A/N: Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or the characters they belong to Masashi Kishimoto.

Aimi, Gorou, Kuro, Jimmy and Mr. Yamada

Bruises

After Hinata had explained everything to Naruto and he had comforted her she had wanted to leave but he wouldn't hear any of it. "I'm going to take care of you until you're better Hinata. I wont let you get away." He had said. He had left to get some food and had made her reluctantly promise that she wouldn't try to run away.

Hinata turned on the warm-water-tap. She had already collected her clothes from the dryer and Naruto had suggested that she used his shower to get cleaned up. She had tried to turn down his offer but Naruto isn't the one to give up and she had to admit that she wanted to take a shower. The warm water made her body relax and her mind clear for a moment she forgot all her worries as she focused solemnly on the warm water hitting her back. Of course that didn't last long. She had always thought it was a good thing that she always could think things over in the shower but today she really didn't want to. She didn't want to think about how her family abandoned her, despised her, how she was a hindrance to the one person she didn't wanted to impress more than anything but she did. She couldn't help but think about those things and for a moment she just wanted to break back down in sobs but didn't. She had cried enough already. She had to be strong. She couldn't drown in self-pity anymore. She had to figure out what to do.

'I'll have to figure out what to do. I don't want to stay with anyone. It's my own fault I got into this and I don't want to be a bother to anyone. I've already used to much of Naruto's time. I'm going to have to find somewhere to live on my own. But… I don't have any money. I earn money with being a ninja but being underage that money automatically goes to my father. If I told the hokage I don't live with my father anymore would she give me the money I own instead of handing it to my father? No, I can't tell the Hokage. She won't except it. She'll make my father take me back in. She wouldn't let anyone throw their child out. But… I don't want to her to force my father to take me back. Should I get a real job? I was trained to be a ninja but maybe I could work as a waitress in a restaurant or bar. I would never be able to combine that with being a ninja. Ninja's work really irregular hours and I would have to leave on a short notice. You can't go on missions that can take weeks when you have a regular job. So should I… Give up on being a Shinobi?' The thought startled her.

'It's the only way. I can continue training in my free time. When I officially become an adult I could just continue. I'll just quit being a shinobi for 2 years. It's no big deal if I train there's no way I couldn't just become a shinobi again.' She tried to console herself. She turned the shower off and dried herself off. After she was dried, had her clothes on and she looked somewhat decent she left the bathroom. 'It's seems like Naruto–kun still hasn't returned. That's good. He would ask to many questions.' She searched some drawers for some paper and a pen and wrote something down in neat letters than she turned of all lives and closed Naruto's apartment door behind her.

Naruto was finally done with the shopping when he opened the door to his apartment. "Sorry it took so long Hinata! I planned on just buying us something for breakfast but I decided to buy some stuff for lunch and dinner to. I only had ramen lef…" He stopped when he noticed that all the lights were out and it was quiet.

"Hinata? Why are all the lights out? Did something happen with the electricity again?" He set the grocery bags on the ground and turned on the lights. "Hinata?" He asked when he heard no answer. "Are you here?" He than saw a piece of paper on the table and picked it up. His eyes darted over it.

Naruto,

Don't worry about me. I'm fine.

I'm going to stay at Tenten's house for a while until I find something permanent.

Forgive me for worrying you and wasting your time and thank you for your hospitality.

-Hinata

He shook his head. 'How many times do I have to tell you Hinata you could never waste my time.' He had wanted to take care of Hinata himself but he knew that it was better for her to stay with Sakura. She needed someone to lean on right now and Sakura was better in comforting than Naruto was. He never knew what to do and always ended up just holding her. Besides Sakura's place was cleaner and larger than his. Hinata would be in far better care with Sakura than with him.

Naruto was walking down the street an half hour later. 'If Hinata's not going to join me I might as well eat at Ichiraku's.' When he walked past the Yamanaka flower shop he saw Sakura catching up with Tenten and Ino.

"Tenten? Shouldn't you be home with Hinata? What are you doing here?"

"Hinata? Naruto what are you talking about. We saw Hinata walk down the street a couple of minutes ago. She left about10 minutes ago."

"So she isn't staying at your house?"

