Hello all! Okay! This is my first ever Naruto story and I'm quite surprised I wrote one. I had the idea and it would never leave my head. I wanted to write a high school fanfic (how original) as if I were watching a slice of life anime.

I wanted the time frame to match schools in Japan instead of my first-hand knowledge of American schools (I probably should've stuck to that, haha).

This is going to be a NaruHina story, so sorry to disappoint (or glad to make you super happy), but the main focus of the story will be on Hinata and how she wants to make change for herself and the friendships she comes across (because friendship is a beautiful thing).

I'm rambling now. Please Enjoy.

SPRING: I Think I am Beginning to Blossom

The red marker made a loud squeak on my calendar as I crossed off the day before school started again.

How exciting to think, I'd be a junior this year. This year, I promised myself I'd participate in more school activities, and talk to people other than Neji-niisan or Kiba-kun.

It was rather lonely when the two of them would hang out with other friends separately during lunch or afterschool, so to remedy that I vowed to find new friends to talk to.

Though, that isn't to say I prefer some time to myself as well. I spend most days observing classmates. I like to believe that I'm good at reading people and their feelings. Not just good, but a professional, if I could call myself that. It's probably one of the only skills that I have confidence in. When I was younger, I was picked on quite a bit for my eyes, but Neji-niisan cheered me up.

"Our eyes are special eyes. They have to power to look into people's hearts and read their emotions. If you squint slightly, it'll become more clear to you." He said.

I know it isn't true at all, and he was only trying to make me feel better, but at that time, I truly did believe everything he said. And I still squint my eyes slightly to read people's feelings in class. As if I could really peer into their hearts and see how they felt. Haha, does that make me foolish or childish?

Though, I have been good at reading nervous ticks or when someone is genuinely happy or sad. It's all about body language. For example, Kiba-kun's fingers twitch slightly when he lies and Neji-niisan casually itches a spot on his neck when he is nervous. I've never told either of them that I could read them that way, because they'd end up changing their habits and I'd never be able to read them anymore.

I can't quite read other people as well as I can read Neji-niisan or Kiba-kun but, it's a little easy since they put their feelings out for everyone else to see.

In our freshman year, Yamanaka-san and Haruno-san were always quarreling with one another, over very trivial things – shouting insults such as "Ino-pig" or "Forehead." Though, despite that, they seemed to be on good terms with each other – best friends even.

Yamanaka-san is always in high spirits, and embraces her femininity. She can be quite vain at times, but I think she means well.

Haruno-san and another girl would do some quarreling too, over Uchiha-san. I can't quite remember her name since she wasn't in our homeroom, but she had very vibrant red hair – glasses too. She was quite the trouble-maker; always coming into our classroom in the morning to flirt with Uchiha-san, much to Haruno-san's disliking.

And then there were those arguments between Naruto-kun and Uchiha-san. Well, mostly Naruto-kun's yelling and Uchiha-san's snide remarks here and there. It made Naruto-kun angry to no end, so much that they would almost ended up in fist fights. The two of them got detention for their fights many times.

Naruto-kun.

I felt my face heat up at the thought of him. He was always so loud and energetic, unwilling to take anything lying down. Sure, he could be a bit of a troublemaker, but I really do like him. In elementary school, I've always tried my best to talk to him or to be even a friend but, I'm too shy.

I can't even read his feelings from afar either. His feelings are always shouted out of a megaphone and put on display for all the world to see, and I still can't read him well. I think it's because it's hard for me to look at him a lot of the time. I can, however, read Naruto-kun's most obvious feelings; the biggest being his love for Haruno-san. She never takes him seriously though, always knocking him into tomorrow when she's extremely irritated.

I mean, I can see why Naruto-kun harbors feelings towards her. Despite her hot-headedness, she's rather cheerful, very pretty and pretty smart too. Many boys would be lucky to have her.

During the few chances I've spoken to Lee-san – with Neji-niisan of course – he'd go on about her beauty and youthful spirit. I guess she's got youth going for her as well. Lee-san even pointed out to me that I should let my youthful spirit shine out too, because I look quite glum.

Neji-niisan scolded him, but I think Lee-san was right; I haven't been at my happiest, I suppose. Part of it has to do with Naruto-kun, and how terrible I am at confessing my feelings towards him, but also at how disappointed I am at myself because I'm letting a boy make me feel this way.

The other part of my unhappiness is probably due to me not knowing who I am, or what I really want in life. Everyone in my class seems to know what they want to do or who they are but me – I'm lost. And that really saddens me.

Kiba-kun tries to cheer me up about it, telling me that I'm young and have plenty of time to think about this.

"If you keep stressin' over it, you're not gonna have such a happy time while yer young, are ya?" He laughed.

I guess it's true, but telling me not to stress makes me stress even more!

Sighing, I picked myself up from my desk to shut off my lights and turn in for the night. This year will be different. This year will be my time to shine bright and be the best that I can be. I'll be healthy, wise and as cheerful as ever. I will become a new Hinata and I will be able to find myself before the end of my high school career. That is my promise to myself.

Content with that, I snuggled in my soft blankets before sleep took over.

"Uwahh… So bright!" Kiba cried, squinting as he stared at Hinata. She had only a small smile on her face, head tilted to the side, and her eyes were closed. Her skin was absolutely glowing today and looked undeniably soft.

"Ah, Kiba-kun, don't over react. You make it sound like I'm some kind of annoying white light." Kiba only shrugged, placing both of his hands behind his head as he leaned back in his chair.

The two were already in their new homeroom class. There was about 15 more minutes until class was supposed to begin, so Kiba pulled up a chair at Hinata's desk where they chatted for a while.

"Well no," Kiba said finally, "but you look nice. Did something happen?"

