Shades Of Blue
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto, or any of the characters affiliated with it, and this is merely a fan-based piece of work.
A/N: I was feeling so sluggish today, so I didn't really think I had the energy to write any drabbles after my formal last night ~ (it was so good, but my feet were so sore after it... ;n; ) But I'm really happy with how this has turned out! My birthday party is tomorrow, so after Sunday, on Monday night, (my birthday! ^O^) I'll be able to write some more up, including another chapter to "You Are My Sunshine." :3 And yes, finally, an author's note! I felt rather nervous for not posting any A/Ns up, since I thought I'd be quite...I don't know the word for it – xD But I'm usually worrying about small things. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it! )
You can tell a lot about a person by simply staring into their eyes. A person's eye colour did not necessarily tell you everything there was to know about someone's personality, but it came close. Hinata Hyuga was one of those young girls who believed in the unreal; fantasy, things that you couldn't see nor touch. Whenever she was introduced to a new clan member serving under her, or a new friend, she looked deeply into their eyes, judging quietly as to what they were like. People with hard gazes were usually cold, indifferent, whereas people with bright eyes and smiles that reached them were the opposite – cheerful and optimistic. Hinata was busily sewing blue thread around a silk band which held a firm cloth in place.
Her legs were crossed, and there was a faint, sweet-smelling breeze coming from the sakura trees outside as she sat in the pavilion – a reminder of spring. Usually on a beautiful day like this, she would be outside, hard at work, training to get her skills perfected, but she did not want to, on this day. She was just content in sitting on the cold surface of the pavilion, looking at the ceiling as she did her craft, smiling. She heard flat-footed footsteps, and turned her head to look at her older cousin Neji Hyuga, who had his arms hidden in his sleeves, crossed over each other. He smiled briefly at her, and then frowned in puzzlement. "I thought you were going to be training today?" he asked, one of his arms slipping out of its sleeve as he gave a gentle sweep with his hand, curiously looking at her. She made no further move to look up at him, as she began to sew – a tiny flower had appeared in the stitching, surrounded by lotus petals. "It is a beautiful day today, Hinata-san. Surely you would rather spend it outside in the sun?"
"I'm perfectly c-content to stay here, Neji nii-san," the young heiress replied firmly, yet politely, as the needle and thread weaved in and out of the material with ease. She then continued, her voice as soft and quiet as a small draft drifting in under her door of a night-time, when the sky was as black as charcoal, and the stars were hidden from view. "I haven't been working on my needlework and sewing for a w-while, so I thought I would take the opportunity to m-make myself c-comfortable here, a-and do what I can." She then grew quiet, as what she said next, made her sad. "Father says that i-if I am to be betrothed to a suitor one d-day, I am to do what a wife should d-do."
Neji scowled at this, clearly unhappy with what his uncle's ideals for a woman were, and he gave a soft sigh. Hinata was still polite as ever, but she had attained a certain...stubbornness from somewhere, and he had an inkling it was probably unknowingly picked up from Naruto – the blond was always speaking of never giving up; he had a heart of steel. "Well, Hinata-san, I cannot stop you, if you wish to do as he asks. Mind you," he added, his smile slowly diminishing, as he cleared his throat, "I do not agree with what he proposes for you, but that is not for me to judge. In any case, I came here to tell you that Naruto is ever-so-patiently waiting outside to meet you."
Hinata nearly dropped her needle and thread. She shot straight up, her lilac eyes wide with surprise, her fingers instantly tightening around the silk band, as she tried not to stammer, but to no avail. This was Naruto. "N-Naruto-kun?" A blush slowly bloomed across the bridge of her nose, as she stood up and placed the needle, thread, and material on the marble seat, turning to Neji. "W-Why is Naruto-kun here...?"
She had no idea as to why Naruto was here, at the Hyuga Compound. But just the thought of him standing outside, in his familiar orange and blue attire made her heart beat faster. Even as Neji spoke, it rang in her ears. "Here is here to see you, Hinata-san. I did ask him if he had other business here, but no, he is definitely here to see you."
O-oh...oh my... W-what...what do I do? Do I g-go out and greet him? B-but I'm so nervous! A-Ano...w-what...what do I do...She fidgeted with the hem of her jacket, tucking a loose strand of dark blue hair behind her ears, clearing her throat a little. She had to maintain a calm air around her. She couldn't just go up to Naruto and make a fool of herself, again. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment as she remembered the last time she had greeted him, and had nearly fallen into his arms. No! I-I'm not going to let that happen a-again! Saying thank you to Neji, she quickly ran down the steps of the pavilion, as the wind brushed through her hair which was growing longer as the months passed, and seasons went by, and she walked to the front gate, where she saw Naruto waiting.
He looked towards her, and his eyes softened when he saw her appear. It had been a while since he had visited the Hyuga Compound, let alone to see Hinata herself, so other clan members were looking at the Uzumaki orphan a little curiously, stopping their chores to stare at the two. "Ah, Hinata...I'm sorry to disturb you like this," he said quickly, his cheeks flushing lightly as he glanced at her porcelain face, the complete epitome of beauty. She was so beautiful, he could hardly stop his heart from thrashing wildly inside his ribcage. From her shapely cleavage, to her long, thin legs and lustrous ebony hair, he was smitten. He had realised his feelings for her for a long while, and he wanted to make it official, today.
Hinata waved her hands adorably in front of her face, her eyes widening even further. "N-no! Naruto-kun, i-it's no trouble, really...I-I'm just happy that you came here to s-see me..." She could barely stop herself from staring into the shades of blue which she had longed to look into for so long. She boldly took a step forwards, and then another, and another, until they were barely feet away, the same height, their hearts racing. "W-why...um...i-if I may ask...w-why did you come...?"
"To see you." Naruto's smile grew into a broad grin, his eyes shining happily, as he reached out a finger to touch a strand of her hair, letting it escape from his fingertips. "You see, Hinata," he went on, scratching the back of his neck softly, "I like you...and I've liked you for a very long time...and...-"
He noticed that she had become eerily quiet all of a sudden, her whole body stiffening.
"...Woah, Hinata, hey! You're not going to faint on me again,are you...?" He clutched at her shoulders, shaking her a tiny bit, and was relieved when he saw a flush race across her cheeks, and her eyes filled with tears, as she suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck, sniffling and laughing happily, as he slowly placed his hands around her waist, chuckling.
"N-No, no, I'm...I'm...oh, Naruto-kun...I'm so happy...I-I couldn't...I can't...speak..."
Naruto's eyes were so soft that they could literally melt butter as he stared into her beautiful lilac eyes, shining with more tears as they fell down her cheeks. He cupped her chin in his hand, and leaned forwards, to press his lips upon hers gently in a soft kiss, closing his eyes as she gave a gasp, a little surprised.
It was about time he had acted on his feelings,Neji thought, as he watched them from the dojo with a smile, watching Hinata lean up on her tip-toes to kiss him again. But then again, I am very glad...