Yo, guys
So I have a spare block in the middle of my school day and lately I've been forced to use it for school work, but I've come to realize that I do school work when I'm in the middle of working on my fanfic at home, therefore my free block will now be in the full power and reign of my fanfic ((does a happy lil dance))
SO.
Thank so you so much for each review, you're all awesome! And I'm considering starting to post some of my original stuff on (still considering though) once I post it, give it a look, ne? Let me know if I really suck, lol
Read.Review.
-Ink
"What is the meeting going to be about?" Hinata asked Tenten softly, standing just at the foot of the stairs of a very impressive looking building behind her. The headquarters for the security team were always moved during the time between each Chuunin exam, to make sure that the enemy they were fighting to keep under control didn't know where to look for all their information. However Hinata thought this to be a completely useless attempt seeing as the buildings were always so disturbingly huge and grand.
Tenten gave her a smile. For some time now Hinata had felt a lot like her little sister, it was as though they could be nothing other than that. And for some odd reason that made Hinata smile widely, glancing at her cousin when he was in the room.
However Neji was not present. He was the only one of the team assembled for the security group that was gone. Tenten had explained to Sasuke and Naruto that he had a clan obligation he had to attend to.
They had not asked about it, though Naruto had made some very expressive faces.
And even if he had been present, she wasn't sure she would have been able to look at him with the same friendly expressions as before. Something about the way things had happened during her exile from her own clan had changed her view of her cousin. Despite his look of guilt the last time she had seen him, which was months ago there was something hard festering in her heart whenever she thought of him. It was like a splinter, making missing his presence almost impossible.
Despite it often times she felt she should be saddened, depressed even by her situation though she never was. There was always something else to be doing, something to be feeling and concentrating on.
At that moment it was Sasuke, silently forcing everyone to look at him with complete focus and understanding that the meeting was going to start.
They talked, sitting around in front of the building like any other idle group of teenagers would, but few teenagers sat around planning out strategic ways of keeping deadly enemies from killing the population of their warrior village.
Very few indeed.
It didn't last very long, only a few hours and then about half an hour to inspect the building they would be using as their headquarters. Though most of the team nine was being very professional during the viewing of HQ Shino and Kiba came around to talk to Hinata, chattering on about how odd it was train without her there to help them and laugh at their strange antics.
Sakura remained withdrawn, sticking closely to Naruto's side, avoiding her gaze completely and only smiling when Sasuke's gaze flickered over her.
Hinata made a point to pay her no mind... though the memory of what had happened the night before came back, before she arrived at home to hold Sasuke in his distress.
What has happened to me? Hinata wondered out loud, looking thoughtfully at her hands. They weren't as smooth as they had once been, but they were stronger.
And she had come to the realization the night before... that they did not want to be held by Naruto.
"I was wondering if you would be willing to come with me to get some coffee." Sakura muttered as they signed the last few articles that needed the attention of the top two kunoichi in the clinic.
"Or perhaps something stronger." the med nin admitted, feeling like she could use some sake.
Hinata did not reply, recalling Sasuke's warning earlier that morning about Sakura wanting to talk to her about something. For some reason the comment about liquor made her stomach clench uneasily. The nerves were unusual... for it was after all Sakura-chan she was talking to.
Was it possible she was afraid of what was going to happen?
"S-sure." Hinata nodded, forcing a smile on her face as she glanced nervously at her old companion. "I-it has been a l-long time, since I l-last ate or drank with y-you."
Sakura had only nodded, eyes focused on her clipboard. "All right. I'll get my stuff."
It was only a few minutes before they were out the door and a few more before they were both at the Ramen Shop. It was late enough that Naruto was not there, and only a few people were around, chatting idly, sleepily. The rain had continued to pour straight through their work shift, and they were soaked to the skin.
Hinata ordered tea, looking down at the clear liquid that would bring her freezing skin warmth, listening to the shower of the rain and the lightening striking repeatedly.
