Disclaimer: No, Naruto is not mine! I never claimed it was. Who's stupid enough to think it is?

A/N: Hi! Hope you guys have been enjoying the show so far! ^_^ I know I left off on a weird foot with Sasuke and Naruto but … I really don't know. I just hope I don't wind up messing this whole story up. Wish me lots of luck! Lot's of love to my reviewers!

Snowy Eyes and Sandy Hair

Long missed sunlight shined through the curtains if Hinata's bedroom. She turned to get the light out of her eyes and pulled the blanket up over her head. Then, still half asleep, she noticed something missing. There were no arms wrapped around her waist, no light breath on the back of her neck; no Temari. Hinata sat bolt up and looked around, her eyes stopped on the clock sitting on her wall, 9:46. Oh no! Her dad should be home by now. If the three other Shinobi were still in the house she and they were as good as dead. She hopped out of bed and out into the hall where she ran head long into Neji.

"Ow, oops sorry Neji nii-san." She stood up along with her cousin. "Do you know where everyone is?" she whispered as if Hiashi was right around the corner. He gave her a look that told her to calm own.

"I got them out at five. Don't worry, your dad isn't home yet." Hinata gave a sigh of thanks and hugged Neji.

Just then the front door opened and the two cousins separated. I walked Hyuuga Hiashi, wet, scratched, muddy, and none to happy. Hinata rushed out to greet him with fresh clothes and a towel, placed there by Neji. He took them with a muttered thank you and went into his office/room, not to be bothered. She sighed and thanked Neji again. She walked into her room and got dressed into casual clothes, a sky blue tee, black capris, and her hitai-ate in its place around her neck. She grabbed a white ribbon and tied her hair in a loose ponytail. She put a kunai pouch on her thigh and inserted two kunai and five shuriken, just to be safe.

Hinata ran out of her room and into the living room and out the door. She didn't usually eat in the morning; she just wasn't hungry this time of the day. Before she could close the door a hand came and stopped it. Neji stood in the walk way looked at Hinata with suspicious eyes. Hinata hoped he wasn't about to ask her about what she thought he was. She looked at him and waited for him to say something. When he did she wished she had run.

"Why was that girl holding you in bed?" he asked. Damn. She had to think of something, quick.

It was now of all times Hinata wished she could lie. Of course no one could get away with lying to Neji, he was like a living lie detector. She stood there looking at him analyzing her, waiting for the sure to come fib. He narrowed his eyes, she was taking too long to answer.

"We fell asleep. I offered my bed so she wouldn't have to sleep on the floor. She must have just moved around in her sleep." Hinata was a beet red by now and was twiddling her fingers behind her back. Neji tapped his foot and crossed his arms. He wasn't buying it.

She sighed, no way out now. She was starting to think there never was a way out. Neji tapped his foot once and said, "You of all people should know that people can't lie to me. Now answer me." She looked at her feet and closed her eyes; she'd have to ask him not to tell anyone. "I promise not to speak of this to anyone." He added, she could swear Neji read minds.

"Really, you promise?" Hope was coming back; Neji didn't lie often, if ever. "You won't tell anyone, not even my father?" He gave a nod. "Alright then. Come over here."

They walked over to a large bush and stood behind it, the only way they'd be seen would be if someone used their Byakuugan. She took a deep breath and whispered to Neji, "Yesterday, when I offered for her to stay out the rain, she was talking with me and we just, kind of, kissed. I think she really likes me and I like her, kinda… I think." Silence greeted her. Bad thing. "Neji?"

He stood there, eyes wide in shock. No wonder she didn't want him telling, her father would kill her, and Neji for letting this happen. He knew he should tell, but survival instincts had a lot better reasons than 'it's the right thing to do' to not tell, mainly him living to see his eighteenth birthday. Hinata was still a deep shade of red and now she was worried about her older cousin. He got over his shock and told her to run of to where ever it was she was headed. He was going to go in his room and try to pretend this was all a bad dream, maybe get Lee to spar and give him a head injury and amnesia. Hinata thanked him, gave him a hug, and ran off to meet her teammates at the park, all the time saying thanks.

- At the Park -

Kiba ran around with the huge beast that was Akamaru, they were throwing a Frisbee around and both were trying to catch it with their mouths, both were doing well. Shino sat in a tree near by watching with almost something like amusement. There were kids running here and there, few couples out on a walk, parents keeping an eye on their youngsters. Every now and then a ninja on patrol would pass by, nodding or waving to fellow Shinobi. It was a very peaceful day. Everyone was happy and outside after the storm, it was always like this.

"Oi, Hinata! What's up?" Kiba called as he spotted her. As soon as he spoke Akamaru tossed the toy at him and he snatched it out of the air with his teeth. Hinata laughed and walked over to the tree Shino occupied. Akamaru ran up and pounced on the girl, licking her face. She giggled and pushed of the huge dog with Kiba's help. Shino had come down to greet his old teammate.

