Appearances Can Decieve

Chapter 9

'' I love you, therefore I loathe you!"

Welcome back faithful readers! It seems I've been in the writing mood lately, hooray! Anyway here's chapter 9. Woot woot.

Naruto: We would like to give shout outs to the following (reads from Hinata's cue cards)...Dragon Man 180, xheartkreuzx, Krimson Rogue, gof22, pcttgirl23, TheLon3Wolf8986, and draw.62121 for reviewng, and giving her inspiration for this chapter! AND MY LEMON SCENE!

Hinata: (promptly passes out)

She scanned the tree lines looking for her target. So far she had tracked him from the ladies hot springs, a bar on the other side of town, and a waterfall where some girls were relaxing. Her eye twitched under the ANBU mask as she thought of ways to show that horny old bastard a thing or two about peeking! He was clearly unproffesional. It had only taken his targets mere moments to realize his position. If he weren't drooling all over them he would have been more astut. Not that she approved of the slime ball peeking in on unsuspecting women. She just couldn't come to terms with the fact that a Sannin like himself seemed so...genin.

She landed softly on a branch overlooking the old man as he conseled himself behind bushes, watching googly eyed at the girls training in the field. Honestly she couldn't find what was so attractive about this particular scene. At the hot springs the only thing concealing the women were soaked towels, at the waterfall they wore only flimsy bikini's, but at the training field? They were completely clothed...then she realized that they were sweating and panting profusely. So the old perv is into that huh?

With a graceful landing she jumped from the tree to stand behind the unsuspecting Jiraya. She waited a few minutes looking over his shoulder, to see if the man would realize her presence. When he had yet to realize, she took it upon herself to glance at the little note book he scribbled into. On the top in chicken scratch read Icha Icha Paradise. She smiled remebering the book that Kakashi carried on his person at all times. It would utterly surprise her if Naruto did not start to take an interest in the book.

Jiraya had handed his perviness down to The Fourth, who in turn gave it to Kakashi, from what she understood. Naruto being the product of both Jiraya and Kakashi's teaching, it was only a matter of time. Clearing her head of her thoughts she coughed lightly. "Pardon me."

Jiraya jumped into the air with a scream before landing hard on his butt. Struggling to regain his breath he looked up at the women who had scared the wits...or lack there of...out of him. She smiled before removing her mask to greet the old Sannin. "I believe that we need to talk."

Jiraya having completely recovered from shock, to notice the very tall, very beautiful woman in front of him, with long legs and unusually purple colored hair, he jumped to his feet with an overly charming smile. Taking her hand lightly before pressing a kiss upon it. "How would you like to be my inspiration for my next book?" Jiraya wiggled his eyesbrows suggestively.

She rolled her eyes before pulling her hand away from his. She was all too uniterested in the man to even pretended harboring such thoughts. "Thank you. But I have already seen your work, and am inclined to say that I am very...unimpressed." Yes she knew she sounded cold, and rude. But she did 'not' lie unless the situation called for it.

Jiraya sneered at the woman before mumbling under his breath "Everybody's a critique." In a louder, friendlier voice he spoke again. "So then what is it we need to 'talk' about?" Jiraya smiled pervertedlly for his tone projected nothing along the lines of wanting to speak.

"Uzamaki Naruto." She stated simply. The boys name did indeed have the desired affect that she had hoped for. Jiraya was no longer in a joking facade. He straightened himself completely his face turning into that of an actual concerened adult.

Jiraya braced himself ready for the worst. Naruto had gotten into trouble. Or worse he had done something that exceeds 'trouble'. He knew he shouldn't have let the boy alone. "What about him?...What's your name anyway?"

"My name is Hi-...Uzuki Yugao. About Naruto...He worries me. After reading earlier reports on Naruto, I've realized that the boy has changed dratically over the 2 and a half years spent with you. Usually I would not care about someone else's student, but with my nee-san spending so much time with him. I think it's my right to ask what happened on your 'trip'."

Jiraya held back his laughter, the girl was so prim and proper. Guess that's what being an ANBU does to you. Then something she said stuck at him. Spending time with her nee-san? "Fine, I will talk to you about it on the grounds that you stop following me around."

Her face was pure shock. He had realized she was watching him? Why did he not say something, attack her? "H-h-hai." 'oh great i'm starting to stutter!'

"Ok good, well then where do I begin?" Jiraya took a seat along with 'Yugao'.