She felt like she needed to get home soon, but for some reason she knew also that whatever Sakura wanted to say would not be something unimportant. Slowly she glanced up at her friend, who had been staring at her with sorrowful green eyes.
"I want to apologize, Hinata..." Sakura began, looking at her cup of coffee. She had not ordered sake yet, but that would be on the way. She could already feel her body craving the warmth it would bring and the pain it would cause as it slid down her throat.
Hinata did not look up, freezing at the sound of an apology. She had heard them before, but they had been mild. This time she felt as though she deserved the apology, for what Sakura had thought of her. The fact that her best friend had assumed she would do something as evil as steal away the one who she wanted… and taint herself with the lust.
She had the urge to say it wasn't okay, but didn't, instead she kept looking down at her tea, unsure of what to do.
"I... think I'm falling in love with Naruto." Sakura stated bluntly.
Hinata felt the tension snap across her shoulders. Slowly, deliberately she looked up at her friend, meeting her eyes without fear, only shock, disbelief... and confusion.
"N-n-nani..." the word was useless in her mouth and in her ears. Her whole sense of awareness had vanished.
Sakura sighed at her expression, reaching out to grab her hand. "Hinata... I'm sorry... I know how you feel about Naruto, but lately I've just... it might just be a crush, a fling, you know? But... he's just always..."
Hinata stared at her hand, gripped in Sakura's own. The manicured nails of the other girl contrasted sharply with her own plain ones, snapped in places and ink stained fingers.
"...oh." she began, trying to find the words to explain what she was feeling, but the truth was that she had no idea. There was a huge empty space in her chest where the emotion was supposed to be.
"I know... I'm sorry- and I.." Sakura sighed, rubbing her face. "I'm sorry."
Slowly Hinata pulled her hand back, staring at the ink stained fingers and broken finger nail thoughtfully. "It's okay." she stated, not sure if she meant it or not.
The strange feeling of emptiness continued in her chest. She felt vaguely like she had to get something in there, something that was supposed to fit...
I should be feeling utterly miserable... angry even... scared? She's taking Naruto away, that's what she's doing... taking him away.
Her eyes lifted up to Sakura's face and the expression there.
Or is she doing this to get me back for being around Sasuke so much...
"I'm okay." she stated, shocked at the sound that left her lips. It was cold, flat, a biting snap that made Sakura's eyes widen slightly in surprise. The pink haired nin pulled back slightly, unsettled by the tone, the threatening edge to the voice.
"Okay..." Sakura began, letting her hands drop to her lap, unable to hold the pale eyed stare of the girl across from her. Hinata stood suddenly, putting down a few coins for her tea, picking up her bag slowly, her hands were steady but somehow she felt like they shouldn't be.
"I'm actually okay." she nodded, realizing that at least for the moment, she was fine. Somehow the emotion she was feeling was something almost like... relief.
Giving Sakura a last smile she nodded, it was weak, almost half hearted. Sakura didn't know what to think. It was so unlike Hinata, her gaze was steady and yet... there was obviously something happening within her.
Letting herself shrug slightly Hinata pulled the bag onto her shoulder and turned around, stepping out into the pouring rain, letting it fall around her silently for a moment.
It's okay for me to let go... isn't it?
Nodding to herself, unable to keep that odd smile from tracing her lips she began to run, under the dark sky, the pouring rain tickling her as it pelted down on her.
Naruto had just drifted, like the rain that would vanish from one moment to the other without you even realizing it... her mind had been so focused on other things, so curious about other things...
Now, she just needed to focus completely and without guilt on those things. No more wondering, no more feeling the odd twisting feeling in her chest when she saw him. The relief was amazing, like a whole world had been lifted off her shoulders.
"...I'm free..."
"Hinata and Sakura have been assigned the positions of vice-captains." Sasuke muttered, glancing through the pale folder in his hands sent by Tsunade. Hinata snapped out of her day dream to stare at him, her eyes flickering over to Sakura who had also looked up, sitting just under Naruto who was on a step higher than her.
