Hyuuga Hinata; 7 Years Later

Age 19

-Too Late-

I didn't do much these days. I admit, I hang around the house a lot all day waiting for Kiba to return home… but I've come to realize that that's more than unhealthy.

I really wanted to go out and do things. But Kiba had been gone for going on two years and I can't say I've been out having fun more times than I could count up on one hand. That definitely wasn't healthy.

My father was really edgy these days. He normally didn't want me to leave the Hyuuga complex for reasons that he wouldn't explain.

I wondered if it had anything to do with the fact that Neji hadn't returned from his mission when he was scheduled to return over two weeks ago. Then I figured…well, really, why would that come to upset him? He's never been all that partial to Neji.

No one really had…

I certainly wasn't a fan of his. But it's not like he was all that partial to me either.

And, while the halls did seem a little lighter without Neji around to cast shadows, part of me hoped that nothing was wrong and that his mission was going all right.

So I was a little relieved when I got a call from Sakura asking me if I wanted to go and do something.

I met up with her downtown. She looked good. I think she gave up on her aspirations to return to being a ninja because she had started to grow her hair out again. I think she grew it out for herself now, and not for Sasuke.

I let her do most of the talking like I always did. A lot of what she said just went in one ear and out the other as my mind wandered. I was thinking about Kiba and if he would come back this year. I hoped against everything that Gai wouldn't keep him…them… up there for another year.

"Hinata!" Sakura suddenly yelled, grabbing my arm and jumping up and down. She pointed at a pair of shoes that were in a window and were marked down to half off. "Look!"

The shoes were so beautiful…but they were way to glamorous for me. Sakura would be able to wear them… though… not me.

"Sakura!" I suddenly heard.

Was that Naruto?

I turned around, and so did Sakura.

Sure enough, there was Naruto with two friends. One of which I immediately recognized as Chouji.

The other took me a minute.

That was…Kiba?

"Naruto?" said Sakura, sounding just as shocked that they were back so suddenly without any announcement. "So you're finally back?"

I had to say something. "Welcome back…" I said nervously, though I don't think any of them heard me. Except for Kiba, I knew he heard me.

I could feel my face burning up.

Kiba was so…handsome.

"Kiba?" Sakura said. "Is that you?"

He nodded. I couldn't look at his face anymore. I was getting more and more embarrassed. But the thing was…I didn't even know why.

"Who else would it be?" Kiba said.

I looked at Sakura. She looked completely head over heels for Kiba just out of nowhere. She probably realized that Kiba had gotten so handsome too… though it was hard not to notice, especially for Sakura. After all, she had spent most of her life thus far chasing after Sasuke just because he was a 'hot guy' in her book.

I blinked and looked at Kiba.

What should I say? It's been two years! He was waiting for me to say something first, I know it!

"I was so worried about you Kiba…" I said.

Kiba didn't answer at first. He just smiled a beautiful smile. "Hinata…" he began.

"Yeah Kiba?" I said, trying not to sound too eager.

Suddenly, Sakura grabbed my arm again and spun me around. She wanted to say something to me in private.

"Oh my god, Hinata…" she whispered with a tone of excitement. "Could he get anymore good looking?"

I knew she was talking about Kiba.

"Who, Kiba?" I asked anyway.

"No, Chouji." Sakura said.

Chouji?

"Of course Kiba!" Sakura laughed.

She had been joking.

"Oh…" I said, my face getting red again. I knew all along that Sakura liked him from the moment he returned, but I suddenly got the feeling that she was going to…

"I think I'm going to ask him out."

I knew it! I knew it!

"What?" I said.

"Sorry Hinata." Sakura said.

I couldn't let her…

"Kiba, what…" I started.

"Kiba, are you doing anything later today?" Sakura interrupted.

Oh no. She asked him out on a date. I was too slow! I was so stupid. I had all that time to ask Kiba out and I spoiled everything…

"I might be." He said.

Might be? I felt my heart sink into my stomach.

"Well what would you say to a date?" Sakura asked.

How could she? She KNEW I liked him! Then again, how could she know? It's not like I've ever told anyone.

But I wasn't too worried. I knew Kiba didn't like her.

"…All right!" he said.

Or did I?

"That wasn't so hard!" Sakura said, nudging me.

"Ha ha…" I said, trying not to show up upset I was. "Yeah…"

"Hinata, are you unhappy about it?" Kiba asked.

Of course I was unhappy. But if I really did love Kiba then I shouldn't try to make his life so difficult by competing over him. After all, if he loved Sakura then what right did I have to stand in his way?

"No." I said. I could feel tears forming in my eyes. I didn't want everyone to know. I was so embarrassed. "Have a good time. I have to go."

I quickly hurried off. It turned into a run as soon as I was far enough away.

I fell onto my front steps and buried my face in my hands. I couldn't stop crying. Three years of waiting, WASTED! Why hadn't I told him I loved him when I had the chance? Now look at me. I was a wreck.

I couldn't contain myself. I was so upset. Words couldn't even describe the pain I was feeling.

"Hinata…" I heard. I jumped and looked up to see Kiba standing over me.

"Don't worry about me, Kiba." I said, wiping the tears from my eyes. He was probably just wondering why I had left so early when he only just got back today. "Go have fun with Sakura. I was just overreacting."

"Have fun with Sakura?" Kiba laughed. "Not likely!"

That didn't make any sense. "Then why are you two dating now?" I asked.

Kiba was smiling. He sat down next to me. He certainly did look stronger and much bigger. His body was amazing and his face was even more striking. I felt almost as if he hadn't left at all and all of this had just happened over night.

"It was a misunderstanding!" Kiba said. "I thought that she was asking me out for you."

I gasped.

"For…me?" I said. This means that he…did want to go out with me?

Kiba shrugged very casually as if people asked him out for me all the time.

"I thought about you a lot while I was training." He said.

I didn't know what to say. "R-r-really!" I said, trying not to stutter but it just came out. He nodded.

"I couldn't help it." he said. "There were so many girls all over the place but all I thought about was you."

"Kiba…" I said, not knowing what else I could possibly say.

"I knew I liked you but then I convinced myself that I liked you more than I liked a friend. And then that I REALLY liked you. Until eventually…I thought that maybe I…"

'Maybe I…'

Maybe I what?

He trailed off and didn't say anything for a moment.

Should I say something?

"I'm sorry for making you cry, Hinata." Kiba said, standing up. How could he be leaving? We still had so much to say. I grabbed his hand before he left and held on to it. He sat down.

It was time for me to say something. I couldn't say quiet forever.

"No Kiba." I said, not letting go of his hand. "It's just that…I missed you so much and the truth is…" I couldn't believe I finally got the courage to say this. "The truth is…that I've…"

I swallowed hard.

It was too early to use the word 'love' though I've known it for a long time.

"Kiba…" I tried again. "I really like you too."

Kiba squeezed my hand tightly.

"So Hinata…" he said with a smile on his face. "Will you go out with me?"

I nodded. "Yes…" I said with a slight sigh.

Kiss me, Kiba. Kiss me.

I waited. He didn't kiss me.

I'd wait for that kiss.