She had just finished her last final, feeling confident she had passed the test. If she had, she'd receive a 4.0 GPA this semester. As Hinata walked to her car, she dialed Akio's number, wanting to tell him she scheduled her flight and hotel room. It rang twice before he answered, smiling on the other end. "I was just thinking of you. What's up?"
"I wanted to let you know I scheduled my visit." She informed, having yet to discuss it with her father. A one week stay in Tokyo, during Christmas vacation. So, having to explain why she would be with Akio for Christmas and not her family would be something.
"I know you wanted to be with your family this year…spend it like you used to." He noted. "I'll still be busy, you know. We won't be able to spend much time together."
Hinata unlocked her car door and shuffled inside. "You've told me several times but I still want to see you and the holidays is the least hectic for you."
He laughed over the phone before something tumbled to the floor, making him yell and curse. It was a moment before he returned, the shuffling of papers nearby. "Good point." Something hit the desk. "Good for me then because I planned a surprise."
"A surprise?"
"Yes and I'm pretty sure you'll love it." He smiled. "One week."
At the realization, the Hyūga pulled her phone away from her ear to check her phone calendar. He was right. One more week until her flight: December 20. "I didn't realize how close it was…" The pressure and anxiety to tell her father increased and doubt entered her mind. "Akio, I don't know about this anymore. My family doesn't even know-"
"I thought you told them days ago." He, too, sounded anxious.
"I tried but every time I mention you, he gets…upset." Hinata had felt, for three weeks now, that her father disliked the idea of them being together. Why, she didn't know. He preferred Akio over Naruto any day she knew that. "I'll talk to him about it when I get home. I can't just leave and not give an explanation." Although, that sounded quite satisfactory. She didn't want to argue but, pulling her phone away from her ear for a moment and sighing before bringing it back, explaining where she was going and why was the right thing to do. "Like I said, I'll talk to him. Even if he doesn't agree with my decision, I'm old enough to travel on my own." She paused. "I've already spent the money-"
"You'll come regardless of what he tells you." There was another voice in the background, requesting for help. Akio groaned silently and dropped whatever he was carrying. "I have to go." His breath hitched as if he were about to say more but stopped. "I love you." He said instead.
"I love you too." She replied before hanging up and completely focusing on the road. She was almost home. What was she to say? Nerves were building up as she caught her exit, soon only fifteen minutes away. Her father would immediately notice her disposition and demand what was wrong. Hinata had yet to decide how to inform him. Her phone rang and she answered, not bothering with the ID. "Hello?"
"Hey, I'm not interrupting anything am I?" It was Naruto.
"Naruto? Why are you…" Hinata didn't really want to finish asking. She didn't want to talk to him.
"I want to apologize for my behavior at the library the other day." He sighed. "It's not much but it's something, right?"
"Naruto-"
"How do you think you did on your philosophy final? I loved the class but-"
"Naruto!" The Hyūga shouted, interrupting his meaningful yet nonsensical conversation. "I'm sorry, for yelling, but I just-"
"You were on the phone with Akio, weren't you?"
"That's none of your business."
"No, it's not but I'm going to pry because I care." The blonde paused, afraid to ask this next question. "Are you going to marry him?"
"You are ridiculous. Yes, we love each other but that doesn't mean we'll get married. It's not even been two months!" She scowled.
"Two months ago you thought-"
"I was stupid. Thinking that you could grow up is stupid of me."
"What's that supposed to mean? I have grown up." Naruto protested.
"Your question is something only a child would ask. It's none of your business."
"How isn't it?" Naruto questioned his ex. "We talked about it. I'm curious to know-"
"Because you're not part of this relationship! If I wanted you to know, I'd tell you. I don't hide things from the people I care about."
The blonde chuckled. "So you're going to tell Akio you kissed me?"
This comment made Hinata's face flush. She couldn't. He had managed to forgive her for using him but only after cutting her off for a few days. If Akio learned of this… "Maybe. I don't want to hurt his feeling any more than I already have." Her caller opened his mouth. "Don't you dare lecture me on telling the truth."
