"Hinata! Eeeeeek! You look adorable!" Ino squealed, throwing her arms in the air for emphasis.

"But you still look the same as ever! What about that skirt that I got you?" Sakura scolded.

"I wasn't ready for that yet!" I cried.

"But you would cute in it!" Sakura wailed.

I sighed. I was about to wear a skirt, but…I kind of lost the confidence to. And even if I had the confidence, Dad and Neji would go into shock, then go into unnecessary rants. They are usually used to see Hanabi wear rather cute clothing such as skirts, dresses, and even skinny jeans, but for me? Well, you can say that they want to raise me as the child with modesty and class since I am the next heir for the Hyuuga family household. To tell you the truth, I am pretty prideful about my rank. Haha, funny. But…since Dad wants to try out the modern life, we moved into his deceased brother's home, also Neji's home. So after I graduate college, I'll be moving back to my Japanese old-fashioned mansion—back in Japan.

"All right, fine," Sakura sighed. "But next time, you better at least wear hat skirt with that tank top."

"I-In the middle of S-September!?"

"'In the middle of September?' YES in the middle of September! It's still hot as a desert!"

"B-but then October will be coming up next, then November, and then December! It's best to wear suitably warm clothing s-s-so that you will not catch an unwanted cold, e-especially when school just began."

Ino and Sakura stared at me with utter dismay.

"I think that hot cousin of hers really have gotten into her," Ino audibly whispered to Sakura.

"I-I-I heard that, Ino!" I shouted.

"Jeez! Relax, Hinney! September is still smoking hot, which means people will die of heatstroke if they start wearing jackets and sweaters," Ino said, waving it off.

"But—I—"

"Pig-for-brains right, Hinata. You worry too much," Sakura added.

"I do not worry too much!"

"Oh yes you do," Ino snorted. "Hey, Forehead, what did you just call me earlier?"

"What? Couldn't hear? Do you need a hearing aid, Pig-for-BRAINS?"

As the two quarreled like usual, I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed. I do not worry too much. I merely don't want to get a cold when I just came back to school, that's all. Is that too much to ask?

Then the first bell rang. I took quick steps to get to my first period class, leaving my two friends behind me. What Sakura just said was utmost ridiculous! I don't worry too much. I mean, it's not bad to worry about one's health. Then there was another time where Ino said that I was too uptight because I didn't like wearing a bikini when we went to the beach during our summer vacation. First of all, I don't like to feel heat exposure burning on my exposed flesh, even if I wore sunscreen. Secondly, I feel as though it is improper for me to go prancing around with such little coverage.

Okay, maybe I do worry a bit too much. There was this time during our vacation, I had a feeling that it was going to rain, but the sky was clear of clouds and the sun was shining hotly. I stayed inside all day, and guess what? It never rained. The next day, it was the same as before so I took it that it wasn't going to rain. So I went out and walked around, and guess what? It actually rained.

Sometimes, I wonder to myself if my life would be easier if I were to be more laid-back and not so…so…so Neji-ish—or how Sakura implied it. Ino was somewhat shocked when Sakura said that because during that time, Ino was crushing on my cousin.

"Hinata!"

I turned my head to see Tenten pacing quickly to me. I smiled and greeted back to her.

"Where are you headed?" she asked.

"M-Mr. Sasori's history class," I answered.

"Ah, I used to have him when I was a freshmen."

"Really? How l-long did he work here?"

She grinned. "Why so curious?"

"E-eh? J-just w-w-wondering," I muttered.

"Ha! I'm just teasing you. No need to get so worked up."

Does that mean she thinks I'm being uptight as well?

"I have no idea how long Mr. Sasori worked here, but from what I heard, he started before the year that I first entered this school," Tenten said.

"Oh. So who do you have?"

"Mr. Orochimaru," she sighed. "He's my science teacher."

"Y-you sound as if h-he's bad."

"He is! He's so weird too! He's so pale, gangly, plus he has this icky voice that's similar to a snake!" she ranted. "There's rumors that he's a fag."

