Summer rain

Midnight blue hair swayed gently in the tepid summer wind to and fro. A young woman was sitting at a window. Her head was leaning against the wall, her knees were pulled to herself. A blue, thin nightdress covered her flawless, silky skin. One hand rested on her knees, the other on her neck. And on her neck hung a thin necklace. It was silver. A small, emerald-green crystal hung on it and had the form of an apple. Her fingers played with it. Infinite deep, white eyes were directed to the stars. Her peaceful look touched every single one of them. On her lips lay a smile.

Of what she probably thought?

At the same time, in a not too distant place of the same city, a blonde boy was trotting along a road. He seemed calm. And then a grin crept on his lips.

Again, Sakura, had rejected him, Naruto.

It was ritual that he walked Sakura home, every Saturday. After the completed missions. It was also ritual, that he begged for a date for the up coming day. However, it was also a ritual, that, every Saturday, Sakura hit him in the face and shooed him out of her doorstep.

After they had pulled through this ritual, Naruto for now as always pouting, but pleased that this ritual would probably never change, went along his way. The path led past the park, in which he had played as a child. The path led past the pond, where he had always seen Sasuke. The path led past to the estate of the Hyuugas and the Aburames. Then the trail ended at his home.

While he mused about various things, he did not notice when he went along the estate of the Hyuugas, how two eyes were following him. Suddenly, the warm summer wind blew dust into his eyes. Annoyed, he tried to get the dust out of sight. A few times, he rubbed his fingers on his closed eyes, as he continued walking. As a 'large stone' appeared in front of his feet. And how it would fit his bad luck now, he stumbled over the stone and promptly landed on his nose.

"Ouch..."

He muttered curses out of his somewhat foul mood. This, was definitely not his day. He rubbed his nose, tried to get up. As he stood, he was about to knock the dust off his clothes, as-

He heard a giggle?

'What was that?'

Someone just had giggled. He definitely heard that!

Naruto made a 180 degree turn and looked to his left, right, up and down. But nowhere did he found a person. Disappointed, he wanted to turn back in the direction in which he had to go, thinking that he had fantasized. His sight went to the estate of Hyuugas. There was a open window, he was sure. He tried to look closer at the open window. And suddenly he saw a shadow flitting. Someone had laughed at him, for sure!

'If it's Neji, I make him a head shorter.'

Naruto grinned and jumped neatly over a small fence, which seperated the road and the garden of the estate. On the other side of the fence, he slowly crept past some bushes. Almost in front of the window, the last hurdle was a small apple tree. He looked up.

The apples were ripe enough, shining green and looking simply delicious. Although, Naruto would not mind to eat some of them, his curiosity, who the secret observer was, was way larger. With small steps, he walked over to the window. He looked into the dark room, carefully.

At first sight, there was no one. A closet, a desk, a dresser, a bed, in the bed a sleeping girl - A girl?

Quietly, without making the slightest noise, Naruto climbed over the wide windowsill and entered the room. It was a little room, but he felt so much warmth and security in there, that it almost hurt.

The young man turned to face the girl. Long, dark blue hair adorned the peaceful face of the sleeping girl.

Hinata.

Naruto smiled warmly. Who'd have thought, that he would see her, of all people? Despite the fact, that she was also a Hyuuga. But he had forgotten that fact. Soundless, he stepped closer to the girl, for having a better sight. He heard how she breathed softly. To his surprise, that calmed him very much. A feeling full of safety spread out in his veins.

As he stood next to her bed, he knelt on the floor and studied her face. The moonlight colored her pale skin almost completely white. Her hair shone bright, her lips were slightly ajar, shimmering pink. Naruto wanted to see her eyes. What color would they probably have in the moonlight? Her white eyes...

'She is incredibly beautiful.'

Confused about his thoughts, Naruto straightened up himself. It was the first time, that he had eyed her, this well. But not in the way, like someone would eye his comrade, no. That was the way, a man would eye a woman. But that was not the main thing Naruto thought about at this moment.

At this moment, he wondered most of all, how pretty she was. Never before had he noticed her beauty. Yes, she was nice. But what he saw now, overwhelmed him more than everything.

Like a broken angel, she lay there in that bed.

And if he was honest, then he had to admit that he found her almost prettier than Sakura.

