Man, I've just been on a roll tonight.
Inspiration came like a wave and a finished writing this at 2 am. If there are mistakes, I will come back later to fix them. I really just wanted to post this right away lol.
The story is slowly taking shape with each chapter - please believe in the vision haha
other than that, enjoy!
Chapter 3
The sound of her alarm had jolted Hinata from her deep sleep. Peering over, she saw the red numbers of the clock read 6:30am. It was a new day, and that meant filing away yesterday's worries. She took a few moments to herself, staring at the ceiling while counting the dust particles that floated past her. Although morning could be taxing at times, she couldn't deny the peace they brought, especially when she was the only one awake.
With a deep breath she rose from the warm sheets and padded her feet to the closet. As tempting as it was to slide on robe and begin her day in pajamas, she decided to dress herself instead. Her plans consisted of housework as well as Hyuga business, she didn't want to come back and stress over an outfit.
She settles over her usual attire. Sporting her favorite color as always while staying modest - though most of her 'modest' clothes simply were simply tops that hid her large breast. Once changed, she made her way to the bathroom to finish up her routine.
She quietly tiptoed down the hall and stairs to make her way towards the kitchen. If there's one thing she loved doing was making her family breakfast. Watching sleepy children, as well as her husband was not only cute but mildly amusing as well.
She carefully took out the rice cooker and began washing the rice. As she prepared their morning meal, her mind had drifted….drifted back to yesterday's conversation.
As much as she forced herself to 'change the subject' in her head, it seemed to linger.
She huffed out a frustrated sigh and tried to focus on the eggs. All was going well until she dropped an eggshell in the pan. Instead of four sunny side up eggs, there were now three. "I guess I'll have the broken one," she sighed.
Soon the sound of feet flooded down the steps.
"Himawari don't push!" an annoyed Boruto shouted.
"I won! I won!" Himawari shouted. Hinata smirked as she watched her kids' antics.
"Yeah, well I let you," he retorted, crossing his arms with annoyance. "Sasuke-san is rubbing off on him," she noted.
"Good morning you two," Hinata smiled, receiving an enthusiastic hug from Himawari. Boruto stood behind her, rolling his eyes at his sister's cuteness. Funny how only a few years ago he was doing that same thing. Hinata reached out and cupped Boruto's cheek, meeting his eyes with a loving look. As much as he stated he was 'too old' for morning hugs, she knew he still wanted attention. Boruto flushed and looked down, mumbling his good morning to his kind mother. "I'll always see you as my little boy," she secretly wanted to say.
"Mama, I'm starving," Himawari exaggerated.
"Me too Hima," she giggled, "Help me set the table and we'll eat right away!"
Himawari beamed. Soon Boruto and Himawari had set the napkins, chopsticks and spoons for breakfast. Hinata placed little bowls of miso, rice and eggs on the table for her kids to dig into. It was then that the front door had opened to a breathless clone.
"Good Morning!" Naruto's clone panted. It seemed that he had run straight from the office.
"It doesn't mean anything when it comes from a clone," Boruto grumbled. He didn't even turn to acknowledge its presence.
"Oi! Boruto, I heard that!" the clone scolded.
Himawari waved and said good morning to her father's clone and Hinata smiled as well.
"I'm here to bring back a change of close, I fell asleep at my desk again," the clone said sheepishly to Hinata, scratched the back of his head nervously.
"There is no need to worry Naruto-kun, I'll go grab you some things," she said as she walked towards the stairs.
"Hina, let me - I don't want your food to get cold." The clone said. He quickly stepped in front of her and cupped her cheek. "I'll be back later, so please enjoy your breakfast," planting a kiss on her cheek. Hinata blushed and watched as the close ran up the stairs to their bedroom.
Hinata sighed and let Naruto do his thing. She had wished the real Naruto had walked through the door, but shook her head instead. "Be thankful," she chided internally, she thanked the universe he was still pushing forward - staying true to his nindo.
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The morning flew by and Hinata found herself at the Hyuga estate. Her afternoon had consisted of meetings. Training with Hanabi as well as lunch with father. Time flew by and before she knew it, the clock read 3pm.
"Hinata are you okay?" Hanabi asked. Her sister had furrowed her brows when noticing the time.
