Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in a while. Things have been pretty busy for me lately. Lots of stuff to do in school, and second sememster is always harder than first in my opinion. I would've updated sooner if not for school, but I do have a life to live. Ah, well. To make up for my month of lateness, I've made a double update. Enjoy.

Still very misunderstood

"…You still don't get it?"

"You really aren't very bright, are you?"

"But I still don't see what she's so mad about!"

Kiba and Shino sighed. Naruto devoured his ramen, a frustrated and confused look on his face.

The three of them had left the hot springs and went to get something to eat… at Ichiraku's obviously. Along the way, Kiba and Shino had been trying to explain to Naruto how he had offended Hinata, and they were still trying to explain even as they were eating. It really took a lot to get through to the blonde. Either he was really stupid, or too dense to realize what he had done… or maybe both. Yeah, probably both.

"Naruto, dude, I don't know how we can make this any more clear." Kiba said exasperatedly. "You hurt Hinata's feelings by saying you don't find her… pretty, I guess would be a word I could use."

"But I didn't say that! I just said I wouldn't want to see her naked!" Naruto cried in frustration.

"It's the same thing." Shino sighed, pushing up his glasses a bit. "How can I put this into words you would understand…"

"Don't talk like that. You make me sound dumb." Naruto whined.

"Maybe because you are…" Kiba muttered.

"What was that?" Naruto said angrily.

"I suppose I could say Hinata is offended with the fact that you ignored her, ahem, womanly side." Shino said slowly.

"Womanly side…?" Naruto mumbled, still confused. "What's that mean?"

"Well, explaining this to you might be a bit difficult…" Shino said thoughtfully. "In any case, every girl wants to feel admired or given a little bit of attention. They really want the attention of those they want to be close to. They want to feel appreciated by that person, and to have the person notice them for the woman that they are."

"I… don't get it." Naruto said cluelessly.

"What Shino means is," Kiba interrupted. "Hin's always looks for the approval of the people around her. Her old man, Neji, us, Kurenai-sensei, her friends, but most of all, you."

"Me? Why me?" Naruto asked.

"You're the person she respects and admires the most, so naturally, she wants to be noticed by you most of all." Shino said simply.

"But I do notice her! I think she's a really nice person and a good ninja." Naruto said. "That still doesn't explain why she's so mad at me!"

"You idiot." Kiba sighed. "Hin's a girl. Plain and simple. We, as men, can't possibly understand what goes through a woman's head. And face it, all girls, even though some may not seem like it, are sensitive and can be easily hurt. Plus, as annoying as it is, they can turn anything we say into an insult. What you said really hurt because your little comment gave her the message that you don't see her for the woman that she is. You don't care about her."

"But… I… What?!" Naruto clutched his head. This didn't make any sense!

"In simpler terms, she thinks you don't care about her and that hurt her feelings." Kiba said, finishing off his ramen.

"Ugh, I don't understand girls…" Naruto groaned.

"She'll be back soon. She just needs to vent out some anger is all." Kiba smiled.

"Perhaps we should go to her house and wait for her there. You can apologize for your remark when she returns." Shino suggested.

"I'm not even sure what I'm supposed to be apologizing about…" Naruto said miserably.

"Don't think about it so much. You'll probably get a headache." Kiba smirked.

"I already do…" Naruto groaned.

X.X.X

Hinata pushed the branch out of her way. She walked through the forest, Naruto's words still floating around in her head. She had calmed down after a few minutes of walking, but she was still angry at Naruto for neglecting her feelings. Hinata sighed.

"He probably doesn't even know that he hurt my feelings…" Hinata said quietly.

When she really thought about it, Naruto hadn't really ever paid her much attention or got to know her. Sure there were times where he praised her and complimented her, but that was rare and she couldn't remember the last time he had done so. His eyes looked towards everyone but her. It was like she didn't even exist… like he didn't even care about her…

Hinata really started to wonder why she even liked Naruto. He was attractive, as he had grown and matured a bit over the years, but the reason she had fallen for him was his determined, happy, childish, and goofy personality. No matter what, he could always put a smile on her face and give everyone a little bit of encouragement. She admired him so much, but was that all it would ever be? Admiration and nothing more? Would he never see her the way she saw him?

Was all this some childish infatuation?

Hinata gasped as the ground below her disappeared. She closed her eyes and fell down the slope, rolling and tumbling until the ground leveled out again. She reopened her eyes and stared up at the dark sky. She could already see a few stars. She grumbled to herself, clearly embarrassed with her fall.

She suddenly felt a sharp pain in her left leg. Hinata slowly sat up and saw a deep gash on the inside of her thigh. She winced as a bit of blood slowly trickled out from the wound.

She tried to stand up, but every time she did the pain escalated and she had to sit down.

"Perfect…" Hinata sighed. She looked back up at the ledge she had fallen from. "Quite the drop."

She shivered as cold air swept around her. Even if she was wearing her usual jacket, it didn't completely protect her from the cold.

"I guess getting lost in my own thoughts wasn't such a great idea." Hinata sighed to herself. She lied back down on the ground. "I hope someone comes for me…"

X.X.X

"Er… how late is it?" Kiba asked.

"Almost ten." Shino replied, not taking his eyes of the book he was reading. Had to do with bugs.

"Don't you think Hinata would have been back by now?" Naruto asked.

"I'm sure she's fine." Shino replied nonchalantly. "She isn't a helpless little girl, you know."

"Still, don't you think we should go and look for her?" Naruto said.

He wondered why he felt so uneasy about Hinata being out late. It's not like he hadn't stayed out late before, and she was more than capable of taking care of herself. He knew this. But even so, for every second that ticked by the more worried he felt.

"Maybe it's because I feel guilty about hurting her feelings." Naruto thought to himself. "Maybe this is because I made her feel bad. But I still don't know what she's so angry about…"

"Man, I hope she gets here soon." Kiba grumbled. "I have to help my sister clean out the kettles and she'll be pissed if I ditch."

"Just be quiet." Shino said. "We'll wait another half-hour or so then go looking."

Naruto's eyes narrowed. Weren't those two the least bit worried about her? If they were, they sure didn't show it very well. Kiba was just sitting on the couch complaining about cleaning and Shino was reading his book without any regards to anything around them. Naruto felt his worry increase. He just couldn't sit around anymore.

"I'm going to look for her." Naruto said standing up. "You two can wait here if you want. I'll be back soon." Naruto left the Hyuuga compound.

"Should we go too?" Kiba asked.

"No." Shino shook his head. "This is a good chance for him to apologize. We can just stay here."

"He really is an idiot isn't he?" Kiba sighed.

"He is." Shino nodded.

A/N: Hope you all remember that I'm doing a mini-series right now.

Go on and read the next part. If you still want to that is.