Update: looked the chapter over and tweaked it. I'd like to also explain how my style of writing for this story is much different than usual because I'm writing from Hinata's perspective. It's not so detailed or it doesn't delve into the little things because it's pretty straightforward. Logically speaking, when you're in your thoughts, things aren't always as detailed and I wanted to incorporate that simplicity to add to Hinata's character and personality.

Chapter 7:

pain makes you stronger

They were welcoming, maybe a little too welcoming because I was being stuffed with Kushina's casserole while Minato showed me their family photo album.

"And this is Naruto taking a bath with his favorite toy! Look at his cute little baby cheeks!" Minato gushed over his now eighteen year old son, only to receive a slap on the back of his head from his wife who sat next to him at the dinner table.

"Quit embarrassing him! He's bringing a girl over for us to meet!" She scolded. I noticed how important they thought this was. To me, it was extremely flattering. I didn't think Naruto would choose me as important enough to introduce to his parents.

However, his parents bickering over how embarrassed he was didn't have a point. It didn't bother him one bit that I saw his cute naked baby pictures. In fact he ate dinner quietly, letting his parents attack me with their loving personalities. They asked me how I met Naruto, if I liked him, if I want to marry him, basically all the questions you are advised not to ask because honestly they would drive a person away. But not me. I felt at home, in a way that was similar to my own, yet it still held its different significance. I felt like I was being welcomed into Naruto's life, and it felt really good. I was nervous, but he was right. There is nothing to fear.

"Alright, thanks for the delicious dinner mom, but Hinata and I gotta get to work on this project." He got up and washed his dish before taking the bag full of supplies we bought and holding my hand, making me blush nervously as he was holding my hand in front of his parents.

"Thank you, I really enjoyed the dinner." I smiled and they returned the gesture, telling me I was welcome to spend many more dinners with them.

"And Naruto, don't you try any funny business! I like this girl!" Kushina threatened with a serious look, which made me blush even more, if I could look into a mirror I know I would see my whole face as red as a beet. But I knew she was just messing around by Minato's chuckles at the look on Naruto's face. He was just as embarrassed as I was.

I was a nervous, I felt the palms of my hands grow clammy and sweaty, I didn't know what to do sitting in his room, alone with him. His parents were downstairs watching T.V. and it felt odd knowing they were present within the same vicinity as us, meanwhile the tension between us was threatening to explode.

We had not shared our first kiss yet, what's the rush anyway? We barely hold hands or hug. Somehow, I felt the moment was coming, the situation was set up perfectly for it to happen. Taking out the supplies from the bag, I avoided eye contact and only talking about the project and how we were going to start making it. He only stared, quietly, but it was enough to make me stop and lean back, finally daring to look at him.

"Shall we start now?" I asked, referring to the project, but something in his eyes changed. He looked at me, no longer with the same usually bright and goofy look, but with a certain desire.

He came closer to me, his face inches away from mine, "We shall." He replied, delicately placing a hand on my cheeks and bringing his lips closer.

I closed my eyes, expecting to feel his soft lips touching mine, but instead they touched my cheek. I blushed profusely, not because he was kissing my cheek, but because of the thought. He wasn't rushing things, he understood what I thought, and it meant a lot to me. I was starting to realize maybe I could trust him a little more than I do now, he just needs more chances to express it so.

"N-Naruto..." I put both of my hands on his cheeks, looking dead in his eyes, something I never thought I'd be able to do comfortably until now.

"Yes?" His eyes held a certain spark that made me believe more and more in him.

"Thank you."

He smiled, "for what?"

"Not kissing me...I mean, not that I don't want to, it's just...I want to wait for the right moment. It is my first kiss after all."

His eyes widened, "You've never kissed anyone before?" He was dumbfounded. Maybe it wasn't normal for a seventeen year old girl to have virgin lips.

I simply shook my head.

"I promise you that I will be your first, Hinata. And I'll make it the most special moment of your life." He softly smiled, caressing my cheek and pushing hair awat from my face, tucking it behind my ear to expose more of my flushing red cheeks. I looked down, feeling butterflies in my stomach take over.

We finished the project without a problem and watched a movie. His parents didn't bother us until I was about to leave, that's when they barged in between us and showered me with hugs. I was happy, and returned the hugs with as much thankfulness.

