Chapter 9

AN: I am honestly awed and grateful that you all think this is worth your precious time, so THANK YOU! I'm truly a novice writer so I do depend on reviews to know how well I executed a scene. Some things were unclear so I'll quickly do better here without messing the plot:

Naruto doesn't know Hinata and Sasuke are together. As far as he knows, she's Sasuke's ex and he needs to get over it. I think that's all I can say without ruining anything lol! Promise to do better! Don't hesitate if something is unclear!

~.~.~

The knocks on her door were incessant and loud - unusual at most. Concerned, she walked hurriedly to the door but paused, unsure to take the chance.

"Hiiiinataa! Come on!" the voice boomed from behind the door, as her emotions turned from confusion to utmost joy. Pulling the wooden frame open, she was engulfed by a strong pair of arms that swept her off her feet into a suffocatingly affectionate embrace.

"Let her go," a much quieter voice came from outside, pulling the shaggy haired man off her. Grumbling to himself, Kiba set her down calmly, his smile still bright and light hearted.

"Sorry we've not been able to visit, Hinata." Shino spoke up once they had settled in her quaint living area, he examined her appearance, the cleanliness of her home, her overall appearance, his eyebrow raising slightly at her bruised arm which stood much brighter in comparison to the dulled healing scars of the plate cuts.

"No, no. I'm just happy, you're here. But how did you know where I lived?" she took the small kettle, feeling for its spout before pouring its content into their individual yunomi.

"That's some skill you've got there," Kiba watched in awe, having been around for the past year, he and Shino were yet to see her function in her disability. Having known her all their life, it had been a blow to hear of her accident but an even larger frustration to have been absent in her time of need.

"Hanabi. She came to visit the vet clinic we had been working with in Warsaw, just in time too." Shino responded after a pause, adjusting his glasses, to turn to Kiba.

"Just in time?" Hinata repeated, confused, as she rested her arms across the island from the duo. There was shuffling and she was unsure what to expect, Kiba's chair screeched quietly across the floor as he stepped out of the apartment without a word. With raised brows she patted the granite counter, until her hand came in contact with Shino's. "Is he alright?" she had come to appreciate physical contact the more she was blind, she could feel emotions she would typically depend on her sight for.

Shino shifted uncomfortably as she had expected but didn't move, squeezing her hand in reassurance. She then heard Kiba's footsteps return but he was escorted by two other pairs of footsteps. Her hold on Shino's hands tightened in uneasiness, she was still unused to strangers and momentarily began to panic as the footsteps approached her.

What she couldn't see in the moment was the mischievous glance her best friends shared quietly amongst themselves. What she did hear were the steps and she had to pause to realize they had a nail to glass clink to them. Like multiple stilettos of some sort - unsure - they approached her with the calmness of a confident personality until they were close enough, sniffing her feet.

Wait, sniffing?

She squealed back a bit, Shino's hold on her hand tightening to keep her upright as Kiba guffawed. "Sorry Hina, we just had to." he explained between laughter bursts.

"I didn't agree." Shino deadpanned

"Whatever."

"Guys?" she trembled in confusion, unsure how large the being sniffing her was. Kiba chuckled before walking up behind Hinata, prying her dainty hand out of Shino's, he motioned her to kneel on the floor with him, where the creature sniffed her face, it was large. "This here is Asahi. He is a German Shepherd we raised in Warsaw." He moved Hinata's hands to pet and rub the smooth fur on the Shepherd.

"He's big." she giggled, as he licked her face and she got used to petting him.

"He's yours." Kiba spoke, his voice soft and quiet, a rarity for him.

Stunned, Hinata paused, turning to him. "What do you mean?"

"Hinata, we are sorry. We couldn't be there for you," his voice cracked and she felt the vibrations of his shake, "when we found out, we wanted to be here, to make sure you were alright. But we couldn't, for a whole year, we weren't sure what happened to you."

