This is my first story on this site so please let me know what you think. There is always room for improvement.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any other characters, if I did then I wouldn't be writing this story. All honor goes to Masashi Kishimoto.

Thoughts are Italicized

Kyuubi speaking is in Bold

Kyubbi's thoughts

Chapter 1: Past Memories

The blue sky was the only thing anchoring him to the world. The faint sound of hammers on wood and the smell of fresh dirt slowly calming him down. A soft breeze blew through the air pushing lazy puffs of white clouds through the sky and slightly ruffling his blonde hair.

Naruto had a lot on his mind. Laying there on a huge pile of lumber on the far outskirts of town he tried to make sense of what had happened in the last few days. The Hidden Leaf Village had been attacked by the leader of the Akatsuki. Upon arriving Naruto found the entire village destroyed along with almost all of the citizens. Immediately entering the fight Naruto had tried to dispose of the six Pains as quickly as he could before his sage mode ran out. After battling and destroying five out of the six Pains he had been pinned to the ground with black chakra rods and trapped.

Lifting his hand and looking at it, there were still red marks from where his hands had been pierced. Surprisingly, they were still sore. Setting his hand back down he stared back up at the sky watching a white cloud lazily float by. He closed his eyes as he began to think.

"That's when it happened…that's when she came."

Flashback

"You say my peace is a lie." Pain said looking down on him, "But in this cursed world, a peace where people truly understand each other is a fantasy."

Looking up he yelled, "Ero-sennin believed the day would come when people would truly understand each other." Gritting his teeth he finished, "YOU'RE WRONG!"

"All you do is talk." Pain said as he drew a black chakra rod from his sleeve. "What can you do when you can't even prove anything? All you can do is give me the nine-tailed fox's power. I told you, your death will lead to peace."

He yelled out in agony as Pain pierced his body with more and more black rods, Pain's chakra flowing through his body immobilizing him. The pain from the puncture wounds arched back and forth between the rods causing flashes of light before his eyes. Breathing heavily, he tried to focus so he wouldn't pass out from the intense burning pain.

"Don't worry the wounds aren't that deep and they're around your vital organs," he explained. "But now you can't move on your own."

"HANG IN THERE KID!"

Startled he turned his head to see Shima, granny toad, yelling at him.

"Don't listen to him no matter what he says! You're the child of prophecy! You will save the world! You can't lose! Jiraiya and Pa gave their lives because they believed in you! I'll never forgive you if you give in now! Y-"

The rest of what she said was cut off as her body rocketed backwards from a Pain's Almighty Push. Her body skidded across the dirt and rocks leaving a trail of dust in her path.

"What a noisy frog," Pain muttered.

"You BASTARD!" he screamed.

"It doesn't matter now," Pain said turning to him, "it's time for us to go."

Pain raised his palm to Naruto and a strange humming noise began to emit from his hand. Suddenly there was the sound of rapid approaching footsteps followed by a cry. Pain jerked his body out of the way as a huge explosion took place where his body had once been, raining debris down on Naruto. As the smoke cleared the body of a woman slowly came into focus in front of him until he could finally make out who it was.

"I won't let you lay another finger on Naruto!" Hinata yelled with a bold steady voice.

Pain tilted his head before replying, "Reinforcements eh?"

"What are you doing here?" Naruto yelled. Panic set in as he tried to move his body; he couldn't stand to watch one of his 'precious people' be hurt right in front of him. "Get out of here! You're no match-"

"-I know," replied Hinata quietly, cutting him off.

Shocked, he didn't know what to say. All he could do was stare at the girl between him and Pain.

"I'm…just being selfish…" Hinata continued.

"What are you talking about? What are you doing here? It's too dangerous!" He cried out. Fear began to set in now as he knew he would be powerless to protect her. He cared for her; she was probably only one of the very few people that were always there for him.

"…I'm here on my own free will." Hinata replied her voice wavering as she spoke. "I used to always cry and give up… I nearly went the wrong way…" She was now choking back tears as she forced herself to speak. "But you…You showed me the right way."

Unable to speak, Naruto lay there in silence as he listened to her continue. Curious as to what she had to say.

"I was always chasing you…wanting to overtake you." She continued, her voice now growing more confident as she spoke. "… I just wanted to walk with you…To be with you. You changed me! You're smile saved me! So I'm not afraid of dying to protect you. Because I-" Hinata hesitated. "Because I love you, Naruto."