I shivered. That does seem weird. I recalled that Mr. Orochimaru is also the teacher of Ino. Tenten and Ino both speak rather crudely of him. So far, they just talk about his outer appearance and the way he talks, not how his personality is like. I felt a surge of pity for the man who I don't even know. I want to tell Tenten about this, but I don't want to sound like a know-it-all.

"Well, here's my classroom. Bye Hinata," Tenten said, waving.

"Bye bye," I replied back. I gave her a smile and waved back.

My classroom was about a few doors apart from Tenten's first class. I opened the door and headed for my seat. Mr. Sasori—surprisingly wearing glasses—was there already along with some other students as well. As more and more students entered the room, the bell rang.

Mr. Sasori stood up. "Pass in your homework to the end, then turn to page 45 and read the following four pages."

After today's lesson, the bell rang. I slid my things into my backpack and slung it over my shoulder. Before I could leave, I heard my name being called by Mr. Sasori.

"U-uh, yes?" I said, walking back.

Mr. Sasori, who was seated in his rolling chair, turned towards me. He adjusted his glasses, then said, "You don't happen to have Itachi Uchiha as your teacher, do you?"

I blinked. Itachi Uchiha? Was he referring to Mr. Uchiha? My science teacher? "Y-yes, I do..."

He sighed and ran his fingers through his red hair. "You're dismissed."

"Thank you," I muttered, then scurried out the door.

I suddenly felt my face feel uncomfortably hot. What was that about? Why did Mr. Sasori need to know whether or not if I had Mr. Uchiha as a teacher?

As I made a turn, I accidentally bumped into someone. The binder in my arms fell to the floor. "I-I-I am so s-s-sorry!" I rambled. I flushed even more in embarrassment. Before I could pick it up, a hand already scooped up my binder.

I looked up, finding Gaara Sabaku in front of me. I would have squealed in fear, but that would attract unwanted attention, plus I was so scared that I wasn't able to do anything. Usually I wasn't scared of Gaara, but ever since he told me that he needed to talk to me and to come back to him afterwards, I became uncomfortable for his harsh and sharp words. When we had our very first conversation, we were both shy. It was extremely awkward at first, but after some of Temari's encouraging and embarrassing words, we had fun together.

What happened to him? Yes, he was solitary and quiet like now, but timid as well. Temari always told me that he wanted a friend to be with. Unfortunately, I was way too shy to be his friend. So, instead of me, Naruto suddenly became friends with him. I always admired that wit Naruto had. The Gaara now is…just pure scary and, there I say it, rude. Plain rude.

"Hyuuga," he said with that cold voice of his.

I felt a shiver go down my spine. I swallowed and forced a smile. I think it came out wrong. "H-hello," I replied. My voice somehow managed not to waver.

He handed my binder back. I thanked him and received it. Before I could escape, he said, "You…do you have Mr. Uchiha as a teacher?"

"E-e-excuse m-me?"

"Do you have Mr. Uchiha as a teacher," he repeated.

I nodded.

I didn't hear, but he grumbled something under his breath.

"U-um, I need to g-go n-n-now. I-I'll s-see you later, o-okay?" I said, trying to give out a friendly smile. Just to be nice.

He grunted in reply.

I practically dashed to my locker. GAH! Being in the presence of Gaara Sabaku really is a frightening experience! I hope Temari would just get here as fast as she can!

As I did my locker combination, I thought how strange it was that Mr. Sasori and Gaara asked me the same question in one day. Why do they need to know if I have Mr. Uchiha as a teacher? I wonder if there are going to be any other people asking me the same question. I bet they're asking other students too if they have Mr. Uchiha as a teacher. Maybe Mr. Uchiha did a horrendous crime!

Inwardly, I chuckled. That would be odd. I even noticed something. Two stoic red heads asked me the same question. How funny!

I took out my science book and binder, and then closed my locker so that I could start going to my other classroom—science with Mr. Uchiha.

