Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Never have, never will.

A/N: So I lied in my last author note. I forgot that the Genin didn't head to the second part of the exam after they completed the test. So I whipped up a chat conversation for them to have during the time period.


Chapter 7: Thinking of Me

Naruto's eyes widened once he entered the room. Teams from every hidden village across the continent had entered for the exam. His jaw dropped after he lost count somewhere after seventy people, and that was only the left half of the room. He tried to form a sentence but nothing would come out.

"I-is something w-wrong Naruto-kun?" Hinata looked at the blond who had a dumbfounded expression on his face.

The boy turned to her with a sheepish smile on his face while scratching the back of his head. "Oh, it's nothing. I just wasn't excepting this many people." He looked back into the crowd and gave a smirk.

"There are 51 teams here, meaning 153 applicants." The two turned their heads to meet the unknown voice. A boy with pineapple shape hair was leaning against a wall with his eyes closed. The newcomer opened his eyes and gave a smirk while he walked over towards the small group. "Think you can handle it Naruto?"

"Of course I can, Shikamaru. I'm Uzumaki Naruto, I'll take on anything!" Naruto gave the other boy a bright smile as he started to shake with excitement. Alright Naruto, this is your time to shine. Show them whose boss! He spun around towards the crowd and pointed a finger at them. The boy was about to yell out to everyone when a hand flew in front of his face to stop him.

Shikamaru let out a sigh as the other boy raised an eyebrow at him. "Sorry Naruto. It may be troublesome, but you don't want to provoke these people. Do you remember what happened when you tried that in the academy?" The black haired boy dropped his hand once Naruto dropped his.

The blond began to plead with the other boy. "Oh c'mon, this is different!" After getting a clear no from Shikamaru, Naruto started to pout. "Fine you win, but I promise you that I will have at least one outburst by the end of this."

Hinata tried to suppress a giggle. She could remember the time in the academy when he shouted "Hey duck butt" to Sasuke. Almost every girl chased after him wanting to beat him into a pulp and he hid under Hinata's desk for safety. It was the first time that he had recognized her, even if it was for less than a minute. She always checked under her desk when she came to class hoping that he might be there again. The girl watched the two argue until an explosion of smoke came from the front of the room.

"Alright everyone listen up!" A voice called out through the smoke. As the gas began to clear, a man with a black trench coat and gray suit underneath appeared. The tall man wore his hitai-ite like a cap over his head. Behind him were twenty examiners also dressed in gray suits. "My name is Morino Ibiki. I'll be your examiner for the first part of your test. Now to start things off, turn in your applications. After that take a number tag and sit at that desk. Once everyone is seated, I'll hand out the written test."

Naruto took a gulp to clear his throat. A written test? A written test? OH CRAP. Sweat started to pour as teeth began to chatter. He was too stunned to realize everyone had started to turn in their applications or that the pink haired kunoichi that was currently yelling at him to stop fooling around.

The Hyūga heiress had followed Shikamaru to the line of people at the turn in area. She turned around in an attempt to talk with Naruto but noticed he wasn't there. Her eyes looked back to see him being scolded by Sakura. She could only assume the girl wasn't helping him with his test taking fears. A small frown formed on her face at the thought.

"Application please," the assistant examiner demanded as he tapped a pencil against the table.

Hinata jerked her head back towards the voices direction. She handed the paper to him in exchange for a number tag. Number 54. The girl walked around until she found her seat at the very right end of a table. To the right of her, across the aisle, was a boy from another village who was giving her an awkward smile. However, the seat to the left of her was empty. She let out a sigh. I hope that the person next to me is someone I recognize. Little did she know, her thoughts were about to be answered.

Naruto had finally been able to move after receiving a hit to his head from Sakura. He traded his application for a number tag and made his way out of the line. 53, what if there are that many questions on the test? What if there is a multiple choice question with 53 possible answers? I'm screwed! The blond walked around the room like a zombie trying to find his desk. When he was finally at his seat, he let his body drop onto the chair like a bag of bricks and proceeded to make a perfect face plant with the top of the table. The boy paid no attention to anyone around him, including the Hyūga girl sitting to his right.

The girl's violet eyes shot wide open. Naruto is the person next to me? At first, she was worried that the sudden jolt from the table had been caused by Naruto, but now she started to take notice of his actions. He must be really worried for this test. She bit her bottom lip, mentally debating on how she could help the boy next to her. A sudden idea came to her mind. "N-Naruto-kun?"

