Guys I updated! I did it! Also thank you Ella-Vi for those incredible words of encouragement. I felt that you deserved a shout out for just being so wonderful.
Anyways I'm trying not to drag this out any longer than I have to. 2 more! I know I've been saying that for months but just 2 more! We're almost there!
Hinata P.O.V
When I awoke that morning, it was with an air of lonesome. I lifted my torso onto the pillows and scanned the room. Looking to my left, I took note of the date. February 3rd. I leaned forward and felt for some odd reason horribly alone. But not the kind of loneliness that came from days of isolation. This was the loneliness that came from missing. It was as if some presence was absent from my room and where it should have been was merely air. Throwing the covers off, I leapt out of bed and paced around searching through my thoughts for the missing element. My feet propelled me towards the window but instead of opening the curtains, I stood there. This was where it was supposed to be. As I turned to view the rest of my room, I found my body once again bounding forward towards the wall with the Hyuuga family tree. This was also where it was supposed to be. Corner to corner I scurried along hoping to solve the mystery of the lost thing. This was where it was supposed to be.
At least this was where it had been.
I was pulling apart drawers and shuffling around papers trying to find the missing object. I checked under my bed and inside folded socks. And even though I was tearing apart my bedroom in search of this item, I could not for all the wealth in the world figure out what it was I was looking for. But I knew that I would know what it was when I found it.
"Hinata-sama is everything alright?"
Just as I was searching through a jewelry box, one of my maids came into the room. She looked disturbed as she stared past me. I followed her line of sight and turned my head to see the chaos that was my room. My furniture had been turned upside down and my bedding was a mess. I looked down into my hands to find myself clutching at pearl necklaces as an assortment of expensive earrings lay haphazardly around me. I dropped the jewelry and stood up. Straightening my nightgown, I spoke up.
"Yes everything is fine. What brings you to my room?"
"You are late for your training session with Neji-san. He wanted me to check on you and see if you were still planning to attend." This time my eyes shot towards the clock. She was right. I was in fact half of an hour late. But I could have sworn I had woken up an hour and a half before. Had I really spent all that time searching for an entity gone astray?
"Hinata-sama were you looking for something?" She said cautiously. I moved into the closet to get dressed. From inside the room I spoke again.
"Yes...I mean no. I don't think so." I exited the closet to find the maid hunched over the jewelry box. She was picking up small studs and placing them back into the box.
"I will be going now."
"Yes Hinata-sama."
I walked quickly down the hallways cursing myself for wasting an hour on something so trivial. That weird feeling, the feeling of missing something, must just been a remnant of my dreams. I must have dreamt about losing something and naturally I woke up feeling the same. That must have been it. Slipping around the corner of the hallway, I rushed towards the training hall.
I arrived at the dojo to find Neji meditating. He kept his eyes closed as I approached. I sat down next to him, legs folded one over the other, hands atop knees, and palms facing the sky. I swallowed long breaths and exhaled away the morning's confusion. Even though I was sure my stance was perfect, I felt three fingers dug into my shoulders.
"Straighten your back Hinata-sama." My posture improved as I felt Neji's hand pull away. We went back to meditating, quietly gauging each other's mood. Neji was, thankfully, not upset with me. Minutes passed by before he spoke again. With eyes open, I watched Neji stand up and face me.
"Is everything alright?"
"Why yes everything is fine, thank you for asking." I responded but I knew he was not convinced. However, out of respect he did not pry further. Instead he motioned for me to stand up and face him in combat.
After a short bow, we bared our fists at one another and prepared to spar. I was getting better, improving with each day. I had progressed to the point where even Neji broke the smallest of sweats after an hour with me. After each battle we would bow to each and instead of saying goodbye, Neji would ask me to stay and talk. He seemed to like talking with me. Though it was just a few words at first, a short explanation as to why he was so preoccupied or an inquiry as to whether or not Tenten would be coming, eventually our conversations matured into more meaningful matters. We talked about feelings and fate. Lately, Neji seemed quite interested in knowing my opinion on fate and our ultimate future. What did I dream for? What did I expect out of the clan? What did I hope to gain?
I did not understand what he wanted from these discussions but I did not challenge his newfound interest. Sometimes during a lively debate, Neji smiled. It was not the smirk or small grin he usually awarded me but a full set of teeth that seemed too rare to acknowledge. In his position it made no sense to seem so happy but in those moments he was. And so we talk about our futures and hopes and dream and I would listen as Neji spoke of children with the future wife who he could not, or more likely would not, name. And I spoke of supporting Hanabi as heir to the Hyuuga throne and marrying a prospective suitor.