When I got there, I haven't expected this but Mr. Uchiha was absent! I heard some side conversations from girls about how awful it was that a 'hot teach' was gone. I thought I was going to puke. Why are they fawning over a man who is their instructor? It seems so wrong in many ways!

"Hinata, man, isn't it weird that Mr. Uchiha isn't here?" Tenten sighed.

"I-I suppose."

"He's such a cool teacher. I couldn't wait to get to his class after having that snake fag, but now that he's gone, I'm so angry!"

I shrugged.

"A shrug? Is that all I get? I shrug?"

"Um…I don't know?"

Tenten broke out into a laugh. "You're funny, Hinata."

"I try not to be," I giggled sheepishly.

Suddenly, Mr. Hoshigaki staggered inside the classroom, looking tired. His flushed cheeks clashed with his blue gray skin tone.

"Mr. Hoshigaki, are you okay?" one student called out.

"Yeah, yeah, just—just a hangover, that's all," he slurred.

Are teachers even supposed to be drinking on a school night?

Then his gaze averted to me. I flinched. Somehow…his usual fun and joyous atmosphere has turned into something menacing and…dreary.

"Eh…where's Mr. Uchiha?" a girl called out.

"Mr. Uchiha? Mr. Uchiha drove to a cliff and died!" Mr. Hoshigaki cackled evilly.

There was a dead silence.

"Just kidding," he happily slurred.

"I think that hangover went to his head," Tenten whispered into my ear.

I nodded.

"You there!" Mr. Hoshigaki whipped his head towards me and pointed at me in an accusing manner.

I nearly jumped out of my seat. "Y-y-y-yes s-s-sir?" I squeaked.

"Do you think I would make a good best man?"

"P-pardon?"

"Well lets just say that your best, BEST friend was to be married to some girl. Of course, every marriage needs a best man. But instead of choosing your best, BEST friend, he chooses his SEMI-friend! What the hell!?"

"M-Mr. Hoshigaki…are you…okay?" Tenten asked.

He was on the floor, glaring at the tiny dust particles. "No…my pal chose a semi over a besty! What the hell is going in his brain of his?"

"U-u-uh…is Mr. Uchiha g-g-getting married?" I stammered.

"Hell YEAH!"

Oh.

There was a shriek of "What!?" I guess this is going to be traumatic to all fan-girls.

"What? Seriously? To who?" another girl screamed.

Mr. Hoshigaki stood up, looking even redder. Well, in this case, purple, cause blue and red makes purple. Haha! I made a joke!

"Well, more like engaged. He is engaged to someone who I'm not supposed to tell," he murmured.

"C'mon Mr. Hoshigaki, you can tell us!" a guy called out.

"She must be a babe."

"Yeah, Uchiha's do have high tastes since their all asses!"

"That wasn't funny! Ugh! I'm so jealous!"

"Yeah, who's the bitch anyway?"

"U-u-u-um, M-Mr. Hoshigaki?" I called out to him, gently.

He turned to me. I felt my cheeks burn up. I almost forgot what I was about to say. "So…Mr. Itachi c-chose someone else to be his best man instead of you?" I tried my hardest not to stutter.

"Yeah, can you believe that?" he cackled lazily.

"Well, why would he do that?" Tenten asked.

"Says I'm too party hardy. CHE! I can be responsible!"

"A teacher can be 'party hardy'?" I asked to Tenten. She just shrugged.

"Why I—I can be a great best…"

Mr. Hoshigaki collapsed.

A girl screamed, "He—he's dead!"

"No he's not! He just fainted, that's all," a boy called out.

"Someone should take him to the nurse."

"Are you kidding? Carry this big fella?"

"Yeah…he's tall and all big."

"I'll take him." Everyone turned their heads to the one who called out. It was—it was Naruto!

"Are you serious?" someone skeptically snorted.

"You better believe it!" Naruto exclaimed, grinning.

He walked to the lying body, slung the teacher's arm around his shoulders, and then hoisted him up. At first, he staggered because of the weight, but then he managed to get his balanced straight.

