NaruHina: Love, lost and found!

The sun set over the hills as Naruto ended his training. His clothes were filthy and torn. He had been working on his taijutsu all day and he was exhausted. He took a deep breath to relax before he walked over to the nearby river, kneeled down and splashed tsome of the cool water over his face.
He paused for a moment to think. He had been distracted all day; something had upset him.
A few days ago he had been walking through Konoha on his way to ask Sakura out on a date, he had saved up all of his money, and was really going to show her a great time. He had been planning this moment for weeks.
He was nervous, but confident that they would finally go out on a proper date. That is, until he saw them together.
Sasuke had recently returned to the village after defeating Itachi. Everyone, including himself, was glad that he was back. But at this moment, Naruto wished Sasuke had never returned as he watched him and Sakura kissing.
Sakura broke away from her kiss with Sasuke, her cheeks blushing deep red, and a big smile on her face, “Oh Sasuke, I... I can’t believe this is happening!”
“I’ve been thinking of this moment ever since I got back”, He replied, his own cheek blushing slightly.
Naruto couldn’t stand it and angrily walked up to them. “WHAT THE HELL?!” he shouted, “HE’S BACK A WEEK AND YOUR LOCKING LIPS WITH HIM?!”
“Naruto, this is what I’ve always wanted”, she calmly said, “Aren’t you happy for me?”
Naruto didn’t know how to respond, all his plans had turned to ashes, as did his heart, and she was asking him to be happy for her.
Naruto clenched his fist. He wanted so much to just hit Sasuke. And the new couple could see it. Sakura tried to reach out to Naruto to comfort, her clearly upset friend, but Naruto just batted her arm away and looked at her with, angry eyes, eyes she had only seen him use on people he hated, like Orochimaru, and she was scared.
Tears began to run down his cheek, as he turned and ran off. “NARUTO!” Sakura shouted. But Naruto just ignored her and quickly vanished.
For the past three days, he had trained, stopping only when he collapsed, or was thirsty. All in order, to distract himself from the thoughts going around in his head, and heart. He feared his own anger would release the Kyuubi’s chakra.
But now, since he was a lot calmer, he decided to walk back to Konoha, and eat something for the first time since he ran off.
When he reached the huge gates of Konoha, he reached into his pocket, and quickly remembered that he had left his money at home. He didn’t feel like laughing but, he gave out a small chuckle. “I am an idiot” he mumbled to himself.
Naruto headed for his small apartment, when he suddenly heard a familiar voice. “N... Naruto-kun?!” said Hinata, shocked to see him. She had been worried about him ever since he was reported missing. A tear rolled down her cheek.
“Oh! Hey, Hinata” Naruto said as he turned to face her.
“Err... H... Hey.” She struggled to say.
They just stood there, looking at each other. Hinata was blushing and couldn’t look Naruto in the eyes.
Naruto just turned and started to walk away. “Look, I really don’t feel like doing this right now, Hinata” Naruto said brazenly, “Just pass out already so I can go”
“N... Naruto!?” Hinata remarked, shocked at his unusual tone. She could see he was hurting from the look in his eyes, eyes she knew well enough.
Hinata watched, as Naruto to walked away, she was worried about him, she knew he was still hurting and didn’t want him to be alone.
Naruto felt a tug at his arm; he turned to see that Hinata was holding onto him. “What are you doing?” He said, “Let me go Hinata”
“NO” She screamed, “You.... You shouldn’t be alone any... any longer”
Naruto could see tears running down her cheeks, and for the first time since in what had felt like forever, he smiled.
“Ok, Hinata” He calmly said, “Are you hungry?”
Hinata looked up at Naruto. Her cheeks were blushing redder than before. She wanted to say something but all she could do, was nod.
After a quick detour to his apartment to grab his money, Hinata and Naruto arrived at Ichiraku’s.
“Welcome to Ichiraku’s Ramen Place” began Teuchi, the owner of Ichiraku’s, “How can... Oh... Naruto?!”
Teuchi knew that Naruto had run away since, Sakura had been in several times a day looking for him, hoping that he would turn up, ever since he had disappeared.
“I’m glad to see your back.” He smiled, “Although your clothes have seen better days”
“Yeah” started Naruto, “I was training, and... well, y’know”.
“Yes.” Teuchi replied. He was smiling, but underneath he was worried about his favourite customer, who wasn’t his chirpy self.
Naruto and Hinata ordered their food, and even though he hadn’t eaten in days, Naruto nursed his ramen, eating it slowly.
Hinata was nervous, her thoughts were focused on her current situation, and ‘I’m with Naruto-kun’ She thought, making her blush continuously. ‘What do I do? He’s so quiet, it’s not like him!’
“Umm... Naruto-kun” Hinata nervously said.
“Yeah?” He replied, not even looking up.
“Can I ask you something?”
“What?”
Hinata wanted to ask how he was feeling, and if there was anything she could do to help, but what came out instead was “Do you, like me?”
Hinata gasped, and covered her mouth with her hands.  A moment later she tried again “I... I mean, do you love me” Hinata was screaming inside, her entire face was bright red, ‘What am I doing? Why did I ask that?’
“I.... I... I.... Mean.... ummm. What I meant to say is I love you!”
Naruto looked at her. And then it dawned on Hinata, what, she had just said and passed out.
