Hinata woke at sunrise. She had always enjoyed beginning her day like this. It was silent at this time of day; peaceful. It would be another half hour before the birds started chirping their morning melodies, and a few hours more before most of Konoha's inhabitants would rise. It was a time of day she reserved especially for herself. Stepping out of bed, she stretched lazily, before performing a few jumps up and down on the spot. Having shaken out her muscles, she then executed a perfect bend forward, her head coming to rest between her ankles. Gently progressing out of this position, she then bent one leg up and balanced with her arms to either side, before slowly pushing her leg behind herself and moving her upper body horizontal, arms still outstretched. She progressed through several other poses, each time focusing on the ebb and flow of chakra inside her. She had learnt these exercises, and many others like them from her grandfather, before he passed away. Her grandfather had shared these techniques with her as a way of further strengthening chakra control, as well as increasing mental relaxation. Hinata smiled fondly in remembrance of him. He had always held a soft spot for her and she had always looked forward to their study sessions, when he would instruct her in the ways of the Hyuuga; her family's traditions, history and social structure. More often than not, however, he had replaced these lessons with contemporary thoughts and approaches that he himself had invented or come across. "Appreciating our heritage is important; but many members of our family cling too hard to ancient ways. A little change and discovery is healthy for the soul" he had said one day with a twinkle in his eye. Her father had been furious when he'd found out. She remembered that day clearly in her mind. She had just come home from the academy when she overheard her father speaking furiously in the other room. Pausing briefly, she had turned to press her ear against the door and heard her grandfather speaking sternly back. "I didn't raise you to be this narrow-minded, boy." She'd heard him grumble.
"Narrow minded?! I just found out that those lessons I had trusted you with have been used for pointless garbage instead of education. I had expected better from you, father."
"Watch your tongue, boy." her grandfather had replied sternly. "You don't know the first thing about the techniques and concepts I have been teaching her. I would think that as head of the family you would be open to strengthening our clan's culture with new ideas and skills."
"Strengthening?" Hinata heard her father laugh condescendingly. "What more is there to strengthen in a clan such as ours? We are the pride and glory of our village. More especially so since the Uchiha clan degenerated a few years ago. I see no need for new things. If anything, it could corrupt the minds of people in our clan; cause them to think that time-honoured traditions need no longer be followed."
"Not all of our traditions are worthy of following." Her grandfather had said quietly.
A long silence followed.
"Get out of my sight." Hinata heard her father say harshly. "I will not have you belittle our clan's entire way of life in front of me. We're finished here. I will transfer Hinata to a new teacher starting tomorrow."
Hinata's eyes had widened, before she'd quickly moved down the hallway to avoid discovery.
She smiled sadly in remembrance. It had been a big loss for her, no longer spending those hours of her day with him, but her grandfather hadn't given up so easily. She remembered waking up one night as a child to her grandfather standing over her bed. "Well child, what are you waiting for? We still have lessons to complete." He had whispered matter of factly. Grinning with enthusiasm she had quickly followed him outside, past the back garden, and through a small hidden door in a corner of the Hyuuga compound. Coming out the other side, she had followed her grandfather in bewilderment as he expertly pushed through the forrest behind their compound toward a clearing hidden in the middle. This became the place where he would teach her, every so often. Hinata still carried many of his lessons in her heart, long after he had passed away.
Moving gently out of her last pose, Hinata stepped out into the hallway and moved towards the back door. Emerging in her house's back garden, she filled a watering can and began to tend the vegetable patch she had been cultivating the past few months. Already, she could see fresh saplings poking their heads out of the dirt. The sight filled her with much satisfaction. Before long, Hinata became absorbed in her gardening, causing time to pass quickly. Moving methodically, she gently removed every weed she could find, as well as checking the health of the soil and spreading pesticide. Whipping out her notebook, she took detailed notes on the progress of each plant. So engrossed was she in her work that she didn't notice a certain blonde shinobi watching her from the wall of the Hyuuga enclosure. "Wow Hinata-chan, I didn't know you were into gardening!"
Hinata jumped with a squeek of surprise. "N-Naruto-san. I-I didn't see you there."
"Ahah...I thought about using the front door but I figured this way was quicker." Naruto grinned sheepishly.
Hinata smiled kindly. "That's fine. I was just surprised is all."
Naruto jumped down from the wall. "What plants have you got growing here?" he asked with interest as he walked up to her garden.
"O-oh, um, not much. Just a few heads of cabbage, some carrots, tomato and mint."
"Really? Cool!" Naruto bent over to examine a few of the plants more closely. "How long have you been growing them for? Seems like some of them have started to grow."
"Only a few months." Hinata said with a smile. "You seem really interested in this. Have you ever done gardening, Naruto-san?"
Naruto stood up and looked at her bashfully. "Actually, plant growing is a hobby of mine too. I only live in an apartment so growing a garden is out of the question, but I have a few pot plants I take care of."
Hinata stared at Naruto in surprise. The most energetic boy she knew, renowned prankster and boisterous blonde of Konoha had...plant growing as a hobby?
Naruto seemed to sense what she was thinking. "Ahaha, it doesn't fit my personality, I know." He scratched the back of his head self-consciously "But I'm actually pretty into it. I water Mr. Ukki every day, and my other plants every other day."
"Mr. Ukki?" Hinata asked
Naruto became more bashful than before. "Thats, uh, the name I gave one of my plants" he chuckled sheepishly.
Hinata started giggling helplessly. Naming plants? Now that was something she could see Naruto doing.
Her giggling was cut short when she noticed a Hyuuga guard rushing towards them. "Lady Hinata" greeted the guard, bowing formally. "A disruption was sensed in the wards around this part of the wall. Is everything alright?"
