Fragile Hearts Prologue

She stood rooted at the front desk with a paper clenched tightly in her right hand. A feeling of shock and a bit of happiness washed over her as she read each word carefully. The sound of the rain beating against the roof of the small store was drowned out by her own thoughts. However they could not withstand the sound of the door opening and the bell above it ringing.

"U-uh we're closed," she said quickly opening the drawer at the desk and shoving the now crumbled paper inside.

"It's just me Hinata," she heard a familiar voice say. A sigh of relief escaped her parted lips and she felt her body relax as she looked up at her brown-haired friend.

"Kiba-kun what are you doing here?" She asked leaving her post and going around the front to meet him. Her lavender eyes narrowed on the box he had practically lugged inside.

"Well," he started placing both hands on his hips as he took deep breaths. Droplets of water fell from him into the floor causing the pale girl to groan internally as she knew she would have to clean it up. It was well after eight o' clock and she was ready to leave. "Someone—" he was stopped by the box moving.

"What's in the box?" Hinata asked narrowing her eyes at the brown-haired man.

He offered her a coy smile before running a hand through his wet hair. She shook her head in disapproval of his reluctance to answer and bent to open the cardboard box before them. Her slender fingers skimmed over the wet cardboard before flipping open both it's lids. Almost immediately a dark orange dog popped up with red eyes staring right at her. "Kiba—"

"Now hear me out," he said quickly cutting her off. "The owner brought him in with a broken leg and hasn't returned to get him."

"So you bring him here?" She asked condemning his actions. "Kiba, we have no more space for dogs and his owner might be back for him soon."

"Hinata he brought him in three months ago. He's not coming back, trust me." He said pacing back and forth.

The sound of leaves rattling in the wind and heavy rain made the atmosphere tense. The lavender eyed girl rose from her knees and pulled a handful of her hair behind her right ear. "Why can't you keep him?"

The brown-haired boy shook his head, "I can't. Akamaru is already a handful."

"Kiba—"

"Hinata please," he pleaded coming to stop before her. His hands reached out to touch hers, causing her to tense up from the coldness they brought. Her pale eyes clashed with his dark ones and she knew now that he had her right where he wanted her. He had her wrapped around his finger for she could not deny the look of pure sadness that whelmed in those eyes.

She sighed and pulled her hands from his, "fine. But you'll be the one to deal with Shino's wrath."

He rolled his eyes, dismissing her reference to their black-haired friend. "I can handle him."

Hinata mentally scolded herself as she turned back to the dog that hadn't made a sound since he was brought in. "Well...welcome to your new home—for now."

"How soon do you think he'll be bought?" Kiba asked gazing at the fox-like hound. The pale girl shrugged unable to answer his question. She gasped in surprise as she felt two arms close around her. "Thank you," he whispered solemnly.

The midnight blue haired girl smiled, touched by his love for animals, dogs in particular. "Don't mention it." His arms tightened slightly and she started fidgeting in his embrace. "Uh Kiba-kun...y-you're getting my clothes wet."

"Oh sorry," he chuckled releasing her.

She smiled and shook her head, "it's fine. Could you help me...?" Hinata trailed off pointing to the holding area behind the counter.

"Of course," he answered with a curt nod.

"Thanks," Hinata smiled before venturing around the counter. As soon as the door was opened the sound of claws crashing against the wire cages could be heard along with the various noises that came from the different animals. They managed to find space to fit the new arrival among the other dogs.

"You should head home soon."

"I will," she reassure him as she took her position behind the front desk once again.

"Okay, call me when you get home and thanks again," he waved on his way out the door.

Hinata smiled and waved back, "take care." However as soon as Kiba was out of sight the pale girl retrieved the letter from before. Her lavender eyes scanned over the printed words once more carefully. Satisfied with the fact that her eyes hadn't deceived her after all, she placed the wedding invitation down and prepared to close the pet shop for the night.

Fragile Hearts | A NaruHina Story
©Infinite_Writer01™2016
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