CCNote: Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but this idea. Rated M blah blah blah.

Happiness

"Hey, Hina be careful!" Tenten called out as she watched Hinata ascend.

"I know!" Her faint voice responded back. Tenten put her hands on her hips and bit her lip as she prayed that the small woman didn't lose her footing.

"Maybe you should come back down and let me do it." Ino shouted, equally concerned about the safety of this endeavor.

"I got it!" Hinata shouted back as best as she could with a knife between her teeth.

The small woman unwound a makeshift rope of clothing that had been fashioned by Tenten and carefully wrapped it around the trunk of the tree. Even though this was entirely untested, she was determined to make it work. Tenten had stayed up all night twisting fabric together and in the process reopening the wounds on her hands. The brunette had worked so hard, Hinata did not want to let her down. The tips of her fingers tingled with fear but she was the only one who would be able to do this. Hinata tied the other end of the rope into a knot around her waist the way that Kiba had shown her. When it felt as though it was tight enough she removed the knife from her mouth and leaned away from the trunk of the tree to her main objective. Bananas. Bright, yellow, just waiting to be picked. She slashed at them in an attempt to dislodge the bunch but missed.

"Be careful Hinata!" Tenten shouted.

Hinata winced as sweat dripped into her eyes and stung. Futilely, she attempted to wipe the moisture away with the inside of her arm. She was so close and they had not had any fruit since they'd crashed. They had not been able to catch any fish for two days causing a cankerous tension among their group. They would not last long if this kept up. With determination and hunger fueling her, she took another swipe at the bunch. This time she didn't miss. Her knife nicked the tough notch that connected the bananas to the branch but was not enough to free them.

Swipe, miss. Swipe, miss. Swipe, hit.

Ino and Tenten shouted encouragements from the ground and Hinata sucked in a deep breath. Her arms ached and burned from her climb up the tree but she was not going to give up. She could do this. She took another swipe and was able to cut the notch again.

Swipe, miss. Swipe, hit. Swipe, hit.

She could do this. Her hands were so sweaty that she feared her knife would slip from her fingers and this would all be for nothing. Her body felt so weak that she doubted she would be able to retrieve the knife and climb up again.

Swipe, miss. Swipe, miss.

Mistakes were not an option. She could do this. One final lunge at the bunch caused the bananas to disengage from their branch and descend towards the jungle floor below. Hinata was surprised by their sudden departure but smiled to herself as she clutched the trunk of the tree.

The girls down below cheered and howled with happiness. Hinata's smile grew wider as she watched Ino and Tenten skip around the fallen bunch, the childish amusement between them radiating off in waves. Hinata was happy to see Tenten actually getting along with another girl that wasn't her. Tenten did not get along well with many people, namely women, but this was a refreshing sight. Hinata tore her eyes away from their merriment to take in the jungle around her. She had always been blessed with better than average eyesight and from this vantage point she could see so much more of what the jungle had to offer. She felt her breath hitch as she saw that not too far from them was another fruit tree. If she wasn't mistaken, it looked like it possessed fat green and red mangos just ripe for the picking.

"Get down here Hinata!" Tenten shouted happily, a wide smile gracing her features.

"Here I come!" Hinata shouted back and quickly began to untie herself from the tree.

The makeshift rope fell to the ground and Hinata shimmied her way down after it. When her feet touched solid ground she was immediately accousted by two overly excited women. They tackled her to the ground, smothering the smaller woman with hugs and laughter. Hinata felt her heart tug a bit as she unsuccessfully avoided Ino and Tenten's tickling fingers. She was happy. Really and truly happy. They were stranded and damn near starving but she was happier here than she had ever been back home. After their fit of giggles began to die down, the three women remained on the forest floor in a tangle of limbs and dirt. Even though their hair was messy and full of debris, their clothing dirty and torn, and their skin slick with sweat the three of them did not move. They just breathed and relished in the moment of peace that enveloped them.

"Great job Hina." Tenten said softly and Hinata sighed as she felt her friend pull her closer to her chest and place a kiss on her sweaty temple. "The old Hinata would have never done something like that."

