Tsubame: Grrr… I have to be careful with my tenses… anyway, aside from my tenses people say that my writing style is okay so…yehey! I don't have to change to serious fluff! I stink at serious fluff… I leave the serious fluff to ShadowRose. Thanks for the reviews!

I really want to thank… aliyanSakura#2 for the helpful advice (you can help me if you like! Thanks! But gomen my yahoo messenger seems to be broken…;;;) …animegoddess8786, hinako89, asucags- I'm glad that the g-seed fics isn't the only ones you read...Wind Kunai, Battie-2170, Itachi's Poison for being my new found friend…you gave me such great advice…saki-kun, Keimyou-chan, animemistress419, Kurenai Chinoumi, EnV, 4ever2belove, pei-chan, HaPpY-tImE-lOvEr, Chibi-Garra, Uchiha Sakura blossoms, edakumi-sama, CrAzY-SiLLy, abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvxyz, Mysterious Cherry Blossom07, animeluver46, itchinhi, Heartless Ghost

Is this everyone? Basically I just want to thank all of you… hehehehehe…I want to thank you all for supporting my story….

I want to dedicate this chapter to my new friend … Itachi's Poison…

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto…they are property of Masashi Kishimoto…

"Summer School"

By Tsubame Ongaku

Chapter 5: Hyuuga Hinata

She was called; "The Hyuuga Heiress" and she got nothing but the best. Only the best was "worthy" for this heiress…

Hyuuga Hinata didn't ask for the "best". It was just given to her. In some cases, she didn't even want it. She was always enrolled to the best schools. Actually, she used to stay in an All-girl boarding school. When she reached High School, she had no choice but to go to Konoha High. It was labeled the best school in the country. Her father of course wanted her to have the best.

She had never been to a coed school before. She was even being privately tutored for her martial arts. She was supposed to have two bodyguards with her but she wouldn't have it. She didn't want two strange black tied and suited people following her around school. Picturing it in her mind sent shivers down her spine. Instead, her father with his twin's permission enrolled Hyuuga Neji, her cousin to keep an eye on her.

He never leaves her side except of course when she went to the bathroom. Sometimes Hinata went to bathrooms on purpose to get away from him.

When she was a freshman and nervous of her first day, she felt what every newbie felt on the first day. She was glad to be finally out of the strict school her father had sent her but it meant starting all over again. She was afraid of not meeting new friends. Actually, she began to wish she was back at her old school, but that was before she met Uzumaki Naruto…

When the cousins first stepped into the school that fateful first day, they had really caught attention. Neji caught attention with his unusual, long hair and subtle, pale good looks. Hinata was very pretty. She had the similar, pale good looks of her cousin's but the feminine version of course. But she mostly caught attention because everybody knew who she was. She was always on television with her father for something like featured charity balls, business talks and conventions…

She didn't like it when people whispered around her. At that time, she had a feeling that those people were talking about her. She was right. They were. When Neji saw how uncomfortable she was, he gave a nasty frown to the people around them. It was like he was daring them to say more…

That had made them quiet…

"Neji-kun?" She whispered. She was looking up at him and pulling on his sleeves. She wanted him to divert his attention to her. "Do---don't hurt anybody, okay?"

Neji's eyes widen in surprise. How could she be so concerned about other people when they were acting like clucking chickens that didn't know when to keep their beaks shut? But he saw how serious she was, so he nodded.

They were given their schedules by Principal Hatake's secretary and Biology teacher, Shizune. Neji noticed that their schedules had differed. He went back to Kakashi-sensei's office to complain. He and Hinata were supposed to be in the same classes. Hinata was left all alone on the corridor.

The first bell rang but Neji wasn't back yet. She didn't want to be late on the first day so she decided to go ahead. She wasn't used to the fast pace of the school. Before she knew it, somebody bumped into her and sent her books flying. It was a case of hit-and-run. The perpetrator never even stopped to help.

Hinata stayed on the floor at first not moving. She was ready to burst into tears.

