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xXx//Right in Front of You//xXx

-x-x-Chapter Four-x-x-

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Summary: Hinata needs to find a husband to help her to lead the Hyuga clan. When Hiashi tells the Hokage to make it a mission, Tsunade sends the most unlikely person. NaruHina SasuSaku NejiTen

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"Why!? Why is it always me!?"

Neji once again resisted the urge to punch Naruto in the face.

"Because you're stupid, that's why! What the hell were you thinking!!?"

"I was trying to do my mission!"

"BY SELLING MY COUSIN!!! I SHOULD KILL YOU!!!"

"Neji-"

"Don't try and stop me Hinata-sama! This blonde haired freak deserves to die!"

"Hey! Who are you calling a-"

"SILENCE FREAK!"

"Neji-niisan!"

By the time this "conversation" had ended, Naruto had become the ugliest person in Konoha. Neji, who was still furious, did his best to calm down as his cousin did her best to help him do so.

"I-it was Naruto-kun's way o-of helping me."

"It was a stupid and embarrassing way of helping you! I have to remind myself to give gratitude to Sakura later."

Naruto, who had regained consciousness, got up from the floor and pointed a finger at the older Hyuga.

"My poster idea was brilliant! I even had the arrow and everything!"

"If you think that idea was brilliant I don't even want to know what you're going to do next. In fact, when you two leave to go out on the streets again, I'll go with you."

"What!? No way! I don't want some girly looking bozo going with us to do my mission!"

"That's just too bad freak!"

"Bozo!"

"Freak!"

"BOZO!!"

"FREAK!!"

"Oh dear…"

xXx

In the end, Naruto lost, and Neji ended up going with Hinata and the jinchuuriki out on the streets of Konoha. Just like before, Hanabi stood at the door, waving her hand as the three of them walked away. Naruto once again carried a bag over his shoulder, although Neji made sure he didn't place a poster inside.

Hinata, who stood quietly in between the two, noticed that they were going the same way that they did last time. She figured that the blonde ninja was taking them to Ichiraku Ramen, but the idea soon faded as they surprisingly walked past it.

"N-Naruto-kun."

"Hm? What is it, Hinata?"

"W-where are we going today?"

Neji looked at him expectantly, also curios as to where they were going.

"We're going to the perfect place to do the mission!"

Of course, the brown haired Hyuga knew Naruto's way of thinking, so he suddenly came to a conclusion.

"YOU'RE NOT TAKING MY COUSIN TO A BAR YOU FREAK!!!"

Hinata's face turned red as she brought her hands together. She knew that this would lead to another fight. What she didn't know was why Neji was acting so abnormal. For as long as she has known him, he has never called anyone a freak. Naruto must have brought out this inner Neji when the older Hyuga found out about the poster.

"WHAT!? WHY WOULD I TAKE HER TO A BAR!?"

"BECAUSE I KNOW THE WAY YOU THINK!"

She knew that if she didn't intervene, this fight could turn physical. Even though her voice was as soft as a whisper, her tone made her clearly noticeable to the fighting ninja.

"Y-You two should stop fighting."

Yes, just those few words silenced the both of them. Neji stubbornly turned his head to the right while Naruto only stared at the clear eyed girl. He didn't realize how soft her voice was. You'd think that it would be annoying because it was barely audible to the ears. Although, between all of the shouting, it was… nice.

A small smile graced his lips as he looked ahead into the clear blue sky. The town was peaceful today, and the green leaves chased each other in front of his azure eyes. Looking back at the two Hyugas, he noticed that they were both content and relieved of any tension. The trio continued to walk like this until Naruto remembered Hinata's earlier question.

"I forgot to tell you where we're going, Hinata."

Her clear eyes widened in realization as she turned to look at the jinchuuriki.

"I-I'm sorry. What did you say?"

"I said, I forgot to tell you where we're going."

Her eyes never left him as she gazed at him expectantly. He looked back at her in the nicest way possible, slowly opening his mouth to speak.

