Be My Therapist
Disclaimer- No I do not own Naruto or any of its character. If I did then Neji wouldn't have died J
Summary- "You can't help who you love Hinata, that's why they call it falling. You fall into a dark abyss and you don't know where you'll land. But it is this unexpectedness, this excitement that keeps you going. It might hurt or it just might make you feel one of the best emotions ever. And it's never easy to make your way back but for that you have me. So don't worry, if things get hard, and you feel like your feet might never touch the ground; remember that I'll be there to grab your hand; or at least throw you a rope to hold on to."
A/N- I am SO sorry for posting this chapter so late. Things have been crazy lately. From finals to a new year at school with like a one day holiday in between. Online classes will be the death of me.
Also I think it might seem as if Hinata is having quite a lot of mood swings over here, all happy one minute and crying the next. I am basing this completely on my own behaviour, I do not know if its normal or not but it is what it is. And if it does bother anyone then please suggest how to improve this because I'm drawing a blank.
And happy April Fools Day people. Now on with the story :D
7th June, Tuesday, 7:30 a.m.
10 months
It had been 10 months since Hinata's break up with Kiba, though it felt just like yesterday when she had walked up to him to confront him about the…incident.
She internally cringed. God! She couldn't even say what had happened without her mood instinctively dampening.
10 months and he still had control over her. 10 months and he could still bring a change in her direction of thoughts, her mood, her entire demeanour with almost no effort.
And it sucked. It sucked that it hurt so bad and that she couldn't help it. Every time she felt better, felt free, felt as if she was finally moving forward in the path of life, only to find out that her next move would be to take a U-turn; to go back to where she had started.
She wouldn't lie and say she wasn't getting better at all, though. It was getting easier to find distractions and get distracted as time passed but none of them lasted for long. Long enough to pull her out of the depressing state her mind would jump into.
Heh. Who was she kidding? No distraction could pull her out of this mess. Especially not when she had created the mess for herself. She would have to be the one to clean it up. But would she? Maybe, maybe not.
It didn't matter much at the moment anyway, because now she had to go tend to one of the largest distractions life had to offer.
She had to go to work.
7th June, Tuesday, 1:30 p.m.
The sunlight filtered in through the glass panes of the window and flowed onto Neji's desk, dancing over the open-faced registers and portfolios and off of his computer screen in an angry glare.
His workload had seen a sudden rise just like his uncle's apprehension as the annual ball held by the Hyuga family, in December approached. Not only was this ball an important event for the Hyuga Enterprises but this year it would also celebrate the company's platinum jubilee, putting said elderly Hyuga in a mild state of panic.
Everyone working for the corporation was working their asses off to see the smooth and successful conduction of the lavish affair. The thought made Neji worry his bottom lip with his teeth. It was incredible that everybody was working so hard. But…he, personally, thought that some people could use some rest instead. He didn't want work to put in additional stress in their lives, because god forbid they didn't need it.
He still remained deep in his musing that he didn't notice the object of his thoughts stand before him."Good afternoon, neji-nee, would you like to join me for lunch?" Hinata's voice called out from where she stood at the entrance of Neji's office.
The brunette looked up at his cousin, gracing her with a small curve of the lips.
His eyes scanned her from head to toe for any signs of even slight bodily discomforts instinctively. It was no secret that her break up had been rough on her and he knew she was the last person to voice complaints or even ask for help.
But, as he looked at her now, there seemed not much that was wrong with the female Hyuga.
The smile stretched across her face was as gentle as ever, her eyes still held kindness in them, her voice was kind, her movements filled with elegance and grace. Her nervous fingers clutched her purse, awaiting an answer.
Still, Neji wasn't quite convinced.
He should go with her, shouldn't he? He sighed and looked at the pile of unfinished paperwork lying on his desk. There was no way he would be able to complete the work assigned to him as well as join his cousin for lunch. His gaze shifted towards her as he spoke in an apologetic tone." I'm sorry Hinata. I won't be able to come with you. I have to finish assessing these folders by today evening."
"It's okay nee-san. I hope you don't mind if I go out for lunch then?"
"Of course, I don't mind Hinata."
Her lips bent into a kind smile as she turned around to gently close the door to his office, before his voice stopped her in her tracks.
"Hinata are you okay? You know I'm always here right? If you want to talk."