Hinata smiled with closed eyes and nuzzled further into the embrace her oldest and dearest friend. Tenten was right, the old Hinata would have never done anything like that. The old Hinata didn't jump off of cliffs in her underwear. She didn't climb trees and she certainly didn't traipse through the jungle at all times of night. The old Hinata was full of fear and insecurities and while those things were still very much a part of her, Hinata knew that she was becoming different somehow. Slowly but surely she was changing, growing. Hinata's eyes fluttered open as she felt something shift behind her. She turned her head slightly to see Ino sitting up, tears clinging to eyes that were squeezed shut. Her platinum blonde hair, full of dead leaves and dirt, had fallen out of it's usual ponytail and fell messily down her shoulders and arms.

"Ino?" Tenten asked, releasing Hinata and sitting up.

"Are you okay?" Hinata asked softly as she placed a hand on the blonde's quivering shoulders.

"I'm so sorry!" Ino hiccuped and wiped her eyes with the heel of her hand. "I'm being silly."

Tenten and Hinata shared a look of concern with each other, unsure of what to do. Ino was not their friend. They had known Ino since high school but none of those interactions had been positive since she was usually hanging around Sakura, the bane of their high school existence. They knew the woman to be a fun person, a party animal, and a perpetual optimist but that was all they knew. They had no idea what the problem was nor how to comfort her if she were to tell them. Ino was not a complete stranger but she may as well be.

"I'm just realizing how close you two are." Ino smiled through her tears. "It makes me miss Mira and Chouji. What you guys have is so special. If I'm being honest I'm a little jealous."

"Don't be jealous." Tenten smiled and wrapped her arm around Hinata's shoulders. "This one gives me a heart attack nearly every day with her disappearing acts and dangerous adventures. She's so high maintenance!"

"Te-tenten!" Hinata pouted and puffed out her cheeks.

"What it's true. You also come complete with an insufferable cousin that won't shut up." Tenten frowned as she ran her hand through the tangled dark brown waves of her hair which had tumbled out of her usual buns.

Hinata cut her eyes at Tenten but the look held no malice. Her cousin really didn't shut up. Ino giggled at their exchange.

"I thought I had what you guys have with Sakura but now I don't know. She's never been that hurtful." The blonde sighed with a sad smile on her face. "It's going to sound so juvenile but I really don't have any close friends besides her. I mean there's Shika but there's only so much he understands. My stomach feels like it's tying itself in knots and I'm so confused."

Hinata slid her hand from Ino's shoulder and grabbed her hand, intertwining their fingers together. Hinata had mixed feelings about Ino but for some reason she wanted to comfort her. Those sad blue eyes made her heart ache. They looked at her as though they were trying to convey an apology they didn't know how to voice. Was she trying to apologize about Naruto? Even though it hurt her to know that Ino had kissed the man she loved, she couldn't find it in her heart to remain angry at her. She doubted that she was ever genuinly angry to begin with. Naruto barely acknowledged her existence, she had no control over who he did or didn't kiss. Besides she couldn't fault Ino for falling for Naruto's charms. The man's exuberant personality was intoxicating. With a heavy heart Hinata smiled and gave Ino's hand a small squeeze.

"It;s okay Ino." Hinata said softly and the blonde looked at her with watery blue eyes but behind the tears, she could see that Ino was grateful. Grateful that Hinata had accepted her unspoken apology. Fresh tears began to well up in her eyes once more. Tenten sighed and leaned over Hinata to place her hand on the back of Ino's head. She pulled the teary woman foreward and pressed her forehead to Ino's. Tenten looked into her sad blue eyes and smiled.

"Stop crying Ino." Tenten said firmly. "It's okay to feel these things but don't cry. We can be your friends if you'll have us. Right now we have to rely on each other. It's all we have."

Ino let out a chocked sob but didn't move away from Tenten. Hinata squeezed her hand again and reached out with her other hand to hold Tenten's. Tenten was right, they only had each other. Even though the reality of their situation was scary, she felt stronger knowing she had people like Tenten around to catch and support her. As Ino's tears disappaited the three women laid back on the forest floor. With Tenten to her right and Ino to her left and their hands still intertwined, Hinata felt the happiness she'd felt earlier return. The two women laid impossibly close to her, their limbs tangled and skin sticky with sweat from the hot humid air that surrounded them but it was perfect. Hinata closed her eyes and revelled in the feeling. She was happy. A cough from above broke the women from their peace. Hinata opened her eyes to see dark orbs staring down at her with a hungry look that made her shiver involuntarily. He licked his lips and smirked at her reaction. She blushed and sat up with Ino and Tenten.

