Chapter 2

"Kiba-kun, you really should be more careful next time!"

They were all still outside. Hinata handed Kiba a bandage to cover the cut on his elbow.

Shino was on the side, watching. "It's what he gets for having Akamaru try to kill me."

"He said sorry, Shino!"

"I don't recall remembering what all his barks mean. Keep him away from my insects!"

Kiba and Shino started to quarrel. Hinata laughed quietly to herself. Everyone is fighting today, aren't they? I'm sure Naruto-kun would too! Her thoughts always resulted with Naruto for some odd reason. She didn't mind at all right now, she was with all her friends. She couldn't believe that she was back in the Chunin Exams, one of the craziest times of her life. It dawned on her that she had learned so many lessons while she was in it, it almost surprised her.

"Ano... Maybe we should go into the building and find the Hokage...?"

"Iiee. Hanging here is more fun. I don't want to waste my energy, neither does Shino, right?"

Shino merely nodded in agreement.

"Hai.."

"Why do you want to, anyway? You want the Chunin Exams to start sooner than it should?" Kiba yawned lazily.

"Hai."

Shino and Kiba glanced at her. Akamaru practically jumped in the air.

"Nani?!?!?! You want it to start sooner than it should?!" Kiba was yelling.

"Hai."

"Doushite?! Do you just want to try and kill yourself over or something?"

"Hai."

"Nani?!?!?!?!?!"

Kiba twitched uncontrollably. She wants to kill us all! Has Naruto's absence made her homicidal, or something?!?!

Shino intervened on the conversation that was going nowhere.

"Hinata... Are you merely proving yourself? Are you anxious to show your strength?"

"Hai."

"You should know by now patience is also proving yourself. There's no need to be impulsive, or eager to show your skills, even when you have them. It's part of Naruto's weaknesses."

Shino turned to walk away and sit on the ground.

"Doushite..."

He stopped in his tracks. "Hai?"

Hinata stood, tears streaming down her face.

"Doushite... W-why do y-you have t-to mention N-N-Naruto-k-kun...?"

She held her arms as if she were shivering. Some people glanced at her, others looked away. She didn't care.

Kiba spoke up again. "Ah.. So that's it... You're not over Naruto leaving you..."

Shino did feel sorry. He wasn't the kind of person to admit it though.

"Hinata. He'll come back to us. A guy like that doesn't want to come back to his fellow comrades, with them in pain. I'm sure he'd want you to be a Chunin, but not as hyperactive as him."

Her tears stopped streaming, they became icy and cold on her face. She wiped them off with the sleeve of her jacket.

"Hai."

Shino started to walk again. "Gomen."

They were finally inside. Everyone took a sheet for the Chunin Exams and headed out around the village. Kiba and Akamaru wouldn't stop boasting about their newest skills. Shino was just as quiet as ever. Hinata sat underneath the tree, just outside the academy.

My village... Konohagakure No Sato... My age... 13, and 10 months... My gender... Female... My name... Hyuga Hinata...

She finished her form quietly and peacefully by herself. Before leaving she perched herself up onto the swing the ancient tree held. She began to swing, thinking of everything that ever happened at this tree. Naruto-kun used to always go here... Now, only I will. She swung back and forth, her hair getting in her face. Hinata always had short hair. She decided to let it grow out like the rest of her family. No one, even the men, had short hair, but her. Following in her family's traditions seemed important. She also thought about getting a new jacket once she became a Chunin. All these thoughts pondered her mind as she swung back and forth. Her hair was exceptionally longer, almost reaching her shoulders.

She could hear footsteps in the distance. They became louder and louder, whoever was walking was coming closer...

"Tenten-san!"

Tenten glanced at Hinata on the swing. "Hinata-sama, I didn't see you! Are you going to be in the Chunin Exams?"

"Hai."

"That's great! Neji-kun has said you have improved a lot."

"N-Neji-ni-san?" Hinata stared in amazement.

"Hai! Did you finished your form? I'm about to turn mine in, if you're done you can come with me."

"Hai."

She got off the rough swing seat and followed Tenten as she started to walk again. It was silent, most of the walk. Tenten and Hinata never really talked, they were only friendly because the connections they both had to Neji. Although Tenten was a good friend, there was no need to be nervous around her. She's usually shyer around Sakura and Ino, who are always loud and hospitable. As for Tenten, she never really found out.

"Hinata-sama.."

Her head turned almost immediately. "Hai..?"

"Hm.. Is Neji-kun really going to be in the Jonin Exams?"

"Well, he wants to attempt at it. I'm not sure if they will let him join since he is a Genin.."

"But what if he does?" Tenten sounded concerned in her voice, a tone of melancholy, or sadness.

"I have not thought about if they did let him participate.."

"I have. I've thought of every possibility for him. No matter what it is, I can't stop thinking tat he'll hurt himself, or leave us."

"He will not leave us, Tenten-san." I don't want another person to leave.

Later on in the day after she turned in her form, and announcements were made, all Genin were allowed to roam the village, as long as no one stole, or committed crimes. Ino was at her flower shop, Sakura was training with Lady Tsunade, Neji was on the battlegrounds, and Hinata was on the swing of the tree, just outside the academy. She could only think of Naruto. Why did Naruto want to leave??? I know he wanted to be stronger, but he could become stronger with the village, with us... With me... She tried to find an answer, but nothing could be reasonable. She tried to use logic. Does he think this village is crap? No... No, then he wouldn't want to become Hokage!

Then the answer became obvious. Sasuke... She knew it was because of him. Sasuke, the missing ninja of the leaf village, the avenger of the Uchiha Clan, the guy who drove Naruto's motivation. At first, she wished that he would waste away himself to let Naruto come back. Until she realized that that would drive Naruto away even more.

Stupid Sasuke... Frickn' idiot... I can't believe that Naruto would leave for him.. Although, I suppose that... A person who could inspire Naruto-kun, the way Naruto-kun inspires me, is very impressive... I might've never even talked to Sasuke, but if he's driving Naruto-kun and Sakura-san at their best, even if it hurts them... Sasuke must be a really amazing person...

Wait, am I...?

End of Chapter 2

I said it was going to be a serious love triangle, even if it revolves around Hinata.. So yes, now you see how this is a SasuHina kind of fanfiction. Who said the characters both had to be in the fanfic to be good? It's only Hinata, and a few mentioning of Sasuke, so I think this fanfiction is more of a romantic stimulation game for Hinata... I guess...