With a smile Hinata pushed off the ground and rapidly closed the gap between her and Pain. Her face now stoic and full of determination she formed her chakra into the Twin Lion Gentle Fist technique and attacked with all she had. Striking and moving Hinata flowed through her attack effortlessly swinging and pivoting constantly looking for an opening. The air around them began to vibrate with the energy the two were giving off. Soon the very rocks began to shudder and lift into the air, circling around them. The two twirled and jumped together, shifting back and forth, to and fro in beautiful but deadly dance of death. The fight continued for a few moments longer when she finally saw her opening. She had thrown a left palm strike directed at Pain's head but he blocked it. However in the process of doing so he stumbled backwards, seeing the drop in his guard she moved in to finish him with a double palm strike to his chest. Inches away she could feel the victory.

"Shinra Tensei."

The blast knocked Hinata back with such power that her bones snap under the extreme force. Screaming as pain shot through her body, every nerve ending cried in agony at her as fiery pain coursed up and down her body. Rolling several yards back, she landed with an unforgiving thud. Slowly opening her eyes she struggled to focus on Naruto's shocked and helpless face.

"N-Naruto-kun…" was all she managed to get out in a labored breath. Giving into the pain she succumbed to the darkness.

"It was just like this," Pain said as he walked over to Hinata's body while drawing out a black rod, "when my parents were killed right in front of me by Konoha ninjas." With that, Pain plunged the rod through Hinata's chest.

"HINATA!" Naruto's mind went numb. His whole world began to slow until it stood still, fixated on the blood that pooled out from Hinata's body.

"Love breeds sacrifice, which in turn breeds hate." Pain said as he watched him. "Now you can know the true meaning of pain."

Naruto felt his mind slipping into darkness. Just as the blood puddle grew so did his hatred inside him. "Let me out boy, I'll show him the true meaning of pain. He has just killed one of your 'precious people' right in front of you. Give me your soul and I'll rip his body to shreds. I'll make sure he doesn't touch another one of your 'people' again. Give me your soul and I'll end all of your pain. Let me out boy. LET ME OUT!"

End Flashback

Naruto's eyes snapped open; the sun was setting causing hues of orange and red to flow across the sky. "Almost like…blood," he thought. He shivered still unable to shake that memory. He knew he shouldn't have let the Kyuubi out. He knew that he should have found another way to defeat Pain. "But you did boy, and I would have taken your body too if it wasn't for your damned father."

Sighing and slightly irritated he spoke out loud, "Aw shut the hell up. You make my life a living hell as it is; can't you just leave me alone?"

"I-I d-d-didn't kn-know I w-was s-s-such an inconvenience…"

Not expecting that kind of response Naruto snapped his head around to see Hinata standing there looking down, blushing, and unshed tears in her eyes. "Nice one baka! Let's hurt the most innocent and fragile creature in the world. Even I'm not that cruel." "Shut up!" he yelled in his head. "This is your fault!"Quieter than before Kyuubi replied, "You know one of these days kit you're gonna have to stop blaming me for everything." Surprised by the sudden tone change in the fox's voice he didn't have time to respond before he felt the fox leave his conscious and go back to his cell.

Hinata was still looking at the ground when she realized Naruto was just staring at her. She noticed that he hadn't responded to her last statement and it only made her feel even more inferior. "He hates me." She thought. "He absolutely hates me. He's just staring at me like I'm a worthless piece of trash." She could feel her heart start to race and her vision begin to blur, partly because she was hyperventilating and the other part because she had tears in her eyes.

Noticing that nothing had been said in almost a full minute and that Hinata looked as if she was about to cry Naruto felt a pang of guilt shoot through him. "Hinata." He said just to break the silence. She looked up eyes still watery. He pushed off the edge of the lumber pile as he spoke, "Look, I wasn't-" The rest was cut off as he landed with a crumple and a loud "Oomph!" Pain shot through his body, starting in his shin and jumping up through his leg. Disoriented all he could do was groan as he tried to get his bearings.

Hinata, without missing a beat, raced over and helped him up.

"A-Are you o-okay Naruto-kun?" The concern was evident in her voice.

"Y-Yeah," he groaned again wincing in pain, "I still haven't completely recovered from the fight with Pain. It's weird, these wounds where the chakra rods entered my body are taking longer to heal." Then looking at her he quickly added, "And look, about what I said earlier. I wasn't talking to you…I was talking to, uh…myself."