"Jeez, Mr. Hoshigaki is heavy!" He must be working out or something," Naruto muttered. "Hey Sasuke, help me get his other arm, will ya?"

Sasuke is here as well?

"You're such a knucklehead." Sasuke stood out of his seat, his hands already in his pockets.

As Sasuke assisted Naruto, a girl cried out, "You're in this class, Sasuke?"

"No he isn't! He doesn't have Mr. Uchiha; he has Mr. Orochimaru."

"Then why is he here?"

"And why is Uzumaki here too?"

"Yeah, he doesn't have this class!"

"Well, you see—" Before Naruto could presume on, Sasuke cut him off. "Dobe, they don't need to know."

"Sheesh, fine then!" Naruto huffed.

Then Sasuke's head turned to me. "Hyuuga, there's something that I need to talk to you about so you better some with us."

"M-me?" I said, pointing to myself.

Sasuke nodded.

"Oh! Can I come, Sasuke?"

"No way! I want to go with him."

"Hey, hey! I'll come too! I want to help!"

"No! I will!"

I can't believe it. I'm going to be with Naruto…just Naruto! A-and, um, Sasuke as well, but I'm goingto be with Naruto! My heart was beating fast. Was it excitement? Happiness? Or perhaps the fear of messing things up with my one of a life time chance of being with him? No! I can't mess this up! I just can't!

Tenten then nudged me on the side. She grinned. "Lucky you, huh?"

"W-what are y-you saying?" I murmured.

I stood up and followed the two boys out the door, along with Mr. Hoshigaki in their arms. On our way out, I heard complaints from girls. Then I heard a shout from Tenten, "Good luck, Hinata!"

I ducked my head and sighed.

"Man, those girls sure are loud as hell, ain't they?" Naruto joked.

Sasuke just grunted.

I wonder what Sasuke wanted to talk to me about. More importantly, when did he even acknowledge my existence? I always thought he had no idea that I lived, even though we were classmates in 7th grade. We never talked, made eye contact, or any communication. Then why, why now?

"Hey, Hinata. You shouldn't follow us from the behind like some shadow. Come walk next to me," Naruto called.

"O-okay," I replied. I walked a bit faster and next to Naruto, who was smiling a huge and friendly grin.

How long has it been since he smiled at me like that? How long? And how long have I been longing for it? A very, very long time. Happily, I smiled back at him. It was a shy, small smile, but at least I pulled out a sincere one.

"Hey, it's been a while, hasn't it?" Naruto said.

"Y-yes, it has," I agreed.

"You don't stutter as much as you used to. Has Neji finally stopped picking on you?"

"He has. He's now like a-a dear o-older brother to me."

"Pfft! Ha! Neji?" Naruto laughed. "That's awesome!"

I giggled along with him. If you have seen Neji beck then, then hear that Neji's being a brother, then you can't help but laugh at that!

"Whoa, I have to meet up with him next time. The last time I met up with him was like…last month or something. He's still cocky, but better than last time."

I nodded. "He is indeed improving. I-I'm just g-glad to have him right now."

"How about you?"

"Huh?"

"Are you improving, Hinata?"

"H-huh? W-w-well, I-I can't really s-say," I muttered. That question was really out of the ordinary!

"Hmmmmm." He stared at my face. I think the veins in my head are about to blow up from pumping blood too hard! "Nope! You still need to improve!" Naruto declared.

Huh…?

"You're still not there yet, but you better don't give up!" Naruto shot me an encouraging grin.

I felt myself smiling as well. Why must his smiles be so contagious?

"Yeah, you're not weird and fidgety anymore, but you stutter too much still and you're kind of quiet. Don't get me wrong, you're not as quiet as before, but you still need to be more out going, you know?" Naruto said, looking up at the ceiling.

Eh…?

"Idiot," Sasuke muttered.

"What did you say, bastard?" Naruto growled.

"You're too obnoxious," he coolly stated.

"Y-yeah, well, you're a jerk!"

"Is that all you got?"

"Gaaah! I'll get you next time!"

