Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Hidden Tactics ❯ Confession ( Chapter 6 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

SORRY! School was rough the last few months. (plus computer went into the shop) But now heres summer! And the final chapter! Sorry if it doesn’t live up to expectations. I kinda forgot where I was going with this, and I lost interest since it felt like it would be going on forever. So I just decided to wrap things up in this chapter. Thanks to everyone who sent me emails and all the wonderful comments. I hope I can write another fic in the future that lives up to everyones expectations.

Also remember: Naruto is not and never will be mine. I do not own any of the characters. Yada yada. Onto the last chapter!

Naruto chattered to the girl beside him and she listened quietly, answering when she had to. “Hey Hinata-chan, can…. I’d like to tell you something.” He breathed out hastily since the words surprised even him.
“Hai?” The girl beside him looked at him curiously but she didn’t press his answer.
“I know you’ve seen it. The mark around my stomach…”
“Hai. Its from the nine-tailed fox right?” she said even more quietly.
Naruto stared at the girl. “Ha… Hai. How did you know?” his voice lost all the playfulness that was associated with it.
“Well, I heard my father talking about it with Tsunade-sama… when she first assigned me this mission. She said it wasn’t to be talked about and said that it didn’t change who you are. I happen to agree with her…”
Naruto stared at the girl. “Why… Why didn’t you mention it before?”
She shrugged. “I assumed that you didn’t want me to know. If you thought that would scare people, then it does scare some, but you have been living with it your entire life and well… I don’t think you’re a monster at heart.” She smiled slightly and encouragingly.
“Arigato Hinata-chan. You truly are an amazing person.” His return smile was one of the purest that Hinata had seen.

“Shiiiiino, why do we have to look like robbers?” Kiba whined as he dressed himself in black and told Akamaru to stay put.
“Because, we need to get other files that Hinata wasn’t instructed on. We need to get them out of his hands so they cannot be used against Konoha. Now stop whining!” Shino stated.
“But why do we need these files?”
Shino sighed and gave Kiba an annoyed look. “Kiba, they are files on all our ninjas. Everyone. Including your family. Do you think that type of information is good in an enemy’s possession?”
“Hai, you’re right. Ok. Whenever you are ready.”
“Let’s go!”

Hinata copied the files with Naruto’s help. They spent most of the night curled up writing right next to each other. Their work was interrupted by many runs to make ramen and Hinata’s effort to make other meals. Then in the middle of the night Naruto mumbled, “Hinata-chan?”
“Hai?”
“When we get back to Konoha, can we still hang out and get ramen together? And don’t forget you promised to teach me cook!”
She smiled and grabbed his hand. “HAI!”
He smiled back and they started working again.

After many hours, Hinata finished the last report. Naruto was already asleep. She smiled and took the originals and put them back into her bag. Then she lifted the blonde-haired boy and placed him gently onto his own mat then started to unbutton his jacket and shirt enough to make him more comfortable. When she saw the mark on him, she couldn’t help but to trace it with her finger.
“Hinata-chan?” he mumbled.
“Hai?” she whispered.
“Don’t leave me alone again.” With that he fell asleep.
Hinata’s eyes went wide, but she still pulled her mat closer to his. “Never” she whispered before she curled up with her hand in his.

“So, we’re finished?” Kiba yawned.
“Hai. We didn’t make it look like a mess plus we got the files we needed. Its time to leave.”
“At this time of night?”
“Naruto and Hinata will be leaving tomorrow afternoon I suppose.”
Kiba grumbled but he packed up diligently and the two boys headed out with a weary Akamaru following them.

On their last day, Naruto was the first one up. He glanced over and realized that Hinata was curled up beside him. Unlike her, he didn’t dare move since he didn’t want to wake her. Instead, he just wrapped his arms around her even tighter and started humming in her ears.
Hinata didn’t wake up much later. “Ano.. Naruto-kun… Gomen.. I didn’t think you would be up first. Last night…” she paused at that but she continued in a quieter voice, “ you looked so alone and cold and well, I didn’t know what else to do.”
“Its ok, Hinata-chan. You know, I can’t tell you this to your face, but.. I think I’m starting to like you.”
The girl passed out in his arms. Naruto smiled, got up and retrieved the smelling salts, then woke the girl up. “You really have to stop doing that, you know.” He said and he smiled.
She smiled back and looked at the time. “I’m late.” She said. Her eyes were a bit wide and she rushed up. Naruto walked out of the room to give her privacy as she got ready.

“Ano… Suzuki-sama?”
“Yes, Hyuuga?”
“Ano… Today is my last day… It seems our families found us and we need to get out of here fast. Gomen. I wish I could work longer for you.”
“Its ok, Hyuuga. Lead a good life.”
“Hai.”
Hinata quickly cleaned the study and placed the files she borrowed back. Then she cleaned up what she missed the previous days and helped prepare lunch again. After that, Naruto picked her up and they were on their way back home.
“You know, a couple of my files are missing.” Mr. Suzuki stated quietly after she left.
“Yes, but she didn’t take them. She was barely in your study unsupervised.”
“Hai… Still, she probably moved them… I wonder where.”
“Well, dear, she was rushed today.”

“Hinata-chan!” Naruto called once they were far enough outside the village.
“Hai?”
“You know what this means?”
“No…”
“You completed your first mission on your own! We’ll have to celebrate when we get back.”
“Hai… ano.. Naruto-kun?”
“Hai?”
“Was I dreaming what you said this morning?”
Naruto’s face turned redder then the girl’s next to him. “Uh…. No… I really have developed feelings for you. But I completely understand if you don’t feel the same way.”
“No, it’s just been…. So long that I assumed you would never care.”
“Eh?”
“Well, can’t you see, I’ve liked you all along. I mean… that’s why I keep on passing out.” Her face got redder and she looked at the ground.
“Really? So it was my fault all along!” He laughed then he leaned over and carefully kissed the girl next to him. “You know, this is going to be a good story to tell people back home.” It was too late though. The girl next to him passed out again. He smiled and picked her up for what was not going to be the last time.