She could feel his gaze on her back as she stared at the hallway ahead of her. He really was worried, she could tell. He worked till late at night and woke up early in the morning, his lack of sleep clearly visible in the light bags under his eyes, should she worry him even more with her own petty problems? He had enough to worry about anyway. She shouldn't add to his tension, although she knew he already did worry a lot about her. No, she could do this. She could do this without burdening those who cared about her.
Her voice was calm when she spoke, her back still facing him. "I'm okay, I promise, neji-nee." She didn't dare look him in the eye, not after she lied to him for the first time.
The door gently shut behind her as she walked towards the elevator.
7th June, Tuesday, 7:00 p.m.
The sun was long gone as the moon took its place, glimmering proudly among the innumerable stars that lit up the sky. The wind blew gently, making strands of her dark hair dance about her face. She lay motionless and relaxed on the ground while her eyes stared at the scenic view the night sky provided, her back pressed to the floor.
Hinata was currently lying down on a mat that she had spread on the roof of 'Konoha Hospital'. The building was about 12 stories long, with a garden for the patients to its west, while the road ran down its east. Its roof was cemented, with a foot tall brick railing around its perimeter. In the middle of the area was a small, shed-like structure with a door that led to a flight of stairs that took you back to the 12th floor of the hospital.
She had been lying here since long before the sun had set.
When Neji had declined her invitation, Hinata had breathed a sigh of relief and come to the hospital without a second thought. And since then she was lying here. She had not bothered returning to the office as lethargy had gotten the best of her, instead she informed Neji that she had an emergency to deal with.
Lying was wrong she knew, but it was hard to care much when you felt more relaxed than you have done in weeks, isn't it? It had been a while since she last came up to the roof. When she was with Kiba, he didn't let her come up here much and her family…
They would never allow it.
And since her break up they had constantly been around her, refusing to let her out of their sights. Neji and her father had still been subtle in their approach. Her little sister, Hanabi on the other hand, not so much. Hanabi had almost as good as moved into Hinata's apartment and with the young Hyuga came all the world's noise and commotion. Hell, even Hanabi's friends would drop by since she had refused to leave, afraid that Hinata wouldn't let her in again. She was only partly accurate of course.
Anyway, her family would never understand her reasons for coming up to the roof. And she didn't have even half the mind to disclose these reasons to them anytime soon.
And it was fun being there all alone. Well, as fun as a party of one could get.
Hinata had listened to a bit of music during the first few sunny hours of afternoon but soon she realised she found it much more relaxing to just lie there, with nothing but the incessant buzz of the people in and around the building to fill her ears.
She let her mind wander through the innumerable thoughts that kept popping in her head, ranging from Hanabi and her never-ending shenanigans to the lunch she wished she had had.
The sound of a soft 'thud' reached her ears, bringing her out of her daze.
Curiosity getting the better of her, she slowly raised her head and propped herself up with her arms. Her eyes slowly scanned her surroundings.
No one was there, but she was positive-
She was positive that she had heard something.
She slowly got up from the small corner, on which her mat had been sprawled across and walked to opposite side of the roof. She could see a figure standing…near the railing? Oh scratch that, they were standing on the railing. Oh fuck no.
The person's back faced her but she could make out their basic features. The body was tall and strong as it carelessly stood on the balls of its feet. The stranger had strikingly blonde hair, which seemed brighter against the dark sky, strong arms were raised up, waist bending ever so slightly. Hinata concluded that the person was definitely male but right now there were more important things occurring than what their gender was. Things that could cost this guy his life. She could sense the familiar feeling of panic course through her veins as she put two and two together. No, this was not happening. Not again.
"Are you fucking crazy? Get down from there! Please don't jump because I-! P-please just get down!" Hinata exclaimed in the loudest voice she could manage, her hands placed around her mouth to increase the volume.
The blonde's attention was redirected from the lights of the street down below to the lavender hues of her pupils. The person's eyes were bright, like really bright and they were looking directly into her own. Whatever hesitance and vulnerability she thought she had seen in those eyes vanished faster than she could have said 'Jack Robinson'.
With some effort she broke the eye contact and her gaze dropped to his features.