"And I'll be waiting," Sasuke sighed, rolling his eyes.

'And I'll be waiting', that had a nice ring to it. I looked at Naruto, he was quarreling with Sasuke. I'm sure that Naruto haven't noticed that his blunt words have hurt me, but that's okay! If he wasn't blunt, then how am I ever going to improve? I want to change. I want to change so that Naruto would see how strong I am. I'm willing to do this not only for him, but myself too. Without Naruto, I would have never even tried to discover my own happiness. If Naruto never was here, then Neji would be living in hardship still and would carry a great grudge against me because of my family status.

I give all my thanks to this blond boy. He is so strong, determined, and willing as well. I want to be like him. Not only I want to be stronger, but have the ability to make others smile. Naruto can do that, so I want to do that too! I want to make people who are sad and desperate into people who have full hearts and smiling faces. I want to relieve the pain and sorrow. If that's possible, then…then I want to be a super hero! Not the kind where I have abnormal strength or beat up bad guys, but the power where everyone would be just satisfied with who they are and what they have.

'And I'll be waiting'. I imagine Naruto saying that to me. He'll be waiting for my improvements. Yes, he is in definite love with Sakura, but that doesn't matter anymore. If I continue to love him, I'll continue to become stronger. Then maybe…he would love me just as how I love him.

I smiled.

From the corner of my eye, I caught Sasuke looking at me.

My face went cold. Why is he looking at me? Oh no, does he have some sort of grudge against me? Oh no, I'm panicking!

When we made it to the nurse's office, the teacher wasn't there. The two boys placed the unconscious Mr. Hoshigaki onto a bed. They collapsed on another bed and began panting.

"Oww, my shoulders!" Naruto whined.

"I think I dislocated my shoulder blade," Sasuke grumbled, rolling his shoulder.

"U-um, do you want a massage?" I offered. Since I'm here, I should at least be useful.

"Really? Thanks a bunch, Hinata!" Naruto cheered.

"Dobe, you have to get going to your class, remember?" Sasuke intruded.

"Aww! Can't I take a break? I mean, I did carry this big guy up here!"

"First of all, you offered to do so. Secondly, you weren't even supposed to follow me here."

"I wanted to know what you were doing."

"I told you, I came here to talk to Hyuuga, now go."

Naruto swore something under his breath. "Fine, I'll go, I'll go. Later Hinata, and thanks for trying to give me a massage." Naruto grinned.

"I-it's not a big deal," I said. "Bye."

After Naruto left, it was just Sasuke and me. Well, Sasuke, me, and Mr. Hoshigaki who is unconscious.

Sasuke was sitting with one leg crossed over the other. His back was arched forward as his fingers were entwined. This was usually Sasuke's sitting position back then in middle school. Wow, he still sits like that. Has he even changed since?

"S-so what did you w-want to talk about?" I asked.

"Hyuuga, you are aware of clan engagements, right?"

I blinked. "Clan engagements?"

He nodded. "Happens rarely, but each high-class clan is to have the head of their household marry another if their wealth is going downhill. So if each clan agrees to marry, then they share their abundant. This happened often in the Feudal Era. "

"I, uh, n-never heard of such thing before," I said.

"Really…" he muttered.

"U-um, so there really is an Uchiha clan?" I blurted.

"Yes, as there is a Hyuuga clan too."

How does he know that? And why does he want to talk to me about this? Clan engagement? What's all this about anyway?

"What's going on?" I asked him.

"You really don't know, Hyuuga?"

I shook my head.

He frowned. "You just have to find out yourself then."

Before I could say anything, there was a loud groan.

Sasuke stood up. "I'll take my leave. You better figure it out soon, I'm not a patient person."

Without giving a last glance, he left.

"Oh, my head. Gosh, I need to stop drinking," came out a deep voice.

I went to the bed. "U-um, Mr. Hoshigaki? A-are you feeling okay?"

The man blinked. "H-huh? What are you doing here? Wait a minute, what am I doing here? Where am I?"

"You're a-at the nurse's office."

His eyes widened. "What happened?"

