You guys were okay with having more Hinata, so, here you have it!
If Hinata had to describe her life in one word, it would have been stormy. No matter how hard she tries to excel or to be someone her family could accept, even be proud of; Hinata manages to destroy it like a hurricane. She doesn't have to do much; just by existing, she is offending her family.
Like a storm, Hinata is unwanted and certainly, every single family member tries their up-most to stay away from her. Even her little sister, Hanabi, doesn't spare her a mocking glance or acknowledge her presence. She is only seen when she screws up and with her shy, timid behaviors aren't helpful the least. She is never up to standards, as she heard her father say one night; Hinata brings shame to this household.
She's too weak, too withdrawn, and too soft for a girl of her status. She's never good enough, never smart enough, and never pretty enough. Although Hinata knows it, she certainly doesn't need to hear it repeatedly. But her family makes it mandatory to remind her.
Sometimes, when everything closes in and Hinata feels like she can't breathe, and the need to run and hide takes over her whole being, she hides in her cousin's room. Neji doesn't mind the slightest and he even takes her out for ice cream when she feels like she can face the world once again.
Neji must be the only sturdy rock in her storm. Whenever Hinata gets tired of the mocking glares, of the harsh insults, that twist together and add strength to the hurricane dragging her away, Neji is there. She can hide behind his strong body and shield herself from the ruthless reality and cry without being judged. Strong and gentle, Neji murmurs sweet nothings into her hair as his bony fingers massage her trembling shoulders soothingly. The older Hyuuga is a man of few words, but his actions speak loud enough for Hinata to know that it's okay to exist. It's natural for humans to fail sometimes.
If only Neji knew how crucial his silent support is for her delicate mental state.
Hinata doesn't have friends, acquaintances she says hello and good morning that forget she exists the next second can't be considered friends. She sits in the middle of the class, not to close to the front or too close to the back. Right in the middle with the hope of blending in.
She silently watches the world run around her, while aching to reach for someone to notice her. She wants friends she can go out on the weekends or gossip over lunch. She wants an innocent school crush she can giggle and blush about. She wants her mother to be at the gates, welcoming her with a warm smile when she gets home from school.
But cancer took her mother away and the people around her find her either strange or get annoyed by her stuttering low voice. She tries to change herself, to be bolder, louder but it's just not who Hinata is.
If she gets herself just like her family wanted her to be, would that person still be Hinata? Would she be able to find a scrap of her real self in that fake image she's forced to create?
She remembers when her mother was still around, the hot summer nights where they'd sit on the porch under the stars and drink green tea together. Her mother would brush her hair while humming and old nursery rhyme, she'd say, "Don't ever change, my little blossom." Her lavender eyes would turn sad, but her smile would be still sweet and loving. "If you can't embrace your true self how can you expect others to do so?"
Hinata was six, still starry-eyed and possessing something similar to self-esteem. She had yet to understand why her mother would say such things, but she too had gone through harsh rejection from a family she never wanted to be a part of in the first place. As a mother, perhaps, she saw the gentle soul her daughter possessed and knew how inappropriate some could find this trait.
Hinata's life is like a storm. She is lost and alone and her soft voice gets easily lost in the roaring wind. She struggles to walk, but the obstacles only make her stumble and fall, causing more shame to color her cheeks.
So when she sees Naruto, her heart makes a little jump, her blush intensifies in a way that couldn't be healthy, and for the first time, Hinata sees a bright sun banishing the clouds away. She's still getting dragged, bruised and ripped apart by the restless wind; however, there is a light that guides her and warmth on her frozen form.
Naruto feels like home, safe and welcoming, something Hinata had been absent of so long she wants to cry again. Though this time her tears would be of joy not in despair. The boy gives her the strength to endure the hurricane.
The blond is energetic, loud, lively, recognizable, and a bit of a goof. He is everything Hinata aspires to be and she feels fickle of treacherous hope that maybe he could see her too. Just like she sees him.
Though it's uncomfortable and a little saddening; Hinata doesn't mind Naruto's flamboyant declares of love for Sakura. She's content with watching from the sidelines, as always, and tries to catch a glimpse of his vibrant energy. That's enough – that should be enough.
He is young, Hinata reminds herself, and good things come to ones who wait. Sakura definitely doesn't favor him so, if Hinata is patient, maybe then, maybe then…
But Hinata is tired, battle weary of living with maybes and perhaps and possibilities. Having an unrequited love stings painfully and sleep evades her some nights. Though her life is far from perfect, Hinata still has that naïve optimistic view that things will eventually turn for the better.
