Fragile Hearts: Thirty-Four

"Took you long enough," Kiba muttered holding the door open for Hinata.

The Hyūga glared at him for a moment before entering the house. "Where is he?" She asked feeling a bit annoyed. It wasn't easy getting to the Inuzuka's house in the middle of the night, plus she was exhausted.

"In the living room," the brown-haired man said gesturing down the hall. Hinata nodded and turned only to bump into a waiting dog.

"Akamaru," she smiled patting his head while he stared up at her cheerfully.

Kiba looked between the two and cleared his throat indicating that it wasn't the time. The pale girl got the message clearly and proceeded to walk down the hallway and into the kitchen.

On entering the first thing that caught her attention was the television that was on and then the long-haired man sitting on the couch. "Father," she said quietly acknowledging his presence. He rose and began to approach her but she stepped back, his words had cut her deep.

"Hinata—"

"What are you doing here?" She asked looking away from his piercing, pale orbs. Hiashi glanced at Kiba who stood behind his daughter, silently asking him to leave. Understanding, the brown-haired man nodded and excused himself to give them some privacy.

"Why weren't you answering your phone?"

"Don't change the subject," she retorted quietly, still not looking at him. Her voice was small and weak, just like her. It reflected how she felt at that moment, helpless, but still hopeful.

"I wanted to apologize," he said dropping his arms to his side. "Hinata I-I... I didn't know."

"Because you didn't ask," Hinata responded focusing on the ground. She couldn't bare to look at him, he was someone who she respected and loved, but in reality those feelings weren't mutual.

Hiashi sighed and gestured to her with his right hand. "I truly am sorry Hinata. For everything...if I had known then I wouldn't have said—"

"T-that still wasn't a good enough reason for you to say those stuff t-to me," she said. Hinata hated the fact that he wasn't really trying to apologize, he was merely trying to justify his actions.

"I—"

"No father," she pleaded making eye contact. There was a moment of silence where they both just stared at each other. The pale girl shook her head and turned to leave, but her father's voice stopped her.

"Hinata," he said with conviction. "I won't let you walk out on me again."

She rolled tear filled eyes but didn't turn around to face him. "I-I don't think you can stop me."

"I want to make it right. Aren't you tired of fighting with your family?"

The only person I've ever fought with is you.

She thought on her way out of Kiba's house. Akamaru whimpered as she grabbed her coat and opened the door, but she simply couldn't stay. Her father had only added to her stress and she couldn't think of him at that moment. Really, she had no idea why she even went to see him, he only made her more upset. She was alone and struggling to pick up the pieces of both her and Naruto's life...it was becoming too much for her.

Sighing the Hyūga got on the first bus that she saw and went back to Naruto's house. Sleep was the last thing on her mind and she had somewhere to be at daybreak. Hopefully she'd be able to complete her job...but she had a feeling that it wasn't going to be easy.

...

"How do you feel?"

"Honestly? Half dead," Hinata replied while looking at the hot bowl of ramen in front of her. It was 10:24 a.m. and she needed to get going.

The Hyūga hadn't slept the night before and neither did she have an appetite, but she needed to eat...for his sake.

"I hope you're taking care of yourself," Sasuke said on the other end of the phone. Hinata looked at the device on the table and sighed before glancing back at her food.

"I guess," she mumbled while using her chopsticks to play around with her noodles.

Sasuke sighed, "Hinata—"

"How's Naruto-kun...?" She finally asked. The question was eating her up inside and she really needed to know.

"He's fine..." he said, but Hinata knew there was more to it.

"What aren't you telling me?"

"Nothing."

"Sasuke-san." The Hyūga said glaring at the phone.

"Alright," he paused. "His court date has been set."

Hinata held her breath, "when is it?"

Sasuke took a while to answer, "the day after tomorrow."

"S-so soon?"

"I'm sorry Hinata, there's nothing I can do."

The pale girl shook her head and threw down her chopsticks. "I-I have to go."

"Hinata—" Sasuke didn't get to finish as Hinata hung up.

The pale girl got to her feet and disposed of her untouched food. Pulling her hair into a high ponytail she got her purse and left the house. The thought of calling Izumi crossed her mind, but she wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do. Kurama could stay by himself...at that point, he didn't have a choice.

The ride to Naruto's company was long and boring. Hinata's anxiety bubbled up inside her as she thought of the possible outcome of her confrontation. Sasuke had better know what he was doing, because Hinata surely didn't.

"Miss Hyūga," the lady at the front desk greeted her. The pale girl nodded and continued towards the elevator. She pressed the button that would take her to the top floor and waited impatiently. Her fingers found their way to her arm and began scratching, Naruto's court date being the only thing on her mind.

Finally the door opened and she stepped out. From where she stood she could see Shion and immediately her stomach began to churn. Her dislike for her kept growing, although she suspected that the feeling was entirely mutual.

"Mr. Uzumaki isn't in today," Shion said once she saw her. Hinata frowned and walked over to her. "I thought you'd know that since you're so close to him."

"I'm not here to see Naruto-kun," she explained.

