Disclaimer: I don't own.
CHAPTER 1
Should I just give up?
It can't be that fucking simple, but all the same. The boy I love doesn't even notice me. Hell, does anyone even see me? I am just some weak girl, me, the pathetic heir to the fated Hyuuga clan.
"Not even that anymore." she whispered, her shoulders sinking even lower.
"Why?" she asked quietly, "Why do I have to be so…useless?" Her fist clenched.
It didn't matter how hard she trained, how focused and determined her mind was to get stronger. Her failure was proved time and time again. She felt like screaming, but who would care to even see if she was alright? Neji? Please, she saw the smirk on his face today. Now that she wasn't the heir, he is to protect over her baby sister.
Hanabi. The strong one. Hinata felt sick to her stomache. This pain, raw and tortured, yet familiar all the same.
Can I really just give up like this?
She was being foolish, childish even. But it worked for the Uchiha boy. Sasuke left the village and he is now extremely powerful. But she realized, he was strong to begin with. Never was the Uchiha weak like she.
Can I do it? Can I really just leave it all behind?
She simply stood there, at the gates in front of her. The gates that would open and let her leave this place forever. She choked back any tears that threatened to fall from empty eyes. She would cry no longer, she was not worth tears, not even her own.
It was a blow to her heart. Right after being told she was too pathetic and weak to truly be the heir. And now this. This…it didn't seem nearly as bad as her father planning to soon place the curse seal on her forehead. No, that only broke her spirit, but this…this nagging, stabbing pain shattered everything that was left.
For so long, "Naruto…" again she whispered. For so long she admired him, had come to adore and even love him. He was what she wanted to be, strong and full of courage. Before this, he even went so far to ask her out a few times. But now, he…he…has her. Not that he could blame him really. Sakura was every male member's dream kunoichi. Beautiful. Strong. Independent. Everything she wasn't, just like Naruto.
She strongly shook her head in defeat, she could never go back now. And she knew, that if she left now, she would more than likely be going to her death. Whether the Akatsuki find and kill her, or even Orochimaru's party. Or just random ninja. Hell, she would consider taking her own life if the ANBU black ops came after her.
With a nod the gates opened.
This is it. I'm giving up. It's the only way.
She retreated deep within her mind, locking herself in a dark corner to sort through her fractured thoughts. This was basically suicide. After all, she had no where to run to, no 'one' to go to. Completely, utterly alone.
Something she had grown to be used to.
Shame crept through her already shattered being, knowing that she was taking the easy way out. Followed immediately by the numbing sensation of knowing that it was truly her only choice.
She slowly took small steps towards the gates. Looking straight forward.
She paused just outside of the leaf village, the gates just ten feet behind her, "Your have shitty timing."
"…Actually, I think my timing is pretty damn good considering."
She kept her back to him, refusing to meet his gaze. He could stop her now, she knew that.
"You have to let me go." it came out as a whisper, almost a begging for release of this hell of a life.
"Where will you go Hinata?" came his deep voice.
Hell, she had no clue. Her fists tightened at her sides. She would fight this man if she had to.
"Hinata, I asked you a question."
"I don't see how it is even any of your business." she said softly.
By all rights she should be angry with his interference. She heard him take steps to reach her. Then the large that softly landed on her left shoulder. She looked away to the other side, refusing to meet his gaze. She barely knew this man.
"Once these gates close there is no turning back."
"You think I don't know this?" she asked, her voice all too calm.
He could see her resolve plainly in her words, "So then, you are running away to die?"
She took a step forward, but the hand on her shoulder kept her from doing so. Shoulders relaxing under the pressure and giving up…again. There was no way she could fight him off. She would not be leaving after all.
"Damn you Kiba."
"I never knew you for such language."
"You knew me?" she asked bitterly.
She told her mind to calm down, to not let any feelings show. Keep the anger, the hurt, and the betrayal inside. Always inside, never show anything.
"Damn right I know you. Better than most, how else would I know you'd be here?"
"That proves nothing Kiba, now leave me alone." she again tried walking away. But his hand stopped her.
Dammit! She wanted to scream it! Why was he doing this!
"Let me go."
"Will you force me to go with you then? Because there is no way in hell I'm letting you leave behind."
"Kiba…" she breathed.
"You can't just turn your back on everything Hinata. Who cares if you're not the heir now? Now you can be free. And Naruto is a dumb ass anyway. He could never make you happy…" he whispered at the end.
"My father will place the curse mark on me tomorrow."
"Look at Neji, he is strong. He has the curse mark. Don't see him giving up, do you?"
"I will never be half of what Neji is. Or Hanabi." she admitted.
"Good. Then you wouldn't you."
"I'm leaving Kiba, alone."
"No."
She let out a small sigh, then turned and back in the gates of Konoha, walking fast. Only he easily caught up to her. He remained silent, happy that she just changed her mind. But he knew it wasn't that simple. He knew that she just buying time to try it again.
He grabbed her hand, and she paused in her step. He walked up next to her.
"Hinata, please…" he groaned out her name, "please don't go."
She looked up at him, surprised to find actual tears wanting to fall from his gaze. "Kiba…" she whispered.
"I know I was lucky this time. But you have to try! Fuck Hinata, what will I do if you leave?"
"Be better off." she said with real sadness, believe her own every word.
"We are a team. And you're my…my…weakness."
She looked at him with an odd expression, "I know that I'm weak Kiba." she said softly.
"No! I didn't mean it like that Hinata!" too late, he could see her withdrawing even further within herself.
"It's okay Kiba-kun. You didn't hurt my feelings."
"Yes I did, now I'm no better than that ramen loving jackass. Look Hinata, I only meant that without you, I'm weak."
"That doesn't make sense though." she said, voice all too calm.
"How can you not see?"
She shook her head at him, he was confusing her already broken mind. Honestly she had forgotten about him, Akamaru, and Shino. She wasn't sure if she was willing to just leave them like that. True, they could do without her. But they were the only ones to ever show any hint of acceptance. Especially Kiba.
"If you go, I'm coming after you.""You can't do that Kiba, what about your family?"
He snorted, "I won't abandon you…ever."
"Oh, Kiba." she allowed one tear to fall.
He moved her head to rest on her shoulder, and placed his arms around her. He knew his dog was in the trees, staying back, to give them privacy. But still watching out for them. Akamaru was the reason he even knew of Hinata's intentions. He woke his master from sleep.
She finally let her unshed tears fall, soaking the shirt of her team mate. She sobbed quietly into him, letting out all her frustrations. All the pain, and let him tell her it was all okay. She wanted to believe him, she needed to.
"I don't…don't want to be weak anymore!" she cried out.
"Hinata…"
A/N: So that's it. Not sure if I'm going to continue or not. It was meant to just be a one-shot, but now I don't know. If similar to some other story, here's my apology now. Just let me know...