As she leaves her lonely teenager stage to grow into a young woman, things get worse. Expectations are higher, insults are harsher and Hinata doesn't help her case by deciding to pursue art.
She notices the disapproval in her father's eyes when she declares her passion for drawing, for creating. This is the only thing she'd never let her family taint. For once, Hinata wants to do something she wants, something she desires from the bottom of her heart.
She won't cast aside her dream.
Of course, father disagrees.
So, standing as tall as she can while dropping her head to hide her watering eyes, Hinata gathers her things and leaves her house. A house that never really felt like home in the first place.
Maybe her time with mother long ago could have counted as domestic; however, mom wasn't there anymore.
She is tired. Hinata is tired of fighting the storm and even the sun Naruto brings with his presence, starts to be ineffective. How can a warm, bright sun stand against strong, cutting winds?
Neji is at the door, waiting for her. He takes in her trembling shoulders, thinned lips and watering eyes but he doesn't utter a word. Silently, he takes one of her bags and Hinata's chest feels lighter. She inhales and exhales slowly before moving on. When Neji looks down at her face with a questioning look, Hinata answers with a smile that's weary and sad. There is a resigned sort of acceptance in her eyes that makes Neji look away.
Hinata's glad to have at least one person at her side. It feels nice to have someone she can turn to when she needs it. She's glad that Neji's there with her when she hunts down for an apartment. She's glad that Neji's there with her when she has to deal with the paperwork for college applications, setting a bank account. Her mother did leave her some money as if she had predicted this day, but Hinata knew that she couldn't live by with that amount.
For once in her life, Hinata has to work to pay for her expenses and strangely she doesn't mind. The Hyuuga easily finds a one room apartment, near the campus, small but hers and her alone. It's her space to decorate, to fill. She feels free, her heart fluttering uneasily yet she feels free.
And utterly alone.
Sai misses Ino. Misses the blonde with such intensity that the feeling hammered his chest and clawed at his thoughts. He misses everything about her, her poised grace, the confident blue eyes, the endless playful bickering, her soprano laughter that warmed his chest, the exotic scent of wild flowers she carried. God, it has been only a day but Sai felt like years has passed by.
Especially the hours he spent alone in his apartment when the yearning for the blonde became too strong are the worst. His blank eyes would unconsciously slide to the kitchen, then to his bedroom, and finally to that wall.
That damned wall.
Perhaps, Sai is becoming a budding masochist because no matter how painful or frustrated it got him, he kept looking at that corner. Forcing himself to remember her trembling lips and watering eyes. That little sound of pain that escaped and tore him through.
He tells himself that he can do this. Ino is strong and she'll get over it, so, he should too.
However forgetting about the blonde seems to be the hardest decision he had ever made.
Distraction is needed, Sai decides. He gets his jacket and keys, in record time he's outside on his bike speeding towards his little shop.
The glass door slams open with such force that the doorknob leaves a small dent on the white wall. And with that, it will be the fifth time Sai will have to repair the damage this year. Shin had to either learn to control his own strength or how to open a door humanly. Or, Sai realizes that he needs to invest in some sturdy locks.
"The most awesomest big brother is here!"
Shin strolls in, looking healthy as a horse and grinning like the idiot he is. Sai doesn't spare him another glance and keeps his attention on his work. That's his plan but he stills when he catches the nasty bruise bloomed over Shin's left cheek, clashing with his pale skin.
Knowing the silent question in Sai's dark eyes, Shin shamelessly admits, "Had a tiny little mishap in the medical ward this morning."
The dots connect easily and his mind is quick to play the tragedy before his eyes. Shin goes to the mandatory check up to be cleared for duty, smiling like an idiot and barges in the office without knocking. Rin – their long time medic friend who patched them up too many times to count and dragged their careless asses back to life more than once – is filling her paperwork, her brown hair a tangled mess and already on her third cup of coffee. She tiredly glances up, already used to Shin's exuberant behavior and just motions him to the examination table.
"You groped her during the checkup." It was, sadly, a common occurrence with Shin and though Sai hadn't been in the organization for a while he knew his brother and had witnessed it firsthand many times.
Shin furiously shakes his head, slapping his face with his silvery strands. "I just physically admired her feminine details. I really don't understand why she had to go all crazy banshee on me!"
"You groped her." Sai flatly repeats and Shin flips him off.
Sai closes his eyes with a small pained sigh. "One day, brother, Rin is going to kill you, slowly, and no one will stop her because you deserve it."
