To be honest when i uploaded the first chapter of this story, I didn't really expect that people will give a damn hahahaha but still I shared it because aside from reading and gaming, I also love writing!
To FAN, Charice, RandiS, Gela, and the three unnamed Guests, Thanks for sparing some of your time to read this story..T.T
It was overwhelming at the same time your reviews inspire me a lot. Again, THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!
As a thank you gift, I present to you the second chapter of Shadow of the Moon.:)
Btw, i divided this story into two so obviously this is our first half..:) Again, English is not my native language. Sorry if there are lapses.T.T
DISCLAIMER: not mine. they all belong to Kishimoto-sensei.:)
CHAPTER 2: I Miss You (Part 1 of 2)
"We're singing ''til last call
And it's all out of tune
Should be laughing, but there's something wrong
And it hits you when the lights go on
Shit, maybe I miss you."
-Louis Tomlinson
"Hyuga Sensei, How come you're so pretty? And are you dating uncle kiba?" Asked the boy with traditional marks of Inuzuka Clan tattooed on his cheeks. She was having a class discussion with her academy students when this too forward of a boy suddenly stood up from his chair and asked her silly questions. Her students giggled at her shocked expression and tomato-colored cheeks. It's been 3 weeks since she started teaching at the academy. So far, she's loving this job more than her shinobi responsiblities. When she first heard that she was the assigned teacher specifically recommended by Iruka-sensei to the Hokage due to her natural ability to nerture children, Hinata was beyond flattered for She didn't know her former sensei thought highly of her. She was excited at the same time she was nervous. Being a teacher to these youngsters was a big deal for her since she will be the one who will help them to take their first few steps to their future. Any mistake on her part will be the sure downfall of her students. She cannot let that happened. Even if she had to endure the time to time silly questions her students threw at her. She must be always ready for them. So hinata regained her composure and smiled kindly at her young student.
"Well, to start, I must let you know that your line of questions are out of topic but since it's nearly the end of our class, we'll have a free flow conversation. Are guys up to it? And I'll get back to your question Akiko-kun so don't worry." Hinata's statement earned her a cheerful hurray from her students. A free flow convo with their new sensei meant that class was finally over however they are still not allowed to leave until they hear the sound of the school bell.
"Well, Akiko-kun, Kiba-kun and I are close but we're not dating. He and Shino-kun are like brothers to me. And Thank you if you find me pretty." Hinata gave her student her heart-warming smile.
"nane?! But why?! Everybody in my clan thought you and uncle are perfect for each other."
"Oi Inuzaka shutup! Let sensei choose who she thinks is much better man for her. Sides, who would want to be with a mutt?" Everybody erupted in laughter by this comment.
"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU-"
"Ok that's enough. Boys please watch your language. Akiko-kun, seat down please." Hinata observed her students for a moment. She remembered her own batch when they were still as young as her students. Hinata was not much of a talker. She was the observant type. She enjoyed how her classmates fight over something so small, or how the boys did stupid things just to impress the girls they thought were beautiful. She remembered during her academy years, the girls in her batch were too focused on Sasuke while she, was busy stalking naruto. She felt her face flash not because naruto suddenly popped inside her head but due to the fact that once in her life she became a stalker of someone and if her students find out, well, embarassment will surely eat her alive.
"What do you think hyuga-sensei?"
Hinata just blinked at the waiting faces of her students. Was she spacing out in the middle of a conversation? that's so not hyuga behavior. Hinata felt a little embarassed but managed not to show it on her face.
"I'm-" she was cut by a freckled girl with a pony tail who looked like she just won a lottery by the way she looked at hinata.
"Sensei, we're talking about the past chuunin exams. And one of the highlights was the fight between that uzumaki and your cousin. I think they were both badass in their own way. And my ma told me that uchiha boy was strong too." The girl was infectiously grinning at hinata. Yes she could remember her chuunin days as if it was only yesterday. It brought so much memories of both happiness and despair.
"I think all my classmates from back then were strong. Win or Lose, Everyone gave their all to prove themselves and never gave up. I hope you guys should do the same thing. Always believe especially in yourself no matter what people say." Hinata was not always the top achiever nor she was the strongest it was brought by the fact that her own father belittled her so much while growing up. Only now had she realised how wrong she was for listening to all the negativity they said about her when she was still young. Their words crashed her and she does not want that for her students.
"Go tell Hinata-sensei. She wouldn't mind. It would be good to share ya know." A boy named Siki who clearly belonged to the akimichi clan was encouraging a girl beside him who was fidgeting and whispering something. Somehow, the girl reminded hinata of herself.
"Do you want to share something Siki-kun? Maki-chan? Don't be afraid. We are all friends here." Hinata took the initiative to push the right button since the girl was having a hard time to open up with her other classmates.
