Fragile Hearts: Thirty
"Shion."
The blonde turned in her seat at the sound of her name. "U-uh yes Mr. Uzumaki?"
"Can I have a record of all my meetings on the day Hinata came here with a dog?" He asked not remembering the date clearly.
"Um..." She hesitated, "may I ask why?"
"Something went missing from my office on that day," Naruto replied.
She nodded and started going through the book on her desk. "Hmm all you had was a board meeting earlier in the day. Besides that, the only person you met with was Miss Hyūga."
"Are you sure?" He asked frowning.
She nodded, "maybe she—"
"Don't even go there," he interjected, cutting her off. "Hinata is the last person I'd suspect."
The pastel blonde frowned and looked away, her fingers fiddling with the pages of her notebook. "I'm sorry."
"Cancel all my meetings for today."
"But Mr. Nara—"
Naruto walked away as soon as she started speaking, he didn't feel the need to repeat himself and neither was he in the mood to. He entered the elevator and pressed the button that would take him to the ground floor. He had some thinking to do.
...
"Hinata are you sure you're making the right decision?"
The pale girl frowned and continued to remove her luggage from the trunk of the car. "For the last time, yes."
Tenten furrowed her eyebrows and used her elbow to nudge Neji, "what?" He hissed.
"Do something," the brunette whisper yelled and gestured to the midnight blue haired girl who was busy unloading.
"Like what?" He asked looking down at her.
Tenten frowned, "I don't know, just...try!"
He sighed and walked towards his cousin, "you don't want to do this." The sound of people talking around them seemed to get louder, "Hinata—"
"I'm not staying somewhere I'm not wanted Neji-nii..." She slung the strap of one of her bags over her shoulder. "I-I'm nothing but a disappointment to father."
"He didn't mean what he said."
"Yes he did and you know it," she shot back. There was the sound of a train coming to a stop and an announcement. Hinata looked behind her then back at her cousin, "I've got to go."
"Hinata—"
"It's okay Tenten," Neji said cutting her off. "Let her go."
The pale girl smiled, appreciating his cooperation, "you two take care and t-tell Nori I said goodbye...I wish I could have stayed longer."
Tenten nodded, "okay. You take care too...I'll see you soon?"
Hinata shrugged, "maybe." Then they both smiled knowingly at each other. They said their goodbyes and Neji and Tenten watched as the Hyūga disappeared in the sea of moving bodies that were in the train station. Once she was out of sight they both left feeling the same; sad and disappointed.
The lavender eyed woman boarded the train quickly, although it wouldn't be departing anytime soon she just wanted to sit and think about her actions. She'd returned home on the request of her cousin only to realize that she was back at square one. The rift between she and her father was even bigger than before now that she knew how he felt.
Hinata fiddled with the sleeve of her jacket as she recalled his words. She looked down at her pale hands and came to the conclusion that he wasn't wrong. She'd been selfish with her actions, she did whatever she wanted back then without thinking of what her family felt. How could she completely blame him when she herself had never given him an explanation as to why she chose the life she was living now?
But then, how could she have told him? She felt so ashamed and dirty...she still did, but it was worse back then. The Hyūga leaned back in her seat and sighed; it didn't matter now. It was off her chest and her father now knew; whether he decided to tell the rest of the family was his decision to make. The only thing she was certain of was that she'd never return to his house unwanted again.
A long, black-haired man came and sat beside her. They both ignored each other until the train was ready to depart, only then did he glance at her with concerned filled eyes.
"Um excuse me, are you okay?"
Hinata nodded, "w-why?"
He shrugged, "you just seem a bit down."
She shook her head quickly, "I-I'm fine, thank you for asking."
He nodded and turned his attention back to the book he was reading. Hinata sat up in her seat and focused on her appearance. It would be awful if she returned to Naruto looking like an emotional mess, he already had a crisis at work to deal with and there was no need to add to his stress. Thinking of the blonde CEO, she remembered that he was yet to call her, she was a bit worried about him, but she'd see if he was okay for herself when she reached Konoha.
...
Naruto pressed the end call button on his cellphone and threw it on the bed. He ran a hand through his messy, blonde hair and sighed as he paced back and forth. The night was drawing closer but he had no interest in resting, he simply wanted answers. His phone kept ringing constantly, but no one had what he wanted; luckily for him Shikamaru had almost everything under control.
The problem wasn't that their concept was stolen, a new one could be developed and the launch date pushed back. The trouble was with how the company got a hold of their designs, and if there was someone in the company leaking confidential information to their competitors.
He sat on his bed and Kurama came running into his room. He'd picked him up from Sasuke's parents' house earlier, but he didn't bother calling Izumi. "I just don't understand Kurama," he said rubbing his head.