"Well, y-you started on a rampage," I nervously chuckled, "about Mr. Uchiha n-not choosing you as his best man a-and then…well, fainted."

"So you mean that…everyone saw it?"

I nodded.

"GAAH! No! I'll never be able to show my face there again!" Mr. Hoshigaki buried his face into the pillow.

Uh…What to do? What to do? What to do? What to do? What to do? What to do? What to do? What to do? What to do? What to do? What to do? What to do? What to do? What to do? What to do? What to do?

"Um, M-Mr. Hoshigaki!" I exclaimed.

He stopped complaining and looked at me with half a dazed look.

"I, uh, I'm pretty sure that the students will understand that it was all a big misunderstanding. I mean, if y-you carefully explained to them what happened…"

"Are you serious? With them? Yeah right," he sighed. "It's alright, just go back to class."

"W-without a teacher?"

Another sigh escaped.

I thought. How am I going to do this? Didn't I say that I wanted to make people happy? This is my chance to! But what should I say? What should I do? I already tried reassuring him that the students will understand if he just explains, but he doesn't believe me. So what now?

What would Naruto do at a situation like this? Then I remembered when I witness Naruto talking to a little girl two years ago. The little girl was crying because some boys were picking on her. So Naruto told the girl, "The Miku I know is a cheerful, caring, and gentle girl. She's strong and faces hardship. I'm proud of how you faced those big meanies, but Miku, don't cry over such a thing. They're nothing compared what you'll be confronting in the future. So stand up tall, don't look back. I know you can do it. Miku is the bravest girl I know." His words were honest yet firm. He looked straight into her eyes and said it with determination.

I want to be like that.

I stared at Mr. Hoshigaki's back, which was turned towards me. 'How cowardly' would be what most people would say, I believe. But this is natural. All cowards need some encouragement, right?

I took a deep breath. Thank goodness I known Mr. Hoshigaki for a while now, or else I would be in trouble.

"The…the Mr. Hoshigaki I know never acts like this," I said.

"Yeah, well, this is how he truly is," I heard him murmur. "Go back to class."

"The Mr. Hoshigaki I know I always cheerful," I tried again. "He is always filled with funny and sarcastic remarks that would make the class laugh crazy. Even if Mr. Uchiha doesn't show it, I would a-always smiling because of it."

Mr. Hoshigaki remained silent still. I took a quick breath. I have to make this sound more honest, because it is the truth.

"Mr. Hoshigaki may be quite peculiar at times, but that's what makes him so unique. He is an amazing person and I will never hesitate to say that I look up to him. He's a strong person, not a coward. Not only he's funny, cheerful, but he is also a very loyal friend. I-I am very certain that Mr. Uchiha will be very sad if Mr. Hoshigaki were to be gone because…because Mr. Hoshigaki is such a wonderful person. There is no one like him. There is no one who can replace him and—"

"Hinata, I'm not going to die, you know?" Mr. Hoshigaki was sitting up, grinning at me.

I bit my bottom lip to stop the wavering.

"You know, you have some skill right there."

"M-M-M-M-M-Mr. H-H-H-H-H-H-Hosh-sh-sh-sh-sh-sh-igak-k-ki," I stammered.

"Hey, don't cry right now! Why would you be crying? I'm the one who sh-should be c-crying."

"B-b-b-b-but I-I-I-I-I-I can't stop!"

Mr. Hoshigaki rubbed off a tiny tear that wasn't even about to come out. He was still grinning. "Y-yeah, w-well, if I can stop, then y-you can stop too!"

I could just nod.

"Ha! Look at you! You—you look like some watery eyes f-fish!"

"Y-you have blue skin!" I quickly remarked.

"Hey now! That's cheating!"

I sniffled; the urge to cry has now gone. I smiled. "Thank you."

"I don't accept because I should be the one thanking you, Hinata."

"W-why? Because I encouraged you?"

"Of course! I was about to give in into suicide before you did anything!" he exclaimed.

"S-suicide?" I gasped. "Just because you reputation in school?"