Even in the darkness of the night, she could make out the heavily bronzed skin that seemed to glow under the moonlight. Cheekbones were placed high and she could see a friendly smile stretched across his face. The otherwise flawless skin of his had three scars present parallel on both his cheeks.
His deep voice let out a chuckle," Don't worry I am not going to jump."
He stepped forward to get off the edge, instead his foot stepped onto a tiny rock and Hinata watched with eyes growing wider by the second before letting out a scream as his body fell off the-
"Ha ha, 'm just kidding. I don't plan on dying anytime soon." the words casually slipped out of his mouth as he jumped down (onto the floor of the roof this time).
Hinata's feet were rooted to the spot where she stood, refusing to move while her mouth hung open, gaping at the stranger.
H-he was joking?
He strolled with leisure towards her and stuck out a tan hand, his head tilting to the side as his eyes looked at her expectantly." I'm Naruto by the way, nice to meet you." his eyes looked at her expectantly till they shifted and settled on her own pale hands and then looked back at his own palm," I kinda expect you to shake it, y'know? But it's okay, I understand, I would be stunned too if someone as handsome as myself just shows up and- Hey! Hey, I was talking to you, y'know! Stop walking away!"
He was joking! He was standing on the fucking railing of a 12 storey building, scaring any bystanders present and effectively putting his own life at risk. All for a sense of amusement? She felt sick. There was no way she was standing and listening to whatever this man was talking about. Not when she felt this humiliated and very slightly insulted. People shouldn't kid about suicide. They shouldn't. She wouldn't tolerate it.
His voice kept calling back after her, but all she did was roll her eyes and continued walking away from him. She had thought he was in serious trouble, but he was just goofing around, and she had actually gotten worried.
Tan fingers wrapped around her wrist making her stop in her tracks, a mumble escaped her lips as she looked at him.
"You shouldn't scare people that way. I thought you seriously were in trouble when I saw you."
The blonde stopped in his tracks as his expression grew bewildered. "Oh. I am so sorry if I actually scared you."
She let out a scoff but stopped struggling against his grip. "Yeah you should be sorry. Especially when you joked about falling off the…"
"Listen, I-I didn't mean to joke or make fun of anything. Or at least not intentionally. I really am sorry if I scared you."
His apology seemed genuine but did that stop Hinata from walking away once again? No, not really, although some of her anger had dissipated.
She heard his voice call out to him once again. "It's rude to walk away when someone is still speaking to you, y'know! At least let me apologise properly, will you? Oh my god, stop walking and listen."
Hinata's lips formed a small smile at Naruto's rambling. He was sorry, all right. If he wanted her to talk that bad. Sure. She would give in. She began to speak which automatically made him stop. "About what you had said earlier." She turned around to face him properly." You're cocky, aren't you?
"Huh?"
"You assumed I found you handsome at once. That's called being cocky."
The man's mouth stretched into a wide grin," Well, don't you find me handsome?" his eyebrows waggled suggestively.
She decided to play along. Her head tipped to the side as a pale finger tapped her chin thoughtfully," Ah, yes. Your utterly gorgeous looks were all I could think about when I saw you standing there." Her eyes looked at him wistfully.
Hearing her answer his head cocked slightly to the side, his azure eyes looking at her, as his tan features formed a cheesy smouldering look. "Yes, I tend to have that effect on others. It's hard being me. Ladies keep throwing themselves at me but none have had the capability of charming me. Y'know what I'm saying?"
Hinata batted her lashes," Of course. How could a lady not throw herself at you? I mean have you seen the beautiful hair that grows on your head? I wonder how many different species of birds we could find living in there."
"Hey! Not the hair! Don't go to the hair!" he said, automatically running a hand through said hair.
Hinata chuckled in response to the flustered words. For all the muscles and height, Naruto was internally still a child, wasn't he?
Said 'man' was still pouting about his hair before he grumbled, "You might not find my locks bewitching now. But be warned, you'll fall in love with them. And that time they will reject you!"
"Aah! Woe is me." Was the immediate response, the back of Hinata's hand pressed against her forehead dramatically.
What happened after that still seemed like a hazy blur to Hinata but what she distinctly remembered was that he laughed. Not a giggle, snigger or chuckle. It was a loud laugh, throw your head back kind of a laugh. And it was also one of the most contagious sounds she had ever heard in her life because in less than a few minutes she had joined him. They both clutched their stomachs and barked out laugh after laugh.
