Hinata never had to worry about staying away from Naruto from that point on, for he never approached her. Although, slowly but surely, she witnessed the gradual formation of relationships with his peers.

It started with a young boy named Kiba Inuzuka, one of the few who actually talked to the shy girl. He was nice…sort of, yet reckless. He seemed to enjoy the time he spend with Naruto (along with Shikamaru and Choji). Though we constantly heard, "You idiot!", and it was often when you heard him laughing. Sometimes she would giggle, too, though no one heard her.

Eventually two boys joined them, as stated previously, Choji Akamichi and Shikamaru Nara. They were already best friends (this was partially due to their father's similar relationship), and she'd often see them eating or walking together. The four of them were "troublesome" as Shikamaru always said; they'd constantly get in trouble for one reason or another, Choji for eating, Shikamaru for sleeping, and Kiba and Naruto for getting into various mischief. Naruto was not the whole cause of this; obviously, there were other trouble-makers in class. It made him feel less alone, and each day was more fun than the previous.

She sat next to a quiet one like herself, one named Shino Aburame. He was a rather mature boy, though at the same time mysterious and made you feel uneasy. He wore a large collar, which already covered up half of his face. Not to mention the sun-glasses and hood; was he trying to drive people off? He often muttered inaudible comments throughout class, sometimes she could make them out, sometimes she couldn't. Something of the lines of "Can't they just be quiet?" or "Why is everyone so loud…?"

Other than them, Sasuke remained quiet in his arrogance while Ino and Sakura constantly argued over some stupid reason or another, either that or they were fangirling accompanied by other girls, all while she silently admired the boy whom everyone shunned.

However, opinions eventually changed of him.

It was a series of incidents in which many were kept in the dark from (for certain reasons), all people know that the next day Naruto suddenly mastered Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu and was promoted to Genin.

Naturally, people were skeptical. The boy, who couldn't even pull off a simple clone, suddenly mastered it in one night? Not only that, he could pull of multiple shadow clones, solid ones! They were merely twelve, but, Hinata was as joyous as ever. She knew he could do it.

On the other hand, Naruto had something to brag about, and you bet he did. Did you expect him not to? His first step to becoming Hokage was finally in action.

Iruka was initially relieved, but constantly reminded him it would get harder at this point. The road of a ninja was long and dangerous.

As he left the academy cheerfully, she couldn't help but repeat, "I knew you could do it, Naruto-kun." In her head. She was old enough to walk home by herself now, that or her father just didn't care as much for her safety anymore. Maybe both. With the added freedom, however, she found herself so desperately wanting to ask him if he wanted to train together, or to play at the park, or even eat at Ichiraku Ramen that evening, though, when she attempted, she was either not heard or shyness overwhelmed her.

It was okay, though, his smile often made up for it. The way she thought he was looking at her (although he was most likely was gazing at Sakura right behind her) often made her blush and timidly look down, much to Shino's confusion (he was rather observant).

People's views on Naruto have already begun to change. He was already seen more than just the vessel of the 9 tailed fox, and now that he was able to acknowledge why everyone avoided him, he had a much better understanding of people. They weren't horrible like he thought, but simply scared, and although he didn't fully understand why, he vowed to change their opinions of him and the fox inside of him. Although, there was talk amongst the town of him, not the criticism he usually received, but more or less praise.

"Did you hear that Naruto kid helped put one of the academy instructors behind bars? He was actually a criminal!"

"No way, that troublesome boy actually did something good for a change?"

"Maybe Naruto isn't too bad after all. He should be like this more."

Hiashi's opinion hasn't changed much, though, he still did not wish his daughters did not go near him, but, he was smarter than that. Naruto was part of "Rookie Nine", contact would certainly be inevitable.

Anxiety came when teams were chosen for the both of them. She wasn't necessarily disappointed when she found out she was a team with Shino and Kiba, though she found it very interesting. They were very…unique individuals, why would she possibly been teamed up with them? Was it picked at random- or was there a purpose?

Much to Naruto's dismay and excitement, he was put on the team with Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura. He didn't know whether to be upset or joyous.

Nonetheless, it took Hinata awhile to adjust to Kiba's abundant energy and Shino's quiet presence. It was almost like they contradicted each other. While, on the other hand, Naruto's team was downright horrible about getting along (what did you expect with so much one-sided love?).

