Hinata stares calmly at the bright blue sky. The serene, peaceful setting sent a calming sensation all over
her body. The faint chatter of Children in the background. The birds. The clouds. She could see the
appeal in watching them, though she wished she did not have to have noticed it now.
She lowered her small head to gaze at the children, playing in the park. She desperately wanted to join
them, but her timidity was her downfall. Every time she took a step forward, an invisible force held her
back, pieced together by her insecurities.
What if they didn't like her?
What if she was unwelcomed to play?
What if they thought her eyes were creepy?
Her hair was way too boyish for her liking, would they make fun of her for it too?
What if...
She squeezed her teary eyes shut and looked around for seating. She would try to play next time. There
was always a next time. She crawled onto the bench and sat with her knees pulled to her chest. It was
getting breezy out. Soon she would need a jacket.
Her pearly eyes glanced at the group of adults talking, paying the children no mind. What terrible
babysitters. She smiled softly when Ko looked her way, giving her a questioning gaze. He knew she was a
loner. He'd always thought that she preferred to be alone, but it was the exact opposite.
She hated being alone. Her own sister avoided her like the plague, and her father thought no more of
her than if she was a worthless mutt. She was a failure to the Hyuga way of life.
Her bones were too frail for her clans fighting style, easily breaking at even the slightest impact. She was
useless.
Hinata felt like crying, letting lose all of her bottled-up emotions. But she knew if she did, Ko would have
to take her home, and he would get scolded. Besides, it was peaceful here. Not at all like her own home.
Hinata turned her attention back to the children, watching them with mournful eyes. Her eyes darted to
a small boy; whose hair was so bright it was a surprise she missed it. His eyes were a deep cerulean blue,
and he had the most curious whisker marks on his face.
Was he looking at her?
Hinata slightly blushed, not being used to attention from anyone. He looked to be about the same age as
her, with a tan T-shirt and green shorts.
Hinata started to panic as he took small steps in her direction. Was he coming over here? What was he
going to say? Would he talk to her? What would she say?
"Hi."
Hinata did not even notice when he was right in front of her. She wanted to speak, but her voice would
not allow it. Instead, she let out a small squeak, that embarrassed her to no end.
"Why are you all by yourself?" The boy asked, taking a seat beside her. Up close, she noticed how dirty
and ragged he really was. it reminded her of those dirty orphans on movies, who must survive by
stealing and other means.
Was he an orphan too?
"I- I- um..." Hinata stuttered out her reply, bowing her head in defeat when the words refused to come.
"Well, I'm by myself too. So, we can be friends!" Naruto grinned, holding out his hand for her to take.
Hinata's eyes widened, her heart racing. Friends...
"Um..." Hinata blushed, bowing her head down.
"C'mon, lets shake on it. That's what the adults do when they come to an agu- agre- a whatever it's
called."
"Do you mean an agreement?"
Naruto pouted. "So, the only time you talk is to fix my words?"
"No- I- I'm sorry..." Hinata shook her head gently before she tentatively raised her hand. "I- I'll shake on
it..."
Naruto stared quizzically at her. Her heart pounded. Did he not want to shake anymore? Would he think
she was stupid?
'I wish I'd have never come today...'
"Yup!" Naruto smiled. "Alright!"
Hinata's face flooded with relief, as her small hand was enveloped in his. It felt nice, having her hand
held.
"Well, what's your name?"
"H-Hinata..."
Naruto beamed. "Like the sun, or a sunflower!" He jumped onto the bench to sit beside her, eagerly
nodding his head.
Hinata smiled softly. His face was so bright.
"Well, did you know sunflowers always face the sun? Or something like that, I dunno. That's just what
the girl at the flower shop said." Naruto kicked his legs excitedly as he gripped the bench with his hands.
"And there are really big flowers with sticky stuff inside them they use to catch flies and stuff. They are
cool! They kind of look like jaws with really sharp teeth, and they're really ugly!"
Hinata listened eagerly to ever piece of information the young boy told her.
"That's really cool...'' Hinata's quiet response earned her a bright smile from the blonde.
"I know 'ttebayo! It is!"
"H-how did you l-learn about it?"
"In a book Sakura-Chan lent me! Well... she didn't lend it to me... I kinda borrowed it..." Naruto chuckled
nervously. "But that's okay because we're good friends and all! She even invited me to her birthday last
year!"
"Y-you know Sakura-san too? What about Kiba-kun and Shino-kun?"
"Yeah, I know Kiba, he's a real jerk! But I dunno about the other guy. Is he the weirdo who's always
wearing glasses?"
Hinata smiles a little at her new friends' description of Shino. "Yes..."
"Oh, I know him. Sorta. He's really weird and guess what!" Naruto exclaimed eagerly. "He likes
dissecting stuff! It's creepy! But I guess he's okay. Just a little irritating."
"That's nice... I mean-' Hinata blushed. "Shino's just a l-little different is all..."
"Sure. Say, we must go to the same school!"
Hinata looked down, unconsciously pressing her index fingers together in a nervous fashion. It was
something she always did when nervous, and she rarely knew she was doing it.
"Um... I'm homeschooled."
Naruto looked at her in surprise, then his expression dimmed. Hinata looked at him worriedly, he looked
so wrong without a smile on his face.
"Homeschooled huh, that must be pretty cool!" Naruto closed his eyes and grinned. Hinata smiled in
return.
Their conversation continued for a while. Hinata gradually crawled out of her shell, till she wasn't
stuttering around him anymore. In fact, she was comfortable with him.
"And that's the story, of how the great teme met his end."
"Otherwise, his demise... Right?"
"Right! You are so smart Hina-chan! Just like me!"
Hinata blushed heavily, before looking away. Right then she realized that the playground was starting to
clear out. An orange light covered the park, signifying the end of the day. How did it get so late?
"Hinata-sama, it's time to go now." Ko gently grabbed her arm. He took one look at the young boy sitting
next to her, and instantly his grip tightened. "Now Hinata-sama."
"No wait!" Hinata grabbed the edge of the bench, refusing to budge. "I have to make sure his parents
pick him up! We cannot leave till they do! Otherwise, he'll be here by himself and he'll be lonely." Hinata
surprised herself. Never in her life has, she ever disobeyed.
"I knew he was a bad influence... You are not allowed to go near him Hinata-sama. Your father
commands it." Ko sternly told her. Hinata still refused to budge.
"It's okay Hinata!" The boy grinned. "You'd be waiting a really long time for that anyway."
With a large smile, the boy took off to a lone swing, waving eagerly to the small bluenette.
"But..." Hinata whispers, her teary eyes made it hard to see. She desperately tried to keep his bright
blonde hair in her line of sight. "I never even got his name."