It had been a long time since she had felt like this. She just for a few moments had forgotten everything wrong with her life and herself.
She had found a new distraction.
Was it effective? No doubt about it.
9th June, Thursday, 1:14 p.m.
Hinata and Neji occupied one of the tables that were situated by the large, modern windows of the restaurant, the plants around them providing privacy against curious gazes. Hinata's eyes watched the cars passing by the cosy diner before turning to the brunette sitting directly across from her; her lips parted to speak but closed again. Neji seemed rather engrossed in reading today's specials. She cleared her throat, taking Neji's attention away from the menu and towards her.
"I'm sure you had a reason for taking me out for lunch, nee-san." She started.
Neji picked up on what his cousin was asking but instead he chose to side step the indirect question."Or maybe I just wanted to spend some time with my beloved baby cousin." Hinata's eyebrows shot up in question as she watched her cousin's stoic features look back at her impassively.
Ah, who was he kidding? Those words would have never seemed true coming out of his mouth in the first place.
Neji inwardly sighed before continuing, "However, you are correct. I did want to discuss a few things with you." a glass was raised as he sipped water." I am getting a new assistant."
Hinata's eyebrows were raised once again in slight surprise," Why? I thought Kin was doing a perfectly good job?"
"Yes, I must agree that while she was efficient and thorough; she also took the allowance of romantic relations between co-workers… a little too liberally. She would make flirtatious comments relentlessly and at one point I had had enough. And I fired her."
Oh.
That was certainly not what she expected. But it made sense. Her father had allowed romantic relationships between co-workers since her mother had also worked in the Hyuga Enterprises before she passed away. And Neji always attracted suitors wherever he went, didn't he? She was sure she saw a girl eyeing him when they had walked into the restaurant. She looked up at the brunette "Well, how has the search for potential replacements going on then?"
"It's going fine. I have it narrowed down to two applicants. Both seem quite sharp but I wanted one of them specifically, he has been having some familial issues so his response to my offer wasn't very assuring."
Hinata was about to say something but her thoughts were distracted as a waitress approached the pair. She smiled warmly, gently bowing before noting down their order.
"Is that all?" the words came softly out of the brunette waitress's lips.
Neji signalled an affirmation and with a polite nod, she walked away, unaware of the male Hyuuga's eyes following her movements.
"You should ask her out. You seem to like her. And please don't stare; you might come off as a little creepy." Hinata covered her mouth which let slip a small giggle but you couldn't blame her; watching Neji act like a little boy with a crush would have made anybody's lips spread into a smile.
"T-that's absurd!" Said man coughed into his hand, tips of pale ears turning a deep shade of red. "Where'd that even come from?"
Hinata leaned forward, resting her elbows on the surface of the wooden table, "If your sputtering gave any clues, I would say that you took a liking to her."
Amusement lit in her pale eyes as she watched her cousin's clearly uncharacteristic behaviour. This could be fun. It wasn't everyday she got an opportunity as golden as this! Her ears hardly listened to Neji's response to her accurate assumption, her gaze fixing on the female they were discussing. "L-let's just change the topic. I had other things I w-wanted to discuss when I asked you to join me for lunch."
A sly smile lit up on Hinata's face as she eyed her cousin. Ignoring the excuses that left his mouth, her pale eyes found the waitress with two buns coming towards them, their food held securely by her tan hands; Neji watched his cousin with widened eyes as his hands gripped the wooden arms of his chair tightly, his knuckles turning a shade lighter.
Hinata's eyes gave him a brief wink before they occupied a friendly demeanour, a wide smile stretching across her face, "Hi there, I am Hinata and this is my cousin Neji. He just wanted to ask you if you were fre-"
At this point, the brown haired Hyuga practically leapt up from his eat as his pale palm landed in front of Hinata's lips, covering her mouth while he hovered gracelessly over their low-lying table.
"W-what I wanted to ask you wa-was if you were- if you were…." his awkward stammers filled the air, his mind racing for a sensible reply; the waitress's curious gaze on him made it even harder for him to let out normal words instead of sounding like what Hanabi would call a 'dying goat'. "I-if you were f-french?"