The Maki girl was nervous suddenly because of the attention she was getting from her peers. She looked at her classmates who were all looking at her then to her sensei whose encouraging smile was enough to put her out of her anxiety.
"I.. I think.. uhm.." She looked at her akimichi friend who nod his approval. For what, Hinata does not know.
"I think, Nara-san is the most strong, coolest and wise of them all. That's all." Maki dropped her head to hid her face.
"who's this particular nara are you talking about?" Akiko inquired. Before maki could even stopped her friend, siki stood up and blurted out the name.
"Nara Shikamaru. And Miki finds him cute and attractive." The girl gasped and pulled down Siki beside her. The girl was clearly upset with her friend by the way she looked at him while whispering their arguments. The class went from silent dead to joyous teasing. The whole class dropped the names of the shinobis they thought were cool, pretty, strong, sexy, so on and so fort. They were too busy excitedly conversing that they totally forgot the excistence of their flashed sensei.
Hinata upon hearing the name of the Nara, felt her heart skipped a beat then it was followed by an extreme blush. Weeks ago, the shadow user out of boredom or what, confessed to her and ever since then she was anticipating the day of his return. She knew any day now he will be back from his month long mission. Hinata still hadn't grasped the idea of someone finally liking her. So How will she react when she sees him again? What would she say? Is she really ready for this? For them? While Shikamaru was away, Hinata took the opportunity to assest herself. She knew, with out a doubt, what she felt for Shikamaru was beyond friendship but she was still hesistant. No one can fault her since this was all new to her. Until he comes back, all her questions will remain unanswered.
When the bell rang, Hinata halted the excited chattering of her students. She reminded them to practice their transformation jutsu for their test the day after tomorrow and not to detour somewhere but home. After a while of shouting and playful banter, the students finally scurried out of the classroom leaving hinata all by herself. It was almost sundown when she was done checking every nook and cranny of her classroom for any mess left behind by the kids. When she was sure everything was in order, she locked up the classroom and left the building.
Every after shift, Hinata liked to take a leisure walk. It was her way of clearing her head and just enjoy a simple life as a teacher. Does she missis being a shinobi? Yes of course. 3 weeks with out a mission assigned to her since she took over what iruka sensei left behind ever since he was deployed to Suna was enough for hinata to crave for some action. However, every second she spends with her students makes her understand why Iruka-sensei chose this life of teaching over some dangerous mission.
I can't wait to share this with you.
The thought made her smile. What would shikamaru say after he hears her news? Would he be happy? or would he suggests that she should take that upcoming jounin exam instead? Again, those will remain unanswer until his return.
By the time Hinata reached the corner of the street that will bring her to the hyuga compound, the sun was nowhere to be found and the silluhuatte of the moon was peeking from behind of the night clouds. When she turned the corner, just a few steps away, she saw Sakura and Ino talking to each other just outside her compound. Hinata quickened her pace.
"Ino-pig, this is your idea! So you go knock."
"I'll pay for tonight forehead. You do it." Ino grab sakura from the back and forcibly pushed her friend towards the door. Hinata saw that sakura was one step closer at punching ino any time now if she doesn't intervene.
"Ano.. Ino-Chan and Sakura-chan, may i help you with something?"
Both girls looked at her comically then they jumped at her with so much relief in their tone "Hinata-chan!"
"What.. is it?" Hinata felt her face heat up since her friends are sandwitching her. She had to squirm her way out if she does not want to die in suffocation.
"Kami hina-chan! Where have you been?! We've been looking for you for days now. That snob of a cousin of yours is always pushing us away. Telling us not to bother you." Hinata can't help but giggled at the way Ino delivered her complain. Ino mimicked the stoic expression of Neji but failed in the process which made the whole scenario funny.
"The pig is right hina-chan. It's really hard to look for you these days. But no worries we know you're busy at the academy. We just hope you spend some of your time with us too. Girls gotta stick together you know." Sakura said enthusiastically.
Hinata felt bad for her friends. It was true she hardly see them nowadays and she missed them but teaching was eating so much of her time no matter how much she tried to adjust her schedule.
"I'm sorry Ino-chan and Sakura-chan. If you want I'll treat you guys tomorrow since it's my restday."
"Too bad Hina-chan. Forehead and I have missions tomorrow so definitely we can't BUT let's do it tonight. That's why we are here in the first place. My treat. You can just pay for our next date." Ino grinned brightly. Sakura on the other hand, was looking at her expectantly. How can she say no to that?
"Of course Ino-chan. I'll just get-"
"Oh no no you're fine. Let's just get out of here before that cousin of yours decides to scare us away again." Ino and Sakura dragged her hurriedly with out looking back.
Somewhere inside the Hyuga compound, one genius named Neji suddenly sneezed in the middle of his meditation.
"Allergies." He murmured to himself.
