Fragile Hearts: Ten

"Thank you. Have a nice day," Hinata smiled waving at the father and daughter who had just bought a parrot and were on their way out.

"Business has been so slow this week," Shino commented pushing his glasses further up his nose bridge.

The pale girl nodded looking at the closed store door, "yeah."

He sighed and flipped the page of the book he was reading. "At least you managed to sell that dog...his new owner paid for him-"

"What?" She asked surprised looking at him just then.

Her co-worker nodded, "it was far more than his actual price, but he didn't seem to mind."

Hinata glanced down at her hands that were clenching and unclenching her jacket that was lying idle on the counter. "I see," she whispered.

The black haired man, finally giving up, closed the book and ruffled his hair. "Where's Kiba?"

The Hyūga cracked a smile and calmed down. "What's wrong Shino-kun? Do you miss him?"

Shino grimaced and shivered, "no. It's just that he hasn't been around here in a while...I'm starting to think something happened to him."

"You know Kiba-kun," she shrugged dismissing the topic.

"Hmm," he hummed placing a palm on his cheek. "I guess."

Hinata signed and looked at her wristwatch, the day was moving slower than usual, though she suspected that it was because she was anxious about her outing with Naruto. Her cheeks grew pink causing her to hang her head so that her hair could hide her face. She'd stayed up almost all night last night trying to decided on an outfit, to say it was hard was an understatement. With no knowledge as to where they were going she didn't know what to wear. Should she dress casually? Classy? She didn't know.

Shifting her weight from one foot to the next she looked around the pet shop. Her heart was beating much too fast for her liking. Was it a real date as Tenten had said? Or did Naruto just want to get to know her? It was all so frustrating, she hadn't been on a date in so long that she'd forgotten what the entire experience was like. Although...this was probably her first actual date. After what she went through, the times she spent with Toneri in the past were mere façades and steps used to lower her into a fate somewhat worse than death...they could never be called dates. Not after all that happened.

Her phone vibrated in her pocket just then causing her to jump slightly. Glancing at Shino who had gone back to reading his book she quickly retrieved the phone and unlocked the screen. Her eyes narrowed as she read the text message she received, until slowly her lips turned upwards into a small smile and her previous doubts left her. Lavender eyes glanced over each word carefully, taking in the message in all it's entirety.

From: Unknown number
'Good luck on your date tonight Hinata!
-Sakura x.'
4:14 p.m.

...

"Shikamaru!" Naruto whined as he looked through drawer after drawer.

The spiky, black haired man signed and rolled his eyes. "When was the last time you saw it?"

Naruto cocked both elbows on his desk and pulled at his blonde hair. "I don't know...a few days ago?"

"Are you asking me or telling me?" The vice president asked with a blank expression.

The Uzumaki groaned and leaned back into his seat. "I need it in order to make my presentation on Monday."

"Well shouldn't Sai have a draft or back up?"

His blue eyes widened once he said that causing him to relax, "you're right...but what could have happened to the one he gave me?"

Shikamaru shrugged and shoved both his hands into his pockets, "you probably misplaced it."

Naruto frowned, how could he have misplaced the remodel designs Sai gave him? Though he often lost things, that was something very crucial to the production of their next line of cars. "Maybe..."

"Well I'll go check with Sai and his team and see if they have a back up...which they should."

"Thanks Shikamaru."

"Yeah yeah," he sighed on his way out. "This is such a drag."

The Uzumaki smiled and relaxed in his seat, he'd find the file later. Right now he had more important things to take care of. Glancing at his watch he smiled and got to his feet, it was time for him to leave. He placed necessary files on his leather bag and made his way towards the elevator.

"Mr. Uzumaki, you're leaving already?" Shion asked as he passed her.

The blonde pressed a button and waited for the elevator doors to open. He offered her a smiled and nodded, "yeah. See you tomorrow." With that said the metal doors slid open and the Uzumaki stepped inside. During the short journey to his car his mind seemed to have left reality in that period of time. Even on his way home all he could think of was the evening before him. He wanted-no needed everything to be perfect.

"Master Naruto," Izumi greeted him at the door. The sound of Kurama's paws against the wooden floor could be heard as he also came to greet him.

"He didn't give you much trouble today, did he?" Naruto asked looking at the vermilion coloured dog

The black haired girl smiled, "no. He was very well behaved."

His eyes widened as he glanced at his maid, "really?" She nodded and he smiled down at his pet, "good boy."

Naruto made his way to his room after a quick conversation with Izumi. He wasn't exactly sure on what he was going to wear but he wasn't worried. He stripped out of his clothes and got into the shower. The water was lukewarm, seeping into his skin and washing away his anxiety slowly. It would resurface now and then, but for the most part he'd gotten over it. Those awkward conversations and sudden burst of adrenaline were all behind him. Relics of the past.

His hands worked through his blonde hair as he washed it. Eyes closed, the only thing he could do was focus on the sound of the water hitting the tile on the shower floor. That and romanticise his plans for later...

Soon enough Naruto had brushed his teeth, dried his hair and was standing before his closet with nothing more than a towel wrapped around his svelte waist. His cerulean blue eyes scanned his clothes, examining everyone thoroughly before turning them all down.

"I though these things only happened to women," he groaned looking at the clock on his wall. It was 7:15 and he needed to get going. Finally, after much consideration, he got dressed in a white, dress shirt with a black and grey blazer along with a pair of black trousers.