Hinata shook her head. She spent an hour in the bath this morning using new skin care products on her body. The words on the box said that it would help the "dullest of skin" to "shine beautifully". Hinata deemed that it would be a great way to start out on improving herself – her appearance!

"No. Since it's spring, and everything blossoms in spring, I thought I should blossom too, right?" The shaggy haired teen raised an eyebrow in question and Hinata's confidence seemed to drain away in an instant as her smile slowly faded away.

"Hmm? For spring huh?"

"Y-yes, for spring…" Hinata countered.

"Eh? Are you sure it's not for a certain boy?" Kiba gave a sly grin, and a light blush crossed Hinata's cheeks. That wasn't very nice of Kiba, to assume she was doing this for Naruto. She was trying to be a better person for herself, not for him. If she lived life fixing herself for Naruto, how could she ever find herself?

Lowering her head Hinata answered, "Yes, I'm certain. I did this for myself…" a bit shakily than she hoped it would come out. Kiba's grin was washed away with a look of concern for his friend.

"Ah, Hinata, I didn't mean to – !"

"Oi Kiba! It's way too early in the year to be making girls cry with your ugly face!" Kiba jerked his head around in annoyance while Hinata suddenly lifted her head up to the familiar voice. There stood Naruto, upright with his infamous "shit-eating grin" as Kiba so kindly put it.

"Ugh, we were having a conversation over here! Don't you have to go pick your ass somewhere!?" Kiba sneered, but Naruto ignored him, crouching down as he placed his arms on Hinata's desk.

"Don't mind him, he may be ugly, but he's not too scary. Call me if you need me to tame the beast for you." Naruto winked. Her blush deepened and she parted her lips to say something – anything – but nothing came out.

"NA-RU-TO!" Kiba cried, and Naruto dashed off, making his way through the rows of desks with Kiba hot on his trail. The chase went on for a few minutes or so before Sakura and her childhood friend Ino walked into class.

"I see we haven't grown up yet." Sakura mumbled, a quite annoyed smile gracing her lips.

"Oh! Sakura-chan! You're here!" The blond haired boy cried. Before they knew it, Naruto began talking animatedly about his spring break and how beautiful Sakura looked today before walking with her to some desks over on the other side of the room.

Hinata's blush had faded away at this point, and she looked straight in front of her, only listening to what Naruto had to say about his break. Soon, Kiba had returned to the desk in front of her, giving her a rather bored look.

"Honestly, I don't know what you see in that guy," Kiba murmured, "he's so annoying." Even though he said that, that didn't mean that Kiba hated Naruto. The two were good friends and Hinata would even bet her allowance for three months that he would hang out with Naruto when lunch time rolled around.

More students began to pile in until their instructor had arrived to take attendance and give the first lesson of the day. Hinata also prided herself on her excellent note taking skills. They were always neat, easy to read and has the most important parts of the lesson in them.

No one really asked to borrow any from her except for Kiba from time to time. Everyone usually asked Sakura or Neji … Well, more Sakura than Neji because she was a lot less cold and intimidating. Hinata didn't mind though. She was so afraid of never getting her notes back or having them ruined, so not being asked saved her the trouble of stuttering foolishly before ultimately handing her notes away and worrying about them the moment they left her hand.

(^o^)

It was now lunch time, and Kiba had announced he, Naruto, and some other friends were going to the cafeteria to get lunch. He asked Hinata multiple times if she wanted to join them, but her answer was always no.

"Are you sure? We all wouldn't mind it if you ate with us." Kiba frowned, scratching the back of his head. Hinata nodded. She didn't want to be somewhere just because she was Kiba's friend.

"Kay then, catch you after lunch is over then?" the shaggy haired teen called over his shoulder, making his way to the door. Hinata nodded as the door slid closed, and in that moment she realized something.

Now she was sitting in the classroom all by herself with her lunchbox. "Ahh, maybe I made the wrong call." She sighed. Hadn't her whole plan had been to make friends so she wouldn't have to eat lunch by herself most of the time? How foolish was she, exactly?

Hinata began slowly eating the contents in her lunchbox, giving most of her attention to the window. The weather wasn't warm enough to have lunch, so the courtyard was pretty empty.

Just then, classroom doors harshly slid open, only to reveal a rather annoyed Ino Yamanaka. "I swear! If she'd just get over herself and listen to me once in a while, she'd know I wasn't lying!" The slam of the door caused a light squeak to come out of the dark haired teen, and Ino looked up in surprise.

"I'm sorry! I didn't know anyone was in here… Huh? Why're you in here by yourself?" Ino asked, her eyes scanning the room before landing on the lone Hyuga at the desk by the window. Hinata swallowed hard. She knew why she was in here, but to let Ino know the real reason would be embarrassing.

"I, um… I just wanted to be alone…" She mentally kicked herself. This was not how people made friends! But to her surprise, Ino smiled.

"What a coincidence, me too." Ino approached her desk and pulled up a chair. "You mind if I sit here?" She grinned. Hinata slowly shook her head and Ino plopped down beside her, opening up her lunch box. "Oh! That looks good! I haven't had red bean soup in a while!"

"Ah, yes! I-it's um, one of my favorite foods…" Hinata mumbled.

"Eh? Someone has nice taste. Unlike Monster Forehead who'll eat anything coated in syrup." Ino said, rolling her eyes.

"M-monster forehead?" Hinata gulped.

"Oh, Sakura." Ino said simply. Hinata could only mumble a small "oh" before the classroom was silent again. Some time had passed between them, and Hinata was silently worrying that she was boring the poor girl. Ino, done with her lunch, was ready to dig into her pudding.

"U-um… Did uh, did something happen?" Hinata asked, breaking the silence. "You know, between you two?"

