Lies. That's all you ever said. How can I trust you now when you turn away? I refuse to lay still for you, will you force the lies on me? Find the truth within yourself, it will set you free.
This just wasn't Kinmotsu's day. It was his first day on the job and all ready the woman hated him. To top it off he didn't know what to say to her to get her to NOT hate him to the very fiber of his being. Damn, just damn. Which led to the increasingly bad idea to follow her, not close mind you, but in her general direction.
His steps slowed considerably as he noticed her pressed against a wall and yet her chakra was still walking away. Taking a que, he mirrored her on the opposite wall and pressed a small noise amplifier into his right ear. Quietly slipping into a room he turned on the minuscule device.
"That was seventeen months ago cousin where are you going with this conversation?" There was a pause and Kinmotsu adjusted his weight on the ancient floorboards. There was a creaking noise and slightly panicked he balanced his weight on tip-toe, his heels lacking contact with the floor.
"Because we believe that they are still out to get you." With an inaudible sigh he laid his feet flat and the loudest creaking noise happened. He was out the window before it even finished.
"What? Why would they still be active--"
"Silence." Kinmotsu ever wary of the byakugan, flipped onto the roof and above where he could only assume the relatives were in. His eyes were snared onto the retreating back of Tenten. Her chestnut hair was blown behind her, still secured in the braid. She was wearing the thinnest night gown ever and Kinmotsu took note of the silken fabric.
Who put that thing on her? Pregnant or not, I didn't know nightwear apparal could be used as a weapon.
"Who was it cousin?" Ah, back to the conversation at hand.
"It was Tenten." Kinmotsu had a feeling that this knowledge changed nothing for him. His voice was so unattached that he wondered if Neji's features knew what it was like to smile.
"Now what cousin?"
"It doesn't matter if she knows, but don't bring it up. I'd rather for her not too get involved."
"You do care about her cousin, and she cares about you too. Maybe you should tell her how you feel?" There was a long suffering sigh before any words were spoken.
"It is better if I do not it will only hurt her."
"Cousin it can only hurt her not knowing. She has been in pain for all these months, please don't extend that pain." A chair scraped below him and Kinmotsu slowly backed to the edge of the roof.
"You don't understand Hinata, I can't! No matter how I feel, your protection and hers are more important. If I tell her she won't act accordingly to my words." Another scrape and Kinmotsu slowly slid from the building.
"Act? Cousin do not kid yourself, you hurt her. Every time you spit out lies, every time you turn around. Throw her out! Cousin stop this! I'm the one who must sit idle while you tear her apart! I will not tolerate this much longer!" Kinmotsu winced at the reprimanding tone in Hinata's voice. Hard to believe the gentle twenty-one year old had the nerve to yell at the Anbu member.
"Hinata-san with all due respect, this conversation is over." A door slid open and Hinata deemed it worth a last try.
"You will lose her cousin, Tenten will not wait forever for the truth." The door slid shut and Kinmotsu used this time to slink off into the darkness to collect his thoughts. It came as a surprise that the hardened ninja cared about someone other than himself. Either way Kinmotsu could feel a turning point with his position in the Hyuga household.
--
The shadows were everywhere; In the alleys, under windows and even stretching across the rooftops. So nobody noticed as one more shadow witnessed the drama unfold right before it's eyes. After the man took off the women remained. One had kind features that held a look that was pure pity. The stunned woman, with those glistening eyes whispered goodnight and left.
Soon after the courtyard was cleared the shadow stepped into the pale moonlight. His features illuminated showing both rage and sympathy. One emotion held exculsively for the callous man while the other was for the pregnant female.
Without doubt or hesitation he followed the sounds of her heartbreak. He came to her window and was prepared to hoist himself up when he froze. "Please don't hurt me anymore." That sentence was all he heard, just a breath across her lips but still so sorrowful. Those words struck him deep, snagged him and his emotions until he was compelled by her silence to move.
He dropped to his rump and gripped his arms tightly. Leaning against the dirty wall outside, he rocked back and forth litstening to her sobs. He had to physically resist the urge to go and cradle her in his arms. To wipe away her tears and whisper that Neji did love her even if he didn't deserve it. But no he rocked back and forth, his blunt nails digging into the sleeves of his haori, leaving slight tears in the same spots.
Don't get involved this isn't going to help your case. Don't comfort her, remember the mission, remember the mission.
It wasn't helping because whatever the mission was, it's importance drifted away as her quiet sobbing took it's place. She wasn't wailing, wasn't hiccuping for air, she was just crying. With a start Kinmotsu realized that even now she wasn't crying out all of her pain. After a while the room became silent and that's when he unfurled from his forced position.
