I Would Wait Forever

I don't think any fic has ever given me so many problems. It's just not flowing the way I want it to, but I'll get there eventually. I'm moving in like three weeks, getting married a week after that, and if everything goes right I'll be in Japan with my honey by September. I'm a bit distracted, so I hope you all don't mind being patient while I get stuff sorted. I'll try to finish this fic before I leave the country though. It might take me a few weeks to get back on Internet there, since my Japanese sucks pretty bad. :) But then, that's why I'm going! Okay, so this is chapter 2. 3 is started, but it's the one giving me real problems. I'd intended to post 2 and 3 together since this is kind of a transition chapter, but I decided to put it up anyway. I'm going to go peck away at 3 and hope I hit the writing jackpot today. :) Hope you'll keep reading!


Chapter 2

Naruto groaned and turned over on his beat up old couch. Why he thought it would be okay to sleep here last night, he didn’t know. His neck was killing him. The scratchy old piece of crap wasn’t nearly as nice as Hinata’s. He’d bet it would feel like you were sleeping on a cloud all night.

Like he’d ever be able to sleep on it anyway now. He’d thought she’d feel relieved that he knew. Swearing softly to himself, he admitted that didn’t seem to be the case. Could it have gone any worse?

As if in response someone started pounding furiously on his door. He could faintly hear Kiba’s voice and Akamaru’s barking. “Goddamn it Naruto! Open this door or I’ll kick it in!” he yelled.

“Great,” Naruto groaned, rubbing his face and sitting up. Nothing like getting your ass kicked in the morning to start a great day. He had no doubt Kiba would take the door right off its hinges if he had to. Naruto rolled to his feet and called back. “Yeah, yeah! I’m coming!”

As soon as he opened the door the ground surged up and he was staring both at his water stained ceiling and two sets of bared teeth. “Morning Kiba,” he said sarcastically.

“What did you do to her?” Kiba snarled. “I just spent two hours with her and she wouldn’t tell me a thing…just that it was your fault she was crying.”

“I’m assuming you mean Hinata,” Naruto mumbled to the irate dog boy. Oh man, she was crying? He felt like a jerk all over again. “I didn’t do anything to her exactly. I just opened my big mouth again,” he said with a soft frown.

Kiba frowned back, slowly releasing his death grip on Naruto’s black tee and sitting back a bit. “What happened?” he asked slowly.

“She invited me over for dinner and it was going so nicely…I thought I’d tell her I knew how she felt. I thought she’d be relieved that she didn’t have to tell me herself. Instead…she kicked me out and told me she didn’t need my pity,” Naruto said pushing both dog and man off his belly and sitting up. “I guess I understand a little…but at the same time…I’m totally confused,” he admitted, rubbing the back of his head in frustration. “I mean I should’ve waited I guess…but you know me…I have a hard time waiting for anything.”

Kiba cooled considerably and frowned softly to himself. “I’m guessing that she thought you just wanted to date her because she’d liked you for so long, not because you really wanted to get to know her or because you had feelings for her. You struck a direct blow to her pride man. I’d be pissed too…though I guess I kind of am any way,” he said, giving Naruto a dirty look.

“I didn’t mean for it to turn out that way,” Naruto said glumly. “She’s really cute and sweet. I’d be lucky to have someone like her. It’s just…I don’t know what to say to women…you know?” He looked at Kiba and sighed. “No I suppose you wouldn’t.” Kiba was a notorious lady’s man. “You get any woman you want.”

“You could to,” Kiba reminded him, plucking Akamaru off the floor and petting the little dog. “You have tons of women following you around man,” Kiba said with a small smile.

“We went over this already,” Naruto reminded him. “They aren’t the kind of thing I need in my life. Sure it would be great to finally get laid…but that’s not all I want. I don’t want my first time with a woman to end with me sneaking out of her apartment during the night or waking up with her gone in the morning. And I don’t want it to just be a random hook up. I want it to be more special than that.”

“That’s kind of sweet dude,” Kiba said with a small smile. “Sad…but sweet.”

Naruto punched him in the shoulder. “I can’t believe I even bother explaining this crap to you. You of all people wouldn’t understand, not really.”