"No, why would she do that?"

He glanced over at Ino and Sakura who seemed to be as confused as Tenten was.

"Naruto what the hell are you talking about you baka?!" Sakura said but the girls noticed that they had been left alone in the shop.

The door of the Hokage's office flew open and the former sleeping Hokage growled.

"Naruto Uzumaki! If you don't fix that door right now you're going to be so sorry!"

"There's no time for that now Oba-chan! Neji, Kiba, Shino I don't care! Just give me someone quick! I need to find Hinata quickly!"

"What do you mean? Hinata was in my office less than two hours ago. She asked to have a vacation from missions for a while because she wanted to concentrate on training alone. I swear that Hiashi makes her train to hard sometimes. But she said that she'll report back to me when her training is finished and she's available for missions again."

Naruto bit his lip. 'Should I tell her that her father kicked her out? She wouldn't let Hiashi abandon Hinata like that and would try to help but… I can't let Hinata return there. Hiashi will only treat her bad again. I'll have to find Hinata first and than I'll tell granny everything.'

"I… euh… I noticed she forgot a book at Ichiraku's."

"You want to send out a search party only to give Hinata her book back?!" The hokage said irritated.

"Well… euh… It's a really good book. I read it myself. It was really good."

"Don't lie to me Uzumaki. You don't read books and deffinatly not the same books Hinata would read."

"I do read books. But okay… fine I haven't read the book I found but I do want to give it back to Hinata."

"Naruto tell me the real reason. You wouldn't send out a search party just to give someone there book back."

'What do I do? What do I say? I have to think of something fast.' Naruto thought a minute about what he could say. 'It might work but it's really embarrassing.'

"I… well I kind of…" Naruto swallowed and a blush spread over his face. "Like Hinata and I thought that if I would give her book back really fast than…"

"You would impress her?" The Hokage laughed and Naruto's face became even redder. "Listen Naruto if there's one girl you shouldn't try to impress it's Hinata. I think you would make a nice couple and it's cute that you would be willing to try so hard but I think you'll just have to return the book on your own."

Naruto looked at his feet and nodded still embarrassed. He than turned around and left the Hokage's office.

When she heard the door close the Hokage chuckled again and focused on her paperwork. "Kids these days they get crazier by the minute."

Hinata was waling down the streets of Konoha. She hadn't been able to find a job anywhere. Nobody was interested in hiring an underage girl especially when they heard that her only job experience was being a ninja. It didn't really make an impression on a résumé. The last bar she had been in didn't need anyone but when the man looked at her he took out a small piece of paper and a pen.

"I think I know a place where a girl like you can find work. If you really want a job that bad I might know someplace where they needs someone. I know the owner of the place personally. Tell him that Jimmy sent you and needs a favor. I've been going to the place for nearly 20 years and the guy owns me some favors."

Hinata took the paper from him and bowed. "Thank you so much."

"Don't mention it. It will be my pleasure. The place needs some fresh faces. I've been looking at the same faces for way to long now."

So now Hinata was walking with the paper clasped tightly in her hands. On it was an address written in a dirty letters. She had never been in this part of Konoha but to be honest she didn't really explore a lot in Konoha. She spend most of her time at the training grounds or at home. Sometimes she would visit a tea shop or Ichiraku's. On the weekends she would visit her friends and when she had missions she would go to the Hokage's mansion. Other than that she didn't really go anywhere. Of course she visited shops and stuff but she had never really wondered what the rest of Konoha had been filled with.

She could notice how these streets were different from the other streets she had already seen. The streets weren't as vibrant as the streets she knew and they were filled with garbage and all kinds of dirt. She stopped in front of an old building that had 'Palooza' written on it in big neon letters. She prayed that the man would take her. She didn't know what else she could do. She really needed money or she would have to sleep on the street.

She opened the door and noticed that it was empty. It seemed to be a bar with a stage. Probably for some kind of live band or Karaoke machine. There was a man on a ladder who was apparently changing a light-bulb but hadn't noticed her presence yet.

"E-Excuse me?" She said hesitantly.

"What do you want? We're closed." The man barked not even looking at her.

"Are you the o-owner?"

"Yeah, what of it?"