"I can always outrun her." He pipes up, a boyish grin on his face. The tattooist can't see why Shin is so gleeful over it
Sai gives him a flat look. "Even if you somehow evade her Obito will catch you, and Kakashi will stay on the sidelines silently watching you get brutally murdered. I wouldn't blame him, you're groping his wife. Are you seeking an early grave?"
"That's where you're wrong brother." Shin swings his arm around Sai's shoulders and goes limp, forcing the younger to support his weight. "Life is lived when there is action in it. Loosen up a bit!"
"Our views of life vastly differ," Sai says dryly as he slithers out of Shin's hold.
The silver haired man snorts. "Yeah, you like to go down on oily bikes or turn pathetic guys into pathetic and scary guys with tattoos. You get no say on what's considered fun by default, little bro. But your boring life is for later, I'm here for something else."
A quick, sinister smile then a suspicious looking bag is left on the counter. "You've been ignoring my calls."
"Maybe I was busy." Dryly offers Sai. A fake smile is on his lips as he eyes the weird plastic bag. His guts warn him but Sai isn't sure why.
Shin shakes his head with a mocking snort. Annoyingly poking Sai's cheek, he answers, "Oh dear little bro, you don't get busy. Ever. If you aren't answering means you're brooding. Was rejection that bad?"
Sai lets out a breathy, stilted sort of noise, almost like a pained sigh. A memory he tried so hard to suppress rears its ugly head. Seeing his brother's inner struggle, Shin quietly stands rooted to his place. He had never seen such conflict take place in Sai's face and the possible reasons put fear into his heart. However, Shin keeps his smile glued to his face and lets his little brother compose himself.
Sai inhales – deliberately slow and Shin is anticipating something of great importance or heartfelt to tumble from his lips. "I'm not in the mood to entertain you brother." Sai spats finally, after what feels like forever. The action causes the ink to spill. With a growl, Sai gets rid of the ruined paper and starts his sketch all over.
Forcefully pretending as if the last 20 seconds didn't happen, "So, how was your heartfelt confession?" Shin asks, a sly smirk stretching his lips. His expression does not betray his fretting thoughts. "Please tell me you guys had some passionate sex after."
Sai easily ignores his brother thanks to years' worth of practice. His long fingers fly through the pristine paper, leaving black trails behind every move. It's been a while since he got himself a new tattoo and he strangely feels the need of another addition to his ever growing collection.
"It's rude to ignore an older sibling." Sai can't see his brother but he can picture the dramatic pout. "Especially if said sibling is awesome as me."
The tattooist keeps his aloof, cold demeanor and Shin decides it's time for some brotherly time. He grabs the plastic bag he brought with him and takes out a small, round container. "Even though you're a massive jerk and totally don't deserve this," he flashes a smile and Sai forebodes disaster. "Food is always the right answer, so I made pudding!"
The brush falls from Sai's unresponsive fingers, his eyes wide, the room feels cold. It takes him a heartbeat to jump away from his brother who vaulted over the counter. Shin traps his brother, the innocent looking pudding in one hand and the other holding Sai's shirt.
"Where are you going, little bro? After I went through all the trouble to make it." Shin ducks a swift left hook. "And I only messed up the first six. This one looks edible."
"I'm not eating that!" Sai says hotly. His stomach churns as he remembers Shin's past culinary attempts. Dying of food poisoning didn't look inviting, at all.
Shin rolls his eyes. "Just taste it! That's all I need. Oh, and also you can act like it tastes divine so I can brag it to Kakashi."
Instead, Sai offers, "Go bungee jumping without the rope."
"Ah, point proven of why I consider you a jerk." Happily, sings Shin. Then, he kicks the black haired man and disturbing his balance, causing him to fall with Shin on top of him.
"Get off me, Shin! I'm not eating anything you have touched."
The silver-haired brother pouts, but his eyes are shining in mischief. "I'm not that bad of a cook." He whines.
Sai struggles harder to get away. Shin's food is a health hazard in a good day. "Yes, you are."
Time stills for a second, and then, a full out struggle breaks out. The pudding is forgotten as the two brothers roll over the small place behind the counter, trying to beat each other into submission. Hissed curses, missed kicks, delivered punches.
Finally, Shin somehow gets the upper hand, catching his little brother in a deadly headlock. With a bright smile that can rival the sun, the silver-haired man shouts, "Shin's ultimate brotherly punishment!" and bony knuckles painfully dig into Sai's skull. The tattooist grunts, teeth clenched, and the noogie turns into a hair messing contest until Sai can manage to slither away from Shin's hold.