"Did he hurt you? Datte ba yo…"

Surprised, she looked up. It was the first time she saw Uzumaki Naruto. He had his hand outstretched to her. She hesitated before taking it. Naruto pulled her up. Strangely, they were eye-level. Naruto was very short back then and an inch shorter than Hinata…poor Naruto…

They held hands longer than they should have.

Hinata blushed. She covered her cheeks to hide them. "I…I…I'm so sorry…" she said.

Naruto chuckled and scratched his head nervously. "That's okay. Datte ba yo…" he began picking up her books which were still sprawled on the floor.

She bent to help him but he stopped her. "No…let me…"

She smiled shyly but then nodded. "Hai…" she diverted her eyes to the floor. She didn't want him to see her blush…

When he got all her books, he handed them to her. "They should give that guy a speeding ticket." He swung his own heavy bag over his shoulder. "Do you want to report this to the principal?"

"No…I'm quite alright," she tried to assure him. "It is just an accident. He didn't hurt me…"

He wasn't so convinced. "Are you sure?"

She nodded. "Yes. Don't worry about it.

Naruto wasn't sure he believed her but didn't want to push her. "So…where are you going?"

"Room 755 for Homeroom…" she felt self-conscious. She kept asking herself if her hair was okay, if her outfit dirty and if there was something on face. She didn't know how to act around him. That was the disadvantage of staying in an All-girl school half your life. When you do get out of it, you don't know how to act around the boys.

"That is where I am going!" he replied enthusiastically. "Let's go together!"

Hinata wasn't used to his enthusiasm but found that it was like a virus. She found herself catching his enthusiasm…in her own way though. "Really? That will be great…I…don't know my way around your school."

"Ahhh…you're new, aren't you?"

She nodded.

He grinned and gave her the thumbs up sign. "That is alright! I'll be your guide" he grabbed her hand and ran towards their classroom. They were already late. "By the way, I forgot to introduce myself…My name is Naruto….Uzumaki Naruto. You?"

Hinata wasn't used to being rushed. She was used to the quiet, calm and relaxed atmosphere of her old school but she found herself not minding. "Hinata…Hyuuga Hinata."

Naruto smiled. "Nice to meet you, Hinata-chan!"

Naruto didn't read newspapers except for the comics' section and didn't watch the news. He'd rather have senseless cartoons and anime anytime. So he knew nothing about Hinata and the Hyuugas or their great fortune…

Hinata found that she liked Naruto's sense of humor and his kindness. She also liked his determination. They talked all the way to their classroom. She was able to find out a lot about him. He had been trying-out for the basketball team for years but he was just too short. That never stopped him though. He said that he was even determined to be the team captain someday.

"Go---good luck, Naruto-kun." She said, stuttering more than usual.

He chuckled. "Thank you, Hinata-chan. Datte ba yo…"

But their time together was short-lived though…because along came Neji… "Oi, dropout. What do you think you are doing?"

"Huh? Who do you think you're calling a dropout, baka?"" Naruto replied icily. The two stared each other down. Hinata watched them uncomfortably. She had to do something before Neji got detention on the first day.

She stepped between them. She watched Neji's fists. They were balled up tight and Naruto's were too. It would not end well if they started fighting. "Neji-kun, he wasn't doing anything… He was just walking with me to class. Right, Naruto-kun?"

Naruto nodded but he was still frowning. Who was this idiot?

"See?" she said. "Well, Neji-kun? Did…Kakashi-sensei… change your schedule?"

After hearing that, Neji relaxed his fists a bit but he still didn't trust Naruto one bit. He managed to nod. "Yes, I was. We are in the same classes now."

"That is great, Neji-kun." Hinata then dragged Neji towards their classroom before he changed his mind. "I'll see you…after…class, Naruto-kun."

Naruto smiled and made a mock salute. "Hai!"

That was over a year ago. Who would have thought that Naruto could grow so much in a year? He used to be one of the shortest guys in the batch. He was now not only a player but also the team captain like he always wanted. He was going to need to work hard though. Not many people believe in Naruto's strength. He does have a reputation to be a complete klutz and troublemaker.

