Charlie Brown once said: "I think I'm afraid to be happy because whenever I get too happy something bad always happens."
Hinata always thought that was such a sad way to live.
Little did she know how alike she and good ole Chuck were going to be.
She cuts the article out of the paper.
It's a local, not widely circulated rag, but as soon as Kiba called and told her that he spotted Naruto's name in the paper, and "Not for being arrested" she went and hunted down a copy.
She rubs her palm over the newsprint to flatten it against the pages of her memory book. There's even a picture of the moment Pain hit the mat and she can make out the blurry shock on Naruto's face.
Unconsciously her thumb glides over his image again before she closes the book and pushes to her feet. "Ready, boy?"
Argus also gets up, tail wagging back and forth with a near dangerous vehemence. Hinata smiles at him and scratches his ear as she heads for the door and the hook beside it to grab his leash and harness.
She took the day off of work and for the first time in a very long time it wasn't because of some trauma or tragedy or something beyond her control-nope, today was just for her and Argus. She was going to drive him out of the city and they were going to enjoy some cool air and take some "family photos". She even hired a professional photographer that they were going to meet up with.
After, she would stay at Hanabi's for the night and head home early in the morning.
It sounds like a great plan to her.
It turns out even better than she anticipated.
Argus poses like a diva and chases shadows through grass until he's silly. Hinata lays down in the long blades with him and they watch some clouds and birds fly overhead.
It's quiet, outside of the city, and the fresh air does wonders for her spirit.
Hanabi comments on it when they arrive at her place.
"You look less 'stick up the butt' than usual," she says by way of greeting, immediately crouching to spoil Argus with treats and pets.
"Nice to see you too," Hinata mutters with an affectionate eye roll.
Hanabi pokes her tongue out at her. "No, but really. You look more relaxed. It's...nice."
Hinata feels a pinch of guilt at that, but doesn't comment, and instead ruffles Hanabi's hair as she passes.
They spend the evening sipping hot tea and watching a true crime murder mystery.
It's probably one of the best days of Hinata's life.
That should have been her first warning.