"You're so immature." He huffs, eyes flashing. However, the messed hair kills away any fear-inducing glare that face could manage.
Shin laughs, still lying on the cold pavement and not making any movements to get up. He playfully wiggles his eyebrows, not denying his brother's words.
There is stilled silence for a moment. Both catch their breath, the sullen mood comes back as Sai sits back on his chair, brush back in his hand. "We fought," Sai admits, bitterly and hurriedly.
He hopes that his brother would get the message and leave him alone because his head is a mess. He wants to tear down something, break bones, spill blood and pierce skin. Sai is in one of his dangerous moods and while he knows his brother is competent enough to get away, he still doesn't want to hurt him.
He also didn't want to hurt Ino, but look where he is now.
The silver haired man jumps to his feet and casually rests his hip against the counter. "So? Flash news little bro, couples fight all the time. Sorry to burst your bubble but you are neither the first nor the last to do so." Jokes Shin lightly.
Dread is still bubbling in his chest and by every second he gets more lost on what to do or how to act against his little brother. He had to deal with brooding Sai before, thousands of times even, but this feels different. Way too much different and Shin doesn't know which way to turn.
"We aren't a couple," Sai stresses out; gripping his brush tightly and his ears pick up micro cracks. He curses at the ink stains ruining his newest design. "Never been, and never will."
Shin snorts and drags the nearest stool towards the marble counter, flopping on it; he rests his elbows on the cold stone while swinging his feet childishly. "You're giving up a bit too easily there, little bro." he points out softly.
Sai's shoulders sag down, tired or defeat – Shin can't tell. He feels exhausted and his muscles are all way too tense. "It's better this way. I'm not good for her."
"But she's good to you."
"Shin, listen." Sai murmurs wearily. His brother didn't seem to understand his troubles. "If somebody threatened me wouldn't you want to protect me?"
Without missing a beat the silver haired man replied, "Of course I would, I care about you –"
"Going from that perspective, who do you think is the greatest threat to Ino?" His horse voice is like silk polishing steel. "We both know the answer to that, don't we brother? With me out of her life, she'll be safe. It's rather simple." there is resigned finality in Sai's charcoal eyes.
Shin sighs, one hand raking through his thick hair. He's silent as he considers his brother's perspective and how to beat him back towards to the right path. Damn, being a big brother sure is demanding sometimes.
"Sai," he calls him with his name. Something Shin does rarely – usually when he is mad so the tone is wrong. "This girl makes you happy. She might change you for the better because that's what people do – they are ever-changing. Give her a change, bro, a real chance." And this will lead a better change to your life, goes unsaid.
"I hurt her."
"And right now, you're emotionally hurting yourself." Shin points out.
When Sai replies, his voice sounds strangely detached, "It's better to hurt myself than her." It is a thought the tattooist holds on with all his might. "Her safety is the only thing that matters."
Shin stares at his little brother, silver brows knitted together, he silently waits for him to continue. The ugly dots are slowly getting together to form a picture Shin rather not acknowledge.
"But aren't you hurting her, too? Emotionally this time." Shin says, gravely and straight to the point. "Do you really expect her to just understand why the fuck you started to give her the cold shoulder? We've known each other since forever bro, I know the way you think, blondie doesn't. How long before she starts to blame herself? No matter how noble your intentions are you can't just leave loose ends."
Sai doesn't respond, so Shin continues to speak softly, gentler than he ever heard. "Also, isn't that something she should decide? I mean, how much does she know about you? If I know you, which I do, the answer should be almost nothing. If you just let her in-"
"Ino has the outstanding ability to push my patience to the limit. I believed I had better self-control than that." he rips off the messy inked paper and starts renew. He bitterly wished he could start again with his own life too. A blank white paper for him to fill to his liking. "Apparently, I was wrong."
"What did she do?" Shin asks chin probed up in his palm. He keeps his cool, because right know Sai truly needs advice, guidance from an elder, and Shin is determined to help his little bro. Because that's what awesome older siblings do, help the younger one through the ugly, unfair ride called life.
"Cried." Sai sighs. He sounds old, older than he is and Shin's gaze falls down to the polished marble. "I've never shown her my… unstable side before. Ino would probably never return here." she better not, Sai thinks dryly. Hurting the blonde again is the last thing he wants.
Shin hums, his blank face doesn't betray his emotions and Sai wonders what his brother might be thinking. Was he disappointed in him? Did he resent him for striking and innocent girl? A girl he liked more than he was allowed too.
"You're an asshole." the silver haired man concludes. He fervently nods as if the answer was clear from the start. "So the first word out if your lips when she storms back better be 'sorry'."
