I've mentioned in More Than One Life that there are moments that Naruto and Hinata can both pick out over these two years of their friends purposely pushing the two of them together. This is the first very painfully obvious one…like so glaringly obvious.
While I love openly pining Hinata, poor girls going to get embarrassed now :)
"So, we were at the new indoor training grounds and he just came walking out of the changing room, pulling his shirt over his head. And I just, gods, it's been over a year since the war ended and he hasn't done a damn thing. And I know I said someone confessing during a battle doesn't count but could he at least give me some sort of clue on if he even heard me or not?" Hinata huffs, reaching for a spring roll from the tray in front of her, and shoving half of it into her mouth.
"Well," Ino starts, glancing at the boys over Hinata's shoulder, all too distracted by whatever Shikamaru was telling them.
"We all know he's an idiot," Hinata shrugs, while she was normally the first to defend Naruto. Ino was right, in battle and confrontations he knew how to handle himself but she was beginning to doubt he understood how to handle matters outside of that.
"Maybe he thought you meant you loved him like everyone who loved him for saving the village. So here's a wild idea." Both girls could hear the sarcasm dripping from Ino's voice. " Maybe you should try flirting with him." Ino winks at the blue-haired girl across from her.
"Oooooh," Sakura chimes in. "That's not a bad idea Ino, what do you say Hinata?"
Hinata looks from one girl to the other, face turning red. "Flirt." She manages to get the word out, before reaching for her water, draining half the glass.
"Ya know, compliment him. Be a little touchy with him." Sakura suggests
"I, no, I couldn't. He'd think I'm crazy." Hinata thought about how Naruto seemed to touch those around him, including her, with ease. Thinking nothing about putting his hand on someone's shoulder or sitting too close.
"Hinata." Sakura raises her brow "You tell us, quite often I might add, how attractive you find him and you've gotten over your stuttering when you talk about him. I know you don't believe me but he likes you too. He's just, you know, him. And unless it's right in front of him I don't think he's going to notice." Sakura glances up, smiling at something behind the other girl. Pulling her device from where she had it tucked in the top of her boot, she starts typing a message with impressive speed. "And he already has no sense of personal space so the touching wouldn't be weird to him."
"No sense of personal space with people he's close to, we're not close."
"Hinata" Sakura draws out each syllable of her name, lowering her head and rubbing her forehead. "Are you telling me there isn't a reason why Shikamaru was looking for him the other day, couldn't find him so he messaged you? And you were able to tell him that he was at the training grounds with you?"
"He was just trying to get away from the girls with their gifts for the Rinne Festival." Hinata's face falls at the memory. She had been throwing weapons at the targets. Upset at seeing girls in the village approach Naruto with their gifts, take pictures with him, make their silly little peace signs, and press their cheeks to his. Naruto had shown up, walking silently from the tree line and joining her. They stood silently together until the box of random weapons kept at the training ground was empty and her device buzzing in her pocket. He nodded at her before turning and walking off hands shoved in his pockets
"Stop that, he's just being nice. He told me just the other day he's annoyed by it."
"At least those girls have his attention."
"But Hinata, you have his attention. Hell, you have all his attention but neither of you realizes it." Sakura's voice was a loud whisper. "He'd give you the world if you asked, so why don't you just stop worrying so much and just ask?"
"You're saying I should ask him on a date?"
"If you want, that would be amazing but maybe just start with what Ino suggested. Flirt with him a little bit, and stop shying away from him when he leans in. Make it a point to sit by him, little easy things. It'll get easier I promise. I know he makes you nervous but what's the easiest way to get used to something? Do it until it doesn't bother you.
"I guess I could try it." Hinata starts, playing with the long strands of hair pooling in her lap. Ino and Sakura were right, while Naruto did make her nervous things had changed between them in the last year. She had lost her stutter, gained control of her fainting, and was able to keep the blush to a minimum.
"Try what?" A familiar voice asks, as long legs make their way over the back of the couch before Naruto plops down in the seat next to her.
"Oh! Well, nothing. Just girl stuff." Hinata lets out a laugh, her normal instinct telling her to scoot over on the cushion but she kept her spot.
"Scoot Hina." Kiba nudged her with his foot before sitting on her other side, there had been plenty of room on the cushion next to but he made a show of spreading out on the couch, taking up the extra room she had made.
"Kiba," Hinata starts, before her friend pulls his device from his pocket, letting Sakura's name on the message thread flash in front of her before the screen goes dark.
Hinata looks down, her legging-clad thigh now flushes against Naruto's sweatpants, their arms against each other's. She sighs, drawing a deep breath before settling back into the couch. Naruto turns to look at her, her favorite soft smile of his pulling at his lips. He notices their arms tight against each other, pulling his up and resting it on the couch behind her head.
Hinata fights everything in her telling her to move. Telling her that he was too close, to leave the comforting heat radiating from where his body touched hers. Instead, she breathes in the crisp bold scent that she had smelled that day at the cemetery. So, Hinata only adjusts herself, sinking more into the seat, her shoulder tucking slightly under his outstretched arm.
"Hey Shikamaru, this kotatsu isn't on is it?" Naruto yells across the room.
"I don't think so, Ino complained about being hot a while ago so I switched it off. Why?"
"Hinata's looking a little flushed, that's all."
Sakura watched the two from across the room. Hinata had turned towards him, folding her legs under her, knees pressed into Naruto's leg. Her hands were folded in her lap, knuckles occasionally brushing against his thigh. Sakura quickly got Ino's attention. Everyone now subtly watching Naruto completely ignore everyone else in the room, stuck in a conversation with the girl he had no idea was in love with him. Naruto's eyes were bright, and a permanent smile spread across his face. Sakura watched as Hinata laughed at something he said, reaching her hand out, and hitting Naruto softly in the arm. Naruto feigned pain, laughed, and nudged Hinata back.
"What an idiot." Sakura shakes her head as Ino nods her head in agreement.
Please channel your inner Hermione from the Sorcerer's Stone when Harry goes off to get Neville's Remembrall from Draco