Chapter 5: A walk in the moonlight

A.N: This is the chapter that has taken a while in my head. This chapter is focus on the NH relationship resolution. This is kind of harder for me because Naruto and Hinata barely talk to each other ad I have already address Neji's death in the 3rd chapter. I've tried my best to use this as a set up in the bigger picture and I've tried to make Hinata character grown by the end of it, that's my challenge. Here's goes.

Kurama/Inner Sakura ( character thought)

Night falls on Konoha. After the Kage summit, Naruto and Sakura has exit from the Hokage building. Kakashi had some paperwork to fill and they decide to release the former rogue ninja tomorrow. That our heroes walking together, on the street while talking casually.

"Well looks like Teme will get free tomorrow huh."

"Yeah they announce that just before we leave, but knowing what he want to do, he'll probably leave soon again ."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Sakura-chan"

"Don't worry, at least I hope this time he'll have the decency of saying a proper good-bye."

"He should, if he don't I'll just beat him out again and drag his ass back here."

"Try not to lose an arm in the process if you go with that plan. Anyway, if he pull another one like that, there is no way I let you both doing 1 on 1 again. He'll be 2 on 1 and I swear I'll break every bone in his body. I need to keep that promise if it come to that."

(Sakura-chan is scary)

"Speaking of promise, I've didn't have the occasion to thank you properly."

With that said, Sakura turn around and without really thinking she just give a quick kiss on Naruto's cheek and said

"Thank you Naruto for fulfilling your promised. I knew you're could do it. Next time you ask for a date, my answer will be yes. We need to celebrate this. It took us 3 years but our team is finally back as a whole, even though Sasuke might go soon, at least we know he is not either on a vengeance trip, crazy with hatred or hell bent to take over the world. He'll be out there helping the leaf and others, because you get through his thick skull so thank you again. "

When she's finished Sakura was blushing a little but she did continue walking. Naruto on the other hand plain stop on the street and was red as a tomato while standing there.

"Kid, Snap-out of it." the fox said

(… Sakura...chan … kiss... my... cheek...dying … now)

"Stop with that stupid smile and walk over there."

Naruto did as he told but he was on auto-pilot.

"Naruto, are you okay? Did I do something wrong to you."

"You still don't see it don't you, inner intervined."

(See what)

"Nevemind me"

"Kid, repeat with me. I'm fine, thanks for your kind word, you're welcome"

The blonde repeat the word and then Kurama proceed to send some chakra to make him return to normal.

"Anytime Sakura-chan."

"So what are you planning tonight Naruto?"

"Well the war is over and I never had the chance to talk to Hinata so I do want to find her?"

"Oh … ok … what do you want to talk with her"

"It's kind of personal really and I kind of thinking about finding the right word. It's a sensitive subject and I don't want to mess up."

"Oh I see, said the pinkette" in an irritate tone.

"What do you do tonight Sakura-Chan?"

"I guess I'll be on my way, to the hospital, look I'm already late, see you later Naruto"

"Ok bye."

"Good night Naruto and good luck."

"Thanks."

What both of them didn't notice was Hinata that has seen the whole scene with her Byakugan. She decide to leave them be and go to the spot she was supposed to meet with Naruto. While Sakura was "heading to the hospital", Naruto then start a conversation with Kurama.

"I guess she didn't like that I keep my idea a secret"

"I'll admit that I expect you to confess to her instead of Hinata, what make you change your mind?"

"My mind? I never had the intention to confess to Hinata. I was talking about telling her that I don't feel the same way but I want us to be friend. I don't want to hurt her."

"WHAAAAAAAAAT?" (OH MY GOD that kid has no idea how it look like. His sensei was right, he really don't know how to talk to girl) "I see, well don't worry, you teammate will be fine. How about you tell her what you're about to do, after it is done. That way, she won't feel like your hiding something" (or feel like your move on, seriously,how can he send a double message like that in 2 minutes)

"Good idea, thank you Kurama. Now let's find Hinata."

"Where do you think she will be."

"Training ground number 8 probably by now."

Flashback

After dropping Hinata home, Naruto said to her :« Do you have anything schedule Thursday night?»

"Nothing why?"

"Well the Kage summit will be held in the leaf and I must attend there. But after, we could meet up let just say, by 9 at training ground 8. I would like to talk to you about something but I must go see teme before it close."

"Sure no problem"

"Then we'll see each other in 3 days, take care Hinata, good night."

"Good night Naruto-kun."

End of flashback...

"I see, we should hurry then."

With that, the Jinchuriki head-out toward training ground 8.

Meanwhile with Sakura

"You know with don't have a shift at the hospital until morning right?"

"I need some time alone so zip it, she think while entering her apartment and going back to bed"

"Someone sound somewhat hurt, even I dare say jealous"

"Jealous, me of what, Naruto moving on. Why would I be jealous? Naruto is my friend, I always admire is feeling for me but that doesn't mean I'm jealous. Maybe Naruto never had feeling for me, maybe I was just a mean to compete with Sasuke, and he realize that I'm not worth it."

"Then why you sound so irritate in your answer when your heard him talk about the Hyuga girl? You made up a lie to bail on him and then you even have to hold up your tears in your eyes. Beside, now you begin to make up stupid theory, doubting Naruto ever had feeling for you to ease your pain. Naruto use you to compete with Sasuke? Please, how so? It's not like Sasuke never pay us any attention when we ride on the Uchiha fangirl band wagon. If that were true, wouldn't Naruto tried to date every other girl like Ino to prove that he can rival Sasuke. No, he only tried with you. You made up stupid theory out of jealousy because you're afraid of getting hurt again from rejection."