And every time I mentioned this, Neji would laugh. But at least he was laughing instead of crying and that was the best I could do for him given the situation he was in.
I bowed at Neji after our spar was over. He bested me once again but assured me that I was making great strides. Today, like every other day, he asked me to sit next to him and we sipped on tea brought to us by a maid.
"Hinata-sama, do you ever feel different than you used to?"
And so it began.
"Not really Neji-san." I replied tasting the fruity blend imported from a distant land. It was tropical and warm like sunshine and red fruit and I longed to be in that distant land instead of in Konoha during the rainiest of seasons.
"Think deeply." He said as he closed his eyes in a meditative position. He took in a deep breath which prompted me to follow. As I inhaled, I realized I did feel different.
"I do not understand what you mean." I asked avoiding my own feelings.
"Have you changed somehow? In your personality? In the way you act? Are you different?"
It was then that I realized the incomprehensible truth that I had been trying so desperately to hide.
There is something different about me.
But I must also be the same.
This mantra has been running through my head for a month now. I feel it in the stares of clan elders who acknowledge me with the same gentle tongue but a new air of respect. It is spoken to me in the way my father actively seeks my presence during dinners and lunches instead of keeping me away like he had done for years. It is the sturdy beat of my sister's insistence on a daily scheduled meet up instead of sporadic room calls. The subtle melody that plays when my cousin asks me to have evening tea with him and it is the violent anthem of Tenten's hidden faces of anguish.
There is something different about me. But clearly I am still the exact same.
"No I do not feel any different than I usually have, cousin." I lied, gulping down the rest of my tea. I could feel Neji's disappointment. For some reason he was hoping for a different answer and for some reason I was not ready to give it to him.
"Well I expect you would like to clean up before Tenten arrives."
"Yes thank you." I said, surprised by the short conversation. As I walked towards the door, I looked back to find Neji staring solemnly into his cup. Today he did not smile.
On February 12th, I awoke to someone's presence. I could feel them standing somewhere in my room. But by the time I had cleared my blurry vision and sat up, the feeling had faded.
The average person would have been scared or at least concerned if they had felt someone's unwanted presence in their room while they slept. Instead I felt sad. I wanted that presence in my room and as I went to my sink to wash my face I realized it was not just any presence. This was familiar and … loving. Somehow I knew who it belonged to but once again I could not identify what I was searching for.
...
During dinner my father was discussing kingdom economics with Hanabi and Neji. Occasionally during these debates, he would ask for my opinion.
"You are correct, Father. Closing off trade routes to Suna will in fact put severe economic pressure on them and potentially coerce them into signing the Five Nation Pact, but you also forget that some of those routes cross into poorer areas of our country. By shutting down trade on those routes, we also sever many means of income for those in the Rurality. We cannot sacrifice those with less to push our own agenda."
"Leave it to Hinata to take the humanitarian approach!" Hanabi laughed.
"There must always be someone among the elite to protect those in our charge. Your kindness is also your strength, daughter." My father complimented and I smiled.
"You also forget Uncle, that many of the goods from Suna are sold within the bazaars. Half of its products come from our friends from the West. We would be damning many of those merchants and ultimately affecting our own economic growth negatively."
"Ah you are right. I have forgotten about the bazaars. But in my defense it has been many years since I have been there."
"Oh Father it's absolutely lovely!" Hanabi said smiling. "You must go again. They have added so many new stall since I was a child and it would be so wonderful if you came along to see them."
As Hanabi regaled my Father with descriptions of the bazaars, I could only picture one in my mind. The Nefera Bazaar, arguably the largest and most impressive of the bunch, appeared through my eyes.
"Why…" I spoke much louder than I had meant to. My family turned to look at me.
"Is everything alright Hinata-sama?" Neji asked looking concerned. I looked into his eyes with an obvious expression of confusion. Then I looked towards my father trying very hard to form words.
"I used to go the Nefera Bazaar with Tenten almost everyday. I went for months. So why was I not allowed to go anymore?"
Instantly my Father looked at Neji and they shared a quick moment of understanding that did not go unnoticed by Hanabi or myself.