"She won't come back." the tattooist murmurs, his forgotten brush dripping ink all over the counter. "Ino is quite clever, more than she lets on. She understands what's at stake here and will act accordingly."
Shin snorts, black eyes amused, and asks, "Do you believe that? Do you really think you can predict feelings?"
"…No."
"There you go then. Wait for her to come back after she had some time to work through her thoughts. And this time, little brother, don't mess up." His brother smirks. "You can't play hard to get when you're already hard to like."
The teasing edge washes over Sai like oil on water. He stares up. Shin is wiggling his eyebrows immaturely and his stupid lopsided grin looks way too moronic than usual.
"Idiot," he calls him fondly. "Has anybody ever told you that you can be a terrible nuisance?"
"Oh, all the time! Especially, Rin and Tenzo. They say it thrice a day. I know, because I'm keeping track." He winks, and overdramatic look in his dark eyes.
Sai laughs, his chest lighter.
So light that he feels that he can confess what he did yesterday morning after running away from his apartment.
"Shin," the man's eyebrow rises in response. "Something else happened."
Shin hums, noticing how his little brother avoided eye contact. Is it shame of whatever he did that made the tattooist unable to look him in the eye? Good thing that Shin knows what to do.
"Does it affect me?" he asks, blunt, straight to the point.
Sai's dark eyes slide over the walls covered with tattoo samples. "…No."
"Then suffer in silence."
"Brother." Sai snaps, his head jerking up and meeting his eyes. There is a sliver of plea in his tone that makes Shin roll his eyes.
"Cough it up then. Your awesome brother is here for you."
The chilled wind brushes along her cheeks, biting and reddening them to a faint rosy hue. Ino silently curses as she juggles the plastic bags full of groceries to a more secure hold. The cold had found an excellent time to visit Konoha.
If only it didn't drag the snow with it too.
Ino fastens her steps, eager to be in her warm apartment with a scalding hot cup of chocolate before the first fall of snow. A strong gust of winds sweeps by, messing up her blonde bun. She feels her phone vibrate in the back of her pocket but Ino is too busy to check, however, when the damned machine vibrates the fourth time, Ino whips it out with a snarl.
"Someone better is dying." She hisses the moment the line connects. One of the grocery bags is dangerously close to falling but Ino manages to straighten it somehow. "If not I can arrange a funeral, starting with you." She did have a gorgeous black dress for a ceremony too. What are the odds?
Ino knows she is being a total bitch. She does, but being depressed always seemed to bring the worst side of her and Ino had been way too depressed for the last weeks. Since she had stepped foot in that run down shop with the most infuriating owner –
"Good to hear you too, blondie," Kiba says, and the faked politeness stops Ino's upcoming rant.
"Kiba?" Ino calls out when the Inuzuka doesn't respond for several minutes.
"Oh, yeah, I'm still." A heaved sigh and it's not okay, not even vaguely. "Look, I didn't know who else to call. You weren't exactly my first choice, I learned about your relationship this morning and my memory isn't that great or I would have called much much earlier –"
"Kiba you're rambling."
"I'm sorry." Kiba apologizes and Ino frowns. Receiving an apology from him is like pulling teeth. "Just… it's Hinata. She isn't responding to my calls."
"Why would she?" Ino asks as she checks the road for cars. As the horizon is clear she swiftly gets across, her heels clicking on the asphalt rhythmically. She's so close to her apartment as the snow starts to softly fall from the clouds. "Wait, why do you know Hinata?" since when goes unasked.
"She works at the café that makes killer brownies, but we had personally met almost a month ago. I took a wrong turn and ended up in the art department – anyway, that's not the point." Kiba's voice gains a hurried edge. "The thing is – well, I pissed her off, badly."
"And now she isn't giving a fuck about you." Snow begins pelting down in hard bullets and the unforgiving wind whips at her, completely pulling her hair free from the casual bun. "Fucking weather." She hisses.
"Ino," Kiba whined and the painful tone tugs Ino's heart. Though they always tease each other endlessly, Kiba is like a brother and Hinata is turning out to be a dear friend.
"Ino, I want to apologize to her. I said some shitty stuff and she's a good friend. I don't want my stupid mouth to ruin this."
"Maybe her phone died." Ino offers. The snowy wind is stinging her eyes and she breaks into a small jog. The blonde thanks the makeup Goddess for inventing waterproof mascara. Her hair was a mess at this point but at least she didn't look like an abandoned raccoon.
She hears an annoyed grunt. "It rings but no one picks it up."
