Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto and everything in it! I only own my plot. I don't want to be dragged to court because I have nothing to pay/heh
Last minute update: Thanks to Dragon-man 180 for the info… Well, this is a fanfic… So, I have my plot as this: Leaf village already found out about the sealed kyuubi in this fic of mine. Hehe… More to follow. And I've arranged a few things, like my stupid typos… Heheh… Thanks again Dragon-man!
Chapter 1
Hinata sighed as she looked out into Konoha from her window. She woke up earlier than usual so she decided to walk around Konoha for a while before going to their meeting place. Team 8 would usually start training as soon as the fog is cleared and the sun is clearly visible in the sky. She walked around the house as stealthy as possible as she took her jacket from the post and went out of the Main House. She scanned the streets for any sign of people. Inhaling the fresh morning air, she took the path heading towards the bridge where Team 7 usually meets. While walking, she felt someone behind her. She looked back and felt a presence of a ninja.
"Who's there?" Hinata said in a stern voice. Traces of fear and tension are present on her face as she kept a sharp lookout for a possible attack. The presence felt stronger every minute as she readied herself. She then used her Byakugan to see through the fog. She was able to evade three kunais, which flew straight at her. Then, a Genin ninja came out from the thick fog. He shared the same pale lavender eyes as Hinata's. The female ninja led out a gasp as she readied her kunai. That's when she realized that it was his cousin, Neji. She took a breath of relief as she placed her kunai back in place.
"What are you doing out here? It's way too early for your team's training. Am I right?" Neji asked as she looked sternly at Hinata. He always looked so angry everytime he comes across the female Hyuuga. Hinata knew that Neji hated every member of the Hyuuga Main house for a long time. She looked down and twitched her finger.
"Ermm… I… woke up ear… earlier than usual… So I decided to take… a walk… somewhere." Hinata stammered as she twitched her finger. She looked up to Neji looking at the eyes that they shared with each other. Neji is a skilled ninja; there was no doubt about it. She silently looked up to him, regardless that she's going to be the heir of the powerful Hyuuga clan. For her, Neji has more right than her.
Neji looked at her as he raised his eyebrows and walked away without any word. Hinata turned around and watched him disappear into the thick fog. She sighed as she continued her walk towards the bridge. After a long walk, she saw the bridge where Naruto and his teammates always meet. She saw a petal-haired ninja leaning on the bridge, waiting for someone. Sakura-san… Naruto haven't arrived yet. Traces of disappointment ran through her eyes as she sighed and decided to go to their meeting place as well. As she walked back, she bumped into someone which made her took a step backward.
"Oh! Go… Gomen… na-nasai!" Hinata apologized repeatedly as she bowed down and shut her eyes.
"Hinata? Hey… Are you okay? Hinata!" a familiar voice called out as she felt someone hold her shoulders. She stopped her apologizing and looked up to the person she bumped with her bright eyes. A boy her age with yellow, dishelved hair with sapphire eyes held her by the shoulder with a confused look on his face. "Gomen nasai, Hinata-chan! The fog is very thick that I can't see anything… Are you okay?" the boy said as he grinned.
"Ermm… Hai… I… I'm okay Na-Naruto… kun." Hinata stammered again as she blushed slightly. "I… I just… happened to walk by…"
Naruto smiled as he placed his hands behind his head. "Whew! Good thing! Anyway, I'll see you later, Hinata-chan! I think I'm late already. Aww, but what the heck! Kakashi-shishou is way later than me! Ja ne!" he replied with the same enthusiasm present in his voice. He then walked away without noticing that Hinata is still looking at him as he walked away.