Kiba grinned and shrugged. “We are different. I guess growing up in a pack environment…I don’t look at sex in quite the same manner that you do. When canines want sex, they usually just go out and get it. Simple. You’re part fox right?”

“Kyuubi is about as far from a lap dog as you’re going to get,” Naruto said with a frown. “Besides, I’m not part fox, he’s just inside me. He doesn’t really affect me most days.”

“You’re fan girls would be disappointed to hear that,” Kiba said with a small laugh.

“Big deal,” Naruto said with a shrug. “I’m not that worried about keeping them around. I just want to fix things with Hinata, maybe have the chance at something real.”

“Well here’s your chance,” Kakashi said from the open doorway. His eyes flicked idly over the two young men and he tossed a scroll to Naruto. “We have a mission.”

“But what about Sakura? She can’t come yet,” Naruto said jumping up.

“No, she can’t,” Kakashi said with a soft frown. “But Kiba’s team is joining us, so we’ll still have someone with medic training.”

“Yeah, Hinata’s not as good at Sakura, but she’s still pretty well trained,” Kiba said, standing up and peering over Naruto’s shoulder at the scroll. “What’s the mission?”

“Another long one,” Naruto murmured with a sigh. “Looks like there’s some activity in Wave Country, bandits mostly. It takes a while to get there though and we’ll need to sort out the major groups and bosses.” He hated these kinds of missions. They weren’t particularly dangerous, to ninja, but they took a lot of time and kept everyone involved out for a long time.

“So why two teams?” Kiba asked curiously.

“Because we need a full set of skills for this to go smoothly,” Kakashi murmured with a shrug. “Kurenai won’t be joining us, but Shino will. We could really use his skills for tracking bandits as we find them.”

“Why is Kurenai staying behind if her team is coming?” Naruto asked with a frown. “She’s a really good kunoichi.”

“You didn’t hear? The mission we just got back from was her last for a while,” Kiba said looking a bit surprised. “Asuma and Kurenai finally hooked up. Seems she’s starting to show a bit.”

“She’s pregnant? Don’t kunoichi know how to use birth control?” Naruto muttered.

Kakashi shrugged. “Where do you think new ninja come from? Most kids at the academy are from ninja families, not from civilian families.”

“Yeah, I know,” Naruto muttered. He needed to remember to buy condoms. Apparently contraceptive potions weren’t as reliable as they all thought. He flicked his gaze over his shoulder at Kiba. “How many do you have?”

Kiba backed away shaking his hands. “None, man. I’m always prepared. My mom and sister would kill me if I wasn’t.”

Naruto snorted and rolled up the scroll. “So we leave tomorrow with Hinata, Kiba, Shino, Kakashi, Sasuke and me? That’s a big team, but I guess this way we can split up a bit and still be safe. How should we split?”

“I’ll go with Kiba and Shino,” Kakashi offered. “That way there will be long range trackers on both teams with Shino and Hinata split up. We’ve all worked together before, so it shouldn’t be a problem…except for your problem with Hinata.”

“Were you eavesdropping or something?” Naruto growled in irritation. When had his love life become so public?

“Nah,” Kakashi said with a lazy wave. “I talked to Kurenai an hour ago. Work out your issues quickly. I don’t want it to affect the mission.”

“Yeah, it’s rough when people with love issue are on a mission together,” Naruto said sarcastically, tossing the scroll on his kitchen counter.

“I’ll ignore that,” Kakashi murmured, mild irritation in his voice. He knew, very well, that his affair with Sakura during their last big mission had nearly caused some problems. Sex and love had a way of distracting a ninja from a mission; he knew that first hand. It was the reason so many ninja avoided both as much as possible.

“Yeah, yeah,” Naruto grunted, waving his hand. “Don’t worry. I’ll try to work it out with her today; if she’ll talk to me.”

“Let me talk to her first,” Kiba offered. “Maybe I can soften her up a bit today and you can talk to her tomorrow or something.” He set Akamaru on the floor and picked up the scroll. “Gotta show this to Shino and Hinata anyway.”

