Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
AN: Semi-Filler chapter has arrived! If your confused by why I call it that it's because while the chapter is just silly filler, the interactions are canon for the story and will be mentioned later on in the story. A special shout out to my Beta who helped me with this chapter!
I apologize for the delay, we lost power on Saturday so I decided I wouldn't post on Sunday. Monday was Memorial Day so I didn't post then either. I posted today, on Tuesday, because I needed time to go over the chapter and fix some mistakes. The beginning of the Finals will be posted on Sunday, from then I'll be posting once a week on Sunday's until June 9th my next Thursday update will on June 13th and that will start the two updates a week once more. I have been behind on writing the chapters and I need some time to think over the plot and the direction I will be taking with the story. I apologize for all of this. Thank you for understanding.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Kiba and Shino exchanged bewildered looks before focusing on their teammate once more. She did not look happy.
Hinata crosses her arms with narrowed eyes, "I've attempted to approach him nine times already! Nine!" she states.
"Who?" Kiba asks, 'Is Hinata attempting to talk to Sasuke? She knows he isn't here right?' "Hinata..Sasuke isn't he-"
"I'm talking about Gaara-San, I've been trying to talk to him, but I lose my nerve every single time!"
"Why are you talking to him!? He'll kill you!" Kiba yells.
"He approached me first," Hinata counters, "And besides..there is a reason I'm trying to talk to him."
"What is that reason?" Shino asks.
"I want to be his friend," Hinata says simply.
Kiba gapes at her, flabbergasted by his teammate not a sound coming from the Inuzuka.
"I do not think that's wise Hinata, we've seen what he is capable of. Murdering three genin in the Forest of Death and hospitalizing and ending Lee's ninja career," Shino states, "Why do you choose to do this?"
"Gaara-San needs a friend," Hinata says.
"He has two siblings!" Kiba yells waving his arms around, "He doesn't need you as a friend!"
"Correction, Gaara-San needs a friend who isn't afraid of him," Hinata states.
"Your afraid of him! I'm afraid of him! We're all afraid of him!"
"Kiba is right," Shino says, "Even if you do try to befriend him you are still afraid."
"I'm swallowing my fear Shino-Kun, Kiba-Kun," Hinata states, "I think the reason Gaara-San is the way he is...is because of what he is, I don't mean he is a monster. If you think about it he and Naruto-kun are similar."
"How?!" Kiba yells.
"If Naruto-kun didn't try his best, if he didn't ignore what everyone says about him, instead taking it to heart...if he didn't have anyone looking after him... don't you think he'd turn out similar to Gaara?" Hinata asks.
"Naruto is a Jinchuriki though," Kiba says.
Shino's eyes widen slightly, "...are you saying that Gaara is a Jinchuriki?" He asks.
Hinata nods in reply, "His chakra is similar to Naruto's, while the Nine Tails chakra flows underneath Naruto's own...Gaara's intermingles with the Tailed Beast sealed inside of him... it's the Beast who controls the sand."
"So that's how it moves on its own," Shino says.
"That makes sense...no wonder Akamaru was so scared of him. It wasn't only Gaara's bloodlust and chakra...it was the Tailed Beasts chakra he sensed," Kiba says.
"You wish to befriend him because of this?" Shino asks, "How do you know this'll work?"
"I don't," Hinata admits, "All I know is that he needs a friend...just like Naruto-kun did."
Kiba frowns, "I still don't agree with this..but I know you'll do it anyway so be careful Hinata."
Hinata nods, "I will be."
"Out of curiosity what was the first nine times you tried to approach him?" Shino asks.
"I tried to approach him during the day, he sat on the roofa of buildings a lot but whenever I tried to talk I either lost my nerve or his teamates or Sensei talked to him first," Hinata says sheepishly.
"Tonights the Star Festival*, you should try and talk to him then, there'll be plenty of opportunities," Kiba suggests.
Hinata nods with a smile, "I was thinking of that too!"
"Speaking of the festival shouldn't you head home soon to get ready?" Shino asks.
Hinata looks to the sky and see's it's already midday and approaching the evening, "Your right! I'll see you both later!" She says before running out of the training ground.
Kiba and Shino split off soon after and head to their own homes as well.
(Line Break)
Hinata smiles at her little sister, Hanabi's hair was pulled up in a bun with silver chopsticks in her hair. She wore a yellow kimono with an orange obi, the kimono had some red petals decorating it.
Hinata's hair was also pulled into a bun with silver chopsticks, though with her shorter hair it didn't look as cute as Hanabi's, in Hinata's opinion. Her kimono was lavender with a navy obi and blue petals on it.
The two sisters giggled behind their raised hands when Neji walked towards the gate to escort them to the festival, he didn't look pleased to be dressing up for the festival. Though he still looked handsome in his light grey kimono and dark brown obi, the kimono had a bird pattern on it.
"Hinata-Sama, Hanabi-Sama, are you ready to go?" Neji asks.
The two girls nod and follow Neji out of the estate and the three walk to the festival together.
Konoha was lit up for the festivals, booths for games, masks, and food were everywhere. Lanterns decorated the streets, and the air was warm with a breeze.
"I love festivals!" Hinata says, Hanabi nods in agreement, a big smile on her face.
Hinata smiles and waves at Tenten when she see's the brunette approaching, "Hello Tenten-chan!"
Tenten smiles brightly, she was dressed in a blue kimono with kunai patterns on it, "Hina-Chan! Hana-Chan! Neji-kun!"
Neji frowns slightly, "Where is Gai?"
"He's with Lee," Tenten says now frowning herself.
Hanabi tugs on Neji's sleeve, "Take me to that game booth! I wanna try!"
