Hey guys. I figured I'd update. Thank you all who reviewed! Each and every one counts. :D Anyway, let's get this party started!
Oh, btw, I'm going to be gone for the next two week, so I won't be posting anything during that time. Me and Lexi are going on vacation! Yay! Oh, and guess what? We're pregnant. Well...she's pregnant...but ya know! :D Excited! I wrote a story in celebration, so if you like ShikaIno, go check it out! ;D
Disclaimer: I own nothing mentioned in this fic. All these characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto.
Enjoy!
-x-x-x-
"Don't worry about it Hinata. Things…I'm sure will…work out…somehow." Tenten said, forcing a smile.
Hinata wasn't so sure about that. She stared at her friend for a moment before nodding. "Alright. I'll see you later, Tenten."
"Bye, Hinata."
And with that, Hinata left.
As Hinata walked out into the fresh air, she couldn't help but feel guilty. She knew that she wasn't the reason for Tenten's mood, but she couldn't help but feel bad for not cheering her up. Hinata always felt that Tenten was going through a hard time…but after that talk…
I don't know what to do… she thought to herself as she walked down the streets of her village. I've known Tenten for years, and she always seemed so happy until lately…
Hinata watched the people pass her. She saw a group of girls, maybe around eight or nine, playing tag and running around. This brought a smile to her face. She never played games like that what she was younger because she was so shy.
Then she began to wonder…Did…Did Tenten ever play games? Did she ever play with the girls her age? Did she ever think of anything but training…?
Maybe that's why she feels lonely… Hinata thought. I mean, I'm her friend…but I didn't grow up with her. I've never seen her with anyone outside of training except maybe Neji and Lee…
Hinata soon found herself at the usual training spot. Surprisingly, she was the first one there. Usually Shino was there, but he wasn't. Kurenai and Kiba - one or the other - were always late. Kurenai because of a certain Sensei named Asuma, and Kiba for sleeping in. She was a little early.
She found a seat under the shade and sat down with a sigh. "I really wish I could help her." she mumbled to herself.
Tenten was lying when she said she was okay, and that everything was going to be alright. But…Hinata didn't know what to do!
What could she do? Ask Ino and Sakura to take Tenten out for some company?
"No…Tenten never took a liking to those two…" Hinata rested her head in her hands.
She then thought back to their conversation:
Hinata then said, "Something else is wrong. I can see it in your eyes. Tell me everything…I'll listen."
Tenten hesitated once again.
"Well…I was walking around the village the other day…and I ran into Ino. She told me about this guy who was hitting on her…and it made me think…I've never had a guy hit on me and even blush when I talk to him. I've never been on a date! I looked at myself in a mirror…and I'm…" Tenten sighed. "I'm not attractive. I'm so plain, and I look like anyone else. I'm not pretty, and that's why I'm never pointed out in a crowd. I just wish…"
Hinata's head lifted up, and her mouth opened slightly.
"Tenten, you're very pretty! How could you say-"
"Then how come I haven't had any guy like me?"
Hinata's eyes widened.
"I just want someone…" Tenten mumbled. "Someone I can talk to and be comfortable with…I mean, I don't want him to worship the ground I walk on, or always be up my ass every minute. I want…a guy who will be there for me and be my best friend…"
It clicked.
It just…clicked.
"That's it." Hinata mumbled.
Hinata knew what would make Tenten happy. As she said before, Tenten wanted someone to love, and someone to love her.
Hinata smiled, and said, determined, "I'll help her."
Sure, Hinata wasn't like Ino. Ino could probably call up some guy and say, "Hey, I know this chick looking for a date, you interested?" Besides, Hinata wasn't just going to choose randomly.
Hinata stood up, and began to walk around, trying to collect her thoughts. "Wait…wait, wait, wait…" Hinata said. "What am I thinking?"
What was she thinking? She couldn't set Tenten up on a blind date! Was she mad! ? Hinata began to pace faster, deep in her thoughts.
"Hinata?"
"EEK!"
Hinata practically jumped out of her skin at the sudden voice. Hinata looked around until her eyes landed on Shino. Hinata gave a sigh of relief and placed her hands on her chest.
"S-Shino, you scared me!"
"My apologies, Hinata."
Hinata sat back down where she was, while Shino stared at her.
"What's on your mind?"
"Huh?"
"I saw you pacing. Is it about Naruto?"
Hinata's cheeks burned with a blush, and she shook her head quickly. "N-no!" she squeaked.
Shino raised a brow. "Then what is it?"
Hinata sighed. She knew she could trust Shino and everything…but was this something she could really discuss with him? She was actually thinking about setting Tenten up with some one on a blind date! It was a stupid idea, and she didn't know why she ever considered it…but maybe Shino would have an opinion…
"Um…okay, I'll tell you…but you can't tell anyone."
"Alright."
Hinata stood up, and said, "I just got back from Tenten's house, and she's not doing so well. I'm worried about her, and I think she's going into a depression."
Shino nodded. "I see."