"What did you do? Killed her pet?" Hinata is the type to bring strays home.
"Don't even joke about it," Kiba growls. Ino sometimes forgets how Kiba is adamantly defendant about animals.
The blonde turns the corner, her breath coming out in small puffs. Who knew, the shy Hyuuga could hold grudges after all. "Okay, but why did you call me?"
"Cuz you're her only girlfriend!"
"Kiba," Ino pushes the massive door of the apartment building as the wind starts to howl and the snow turns into a small storm. "I'll let you in on a secret. Just because I'm a girl and Hinata happens to be one, doesn't mean I magically turn into a Gps."
She calls the elevator.
"What crawled up your ass today?" disgusting corpses flash behind her mind, turning her stomach. She shoves the petrifying images and poison filled words to the farthest corner of her mind. Ino still didn't have the mental strength to deal with that. "I just want you to call and convince her to pick up the phone! How can I apologize if she keeps ignoring me!"
If Ino knew Kiba, which she did, it meant that the idiot let his mind talk without a filter and Ino could only imagine what he had said to offend a girl like Hinata.
She takes pity at the desperate friend, steps inside the elevator and says, "I'll try but no promises."
"You're the best Ino!" Kiba cheers, loudly, and Ino has to move the phone away from her ear. "I owe you big."
"A dinner will be fine." She hums in thought. "Somewhere of my standards."
"Noted."
With a simple goodbye, the call disconnects and Ino stumble inside her apartment. She drags the bags to the kitchen and fills the empty fridge and cupboards. Normally, the blonde wouldn't have cared but the weather man predicted a small snowstorm and Ino didn't want to get stuck in her apartment without supplies. Fucking horrid weather. First a thunderstorm than a snowstorm.
With the kitchen full and she in her comfortable pajamas, Ino fulfills her part of the deal with a simple text.
Hey, Hinata.
The blonde is bemused when there is an instant reply. So, the shy girl is just ignoring the Inuzuka in general and doing a good job at it.
Ino-san? What is it?
I told you to drop the honorific. Just wanted to talk you have time?
Give me ten minutes.
Checking the clock Ino realizes that she should start on dinner but she isn't especially hungry so she just puts water in the cattle for something hot to drink. In seconds she has a mug with two – the secret of perfect hot chocolate is two instead of one – packages of powdered hot chocolate ready, only waiting for the water.
A swift text to Kiba should be enough to calm his panicked state. For good measure – and to avoid his possible pestering - Ino temporarily blocks his number. She is already suffering emotional turmoil and no matter how bitchy and selfish it sounds, Ino can't handle Kiba's problems at the moment.
Ino briefly wonders if that makes her a horrible friend. Maybe it does and the thought sits in her stomach.
Her mind is focused on what to prepare for later – food is a great way to escape your problems – when her doorbell rings. A glance from the kitchen confirms Ino's thoughts. Snow covered everything, the streets, the buildings, the little park in the corner… nothing was spared from nature's ruthless attack. And the white kept falling.
A snow storm of this scale is rare in the normally mild seasons of Konoha, so the people aren't exactly used to such weather. Translation, only an idiot would step a foot outside. So who is at her door?
Another ring, this time accompanied by a timid knock.
Intrigued and armed with a frying pan, Ino half opens the door.
There standing in the doorway is a familiar girl, with the cutest blush across her face. Snowflakes are glistening on her dark blue hair, a rich hand woven scarf is snuggled tightly around her delicate throat and a heavy, brown fur lined cream winter coat is swallowing her petite frame.
"Hinata?" Ino mumbles, a having hard time accepting that the girl is really standing in front of her. Did the snow penetrate into her brain causing her to see illusions? Somebody should call the hospital; the blonde is having a medical breakthrough.
"Hello." She gives her a shy smile while politely prying inside the apartment. Her lavender eyes catch the threatening pan but Hinata wisely withholds any comment.
"How did you?" her words trail off as the blonde keeps her stare focused over her unexpected guest.
Hinata looks sheepish as she answers, "Let's s-say my cousin might be hating me right now."
"I wouldn't blame the guy. Just look at the storm outside. Jesus, Hinata what were you thinking?"
"You texted me." the Hyuuga casually says, fiddling with her soft scarf. "You wanted to talk, didn't y-you?"
Ino stares at her as if she had grown a second head. "On the phone! I didn't expect you to just show up in this fucked up weather. Not that's a bad thing, you're welcomed here… though a warning would have been nice."
Hinata stands still. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish much to Ino's amusement. "…That makes sense a-actually." She clears her throat, the air turning awkward. Hinata shyly presents a small container, like a peace offering. "I made brownies."