That's the way it's always been. He was too insensible to realize Hinata's feelings for him. He was always preoccupied in becoming the greatest ninja and someday, becoming a great Hokage as well. Naruto-kun, was always like that. Too distant for Hinata that she can't even reach out for him. That's the way it's always been. Or maybe, she just doesn't have the courage to be with him. There are little chances that Naruto would spare his time on such a timid girl such as herself. Like they say, waiting is wasting. And Hinata has wasted so many days waiting for her courage to gather. Why… Why can't I be like Neji-ni-san? Why can't I be like him? Strong-willed and determined. Everything in him is the exact opposite of myself…
Meanwhile, Neji took a shortcut to the woods and into their training grounds. He hopped from one tree branch to another at top speed. His early encounter with Hinata made him crave for intense training. Those Main House occupants think that they are stronger than the branch house, are they? They look down on us like that! As he hopped from the branches, he recalled his early meeting with his cousin. Hinata is not like the rest of the Main House occupants… But, why is she part of my wrath? I feel so inferior when I'm around her… Neji then hopped down from the trees and into their training grounds. A kunai almost hit him by mere inches. Tenten… She's early…
"Neji!" Tenten called out as she appeared from behind the bushes. "Gomen nasai… I was practicing my aim, I didn't know you'd come this early…" she said as she approached Neji and took out her kunai out of the tree trunk.
"You aim is always perfect… Why bother practicing your aim? It's a gift to you already." Neji pointed out as he pulled out the rest of the kunai from the trunk.
Tenten smiled as she got the kunai from Neji. "You know that I'll be easily defeated when I come across someone from the Sound country, right? I have to put a little more tension in my aims." She replied as she returned the kunai to her pocket. Neji raised his eyebrows and walked towards the bushes.
Tenten watched Neji as he trained by himself. He was always so preoccupied about a lot of things. He never even realized that his own teammate is in love with him. Hmm… The genius people seem to lack sensibility… Tenten thought to herself as she watched Neji. The only person who seems to notice is their fellow teammate Rock Lee. Since Neji doesn't talk much about himself, Tenten would always talk to Rock Lee about not-so-important matters, like her feelings for Neji. He is too busy trying to surpass the Hyuuga Main house… I guess he'll never look at me as something more… Tenten thought as she clenched her fist. She's not really the desperate flirt type. Being on the same team and training together is enough for her. She doesn't need to flaunt any of her assets just to catch his attention. That would be really sickening! I can't even imagine myself wearing those in-style ninja clothes! I'm happy with my clothes right now. They rock! Tenten giggled at the thought.
Meanwhile, Hinata arrived at their team's training grounds earlier than everyone else. She was training for about an hour now. Her teammates and shishou will be arriving very soon. She can't let them see her as a total training wreck. It's still too early anyway. She slumped to the ground to catch her breath. Her over-bright eyes looked down on the ground as she observed the tall green grass sway with the wind. I will become strong… I won't let my dream stay as just a dream! It would be reality… Naruto-kun is right…
Someday, I'll be the greatest ninja here in Konoha! People will look up to me… And then, I'll be the greatest Hokage in history!
Those were the words that always come out from Naruto's mouth. However, he does have his point. The people who have dreams are likely the one who will succeed. Without dreams to motivate them, what would become of them in the future? People tend to think that people with high dreams and expectations are the foolish ones. But for the likes of Naruto and Hinata, it's their way for them to be motivated and try even harder. Maybe, that's the main reason why Hinata is in love with Naruto. He made her realize her dreams, unknowingly. Maybe she was too selfish when she focus her attention of telling her feelings to Naruto. For now, she needs to focus on her dream and use her feelings for the blond-haired genin as a motivation, rather than a burden.
"Hinata-chan! You're early!" a loud voice called out from across the training ground. A loud barking of a dog was also heard after the voice. Hinata stood up and welcomed her teammate, Kiba and his dog, Akamaru. "Where are the others? Why are you alone?" Kiba asked as he faced Hinata. The two waited for quite a while before Shino and Kurenai arrived. The sun was up already and the fog has cleared out. By this time, all of the teams participating in the Chuunin exams are now training.
Hinata would always rise up early and walk towards the spot where Naruto and his teammates would usually meet. It was her daily routine since then. The Main House noticed this sudden change with Hinata's training. But they disregarded the fact, thinking that she just wants to train harder. She would wait by the tree just at the end of the bridge, taking advantage of the thick fog. Then, she would see Naruto pass by, with his usual self, walking rashly with his hands behind his head. Hinata was already happy being that way. She would wait, he would pass by subsequently, and she would walk away overlooked. Sometimes, she wondered if some of her fellow Genins already noticed her unusual affections for the loud-mouthed ninja. But still, she hardly talks to anyone. Maybe no one notices anyway. That's just what she thinks. As she walked away from her usual spot, she didn't notice Tenten by the side of the road. She happened to see the same scenario everyday as she passed by this route.
