Chapter 69

Hinata was patiently waiting for someone. That someone was Naruto.

She stood outside the gates of the Hyuga compound as she looked left and right, and even activated her Byakugan to search for Naruto, but he was not in her range.

Naruto was supposed to drop her and Neji off at the academy for the Chunin exams. But he had not arrived yet.

This was strange, Naruto would never be later for such an occasion.

She even prepared a tasty and special bento lunch box for him.

'' He is sure is late. '' Commented Tenten. '' Do we need to wait for him? We are already late, to begin with. ''

'' Can we wait for another five minutes? '' Hinata was worried. ' Did something happen to Naruto? '

'' I don't think so. We cannot spare another minute.'' Neji was also worried about Naruto. But knowing Naruto, he was probably fine.

Hinata understood that waiting any longer would make them late, so she had no other choice.

Arriving at the Academy, they were greeted by many genin ninjas from their and foreign villages.

'' There seems a lot of participants this year. '' Tenten commented.

'' That is true. '' Neji replied.

Hinata was not feeling ok, despite all the training she had undergone for the past week, she was doubting herself.

Was she ready? she didn't know.

Although her Sensei and her teammates think that they're ready, she was not so sure... more specifically at herself.

What made it worse, is that Naruto had not come to drop her to the academy.

Although that sounds childish to others, she enjoyed all the times they walked to the academy, while having small mundane talks about the very little things in life, like the weather for example. These small talks gave her the strength to go through the entire day, no matter what problems the day could bring.

Neji and Tenten who usually followed behind the odd couple saw one thing Naruto would never show others; that is a genuine and warm smile.

That was the only time, Naruto would smile from the bottom of his heart.

Enduring years of unjust physical, mental and emotional torture at a young age, had made him incapable to smile.

What was he even supposed to smile for anyways?

'' Oi Hinata! '' Kiba called as he and Shino approached Hinata. '' Man, I thought you would not come. ''

'' Sorry for being late. ''

'' Don't stress about it. Let's get inside already. ''

Waving goodbye to Neji and Tenten, she left with her team to the examination room.

Neji's team was still missing a member, it was the weird-looking, green jumpsuit-wearing ninja Lee.

'' Where is that guy anyway? '' Tenten said.

'' Are you looking for me? ''

Neji and Tenten turned around to see Lee standing behind them.

'' Where were you? '' Tenten inquired.

'' I was challenging Sasuke for a duel. ''

'' You mean that Uchiha kid? '' Tenten asked.

'' Yes, and despite being called a genius of his batch, he did not seem to possess any genius-like qualities. ''

'' So did you win? ''

'' I was almost about to finish him, but Gai sensei stopped me. ''

" That's fine and all, but it's getting late, let's just go to the examination hall. " Neji interrupted the both of them, as he had a quick look at his watch.

The Chunin exams were to begin in twenty minutes, what the exams entail for them is not known, but what ever obstacles come yo their way, they will smash it through with everything they had.