Changed Fates
By Jennifer Darknight
Prologue
When You Wish Upon a Star
"You know, when you wish on a shooting star, your wish will definitely come true!"
He had said that to her long ago, when they were young and impressionable. At the age of twenty-two, though, Hyuga Hinata was not as easily fooled as her appearance would make her to be. But the one who had said that to her...he still believed in fairies and magic castles and things like that. He was bright, shining—more beautiful than any star. He was the sun personified, bringing happiness to everyone who basked in his sunlit smile. She was one of those people he charmed, although she knew it would just lead to sadness in the end. The sun eventually sets, after all.
But she was one of those people, at that time, who believed in miracles. You know, those silly things that grown women could never believe in due to the harsh crashes of reality. She thought that he could love her for who she was, and accept her for the violet that she was, despite the fact that he was a sunflower.
After a while, though, she had learned that Cherry Blossoms suited his garter better than lilacs or violets. That was apparent after the petal- haired girl of his dreams started packing her trousseau. It was expected, it was there. But it was still heartbreaking all the same. She just couldn't take the sight of it.
That was why she was sitting in a flower field instead of in Iruka- sensei's apartment, where the wedding reception was being held. She didn't want to have to deal with the grief.
Looking at the stars was the best thing for her—she suddenly understood why Shikamaru loved the sky so much. Why he lazed away and looked up at it every day.
The sky was endless, wise, and great. It was something that she could easily fall in love with, if it were a man. It never mocked, never yelled, never hurt anyone for being anything that it didn't like. It was just...there. And according to Neji-niisan, who she had gotten much closer to over the years, there was someone up there, watching everything. A Creator who was looking over mankind and making sure that the world was in working order.
It would make sense. Hinata smiled to herself, although a little bit bitterly. Through nothing short of a miracle, Neji-niisan had gotten the 'thorn out of his ass', as Naruto-kun had so tactfully put it, and had married the girl of his dreams who had watched him ever since they were children; Lee-san got over his surgery and married TenTen; Ino-san got over Sasuke-kun and married Shikamaru (while becoming a Jounin and holding up the family business at the same time); Kiba-kun and Shino-kun found themselves their own loves and married as well; and Gaara-kun got exorcised of that horrible demon that was torturing him his entire life.
It was selfish to ask about where she stood. Everyone was happy. So she should be too. That's what love was...right?
But still...if only there was a chance for her to be with her beloved Naruto-kun. A chance to get him to at least notice her, and fall in love with her.
Or at least, get a chance for anyone to fall in love with her.
Oh, like that would ever happen.
She was a plain, shy, ugly girl, remember?
But...maybe the shooting star trick did work?
She smiled to herself.
It didn't hurt to be a gullible child, just this once.
She looked up to the sky as the star sped by, closed her eyes, and prayed.
So, guys? What did you think? I know, I know! It's short! But the next chapter is going to be pretty long, so this is just to give you the basis of the story before I slam you with super-long chapters! Oh, and before I forget, you can also see this on my website, "Ai Shiteru... A Naruto Romance Fanfiction Archive" which is not fully up yet but will be once I get all of the stories up an running and once the Submit section is up. But hey, if you want to send me something even before the site is up, let me know through email (ladyjenniferdarknightyahoo.com) and I'll be sure to get back to you!
Well, until the next chapter, Ja ne!
Jen