"There was an assassination attempt on your life. The assailant almost got Neji and we placed both of you, as well as Hanabi, on lockdown until the culprit was caught. Do you not recall?"
And as my father said the words, the image formed in my mind. I recalled a man grabbing my hand in the bazaar and someone, a bodyguard I assumed, defended me. In the same wave of thought, I saw Neji beaten badly laying in Tenten's arms on one of the compound training grounds. I shook my head reassuringly.
"Of course. I must have forgotten." I answered.
"Perhaps Hinata is tired from training today. We should end our dinner early to allow her to rest." And so the rest of the table stood up and Hanabi accompanied me to my room.
"How could I forget an attempt on my own life?" I whispered more to myself than I did Hanabi. She tightened her grip on my arm.
"Do not worry too much Sister. The trauma of the attempt must have caused your brain to erase the memory. Don't dwell on it and just sleep."
I did as I was told.
In the few second my eyes fluttered to adjust to the light of a bright sun the morning of February 19th, I saw blond hair. For 5 solid seconds, I was certain that there was someone standing above me with bright yellow locks and a large smile. But once my eyes opened I realized I had only been confusing sunlight for golden hair. Even so, I brought my fingers forward trying to catch the hair before it completely transformed into light. I flexed my fingers in the warmth of the creeping sunshine peeking through the blinds wondering why I could have seen another confusing specter.
...
Today I sparred with Hanabi as Neji watched. She was almost as tough an opponent as Neji in terms of skill but her punches lacked his strength. It was easier to recover from any of her hits and our match lasted longer than my usual contests with Neji. Finally Neji called time.
"Excellent work both of you! Hinata you are doing a great job of keeping up with Hanabi. Hanabi, you must not let your sister best you. You are quicker than Hinata but I feel like you have been slowing down your steps for her. There is no need to hold back. In fact you are doing your older sister a disservice with your pity."
Hanabi rolled her eyes at Neji but gave me a quick wink. I smiled as I witnessed the was the most incredible transformation. All my life Hanabi had been a miniature version of my Father. In my eyes she was his female counterpart. Stoic and no-nonsense. There was no room for silliness in Hanabi's world. Powerful and serious, Hanabi was always pegged to be the next heir. I assumed it was her natural talent and also her uncanny likeness to my father's own demeanor that placed her above at the top. But now I realized that was only an act she was putting on for me and the rest of our clan. She was, in fact, a brilliant actress.
The truth of the matter was, Hanabi was the most sarcastic and silly girl I had ever known. I began to see this side of her when she interacted with Tenten. She would make cute quips and remarks that surprised me. She began to tease me about little things like the way I hid whenever I saw a clan elder and I started to hear the hidden sarcasm in the way she spoke to them. She was a completely different person to the one that I had grown up with and I loved her all the same.
"Hanabi…" Neji sighed as he picked up a kunai with a small toy ninja attached to the end. He dangled the weapon in front of her face and gave a very disapproving look. Hanabi snatched the kunai away and gave me another exasperated look. I sighed.
"Hanabi you know kunais are not toys. You should not be putting decorations on them." I lectured. She threw her hands up in the air clearly very annoyed.
"It's not like I'm going on any missions any time soon. Besides it was a present from my teammate and it's really cute."
"If Father sees…"
"Father won't see it because I keep it in my pouch and if you hadn't snooped through my things we wouldn't even be arguing about this!" She said pointing the kunai towards Neji.
"Your pouch was open Hanabi. You need to be more careful."
"Ugh, blah blah blah blah blah." I could not help but giggle as Hanabi put the pouch away and whirled around Neji to purposely annoy him. He pushed Hanabi out of the way.
"Very cute Hanabi. Try to act more mature when we're in the compound." Neji seemed utterly unphased by Hanabi's new attitude. I suspect he knew of her true personality all along.
"Now Hinata I know you have not been able to leave the compound so I have requested some fruit and treats to be brought in for you and Tenten today. I hope you like them." As Neji finished speaking he motioned for a few maids to bring in baskets of snacks. They placed them on a nearby table and left the area.
"Thank you very much Neji." I smiled at him. Neji went towards his equipment bag and pulled out a towel. He wiped the back of his neck and began to pack up. I did not want him to go. I had been trying to get Neji to spend some more time with Tenten. They only saw each other during team practices and the occasional mission. I was hoping that through more exposure, Neji might change his mind about the wedding."Perhaps today you would like to join me and Tenten? The three of us have never had a chance to spend some time together."