The brunette's eyes widened as she blinked owlishly at Neji; clearly confused as her words came slow," No, I am Chinese-American. In fact, I don't think anyone has ever mistaken me for being French before this." Her head cocked to the side questioningly at the pair, who at this point were either immensely mortified or sorry for the other's luck.
They gave sheepish nods and smiles as she walked away from the pair after placing the food on the table.
"That was completely uncalled for!" slight irritation danced in Neji's eyes as his sight fixed at the petite figure sitting across from him.
Hinata gave a small snort of amusement, "You should have asked her out. I think she might have even said yes before you pulled out the 'are you French' thing. "She looked up to find the waitress throw a confused glance their way before getting back to her job. Hinata sighed." What even was that? You have moves, I know that because I have seen them; or do they appear and depart of their own accord?" she felt bad for her cousin but couldn't help it.
Humour played in her lavender orbs; she knew she was being rather childish but she was sure Neji didn't mind. Much.
He gave a small huff," I took you out to discuss your love life Hinata not mine."
The expression she had entertained on her face, vaporized into thin air as she groaned internally, not this again! She shrugged in response to her cousin's comment turning her attention to the plate of food that lay ignored till now," There's nothing to discuss." Her fork prodded the meat as she felt Neji's persistent stare bore into her before he let out an exasperated sigh, "Hinata, come on. It seems as if you're perfectly fine but then when you think about it, you have never been one to weigh others down with your own problems, which you don't by the way.
We're all worried about you; me, Hanabi, uncle, even some of the other employees are noticing that there has been…a change in the past year. You need to talk about it, to whoever you want. Just…just let it out."
He noticed his cousin's entire composure tense as he was talking, her eyes hardened and her lips were drawn into a thin line.
When would people finally stop asking her if she was okay? She was. Or at least she was trying to be. Their incessant questioning didn't help her in the way they expected it too and they never understood that. It just brought up unpleasant memories. It just reminded her of all the things she had lost or rather all the things that had willingly walked away from her. And she didn't want to go through it again; going through the sheer intensity of the emotions and agonising sensations that they raked up nearly broke her. Hell be damned if she would appear weak again, right when people had started taking her seriously and not as the stuttering shy mess she had previously been ridiculed as.
Her head was slowly raised to meet his stare; a strained smile plastered across her face "You don't need to worry nee-chan. I am okay. I…I realise I was slightly…distracted this year so the results my work produced might not have been up to the mark. I apologise for that. Now, if you'll kindly excuse me."
Neji shook his head, reproach lying underneath his stoic features" You know that is nowhere near what I meant."
The words had not even left his mouth as he watched Hinata exit the restaurant, her food lying untouched before him.
9th June, Thursday , 2:00 p.m.
Home.
That was where her feet carried her instinctively. Thoughts and emotions flooded her mind to a point where she wanted to shout 'Shut Up' at the top of her lungs at absolutely nothing at all. She needed to leave. To leave and go to a place where she was alone. Her first thought had been the rooftop but even that place might not be completely empty (no thanks to unusually loud blondes).
On reaching the safe haven that her two bedroom apartment provided, she slammed the door behind her as her knees gave way and her entire body crumpled to the ground. Her hands clutched her head tight, her fingers weaving through dark locks; small beads of tears formed at the corner of her eyes, as she vigorously shook her head. She wouldn't cry, she couldn't cry. She had no reason to cry. She had to move on.
But why can't I? her own voice asked silently.
Because you're pathetic. The whisper came from somewhere inside of her head was fierce as it continued. You don't even have the guts to talk about what happened with breaking down. I have never seen a more pitiful excuse for a woman.
Her gut clenched and her throat felt to have closed up. That statement stung more than it should have. But she couldn't disagree with the truth, could she?
She looked up to stare at her ceiling and nodded, not attempting to stop the tears that glided down her porcelain cheeks. She was pathetic, wasn't she? Being in this state for nothing more than a guy who hardly seemed to care about her at all? A bitter laugh exited her chapped lips as she pulled herself up on her feet, dragging herself to the bathroom.
She watched the girl staring back at her from the other side of the mirror. Few years back she wouldn't have recognised herself with the smudged eyeliner, mascara streaking across her face where the tears had rolled.
Her head turned to the side, staring at the hollow cardboard cylinder hanging beside the toilet bowl. Another hollow laugh escaped her.
