On route to Hakjon

Hinata

Naruto was mad at me. That much I know right when I had to sit in the same car with him once again as we headed towards Hakjon for the daily supply pickup.

Only this time my entire team was with me. Well, not in the same car. They're the car in front of us driven by Sai. I just thought it was time for them to explore a bit. The only exploring experience they had was when Kazuki and Minako wandered off a few hundred feet then came running back chased by some giant boa that Shikamaru and Sasuke had to chase off.

They haven't left since. 

Okay that aside, Naruto was angry with me because as his doctor I asked him, no more of demanded him as his doctor to take a few days off. When he refused I had to radio the commander who yelled at him to stop being so stupid and follow my instructions. The captain then locked himself up in his office to do some future reports. I was afraid for his daily check up so I sent Hanako-senpai for that and every time she returned she gave me the same answer: he only told her where he was hurt and nothing more.

Bright early this morning, Naruto decided to wake the entire base to get an early start on whatever today was. 

So here we were; silently driving towards Hakjon without saying anything but something feels...off.

It's what I wanted ever since I arrived in Eskon and figured out who the captain was; to completely have nothing to do with him. Live our lives without having to interact with one another unless absolutely necessary. Ever since then our lives keep getting intertwined whether it be arguing or laughing it's like it can't be avoided.

But now... I don't understand it's what I wanted.

Yet how come it feel so wrong that he isn't even looking at me.

Naruto suddenly pulled his radio out and started, "Captain Kyuubi calling Scroll Beast and Paper Fan."

My eyes flicked to him then out the window. It's not like I can guess how he's feeling anyway; his stupid sunglasses are on.

"Sir," Sasuke came through first then Sai.

"Drive on to Hakjon," he ordered. "Leader Hyuga and I will meet you there a little later, over."

What did he just say...?

The click of a radio came through and the answer...the answer is literally going to make me kill my first human being.

Correction: human beings...

"Where do you think you're taking Senpai, huh?!" Naruto looked at the radio and if I could see his blue eyes; I'd make the safe bet that it's reflection utter confusion.

"Don't you dare think you can just run off with Hinata!" Hisao-senpai cut in after Kazuki. "You're damn car better be following us all the way into town!"

"Come on!" Kazuki shouted again. "We can take you on! I don't care if you're some captain of the Special Forces; I can take you on myself!!!"

"Will you two just shut up!!!!" 

There was a thud.

A click.

Silence.

Then Sai came on, "I apologize Captain, my walkie was stolen."

"Just be a little more careful around them, over," Naruto said, dropping the walkie in his lap.

"Understood, sir," and that was it.

Not long after that, Sai's car and Sasuke's, which was leading; pulled further ahead.

"Those guys," Naruto started. "They're interesting. Did you meet them when you started working at the hospital?"

Oh so now we're talking, "Met them when we were still in college."

Naruto nodded once, "That would explain why they care for you so much."

"Some times too much..." I admitted. "I'm sorry about that. I know that we aren't supposed to be using any of the military radios at any time. "

I'll punish them right after Hanako-senpai is done with them.

"It's fine," the captain sighed. "They definiately are gonna make the base a little more lively. It was beginning to get very dull before you arrived."

I scoffed, "And we light it up is what you're saying?"

"Like a candle," he pointed out.

"So where are you taking me?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. 

"Somewhere. You'll know when we get there. And I'll let you in on a little secret: I'm the only one that knows about this place. Not even Sasuke or Sakura has ever seen it."

"Why am I so special?"

"Because you're Hinata Hyuga," His face moved in my direction once then back on the dirt road. "You're always special to me."

I should really tell him to stop with all these little comments he sneaks into our conversation but I can't bring myself to it. I know I'm not the only one that has changed in all those years and Naruto is now a different man. I guess what I'm trying to say is that because he says all these compliments and comments I get to see the old Naruto again.

And I guess it just goes to show how much I missed him. The Naruto I fell in love with always made me feel special when he's not directly saying it.

A fork in the road came into sight. Naruto took the one on the right leading up a hill while Sai and Sasuke took the other leading into town. I can only imagine how Hisao-senpai and Kazuki are right now; red-faced and would really do anything to get their hands on Naruto. 

The hill was rather high and on the other side, it was almost a steep drop. I had to hold onto the handle on the door just so I didn't slide out of my chair. Naruto remained undazed as he attacked the slope and continued on driving at almost top speed down the long stretch of land. 

Eskon, beside from all the poverty and terrorism that requires the UN's attention, is a country that is very beautiful. It's climate at times is perfect and other times I wished I could just build a swimming pool then pour a whole bunch of ice cubes into it; bathing for the day. Mother Nature shaped this country as a rural area to help nurture many dear lives and I find it quite intriguing. 

"We're here," Naruto's voice cut me from all my thoughts.

I turned and gasped when I saw absolutely nothing in front of us.

"Where are w-we?" I asked, frantically looking around.

Naruto pulled his sunglasses off, "You'll see."

He opened the door and got out. When he shut the door, the entire car shook upon impact. 

I gasped. If he really kidnapped me to some unknown place then I am really going to haunt him for the rest of his life. Not all of us are damned soldiers.

The door to my side open and I yelped a bit.

"Hey, come on," Naruto's head poked in; his blue eyes scanning my face. 

