Hey guys, how's it going? As I promised, here's your chapter.

Special Thanks To The Following For Reviewing:

blueberry08 - Yep, NejiTen's also a good couple. My second fave couple in fact. But I do hope you'll also stick with SasuSaku. I love SasuSau more. But NejiTen is definitely easier to write. Thanks for the star! And the review too! Here's a chapter for you.

Disclaimer: I, CherryBlossom555, admit in sorrow, that I do not own Naruto at all.

Chapter 7 - Hinata's Past

Shikamaru's POV

I'm going to die here. That's for sure.

BANG!

Huh? I heard the sound but I don't feel anything? Troublesome.... I opened one eye and I saw Ino, Sakura, Hinata, Ten-ten, and Kiba there. Somehow, they managed to block the other guy's attack and threw him a little distance away. What a drag.... I was looking forward to a long sleep! And how did they manage to (yawn) get pass that 'hell' anyway? I moved to the corner of the room because I felt really sleepy and judging by their situation, I think they can handle it alone. They're spy-nins for kami's sake~ Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

Hinata's POV

Sheesh, that's what's expected from Shkamaru. Our lazy genius.

"Panda?"

"Sakura?"

"Ino?"

"Hinata-chan?"

"Kiba?"

Nobody calls me by my name with the additional suffix of '-chan' in it. Unless of course, it's that dense, caring, Naruto we're talking about. I turned around and saw Naruto and some other guys emerge from the shadows. I really didn't pay attention to who they were. But I didn't care. Naruto was there, before my very own eyes!

Naruto and I met when Tennie and me passed the Sand Village on our way to Mist. He took us in for a couple of weeks. His parents died sometime before. But they left him a great fortune in which he spent for us. He was a sweet guy. And after 5 and a half weeks, Tennie and I decided that we should continue our journey. We had stayed long enough. Naruto tried to make us stay. He said that we were his dear sisters. As much as I wanted to stay, I needed to find my parents. So I promised him that once we found my parents, we would come visit him again.

However, we never did find my parents. We gave up at Leaf where Sakkie took us in and provided for us like a caring, older sister. We were the three best sisters. Though when I first joined HOTT, Tennie was a wee bit jealous of me. I don't know why though. I try as hard as everyone else does. But I had fun with my own group too. Unfortunately, the three of us got separated and I stayed with Kiba and Shikamaru. Though they were good people, I couldn't help but wish to exchange places with this so called Ino so that I can spend more time with my so-called 'sisters' again.

Shikamaru was really the lazy type, as everyone knows. But since he is in my Genin team, I got pretty used to it. But still, sometimes I couldn't help but feel aggravated to his sleeping all the time!

And Kiba, he was a good man. He even confessed to me once. I didn't reply though. I neither accepted, nor rejected. I didn't want to hurt his feelings but I kept my heart reserved for Naruto only.

And due to missions, I never did find time to meet with Naruto again. I even almost forgot him! But still, he was my best friend! And, I admit that I treat him more than that but god, it's been so long and I terribly missed him! I just stood there, awestruck. Naruto looked back at me with the same face. It was around then when I heard Tennie's voice yell, "Neji!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I turned around and was once again, dumbstruck to see my long lost cousin who, together with the rest of my family, abandoned me. "Neji-nii-san?" I asked quite uncertainly.

He stared back with surprised eyes. And I was caught off guard with what he said next.... "We were looking all over for you!" he exclaimed. "Four days after we left, we noticed that you were not with us. We returned to the house, but found it empty. Uncle has sent the best detectives all over the country and Hanabi has been worried sick ever since! And you, Ten-ten.... you've grown big!" So he did care! They did care! Why did I give up! We were so close!

I was so happy to see two close people I haven't seen in a long time.

I pulled both Neji and Naruto into a deep hug. And Tennie did the same. I looked back to see Sasuke, Sakura, Chouji, Kiba, Ino, and Sai coming over to join us. We all sat down in a circle and began our reminiscing and explaining.

Ok, I've ended it here! You could tell I'm in a bit of a hurry to update, huh? I just want to get this story over with quickly. Haha. I can't believe though that I barely gave time for only one review! But don't think I'm gonna let you get away with only one review in the next chappie! Anyway, next up, 'Ino's Past'! R&R!

CherryBlossom555