Fragile Hearts: Four
"What do you want?" Kiba spat moving closer to the frozen girl beside him.
"Still as hostile as ever I see," he slurred, his gaze never leaving Hinata. Her lavender eyes darted all around the room, never meeting his again. Toneri scoffed and smirked before lifting his gaze. "Toneri Ōtsutsuki." His hand shot out to shake the blonde's hand causing Hinata to flinch which pleased him.
"Naruto Uzumaki."
"Uzumaki," Toneri repeated retracting his hand. "You know..." Hinata zoned out as they all began to converse, all except Kiba who kept a watchful eye on her. She felt frozen, small, inferior to all of them-especially him.
"There you are," she heard another voice. Turning slightly, she saw Sasuke walking over to their small group.
Once he was in reach Naruto smiled and threw an arm over his friend's shoulders. "Sasuke, come join us."
Sasuke didn't respond, he merely glanced at Hinata then at Toneri. The tension is very much visible. "Sakura."
"Hmm?"
"Mom sent me, she needs your help with something in the kitchen." He said detaching himself from the Uzumaki.
Sakura smiled, "okay." With a wave, she excused herself and headed for the kitchen.
"Toneri," Sasuke said looking at him.
"Sasuke," he replied coolly. "How have you been?"
"Good since he's getting married," Naruto smirked.
The Uchiha bit the inside of his cheek before reaching out to take Hinata's hand. "You look like you could use a drink." He said before pulling her towards him.
"Aww come on Sasuke, don't take Hinata too." He heard Naruto whine behind him as he led the Hyūga away.
The pale girl felt her heartbeat return to its normal pace and she was able to breathe again. However, she stopped moving when an arm closed around her arm. "Hina-"
"Look Kiba, I know you care about her and all. But right now, I think she needs to be alone." Sasuke said glaring at the brown-haired man. Everything seemed to fly over Hinata's head however, it was as though she wasn't there. Her body was present physically, but her mind was elsewhere.
The raven-haired man led her through the kitchen, where they passed Sakura conversing with Mikoto until finally, they were outside. The cool night airlifted the hem of her dress slightly just as Sasuke turned to proceed into the house. Hinata didn't mind, she descended the first step before sitting on it, her feet resting on the second one.
The pale girl sighed and folded her arms on her lap, dropping her head on her folded arms, her feet pulled together. She didn't know why she was there, why she didn't just leave after meeting Sakura. Everything was going so well in her life...she had a job she enjoyed, few friends, a crazy neighbour, and no drama. But in the blink of an eye, her world came crashing down around her. It wasn't perfect, but at least it didn't hurt her.
The sound of the glass, sliding door, which separated the kitchen from the backyard, closing made her stiffen in her seated position. She could hear quiet footsteps and soon the sigh Sasuke released once he sat beside her. "Here," he said nudging her shoulder with his hand.
She sat up and stared at the wine glass in his hand. "No thanks."
"It'll help."
"I don't drink," she said weakly.
The Uchiha rolled his eyes and placed it on the wooden floor behind them. "Suit yourself." They were silent again, the only thing audible was the sound of leaves rustling in the wind. Thanks to the soundproof glass door, they weren't disturbed by the noise inside. "What happened?"
Hinata shrugged in response, tired of talking. She just wanted to go home and go to bed, maybe even watch an action movie...anything to get her mind off Toneri. "He hasn't changed."
"I wouldn't say that-" Sasuke stopped once he saw the solemn look, she threw his way. "Okay, maybe he hasn't...but you have to move on at some point."
She wanted to scoff, wanted to explain to him that she couldn't simply move on. That some scars don't heal, she was torn-broken. One glance, that was all it took for all her wounds to be reopened. "I can't."
"Yes, you can." Sasuke disagreed, he sighed and looked at the many shrubs in his garden-like backyard. "I know he broke your heart..."
He broke more than that.
"...but, just because of one failed relationship, you can't put your life on hold." Hinata, on a spur of the moment, picked up the glass and with one smooth gulp, she emptied the little alcohol that was in it.
Her face twisted from the burning sensation she felt from the alcohol going down her throat and its tuft taste. "What was that?" She asked looking at the wine glass in her hand.
Sasuke shrugged, "whiskey."
"I hate it," she said feeling disgusted.
Sasuke smiled taking the glass from her, "it gets better over time."