She was out of toilet paper too.
9th June, Thursday, 7:00 p.m.
After taking an elongated shower and practising some breathing exercises to steady her nerves, Hinata found herself at her local supermarket to purchase some much required essentials.
A large pack of toilet paper was safely tucked under her arm when she felt the overwhelming urge to look through the aisle that contained junk food which Hanabi had lovingly nicknamed 'The Food of Gods'.
Her sister was to visit her in a few days so she might as well get some candy for her right? She nodded to herself before walking through the tall shelves containing bright, colourful packets and bars of sweets and savoury snacks.
She grabbed bags of chips, aerated drinks, and chocolates randomly, guessing what the young Hyuga might prefer. Hinata was eyeing a large box of Nerds to add to the rapidly growing collection of candy for Hanabi when she heard two distinctly loud voices bicker from the other side of the shelf on her right, one of the voices vaguely familiar to the pale-eyed girl.
"Hey, I saw it first! Get your grubby paws off of it!"
"That is no way of talking to someone who is older than you! And what does it matter if you saw it first? I reached for it way before you did."
"Ugh! Shouldn't you just leave it be and let somebody who is almost half your age have the packet instead?"
"You look like a high school student, your under aged ass shouldn't be having stuff with so many preservatives and heavenly ingredients and what not."
Hinata slowly approached the curve between the two aisles and slowly peeked at the two loud people. Immediately a shock of familiar blonde hair glared back at her and her eyes widened with recognition. That was the man she had met on the roof that day! He had called himself Naruto. She had called him her new distractionAnd now here he was, his full attention directed towards the boy standing in front of him.
"What? It's a packet of ramen for god's sake! Just let me have it."
"No no, now wait a minute, you want me to let you have this last packet of miso ramen and you don't even appreciate it. This isn't just a packet of ramen, young man! It's what gods eat!"
"God you sound like my grandfather when he's drunk." The younger boy murmured before snatching the solitary vibrant red packet from the shelf and dashing towards the cash register. Blue eyes narrowed, a colourful range of words escaping his lips that could have made a sailor blush. His legs tensed to follow the boy but a small giggle from behind him caused the blonde to look back; to find none other than-
"Hey! The girl from the roof!"
His tan face broke into a grin, the frustration present on it just moments ago dissipating into thin air. His hand raked through his untamed locks as he approached the astonished Hyuga. Her eyes were wider than usual, her hand covering her mouth which had let slip a small laugh at the mildly entertaining argument. She had not expected to get caught peering at the two of them; her mouth remained parted behind the shield of her palm while her brain came up with an excuse to leave. To her utmost dismay, the nervous muscle provided her with no assistance.
"You following me now?" Naruto teased, his cerulean orbs watching the ivory-skinned girl.
"H-huh?" Hinata stammered, her persona resembling that of a deer caught in headlights. It wasn't the first time that her social skills would bail on her, leaving her a stuttering and awkward mess. Her minor social anxiety wasn't very helpful either. Pull yourself together; she told herself, taking in a deep breath, there is nothing to be nervous about. You weren't exactly doing anything wrong. Just walk away. It's that simple.
"I mean, I am at the hospital roof and there you are. I go to the supermarket and lo! Here you are. You are following me, aren't you?" his torso leaned forward, a finger lightly tapping his chin.
Shaking her head, gathering up every bit of confidence she could manage, Hinata looked up to meet him with a firm gaze. "You wish", she sneered.
His broad frame jerked back, clearly taken aback before his characteristic grin settled into his handsome features nice again, he ignored the sarcasm in her voice as he continued speaking "I'm not saying I would mind an attractive female stalker following me about but I wouldn't say that I wish for one." His hand came up to flick an imaginary lock of blonde hair off his shoulder," Although, I get why you would want to stalk me."
Amusement danced in her pale eyes. "Please tell me why you think I would stalk you? Because I myself don't get why anyone would want to."
Naruto gave a scoff in mock annoyance before resting his hands on his waist, his stance resembling a model on the runway, "Have you ever seen anybody this sexy? Who wouldn't want to stalk me? Just look at me."
"Ah, I must be going blind then," Hinata raised her hand to her eyes as if protecting them from the harsh sunlight, "because I still see nothing."
