Naruto followed Sasuke's stare and was surprised to find the weird and quiet girl from his class spying on them. However, before he could say anything, Sasuke started walking directly towards her, causing her body to tremble in fear of retaliation.

He stopped just in front of her, giving her another cold glare before scoffing and turning away.

"I didn't know the princess of the Hyuuga was prone to spying. Is this the education you receive in your home?" he asked acidly, leaving his words hanging in the air while Hinata could only stare at his back.

She shook her head and stood up, suddenly remembering she had a mission to complete, but her feet could only take a single step before movement from behind caught her attention. She turned and saw as Naruto stood up, dusting his pants with a dispirited expression, and something in her heart squeezed in pain. She didn't know if Naruto understood the reason behind Sasuke's rejection, but either way, she knew he was hurting.

She was divided then. She knew she had to follow Sasuke while she could to give him the bento, but she didn't want to leave her crush alone, not in a moment like this. Her palms started sweating, her breathing to come out faster, and she knew that if she even tried she would be in danger of fainting, but something was nagging at her, and when Naruto raised his eyes and looked at her, her resolution completely crumbled.

She always hated herself because of her inability to do the things she wanted to do, but this time, while blue eyes stared at white, she finally made a decision. Steeling herself, she walked towards her crush, who had a bewildered look upon seeing her getting closer, and shoved the bento meant for Sasuke into his hands.

"N-N-N-N-Naruto-kun!" she yelled, closing her eyes. "P-P-Please a-a-a-accept t-t-this!"

There was silence for a long moment. Hinata was sure that if Naruto didn't speak soon, she was going to faint, already feeling the first telltale signs of it. Luckily for her, she soon felt the weight of the bento lifting from her hands, and she sighed, slowly and shyly looking up after taking a safe step back to prevent any hyperventilation from standing too close.

Naruto looked at the bento box with a puzzled expression, as if it was some kind of mystery he had to solve. He blinked, turning it around until, finally, his eyes connected with hers again. Hinata almost jumped out of her skin, but the sensation was soon dismissed when a smile as big as the sun took over his features, mesmerizing her.

"Thanks, Hinata-chan! You're nice!"

Hinata simply blinked, lost in her own thoughts, before shaking her head and forcing herself to say something, anything. "Y-Y-You're wel-welcome, Naruto-kun… and…" she tried to play with her index fingers, but she was still holding her own bento, so instead she took another step back, glancing down unable to take more of his blue, blue eyes on her, "a-a-and pl-please don't take S-Sasuke-kun's words to h-h-h-heart. He i-is h-hurting and he d-d-doesn't want to s-s-share his pain ye-yet."

Naruto took in her words, thinking them over, before nodding. "I guess you're right. Maybe he needs more time…" but even as he said that, he sounded unsure. He sighed. "And, um, are you sure you want me to have this?" he changed subjects, pointing at the bento in his hands with his chin. Hinata looked at him without understanding. "You wanted to give it to Sasuke, no? That's why you followed us…"

"T-T-That doesn't matter! I still have a-a-another ben-bento with me!" Hinata answered quickly, not wanting to cause her crush any worry. Naruto still looked unconvinced, though, glancing down at the remaining, smaller bento in her hands.

"But isn't that one yours…?"

"I-I have another one in the classroom!" she quickly lied before turning around. As much as she would love to stay with Naruto and share lunches, she still had a mission to complete. Not taking into account, she was reaching the end of her endurance. "I-I'll see you in c-c-class, Naruto-kun!"

"Yeah… see you, Hinata-chan!" the blond smiled again and waved her goodbye just as Hinata ran as fast as she could. Her mind still couldn't wrap around the fact that she actually talked to Naruto, and not only talked, but gave him a bento! She was beyond herself and she knew it but she was also happy. Baby steps were fine, and, at least for today, she made him smile.

Thinking this, she returned to the main courtyard of the academy, searching for Sasuke again before the bell rang.