Hinata's apartment was sweltering. The summer heat had penetrated her home and, no matter how hard she tried to get it out, she just couldn't. She had opened every window and the air con was on full blast but she was still sweating like a pig. She felt like she was dying. Then came the doorbell. She groaned and dragged herself off her couch to get it.

"Hey, Hinata," Neji said letting himself in.

"Hello, Neji. How are you?" Hinata replied formally.

"I'm fine. You?"

"I'm fine."

There was a moment of silence between the Hyuga cousins. The silence wasn't welcome, but it wasn't exactly awkward.

Neji broke it. "I have heard that you have some admirers."

"What? Who?" Hinata's cheeks flamed, even though she tried to stay calm.

"I don't know who, but people are talking about you. Have you not heard them?" She shook her head. "I just keep hearing various voices around the village complimenting you. I cannot place the voices though, even though they are very familiar to me." Neji shrugged his shoulders as if he didn't care about who was attracted to his cousin. "I guess you'll find out soon enough." He turned and left a flustered and confused Hinata to mull over his words.

She shortly left the Hyuga grounds to wander around the village, curious to see if Neji was telling the truth or playing with her. She hadn't heard anything, but she didn't dismiss it. Instead she went to Ino's flower shop to see if her friend knew anything about these people.

Entering, the small bell rung. She saw that Ino was behind the counter with Kiba. She was arranging some flowers into a bouquet for him. Was he one of the people that had been talking about her?

"Hello, Ino. Kiba," Hinata said as she walked up to her friend and team mate.

"Hi, Hinata," Ino replied.

"Hey," Kiba said quickly. He spun around and thrust the flowers into Hinata's hands, subtly paying for them with his free hand. "For you," he said curtly before walking out. He didn't want to see her reaction.

Hinata's question was answered. She looked at the flowers wide eyed. Ino was smiling at her. "You'd better put those in some water before they wilt," was the only thing she said.

Hinata nodded and complied.

She returned home within a few minutes. She filled a vase and placed the flowers carefully in it. She arranged them and admired them. It was a mixture of her two favourite flowers; white gardenias and red roses. They were beautiful. She really did have to thank him when she next saw him. There was a knock on the door. She went to answer it.

She was greeted by cheery, big blue eyes. Naruto stood in her doorway. His blonde hair was platered to his scalp. His shirt was stuck to his torso. He was glistening. Hinata felt her heart contract.

"N-Naruto. C-Come in."

He entered. "Jeez!" he exclaimed. "It's hotter in here than it is out there! At least out there there's a breeze. Shall we?"

Hinata nodded dumbfounded. Naruto instantly grabbed her hand, his fingers interlocking with hers.

They didn't get very far though, before someone called them. "Hinata!" They both turned around to see who the owner of the voice was. It was Kiba. He came running to them and stopped suddenly when he saw their laced fingers. "Hinata. I'm sorry I was so forward with you before. I didn't realise..." His voice trailed off. "Sorry." He took off.

"What was that about?" Naruto asked.

"I'm sorry, Naruto. I must really see if he's okay." She untangled her fingers from his and said, "I'll see you around." She ran after her teammate.

Kiba was exactly where she thought he would be; in the forest with Akamaru. "Kiba!" she yelled breathlessly, running to catch up the the dog nin. "Kiba! It isn't what you think," she gasped panting next to him.

"Really? Sorry, Hinata but I don't believe you."

"Why not?" she asked, shocked at her teammate's mistrust.

"Because you've been in love with Naruto ever since you first clapped eyes on him. Then I see you two walking around the village together hand in hand and you expect me not to believe what I see?"

"Kiba..." She needed to convince him that it meant nothing.

Then she had it. She cupped his face in her hands and closed the distance between their faces. Their lips touched. Kiba stood frozen and wide-eyed. This isn't happening, he thought, Hinata isn't really kissing me. Except she was. He relaxed into the kiss and parted his lips slightly, deepening the kiss. He ran his hands down the length of her body until he found her hips. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. She ran her fingers through his hair. Kiba was the first to break the kiss, coming up for air. Hinata's face was still flushed. She smiled up at him. He returned it with a toothy grin.

"Can I tell you something, Hinata?" he asked.

She nodded slowly.

He bent down and whispered into her ear, "I love you."

"I love you too."