Granted, Naruto and Hinata had become good friends, prior to him leaving the village. But during the majority of their time at the ninja academy, they only spent a limited amount of time together.
First of all, because Naruto was always too busy getting into trouble, and second of all, because Hinata was too shy to request more of his time. She was content watching him from a far. It was comfortable there. No risk of rejection or embarrassing herself.
Just before they graduated from the academy, out of the blue, Naruto enlisted Hinata as his main confidant. The friendship worked well, since Naruto liked to talk and Hinata liked to listen.
And she was pretty much the only one who ever actually listened to him. Once they became genin, they were placed on two separate teams, but when he was in the village, Naruto would always seek Hinata out, specifically to have one of their many one-sided talks.
What Hinata liked the most about her blonde haired friend was his total lack of restraint. He wore his feelings on his sleeve for the entire world to see. She wished she was that bold too. She strived to be that bold and courageous… just like him.
So far, she had become bolder and more courageous with her fighting skills, and less bold and courageous when it came to her feelings for Naruto.
Before Naruto left two years ago, he pursued Sakura like a heat seeking missile despite the pinkette's many decided and often violent rejections. Hinata knew every detail of Naruto's feelings for his teammate because this was one of his favorite topics during their talks. And despite her own feelings, Hinata tried to help him. Their attempts to win Sakura's heart never worked out well, however. But not from lack of persistence.
Once, Hinata attempted to give Naruto a Hyuga makeover, which Sakura promptly laughed at. Then she advised him to ask Sakura on an actual date. Sakura told him to drop dead. Hinata even wrote a poem for him to give to his crush. Unfortunately, the poem was passed to Sasuke before he quickly tossed it at Sakura. Sakura assumed it was from Sasuke, and refused to hear otherwise.
"What would you like? My treat!" Naruto asked Hinata jovially, with a large smile plastered across his face as they sat down in Ichiraku's.
"Umm…" Hinata perused the menu. She had never been particular to ramen before. But Naruto seemed to like it, so she was determined to like it too.
"How about a number two." Naruto pointed enthusiastically. "My favorite. You'll love it."
"Ok." Hinata nodded and smiled. She had seen him in this restaurant several times, but he had never invited her to eat with him before. She wondered if he truly missed her that much.
Naruto motioned to Ayame, said hello, and then ordered two number twos. "Ramen is the best. How have you been? I can't believe it's been two years…"
Hinata just sat and listened to Naruto chat. This was how it always was. She settled into her seat and smiled. She missed this immensely, while he was gone. She looked out of the ramen shop, watched the village pass by, and listened to Naruto's voice.
"...And I wonder what everyone else looks like. Do they look as different as you do?" Naruto twisted his mouth, curiously.
"You haven't seen anyone else yet?"
"Nope." Naruto said, taking the bowl of ramen from Ayame and chowing down. "I thought I'd enjoy my favorite meal and my favorite person first."
WHAT? Hinata looked wide eyed at Naruto, her cheeks turning red and her mouth dropping open. Did Naruto just say SHE was his favorite person?
"And you, Hinata? Anything new happen while I was gone?" Naruto continued, his mouth full of noodles.
Hinata looked back at him, daintily taking a spoon full of noodles herself. She quickly said, "Oh… no. The usual. But... my little sister was sealed today –to a boy named Shinji. That's about the only news I have."
"Oh wow." Naruto narrowed his eyes, looking at her suspiciously. "Do you plan to be sealed to anyone? I mean… does your clan have anything arranged?"
Hinata shook her head. "I don't think so. I'm not the heir anymore. My sealing is no longer a priority."
"But you're fifteen." Naruto persisted.
Hinata looked at him surprised. How did he know so much about the Hyuga clan traditions all of sudden? She replied in a small voice, "Yeah. I guess it will happen soon."
She had not wanted to think about her own fate. It was highly unlikely that she would ever be sealed to Naruto. And anyone else would be a disappointment.
"Naruto! Is that you!?" Voices came from behind them. Naruto looked up and past Hinata, his face lighting up again.
Hinata turned to find Kiba, Choji, Ino, and Sakura walking towards them.
"It is Naruto!" Kiba and Choji said in unison. They ran up, patting their comrade on the back and shaking his hand.
Ino and Sakura stood behind them giggling. Sakura leaned over to Ino and whispered. "Wow! Naruto has really grown up. Huh?"
Hinata overheard this. She looked back and forth between Naruto, who was concentrating hard on what Kiba and Choji were saying, and Sakura, who was staring dreamily at Naruto. When he finally noticed Sakura, Naruto's face lit up even more.
"Sakura! Wow, great to see you! Come on, join us!" Hinata's heart sunk as she watched Naruto get out of his chair and hug his teammate. He waved Ayame back over, so everyone else could give their orders.
They placed two tables together. Hinata was moved further down the tables to the other end, away from Naruto, who chose to sit next to Sakura.
She sighed. She thought maybe Naruto calling her "his favorite person" meant something. No such luck. He was back to crushing on Sakura.
After lunch ended, Hinata paid for her ramen and quietly slipped away from the group to make her way back home.
Before she made it half way down the street, she felt a hand press down on her right shoulder as though attempting to stop her in place. She looked down at Naruto's hand and then up into his face.
"Where'd you go? And you already paid... I was supposed to treat you. Remember?" He said jovially.
"It's alright. Maybe next time." Hinata replied softly.