: realize :
: to come into mind
"Sakura-san... Do you think I'm a nuisance?"
Sakura suddenly choked on her saliva, the pen and clipboard in her hands dropping, "Hinata! What kind of question was that?! Of course you're not!"
The two kunoichi stood stiffly in the middle of the hospital hall, both having questions running in their minds.
A small frown tugged on the corners of Sakura's lips, then she held Hinata by her shoulders and said with a soothing smile, "Come on, let's grab some tea"
It was not as sunny as it usually is in Konoha.
Clouds blocked the sun every now and then, and sometimes cold air would even blow.
Understandable, due to the fact that winter was just right around the corner once more.
But, the sky held an uncertain weather, sometimes turning the village cold with the clouds blocking the sun or the sun shining down brightly.
"Did something happen?" Sakura asked as she watched the Hyūga take her seat in front of her, "You wouldn't normally ask those kind of questions"
"I-I know..." Hinata said, not meeting eyes with the Haruno as she settled in the seat, "... It's... It's nothing, really"
"Obviously, it's not nothing!" The pinkette yelled in worry, "Hinata! Be honest with me. Did something happen?"
Patiently waiting for her friend to reply, Sakura wondered what could have suddenly happened to turn the cheerful and bubbly Hinata back to somewhat shy and nervous self.
She felt a lump forming in her throat and her eyes widen in shock as the woman before her started to really stiffen up, her bangs now shadowing over her eyes as her shoulders shook.
"S-Sakura-san... I-I've been so, so selfish..."
Immediately standing from her seat, Sakura made her way to Hinata's side and consoled her, "Hey, hey! Don't cry! You're not selfish at all!"
"But I am..!" The bluenette rebutted, "I've been selfish and numb for almost two years now... I'm so bad that I didn't even notice until just recently..!"
"What happened, Hinata?" The pinkette asked as she rubbed her friend's back, "I'm sure it's just some kind of misunderstanding"
Holding back her tears, the Hyūga bit her lip and contemplated how to explain the situation. And putting aside her pride, she answered as honestly and bluntly as she could.
"I kept Naruto-kun all to myself all this time... I didn't even think about other people that wanted to spend time with him... I didn't even think of the people Naruto-kun wanted to spend time with"
Sakura looked at Hinata in shock.
"You're as stupid as Naruto" Sakura said with a disappointed look.
"E-Eh?!" Hinata didn't expect that reply, "W-What?"
With an amused sigh, the pinkette chuckled and said "Hinata, he's spending time with you because he wants to. Besides, it should be normal for the two of you to hang out all of the time"
"Sakura-san, don't think that I didn't notice" The bluenette said, "People don't come near Naruto-kun and chat with him when I'm around... Even our friends would create space between us when I'm around... Sakura-san, I'm robbing Naruto-kun out of the happiness that he deserves"
"Hinata-" "No... I know why all of you always stay away from us when we're together" Hinata admitted, "It's because of my feelings for him, right? I know it's not a secret anymore... And because of it-"
"Listen, alright?!" Sakura cut her off as she held her by the shoulders once more, "Hinata! He's spending time with you because that's how these typed of relationships work, okay? It's not an obligation, it's not robbing, it's natural"
Then, in a blink of an eye-
"NARUTO-KUN AND I ARE NOT IN A RELATIONSHIP!"
Sakura's jaw fell agape as she stared wide-eyed at Hinata, standing up beside her and firmly staring her down.
"They weren't-" She thought in shock, "Dating?!"
It was usually Naruto who can tell Hinata's emotions just from her eyes, but this time? Sakura, too, can see all of the sorrow and frustration built up and now pouring from her eyes.
The regret and shame she had was so much, that everyone could tell.
The few people inside the cafe all had their attention on Hinata and her sudden outburst, even some of the keen-eared pedestrians stopped on their tracks, murmurs going around them.
"Isn't that the Hyūga that's always with Naruto-san?"
"Not in a relationship? Then what were they doing all these times?"
"Wait... Was she just playing him?"
"For shame...! What were they up to, then?"
"What a slut"
Sakura slammed her fist on the table, breaking it in half, as she stood up and blocked Hinata from the others, "Shut up, you nosy bitches! How dare you judge her?! You don't even know what's been happening between them! It's just a big misunderstanding! Shanaro!!!"
"Sakura-san, please stop..!" Hinata pleaded, her head hung low and her posture closed, "I-It's okay..."
Looking behind her in shock, the pinkette saw something she never thought she would've seen again.
Hinata had her head bowed, her eyes glued dead on the floor, shoulders stiffly compressed, and her hands fidgetting. The old Hinata was showing.
