ANIME IS LIFE!
Chapter 7: Bonds
"I-Itai…" A small voice cried out softly as she leaned against the wooden fence trying to maintain her balance. "I-it h-hurts so bad…"
Clutching her injured hand to her chest, she glanced at her foot and gasped silently seeing the purple ugly bruise starting to form, wincing she tried to apply pressure on the foot only to have herself falling to the ground in an undignified manner.
She could feel the tears forming in her eyes. But she refused to cry.
Not here.
Not now.
But somewhere she could be alone and cry to her heart's content.
"I-If…" She sucked in a breath trying to control the tears. "I-If o-only I could be stronger… maybe Outo-sama would like me more…"
She tried to ignore the pain when she stood up, whimpering as the tears silently fell against her will.
"Dai… Daijobu ka?"
She froze.
Her head whipped around to face the stranger who had approached her.
Pearl met Emerald.
"…Un."
"Well," Kakashi stated with a smile. "I think we all deserve an early leave."
The three genin stood before him panting.
Team 7 had just gone through their early morning training which consists of:
One: 30 laps around Konoha. (No breaks included)
Two: push and pull ups. A hundred for each. (If you lose count you need to start all over again)
Three: light sparring sessions. (…light was an understatement—as stated by Naruto)
And lastly,
Four: D-rank missions for the Hokage.
They were in the middle of doing number 3 when a Chunin approached them and called Kakashi out for a mission from the Hokage. The silver haired male bid them farewell and instructed them to go home and take the rest of the day off, seeing as tomorrow they would carry out number four of the training regimen the whole day. Naruto gave a whoop of joy and directed an invitation to his two teammates for an early lunch at his favorite ramen bar. Sasuke silently agreed with a nod. He then joined the blonde in staring at their female companion waiting for an answer.
Sakura, finally noticing their stares turned to face them. "Ah…Gomen, demo I already have an engagement prior to this."
Naruto deflated at that.
"Demo, Sakura-chan! I have a coupon for a free bowl for every five bought!"
"Gomen, Naruto-san" She picked up her pack and allowed Chi to hop onto her shoulder as he does every time they leave.
"I'm running late as it already is… maybe next time." She bade the two farewell and made her way out of the training grounds.
Sakura reached up to scratch Chi by the ear and gave a small smile when the feline purred in contentment.
"Chi, time to visit a friend."
…
"Mou… I guess it's just the two of us, teme!"
"…"
"Teme? Oi Sasuke! Where did you go!-?"
"Hinata-sama would you like some snacks with your tea?"
"H-Hai, Arigatou…" dainty hands reached for the tea cup with grace and femininity of a princess. She sighed and glanced at the peaceful garden of the main house and wished that there was at least someone she could talk to.
Team 8 had dismissed their daily training routine for today because Kurenai-sensei was called out for a mission. Shino and Kiba had to go as well seeing as they, also being clan heirs, used this opportunity to do some clan training. The same thing had crossed her mind, yet the cold harsh reality came in once again as she was reminded that her sister Hanabi would be named heir and thereby replacing her.
She sighed once again and brought the tea cup near her mouth for another sip.
"Looks like I came at the right time."
Hinata nearly dropped the tea on her lap all the while mentally berating herself at the thought of a ninja in training like her getting surprised like that. Opal eyes widened in realization as her head whipped towards the direction of the voice. A smile broke into her features as she hastily stood up and pushed the shoji open to reveal a smirking pinkette hiding among the branches of the large oak tree situated in the Hyuuga compound's garden.
"S-Sakura-chan!" Hinata cried out in glee as she ran over to the pinkette set on greeting her with open arms.
"Hinata, long time no—" She never got to finish that sentence seeing as the normally timid and soft spoken Hyuuga pounced on her and refused to remove herself from her middle torso.
…
"Hinata-san?"
"Hmm?"
"…"
"…"
"I would like to stand up now."
The two of them sat in silence. It wasn't awkward, just peaceful silence between the two as they enjoy each other's company with a pot of tea and a basket of treats.
"So…" The pinkette started. "How are things?" normally Sakura wouldn't be the one to start the conversation but it had been so long since she and the pearl eyes heiress had a sit down like this and just talk.
Hinata smiled.
"A-All has been well." She poured them another cup. "K-Kurenai-sensei has been a really great teacher. Shino-kun and Kiba-kun to…"
Sakura hummed in approval as the girl continued on telling her story about how Kurenai tested them on their first training day. She went on how the two boys chose to stay and help her and not leave her to fend off for herself. Internally Sakura was quite impressed as Team 8 implemented teamwork on their own and not like Team 7 who had to have the harsh reality of their idiotic display of showing off. Their conversation was cut short when the door slid open to reveal a maid. She announced that the Head would be coming over in a short while with her sister Hanabi. Sakura didn't seem interested and drank her tea quietly, but her trained eyes noticed that Hinata had tensed ever since the word that her father would arrive had been given.