"Makes sens – get inside you dork. Thank the brownies, I'll overlook your stupidity this once."
Ino holds the door open as Hinata slips in. She takes time to take off her muddy-snow covered boots in a gesture Ino finds endearing. Anyone of her usual gang would have just barged in without a second thought about her freshly cleaned timber parquets.
While Hinata gets her layered winter protection off, Ino peers into the bag with the chocolate brownies. She catches the faint aroma of cherries and spun sugar. Hinata's glance falls on the blonde and she sheepishly adds, "I made them t-this afternoon. They are freshly b-baked."
At that point, the petite Hyuuga got herself massive brownie points.
Apparently, Ino learns swiftly, Hinata is very skilled in culinary prospect. A look at the ingredients is enough for the Hyuuga to whip up a simple yet delicious meal. Ino is more than happy to help her new friend and soon her small kitchen is filled with the inviting smell of food and merry chitchatting.
"The miso soup is almost ready."
"So is the tomato sauce." Ino jerks her head towards the boiling pot, mentally counting the minutes. "Can you pour the pasta through the strainer? It should be in the second cupboard on your left."
Following her instructions, Hinata finds the strainer. While the Hyuuga is busy with the pasta, Ino puts down the salad on the marble counter, already adorned with the appropriate cutlery.
Cooking with someone is rather fun, Ino decides. She still thinks that Hinata must be crazy to go out in this weather for a surprise visit, she is glad to have her here. Ino never noticed how silent and lonely her apartment was.
The steaming pot of pasta with tomato sauce joins the table and Hinata sits down, across of the blonde.
The first few bites are eaten in silence as both girls are rather famished, they prefer filling their demanding stomachs than gossip. The howling of the snowstorm outside and the rattling shutters are ominous and both girls are glad to have company instead of the usual loneliness of a Monday night.
Feeling the faint touch of reminiscing, Ino thinks about the many stormy nights back at Zurich. Germany is colder and harsher than Konoha, yet Ino always remembered fondly her visits to her mother's country. Especially Christmas time with her grandparents.
A small smile graces her lips as she makes a trip down memory lane.
Every Christmas, without fail, they would tour the major Christmas markets. German markets were famous all around the world with the intermittent lights cascading down the walls of the buildings, streetlamps, stalls, sending colors everywhere around. Complicated decorations formed beautiful stars and Christmas trees.
There would always be snow covering the city and the delicate lights and the chattering of people would dance in the air. Hand carved statues, carefully lacquered with gentle strokes would be dotted through the sidewalk.
Her grandmother's warm hand would tug hers through the bubbling crowd and with a joyous shine in her blue eyes, looking for the best Glühwein, thespicy and hot German drink was still something she dearly missed and couldn't find in Konoha. Her grandfather –smiling with the cozy way Ino was used to see – would find them, already carrying small knick knacks to take back home and Ino seriously missed those carefree times in a cold country that managed to be so warm.
"Ino?"
Hinata's harsh voice calls the blonde back to the little kitchen. The raised brow informs her that Hinata has called her name many times before she responded.
"What?"
Hinata's eyes carefully search hers. "Nothing, you just looked happy." Then she adds, hushed, "You've been staring at the wall, though. I was starting to get worried."
Ino waves her hand like she was chasing her friend's worries away. "Just got lost in memories, nothing big. I used to spend Christmas with my grandparents in Germany, though last year I had an important project and the year before my grandma had come down with a nasty flu. You can say that I missed them terribly."
Hinata hums nonchalantly. She bites her lips as she inquires, "Do you miss Sai-san too?"
Ino closes her eyes and brushes her hand through her curtain of golden bangs. Her light blues rejoins the world as her lungs contradict. That name is something Ino tried to block away since morning because of the feelings it brought with it are intense and raw. It leaves Ino in a daze, this time it's her heart and common sense fighting, not her heart and brain.
Seeing that Ino is not about to explode with the power of a supernova, Hinata relaxes a bit. "Something happened."
"Something always happens." A cold hand lingers on Ino's throat sending chills down her whole body. She is sure that the faint throbbing on her bicep is nothing but her imagination.
"I have doubts." She begins, slowly. Ino is surprised that her voice didn't waver. "Doubts I never thought I'd have. Fuck, I think I'm suffering from a temporary bout of insanity. Hopefully, it'll wear off before anything bad happens."
But Ino isn't that optimistic. Her traitorous heart has its own freaking agenda.
