Stolen Bonds
by
Chad 'Graeystone' Harger
Chapter 1
xxxxx
Hinata took a breath to calm herself. It was easy at first telling Naruto how she felt about him. She felt no pain as Pain injured her. Her feelings at that moment were stronger than any injury or fear. Later Hinata was proud for Naruto to be accepted by the village. Hinata purposely kept her distance to give them both time to think about what happened in that moment. She herself was busy worrying about her father and sister who not returned from their mission for another two weeks. When they returned and saw the devastated village, Hiashi did not say anything for days and for the first time Hinata saw her stoic little sister cry. Hinata spent her time helping her clan rebuild what they lost. Over time things quieted down for her clan and the village. With some days off Hinata decided to finally talk to Naruto.
Hinata meditated for most of the morning and did her best to keep herself calm while standing in front of Naruto's apartment building. Jumping into that fight was easier than starting a heart to heart talk with the man she loved. Hinata gathered her courage and knocked on the apartment door. She heard thumping sounds from inside. Hinata was worried something happened to him.
"Just a second!" yelled Naruto from inside.
Naruto opened the door. He was rubbing his left shoulder.
"Naruto-kun, are you alright?" asked Hinata with concern.
"I banged my shoulder trying a new Taijutsu technique," answered Naruto with a weak laugh.
"I-I did not mean to interrupt," said Hinata with embarrassment.
"It's fine," said Naruto. "Come on in."
"T-thank you," said Hinata.
She went in and was proud she was doing good so far. She only stuttered twice and no fainting spells came over her. So far so good she thought to herself.
Hinata went inside Naruto's apartment and her heart went out to him. The majority of ninjas lived a spartan lifestyle. Naruto had less than that. The only sign he owned something else besides the bare essentials was a photo of Team Seven on a small table. Next to the picture a plastic vase with elaborate paper flowers in it. A picture without a frame of Naruto's new team drawn by Sai was tacked to the wall.
"Have a seat," said Naruto. "I ran out of tea. I have some drinks in the fridge."
"Water is fine," said Hinata.
Hinata sat at Naruto's dinner table. It was the only place to sit besides a dusty and beat up sofa. Hinata roughed it in the outdoors plenty of times but she still had her pride. She also did not want to be that close to Naruto just yet. Naruto sat across from Hinata. "What brings a pretty girl like you here?"
Hinata fought like hell to keep her head from lowering in shyness. "Naruto-kun we need to talk about what I did when you fought Pain. What I said and how I felt and will always feel."
"You were there?" asked Naruto. "Most of the fight is a blur but I would have remembered you."
Hinata's hand shook as she put the cup down. "D-don't you remember w-why you became the m-monster?"
"Pain pushed me over the edge. I couldn't handle what he was saying and I just lost it," said Naruto.
Hinata's world and feelings turned to shattered pieces. It was the worst thing that happened. Hinata was prepared for him to say he did not love her and they remained good friends. Naruto not remembering her brief involvement was too much for her.
Forgetting to push back her chair Hinata stood up fast and banged her knee against the table. Her glass fell over and the water poured out. Hinata looked at the water on the table. She would have cleaned it up but the suffocating feeling in her heart was too much and she had to get out of there.
"Don't leave," said Naruto.
Naruto grabbed Hinata's shoulder to stop her. "Don't touch me!" yelled Hinata. She instinctively jabbed Naruto's bicep with a Gentle Touch technique. Naruto pulled his arm back and ran out of the apartment.
Naruto closed the door and got a cloth to clean up the spilled water. "Who was that odd girl?" he asked himself while cleaning up the mess.
xxxxx
Ino walked to the exit of Shikamaru's family forest with a bag full of herbs and plants. When Pain destroyed the village most of the medical equipment and supplies went with it. The surrounding forests survived the attack so it was not a total loss. The lack of equipment made things harder. With natural cures many illnesses can be taken care of. Ino's knowledge of botany from working in the family's flower shop and her medical training Ino volunteered to make sure the newly rebuilt hospital was stocked while Sakura and Shizune went to other villages and cities to buy more available medicine.
At the forest entrance Ino felt the presence of another person. She looked around and heard the faint sound of crying. She followed the sounds of crying to the source. Hinata sat against a tree and was crying and shaking. Ino never saw Hinata in this state before. When Neji was beating her to death Hinata refused to cry or waver. Ino had new found respect for the mousy timid girl who refused to stay down. To see her like this was a shock.
"Hinata did something happen?" asked Ino.
Hinata jerked and looked up with closed eyes. Her face was wet with tears. "O-h I-I-Ino-san."
Ino sat down beside Hinata. "Boy trouble by the name of Naruto."
"Y-y-you cannot see me like t-t-his," said Hinata.
"I won't tell anyone," said Ino. "You finally told him you feel."
"Y-y-yes," said Hinata.
"Naruto doesn't love you like you thought he would or was never interested," added Ino.
"I-i-it was worse," said Hinata.
"How can it be worse than that?" asked Ino.
"He didn't recognize me. It was as if he saw me for the first time," answered Hinata.