Sakura. The girl, whom he, since he could think, was chasing after. A small piece of his world view got destroyed at this moment.

And now the girl he knew as long as Sakura, should be prettier than her?

Shaking his head, he rejected these thoughts.

Hinata was his nakama, he was not thinking 'in that way' about her. But he had also thought about Sakura 'in that way', or hadn't he? But actually, he thought about the pink-haired girl not 'in that way'. That was, as said it at the beginning, rather ritual and habit, that he was thinking 'in that way' about Sakura. With her, he could never imagine anything other than friendship.

But why the bloody hell was he thinking about Hinata 'in that way', now?

With her, all of a sudden, he could imagine being together. Together like in a relationship. A relationship between two lovers. Suddenly, he could see that the sleeping angel was indeed prettier than Sakura. Suddenly, his hands began to sweat and his heart beat faster than before. His breathing quickened. And suddenly, he realized how much he worshipped her, at this moment.

She was pretty, she was nice. Shy but strong she was...

Pondering in his never ending thoughts, he slowly turned around and walked to the open window. He had to go home, as soon as possible, and had to think about his latest 'news'. Because at that moment, he became confused. So very confused.

"What's wrong with me?"

His whisper was silent, so silent, that it was almost not heard by anyone.

As he reached the windowsill, he wanted go out of the room, of this warmth. Even if he did not know why, he just did know that he had to go now and had to let Hinata sleep peacefully. One last time, Naruto turned around. His blue eyes observed the last time the face of the sleeping angel. Even though it seemed incredible. Suddenly, he liked her more than ever.

And then, something was shining. It was coming from Hinata's neck. The boy narrowed his eyes briefly, to have a better look at the sparkling thing. On her narrow neck hung a necklace. And he also saw a green crystal. The crystal had the shape of an apple.

A grin got back on the blond boy's face. Fluently, he jumped over the windowsill and landed again in front of the small apple tree. Quickly, he searched with his eyes through the branches and leaves of the tree. After finding a large green apple, he stretched out his hand, gripped and picked it. Then he took a big bite of the juicy apple.

It was delicious. And for a brief moment, Naruto forgot his train of thoughts. And as he crept back through the bushes, jumped over the fence and slowly made his way home, he thought about Hinata. And although a strange feeling bothered him, he figured out, that when he thought of her, he was feeling fine. And so he decided to think of her more often. And as he made his steps, lost in his thoughts, he had not noticed, that the sleeping angel he had seen before, breathed easier now, eyes wide open. No sign of tiredness lay on her pretty face. Only relief, that she had not been discovered. But another feeling ran her heart hammering in her chest. The feeling of joy and love.

What had he said? He had wondered what was wrong with him. Why? She did not know, but hoped that it was because of her. Just then, when he had turned away from her, she had dared to open her eyes to see him.

His blond hair was chaotic. In the moonlight they had shone silver. At this moment the whole spring had fluttered in her stomach, thousands of ants were still crawling through her veins. And then, suddenly, he had turned again to her. Quickly she had again closed her eyes. She had held her breath. She had hoped, he would not notice. And fortunately for her, he had not noticed. A moment later she had heard how he apparently jumped out of her window. And a while after that, she had dared to open her eyes again.

And now she was relieved. On her face was a dreamy smile. One half of her heart was glad that he had been here. However, the other half was sad that he had gone so fast . Sighing, she flapped her bedcovers and slid out of it. Quietly, she stepped with bare feet on the carpet towards the window. She could catch a glimpse, just as he jumped over the fence and walked along the road. She noted, that he was holding an apple and gleefully munching on it.

Her smile grew wider. Even if he did not noticed it, he always made her smile. Again and again, just as before, even when he had stumbled. And over and over, she could feel her love growing more and more. It was so great. Way too large, for being able, giving it a description.

And of a sudden, she hoped that he, after this night, somehow, whether in years or in a few seconds, would return her love. He could, she knew that. And no matter of whether she knew the direction from which he came every Saturday night, no matter of whether she knew what he, like every Saturday night, asked Sakura-chan.

She knew, someday he would really fall in love.

Although, she did not know.

But she hoped with all her heart. With all her soul and love.

The person, Naruto would fall in love with...

Should be her and no one other.

The day was drawing to its end, the next morning came closer and closer.

