Since everyone wanted a second chapter, here it is. This is just pretty much showing the conversation between Hinata and Sakura which leads up to the first chapter. People requested it; so here it is. (Long overdue, but hey. I need motivation for this stuff.)

the ending is corny, i apologize in advance. I left it like that because it then connects with the first chapter and I honestly didn't expect this to be this long.

It was a beautiful day in the Hidden leaf village. The war was over and everyone was still recuperating from their losses. Those who survived were generally living in the hospital, recovering at a miraculous speed thanks to the help of Lady Tsunade and Sakura. Things had been rocky between Sakura and Sasuke but the pink haired girl didn't let it deter her. Rather, there was another couple who seemed to be having their own issues;

Hinata and Naruto.

She knew the shy ninja had confessed her love to the knucklehead of the village, but it seemed either Naruto was oblivious to his real feelings or he was just that dense. Sakura walked down the path leading away from the hospital when she ran into said girl. She appeared to be carrying a bundle of fabric in her hand as she nearly collided into Sakura.

"Gomen, Sakura-chan! I didn't see you there!"

Waving a hand in front of her face, Sakura gave the girl a small smile, "It's alright, Hinata. You don't have to panic." Noticing her grip the fabric tighter, curiosity got the better of her as she asked, "What's in your hand Hinata?"

Looking between the pink-haired kunoichi and the scarf in her hands, she felt a faint blush rise to her cheeks as she mumbled, "It's a scarf."

Placing her hands on her hips, Sakura raised an eyebrow as she responded, "Well I know it's a scarf silly. I meant who is it for?"

When she saw the girl turn a darker shade of red, it clicked into her mind as she gasped, "Hinata... it's for Naruto isn't it?"

Her eyes widened before she covered the girls mouth, as though it was meant to be kept a secret. She managed to give the girl a small glare before her gaze shifted around them, as though saying his name would make him appear out of thin air. Sakura blinked before she felt a smile creep at her lips and raised a hand to hers. Hinata blinked in shock and before she could say anything, she was pulled into the closest diner and was forced to sit in the chair.

- A few minutes later-

"So when do you plan on giving it to him?"

Taking a sip of her tea, Hinata let out a sigh before facing her best friend, "I don't know. To be honest, I don't think I'm going to give it to him."

Slamming her cup down, Sakura stood up so fast Hinata gasped in surprise, "You have to give it to him! Why would you make it for him if you aren't planning on giving it to him?"

Staring into her half empty cup, she muttered, "He hasn't said a thing about the confession. I know he's been busy with helping repair the village and returning with Sasuke-kun, but I haven't seen him since Neji's funeral. It's just hard... it's already been two years and not once has he said a thing about it."

Gently placing a hand on Hinata's, Sakura smiled when she saw her look at her, "Hinata, you mean a lot to Naruto. He wouldn't hold your hand in front of everyone and declare his gratitude if he didn't like you. He's a guy though... And they're not exactly the brightest when it comes to emotions and feelings. I'm sure if you gave him this scarf, you'd get a reaction from him."

Still feeling unsure, Hinata took a deep breath before gripping her cup, "I keep telling myself I'm content with being his friend. His happiness means the world to me and now he's finally been recognized by everyone in the village. I really do love him, Sakura-chan, and I always will. But if it means risking our friendship, I'd rather not ask him about it again. Just having him around is enough.. It should be enough, and yet my heart clenches painfully when I think of him with another girl."

Drawing her attention, Sakura spoke the words she'd been holding in for months, "If you don't take this chance to tell him, anything can happen. And wouldn't it be better for you to jump at the chance instead of regretting it later on?"

The smile didn't leave her face as she watched Hinata nod her head. A new look of determination coursed through her veins and she stood up suddenly, attracting a few curious gazes towards her. Leaving a bill on the table, Hinata turned to leave.

"Wish me luck?"

Sakura nodded, "Good luck Hinata."

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.

The closer she got to Naruto's apartment, the more nervous Hinata felt. She knew he was on a mission and should be due to arrive any minute. With each step, her confidence began to dwindle but when she gripped the scarf closer to her chest, she felt her anxiety melt away, it was as though the fabric she knitted in her hands had a calming effect on her, which she couldn't be more grateful for.

Seeing a blob of blond, she felt her legs stop moving when Naruto came into view, a tired grin on his face. When he seemed to notice her, his eyes seemed to lit up more and it caused Hinata to take a deep breath before returning his smile.

"Hey Hinata! Didn't expect to see you here!"