"Well…"

Hinata couldn't help but notice…

"we're going…"

How kind he could look…

"to the…"

Even if there was a monster…

"training…"

Inside of hi-

"What the hell is taking you SO LONG!? JUST SAY IT ALREADY!"

Naruto could practically feel the red chakra building up inside of him. He was so eased up by the peaceful scene that it seemed only right that he talked that way. Of course Neji had to ruin it. He was going to start up another fight, but thought better of it when he saw Hinata's face. He was sure she didn't feel like listening to the both of them argue.

"We're going to the training grounds."

"The… training grounds?"

"That's right! The training grounds!"

"How is that going to help Hinata-sama find a husband?"

"Well, Hiashi-sama said he wanted Hinata to marry someone who could boost her confidence and help her lead the clan, what better person to do that then a ninja!"

As much as he hated to admit it, Neji knew that Naruto did have a point. Without saying anything more, both him and Hinata followed Naruto to the training grounds.

xXx

"A-Are we just going to wait here, N-Naruto-kun?"

The three of them were just standing there, not sure of what to do now that no one was there.

"I –uh- don't know."

"This is what happens when we follow a freak."

"YOU BETTER WATCH YOUR MOUTH!!!"

"You better close yours."

"P-Please don't start fighting again."

And once again, they just stood there. The only sound heard was the shifting of the trees surrounding them. After a while, Naruto got bored and sat on the ground. Hinata looked down at him and blushed, not sure if she should sit down too. Neji continued to stand, but told Hinata to sit anyways for her feet might get tired. She complied and sat next to the jinchuuriki.

Her clear eyes moved along with her cousin as he walked over to the closest log. In one swift motion he began attacking it, moving his arms elegantly with his palms. Naruto saw this and just snorted.

'Show off.'

Hinata didn't bother to look. She was use to seeing her cousin train. In fact, she would sometimes train with him herself, along with Ten Ten who came over quite often.

This continued for a while, until Naruto noticed someone heading over to the training area. He jumped up in excitement and ran over to them, not having put any logical dialogue in his mind. Both Hyugas watched as the blonde ninja continued to run.

"Hey!"

The person turned around to reveal a blue eyed boy with brown hair.

"Hi." Was all he said as Naruto came to a slow stop.

"Hey, I'm Uzumaki Naruto and I was just wondering if you wouldn't mind marrying that girl over there." He took his index finger and pointed in Hinata's direction.

Neji, who had heard every word, quickly ran over to both ninja and shoved Naruto aside. The blue eyed boy looked at them like they were retarded, but he didn't say anything.

"Don't listen to him, he's a freak. What he really meant to say was that the girl over there is Hinata Hyuga, daughter of the head of the Hyuga clan. She is looking for a suitor to help her lead the clan one day."

The boy noticed that the clear eyed ninja was very serious and looked almost like a girl. He quickly glanced over in Hinata's direction, and gave a pleasant smile.

"She's a pretty girl and all, but I'm not interested in getting married."

The blue eyed boy must have forgotten that he came to the training grounds for a reason, because he left right after.

"You know, if you hadn't pushed me aside he would've said yes."

The older Hyuga completely ignored the idiot on the ground and watched as more ninja came their way.

xXx

"What's your name?" Neji's cold eyes stared into green ones as he questioned yet another person.

Naruto and Neji had probably created a scene when Naruto started talking to one guy and Neji knocked him out. Fortunately for them, almost everyone at the training grounds had heard what Neji had told the guy, and so now people were starting to come in Hinata's direction.

The heiress had never noticed how weird some of the people in Konoha were. It was difficult to find someone who wasn't crazy, didn't want to marry her just to be clan leader, and who wasn't a complete idiot. After seeing many displays of idiocy from the sane looking ninjas her older cousin decided it would be best to interview them before they made their decision.

The green eyed boy looked at him with this insane look.

"My name… is Joe."

Naruto could practically feel the gloominess around this guy. He looked depressed, and not to mention distraught.

The older Hyuga's eyes narrowed.

"How old are you, Joe?"

"I'm… twenty." His voice lowered a bit as he said 'twenty'.

Hinata was definitely creeped out by the green eyed man. Her cousin noticed this and quickly concluded their interview.

