Naruhina: Something New

Chapter 2: No Strings Attached

Hinata was out of breath even before she looked up to see her rescuer's face. She was in a rush; she needed to get to the store before they closed, but Hanabi had teased her mercilessly for still holding on to her old purple jacket.

"Ugh! This thing needs to be thrown away!" Hanabi had pulled at the sleeve as Hinata was trying to put it on. "Good thing you've got new gear coming today. I'm so glad I badgered you into getting one. I can't wait to see you in it!"

She tugged some more at her sister's sleeve even as Hinata struggled back.

"Hanabi! Let go! I won't make it in time if you keep getting in the way!" Hinata pleaded.

"You don't need the jacket!" Hanabi yelled back. "Just go already."

"And go almost naked?!" Hinata was shocked. All she had on was her normal chain mail and it left nothing to the imagination.

Hanabi laughed gleefully. "It's better than this rag you call a jacket!"

"Hanabi!" Hinata's exasperated laugh escaped her before she could prevent it. This was no good. Once Hanabi got going, she wouldn't stop with the ribbing.

"Will you just stop teasing me?! Really, let go 'cause they'll be closing soon and I need the new uniform for tomorrow."

Hanabi eventually let go of the jacket, her excitement at seeing the new suit was greater than her need to tease her older sister. She was sure her sister would look amazing in the sleek style Hanabi herself had chosen for Hinata. "Okay, but hurry back, Onee-sama!"

With that, Hinata had quickly zipped up and hurried towards town.

However, the delay with Hanabi had cost her a few minutes. Hinata was rushing towards the store with the intent to make it in time that she hadn't been paying attention to where she was going. She'd collided with a solid wall then found herself flung backward. But before she could fall, she felt strong hands grip her upper arms to steady her.

The next thing she knew, she was looking up into her favorite pair of blue eyes.

As always, the air left her, leaving her breathless and almost ready to faint. Hinata fought through it and made an effort to speak.

"N-Naruto!" she gasped as he smiled at her. "I'm so sorry!"

She could feel the warmth rushing up her neck and onto her ears. She willed it to stop, but she knew she looked like a tomato. She wanted to hide. Why was it that she could only show him the parts of her that were so embarrassing?

She squeezed her eyes shut for a minute to steady herself then slowly opened them.

His friendly expression had disappeared. Naruto was now looking at her with that usual puzzled look on his face.

"Hinata, are you okay?" Naruto asked. "You smacked into me really hard. You're so red! You're not hurt, are you?"

You're so red!

Why did he say that? Oh god, how embarrassing!

She was panicking. Not for the first time, she cursed her fair skin for being so easily susceptible to blushing. She needed to calm down.

Breathe, Hinata. Okay, good. Now smile.

She managed a small smile and was happy to see his expression easing into his familiar grin as his lips twitched upward. She could feel the blood pounding loudly in her ears and almost missed his words when he spoke.

"Hinata, you okay?" he asked again.

"I'm okay!" Hinata said quickly. "Really, I'm okay. I'm fine."