Hello, hello! A little bit of fluff coming your way just to whet your whistle a bit ;) but also a hint of sadness.
It's taken me a while to get this chapter to the way I wanted. I'm officially on Spring break, so here's another one for you :D
Hope you enjoy!
A WALLFLOWER'S CURSE
Chapter 4: Missed
"Even with our fists held high
It never would have worked out right, yeah
We were never meant for do or die."
-Kelly Clarkson
The sun had set and the fireflies and lanterns lit the darkness that cloaked the night. There was a quiet breeze that broke any silence that dared to creep upon the evening.
Naruto stood at the fountain in a dress shirt and dark jeans (He told Sakura he had a date and she made damn well sure that he was presentable.)
(And boy, did he work it.) He waited, kicking a pebble around until something red caught his eyes.
Hinata dressed differently. Very differently.
No one had ever seen her arms or any leg above her ankles, let alone to an inch above her knees. She clutched the fabric, making sure it never rose above a comfortable length.
"Wow!" Naruto's wide eyes and high brows commented, making Hinata's face turn a deep red – almost the same color as her dress. "You're very pretty in that dress, Hinata."
She had to try very hard to hold back the urge to faint from the unexpected compliment, because it meant that Naruto was really looking at her (just a little more attention from him than he was used to). "T-Thank you. Y-you look n-nice, too, N-Naruto-ku-un." And the pressure was almost too much to bare.
They were on a date. How did this happen? Well it didn't matter much if at all because the date was happening. Right now. And Kiba and Shino they were watching them, from behind the bushes.
"Ok, so far, so good." Kiba whispered to a distracted Shino, who had his eyes intently on the two.
Psh. Shino thought to himself. She is pretty regardless of what she wears.
Naruto decided to start up a conversation noticing that neither of them were making eye contact. "So how was your day?"
"G-g-Good. A-and y-yours?"
"It was alright." He shrugged.
So much for sustaining a conversation. Can't even finish what you started. Shino muttered in his head.
There was a moment of awkward silence between the two. It was a first date for both of them.
"Damn, that's just awkward." Kiba huffed. He didn't care that Shino didn't respond because that was usual.
Shino watched her; her pixie short hair was spikeda little, and the gloss on her lips made them look plump and juicy. (Yes, juicy.) And he couldn't possibly fail to notice how well the dress hugged her voluptuous curves. (His kikaichu noticed that he noticed, too; especially the little alluring bit of cleavage showing on the near off-shoulder top portion of the dress.)
"Wait! They're leaving! Let's go!" Kiba nearly had to tear Shino's eyes off of Hinata. Shino was about to open his mouth to say something, but found his arm being pulled into the direction of the two love birds.
"Where are they going!?" Kiba complained.
"Well she has a picnic basket on her arm, doesn't she?" Shino pointed out bluntly.
"I know that much. But they're taking so damn long to pick a simple spot to eat. There was a perfectly good spot at the fountain back there!"
"The public fountain? On their private date?"
Instead of a comeback, Shino got a 'shush'. That was strange, because it was usually Shino who was the silent one asking his teammate to 'shush' to not give themselves away. He must be very distracted.
When he composed himself, he looked to his dog-loving friend, who was heart-broken to have to leave Akamaru home, and wondered what joy he had out of spying on them. But he knows. Of course he knows.
Inuzuka Kiba had a long list of things he wanted to do before he died. One of them was matchmaking.
I swear…the teenager with the dark rimmed glasses thought to himself that his friend had been spending too much time with one Ino Yamanaka with how much effort into watching them this closely after 'setting them up'. And in a way that is questionable in how it worked.
But his thoughts were interrupted as his eyes wondered back to the wooden picnic table in a secluded part of the park.
"Thank you." Hinata uttered under her breath sweetly after Naruto handed her a plate for the sushi.
She made it herself. Shino noticed. She always gave her sushi rolls a slight curl and twist to give them all a cuter appearance. Almost too cute to eat, but that never lasted long because her cooking was always superb.
"Damn, this is some good sushi!" Naruto had five pieces in his mouth and still managed to talk with his mouth full.
A blush crept up on her cheeks. She was hoping that wouldn't happen.
But it always does. Her bug-loving admirer knew it was something she tried to stop, but it couldn't be helped.
"So…how's your training going? Chunin now, right?"
"U-uh, yes. And training is going well. I could never be as strong as you, though."
"Yeah, well, I wouldn't say that. I mean, you're a lot stronger than you were before. And you weren't exactly weak to begin with."
The color red took over Hinata's face again.
Partly because I informed you that you should believe in her. Shino remembered the mission they had to find the Bikochu Beetle.
