As Sakura made up Hinata's mat she thought about her answer.

"Well, I don't think I like him in the same way you do. I mean, Naruto's one of my best friends and I know he likes me, but I just don't think our personalities match too well. Plus I have this...thing for Sasuke. I know he doesn't think of me that way either but I think he might change now that he doesn't have to focus on killing his brother."

Hinata felt a strange relief at hearing this. She had been under the impression that Sakura liked Naruto as much as she did. If it wasn't for Hinata's cursed shyness she would've admitted her feelings to Naruto long before this. But she just couldn't bring herself to say it. Every time she even started getting close the words would fumble in her mouth and Naruto would get bored or think she was weird and walk away or change the subject. If Sakura had liked Naruto then Hinata probably wouldn't have stood a chance. Sakura seemed to notice Hinata's relief and said, "Don't get me wrong though, something might pop up between us. Feelings change and maybe someday you won't even like Naruto as much as you do now."

Hinata shook her head and said, "No, I'll always feel this way about Naruto. I've never felt differently about him. I've just never been able to say what I feel. I just get so nervous."

Sakura patted her on the back and said, "It takes time to get up the courage to tell someone you love them. What you need is a friend to help you through it."

Hinata looked at Sakura in surprise and said, "You'll help me?"

Sakura nodded and said, "But I don't think it would do much good at this point. He's so obsessed with me I think you'd just turn him off by telling him you loved him out of the blue. Instead, you just have to be more open with him. Get to know him better."

Hinata nodded slowly, her heart beating faster just thinking about getting closer to Naruto. She lay down on the mat and said, "This is all so sudden. I-I don't know if I can handle this."

Sakura climbed into her own bed and said, "Don't worry about it. With me helping you it'll be a cinch."

Sakura turned out the light and pulled her blankets up high, moving lower down in bed to keep warm, sighing in contentment. Hinata sighed and looked up at the dark ceiling Naruto's face appearing out of the darkness. She blushed as she saw his usual grin and whispered, "Naruto..."

She sighed and turned on her side wondering what was going to happen in the coming days.