Hinata glanced towards Naruto in concern. He looked uncomfortable.
"Yes. Everything is fine Hideki. Naruto is just paying me a visit."
Naruto chuckled nervously. "Yea, sorry about that. I didn't know the Hyuuga used sensory wards. I should have known."
Hideki stared at Naruto, eyes dripping disdain. "Yes. Please use the front door next time." He said icily, before walking away.
Hinata stared after Hideki in confusion. She had grown accustomed to the fastidious attention of the guards. However, this was the first time she'd seen Hideki show dislike toward one of her friends. She didn't know what to make of it.
Looking back at Naruto, she noticed a faint shadow in his eyes.
"Naruto-san..."
Naruto's eyes jumped to meet hers. The shadow dissappeared.
"Yes, Hinata-chan?" He replied cheerily.
"What..." Hinata didn't know how to phrase her question. Naruto picked up on her concern.
"Don't worry about it, Hinata-chan. It's not the first time I've pissed off a Hyuuga." He remarked jokingly.
Hinata's mind flashed to Naruto's match with Neji all those years ago.
"I know" she smiled gently. "But its not so much Hideki's behaviour that bothers me, but the reason why he did it." Over the years, Hinata's sharp Hyuuga eyes had noted many instances like the one she'd just witnessed. Somehow, she finally felt brave enough to ask.
Naruto's eyes clouded over once more. He looked down before slowly taking a breath and raising his gaze to hers. It seemed as though he'd come to a decision. "Well...there is a reason."
Hinata waited patiently.
"I-it's..." Naruto wavered slightly. "You remember when I told you a few years ago about the Nine Tailed Fox?"
Hinata's eyes widened in understanding. "They fear what you hold inside you."
Naruto smiled humourlessly. "More like they think I am the Fox itself, and they despise me for it."
Hinata's shock turned to outrage.
"The ignorant fools." The ice in her voice surprised even herself.
Naruto looked at her and her heart clenched. She couldn't stand the vulnerability on his face.
"How could they disrespect the Fourth Hokage's memory like this? You should have been hailed as the hero of our village, after the Fourth Hokage himself. Without your body becoming a vessel, the Nine Tailed Fox would have destroyed the entire village."
Naruto smiled in gratitude. He then lifted her hands into his own and looked her seriously in the eyes. Hinata had to restrain herself from blushing. The intensity of his gaze unnerved her.
"You may be right." He replied quietly. "But it doesn't change the fact that the Nine Tailed Fox is inside me. At the moment, many people in this village still see me as an embodiment of the Fox itself. If even a fraction of you feels the same, I want you to tell me now, before we let this go any further. I would never impose on you a life of uncertainty or fear."
Hinata stared back at Naruto unflinchingly. There was no way she could waver on something as important as this. "Naruto, do you honestly have no idea how long I've loved you?" Hinata felt her eyes fill with tears as she spoke. "You couldn't begin to understand everything you've done for me; how much I've looked up to you over the years and gained inspiration from your courage. I would sooner defect from my clan than allow you to think, for even a moment, that I think of you as the Nine Tailed Fox."
Naruto's eyes widened in astonishment and awe. Years of pent-up feeling now flowed out of Hinata in waves. "Do you remember the chuunin exams, all those years ago? When I was fighting Neji all I could think was: 'Naruto didn't give up, so neither will I'. I've never met someone so determined to carry out their ideals. Against all opposition, you always found the strength to forge new paths. You are Naruto. And Naruto is all I see; the bravest, silliest, warmest, most determined ninja I have ever met."
The tears had long since begun to flow down her cheeks. Her eyes burned with newly-revealed emotion. Naruto could only stare in shock. Seconds passed, brilliant and vivid. The air seemed to still as the eyes of these two bright souls locked in a moment of deep feeling, understanding and gratitude.
The moment ceased as Naruto dragged Hinata into the biggest bear hug she had ever received. She found herself giggling slightly at his enthusiasm. "And you are Hinata. The kindest, sweetest, bravest Kunoichi I have ever had the priviledge to know."
Hinata had thought it impossible to feel any more love for Naruto than she did at that moment, but his words sent new waves of warmth into her heart. She knew no matter how long she lived she could never repay the blessing of Naruto's friendship. She was just finally glad to have told him so.
Naruto knew deep in his heart he had always appreciated Hinata; her friendship; her loyal support and her determination to improve her skills as a shinobi. They had also served as sources of inspiration for him. And now he knew. As he had grown up facing the hostility of villagers who couldn't see him for who he truly was, Hinata had seen the real him, and been inspired by it.
Pushing back to look at Hinata once again, Naruto couldn't help another ear-splitting smile, or his next question. "Hey Hinata-chan, I was wondering, could I help out with your garden once in a while? I've never had the chance to look after more than pot plants, so I'd enjoy the experience. If you want my help, that is."
Hinata returned Naruto's grin, ear to ear. "Of course. I would love your help, Naruto-san."
"Great! Then it's settled. I'll come over this time next week?"
"Sounds perfect." Hinata eagerly looked forward to spending that time with him.
Naruto's expression suddenly turned preoccupied. "Say, Hinata-chan. What time is it?"
Startled by the change in topic, Hinata shuffled through her pockets for her watch. "A-about 11:00am."
"Ah, drats, I'm late. Tsunade-baa-chan wanted me at her office today to discuss some new mission. I've gotta run."
"That's ok, I was finishing up here anyway. You should hurry. Tsunade-sama doesn't like to be kept waiting."
Naruto grinned wickedly in response. "Oh trust me, I know."
Turning around, he swiftly jumped onto the boundary wall. "See you around Hinata-chan." Naruto turned with a last grin before speeding across the rooftops toward Tsunade's office.