Walking Into Love
Chouji x Hinata
Chapter 21 A light in the Fog
After taking several deep calming breaths plus a few more cups of Chouji's special 'tummy' tea. She felt the tinge of pink on her cheeks fade slowly. Lying on the small bed she stared up at the light peach toned walls. Her eyes following the trail of different sea shells, which designed the top edge. She began to feel a prickle of claustrophobia come over her.
It wasn't that the room was dreary. It was actually quite luxurious. With thick, deep emerald green carpeting that felt wonderful under her bare toes. The dark color blending nicely with the light tones of the walls. The furniture was done in a deep cherry mahogany. Each piece carved with intricate swirling scrolls and other designs. It was actually a romantic room for an ocean voyage. Yet the small room was quickly becoming cramped and stifling. Especially with Chouji's smile and laughter missing.
How was it he could make her feel so at ease? Never in all her years had she been able to utter a full sentence without stuttering, not even with her own teammates. She always felt weak, shy and silly around most, especially her family. Yet with Chouji, she felt none of that. She even felt bold at times, able to speak her mind around him without being reprimanded. He actually would stare her in the eyes when most didn't. She knew how most found them odd and slightly eerie. Though very few would dare say it out loud for fear of the Hyuga clan or her overprotective teammates. Even Akamaru nearly nipped Sakura and Ino's feet when they laughed at her eyes. Yet Chouji had never once laughed at her. He laughed with her or made her laugh but he never pointed out her flaws. She could not say the same for Naruto. He was very open about her weaknesses and creepy eyes, as he always called them. Granted it was usually followed by advice and maybe a little half heart encouragement but never did he praise her. No, she was not going to sit here and dwell on Naruto it just made her head hurt and she had enough of being sick. To many hours staring at the walls, she needed out of the room before it closed in on her. Yet what was she to do about Chouji, her mind raced. Why had she acted so childish, standing like a statue instead of telling him it was an accident?
Jumping up from the bed she slipped out of the room. Slowly making her way down the narrow corridors, the beige walls bearing large silver insignias of the Lightening country. She had been too ill before to notice them before,as she let her eyes wander over the metal. She let a soft relaxed sigh leave her lips. It felt so good to be out of that room. Reaching a hand out, she brushed it across the cold surface, admiring the craftsmanship. Letting her hand drop she moved further down to stop before a wood paneled door. Staring anxiously at the door, her hand too nervous to knock. Closing her eyes, she once again recalled the incident earlier. Gathering her courage, squaring her shoulders, she slowly knocked. She felt her nerves creep higher as she waited for him to answer. Taking a deep breath and holding down the blush she felt trying to creep up she knocked louder. Yet still no answer.
"Chouji….It's me Hinata." She called but still it went unanswered. She thought for a second to sweep the room with her byakugan but thought better. What if he was in the shower? With that thought her face began to burn hot, as her mind brought up images of Chouji naked…wet.
'Damn it Hinata.' She cursed inwardly. 'You're as bad as Jiraiya peeping at the bathhouses.' The word bathhouse causing her mind to once again picture Chouji naked. Water slowly dripping down his wide bare chest. Her lips curled up into a seductive smirk as she pictured the water slipping further down to trail along the hair of his treasure line…
'Hinata pull yourself together!' Once again cursing her hormonally driven mind. A thing that was becoming habitual. What was this man doing to her? Even her affection for Naruto all these years, never had brought on the fantasies and desires Chouji seemed to bring. It made her feel that Naruto was nothing but a schoolgirl crush. Where Chouji made her feel entirely different. Like a woman… a hot blooded woman at that.
'So what did I even see in Naruto? 'She mused. Shaking her head and clearing her erotic thoughts, she slowly turned the door knob. Peering in shyly she took note that the cabin was empty. In fact it looked like it had never been used. Except for the brown leather knap sack on the floor, the bed was still crisp as if he had never slept in it. Then it dawned on her, he never had. She nearly slumped her head back against the door. Because of her Chouji had slept in that hard wooden chair, watching, protecting, and kindly taking care of her as she slept.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, she just could not picture Naruto ever bothering to do that. Even if he had been in Chouji place. He might be protective of his friends but other than that it was all about Naruto and his ramen. He was a bit of an airhead, forgetful, and totally oblivious to things around him. Even Kiba refused his multitude of whining and pleading for a pup, from one of Akamaru's litters. Telling the blonde there was no way in hell, he would leave any animal in his care. Not even a rat would be safe in his care. Hinata thought that said a lot, considering how messy his home was with discarded ramen and other food thrown about.
Once again she caught herself comparing Chouji and Naruto. Chouji was neat, organized, and responsible where Naruto was a loud, messy and more often then not very irresponsible. Chouji was always thinking about her and how she was. Were Naruto acted as if she didn't even exist. She wondered if she did actual disappear how long it would take for Naruto to realize, or would he even notice her absence at all. Somehow she had a feeling Chouji would notice. As the time they spent together grew, her feeling for Naruto began to vanish. Like the fog slipping away as the morning light drew brighter. Yet when she thought of Chouji. He stood out brighter then the sun itself.
Closing the cabin door behind her she moved down the hall. She would find him somewhere; it was a boat he couldn't just vanish.
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