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The ramen bar for some reason just wasn't looking to appealing to him today. His friends were all sitting along the bar waiting for their order to come up. Why was it he felt the need to avoid them? Just thinking about how strange he was acting, even for himself, made him angry. There was something awfully wrong with him, and he would only feel the full effect when Hinata was no where to be found. Why?

"You ok Kit?" Kyuubi asked, obviouly not very concerned.

Naruto ignored his question, and continued to walk. To where, he didnt know. He just let his feet lead him until he ended up at the old bridge. The one team seven met at so often...when there was a team 7. Was that was bothering him so bad, he questioned. The fact that things were no longer the way they used to be...or should be? Naruto scowled as he looked at his reflection shinning at him in the crystal water. No! That wasn't it! He didn't need team 7...or Sasuke, the traitor. He was never like family to him anyway...

"Just keep telling yourself that kit." Kyuubi couldn't help but sneer at how dense the boy had become lately. The answer was so obvious. Why was it he was too dumb to figure it out. There were so many twists and turns in his life, so much pain, Kyuubi had seen that first hand. What he needed to do was to face all of them head on. Not hide behind his anger, or his goofy attention grubbing actions as he had done before. That's why he was getting so worked up! Now add Kyuubi's power to all of that what do you have. The Naruto you see before you!

'Shut up fox!' Naruto's voice held little emotion, since he was barely listening, and not at all interested in what the fox was saying.

"Hey Naruto!" Naruto looked up to see Sakura standing beside him, leaning against the rail. He had been way too deep in thought to even recognize her presence. He looked away from her and back into the water, with not so much as a hello. Hinata was no where to be seen so he didn't have to act like nothing was wrong.

Sakura felt like cold icicles had stabbed right threw her. Did he hate her so much that he wouldn't even say hello? The more she thought about losing her best friend, the more the urge to keep him close overcame her. Why did she suddenly feel so...attracted to Naruto. He had always been there for her. Always helped her...saved her, when Sasuke merely looked out for himself. Then when Sasuke left she cared little about Naruto's feelings or injuries. Instead she asked that he bring back the very person who had hurt her Naruto. Was it guilt that made her feel that she needed to love him...no...it couldn't be.

"Naruto!" Naruto straightened up then turned to Sakura ready to say goodbye and walk away when she lunged into his arms. Within seconds her lips landed on his. Naruto neither moved nor pulled away. He was too confused to even think. What was wrong with her? When he recovered enough from surprise he gently but firmly pressed his hands upon her shoulders and pushed away. "Sakura-Chan what are you doing?"

Sakura could feel the tears burning in her eyes. She didn't dare let them fall. He had pushed her away! "Why...Why NARUTO!" Sakura tried to yell, but it came out as a painful growl.

Naruto was more confused then he had ever been. Why? Why what? "Are you feeling ok? Maybe you should get some rest."

A wave of anger flew over Sakura, her tears flowing down her reddened face. "Why Naruto. Why do you avoid me? Why do you act so cold toward me? Why do you not love me anymore...?" The last question fell from her lips as a whimper.

Naruto was shocked... Had he really been so cruel to her. He did avoid her, still he never thought it would hurt Sakura so much. Especially when she had other things to worry about other than him. Was he so stupid...How many others had he hurt. He had practically told Jiraya he was useless, threatened Ino, ditched his friends numerous times, insulted kiba, erased Okito's memory, made Tsunade feel beneath him, yelled at Hinata numerous times, even insulting her just to get her angry...and still they all stayed beside him...What kind of monster had he become?

Naruto's anger washed away like the tide. Wrapping his arms around Sakura as her tears poured faster. Securing her in his arms, gently soothing her sobs. How could he have let this go so wrong? Had he been so blind that he had not seen what his emotions were doing to all those around him, his precious people? And especially 'her'. Hinata had stuck by him through thick and thin. Never pestering him, calming him when he got too angry, making him feel...important.

Naruto looked back at the girl in his arms. Her sobs were starting to die down now. He had to fix things...to make them right again, even if he was hurting...he couldn't let them suffer along with him. It was just to bad that it took Sakura breaking down to make him realize his mistake. "Sakura-Chan I love you."

Sakura moved out of Naruto's embrace, wiping her tears with a smile. She had acted so stupid! Falling into tears over something so stupid. Naruto smiled back "But just as a friend Sakura-Chan."

