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Chapter Six: Keeping Busy
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Tenten and Hinata patiently waited at Sakura's door, wondering why she wasn't answering.
"We did let her know we would be shopping in the morning, right?" Tenten asked. Hinata nodded.
"Yes we did. Hopefully Sakura-san is home. Maybe she's still sleeping," she assumed.
"We should check," Tenten suggested. Hinata nodded. Tenten jumped to her window, but it was covered, so she could not look in. Tenten sighed.
Hinata knocked more vigorously, stopping when she heard a loud thud.
Sakura made her way to the door, surprised to see both Hinata and Tenten beaming at her.
"Oh man, Sakura, you look like a mess. Are you alright?" Tenten asked with concern.
"Yes, I'm fine. I-I just overslept. I ended up contacting the hospital, and a nurse asked for my help writing medical narratives. I couldn't say no, and well, I guess I over slept," she explained.
"Well, did you still want to go look for outfits to wear?" Tenten asked. Sakura smiled.
"I'd love to, but-"
"Good, because you need a break," she began, not letting the girl have the option of turning them down. "I thought Tsunade-sama ordered you to take a vacation."
"Well, she didn't necessarily order me," Sakura clarified, and Tenten sighed.
"But you're still on vacation, and that's the most important part. So get ready and come with us!" Sakura smiled, her eyebrow twitching a bit. She wasn't in any mood to go anywhere really.
She could already tell, that this would be a long day.
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"You look amazing, Hinata!" Tenten exclaimed. Hinata blushed, bashfully retreating back a bit. Hinata was in a lavender kimono, with flowers decorating it, the color of deep lilac. Around her waist was a violet obi.
"Thank you, Tenten-san."
"What do you think, Sakura?" Tenten questioned. Sakura got out of her stupor and looked over at Hinata. She beamed.
"I think it's perfect and suits you well."
"Thank you, Sakura-san."
"So, you want to tell us why you've been lost in your daydreams?" Tenten inquired.
More like nightmare, Sakura thought, but attempted to muster up a smile.
"My mind is just somewhere else."
"I can see that, but where?"
"Uh, hospital," she stated. "Sorry... I'm just worried that they might need me," she clarified. They both seemed to believe her. Tenten smiled.
"Well get out of it, you're here with us. There are certainly other doctors that can handle it! I'm going to go look for something that I can wear, okay? I'll be back!" Tenten said as she made her way through the aisles.
Once Tenten left, silence permeated the air with Sakura and Hinata. Hinata was fiddling with her kimono, unsure if she should buy it or look for another. Sakura looked over at the girl curiously.
"You really should buy it, you know. It really suites you. It brings out your eyes," she added. Hinata smiled sheepishly.
"Ah, thank you, Sakura-san. I think I will," she said, appreciative. That was just what she needed to get that final push in getting it.
"No problem. Hey, could I ask you something?" Hinata nodded. "Do you still like Naruto?" she asked, and Hinata's face brightened like a tomato at the question.
"N-Naruto-kun?" she stuttered, surprised.
"Yeah. You had a big crush on him, didn't you? You don't stutter around him anymore - to an extent at least. I was just curious…" she trailed off. Hinata slumped over in thought, her gaze staring at the ceiling with a poignant smile decorating her features.
"Yes, I suppose that statement is accurate. I hold strong feelings for Naruto-kun," she admitted. Sakura raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean by suppose?" she asked.
"I still remember when Pein invaded, very clearly. I knew I would die. I thought, if I'm going to die, I would like to make sure Naruto-kun knew how I really felt. It was my chance to be the one to protect him, instead of Naruto-kun protecting everyone else. That day, I stood in front of him, prepared to die. It was then I had enough confidence to tell him that I love him," Hinata stated. Sakura's eyes widened, her eyes showing sympathy for the girl. "Deep down, I always knew."
"Always knew what?"
"That he didn't feel the same way. I love Naruto-kun, but during the war, I told myself I would stop chasing after him. So, that's what I did. I knew he loved someone else, and so I simply wanted what was best for Naruto-kun," Hinata confessed. "So, to answer your question: Yes, I love Naruto-kun, but not in the same way as I did before." Sakura's eyes widened.
"I see." She noticed the sad smile that was across her face, and she frowned herself. "I'm sorry for bringing it up. I was just curious is all."
"W-why did you want to know?"
"Naruto told me who he liked," Sakura explained, and Hinata's eyes widened, wondering if he truly confessed to her already. Sakura smiled. "Yeah, it was a shocker for me too. I could never imagine Naruto and Ino getting together, but that's who that idiot likes now," Sakura said, and Hinata stared at the girl in confusion.
"I-Ino-san?" she questioned. Sakura nodded.
"Yeah, I don't understand it either," she giggled. "But, I guess he's into blondes now, haha."
"I'm sorry, Sakura-san," Hinata said, and Sakura's eyes widened at first, but soon strained a grin.
"Sorry? What's there to be sorry for? The Pig and the Idiot; I'm sure they'd be great for each other. They'll probably both stop being so annoying if they're together, don't you think? They'd each talk each other's ears off. Or maybe it might be worse, because we'd get double the loudmouths together, I'm not sure," she continued to laugh, her voice nervous. Hinata merely frowned. Hinata placed her hand over Sakura's shoulder, her eyes showing empathy, but a strength Sakura never associated with her.
"I'm truly sorry, Sakura-san. I understand your pain, truly. I see your eyes, and I understand now."
"Me? I should be the one apologizing. You were the one in love with that idiot," she said, Hinata smiled brightly.
"Sakura-san, you are in pain, and I understand completely. You are strong, Sakura-san," Hinata said, confusing Sakura.
"Thanks, I guess." Sakura looked down in thought, not entirely sure what she was getting at. "Well, I should look for a dress," she chuckled, and Hinata nodded. Sakura stood up, and left, attempting to preoccupy her mind instead of questioning what Hinata meant with her words. It was better she not over think them, anyways.
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"Hey, have you two seen Ino at all?" Sakura wondered.
"Nope, not really. We haven't had the chance to talk to her all that much recently."
"Okay, I see," Sakura was stuck to her thoughts when Tenten raised an eyebrow.
"Why do you ask?"
Sakura shrugged. "No reason."
"Do you think Ino-san might like Naruto-kun?" Hinata questioned, and Tenten looked confused while Sakura simply stared at the girl with widened eyes.
"Huh? Why would you say that, Hinata?" she asked. Hinata became flustered when Tenten's face was close to hers.
"I-I simply noticed that they hang out a lot, is all," Hinata clarified.
"You think they're dating?" Sakura scoffed.
"I highly doubt that," Sakura said as a matter of factly.
"Why is that?"
"Well, I asked Naruto and Ino, and they both told me they weren't."
"Or maybe they're just trying to keep it a secret," Tenten theorized, giggling at the thought.
"You really think so?" she asked, wondering if it could be true. Her mind began to reel with thoughts of them going behind her back. Tenten giggled.
"Relax. I was just kidding. I don't know what's going on with those two at all." Tenten attempted to ease her mind.. She smirked, "Why, were you worried?"
"Of course not. I would just hope they wouldn't lie to me, considering they are my friends and all," Sakura retorted, and Tenten raised an eyebrow.
"Whatever you say."
"Hey, why don't we pay Ino a little visit? We can even have a surprise sleepover. That way we can find out for sure. What do you two think?" Sakura asked, and Tenten smirked, nodding. Hinata smiled cheerfully.
"That sounds like a lot of fun."
"Tonight?" They both nodded, excited to have a girl's night.
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AN: Woohoo, another chapter! Let me know what you think!