The boy slowly turned his head to the side in the direction of the voice. He sat up instantly when he recognized the girl sitting next to him. "When did you get here Hinata?"

"J-just before you did." Hinata watched the boy nod his head in understanding then look back towards the front. Not wanting to lose his interest, she spoke again this time with a small blush. "J-just be confident N-Naruto-kun. You will b-be fine." She gave him a small smile when he turned to look at her again.

Naruto gave a quiet chuckle. She's using my own advice against me. I need to stop acting like an idiot in front of her. The blond gave her a smile to let her know he was alright. He tried to say something but was cut off by the instructor.

"Alright listen up. There are some rules you need to hear before you take this test. First, this is a deduction based test. Everyone starts with ten points and each question you get wrong causes you to lose a point. Second rule, the pass-fail decision is based on your team's total points." The head examiner paused to let the information sink in for everyone. He ignored the complaints and groans from several groups and decided to continue. Ibiki let a smirk grow on his face. "If an examiner determines that you are cheating, then you will lose two points. Also…if anyone on your team reaches zero points, the whole team fails,"

Naruto began to shiver. He could feel the killing intent from his two teammates behind him. The boy didn't dare look over his shoulder out of fear for his own health. Oh man. If I fail, we all fail. Fingers began to fidget with the pencil and legs tapped the ground aggressively.

Hinata could see him shaking in fear and tried to sympathize with him. She knew what it was like to let her teammates down, but this exam had far worse consequences then failing a D-rank mission. He's still worrying. She took a deep breath to calm herself but that still didn't stop a blush from coming. "L-let's do our b-best Naruto-kun."

The blond looked over at her again but this time he noticed something. It was her smile. Naruto had seen plenty of smiles like it from Sakura as she willingly gave them to an uncaring Sasuke. However, this time he was on the receiving end of one. Hinata's smile seemed to express her worry for him and at the same time, tell him everything would be alright. He couldn't explain why, but a warm feeling started to come over him like the time when he thought of Unknown Heiress. He tried to say something but was once again cut off by the instructor.

"The tenth and final question will be given forty five minutes into the test. The time period for the test is one hour." Ibiki paused to wait for the clock to hit three thirty. "Begin."

Pencils started writing like it was a matter of life and death. Every person seemed to be making some sort of scribbling noise or erasing sound except Naruto. The boy tried to read over the questions with high spirit, hoping to find one that he might have an answer to.

A cipher, next question. Hey, one with a diagram. Naruto spent the first five minutes of the test time trying to figure out how the diagram related to the question. Man, this is hopeless. He took a quick glance over at Hinata to see how she was doing.

The girl was tapping the tip of her pencil against the table. She had the first three questions answered already and was working on the fourth. Her violet orbs wandered over toward the boy to her left. He hasn't figured out anything yet. I can't blame him though; he was never a good test taker at the academy and these questions are very hard. I'm not even sure if I'll be able to answer them all.

Ten more minutes passed and Naruto was currently trying to figure out the answer for question six. What the heck does this all mean? Aerodynamics, velocity of a shuriken, directional influence? This is all some high level math junk! How the heck am I going to solve this! The boy ran his fingers through golden strands of hair while scratching his head. His legs began to twitch hoping it would jar his brain into finding a somewhat decent answer for an impossible question. Time began to fly and no luck seemed to be heading Naruto's way.

There is no way anyone of us is going to know these answers. It's like they want us to… Hinata had figured out the trick to the exam. She tilted her head forward a little bit so her bangs covered the sides of her face. After several hand seals done under the table, her Byakugan activated. The Hyūga was able to see everyone's paper in the room with ease. She began to write some answers down when she saw Naruto's paper. A look of worry came over her face. He needs to realize that he has to cheat to pass the test.

I need to cheat to pass this test! But how the hell am I supposed to do that? I can't just make a clone and go, "Look! A distraction!" And if I get caught, I'll lose points that I already don't have. Naruto dug his fingers deeper into his hair as he looked over towards the clock. Only eight more minutes until the tenth question. I guess I just have to hold out until then. The blond held his breath and sunk lower into his chair, hoping the end would come soon.

