Naruto

Did I do something wrong?

Did my stupidity somehow manifested itself without me knowing?

Hinata is treating me differently; like I'm just her boss. I mean I am her boss but was I wrong? 

Was our friendship nothing but an illusion to me?

She managed to shoo me out of the cybersecurity office earlier, telling me to sleep while she took the first lookout shift. I protested like a mad man. I wanted to stay with her right beside her in case she needed help with anything. Instead, she firmly stated that she needs to do everything alone. 

I was shell-shocked. I didn't even know what to say to convince her otherwise. The sternness in her usually angelic voice was enough to throw me off my axis.

And it succeeded with securing me in the couch in the employees' break room on the second floor. 

Was it the way I was dressing earlier? I seriously just put on an outfit I was so comfortable with I didn't even notice I wasn't wearing an undershirt. Hinata did come from a very conservative background. Maybe I offended her...

No.

That isn't right.

She left that lifestyle a long time ago.

But still yet, I could've offended her. I probably did. 

Ah shit, Naruto. Go apologize you idiot.

I sat up on the couch but stopped myself. 

She also made it clear she didn't want to see me even though she didn't say it to my face. What if I make her even more angrier by breaking her orders?

Hold it.

I'm her boss. What the fuck am I doing?

With renewed confidence, I zipped out of the room and down the stairs leading to the office. My mind rehearsed it self over and over just in case I do something that might accidentally offend her again.

I have to show her I'm still her boss and that I am going to stay by her side whether she likes it or not. 

The door slid open and I called out to her, "Hinata!"

I could hear the rolling of the computer chair from behind the dual monitors. Seconds later, moonlit eyes peered out from the right side of them. "Naruto? What are you doing here?"

Hinata in a ponytail?

This is gonna be harder than I thought. 

No.

Okay, Naruto.

Go for it!

Go.

"Look, I'm sorry if I did anything that offended you earlier." I started my walk towards her. Hinata just watched me, eyes bewildered with my sudden advancement but I never stopped speaking to let her talk. "I dress like that out of habit and I probably really disrespected you for it so I'm sorry, y'know. I really am."

"Na -"

"No." I cut her off when I was right in front of her. She changed into her casual clothes I picked up for her: a simple purple t-shirt and sweats. "I am helping you with this, okay? I want to stay and fight this fight with you. You're not doing this alone. What kind of friend would I be if I let that happen?"

There I said it.

Hinata, I want to be more than just employer and employee. I want to be...your friend. Yes, I do care for all those who work for me dearly but you're not just that.

"You're my friend, Hinata. I'm not letting you do this alone." I muttered.

Hinata's mouth dropped at bit at my exclamation. I guess judging by her response she really didn't think of us as friends before. Understandable. I'm not going to hold it against her.

From this moment forward, though, I want her to be on the same page as me.

"Naruto, I-I..." She stopped herself, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry."

I blinked. "What do you have to be sorry for?"

"I was a little upset about something earlier and I wanted to be alone. It's just how I get over things." She opened her eyes again and gave me a small smile.

I pulled out the second chair shoved in the corner and sat back down. "Lay it on me. I can help you, y'know."

Her cheeks immediately reddened. "It's nothing! I figured it out."

"Hm?"

Hinata changed the subject quickly. "Ever since I came to work for Konoha, new people are popping into my life. Growing up, I've never really had a friend until college. Even then I only had one good friend and that's it. Now...I'm sorry, it's just overwhelming. I just didn't expect someone as successful as you would want anything to do with someone like me."

"I take offense to that." I growled. I did. 

"I'm sorry." She couldn't meet my eyes. 

"Well, whether you like it or not, I want to be your friend Hinata. You're stuck with me." I leaned forward a bit, drawing her attention back to me. "We're inseparable as is."

A soft red tickled her snow white cheeks as she took in my words. 

Me?

I'm sweating up a fucking rainstorm. What am I saying? Why does proclaiming friendship with Hinata Hyuga like proposing to her? 

But it's just that important to me.

I want everything with her to work out.

I saw her mouth open.

But a strange beep came out of her mind. Hinata's head spun towards the computer and I followed suit.

"It's happening." She exclaimed.

"What? Right now?" 

Hinata immediately started typing on the computer. 

The Akatsuki sure do know about timing, don't they? 

