A/N : Hey guys! Sorry for the delay of this chapter, I was supposed to post it up sooner but it's fasting month for us muslims so yea, life just got in the way. Haha! But hopefully this chapter will be alright for you guys. :)

Thank you to everyone who faved/alerted my fic! Feels nice getting more and more enjoying this story. :D

Special thanks to Rose Tiger, oceanmoon, Okazaki323, Kibble Kin Slider, Dreaded Rasengan, sasumiofjp, Kataangforever2, ShinjiLuver123, in your dreams as well, It'sMontastic, Nafsi-chan, Gromxxar, Mi3staR, cookie-chan05, and insanexnerd1544! WOW GUYS! OMG! INSANE amount of support! I can't thank you enough. This chapter's really for you guys! Hope you guys like it! :D

Replies to my lovely anonymous reviewers :-

ShinjiLuver123 - Hey there! Yup, I wanted him to feel nervous around a bunch of 'psychos'. Haha! Yup, its time I guess. She does need to start letting people in. :) The reason Kiba did it was because he's a jackass. That's all. Haha! :p I hope you enjoy this chapter! Thanks for the review. God bless! :)

Nafsi-chan - Hey there! Don't worry, your suspense will be answered in this chap. Hope you'll like it! Thanks for the review hun. God bless! :)

Anywho, on with the chapter!

' thoughts ' - italics

' flashbacks ' - bold italics

' emphasis / notes ' - bold


Fear was an empowering feeling. The way it slithered up through your body cunningly and unexpectedly, the chilly sensation it leaves trembling in between your heart's cracks, the dark aura of uncertainty and doom leering in it's mask. No one enjoyed the presence of that feeling. But sometimes we don't chose to feel it. It chooses to fill us.

Like how Hinata was shaking in her boots with fear right then.

Her misty irises were still wide open as her palms were getting clammy by every second. Beads of sweat began dotting onto her forehead as she took a silent gulp, hoping to swallow down her nerves as well. She swore she could feel her sister's glare boring through her body as though awaiting the moment her skin would peel off automatically or something. Her eyes were now focusing on her shoes, how the carpet beneath her seemed like a furry land for mites or how even though she couldn't see it, she knew her heart was thumping so wildly, it almost felt like it was trying to beat its way out of her chest.

She was looking at anything but those familiar mystifying eyes she dreaded to see.

"You look well, Nee-san," came that rough yet affirmative voice. Hinata heard the rustling of the sofa as Hanabi took her seat in front of her sister. "I was expecting you to be half alive in this death trap."

Why... why is she here? Of all people... d-did something happen back home? What on earth could the reason be for her to show up here after she swore she never wanted to see me again? … why...

"I didn't know prison allowed their inmates to wear such cute outfits."

Prison?

Hinata raised her head, making sure to not waver when they clashed gazes and gave her sister the sternest look she could muster then. "I-It's called a r-rehabilitation, Hanabi."

Hanabi scoffed and flipped back a strand of her brown lock. "Different name, same purpose. This is just another place to make sure you don't go around killing anyone anymore." Hinata mentally cringed upon hearing her sibling say the word 'killing' so calmly, not even batting an eye. She laid down her eyes, not being able to bear looking into those orbs that practically screamed 'guilty!' at her. So nothing has changed... she still hates me... even after all these years...

"I bet you're wondering why I'm here, aren't you? You're probably racking through your pathetic little head trying to understand why I would even step into this filthy place." Hinata shut her eyes tightly, wishing she could close off that grating voice as well as the annoying bitter cramp she got whenever she heard it. No, I don't care. Just leave me alone! Onegai..."You still can't even look me in the eye. Huh, figures. You were always the weaker one. Yet people still pitied you, especially Okaasan. What a fool."

"Don't call her that!" yelped Hinata, anger blazing in her eyes. She would never allow anyone to insult her mother so. Not when she was the reason Hinata was still alive. "... S-She's not a f-fool..." Hanabi didn't respond to her sister's outburst negatively. She merely continued sending the indigo-haired girl strong glares, knowing it was more hurtful that spouting a few insults here and there. A smirk drawled on her lips as she fumbled through her handbag, taking out a piece of paper and sliding it across the desk to her sister.

"I need you to sign this."

Hinata glanced at the paper once, wondering what its content was. "... Wha-?"

"It's an agreement form for you to release all your privileges in Otousan's will."