Hinata completed the nine questions on the test with several minutes to spare before the final question. She was able to breathe a sigh of relief for a moment but turned her attention to the boy next to him. Seven minutes before the last question and he still hasn't written anything yet. Her violet eyes skimmed over her paper then back to the boy's. All my answers are right, and if I get caught once, then I'll only lose two points or I could get dismissed from the test. But if I don't, Naruto might not make it through the exam and he'll be the one leaving. After mentally debating with herself, she chose to make a stand. With her trademark faint voice, she quietly spoke his name. "N-Naruto-kun..."

Naruto jerked his head up a tiny bit as a response to his name. He turned his face slightly in her direction in order to not draw attention. "What are you doing? Do you wanna get caught?" the blond said with a whisper.

Her eyes looked away from him as a reaction from his scolding but she continued. "Y-you haven't put anything d-down on your test…" She took a gulp, hoping that her decision was right. "I-if you want, you could l-look at mine." The girl slid her paper a little bit underneath her arm at the suggestion.

A dumbfounded look came over the boy's face. Is this girl crazy? She could be kicked out of here. "You know what happens when someone gets caught. Why would you do that?"

Hinata had to think over his question. She thought he would have been glad at her proposition. While taking in a deep breath, her mind carefully thought about what to say to him. "Y-you said earlier that you wanted to p-prove to everyone that you weren't a failure. This e-exam is important to you, so you have to pass the f-first test to prove your point."

Naruto's eyes widened at her response. She…was thinking of me? He bit his bottom lip in confusion about what to do. Pencil marks from assistant examiners seemed to amplify as he thought about her offer and they weren't sounding appealing to him. His eyes looked over at the clock then back to the worried Hyūga. With a defeated look on his face, he gave her his response. "Alright, I'll do it."

A smile grew on Hinata's face along with a slight blush. She gladly slid her test a little further under her arm for the boy to see. The blond took a glance towards her paper, hoping not to draw suspicion from anyone. As he started to read the first question, a kunai flew past his face startling him.

"What the?" the boy sitting behind Naruto shouted. The kunai had landed directly in the middle of his test.

"You were caught cheating five times," the assistant examiner who threw the kunai responded coldly. He glared at the standing boy while pointing towards the door. "Now take your teammates and leave."

Naruto kept his face looking forward despite all the commotion going on. He looked like he had seen a ghost. That could have been me…or Hinata. One by one, several teams began to leave the examining room as their numbers were called off. Chills kept coursing through his body as Naruto wondered if he would get caught. The blond glanced over towards the girl next to him and gave a defeated look. "I can't do it Hinata."

Hinata blinked a couple times to understand what he said. But if he can't do it, then he won't pass the test. The boy seemed to be reading her mind as he interrupted her before she could say anything.

"It's not that I don't want your help, it's just…" Naruto paused for a second. He was unsure of how to word his response. "Well, let's just say that I'm not on everyone's good side just yet except for you and Shikamaru. I'm not sure how I could go through this test if you had to leave because of me." He gave her the best smile he could hoping it wouldn't draw attention to himself. "Besides, this exam is important for you too."

The Hyūga heir gave a slight nod and looked back to her almost completed test. He was thinking of me? A red blush came over her at the thought. She then glanced over towards Naruto who was trying his hardest to figure out at least one question. I hope you know what you're doing, Naruto-kun.

Man, I have no clue what I'm doing! Hinata was about to give me the answers and I refused! I still can't believe that she was going to help me. She must really want me to pass. He looked down at his paper towards the blank tenth question and tapped his pencil a couple of times. I can't think about her right now. The last question will be out any minute and I'm going to have to bet everything on it.

Ibiki stood up from his chair and made his way towards the center of the room. "It's time for the tenth question. But first I must explain this…hopeless rule."

Naruto dropped his pencil almost instantly. His blue eyes widened at the older man's words. Hopeless rule?

"You will choose if you wish to take the tenth question for this exam. If you choose not to take it, then your points will be reduced to zero resulting in failing not only you but your teammates as well." The head examiner paused a moment so the complaints of the genin could die down. "Also, if you choose to take the question and get it wrong…you won't be allowed to take the Chunin Exam ever again."

Naruto froze at his words. He was too lost in thought to care about whatever the other students were shouting towards the instructor. If I choose to take this question and mess up, I'll be a Genin forever…I can't do that. But if I choose not to take it, then what would have been the point of my words for Unknown_Heiress and Hinata. I'd be a hypocrite and I couldn't live with that. The jar of the table from the boy to his left brought him back to his senses.

