Chapter 1

Hinata awoke to illuminating sunbeams blinding her eyes. She squinted and sat up, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. "*Yawn*" Hinata stretched, stood up, and walked over to her bedroom window. "It's so nice outside today; I wonder if Naruto is up yet." She opened the window and peered outside at the village. The warm, June breeze massaged the side of her face and she stared out at the silent village she calls home. "Konoha is so beautiful in the spring. I love it here so much." Hinata turned and peeked at the alarm clock resting on her side table which was accompanying the portrait of team eight. It was 6:23 A.M., but that didn't bother Hinata; she was used to getting up this early everyday. Besides, someone had to make breakfast for her family. Hinata, quickly, dressed and ran down stairs to make breakfast.

She brought out tea and onigiri to her father and Neji. Hinata placed the food down on the deck and watched for a second at her father sparring with her cousin. Then she came back to reality and called to them. "Father, Neji, I have brought you your breakfast!" Hiashi stopped and turned to her, looking her up and down before speaking. "Hinata, please wait to speak until we are done or don't speak at all." Neji looked at his uncle with a look that said that what Hiashi had said crossed a line further than necessary. They both walked over to the deck, sat down, and began to eat. Hinata looked to her father with embarrassment. "Right; sorry to disturb you father. And you too Neji." Neji spoke without looking at her. "It's quite alright; I wasn't disturbed much at all really." Hiashi took a sip of his tea and too spoke to her without looking at her. "Why don't you go wake your sister? I'm sure she's just as hungry as anyone else." "Y…Yes s…sir." Hinata turned and walked down the hall as quiet as if she wasn't even there at all. Neji turned to his uncle and gave him an exasperated look. "Uncle, that was quite unnecessary." "What was Neji?" "What you said to Hinata. She was only trying to help." "Perhaps I was a little too harsh with her. But she needs to quit playing around and get serious." Neji smiled. "Heh, I get it. It's because of what she's been saying lately about-" "That's enough; time to get back to training." Hiashi sat his tea down and stood up. Neji scoffed at him.

Hinata walked down to her sister's bedroom door. She knocked lightly and called to her. "Come in." The little eleven-year old called from behind the door. Hinata quietly opened the door and enter her sister's room. "You up yet, Hanabi?" She handed Hanabi her breakfast and smiled at her. "Yeah, I guess. Thanks for breakfast, sis." Hanabi took a large bite out of one of the onigiri addressed to her and gulped down the tea. "Are you going for a walk again today?" "Probably. I'm supposed to go see Lady Tsunade this afternoon; I might just come back after that." "You going to see anyone?" Hinata blushed and looked toward the window. "Not especially, no. I might go get something to eat though." "Let me guess, ramen?" The blush on Hinata's face got deeper. "I…I don't know. M…Maybe." "Uhuh? So, planning on seeing Naruto there?" Hinata stiffened. "N…No, I w…was…um…" Hanabi laughed. "I knew it! You are going to sneak a peek at Naruto aren't you?" Hinata went completely red and began fidgeting. "Everyone, besides him of course, knows you like him; might as well just come clean about it." "But…um…" "So you're just gonna sit there and stare at him?" Hinata gave up trying to make out words and stared at the ground. "You stalker." Hinata freaked and began mumbling. "N…No…I…I just…" "I'm only kidding. You over react too much. But seriously, you should just give up and tell the guy how you feel. I mean, it's not like anybody else's taking dibs. Trust me, I know." "But…I can't." "Whatever. It's your decision, not mine." Hanabi looked at the clock. "It's 7:36; I suggest, if you don't wanna miss him, you leave now. You know how the guy can eat." "Yeah. Bye." Hinata rushed to the door. "Hinata." Hanabi called from behind her. "Y…Yes?" "Good luck." Hanabi winked at Hinata. Hinata smiled at her little sister. "Thanks Hanabi." Hinata ran out of her house and half way down the street before she slowed down.

She stopped just before entering Ichiraku's. She took a deep breath and entered the ramen shop. She sat down, ordered ramen, and took a peak at the tall, blonde boy sitting next to her. He stopped eating and looked at her. "Hey Hinata." "H…Hi N…Naruto."