Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Hinata

What am I doing?

A single smile. Is that really all it took? Was I really this weak? For the walls I built to protect myself, did I tear them down for him? A bastard like him? I don't trust you, Naruto. Not after what you did to me. But your smile? I trust that at the very least. Even if that smile were to lie to me, I don't think I would ever be able to tell.

But why should I? Why should I give you a second chance? What do I do? Because that smile that gave me strength, hope, and happiness also gave me pain and suffering.

"Hinata? Hinata, it's gonna burn." I shook myself from my thoughts to see smoke rise from the stove in front of me. Naruto had quickly run to my side to turn off the stove. I had just remembered. I was cooking dinner for us. Homemade ramen is what he requested. "Just like old times," He had said.

Old times? You mean the times you would talk about Sakura, while I listened?

"Oi, Hinata. Is your head screwed on right? You coulda burned this entire apartment building down!" He snickered at his joke. A blush crept on my face, "Shut up!" I tried to giggle for the first time in a long time.

That's right. I can't forgive you.

So I'll build new walls.

Stronger walls.

I'll play with you.

Until you think that you're guilt has washed away.

So you can run back to Sakura as soon as possible.

And then I'll crush the both of you.

Right where you stand.

"So, Ino's having this barbecue thing at that restaurant that had it's reopening. Would you wanna go with me later?" I looked up to see a nervous Naruto scratching the back of his ear as he asked. I set the ramen on the table. "Wasn't invited." I replied simply as I adverted my gaze again. "But would it really matter?" He questioned again when I rejected the invitation. I sat down and began eating before him. He noticed and sat down as well. "That's fine, I guess. Looks like I'm going to have to bother you all night." I looked up to see he was giving me a joking smile. "No, you should go Naruto. You were invited after all." I tried to give him a supporting smile.

"Oi, by the way, Hana's 2nd birthday is coming up soon. Are you going to visit Kurenai?" Naruto had asked casually with a mouthful. I wondered if he knew. I wondered if he realized that I hadn't spoken to anyone for over a year. My only regret is that I even blocked her out. The one who acted as my mother after my real one died. I didn't even see to it that her and her daughter were safe.

"Oh, yeah." I quickly lied to cover the guilt attempting to wash over me. "I was actually going to visit her tonight."

"That's good, I'll go with you, then."

"No, go to the barbecue. I want to go alone." He gave me a worried look. I smiled back at him,"Honestly, I want to go alone anyway."

"Fine," He wiped his mouth to indicate that he was done eating, "I'll leave you alone if I can see you tomorrow." He gave me a smile that was all teeth.

"Fi—"

"And the day after that, and then the day after that." He interrupted. A blush washed over my cheeks again. Damn him. He laughed when I was unable to reply.

He stood up and even picked up my bowl, and walked towards the sink. I watched as he started to clean them himself. "Wow, even washing the dishes? Did Sakura deprive you of your manhood?" I joked as I walked over to him. He chuckled, "Some women actually find dishwashing kinda sexy, I'll have you know." I smiled as I leaned on the counter, and watched, "Yeah it would be great if you could also scrub the toilet for me cause that's where the real erotic stuff is at." I joked.

"Oh, I never thought you were into that." He remarked in reply.

Honestly, I feel bad.

But I have to remind myself that I can't.

Because I have to hurt you.

The way you did to me.

Because I can't be one to cave in so easily

To your pathetic apology

He put all the dishes away, and put on his jacket. "I guess this is goodbye," Naruto sighed, "until next time." He turned to wink at me as he was out the door.

"Until next time." I smile back trying to fight back a blush. I shut the door behind me, and sunk to the ground. Why does he still have this effect on me?

I got back on my feet, and walked to my room. I looked in the mirror to see my face. My ugly, pale face. My boring eyes, and my flushed cheeks. Was it really a surprise Naruto never loved you?

I pushed the thought away. I will never love Naruto, anymore.

I rummaged through my closet to look for something presentable to wear. For once, I'm going to live a life where I am happy again. This is where it starts.

I found an old lavender cardigan, I threw it over the black tank top I was wearing and the black leggings. This will have to do. I didn't have anything else anyway. I threw it all the girly things away anyway, so I wasn't left with much. I looked in the mirror again. My hair was in a ponytail. I sighed as I pulled it out. You can't present yourself like this. I ran my fingers through my hair in order to neaten it out. A present. Crap, I didn't have anything to give. My mind pondered on what to give her. She was turning two. What do two year olds like? I then remembered the little shop in town that had opened recently. What was it called? It had sold all sorts of girly things in there. I looked in the mirror one last time as I ran out the door.

Here I was. For the first time in over a year. Here I was standing in front of the home that I abandoned. I brushed my hand over my cheek. Am I crying? I took a deep breath. What do I say? What do I say to the woman who was like a mother to me?

Before I knew, I was knocking on the door myself. From the other side I heard laughter. Unmistakable childlike laughter. Kurenai was laughing with her, and a sudden cease as she heard the knocking. I heard footsteps head towards the door.

When it opened Kurenai saw my face, and fell silent. I stood there because, I too, was at a loss for words. I saw her for the first time in so long. Her face was tired, and bags were visible under her eyes. I could tell, that she worked too hard for someone who had too little. The clear evidence from the aftermath of Asuma's passing. Her hair was in a ponytail, but it was nothing neat. It was messy and her hair was brittle.

"Hinata.." Was all she could muster. And I'm glad she acted first because I'm scared I wouldn't have. I could feel my eyes getting wet, and my vision getting blurry. I tried to say it the two words I've been aching to say. How could you ever forget about her? But the guilt just continued to eat me away.

"I'm so—." I began but it was all that I got out before she pulled me into her. I never forgot how warm her embraces were to me, so I dropped everything, and I held her tighter. I could hear her unsteady breathing as she started to cry, and she whispered the most comforting thing I had heard in a long time.

"I know."

Author's Note: Hopefully that didn't suck too much. Am I rushing everything? Like it? Hate it? Sorry for all the questions, but yeah, thanks for reading!