"I-I was wondering if you m-might need a w-waitress?"

"No. I already have enough waitresses working for me."

"But Jimmy said you might need someone and that you owe him a favor."

For the first time the man turned his attention from the light to her and jumped of the ladder he was standing on. He seemed to be in his mid-forties, he had big rough hands that were obvious the hands of a working man. He looked her over.

"Well I do owe him some favors. And I might need someone that can serve drinks. What kind of jobs have you already done?"

"W-Well I have only worked as a Shinobi until now."

The man chuckled. "Ah shinobi huh? Well that probably means your strong, quick, good balance and your not afraid to get your hands dirty. I think someone like you is exactly what we need around here. We could deal with some fresh meat."

"R-Really? Thank you so much." She said bowing.

"Now let's talk about money. How much did you think about earning?"

"I don't know. Enough so I can afford to hire some place to live. I wanted to buy my own place but since I have no money I'll have to save up."

"No money and no place to go huh? Well what about I make you a deal. I own a 8 bedroom house and a lot of the girls that work here live with me. I still have one room available. For the work you do here you can live their for free. You'll live completely on my expenses. I'll make sure your clothed, fed, washed and have a roof above your head and in exchange you will work for me."

"Really? That sounds p-perfect."

He grabbed her small, pale hand with his rough, big one and gave it a tight shake. "Well than that's settled. When do you think you can start?" He asked.

"How about t-today?"

"Today?" He chuckled. "That sounds perfect for me young lady. I'll show you were I live so you can move your stuff in."

She blushed. "I-I well actually I d-don't have any suitcases."

The man laughed again. "That's even better than you can get started right now."

Naruto was walking through the streets of Konoha. It had been 5 days since he had last seen Hinata. He had desperately searched for her but she was nowhere to be found. He was worried about her. She was all alone and had no place to go. He wanted to help her but how could he when he couldn't find her anywhere? He never knew Hinata could be so stubborn.

He couldn't tell anyone and he deffinatly couldn't ask Obaa-chan to help him find her. She would tease him again. He was deep in thought about the missing girl while he walked over the crowded market. Suddenly he faintly heard a voice he recognized.

"T-Thank you very much."

"Hinata?" He couldn't see her but he could hear her voice. Which meant she had to be close. He looked around but didn't see her. It was too crowded and everywhere he looked there were people talking and looking at the many stalls. He jumped up so he could see better. He could see her stand at a small stall with her back turned to him only a few feet away. He tried to make his way through the crowd.

"Hinata?!"

He pushed through some people and stretched him arm out in an attempt to grab her but it only resulted in Naruto bumping into something hard.

"Aw, what the…?" He looked up and saw that he had bumped into the chest of his sensei, Jiraiya.

"Oi Naruto. Stop pushing. Why the rush?"

"Pervy sage? I don't have time now! Have you seen Hinata?"

"Hinata? Ah the Hyuuga girl! The one with the big…"

"Yeah, yeah that one! Have you seen her?"

"No, sorry kid."

"But she was right there."

"Must just be your imagination."

"No, no I was sure. She was there. I saw her right here."

"I have heard crazier stories when it comes to boys crazy with hormones."

"Argh, pervy-sage! It's not like that!"

While the two argued on a few feet away Hinata walked over the street with her grocery bag, totally unaware of the quarrel of the two men.

Jiraiya sighed. It had been a long day. Naruto had kept talking about the girl he had seen before and how he lost her thanks to him. Jiraiya had, of course, teased him that he was in love with the girl but Naruto had franticly denied it. Saying she was just a friend but the old sannin knew his student enough to know he was lying. He could see the boy really cared for her and not just as a friend. He himself barely knew the girl. He had seen her a couple of times but never really talked to her. He knew of her background of course. That she was the heir of the Hyuuga clan and was considered a disgrace. He himself had never really thought highly of the Hyuuga clan. The girl seemed nice though. She smiled and nodded shyly when she saw him walk down the street. She had been the only one to come and see Naruto when he left for his trip. She had stayed hidden but there was no way a genin could successfully hide from a legendary Sannin.