The vermilion-coloured dog jumped onto the bed and started barking. Naruto didn't think too much of it, he remembered that Kurama would often bark for reasons that he failed to understand. Though he did react that way whenever he felt that his owner was in trouble, like the day Hinata brought him and security held onto her.
Naruto sighed and rubbed his eyes, laying back he thought of that day again. The look on Hinata's face when she saw him, he'd never forget it, and also the frown she made when she saw...Toneri.
The Uzumaki sat up just then, he seemed to remember having a meeting with Toneri on that day.
"The remodel you requested." Said said pointing to the file on the desk.
Naruto remembered listening to Sai go on about Shion trying to date him and him leaving. His eyes widened when he recalled how a few files had fallen off his desk and that Toneri had helped him pick them up before their meeting started.
With a frown Naruto got up and grabbed his phone. On his way downstairs he dialed Sasuke's number. He waited impatiently as the phone rang once, twice, then his friend picked up.
"Hell—?"
"What's Toneri's address?" He asked grabbing a notepad.
"Why?"
The blonde bit the inside of his cheek as a way to contain his anger, "just tell me."
"Naruto—"
"Come on, it's not like I'm going to beat the crap out of him."
The raven-haired man paused, "then why do you want his number?"
"He left a file at my office earlier, I need to return it."
"Don't you have his number? You could—"
Naruto rolled his eyes, "Sasuke please."
There was a sigh on the other end of the phone before his friend gave in. "Fine, get a pen."
"Way ahead of you," he said looking down at the pen and notepad on the living room table. The blonde listened and wrote down the address as quickly as he could, once he was done he thanked his friend and hung up.
Naruto grabbed his car keys on his way out, he was so enraged that he forgot to lock the door. The memory of Toneri 'helping' him pick up his scattered files kept going through his mind. He mentally scolded himself for being so forgetful, Toneri should have been his first suspect when he heard what had happened. But still there was the question of what he had to gain from all the trouble he caused. Though that was the last thing Naruto cared about at that moment.
It was a while before he made it to Toneri's apartment, apparently he was only in town for a short while so he didn't need a house. He didn't even bother with parking his car properly, he merely came to a stop and got out.
He quickly climbing the stairs, his eyes scanning the apartments in search of number four. Luckily for him he found it quickly. Naruto wasted no time with ringing the doorbell and began pounding on the door.
It was almost seven and he knew Toneri would be home by then. He wasn't exactly sure what he was going to say to him, but he'd sort that out as soon as he met with him. He waited a few minutes before the door opened and he stood face to face with who he suspected was the culprit.
The pale man arched his eyebrows, "Naruto? What are yo—?" He was interrupted by Naruto's fist meeting his face. Toneri staggered backwards and Naruto took the opportunity to enter and close the door. The white-haired man touched his bleeding lip and smiled. "Wow, I haven't been greeted like that in a while."
The Uzumaki frowned, "why'd you do it?"
"I guess I'm supposed to know what you're talking about," he said straightening his shirt. "Sorry to disappoint you."
Naruto stepped forward and grabbed the collar of his shirt. "You know exactly what I'm talking about."
Toneri frowned, "how'd you even get my address?"
Naruto shoved him, causing him to fall over the coffee table. "Stop playing games Toneri. You and I both know that you were the one who leaked my company's designs to our competition."
Toneri seemed shocked, "wait what?" He got up slowly, "I don't know what you're talking about."
Naruto deadpanned, "you don't fool me."
He started smiling just then and placed a hand over his mouth, trying to contain his laughter. "I thought I was doing pretty well," he muttered to himself. The blonde frowned, "who told you that it was me? Was it Hinata?"
At the sound of Hinata's name Naruto became livid. He quickly grabbed him by the neck and pinned him against the wall. "What right do you have to call her name?"
Toneri smiled, "I guess she told you."
His grip tightened, "that you're a filthy rapist? Yes."
"I wouldn't call it rape, I was only taking what was mine," he replied.
"Just shut up," Naruto spat.
Toneri pushed him away just then, "listen, you can't prove that took your designs, so I suggest you leave before I call the police."
Naruto smirked, "you're right, but I do owe you a beating...for Hinata."
...
Hinata didn't go home, instead she took a taxi straight to Naruto's house. She needed to make sure that he was fine and also she could use his company. By the time she arrived it was night and the lights were off in his house. She got the feeling that he wasn't at home, but Izumi might be there.
Lugging her luggage up to the front door she knocked on the door. After a few minutes she decided to try the doorbell, but still there was no answer. She tried the door and was surprised that it was open, deciding to invite herself in she went inside and turned on the lights. Immediately Kurama could be seen bolting towards her.
