A/N New story I've had on my mind for awhile. Hope everyone likes it. Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto nor any of it's awesome characters.
Hinata awoke sudden with fright.
A strong force pressed hard against her chest, making it difficult to breath. She tried opening her eyes, but the light, it was too bright. Her mind reeled as she slowly regained control of consciousness.
"W-Who's there?"
"Mreowr."
"Ji Ji?" Hinata stared in shock. It was her neighbor's cat, making itself comfortable atop Hinata's chest. "How did you get in here?"
The question was stupid; she knew exactly how he got in. Ji Ji belonged to a kind, elderly lady in the next apartment over. Anytime the woman opened her window, the cat would roam out on the balcony, scaling its way over to other open windows. It's not that Ji Ji was unhappy with his owner, he was just a very curious and adventurous cat. This wasn't the first time he made his way into Hinata's room, nor was she the only one. Luckily Ji Ji didn't seem to annoy anyone, he even got treats on occasion.
Ji Ji responded with an accomplished meow as he gracefully jumped from Hinata to the floor.
Gently, Hinata sat up. She felt silly letting an animal scare her like that. The alarm on her table glowed 6:00 A.M. An hour earlier than Hinata usually woke up, but there was no point in going back to bed. Ji Ji rubbed against Hinata's legs as she stood up to stretch.
Knock knock knock
Hinata stopped mid-yawn, "Who could that be so early?"
Ji Ji tilted his head in response, following behind Hinata as she left the bedroom.
"Who is it?" Hinata asked behind the front door.
"It's me, Cousin, sorry to come so early."
" Neji," Hinata started to unlock the door. "Just a moment."
"Sorry again," Neji said as he stepped into the small living room. "I thought I'd check up on you, it had been awhile since my last visit and I was already in town."
Hinata nodded, happy to see him. Neji came over to check on her anytime he got the chance. It worried him that she lived alone.
"Would you like some coffee?"
"Please, I'm still not yet completely functional." Neji smirked as he took in Hinata's disheveled bed head. "And from the looks of it, you could use a cup too."
Hinata smiled, stumbling her way into the kitchen. Both of them were morning people but it still took them a little time to get moving. "How's Tenten doing?"
Neji took a seat by the kitchen table. "She's fine, a little stressed out. You know how hard school can be." Water came pouring from the faucet as Hinata filled up the coffee pot. "She wanted to come with me, but she had to work, she told me to tell you that she misses you."
The coffee pot made a loud snap as Hinata shut the lid. "I miss her too."
Hinata thought back fondly of their time in high school. Because Hinata had always been a shy girl, it was hard for her to make friends, but when she met Tenten they quickly hit it off.
After graduation Neji asked for Tenten's hand in marriage. They lived in Konoha for awhile but moved to the next city over so Tenten could finish her schooling.
"So," Neji started, "have you thought anymore about moving in with us?"
Hinata bit her bottom lip. "I'm still not sure."
Neji sighed. "I think it would do you a lot of good. Get away from this town, away from your father."
"It's not so bad." Hinata grabbed two cups. "He's finally accepted me being a nurse, though, he'd still rather me work for him.
Neji nodded. "Understandably so, the Hyuga Pharmacy is what shaped our name into what it is; your father doesn't want to lose that. That's why he's so stern about you taking over the family business. That and, he doesn't want his name being tarnished because his first daughter is living the life of a pauper."
Hinata started to speak up but Neji stopped her. "I'm not agreeing with him, personally, I could not be more proud of you. You've struggled hard to get where you are, refusing to ask for any help. Albeit, at first I believed you were making a mistake; why give up the chance to take over your father's business? But I see now, for you, it's not about status. You pride yourself in helping others, but I really feel you could accomplish more if you came live with us. You could save your money, go back to college, become someone your father can be proud of without following in his foot steps."
Hinata sighed. Why did this have to be so hard? Her father would never understand. Hinata's eyes roamed over her kitchen. She didn't have much, just a wood table big enough for two, pressed against the back wall. The opposing side was occupied by an old, dingy,white stove, four light brown cabinets with a dark gray counter top, followed by a white refrigerator with a dent on the side. Her father was right, Hinata was poor, but she was a lot luckier than most others. She worked hard to live an independent life, outside of her overbearing father's rein.
The light from the coffee pot went out, indicating it was finished. Cautiously she poured the hot steaming goodness into each cup. "I don't know. I just started working at the nursing home a few months ago. I have to wait at least six months before I can transfer. Also, Tenten will be graduating soon and after that I know you two will be ready to start your family. I don't want to be a burden on you guys."
"Hinata, you know better to think like that. We'd love to have you, plus it would put you closer to your mother. I know how much you miss her, you've barely gotten to see her since the divorce."
It was true. Hinata did miss her, more than anything. She wouldn't tell Neji this, but she couldn't completely abandon her father. Sure, he was a very hard man to love, but as long as her little sister, Hanabi, was with their mother, Hinata would stay close to her father. He would never say or show it but Hinata was sure he got lonely.
