Disclaimer : Naruto don't belong to me

A/N: thanks for the nice reviews! I'm glad to see some of you enjoying my fic!, makes me happy!

Chapter 4: Can we just talk

They weren't talking, it was like before, they'd passed each other by like strangers. Hinata spent more time with Sasuke now since Tenten and Neji were finally dating. They talked more often but she didn't know why it didn't give her butterflies like before. Her mind were too preoccupied with her troubles even though she was trying to forget them.

The nagging feeling in her gut that wanted to talk to Naruto were to strong. They were friends for a very short time but it felt like how it'll be to lose Tenten. She didn't want to admit it felt worse.

"Did you hear me? Hey what's wrong, you've been spacing out a lot lately." Tenten folded her jacket, that was really Neji's and stuffed it into her locker. She glances at her friend with a small frown, she hadn't seen her like this in a while.

"Uh sorry say that once more." Hinata tried smiling, it faltered a little when a certain blonde passed by. He didn't even look her way a little, that stung. He was walking with Sakura and Sai but he didn't seem like himself. He was quiet. Could he be feeling the same as her?

"Ok enough is enough, just go talk to him Hina, or I'd tell Neji." Tenten warned. Her tone light but her words truthful, she'd bring Neji as reinforcement if she had to, just to make Hinata herself again.

"Don't, just let it be Ten." She rolled her eyes at the empty threat. Neji didn't need to know about her Naruto drama. Neji didn't need to know about any of her drama. And Tenten needed to stop threatening her with Neji, as if he was her father. He already acted as if he were at times.

Speak of the devil, he came up to them wrapping his arms around Tenten kissing her on the neck. She giggled.

They'd been like this ever since getting together. She was happy for both of them, they deserve each other, both of them being great people an all. She wanted them to be happy but she didn't want to see all the mushy stuff. Not only because of Neji being her cousin but it reminded her how miserably single and lonely she was.

"Ok that's my cue to leave. See you in class." Hinata took off with a wave before she had to see them kissing. Turning the corner right where she and Naruto had bumped into each other she almost bumped into someone. To her surprise it was Sakura, the irony. Thankfully it wasn't like her and Naruto's run in. They didn't crash into each other and she found herself looking at the empty ground to make sure she didn't drop anything. She could laugh at herself for that, she bet Naruto would've laughed.

"Oh my, sorry Hinata. I'm so clumsy." The pink hair girl laughed, Hinata was surprised she'd call her by her first name. "But I'm glad I ran into you. Literally. So a little birdy told me you're an amazing artist and I really could use someone with the skills to help Sai." Hinata found herself looking over the girl shoulder, she couldn't look into her eyes for long. "For our school community stuff. With Miss sunshine coming up and all. Please say yes." Sakura clasped her hands together in a pleading manner. Hinata couldn't help but to truly look at her.

Sakura was smaller than her, her hair was kept well, her eyebrows done, her manicure done. She had a 'It girl' appearance was what she was noticing. A natural beauty though and she was top of their school. How could she ever compete with a girl like Sakura?

Why would she have to compete with Sakura? Why was she even thinking about that?

Pulling herself together she focused on their conversation so she wouldn't look weird just standing there looking at the pink hair girl.

"Who told you I can draw?" She asked already knowing the answer. Only Naruto and Tenten knew how good she was at it. Tenten wouldn't tell as she requested.

Did Naruto tell her, did he tell her what exactly she draws? Surely he wouldn't do that to her, he knew how she felt about that little secret.

"A little birdy silly. Come on please." She continued to beg. It was something about Sakura that made her agree. She couldn't say no. She felt like saying no to the girl was like letting down a friend.

"Thank you so much, you're a life saver, so meet after school? If that's OK, if not tell me when you're available and I'd organize a meeting." Sakura beamed happily and pretty much skipped away. She was like a Disney princess. It was no wonder why Naruto liked her. Or most of the school population.

Hinata ignored the pang in her chest at the thought of Naruto liking Sakura.

...

It had been almost a week since they had spoken. Since then he hadn't felt right. He'd been spending time with Sakura but it didn't make him as happy as before.

"I need help I can't do all of that by myself." Sai complained when Sakura showed him the designs she had in mind. Naruto glanced at the notebook, the sketches were amateur compared to Hinata's work.

"You're killing me Sai, I have so much shit to do already can't you summon an art class friend or something." Sakura bit her lip. Naruto had hardly noticed it like he'd usually do.

He saw Hinata with her friend her back was turned to him. He made sure to not look at her when he passed by. It was hard, he wanted to see if she was looking at him. As they bend the corner an idea popped in his head.

"Sakura, Hinata, Neji's cousin, she can draw really well. You can ask her just don't mention me." He found himself saying. He thought her talent should be known by others. He's seen her draw other things besides the bastard she liked. From flowers and animals to people and landmarks. He had asked her to draw him once, she said she would but he didn't see that happening anymore.

"Thank you Naruto!" Sakura eyes light up, she made a sudden turn and headed the direction they just came from. To where Hinata was, he didn't expect her to do it right this moment. He took bigger steps away when he saw the two bump into each other.

His eyes lingered on Hinata hoping she wouldn't hate him more for this.

