In The Training Field (Naruhina)

Part 1

Naruto's POV

After a long day of training, Naruto was exhausted. He'd been trying to perfect a new technique in the forest and the day was so hot, he had to tie his jacket around his waist. He was on his way back to town, taking the scenic route to calm his nerves and work up an appetite. The sun was setting, which helped him relax more as he thought about the ramen he would have for dinner.

He was coming up on a clearing in the direction of the stadium where his first Chunin exams had taken place, when he came across a familiar figure. A girl with long, dark blu hair and gleaming white eyes stood training on in the field.

Hinata, he thought.

As Naruto slowly approached her, he noticed something was off. He sensed a fierce concentration in Hinata, a raging fury he'd never suspected could come from her. She stood in her attack stance, hitting a wooden pole with her hands over and over again. Most likely to improve her gentle fist technique. On and on she went, not letting up for a moment. The dedication to the training wasn't what surprised Naruto. It was the look in her eye.

Plus, she looked pretty beat up already. Scratches ran up and down her legs and arms. Depending on how long she had been going at it, her muscles must have been hurting too.

That's right, Naruto remembered. Wasn't she just on a mission with Neji, Tenten and Kiba? Why the heck would she train right after? She should be resting.

"Hinata," Naruto called to her, but she didn't let up, ignoring him.

That was odd. Normally Hinata would get all red and jump at the sound of his voice. It was kind of cute when she did that. But now...something was different.

"Hinata!" he tried again, stepping closer.

Still nothing. Naruto was starting to get worried. With every passing second, Hinata seemed to grow more unhinged, more hysterical in her attacks. He'd never seen her act this way before.

Hinata had always seemed so sweet and collected. Shy at times, yes, but Naruto found himself constantly in awe of her. He envied her ability to keep a level head and get along with pretty much anyone. Two things that never worked out too well for him. On top of that, Hinata had been there for him at his lowest. 

Take the Chunin exams, for example. Naruto had originally come to this training field the day of the final stage of his exam only to find Hinata there. He wasn't sure why but he'd felt free to share his fears with her that day. He'd been doubting himself, afraid of screwing up again, and there was Hinata, who always knew the right things to say when he was down.

Now the rolls were reversed and Naruto wasn't sure what to do. So he decided to call out one more time.

"HINATA!"

Finally she stopped, and Naruto was relieved. She seriously could've hurt herself if she'd kept going on like that.

"Naruto?" Hinata said weakly, wiping her face.

Her eyes were puffy and her bottom lip trembled slightly, but she tried to hide it with a smile.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Just coming back from training, but are you okay? It took you a while to notice I was here. That's not like you. What's going on."

"Nothing!" Hinata responded defensively.

She didn't give any sign of opening up so Naruto decided to change the subject.

"How did the mission go?" He asked

Hinata looked like she'd been punched in the gut. She quickly whirled around, facing the pole again, so Naruto could no longer see her expression. She went back to hitting the wooden stake and now Naruto was close enough to see that Hinata's hands were bruised and dripping with blood.