Ch.13 An Apology, A Sad Lesson, And A Drunk
"Good night Sasuke…and thank you." she murmured, her eyelids starting to feel heavy and his warmth and comforting embrace beginning to make her drowsy.
"Good night Hinata…and remember…your not alone…not any more." He said softly, repeating her words when she held him after his nightmare. Hinata closed her eyes and snuggled a little close to him, a small smile on her face as she drifted off to sleep.
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It had been four months since that night, four months of healing each other's wounds and past scars. With Sasuke's help, Hinata's heart had slowly begun to heal; she started smiling more, laughing more, blossoming under his gentle care. Though it was difficult sometimes, he was always patient with her, never wanting to push her away, waiting for her. And with Hinata's soft smiles and sweet laughter, with her caring heart, Sasuke also learned that it was alright to smile a little bit more, to act a little less distant. There were of course bad days, days when arguments would spring up between them, but because both were too scared to lose the other, too scared to going back to being alone, they would always try and find a way to compromise or agreed with the fact that they disagreed. But those days were few compared to the blissful days that flourished between them.
Then one day while volunteering at the hospital, she got an unexpected visitor. She was told to meet them at an unused corner room in the hospital. Curious as to who it was, she headed over there as soon as she got a break. Opening the door, Hinata took two steps into the room before stopping suddenly in her tracks. The young man turned around at looked at her with his sad deep blue eyes.
"Can I talk to you?" Naruto asked softly, slowly facing her. Hinata bit her lip and looked away, unsure of what to do, but after a few moments, she turned around and closed the door behind her before walking farther into the room. She made sure to put enough distance between them, not wanting to get too close to him. Naruto noticed, and was saddened by it, but it didn't deter him for what he came here to do.
"So…how have you been?" he asked her gently, needing to break the silence between them. Hinata wrapped her arms about herself and kept her eyes on the side wall instead of him.
"Fine." She answered softly, not saying anymore than what was necessary.
"Oh…that's good." He said quietly and after a few moments of awkward silence, Hinata spoke up.
"Listen, Naruto…I have…a lot of work to do…so…" she let her sentence hang between them. She didn't want to be rude, but she didn't particular want to be in his presence right now. Naruto nodded his head.
"I just wanted to say…I'm sorry…for all the pain I caused you. Believe me, if I could take back what I did…I would." He told her, his eyes on the floor. She couldn't say that she forgave him, not just yet, so she just nodded her head in acknowledgement.
"So…um…you're with Sasuke now?" he asked her, lifting his eyes back up to hers. Not trusting herself to speak, she nodded her head again.
"Do you love him?" he asked her. Hinata's brows knit into an angry frown.
"I have to go." she said quickly before turning on her heel to leave. But Naruto quickly caught her by her shoulders, stopping her. She whirled around with a flash of anger in her eyes.
"Listen Naruto…"
"I wasn't asking because…because of that!" he yelled, frustrated. "I…I know I lost you! I know I can't get you back! I've…I've accepted that." He admitted to her, dejectedly. Hinata's anger suddenly rushed out of her, looking at the broken man before her.
"Don't worry Hinata…I won't mess up what you have with him, even though I'll always love you…I just hope he can succeed where I failed." Hinata didn't know what to say, she felt bad for Naruto, she really did. But she, too, didn't want to destroy what she had with Sasuke, over a lost love that could never be found again.
"Don't take this the wrong way Hinata, but…I miss you. I really do…Can we, at least be friends, like we use to be?" he asked her. With tears brimming in her eyes, she nodded her head as she slowly wrapped her arms around his shoulders, holding him tightly. She too had missed him…they were always good friends, even before they were together. It was difficult not to want to be with him again. Her past love for him beginning to fade, being replace by something else for someone else, but she sorely missed the friendship she had with him. With the exception of her love for him, she was always able to tell him anything, and he would always cheer her up. She had missed those days, days that seemed so simple now.
After a few moments, Hinata slowly withdrew from his embrace, looking at him with soft eyes.
"I'm sorry Naruto-kun…but I really do have to go." she said softly, not wanting to cause her old friend any more pain. Naruto nodded his head, watching her leave him.
"Hinata…" he called to her just before she closed the door behind her, "thank you." Hinata smiled softly at him before walking out of the room, walking out on him, and finally closing the doors to her past.
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Hinata walked into the first open room she saw and closed the doors before sitting down on the nearest chair. Her heart was beating quickly and breathing seemed to be a difficult task to do at the moment. She couldn't believe she did what she did. If you would have told her that she would one day turn down Naruto's love and only accept his friendship, she would have thought you were crazy. It was hard, she'd admit that, but she knew that there was someone else to help her with that pain, someone who would help her move on with her life.
"This must be heaven." She heard a male voice pierce through her thoughts. Looking up she noticed for the first time, that she wasn't alone. She had run into a patient's room…with a patient in it!
"What?" she asked, not really sure she heard him correctly.
"This definitely must be heaven, because you are the most beautiful angel I've ever seen." The young man who was sitting up in the bed said with a smile. Hinata blushed prettily as she resisted the urge to smile back.