He slipped off his shoes and dropped quietly into her room. Placing the shoes in his gardener bag, he padded over to her side. The thin robe hid nothing as her silent sobs wracked her body making her as vulnerable as can be. Curled into a fetal position, her cheeks still wet from the tears she had yet to wipe away.
A tormented sight to see indeed, covered from shoulder to ankle in a crisp, clean sheet. Fisted in her hands was the blanket so tight that perhaps she was seeking solace in the cotton. Oddly his thoughts were mute as he stared down at her. Here was a perfect opportunity to kill a great ninja.
Deeply embedded in her grief she didn't even hear him enter her room, didn't sense him hovering inches away from her reddened cheeks. Sudden awareness hit him and he sat back on his haunches. What was he doing? Was he planning on kissing her? Gods that would have been stupid. Retracting himself from the almost foolish action, Kinmotsu stood up and was hit by an all mighty fury.
There's no way I'll let this go, no way that bastard won't pay.
Turning briskly towards his escape he was stopped not even three steps away by one word.
"Kinmotsu." His voice clogged, his head swam as he turned towards her. I got lost and well this isn't my room, wouldn't be the best excuses for someone this suspicious. "I don't...trust..you." He bit his bottom lip to keep from laughing out right. She wasn't awake, just dreaming of their encounter earlier. "Neji."
That one word whispered held the weight and depth of her heartache and deeply rooted pain.
How long has she been like this? How long has she put up with this? Kinmotsu crept back out the window and crossed the Hyuga gate before heading to his apartment. But what I want to know most is if she still loves the fool. The answer to that question, Kinmotsu guessed, would be answered only in due time.
--
The sun broke too soon over the horizon for some of the citizens of Konoha. One of these citizens lay curled inside her blankets, the very world around her cheery and full of life. But she would rather be an unproductive mass of nothing than join them. Sakura Haruno was not a morning person, no matter how many morning shifts she had reluctantly taken.
The alarm clock's persistent shriek finally had her rolling unceremoniously onto the fluffy carpeted floor. Hitting the button harder than intended, probably even jamming the stupid thing, she set off to get ready. Her routine was mundane and quickly accomplished as she really didn't wear make-up and her hair was still only a little ways past her chin.
She left her apartment before the clock even read six thirty. Taking a leisurely pace, Sakura noted all the people who were out setting up shop or even opening up. The village wide celebration was coming up for Tsunade's birthday. August second and she was unhappy about it, of course Naruto has been guessing at her age but she just won't reveal it.
The hospital came into view quicker than intended and Sakura was kicked straight into worry mode when she was greeted at the front doors by Tsunade.
"Tsunade-shishou is something the matter?" Tsunade pointed a finger behind her, a scowl adorned on her pretty pink lips.
"He is my problem. I socked him too hard so I'm giving you full charge of the knuckle head okay? Good, I'm out of here." True to her word she disappeared in the smoke from her transportation jutsu. Hardly knowing what to do, Sakura grabbed Naruto and threw his unconscious body over her shoulder.
"You know Naruto, you make an excellent sack of potatoes." Her laughter echoed in the lobby as she deposited him on the linoleum floor. "I need someone to get him his own room. Oh and don't forget to tie him up good and tight!"
"Yes Sakura-sama!" Two male nurses hoisted Naruto up and left deeper inside the hospital.
"All right give it to me!" The secretary handed six different clipboards to the eager, work-loving Jonin. "Ms. Johansen is back I wonder if her coughing fits are acting up again. Hey let me know if I get any messages."
"Will do Sakura-sama." With that a new day of laboring hospital work began anew. Hours passed before Sakura even bothered with her lunch break. She was just on her way out when she saw Hinata standing in the lobby. The Hyuga looked shifty and she was back to her Genin days of wringing her hands together whenever she was nervous.
"Hinata-san you look out of place! Whatever brought you to my humble work place!" Startled from her shiftiness Hinata looked right up at Sakura who happened to be several inches taller.
"Sakura-san there is something I wish to discuss with you."
"Perfect timing! I was just on my way to the new café up the street. Care to join me?" Hinata nodded before both left, Sakura leading of course. Hinata's hands were shaking as her expression took on a tad bit of helplessness. Sakura noticed this and immediately knew she had to get the woman talking. "So, you going to tell me what this is about?" Now that got the polite woman blushing.
"Oh I'm sorry! How terribly rude, it's about Tenten and Neji." A shadow passed over Sakura's features as she just KNEW what could have Hinata look for help outside of her clan. Burying the newly surfaced demons of her past she smiled joyfully as the grand opening sign became apparently closer.
