Hey…sorry for the very long wait. School just finished and even if I tried to update this story during classes, I couldn't since I'm making a novel(which I may be giving to a publisher to publish) and my readers from my school have been edging me to finish it in three months quick, so to say, I was caught up with it; and I couldn't seem to finish it since it's being passed from one person to another, and to think, I had only started with it this year's January; and now, it only lacks two or three chapters.

This story is almost coming to its close, I think in the next chapter. I know it's kind of soon, but I think this story should close. I had not many ideas left on what to put, so I'm really sorry that it has to be cut short. I'm a busy girl, that fact alone really troubles me. So anyways…I'm sorry to keep you waiting; on with the story.READ&&REVIEW after, ayt?

"words"-being said
'words'-thoughts
(words)-things added…but if there is A/N-then you know what that means
Words-flashbacks
"words"-being said through the phone
Words-IMing

Chapter 11: What's Going On

"Hey…why the slump face?" He asked his best friend as they were sitting down on the benches by the soccer field, waiting for time to reach four o'clock so they can start. He didn't answer. "Naruto…talk!" He mixed his question with that of a demand.

"How often do you meet with Sakura?" He asked him, while turning his gaze towards his best friend.

He was surprised at the question as he didn't expect it. "You didn't answer my question, Naruto." But he still didn't get an answer as Naruto wouldn't say anything. He sighed, and answered his question instead. "Once or twice a week. Why ask?"

"Have you asked her already?" Again, Sasuke's question was answered by yet another question.

"Uhm…" Sasuke started off uneasy, this was a personal question; but he figured, since he is after all his best friend, why not let him know. "Uhm…yah…sorta."

"What do you mean sorta?"

"Alright…I did."

"When?"

"Just recently. Last week." He informed him. "Why…what's up?"

"Hinata." Finally, he got an answer. But that didn't seem to give him everything he wanted…or needed to know. So he waited. "It's almost two months…I haven't seen her."

"When was the last time you did?"

"I was bringing her home. Consent of Neji himself." Naruto heard Sasuke sighed before he continued. "I know I'm taking this too seriously, Sasuke. But she's not even online, so that in response, I can't talk to her. I'm sorry, but she's like a drug that I have to see, listen or talk to everyday. And not talking, and worse, not seeing her, is giving me a bad predicament. I'm not feeling so good."

Sasuke sighed once more. "I'm lucky Sakura doesn't have an older brother. I'd be in your position if she did." He mumbled.

"What was that you said?" Naruto asked, though hearing his friend clearly.

"No…nothing." Sasuke said. "You see, Naruto, Neji is Hinata's older brother…and since he is the older one, Hinata listens to him. They are pretty close, and Neji can do what he wishes, he'll do anything just for her. He'll do anything for his sisters. And with Konohamaru after Hanabi, you two sure are in a heck of a crap. You two sure are alike."

Naruto chuckled. He couldn't help but agree more on what he said. "EVERYONE! ON THE FIELD IN FIVE!" They heard their coach shout, as they all started standing; and as they did, Naruto said. "Yah, the only difference is that he sees Hanabi more than I do with Hinata. He has become familiar with the streets of this place." He then proceeded to the center of the field.

'What! Konohamaru with Hanabi! But tha---he---she….godamnit! They're both too young!' Neji exclaimed in his mind as he had overheard the two's conversation. 'I dare say the Uchiha's right. Though just cousins, they pretty are alike.'

"Neji…You sure with what you are doing?" He heard his friend ask.

He looked towards him. "About what?" He asked as they were walking to the center.

"Look at him," the other said. "He's no longer as cheery as before."

"Oh…that." Neji just smirked. "I am totally sure about it. I just want to see what he's going to do about it; if he's going to do the wrong thing…or the right thing to pass my test of endurance, perseverance, hope and will." He smiled at the two before running to stand behind the coach.

"I just wonder if Hinata's is coping up with this well." One of the two said out loud.

