Cloudy Sunshine By Will

"Oi, Hinata!"

The kunoichi gasped in shock at the sound of his voice. Hinata gulped, hesitantly turning back toward the door. "Na...," she started, quietly. She gulped again then went on, "Naruto...-kun?"

Naruto-kun quickly jogged under the awning and stood just a few feet away. His spiky blond hair was slicked down by the pouring rain and his bright orange jacket was dripping. He grinned at her, and she hurriedly looked away. She could feel her face burning.

Trembling nervously, Hinata tried to figure out what to say, what to do. She couldn't believe he was right there. She had to say something, but she couldn't even face his way. Why was he here? Could he be looking for her?

Hinata imagined throwing her arms around Naruto-kun, and knew her face was getting even redder. Would he freak out? Would he like it? The shy girl looked downward: he'd probably jump back, reject her. How could she compare to any of the other girls in Konoha? But what if..?

"Hey Hinata, are you alright?" Hinata squealed in surprise as Naruto-kun put his hand on her shoulder.
Embarrassed, she looked over her shoulder at him. His bright azure eyes looked at her with concern. Say something! she thought. "I'm... fine," she said quietly, fiddling with her fingers.

Naruto-kun raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure, Hinata? You look like you might have another fever..." He reached out to feel her forehead, but Hinata quickly shook her head.

"No! No... Naruto-kun," she said, gulping once more. "I'm just fine." Hinata glanced up to his eyes then quickly looked down again. Still fiddling with her fingers, the young girl tentatively raised her eyes to look at Naruto-kun. "Did you...need something?" she asked timidly. "Naruto-kun?"

Hinata averted her eyes again.

"I...need you to help me with something," Naruto-kun said with crossed arms. He was frowning and looking back in the direction he'd come. "Can I come in?"

Hinata gasped: he was still standing in the rain! "Of course!" she said hurriedly, bowing in apology. "I'm so sorry, Naruto-kun!" She bowed again and stepped out of his way.

"Thanks, Hinata," he said with a smile. The girl blushed furiously, keeping her head down. Naruto-kun set his soggy sandals next to Hinata's. Quietly, she asked him what he needed help with.

Again, he frowned as he looked off in the other direction. "Tsunade-baa-chan won't let me go on another mission! She says I need to learn better chakra control or I'll just hold everyone back!" Naruto-kun made somewhat of a growling noise. "Ero-sennin says that I should just use what I'm good at -- he calls it stamina -- but Tsunade-baa-chan says she doesn't care what he says, because he's Ero-sennin!"

Hinata giggled quietly, imagining the clash between Godaime and Naruto-kun.

Angrily shaking his fist in the Fifth's general direction, Naruto-kun went on. "Sakura-chan said she couldn't help me," he said, Hinata's small smile wilting a little, "but your father was there, too." Hinata nodded -- he was there to receive his newest mission. "He said that you guys just got back from your mission and that I should ask you for help."

The girl blushed self-consciously. She was not only surprised to have her father recommend her, but also that Naruto-kun wanted her help. Before Hinata could think of what to say, Naruto-kun clasped his hands and bowed his head to her. "Would you please help me, Hinata?"

The kunoichi turned beet red and her eyes widened. At first embarrassed, Hinata then began to feel warm inside that she could be useful to Naruto-kun. She smiled brightly, then said, just a little louder than normal, "Of course I will, Naruto-kun!"

He lifted his head and smiled at her, causing her to quickly look away. "If you want..." she said quietly, "you can... leave your jacket here to dry." Naruto-kun looked down at himself in surprise, noticing the water dripping from his sleeves. Grinning sheepishly, he apologized and took off the jacket, leaving it next to his shoes.

Hinata was nervous at being almost alone in her home with Naruto-kun. Barefooted, they walked quietly through the halls, Hinata leading the way toward their study. Neji-nii-san was away on a mission, and her father was on his way to one, leaving only Hinata and Hanabi-nee-chan in the large house.

"Thank you, Hinata," Naruto-kun said as they were walking. "You really are a good person," he said, causing her heart to flutter. She twiddled with her fingers and grinned, but tried not to let him see it.