DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO AND ITS CHARACTERS. THEY BELONG TO THEIR RIGHTFUL OWNER AND PUBLISHER.

Forgive my grammar and typos. I am to lazy to review and edit.

One day, those tightly closed petals

Will spread out like the gown of the maiden

Gracefully making her way in the center of the ball...

Nine o'clock in the morning at Ichiraku Ramen.

I am the one who is suppose to be there, aint I? I was invited first. It was me who he asked shyly to go and eat with him. It should be me in her place.

Or was it?

Yeah, it wasn't really me who he wanted to be with. It is her right from the start who should be with him. She had been with him for a long time now, it is just normal. Beside, even though I can somehow lessen my stuttering and fainting in front of Naruto kun, it does not mean that I actually will stop making a fool of myself in front of him.

This kinda feels so pathetic. I promised myself I will walk beside him. That with Neji – niisan's death I was able to become stronger. Isn't that what my father told me? My father who had long given up on me, told me I am stronger now. But why I am still stock on this situation again? Feeling utterly hopeless and pathetic?

Could I really change myself? Would I really be able to amount into something? Or will I forever be this useless, shy and weak ninja?

I need someone to talk with. Yes, that is another reason to go and visit Kurenai sensei. Confining with her will lessen this anxiety inside me.

I first went to Kiba kun's house only to find out he has a mission. When I went to Shino kun's house, he has an errand to do. Left with no choice, I went my way to meet my former teacher. On the way I saw the Yamaka flowershop. Hmm, yellow roses will be a good gift.

I came inside to see Ino chan to be on duty. She smiled and waved wildly at me.

"Morning Hinata! What brought you here?" she asked with that vivid smile on her face.

There's no doubt she is one of the prettiest girls in our class.

"Uhm, yellow roses?" I asked.

"Sure, come here with me." She said and I followed her. "To whom you will give it?"

"To Kurenai sensei. I haven't visited her for a while now and her tummy's getting bigger."

"Yeah, I saw her the other day in the hospital having a check up. She's doing well and the baby too. Asuma sensei will be proud." She said and there is a hint of sadness in her voice.

"I know. Isn't it amazing how the cycle of life keeps on rotating? Even there is death, there will always be another life to be born."

"Yeah, I can't wait to see the baby being born. I just wish she or he will get Kurenai sensei's looks." She teased.

"That is kinda mean Ino chan.." I said softly.

"I'm just kidding. But one thing is for sure, the flame of Konoha will burn in that child's heart. Just like the rest of us."

Us? The flame of Konoha, do I have it burning inside me?

"Hey, Hinata should I cut it or it will be just like the usual, you will get the whole plant?" Ino chan cut off my reverie.

"The usual. I will take the whole plant with flowers on it."

"Alright," she said and I watched her as she put ribbon on it. "I always wonder why are you buying the whole plant instead of just the flower."

"It's because if I buy the flowers they will soon die and after that there won't be anything else. But if I buy the whole plant, even the flowers die, it will soon bear a new one. It does not make sense." I said before blushing.

"I don't think so. I know what you mean. That as long as there is a source of life there will always be hope."

I just smile at her. She sure is also one of the smartest persons in our class. After paying and promising that I will send her regards to Kurenai sensei, I left the shop.

The Yamakas sure grow plants really well. This plant has two full bloom flowers and two buds that are about to bloom.

I was walking towards Kurenai sensei's house when the training ground stole my attention. I remembered, this is the place where I was able to talk as normally as I can for the first time with Naruto kun. It was before his match with Neji niisan. He is having doubt of himself whether he can beat my cousin or not. I could not blame him not to have confidence at himself that time. My Neiji niisan was not someone who could be defeated easily.

Wasn't I the one who told him that he is a proud failure? He fails at times but he is able to pick himself up each time he fell down. I should be following my own words. I might fall down and stumble a lot and make wrong turns but as long as I can stand up back to my own feet I can continue on walking and one day be strong. All I got to do is believe that I can. Isn't that what I learned from Naruto kun?

