Prompt- Soulmates
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Pairing- Naruhina, Sasusaku
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Theme- Hinata's feelings when she meets a woman, whom she 'thinks' has everything, including her soulmate's attention.
Hinata had been hearing the word Soulmates, from as long as she can remember.
The first time she had heard it, was from her mother after she had cried to a scraped knee she got in the backyard. She recalled her mother saying 'There was a certain person in the world who would understand the pain you suffer. ' in that gentle, soothing voice as she treated her wound.
The second time she heard it; it had been among the Hyūga clan girls, as they gushed and giggled thinking about their future soulmates. Hinata had been no different. She too wanted to meet the person; who will mean the world to her. But she refrained from acting silly. If her father knew she was acting such, he would never let her hear the end of it.
The third time she heard it and actually saw it happening had been the courtesy of her cousin Neji. He was always strict, sticking to traditions, focusing on his clan duties as the next head of the clan.
"It is nothing important to have all your thoughts upon it. Just a simple life process." Neji nii-sama had told her when she had asked about his view on the whole soulmate agenda.
And maybe a part of her understood his aloofness to the said topic. When his father lost his life protecting the clan from the Cloud's invasion, it also took the life of his innocent mother; for one cannot exist without the other. It was the absolute law in the phenomenon called soulbonding. Hinata didn't know if it was tragic or gratifying. It might be gratifying for the two souls but downright tragic for the people around them. Neji was the living example of this.
The once cheerful, gentle child became cold and stoic; shading his mask only in the presence of their immediate family.
But it all changed the day Nohara Tenten barged into the main house, demanding to meet the "stoic asshole" who might have insulted her weaponary knowledge.
Hinata had seen it happen, the moment their eyes met, Tenten's hand caught by Neji's inches away from his face, stopping the strike. A brilliant white light engulfed them, a single blood red thread connecting their body, exactly where the heart was located. It was the first bonding she had ever witnessed.
No, Neji hadn't turned into a bright sunflower after that. That was possible only in the wildest of the dreams. But the change was noticeable. The tiny smiles, low chuckles and the affectionate gazes he threw at Tenten and his two cousin sisters especially. It showed; what a soulmate can do to a person.
~
Time simply went on; with Hinata witnessing many bondings around her. Even her little sister had bonded with the Sarutobi clan heir. She often turned a blind eye whenever Hanabi sneaked off to meet Konohamaru.
But Hinata, herself, remained "single" even after eighteen years after her birth. She was going to be nineteen soon. Yet another year had gone by without her bonding. Sometimes she would think to herself, bound in a state of misery, if something was wrong with her. Everyone she new had bonded. And hearing other girls talk about her, behind her back only rose self-doubts to new heights. It was the consolation she got from her mother that contained her.
Just like her; the state of the world was in utter chaos. In the past four years the war between the Two Great Country and its allies had reached a calamitous level. Konoha and Suna on West had teamed up to counter the war, raged by Sound and Kumo on the east with their new Leader. Rumors had it, the Leader was a Sharingan welder. Sharingan, Lost Trait; originated from the Uchiha bloodline was the most powerful magic. An ability that was capable of bringing disasters.
The Hyūga District was at small distance to the north from Konoha. As the Head of the clan, her father had initially decided to remain neutral in war. But when worse came to worst, they had no other choice. They had to get involved in the war.
It was obvious which side they chose to fight for as the Hyūga clan moved to safety at the heart of Konoha. And it was just as she walked inside the large building, the life changing event of Hinata happened.
It was really not that hard to notice him; given his blonde hair, ocean blue eyes, slightly tan skin and the orange wear. Hinata, as usual her clumsy self, had stumbled forward only to be caught by the ocean eyed man with a bright smile. And suddenly her whole life shifted, engulfed by a gold light, giving a euphoric sensation she had never felt before. She felt complete. For the first time in her life she felt complete.
The blinding light left, leaving behind a very red Hinata and a astonished blonde man, his mouth agape.
"Hello Ms. Soulmate" the man began; replacing the surprised expression with a cheshire grin and with a voice that felt more familiar to Hinata than any other. "Uzumaki Naruto here. Pleased to, finally meet you, dattebayo"
She, in the middle of being ecstatic and feeling faint, strutted out her name.
"H-Hyūga H-Hinata"
~
Life at the Konoha Force camp, was lived in a steady pace. Going on to the battlefield, carrying out secret missions learning to heal others were the most basics. In the three months that Hinata spent in the camp, outside the Konoha Gates, one thing that stood put for the campers was; everyone was family here. A very close knitted family.