Saying that the spiky anbu was tired was an understatement. It was already late at night when they arrived at the gates of konoha. Due to his fatigue, He did not even wait for his commander to dismissed them properly. He just disappeared from their sight with out a care in the world. He's famished and every part of his body was screaming in pain. He also had injury but nothing too serious. Hot bath, Decent food and his bed was all in his mind right now.
When Shikamaru entered the Nara Manor, He took off his anbu mask and hooked it up on the peg in the foyer. The smell of old wood and cold air with a mixture of grass scent from the nearby nara forest greeted his aching senses. It was always nice to be back home after a long dangerous mission. After a second of bliss, Shikamaru then went straight to the kitchen to check for food. Thankfully, His troublesome of a mother never failed to left something to heat just incase her lazy son needed something to chew down. After the food was set, he sat down to enjoy his meal. Or so he thought.. He hadn't even pick up his chopsticks yet when he smelt that annoying scent he was very familiar with. His eyes were narrowed as he stood up from his chair to follow the smell of cigarette.
Asuma was seating outside one of the tatami rooms facing the nara forest casually puffing his cigarette. On his side, was a board of shogi. One looked at the positions of the shogi pieces, Shikamaru knew Asuma failed to win the game again.
"Yo." Asuma turned his head to face the hungry dead tired anbu. The light from the moon was highlighting the manly features of the firm but gentle man shikamaru came to consider as his second father.
"Yo? Seriously? You're not Kakashi. Are you?" Shikamaru leaned on the wall looking at the grinning face of his former sensei.
"I think kakashi looks cool when he says that. Today i greeted kurenai the same way, and guess what? she threw me out of the door. said never to copy a pervert like Kakashi. I used that story in hope to distract your old man tonight but still i failed to win against him again." Asuma laughed wholeheartedly at his own story.
"Served you right." Shikamaru sat down beside his former sensei. Holding his nape, shikamaru tilted his head from side to side to give his neck a relief from muscle ache.
"Wow! Our shadow genius is a cranky old bat tonight." Asuma said. His genius of a student was a cool headed lad. It was rare to see this side of Shikamaru which made it more amusing. Asuma was tempted to push more wrong buttons to see what other emotions this lazy ass was hiding.
"Whose fault do you think is that? see this?" Shikamaru pointed to his uniform then continued, "I just got back from a long mission. I'm not in the mood right now to be your clown. Just say what you came here for. Surely you were not here just to play dead with my old man." That was the longest speech shikamaru ever spat on someone in this kind of mood but his former sensei asked for it.
Asuma bursted laughing.
"A Simple "troublesome" will do you know."
Shikamaru sighed. He didn't mean to treat Asuma that way but kami he needs his rest. and food.
"Look, I'm sorry. It's just.. I'm so tired. Can we just cut the chase and tell me why you're here?" Shikamaru rob his face in frustration.
"You'll gonna be a nanny in a few months time. Choji and Ino too."
"Asuma please.. I don't underst-"
"Kurenai is pregnant."
Shikamaru suddenly straightened up his back. His eyes were as wide as a saucer. The Shadow Genius was funny to looked at so Asuma chuckled. How he wished he had a camera with him right now to capture this moment.
"What.. How?!" Shikamaru was too shocked to ask the right question. He knew how babies err.. were made. however his mouth just blurted out what comes first in his damn mind.
"How? Well, i kissed her then my hand went down-"
"Shut up Asuma!" Shikamaru's face went from tan to red.
"Hahahahaha but you asked for it. Who am I to deny you that information? Sex Education is very important." Asuma winked at Shikamaru who was seating more uncomfortable than before.
"I'm not interested ok? If that's all you want to say, then, congratulations. I'll try to visit Kurenai tomorrow." Shikamaru stood up from where he was seating determined to finish this awkward conversation he was having with his former sensei.
"Let's celebrate tonight. Let's have a few drinks. Also you can eat whatever the hell you want to compensa-"
"No. Go home Asuma." Shikamaru started to walk away when asuma locked his neck with his arms then performed a hand sign.
"Just what the hell are you doing!"
"What do you think? I'm kidnapping you." With that last words, they disappeared from the Nara Manor.
Asuma released Shikamaru who staggered forward and was gulping a lungful of fresh air. The Jounin applied some brute strength on his hold to made sure Shikamaru won't escape from him. Asuma was sure that Shikamaru had already planned his 200 ways or more to counter the jounin but asuma knew each of his students by heart. The Shadow user was in no condition to fight back and Asuma took advantage of that.
"Just a few drinks and that's it. You can kick my ass for eternity." He lighted up one cigarrette while looking at his still struggling student.
"What..Did..Kurenai.. sees in you.." Shikamaru said this in between heavy breaths.
"probably my big di-"
"Just keep it to yourself and-" Shikamaru tilted his head from side to side while caressing his neck "Let's get this over with." Shikamaru finally gave up. He had ways to escape this tragic night but just too damn troublesome to execute. Plus he technically had no enough physical prowes right now against Asuma.
