Shipping: NaruHina

Setting: Training Field, before the Naruto vs Neji fight in the Chuunin Exams.

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"O-ohayou, Naruto-kun…" Hinata said quietly.

"Hmm? Oh, Hi Hinata…" Naruto greeted her, but his eyes showed that something else was on his mind.

"Naruto-kun, what's the matter? You seem… kind of down…?" Hinata asked him.

"Eh? Oh, well, yeah." He said. His eyes wandered, across the glorious landscape; of tall, strong oak logs standing erect; the cherry blossom trees, flushing a faint but serene pink; until his eyes caught something more beautiful: The quiet Hyuuga girl watching him, her pale lavender eyes, slightly wide with concern.

"What is it, N-Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked him.

He blushed, and said what was on his mind in the first place.

"Well, you know, my opponent is… your cousin, Hyuuga Neji…"

"Ah… Neji-nii-san." She dipped her head down.

"Yeah… He's really strong… What am I gonna do? He's too much for a guy like me…" Naruto said slowly.

She snapped her head up, and looked at him, her soft lavender eyes wide with surprise.

"N-No, Naruto-kun! You're r-really strong." She insisted.

"Really, y'think so?" He asked, unsure.

"Of course! I mean, even if you lose, you learn from it, and try again… You're someone who can do that, Naruto… I think that makes you very strong. S… So… You just need to have more… confidence… in your strength…" Hinata finished quietly.

Naruto blinked.

"R-really?" It was his turn to stutter now.

"Yes! It's what makes you the strongest person I know!"

Naruto blushed again. He leaned forward, and softly said, "Arigatou, Hinata. That was exactly what I needed to hear."

Hinata blushed dark pink, at having Naruto so close to her face. For a minute, they were just listening to each other's breathing. Then, Naruto leaned forward even more, and kissed her softly on the lips. Hinata was so surprised, and blushed even more. Naruto pulled away slowly, and suddenly, he backed away. "Oh, crap! I'm gonna be late for my match!!!" He turned around and ran.

"Seeya, Hinata!" He called back.

"Goodbye, Naruto-kun. Good luck!" She called after him.

She slumped down against the tree, closing her eyes and sighing with happiness. "Kyaaaa!" She squealed quietly to her self. She smiled softly.

"Good luck." She repeated quietly.

Omake:

"Oi, Hinata?" Kiba ran up to her. Her eyes snapped open.

"K-Kiba-kun!" Hinata stammered. "Ohayou!"

"Hinata, are you okay? Your face is kind of… Red." Kiba said, concerned.

"I-I'm fine. Thank you, Kiba-kun."

"Well, you're gonna be late for Naruto's match if you don't hurry! Come on!"

"H-hai."

"Hinata, your face is really red…"