Trees were passing by, as the bus slowly drove out of the school's parking lot. Hinata sat alone at the window, looking out as thoughts of what was going to happen on this trip ran through her head. She didn't mind going skiing with her classmates, she loved to ski, she has been doing so since she was small, but a recent event at home made her want to stay, rather than to go far away. Hinata was the silent type of girl. She had friends of course, like Sakura and Ino from her class, and one of their class' tutors, who were a class above them, Tenten. Their three tutors always joined them on their school trips and school events, that of course included this trip to a foreign country. Besides Tenten who she usually hangs out with, there was a very energetic boy called Rock Lee who were their second tutor, and Hinata's closest cousin Hyuuga Neji. A stiff and very intelligent boy a year older than her. Even though Neji was hard to read at times, he wasn't exactly an open book, Hinata knew him well enough to see that he always acted different when being near Tenten, which is why Hinata kindly refused when Tenten asked if she could sit next to her. Instead she pointed in Neji's direction and said that he might wanted some company on this long trip. Hinata didn't sit in the way back of the bus with all her friends, or in front with the rest of the class and teachers, she sat near the exit in the middle of the bus. Sakura and Ino sat three rows behind her with the others, that including Sasuke, Shikamaru, Chouji, Kiba, Shino, Sai, Rock Lee, Tenten and Neji. The girls had asked Hinata if she wanted to sit with them, but neither could they get her to join them. Hinata used the excuse that she had a small bladder and wanted to be able to get out fast when they stopped for breaks. The girls knew she was lying, because Hinata had the biggest bladder of them all. She could often hold it in for more than twelve hours, while the others couldn't hold it in more than five or six, but they didn't want to start any commotion so they let her be. Besides, as she said herself, she had her books and music if she was bored. The truth be told, Hinata was in too much inner pain to listen to how perfect the other guys' lives are. One of their teachers, Hatake Kakashi suddenly stood up in the bus and asked

"Have anyone seen Naruto?"

Hearing that name woke up Hinata from her thoughts. That's right, he wasn't there. No matter how sad Hinata could be, Uzumaki Naruto was the one who could turn her world upside down and make her feel better. She didn't know what it was about him that had that effect on her. Maybe his kind nature, and ability to be so incredibly dumbfounded at times. Or maybe it was his will to do anything for his friends, that including Sasuke, who he way too often fought with and argued with for hours. No, there are too many good things about Naruto that she liked. Every time he spoke to her or got near her, she would have difficulties speaking and her heart would skip a beat big time. He must think she was a fool every time, but he continues to talk to her, which she was so ever grateful for. People started talking about why Naruto wasn't there. He was so excited for this trip, so there would be no reason for him to skip it. Hinata's theory was, that he overslept. That would look more like Naruto than anything else.
"Hmpf... That idiot probably overslept" Shikamaru said as he leaned back preparing to sleep. But just as he closed his eyes, his phone began to ring.

"Ugh... How troublesome" he picked it up "Hello...? Naruto?!" Hinata followed the conversation, trying not to look suspicious or anything.

"What do you mean stop the bus? Where the hell are you?... Eh? Behind us?!" Everyone gathered in the back of the bus to look for him, except Hinata, and it was true as told, there was Naruto running after the bus with his baggage in his arms.

"kakashi-sensei, stop the bus!" Sakura yelled to the front of the bus. The bus blinked to the side, and then stopped to let Naruto join. When he boarded the bus, he was met with a fist on his head from Kakashi.

"Oi Kakashi-sensei, what was that for-ttebayo?!" Hinata liked his habit of saying that catchphrase after almost every sentence he said. It was part of what made him so unique. She looked out the window again, already feeling better by his presence. Suddenly she was tapped gently on her shoulder, and as she looked her heart skipped a beat and she was pretty sure she got a little blush on her cheeks, not enough to be noticed though.

"Hey Hinata, can I sit here with you?" Naruto asked her with his ever so gentle smile and sparkly blue eyes.

"S-sure, of course Naruto-kun" she removed her handbag from the seat for him to sit there.

"Thanks a lot, Hinata" he placed his big bag with his clothes up above the seats, and sat down beside her with his own handbag in front of him. Even though Hinata rejected them, Sakura, Ino and Tenten wasn't mad at her for saying yes to Naruto. They knew very well of her feelings for him, even though she had never told them. They giggled to themselves and wished her good luck behind her back. Hinatas's heart began to beat faster and faster whenever Naruto just moved a little bit on his seat. She felt so incredibly lucky to have him sit next to her, even though she felt a little bad for rejecting the girls. The only reason she wanted to sit alone in the first place, was to be alone, just for a bit. At that moment, her phone vibrated. She picked it up, and saw that it was a text from Sakura.

"Ganbatte Hinata. Be brave -)"

Hinata blushed and replied her

"How did you know?"

"Oh please, it is obvious! Even the boys, well except from Naruto, knows it :-D"
Hinata became even more embarrassed, and hid her red blushing face in her hands. Naruto looked at her and asked

"Hinata? Are you okay?" She looked at him, still a bit red in her face.

"Huh? Oh, y-yeah I am fine"

"Are you sure? You look a bit feverish?" He took his hand and felt her forehead. Hinata was now at her limit. Everything went black. She had passed out.