"Then follow me Genius." Asuma turned his back on him and entered the barbeque pub they friquent to visit.
"damn troublesome." The shadow genius said under his breath as he followed the older man inside the pub.
"on three ok? 1..2..-"
"Oh my god Hinata!"
The Hyuga gulped down her sake in one go and the table fell silent except for Hinata who was hicupping from time to time. Ino earlier suggested they play spin the bottle just for fun. Whoever the bottle pointed to, must drink her share of alcohol. The universe must be really playing a joke on her friend, since it was now hinata's 7th shot. She and Sakura had only 3 shots each since the start of the game.
"Come.." *hiccups* "On Ino-chan.." *hiccups* "Spin.." *hiccups* Hinata with a droopy eyes and a very drunk blush, pointed at the bottle then rested her head over her folded arm on the the table.
Ino errupted in laughter while banging the top of the table treatening its content to fall off if Ino doesn't stop what she was doing. On the bright side, Sakura took the initiative to smacked ino on her forearm to prevent any unwanted bills to come their way.
"Ouch! that hurts you forehead!" Ino protested while nursing her aching forearm.
"if i didn't do that bills will run after your ass ino-pig." Sakura then pointed at their drunk friend, "and what do you plan we tell Neji after what you did to Hinata?"
"Excuse me? I did? what about you? You did not even protest when i suggested this game. In fact, you are as guilty as i am." They glared at each other both determined to never back down. Seconds passed, It was Sakura who broke the eye contact first. Truth be told, looking at her drunk friend, The pinkket had to admit that it was refreshing to see their friend loosen up a bit. Hinata has changed a lot these past years. She became more strong, determined, capable and beautiful but for some reason, the old timid shadow of her friend was still lingering inside her. Or maybe that was just Sakura's imagination. She shook her head and smiled. Doesn't matter really. What's important right now was that she's having a good time with her friends before she embarks on a dangerous mission tomorrow.
"Hey forehead, it's been 3 years right? I mean Naruto you know. When is he coming back?" Ino asked. Her chin was rested on top of her hand while slowly shaking the glass of sake on the other.
"What? Who?"
"Well that's helpful." Ino said sarcastically. Sakura was clearly spacing out.
"Sorry Ino-pig. What's your-"
"Any news regarding the return of our goof ball?"
"Oh. Naruto.. Well.. Lady Tsunada still hasn't said anything about him. I tried to ask but she shooed me away by throwing a sake my way. Since then, I never brought up that subject again." Sakura smiled but Ino saw the sadness in her eyes. She felt a sudden pity for her friend. She knew Sakura was longing everyday for her teammates. She sees it in her eyes everytime they all get together and all teams are complete except hers. Well, at least Kakashi, no matter how late, was always there to support Sakura all these years.
"I asked because I can't wait to see his reaction when he sees our little Hinata." Ino determined not to visit, at least for tonight, any sensitive issues. They all deserved to enjoy any happiness they could grasp no matter how small.
"You knew? I mean.. about hinata's-"
"You think I'm that stupid? though, I don't think she's that into him now than she was before." Ino waved her hand as if lecturing a kid about something very important.
"What do you mean?" Sakura was now curious. She snatched the glass of sake from ino's hand and emptied the glass.
"That's my drink. Anyway, how should i put it, well," She paused a second to pour a sake on the glass again then continued, "She doesn't blush nor she stutters anymore everytime that blonde idiot was being the topic of any conversation. Plus, she doesn't faint any longer in the mere mention of his name. And I think that's cool. She's more ready to see him. I don't want to see our hinata becomes a mess in front of him." Ino gulped down her alcohol.
"and now you're thrilled to see the reaction of Naruto to this improved version of Hinata? What if, you know, it was still there? like a sleeping dragon?" Sakura challenged Ino.
"If it's still there, Well, i hope hinata would carry herself with dignity when that time comes. Wanna bet forehead?" Ino challenged Sakura back.
"Thanks but nope Ino-pig. Our friend is not an entertainment. It's not right to play with her feelings. Let's just respect the way things are."
"Boohooo! You're no fun. Maybe it was really you who changed. From forehead to chicken. What a transforma-" Sakura grabbed ino on her colar but she couldn't moved her feast. No that's not right. Her whole body was immovable. She knew this jutsu and there is only one clan that can use this.
"SHIKAMARU! oh my god! Hurry! Get this muscle freak away from me!" Ino pretended to be hopeless was a joke to looked at. Shikamaru sighed. The two kunoichis are in it again and he would bet all his savings that it was Ino who provoked this kind of action from the pinkhead. Too bad Sakura was hotheaded like her master.
"Sakura, don't do anything senseless." He called the Haruno before he released her from his jutsu. As soon as Sakura felt her body can move again, she quickly gave ino a bonk on the head.