...

Hinata wished she'd said no. She found herself with a whole group of people she never spoken too. Besides Naruto, they were avoiding each other like a plague. They were backstage creating this year's Miss sunshine decorations. She's never been on the decorating committee before. But Sakura always managed to do a good job with these stuff.

Hinata sat on the floor with Sai drawing out the banner. At first she was nervous about adding in her thoughts but they were open to hearing her out. And they loved her ideas, they'd changed a few things here and there even.

She had her hair tie back and her hand covered in paint and glitter. Sat in silence it didn't feel as awkward when she was working. But stopping for a breather she noticed how everyone were talking and laughing.

Great, she was alone. She wished Tenten or even Neji were here.

"Wow, I think I need to replace Sai with you, this is amazing. I wish we had you with us last year." Sakura said approaching her with a bottle of water that she gladly took.

"I'm not that good, Sai is way better." It was true he could draw like a professional, compared to him she look like a rookie.

Hinata saw Naruto in the background of Sakura. He was shirtless, you could see his defined abs. She remembered touching his abs at some point when they had made out that time.

Was it even ok to be shirtless on school compound. He carried something on his shoulder, the way he moved looked like he was putting on a show. Maybe he was, for Sakura of course.

"But you'd be with us from now right? Be part of the school committee?" Sakura asked unaware that the girls attention was somewhere else. She gulped and nod her head not really paying attention what she was agreeing to. She was trying to hide behind Sakura but surely it wasn't working. He looked their way and their eyes met, she fumbled a bit trying to shift out of view.

"That'll be epic." Sakura paused in thought. "Say, Hinata, you should be part of Miss sunshine." This snapped her out of her daze, her head literally jolted.

"W-what...n-no no nope, I can't." She panicked, helping was one. But to full on participate in the pageant, she couldn't do it.

She wouldn't, having people stare at you while you attempt to model in a pretty dress was something she felt like she couldn't do. She didn't like that kind of attention.

"Chill, it's OK no one is forcing you, but you're so pretty you'd be a perfect Miss sunshine." Sakura smiled at her, she could see she was being genuine.

"Uh nah, it's not my thing." Hinata answered truthfully. Sakura still with a smile nod her head. Her face dropped and for a second Hinata was anxious she did something wrong.

"Lee I said no to that!" She yelled without warning making Hinata jump a little at how powerful her voice sounded. "Excuse me for a second Hina." Sakura pat her shoulder and stomp of scolding RockLee.

Hinata sigh, she was about to get back to the task at hand when she noticed her glitter gun were missing. Looking around she spot Sai with it. "Sai how could you that's mine." She placed her hands on her hips.

"Finders keepers, there's more in storage in that back." He smiled but it wasn't real, it wasn't all fake either, but it wasn't genuine like Sakura's. Sai was a weird guy.

"I'd get you back for that!" Hinata lightly kicked his leg in a playful manner. Sai yelped as if it hurt. She rolled her eyes and set out to the storage room. Weird but friendly, he was being nice to her.

...

Naruto had talk himself into approaching Hinata a few times only to back down. He wanted to talk to her again, he didn't like not talking. This opportunity was perfect, he could make it casual and hope things fall back into place.

He knew why she was upset now and he wished he'd said things differently. He hoped it didn't look obvious that he was trying to go to her. He'd passed close by her several times, but she only looked at him once.

When she walked away from everyone he saw this as the best chance. Following closely he felt a little shady about it, following her into a secluded area. He almost aborted once more but saw her shut the storage door behind her.

That wasn't good.

...

Hinata didn't like how this room looked, it felt like it was set for a horror movie. Crowded with full shelves and boxes, it was dusty too.

Her heart skipped a beat when the door creaked open, she jumped in her spot.

Turning to the door she saw Naruto standing there, he reached for something on the wall shelf and blocked the door. "No one told you it jams? You have to block it or you'd be stuck in here." He said stepping in and looking at her. "I learned the hard way." He chuckled a little. "No one knew and I spent an hour in here." He walked closer to her.

She wasn't sure what to say, how to act. "Thanks." Was what she managed to let out after a long minute. His eyes saddened, his small smile fell, he looked defeated. This made her feel bad, was she over doing it? Wasn't she beating herself up about not talking to him all this time. Wasn't she the one that wanted to be friends again. Why was she making her own life difficult. Why did Naruto make her so confused and indecisive. She couldn't function like her normal self. It was all because of him.

"Yeah, no problem." He turned to walk away but he stopped and turned back in her direction. "I'm sorry Hinata, for being a dick." He looked her in the eyes hoping for something. She saw it in him, the desperation that she felt, he wanted to fix it like she did.

"No." She sigh. "I was being too sensitive." She finally said, Tenten was right and she needed to be the one to fix this. Pushing all the weird, new, jumbled feelings aside she focused on fixing things.

"No, don't apologize for your feelings, I was being insensitive." Naruto smiled widely this time, he couldn't contain himself. "So does that mean I'm forgiven? We're friends again?"

"Yep, we're friends again." Hinata smiled back at him, that gut wrenching feeling she had all week was gone. Just like that, everything was OK again?

That's all for today, please review! Please be nice : )