Hinata is Neji's cousin, so she can't help but get curious about why the two never spend time together. Hinata seems really nice, in Tenten's point of view. However, she can't understand why Neji seems to hate her as well. What does Hinata got to do with Naruto? She wondered to herself. But, looking at Hinata by that tree, waiting patiently, looking at Naruto as he passes by. Tenten can actually see herself in Hinata as well. I'm not really a timid girl. Demo… Hiding my feelings for Neji like this makes me see myself in Hinata. How utterly ironic… Tenten thought as she sighed. She kept thinking that she's strong enough, but the truth is that she's really weak. She can't even face Neji as herself. She wore this mask that makes Neji see her as a composed and calm girl. Tenten lowered her head as she walked towards their training ground.
During lunch break, Tenten walked by herself towards the town of Konoha. Neji seems to be skipping lunch, and so is Rock Lee. She sighed as she headed for the Ichiraku Ramen to have lunch. She then saw Naruto by the counter, eating his sixth helping of ramen. Tenten smiled as she sat next to Naruto and ordered a bowl of ramen.
"Konnichiwa, Naruto…" Tenten greeted cheerfully as she looked at the awfully hungry Naruto.
Naruto gulped the last serving of ramen and drank a glass of water. "Oh… Konnichiwa Tenten! Are you eating alone?" he asked as he ordered his seventh helping of ramen. Tenten smiled as she nodded and looked carefully at Naruto.
"Where's thick eyebrows and Neji?" Naruto asked as he dug into his next bowl of ramen.
"They're still training… I'm thinking of bringing them back some food instead…" Tenten replied as she took her ramen bowl and picked up her chopsticks.
Naruto nodded as he resumed his eating. Tenten ate quietly as Naruto and the waiter chatted about how good the Ichiraku ramen is. After a while, Tenten left the ramen store with three bowls of ramen for her teammates. That's when she noticed Hinata walking out of the sushi bar next to the Ichiraku ramen. Tenten stood there as she watched Hinata walk silently.
"Hey… Matte! Hinata-chan…" Tenten called out. Hinata looked back to face he. She can't believe Tenten actually remembered her name. Tenten quickly approached her and smiled at her. "Are you busy or something? We need to talk…"
Hinata looked at her, feeling nervous. She didn't do anything to make Tenten angry or what. Why does she want to talk all of a sudden? "Err… O-okay…" Tenten smiled as they walked together by the bridge where Naruto and his teammates always meet. Eh! This is the bridge where Naruto and his teammates meet… Why did she bring me here?
Tenten leaned against the bridge and looked at the fast flowing river. "You might be wondering why I brought you here…" Tenten started as she looked at the female Hyuuga. Hmm… She looks like Neji… Is it because of their eyes?
Hinata nodded timidly as she tried to avoid looking straight into Tenten. "Di-did I do… something to o-offend you?" she asked as she gripped on the bridge post.
Tenten was surprised upon hearing her. She smiled as she placed her hand on her shoulder. "What made you think that way? You didn't do anything… I… just want to ask about something." Hinata sighed as she looked at Tenten. "We need to talk about you, me and Naruto…"
Hinata's eyes windened in surprise as she led out a gasp. How did Tenten know about that? "Err… Na-Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked sheepishly. Tenten nodded as she looked at the river once again. "Do you like Naruto, Hinata?" Tenten asked.
Hinata blushed as she looked away. She knows that she's not good in lying and denying. Tenten would notice how uneasy she is. But Tenten just smiled and looked at Hinata. "It's a simple yes or no… I won't tell anyone, I promise you…" she assured.
Hinata stayed silent as she looked at the river. "I… I do… I'm in love with Naruto-kun…" Hinata confessed. Tenten smiled as she looked up. "I thought so…" Hinata looked at Tenten in surprise. How did she even know about that? "You see, Hinata… I always see you here every morning, waiting for Naruto. I thought something was up."
Hinata blushed as he lowered her head. "I'm a big coward, am I Tenten? I can't even show myself to him…" Tenten shook his head as she fixed her gaze on the river.
