I didn't give up on the story, but I did give up on grammar. So, you will have to suffer with grammatical mistakes through out this chapter.
Entire chapter on
NaruHina, if you haven't realize, this story is NejiTen and
NaruHina based.
The first few paragraphs are slightly…dark. I
think you'll survive. If not, avoid rated T fanficts all together.
I own the plot, that's all.
Untitled Tale
Chapter 8: The Misplaced Angel
"Have you heard?
An angel flew to hell for an affair with a lost soul.
This angered god because she had betrayed the basic policies of heaven,
'…Never cross over the borders of heaven…'
Thus he sealed a curse onto her as a punishment:
That whenever she tries to fly back to heaven,
The wings that carried her would
Burn in flames…"
"Mother… why did the angel go in the first place? Isn't she happy in heaven?"
"…She was attracted to Love, Hinata."
"Love?"
"Yes, dear, love. When a person wish to feel closer to another person, we call it love."
"Does that mean I will love somebody in the future?"
"Don't you love your father? That's already a form of love."
"I mean, another person…somebody like the lost soul the angel tried to meet."
"Hinata, Hinata dear…I understand you might be too young for this, but you must be aware and prepare, because you are the heiress of the Hyuugas… The basic rule of marriage you must follow is only marry those who are as worthy as you, unless he is a prince of this land. You mustn't love or ask to love a lower rank human-being, as this blindness of love would only hurt you in the end."
"What if you did end up loving a different rank person? What would happen?"
"Hinata, a policy is a policy, and you mustn't interfere with it. Once you betrayed a policy, you would suffer greatly from the curse…being heart broke…because lower ones, those who are with a different status, would would be intimidated to love you back… Hinata, loving a more worthy person means loving a strong person…You wouldn't want to marry a weak person now, would you?"
"What is heart broke? Does your body spatter like the water splashes in the garden?"
"Sleep, my sweetest, take a good nap, and we'll continue to discuss this when you wake…"
Her mother never told her more. To be exact, she couldn't remember too much of the speech her mother gave when she barely past six. Mother's rules of marriage was the only thing that lingered, partly due to people consistently reminding her.
But, what the heck is LOVE?
She was not taught to love another, or how to deal with it—but instead how to read and write, ride horses and table manners. She couldn't understand romantic stories that she read before she sleeps because this emotion was never built in her system.
"Have you heard?"
Then the passion sparked when she first met a guard. It was strange to her, she would always find herself lingering on his behalf—chat, walk, dine…at a point, he was her personal body guard. During which, she never acknowledged the hidden desire…a desire to love, a desire to care, a desire to touch and to warm.
"An angel flew to hell for an affair with a lost soul."
When she did identify this emotion, she asked for his love.
"…she had
betrayed the basic policies of heaven,
'…Never cross
over the borders of heaven…'"
And he rejected. The guard smiled at her weakly, "I would love to… but our rankings are different that I can't love you, so I wouldn't. Sorry, my heiress…"
"Thus he sealed a
curse onto her as a punishment
That whenever she tries to fly
back to heaven,
The wings that carried her would
Burn in
flames…"
Scattered and apart, she dismissed the bodyguard and swore to herself she would never love another creature whose position doesn't match hers. She tried to act normal—somebody who could entitle the name "heiress", somebody who could rule recklessly, and somebody who father wish she could become—and failed miserably.
"A policy is a policy, and you mustn't interfere with it. Once you betrayed a policy, you would suffer greatly from the curse…"
Each night, she would form a river of tears from her mystified love, until her eyes swallowed with redness and blurred her vision.
"…the curse…"
Soon, life was leaking out on her as she often find herself fantasized over the sharpness of her dinning knifes—wonder what it feels like on my skin—as well as the pleasure of getting hurt. She asked to spar with Neji, just to feel pain. She thought as long as her body aches, she was alive.
"Heiress, if you don't want to spar, then don't make me stay because you have the power to do so." Neji signaled his maid to bring him refreshments, "Don't act like a weakling in front of me, if you only desire to get hurt.
"Don't waste my time anymore." With that said, Neji left her.
I am unnecessary this world.
One night, she sneaked out of the castle, desired to see her favorite guard. I just need to see him. She wore a dark robe and moved swiftly through the village. Nobody had made note of her appearance as she stopped in front of the guard's house. Lightly, she tipped toed to the nearest window and peeked in.
