Disclaimer: I do not in any form own anything in the Naruto series. I simply just write fanfiction.
A/N: I really had never thought this story would end up being popular. So I guess I gave up posting stories, and in the past few months I started to miss doing it. I also feel bad leaving people that actually liked this story in the dark. But stuff happens in life we can't avoid, and sometimes reality is a pain in the ass. I am currently on the verge of job hunting since I moved to a new province ( Yes I'm Canadian), and I figured I would post what I had written for the next chapter in this fan fiction.
As I am writing this on the computer from paper, I see I need to re-read this as I TOTALLY forget what exactly this story's direction was heading in, and what I had in store. The next chapter will be worked on soon, although posting it will be a long time. And I will not forget to answer reviews good or bad. But that will come at a much LATER date, well next chapter.
When I am able to get my own place and a stable job, I do plan on re-starting my fan fiction since I guess it is a hobby of mine. Anyways enough of my blabbering. ON TO TEH FLUFFIEZ!
Chapter 3: The difference between a boy and a man
Naruto began walking around the village as butterflies bounced around in his stomach as he felt mixed feelings of the event that took place; Hinata kissing him, and on top of that there was a upcoming festival and she wanted him to go with her. For once in his life, besides his sensei, he felt like someone had cared for him. To him it was hard to explain or come to terms with, and to this point, this is how he had felt about the recent events.
He ventured deeper into the city, as people began to notice his presence, but there was something unusual about the village knuckle-head that all the watching villagers couldn't quite think of. Also the fact he was calm really threw off people. Normally, in the past they grew accustomed (to a point) of his pranks and loud and obnoxious voice bellowing out through all the streets from a prank that had back fired on him, or because he was excited about an event that happened in the city limits. Another one Naruto's usual emotion he showed was sadness as he skulked about in the town. Of course this is when the citizens felt they could take their anger and frustrations out on the boy, and he would offer little resistance. This made the villagers uncertain how to react. But Naruto paid next to no attention to them. He had much more important matters on his mind at the time. Like if he should actually go to the festival or not, and what he should say to Hinata. Part of him WANTED to believe that it was true, but a bit of him was cautious and felt it could be a ploy by the others to get back at him. As he continued his walk, he came across an all too familiar sight, the academy grounds. Naruto walked towards the play area. The emptiness of it made him feel a bit homely mixed with a little loneliness. He scanned the area as he smiled at the lone wooden swing. He would watch the students he grew up with surpass him in more ways than one.
He casually jumped the fence, as he ran over to sit on it. The ropes he could tell were still the same and they held him up well. His past tried and tried to creep into the back of his mind. But there was a sun that would keep fighting them off. This sun was, none other than, Hinata. Even if she wasn't around him, she was doing so much for him. Her ever positive attitude towards him and others radiated brightly as the dark past never stood a chance. It would have been like placing Konohamaru against Neji Hyuuga in a fight to the death. It stood no chance at all. He began thinking of the chunin exams, his days at the academy, graduating from it, meeting Kakashi and completing the various tasks and missions anded out from the 'old man' and Tsunade. He laughed at the good times and through away the bad memories with the help of his sun.
Naruto then began walking towards his apartment, after he had leapt over the fence once again. He really didn't want to be alone in hs apartment since he grew accustomed to sharing a room with the 'pervy sage' for a while during his training and the thought of not not having someone around made him feel lonely, but also a bt more mature. Or at least that's what Naruto thought is was.
Little did Naruto know… someone was watcing him. This person happened to be no shinobi or enemy. It was a regular civilan girl that lived in the village. Her puppy quietly walked up to her side as it too was in the very same area as Naruto. As it walked over to the girl, it limped very slightly. Being a poor orphan and limited to contact outside of the orphanage, she had been unable to tell Naruto himself of her feelings. Her eyes blurred. Her hope walked away. A tear rolled violently down her cheek, as she felt her soul crushed by the Hyuuga. As it reached the bottom of her cheek, slowly it fell off and the saline liquid splash unto the dry ground. She had also dispaeared with the dog before it had hit the ground.