XXXXXXX

'Wait…before I go meet her today…I'll stop by somewhere.' He thought as he entered the flower shop three blocks before reaching the school.

"Three flowers for Hanabi may stand for 'I like you'…yeah…but, no…some may see it as 'I love you'. No. If four, then 'I really like---love you'. No." He sighed. "Aggh…what the heck. Three rosebuds for Hanabi. But if I buy her some, the possibility of meeting Hinata-san as well is kinda big. So I'll buy her three as well." He got her three lavenders and purchased the six flowers before heading to the school once more.

The school never ceased to awe him for its size, but the young girls who were probably at her age or younger kept giggling each time he visits. The first few times, this really annoyed him to the extent that he almost shouted, lucky for him, he hadn't as Hanabi step at his front and hugged him, taking his mind off the other girls. Today, the same school, different girls, but the same giggles. He had gotten used to it.

He walked to the elementary part of the school and waited outside the gate, in high hopes the Hanabi would just come out to in surprise to see him. Lucky for him, it did go that way. She came out of the school gates with her heavy sling school bag, surprised at the boy in front of her. Konohamaru smiled at her. They walked towards each other, as he raised his hands with the three rosebuds in it, handing those to her. She smiled and got the flowers, and before she could complain, Konohamaru was being a gentleman he could be and voluntary got her bag and carried it for her.

"Thanks…but you sure you wanna carry that?" She asked.

He smiled at her. "Don't worry. I'll be fine."

Hanabi gave him a warm smile that made him blush every time she did. Girls around started to stop giggling and walked away as the two talked, and this happens every time they do. "Uhm…" Hanabi started, "Can we wait for Nee-chan? She's still having volleyball practice."

"Sure…" Konohamaru had no second thoughts. 'Glad I also bought her some.'

They made their way in the gates of the high school department, and walked down the halls to the indoor volleyball court. Reaching there, they sat on the benches, taking note of the high school girls giving fluffy comments of them, even with her own sister giggling at the fact.

Taking a five minute break, Hinata proceeded to the two. "I see you came to visit again." Konohamaru only nodded. "You came here alone?" Hinata asked, though downcast when Konohamaru nodded once more. He handed her the flowers. She smiled and said thanks.

Kurenai just budged in, sitting beside the boy, giving him a knuckle rub on his head. "Now aren't the two of you a cute pair?" She said.

"Hey…hey!" Konohamaru complained with a light pink tint on his face paired with Hanabi's as soon as Kurenai stopped. "The hair…" He said, trying to make a point as to why he didn't want the head rub.

"Riiiiight…" She said sarcastically.

Four other girls joined the four and in an ironic unison, said "You two look so cute together…" The two who were younger blush more. They older ones giggled. "Well, anyway…" one of the four started, the oldest, "Hinata, we're visiting the guys later, tell them of our game this Saturday, mind to tag along?"

Hinata brightened. "No…not at all. I'll go with you then."

"Good. We'll go there as soon as practice ends."

And they did so right after changing to more comfortable clothes, less sweaty and fresher. They made their way out of the school towards East Academy for Boys.

XXXXXXXXXX

Pant…pant…sigh…puff…gasp…sigh…inhale…exhale…

They were all breathing heavily after a long hard training. Their coach didn't want them to loose in an upcoming tournament. He wanted them to go all the way to international cups, and they themselves don't like loosing. Some of them were sitting on the benches already; some were still standing, all cooling off and having a drink of water. Only three separated from the rest, as they laid themselves on the grass of the field, and like the rest, trying to catch some breath. "MAN!" One of the three shouted. "That…puff...really wore…pant pant…me out!" Kiba exclaimed.

"Yeah…" The other two agreed. They sat from their position, taking notice that people had started to stop from their tracks and looked at the entrance of the soccer field. They also averted their eyes there.