"I wasn't going to. The real reason I asked about you marrying Akio is because he's not who you think he is."
Hinata scoffed. "When will you stop? Akio is who he says he-"
"Ask him about Yumi."
"I already know about her- she's his ex-fiancé."
"That's what he said?" He opened his mouth again, catching himself before letting the words leave his mouth. He opted for others. "Fine, I'm wrong. I tried to scare you into leaving him and I'm sorry."
Hinata bit her lip, hearing the sincerity in his voice. "What made you do it? Are you jealous or just that childish?"
"How many times do I have to tell you: I care about you."
"That's hard to believe after everything that's happened." She sighed, finding her house just a few minutes ahead. "I have to go."
"You'll call me back?" Naruto asked.
"Maybe." She hung up without saying goodbye and tossed her phone on the passenger seat. After a call like that, Hinata probably wouldn't. What she needed to focus on now was telling her father she wasn't going to be home for Christmas. She saw the house ahead and slowed down, scanning the area. Her father wasn't home yet but Hanabi was there, sitting on the steps in the snow. This made Hinata stop the vehicle and jump out into the cold. "Hanabi!" Her sister looked up from the steps. "What do you think you're doing out here?" The Hyūga ran over and grabbed her by the arm, pulling the little girl up. "You can't sit out here by yourself."
"I was waiting for you." The seven year old answered innocently. "Asami said I could."
"Asami? She knows better than to- You don't even have a jacket." She took off her own and threw it around her sister. "Here; while I go turn off my car."
"Can we have hot coco?" The little girl asked minutes after Hinata returned to help her inside.
The oldest gave a smile. "Why not? You've been sitting out there for- Asami!" Her eyes caught sight of the elderly caretaker in the living room.
Asami looked at the two Hyūgas, nervous when she realized her mistake. "I am so sorry, Hinata. Please forgive me."
"Why didn't she have a coat and why weren't you watching her? She could get sick or something could've happened-"
"Hinata," Hanabi tugged on her sister's shirt. "She's sick."
"Sick? Hanabi, stop-" As if to prove Hinata wrong, Asami began a coughing fit, leaning against the wall for support. She started to slide and Hinata ran to catch her from hitting the floor. For how long had she been like this? Why had no one told her? "Hanabi, help me get her to the couch."
The sister did as told, sitting by the maid's side until her father walked in, unbuttoning his jacket. "Hinata, Hanabi…" The little girl wrapped her arms around his waist. He hugged her back and called for Hinata again. This time, his oldest appeared, upset. "What's wrong?"
Hinata beckoned for him to follow her to the kitchen where she leaned against the counter. "Why didn't you tell me Asami is sick?"
"I didn't want to worry you."
"Worry me? I found Hanabi outside with no jacket and no one watching her! How am I not supposed to worry?"
"Hanabi what?" He looked away. "I'm sorry. It's just…Asami has been with family for a long time and Hanabi adores her-"
"Then get another maid. She can't take care of Hanabi anymore." A silence settled between them and Hinata took this time to tell him of her future absence. "I won't be here for Christmas."
Hiashi sat up and narrowed his gaze. "What do you mean you won't be here for Christmas? You always are."
"I'm going to see Akio. The holidays is the least busiest for him-"
"You didn't even think to ask me first?" He was upset.
"I didn't know how and Naruto even said I should go."
"You've scheduled it, haven't you?" Hinata didn't speak. "How does Akio feel about you doing this?"
"He was nervous for me at first but I can do this. He knows that. You know that…" Their eyes matched.
"It's not the traveling I'm worried about." Hiashi informed, standing from his seat at the table. "You… You just look so much like your mother." He pulled her into his arms, holding her tight. "When do you leave?"
"Next week."
"For how long?"
"A week. Akio's given Christmas off and he's managed to take off three other days so we can spend time together."
Hinata almost gasped in fear when her father stepped back. "As long as you come back to me, safe." He smiled.
She had expected much different from her father but she was extremely thankful he chose to act like this. "Thank you, daddy."