Shikamaru used to be the captain but he is already the captain and star player of the chess team so it wasn't fair if he was the captain for the basketball team too. So the title of captain went to Naruto. It isn't easy filling in the shoes of a certified genius. Naruto didn't have Shikamaru's IQ of 200. What he has was his own strength and perseverance. It was enough to win the first three games of the season. They were even going to play against SAND High soon.

The SAND assistant coach, Temari rivals Shikamaru's genius actually. They were also fierce rivals in chess. Temari never turns down a chance to prove she was better. Shikamaru was the exact opposite. If only he wasn't so lazy he would be running the other way and away from her. To him, she was just another "troublesome girl."

A lot had changed in Naruto in both looks and in social status. It wasn't "impossible" fall in love with him anymore. He was such a klutz, loud and actually unbearable before. He's still a klutz, a lot of times loud and still unbearable but there was something about him that made you believe that he has indeed changed.

A lot of times Hinata finds herself staring at him. She didn't want to, when she knew she had other things to worry about but every once in a while she turns her head and watch him. Like that moment, she knew that she should be thinking about the new drills but it seems that she can't keep her mind in her karate.

Neji was going to be absent for the afternoon's lesson. He needed to talk to TenTen about an Algebra assignment. Usually, he was around to keep her head out of the clouds. But he wasn't and responsibilities for her safety were given to Aburame Shino. He was at that moment watching from a distance. She really didn't know what was going on with Shino. It was hard to read a guy when you can't even see his face. He was a nice guy but very strange.

She was in the dojo now, getting ready to start class. She couldn't keep her mind in what she was supposed to do. Naruto was there and he was with the newgirl, Haruno Sakura.

Hinata was saddened after seeing them together. She didn't believe that she had a chance with Naruto now. Haruno Sakura was prettier than her and seemed very sweet. Naruto obviously liked her. Hinata shook her head. What was she thinking? Naruto was dating her bestfriend and Naruto was no two-timer. There had to be another reason for him to be here.

Sakura was already dressed in her uniformed kimono and ready for class. She sat beside Hinata and Hinata couldn't help but feel self-conscious sitting beside her. Not only that but Naruto was looking in their direction. She reminded herself that Naruto was not there for her but Sakura-chan, so why was she allowing herself to be so affected?

"Hinata-chan? Are you okay?" Sakura asked. She noticed that her friend was being more quiet than usual that was for sure. "Is there something bothering you? You can tell me."

Hinata glanced at Naruto's direction and blushed. She was grateful that Naruto didn't see her. He was now busy talking to bestfriend, Uchiha Sasuke, who just arrived. Sakura saw though and being a smart girl put two and two together.

"He's cute isn't he?" She whispered.

"Huh?" Hinata stuttered. "Sakura-chan, I… I really don't…know what…you are talking about." She knew it was futile to play dumb. Sakura-chan wasn't that gullible to believe that.

The pink-haired girl chuckled. "I'm talking about Naruto."

The gong rang and signaled the beginning of class. Yuuhi Kurenai, their sensei, entered. Her assistant, Uchiha Itachi, was following closely behind her. Hinata always had trouble believing that Uchiha Itachi was related to Uchiha Sasuke. They were so different. Both boys were aloof but Itachi was virtually unreadable. She didn't know the whole story but from what she could see, the brothers were distant from each other. One treated the other like strangers. She heard that they used to be very close and that Sasuke always followed his brother's lead like a little puppy. She couldn't understand what happened.

"Who's that?" Sakura whispered. She found the man behind their teacher quite intimidating. There was also a resemblance in the two boys that she couldn't explain.

Hinata smiled and shrugged. "That's Uchiha Itachi… He's… Sasuke-kun's older… brother."

Sakura's eyes widen in surprise. She never would have guessed the two were even related. They acted very coldly to one another. Her curiosity was easily aroused. She couldn't help but wonder what happened between the two. When Sauke first came in, the older Uchiha didn't even acknowledge him and the same for Sasuke.