"Hinata,"
"H-Hai?"
"Stop fidgeting."
"H-Hai."
Sakura sighed and stood up, surprising the dark haired girl.
"S-Sakura-chan?"
She silently walked over to her side of the table and kneeled down beside her and softly patted her on the head. "Don't fret; I'll be here with you."
Hinata looked shocked for a moment but soon after a soft smile broke out of her features and she squeezed the pinkette's free hand for comfort. "Arigatou…"
Footsteps could be heard from outside of the door as Sakura went back to her place and awaited the arrival of the Hyuuga clan head.
"Hinata," the door slid open.
You are weak.
A disgrace
You can never be the Head of the Hyuuga clan.
"Hanabi and I will not be joining you this afternoon for tea." Hyuuga Hiashi stated as he walked inside accompanied by Hyuuga Hanabi. His stern gaze moved over to the pinkette languidly pouring another cup of tea and didn't even bother to look up.
"Konichiwa, Hiashi-sama" Sakura greeted, "I hope you do not mind me joining you this afternoon."
Hiashi stared at her for a moment then to his silent daughter who normally kept her head down. "Iiye, it is always quite a pleasure to have you over Sakura-san."
Hanabi looked torn for a moment and sent her father a wary glance.
"Outo-sama…"
"Hanabi, come." Hiashi didn't even bother to let her speak as he led the way towards the Hyuuga training grounds within the compound. Hanabi looked disappointed and sent the two a small bow and hastily exited, trailing not too far away from her father.
Silence washed over the two once more until they were certain that the Hyuuga head was out of hearing, soon after Sakura let out a sigh of relief and allowed herself to fall back in an undignified manner.
"Hinata, your father is nice and all but he should really get that pole out of his a—"
"S-SAKURA-CHAN!"
Giggles filled the room.
Sakura smiled to herself as she glanced at the still giggling pearl eyed heiress. She patted the empty space near her and allowed the girl to lie beside her.
"I'm proud of you Hinata,"
She said earning a surprised look from the aforementioned girl. Sakura extended out a hand and pinched her cheek in an endearing manner. Hinata blushed and giggled as she playfully swatted her hand away with a grin.
"N-Ne, S-Sakura-chan?"
"Hm?"
"T-tomorrow will you—"
"Mew."
Sakura sat up as she heard the familiar mewl of her beloved pet and smiled when she saw her precious companion sitting patiently on the Hyuuga compound's walls.
"Sakura-chan?" Hinata watched in silence as the pinkette walk over with awaiting arms to the black cat that wasted no time in jumping into them.
Sakura gave one of her rare smiles as the feline nudged it's tiny little face onto her seeking for affection. "Hinata, meet Chi."
Hinata smiled. "H-He's so cute!"
Right then and there, Hinata had never felt so much hatred towards something before.
…
And that something was a cat.
"Dai… Daijobu ka?"
Pearl met Emerald.
"…Un."
…
"Liar."
Her eyes snapped open as she stared at the girl in front of her. 'H…How?'
The girl held out a hand which she warily accepted, with a strong tug she pulled her up to her feet.
"You… You should be careful." She stated looking at her swollen ankle.
"I-It's f-fine! Y-you d-don't have to—" Hinata moved to put some distance between the two but she almost lost her footing and fell to the ground if it wasn't for the girl who caught her arm in the last minute.
"G-Gomen! I-I—!"
"Urusai." Hinata stiffened in surprise when the girl threw her arm around her shoulders and stared at her. "Where do you live?"
"T-The H-Hyuuga C-Compound…"
The girl sighed. "Figures that you're a Hyuuga with those eyes… Mataku, I could've been training right now."
Hinata gasped in realization. She had bothered someone with her weakness again!
"G-Gomenasai! Y-You c-can leave me here! T-The c-compound i-isn't too f-far from h-he—"
"You know when someone does you a good deed; you should really learn to just accept it."
…
"G-Gomen—"
"And you should really stop apologizing so much."
"G-Go—"Hinata put a hand on her mouth to stop herself from apologizing once more.
A chuckle escaped from the girl. "You're weird."
Hinata blushed from embarrassment.
"Well we're here."
She dropped her off the Hyuuga Compound gates. "Sayonara."
Hinata stared at her retreating form, her long pink hair swaying as she walked.
"H-Hinata! M-My name is H-Hyuuga H-Hinata!" She uncharacteristically yelled.
The girl stopped and glanced.
"Sakura… Haruno Sakura."
HELLO! XD
Yes! I'm on a roll~
Though I've probably would've posted this sooner if not for the anime I recently bought :T
I finished all four of them in three days! Now I'm dead again (-_-) my life has no meaning… :(
Anyways~
Just a Hina-Saku chapter X3
I love Hinata!
…
Not as much as I do to Sakura, but I still love her nonetheless :D
…
Though I can't say that I'm contented with this (- -;)
Let's just all agree that this can be considered as a filler chapter!
Review onegaishimasu!