He drove me home in silence, but he looked content. I enjoyed the silence just as much, thinking about our moment in his room and how it changed my view of him. I was starting to open up my heart to him more and more, something I found hard to do at first, but now it seems to come naturally.

"Again, thank you for today. I had a lot of fun." We stood at my front porch but kept a safe distance. We knew my parents might be peeking from the window, they were just as intrusive as Naruto's.

"I'm happy to know you're happy. I'll see you tomorrow." With that, he leaned in and kissed my cheek once more, making it heat up like it did the first time. I swear I'll never get tired of his kisses.

Our romantic moment ended there, because my dad opened the front door, embarrassing me to no end.

"Thank you for getting her home safe! Goodbye now!" He waved and pulled me in, putting his arm around me.

I awkwardly waved goodbye as well with a look of helplessness, and he chuckled, "Goodbye, Mr. Hyuga!"

Once he drove away and out of sight I looked up at my dad who was amused at my look of irritation, "Way to kill the mood, dad."

He simply laughed and sent me to bed.

I arrived in English class the next morning, hoping to have a smooth time with Kiba and tell him what happened the night before but as soon as I walked in all eyes were on me. They seemed to snicker and whisper things to themselves as I made my way to Kiba's seat, where he looked rather alarmed.

"Hey, Kiba. What's up? Why is everyone so weird today?" I looked around in confusion, then saw the horrified look on Kiba's face and started to panic.

"You haven't seen it yet?! Oh this is not good!" He took out his phone and scrambled around online until he showed me something I kept telling myself would never be real.

"She has been posting this all over social media!" He yelled, showing me a Photo shopped pictured of me on the body of a woman doing sexual acts on two males that I'd rather not even begin to describe.

"Oh my God...oh no..." I grabbed the phone and looked at the picture and scrolled down and saw the comments. It ranged from slurs like "whore" to "I knew it," or "she deserves it."
I most certainly do not! That's when I felt my breaking point come on; anger was only the tip of the iceberg. I knew I was going to make Sakura pay for what she did.

"What are we going to do, Hina? This isn't right!" Kiba yelled.

"Hell yeah, it's not right!" I yelled back, catching everyone's attention in the class. "What are you all looking at?! Jerks!"

I had a brand new resolution. I was doing just fine before, and I'm not going to let it ruin my chance at happiness. Without thinking twice, I ran out of the classroom before the first bell of the day rang and class started, frantically looking for Naruto. I endured countless of obscenities being yelled at me around the hallways, most which I managed to block out, while some were just too much for me to ignore, only adding to the raging anger that boiled inside of me.

Finally, I saw a familiar blond standing next to Sasuke at his locker. The raven haired boy noticed me first, and pointed in my direction like he usually does when he acknowledges my presence.

Naruto looked back at me with a look of pain, worry and anger, the kind of anger that only I knew, "Hinata! Did you see-"

"Yes, Naruto, I did! And I'm not gonna sit here and act like the victim because it's going to get me nowhere! I can't believe you let this happen! You told me not to worry, that you would protect me!"

"And I did protect you!" He yelled back, feeling betrayed by my words, I could tell from the look he gave me. I couldn't stand there and have him turn this against me, so I began to walk away, only for him to chase after me and roughly pull me back by my wrist, keeping a bright grip. "Hina, wait, I didn't-"

"Just stop! I don't want to hear anything from you right now! I told you she would do something like this but you didn't listen to me!"

He looked down, feeling evidently guilty, he didn't even bother to respond.

"I'm going to take legal action against her." I sternly spoke, something I'm not used to doing.

He looked up wide eyed, "whoa, wait, Hinata calm down. Don't put her in jail, it's not that big of a deal-"

"Yes, it is! But since you're not the one being mocked or yelled at in the hallways, you wouldn't give a shit, would you? You're more worried about your precious Sakura being jailed? Fine! Don't talk to me ever again!"

I ran off, tears forming in my eyes from what I just said. I didn't want to take it back, so I ran. I was running away from the first person I ever fell in love with. Something foolish, I know, but I can't believe he still cared for what happened to Sakura.

It didn't matter now, though. Both of them would have to pay the consequences.