Hey! It's been a while since I've made a NaruHina fanfic since I was busy with a lot of things. Well, I'm making the next one as the time sets after the Bikochu Mission Arc. Right now, this will be a change of things as Naruto will face something that will shake his life around. Enjoy the fanfic.

Disclamor: I do not own Naruto, songs, or the characters in this fanfic (except my OCs).

Warning: Strong violence, explicit sex scenes, language, sexual content, and/or graphic nature of any kind.

Chapter 1: Discovering True Feelings

Coming back from a dangerous mission, Naruto and Team 8 came across the gate as they were disappointed to how their mission became a huge failure. The team went out to find a rare tracking bug that can help locate Sasuke and bring him back home. Unfortunately, they were corner by bug bandits from another clan and attacked by each one.

Luckily, Hinata came to the rescue and saved her comrades and Naruto from certain death. And with a giant bee going for a direct attack, Naruto swoops in and finished it with his ultimate Rasengan technique. But from the impact, the beetle was smashed and it became hopeless for them to find Sasuke. Although they failed, the group did take Suzumebachi with them for interrogation.

"Man, I can't believe all that hard work for nothing! Now we're never going to find Sasuke!" Naruto said as he was frustrated for what happened.

"Hey, don't sweat it. I'm sure we can try again next time." Kiba reassured him as Akamaru barked at him with agreement.

"Indeed. We can always be thankful that none of us were killed during this mission." Shino stated while carrying the leader in his arms.

Naruto sighs deeply as he looks down. "I know, but..."

Hinata sees this from him and asked, "W-What wrong, N-N-Naruto?"

"This whole mission was to get this bug back here so we can finally bring Sasuke here. We were this close into getting the mission done right until this girl ruined it." Naruto glares at Suzumebachi. "And what's worse is that Sakura might hate me now since I fail to keep my promise to her."

Hinata knew that must have hurt him to lose his own teammate and had no choice but to fight him. After his last battle with Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura had to find another way to locate the missing Uchiha. Nevertheless, that plan failed as Kabuto had a few members of the Fuuma clan setting a trap for them.

Hinata was hurt to see her crush be down like this as she gave him a soft touch on his shoulders. "I-It's o-okay, Naruto. A-Accidents can happen to a l-lot of p-people."

"But how can I do anything when I destroyed the bug?" Naruto said as she still looks down.

"N-Naruto, d-don't e-ever doubt yourself t-that you fail. I k-know that you w-wanted to find y-your friend, but just realize that w-we n-never gave u-up." Hinata said while stuttering.

Naruto was surprised that Hinata said all that to him, as he didn't even know how much she wanted to help him out. Naruto looks up to her and smile.

"You know? You're right, Hinata. Thank you, I needed that." Naruto said to her.

Hinata smiled with a pink blush and replied, "N-No problem, N-Naruto."

Kiba was happy to see this as he was proud of Hinata to help her crush out of his slump. He knows that she likes him more than just a friend after what he has done for her. Although Naruto does not know that she loves him, Kiba believes that Hinata will get the chance to confess her heart to him.

"Naruto! Hey there!" Just then, Naruto looks forward to see Sakura coming up towards him and the group. Naruto was now scared to know that he will get the beating of a lifetime that he will tell her the bad news. "Hey, Naruto! Back from your mission?"

"Y-Yeah, Sakura. Had to come back and bring this girl here." Naruto points to the sleeping girl in Shino's arms.

Sakura asked, "Who is she?"

"Her name is Suzumebachi and she used to be in a clan that was rivaled against my own. Her and the other bandits were the ones to try and stop our mission. However, we took them down and found that she was the only survivor left. We're taking her now to see the Hokage at this very moment." Shino explains.

"Oh, okay! But where's the bug?" Sakura asked.

Naruto sighed deeply and knew she would ask that question. "You see, Sakura…Suzumebachi summoned this giant bee and it was heading straight at Hinata. Therefore, I used Rasengan, obliterated her pet, and knocked her out in the process. But…"

"But what?" Sakura asked calmly and fearing what happened.

"The impact from the giant bee seems to kill the Bikochu Beetle in the aftermath. We found it and it got crushed. It was the only thing to locate Sasuke and I screwed up big time. Please, Sakura, I'm sorry." Naruto flinched, as he got ready for another bashing from Sakura.

He waits for the pain, but nothing happened. He slowly opens his eyes to see that Sakura was not even flinching one bit after hearing the news. In fact, she was looking a little sad to hear that the only thing to find her friend killed.

