-Dreaming of Petals-
By: ApplesofWrath
Chapter 7
Disclaimer: Naruto is property belonging to Masashi Kishimoto. Neither am I claiming any of Naruto's content nor writing a fanfic for profit. Please don't sue me and support the actual release.
"Ta-dah!" Tenten interjected.
Neji looked across the table at his friend who held out a clear, decorated bag filled with what looked like homemade cookies. They were shaped like stars and rainbows, and had various colors of icing on them. Tenten was in a very cheerful mood today and it reflected onto how she was dresser—a woolen red sweater, jeans, and converse. Her hair in her usual twin bun hairstyle, but today she decided to pull a section of her bangs back with a funky clip that had an apple on it. Neji reached out and took the bag from Tenten and gave a nod in thanks.
It was Tenten's idea that the two of them decided to study together at a nearby bookstore in town on a Friday night. Not the most thrilling thing to do for teenagers, but they had school to keep up with.
Tenten spoke shortly after handing the cookies to Neji,
"This is thanks for buying me coffee last time," Tenten admitted, with a subtle blush in her cheeks. At this, Neji gave her a slightly disappointed look, "I told you not to worry about that... Jeez," Neji said as he bit into a cookie. Tenten just looked at him as if waiting for his reaction for how the cookies tasted.
"Relax, they taste great," Neji reassured, "I appreciate it, thanks again."
"Oh-uh... No problem!" Tenten said awkwardly as she fiddling with a clip in her hair that held her bangs back. She then sighed and added, "Well, at least I didn't have to end up calling poison control..." At this, Neji chuckled. He stopped when he heard a familiar ring tone from his backpack.
"Excuse me," Neji said to his friend before answering his phone. Tenten just nodded and couldn't help but listen to Neji conversing to the other side of line.
"Hello?"
"Ahh, okaasan-" he greeted.
"Tonight?" Neji scrunched his eyebrows
"No... It's not a problem. I just wasn't expecting that event to be tonight, that's all..."
"Understood. I'll come home around 5 or 5:30 then." Neji hung up.
As the Hyuuga prodigy returned his cellular back into his book bag, Tenten took the chance to ask, "Is something wrong?" Tenten said, concerned. Neji just shook his head,
"No, nothing. It's just that my mom called to tell me that we are having dinner at the Sakuma house tonight and I needed to be home in time..." Neji explained pulling out his lab manual and a pencil.
Tenten sat and thought for a second,
"Wait... Sakuma? As in Sakuma Shizuka's family?" Tenten asked, "Sakuma Shizuka from school?" Neji just nodded, looking disinterested.
"Yeah, that's her," Neji confirmed, "The girl who is pretty much home-schooled because she's always sick." Tenten just gave an 'oh' and looked at the bag of cookies she gave him. Neji noticed a hint of sadness from Tenten's tone. Deciding to try and cheer her up, Neji spoke again.
"I was instructed to come home earlier, but I'll go around 5:30 pm—the latest I can arrive around," Tenten looked up at Neji, who continued talking, "Our study comes first," He added, opening his lab manual with a smirk. Tenten's eye brightened, happy that she had extended time with the Hyuuga prodigy. She nodded confidently.
The two studied in silence, having small talk here and there. What Neji really meant to say instead of 'study' was 'date,' but he figured they weren't at that stage in their relationship... yet.
"Wow, Hinata!" Naruto beamed after he took bites out of his food.
"Uhh... you really thinks so?" Hinata shyly asked while looking at the ground and pushing her fingers together, blushing. Naruto reassured her, "Yes I really do think so!" He then added, "You'll make a great wife, one day!" At this, Hinata turned redder, but was deeply flattered by Naruto's compliment.
Naruto and Hinata sat under a tree at the local park in town. It was a lovely Friday afternoon, the weather was just right for a picnic. Internally, Naruto was grateful that he checked the weather beforehand prior to setting a picnic date with Hinata.
"So..." Naruto began.
"So..?" Hinata waited for Naruto to finish what he was trying to say. Naruto scratched his head and gave Hinata that trademark smile of his,
"The truth is... I never been on a date before," Naruto admitted, which kind of shocked Hinata. Naruto was rather popular at school, and plenty of girls had their eyes on him.
"Well, I was asked out before. A few times before this, but I said 'no' to them," Naruto explained. Hinata couldn't help but wonder why. As if he sensed this thought from Hinata, Naruto continued further in his explanation.
"I told them I already liked someone," Hinata's eyes widened and she held her breath.
"I..." Naruto began, "really like you Hinata-chan..." Naruto said, too scared to look at her so he instead just stared at his fifth serving of a sandwich in his hands. Naruto gulped, "I'm really glad you and I are spending time together..." Hinata smiled at him, and responded with "I feel the same way, and I'm glad as well we are spending time as well."
Naruto just looked at her and then widened his trademark smile even more.
"I was insecure that maybe you didn't like me back..." Naruto continued, "Me being pretty much the student with the lowest GPA at St. Arabella's..." Hinata's heart dropped a bit, "I'm not very book-smart, I know... But," he looked into the distance,
"Sometimes, I wish people knew how hard I work... Even if I'm not a very bright guy..."
The rest of Hinata's heart sank for the Uzumaki heir.