"I-I kn-knew that al-already." Hinata blushed looking away.

"You did?" Shocked, he turned to look at her. "Wait, which part?"

"Th-that you w-were h-h-having t-trouble h-healing." She replied quietly looking down and playing with her index fingers. "Th-that's why I-I'm here. Th-the doctors at the h-hospital s-said you w-were in pain s-still. I f-figured I c-could take a look a-at you and s-see if one of m-my ointments w-would w-w-work." "Come on!" She berated herself. "I just announced my love to him a few days ago and I can't even look him in the eyes! Why? Looking up she saw the shock in his eyes as he realized that someone cared that much for him turn into appreciation as he smiled. "That's why. He g-genuinely c-cares about w-what I s-say. Oh great, now I'm stuttering in here!" Looking quickly down she could feel the crimson burn starting to creep across her face.

Feeling suddenly excited Naruto grabbed one of her hands in his and used the other to bring her chin up to look him in the eyes. "Hinata, do you really have something that can speed up my recovery?"

"I-I th-think I h-have one th-that w-w-will work," she quietly whispered. "Oh god, he's touching my face! His lips are so close to mine!" Her head began to swim as she stared longingly at his lips.

Laughing out loud and flashing his trademark grin he grabbed her and pulled her into a hug. "You're the best Hinata!"

Being so close to Naruto, Hinata could feel his warmth radiating from his body. Her head right in the crook of his strong neck and pressed up against his muscular chest she couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. She also didn't want it to end. She wanted it to stay just as it was for the rest of their lives. Hinata's world was perfect, that is until he gave her a squeeze.

Suddenly there was a quiet squeak and she passed out in his arms. Alarmed, Naruto caught her and laid her down on the ground carefully. Calling her name and seeing that he was getting no response sudden flashes of her broken bloody body began flood his mind. Feeling weak in the knees his hands began to shake as he became paralyzed with fear. Trying to steady his breathing he shook his head to try and clear the images. "It's okay she's fine." He assured himself. "Just focus. I need to get her looked at." Finding strength again, he scooped Hinata up and carefully situated her on his back. Once she was secure he took off as fast as he could towards the hospital.

Kyuubi's interests perked up when he felt a mixture of distress, anxiety, and concern wash through Naruto's emotions. Deciding he wanted to take a look, he pushed his way up to Naruto's conscious mind.

Naruto was running full speed when a loud voice nearly caused him to crash and burn. "Boy! What's going on? Why the hell are you freaking out?" "It's Hinata, she suddenly passed out for no reason when I was talking to her. I'm taking her to the hospital now to get her checked out." "What did you do to her?" Kyuubi asked as he began to reach out to sense the girl's body. "Nothing!" Naruto explained. "I just gave her a big hug because she said she could help me." Probing around with his chakra, Kyuubi finally found the problem. "Fucking baka! Set her down, NOW!" Normally Naruto wouldn't listen to the kyuubi, but for some reason he felt he should this time. Sliding to a stop, he set her down quickly but gently. "Kyuubi, what's going on? What's the problem?" "Did it ever cross your thick head that if you were having trouble healing how normal people would recover?" Speechless, all Naruto could do was shake his head. "Well guess what? She isn't fairing very well right now thanks to you!" At this Naruto practically flinched. Looking at the unconscious girl on the ground he felt instant guilt flood him. Tears began to fall down his face and no sooner had he been hit with that emotion was he hit with another emotion. Fear. Fear of losing someone precious to him. Terror gripped him now as he began to shake, tears still falling. Reaching out he brushed the hair out of her face, the color slowly draining from it. "Baka!" Hearing this Naruto jumped back to reality. "What do you want? Why did you make me stop? I should be running still, I can make it to the hospital!" "No you can't! You and I both know that you are too far away and at the rate she's fading she won't make it. So shut the hell up and do what I say!"

Gulping, Naruto nodded his head as kyuubi instructed him to unzip her jacket and place both of his hands on her chest. Hesitantly, he unzipped her jacket but averted his eyes at the last second. "Oh you're so noble." The sarcasm dripped from Kyuubi's words. "Shut up! This is serious!" "That it is boy." His voice turning gravely serious. Placing his hands on his chest, Naruto could feel the kyuubi's chakra begin to flow down his arms and into Hinata. "Hey Kyuubi," he asked, "What are you doing?" "Damn boy are you that oblivious?" The blank thoughts were enough of an answer. Sighing he said. "The girl was pierced with one of those black rods right through the chest. It missed her heart but put a nice sized cut on her pulmonary artery. Whoever healed her wasn't very thorough, more like just a quick fix. If anything this girl should have still been in the hospital recovering instead of out here with you. When you hugged her you squeezed her so hard it caused her artery to rupture again."