Ino blinked for a moment before giving a hearty sigh. "She was upset Sasuke-kun wasn't in our homeroom class," Now that Hinata thought about it, she hadn't seen him anywhere and Naruto would have at least started an argument with him sometime today. "I asked around and did some digging, and found out that he transferred. She was so angry about it, she refused to believe me. How annoying, can you believe her?" The blonde huffed, folding her arms.

Although none of it was Ino's fault, Hinata could still see why Sakura was so upset. A boy that she really liked left all of a sudden. She probably didn't even get to confess properly like she wanted to. Hinata would have been devastated if it were her and Naruto in that position.

"Ah, Haruno-san must have really loved Uchiha-san, huh?" Hinata asked, mostly just thinking aloud, but Ino decided to answer her.

"Hmm, I guess. I dunno why she just doesn't give it up. He's not really all that great, and it's a pain getting into all those arguments with Karin over him." Ino took another spoonful out of her pudding. "Mmm, I don't understand how she's got so much energy to keep up with all that. I sure don't."

Just then, Hinata blinked. "Oh yeah, didn't you like Uchiha-san as well?" Yes, it had been true. In elementary and middle school, Ino and Sakura would constantly argue over Sasuke and get into little physical fights that included hair pulling and face grabbing.

Ino gave Hinata a blank look for a moment, and all her shyness returned. "Oh, I-I'm sorry if I was prying! I um… I-I didn't mean to – !"

Ino gave a small laugh. "Relax, I'm not mad at you. I was just remembering what dark days those were." Hinata let out a small sigh of relief. "But enough about him. I've been meaning to tell you, you're skin looks really nice!"

"O-oh? Really?" Hinata blushed as Ino nodded vigorously, giving her a bright smile.

"What do you use? I want to try! Can we go to the mall to find some maybe?"

"E-eh? You want to go to the mall with me?" Hinata blinked.

I've never really had a friend who was a girl before… If we could even call each other friends. That day was the first time we actually held a conversation. Yamanaka-san was super ecstatic about our "date" at the mall, as she put it. I think that this will be good for me. Kiba-kun and Neji-niisan are great friends, but they aren't girls, so they wouldn't understand certain things… Like a girl's desire to change herself for herself!

When we chatted, Yamanaka-san talked about perming her hair or buying new makeup products, and when I asked her why she wanted to do those things, she laughed and said,

"To make myself even more beautiful of course~! I like looking my absolute best! Hmm? What? Did you think it was to impress a boy?"

Then she laughed even harder. Yamanaka-san sure is interesting. We agreed to go to the mall three weeks from that day. She had to help her parents run their flower shop that weekend and the weekend after, and I had to go to an important ceremony with my father the weekend after that.

I feared that after the first day of school, Yamanaka-san would have forgotten that I existed due to how quickly she makes up with Haruno-san but the opposite happened. She sat with me to have lunch the next day, and then two days after that. I was very grateful to her for that.

The next week, she would always ask me before homeroom had started if I was available to have lunch with her. No one ever asked me before she did, so I always ended up saying yes to her and reassuring Neji-niisan and Kiba-kun that I didn't hate them. Because of that, Neji-niisan would ask to eat together before we left the estate in the morning, and Kiba-kun would find me afterschool to make me promise I'd have lunch with him the next day.

For the first few weeks of school, I was actually smiling. I managed to make a new friend who I was beginning to be myself around. I was laughing at Kiba-kun's jokes harder than I ever had. I was actually feeling happy.

"Ah! Hinata-chan, you made it!" Ino called from the entrance of the mall. Hinata had to say, Ino was very fashionable. She wore a very cute spaghetti-strapped black dress which stopped just above her knees. The dress was very narrow towards the top and flared out towards the bottom. She wore a large-ish, plush-looking white sweater over it and white stockings to match.

Ino's hair was also curled, and Hinata noticed she was wearing very light makeup today. Boy, Ino must dress to impress wherever she went, Hinata supposed. "Hello Yamanaka-san, I hope I didn't keep you waiting!" Ino could only snort.

"Oh please, Yamanaka-san's kind of embarrassing. Ino's fine."

"I-Ino?" Hinata asked, slightly unsure of herself. Ino nodded.

Bowing this time, Hinata cried, "I'm sorry, Ino!"

"Eh? You don't have to bow either…" Hinata slowly opened her eyes and murmured a small sorry before really taking a look at Ino's shoes. Standing upright finally, Hinata asked,

"Um, heels?"

Ino nodded. "Mhmm! These are my shopping heels!" She hummed.

Shopping heels? Wow, Ino really was a fashionista. And she was probably good at bargaining too, considering how energetic she was. Hinata could see it now…

"Oi, old man! That cute pink skirt! How much is it?" The old merchant would be calculating the price at the register.

"Your total is six-thousand yen, missy!"

"Eh! Six-thousand!? Make it cheaper!" She would cry, raising her fists in determination.

"A-alright… th-three-thousand?"

"Cheaper!" Ino would cry. The merchant would be on the verge of tears.

"Ei-eighteen-hundred…?" Soon, Ino's heel would find its way digging into the back of the old man as he lay on the floor in tears. Ino would wave her newly bought skirt (for eighteen hundred yen) in her hand as if it were a flag.

"Yatta! I did it! Bargain Hunter Yamanaka does it again!"

Sparkles lit up in Hinata's eyes as she thought it over again. "Ahh, Bargain Hunter Yamanaka." She muttered. Ino could only give a jaded look.

"I dunno what you're imagining, but it's making me sound like a penny-pincher, so drop it." Just then Hinata came to her senses, giving a very apologetic look.

