A/N:This is the first time that I have ever written a fanfiction on my own, so please be sure to point out any adjustments that I might need without flaming me; I am not the most experienced writer here, so please be considerate.
On second thought, if you don't like this pairing, then YOU DON'T HAVE TO READ IT. Or if you do, FLAMING ME JUST FOR WRITING THIS PAIRING IS NOT ALLOWED. Please follow what I have to tell you, and thank you for your cooperation.
Author: Teruame
Title: Lessons in Confidence
Pairing: SasuHina
Genre: Romance/General
Rating: PG
Chapter 1
To Hyuga Hinata, practice was something that took her strength away over time; the amount of effort that an individual could exert continuously, especially if at a certain rate, only amounted to so much.
Unfortunately, the exhaustion that had been threatening her torso for the last hour was finally taking its toll; she took a step back after another forceful hit on the training dummy before collapsing onto the grass.
Such was the price to pay for becoming stronger as a warrior. Stamina was used and increased over time with the skills one needed in battle.
The Hyuga heiress lifted her head up and took another glance at the damage inflicted on the stump. For some reason, though, nothing that she had done so far was working, even when she had forced herself beyond extreme exhaustion.
Not even the match she had with Neji had done enough. It did bring her, for a moment, a sense of pride that she could actually stand up against all odds, and yet the only reason for that was due to the fact that Naruto had cheered her on.
It was the only time when she truly did her best.
She allowed her head to fall back on the grass and closed her eyes to will away the disappointment.
Every other time, her nervousness and lack of confidence took three-fourths of her strength away…just because she couldn't believe in herself.
Little wonder why her teammates were always so careful when they spar against her.
Was she THAT much of a failure?
Did she HAVE to have Naruto to give her courage in order for her to perform at her greatest?
It was reassuring to have someone like Naruto around, someone who she admired dearly and one who would bring the daylight back into her weary life.
Hinata, however, wasn't the kind to rely on someone else's confidence to hold her head up. He obviously needed his confidence, considering how often he had to pick himself up again and again as he trains to become the Hokage.
She would never, in any situation, want to be a burden to him.
She didn't want to be a burden to anybody.
Even though Kiba and Shino repeatedly assured her that she was nothing of the sort, there was a dark corner in her heart that produced a certain constant insecurity that forced the all her fears to the surface of her emotions.
She wanted to be acknowledged by her clan, her family…and her father.
But she didn't believe in herself often enough.
Hinata shook her head; she wasn't supposed to concern her head with that now. She needed to train her Jyuuken.
It was amazing that everyone else she knew had no problem being watched by others when they fought. There were moments in the chuunin exams when she admitted that being watched actually brought more confidence into the contestants.
Perhaps she could ask someone to teach herself how to strengthen her own self-confidence.
Hinata's eyes widened at the last thought.
So…all she needed to do in order to fight at her fullest potential was to find her own self-confidence.
All this time, the courage that she had whenever she truly fought on her own…was never hers…
…because she didn't have any self-confidence.
She could start improving from there.
The problem that she had always battled with will be resolved, and she will no longer have to worry about being weak all the time.
However, deciding on the person who assists her in this task meant that she was going to have to consider certain traits that the person needed.
The person who helped her had to be confident.
Such was the case, otherwise she wouldn't benefit in any way, would she? It was likely that she might even bring down that person's self-esteem if she were to trouble him, or her if the person was a lady, with anything that he or she obviously can't help her with.
The person also had to be a ninja…and skilled.
Even among ninjas, the way that self-esteem builds up varies from personality and levels. Hinata, for one, didn't want to measure people up by their skill only, but she would prefer to learn from someone who knew how to use confidence properly for becoming stronger.
The person had to be around her age.
It would be nice anyways to have almost anyone who helps her in most of her training, Hinata admitted mentally. Yet any ninja beyond the age of fourteen tended to have plenty of tasks everyday. She needed someone who had plenty of time to spend with her at a constant hour in order to point out most of the things she could do each day to build her confidence.
Then who are the choices she has?
Confident. Ninja. Strong and Skilled. Around her age…
From here, she began a list of the young ninjas in Konoha who could help her.
Naruto.
He was the first one to come to her mind, yet Hinata knew that it was probably better to not disturb him. He was the one she loved, and considering that she had already made up her mind to not be a burden to him, she might consider asking him as a second choice. He had given her so much already; she couldn't possibly forgive herself for taking his time away from achieving his dream as the next Hokage.
Kiba.
Her teammate was definitely one of her dearest friends, and had she ever asked him for anything he wouldn't hesitate to accept. However, Kiba seemed to get his confidence from being outspoken and loud, and it was likely that the way his self-esteem worked wasn't exactly the way hers would. It didn't help that her good friend is inventing another jutsu of his at this time of the day, so it was better to let him train and find her confidence elsewhere.
Shino.
Unfortunately for her, her other teammate was with his father on another mission. Hinata mentally prayed for his well-being and health.
Neji.
Though she knew that he was terribly sorry for what he had done to her in the past, for he avoided her company when possible due to the overwhelming guilt he felt whenever he thought about her, the thought of asking him froze her blood drastically. The many years of their interaction had created an unconscious expectation of pain in her mind whenever he was nearby, and Hinata didn't want to begin building her confidence from there; to place the foundation of one's self-esteem from such an awkward atmosphere mingled with her fear and Neji's guilt would not do.
Lee.
Hinata's white orbs saddened at the last name; Lee-san was still in the hospital, and it would not do for her to ask him anything at this moment when he hasn't fully recovered from the damage that he had endured in the chuunin exams. Besides, Lee-san seemed to be severely depressed in the last few days, and Hinata didn't think it was wise to ask a depressed individual on how to build confidence.
Uchiha Sasuke.
The Hyuga heiress froze; out of all people, she had to come to Uchiha-san?
She didn't know of his personality, and it was unlikely that he was in any way like her.
He was angsty, moody, and constantly puts down others; Hinata didn't want THAT kind of confidence.
From what she had seen of him, he was arrogant, contemptuous and easily angered. If he ever smiled, it was of contempt, and try as she may to ignore the rumors, Hinata did not like what she heard about him.
He probably already thinks of her as weak, anyways.
He might even consider her one of his numerous fangirls and brush her off if she approached him.
Considering all factors above, approaching Uchiha-san about confidence might not prove to be beneficial.
She sighed in exasperation.
But then again, they were in the same class at the academy, and he is one of Naruto's closest acquaintances, so it shouldn't hurt to ask for advice from him, just in case he did say anything useful; she could learn plenty of ways from him, and Naruto might even notice her a little more if she was at least acquainted with one of his teammates.
If that didn't work, everyone else on her list was at least capable of answering her questions.
She could might ask for an idea from them, or even come up with another idea later on.
Hinata stood up and walked towards the Uchiha estate.
Next chapter preview:
"A…anou…Um…Uchiha-san…I…I have a question."
Sasuke stopped and narrowed his eyes. So…she wasn't a fan girl.
--
Hinata didn't know whether or not she should be intimidated, embarrassed, or confused.
She felt all three emotions.