I cursed the luck and quickly called Gaara. He didn't pick up so I kept trying, all the while following Hinata's instructions on what to do.

"Wait." Hinata stopped. 

I glanced at her. "What?"

"That was too easy..." she observed.

"What do you mean?"

"They just poked at the VPN in London and that's it."

"Maybe they're getting ready for a stronger attack."

Hinata shook her head. "It would've happened simultaneously if they did."

Then, what just happened?

"Naruto! Hinata!" Gaara's voice echoed through the room. We both peered over the monitors to see the CEO still in suit and tie walking into the office. "I was driving here to check up on you when I got this email."

Gaara handed me his phone with the email fully on display. I snuck a glance at him though, just making sure he doesn't try anything with Hinata while I read this. Thankfully, his eyes were trained on me and the device in my hand.

I decided to read the message out loud. 

Ah Gaara,

Enlisting the help of our dear Naruto was rather...extreme don't you think? It was just fun banter no need to freak out the way you did.

Don't worry: seeing how serious you take your company, we will leave you alone. 

For now.

Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyuga,

Quite an impressive setup you have to keep us out. We're not stupid though. Those firewalls are nothing but a mere playground for us. We would've gotten through it if we wanted. We chose to back off because it isn't worth our time.

Just remember: our eyes are everywhere. And next time, we won't be giving you a warning to heed. 

You two interest us. So this won't be the last time you hear from us.

Until we meet again,

Akatsuki.

"So..." I gave Gaara his phone back. "I'm assuming that's it then. We managed to keep them away this time."

Gaara nodded with a heavy sigh. "That means you guys can go home. I truly appreciate everything you've done."

Hinata bowed her welcome but her gaze was elsewhere. I know something is bothering her. Most likely the Akatsuki's warning has gotten under her skin. She's probably terrified. The Akatsuki is no joke and for someone as proud of her codes as Hinata, it is definitely something to be scared about. 

"No problem." I smiled. "Hinata, I'll drive you home."

She merely nodded, her eyes still a little dazed. 

We started gathering our stuff as Gaara started shutting off the lights. I made sure Gaara was way out of earshot before I mumbled to Hinata. "You okay?"

"Huh?"

"You look distracted." I pointed out.

Hinata blinked. "Oh, uh. Just a lot on my mind."

"Tell me in the car?" I asked.

She glanced at my hand holding my car keys and back to my eyes. She opened her mouth.

"I'm driving you. That's not debatable, Hina." 

Hinata just sighed loudly, looking defeated. "Do you always get what you want, Mr. Successful?"

I gave her a huge goofy grin. "Yes. Because I fight for it, y'know."

Hinata just giggled. The sound was enough to strum my heartstrings in all the right places.

We followed Gaara out of the office and through the lobby. The entire time he kept thanking us for scaring them off.

"I am going to be throwing a party this coming Saturday night starting at 7 pm. I would like to extend the invitation to you and your heads, Naruto." Gaara said as we waiting for my car to be fetched from the parking garage by one of the security guards. "The location is my penthouse in Osaka."

I nodded. "You know we'll be there."

My car came into sight and drove up to where we were standing slowly. Gaara extended a hand just then at me. "Thank you again. For everything."

I shook his hand. "No problem."

He moved his hand over to Hinata and she shook hands with him as well. 

I don't like it.

"Thank you for everything, Ms. Hyuga."

Okay! That's long enough.

And when they did let go of each other, I wanted to do a little joy dance right there. 

The security guard ran around the car. I immediately recognized the asshole from earlier. Frowning, I watched him move to open the door on the passenger side.

"For you, Miss." He bowed a bit at Hinata with a smirk. My blood is boiling past a healthy point right now.

Then I noticed his eyes scan over her once.

Ah hell nah!

I stepped in front of Hinata just as she started moving. A small thud hit my back as she collided with my back.

"That will be enough from you, sir." I twitched with anger.

The guard merely rolled his eyes and stepped aside to stand behind his CEO.

I glared at him for a bit longer, until I felt a slight tug on my sweater.

Oh shit.

"Naruto? Is everything okay?"

"Uh...." I felt myself blush when I saw Gaara clear his throat, amused.

"Everything is okay! Get on in there!" I stepped aside and gestured for her to go ahead.

I'm losing my mind. 

That's it.

