Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Closer ❯ Guy Talk, Girl Talk ( Chapter 7 )

Series: Naruto, belongs to Kishimoto-Sama

Pairing: NaruHina

Beta: Blueangel236

Author: Lynns (Inu-Hugger and Mysteriousgirl)

 

Girl Talk, Guy Talk

 

Usually if Naruto was in the Konoha hospital he would be visiting a friend, or very rarely had injuries of his own. When he had been injured, it took at most only a few days to heal; thanks to the Kyuubi's power inside him. However this time around was much different than any other . . .

 

Covered from head to foot in bandages, he looked almost exactly the same after his first battle with Sasuke . . . but after fighting against Uchiha Madara . . . he felt ten times worse. It hurt to move . . . it hurt to breathe . . . it hurt to blink . . . hell it even hurt to think! Compared to every battle he had ever won, this one had definitely taken the worst toll on him. Never before had he used up all of his energy and the Kyuubi's as well. For the first time and probably the last; he and the Kyuubi had worked together to defeat the Uchiha. As the Kyuubi had quoted when the fight was over, `I would rather be sealed in your sorry ass, then to be used by Madara again as some sort of weapon for his bidding,'

Naruto chuckled lightly at the memory, but instantly stopped from the pain that racked his body. In all honesty it did feel like every bone in his body was broken and since he had used up all the Kyuubi's power, there was not even a speck left to help heal him.

 

Sasuke was somewhere in the hospital in a room as well since he too had taken a shit kicking from Madara. His teammate had finally been brought to his senses after he and Sakura had basically yelled at him for over an hour; also adding a few punches here and there. Sasuke had been a huge help with his Sharingan and it had felt good to fight by his side again. Kakashi had also taken quite a beating as well, also using his Sharingan to its full extent. Tsunade had been utterly concerned that the next time he used it, he could go blind. His sensei had also suffered from a few broken bones, but all in all would be fine. Sakura too had been part of the battle; however she was more there for medical assistance then fighting and had only suffered a few minor injuries. Shugo, Karin and Suigetsu had helped them as well in fighting the other two remaining Akatsuki members; Zetsu and Kisame. Victory had been theirs . . .

 

Staring up at the ceiling again, his mind started to wander back to his conversation with Nagato about peace. Now that Madara was defeated . . . what would the answer be to finding absolute peace? Or was there even an answer to this riddle? Even if people could truly understand each other, that didn't exactly mean they could come to an agreement. There would still be people who would kill and just want to see the world burn in chaos. So what was the answer?

 

Slowly he tried to sit up, even though his sore muscles were protesting not to. Tsunade had told him that it would be at least two weeks before he would be up and running again. The first week Tsunade was forcing him to stay in the hospital, but the second week he would be able to go home and rest there.

 

His eyes drifted over to a chair in the corner of the room that had a Jounin vest draped over the back of it. He couldn't help but smirk at the thought that he was no longer a Gennin, but a Jounin now. Due to his victory against Madara, Tsunade had decided that she would not promote him to Chuunin, but Jounin instead. She even had told him that if he thought he already had been on lots of missions, he would be on a lot more now that he had been promoted. Technically speaking she had bent the rules a bit since he didn't actually take the exam, but she knew with out a doubt he would have passed with flying colors.

 

Most of their group were Jounin now; even Hinata had passed the test last month. After getting out of the hospital he had convinced her that she should take the test. She had been doubtful at first that she would pass, but after he reminded her that she had beat Neji; Hinata decided to give it a try.

 

Even though it meant more missions for both of them, and probably less time together . . . Naruto had no doubt they would pull through it . . . or so he hoped. They had been separated from weeks at a time, but sometimes A and B rank missions took months. The distance and time spent apart would definitely take a beating on their current relationship, which meant they would just have to work harder on it. Even though he hated it, he could always ask Neji for some advice. Out of everyone in their group he was the only one who was in a relationship like his. The Hyuuga and TenTen had been seeing each other for over a year, and were both Jounin. So for Naruto, Neji seemed like the best person to talk to about this kind of thing; even if the Hyuuga gave him a slight glare every time he came to ask questions.

 

A knock at the door brought Naruto out of his thoughts, and he turned his head just in time to see Kiba, Shino, Neji, Shikimaru, Lee and Chouji come walking into his room.

