(I'm so sorry for taking so long to update…I never had the inspiration to do so. This might not turn out very well, but I still hope it turns out the way it's supposed to. Thank you all for the reviews. On we go…)
Title: Inside My Shell
Chapter: 4-Understanding
"Sis, I'm taking Akamaru out for a walk."
"Okay. Don't strain yourself."
"I know…" I closed the door behind me and started out for the forest with Akamaru walking by my side. All the events of the past few weeks came to picture. Hinata getting beaten up by Neji, Konoha under attack by the Sound Village, Shino should rest for a few weeks due to the effects of the poison. Amazing. The amount of things that happened when I was asleep.
From what Sis said, the Sound Village had teamed up with the Sand Village. They formed and ambush leaded by this guy named Orochimaru. He's supposedly one of the legendary Sannin. Plus, the Sandaime had died fighting him and had managed to protect the rest of Konoha. Apparently, Naruto had taken part in the fights too.
How unfair. I feel so helpless. First, that idiot beats Neji and me in the Chuunin Exam. Then, he gets to help while I'm having a long nap. I wonder how he got so strong in just a few months. Effect from being in the same team as Sasuke, maybe. After all, he is a very competitive person. I raise my hand, studying it. I wonder how much stronger I got. Probably not much. Maybe that's why Hinata likes him.
Hinata…I still don't understand why she feels so attracted to him. Shino told me that she had kept on fighting her cousin because of his words. She almost never tells us how she really feels. Putting up a masked face, it's as if she's trying to hide from the world or something. I supposed she's done it to protect herself 'cause I know quite a few people do that.
However, the fact that she actually does that is what really hurts. It's as if she doesn't trust us or something. We're her teammates. Shouldn't she be able to tell us anything? She could always talk to me. I know I talk a lot, but I can be a pretty decent listener too. If not me, then Shino. I bet listening is all he ever does anyways. There's also Kurenai-sensei. "God, all this is giving me a headache."
I hear a familiar voice close by. Curious and having nothing else to do, I decided to check it out. What I saw at our usual training spot definitely surprised me. 'Hinata?'
She was leaning against a tree, panting. Sitting there covered in bruises, she looked so exhausted that I wouldn't be surprised if she had been training since dawn. Her eyes were closed and her byakugan wasn't on, so I don't think she noticed me yet. I walked casually out, careful not to surprise her too much. "Yo, Hinata."
Her eyes snapped open. "K-Kiba-kun!" She tried to stand up.
"Don't move." She stopped trying as I sat down in front of her. "How long have you been here?"
"Not long, really. I came around the afternoon."
'Not long, heh?' Akamaru proceeded to sit rest next to Hinata. "Don't you think you should head home now? It is getting dark."
She nodded. "I'll go soon. M-maybe after a bit more training."
I got up, satisfied that none of her bruises were too bad. "Okay. See you tomorrow. Let's go, Akamaru." He barked, looked at Hinata, and ran over to me.
""" "Mm. See you, Kiba-kun."
I started back the way I came with Akamaru trudging beside me. He suddenly saw something interesting to his right and ran of after it. I honestly hope he doesn't manage to catch it. Shino might kill me if he does. I stopped to stare at it for a while. It's a really pretty butterfly, with dark red wings and purple outlines.
Sometimes, Akamaru got so distracted that he'd wander pretty far away. I've never been worried though, knowing him. Akamaru's smart enough to know where he should and should not go.
It's getting dark. The sun's setting and from where I'm standing…it's a really pretty view. The sky's a mix of bright and dark orange with certain shades of brown. The leaves seemed stained by orange paint creating an autumn-like view.
My thoughts go back to Hinata. From what I've gathered so far, I can assume that what Hinata's been doing all this time is pushing herself. She's trying to prove her real strength to others, to show that she can become stronger. To her family, her friends, the instructors, plus herself.
When she sees that idiotic blonde, she wants him and especially him to see her. She's using his words and his personality to push herself even further. Inside, she knows she can do it. So, she will.
So, that's my conclusion. That's how I understand her. It's like the competition in between Shino and me; only to her, it's a competition in between her and herself. I suppose I have to start training harder too, if I really am going to beat him one day.
I bent down to pat Akamaru as he ran back to me. "But we will beat that guy. Right, Akamaru?" He barked, understanding my thoughts. I got up and we started back home.
(Okay. About the description on the butterfly, it might sound stupid but I wanted to put that in. If you have a better idea, please tell me and I'll try to change it.
This chapter sounds a bit out of character. Maybe they all are. Sorry. Plus, it's God knows way to short for my liking. Honestly, I ran out of ideas half way through.
Lastly, thank you all for being ever so kind for taking the time to read this. Hopefully the next chapter will come out soon. Bye, for now.)
