Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Closer ❯ Fear of Being Left Behind ( Chapter 4 )

Series: Naruto, belongs to Kishimoto-Sama

Pairing: NaruHina

Beta: Blueangel236

Author: Lynns (Inu-Hugger and Mysteriousgirl)

 

 

Fear of Being Left Behind

 

Naruto stood outside of the newly built Hyuuga compound, his fist raised to rap on the door. He stood there for a moment before sighing softly in defeat, lowering his hand back down to his side. Coward! You've avoided her long enough and made her cry! So grow some balls and knock already! Feeling the courage he had moments ago slowly slip away, Naruto turned and headed back to his apartment.

 

Two weeks. It had been two weeks since he had started avoiding Hinata, and all because of his own lack of confidence and stupidity. Shoulders sagged as he remembered what had caused this whole mess in the first place.

 

He had finally been successful in bringing Sasuke back to Konoha, but only after beating the ever-loving crap out of the said Uchiha. Once Sasuke had been down for the count and unable to move, Naruto had tried to convince the Uchiha that revenge against the village was not the answer; however after fighting for almost an entire day, it had been hard to speak. Sasuke, unfortunately, was unwilling to listen at the moment, screaming at Naruto that he had no idea how he felt about losing someone close to him.

 

“Bonds of love are something that you will never truly understand!No one could ever love you!Youare a Jinchuuriki host and are destined to be alone!They would find you disgusting and leave you behind!”

 

At first, Naruto had ignored Sasuke's words as he watched Kakashi sling the Uchiha over his shoulder and Team 7 - including Sai - made their way back to Konoha. On their journey back, Naruto did a lot of thinking about his relationship with Hinata.

 

Five months ago, he had experienced his first kiss with her, and ever since then that was as far as they had gotten. With the threat of Akatsuki and Sasuke over his head, neither of them wanted to go any further. Having said that though, Naruto was finding it extremely difficult to keep their relationship at a complete standstill. Never before had he felt this way about anyone, and wanted to explore it more. If kissing her felt so amazing, what would the next step feel like?

 

All of that came to a screeching halt when he thought about Sasuke's words, and for a moment he wondered what he would do if Hinata all of a sudden decided he wasn't worthy enough of her and left. The thought made his heart clench and almost left him gasping for breath; reality finally set in his mind.

 

For over half a year, he had been living in a dream, always thinking that no matter what, Hinata would be in his life; however, with this reality check, he was almost left breathless. If Hinata left him now, it would hurt… it would hurt so much, and right now they were only dating. Two months ago, they had finally admitted to everyone that they were officially dating. But if things got more serious between them and then she left…

 

Don't go there...don't even think about it.

 

Would he be able to stand it? In all common sense, Hinata could have anyone she wanted, so why him? Doubts and negativity soon flooded his mind. She was the Heiress to the Hyuuga clan, and he was a demon container. If anything, he would be nothing but a burden to her.

 

Everyone's perspective of him over the years had changed drastically, and no longer were hateful words whispered between the villagers. Unfortunately, there were still some who saw him as nothing more than a monster. He could handle people hating him, but could he stand people hating Hinata as well for being with him? Would she even want to deal with it? Only now was she regaining respect in her own clan, but to be shunned by the villagers for just being his girlfriend…

 

Now, two weeks after returning to the village, he avoided Hinata at all costs. Coming up with every excuse in the book not to spend time with her or go have lunch at his favorite ramen booth. He was scared - scared of the reality that one day she would no longer want to be with him. All of this - holding hands, hugging, kissing - was so new to him, and being able to finally experience what he had only once dreamed of, it went beyond his expectations. He had been so happy with Hinata by his side. So happy that he wasn't even living in reality. Now that he was aware of what could happen, he didn't want it anymore…

 

The clenching feeling around his heart, the shaking in his hands, and the continuous lumps in his throat were bad enough. If their relationship went farther, how would he feel when she left? No, it was better to break things off now, so before she could leave him, he would leave her first.

 

Every time he told Hinata he was busy with something or couldn't spend time with her, her expression broke his heart each time. But the reminder of this is better for everyone kept repeating itself in his head. And for the first time in a long time, the loneliness that he had felt back when he was a child returned like a tidal wave crashing on him. He kept telling himself that eventually the feeling would pass.