Sakura laughed, nodding her head in agreement. "Of course...G-gomen Naruto-kun. I-I didn't mean..."

"No harm done Sakura-Chan!" Naruto struck the good guy pose that reminded Sakura so much of a green clad ninja. "Besides who could resist right?" Naruto smiled arrogantly before flexing to show off his muscles.

"Ha! Yeah right ramen head." Sakura said feeling better than she had since the festival. The both of them laughed before going there seperate ways. Promising to meet up again, to start their training once again. Right where they had left off.

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Hinata sat inside her bedroom. The door locked, the lights turned off, a blanket over the window to block out any kind of sunshine. Her suitcases from Naruto's house laid in the corner, thrown away carelessly. Hinata stared at the picture in her hands. The same one she had sworn to forget Naruto on! Why had she not listened to herself?! This was the one promise she should have kept. Now what? What was she supposed to do? All this time, he had seemed to care for her...even love her...She was such a fool?

"Sakura-Chan I love you."

The words echoed through her mind. He had said the very words that Hinata had hoped and prayed to hear from him...to Sakura, embracing her tenderly. It was all too much for Hinata to soak in. She ran as fast as she could directly to Naruto's apartment, a habit that had formed over the months. It only took her moments to decide that she had to leave. Her anger had risen so high she was afraid she might take it out on Okito, who had been pestering her about what was wrong.

After fooling Jiraya into telling her about Naruto, she had ran to find the boy. Hoping to share something with him, or even hug him. Through the conversation she had inadvertanly found out why Okito had called Naruto fox boy. But here she sat depressed, crying her heart out over him, feeling betrayed, angrIer than she had ever felt...and still she could not hate him. Correction she still loved him even more so now that she found out about the Kyuubi..

Before she could lose her nerve she ripped the picture right down the middle. Seperating her 12 year old self from Naruto. It didn't matter anyway...he loved Sakura. How could she have been so naive as to think she could compete with Sakura. She let the torn picture fall from her hands as she held her face crying her eyes out. Both pieces floated gently toward the floor, landing right next to each other, smiling up at the distraut girl as if it had never been torn apart in the first place

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"Hinata?" Naruto opened the door to his apartment, calling out for his roommate, only to be greeted by silence. Scanning the room he found that the living room was empty. Where were all of Hinata's things? 'Maybe she just decided to restock or something. Naruto walked into the kitchen, making himself some lunch before plopping down on the couch to watch some television. While he waited for Hinata to come back. He needed to to talk to her urgently.

Naruto looked up toward the clock. It was 8:00 o'clock at night already...where was she? She usually swung by occasionally during the day for one thing or another, but he had yet to even see her. A restlessness started to creep up his spine. 'Maybe she decided to stay at Yugao's tonight' he thought. It was possible. She did go home occasionally to stay with her 'Onee-san'...still she usually told him when she would leave.

"Why don't you just go talk to her there baka!" Kyuubi hissed.

'...good idea' Naruto thought before standing to leave. Kyuubi was a little surprised to say the least. Naruto agreeing with him, could only mean that something was off...this was not good, a definite bad omen.

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Naruto knocked on the door to Yugao's house. He waited a few minutes but no one answered. He concentrated his hearing, then realized that there was alot of noise coming from inside...it sounded like...Karaoke, and some bad singing. Naruto knocked again, louder. It was a few minutes before he heared some shuffling feet, a curtain was drawn back then closed once again.

Hinata had been sitting on the couch beside Kurenai, Shino, and Yugao. With Okito purring like a cat in her lap, watching as Kiba made a bad attempt to sing. All of them laughing at his highpitched screetching voice, still she had to give him some credit. He didn't let there comments bother him, she would have passed out from embarassement already. She sighed contently catching a reasuring smile from Yugao who had come home early to find Hinata in shambles. She had tried everything to make Hinata feel better, until deciding a fun night was what she needed.

Hinata thought she had heard something but ignored it. Then she heard it again, louder, it was a knock at the door. She sat Okito aside then walked to the door, peeking through the curtains she glimced at 'him'. How dare he show up here! Hinata flung the curtains back shut then turned to walk away, but stopped. She was being petty. She was so angry with him...but it wasn't because she hated him...it was because she loved him. Still she had every right to be upset!

She turned back toward the door then opened it with a huge, completely fake smile. "Oh, Hello Naruto."

Naruto? Where was the kun suffix she so affectionately added to his name? Oh well, he had to focus. "Hey Angel W-..."