...What? O-Otousan's... will? What does she mean? "...A-Ano..."

Hanabi rolled her eyes as she leaned closer, marring a serious expression. "It means as soon as you sign this paper, you won't receive anything from Otousan's property. Anything he willed down to you will automatically go to me. Why he even put you in his will in the very beginning is still a mystery to me."

W-Will? W-Why did Otousan suddenly write a will? I-Is he alright? Is he hurt? Those questions were burning through her frantic mind as she tried to conjure up a reasonable explanation as to why her father was doing this. Gruesome thoughts of her legal guardian getting injured or fatally impaired began clouding her thoughts, polluting them with agonizing fear and torture. She gulped silently before facing her sister with a terrified feeling itching away in her heart. "... O-Otousan... h-how is he?"

A smug look crept onto her features as Hanabi sent a flamboyant smirk. "Oh, poor little Hinata still doesn't know ne? How could I forget, I was the one who made sure you didn't." The horrible feeling pooling in her guts were getting worse as Hinata's lip quivered in anticipation. The way her younger sibling was talking and acting made her feel like she was going to hear something she wished she hadn't. But she had to ask, for the sake of her own sanity – or what was left of it. "...W-What do you mean, H-Hanabi?"

The younger girl laid back casually on the sofa as she checked her nails nonchalantly. "Otousan died around a year ago."

Shock struck through her frail body like a sudden lightning bolt on a clear day. She could feel her heart slowly dying away as the news replayed itself cruelly through her blank mind. O-Otousan's... d-dead? … H-How can that be, I must have known about it... I must have...

"N-No... t-that can't be..."

"I made sure the hospital didn't leak you any news about it. I ordered them to burn any newspaper or magazine that had the news of Otousan's death in it. I also paid the staff to not mention anything about it to you."

Wh-What?

"Anyway, the lawyer couldn't finalize the will until now. Seeing as you don't even have use for any of your share from Otousan's will, I suggest you just pass it down to me. I'll take good care of it better than you can in this dump. Besides, Otousan-"

"How could anyone n-not tell me about it?" asked Hinata in a dangerously stern manner. Her body was trembling all over as she could feel betrayal and guilt shooting through her veins and filling her up with rage. She looked up at Hanabi and all her fear and paranoid feelings began to ebb away as all she could feel was hatred and anger. "Why didn't anyone tell me my own father died? Why am I the last to know? WHY, HANABI, WHY!"

"What makes you think you even deserved to know, huh? Otousan himself wouldn't have wanted you near him."

"I'm his first daughter, Hanabi! I deserve to be there when they're burying him away from this world..."

"You're wrong. You lost that privilege when you killed Okaasan."

Hinata's milky irises widened openly as her mouth couldn't seem to form any retorts to what her sister had claimed. Killed... Okaasan... "Otousan never thought of you as his daughter after you took away his wife. He always blamed you. That's why he sent you here, so he wouldn't have to deal with a murderer in his own house!"

Hinata couldn't bear to hear anymore, her heart already throbbing in pain – it was as though Hanabi was digging through her chest and squeezing her beating organ with her bare hands and laughing sadistically while doing so. She clasped her hands around her ears, hoping to shut everyone out and leave her mind at ease. Shut up... shut up...

"How could you do it, Nee-san? How could you kill the person who brought you into this world to save your own pathetic life? What makes you think you're more important than her, huh? You're so selfish! You took away not only my mother but Otousan's wife as well!"

It was an accident... I-I didn't kill her... Accident... Okaasan...

"You disgust me! The only reason I'm even here is because I want to make sure you don't get anything more from the Hyuuga family. No one considers you a Hyuuga anymore. You're an embarrassment, a disgrace, a pathetic excuse for a human being. You should be the one buried deep in the ground, not Okaasan, not Otousan!"

Die... Yes, I should be the one dead... Okaasan... Otousan... why...

"Looking at you now makes me feel ashamed to know we even came from the same parents. If it was me that night, I would've done everything to make sure Okaasan survived that shooting. I would've stayed there and guarded her. I wouldn't have ran away like some coward like you did. I would've made sure I died instead of my own mother!"

Onegai! Stop! Stop... my heart... it hurts...

"Because of you, I grew up without a mother by my side. Because of you!"

No... stop...

"It's all your fault, Nee-san. YOUR FAULT!"

