I know I haven't updated this story in ages. I am sorry to all of you. I had decided to just leave the story at first and when I wanted to come back to it about 2 years ago I couldn't log into my account. I've actually been trying to log in for awhile. This chapter is looong over due! Thank all of you for your continuios reviews. They are sweet and make me want to continue. Now honestly I may not update as often because my life has taken such a different direction. Honestly its been so long I forgot where I was going with this story but I will try my best to pick up where I left off and give you guys interesting chapters. Once again I am sorry for the long hiatus. Enjoy! :)
I followed behind Naruto to the top of a hill. His hand was warm and rough, but it felt soft some how. Even Naruto holding my hand and leading me up a hill alone wasn't enough to keep my mind from drifting to this mission situation. Why weren't they able to tell me? What was going on? This entire night was confusing me. My mind was all over the place. Between the fake Sasukes, the real Sasuke, and everything else I was boggled.
"Hina,"
Naruto was waving his hand infront of my face. "Earth to Hi-na-taaa!"
I blushed. He never called me that. I liked the way it sounded. "I'm sorry,"
"You look like you have a lot on your mind."
"I do. I-"
Boom Boom.
My words were cut off by fireworks. Naruto pointed to the sky. "Whoa! That was a big one! I always love to watch these."
He dropped to the ground and laid down flat on his back. He patted the spot on the grass beside him. "Sit."
We sat in silence for awhile, watching the sky. It wasn't long before I found myself watching Naruto. He was happily grinning as he watched the fireworks dart across the dark sky. His arms were behind his head and his feet crossed. He was quite intrigued. I should be happy to be beside him. I should be bursting with excitement. Something inside me just wouldn't let me. Maybe it was the fact that I was going to be forced to marry Sasuke and our relationship didn't matter. Maybe I just didn't know if Naruto had led me up here as a friend or if there was something more behind it. Maybe it was because I was extremely confused about my life lately.
"Are you o.k Hinata?"
Naruto has sat up now and was starring at me. "You don't look well."
"I-I um...well..." I let out a sigh. Then took a deep breath. It was now or never. "I have always a-admired you, Naruto. A w-whole l-lot actually." I closed my eyes and bit my lip. "D-Do you f-feel the same? Because now I-"
"What did you say?"
I opened my eyes. Naruto was starring at me with a questioning look in his eyes. That's when I realized I had been in my own world and so caught up in what I was saying that I didn't realize that the fireworks had gone off so loud while I was talking that he hadn't heard a word. I didn't have the courage to say it again. I don't even know how I had it in the first place. I stood up and did what I was best at doing.
I ran away.
-
I burst through the front door of my house. My father was sitting in the living room with a book in his hand. He shook his head when I entered and looked at me with a stern look.
"Why, father?"
My heart was pumping fast in my chest. My legs felt like noodles as if they would slip from under me any second.
He didn't say anything.
I started to shake alittle so I put my arm on the wall to keep my balance. "W-Why is this the tradition? Why must I marry someone I don't want to?"
I couldn't believe these words were coming out of my mouth. What was going on with me tonight? Where was all this bravery coming from? I had never spoke to him this way.
"Are you questioning tradition? A tradition of a great clan that you are lucky to be apart of." My father closed his book and gave me a look that struck fear in my heart. Immediatly I looked down. I regreted saying anything. If I thought my heart was beating fast before, well not it was double that.
"I-I just d-don't u-understand." I mumbled.
"Well good thing life doesn't run on what you understand. Oh how awful that would be."
My heart sank.
"You act as though someone else would marry you. You act as though you are sought after by many men. You act as though you have a choice in the matter of your life," He clenched his fist and stood up. He was standing tall over me. His voice was raising with every word.
" Stop acting!" His voice seemed to shake the entire house. "You will marry the Uchiha and you will bear his children. You will obey tradition. You will act like a woman of status and dignity. Understand that, Hinanta."
He said my name as if it left a bad taste in his mouth. I couldn't move. I don't even think I could breath. I felt lifeless. It hadn't been a question. The last part was a command. He was telling me to understand.
"You may go."
He waved his hand and looked back down at his book. I hated how he dismissed me like that. I hated it so much. I mad emy way to my room and collasped in my bed.
-
I must have gotten the worst sleep ever. When I awoke the next morning my back ached and my head was pounding. My eyes felt puffy. I must have cried myself to sleep.
"Happy new yearrrrrrr!"
