A/N: Well here is chapter nine! I hope that you enjoy reading it. Of course, it was much longer than I expected it would be. I just thought I would say how much I enjoy writing about snowy winters, seeing that I am never able to experience them myself!
Chapter Nine: Sticky Situations
Come up to meet you, tell you I'm sorry, you don't know how lovely you are. I had to find you, tell you I need you; tell you I set you apart.
Hinata wasn't too sure what she was there searching for this morning. Sighing, she knew that what she ultimately sought could not be discovered at the Konoha library. However, as she entered the quiet building, her footsteps muffled by the soft carpet, the warmth of several fireplaces enveloping her body, she felt that she had made the right decision to venture from the suffocating atmosphere of her home. Her two visitors yesterday had revived within her a desire to enjoy herself; to depart from her miserable state of inaction and resume her normal way of life. Hinata sat on the ground against a bookshelf in a far corner of the library, watching the pure white snow fall silently onto the gravel outside, and the minute, crystalline snowflakes catch in a spider web spun across the window. As the light poured over her face, she sighed and closed her eyes. As Naruto's arrival approached, Hinata had begun to retract into her cocoon, isolating herself from even her sensei and team members. The past two weeks seemed to have passed so slowly; but yet, sitting in this space, it seemed as though it was only yesterday that Shino, Kiba and herself had met at the library to compile a mission report for Kurenai, when in actual fact it had been over fourteen days previously. Soon after their meeting, Hinata had retreated to her bedroom and her father had declared his daughter 'severely ill'. Tsunade had wished for her to take up a hospital bed, but her father's pride in his own family's traditional medical techniques had prevented this from eventuating. Hinata gazed at the tattered book in her lap with slight apprehension. It had been recommended to her by the librarian who said that it had been well-read by the local kunoichi for many decades. Running her hand across the wrinkled and water-stained paperback cover, Hinata ascertained that it had been borrowed many times. It was the autobiography written by a woman of the Nara clan over one century ago. It was said to be a tale of strength, perseverance, mystery and love. The intelligent woman was said to have been born into the cave of the mysterious mountain elk, and was the original creator of the shadow jutsu. She had proceeded to take a stand against the oppression of the woman within her clan and came to be respected by male and female shinobi alike throughout Konoha. Now, it was a tradition for every infant born into the Nara clan to be exposed to the rainwater that cascades into the cave of the mountain elk as the ice of winter gives way to the spring. Hinata recalled Shikamaru speaking about the tradition as a genin, and at the time, he had viewed it as considerably troublesome. Opening the book, Hinata began to read the borrowing card fastened to the inside of the cover. It appeared that Tenten was the last person to have borrowed the story, over two months ago. Before this, it had been Ino, and before Ino, Sakura had borrowed the book, and then before Sakura…This is strange, thought Hinata. Scanning the list, it appeared that Sakura and Ino had borrowed the book repeatedly, one after the other. Each time one had borrowed it, she had leased the book for only one day before returning it. The next day, the other would borrow the book, and the pattern continued for what seemed to be a week. Hinata frowned slightly in confusion, and began to turn the pages of the book. There seemed to be nothing out of the ordinary…Could it be that they were taking it in turns to read chapters? This didn't seem likely, as the two were rarely on good terms. Then, for one, fleeting moment, Hinata was certain she saw something peculiar in the margin of one of the pages. Observing the margin closely, Hinata's sharp eyes were able to make out the remnants of a clear ink and within moments she realised that what she was observing was the cramped writing of Ino Yamanaka.
It's unfair. How come you have been able to train with Tsunade sama? You've come so far…I feel like I have been wasting my time over the past year.
Hinata turned the page and located a small scrap of paper wedged in between the pages. Sakura's neatly composed handwriting presented itself on the scrap.
Ino…to write me a note in a book…and Nara Moriki sensei's autobiography at that! Do you know what you are doing when you write on these pages? If you are to reply, please use a paper scrap.
The reason I am training with Tsunade sama is because I requested the position of her apprentice. I was prepared and determined to train diligently and for her to push me to my absolute limit. With every drop of blood, with every bead of sweat, with every tear I knew I was lightening my burden on Naruto as a team member. I am beyond determined to prove to myself, and to prove to my sensei and my team members that I am worthy to be a leaf shinobi. I was a hopeless genin…for a while I felt like wallowing in my own weaknesses…but I knew that that was not going to achieve anything. So I just tried my best and trained to my limit. The result has been that I do feel like I have progressed…and when Naruto returns…we'll be setting off to find Sasuke…I'm sure of it.