"Ouch!"
"That's for calling me a muscle freak. You pig." Sakura was pissed but settled on her seat nonetheless.
"Perhaps a chicken freak?" She moved a little then pat the space she left to signal Shikamaru to seat beside her. The Shadow user was about to do her command then stopped. He didn't know she was there until now. They were seating on a round table with a couch for a chair and the two kunoichis arguing were blocking her from where he was standing just a while ago. It was the first time he saw her in a month. It doesn't take a genius to know what state she was in at this very moment.
"I swear if you-"
"She's drunk isn't she?" Both girls looked at Shikamaru. It was the first time they heard that kind of tone from their usually calm friend. It was like the calm before the storm.
"Oi Shikamaru! I finally got us a table. Oh hey guys. We didn't know you're here. What's up? Wait. Is that.. is that hinata?" Asuma looked at the three, sober, Shinobis then back at the obviously drunk kunoichi.
"One question at a time you guys. First," Ino looked at Asuma, "We decided to have a girl's night out before forehead and i head to mission tomorrow. And," this time she looked at shikamaru with curiousity, "Yes. She's drunk. As a matter of fact," She poured another sake on the glass.
"Oi Ino-pig! Are you crazy? Hinata can no longer drink that!" Sakura bang her hand on the table to show her protest.
"No. We said that we won't stop until we all drop. You and I are still standing." Ino then shook Hinata rather violently to wake her up. "Hina-chan wake up. Your Sake-" to everyone's amusement, Shikamaru snatched the glass and gulped it down himself.
"Move Ino." Shikamaru ordered Ino in a way that's very authoritave. Ino, shocked, stood up and moved beside Asuma who was looking at the shadow user with a all-knowing look.
Shikamaru shook hinata to try to wake her but she was dead to the world. he muttered "troublesome" before he gently pull her out of the table and secured her on his back.
"Asuma, I'll be back." as much as he wanted not to go back, the nara clan was known for keeping their words. He sure as hell won't be the first to dirt their name.
The Nara left the pub leaving behind the trio who was too stunned to move from their positions.
"What just happened?" Sakura and Ino said in unison.
"Come on Ladies Let's have a drink." Asuma urged the two who was still confused and shocked.
Asuma knew what happened, He knew what's going on and He kept it to himself.
He could feel a terrible headache coming. He blamed Asuma for all this. If it wasn't for his sensei, he should be at home right now enjoying the little things he was deprived for a month. But then if it wasn't also for Asuma, though totally coincidental, He wouldn't find one troublesome hyuga at the brink of coma due to intoxication. The Petite woman stirred behind him letting him know that she was still alive. He adjusted her postion so now her head was resting on his shoulder facing his neck. Thank Kami for his Anbu Uniform. If it wasn't for it, he sure would feel her breath on his neck by now. What's got into her? Why did she drink like that? Though the shadow user secretly wished he was there to witness that uncharacteristic side of his girlfriend.. yes they're a thing now at least to him. He had a feeling even before he left one month ago that Hinata has things she still wants to talk about with him including their relationship. All those weeks he was gone, he had nothing in mind but the success of their mission nothing else but now he was back, no matter how troublesome, he has to face the inevitable. He has to face Hinata.
"..Shika..maru.."
The Nara abruptly stopped from walking and turned his head to looked at Hinata who was sleeping comfortably on his back.
"..Shika..maru." She murmured again his name.
"Hai Hai. I'll get you home." He continued his walk.
The walk from the pub up to the Hyuga compound supposed to be not that long but since he was also tired and carrying a troublesome, the walk was dragging too much for his taste. The sudden cold air was not also helping. It makes him want to crawled in his bed. Then he remembered his promise to Asuma that he will be back for him.
damn.
"miss..you..shika." again out of no where, for the second time that night, the little hyuga caught him off guard. this time though her words managed to put color on his cheeks.
"I'll remember that." He muttered. Somehow her words energised him. The night was suddenly not so bad anymore.
The rest of the way was spent on occational incoherent murmur from hinata and shikamaru grunting. He feels stupid for answering back the drunk hyuga but it helped to kill the damn time while walking alone on the streets of Konoha. When they finally reached the street that will bring them to the old compound, shikamaru was alerted by a chakra flicking dangerously. He immediately checked the signature and sighed. Just when he thought the night couldn't get any worst, he now has to face another, way troublesome, hyuga. Even from a distance, Shikamaru could see how stiff the posture of Neji was. He was standing at the entrance like a statue, arms crossed on his chest. He probably knew he was coming even before the nara sensed him. All thanks to their all seeing eyes. And the only reason the hyuga prodigy didn't attack him was because it was him and not any other man who was with her beloved cousin. Still, shikamaru sensed the older hyuga doesn't trust him that much due to the display of his chakra. It was like a warning sign. One wrong move means death. Not that he couldn't defend himself to their byakugan but it was troublesome. This particular night was getting too long for him and he wants to end it as soon as possible.
