Do Opposites Attract?®

Chapter 8: Tutor & Reconciler.

Hinata was excited, the day of tutoring Naruto was finally at hand. Although granted, it's only been a few days since she promised she would be his tutor. The situation with Naruto and her friends didn't improve, Naruto going off on his own during break, not lingering around Hinata for too long once the siren wails. This saddened Hinata to no end, sure he wasn't ignoring her but he was limiting their interactions for the sake of not speaking to the others.

And so, the siren wailed which indicated it was the end of the day, everyone leaving, Hinata and the others still packing up, Hinata frowning when she noticed the blonde had left already. They had planned to meet in the library after school. She hoped he'd still come. "I saw him just leave." Sakura says from behind, placing her hand on Hinata's shoulder. The young Hyuga nodding her head gently with a small yet disappointed smile on her face. "He run away again." Kiba says coming towards them "What a whiner, still being upset." He scoffs, the chair being pushed back as Hinata quickly stood up, almost glaring at Kiba at what he said "Hinata?" He questions confused, as she looked away "You don't get it do you? It's because of your constant petty harassment." Sakura stated, soon the classroom only consisted of Hinata, Sakura, Shikamaru, Choji, Temari and Ino. Ten-Ten leaving for her assignment and Sasuke not interested in the matter. "Harassment? Even though you guys assumed the same thing?!" He retorts "I know!" Sakura admits "But even before then you were going at him. All because Hinata was being nice to him?" She spits at him, Kiba clicked his tongue at what she says.

"And do you really think Naruto isn't talking to us because he's upset, Kiba?" Shikamaru asks, Kiba looked at him confused "Isn't he?" Kiba questions, Shikamaru merely sighed "Think about it, we've only known him for a few days and within that time we've done nothing but assume the worst, attack and insult him. There's no room for any friendship to grow from that." Shika carried on explaining "I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't even see us as friends." Kiba looked down at this statement, so did Hinata who was hurting the most "I-I-It's my fault... I-I caused him so much trouble..." She says softly "Screw that Hinata! How could he not see you as a friend after how nice you've been-" Shikamaru merely laughed lightly at Kiba "You still don't get it do you, out of us all, Hinata is the only one Naruto sees as a friend." He states, Hinata looked at Shikamaru puzzled, Kiba was too "Think about it. He avoids Hinata so no more trouble can be stirred by both you and Neji." At these words, Hinata clenched her fist as she felt her heart tighten up.

"And for crying out loud Kiba--" Shikamaru continued "Naruto picked a fight with Neji of all people, did you really think he was scared of you? Despite all your provocations, he never once attempted to hit you first." He finished finally, sighing lightly "Why...?" Kiba asked in a low growl "It's obvious--" Shikamaru started "I-It's because y-you're my friend..." Hinata finished, looking at Kiba, who's countenance showed nothing but frustration, not being able to look at Hinata for long, looking at Shikamaru again "Then why did he fight Neji, that's Hinata's family..." Shikamaru shrugged at the question "N-Naruto-san told me... That Neji wasn't fighting for me, th-that he was fighting for himself." Hinata realizes "So?" Kiba questions, as though that wasn't a suffice answer "So, you idiot, you've been fighting for Hinata-chan this whole time and if he did fight you, who would take all the blame?" Sakura answered, making it all the more clearer for Kiba.

Hinata's hand was white from the way she squeezed them together, nodding her head briefly as she picked up her bag as she began walking out of the class "Where are you going?" Kiba asked "To tutor N-Naruto-san, I promised I'd help him." Hinata said with a smile, Sakura nodded her head smiling in turn "Go, we'll deal with Kiba." She states, Kiba looked at Sakura with concern, and then at everyone else, as his fear grew.

Hinata merely left quickly, almost running to the library but the closer she got, the slower she became and the heavier her heart weighed. Realizing everything Naruto did thus far to get along with her friends. Until she finally got to the library, finding Naruto sitting, to her relief, with books as she came from behind.