What lies beneath
Hinata took several deep breaths as she walked down the streets of Konoha, forcing herself to keep moving forward. At 20 years old, she had finally convinced herself to tell Naruto how she felt. She was determined to be brave, to show him what she was made of – to not faint when he spoke to her. But within her, Hinata had this deep, terrible feeling that she didn't want to acknowledge. It was a feeling that said she didn't know what she now felt for him – or even if she did feel anything at all. That terrible revelation had been the main thing that had spurred her in the direction of Naruto's favourite haunt. She, however, didn't need to go as far as Ichiraku when she spotted a familiar figure standing ahead on the road, talking with Sakura. Holding her breath and ducking out of sight behind a hedge, Hinata edged forward, afraid of what she would hear.
"Sakura-chan, I…I really like you, and I think you're really pretty and strong and great! Will you go out with me? Please?"
Hinata's fists clenched tightly, awaiting the medic-nin's response.
"Well…you did say please this time-"
"You will? Yatta!"
Sakura giggled as Naruto jumped up and down ecstatically, both completely unaware of Hinata quietly walking away.
Hinata continued in a daze, walking deeper and deeper into the woods. All she could see was Naruto's happy smile when Sakura finally agreed to go out with him. All she could hear was Sakura's happy laughter.
She stumbled when her feet hit a hidden root, and took in her surroundings. She was deep within the forest, beside a swiftly running river. A few rays of sunlight pierced the canopy, the light hitting growing bundles of white and purple flowers.
A strange bubbling rage grew inside her – a rage she had learned to suppress, but she knew that this time, she would not be able to contain it this time. Blue chakra exploded around her, making her long indigo hair lift eerily as her Byakugan activated. With a rage filled shriek that would've scared anyone nearby had they known it was made by quiet little Hinata, she turned and slammed her palm against a nearby tree. An invisible explosion raced through it, chunks of bark flying from the pressure. After a moment, the tree creaked and fell. Her father would have been impressed at this unusual display of strength. Panting heavily, Hinata screamed angrily again and fell to her hands and knees, not caring her hair had fallen in the river, or that her clothes were getting muddy.
A familiar feeling of hatred consumed her, but it was not just concentrating on herself for once. For the first time in her life, she hated Naruto, hated him for never noticing her, for never realising why she was only shy and red around him. She hated Sakura, for being the love of Naruto's life, for accepting him when she had finally plucked up the courage to confess. But most of all, she hated herself, hated her
weakness and herself, hated that she could never help, never live up to expectations, never be able to tell someone when she had feelings because she was so pathetic and weak…
Not even aware of the bitter tears streaming down, she suddenly became aware of a whine and a wet tongue on her cheek. Hinata looked up into Akamaru's shaggy face, his tail slowly wagging.
"A-akamaru?" Hinata managed, then looked up as his master leapt down from the trees, skidding on his knees until he slid to a stop beside her in the mud. Kiba grabbed her shoulder, looking her over in concern.
"Hinata! Are you alright! We heard this scream and came to find out what it was. Were you attacked? Are you hurt?"
Completely overwhelmed by her former team mates concern, Hinata found herself unable to speak. Kiba raised a hand to her face and gently wiped her tears away, frowning slightly.
"Hinata?"
"K-kiba-kun…" Hinata dissovled into tears once more, and Kiba reached forward and pulled her into a warm hug.
"Wh-what's wr-rong with m-me?" Hinata wailed, clutching his jacket tightly.
Kiba glance at Akamaru, who whined in concern and gently licked Hinata's hand.
"What do you mean?" he asked gently.
"Why do I h-have to b-be like this? W-why am I so weak?" she whispered, burying her face in his broad chest.
"Weak? You think you're weak? Still? How can you even believe that?" Kiba asked, unable to believe her words.
"If I were stronger, I would've…I would've told Naruto-kun…but Sakura-chan…and they…he loves her Kiba…"
Kiba's face saddened noticeably, though she couldn't see it. He'd been in love with the shy girl for a long time now, but her blindingly obvious affection for Naruto had kept him from making a move. And now, it seemed liked she'd been hurt by him.
"Did he reject you? I'll kill him." Kiba growled, moving to release her.
Hinata tightened her grip, shaking her head.
"I-I didn't even g-get to tell him. He asked Sakura out before I could. I-I heard him."
Kiba looked into Hinata's sad eyes and sighed heavily, resting his forehead on hers.
"If he can't see how amazing you are, he doesn't deserve you. You are the sweetest, strongest kunoichi I know, and look at the house hold I grew up in! If anyone can see your strength, it should be me, right?"
Hinata flushed heavily, his words seeping through her low self esteem.
"Y-you really think that?" she whispered.
"Definitely." Kiba said with a broad grin, ruffling her hair gently.
Hinata smiled happily and hugged Kiba tightly, unaware of his blushing face as she reached out to pat Akamaru, who wagged his tail happily.
"Thank you. Both of you. You such good friends." She whispered.
"I'll always be there for you, no matter what." Kiba promised.
He pulled the kunoichi to her feet and looked at the state of their mud soaked clothes.
"Well, hopefully no one will think we've been up to no good." He teased with a wink.
Hinata flushed.
"Kiba-kun!" she whispered, but a grin played across her lips.
"Come on, let's get you home."
Kiba took her hand and helped her onto Akamaru, then sat in front of her. As her arms wrapped around his waist, he allowed himself a bittersweet smile as Akamaru raced through the trees.
One day, Hinata, I will tell you. Before I lose you to someone else.
"By the way, what was that scream we heard?"
"Er…"