"Yes, and she told me some of the things that are bothering her." Hinata replied. "She said that she's lonely, and doesn't feel…attractive, and think's no one will ever want to be with her."
"Oh? Why is that?" Shino asked. He thought she was pretty. She wasn't the most gorgeous woman he'd ever seen, but she also wasn't the worst.
Hinata shrugged. "I don't know. She doesn't feel loved, and…" she sighed, and ran a hand through her hair. "I'm just worried…and I want to help…so, I-uh…came up with a plan-a ridiculous plan!"
Shino raised a brow. "What?"
Hinata shook her head. "I…I was going to t-try and…uh, set her up with someone…" she whispered.
Shino was surprised. "With who, exactly?" Even he couldn't think of someone to set her up with.
Hinata shrugged once more. "I don't have a clue! So, this won't work. I just want her to…Oh, I don't know!"
They both stood their in silence for a moment.
Shino wanted to help the situation, even though he didn't know Tenten very well. Tenten was Hinata's friend, and he wanted Hinata to be happy. He just…He just wasn't so sure about this type of plan.
How did Hinata (of all people) think of something like that?
"I wish I could help." Shino said.
"I know, me too." Hinata mumbled.
Shino thought for a moment. "Why don't you talk to Neji?"
Hinata looked at Shino with questioning eyes. "Neji?"
"Yeah. Tenten and Neji are close, are they not? Maybe if you explained the situation to him, he'd talk to her. Then, maybe your plan would go into action." Shino explained.
Well…Neji would be an obvious answer…But Hinata wasn't so sure if Neji would be concerned, or even believe her. Neji was just like that. Plus, Tenten said before that the two of them had grown apart.
Hinata shook her head. "I don't think he'd take it seriously. He'd say he has better things to do…"
"Lee?" Shino asked. "Lee seems like he'd be enthusiastic about it."
"No, then Tenten would know it was a set up." Hinata sighed. "Besides, he still has eyes for Sakura."
"Oh."
Those were the only two guys they could think of…Which was kind of sad.
Shino shrugged. "I wouldn't worry about it, Hinata." he told her. "Let Tenten work things out on her own."
"But-"
"No buts." Shino interrupted. "Things will work out on their own. Just leave it alone."
Shino thought it would be a better idea for Hinata just to leave it alone and give Tenten some space to think things through. If he knew Hinata like he thought, she'd leave it to fix itself.
Hinata wasn't so sure though.
"Hinata! Shino!"
Hinata and Shino turned their heads to the sound of the voice, and saw Kiba and Akamaru jogging up to them.
Shino nodded at him, and Hinata waved. "Hello, Kiba." Hinata said with a kind smile.
Kiba gave a goofy grin, then looked around. "Huh? No Kurenai?" he asked.
"Not yet." Shino said.
Kiba sighed. "Why does she always gotta be late?" he asked, annoyed.
"You weren't exactly on time either, Kiba." Shino replied.
Kiba turned and glared at him. "Shut up. I slept in!" he defended, and Akamaru barked in agreement.
This was around the time Kurenai showed up. Her hair was messy, and her lip stick was smeared. Her cheeks her heated up, and she had a nervous grin on her lips.
The three of them stared at her. Kiba raised a brow. "Morning, Sensei. You been busy?" he snickered.
Kurenai's face was fully pink now, and she glared at her student. "That's extra push ups for you."
Kiba let out a laugh. "What did I do?"
"You know what you did."
Kiba always did extra push ups every time they got together anyway, whether is was because of something he said or did.
-x-
"…55...56...57...58..."
A few hours later, training ended. Well, it ended for Hinata and Shino. Kiba had to stay after to do push ups.
Hinata usually stayed behind, though. Just to make sure Kiba was alright.
"…78...79...80...81..." Kiba counted as Kurenai watched over him. She wasn't watching closely. She just wanted to leave so she could…you know…with Asuma.
Hinata sat under a tree as she watched Kiba complete his 200 pushups. As she sat there, her mind wandered back to Tenten.
I know Shino told me to leave it alone but…I just feel like I need to help her. Hinata thought. She's helped me through so much. Like, she always made me feel confident about getting Naruto's attention, or about confronting my father. She's helped me through so much, yet she never asked for anything in return.
"…124...125...126...127..."
For the first time in the whole time she's known Shino, she was actually going to go against his wisdom.
"…136...137...138...139..."
Hinata sighed, and rested her cheek against the palm of her hand, her eyes following Kiba up and down. She could see the drops of sweat dripping off Kiba's forehead. You'd think Kiba would learn by now, right? Well, Hinata knew Kiba. Kiba liked to poke at their Sensei until she, well, made him to extra push ups. Hinata didn't think Kiba minded, though.
"…172...173...174...175..."
Hinata studied Kiba for a moment.
Kiba had grown up a lot. Sure, he had his immature moments, but so did every one. He wasn't a jerk either, even though that's what he comes off as at first meeting for most people.