The white eyes widen, as terror pierced her heart—the guard kissed playfully on a woman's cheek as his hands wrapped around a cream-colored blanket. A small cry let out in his arms, he bended down and nudged the face—a face with his hair and the lady's deep violet eyes.
"A policy is a policy, and you mustn't interfere with it. Once you betrayed a policy, you would suffer greatly from the curse…"
She turned away from the little oaken house and quickened her pace back to the town's main street. There she wandered endlessly, allowing her legs to do as they pleased. When she was finally aware of where she was, she stood at the tip of a hotel's roof, eyes swept through the heads of others.
"Whenever she
tries to fly back to heaven,
The wings that carried her would
Burn in flames…"
She chuckled at this old poem that her mother told her. How foolish she acted, loving a lower one and ignoring all the others warnings. She brought this upon herself. She took a step closer to the tip, images of herself scattered on the ground approached her as she smirk wildly.
"The wings that carried her would
Burn in flames…"
There was no exit
from the beginning when she first met him.
Thus, as long as she is
alive, she would be tangled in this twisted love.
The curse will
continue to haunt her, even if she doesn't love anybody
anymore.
She was unnecessary to this world.
Unnecessary.
Unnecessary.
Unnecessary.
Switching off the beautiful night sight from her mind, she jumped.
" Burn in flames…"
---
Birds chirped lightly while her body was blanketed under a gentle cotton layer, bathed under the warmth of sunlight. Warm, and soft. Is this how heaven feels like? She rubbed her eyes as she sat up from her bed, and suddenly hit her head by a hard object.
Ouch. How could I feel pain in heaven?
Silently, she flickered her eyes and began to screen the surroundings. She was tucked into the lower part of a wooden bunk bed that had fiery color sheets over. Opposite from her bed was another bunk bed, with a green covers instead. There was a small chair besides her bed that serves as a table, a vase of yellow tulips settled on top. Facing her was a large window that displayed the outside peacefulness. Hinata liked this simple room very much as it doesn't remind her of the icy room in the mansion with its blend of ginger and cinnamon swirled in a warm scent of spring.
But where am I?
"What the hell did you say lousy mouth! No wonder you couldn't get marry!"
"Heck, you are single too, buns girl!"
A series of crashes and pain followed the short conversation. Hinata curled herself to the corner of the bed, what is happening? Is there a robbery outside? After a short while, a third voice interrupted the outside battle field.
"Ah! What the heck are you doing to my house! I have a patient here!" A girl screeched as the crashing went dead. Then for the reminding hour or so, everything seemed to have returned to normal—the peace, the quietness—and it worried Hinata even more.
Why did it get so quiet all of the sudden? Are they all dead or something?
"Naruto, remember to take care of her—and DON'T LET HER GET AWAY FROM HER BED."
"Yes yes, future princess-in-law, will do. And don't forget to ask Ino for some stomach herb—I am not sure I would survive much longer after having buns girl breakfast…"
"If you don't like it then don't have them, second hand!" A fiery voice responded with a loud slam at the door followed.
Hinata tucked herself back into bed with questions floating through her mind. A small click was made from the door, and Hinata knew somebody had tiptoed into the room. She tried to act as casual as she could, pretend that she just woke up from his entrance as she sat up from her bed.
Her face smashed into the boy's face the second she tried to wake up. HE let out a small cry, "Gwah! I didn't know you would be awake so sudden!"
Hinata studied the guy in front of her vigilantly—golden layered spiky hair that outlined his sharp facial features: sapphire eyes that hinted with worry and joy, white teeth that contrasted his tinted cheeks. His clothing carried a trace of opulent style while not completely showing off his status—whatever that would be—with orange and white jacket masking over his deep blue under-shirt (Hinata obviously didn't know too much about what men wear). She smiled lightly as the presence of zippers on his jacket—only wealthy families could purchase zippers. I guess I am pretty lucky to wake up to an upper-class human-being.
"Hey, hey. What are you staring at? Am I that good looking?" The guy grinned sheepishly as he dragged a chair near by him to sit down. He settled a tray that onto the small chair where the yellow tulip located. "So, how are you doing? I am Naruto, by the way."
Hinata was tentative of what to do next. She had never engaged herself into casual conversations before, and was embarrassed by it. "I'm… fine."
"Just fine? Fine? I am sure you don't feel fine, you should feel hungr. You have been sleeping for the past…whatever hours already!" Naruto removed the tray from the chair and settle it in front of her. A big dish with a silver lid on sat in front of her. Hinata looked at this questionably, uncertain to what to do before Naruto disclosed the dish for her—an immediate rush of spice washed over her as she felt her stomach groan in annoyance.
