Chapter I. Good Bye

Right. Left. Parry. Hinata desperately dodged and countered each one of Neji's blows. He was so fast she couldn't keep up. She frantically backed up with every strike until there was nowhere to go. Hinata's eyes widened as Neji's palm stopped inches in front of her face.

Neji's expression was unreadable as he took in the site of his opponent, arms down and eyes frozen in fear, she was completely open for his attack and he shook his head in disappointment.

"Let's stop here for today."

"B-but I can keep going." Hinata stammered.

Neji turned his back to his cousin. "He'll be leaving soon. We won't be able to see him again for a long time." He shot over his shoulder as he walked away.

Hinata felt the heat rise to her face as she watched her cousin's silhouette disappear into the house. She stood there in her embarrassment at his acknowledgment of her feelings. When had he found out? He had never said anything to her before. Still, she couldn't help feeling a little thankful. The sun beat down on her as she stood in the middle of the dusty Hyuga training ground her mind racing as she imagined what she would possibly say to him. What does one say to someone who is leaving for a long period time? What does one say to someone they hardly know, but still feel so close to?

"Are you still here?" Hinata heard a voice from within the house. Startled, Hinata raced from the house and through the village. People stepped out of her way as she kicked up dust running through the dirt streets and she didn't stop until she reached the front gate. The moment she eyed him her heart stopped and she quickly hid behind the street lamp as she watched the familiar loud-mouth, yellow-haired, shinobi. He was talking to Jariyia, one of the largest men Hinata had ever seen and the fact that he was Sennin made him even more intimidating. All the different scenarios that had run through her mind earlier came flooding back and all Hinata could do was imagine herself being strong enough to approach him and say goodbye. Like acquaintances, like friends, like two people who had grown up together.

Hinata nervously played with her fingers forcing herself to build up the courage to say goodbye. She continued to watch them as her mind ran ramped. Although they were only twelve years old, he had the strength and determination equal to any shinobi in the village. Hinata knew that one day, he would be the greatest Ninja and man the village had ever seen. The sun began to set as the two figures finally headed out of the front gates of Konoha. A soft voice whispered "Goody bye, Naruto," as a single tear fell down Hinata's cheek. She hadn't done it, she hadn't found the courage to say what she wanted, she was too weak, too shy and now he was gone and he would never know she had been the only one to see him off.

Hinata stood in the same spot long after the two were visible, even by her byakugan. Three years. It will take three years before I'll see you again. Will you still be the same Naruto?

"Hey Hinata!"

Hinata jumped. The thoughts of Naruto were pushed out of her mind as she caught site of Kiba walking toward her, a small white bundle riding on top of his hooded head.

"Hey, are you waiting for someone?" He asked as he looked around.

"Oh, no, I was just. . . .well I-I." Hinata stammered as all her feelings rushed together to form one giant mass of confusion within her.

A grin spread across Kiba's face as he watched the small crease in her brow form.

"That's alright, you don't have to tell me." Kiba laughed. "I was looking for you anyway."

"Y-you were?" Hinata flushed.

Kiba absently began petting Akamaru, as the sun drifted slowly out of sight, leaving behind a sea of oranges and yellows.

"Yeah, well, I knew that today would probably be hard for you, soooo, I thought I could hang out with you, like we could get something to eat or something."

"Hinata gave Kiba a slight smile. "Okay, I guess." Hinata responded tentatively. "Should we invite Shino?"

"I already did, he wanted to come, but he had to stay with his family, something about working on the family jutsu with his father."

"Oh, I see." Hinata frowned at Kiba's answer. I hope he doesn't think this is a date. "Well then, maybe we could go to the roller rink. I've never been there."

"Alright," Kiba said enthusiastically. "I'll take Akamaru home and I'll come by to get you in about an hour." Kiba turned around to leave, then paused in mid-stride. "Uh, you'll be at your house right?"