As they walked into very expensive looking boutique Ino whispered, "But you aren't wrong about me getting good deals. Watch this." With that, Ino picked up some of the most expensive clothing she could find and sauntered up to the register, her eyes shining brighter than Hinata had ever seen them.

"Oh, is this all for today, miss?" the young man at the cash register asked. Ino twirled her freshly curled locks around her index finger, looking unsure for a slight moment.

"Well…" she murmured. The cashier motioned for her to continue. "I'd like one more thing… You." She whispered flirtatiously, with a wink. The cashier seemed like putty in her hands! Shocked, Hinata covered her mouth with both her hands, so her sound of disbelief wouldn't bring the guy working the cash register back to his right state of mind.

She watched everything Ino was doing, from the sway of her hips, to the playing with her hair to the closeness between her and the boy. It was like that video of the spider queen entrapping and eating its prey that Shino showed her two summers ago… except this one was a lot less gruesome to watch.

Snapping out of her thoughts, she realized Ino had been running towards her, with two medium sized shopping bags. "Let's get out of here," Ino chuckled, "I got them for free~!"

"You did what!?" Hinata hissed, but Ino shushed her, gently pushing her out of the store before the love struck cashier could think any better. "B-b-but… But how!?" Hinata cried.

Ino gave a haughty laugh before striking a pose. "That's because you have to use your sex appeal! You should try it too, Hinata-chan."

Sex appeal huh…? Hinata was sure she didn't have any. She grimaced at the thought. "I don't have any."

Ino blinked. "Eh, but you're totally cute. You could score some stuff that way."

"I-I don't want to score stuff in any way, I just want to buy – !"

"Oh! It's Hinata and Inu!" That familiar, slightly raspy voice called out to them, and in that instant, Hinata wanted to vanish. Of all places, he just had to be here…? Hinata hid herself behind a very enraged Ino.

"My name is Ino, stop addressing me with that stupid nickname!" She cried, pointing her finger at him. Naruto only chuckled.

"My bad, my bad. But, how come you two are here? I thought you'd be hanging out with Sakura-chan, as usual." Naruto asked, purely out of curiosity.

"Hmph! Forehead isn't my only friend Naruto, sheesh! Hinata-chan and I are shopping, if you must know. And what're you doing here? Weren't you just complaining yesterday that you didn't have money?"

Naruto scowled. "Don't go bringing that up in a public place! And for your information, I'm hanging out with Sai today." Hinata and Ino scanned the mall as far as their eyes could see, but there was no sign of Sai anywhere. Feeling a little more relaxed, Hinata removed herself from her hiding spot behind Ino.

"I don't see him…" Hinata murmured. Surprised at this Naruto turned around to find that Sai was in fact, nowhere to be seen.

"Where the hell did he go then?"

"Hmph, you shouldn't have to make up friends to impress us, Naruto." Ino teased.

Naruto fumed. "Like hell I would! He wanted me to come with him to the art supply store but everything he brought up to the register was way too expensive so the owner ended up kicking us out. He was just behind me up until a minute ago but now – "

"Here I am." Sai said simply, just a few inches away from the side Naruto's face. The blond teen let out a cry of surprise before reflexes took over, punching Sai square in the face. Hinata let out a small squeak while Ino sighed and slapped her forehead. Sai's eyes closed for a moment and then they opened. "Ouch," he spoke in a low voice, "Why did you hit me for?"

"Whadaya mean why'd I hit you!?" Naruto cried, shaking his fists. "Why do you always insist on being too close to me!? And where the hell did you go!?"

"Oh." Sai began. "I decided to go back and ask the manager for lower prices."

"And how'd that turn out?

"He said if he saw me again he'd kick me out for good."

"Ah."

The two girls could only look at each other and exchange small smiles. "I-if only Ino was there… I'm sure she could bargain with the owner…" Hinata suggested meekly. Just then stars began to shine in Ino's eyes.

"Hey, don't you two think that Hinata-chan is really cute?" Hinata flushed a light shade of red before taking her hiding spot behind Ino.

"I-Ino!" Today was not the day to do this! Compared to Ino, Hinata was looking quite underdressed, with her lavender oversized hoodie, white jeans and sneakers. She prayed to God that Naruto wouldn't answer that question.

"What? I'm just asking." Ino said innocently.

"Why though?" Naruto asked.

"Because, I want her to follow in my footsteps." Raising her bags a little, Ino grinned. "I just scored these for free all by flirting with the cashier! Pretty grea- Kyaa! Wh-what are you doing!?" the blonde cried as Sai grabbed onto her wrist tightly.

"You have to come with me. You're my only hope of finishing my art projects on time." Ino couldn't even protest before she was dragged off by Naruto's pale friend. And just like that, they were gone.

"I swear, that guy should've signed up the track team or something. Anyway, looks like it's just us now, I guess." Naruto sighed before giving Hinata a warm smile.

She could've sworn she was melting at that point. Unable to speak at the moment, she gave a slight nod. The two walked around aimlessly for a while, Naruto with his arms behind his head looking up at the ceiling and Hinata holding her hands in front of her, staring at her shoes.

"You know," Naruto began, "sometimes I get the feeling you don't really like me all that much." His tone wasn't angry sounding, or sad, but it sounded like he was just thinking aloud. What should she do? Confess? Right then and there? No. She didn't have the strength or courage to do that. Tell him that he was the worst and run off to the art supply store to find Ino? No. That wouldn't be very nice of her.

What to do? What to do?

"Uh, Hinata…?"

"Ah! I-I don't dislike you! N-not at all! Y-you're very nice a-and I… I'm so sorry!" She cried, bowing. Naruto, surprised at her actions looked around him, and at all the judgmental stared and murmurs starting to be thrown his way.

"Eh, did he confess to her?"

"And she rejected him, she's even apologizing too. Poor thing. Why can't he take no for an answer and beat it!?"

