Manga/Animé: Naruto de Masashi Kishimoto/Studio Pierrot
Words: 1 914
Published: 03/21/2020
Summary: It's time for Naruto to face his fears.
Author's note: This short story has been inspired by shamyliciouss fanart

Flashback

The sea breeze carried to the cabins the first rays of sun but the members of the crew hadn't finished their night of sleep. Everything was then free of human activity on the camp: waves peacefully washed towards the beach, smoke slipped out of the fireplace and some birds were already singing happily.

Their melody arrived to the ears of the captain who was not yet used to wake up so fresh and ready in the morning. Laying on his bed, eyes looking up at the ceiling, his hand which wasn't behind his head came and went along the necked arm wrapped around his torso. He could feel her belly against his side slowly rising and falling to the pace of her sleepy breath. The moist warmth created by both their bodies under the sheet wasn't bothering him. On the contrary, it was relaxing and he wondered what did he do to be able to enjoy these peaceful moments.

Him who had been nothing but a brutal pirate then an alcoholic grumpy hold in this very moment the lifebelt which helped him floating on the surface of the turbulent water. Was it for that he had survived the island eddies? He always believed that life had cursed him but what if it was the opposite. What if he had to lose everything to understand the meaning of his existence, of his power? What if meeting Hinata despite his wrongs had always been his destiny? What if she was the one to heal his soul, to help him gained back his confidence? It was to find an answer at all these questions that he watched her from afar since her arrival but soon enough, he mixed his own feelings and dared approach her. Not in the best way possible, he had to confess but given he was on cloud nine since then, for nothing in the world, he would change something.

The only problem was to know how she felt because read people was unfortunately not his forte. Was she seeing him just like a man with whom have fun while time was passing by? That idea made him frown because, if it was true, it would mean that she will leave as soon as she will be at Kumo.

"Hey. You're already awake?" her soft voice came from his side.

Looking down to her, his heart quivered when he saw her beautiful smile on her still sleepy face. Still not used to all of this routine which naturally began between them, he quietly admired her, continuing to wonder if he was dreaming. How a girl like her could live in a world with pirates like him?

At his silence, she rolled on her belly before pushing on her arms to have her full lips at the level of his. Her kiss was quick but Naruto didn't need more to lose control of his emotions. She just moved herself away from him and his body already ached for hers to touch him again. He couldn't get enough of her. She was so beautiful, so perfect. Did he really deserve her?

Her slightly tilted head removed her hair from her neck now exposed to his watchful eye and the desire to put his lips on her sensitive spot right above her collarbone clenched his guts. However, a light hand caressed the creases of his forehead, getting rid of his sensual thoughts.

"Talk to me, you're awfully quiet this morning."

"Don't wanna talk" he grumbled like an animal before taking her in his embrace and making them roll on the bed with a creaking frame.

Her fingers slipped into his blond locks, keeping him close to her. Now almost laying on her, he let his nose smell her perfume and his thumb caress her soft skin below her breasts.

"I've always wondered..." she started which made him roll his eyes. "... How did you understand I wasn't so much hurred to go home anymore?"

For once, he had the answer and it made him smile in a teasing way.

"You didn't say 'I want' but 'I wanted'. It's as easy as that."

When he looked at her, she started to laugh. Did he already said that it was the softest sound he has ever heard? It warmed his heart.

"You tell me you are paying attention to that type of things?"

"I'm only paying attention to what you say and do, Hinata." he confessed as he pushed on his arms to be completely on top of her.

As expected, her laugh became a faint and shy giggle because of her embarrassment since she hadn't thought about that type of answer. Her eyes then looked away from his as her cheeks turned into a scarlet red. She was so cute.

"Now Hinata can we do something else but talk?" he cooed as he brushed his hands against her hips.

Wiggling between his body and the mattress, she looked at him again with her lavender eyes. Did he already said that he found them fascinating? Especially when the pleasure he would offer her during their intimate moments would coloured them with daker nuances.

"You want to tickle me?" she asked innocently but at the limit of teasing.

A half-amused and half-lustful smile appeared on his lips. Whatever he was doing with Hinata, it was always real, cheerful and unforgettable. Was he allowed to believe that they were meant to be?

***

With several river fishes in their leaf baskets, Naruto, Gaara, Han and Utakata were on their way back to the camp in a light and joyful atmosphere. Their wet clothes sticked to their bodies and gripped the grass which was going to be less funny for the four friends to take off the fabric. Despite that, they purposely walked off the beaten path to see who will be the one to have the most ferns on his ass.