Naruto was about to exit his aparatment, as he finally gained enough strength to actually go to the festival. As he opened his door, he was greeted by a white beast, that viciously attacked the well dressed yellow haired jinchuuriki with a wet and warm tongue. Naruto easily could tell it was Akamaru, so he knew Kiba would be around somehwere. A frog manage to catch itself in his throat. If Kiba is here… maybe… Hinata is here to.
Naruto's laughter soon stopped, as a happy Akamaru barked a few times playfully, as Kiba was laughing. Another person behind him was laughing also, but Naruto was unable to tell who it was. It was definitly a females laugh though. "Hey Naruto, I see you've met Hinata since you got back. I'm glad you guys are actually doing this since well… the rest of the rookie nine and Team Gai (Thanks to Neji) all knew you guys had a mutual feeling for each other. I hope you guys really enjoy yourselves at the dance tonight! Anyways me and Akamaru need to go and finish getting ready. By the way, there is someone here who wants to see you!"
Kiba winked at Naruto as he quickly mounted Akamaru's large body frame, and with one leap, Akamaru and Kiba disappeared into the darkness of the night. Naruto had almost lost track of what time it actually was, until he saw the duo disappear. Then his attention turned towards the silhouette. Naruto was unable to determine who was actually the silhouette. Slowly he and the Silhouette managed to approach each other slowly. In a sense, Naruto had sort sensed who it might be, but the dress silhouette kept him from saying Hinata. She wouldn't wear a dress… would she? He thought as he saw the light now shine on the the females dress, inching up ever closely to her arms. Narutos mouth dropped as he felt speechless. It was a yukata with victorian like details, all in a violet-blue, lavender or indigo like color. He wasn't sure what specific color it was since he wasn't good with colors and the fact it was a little dark to tell. Eventually he saw the blushing face of the one he couldn't get out his head. "Naruto you look very handso…"
Before an extremly nervous Hinata could finish her sentence she was attacked by Naruto; glomped. She had froze. Hinaa also noticed something unusual about Naruto. He was breathing deeply, as she felt a warm liquid touch her shoulder. It was he first time he had cried on someones shoulder. She then placed her arms around his sobbing torso, as she held him tightly, as two little slitherly snakes that secreted from her eyes made there way down her face and onto the yellow haird boy. They weren't tears of sadness, but that of joy. She grabbed and held Naruto tightly, hoping she could help with his sorrows as she laid her head on his shoulder.
Naruto himself was a bit… taken back. This was a new thing for him. He didn't want to do this, but, it felt like he should. And he felt a little bit better. Having a relationship this close with anyone felt amazing to him. A friend he could actually talk to. Naruto did have a friend in the 'last' of the Uchihia's clan, but that was more of a rivalry, and they usually never got along with each other. Both parties tightened their grips on each other. Finally Naruto let his whimpers escalate in a more loud manner that made Hinata clinch her eyes, wishing she could help him feel better.
Hinata was a little scared, and worried about Naruto. The way he was crying, you could mistaken it for someone that was hurt. She was used to comforting people, especially in much more intense and serious positions. Also to add, at this point, Hinata had lost her nervousness completely. Her mind was completely clear. She could think straight. And the first that came to mind was to try and comfort Naruto. She felt it was cute, but it hurt her to see someone she liked and loved in pain like they were. "Naruto-kun, you can tell me anything that's on your mind. I am here to listen. No one will hurt you. I promise."
Naruto tried to regain his composure. Little did he know he had soaked Hinata's yukata, making it resemble for indigo then before. He managed to lift his from her right shoulder. "I'm Sorry. I didn't mean to cry like that… it's just… you're the first person Hinata. The first person that talked to me more then an accomplice. Someone who wanted to be a close friend. And… now that I know what it's like… I don't want to let it go. I don't want to lose you." Sniffled Naruto, as he managed to look up her pale lookin eyes.
