Authors Note: Hinata is beginning to grow up, but Naruto seems to be struggling with his feelings… Hinata is… Let's just say, not as shy as in the series. She is NOT as in love with Naruto as she is in the series, either.

"Hey, Hinata…"

He slowly walked toward her. His teeth were clenched and it was all he could do not to just fall on his knees there, and beg her to lo-

What am I thinking? He asked himself. Why am I having these feelings for her now of all times? Wait, am I having any feelings for her? What?

He looked his hands, his eyebrows were knotted together. He gathered the courage to look up into her eyes.

This didn't help at all.

He found himself appalled at how mesmerized he was. Her eyes were stunning him, they reflected the sunlight that grazed through the trees.

He seemed to be taking in every detail now. The way her tender lips opened up, the way her hair-OH, HER HAIR- fell elongated on her eyebrows. Her perfect bangs covering her forehead. Her neck was small, perfectly fitting her body. He stopped himself when he looked at her chest.

No. He told himself. Stop. But he found himself looking at them again. It had developed over the past few months. Her sweater only gave him more of a struggle not to just stop and stare.

He suddenly was aware of his posture. He was slouching, his neck was pulled back and his eyes were distant. His shoulders were dropping, his legs collapsing. Why didn't he notice this before? He straightened his back, his legs became straight, the ruffle on his pants disappearing. He pointed his shoulders to the sky, making his neck go straight up.

No, now I look like I have too good posture. He wrestled with what to do.

"Um… Good afternoon… Naruto-kun," She said. Her eyebrows arched, giving her the impression of being confused.

He was about to give a reply, when there was a rustle of the bushes and Kiba came out, his hands jittery. Akamaru jumped out too, landing on Kiba's shoulder.

They both walked into the clearing, Akamaru growling when he saw Naruto next to Hinata. Naruto was getting some dark feelings about that dog.

"Hinata!" Kiba yelled, giving his toothy grins. Hinata turned and saw him. Her eyes lit up, giving Naruto another dark thought, this one directed at Kiba.

"Hey!" Hinata replied. She smiled also, her eyes nearly unseeable.

Naruto looked at both of them, his stomach clenched. His heart seemed crushed. His eyes getting more and more tender. Naruto felt a lot more like an outcast now…

He turned, not able to bare the sight of them grinning at each other, unsure of what to say.

He began walking back to the trees where his squad was waiting. Sakura was against a tree, leaning. She was staring at the sky. Sasuke was next to her, looking at the ground, completely ignoring Sakura's blush.

"Hello, Naruto." Kakashi welcomed again. "We will begin our mission soon."

"I hope it won't be stupid like Naruto," Sasuke murmured. Naruto's face flushed. He gave Sasuke one of his cold long stares. He was not to be messed with at that moment and if Sasuke went any further, Naruto would turn him inside out.

"No, Sasuke, it won't be stupid like me, you want to know why? Because if it was, we would be fighting a freaking army! But Kakashi-sensei wants to hold back and have us save stupid cats!" Naruto yelled. He was really close to Sasuke now, eyeing him. Naruto had grown several inches and could stand face to face with Sasuke.

"Actually Naruto, we are going to be defending the village hidden in the mist from attackers," Kakashi firmly stated.

"The hokage has sent two of the four best squads to do this, due to earlier injuries…" Sakura answered. Goody-goody. Naruto thought.

"Correct Sakura," Kakashi replied. He had a large smirk on his face.

"Gaara," Sasuke growled. "He will be there, as a defender, right?" Sasuke asked Kakashi. The difference in his eyes was astonishing, first, they are dark brown, but as he said 'Gaara,' his eyes switched to pitch black. He was looking at the ground angrily. Sasuke clenched his teeth and his eyebrows knotted together.

"Yes, Sasuke," Kakashi answered. Kakashi didn't have a smirk anymore, his laziness was gone. His eye was widened, not fully. He was purely concerned about the way Sasuke had a ferocious side when it came to Gaara.

Making the situation even more awkward, "Better watch out Sasuke…You might get hurt in this battle…" Shino slithered. He popped up out of no where, behind a tree, and came into the clearing. His feet stealthily walked on the grass without making a sound. Naruto's neck hairs prickled. Shino noticed how everyone reacted, and smirked.

"Just a warning." Shino said. He then scampered off toward his squad.

Naruto shivered. What gave him such a dark side?

Kakashi just got his blank stare back on, but Sasuke… was looking purely horrified. "Where is-" Naruto began to ask, but Kakashi answered him.

"I am leading this mission, therefore she wants a day off," He sneered. Everyone knew Kakashi had a soft spot for Kurenai.

Naruto decided he couldn't wait any longer. "Let's go!" He whimpered. Kakashi looked at him.

"Fine," He snapped. He slowly got up, brushed his pants, and tucked his porn book in his jacket. He began walking toward the middle of the clearing. He summoned the frog.

He jumped on, as if he was weightless. Naruto looked at him in disbelief. "How are we supposed to get on?" Naruto yelled.

"There is a boat at the end of this forest; you will have to have two a boat!" Kakashi exclaimed, but then disappeared through the tall trees of the forest. Naruto narrowed his eyes.

With a pouty face he began walking toward the forest.

The finally made it to the shoreline, and Sakura began dividing us into groups. Naruto hoped something good would come of that, so he crossed his fingers. Hinata and Naruto. Hinata and Naruto. He hoped.

"Kiba and Naruto can go in this one,"

I am so so so so so so so so so sorry. Well, here is a shout out to Sourpatch devil! Oh and ..… lol!

I hope this story is good. You can tell me how good it is in reviews or messages