As I watch my cousin, Neji-niisan, and his girlfriend, Tenten-neesan, from a far... I can feel their happiness through their eyes. I only see my cousin this happy when he's around Tenten-neesan. They are so in love. Even little gestures make them pleased. I feel insecure; they love each other, but look at me... I do love someone, but does he love me back? I don't think so...

"Hey, Hinata-chan, want to come with us?" Tenten-neesan asked as she handed me a plum blossom.

"No thanks. I might ruin your date if I go." I felt myself smile.

"Are you sure?" she questioned.

"Hai."

"Very, very sure?"

"Hai."

"Are you very, very, very sure?"

"Hai."
Are you ve-"

"Tenten stop." Neji-niisan grimly said as he held her shoulder. With that Tenten-neesan pouted that made him chuckle.

"You two must go. You would be late for your date. So, please go now. I might be a bother." I smiled.

"Oh, Hinata-chan you're so sweet... see you later!" Tenten-neesan beamed.

When they're out of eyesight, I looked down to my palms. There, lying a piece of plum blossom. It brings back memories, memories of this flower, me and Naruto-kun.

It was another start of a school year in the academy. I was briefly eight that time. Every time when parents or guardians fetch their little ones, I would stay under a plum blossom tree, trying to reach a petal. I tried every single day of the year just to have a piece that I picked by myself and be proud of it. It was hard, if I successfully have my award it would be rewarding. But my attempts were gone to waste. Until one day...

"Hey, Hinata-chan! What cha' doing?" a bubbly voice stated.

"Oh, Naruto-kun!" I began pushing my fingers "I-I w-was try-ing to p-pick a fl-flower.." I stammered.

"Ahhh... need help?" he grinned.

"N-no th-thanks. I-its e-embarrass-ing..." I bit my lip as he laughed.

"Don't think that. Here." He lifted me up and he placed me on top of his shoulders. I was like a little girl riding on the shoulders of her father. I then was dumbfounded by his unnecessary action.

"N-Naruto-kun... is thi-this alr-right?"

"Yup! I'm fine, go pick the flower." he gladly said. I picked a plum blossom all by myself and with Naruto-kun's help.

We repeated that doing until it became a habit of ours. It lasted for two years. He stopped helping me when we were ten, of course I can get one without anyone's help. As I looked at my wristwatch and found out that this very day is the exact date that Naruto-kun started helping me five years ago. It struck me that I was in front of the same tree too. It was like fate has moved again. I wonder if he remembers the past.

I walked towards the tree and raised my hand to pick one, but a strong wind came rushing that destroyed my attention. I resumed again, but another disturbance occurred.

"Hey, Hinata-chan! What cha' doing?" a much matured voice asked.

"Oh, Naruto-kun!" I began pushing my fingers "I-I w-was try-ing to p-pick a fl-flower..." oh no, is this destiny repeating itself.

"Ahhh... need help?" he smiled.

"No thanks. It's embarrassing..." I bit my lip to refrain from crying.

"Don't think that. Here." He lifted me up once again like the times we did five years ago.

As soon as I got the flower, he brought me back to my feet. He smiled, the sweetest smile I ever seen.

"So, you do remember..."

"Yes, of course! Why would I forget such a remarkable time?"

"Oh, Naruto-kun..."

"I love you, Hinata. I have been waiting for you for the past years. I wanted to tell you earlier...but I failed. It's now too late." His expression softened.

"Iie, it's not late... Naruto-kun... it's right on time, the bell hasn't rung, ne?" I started to cry. At last, no more insecurities towards Neji-niisan and Tenten-neesan.

-end-