"Heh!" Naruto smirked, glancing down at Sakura who blinked back at him cutely.
Hinata stared at them for a moment, despite the fact that she somehow felt nothing for Naruto anymore it made her slightly ill to see Sakura grinning at him like that. Vaguely puzzled by her own irritation she looked away and froze at the sight of Sasuke looking at her thoughtfully, as if sizing her up.
A wave of bashfulness washed over her and she turned red, blinking back at him a moment before glancing away, rubbing her hands along her thighs to get rid of the sweat before it started.
"Wow." Tenten started, glancing at Hinata with wide eyes. "You're appointed as a vice-captain, Hinata-chan!"
"...h-hai." Hinata smiled weakly, unsure if she was glad or not. She wasn't sure she was ready for such a position. What would she do? What if she made a mistake, if they went into battle and the others looked at her for guidance would she be able to give it...
"I think that's enough for today, ne?" Naruto called, leaning back against the step above him, sounding bored. "I can't really take more talk about...whatever the hell it is we're talking about- Akatsuki or whatever." he muttered, truly irritated by the topic.
Sasuke grunted, too impatient to try to get him to realize the importance of the conversation. Kiba, Shino, Shikamaru, Ino and the others were all being a good enough group to deal with.
"Fine. We'll continue again tomorrow, same time." He mumbled. Naruto grinned. "Sounds good to me. I'm starving."
"Yeah, we didn't get any breakfast." Sakura admitted, standing up along with him. Sasuke ignored them, moving to gather the papers that were lying around on the steps, with Naruto as co-captain he was more than certain to have to take care of most of the paper work. The baka could hardly keep track of his own head let alone other things.
Hinata stood as well, heading towards Sasuke to help him with the stuff when Tenten and the others moved in to talk to her. "How have you been, Hinata-chan?" Kiba asked, giving her his wide smile. "We've all missed you!" Tenten nodded. "You haven't been around; your company is greatly missed." Shino stated softly.
Hinata stared at them all, wide eyed and surprised. "Oh- ano! I'm so sorry! I didn't realize that I- well I just... I'm sorry." she smiled weakly. "I-I have been training, I-I t-think I'm g-getting stronger e-everyday...ne, Sasuke-kun?" she turned, watching Sasuke turned to look at them sharply, giving away the fact that he had been listening to the conversation.
"Hn." He nodded, studying the papers in his hand after a moment. The others blinked, surprised by the familiarity with which Hinata spoke to the cold Avenger.
Hinata turned to the others and smiled, knowing full well that the "Hn." was a full agreement with her comment.
Tenten, Shino and Kiba just blinked at her for a moment, puzzled and surprised.
"We must go." Sasuke stated after another moment of silence, watching equal confusion cross Hinata's features at their own puzzled faces. She couldn't understand what was so confusing.
"Oh- h-hai!" she nodded, picking up her training bag and turning to the others, giving them a short bow. "Bye! I-I hope I see you later!"
Sasuke glanced back, waiting for her to follow. Together they turned and headed down the path, neither of them paying either Sakura or Naruto much attention before leaving.
The rest of the Rookie Nine, minus Neji stared after them with confused faces.
"...hey... is it just me or..." Tenten began, glancing at Lee, shocked.
Lee looked thoughtful, rubbing his chin. "I would agree, Tenten-chan, I believe perhaps there is something of the beauty of youthful attraction there."
Silence weighed over the rest of the group for a moment.
"Sasuke?" Kiba started finally, coughing out the word.
"And Hinata?" Ino gasped, looking wide eyed at the others.
Together, they all started laughing, Sakura giving a weak grin that was faltering... unsure if she should be smiling at all. What if it was true?