The brown haired boy stood up with his hand raised. "I-I can't do it. I'm sorry team, but I just can't." The boy began to cry as he walked out of the room with his teammates.

I don't know if I can go through with this. Kiba and Shino will hate me if I decide against taking the last question. And if I take the last question but fail…I don't even want to know what my father will say. Hinata let her head sink down in a defeated manor. Facing Kiba and Shino would be easier than her father. She bit her lip as her left hand slowly began to ascend in the air.

Several other hands from other test takers began to raise high in the air. Most of them were followed by complaints or cries from the people who gave up, others just walked away in silence.

Naruto was shocked to see so many people leave at once. The group of test takers was almost cut in half. However, that wasn't what shocked him the most. Out of the corner of his eye, he started to see Hinata's slowly rising left hand. "Hinata, what are you doing?" he whispered to her.

The Hyūga girl jerked her hand down at the sound of his voice. "I-I-I'm s-s-sorry," she stuttered out a whispered apology to him. "I-I just d-don't know if I-I can do this." She looked at him and could see that his eyes were pleading for her to stay.

"Everything you worked for will be a waste if you leave right now. Do you want to prove to everyone you're a failure?" Naruto spoke with a soft voice. He could see her eyes darting back and forth. Her fingers even started to fidget with themselves subconsciously.

I'm not getting through to her. The blond slowly turned his head towards the instructor and closed his eyes. Without even realizing, his left hand began to shake as it rose on its own. His body already knew what to do.

Hinata let a gasp escape from her lips. What is he doing? Did he not hear what he just said to me? "Naruto-kun, w-what are you doing?" The boy ignored her first call, so she tried again. "N-Naruto-kun?"

His hand stopped about half way and then continued to rise. "Just watch me," he whispered to her softly. The boy's face never budged nor his eyes never opened.

His answer wasn't good enough for her. Hinata tried again but this time her eyes started to water up and caused her voice to sound hoarse. "N-Naruto-kun…please." His hand finally reached as high as it could go even though it was still shaking from side to side. He turned his head to align with hers and slowly opened his eyes. Once again, Hinata could see the same comfort in his eyes that she had experience earlier that day on the Hokage Monument. His stare combined with his smile moved her. It made her feel strong like she could do anything, including pass the exam.

"Just watch me," Naruto whispered softly to her again. When he got a confirming nod from the girl, he turned his head back towards the examiner. This time, his eyes were filled with determination. With a swift motion, he slammed his hand down hard on the desk. "I'm not going to run away! Even if I become a Genin forever, I'll find a way to become Hokage no matter what!" The blond sat with his arms crossed while still staring at the examiner, daring him to make the next move.

"I'll tell you one more time. If you want to quit, now's your chance." Ibiki met the boy with a glare of his own. The two were locked in a silent battle with each other.

"I'm not scared and I won't go back on my word. That's my nindo." After repeating those words, Naruto turned to the Hyūga next to him. "And you're not going to give up either, are you?"

Hinata was shocked at the sudden question, but soon let her small smile overtake her. She nodded back to him. If it's your nindo, then it's my nindo too. I won't run anymore.

Pleased with her answer, Naruto along with Hinata turned to face the instructor. They would be ready for anything he would throw at them.

The kid's got guts, I'll give him that. Seventy eight students left, definitely more than I expected. Ibiki looked around the room at his assistants. After getting confirming nods from them all of them, he looked out to the test takers. "For the first exam, everyone here passes!"

Several Genin stood up from their seats. "What about the tenth question?" they shouted, each with their own variations.

The grown man erupted with laughter. "Well that was the tenth question. Think of it this way, if you were on a mission with an unknown amount of enemies that had unknown weapons at their disposal along with the possibility of hidden traps set up, would you accept the mission? Just because you or your teammate's lives are in danger, doesn't mean you will always be able to refuse dangerous missions. You have to show your courage along with your teammates to make it through the bad situations. Those who would give up easily, like the ones who just left, don't deserve to be a Chunin."

Naruto turned to look over at Hinata again. "He's right you know. We can't give up just because things seem hard."

Hinata nodded in agreement with the boy. "I promise to try harder next time."

"Well then, this ends the first exam. I wish you all good luck with the next part," Ibiki said with a smile on his face. As soon as he finished his sentence, a ball covered in tarp broke through the window and flew into the room. A woman instantly jumped out of it and tossed two kunai at the ceiling to hang the tarp that said "The Second Examiner, Matarashi Anko is here."