"I'm sorry for barging in on you." she said apologetically.
"That's alright angel…so what could be so horrible for a lovely lady like yourself to frown like you were earlier?" he asked her. Hinata wasn't sure if it would be such a good idea to tell him, but since Sasuke had just left on a mission and couldn't talk to him but wanted someone to confide in, she figured she could talk to this young man who seemed to have a very interesting personality.
"I…just finished talking with my…ex." She said hesitantly, walking to stand beside his bed.
"And? What he'd say?" he asked while gesturing her to sit on the chair next to him.
"Just that he's sorry…and won't mess up what I have with my…my…sorta boyfriend." She said shyly.
"'Sorta boyfriend'? How long have you been with this sorta boyfriend?" he asked with a look of curiosity and puzzlement.
"Four months." Hinata said softly as her gaze lowered.
"Four months and he's just a 'sorta boyfriend'? Honey you must have commitment issues." He said shaking his head, making Hinata bit her lip.
"Do you love your ex?" he asked her.
"Not anymore...I don't think." She replied, shaking her head no.
"Sweety, it's either you do or you don't." he lectured her lightly.
"Then…I…I don't." she said slowly, almost not believing in what she was actually saying.
"And what about this 'sorta boyfriend'? Do you love him?" he asked her, looking at her pointedly.
"Uh…" she opened her mouth but that was the only thing that came out…sounding like a croak.
"Ah, I see you're problem." He said with a smile as he nodded his head and crossed his arms. Hinata looked up at him with surprise.
"Yep, see darlin', you love your 'sorta boyfriend', but because your ex probably broke your sweet little heart into a million pieces, your afraid that if you admit your love to your 'sorta boyfriend' then he'll just take those pieces of your broken heart and just scatter them to the wind." He informed her.
"Umm…" she wasn't quite sure how to respond to all that he just said.
"So here's what you should do, sweetheart. Tell him, your 'sorta boyfriend', that you love him." Told her with authority.
"Uhh…"
"Don't make the same mistake I did." He said softly, his smile fading from his face.
"What…what umm…" she started out hesitantly, not really sure if he would appreciate her prying into his life.
"The last time I spoke with my girlfriend, we were in an argument. She wanted to get married, but I said I wasn't sure. I wanted to, but I was always scared that sooner or later, she'd realized what a loser I am and leave me. So I figured if I denied the love I had for her, it would hurt less when she finally leaves me. About a month ago she left on a long term mission…the day after she left I bought her an engagement ring…She's due back in two weeks…but it turns out, with my condition…the only thing waiting for her when she comes back…is the ring I bought her." He said softly, telling his sad story. Hinata bit her lip and trying to stop the tears that were forming in her eyes.
"I…I am so sorry." Hinata said gently. The young man nodded his head in acknowledgement, then looked at her to see her try and hide her tears.
"Don't cry angel…just make sure you don't make the same mistake I've made. There may never be a tomorrow, something could happen to you or your 'sorta boyfriend', and then you'll regret not telling him how you really feel…deep down inside." Hinata nodded her head, wiping the few tears that came to her eyes. He smiled sadly at her before turning to the table next to him and grabbing a small velvet box.
"A favor if you please…in return of the awesome advice I gave you?" he asked her with a smile, making her chuckle lightly as she nodded her head. Taking her hand, he placed the box in her palm.
"Give it to my girlfriend…and tell her that I love her, that I always loved her, and that I'll be waiting eagerly until the day we'll meet again." He asked her solemnly. She opened her mouth to protest while she shook her head, how could she give such news to another woman?
"Please…lovely angel, please." He begged her with such pleading eyes. Tears fell from her eyes as she slowly nodded her head, her hand grasping the small box tightly.
"Thank you."
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A few days later the young man had passed away, Hinata stared at the now empty room with sad eyes and a heavy heart. She had found out the name of his girlfriend, and in two weeks waited for her in Tsunade's office. She had explained what was asked of her to the Hokage, and had asked if she could tell the woman here, since she didn't know where the woman lived. Giving her consent, the two women waited for the young man's girlfriend to arrive.
When a small raven haired, green eyed woman walked into the room, Tsunade nodded to Hinata.
"Um…excuse me?" Hinata hesitantly piped up before the woman could speak.
"Yes?"
"I…work in the hospital…and…I unfortunately have some…bad news for you." Hinata said softly as she watched the woman start to looked worried.
"Oh please don't tell me it's my boyfriend." The woman begged her, panic in her voice. Hinata bit her lip and looked at her sadly, slowly nodding her head.
"No, oh please no!" she cried as tears fell quickly down her cheeks. "He…he didn't even know how much I loved him." She said, crying to herself.
"He did." Hinata told her earnestly, "And he told me how much he loved you, how he always loved you…and how he can't wait to meet you again." Hinata told her quickly, needing to say it all together before she herself would start crying. The woman looked at her with such hope in her eyes. Walking over to her, Hinata gently took her hand, and placed the small velvet box in her palm.
