Chapter 7: Absolute Misfortune
It was probably around 4 or close to 5 in the morning when the Hinata's eyes fluttered open. She sat up and quickly jumped out of bed, no longer feeling in the mood to go back to sleep. Even though it was so early in the morning, and it was also a weekend at that, Hinata could faintly hear several steps outside the hallway. She was glad that she wasn't the only one who was up at this time. The first thing the heiress decided to do was to pull the curtains aside so the morning light will warm her room. But wait a second, it still looked dark...she vaguely wondered about the time, and glanced at the clock to see it was 4:39am.
Eh why am I up so early!? Oh…I fainted two times yesterday. After that I also went to bed early. But before that…
Hinata was brainstorming ideas and was finally hit by a lightning strike that left nothing but black ashes on the floor. She clearly remembered how lovely the red roses bloomed this year, making her garden outshine Hanabi's. Yea take that Hanabi! Who's better now!? Wait no… that was the day before yesterday. Ah she remembers now!
Sasuke is probably mad at me because of my irresponsible behaviors…I should really go and apologize today to him, after he's done training and maybe it'll be nice if I bring a big bento for all of us to eat. I bet Sakura and Naruto are going to be there as well.
While having these thoughts, Hinata pulled out some dark ninja pants, along with a matching shirt and some black ninja sandals. The clothes that she was going to wear after she took a shower were left neatly ontop of her bed. Hinata slid her feet inside her slipper and grabbed a towel, then walked inside the bathroom to take a bath.
---
"Lady Hinata! Oh dear what a surprise to find you awake at this time. Is there anything I can get you?" One of Hinata's maids was shocked to see Hinata up at this time. Hinata was just walking inside the kitchen to find her maid making some tea.
"Good morning nana Hasumi" Hinata softly smiled up at the elder who has been taking care of her ever since she could remember. The young heiress rubbed her eyes. Hasumi asked Hinata if she wanted some tea, and maybe breakfast. But Hinata declined the breakfast offer, and decided to just have tea.
"Thank you nana Hasumi, today I decided to go around for a walk. D-Don't wake Neji up just to tell him I went outside early." The old woman nodded with a smiled and waved as Hinata left the kitchen
----
It was still dark outside when Hinata decided to go and run around Konoha for a few miles. She has been running for about thirty minutes and decided that she should pause to catch her breathe. She looked at her surrounding and was happy to see that she was near a river. Hinata ran towards the river and splashed some water on her face.
In front of Hinata, she saw the horizontal change colors which displayed many beautiful shades of red, yellow, purple, and gold.
Awww how pretty! I don't know how long it has been since I last ever watch a sunrise.
Hinata was so indulged in her thoughts that she hadn't notice Shikamaru. She was just so thrilled because she got to witness a sunrise. She had a great feeling that she'll end up having a great day after all! She was making up all kinds of good fortune just by watching the sunrise.
Shikamaru was lying on the grass by the river; he was completely spaced out as he stared up at the sky, and his eyes yelled BOREDOM. He was waiting for his lover to wake up and float over him, and take him up high. (Was waiting for the clouds to start showing up)
Hinata turned to leave, but found that she hadn't been alone. Shikamaru's presence was just a few steps away, so Hinata walked towards to him and decided she should say good morning.
"S-Shikamaru, good morning!" Hinata plopped down next to Shikamaru and smiled at him.
"Eh Hinata, I don't see you around much. Tch today will be such a troublesome day. I can already foreshadow that I'll be dragged by Ino. Having friends can be such a drag. Tch" Hinata wanted to sweatdrop at his reply, and his lazy/dark view of such a lovely day.
"A-Ah…Is today Ino's birthday…!?" Hinata panicked, even though she wasn't exactly close to Ino, she know she might be invited to any possible birthday party.
"Thank the clouds that it isn't Ino's birthday. Don't you know about today's main event? Tch it's why I got up early so I can spend hours watching the sky before the festival begins. Maybe that will give me enough endurance to last through this difficult day." Hinata giggled at his comment. She knew Shikamaru was actually being serious about it, which made her want to giggle the more.
