Rock Lee sat out for the remainder of the soccer game, and it wasn't so bad considering that there was only thirty seconds to go. The girls won with 11 to 6, and when Tenten rubbed it in Neji's face alls he had to say was, "It's not over yet." That shut Tenten up right away. The girls had only won two games so far but there were still three left, PLUS the obstacle course that was a late add-on known to know one.
"What kind of obstacle do you think it'll be?" Sakura asked Tenten when they were heading for the basketball court.
"You've got me, but I heard it's something new they want to try."
Ino and Hinata had already left to the basketball court and were waiting there for Sakura and Tenten. They had both just discovered something that they noticed when Gai Sansei ran over out help Lee during the soccer game.
"There they are!" Ino said as she pointed to Tenten and Sakura.
"Tenten!" Hinata yelled as they both ran over to the girls. "You won't believe what me and Ino figured out!" Hinata said as they both began to walk besides them.
"What, what is it?" she asked taking a gulp of her water bottle.
"Lee looks just like one of the senseis from the boy's camp!" Hinata said.
"You're just seeing that now?" Neji asked coming up from behind them with Sasuke, Naruto, and Shikamaru. The girls all turned around to see them already in their basketball clothes.
"Well, yeah since we don't go here and just saw them next to each other for the first time." Hinata said.
"My guess is that when Lee left our camp that year he came here and Gai some how became his 'idol'. He must really respect him since he got his hair to look just like his." Neji said.
"That makes a lot of sense." Tenten said thinking about it.
"So who is this Gai?" Sakura asked "Is he pretty cool since Lee's copying him?"
"Hmp, yeah right." Sasuke smirked "Gai is just like Lee. They're both psycho paths."
"And that's putting it nicely." Naruto said putting his hands behind his head.
"So are you guys ready to loose in this event too?" Tenten laughed
"Are you kidding me? Guys win this every year." Neji smirked
"Yeah but I think we're going to win it." Ino said sounding confident.
"What makes you think that?" Sasuke asked
"Well, we just beat you in the first two events. And if Lee plays in this one than we'll be sure to beat you here too!" Ino laughed
"You girls were playing dirty out there." Naruto pointed out.
"Were not!" Hinata defended
"It's just too bad that you needed to use tricks instead of skills to beat us in the last event." Neji smirked. All of the other guys smirked as all of the girl's jaws dropped.
"We could have beaten you!" Tenten yelled
"Yeah right." Sasuke said "Lee's too fast, there's no way you would have won it fair."
"That's one person's opinion." Sakura mumbled
"Nah, its just fact." Naruto said nonchalantly. Sakura's vain in her forehead throbbed as she glared evilly at Naruto.
"You know I really don't think that you could call our playing dirty." Hinata said
"Yeah, you could just call it playing like a girl." Shikamaru said.
POW
Hinata and Ino just hit Shikamaru hard in the head. All the guys cringed at their upper body strength.
"HEY, what was THAT for?" Shikamaru asked rubbing his head. The girls didn't respond, but instead just glared at him.
Before the girls and guys split to go on opposite sides of the court Tenten spotted Konohamaru amongst the crowd. She knew that Hinata was supposed to take a picture of him for Hanabi since Hanabi gave them a special "Care Package"
"Hey Hinata, there's that guy…what's his name." Tenten said pointing to a group of people all talking by the bleachers. The group all looked over to see who and where Tenten was pointing at.
"OH, I have to go see him! Sakura come with me PLEEEEEEESE?" Hinata begged. Hinata didn't want to go up to Konohamaru and ask if she could take a random picture while being in front of a bunch of other people who might think she was crazy.
"Yeah, sure, fine." She said knowing that Hinata wouldn't take no for an answer.
"GREAT!" she yelled grabbing her arm "See you guys on the court, and…GOOD LUCK!" she yelled running through the crowd of people who were heading for the bleachers.
"So….who's she seeing?" Neji asked puzzled.
"Some guy. She wants to take a picture of him." Tenten said beginning to walk away with Ino towards the girl's side of the court.
"Of what...guy?" Naruto practically asked himself. Ino and Tenten continued to walk away from the guys to join their team, but the four guys stayed where they were just staring in the direction where Hinata took Sakura.
"HEEEY Naruto!" Yelled a girly voice from behind. All four guys turned around to be greeted with Kin. Naruto cringed and looked around rapidly hoping to GOD that Hinata wasn't behind him at that moment.
"Hiya….Kin." Naruto said beginning to retreat.
"I'm sorry my friend Hinata just ditched you all like that." She said looking in the direction Hinata disappeared in. "But she just can't get enough of some guy, I heard he was going to ask her out before the basketball game." All of the guys looked at Kin STUNNED! "I heard her in the bathrooms, and she said when he does she's going to say YES!" Kin began to clap her hands.
'They're BUYING IT!' she squealed in her mind 'Now I just need to rap this up.'
"I'm so jealous of her, I'm still trying to get a boyfriend." She said winking at Naruto.
"Wait, so who is asking her out?" Neji asked
"Alls I keep hearing her say is brown hair and puppy dog eyes." Shikamaru and Sasuke both exchanged looks. Naruto's eyes shot wide opened. "I think I better go get a seat before they're all taken. I'll be cheering you on Naruto." She said as she winked at him again. As she walked away the guys all looked at each other hoping the other would know what to do.
"Hinata never mentioned to me if she liked another guy." Neji finally said.
"But you heard her…" Naruto said clenching his fists. "She said she's going to say yes to the guy who's going to ask her out."
"Wait a second." Shikamaru said cutting in "Do we really want to believe Kin? I mean they all said that she was evil." All the guys looked at Shikamaru weirdly. "Well they used the word evil."
"Shikamaru's right. We shouldn't listen to her if the girls don't like her." Sasuke said as the guys began to walk to their side of the court.
"WOOHOO!" yelled Hinata as she emerged from a crowd. Sakura came out right behind her and hugged her from the back.