"Oh." Neji said with surprise. He looked at me earnestly and spoke again. "That would be very nice."
Just then a loud scoff came from the other side of the room. I looked to see Hanabi, equipment bag slung on her shoulder, arms folded, with one eyebrow raised.
"What is it Hanabi?" Neji asked. She rolled her eyes again and walked towards the snack baskets.
"Do you seriously think it's a good idea for you to be around Tenten more than you have to?"
"I do not understand what you mean. She is my teammate and good friend." Neji replied as Hanabi opened a small parcel containing biscuits. She took a small nibble and looked from Neji to me.
"You're playing a very dangerous game here. One where there isn't going to be a winner." She maintained steady eye contact with Neji.
"I do not know what you mean." Neji said sternly. Hanabi sighed.
"I might be young but I'm not an idiot. I see what's going on between you guys." Hanabi placed the biscuits back down and began to walk through the door. "Just be careful is all I'm saying."
"She is right." Neji spoke after Hanabi had left. "I should not be doing this. I will let the two of you spend time together alone."
"No!" I said almost too loudly. Neji looked taken aback by my aggressive reaction. "Please stay. I know Tenten really misses spending time with you."
Just as I finished speaking, we heard quick footsteps and knew she had arrived. Tenten danced into the room and stopped the moment she saw Neji. She gave him a careful smile and beamed at me.
"Neji has so graciously brought us some snack from the bazaar and I have invited him to spend the rest of the afternoon with us." Tenten gave me a surprised look that only lasted a second.
"Great because I am starving. I've been training with the wonder duo and they wouldn't let me take a break for 4 hours." Tenten headed straight for the produce and Neji followed her. I walked slowly behind them taking in the picture of Neji handing Tenten a fruit. They smiled at one another and even though it was still awkward, the mending process was already in motion.
"Hinata try this. I have heard rumors that these are the best apples in town." Neji handed me the red fruit.
Instantly my mind went blank and my heart began racing. Tears overflowed and I felt my whole body begin to shake. Skinny fingers wrapped around my shoulders holding me up before I could collapse onto the ground.
"Get that away from her right now!" Tenten shouted at Neji. Immediately a wave of servants rushed in and removed the apples from the premises.
The rest of the day was a blur. I remember being brought back to my room and a gentle hand stroking my hair as I slept.
There was a ban on all apples in the compound from that day forward.
"I seriously do not need that Hina. Please put it down. I'm begging you!"
I looked into the palm of my hand and grinned. Then I looked back up at him.
"Oh but it's perfect. A little frog for the apprentice of the Hermit Sage!" I handed the frog figurine to the shop keeper. Another hand came into view trying to keep the frog away from the merchant.
"No. You're not buying that thing for me." I stared into his eyes.
"Please. I want to." I saw the cerulean blues falter and his head swung in dismay. Pulling the arm back he gave up and grumbled.
On February 28th, I awoke from a vivid dream. I blurry face that I almost recognized starred in a dream about the Nefera Bazaar. But I had never gone to the bazaar with anyone except for Tenten.
At least I cannot remember if I have.
There are times when I cannot recall certain moments in my memories. I can remember that I had not gone to the bazaars the few months after the assassination attempt but I cannot remember what I did in those few months. I see Tenten in a few of the memories but the majority of them are unclear. I think I was sitting in my room with someone? Or maybe not?
I am too afraid to tell anyone about these lapses in memory because I hardly understand the implications myself. What if I am going insane? So instead of coming to terms with my own deteriorating sanity, I pretend that the lapses are due to stress or the natural aging process. I ignore them.
...
"Hinata how was your day today?" Hiashi-sama asked as we sat together eating dinner.
"Excellent Father. Sparring with Hanabi and Tenten was very good practice. I think I am starting to perfect my palm rotations."
"Wonderful! It is always good to hear you are improving!" He wiped his chin delicately with a linen napkin. "Now I must ask you about a more serious matter. Have you given any thought to the Inuzuka marriage proposal? I know Hanabi has spoken with you and I hoped that you might have come to a decision."
"Uncle I hardly think this is the appropriate time to-"
"Neji enough. I understand your feelings about the decision. Once again, do not interfere. Not now." The tension was palpable between my father and Neji. I could not believe that Neji of all people was against the alliance. Did he have something again the Inuzuka clan? What reason would he even have to be opposed?
