Fragile Hearts: Thirty-Six
Three Months Later
"Neji-nii have you seen my purse?" Hinata called from her bedroom.
"No, why would I have anything to do with your girly stuff?" Neji asked as he passed her room.
The pale girl deadpanned and turned to look at his moving figure. "Thanks for nothing," she muttered.
Hanabi laughed as she waltzed in with the missing purse. "Here it is, you left it in the living room last night."
Taking the navy-blue purse from her younger sister Hinata smiled, "what would I do without you?"
Hanabi shrugged and sat on her bed to watch her older sister pack. "You'll come back to visit right?"
"Of course," Hinata responded ruffling her sister's hair. "It'll be like I never left."
The brown-haired girl rolled her eyes playfully, "oh yay." They both giggled and Hinata closed her suitcase signifying that she was done packing. "I wish I could go," Hanabi pouted.
"It's just a wedding."
"I've never been to a wedding before."
"Trust me, you're not missing anything," Hinata replied.
The teenager pouted, "still..."
"Well I'm sure Neji-nii and Tenten have plans of getting married soon. You can attend their wedding for sure."
"Making plans are we Hinata?" Tenten asked as she entered the room.
"When are you planning on getting married?" Hanabi asked putting her sister on the spot.
Hinata froze and stared at her younger sister. The question had caught her off guard and had brought back memories that she wanted to forget. Tenten caught on quickly and intervened. "Uh Hanabi, could you go help Neji to get Nori ready? I'm sure he has no clue what he's doing."
"Okay," she said in a singsong tone and hopped off the bed. Skipping out of the room she went off to find her cousin.
"Are you okay?" Tenten asked placing a hand on Hinata's shoulder.
The Hyūga smiled slightly for a short while and looked around. "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"
Tenten sighed and withdrew her hand, "I know what Hanabi said reminded you of—"
"Are you ready?"
Tenten stared at her in disbelief, seeing right through her façade. "Yeah." Hinata nodded and proceeded to look for her shoes.
Before any of them knew it, it was time to leave. "If you don't hurry up we'll be late," Neji said closing the trunk of the car.
"Would you let her say goodbye," Tenten muttered as she placed Nori in the baby seat of the car.
Hinata chuckled and turned to her sister that was still pouting. "Cheer up before you know it you'll be getting married."
Hanabi frowned, "no thanks."
The pale girl grinned and ruffled her sister's hair to annoy her. She then turned to her father and her smile shrunk. "Father."
Hiashi smiled and opened his arms, Hinata gladly accepted his embrace and listened as he spoke. "Be sure to take care of yourself."
"I will."
"Visit often too, the door is always open to you."
Hinata pulled back and smiled up at him. "I will Dad." Hiashi nodded before sending her off. The midnight blue haired girl waved one last time before entering the car.
"Are you sure you want to leave?" Neji asked while starting the car. "Because we can always go without you."
"And let Sakura-san down? I don't think so," she replied while looking at Nori who was asleep in the baby seat beside her.
"Alright then," he replied and drove off. Hinata looked out the window at her family and smiled, they were finally okay.
...
"Mr. Uzumaki, your coffee," his secretary said as she entered.
"Thanks Ryoko," Naruto responded watching as she placed the cup down on his desk.
The black-haired girl smiled, "it's my pleasure."
He smiled and nodded; he was always amused by her cheerful personality. Shion had quit, which he was thankful for, he didn't think he could work with her anymore despite the fact that in the end she did testify against Toneri. But it changed nothing.
He'd met Ryoko about two months ago at a park when he decided to take Kurama out for a walk. She was there with her dog named Mauve whom Kurama wasn't very fond of. He was white with yellow-green eyes and very protective of Ryoko.
But still it was the girl's bright personality that made him choose her as his secretary. That and the fact that she needed a job at the time. Working with her ever since has been great, which was something he was grateful for.
"Cancel all my meetings for tomorrow."
Ryoko nodded, "okay." With that said she left and Naruto sighed, he had a lot to do before the day ended.
By the time it was 3:40 pm Sai was in his office. "Don't you have work to do?"
"I cleared all my workload already." The raven-haired man said with a shrug.
Naruto began digging through the files on his desk. "I'm sure I can find something for you to do."
Sai deadpanned and rolled his eyes, "no thanks. I'll be taking the evening off."
"I wonder why," the blonde said.