Ino was stunned. She knew the stories between Hinata and Naruto. Ino was there during the mess with Neji. There was a rumor that Hinata offered to help Naruto cheat during the Chunin test. Most recent was Hinata jumping into Naruto's fight with Pain. Everyone in the village knew how Hinata felt. Ino realized the only one who did not know was Naruto.
Ino felt uncomfortable talking to Hinata while her eyes were closed. "Open your eyes," said Ino.
"You don't want-
"No arguments," interrupted Ino.
Hinata opened her left eye. The white of her eyes were pure blood red.
"Your eye!" said Ino.
"It is bloodshot from crying so much. The Hyuuga do not let outsiders see this part of us. It becomes uneasy for us and them," explained Hinata after closing her eye. "I wanted to get home before my crying got too bad. Even with Byakugan I was too flustered to make my way home. Shikamaru's family forest was closer." She blushed and added, "I hope Shikamaru-kun will not be angry."
Ino stifled a laugh. Shikamaru and his family acted tough about protecting their forest from intruders. They did not mind if villagers entered as long as they did not make a mess of it. It was against invaders that they had no mercy. Ino took a key from her bag and put it in Hinata's hand.
"Shikamaru won't mind because we won't tell him. My parents are away on a mission and won't be back for a couple of days," said Ino. "You can use my room to rest. I'll guide you there."
Hinata stood up with a thoughtful look on her face. "Byakugan. I can find my way." She faced Ino and bowed politely and said, "Thank you Ino-kun."
"You're welcome," said Ino.
Ino picked up her bag and headed to the hospital. Each step she took she became angrier by the second for what Naruto did. Finishing her errands she told herself she would make Naruto remember Hinata even if she had to beat him to a pulp to do it.
xxxxx
Naruto walked down a street with Shikamaru and Choji talking about the things they did during the three years Naruto was away.
"The con was that this group would set up a food eating contest and rip off villagers," Shikamaru said to Naruto. "The plan was for Choji to pose as a villager. Choji purposely reduced his mass to look like he couldn't eat a piece of fruit. I was surprised the con artists fells for it."
"And I won of course," said Choji. "Best mission ever!"
Naruto laughed and said, "You'll love this one. Pervy Sage pissed off a bunch of kunoichi and-
Naruto stopped in mid step and his body went rigid. The other two took extra steps before realizing Naruto stopped walking. They turned to Naruto who stood stiff. "Naruto?" asked Shikamaru.
"You're using your shadow thingy on me," said Naruto.
"No," said Shikamaru.
"You're a dead man Naruto!" yelled Ino from behind.
She ran up to Naruto and punched him the face and his head snapped back.
"What the hell!" said Choji.
"This is for Hinata and what you did to her!" screamed Ino.
She punched Naruto in stomach. He could not bend over or have any internal reflex. He hacked to keep his gag reflex quiet.
"That's enough!" ordered Shikamaru.
"Not until this asshole apologizes to Hinata," said Ino.
"Who is Hinata?" asked Naruto.
Choji half coughed up a chip he was in the middle of swallowing. Shikamaru was too stunned for words. One way or another they either witnessed or heard the stories concerning Hinata and Naruto.
Ino grabbed Naruto by his shoulders. "You. . ." said Ino whose anger and voice trailed off. She saw Naruto's eyes flicker back and forth. "You. . .it can't be," she said.
Naruto went limp and Ino helped to stand. In a rarity she said bowed and apologized.
"Could someone tell me what is going on?" he asked. He started to to rub his bicep. "Damn it you really hurt me. What did you do to me?"
"I used a mental technique from my clan to keep you from moving," said Ino. "Let me see your arm."
"So you can rip it off," said Naruto.
Ino did not have to see Naruto's arm to heal it but it would be easier. She placed a hand over his arm and sensed a few chakra points were blocked. It was from Gentle Fist. Tsunade taught her to sense the signs. "How did you hurt your arm?" she asked.
"Must have pulled a muscle while training," said Naruto.
Ino frowned as Naruto's eyes again batted back and forth. She unblocked the chakra points as best as she could. "There's no real damage. Rest your arm for the day and it'll be fine by morning. If you'll excuse me I need to talk to my teammates."
"Ok," said Naruto who was not sure what happening. "I'll see you guys later."
"I have a question before you go," said Ino.
"Make it short," said Naruto with irritation.
"Why did you fight Neji?" asked Ino.
"He was a jerk who kept going on about destiny and kept saying a loser is always a loser," said Naruto.
"Was that the only reason?" continued Ino.
"Not that I can think of," answered Naruto. "You guys were there."
Shikamaru and Choji stood there with their mouths wide open. They were witnesses to both fights and the story was practically a legend among the Genin. Hinata's dried blood was still in the arena left as a sign of a Genin who refused to give up.
"That was close," said Ino after Naruto was out of listening range. "Should have known that was case."
"I'd like an explanation," said Shikamaru. "First you're about to beat him to a pulp then stop and did I hear him say he didn't know who Hinata was. She was one of the reason why he fought Neji. How the hell could he forget that?"
Ino looked at her friends. Her face was filled with a disturbed expression. "You're right Shikamaru. Naruto has no memories whatsoever of Hinata."
To be continued . . .