused so much on making him happy she didn't see the bigger picture.

Ino laid her arm on Hinata's shoulder "Don't worry Hinata-Chan! We'll just move the party up to the roof. I can get some tables from the flower shop!"

Hinata had to stop herself from hugging Ino. She was a life saver. Hinata's face immediately brightened as they headed off once again to drop off the boxes then head back for the tables.

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Naruto sat at the top of the Hokage monument, staring at the city below him. Naruto had tried some training after the girls left but found it impossible. His mind would get sidetracked. He couldn't stop thinking about what had happened that morning with Hinata, or the fact that he had actually felt as if he would ring Ino's neck with his bare hands for her idiot comment.

If something as small as Ino calling him an idiot would make him feel that way, he was sure he didn't want to meet his other friends. Naruto was loosing control of his emotions, and he just couldn't trust himself to be around anyone. Especially Hinata.

She dragged every emotion he had ever known to the surface. Anger, amusement, curiosity, regret for his actions, and even more that he couldn't quite place, and he had only been back in town for two days! For some reason just thinking about Hinata and the fact that she wasn't around made him feel….lonely.

"What did I say; you're getting in very deep kit. Do you really think she'll accept you? If she knew the Naruto I know? Face it kit, no one would accept you if they only knew." Kyuubi for once wasn't smiling or laughing, a smirk was no where to be seen, only a frown.

Kyuubi had known from the beginning that some of his habits would rub off on Naruto, but he never thought it would overpower the kit. Naruto was so confused by the changes within his body he was unable to control them. They would all flood to the surface in moments. Kyuubi was quite sure that if Hinata had not come when she had. Naruto would have truly hurt the Yamanake girl.

And Hinata she was someone the Kyuubi truly feared at the moment. She somehow managed to confuse Naruto so much about his feelings, to the point of a migraine, and yet when she was around, Naruto was….at peace with himself, even if he didn't act it.

"S-she would accept me…" Naruto's voice was a little shaky. Whether or not Hinata would truly accept him, or why he even cared if she would accept him for that matter, he didn't know. Sure, Hinata was still his friend know, even when he was a little less than friendly to her. But what if she found out about the part of his life, that no one but Kyuubi and he knew about?

Kyuubi could feel depression taking hold of Naruto so he quickly changed the subject. "Shouldn't you go see what the Hokage wanted? I'm pretty sure it's already way past 7:00."

Naruto just shrugged and looked at the carved Hokage faces in the side of the mountain. His eyes wondering from the newly carved Tsunade's to the Yondaimes. "That was a lie. Tsunade never wanted to see me. How do I know? First, Tsunade would never make an appointment to see someone, she just sends out Sakura to find them and drag them in. Second, I'm pretty sure Hinata is up to something."

Kyuubi nodded at how logical it had sounded, and Naruto continued. "That's why I'm not going." Not soon after he said that rain started to beat down in a small shower. Naruto still didn't move he just sat there in a daze.

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Hinata ran at full speed through the empty streets of Konoha. The rain beating brutally on her skin, but she didn't care. How could Naruto do that to her? Everyone at the party had been eager to see Naruto, only to have him not show up. Hinata had insured them he would come, so they waited….and waited. It was 9:00 by the time Hinata finally gave in to the fact that he wasn't coming. When everyone left the rain started to fall, and a sudden wave of anger mixed with worry rushed over Hinata.

Hinata had looked all over town for Naruto, even his apartment, but never found him. Still the anger, which had started to over power the worry, she felt never wavered. She was about to give up all together, forced with the fact that she would have to wait until the match tomorrow against Naruto to take out her anger, when she realized the only place she hadn't looked. The Hokage Monument.

Concentrating as much chakra as she could into her feet she took off toward the mountain. Not bothering to take the steps she ran full speed up the monument.

Naruto had stood up, still facing the city when a very angry looking Hinata appeared in front of him and pounced.

Hinata had pounced on Naruto with so much force the two flew back landing yards away from where Naruto had originally stood. Naruto landed flat on his back Hinata right on top straddling him. He was at this point very confused, and entirely amused. Naruto didn't let any of the emotions show, just a simple smirk.

Naruto would have commented on the position they were in if Hinata didn't beat him to it. "Wipe that smug smirk off your face! What the hell did you think you were doing! You made me look like a damn idiot! I made them wait 2 hours for you to show up, but do you NO!" Hinata by this point was so angry she had the urge to strangle the smirk that never left, from his face. Instead she punched the ground next to his head creating a crack that ran from the small dent under her fist to a nearby tree, splitting it in two with a loud crack.

"You know what Naruto!" Hinata closed her eyes and took a deep breath to calm her self. "I'm not going to beat the shit out of you like I had originally planned." Naruto had to stop his laugh from coming out. Not only was Hinata swearing up a storm, she was talking about actually beating him up. Hinata noticed this, but kept her anger in check. She was slipping up way to much. "Instead I'm going to follow you around all day every day till you tell me what's wrong. Got it!"

Naruto let out a small chuckle and pushed himself into sitting position to lock gazes with Hinata, still straddling his lap. "Is that so?" Hinata couldn't speak as she met his crystalline blue eyes so she just nodded. "Well, then, so be it Angel."

