Fragile Hearts: Thirteen
Naruto sat staring at his phone for the longest time as he swirled his chair from side to side slowly.
"Expecting a call?" His friend, who was sitting before him, asked.
He placed the device down and scratched the back of his head, "I don't know."
"Idiot," the raven haired man muttered under his breath.
Naruto groaned and leaned back in his chair, "why are you here?"
Sasuke shrugged and pulled a bagel from the white paper bag on his lap. "I got bored and it's my lunch break."
"Don't you have someone else to spend it with, like, I don't know, your wife?"
"Usually I'd spend it with Hinata, but I decided to save her the trouble today." He explained leaning back in his seat.
The blonde perked up at the sound of her name. "Hinata?" The Uchiha nodded, "did you ever find out what happened that night at the party?"
Sasuke sighed, "no. Toneri gave the same story when I asked him again. Seems legit."
"Yeah...whatever," the Uzumaki said pulling his chair closer to his desk. He glanced at his phone again before opening the bottom left drawer of his desk.
"Call her."
"Why should I?" He asked pulling out a stapler.
"Because you like her."
"Who told you that?"
"Ino."
"Dammit," he hissed causing his friend to smirk. "I haven't spoken to her since Saturday night."
Sasuke laughed before responding, "it's only Monday. You'd think it's been two weeks."
Naruto banged his head on the desk and groaned, "I know. I just...want to know that she's okay."
"Why wouldn't she be?" The Uchiha asked arching an eyebrow.
"A man was following her after work on Saturday. I had to go get her."
The raven haired man's eyes widened as he almost choked on his food. "What? Why didn't any of you guys tell me?" Naruto shrugged and he sighed, "did you see him?"
"No and neither did she apparently."
Sasuke frowned as he thought to himself, "hmm. We've had a recent case of homicide, but I don't recall stalking being involved."
"Can we not talk about this? I'd rather not think about Hinata being stalked by a potential killer," he said dismissing the topic.
Sasuke sighed, "I'll look into it." Naruto merely nodded and checked the digital clock on his desk. "Presentation?"
"In ten minutes."
The Uchiha nodded and got to his feet, throwing the white paper bag that was on his lap on Naruto's desk he stuck his chin out at it. "I left one for you."
Naruto smirked and drew the bag towards him, glancing inside he smiled. "You're so kind," he said sarcastically.
Sasuke rolled his eyes and pulled on his hat. "Good luck."
"Thanks."
...
"Call him."
"Why should I?" Hinata whined looking through a magazine.
"Because you like him," Tenten slurred on the other end of the phone.
The pale girl deadpanned, "no I don't."
"Mhm, keep telling yourself that," she retorted causing the Hyūga to roll her lavender orbs. "Just call him."
"No...I don't want him to think that I'm needy or something." She explained while flipping to the next page.
"He won't think that, I'm sure he's waiting for you to call him."
"Tenten, I'm not calling him," she said firmly.
The brunette sighed in frustration, "fine. Die a lonely virgin."
Hinata gaped at what she said in shock, "come on. My future doesn't depend on this one phone call."
"Humph."
"I spoke to him on Saturday, I don't think I need to call him...plus if he wants to talk to me then he'll call." She retorted.
"You need to stop expecting him to do all the work," Tenten argued. "There's only so much he can do when you keep pushing him away."
"I-I don't..."
"Yes you do. You shut people out Hinata," her voice softened. "How do you expect people to get close to you when you keep pushing them away?"
Hinata paused and just stared at the counter, "how do I know I can trust him?"
"How do you know you can't? What reason has he given you for you to not trust him?" She asked quietly.
The Hyūga released an exasperated sigh as she knew she had lost once again to her best friend. "I can't argue with you."
"I'm glad you've realized that. It took your cousin a while before he..." She trailed off before she could finish her sentence.
Hinata winced as she realized what had happened. She would always stop talking at the mention of Neji and now she had absentmindedly spoken of him. The pale girl cleared her throat and straightened her posture. "So you think I should call him?"
"Yeah."
There was a moment of silence before she spoke. "What if he does hurt me?"
"What if he doesn't?" The question threw her off for positive thoughts rarely ever entered her mind ever since life had served her a curve ball. She was simply too afraid to hope for the best...for it was easier to plan for the worse and even better to take precautions to prevent anything from happening. "And if he does hurt you..." Tenten started. "I'll kick his ass for you."
