The delay of this chapter can be thanked to the wonderful professors at my university and their finals. Apparently due to the heads of the university, while everyone is already on summer vacation our classes had still been in session until now. Thank you, Deans.

Disclaimer: Read previous chapter's disclaimer and insert into this chapter. Nothing has changed updates if any changes in regards to ownership.

Caution: This story was done in a hurry and has typos. Please dismiss some of the typos but if there are too many, please inform me so I will know to spend time proof reading. Thank you.

Chapter 5 Self-Confidence

Hinata's first reaction in seeing Naruto was to yelp. The second reaction was to hide behind a corner. As Hinata hide behind a corner in an adjacent hallway it brought back so many memories that made Hinata ashamed. She didn't want to do this anymore, this is one of the reasons that she was giving up on Naruto. She needed to overcome this type of acting.

Hinata took a deep breath and courage to turn the corner and see Naruto. Surprisingly she was more nervous with this than in any "A" class mission.

As Hinata turned the corner to walked towards the Hokage's office she was greeted by an unexpected surprise, Naruto's face.

Naruto was surprised to see Hinata standing in the middle of the hallway with a frightened expression on her face. She was standing there with her lower lip quivering as if trying to say something. She looked as if a war was about to happen.

With Hinata looking terrified, Naruto remembered what had happened the previous week and accounted her facial expression due to the events that happened. He had almost tackled her that day at the training ground and then hurt her afterwards. Although he still didn't know how he caused her to be unconscious that day but it didn't matter because it did obviously affected her.

He knew that was the reason that Hinata now stood before him looking at the floor and frightened. Who could blame her?

"Hinata-chan" Hinata's heart to beat quickly as she heard Naruto say her name, but his voice didn't hold the same confidence that it usually possessed. The voice sounded soft as a child voice would bet the child was found guilty of an offense.

Hinata lifted her head and saw that Naruto's head was looking towards the ground. Naruto's looking at the ground was rarely seen due to the shinobi having high confidence and always holding his head up high. Naruto looked vulnerable to Hinata in that instant and it only made her heart beat even more.

"Hinata-chan, I want to apologize for what occurred last week. I know that what I did was irresponsible and I could have hurt you. Shino told me…" Shino? Hinata looked up realizing that Shino was nowhere in the hallway. She had seen him leave before Naruto and now Naruto was telling her that Shino told him…told him… Hinata began to wonder if Shino would be capable of telling Naruto about her feelings.

Naruto did not see the distress that was increasing in her features, "…Shino told me that I was too irresponsible and should control my actions around Kiba especially since I almost caused someone to get hurt, that wasn't Kiba. I want to truly apologize, Hinata. I hope you can forgive me."

Hinata let out a breath of relief. She should have known that Shino was incapable of telling Naruto-kun anything. "Naruto-kun it's okay"

Naruto lifted his head and looked at Hinata as if she said the greatest thing, such as if the Ichiraku's Ramen Shop was giving out free ramen. He was happy that she forgave him and he could be without the guilt that Shino had established in him. Really, although quiet, Shino had a way of making someone feel guilty.

Naruto gave a smile and began to scratch the back of his head. "Thanks, Hinata"

After seeing the smile, Hinata didn't know if it was that she had been deprived of Naruto's smile for the past five days or if it was that she still was too weak due to her feelings but she felt her body doing something all on its own. Her mouth began to open, "Naruto-kun I need to tell you something."

Naruto withdrew his attention away from scratching the back of his head and set it on Hinata. Hinata's face was starting to change to its usual crimson color that it usually held while she spoke to him.

"I need to tell you that I have always…" Hinata couldn't believe how traitorous her own body was being. On it own it was telling Naruto how she felt. She tired to stop but the words seemed to continue to flow.

It was all over. Hinata knew that it was all over. "I have always lo…"

The last part of her confession did not achieve to leave her mouth when a ninja interrupted. Hinata felt the greatest joy of seeing that ninja, she didn't even know his name but it didn't matter she was happy to see him. He saved her from humiliating herself by confessing to Naruto.

"Hinata? Sorry to interrupt you but the Hokage is waiting for you. She is not in the mood to be waiting today. Her patience today has been shortened by someone." The ninja glanced towards Naruto when he said the last words.

Hinata gave a big smile of relief and said she was going. She then turned to Naruto and apologized but she needed to leave. Naruto didn't think anything of what Hinata said or would have said and left. He was off to get his precious ramen.

Hinata's heart continued to beat uncontrollably. She couldn't believe that she almost confessed to Naruto. She didn't understand what had taken over her body to react is such a careless manner. But now she had to calm down before she entered Tsuande-sama's office.

When Hinata felt that her heart was beating closer to its normal pace she proceeded to enter the office.

