To get stronger

The sun shone down upon the village hidden in the leaves. It's bright rays shining light upon the buildings, revealing villagers preparing for the new day. The distant sound of kunais could be heard from the training grounds while children's excited voices were recieved in the shinobi's ears as they passed the academy's gates.
As the purple haired Hyuuga heiress closed the gates to her own compound, her body to turned to face her destination. Her pearl eyes focused only on that one location. From afar, the Hokage's tower could be seen looming over the rest, the respect this one place produced radiating around her with each step she took.
Hinata Hyuuga, the seventenn year old Hyuuga heiress, was someone no one could replace. Her dark purple hair covered her rare eyes as they were diverted downward to avoid unwanted attention. Her fingers interlocked at her mid-stomach as they tapped together in a nervous fashion. The sound of her faint footsteps could hardly be heard even from the most skilled of men and women.
Few who have not spoken to her bowed slightly to show their respect. As a sign of embarassment, her blush grew with each gesture. Her footsteps quickned to avoid any more welcomes and within minutes she faced the Hokage's door, her hand raised to produce a small knock on the painted red wood.
"Come in." A voice called from the other side, signaling her to slowly turn the knob. Her body walked across the small entrance to reveal the current Hokage.
Tsunade, the sixth Hokage and one of the legendary sannin, sat behind her wide desk. Papers covered the lower part of her face, blocking it from view, as the stamp she held heavily pressed on approved missions and buisness from other villages that had become their allies. Her eyes showed the leader's lack of sleep but still held a glow which shone with the determination of protecting and keeping the village in order.
"You wanted to see me, Hokage-sama?" Hinata's stutter had improved since her first years as a genin but her words still stumbled when Naruto came her direction.
"Yes. I have a very important matter to discuss with you." Tsunade's hands clasped together and she brought it to her face. "You have proven to be a sucessful kunochi. I have considered this idea with ease and no worry. I have requested you a role as a member in the Anbu."
Hinata's eyes widened with shock as the Hokage's words filled her ears. Her stutter was released from the prison she tried so hard to create as she replied while she casted her gaze downward. Her fingers combined once again and they hit each other lightly as a way to cause distraction.
"T-thank y-you so much H-hokage-sama. But I-I am afraid I h-have to refuse. A-anbu is a very high ranking and I-I d-don't think I am capable for the p-position. I a-am not strong enough."
"Nonense. You are one of our strongest shinobis." Hinata's head lowered to look at the wooden floor below her. Her feet making small noises as they moved in small movements.
"I-I'm sorry, Hokage-sama. I-I have to r-refuse." The Hokage sighed, closing her eyes in the process. But a small smirk graced her features as she spoke.
"Very well. But you must perform a mission for the cost of the refusal."
"Yes."
"As you know, tonight is the annual winter festival. I want you to be the one to do the ceremonial dance under the trees in the training grounds. Create a dance that suits your style and be ready to preform it tonight."
"Understood." She nodded briefly and awaited for the rest of the instructions.
"You will arrive at eight. Please just head to the front where I will be waiting. You are dismissed." Hinata bowed and quietly walked toward the door she had entered not so long ago. Closing the door shut, Tsunade smiled from the other side before returning to the work lying before her.
Hinata's back hit the wall beside the entrance to the room, her eeys closed shut as she replayed the event in her mind. But it focused on the one line she believed was true.
She wasn'tstrong enough. She couldn't even get Naruto's, the one she loved, attention.
Shaking her head from the thoughts, she decided to head over to the training grounds. Practice would be needed to accomplish such a big role.
Checking the clock on a nearby wall, her eyes scanned over the numbers on the small machine. 2:00. She had six hours to perfect a dance she didn't even know where to begin.
Forming a few hand signs, the transportation jutsu was formed. This would save her the time that would be wasted walking across the village to her destination. With a puff of smoke, she dissappeared from the hallway.

***

Hours passed by before she was certain and confident that she could get passed the dance without messing up. With two hours left to spare, she decided that one hour of training would kill the time before she had to prepare for the upcoming event.
Grabbing two kunais from her holster and activating her Byakugan, her eyes fixed upon the targets lining the forest.
The time though passed quickly and she regretted the number of missed kunai lieing just within range of the red and white boards. Completly ignoring the ones that had correctly landed in the center of the circle, she sighed and sat upon a root of a tree. Her back resting against the cold base watching as the leaves gently drifting doen from their prisons.
The sweat beaded her face as she closed her eyes, resting them from her special ocular jutsu.
"I wish Naruto could see that I exist. That he could finally see how much I love him. But I am not stong enough." She whispered to herself as she rose and dusted the dirt off her pant. Walking toward her home after a long day, she planned to spend the next hour preparing herself mentally and physically for the dance she was to perform in front of the whole village.
Little did she know that Naruto was watching her the whole time, watching in amazement as she hit targets even he could not find. Frowning slightly at her last comment, he rushed off to prepare for the festival.

