There are things in life that will last forever.
How she feels about Naruto, she knows, is one of them.
The tattoo artist-Sven-asks her three times if she's sure before he accepts the sketch and sets up his station. She doesn't look the tattoo type Ino tells her with a smirk, but it's kind and teasing and helps put Hinata more at ease. She can't really argue with that assessment, either, because a year ago, she wasn't the 'tattoo type'. But a lot had happened these past months.
Finally realizing that, yes, she was sure. Sven told her and Ino to wait while he made the transfer based on Sai's beautiful sketch.
The parlor itself is fairly upscale-recommended not by Kiba, but by his mother-and Hinata had had to make a reservation to be seen. The area was clean and Sven was meticulous about his equipment and sanitation.
The whole procedure took just over three hours, and the end result was rather stunning, if Hinata said so herself. Sai had sketched a blossoming lotus flower with fluid, easy strokes,with subtle shading providing depth and delicacy to the image. Sven managed to capture that against her skin quite well.
Instead of being located behind one shoulder, they decided for it to be symmetrically placed between her shoulders. The whole thing was slightly larger than her hand, but not so large that it couldn't be concealed by her hair.
Sven smeared petroleum jelly on her skin and gave her care instructions. Somehow, she expected the whole thing to have hurt more, but aside from a mild sting and slight burn, it had been almost relaxing laying on the table.
Ino had been chatty, which helped Hinata from worrying too much.
When everything was said and done Hinata could admit she understood the appeal that tattoos held for Naruto. There was something...momentous...about marking yourself with your achievement. She knew that not every one of his tattoos had meaning, and some he had done simply to cover up old wounds-equally permanent-but as she stands gazing at her back in her bedroom mirror, she thinks that she understands a little bit-and that allows her to feel even closer to him than she had been.
They've never really been closer than they are now-and she feels a pang that she's still keeping parts of herself from him. She doesn't want to do that anymore. She wants to share everything-from this new permanent mark on her skin to the permanent marks left on her by her past...and by the things she's done to herself. She's not sure how he will take hearing her reveal her struggles. He's always only ever believed her to be capable...but she's proud of herself for her growth. She's still growing...still trying. Things are still hard, some days, but she knows how to handle the downs and the ups.
She's still afraid to be too happy-but she's willing to face that fear. Especially with Naruto beside her. She wants to be his partner. She wants the forever he promised her and she's willing to fight for it. But he has to know what that means...and who she really is.
She's got as many scars as he does-just not as visible. But just like his, they are reminders of healing and hurt, and can be made into something beautiful.
She thinks he's beautiful.
Inside and out.
If she is the lotus, then he is the sun that helped her grow and the light she will always reach for to bask in.
She loves him.
He has left a permanent mark on her heart.
She hopes she's done the same.