Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Things Change, Love Doesn't ❯ Do you like someone? ( Chapter 1 )

Authors Note: Um, hi. I'm new around here and I'm not a very good writer but I hope you will all enjoy my story anyways. The story starts years later when the gang is around 19 and it's a HinataXNaruto all the way. Please review!

 

Hinata was on her way home after completing a mission with Kiba and Shino. She had been disappointed by her lack of confidence again and stood behind to train late into the night. She was walking down the street when she heard a voice she knew all too well.

 

“Hinata-chan?” Naruto said from a few feet behind her. She froze and instinctively raised her hands to twiddle her fingers.

 

“H-hello, Naruto-kun.” She said. She stared at the boy of her affections. Everyone from their Genin days had grown into their own, both physically and mentally. They had all progressed to Jounin, except for Sakura, who had decided to be Med Nin instead.

 

They all grew in strength and appearance but it was Naruto and Hinata who grew the most. Naruto had calmed down and matured a lot. He wasn't exactly quiet but he didn't yell out everything he wanted to say either. He still pulled the occasional prank but not as often.

 

He was tall now, about 6'2”, with wide sloping shoulders, a muscled chest, his eyes still had a mischievous glint in them but they also held a wisdom beyond their years. His hair was cropped in the same style as Yondaime's was and he had become one of the kindest, strongest shinobi in the village.

 

He was even teaching a class at the academy now and all of his students loved him. Even the villagers were being kind to him. They began to see him in a different light years earlier when he nearly died twice trying to protect the village from the Akatsuki and Orochimaru.

 

Hinata had also grown taller, about 5'6”, still several inches shorter than Naruto. After the success of their second Chuunin Exam she literally blossomed into a strong and well liked young kunoichi. She was quite powerful during training but still froze up during missions. Her affection for the man before her had escalated from a crush to full blown love. She had opened up considerably, she talked more around others and even lost her stutter unless she was alone with Naruto.

 

She grew out her hair and (much to the boys delight and her fathers dismay) she grew out in other areas as well. She was rather self conscious about it and still wore layers of clothing. She got on well with the other girls and even laughed a little.

 

“Where are you going at this time of night?” Naruto asked, interrupting her thoughts. He was now standing in front of her and she flushed in embarrassment.

 

“I-I was just heading home.” She said quietly. He broke out in a grin, then it disappeared as quickly as it came.

 

“Why are you out this late anyways?” he asked her suspiciously. The question shocked her but she answered it after a moment.

 

“I w-was just out training. What time is it anyway?” she asked.

 

“It's almost midnight.” Naruto said with a grin.

 

`What a relief. I though she snuck out to see a guy, but now that I think about it Hina-chan is not that kind of girl.' The young man thought to himself with another grin. With his maturity came the realization that he was in love with Hinata. He was still too blind to see that the girl obviously loved him back and he was too nervous around her to tell her that he liked her.

 

Everyone in the village knew of their dilemma and everyone (with the exception of Hiashi) was going to try and get them together, eventually. For the moment everyone liked to watch the pair suffer when they were in each others presence.

 

“The rough crowd is out at this time of night so allow me to escort you back to your home, milady.” He said with a mock bow. She let out a soft giggle and put on a fake imperial air.

 

“It will be your honor, good sir.” She said. He extended his elbow to her and with a blush she slipped her arm through his. They walked in silence for a few minutes, reveling in the others company. After a few more minutes of walking quietly the fell into an awkward silence that Naruto tried to fill.

 

“So…uh…how's training?” he asked.

 

“I-it's going great. How are your classes going?” she asked.

 

“They're, um, great. The kids are really smart and you'll be glad to know that Hanabi-chan is in the top of her class…” Naruto said. They fell into another awkward silence.

 

“So, uh, have you heard about…um…” he had nothing to say so they walked quietly again.

 

“Is there anyone you are interested in Hinata-chan?” he asked in another attempt to fill the silence. This question shocked and embarrassed her to the core.

 

“W-w-well, yes, there is someone but I don't think he likes m-me back…” she said, blushing furiously.

 

“Oh, who is it?” he asked, trying to sound uninterested.

 

“I-I can't t-tell you, Naruto-kun. Sorry.” She said turning a darker shade of red.

 

“Oh, okay. Well, is it someone I know?” he asked, completely ignorant of her blush.

 

“Y-yes.”

 

“Is he from our Genin days?”

 

“Y-y-yes.”

 

“So that only leaves Sasuke, Chouji, Kiba, Shino, Shikamaru and me.” He said, counting them off on his fingers.

 

`Oh no! Please let him stop asking questions!' Hinata thought to herself.

 

`She said she doesn't think he's interested so that means just about anyone except for me.' He thought to himself in despair.

 

“Oh! Look, there's my house! Thank you for walking me home Naruto-kun.” She said to him, glad that the questions will end there.

 

“Yeah, sure. Hey maybe we can get together tomorrow and train, maybe get some ramen afterwards?” he asked, sure he was going to be turned down. Instead she smiled brightly.

 

“Sure, I'd love to, Naruto-kun.” Her heart skipping a beat as she disappeared behind the gates. Naruto stared in shock at where she was a few moments ago before a slow grin graced his features and he jumped in the air for joy.