The sun and Moon

He was like the sun.

Bright and beautiful and oblivious to his own radiance.

So inspiring without realising or having any intentions to do anything other than achieve. He could do anything, be anything. Even Hokage.

Yes, he was Naruto Uzumaki.

But the very thing that drew her to him was what prevented him from seeing her.
She was the moon.

Calm and patient, beautiful in her own way. Yet unseen in the suns glow.

He would never notice her for what she was.

Or at least, that's what she believed.
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Why wouldn't she look at him? Didn't she know he just wanted her to acknowledge
him for once.

Okay, maybe that was exaggerating. She would steal glances all the time when she thought he wasn't paying attention and he loved catching her in the act.

He didn't know why or when exactly. But at some point in the past year Hinata had invaded his thoughts and never left.

She was always sitting somewhere in his mind, giggling with that cute chime of hers and refusing to be ignored.

There!

There it was: the quick glance and the adorable blush that formed as she was caught in the act.

How he loved her blush!

But he doubted she would appreciate a bear hug at the moment... or at all, really.

He wanted to talk to her but he didn't want it to all fall apart. To find out it wasn't what he thought and she feared and hated him just like the others. That... that he was still alone. Trapped forever by a decision that was not his but forced upon him. The reason he was an outcast.

The Kyubi.

Maybe if she came a bit closer and at least tried to cross the boundaries of his cage then he'd know. He wouldn't waste any time in becoming closer to her and revelling in the fact he had someone who might just care. Not out of pity like his teachers and classmates.

He would be proud to call her friend, and maybe, when he figured out this feeling in his chest, something... more.
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That was it.

She refused to stay out of his sight any longer. She would be seen!

She couldn't take this anymore: the fear of being caught and the feeling of uselessness when she couldn't even be courageous enough to talk to him.

"N-Naruto!"

She fought the panic that rose with the feeling in her chest as he turned to face her. No doubt still half asleep after Iruka-sensei's last lesson.

"Oh, hey Hinata. You ok?"

She would not allow herself to freeze. She couldn't afford to be shy now of all times.

"Uh, Hinata?"

And she was so busy telling herself not to freeze up that she didn't notice when she did. Oh kami! Why now?

"Right, I'm gunna go..."

What? No!

"W-wait! I-I was wondering i-if you wanted some help with your jutsu. I-I mean it's n-not like you're b-bad at them but-"

"Really? You wanna help me? Heh, I guess I'm gunna need to do all the training I can if I wanna become Hokage... Sure Hinata!"

She did it! A-and he accepted!

"So would you like to meet after school to train? I know a great spot by the lake."
The foxy grin was back. She had always adored his smile.

Ignoring the blush slowly rising to the surface, Hinata smiled too. She couldn't help it, he was infectious.

"I-I would like that."

"Well, it looks like we each gained a new friend today, eh. I'll see you after school!"
Of course the words shocked her. But they make her undeniably happy too.

"I'll m-meet you there."

All the fear and nerves melted away into nothingness around her.

He liked her, wanted to be friends, even.

It was in that moment she crossed the boundary, opening the cage that separated him from the others.

And neither could have been happier.