"I-I see. Well then I-I hope y-you can live through today." Hinata got up and decided to leave. However before she left, Shikamaru was curious and asked Hinata if she was going to be there, somehow already knowing the answer.
"N-No I'm not going to the festival. Just try to h-have fun with the others Shikamaru. I bid you a good day now." Ah, just like he thought. Every time there were these events Hinata never seem to attend any of them. Shikamaru remembered this since he was very young. He witnessed Kiba asking Hinata to go to the festival with him, but she rejected him. Kiba ran away crying and Shikamaru was forced to help Hinata make Kiba talk to her again.
"Tch, lucky her" Shikamaru said to himself. He was envious that she had the liberty to not attend to the festival if she wanted.
----
Why hadn't Hinata noticed it before? While she walked around the streets of Konoha, she saw that everyone's faces lit up with a smile. Street venders were moving their carts, and all the preparations were being done. Even though it was early in the morning the streets began to crowd…
Hinata's heart began to speed up and she decided to cut through an alley and avoid bumping into all those people, and getting in anyone's way.
----
Hinata returned back home, and on her way to the room she bumped into Neji and fell on the floor. Hinata was originally heading towards her room to grad a towel and take another bath.
"Ow…" Hinata stared up at the eyes that were so very similar to her. Neji frowned and looked at her with disapproval, but nevertheless he extended his hand for Hinata to take. He helped her back onto her feet and Hinata bowed down as she said her apologies for being clumsy. Neji nodded as if accepting her apology.
"Lady Hinata, you seem suspicious." Neji commented. He found it odd that his cousin woke up at 5 in the morning just to go take a "walk". Ha he'll never fall for such a lame excuse. He assumed that she probably met with the Uchiha during the morning.
"Um brother Neji…I don't quite follow…what are speaking of…" Aha! Even her reply seems flawed and suspicious! He knew she was playing dumb. But okay fine, if Hinata wants to keep making believe that she is able to fool him, let her be. It's just not fair! Neji didn't have enough evidence to prove that Hinata has been with the Uchiha, and that she's in fact lying.
"Hn." That foolish brat, she thinks she can out smart me with her innocence. Just as he finished this thought, Neji looked at Hinata's big, wide innocent eyes. The shining innocent aura which radiated from her was so great that he was almost blinded, thus forced himself to look away in guilt.
I refuse to fall for the well display of her innocent act! "If you excuse me Lady Hinata, I have somewhere to go." Neji excused himself and continued to walk to wherever he was heading.
Um okay…that was a bit weird, even for Neji.
----
"Alright…everything seems to be ready. Blue berries, strawberries, rice balls, ramen, sandwiches, tea…fruit salad" Hinata was making a roll call of all the food she's bringing inside the bentos she had made. The fruit salad was for Sakura because she remembered one day Sakura said she was on a die. Ramen, Naruto. Yummy rice balls, Sasuke. She wasn't exactly sure what Sasuke liked to eat but she decided to bring these. Hasumi had helped Hinata make this, and heiress was extremely happy.
"Have a safe trip Lady Hinata!" Hinata nodded while clinging to the bento in her arms.
"T-Thank you f-for the help!" With that Hinata ran outside of the Hyuuga compound and walked towards the training ground, located near the Hokage's tower.
----
Hinata wasn't aware that someone had been stalking her ever since she left the Hyuuga mansion. She continued to walk, turning left and right, while avoiding the crowd that was gathering around the streets. Sometimes she even jumped over the roof tops just to reach her destination, which she did.
The Hokage tower came into view, and Hinata continue to walk past it and made her way towards the training ground to find that…
Why is it empty?
…there was no one there. Hinata's excitement began to decrease, and she looked down at her bento and then noticed some kind a movement taking place, so her gaze turned back to the training ground. She wasn't sure why there had been a tumbleweed rolling across the field, even though this place was not a desert. Hinata turned her heel and decided that maybe its best she asks around.
I shouldn't let this get to me, I will keep going and I won't give up until I find Sasuke and apologize.