"Don't… even think about it," Hinata warned. "You don't know… what you're messing with."

Sakura pretended to not understand and smiled sweetly. "Huh?"

"I know that look of curiosity." Hinata had to stop Sakura from going to unwelcome territory. The Uchiha brothers' relationship was a sensitive topic and many preferred not to dwell on it. Not unless they wanted to see the light of day again. Whatever happened between the brothers was a popular mystery. Many theories and suspicions circulated about them but nobody could really be sure what was true.

Sakura gave a sigh of surrender. "Fine." As curious as Sakura was, she didn't want to start trouble so soon after starting school. It was probably just the nosy reporter in her talking but next time she should be careful. She shouldn't just jump into something she had no background of. She redirected her attention back to their sensei and their lesson.

"Welcome to another afternoon of karate," Kurenai-sensei said sternly. "I see that we have Mr. Uzumaki and Mr. Uchiha here for the afternoon. This is a miracle. To what do we owe this pleasure?"

Naruto grinned nervously. "Nothing much really. We just came to watch."

Sasuke nodded, trying to avoid his brother's gaze. "We also heard that Hinata-chan is going to represent for a competition. We wanted to wish her luck and see what she can do."

Hinata blushed. She knew very well that Uchiha Sasuke was a great fighter. He was almost as good as her cousin and some say that he was even better. Naruto also had a reputation for fighting too but he wasn't the type to watch the fight. He was the most likely to be the one to start it. This was not good…she was feeling more self-conscious than usual now that Naruto-kun was there to watch her perform.

Ms. Kurenai turned to Sakura. "You must be the Ms. Haruno that I've heard so much about." Sakura fidgeted nervously, making the teacher smile. "I don't know whether I should be afraid or impressed. You've got a very…interesting record."

"You don't say," she managed to chuckle.

Kurenai-sensei clapped her hands to get back the attention of her class. "Why don't we give these two boys a demonstration, ne? Hinata-chan, you should be in top form." Sakura was trying to crawl away. "Ms. Haruno, let's see what you can do."

"Me?" She squeaked. "I don't know…I'm new here so why don't I just take a rain check?"

"You're not scared, are you, Sakura-chan?" Sasuke mocked. "Poor girl. She must be shaking like a leaf in fear."

Sakura ground her teeth. She never wanted to be here. She just wanted to join a few classes to find a way to get the two together. Sasuke wasn't much help. He just said that he'd watch but he would not interfere. "Let the two of them be," he said. "They're bound to notice something sooner…or later."

But Sakura had a feeling that it would be very later if she didn't do something about it.

"Fine!" She shouted and much to Kurenai-sensei and Sasuke's amusement. "I'll fight."

She took her position opposite to Hinata. "Are you ready, Hinata-chan? I won't go easy on you. So prepare yourself…"

Hinata giggled. "I wouldn't… expect anything… less, Sakura-chan. P…p…please let us… both give our best…"

Sakura nodded in agreement. Neither would insult the other by giving them an easy fight. Kurenai looked at both students. They both looked determined and ready. She knew that they were in for an interesting fight. Itachi, she observed only watched them and seemingly uninterested in what was taking place. He didn't care who won. He had better things to do than worry about two little girls fight.

He was about to leave when Kurenai-sensei stopped him. She shook her head and advised him not to leave yet. "Don't underestimate them, Itachi-san. Just stay and observe."

Itachi was silent but in the end he took his seat again and watched. This had better be worth his time.

Sasuke was watching when that scene took place. He almost wished that his brother would just leave but he shouldn't really care. Stay or leave? Whatever he chose had nothing to do with him.

It was Sakura who first launched an attack. Sakura was always more of the offensive then defensive but both skills she could do like any pro. Hinata was no pushover though. Sakura discovered that beating Hinata would be more difficult than she first thought.

Her offensive and defensive abilities rivaled hers perfectly. She was enjoying this fight already and it really made her smile. This rarely ever happened. "Hinata-chan, you're not bad." She began to hit Hinata with continuous kicks and punches.

