Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Losing Naruto ❯ Confidence, Hyuuga ( Chapter 9 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

“BIG NEWS!”

Sakura, Hinata, and even Kakashi all winced, jumping a few feet in the air as well. None of them could understand why he had to yell so loud, especially since they were sitting in a small circle. But alas, some things about Naruto simply could not be explained.

Sakura was about to chide Naruto for his unnecessary outburst, when Hinata suddenly spoke up, thoroughly shocking Sakura.

“Naruto-kun, what’s your news?”

Three heads all whipped in Hinata’s direction, facing the usually quiet, always stuttering girl with expressions akin to utter disbelief. Only Sakura’s expression was mingled with slight annoyance. Kakashi had even looked up form his book to gawk at Hinata momentarily before returning his attentions to the orange novel. There were a few more moments of silence before Naruto finally spoke up, tearing his gaze from Hinata to face the group again.

“Right, Hinata. Ok, here goes!” Naruto looked at Hinata one more time, nodding once, obviously congratulating her on her newfound confidence.

Does he have to openly oogle her right here?

Is his admiration really a crime?

Oh, shut up.

I sense hostility.

I sense a beating.

Self mutilation now?

Not me! Look at her, all adoring-eyes and since when does she not stutter?

I’d say since someone told her she’d help her get the guy of her dreams. Nothing like a promise to steel someone’s confidence, eh?

Yeah, I’m an idiot, I know. Just gotta…

Grin and bear it?

Yeah, whatever.

“Sakura…?” Naruto called out, breaking Sakura from her thoughts. She was a bit dazed for a second, before smiling at him.

“Sorry Naruto, please continue.”

“T-thanks, Sakura..”

Sakura let out a small laugh, “don’t thank me, Naruto. Just continue!” Sakura urged him, good naturedly. He looked slightly taken aback, before smiling brightly at her.

Wow. Sakura thought, staring at Naruto before lowering her head. That’s it then. That’s the smile she was talking about. It’s…

Beautiful. Really beautiful. So he only smiles like that for me? Sakura thought, remembering what Hinata had told her before. For me.

Sakura enjoyed that thought before looking over at Hinata, which quickly knocked her down from cloud nine. Hinata’s face was etched with poorly concealed pain as she looked from Naruto to Sakura, taking in their exchange. Sakura immediately felt horrible. I’ve gotta stop this, and now. Sakura thought, getting ready for what she knew she had to do.

“Naruto, what’s with the idiotic grin?” Sakura inwardly grimaced, watching the light from his face vanish as if he were slapped. Sakura pushed all feelings to the back of her head, continuing as if it weren’t hurting her to do so. “If you have something to say, say it.”

Everything was silent. The tension in the small clearing could be cut with a knife, the only one who it didn’t seem to effect was Kakashi, who was still nose-deep in his book. Hinata was watching Naruto, who in turn was watching Sakura, who in turn was keeping her head down to hide her emotions.

Silence.

“Um…yeah, that’s right. I have news.” Sakura grimaced, noticing the defeated tone in his voice. Before she could hate herself even more, Naruto began to speak again, but something was different. She finally rose her head to look at him, and what she saw made her feel more guilty than the sight of him miserable ever could.

He was smiling.

But it wasn’t that brilliant, bright smile from before. No, this was that artificial smile, the smile that said ‘everything is great!’ while really, if you looked closely enough, everything wasn’t.

I just never bothered to look close enough.

It was making Sakura sick, so she decided to lover her head, while listening to Naruto speak in that loud, cheerful voice.

So fake.

“So, listen up everyone! This Saturday, you’re all invited to Tsunade’s house for a party!”

“A…party, Naruto-kun?” Hinata asked.

“Yep! I’m allowed to invite everyone I want, and I’m inviting you guys too!”

Sakura frowned, real curiosity bringing her out of her thoughts.