"CONGRATULATIONS!" Sakura yelled
"Or….maybe for once in his life…Shikamaru was wrong." Sasuke said scratching the back of his head. Naruto, or Neji, couldn't believe what they just saw. Hinata was acting excited and Sakura had just congratulated her for something.
'Maybe I was wrong.' Shikamaru thought 'Maybe some guy was asking her out, and she needed Sakura for support. From the looks of it whoever was supposed to ask her out did, and she said yes.'
'I was pretty sure that Hinata liked Naruto.' Sasuke thought 'But could some guy have really just asked her out? And if what Kin said about the guy having brown hair and puppy dog eyes then that could only mean that the guy is KIBA.'
'I'm pretty sure I would have heard if Hinata liked some guy, but that's impossible. She likes Naruto; she practically told me herself when we talked about the family name being changed.' Neji thought
'How….how could Hinata go out with….ergh!' Naruto began to clench his fists even tighter. 'I thought for sure…..but I COULD have SWORN!'
"YOU FOUR GET OVER HERE QUICK!" Yelled Gai Sensei who was standing with the rest of the basketball team. The guys hurried themselves over to their team, but while Gai was trying to explain some plays they all kept glancing over at Hinata who was with her team. She had just finished hugging Ino and was jumping around happily.
"So I want Sasuke as a point guard and Naruto I want you to jump for the ball. NARUTO, are you listening? FOCUS!"
"Huh? Oh sorry Gai Sensei." Naruto said looking at Gai's plans.
"Alright, now I want this to be an easy win. We've been winning this event for as long as I can remember. I don't intend on loosing today for any reasons, AT ALL!" he yelled "Lee you can start the second half since your still….a little…."
"Gai Sensei, I can play. I feel fine watch!" Lee said as he stood up and began to do jumping jacks.
"Sorry Lee, but my mind has been made up. You won't play till the second half. Now the rest of you know what to do, so let's get OUT THERE!"
The five boys who were going to start the game ran out to the center. The girls all walked and took their positions with Ino jumping for the ball. Hinata and Sakura were benched along with Neji and Shikamaru.
The referee went to the center to throw the ball up between Ino and Naruto. Ino looked a little miffed when she walked over to the center circle.
"Did Kin give you a kiss for luck?" she asked sounding annoyed. Naruto didn't answer but gave her a confused expression. Just then the whistle blew and the ball was up. Naruto was still thinking about what Ino said when she jumped up and tapped the ball to one of the girls on her team.
'What did Ino mean by that?' Naruto thought as he began to run down the court.
XXXOOO
Kin watched as Hinata and Sakura ran away from the group. She could tell Ino and Tenten were about to leave so she knew it was the perfect time to go over.
"So….who's she seeing?" Neji asked puzzled. Kin stopped dead in her tracks to listen.
"Some guy. She wants to take a picture of him." Tenten said beginning to walk away towards the girl's side of the court.
'Some guy huh? This is too perfect.' Kin thought as she walked over to the guys. 'According to that diary I read in Hinata's locker it said she liked Naruto and Kiba, a guy with brown hair and eyes that were similar to a dog, liked her a lot. Naruto beat that guy up twice, so this should get him pretty pissed.'
XXXOOO
Hinata ran away with Sakura threw a group of people to find Konohamaru. Getting his picture was real important since Hanabi had done so much for them by getting them a special "Care Package". Not getting this picture would mean a pissed off Hanabi who would never do anything for Hinata again!
"Do you see him?" Hinata asked
"Actually I don't remember what he looks like." Sakura confessed.
"It doesn't matter, LOOK there he is." Hinata said pointing to a group of girls around one boy.
"Yeah, I'll be in the lacrosse event. I'm pretty good, but I don't mean to brag." Konohamaru smirked as four girls around him all grew hearts in their eyes. They all seemed so mesmerized with whatever Konohamaru told them, and he was acting so cool about it.
"Konohamaru!" Hinata said sternly as she put down her foot. Konohamaru looked up casually towards Hinata but when he saw that it was her he fell over.
"HINATA! What are you doing here?" he asked standing up rubbing his soar head.
"Well the truth is…." Hinata wasn't sure of what to say. Quickly acting to the situation Sakura went right into Hinata's bag and pulled out Hanabi's camera. She took a picture of Konohamaru with the four girls.
"We were just getting blackmail to use against you with Hinata's sister." Sakura laughed
"WHAAAAAAAAAT!" Konohamaru yelled as his mouth dropped down to the ground.
"That's right." Hinata said nodding her head. "We're going to show Hanabi that picture of you with four girls."
"You wouldn't." said Konohamaru who corked an eyebrow.
"Yes, I would." Hinata said taking the digital camera away from Sakura and looking at the picture on the screen. "You look pretty guilty in it too!" she laughed as Sakura looked at it too.
"Give it to me!" Konohamaru yelled jumping for the camera. Hinata moved her hand away quickly and he fell to the ground.
"I don't think so Konohamaru. Besides, I'm supposed to get Hanabi a picture of you at the competitions so this should be it."
"I'll do anything!" he begged.
"Hmmmmm, I guess I'll delete it if….you….beat me in something." Hinata smiled
"Beat you? In what?" Konohamaru asked getting off of the ground.
"Arm wrestling!" Sakura yelled cheerfully.
"No Sakura, I'm not good at those." Hinata said freaking out.
"DEAL!" Konohamaru yelled shaking Sakura's hand "Okay Hinata lets do this."
"UGH!" Hinata said smacking her hand against her forehead. "Hold this for me Sakura." Hinata said giving her the camera. They all walked over to the bleachers and Hinata, along with Konohamaru, put their arms down on a row getting ready to arm wrestle. Hinata was strong but, SUCKED, when it came to arm wrestling. To why Sakura ever suggested it was beyond her.
