Disclaimer: I'm starting to like these disclaimers… I don't own Naruto but I do own the piece of fan art called "Changing" which is what this chapter is named after. The site that leads to my picture is my homepage. Go see it!
The Princess and the Rogue - His and her fairytale
I love Kakashi – normal
I love Asuma – Kurenai thinking (italics)I love Kurenai – Asuma thinking (bold)
Yay! Ramen with Hinata! – Naruto thinking (bold with italics)
Chapter 8 – Changing
Hinata sobbed as she frailly reached for the handle of the old random abandoned barn in the middle of the forest. She didn't want Naruto-kun to leave but he had to and she was going to be all alone again. For the last day, she had felt better about herself and now her world was falling apart.
She walked inside, wanting the comfort of her room but instead she came face to face with her grandmother. Perhaps face to toes to be exact. Hinata had lost all her confidence she had gained the previous day. She couldn't look her grandmother in the eye anymore.
"Hinata," said the grandmother reassuringly. "You care about that boy very much, don't you?"
Hinata wasn't shocked that her grandmother seemed to know what was going on. She always seemed to know what was on her mind. To answer the question, she nodded.
"Would you give anything to be with him? Even give up your present lifestyle?"
Hinata looked up again and once more she nodded.
"Then go to him."
Hinata was shocked. Looking at her grandmother in the eye, she saw a look of encouragement.
"But obaachan… you're old, you need someone to take care of you or else something might happen," said Hinata, she was no longer sobbing.
"I'm not that old and besides why should I keep you from getting stronger? It's been my dream to see my little girl grow up to be a strong young lady. It's time you start changing Hinata. No more of that shyness or fear anymore, sometimes all you have to do is to look destiny in the eye and walk on."
That realization finally hit Hinata; she knew that this was exactly what she needed to do.
"Thank you obaachan. Should I start packing now?"
"That's my girl! Now go and pack… I will prepare a few things for you."
Hinata took one last look at her room. She decided to leave some of the more unuseful possessions she had here.
"Besides, I'll come back, I promise," she whispered to all her small trinkets on her shelves. Checking her bag again, she made sure that she had everything she needed. Her clothes were tossed in untidily since she knew she would have to go back to the village quickly. She had everything she needed.
Going downstairs, she saw her grandmother; in one hand, a bag full of food and in another, a letter.
"Hinata, this is for you," she said, handing her the bag full of food. Hinata put this in her bag. "And this, you must give to the leader. I would prefer if you don't read it."
Hinata understood; and with a last hug goodbye, she set off.
"Sayonara obaachan! I promise I'll come back to you one day!" she yelled as she ran to the village as fast as she could with the letter in hand. She had to be fast if she was going to see Naruto-kun again.
"She's definitely starting to change…"
Although the old soothsayer knew that she was already starting to miss the girl, she was finally happy that Hinata had started to change into the strong young woman she envisioned her wonderful granddaughter would be.
In the village, the last remaining men in Asuma's group were assembling in the village square. They were waiting for Kakashi and afterwards they would leave. Kurenai had come back from the village with a plainer outfit that didn't make her stand out as much. Asuma thought she looked pretty nonetheless. Asuma was anxious to move on but they had to wait for Kakashi to start the introductions. Looking around, he saw a depressed looking Naruto in the corner. He was about to ask what the matter was when Kakashi showed up.
"Yo!" he said. "Sorry I'm late, I wandered off the path of life."
"LIAR!" yelled everyone else. Even after a few years, everyone was still annoyed with Kakashi's lame excuses.
Author: Personally, I adore your excuses. They're funny!
Kakashi: I'm glad someone likes them! -smiles-
Author: -Blushes and fighting an urge to hug him- Can I hug you? -Still blushing-
Kakashi: Sure! -hugs-
Author: Yay!
Hinata: -Tugs on author's sleeve-
Author: Yes Hinata?
Hinata: Shouldn't we get back to the story?
Author: Oh yeah! Back to the story! -Still hugging Kakashi-
"Anyways," said Asuma. "This is Kurenai. I'll explain her story on the road but for now this is all I'll say. So let's go." They all started to turn to walk until they heard…
"NARUTO-KUN! MATTE KUDASAI! (Wait please!)"
"HINATA-CHAN!" yelled an excited Naruto. They all turned towards the source of all the commotion. They were surprised to see a girl with violet hair running towards Naruto. In a flash, she was in front of him, slightly out of breath.
"I came…" she started but stopped. "… to join you."
Everyone seemed surprised that this statement but the girl calmly gave Asuma a letter.
"From obaachan," she said. Asuma opened the letter.
Dear Sir
You may probably know me as the old hag who lent you the broom but for now, I ask you to spare some time to read this letter. My daughter Hinata has become very attached to that boy in your group. To my surprise, she has already met the young man by herself therefore your part of the deal has technically been fulfilled. But this technicality has not been fulfilled on your part so I ask you kindly to take in my granddaughter in your group instead. You may keep the broom if this helps in any way. I promise, she will not be a burden upon you. The young man's sadness if she didn't come would be more of a burden if you ask me. So please, satisfy an old hag and little girl's whim.
Sincerely,
The Soothsayer
Asuma sighed and looked at the girl. He didn't have time to argue.
"Hinata, right?" he asked. She nodded. "Alright, there's another addition in our group, Hinata-chan. Treat the two new ladies kindly now."
He turned to Kurenai.
"For obvious reasons, can you take care of the girl?" She nodded with a smile. It'll be nice to have another girl around when you're travelling with a whole bunch of men.
Hinata looked at the other woman in the group and was taken by a sense of familiarity. She knew she was going to get along with this lady.
"So you're Hinata… you're a brave girl for coming with us. I'm Kurenai… I guess you can call me Kurenai-oneechan. Can I call you Hina-chan?"
"Of course… Kurenai-oneechan."
TBC…