I was smiling at the field when I noticed that I am not the only person there. Sasuke kun and Karin san are also there. Sasuke kun having a practice, for what purpose I do not know when he is already strong. Karin san is just there at the back watching him intently.

"Is there something you need?" he asked in a cold tone that scared me.

"N-nothing. I just happened to pass by." I answered him.

"Hahaha. You scared her Sasuke." Karin san said and Sasuke kun just gave her a cold stare that I am sure will send everyone into hiding. "Don't be scared of him, Hinata right?"

"Ah yeah. I am sorry."

By this time he no longer cares and proceeded on practicing his kunai throwing skills.

"Come here and watch him." She said and patted the empty space beside her.

I don't wanted to stay for long but it will be rude to just walk away. I sat beside her and watch him. He is amazing already. No wonder a lot of girls in my class idolizes him.

"Amazing isn't it?" Karin san asked me.

"Yes he is." I said and nodded. "I wonder why he still practice."

"He won't stop training. That is just the way he is. You were in his class before right?"

"Yes, but we haven't talk."

"Not a surprise. That guy always wanted to be alone and be boring. But what unexpected is a lot of girls go crazy over him. You are the first one I met among his former acquaintances who isn't crazy over him. "

"I.." I do not know what to say. I just blushed.

"Could it be that you favor that loud mouthed brat than this cool Uchiha?"

I am speechless again. She reads me so well.

"That Uzumaki Naruto has a warm bright chakra. Just like you."

"Eh?"

"I can see and feel people's chakra. In what I can see, yours is bright yet gentle. There is so much potential yet being bottled up."

"Karin, let's go." Sasuke kun called her.

"All right." She said standing up. "Well, see you around."

"Ah wait," I said as I walked towards her. "Here have this." I handed her one of the full bloomed roses.

"Thanks." She said and happily walks beside Sasuke kun.

"That idiot guy needed someone who is calm enough to tolerate his stupidness." I heard him say before he turned and walked away side by side with Karin san.

As I watched them, I realized Sakura chan is just feeling the way I am. But she is strong and is able to hide the pain she is feeling inside.

I found Kurenai sensei sitting outside her house, She looks well and her tummy is getting pretty big. She smiled when she saw me.

"What brought you here?" she asked me.

"I just wanted to see you sensei. How have you been?" I asked.

"Been good but the baby is starting to show movements."

"Really?" I asked amaze. "Is it a girl or a boy?"

"A boy." She said proudly while running her hands through her stomach.

"He will be one fine ninja."

"You think so?"

"Yes, cause he has Kurenai sensei as his mother and Asuma sensei as his father."

"And she got you and the others as older sisters and brothers."

I just smiled at her and then remembered the plant I brought. "Oh I almost forgot. Here."

"Thank you. They are pretty." She commented.

"Ino chan picked it herself. She also sent her regards to you."

"She sure does know a lot about flowers. By the way, where are Shino and Kiba? Why aren't they here with you?"

"Shino kun has some errand to do and Kiba kun is on a mission."

"Ah, I missed those times when we were still doing missions. You used to be cute little kids way back then. But look how much have you grown now."

"Time really flies so fast I guess."

"Yes. It is just like yesterday, when I took you under my wings. You were a timid girl with short hair back then."

"Did I change sensei? Even a bit?" I asked hopeful to clear my doubts.

"No."

That answer is unexpected. Maybe I will never change at all.

"You did not change a bit. You change a lot."

"What do you mean?" I asked half hopeful.

"You rarely stutters now and I heard from the others that you have fought bravely in that Great Shinobi war. I am so proud of you. I just wished I have the chance to participate too and see my team do their best. It is my regret that I was not able to see on my own two eyes how you guys flourished."

"It can't be help sensei. You can't join in it with your condition and we surely will not allow it."

"My my. You speak like you are the sensei here." She teased with a smile.

"That is not what I mean." I said blushing with embarrassment.

"I guess something never changes about you too. You are easy to tease."

"Stop that sensei."

"Hahaha." She laughed for a while then became serious again. "But honestly what brought you here?"