"Ohayou, Kiba-kun, Shino-kun," she said to each in turn while standing up. "How have you two been?" It had been almost a month since the last time they had all seen each other. She really missed her old friends. Sometimes she wished they were all still Genin so they could be on the same team and have missions together.

"Yo, Hinata! Long time no see," Kiba said flashing her smile.

"It's been about a month, correct?" Shino asked. The other two nodded and Akamaru barked and jumped on Shino this time. Hinata and Kiba laughed before helping their friend up. The boy brushed himself off and looked at the dog then patted his head. Having been on a team with the animal he knew it missed him and couldn't help himself. Kiba was still chuckling as he and Akamaru sat under the tree Shino had been in. Hinata followed as Shino jumped back up onto his perch. They sat there, Hinata talking with Kiba and watching Akamaru chase terrified squirrels. After a half hour Kiba's stomach growled.

They stood and walked into town, ready for some lunch. They popped into a few places before choosing a western style café. They were seated and given menus. After ten minutes they ordered and waited for their food. They had gotten a window seat so that Akamaru could sit at it and be fed. Kiba commented on how easy it used to be to sneak the dog into places when he was a puppy. The three friends sat there talking about recent missions, new jutsus, family matters, and plans for hanging out later. Just then two people walked into the café, they spotted Hinata and made their way towards her. Naruto came up behind her and smiled.

"Hey, Hinata!" Then he looked up and saw the others. "Kiba, Shino, Akamaru. Sasuke and me just wanted to thank you for the help last night. Right Sasuke?" The other boy just let out a grunt. "Sasuke! Say thank you nicely or she might not help out again if we need it!"

He glared over at the blonde then thanked the girl properly and left with Naruto by his side telling him off about his attitude. Shino just shook his head while Kiba and Hinata let out a laugh. Akamaru barked a few times and Kiba looked over at him with wide eyes. "You sure boy? Is that what you really heard?" The dog barked again. Kiba's eyes got wider. Hinata and Shino glanced at each other then at the boy and his dog. Kiba peered at his two friends. Akamaru barked again, like he was trying to tell the two something. Kiba had told his old teammates how to understand the white dog, they had learned their names, Kiba's name, the names of all the rookie Genin of their year, the word help, a warning, some compliments, and Kiba's favorite, "I got to piss". The dog barked again, slowly. Both Shino's and Hinata's eyes became wide. They only understood a little of what was said, Naruto, Sasuke, and, something only Hinata could catch, dating.

Before they could take the conversation any farther the food arrived. Kiba, obviously not interested in what ever was going on with the two best friends, began to wolf down his food after shoveling half to Akamaru. Hinata picked up her fork and started eating slowly; she wasn't very skilled with western utensils. Shino, after helping Hinata get a proper hold of her fork, ate his meal. They ate in silence, all thinking over what Akamaru might have heard. Finally, when they were all done Kiba spoke up.

"He said that Naruto said, 'If we're dating you could at least do what I ask and be nice.' Does that mean they're together?" he stared at the other two who, even if he couldn't see Shino well, appeared to be completely shocked. It was odd, beyond comparison. The two of them were like water and oil, one is flammable and the other is used to put it out. There was, of course, the possibility that Akamaru was going deaf. Slim as it was. Though it didn't matter at all to Kiba, or even Shino for that matter, but it could very well matter to Hinata.

They both knew, in fact everyone seemed to know except Naruto, that she had a crush on the blonde. With this news she could be tossed into the pit of depression. That's what the concern was with the two boys. Hinata's eyes were still wide and her hand was shaking a little. She finally blinked and put a hand to her head. After a minute of stillness she shook her head and gave a meek smile. The waitress came with the check and they all paid their part of the bill. When they were outside Kiba pulled her to the side of the street.

"Hey, are you okay? We know that you liked Naruto." Shino stood next to the Inuzuka and nodded slightly. "Akamaru is sure that that's what was said, and he hasn't been wrong yet."

Kiba looked a little sad about it all, he didn't want to see Hinata sad or depressed. Shino kicked him when he went on about how Akamaru couldn't be wrong and how he couldn't be translating wrong either. Hinata smiled widened and she hugged both Kiba and Shino at the same time.

"Don't worry, he looks happy and that's all I can ask for, besides, I think I was over him awhile ago and never noticed. Thanks for the day out, see you guys later." She turned and walked towards her house.

Naruto would be happy with Sasuke, but then whom would she be happy with?

TBC…

A/N: Before anyone yells at me again I need to say this, the outfit I put Hinata in was of my own invention. I said casual, and apparently that means nothing to people…

Yay! Sorry to the people who want me to get on with the lemon but I'm saving it for a great moment. Plus, I have to brush up on my Yuri lemon skills, I'm a mainly Yaoi girl, simply because there's more of it. But it will be coming and it will be great! Promise! Bye now!