"On three!" Sakura said excitedly. Konohamaru and Hinata both grabbed hands. Konohamaru looked quite determined, and there was no way he was about to loose to a girl, ONE. And TWO, he didn't want Hanabi seeing a picture of him flirting with four different girls at once.
"One….two…..THREE!"
They both pushed hard against the others hand. At first it was in Konohamaru's favor, but when Hinata realized how weak he was she began to win. She forced his hand all the way down till it touched to cold metal of the bleachers, and when it finally did she began to freak out.
"I DID IT! I FINALLY BEAT SOMEONE IN ARM WRESTLING!"
Konohamaru was left stunned at the fact that he lost to a girl.
"Konohamaru?" one of the girls asked him "Do you have a girlfriend?" Konohamaru grew grim as the girls around him grew very dark.
"Uhhhh. Ladies. Can't we talk about this?" He asked nervously as they all approached him.
Sakura and Hinata ran back out of the crowds cheering.
"WOOHOO!" Hinata yelled as she emerged from the crowd. Sakura ran out behind her and gave her a hug.
"CONGRATULATIONS!" Sakura yelled as they both ran over to the where the rest of their team was. Hinata ran right up to Ino and gave her a HUGE hug!
"INO, I'm so happy! You won't believe what just happened!"
Ino didn't hug Hinata back; she instead looked over at Tenten for help. Tenten shrugged and didn't know what to say.
"Ummmm, okay what's….got you so happy?"
XXXOOO
Tenten and Ino were stretching out with the rest of their team after leaving the guys staring in the direction where Hinata and Sakura walked away. As they were stretching out their arms Tenten noticed Kin talking to the guys.
"Ino…look its Kin." She said signaling with her head in the direction Kin was. Ino turned around to see Kin winking at Naruto. They couldn't see Naruto's face but he was rubbing the back of his head….shyly?
"Is she….flirting with him?" Tenten asked Ino
"It looks like it." Ino said no longer stretching. "LOOK, she's winking again!"
"Oh my gosh! What if Hinata sees this?" Tenten asked worriedly.
"I can't believe it! I think, I mean well it looks, like Kin's guy that she was talking about earlier was….NARUTO. AND it looks like, he likes her back."
"How could he do this to Hinata?" Tenten asked sadly.
"I'm going to personally kill him before Hinata gets the chance." Ino said cracking her knuckles.
"Fine, but I'm going to kill that little wench!" Tenten said tightening her fists.
"INO, I'm so happy! You won't believe what just happened!" Hinata yelled as she embraced Ino in a big hug.
Ino didn't hug Hinata back; she instead looked over at Tenten for help. Tenten shrugged and didn't know what to say.
"Ummmm, okay what's….got you so happy?" Ino asked as Hinata let her go.
"I just beat someone at arm wrestling!" she sang as she jumped around.
"It's TRUE!" Sakura laughed "I witnessed it all!"
"That's….GREAT!" Ino said trying to put some enthusiasm in her response.
'Hinata…I can't tell you that Naruto likes Kin while you're acting so happy.' Ino thought to herself.
"GIRLS! WILL YOU LISTEN TO ME!" Kurenai yelled. The rest of the team was huddled around Kurenai who was explaining who was in what position for the beginning of the game. All the girls understood the plan and they either sat down or went to the court. Ino saw Naruto already there in the center and began to show signs of being pissed off. Ino walked the rest of the way to the center of the court and set herself up in front of Naruto.
"Did Kin give you a kiss for luck?" she asked sounding annoyed. Naruto didn't answer but gave her a confused expression. Just then the whistle blew and the ball was up. Naruto was still thinking about what Ino said when she jumped up and tapped the ball to one of the girls on her team.
'What did Ino mean by that?' Naruto thought as he began to run down the court.
XXXOOO
The beginning of the game started off strong, but no one made any points. Every time Ino or Tenten went by Naruto they glared at him evilly. Neji noticed this and thought that if he was out at the same time of Tenten he could ask her about Hinata. 3 minutes and 27 seconds past on the clock when finally Gai decided to sub in five new players. As they all walked out to switch Naruto noticed Hinata being subbed in.
"GAI I'm not even tired yet!" Naruto yelled.
"Sit down Naruto, you'll get to go back in soon." Gai said focusing on the game.
"FINE, I want to be your first sub!" Naruto demanded.
"Naruto there are still people who haven't gone in yet." Gai said looking at Naruto.
Naruto just stared evilly at Gai, but gave up and trudged back the benches.
Hinata was a point guard and Neji was playing forward. He knew if he could only get over to her then he could ask her herself if she was going out with someone. Hinata passed the ball to a girl who was opened. She shot for the basket but it missed.
"REBOUND!" Hinata yelled. A boy got the ball and he began to run with it down the court. Hinata chased him all the way down; when he took a shot she almost fouled him by swatting at his arm. Luckily for her and the team she, and the boy, missed. Another girl on the team got the rebound and took it back to the other end of the court.
"Hinata…CALM DOWN!" Sakura yelled as she ran next to Hinata. Hinata only shook her head and ran back to the wing.
"Hinata's really aggressive in basketball, isn't she?" Sasuke said to Naruto. He only shrugged as he continued to watch her intently.
The second quarter began with the boys winning 12 to 4. Tenten and Ino were currently playing with Sasuke and Naruto again. The girls focused more on playing the game then being mad at Naruto, which really improved their playing.
"COME ONE INO!" Hinata shouted form the benches "SHOOT THE BALL!"
"HINATA!" Sakura yelled "You really need to see some anger management." Hinata sweat dropped.
"Sorry, you know how I get with sports." She said scratching the back of her head. They both began to watch the game again. The boys just made another basket and instead of yelling, Hinata just held her mouth.
"Good job Hinata." Sakura laughed as she patted her on the back. Hinata then watched Naruto running down back to defense. He was really sweating hard and his shirt was sticking so close to his body. Hinata couldn't help but blush at Naruto, and almost hopped that he was hot enough to take his shirt off.
