Fragile Hearts: Seven

"She lives," her spiky black-haired co-worker said as she stepped through the store door.

Hinata offered him a sad smile and nodded, "sorry."

"Sorry? Hinata I've been worried about you. You haven't been taking my calls-or Kiba's. He comes here everyday looking for you and all you can say is sorry?" He asked in a cool voice.

The Hyūga flinch, "I-I'm sorry, there's no excuse f-for my absence."

Shino sighed and rounded the counter, his shades angled towards her. "It's fine...just don't do it again."

"Do I still have the job?" She asked once he was in front of her.

"Of course you still have the job, I don't want to work with anyone else." He admitted causing her to smile. She was foolish. Foolish to think that she could lock herself away in her house and be truly content. Despite being an introvert, she was a social being after all and was lucky to have people like Shino in her life. Someone to make her laugh when she's feeling sad and to smile regardless of the pain...someone like-

"Hinata." Shino's voice shattered her thought process.

"Eh?" She perked up.

"Get to work," he said going outside. With a small smile she nodded and took off her jacket. Placing it on the counter she made her way around the back. The sound of wire cages being scratched at and various animal sounds engulfed her. She passed the parrots at the front and went straight down to where the dogs were kept.

Her smile grow once she saw him, "hey there. Did you miss me boy?" The gold and white Shiba Inu nudged its head against the cage causing Hinata to giggle and rub his head. He was there for little over two months and she'd taken a liking to him as did he to her.

Pulling away her hand, she noticed the vermilion-coloured hound at the back of the cage. He was lying with his back facing her, the slight movement of his body up and down indicated that he was still alive. But the fact that he was always in a corner by himself troubled her.

"Shino-kun." She called on her way out of the back room.

"Yes?" She found him behind the counter.

"Have you sold any dogs in the week I was gone?"

He looked up as he thought about her question, "about two. Why?"

"Well...has anyone thought about buying the last one Kiba brought in?"
Shino stiffened, "Hinata..." He trailed off as though he was choosing his words carefully. "No one wants to buy him. A kid came in here last week with his mom and she thought he was weird looking...I don't know what to do with him."

"Is he eating?" She asked after a few seconds of silence.

He frowned, "not particularly-no. I think he's intimidated by the other dogs." Hinata sighed and he looked back at the papers before him. "He could die at this rate."

The pale girl felt the urge to help him, but she had no where to keep a dog and she wouldn't want to put him through any discomfort. Though even if she took him, it wasn't guaranteed that he'd start eating. Being abandoned by his owner really took a toll on him. She shook her head and sat at her station; she'd find a way.

...

"Mr. Uzumaki...Mr. Uzumaki...Naruto!"

Naruto jumped in his seat from his counterpart's loud outburst. "Eh?" His blue gaze focused on the pale man before him showing him a new design.

"The remodel you requested," his black-haired employee said.

"Oh. It looks great Sai."

He deadpanned and closed the folder, "what's up with you? You've been spacing out all day and you always have that crooked smile on your face."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Naruto responded searching through the files on his overcrowded desk.

Sai frowned, "don't tell me it's her."

"What?" He asked stopping to look at the onyx eyed man.

"Don't play dump with me."

The blonde sighed and rolled his eyes, "why does everyone always say that? Honestly. I'm not playing."

His counterpart wasn't phased however, the blank expression on his face remaining. "What did she do? Ask you out to dinner and a movie? Invite you over to her place afterwards? Is that why you're smiling like an idiot? You got some last night."

The young CEO almost choked on thin air. "What the-"

He held up a hand, "don't act shocked. We all know Shion has been trying to get into your pants since the moment you hired her."

Naruto bit the inside of his cheek as a way to try to contain his bubbling laughter. "Is that so?" Sai nodded, "okay, whatever gossip has been going on around here, I don't want to know. Now Sai I'm sure you have work to do."

"Hmm, you know I'm right Naruto," he said getting to his feet. Tapping the closed folder he looked at his boss, "look at these when you're not daydreaming about last night."

"Goodbye Sai," Naruto smiled.

On his way-out Naruto's secretary walked in. Sai looked from Shion to Naruto suspiciously before leaving. "Uh...what was that?"

The blonde shook his head, "I don't know. But anyway, what is it Shion?"

"Oh, well a Mr. Ōtsutsuki from Car Tools inc. is here to see you."

Naruto groaned, "alright send him in."

The blonde nodded and left his office. The cerulean blue-eyed man tried to get his desk in order, though his attempt to seem presentable backfired as files started falling from his desk. He cursed under his breath and bent to pick them up quickly. The door to his office opened and the representative from the company walked in.