"Well if you must know, I have to pick up my gift for the soon to be married couple and get ready for Sasuke's bachelor party."
Naruto arched an eyebrow, "and that's going to take you the entire evening?"
"I'm a very busy man," Sai said on his way out. "Anyway I just wanted to inform you of my whereabouts. Try not to need me for anything."
Leaning back in his chair, the young CEO chuckled and watched his friend leave. Glancing at his watch he decided that it was time for him to go shop for a gift for Sasuke and Sakura before stores started closing.
He got up and fixed all his unfinished work into a semi-neat pile to the right side of his desk. Checking his cellphone on his way out he checked to see if he got any messages. When he realized that he had none, he smiled and placed the phone in his pocket.
"Ryoko," he said approaching her desk.
"Uh, yes Mr. Uzumaki?" She answered being caught off guard.
Naruto smiled, "I need help with picking out a wedding gift, would you like to help me?"
Ryoko's eyes widened and she smiled softly. "S-sure." Naruto stared at her for a moment after hearing her stutter. She reminded him of someone he once thought he knew, which made him uneasy.
"Okay," he said with a smile. The secretary's indigo eyes glistened as she got her bag. Naruto waited for her in the elevator, wanting to get everything over with. "Ready?" She asked on entering.
Naruto chuckled, "I should be asking you that."
...
"Home sweet home," Hinata smiled on entering her apartment. Tenten entered cautiously behind her holding her daughter. Her eyes scanned the small apartment quickly as she followed behind the pale girl.
"It's nice, I like it," Tenten finally concluded.
"Hmm, well I'm sure Nori loves it," she said while taking her niece from her best friend. "Don't you sweetie?" Nori laughed as Hinata spun around with her.
Tenten turned when she heard Neji entering with the bags. He placed then down and let out a huff of air. "Are you okay?"
"Okay?" He repeated her question. "What do you guys have in these bags? We're only here for a few days." He companied.
"Oh stop complaining," Tenten said as she hugged him. "They aren't that heavy."
"Then you carry them," he muttered.
"Why would I when there's a man around?" Tenten asked pulling away.
Hinata looked at Nori and pretended to gag. "Your parents are gross," she whispered, but the toddler only smiled and began playing in her hair.
"So which room is ours?" The brunette asked wandering around.
"The second one," Hinata said entering her room. "Should I order takeout for dinner?"
"Aren't you going out tonight?" Tenten asked entering her room behind her. She placed Nori down on the floor so she could walk around.
Hinata furrowed her eyebrows, "no."
"But you just got back."
"Exactly, I need time to settle in."
Tenten frowned, "hmm...alright."
Hinata shook her head and placed both hands on her best friend's shoulders. "Stop worrying so much and help me decide what to order."
Tenten smiled and let her lead her out of the room. "Fine."
...
"A coffee maker is perfect."
"He already has a coffee maker," Naruto replied causing Ryoko to groan.
"I give up."
The blonde laughed at her frustration, "aren't girls supposed to be good at shopping?"
"Yes, but what good is that when the person has practically everything."
Naruto nodded understanding her struggle, "you have a point."
"So what now?"
Her counterpart sighed and looked around, "we keep looking."
"This is torture," she muttered causing him to smile again.
"I can't deny that."
Another half an hour of looking ended with them deciding on Plum Wine. "Will they like it?" Ryoko asked as the cashier took Naruto's credit card. He shrugged and waited for the wine to be packaged.
"Hopefully." The raven-haired woman nodded and Naruto looked at her. "Thanks for doing this."
Ryoko shook her head, "it was fun, so no need to thank me."
The blonde frowned playfully, "I remember you saying it was torture."
She fanned with her right hand, dismissing his comment, "that was nothing."
Shaking his head, Naruto took his credit card from the cashier and placed it in his wallet. "Well still, thank you."
Ryoko glanced at her watch just then and looked up at her boss. "I should get going now."
"Oh, give me a minute, I'll drop you—" He responded looking at the man who was busy packaging his item.
"No, that's not necessary. I live close by," she interjected quickly.
"Oh. Well thanks again."
The indigo eyed girl nodded and slowly began backing away. "You're welcome. See you at work Mr. Uzumaki."
Naruto nodded and watched as she left. As soon as the store door was closed he glanced back at his gift being packaged. Sighing he looked away momentarily.
He was alone again.
Fragile Hearts | A NaruHina Story
©Infinite_Writer01
Thank you for reading!