Neji nods and leads her over, Tenten smiles at Hinata, "I'm gonna join them..before long Neji's patience will run out," the brunette says before following the two Hyuuga.
Hinata looks around to see if she spot someone she knew before she starts walking around instead, 'Konoha is so beautiful at night! Especially when decrated for a festival!'
She greets the other Rookie's when she happens to come across them, and isn't surprised when she finds Gaara near the edge of the where the festival takes place.
Hinata looks down at the dango she held, 'I hope he likes sweets,' she thinks before starting to walk over to him. She stops short when Temari and Kankuro appear.
"Gaara you should eat something at least," Temari says, "I'm sure you'll find something...how about some dango!"
"I don't like sweets," Gaara says in response, turning to look at Temari who looks away nervously.
Kankuro rolls his eyes, "Your not hungry?'
Gaara glares at him response, "No."
Hinata backs away, 'Alright...so much for that plan.'The bluenette looks around and she brightens up when she spots a booth selling masks.
She quickly goes over and buys two, which happen to be a bunny and a tanuki.
The Hyuuga quickly walk back to where she last saw the siblings and finds they've left, "Shoot."
Hinata finds Gaara leaning against the railing on a bridge, she approaches him quietly and jumps slightly when his eyes land on her, he glares at her from the corner of his eye, "What do you want?"
Hinata can't find her voice so she holds out the tanuki mask to him, Gaara stares at it with an unreadable expression, "Is this for me?" he asks.
Hinata nods silently in a response, watching him with bated breath, wondering if he would take it.
Gaara takes the mask from her hands, 'A tanuki,' he thinks with a frown.
Hinata watches him curiously and her jaw drops when he throws it over his shoulder and into the river before walking away.
'I guess he didn't like it..' Hinata thinks.
Kiba and Shino approach Hinata, the Hyuuga now stood atop the Hokage monument as she waited for the fireworks to start.
They immediately noticed she seemed more down than usual, "Hi Hinata," Kiba greets with a smile as he moves to stand next to her, Shino on her other side, "Are you feeling okay?"
"He threw away the mask I gave..threw it into the river," Hinata says, "I was really happy when he accepted it too.."
The two stare at her silently, not knowing what to say.
"You'll get another chance! I'm sure he'll come up here for the fireworks!" Kiba says cheerfully.
"I guess your right.." Hinata says quietly, she takes a deep breath, "I can't give up so easily."
The two stay with her until they see Gaara and his siblings arrive.
They give Hinata a thumbs up before leaving.
Hinata attempts to approach Gaara, but ultimately backs away and goes to find Neji, Hanabi, and Tenten.
(Line Break)
Tenten hides her laughter behind her hand, the expression on Neji's face was amazing, "I didn't know you had this much patience," Tenten says with a giggle.
Neji glares at her, "I normally don't," he states, "But in order to put up with Hanabi I must test my level of patience..at least when Hinata isn't around."
Hanabi smiles brightly, "I won again!" the little Hyuuga takes the large stuffed bunny and places it at the top of the mountain of toys she's won, which Neji held in his arms, a grimace on Neji's usually calm face.
Tenten's giggling evolves into full on laughter and Neji's finally had it, "It's time to go now Hanabi."
"What about Hina-Nee-Chan!" Hanabi whines, "I want to see her now."
Neji takes a dep breath, "Hinata knows the way back to the estate, do not worry Hanabi."
"Tenten-Chan, Hana-Chan, Neji-nii-san!" Hinata calls out to them, approaching them with a smile.
The bluenette is momentarily shocked by the relief she sees in Neji's eyes...before noticing the large pile of stuffed animals in his arms.
Hinata's lips twitch as she holds back the urge to laugh, "I-I see you've been busy," she says.
Tenten, who's laughter had died down, bursted into laughter all over again.
Hanabi smiles brightly and tackles Hinata with a hug, "I'm ready to go home now," Hanabi says turning to Neji.
Neji takes another deep breath before walking ahead.
Tenten waves goodbye, wiping a tear from her eye, "I-I'll see you soon!" she calls after them, her voice sounding breathless.
The three arrivw at the estate, the two guards expressions stay cold and collected, but they inwardly snicker at Neji.
Hizashi opens the door of Hiashi's office, stopping in his tracks when he sees Hinata, Hanabi, and Neji walking in his direction, his eyes falling to the stuffed animal pile in Neji's arms, he motions for Hiashi to stand and the Clan Head walks to stand next to his younger brother.
Hinata waves at them but the two men merely watch Neji as the group of three walks passed and down the hall.
"...I'll never understand how those two rope Neji into these situations," Hizashi says.
To be Continued...
AN: So this chapter was primarily for humor since we're going to dive straight back into the Chunin Exams next chapter!
Also, if anyone is confused, GaaHina is not the official ship for this story. Whether or not they end up together, I always enjoy some GaaHina friendship, and I thought it would fit Hinata's character to try and befriend Gaara the same way they all befriended Naruto.
*The Star Festival is a Japanese festival that takes place during July. It starts on the seventh and takes place on several other days between July and August. Me and my beta wanted to incorporate festivals and other holidays and birthdays as well, I meant to have a chapter where they would celebrate Hanabi's birthday but I mistakenly thought it was in July, which it is in March. Expect more fun chapters like this in the future!
To LB Cat: Thank you for reviewing and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
To cosmicblader12: The next chapter will finally be the Finals! Thank you for reviewing and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
A special thank you to Red of Dawn and octaviapaz for following Altered I hope you both enjoy this chapter and continue to enjoy Altered.
I'll see y'all next chapter! Bye!