"Yes," Hinata smirked at her friend as he nodded his head in acknowledgment and swiftly made his way home through the crowd. Hinata went the opposite direction, slowly making her way back through the village, while thoughts of Naruto took over her mind.

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"Kiba's here for you." Neji found Hinata laying on her bed staring up at the ceiling.

"Tell him I'll be right there." Hinata waited for her cousin to leave the room before she reluctantly sat up. He had ruined such a wonderful daydream. It was three years from now and she had gone out into the village to grab some ingredients for her dinner that night. While she was perusing through one of the food stands she felt a sharp bump and she fell to the ground. She scrambled to pick up the fallen fruits and vegetables, when a familiar voice rang through her ears. "I'm sorry let me help you," but the voice wasn't the same, it was deeper, huskier, more mature than the younger version she remembered so vividly. Hinata's heart fluttered at the sound of his words, although she didn't dare look up. After he had finished reloading the basket his attention quickly turned to her and he offered her his hand. "Here, let me help you up." As Hinata reached for the familiar man's hand, she dared herself to look up into his face. Her heart beat rapidly sending a waterfall of feelings throughout her entire body as she stared into the older, but familiar blue eyes of her smiling yellow-haired shinobi. As he helped her off the ground Hinata just stared. "Are you okay miss?" He asked as he rubbed the back of his neck in the same familiar way. "N-naruto" Hinata gasped, paralyzed by her own feelings. "Hinata? Is that you?" Naruto asked in surprise. "You look different." Hinata quickly looked down to hide the color that was pulling on her cheeks. "Is that bad?" She asked softly. "N-no," Naruto backpedaled. "I just meant that you've grown so beautiful." Hinata felt his finger underneath her chin and allowed him to guide her face until she was looking at him. She was ensnared in his eyes and couldn't look away, even if she wanted too. She was about to open her her mouth to speak, when Neji came to her door, completely destroying her wonderful dream.

Hinata forced herself out of bed and double checked her face in the mirror. There was no trace of the tears she had shed earlier that day, but her face still seemed sad. Wait, no not sad, it was missing something. As Hinata gazed at her reflection bits and pieces of her daydream began flashing through her mind. His eyes had been warm and welcoming in her daydream, while her's were the same blank void orbs they had always been. There was nothing she could do about her eyes, they would always be blank and full of nothing. Hinata stared intently at her face in the mirror, but, she wondered as she played with her hair, maybe there is something more I could do.

"Hinata!" She heard her cousin's voice.

"Coming" She answered back as loud as she could and she grabbed the black coin purse from the top of her dresser and ran down the hall.

Hinata and Kiba made there way through the crowded skating rink. Most of the people their age were there. Sakura skated around the flashing rink with Rock Lee, while Choji and Ino sat in a corner trying to speak to one another over the music. The only people missing were Neji, Shino and Shikamaru.

"So what do you want to do first?" Kiba asked as he looked down at Hinata.

"I don't know, what do you want to do." Hinata began fidgeting her fingers. It made her uncomfortable to be put on the spot. Kiba watched his friend with a smile on his face.

"It's your choice Hinata. This is your cheering up night, so we're gonna do what you want first." Kiba asserted.

"Well, I guess we could skate first, then we could play some games." Hinata nervously eyed the skating rink.

"Sounds good." Kiba agreed and he escorted Hinata toward the floor. Kiba slowly skated next to Hinata as she clung to the wall. Her feet were moving in choppy spurts and she was afraid she would fall if she let go. Patiently, Kiba showed Hinata how to push her foot out in a longer and more graceful movement and he held onto her elbow as she practiced the longer movement around the ring. Still, she continued to hold onto the wall with her free hand.

"I think you can let go now." Kiba urged. Hinata looked back at him, terror in her eyes.

"Come on Hinata, I'll be right here, I won't let you fall." Kiba's eyes were full of sincere confidence. Hinata closed her eyes, took a deep breath and lifted her hand off the wall. She began to wobble and felt one of her feet come out from under her, but instead of the hard thud she expected, she landed softly into Kiba's chest and he gently put her back onto her feet.