Silence filled the atmosphere after his remark. Hinata could feel the heat from the alcohol seeping into her muscles, relaxing her. Her arms closed around her legs as her body bent forward. "You know...it wasn't just the break-up," she whispered. Maybe if she told someone she'd feel better...just maybe.
"Then what was it?" He didn't get a response; Sasuke stared at her, wondering what was going on in her mind. "Every time you see him you get like this."
"Like what?"
"This!" He said a little louder gesturing to her seating position. Hinata looked as though she wanted to curl into a little, protective ball and cry, cry until her eyes hurt...after all it wouldn't be the first time. "You get so tense...almost scared."
She bit her bottom lip, "before the break-up..." Tears whelmed in her eyes every time she remembered. "He...uh," her throat was closing on her, it wasn't easy.
"He what?" Sasuke pressed. Hinata shook her head, she couldn't...she couldn't ruin her friend's engagement party like that.
"Nothing."
The raven-haired man however wasn't convinced, "what did he do?"
She shook her head, a few tears escaping, "it's nothing really. I'm just...just overreacting."
Sasuke opened his mouth to say something when the door opened and Sakura poked her head out. "Sasuke, they're about to make us a toast."
"I'll be right there," he replied, his gaze never leaving Hinata.
The door closed once more and Hinata wiped her tears with her hands. "Go...I'll be okay."
"Hn."
Rolling her lavender orbs she pushed him gently, "get up, your fiancée needs you...besides, I'll be there soon."
The Uchiha reluctantly got to his feet, "fine. But hurry." She nodded and he left, closing to door behind him to her relief. Hinata sat there for a while, thinking about any and everything; her thoughts were a bit jumbled.
Finally deciding to rejoin the party she got up and turned towards the door. However, she stood frozen in her tracks when the door opened and a shaggy, white-haired man joined her outside. He closed the door behind him and just stood there looking at her.
Fear consumed Hinata once more, she was sure if she screamed no one would hear her. His icy, blue gaze pinned her down, immobilizing her movements. Shoving his hands into his pockets he made a move towards her. "I s-swear, I-if you come-" she tried to swallow the fear that was choking her. "Come any c-closer, I'll scream."
His hands flew out of his pockets and into the air. He held them up as a sign of him surrendering, "I come in peace," but the devious look on his face didn't fool her. "Afraid of me Hinata?" She didn't respond, instead, she descended the stairs completely to put more space between them. "Come on, it's just me."
"Leave me alone...please," she said turning away.
"But I-"
"Just g-go!" She yelled, her voice sounding hoarse due to her inexperience with shouting. Tears whelming in her eyes, eyes that were hot with hate and fear.
Toneri frowned, "no." She could feel it, her walls closing in around her. He started approaching her ever so slowly, taunting her and it was working. She felt scared, like history was about to repeat itself and suddenly she couldn't speak. The Hyūga was unable to utter a single word, unable to call for help as her worse fear made his way towards her.
Through her teary eyes, she could see his immaculate, white dress shirt. And suddenly she knew it represented the innocence he stole from her years ago. He took it and would make sure she never forgot.
His hand closed around her arm, pulling her towards him. His touch burned even more than the whiskey had earlier, reawakening her hate for her tainted skin.
"Aren't you going to scream like you promised?" He asked, his blue eyes piercing right through her. Tears fell from her eyes as her body shook. "Or is it that you can't? Come on, scream for me...just like old times."
"W-what do you want?" She managed to get out. "Why are y-you doing this?"
He chuckled grabbing her other arm, "I think I just enjoy seeing that scared look in your eyes. But of course, you have no one but yourself to blame...you caused this." She felt his hand against her cheek and flinched. "See?"
Hinata could tell her will to fight started to fade, she was weak and would always succumb to his abuse. She sobbed in his tight hold, would no one save her now? But then...no one saved her two years ago.
Sasuke promised to keep her safe.
Kiba...he did the same.
But here she was being tormented by her past. He leaned in to whisper something, but suddenly pushed her away. The door opened and a blonde-haired man came outside. "Naruto," Toneri said clearing his throat.
"I was looking for Hinata...Sasuke was getting worried," he said glancing from him to Hinata, whose back was turned to him, suspiciously. A loud sob escaped her lips as she dropped to the ground. Naruto's eyes widened before he rushed to her side. Kneeling before her he reached out to wrap his arms around her, but she pushed him away almost instantly. "Hinata," he said her name as he tried again, but again he was pushed away.
