Hello again everybody, long time no see. I apologize for the extremely late update. A loyal reviewer of mine requested that I update soon, and as I have told her, there was a death in the family lately, so I just have't felt like writing as of late. However, I felt that I owed it to you guys, and although this chapter is half as short as the last one, it's better than nothing. I'd like to thank her for reminding me to update, she knows who she is. I hope you guys enjoy.
A/N: I didn't have time to spell check this chapter, so figive me for any mistakes you might find. If it's very noticeable, please feel free to PM me and I'll edit it when I can.
It was a few minutes before he realized that the few longest minutes of his life had passed. In his mind all he could think about was Hinata's tear-streaked face and the look of absolute disappointment. And she had every right to be. He had screwed up bigger than he had ever done before, but the difference this time was that he actually cared about it, and for the life of him Naruto just could not figure out why his feelings had grown so iron-clad within such a short space of time.
"Naruto...?"
The voice broke the troubled youth from his thoughts. He had forgotten that Sasuke had been there. The Uchiha must have thought that Naruto was such a loser, if he hadn't already. The mercenary turned to the person behind him. His face showed that of the utmost pity.
"Perhaps you should go after her," Sasuke suggested.
"I don't think that she'd want to talk to me, let alone look at me. I'm... such an idiot. It came out before I could even think-"
"Naruto, it's not me you should be apologizing to," he interrupted. "I think you should hurry to her side before word spreads and more damage is done."
Of course by damage, he could only mean one thing. Or, rather, one person, and Naruto knew exactly who. He look at Sasuke in the eyes and gave a quick nod before he turned and headed back towards the mansion.
Entering the main hall, he quickly made his way through the door to where the guest rooms were. His heart was beating wildly in his chest as he came closer to Hinata's quarters, and he knew it wasn't because he was in a rush. It hadn't occurred to him that danger could be lurking nearby, waiting to pounce at the right moment. All thoughts were currently on Hinata, and making things right between them. Finally after seemingly eternity, he reached her door and gave it three hard knocks.
The young man could hear a voice coming from the other side, but it didn't sound like hers. A second later, the knob turned and the wooden barrier creaked open. However, it wasn't the person he was looking to see. Two cold, piercing white eyes bore into him. Neji had answered the door, and he looked simply irate. But it didn't matter. The snooty Hyuuga could be invisible for all he cared. He attempted to peer over his shoulder, but his actions were futile, for Neji had already slammed the door behind him and continued to glare.
"Uzumaki," he uttered through gritted teeth. Before Naruto could respond, two hand gripped the hem of his shirt and thrust him back against the opposite wall.
"I warned you to stay away from her, did I not?" His question was met with silence, the object of his rage glaring back at him with equal intensity, yet not making a single attempt to pry himself free of the iron grip.
"You hurt her, and now it is I who will hurt you. Draw your sword, lapdog."
"You know it's kinda hard to draw it with you keeping me against the wall like this."
"Still as cheeky as ever. Perhaps I should slit your throat here and now and be done with it? Kami knows it will do Hinata and I a world of good."
Naruto smirked. "With a blade as dull as that butter knife you call a sword? I'm shaking in my boots."
"You'll pay dearly for that one, sell sword!" It was in an instant that the Hyuuga's blade was against his throat, pressing firmly against the mere inch of flesh that protected his jugular.
"I knew you were too much of a coward to beat me in a real fight," Naruto said.
"You..."
The sound of the door opening behind them stopped Neji from following through with his actions. His grip slackened only the slightest bit, but it was enough for Naruto to push his arm away and duck out of his grasp. He stood facing Neji, ready to fight, but was halted by that wonderful voice.
"Neji-niisan...?" Hinata had emerged from the room. Her eyes were red and swollen, trails of dried tears evidence enough for Naruto to realize that she was still quite upset.
"What's going on?"
"Hinata-sama," her cousin answered, "It is nothing. Go back inside and wait for me."
"No. I-I told you not to hurt him, didn't I?"
He sighed in defeat and looked guiltily to the floor. "Hai. It is just... I could not allow him to get away with hurting you."
