A/N: Hey everyone! I'm Uniblades, and this is my first Naruto fanfiction, featuring Naruto and Hinata! Honestly, these two are some of my favorite characters from the show. This will take place during the time in between Sasuke joining Orochimaru and Naruto's three years of training with Jiraiya. I might do another part of the story during Shippuden sometime, who knows? Anyway, each chapter will be following primarily Naruto and Hinata as POV characters, with some other characters as POV characters occasionally. This story will focus on the relationship between Naruto and Hinata, and will alter slightly from how the original series went. This is just something that popped into my head, and I decided to write it. Without further ado, here's Our Unbreakable Bond, Chapter 1!

Hinata

"Hah!" The voice of a small boy, around the age of twelve, echoed in the forest nearby the Village Hidden in the Leaves, located in the Land of Fire. A flash of orange flew through the trees as kunai knives went streaking through the sky, hitting targets as they flew.

"Good grief…" Kotetsu, one of the guards at the entrance to the village, said. "Where does that boy get all his energy?"

"He has been going at it for a few hours, after all." Izumo, the other guard, said. "He should be returning soon."

"Yeah, but…" Kotetsu looked at the forest, where he could see the trees rustling as Naruto Uzumaki trained vigorously. Well, as much as he could, anyway. Naruto was waiting for Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin, to come back to help him train, all so he could get his friend, Sasuke Uchiha, back to the village. "He certainly works really hard, doesn't he?"

Yes, he does… little known to the two chunin at the gate, there was someone listening in to their conversation. It was none other than Hinata Hyuga, the former heir to the Hyuga family's name, hiding behind a fence near the entrance. Hinata first met Naruto as a child, when she was getting bullied by three kids, and he rushed in to save her, and even gave her his scarf. Ever since then, she had a crush on Naruto, even though everyone avoided him. She never really knew why, but all the adults kept him away from their kids. Even her father and her caretakers did the same thing, trying their best to keep her away from the blond haired kid. She didn't like it. Why was he left all alone, when he didn't do anything wrong? It bugged her for months, until she decided to investigate. One day, after they were let out of school, she followed him to the back of the Academy, only to find that he was practicing. For hours that afternoon, she watched him throw kunai knives continuously at a stationary target. He wasn't good, she'll admit, but he kept trying. He kept practicing Jutsus, he kept practicing his aim, he wouldn't rest. It wasn't until that evening when he packed up and decided to head home.

It was then that Hinata learned the truth about Naruto. As he walked into his apartment, Hinata noticed nobody else in that apartment. As she stood there confused, a voice came from behind her. "Naruto… he doesn't have any family."

Hinata jumped in surprise, instinctively hiding behind a nearby pole, looking up to see who it was.

Iruka Sensei laughed. "Sorry, Hinata. Did I startle you?"

"N-No…" Hinata responded, but she didn't come out from behind the pole.

Iruka Sensei sighed. "Naruto, when he was young, his parents died, and he has no siblings or relatives, either. It's just been him alone, this entire time."

"B-But…" Hinata said, blushing slightly and avoiding eye contact with Iruka Sensei. "He...has no friends?"

"Well, that's because…" Iruka Sensei never finished, however, catching himself before he said anything. "Never mind. Either way, he never looks lonely, but deep down, I know he is." Iruka Sensei bent down and patted Hinata's head, causing her to flinch. "Maybe he needs someone to be there for him, eh?" He walked away at that point, leaving the young Hinata to stare in shock.

N-Naruto-kun...needs me? Hinata thought to herself. She turned to look into his window, seeing him eat dinner by himself. Blushing even harder now, Hinata turned away, and ran home, determined to do something for Naruto.