"I'm sorry, but you're not good enough to help lead the clan."

It was like he didn't even hear the insult; instead he just looked creepily in Hinata's direction. The heiress bent her head and did her best to avoid eye contact with him. She was saved as Naruto moved in front of her in a sort of defensive manner.

The man didn't say anything and just turned around and walked away.

"T-That man w-w-was scary."

"You don't have to worry about scary guys like that Hinata. Uzumaki Naruto is here to protect you!" He gave her a thumbs-up and a goofy grin. She only smiled in return.

'More like Uzafreaky Idiot.' Neji thought, and smirked at the new name he had given the jinchuuriki.

xXx

'Does his hair defy the laws of gravity?' Naruto thought as Neji interviewed the next person.

Looking back at Hinata he noticed that she looked a little pleased with this one. Even though he probably knew the answer he asked her his question anyways.

"What do you think of him Hinata?"

Her cheeks turned red when she realized how close Naruto was. She kept her composure though as she spoke.

"H-He's very handsome. He reminds me of Sasuke."

Looking back at the boy and tilting his head slightly, Naruto couldn't help but realize that he was a little bit like Sasuke, including the way he talked. Still, the jinchuuriki found his appearance a little odd.

The man had black spiky hair with white starburst in front. His attire was completely black and his eyes were red. His arms were crossed and expression matched his chicken-haired comrade's. Naruto began to listen to the conversation as Neji asked his next question.

"What did you say your name was again?"

"Hn. My name is Hiei."

"Hiei, why are you interested in marrying my cousin?"

"I have eye abilities."

"What does that have to do with the Hyuga clan?"

"Hn. My abilities along with her Byakugan can create heirs with tremendous power. The Byakugan will be enhanced with my powers."

"What about leading the clan?"

"I have no interest in leading your clan. If it is Hinata's duty then I will help her."

Neji liked this guy so far. Naruto thought he was too much like Sasuke and probably didn't care at all for Hinata's happiness. The said heiress thought that he was decent, and even good enough to help her lead the clan. Although, she felt like if she married him she would be living a dull life.

Neji looked in Hinata's direction and waited for her decision. Hinata shook her head and Neji turned back to Hiei.

"You are definitely a good choice, and when it comes to my cousin's duties I'm sure you'll be there. What I'm not sure of is if you would pay attention to Hinata-sama more then you do her duties."

"I wouldn't."

'Geez, talk about blunt.'

"Well then, my cousin needs someone-"

"Hn. Spare me the lecture, I'm leaving."

And with that Hiei disappeared.

The trio's eyes widened in shock, but only for a little while. Afterward Neji called up the next person and prepared himself to ask questions.

Upon seeing this, Naruto soon realized something.

"Hold on!"

The brown haired ninja turned to face the jinchuuriki. Hinata just stood there, waiting for Naruto to continue.

"What do you want freak?"

"I want to do my mission! I made a promise to Hinata that I would find someone she wanted, and I'm sure as hell going to do that!"

The Hyuga heiress could feel a warm feeling in her chest. In a way, she felt special that Naruto had made that promise to her and that he was going to keep it. It made her happy to know that he cared, and at the same time she could feel her heart drop. Her feelings were mixed with happiness and misery. It was his caring ways and his positive attitude that made her fall in love with him in the first place. Even as he tried to help her, as much as she's happy that he is helping her, she wished that he wasn't.

"I have no idea why Tsunade-sama even gave you this mission. You're stupid, pathetic, over-confident, and loud."

"You better take that back!"

"Heh, what are you going to do?"

"POUND YOUR FACE IN!"

"N-Naruto-"

"Hinata, it's my mission!! I wanna do it!!"

His eyes were sincere and yet serious. She's known Naruto long enough to realize that he always keeps promises. Hinata looked at her cousin as he sat with his arms folded and his nose in the air.

"Neji-"

"Hn, if the freak wants to do his mission then I'll let him do it."

The brown haired Hyuga must have also noticed Naruto's sincerity. He got up from his spot on the ground and let Naruto take his place. The blonde put on a goofy grin as he jumped downward and called up the next person.

xXx

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?"

