A/N: Hey everybody! This is my FIRST ever Naruto fanfic (well, actually my first ever fic on this site) and I'm really psyched about this! I have many ideas for this little devil and I can't wait to write it down. Sorry if the characters are a little bit weird here but I don't watch Naruto and I just get info from my friends that are all Naruto crazy. Hehe! Enough jibber jabber, read on and please remember to review!
Pairings: Naruto/Hinata – Sasuke/Sakura – Neji/Tenten – Shikamaru/Ino – minor Kakashi/Anko and possible onesided Gaara/Hinata later on.
Warning: Slightly OOC but not too much.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Sad isn't it?
'blah' – speaking
'blah' – japanese words/flashbacks/emphasis
'blah' - thoughts
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Picking Up The Pieces
Chapter One
"I'm sorry, Hyuuga-san. The qualities you have listed down in this resume isn't enough for the job you're applying for. I suggest you try another company that suits your ability. I am deeply sorry."
A sigh escaped her lip as she closed her eyes for a while then opened them back. She nodded slowly and got up, trying to hide her disappointment from being shown. It failed terribly though. She bowed stiffly and clutched her hands together. "Arigatou… I appreciate you freeing your time for me…" and with those words, she left in silence. The manager held a rather sad expression. He pitied the girl for he could definitely see she desperately needed a job. If he had the power to assign jobs to random people, he would've taken her in. But sadly, he didn't. I hope she has better luck next time…
As soon as she exited the room, Hinata cupped her face into her hands. She was clearly tired – tired of rejection, tired of not being accepted, tired of hearing the word 'no' and was most definitely tired that she couldn't help the people she cared about. How pathetic she felt. She couldn't even get a good job. She couldn't even help her friends that were having financial problems yet still taking her in – to them, friends matter more then themselves.
She leaned her back onto a wall nearby and slided down, landing on her knees. She raised her head and closed her eyelids shut. Maybe she was destined to be a failure…
"I knew you couldn't do it… I knew someone like you would give up easily…"
Those words wouldn't stop ringing in her head. No matter how many times she tried to prove those lines wrong, her father's voice would blast through her mind and slashed every single hope she had. However, she couldn't deny her father's words. She was always known to give up easily. It was in her nature. She was a shy girl, no denying that neither and she had little confidence in herself. But one person changed that about her…
"Hinata-chan, don't give up! I have faith that you'll always find a way to fix things. Ganbatte ne?"
That sweet voice, those sweet words whispered by him to her ears. It was still so clear in her mind – even if they were spoken to her five years ago. Five long years have passed by and they hadn't talked at all. She could still see his cheesy grin, his silly hair and his crazy choice of outfits. She could still hear his squeal of delight when one offers a box of ramen to him. She could even still smell the shampoo he used to use – a dash of strawberry with a mixture of honey. She couldn't help but stain her cheeks red upon remembering him.
They were close friends. Neighbors to be exact. At the age of five, she was shy at first but he broke her barrier and saved her from solitude – showing her the joy of life. She got out of her shell a little and together, they formed a beautiful friendship. A friendship that lasted for thirteen years. After that, it was just history… Hinata missed him. She missed her first best friend. She missed him a lot.
The only boy that gave her the strength to get on with life.
But he wasn't there anymore. He was forced to leave her, moving off somewhere and gone from her life. Now, she had no one to supply the will to carry on. Her family wasn't an option. She had ran away from home since she was eighteen and hadn't contacted any of them in five years. The last person she talked with was her cousin – they were having a little argument. That's why she relied on her friends for support and shelter at that time. That was why it was important for her to repay them.
However, the only reason she's still standing still is because she promised him. She promised to always fight, no matter how tough life gets at you. She promised that she'd be stronger and more confident. She had to throw away the old her - the shy, timid, lack of confidence self. With that new determined glint in her milky white eyes, she slowly stood up and gave a small grin.
"I… won't give up!"
The steps of boots and the sounds of her jacket brushing against her body was heard and then she was gone.
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"Tadaima."
Hinata opened the door, a gush of wind entering along with her before she shut it close. She slid off her jacket and hung it on the coat rack, feeling a little sense of silence around the apartment she shared with her other three friends. Her boots made no sound as they gently pressed on the fur rug one of her roommates bought. The blonde was always one for decorations.