Inside the office Tsunade did not look pleased. She was working on paperwork that had accumulated while she was procrastinating and gambling. The pile of paperwork was sure to keep her busy for a while taking her precious time away from drinking and gambling. Tsunade was grumbling about this when she heard Hinata enter.

"Ah, Hinata come in." Hinata walked up to the desk and peered over all the paper work barely being able to see Tsunade's face. "I have a mission for you. It isn't one of your usual missions but I do believe that this will not be a hard mission." Tsunade continued to talk in this way as if Hinata already was knowledgeable with the mission details.

Hinata saw that Tsunade needed to be informed that she did not know what the mission consisted of. Was it traveling to the Hidden village of the Stone or having guard watch for the week. Hinata was in total darkness.

Tsunade gave an apology and informed Hinata of the mission. There had been an important mission that needed the use many of Konoha resources meaning ninjas. The mission was highly classified and the students did not need to know about the absence of their sensei "and now we are short of a few ninjas that are needed to train some of the genin. I want you to be a substitute for one of the ninjas and train a team. It will only be for a while and I believe that you will do a good job." Tsunade mentioned the last part seeing that Hinata was about to refuse due to her belief of lack of skills.

"Hinata, you are one of the finest ninjas there is and I thought of you for providing the training that is needed for the future of Konoha. This will only be for a few days or the most for two weeks."

Hinata felt nervous at this mission. She was used to going out and helping or protecting someone, not training. She felt more comfortable to fight someone than train; she feared that she wasn't skillful enough to teach, even if it was a genin.

But before Hinata was able to oppose Tsunade, a thought came to her head. This was the perfect opportunity for her to keep busy. Training a team of genin would take most of her time preventing her from thinking about Naruto or running into him. This would also help from repeating the mistake she almost committed earlier. It was perfect.

Hinata agreed with Tsunade about being a sensei to a team. Tsunade looked satisfied that Hinata hadn't but up the fight that she expected. "Good, I shall inform team number ten that they have someone to train them."

"Who is in team number ten?"

"Team Ten consist of Udon, Moegi and Konohamaru. There are your pupils for the time being until Ebisu returns." Hinata was happy at hearing the names of her saviors that were sure to preoccupy her time and keep her away from Naruto. "You may go and meet them. They shall be waiting at the Academy"

Hinata walked down the hall of the academy looking at the information she had managed to obtain about each member of team ten. Not much information was found on Udon, only that he had an average score on his exams during his academy and was mediocre in his jutsus. Moegi wasn't much of a difference from Udon in her exam scores. Her skills in jutsus were a bit above average according information Hinata held in her hand. Konohamaru was one that Hinata knew a bit more, he was the Third's grandson and remembered him at the funeral of the Third's that had taken place many years ago. Although the information on him was clearly the same as the rest there was something that kept bothering Hinata.

Hinata couldn't understand but she felt that there was something important about Konohamaru that she kept overlooking. She tried to process it but nothing would come up. She dismissed anymore thought asserting that it was only due to the fact the day had brought along a lot of stress.

First it was Kiba with his actions of grabbing a hold on her. Then Akamaru's biting Kiba for no apparent reason. But more importantly the one that caused her the most stress was the fact that she nearly confessed her love to Naruto. All was enough to drive anyone unnerved but now she had something to occupy her time, Team Ten.

Inside the room, Konohamaru and the rest of the "Konohamaru Corps" continued to talk about who they thought was to be their temporary sensei. They were really hoping for Naruto but knew that Tsunade most likely wouldn't choose him. Although Naruto had become a great ninja, Tsunade still didn't want Naruto teaching the future of Konoha, not after an outbreak of perverted Jutsus, which was an effect of one of Naruto's lessons.

No, they acknowledged that it would not be Naruto. They could only hope that it was someone that wasn't as stern as Ebisu-sensei. Just as they were talking about who they believed it would be the sliding door opened revealing their new sensei.

Both Konohamaru and Udon stared at the kunoich that had long dark indigo hair and white eyes that is only seen in the Hyuuga clan. Moegi looked up after hearing her two teammates had silenced and saw Hinata in the doorway. They were confused; wondering if this was their new sensei.

Hinata entered the room and looked upon her temporary pupils who seemed stunned. Hinata's perception of them being stunned was not inaccurate. Each one knew about Hinata and her strength using the Byakugan. Although Hinata didn't know it she was well known in the academy due to her skills and strength. Also Hanabi was currently attending the academy and often spoke about her sister, Hinata.

After the initial shock each of team ten gave a greeting to Hinata and Hinata began the introductions and training.

"Hinata-sensei, can't we take a break." Konohamaru whined for the fifth time. Although Team Ten didn't believe that there could be a harsher sensei than Ebisu-sensei they were proven wrong by Hinata-sensei. It had only been two days and they were praying to Kami for the return of Ebisu.