The others that were sitting now stood on their tired feet, as Neji ran towards the entrance making others wonder why. The reason came into view as four people came in. Three other guys stood up, one of which was his best friend who was sitting beside him, but now was walking to his girlfriend. Each of the three guys possessed a girl that just came in as they slid the arms around the waists of their girl. The last person of the group wondered where his soon to be girl was, and after pondering some, left it be, knowing the older brother was there, and now, he's heading to Kiba to play some soccer.

Naruto stood up. The first thing that came into his mind was 'Where is Hinata? Why isn't she here?' To him, it was unfair, others got to see theirs and he didn't get to. He sighed. He figured, Neji must have caught up with his as he hadn't come out yet. And he reckoned that there's no one left as to no one else came in. He took as seat by the benches along with the others.

But that was where he was wrong. The line 'I thought…' never cease to always make us stand corrected. By the entrance, just a few meters away from the seeing view, four figures were standing there; amongst the four three were siblings, and amid the three siblings as the oldest, their brother.

He faced the brown pony-tailed haired girl. "Please do wait. I'd like to talk to you…privately." He said, surprising her at the same time making her blush some. "I'd like to talk with my sisters first." She nodded.

He dragged both his sisters a few feet away from her, before asking. "What are you two doing here?"

"Uhm…" the older of the two started. "The others wanted to visit you guys, so why not. In the process, the three of us can also go home together."

"Well, you didn't have to." He sounded demanding; and to the youngest, already somehow rude.

"But we wanted, nii-san. And we're also here to tell you about our upcoming game this Saturday." She told him.

"Game?"

Hinata nodded with a bright smile. "We won the District Meet the other month, so we're continuing on to Unit Meet. If we win, then Division Meet, then Regionals, then---"

She was cut off shortly. "So you want us to come and see your game?"

Hinata nodded. "And if you wouldn't mind, I'd like Naruto to go so we can meet again. I haven't seen or talk to him for a long time now."

He sighed. "I'm sorry, Hinata. We also have a tournament this Saturday. Naruto's the assistant team captain. He can't miss this game. Heck! He can't miss any game."

"Oh…" Hinata was dismayed at the fact given to her. She was pretty excited to meet him today, and again on Saturday. But then again, she only has today. She eased a bit and said, "So…can I just go now, and meet him…NOW…?"

"No…wait. Just one more thing. Since whe--" He said, but was cut shortly when someone passed by saying, "Bye, Hyuuga-senpai. I'll see you tomorrow in practice." He said is farewell to his caller, not seeing the face, but smiled inwardly as he knew the voice and knew who he was with, and these two had cared less of who he was talking to for not looking at his direction. "Now…where were we?" And lucky for him, his sisters hadn't noticed or cared much as they were driven into Neji's topic in nervousness. "Since when had Konohamaru been visiting you, Hanabi?"

Hanabi's eyes grew like saucers. 'WHAT! H-HOW DID HE KNOW!' Her mind was going frantic. "Uh—uhm…" Stutter…all she did was stutter.

Neji chuckled a bit at his sister, and now faced the older one expecting an answer. "He started visiting last month. He did so every other day and sees her." Hinata truthfully said. This was one thing he likes about them. They don't know how to lie. But they just don't tell him the truth. All in all, they don't tell him; they didn't tell him.

"And why didn't you tell me?" Now, he was again facing the younger.

"Uhm…well…because, I thought you wouldn't approve." Hanabi said. Again with the line 'I thought'.

"Who said I wouldn't?"

"So…you would?" Hanabi asked in anticipation.

"Who said I would?" Again with the confusion. He sighed before chuckling at his sister's puzzled face. "I will…in the long run. But not now…you're too young." He said, as he rubbed her head. He faced Hinata again. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want to be a tattletale. And that was her life, not mine. She gets to decide for it, so I didn't say a thing; I didn't have the right to do so." Hinata said.

Neji knew she was right. He sighed once more, before turning from his sister and headed to face Tenten. He sensed that his sisters had left for the soccer field; but smiled as his test was still on the go.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting." He started.