Tears pricked her eyes as she scooted till they were side by side, turning, she embraced him, a small smile as her eyes watered. "I'm okay, Kiba-kun. Shino." at the sound of his name, he quietly moved from his place on his chair to her side on the floor. "Thank you, both of you." she whispered, wrapping another arm around Shino. Happiness was such a rarity these days, her life was bleak and her days monotone. But moments like these, with her favorite people made it all worth it.

After they had gathered themselves, they sat crossed legged on the floor, Kiba and Shino on either side of her, as Asahi laid his head on her lap. They told her stories of Warsaw, the vet clinic they worked at, how they were hoping to build another one in Japan this year, Kiba's horrific lovelife and Shino's bug collection. They laughed over old times and spoke about their favorite English teacher from high school, Kurenai and how she had just given birth. Both boys promised Hinata they'd be back to visit and take her to see Kurenai's baby.

After what felt like hours, Kiba brought her a bag full of Ashi's necessities. Food, poop bags, toys and showed her how to care for Ashi. "He was born in the first litter I helped deliver." she could hear the happiness in his nostalgia. "He was actually the smallest of the lot but is the kindest. When I heard about your incident, well I knew he'd be perfect. You know, German Shepherds are good guide dogs and he's very loyal, and has nice blue eyes and -"

"Kiba-kun," she lay a hand on his, ending his rumbling and sending a reassuring smile to assuage his guilt. "Thank you."

"Hai," he ruffled his locs, a large grin of relief, knowing she was still Hinata - still forgiving.

~.~.~

Jazz played on the record player as Asahi went around, sniffing every corner of the studio, familiarizing himself with Hinata's scent. She hummed happily in reliving the memories she had just created with her friends when a certain redhead flashed in her mind.

"I hurt you." his eyes bugged out in fear, anger, resentment before landing on pain.

Confused, she cocked her head to the side, her messy bun flopping along with her. He used his index finger to tap the bruise that had formed from when he threw his keys her way.

"Oh that." she pulled her hand back, "Don't worry about it."

"Please," he breathed out in frustration. It had been difficult going through what he had as a child. But he had promised himself to no longer cause people hurt, especially not one that was blind. "Let me make it up to you."

"No, it's no big deal." she laughed it off before sitting beside him on the couch. A worried crease forming in her features.

"I have to. I can't live with myself if I don't." he spoke quietly, reproaching himself instinctively

She could hear it in his voice, the way it quieted, the rigidness of his person next to her. He reminded her of who she had become when her mother died. He reminded her of the fear of oneself. The fear that by being alive he caused pain to everyone else.

"Fine," she sent him a small smile. "I'd like to become your friend."

"Friend?" Gaara was taken aback as he stared into pupiless eyes that seemed to see right through him. "Why?" his hands formed into fists beside him.

"You seem interesting." she shrugged

"Can I make it up another way?" he sighed, uncomfortable in all aspects

"Hm," she tapped her fingers on her chin, a far look glazed her eyes, "How you met your girlfriend?"

"Anything, that's not personal." his teeth gritted in annoyance and she let out a small laugh before getting up off the couch to the kitchen.

"Like I said, it's no big deal." she hummed, "Do you drink tea?" she asked, as she poured the hot water

Asahi raced across the living room, his feet pattering along the wood floors to the window facing the veranda. He growled and barked as a key jiggled in the lock. Bouncing off the sofa he had been perched on, he stood in front of the door as it pulled open, ready to pounce.

"What the fuck?" was the sound before the door slammed closed immediately.

'Sasuke-kun?' she thought to herself before it just registered what happened. Giggling, Hinata called out to Asahi and petted the dog, "It's okay. He's a good person." she smiled as Asahi calmed down, tiny growls in his throat but quieter, examining with great prudence. "You can come in, Sasuke-kun. He won't bite." she giggled, wishing she could've seen the fear on the proud Uchiha.