Tears were trailing uncontrollably as Hinata's body shook hard from her sobbing. She was down on her knees with her hands around her ears, begging mentally for Hanabi to stop this endless torment. Her frail heart was shattering into tiny pieces, every single crack was getting worse with every insult she was getting. Her energy seemed to be seeping away slowly as her body began feeling lifeless and useless. Her soul was getting unsteady as her mind kept replaying daunting images of her past. Of blood, of eyes, of guns, of fear.

Of death.

Okaasan died... because of me... I'm a murderer... I-I really do deserve to die...

"Hey Hinata, sorry I'm late. I was-... Hinata?"

Naruto-kun...

Before she could even make a move, Naruto was already by her side – placing a comforting arm around her shoulders as he tried to cease her endless trembling. "Hinata, daijoubu ka? What's wrong? What happened? Why are you like this?" The indigo-haired girl couldn't reply, the words she wished to utter were clamped between her throat as she found it hard for her lips to voice out her feelings. Her insides felt dry and swollen as her heart remained bruised and severely battered by Hanabi's words. Just when she had thought she was recovering and deserved a chance to live once more, the world ended her happy train and sent her crash landing into a mountain of hurt.

"What did you do!" growled Naruto towards her sister, his own fingers gripping tightly against Hinata in a sign of protection from anymore harm. Hanabi gave Naruto a disgusted look before she rolled her eyes and arrogantly flicked her hair. She grabbed her handbag and stormed off, only to turn around at the door to give one more final glare to her sibling while marring a sly smirk. "My lawyer will discuss with you further on the agreement. Make sure you sign it. It's the least you can do for the family," and with that, she was out of their view – slamming the door on her way out.

Naruto muttered a curse, feeling annoyed at the disturbing look that girl gave them but he focused back on the shivering one in his arms. She hadn't even looked at him ever since he went to her and the way she was acting made him feel sure that she was shaken by something that happened before he arrived. Kuso, if it wasn't for that teme Kiba, I would've been here earlier to protect her. Hinata... why is she like this? "H-Hinata, daijoubu ka?"

Hinata froze in her stance, her whole body seeming to calm down from its trembling but it was replaced with a frigid chill instead. Her eyes slowly went to his worried ones and as soon as they clashed, she lost it. She began fighting in his arms, pushing his body as far as she could from her own. The force she suddenly conjured up surprised the blonde as he felt himself being shunned away from her. "H-Hinata?" Her lips murmured something inaudible and as soon as Naruto held out a hand to touch her in comfort once more, she exploded into something he least expected.

"GET AWAY FROM ME! DON'T TOUCH ME ANYMORE! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!"

Naruto blinked in surprise at her sudden outrage. He tried once more to get closer but she slapped his hand away, retreating as much as she could away from him. His eyes bore through her with concern, feeling afraid at her unexpected hostility towards him. Weren't they doing fine recently? He actually felt like they had made such a big progress that she could trust him with anything. Why was she treating him like a beastly animal who only craved for her pain and despair? Why was she treating him like a stranger who only wanted to waste time? Why? He couldn't help but feel... hurt.

"Hinata... please, let me help you."

"I DON'T WANT YOUR HELP! I DON'T DESERVE IT! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE TO DIE! JUST GO!"

"Hinata, calm down. I'm not going to hurt you. Trust me..."

"JUST GO AWAY! LEAVE ME ALONE! I DON'T WANT YOU NEAR ME ANYMORE! I'M FILTHY! I'M COVERED WITH BLOOD! GET AWAY FROM ME!"

Blood? Filthy? What's she talking about?

Naruto eagerly tried to get close to her once more, hoping to make any contact that would manage to calm her tantrum down. He had never seen her so hurt, so enraged, so broken. He felt his heart cringing on seeing her slowly delve into madness like this. She continued fighting him away, not allowing even an inch of him to get into her personal space but during the struggle, she began loosing energy and her world seemed to be getting dimmer. Her hands that were once pushing his calloused ones away were now grabbing it with whatever strength she had left. His voice sounded softer too as she felt herself slowly collapsing in his arms. Her mind drifted away into a vacant space and her surroundings blacked out instantly.

The last thing she heard was him frantically calling her name and the last thing she saw was his azure eyes clear with worry.


"GET AWAY FROM ME!"

"DON'T NEED YOUR HELP!"

"I'M FILTHY!"

"COVERED WITH BLOOD!"

"I DON'T DESERVE IT!"

"JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!"

The way her voice strained with an uncontrollable rage, the way her usual calm orbs were burning violently like a raging ocean in a deep serene sea and the way her petite little hands were pushing his hard body away – as though wishing to dispose of his existence in her life so. His hands subconsciously went to his chest as he felt his heartbeat still beating in an inordinate manner. It had gone so fast when Hinata had blacked out in his arms. She had felt so light, so limp, so lifeless. He then truly understood how panic felt like. It felt like hours when he was awaiting for help to arrive when in reality, it was mere seconds.

Never did Naruto feel so helpless in a situation before.

"You look like you could use a cup of coffee."

Naruto raised his gaze and saw his godmother's hazel irises looking worriedly at him. He took the caffeine she was extending to him as she took her seat beside the blonde boy. "I just checked her pulse again just now, she's fine. She just had a minor attack. If nothing goes wrong, she can even be discharged back to the centre tomorrow."

"That's good."

Silence followed after, the only sounds emanated were from the random sipping of the warm beverage situated in their hands. Neither knew what to say nor did neither wish to start the impending conversation that would've come sooner or later. Naruto tapped his fingers aimlessly against the soft polystyrene cup, racking his brain to find a suitable way to ask the question burdening his mind. The question he wished he could ask casually but the answer that was to be given was not a casual one nor was it anything remotely close. It could be an answer filled with grief and guilt.

It could also be the reason Hinata would never be able to look straight into his eyes any longer.

"You want to know what happened to Hinata that caused her to become depressed, don't you?"

Naruto faced Tsunade with an exasperated expression on how well his godmother knew him but then it melted away into an unsurprised one. She was the woman who had raised him single-handedly after all. He slowly nodded his head as he braced himself for what he was going to hear. Whatever it is, Hinata will still be Hinata... this won't affect how I see her... I hope...

"I don't know if I should be the one telling you this," said Tsunade calmly as she took a long sip of her beverage. Naruto turned to her with pleading eyes that practically screamed for her to tell him everything she knew – for the sake of his own ease of mind. Tsunade heaved a deep sigh as she looked solemnly at the nurses rushing past them hurriedly to attend to the sick. "Hinata was only thirteen when she was admitted into the rehab."

Naruto gaped in awe at what he had just heard, feeling the anger seep through his veins and into his soul. "T-Thirteen? That's too early! How could her family be so cruel to send her here when she's still a kid?"

"Hinata... isn't a normal girl, Naruto. She was born into the Hyuuga family. A family known not only for their wealth but for their power in many industries as well. You could say they own part of the world in their hands. Unfortunately because of this, many saw chances to get money fast. Kidnapping the heir to all this wealth was one of it."

Naruto's azure eyes widened with shock as it slowly dawned onto him who it was. "Hinata..." Disbelief shot through him as he never realized how high Hinata's status actually was. She didn't appear at all like a heiress, not that it was a bad thing. Naruto's image of a heiress was nothing compared to how Hinata actually was. In fact, the blonde would accept her the way she is any day rather than a snobby, arrogant, spoiled heiress.

Tsunade nodded before taking a long gulp of her coffee, filling her stomach to the brim with the warm brown liquid. "She was only ten then. The crooks demanded 10 million yen for her safe return and Hyuuga Hiashi, her father, was willing to give it. But what happened next was... just plain horrible."

"What? What happened?"

"Her parents were obviously there for the exchange but I guess greed really does blind humanity. They not only tried to run away with Hinata along with the money, they shot at everyone there as well."

"Those bastards! If I was there, they wouldn't even have gotten a chance to shoot. I would've kicked their asses, free of charge!"

Tsunade stifled a chuckle at her godson's usual abrasive nature. "Unfortunately, you weren't there. Nothing could be done. Luckily, Hinata managed to escape. All thanks to her mother."

"Her mother?"

Tsunade crumpled the cup swiftly as her eyes began to droop even more. Her body began to stiffen as her throat suddenly appeared dry and hoarse – the further words that were going to come out proved difficult to be said. "Her mother... sadly... died during the shooting. Before she was shot, she protected Hinata with her body, making sure her daughter was unharmed till the end. She was a brave woman. Such a shame..."