"Hey boy, where's your owner?" She asked looking down at him. He merely wiggled his tail and circled her feet. Hinata sighed and left her stuff in the living room, pulling out her phone she tried to call Naruto. All her attempts were in vain as he wasn't picking up his phone. She immediately started to worry but decided to wait.
It was about an hour before the sound of the front door opening could be heard. The Hyūga quickly sprung to her feet and rushed to meet him, only to stop in her tracks upon seeing him.
"N-Naruto-kun..." She whispered looking at him. His hair was in wild disarray, his eyes were dull and there was a small cut on his right cheek along with his bleeding lip and bloody nose. She stepped forward just as his grip on the door handle faltered and he lost his balance. He fell into her arms, but Hinata kept staring at him with a shocked expression. "W-what happened to you?" She asked trying to see his face.
He groaned and she frowned sadly and closed the door. Hinata helped him to the living room, passing Kurama on the way. She let him lie on the couch before leaving him and searching for a first aid kit.
She was in such a state of panic that she passed it twice before realizing. The Hyūga also got a basin of water and a wash rag. When she got back she found the Uzumaki trying to sit up and immediately pushed him back down. "Stop, I need to get you cleaned up." He opened his mouth to speak, but Hinata placed the wet rag on his cut and he hissed. "Serves you right for getting into a fight," she said.
Naruto frowned and placed a hand on her leg, he was pleased when Hinata didn't shy away from his touch and so he kept it there the entire time. The pale girl felt a bit at ease with him tracing small circles on her thigh, it was sweet that he still thought of her while being injured.
Typical Naruto.
Hinata bit her bottom lip as she placed a band aid on the cut on his cheek. "There."
"Can I speak now?" He asked in a weak voice. She nodded and he looked up at her, "thank you."
She patted his hand and got up, "you can thank me by telling me what happened." She said on her way to the closest bathroom.
Naruto winced and sat up waiting for her to return. Kurama was seated in the chair adjacent to his just watching everything. "Why are you back...so soon?" He asked, his throat feeling dry; it was actually hard to speak.
"I asked you first," she shot back.
"I got into a... fight...with Toneri." He said looking up at her with squinted eyes.
"W-what? Why?"
"Can we talk about it tomorrow?...I'm feeling—"
"Okay," Hinata said understanding. He smiled slightly and tried to stand up which resulted in him loosing his balance, but of course Hinata was there to help.
Never had she imagined coming home to a battered Naruto, she thought on their way upstairs. It was actually a good thing that she decided to leave, or else she didn't know what would have happened to him.
Once he was lying on the bed she proceeded to help him remove his shoes. "Are you okay?" She asked after tucking him in.
"No," he croaked shaking his head.
"W-what's wrong?"
"Stay..."
"Naruto-kun I-I ca—"
"Please...just stay," he said looking at her with sad eyes. Eyes that resembled her own, there were times when she'd needed someone and Naruto was there for her...so she could very well be there for him when he needed her.
"Okay," she said putting a pillow on the floor.
"Not on the floor...beside me."
"Naruto—"
"Hinata," he groaned which all but killed her inside. "Please. Just one time."
Closing her eyes she took a deep breathe and climbed in bed beside him. "Satisfied?" She asked while turning out the light on the lamp. Naruto didn't reply, he merely rolled over so that his shoulder was touching hers.
They laid in silence for a while before he spoke, "can I hug you?"
Hinata didn't know how to feel about his question, but she respected the fact that he at least asked her. "O-okay."
Naruto's moves were cautious and gentle as he pulled her closer to him. She turned on her side to face him—or his chest rather since he was much taller than her. She could feel his breath fanning the hair at the temple of her head and she closed her eyes. This wasn't what she'd expected, but Naruto was an unusual person. But she knew she could trust him.
"I won," he said, his voice dry and barely audible. Hinata opened her eyes and stared off into the darkness. She feared that Naruto had gotten into a fight because of her and so him getting hurt was her fault.
"Really?" She whispered, her eyes filling with tears.
"Yeah," he replied giving her a light squeeze. How many times would he sacrifice himself for her? The thought made her start to cry, because she was always so selfish. With her thoughts, decisions and with her love.
Her fingers ran over the fabric of his shirt, feeling his warmth. "Good," she said trying to keep her voice from cracking.
Naruto smiled and closed his eyes, he could feel her tears soaking his shirt, but he didn't mind. Just this once he'd let her cry. Taking a deep breath he decided that it was time for him to sleep, but before he did he didn't forget to tell her, "I love you."
Hinata cried silently, only when she knew he was asleep didn't she reply to his last words.
"I love you too."
Fragile Hearts | A NaruHina Story
©Infinite_Writer01™2016
Inspired by: For You - Chen/Baekhyun/Xiumin
Thank you for reading!
