Please excuse the lack of author's notes in my other stories. I have a limited time on my computer before it dies, and I usually am in such a hurry to post them up that I forget that I have to add the author's notes BEFORE I post it up on FF. I'm so smartical.
Disclaimer: My ideal Naruto would have TWICE the blood, MORE fillers, FASTER episode debuts, LESS flashbacks, A LOT of romance (especially NejiTen…), and TONS of random totally pointless funny episodes. Now, you tell me… Do I own Naruto? No.
Waiting
"No."
He turned around to face her in surprise, and her eyes were cold, flashing in the light.
"What?" he said, dumbstruck by her abruptness.
She took one step forward and laid her hand on the wall.
"Hinata…"
"I said no." she repeated, raising her head a little in determination.
I can do this…
For him.
"But…"
"I'm sorry, but… I don't like you back."
There. I said it.
"O-oh…"
She hates breaking his heart like this…
But she must do it.
For him.
"Why?"
His question caught her off guard, and when she sees his hurt look, she can feel a little bit of her old, fragile self trying to resurface.
But she stilled her shaking and answered with the same words she always did.
"I'm waiting."
His eyes softened a little bit.
"Hinata…"
"Don't use that tone with me, Kiba."
"But-"
"Don't!" she rose her voice to show him she meant it, and he flinched and lowered his head in defeat.
He sighed. "I just hate to see you like this."
"What's wrong with this?" she rose her voice more in agitation.
"Listen to you." Kiba growled angrily. "Hinata wasn't like that before Him."
"You're right, she wasn't! She was scared, shy, and completely obedient! Is that what you prefer?! Does this scare you?!" she spat back spitefully, her eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Hinata, listen to me!"
"No!" Hinata clamped her hands over her ears and shut her eyes, but Kiba wrenched her hands down roughly.
"Hinata, listen to me, now!" he demanded harshly, but she struggled to get out of his grip still.
"He isn't coming back!"
Hinata ceased her struggling and looked up slowly, opening her eyes at the same time to glare at him defiantly.
"He isn't coming back! He's a good guy, but he won't come back for you, Hinata! He won't! He-"
"Shut up!" she cut in angrily, wrenching her wrists out of his clawed hands. He stopped and looked like he had been slapped.
Hinata never told anyone to shut up.
"He will come back." She whispered, backing away, her gaze dropped like she was ashamed of herself far having such an outburst.
"Let's pretend this never happened."
Kiba turned away abruptly to hide his hurt and shocked expression.
"Fine."
Hinata turned away to go home, but Kiba's voice stopped her mid-step.
"Hinata… for your sake, I really hope he comes back."
Hinata smiled softly and brought her hands to her heart in the familiar gesture many interpreted as scared or sad or embarrassed.
But she wasn't any of those.
She was clinging to the hope that he would come back, like only by clasping onto the invisible thread would it happen.
She held tight with both hands the memories.
Of him.
"Thank you Kiba."
Kiba walked off, but she clung to her hope tightly, silently willing with her mind so hard she trembled and clasping her hands together so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
I know you will come back…
I'll wait for you forever…
Naruto-kun.
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