He was a great friend, too. Kiba was one of the main reasons Hinata got over her stuttering issue and become more confident. Maybe not around Naruto…but that was still a work in progress.
"…196...197...198...199...200!" Kiba gasped and collapsed onto his stomach.
"Great." That's all Kurenai said before she said her goodbyes and left for her date with you-know-who.
Hinata waved goodbye to her Sensei, and got up. She walked over to her panting friend and teammate, a grin on her face.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"Heheh, you ask that everyday." he muttered with a tiring laugh. Kiba forced himself to get up into a sitting position.
Hinata could see his shirt sticking to his chest, as well as some hair to his forehead. Her cheeks turned a light pink, and she gave a nervous giggle, looking away. She sat herself down in front of him, and sighed.
"Are you okay?" she asked once more.
Kiba gave her his goofy grin, and replied, "Yes, Hinata. I'm used to it."
They sat there for a moment in peace.
"So, how's your day going?" Kiba suddenly asked.
Hinata looked up at him in surprise. Through their moment of silence her mind had wondered back to Tenten, and the way the sadness filled her eyes.
Hinata shrugged. She wasn't sure if she should tell Kiba. It wasn't that she didn't trust Kiba, it's just…she wanted to take Shino's advice and leave it alone…even though her mind wouldn't.
"Same as everyday." she lied. "Y-you?"
Kiba looked at her with a frown. "Same." he replied. "Now, tell me how your day really went."
It's funny how Kiba knew she was lying…not that it was obvious…with the little stutter and what not.
"What?" she asked while trying to look innocent.
Kiba sighed. "Is it Naruto?"
Hinata's face turned a bright red, and she shook her head. "N-n-no!" she stuttered. This caused Kiba to roll his eyes.
"What did he do?' he asked. Hinata couldn't help but notice the annoyance in his voice.
Hinata wanted to tell him about Tenten and see if he had any ideas.
No, leave it alone. Hinata thought. Well…what if he could help? No…how would he hel-
Click.
It clicked.
Hinata gasped, and stared at Kiba. Kiba stared back at her for a moment in confusion before looking around him, then back at her. "What?"
Hinata blinked rapidly. "Kiba…Just…Just give me a moment." she mumbled.
What in the world was she thinking? !
Hinata took a deep breath and collected her thoughts. What was with her today? She never had this much trouble with getting her head into motion.
Would her idea work?
Would Kiba agree?
What if he said no?
What if it turned into a disaster?
Oh dear…
Hinata closed her eyes, and thought long and hard.
Kiba, on the other hand, was wondering what she could be thinking about so hard. His first guess would be Naruto, and that just made him annoyed. It wasn't that he didn't like the annoying, loud, obnoxious, orange, bratty…
…Okay, maybe he disliked Naruto a teeny-tiny bit…
But it wasn't anything personal…
…Well…
…Okay it was kind of personal…
…But whatever.
Hinata had her mind made up. Her eyes shot open and she stared Kiba in the eye.
He was the answer.
"Kiba," Hinata said seriously, "I need your help."
Kiba raised a brow. "With…?"
"I need you to do a big favor for me." she said.
Kiba was kind of surprised. Hinata never asked for favors…This must be serious.
"Alright? What's this about?" he asked. He was curious, even though it most likely about Naruto…
…Blah.
Hinata figured she had better start from the beginning. She took in a deep breath. "Alright, this morning I stopped by Tenten's house to say hello. Well, we began talking and…and…Kiba, she's going into a depression." Hinata started.
Kiba nodded. "Okay…" He wasn't sure what this had to do with him.
"Well, I got her to tell me what was wrong, and she said that she feels alone, and unattractive, and…Ugh, I tried to tell her that she was none of those things. She said she's okay, but I know she's not! The way she feels…it's not healthy! She wants to feel loved and happy!" she explained.
Kiba was still kind of confused. "Okay?"
Hinata took in a deep breath. "Kiba…I came up with a solution." she said. "The main thing she said that she wanted…was for someone to care about her. She doesn't feel attractive for that reason. She kept comparing herself to Ino and Sakura. And…" she paused.
Kiba wasn't really sure what to say. "So…?"
"So…I…uh." Hinata didn't know how to ask Kiba this.
She thought about if for a moment in the awkward silence, and figured she might as well spit it out.
"Kiba, you're the solution." she said…and that wasn't what she wanted to say.
"I'm…what?" Kiba asked.
"Kiba…The favor…" Hinata gave an awkward smile. "I want you to ask Tenten out."
-x-x-x-
Okay, this could just be me, but I'm kind of sad with the way this came out. I didn't really know how to explain the way Hinata was thinking. Basically, Tenten helped her through a lot in the past, and she feels like she HAS to return all that with this. Then this last part where she's trying to ask Kiba to help her, well I put myself in her position and that's what I got. I'd feel just as awkward as she did…Also, sorry about the cliffhanger. ;D We all know how I love to do that, right? Anyway, review and tell me what'cha think! See you all next time!