"Hinata." She cut him off abrupty correcting him. No humor slipping through her voice what-so-ever.

Naruto furrowed his brows? That was the first time she had ever protested to his nickname for her...what was bothering her? "Right...Hinata-Chan Ar-..."

"Hinata." She corrected him once again. There was no Chan exsistant any longer.

Naruto narrowed his eyes starring down at her. What was wrong with her? Since when did she not allow him to use Chan when reffering to her. "What?"

"My name is Hinata...not Angel or Hinata-Chan." Hinata kept as much of her stone face as she could manage. This was hurting her so much inside, but she was to angry to back down.

"Fine then Hinata!" Naruto spit out venomously before continuing. "Are you staying at Yugao's house tonight?"

Hinata nodded as her only response. Naruto nodded then tried giving her his best smile, Hinata could feel her grip on the anger melting, but she held firm. "Ok then i'll see you towmorrow. Will you need help with your stuff?"

"No" Hinata stated simply. She was trying to avoid speaking as much as possible. Why was it that her attempt to hurt Naruto the same way she had been hurt, was retaliating. She was the one feeling the pain, she hated acting like this toward him. But she couldn't bring herself to speak or even act friendly toward him.

"Ok then... well I thought we could watch some movies towmorrow. If you don't have a mission. " Naruto asked with his fox grin.

Hinata could feel the tears welling up behind her eyes, threatening to spill at any moment. Why! Why, did she have to love him so much? "I-I'll be here tomorrow as well."

"Ok then...the next night." Naruto suggested. "Their romance flicks, you like those don't you?"

Hinata clentched her fists at her side. How could he act like nothing had happened. That he had never told Sakura that he loved her. "I'll be here that night, as well as the next, and the day after that, and every day after that."

"What are you saying?" Naruto moved a little closer to Hinata, scowling as she stepped away from him.

"Why don't you ask Sakura to watch them." Hinata tried to act as if she didn't care, but the malice slipped right through her voice.

Naruto blinked rapidly in confusion. Sakura? Where had that come from...the only time he ever really talked to the girl in the past few months was today at the... Oh Kami, thats why she was angry? Had she not heard what he said? He had told Sakura straight out that he loved her only as a friend.

"Of course she didn't hear baka. She had walked by right when you told Sakura that you loved her then ran off!" Kyuubi stated as if it should have been plainly obvious. Angering Naruto, the damn fox had senced her, and he couldn't even tell him that she was near. This was a huge mess.

"Hinata I can explain! I do love Sakura but..." Naruto tried frantically to explain, only to have Hinata cut him off.

She tried to hold her voice back but it came blasting out, she tried to hold back her tears but they came gushing out. "No need Uzamaki-San. I heard you loud and clear." Without another word she slammed the door as hard as she could. Turning on her heels she ran to her room. Her friends watched as she ran sobbing into her arms. Then back to the door as they heard Naruto shouting.

"Hinata! Hinata I can explain!" Naruto waited but there was no answer. He had messed things up royally. He sighed before walking away from the house, back toward his apartment. The streets were now dark, eeirely quiet, and a very painful reminder of how alone he felt at that very moment. His apartment was no better. The rooms were so dark, and forboding now that she was gone. He really was the idiot everyone claimed him to be.

There it is the 9th chapter of Appearances Can Decieve...so what did you think? Good? Bad? I need to know! It helps give me inspiration! Again sorry if there are any spelling mistakes.

Yugao: "Next time on Appearances Can Decive! The chuunin exams have begun. The tension is fierce between the shinobi, especially were two certain kids are concerened. What awaits Naruto, Hinata and Ino in the exams? Will it be a success, or an utter failure. And do we finally get to see what kind of power Naruto has?"

Naruto: "Hey! wait a minute! This can't be the end! YOU PROMISED A LEMON!!!"

Hinata: "L-le-lemon...with N-naruto-Kun..." (turns bright red then faints)

SR: "No I said I was thiiiiinkin about making a lemon." (devious smile)

Hinata: (Recovers only to faint once again)

Naruto: (flailing his arms wildely) You LIED TO ME!

Okito: (whines) "You can't do a lemon! I need more air time!!!! The viewers love me the most!!!"

Naruto & SR: "Shut up!" (arguing ensues)

Hinata: (still passed out, blissfully smiling with some blood coming from her nose)

Yugao: (Smiles)... "See ya next time!!!!!"...( joins the fight)