"Well, not exactly," Hinata paled, "Himawari gets out of school at 3:15 and I haven't gone home to make anything for her." Uzumaki children were snackers, Boruto had his burgers and Hima had her. Yet the day seemed to have slipped here Hinata's fingers.
"I'll bring her here," responded Hiashi, "we have more than enough food." He gently set his tea down and smiled at Hinata, "I also wouldn't mind seeing my granddaughter."
"Oh my god yes! Let her come here Hina! I miss her too," Hanabi begged.
Hinata let out a soft laugh and couldn't help but smile at their cuteness. While Himawari was here, she could take her time making dinner. Naruto said he would be home today, so she figured she would make something nice.
"As long as you don't train her," Hinata giggled, "Himawari has set days for that."
"I swear!" Hanabi stated, crossing her heart, "I won't train her unless she asks, otherwise it's coloring and crafting with Big-Sis and grandpa."
"Very well then," Hinata shook her head, those two had become the biggest softies in the entire Hyuga clan. "Hurry though, she gets out of class soon."
It wasn't long before Hinata found herself walking back to her home alone. Hanabi had enthusiastically hugged her goodbye and made her way to the academy for Himawari. Hinata decided to stop by the markets to see what she could make for dinner.
As she walked, a strange thought occurred to her. "I have time to visit him today," she realized. And before she knew it, she had found herself in front of cemetery.
Hinata usually visited Neji once a month to fill him in on how her life was going. With the extra time on her hand, it seemed fitting to see him. What she didn't expect however, was to have company.
From a distance, Hinata could make out Tenten's form in front of Neji's headstone. Even after all these years, she still visited him. His death had not only rocked Hinata's world, but team Gai's as well. However, one could argue Tenten had suffered the most. She had secretly loved him for many years, and unfortunately never got the chance to tell him.
Hinata slowly approached a teary Tenten, listened as she recounted tales of her shop, chunin exams and future plans. It was just as endearing as it was sad. She had remained loyal to him, even after death.
"Hello Tenten," Hinata said, catching Tenten off guard.
"Hinata! I didn't expect you!" she jumped. Tenten quickly wiped away her tears and smiled. "I was just finishing up in case you wanted some privacy."
"There's no need," Hinata smiled back, "Besides, I won't stay for long."
They both stood silently before Neji's grave. After a few moments, Hinata finally spoke.
"He would have returned your feeling," she stated, keeping her eyes glued to his grave.
Tenten responded with a smile, "That's what I feel too."
"You knew?" Hinata asked, surprised.
Tenten looked down and finally glanced at Hinata before explaining. "It's hard to explain I guess….although I never told him my feelings, and he never told me his, his death brought us closer. He's no longer plagued by duty and clan priorities, his death brought an end to all of that...it's as if his freedom finally cleared his vision...well I guess his spirit," she chuckled, "I might sound crazy when I say this, but I feel him all the time. In dreams, during meditation, I even feel his presence in my shop - especially on slow days. I can almost see him meditating in the corner of my shop while I sharpen kunai and what not…." she trailed off and looked up towards the sky, "He would have loved my shop. It's traditional and quiet, perfect for a pair of old-souls like ourselves." Tenten teared as she continued to speak, "You may or may not believe me, but we did confess to each other a long time ago. It may have been a dream...but he hasn't stopped visiting since then….we'll meet again in a different lifetime, until then, he can continue to visit my dreams and shop."
Hinata reached and grabbed her hand. A long time ago, Hinata's guilt had prevented her from getting close to Tenten. She had feared Tenten hated her for taking her love away from this world, but that was simply not true. Tenten had reassured her multiple times that Neji would have done the same, regardless if she had confessed her feelings to him. It was his duty as a branch member to protect Hinata, and he did so as his last act for the Hyuga clan. There was no bad blood between them, only warm memories of the man they both admired.
"I'll come visit you too, Tenten," Hinata whispered. She squeezed Tenten's hand and looked into her beautiful brown eyes, "He would have cherished you forever."
"You mean he is?" she teased. Hinata let out a small laugh. She supposed Neji's spirit could be currently protecting and loving Tenten. And although it was a crazy thought, it couldn't help but warm her heart. They continued to share stories for some time before deciding to leave Neji. Her visit had also successfully distracted her from the uncomfortable thoughts she had been experiencing all morning and afternoon.