"Is he harassing her? I'll call an on duty officer!"

Panicking, Naruto shook Hinata's shoulders lightly. "Ah, Hinata. Y-you're causing a scene. I-I'm not mad, honest! Let's just get outta here before they kill me…"

(^o^)

Taking a seat on one of the benches on the second floor, Naruto sighed in relief. "That was close…" Casting his sight on Hinata, Naruto frowned a bit. "Seriously though. Did I do something to you? You're always avoiding me at school." It always bothered him too. Hinata always sat with Kiba willingly for lunch, but as soon as Naruto joined them, she always had something to do or someplace to be. Whenever they were paired up for sports teams, Hinata would go out of her way to request a new partner or become suddenly ill. Now, Naruto wasn't sure if she was a good actress or just got violently ill around him, and frankly he wasn't too keen on finding out which one it was – they both sounded horrible!

"U-um…" Hinata began, breaking his thoughts completely. "N-no, you didn't. I was just… I didn't want to get in the way of anything."

"Huh?"

"W-well… I'm not really a social butterfly… A-and I'm not um… the greatest at sports or anything… a-and you're really good at those things. S-so I don't want to get in the way of… of anything.

Well, it wasn't completely a lie. She wasn't comfortable being paired up in sports events with anyone but Neji or Kiba because they didn't mind her screw ups or anything. But going into their friend circles was going a bit far. She didn't want people to take pity on her because she hardly had friends.

Still, this was not the only reason why she avoided him. She was simply too shy to face him head on, but he didn't need to know that.

Then, Naruto did the most surprising thing ever. He grabbed a hold of her hand! Shocked, Hinata tried to pull it away, but Naruto kept his grip ever so firm. She looked at him as he gave a warm smile.

"Don't worry, Hinata! You're not getting in the way of anything! We'll be great friends, and we'll help each other out."

"Ah, r-really…?"

"Of course! Don't you believe me, Hinata?"

How could I say no to that bright smiling face and that warm tone? I couldn't! I wanted to believe we would be good friends, I really did! But I think Naruto-kun's attention span doesn't have enough time for me.

I didn't even have much time to dwell on it at the mall, because Sai-san and Ino had come back with the supplies he needed, and for half price too.

Still though. I knew it wouldn't be able to work out. Even on Monday, when we came back to school, Naruto continued to pay me no mind at all, as usual.

"You can't sit here."

"What!? Why the hell not!?"

Oh no.

"Your presence is not needed here."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean!?"

No, no, no, no.

"Are you that stupid that I need to spell it out for you? Hinata and I do not want you hear. Leave!"

Hinata gave a light gasp before reaching her hand out to her cousin. "N-Neji-niisan, th-that's too cruel…"

"Well, he's not understanding any other way."

Today was Monday, the week after Hinata's mall trip with Ino. Neji had asked Hinata if she wanted to have lunch together, to catch up since he had been so busy in student council. Hinata readily agreed, getting a chance to finally speak to her cousin at school for more than a minute.

Today, Naruto just so happened to decide that he actually wanted to spend time with her. He took it upon himself to insert himself in their spot in the classroom and put his arm around Hinata's shoulder, animatedly talking about how much fun they had at mall last weekend. He was a little too close, if you asked Neji.

Annoyed at how rudely Naruto interjected himself and ignoring Neji in the process, the Hyuga harshly lashed out, saying that Naruto had no class or respect. And that brings us up to speed.

"Oh, I understand perfectly – I understand that you're an asshole!" Naruto barked.

"N-Naruto-kun…" Hinata spoke softly.

Feeling a little guilty, Naruto placed his hand on top of her own. "S-sorry, Hinata. But this guy really needs to learn his place! Why's he making decisions for you!?"

"I don't think I'm the one who needs to learn my place. Also, take your hand off of her. It's rude."

"Oh, you don't like when I touch her?" Naruto grinned before jumping into her lap. Neji stood up suddenly, horrified.

"Uzumaki! Stop it this instant!"

Hinata couldn't move. Her body was stiff, and her face was never quite as red in this moment than in any other moment in her life. Scratch that. Naruto made it worse when he began rubbing his cheek against hers. "Hah! I'm touching her, I'm touching her, I – Oi Hinata, are you oka – gyak!"

The chair had leaned back too far, both Naruto and Hinata had fallen on the floor – Naruto pressing all of his weight on her. Hinata – well, she was awake for a few more moments, hearing a "Naruto, get up you dumbass!" and a "Hinata! Are you okay!?" She was pretty sure it sounded like Ino, but who could really tell? Everything was fading so quickly.

The last thing she remembered was Neji's voice. Probably yelling at Naruto for something. It was distant – then everything went black.

(^o^)

When she regained consciousness, Hinata found herself wrapped in white bed sheets, and close to a window there she could see… A garden? But this garden was different than the one at her home, since this one was a rose garden. The garden at Hinata's home was for growing fruits and vegetables. Also, her bed at home wasn't made up of white linen sheets. Where was she?

Hinata sat up, but her head began to throb lightly. "Ouch…" the dark haired teen groaned. She put her hand up to the back of her head to touch it. There had been a small bump there. She soon heard the door to the room slide open. Of course, she had to be in the infirmary. Why else would Naruto-kun be here…? Right?

"U-um… We are… in the infirmary, right?" Hinata asked, still a bit dazed. Naruto nodded.

"I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I just wanted to eat lunch with you today, that's all." Hinata only waved it off.

"It's okay… we can do it another time, right?"

"Oh! How about I walk you home then?"

Eh? He wanted to walk her home? How nice of him. Hinata nodded and Naruto punched his fist in the air.