"Wow..." breathed Naruto, feeling small all of a sudden. Throughout the whole month Naruto knew her, he never thought of the level of her pain could turn out like this. Naruto knew what it was like to lose a parent – the fact that he lost both his parents simultaneously made him feel even worse. But he was lucky to have been blessed with supporting people by his side that acted as his pillar of strength in ensuring he avoid the path to depression and slowly piece back the road to happiness in his life. Hinata, however, was one of the unlucky ones. Judging from the earlier guest who had frazzled Hinata so, he sincerely pitied the girl for not having a shoulder to cry on when she needed it. "I never knew she... lost so much."

"Hinata's a very strong girl... she just didn't get the right guidance. After losing her one and only mother, she couldn't help but blame herself for her death. Poor girl..."

"What! That's stupid! It's not her fault! It wasn't like she wanted her mom to die!"

"Sadly that's what she thinks and that is what she has been thinking for the past decade or so. She needs someone to show her that sometimes, things can't be controlled. Things don't go our way but it doesn't mean we should give up on life. That's the reason I assigned you to her."

"...Me?"

"Yes, you, Naruto. You can be immature and thoughtless sometimes but your heart is really one of a kind. You yourself have gone through hell but you came back with a huge smile. I want you to share that spirit with her. Be her shoulder to cry on. Be her knight in shining armor. Be her support. Show her that you're there for her, no matter what."

"I don't think I'm doing such a good job at that," claimed Naruto in a heavyhearted tone, his shoulders slumping dejectedly. "If I was, she wouldn't be in the ward right now. She'd be in her room... smiling..." Tsunade gave him a reassuring grin as she held his hand comfortingly, making him acknowledge her trust in him.

"Everything takes time, Naruto. Hinata needs you more than ever now. Show her what you can do, ne?"

An image of Hinata sobbing her heart out came into his mind. The way her body rattled with fear, the way her irises seemed like fragile glass as her tears glazed over and the way her usual porcelain face appeared smashed and cracked – like a broken used doll. She was in a vulnerable phase and anything could easily hurt her even more then. It was his job as her 'friend' to ensure nothing more breaks her.

"Arigatou, baa-chan... leave it to me. I'll be there for Hinata, no matter what."


When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was a bright light shining agleam above her. The rays blinded her view from her other surroundings and for a moment, everything was just plain white. Silence filled the area as the only sound that could be faintly heard was her own beating heart. Her body oddly felt light as a feather – gravity pulling her up easily with its strong and empowering hold.

So this is what heaven feels like...

"Otousan's dead."

Hinata turned her head hesitantly, hoping hard it wasn't who she thought it was. But nobody could be seen. Only a familiar taunting voice could be heard echoing throughout the vacant space, leaving the indigo-haired girl feeling even more weaker than she already was.

"Okaasan's dead."

Okaasan... Otousan... why...

"Because of you!"

N-No...

"Your fault!"

S-Stop... please!

"Hinata, it's your fault."

M-My fault... Mine... I killed my mother... me...

"Hinata!"

Okaasan... Otousan... forgive me...

"Hinata! Snap out of it!"

E-Eh?

As she blinked once more, her surroundings began swirling around her and soon enough, she was faced with an entire new setting. She could faintly make out a tube sticking out from her arm and leading into an IV drip bag. The beeping of a heart monitor was closely heard as her body was warmly wrapped in a familiar blanket. She was in a hospital. Being there multiple times caused her to be familiar with such an environment. Her lips were cracked with dryness but before she could utter any word, a pair of dashing blue orbs met with her tired pale ones – she instantly felt herself melting away just by the sight. "... N-Naruto-kun..."

"Kami-sama, you gave me a scare." His voice was etched with nothing but concern as he drew a sigh of relief. "I thought I was gonna have to call the nurse again."

Hinata realized her overall body temperature was mildly warm but a certain part of her was so cozy, so comfortable. Her eyes trailed to its source, finding it to be her own frail hand nestling nicely in between his tender ones. Judging from the warmth she was feeling, he had been holding her hand for awhile. H-How long was I knocked out for...? She licked her lips subconsciously, a light tinge of red grazing her pale cheeks as she realized the beeping of the monitor beside her began to speed up. "Hinata, daijoubu ka? Your heart rate's awfully fast."

The indigo-haired girl gulped mentally. She quickly retracted her hand away from his, hoping her heartbeat would calm down as she halted any further contact from them. Her wan body could only take so much emotions at once. The air was thick with silence as both were expecting the other to say something. Hinata turned her head away, not being able to stand looking into his eyes. Though they were as beautiful as ever, they held something new. A look of pity. The fact that he had sympathy glazing his irises, it proved the fact that he knew what had happened between her and Hanabi. He knew it all.