No longer did she see signs of the Hinata she's been seeing lately. The calm, bubbly, and charming girl that had everyone wrapped around her fingers.
"It's true..." Hinata said as she amiled sadly, empty eyes, as she opened her wallet and gave money to Sakura, "For the past few days, Naruto-kun had been talking to this girl, and everytime I arrive, he always excuses himself and she leaves... I've been standing in the way of his happiness, aren't I? He's putting his friends before himself again, isn't he? I'm so terrible..."
"Hinata..." Sakura whispered bellow her breath, feeling the weight of her friend's own sadness.
"I've been so big of a nuisance..." The Hyūga muttered with a sniffle, "Even here..."
And without another word, the bluenette rushed passed the pinkette and out of the cafe, the crowd slowly going back to their own businesses, the owner taking the money from Sakura's hand for the damages.
"Hinata..." Sakura thought, "You, too, don't get it, do you?"
"Naruto-senpai!" A girl called as she jogged over.
Naruto groaned beneath his breath before faking a smile, "Oh, hey! It's you again!"
"Ah, yes, it's me" She joked, "So! What are you up to?"
"Just waiting for someone" He vaguely answered, just because he's pretty sure by now that she already knows.
Cupping his hands together, he breathed into them before looking around to warm himself up a bit. It was a chilly night.
Usually, at days when either one of them are busy, he would wait near the Hyūga compound to at least chat up with Hinata a bit.
She tucked her hair behind her ear and said "You're always here, huh?"
"Not always" He replied in an overly cheerful tone, trying to hide his annoyance.
Looking up the sky, he raised a brow and thought "What's up? Hinata should be passing by by now"
And, just like he expected, he felt her presence right around the corner, making him perk up and the smile he had no longer fake.
"Hinata! Took you long enough!" Naruto joked as he jogged to meet up with her at the corner, "I thought something happened or some-"
He felt his heart drop as she just kept walking, her eyes as stoic as the other Hyūgas.
"Oh, uh, hey! Didn't see me, did 'ya?" Naruto laughed as he jogged ahead and stood in front of her with a bright smile, "It's okay, it's dark and all, dattebayo!"
He felt extremely cold as she just walked around him, not acknowledging him.
"Wait!"
Hinata softly gasped when he suddenly grabbed her wrist, "Hinata! What's wrong?"
Taking in a deep breath in, she faced him with an obvious fake smile and said "O-Oh, Naruto-kun... I'm sorry, I was lost in thought..."
Without another word, she turned her back to him and started walking again.
Like a lost puppy, he followed.
Something's gotta be going on.
The guards of the Hyūga clan gate saw Hinata and immediately opened the gates for her, and almost hesitantly, they also let Naruto in as he was closely behind her.
"Hinata. Talk to me" Naruto finally spoke up, and his heart broke when he saw her shoulders stiffen up just by the sound of his voice, "Please?"
She refused to talk, still. Stubborn. But two can play it that game.
"Are you tired?" He chuckled as he followed her up the stairs, fully knowing well that it was the way to her room, "I bet you are, since you came home a little later than usual"
"It's been a tiring day, yes" She vaguely answered with a hint of fake laughter, "I should really rest"
And before he knew it, the door of her room closed in front of him.
Something was off.
Why was she sad?
"Hinata, is something wrong?" He asked, seeing passed her tired facade, "What happened today? Was someone mean?"
Surely, it would have been extremely bad, Hinata was very rarely sad like this. A different kind of sad, one where he knows that she's blaming herself.
He saw her shadow finally stand in front of him. The thin, paper door being the only thing between them.
"Neh... Naruto-kun... Are you happy?"
Out of all the things she could've said, he never expected that in a million years.
"What?" Naruto asked in confusion before picking himself back together with a strong counter, "Not when you're acting like that, Hinata! Come on! Be blunt with me! Did...! Did I... Do something?"
Was it him?
"No..." Hinata shook her head as it slowly bowed down, "I-It's all me..."
How badly he wanted to kick the door open and shake her senseless. What had gotten into her?! Why was she talking like this?!
"H-Hey, stop it with the jokes already-ttebayo! It's not funny, alright?!"
For a short moment, they both fell silent.
The atmosphere was most definitely heavy, and Naruto didn't know what was going on. But, for sure, he knows he doesn't like it.
Stubborn as she is, he still stood there still, waiting for her response.
After a good minute or two of silence, the blonde heard a heavy sigh before the silhouette at the other side of the door moved.
He perked up immediately as the door shook a little, opening up just enough for her to peak half her body in.