It was directed by none other than the Rokudaime, the eighth Hokage, Hatake Kakashi and his elite Jounins. He was recently appointed as the Hokage after the death of the Godaime, Senju Tsunade, a world renowed medic wizard as well as one of the Legendary Sannins. She was a force to be reckoned with. But her untimely death had shaken up everyone in Konoha and Suna.
The day they had arrived at the camp, Hinata had watched in amusement as Neji and Tenten were dragged off by a very enthusiastic man clad in green jump suit. Later she came to know him as Rock Lee. She got along with her own team very well. Team 8 was headed by Yuhi Kurenai with her two students Inuzuka Kiba and Aburame Shino. The contrast between her teammates perplexed her. The loud mouthed Kiba with the quiet Shino. She didn't how they had managed to form such a strong bond. Though what had worried her the most that she wouldn't fit in with them. But whoever assigned the teams certainly knew; with them, she would feel home.
There was Team 10 of Yamanaka Ino, Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Chouji and Sarutobi Asuma; Kurenai's soulmate. Hinata and Ino had hit it off the moment she was introduced to them, despite the vast difference in their personality.
And then there was Uzumaki Naruto. She couldn't help the heated face and the silly smile that appeared on her lips everytime she thought about him. His confidence was something she admired very much. He easily made friends; ready to cross heaven and hell for them.
He treated her like a princess, never disrespecting her, showing a softness for her and only her. Hinata considered herself very lucky to be bonded to such a man. Despite being bonded, Hinata found herself falling for him. And a hard falling it was. The first kiss they had shared two weeks ago, certainly showed his own feelings for her. She could easily imagine living her whole life with him. If they managed to survive the war.
Friday night dinners was a compulsory for Konoha 12 to spend together as Ino had put it. So those nights their group was the most boisterous in the canteen. Everyone was in a conversation of their own. Hinata sat between Naruto and Ino, listening to the latter's chats with Tenten and Temari about how Kakashi and his soulmate Shizune were caught in a very compromising position in the Hokage's office. Temari, who was the only sister of Sand's leader, had bonded with the lazy genius Shikamaru three years ago.
Just then the doors to the canteen opened, reavealing a petite figure wrapped in a white cloak as she made her way to where the Leaders and most of the Jounins sat. Everyone and everything was silent; freezing in the positions they were in and pin drop silence hung in the air. It was as though someone had casted a mute spell on the whole premise. When the cloaked figure made it to Kakashi; a creamy, slightly pale, feminine hand darted out presenting a royal blue scroll. The slender fingers withdrew a little clenching to a tight fist. A positive response. The symbol, undoubtedly was; mission accomplished.
The silence lingered for a moment before all hell broke loose, the vicinity breaking into a series of cheers and shouting. More and more people started pooling into the canteen, most making a beeline towards the cloaked stranger. And before she could comprehend anything the presence of her soulmate vanished beside her, reappearing next to the figure, engulfing her in a tight embrace. Her eyes widened as the hood fell off upon the impact caused by Naruto, revealing a young woman no older than Hinata herself.
With silky pink tresses and fresh jade green eyes, she was the epitome of spring itself. A gentle smile played on her lips as she greeted everyone who came to her. She was beautiful; pale skin, lean and perfectly curvy figure, neither much nor less, just perfect on her petite frame. Had she only been in a garden and without her gear, Hinata sure would have mistaken her for a nymph.
It had been the first time that she saw her.
"Who's that?" Tenten asked the much awaited question. Even Neji looked a little curious.
"That's Senju Sakura" Kiba grinned mischief swirling in his eyes, implying he was about to release a beast that was guaranteed to brew trouble, "Naruto's dream girl."
Hinata's heart skipped a bit after hearing that. Dream girl...? The words echoed in her mind as she watched her soulmates's eyes gently accessing the girl.
~
Haruno Sakura
Hinata found that one name popping into her mind quite often. It was always there, sitting in the back of her mind, appearing at random no matter where she was, whether it be with during training with Team 8 or spending time with Ino and the others. It happened especially when she was in Naruto's presence.
Senju Sakura, the niece of the fifth Hokage, was the current co-head of the Medical Unit, the best medic in the whole continent if not the world and as well as the third member of the former Team 7 along with Naruto and Sai.
She was a powerful mage, a combination of brains and beauty in one. Her grace, confidence and skills demanded respect out of anybody who encountered her. An idol. That's what most mages in the camp thought of her.
Hinata didn't have the opportunity to meet the pinkette yet, with most her time consumed in training and Sakura being more busy than herself. Naruto had already asked her to meet his teammate twice already, but she didn't know what was stopping her.
Maybe it was the fact that, She was afraid. Afraid to find the relationship between her soulmate and Sakura, other than just teammates.
