Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Chapter Five
Hinata beams at Neji, her smile wide and proud, as she stood outside the gate waiting for Neji to walk over to her, he was talking with two of his classmates.
A male with black shiny hair in a braid, round black eyes, and pale skin, he wore a white short sleeved shirt, a black martial arts belt, and dark pants, and he wore a forehead protector and ninja sandals.
And a female with dark brown hair, dark brown eyes, and tan skin, she wore a sleeveless pink turtleneck and dark green pants, with a forehead protector and ninja sandals.
By Neji's pinched and annoyed expression, Hinata could tell that they approached him first, and she was happy that they approached him in the first place, 'For some reason...I feel like he's going to be stuck with them,' Hinata thinks to herself.
Neji finally gets passed the two and makes his way to Hinata, showing off his brand new forehead protector.
Hinata beams at him, and Neji scowls, "Why do I feel like you feel like a proud mother?" He asks.
Hinata giggles, "That's exactly how I feel!"
Neji groans, "I can't believe you said that."
"What's wrong with being honest?" Hinata asks, Neji rolls his eyes.
"There's nothing wrong with it Hinata," Neji says, "Honesty is a good quality."
Hinata beams, "But pride isn't," Neji adds.
Hinata looks over at him, "Pride? I'm not prideful.."
Neji sighs, "I know I can be arrogant and prideful, and I really don't care what others think, but you care what others think about you, and when someone thinks of a Hyuuga, they immediately think of a know-it-all, arrogant, prideful person."
Hinata frowns, "I'm very aware of how others view our Clan Neji-nii-San."
"I know you are, but Hinata; you need to understand that people view us that way because that's how Hyuuga's act, including you," Neji says, "And while your definitely not like any other Hyuuga, you have your prideful moments."
Hinata looks away, "I know, and I'm ashamed of it, do you know how proud I was of myself for getting the top grade on my test? I smiled so widely it hurt...and I could feel some of my classmates glares on me."
Neji sighs, "We Hyuuga's have been gifted by our eyes and our natural talents..and our hair, but we've also been cursed with Hyuuga pride and arrogance, something your father taught you is good to have."
Hinata nods, "I know, and I agree with you, but it wasn't just my father, yours to, and of course the council, and our clansmen, it's something we can't help."
"I'm glad you agree with me, because accepting that part of you is the first step in overcoming it," Neji says.
"Neji-nii-San, are you trying to get over your pride?" Hinata asks, "Because your going to be placed on a team?"
Neji nods, "Yes..sometimes I want to be more like you Hinata, you get along with others well, and you have very good qualities, but then again, I do not think I could bare having Hiashi as a father, the weight of responsibility on your shoulders is far to much for one person to carry, which is why we will be going through this together."
Hinata smiles at him, "Thank you Neji."
Line Break
Hinata has never been more glad to know how to deal with Neji's moods than now, because when he got back from his first meeting with his new ninja team, his expression was absolutely murderous.
"I'm on a team with Tenten and Rock Lee," Neji says, "The two who stopped and talked to me after the test," he adds after seeing Hinata's confusion.
"Oh! The two who approached you? That's good!" Hinata says, "But why do you look five seconds away from killing someone?"
"Because of our Sensei...Gai Maito," Neji says, the disgust in his voice was obvious.
Hinata narrows her eyes in thought, "He sounds familiar..I think I've heard of him before...The Green Beast Of Konoha?" Hinata says.
Neji scowls, "That sounds about right."
"I read about him, he's one of the strongest Jounin! He can't use Ninjutsu or Genjutsu very well, but his Taijutsu can't be beat!" Hinata exclaims, "Your lucky to have such an amazing Sensei!"
Neji shakes his head, "No I am not, the only thing I got out of his introduction was that he's obsessed with youth! And you should've seen Rock Lee's face! I fear he will turn into Gia's mini me! I don't need to see two people dressed in skin tight green jumpsuits with horrible looking bowl cuts everyday!"