"Nara." Neji acknowleged him first when they reached the entrance to the compound. His face was stoic but the older hyuga couldn't hide the turmoil inside.
"Neji goodevening. I've got some goods to deliver." Oh how pathetic his joke was. With out a reply from the obviously pissed off prodigy, Neji went behind his back and carefully transfer hinata to his arms. Shikamaru stood there, hands on pockets, watching Neji as he turned his back on him to leave but Neji wasn't done with him yet. He faced again the nara genius this time with a scowl on his face.
"This is the doing of that teammate of yours and the haruno, am i right?" Neji inquired venomously.
"Yes." better be honest with this one.
"Tell them, I don't want to see them near Hinata ever again. They're nothing but a bad influence." and with that, the hyuga prodigy stalked off inside but not before he called a stern looking hyuga and whispered something in which the said man nod his head in acknowledgement. He closed the gates when Neji and Hinata was secured inside and resumed his post. He and Shikamaru eyed each other before the nara spoke again, "Tell Neji to give Hinata plenty of cold water to drink in the morning. It helps with the hangover." Shikamaru didn't wait for his reply and just left. The only answer he's gonna get from the guard was a silent stare anyway so why wait?
He took the easiest way to get to the pub by leaping from roof to roof. Now that he could move again freely, he missed the woman on his back a while ago. Why didn't he bring her to his home instead of hers? he could actually take care of her especially the hangover that will surely kick her ass in the morning. The Nara forest which was under the protection of the nara clan, was rich with different miraculous healing plants. One cannot just enter the forest and get any plants they want with out the permission from the head of the clan which happened to be his father. Just recently, his mother discovered a new plant that has the ability to cure severe muscle pain and effective for hangover. A tea made out of that plant will do the trick for Hinata. Sounds like a good plan right? But Who was he kidding? He'll be dead first before he could even bring hinata anywhere. And just why the hell was he thinking of bringing her home in the first place? Hormones that's what is. He felt it the moment hinata's body touched his. He never felt it before that's why carrying her all the way to hyuga compound was troublesome. It distracts him until now.
damn! I need to get this out of my system.
He jumped down from the roof of the house near the pub and landed on his feet.
"Impressive. Silent as a cat." Asuma said. One hand on his pocket while the other was holding a cigarrette to his mouth. Eyes are focused on his student.
"What are you doing in the middle of the road? I thought you were with Ino and Sakura?" Shikamaru started to walk towards the pub.
"They're gone. And I Thought you ditch me. I was about to get you." Asuma walked just a few steps behind his student.
"Get? Or kidnap? Anyway, I need a drink."
He matched the stride of the shadow user and when he reached his side, he put his arm around Shikamaru's shoulder giving him a little shake.
"Don't worry. I got you buddy." Asuma smirked.
Looking at his former sensei, Shikamaru somehow felt like he's the one who'll need ALOT of that tea by morning.
Troublesome.
It was a short dream and also a weird one. It started with the feeling of holding someone dear to you. It was very warm and somewhat comforting. Then It was gone as soon as it arrived. Hinata in her dream suddenly got frantic. Where was it? What was it? Is it a what or a who? She ran and ran but couldn't get a hold of that feeling again. She cried until she fell asleep in her own dream then It was darkness again and voices nothing else. Though there was no picture, the voice she was talking to was so vivid in her mind as if the owner was just there beside her.
"Shikamaru.."
"Nane?"
"I miss you."
"..."
"Shikamaru.."
"Hai. I'll remember that."
The Moment those words were spoken, an intense heat suddenly embrassed Hinata. It was a nice feeling at first, something she couldn't explain by words alone. Suddenly it intensified to the point of being uncomfortble then it was painful. She screamed but no words came out. The ground beneath her shook lightly until it rocked her violently. She sat on her knees, face on her palms. Everything was spinning. She wants to vomit but she had no control over her body. She felt her skull was about to crack due to the pain centered in her head. What's happening?
"Hinata."
Who's that? Go away.
"Hinata."
Stop. It hurts.
"Hinata!"
No. Don't touch me.
"HINATA!"
Intense Light, Severe headache, Spinning vision, and Upset Stomach, were enough reasons for Hinata to jolted up from her bed and puked right there and then at side of her bed. Vile liquid and.. err some stuff were kept on coming out of her mouth.
"Yuck!" She heard someone said disgustingly then Her hair was held back and her back was being caressed in which Hinata was so greatful for. The thing that irritates her the most was the lights coming in from the window right beside her bed. It hits her eyes like a bolder and amplified her acute headache.
"Curtains." The first word she uttered that day. If this continues, probably the whole day.