 

“Hey there champ!”

 

“Kiba you could keep your voice down, we are in the hospital after all, “scolded Neji.

 

“Ah lighten up will you? We finally managed to convince Sakura to let us all in here at the same time,” said Kiba, holding up the take-out box from Ichiraku's for Naruto to see, “We came here to celebrate your victory!”

 

Naruto couldn't help but smile. All of his friends were either holding take-out ramen boxes, or some kind of food that made it seem they were having a small party. However the brown paper bag in Kiba's other hand caught his attention, “That's not what I think it is, is it?”

 

“What did you expect? Can't have a party like this without Sake!”

 

“If you give any to Lee, I'm nominating you to fight him,” grumbled Neji.

 

“Troublesome,” mumbled Shikamaru.

 

“Enough of the bickering, let's eat!” piped Chouji.

 

The six guests gathered around Naruto's bed and started their small `party'. When Naruto inquired why Sasuke wasn't with them, Lee said they had asked the Uchiha to join them, but were declined. Sai was also MIA, but that was because he was away for a mission. They started reminiscing about the old days, recent missions and even had Naruto re-tell the story of his battle with Madara.

 

“I can't believe Tsunade-sama just promoted you to Jounin just like that, she should have made you take the test,” grumbled Kiba.

 

“I think Naruto's deserved it actually. He did practically beat most of the members of Akatsuki after all,” said Chouji, munching on a bag of his favorite potato chips.

 

“If you say so Chouji, but man that test was hard though.”

 

Kiba moved to grab the Sake bottle off the floor, but Shino beat him to the punch.

 

“And just pray tell where did you get this from?” the bug user asked his team mate.

 

“Oh, would you relax Shino? It was a gift from that guy we escorted to the snow country and lucky for us it somehow survived the trip home,”

 

“You do realize that if Sakura-chan catches us in here with it, we are all dead,” said Naruto. Truth be told he had always wanted to try Sake, however if his team mate caught them . . .

 

“Oh come on you guys! We are just going to have one drink each, alright? Not get drunk and rampage around the hospital,” said Kiba, grabbing the bottle from his team mate.

 

“A drink for youth!” cried Lee.

 

Kiba passed each of them a small cup of Sake (except Lee) before making a small toast to the blonde ninja. They all drank their cup of alcohol, but most of them hadn't enjoyed it. Naruto found the taste bitter, Chouji had quickly started gobbling down chips again to get rid of the taste and Shino almost had to force himself to drink the rest of his cup. Neji and Shikimaru however had no trouble with the Sake since they had drank it before in their clans. Kiba on the other hand had enjoyed it so much that he kept on drinking, much to everyone's dismay.

 

Lee then had pulled out a deck of cards suggesting they play some games to keep the party rolling; surprisingly even Neji had joined in on the game.

 

“So . . . Naruto, things getting pretty serious between you and `hic' Hinata?”

 

Everyone could see the blush Naruto was sporting even under his bandages, “None of your business Kiba.”

 

“Aw are you embarrassed? I do know you two haven't done it yet, but what you guys are doing is . . .”

 

“Kiba that's enough!” hissed Neji.

 

“How the hell do you know that?” squawked Naruto, almost dropping his cards.

 

Kiba smirked and tapped his nose, “Oh I can tell . . . and what are you bitching about Neji? You and TenTen are actually doing it!”

 

Naruto slapped his hand against his forehead . . . and if looks could kill Kiba would be dead instantly with the glare Neji was giving him.

 

“Shikimaru and his girl aren't doing stuff like that yet though, just holding hands and embracing from what I can tell,”

 

All eyes suddenly went to Shikimaru; who was now also glaring in the Inuzuka, “Troublesome dog, keep your mouth shut!”

 

“You're seeing someone?” asked Lee.

 

Shikimaru sighed and tried to ignore Lee's question as he drew another card from the pile.

 

“Who the hell would be able to put up with you?” asked Naruto, thinking of his friends laid back behavior.

 

“Temari puts him in his place,”

 

“Chouji!” hissed Shikimaru.

 

“Temari?” burst out almost everyone.

 

“Yup, he's been seeing her for almost three months now. They started talking more when she was sent here to help out with the village,” informed Chouji, ignoring Shikimaru's glare towards him.