“Yeah and then could you pass her a note from me saying ‘Do you like me? Check yes or no.’?” Naruto grunted. “No, I’ll take the scroll to her and talk to her myself. Thanks though,” he said when Kiba frowned at his sarcastic response.

Kiba shrugged and handed him the scroll. “If you’re sure man. I really don’t mind…”

Naruto shook his head sighed. “No, I’m a grown man. I’ll go and fix my own love life. You might as well go let Shino know about the mission, if he doesn’t already know, and then get packed. I’ll see you in the morning, you too Kakashi.”

Both men nodded and left him in his silent apartment with backward glances. Were they really concerned about him or what he’d say to Hinata? Hard to tell. Of course he didn’t really even know what he’d say to her yet. Flowers would probably be a good idea.

***

It took him three hours to work up the courage to return to Hinata’s apartment. He stood on her doorstep with daisies in one hand and their mission scroll in the other. How romantic, he thought wryly as he waited for her to answer.

When she did, he felt like a prick all over again. Hinata’s red-rimmed eyes widened and she immediately tried to slam that door closed again. He dropped the bouquet and caught the door, easily holding it open. It wasn’t that Hinata was weak, he just had a few advantages inside. “Wait. Hear me out at least, then you can slam the door on me all you like,” he pleaded urgently.

She relaxed slowly, her sense of fairness kicking in, and stepped back. The door swung open again and he sighed. “Very well,” she whispered, turning and walking back into her apartment, leaving him to follow her.

He bent and picked up the flowers, following her inside and shutting the door. “I came for two reasons. One is we have a mission tomorrow.”

She nodded and put a tea kettle on the stove. “Kurenai already told me this morning.”

“Oh,” he said softly, rubbing the side of his head with the scroll. “Guess I should just get to the second reason then…” He took a deep breath, letting it back out slowly. “I was a jerk Hinata. I didn’t think about how you’d feel yesterday. I shouldn’t have said anything, I understand that now, but I thought maybe it would be easier for you…so you didn’t have to tell me yourself.”

“That wasn’t supposed to be the way it happened,” she said softly, her voice catching.

“I know,” he said softly. “I’ve really thought about it and realized why you thought I was…pitying you.” He tossed the flowers on the table. “But that wasn’t what I meant…not at all.”

He paced to where she stood with her back to him, watching the kettle heat. “Hinata. You’re the nicest person I know and you’re so pretty and smart…I’d be lucky to have you.”

Her shoulders stiffed slightly at his words, but she didn’t respond.

He sighed softly and reached out to gently grasp her stiff shoulders, wincing when he noticed that they were quivering slightly. Please don’t let her be crying again. “Hinata,” he murmured gently. “I don’t…I don’t know what it is to love another person. Love hasn’t been a part of my life. I care about people and they care about me, I guess, but I can’t say I’ve ever loved or received love. I don’t know what to do,” he said plaintively. “I like you a lot. I like being around you. When I came over yesterday, it was because I wanted to be with you and get to know you better. I didn’t intend to hurt you. I was stupid. Please, please try to forgive me,” he whispered, slowly releasing her and backing away.

When she didn’t turn, he nodded sadly. She’d probably need time at least. “I’ll…I’ll see you tomorrow,” he sighed, turning to head for the door.

“Naruto,” she said softly, almost too softly to be heard over the sudden whistle of the kettle.

He turned his head and looked back. She was half turned and biting her lip to keep it from trembling. “Yes Hinata?” he asked softly.

“Thank you…for the flowers,” she murmured. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

He nodded and opened the door. “Yeah, see you in the morning,” he murmured.

***

Hinata watched Sasuke and Naruto walking a little ways in front of her, occasionally pushing against each other and laughing. “They’re really close aren’t they?” she whispered softly to Kakashi.

The silver haired man looked up from his book, “Hmm? Oh Naruto and Sasuke? Yes I suppose so.”

“They fight a lot,” she observed watching Sasuke pop Naruto in the back of the head and receive a shove in return. Shino and Kiba never acted this way. How could Sakura and Kakashi deal with this, all day long, on missions?