"I agree. No person with eyesight would not want to stalk me." His head jerked back at the Hyuga who had just walked past him. Ignoring his comment completely "hey! Where are you going?! We're in the middle of a conversation here!
Hinata turned around, walking backward, she raised the basket of candy and toilet paper for him to see," I'm going to go pay for these." She announced, her eyes connected with blue ones. With a small smile she turned back around, facing the lady standing at the cash register.
The blonde rolled his eyes, a small grin playing at his lips. People called him unpredictable; they should see the long haired pale-eyed girl standing at the billing counter, a polite smile on her face as she gracefully bowed in thanks at the small package she received from the other lady. Just look at her, the blonde thought, it is as if her whole personality has the ability to shape shift; Sarcastic and snarky one minute and a pure angel the next.
But he liked it. He was seeing a side to her that she didn't just show to anyone. Why she was showing it to him? He had no idea. But he would accept it. He would happily accept it.
She threw him a small glance before exiting the store. And, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't help but run after her. Acerbic she might act, but when she sent him that so very brief look, he knew that she wanted him to join her; though she might never admit that to his face.
Oh well, he would just have to work on that then.
He broke into a jog and ran out of the shop. A huge grin on his face when he caught up with the girl.
She looked up at the sudden emergence of the blonde at her side, the corners of her lips twitched ever so slightly but the movement didn't go unnoticed by the blonde, his grin widening if that was even possible.
"Now who's following who, huh?" she said.
He scoffed before retorting." Oh please, you literally asked for me to come after you. "
Her pale eyes rolled at the comment but no words of denial left her lips.
The beaming blonde continued, his voice filled with the slightest bit of gloating. It was fun to rile her up." Your eyes were practically asking me to come after you."
Hinata looked directly at him, although her tone was stern he could see a small smile play at her lips. "Don't push it."
Naruto simply chuckled at the response. His gaze dropped to the large bag she was carrying and a blonde brow rose questioningly." You're going to eat all of that candy?"
"What if I told you I was? You going to judge me?"
Naruto blinked. "Judge you? Nah. But sharing is caring, y'know."
Hinata stared at him doe-eyed before her mouth spread into a grin. That was when Naruto felt his breath hitch. The girl before him didn't seem like the type who would generally smile very wide, let alone grin like that. He couldn't have imagined it before this. But he liked it. A lot.
So before he knew it they were seated on a small bench on the footpath, rummaging through the heap of candies he had, most assuredly, dreamt of as a child. She swung her legs to and fro as yet another car passed by them, her hands digging deep in the bag.
When he had asked for her to share her candies with him, he had been kidding…well, partly kidding. Whatever. He still hadn't expected her to agree so willingly or so excitedly, but she had. And now here they were. Sitting on a wooden bench, splitting the chocolates and toffees.
"Y'know you still haven't told me your name?"
Hinata looked at him for a moment before sighing and shifting her gaze to the road. Her eyes dimmed ever so slightly as she continued speaking, sounding somewhat hesitant. "My family is very…influential. People treat us different for even a reason as small as our name." she took a breath in."It feels good to talk to somebody who is treating me like any other person. I wouldn't want my name to change that."
Naruto nodded. "It wouldn't change anything y'know. BUT if you don't wanna disclose I, that's perfectly fine."
Hinata started "thank you so much for understanding-"
Naruto's voice cut in, his tongue clicking disapprovingly, "tch tch, now don't go around putting words in my mouth. Just because I said it was okay that you didn't tell me your name, doesn't mean I wouldn't know your name at all." Hinata blinked in confusion, what was this man talking about-
"I'm just going to name you myself!" he announced happily. He tapped his finger on his chin thoughtfully, "What do you think about the name 'Holley'?"
She blinked once again. "Holley? Isn't she a character in some Disney movie?"
Naruto nodded vigorously. "Uh huh. Cars two. I just watched it yesterday. Fucking amazing movie."
A small smile appeared on Hinata's face as she heard the man talking enthusiastically about the movie.
"So, Holley Shiftwell. She's purple in colour. That's why I think it suits you. You both have the purple thing going on. Your entire outfit is different shades of purple and so is hers. And your eyes, too. Kinda. Actually, no not really."
It was kinda cute.
"So what do you think? Will you be Holley? At least to me?"
