"FINALLY FOUND YOU"
Written by: riyuna16
Disclaimer: I definitely do not own Naruto. So I hope Mr. Kishimoto will find out I'm one of his long lost kindred... MWAHAHAHA!!
Summary:Hyuuga Hiashi is expecting Hinata to get married at 18! Of course, she desires for her beloved Naruto-kun. Her friends are there to help her! Then again, she sees that her father would never accept him---whether the blonde knows her love for him or not. Now who is going to walk up to the altar with her? Or will be there a surprise on her wedding day...? (NaruHina; SasuSaku; NejiTen; ShikaIno)
A/N: Sorry took a while there to update! Notice that I changed the format of this FFU chapter and expect that all my upcoming fics or uploads would be written this way. thumbs up- Anyway, let's just get into the fic, shall we? Here is Chapter 7 of Finally Found You. Enjoy... :D!
Chapter 7
It was past 10 in the hours of darkness as Hinata lay on the bed motionless. The lone light in the obscure corners of the room was the pale moon that shone through the bedroom windows. Only the girl's senses made her aware of her surroundings and everything that came about in the room she didn't own. She laid perfectly still, body nearly lifeless underneath the powder blue blanket.
Hush, she thought. He's coming.
The low creaking of the door caught her breath. Panic surged in her chest but she suppressed the asinine impulse to blow her cover. Suddenly, a tall young man of golden mane tiptoed to the room. For a moment, he hesitated to pursue his target. But her slow, rhythmic breathing hinted him to continue.
He went by her side and looked intently at her. His sapphire eyes roamed around her face—midnight-blue bangs, white lilac eyes, fine ears, nose, and full lips of cherry red.
He felt himself visibly swallowing a sudden lump in his throat as he leaned closer to her.
Closer...
Closer...
He was an inch away from just bowing his head to caress her with his quivering lips. Finally, he shut his eyes as he closed in. At that very moment, a smile curved Hinata's lips. This is it, she thought. And she eagerly waited for his—
Flash!
"HINATA? Hinata, I'm talking to you!"
"Huh? Wha—" Hinata looked around. She was no longer in the dark, shadowy room she thought she was. Naruto... where is he? She found herself walking along the streets of Konoha together with her friends; Ino and Tenten. In front of her where the boys; Shikamaru, Chouji, Kiba and Naruto—there he was—fooling around.
She bit her lip and something stirred inside her.
"Hey, Hinata, where were we again?" asked Ino with a smiling face. "Where we—" She winked at Tenten. "—talking about you sleeping in Naruto's room...?"
"EH?" Hinata's cheeks turned so hot she thought they'd burst. I... I don't remember."
"You're daydreaming, aren't you!?" Tenten sarcastically pointed a finger at her. "Well, that's okay. I do that, too."
"YOU DO?" The young Yamanaka gaped at the weapon mistress incredulously. "You daydream about yourself and Neji?"
"Why not?" Tenten proudly replied, a statement that made Hinata's jaw drop. "I mean, NO! Heck, no, of course not! That was a joke! I was kidding," Tenten repeatedly waved her hand as she a bead of sweat rolled down her temple. She had this feeling Hinata knew something was going on between them, yet the heiress didn't create such a fuss over it—of which Tenten was grateful.
"Listen, Hinata. You should keep your distance from that Naruto," whispered Ino as she slid an arm around her snowy-eyed friend. "He's a born pervert."
"I'll second to that," agreed Tenten with a shrug. "Remind him you'll stay in the bedroom while he sleeps on the couch."
"WHAT? But he owns the house," uttered Hinata with a frown. "I'm not a guest there, you guys... I'm just an intruder in his private life."
Both girls heaved a sigh. "Oh, c'mon—"
"Besides," interrupted the Byakugan heiress. "I know Naruto-kun. He's kindhearted... selfless... compassionate... don't worry."
The two stared at one another before residing into a curt nod. "Just don't tell us we didn't warn you," said Ino.
"I understand," A reassuring smile curved Hinata's mouth and they sauntered towards their destination.
----------
It was almost sundown when everyone reached Naruto's apartment. The spiky-haired blonde was carrying Hinata's luggage as she stood in front of their friends as if she was to deliver a speech of some sort.
"A-Anou... thank you so much, everyone," She managed to pronounce. "Please extend my gratitude to all, especially Sakura-chan, Lee-kun and cousin Neji who weren't able to make it."
"That's okay, Hinata!" yelled Kiba with a grin. "Akamaru and I will demand Shino's presence next time. Us, three, will visit you, two... so be extremely nice to Hinata, eh, Naruto!?"
A grin spread across the blonde's face. "Of COURSE!"