A while later Hinata woke up. Her head was resting on something soft, and she could hear a soothing, rhythmic beat, her body felt like it was swaying, and a warm feeling filled her heart.
She quickly realised though, that she was in Naruto’s arms, and he was carrying her home.
Hinata, blushed, and her whole body started to shake as she became increasingly nervous.
“Is everything ok Hinata?” asked Naruto, responding to her shaking, “Are you cold?”
“Ummm... I... Err...” She stuttered in reply.
Naruto gently put Hinata back on her feet, and took off his jacket before placing over Hinata’s shoulders.
“I know it’s not very clean, but it’s all I got” he said.
Hinata Blushed, “A... Arigato. Naruto-kun”.
Naruto smiled, “Hey. No problem”
There was an awkward silence between the two. Hinata smiled, happy to have Naruto’s coat on her.
She pretended it was Naruto hugging her as she pulled the sleeves over her chest.
Naruto looked at her, and blushed. All his bad feelings were slowly melting away. He wondered why she was always so nice to him, and why he had never noticed she was pretty before.
Naruto stepped up to Hinata and put his hand on her cheek. Hinata’s face turned red again, and she felt like passing out. Her heart started to beat faster as Naruto brought his lips closer to hers.
Hinata closed her eyes and waited for the touch from Naruto, she had longed for since she first fell in love with him.
But it never came. She heard the sounds of crying, and when she opened her eyes, she saw Naruto’s eyes were filled with tears.
He had rested his forehead on hers, his hand still resting on her cheek.
Hinata wrapped her arms around Naruto and pulled his body closer. And they stood there, hugging.
“I’m sorry, Hinata” He said, sobbing, “I can’t. I don’t know how I feel right now, about you, or anything. I... I don’t want to hurt you”.
“Its... it’s ok Naruto.” Said Hinata softly.
She was disappointed, but understood that Naruto was vulnerable, and in no good state, emotionally.
Naruto continued to walk Hinata home, Naruto talking the whole time about how he felt about Sakura and Sasuke. And when they reached the entrance to the Hyuuga compound, Naruto gave Hinata a small kiss on the cheek, “Thanks for listening to me Hinata”.
“Umm... That’s ok.” She said, “I... I’ll always be here for you. Goodnight.”
Hinata turned and walked into her home, leaving Naruto standing.
Naruto smiled. He hadn’t felt this happy, or relaxed in a while.
The next day, Naruto was awoken by a loud banging on his door, “NARUTO! ARE YOU IN THERE?” bellowed a familiar voice.
Naruto got out of bed and went to answer the door.
On the other side stood Sakura, she looked exhausted. Naruto thought that she must have heard about his return and had come rushing over.
As soon as he answered the door Sakura stepped in and flung her arms around Naruto, hugging him tightly, tears pouring down her face “Naruto, I’m so happy your ok. I was so worried about you! I knew you like me, but I didn’t think you’d get that upset.”
“It’s ok” he started, “I’m not angry anymore.”
Naruto hugged Sakura back, he had always wanted to be this close to Sakura, but now that he was; his mind just wandered to thoughts of Hinata.
Naruto looked over Sakura’s shoulder and saw Sasuke, standing in the doorway.  Naruto stopped hugging Sakura and stepped closer to Sasuke. “Hey pal” said Sasuke.
The room filled with an awkward silence.
Then, Naruto grinned and said “Hey”.
A short while later all three of them were on their way to have some breakfast, when Naruto spotted Hinata up ahead.
He stopped, and before Sakura and Sasuke could ask him why, he was running towards Hinata. Hinata saw him and before she could even think about why he could be coming towards her so fast, she was in his arms and he was kissing her deeply. The shock was too much for her, and she passed out.
She woke up a few minutes later, Sakura was shouting at Naruto, calling him a pervert and borderline molester. Naruto was just hanging his head in shame.
They all suddenly realised she was awake and Sakura helped Hinata to her feet.
“Hinata, I’m sorry for Naruto. I don’t know what came over hi...” Sakura started, but before she could finish, Hinata ran into Naruto’s arms and kissed him back, moving so quickly, that she knocked him over and they both ended up on the floor. Sasuke and Sakura stood over the two, gobsmacked at Hinata.
Sasuke turned to Sakura. “Should I go and get a bucket of water” He smirked. “ ‘Cause I don’t think they’re gonna stop anytime soon”.

Naruto and Hinata ended up spending the day together, enjoying each other’s company, occasionally finding quiet spots, just to share an embrace.
As they walked home, the sun sank behind the buildings.
Hinata, had her arm around Naruto’s waist, and Naruto had his over her shoulder. They were both happy. But Hinata heard Naruto give out a quiet sigh.
“What’s wrong Naruto?” she asked.
“I’m such a Baka” He said.
“No, you’re not!” She quickly replied
Naruto stops, swings Hinata around to face him and presses his lips on hers. They stay there for some time, neither one wanting to break this desired embrace. But in the end, Naruto stops, to breathe.
“Yes, I am” He said, with a smile, “If I wasn’t such a Baka, we would have been together a long time ago!”
“Ok. You are a Baka” She said with a giggle.
“Eh?!” said Naruto, surprised at her actually agreeing with him.
Hinata just flung her arms around Naruto and continued “But your my Baka now” and once again their lips joined together.

END