Hinata switched to the defensive and blocked every hit. "You're…not bad… too, Sakura-chan."

This time Hinata switched to the offensive, while Sakura tried to avoid each hit. Sakura knew that it was now the time to strike. "Hinata-chan, what do you think of Naruto?"

Hinata gasped at the mention of his name and lost concentration. Sakura took the opportunity to try to sweep her off her feet but Hinata recovered quickly. She shook her thought furiously trying to gather her thoughts back to the battle at hand. "Sakura-chan! That's…that's…cheating…"

Sakura grinned evilly. "Why? I just asked you one question." She shrugged. "It shouldn't make a difference." She paused for effect. "Unless of course you have something to say about it."

Hinata blushed. It wasn't fair. Sakura knew her weakness and was using it against her.

"Go Hinata-chan!" From the sidelines, Hinata could hear Naruto cheer her on. This made her smile. Somehow hearing him behind her made her more confident now. "Hinata-chan, don't give up! Give your best!"

There were other voices too in the background. There was no mistaking the mocking voice of Uchiha Sasuke. "Haruno, you're going to get your butt kicked. Just give up already!"

Hinata thought it was rude of him to say such things but as she observed Sakura later on she saw that Sakura was easily stirred by his insults. She ground her teeth and obviously tried to fight for composure. Sakura-chan? Sasuke-kun? Why not?

"Sakura-chan, Sasuke-kun likes you, doesn't he?"

Sakura who was doing a spinning kick, tripped and fell with a thud on the floor. "Hinata-chan, you did that on purpose!"

Hinata gave her a look of pure innocence. "Was it… something I… said, Sakura-chan?" She nodded towards the two boys watching them. "I was just asking a question." She began to kick at Sakura, while Sakura rolled to get away from the attacks.

Sakura grumbled. Hinata was using her own technique against her. "Smart," she thought. "I never thought that Hinata-chan would use it against me. I underestimated her." She jumped up to her feet and tried to hold on to Hinata's leg to make her immobile but it was going to take better than that to stop her.

"Is this…all… you can do, Sakura-chan?" Hinata jumped and kicked Sakura on the stomach. She did a back flip and landed on her feet like a feline.

Sakura clutched her middle painfully. Now she meant business. "Of course not! I'm just getting warmed up." She went back to position. "Watch me."

One moment Sakura was standing there and the next she disappeared in a blink of an eye. "She's fast!" She gasped before realizing that somehow Sakura ended up behind her. "Thank you." She returned Hinata's punch to her, not giving the surprised girl time to think.

Now it was an even fight. There was no sign of who might be the victor. The fighters were too evenly matched punch-by-punch and kick-by-kick. This was going to be a long and interesting fight. Their sensei was impressed. Very impressed by their performance and so was everybody around them. Even Uchiha Itachi was taking notes at least she thought he was making notes since he was busying himself with his notebook. It made her wonder what he was up to.

She had heard a lot of Haruno Sakura from old teachers and infamous reports. She was a good student but had a way of attracting attention. She wasn't very big on patience and tended to settle annoyances with a good beating. Mostly she was the victimizer. She always won.

She wanted to see this infamous troublemaker in action because she certainly didn't look the type. She looked the annoying "little Ms. Popular" type. Kurenai was surprised by her show of agility, strength and sportsmanship. She liked this girl already. No wonder Tsunade-sama recommended her…

Tsubame: Wheeeee… another cliffie! Now that it is vacation, I'm bored out of my mind! AHHHhhhhhhhh! Constructive Criticisms please!

Listening to: A variety of cds from Naruto to Bleach to Kare Kano to AIR. As long as I have music, I can write! Since the music is so mixed up, I think the chapter came out a bit mixed up too! Whhhheeeeeee…

Mood: Happy! Happy! Genki! Genki! Happy! NaruHina fan for life! Yeah!

Working on: Chapter 9 of "Green IS the color of my eyes" and after this "Summer School" chapter 6