 

Finally, yesterday evening, Hinata had cornered him and softly demanded to know what was going on. He could see the unshed tears glistening in her eyes, so, instead of avoiding the problem like he had been with another excuse not to talk to her, he told the truth.

 

Hinata didn't say a word as he spoke, explaining why stopping things now was better for the both of them. After he finished, again he was met with silence. It hurt - his heart clenched as he watched the tears sliding down her cheeks and hitting the ground beneath her feet. Her hands tightened into fists, and her whole body shook. At first, he wanted to run to her and take all the words he had said back but knew that he couldn't, his mind dead set that this was for the best. She too would eventually get over him.

 

“What did I do?”

 

Her soft spoken words left him speechless for a moment, and his whole body froze when finally their gazes met.

 

“What...did I do...to make you think...that I would ever...ever leave you?” her words were broken up as her body wracked with sobs. “I love you, Naruto-kun!”

 

Before he could say anything, she took the few steps to close the gap between them with her lips crashing onto his. Her hands fisted in his orange and black jacket not wanting to let him go, lips moving desperately against his. She wanted him to take back all the words he had just said to prove that never in a million years would she ever consider leaving. It hurt so much that he would even think such a thing...

 

Finally breaking the kiss but unable to look him in the eye, she rested her head on his chest.

 

“I've had a crush on you since we were children…and never have I thought…”

 

Naruto's eyes widened.

 

“Please…please don't go, Naruto-kun…” she cried, gripping his clothes even tighter.

 

He wasn't sure what to do. His mind was telling him that it was for the better - logically speaking it was for the best! But his heart was telling him the exact opposite. Was this truly for the best? Was he really being a fool here?

 

“Hinata… I…”

 

“YOU BASTARD!”

 

Naruto turned his head just in time as a fist connected with his jaw, forcing Hinata to let go as he crashed into the ground.

 

“Kiba-kun!” Hinata cried.

 

Naruto groaned as he tried to sit up, watching as Kiba glared at him. The dog ninja's body tensed and muscles flexed; preparing for another attack at Naruto. And before Naruto could say another word to Hinata or yell at Kiba to stop, the Inuzuka came charging at him again, grabbing him off the ground and slamming him against a nearby tree.

 

“You avoid her for weeks, and now you make her cry? You're dead meat!” growled Kiba, pulling his fist back to punch him in the face once more. With the force of Kiba's punch and the tree behind him, his world went black.

 

When he had come to, he was alone in the forest with a bruise on his right cheek and a black eye. The sun was slowly beginning to rise, meaning he had been lying there most of the night.

 

Slowly getting to his feet and dusting off his clothes, Naruto turned to head back to the village, but suddenly came nose to nose with Neji.

 

“You're finally awake? I was beginning to think Kiba had knocked you out for good. Luckily, I managed to convince him to escort Hinata-sama back home and that I would deal with you.”

 

Naruto jumped back, raising his arms in defense for another attack.

 

“Please, Neji! Let me explain, I-”

 

“Are you stupid?” Neji asked calmly.

 

“What?”

 

Neji sighed and leaned against the tree closest to him. “I'm wondering if you truly are that stupid - to even think for one second that Hinata-sama would even consider dumping you.” Neji glared at him with his cold white eyes and Naruto had to look away from that penetrating gaze. “Answer me. The only reason I'm here instead of Hiashi-sama is because he is currently out of the village. You should consider yourself lucky since I doubt he would have left you alive for making his daughter cry. If you thought Kiba's punches were hard from the stunt you pulled, you haven't seen anything compared to the Head Hyuuga when he is angry.”

 

Naruto's body started to shake at the thought.

 

“So tell me why you pulled such an idiotic move on my cousin?”

 

“You - you wouldn't understand…”

 

“Try me.”

 

The blond ninja growled, “Trust me - you don't know!” Then, very softly, he mumbled, “. . . She could do better . . .”

 

Neji's eyes widened slightly at his whispered words. “I see . . .”

 

“So, if you don't mind . . .”

 

“You feel as if things are getting out of control. Never before have you felt this way about someone, and the thought of them leaving you is so heartbreaking...that you try to leave them before they can hurt you?”

 

Naruto's eyes shot up from the ground, staring at Neji with his mouth wide open.

 

“Wake up, Uzumaki. Everyone who starts a relationship for the first time has felt like this, and you're not the only one.”

 

His hands clenched in anger. “Not everyone has a demon sealed inside their . . .”

