Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Chapter 8: Rivals for One Heart.

Hinata woke up on her bed the next morning. She has slept well last night and was ready for the school. The rays of the sun entered her room and touched her pale cheeks. She rubbed her eyes gently and sat up slowly on the edge of her bed. She slid her feet in to her slippers and stood up. Hinata then took a deep breath and do a little stretching. She walks towards the window and looked at the nature that brightens up her morning. She loved seeing things so peaceful to look at and this made her peaceful too. After doing her morning rituals she was all set to go to school. She stepped out of their house after bidding farewell to her parents. As soon as she got out she saw her cousin waiting at the nearby tree.

"Um...Good morning Neji-niisan." Hinata greeted with a smile on her face. Neji just nodded and felt heat raised up on his cheeks, he was blushing. He immediately turned his back on her.

"Let's go." He muttered and started to walk.

"Yes." She said and followed him.

The usual silence covered them both while they are walking their way to their school. Neji took several glances on his back to see Hinata smiling at him.

'Stop it Hinata!' he protested in his mind.

Finally they reached their school and unfortunately for Neji, he first spotted a dark haired guy standing at the gate, it was Sasuke.

'What is he up to now?' he thought and his walking became slower so that he could stay beside Hinata.

"Good morning Hinata." Sasuke greeted and he saw Neji glaring at him.

"Good morning." She said in return and smiled at him.

"Hinata!" Hinata's attention was caught by a loud voice coming from behind. She turned her head and saw Kiba waving his hand. Kiba approached her and then suddenly made a move that made Sasuke and Neji in a state of shock; he hugged Hinata in front of them.

"I missed you Hinata." Kiba said and Hinata blushed in crimson red. Kiba suddenly felt someone grabbed his shirt and pulled him away from Hinata.

"Don't touch her!" Neji glared at him and when Kiba glanced at Sasuke his eyes was also glaring at him.

"Stop it! Neji-niisan please." She pleaded and holds on to his arm.

Neji suddenly stopped and pushed Kiba away.

"If you lay a finger on her again I'll definitely kill you." Neji warned.

"Why are you so protective on her do you think she like it?" Kiba opposed him. Hinata was shocked on what Kiba just said but it is the truth. She was sick of Neji being so over protective on her but she knew he just want her to be safe. Neji looked at her.

"Is it true?" but she didn't answer and looked down on her feet.

'So it is true.' Neji thought. He clenched his fist and looked at Kiba with his fierced eyes and walked away. Hinata's eyes followed him and glanced on Kiba.

"You shouldn't say that!" she exclaimed. This was the first time that Sasuke heard Hinata shouted. She's been so polite and gentle but now she's different.

"Neji-niisan isn't bad like you think. He just want me to be safe." Her vision became blurred and she felt her tears ran down her pale cheeks. She immediately wiped her tears.

"I hate you Kiba!" as if Kiba was slapped on his face when he heard what Hinata just said. Hinata then ran inside the campus and Sasuke followed her. Kiba was left alone standing and in shock.

Hinata stopped under a big tree and Sasuke walked slowly towards her. Her face was covered by her hands.

"Hinata?"

"Please, Sasuke leave me alone first." She pleaded. Sasuke knew she needed time for herself so he walked away worried.

Hinata sat on the bench nearby wiping her tears. Suddenly Naruto passed by and saw her. He approached her and saw her wiping off her tears.

"Is something wrong Hinata?" he asked and sat beside her.

"Nothing. I'm alright." She responded and looked at him.

"Is that so? Then why are your eyes red?" he asked innocently pointing out her dull eyes that are red. Hinata looked down and didn't respond and Naruto just stared at her.

"Am I a bad person?" she suddenly muttered and her vision started to became blurred again and Naruto noticed it.

"Wah! No you're not! You're good and...and kind and um...beautiful." Hinata looked up to him.

"That's why many guys are after you." He continued.

"That's not true." Her sad voice was very noticeable.

"It's true that's why Neji, Sasuke and Kiba are fighting." Hinata was confused by what Naruto was saying.

"It can't be. Neji-niisan is my cousin and Sasuke and Kiba are my friends." She explained.

"I saw the scenario at the gate and what do you think is the reason why those three are always glaring at each other?" Hinata can't believe on what she was hearing from Naruto so she just stared at him. He then noticed that Hinata was confused.

"Oh ok let's just leave it to them...well um...here." He handed her a handkerchief.

"Huh?" Hinata just stared at it.

"If you fell like crying again just use it. It's free." He joked and Hinata giggled.

"See you're beautiful when you're smiling." He continued.

'What is this I'm feeling?' Hinata thought.

"Well I'm gonna leave now. I'm going to find Sakura." He stood up and took a glance on her.

"I hope you feel better." He said and walked away.

Hinata was left alone feeling the pain in her heart.

"Naruto still likes Sakura. I will never have a chance on Naruto." She suddenly realized that she was using the handkerchief that Naruto gave her to wipe her tears. She placed the handkerchief above her chest.

"Naruto..."
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To be continued.........
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A/N: So what do you think? I put Naruto back here in the story. This story is up to chapter 10 only so the mystery guy will show up at the end. I hope you had fun reading this chapter an don't forget to review this story. Thanks!!!!!!