The boys started laughing; building the incredulity of the girls. Hinata's eyes flashed like lightning, changing from subtle snow to trembling ice. She felt her throat drying and her cheeks got so hot she thought they'd explode. Nice, she thought. And slow. She froze in open-air until Naruto tugged at her hand gently, sending a fiery sensation throughout her body.
"Come on in," he gestured a hand to his front door. "I'll take you to your room in a while, okay?"
That simple statement sounded so sensual that goose bumps surfaced on her pale arms. Suddenly, Tenten came running towards her.
"Wait," she caught her hand, chocolate eyes locked on hers. "Keep distance, Hinata-chan, but remember to act like couples. We have to be careful. Your father is capable of doing anything—from sending spiesto dispatching detectives—you know how wrathful he gets, right? Don't get to near but still; don't blow up our cover, okay? And tell that to Naruto."
Hinata looked at her anxiously, and returned her gaze with a nod.
"Ino says good luck," the weapon mistress murmured with a consoling smile. "And hopefully, you can tell it to him."
The park.
The sunset was beautiful as Kakashi admired at it from the horizon. Twenty-four hours have passed after he returned from the mission and he had to admit he felt sheer relief upon knowing Sasuke and Iruka survived in the operation. He always thought the life of a ninja was unpredictable, unlike the rising and setting of the sun. But what was most unpredictable—was Sasuke.
That young raven wonder was full of surprises. He never thought he would save Iruka's life, knowing he was endangering his own. He could sacrifice himself—for someone dear to him—and surely that someone wasn't someone like Iruka. But he did save him, and saving someone's life is an action done by those who were merely humane.
An eyebrow shot up. Funny, he thought. And I've always thought he dedicated his life to revenge.
Sasuke had always been an interesting puzzle to him, whose pieces are scattered and grotesque. Kakashi had always wanted to solve that puzzle, although it means he had to save the pieces from complete distortion.
He felt a sudden gash in the wind. An object was pierced in the air, aiming itself directly at the jounin's skull. In the slightest second, Kakashi swiftly reached the back of his head, skillfully clutching the entity before it even touched a strand of his hair. He brought the object to his face, and smiled.
"Apple," he murmured and took a big bite out of it. "Come out, Iruka. I hope you won't let me consume this by myself."
A tall, ethereal man stood in front of the bathroom mirror. He turned the faucet, dug a handful of cold water and splashed it on his face.
Ah...
The cold water rejuvenated him, like he just woke up from a long, endless slumber. Wiping his face with a towel, the young Uchiha made his way to the shadowy bedroom. He blinked when he caught sight of the slate-blue kimono Sakura dressed him yesterday. He tilted his head. For a moment, he thought he saw an image of a pink-haired girl standing in his bedroom.
He furiously shook his head, muttering a curse. There were more important things he ought to think about—several papers and documents of the Leaf, the inspection of Konoha Law Enforcement Agency the Hokage assigned him conduct, the review report of the recently-completed mission, his appointment in the Konoha Hospital for his goddamn scars... There was quite a list. And the name of the young medic-nin was not part of it.
Suddenly, a long metallic sound pierced in the room that Sasuke's heart almost jumped. He sighed, realizing it was only the telephone. It was a good thing no one saw him jolt like that. That would be utterly embarrassing. The raven-haired nin walked to the device and answered it with annoyance.
"Hello?"
"Sasuke-kun?" He heard a high-pitched voice on the other line. "This is Sakura."
Obviously, he muttered internally. "What do you want?"
The pink-haired kunoichi flinched when she heard his cold response. "I'm... I'm in a phone booth right now," She murmured, as if choosing the right words carefully or else he might hang up. "Why... didn't you attend the meeting?"
"What meeting?" Sasuke snapped with a scowl. "I was asleep."
"Didn't Ino call you?" she asked him meekly. "She was phoning everyone, Sasuke-kun. Only you and Shino didn't show up. I thought you were concerned about Hinata's dilemma and I waited for you in Taco Bell's, hoping you'd arrive sooner or later... but you didn't. I waited for almost an hour for you. Where were you, Sasuke-kun?"
The chidori-user clenched his teeth. What the hell was her problem? It was as if she was blaming him for letting her wait for almost an hour! As if his deep concern for Hinata's troubles were just false impressions, wherein fact he was truly shocked. Was not attending the meeting a sin? Didn't she consider his condition? Was her world revolving around that mute Hyuuga? Anger simmered in his eyes that he was unable to restrain his temper.
"Listen, Sakura." He said in a low, strained voice. "I've got plenty of things to do and you're BLAMING me for not answering the goddamn PHONE? I was ASLEEP, dammit! Can't you UNDERSTAND?!" The angry tone in his voice grew louder and she wanted to stop him. "You're egotistical and you didn't even think about my condition!? To hell with this! I don't give a DAMN about your friend's little dilemma so quit calling me because YOU'RE PISSING ME OFF!!" He slammed the phone on her ear, panting with intense rage. He dropped himself on the bed and threw a hand over his forehead.
