A/N: Sorry to all those who reviewed. I was just overreacting. I don't mind your opinions about Naruto-kun. Just don't be so harsh.
You know who you are. I can't say your names coz apparently it's illegal (?) to reply to reviews in the author's note. (death-angel-hikari told me so…thanks for the review!)
I'm blabbering nonsense again...
Oh, and all ShikaHina non-supporters, sorry! This chapter will be focused on them. And to those who hate fluffy stuff, skip this chapter.
Joking. It's not that bad. Please read it.
Chapter 3: Comfort in Darkness
Hinata dipped her hand into the river, causing ripples to branch out. The ripples disrupted her reflection in the water.
Just like Naruto disrupted her life.
Don't think about that, she told herself, shaking her head. She didn't want to remember anything about that bastard. She didn't hate him. She completely loathed him. She was sorry she had been stupid enough to have had feelings for him.
Suddenly, she brought her train of thoughts to an abrupt stop.
What's happened to me? Her eyes widened as she stared at her reflection. Why am I like this? Before, I would have forgiven him by now.
Because I've changed. She realized sadly. My heart has hardened, and I'm not as 'soft' as I was before.
"Dammit!" she yelled, hitting the water with her open palm. A lot of good that did. She was drenched, and the anger she felt inside wasn't vented out in the least bit.
"Whoa. I don't think that was such a good idea."
She knew that voice. She turned around and smiled at the lazy, dark-haired nin who was walking towards her.
"Shikamaru-kun..." she said softly.
"You didn't come back yesterday, so I figured something intense happened between you and Naruto. I decided you might need some space."
"Thanks." She smiled as he sat down next to her. He grinned back.
"So, I just wanted to know-not that I'm trying to pry, mind you-what happened between you and Naruto yesterday? I talked to Sakura just this morning, and she said that Naruto didn't even show up in the Ramen shop for a get-together. That's pretty major."
She giggled at his joke, then turned serious. "I…guess I kind of lost it. I said a lot of things I…I…"
"Didn't mean to say?"
"No." she said, and Shikamaru was surprised at the firmness and anger in her voice. "I meant every, single thing I said about him. I hate him. Hate him!"
"Hinata-chan…"
"I can't believe I was stupid enough to fall for that insensitive, inconsiderate, stupid liar!" she said, her voice climbing to a higher, hysterical note.
"Hinata-chan!" Shikamaru said, louder this time. This was the first time he saw her this…angry. She seemed like a completely different person. "I know you're upset over Naruto, but-"
"Don't ever say his name again." She said. "I no longer want anything to with him!"
"Hinata-chan, calm down!" Shikamaru said, grabbing hold of her shoulders. "You're not thinking clearly…"he stopped when he saw the tears streaming down her face.
"I…I'm sorry." She managed to choke out. "It's stupid…to cry…over…something…like this…it just…hurts…so much."
Shikamaru couldn't take it anymore. All those years, he had kept his feelings inside him. After all, a ninja is not supposed to show emotion in any situation. But now, they were breaking free, and he couldn't stop them. Didn't want to stop them. He wrapped his arms around her, enveloping her frail figure. He felt her stiffen slightly, and a small gasp escaped her lips.
"I'm sorry," he murmured, intertwining his fingers in her purple locks. "I know this is a bit too forward, but…" he tightened his arms around her. "I…I've been keeping it in so long. All those years, I knew you had feelings for him and him only. I didn't want to do anything that would destroy your happiness. But I…I…"
Hinata's eyes widened as she heard the next few words that were whispered in her ear. Then, something inside her relaxed. Told her it would be all right.
It was strange. She had never thought he even noticed her, but now…she knew. He more than noticed her. He felt something for her. And maybe…just maybe…she could respond. He was kind enough, and considerate enough, to put her feelings before his. And he had waited patiently for so long. Even if he knew it would probably be in vain, he had still waited for her.
Finally, he broke away. He looked away from her, apparently embarrassed. His face was shadowed, and he looked extremely uncomfortable.
"I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable." He said. "I…couldn't help it."
She nipped her bottom lip, then placed her hand tenderly on his shoulder. He whipped around.
"It's okay." She said, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I never realized that you felt something for me. And…thank you. You've waited for me for so long. I really admire that."
His face seemed to brighten, and she could swear his eyes shone with happiness.
She leaned against his shoulder, watching the sun set on the horizon. It was like before, except she had first seen it with…him. Now, it was someone different.
Completely different.
"Shikamaru-kun," she said softly. "how could you stand it? I mean, even I couldn't keep my feelings in that long. And…I would have given up long ago, realizing it was hopeless. Yet, you managed to wait that long."
Shikamaru was silent for a long time. She knew he was thinking things over. Finally, he turned to her.
"I guess you could say it was all because of you."
He looked amusedly at her puzzled expression.
"I guess, in a way, you were my strength. The time I battled in the chuunin exams, then in the main matches, what kept me going was the thought that you were in the stadiums, watching me. And I didn't want to lose in front of someone I admired. Just like you didn't want to either." He said gently.
"Part of me knew it was probably hopeless, and I was sorely tempted to give up. But then…I'd remember you in the main matches. How you kept on standing and fighting. In a way, Hinata-chan…you are my strength."
She nearly lost herself in the dark whirlpools of his eyes. How could one man say so many things that would touch her heart?
Softly, she laughed. He looked at her. "I'm sorry," she said, smiling. "It's just that…in the Hyuuga clan, most of our attacks involve chakra, and chakra is like light. But now…I'm turning to you. You control shadows. You control darkness. We're complete opposites, and yet…yet…"
He smiled as well. "I know. Pretty ironic, huh? A light user…"
He leaned closer to her, and she didn't back away. She seemed completely relaxed.
"…turning to darkness…"
Their eyes fluttered closed. They were so close.
"…for comfort."
Naruto turned away before their lips could meet. He didn't want to see anymore.
Curse natural curiosity. He thought, jumping from the tree branch he had been sitting on. He shouldn't even have followed them here. To this place.
"Dammit!" He muttered angrily, breaking free of the forest. The darkness settled on Konoha, yet he didn't notice. He didn't even know where he was going. To his home, to the river…who cared?
All he knew was that he was never going back to that place.
Never.
A/N: Stop barfing on the keyboard. It's over.
Sorry to those who hate sappy, sweet things, but I love it! I love sweet romance. I don't know if you agree with me, or if you want to kill me for even admitting it.
Oh well. At least Shikamaru finally told her. Jeez, that guy rules in endurance! Oh, and I really didn't feel like writing "I love you". It's just waaaaaayyyy too sappy. Even for me. And sorry about the lack of pagebreaks. Something's funky with my computer. The 'add ruler' button (or whatever it's called) won't work. Don't know why, but I think it has something to do with the fact that this computer is ancient.
Please review! Thank you!
PostScript: Yes, this chapter was short, but I'll make it up to you guys…somehow…someway…some chapter…
