Even Though My Song Has No Form

Chapter Sixteen

           

Chapter Sixteen

And before they knew it, it was already the day that Naruto and Hinata planned to meet for the Hanami Festival...

"I hope I'm not too late!" Naruto panted as he stood before Hinata whose back was facing him.

He recognised her from afar with her midnight blue hair half tied. She even had sakura flowers pinned down her ponytail braid.

Hinata turned around and Naruto sucked in a deep breath as he let out a whistle.

She was dressed in a dark lavender kimono with cherry blossoms printed all over the silk outfit.

"Na-Naruto... Stop staring at me like that..." Hinata suddenly broke his gaze as he snapped his eyes to her blushing face.

"S-s-sorry... Sorry Hinata... But you look absolutely stunning..." Naruto complimented her with a bright smile.

"Well that compliment is not going to cut it. You came late so you do owe me something right?" Hinata gave a tinkling laugh as Naruto laughed with her.

He grabbed her hand in his.

"Eh? Ano... Naruto???" Hinata asked in bewilderment as she felt her cheeks getting super hot.

"Hold onto my hand okay Hinata? It's a huge crowd here. I don't want to lose you..." Naruto told her gently and Hinata nodded her head obediently.

They first went to a takoyaki stall and Naruto ordered 5 takoyaki of octopus filling while Hinata ordered 3.

"Neh Hinata. How did you get out of the house? Did your father ask where you're going with that outfit?" Naruto asked.

Hinata shook her head.

"He wasn't at home. Hanabi, my younger sister, knows though but she helped me sneak out so the maids don't see me. My father happens to be away on business. It does happen from time to time."

"Business? What does he do?"

"Musical business. He manages a music company selling musical products to musical services. Does Hyuga Musical Corporation rings any bell?"

Naruto's eyes widened.

"How could I be so ignorant! So that's your family business! And I'm guessing you're studying Music and Arts at the University?"

"Yes. What about you? I never got around to asking you."

"I'm studying banking. My father has a banking business and my godfather is managing it until I graduate as requested in my parents' will..." Naruto replied.

"Sasuke told me about your parents... I'm so sorry to hear that..." Hinata said softly and Naruto shook his head.

"It's fine Hinata. I don't really want people pitying me..." Naruto gave her a smile as they played mini games at the different stalls.

Naruto suddenly looked at his watch and pulled Hinata in a different direction away from the festival.

"Na-Naruto! Where are we going?!?" Hinata stuttered as Naruto grinned down at the bluenette.

"Just follow me! I like to go to the peak of the park here to enjoy the town's scenery!"

The two ran and ran till they reached the peak. From there, Hinata saw the twinkling lights of the different buildings...

"I like to come here when I'm feeling down..." Naruto explained as he scratched the back of his neck nervously. "I've never actually brought anyone here... Not even Sasuke or Sai..."

Hinata couldn't say anything for the next few minutes as she stared in awe at the view...

"This is amazing... Naruto kun..." she whispered.

"What did you just call me?" Naruto's sharp voice snapped her out of her reverie.

She quickly whipped her face around to him.

"Nothing." she answered too quickly.

"You called me Naruto kun." Naruto said bluntly.

"I... It just slipped. It's not the first time anyway." Hinata tried to shrug the matter off.

Suddenly there was a booming sound and the black sky started lighting up with fireworks.

Both of their attentions were on the beautiful display...

"Hinata..." Naruto's voice pierced her ears once more. "Say my name again."

Hinata's back stiffened as she turned to face him fully.

"Huh?"

"Say my name again."

"But... But..."

"Just do it Hinata!" Naruto said urgently, his ocean blue eyes never wavering.

"Na... Na..." Hinata began then took a deep breath. "Naruto..."

Naruto shook his head aggressively as he clenched his fist.

"No! Say it like how you say it just now!"

Hinata's eyes widened as she let what she said slipped her lips.

"Naruto kun..."

In that moment Naruto closed their distance and held her shoulders tightly as he kissed her lips.

Hinata's ears were deafened as everything went silent around her. The only thing she registered was the light from the fireworks illuminating onto her and Naruto... And Naruto holding her tightly as his lips were pressed against hers...

Slowly but surely, Hinata kissed Naruto back and after a few seconds Naruto was the one who pulled them apart.

"I love you..." Naruto blurted as Hinata's eyes brimmed with tears.

"Hinata!" Naruto exclaimed in panic. "What happened?! Did I hurt you with the kissing just now?!"

Hinata shook her head as she sobbed harder.

"Hinata..." Naruto said as his hands that were on Hinata's shoulders dropped to his sides. "Do you... not... like... me back..."

Hinata suddenly threw herself onto Naruto, hugging him around his waist tightly. She buried her face in his chest as she cried while talking.

"I just... I've waited so long for you to say that to me... You don't know how many times I've dreamed of this moment... I've been in love with you since kindergarten... All the way till now... It hurts everytime I hear or see you flirting with another girl... But when I hear you say that... All that hurt went away..." Hinata sobbed as Naruto's eyes softened at the girl in his arms.

"I'm sorry that there's nothing I can do about my past Hinata... But I'll say it over and over again if it makes you happy. I love you."

Hinata smiled up at the blonde boy who gave her a huge grin as he wiped away her tears with his thumb.

"So... will you be my girlfriend... Hinata Hyuga?"

Hinata gave a thoughtful frown.

"Well... You do owe me something. So can I claim it now? Like say can I give you my answer in a few weeks time?" Hinata asked innocently and Naruto groaned.

"Hinata please don't do this to me!" he whined as Hinata giggled and hugged him tightly, burying her face in his neck.

"I will be your girlfriend Naruto Uzumaki. You don't know how much you mean to me..." she answered gently.