Legend:
-Thoughts-
Narration
"Talking"
(With Certain Character or Scene Change)

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Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or anything relating to it, but I do own this plot!

I Always Knew

Chapter 5: A Not So Happy Reunion

When morning came the first thing that Naruto did after getting ready for the day was to take a walk around the village. The first thing that he noticed was that the people's stares were no longer the hateful glares that he was use to, but ones of disappointment. Feeling uneasy he went to Ichiraku only to find that the old man and his daughter were the same, though they still served him and accepted his money. When he went to the training grounds to see how Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji were doing he was met with the same looks. "Hey," Naruto greeted solemnly with none of the energy that he use to have.

To them Naruto was no longer the boisterous and warm boy that he once was, but a weary and cold man trying to pretend to be the same person he was when he left. Softening their looks slightly they gathered around the man and greeted him warmly as though he had never been away. "Thanks guys," Naruto whispered -I can't believe that they're still willing to treat me the same even after they found out about Kyuubi and what I did to Hinata-.

"No problem buddy," Shikamaru whispered back -Man he looks like shit, he probably hasn't had a good snooze in a while-.

"Sooo, how's it going? I bet you have loads of stories of all the adventures you had that you're just dieing to tell us," Ino suggested with a wide grin -Naruto never could pass up talking about himself and making himself look like the big hero of whatever story he told-.

"Actually, I'd like to hear of how you guys have been doing, I mean that's why I came here," Naruto grinned happily -I wonder how things were going when I left. When Sasuke ran off a lot of people were sad, I wonder if my friends were the same way-.

"Well if you really want to know what's been going on I'll tell you, Shikamaru and Ino finally got together like you said," Choji blurted earning surprised glances for Naruto and a smack in the head for himself from Ino.

"Hey I'm not blind you know, so how long did it take after I left?" Naruto questioned excitement filling his voice.

"A little over a year," Shikamaru answered confused -What else could he have seen that he never told us about? Does he know about Hinata's feelings for him as well?-.

"Here's your prize," Choji stated in defeat handing Naruto a sealed envelope.

"What's in there?" Ino inquired as calmly as she could -If those idiots bet any money on us it's mine-.

"Every unused free ramen ticket to Ichiraku's that Choji could find until I returned," Naruto replied casually -Looks like I'll be eating good for a while-.

"Why? How?" Shikamaru asked suspiciously.

"Well you see, I caught Naruto leaving the village five years ago and he said that he was leaving for a mission and so he wouldn't be back for a long time and we got to talking and sort of thought that we should make a bet to see how long it would take for you guys to get together. Naruto said that it would be between the first and second year that he left and I said that it would be before the first year was even up. I was supposed to get money to put a down payment on a house," Choji replied sheepishly.

"Is that all we are to you guys! Money and ramen!" Ino shouted at the two as Shikamaru muttered about her making a big deal over nothing.

"Yo! Hey Naruto! How's it been!" Kiba yelled from across the training grounds with Akamaru, Hinata, and Shino in tow.

"Hey Kiba, Shino, Akamaru, and Hinata," Naruto greeted in turn -She's even more beautiful than when I last saw her, she probably has a boyfriend by now or maybe even a fiancé, but if that were true why would Sakura say that she needs me and why does she look so despondent-.

At his greeting everyone froze with fear and turned to Hinata to see what she would do. "Who is this that he thinks he can address me so informally," Hinata demanded of the others -He may be disrespectful, but I cannot deny that he is quite handsome. I wonder why he looks so forlorn-.

"My apologies Hyuga-sama, I forgot my place for a moment I assure you that it will not happen again," Naruto said with a respectful bow -That was a major reality check. I think I'm beginning to see what Sakura was talking about. This may be more troublesome than I had first anticipated-.

"Good see to it, now I should like to know as to whom you would be since you already seem to know who I am," she inquired adequately satisfied causing relived sighs from their friends surrounding them -It seems as though he has been taught the ways of the nobility, very impressive-.

"Naruto Uzumaki, container of Kyuubi the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox my lady," he replied taking another bow -The Hinata I knew would never use her status as an heiress to elevate herself above others, she would rather have dismissed titles altogether-.

"Oh, so you are the one that everyone is saying that I was in love with. Would you mind telling me how that is possible when this is our first meeting?" Hinata asked -Though it feels as if I've known him for a lifetime; I can see right through his façade-.

-It seems like she can still recognize me. I don't know whether that's a good or bad thing- With a sad smile he replied, "Hyuga-sama you would not believe me even if I told you so if you would please disregard everything that your friends have told you about me and may we begin anew?"

"I believe that would be a great pleasure, why don't you come to the Hyuga estate for tea tomorrow? I believe that my father would take a great liking to," she inquired.

"My lady you are too kind, it would be an honor. Now what has been going on with you guys," Naruto asked turning his attention back to the rest of his friends.

Quickly all of his friends made up excuses and left leaving only him and Hinata. "I apologize, but I too must now take my leave. My father is expecting me at home for training soon and I do not wish to be late," she said after a few uncomfortable minutes of silence and left before he could say a word.

"I never imagined that things would turn out like this. Was what I asked her to do really so horrible that she had to lock away her heart to keep from falling apart?" Naruto asked the gentle breeze going by.

After standing there for a few minutes longer and not getting any sort of answer he left himself. Naruto spent the rest of the day in his apartment and left only when the sun had set to Sasuke's home for he couldn't bare to be alone that night.