Chapter One
"And then Naruto defeated Captain Deidara, bringing happiness to Neverland. But little did he know, Captain Deidara would later recover," Hinata finished.
"I love that story, Hinata-chan," Kiba said. "It is really cool!"
"Yes," Shino agreed. "But this Naruto guys seems a bit dimwitted, huh?"
"Don't say that," Hinata said, her face turning bright red. "O-of course he isn't!"
"Hinata-chan, do you have a crush on this Naruto guy?" Kiba asked suspiciously.
"N-n-no!" she stammered. "I… just like to defend him, because, y-you know, he's the hero in these stories."
"Of course he is," Kiba said sarcastically.
The door opened, and Hinata's dad, Hiashi Hyuga stepped through. "Hinata, are you stuffing the boys' heads with silly stories again?"
"N-no, father!" Hinata said, blushing. "I, I, uh…"
Hiashi sighed. "Hinata, you aren't being a serious shinobi. Don't you think your time would be better spent training?"
"Huh? Oh, y-yes, father…" she stammered.
"You know what, this is your last day as a genin. Maybe you should practice for the upcoming chuunin exams!" he said, irritated.
"Oh, I, um…" Hinata said, turning as red as a tomato. She looked down at her feet.
"Don't worry, Hinata will be fine," Kiba said.
"I bet," Hiashi said halfheartedly. He then left.
"Kiba-kun! Shino-sama! I completely forgot about the chuunin exams!" Hinata said, worried. "Now I don't think I'm at all ready…"
"Hinata, stop worrying! Kurenai-sensei would not have suggested us to take part in the exams if we weren't ready," Kiba said, trying to calm the girl down.
"I-I guess you're right…" Hinata said. Oh, how I wish I could go to Neverland. Then I wont have to take part in the chuunin exams, and I would be with Naruto-kun. He would protect me.
"Hinata-san, you should get some rest," Shino said. "We all have a big day ahead."
"Shino is right," Kiba said. "We'll see you tomorrow."
As Hinata's comrades left, she shivered. She felt like she was shrinking. Her breathing quickened. What if she wasn't good enough? What if everyone laughed at her because she wasn't as good as her comrades? She held back tears. I wish I could run away….
She crawled onto her bed and sighed. "Now I really wish I could go to Neverland with Naruto-kun…." After about an hour of fretting, she drifted into a light sleep.