"I told you I wouldn't let you fall." He whispered in her ear.

Hinata ignored the intimate gesture and looked straight ahead, concentrating on her feet.

Gradually Hinata learned how to skate by herself and soon Kiba had her chasing after him. When she was able to keep up with him, he decided it was time for them to play some games. The two played red light green light with some of the other ninjas and Hinata had to grab onto Kiba every time someone yelled RED LIGHT, just so she could stop. Kiba would help her by putting an arm around her waist, or wrapping his hands around her shoulder, but Hinata never noticed. The game ended when Choji couldn't stop on a red light and he skated right into Ino. Ino responded with a right handed slap and everyone quietly dispersed as Ino cut into Choji. After the game, Hinata and Kiba raced each other around the rink, Kiba won the first few times, but Hinata was pleased to win the last few, although she had a sneaking suspicion he had let her win.

"I'm tired." Hinata told Kiba as they skated around the rink.

"Do you want to stop?" He shouted back over the music.

"Yeah! We could play some games or something." Hinata offered.

Kiba nodded his head in acknowledgment and lead Hinata off of the floor and over to the gaming area.

"Alright!" Kiba shouted once they entered the arcade, "Air Hockey my favorite." Hinata looked around the arcade and watched as Kiba made his way over to a white table in the middle of the room.

"What's air hockey?" Hinata asked confused by her friend's reaction.

"Only the best game ever, here let me show you." He offered as Hinata joined him at the table.

Kiba gave Hinata one of the hitting pieces and put the puck on the table.

"Basically you want to hit that puck into the hole on my side of the table, but I want to try and stop you. Whoever has the most points at the end of the game wins. I'll let you try first." Kiba offered.

Hinata hesitated before reaching across the table and hitting the puck at Kiba. Kiba responded swiftly and knocked the puck straight back at Hinata and into her goal.

"Don't worry, you'll get better, but now you have the idea right?"

Kiba spent the rest of the night showing Hinata how to hit the puck and how to place it where she wanted on the board. Once she got the hang of it they played a few games. Hinata laughed and smiled as she watched the puck slide into Kiba's goal and cringed as he shot the puck right back.

"This is so much fun." She said, then paused. "I didn't know you liked this game."

Kiba shrugged. "There's a lot you don't know about me."

"But we're teammates." Hinata said defensively.

"So." Kiba shrugged again.

"I don't know, I guess I just thought I knew you better because I see you everyday." Hinata sputtered.

"We do know a lot about each other, at least the important stuff Hinata," Kiba said comfortingly, "like if I were hurting I wouldn't be able to hide it from you and Shino, right?"

Hinata thought about what he said for a moment and barely opened her mouth. "Right." She said softly.

"The same with me. If you or Shino were hurting I would know too. This other stuff is just that, other stuff, but you guys are closer to me than anyone else our age because we spend so much time together. I know that you guys will always have my back and I'll always have yours because we're friends."

Hinata smiled. "Do you really believe that?" She asked hopefully.

"You know I do." Kiba winked at her and flashed her a wide smile then glanced down at his watch. "Are you ready to go home? It's starting to get late."

"I guess I'm getting a little tired." Hinata admitted.