Sakura fell silent as she stared into nothingness. What... had just happened? She was merely asking him where was he and all of a sudden, he was shouting at her. His words cut through like a butcher's knife, deep and unbearable. But what triggered his reaction? Ino? Hinata? The question? Was he still there?
"Sasuke-kun...?" she called, tears burning the back of her eyelids. "I'm—I'm sorry, Sasuke-kun! I got carried away and I didn't mean to bother you so much! I care about you and I was worried sick when you didn't arrive. I thought something bad happened to you and I wanted to know how you were. I'm sorry if I acted egotistical and please forgive me!"
She waited.
No response.
"Sasuke? Sasuke-kun, are you there?!"
The disturbing sound on her ear was monotonous, repeating over and over like a worthless record. Tears rolled down her cheeks. It was a sad resonance telling her the young Uchiha was no longer there.
The chuunin laughed before coming out. A grin spread across his face. "I knew you weren't thinking so much when you caught the apple."
"These kinds of fruits are rather big," countered the silver-haired jounin. "Any ninja would notice such an attack." He stared at the apple, rich red and plump. "So what do you want to talk about?"
Iruka sighed before setting himself beside Kakashi. "Sorry you have to act like my psychologist," he murmured. "It's just frustrating I didn't get the promotion... because I failed to carry out my part."
Kakashi gazed at him before sinking his teeth into the fruit. "Because Sasuke saved you?"
The chuunin shook his head. "Because I was a pain—just like what he thought I'd be."
"You were useful," said the jounin meekly, eyes focused on the fruit. "You served a purpose far more important than any of us."
His eyebrows shot up in surprise. "What are you talking about?"
"What, you didn't notice?"
"Notice what?"
"My former student who was once yours," he answered. "We thought he didn't care. That he was a portentous prick but he wasn't."
Iruka bowed his head, a mixed feeling of joy and gloom evident in his eyes. "Your student grew up to be so strong, Kakashi. So skillful and so independent," He stated, keeping his expression neutral. "But he lacks something. I look at him and I see a man clad in black robes. But when I look at Naruto, I see... a complete opposite." His gaze slid to the jounin. "Tell me. Why is that?"
"Of course they're not alike," answered the copy-nin with a shrug. "I think they haven't met yet for weeks."
The chuunin resided into a sigh, as if breathing out all his frustrations in the world. All he wanted was a goddamn promotion. And going through all that trouble wasn't worth it. Damn. And an eighteen-year-old kid saved his ass. It was pathetic, very humiliating. Sometimes, he just wanted to shut the world. Live in the four walls of the classroom and never come out.
"Hmm... I've got a great idea." Kakashi whispered, one visible eye flickering with delight. "I know one thing that will solve your problems for the time being." A sly smile curved his mouth.
"Sake."
Everything happened so quickly. One moment he was arguing with Kiba in Taco Bell's, and suddenly, he was welcoming a blue-haired girl in his house. Everything's just so fast, he thought. Well, what do I do now?
Naruto looked around the living room and found something—or someone—not usually situated there. She was sitting on the couch, fingers entwined and hands all sweaty.
"Welcome to my home, Hinata-chan!" He pronounced with a mile-wide smile and open arms. "Are you hungry?"
The Byakugan heiress managed to look up at him. "N-No, thank you."
"Oh, okay..." The blonde looked around again, deliberately searching something that could provide her leisure. "Do you want to watch TV?"
"No."
"Read pocket books?"
"No."
"Magazines?"
"No."
"Girly magazines?"
"N-No."
"Poetry? Literature? Hamlet? Shakespeare?"
"NO! Please don't bother! I-I'm fine," Hinata answered softly, frosty eyes locked on trembling hands.
Naruto gazed at her. She looked so small and so vulnerable in his living room—like an abandoned cat thrown away by its owner. She was having a miserable life... forsaken by her father, unwanted by her clan... she always seemed happy when he looked at her. But her current condition has caught her in between.
She couldn't possibly think straight right now, the blonde thought glumly. Maybe she just needs someone to talk to...
"Naruto-kun."
His eyes widened and panic surged in his chest. "Yeah?"
Hinata looked at him tearfully. "I'm sorry."
His breath caught and awkward silence invaded the now unfamiliar room. Sadness tightened his chest as he tried to remember what she just said. I'm sorry. Her voice was like bells and whispers in his mind. Finally, he couldn't take the air they were both creating.
He laughed.
Hinata stared at him, wide-eyed.
