It's suffocating. The warmth that radiated from every corner, rapidly revealed its hidden winter.
"I have a few details I would like to add to the previous arrangement if that's all right with you." She tipped her head slightly and smiled gently.
"Anything is fine with me…" Her hands clasp together, and her smile widens.
"In that case, I would like to ask you to keep an eye on Hinata for me…she often keeps to herself and won't tell me what's really going on in her mind. I get she thinks I'll overreact, but that's my job!" she waves her hands dramatically in the air, " regardless, I'm not asking for a full on essay, I don't want you to stalk her either, that would be a bit weird. If you could just let me know if she has any problems at school, or if she's having a hard time with living here alone…" she sighs deeply, glancing back at the kitchen, "If this doesn't work out, I'm afraid I'll have to take her with me overseas." I immediately reject this consequence.
"I don't think that'll be necessary, as her boyfriend, naturally I'll keep watch over her, make sure she doesn't get in any trouble. All I have to do is keep you updated, right?" If Hinata leaves, then all I've worked for will fall apart once more…
"If you could, that would be wonderful, here" she hands me a small violet note card, "It's my personal business card, my work number is in the front and if you turn it around, that's my personal phone number." She taps the light pink back lightly. "Send me your number when you can, so I can call you if I ever have a hard time reaching her." A faint smile blooms on her lips. I can see a close resemblance to Hinata…
"Auntie!" Hinata screams through the kitchen. "Why must you insist on those schools!" she gives back the phone she was using earlier. "I already said I'd stay here. I don't plan on studying abroad." She huffs and plants herself next to me. "Is that what you came for here today? To convince me. Well, I already said no."
"I know, I know. I'm just letting you know, there are other options if you don't find a suitable school nearby." I can see her hesitate before she speaks again. "Your mother would have wanted you- "
"Don't." Hinata's face darkens, "Don't mention her in front of me."
She doesn't have a good relationship with her mother. That's a bit odd, considering…her mother died because of her…
"I would rather leave her behind with everything else if you don't mind." Hinata's hands curl into tight fists. "It's also getting pretty late, if you don't leave now the last bus will leave."
Hinata's aunt slowly rose, and lightly patted her head, before she made her way towards the exit.
After sitting in cold silence for a while, I decided to finally speak.
"I know what happened, you know." No use in keeping it a secret. "Your mom left you, didn't she?" her eyes land on mine, a new expression I haven't seen crosses her face.
"I already said it. I don't like talking about her. She's dead, and nothing will bring her back." A sorrow leaks from her voice. I don't quite get their relationship. She hates her mother but surely grieved her death. "-and I still don't know how you came to know about me or my mom. Frankly speaking, I don't have a single reason to tell you anything." Ahh, Hinata's becoming smug…
"Hinata, did you forget?" she looks up at me, caution and suspicious intermingle in her eyes, "Your mind is part of your body. And all of it belongs to me." I lean closer to her, taking in her sweet aroma. "I'm not the patient type as you have seen, so this time I'll allow it. However, be prepared the next time I ask you because I won't take no for answer". I take her small chin in my hand, feeling her slightly rebel, "Don't forget to come running when I call your name. Remember, before the third ring."
I went home shortly afterward, making a quick phone call on my way there.
"Hmm, Naruto it's been a while, what's up" the voice on the other side echoes in my ears.
"It's about what I asked you last time, Hinata Hyuuga."
"Hinata, huh? I told you already, there's not much I found on her. Someone tried to delete any file she had, the only ones I did find, I already sent."
"Yes, I remember but I have another person, someone close to her. I have her number, when you find anything on her let me know immediately. She might know even more than Hinata."
"Got it, anything else."
"Yes. Before you go back, get me some premium ramen, the spicy chicken flavored one." A small chuckle crosses the lines, "Don't forget." I hang up and continue until my ride picks me up and brings me back home.
…
Hinata {POV}
"Hinata, come here!" its this dream again. It was sunny and nice that day, but in my dream, it's always raining, the sky itself mourns, like the day of her funeral. "Isn't this the school you wanted to attend? It looks a bit difficult, but I'm sure you'll make it in!" her soft features shine brightly with the outside lighting. For some reason, Dad's never in this dream. Just me and her.
"Mom, you'll visit me when I dorm, right? I'll miss your cooking too much." She softly pats my head, kisses my forehead, her natural scent bringing me warmth.
"I'll never allow you to starve, Hinata. You or your sister." Lightning flashes once more, this time contorting the smile that crosses my mother's face. The door behind use swings open, lightning strikes again, this time inside our house, I turn to see the shadow pointing something at my mom. When I have the courage to finally glance back, she's sprawled on the floor. Blood seeping through her cream blouse. A wicked grin covers her past delicate features. The shadow turns to me. I only see a finger and a trigger meeting one another.
As always, I shoot awake from my bed. Ringing fills my head. It's a different ringtone than my alarm. The third missed call, from an unknown number.
"Damn, its Naruto!" I quickly dial the unknown number back.
"The hell, I told you the third ring, not the third call, open the door, I'm outside." I can hear his voice from down the hall.
"Coming" I curse my weak voice. I hate that dream.
I open my front door and wonder why he's here so early first thing in the morning. But I let it slide this time, I must get ready for today.
"Aren't you going to offer me a drink? I am a guest and your boyfriend, after all." He takes my hand in his before I can head back to my room.
"What the hell?" he pulls me back, his broad chest touches my back, and his arms encircle me completely. "Why are you shaking so much? Are you sick?" He tilts my head roughly and touches my forehead to his.
I open my mouth, to immediately deny his touch but, alas, his worried expression and calm sapphire eyes, force me to stop. Unknowingly, my gaze turns down, passing his perfectly shaped nose, and lands on his thin peachy lips. I knew he was attractive but looking at him from this closely…is a completely different level.
"F-…Fuck!" I snap out of the handsome trance and push him several feet back. "I have to shower!" I make my escape and curse myself repeatedly.
"Hinata don't worry, if you get sick, I'll make sure to take care of you" a warning shoots from behind me before I close the bathroom door. It's a threat. Definitely a threat.