Naruto stiffened when he heard him clear his throat. Quickly standing, he left the rest of the files on the carpeted floor and looked at the man before him reaching out for a handshake. "It's good to see you again Mr. Uzumaki."

However Naruto didn't move, too shocked by who it was. His blue eyes stared at the pale man, until finally he could speak. "Toneri."

...

"Okay."

"Sorry Hina, I just can't accommodate a dog right now," Tenten spoke on the other end of the phone.

Hinata sighed and crossed her name off the list she'd created. "It's fine, really. Take care Tenten."

"You too. Bye." The Hyūga hung up and banged her head against the counter. She'd called Sasuke earlier and sat through a fifteen minutes lecture about her reluctance to talk to others in the past week. In the end, he didn't take the dog because Sakura had a cat and she didn't want anymore pets.

"What do I do?" She groaned.

"About?" A male voice asked.

Hinata stiffed and sat up biting her bottom lip. "K-kiba-kun."

"You remember me?" He asked with a blank face.

The Hyūga sighed, "okay, I deserved that one. But before you go on, let me just say that I'm sorry."

The brown-haired man glared at her while she looked at him with pleading eyes. He sighed and rolled his eyes, "you can be a real pain sometimes, you know that?"

Hinata smiled, "I know, but I'm glad you put up with me."

He pushed both hands into his jean's pockets, "are you better now? No more snapping at me?" She nodded and he smiled, "good. Now what were you stressing about a minute ago?"

"Oh. I need someone to buy the dog you left here." He nodded and looked at her list. With a whistle he rocked back on his heels.

"No luck huh?"

"None."

He frowned, "why didn't you check with that Uzumaki guy. He seemed fond of animals; do you know if he has any?"

The Hyūga furrowed her eyebrows as she thought of Naruto. "I don't think he does. But do you think he'll take him?"

Kiba shrugged, "it's worth a shot."

She thought of calling him, but then she realized that she didn't have his number. "Um...Kiba-kun...could you do me a favour?"

"Depends."

"Could you drive me to his workplace?" A hopeful smile was plastered on her face.

"Hinata...no, I can't-"

She clasped her hands and tipped on her toes, "please?"

"No. Hinata..." He looked away unable to withstand the pleading look on her face. "Fine," he sighed after a while.

"Yes! Thank you," she clapped. The brown-haired man ruffled his hair and turned towards the door. Fetching his car keys from his pocket he waited outside for her.

"You owe me on-whoa," he exclaimed once she was outside and he saw the dog. "You're taking him?"

"Yeah," was her only response. With a baffled look on his face, Kiba placed the hound in the back and got in.

"Just what have you done with the real Hinata?" He asked once they drove off. However the mid night blue haired girl merely smiled and turned to look at the dog on the back seat. She wasn't exactly sure of what she was doing, but she couldn't turn back now. The worse that could happen was Naruto saying no... or being thrown out by security, but she had to stay positive.

They arrived at Naruto's workplace in no time, it was actually closer than Hinata had expected it to be. "Come on boy," she said leading him out of the car.

"Wow," Kiba said looking at the building before them. "Uzumaki must be loaded."

"Wait here?" She asked.

"Fine. But hurry back, my lunch break is almost over." He said looking at his watch.

Hinata nodded and continued into the building. The first thing she saw was the glowing sign which had Uzumaki Motor Corporation on the wall. Only then did she notice the receptionist at the front who eyed the dog with curiosity and fear. "How may I help you Miss...?"

"Hyūga," she answered tightening her hold on the leash as she felt a pull on it. "I'm here to speak to Mr. Uzumaki."

The brown-haired woman arched an eyebrow at her, "do you have an appointment?"

"Well...not exactly. B-but he knows me." She felt another pull, the dog was trying to get away.

The receptionist smiled and narrowed her green eyes at her, "I'm sorry Miss Hyūga, but you need an appointment to see Mr. Uzumaki. Now would you please, take your dog and leave."

The Hyūga frowned and looked at the security guards that were roaming around in the lobby. The elevator doors opened and a few men in business suits walked out, devising a plan quickly Hinata let go of the uneasy dog's leash and watched as he ran off. "Oh no," she gasped.

The brown-haired woman glared at her before yelling at the guards to get him. Hinata smiled and took the opportunity to slip into the elevator. "Come on boy, come here," she called holding the door. At the sound of her voice he ran towards her and into the elevator. Pressing the button for the top floor she smirked at the receptionist as the doors closed and they started moving upward. "Good boy," she said rubbing his head.