"You three look comfortable." Neji smirked. "Are you trying to take my cousin as well Ten?"

"You would like that wouldn't you." The brunette scoffed but an unmistakeable pink blush dusted her cheeks. She ignored his outstretched hand and stood up on her own. She stuck her tongue out at his glare and brushed the dirt off of her butt. Sasuke handed Neji the two makeshift spears he'd been holding and went over to the fallen bunch of bananas. With a grunt, he lifted the heavy bunch and placed it on his shoulders.

"I didn't realize you were such a perv Neji." Naruto chuckled as he offered his free hand out to Ino to lift her up. In his other hand were two dead gray rabbits dangling limply by their feet.

Ino hesitated but took his hand and was pulled up roughly to stand. When she was steady she attempted to tug her hand away but Naruto didn't let go, instead pulling her closer to his side. Hinata watched curiously as Ino blushed but quickly gave up resisting the stubborn man. Hinata waited for the familiar pang of sadness and jealousy to hit her heart but it never did. She felt nothing as watched them interact awkwardly with each other, absolutely nothing. How strange? Hinata stood up and tried to unsuccessfully run a hand through her long hair. Had she truely gotten over her feelings for Naruto? Tenten and Neji began to walk back towards their encampment with Naruto and Ino close behind them. As she watched their retreating backs she smiled. She wasn't completely over Naruto but she was getting there. The love and admiration she held for the man would always remain in some capacity, of that she was sure, but maybe-just maybe- one day someone would have that same affection for her. She hoped that one day her feelings would be reciprocated and she would find herself a special place in someone else's heart. Maybe, just maybe...

"You coming Hyuuga?" Sasuke's gruff voice called out, already well ahead of her but still a bit behind the others.

"Coming!" She squeaked and ran to catch up.

…...

"Ready, set, go!" Ino screamed.

Hinata watched her toss the soccer ball high into the air and winced at the sound of bodies slamming into each other. She took a sip of red wine and shook her head. Did they had to be so rough with each other?

The sun was beginning to set over the ocean, leaving the sky awash in vibrant oranges and yellows. Although the sun was retiring for the night the energy of the group was still high. Previously when they had been excavating the luggage, they had discovered the soccer ball and while it had been pushed to the side then it was now a source of entertainment and comfort. Rock Lee and Kiba had formulated a complicated and rather violent version of soccer that allowed them to burn off a lot of their pent up energy. Even Shikamaru, as lazy as he normally was, joined in on the game. While the game was fun, the boys had learned early on to never, ever put Sasuke and Naruto on a team together. The two alone would decimate the others, it was much better to pit them against each other on opposite sides. It made for a much more entertaining viewing experience. As soon as Ino had called the game to begin, Naruto had barrelled head first into Sasuke's chest, knocking the raven to the ground and sprinting towards his team's makeshift goal. Neji and Tenten were hot on his tail.

Neji swiftly gained a bit of distance ahead of him and swept his legs under Naruto, tripping the man and causing him to lose control of the ball. Tenten nimbly jumped over the fallen man, quickly taking possession of the soccer ball and began making her way towards the other team's goal. Neji followed behind her blocking and defending all opponents that attempted to impeded the brunette's progress. When Tenten successfully kicked the ball and scored a point, Hinata cheered. They could work so well together when they weren't fighting. Lee enveloped the two of them in a bear hug, much to their outward disdane, but Hinata noted the small smile that tugged at the corner of her cousin's lips and the blush that splashed across Tenten's cheeks.

"Your friends are rather interesting." Temari said with a small smile and Hinata jumped at the sound of her voice but quickly recovered and slowly nodded her head in agreement. Despite the time they'd spent together on the island, Hinata had barely spoken two words to their former flight attendant. The woman took the bottle of wine from Hinata's hands and examined the label.

"Hm, this is from the first class cabin." She said pensively. "I always wanted to try it."