An imaginary Naruto floated over Hinata's shoulder and threw a punch up in the air, cheering for Hinata. "YEA HINATA YOU CAN DO IT! BELIEVE IT!"
Hinata walked inside the Hokage tower and noticed the place didn't look as busy as it usually does. She thought that maybe it had something to do with the festival. Sigh how she wish she could go…but she can't.
Hinata made her way upstairs and knocked on the Hokage's office. A voice coming from inside told her to enter, and she did.
"Hyuuga Hinata, what brings you here?" The 3rd Hokage didn't even look up from his paper work as he spoke. But when Hinata opened her mouth to reply, his attention was on her. Was that a little glint of amusement in his eyes? She wasn't sure.
"U-Um Lord Hokage, I-I came to see if y-you know where Sasuke might be…" Hinata was nervous as she spoke. The 3rd Hokage looked into his crystal ball and saw the image of Sasuke glaring at Naruto. They seem to be around the training field that was located on the far east of this building.
"He's with Naruto, Sakura and Kakashi training on the far east, near the forests." Hinata bowed in respected and dismissed after thanking him.
----
Sasuke was on the ground, he was panting hard from the harsh training Kakashi was giving them. Ugh to think that today is the festival and they don't even get a break. But he doesn't care; he doesn't want a break just to go to that dumb festival in hopes of bumping into Hinata there. He assumed that she was going.
"Hey guys, get up. We're done for today. For those who are going to the festival, enjoy your childish evening." With that Kakashi disappeared in a puff of smoke along with his book.
Sakura walked over towards Sasuke and offer him her hand. Naruto was giving Sasuke dirty looks, and this encouraged Sasuke to take Sakura's hand and let her help him up. Ha that outta get Naruto mad!
"Saaauuse~keeh~" Sakura said in a flirty tone. "Would you go to the festival with me~~?" She asked in the sweetest/fakest voice she could muster. Naruto felt like there was tons of brick falling on him, and his life was fading.
C'mon Sasuke bastard, please say no…if you say yes I know you only did it to torture me! Naruto was yelling inside his mind, as he waited for Sasuke's answer.
"No. I don't plan on going." Sasuke replied coolly, he withdrew his hand from Sakura's.
Sakura's hand doesn't feel the same way Hinata's hand felt when I held hers… Sasuke noted. Translation: Sakura doesn't make me feel the same way Hinata does.
YES! Naruto jumped to his feet and felt alive! He felt like crying a river and being dramatic, just like Lee often does.
Sasuke began to walk away from the group, and decided to head home and take a shower. When the word "Home" came into mind, Sasuke wasn't sure why an image of the 3rd Hokage scolding his grandson Konohamaru came into mind, with an annoyed looking Sasuke glaring at Konohamaru for doing stupid pranks just like Naruto.
On the other hand, Sakura's expression looked lifeless at the rejection. It's not like Sasuke have not rejected her a bunch of times before, is just that, with all the things that has been going on in their mission, she thought there might be a spark in him. Sakura walked with dark clouds and heavy rain falling down upon her, and Naruto decided this was his chance to go and comfort her.
"Sakura, wait!" Naruto ran after Sakura, she stopped to look at her blonde friend and sighed. Unlike her dark clouds and rainy day, Naruto had a background of sunshine and rainbow, and birds, and all these bright things.
"Naruto, what is it now, I'm a bit tired..." And sad…
"Um well, I was wondering if I could keep you company at the festival." Naruto tried to lower his voice and contain his excitement. He could sympathize with her.
"What's the point…I thought Sasuke was going…" Naruto frown at her reply, and fire burned within his sea blue eyes.
"Grrr, if I promise to drag Sasuke to the festival, will you come with me?" Sakura reacted to this offer. Her face became bright again and the dark cloud with rains and thunder were gone. Instead Cherry blossom seem to bloom behind her.
"Of course silly! Since I don't get to be Sasuke's date, all three of us could go together and try to bond as both team members and friends!" Sakura replied.
YEA I COULD HAVE SASUKE ALL TO MYSELF AND LEAVE NARUTO DISTRACTED WITH RAMEN! Inner Sakura was yelling with excitement.