“For them, it’s affectionate I suppose,” Kakashi drawled.

Hinata looked at him in horror, her heart clenching. She might still be annoyed with Naruto, but she still didn’t want him to be with someone else. He hadn’t said anything about being with Sasuke, but still…. “So it’s true then? They’re…they’re together?”

Kakashi grinned at her; he’d heard the rumors too. “Hardly. They’d probably kill each other trying to figure out who got to be on top,” he murmured teasingly.

Her blush flared, but oddly she couldn’t back down from the tease, not when it was from Kakashi. She knew he wasn’t trying to be vulgar. “Or, if they got that settled, they’d die trying to out last the other?” she asked softly, sounding braver than she felt.

Kakashi laughed suddenly, briefly drawing the attention of the two squabbling young men. Ignoring their questioning glances he grinned down at the typically shy little woman. “You’re okay,” he murmured. “I can see why he likes you.”

Hinata tripped and would have fallen if he hadn’t grabbed her arm and steadied her. “Wh-who?” she asked softly, eyes wide and cheeks bright.

Kakashi’s eyes flicked to Naruto, who was walking down the path, hands behind his head, chatting happily with the ever mellow man at his side. “I know his mouth is usually running the show, instead of his brain, but he meant well, really.”

“You know?” she asked, embarrassed that their fight was probably all over the village.

“Kurenia,” he said with a shrug. “You’re going to forgive him aren’t you?”

“Yes,” she admitted shyly. Naruto busted out laughing at something Sasuke had said. He looked so cute when he laughed like that. He did everything with so much abandon, how could she not enjoy being around him? He was too funny and sweet. “How could I not?”

“Hmm? I suppose,” Kakashi murmured with a small smile. “Hinata,” he said very softly after a moment, making sure that Naruto was properly occupied ahead. “About Naruto…you should know that he doesn’t really know how to love people…not like the rest of us do. He’s a good man, don’t get me wrong, and he has a lot of friends…but he hasn’t ever been loved or had to return that particular emotion, except for maybe with Iruka and his teammates.”

Naruto had more or less said the same thing the night before. “I know; that’s part of why I fell in love with him. I was so lonely as a child,” she admitted softly to the tall man at her side. “Since he was lonely too…I wanted to make it better for him. But then, I saw the kind of person he was, in spite of all the things the villagers did to him, and fell even more deeply in love.”

“Just be patient with him,” Kakashi said. Of course she’d been patient for at least thirteen years. “At least for a bit longer,” he amended. “I think Naruto would like very much to be with you, but you’ll have to be patient when it comes to him understanding and admitting his love for you. He doesn’t realize what love is yet, but he’ll figure it out. He’s an intelligent man after all. Slow…but not stupid.”

Hinata nodded with a small smile on her face. “Thank you Kakashi. That makes me feel a little better.” She dropped back slowly until she was next to Shino and Kiba, where it was safe and comfortable. They both smiled at her and pulled her into their conversation.

***

Naruto sighed and stared at the blackness of the tent’s roof, wishing sleep would claim him. He’d already been up for hours, wondering if Hinata would really forgive him, or if she had just been trying to get rid of him the day before. She hadn’t talked to him all day, even when they sat down and ate dinner that evening.

He’d felt awful, knowing that she had cried because of him. He got a pang in his gut every time he remembered the gentle trembling of her shoulders under his hands.

To his slight annoyance he also felt a faint rush of something else…maybe desire? Her slim, warm shoulders against his hands had felt nice, in a way. The only other girl he’d ever had any real physical contact with was Sakura, when she cuddled up next to him or decided he needed a beating. But with Sakura it had never been sexual, even when he’d had a small crush on her. Her touch wasn’t any more arousing than Kakashi’s or Sasuke’s.

He’d been watching her, whenever he could, all day long, and there was something about Hinata that appealed greatly. She was sweet and soft and delicate, yet deadly as a ninja. He didn’t know why, but that was intriguing and…the more he thought about it…arousing. He wondered what it would be like to hold her in his arms, cradle her tiny body against his own, to kiss her.