Kiba and Hinata walked in silence as they made their way down the deserted streets of Konoha. The street lamps gave off a warm and inviting glow and Hinata felt the weight of the days events. It had been hard for her to say goodbye to Naruto, but Kiba did a good job of keeping her occupied. She had to admit that she even had fun. Hinata shuttered as a slight breeze past by them and Kiba silently wrapped her in his warm jacket. As she snuggled into the woolly lining of Kiba's coat, Hinata wondered what tonight would have been like if she had gone out with Naruto, would Naruto think they were friends? They hardly ever saw each other, but she had felt close to him through the small interactions they had. Her mind instantly wandered to the day she fought Neji during the Chuunin exams. She had only stood up to Neji because of Naruto's faith in her and she liked to think that she had a small part in his defeat over Neji. She had spoken to him briefly before the fight. Naruto had been uncertain of himself and Hinata liked to think that she had helped see how strong he is again. As Hinata's thoughts lingered on Naruto, she remembered the daydream she had earlier and his piercing blue eyes. Why couldn't her eyes hold more substance? When she had looked in the mirror, all she saw was Neji's stoic eyes staring back at her. The mirror. Hinata contemplated the idea she had earlier as she stared at herself in that mirror. She had a strong urge to ask Kiba about it, but she wasn't sure.

"Kiba" she quietly began, "did you really mean what you said about us being friends?"

"Of course I did Hinata." Kiba gave her an inquisitive look.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"What is it Hinata?" Kiba's voice was full of concern.

"Please don't laugh, but I don't have any girl friends and I need to ask someone." Hinata looked at him from the corner of her eyes.

"I'm deeply intrigued now." Kiba laughed. "What's so important that it can't wait for you to find a girl to ask?"

"Well...you see..." Hinata instintively began to play with her fingers. "It's...just that...it's just that your a boy and you might have a better idea about it, that's all."

"Okay, so what is it Hinata?" Kiba's eyes narrowed in a worried expression while his hood shadowed his face.

"Well, uh, what do you think of my hair?" Hinata blurted out and immediately turned a shade of pink.

Kiba chuckled. "It's short, why?" Kiba was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with conversation. He didn't know anything about hair. Where was her house? Shouldn't it be somewhere around all this foliage?

Hinata shook her head. "That's not what I meant, I mean, should I grow it out? As a guy you must have some idea of what a guy likes?"

"Well, I, uh, that is, I mean, I don't know Hinata, maybe you should ask a girl about this stuff. I know that my sister and my mom have longer hair, but I've never really thought about it."

"Oh" Hinata gave a deflated sigh.

They continued on in silence until they finally reached her house. Then Kiba turned to Hinata and she looked down at her feet.

"Why do you suddenly care about your hair?" Kiba asked, breaking the silence.

"Oh, I was just wondering if I should grow it out, you know before . . .well you know, I just thought it might make me prettier."

Kiba felt his heart break a little as the tiny Hyuga girl in front of him sputtered out these last words. He knew what she was asking.

"You can do whatever you like Hinata, but you are pretty just the way you are, and one day he'll see it too, and if he doesn't, whoever he is, then he's dense." Kiba gently took Hinata in his arms and pressed her against him.

"Really Kiba?"

"Yes, Hinata."

"Thank you." She whipered as she took his jacket off and handed it back. As she turned to go inside, he stopped her in her tracks.

"Wait, Hinata, I almost forgot, I got something for you to cheer you up, but you can't open it until you get inside, okay." Kiba began fumbling around in his pockets.

Hinata gave Kiba a quizzical look.

"You have to promise or I won't give it to you." He pressed.

"I promise." Hinata said nervously.

Hinata watched as Kiba reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a white envelope and handed it to her.

"Hope this makes you feel better, it's a gift from me and Shino. We thought it would help you when times get tough." Then he put his hooded jacket back on and inhaled her sweat scent. "Good night Hinata." He said as he turned to make his way back home.

Hinata watched Kiba make his way down the dirt path and out of sight. Then she ran inside and into her room shutting the door. Her heart raced as she looked at the plain white envelope in her hand. Quickly she tore the top off and pulled the contents of the envelope out. Hinata's heart stopped and her eyes began to water all over again as she stared at the photo in her hand. She could never have asked for a more perfect gift than the one she had received tonight. Kiba was right about friends and her heart swelled up as she stared into the face of her shinobi. She was not ready to say good bye to him just yet, and she would never be ready to let go, three years or not. Hinata's last concious thought was of his eyes, then she drifted off still clutching the picture to her breast.