"Uhhh, pulmon-what?"

"…It's a miracle you've made it this far… The point is she was hurt and you made it worse."

The last part of that comment came out with a sting and Kyuubi could feel Naruto wince as he realized he had caused it. Feeling the guilt once more wash back through Naruto's emotions Kyuubi tried to ignore it.

"So…is she going to be okay? What are you doing anyways?"

Sighing kyuubi answered. "If you would shut up so I can concentrate then, yes she will be. As for your second question it's a type of medical jutsu, except it's far more advanced than you pathetic humans could ever hope for."

"No way! So you can heal faster and better than Tsunade obaa-chan?"

"A hundred times better boy, I'm can't believe you would even consider me in the same league as that annoying hag. I'm the king of the demons for crying out loud!"

Naruto was just about to say another snide comment when Hinata distracted him from his thoughts.

"Naruto-kun…" Barely audible, Naruto lowered his head down to hers.

"Hinata, how are you feeling?" The concern clearly evident in his voice. He was worried that she would be mad at him for hurting her.

"Ohhh Naruto…" She moaned, much louder this time.

"Um, Hinata?"

Waking with a start, she saw Naruto over her with a puzzled look on his face. Instantly she began to blush. "Oh god! Please tell me I didn't say that out loud!" Glancing down she saw that her jacket was opened and his hands were placed on her chest. "And why is my jacket open!" Hinata couldn't help but turn a few deeper shades of red. This was not how she imagined things happening, but at the same time she secretly wanted him to keep his hands there. She was about to speak when there was a loud crash from the tree line followed by an angry yell.

"NARUTOOOO! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?"

Both of them turned to see a very angry and very bright pink haired girl charging at them, gloves pulled on and a very deadly intent radiating from her person.

"S-Sakura-chan. W-why do you look s-so evil?" Naruto stuttered out.

"And what do you think you're doing to that poor girl you PERVERT!" Sakura retorted back.

Realizing where his hands were still resting, Naruto quickly pulled his hands away from Hinata's chest, much to her disappointment, and raised them in a defensive manner. "Well boy I think you've got it from here, I'm gonna take off now." "What? Now? How about a little help?" "Ha! I know better than that!" And with an evil snicker Kyuubi left Naruto to his doom. Now aware of Sakura's close proximity, Naruto tried to plead his case.

"S-Sakura-chan it's not what it looked like I sw-"

Cut off by a devastating right hook, Naruto flew through the air before finding his mark in a nearby tree.

Turning to Hinata she spoke, "Are you okay Hinata? I've been looking for you all day. You should have never left the hospital in your condition."

Lowering her head, Hinata knew she shouldn't have. "I know, but I just wanted to help…him."

Smiling slightly she said, "Look Hinata, we both know Naruto is capable of healing on his own unless its life threatening. I'm sure he is just being a baby about it." However, Sakura knew better than that. "I know for a fact he isn't though. The damage done from the chakra rods in combination with the kyuubi coming out did a serious number on his body." Seeing that Hinata still wasn't convinced she bent down to her level looking her in the eyes. "We need to get you back to the hospital so we can get you checked out and make sure everything is fine inside okay?"

Shaking her head, Hinata shocked Sakura. "No I'm fine," she said quietly. "Actually I feel normal again, all the pain is gone and I feel like I have all my strength back, even more than before to be honest. I would like to just go home now."

Quickly laying Hinata back on the ground Sakura brought her hands to Hinata's chest and began pumping chakra through her hands to see if Hinata was okay. She was shocked when she found that all the damage to Hinata's heart was completely healed and appeared to be one hundred percent okay. Perplexed she lifted her hands and helped Hinata up. Looking at her curiously she had to ask.

"What happened to you? You are completely fine; there's no sign of any damage."

Shrugging her shoulders she quietly spoke, "I don't know what happened. I just remember talking to Naruto-kun when he hugged me and I…passed out. The next thing I knew I could feel this warm powerful heat spreading through my body. When I came to Naruto-kun was over me with his hands on my chest, like he was performing a medical jutsu. But…I thought he didn't know any?"