 

“We all have our demons!” barked Neji, silencing Naruto. “Faults that we figure will eventually scare the person away!” Before Naruto could react, Neji grabbed him by the front of his jacket, almost lifting him up into the air. “You are afraid...you are a coward, fearing that Hinata-sama will suddenly see you as someone who is unworthy of her! Is that what you think? Well, you're dead wrong! I have known Hinata-sama most of my life, and I have never seen her this happy before!”

 

“If she continues to stay by my side, then it will make her unhappy! I'm one of the Jinchuuriki!”

 

Neji continued to glare at Naruto, his grip not lessening on his jacket. “Let me tell you something - something I have told no one else, and the only reason I'm telling you is because I think it will get through to your thick, stupid skull. I know exactly how you feel because I tried to pull the same stunt . . .”

 

Naruto's eyes softened at that statement. Neji did the same thing? But who . . .

 

“So then, the rumors that you and TenTen . . .”

 

“I'm from the Branch house, and I once foolishly considered that that was a reason for her to...leave me. If we were to continue down this path it would leave nothing but hardships for her, or so I selfishly thought. However, unlike Hinata... TenTen - she, well...it was the reason I was stuck in the hospital for a few days.”

 

Naruto flinched at the thought of TenTen actually overtaking the Hyuuga Jounin and putting him in the hospital.

 

“She was mad...very mad. I lost count how many times she called me stupid or an idiot. I had considered every logical reason for her to leave, and by all rights she should have...but tell me something, Naruto, when has love ever been logical?

 

“It is a human emotion that is unexplainable... so don't think that logic can answer it. Stop thinking of the negative things that could happen and concentrate on the positives like you always do! And before you say that you don't deserve to be loved, when has anyone gotten what they deserved? All one can do is reach for higher things and work hard to get to them!”

 

He could feel the anger building in him, his mouth running away, “Your situation and mine are completely different! I've got a killer fox inside of me that could destroy this village in a second!”

 

“And when has that ever mattered to her? She's known about the Kyuubi since childhood, and still she had such a horrible crush on you! Why would that change now?”

 

Naruto felt his anger slowly start to fade and memories played through his mind of her constant reminders to him that the Kyuubi did not affect her feelings for him. To her, he was Naruto and would always be just Naruto, even with a demon still sealed in him.

 

Releasing the Kyuubi container, Neji regarded him for a second before turning to leave. “Think about what I said...and give Hinata a moment to calm down before you talk to her. If you don't come tonight, Kiba and I will be hunting you down.”

 

After that, Naruto had found the tallest tree in the forest, and on its highest branch he sat there thinking about Neji's words. Pushing aside all of the negative thoughts that had plagued his mind during the past two weeks, he concentrated on the good ones.

 

The feeling of someone waiting for him when he was gone - it was something he had longed for ever since childhood. Every time he came back from a mission now, Hinata was usually waiting for him with a smile on her face. The feeling he got from it was a deep longing and happy one that almost brought tears to his eyes. He had nearly cried the first time he had said to her `Tadaima' to which she responded with `Okaeri-nasai' after a long hard mission.

 

Holding hands, embracing someone, eskimo kisses, actual kissing - never had he experienced any of these physical contacts before, and now that he had, he didn't want them to disappear. In fact he wanted more.

 

Getting to know Hinata was the best thing that ever happened to him. Learning about her childhood, her likes and dislikes, favorite food, favorite jutsu - he loved learning about her, and he wanted to know more personal things about her.

 

Tears rolled down his cheeks as he remembered the time she had said how much she liked his whiskered cheeks before kissing them. She truly did not care that the Kyuubi was inside him or that if it was unsealed he could kill her.

 

He had wished for all of this his whole life and had wanted to throw it away because he got scared. Usually if you got scared in a fight, you would just train harder, stand up and fight again. But battles of the heart were played on a much different field, and being hurt on an emotional level cost more than a physical wound did. With time, physical wounds healed, but time did nothing for wounds of the heart . . .

 

The risk of being hurt and left behind - yes, they were scary, but the benefits that came when you were with someone were well worth the risk.

 

I just have to work harder at this. Take on the challenges as if I were training normally instead of being a coward.

 

By the time Naruto had come to the conclusion that he had been a complete idiot for what he did and had summoned up the courage to actually talk to Hinata, the sun had set and once again it was nightfall.