Neji eyed the clock on the microwave. "Ah, I have to get going." He gulped down the rest of his coffee and stood up. "Think about it some more, I'll be in touch."
Hinata nodded, following behind her cousin. "Be careful."
"I will" Neji gave her a quick hug, shutting the door behind him.
Hinata eyed Ji Ji cleaning himself on the couch and let out a sigh. "Well kitty, looks like it's just you and me again." She giggled as the cat looked up, gave her a meow, and went back to cleaning his nether regions.
The small clock on the end table showed 6:47 A.M. Still a few minutes before she had to start getting ready, but she didn't want to put it off any longer. A shower was definitely first on her agenda.
"Come on Ji Ji, it's time for you to go home. I have to go to work now." Hinata swept the cat up by his stomach, holding him securely to her chest. "You don't want to worry Miss Mable now, do you?" Thankfully, he didn't do his normal protest, giving Hinata the chance to grab her car keys and lock the door behind her with little trouble.
She didn't have to walk but a few feet down the aged hallway before she was knocking on the elderly lady's door.
Hinata giggled softly as a silver haired lady peeked through her chain locked door. "Who is it?"
"It's me, Hinata."
"Ah!" Mable's voice brightened. "Just a moment, dear."
Hinata smiled to herself as she waited for the sweet woman to unlock her many chains. Mable was a very kind lady in her early eighties. Hinata felt bad for her because she lived alone. She didn't have any children to look after her and her husband had been dead going on ten years. The only one she had to keep her company was her cat. Hinata often did anything she could to help her out, whether it be running errands for her or just simply visiting for a few hours.
"Oh no, not again." Mable frowned when she say Jiji in Hinata's arms. "How many times do I have to tell you Jiji? Don't go wondering into the other people's apartments."
Hinata pressed her lips tight in amusement. Jiji leaped from Hinata's arms and casually walked into his home.
"I apologize, Hinata. I may have to end up keeping the door closed of the mornings."
"Oh no, you're here loves him. Besides, he's been my alarm clock on quite a few occasions."
Mable smiled in appreciation. "Do you have time to come in for some tea?"
"Unfortunately, I have to leave for work or I would."
Mable nodded understandingly. "Maybe next time then. I hope you have a wonderful day."
"Thank you, Mable. Is there anything you would like me to pick up for you when I get off this evening?"
"Oh . . . Let me think." Mable scrunched her nose up in thought. "If it's not too much trouble would you mind picking up some cat litter?"
"Of course." Hinata smiled, happy to help.
"Bless you child!" Mable beamed. "Let me go get you some money from my purse."
Hinata nodded and waited patiently. Her previous conversation with Neji came to mind. If she moved to the next town with her cousin, would Mable have anyone here to watch over her? The thought deeply troubled her. Everyone here was kind to the old woman, out of respect, but no one made an effort to befriend her like Hinata had.
She tried not to dwell on it.
"Here you are dear." Mable said, handing Hinata a twenty dollar bill. "This should be enough, keep the change as gratitude."
"Thank you. I'll stop back by after work."
"Bless you again child."
Hinata said her goodbyes and made her way down the outside hall. She lived on the third floor of her building. It wasn't so bad, it offered a better view than the other floors. But it could be a hassle when it came to carrying groceries.
An intercom sounded out through a small nursing home. "Nurse Hinata, you're needed in room 203 stat, I repeat, Hinata room 203."
"Uh-oh, looks like the biter is at it again, I feel sorry for you, Hinata."
"Sakura!" Hinata frowned. "Don't be mean, his name is, George."
"Right, well, looks like George is at it again, better hurry before he breaks his dentures off into someone else's arm. Remember that last girl? It took thirteen stitches to patch her up."
Hinata shot Sakura a hopeless look. "I'll see you later."
"Thirteen stitches!" Sakura yelled as Hinata ran from the break room.
The day had flown by with minimal trouble. Hinata counted herself lucky she managed to make it all the way to the last hour of her shift and was only now being called for an emergency. Even though she had only been working at the Konoha Assisted Living Facility for a few months, calming down George had become one of her many unique responsibilities.
Hinata shook her head recalling Sakura's comments. She didn't like it when her coworkers made fun of the elderly. They can't always help how they act.
She opened the door. Sounds of distress swept into the hallway. "Is everything alright?"
"Hinata! Thank God!" An exasperated nurse called out. "Can you please do something with him before we're forced to use sedation again."
Hinata frowned for the second time. "Oh George, whatever is it this time?"
"My son, they've hid him from me! I want to see my son!" The elderly man cried out.
Gently, Hinata sat beside him. It was patients like George that broke her heart. His son admitted him two years ago and never so much as called to check on him, let alone take the time to visit. " Shh, George, it's alright." Hinata placed her arm over the trembling man's shoulders. "Has he had his bath yet?"
"Bath?" The nurse scoffed. "We're lucky if we can get him out of bed."