***

The bright sunlight slowly faded to reveal the pure white moon rising above the horizon, giving just enough light for villagers to find their way to the grassy lands where the Hyuuga heiress was to perform her ceremonial dance.
Little did they know that she was already there, leaning against a tree's base and trying to let the wind calm her nerves. People started to file in and sit upon the wet grass while other sat in the trees, sitting in branches while holding their ones. From the corner of her eye, she caught her best friend Sakura hugging her boyfriend Sasuke. Both dressed in tradional kimonos. They held each other closely as they sat in the nearest tree to her nature stage. Little did Sakura know that Sasuke was going to propose tonight.She smiled at the thought of having her best friend coming to watch her perform and it calmed her more.
Hinata's purple kimono fit her perfectly. Light purple growing darker on it's way to the bottom while a dark purple sash was tied around her waist. It was simple but fit her personality well. Something that showed she may be shy but deep inside she was normal and wanted to express her feelings. Unforunatly, she couldn't in ways other could.
She walked toward Tsunade slowly, taking her time to review the movements she learned early today. But the time was not enough as she reached the Hokage quickly.
"Are you ready, Hinata?" The Hokage asked with a kind look in her eyes. Hinata nodded and looked toward the crowd. From the ditance she noticed Naruto watching her and only her. She blushed a deep red and turned to the Hokage once again.
The lanterns dimmed as the drums were tapped lightly by the musicans. Strings were pulled on a single guitar as the composer perfomed her work along with the band. The soft melody invited Hinata to start as she pulled a thin katana from her back slowly.
She danced slowly with the weapon, lightly throwing it when the beats were hit with more force than normal. Each throw caught on time and no mistakes found in the movements. She set aside the sword and swirled around, her kimono swaying around her while her hair covered her eyes once more.
But she stopped and raised her hands to do the simple movements with elegance. Her eyes never leaving either the weapon or her hands when they were needed for her graceful movements.
To many, it told a story. Each different from one another but the meaning the same. Sorrow filled emotion that can be later filled with happiness.
When the dance ended, everyone clapped. Most rose from their spot and applauded with so much emotion. Some were even brought to tears. She bowed and walked to Tsunade. Both of their facial feature graced with a smile. But as Hinata's eyes looked down, she noticed the Hokage held an Anubu outfit.
"Wha-?"
"You have proven to be you are a great ninja. Along with a brain and amazing fighting skills, an Anbu must be graceful to walk with no sound and dodge attacks from highly skilled opponents. Welcome to the Anbu black ops." Her smile grew wider as Hinata's eyes shone with fresh tears and she bowed with appreciation.
"Thank you so much Hokage-sama. Thank you so much for not giving up on me."
"You are strong Hinata. You have to see that you are capable of so much." She nodded fiercly and took the outfit with care. "Now do, others want to see you." She indicated toward her frieds waiting at the edge of the grounds, waiting to congraulate their friend.
As she walked their slowly, she was immediately wrapped in a hug by Sakura. "You did great Hinata!" She proclaimed.
"Thank you so much." The attention she got was all so much and her face turned red from all the compliments. EVeryone laughed as they watched their rd grow red with embarassment.
But when they all decided to head home, she watched as everyone left with their respected other. Sakura was walking home with Sasuke, a small box held behind his back as he took her to the cherry blossom park. Neji walked slowly with his girlfriend, Tenten while Shikamaru walked home with his wife Temari.
She sighed as she walked home and sadness filled her features. She wanted Naruto to realize her feelings already. But what surprised her was the bouquet of rose awaiting her at her doorstep.
Hinata gently picked up the fragile flowers and looked for the card. Inside she found it wrapped with a small package at the back. Opening it with care, she read the contents and gasped.
I am sorry I didn't realize it sooner. I love you. You have gotten stronger.
-Naruto.
Pulling out the small package, it produced a necklace. On it was the design of small roses forming a larger one. All gracefully forming a heart. She clutched the necklace in her hand placed it on her heart and closed her eyes as more tears filled her face.
"Do you like it?" She gasped at the voice and swiftly turned around to see the guy of her dreams.
"Y-yes. I love it Naruto-kun." He smiled and walked up to, placing his arms around her waist. His forhead rested against hers as a blush formed on her cheeks.
"I'm glad." He said before connecting their lips for a sweet kiss. "I love you Hinata."
"I love you too Naruto-kun. And I always will." Maybe they were all right. She had gotten stronger. Both as a shinobi and in her emotions.