Grabbing his wallet he left his room and descended the stairs quickly. "I'm going now Izumi."

"Okay," she called from the kitchen.

"Remember to lock up after you leave," he added while getting his car keys. The blonde passed Kurama on the way out, "don't wait up for me." The fox-like dog barked and scampered off to find Izumi causing him to smile.

Halfway to his car his phone started vibrating in his pocket. Retrieving the device he ignored the caller ID and answered. "Hello?"

"Where are you?!" A female voice shrieked on the other end.

Naruto switched off the alarm on his car, "I'm on my way..."

"I can't wait all night you know."

"I know. I'm coming alright, just...give me ten minutes."

"Alright fine. But after that I'm gone," she said with an edge in her voice causing him to finch but smile.

"Thanks Ino."

...

For the second time in less than a month Hinata found herself sitting in her living room staring at the clock on her wall. It was 7:50 and she was, in a sense, ready for Naruto to arrive.

She curled her toes into the soft material of her carpet. Her ruby painted toenails standing out in the bland colours that surrounded her. Her hands fiddled with her black, envelop clutch purse, slender fingers running over the face of it. By the time it was five minutes to eight, she had begun putting on her black heels.

Typically she'd have worn a much brighter colour, however that night she felt more secure wearing black. Her dress was a black, long sheer-sleeved, short dress, that stopped above her knees. It wasn't very revealing and for that reason she felt more at ease while wearing it.

At 7:59 there was a knock on her door. Her heart raced in its confined space as she stood on wobbly legs. Jagged breaths passed her scarlet red lips while her wet palms rubbed against her dress, smoothening it out in the process. Despite her nerves and throbbing heart, she advanced towards the door and looked through the peephole to see who it was.

The Hyūga's lavender eyes widened when she him. Although she already had a mental image of him painted in her mind, she was still amazed and impressed by his appearance. Watching as he glanced up and down the hallway before rocking back on his heels made her smile. Again he raised a fist to knock on the door.

"Who is it?" She asked leaning against the door while biting her bottom lip.

"Um...Naruto...?"

She rolled her eyes playfully at his response to her question, "you sound unsure."

He chuckled before inquiring, "do you mind asking me again?"

"Hmm...why should I?" She asked looking down at her polished floor.

"Because I asked...?"

Hinata snorted, "that's not a good enough reason."

"Hmm, okay then, so you won't mind if I just stay out here and sing you praises?" She didn't respond evoking a mischievous smile on Naruto's part. "Hinata's so beautiful! She's definitely the most beautiful woman I've ever seen!" The pale girl's cheeks turned crimson as she hoped no one was passing in the hallway. "Hey. Hey you there! Did you know that I have a date with Hina-"

"Alright," she said quickly cutting him off. "I-I'll ask you again." Naruto smirked and clenched his hands around the object he was hiding behind him. "Who is it?"

"Your knight in shinning armor," he answered confidently.

Hinata arched her eyebrows as she opened the door slowly, "r-really?"

"What? Don't girls love those romantic stuff?" He asked looking at her.

"Not me."

He looked away for a moment, "well it's true."

She gave him a small smile in return, "I'll be the judge of that."

Naruto returned the smile and the more he looked at her was the more it grew. "You look amazing."

The Hyūga blushed and looked away her hand clenching the handle of the door. "T-thank you...y-you look okay."

Naruto gapped at her, pretending to be hurt, "okay? That's all I get?" She placed a hand over her mouth in order to contain her laughter. "Wow, and I went through a lot to get you flowers too."

"Flowers?"

He nodded and brought forward both his hands holding a bouquet of double delight roses. Her lavender eyes stared at their white bodies, leading up to their blood red tips.

"I didn't know which was your favourite, so I asked Ino to help," he explained rubbing the back of his neck. But Hinata didn't respond; her favourite flowers were white roses because they signified purity and innocence but looking at the roses Naruto brought her changed her perspective. To her, the red did not signify passionate love, but impurity. The way it seemed to taint the immaculate colour of the white rose, thereby rendering it reprobate. It reminded her all too much of herself and just how much she had been corrupted. "Hinata?" Her counterpart asked waving a hand before her face.

"Ah...I-I don't have a favourite flower," she lied.

Naruto retracted his hand, "oh."

She hesitantly took the flowers from him, "I'll go find...a-a vase to put them in."

"Okay," he responded pushing both hands into his pockets.

"Come in," Hinata whispered heading towards her kitchen. Her heels clicked against the wooden floor as she moved quickly. Opening the bottom cupboard she pulled out an empty vase and quickly filled it with water. After putting the flowers in it, she placed it by the window on the counter. For some reason the sight of it made her uneasy.

However, getting a hold of herself she ruffled her bangs and winced from the number of hairpins she had to use to make a neat bun. She finally understood the phrase 'beauty is pain'.

Walking back to the living room she found Naruto waiting by the door. She got her purse and met him there, however Naruto didn't move. "Are you okay?" He asked.

"Yes."

He scanned her face for any sign that may prove otherwise but of course, he found none. Lifting his arm he offered it to her. The Hyūga stared at his arm for a while before throwing caution to the wind and placing her hand in the crook of it. "Please bring me home safely."

Naruto smiled, "I promise I will."

She sighed and nodded, "good."

Fragile Hearts | A NaruHina Story
©Infinite_Writer01™2016
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