She saw it, Naruto treated Sakura the same way he did to her. Gently. With utmost care. As if she was a fragile thing that will break any moment. Naruto's routine changed too. The schedule she was so acquainted with changed drastically, making a place for the pink haired doctor. He spent most of the time with her, leaving Hinata with a sick feeing in her stomach.
Kiba and Ino's words didn't help either.
"He loves her, I'm telling ya"
No it didn't. It absolutely didn't help. The chances of your soulmate loving and being attracted to another person after the bonding was very unlikely, but it wasn't unheard of.
Was that what it was? Did Naruto loved Sakura? Did she have to share Naruto with the other girl? But hadn't her mother told her, your soulmate was only for you, all yours, With her it seemed wasn't the case.
Surprisingly it was Shikamaru who told her not to think about it too much, Naruto wasn't like that.
So here she was, standing in front of Sakura's door, having resolved to finally meet her. She took a deep breath and pushed opened the door. The sight that greeted her was not something she expected.
There sitting on the bed facing each other were Naruto and Sakura, with Naruto half naked and Sakura's hands on his chest. A clearly intimate position.
Hinata's heart clenched painfully, a half sob escaping her lips. She couldn't see it anymore, so she ran. She ran past the mages, aiming for her room. Once she was inside, she couldn't hold it anymore and slid down the wall, painful sobs leaving her mouth.
Why did it have to be her? What had she done to get such punishment? Before she could think anymore, she was hauled off the floor firmly.
Upon raising her head, Hinata's liliac eyes met the ocean blue of her soulmate's. The eyes were full of sadness, confusion and a little bit anger. But not guilt. He didn't look the least bit guilty.
"It wasn't what you think it was Hinata" his eyes were so serious she had to look away. He didn't give her anytime to reply and started dragging her out of the room. Her face flushed, feeling the stares of the people they passed by. Her embarrassment grew when she saw where he was taking her; Sakura's room.
She felt mortified, she didn't want to face the other woman. She started resisting, trying to shake her hand off his grip.
"Hinata please, I need to explain." She stop her futile squirming after hearing the plead. She could never deny him everything.
Thankfully Sakura was nowhere to be seen, when the reached her room. Naruto led her to the pale pink couch at farther side of the room.
"Look at it." And she did. Her eyes widened, a soft gasp escaping as she saw the couch covered in crimson liquid. The scent was salty. Blood. There was so much blood that even the floor had rivulets flowing in it.
"It was Sai and Yamato. They got hit pretty badly during the raid. Sakura-chan healed them so they are out of danger now." Naruto sounded so tired that she finally recalled. They had a mission today. Naruto let out a sigh, rubbing his face he continued. "Since the couch was already dirtied, we sat in the bed she could heal my injuries. Here." He parted the orange shirt he had hastily thrown to run after her. A partially healed wound was revealed on his chest, some blood still flowing from it.
"I thought... I thought..."Hinata paled as realization hit her hard, her tears making a new trail on the cheeks.
"I won't lie to you. I really did love Sakura-chan." Hinata felt a new pang hearing this. It was one think to hear it from others but actually him to confirm it, it was painful. Naruto having seen her turmoil, gently wiped her tears. "But it was a long time ago. Back when I didn't believe in soulmates."
"Didn't believe in..." Hinata trailed off a littke confused.
"Yeah, I was a kid back then, irrational and stubborn." Naruto scratched the back of his head, chuckling nervously. "I just want you to know, I really do love you, Hinata. You make me feel safe and warm, something nobody ever managed to do. I love you Hyūga Hinata, and don't you dare doubt it, dattebayo!"
"I l-love you t-too, N-Naruto-kun. I really do." She whispered into his neck, finally drawing him in a close embrace.
"About Sakura-chan..." Naruto started and Hinata felt a new shame hit her, she had doubted the other girl, thinking bad about her character.
"I will apologize." Hinata declared without missing a bit.
"Yeah." Naruto smiled, but she new he was serious abou what he was about to say next. "No matter what, there always will be special spot for her in my heart. You have to understand Hinata, she was always there for me, since I was a child, supporting me, guiding me. She is my best friend."
"I understand" Finally Hinata understood, the relationship between them, they were close, more than she could ever be, but that was okay with her now. It was a special bond. And she could, would never force them apart.
"I can't abandon her, Hinata" Naruto stated, a very sad and painful look in his face. And just when when she thought she wouldn't be surprised her soul mate proved her wrong with his next words. It left her surprised and horrified at the same time.
"Sakura-chan... she... she is Broken."
And then Hinata realised there was more to Senju Sakura than meets the eye.
Having a go at Naruto for the first time. Hope you would like it.
Next chapter will be up soon. It will be more of SASUSAKU!!
Will appreciate the feedback!!