Hanabi came bursting in my room. She was holding a tray with some breakfast food and a vase of flowers. When she saw my face she paused. "You look a mess. Are you ok?"
"I'm fine. Just had a rough sleep."
"Did you kiss Sasuke again last night?" She grinned.
I shook my head and casually changed the subject. "You brought me breakfast. You're the best!"
I was trying to sound cheerful. Hanabi laughed.
"Is this how you will make Sasuke breakfast?" She teased.
"I'll serve him rocks." I said it under my breath. Not meaning for her to hear.
"Naruto came by for you last night," Hanabi set down the tray. "He wanted to know if you were o.k"
"Oh, what did you tell him?"
"Father told him to go."
My father was so rude.
"Anyway you must eat up. You only have about fifteen more minutes until you must meet with Tsunade."
"What are you talking about?"
"She wants to talk to you about a mission. She sent for you earlier. Father knows."
What was this mission all about?
All of a sudden my stomach started to feel queasy.
"Eat up." Hanabi grinned.
-
"There is a marriage in a nearby neighboring village. Two clans are joining by this marriage. There are some people who want the bride murdered because they do not want this marriage to take place. Your job is to guard her until the marriage happens. Any questions?"
Tsuanade looked up to read our expressions. Sasuke, Naruto and I were sitting infront of her all taking in what she had just said.
"It is very important to Konoha that we help in aiding this clan's marriages. It will help alliances and also fufill a promise made by the second Hokage."
I nodded. I wondered why she had choose us three for this mission.
"Naruto and Sasuke you may wait outside." Tsunade pointed to the door. "Hinata I would like to speak to you alone."
Naruto gave me a look I couldn't read before he left the room. He hadn't gotten a chance to speak to me just yet but I could tell he wanted to. I had been nearly late for this meeting and there was no room for any words before it had started. Sasuke hadn't looked at me once. Not that I cared. Or did I? I mean I had noticed.
Once Tsunande was sure the boys were out of ear reach she began to talk. "Your father insisted I let you go on this mission," She began. "You and Sasuke."
I looked down.
Her tone softened. "Its not as bad as you think, you know? Sometimes you're the last to know what you really want or need."
-
Tsunade's words stuck with me as I walked outside. Sasuke and Naruto were waiting. Both of them had backpacks strapped on their backs.
"Ready?" Naruto asked.
I nodded.
-
The journey to Hon village wasn't far. We would be there by sundown. But with my aching back, feet and head it felt like centuries already.
Sasuke was walking ahead of us. He still hadn't acknowledged me so far. I didn't care. I was into my own thoughts. I thought about what my father said last night. I thought about about what Tsunade had just said. I thought of Naruto and last night. There were so many thoughts running through my mind it was making my head throb.
I was so into my thoughts that I nearly tripped over something in the middle of our path. I began to fall forward onto my face, the weight of my backpack pushing me forward. I'm sure I would have caught myself but I didn't get the chance. Both Naruto and Sasuke were holding me up before I could even think about putting my hands out.
"You didn't hear me say watch out for that? Damn it you're so clumsy," Sasuke said, he sounded annoyed.
"Are you ok?" Naruto asked at the same time. Then he turned to Sasuke. "That wasn't nice."
I felt my face getting really hot as I looked down at the placement of their hands. Each of them had one hand on my back and the other just below my rib cage. Sasuke's hand was slightly brushing against my breast. He moved it quicker than I could notice, shook his head and continued on.
"What happened to you last night?" Naruto asked, helping me stand straight. "I couldn't make out what you said cause of the fireworks and then all of a sudden you just ran away. I came by to check on you but your dad, that guy is scary, just sent me away."
He was talking a mile a minute.
"I really wanted to know what you were saying. Plus I wanted to spend the night with you a the festival. You just ran off. Now you look all bothered and stuff. What's going on? What was it you said?"
He wanted to spend the night with me?
I didn't have to courage to repeat myself. I don't even know where it came from last night.
"I-I don't remember." I lied.
Naruto stared at me for a second. He seemed to be thinking of something.
He doesn't believe me.
"Okay" He said finally.
"Naruto, come check this out," Sasuke said, motioning for Naruto to join him up in the front.
Naruto gave me one more look and then ran towards Sasuke.
I wished I had just told him. He had a look on his face I couldn't read and it made me feel sad. Why couldn't I just tell him how I felt?
Ok I wrote this today. Sorry if its crappy. I'm a bit out of practice. Hope you guys enjoy. More coming soon.