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====Chapter Four====

Hinata stumbled through the woods; she reached a river just beneath the cliff in front of her.
She fell to her knees, shaking.

"Naruto…"

Tears began rushing down her cheeks. She quickly brought her hands to her face, resting it in the palms of her hands as she let the tears fall down, crying uncontrollably.
The one person she wanted to acknowledge her, the person she spent most of her awaken hours fantasizing about…
The only one for her… Naruto, seemed to think of her as an arrogant, stuck up person.
She shook her head.

"No... Please.. No!.. I'm not like that!"

She felt the cold autumn air blowing around her as it flung her hair around. Shivers raced from her head to her knees, it was incredibly cold. But she couldn't care less right now.

For most of her life, she's been admiring him, and it quickly developed into an overwhelming will to be with him. She was completely and utterly love struck.
She knew the possibility of him not returning her feelings if she ever confessed, and while there was nothing in the world she wanted more than for him to return them, she would accept it if he didn't, no matter how hurt and saddened she'd become.
But, the worst thing she could imagine would be Naruto having ill thoughts of her. And right now, that seemed to be reality.

As the wind picked up its speed, and the sounds of the tree's blowing in the wind increased, Hinata allowed herself to sob louder.
For all these years she's worked on her self-confidence, working up the courage to talk to him about her feelings. But now, everything seemed meaningless. Was it all for nothing?

She tried to control herself, and managed to restrain most of the tears from rushing down her cheeks, slowly her sobbing stopped.
She looked up at the night sky and lowered her hands to her side, crossing her arms. She could no longer deny the cold. She began to shiver more violently.
She threw one last look at the sky above her.

-…That's it then…-
-I'll never be able to be with him…-
Her eyes began tearing up again.

Just as she was about to stand up, she felt something enveloping her from behind. She immediately felt warmer.
She quickly looked down to her side, to see what it was.
Her eyes widened in confusion.

-Wha?..That…-
-That's Naruto-Kun's jacket!..-

Hinata glared over her shoulder to see Naruto standing over her, he had an apologetic look on his face.

"n-naruto-kun…"
her whisper though silent, seemed to echo around them.

He looked at her with a smile.
"You shouldn't sit out here in the cold Hinata…"

She gripped the sleeves of his jacket that was hanging to her side, and tugged at them pulling the jacket tighter around her.
An almost frustrated look spread across her face as she looked at him and lowered her eyebrows. She opened her mouth slightly to speak, but once again, her confidence failed her.
She couldn't get a word out, she had no idea how to interpret this situation.
First he seemed mad at her, and now…? She couldn't make sense of the world right now.

"Hinata…"

Naruto closed his eyes and sighed as the smile on his face disappeared.
He put his hand on her shoulder and kneeled down behind her.

"I'm sorry I was so mean…"

Hinata felt her heartbeat quickening. He was so close, he was almost whispering straight into her ear.

"I…I didn't know you were sick that day"
he sighed again.
"I thought you just ignored me, and I got a little frustrated because I was looking forward to talk with you…"
"I'm so sorry I said what I said, I know you're not that kind of person. Can you forgive me?.."

He flinched slightly, prepared for the worst. But before he could react, Hinata turned around where she sat, and threw her arms around him, burying her face in his chest.
Naruto sat dumbfounded without saying a word.
After a moment Hinata slowly let him go of her grip and looked down at the ground.

"Naruto-Kun…"
her cheeks turned red.
"Yes, o-of course I forgive you…"

Naruto let out a sigh of relief.
"You're not mad at me?..."

"N-no… i-i'm just glad y-you don't think of me like that…"

"Hinata…"

They sat in an awkward silence for a moment.
Suddenly Naruto stood up.

"We should get back to the camp and warm ourselves at the fire, don't ya think?"
he chuckled.

Hinata nodded and was about to stand to her feet, but as she looked in front of her she saw Naruto offering her a hand to help her stand.
Her face turned red, but she quickly accepted the gesture with a blissful smile.

Naruto and Hinata walked back to the camp, not exchanging many words as they both felt rather awkward at this point. But they both felt happy just walking alongside each other.
It wasn't long until they reached the camp. Most of the others still sat at the fire, conversing.
Only Sakura noticed Hinata and Naruto returning and sitting down by the fire. The others not even knowing they were gone. And no one even realized Hinata was wearing Naruto's jacket over her shoulders.
Sakura let out a sigh of relief, happy they weren't fighting anymore.

