Naruto assured her, "it's not unnecessary," to which she turned to him curiously as he added, "stay ready."
Growing suspicious, she asked, "Naruto? What do you know?"
But for their plan tomorrow, he simply answered with a smile, "I know I won't let you down." Fortunately, Asuma's attention is turned as he smokes and Naruto had no hang-ups about confessing to this astonishing beauty, "and I know I won't let anything bad happen to you because I love you too, Nai-chan." Though her immediate concern is smoking with his back to them, her stomach flutters and her heart beats fast. Completely vulnerable to one another, they gaze tenderly and honestly at the feelings they share.
He then said with a great big smile, "sorry I never said it before, but you did sort of say I wasn't allowed to."
Unable to say much more with Asuma in the backyard nearby just outside her kitchen, Kurenai sniffed as she wished him, "good luck tomorrow."
He simply winked before exiting her home.
THE CHŪNIN EXAM
From Kurenai's place by the railing of arena seating section A, she can see Asuma leave his post out of the corner of her eye and approach her. They were partnered for this section so he's soon next to her to ask, "Kurenai-"
However, she won't have this discussion now and interrupts him with, "now's not the time, Asuma. Please return to your post and remain vigilant." She didn't know how he put it together but she's certain Naurto's blissful smile couldn't have helped.
"We will talk about this," he firmly promises before returning to his post. His face was stern and hyper-focused on her. With his hunched neck and squared shoulders, she knows he's in clear distress, but she can't satisfy his curiosity now. Kurenai then focuses all her attention on her student, who's practically a daughter to her, walks to the center of the field with confidence.
Standing beside her cousin Neji, Hinata was focused. After all, she conquered her most difficult challenge yet just that morning. She couldn't do so in practice with Kurenai-sensei, but she somehow managed with the real Naruto.
HINATA
Hinata was supposed to meet her team at Training Ground 3 before walking to the arena together, however, she came early. Her mind felt like it was going to explode with anxiety and her fears only stem from one place; disappointing those who believe in her. From her father to her sister, to Neji and her teammates… to Kurenai-sensei and Naruto-kun; she didn't want to disappoint them the most. She trained so hard not to, but Neji is a genius who works hard every day. Against that type of opponent, wouldn't she ultimately embarrass herself?
It's when she spotted him. The embodiment of her love and admiration, her warm and constant sun, was sitting cross-legged on the top of the middle stump. He was as still and strong as the nature around him, yet deep in thought. He hadn't even noticed her approach and that concerned her. Unlike Neji, Gaara has a blood-lust; she's seen first-hand how his sand destroys a human body. 'And Naruto has to face that,' Hinata thought. 'Would he be okay?'
Her worry for his well-being urged her to softly voice, "Naruto-kun?"
Snapping out of it before looking down toward the sweet voice below, Naruto smiled as he greets, "hey, Hinata." Hopping down from the tall stump, Naruto is quick to encourage her with, "good luck today. I know you'll do great!"
"I… don't know," Hinata honestly admitted to the person she admires the most.
Like the abundance of confidence he exhumes, he assured her, "well, I do." Fist over his chest, he added, "trust me, I think you're really strong."
Even still, reality is forcing her to admit, "…but I may lose," and it pained her to see Naruto hum and nod dejectedly. She almost feels like she broke him, however, Hinata couldn't know how much was relying on him, how many lives he currently held in his hands. To many, it's about a tournament to become Chūnin. To him, it's a battle to keep everyone from dying. Because only Jiraiya and the toads know about the wager he's going to make with the Kazekage.
Glumly, he admitted, "you know, I feel like that too sometimes. Like, what happens if I lose…" 'someone… everyone,' Naruto mentally finished. 'Because I know about the invasion, their deaths will be my fault. I'd be a failure.' Feeling just as he did on the stump, Naruto hated looking so uncool in front of anyone, especially Hinata, but he can't help it.
"B-but you don't give up," Hinata bravely pointed out. 'No,' her mind called. 'I have to fix this.' "I think we can change, even a little, when the right person shows us the way. So- so… w-when I look at you, I feel like- like I can be a little stronger… than before… and t-that makes me like myself more."
His expressionless face made her hold her breath until he finally smiled a little then asked, "do you think so? I mean, I don't know so much and I'm not that smart and I mess up a lot… do you really think I can do it even if I'm not ready?"
"Mnn," Hinata sternly hummed. It's practically her nature affinity to recall all of Naruto's many virtues and strengths, helping her to proclaim, "because even when you mess up, you're never ashamed of it… and moments like that… impacts my heart the most. It's your strength to rise that always inspires me because that's what I think true strength is."
It's the clearest Hinata's ever spoken to him, with such conviction and she couldn't be happier with herself. She's progressed so much, from the days she could only blush and pass out, to being able to speak her mind so clearly without suffocating nervousness. It meant everything to see his bright smile again as he happily relayed, "thanks Hinata." Stretching off the rust of depression, Naruto jovially explained, "I was feeling pretty heavy-hearted, but now I feel like myself again. You're a life-saver."
He turned to walk away when Hinata felt it… the moment she'd been training for.
Despite her stuttering, "N-N-Na- Naruto!" As if her limbs were made of lead, she struggles to outstretch her arms. She shut her eyes as her crunched and blushing face couldn't say anything but he didn't need her to. He knew exactly what she worked hard for. Quicker than she can react, Naruto takes Hinata in his arms and gives her a firm but gentle hug. Even better than his words, hugging him gave her a sense of tranquility that comforted her troubled mind. She felt warm and soft against him, but more than anything, she admires herself more than ever, making her believe her dreams can come true.
After they separated—having held her breath the entire time—Naruto told her, "I can't wait to see you kick Neji's ass."
She's a mixture of extreme excitement and embarrassment and can do nothing more than nod, but her lilac pupil-less eyes were as strong as she was starting to feel.
THE CHŪNIN EXAM
Though Hinata expected Naruto in the large cement access hallway with the rest of them, she has faith he'll be here because she knows he doesn't ever run from a fight.
Genma announces, "for your fourth contest, from Konohagakure: Inuzuka Kiba."
With Akamaru in his jacket, Kiba waves happily to the crowds and along with cheers, there's also a lot of dogs howling.
"His opponent," Genma continues. "From Konohagakure: Uchiha Sasuke."
After eying the red-haired Suna-nin, Sasuke vaguely wonders where Naruto is. Wearing his black one-piece outfit with belts wrapped around his left arm, Sasuke turns toward the arena and the battles that await. Recalling last night, he wonders about his decision. Gaining his vengeance on Itachi is all that matters, but his choices in the present must be the one that gets him to his brother the fastest.
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