However, she never really could. Every time she tried, either Naruto didn't notice her, or she got too shy to even talk, and would just turn away in embarrassment. For years, this happened. When they all graduated from the Academy, she was really hoping she would be able to get on the same team as Naruto, but instead, Sakura Haruno, the girl Naruto had a crush on, was put on a team with him, as well as Sasuke Uchiha. Instead, she was put on a team with Kiba Inuzuka and Shino Aburame, who were both really nice, but they weren't Naruto. Even still, she worked really hard with Kiba and Shino, as well as Kurenai Sensei, so that eventually, she would be able to be as strong as him, and stay with him, forever. But so far, she hasn't had any luck. She wasn't able to beat her cousin, Neji, during the Chunin exams, she wasn't able to help him fight off the Sand and Sound ninja that invaded the village, and she wasn't able to help him find Sasuke, again Neji providing them with the Byakugan that has been passed down throughout the Hyuga family. The most she did was faint when Naruto was brought back after failing to capture Sasuke, and he was wrapped in bandages at the hospital. She's only been a burden on all of her missions with him since then, too.

"Poor guy." Izumo said, snapping Hinata out of her daydreaming. "He really wants to do good, but…do you really think he'll become Hokage?"

What?! Of course he will! Hinata thought to herself, slightly angry at the two chunin. He's Naruto-kun! He's put in more effort than anybody! If anybody can become Hokage, it's him!

"I don't know." Kotetsu said. "With that thing inside of him…"

Thing? Hinata thought.

"You know you're not supposed to talk about that!" Izumo said. "It's taboo!"

"Sorry, sorry." Kotetsu said. "You're right."

What are they talking about…? Hinata thought. A thing inside of Naruto-kun…?

"Oh, Naruto!" Kotetsu said. Hinata jumped up, and turned her attention to the boy who just came back, her face turning redder by the second.

"Hey!" Naruto yelled, a bright smile on his face. You could hardly tell he was lonely at first glance.

"How was training?" Izumo asked.

"I'd like to say it was good, but…" Naruto said, a slight pout on his face. "It's hard to get into it without Pervy Sage here to teach me."

"Hard to get into it?!" Kotetsu said. "You've been out all day!"

"Huh?" Hinata looked up to the sky. Sure enough, the sun was setting. All day long, she watched and waited for Naruto to come back. Oh no! I promised Kiba-kun, Shino-kun and Kurenai Sensei I would train with them! She looked to the ground, disappointed in herself.

"Oh, yeah! I guess I was!" Naruto said, laughing to himself. "Come to think of it, I'm kind of hungry! Guess I'll go to Ichiraku's! Bye!"

"Bye, Naruto!" Izumo said, the two chunin waving to him. Naruto started to run into the direction Hinata was currently watching.

He's coming! Hinata thought to herself, turning her back, breathing heavily. She clutched the bag she had prepared tightly. This time, for sure, I'll give him this! I'll show him I care this time for sure!

"Naruto-kun!" Hinata turned to the approaching boy, who turned and looked directly into her eyes. Hinata's eyes widened, and she turned away from him, her face growing even redder.

"Oh, Hinata!" Naruto said. "What's up?"

"N-Naru...Naruto-kun…" Hinata couldn't even get words to form. Come on, Hinata! She yelled at herself in her mind. How can you freak out now?! He's finally acknowledging you! Give him the gift!

"Hinata?" Naruto asked. Hinata didn't respond, no matter how hard she tried. "If you're not going to say anything, I'm going to leave, OK?"

No! Don't leave! Hinata yelled in her mind violently. Come on, say something, Hinata!

"Hmm. OK." Naruto said, turning away. "See you later, Hinata!"

"Oh!" Hinata said, turning around, but she was too late. Naruto was already gone, running off to Ichiraku's. Hinata, disappointed in herself, hung her head and walked back into town, no destination in mind. She hardly noticed the sun setting around her, and didn't even noticed when night fell.

Eventually, she stopped at a park bench in one of the residential sections of the village. "I couldn't give it to him today, either…" Hinata said, tightening her grip on the gift she had made for Naruto a few weeks ago. A single teardrop fell onto her hand. She wiped her face, doing her best not to let anymore tears fall.

"What is it you couldn't do, Hinata?" Hinata flinched as she heard a very familiar voice from behind her. She looked behind to see her Sensei, Kurenai, smiling at her. "I didn't see you at training today, Hinata."