"Hinata… The cowards are the ones who have the chance but let it slip away everytime, for fear of the outcome. People like me…" Tenten closed her eyes and felt the wind brush against her face. "I'm the coward, Hinata… You see… I'm in love with my teammate… To be more precise, I'm in love with Neji…"
Hinata was astonished at Tenten's confession as she looked up and faced the attractive Genin beside her. Tenten smiled as she continued. "You know, looking at you everyday makes me see myself in you. We're both in love with someone who's preoccupied with things like being strong and the likes." Tenten looked at Hinata. "Which reminds me, does the Hyuuga Main House know about Naruto?"
Hinata shook her head and looked down. "My family hated Naruto. To be more precise, they're disgusted with Naruto… Having the kyuubi inside him makes my family think of him as a monster. If I tell them, I'm sure I'll never hear the end of it…"
Tenten nodded as she looked up. "I wonder if Neji thinks the same way too…" she replied in almost a whisper. Hinata nodded as she looked down and twitched her fingers.
"Tenten…Please promise me that you'll never tell anyone about Naruto… Especially Neji-ni-san…" Hinata whispered as she twitched her fingers. "I don't want Naruto-kun to get in trouble because of me…" Upon hearing Hinata's words, Tenten smiled as she nodded and stretched her arms, inhaling the fresh noontime air by the bridge. Hinata smiled as she looked at the view of the river. After a while, the two went back to their teammates.
Hinata and her teammates finished their training just after twilight. She walked home by herself with her usual posture. She didn't notice that she happened to pass by the bridge where Team 7 meets. As she was about to cross the bridge, she saw an orange figure sitting on the ground and looking down at the river. Hinata blushed as she stepped closer to get a clearer view. The customary orange jacket needs no more introductions to her. She stepped closer and gathered all her audacity to call out his name. "Na-Naru-to… kun…"
The boy was indeed Naruto. He shifted his gaze on the female Hyuuga standing beside him and twitching her fingers. He smiled as he looked up. "Hinata-chan! Did you just finished your training?" he asked as he looked at her dishelved clothing because of training. Hinata nodded with a bit of hesitation. Naruto grinned as he nodded in agreement.
"Na-Naruto-kun… What are you doing out here? A-aren't you supposed to be at home or something?" Hinata asked as she desisted on stammering. Naruto simply smiled as he looked at the river. "I… I can't…" Hinata was surprised as she looked at her fellow Genin. "Err… Why is that?" Hinata asked.
Without any other emotion in his face, he sighed as he muttered his reply. "Some bastards thrashed my apartment while in training. Maybe they're the ones who got nothing better to do earlier… Iruka-sensei is cleaning up the house for me. He said I must be tired from training so he insisted to let me stay somewhere until he's done…" Hinata felt sorry for Naruto as he narrated what happened. It seems that the villagers always try to pick on Naruto every now and then. But still, she can't define it as mere teasing. For her, it was simple actions of hate for the child. Both of them knew that the villagers wanted Naruto and the sealed kyuubi out as soon as possible. There are very few like Hinata who liked Naruto as he is. It's really sad to see someone judge someone by their looks or by rumors about them… Why can't they just give chance to prove himself?
Hinata sat beside Naruto as she faced in the same direction. After a while, Naruto lay on his back and watched the firmament as it darkened each time the moon is shadowed by the clouds. "Hinata-chan… You don't need to pity me…" Naruto muttered as he fixed his eyes on the sky. Hinata looked at him and blushed a little. Naruto smiled as he continued. "It's nice having people like Iruka-sensei and you around… If it weren't for the likes of you, I'd probably be leaving Hidden Leaf and transfer to Wave country…"
Traces of concern and fear showed up in Hinata's face. She looked at Naruto straight into his sapphire eyes like she never did before. "Iie! Don't leave Hidden Leaf! I'm begging you!" Hinata cried out and tears threatened to fall down her cheeks. Hinata… The cowards are the ones who have the chance but let it slip away everytime, for fear of the outcome. "I'll always be here for you… Cuz… I… know that what they're saying are just presumptions…" she added. Because you Naruto-kun, means the whole world to me…
Naruto was astonished at the sudden firmness in her words. He propped his elbows and looked at the blushing Hinata who is again twitching her fingers. Naruto managed to show her a faint smile. "Arigatou, Hinata-chan…" he muttered. Those words are enough to make Hinata happy for the rest of the night. She nodded as she smiled faintly.
