The Project

Prompt: Blushing

Words: 473


She could feel her cheeks burning, the heat spreading across her face and up her ears as she hid her face in the shadow provided by her coats fur trimmed hood in embarrassment. She felt the anxiety rising in her chest, almost as if there were a balloon inside of her rapidly expanding and taking up the space usually reserved for air. Sweaty hands fisted in her pockets, she tried to breathe like her doctor had told her to.

"What is the subliminal stimuli trying to tell you? What does your subconscious say to you during your panic attacks?"

"I don't know." She answered in an even tone, surprising herself for not stuttering.

Then again, there was a reason she had chosen Dr. Tsunade over the dozens of other specialists her father had forced her to visit. The blond woman sitting in front of her was stern and relentlessly pushed her to understand and try to overcome her condition. Lady Tsunade, as Hinata had begun to refer to the blond doctor in her head, had gentle hands and had stood up to her father on more than one occasion.

"Are you sure?" Lady Tsunade had insisted.

"The voice…the voice tells me I am weak. It tells me I am worthless."

I am not worthless. Hinata told herself, trying to breathe slowly. I love myself deeply and unconditionally.

There is nothing I should be afraid of.

"Hinata?" A voice broke through her inner mantra. "Are you not feeling well? We can do this another time if you like?"

Sakura's green eyes were kind, she did not give her the judgmental looks she was used to receiving. The lack of empathy she was used to from her own family. The teasing jeers from her classmates.

"Uh..." Her thoughts were racing and it was hard to form a coherent reply.

"Well, Sasuke and Naruto are not here. Those jerks." Sakura huffed, pushing her long pink hair over her shoulder. Unlike Hinata, Sakura had long since shed her coat, opting to lounge against her desk in only their short sleeved summer uniform. "We can't really start without them."

Sakura sighed and continued to mumble about their two tardy teammates under her breath. Hinata's attention was drawn to a small pin on Sakura's shirt collar. The small symbol seemed familiar to her but she could not remember where she had seen it before. A red and white uchiwa, the words brushed across her mind, a small remembrance of a long forgotten memory.

Where have I seen that before?

"Oh, my pin? Sasuke gave it to me a while ago, it's his clan's symbol." Sakura explained with a small smile. "He gave one to Naruto too."

"I really treasure this pin, you know?" Sakura added, brushing a slim finger against the pin in a gentle caress.

Hinata nodded. I understand.


Next: Anatomy

More info about this story in my profile. Will update later today. –origami-zombie