Hinata only gigled. She thought he was being a typical 'boy' as to say, but wen se tought about it, he didn't have close friends. The only closest people she could think of was Sasuke and maybe Jiraiya or Iruka, but they were more guardians to Naruto then friends. It clued in that Naruto was struggling with the fact he experinced a new feeling, and he had enjoyed it to a point he felt clingy. Maybe he loved her as much as she loved him, although she had yet heard those words from his mouth. Just then two figures appeared. They were part of the Hyuuga tribe. They were Jonin level as Hinata gasped and let go of Naruto.
Naruto around to see them. "Hinata Hyuuga, you are here by requested by the Hyuuga Elders to return to the clan home and furthermore stay away from the jinchuuriki known as Naruto Uzumaki. He is not worthy to be an heir to the seat of the Hyuuga as this is the final word of the elder. Currently your father is being held hostage, as he shared you very opinion on the matter. Now, lady Hinata, you should come with us back to the Hyuuga compound, or you could be scolded by the Hyuuga council."
Naruto clenched his fists tightly, as the tears found another way to creep back. He felt so extremly hopeless at this point. He couldn't think of anything to do. But he wanted to be there for Hinata, and he knew she wanted him by her side. What he was about to say was going to hurt her, but it was the best thing he could come up with. It would buy him some time to figure out something. "Hinata… you should go for now…"
With this Naruto quickly hugged Hinata. She couldn't believe her ears. All this time. All this work. For nothing now. "Hinata, please don't be sad, but make them believe you are sad. I PROMISE to figure out something. Hinata… I want to spend my life with you. I Love you."
Hinata was at a quick loss as to how to react to the information she received. Part of her felt sad, happy, disgruntled, annoyed, and angry. Naruto broke the hug and ran away, as he nodded at a face that sport two red fang tattoos on his face.
Kiba quickly jumped down to 'comfort' the 'hurt' Hyuuga. Naruto had anticipated this from the start as Jiraiya and Kakashi and Iruka all had explained the Hyuuga hierarchy. Summed up, they wanted their 'branches' to be pure, strong, powerful with no room for weak people. The conidered Naruto a weak being that is cursed with un surmountable power making him appear stronger then he really is. Naruto had thought outside the box this time around. He wasn't the same knuckle-head he once was.
Naruto had arrived at the Nara properity. Without hesitation, he had grabbed his report papers from a makeshift mission he received from Sakura a while back. He began knocking several times as a unimpressed black hair man and a blond haired woman answered the door. "uh…Hey Naruto… sorry but me and Temari are about to head to the festival in a few minutes…"
Naruto quickly pulled three things out of his bag. His sweater, head band and a paper that was stamped with K.I.A. Shikamaru was confused as Temari also tried to understand the situation, and began to ready herself for what she thought could be a fight. Before anything could happen, something fell inside Shikamaru's house. Both turned to see what it was. Shikamaru quickly turned his attention back to the front door. "This is not good. Soemthing is wrong. And I think it may have to do with the Hyuuga clan. Naruto might be making the biggest mistake of his life."
Naruto spent several minutes near the outskirts of the forest. He was changing his attire. He had some accessories that he acquired. But before he could do anything, he was met with an open palm attack. Naruto flew backwards as the thrusts sent him crashing into a tree. He tried to keep his eyes open to focus on his enemy. It was none other then Neji Hyuuga. He tried to attack but he couldn't his plan was foiled. He lost his will. He held back the Kyuubi as he heard the beasts cries. He wanted to end his life. The ONE and ONLY person he had felt had cared about him. He wanted it all to end.