"Kurenai Sensei…" Hinata said. She turned her eyes away from her Sensei, and hung her head once again. Kurenai came around from behind the bench and sat down next to her student, putting an arm around her shoulder. Hinata started crying then, even though she hated herself for doing so.

"Now, now, what is it?" Kurenai asked. Kurenai wasn't the mothering type, and she knew that, but she couldn't help it if one of her students was in distress. Hinata didn't respond, but Kurenai did notice the bag Hinata clutched in her right hand. There was a tag she was able to read: To Naruto-kun. That alone told Kurenai everything.

"So you couldn't give Naruto this, huh?" Kurenai asked. She felt Hinata flinch, and she knew she hit the target head-on. Kurenai smiled. "You really need to get over your shy nature, Hinata. Maybe then, Naruto will finally notice your feelings for him." Hinata looked to her Sensei suddenly, her tears now gone, replaced by shocked eyes.

"Kurenai Sensei, how'd you…" Hinata started.

Kurenai chuckled. "It isn't much of a secret, Hinata. You turn red every time Naruto is even mentioned."

"O-Oh…" Hinata said, looking down, her face red again.

"Tell you what." Kurenai said. "Naruto lives a few blocks from here. No doubt he's home by now. Go knock on his door, and give him what you want to give him."

"Kn-Kn-Knock…?" Hinata said, turning to nearly a blood red. "O-On N-N-N-Naruto-kun's...door…?" She tensed up, and froze. Eventually, her head wobbled back and forth, and she fell to the ground at Kurenai's feet.

"Good grief…" Kurenai said. "Your shyness goes this far, huh?" Gently, she picked up Hinata, and jumped off, towards Naruto's house. Kurenai looked inside Naruto's apartment, to see that the boy had indeed come home. Kurenai smiled, and dropped her student at the front door of Naruto's apartment. "You can do this, Hinata." Kurenai said. "Hopefully you can get through to this thick-headed boy. Good luck, Hinata." Finished speaking, Kurenai jumped off, heading home.

Where...am I…? Hinata thought to herself, starting to regain consciousness. I was...talking to Kurenai Sensei...and then I… She sat up suddenly, looking around for the first time. N-Naruto-kun's house?! Hinata's face started turning red, and she felt faint yet again. However, she caught herself. No! I'm going to do what Kurenai Sensei said! Hinata thought to herself, pushing herself up. I'm going to knock on Naruto-kun's door, and give him this present! She gripped the present in her hand, and lifted her other hand to the door. Her hand shaky, she slowly forced her hand to move to the door. I can do this… I can do this… I can do this…! Come on!

Suddenly, a crashing sound came from inside Naruto's apartment. "H-Hey, who the hell are you?!" Another crashing sound came from inside, and Hinata could hear Naruto yell in pain.

"Naruto-kun!" Hinata yelled. She clasped her hands together, and activated her Kekkei Genkai. "Byakugan!" She looked into Naruto's room through her Byakugan, her eyes widening at what she saw. Naruto was in there, which she knew, but there was another person inside of the room. He was a tall man, muscular, with black hair, growing past his shoulders. He was standing over Naruto, smiling wickedly. He kneeled down, and placed his hand onto Naruto's stomach. Chakra flowed visibly from the man into Naruto, and Hinata could hear Naruto scream in pain.

"Naruto-kun!" Hinata yelled. Wasting no time, she kicked down the front door, and ran into Naruto's room, swiftly attacking the new man. The man chuckled, and disappeared before Hinata's Gentle Fist hit him. She stumbled, but quickly got back into a combat stance, looking around for the man. Where'd he go…?

"H-Hinata…" Hinata gasped, hearing Naruto's voice.

"Naruto-kun!" Hinata yelled, deactivating her Byakugan, and knelt next to Naruto's side, dropping the gift she had prepared. "Are you hurt? Let me-"

"No!" Naruto growled, startling Hinata. "You need to get away from me! Get a-" Naruto's eyes widened, and he curled up in pain, screaming.