"He wanted to give this to you when you came back." She said softly while the woman opened the box slowly. Seeing the beautiful golden diamond ring, she let out a heart felt cry, before falling all to pieces in Hinata's arms.
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Later that night, Hanabi found her sister sitting at the kitchen counter staring out into space, a thoughtful look on her face. Hanabi looked down to find Hinata clutching a sake bottle…ok never mind 'thoughtful'. Walking over, she grabbed the bottle out of Hinata's hands, to look at her sister's reaction…nothing.
"Nee-san? What's wrong? You never drink sake." Hanabi asked curiously.
"AmIgoingtobejustlikethatwoman?" Hinata asked, slurring her words horribly, luckily Hanabi had a quick ear.
"What woman?" she asked her sister, perplexed.
"I…Ithink…I'm fallinginlovewithhim." Hinata said with a frown, turning to her sister.
"Who?" Hanabi asked. Hinata shook her head and blinked several times.
"Hanabi?" she asked, her eyes squinting.
"Man are you plastered." Hanabi said with a laugh. "How man bottles did you have?" Hinata frowned and looked at her hand in concentration, then after a few moments held up two fingers and looked at them with a confused expression.
"Two bottles!" Hanabi cried, her mouth hanging open.
"No!" Hinata yelled unexpectedly, before turning around and grabbing the small cup that Hanabi failed to notice.
"Oh I see…you got plastered by two cups not two bottles." She exclaimed with a fake enthusiastic smile. All of a sudden Hinata gasped loudly.
"I got it." She whispered to Hanabi. "I knowwhatIshoulddonow." Hanabi laughed silently at her drunk sister a few more minutes.
"What you should do is go to bed." She told her. Hinata violently shook her head.
"No no no no no." she whispered.
"Yes yes yes yes. Come on." Hanabi said, grabbing Hinata's arm, wrapping it around her shoulders and held her up by her waist. Luckily Hanabi was very strong or else leading Hinata to her room would have proved very difficult, since the woman could hardly walk. Finally getting to Hinata's room, Hanabi dropped her sister onto her bed, and not so gently too.
"Imoto-chan…makeitstop spinning." Hinata whined.
"Then close you eyes and go to bed." Hanabi said with an unsympathetic voice, as she looked down on her sister, trying to figure out if she should get her sister into her pj's or to just leave her in her clothes.
"Nooooo I can't…I haveto seduce him." Hinata whined, trying to get her sister to understand her. Hanai chuckled as her eyes widened in surprise at the same time.
"Ok I'll just pretend I didn't hear that." Hanabi said with a smile as she zipped her sister's jacket off.
"Doyouthink he lovesme?" Hinata asked Hanabi as she continued to undress her.
"Probably." Hanabi answered absently as she finally got her sister down to her underwear. She was about to turn around to get Hinata's pj's, when she suddenly spotted the many hickies on Hinata's chest.
"What the hell are those!" Hanabi asked pointing to Hinata's chest, shocked.
"My boob's." Hinata said, as if it Hanabi's question was the most stupidest she's ever heard.
"Not those! Those!" Hanabi said exasperatedly. Hinata slowly lowered her gaze to her chest to find the many love marks Sasuke left.
"Oh." Hinata said with a giggle. "Look." Hinata said with a bright smile.
"Oh forget it." Hanabi said rolling her eyes with frustration…there was obviously no talking to her sister when she was drunk. Turning to get Hinata's pj's she could hear Hinata counting the love marks on her chest.
"One. Two. Three…what'safterthree?" Hinata asked as Hanabi came back to dress her.
"Too many." She said, as she tried to get Hinata into her pj's. After what felt like an hour to Hanabi, she finally got her sister dressed and tucked into bed.
"Neji-nii-san hasprettyhair." Hinata said, snuggling into her pillow. How the hell did he get into this conversation?
"I know, it's just like mine…and unlike yours." Hanabi said in a sarcastic voice, making her sister frown.
"Areyousaying, I have…uglyhair?" Hinata asked her sister; Hanabi smiled.
"No…it's just like mom's." she said softly. Hinata turned over and looked at Hanabi.
"Wishyoucould've knownher." Hinata said sadly. Hanabi smiled and bent down, kissing Hinata on her forehead.
"I know you don't I?" she asked softly. "Now go to sleep." She said sternly. Hinata yawned and nodded her head, dreaming of Sasuke and how to put her newly formed plan of 'Seduce Sasuke' into action.
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AN: Ok I know this chapter is REALLY random (blame it on NocturneD, I just started reading one of his funny/really random ficcies) but I didn't want to spend like three chapters explaining when or how Hinata finally realizes that she loves Sasuke. So I introduced a few unnamed OCs to kind of knock some sense into her. And the whole drunk Hinata thing, does have a point, you guys will understand in the next chapter. And if it's difficult reading what Hinata is saying, I'm sorry, let me know and I'll take this down and fix it so that it's readable. And with the whole drunken thing, please go easy on me, it's my first attempt at writing humor, I know I'm not very good, but please don't hate me. Please keep reviewing, my lovely and awesome reviewers, they keep me inspired to write more. Thanks SO much! Ja!