 

Kiba made the sound of whip lashing which was soon silenced by his teammate smacking him in the back of the head.

 

“So Naruto's with Hinata, Neji with TenTen, Shikimaru and Temari now . . .” counted off Lee.

 

“Oi! You don't need to keep count!”

 

“'Hic' easy there Naruto, some of us are just jealous since you get to see Hinata's big . . .” Kiba imitated the size of Hinata's chest.

 

“Kiba either zip it or I'll personally cut your tongue off,” growled Neji, folding his cards and fingering the kunai in his pocket, “We are not interested in the love life of the others here!”

 

“Oh sure we are, Chouji and I are the only ones who don't have a partner,”

 

Everyone's eyes slowly moved to Shino and Lee who sat side by side at the end of Naruto's bed.

 

“Shino and Lee too?” asked Naruto.

 

Shino remained silent, but Naruto could have sworn he could see a light blush on the Aburame's cheeks. Lee however was smirking like an idiot, “Well Sakura-chan and I were going to keep it a secret,”

 

Naruto's jaw fell, “Sakura-chan?”

 

“You've only gone on one date with her Lee,” Neji reminded his teammate, “And I keep telling you, now that Sasuke is back she's going to have her eyes on him,”

 

“I'm more surprised with Shino though,” said Chouji, “If I had to guess it's someone from his clan though,”

 

Again Shino did not saying anything, but gave a single nod to confirm what Chouji said.

 

“Man you guys are so lucky! I'm especially jealous of Naruto and Neji who are actually. . .”

 

The Inuzuka, even though slightly drunk, shut up immediately when he saw the Hyuuga activate his blood line.

 

“Kiba you're gossiping like a girl,” sighed Shikimaru, “I'm with Neji; not interested in hearing about who's dating who.”

 

Naruto nodded in agreement. However, inwardly he was smirking devilishly; wishing he could boast about how great it was to be with Hinata and how sexy she could be when they were alone together. Even though he was just dying to brag, deep down he knew that Hinata would not appreciate him talking about their private life like that to his guy friends.

 

“Full House,” called Neji, laying his cards down for them all to see.

 

All of them groaned as they lost their betting's, shuffled the cards again and went for another round.

 

*****************************

 

 

Hinata slowly made her way to the hot springs that was located just outside the village. After training with her father for almost two hours, she needed a long good soak in the hot water. A blush spread across her cheeks at what really would make her feel better . . . a massage from her boyfriend. Naruto had been so persistent to learn after she had given him one . . . along with other caresses afterwards that still made her blush.

 

“Hinata-chan!”

 

Slowly turning around, she smiled at the one who had called her name, “Konbanwa TenTen-chan,”

 

“Heading to the hot springs?” asked the weapons mistress, walking beside Hinata now.

 

“Yes. Father didn't go easy on me today.”

 

“I know what you mean, I just finished training with Gai-sensei.”

 

Hinata smiled sympathetically, “I'm sure a nice soak in the hot spring will do us both good then.”

 

TenTen also smiled at Hinata's non-directive invite, “So . . . I hear Naruto is now a Jounin.”

 

“Yes he is. Naruto wanted to go out and celebrate since both of us are now the same rank, but he has to stay in the hospital for a little while longer and then he has to rest at home,”

 

“Oh I'm sure when he goes home, you'll take good care of him,” giggled TenTen.

 

“TenTen-chan!”

 

The two Kunochi continued on their journey to the hot springs; soon finding one that had plenty of coverage from the trees. After placing some well set traps for peeping perverts, TenTen gave Hinata thumbs up that it was okay to undress. Just as Hinata was unzipping her jacket, a loud scream came from the distance that made both girls freeze.

 

“What in the world . . .Hinata-chan stay here!” whispered TenTen, taking off in the direction of the scream.

 

Hinata did as TenTen asked and if she hadn't known any better, she could have sworn that scream sounded like Ino. Moments later an annoyed TenTen returned with Ino and Sakura behind her; both had leaves stuck in their hair for falling into one of her traps.

 

“What the hell TenTen?! You could have killed us!” cursed Ino, doing a quick medical jutsu to a cut on her arm.

 

“Well what kind of Ninja walks into an obvious trap?” asked TenTen, her hands reaching up to release the twin buns and let her hair down.