Turning the page once more, Ino's reply fluttered to the ground; this time, on a scrap of paper.
Sakura…sometimes I just…feel useless as well. Sasuke is someone who I care about deeply…bringing him back to Konoha is all I can think about. His face plagues my thoughts every day…and I think of the way he must have grown and transformed over these past years…it scares me.
Ino…Naruto, Kakashi sensei and I came to know Sasuke very well...and what distresses me the most is the fact that…despite is cold exterior…his heart was overwhelmed with love for his family. To see him leave for Orochimaru…to know where he is and what Orochimaru is planning for him...my fear is beyond feeling…I feel numb to my knowledge.
Here, Hinata noticed the paper and been exposed to moisture in some areas. She continued to read.
Sakura…do you…love Sasuke?
Hinata's heart beat wildly as she turned the page with a shaking hand.
I…I don't know how I feel about him anymore. But when I am beside him…or when I was beside him…I felt a sense of lightness in my chest…but for someone so young…I think my mad desire to be close to him was almost unnatural…but it was there… and if you were to ask if I will ever be able release him completely from my thoughts…I think the answer is no.
Here, there was no reply from Ino. Hinata closed the worn cover quietly and placed the book in her lap once more, staring, her face expressionless, into the snowy morning beyond. The way that Sakura felt…Hinata realised that she was not alone her desire for affection. And yet, Sakura and Ino possessed the additional burden of having to endure disturbing anxiety and feelings of foreboding associated with Sasuke's absence. She inhaled a deep breath, exhaling slowly, her eyes closing. Could she possibly approach Sakura and speak about this with her? She knew these were private contemplations…but yet…Hinata almost felt as though she was prepared to speak to Sakura about this. To be so forthcoming…could it be taken offensively by Sakura? Hinata lifted herself off of the floor and moved away from the bookshelf by the window, a troubled expression clouding her features. She decided she might visit the genjutsu section in an attempt to clear her mind of these thoughts, for just one moment of relief. It was only then that she realised she had absentmindedly replaced Moriki Nara's autobiography on the bookshelf. Returning to the window, Hinata scanned the shelf for the green cover when-
"You said they were in this aisle? Arigatou bayo!"
Hinata stood up too quickly, her head colliding with the windowsill with a horrible, hollow bang.
"Ou-" Hinata cried before quickly covering her mouth, biting her finger to ease the pain.
He's going to find me…he's going to see me! Hinata pressed herself against the wall and held her breath, urging Naruto to move away. But at the same time, her urge was compromised by her longing to catch just one glimpse of that reckless boy. At that moment, she knew that her will was not strong enough to resist his moving closer. Hinata chanced a glance left, through a gap in the books on the shelf to the aisle on the other side. There, Hinata could see the telltale orange of his jumper and his bright blonde, ruffled hair. She had to leave. Remaining stock still, her eyes scanned the bookshelf carefully for the autobiography; and she found her copy on a lower shelf, a few metres away. Moving soundlessly away from the wall, her heart beating rapidly and her breath catching in her chest, Hinata reached out a sweaty hand for the book, her hand was almost there…and…Gasp! Hinata inhaled quickly as Naruto placed his hand on top of her own from the other side of the shelf. Gasp! Naruto was shocked to feel another's skin beneath his hand, as opposed to the book he had been intending to pick up. Hinata daren't move…this moment…this moment was something she would never forget. It lasted only a few fleeting seconds…Naruto removed his hand in confusion and separated a few of the books on the shelf at his eye level to see who was standing on the other side. He caught a glimpse of a raven-coloured head and felt a sharp twang in his stomach.
"Hinata chan?"
"N-Naruto kun!" Choked Hinata.
"Aha! I'm so happy you're here! I was wai-"
Naruto paused, listening to the sound of footsteps moving swiftly away from the parallel aisle.
"Hinata chan?" He questioned the bookshelf to his right quietly.
She's gone.
Naruto made his way quickly towards the door of the library, transforming into the young Marimo instinctively as he crossed the threshold and ran into the snowy morning, following in Hinata's stead.
"Hinata chan!" He called, a female voice issuing from his throat.
Hinata turned her head swiftly to see Marimo trudging through the deepening snow towards her. She slowed down and came to a halt, panting heavily.
