Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto and Anti-Nostalgic
Anti-Nostalgic ( from Gravitation)
The tears keep falling; jut by being able to be close to you,
I'm starting to want a smile, just a little...
Someone asks questions; I'm starting to want this to make more sense.
You cast those too-brilliant days into a fading shadow.
Bad Boys
Chapter 5 – Torture 101
Neji's POV
I was walking down the halls of the Hyuga main house and was about to leave since Hinata wasn't around. What was I going to do there if the only one I care about wasn't around? Hiashi-sama asked me if I would like to join him for tea though… I wonder if Sasuke managed to snag her away while I wasn't looking, he better not or else he will suffer under my wrath! I sighed as I come to a stop by the door of the Hyuga main house, I look out into the dark night that hid many things from human eyes. My eyes caught a blur of blue and white that was moving towards me or to where I was, an intruder? I blinked to make sure that I wasn't hallucinating only to find that person on top of me, I blew some midnight blue hair off my face, wait MIDNIGHT BLUE?! HINATA?!
I sit up, pulling her along with me and stared at her face. Her silver eyes were misty with tears, and her pale cheeks were rosy, she looked unbelievably beautiful, like a fallen angel…
But now is not the time to be awed by her beauty, I quickly pull both of us up so that I can take her to inside to get warm, it was somewhat cold these days and she wasn't wearing a jacket. I brought her to the sitting room, fortunately there wasn't anyone around. I sat her down the sofa, kneeled down in front of her, and held her hands, which were ice cold. I started to rub her hands to provide some heat as I looked at her, she was looking at her lap obviously avoiding my eyes. I let go of her hands, cupped her face with my hands, and gently forced her to look at my in the eye.
"Neji… I…" she tried to explain, tears threatening to fall down her face.
I silenced her with my finger "Shush…"
She caught me by surprise when she threw her arms around me. She started to sob uncontrollably on my shoulder. I patted her back sympathetically until she calmed down. Both of us stayed in that position until she stopped crying.
I sat down the sofa pulling her to my chest as I ran my hands down her arms in a soothing manner.
"is it Naruto?" I asked her softly, she didn't reply and I knew I was right
"Hinata.. I want you to know that it's hard for me to see you cry…" I told her "Nobody would like to see someone they know crying" especially if you love that someone so much, I mentally added.
"I promise I'll try hard to protect you from all kinds of pain if it prevents you from crying…" I said "Even if I have to sacrifice everything…" I murmured
"Neji… I… just want to thank you for your concern…" she replied "I hate being so weak all the time…," she continued
"You're not weak… now you better cheer up if you don't want me to think that you really are and I'll hate you all over again"
I can never hate you though…
"I just want to be loved…" I hear her say faintly
"And you are loved…"
…you're just not aware of it…
the next day; training grounds
Sasuke's POV
I stared at the only girl that catches my attention even when she doesn't do anything. Well today, she definitely caught my attention. She was pale and has a sullen expression on her beautiful face. Neji escorted her here this morning and reluctantly left because Gai said something about their team spending quality time together… weird… it's a good thing Kakashi-sensei is different. I don't even want to imagine what would happen if we had some quality time together… Anyway, Gaara wasn't around today for some reason I don't need to know. Kiba and Shino left her to her thoughts upon seeing that they coulddn't do anything to cheer her up. I sighed leaning against the tree I was perched upon now, if the closest people to her couldn't cheer her up what could I do? I don't even know what's wrong… I looked at her again; she had a wistful expression on her face as she stared at the blue sky. I then notice something strange… Naruto wasn't around to bother me.
What if…
She didn't… did she.
I quickly thought of a way to cheer her up. Ah! I know! I heard some people talking about remedies to a broken heart, I'm not sure if it'll work though… I quickly left to get that remedy…
A few minutes later I walked up to her slowly, she had her eyes closed, but I know she wasn't sleeping. I fiddled with my hands behind my back and the thing I was holding. I breathe slowly and stopped to kneel beside her…
"Hinata…" I breathe her name; she slowly opened her eyes and looked at me.
"Konnichiwa Sasuke-kun" she whispered as she sat up so we could be face to face. We were so close and if I just move a little closer… No I shouldn't be thinking like this.
"Here" I said thrusting my hand towards her
She stared at it and looked at me, utterly confused
"Chocolate?" she asked
I nodded "Chocolates and sweets can mend broken hearts I heard" I replied
She was shocked "How did you…?"
"It was written all over your face and I noticed Naruto wasn't around" I replied "Now why don't you take this little gift," I said placing the star shaped chocolate on her hand.