The girl had an obvious crush on his blond student everyone knew about it. Of course everybody except the blond himself. Jiraiya had really grown to love his student but he couldn't deny that, even though he adored the boy, he wasn't the smartest guy around. He was pretty good in tactics and could be really wise for his age but when it came to people and stuff like that the boy knew less than a peanut. Matter of fact the girl had probably been better off falling in love with a peanut. Peanut's at least aren't as ignorant and dense as Naruto was.

But about one thing the white haired man was very sure he wasn't going to get involved. He had been planning to go to the hot springs but because he had bumped into Naruto it was too late for that now. So being the pervert that he was he was going to go a striptease bar. It was called a striptease bar but everyone knew you could get a lot more than a lap-dance there. He opened the door of the old, dirty building and took a seat at an empty table. Immediately a girl dressed in skimpy clothing came in his direction.

"Jiraiya-sama long time no see!" She saw the depressed look on his face and she looked at him with fake worry. "Is something wrong? You can always tell me."

The man sighed. "Never mind, Aimi. You've never been good at acting. I don't want to bore you with my problems. I just come here to see your pretty face."

"That's good. It saves me a lot of effort." She said while she lit up a cigarette. "What do you want to drink?"

"Sake's fine."

The woman turned towards the bar and yelled. "Hey two sake's over here!"

A young woman came out from behind the bar with a platter filled with drinks. She walked over to a table with a couple of man sitting at it. "Here you g-go. Four s-sake's."

"Thanks baby." One of the drunk man replied before he pinched her ass.

"Eeep!" The girl cried out, letting the plate and sake-glasses fall on the floor and jumping back.

She looked at the broken pieces of glass on the ground with a blush on her face. "O-Oh sorry. I'll clean it up right away."

It wasn't hard to tell that she felt uncomfortable. A man stepped from behind the bar. "Hey Gorou how many times do I have to tell you! The new girl is only for serving! You're paying for those glasses."

The drunk man laughed and took his wallet. "Relax. I'll gladly pay for squeezing that fine ass! That's what I came here for!" The men burst out in drunk laughter while the embarrassed girl went to get a new platter.

Hinata was sitting in her small room. Tears were rolling down her face. "What am I going to do?" She whispered to herself. "I can't go on like this but I have no other c-choice."

Than her bedroom door opened and a skimpy dressed woman entered. "There's someone at the door. He says he's here for you?"

"F-For me?"

"Yes, probably some guy from the club or something. Don't forget that what you earn goes to Mr. Yamada."

"B-But I don't d-do…"

"Yeah, yeah whatever. Just go greet him and remember what I said."

The woman left and Hinata went to open the front door.

"N-Naruto-kun?" She whispered when she saw the blond stand outside her door.

He quickly grabbed her and pulled her close to him, wrapping his arms around her. "It's okay Hinata." He whispered. "Pervy-sage told me that he saw you today. I'm going to take you home. You're going to stay with me okay? I don't want you here."

"But Naruto-kun I-I…" She started, not wanting him to get the wrong ideas.

"Even if it's just as a waitress. You shouldn't be in these parts of town. Your coming home with me. I'll talk with your boss, okay?"

She nodded and he let her go from the hug. She immediately missed his warmth, the only warmth he had left was the one on her cheeks. He stepped past her and walked in the house. She stood there for a moment dazed. Trying to remember the last time she had seen him so serious. She had tried not to putt this on his shoulders but in the end everything backfired. She had done everything that she had wanted to avoid. She wasn't really sure what she was going to do now. So she decided it would be best to just do what Naruto had told her too. She heads for his apartment. After walking a few blocks she realizes that it might not have been a good idea to leave on her own.

She was still in the bad part of Konoha after all. 'Maybe I should've waited for Naruto. This alley looks scary.' She turns around to walk back but notices the four man standing behind her.

"Hello beautiful? Say what's a pretty girl like you doing in a dangerous place like this? Especially in the middle of the night." One says in a creepy tone.

"Hey isn't this the girl from the bar?"

"Ah yes. The waitress." The men start to laugh at the last word. "Tell me darling why would you work so hard when there are so much easier and faster ways to earn money."

"And don't forget more pleasurable." Another man adds.

"I-I don't work at there anymore."