Hinata nodded. Holley, huh? She liked it.
Naruto's grin doubled in length. "So, Holley, tell me what is your favourite candy of all the ones we have eaten by far?"
"KitKat. I couldn't consider another option."
Naruto's eyes twinkled with curiosity. "KitKat? Why?"
She looked ahead at nothing in particular, rather wistfully before answering," Because when I was younger, whenever I was upset, my mom… She would always take the KitKats with two fingers and split them in the middle. Then she would give me one half. She never gave any explanation as to why she did that, but it gradually turned into our little ritual." She exhaled a shaky breath." so that's why. As simple as the chocolate might be, it reminds me of her."
Naruto stared at a car that passed them by. He chose to ignore the way Hinata spoke about her mother in the past tense. He wouldn't question it, especially when he knew how hard it was to talk about the loss of a parent. Instead, he would revel in the fact that he chose to tell her something as personal to her as that.
"Your mom sounds like a very nice person."
Hinata smiled at him. "She is."
Silence lingered for a while. Before Naruto decided to break it.
"My mentor and I had something similar, too. "She looked at him from the corner of her eyes as he spoke. "He would travel around a lot. And once he took me along with him. The whole day he had been busy with 'work'. Although I knew he was just going to go ogle girls and whatnot. So I was pissed at him. And on top of that I saw this father and son in the market and they were splitting this ice-cream bar, right? It didn't look very appetising and was so small, but the moment was so intimate. It felt wrong watching them." He paused to look up at the sky. "Anyway I got jealous of the kid for having a kind father figure and my lack of one thereof."
He noticed Hinata's eyes widen ever so slightly with understanding." The same day when my mentor finally reached home, he had realised that I was mad at him and had brought me that exact ice cream bar. It was as if we have had a…telepathic connection or something equally cool. And the best part: a week later he adopted me."
Hinata stifled a sob before replying to Naruto, who was staring into the distance, a faraway look on his handsome features. "He sounds like a nice person. You must love him a lot."
Naruto barked out a laughter that seemed to have been caused by his need to hide how emotional he felt instead of actual humour.
"He is and I do."
10th June, Friday, 8:00 a.m.
Neji sat in his cabin, his elbow elegantly propping up his chin while his eyes sceptically followed the movements of his new assistant.
The man knew what he was doing was all that Neji would admit. He wouldn't give the man unnecessary high praise because he was a Hyuga, and Hyugas don't do that; Hinata being the only exception.
The only fact the pale eyed man would admit would be that he was…competent.
Of course a few of his habits would have made Neji fire him without another thought. Like his incessant blabbering for example. Neji would never know what made him think that the Hyuga would care about the soggy fries he had had for dinner or how his aunt had twisted his wrist when he a child or an awful rejection that the guy had to endure. No scratch that, Neji had felt the smallest bit of empathy for the man when he had spoken about the rejection, none of which had anything to do with his own interaction with a brunette waitress of course.(*cough*)
But the man's talent for multi-tasking and his never-ending enthusiasm for the work he did, made Neji think twice before before making any reckless dismissals. Also, his own ability to tune out of the one sided conversation had been a major contribution.
All thoughts that went about their business in his mind came to halt as the door to his office was slammed open, a breathless Hinata standing on the other side of it. Her waist was bent, her hands on her knees as she exhaled in small puffs.
The two men standing in the room gaped at her, both surprised to see the dishevelled Hyuga at the entrance; although for different reasons.
Neji recovered first as he smartly stood up from his seat. A small sigh escaping his lips. Hinata was really good at making first impressions wasn't she? Might as well get the introductions out of the way before he inquired about her distress further.
She looked up to see the man standing beside the male Hyuga. The exhausted expression on her face evaporated along with the small amount of colour present in her pale features as she looked over at the said assistant.
Not noticing the sudden change in his cousin's aura, Neji waved a bored hand towards his new employee who greeted her with a wide grin and bright eyes that twinkled with amusement.
She pale further as the next words escaped her cousin's mouth.
"Hinata, this is Naruto. He will be taking the position of being my personal assistant."
There we go. Chapter two, done and done.
How are you all liking this fic please tell me in the reviews or even through pms.
I haven't started writing the next chapter yet but I will try and post it soon.
Till the next time.
-Itachiwifeyyy