As of this writing, it's been a year since the fic was last updated, which, unfortunately, seems to confirm the guess that the fic isn't getting back to regular updates (or even Chapter 25) any time soon.
But that's enough about that for now. While we're waiting for the next chapter, let's go over the most important recent event, as well as the last, which is Naruto and Hinata's confession. For reference, here it is.
- "I'm not really sure how to say this," Naruto admitted, "but I really like you.""I like you too, Naruto," she replied without thinking. How had she done that so easily? Did he really mean it like it sounded?Naruto swallowed. "Would you like to, you know, date, I guess? I mean to say, would you like to be my, er, girlfriend?" Naruto was obviously struggling with his words, and the last one came out as little more than a whisper.Hinata felt her eyes bulge as her face heated. She'd wondered, dreamed, even, about this happening. But now that it was happening, she felt her doubts multiply. —>Could she be a good girlfriend? What if her father found out? What if Naruto grew tired of her? Would she drag him down to her level?But as she hesitated, Naruto looked up, and she found herself lost in the blue of his eyes. She saw someone she knew was just as alone as she was, and she knew she could deny him nothing. "Yes, I would," she said softly.Naruto pulled her into a hug, softer than his previous, more exuberant ones, and time seemed to stop. His warmth melted all her doubts away, so why did she feel like crying?
As you can see, what should be a happy moment for Hinata becomes overshadowed by all her doubts and fears, and what should be a chance for Hinata to prove herself and show how much stronger she's become is taken away when Naruto takes the initiative.
Since writing the liveblog entry and review for this chapter, I've heard from some people, including the author about this (which is an honor, considering how many reviews the story gets), and many of their responses essentially touch on Hinata's different circumstances in this fic, particularly Hiashi being an outright abusive parent and its effects on her self esteem. When I responded, In addition to some of the things I pointed out over the course of the liveblog, I conceded the point that it doesn't necessarily have to happen like in canon, but suggested that there are better ways to launch Naruto and Hinata's relationship.
Take, for example, the last movie, which I saw in English after this chapter came out. While traveling together with Hinata to save Hanabi and prevent the moon from destroying the world, Naruto gradually becomes closer to Hinata and sees many of their past experiences in a new light, including recalling how she confessed to him (Some may wonder why it took him two years to do so, but I personally believe that coming to terms with his newfound perception of Hinata would take some time). Naruto does end up taking the initiative, but after Hinata has done the same for him, and when he doubts her, he's forced to realize the difficult decision she made to risk everything for the sake of the planet and her sister.
I'm well aware that the author has no desire to emulate canon, but perhaps there are some better ways to go about getting Naruto and Hinata together, including any or all of the following:
- Having Hinata take the initiative, while Naruto's all but figured out that Hinata loves him, mostly on his won.
- Waiting until Hinata has better self-esteem and isn't as dependent on Naruto.
- Similar to the above point waiting a little longer to let this play out a bit longer, as Naruto thinks things over and wonders whether he should confess.
- Perhaps even having Kurenai not explicitly mention Hinata's love for Naruto in her "dead-mail," but instead, saying something to the effect of "Hinata really cares for you."
- Possibly having Kurenai also give Hinata a letter, advising her that she can trust Naruto.
In the end, though, what happened ultimately happened, and the fic will proceed along the course that the author has planned. I can only hope that the later chapters allow for a healthier progression of Naruto and Hinata's relationship, and come in the relatively near future.