The woman had dark purple hair tied in a spiky ponytail. She wore a brown trench coat that went down to her knees along with fishnet ninja gear and a tan mini skirt. Proudly stepping forward, the woman spoke. "Alright kids, listen up. Happy time is over and now it's time for the second exam! I'm the second examiner, Matarashi Anko, if you couldn't tell. Everyone follow me to the next exam…let's go!" She pumped her fist in the air in excitement. Unfortunately for her, no one else was.

Hinata let out a giggle as she whispered to Naruto, "She's kind of like you."

"What! I'm not like that crazy old lady!" the boy claimed to Hinata. However, Anko heard every word of his sentence. A kunai landed right in front of Naruto on his desk.

"You better watch it you little gaki." Anko looked around the room with a confused look on her face. "Seventy eight people? Ibiki, you're test was too soft!"

The former examiner stepped out from behind the tarp. "There are a lot of good students this year. You will have your hands full this time."

The woman let out a smirk. "Whatever, I'll fix that. Alright, listen up people. We will begin the second test tomorrow. Ask your Jounin teacher where to meet and what time. Everyone is dismissed!"


About an hour later, Naruto swung open his door to his apartment. "Man, those written tests can really take it out of you." He dragged his feet along through his house until he arrived at the kitchen. "Nothing a little ramen won't cure!" the boy said as he began to boil the water.

While he waited for the water, his eyes began to drift towards his bedroom. "I wonder where Unknown Heiress was today," he mumbled. The blond walked over towards his room and opened the door. His face began to sulk, "Of course, I left the computer on again."

The boy made his way back to the kitchen and fixed himself a hot bowl of ramen. With bowl in hand, he ventured back to his room and looked at the computer screen. "Five people on, let's see who they are!"


fountain_of_youth: His speech was so inspirational and full of youth! Not even you, 10 10, could deny that.

10-10-220: um, yeah I can

Cherry_Blossom: It was really annoying if you ask me.

Unknown_Heiress: I liked it.

Cherry_Blossom: Of course you would.

Hinata sighed at her words.

fountain_of_youth: Do not hate Hinata-san, Sakura-chan. She has a great taste for the power of youth just like Naruto-kun!

Unknown_Heiress: Thanks…I think.

-i_like_noodles- has joined the chat.

10-10-220: speak of the devil

fountain_of_youth: Don't you mean Konoha's Handsome Green Devil?

10-10-220: no just stop, please

Naruto set his ramen bowl down on the floor and placed his hands on the keyboard. He was going to imitate Konohamaru and try typing in a different fashion.

i_like_noodles: hello everyone

fountain_of_youth: Naruto-kun, I must say! Your speech at the end of the first exam was very inspirational. I could see the youth flowing through you!

The almost instant reply caught him off guard.

i_like_noodles: um…ok

fountain_of_youth: You may not be able to see it yourself, but if you were to come on several daily training routines with Guy-Sensei and I, you would surely be able to see the power of youth!

No matter what Naruto typed, it always seemed like this person was one step ahead of him.

i_like_noodles: no thanks, but I have to ask. How can you type so fast?

10-10-220: you don't wanna know

fountain_of_youth: I start off my daily training with 500 keystrokes on left side of the keyboard, then 500 keystrokes on the right side of the keyboard. Then I practice 1000 repetitions of the old academy motto while only using my left hand, and then 1000 repetitions of the motto while only using my right hand. After that, I type the same sentence 2000 times. "The will of fire burns strong in me but the fountain of youth overflows inside me. Nothing can prevent the power of youth!" This ends up being 46,000 words in rapid succession.

He answered in the blink of an eye, but what shocked Naruto the most was how fast 10-10-220 had answered before the fountain_of_youth. She sounds like she does this all the time.

cloud_watcher: Troublesome.

i_like_noodles: holy cow

fountain_of_youth: That's only the warm-up.

Naruto's mouth would have hit the floor if it could.

i_like_noodles: WHAT??

fountain_of_youth: I'm wearing arm weights also.

10-10-220: stop it!

Cherry_Blossom: I'm going to stop this conversation here for our own sake.

fountain_of_youth: But why Sakura-chan?

10-10-220: for our own safety Lee

i_like_noodles: So your name is Lee huh?

10-10-220: oh crap

Cherry_Blossom: 10 10!