"Naruto-kun!" Hinata yelled, placing her hand on his side. She yelped and pulled her hand back. Naruto-kun...he's burning up…

"You shouldn't turn your back on your opponent, girl…" Hinata turned quickly to find the man that attacked Naruto standing behind her. She was able to catch a glimpse of the ninja headband on the man's forehead, revealing a familiar symbol. A Sand Shinobi?! Hinata thought to herself. She couldn't process anymore information, however, as the man grabbed her forehead, and Hinata was pulled away from reality.

Hinata sat up suddenly, finding herself in darkness. "What is this…? Genjutsu?"

"Not quite." A voice came from the darkness in front of her. Hinata got into a battle stance quickly, and tried to activate her Byakugan, but couldn't. "Wh-What…?" Hinata said. "My Byakugan…"

The man chuckled, and walked into Hinata's view. "This is your mind." He explained. "Anything that happens to you here can also happen to your real body. And now, I have you in the palm of my hand."

The man suddenly appeared right in front of her face, and he jabbed at her stomach. The force was so great, that she vomited blood. She felt her internal organs explode, and she screamed in pain.

"Not yet!" The man yelled. He gave another round of quick jabs, all over her body. Everywhere he hit, it felt like her body exploded, and she couldn't do anything about it. All she could do was scream, and cry. The pain overtook her, and she fell to the ground. She was gasping, and crying. Whatever pain she had felt before this point, it didn't compare to what she was in now. Her attacker knelt down next to her face. "I'll leave your eyes and ears intact." The man said. "That way you can see what happens to your friend from now on. Normally I'd finish you off at this point, but you'll die soon, anyway." All she could hear was the man's laughter, and the darkness cleared. She was on the ground in Naruto's apartment, her body battered and destroyed, the only thing left functioning were her eyes and ears. Her tears flowed freely, and she had no way to stop them. Naruto-kun… Hinata was able to see Naruto, who was still curled up in pain. Suddenly, a red, bubbly Chakra started to surround Naruto, and Naruto began to scream again. Damn it… Damn it! Hinata cursed. I can't do anything, when Naruto needs me most…!

Naruto continued to scream, while Hinata watched helplessly, the pain still flowing through her body. Help… Someone, help…! Hinata yelled in her mind.

"Wh-What happened?!" A voice came from outside Naruto's window. A figure jumped into the room, long white hair sticking straight up.

If Hinata could've smiled, she would've had the biggest smile in the entire world. Kakashi Sensei!

Kakashi knelt down next to Hinata, inspecting her body. "Can you hear me?" Kakashi asked. Hinata couldn't do anything, but even so, she tried her best to give Kakashi a signal that she could hear him. The only thing she could do was cause more tears to fall. Thankfully, Kakashi noticed. "So you're still conscious, Hinata?" Kakashi sighed. "You have extremely severe internal damage all over your body. We have to get you to Tsunade right away."

Hinata's eyes moved to Naruto, and Kakashi followed her eyes. His own eyes widened as he saw the condition Naruto was in. Naruto was now up, in a beast-like position, eyes red and filled with rage, and a bubbly red Chakra completely coating him, a Chakra tail behind him. Naruto-kun… Hinata thought. What's going on…?

"Kakashi!" A deep voice yelled from outside. Three more figures jumped into the room.

"Good. You guys are here." Kakashi said. "Kurenai. Take Hinata to the hospital. Get the Hokage to attend to Hinata, quickly! Guy, Asuma, help me with Naruto."

"It can't be…" Asuma said.

"Looks like it." Guy said. He got into his signature fighting stance. "Kakashi, it's Nine Tails, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it's Nine Tails." Kakashi said. He grabbed his headband and pulled it back, uncovering his Sharingan eye. "Kurenai, hurry."

"Right." Kurenai said. She carefully picked up Hinata, and jumped away.

Naruto...kun… Hinata thought, slowly losing consciousness. The last thing she knew before her mind left her was many voices yelling at each other, and her body being put on a bed.