Why did you leave chapter 3: Festival of Lies
By: Dearx
Disclaimer: Naruto still doesn't belong to me, no matter how much I wish it to be XD
Hinata had remained in her unmoving resting form for far too long. And the entire night had past with Naruto watching the rise and fall of her sleeping form. As she had inhaled and exhaled with each breath.
His tired eyes continued to watch her patiently.
"How could you make me feel the way I do now?… when all this time I had been blind." It was also a puzzle to him. Why did he sought her out? After ignoring her for so long. Why now? Why now when he had finally caught the pink haired kunoichi's eyes. Why did he choose to run away from her? And onto the arms of another?…
it was all like a bad dream. A genjutsu gone wrong. It was all wrong.
But why?…
---
tonight was the night of the summer festival. It came once a year and it was a time for couples to enjoy the night together. With each others company they would walk down the dirt path. Hand in hand. Passing vendors and children, their paths lit by the paper lanterns that decorated the streets of Konoha.
Hinata was clad in a dark blue kimono with the imprints of petals scattered about. Lately she had found herself fashioning kimonos of darker colors and prints. Yet, Naruto had not once complained against it. He had thought it suited her well and the dark colors would contrast perfectly against her pale skin and eyes.
…but it wasn't for him.
Naruto on the other hand had preferred to sport a black shirt together with his signature orange pants. Casual and comfortable, he always says.
It had almost been two months into their marriage and they had learned to cope with each others differences. Or better yet, Naruto had learned to give his wife the space she had needed. Funny as to how patience was never one of his stronger key points. Yet, not once had he touched her without her consent. Ever so patient. He had not complained. But, how could he? Both were quite busy with their daily routines and missions to even consider each other. Their honey moon had practically been nonexistent as the couple dove directly into their work, being top ninja's in their classes and fields, they were always needed. Missions after missions, both had been kept away from each other for days and weeks un-end. Yes, one could say, despite their appearance, they weren't exactly the ideal perfect couple.
But tonight was one of the few nights the young couple could spend together without any disturbances. It was the night Naruto was determined to spend with her. With his wife.
…to understand her…to learn to love her… to learn to accept her…
she on the other hand was in no position to complain or say other wise as he had made sure the Godaime had placed both of them on leave, away from any missions. Away from any disturbances. Away from it all…
she had silently followed him through the packed streets. Blindly being dragged by the hand of her husband who kept insisting for her to walk further and faster. Apparently, Naruto had never experienced the difficulties and disadvantages to wearing a kimono. But, with each step she took, she learned to mask out her disappointments, her grief. And her feelings. She hid them well under a fake mask of a smile and a quiet laugh. She had learned to fool him. And he had believed her. She was the perfect angel. Innocent and kind. Uncapable of any lies. But he was wrong. Her wings had long dissipated to black. Tainted by the fallen one.
True. It was all a lie. And in the end, both of them will get hurt in the end nonetheless…
How selfish of her to think so. But a tainted heart could not help but feel selfish. She had given herself to everyone and to everything. She had deserved every right to be selfish every now and then.
Her heart was just too precious to give away.
A heart that is threatening to break.
A heart that cannot be mended.
A heart that belonged once to an angel…
A faithful heart that will wait…
---
"Naruto! Hinata-san!"
at the mention of their names, the couple turned their backs from the game booth Naruto had drove her to. In front of them stood Haruno Sakura in all her glory. Wrapped about her was a light pink yukata that had matched her hair well. She stood out from the crowd as she was unaccompanied by anyone, despite the fact that the festival was a festival for lovers. She was alone.
Her eyes held the look of shock and surprise as she didn't expect to run to the couple. It was actually Hinata who broke the silence and first initiated the conversation.
"Sakura-san. What a pleasure to have run into you this evening." She smiled as she greeted her former comrade. Both had studied under the Godaime's guidance to become medic nins. Hinata generally excelled in her herbal medicine and together with her higher practice of chakra manipulation and her byakugen, she had made to be the perfect surgeon. Quick and clean was always her works. It was just too bad her father had long pulled her out of medical practices and forced her into becoming a chuunin and continued to push her towards becoming a jounin. It was true, she was unwanted and they had purposely drove her to her limits end in hopes that she wouldn't return from a mission to be proclaimed dead. An honorable death for a Hyuuga and a stepping down for her to let Hanabi be the rightful heir. Apparently, marrying her off was far easier.
Sakura nodded a reply, slow to regain her composure infront of the Uzumakis.
"that smile.." There was something in the Hyuuga that bothered Sakura. No. It wasn't the fact that she had married Naruto. She should actually be happy that he finally gave her the time of day. No. It wasn't resentment.
It just felt so wrong. Everything felt so wrong. No. This wasn't the same Hinata from before.
Of course, everyone changes but everything felt completely out of place. As if she was hiding something.
"…Had she become the perfect kunoichi?…"
It was true. Despite her lack of assertiveness, Sakura had always noted Hinata to be stronger among the other female kunoichi's in their class. Her byakugen alone could do so much damage…one was afraid to know what would dare happen if her father just continued to train her… she may have even surpassed the Hyuuga genius…
"Ne! Sakura-chan!" Naruto was waving a hand infront of her eyes, trying to wake her up from her trance like state. A grin ever plastered along his face.
"Ah! Gomen!" Sakura was quick to respond. "say, Naruto, Hinata-chan. Why don't you join me for tea?" she pointed towards the tea shop. "It's been a while since we've all seen each other! Come on, for old times sake!" she pleaded.
No, she had not been jealous. She could get any man in Konoha if she wanted. She just wanted t be with old friends again…right?…
No. it was all a lie.
Her heart cannot lie.
She still did care for Naruto…
"Gomen, I'm quie tired and I believe I have a mission to run to tomorrow." Hinata politely declined. Bowing her head lightly to signal she had nothing more to say. "Why don't you go ahead Naruto-kun. Sakura-san." She smiled at both of them and departed into the night towards the apartment she had shared with Naruto.
"But. I-" before Naruto could have protested his wife disappeared.
"but I though tonight was our night…and…I believe I asked Tsunade-baachan herself no missions today or tomorrow…?…"
End of Chapter 3
AN: whoo, took me longer to get chapter 3 up than I have expected. But as you all know, May is a busy busy month for all of us and especially college students and soon to be college students, such as seniors! Yes, I am finally a senior and being a senior means senior exhibitions/presentation/projects and whatnot. But after that, I am home free! But no! theres still graduation as well as costumes to finish intime for Anime Expo and Comic Con. Yes, the authoress lives both the life of a cosplayer and writer as well as running a t-shirt printing business does keep you busy! But if you happen to be going to AX at all, please drop by and find me and my group prancing around in costumes along those days ;D now after a long winded Authors note. I would also like to say I have chapter 4 waiting to be finished and typed up! So hopefully, I get those up as soon as possible as well.
Remember! I live for reviews! So review! XDD