They sat in silence, staring into the dancing fire in front of them.
Hinata didn't feel cold anymore, but every now and then she tugged Naruto's jacket tighter around her, and every time she did, her cheeks blushed and a serene smile crept onto her lips.
The jacket felt so cozy, and furthermore it smelled like him.

After nearly twenty minutes the fire was put out and everyone said goodnight as they shuffled off to their tents.
Hinata looked over to Naruto with a bashful smile.

"G-goodnight N-Naruto-Kun…"

Naruto couldn't help but blush. She looked adorable.
"G-Goodnight Hinata. See you tomorrow"

Hinata nodded shyly before walking over to her tent.
As she zipped open her tent, she stared back over her shoulder towards Naruto's tent. Their eyes met as he had done the same thing.
She blushed and let out a small "eep!" and flung her head towards the tent and hurried inside.
She closed the tent and sat down.

Her face turned red, and a blissful look spread across her face.
With her heartbeat quickening, she let herself fall down to her side.

-Naruto-kun..-
-Thank god you're not angry at me anymore!-

As she turned slightly trying to get comfy, she realized something… She was still wearing his jacket over her shoulders!
With her eyes widened she looked down at the jacket.

-Surely he must have noticed me still wearing this…-
-Did… Did he… lend it for me over the night..?-

She pulled the jacket closer to her and smiled.

-Oh…Naruto…-

The morning came too quickly.
Hinata had been awake for a few hours, snuggling with Naruto's jacket.
She didn't want to leave her tent, she would probably have to return his jacket when she did, and that might get quite awkward. And the others might see her with it…

"uuuggnn…"
she groaned as she buried her face in the makeshift pillow she had made of his jacket.

"Arf arf!"
A sound came from outside her tent.

Kiba laughed.
"Hinata! Akamaru says it's time to wake up! Hehe"

"uunnhh, Kiba… Shut up…"
she mumbled.

"C'mon, wakey wakey!"

Hinata sighed and got dressed.

She stood in front of her tent, looking around the camp. Holding Naruto's jacket in her right arm, and covering it with her left hand in attempt to hide it from the others.
Everyone seemed busy packing their stuff.
Her eyes trailed to Naruto. He was almost finished taking his tent down.
She took a sharp breath and slowly walked towards him.

"G-good morning.. Naruto-kun…"

Naruto turned around and smiled.

"Oh! Good morning Hinata-Chan. Slept well?"

Hinata nodded shyly.

"uhm… H-here's y-your jacket…"

Hinata slowly reached her hands out, handing him the jacket back.
It was carefully folded in her hands, it almost looked new.

"T-thanks for letting m-me borrow it…"
she felt her face becoming red a she blushed.

Naruto couldn't help but blush himself.

"N-no problem Hinata"
he grinned.
"I hope it helped keeping you warm"

"Y-yes…"

Naruto thanked her as he took his jacket, unfolded it and put it on.
He blushed slightly. It almost smelled more of her than him now.
They stood silent for a moment before she spoke up.

"i-i should probably go pack m-my things…"

"Ah, yeah. Um, see ya later Hinata"

They smiled at each other and waved.
As Hinata walked back to her tent, a warm feeling spread in her stomach. She felt incredibly blissful.

The day passed by, and finally they reached the gate of Konoha. It was late in the evening.
After a small pause to catch their breath they proceeded to the Hokage tower to report the mission result.
Leaving only Asuma and Sai as they took Yamato to the hospital.

After almost an hour of debriefing the tired group stepped outside.
They conversed for a moment before splitting and heading home.

Hinata walked down the road, she brought her hand to her mouth hiding her yawn, she was very tired.

"Hinata!"
A voice came from behind her.

She turned around to see Naruto walking up to her.

"N-Naruto-Kun.."
she looked a little confused, wondering what he could want this late in the evening.

"Heading home?"
Naruto asked in attempt to make some small talk.

"uhm…Y-yeah, i am"

"Mind if I walk with you?"

Hinata felt her knees shake as she nervously responded.
"s-s-sure… If y-you want t-to.."
she turned her head down the road and blushed.

Very few words were said as they walked towards the Hyuuga main house.
But Hinata didn't care. It was enough just to walk beside him in the silent dark town.
The streetlights they passed from time to time, made the air around them feel quite romantic, making them both blush.

Before long they reached the entrance to the Hyuuga house.
Hinata turned to Naruto.

"Uhm..T-thanks for w-walking me home…Naruto-kun.."
she held her hand between her chest as she looked at him.

"No problem Hinata… It was nice"
he rubbed the back of his head.