Naruto stared at Sakura with a smile, but everything died out after his stomach began to grumble.
"Aww mannn I'm hungry!" Sakura sighed and grabbed Naruto by the arm.
"Let's go and eat, I'm hungry also!" curse my starvation diet! Sakura replied. As if god had sent them a sign, there were several soft steps coming their way. It was Hinata holding a big bento in hand.
----
10 minutes earlier before Hinata saw Naruto come into view; she was still not aware of being followed. Hinata, again, avoid all the crowd of people as they set up many marketplace and food stand for the festival. She decided to instead take the long way to get to the where Sasuke was training.
However what she didn't realize is that right after she turned a corner to take the long way, Sasuke was coming from the training grounds, taking the short cut.
The two completely missed each other on the way.
----
"How was training Sasuke?" The Hokage asked. He had a smirk in his face for some reason. Oh how he envies the youth these days, and their interesting love life.
"Che. You act as if you really don't know. I'm pretty sure you were watching through that crystal ball of yours." The Hokage chuckled when Sasuke said this.
"Well yes, I worry for my students." The Hokage paused for a second and wasn't sure if he should tell Sasuke about Hinata. Oh never mind, he can't help it.
"Sasuke, that young lady Hinata came by minutes before you came here. She held a big bento in hand and I'm guessing she was intending to share it with you and your team. She was looking for you." The Hokage informed Sasuke. He watched as his onyx eyes widen in realization. The Hokage chuckled again after he saw Sasuke dashed outside the door.
"He left the door open." The Hokage cursed under his breathe. Oh well~
---
"Awww Hinata! That's so sweet of you!" Naruto said while slurping down the Ramen Hinata brought.
"I don't see why I ever hated you Hinata! Thank you for the fruit salad and the sandwiches!" Sakura said, while eating and filling in her tummy. Hinata looked like she had just seen the devil himself
Sakura…hated me? Eh!!?
"U-Um i-it was no problem. I-I'm grateful to you guys. Sorry f-for fainting like that yesterday." Hinata said. She was eating one of the rice balls that she had intended to give to Sasuke. She poured tea into three ups and gracefully handed it to Naruto and Sakura.
The three continue to eat, but inside Hinata's mind, something bothered her. The point of this bento was to use it as an effective combo that came along with apologizing to Sasuke. He was bound to forgive her, then still resent her, but then Sasuke was suppose to feel happy with her food and then forgive her entirely.
Well at least is what she believed. Her nana Hasumi had agreed to this plan.
---
Tenten was walking with Lee while holding some shopping bags, when they suddenly saw Neji. He was leaning against a corner and peeking at someone. Was Neji spying? Tenten's eyebrow twitched in annoyance and she withdrew a Kunai and threw it at Neji. But Neji saw this coming and smoothly caught it in hand.
"Hey Neji, what exactly are you doing?" Tenten asked.
"Neji! Its not healthy for us youthful people to obsess over being a Shinobi!" Lee said. Tenten agreed with him even though she didn't know what he was referring to.
"I was just spying on Hinata, just making sure that she wasn't trying to meet up with that Sasuke." Neji deactivated his Byakugan. Tenten's forehead started to get a bit sweaty, and she laughed nervously. Neji raised an eyebrow at Tenten's nervous display and began to become suspicious.
"You know something don't you? Tenten, as your team leader and friend, I advice that it is foolish to keep things from me." Neji approached Tenten, as he said this in a threatening tone. Lee stepped in front of Tenten to protect her of Neji's eyes.
"Friend Neji! Tenten is just nervous because her youthful spirit wants to reach out to you and invite you to the festival!" Lee was hit on the head with a shopping bag.
"LEE!" Tenten was annoyed at her friend's straightforwardness "I was suppose to ask him, not you!" Tenten hit Lee on the head yet again.
"Fine I'll go. But this isn't a date or anything romantic." Neji said, there was a slight blush spread across his cheek. For the time being, he had forgotten about Hinata.