Tenten and Hinata soon walked out of the cemetery and said their goodbyes. Hinata checked her watch and gasped when it read 5 o'clock. "So much for going to the market," she sighed. Hinata picked up her pace and walked as briskly as she could back home.
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"Hina still loves me, right Sakura-chan?" Naruto kept asking the same question every other block.
"Yes dobe, just because she may be unhappy, doesn't mean she's given up on you." Sakura couldn't wait to deposit her sappy teammate at his house. Although this whole mess was still alleged, Naruto's imagination had taken over and created a blubbering mess. The man's insecurities poured out of him like a fountain.
"I failed her Sakura-chan, I don't deserve her," he wailed. "Two more blocks Sakura, you can do this," she repeated to herself.
"It's true you don't deserve her, but failure is a strong word Naruto. You're human, mistakes happen. Just learn from this one, okay?" she was definitely going to give him a sedative.
"Pervy Sage is looking down on me with disappointment," he continued to lament. Sakura only had time for one sappy man in her life and that was Sasuke, any more from Naruto would make her head explode.
Like a beacon in the night, the Uzumaki house appeared in the distance. "Time to deposit sleeping beauty."
Outside the front gates, Sakura pulled up Naruto's sleeve and pricked his skin with a mysterious shot
"Ouch! What the hell Sakura?!" Naruto yelped as he pulled back his arm.
"You'll thank me later idiot, now go inside and get some actual sleep."
As Naruto continued to argue with Sakura, Hinata came into view from a few streets down. She looked like she had run across town to get home, and once she saw Naruto at the gates, she smiled wide.
Watching Hinata from a distance made Naruto's heart heavy. Although he was annoyed that Sakura had basically thrown him out of his office, he remembered why she did so in the first place. "Was Hinata really unhappy?" he asked himself. That was the last thing he had wanted her to feel.
Once Hinata reached the pair, Nartuto took her into his arms. She blushed heavily in his arms, and Sakura stood there and chuckled. Sakura hoped that the dobe could make things right, the woman was a literal angel.
"Hina, I'm home," Naruto began to say, "I wannded do…" his words started slurring as he continued.
"Naruto-kun?" Hinata panicked.
"He's a bigger light weight than I thought," sighed Sakura, helping Hinata before he collapsed onto the concrete, "I'll explain everything after we lay him down."
"O-Okay Sakura," Hinata said softly, still overwhelmed by her passed out husband.
Once inside, they dragged Naruto up the stairs and into the master bedroom. He lay dead asleep on their bed as Sakura explained the situation.
"I have ordered Naruto to take five days leave for his health," she began, "No work or training - I'm surprised he's been able to stand with the lack of sleep he's experienced."
"But Sakura, what made you check up on him?" Hinata asked. More doubts flooded her mind, "What kind of wife doesn't notice her husband's welfare?!"
Sakura didn't want to share the real reason she and Sasuke had visited Naruto's office. It was Naruto's is duty to address Hinata accordingly. Sakura prayed that the next five days could allow him some time with his lonely wife.
"Sakura I'm a terrible wife!" Hinata whimpered, completely catching Sakura off guard.
"W-what?! Oh my god, Hinata you are sooo far from that!" Sakura assured her.
"B-But look at him," she walked over and held his cheek, "I didn't even know he was this exhausted."
Sakura silently cursed at herself for making the situation worse. Although the man needed sleep, she had ordered these days of rest specifically for them. Mostly for her.
"Hinata," Sakura whispered, catching Hinata's attention once again. "The last thing Naruto would consider you is a 'bad' wife." She walked over and grabbed her hand with hers, "You are a literal godsend to the man, don't be so hard on yourself."
They made their way downstairs and said their goodbyes, but before Sakura turned to leave, she left Hinata with a few last words, "Don't waste this time together."
Why the NejiTen? Because of course NejiTen! I don't' know why I added that scene, but I suppose I did it because Tenten is one of my favorite characters and she never got the love she deserved in Naruto.
Anyway, this NaruHina story is about to get real! Stay tuned ;)
