Confidence

By Naomi Meeks

(Hey guys. I'm super siked for my first fanfic! I can't wait to see what happens in the story. Just so you know I don't own Naruto or any of its characters. Even though I wish I did.)

Chapter 1: A New Start

All was quiet in the Hyuga household, but Hinata lay wide awake in her bed. She was starting school tomorrow. She had one goal, to defeat her insecurities. Her whole life Hinata had been told by others in her family that she was useless. Soon she believed it. Her fear and insecurities began to overwhelm her. Her anxiety became so great that she was fearful to speak. That's how Hinata got her stutter. It was a ghastly reminder of her past. But, Hinata was not the same person she use to be. All thanks to her friends. Her friends who had reached out to her in her darkest time. She loved her friends. Now Hinata had the chance to reach out to people just like her friends did for her. She just wanted to show people love and acceptance, that they had someone who cared, and that they aren't alone. Her only problem was her shyness, clumsiness, and over all social awkwardness.

That's why Hinata's lavender eyes were plastered wide, as she thought of all the embarrassing scenarios of her first day of high school. She took a deep breath.

I'm going to try my best. Fighting! Hinata snuggled deeper into her Cherry blossom tree blanket, that her friend Sakura had given her for her birthday, and squeezed her panda plushy Tenten had given her. Her eyes finally closed, but it would be a few more restless hours before she'd actually fall asleep.

The next morning Neji went to his cousin's room to wake her up. He knocked loudly three times. When he heard no reply, he knew he had to do something else to wake her.

"Hinata, you forgot about Hanabi's birthday!" Neji called out a grin plastered on his face.

"Hanabi's birthday!" Hinata immediately sat up. Her hair was as tangled and wild as a lion's mane. All her blankets and stuffed animals were on the floor. Hinata had tossed and turned all night, leaving her alone on her bed, even her prized panda had been kicked onto the floor. Hinata carefully picked up her panda and placed it on her bed. "Sorry" she whispered to it gently. She pulled on a white fluffy robe and rushed out her bedroom door. Still dazed from lack of sleep. "What am I supposed to do Neji! How can I forget my own sister's birthday! I fail as a big sister."

Neji tried his best to hold in his laughter. Not only did she fall for it, but she looked like she just barely survived a natural disaster. Her indigo hair was in nice terms crazy. There were bags under her wide upset eyes, and a white fluffy robe covered her. She was a total train wreck. But Neji couldn't help but worry. Maybe she didn't get enough sleep. Maybe she was worried about school. Maybe she had another nightmare about her past. Neji pushed all these thoughts out of his head and the rising guilt. He had started this game so he was going to finish it. "Hinata do you know what day it is?"

"Yeah Hanabi's birthday! So of course it's March 27, And Neji what am I supposed to do?! I didn't get her anything. Maybe I can make her a surprise breakfast in bed. But that's not enough for my little sister." Hinata was now breathing heavy, tears brimmed her eyes.

"Hinata I need you to calm down. You didn't fail as a sister"

"I didn't?"

"Nope."

"But how?"

"I want you to calmly go back into your room and check your calendar."

"Why? I already know the date."

Neji patted her back and led her to the door of her room.

"I d-d-don't understand."

"Shhh please just trust me."

Hinata looked up at her cousin and nodded slowly. She turned the knob and walked in. Neji started his mental countdown. 3…2…1.

"Neji!" An angry Hinata stormed out of her room. Her fists were clenched at her sides. "How could you?!"

"Well I had to get you up somehow."

"What do you mean you had to get me up somehow?" That's when Hanabi walked in wearing her bunny pajamas.

"Hey isn't today your first day of school? Why are you two fighting? And Hinata you do realize you're still in your pajamas right?" Hinata looked at Hanabi and back at Neji. She stood there for a solid minute, not comprehending the whole situation.

Neji broke the silence. "I'm sorry, you wouldn't wake up so….." Hinata's face snapped back into reality. She launched forward and grabbed Neji's shoulders.

"What time is it?" She demanded.

"Um"

"Neji, tell me now!"

"You have ten minutes to get ready."

"No I have ten minutes to shower, get ready, and then make breakfast." Then in a flash Neji saw Hinata's door slam shut. Hinata had started on the almost impossible task of getting ready before school in ten minutes. Neji stood for a minute outside the door. He sighed, Hinata was already going through a hard time and that was before school started. Maybe she isn't ready for a public high school. Neji recalled how demanding she was to go to this particular high school that Neji just happened to go to. Why? To be with her friends. Neji smiled. Hinata had changed a lot, and she also had changed him. Still though, she was going to be eaten alive in high school. Not if I can help it!

"Uh Neji how long have you been standing outside my room?" Hinata asked. She was wearing her purple sweat shirt and matching sweat pants. Her short hair was still dripping from the shower.

Neji's face turned red. He quickly changed the conversation. "We're running late and I'm hungry." She could've at least dressed up for the first day of school, Neji thought looking down at his tank top and ripped jeans. Guess I don't have room to talk either.

"Okay, I'll make breakfast. Also Neji thanks for getting me up."

"No problem….Hinata I know high school is going to be tough, but I'll be there if you need me."

"Thanks Neji, it means a lot." The two walk down the hall, knowing that whatever happens that they'd have each other.

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