Both of them now turned their eyes to Naruto who was dragging himself out of the trunk of the tree a bit slower than what he usually did. Finally standing up, he swayed for a moment before muttering, "Why do you have to hit so hard, Sakura-chan?" With that being said, he passed out. Sighing to herself, Sakura went over to pick up his body.

Daylight was waning fast and the once bloody sky was turning to a soft purple color. Because of the events that took place, Hinata didn't notice until now that they had stopped by a pond. Looking out across the scene, it would have been picture perfect for a painting. The soft hues of purple and blue that streaked across the sky were reflected by the glassy surface of the water. Firebugs had come out to play around the lake, bobbing up and down looking for a partner in their dance. Chirping from the crickets and frogs supplied the music as the beauty of the scene absolutely enchanted Hinata. Looking at the sky and then at Naruto, Hinata couldn't help but feel her love for him radiate from her. "This would have been the perfect place to be alone with him."

Dragging Naruto's body over to her, Hinata giggled at the sight of Sakura struggling to carry his limp body. Hearing Hinata's obvious amusement, she shot her a look. "You know, this would be easier if you helped me since you're all healed up now and everything."

Blushing and looking down Hinata could only mumble. "Y-you want m-me to help carry N-Naruto-kun?"

Noticing Hinata's obvious discomfort, Sakura could help but amuse herself now. "Yes, some help carrying this baka would be nice." Grinning evilly she decided to take it a step further. "Unless touching Naruto's strong and powerful body is too much for you? Or do you not want to get a feel-" she stopped abruptly as she realized what she was saying. "That was a little too far. But…he is strong and I can feel his muscles through his shirt..." Shaking her head she cleared the thoughts from her mind and looked at Hinata. She had no idea why that thought had even crossed her mind. Seeing Hinata blushing furiously as she stared at her fingers, she was relieved that her own blushing had been missed.

Utterly defeated now and her voice failing her, Hinata could only agree to help carry Naruto with a nod. Each of them taking an arm, they began to make their way back to the village. Along the way Hinata couldn't help notice how right Sakura was. She could feel the muscles of his arm around her neck and against her back. Pulling him closer to her body she could feel his muscles underneath his shirt, her other hand on was on his well defined back for support. Subconsciously she began to slide it down to his lower back. Making sure Sakura wasn't paying attention; she slightly tilted her head towards him and took a deep, steady, slow breath. The smells of dirt, sweat, and a slight hint of wood mixed together with his own natural scent flooded her senses causing heat to rush to her face as well as a few other places. Her senses were overwhelmed and she barely noticed that her hand was now slowly inching down further, determined to reach the top of Naruto's well formed tight butt. When she realized what she was doing she yanked her hand away causing herself to trip up in the process. "Oh my god, I'm such a freak!"

Sakura, who was lost in thought at this point trying to figure out why she said what she did earlier, came to when she felt the weight slightly shift from Hinata tripping. Looking over she saw Hinata wearing a deep crimson blush and feverishly concentrating on her feet. Sakura was slightly perplexed but her attention was drawn elsewhere as they arrived at the doors to the hospital. Carefully opening the door they walked in, greeted with the cool sterile air of the hospital. Setting Naruto down in a seat, she went down one of the endless white walled hallways to get a nurse and a stretcher team while Hinata stayed with him.

Watching Naruto sleep, Hinata couldn't help but smile at how cute and peaceful his face looked. Reaching up, she brushed some of his bangs out of his face and ran her hand down his whisker scared face. Consequently, this caused him to slouch over onto her shoulder. Frozen, she didn't want to move. Half because she didn't want to wake him up and half because she wanted it to just remain that way for the rest of the night. His soft breathing found its way to her neck, tickling it and causing her to slightly blush. "Let's just stay like this forever…"

"Sakura-chan…"

Hinata's world came crashing down, tearing and ripping away her confidence as it fell. "Of course he would dream about her. Why wouldn't he? She's on his team, she's powerful, and beautiful." Tears began to form in her eyes. "What Naruto? What will it take for you to notice me?" Her tears were quietly streaming down her face; drown out by his steady breathing. "What? What will it take?"

"Sakura-chan." Naruto's voice was a little louder now.

Completely defeated, Hinata just sat there unsure of what to do. Her self confidence was now at rock bottom. She just wanted to shrink away until there was nothing left of her. Suddenly, Naruto's face became concentrated, his eyebrows furrowing.