Hearing that, Naruto couldn't help but feel as if there was still a chance the Hinata wasn't angry with him, at least not anymore. Still, it was much too early to tell.
"You are very kind, Neji. But please, allow me to deal with him. I think Tenten-chan might need your assistance," she said with an air of finality. Neji had no choice but to obey.
"I... okay. By your leave, Hinata." He made his way out of the hall, but not before throwing one last glowering look Naruto's way and leaving them alone.
She just stood there and watched him. To him it was like being a small child in the presence of his intimidating mother, yet Hinata was anything but. It was now or never.
"Hinata, I..." It had just occurred to him that he had no clue what to say. He had never had to apologize to anyone before, especially willingly. Now that the time called for it, he was simply speechless.
"It's okay, Naruto. Y-You don't have to say anything," she said, downcast. "I understand now how you feel, and I was just thinking that I have not considered your feelings at all during this whole trip."
"...What do you mean?"
"I mean that... that maybe perhaps it was a mistake to offer you a job that you clearly did not want."
It was as if an arrow had just pierced his heart, and the sad, cold truth of it all was that it was completely true. Now he really did have nothing to say to even remotely prove false her accusation. "I see..."
"Th-therefore, I have come to a decision that I am sure will make you very happy."
"Hinata, you have to let me explain. I-"
"Please don't make this harder than it already is," she whispered pleadingly. He had no choice but to remain silent, for he could never deny a request from her, something he was finding to be more common as of late.
"I hereby release you of your duties," she said as she reached for a small pouch tied to her wait. Gingerly, she untied it and forced the bag into his hand. "Payment for your troubles, I hope that- that it is to your satisfaction." Her voice had wavered and her eyes were absolutely brimming with tears. She felt as if she could longer stem their flow, and Naruto could only watch her whilst wallowing in guilt.
"So that's it," he asked her softly.
"Hai..."
The young man gave a small, nearly inaudible sigh, and turned towards his room in order to gather his things.
"N-Naruto?"
He looked back at the weeping princess, giving her his full attention and hoping that she had changed her mind.
"Just so you know, I'm glad it was you who took the job. Even if you are not. Good- goodbye." And with that, the door had closed with a soft -click-, and she was gone.
He didn't know what to feel, what to think, or even what to do. He had just quite possibly let the greatest person he had ever known slip through his fingers, and he had never felt more down. Taking this job, he knew that it would not be like the others. He just had no idea how much that really meant. Hell, he even laughed and scoffed at the idea of Hinata ever befriending him, and vice-versa. After all of Neji's warnings, they had only made it sure that the two would meet eventually, and Naruto only thought to laugh at the man for his misfortune. Now, however, it was mostly likely Neji laughing at him, or at least he no doubt would be once he heard the news.
But, damn. He couldn't just leave. If Hinata stayed here, she would surely still be in danger. Yet she wanted nothing more to do with him anymore. Now his mind was at war with his heart, each vying for dominance over the other. His mind said go while his heart said stay. If this continued, the mercenary was sure that he would come quite close to falling over the brink of insanity. Alas, it was his body that acted as the mediator. It was as if it had a mind of its own, and he could see it enter his room and gather his belongings, dutifully tying his bow to his back along with his travelers bag. Now he was walking passed her room again, but it suddenly stopped.
Before continuing on his way, he held up the pouch filled with Hinata's payment, the payment that he had not, in his eyes, earned. Looking at it for a few seconds, he turned his hand over and let it fall to the floor. The hollow sound of clinking metal resounded in the hall, and he kept his eyes on it.
"I'm glad I did, too," he said to it.
Again his body had begun to function on its own, and led him out of the manor towards the huge gates.
There you have it. I hope it was satisfactory. Don't worry, the story will continue. I wrote an outline for it long before I even started it, so there's absolutely no reason for me NOT to finish it. However, I can only promise that I will get the next chapter out when I can. Thank you, everyone, for sticking with the story so far. We will see this thing through to the end. 'Til next time, take it easy.
