Id like to take a moment to thank everyone who has stuck with me from the beginning. It started off pretty slow and the chapters weren't very long. But id like to announce that the official NaruHina fluff begins now! Yay! Don't get too excited. Hey aint going to kiss for a while. Im still trying to keep it as real and close to the real anime as possible.And btw only 10 reviews left until my big 100! Review often if u want the reward for being the 100th review. I will also give out rewards for the 200th review and so on. Good Luck and lets begin the fluff!

Disclaimer: Naruto's isn't dense just because he is blonde! There are plenty of smart blondes in the anime … like Ino…. oh wait… or tsunade…damnit… or… temari… oh crap… . ok so there aren't a lot of smart blondes. Sigh…

Chapter 12

As Naruto started to wake up, he felt a familiar presence. He looked around, having no clue where he was. He was in the hospital, but he wasn't alone. Hinata was sitting in a chair right next to the side of Naruto's bed.

"H-Hinata…?" Naruto said as he fought with exhaustion. "How long have I been out?"

Hinata opened her mouth to reply, but an idea popped into her head. She might not get another opportunity like this.

"I'm so sorry, Naruto.." Hinata whispered as her eyes filled with tears. "They weren't able to save your legs."

"WHAT?!" Naruto screamed as he ripped back the covers. His legs were still there… he lifted one to test it… then he lifted the other one.

He looked back at Hinata only to see that she had fallen out of her chair due to a fit of laughter.

"That wasn't fair, Hinata! Picking on the injured like that!"

Hinata started to calm down. "I'm sorry, Naruto. I couldn't resist. A-Anyway, you have only been unconscious for a few hours."

"So you thought it would be fun to scare me half to death after I woke up from a battle like that…. wait… how did I get here?"

"Well… Kakashi showed up and carried you back here. He explained everything."

Naruto's eyes widened with surprise and worry. "E-Everything…?"

"Yeah…"

"So… you know about the…"

"Yeah…"

An awkward silence passed between them, neither wanting to speak.

Naruto finally broke the silence. "So I guess you don't want to be friends anymore…" Naruto whispered painfully.

Hinata reached over and grabbed Naruto's hand. "Of course I do!"

Naruto looked into her eyes, amazed.

"I don't completely understand it, but the way I see it you aren't the kyuubi. You are Naruto Uzumaki. You have been through so much; you've been through pain that I can't even imagine. But more importantly, you are my friend and that will never change."

Naruto's eyes were filled with tears. "H-Hinata… I-"

"May I come in?"

Naruto quickly wiped his eyes and Hinata, realizing she was still holding Naruto's hand, quickly droped it and backed away, blushing.

"Go ahead!" Naruto called out.

The door opened and Sakura stepped in with a clipboard held to her chest.

"Hey Naruto! I pulled some strings so I could be your nurse!"

Naruto glanced at Hinata before replying. "That's… nice."

Sakura missed his hesitation as well as the blush on Hinata's face. (I know. Shes such a great ninja… so observant…)

"I know! Anyway I'll need to give you a quick examination. Just to make sure everything's where it's supposed to be."

She reached over and grabbed onto Naruto's arm. "I'm going to check your pulse so take a deep breath… now let it out slowly… ok and now… wait… what is this, Naruto?!"

Sakura had noticed the intense burns all over Naruto's arms, caused by Naruto's use of the Kyuubi's chakra."

Naruto laughed nervously. " Uh… well … you see…"

Hinata quickly spoke up. "Naruto got badly injured by a rogue ninja'a fire technique."

"Is that it, Naruto?"

Naruto starred at Hinata for a second. "Uh… yea… that's what happened."

"Well, you don't have to be so embarrassed. Everyone has an off day every now and then. Even the incredible Naruto!" Sakura laughed.

"The burns aren't too serious." Sakura said. "They should heal in a few days." She got up and walked to the door. "Well, it's a busy day so I'd better be going. Later!" She waved and walked out the door, closing it behind her."

Naruto turned his attention back to Hinata. "Hinata! Why did you…?"

"Let's just keep the whole kyuubi thing our little secret. You don't have to tell anyone else until you're ready."

"Thanks Hinata. I don't what I'd do without you."

Hinata blushed. Her confidence started to fade away. "I-It's n-nothing!"

"No! I'm serious" Naruto raised his right hand and began to count off his fingers. "You gave me that medicine after my fight with Kiba. That stuff really works! Then, you offered to let me cheat off you in the Chuunin exams. You also were able to give me the courage to fight Neji with all my might. I was only able to beat him because of your inspiration! Then there was the whole Bichuu bug thing! That was all your idea!"

"N-No… Shino helped…"

"But it was still you who forced him to tell Tsunade about it. You made it all possible, even if it ended in a failure because of me. I mean you were even able to beat that giant bee thing with that amazing jitsu! And you're a wonderful cook." Naruto was surprised that he had run out of fingers on his right hand so he held up his left one and continued to count.

"Then you believed me instead of Kiba on that treasure hunt mission. That mean a lot to me. Not a lot of people trust me. You also saved my life when I fought against that magnetic guy. You also managed to save my headband. That's important too! And every time I was in the hospital, you came to visit me and you even brought flowers! Then you helped me with my chakra training…" Naruto was again surprised as he ran out of fingers. He reached over and grabbed Hinata's hand, causing her to blush deeply. He continued to count on her fingers.

"You were always there when I need to talk. And now you are even helping me keep my secret. You truly are my best friend!"

Hinata's blushed deepened and she began to have trouble breathing.

"You have done so much for me! But… But I hardly ever do anything for you, Hinata." Naruto's face saddened.

That's not true. You help me everyday of my life. Just the thought of you fills me with strength and confidence. I was only able to get stronger because of you!

At least that's what Hinata wanted to say. Come on Hinata! Tell him how you feel! Tell him!

"Naruto… I-I …. I"

"Hmm? What is it, Hinata?"

Hinata's face reddened and she could no longer look Naruto in the eye.

"I..uh… I-I… I have to go to the bathroom!" she yelled and ran out of the room.

Guess she really had to go! Naruto looked over and noticed something shining on his hand. He pulled his hand closer to examine it. Hmm? Water? No wait… its tears! Hinata… is she crying?"

Meanwhile, Hinata was in the bathroom wiping her eyes. Stupid! Why can't I tell him how I feel?

She dried her face and headed back to Naruto's room.

As she walked back in, Naruto noticed the weariness in her step and the faint bags under her eyes. Her eyes were also red and puffy. Wow. She looks exhausted. She really needs a break.

"Hey, Hinata? Are you busy tomorrow?"

No… Kuranai is on a mission so my schedule is pretty much blank."

"Good. Can you meet me outside my house at 9 a.m. tomorrow? Oh and bring some lunch, you really are a great cook!"

Hinata blushed. "Um… what for, Naruto?"

Naruto grinned broadly. "Why for our date of course!"

Date? Hinata's entire face turned a deep crimson. I have a d-date with Naruto?

Naruto smiled again and Hinata, unable bear it any longer, passed out.

"Wow! I just thought I'd try to cheer her up. She must be really tired!"

Guess I'd better take her home. Naruto got out of bed and picked up Hinata. He placed her on his back and jumped out of his window and into the night.

As you can all see, Naruto is still as dense as ever. And don't read to much into Naruto's choice of words. He is just being a goofball, as always.

Next time: In honor of my 10,000 hits and 100 reviews I will present you all with my longest chapter ever and it will be FLUFFY!! nn