"Haha! Yatta! Don't worry! I'll make sure you get home alright! I have to go though. If Neji finds out I was in here, he'd kill me." The doors slid open and closed again, signifying that she was alone once more. Still in a pretty dazed state, she laid her head back down on her pillow and closed her eyes.

Her head still kind of hurt, and she was in no position to stand up and leave the infirmary, so Hinata decided to take a nap until school was finally over. Neji was going to make such a fuss over her. She fell asleep for about an hour or so before her eyes shot open suddenly and she made an unpleasant face.

It had finally dawned on her.

She had told Naruto that he could walk her home today!

Neji was going to kill him!

What was she going to do?

Oh! She had forgotten completely! The Student Council had their meeting afterschool today. That meant that Neji would be so preoccupied with that, that Naruto could walk Hinata home without fear of the boys getting into another argument. This was perfect!

"Hinata,"

A surprised gasp escaped her mouth and she looked over to find Neji making his way to the infirmary bed. "Ah, you surprised me."

"Oh, then I apologize. Are you feeling well?" Neji asked. He sounded as stoic as usual, but his tone was lightly sprinkled with concern.

"Yes, I'm feeling a bit better… My head slightly hurts, but I'm okay. I just need some rest." Neji didn't look the least bit convinced, but Hinata hurriedly added, "N-no really, it's okay! Honest!"

"That damned Uzumaki. I swear, if I catch him coming into contact with you, I'll kill him. Are you sure you don't want me to file a no-contact order against him?" Hinata gasped.

"P-positive!" Sighing, she shifted in bed a little before looking up at the clock. "Ah, your meeting is starting soon."

"Oh, I canceled it." Shocked, Hinata asked "why" only to receive Neji's simple response, "I need to take you home. You're hurt." She was going to protest that she was just fine, but the doors slid open, revealing a very cheerful Naruto.

"Oi, Hinata I've come to take you home – ack! What the hell!?" Currently, Neji had Naruto by the front of his white collar, choking him slowly.

"You have the nerve to show your face here after what you did? And then expect to take Hinata home!?"

Naruto, who had his cheeks puffed out and was turning blue in the face, attempted to speak in a very strained and light voice. "B-but… Hinata said… it was okay…" Neji whipped his head around violently to get a good look at his cousin, who was nervously squeezing her hands at the moment, worrying over Naruto's wavering health.

"You what?" Neji scowled. A light blush hit Hinata's cheeks.

"I-I… W-well, h-he was really sorry about what happened! A-and to make up for it, he wanted to walk me home, s-so naturally I agreed. N-Neji-niisan, please!"

A sigh escaped his parted lips. How could he say no to her when she had been so adamant about it? "Fine, Naruto can walk you home, but ground rules are to be set in place right this second."

"Ah, th-that's nice but I wasn't talking about that… I meant… please let go of Naruto-kun… He…"

Neji blinked and turned around to the barely conscious blond in front of him.

"He's at his last moment!" Hinata finished.

Oh yeah, he had been choking Naruto. Finally letting his tight grip on Naruto's collar falter, Neji put a hand on his right shoulder and moved his arm backwards in a circular motion, as if he had been doing some intense workout.

Naruto fell to the ground with a thud, desperately gasping for air. "You better be listening Uzumaki, because I'll only tell you once. Keep your hands to yourself. If I hear that you've even bumped elbows with Hinata, I'll kill you."

"Y-yeah…" Naruto muttered.

"Also, you are not allowed inside of our home for any reason. I don't care if you need to use the bathroom. Do not enter."

"Then, can we stop so I can go into the bushes if I can't hold it anymo – Ahhh!" Just then, Neji was grinding his foot into Naruto's back.

"Shameless!"

Hinata could only put her hands together, and silently pray that her cousin wouldn't kill the boy she liked before she'd finally get the chance to spend time with him.

(^o^)

"Your cousin is brutal…" Naruto grumbled. The two of them were on their way to Hinata's home now, finally alone. Not only did the scolding from Neji take up time, but Naruto stopped to talk to a lot of people on his way out of the school building, including Sakura.

It was a bit awkward for Hinata, and she kind of felt like the third wheel when he held her hands or hugged her. She actually wanted to go home by herself at that point, having been incredibly embarrassed, and also a little sad.

Shaking it off, Hinata decided to keep the conversation going. "Ah, N-Neji-niisan is just a bit over protective. B-but he means well!"

"Eh? 'A bit', she says." Naruto mumbled. Hinata could only hang her head low.

"I'm sorry…"

Naruto took a look at her before putting his arms behind his head and sighed. "Is this also why you didn't want to become friends with anyone? To protect them from the wrath of Neji?" He chuckled.

No… Neji-niisan only acts so brutally towards you, Naruto-kun.

"Ah, that's not it. Neji-niisan doesn't keep me from having friends."

Naruto gave a look of disbelief. "Huh, could've fooled me." Even if Neji didn't outright tell Hinata that she couldn't have friends, he thought that he did have a role in scaring people off. Who would want to mess with the Student Council President and the president of the Martial Arts club? "So, if it's not him, then why don't you have a lot? I mean, it must get pretty boring only talking to Kiba." Naruto laughed.

"H-he isn't the only friend I have! Th-there's Ino-chan as well… A-and there's um… There's you too…"

Naruto's blue eyes widened. "Me?"

"Ah… Y-you said we were when… A-at the m-mall, you said we were." A large blush made its way across her face. He'd forgotten, hadn't he? How could she have been so dumb? Of course he would forget… He forgot about her for an entire week. And the only reason they were on this walk was because he felt bad for hurting her.

"I know I did, but when you said yes, I thought you were just lying to get away from me. You were playing with your phone when you did. And all of a sudden, Ino and Sai had come back to us, as if on cue."