Sunday. Gloomy. Rainy. Dark.

The Sunday was not as yesterday. Not a single ray of sunshine, the people of Konoha could gain at this dull Sunday.

But the girl with the blue-black hair. The girl with the white eyes. Hinata smiled warmly as she looked toward the clouds. She liked the rain. She liked summer rain. Yes, indeed, it was nice when the sun was shining. But it was so different when it rained. And somehow strange. And beautiful in another way. As if the sky was crying.

"Hinata?"

The girl was pulled out from her thoughts. Startled, she turned to face the direction, where she thought to have heard the voice.

"Who's there?" came the question immediately out of her.

Curious, trying to ensure that every time an enemy could jump out of the bushes, she looked into the dark forest. The clearing where she was standing, wasn't big.

And then he came. A person with blonde hair. A person with blue eyes. He approached her with slow steps. On his face a grin. His clothes were wet. Glued to his flawless body. His hair clung to his forehead and his nape. He looked so natural. In a way, sweet. For Hinata just incredible.

She swallowed hard as he stood before her. Her heart began to beat a bit faster.

"Ohayo, Naruto-kun."

"Ohayo, Hinata-chan."

"What?"

Like a pistol shot the question came out of the girl, her eyes wide open.

Had he seriously said Hinata-chan? No. Or had he? He had said Hinata-chan. He had actually called her Hinata-chan! Or was it a dream? Why said Naruto-kun, Hinata-chan? Had he a fever? Was he ill?

"Ohayo, Hinata-chan I said!"

He was definitely sick!

"Naruto-kun... Are you okay?"

Never in her life, not once, she could have imagined that he would call her Hinata-chan.

"I never felt better."

He noticed the uncertainty, that skepticism in her pupilless eyes. And he knew the reason. He had said for the first time Hinata-chan. For he had decided to call her always so, now. Because she was really sweet. But it sounded strange. But somehow still sweet.

But nothing in the world could have been sweeter than she herself. So he thought, at least at this moment. He came to train. What should he do in this sunless day already. Going out with friends would have been illogical in this weather. And staying alone in the house would have been boring. So he decided to go into the forest to train. How should he know, that Hinata would be here, too?

All day long he had thought of her. He hadn't been able to think of sleep, because again and again when he had closed his eyes, the sleeping face of the young woman popped out in his mind. So often, so sweet, so intoxicating. And no matter if he thought: 'Okay, Hinata aside, I have to concentrate now' it worked out no more than a few seconds. Then Hinata again reigned over his thoughts.

And then, as he had seen her, how she stood there in the clearing.

How her long, blue-black hair rimmed her pretty face like a frame. How warm and gentle her smile was. And how her white eyes were lovingly directed skyward. How her short-sleeved bodice was glued at her body. Stressed her curves. For hours he could have watched her there. For hours under the pouring rain.

"What... What are you doing here... Naruto-kun?"

Gently, he was interrupted by her angelic voice in his chain of thought. Her stuttering occurred to him so sweet.

"I... I don't know... I think I wanted to... to train..."

'Okay, I admit, Hinata's stuttering is cute, but mine just sounds stupid!' Naruto clapped in thought to his forehead and groaned 'How embarrassing!'

And yet he grinned childishly. At what Hinata could only smile. Everything was in that smile there. So warm, innocent, loving, gentle, affectionate, so many emotions in just a single smile. She returned his smile. Just how he smiled. But the blush that had formed on Naruto's cheeks stayed unnoticed.

"I... wanted to train... Just... like you ..."

Shyly, Hinata lowered her head down so he could not see the blush in her face.

"I have never seen a girl who trains in a pouring rain." he noted with a chuckle.

But Hinata just smiled. When it rained, she had often, very often trained. Her eyes seemed suddenly empty. In her stomach was a sinking feeling when she thought of rain. It made her... In a way somehow happy.

"Maybe it's strange for you Naruto-kun..."

Not a single stutter accompanied her voice. Her eyes turned back against the pouring rain. However, the smile on her face had not died.

"Naruto-kun... The rain is for me like strenght... The strength, which one must bring around, to stand firm..."

A few times, she turned around her own axis, closed her eyes, spread her arms. Forgotten was the shyness.