Hinata was taking full advantage of her new mission. She was keeping busy and hardly thought of Naruto. She had established a nice training routine that took most up most of her time; unfortunately it also took up most of Team Ten's time too.

The training it self was also grueling for the students. Hinata had been so accustom to training herself to a point of exhaustion that she was imposing the same requirement on the team.

Finally after the twelfth plea, Hinata allowed her trainees to rest. "Hinata-sensei is killing me." Konohamaru commented between breaths. "Who thought she would be worse than Ebisu-sensei"

Konohamaru's teammates were laying on the ground trying to catch their breaths. Konohamaru was right about Hinta-sensei and his teammates agreed.

"No wonder Hanabi is so good" Moegi said in a low voice as the three were talking. "Having a sister like that, you would have to train hard to keep up" None of them knew that the situation was reversed in the eyes of Hinata.

Before Team Ten was able to fully rest, Hinata called out to them to continue training. Team Ten rose to their feet grumbling at how tired they were. Then in an instant Konohamaru's face brightened and he dashed to the right. Hinata stood perplexed at what Konohamaru did but soon her body tensed.

"Naruto-niisaan" Konohamaru yelled as he ran towards Naruto. That is when it hit Hinata, that her paranoia about overlooking something important about Konohamaru was without a premise. Konohamaru looked up to Naruto!

Hinata could feel her breathing to deepen, she tried to control herself. She couldn't face Naruto after what happen in the hallway. She felt her head spinning. She wanted to run but she couldn't because she was the sensei of Team Ten. Oh she wished she didn't have Team Ten.

"Hinata-chan what are you doing here?" Naruto asked Hinata when he walked closer to her.

"She is our sensei for the meanwhile." Udon replied for Hinata who still seemed to be at lost for word.

"Where is the closet pervert?"

Since this question was aimed towards Hinata, she was forced to comply and give a response. "He has 'responsibilities' to attend to."

Naruto knew that "responsibilities" meant that the nature of Ebisu departure could not be discussed, especially in front of genin. "Since Ebisu is not here lets go get something to eat, Konohamaru." Konohamaru eyes beamed at the thought, he liked to spend time with Naruto who was like an older brother to him.

Konohamaru began to say yes when he saw Hinata behind him. Although Hinata was known to be shy and quiet he had seen enough of her for the past two days to know that she was tough as a sensei and his disobeying would cost him dearly.

"Naruto-niisaan I have training right now." Naruto looked at Konohamaru and then at Hinata.

Naruto knew that Konohamaru's resistance was because of Hinata and decide to step in. "Hinata-chan, why don't you guys take a break and have lunch. Come on Konohamaru." Before Hinata could say anything Naruto took her silence as an affirmative and started walking towards the village.

Team Ten was surprised that Hinata-sensei didn't oppose Naruto. She didn't say no but instead said that it was a good idea. They were all at aw that Naruto was able to do this. Thanks to Naruto, that day they were able to have a real break, one that allowed them to rest.

Training continued after the lunch break and Naruto leaving. "The Konohamaru Clan" began to discuss what had happen earlier to cause Hinata-sensei to give a break.

"Did you see that? Naruto got us a longer break." Konohamaru would say every moment that he and a teammate were close to each other as they tried to attack Hinata.

"Yeah, I was surprised too." Moegi blocked a kunai that went flying past her. "Hinata-sensei didn't say anything."

Konohamaru and Moegi stopped talking as they went running toward Hinata in attempt to catch her off guard. Udon was behind Hinata at that moment ready to grab a hold of her when she spun out of the way with a speed that surpassed all three, leaving Udon to be rammed by his own teammates.

All three sat on the floor hurt by the attempted attack that they failed in. "Okay, that is enough for today. You can all go have the rest of the day off." Hinata said as she began to take up some of the equipment.

Konohamaru, Moegi and Udon looked at each other. Hinata-sensei said to have the rest of the day off but it was already dark outside, there was no more day to have off. They were not going to survive till the return of Ebisu-sensei, they needed to do something. But what could they do to have rest. Then it hit them they only knew one person that seemed to give them rest and that was Naruto. They didn't understand why Hinata-sensei would not oppose Naruto's request. "She must look up to him like we do. Come on Naruto is one of the best ninjas there is", Konohamaru replied trying to answer the cause for Hinata's actions. "But it doesn't matter because I think Naruto is our ticket to be relieved from this extensive training."

When Hinata was out of view each began to devise a plan to accomplish their own mission. They would find ways of having Naruto around and ask for breaks giving them time off.