The blonde decided to break the silence, feeling uncomfortable under all the continuous hushed sounds. "Hinata, I-"

"O-Onegai..." she was surprised on how cracked her voice sounded but she didn't care. She used up whatever energy she had left to say something to him. "I want to be alone now... Leave me be..."

"I'm afraid I can't agree to that. You need me. I want you to know I'm here for you."

Tears began to well up on her eyes as one drop managed to sneak out and trail its way slowly down her cheek. Scenes of earlier flashed back through her tired mind – the relentless glares Hanabi sent her, the daunting and terrifying words uttered by her and the way Naruto had looked when she had yelled at him. How she had burst out all her emotions at him. How she wanted him to leave her alone and never disturb her again. Though half of her didn't intend to sound so sure, the other half kept saying it was for the best. He shouldn't be associated with a murderer. He was too kind-hearted. I shouldn't keep him as my friend... who would want to be friends with a murderer and a coward...

"Hinata... I... I know about your mother."

Her eyes widened. Though she had foreseen it, she hadn't expected him to utter it so boldly.

"I know about the kidnapping, I know about the crooks and... I know about her death."

She turned her face away, not wanting him to see her mask that was slowly breaking as more tears began falling down. "But I want you to know nobody blames you, Hinata. It wasn't your fault. You shouldn't feel bad." She kept quiet, hoping her sobbing wasn't obvious as she tried to tone it down as much as she could but her heart betrayed her. Her heart won over her mind. She couldn't hold it in any longer. She just wanted to cry it all out. She just wanted the pain to end.

"Hinata, listen to me. Onegai. Your mom's death isn't your fault. She was just protecting you, like any mother who loved her daughter would. How would she feel if she knew you were blaming yourself when all she wanted was for you to continue living?"

Silence.

"Hinata, talk to me... please, I'm begging you..."

"What do you want me to say!" snarled Hinata as she faced him strongly. Her face was red with tears and her body was trembling with a whirlwind of emotions but her stance was adamant. "That Okaasan s-should've died for me? That I'm p-proud to have had someone who was willing to sacrifice their life for m-me? No! No one should die for m-me! I'm worthless! I'm a piece of trash! Okaasan should be the one breathing, not me! Her!"

Naruto, taken aback from her outburst of anger at him, held his hand forth, trying to calm her down but she slapped it away. Her breaths were coming out heavily as her whole body was evidently shaking to the point she thought she could explode. "Hinata..."

"I love her, N-Naruto-kun..." confessed the indigo-haired girl solemnly. The never-ending tears were now soaking her hands, bathing them in her feeling of guilt and despair. "S-She was my everything... she was the reason I smiled... w-why? Why did Kami-sama have to take her and not me? S-She's much better, everyone loves her more... why c-couldn't I die and she live... WHY!"

Naruto bit his lip, his heart aching on seeing Hinata act this way. This was the first time she was openly displaying her true emotions to him and he was unprepared. He felt lost, confused, worried. He was afraid whatever speech he would give wouldn't be enough for her to recover from this state of misery. She was in too deep, no amount of words could save her from this cruel phase. But no matter what, he had to try. He had to help her. He had to be her knight and save her from the sea of heartbreak. He had to take her heart and sew back the cracks, one by one. It was his promise and an Uzumaki never breaks a promise.

So he did the only thing he could think of.

He grabbed her hand, holding it strongly as she tried to wrench it away as soon as they made contact and placed it firmly on his chest. Hinata ceased her struggling as she was surprised with his bold and unexpected actions – her heartbeat beginning to act all crazy again.

"Hit me, Hinata."

She looked at him with her teary eyes, trying to piece together the puzzle of his statement.

"Hit me. Yell at me. Scream at me. Insult me all you want. Grab my hair and yank it all out. Punch me until every single one of my teeth falls. Do whatever you want that can help you feel better. Do whatever you think will help ease your hurt. Pretend I'm the person responsible for every pain you're feeling. Hate me. Loathe me. Just... let me help."

The hand that was fastened on his broad chest was shaking as she felt his rapid heart thumping wildly against her palm. She stared into his eyes and saw nothing but sincerity and concern overwhelming him. His fingers gripped over her skin, pushing it closer to him. "... N-Naruto-kun..."