 

And so here he was. Ready to knock on the Hyuuga door and beg for Hinata to forgive him for being such an idiot, but upon facing his problem his courage had fallen.

 

Only after a few steps back towards his apartment did Naruto stop . . .

 

What the hell am I doing!? I can't just leave like this! For one thing, Neji and Kiba will kill me and hide my body if I don't; but more importantly if I don't fix things with Hinata now they may never be fixable

 

Smacking himself on the forehead, Naruto whipped right around, ran towards the Hyuuga door and knocked loudly three times. He could hear whispered voices on the other side, and the sound of bolts moving to unlock it. As the door opened Naruto came face to face with . . .

 

“TenTen?”

 

The weapons Ninja regarded him with a solemn look, twirling a kunai on her right hand,

“How come all you guys are idiots? I've been trying to tell Hinata she should have just kicked your . . .”

 

“That's enough.”

 

TenTen looked to her left before disappearing and within a few seconds Neji had taken her place. “Hinata is currently in her room. I've taken the liberty of removing all servants from the house for a few hours so that no one will interrupt.”

 

Naruto blushed, but it quickly disappeared when Neji cracked his knuckles.

 

“By interrupt I mean you telling Hinata how much of an idiot you were, apologizing, and making it up to her. If you decide to do anything else that involves the removal of clothing, I'll cut off your head, and I don't mean the one above your shoulders!”

 

Pale as a ghost, Naruto nodded.

 

“Good, now follow me.”

 

Neji lead Naruto down a series of different hallways that would be quite confusing to an outsider. However, Naruto had been to Hinata's room before when she had showed him pictures of her childhood. Telling Neji that he knew the way to Hinata's room would most likely lead to wrong conclusions and the removal of certain body parts.

 

When Neji led Naruto past Hinata's room, a confused look came across his face but thought it better not to ask. Opening the shoji to his left, Naruto was lead into a huge garden.

 

“Hinata has moved from her room to here. Follow the stone path towards the pond, and you will find her,” instructed Neji, deactivating his Byakugan.

 

“Thank you,” whispered Naruto.

 

“My debt to you from when you helped me see that destiny can be changed is paid; we are now even.”

 

Naruto nodded before stepping down the stairs and started walking down the stone path. The Hyuuga Jounin watched him for a moment before turning around to head back to his own guest.

 

A soft gust of wind passed by, causing the trees to sway and the aroma of the nearby flowers passed Naruto. Catching the smell of lilacs, he turned to see a tree full of them. He remembered that lilacs were the first flowers he had ever brought Hinata. Smiling softly and hoping Neji wouldn't kill him for this, he walked towards the tree.

 

*********

 

Hinata stared down at her reflection in the pond. She couldn't see herself clearly with the ripples her tears created. Crying for a full day had not lessened them at all; instead it only intensified as the day went on.

 

TenTen had come by her room to cheer her up, trying to explain that boys were nothing but idiots. She even told her a similar story when Neji had tried to convince her with logical reasons why it wouldn't work between them with him being in the Branch House. Hinata couldn't help but smile a little now that she knew the real reason her cousin had been in the hospital for a few days.

 

“Naruto just got cold feet is all, and it happens to everyone when things between them get serious. I heard from Sakura that Sasuke said some pretty mean things to Naruto when the two of them fought...something along the lines of him being a Jinchuurki and that no one could ever love him. He's just being an idiot right now, and you've got to knock some sense into him.”

 

Taking a deep shuddering breath Hinata attempted to wipe her tears away, but the memory of Naruto's words were still fresh in her mind.

 

“I don't think its right for us to see each other anymore. You're the heir to the Hyuuga clan, and I'm a demon container - it will never work between us. I know you've known about the Kyuubi for a long time, but I don't think you've considered all the hardships that could go along with it. So, before this gets anymore serious between us and you decide to leave me... I think it's best that we break it off here.”

 

Tears once again started to roll down her cheeks. She had never thought of leaving Naruto...never. The very thought of him disappearing and never to see him again was so painful to think about it instantly made her heart clench. She had felt this pain before when Naruto had battled against the leader of Akatsuki and was almost taken away. The thought of Naruto disappearing from her world had been so overwhelming, her body had moved all on its own. Jumping down into the huge crater without even a second thought to protect the one she cared and loved most...even though she knew she didn't stand a chance against the enemy.