"Oh I'm sorry. Anyway, Thanks for reminding me not to drink when i come of age." the curtains then were spreadback on its rod. After a minute of heeving and blonching, hinata wiped her mouth using her bedsheet. That was unlady like of her but even if she wants to move the normal way, her body was rebelling againts her.
"Hinata, seriously, you're not dying on me are you?" This time her companion caught her attention. Since her mind was still fuzzy and everything was spinning, her senses was so poor she couldn't even recognized who was talking to her. She, with her might, lifted her head and turned it to where the voice came from. To her shock, Hanabi was standing beside her bed looking at her as if she's gonna throwup herself. The younger hyuga frowned at her.
"Seriously, get up. I'll wash you up myself."
"Hanabi please no." She was begging because if she doesn't, just one move from her and she'll vomit again. Worst, she could feel her stomach getting empty yet it still acting up with vengence.
"What do you mean no? You can't. Neji needs to see that you're ok. He's been biting our heads all morning." She helped hinata on her feet. She puts hinata's one arm around her shoulder while Hanabi helped her balance her weight by grabbing hinata's hip. Slowly they walked the short distance to hinata's bathroom careful not to step on any demons her sister gave birth to this world. By demons, hanabi meant vomit. As soon as they arrived at their destination, Hinata pushed hanabi on the side to ran for dear life to the sink and once again, produced more babies. Again, Vomit.
Hanabi sighed. She tied hinata's hair to kept it away from her babies. A knock on the door signaled hanabi that neji was getting impatient. Again.
"Yes?" Hanabi shouted while busy soothing the back of hinata.
"Hanabi-sama, Neji-sama sent me. If you need any assistance, I can help."
"Sure. Go right in. And err.. clean everything please." She heard a soft opening of the door. Hanabi closed the bathroom door by using her foot to kept anyone from seeing her sister in this state. Not that the stinking crap on the bedroom floor was not enough evidence for what happened to her sister.
When she noticed hinata has finally stopped, hanabi assisted her sister get undressed then guide her to the bathtub full of bubbles. Earlier that day while hinata was still snoring and mumbled the name of a certain someone, which hanabi will investigate later, She prepared everything for hinata. From her bubble bath, to the clothes she will wear and later the food she will take. It's her way of helping her sister face her own death sentence after hinata smeared the name of the almighty Hyuga Clan. Of course she was just joking. What's really the occasion? Oh nothing. Just the wrath of a certain future head of the their clan.
"Hanabi-chan, arigatou." Not looking at her sister. Her eyes was closed since it was too sensitive for any lights at the moment and her vision was still swirling. The water was cold and she welcomed it with open arms since it helped her upset stomach feels a little better. Her head though was another matter. It feels like her head was being drilled.
"Don't thank me yet. We still need you to get out of the claws of Neji. Alive. He plans to 64-palm you know." Hanabi joked. She was seating on the edge of the bathtub just monitoring her sister just incase hinata fell asleep and never see the dawn of the new era. Oh how dramatic. Hanabi almost snickered at her own thoughts.
"Be sure to put me six feet under the ground beside Okasan ok?"
Hanabi laughed. Hinata smiled weakly.
The air was thick with tension. Nobody said anything from the moment they all sat together around the dining table. Neji eyed the blue-haired hyuga in front of him over the rim of his tea cup. She still haven't touched the food Hanabi prepared for her early that day. Head down, the little hyuga was obviously uncomfortable under the scrutinising eyes of her cousin. How was she able to do that? One minute she's like a little girl, harmless and so innocent then the next minute, she could be the most ideal kunoichi in all of Konoha. He remembered the day Hinata told her father and the whole hyuga council that she's giving Neji her position as the future head of the Hyugas. She told them with a straight face that leading a whole clan was not the desire of her heart And no one in that room could make her change her decision. It shocked all of them to no end especially him who just came home from a mission when he received the news. Hinata admitted that she doesn't want the position from the very beginning and she thought it was the best way to do if they all want to change the old rotten system of the clan. It was not received very well of course. He was told of the deafening uproar of the hyuga councils when his cousin announced her decision but Hinata, with all the bravery in the world, listened to them with so much calm and maturity. For the first time ever, Hyuga Hiashi couldn't be more proud of his eldest daughter. And Neji? Well.. He was angry at his cousin at first. What made her think that he wants her old position? Why didn't she talk to anyone regarding her desposition? Is his 'want' doesn't matter to her? Are they back being members of main and branch family where the side of hinata mattered more than his? After that incident, he and hinata had the longest talk they ever had. It also helped him understand his cousin more and vise versa. His respect for her skyrocketed in just one day. In the end, He accepted the responsibility she placed on his shoulder along with her promise that she will always be there to help him when the time comes.
"Hinata, do you need me to call someone to help you with your food?" Neji drank his tea while still looking at his cousin. Since Hiashi was out of town for some clan business, as the future head Neji took charge of everything. One of those responsibilities was to keep tabs on what was happening to his people. His cousins are no exemption to that rule.