"M-Marimo san," Hinata panted.
"Hinata chan! Why'd you- ahem, I mean where are you going?"
"Well…I think I am going home now," Hinata replied quietly, catching her breath and staring in a woebegone manner at the snowy ground.
Her close encounter with Naruto had significantly impacted upon her nerves and she was beginning to feel ill. She grasped her left hand tightly. It was still affected by his touch.
"Why don't we go somewhere together? We could go somewhere warm…how about I treat you to Ichi-"
"Marimo neesan! I haven't seen you in so long!" Moegi ran towards Hinata and Naruto, her long woollen scarf dragging through the snow behind her. She came to a sudden halt in front of Naruto before poking him in the arm.
"Ouch! What was that for Moegi chan?"
Moegi laughed. "I'm sorry neesan, but I am disappointed that you haven't been to visit us for tea as you promised you would." Moegi smiled hopefully. "You do look a lot younger than what I remember though," Moegi frowned, placing her index finger on her chin in thought.
"Ah! Well…ah…that's because…"
"Well I guess that doesn't really matter," Moegi interrupted. Then, directing her speech towards Hinata, Moegi continued.
"Hinata neesan! Why don't you come with Marimo neesan and me to the hot spring?"
"Wait! I never said I was going to the-"
"Last week you promised you would do something with me Marimo neesan. And that is the only activity I feel like doing on a day like today. Unless you want to go home and meet with okaasan…I know she would like to see you; after all, you are looking different," Moegi concluded, a troubled expression on her face.
Naruto gulped loudly. What a choice.
"You don't understand! I can't go to the hot spring! Because ah…well…um…" Naruto spluttered, lost for words.
"You don't have to be shy, Marimo san," Hinata said quietly. "I would enjoy your company. Your kindness to a stranger has amazed me…I suppose I do feel like bathing today…and if you would like to come, we will give you your privacy, please don't worry." Hinata smiled warmly.
Something inside Naruto seemed to melt and his muscles began to relax. I'll walk with Hinata to the baths, and find an excuse to leave when we arrive, thought Naruto.
"Well…I'll walk with you two to the baths, and when I get there, I'll see how I feel. How about that, Moegi chan?" Naruto proposed.
Moegi seemed satisfied with the plan and the three began their walk towards the northern side of the town where the steam from the outdoor baths could be seen billowing high into the cloudy sky. As they drew closer, the air became thick and warm. Laughter was issuing from the outdoor springs and Naruto began to feel squeamish once again. Wouldn't Konohamaru love this opportunity? Naruto thought to himself, grimacing at the thought of Konohamaru's feminine form skipping innocently into the female bath house. He has probably done this before, come to think of it. Naruto placed his head in his hands. No way. I can't do it. I'm not twelve anymore. It's just not right. He shook his head in an attempt to rid himself of the idea.
"We're here, you two." Moegi spoke suddenly.
"Ah, okay then, Moegi san. Marimo san, are you-"
"Oh! I just remembered! I have to um…I have to leave! Moegi, I- oof"
Someone had placed their hands on Naruto's lower back and was pushing him from behind. It was only then that, turning his head, Naruto remembered that Moegi had been training under Kizune. Moegi pushed him through the door into the bath house where an old woman immediately greeted him and shoved a basket for his clothing into his flailing arms. Looking over his shoulder he saw a group of women gathering at the narrow entrance to the bath house. Kuso! There's no way I can get out that door now. Naruto gulped as an image of Jiraya floated to the forefront of his thoughts. This is for you, Ero Sennin, Naruto said to himself before proceeding to remove his clothes, with a promise to shut his eyes firmly until his friends had entered the water completely.
A/N: Please don't worry, there isn't going to be anything rude in here .. You will probably be surprised at where this is going.
Also, was it just me that realised the significance of Shikamaru's name? I have become very interested in him after reading the Shippuden manga up to chapter 355. Shikamaru is such an incredible ninja, I respect him deeply.
What I was meaning to say is that 'shika' in Japanese is deer! I should have thought about this earlier, especially because the city of Nara in Japan is known for their shika. I certainly saw many of them when I was there (they tried to eat my friend's shirt!). So there you go, Shikamaru Nara! I know a lot of you have probably thought about this before…but oh well, I just thought I would mention it ..
Please note that the text in italics at the start of the chapter is from the Coldplay song, 'The Scientist'.