 

Naruto had fears that she would leave him, and she had the same fears. Scared of opening her heart more to the blond ninja, thinking he would find her weak and useless, being left behind by her crush...her boyfriend . . .

 

“Hinata-chan?”

 

Gasping in surprise, Hinata whipped her head around to see Naruto standing behind her at the beginning of the dock. She had been so deep in her own thoughts she had been completely oblivious to someone coming up behind her.

 

What kind of ninja am I to let my guard down like that? If that had been an enemy, I would have been dead!

 

Her eyes fell on the small bouquet of flowers in his hands...lilacs . . .

 

Those are . . .

 

Naruto scratched the back of his head and couldn't help but shift from foot to foot in nervousness and guilt. He had been watching her for a few minutes, seeing the tears rolling down her face. Tears that he has caused.

 

“Can we talk?”

 

Hinata wiped the tears from her eyes and nodded.

 

Sighing with relief that she was actually willing to talk to him was the first good sign that he could fix this. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he slowly approached Hinata where she sat on the end of the wooden dock with her legs dangling over the edge. Moving the flowers to his right hand, he took a seat beside her, leaving his left hand free to grasp her smaller one in his. He half expected for her to jerk her hand out of his, but she didn't; instead she squeezed his hand back.

 

A sort of awkward silence engulfed them as Naruto tried to find the right words to explain himself, and he ended up blatantly telling Hinata the truth like he always did . . .

 

“I got scared,” whispered Naruto.

 

Hinata lifted her gaze from their locked hands to look at him, her pale violet eyes shining in the moonlight.

 

“I've been alone most of my life, and I've always longed to have someone welcome me home, to have physical and emotional contact with someone. It was the first thing I ever dreamed about before becoming Hokage. Then when finally I got what I wished for...I was overwhelmed...with a happiness that I have never felt before in my life.”

 

Naruto stopped for a moment, placing the flowers in his hand down so that he could reach forward and caress Hinata's cheek. She leaned into his touch, welcoming the contact which made Naruto relax more and speak from his heart.

 

“I've been so happy these past eight months, and I started to think I was living in a dream. I tried to see this from a logical point of view and couldn't figure out what you see in me in the first place. I'm someone who has a demon sealed in his body, and I'm with the heir to the Hyuuga clan, who are practically royalty in Konoha.

 

“Thinking only of the negative things...it got to me. The thought of you realizing that I'm not. . . that you...thinking you would leave me, and it just hurt so much that I couldn't stand it. So I-I thought if I broke it off first...it wouldn't hurt as much.”

 

Hinata remained silent. Deep down, she wanted to wipe all his fears away but continued to listen, letting him get his worries off his chest.

 

“After seeing you cry like that, getting punched by Kiba, and then getting a tongue lashing from Neji made me realize that I was just being a total idiot - tossing aside the best thing that has ever happened to me like that - And you have every right use your Juho Soshiken on me.”

 

He could feel tears welling up in his eyes, mentally lecturing himself for hurting her in the first place and making her cry. The hand caressing her cheek left for a moment to pick up the lilacs at his side and present them to her.

 

“I'm an idiot, but I want to be your idiot. I can be really dense and stupid at times and I know that that sounds like an excuse for what I did but...I'm sorry, Hinata-chan. I'm so sorry for what I said to you, and I take everything back.”

 

Tears started to fall from his eyes, “I want to keep us going. I know it will be scary, and I'm sure I've got some traits and habits that make you mad, but if you can look past that...I-I want us to stay together!”

 

Naruto watched as a small smile formed on her lips and her own free hand coming up to take the flowers from his. She brought them up to her nose to smell their sweet aroma. Setting them on the dock beside her, she raised her hand again to rest it on his whiskered cheek. A soft blush dusted her cheeks as she finally realized he had called her `Hinata-chan'.

 

“I've been scared too, thinking that Naruto-kun would want to leave me as well.”

 

Blue eyes widened upon hearing her similar fear to his.

 

“I still sometimes see myself as weak, useless, as someone who cannot change. I usually think these things when you're not around, but whenever I'm with you...those fears just melt away. I've told you many times before, Naruto-kun, that you being the Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi doesn't bother me at all,” she whispered, pulling his head down to hers so that their noses brushed against each other. Her fingers lightly traced the birthmark whiskers on his cheeks, and Naruto couldn't help but shiver under her touch.