Neji was torn. He didn't want to see his cousin and Naruto remain so unhappy. He was one of the few that knew before the others. He knew how much Hinata loved him, and just how oblivious Naruto was. He had helped her manage her feelings towards Naruto after the Chunin exams and help build her self confidence up. And to see it all crumble around her… it was painful. Neji had recently been adopted to Hiashi an started to view Hinata as a close sibling. He watched Naruto look blankly into Neji's byakugan activated eyes, and Neji felt a tear escape. Just a tear. No emotions. As he lunged forward with a thrust and managed to stop inches in front of Naruto's chest; right where his heart would be. He was going for the kill. Neji breathed heavily as Naruto watched the lone tear roll off his face and onto the ground.
"You don't know how happy I was for you and Hinata… When you came back I was the most happy for you both. I know Hinata's struggles because I was there. She was the one that watched you and was too scared to admit things to you. But to see it finally happen I felt releif. Because I knew you could protect her, and help her develop into the beautiful blossomed flower she could be."
Neji lowered is thrusted hand from his position and deactivated his kekkai genkai. He felt ashamed and torn between fighting between fighting for his stable clan or his newly found friend in Naruto, the one who helped him on his way to making the clan more stable. "Naruto, you are such a funny person. You never show fear regardless of the situation. You take it as you come, but here you show fear. Why?"
The tears rolled of the blonde haired boys face. "Because Hinata is the first person… to accept me when everyone hated me. You know what it was like to feel the same Neji. Lose the one that loved and cherished you. Hinata is that person. You know it. So if I can't live with her or be with her, I'd rather have a close friend of mine take my life then have the monsters take it from me. Please Neji. Just end this life."
Neji was clenching his teeth as hard as he could. He was pissed off now because he now felt weak to losing to an immature knuckle-head. Neji lost his temper. He pulled back his armed and began to throw a haymaker at Naruto. Naruto only closed his eyes again. Before the punch connected, Neji fought off his anger and held it back. His anger made his body shake. "Naruto… you are unbeleivable. You would sooner give on someone that you actually found. Unlike you Naruto, I can't bring back my deceased father. I can never be by his side and brag about my acheivments. You… are faced with an obstacle. I was faced with a boulder. Yes I made my way over it, but it took a lot and someone I valued a lot is gone forever. You havn't lost Hinata. You are facing a obstacle… stand up and be the man that you used to be instead of this boy. I would not waste a kill on a boy. Killing a boy proves nothing."
Naruto looked up to see the backside of Neji. In an instant he dispappeared. Without any hesitation. Naruto looked at the ground, as he now felt lost. He manage to pick himself up as he began walking to the village when he saw an image he thought he never would see.
Each step he took, he could not get his mind to wrap around what it was he truly saw. The ground was stained. With strands of indigo indigo. Those starnds belonged to someone he treasured very much. He ran oer to Hinata's side, as she he saw three stab wounds. A crowd was now gathering. The Hyuuga's and Neji were trying to get to the motionless body, but various jonin and ANBU black ops arrived on the scene blocking them from the site. Naruto kneeled down and touched the side of her face while brushing it through her long hair. She reached up and grabbed his hand and held it tightly and smiled at him. "Naruto… don't be scared."
This sent Naruto over the edge. He looked up as his face began to viciously change thanks to the manipulation of the kyuubi chakra. He looked over and saw a girl roughly the same age as Hinata. She had dirty brown hair, and judging from the dirty robe, she was somewhat poor. But her face told a different story. And the weapon in her hands was more then enough to indicate she had a part in this. "Naruto," the girl began, "Come with me and leave behind all this mess. Leave behind the Hidden leaf village and become my lover. Together we can defeat the Akastuki and the Konohagakure. Together we will live in hapiness…"
Before anything else, three things happened. The girl feinted after the last sentence. She was indeed the girl that follow Naruto earlier at the academy. Naruto lost his emper and let the cursed fox overwhelm him and has about to unleash hell on the very village he always swore to protect. The last thing was the festival was officially called off and postponed. The coldness of the night and the distant moon indicated that this was going to be a long night for the whole Konohagakure.