"Now George, you need to take a bath, you want to look good for your son when he comes don't you?" It bothered Hinata deeply to use that tactic, but what else could she do? If she didn't calm him down he would be sedated. If the others couldn't learn how to handle him he would be forced to leave. And with no family to take him in . . . She didn't want to think what would happen to him.
"Hinata, we hate to leave," one of the nurses said, "but, we need to attend to the other patients, can you please take care of him?"
"Of course." Hinata watched as the three nurses left, all looking like hell.
"They took him, those horrible people, I know they did!" George cried as Hinata shut his door.
"I promise you, they didn't take him." She rubbed his back tenderly. "I bet he's just playing hide and seek, you know how much he loves that game."
"Ah yes," George chuckled, finally starting to calm down. "Why, it was just yesterday when the Misses found him hiding under the . . ."
Cautiously, she coaxed him to the bathroom as she listened to his story, relieved for the moment of peace his feeble mind allowed him.
Hinata let out a weary sigh as she turned off her car. Looking after George had sapped the last of her energy, but she still needed to pick up some cat litter for Mable before going home.
"Ma'am, could you please point me in the direction of the litter." Hinata asked the young clerk who was propped up behind the counter reading a fashion magazine.
The cashier sighed as if the thought of helping Hinata was just too inconvenient. "Last isle, all the way down on the left."
"Thank you." Hinata said, but her gratitude fell on deaf ears as the young clerk shoved her face back into her magazine.
Considering it was nearly six in the evening the store was empty. The only other customer, aside from herself, was a red headed man, that looked to be Hinata's age. He was coincidentally on the same isle she needed to be.
Hinata apologized as she briefly slipped past him to reach the litter. He didn't appear to hear her as he looked too deep in thought, eyes darting from the wet cat food to the dry. Hinata couldn't help but titter. It was kind of cute seeing a guy take an animals diet into consideration with such intensity.
Now, Hinata thought, as she turned her attention to the litter. What kind should I get? Mable didn't really specify ." She wondered for a few minutes, finally deciding on a 38 pound box of fresh step.
She picked one of the boxes, grabbed it by the plastic handle and pulled. Her eyes went wide as she realized just how heavy the box was. "Oh my Go–," she groaned as she struggled to pull it from the shelf.
"Here, let me help you with that," a deep voice came from her side. Hinata turned around to meet a pair of strikingly beautiful pale, blue-green eyes. It was the same red head as a moment ago.
Hinata's face flushed red. "No, that's alright. I just need to get a buggy to put it in and I'll be fine."
The man looked amused. "Will you be able to lift it from the cart into your car?"
Hinata bit her bottom lip.
The man smirked. "I didn't think so."
She didn't appreciate his cockiness but stepped aside to let him help.
"Did you need anything else?"
Hinata shook her head and shyly followed behind to the register.
"This order is separate," He put his items in front.
The clerk placed down her magazine, clearly annoyed until she looked up. "Gaara!" she beamed. "I was wondering when I would get to see you again."
Hinata stood back, watching as the lady went from bitch to flirt-mode instantly. She couldn't help but feel slightly disturbed as the girl leaned forward with hands on the counter, using the sides of her arms to press her boobs together giving them a fuller illusion as they tried to spill from her low cut shirt.
"I've been dying to ask you for some time now. How about you and I go out together? I know a great club not far from here. I get off at eight, what do you say?" the girl said with surety.
"No thanks," Gaara stated flatly.
"Oh come on," Unfazed by his response she leaned further across the counter and ran a finger down his chest. "I know I can put a smile on that sad looking face of yours.
Hinata turned a deep shade of red and looked away. This was way too much than she bargained for. All she wanted to do was purchase her stupid litter and leave. She stole a quick glance at Gaara from the corner of her eye, he seemed completely unaffected by the girl's coquetry behavior.
"I said," He glared and pushed her hand away. "no."
The girl let out a pouted hmph, clearly not used to rejection.
"Like I told you," Gaara said, pushing the cat food to her. "This order is separate."
She called Gaara a dick under her breath, but finally rang up his items.
Hinata wondered if Gaara had heard the girl or not, but she let the thought pass as she paid her total, receiving a hateful sneer in return.
Looks like I'll have to find some other place to buy pet supplies from. Hinata sighed.
"Where is your car?" Gaara asked, snapping her from her thoughts.
"It's right there."
Gaara nodded as he walked over to the dark blue car. Hinata went ahead to unlock it.
"You can place it in the back." Hinata fidgeted for a moment. "Thank you for your help."
"No problem," Gaara said as he gently shut her door. "Will you be able to carry it to your house?"
Hinata smiled. He may be cocky but he was also quite the gentleman. "It'll be alright, I can ask the landlord for help."
There was awkward silence before Hinata spoke back up. "W-Well, thank y-you again. I s-should be getting home. It was n-nice meeting y-you."
Gaara nodded.
Hinata watched as the handsome red head got into his car and drove away. There was something about him that was enchanting. It wasn't hard to tell why the clerk was attracted to him. Hinata shook her head, she really needed to get home.