Hinata smiled and ruffled her bang, "thanks Tenten."
"No problem. Anyway, I have to go now. Call him."
"Alright fine," she said laughingly before hanging up. She bit her bottom lip nervously as her eyes scanned the empty store. Shino was out on an errand and she didn't think anyone would come in for the next hour at least. With a sigh she glanced at her watch before dialing Naruto's number.
Hinata hesitated before placing the phone to her ear. Tempted to end the call she tapped her fingers against the wooden counter nervously, but her anxiety left her as soon as she realized that his phone was off. Groaning she banged her head against the counter. Her phone left her hand and her fingers ran through her loose hair.
"What's wrong with me?" She asked herself quietly. She was never like this, at least not since back then. Lifting her head she picked up her phone once again and scrolled through her contacts. She stopped at Naruto's office number and contemplated whether or not she should try it. He'd given it to her the night they went out, she could call and ask for him just in case she couldn't get through to him directly.
Biting the inside of her cheek she decided to try the number. Hinata listened as the call was forwarded, her foot tapping against the floor impatiently as she waited until finally someone picked up the phone.
"Uzumaki Motors Corporation, how may I help you?" Asked a feminine voice on the other end.
"Uh...I'd like to speak to Naru-Mr. Uzumaki." The Hyūga spoke squeezing her eyes shut at her mistake. There was a long pause on the other end which made her think the call was cut. Glancing at the phone she realized that it was still going. "Hello?"
"He's in a meeting," was all the woman said. She remembered her voice from their last encounter, it was Naruto's secretary-Shion, if her memory served her well.
"W-well can I leave a message?" Hinata asked.
"And your name is?"
"Hinata...Hinata Hyūga."
"Oh," was her only response which made Hinata rethink leaving a message for him. For all she knew he'd never get it. "What's the message?"
"Uh..." She paused, she needed to choose her words wisely.
"I don't have all day Miss Hyūga."
Hinata rolled her lavender orbs, sure you don't. "Just tell him to call me as soon as possible."
"Is that all?"
"Yes." And with that said the call ended. She placed her phone down and frowned, it was beyond her as to why she was so rude to her. Shion didn't even know her to begin with and yet all she received from her was endless attitude. Frankly all of Naruto's customer service workers that she'd met reacted rudely to her.
She sighed and continued looking through her magazine. Every now and then she'd glance at her phone, but somehow she knew he'd never call.
...
It was her turn to lock up once again, but this time she decided to leave a little earlier. It was half past seven when Hinata finished closing up the shop. Her day proved to be uneventful and filled with disappointment due to her not hearing from Naruto at all. She glanced up the street, analyzing the journey she'd have to make to the bus stop but started walking in the opposite direction. There was something she needed to get before going home.
A light wind blew shifting her hair out of position. Hinata sighed and pushed the white headband she'd used to push her bang back downwards to secure it. Maybe next time she'd just wear a ponytail.
It wasn't long before Hinata was entering a nearby store. She quickly passed the cashier and walked down the second to last isle. She didn't know why, but she felt unusually awkward whenever buying sanitary pads. Although she was a female, it was still a bit...weird.
From her peripheral view she saw a man passing at the beginning of the isle. Quickly Hinata grabbed one and shuffled to the counter to cash out. Her lavender orbs stared at her merchandise as the cashier did her job. She shifted from one foot to the next when she felt someone behind her.
"T-thanks," the Hyūga said quietly as she took the bag and practically dashed out of the store. She didn't know what was up with her; usually she'd buy a surplus of toiletries whenever she did her shopping on Saturdays...but when her period came that morning she realized that she was running short.
Her cheeks burned as she clenched the bag tightly. All she wanted was to go home and make dinner...maybe with a movie or two. She groaned as she felt a wave of cramps setting on, the pill she'd taken was wearing off. Why couldn't I have been born a boy?
Approaching the pet shop once again she realized that there was a man loitering on the sidewalk before it. Furrowing her eyebrows she tried to see who it was, which wasn't easy given the lack of daylight. Her eyes never left him, she watched as he scratched the back of his head and paced back and forth as though waiting for someone. But only when she was close enough did she realize who it was.