Hinata blinks, "That was a mouthful."
Neji glares at her, "Your not helping at all."
"What am I supposed to say?!"
Neji sighs, "You know what? I'll suck it up, and I'll ignore them both."
"What about Tenten?" Hinata suddenly asks, "You only mentioned Gai and Rock Lee..."
"Oh, she's obsessed with weapons," Neji says with a dismissive shrug.
Hinata sweat drops, "You know Neji...you need to work on your social skills, and then get to know your teammates, and then form a bond!"
"You didn't need to work on your social skills to befriend your friends," Neji grumbles.
Hinata smiles, "Technically, I worked on my skills as I went on, and you should do the same! Ask your teammates about what they like, share some of your own interests too."
"No, I'll stick with my pride and arrogance," Neji says, "I would rather not have anything more to do with them than I already do."
Hinata sighs, "Right...good luck with that."
Line Break
Hinata walks into her classroom and makes her way to the back, and takes her normal seat beside Shino, "Good morning Shino-San! How are you today?"
"I'm good Hinata-San, and you?" Shino asks quietly.
"I'm good! Though Neji-Nii-San is being a pain in the butt," she mutters the second half under her breath.
"Tell Neji-San congratulations for me. Why? Because he has gained the title of Genin," Shino says.
"I will! I'm sure he'll be happy to hear it," Hinata says.
Kiba snorts, having taken the seat in front of Shino, "I highly doubt it, he has a stick so far up his butt he can't even talk to people properly."
"K-Kiba-San!"
"That was uncalled for Kiba-San. Why? Because your words can hurt others," Shino states.
Kiba rolls his eyes, "Sorry Hinata, sometimes I say stuff without thinking."
"It's called being brash and impulsive," Shikamaru says, he and Choji sitting in the row beside Hinata and Shino's, "And unfortunately..it's most of your personality."
Hinata stares at him in shock, 'Why is everyone deciding to insult each other today! Even Shikamaru-San!'
Hinata rests her head on her arms, trying to block out the insults, which seem to double when Naruto arrives and takes the seat next to Kiba, 'Oh dear.'
At lunch time everyone's calmed down and is eating peacefully, Hinata and Shikamaru playing a game of Shogi, the usual for the group.
"Why was everyone so irritable this morning?" Hinata asks.
"It's early in the morning and we are forced to learn, what's more irritable than that?" Kiba asks, chewing on a piece of jerky, while Akamaru rested on his head.
"Kiba's right," Naruto says, "Mornings are the worst."
"Mornings are troublesome," Shikamaru adds, agreeing with the other two boys.
Choji shrugs, not really having an opinion on the matter, while Shino stays quiet, "Actually, I like mornings. Why? Because I can see species of beetles earlier in the morning that don't come out during the day," the Aburame says after a moment.
"I like mornings, I eat breakfast, get in some morning training, and spend time with Hanabi," Hinata says.
"Ugh..your even positive in the morning...it's disgusting," Kiba groans.
Shikamaru smirks as he makes his winning move and Hinata pouts, "I don't think I'll ever beat you Shikamaru-San."
Line Break
Hinata runs through the stances, taking quiet and even breaths to calm herself, she used the afternoons when Hiashi trained Hanabi, and Neji was out training with his team, or on missions, for personal training.
She mostly worked on her own version of the Gentle Fist, she ran through the stances one more time before taking a break.
'With Neji-Nii-San training and going on missions all the time..and Hana-Chan and father training, I have almost too much time to myself,' Hinata thinks.
It's been about two months since Neji graduated, and the eleven year old misses his almost constant presence in her life, 'I almost wish he hadn't graduated,' she thinks, before slapping her hands against either side of her face, 'Don't think like that Hinata! Neji-Nii-San rightfully earned his position as a Genin and we need to support him!'
"Even if we get lonely sometimes," Hinata whispers out loud, sitting on the ground and holding her knees to her chest.
She then suddenly brightens up as an idea forms in her mind, 'Tomorrow during lunch, I can ask if my friends want to hang out after the academy is over!'