"I'm not, she said while wiping the tear. It just that I'm sad that he had move on. This is almost like it was a part of him to have feeling for me. Seeing it die just felt like a part of him die. But as long as he happy, I'm happy. It's not like I was in love with him."

"Yeah … sure..."

"Meaning? And why did you comeback anyway?"

"Nothing, it just that I know something you don't and when it hit you, it'll hit you hard. That's when I'll go away again. But for now you need me. Everything will be fine girl. He always be a part of your life so stop worrying."

"Yeah you right, he still my friend, he's even my best friend after all."

With that Sakura let herself fall asleep.

Meanwhile Naruto just arrive on the training ground 8. He found Hinata there waiting for him.

"Hey Hinata."

"Hi Naruto-kun."

"You've been there long?"

"No not really I just arrive."

"Good, would you mind to for a walk?"

"Ok"

With that the pair begin to walk toward the wood. There were no cloud in the sky and the moon was full. They walk quietly until Hinata break the silence

"So, do you know what will happen with Sasuke-kun?"

"Well he get his pardon and he gonna leave on a road to redemption or something."

"What about his desire to be Hokage?"

"He believe that we have different idea for the leaf I guess. He told something about me being the light and him being the shadow. Even if we're opposite, we have the same goal, so instead of being in competition, I guess he rather have us using our strength to make the leaf a better place. Or he was just being his brooding teme self if you ask me."

"I see, won't you miss him? His your best friend after all"

"It's ok, it'll be different. I know that he'll be out there, not crazy or in danger. Like when I left 2 years ago. It was to get stronger and I was with pervy sage. All of you didn't worry about me."

"You right. We did miss you but you inspire all of us to get stronger. Some of us more than other. I know that Sakura, Rock lee, Neji and myself train really hard. You really motivate Neji so much that he become a Jonin. I know It was a double motivation for Lee, since his rival got jonin. He train even harder. Sakura's is just by seeing her in the war. She did anything in her power to save you."

"Yeah, you were all great. That sound just like Bushy-brow the way you describe. But don't undermine what you did for me. You give me moral when I was down. For that thank you, he said while smiling. The Hyuga heiress smile to him back."

"Listen Hinata, do you remember what you said to me during the pain attack."

Hinata face froze. She was back to her original self, red as a tomato, she shutter her response like this

"th th tha that... … ..i.. I...l...lov...e...lo...love...yo...y...you. That I love you"

"Yeah about that, you know, I never really have the time to give you a response to your confession. And to be honest, I'm not really good with the word and all, I find you a little weird but adorable at the same time, that is part of your charm. I do like you, but not really in this way, you see, I see you as a friend, we did get a little closer since the pain incident somehow but I really don't see you in that light, I mean I'm already in love with.."

"Sakura, you're in love Sakura. I know" cut Hinata

"You knew! ? How? when said Naruto with a surprise face?"

"Well Naruto-kun, when we were young you scream your love to her to anybody that want to hear it for starter. But after that, I could see how you feel when she hugged you after the pain attack. What she did for you during the war and I did see how you become red as a tomato when she kiss you on the cheek. You love her. I clearly see that."

"I know but I don't think she love me back. But I'll always be there for her, even if it is only as her best friend. I know you admire my way of the ninja but you deserve to be love by a man who can truly love you. I don't feel like I am that man and don't do what I doing on that matter."

"I understand. At least you're being honest with me and you're being man enough to admit that you might not be the man I need. You might not know Naruto but what you just did makes you quite a man."

"I hope we can still be friend." he said sincerely

"We are friend silly, Hinata said before embracing in a hug. Naruto hug her back. I admit I might be a little heartbroken by it but I saw how you look at her. You look so happy. I can't have you heart. (I won't tell you because I believe you need to find out yourself but I saw her too, you have hers as well. They just need to find each other) You've been such an inspiration to me. You never give up attitude have really help me move forward. I'll keep this to make the Hyuga clan better."

"That's the spirit, when I'll be Hokage, we will together change the way of the Hyuga for him."

Naruto then release the hug and give her a thumbs up, while smiling and added: «That's a promise». Hinata giggle at Naruto's antic and ask him to bring her back home. Naruto accept and he bring her back to the Hyuga hugged her again and then take he leave, letting the young heiress in her thoughts.

Flashback (world echoing)

"Even if we're opposite, we have the same goal, so instead of being in competition, I guess he rather have us using our strength to make the leaf a better place."

End of flashback

(Father always make me compete with Hanabi. She a genius in the Hyuga clan in fighting but she doesn't have the mind nor the experience to take over the Clan. Maybe instead of competing with each other to know on who will be the new leader, we could lead the clan together? I need to talk to Hanabi 1st and then see what father will say. I'll talk to them about that tomorrow. I'm tired and it did kind of hurt that Naruto-kun reject me. But at least he didn't use me and was honest enough to tell me. Now I believe I can move forward, I'll find the man you describe Naruto-kun and the Hyuga clan will support you when you'll be Hokage)

With those thoughts Hinata enter her home and go to sleep, as the future look brighter for her.

A.N: And it's done. What do you think? Did Hinata look to have development and evolve a little in my story. I had her break for Neji's death but I want her strong enough to take Naruto rejection. Or did I missed? The whole rivalry theory from Sakura came from Naruto the last movie. That's the explanation why Naruto wanted to date Sakura, which is one of the worst excuses I heard and I kinda of take a jab at it there. Anyway, R&R guys. Next chapter will be called Team 7 status. I set up seed for NS but the resolution will happen in chapter 7 for those who wonder.