The problem is that Hinata's character is intrinsically bound to Naruto's by theming:
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Hinata is Yin. Naruto is Yang.
And since the show is titled "Naruto" - we rarely see Hinata outside of her role independent of Naruto's (which is true of most other characters - the most "individual" development they've received is during the war arc - where we get a few panels following each of the K11).
Most of what we see of Hinata is her specifically filling her character's thematic role.
Which is why a lot of people find it difficult to separate the pairing aspect of Hinata from her independent actions. Her character was designed to interact with Naruto's and influence his character development at crucial times. Whether or not it means he'll end up impregnating her is another story.
We have to read between the lines to pick out Hinata's own accomplishments and independent activities. We see Hiashi's character do almost a complete 180 from his conversation with Kurenai regarding Hinata... when he's talking to Hizashi - he mentions how Hinata and Neji are fighting to protect each other (rather than simply the Branch protecting the Main). This indicates the fall-out from Neji and Hinata's fight - and the subsequent actions of Hinata (and Neji, likely) led to some sweeping changes in the Hyuuga clan.
If we were to follow Hinata's story - we would see similar cascading chains-of-events that stem from when she's had a 'strong interaction' with Naruto (such as the Chunin exams, Pain, and 'the slap'). But since the series isn't titled "Hinata" - we don't get nearly as much of that.