"I know we've just met... but I feel like we were fated to meet, Hinata. We were destined to be friends. I was meant to help you with your problems. I was meant to save you as much as I can... and that's what I want to do. I want to help you no matter what. Go on, scream at me. Blame me for every single bad thing that's happened in your life. Curse me for even tainting your happiness with pain and grief. Hate me all you want. Just don't carry this burden on your own... I'm here for you, Hinata... Let me carry your burden now."

N-Naruto-kun... w-why...

"Don't ever feel like you don't deserve to live. You do. You're not alone, Hinata... I'm here. Always will be."

W-Why... w-why are you being so kind...

"Share your pain with me, Hinata. And I'll share my happiness with you."

Hinata couldn't bear it any longer. Thoughts of her mother, her father, her family, her childhood, her memories, everything flooded her all at once which sent her into a frenzied state. She broke down then and there, feeling all her hurt exposed with every tear that flowed from her eyes. Her body was rattled with the burst of emotions she was experiencing. Her fingers flew to her face in a vain attempt to shield herself from his view. "Why!" yelled Hinata, voice shaking due to her vigorous sobbing. "Why! Why! Why!"

Naruto grabbed her into his arms, holding her as close to him as he could as he felt her body vibrating underneath his hold. He smoothed her long soft hair, soothing her pain away with his calm ministrations. He hushed her gently, whispering 'It's okay' over and over into her ear so that she too would understand soon that it was okay. Though life seemed unfair, cruel and demanding to her, it was okay. Though happiness seemed to be a hard goal for her to reach, it was okay. Though she felt like a disappointment and a disgrace, it was okay.

Because she had him. And he would never leave her side.

So she let him rock her into a lullaby of comfort and understanding. She let herself fall under his spell of solace and consolation. She let herself melt into him, feeling safe and protected in the sturdy arms of another. She felt her burden slowly being transferred to him as her body began feeling lighter in his hold.

As they held each other tightly, Hinata could feel their hearts slowly beating as one.


"You can't do that, Neji-nii-san!"

"I can and I will. You crossed the line this time, Hanabi-sama. Therefore, this is your punishment."

"This is totally unfair! Even though she doesn't live in this house, she's still protected like she's the crown jewel!"

"This isn't the matter of favoritism. It's the matter of limits and you overspent yours."

"Ugh! I hate this damn family!"

A few angry clicks of heels later, along with a loud slamming of the doors, a young man rubbed his temples eagerly – wishing he could rub his stress away as well. His eyes wandered to a piece of paper lying perfectly on his desk as they went over the many words one more time. This is what you wanted... right Hiashi-sama?

He grabbed his cellphone that was perched nicely next to a glass of warm green tea and dialed a number quickly. He placed the mouthpiece close to his lips as the beeping on the other end stopped abruptly.

"Konnichiwa, this is Hyuuga Neji. I'm calling to make an appointment to visit Hyuuga Hinata as soon as possible."

"Hyuuga-san is currently not allowed to have visits but as soon as she is, I will set a date for you. Is that okay?"

"Hai, that's fine. But I have a request."

"Hai, what would that request be, sir?"

His pale orbs glanced over to the piece of paper on his desk. The bold title reflected on his irises as his mind played back the final words his uncle had whispered to him on his death bed. He knew this was what he had to do. It was his final duty to the main branch. It was his job to end the feud.

"I'd like to speak to her... alone."


Japanese Word I Used :-

Onegai – Please
Okaasan – Mother
Otousan – Father
Daijoubu Ka – Are You Alright?
Kuso & Teme – Japanese Curse Words
Arigatou – Thank You
Kami – God
Konnichiwa – Hello / Good Afternoon
Hai - Yes


So there ya have it! I didn't include more NaruHina fluff because this chapter is meant to be angsty so I didn't want to top it off with too much fluff. More NH fluff will definitely come in the next chapter, I promise! And I don't really like writing angst, I don't feel like it's my forte so forgive my attempt in writing sad scenes. I'm still learning and hopefully I can master it in the future! :) I don't like this chapter mainly of the length, it's too short for me. I'll try to make my chapters longer in the future! :)

As usual, leave a review with your opinions / thoughts/ criticisms / ideas or anything at all. I love hearing from you guys and really appreciate it! :)

Thanks for reading guys and God bless! :)

xoxo

estrellaz