Without asking permission she put the bottle to her lips and took a big gulp. She lowered bottle as though disappointed by it's taste but took another drink, albeit much smaller this time. Temari handed the bottle back to Hinata who immediately took another sip. Hinata felt Temari was much too intimidating to hold a conversation with but it didn't seem as though the woman wanted to push more of a conversation. Instead the two women cordially passed the bottle back and forth and enjoyed the sight of senseless violence in front of them.

Hinata swallowed thickly as she watched Sasuke swiftly pull his sweat drenched shirt over his head and toss it into the sand. His pale and muscles taunt, he was not dissimilar from the statues of the gods found in museums. The man's body was certainly a work of art. Hinata blushed as she traced the planes of his body with her eyes. She shivered as he recalled the feel of his weight pressed against her, his tongue gliding over her skin and playing her like a violin. His every touch forced her to moan out his praises. Her fingers twitched in anticipation. The man was turning her into a pervert without even trying. He seemed to have noticed her staring and turned his intense dark eyes towards her. Although his face betrayed no emotion his eyes burned her skin, she knew exactly what he was thinking. He wanted to consume her, possess her. He wanted every fiber of her being to belong to him and him alone. Hinata was not sure she was willing to give that to him. Hinata averted her gaze and took another sip of red wine, allowing the musky dry taste on her tongue to distract her from her improper thoughts. She still felt his eyes burning holes into her skin. Behind her she heard someone chuckle menacingly.

"How cute." Sakura smirked and snatched the bottle out of Hinata's hands. "Is the whore really embarrassed by a look?"

"W-w-whore?" Hinata stammered and Sakura took a long drink from the bottle of wine.

"W-w-w-whore." The pink haired woman mocked. "Yes, that's you."

"Yo, why don't you lay off the wine." Temari glared as she stood up and attempted to take the bottle away from Sakura but she only sidestepped her.

"Why don't you tell her to stop laying around." Sakura sneered and took another sip. "Out here just spreading her legs for anyone."

Hinata blushed and hung her head. It felt as though Sakura knew more than she expected but how? Did Sasuke tell her? No...she hadn't seen him alone with her. So how? Sakura's volume had gotten the attention of the others who had stopped their game and were now starting to approach the three of them.

"She just pretends to be all shy and innocent but shes really a little slut. She'll sleep with anyone that gives her a little attention." Sakura sneered and Hinata jumped to her feet. "How pathetic you are."

"I-I-I'm not like that!" Hinata countered but Sakura only smirked and shook her head.

"But of course you are. Naruto wouldn't bite so you went on to the next best thing. You really are so easy." The woman laughed and took another sip.

Neji came up to stand beside Hinata and place a firm hand on her shaking shoulder. He looked down his nose at the inebriated Sakura, not appreciating the accusations she was lobbing at his cousin.

"What are you going on about Sakura?" Neji asked flatly and Sakura laughed even harder, her green eyes bright and vindictive.

"Oh look, Neji's here to defend his pathetic little cousin. How sweet." Sakura giggled and took another sip. "Would you still defend her if you knew she liked spreading her little whore legs for the -"

The loud crack of skin hitting skin reverberated through the group and sucked the air out of everyone. Hinata slowly lowered her stinging hand, shocked by her own actions but not guilty. The right side of Sakura's face a was red from the impact and her greens eyes wide with surprise. She turned those green eyes to Hinata and narrowed them, disdain and hatred rolling off of her in waves.

"How dare you!" Sakura hissed and lunged with a clenched fist at Hinata.

Hinata squeezed her eyes shut and braced herself for the hit but was surprised when she felt nothing but air graze past her face. She opened her eyes to see Sasuke holding a writhing Sakura in his arms. She kicked, hissed, and scratched but he did not let her go. Instead, he hoisted her over his shoulder and carried her away and into the jungle without so much as a parting word or glance. Hinata stared at their retreating backs, something unnerving settling into the pit of her stomach.

"Are you okay Hina?" Tenten asked but Hinata couldn't respond. She was not sure what she was feeling but she most certainly was not okay.

CCNote: Alright, there you go! This was definitely more of a friendship chapter than a romance chapter but I believe that it's important to work within rounded dimensions. There are all kinds of relationships on this island and I want explore them all. I feel that it gives the story more depth. Anywho, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Tell me what you think of the story so far in a review. I love all of the favorites and follows but don't forget to leave a review. Whether you love or hate the direction of the story, let me know! Until next time!