A/N: Hi! This is the first chapter of my first fan fiction in a while now! (Oh, and my first Naruto fan fiction too). In regard to my background knowledge of Naruto, I have seen episodes 1-192 within the first series. I have just begun to watch Shippuden. Nevertheless, I hope that you enjoy this story about a winter's week in Konoha, just after Naruto returns from his training period with Jiraya.
A Change in the Winter Wind
Chapter One: He Has Returned
A ray of soft, early morning light struck the shoji screens of the grand residence and crept soundlessly beneath the quilt where a fifteen year old girl had promptly hidden herself, hoping in desperation to sleep through the entirety of the day. It may just be possible, she thought to herself as she closed her eyes tightly against the red glow of the sunlight. After all, if she had fallen asleep last night, she knew it would only have been for a few minutes at a time. The girl lay there for a while longer, trying to fend off the rays of sunlight attempting to infiltrate her hiding place; and trying not to think about anything, despite the fact that her mind was racing at a painfully fast pace. No, she told herself as footsteps sounded in the hall. No, she begged herself as the morning sunlight beamed down onto her quilt.
"No!" she spoke aloud as sweat ran down her face and her skin prickled underneath her heavy woollen cover.
Kicking at the heavy blanket, the girl managed to free herself from the heat of her bedclothes and push open the shoji screen that opened onto the exterior walkway of the residence. The cold air bit at her pallid skin as she breathed in deeply, water droplets forming at the end of her nose as her warm breath met the freezing winter air. This was the first time in several days that she had allowed for fresh air to flow through her sleeping quarters, and for the stale and sickly smelling air to leave. Looking down at herself, she realised that she had not bathed in several days; and one stroke of her hair revealed that it needed washing. Leaving the shoji screen opened, she stepped carefully over a pile of clean clothing and stared indifferently at her calendar. Slowly, she bent down and picked up a pencil on the floor beneath the calendar and raised it to 'January 16', making a cross in the box below the number. She let the pencil fall to the floor and went to sit on her bed, her face expressionless. Temp, temp, temp…Someone was travelling along the exterior walkway. Jumping up, she bounded to the screen door to close it. Just as she was about to push the door shut a hand placed itself upon the screen, preventing its closure. Peering around the edge of the screen, the girl found herself staring nervously into a pair of confused, clear grey eyes with no pupils. Letting out a small 'eep!' the girl fastened her robe securely and peeled navy blue strands of hair off of her tear-stained face.
"Hinata-sama!"
"Neji-san!"
"Are you feeling well once again? Hiashi-sama informed me that you have been bedridden for the last few days," Neji questioned his cousin.
"Ah…I…I," Hinata stuttered, blushing slightly. She glanced over her shoulder at her calendar, feeling her stomach squirm uncomfortably.
"I…I feel as though I have a stomach virus, Neji-san. There is…no need to worry about me," Hinata finished hoarsely.
This was partly true; her stomach had been troubling her significantly. Her restricted breathing had been too. However Hinata was well aware that this had to do with the fact that her body had been overridden by her anxiety, and not a virus.
"Ah…well I hope that you are feeling better soon. Ah…I am sorry, but I need a spare bandage. Do you have one in here?"
"Oh…yes, let me just-"
Hinata fell to the ground in a heap, her legs giving away. I'm weaker than I realised, she thought as she stared at the uneaten bowl of miso soup on her desk. Neji hurried over to help her into a more dignified position.
"Are your bandages in here?" he asked, gesturing towards her dishevelled backpack.
"Ah, yes, just a mome-"
"Please say sitting down. I can find them."
Sitting on the tatami flooring, Hinata tried her best to hold back the question that was burning on her tongue as she glanced at the calendar once more. Meanwhile, Neji had discovered two pictures of Naruto in Hinata's kunai and shuriken pouch and held them up to the light, squinting at the faded images. Do not be afraid…ask the question. As Hinata turned to Neji prepared to launch her query, she spotted him squinting at the two photographs. Launching herself across the room, she threw herself at the photographs and snatched them from his grip.
"Hinata-sama…" said Neji, clearly bewildered.
"I…I'm very sorry…I just…" Hinata spluttered.
"It is alright. You don't have to explain."
An awkward silence followed. After a period, Neji continued.
"Those photographs made me realise just how much we all must have grown over the past two years."
Now it was Hinata's turn to be bewildered.
"Neji-san…I don't understand…"
"Well, after seeing Naruto the other day…and then looking at these photographs, I realise how much he has changed."
Hinata's eyes widened, her throat dry.
"The…the other day?" she uttered softly. "But today…the sixteenth…that was the day I was told that Naruto-kun was arriving back!" Hinata exclaimed in a strangled, hysterical voice.
"Oh…well…there must have been a change in Jiraya-sama's original plan," replied Neji, slightly taken aback by Hinata's overreaction. Regaining composure he continued. "He has been back for at least three days now. Actually, he most likely arrived in Konoha on the day that you fell ill," finished Neji.
Hinata sighed sadly. "In that case, I suppose I do not have to ask you if Naruto-kun has returned…" Hinata spoke more to herself than to Neji.
"No…I guess that you don't." Neji replied smiling wryly. "Well then…I didn't find any bandages…but I may see you later on then."
"Ah, well…I…I don't know if I will venture outside," replied Hinata, her thoughts on Naruto. I am sorry to trouble you…" Hinata's voice faded away as Neji disappeared onto the exterior walkway.
Crawling over to her bed, Hinata climbed in and pulled the bed clothes over her head once more. It had been over two years since their last meeting. Was he still the same person? Was she still the same person? She didn't feel as though she had changed. She was still a burden to her proud family. Are you going to give up now Hinata? She asked herself. No, because that is not my way of the ninja.
A/N: I recommend this song to accompany this chapter: Waiting by BoA. If you are interested, you can listen to it on YouTube .. Reviews appreciated!