"No Neji-ni." She looked at him quickly then bowed her head again. Neji sighed.
"Then Eat. Don't let Hanabi's effort go to waste." Neji nod his head towards the food.
" ."
Hanabi felt like she was suffocating. Though the air was cold, the almosphere inside the dining area said otherwise. After Neji-ni offered hinata her food, he didn't talk anymore and continued to observe her sister. He glanced at her but it was an empty one. He was thinking clearly. The only noise she was hearing was the coliding of chopsticks againts the bowl of katsudon she especially asked their chef to cook for Hinata. Then there was Hinata who silently eating her food with enthusiasm; rice were sticking at the side of her mouth.
She was Hungry alright.
Hanabi smirked despite the tension.
"What is it Hanabi?" Neji asked. Still not looking at her.
"Ha?" She cleared her throat. "Oh it's nothing."
Neji cocked his brow then looked at her finally. Hanabi knew that look. It says if she doesn't talk, he'll do something about it. Sometimes Neji reminds Hanabi of their Father.
"Well, uhm.. Neji-ni, do you think I can go to the Yamanaka flower shop and see-" Hanabi gulped. Neji frowned at the mention of Yamanaka. She heard from the guards that the two persons who brought Hinata to the pub last night was Yamanaka Ino and Haruno Sakura. Neji already banned those two from coming to the hyuga compound because of what happened.
"Why?"
"I just wanna ask if they could recommend something for hangover. You know for neesan." Hanabi felt Hinata stiffened beside her while munching her food. She gave her a side glance before she continued. "I heard, they were not only selling flowers nowadays but also medicinal tea." Hanabi saw the protest coming from Neji so she had to convince him.
"It will also help me with my research and a great benefit for missions."
Brava Hanabi. You're officially a Liar.
She resisted the urge to pat herself on the back sarcastically. Truth was, She doesn't know where these reasons came from. All she knew was that her ass's gonna get woop by Neji if she doesn't answer him. Took a moment before he nods his head in approval to her request. The clan was not in lockdown or anything like that however she had a feeling that Neji won't like it if she associates herself with the yamanaka and haruno out of the boundery of their job.
"Thanks Nisan."
"Be sure to be back immediately. I heard you have a mission tomorrow." Neji took another sip of his tea.
"Hai." w/o formally excusing herself, she ran out of the room and took a deep breath when she silently closed the tatami door behind her.
When Hanabi finally left them on their own, Hinata dropped her chopsticks and looked at Neji apologetically.
"Neji-Ni, Gomen. I Know.. uhmm.. you're mad at me. We had just fun. It was too much I know.. but please don't get angry with Ino-chan and Saku-"
"And why not? Those two are the embodiment of recklessness. They knew you're not a drinker like them and yet.. look what happened last night." Neji was still stoic yet the bad aura coming from him was slowly filling up the large room and sent chills down the spine of the small hyuga.
Somehow Hinata had a feeling to defend her friends even if she had to face any sunction neji might give. Besides, they didn't force her to drink. it's been awhile since the last time she spent a time with her friends so she gave them her consent to play that game. On top of that, Ino and Sakura were too kind to even brought her home despite being drunk themselves.. maybe..
Honestly, She didn't really know what happened after she passed out. All she knew aside from the terrible hangover she woke up to today ,which by the way still haunting her at the moment, she was safe inside her room with no damage or what so ever. Can't Neji just thank her friends for that? Why does he always had to dwell on the negative side of things?
"Neji-ni, can't you just thank them? I mean they brought me home safely. Isn't that enough?" She was getting upset with her nisan. Neji was impossible to deal with when it comes to the people dear to him. He was close minded and overprotective.
Neji stared. The tension became much thicker so much so that Hinata fidgeted under its intensity.
"Neji-ni-"
"I probably would have IF they were the ones who took you home. Your so called friends are both thick-skinned, Hinata. Not only did they try to influence you with their bad behavior, They also gave the responsibility of making sure you're safe to other person. Now tell me, Am I wrong for being angry with them? Hm?" Neji now was frowning. Both his hands are clutching the poor tea cup, which any minute now, could crack under the tight grip of Neji.
Hinata blinked at Neji with Confusion. What did he mean by passing the responsility to others? What is he saying?
Neji didn't wait for her to question him. The confusion was written all over her face.
"The Nara took you home, Hinata."
Guys, Personally I love Asuma hahaha He's such a wisecracker!:D I was laughing while writing his entire conversation with Shikamaru in this chapter!:D and Hanabi too!:D
What's your fav part? Come on let us know..:D
On a more serious note, What do you think about the story so far? Did it lack of something? Did you love it?
Seriously, your thoughts are important to me so don't be afraid to voice it out..:) constructive criticism is always welcome.:) PM me anytime..:)
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It would really mean a lot to me..:)
-CuriousFujoshi