I'd really begun to wish that Hinata would tell Naruto already. Her damn hormones and ridiculous cravings were driving me insane, and she was only four months in. She stayed over at my apartment last night. I had suggested it, seeing that she spent most of her time there.
Then, at four in the morning, she woke me up and asked me to go out and get her some chocolate ice cream with marshmallows. Four in the morning! I'd been more than ready to refuse, but the pleading look in her eye had me in two seconds flat.
So I went and had a difficult time trying to find a place open at this hour. The snow had been falling thickly that night, and I suddenly felt so alone trudging through the white mush. I nearly started bawling when I finally found I store that was open.
And when I got home, she was asleep.
She had been crying, the tear stains on her cheeks evident. I figured she probably didn't even want the ice cream, just a little time to herself where she could cry out all the frustration and stress she was going through.
The rush of emotion hit me in the kitchen, and I leaned heavily against the table and let those fat tears roll down my face and splash onto the floor.
If Neji had been here, he would have gathered me in his arms and held me tightly. He would have spoken sweet nothings into my ear, things that made no sense but held so much meaning. And I would have fallen asleep in that spot, his strong arms wrapped around me a cage that could not be broken.
But Neji wasn't here, and instead of feeling safe and loved in a warm embrace, I felt cold and unwanted in the dark kitchen.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The sunlight was bright and made my eyes hurt when I opened them the next morning. Hinata was already awake and sitting with a mug of hot tea, sipping it quietly and staring at the wall with her eyes sparkling.
She looked so…happy, which was quite a change from last night. It was probably another one of her mood swings.
But when I rested my chin in my hands to observe her more closely, I noticed that this happiness seemed to radiate off her. There was the slightest hint of a smile on her face, but it made her whole face light up.
"What's up with you?" I finally asked, and she turned surprised eyes on me. Wow, she was so out of it, her ninja sense didn't even kick in when I moved.
She hesitated before turning to me with a wider and even brighter smile on her face. "I was just thinking," she said softly. "About having to tell Naruto and my dad about this and their reactions when I felt the baby kick."
This piece of news made my eyebrows shoot up and a smile much like Hinata's adorn my face. I had no idea why. It just made my heart squeeze, and the smile just came on its own.
"I felt the same way," she continued. "It's just so wonderful." There were now tears In her eyes, but the smile only widened. "There's a life growing inside me, a baby that will grow to be strong and beautiful. And no matter what Naruto and my father say, this baby is mine, and I'm going to take care of her and love her with my life."
My throat closed painfully at the happiness my friend was feeling and the complete wonder of a baby. "You said she," I said, my voice unsteady. "How do you know?"
Hinata smiled and looked down at her stomach tenderly. "I just do, and now it's time for Naruto to know."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Are you sure you want to do this?" I asked as Hinata and I stood outside Naruto's apartment. The hallway we stood in was warm, and I was slightly surprised that Uzumaki actually chose a decent place to live.
Hinata stared at the door and noticeably gulped. She had been nervous on the way over here, but now she straightened and determination flashed through her eyes. I was proud of her.
"I'm ready," she said softly and lifted a shaky hand to knock on the door.
"Hold on a sec," Naruto called through the door. There was some shuffling, and the door swung open to reveal the Kyuubi vessel himself. "Hey Hinata, Tenten," he greeted with a grin, swooping down to kiss Hinata on the cheek.
Hinata was silent for a moment. "N..Naruto there's something I need to tell you," she said softly, and Naruto's smile began to fade.
"What's wrong? Is everything okay?" he asked, worry beginning to seep into his eyes.
I nudged Hinata when she didn't respond, and she inhaled deeply. "Can I talk to you inside?"
Naruto opened the door wider, and I could see the ramen cups scattered all over the floor. Did this guy eat anything else? Hinata stepped in, but I remained outside. Then, the door shut. It didn't close all the way, and I could hear pretty clearly what they said.
"Hinata, what's the matter?" Naruto asked once more, and I heard Hinata sniffle.
"I'm pregnant," she said so softly I almost couldn't hear her. I pressed my ear up against the door, my heart pounding.
A long silence followed, and I bit my lip in anticipation. Why wasn't he saying anything?
"How long have you known?" he finally asked just as softly.
Hinata let out a quiet sob. "Four months."
"And you didn't tell me?" There was a slightly angry edge to the question.
Hinata let out more sobs, and I felt my own breathing quicken. "I was afraid of what you'd say. I know you don't want a child right now when you've got everything going for you and since we're so young" She was crying harder now. "But I couldn't bring myself to get rid of her. And I understand if you want to go on with everything without a child, but I plan to do the best I can to raise her and-"
"You think I'm that shallow?" Naruto said gently. "To just turn my back on you when I should be helping you and the baby?"
Damn, this was exactly what Hinata didn't want, for him to feel like it was a responsibility.
"Of course I'd never planned on having a kid this early in my life, but that doesn't mean I'm going to abandon it. No matter what age, I'd love it the same. I'd planned for the mother to be you when the time came, and now I won't have to worry about it anymore."
I inhaled sharply at his words. Way to go, Naruto.
Curious by the silence, I peered through the small opening in the door. Naruto had Hinata pressed tightly against his chest, her crying softly and he smiling. It was so beautiful, so perfect, that my throat constricted.
Sliding down the wall by the door, I let myself wallow in my solitude for a moment. I'd always wanted to be the mother of Neji's children someday. I wanted to be by his side forever, trapped in his embrace even after I died. Maybe one day I would be. For now, I had to be patient.
A/N: Naruto and Hinata are seriously one of the cutest couples. (Sigh). Anyway, I hate that Tenten's alone right now, even though I'm the one writing the damn story. Lol. There is no Tenten without Neji. It's like peanut butter and jelly. They just go. Haha.