Lol, why am I posting in the Naruto fandom? I was so certain I would never write a thing for this fandom ever again. Ah, well. I've already written a crossover. Why not go even further?

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or anything affiliated with it. This was written for entertainment, not profit, and blah blah blah.

Enjoy!

August 20, 2012: When I'm Gone

Hinata picks up a black t-shirt from her bed and looks at it. It's a few sizes bigger than her, comfortable to sleep in and wear around the house when there's nothing else to do. Despite being washed nearly a thousand times, it still smells of ramen and, oddly enough, oranges. The mixed scent is familiar and comfortable, even when it brings up memories that make her chest ache. Hinata gives it one last crooked smile before folding it up and putting it in the box.

The next thing she picks up is an orange hoodie—big, soft, and warm. Perfect to wear on a chilly winter afternoon, especially while cuddling next to someone else. Hinata folds it carefully and lays it next to the black t-shirt.

Next is a little stuffed fox. It has dark, reddish fur and nine tails that curl like live flames. Its eyes are big and brown, absolutely adorable. Hinata pauses and holds it like it's the most precious thing on the planet. With stinging pearl eyes, she gives the little fox one last hug—and then places it gently inside the box.

There are a lot more objects to get rid of—gifts, books, manga, anime DVDs, more clothing, and some coupons for Ichiraku—and parting with each is more painful than the last. Still, Hinata soldiers on and places them all inside the box.

When she's finally done, she seals the box closed and writes his name down on the side in black marker. Then she goes down to the garage and packs it into her car, along with the boxes full of her things.

The next morning is full of rather tearful goodbyes. Ino hugs her tight, not wanting to let her go. Hinata finds that she doesn't want her to let go.

Kiba tries not to cry, even as little Akamaru is howling with sorrow from inside his gray hoodie. Rather than reveal his sadness, he clings to protective anger:

"Any of those Uni assholes try to fuck with you, you call me and I'll kick their ass to kingdom come!"

Hinata nearly chokes on her laughter. "O-okay."

Shino is silent but gives her a hug for the first time since middle school. For Hinata, that's enough

Hanabi refuses to come out of her room, even when her sister inevitably gets in her car, but Hinata waves at the bedroom window anyway.

Before she finally gets in her car and drives away, Hiashi takes her to the side and gives her a warm, safe embrace, his body trembling even as he tries to stay stoic. The hug makes Hinata think back to a simpler time when they were close, when their relationship wasn't so strained and struggling for that bond. She takes a shuddering breath and hugs him back.

Finally, when all that needed to be said has been said, she gets in her purple Honda Civic and drives away from her house—but makes one last stop.

Since it's still early in the morning, his house is still silent. His parents probably haven't even gotten up yet. Hinata finds it a blessing honestly. After a few months of silence, she doesn't want to face his parents and have them ask questions about either the box or what happened between her and him. After all, if he won't tell them the story, she certainly won't.

After parking her car across the house, Hinata gets out and gets the box from the backseat. After closing the door, she walks across the street and steps up to the porch. She stares at the door for a few moments—Should I knock? Ring the doorbell? Leave a note?—but then decides not to waste more time. She places the box by the door and goes back to her car.

She drives until she's at Konoha's exit sign—You are now leaving Konoha! Hope you enjoyed your stay—and then she pauses. She goes beyond that sign, she will have to face the world beyond it. A world where, somewhere in another state, a university has accepted her and is waiting for her. A world that won't have her friends (both current and former), or Naruto Uzumaki. A world that will be far from familiar, full of new beginnings, and possibly new hurts.

With a smile growing on her face, Hinata Hyuga drives on.