Naruto hated how they were still trying to hide their identities from him. However, Lee didn't seem to care.

fountain_of_youth: Rock Lee is my name! Konoha's Handsome Green Devil!

i_like_noodles: huh, ok.

fountain_of_youth: I do want to tell you something, Naruto-kun.

This didn't sound promising, especially from him.

i_like_noodles: um ok?

fountain_of_youth: I heard from another source that you are trying to win over Sakura-chan's heart. Well, I just wanted to let you know that you will be having a rival for her from now on.

Naruto let out a sigh of relief.

i_like_noodles: that's it? well you can have her.

Cherry_Blossom: What the hell?

fountain_of_youth: In that case. Sakura-chan, would you please go out with me? *heart*

Cherry_Blossom: What?!?! Ewww no!

fountain_of_youth: Please! *heart* *heart*

Naruto couldn't stop laughing. It reminded him of how much he had tried for her affection in the past.

Cherry_Blossom: No! Now stop that!

fountain_of_youth: Please, Sakura-chan! *heart* *heart* *heart*

Cherry_Blossom: Ugh, that's it. I'm leaving.

-Cherry_Blossom - has left the chat.

fountain_of_youth: I will train harder so that I will be more ready next time.

i_like_noodles: you're wasting your time. She's not worth it.

Hinata couldn't help but smile at those words.

fountain_of_youth: It matters not, for one day, youthfulness will prevail and the Handsome Devil will win the heart of the cherry blossom. But for now, I must leave to train with Guy-Sensei for tomorrow.

-fountain_of_youth - has left the chat.

10-10-220: awkward

i_like_noodles: you're telling me.

10-10-220: whatever, I'm out. going to go sharpen my kunai set before tomorrow.

-10-10-220 - has left the chat.

"Kunai huh? She must be into weapons. Now let's see, only two people left." A smirk crossed the blond's face. He knew what to say to Shikamaru.

i_like_noodles: so Shikamaru, guess what?

cloud_watcher: What?

i_like_noodles: I told you I would get one outburst out before the exam was over.

Hinata let out a giggle at his statement.

cloud_watcher: Yeah yeah, whatever.

i_like_noodles: now you owe me a bowl of ramen.

cloud_watcher: For what? We didn't make a bet and I bailed you out last time.

i_like_noodles: hmm, don't remember that.

cloud_watcher: You were having ramen with Hinata and you left suddenly, I had to cover your bill!

i_like_noodles: oh yeah. well either way, you still owe me.

cloud_watcher: Bah, troublesome. I'm going to sleep.

i_like_noodles: It's only 5:30!

cloud_watcher: I'll need it for tomorrow, good night.

-cloud_watcher - has left the chat.

"I swear that kid goes to bed earlier every day, sooner or later he will just stop waking up." The boy looked at the chat to see who the last person left was. His famed smile grew on his face as he read his soon-to-be favorite two words, "Unknown Heiress."

i_like_noodles: and then there were two.

Unknown_Heiress: You wanted them gone?

i_like_noodles: only a little bit. so how are you?

Unknown_Heiress: I'm alright, just a little worn out from the exam.

i_like_noodles: I knew you were there! where were you sitting?

The thought hadn't crossed Hinata's mind. She wanted to say next to him, but that would expose her.

Unknown_Heiress: I was in the back of the room.

i_like_noodles: awww, lucky you. I was stuck in the front.

His words brought a curious thought to her mind.

Unknown_Heiress: You didn't like the seating arrangements?

i_like_noodles: well by being closer to the front means the examiner can keep a better watch over you.

Hinata could rest at ease, seeing as his comment had nothing to do with who he sat by.

Unknown_Heiress: That makes sense. I still heard your outburst towards the end.

i_like_noodles: pretty good huh?

The Hyūga figured that she could be honest with him.

Unknown_Heiress: It made me feel good.

i_like_noodles: really?

Unknown_Heiress: Well, I was unsure of what to do at that point with the tenth question. I guess I could say that you helped inspire me.

Naruto was overcome with joy. He was able to help out two people with his motivational outburst, or so he thought.

i_like_noodles: you don't say?

Unknown_Heiress: What do you mean?

i_like_noodles: well to be honest, I did it so I could help out this girl next to me.

Hinata couldn't help but let a blush leak out and decided to go along with him.

Unknown_Heiress: Really? You did all that to help her?

i_like_noodles: yeah of course! She's my friend and she needed help.

Unknown_Heiress: She must be very lucky to have a friend like you.

