At that moment, a vague figure appears, almost like a shadow, behind Naruto...and I realize once more. Even if he laughs like before and smiles like the sun, eventually, this overwhelming heat will explode. Burning me along with it...just like the man's limp body, I will exist as nothing more than an exhibit of Naruto's anger.
Even so...I've done nothing to Naruto, and the question that haunted me during these past two weeks appears once more. Why me? This is barely my second year at the school and a few months in, someone who has ignored me since we last spoke, seeks me out and claims me as his? I simply can't wrap my head around it. Not only that but somehow he managed to dig up my past, the past I've desperately run away from countless times.
"Hinata, you've been on your own for a while now, come back." a flick on my forehead drags me back to my current situation. I stare at his surprisingly calm eyes. He should tell me how he found out. He owes me at least that.
"If you're done eating let's go." His hand reaches for my arm and he roughly drags me up.
"Wait!" I almost scream at him. He turns, nonchalantly, and lifts a brow. "I want to know- How exactly did you find out? What did I do?" His sudden, crooked smile elongates, and he whispers something under his breath. "What did you say?" my voice is lower than before, but it's firm enough to show I'm not playing anymore.
"I find it a bit humorous, you could even say ironic." he hovers over me, and lightly tugs at my hair, pulling it behind my ear, where his lips graze. "It's not like I found out. I've known the entire time. Or more accurately you could say, I was there when it all happened."
I immediately shove his body away from mine. "That's impossible." he's playing with my mind, does he really know? He hasn't mentioned any specific details. For all I know he could be toying with me...but then, for what purpose? "You couldn't possibly know. We only spoke last year, and you didn't know who I was." My mind is a mess. If he did know, then that means he's lied to me since before and approached me with hidden intentions. And on top of that...that means he's known all along and watched me. "Prove that you know." I need verification.
His gaze shifts from me to the busy street. "Sure." he approaches me once more. "Not now though. Tomorrow. I'll show you tomorrow." he pats my shoulder, motioning to start walking again, "but, next time we'll be walking back to my place. Pack enough things for the night. You'll be staying over." I can't...I don't get him.
"I don't want to spend the night with you…" I stay put in my spot. He pauses, and shrugs, "Not like you have a choice." then as if a thought suddenly crosses his mind he stops once more. "If you dare to not show up, I'll send someone to come fetch you, and they won't be as gentle as me."
…
We reach my door after what seems like forever. "This is it." I look at the small yellow brick house, even though it's where I grew up, it doesn't feel like a home. I don't have a single happy memory from the past. But…
"Hinata!" the door violently swings open, sending it flying right back. "Auntie, be careful! The house is old, you'll end up leaving me homeless!"
"Ahh~ Hinata so many months have passed and you care more about this old house, instead of your old aunt. You're too cruel." she pulls me in for a tight, warm hug. I feel a slight weight lifted off my back. "And who's this? A friend? A boyfriend?" A few bricks fall back on my back, and the weight is back.
"That's right, auntie." I spun around ready to negate the obvious lie. My mouth opens but remains silent when I see the hidden glare behind his shining grin. I dare you to tell her. His message is received loud and clear, without the need for words. What a great skill to have.
"Auntie, Hinata hasn't eaten. She left most of the Ramen I bought her in the bowl. I bet auntie's cooking is the best." he's already next to her, holding her hand in his when I realize what he's trying to do. Heh. Idiot.
"Actually, Hinata doesn't enjoy my cooking that much. This child is extremely picky!" serves him right, my aunt has the best worst cooking my tongue has ever touched. "Fortunately, though, she does have an amazing Auntie, this auntie went out of her way to purchase fresh cinnamon buns from her favorite Cafe. It's not a meal, but you're welcome to join us."
I felt chills before he spoke those words.
"I would love to." his head passes through my creaking wooden door, and suddenly he's a step closer to my locked up past.