"I'm having doubt about myself." I said looking at my hands.

"Doubt about yourself?" she said and even though I can't see it, I'm sure her eyebrows are raise.

"I have stood in the great war together with others. I have fought side by side with them. My father, for the first time acknowledged my existence and strength."

"That is good. What's the problem about it?"

"But this last mission. It is an easy mission yet I became a burden. It made me think that maybe I did not really change at all. That I will never be able to change at all. I will forever be a failure."

"Do you really think about yourself in that matter? That you are a failure?"

"Yeah, that is why I came here. I wanted to know what does sensei think. On my way here, I saw the training field. I remembered the time I talk to Naruto and I remembered my own words to him."

"What are those words?"

"That he is a proud failure. He fell down but he always get up. I, then realized that I should follow my own words. If I fell down I should just have to bounce back up again."

"See you solved it yourself. You found a resolution."

"But still it will be good to hear sensei's thought."

She seemed to be lost for words for a moment and continue tending the plant I brought her. Trying to find a spot where to put it. When she finally decided a good spot for it, she began answering me.

"Look at this plant you gave me."

"What about it?"

"Do you see those flowers? This full bloomed one is really pretty isn't it?"

"Yes it is."

"Look at these two buds. Aren't they a lot prettier?"

I look at them but I can't see why they are a lot better than that fully bloomed one. I think Kurenai sensei sensed that I am confused.

"These buds have a lot of potential. They hang on even though strong winds blow, even though it rains too much or the sun is too hot. They hang on till the day they finally bloom. They are just like you, Hinata. You are still a bud but slowly, bit by bit you will bloom. So hang in a bit. There will be harsh days, times when you will feel weak and despair but just believe in yourself. Just like these buds as long as you are not cut off you will become just like the others too."

Before I knew it tears are streaming down my face. I will believe in myself and face any adversaries that may come in my way. I will not let myself to be cut off. I will endure until the day I become stronger.

It is already dusk when I left Kurenai sensei's place and I am feeling great. I won't allow myself to fall down into self pity anymore. I will move forward with determination in each steps I take.

This day must be something special cause I kept on bumping to people and this time it is with Sakura chan. She looks uncomfortable. Then I remember Sasuke kun and Karin san.

"Hey Hinata!" she called me. "Where have you been?"

"To Kurenai sensei's house. How have you been?"

"Oh. She's doing pretty well. I have been good. Naruto is really cheap but he is surprisingly fun to be with."

"Naruto kun can make people happy."

"Do you still love him?"

I stopped on my track. It is so sudden to be asked like this by her.

"I still do."

There's no point in lying.

"Please avoid him." She said in a barely audible voice.

"What are you saying?"

"Stop seeing Naruto! Don't talk to him." She shouted and tears are flowing down from her eyes.

"Why?"

"I need him to forget. I need to hold on to him to be happy."

"Do you love him?"

She does not answer me.

If today I had not seen Sasuke kun and Karin san. If I had not realized what is Sakura chan's going through. If she would answer me, yes she loves Naruto kun then I will just do as what she told me to. But she continue on being quiet.

"If you are only using Naruto kun to forget what you feel for Sasuke kun. If you are only toying with what Nartuo feels, then I am sorry. I won't do what you told me to."

"What is it with you? He likes to be with me. Even if I used him he would not know he is too stupid to notice. Beside no matter what he would still choose me over you."

I can't believe this is the same Sakura chan who had encourage me the other day. What happened for her to change this abruptly? Whatever it is I can't help but be mad at her. Too mad that I can feel anger boiling inside me for the first time.

Insulting me is fine. Putting me down is fine. But toying about someone's feelings. Using Naruto kun and insulting him I could not forgive her.

Unknowingly I slapped her.

"I I am so – sorry."

I meant it.

"Hinata!"

That is Naruto kun's voice. I turned and I looked at him.

The anger in his eyes meant he saw what I did.

Is this the end for me?

I am cut off just before I am given a chance to bloom.

Such a cruel joke.