He sighed and shifted in his sleeping bag. It would feel nice, he was positive of that. His body eagerly agreed with the sentiment, his groin warming and tightening at the mere suggestion of holding a woman as beautiful and soft as Hinata. With a soft sigh he flicked the buttons of his pants open and reached inside, tugging at his growing erection, coaxing it to full hardness.

He groaned softly to himself, enjoying the streaks of sensation his jerking hand sent through his thighs and groin. He doubted it felt as good as when a real person did it, but it was something he’d always enjoyed doing anyway. Reaching down with his free hand, he dug into his open fly and rolled his tightening balls in his fingers.

Vaguely he wondered what it was like for a small female hand to do the same. He knew he could summon a clone, but that had always been a little weird and they tended to puff out when it mattered most. There was a little matter of his clone puffing out, when he’d tried to take his own virginity, that he preferred not to mention to anyone. Plus Sasuke was bound to wake up if a clone started stumbling around the tent.

But Hinata’s hands gently stroking him, cradling his balls…that would be amazing. He groaned again at the thought and squeezed himself harder, arching up a bit as pleasure began to coiling slowly in his groin.

“Having fun?” an amused male voice drawled in the dark.

“Sasuke,” he mumbled in response, opening his eyes to look over at the dark-haired man in the dark. “Like what you see?” he asked with a faint blush on his cheeks. Fortunately Sasuke couldn’t really see his face anyway. The high of his rising orgasm immediately faded into embarrassment.

Sasuke smirked up at the ceiling. “No, you just ruined my night thanks.”

Naruto chuckled softly. It wasn’t the first time Sasuke had caught him. They’d shared a tent for years on missions, so certain nitty-gritty issues were bound to come up eventually. Hell they’d even made a competition out of it sometimes. He inwardly rolled his eyes at some of the crap he and Sasuke had done together over the past eleven years.

Sasuke was silent for a while. Finally his voice drifted over in the dark. “I heard you had a falling out with Hinata two days ago. Is that what this was about?” He sat up and looked over at his blond friend.

“Nah, just business,” Naruto muttered. Like he was going to admit to Sasuke that he was jerking off, imagining it was Hinata’s hand around him. Masturbating in the dark next to your best friend was one thing, sharing the fantasies was another, oddly enough. At least in the dark you could pretend you didn’t hear the sounds coming from the neighboring sleeping bag.

“You didn’t meet me for training yesterday,” Sasuke murmured. “This must have been something big for you to forget that.”

“Sorry about that,” Naruto murmured. “Guess I forgot. I slept late yesterday. I didn’t sleep very well that night.” He gave up on his now wilting erection and folded his hands behind his head.

“So what really happened with Hinata?” Sasuke asked after another moment of silence.

“I told her I knew she liked me. It was stupid of me, but I think she may be willing to forgive me,” Naruto responded with a sigh.

“Do you need her to?” Sasuke asked, glancing over curiously. “You don’t really talk to her much anyway.”

“I like her though,” Naruto murmured stubbornly. “I think I could learn to love with a person like Hinata. You know?”

“No,” Sasuke admitted. “But then I’m not you either.”

“Aren’t you a just ray of sunshine,” Naruto snorted. “Something scratchy in your sleeping bag?”

“No, I already told you that you’re the one that ruined my night,” Sasuke grunted. “It’s burned into my brain now.” He smiled slightly when Naruto snorted. They both enjoyed the bickering they always lapsed into, especially when it led to a fight. It was a strange basis for a friendship, fierce competition, but for them, it worked. They’d always fought about anything that came up, whatever was convenient. “So what are you going to do about it?”

“About what? You catching me jerking off?” Naruto grunted. “Make sure you’re snoring first.”

“Idiot,” Sasuke sighed. “I meant what are you going to do about Hinata and that whole situation?”

Naruto blushed lightly and frowned. “Don’t know. I’ll figure it out though. I apologized and got her flowers, but even I know that won’t fix things completely. She probably doesn’t really trust me right now.”

“She is a smart woman,” Sasuke murmured softly.

“What?” Naruto asked, mild irritation flaring. “What about your fan club? For the life of me I can’t understand what they see in a brooding guy who looks like a girl!”

