Survival of the Fittest

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~*~

Tears streamed down her face as she stumbled through the forest. Her usually neat hair was a disheveled mess. Hinata bowed her head in shame and despair. The one and only person she'd every cared about...no...loved...didn't...

She choked back a cry of despair. It was too much...to much for her to handle...it felt like...as if someone had stabbed a knife through her heart. Hinata knew...sooner or later...she would bleed slowly to death.

Hinata lost her footing and tripped over a stray piece of wood...and fell into a puddle of mud.

The wind screamed in agony, the clouds shed tears of pain. She couldn't get up...she didn't want to. Hinata wanted to disappear, and become one with the darkness. A relief of the pain that was mercilessly tearing her apart...piece by piece.

Everything was coming to an end, there was not point in living. She gave her heart to him...trusted him. Hinata's eyes watered as another stream of tears trickled down her face.

Hinata hunched her shoulders in defeat. She was weak and pathetic. No wonder Naruto didn't love her, only cared about her...like a friend. Naruto would offer the token of his friendship to anyone. But...no matter how hard she tried, she would never be worthy in their eyes. She would always be someone lagging behind. A hindrance.

She always thought she could hold her own and help out her team. After all...she was trained by the best. Hinata sighed in shame. Her family was known for producing some of the best and strongest ninjas ever.

When she was born, her parents had expected so much from her. Expected her strength to exceed theirs twice-fold. A bitter smile played on her lips. When she fought Neji during the Chunin Exam she knew that she didn't stand a chance. Neji was a true member of the Hyuga Clan, with full control of his strength and craftiness. A true rival...a true Hyuga.

Hinata didn't enjoy killing, or causing harm to anyone unless in self-defense. What kind of ninja was she? Sakura possessed brains and beauty. Naruto wielded a great amount of endurance and charka. Sasuke had the insight and knowledge to predict and understand his opponents.

She sighed lightly, while the wind tossed her hair around her. She was nothing...she didn't deserve anyone. Did she?

Hinata stared at scratched up hand in awe, as her eyes hardened with growing determination.

"I won't be weak. No more...I'll show them all, the true strength that flows in my veins. I'll show you all," she whispered softly, watching the three drops fall towards the ground. "I swear it upon my honor. My life...that someday...they'll learn to accept me."

She squared her shoulders and tried to stand. However her weak trembling legs could hold her for long...she fell towards the ground, collapsing in fit of fatigue and despair.

"Hinata!" she heard someone yell, as strong arms caressed her lifeless body tenderly. For that moment, she felt peaceful...everything was so perfect. Hinata submitted silently to the darkness, as she fainted.

*~Three hours Later~*

Hinata woke up to the sound of shouting. "What's going on here?" she wondered, trying to open her eyes...but her eyelids were too heavy...and she was too tired.

"What do you mean you don't know!" screamed Naruto, glaring desperately at the doctor. He grabbed the doctor and slammed him against the wall. "She's got to be alright! She's got to!" he growled his eyes shinning with fear.

The doctor, gapped at him in shock. "She...she's going to be fine," he stuttered. "We were only wondering whether or not the scratch on her hand would scar.

Naruto sighed in relief as he "gently" deposited the doctor on the ground, ignoring the annoyed glares that were sent his way. "I wasn't nervous at all," he announced shakily, trying to act like his normal bratty self.

"Yea...sure you weren't," mumbled Sakura, wringing her hands either out of anger or frustration...most likely both. "That's why you were crying you eyes out when you saw her collapse," she said sarcastically, rolling her eyes in disgust. "Seriously, you've got to grow up sometime!"

Hinata mind froze. He cried for me? But why? I don't mean that much to him...do I? She opened her mouth and tried to speak, however she couldn't find her voice.

"Baka," grumbled Sasuke, while leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. "Sometimes I think you should think before you speak. It would save you a lot of trouble."

Behind them, the door opened the person they'd least expected came in...Kin. Everyone in the room froze as they approached. Sakura was the first to recover.

"Hey," stammered Sakura, trying to gather her bearings. "What are you doing here?" she blurt out, while her face flushed with shame and her eyes widened with shock. She quickly clasp her hands over her mouth.

Kin's smile faltered a bit. "I just wanted to see if she was alright," she said calmly nodding in Hinata's direction. "I was concerned about you guys," she admitted hesitantly.

"After spending some time with Shikamaru," she paused. "I discovered that you guys are fragile. Not that it's a bad thing," she add, when she saw their arrested looks. "I just meant that you care about each other...more so, you look out for one another."

"Wouldn't your team, or friends do the same for you?" questioned Sakura, looking puzzled.

Kin shook her head slightly, before looking her straight in the eyes. "Don't you remember when we fought in the Forest of Death? When that..." she took a deep breath and continued. "That blonde possessed my body and pressed the knife against my throat. My teammates didn't even hesitate to kill me...and they wouldn't now...not ever."

"In my village, it's been taught to fight for our own sakes. That nothing matters but your own ambitions." Her face was a cold and bitter mask. "For us, friends only slow you down, only stand in the way between you and success."

"But, no matter how hard we try, we're bound to get to know people. To befriend them." she added shortly. "Shikamaru's taught me so much...he changed my whole perspective of life." Her eyes shining with joy and love.

Sakura smiled at her. "I'm glad," she said truthfully. She turned towards Sasuke and Naruto. "What do you think?"

The only answer she received from Sasuke was a curt nod, and a bored yawn. So instead she turned towards Naruto, only to discover that he was holding Hinata's hand.

Wow...Naruto's gonna think now

"Hinata," he whispered, lifting her hand to his lips. "I know you're could hear me...well I hope you can at least," he said uncertainly, before continuing vigorously. "I'm sorry, really." he insisted. "I want you to know...that I truly love you. That I would give up everything for you." Naruto paused for a second before continuing solemnly, "Even Ramen."

"I'm sorry about everything," he whispered. "I just froze when you asked me. I couldn't think...and I was scared since I've never felt that way before."

Naruto wrapped his hands protective around hers. "I hope that someday," he swallowed nervously. "That you'd find the heart to forgive me...maybe even love me. But until then, I'd do everything in my power to make you happy. To see you smile again."

He frowned, if he didn't know any better he would have sworn that Hinata had just squeezed his hand. Naruto leaned closer...just in time to hear her whisper.

"I love you..."