 

“You didn't need to set up a trap in the first place,” grumbled Sakura.

 

“With all the perverts in the village, it's stupid of me not to put up any traps.”

 

Hinata smiled nervously at her bickering friends while she slowly started to undress. Usually even around her girlfriends, Hinata would be body conscious and would either enter the hot spring when no one was looking, or have a towel wrapped around her. Being with Naruto for a year now had changed all that, and at least around her female friends; was no longer shy about them seeing her body.

 

TenTen had immediately noticed the difference in Hinata's behavior and could not help but smile at the reason behind it. Sakura and Ino were too busy bickering to notice anything as they stripped.

 

Reaching up to untie her hitai-ate Hinata froze; her hands hesitant to remove it from around her neck. A blush spread quickly across her cheeks at what lay hidden beneath there. Quickly glancing at TenTen, she saw a similar mark on her friend's neck as well when she removed her high collar shirt. Sighing in relief, Hinata removed the hitai-ate and stepped into the steaming hot spring.

 

Soon all four girls sat in completely submerged in a peaceful silence as they savored the feeling of the hot water soothing their sore bodies. Hinata slowly ran her hands over her body, rubbing in spots that were sore from training. A light brush over her breast caused Hinata to gasp softly; a dark crimson blush covering her cheeks as the memory of Naruto's hands touching her there. The blush intensified, her mind wandering of what would happen if it was Naruto in the hot srping with her . . .

 

A loud gasp snapped Hinata out of her thoughts and looked over at Sakura who was staring at her and then shifting her gaze over to TenTen; her eyes looking down at their necks.

 

TenTen frowned slightly in confusion and looked over at Hinata to see if she knew what the pink haired ninja's problem was, but suddenly smirked, “Something wrong Sakura? Or are you admiring the marks Hinata-chan and I have that shows how much our guys like to ravish us?”

 

Sakura and Ino's jaws dropped; meanwhile Hinata's face was so red it looked like she would pass out at any second.

 

“You have to admit though, having a man's hands on your body is way different then when you touch yourself, right Hinata-chan?”

 

“TenTen-chan . . .” whimpered Hinata, not feeling comfortable at all with where the conversation was going.

 

Sakura could not help the blush that quickly spread across her cheeks; eyes still staring at the bruised circular marks on Hinata and TenTen's neck. And were those actual bite marks on Hinata's shoulders?

 

“So you guys are . . . doing it?” asked Ino.

 

TenTen laughed softly, “Well I can't speak for Hinata-chan on that part, but with the way how she's not as body conscious as she used to be, tells me something is going on,”

 

Hinata's head was almost fully submerged in the water except from her nose up. She shook her head, indicating that she and Naruto hadn't gotten that far.

 

“What?! You've two have been together for almost a year and you haven't . . .”

 

“Oh will you two shut up. If only you knew about the strict rules in the Hyuuga Main House. Fortunately Neji is from the Branch House so there was nothing holding him back,”

 

Once again Sakura and Ino's jaws dropped; TenTen had just openly admitted she was having sex with Neji.

 

TenTen turned to Hinata who was still beat red in the face, and she highly doubt it was from the hot water, “You two do stuff though that is quite intimate though, right?”

 

Hinata didn't look TenTen in the eye, but slowly nodded her head; her hand coming up to lightly brush against the mark on her neck and shoulder.

 

“I'm just surprised is all. Naruto is one of the biggest perverts out there, I figured you guys would have . . . you know . . . by now . . . I mean rumor is you guys spend nights together.”

 

“W-we may sometimes sleep in the same bed but, that doesn't mean we are . . .doing it . . .” Hinata voiced, barely above a whisper. Ever since she had last been in the hospital, neither she nor Naruto could sleep well after that. They soon decided (that is if they could get away with it) to sleep in each others beds. Hinata found it easier to sneak off to Naruto's apartment; rather than him trying to sneak into the Hyuuga compound. Even though they weren't having sex, they did other things that had each other moaning in the night and the sheets clinging to their sweat covered bodies.

 

“Hinata, how on earth do you sleep through the night? Naruto is such a rough sleeper and his snoring is so loud,” said Sakura. She lost track of how many times she came close to killing Naruto. Kakashi had been the only smart one in their group and had bought ear plugs.