 

“I know what you mean, and when I was with you I never even thought of those things before, but, after what Sasuke said to me . . .”

 

He couldn't finish his sentence as Hinata pressed her lips against his. Any worry or doubt that had been in his mind flew out the window as he returned the kiss eagerly. The hand on her cheek moved into her hair, feeling the silky strands move through his fingers. Their lips caressed one another, never breaking as they rekindled the lost contact. Naruto realized how much he had missed kissing Hinata, and not having that contact for two weeks made him wish it never ended.

 

Hinata pulled his face closer to hers, tilting his head slightly to the side to deepen the kiss. Fingers continued caressing his whiskered cheek as she savored the taste of him...an addiction she had started to crave ever since their first kiss.

 

Too soon for them, they pulled apart, gasping for air as their eyes stayed locked.

 

“I forgive you, Naruto-kun.”

 

The blond ninja couldn't help but smile. “I'll make it up to you, Hinata-chan, and I promise I won't ever make you cry again...unless it's tears of happiness!”

 

Hinata couldn't help but giggle as she bumped her nose against his. “Next time, though, if you ever have fears or doubts about anything between us...let's talk about it, okay? I don't want for you or me to just suddenly jump to conclusions.”

 

“I promise,” Naruto whispered, closing his eyes and claiming her lips again. Their kisses became more desperate, their breathing and heart beats increasing by the moment. When air became essential again, they pulled apart, gasping.

 

“Hinata-chan . . .” he whispered again, leaning in to kiss her, but was surprised when her fingers pressed against his lips stopping him.

 

“I think it's time we stopped for tonight since it's almost one in the morning.”

 

Naruto smiled and was about to protest but couldn't argue as a yawn escaped his lips. “Point taken.”

 

Hinata pecked him on the lips one last time before moving to stand up and Naruto followed after her. Their hands never letting go as they made their way back through the garden. Feeling tired, yet playful, Hinata couldn't help the idea she formed when she released Naruto's hand from hers. Smiling, she lightly tapped him the shoulder whispering `You're it' before breaking in a run towards her house.

 

“Hey, no fair!” cried Naruto taking off after her as she weaved in and out gracefully through the trees and bushes. Her laughter was music to his ears as they continued their game of tag throughout the garden. It was as if the past two weeks had never happened and everything was back to the way it was before.

 

At one point with Naruto being `it', he caught sight of his girlfriend making a break towards the Hyuuga house and moved to stop her. He meant to just move in front of her to block the path, but, without seeing a rock hidden by some lilies, he tripped. Hinata didn't have time to move or catch Naruto as he came toppling onto her. She found herself on her back in the lush green grass with Naruto on top of her.

 

A blush quickly spread across her cheeks. She could feel one of his legs between her own. Naruto braced his upper body on his elbows with her head resting between them, their lips a mere inch from touching. Their gazes locked as they tried to slow down their breathing from running around the garden.

 

Naruto couldn't help but stare down at her in awe. Seeing the stars above reflected in Hinata's eyes made her seem more beautiful to him. Before he could even think about the compromising position they were in, Naruto leaned his head down to kiss Hinata on the lips. A new feeling swept over him, something he had not felt before. Being in this position - him on top and her below - made his body shiver in a whole new and wonderful way.

 

Hinata, at first, felt nervous and even slightly scared with Naruto on top of her, but her worries soon left when his lips found hers. Soft dainty hands that had been resting in the grass moved with one wrapping around his shoulder to pull him closer and the other entangled his blond spikes to caress his scalp.

 

The blond emitted a soft groan as his head tilted slightly to deepen the kiss. Experimentally, Naruto wanted to try and take another step, so he opened his mouth slightly.

 

Hinata jerked at the feeling of his tongue against her lips which caused them to pull apart. The rose color on her cheeks intensified greatly as she stared up at Naruto with wide eyes, his face as red as hers.

 

“S-s-sorry! I just . . .” stuttered Naruto, he made a slight attempt to get off her, but the grip she had and his shoulder and scalp didn't lessen.

 

The blush on her face intensified as she pulled Naruto back down to her, kissing him before she returned the favor by lightly flicking her own tongue against his lips. Feeling a shiver run up his spine from the contact, Naruto opened his own mouth and could not help the small whimper that escaped his throat as their tongues touched. He tasted her; she was warm and sweet. Shivers continued to run up and down his body as his tongue fully slipped into her mouth. If he thought kissing had been amazing, this new experience created something on a whole new level. He couldn't help but smirk inwardly as Hinata fought back and pushed his tongue back so she could explore the contours of his mouth.