The referee then blew the whistle to indicate the end of the first half. The people in the bleachers cheered like maniacs, apart from the girls who only clapped lightly since they were loosing.
"I hope I get to play against Naruto in this half." Hinata told her friends as they all drank from their water bottles.
"That reminds me, Sakura will you come to the bathroom with me!" Ino asked.
"Well I guess so, but I really don't have to…"
"GREAT! Let's go!" Ino said grabbing her arm and yanking her down to the latrines. They didn't go in to them; instead Ino dragged her around the back.
"Ino, what's going on?" Sakura asked as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"Sakura you wont believe what we saw when you and Hinata went to take a picture of that boy her sister likes."
"What?" Sakura asked getting worried.
"We saw Kin flirting with Naruto. We couldn't see him but we could have sworn he might have been flirting back."
"Are you sure it looked that way? We can't just assume things."
"It did, and if we tell Hinata it will hurt her so much."
"So what are we going to do then?" Sakura asked
"I don't know, but we can't tell Hinata because you're right we could be wrong. But if it's true then Hinata should see it for herself."
"That's a good idea, then she can deal with it then." Sakura said as she and Ino both walked back to their team.
"I just hope I'm wrong." Ino said
"Me too."
"Sakura!" Hinata yelled waving them both over to where the group was all huddled. "You're going to go in along with Tenten!"
"Oh great." Sakura said slouching over "Tenten's going to make me look so bad." Ino giggled at her friend as the referee blew the whistle again. The girls all went back onto the court and had possession of the ball. A girl threw it out to Tenten and she ran for the basket. Neji blocked her so she threw it to another girl who was opened. The girl had the shot and took it giving the girls two points.
"NICE ONE!" Sakura yelled to the girl as they ran back to defense.
Score: 14 to 6
Neji was being guarded by Tenten; he knew this was the perfect time to talk to her.
"Tenten." He whispered as they continued to play the game.
"What?" she asked still focused on where the ball was.
"You have to tell me what's going on with Hinata."
"Well why don't you tell me what's going on with Naruto and Kin!" she growled as she stole the ball from Sasuke. Tenten took the ball down the court and made a lay-up scoring for the girls.
Score: 14 to 8
'Naruto and Kin?' Neji thought 'What could she mean by that?' Neji then looked over in the bleachers to see where Kin was. He couldn't find her at first but when he heard obnoxious yelling he new he found her seat. There she was sitting with a girl with curly brown hair. They were both snickering about something while looking at Naruto.
'Girls.' Neji thought to himself as he watched Tenten run back towards him. Tenten began to block him again.
"Tenten, what do you mean about….." Neji was then thrown the ball by Sasuke. Neji figured talking to Tenten now was probably not a very good idea. Neji ran to the basket and shot.
Score: 16 to 8
"SUBS!" Gai yelled to the referee. The Ref. blew his whistle and two boys came off the court with Shikamaru and Naruto going on it. The Ref. looked over at Kurenai to see if she had any subs. She shook her head yes and sent in Hinata and Sakura. Hinata played point and Naruto was blocking her. Sakura was bringing the ball down and Tenten was up front waiting for it.
While defending Hinata, Naruto quickly glanced at her. She saw this and gave him a smile, which he ignored.
'Woe, what's wrong with him? Maybe it didn't look like I smiled at him.' Hinata thought to herself.
"Naruto, what's up? Are you okay?" Hinata asked. Naruto just gave her the cold shoulder and said nothing to her like she wasn't even there.
"KEEP IT UP NARUBABY!" Kin yelled from the bleachers. Naruto grew pale and began to shiver.
"Never mind, I can see you're doing just fine with Kin." Hinata said sounding upset.
"What do you care?" Naruto said coldly without giving her any eye contact.
"Huh!" Hinata was thrown back with Naruto's cold response. Hinata felt so hurt inside and the more she thought about Naruto with Kin, the harder it was to hold back her hot tears.
'HYUUGA CALM DAMNIT!' she yelled to herself mentally as she straightened out. 'I knew it wasn't just a coincidence that she was cheering for him. They must have known each other some how. I guess he likes her, I mean he didn't deny anything when I said he and her were doing just fine.'
"HEADS UP!" yelled Tenten. Hinata heard it but didn't do anything about it. Next thing she knew she was being hit in the side of the head with a basketball. She fell down to the ground landing hard on her left knee, followed by her forehead hitting the ground.
"HINATA!" her friends yelled. Hinata struggled back to her feet. Naruto put his hand out for her to grab but she ignored his offer. Neji ran over to Hinata and hoisted her up by grabbing her left arm. Naruto tried to help too but she smacked him away.
"Hinata, I'm SO SORRY!" Tenten cried as she walked side Hinata.
"Are you alright?" Ino asked walking near her.
"I'm fine." She said snatching her arm away from Neji.
"So do you need help?" Sakura asked Hinata. Hinata's eyes were hidden with her bangs. She began to wipe tears from her face as she shook her head no. Everyone watched as Hinata limped her way back to the benches where Kurenai helped her sit down. Hinata's knee was bleeding from where she fell.
"Oh my GOD!" Sakura yelped as she pointed to the ground where some blood was left from Hinata's fall.
"Why wasn't she paying attention?" Ino asked out loud "Hinata is always on her toes when we play basketball. What had her so distracted?"
Naruto could feel sweat go down the back of his neck. He knew it wasn't from the game but of what just happened. Hinata was distracted with him when they were talking.
'I distracted her. GOD! And I was so mean to her. I should have just…DAMNIT! This is all my fault that she got hurt. I promised to always protect her because she was special to me, but I couldn't. And…it was MY FAULT!' Naruto looked around to see that Neji was no longer playing and someone was in his place. Sasuke took Neji's place as forward behind Naruto.
"Naruto!" he asked him "What were you two talking about?"
"Nothing." Naruto replied as he looked down at the ground.