When Hinata was captured, it was Shino who told Naruto to not underestimate her because Shino was the one who knew to believe in her, and respected her, as he watched her grow from all her hard work.
"No pain, no gain." He remembered her telling him every time he and Kiba asked if she was alright. Even when she couldn't even get up on her own.
And when she showcased her version of the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palm against the summoned Queen Bee, she proved him right.
"Dude, let's go! They're moving!" Kiba grabbed Shino by the arm and yanked him half way across Hokage Park.
They found the two at a fountain with a coy fish family swimming around. They began to make small talk as Shino began to glare intently.
"How did you manage to get your own place anyways?" Naruto asked.
"...Uhh...w-well..." She began to blush again, "Y-You see...I made a d-deal with my father...a-as long as I can p-prove that I c-can t-take care of myself, I he-he has allowed me to live o-on my own."
"Oh, that's a surprise seeing as how controlling your father is."
"Y-Yeah..." She smiled at his signature grin. And Shino and Kiba were listening to every single word. Shino and Kiba had also wondered how she was able to live on her own, but she never told them. She never even told them she moved out of her parents' house. They only found out when one day they walked her home and discovered her new home. Knowing that, they figured not to ask, which was strange since Kiba was usually always in his team mates' business. "It's nice to be by myself."
Naruto looked down to his reflection in the fountain and the face he made wasn't the most content. Seeing that, Hinata remembered that Naruto didn't have anyone to get away from. He only had himself and had always been on his own. Remembering that made her a little sad, too.
"I-I'm sorry...I know-"
"Don't be sorry. As long as you're happy, I'm happy." He grinned again.
That made her smile. Hearing him say that at least. As a statement that he cared for her.
I'll give him credit for that. Shino graded Naruto in his head. But only that for now.
"There's nothing wrong with wanting to be on your own." Naruto ensured. "I know there's a difference between being raised and raising yourself, but I survived. It pretty much made me what I am today, and it's what will make the Hokage I will be one day. Besides, I am my own man, and no one tells me what to do...well you know, with the exception of Grandma Tsunade, but that's besides the point."
She giggled and replied with "Y-Yes. Yes you are. It's s-something to be v-very proud of. I-I know I a-am p-proud of y-you."
Naruto's eyes cleared a bit from what she'd said and his appreciation for her sincerity was carried by the gentleness of his smile. Sincerity was something many people lacked - especially towards demon carriers. He couldn't help but feel warmed by his new realizations.
While walking through the park, Naruto remembered what Sakura forcably taught him about being a gentleman and offered to carry her picnic basket for her.
At least he can play a semi-decent beginner's level gentleman.
The two continued their romantic walk through Hokage park with idle chitchat and the moderate level of flirting that their ninja-trained selves were capable of.
He needs to find something else to talk about.
"And that's why I want to become Hokage someday!" He ended his little shpeel.
Seriously. Shino reinforced. We know this by heart now.
"And I-I'm sure you will be one day." Hinata encouraged.
A blush crept onto his wiskered face as he grinned and scratched his head out of habit.
Psh.
Hinata turned her attention towards the sky as they star gazed, seated quite close next to each other on the wooden bench compared to usual.
Too close.
Naruto watched Hinata watch the stars, but then remembered something he saw in a movie once: he let out a big yawn, stretched his arms, and somehow managed to smoothly place one arm around Hinata's shoulders.
MUCH too close...Shino's eyebrows rose at the gesture.
"Woah." Kiba was just as surprised. "Who knew Uzumaki had a decent level of game."
Shino wasn't going to answer that, or any other question Kiba was going to ask him. He was too busy watching Naruto and Hinata and thinking how Naruto had better be careful with what part of Hinata he might touch next.
Hinata felt the arm behind her when she leaned back and turned her attention to the blonde boy next to her. They looked at each other a little awkwardly at first, but as his face started to drift closer to hers, the weather began to feel a little hotter. Shino felt a slight tinge in his chest watching them with every nerve fiber on edge.
But before there was any contact, Hinata realized what was about to happen and kind of, sort of, somewhat freaked out, resulting in her slipping off the edge of the bench onto the ground.
"Huh?" Naruto opened his eyes to find Hinata rubbed her backside with a rather dark shade of red on her face. "U-Uhh D-Did I lean in too much!? I'm so sorry!"
"N-No! I-It's fine! I just fell t-that's all." She explained as he helped her up. She couldn't really finish explaining because she was distracted with him still holding onto her hands. Naruto didn't even notice until Hinata looked down at their hands. As soon as he realized, he let go immediately and blushed. "Sorry." Both of their cheeks turned pink and they looked away from each other not knowing whether to feel awkward or not, which made it a bit awkward.