And Naruto looked at her. With moony eyes. With a feeling that he could not describe, not interpret. Which he, for the first time in his life, felt.

"The power, that you have to bring, for not seeping like a raindrop in the soft earth... Or not to start crying just like the heaven... To simply enjoy the rain, Naruto-kun... To enjoy how hot drops, drop by drop, trickle on your face... It's so gentle, as if it would caress you... So tenderly, as if it helps you, to get rid of annoying, sad memories... And so fierce, as if your feelings are sinking in a sea of chaos..."

She crouched down, stretched her tiny hand for the wet earth. Grabbed some of it, clung to it.

"The smell of this earth... The smell of these trees, of rain, of the clean air is so beautiful... The rain is so beautiful, as if it is helping the earth, to get rid of its dirt..."

She sighed deeply. Her eyes still closed.

"But, you know Naruto-kun? Summer rain is so strong... When it rains, then it thunders heavily... And powerful lightnings are attacking trees... The patter of raindrops on the earth produces an indescribable feeling... But still..."

Gently, with a pained smile on her lips, she looked straight into the eyes of the blonde boy.

"For me it's silent..."

And he had never seen Hinata like that. So different. Indescribably beautiful. Incredibly smart. And so fragile.

"It is so silent..."

Sadly, she looked back toward the clouds. No matter how much the rain gave her strength, no matter how much she desired it. It was always silent around her. Not a single sound came to her through that heavy rain. She lived in her own silent world.

And suddenly, Naruto wanted to help her. To break through her silent world, to enrich it with color, was at this moment what he wanted the most. And to overcome her sadness, her selfdoubt. At that moment, it was the biggest thing he had ever wanted.

"Hinata?"

"Yes, Naruto-kun?"

"May I... May I destroy it? This silence in you..."

"Naruto-kun..."

And suddenly, Hinatas heart pounded against her chest. Suddenly, she could not feel her arms and legs anymore. The ground literally melted beneath her feet. The air came only faltering into her lungs. What was he saying?

A suffocating silence spread out for brief moments. But he interrupted.

"Come on Hinata-chan, I'll walk you home..."

His voice had a certain monotony. Something that she could not interpret.

"Hai..."

And so they walked together. Without looking at each other. Without a single word to exchange, they went on this strange day along the path until they were back in Konoha-Gakure. The silence did not seem suffocating anymore, but liberating.

Hinata was unsure. Had she bored him with her drivel? Had she said something wrong? She did not know.

And Naruto thought highly of her spoken words. These were things, that she would not talk to much people. And to know, that he was someone, that a girl like Hinata, a girl, as fragile as paper thin glass, had trusted, gave him a huge boost of selfconfidence. And his trust in her grew with every second during the time he spent with this girl.

As they reached her home, he looked to her from warm eyes, to indicate her that she had done nothing wrong.

"Hinata, what I said earlier... I was serious about it."

She said nothing. What should she say? The chunk in her throat was just getting bigger. Her heart pounded almost painfully with joy but also afraid of what he would do against her chest.

And Naruto did not let him get confused. He was eager to destroy the silence of what she had told. Because he knew how this silence was. He knew that it was a hell on earth. He just knew it.

"Hinata-chan, do you have a mission, tomorrow?"

"No... Naruto-kun, why do you ask?"

He, however, grinned.

"I'll pick you up tomorrow morning, don't ask where we are going. Until morning Hinata-chan."

"Naruto-kun... See you tomorrow."

And so Naruto turned around. He waved to her a few times before he had to turn around a corner, where he could no longer see her. And when he had turned, he leaned back against a wall, closed his eyes and sighed. This girl... She was really exhausting.

Then there was a smile on his face.

And suddenly he realized that he would give her even his life if she would want it from him. In just one single day she had managed to cause so many, so new feelings in him. On the one hand he liked these feelings. On the other hand, however, it caused him to feel fear. Worries and pain when she was not doing well.

It was indescribable for him. So far, an unnamed feeling.

A/N: Thanks for reading. It's my second fanfiction in english and I'm still trying to figure out, how to write stories in this language. It's really not my first language awww :/ I'm so sorry for grammar and everything, I'm still learning and maybe you can help me with it. I'd like to see what you think, so far. I already have some chapters ready to update. Please review!

Thanks,

WhiteKandis