 

“I-It's not that bad. He's just really clingy, snores a little bit, but I'm used to that since I camp out with Kiba-kun on missions and he does drool just a little bit. He's not perfect you know.”

 

“I still find that very hard to believe. One time on a mission we set up camp, and Naruto was moving around so much that he punched Sai in the face, and almost hit Yamato-taicho with a Rasengan,”

 

“Well you know Sakura, we could have Hinata prove it,” suggested Ino.

 

“Prove it?”

 

“Well Naruto's in the hospital, I'm sure Hinata will be spending the night there with him and then we can see for ourselves.”

 

If TenTen thought Hinata's face was red now, it became even more crimson when she heard Ino's suggestion, “I-I don't think that's a good idea. Can't you guys just take my word for it?”

 

Sakura smirked, “I'm afraid we can't Hinata, I want to see for myself if Naruto is a better sleeper when you're around. Last night he was snoring so badly I thought Sasuke-kun was going to kill him, and he's a floor below Naruto.”

 

“N-No I mean . . . I haven't stayed with Naruto-kun in the Hospital during the night, and that's past visiting hours.”

 

“Like he cares about stuff like that; when you were hospitalized he stayed the night with you. Unfortunately I wasn't on shift that night so I really don't know if Naruto sleeps like you say he does. And since I am on shift tonight, I can witness and see if you're a miracle worker.”

 

“B-but he's injured! I can't just crawl into bed with him like that!”

 

“Oh don't worry about that! Tsunade-shisho is going to be healing him some more before bed, so he won't be in as much pain. At least he'll be able to move around more,”

 

 

Ino nodded in agreement, “Count me in, I want to see this too; what about you TenTen?”

 

“I've got better things to do tonight. Our team is being sent out on a mission tomorrow, so this will be the only night I'll have some private time with him for a while,” TenTen informed them.

 

 

*****************

 

The full moon hung high in the darkened sky as they walked back to Konoha and to the hospital; Hinata had tried everything she could think of to convince them that this wasn't a good idea. However Ino and Sakura refused to listen. Both of the two Kunochi had had night shifts at the hospital before when Naruto stayed, and it was such a circus from the way he snored keeping all the other patients up. It was just something they had to see with their own eyes.

 

“Now, we will be witnessing this through his window, so make sure you open it.”

 

Hinata covered her face with her hands, “Is there nothing I can say to make you guys change your minds?”

 

“Nope, not going to happen.”

 

Hanging her head in defeat, Hinata turned from her two friends and slowly walked up the steps towards the hospital. As soon as she opened the doors, a very loud snorting sound echoed off the walls of the hallways. Walking up the stairs towards his room, she took quick glances at other patients to see they had pillows over their heads to block out the sound.

 

I suppose if I do this, I'm doing everyone a favor here so they can get some sleep . . . but if Naruto-kun acts like he usually does when I crawl into bed with him . . . oh god I'm going to be so embarrassed if Ino and Sakura see . . .

 

The door to Naruto's room was closed and when she opened it the sound he was making only got louder. Stepping into his room and shutting the door quickly behind her, she saw him sprawled out on the bed like a star fish, mouth wide open with a small river of drool, and his arms wrapped around one of his pillows. Most of the bandages had been removed on his body and she could now see some of the scars he had gotten. Quietly she walked over towards the window and opened it just a little bit; careful not to trip over the blanket that had been tossed on the ground in his sleep.

 

Tip toeing across the room to the chair in the corner, she removed her jacket and any weapons she had on her.

 

“RASEN . . .”

 

Hinata couldn't help but giggle as she heard Naruto start talking in his sleep. As she watched him from the corner of her eye, she was starting to have an understanding of why Ino and Sakura had doubted what she said. After removing her hitai-ate, Hinata walked over to Naruto's bed and gently tugged the pillow out of his arms. The blond ninja whined softly from the lost object, but then immediately went back to his regular snoring and rolled onto his left side. Hinata slowly lay down beside him; raising his right arm so she could snuggle against him.

 

It was as if he knew she was there; his arms moved to wrap around her and his snoring died down so much then even Hinata could barely hear it. His forehead came to rest against hers and one leg moved up to intertwine with hers.