"I'm a ninja, remember?"

"YEAH BUT WHY DO YOU WANNA MARRY HINATA!?"

"I don't, I just came over to see what you were up to. I regret doing that though; I enjoyed my spot under the tree. I can't believe I took all of that effort to walk over here. How troublesome."

And with that, Shikamaru got up, placed his hands behind his head, and walked away. Neji, Naruto, and Hinata watched as he moved his hands in front of his face to yawn.

xXx

"Hinata, what has he done to you!?"

"He's done nothing Kiba; Naruto is just doing his mission."

The dog ninja ignored his teammate's cousin and instead continued to question her. Naruto on the other hand wasn't too pleased with his presence and tried to make him go away.

"Can you leave already you're interrupting my mission!"

"Quiet you ugly idiot, I'm talking to Hinata!"

"Kiba-kun, N-Naruto's not doing anything to me, he's just trying to help."

"Okay you heard it from her yourself now leave dog breath!"

Akamaru barked at the sudden insult and gritted his teeth in anger. The jinchuuriki didn't care though; he was more concerned with the two of them leaving. He always thought that Kiba was annoying, and no matter what insult he would throw at the dog boy he would throw another one back. He just couldn't accept the fact that Naruto was better then him, well, that's what Naruto thought.

"I'm not goin' anywhere until you tell me what you're doing!"

"I already said that I'M DOING MY MISSION!!!"

"WHAT MISSION!?"

Neji folded his arms and glared at the two babbling idiots. His poor cousin was doing her best to get them to stop fighting. In fact, he found that she did that a lot when she was around Naruto.

"Kiba, Naruto was given a mission by Tsunade-sama to find Hinata-sama a companion."

Kiba stopped his arguing and looked at Neji, then at his teammate. He was completely astonished, and yet sure of what he heard. His mouth was partially open and for a while he was speechless. Finally the information processed through his brain.

"A… companion? As in a… mate?"

The Hyuga heiress blushed at the choice of words. Naruto was still upset and ready to start a physical fight so he really didn't grasp what he said. Neji just closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He should have expected that Kiba would use that word; he was from a dog clan.

"Yes… a mate."

Of course, Neji was uncomfortable using the word himself.

"Who… who in the hell would request that mission!?"

"M-My father."

"Your father!? Your father told the Hokage to make this a mission!?"

The Inazuka was enraged.

"TSUNADE SENT THIS LOSER TO DO THIS!!!"

"HEY! WHO ARE YOU CALLING A-"

"He was the only one who would."

"LOSE… what?"

Hinata lowered her head as a silent tension filled the air. Kiba didn't utter another word; he understood and knew better then to say anything. Now that Neji had said it, it made more sense to the dog-loving ninja.

As for Naruto, well, this was news to him.

'The only one? I thought this mission was only given to Sakura-chan. Why am I the only one who said that I would do it?'

"Wait a minute! The only one!? How many other people did Tsunade ask and how come they wouldn't do the mission!?"

The jinchuuriki was mad. He didn't understand any of it. Why was he the only one? How come no one else would do it? He wanted these questions answered now. He glared at Neji, listening for a response to his outburst.

The older Hyuga already had a reason in his mind and was about to say something…

…but he stopped when he heard his cousin speak.

"N-Naruto-kun…"

Her clear eyes stared into his blue ones. Her small body was shaking a little and her voice began to tremble. He could tell that she was frightened.

"T-T-They couldn't d-d-do it b-because…"

They continued to gaze into each other's eyes as Naruto waited patiently for her to answer.

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End of Chapter Four

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Oh yeah, I know you all hate me right now, but I needed something to keep the story interesting, and I had this planned for a long time. So, is Hinata going to tell him or is she going to remain silent about her feelings? Review and tell me what you think! Oh, and when/if you review, tell me what you thought about the whole chapter. Was it funny, good, sad, bad, no flames, things like that.

One more thing, sorry it took so long to update, but I wanted this chapter to be somewhat good, so review so I can write the next one!!