 

If she hadn't been lying down, Hinata was afraid she would have passed out by now. Her hand gently fisted in his hair to pull him closer, allowing her to taste more of him. Regular kissing had been addicting enough, but this...it was as if she couldn't get enough of it.

 

Both were lost in the sensations of their tongues massaging one another, small sounds of whimpers were slowly filling the quiet garden. Hinata felt him shift slightly, moving his left arm so that all of his weight went onto his right elbow. His body leaned more into her, deepening their kisses even more, if that was possible. She could feel his hand move along her side before slipping under her back.

 

Her hands in his hair and on his back, the taste of her, the smell of her skin, the sounds she made were clouding his brain. He felt something new awaken within him, a deep feeling in the pit of his stomach. Instinctively, his hips moved forward, grinding against hers . . .

 

Both of them froze as they felt it. Hinata's faced turned even redder at the feeling of something hard against her thigh. Eyes slowly fully opened as she watched him pull his body off of hers; rising to his knees. His face was even more crimson than hers, hands and body shaking slightly as his clouded brain cleared and he fully realized what was going on. Naruto let out a shaky breath and was not sure on how to take Hinata's reaction to this. He hadn't meant for it to happen! But being surrounded by her like that . .. he had just . . .

 

Her eyes were still wide and she was panting heavily beneath him.

 

“I-I-I'm s-s-s . . .” stuttered Naruto. Did you apologize when this thing kind of happened?

 

Hinata slowly pushed herself up, lightly nudging her head against his before kissing his whiskered cheek. “Don't be sorry,” she whispered into his ear. “It's okay.”

 

Leaving one hand on the ground for support, she raised the other to lightly caress his face. The shaking in his body stopped and his racing heart started to calm down. Closing his eyes he moved his head to rest it on her shoulder, taking in the smell of her hair. He could still feel the slight constricting in his pants and tried to take deep breaths to compose himself. However being so close to her and the memory of the kiss did the exact opposite. Images from what he had read in his sensei's books suddenly came to mind and the thought of doing that with Hinata . . .

 

The sound of loud footsteps from the Hyuuga house caused the two push away from each other and move to their feet. Naruto was half expecting Neji to come flying out of the shoji, but instead it was TenTen who came running out and closed it behind her.

 

“We've got to move now!” she hissed, grabbing Naruto by the arm and dragging him towards the wall.

 

“What the hell?” asked a baffled Naruto and didn't get a chance to say anymore as TenTen leapt into the air with him in tow. They landed on the other side and he was slammed into the wall with her hand covering his mouth.

 

“Lower your chakra to a bare minimum and don't make a sound!”

 

Wondering briefly what the hell she was talking about, he was about to protest when a familiar presence caught his attention. Eyes widening, Naruto did as he was told and listened as he heard the shoji slide open again.

 

“Hinata, why are you out in the garden so late?”

 

The sound of Hiashi's voice sent a chill down his spine, and not the good kind he had been experiencing moments ago. Both ninjas listened as Hinata and her father talked before they heard the shoji close again with both Hyuugas inside.

 

Sighing in relief TenTen released Naruto and stepped away from him. “That was close . . .”

 

“I thought he was gone!?” whispered Naruto, following after the weapons ninja as they made their way to the main street and away from the Hyuuga complex before anyone saw them.

 

“He wasn't supposed to be back until tomorrow. Luckily, though, Neji saw him coming before he came through the front gates, so I was able to make a run for it.”

 

Nodding softly, Naruto finally relaxed as they turned down the main road in the village. For the first time in two weeks, Naruto felt completely happy again and if at any time Hinata felt like kicking his ass for his almost idiotic move, he would take it without complaint.

 

The wear and tear of the long day soon took its toll on him, and h couldn't help as another yawn escaped his lips.

 

“You should be lucky that Hinata forgave you.”

 

Naruto turned to TenTen and nodded. “I'm one lucky fool!” he admitted.

 

Getting close to his new apartment, Naruto was about to bid TenTen a good night and thank her for saving his butt from Hiashi, but something caught his attention, “TenTen...why are you wearing your shirt inside out?”