"Then why are you here?" Shion deadpanned.

Hinata gritted her teeth and tried to stay calm. "I need to know when Toneri came here for a meeting."

"He was never here," Shion said looking at her. "Unlike you."

The pale girl frowned, "why are you lying? He was here, I saw him."

"Oh really, then why are you here if you already know?" The pastel blonde countered.

"Because I-I need you to tell me the date and time."

"Sorry, but that's classified information."

Hinata frowned, "why are you protecting Toneri?"

"It's not your concern..." She turned away.

"Shion please," she pleaded unable to let valuable information slip out of her hands. Shion didn't respond which made Hinata's heart break, how could she protect such an awful man? What was in it for her?

Her lavender eyes scanned the illuminated environment before walked around to the entrance of the secretary's cubicle. Putting her shame aside she knelt down and hung her head all the while holding back tears. "Please," she asked once more. Hinata felt humiliated and broken, but still she was willing to beg for Naruto. Though she didn't expect to be pleading with his secretary of all people.

The blonde scoffed and looked away, "how pathetic..."

The Hyūga bit her bottom lip and blinked back tears. She would not see her cry.

Taking a deep breath she got up and looked at her through hazy eyes. Her heart raced and her skin burned as though she'd just been slapped. "I guess I was wrong to think you'd tell me." Shion nodded but froze when she heard what the Hyūga said next. "I hope you can live with Naruto being in jail."

With that said Hinata left with a heavy heart and tear-filled eyes. She was right all along; she really was on her own.

...

Naruto sat with his back against the wall, his mind focused on Hinata. He really had to question how he could worry about her that much when he was the one in jail. The Uzumaki shook his head slowly and looked up at the ceiling.

She was simply too fragile...

The sound of someone clearing their throat drew him out of his thoughts. His cerulean blue eyes turned to face his best friend. He glanced at him then turned away, he only wanted to see Hinata.

"Have you come to take me to prison?"

Sasuke frowned slightly, "you know the process for that."

Naruto smiled, but it was bittersweet, "I must have forgotten...staring at nothing for hours does that to you."

The Uchiha cleared his throat and turned his back to his blonde friend. "Your court date has been decided." The Uzumaki didn't respond making Sasuke feel awkward and so he continued to lessen the silence. "It's the day after tomorrow."

Naruto parted his lips slightly and turned his head to face the wall next to him. "How's Hinata?"

"She's fine."

"Good," was the Uzumaki's only response before closing his eyes.

Sasuke sighed and decided to leave which Naruto was grateful for. He only hoped that Hinata wouldn't do anything stupid.

At least, not for him.

...

The door opened and Hinata was presented with a disturbing sight. The white-haired man before her smirked and leaned against the door jamb.

"Hinata, what pleasant surprise." Her lavender eyes glanced over his black eye and bandaged nose. His bottom lip had a cut that already seemed to be healing...overall she was disgusted and afraid. "Please, do come in." She cautiously passed him and listened as he closed the door. "So, are you here to give me a second beating?"

"Drop the charges on Naruto-kun," she said clenching the strap of her bag as she turned to face him.

Toneri frowned, "why would I do that?"

"Because he's innocent. You're just framing him," she said trying her best not to show the fear she had of him.

The white-haired man placed both hands on his hips and started pacing around the room making her feel even more vulnerable.

She was his prey.

"Where's your proof?" He asked glancing at her.

"I don't need proof; I already know the type of person you are." She glared at him.

"And Naruto, do you know him well enough to vouch for him—without proof too?" He asked approaching her slowly. She simply nodded and kept a straight face. Toneri scoffed, "really?" Stopping before her he made eye contact with her, "has he touched you yet?" His hand reached out to touch her but she slapped it away and took a step back.

"He's a gentleman, unlike you."

The white-haired man chuckled, "I was always a gentleman to you Hinata."

"I wasn't aware of gentleman raping their partners," she spat.

He frowned, "you left me no choice."

Trying to forget the traumatic experience the Hyūga shook her head and took a deep breath. "Just drop the charges—"

"Why should I? Without him you're nothing and I'm able to do whatever I want with you." He grabbed her by her arms. "Do you know why I framed him Hinata? Because he was in the way, I realized ever since he came to your rescue the night I was following you. I hated it."

Hinata's eyes widened, "I-it was you?"

"Who else would it be?" He asked. "Don't you understand Hinata? I can't let anyone else have you."

"You're sick," she muttered pulling away from his hold. She didn't waste any time before digging into her bag and pulling out a can of pepper spray.

"Hina—aah!" He didn't get to finish his sentence before she sprayed him.

Taking the opportunity Hinata made a run for it, luckily for her the door was unlocked. She didn't look back; she didn't need to. Hinata had what she wanted, a recording of him confessing to his sins, hopefully it would be enough to prove Naruto's innocent.

Maybe it would all end and maybe she could finally be happy.

Fragile Hearts | A NaruHina Story
©Infinite_Writer01™2016
Thank you for reading!
Should I do a Q&A after the last chapter?