"Sakura-chan." He said louder than the last time. His body now began to shake, his face contorting in uncomfortable ways. "No…no…Sakura-chan!"

Now Hinata was concerned, "Naruto-kun?"

"No…no…NO! SAKURA!"

Naruto woke with a start, sweat dripping down the side of his face and he was breathing heavily. Suddenly realizing that he was not occupying just one seat he looked up into two large pale lavender eyes filled with concern. "She looks so…worried." He thought, "And is she crying?" Sitting up abruptly, he quickly cleared his throat before looking at her again. "Hinata, is something wrong? You look like you've been crying."

Stifling a sniff, she shook her head and replied. "N-no I'm f-fine. I w-was just w-w-worried about you." Briefly she looked him in the eyes before glancing away.

The shock of her concern caused Naruto to pause for a moment before putting a hand behind his head and flashing a grin at her. "You don't need to worry about me Hinata, I'm okay!" Placing a hand on her shoulder he managed to bring her gaze to his. "I can take care of myself, I'm just glad to see that you're okay."

"He's glad to see that I'm okay?" She thought shocked. "He's concerned for me?" Slowly, Hinata could feel a little bit of her confidence returning. "I-I'm f-fine now th-thanks to y-you, Naruto-kun. I-I don't know w-what you d-d-did but I f-feel much better now." Blushing, she smiled at him.

Smiling and slightly blushing, Naruto stood up and stretched. He hadn't really noticed until now where he was. "Uh Hinata. How did I get here?" Giggling a little, Hinata stood up as well. Naruto couldn't help but notice her giggle. It was so…cute. "And contagious," he thought as he chuckled a little to himself.

"We h-had to c-carry you here b-because you p-passed out."

Taken back, Naruto looked at her incredulously. "You mean you carried me all the way here?"

Hinata nodded. "S-Sakura helped t-to." She thought for a moment before adding, "but y-you're s-still pretty h-heavy." "Way to go!" She thought silently congratulating herself. "I believe that's the most flirting I've ever done!" Realizing this, she began to play with her fingers as she felt a little bit of her confidence returning.

Naruto laughed putting a hand behind his head. "Well I'm sorry you guys had to drag me here but I really didn't need it." Pausing for a moment he added, "But how about I make it up to you and buy you dinner?"

Now it was Hinata's turn to feel woozy. "He wants to take me out to dinner?" She thought panicking. "He actually asked me on a date!" Blushing furiously she blinked several times to focus, forcing herself to keep standing even though her knees objected. Shaking her head to clear her fuzziness she managed to squeak out, "N-n-no thanks. I-I'm n-n-not r-really h-hungry."

"Oh okay." Naruto replied slightly dejected.

Realizing she was about to miss her chance to spend more time with Naruto she quickly added blushingly, "B-b-but you c-can w-w-walk m-me h-home if you'd l-like?" "Please! Please! Please!" She silently begged.

"Okay sure!" Naruto smiled, it was the least he could do for her after she carried him all the way here.

"YES!" Hinata thought, as she smiled to herself and they left the hospital. Walking out into the night air caused her to shiver slightly because it was colder out now. Without thinking, she drew herself closer to the only other heat source near her; Naruto. The majority of their walk was quiet as they passed through the town. Hinata was, however, savoring the alone time she was getting with the man she loved so much. Looking up at him she could see the shadows of night playing across his handsome face, making him appear much older than he was. She also noticed that he was deep in thought.

"N-Naruto-kun?"

His answer seemed somewhat distracted and almost off-handed. "Nani?"

"W-what are y-you thinking a-about?"

He silently he rested his hands up behind his head taking in a deep breath, holding it for a moment, and exhaling as he tried to find the words he wanted to say. "I'm thinking about my battle with Pain. When I was pinned to the ground and you jumped in to protect me."

"Oh," was all Hinata managed to get out. She looked down blushing hard but the night thankfully protected it from being seen. "He's thinking about what I said!" She began to panic again. "About when I told him how I felt!" She shifted nervously, drawing her arms around herself. "W-what a-about the f-f-fight?"

Silence again as Naruto tried to find the words he was looking for. Finally he masked a smile looking at her, "Just about how much butt you kicked when you went up against Pain. I have to admit Hinata I was impressed and surprised at how strong you've gotten."