"Well that nothing got her distracted and she got hurt." He said as the whistle blew. Naruto's face grew even sadder, and he held his head even lower. The ball was put back into play but Naruto only stood there with his hair hiding his eyes.
"Run Naruto!" Shikamaru yelled as everyone ran back down to the other end of the court when Neji's replacement stole the ball.
"GOOOO NARUTO!" Kin cheered. Naruto was then snapped back to his senses when he heard her horrid voice. He ran back down the court with everyone else, and he forced his head back in the game.
XXXOOO
Neji had ran over to Gai and asked if he could sit out to see his cousin. Of course Gai let him leave to see how Hinata was doing, she took a hard fall, one that most people would have just stayed laying down then get up on their own. Neji went over to the other side of the court where Hinata sat by herself on the benches. When she saw Neji walk over she sat up straighter to show she was doing okay.
"I'm fine; Kurenai went to get first aid. It's not that bad." She said looking at her left knee that was covered in blood.
"Hinata….what happened?" Neji asked looking at her seriously.
"You didn't see the ball hit me in the face?" Hinata asked trying to avoid what he really meant.
"What were you and Naruto talking about?" he asked changing his question. Hinata looked at the ground trying to avoid his stare. She didn't really feel like talking about Naruto, she had no idea what she must have done to him to make him act so cold. "Hinata?" she looked up at him and then back at her knee.
"I just…smiled at him." She said holding back tears. Neji saw her body tense up and he noticed her hand squeezing the back of her right knee as if trying to transfer the pain.
"Isn't there a little more to that?" he asked her.
"Well I asked him what was wrong but he didn't say anything. And then…" Hinata looked up as she heard the whistle being blown. She watched the ball being thrown when she noticed Naruto just standing looking at the ground. Neji followed Hinata's eyes and saw her looking at Naruto.
"See? He's feeling really bad right now." Neji said trying to cheer her up.
"GOOOO NARUTO!" They heard Kin yell. As soon as she did Naruto began to run like his life depended on it.
"And then that's what happened next." Hinata said putting her head down so her bangs covered her eyes.
"What happened?" Neji asked even though he already figured it out.
"Then Kin cheered for Naruto. I didn't know they were together, so I said to him that it looked like they were just doing fine. Then he said…." Hinata couldn't even say it.
"Wait Hinata, Naruto and Kin aren't together." Neji said shocked that she thought that.
"But….then Naruto said 'what do you care!' in the coldest way." Hinata said letting out a small whimper. She wiped away the tears that had escaped from her eyes. "What….what did I do to make him so mad?" she asked as she held in her stomach.
"When Naruto found out that you had a boyfriend he began to…"
"WHAT?" Hinata yelled cutting Neji off. She no longer looked upset but angry. Dare Neji think it, he felt a little afraid of her.
"Ummmm…..well I tried to ask Tenten about it but…."
"I don't have a boyfriend!" Hinata yelled stamping her right foot on the ground. "Who told you that?"
"Well Kin sort of gave off that you were getting asked out before the game, and then we saw you cheering with Sakura congratulating you…"
"NO, we were cheering because I just beat someone in an arm wrestling match, but…KIN? How could he believe that…that…BIMBO?"
"Well it all looked convincing." Neji pointed out. "But I had my doubts since I was positive you liked Naruto." Hinata turned a little red at the remark.
"Well….yeah!" Hinata let out a sigh. "Does he always jump to conclusions about stuff?" she laughed.
"Pretty much only about things he loves. You should see him around ramen, its even worse when we tell him that they don't make it anymore. He begins to flip out." Neji smirked
"And he falls for it?" Hinata laughed back.
"Every time." Neji smiled.
"So, I guess this was all a misunderstanding then." Hinata said looking back over at Naruto playing the game.
"Yeah, but you still got hurt." Neji said getting serious again. "That wound could get infected, and I saw you hit your head too. How does it feel? Do you feel dizzy at all? Can you see straight?" Neji's questions came out of his mouth one right after the other. Hinata laughed a little as she noticed Kurenai come over with Asuma.
'I though she was going to get first aid, not a guy so she could get….OH my gosh that was funny!' Hinata laughed as she thought her poem that she made up in her mind. 'Note to self, tell that one to Ino.'
"Looks like you're not doing entirely bad if you're already smiling." Asuma said as he handed Kurenai the first aid kit. Kurenai got down on her knees and began to put some disinfectant on a wet cloth. She began to wipe up Hinata's blood that had started down her leg.
"Sorry if it stings Hinata." She said
"Oh no it doesn't stIIIIING!" she yelped "Never mind." She said
"So who's this kid?" Kurenai asked as she wiped more blood off of Hinata's leg.
"This is Neji, my cousin." Hinata said politely. Kurenai really didn't care who he was, but she didn't like the enemy being on her side of the court. "Neji this is Kurenai my basketball couch, and this is Asuma who…."
"I already know Asuma." Neji cut in as he shook Asuma's hand.
"You do?" Hinata asked puzzled.
"Don't you remember him? He's the Hokage's son."
Hinata's eyes opened wide as plates, and her mouth dropped too.
"He's? And you both? And I?"
"Come on Hinata, deep down you knew who I was the whole time." Asuma laughed
"Well…..I knew you looked familiar. But now that I think about it. Oh, I should have seen it before." Hinata said hitting the side of her head, which actually hurt a little. "Now I remember you a little. I remember meeting you at one of the Hokage's parties."
"Actually you met me at more then one, but you were too little then." Asuma said putting his hands in his pockets. Kurenai was now rapping bandages around Hinata's knee.
"Okay Hinata, you actually didn't get hurt too badly but I don't know if I should put you back in the game or not."
"Aw no, you have to put me back in." Hinata pleaded. "How about in the fourth quarter?" she asked trying to be reasonable.
"Well that sounds fair, but only if you're okay with it." She said closing up the first aid kit.
"Mhmm, I'll be fine then. Promise!" Hinata said crossing her heart.