"Some say that love is a disease. It affects your heart and mind, eventually the body, too. If every single person in love was considered mad, Ino, the world would have been a madhouse."
"I wholeheartedly agree, people are crazy."
"Communication is the key." Hinata gently reminds her. "Regardless of the complexity of your thought or feelings you must speak with each other and reach an agreement. I believe at the end of the talk you'll feel much better."
"I know," Ino admits. "I'm scared, I guess."
Scared that I'll go after my feelings than my own safety. He warned me thousands of times, how much more do I need before shit hits the fan? But it already did, didn't it? How can someone accept a man knowing that they are a few shades too dark? How can I be attracted to a man that could very well be a murderer?
Though the ugly thoughts flash in her mind for a second, Ino doesn't like the taste on her tongue.
The Hyuuga falters for a second; she calmly lets her fork down and looks straight at Ino's baby blue eyes.
"Of him?" she asks, unsure what else to say. Hinata is curious but it would be rude to inquire further when her friend was obviously distressed.
The blonde inhales slowly. Ino tries to protest against her feelings, denial ready at the tip of her tongue. She was always aware that Sai wasn't a saint sent from the heavens and she had an inkling that the tattooist also had some fingers in some dangerous matters. Yet, that didn't stop her. "Of the truth."
Hinata tilts her head as if trying to put her thoughts in order. "You know Ino; being scared isn't something to be ashamed of. Being scared means you're about to do something really brave or somehow stupid."
"Were you scared when you left home?"
A broken smile settles on the Hyuuga's face. Her voice is small and solemn when she says, "Terrified. Absolutely terrified."
"Which one was it? I mean, leaving your house, was it something really brave or something stupid?"
The broken smile turns wistful. "I don't know yet. It has its advantages as it has its disadvantages. Sometimes the balance between them gets even or the scales get so far away from each other that it seems hopeless. Only time will tell if I made the right choice."
"You're willing to bet on the unknown?" Ino considers it for a moment and then shakes her head dubiously. "I don't know if I can do that."
"There is if in life, Ino. Sometimes possibilities are all we have, not that they have to be bad or even good. We give those labels, which means we have the power to control them."
Ino finally laughs for the first time since that rainy day. It's rich and heartfelt and the echoing wave of happiness seems as a getaway for the bottled up emotions. "You have a good head on your shoulders Hinata. God, I wish I had met you sooner." Or bothered to look for a true friend instead of letting Sakura poison her views.
"Now that my nonexistent love life is out of the way. It's your turn Hinata-chan, what did my idiot friend do?" Ino retorts cheerfully. She is done with her problems for the moment and the gossiper in her is rather curious how Kiba managed to fuck up this time. Not that he has to try very hard, the Inuzuka has a natural talent.
Hinata blinks. Her voiced is as blank as her face. "I'm not sure who you're talking about."
Ino rolls her eyes. "Oh really?"
Hinata remains silent. A stubborn tilt in her chin tells her that she didn't plan on speaking about Kiba anytime soon.
"There is a saying in German that I think sums up Kiba nicely." The blonde begins. She is careful to keep her tone light, almost bordering silly. "Herr, wirf Hirn vom Himmel! Oder Steine Hauptsache er trifft."
Hinata grudgingly inclined her head, curiosity taking over her previous state. "And the translation?"
"Lord, throw some brains from the heavens or stones as long as he hits the mark."
Ino can see how Hinata bit her lips to contain her laughter. She internally counts down to three. Soft, mirthful giggles escape her lips and Ino brazenly pats her shoulder, supporting a sly smirk. Glad about lifting her friend's spirit a little Ino takes a sip of water and lick her lips.
"I don't know how to put this nicely, so I won't," Ino says, twirling her fork in the air. "Kiba is blunt, short-tempered, gets into many fights, and impulsive. He has these stupid pickup lines that should never work but somehow they do."
"But he's also fiercely loyal, prideful and cares deeply for his friends. You can always count on him. So whatever he had said he probably didn't mean it. The idiot doesn't have any filter between his mouth and thoughts."
Hinata nods, a knowing glint shining in her lavender eyes. Her body is relaxed and exasperated fondness rolls off in waves in her tone when she declares, "I know, Ino, believe me, I know."
She inhales deeply and starts to tell her first encounter with Kiba and how it developed into one of the strangest friendships ever.
Ino also notices that since entering the kitchen Hinata hasn't stuttered once.
And cut!
Well, this is finally out of the way :D I know the chapters so far are very emotions heavy but worry not, I also have some action and some fluff planned!
Please review on your way out and stay tuned for the next chapter!