“I don’t look like a girl,” Sasuke growled. “I’m just skinnier than you dumb ass. I can’t help the way I look.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Naruto mumbled grumpily, turning over in his sleeping bag. “I’m gonna sleep now pretty boy. See you in the morning.” Sasuke growled softly, but didn’t bother responding. He wasn’t in the mood to fight tonight anyway.

***
“What do you mean, ‘we’re splitting up?’” Naruto asked in surprise. “Isn’t it a bit early? We’re still almost three days from Wave Country Kakashi.”

“Thank you for the update,” Kakashi murmured softly. “We’re splitting up because it’s a bit less suspicious that way. We’ll come in from two directions to divide their attention.”

“Plus we’ll be able to cover twice the amount of land,” Shino said softly. “Hinata will get part and I’ll get the rest.”

“Yes, of course Hinata murmured shyly. “It’s okay with me.”

Naruto glanced and Sasuke, who shrugged. “Well alright. Which route should our team take?”

“West,” Kakashi said pointing to a map in the dirt. “Come in this way and settle in this little town here. We’ll be just a few miles away in this town. Got it?”

“Yep,” Naruto said with a small smile. He had the map of Wave Country memorized anyway, so he was pretty sure he knew which towns they were settling in. He pulled his pack onto his back and nodded to Kakashi. “Good luck. When will we see you?”

“A week or so,” Kakashi said with a shrug. “We’ll send Akamaru for you or Pakkun.”

“Who’s Pakkun?” Hinata asked curiously.

“Kakashi’s nin-doggy. He’s pretty cool,” Naruto said grinning in amusment. “You’ll recognize him when you see him, I think.” When Hinata just smiled slightly and nodded, Naruto turned back to Kakashi. “Who’s lead?”

“Hinata,” Kakashi said after a moment. “She has the best long range vision and will be able to plan more quickly. Work together anyway though.”

Hinata’s eyes widened. She’d never led a mission before. “B-but Kakashi, I’ve never…”

“First time for everything Hyuuga,” Kakashi said with a shrug. “Let’s go Shino, Kiba.” He nodded to them once and the three disappeared into the trees.

Hinata turned wide eyes on the two men. They smiled slightly at her, waiting for her orders. “I-I…I’m not sure how to start,” she admitted. Hinata didn’t go on many missions any more, not with her father demanding she be close so she could learn about everything she’d need to know for leading the clan. “I could use some advice.”

Naruto grinned. “Sure Hinata. No problem. Maybe we should wait an hour or so before we head out? That way we’re not so close to Kakashi’s team.”

Sasuke nodded. “I agree.”

Hinata sighed and nodded. “Very well. Two hours should be fine then. Do we need to hide or can we do as we like? I’m curious about how you usually behave in this situation.”

Naruto grinned. “I usually go fishing when I have a few hours. Sasuke fishes too or sits and broods.” Sasuke growled softly and glared at the blond.

Hinata stifled a smile. “Very well. Let’s head to the river. I would like to wash a little anyway,” she admitted softly. She had to admit, that despite years of being a ninja, she still didn’t care for being dirty. “Don’t you dare peek,” she warned softly.

Naruto grinned. “Not me, I promise. I can’t speak for Sasuke though.”

Sasuke sighed and threw a tolerant glance at the dark haired woman. “I promise to behave. Come on idiot. Let’s head upstream a let Hinata have a little privacy.”

“Who are you calling idiot?” Naruto groused following Sasuke out of the clearing and towards the river.

Hinata shook her head, smiling slightly. She turned and headed the other direction, towards a pool she’d spotted the evening before. It was just around a bend in the river, so she should be well protected from unintentionally wandering male eyes. (A/N: can you see what’s coming?)

***

Naruto crowed happily and lifted a huge squirming fish over his head. “Got him!”

Sasuke grinned and shook his head, watching his naked friend wrestle with the enormous fish. Naruto rarely used a pole to catch fish, opting to dive in after them instead. “So are you happy now?”

“I guess,” Naruto called back, tossing the fish back. They didn’t really need the food, it was just for fun really. “It’s a little cold though.”