Surprised because she was not expecting a compliment from him, Hinata resorted to her usual blushing but she didn't break eye contact with him. Maybe the darkness was giving her a little more confidence? She knew that he had meant what he said, but she also sensed that he was hiding something. She could see it in his eyes; the way guilt and failure seemed to fill them. For the first time ever, Naruto was the first one to break eye contact. She wanted to know what he was really thinking about but she knew she shouldn't press him. Luckily they arrived at the Hyuuga compound only moments later.

Of all the things that were rebuilt in Konoha, the Hyuuga complex was one of the first. The newly constructed mansions seemed to tower over the surrounding tents and temporary log houses. The grand structures truly signified the power and influence the family held in the village as the importance of the family seemed to radiate from the buildings themselves. A fence had quickly been installed, not necessarily to prevent an assault but to at least keep locals from wandering into the compound. Standing guard in front of the entrance to the compound were two members of the Branch Family. Hinata looked at them and they both nodded, getting the hint, and turned to go on a temporary patrol.

Turning back to Naruto she spoke. "I almost forgot, this is for you." Surprised at her lack of stuttering, she pulled a small container from her pocket. "It's the ointment I was talking about; it should speed up the healing." "Wow, I'm going to have to talk to him more often when it's dark out…and maybe I'll get a chance to show him how much I really care…" She quickly shook her head to clear the thoughts, blushing once again.

As she handed the container to him their hands touched and she quickly looked away. However, Naruto made no effort to move his hands or take the container. When she looked back she saw him staring at her and their eyes connected.

"Thank you, Hinata-sama." He said, staring deeply into her lavender eyes. They sparkled in the night and looked as if they could be stars in the very sky above them. He began to get a strange feeling that he couldn't quite put his finger on. However, he shook the feeling ignoring it and gave her a small smile.

Blushing she shook her head. "D-don't call m-m-me that, N-Naruto-kun. Th-that title m-makes me feel s-so old." "Annnnd we're back to the same old me…" Internally defeated by the stutter once again.

Still looking at her and refusing to move his hands he smiled. "Well then thank you Hinata. I don't know what I'd do without you." He watched as her eyes brighten and a smile spread across her face. He didn't know why but she looked so different when she smiled and it made him feel good to know he caused it. "She needs to smile more often." He couldn't help but think to himself. "Hmmph!" Naruto could practically feel kyuubi rolling his eyes. "Shut up and stay out of this you damned fox!" Averting his attention back to Hinata he realized he was still touching her hands and quickly withdrew them along with the container.

Blushing slightly he asked, "So how do I use this stuff?"

Blushing as well she looked down. "Y-you j-just p-p-put a pea s-sized amount o-on each w-wound three t-times a d-d-day."

"Okay sounds easy enough, thanks!" With that he reached out, grabbed Hinata, and gave her a hug; however it was much gentler this time. He didn't care if she was healed, he did not want a repeat of earlier.

Hinata melted into his arms. Closing her eyes she concentrated on not feinting while at the same time taking a deep breath and catching his scent again. Time was at a standstill as she stood there in his arms. "Just like this…forever…"

"Uh Hinata?" Naruto's question bringing her back to reality. "How will I get my back?"

The thought of Naruto's naked torso suddenly flashed in her mind. The muscles she felt under his shirt suddenly became visible as it seemed to just disappear and she remained there in his arms, surrounded by a white light. Suddenly she saw herself rubbing the ointment across his strong shoulders and down his defined back. It was too much for her; being in his arms, his scent, his lips so close to her, and the image of Naruto's naked chest and back overwhelmed her thoughts. With a high pitched "Eeek!" she promptly feinted in his arms.

Looking around in a panic, Naruto did the only thing he could think of. "Uh, Kyuubi?" Sighing he responded. "She's fine boy, I guess the thought of rubbing ointment on you proved to be too much." He chuckled at the last part. "Why do you say that?" Naruto thought.Immediately Kyuubi felt isolated. "God you're thick!" Kyuubi yelled. With that, he turned his back to Naruto and pushed his way out of Naruto's mind. "Thanks for the help…"Naruto thoughst, slightly annoyed. "Welcome baka!" "I didn't actually mean it!" With a final snicker Kyuubi disappeared. About the same time the two guards came back to their spots at the gate. Seeing Hinata unconscious and in Naruto's arms they looked at each other and smirked.

"It's okay Naruto-san." One of them said. "We'll take it from here." Finished the other.

They scooped up Hinata carefully and carried her to her room. With a shrug Naruto turned and began walking back to his apartment.