"Come on Hinata-san, I'm looking forward to some sweets and real food!" Taking Hinata's hand they stepped into the air conditioned room before being helped to a table. Shortly after their arrival two matching, steaming cups were set before the waiting women.
"Thank you." Sakura nodded her head to the waiter before picking up her cup of hot sake and sipping. "Are you sure you should be drinking Sakura-san?" A loud laugh followed that comment before a blushing Hinata sipped at her green tea.
"No need to worry, one cup isn't going to lay me down flat. I'm tougher than that!" To prove her point Sakura threw out her muscles and flexed. Involuntarily causing her to bump the guy who was just walking by behind her. Now a bump is nothing, honestly, but a chakra enhanced bump? The poor fellow was sent through three tables before landing below the wreckage.
Using reflexes only a ninja could have, Sakura had all ready crossed the room to help. Flipping a broken table over to the side she knelt down to find the guy to actually be none other than Kiba Inuzuka. Blushing brighter than a wild cherry tree, she reached out brushing the dirt from his torn up jacket.
"I'm sorry I just...I didn't mean to..are you..okay?" Kiba sat back against another broken table with the biggest grin on his rugged features.
"No, I'm not okay, I've probably got amnesia and will pass out on the way back home." That had her doubtful until she took notice of a stream of blood leaking out from under his headband.
"You're hurt. Here let me heal you. How will you ever forgive me?" Her focus was on the gash on his head so she completely missed the sparkle that lit his eyes or the fact that his grin turned up even more.
"Go on a date with me." That was a simple enough request but with the way she was floundering for words caused Kiba to internally yip. "That is if you want too." Her mouth closed suddenly and white teeth began to worry her bottom lip. Kiba's eyes were instantly drawn, especially when her cheeks were that pink. Geez you'd think she was on overload with how much she used the girly color.
"Will you forgive me if I do?" Kiba raised a hand to cover his mouth so she couldn't see his grin get much wider. Finally devising his plan thoroughly enough he jumped into what could be considered dangerous territory.
"Maybe not one date, but I can assure you it's a good start." She tensed immensely but he let his toothy grin go. The blush lessened but in it's place her voice slightly faltered.
"All right. I g-get off work at fi-five tonight." He nodded and left the café, a slight hobble in his step but a stupid grin on his face.
It's a good thing she agreed! Man I don't know what I'd do to see her face light up like that again. That Sakura's a real gem. I can't wait to tell the guys!
It was only after Kiba left and her embarrassment cleared enough that she realized she had just been suckered into a date. A date with Kiba Inuzuka!
Sakura had to promise the owner of the place to pay for the damages before she could sit down and eat. Slumping in her seat she took one long swig of sake before rubbing tiredly at her eyes.
"He likes you, you know." Sakura turned to face the quiet heiress forgetting that she was even there in the first place.
"Who the owner?" Hinata giggled before putting her chopsticks to her lips and eating the wrapped sushi. "Kiba likes me?" Sakura hit herself in the forehead.
Well that was obvious wasn't it?
Hinata blinked widely at the doctor's look.
"You didn't know? He's a nice guy, a little rough around the edges but he's got a good heart." Sakura nodded and spoke hoping to switch subjects and fast!
"What happened between Tenten and Neji?" The color drained from Hinata's face as she recounted the events that occured last night. Sakura kept her face neutral and her fists beneath the table. No reason to let the Hyuga woman know how white her knuckles had turned.
"This morning she refused to get out of bed and even refused her breakfast. A maid left a bowl of rice in her room but hours later it wasn't touched. I'm worried about her Sakura-san and I feel I can't do anything about it." Sakura nodded politely and allowed a smile to slide into place.
"No worries Hinata-san I'll stop by later after work and see her."
"Oh thank you Sakura-san but what about your date with Kiba?" Sakura felt as if Hinata was slyly bringing him up on purpose, but one look at that innocent face and she couldn't muster the courage to accuse.
"I guess I'll have to..uh..reschedule."
"I have an idea! I'll just tell him to meet you at the mansion!" Sakura bit back a groan by shoving an anko dumpling in her mouth. She nodded enthusiastically and chewed. She had a feeling that the rest of today was going to drag it's feet, just for her. Whoopie.
That's it I'm done with this chapter! I'm pleased to know you all are enjoying my story thus far! That's always great to know! If you got this far means you read it so now all you have to do is...REVIEW to your hearts content! I'm out. And just for the record...I've no idea how Sakura and Kiba got into my story. I was just sitting doing laundry and I'm like hmm Kiba and Sakura sound good right about now. ARGH! It wasn't intentional! These characters got a mind of their own. Okay now I'm really out.