Chapter one : All is normal in Konoha…?

It seemed to be the same boring routine in Konoha today. Nothing really exciting has taken place. The shinobi of the village were having their usual conversations with each other. Hatake Kakashi was slumped on a bench near the Memorial Stone and, as usual, Maito Gai was fired up, trying to get a flicker of excitement out of the laidback Sharingan ninja. Temari and Nara Shikamaru were walking side by side, discussing the upcoming Chuunin Exams. Haruno Sakura was training with Lord Hokage, Lady Tsunade. Rock Lee was doing a combination of a handstand and push-ups.

"376…377…378…" Lee continually counted the number of push-ups he completed. "This…is for you…Sakura! If I can't complete 500 push-ups I will run…1,000 laps around all of Konoha!"

Hyuuga Neji was beside him, sitting on a bench with Tenten leaning up against him, exhausted.

"Neji…training today was so…exhilarating." Tenten whispered as she looked up into Neji's eyes.

"Lee…you will never be able to do what you are trying to…" Neji said this with a broad smirk on his face.

Akimichi Chouji and Yamanaka Ino were strolling down the roads of Konoha, bickering as usual. Inuzuka Kiba, Akamaru, and Aburame Shino were in a forest just on the outskirts of Konoha. Kiba and Akamaru were jumping from branch to branch; this is part of Akamaru's daily walks. Shino was on the ground, brushed up against a tree, collecting insect samples.

Hyuuga Hinata on the other hand, was alone. She was alone in the Main Branch Hyuuga residence, sitting on her bed, starring out her window, gazing at the Ninja Academy. Uzumaki Naruto was the reason she was starring. He was alone on a wooden swing, swaying back and fourth. Naruto's head was bowed. He was acting very depressed lately. That is the only reason he ever sits down on that swing. Hinata placed her hand on the window, above Naruto.

"I wish I could…summon…the courage to speak to you…Naruto." Hinata spoke to herself.

Naruto left the swing and began pacing to his old training area. He passed Temari and Shikamaru without saying a word. He seemed to be lost in his own thoughts, oblivious to everything around him.

Hinata left her house and started to rush herself toward the forest in which Kiba and Shino were present. The forest is just on the other side of the training area.

"Oh no! I almost forgot! I am supposed to meet Kiba and Shino in the forest to train! Oh, they are going to be furious…I hope I am not too late when I arrive…" Hinata was panting due to her fast running.

Once Naruto had made it to the training grounds he sat by the post he was once tied to during his training exercise with Kakashi.

"I do not know how explain this but…" Naruto was interrupted…

"Na...Naruto?" Hinata stumbled with great surprise. "What are...y...you doing here...N...Naruto?"

"Hi...Hinata? I just came here to relax really. What about you?" naruto said this with equal surprise in his voice.

Sweat trickled down Hinata's face as she panted from the trip running here. Hinata continually starred at her.

"Well, I…I…I was going into the…the forest to meet with…Kiba and…and Shino."

Naruto stood himself up quickly. He began to walk closer to Hinata.

Hinata, I never really…noticed you before but…I do not know what it is about you.

"Na…Naru…Naruto? Is something on your…mind?"

Naruto and Hinata were standing face to face, just inches away. Their eyes have become entwined. It would seem as if nothing could separate them. Hinata was blushing like never before, she wanted to move, block herself from Naruto but, she was enjoying it to much to move.

Naruto watched the nervous Hinata, watching her, breathless, sweat slowly running down the sides of her cheeks.

"Hinata…I…" Naruto, once again being interrupted, but this time, by Kiba.

Naruto and Hinata jumped backwards and turned their backs to each other.

"Hinata? Where in the world have you been? Why is this loser with you?" Kiba bluntly began rambling on but Hinata was not paying much attention. "Huh? Hinata?"

"Oh, uhh, sorry Kiba. I'll come with you now. Please forgive me."

"Umm, it's alright Hinata. Just hurry up, would ya?"

Hinata quickly ran with Kiba into the forest, leaving Naruto behind. This encounter with Hinata brought the brightness back into Naruto's face. He lost his pale look; he was not as depressed since he now had something, someone on his mind.

…Hinata…I can't believe that I…had not ever seen you before. What ever made me lose sight of you when we first met? Oh Hinata…I can't get you out of my head. These thoughts have become more and more constant. Why is that? I can't explain these feelings.

Naruto, have you discovered my true feelings for you? Is it possible? After all these years? Oh do say it is true! It has been too long, these feelings are so hard to suppress but I must! I am too scared to confront you myself, but you give me courage. Courage nobody can ever give me. Please Naruto…please let me give you that same courage…

Hinata left Naruto's vision so he began to walk back to the heart of Konoha. Kicking stray pebbles he found on the side of the round with his hands deep in his pockets. He was headed straight for Lee, Neji, and Tenten. Naruto was so set on the tranquility of what was happening in his mind that he did not even notice Lee doing his push-ups.

"497…498…499…"

Just as Lee was about to complete his 500th push-up Naruto collided with him and he fell on his back. Dust gathered in the air as Lee lay silently on the floor, with a shocked look on his face.

"I was…so…close. What happened?" Lee looked up to see Naruto coming to his feet. "…Naruto! How could you? Now I have to run 1,000 laps around all of Konoha."

"Oh, Bushy brows. I'm sorry, I didn't mean too, honest." As Naruto tried to walk past the torn Lee, he appeared in front of Naruto.

"Naruto…you shall join me! Come, you must run with me!" Lee grabbed Naruto's wrist and began to run at a steady pace.

"What? You can't be serious! Lee, I can't do 1,000 laps around Konoha. Are you out of your mind?!"