"So daughter what do you say?" I looked from my father then to Neji, whose eyes were glaring daggers at Hiashi-sama. It was utterly bewildering to see him to angered.
"Hinata I need your decision now." I stared back at my father. On one hand I knew Kiba and I knew the marriage would fit all of my requirements. I had spent countless nights laying awake thinking about the idea of marrying Kiba Inuzuka. We would live in his mansion and attend parties. I knew he was kind and very funny. He liked the outdoors and he would certainly give me enough space. He would treat me so well and love me. But there was some part of me that was so horribly against the proposal for no obvious reason. I simply knew that if I said yes I would come to regret the decision.
"Hinata!" I snapped out of my thoughts.
"Yes Father. I accept." I said without realizing what I had done. A fork slammed down onto the table and Neji stood up. Without looking back he had left the room, slamming the door as he did. My father ignored the disturbance but Hanabi could not. She looked frightened and her eyes shifted from me to my father to the door.
"Good. I will write to the Inuzuka now." Hiashi-sama left the room hastily as well leaving me and Hanabi alone.
"Okay what just happened?!" She shouted once my father was out of earshot. Hanabi looked at me and I stared back without really seeing her.
"I think I am getting married."
Naruto P.O.V
"I seriously do not need that Hina. Please put it down. I'm begging you!"
I looked into the palm of her hand and watched the sweet smile form on her face. She was absolutely determined.
"Oh but it's perfect. A little frog for the apprentice of the Hermit Sage!"She pushed the figurine towards the shop keeper. I threw my hand in front of hers to keep the frog away from the merchant.
"No. You're not buying that thing for me." I stared into her eyes.
"Please. I want to." I looked into the lavender eyes that always pressured me into these ridiculous whims. Pulling the arm back, I gave up and grumbled. I watched as she paid money for the stupid little frog.
I was currently holding said green and orange amphibian in my hands. Closing my eyes I went back and remembered her tuck the frog into my waistband. A cheeky smirk was playing on her lips. Though she seemed innocent, they was a hidden coyness to Hinata that I should have seen in those initial few months. She dragged me to the next stall and I saw Tenten give me a piteous shrug.
"NARUTO! LET ME IN!" I snapped out of my daydream and rushed out of bed. I opened the door and Sakura pushed past me.
"I was knocking for like 5 minutes! What the hell were you doing in here?" She gave me a concerned look. I watched her pace around the room and fidget with her head band. "Naruto we need to talk."
"No. I know that look. Whatever you're going to say isn't good." She bit her lip and moved towards me. I flinched away and put my hands up defensively.
"It's important Naruto."
"Every time you have that look things get worse. Why do you have to have bad news? Why can't you just say something good for once?" I said without thinking. Sakura stopped walking and looked at me in shock.
"Naruto…" She was hurt and upset. I knew she didn't mean to be the bearer of bad news. It was a huge burden on her as well. But it seriously sucked that whenever Sakura rushed in like this it wasn't to tell me anything good. Just more shitty shit.
"Sakura I'm sorry." I walked towards her and put an arm around her shoulder. Pulling away, I looked into her eyes. "I know you don't mean to. You're just keeping me informed. I was just having a good dream and you interrupted it so I was already in a bad mood."
"A dream huh?" Sakura wiped away tears. "Anything special?"
"Nothing. Daydreaming I guess. I don't know. What's up?"
"Daydreaming huh? About what may I ask?"
"Well uh you know...her?" I said rubbing the back of my neck.
"You're gross." She gave me look of disgust.
"God no not like that. I was just thinking of the time before we confessed to each other. When we were just awkward friends hanging out in the bazaar. She bought me all kinds of crap I didn't want. She bought me this you know." I waved the figurine in her face. Sakura snatched the frog from my hands and looked at it.
"You know I was wondering why you had all this toad themed stuff. I mean it's a little on the nose." Sakura placed the frog down onto the kitchen countertop. "So anyways...you might want to break out the hard stuff for this one."
I sighed and walked around her towards the cabinets. Sakura found a bottle of something strong hidden behind a bag of rice and opened the cap as I placed two small cups in front of her. After she poured the drinks, we clinked our cups and downed the entire glass.
"Tell me everything." Sakura poured more drink and took a small sip before starting.
"I overheard that the Hyuuga's were offering a marriage proposal to the Inuzuka's." I let out a long sigh and laughed. Sakura put her drink down and gave me a funny look.