"Sakura-chan… Ino-chan… Tenten-chan…?"
Apparently, they weren't home for usually, the shrieks of Sakura and Ino bickering could be heard as soon as she entered the room. Hinata smiled to herself and walked towards her quarters – noting that no one was home. She opened the door only to step back with a gasp escaping her lips.
"SURPRISE!"
It definitely surprised her. Inside her room, Sakura, Ino and Tenten stood with party hats on their heads and balloons littered her once neat room. Hinata snapped her eyes wide open as she absorbed all the changes that were made to her room. Streamers were hung and a banner was floating above her head. She turned to her friends and saw a nice chocolate cake behind them, with words jaggedly scribbled on top with red icing.
"Minna… what's all this?" she asked, shocked expression clearly drawn on her fragile face. Sakura giggled and went to her, linking their arms together. "We did a surprise party, especially for you Hinata-chan!"
"M-Me?"
"Yeah, you silly. Now stop doing that stupid look and get your butt here to enjoy some cake with us!" said Ino with a smirk on her face. Tenten threw some confetti in the air and clapped her hands with delight, grabbing Hinata's hands and pulling her in. The ebony haired girl was forced to sit down in front of her supposedly study desk and was face to face with the delicious cake. Now that she was near, she could read what the icing spelt.
'Ganbatte Hinata-chan! We know you can do it!'
Hinata gulped. Not understanding at first but she finally comprehended the message. If she could, she would cry a river to those sweet words. Though rather sloppy, they meant the world to her. She knew her friends would always have her back. They had known each other for a long time and though they were different by every way, they still had each other's backs and that was one of the reasons Hinata was proud to have such great pals.
Sakura came beside her and grinned. "We know how hard you've been working lately, Hinata-chan. We just wanna let you know, no matter how much you fall down, we'll be there to help you rise back up."
"Totally, you can count on us!" beamed Tenten with a playful smile on her pink lips. "Don't worry. You'll get a job soon. I know you can do it!"
"Yeah and if anyone dares to fire you after this, I'll personally go and give them a piece of my mind," joked Ino, the blonde girl adding a wink later. Hinata sunk lower in her seat, feeling shy with all the love and concern her friends were pouring on her. She was speechless to this. After what her friends have done for her before this, Hinata felt so touched that they added this into their list of nice things.
"I-I… I don't know what to say…"
The girls frowned. They sensed Hinata was having her guilt trip again. They immediatey knew how to cheer her up. Giving a nod to each other, they grabbed her and quickly tickled her all over her body. Hinata laughed and tried to escape their grasp but she was cornered and there was no escape.
The four were all laughing and giggled upon seeing their friend's face turn red and laughing her heart off. After a minute or so, they decided to release her and flopped on the bed – tired from all the laughing. Hinata smiled to herself. What would I do without you guys?
"Hey, I didn't strive my butt in that kitchen to bake a freaking cake only to have it watched. Let's dig in!" said Ino and the other three joined in eagerly. "Itadakimasu!" they cheered and the night was filled with the giggles of four close friends and the burps initiating they were full as well.
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"Uzumaki-sama, here are the reports you wanted me to hand to you."
The young man glanced up and took the papers from the black haired man. "Arigatou Aburame-san. It's a little bit late, don't you think? Why're you still here?"
Shino pushed back his black glasses and maintained a stern expression. "Well, your personal assistant has just resigned therefore I, as the Uzumaki family's assistant, have to take responsibility of this."
A groan was heard. "Another one resigned?" The young Uzumaki frowned and rubbed his temples. Working non-stop for over ten hours was not good for his body. To top it all off, the person who was in charge with his office meetings, calls, files and such had just quit. Great. Absolutely great. She wasn't really much of an assistant anyway.
"Aburame-san?"
"Hai…?"
"Get me a new assistant," stated the man, standing up and ruffling his blonde hair with his hand. "And make sure this one is more obedient then the last one." His lips remained still as he packed up his things and stuffed them messily into his briefcase. Shino nodded as a sign of understandment. The young man gave a smile and told his faithful helper that he could go home. Shino bowed with respect and left the Uzumaki office.