"Are we on a cliff?" I questioned. "Why the freak are we parked on a cliff?"

Amusement flashed through his eyes. He's amused by this? Why the hell is he amused by my fear?!

Naruto suddenly leaned over my entire rolled-into-a-ball body to unbuckle my seat belt. Once he was done untangling me from it, he looked at me with a sigh, "It'll be okay, I promise."

"I don't trust you," I answered.

"Hey," the captain said more gently. "I will always protect you. I will always keep you safe. There is no way I'll ever put you in danger, Hinata. Trust me."

Then for the first time in three days, I saw the smile that can always make me waver spread across his perfect face, "Trust me, Hinata. I will always protect you."

My eyes scanned his face once then I nodded, weakly and murmured, "Alright."

Naruto suddenly turned around his back to me, "Then climb on."

Is he kidding me...?

His blue eyes looked at me through the corner, "I won't drop you, don't worry."

It might've been the way he said it or just something about his entire face told me that I could trust him. Just this once, I can trust him with my life literally.

So gathering myself I gently wrapped my arms around his neck. Almost immediately, I could feel his muscles tense at the sudden contact even though he expected it. I cracked a smile at the thought of still having so much effect over him. It's kinda cute.

Suddenly, Naruto stood up and wrapped his arms under my legs. With his own foot, he kicked-shut the door without much effort. He then bounced me once to adjust his grip that got me suddenly blushing like no tomorrow. 

And I hate how he still has so much effect on me.

"Don't close your eyes," he instructed. "You're gonna miss the view of the beautiful Eskon Sea."

"O-okay," I answered, tightening my grip a bit.

I did close my eyes, for the first two minutes when Naruto started making the climb down the cliff. I opened them later as my trust in him grew with every single step he took.

I mentally gasped when I saw that Naruto was right about the beautiful scenery. The tranquil sound of the weak sea waves clapping against the sandy beach underneath the cliff was literal music to my ears. Reflecting against the sea is the sunlight showing just how fresh and how clean the sea was. Like I pointed out earlier, Eskon is a beautiful country minus all the human problems.

This place alone explains just that.

"Are you going to hang on me forever or what?" Naruto chuckled.

I blinked once twice and noticed that we were indeed on the beach. I probably didn't notice because even from here, the sea looked so wide and so perfect.

Blushing, I found my footing on the soft, hot sand of the beach. 

"I admit you were right," I looked at him. "This place is breathtaking. How did you find it?"

He rubbed the back of his short blonde hair several times, the other with its thumb tucked in his weapons belt, "I was being chase by some local terrorists and kinda just drove right off the cliff; straight into the body of water."

"What?!" my eyes widened and quickly scanned his body for any injury. It didn't really matter since he was wearing his long-sleeve camouflage shirt and long pants. 

"Aww you still care for me," Naruto winked at me.

"Uh I'd care if anybody said they drove off a cliff!" I snapped at him.

But you're right, I still do care for you! I wanted to snap but I held my tongue.

The captain sighed, "I'm fine; don't worry. I just got a nasty cut but otherwise I really am fine."

"You'd better be," I murmured under my breath.

"You say something, Hinata?"

I shook my head, "So that's how you found this place. Why keep it a secret from the rest of your team?"

"Wait here," Naruto suddenly instructed.

He took two steps backwards then turned and jogged the entire way towards the back of the cliff. I watched him rummaged through something for some time, a sudden curse word, then the rummaging continued. 

That idiot probably just cut himself on a stone. Just another injury I need to clean up later...

My attention returned to the lapsing sea. Closing my eyes slowly, I sucked in a deep breath of what felt like perfect freedom. I could understand one reason why Naruto kept this place to himself. If he told others, they might come out here on their own and if he really needed a place to think; to be himself this is the perfect place to scream and kick without anybody noticing. 

Two soft taps made me turn half way around, "What is it that you want to show me?"

An emotion flashed through his eyes so fast that I swore I imagined it. I let it go though, dwelling on an imaginary emotion is not going to help with anything in life.

"Here," the captain gently grabbed my hand and held it out. 

I watched curiously as he dropped a cold perfect white stone on the palm of my hand.

"Uh a rock?" I blinked.

"Smell it," he said.

I raised an eyebrow and he laughed, "Trust me. Smell it, come on."

Cautiously, I sniffed the stone once.

That smell -

"That's right," Naruto nodded. "It smells just like the peppermint mocha you used to make me every time I came into your cafe."

"Naruto-kun..."

"The reason why I kept this beach a secret," he sighed. "Was because these stones; these peppermint stones are the reason. There's only a dozen of them and I don't want idiots to come and take them. They're so rare that I just can't."

My heart suddenly grew heavier and heavier as he continued on, "The peppermint mocha you made for me was always something special. Even during the time where I was being a bastard, every time I drank that mocha, I always knew I want it to be mines and only mines. It's always special because Hinata made it. And no matter what I just want Hinata to continue on making it; only for me."

I opened my mouth but Naruto's hand suddenly covered it, "No I don't want you to say anything. I know I don't deserve anything from you anymore but I just want you to know that no matter what happens, my love for you back then was real and even now..."

"Hinata," Naruto's voice got so serious that it scared me. "I still am very deeply in love with you. Nothing or no one will ever change that, believe it."

Naruto-kun...