“I can tell,” Sasuke teased, grinning lightly.

Naruto squawked indignantly and glanced down at his groin. Everything seemed to be in order…. He glared up at the grinning man. “It’s not that cold you bastard!”

Sasuke laughed softly. “You’re nipples are poking out idiot! I wasn’t checking out your package. Not that there’s anything to check out to begin with.”

Naruto snorted and put his hands on his hips. “Been checking out other guys and comparing?”

Sasuke shrugged, looking a bit uncomfortable. “Does it matter?” he muttered.

Naruto eyed him curiously for a moment and shrugged. “Not really. I was just kidding.” Not sure he wanted to pursue that line of conversation any further, in the nude anyway, he turned to look for another fish. He crowed when one swam by and dove for it, following it quickly down stream. (hehehe)

Naruto lunged for the fish, grabbed the squirming animal, and rose out of the water with a triumphant shout. The water cleared from his eyes and instantly he dropped the fish in surprise. Frozen in shock, Hinata was partially turned towards him, arms clamped over full, naked breast, the water barely covering her hips. Oh shit!

He backed up, trying not to stare at the naked curves of her shapely body, or the way water was dripping down her back, or the vulnerable look in her eyes. He was immensely grateful for the depth of the water, and hoped it was covering up the embarrassing stirrings below. Jeez, was he fifteen or something? “Hinata…I didn’t mean too…the fish…I’m sorry,” he stuttered, clamping his hand over his eyes and trying the back away. Maybe he really was fifteen again. Who else would pull this stunt but a flighty little boy? He hadn’t even thought as he dove for the fish. This should go a long way towards mending bridges with the super shy Hyuuga heiress.

“It’s okay,” he heard her say softly. “You just surprised me. Keep your eyes closed and I’ll get dressed,” she murmured. Water splashed and he fought the reflexive urge to peek. Oh man did he want to look!

After what seem like an eternity she sighed and spoke softly again. “I’m done Naruto. You can open your eyes.”

He uncovered his eyes and looked up at the blushing woman sheepishly. “I really am sorry Hinata. I guess I forgot that you were bathing and all. I didn’t think….”

“Big surprise there,” Sasuke muttered from behind Hinata. The darker haired man materialized out of the bushes and dropped Naruto’s clothing in a pile on the bank. “We should probably get going,” he suggested, cutting off Naruto’s response before he could get going.

“I agree,” Hinata murmured softly. “We’ve waited long enough. Let’s grab our packs and head out in ten minutes.”

Naruto nodded. “Yeah sure. I’ll be ready shortly.” He watched Hinata turn and head back to camp, a faint blush on her cheeks. When she was out of sight he waded out of the water, ignoring the fact he was half hard. He was too pissed off at himself to care what kind of view his friend was getting. “Damn it!” he muttered, grabbing up his pants.

“You dove out of sight before I could remind you,” Sasuke said with a shrug. He watched as Naruto tugged on black pants and a black tee, frowning and muttering to himself. “I wouldn’t worry though. She didn’t seem mad,” he offered softly. Why would she be? She’d seen her crush very nearly butt naked. As Sasuke had noted before, Naruto had a body worth taking a second and third peek at. He flicked his gaze away from the grumbling blond before he got caught in his own peeking. “Let’s just head out. Worry about love troubles later.”

“Easy for you to say,” Naruto grunted, tugging his sandals on. “You could have any girl you want and they’d fall at your feet no matter what you said to them. Your mouth doesn’t get you into trouble constantly Sasuke!”

“Sure I could have any of them…but I wouldn’t be happy with a single one of them,” Sasuke said softly, turning and heading back to camp.

Naruto watched him walk away, the strange comment floating between them. He sighed and his shoulders slumped. He knew Sasuke was trying to tell him something…he even knew what it was, but didn’t know how to respond. He didn’t care who Sasuke ended up with, but he desperately wanted Sasuke to tell him the truth, to trust him.

Rubbing his head and growling in frustration, he followed after Sasuke and Hinata, wishing things would just fall into place, but knowing it never quite worked out that way.