"Well okay then, but only if you're sure." Kurenai said standing up.
"Of course she will be" Asuma said "she's…"
'A Hyuuga.' Hinata thought 'He's going to say it's because I'm a Hyuuga and we can take anything.'
"Strong." Asuma finished.
"Wha?" Hinata asked looking at him weirdly.
"That's right, you're a very strong woman. One of the strongest here. I've never seen you give up, or hear you complain."
"….Strong?" Hinata repeated. Did he even know who he was talking to?
"Hinata it's true, and don't think that it isn't. A girl like you is very rare to find, and when someone does find you, they're never going to let you go." Hinata blushed a little bit. "You're kind of like Kurenai Sensei." He said putting his arm around her. "You both go straight for what you want, and work hard for it."
"So, do you think someone will find me the way you found Kurenai Sensei?" Hinata asked trying to get the spotlight off her. Kurenai and Asuma both blushed a bright red. Asuma let go of Kurenai and began to rub the back of his neck nervously.
"AWW and you both looked so cute when you were like that." Said a male voice from behind Asuma. It was none other then Kakashi who was also being followed by Iruka.
"Oh, Kakashi! When did you get here?" Asuma asked nervously.
"Well I've been standing here for quite some time now. Just long enough for me to hear you practically confess your love for.."
"KAKASHI!" Kurenai yelled which startled everyone but him. "What kind of camp are you running here? I had to run around looking for a first aid kit and couldn't find one! There should be one at every sporting event you throw."
"Why did you need a first aid kit?" he asked clueless.
"Miss Hyuuga was just injured." Asuma said pointing at Hinata who was still sitting on the bench. Iruka's ears perked up when he heard her name.
"Hinata…Hyuuga?" he asked walking around to get a better look.
"SO, this is the girl who got our number one prankster to finally straighten out." Kakashi said crossing his arms. Hinata looked a little confused.
"He means Naruto." Neji said helping her out. Hinata blushed a strong red. She was the reason Naruto was straightening out? That was good, right?
"She's also the reason that boy was in a fight with Kiba Inuzuka." Iruka said.
"Twice." Kakashi added without looking away from Hinata. Now Hinata was beginning to feel faint.
"Back off of her, she had a head injury." Kurenai said. Kakashi and Iruka's eyes grew wide as plates. The Hyuuga heiress got hurt at their camp. There could be law suits involved!
"What happened?" Iruka exclaimed
"It was nothing, I just got hit in the face with the basketball and fell over."
"Thank GOD!" Kakashi exclaimed as he wiped off his brow. Everyone, except for Hinata, glared at Kakashi. "That…..you're alright." He said patting her on the head.
"Naruto didn't have to do anything with your injury, did he?" Iruka asked as he watched Naruto play on the court. Hinata tensed which only went unnoticed by Iruka.
"No!" she said shaking her hands as if swatting at something.
"NICE SHOT NARUBABY!" The obnoxious voice of Kin yelled. Hinata then looked away in a far distance annoyed. Everyone could tell she was a little upset about something, but for some it was easy to see about what.
"Well…..I think I should go check out my team." Kakashi said putting his hands in his pockets.
"Good idea." Asuma said trying to get him to hurry along.
"Well I'll see you two later." Kakashi said talking to Asuma and Kurenai who were blushing.
"What makes you think we'll be together?" Kurenai asked
"Now I never said you'd be together, but you're right you probably will be." Kakashi smirked.
"Damn him." Kurenai mumbled.
"Neji why don't you come back with us." Iruka suggested. Neji complied and stood up. All of the senseis walked away but before Neji left he looked at Hinata.
"Keep you're head." He told her "You need to keep the blood flowing regularly since you hit your head." Hinata straightened up. "And I know you doubt what Asuma said." Hinata looked up at him confused. "He said you were strong, he's right…..you are strong." Hinata gave him a small smile that you almost couldn't see, but it was there none the less.
"Thanks Neji." she said looking down at her knee.
"If it still hurts then don't play anymore."
"It'll be fine." Hinata said kissing her knee. "Now it'll be all better!"
"What is it with kissing booboos?" Neji asked as he walked away.
"Hey, it works!" Hinata laughed. After Neji was gone she looked back down at her knee. It really didn't hurt so much, but it would definitely hurt in the morning.
'Could Neji and Asuma be right?' Hinata thought as she looked up at the sky. 'Am I really…..strong? I've only ever been told that I was weak from my father. That was a long time ago, but he's never said anything else to me. I know he loves me, but he's never really just said it to me. Bye Hinata I love you, sure he'll say that. But never has he just hugged me and said, Hinata I love you, you're precious to me and I'll always protect you. I think ego would get in the way of him ever telling me that, even if he is a father who is aloud to say that whenever.' Hinata let out a sigh. She looked over at the game and the referee was blowing his whistles for subs. Lee was going to the court and Naruto was walking back to the benches with Sasuke. 'Naruto.' Hinata thought. She knew she liked him, and now she was almost positive that he liked her and not Kin. 'Kin.' Hinata thought getting angry. 'When she cheered for him he began to play that game. That totally looks like he likes her. UGH, I hate her.'
XXXOOO
The fourth quarter was almost over with the score being a surprising 18 to 12 with the guys winning. Even though the girls no longer planned to use Lee's weakness it seemed that having Sakura play along with him made him go slow. Sasuke tried to keep Lee away from Sakura by always giving him the ball which the girls caught onto so they all stood near Lee waiting to steel it.
There was only a full minute left in the game, so Kurenai finally decided it would be okay to let Hinata back in the game.
"SUBS!" Kurenai and Gai yelled a once. The Ref. blew his whistle and the subs were brought in. The last minute of the game would be played by Sakura, Ino, Hinata, Tenten, A girl nic-named Liz, Lee, Sasuke, Naruto, Neji, and Shikamaru.