"There's nothing to be sorry about, Hinata-chan!" An exuberant beam spread across his face. "Now would you like bread and jam? Or pancakes? I love pancakes. I make good pancakes. Or milk? Do you like milk? Milk's good for breakfast!"
"It's almost six," uttered the Byakugan heiress, earning a sheepish grin from the blonde. She furtively smiled. She wasn't stuttering. Perhaps the apprehension he was showing made her feel slightly at ease. She had to admit it was truly nice to see someone anxious rather than herself. "Can we... talk for a moment?"
Naruto visibly swallowed and adjusted the jounin vest that seemed to strangle him. "Y-Yeah, sure." He slowly ambled towards the silent Hyuuga and sat a few inches away from her on the couch. "Okay. Now, what do you want to talk about?"
Hinata reached and touched his hand. Her touch was warm and soothing that his pulse sped up. Yet he did best to show nothing but his typical face.
"I want t-to ask you a question." She murmured, delicate fingers wobbly over his hand. "Why... Naruto-kun... did you tell F-Father that... w-we were committed to each other... where you c-could have... f-flatly said... t-that I was... no longer pure...?"
His face was expressionless and his sapphire eyes narrowed. "His eyes," he spoke. "Can see through a man's soul."
Confusion was written all over Hinata's pale face as she tried to understand what the blonde was talking about. "What do you mean?" she asked. "The eyes of the Hyuuga's?"
Naruto nodded, giving her a brief, sad smile. "If I told him you were no longer chaste—or pure as you were saying—he wouldn't believe us." He lowered and shook his head. "From the moment I saw him and stared in his eyes, I saw the eyes of an inexplicable man." He uttered. "Eyes, Hinata-chan, which you don't possess."
She pressed her lips together, wishfully thinking her Father wouldn't hear them.
"I couldn't lie," Naruto murmured, his eyes averted downward. "I was looking straight at him and he might sense the deceit in my eyes. Of course, I didn't want to blow it up. So... there."
Hinata's eyes widened. "Y-You couldn't lie...?" Her heart started to pound like a jackhammer. "So what you said... to Father... about b-being committed... it was all..."
The blonde broke into a hearty laugh. "I'm really hungry, you know." He grinned. "Hinata-chan, do you eat pancakes even at night?"
Tears formed at the back of her eyes as she stared at him.
Naruto-kun...
A happy smile started at the corners of her mouth. "That would be..." she nodded at him. "Wonderful."
A/N: Yay! I finally updated. I've included Kakashi there... because I missed him!! -woohoo- Thank you so much to all the reviewers so here's a little something (again) for YOU!
orbrey: Thank you, too!! Hope you enjoyed this chap!:D
Smallkeller: Thank you!:D
Subtle Serenity: Thank you so much for appreciating this little fic of mine! You gave me a super boost on writing and continuing the this chap. You've been an inspiration togther with all the other reviewers into writing this fic, so I would like to dedicate it to YOU! Yes, you! Thank you, again, and hope you enjoyed chapter 7!:D
Mystical-Dreamer57: Hmm... We'll see. –rubs hands impishly- I don't know how the idea came to me. I was writing and all of a sudden, great ideas come in. Don't you experience that stuff?! Oh well, thanks for the review and hope you enjoyed this chap!:D
burnstar: Thank you for adding it on your faves and I'm happy to see ShikaIno fans! –chuckles- Thank you for reviewing and hope you like this chap!:D
anarchic 9: Er... I don't know what to say either. But thanks for the review anyway!:D
Adelle-chan: Thank you, master. –bows- I'm her apprentice! Haha. Okay, I'll try to make Tenten the way you like it. –beams- Thanks for the review and gambatte!:D
kcscooter: I never thought I'd receive such review!! –gapes- Thanks a lot for giving me a boost and loving the fic. I'm really happy. Hope you enjoyed this chap!:D
To all ShikaTema fans, I cordially invite you to read "Unlazy Bum" which I, with much pride to say, have recently updated (just last week!). –Hurrah!- I'm sad, however, that it isn't gaining a lot of reviews... I'm working hard on every fic and this just upsets me. –sigh- Well, I'll just pray hard. It works, doesn't it? And of course, continue writing it... perhaps...
-sigh- That wraps it up. Again, dearest readers, please review! Reviewing is a nice little way to make the author feel good about him/herself and his/her fic and pursue writing. Believe me. And yeah. Reviewing is just... cool.
Thank you again and Sora dewa, minna-san! ;D
PS. There's this anon., telling me the fic contains purple prose (exagerrated literature). I haven't heard of it and thank you for teaching me a new vocabulary, man. Thanks and I'll keep that in mind... but does it REALLY contain purple prose?? (am I even using it right?!) PLEASE TELL ME!!