But father said to never take food from others… It is bad manners and it gives a chance for an outsider to poison you. Her inner self battled her hunger as her eyes swung upon Naruto's face again.
"Taste it, it is chicken soup, a very good cure for all those who passed out in the middle of the street. The buns girl made it, so you wouldn't have to worry about me trying to poison you, though I doubt her cooking skills…" Hinata flushed as he mentioned this, he sounds like he could read my mind. After validated that he probably was telling the truth (Well, if I did get posioned, I will just complete whatever I didn't finish last night), she slurped silently. When she realized Naruto observed her from his chair, she tightened her smile.
"You're from the Hyuugas, right? What are you doing in such village?" Naruto asked, and Hinata flinched, caused the soup to splash over the bed sheets.
"Ah! I am sorry!" Hinata squeaked lightly, "I am sorry I don't mean to…"
Naruto paused her with his index finger landing on her lips. "Ahh, it's okay. Bed sheets will get dry within seconds, so don't worry about it! I'm sorry too…" He tailed off warily as Hinata buried with confusion.
"Why are you apologizing?"
"I didn't mean to come across the sensitive part of your life." Naruto dragged the wet bed sheets away from her, "…I guess you must have some reason to come to this village."
Dead silent hovered the room as Naruto finished. Come on Hinata come up with something so I can get away from this embarrass situation! Think Hinata think!
"…How did I get here?"
"Wha—oh you?" Naruto seemed surprised at which Hinata actually talked back, the warily face vanished from his face as he recalled yesterday's situation. "I was walking the ally after getting a comfort meal, and I prayed silently to nobody: "I need a pretty girl right now!" Out of nowhere, you fell down from the sky like a fallen angel, heavy as a rock when I caught you. You had a feverish look hung on your face, so I decided to take you to the best doctor I knew in this village…And that's how you ended up here. Speaking of which…"
Naruto drew his palm forward and Hinata immediately backed into the corner of the bed. What is he doing? Did he decide to be a rapist all of the sudden?
"Aw, no need to be that protective. I am just checking to see whether your fever had vanished! Doesn't your mother do it to you when you were sick? Now, lend forward."
Hinata obeyedas he touched her forehead. She felt her face burnt in deep scarlet, embarrassed at her shallow knowledge of "common-actions" and heated because she never been this close to anybody in a long time.
"You feel fine." Naruto reclined to his chair. "Ah…Want to go to the street fair?"
"…excuse me?"
"Don't you know about the street fair? In this village, every season there is a street fair… or festival that basically gathered people around to share their very own accomplishment within the season. The festival usually last for three days, and tonight is the first day for the spring street fair." Naruto explained thoroughly, "Although miss-doctor-in-charge told me not to take you out, but since you are fine now, why don't we go together?"
Before Hinata could respond, Naruto already dragged her up from her bed to outside, where a nice zephyr beated her porcelain skin lightly and the sun blushed in gentle orangey color. Just like Naruto…Wait, what am I thinking?
The couple walked in silent and entered the street, where loud voices and music crowded every corner of it. Naruto held Hinata's hand lightly, as if he was afraid she would run away the second he let go, and Hinata was grateful for his actions because she felt diffident and awkward in the street of people and stores—normal people and stores. He stopped suddenly in front of a store, and caused Hinata to bump into him.
"What the… They're back!" Naruto's face lighted up like a child as he carelessly dragged Hinata into a bar with him. A smell of good food rushed to take over Hinata's senses once they set foot into the bar. Tables and chairs crowded with each other, with hungry people gulping in dishes of steaming bowls on top.
"Sit here, I'll be back." Naruto settled her on a seat, and hurried behind the kitchen doors. Hinata curled up in her seat, she had never been to such crowded place before—her father always keep her out of these areas to protect her. A few moments later, a boy not much older with dark hair tied into a high pony came out with a huge grin hung on his face with Naruto followed behind, laughing as well.
"What the hell…No wonder we have doctors here, because idiots simply don't know how to treat themselves."
"Point made, Shikamaru! That's why you shouldn't have traveled. Darn, I don't even recall I have so much trouble living before."
"Tsk, food supplies don't just fall off the sky, idiot. They actually require us normal people to go buy them, with money." Shikamaru mumbled, "Troublesome, same as always?"
"Nah." Naruto seated himself next to Hinata, "This time, two bowls please, one for this lady next to me."
