Warning: Slight time-skip

In no time at all school seemed to blend into one day. And soon the Homecoming was near.

As Hinata walked down the hallway with her friends, she couldn't help but notice all the posters. Some were about buying tickets but most were nomination posters for the Homecoming Court. And the one that seemed to be around every corner was Sakura's. But that did not surprise Hinata. The more time that she spent with Sakura the more she realized that she really wanted the title. The idea of becoming Homecoming Queen was something that Hinata did not understand. It was just a silly title that would only last a day and than everyone forgot about it.

But Hinata knew how badly Sakura wanted it and she knew that she would do anything to get it. So she decided to keep her opinion to herself.

Over the past couple of weeks Hinata had spent some time with Ino and Sakura and got to know them better. Ino was fun loving and out going. She had a great sense of humor and she was a little boy crazy. Hinata could really see herself becoming good friends with Ino.

Sakura was a different case. Hinata just wasn't sure about her. There were moments when she thought they could be friends. But then there was moments when Sakura would give her such a glare that it sent chills down Hinata's spine. There was one thing that Hinata knew for sure, and that was that Sakura was in love with Sasuke as much as she was in love with Naruto. And it seemed like they were in a similar position where the one they loved didn't show the same feelings back. Of course Sakura was much more obvious with her feelings then Hinata ever was. She just got the cold shoulder from Sasuke all the time.

Hinata figured those evil glares were because she had somehow become close friends with Sasuke. Its not like Hinata went out of her way to become friends with the most popular boy in school. It just sort of happened. He didn't have much to say but that never bothered Hinata. She was never much of a talker either. They had been spending a lot of time together with practice and their classes together.

At the moment Hinata was sitting in the beginning art class, the last period of the day. The class was working on their artworks giving Hinata some time to work on her own painting.

It was the same exact painting that she had been working on since the beginning of the school year. It was turning out to be her best work yet but there was a problem. There was something missing. She didn't know what exactly but something was defiantly missing. She had asked both Sai and Kurenai but neither of them knew what it was.

"Hey Hinata."

Hinata jolted being broken from her trance. She looked up and saw Naruto smiling at her from across the table. "Oh hi Naruto. Do you need help with something?"

"No. I'm almost done. Just wanted to come over and see what you are up to. You seemed really serious."

"Oh well its because I'm having trouble with my painting."

"Is this the one that you have been working on for the past couple of months." Hinata nodded. "Can I see it?"

"I…I don't know."

"Aw come on Hinata." Naruto begged.

"It's not done yet. I still have a lot to work on and…"

"Please Hinata. Maybe I can help."

Seeing Naruto beg was to much for her. He looked to adorable and maybe he really could tell her what it was missing. "Alright but just a quick look."

Naruto walked over until he was standing behind Hinata's chair. She moved out of the way to reveal to Naruto the most amazing painting he had ever seen.

There wasn't a lot of action in the painting. It was a close up of a tree with a rope swing attached. On the swing with their head hung down so the viewer couldn't see their face was a small little boy. Everything was painted except the boy. He was still a pencil drawing.

"Aren't you going to color the boy?"

"I will once I figure out what's wrong with the painting."

Naruto bent down to get a closer look. "I do agree something doesn't seem right."

Hinata tried to not notice how close Naruto's face was to hers. "I k-know. Something is missing and I just can't figure out what."

As Naruto looked at the painting he saw how Hinata used brushstrokes and shadows to invoke a feeling of loneliness to the viewer. Naruto knew that feeling rather well. Before Hinata he always felt lonely, but when Hinata came he felt something else. "It needs hope."

"What?"

"The painting is doing a great job of showing the little guy's loneliness but there should be something to add cheer and happiness. Some hope to help him out."

Hinata looked at the painting. Naruto was right. It had nothing that showed happiness. Nothing to give him hope. And now that she knew what was wrong she had the perfect solution.

"Oh thank you Naruto!" Hinata stood up and gave Naruto a huge hug. "This has been bothering me forever."

Naruto was a little surprised by the hug but loved it none the less and hugged her back.

"Sure no problem. Glad to help."

"Naruto could I see you for a second?"

Naruto and Hinata broke up their hug. "Sure thing Mrs.K."

When he was in front of her desk she motioned him to lean in closer. "Everything is going smoothly with Hinata's art gallery. All we need is her paintings." Kurenai whispered.

"Awesome. I'll figure a way to get them out of her house without her noticing."

"Good. I'm proud of what you are doing for Hinata. You are a good friend."

"Thanks Mrs.K. She has done a lot for me. I just want to do something for her for once."

Kurenai nodded. "Alright. Now go ahead and start cleaning up. School is ending in a few minutes."

Naruto was at the sink cleaning his brushes when Hinata came over.

"So are you ready for your first soccer game as first string goalie?"

Hinata shook her head. "N-no. I'm really nervous, What if I fail?"

"You won't fail. You have been doing great at practice and working with Sasuke. He tells me that you are improving rather quickly."

"Really! He said that?"

Naruto wouldn't admit it but he didn't like how excited Hinata got about the praise from Sasuke. "Yep. Now just remember that you need to keep calm and focus on the ball and nothing else."

"Focus on the ball…got it."

Soon the bell rang and it was the end of another school day.