the sacrifice

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and the other characters created by Mashashi Kishimoto. But I do own some things/persons: the plot (that is... Just read the Prologue and previous chapters, then you'll know the plot.), Rekka, and her other two schoolmates.

Note: The Italic words are thoughts. Sometimes if there are only one or two words italicized, that word or those words are just for emphasis.  

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  Chapter 8: IN THE NEW LIGHT
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The night sky was dark with a very few dotted fading light coming from the distant stars. The sea breeze was cool and was softly blowing in the open vast space. The sea was calm and continuously flowing in an endless cycle. Everything in nature was perfect. Everything seemed please to the specific role given to them by the Creator. Everything was peaceful.

In contrast, Naruto's feelings were chaotic inside of him. He was standing by the rails of the ship, staring blankly at the waves. The social party had started for quite awhile now, but even though he was completely dressed and nicely combed, he hadn't had the heart to stay at the social halls. Sad to say, he was still heart-broken and his crushed heart hadn't healed yet from yesterday's event. He knew that the guys were thinking he's childish and pathetic, but he couldn't help it. He had always loved the pink-haired girl from the bottom of his heart, and he couldn't think of anyone else who could do the same for her. He had tirelessly worked hard to be the best ninja if that was ever possible, thinking he could win her precious affections…

Enough! I shouldn't be thinking about her, anymore.

Naruto heaved a sigh and closed his eyes. When he and the guys had entered the halls, the girls had been waiting for them. He had pretended to be fine and nicely and politely conversed with the group. And when everyone seemed to be at ease with each other's company, he silently slipped out of the group to have some fresh air. He just has to have some fresh air to clear his clouded mind and to oxygenate his wounded heart.

Naruto snapped his eyes open as he sensed someone standing behind him. But, he didn't dare look at the person. He wished that whoever the person behind him was, that person would leave him alone. He didn't want any company right now. He had been alone before and he had gotten used to it. And I guess, I should accept that I will be all the rest of my days,Naruto thought bitterly.

Naruto's hand held the metal railings, and his foot stepped on the lower level of the railings. His other foot followed, and the first one climbed another level of the railing… His hands let go of the top level of the railings and he tried to balance himself without hold and he was successful, of course. He proceeded to climb higher on the railings until he was on top. He focused and put a bit of his chakra on his foot, and he slowly stretched out his hands at his sides as if welcoming the sea breeze… He was enjoying the soft touches of the moist air on his skin, when he heard someone say:

"Goodbye cruel world."

Naruto looked alarmed. His head quickly turned at his two sides (one at a time, of course) to see who had said such words. But no one was seemed to commit suicide at that time and place by drowning himself or herself.

"Just say it— Goodbye cruel world…"

Naruto traced where the voice came from and he found himself looking at Rekka who was standing near him from below. He noticed Rekka's pursed lips and crossed arms in front of her chest. Even though she had madness written all over her face, Naruto admitted to himself that Rekka looked gorgeous in her unique black witchy-dress. Why hadn't I asked her? Naruto thought all of a sudden, examining Rekka's over-all looks for the first time in the night. And why does she have to be married to a jerk named Sasuke of all people?

"Just tell me if you need a push," Rekka sarcastically said. "I mean, I'll be more than willing to help you remove the pain you are experiencing right now…"

Naruto was taken aback upon hearing that and quite became off-balance. His body swayed back and forth, trying to regain his footing on the railings. He flapped his arms like a chicken as if he could direct the wind to blow him on balance once again.

"Naruto!"

Arms were wrapped around Naruto's torso. Naruto stopped balancing himself, and let the person steady him for a while. Whew, that was close! Naruto thought, feeling relieved. He was thankful somebody was there to help him steady himself. He looked at the hands (which held him), expecting to see Rekka's hands, yet he was quite surprised to see a different pair of hands (with silk gloves on). Then, he felt the head of the person leaned on his back for a couple of seconds.

Naruto slowly and carefully reached the hands holding him. But as soon as his finger tip touched them, the arm wrapped around him swiftly vanished. He quickly turned around and let himself down from the railings. He saw Rekka still standing where she was standing all along, but this time her annoyed expression at him was gone and was replaced by… Happiness? Naruto thought with daze. But another figure caught his sky-blue eyes.

Hinata?

Naruto looked at the shy Hyuuga girl standing beside Rekka. Naruto noted that Hinata looked amazingly different that time. Actually, if he hadn't noticed Hinata's trademark behavior of looking down and clasping her hands in front of her, Naruto wouldn't recognize her. Naruto couldn't help staring at the beauty in front of him.

Wow. Is this really Hinata?

Naruto looked at Rekka and shot her a questioning look. When Rekka just nodded, Naruto turned back his gaze at the shy girl. He had not paid any attention at her earlier because he had been too busy feeling down to notice how attractive she was. And when he came to think of it, he hadn't paid any attention to her that much for as long as he had known her.

And why was that? Naruto wondered while eyeing the fine pearl-white tube-gown which hid her feet. He thought she really looked pretty for the dress, the hairdo, and the make-up suited her very well.

"Ahem!" Rekka coughed purposely, breaking the silence between the three of them.

Naruto and Hinata both looked at Rekka.

"Hey Naruto. If you're not planning to commit suicide, please do us all a favor and coordinate with your band-mates as soon as possible 'cause you're going to perform any time soon…" Rekka said, looking at Naruto. "And If you are not yet there when your band is called on stage, I'll just pretend to be you and do your part… Okay?" She lightly tapped Naruto's back and glanced briefly at Hinata's fading blush on her face. She didn't wait for Naruto's response and she just proceeded to walk away from the two.

For a moment, the blond-haired gentleman and black-haired lady stared at the long haired lady slightly skipping happily as she reentered the social halls.

This sight amused both Naruto and Hinata. And they incidentally looked at each other, with small delighted shy smiles on their faces. It was like there was a magnetic force existing between the two—one was the North Pole and the other one was the South Pole—which attracted them both to stare comfortably at each others' eyes.

Naruto didn't have the courage to speak for the very first time. All he knew was that he felt good staring at those beautiful white eyes. He felt comfortable around her…

"I…" Hinata started. "I, uh, need to go back…" She looked at the door leading to the social hall.

Naruto's throat seemed dry.

When Naruto didn't say anything, Hinata gracefully walked towards the door…

Naruto sighed, feeling how dumb he acted.

"Umm, Naruto?"

Naruto looked up at Hinata.

"Please don't stand on the railings ever again?"

Naruto looked abashed yet he smiled in spite of it. "I won't."

Hinata smiled. She opened the door and entered the social hall.

TBC

Sorry if it me so long, a month to be accurate, to update another chapter. I had a writer's block for two weeks, and when I finally overcame it, my computer wasn't working. Just my luck. Anyway, this is another installment of this story. Even though this is the shortest chapter ever created by me, I still hope you like it. Please don't hesitate to submit a review. All comments/flames are very welcome.

Poprice
23 June 2004
10:43am

PS: Thanks to the people who reviewed the previous chapter.