9A Touch Lost or Forgotten
...but found and recalled again.
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Chapter 4: Us
I jerked awake, pouring sweat. Yes, I have dreams of Naruto frequently but never have I had a dream so vivid and real. I glance at my surroundings, trying to point out some sort of anomaly but there was none. I sighed, heaviness tugging at my heart made the enclosing air thick with tension. It depressed me for reasons I could not really explain. But I knew the reason I felt so disheartened was the fact that . . . it was all a dream.
Those beautiful cerulean blue eyes were looking at me so intently – eyes I was always afraid to directly look into from the fear of collapsing – as if they could not believe I existed, as if they were terrified of me disappearing into thin air if they blinked even for a nanosecond. Those eyes held every emotion known to mankind, they held such depth that I always feared I would drown in them. I remember not ever uttering a full, coherent sentence once I looked directly into them; they make me so unbelievably anxious that I often forget my own being.
I still see him standing over me – no, looming over me – with that stunned expression on his handsome face, somewhat disquieted but pleasantly. I was left with a warm feeling, relishing the fact that my Naruto-kun was actually looking at me. His large, calloused hands were touching my cheek with so much adoration and devotion; I felt butterflies do somersaults in my tummy.
Also, I couldn't help but notice the fact that he wasn't the boy I had fell in love with, rather he had become a man – a man I was growing to love even more (if that was even possible). I blushed when I evoked the memory of his tall, broad stature - well-toned muscles showing under that fitted black -'n-orange jacket I came to adore and identify solely as 'Naruto'. Not to mention his gorgeous, sunny-yellow locks, looking absolutely endearing in their tousled state. I would love to run my hands through those thick, golden tresses andkiss a path on those oh-so-lovable whiskers of his.
I gasped, thinking about the direction my thoughts were headed towards – not innocent. Kami-sama, what is wrong with me? I've never thought about Naruto-kun in that way!
I think I should go home and take a cold shower to banish these inappropriate thoughts which are plaguing my mind. Yes, it's about time I run back home – oh, no! It's sundown already! Picking up my outer jacket, which I had hurriedly taken off because of the heat, I dash towards the Hyūga District.
Though, I could not shake off the disappointing feeling I had over the strange way my dream ended.
. . . why the hell did I have to sneeze at such a crucial moment?!
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Damn. Damn! DAMN! What was that?! What kind of dream was that? I never have dreams but this one didn't seem at all like how a dream should be. It's still crystal-clear in my mind, absolutely vivid, so real.
That chakra? Is it really . . . Hinata? Now that I think about it, it all fits, she fits the characteristics of that seemingly-innocent, adorable aura. But it was just a dream, wasn't it?
No, it can't be just a dream. A dream is easily forgotten, a thing of the past, a fraction of the mind's eye. What I saw is still engraved into my mind. That serene look upon that beautiful face with the porcelain skin. It's a wonder how I never reallysawher because I was too busy chasing after Sakura. I thought of Hinata as a friend, agood friend, but never had I ever seen her in this light. She's always so shy around me, those annoying bangs covering her face; thankfully she's only fainted twice when I was around and she seemed to be always hiding until that fight with Neji. I agree she's still timid and bashful but there's this confident air about her which makes her even more. . . charming.
The vision in my mind wasn't dissipating. Hinata, sleeping with such peacefulness on a patch of moss, in a fetal position, legs slightly bent, her hands resting under her face. Such beautiful, soft skin – I couldn't help but touch it, wanting to feel it under my fingertips. Eyelashes fanned out on her cheeks, a small genuine smile graced her features. I realized, for the first time, that her hair was an unusual Indigo and it went past below her waist. So beautiful, so angelic.
I sighed. If only she smiled like that more often. Especially, at me. Without fainting.
Wait, what?! Where'dthatcome from? Is it because I've gotten so attached to her chakra signature that. . .
I sigh, again. I recollected my life-like dream, tracing the girl's – no, woman's– sleeping figure. Noticing how, without that bulky jacket, she had the body of a Goddess. Long legs, full hips, a tapered waist – he blushed, not wanting to recall any further.
And those gorgeous eyes! I used to think all Hyūga eyes were opal or pearl-white but Hinata's were a pastel shade of Lavender. Thick indigo lashes framed light Amethyst eyes. I wonder how they'd look if they had held a lustful gaze . . .
Kami-sama! How can I eventhink about Hinata like that?! She's so pure and innocent! Moreover, she's my friend! Ugh, I need a cold shower!
Running towards my apartment, my stomach rumbles. Looks like I'll go take a shower later, Ramen comes first!
Also, did she have to sneeze?! I admit it was cute but if only the dream could've lasted a bit longer . . .
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I am starving, I can eat a horse! I feel like I have been running the whole day and, not to mention, I haven't eaten anything since this morning. I, uncharacteristically, slurp down a long piece of noodle, taking a lengthy sip of the hot steaming broth from the bowl. I admit, I have come to love IchiRaku's as much as the reason for it.
Following Naruto meant a lot of unnecessary trips to IchiRaku's, even when I wasn't hungry, and trying to catch a glimpse of him was my top priority – it still is. Just then, the flap to the shop lifted up, revealing a pair of familiar bright blue eyes. My heart did a couple of back-flips in my chest as they focused on me.
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I was relieved when I reached my favorite place. I lifted the flap, looked in, and was about to greetthe old man and his daughter when my eyes fell upon a familiar face. I instantly detected a recognizable blush dusting her cheeks and felt myself redden in response.
"Hello, Hinata-chan", I said.
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"N-Naruto-kun", I stuttered.
Everything feels so different than usual. That unexpected blush on Naruto's cheek made me wonder if. . .
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What do I do?! I know it was just a dream but seeing her sitting there, the cause of that adorable blush being me, I couldn't help but smirk.
She's absolutely gorgeous. I can't believe I missed and looked-over that fact. And that smile! She smiled at me!
"Hinata-chan, I . . ."
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As soon as he uttered those words, my heart lifted. As an answer, I simply nodded as I did not trust myself to speak.
But it happened again.
I sneezed.
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. . . and she sneezed. Again. I couldn't help but double over, noticing how cute she looked when she pouted like that.
And even more so when her giggles turned into full-fledged laughter which made me particularly breathless and, not to mention, speechless.
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Oh, Kami-sama! He's looking at me like that, again. I feel so hot with that gaze directed at me, so passionate. It makes me feel powerful for some reason.
I never want that gaze averting from me. Ever.
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Both the teens stayed in that position for what seemed like ages, not even daring to blink or look away, not wanting to ruin the moment.
For Hinata, they started as bouts of confidence, fighting alongside the person she loves, and admires, the most.
While, for Naruto, it all started with a chakra signature.
But both could not deny the obvious.
I think even my sub-consciousness wants you so much that I regularly dream of you.
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Deep in the recesses of Naruto's mind and soul, a low, satisfied growl emerged.
Mission accomplished, the Kyuubi chuckled.
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Author's After-notes:
The last bolded line of the fic was my inspiration for the theme, Dreams. Thank you, Shini-kun! My part-time Muse & Beta-Editor, and full-time Soul Mate & Best-Friend was the one who said it to me… and everything just clicked.
Ooooh! Look how pretty the Review Button is! Please R&R! I would definitely love to read what you have to say as I wrote this fic in ONE day! =D