"Waiting for someone?" He turned to face her at the sound of her voice. A smile grew on his face as he looked down at her in the dim lighting.
"You could say that."
Hinata rolled her eyes playfully and shook her head, "Naruto-kun what are you doing here?"
"I'm here to take you home," he responded as though stating the obvious.
"W-what?"
He pushed both hands into his pockets, "I'm worried about you."
"Don't be...I can take care of myself," she retorted.
"I know that...but I can't help but feel uneasy knowing someone could be following you."
"That-"
"Hinata please," Naruto pleaded closing his eyes and taking a deep breath to get rid of the bad thoughts that were plaguing his mind.
She sighed and looked away, "fine, b-but just...don't make a habit of doing this."
Naruto grinned at her, "no promises." The pale girl eyed him suspiciously as he quickly opened the door to his car that was parked by the sidewalk. Getting in, she watched as he jogged around to the driver's side and reached over to open his door for him.
"Thanks," he said once he was inside, however she merely nodded in response while fastening her seatbelt.
They drove for a while in silence before Hinata decided to speak up. "You never called me."
The blonde glanced at her quickly, "I was actually waiting for you to call me."
"I-I tried...your phone was off. Didn't anyone give you a message?"
Naruto shook his head, "no, did you call my office?"
She opened her mouth to respond but decided against it. She had already predicted that he wouldn't get the message from before, so she wasn't surprised. Throughout the rest of the car ride there was complete silence. Hinata didn't speak because she had nothing to say and Naruto didn't know what to say.
The car stopped in front of her apartment complex, but still neither spoke. She fiddled with the strap of the plastic bag she'd gotten her item in and bit her lip nervously. "Uh..."
"Hmm?" Naruto asked turning to look at her.
"Are you h-hungry?" She winced at her silly question, however the Uzumaki chuckled.
"Yes actually."
Hinata unbuckled her seatbelt, "do you...maybe want to come inside with me? T-to have dinner I mean."
"Ah," he looked at his watch before and furrowed his eyebrows. "Sure."
"Y-you don't have to if-"
He quickly cut her off, "no I want to, trust me. I just need to call Izumi and tell her she can go home now."
Hinata nodded and watched as he got his phone. She opened the door and got out with him following while on the phone. The Hyūga all but counted her steps on their way to the elevator, she didn't know why she was nervous since she'd had dinner with him before...but this time she'd be the one cooking.
Hinata's eyes widened, what will I make? What if he doesn't like my cooking? What's his favourite food?
"Hinata," his voice pulled her out of her sea of thoughts.
"Huh?"
"Which button?" He asked pointing to the cluster of buttons inside the elevator. She pulled his hand back and pressed the third button, mentally scolding herself in the process. She seemed to be doing that often. They stood side by side in silence, their shoulders brushing against each other. To Hinata it was the longest elevator ride of her life. "So..."
"Y-yes?"
"You don't have any friends over tonight?" He smirked looking at her.
Hinata blushed and turned to face him, "you're still hung up over that?"
"And what if I am?" He arched an eyebrow in amusement.
She huffed and turned away, "it was a girl."
"What?" But before she could say more the doors slid open and she had already exited. The Uzumaki trailed behind her, trying to catch up to her. "Hina-"
The both came to a stop once they saw someone standing before her door. The scene was all too familiar, a feeling of déjà vu over took the Hyūga as she stared at the man standing before them.
"Hinata..."
"Kiba-kun, what are you...?" She trailed off once she saw a grocery bag in his right hand.
He glanced at Naruto before answering, "I ah...wanted to apologize to you for the other day so I...thought I would cook for you tonight."
A wave of guilt suddenly washed over her. "Oh..."
Kiba closed his eyes biting back his anger, "but obviously you have other plans."
Naruto just stood watching both of them, the tension and awkwardness clear as day. "I'll just leave you two then..." He said trying to make it easier for Hinata.
"Please," the brown haired man started. "Don't leave because of me."
"No it's-"
"Naruto-kun please," Hinata said pleading with her pale eyes. "Stay." He nodded and turned to face Kiba, something told him that it was going to be a long night.
Fragile Hearts | A NaruHina Story
©Infinite_Writer01™2016
Thank you for reading!