"OH OH! CAN I COME AND KEEP YOU TWO YOUTHFUL BEING HYPED UP IN SPIRIT!?" Neji didn't want to feel awkward around Tenten so he nodded. Tenten on the other hand sighed…she will be sure to kill Lee while he sleeps.
I'm glad Lee stepped in; it's true I can't hide much from Neji. I know that Hinata and Sasuke like one another.
---
Sasuke ran as fast as he could while he headed to towards the Far East training ground. After he made it there, he was panting and trying to catch his breathe.
I'm too late.
Indeed he was. Five minutes before he showed up, Hinata bid her good bye to Naruto and Sakura, and told them to have fun at the festival. It was heart breaking to see that Naruto and Sakura appear to be closer than they actually knew. Hinata had once again set out on a journey to go and find Sasuke.
Sasuke wanted to curse out loud for having such luck today. Even though he was frustrated right now, his heart raced, but not just because he had been running fast. It had to do with knowing that Hinata had come looking for him. Sasuke didn't want to stay here too long and ponder, so he decided to go back to the Hokage tower.
---
"OH HEY! WAIT STOP!" Hinata heard an all so familiar voice calling her. It was Kiba. Her face lit up and she waved at him with happiness.
"K-Kiba!" Hinata greeted, it seems like it was forever since she last saw him.
"Hinata how've you been? It's been a week since I last saw you. Akamaru has finally recovered and now we can go back to training!" Kiba said to her.
"Oh that's g-great Kiba. I-I hope that maybe next week we could train together!" Hinata replied. "And u-um I'm on a hurry right now…I'm looking for someone. Bye Kiba!" Hinata waved at Kiba and started to run towards the Hokage tower.
All along, Shino had been standing, leaning against a blue wall next to Kiba. But since Shino's jacket was also blue…he sorta camouflaged with the wall, and Hinata hadn't seen Shino standing there.
"Kiba…" Came the distant voice of Shino. Kiba sweat dropped as he turned to Shino.
"It looks like it happened again, Hinata didn't notice you hahaha!"
---
Sasuke was just so tired. After he was getting closer to the Hokage Tower, he bumped into Shino and Kiba on the way. They three exchanged look. Sasuke decided to forget about his mighty pride for the moment, and asked Shino and Kiba if they had seen Hinata. Kiba and Shino looked at one another, not sure if Hinata wanted them to talk about her…
"We did see her. Though she didn't see Shino hahaha-AHHH GET THIS BUG OFF ME SHINO!" A bug had crawled over Kiba's face after he had mocked his friend. Shino and Sasuke stood there with sweatdrop on their heads.
"Do you know where she was headed?" Sasuke asked.
"She was looking for someone at the Hokage Tower" Shino replied with his smooth and cool tone. Sasuke nodded and turned to leave, but paused, remembering that he should ask them something.
"Is Hinata going to the festival with you two?" Sasuke asked. He tried to ignore Kiba in the background; Kiba he was still wrestling Shino's bug and rolling on the ground. Akamaru was helping Kiba by barking at the bugs. I don't know how that was helping Kiba at all.
"No. Hinata can't attend to any of those crowded festivals." Shino replied and commanded his bugs to retreat.
Kiba smirked at one of Shino's bug as he identified that this must be the leader of the group. Kiba's eyes widen with horror when he noticed that the bug was smirking back at him. Although his eyes weren't as great at Hinata's, the young teen could have sworn the bug threw a tiny kunai at him. After Kiba completely regain control of his composure, he got up and stood behind Shino like nothing had occurred with the evil-Shino-bug-mafia.
"Shino's right. Ever since Hinata was little, she always avoid these crowded places because-"Kiba was interrupted after he saw Shino raise a hand to protest.
"It is wise if we leave Kiba. Hinata doesn't like when we talk about something without her consent." Shino said. Kiba nodded and the two turned around to leave.
Sasuke was left there standing, pondering over about what Kiba has just said.
"So Hinata must be really shy huh…" Since she doesn't like crowds.
-----
Chapter 7 and Chapter 8 were originally one chapter divided into two. Therefore I shall be posting chapter 8 very soon.