Hinata released a huff of air as she waited for the doors to open. In all her life, that was the longest elevator ride she'd ever experienced and the most reckless thing she'd ever done. But soon enough the alleged ding was heard and the doors slid apart.

Before her was a desk with a blonde girl who seemed to be on the phone. Stopping before her she hung up and looked at Hinata. "Can I help you?"

"Uh...Mr. Uzumaki-"

"He's in a meeting," she cut her off. But as soon as she said that doors could be heard being opened as well as chatter. The Hyūga turned as she saw Naruto come around the corner. He hadn't seen her as yet and she took the opportunity to scan his outfit. He was dressed in a light blue dress shirt with the cuffs turned up and a black tie and vest with matching black pants.

The blonde at the desk cleared her throat and Naruto glanced at her, it was then that he saw Hinata. To the Hyūga, it was as though time slowed down allowing her to admire the movement of his lips as they turned upwards into a pleasant smile.

"Hinata," he breathed causing her to smile as well. But that smile faded once Toneri appeared beside him.

"What a surprise," he said smirking at her.

Naruto noticed her reaction to the shaggy, white-haired man and turned to him, "uh...I'll see you at our next meet-"

The sound of men running caused the blonde to stop. He watched as his security came and took a hold of Hinata. She frowned and struggled against their many hands as the dog barked and growled. "Let g-go."

"Oi," the Uzumaki yelled intervening. "Don't touch her," he growled grabbing her wrist and pulling her to him which caused her to almost trip over her own two feet. "What's going on here?"

"She doesn't have an appointment and she let her dog loose in order to get up here."

Naruto frowned, "she doesn't need an appointment to see me," he spat which made Shion frown.

"We're sorry Mr. Uzumaki, we didn't know."

The young CEO glared at them before dismissing them. "Shion."

"Yes Mr. Uzuma-"

"See Mr. Ōtsutsuki out," he said, his voice dripping with venom as he ushered a dazed Hinata into his office along with the dog.

Once the door was closed Naruto offered Hinata a seat on the couch in the corner of his office. "Shh," she whispered to the dog who was now whimpering.

"Are you okay? Did they hurt you? Because I can fire-"

"I'm f-fine," she said with a sigh. She needed to get her mind off Toneri and focus.

Naruto took a few deep breaths trying to calm down his anger. It really upset him seeing the way they manhandled her, someone as fragile as Hinata should be handled with care. There was a long period of silence as no one spoke, each caught up in their own thoughts. The blue-eyed man turned his attention to the dog lying on the floor after a while, "nice dog."

"You think s-so?" She asked looking at him. Naruto nodded and sat beside her, a bit closer than needed, but neither complained. "W-well would you be interested in buying him?"

The blonde furrowed his eyebrows, "what?"

Hinata fiddled with her fingers, "I-I brought him h-here...hoping you'd buy him."

Naruto gave her an amused smile, "you're crazy, you know that? You brought a dog all the way to my office just to ask if I'd buy him." By the time he finished his sentence he was laughing.

"It sounded better in my head," she muttered to herself.

Naruto ran a hand through his hair, "but for some strange reason...I like people like you."

Hinata blushed, "Naruto-san you-"

The Uzumaki frowned, "so formal."

"Hmm?"

"Naruto-san," he mocked her. "I'm your friend now Hinata so...no need to be so formal."

Hinata squirmed in her seat but nodded. "So will you...?" She looked at the dog.

Naruto got up, "sure...but on one condition."

There's always a condition when it comes to this guy. "Which is?"

"Dinner at my place tomorrow night," he said pushing both hands into his pockets.

"I-I'm busy tomorrow night," she lied getting to her feet.

"Then the night after that?" She shook her head and he chuckled, "Hinata you're not being fair.

"Forgive me, b-but you're the one not being fair." She said backing up.

"I just want to have dinner with you," he smiled.

Hinata offered him a small smile while opening the door, "goodbye...Naruto-kun." With that said she left, closing the door behind her. Naruto merely stood looking at the closed door, the image of her in the purple sundress she wore with her hair in a neat bun still fresh in his mind. He smiled and shook his head; she'd turned him down and yet she managed to remain as beguiling as ever while doing it.

He looked down at the vermilion-coloured dog on his floor and furrowed his eyebrows. "Looks like it's just you and me now buddy."

Fragile Hearts | A NaruHina Story
©Infinite_Writer01™2016
Thank you for reading!