Hinata stands and begins her cool down, 'I'll ask father after dinner,' she thinks.
Hiashi raises a brow, "You want to..'hang out' with your friends tomorrow?" He asks.
"Yes," Hinata confirms, "..please?"
Hiashi sighs, "Alright, do what you want."
"Yes!" Hinata says happily, "Thank you father!" She quickly hugs him before leaving the office.
Line Break
"Hang out after school?" Kiba asks, "Sure, I don't have anything better to do."
"I can come as well Hinata-San," Shino says quietly.
"It's a drag, but I can hang out," Shikamaru says with a tired yawn, Choji nods as well.
Naruto practically bursts with excitement, "Of course!!! What're we gonna do?!"
Hinata's mind goes blank, "..I don't know."
"We can figure out something, don't worry about that Hinata," Kiba says.
Once they were sent home for the day, the six eleven years old decided to take a walk around Konoha.
They just talked and eventually stopped at a dango shop for a snack, then went to the park.
The six settled underneath a tree, "I can't believe we are graduating next year," Kiba says, "The academy goes by so quickly."
Shikamaru groans, "Don't remind me, graduating is such a drag, it's just a reminder that me and Choji will be stuck on a team with Ino for most of our ninja careers," he says.
"Yamanaka-San seems nice," Hinata says awkwardly, trying to cheer him up.
Kiba snorts, "Good luck with her..at least your not stuck on a team with Sakura, I wouldn't be able to handle hearing her talk about Sasuke all day."
Naruto glares at the Inuzuka, "Don't talk about Sakura-Chan that way! I would want to be on her team!"
Kiba shrugs, "Whatever you say Naruto."
Shino adjusts his glasses, "I'd prefer to be on a team with my friends. Why? Because team work is necessary on a team, and I would want to get along well with my teammates."
Hinata beams, "We can be on a team Shino-San!"
"You can't choose your teams," Kiba says.
"You to Kiba-San!" The Inuzuka sweat drops, Akamaru yaps happily from his place in Hinata's lap.
"What about me Hinata-Chan?" Naruto whines.
"Usually Genin teams are two boys and one girl, if you want Haruno-San on your team I can't be your teammate," Hinata explains, "Though I'd love to be your teammate Naruto-San!"
Naruto brightens up, "Thanks Hinata-Chan!"
"Hey Hinata, isn't that your cousin?" Kiba asks, pointing at Neji...who was walking on his hands along with Rock Lee and Tenten, they were trying to keep up with, who Hinata assumed to be their Sensei, Gai Maito.
Hinata gapes, "Oh my..."
Naruto and Kiba burst out laughing while Shikamaru snorts at the scene, Shino watches quietly and Choji just eats his chips.
Hinata starts giggling as well and soon their all laughing, with the exception of Shino who settles with a smile.
Line Break
Hinata bursts out giggling when she see's Neji, who just got back from training, "Whats so funny Hinata!?"
Hinata forces back her laughter, "I didn't expect Gai to be so lively...and I didn't know you could walk on your hands."
Neji pales as Hinata runs away laughing.
To be continued...
AN: I'm so sorry that this chapter came so late, but I am back, I've been busy with school work, and I just got back from a vacation..so yeah.
A special thank you to CrazyChimera for reviewing! I'm glad you liked the chapter and I'm glad Hinata and Neji made you smile, they make me smile to! I hope you enjoy this chapter too!
Another special thank you to LB Cat for reviewing too! I'm glad you like the story and that your not against the view point, I don't try to make it seem like meeting Naruto is a curse, I just haven't really gotten into the downsides of growing up in the Hyuuga household quite yet.
Special thank you's to RedSky8, faith19961, Aloreaii, songohan912, starlight luna, Thelonewolf87, and mynintendo, for following and favoriting Altered. I know I usually seperate them but it's easier this way.
Don't forget to follow, favorite, and review and I'll see y'all next chapter! Bye!