However, as they were laughing of Han's unforgettable fall caused by him walking on the grass with his wet boots, the young Fu appeared from the foliage. Her breathing was broken and her panicked gaze spoiled the atmosphere.

"What's happening Fu?" Naruto asked with his serious voice.

"It's Hinata." She sighed. "She's not well."

This announcement was far worse than everything Naruto had thought of during the few seconds they had waited for Fu to catch her breath. With a compressed heart, he made an effort to keep his composure. Guided by the messenger, the four men quickly went to the camp. The rest of the crew was going in circles before the entrance of their captain's cabin and only Yugito was missing since she stayed by Hinata's side.

Harshly dropping his basket, Naruto passed before everyone and entered the small wooden house. Right away, Yugito came to him with a bucket of water. The doctor of the crew was surprised to see the captain already here but he urged her to explain the situation.

"She was with me when she fainted. Her temperature is still high but she woke up once we put her in bed. I ensured nobody but you and me was in contact with her since she told me feeling sick.

"You did well." he said looking towards the bedroom. "What do you think it is?"

"I don't know. It isn't clear but I fear that if we wait, it could become worse. Her body isn't as used to live in that type of environment as ours."

"She ate the same food as us."

"It's true but there isn't just food to which we must be careful. I think about animals or plants. Naruto..." she put her hand on his arm, catching his attention again. "... I-I think we should take her to a medial center." he frowned and she quickly added. "I'll do my best but I'm afraid I can't do much."

He said nothing. He squeezed Yugito's hand to thank her before leaving her. Quietly, he walked to his bedroom door, his head full of thoughts and question with one oftenly coming back: "What to do?"

Taking off his coat and boots, he approached the rusty bed and sat on the flat mattress. Maybe Yugito was right. Maybe it wasn't good life conditions for Hinata.

With the back of his trembling hand, he moved away her fringe and wiped the sweat off her pale sweaty skin. At his contact, she looked at him, giving him a weak smile but Naruto didn't reply back. No need to pretend that everything was fine whereas his heart was painfully beating.

"How're feeling?" he asked with a hard tone.

She understood that he wanted to hear nothing but the truth so she confessed "Not too good. Yugito told me that-"

Sighing noisily, he shut his eyes close. Of course Yugito had expressed her point to Hinata.

"What to do?"

Maybe wait for a few more days was the best to do for now. Maybe she'll be better at the end of the week. Maybe he was worried for nothing and at the end, he won't have to sail on Uzushio's eddies.

"-Whatever decision you'll take Naruto. I'll respect it." she said.

But what about him? Will he be able to forgive himself whatever happens? Will he be able to bear the lost of someone dear to him because of him again? Will he feel himself capable of getting back on his feet exactly like he had to do after the death of his whole family? Will he resist the call of alcohol after not touching it for weeks? And, more importantly, will he want to live without Hinata at his side? And finally, will he feel himself able of confronting the currents again for her?

Suddenly, a hand caught his, freeing him from his thoughts which were driving him nuts. His worried eyes looked at Hinata and hearing her comforting him with her hopeful voice calm him down a bit. He then laid down next to her, strongly embracing her against him.

However, after a restless night, the next morning, he had taken a decision: no way he would lose Hinata.

***

The day of the departure to Kiri, the closest city from the island, was worsen because of the rain coming down in torrents but it was too late to back off. Still in quarantine, Hinata had been transferred from Naruto's bedroom to his sleeping quarters on the Kurama. All the while, the rest of the crew were loading the boat as fast as they could despite the rough sea.

The flag with the fox emblem and the sail of the three-masted ship flapped because of the wind and it did not reassured Naruto who kept his hands tightened around the wheel to summon his courage. He was doing this for Hinata whose state had unfortunately worsen day after day. What she suffered of was still a mystery but the galleon's captain really hoped for him and his crew to find the answer on the continent.

"Everything's ready captain!" Killer B screamed through the storm.

At his nod, his crew got to work and the ship steered, slowly but surely, towards the eddies off the coast of the island. The closer they got the messier Naruto's hair was because of the wind, the wetter the deck was, the narrower the visibility was and the higher the waves were. But, for Hinata, he was going to confront his fears.

With that in mind, his eyes became red. 

Yes, it's an early uptade and don't worry the story isn't finished yet!