"So this means the mission was a complete failure?" Sakura said as Naruto gains composure and nod.

"It seems like it." Naruto answered. "But why are you not mad? Don't you want to hit me for being a complete idiot?"

Sakura flinch a little to understand what he means by that. She quickly remembers all the time that she always hurt him and calling him names for just doing ridiculous things in front of her. She felt bad for doing those things to him and knew he was just being himself for attention.

Sakura shook her head and said, "Actually, I'm not mad at you and I'm certainly not going to hit you again. It's not your fault."

Naruto was shocked to hear what she just said to him. "Sakura?"

"Are you heading towards Lady Tsunade's office, Naruto?" Sakura asked Naruto.

"Of course! We need to debrief about the mission and see what we need to do with her." Naruto answered while still in shock. "Why?"

"I was thinking we can talk about what happened on the mission you were in." Sakura looks at Shino. "You don't mind if I talk with Naruto for a minute, do you?"

Shino shrugged his shoulders. "He's your teammate. Go ahead. I'll make sure to tell the Hokage he's with you."

Sakura nodded happily. "Thank you." Team 8 then left but Sakura pulls Hinata closer to her so she can whisper something. "Did you tell Naruto yet?"

Hinata shook her head. Sakura knew about how Hinata was always in love with him and tries to get the blunette to confess to him. But the poor girl faints all the time to even say the right words. "S-Sorry…"

"It's okay, Hinata, just be patient and maybe you will have the courage to tell him." Sakura said with a smile. She hugs Hinata as the blunette decides to head home. Kiba and Shino did not mind as they headed on their way.

"So, are you ready to go?" Sakura spoke to Naruto.

"Sure! But what were you and Hinata talking about?" Naruto asked.

Sakura giggled. "Oh, Naruto! It's a girl thing! Boys are never allowed to hear it."

Naruto sighs and replied, "Fine." Naruto and Sakura then walk away to head towards Naruto's favorite spot.

-Ichiraku's-

Naruto and Sakura continue to wait on their food as Naruto explains about how the mission was. By every detail, Sakura was astounded by how Naruto was explaining to how it was almost a complete success thanks to Hinata. Naruto even told her about how Hinata was brave enough to survive a near-fatal death from the waterfall.

"That's amazing! So what happens after that?" Sakura questioned with an interested look.

"Out of nowhere, Hinata appeared in front of us after knowing she survived. She was a little wet, but Hinata was brave to face two of Suzumebachi's brothers with her new technique. I mean, her technique took down about thousands of bees and slicing them up into itty-bitty pieces." Naruto stated.

"And what about this giant bee?" Sakura mentioned. "Surely she didn't defeat the thing on her own!"

"Oh, but she did!" Naruto exclaimed as Sakura was shocked in disbelief. "She sends that thing packing and taking it down hard on the two bandits."

"Ouch!" Sakura cringed to imagine a giant bee crushing those bad guys. "And did you finish it off?"

Naruto grinned widely. "You know I did! But don't think I did the work. Hinata is the one you should be thanking. She helped locate the bug, saved us from danger, and became a true friend to help the team out."

Sakura giggled softly to know how Naruto was describing Hinata in a nice way. Teuchi gave them their meals as they began to eat. "So, Hinata has been a great help, huh?"

"She has, Sakura. I wish you could've seen her for the past few days. Hinata just came from being this weird girl, who was shy and afraid, to this awesome girl with courage and bravery in her heart. Strange, I can believe that you and her might be sisters." Naruto and Sakura laugh at his remark.

"What makes you say that?" Sakura suggested as she ate her noodles.

Naruto blushed at he looks at his ramen. "Well…you both are pretty girls, you always fight back when the mission gets hectic, and you two are the best in the village."

Sakura blushed and giggled at Naruto's compliment to her and Hinata. "Aww, Naruto! That is so sweet!"

Naruto laughs sheepishly and said, "It's the truth! Sakura, I know you can be mean at some times, but I know you have a sweet heart inside that needed the love. I just hope that the right will be happy to go out with a nice girl like you."

Sakura felt happy that Naruto would say something like that to her. Sakura never had a deep connection with Naruto unless it was like a sibling moment for them. Still, she loves having these kind of talks with him. "Thanks, Naruto. You've just made my day!"

"You're welcome, Sakura!" Naruto said as he ate some more of his ramen.

"Say Naruto, what do you think of Hinata? And what else did you experience from the mission?"