"That's it? Sakura that's for Neji, Hinata's cousin! He's planning on marrying an Inuzuka girl. God I thought you were going to tell me something awful. Fuck Sakura don't scare me like that." I laughed and picked up my drink. I walked towards my bed and sat down. Sakura followed and sat on the floor in front of me. Her expression didn't change though.
"Naruto...the offer was for the Inuzuka's son, Kiba Inuzuka. The Hyuuga leader intends to marry his daughter off to their son. Now he does have two daughters but the youngest is only 14...which mean that the daughter in question is most likely...Hinata."
"Oh."
"Oh?" Sakura said giving me the most scathing look she could manage. "That's it? Oh?"
"No I just...marriage...it's...I don't think it's going to happen. That's all." Standing up I went to pour myself more of the drink. I filled the cup to the very top.
"What do you mean you don't think it's going to happen?!" Sakura practically yelled chasing after me. "How the hell can you remain calm? She's going to get married Naruto! If all goes as planned the engagement will be in two months and the wedding a few months after her cousin's! SHE GAVE HER CONSENT! Why wouldn't it go through?!"
I finished my liquor during her monologue and had already poured myself another.
"I don't think she really forgot me though. So she wouldn't marry another guy." Down went another shot and the anxiety and malicious anger that was beginning to bubble in me started to subside. Before I could reach for the bottle, Sakura had stolen it from me.
"WHAT?! Look this isn't some cheap genjutsu placed on her. This is the YAMANAKA clan! The real deal. Her memories are fucking gone. She either has to be incredibly gifted at breaking this particular seal or she has to have an iron will in order to-"
"Would you forget Sasuke?"
"What?" I took the bottle back in her surprise.
"Do you think if something like the Yamanaka jutsu was used on you, you'd forget Sasuke? I mean don't you think your memories of him or your relationship with him would, I don't know, transcend the human psyche? That you'd still remember him on some level?"
"I suppose but it's different. I've known Sasuke for years now. I mean that's at least 7 years of memories."
"I don't think it's about the quantity Sakura. She loved me, I know it. And that's not something you can just forget. Love is the most powerful whatever you wanna call it and it's really good. She wouldn't forget that good you know?" More alcohol flowed into the cup but this time Sakura took my cup and poured the contents into hers.
"I think you've had enough to drink. Your spouting nonsense."
"No you just don't get it. You've been worn down but I know the truth. She hasn't forgotten me. She remembers at some level. I swear she does."
"How do you remain so optimistic?" She said placing the bottle back behind the bag of rice. I threw myself onto the bed and slowly saw the world begin to spin. I had drunk too much too soon but the alcohol was doing it's just. I wasn't angry. I was a little sad but mostly I was numb.
"Because she's Hinata. Because I'm me. I can't help but just know it will work out."
"I'm jealous of you." Sakura smiled as she rinsed out the glasses and put them away. "I seriously am. Listening to you talk about Hinata reminds me of all the wonderful miracles in this world. It makes me believe."
"Yeah. She's a miracle." My eyes began to close and I became acutely aware of the pitter patter of rain against the window. I could hear Sakura put her shoes back on.
"Anyways I just came by to tell you that. I have to head to the hospital. I'll see you tomorrow!" THUMP. More footsteps as she walked down the stairs.
I opened one eye and saw the water droplets fall onto the pane. It was so dreary and gray and miserable. It was hard being optimistic when the weather was a perfect depiction of how I honestly felt.
An Inuzuka, huh? He's royal… That's good I suppose. At least she'd be living a comfortable lifestyle. She'd be near her family and she would still have Tenten around her. Maybe this Kiba guy was a really good guy because I couldn't imagine Hinata agreeing to marry just anybody. Or at least her little sister would have stopped it if the match was bad. She had done that for so many others so why settle now. But Hinata would remember me before the ceremony. Right?
Even if she didn't remember who I was before the wedding, Hinata would live an easy and happy life. She'd have kids with this Kiba guy and grow old with him. If she was married then I would have no reason to stay in the Kingdom. I could go to foreign countries on dangerous assignments and train. I would focus on bringing Sasuke back. She'd be happy and content with a family and a life without heartbreak and misery.
During that sad rainstorm I began to think that maybe it was for the best that she couldn't remember me. Just maybe.
Leave a review and heads up, things really pick up in the next chapter.
-AC