Chapter 126: Unexpected Bond

Hinata PoV

Raising my hands, I redirected Naruto's swift jab and made him stumble forwards, towards my incoming palm.

However, before my palm could slam into his solid chest, the blonde haired boy grinned widely at me as his other arm flashed up to meet my palm strike, blocking it.

He grunted at the force, but it saved him from a direct loss in our duel; if that had landed, he would have been forced back over the line.

Hooking his hand behind my back, the sapphire eyed Naruto hoisted me over his shoulder and slammed me into the ground, making me cough as the air was knocked from my lungs.

"Point, Naruto!"

Hearing Kokoro-Sensei's voice announcing the end of our third bout, I sighed, before blushing furiously.

Naruto was still looming over me, his one hand pinned under my back whilst his other rested beside my face; his bright, cute face was right above mine, and our noses almost touched.

My heart pounded in my chest at the sight, and I was tempted to pucker my lips and lift my face towards his, to steal away his first kiss...

And give him mine as well.

When that thought crossed my mind, I blushed further, before I let out a gasp as Naruto removed his hand and sat up, beaming down at me.

"Haha~ That was a good match Hinata! I almost lost there, but I knew that palm technique of yours was coming!"

Seeing his happy features as he grinned down at me made my heart ignore the annoyance I felt at letting that chance slip away.

I wouldn't have had the courage anyways...

Offering me his hand, Naruto helped me to my feet, and I marveled at how warm his hand felt around mine.

My nose grew itchy for a moment, and I had to, regrettably, slide my hand out of his lest I give myself a nosebleed in front of him.

How unbecoming would that be?!

Letting out another laugh, Naruto glanced at Kokoro-Sensei, the gentle faced woman nodding as she watched Naruto approach her.

Before I could follow behind him, I felt someone tug on my sleeve, and without turning I could feel the glare directed at me.

"Karin..."

My whisper was low and hard, but the hand remained on my sleeve.

Letting out an annoyed sigh, I turned to stare at the brown haired, crimson eyes girl, who was glaring at me.

"Hinata."

Her voice was as hard as mine, and I noticed that she no longer flinched when I stared into her eyes.

Both of us had grown, and as much as I hate to admit it, it was because of the other being here that we were capable of that growth.

I didn't think I would ever be able to spend time with the boy who had saved me so heroically that day, let alone be able to be so close to him, but I was.

However, this little girl in front of me spurred me on to be a little more confident and bold.

I needed to be bold to stay ahead of her.

As did she.

"You two, please don't kill each other. Naruto and I will be just over at the Seal Shop, so be good."

"Yes Kokoro-Sensei!"

"Yes Aunty!"

We both gave the woman we respected a nod, watching as she led the person we liked away.

She had us sparring at the Academy since Karin complained so much about not being allowed outside the Compound, and Kokoro-Sensei didn't want to risk Karin sneaking out on her own.

So, we were on the very familiar training grounds, and Karin and I stared at one another before our heads snapped to the side.

"Isn't that Naruto?!"

A group of girls were watching Naruto walk away, each one blushing slightly as they stood near us.

"Was he always that strong?"

"No no no, was he always that good looking?!"

They were a group of various aged girls, and each one was eyeing my Naruto like a piece of meat.

"Wait, wouldn't he be kinda easy to talk to now? Wasn't he all alone before? Think he'd be happy to have some 'friends'~?"

Karin and I clenched our fists as we stared at the group, taking in each of the girls.

Not only were they talking about MY Naruto, but they were plotting to try and s-s-s-seduce him?!

Karin was also incensed, her crimson eyes hiding an inferno of anger as she prepared to step up to them.

"So then who are they? Think he's with those two?"

The group of four turned towards us, looking at us with narrowed eyes.

"Ah, the Hyuga Heiress? Probably..."

Whispering to one another, they approached us with kind smiles, but their eyes spoke differently.

Normally, if such a large group approached me before, I would be a stuttering, embarrassed mess, but now...

After what I heard...

"Heya Hinata~! Remember me, from the Home Education class last year~?"

One stepped forwards, a pretty orange haired girl a year older than me.

"Yes."

My tone was flat, making her smile falter, but...

"So, I was wondering, since we're friends and all~"

Slipping closer to me, she wrapped her arm around my shoulder and grinned at me, asking "Do you think you could properly introduce me to Naruto when he comes back~?"

Sneering slightly, I spat "You mean to the 'dirty, pathetic loser' who 'isn't even that important'?"

Gin, the orange haired girl, froze as I said that, repeating the words she often spoke last year.

Another girl chuckled, though her eyes hardened as she leaned forwards.

"Let bygones be bygones, Hinata~ Besides, a new year, new me, no~? C'mon, just introduce us to-"

"Why, so you can use him?!"

We all turned to see Karin sneering at the girls, her crimson eyes wide with anger as she growled that out.

"Who're you, pipsqueak?"

The blue haired girl who leaned forwards stood up, her impressive height looming over the younger Karin.

"Someone who genuinely cares for my friends, that's who!"

Chuckling, the blue haired girl looked towards her group before sending a sucker punch at Karin's jaw, making my eyes widen in surprise.

I thought that the brown haired girl would be knocked out, but she caught the punch instead, raising a brow at her attacker.

"Seriously? That was weak..."

Releasing the girl's fist, Karin slammed her foot into her stomach, forcing her back.

Letting out a grunt, she was about to get back up and charge Karin when a thin thread of chakra drifted in front of her, making her freeze.

"Try me, please..."

Karin's voice was cold, and the girl blanched as the thread stiffened, forming a sharp spike.

Gin released my shoulder, her body quivering slightly as she took in the sight before her.

"Y-You're crazy..."

Backing away, the girls all stared at Karin in horror before turning tail and retreating.

I raised a brow at that; they were all Shinobi Aspirants, and yet they fled so easily...

"That was..."

Glancing at Karin, I frowned as I sighed, muttering "Not bad."

The girl released her chakra and chuckled, before grinning at me.

"What was that~? Not bad? Not bad what~?"

Narrowing my eyes at Karin, I was about to growl something at her when we heard Naruto's voice, making us freeze.

Locking eyes, we nodded as an agreement formed between us.

What he didn't know, didn't hurt him.

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Have a vacation from tomorrow (Sunday) for seven-ish days; so uploads might be infrequent for this.

I'll try tho!

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