"That's so impossible." Tenten laughed, flipping kunai on her finger. "How weird would that be?" she smirked, giving Lee a tug on the sleeve. "Anyway, we'd better go and find Neji to let him in on the happenings of the meeting, ne? See ya guys later!"
Slowly the group dispersed, and Sakura followed Naruto, who was chatting good naturedly about what he wanted for breakfast. It seemed she was the only who had noticed or would allow herself to notice the almost invisible thread of attachment that was starting to form between the two distant shinobi...
I don't know that I should feel so torn... but I do. She sighed, making Naruto turn to look at her with a frown. "Hey... are you okay, Sakura-chan?"
She blinked and then nodded rapidly, brightening up immediately. "Oh hai! Of course! You know what, I think I might have something like a blueberry muffin, ne?"
Naruto nodded, still unsure if she was okay or not, but deciding to ignore it for the sake of the rest of the day he continued on with his chatter.
For the longest time they didn't say anything, and Hinata just watched the road, pondering over the events of the day before, and of the awkwardness of the morning. The last few days had been so strange, she could hardly fathom how she was managing to deal with it.
"W-will we be training today, Sasuke-kun?" Hinata enquired softly, looking around at the bright day. the rain seemed to have washed away the rest of winter's grasp, leaving behind a fresh new spring, complete with it's own share of twittering birds, flowers slowly blooming, green grass and handfuls of butterflies that seemed to have taken to following her around.
"No." he replied calmly, recalling the fact that she had not slept very well, if at all the night before. "You have a free day."
Hinata blinked, a bit puzzled. She hooked her arm behind her back, biting her lip as she walked. She didn't know what to do, there wasn't anything planned, and she wasn't needed at the clinic until later in the afternoon. It was hardly midday yet.
"Hnn." she muttered, unaware of having used his noise of vaguely irritated agreement.
Sasuke glanced back, looking half amused. "Hn?" he asked, before he could stop himself. Hinata looked up rapidly, blinking at him. "...nani?"
"You said..." he began, and then realized how strange that would be to say, so he stopped and just looked at her as they walked. Hinata colored rapidly, unsure of what he meant and whether or not she was being asked something.
"Ano..." she said suddenly, looking down at the ground as they walked, determined to change the subject, and save them both from the awkwardness.
"...ano...a-are you doing s-something, today?"
Sasuke frowned, puzzled. "No." he continued to walk, stuffing his hands in his pockets. After a moment of silence he added. "Why?"
"Oh! Well I... d-don't have a-anything t-to do until later and I... don't know..." she finished lamely, so red she thought her heart would stop from lack of blood. That and the combination of being sick from the butterflies made talking hard.
Sasuke just eyed her thoughtfully. Is she suggesting she wants to do something? Or is she just bored?
"Ne...d-do you t-think..." she began, twisting her hands in front of her. "...d-do you think m-maybe y-you c-could come w-with me?"
Sasuke finally stopped, hand on the doorknob of the house, blinking at he as she stuttered out her invitation. He studied the ground for a moment, pondering if he should...
"I need you to teach her confidence."
"Where are you going?" he looked up, watching as she refused to look him directly in the eyes.
"Oh... ano... I-I don't actually... know."
"Hn."
Hinata shrugged, a motion he had not seen her do before. He frowned slightly; it looked awkward on her shoulders. "...ano... y-you don't have t-"
"I'll come."
Hinata blinked, turning to look at him in surprise. "Oh!" she stated, unable to think of anything else to say. He let go of the door, stuffing his hands in his pockets, looking at her patiently.
"W-well I d-d-don't e-even know w-where-" she began, blushing furiously at the frank look in which he looked at her.
"Come then." he shrugged, stepping back down onto the road.
The little kunoichi blinked, looking utterly stunned with what she had just done. But curiosity was a strong human force and quickly she followed. He had not stopped to wait for her and so she had to jog to catch up to him. The walk was mainly quiet, and when she thought he wasn't looking she snatched odd glances at him, wondering just what he was thinking.
