R&R
I took a while to post this but that was because I was having serious writer's block. I just finished it today and I'm still not completely satisfied with it but I thought, "what the hay, i'll post it!" :) I'm still figuring out how to write KibaHina to the point where I'm fully satisfied.
ENJOY!
Oneshot 3: Purple Orchid
by AshAnime
Kick, jab, block, punch…
"Again!"
Swipe, jab, block, kick…
"Again!"
Duck, punch, block, strike…
This was the routine Hinata was used to. Even though her muscles were sore and tense. Even though she felt like, if she were to stop, she'd collapse right there on the ground. She kept on fighting because that's what a Hyuga did. She could see it, in Neji's eyes, that he wanted to stop for her sake. Her limbs were trembling with all of the extra exertion, but she didn't slow down on him. She kept on going because that's what her father demanded of her, and she refused to disappoint him once again.
"Enough!"
Her knees immediately hit the ground and she desperately tried to keep herself upright. Nothing hurt more then the contempt in her father's face when her cheek would meet the warm earth after training. "A Hyuga stands tall," he would say, "Always."
Hiashi Hyuga stared down at his daughter, a hard line between his brows. "You're coordination is off. Training will be held same time tomorrow, only it will be with Hanabi."
Hinata shivered. There was something unnerving about her younger sister. It had nothing to do with the fact that Hanabi beat her every time, during every match. No, it was most likely her very aura. The way her large eyes looked past a person instead of directly at them.
"Hai."
Hiashi looked away from her spent form and turned to Neji. "You may return to your previous activities."
Neji bowed. "Hai."
It wasn't until the imposing Hyuga leader left that Hinata finally let her body fall. She welcomed the dirt floor as if it were her fluffy bed.
"Hinata-"
"I'm ok, Neji-nii-san," she breathed, placing her palms against the dusty ground, readying herself to stand. "D-Didn't Guy sensei want to meet with you, Lee and TenTen today?"
This was true, but Neji observed Hinata a second longer before turning to go. "I'll have the servants draw you a bath." Then he was gone and Hinata didn't have to pretend she was strong enough to stand any longer. She let her trembling arms fall to her side and sighed.
"Hinata-sama?" A servant timidly approached her nearly past out form. "Kiba Inuzuka is here to see you."
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Kiba scratched Akamaru behind the ears and looked to the window he knew was Hinata's room. He was aware of the fact that she was usually training around this time, but something told him to seek out his blue haired friend. She had been acting rather… somber lately. Sure Hinata was always the quiet one, but even in her quietness you could usually tell she was happy and content.
But lately…
"Kiba-kun?"
Kiba snapped out of his daze and let his gaze land on a flustered Hinata. His nose was instantly hit with the smell of lavender and her usual scent.
"S-Sorry for taking so long," she stuttered, her fingers twisting together. "I was really dirty from training, s-so I had to wash up quickly."
Kiba shrugged and flashed her a wolfish grin. "Whatever, it's fine. I came to see if you wanted to hang out today. We can go get Shino and-"
"M-Maybe not today?"
Kiba blinked, his smile faltering. "Huh? Why not?"
Hinata frowned. "I-I have to train with Hanabi tomorrow and I-I need all of the rest I can- H-Hey, Kiba-kun! What're you-"
Kiba's wild grin had returned, silencing the shy girl. "You and me are going on a little walk. I don't know how you stay locked up in that estate all day."
Akamaru barked in agreement before running a little ahead of them.
Hinata sighed and tried to ignore the tight grip Kiba's rough fingers had on her hand. She knew her teammates were worried about her. They both had their own way of showing it. Shino would shoot her questioning glances and Kiba would tease, trying everything he possibly could to get some sort of reaction out of her. It was sweet of them to be concerned about her, but she didn't want to burden them with her problems.
They didn't deserve that.
"Kiba-kun-"
"We haven't seen Kurenai-sensei in a while. We can-"
"Kiba, stop."
The Inuzuka halted and let go of Hinata's hand, surprised by the seriousness in her voice.
"I'm tired," she whispered, clutching her sore arms.
He looked down at her bowed head and sighed. "You know you can talk to me right? We're not strangers."
Hinata blushed and looked up with a start. "O-Of course I k-know that K-Kiba-Kun! It's just been really…. I-I'm sorry!"
They were already halfway into town and the Inuzuka didn't want to waste the trip. "Ok, so you're tired," he started, scratching the back of his head. "We don't have to get Shino or see Kurenai-sensei today… I can take you to the Yamanaka Flower Shop! You still press flowers right?"
Despite the pain in her right leg, Hinata smiled. "Hai, Hai…. I-I didn't know you remembered…"
Kiba grinned down at her, proud of himself. He grabbed her hand again, but much softer this time. There were many times when he forgot just how fragile Hinata was. He'd seen her nearly take down Pain for crying out loud. "We'll go there and you can pick out whatever flower you want."
"Hai."
It didn't take long to reach the flower shop. Ino gushed over Hinata and how sweet it was of Kiba to bring her there. She showed the timid girl towards the 'rare flowers' section and told her she could have anything there for half the price.
"Stepping up your game, huh Kiba?" The blonde kunoichi drawled when Hinata was out of ear shot.
He turned to her with a raised brow. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Ino smirked. "Ok, play stupid… whatever. Is she finally over Naruto?"
Kiba, who had been absentmindedly petting Akamaru, suddenly clenched his fist in the white fur.
Ino saw the tension clear as day in his jaw. "I'm guessing that's a no."
Ignoring her, Kiba walked over to Hinata and placed a hand on her shoulder. "So, find anything yet?"
Hinata didn't say anything.
Kiba frowned and leaned over, trying to get a better look at her face. He froze as a tear slipped off her chin and fell to the ground. "Hinata-chan?! Hinata what's wrong?" he whispered urgently, turning her around to face him.
She clutched a wild purple orchid in her pale hands. "Thank you," she mumbled, sniffling. "Thank you so much Kiba-kun."
Kiba blinked at her in surprise and smiled softly. "Today was hard, huh?"
She nodded silently.
"Is that the flower you want?"
After a sniffle and a hand across her nose she nodded again.
"Then it's yours."
After checking out and receiving multiple tissues from Ino, Kiba walked Hinata home. He couldn't help staring down at her every few minutes just to make sure she was ok. As soon as he saw her tears in the flower shop he immediately assumed he had done something wrong. But then when he heard her thank him… when he saw the relief in her eyes… a weight lifted off of his chest. How many times had he seen her direct that gaze towards Naruto, and wished it were himself?
"Here we are," he announced, coming to a stop outside her gates. "I'm stopping by Kurenai-sensei's house on the way home. Tell her you say hi?"
Hinata nodded, eyes never wavering from the flower in her hand as she breathed in its sent.
Kiba smiled. "Alright, later." Akamaru barked and they turned to go.
"K-Kiba-kun?"
He stopped, almost missing her voice in the wind. "Yeah?"
Hinata's gaze transfixed him to the spot. Although her Byakugan wasn't activated he could have sworn she was seeing right through him.
"Let's…" she finally dropped her eyes to the ground. "Let's do this again tomorrow?"
A happy chuckle bubbled at the edge of Kiba's lips.
"Of course!"
Thanks for reading, please review if you don't think it sucks! lol. I know it was short and I still feel uncertain about it but I tried my best. I have some other ideas so let's hope these oneshots work out:)
Thank you:
Fanwoman
lunardusk
YungHime
char-tomio
and
Brittany
FOR REVIEWING!:D
Please leave your opinion and thanks for the support!