"Go away!" She shrieked, her arms failing against his effort to comfort her.
"Hinata it's me! Naruto!" He yelled relentlessly. At that, she stopped and let him embrace her. Naruto sat on the ground and pulled her onto his outstretched legs, cradling her head to his chest. Hinata's sobbing continued as she clenched fistfuls of his shirt tightly. He stroked her hair rocking back and forth, cooing, and trying to calm her down, but it didn't seem to be working. Throwing an accusing look towards Toneri he spoke, "what happened? What did you do?"
Toneri looked hurt, "me? I was trying to calm her down and find out what was wrong, but she wouldn't tell me." He said knowing Hinata would never say otherwise.
Naruto narrowed his eyes at him, unsure of whether or not he was to believe him. But he couldn't dwell on that, not while he had a hysterical woman crying in his arms. "Hinata," he whispered. "I need to get you inside, it's cold out here."
She shook her head quickly; she didn't want to see anyone. She couldn't take the attention; it was just like back then...she just couldn't. "Then..." He sighed not knowing what to do, "what do you want me to do? Should I call Kiba?"
At that Toneri panicked, knowing Kiba would never fall for his lie. "You should just take her home. I'll explain to Sasuke-and Kiba."
"But-" he was cut off by a sob. Sighing he gave in, "okay." Toneri nodded and left, closing the door behind him. "Come on," he whispered gently. He managed to get up, but Hinata kept crouching down, her hands covering her face. Tears met at her chin before falling onto her clothes like droplets of water. Naruto looked on helplessly before gathering her into his arms. "It's okay, you're safe."
He didn't go through the house, instead, Naruto walked around to the front where his car was parked. By then Hinata's tears had already soaked his sweater. He set her down on her feet for a moment and pulled his car keys from his jeans pocket. Turning off the alarm he opened the car door for her and helped her get in. After securing her seatbelt he rushed around to the driver's side and got in.
"Okay, um...where do you live exactly?" He asked driving onto the main road. The only thing he got in return was a few muffled sobs. "Change of plans," Naruto groaned and made a U-turn, which caused many cars to come to an abrupt stop. Car horns were blown to reprimand him, but he didn't exactly care at the moment. "You know...you're driving me crazy with worry dattebayo. What's wrong?" Hinata merely turned towards the window, her body in shock. Naruto blew out a puff of air and ran a hand through his blonde hair. "What the hell am I doing?" He muttered.
Nevertheless, he drove her to his house, by that time she was sound asleep. The Uzumaki helped her out of the car and marched up the stairs to his front door. "Master Naruto," a black-haired woman said greeting him at the door. "What-?"
"No time to explain, prepare a guest room." He said heading up the stairs.
"Uh-yes Sir." She said scurrying away to do his bidding.
Naruto brought Hinata to his room and placed her on the bed. Pulling back the covers, he removed her shoes and tucked her in. An exasperated sigh left his lips as he finally allowed himself to feel tired for the first time that day. He looked at the midnight blue-haired girl asleep in his bed and made a move to wipe the tears that still lingered on her cheeks. Worry bubbled up inside him as he wondered what could have caused Hinata so much pain. In all his life he'd never seen someone so broken. Who would hurt someone as fragile as Hinata?
"Master Naruto," he heard his maid's quiet voice at the door. Looking up he saw her fidgeting, unsure if it was the right time.
"It's okay Izumi," he said with a small smile.
She nodded glancing at the Hyūga, "the guest room is ready."
Naruto got up just then, "okay, thank you."
"I'll be leaving now," she announced, he nodded, and she bowed and left. Naruto stripped off his sweater and threw it in the laundry basket. Opening the middle drawer on his chest of drawers he pulled out a black t-shirt and plaided pyjama bottoms. Opening another drawer, he retrieved a pair of underwear. Naruto took one last look at the sleeping beauty before leaving to go use the bathroom down the hall. He didn't want to wake Hinata by using his personal bathroom. After which he'd move to the guest room and try to get some sleep.
Hopefully in the morning, she'd be ready to answer his questions.
8
Fragile Hearts | A NaruHina Story
©Infinite_Writer01™2016
Thank you for reading!