She was? She hadn't known she was hurting his feelings too. How terrible of her. "I'm sorry…" She sighed but Naruto waved it off and laughed. The pair continued on their walk, as Naruto talked loudly and Hinata nodded and giggled from time to time.

Once they were close enough to her home, Hinata stopped him, reminding him that Neji didn't even want him on the estate. Naruto nodded and started his lonely walk back home, but not before giving Hinata a quick hug good-bye.

That day, Naruto-kun asked me to have lunch with him, and I agreed. Though, Neji-niisan heard that he had hugged me from a neighbor who was watching and in a fit of rage, hurled a desk at his head.

The two of us ended up having lunch in the infirmary together, and it was fun. He even asked me to feed him.

"Oi, Nurse Hinata! Feed me, will ya? I'm not feelin' too hot~!" Was what he said, with a wink.

And then Neji-niisan, originally outside the infirmary to apologize, screamed at the top of his lungs. How hectic, right?

"So, what's up with you, Naruto and Neji?" Ino asked nonchalantly, stuffing a spring roll from her lunch box in her mouth. Today, Ino bought Shikamaru to have lunch with them. Hinata was feeling slightly nervous, since he was always bored with everyone and everything. Hinata didn't want him to feel obligated to sit with them, especially if they were boring him.

Though, her question seemed to spike his interest as he turned to look at Hinata. Funny, his facial expression hadn't changed whatsoever.

"Yeah, they're way too noisy in the mornings now. How troublesome." Shikamaru spoke in his normal uninterested tone.

"Ah, th-there isn't anything going on really…" Hinata murmured, shifting her gaze away from Ino and Shikamaru.

"Eh, really? Neji hurling a desk at Naruto when he's around you is hardly unimportant. So, come on. What's up?"

"Oh… Well, Naruto-kun said that he wanted us to be friends while we were at the mall, a-and I agreed. B-but, he's a really… Hm… How do I put it…? O-oh, Naruto-kun is the type of friend that – "

"Invades personal space?" Ino asked.

"Knows no boundaries?" Shikamaru question.

Hinata could only nod. "N-naturally, Neji-niisan doesn't like that and is very protective, s-so…"

"Eh? That's it? How boring!" Ino frowned.

"Wh-what were you expecting?"

Ino closed her eyes for a moment, trying to imagine the scene. Something like…

"This isn't fair Neji! Why won't you acknowledge my love for Hinata!?"

Neji would look over his shoulder and give an ice cold stare. "Because a classless fool such as yourself doesn't deserve the love of the heiress of the Hyuga family."

Naruto would clench his fists in rage. "Then let me prove it! Prove to you I'm worthy of her love!"

"Hmph, so be it. If you can beat me in hand to hand combat, I'll deem you worthy."

The two would then engage in hand to hand combat, which would always end in Neji overpowering Naruto, flinging him to the ground. "Give up. You'll never be worthy."

"I can't do that Neji. No matter how many times you knock me down, I'll always fight for Hinata, because I love her!"

"Or something like that!" Ino giggled. Hinata blushed a bright red, dismissing the idea with the fast waving of her hand and Shikamaru only sighed.

"How dumb. Where did you get that cliché idea from anyway?"

"Oh, it was on television the other night! After that, the hero in the show – !"

"I didn't ask you about the television show. Ahhh, you're such a pain sometimes."

Ino huffed momentarily before regaining her composure. She rested her elbows on the desk and placed her chin atop her hands, smiling. "Hmm, don't act like that, Shi-ka-ma-ru-kun~! I know you'd readily do that for Temari-senpai." She giggled.

Hinata blinked. "Temari-senpai?" Shikamaru sighed, as he normally did.

"Don't listen to her, Hinata. She's obviously not thinking clearly."

"Temari-Senpai is president of the Women's Volleyball team. She's brutal in her games, hoho. Wouldn't wanna mess with her. And yet, Shikamaru insists." Ino laughed.

"I don't insist on doing anything. She's troublesome too."

Hinata played with her fingers for a moment before lifting her gaze to meet Shikamaru. "U-um, Nara-san, do you really like Temari-senpai?"

"Now you've got Hinata asking troublesome questions." Hinata mumbled a small apology. She also hastily mentioned that if he was feeling bored, he could leave at any time.

"Yeah Shikamaru! You can either be interested in what we have to say or get out!"

"I-Ino, that's not what I meant! I – !"

"And who was the one who invited me here in the first place?" Shikamaru argued, slightly annoyed. "It's fine, Hinata. If I didn't want to be here, I'd have left a long time ago." It was good to be reassured but Hinata had hoped he wasn't lying to her.

But his voice was the most sincere she had ever heard it, so he must've been telling the truth. Besides, just one lunch period with him and Hinata could tell already that Shikamaru's eyes widened slightly when he was being truthful or generally interested in something.

She remembered them widening when Temari's name was brought up. How sweet.

(^o^)

The rest of the school day went by a little too slowly for Hinata's liking, but when the final school bell rang, Hinata smiled.

"And that's all for today. Class is dismissed."

While packing her school bag, Hinata found one of Neji's notebooks. Oh right. She had to borrow his notes when she missed classes due to being in the infirmary. But he was nowhere to be found. It was possible that he had gone to the student council meeting already. Hinata thought that stopping there wouldn't be such a bad idea.

While walking the halls, Hinata could hear Naruto's voice, and it sounded very whiney – almost like a child. When she turned the corner, Naruto was latched on to Sakura's arm and Hinata lightly blushed before turning her head away.

"Come on, share with me! Pleaaaaase?" Naruto pleaded.

Sakura let out an exasperated sigh. "Did you not hear me!? I said no! You should've brought your own!"

"But it's raining really hard! I'll catch a cold!"

"Whose fault is that?"