 

Sakura and Ino could not help but watch in fascination. Never before had either of them seen Naruto sleep so quietly before. Sakura was now tempted to bring Hinata along on their missions just so that all of them could get a good night sleep. However both girls could not help but wonder . . . if this was all it took . . . why had Hinata not wanted them to see this?

 

Hinata sighed with relief and closed her own eyes; wanting to find the land of dreams. However, her relief was short lived when she felt Naruto move. Her eyes fully opened to stare into Naruto's half closed ones. He was still asleep, but the smirk that he was wearing . . . she knew what was coming. His right hand moved from her back to around her side and found the edge of her mesh shirt. Slowly it slipped inside to caress her stomach. Before she could say anything he pulled her into a kiss; lips lightly caressing hers. Feeling his hand slowly moving up towards her breasts, Hinata had almost forgotten that she had an audience just outside the window. His lips left hers, leaving butterfly kisses along her cheek and jaw line to move down to her neck.

 

“N-Naruto-kun . . . wait . . .” Hinata whispered, her hands on his shoulders and tried to push him away from her.

 

Naruto ignored her plea and continued on kissing her neck, lightly nipping the skin with his teeth. His right hand finally reached her chest, slipping underneath the bra to cup her bare breast; his left arm firmly wrapped around her to keep her in place.

 

Hearing the soft moans from the room, Ino immediately bolted and left the couple alone; clearly understanding now why Hinata didn't want them to see this. Sakura knew that she should have just followed after Ino . . . but for some reason her body would not move from the branch she was sitting on. She had seen Naruto asleep many times on their missions and never before had that peaceful expression ever been on his face. Usually his hands were slightly clenched, his body always moving . . . as if he were expecting someone to attack him.

 

She could not help but watch as Naruto caressed Hinata's body with his hands; nor could she help feeling very jealous. Sakura had tried getting over her feelings for Naruto, but deep down they were still there. Now seeing him with Hinata like this . . . she almost wished that was her in his arms . . . caressing her skin . . . . kissing her neck . . .

The feeling of a man's hands on her body . . . TenTen had teased her about it at the hot springs, but oh god how true that statement was. She envied TenTen and Hinata because both of them knew what it was like. At first she had only ever thought of Sasuke touching her like that . . . then her fantasies had moved to Naruto after she had realized her feelings for him.

 

A month before Sasuke had been brought back, she had finally accepted Lee's offer to take her out on a date. In all honesty she had a wonderful time with Lee and had considered going on another date with him . . .but then Sasuke had been brought back . . . now she didn't know who or what she wanted. Hearing another moan come from the room she finally turned and left . . .

 

 

************************

 

Finally after an hour Naruto had stopped caressing her in his sleep; now he lay motionless on top of her aside from his soft breathing against her neck. Hinata was very thankful that Ino and Sakura hadn't stayed to watch the show and gave them a private moment.

 

The first few times she and Naruto had slept together, he had simply held her, slight drool coming out of his mouth and his snoring was barely heard. However after the third time . . . he had started to touch and kiss her in his sleep and kept doing so after that. Not that she had minded . . . but when Ino and Sakura had wanted to see what Naruto was like when she slept beside him . . . well what was she supposed to tell them? Sorry you can't come because Naruto basically makes out with me in his sleep? They definitely wouldn't have believed that either . . .

Hearing a soft groan come from her boyfriend, she looked down to see that he was starting to wake up. His eyes slowly fluttered open before a great big yawn escaped his mouth.

 

“Feeling better?”

 

Naruto's gaze met hers and a big smile spread across his face, “Hmm . . . I was feeling better after Tsunade-baachan healed me . . . but now that you're here . . . I feel awesome.”

 

Hinata giggled softly, “Well you seemed fine when you were ravishing me in your sleep!”

 

“Heh . . . I did that again huh?”

 

“Yes, however I didn't mind,” Hinata whispered, kissing his forehead. She thought it was best not to tell him that they had had an audience for the first little bit.

 

“All the guys stopped by and we had a little party for my victory over Madara . . . Kiba even ended up bringing Sake over for us to drink, although he was the one who completely finished off the bottle,”

 

“That must have been fun. I had some girl time with Sakura and the others in the hot spring.”

 

Naruto snickered, “So when will you go to the hot spring with me?”

 

“Naruto-kun!”

 

“I'm kidding . . . at least for the moment I am . . .”