"I don't even know what to call this date." Kiba whispered. "It ain't good but it ain't bad, it just plain awkward for the most part."
You better be sorry. Shino eyeballed the blonde from behind the bushes. ...Wait...why is he taking his jacket off!? He observed as Naruto gently placed it on Hinata's cold shoulders.
Okay, good. Shino breathed in relief. Perhaps I should give Uzumaki a little more credit. He hasn't tried anything yet. And Shino thought that up until Naruto took Hinata's hand to hold. Okay, most certainly not.
"This is definitely lame, though. This has been dragging for an hour now." Kiba yawned and whined.
Hinata blushed furiously feeling his strong calloused hand almost smothering hers. It wasn't like holding a cuddly teddy bear, but she felt a little safer. That gave her the confidence to lean into him - but just a little bit.
That gave Shino a feeling he wasn't used to feeling because it was unlike those of the Aburame clan to covet anything of anyone else's. That should apply to Hinata being Naruto's date, but, he knew better.
"Dude let's move!" But Shino was already gone following them in the trees ever so swiftly. "Wait! Wha!?" He followed into step.
"Dude! What's up with you!?"
Silence was Shino's reply.
"What's your problem today? You've been way off." Kiba demanded, chipping off bark on every branch he plowed on in frustration.
He continued to answer in silence.
But then Kiba remembered how Shino watched them. He knew Shino well enough to know that he didn't observe in the way he usually did. His expression was different as well as his behavior. "Hm." The Inuzuku grinned. "Looks like someone's a little jealous."
Shino turned his head slightly. What are the chances that Kiba might guess right when he had barely any evidence if at all of how Shino might have felt about the situation?
"You are jealous! Dude! Why didn't you tell me! I would've totally set you up with her instead of that knucklehead!"
"I am not jealous."
"Pa-lease! It's written all over your face!"
"..."
"I knew it! You can't deny it!"
"Like I said, I am not jealous." Shino's eyebrow rose in irritation.
"Yeah, riiiiiiight. Okay, enough of this, I'll ruin their little date and get Naruto out of the way for you!" Kiba leaped towards the two unsuspecting lovebirds too distracted to use their Shinobi senses.
"No!" Shino tackled him to the ground.
"What's the matter with you, bug freak!?"
They started grappling and rolling on the ground hitting a few roots on the way and making a big cloud of dust.
"You will not intervene!"
"I'm just trying to help!"
"You are not helping anything!"
"I WILL IF YOU JUST LET ME!"
"I do not require help."
"YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH YOU NEED IT!"
"...um...guys?" Naruto interupted.
They froze in their tracks, looked up, and saw their stalkies staring at them with concerned expressions.
"OHAI GUYS!" Kiba tried to play it off. "Just practicing a little close combat!"
"...in the middle of Hokage park this late at night?"
"Of course!" They got up and dusted their clothes off. "You can never get too much practice. Isn't that right, Hinata?"
"..uh...r-right...but where's A-Akumaru?"
"Oh, I, uh, lert him rest. We've been hittin' it pretty hard lately."
"I g-guess that's always g-good..."
"In fact, I challenge you right now!" Kiba pointed at the blonde scratching the back of his confused head.
"Wait, now!?"
"Yes, now! A real ninja never backs down from a fight!"
"Well, I'm kinda in the middle of something..." He looked towards Hinata, who blushed furiously as always.
Kiba answered with three shuriken.
"What the-"
"Come on!"
Kiba chased Naruto up the trees, then winked at Shino, giving him a signal to make a move.
"..." He needs to stop...that was both ridiculous and unnecessary...
The two stood in silence, he didn't say a word, but it was the comfortable silence that they had always shared.
Here was a chance he could choose to take or let go. He processed every possible bit that he observed from the evening, everything that could result, and everything he had throught in the past few hours, he re-thought.
Hinata watched as he thought. Something was heavy on his mind, she could tell, but had no idea.
"Shino-kun…what is it?" She looked at the tall figure in front of her; watching him watch the moon glow from out of the clouds.
"Wallflowers deserve to be happy, too."
He refused to turn around, no matter how much he wanted to look her in the eyes and tell her something that's just been burning in his throat for too long.
"It is nothing." But somehow, he always manages to somehow push his emotions aside for someone he cared for more than himself. Much more than himself.
She knew that questioning whether Shino Aburame was sure about something or not was almost never necessary. But Hinata also knew Shino. She knew Shino well enough that if it takes him more than a minute to respond with just a mere "nothing", then there very much was something.
"Please do not concern yourself, Hinata. Go, and continue your evening with...Naruto."
He nearly choked the mentioning of her date.
"Shino-kun..."