There was a moment of silence. If it had been a date this would be where he would kiss her.
Hinata blushed madly at her thoughts. Oh how she wished it had been a date.

"W-well g-goodnight Naruto-kun…"

She was about to turn around and enter the house, but Naruto spoke up.

"Um wait Hinata.."

She looked at him with big anticipating eyes.
"Y-yes?..."

"Uhm, I was thinking.."
he showed a sheepish grin as he rubbed the back of his head nervously.
"Since we never did get to catch up before, if… If you're not busy tomorrow, maybe we could meet up and talk?.."

Hinata felt as her heart began to beat faster and faster.
"Y-Yes!..I-I would like that!.."
A bashful and genuine smile spread across her lips.

"Great!"
Naruto smiled.

"Shall we meet at the park we passed earlier at noon then?"

"S-sure!.. T-that sounds great!"

"Alright… Well, goodnight then Hinata"
he turned and began walking as he waved.

"G-Goodnight Naruto-Kun!"

Hinata quietly stumbled through the house, she felt it a little difficult to walk right now, her head was racing with thoughts. Tomorrow she was going to confess to Naruto!
It had to be tomorrow, she had put it off for far too long now.
Before heading to her room she walked towards her father's study.

-I'd better meet father and tell him I'm back from the mission-

She softly knocked on the door and waited. The lights were on so he was definitely in there.

"Yes?"

"Father. I'm back, the mission was a success"

"Good, you may enter"

Hinata walked in and closed the door behind her. She sat down on a cushion in front of a low table.
She briefed him on the mission.

"…I'm glad you were able to help rid the world of pests like them"
"And I'm glad you made it home safe and 'Untouched'…"

Hinata sat in silence, but nodded slightly.

"Now, I know it's ultimately the Hokage's decision, but I'd like for you to decline future missions of that caliber. Do you understand?"

"…Father"

"I said, Do you understand?"
His voice became more demanding and stern.

Hinata rarely went against her father's wishes. But she wanted more 'Difficult' missions. It was good training for her, and she always fought extremely well under pressure.
She couldn't help but think that if he had seen her during that mission, he would think differently.
But she stayed silent.

"…"

"Good. Now, since you're no longer bed-written we'll pick up training with your sister and Neji again. We will start tomorrow just before noon."

Hinata flung her head up and stared at him.
"Tomorrow?..."

-No! I won't abandon Naruto again…"

"Uhm, Father… Does it have to be tomorrow? Can't we begin the day after tomorrow instead?..."
she held her breath.

"Nonsense, there is no reason to waste time. Training is important, you know that"

"But..Father please.."
she gripped the fabrics of her pants in frustration.

"Enough! Hyuuga's don't beg"
his voice became increasingly harsher.

He gestured to the door behind her.
"Now, I have to finish these writings. Goodnight Hinata"

"…"
she stood up and bowed to him before heading to her room.

As Hinata entered her room, she battled with the urge to slam the door behind her, but that would be like throwing oil into a burning fire. She managed to calm herself down and closed it quietly behind her.
She threw herself on her bed and stared at her ceiling.

-Damnit!...-

She took her rage out on her pillow and furiously started punching it.

Frustrated and exhausted, Hinata quickly fell asleep.
The night came and went fast.

Hinata opened her eyes and slowly turned her head to her window. The sun soared high in the sky.
She quickly sat up and turned facing her clock. It was an hour and a half before noon.
She looked down at her body; she was still wearing her clothes.

-…I must have been really tired last night-

She stumbled out of bed and walked towards her window. She took a deep breath before opening it and slowly climbed out.
As quietly and quickly she could, she sneaked away from the house unnoticed.

Hinata walked around the park admiring the scenery. She still had an hour or so before she was to meet Naruto. She tried to keep her mood up as she thought what she just had done.

-Father will be furious…-

She had never run away from home before. Nor had she skipped training, and Hiashi took training extremely serious. But right now Naruto was far more important to her, so she pushed the thoughts of Hiashi to the back of her head.

It wasn't long before she found herself sitting on a bench waiting for Naruto.
Her heart was beating fast; he would be here any minute now.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

-I want to confess to him today… No, I have to do it!-
-…But I can't just jump him…-
-I have to lean into it somehow…-

A smile crept unto her lips as she let out giggle.
It felt weird sitting and planning her confession, weird but exciting.
Her eyes lit up as she turned her head. She quickly jumped to her feet.

"Oi! Hinata!~"

Naruto walked towards her waving with a grin on his face.
His smile was exhilarating.

"N-Naruto-Kun!"