"Naruto!" Iruka called out at the other end of the bridge. Naruto and Hinata looked at him as he approached the two Genins. That's when he noticed that the other Genin was no other than Hyuuga Hinata. "Oh! Hinata, what brings you out here at this time of night? Hiashi-sama might be looking all over for you…" Iruka said as he scratched his head. He then turned to Naruto as well. "Well, I've finished fixing your apartment… You can sleep in there if you want to…"
"Hontouni? Arigatou Iruka-sensei!" Naruto exclaimed as he stood up and hugged his former sensei.
Hinata smiled as she stood up and faced the jounin. "Anou… I guess I'll be going now, sensei… Naruto-kun, you should get some sleep now. Take care…" she muttered while twitching her fingers.
"Okay… Take care Hinata-chan! Arigatou…" Naruto replied as he smiled. Iruka nodded as he ruffled Naruto's hair. Hinata bowed down and walked towards the Hyuuga mansion.
Meanwhile, Neji is just on his way home from training. He is skipping from tree to tree with Tenten trailing behind him. As the two passed by the bridge, Neji saw Hinata walking by herself. What in the world… What is she doing around here? Neji skipped to a lower tree branch as he looked at Hinata. Tenten noticed Neji's sudden change of pace and direction. She followed him down to the tree branch. "What's wrong Neji?" Tenten asked as she looked down. Hinata-chan? What is she doing here at this time of night? Team 7 doesn't usually meet at this time… Tenten looked further at her side. She noticed Iruka and Naruto walking towards Naruto's apartment. Does that mean Hinata-chan knew that Naruto would be around here? She looked at Neji as he fixed his eyes on Hinata. The two of them jumped down to the ground and took a last look at Hinata.
While they were walking, Tenten can't help but look at her teammate. She knew that something caught Neji's attention of some sort. "Tenten…" Neji muttered. Tenten looked at him as she heard her name. "Hinata-sama is acting peculiar lately. She leaves the Hyuuga mansion earlier than usual and seems to be heading towards that bridge. Why does she always pass by this route anyway?"
Tenten gulped as she shrugged her shoulders. She can't tell Neji that Hinata goes there to see Naruto. She is still not sure about what Neji thinks about him. Neji looked at Tenten noticing her peculiar silence all of a sudden. "That bridge… Is the place where Team 7 meet every morning, am I right?" Neji asked as they walked side by side. Tenten nodded with hesitation as she hoped that Neji would just leave it be. Neji wondered at Tenten's sudden tension. "Do you know something about this, Tenten?"
Neji's words hit her mentally as she simply shook her head and tried to compose herself. "I don't know anything, Neji… Hinata and me don't talk too much unless we really need to…" she replied as calm as possible. Neji looked at her for the last time. "I see… I believe you…" Neji muttered. Tenten took a mental breath of relief as she smiled knowing that Neji trusts her. But she is actually taking advantage of his trust as of now. Demo… I promised Hinata that I'd keep that between you and me… I don't want to take away the poor girl's happiness…
Meanwhile, Hinata arrived home just after dinner. As she was about to go upstairs to her room, she met Hiashi by the stairway. Her father looked at her nervous daughter in front of her. "Hinata, where have you been? I sent out servants to look for you. Hokage-sama said you left training hours ago…"
Hinata twitched her fingers and looked down. "I… just took a walk somewhere… No need to worry otto-san…" she replied. Hiashi looked at her daughter wand sighed. "Be careful when you're outside… I'm sure you know that already, is that clear?" Hiashi said with a stern voice. Hinata nodded as she overtook her father and went inside her room. Hiashi was not convinced with her daughter's excuse. He went down and called two ANBU officers for a talk. "I want you to watch Hinata everyday… Report to me all her whereabouts outside…" The ANBU saluted as they agreed to come back tomorrow. "Something is not right about her these days…"
Whew... Thanks to Dragon man, I just thought of another idea! You rock! Thanks ever so much... I'm kinda new to Naruto fanfics so please forgive me... Hehe.. And I only watch the anime, I haven't read the manga... Although I'm now pestering my dad to buy me the complete volumes.. /sinister laugh/ And I'm sorry about the typos, I'm not myself when I typed it... Hihi.. Please drop a review on your way out... Take care!