Naruto was thinking about what else that happened on the mission and looking back to what he was his favorite part of the mission. Suddenly, his cheeks were glowing red as he remembers something that made him nervous.

This caught Sakura's attention as she can see Naruto turning red. "Naruto? What happened?"

"Well, can you not laugh if I tell you?" Naruto mumbled softly.

"I promise." Sakura said as she crossed her heart.

Naruto took a deep breath and exhales sharply. He looks at Sakura and said, "During our mission, I was tired and I had to go use the men's room. After I was done, I started to hear the sound of water running down the river. I went over to the sound as I saw a waterfall near a lake as it was a nice scenic view. But as I got there, my life changed forever as I saw this beautiful water maiden.

"She was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen with the most amazing figure and loving short hair. That water maiden was dancing along with the water as if it was one with her. She was surrounded inside a dome that it made herself dazzling the night. I wanted to see who she was, but I tripped and scared her off."

Sakura was surprised to hear how Naruto explains about this mysterious girl Naruto was describing as if she entranced him. But suddenly, Sakura starts to think of how Naruto describe d her and dreads that it wasn't someone she knows.

"Naruto, did you say she has short hair?" Naruto nods. "A nice curvy body while naked?" He blushed, not nods again. "And was she like our age?"

"What are you getting at, Sakura?" Naruto said with confusion.

"Um, Naruto, can you tell me who was the only girl in the team while finding the bug?" Sakura asked theoretically.

Naruto thought about it and knew about one person that was in the group as it was Hinata. But when it became clear to Sakura's question, Naruto's face lit to realize who that mystery girl was. In addition, the fact that she was naked! "OH, MY KAMI! THAT GIRL WAS HINATA?!"

Sakura laughs at her friend's expression, as she didn't believe that he just described Hinata in the nicest way possible. "It seems that you are a total pervert after seeing her like that!"

Naruto soon blushed red and was silent after figuring out who the mystery girl was. And what made his face more red is that he called her beautiful and amazing. "Oh, man! Now Hinata will think I'm really a crazy pervert. She will never forgive for that!"

Sakura's laughter dies down as she comforts her teammate. "Relax, Naruto. I'm sure you didn't mean to! Besides, I bet she feels the same way about you. You did call her the most beautiful girl."

Naruto was stunned to hear this from Sakura as he turns to her. "W-Wait! You're not mad?"

Sakura shook her head and said, "Nah! But tell me, Naruto, when did you start liking Hinata now?"

"Well," Naruto explains, "she was the only one to actually be nice to me after everyone hated me back at Ninja Academy. She even tried to help me with the written exam and almost costing her team to go on. When I was injured, she gave me some ointment for my wounds and gave me the most motivational talk before I face Neji in the Chunin Exams. I just didn't know much about her until I realize how much she's changed."

"Sounds like you really like her, huh?" Sakura stated.

Naruto chuckled softly as he looks at her. "You can say something like that." Naruto's smile went down as he looks away. "But…what if she doesn't likes me back?"

Sakura frowned, but then smiled as she pulls out her money to pay for their meal. "Come on," she said as she grabs Naruto by his hand.

"What?! Sakura, w-where are you taking me?" Naruto questioned as she kept pulling him.

"We are going to see Hinata real quick." Sakura answered.

"R-Right n-now? B-But, Sakura…" Naruto was then interrupted.

"No buts, Naruto! We are seeing her right now." Sakura demanded as Naruto had no choices left but to follow Sakura.

After walking for a minute, they reached the Hyuuga compound. Naruto was really to see Hinata as he hopes that she likes him back. But as they reached the compound, both Team 7 members spotted someone lying on the ground. Naruto and Sakura came closer and were shocked to see that the person was Hinata!

Naruto ran up to her to see her covered in bruises and scratch marks. But what hurt him the most is that Hinata had a huge red mark on her face. Naruto was mad to whoever did this to her, but he heard Hinata say something.

"N-N-Naruto…" Her voice was breaking as tears were coming down her eyes. Sakura came up to her to check if something was broken from Hinata.

"Hinata…who did this to you?" Naruto was filled with anger. Sakura never sees her friend like this since him and Sasuke fought. 'Naruto…'

"It…was…m-my father…Hiashi…"

To Be Continued

Well, here is my first chapter! Hopefully this will bring me back for almost writing back to you NaruHina fans. Anyway, I hope you like it because I'm thinking of making another chapter of this. Please review and hope to update another chapter soon. Later!