Shikamaru rose his eye brow and eyed Hinata while her face burnt and erupt violently. He asked, "Is she…?"
"Nope. Just a run-away-accident." Naruto grinned.
"Ah, I see." Shikamaru merely nodded and vanished behind the kitchen door with Naruto's order. Naruto turned his body to face Hinata, and realized her face was glued to the table with deep embarrassment.
"You alright? Don't worry about anything we just talked about, we haven't seen each other for such a long time that we had to make a few jokes in front of each other. That was Shikamaru, he came from the East, bringing the best noodles ever."
Shikamaru emerged in front of them with his hands carried the food, "You know, it's not good to talk behind others."
"It's a compliment, dork." Naruto smiled, and handed Hinata a fork, "Here, taste it!"
Hinata poke through the watery bowl and scooped up strings of noodles, carefully placing them into her mouth. It was hot and warming, and unbelievably tasty. Before Hinata realized, she had already consumed the entire dish. As she reached into her pocket for money—I wonder if gold coins are acceptable—Naruto paused her.
"It is a gentleman offer, please." Naruto pulled out several silver dollars, and waved at Shikamaru. Hinata couldn't help but blush again, although he talked with slang, he still act as a gentleman… as if he were somebody who lived in the castle all his live.
"Hey, Naruto, I will let you go free tonight…" Shikamaru placed a container that is wrapped with thick layers in front of Naruto, "if you take this to her."
"Oh? Feeling romantic tonight?" Naruto teased, and Shikamaru turned his head away. "Alright, anything for free noodles and incomplete romance."
"Tsk, shut up and move already."
Naruto lightly pulled Hinata out to the streets again. The nature had already changed into a dark event dress, with calming shades with purple dyed the sky and dim stars called out to evening wind. People settled along the sidewalkswith displays of their achievements, from beautiful hand-made glassware to soft rabbit fur that stitched together and waved into baby clothes. Hinata was in awe as explored each exhibit, with Naruto walked comfortably close and behind her. They stopped in front of a store with deep ginger and rosy scent, and a girl with creamy blonde locks approached them.
"Hey Naruto, what brought you here?"
"Evening, I thought I would bring her here to see the seasonal fair, everything looks nice this season." Naruto nodded at Hinata, and Hinata dodged the blonde's stare.
"Didn't Sakura say she was suppose to stay in bed? The medicine she provided is not going to last too long if she used up all her energy." She said, and faced Hinata, "Hey, how are you feeling? By the way, I am Ino, the one and only professional at anything related to plants. If you ever need roses for your next guy I can give you a discount!"
"Hands off the advertisement, Ino, the last time you gave a discount was a cheap trick." Naruto frowned, "I still can't believe I payed you an extra twenty after your so-called discount."
"Well, I needed a new dress."
"Point exact." Naruto grinned, "So, what's your best achievement thus far?"
"I'm glad you asked! Here." She held out a blue bottle, "sleeping potion, a mixed with proper amount of sweet pea, vanilla, apple leafs and roses' petals… It could keep you asleep more than 6 hours, I think. Want to try it?"
"Not necessary, we all know that whatever came from your store works, as advertised." Naruto replied, "Nevertheless, I'll have one."
"You have sleeping problem?"
"No. But I'll get one for her." Naruto smiled at Hinata, "And for exchange, Shikamaru made me deliver this, so I guess we are even?"
Ino's eyes immediately beamed in hearts when she saw the container, she quickly jammed the bottle of potion into Naruto's hand, robbed the container from his hands, and dashed into the store shrieking in joy. Naruto just laughed and placed the potion in Hinata's hand. "And this, for you."
"Sir…you mustn't…!" Red washed over her face as her hands betrayed her mouth and took the bottle.
"You know, the circles around your eyes are deep, implying that you probably have countless night of restless. So take it, and abuse it. Girls look nicer without those dark eye bags." He teased and helped her pocketed the bottle.
A peppy tone made its way to their ears. Naruto grabbed Hinata and traced the origin of the music, eventually leading them to the town's center. There a wooden stage was set up with a small group of musician eager to show off their music talents. Couples danced on the stage wildly, guys in their best suits and girls, while not attractive dressed to attract. They swung in circular movements and dyed their skirts with the color of music.
They all look happy. Why can't my life be like that?
"Looks fun, huh?" Naruto read her mind, "Want to give it a try?"
"Sir I…!"
"I'll take that as a yes then." He gently pushed her onto the stage, "Just one dance, and if you disliked it, we'll leave."