The confused look on Hinata's face when Naruto called her Angel was priceless. Naruto had learned a lot while traveling with Jiraya. Especially about religions from other countries. One that had caught his attention involved the tale of Angels. From what he understood Angels were messengers of god. They would come to earth to help those souls in need. Well, Naruto couldn't think of anyone more in need than him at the moment, and Hinata, although angry, seemed to be the perfect embodiment of what an angel was. So what better nickname could there be right?

"W-well then, are you going to talk." Hinata slipped up stuttering slightly, when Naruto's eyes never left hers.

Naruto shook his head and crawled out from underneath Hinata, to stand. Then, with little effort knelt down to grab her by the waist and hulled Hinata to her feet. Creating a rather red faced Hinata in the process. "No, I don't think I will, but thanks for the show. It was pretty amusing." With a wink Naruto released Hinata's waist and turned to make his way off the monument toward his house.

Hinata just stood there, watching the spot where Naruto had left. So he didn't believe that she was serious. Well she was. Hinata was going to follow Naruto everywhere until he decided to talk to her. She wasn't the same push over she was before he left, and it was time Naruto realized it.

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Naruto sat at the table in his kitchen slowly eating away at the ramen in front of him. He could hear the TV from the living room blurting out static laced words. Naruto had tried to watch some television, but the storm was screwing up the picture. It got to the point of annoying when he finally decided it would be better just to get something to eat.

A knock at the door caught Naruto's attention. He didn't move, just scooped up another bite of ramen, and ignored it. They would think he wasn't home and go away if he ignored it, but he was wrong. The knock got louder, and still he ignored it. Finally the knock turned into full fledged pounding. So with an annoyed sigh he got up and walked over to open the door.

Hinata stood facing him a suitcase in each hand. Without waiting for permission to be let in she brushed past Naruto to drop both suitcases on the couch. Naruto arched his brows, with a fox like grin on his face, and leaned against the open door as he watched Hinata. Naruto had in fact thought that Hinata was speaking out of anger at the monument, but yet again he was wrong. She was truly becoming unpredictable…and he liked it.

Hinata turned to say something but stopped as she realized that Naruto leaned against the door in a rather sexy looking pose with absolutely nothing covering the top half of his body. "….uuhh…"

Naruto laughed and closed the door. "See something you like Angel?"

Hinata narrowed her eyes "No!" She almost flinched at how childish that came out "And why do you keep calling me Angel anyway?"

Naruto ignored her and made his way past her and back into the kitchen to finish his meal. Hinata followed after him. Taking a seat in the chair right across from him. "Fine you don't have to tell me. Do you have a spare room?"

Naruto looked up from his bowl to Hinata 'Is she serious?' "No."

Hinata had expected that much so his answer really didn't faze her. "Alright I guess I'll have to stay on the couch then."

Naruto slurped up the last of his ramen, stood, and put the empty bowl in the sink with other unwashed dishes. He turned and leaned with his back against the sink, his arms crossed over his bare chest. "What makes you think you were invited?"

"Who said she needed to be." Naruto had almost completely forgotten about the rat that followed Hinata around, until it decided to crawl out from the shelter of her hair, and squeal.

Hinata smiled and patted Okito's head. "Precisely Okito. Well I guess I'll go make my bed for the night. And don't worry I already talked this situation over with onee-san."

Hinata turned to walk into the living room, only to come within inches of a grinning Naruto. How did he keep doing that? Within a second Naruto had Hinata wrapped up in his arms and pressed tight against him. Leaning down he whispered huskily into her ear. "Why not sleep in my room."

Hinata felt the heat rush to her face, as the all too familiar blush came back full force. Naruto smiled, he hadn't realized how cute that blush actually was. He of course had only been joking about sleeping in his room, but for a split second he actually considered it. Then quickly Naruto released Hinata, and took a few steps back, as that sick feeling in the pit of his stomach returned. "I'm going to bed. Don't disturb me." With nothing left to say he walked to his room and collapsed onto his bed with a pounding head, and a sick feeling. He had to sort out this feeling.

Hinata blinked a few times then slowly made her way to the couch. Taking out a small blanket and pillow from her suitcase she laid down. Naruto was even more complex than she had originally thought. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea….

Okito crawled onto the back of the couch and curled up in a ball. He could sense the uneasy feeling radiating from Hinata and tried his best to soothe her. "As much as I do not like this Naruto fellow Hinata-san…….I think your doing the right thing."

Hinata didn't answer, but Okito could feel the tension easing. Within seconds Okito could hear the slow steady breathing of a sleeping Hinata. With the easy feeling of Hinata at peace Okito was able to give into the darkness as well.

Alright there it is…Um I don't think the straddling stuff is too graphic. I'm absolutely no good at lemons or limes, so I know it couldn't have been too bad.

On a side note. I'm not sure if the next update will be as soon as this one…sorry I got school work and things to attend too.

Sakura: "Next time on Appearances Can Deceive. How is the new living arrangements working out? Who will win in the battle between Naruto and Hinata? Why is Lee stalking ME!? Find out next time!"