She also found Akamaru quite amusing, Kiba would often let her pet or even hold him (which was pretty surprising considering the fact he almost lets no one do such). She'd even strike up a conversation with Shino sometimes- no matter how awkward.

Then when their Sensei was introduced, Kurenai Yuhi, she couldn't help but feel an overwhelming feeling of comfort. She often offered those affection smiles she longed for- out of sympathy, she did not know. The Kunoichi was rather taken back by her father's coldness when she greeted him, thus maybe she simply decided to take on the role of a guardian herself. Regardless, she was a great Sensei to her, the training wasn't as rigorous as she had grown used to and she, along with her teammates, got the praise they desperately needed as Genin.

In these days, the two almost never saw each other anymore, which saddened her to some extent, however, she was quite aware that he was working his hardest to get stronger, and so she would as well. The glares she got from her cousin where still scary, and the way her father barely looked at her were saddening, but each day when she met her team on the training field made her feel like she was worth something, like she could eventually be something.

Kurenai would often confirm this.

Naruto's first "real" mission earned him a "real" reputation in the Hidden Leaf. He was no longer known as a troublemaker, nor as the kid who got put on the same team with Sasuke Uchiha and The Copy Ninja, Kakashi Hatake. He was known as Naruto Uzumaki, the boy who helped eliminate perhaps the strongest Seven Swordmen of the Mist- Zabuza Momochi, and his subordinate, Haku Yuki. More talk about him spread, almost like wildfire, and Naruto's pranks seemed to cease. It was a nice change for Konoha to say at least. His teammates' views on him gradually changed as well. Sasuke was starting to think of him more than just an annoyance, more than just someone who would drag him down or bother him. Same goes for Sasuke's "number one fan", Sakura. As they all began to see each other more of comrades rather than a childish crush, their teamwork as noticeable improved.

The young Shinobi had much to think about. He was still fairly oblivious, having many naïve ideals in mind, still trying to make as many friends as possible. His biggest concern was becoming strong enough for the Chunin exams. He acted arrogant time to time, but he had the right for the most part.

When she finally built up the courage to ask him if he wanted to train, it was surprising to both of them. Of course he didn't reject, he really had no reason to. Sakura was busy mastering the fundamentals of chakra control and Kakashi wanted to train with Sasuke alone (of course he did- everyone loved Sasuke! Ugh).

As they prepared, he wondered why she wore such a bulky jacket. It certainly couldn't benefit her, unless it was cold, which it was pretty decent. Sure, he wore a jacket as well, but it was designed to allow him free movement, something vital to a ninja. However, he quickly brushed it off. It was her attire- why should he be worrying over it?

"Are ya ready?" He simply asked, they stood a good distance apart.

"I am." She replied, getting into a defensive stance which caught him off guard. She really seemed to know what she was doing!

"Alright! Here I come!" He lurched forward, this was a battle of Taijutsu, further convincing Hinata she would not need to activate her Byakugan for this period of time. It was fairly impressive when she managed to dodge it, rather easily too. She certainly had good evasive skills.

He kept pressing on, though, and his attacks got faster. Attacks she eventually met with her own, and they found a rhythm. Sometimes it would break whenever she was unable to dodge efficiently, same with him, and it wasn't long before they both grew exhausted. She was agile and so was he, though their stamina wasn't as best as it could be.

Panting, they eventually found themselves on the ground next to each other, laughing. It was fun; she never has been up such an energetic opponent before!

"Wow, Hinata, its way more fun to train with you than Sasuke." He said out loud. It might have been kind of mean, but it was entirely truthful. She was strong and he didn't have to hold back against her, yet, she didn't criticize the way he went about his attacks, no matter how ridiculous they seemed.

She was still smiling; it was cute, different for a change. Usually she didn't have much of a reason to, or was too focused; rarely did she ever seem relaxed enough to smile. "Thank you, Naruto-kun…f-for training with me."

He got up, patting the dirt off his orange pants. "Sure! We can do it again sometime later! But seriously, it's getting dark out, you better get home! Just wait until you see me become a chunin!" He began laughing, and so did she.

"I believe in you." She said softly to herself as he ran off in haste. He was right, the sky was growing dark, and she did not need to be scolded again.

Maybe she could become a Chunin, too?

Is this a little too slow paced? I don't know, I'm still trying to set the overall mood of the story. I'm having a hard time. Please tell me what you think!