"Oh so you're here all alone?"

"In the middle of the night…"

"Without the old Mr. Yamada to protect you."

"Seems a little suspicious. Wouldn't you say, Gorou?"

"I would say very suspicious Kuro."

"Almost like she's asking for something. Wouldn't you agree."

"Almost like she's begging for something."

Before they can do anything Hinata strikes the first man with a powerful attack, blocking his chakra to his right arm but when she does she gets grabbed from behind.

"You're not the only Ninja around here girl."

She struggles against the arms that are restraining her from behind as the attacked man recovers from the blow and makes his way her.

"You're a foxy one aren't you? Don't worry. I like it rough."

With that he smacks her in the face and grabs her chin. She tries to fight against the men holding her but their physical strength is bigger than hers. She might be able to escape if she was loose but now she couldn't move her arms, who were clenched at her sides and her kicks seemed to have little effect.

"Ha, I like it when they struggle." The man in front of her says. He then places his lips on her necks and starts licking and sucking it. She wants to scream out but at some point her mouth got covered. She couldn't remember exactly when. Suddenly out of nowhere the man get's kicked against the head. He falls forward knocking over Hinata and the man holding her.

Hinata sees her chance and escapes from the iron grip on her body. She looks up to see that her rescuer was no one else but the blond number one knucklehead ninja himself. He looks down at her worriedly. "Hinata are you okay?"

She nods in lack of words. The men are starting to gather up but to her surprise they don't attack but simply retreat. When they're out of sight Naruto kneels down next to her and pulls her against him.

"Don't do that again. Are you crazy? You can't go walking down the streets in the middle of night on your own. Don't you know how dangerous these parts of Konoha are?" She can feel the silent anger in his voice. She knows he isn't mad at her. He's mad at the man he let get away. She can feel how he desperately tried to draw her closer. As if he's trying to assure she's really there. "You had me so worried these last couple of days." He pushed her away slightly to check for any injuries. "Are you okay?"

She nods.

"Are you sure? Tell me Hinata did those pigs touch you? You need to tell me okay?"

She shakes her head. "No, you came in time. Just…" She touches the place on her neck where the mans lips and shudders at the memory.

Naruto grabs her hand and looks at her skin. "Don't worry I'll make it better." The next thing he did surprised her. He bent down and let his lips touch the exact spot the man's lips have been. Only his lips feel warm, soft and gentle and it makes her feel warm and her skin tingle. His kisses make her heart flutter and she doesn't know what to do with herself. Her hands automatically rest on his back while she lets out a soft moan.

"Hinata." Naruto whispered out of breath causing his warm breath to trickle against the skin of her neck. "I told you from now on I'm going to take care of you."

Jimmy: I don't know it just sounded right. "Tell him Jimmy send you. It just sounds so naturally. Jimmy always sends you."

Aimi: (Ai) love, affection and (Mi) beautiful

Mr. Yamada: Just random

Gorou: (Go) five and (Rou) child… (Name has no reason at all)

Kuro: Black

So that was it. I don't know why but I have had trouble writing recently. I think it's because I've got a new idea for a story. It makes it hard to focus on what I'm writing now. But I still need to finish Betrothed before I can start anything else. I don't think the next chapter of Betrothed will be out soon though. I keep going back and re-writhing it. So basically it's not going very fast. I also have a lot of things to do these days so I'm lacking time. I'll see when I get it finished. Luckily Yumi-chan is here to help me.

I personally didn't really like this chapter but I just thought I should write a second chapter since people were asking for it so much. I'm very sure that there isn't going to be a next one. I just wanted to make a nice clean ending and here it is. Hinata and Naruto are together and all is good in the world. (I never write after they've become a couple)

Oh BTW. Yahoo 5000 words! I was just to lazy to devide it in 2 chapters. I used to have chapters from around 2000 words. It changed to 2500 words. It changed to 3000 words. And suddenly it turned into 5000? And the Yahoo just came from my fav character Kiba! Yeah I'm a Kiba fangirl and don't you forget it! I'm a KibaHina supporter although I also support NaruHina. I just can't seem to write good KibaHina fics. :( But that doesn't matter I enjoy writing NaruHina stories.

-K