Pulling off the most apologetic smile she could, closing her eyes in an upward arc as she held her hand to her chest, "I'm sorry, Naruto-kun. It's just been rough, you see"
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked, taking a step closer, "Come on... Come out or I'll come in"
"Ah, well- We shouldn't do either" Hinata said with forced laughter "It's okay, really. I think I stalled long enough"
Confused. What was going on? He still couldn't really understand what's happening.
"Naruto-kun, I-I think you should go, we've got nothing to do, anyway" She said, slowly inching the door closed, "A-And, I, uh... You see, I'm gonna be busy, a-and I need time..."
"I can help you! No problem!" Naruto laughed after a sigh of relief, "Geeze, Hinata! You scared me! You know I'd lend you a helping hand! What's the thing anyway? Is it one of Kakashi-sensei's traini-"
"No!" Hinata abruptly cut off, "Alone. I-I... I should do it alone"
"So... You're busy?" He asked, clearly disappointed, of which she nodded and said "Y-Yes, very"
"Well..." The Jinchuriki gave her a reassuring smile, "It's fine! Just tell me when you're done, alright? Maybe we can kick back and relax with some ramen after it, dattebayo!"
"You should get going, yes?" The kunoichi asked, "Naruto-kun, you were talking to someone earlier, don't wanna keep h-her waiting..."
"Oh, is that it?" He tried insisting, "Don't worry, Hinata! She left! I don't even know her anyway!"
"It would be rude, either way" She quietly answered, and just in time, Kō came around the corner, "Oh, perfect. Kō-san, please escort Naruto-kun out, please"
"Yes, of course" The brunette man dutily replied before facing Naruto, but the blonde simply shook his head "Nah, it's fine. I'll find my way out. Besides, I've been here enough to know my way out"
His feeble attempt to lighten up the mood and maybe get a small laughter from Hinata before he left was met with a shutting door.
Before leaving, Naruto sadly stared at the retreating silhouette, leaving her previous spot. He stood there for a while, unsure.
A reassuring hand patted his back, and he turned and saw Kō with an understanding smile, "It is going to be just fine soon, Naruto-san. It is just an off day for the mistress"
Nodding, Naruto smiled back at him and said "Yeah. She can take her time, I'll wait, anyway"
Then, turning his back to the butler, the blonde finally walked away, hands deep in his pocket, and the fake smile he forced on slowly melted away into a frown.
He knew something was going on. But he'll wait for her to tell him. He won't force her if she doesn't want to.
Besides! How bad could it be?
"Good morning, Ayame!" Naruto cheerfully greeted.
"Ah, Naruto! And Shikamaru and Choji, too!" Ayame greeted, "Ramen for breakfast?"
"Just like everyday for this guy" Shikamaru sighed as he took his seat, "Just give me whatever Naruto's having"
"And I'm gonna beat my last record!" Choji proudly claimed.
"Alright!" The brunette woman cheered, "I'll be right-"
"Hinata!" Naruto suddenly cheered as he jumped out of the seat and out of the shop.
Choji curiously looked at Shikamaru as he groaned and shook his head.
Right around the corner, the three eavesdropped.
"Oh, would you look at that! Naruto! Tell Hinata a joke to lift her spirits!"
"Hinata! You're done? Just in time, too! Ramen is-"
"O-Oh, um- you see, I still have things to do. Bye"
Shikamaru, Choji, and Ayame all watched as Hinata quickly walked passed the shop.
"I told you we shouldn't head this way"
"Shut up, Shino! I'm thinking, alright?!"
They then watched as Kiba, Shino, and Akamaru followed soon after.
Later, Naruto came back in with a defeated look.
Seating back to his previous seat, the blonde slumped down with a heavy sigh.
"You do realize that she's avoiding you, right?" Shikamaru asked, not so carefully as one would expect.
Smiling, Naruto nodded and said "I know. She'll talk to me when she wants to"
"It's been months" Shikamaru pointed out, "Naruto, it wasn't like this last time. It's been too long since you two last properly talked"
That smile remained. It didn't fall, it didnt waver.
Choji looked at his blonde friend worriedly.
Lately, he's been like this, always smiling... But it's easy to see.
Naruto looked bored of everything. He lacked the usual energy he had. And his smile looked like a facade.
To his new fans, finally out to try and get his interest, he looked cool and calm.
But to his friends. It was obvious.
No matter how many times they spent time with him. No matter how many of them took missions with him.
He was lonely.
But-
"I know,"
Choji and Shikamaru both looked at their ramen, fully knowing the response.
Naruto broke his chopsticks, "But I'll wait as long as she wants"
He was staying. Because he knows she'll come back.