“So, what is the party for?” Sakura questioned, making sure to remove all unnecessary venom from her tone. She had to be careful not to be really nice, while also trying to keep her bitterness over the situation out of her voice. It wasn’t fair, but alas, she made a damn promise.

“It’s a SURPRISE!” Naruto screamed, causing Sakura to instinctively bring her fingers to both temples, soothing her headache away with light chakra treatments.

“Na-ru-to!” Sakura growled out in warning, really not wanting to hit him while he was finally acting like his usual self again. The quiet Naruto was something she wasn’t accustomed to. With mild shock she realized that she’s never want to grow accustomed to a quiet Naruto. It just wasn’t him. And he’s ok the way he is, Sakura thought to herself.

“Eh, sorry, Sakura!” Naruto smiled, scratching the back of his head nervously. “Well, I’m not allowed to say anything yet, because I decided to let all of you know at the same time. This Saturday at 7:00 pm, at Tsunade’s place.” Naruto waited a moment before continuing. “So - will you guys come?”

Sakura frowned, noticing an unmistakable amount of nervousness and - fear? - were in his voice, and even in his eyes. Before she could contemplate it further, Sakura noticed a small poking sensation on her back. Upon further inspection, she discovered that it was a finger. Attached to a hand. Attached to a blushing girl.

Oh, how I hoped she’d gotten over that.

The girl spoke to Naruto without stuttering, Sakura. One miracle at a time.

With a small sigh, Sakura turned to Hinata. “What is it?” she whispered urgently, quickly glancing back to noticed Naruto’s puzzled face. Before she could make an excuse, Kakashi began questioning Naruto about a dress code of all things, distracting the blonde.

Thank god for perverted sensei‘s! With that thought Sakura excused herself and Hinata, moving over to a space a few trees down. Once they were out of earshot, Sakura turned to Hinata, trying not to let her frustration show.

“Now, what did you need, Hinata?”

“Well, Sakura, it’s just…”

“Yes?” Sakura urged the girl to continue, her already thin patience getting thinner by the moment.

“Sakura, what do I do?” Hinata questioned desperately, biting her lower lip.

“About what?” Sakura ground out, getting annoyed quickly. “Just say you’ll go.”

“Can you?”

…..

“Excuse me?”

“Can you tell Naru-”

“Hinata, I heard you the first time!”

“I’m sorry, I just don’t know how to accept his invitation..”

Sakura groaned.

“Look, Hinata. Are you listening?” Hinata nodded, her brows creased in concentration. “All you have to do is go up to him and say you’ll go. It’s that simple!”

“R-really?” Hinata asked in disbelief.

“Yes, really!” Sakura reassured her, putting a hand on Hinata’s shoulder in support. “Just walk up to him, look him in the eye, and say ‘Naruto, I would love to attend your party’, smile, and walk away. That’s it!”

She watched carefully as Hinata looked down, took a deep breath, and finally squared her shoulders, raising her head with newfound confidence.

“Ok, I’m ready, Sakura!” Hinata said, sounding completely sure of herself.

Sakura smiled, giving Hinata a thumbs up before turning the girls shoulders, and giving her a slight nudge in Naruto’s direction.

“Alright then, Hinata! Go for it!”

“…Yes! And Sakura?”

“Hm?” Sakura questioned, watching Hinata with curiosity.

“Thank you.”

Sakura was stunned for a moment, then finally smiled softly, responding with a small “don’t mention it” before giving Hinata another small push in the right direction.

She watched as Hinata took her first unsure steps before breaking into a confident stride. She watched as Hinata shyly approached Naruto, moving his attention away from the clouds he was looking at. She watched as Hinata smiled, saying words she couldn’t hear, but knew nonetheless. She watched as Naruto stood up, catching Hinata off guard, pulling her into a massive hug. She watched as Naruto tried waking Hinata from her sudden bout of unconsciousness.

She watched all of this.

Knowing full well that she was losing him just a little bit more, right before her eyes.