Gripping the fabric tighter, she gave a small smile before placing a piece of her hair behind her ear, "I heard from Sakura-chan you were arriving back home soon. I wasn't sure when, so I've just been wandering around until now."

He nodded, "What about Shino and Kiba?"

"They're still resting from the war. Their mission ended a couple days ago so they've been hiding in their houses since. I just couldn't sit still though and I felt it would be nice to come see you since I haven't talked to you since Neji-niisan's funeral."

He didn't know how to tell her he was extremely happy to see her. The wind blew by, pushing her scent towards him. He hadn't realized how much he missed her smell until now.

"Well.. I have to report to Granny about the mission... Did you want to head inside? I'll only be gone about five minutes. I promise not to keep you long!"

A blush rose to her cheeks, she turned her gaze from his in embarrassment and gave him a small nod.

She was blinded by his smile, "Great! I promise we'll catch up right away. Just don't leave alright?"

As she turned to head up towards his apartment, his voice stopped her,

"By the way, It's nice to see you again Hinata."

She turned her head slightly, giving him the biggest smile she could muster, "It's nice to see you too, Naruto-kun."

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.

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She never imagined she'd be standing in his apartment. She also didn't think he kept it unlocked, then again, when you're the most powerful ninja in the world, no one is going to mess with you. She looked around his living room in awe, a thought in her mind wondering if she actually closed the door, but she didn't pay much attention to anything but the room.

It wasn't entirely huge, but it was big enough to accommodate about five or six people. There was a couch along with two coffee tables on each side, a small lamp on one. The curtains were left wide open, beckoning anyone to come break in. He did live on the top floor, so not many people would actually see his living room window left open. She wasn't sure where she wanted to sit, still not believing she was inside his apartment.

The sound of the door opening jogged her back to reality where she turned to see him come on. The smile never his face as he slipped out of his sandals. Lightly pounding his shoulders, he adjusted his posture before approaching the kunoichi in front of him.

"How's things been at the compound?"

She shrugged, "Father still somewhat blames himself for Neji's death. He doesn't show it on the outside but I've seen him a few times in the morning while he's training Hanabi. I can see the sadness he hides, but he'll never admit it out loud."

Naruto nodded, "Hiashi seems to be the type. How have you been though? I haven't seen you since the funeral."

"I've been doing alright. Neji-oniisan would scold me if I kept moping around and blaming myself for his death. He died to protect us because he wanted to. He got a choice in the matter, so that's okay. I know he's happy with the decision he made. As long as he's happy, I'm happy too."

He felt a strong admiration for the girl in front of him. He wish he felt this way after Pervy Sage was killed, but he realized he wasn't as strong as Hinata when it came to the heart.

"Actually, there's a reason I came to visit you, Naruto-kun."

Before he could ask, red was in his face and when he tried to look at the girl in front of him, but she hid herself in her jacket. Gently prying her fingers from the fabric, he grabbed it with gentle hands and unravelled the scarf, noting the softness.

He felt a lump in his throat, which he cleared and looked at her with wide eyes, "You made this... For me?"

Not trusting her voice, she nodded her head before sneaking a quick glance at the love of her life. Her hands were behind her back as she felt herself fidget under his gaze. She couldn't tell what he was thinking, a gasp was the only sound that came from her lips as he pulled her into a hug. He rested his face in the crook of her neck, trying to hide the blush on his face. He knew she was always kind to everyone, but to go out of her way to make this for him, rendered him speechless. He felt her return the hug, her grip wasn't as tight, and he could feel her smile on his cheek.

He hadn't felt this way in such a long time; not since Iruka-sensei had acknowledged him as a true shinobi, but he knew this emotion was very different from back then, and as much as he wanted to say the three words she longed to hear, -the ones she had found the courage to say two years ago- he felt them die on the tip of his tongue. He could feel himself getting more frustrated by the second and he was unaware of Hinata trying to get a look at his face. Suppressing a shudder at the bundle of softness in his arms, he removed his head from her neck only to look deep into her eyes. Whatever emotion he was showing on his face had mirrored Hinata's and before he could realize it, his lips had found hers in a soft embrace.

Hinata had stiffened only slightly before allowing herself to shudder at his touch. Her eyes had closed as she leaned into his kiss, keeping her arms wrapped around him to steady her balance. As though she was about to stop kissing him, Naruto growled lightly and tightened his hold on her, preventing her escape. She let herself succumb to his embrace as the scarf fluttered from his hands and onto the ground, forgotten in the wind of love.