"No worries." She said with a warm smile as he started to have a bright pink across his face. What was in girls' smiles that affect a guy so much?

"Uhm…I heard you were going to have a game this Saturday."

"Yah! That's one of the reasons why we came here. We'd like to invite you guys, if it was okay, to cheer for us and watch us play."

"Uhm…about that. We also have a tournament this Saturday." He said, it was not only he who was disappointed with the information, but Tenten as well, as neither can saw the other play the sport they each love. "So…where will it be?"

"We don't have the exact details yet; still no time when it would really start. But if our coach informs us, I'll be sure to inform you so you guys can try to catch up with our game."

"Sounds good." Neji said, with Tenten only nodding.

"Where's yours?"

"USA-University of Sannin Arts…not the country." He replied, as they both started to cackle a bit. "Hey, Tenten…my…my dad would like to meet you." He said with a cheeky grin.

"Wow…that fast? We were just on the relationship for a month and he already wants to meet me?" She asked surprised.

"Uhm…well…you see, he's been edging me to have one, so if I don't tell him I already did, he would have been such a bother. So if it would be alright, can we squeeze me in your schedule and meet my dad." He asked.

Tenten smiled. "Sure, why not. I'll also tell you when my parents would like to meet you. I would have to tell them about this first."

They both chuckled as they started to make their way towards where the others were staying. And upon arriving there, did they hear Hinata say. "What? He left already? Why hadn't I noticed?" What he didn't like to see when making test were disappointed faces, especially from his sisters, but he always expected one like those. But he had no choice. He just has to see if he passes this second test. Because if he will, for sure, he'll pass any test he is about to give him in the future.

"Hinata, Hanabi, come on. Let's go home. We'll be late for dinner. Father will be furious." He called to his sisters. The two girls waved goodbye to the other people in the field, in hopes that Naruto would still know of the game and come try to see her before his tournament starts.

"Bye then. I'll try to see you this Saturday." Neji waved goodbye, planting a peck on Tenten's cheek.

Hyuga Residence…9:56 p.m.

Lights were off even this early at the night. She had gotten used to it, her siblings as well, as they have two to three hours to do everything they need to do for school here at home. She's relieved since she was through in time, and was still able to help her sister along with her brother. And now they all got ready to have some rest.

She crawled to her bed, pulling her covers on her, lied down, putting her head on her pillow. She sighed. But she didn't wish to sleep just yet. She knew there was something lacking for the night. She reached under her pillow as she pulled out her very own laptop. She completely hid herself under her coverlet along with her laptop.

She turned it on.

Lucky for her, she had set it into mute so no one would hear.

She waited for it to be able to connect to the wireless internet of their home.

It connected. She smiled. She can't wait.

'Maybe, for once, he wouldn't know.' She thought.

She clicked on the messenger; typed in her username: lavanderpearl5sun.

"HINATA! Go to sleep!" She heard her brother call.

"Damnit! And I thought I made tonight." She grumbled to herself as she closed the messenger.

"IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GO TO SLEEP, I'LL MAKE SURE YOU WILL!" Neji cried out again.

She turned her laptop off and placed it back under her pillow. "How does he always know!" She whined. It was like that every night she tries to sneak to sign in her messenger, but to no avail, she always failed. Neji always knew. She sighed. She left that aside and tried to get some rest. And this was not the first night this happened, for it happened a lot in the past two months.

For Neji will see to it if Naruto would know what to do for this test of will, see her again with and without his consent at the same time, if he wouldn't have to hassle her to go somewhere for him, if he knew what he was doing, and he would pass all the others if he passes this one. He smiled as he drifts off to sleep.

There…chapter 11. I hope you guys enjoyed. And I do hope I know what I'm doing for Naruto to know what he's doing. Sigh. Anyways, I think next chapter would really be the final one. Again, I hope you guys enjoyed. Thanks! Read&&Review!

Summer came knocking at my door! Woot! Summer Vacation is here! Oh yeah!