Hinata, without knowing the danger that her pupils were planning for her, continued walking towards her own training ground to train for the rest of the day. Her thoughts were filled with finding ways to stay away from Naruto. It was going to be harder now that she knew that Konohamaru looked up to him, but she would find a way accomplish it.

As she arrived at the training ground she surprised to find that someone was already there waiting for her.

Kiba sat on top of Akamaru waiting for Hinata, whom he hadn't seen her for the past two days. When he had arrived at the Hokage's doors she had already left and he didn't know where she had gone. He later found out that she was assigned to be sensei for Team Ten and most of her time was occupied.

His only chance of seeing her now was when she went to train. Kiba knew what training ground was preferred by Hinata and had been waiting for her to arrive. As he sat and talked with Akamaru, Kiba saw Hinata's figure walking toward them. He face began to glow with a smile at seeing the woman that he loved and knew she love him in return.

Hinata saw Kiba from a distance and the first images in her head was of him grabbing her two days ago. He seemed worried back then but now he seemed better than two days ago, although it still held that big smile on his face.

"Hinata-chan I was waiting for you. Where have you been?" Kiba looked at Hinata with softness in his face. Hinata informed him that she was training Team Ten and most of her time had been with training.

"Have you eaten yet? We can go and have some senzai or something." Kiba hoped that at the naming senzai, which was Hinata's favorite food, she would agree.

"Sorry Kiba-kun I had a big lunch with the team and Naruto. Also I need to train before I go home." Kiba then offered to train with her. He informed her that he had been busy with other things that he hadn't been able to train, failing to mention that the reason he was busy was because of her. Hinata accepted this offer knowing that it would help in her training and following the advice. "Hang out with friends" which was one of the advice that she was able to do without great difficulty.

As she sparred with Kiba she noticed that it wasn't a good training. Kiba seemed preoccupied with something and his attention was not on the match allowing Hinata accesses to deliver punches. Hinata stopped her attacks and looked at Kiba. "Kiba what is wrong with you? You don't look like your usual self." Kiba told her that everything was okay it was only that since he had been deprived of training he wasn't at his full skill. Hinata knew better than this and said that it was enough training for the day.

As they were walking towards their own homes, Kiba thought it was the perfect time to initiate the conversation that he had been playing in his mind for the past two days. "Hinata, I have been reading an interesting story. The story itself I do not recall but one phrase caught me. It said 'Not giving up is part of Self-confidence'" This story that Kiba spoke about was a lie but Kiba knew that Hinata did not need to know that. "So Hinata, it said that no matter what it is, not to give up. What do you think about that?"

Hinata didn't know how to answer the question that Kiba had thrown at her. "Not giving up is part of self-confidence?"

"Hai that is what it said and I believe it, Hinata." Kiba then turned to face Hinata and grasped her hands within his. "Hinata-chan, no matter what don't give up. Just don't no matter what you believe there is always hope. Don't give up and have self-confidence, not even in…" Kiba'sfacethen brightened to a red color, "…in training or love"

Hinata was shocked by this as Kiba quickly dropped her hands and started walking again. Kiba could feel his heart beating quickly as if it were to jump out of his chest. He said what he wanted to say to Hinata and semi-hoped that Hinata wouldn't get suspicious. He hoped that it was enough to encourage Hinata to continue her love.

That night in her room, Hinata kept thinking about what was said by Kiba. She never expected Kiba to do that, encourage her to continue loving Naruto. Yes he had said not to give up training but he had emphasized the word love.

She had thought that Kiba would have been happy to hear she was giving up on Naruto. Then it hit her, Kiba, how did he know about her love for Naruto. She began to think and only answer was that he wasn't sleeping that day that Shino spoke to her.

But that still didn't answer why he was cheering her on to continue to love Naruto. Kiba was the one who a few months ago kept asking her out for lunch or dinner and seemed to like her more than a friend. Hinata then guess that she was wrong about Kiba having a fondness for her and he only saw her as a friend. He was looking out for her as a friend and wanted to cheer her on.

This in a way felt like a good thing for Hinata, but it made her think who's advice should she follow, Kiba who said not to give up or Shino who didn't say but she knew was going to say give up on Naruto.

Give up on Naruto or have "Self-Confidence", those are her choices.

A/N: Not important just my thoughts/notes.

I had writer's block for the longest time. Also I have been reading the new chapters of the Naruto manga, once I see Sai I'm happy other than Sai it is Garra. Also Fruits Basket and the near ending, at least Yuki is with Machi. Another reason for my writer's block was I had three final papers due in one week and I waited till the last two days. Finish all them. One turned out to be twenty four pages, another twelve and the last a measly little five. Finally summer break till I start work and summer school.

My motivation for writing has been surprisingly to write at two am and with stress in my system as I try to study. That and some of the reviews.