So here's the next chapter! I'm sorry it took so long but between school and trips to the hospital it's been hard to write anything...
As Tsunade walked away Naruto turned towards Hinata.
"So. Uh, I guess we should go this way?" he said, pointing towards a random stretch of stalls. Getting shy Hinata nodded her assent.
"Dear Kami! He needs so much help!"
"He's not very good at talking to girls is he?"
"Psh! It's like listening to a six year old!"
"He couldn't woo a brick if he tried."
"What kind of fool cant talk to the girl he likes?"
"But he still doesn't realize it neh?"
"Uh...guys? Shikamaru still has the headset on and Naruto heard every word..." Neji pointed out. Everyone turned back to the duo. He had stopped in his tracks and had a look of shock on his face.
"Naruto-kun? Are you okay?" Hinata asked, slightly shaking his arm. Hearing the worry in her voice Naruto snaps back to reality.
"Yeah! I'm fine Hinata-chan! Nothing wrong here!" he says unconvincingly. She looks at him uncertainly, then decides to accept this lie, for the moment.
"So, uh, what would you like to do first Hinata[-chan?" he asks distractedly.
"Let's just sit here for a moment so you can get over your dizzy spell." she replies, heading for a bench. He stares at her in shock, her sudden change of character catching him off guard. He follows her dumbly and plops down next to her.
"He has all the finesse of a rampaging rhino."
"And the manners of one."
"At least now he knows..."
"He should've figured it out on his own!" as the bickering quieted down Naruto began thinking.
'Is that it? I like Hinata-chan? Of course I like her but do I like her as more than a friend? Honest answer...I get shy and awkward around her, which is definitely not like me. I want her to be happy when I'm around her. I cant really talk to her anymore, not like I used to...I would say that's a yes. Oh Kami, what am I gonna do? What if her father finds out?! The entire Hyuuga Clan will kill me! No, wait. I might have a chance. Hinata-chan's mother might not mind! Thinking back didn't she say her mother 'petitioned' her father to let her come to the festival and she's here so her mother must have some control over Hiashi-sama! If I can get on her good side maybe she'll let me date her daughter!' he thought. He nods and smiles.
"Looks like the baka came to terms with himself neh?"
"Hai. Took him long enough though."
"What did you expect? This is Naruto we're talking about!" Naruto listened to the other Chuunin pick on him when suddenly he had an idea.
"Uh, Hinata-chan, I'm gonna go splash some water on my face. I'll be right back!" he said dashing off. He went straight for where he sensed his friends chakra. They slowly turned to face him, like children caught stealing.
"You temes suck! I can hear every word you're frickin' saying! I'm so embarrassed right now it's not even funny! But I'm actually here to say: thank you very much!" he ended, slightly bowing. Following ritual everyone unconsciously bowed back, they were so surprised they didn't even realize what they were doing.
"Uh why are you thanking us?" shikamaru asked upon regaining his senses.
"Thanks to you guys I now know how I feel about Hinata-chan and I'll figure out some way to tell her tonight so thank you! Also, I'm done with this so you can have it back." Naruto said, taking off his earpiece and giving it to the, once again, shocked group. He then turned and ran back to Hinata.
"I'm feeling much better now Hinata-chan. Shall we get going?" he asked, turning up the charm. She was slightly taken aback by his sudden change but nodded her head. Offering her his hand they walked towards the first stall. It was a game stall.
"What are the rules?" Naruto asked eyeing the flasks stacked on top of each other in a pyramid shape.
"The rules are easy. You get one ball for 100 yen or 5 balls for 300 yen. All you have to do is throw the ball at the flasks and knock them over. If you knock them all over you win!" the man in the stall replied happily. Almost no one ever wins these things so he makes tons of money and never had to buy new prizes before.
"What happens if I win?" Naruto asks.
"Then you get to pick out a prize!" the man said, gesturing to the case on his left. Inside there were various cheap knick knacks but there were some valuables hidden among them. A brightly polished silver ring, sculptures of various animals, all of which said I Love You, some brightly colored necklaces and a beautiful black kimono with a yin-yang on the back.
'That's perfect! I'll get the ring and have it engraved for Hinata-chan!' Naruto thought as he scanned the items in the case.
"I've just gotta knock the flasks over? All of them?" he asked again, making sure this wasn't a trick. The man nodded with an enthusiastic smile. It was his first time in this village and he'd already forgotten it was a shinobi village. After all, who expected shinobi to come to a Tanabata Festival?
"Okay then! I'll do it!" Naruto announced, pulling out an overstuffed Gama-chan. Laying down the 100 yen he accepted the small ball. Naruto analyzed the flasks and, finding the weakest foundation he let the ball fly. His aim was true and he hit the flask he wanted. Unfortunately he had forgotten his own strength and the ball blasted through the flasks sending shards of glass everywhere. He instinctively turned and covered Hinata with his body so she wouldn't get cut.
"Baka..." was the only thought the people, namely the group of Chuunin that was still following Naruto, had as they watched the shards fall to the ground and the stall keeper stared in shock at where the stack of flasks used to be.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! Are you okay Hinata-chan?!" Naruto asked, frantically checking Hinata to make sure the glass didn't somehow get past him and nicked her. Kindly placing her hand on his chest to stop his frantic checking he finally calmed down.
"I'm fine Naruto-kun. Let me check you're back." She walked around him and gasped, there was half a flask sticking out of his back. He apparently hadn't noticed in his panic. She reached up and, hesitating for a moment, lightly touched the flask. He slightly shifted but that was the only discomfort he showed.
"This might hurt Naruto-kun." she said gently. He nodded his head and she quickly pulled the glass out of his back. The wound instantly began to heal itself and was soon closed with the smallest of scars to show for it. Naruto smiled at Hinata then turned to the shopkeeper who was still in shock.
"Uh...yeah...I'll take this and be on my way..." Naruto said, grabbing the ring and slipping it into his coat pocket, making sure Hinata couldn't see it. He then slowly edged away from the stall.
"Sorry about that..." he said to Hinata as soon as they were far enough away from the stall.
"What did you grab?" she asked quizzically. He grinned at her.
"It's a seeeecret!" he replied, reverting to his childish ways. She nodded, silently disappointed.
"Anyway, we should move one." Naruto stated, planning how he would give her the ring. She didn't answer but she took step towards another stretch of stalls to indicate she understood.
"He certainly moves quickly neh?" Shikamaru asked the group with a grin. They had all seen Naruto grab the ring and misunderstood his intentions. They were going to be in for an interesting night.
Sorry its so short but this is all I have time for! Hope to update soon but don't get your hopes up...