Stable

For Momosportif & Capitulate

In the forest of her mind, there is a bridge, and it daunts her more than any enemy is capable. It lacks a railing, and its wooden planks are worn and half-rotted.

Its placement is awkward and terrifying both. Erected over an ocean, it's tied to two gray rockfaces by some old twine, and underneath the flimsy wood that she is meant to step on, waves crash and rise with turbulent winds sailing overhead.

Trees grow on top of the rockfaces at either side of the bridge, and the leaves dance free in the breeze. Their trunks are tall and broad, welcoming, and Hinata would like nothing more than to compare the brightness of their fruits.

She wants to test the age-old "leaves are greener on the other side" theory, but she is far too cowardly to cross the small distance of the rickety little bridge. For some reason, it frightens her more than any obstacle she has seen. In comparison to the Chuunin exams, the bridge is an appalling obstruction…yet its temptation is always there, begging. She knows that before she dies, crossing it is something that she will accomplish. She has to prove to herself that she can really do it, and crossing it has become a feat that means more to her than anything.

In the forest, the roots of the trees curl towards the sky like tiny, delicate fingers. The forest is beautiful. The blue ocean water and the puffy white clouds are equally as beautiful. In its own quaint way, even the wobbly, venerable bridge is nice.

The only problem with this fantasy world…is that it is, in fact, a fantasy world. It exists only inside her own head.

Hinata has always been a dreamer. She drifts off during the day and lapses into her own reality. But when it comes to dreams, she learned from the best. …Naruto's lifelong goal is to become the Hokage. Everything she knows about dreams is something that he taught her.

As much as she would love to dream all of the time, Hinata is not a fool. Sometime soon, Naruto (Dream King himself) wants her to follow him on an A-ranked mission.

The first time that he asked her about it, she said "no"—too quickly—and shook her head like a madwoman.

He grabbed her by the shoulders to steady her, and then he laughed in a way that was reassuring. He said not to worry about it, that the mission would be fine without her, but as soon as the words left his mouth, she was stilled with hardened resolve.

"I'll do it," She told him, and she could tell that her own voice sounded forceful. …It was such a change. Where was the weak-willed little girl who often cried in corners? Hinata could no longer find her.

She wanted to feel needed. She wanted to prove that she was needed. She had to prove her own worth!

(…In the forest of her mind, there is a bridge that leads to dignity.

Today, Hinata takes the first step.)

Fin.