"Yeah…I'm still a kid at heart, you know?" Mr. Hoshigaki sheepishly scratched his chin.

"Mr. Hoshigaki, I know that if you put on that h-huge g-grin of yours and be you u-usual cheerful self, you can pull off anything!"

He paused. "You really think so?"

I nodded.

He smiled. "I envy you, girl."

I blinked. "M-me? Why?"

"Because with words, you can make a person feel better. You're such a kind person."

I quickly ducked my head just to hide away the blush of embarrassment. "I—uh, t-to tell you the truth, I have never e-ever made anyone feel better," I confided, "only made them disappointed."

"Che. Forget the crazy bastards. It doesn't matter anymore since that's been all in the past. You know, Hinata, you should be a doctor."

"Why a doctor?" I asked, looking up.

He smirked. "Because you can cure people's illness of sadness. I'm glad to be your first patient."

I paused, then smiled. "I think I will t-take your advice, I will become a therapist!"

He broke into a roar of laughter. "A-a therapist? And fix the mentally ill?"

"M-Mr. Hoshigaki! That's not very funny at all!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I just couldn't help it," he snickered. "When I meant by doctor, I didn't mean it as a career."

"Oh."

I smiled. "Well, I'm still considering to be one anyway."

"Yeah, a therapist. You'll make one hell of a wife then."

I blushed. "W-what d-d-do you m-mean by that?"

"Nothing, girl. Just teasing."

Some tease.

"I gotta confess now," Mr. Hoshigaki said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Since you just gave me what you thought of me, I think I have to do the same too." He looked at me. I nodded and told him to go on. He took a deep breath and said, "I always thought that you never had a back-bone because you always stutter and was quiet."

I shrugged. "I get that a lot."

"Hmmph. Well, since then, —and please don't get offended by this because I have a whole new perspective of you—I thought you were a freak."

'Freak'. The word pierced through my chest like a bullet. It hurts a lot. But Mr. Hoshigaki doesn't think that way of me anymore so it doesn't matter. I just smiled.

"You're not pissed?" Mr. Hoshigaki said with surprise in his voice.

"No. I just understand that I have to change who I am, because I want to be more free of myself," I sighed. "At first, it hurts, but you need to experience things like these. Without experiencing what pain is, you can't truly grow up."

Mr. Hoshigaki shivered. "H-heh, heh, y-you sound like Pein," he nervously laughed.

"Pein? Who's that?"

"Sorry, I mean Mr. Pein."

"I…sound like Mr. Pein? How?" And why is it scary to him?

"Well, he said something the exact same thing as you did. 'Pain helps you grow'. The way he says it, it's like he wants us to cut ourselves up!"

"E-eh? I'm sure he doesn't mean it like that."

"Well it sure feels as though!"

I never thought Mr. Pein to be a scary person, well, perhaps stoic but not scary. Now Gaara is scary. Oh yes he is.

I felt Mr. Hoshigaki stare at me for a while. "What is it?" I asked.

"Hmm? Oh, nothing, nothing. Just thinking how lucky that guy is to have you," he murmured.

"'That guy to have me'?" I raised an eyebrow.

He slapped his large hand over his mouth. "Shit, I said too much. Nothing! Nothing at all!"

"U-uh, if you say so."

Then the bell rang. I gasped and immediately stood up. "Oh no! I have to get going! I'll see you around, okay?"

"Yeah, take care, Hinata."

"Oh, and Mr. Hoshigaki?"

"What?"

I chewed down my bottom lip. "E-even though Mr. Uchiha haven't picked you as his best man, you'll always be his best friend," I exclaimed.

He paused, then gave a cheery grin. "Hell, girl, I know that!"

I nodded, then rushed out.

Kisame's POV

I sighed and lied back down. I ran my fingers through my hair. Hinata is such a great girl, I think I should hire her as my personal therapist. Damn it, her sugar words! Oh well, at least I won't be committing suicide. Shit, but I feel guilty for not telling her about her engagement. Poor girl.