"Naruto-kun, I completely disagree..." Hinata began, "I think you are absolutely amazing," At this, Naruto looked at her, "I can tell that you are going to do something great and valuable in your life. You have not just the ability, but the will to change the world," Hinata placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
Naruto sat and digested her words. He felt... Special, valued... And it was all from his dream girl. He placed a hand over Hinata's that was on his shoulder, "Thanks."
It was apparent on Naruto's face that he felt much much better. A few kind words sometimes really make a difference.
Naruto then felt like sharing a bit more. Noting this, Hinata just listened.
"I... want to become governor of this Konoha one day... Just like my dad. Although I can't say I enjoy the publicized life of the son of the Governor much... I recently found some paparazzi guy in our bushes the other day while playing tennis... But I am really proud of my dad for the great things he did for this place, even if our life is displayed for the world to see. It's always been tough being in a part of the political world... It drains my dad like no other... But by the end of the day, I could tell that my dad is content that he is making some sort of difference." Hinata just listened and felt awed by hearing Naruto and his family's strength to overcome their trials.
When Naruto was finished with his story, Hinata decided to share something of her life as well.
"The truth is... I don't want to be the Hyuuga Heiress. Though I am born into that path and supposed to walk that way... I don't want to. I just want a simple life with the ones I love... My parents have the hardest time accepting this... They are planning to hand the company to my younger sister, and I have no problem with that... She is much suited for the corporate world than I... And though pretty much everyone established to themselves that Hanabi will be inheriting the company... They never fail to leave out a subtle comment here and there of how invaluable I am..." Hinata said as she looked into the distance. Naruto just listened and felt sorry for the violet haired beauty.
"Hinata-chan... If it's something I learned from being the son of a politician..." Hinata turned to the blond, "You'll get crap from everyone. All the time... But, what they say doesn't reflect who you really are or how you should view yourself... You should live your life the way you want, regardless is your family disagree with you..." Naruto paused, "I don't believe you are invaluable... You still make me nervous and wonder what I did to deserve a date with you. You are a wonderful cook, a lovely woman, and a compassionate soul that the worlds needs more of..." Naruto wondered if he sounded cheesy... But looking at Hinata's face, it look like his words touched her, and Naruto internally sighed in relief. After some content silence with each other, they finished their food.
After packing their things, Hinata then stood up, and gave Naruto a hand. He hoisted himself up into a standing position.
"Walk me home?" Hinata smiled. Naruto just returned the expression.
"You bet!" Naruto took the basket from Hinata's arm and offered to carry it, which she obliged. They started walking down the concrete pathway back to Naruto's BMW.
"Neji!" Hotaru exclaimed, when she saw her son enter the front door. She walked over to him,
"You are late, young man... Shizuka and her parents are already here-" Hyuuga Hotaru stopped her lecture towards her only son when she noticed Tenten following behind him. Regaining her composure and collected herself, she reluctantly greeted Tenten with a smile, but a strained one.
"Nakashima-san... Well, hello," Hotaru greeted Tenten. Who pulled out her hand to offer a handshake. Hotaru just looked at her, gave her a forced smile, and reluctantly shook her hand. Feeling awkward, Tenten's hurt was clearly written on her face, but she returned a forced smile. Neji immediately noticed this, and felt angry at his mother for treating Tenten like this even though his mother knew they have been friends for years.
A shy voice broke Neji out of his angry thoughts, the three of them turned to a girl walking up to the three people in the foyer. Tenten observed her—she was incredibly pale and very skinny. She had a hint of dark circles under her eyes, with medium-shoulder-length hair and gray eyes. She was relatively pretty and thought Tenten already knew that Shizuka was sick, she could have guessed it either way if this was the first time she saw her.
The Sakuma heir made her way to Neji, who just look at her with no expression—his face had a hint of disinterest, but was forced to keep a polite, kind face to a family aqquaintance.
Neji just nodded at Shizuka, "Shizuka-san," he spoke, "I hope you are doing well," sounding polite.
Shizuka just gave him a weak smile, "Neji-san, I am. Thank you." She then turned to Tenten and gave her a polite smile,
"Nakashima Tenten, is it?" She reached out a hand, which Tenten politely shook.
"Ahh, yes," Tenten greeted. "I have seen you at school before," Tenten began, "We had geometry together," Tenten ended the comment with a kind smile. Their hands pulled apart.
Shizuka gave a sincere smile, "Ahh I can't thank you enough for gathering my notes for me," Shizuka gave her a grateful look. As soon after Shizuka thanked Tenten, another figure entered the foyer. The woman was much older, and held resemblance to Shizuka. Tenten guessed that she was Shizuka-san's mother.
The woman had on a turtle-neck dress with a short fur vest held by a silver brooch. Her hair was held in a regal bun and a pearl necklace around her neck. Her heels made sounds as she walked over to the three. She looked at Tenten, and then Neji, whom she chose to greet the latter first.
"Hyuuga-san," She greeted and held out her hand as if waiting for Neji to hold as if she was some sort of queen from another country. Neji took her hand and then returned with an acknowledgment, "Miyako-sama."
The woman gave a polite smile to Neji and then looked at Tenten, who really struck her curiousity on who she is and what relationship does she share with Neji to be over at his mansion. The woman just gave another forced smile at Tenten like Neji's mother did, but the corners of it were tugged higher, giving Tenten an uncomfortable feeling that this woman could possibly be bad news.