The referee blew his whistle and Sasuke was handed the ball to bring down the court. Everyone was looking determined at that moment. The girls so badly wanted to win, but the guys badly wanted to keep their spot as winners in this event.
Tenten was instructed to be near Lee who was a wing on the right. Sakura also played that wing since she was distracting him. Neji played the left wing which is where Hinata was guarding him. Shikamaru played the left forward and Naruto played the right. Liz was center but she was watching Shikamaru, and Ino had Naruto.
Sasuke had the ball but couldn't help but see that Lee, again, was staring at Sakura. It annoyed Sasuke to no end so he chucked the ball at Lee. Tenten quickly intercepted it and began to run down the court. Hinata had already started to run down when she saw Sasuke throw the ball towards Lee. She knew that Tenten would get it so she figured that she should just start to head down right away. Tenten couldn't pass Sasuke so she past the ball over his head to Hinata. When Hinata grabbed it she could tell Neji was three steps behind her so she shot the ball from where she was, which just so happened to be the three point line.
Score: 18 to 15
"GO HINATA!" all her friends yelled. Hinata began to punch the air with victory. She didn't think she would actually make it, but she did!
"THAT A GIRL!" Kurenai yelled As the Ref. handed the ball to Neji who past it to Sasuke. Sasuke again brought the ball down the court and kept eyeing Lee.
"OVER HERE UCHIHA!" Neji yelled to get Sasuke to stop looking at Lee. Sasuke looked over and saw Neji with his arms up in the air. There was no way for Hinata to get the ball if Sasuke past it to Neji with an over head pass since she was pretty short, so that's just what he did. However, they didn't know that Ino was already on her way to intercept the ball. Before Neji could even touch it Ino slightly hit it with her finger tips sending it towards Naruto. Liz tried to get it but it was too high up. Naruto grabbed it and made a shot.
Score: 20 to 15
"Nice one Naruto!" Shikamaru yelled as they ran back down the court.
"YOU RULE NARUTO!" Kin yelled. Naruto gritted his teeth and just ran down the rest of the court. Tenten was bringing down the ball and was looking for someone to pass it to. Everyone was pressed in the back, but then Hinata broke to the front. Tenten risked it and threw Hinata the ball. Hinata grabbed it and flung it to the basket with her right hand before all the guys charged at her.
Score: 20 to 17
"SWEET HINATA!" Yelled Ino
All of the girls were cheering loudly. They could tie this game if Hinata made another shot from the three point line, but it was highly unlikely since there was only fifteen seconds left.
Sasuke was slowly dribbling the ball down to the other end of the court. He was trying to let the clock run out before he got to the other side of the half court.
Tenten quickly remembered something that she and EVERYONE forgot about after the first two minutes of the fourth quarter are over. She couldn't believe that even Kurenai forgot.
"BACK COURT DEFENSE!" Tenten yelled out. (AN: when I played basketball we were only aloud to do back court defense in the fourth quarter after the first two minutes.)
"HUH!" all the girls gasped at how they forgot about back court defense. They all looked at the ball. Sasuke gulped.
"Shit." He said stopping dead in his tracks. All the girls ran towards Sasuke but were stopped by the guys. Hinata, however, made it past Neji and went to steal the ball from Sasuke. Hinata's determination increased her speed and she zoomed right by Sasuke. Three seconds on the clock and since Sasuke never past the half court line Hinata was already close to the other side. Hinata then flung the ball from the three point line to the basket, and everyone watch in full anticipation. The ball hit the basket and almost fell right back out, but then it fell to its right and went in.
"WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!" All the girls yelled
"TIED GAME!" Ino yelled as she ran over to hug Hinata.
"THAT WAS AWSOME!" Tenten cheered as she also hugged Hinata.
"THAT'S MY GIRL!" Kurenai yelled as she slammed her clipboard on the ground.
"Hinata, YOU'RE AMAZING!" Yelled some of her other teammates.
"Hinata that was so ballsy of you." Liz yelled excited.
"NOW we just need to WIN!" Sakura yelled. All of the girls cheered but then the Referee blew his whistle to quiet them all down.
"TWO POINTS!" he yelled. Everyone stopped cheering and stared at the referee.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN ONLY TWO POINTS?" Kurenai yelled walking over to him.
"The girl's foot was behind the line." The referee said.
"NO IT WASN'T!" Kurenai yelled
"I was watching her ma'am; her foot was behind the line when she let the ball go." Kurenai's eyebrow began to twitch.
"MA'AM?" she growled "DO I LOOK LIKE AN OLD HAG?" She yelled charging at him. Luckily for the Referee Asuma was behind Kurenai and he held her back.
"So what's the problem?" Kakashi asked walking up to the Referee. The entire boy's basketball team walked up behind him, and everyone in the bleachers were yelling things like, 'It was fair!' and 'Good call Ref.'
"This guy thinks Hinata was behind the three point line and is only counting her shot for two points!" Sakura yelled
"Young lady you'd better watch your self." The referee threatened.
"Referee I don't think you should be talking to a young girl like that." Kakashi said glaring at him. Sakura backed up so the adults could discuss everything that just happened.
"I could have sworn you were on the line." Ino said to Hinata "And that counts as three points!"
"But what can we do about it?" Hinata asked "He's the referee, and what he says goes."
"Hinata!" Neji yelled as he Naruto, Sasuke, and Shikamaru ran over to them. "That shot was amazing!"
"I barely had time to think when you ran right by me with the ball." Sasuke said
"Thanks, but I don't think it's going to count." She said glumly.
"Still the best game we've ever played." Shikamaru said.
"Most exciting one we've ever played." Sakura said
"And it was so close to the clock." Sakura said.
"Yeah, I almost want them to let it pass as fair so we can have a tie breaker." Neji said. He was watching Hinata who seemed to be looking down at the ground. Neji looked over at Naruto who seemed to be interested in something that was in the other direction of Hinata.