He sat down on his chair, eyes tired and drooping. The blond loosened his tie – damn thing was irritating him. A vibration sent him a little startled as he fished out his cell phone from his suit's pocket and flipped it open. "Moshi moshi?"
"Oi, baka, you'd better get your ass home fast. The guys are here and Neji is beating everyone's sorry ass in Blackjack."
He smiled – he could sense Shikamaru's irritation through his voice with Neji boasting on his card skills. "I'll be there soon. Need to lock up and stuff. Just hang on till then."
"You'd better speed it up a little. Sasuke's not really much help and you can never rely on Chouji for a card game."
He laughed and bade his friend goodbye, closing the phone and stuffed it back into his pocket. Standing up, he grabbed his car keys along with his other belongings and left the room. At least he had something to do when he got to the mansion he shared with his three other friends that grew up with him. Life was much more fun when he was just a simple boy.
Not the heir to the Shinobi enterprises.
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The next morning came by faster then she expected as Hinata yawned silently. She sat up, stretched her limp arms and heaved a sigh. Another morning, another hopeful day to obtain something in her life. Her feet crawled over to the side of her bed and she slid on her slippers – a pair of pale blue bunny flip flops with soft fur covering them. Her feet shuffled towards the bathroom but as soon as she stepped out of her room, a scream was heard.
Hinata snapped wide awake and rushed towards the source, which happened to be in the kitchen. She reached there and saw her friends crowded around the kitchen table with a newspaper spreaded on the table. Hinata walked over to them and gave them a curious expression. "I heard a scream. Did something happen?"
Sakura raised her head and gave a big grin, walking over to the ebony haired girl and shoved the newspaper in front of Hinata's face. "We have great news, Hinata-chan! We have found the most perfect job for you!"
"Oh…? And what would that be?"
"Read it and see for yourself," commented Tenten and smiled to herself. Hinata took the paper and read it. On the page, there was a full page column, telling the public that a job vacancy was available. Hinata read the description and cringed slightly, feeling a little strange reading this. "Umm… a secretary?"
Sakura nodded and clasped her hands together. "It's perfect for you! You have all the qualities they want. You're smart, you love to type, you're good in sorting things, you're unbelievably obedient, it pays well, what else could you ask for?" Hinata didn't know wether to take that as a flattery comment or an insult.
"Plus, you'll be working for Shinobi enterprises!" exclaimed Ino, a smirk engraved on her lips. Hinata raised an eyebrow to this. "Shinobi enterprises?"
"It's a well known company that has many industries under it like agriculture, security protection and many others!"
"Hinata-chan, if you give up this opportunity, you're wasting a good chance. Don't throw this golden opportunity away!" said Tenten. Hinata lowered her head and fumbled with her fingers a little. She had to agree, it did sound good to her but one thing made her feel scared. One thing that always made her heart crumble.
Rejection…
What if she got rejected by one of the biggest company in the whole of Konoha. It would be so embarrassing! Sakura noticed this and held the girl's hands, showing that she was giving Hinata all the support she needed. Hinata glanced to her friends and saw they all had smiles on their faces. Confidence began building up in her body and she bit her lip as she nodded vigorously.
"Alright… I-I'll try my best!"
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There ya go! I know, slightly boring but this is my first fic so pity me! xD Next chap would probably focus on the Naruto's life since this chap kinda explained Hinata's. Don't worry, their history will be unfolded and it'll all make sense. Well, hopefully I kept the characters alright and not really, majorly OOC and I know it's a bit weird of me putting Shino as the Uzumaki's assistant but I had to put someone and Shino suits the most. He doesn't talk a lot and he's slightly distant yet caring a bit as well. Please review and tell me what you think of this and please, no flames. Constructive criticsm is appreciated. So, please press the button and review, review, REVIEW!!!!
Next chapter: Hinata goes to her interview and receives many surprises there.
Japanese words:-
- arigatou : thank you
- ganbatte : good luck
- tadaima : I'm home
- minna : everybody
- itadakimasu : thank you for the meal
- hai : yes
- moshi moshi : hello
- baka : idiot
- estrellaz -