Rain? That's right. The weather forecast for this morning said that it would rain all afternoon. She brought her umbrella with her, but when she turned her head to take a look at the window, it looked worse than light showers. Oh dear…

"Excuse me," Hinata called out before sliding open the door to the student council room. They weren't having their meeting yet so that was good.

"Looking for Hyuga-san?" One of the members asked. Hinata nodded. "Ah, I figured. He'll be back soon. You can wait here though."

"Thank you very much," Hinata bowed. She didn't have to wait long for Neji to show up. "Ah, Neji-niisan. Here are your notes from the other day. Thanks for letting me borrow them."

"No problem," Neji nodded, accepting his notebook, "but why are you returning them to me now? You could've given them to me at home."

"Y-yeah but if you have your notes and they get wet outside, it'd be better than me having your notes and getting them wet, right?" Hinata smiled. Neji gave her a bored look before tapping her forehead lightly with his fist.

"That's not a good reason for wanting to return someone's notes."

"S-sorry." Hinata smiled sheepishly.

"Haha, how cute is she?"

"Yeah, she is isn't she?"

Ignoring the comments from some of the members in student council, Neji asked Hinata if she'd be okay walking home by herself to which she assured him that he would. Sometimes Neji treated her like such a child, it was ridiculous.

Finally making her way to her shoe locker, Hinata grabbed her umbrella and quickly changed out of her indoor shoes. Oh, it looks like Naruto got Sakura to share her umbrella after all.

The two were under Sakura's pink umbrella and looked to be having a very lively conversation. Boy, did they look like a couple. Hinata gave a long sigh before heading out herself.

"Hey, Hinata!" She turned around.

"Oh, Nara-san!"

"How come you're still around?" He questioned, and Hinata explained that she was handing over some notes to Neji. "Ah, for when you missed class the other day huh?" She nodded slowly. "That guy is nothing but trouble. Oh, since we're here, you want to walk home together?"

"Ah, s-sure."

The walk was surely quiet. The pitter-patter of rain and the occasional sound of a car driving on the wet roads were the only sounds that were prominent. Though, the silence wasn't awkward or anything, surprisingly. Maybe it was because Shikamaru was so mellow that he didn't need to really hold a conversation.

"So, what had you looking all sad earlier?" Shikamaru asked, breaking the silence.

Or maybe he did need to hold conversations. Who knew?

"Oh, i-it was nothing really."

"Liar."

Did he just call her out on lying to him?

"I-I'm sorry?"

"I'm very perceptive, if you hadn't noticed already. So, was Ino not too far off the mark today? Is it actually that blond idiot?"

Hinata had no idea what to say. And here she thought she was so good at concealing her feelings around everyone. Was she really that obvious? Her mouth was slightly open for a moment in time before she closed it and nodded.

There was really no use hiding it from Shikamaru, was there? Besides, she was sure he wouldn't go and gossip about it with everyone else. He didn't seem like that kind of person.

"What a pain. Don't stress yourself over it though."

"Huh?"

"This year, you seem to be more outgoing and lively. It's a good change of pace, I suppose. Try not to let Naruto screw it up." Shikamaru said, in his usual bored tone.

"I-I could say the same for you and Temari-senpai."

"Hm?"

"Your eyes widen slightly when her name is brought up."

And then in that instant, they widened even more. Nara-san was actually really surprised that I could read him like that. And I told him about being confident in my abilities to read how others feel. It was the first time I had ever mentioned that to anyone, and it honestly felt good to finally talk about it.

Nara-san didn't have to verbally confirm his feelings for Temari-senpai, I had already known. I wonder if she feels the same way. I know that Nara-san isn't on any sports teams. Even when we have gym, he never participates unless he really has to. Notice how I said has to and not wants to? He never wants to. So how did they meet? Does he admire from afar? Or maybe they've spoken from time to time?

I'm only observant in the classroom. When it's time to go home, I leave my observation skills in my locker, with my shoes. I guess I should change that now that I'm starting to talk to people outside of school, huh? For instance, when Ino lies, her nose crinkles a tiny bit. Even when she's flirting, her nose will crinkle slightly, and I know she isn't serious about any of it. I think she's just boy crazed.

But enough about that.

Nara-san's words threw me off completely that day. He told me not to let Naruto-kun mess with my happiness. Easier said than done, Nara-san.

I will admit it to myself. It did hurt when I saw Naruto-kun and Haruno-san sharing an umbrella together. Before Naruto-kun asked to be friends, I always went the extra mile to avoid him, so I never saw much of the interactions between the two of them outside of the classroom. I didn't think that anything would change outside of our classroom, but I was way off.

Now that I'm not avoiding him, I feel like I've set myself for so much more pain. Sometimes I kind of want to go back to my old ways and take off as soon as I see him approaching. It would all be a lot easier that way.

But I was just being weak, and I did not want to come to terms with the truth, I suppose.

This way is much better. I'm not as sad as I used to be, so that's a plus.

Though, Nara-san did mention my liveliness and how I've become more outgoing. That means it's working, right? I'm changing for the better, right? I sure do hope so. Because if Nara-san could see it, then I'm succeeding. But then again, maybe not. He's naturally perceptive so he probably caught on back on in April.

Even so, I can't give up on improving myself! Summer break is just around the corner too! I'll have enough time to work on myself and become the absolute best that I can be.

Though, summer break will also be spent doing homework too, huh? Eh… How troublesome.

Ah!

I sounded like Nara-san!

And that's all for the season of spring. Each chapter will be set in a different season, so next, I'll write about summer! Hopefully I don't abandon this. I did a lot of thinking in the shower about it (mostly because it wouldn't get out of my head) so I'd like to see it through to the end, if possible.

Thank you for reading!