Sasuke resisted the urge to smirk slightly. It felt good to be out for no good reason, though it was a little odd to have her around, truth be told it was making him nervous. He felt his stomach clench uncomfortably and wondered if he was maybe a little ill, but he said nothing about it.
It didn't even cross his mind to say anything. The very idea made him feel the heat start around his neck and ears. The sensation was so unfamiliar that he couldn't place it. Bothered slightly by it he rubbed the back of his neck with one hand, ruffling his own hair on the way.
Hinata felt something tug at the corner of her mouth while watching the motion.
...that's so cute-what?
Her eyes widened, focusing on her feet sharply, looking away.
What? What did I just...
Suddenly he was turning away from the street, into the bushes, through a tiny path that led into one of the parks near the old academy. Hinata blinked, following him through the small trail. It looked like it was used often enough, but it was obviously not well known because it wasn't worn down enough.
The light from the sun was pouring in through the branches, past the trees. She could hear the sound of the river that was near the academy rushing by, closer than usual. Quietly Sasuke kept climbing up the incline and the shadows began to vanish as the trees dwindled away and gave way to the river bank.
The rushing water was out beyond a soft grassy bank, bushes of red roses and daffodil shoots dotted the moist soil, purple clumps of wild flowers were bunched everywhere else, all the other bushes covered in some sort of bright color.
Hinata's eyes widened, she stared at the sparkling water and the sheer seclusion of the area. She had never been there before. The dark trees and bushes made it look so uninviting...
Letting out a sigh of surprise she stepped forward, her hand up to the headband strapped around her neck, fiddling with it. "...it's so beautiful." she whispered, awed.
Sasuke watched her for a moment, then turned to look back at the river bank. He had found the place, a long time ago with his mother. Most of his days during the academy he spent here, during lunch if he could, and after school. Even in the winter it was beautiful, covered over completely in white snow.
The flowers however were his mother's doing... she had a love for growing things, something she had done only on the rare occasion that she had time. While he trained with shuriken and kunai she would work tirelessly on the soil, dotting it with small pebble-like things that he later understood would grow into the bright colored things that now spotted the area and made it so bright with color.
Hinata walked towards the river, crouching down to touch a daffodil, recalling suddenly the daffodil from the day before.
I wonder if it's okay...
"...my mother planted most of them." Sasuke stated suddenly, standing by, watching the rushing water of the river. The girl beside him looked up suddenly, stunned that he had said something personal.
"...they're all so lovely." she murmured, frowning as she turned to look back at the small things. They were so frail and yet they had survived the harshness of each winter even without their mother to look after them.
"I-I...am sure she was lovely too." she added, clenching her hands hard, remembering her own mother and the soft expression of her face.
Sasuke started, turning to look back down at her, his expression filled with some sort of emotion, but she wasn't sure what it was.
Hinata smiled weakly finally, feeling as though perhaps she would cry, but not wanting to in front of him. Somehow she didn't think it would be okay. So silently she sat down, pulling her knees in, watching the dancing flowers to the sound of the river's music and the wind.
Slowly Sasuke sat down beside her, looking thoughtful.
"I'm sure your mother was too." he stated after a moment quietly, turning to look at her. Hinata didn't turn to look back at him, but continued to stare straight forward, feeling despite her best attempts, the tears slowly dripping down her cheeks.
It was the same feeling she got when she beat herself down mercilessly during the nights of pain, using words so scalding that her heart ached. But somehow, this felt better, the tears weren't for her, it wasn't self pity. Somehow it was a mixture of pain for her mother, for his mother and for him.
"Hai." she whimpered, smiling despite the tears. "She was."
They said nothing else, but watched the river flow, the flowers dance and the clouds drift by. After all, there was nothing else to say...
Done, keep in mind... i did this in broken sittings of like... half an hour each. it sucks, i know, but i tried, lol. it will be revised eventually. probably when i finish the story.
Read. Review.
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