I'm losing my sanity.

I bid Gaara one last farewell before jumping into the drivers side. 

Breathe, Naruto.

That would be the last time you would ever have to see that jerk of a guard. He won't come near Hinata again. It's okay.

It's alright.

Life...will be okay.

You won't be going to jail for murder.

Life is good.

Life is really good.

"You breathing okay over there?" Hinata giggled as she slipped her seatbelt on.

"Swell." I threw the car into drive. "Let's get you home."

I just sped away, not wanting to give that asshole another chance of peering at Hinata. He got bold alright.

He's too bold.

I glanced at the clock. It's already 2 in the morning. Damn, were we there that long? With everything that happened, I thought it was only midnight at most.

Hinata yawned behind her hand. 

Woah, she's so cute.

Eyes on the road, Naruto.

I cleared my throat. "You ready for your first company party?"

Hinata released a breath.

Oh no.

"As nice as it sounds, there's no way I can go. I don't own anything remotely nice to dress to the party and I would have no way to get there. It's just not in my cards right now."

I blinked.

Then laughed loudly. 

"What? Why are you laughing at me?" She scowled.

I looked at her. 

I need to stop if I want to make sure we survive this car ride home. "You really think I would just leave you stranded without a ride to a party? I'm not heartless."

"But, I can't afford it."

"Well, we take the company private jet. So, um, it's free." I answered. "Oh, and as for clothes? Honestly, you can wear anything and you would look beautiful in it..."

Naruto?

What the fuck is wrong with you?!

Might as well go straight out and tell her she gives you butterflies as well. Oh, or maybe that no matter what you do you can't keep your eyes off her? 

The passing street light illuminated her face enough for me to notice the blush decorated on her cheeks. 

What have I done? Did I say too much?

I cleared my throat. "Don't worry too much about it, y'know? It'll be fun. And since it is the weekend, we get to spend the night in Osaka and leave Sunday morning. Like a little mini vacation, y'know?"

"But -"

"Everything is covered through the company." I interjected. "The only money you'll need is if you want a late night snack somewhere. You worry too much, Hinata. It's okay."

She didn't say anything.

"Okay?" I asked.

A couple heartbeats passed and she finally answered, softly. "Okay."

I smiled to myself as we continued down the empty Tokyo roads towards her apartment building. I stayed quiet. She looked tired and I didn't want to keep her up. She's already done so much for Konoha. She spent almost all her waking hours making sure everything is okay. Then helping with Sunagakure. 

Hinata must be exhausted. 

What kind of boss am I, anyways? Making her work so hard like this. I honestly should just give her the rest of the week off; paid, of course.

But I also know she would never go for it. Hinata is independent. She loves challenges. She would never take the easy way out.

Then I suddenly remembered something.

"Hina?"

"Hm?" She responded, a little sleepy.

Crap. 

I don't have to ask her now. She's probably way too tired to form a sentence and she needs her rest. I can't just selfishly bother her because of my curiosity.

"What is it, Naruto?" I saw her shift out of the corner of my eye.

"Oh nothing. I was just wondering why you were so...distracted back there." I asked.

"Oh." She sucked in a heavy breath. "I was just a little angry."

"Angry?"

"The Akatsuki essentially called my cyber defenses trash. Of course, I'm gonna get angry at that. That just means I have to figure out ways to strengthen it before they strike again."

This adorable nerd..."Really? That's what's bothering you?"

Hinata looked out her window. "Yes. As petty as it is, yes. That's what bothered me."

"I wouldn't call that petty." I replied. "More like...passionate."

"Just like how you're passionate about being my friend?"

Yikes.

Uh-oh.

I completely forgot about that one, chief.

I need to answer. What should I say? Just speak really fast so she has no idea what I'm saying? Nope that's not gonna save my ass. That's only gonna confuse the shit out of her. But she's smart, she'll figure it out.

Dammit.

Just say. "Yes."

Hinata nodded, her eyes fixed forward this time. 

"Well, I'm glad then." She finally turned to me. 

A smile dawned her already perfect face. Her moonlit eyes dance with an emotion that warmed my heart but at the same time was doing some pretty illegal things to it.

"Please, take care of me."

"Of course." I gulped. "And please, take care of me."

But how can she take care of me when she's the sole reason I've been losing my mind lately?