Beautiful People

Chapter 18: I'm Free for Tuesday.

Beta: strawberries and napkins

…

I stand there proudly, shoulder-to-shoulder with Sasuke as we give Tsunade a detailed description of our trip. On Sasuke's left, is Naruto. On my right is my father. He doesn't look pleased or displaced. Rather, a display of careful neutrality is painted on his face. It's the only way I can describe his face. When it's over, he nods to the Hokage, shakes hands firmly with Sasuke, and then Naruto. Then he brushes by me, softly.

It takes a few seconds for it to sink in.

"Well done," he voice is rings in my ear. I don't break down and cry like I had always imagined I would, but my knees shake so badly that Sasuke wraps his arm around me to support me.

Tsunade smiles. "Seems like this mission has brought even more mush and joy than expected." She rolls her eyes. Naruto folds his arm over his chest and smiles. They share a mutual glance, and then she waves us out.

I'm happy, and embarrassed at the same time. Being around Sasuke brings out that type of stuff in me. But I get the urge to hug him again, so I do.

"Hey, hey. I saw him first now, Hina-chan," Naruto jokes and it makes me release him quickly. Sasuke's face is still impassive, possibly annoyed, but I can't stop blushing.

They kiss. The uneasy feeling in my belly rings loudly, rattling my bones. Then weakens, eventually fading away. I smile at them, and I know I'll be okay.

"So, where are you going today, Hina-chan?" Naruto grins sheepishly. I shrug and wave them both goodbye.

Sasuke mouths the words 'Soon'. I shiver, and nod as quickly as I can. Out of the building, and out of their lives. Temporarily, I think.

Father beat me home, of course. But I'm relieved; I don't feel like talking about my travels again. For the first time, I realize how long it's been since I've had my bed, my shower, and the luxuries of my home—

I catch a whiff of heavenly spices. Food, I think desperately. I haven't eaten anything in over two days. Still, I'm determined to make it to my bed for a nap first. I only get three steps down the hall before the room of my door opens, and Neji pokes his head out. Casual, calm, as if I had never left in the first place.

"Hungry? I have meat buns." He points to inside my room. At first, I want to yell at him for having food inside of my room, but then my stomach growls loudly. He laughs at my blush. I nod and follow him inside.

The room is fixed, and redecorated with more sparkly and girly items. The sheets of my bed were changed from their boring gray to a pristine white with printed red roses. It's pretty, I think, as I run my fingers across the bed. My body aches. I'm so tired.

He holds out a meat bun wrapped in colorful paper. They're the meat buns from my favorite restaurant. I smile when I accept one, and then we both sit on the edge of my bed, shoulder-to-shoulder, silent as we eat.

It tastes amazing; my stomach craves it so badly that I can hardly think. I stuff more in my mouth than I can chew, and so it goes down roughly, but I'm satisfied. The spicy taste of pepper and onions drive me crazy. I don't think I've ever devoured anything so quickly.

I finish first. "Thank you…" I say, awkwardly, and then close my mouth before a rush of things comes out. He nods, swallows, and then pats my back soothingly with a faint smile.

A shaky sigh falls out my mouth. "I missed you," I start, my eyes searching for his reaction. When he doesn't say anything, I continue. "Before—well, before all that, I was…well, I still am, pretty confused, and I took it out on you. I'm sorry."

I look at him. He looks back at me, expectantly, like I was supposed to be saying something else. God, how infuriating! But at the same time I want to smile.

"I think…this whole trip, with Sasuke…it helped me a bit, you know. This whole thing is bigger than me. I get it. I want to get better."

I stare at him with pleading eyes, repeating myself. "I want to get better. So…help me, get better…" Then I can't take it anymore, and I collapse onto Neji's shoulder, crying out the tears I should've when I realized for the first time that I was wrong and that I had lost. I had lost Naruto.

But I think I gained something much, much more precious in his stead.

"You'll be fine, Hinata. You don't need me." He pats my back again, wipes the streak of tears from my eyes. "But I'm not going anywhere, so relax."

He smiles at me. I smile back. Then I do, I relax. But I relaxed far too much, because I don't remember anything after that.

"Hey."

Something brushes against my face, and I swat it away angrily. These sheets feel like cold silk, so soft and warm…I didn't want it to end. But it came again, and again.

"Heeey." The voice chuckled, and a hand's relentless attacks on my face were too aggravating. I opened my eyes, and opened my mouth ready to chastise Neji for waking me up from my much-needed rest. Only it didn't come.

Only it wasn't Neji. It was Naruto.

I suppressed a scream, nearly flying out of my bed in surprise. Thoughts and images of times where Naruto and I shared a bed pounded at my subconscious relentlessly. I pushed them away, and straightened my clothing. Then that surprised me too; I wasn't wearing my clothing, only my pajamas. I gently brushed the skin on my arm. No grime, no dirt. I was clean.

"Neji sure did you a favor, huh? You were asleep all day." He pointed to the window, clearly showing the crescent moon and faraway stars, showing me how much time has actually gone by since I finally got home. A whole day.

I blushed, and reminded myself to thank Neji later. Right now, I had to deal with Naruto.

"H-How…how did you get in here?"

"Broke in."

He laughed, but I didn't. It may sound like a joke to you now, but actually there were times when Naruto has broken into my room just to see me, for various reasons. I guess the thought of that amused him more than it did me. I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Alright, alright," he said, putting up his hands in surrender. "Neji stepped out and asked if I can watch over you in case you woke up or something. Sasuke's got his check-in meetings so I was all alone." He faked a pout. "I've been watching you sleep for the past two hours."

"Oh." My heart sinks, and then rises again. I'm not sure how to respond…or what to feel about it.

"Hey, listen, Hina-chan—"

"Hinata." I break in suddenly. He blinks and my brain finally catches up to what I just said, but it's too late to stop it now, right? So I keep going. "I want you to start calling me Hinata."

He gives me one of those mature looks. The kind an impressed father would give his son, and now I'm wondering if he was just waiting for me to sever all of our ties together. Well, of course he did. I'm the only one who hasn't caught up yet.

"Hinata," he says again, giving me a pointed look. "I was thinking…since you're back and all, that we should have a little get-together. You know, a party. Just to celebrate each other, you know how long it's been since the Rookie 9 has hung out." Another hollow laugh, but I like his intentions.

"You…want me to come?" I point to myself, hesitant. Confused.

He nods. "For Saturday. Do you…think you can make it?"

There's this awkward silence that prolongs my fears as I hear the sliding doors open and close, and heavy footsteps come my way. It's now or never.

"Yes. I'd love to."

He smiles at me, sizes me up, and then takes a chance—he gives me a hug. I hug him back, not regretting my decision at all. Neji comes in, giving Naruto a glowering look.

I've never been so relived to see Neji still being overprotective of me. I smile. "He was just leaving."

"Heck, yeah. See ya Neji, see ya Hina…ta." He salutes us both, and leaves through the open door, closing it behind him. Neji looks back, and then looks at me, expectantly. Waiting for the details, as always.

I shrug. "Just another challenge." There's a wicked gleam in my eyes, playful and such. But I really did see it as a challenge. I had four people to make up with before Saturday comes and we're all gathered. It's only Tuesday, last I checked.

Neji returns the smug grin. "You think you can handle it?"

Anticipation starts bubbling in my stomach. "Definitely."

Sorry for the late update, I've fallen ill again, you know, seasons changing and whatever…hope you liked the chapter! Please review!