Her words hit Naruto a little too hard.

i_like_noodles: wait, are you saying we aren't friends?

The raven-haired girl's eyes widened at his comment. "Oh no, I didn't mean that," she mumbled out to no one.

Unknown_Heiress: That's not what I meant, I-I mean you two know each other on a more personal level.

The blond was relieved at her comment. He didn't know what he would do if she wasn't considered his friend.

i_like_noodles: I guess you're right, but I still consider you as a close friend. In fact, I still haven't thanked you.

Unknown_Heiress: For what?

i_like_noodles: well almost a week ago. I saw you defend me against Sakura and the others.

Hinata's heart began to sink at his words.

Unknown_Heiress: Oh…you saw that.

i_like_noodles: yeah, sadly. but what you did was amazing! you were practically dueling it out with Sakura and gave her a good uppercut to the chin.

His words were an invitation to ask her the one question she truly wanted to know.

Unknown_Heiress: So you're not a fan of Sakura anymore?

i_like_noodles: of course not. the whole chat room attack behind my back was the last straw.

Her mind was at ease knowing that she had mentally accepted his invitation.

Unknown_Heiress: I'm glad to hear that.

Naruto raised an eyebrow at her words. "Glad to hear it?"

i_like_noodles: you are? In what way?

Hinata gasped at his words. "In what way? What does he mean by that?" Her fingers began to type out her stutters.

Unknown_Heiress: Wwell, it's jjust, now yyou don't hhave to deal with her aanymore.

i_like_noodles: well she still is on my team, so I will have to see her again. don't worry about me though, I'll be fine.

Without even thinking, Hinata responded.

Unknown_Heiress: Well, I do sometimes.

This time, the boy raised his other eyebrow.

i_like_noodles: do you really?

Unknown_Heiress: I I I , uuuh, I ggot to ggo.

-Unknown_Heiress - has left the chat.

-I_like_noodles - has left the chat.


Hinata sat back in her chair, breathing at a fast pace. "I can't believe I just said that to him," her voice was slightly mumbled. She wasn't exactly sure why she had left the chat room, her reflexes must have caused her to almost instantly close down KIM. "I should apologize for leaving suddenly.

The Hyūga logged back onto the chat service only to see that no one was there. A frown took over her face. "He must have left after I did."

"Wonder why he left?" Hanabi poked her head over her sister's shoulder.

Hinata jerked her head to the side at the sound of her voice. "H-how long h-have you b-been here?"

"Long enough. You should send him a message explaining what you did." The younger sister gave a playful chuckle.

"G-get out o-of my room!" Hinata got up from her chair and started to lightly shove her sister out the door. Hanabi seemed to enjoy it as she let several giggles out.

"Fine I'll go, but if you don't send him a message, I will!" The little girl ran out of her room laughing.

Hinata looked outside of her door to make sure her sister was gone. Feeling relieved, she shut the door and made her way back to the computer. She is right, I should explain to him. The raven-haired girl let her fingers rest on the keys for a minute before she finally knew what to say.


"Well that was interesting. I must have spooked her a little bit, she even typed out a stutter." Naruto chuckled at the thought while he stretched out his arms and let out a giant yawn. He scratched the side of his head as he looked over towards his bed. "I think that I'm going to have to pull a Shikamaru and go to bed early. That test really did tire me out." The blond boy waddled over towards his bed and flopped on top of it. He quickly grabbed his pillow and snuggled tightly against it. As he laid there motionless, the images of his conversation with the Heiress ran through his mind.

i_like_noodles: well she still is on my team, so I will have to see her again. don't worry about me though, I'll be fine.

Unknown_Heiress: Well, I do sometimes.

She was thinking of me. Those were his last thoughts before he drifted off to a sound sleep. Unfortunately for him, he had fallen asleep so quickly that he missed the chime from his computer, notifying him that he received a new message.


Chapter 7 is a go. I hope that the first exam was interesting enough. I added some of my own flare to it so hopefully it didn't seem like you were watching the tv show again or at least an exact duplicate.

Like I said earlier, I forgot that they had the night off before the second exam so I quickly made a chat conversation to go with it. But now there wont be any chats until after the prelims, sorry for the misleading author's note last chapter.

A thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter. I'm glad to see that this story is enjoyable for lots of people. Thanks for helping again Blondi89. Review if you would like. I enjoy reading them and it is great to know the opinions of others.

Until next time,

-Bench