"Go." She was a bit taken back by his harsher tone of voice. But it quickly returned to his normal, softer voice. "Have fun...he's waiting for you..." It was rather difficult for him to admit, but he had already accepted it.
"Are you sure?"
"You two were having a good time, were you not?"
"...well...yes..."
"Then you should continue."
"It feels weird...feeling like you don't approve of me dating Naruto..."
"You do not need my approval for anything." He cared for her, and was protective of her, but he also respected her very much.
"...I feel like...there's something you want to say, but won't..."
"There is nothing for me to say."
"...But...I'm sorry...I just...I have a feeling that sometimes...nevermind...I'm just being stupid...to think...nevermind, I'll stop now."
Impulsively, he turned around to face her, then walked towards her. Giving a foot between them, he looked her dead in the eyes, opened his mouth and...stopped himself.
She looked up at him, wondering what he was about to do. This is so unlike him, she knew very much. She looked down trying to figure out what was going on through his head. Why was he acting this way? Did something happen? Did I do something? Is it – wait…huh? She didn't need to look up to feel that Shino was hugging her very tightly. His strong long arms embraced her protectively and gently. Of course he had to lean down a little since she was so much shorter, but he didn't mind at all seeing how he placed his exposed cheek on her head.
Impulsive. That was a word that no one would ever choose to describe Aburame Shino. But yet again there is a first time for everything.
This small display of affection was something Hinata had never expected. Especially not from one of the most stoic people she had grown up with - her team that she trained with almost every day and knew very well.
He had more information to process, but this time it was the feeling of him hugging her for the first time. How small and warm felt against his body; how strong her scent was being this close to her; how smooth and silky her hair was; and how relaxed and comfortable she was being this close to him. He loved this feeling and she didn't stop him or move away. And he appreciated that more than she would ever know.
But all good things have to come to an end. He had to let go of her sooner or later. And it was as much later as it was going to get.
"Go. Naruto is waiting for you." He composed himself like nothing had happened. Even though something happened that he would probably never forget.
She didn't know what was going on. But she couldn't question anything because Shino was already gone.
He lept from tree to tree until he was home and rethought what had just happened. He regretted nothing but letting go. He was able to break his usual hesitation, but only for a moment. But yet again, that little moment made it all worth while - being able to hold her like he had wanted to for the longest time.
He wanted to say what could potentially set the course for something he had always wanted. He wanted to pave the path he had hoped to carve for years, but, of course, he knew better; that he was too inexperienced in matters of heart to accurately predict anything. There were too many varying factors for his comfort. That and he wanted her to have what she'd always wanted: Naruto.
She had him now, he could see it, and he cared too much to ruin anything for her.
Even though he knew what could possibly result.
But what's done is done, and for now, he regretted nothing.
And that was more than enough for him - her happniess.
"Everything alright, son?" Shibi questioned the clan heir's state of mind as he walked through the front door and missed the stairs and just barely missed bumping into the wall.
"Yes." He fixed his glasses.
The father figure sat on the couch reading his new encyclopedia on fanged insects. "Everything?"
"Yes. Everything that matters is as it should be."
He didn't question his son's logic, as it was similar to his own. He just merely let him be, knowing it was best to allow him to sift through his thoughts on his own.
Shibi only wished his son's mental state didn't concern him to the point where he had to ask him if everything was alright when it was clear that something wasn't. But he wanted to wait a little longer before prying into what that something was.
Shino changed into his black mesh shirt and black sweat pants upon removing his shoes and practically fell onto his bed.
"Everything that matters is as it should be."
It wasn't a lie. He said to himself. Hinata is happy. That is all that matters.
After tossing and turning for half an hour, he was finally able to fall asleep, but that 'uncomfortable' dream of him and that certain significant other made his slumber rather restless. Through the night his head would occassionally whip back and forth. Only when Aito unconsiously kicked a loose sock upward and into his face did Shino wake up.
"Ugh!" He growled. The clock read five minutes to three. Just one month. I almost died multiple times while on duty. I can do this. Aito let out a loud grunt of a snore after Shino tried to motivate himself.
But he couldn't really blame his cousin for him not being able to sleep. It was an uneasy sleep due to his night-time visions
There is no use in dreaming of such things. He told himself. Especially now that I have no chance. I've missed them all.
Then he realized something from earlier in the morning, when he fell off his bed in his sleep.
The last time he fell off his bed while in his sleep, he lost someone very precious to him.
And it seems now that he's lost Hinata.
To Naruto.
Hope that didn't make you tear up too badly now. Until next time!
I want to thank those who've stayed with me 'till now cause you know I'm not the best with keeping this up to date, but just letting you know I appreciate it ;) !
Feedback would be nice since I'm not sure what to do for the storyline after this chapter for the moment.
Review if worthy! :D
