"And how do you feel overall?" asked the therapist, shifting slightly on her seat, notepad in hand and looking directly at Hinata.
"It's been…a while," started Hinata, twisting her hands but stopping soon after. Old habits are hard to kill off. "But I feel motivated every day to do some kind of small task. And Naruto supports me all the way!"
The therapist hummed, taking some kind of note down, before asking, "And how's your relationship with Naruto?"
"Oh, i-it's well." She took in a deep breath to stop her voice from shaking. "It's been almost two months since he returned back to his job. And we talked about how I'll be okay."
"Are you?" interrupted the therapist, looking at her sharply.
Hinata paused to collect her thoughts. Was she okay?
"No, I don't think I am—fully," she finished off. "It was hard to part ways but I'm learning every day to accept it."
The therapist hummed, flipped through some of the pages, and asked, "What about Sakura and Ino?"
"Oh!" exclaimed Hinata, leaning forward slightly. "Ino is just wonderfully happily married! Sai treats her so well. And Sakura has been focusing entirely on the shop so I've been helping her every way I can. It helps with keeping me occupied."
The therapist nodded and smiled. "I'm happy to hear about your friends. Now, let's move on to the next stage of our plan. Are you ready?"
Hinata took in a deep breath and nodded.
"Yes, I am."
Hinata was exhausted. She felt she hardly did anything today and yet she felt boneless and almost crawled to her bed. After therapy, she went back to the shop and in between taking out boxes and restocking; she studied her class notes and kept herself occupied from the void that's her mind. Toneri stopped by once and briefly talked to her before leaving. It was still wary between them but at least they were both trying for a normal friendship.
Her eyelids drooped and she had to sit up—what a struggle!—to keep herself awake. Every night, Naruto would call her to talk for an hour or two before saying goodnight. It was lovely and there were days where it couldn't happen. But the effort on both of their parts makes her heart sing and she finds herself blinking back tears. She was about to get a cup of water when an incoming Skype call broke her out of her trance. She scrambled to open up her laptop and accepted the call. She had a second to comb her hair with her fingers before Naruto appeared through the screen.
"Hey!" he grinned, eyes nearly closing from pure delight. "Love, how are you? How was your day today?"
Hinata released a sigh, her body nearly sagging. "It was a good day." And a good day for her meant not feeling sad or not staying in bed all day. "How about yours?"
"Oh, you know mine." And he went on and on about how today was a particular grueling day at work and he had no time to even take a break which wasn't that illegal? Hinata closed her eyes and listened to the timber of her boyfriend's voice, soothing out the emptiness she tend to feel these days and replacing it with a warmth rarely felt. It was like finally sitting outside underneath the sunlight, letting skin that was icy cold melt under its beams. It blanketed her and she found herself drooping into sleepiness. She tried to blink it away and focus on her love's beautiful and radiant smile but at some point she must have fallen asleep.
She woke against the headboard of her bed with her laptop open and facing her. The skype call was still running and she saw Naruto sleeping, mouth wide open and loud snores filling the quiet studio. It still stunned her, at times, how she has this man in her life and how much he's helped her through so many things. She carefully changed out of her clothes to those of sleeping wear and drank a glass of water. Still not hungry, she tucked herself under her covers and made sure to face the call. She smiled and felt tears burning her eyes. She let herself feel and the tears fell.
She closed her eyes once more and dreamt of sun rays and sunflowers.
Sakura was looking over her photos when she stumbled upon Ino's wedding night. She smiled seeing her best friend laughing in some and crying in others. She zoomed in on the wedding dress and sighed remembering the day. It was dazzling and a memorial day for all three of them and one that set the road for something Sakura has been wanting for a while now.
Hearing the sound of the bathroom door opening then closing, she put her phone away and settled comfortable on the bed. Sasuke appeared and settled beside her, ready to sleep.
Sakura took in a deep breath and held it. Let it out slowly. She turned to Sasuke and asked,
"What do you think about marriage?"
A/N: A small way of saying I am back. A new arc begins. I am finishing this.