"But I'm in a robe! I wouldn't match your…"
"Stop worrying about it and dance…" He paused her once again with his index finger, "I've dance with girls in curtains, I've dance with girls in rags. You are by far the prettiest I've seen, so enjoy one dance, please?"
Did he just said I am beautiful? Darn, his sapphire eyes are so hard to resist. "Okay, sir, one dance."
A piece of slow music replaced the peppy one as they settled on the stage. Naruto placed one hand on her hip and the other on her hand gently, slowly he began to lock themselves to the music.
He dances well. In fact, Hinata was impressed. Every moves of his was powerful yet gentle, framed with deep passion as he swung her across the dance floor. Unlike other guests she danced with, who often dance to impress, Naruto was the first guy who dance for passion.
Of course, her steps could easily equipped to his, since dancing was part of the "manners" Hinata had to obtain from her daily studies. Their movements fitted together like locks and keys, allowing them to travel around the stage as if they were one. When the music died, Hinata realized they were the only one remained on stage, for everyone had backed off and watched with awe.
"One more?" Naruto teased, and signaled the musicians to continue, "You looked like you enjoyed it."
For the first time in that evening, she smiled at him.
---
They walked slowly, exhausted from all the dances. Hinata, for a rare moment, felt casual and joyful. This feeling had vanished so long ago that it was exciting to reclaim it into her emotion chart, and she hungered for more.
Sadly, she also realized she had to return to the Hyuugas mansion—her father might be worried and furiously blamed all of her guards now. Naruto voluntarily walked Hinata back to the forest where Hinata came from.
"Are you sure you don't want a stay? I'm sure Sakura wouldn't mind."
"No, thank you. I don't want to worry my father anymore…I must take responsibility."
"Is that so? Well, it was nice meeting you. Good night." Naruto watched as she turned away, keeping her tears to herself. She knew she didn't want to leave the only person who persuaded joy to her soul, but what other choice does she have? She was the heiress of the Hyuugas after all.
"Will we meet again?" Naruto asked hopefully.
Have you heard?
An angel flew to
hell for an affair with a lost soul.
"I'm afraid not, Naruto… Do you know the poem 'The Angel who Flew to Hell'?"
Naruto nodded to her, and she continued, "You understand what it implied, right? It persuades people from different class should isolate each other… When the angel realized this was a mistake to involve with the soul, it was too late for her to change her path, for her heaven wasn't a home anymore…"
"Have you heard of the ending of the poem?"
"…excuse me?"
"'The Angel who Flew to Hell' was only an openly to the entire poem…
'Have you
heard?
An angel flew to hell for an affair with a lost soul.
This
angered god because she had betrayed the basic policies of heaven,
'…Never cross over the borders of heaven…'
Thus he
sealed a curse onto her as a punishment:
That whenever she tries
to fly back to heaven,
The wings that carried her would
Burn in flames…
The angel was
saddened, to her a home had vanished.
Thus the lost soul
offered her a comfortable place in his cell
It doesn't have
the same cotton seats,
Nor does it
provide the same smoothing weather.
It was hell, none of
it was similar to the way she lived.
It did, however,
provided a charming partner
Somebody to cry
on,
Somebody to share
with.
The angel was
misplaced,
But it was no
tragic,
For her, tragedy
was replaced.'
"The entire poem was entitled 'The Misplaced Angel'."
Hinata looked into his eyes. She felt her heart relaxed and hot tears piled in her eyes. "Naruto…Thank you.
"..And my name is Hinata. Could we meet again, soon?"
I give up. I give up checking grammar and sentence structures. I give up attempting to parallel subjects and verbs. I give up proofreading. Ahh, I give up.
If any of you readers want to be my beta-reader… BE MY GUEST. Contact me by sending messages, tracking me down at DA… or don't contact and go ahead to grammar murdering. I am far too busy to look for a beta myself.
This chapter took me 3 weeks. Yes, three long weeks to complete, including the plot planning, the grammar checking (which probably took 50 of the time) and events arranging. Agh, it was long.
And you probably will not see the next chapter until two months later, or, if I was in a mood, by this weekend. Because I have to go cram books, and prepare for college. I would love to believe I would always stay as a kid and never have to worry about my future, but dreams seldom come true.
I gave up on grammar checking does NOT equal I gave up on the story. Heck no, I am not giving up this.
Just a preview… Some NejiTen moments in next chapter. Sorry if this chapter was overwhelmed with NaruHina, but deal with it.
And thanks to all who reviewed! I cheer for you!