 

Immediately Hinata's cheeks went red and Naruto couldn't help but laugh at how innocent she looked.

 

A peaceful silence fell over the room. Naruto could almost feel sleep start to claim his mind again as Hinata's fingers caressed his scalp. Just as his eyes were about to close, he finally remembered the discussion he had had with Neji.

 

“Ne, Hinata-chan?”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“Things are . . . going to be difficult from now on, aren't they? With us being Jounin and with all the missions we will be on, we aren't going to be spending much time together. I'm worried that . . . we might grow apart.

 

“I talked to Neji today, since he and TenTen are Jounin and are constantly on missions all the time. However the difference is with them they are on the same team . . . so they always get to see each other, but you and I are on different teams.

 

“I'll miss you when I'm gone or when you're away . . . and I hope you don't think that I would ever cheat on you or anything because I'm lonely. I-I love you, Hinata-chan,”

 

His last whispered words left her breathless. Only twice had he ever said those three words to her and that was because he was afraid to say them. He was scared that she wouldn't want his love, that she would somehow see it as worthless in her eyes. However nothing could be farther from the truth . . .

 

“We'll just have to work hard to try and maintain our relationship. It's not going to be easy . . . but this is something you and I both want, so I know it will work out.”

 

Her hand slowly moved to intertwine with one of his own, squeezing tightly, “I love you too Naruto-kun.”

 

Naruto shifted slightly so he could kiss the back of her hand; a small frown tugging at his lips, “I-I have to admit Hinata-chan . . . that I'm scared, I'm really scared. I wonder why you chose to be with me . . . you could have anyone . . . yet you chose me . . .

 

“Please, please don't ever leave me . . . I don't think I could take it if you did . . . when I thought you weren't coming back last month . . . it was like I had lost my soul. I didn't know what to do with myself . . . but then you did come back and I was so happy . . . the hole that was in my heart was filled back up . . .

 

“My worst fear is that one day I'm going to wake up you won't be there,”

 

Naruto shivered at the very thought of Hinata not being in his life and that feeling had hit close to reality when she and her team had disappeared.

 

“I'm not going anywhere Naruto-kun . . . there's no reason for me to leave,” murmured Hinata, leaning down to kiss his forehead again, “I'm always happy when I'm with you.”

 

Naruto couldn't help the sigh of relief that escaped his lips and that feeling of acceptance once again washing over him, “Hinata-chan . . . when I get out of the hospital . . . I want you . . .”

 

Hinata smiled, “You already have me Naruto-kun,”

 

“N-no what I mean is . . . I want . . . to make love to you . . .” Naruto whispered into her ear.

 

The smile on her lips slowly faded, eyes widening and a blush covering her cheeks, “You want to . . .”

 

“I know I said that I would wait for you . . . but I . . . I want you to be mine Hinata-chan . . . all of you . . .”

 

Her hands started to tremble, heart beat thundering against her chest and she couldn't seem to get enough air in her lungs. She watched as Naruto immediately sat up, a worried expression on his face.

 

“Hinata-chan? What's wrong?” he asked; eyes searching hers for the reason behind her panic attack, “Is it that . . . you don't want me?”

 

A crushed, pained expression fell over his face that broke Hinata's heart from his assumption.

 

“N-no that's not it at all!” she cried, pulling him back down to her, “I do . . . I want to make love to you too Naruto-kun, but I'm scared . . .”

 

“Scared? What are you scared of Hinata-chan? I've already told you I think you're beautiful,”

 

“I know that, but . . . all girls are scared their first time.”

 

“They are? But why would they . . .” Naruto's voice trailed off as realization dawned upon him. A deep crimson blush now covering his cheeks as well, “ . . . oh . . . because for girls its . . .”

 

Hinata nodded, her arms tightening around him, “But . . . even though I know what's going to happen, I still want to . . . with you Naruto-kun and I wouldn't want to with anyone else.”

 

A smile replaced the worry frown on his face; snuggling closer to Hinata, “I wouldn't want to do this with anyone else either Hinata-chan . . .”

 

As if they had silently agree that was a good place to end the conversation, Naruto and Hinata both closed their eyes; sighing with contentment. Both of them soon succumbed to their bodies urges for sleep, feeling safe in each others arms.

 

 

A/N:

 

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