"So Hinata." Shikamaru said "Whose you new boyfriend?" he asked. Naruto looked up at Hinata waiting to see what she would say.
"I DON'T HAVE A BOYFRIEND!" she yelled. Naruto's face lifted up and he began to let a smile show. "WHO KEEPS telling you this?"
"Kin did." Naruto said. Hinata looked down at the ground slowly.
"Well you would know, wouldn't you?" Ino asked infuriated.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Naruto asked getting defensive.
"We saw you flirting with her." Tenten said.
"WHAT! I never flirted with her." Naruto yelled. Hinata looked up at Naruto.
"It's true." Neji said "Kin always came over to Naruto and flirted with him. Naruto was just being nice by not saying anything at all."
"You didn't say anything?" Hinata asked. Naruto rubbed the back of his head and looked at Hinata.
"Course not, I don't like her." Naruto said blushing a light shade of pink.
"Oh." Hinata said looking down at the ground.
"Looks like Kin was lying about a bunch of things today." Sakura said
"Tell me about it." Sasuke said as the Referee blew his whistle.
"Final score!" he yelled. Everyone waited anxiously for him to say something. "The score is 20 to 19." Tons of the guys cheered but all of the girls looked upset.
"Not fair." Ino mumbled
"Still a really good game!" Tenten said trying to bring up everybody's mood.
"I guess we should head for the lacrosse field now." Ino said
"Where's that?" Sakura asked.
"Allow us to escort you." Sasuke said giving Sakura his arm. Sakura giggled and wrapped her arm around his.
A lot of the people who were in the bleachers were already at the lacrosse field getting good seats. Our eight were slowly taking their time down to the field. From right to left they stood Ino, Shikamaru, Sasuke, Sakura, Naruto, Hinata, Neji, and Tenten. While walking Naruto's arm touched Hinata's. They both blushed and looked away from each other.
"Sorry." Naruto said
"It's okay." Hinata said rubbing the arm he touched.
"No, I mean about over reacting about you having a boyfriend." Hinata then stopped rubbing her arm and looked up at Naruto's face. Yep, he was defiantly sorry for what he did.
"It's okay." She smiled. Naruto gave a weak smile too and then looked at her knee. No blood was coming threw her bandages which was a good sign. "It doesn't hurt." She said noticing he was looking at her knee.
"I'm sorry about that too." Naruto apologized. "I'm sorry I distracted you."
"Please don't worry about it any more." She told Naruto. Hinata was smiling sweetly at him which made him smile too. Naruto then grabbed Hinata's hand and held it. Hinata blushed madly at this and so did Naruto. Hinata linked their fingers together and she could feel how sweaty his palms were.
'I wonder if he's nervous or if he's still just hot from playing basketball.' Hinata thought as she leaned closer to Naruto's body. Naruto blushed and looked up at the sky.
As they all continued their peaceful walk to the lacrosse field on the dirt road they saw Kin run up to them. They all immediately stopped walking when she stopped in front of Naruto.
"HEY Naruto!" she yelled. Everyone gave her evil glares except for Hinata and Naruto.
"Hiya Kin." He said uninterested.
"You were doing sooo great out there." She said twirling her hair.
"Thanks." Naruto said looking away at something else.
"And Kin, you might want to get your facts straight the next time you hear that I'm getting asked out by someone." Hinata laughed not trying to start anything.
"Oh yeah….sorry about that. Rumors in the bathroom, you know?" Kin said laughing nervously.
"But that's all they were, rumors." Hinata said shrugging her shoulders. That's when Kin noticed Naruto and Hinata holding hands. So she quickly grabbed Naruto's arm away from Hinata and held it close to her. She wrapped her fingers around his and brought it up to her face.
'No boy on earth can resist this move.' She thought to herself. Naruto began to sweat bullets when she did that, not because he was nervous that a pretty girl was doing that to him, but he thought that Hinata would kill him if he saw them like that, even though Hinata was right next to him witnessing Kin pull his hand.
"So Naruto, I was wondering if…" Kin began to say when she was cut off by Hinata who grabbed Kin's arm and forced it away from Naruto.
"I don't think so." Hinata said gripping Kin's wrist tightly.
"PA, excuuuuse me?" Kin asked showing her true evil side.
"Don't. Touch. Him!" Hinata put simply. Kin then twisted her arm away from Hinata and grabbed her wrist squeezing it.
"Yeah? And what are you going to do about it?" she asked looking at Hinata up and down. Hinata looked at Kin dead in the eye. Then she forced her forehead into Kin's.
HEAD BUTT!
Kin fell backwards rubbing her forehead, in disbelief. Everyone around Hinata, especially the guys who always knew her as a sweet and kind person, looked at her in surprise.
"YOU….did not just do…. What I think you just did." Kin said getting up to her feet.
"OH, so you mean you do have a brain?" Hinata asked putting her hands on her hips.
"You little…" Kin charged at Hinata with her fist, but Hinata grabbed her arm and flipped Kin over.
"Number one female fighter in Camp Jutsu." Neji said out loud. Kin pushed Hinata away and got up off the ground. She pushed her hair behind her ear and was breathing heavily. She was pissed but seeing Hinata's face of satisfaction made it even worse for her. That was it for Kin, so she rolled up her sleeves and threw her ear rings on the ground.
"You don't even want to mess with me." Kin said darkly.
"I don't think you know who you're talking to." Hinata said getting into her fighting stance.
"KIN!" yelled two female voices. Hinata turned around to see who was coming when she felt the hard fist of Kin on her cheek. Hinata stumbled backwards a bit and began to rub her cheek, but Kin wasn't done with her yet.
XXXOOO
Well i hope this chapter was worth it's wait, but so you know i'm starting school tomorrow so now my chapters might be coming later. I'm SO SORRY! Now about Gaara and Kankuro being in the story welld ont worry i have a plan for the both of them. They will be in my story, and thank you to everyone who gave me great ideas! But a special thanks to the people who review to me! You inspire me to continue!