Chapter 11: I See It Now

Disclaimer: I don't in any way, own Naruto or Naruto Shippuden.

"Hinata! Hinata, are you okay?! What did that boy do to you?" Hiashi quickly went to hug his daughter, seeing how much emotional pain she was in. "That boy is not just that boy, father, he's an amazing person!" She released from his embrace and was now looking at him deep in the eyes. "What amazing person makes someone cry thousands of times? That is surely not a man to me, Hinata. Are you saying that you still love him?" "Y-yes, but I don't know what's come of us, father. What should I do?" Hinata pleaded and cried in her hands. Hiashi was extremely surprised that Hinata asked for him to help her, but of course he would be happy to oblige. "Hinata, I strongly suggest you follow what you really feel inside, but as for me, I just don't think it's a grand idea for you to be seen with Naruto." "W-why?" "I just want to protect you, Hinata." "From what?" She still wasn't getting it. "Nevermind." "Tell me, father!" "No! Forget it, now I'm going to go talk to Naruto myself." "...Fine, but please father, don't say anything unmannerly to him please? I know you a-all are only trying to protect me, but just try and s-see it through my perspectives..." "Okay, Hinata." He placed one hand on her shoulder and smiled. "Where's Neji and the others?" "Everybody's outside." "Even Kiba?" "Yes, his nurse said that he's able to walk on his own as long as someone is there to watch over him and help if need be. "Oh, a-alright, I think I'll go see how he's doing." "Okay, I'll come down in a few." "Okay father, thank you." Hinata bowed, smiled again and went down the stairs, making her way over to her friends despite how mentally and physically exhausted she was.

Hinata checked out as she was supposed to and told the nurse that she was going to be right back. She ran outside to find Kiba and Ino sitting on a bench together, Sakura, Neji and TenTen not too far away too busy training to pay them no mind. "Hey Kiba, Ino..." Hinata waved. "Oh, hey Hinata!" Ino got up and ran to give Hinata a hug. "H-hello." She smiled. "Hey Hinata." Kiba added, to remind them that he was still there. "Hey, Kiba." Hinata smiled at him and waved and he did the same. "Soooo, how are you and Naruto?" Ino smiled, hoping for good news as she poked her belly. "Oh, um...Naruto and I aren't really seeing each other anymore..." Hinata stated and looked away. Ino's smile faded as well. "What do you mean? What happened?" "He said that h-he wants to set me free? Because he l-loves me? I-I don't know..." "What?" "I don't know w-what I should even do." "Well, first things first, you gotta stop crying all the time, Hinata...you gotta stay strong and take it tough. Knowing Naruto, he most likely didn't mean no harm when he said that, because if you really think about, he's right. He's only doing what's best for you. But I also feel that you should definitely follow your heart, if it says to be with Naruto, then despite all the differences, be with him, Hinata. Make him understand where you're comin' from and maybe he'll see it, too." "That's kind of what my father said..." "Yeah, he said that because it's true, Hinata. What do you feel like doing?" "I-I want to be with him because I-I know he needs me." Ino personally still didn't even know why Hinata was trying so hard with Naruto, if that was her, she would've dropped Naruto and moved on, even if she still loved him or not. But Hinata saw it differently, and she respects that, but just for her, she would've taken the road home. It made Ino smile, Hinata's response to her question. "That's how you feel, huh? Then go tell him, and don't take no for an answer." "Are you sure?" "Yes, why wouldn't I be sure?" Ino laughed. "I-I guess you're right..." But in the back of her head she knew that if Naruto really wanted to be with her, he'd make that decision to be with her. She felt tired of chasing him all the time. "I'm going to go now, but t-thank you so much for the advice!" Hinata smiled and hugged Ino tightly. "You're welcome Hinata, anytime." "T-Tell the others I said hello." She smiled, noticing they were all 3 too busy training to make their way over. "I will, bye now!" "Bye!" "Bye Hinata!" Kiba smiled as he waved along with Ino at Hinata, watching her departure. She didn't know what she was going to do but she'd figure it out along the way.

"Naruto?" Hiashi slowly entered his room. "Naruto?" He walked in fully towards the bed and lifted the covers up to find Naruto not there but instead he found a cracked picture in a frame with Naruto and Hinata hugging each other along with a letter that read "The day that started it all, that made me fall in love." As the title. "What is this?" Hiashi asked himself. He picked up the picture and examined it closely. "Naruto, huh? He really loves my daughter." Hiashi said and put the picture back on the counter. He then reached his hand out and read the note out loud.

N: Hey Hinata, you're always so quiet...

H: I'm okay

N: You always say that, too

H: It's true, I am okay

N: Are you sure?

H: Yes.

N: Oh okay, then if you're so sure, you wouldn't mind handing out later today?

H: That sounds good, Naruto. When and where?

N: Today, after exams

H: Okay

N: I can't wait. Maybe I can get you out of your shell

H: I can't wait either ~ I'll ask my father and I'll let you know

N: That old man never lets you do anything! Just sneak out

H: I can't do that!

"I never let her do anything?" He thought. "And I'm not old!" He finished, talking to himself. "So that's how it happened, though, eh?" Hiashi pondered. "I remember that night clear as day, she begged me to go see Naruto, but I've never met him before so I said no. And Neji saved her I guess, saying all these good things about him..." He folded up the note and placed it on the counter next to the picture frame. He looked out the window to find it open already and he saw Naruto training down below by himself. "Naruto, Naruto, Naruto..." Hiashi laughed and walked towards the door.

(A/N: Hey guys! Summary of this chapter: Hinata really doesn't want to give up on Naruto as she thinks that he's given up on her, but Naruto has never given up on her at all. It's leaving her confused and lost so she has time by her side to make her decision. Now next chapter we'll see Naruto's view on things and what he'll do. Last chapter I said there's only 3 chapters left (2 now) but I might add more chapters just to expand it a little bit more. Also for you Kiba-Ino bashers, they arent' even dating. Kiba still has feelings for Hinata but that doesn't mean he can't be friends with Ino, Ino is just the one stepping into his bubbles lol. Anyways, what will become of Naruto and Hinata? PLEASE REVIEW! ~ Only takes a second, but means a lot!)