She stared at it and cautiously unwrapped it and placed it carefully in her mouth. She slowly chewed it, tasting it carefully "It's good"
"If you like, I can take you to the new café everyone's talking about…" I said standing up
"Sure, why not" she replied. I gave her a small smile and helped her stand up
"Arigato" I heard her whisper.
Café
We got there quickly, and of course, my usual problem was there. It so happens that a little groupie composed of my fan girls were in the corner of the quaint café. The moment I opened the door for Hinata, they started glaring at her, envy written all over their faces. Unfortunately, the table we got was in the middle of the café since that was the only table available. The guys regarded me an approving look as they noticed that I was with the Hyuga heir. I sighed some more when the waitress that approached us was also jealous and was part of my fan club. But Hinata didn't seem to mind and just remained calm as the waitress came to a stop at our table.
She handed us the menus with a fake smile "Hello, what I can I get you?" she asked the tone of her voice scary.
I glanced at her and looked at Hinata "Hinata what would you like, don't worry I'll pay" I told her
And that was it, the waitress lost it and broke her pen "Gomen I'll go get a new one, I'm sure by the time I get back you already picked something out" she said and left
"Is the blueberry cheesecake okay with you?" Hinata asked breaking my train of thoughts I gave her a small smile
"Sure why not" A new waiter approached us with a sorry smile "Gomen about that waitress, now what would you like?" he asked
"Two blueberry cheesecakes and tea for both of us" I replied motioning for my companion
He gave a smile at Hinata "Will that be all?" I nodded and he left.
I watched Hinata scan her surroundings avoiding the envious stares of the women. "This place is quite cozy," she said
"And so it is" I replied, it was a good thing she was starting to loosen up a bit.
Time seem to go by fast, we finished the cheesecakes, paid and left. Leaving the people gossiping about us. What do you expect from them anyway? We were now walking down the street, side by side.
I abruptly stopped and gently pulled her arm. She stopped and turned to stare at me "Hinata… I just wanted to tell you that if you're still sad about Naruto, don't be. You didn't lose anything he did." I told her
She nodded, "Thank you for taking me out Sasuke-kun"
The moment was ruined when someone screamed my name "SASUKE!" I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach as I turned to look where the voice came from, only to find Sakura running towards me.
Oh dear…
Sunset; by the lake
Gaara's POV
There she was leaning against a tree watching the sunset with no expression or what so ever. I found out about what happened and I'm sure she feels awful. How did I find out well lets just say Naruto is so dumb…
flashback
I was sitting at the Ichiraku for lunch with my siblings when Naruto arrived with that weird expression on his face that usually means he's thinking… wait does he ever think?
"Hey Gaara!" the fox greeted finally noticing me. I didn't reply and just sat there with my arms crossed. He sat next to me like and ordered, after he ordered he sat there fiddling with his fingers
"Anou… Gaara I need to ask you a question…"
"Hn."
"You see there's this friend of mine and there's this girl that likes him. And she told him and well that friend of mine doesn't know what to do, so… uhh… what should he do?" he asked
I raised an eyebrow at him, what does he think is he doing asking me such a question? Temari was listening to him and was about to say something when I beat her to it.
"If you're talking about Uchiha Sasuke, why is there a need to ask me when he perfectly knows what to do" I replied blankly
Temari gawked at me "Seriously Gaara are you that dense? He was pertaining to himself!" she told me
"But tell me Naruto what kind of a decent girl would fall for the likes of you?" she asked curiously
"Excuse me?! If you aren't aware I'm a heart rob around Konoha!" The dumb fox replied proudly
"Yeah right…" Temari whispered
The two of them continued their pointless argument completely forgetting about the actual topic, while I was thinking… someone fell for Naruto and told him… but there's only one person who likes Naruto and that's…
…she told him…
I quickly fled away from those two bickering idiots to look for Hinata. I didn't look back when they called for me only thinking about the one person I care most about.
End of flashback
I marched up to her as she still stared at the sunset. I'm she would've appreciated it more and would be smiling if she were in a lighter mood, but right now she isn't. I'm sure all the people surrounding her are concern. I was now blocking the sun from her view and she looked at me in surprise.
"Gaara-kun?" she asked softly
"Stop sulking around. He's not worth it" I told her frankly
She blinked "What are you…" she never got to finish since I cut her off
"I know what happened between you and the fox and I'm telling you he's not worth it." I told her turning around to face the horizon. "There are many other guys out there who's more worth it" like me…
"Many people care about you and I'm sure they aren't appreciating the idea of you crying over him. We all know you're a lot stronger than that, you didn't start crying even when the harshest words were directed at you. Don't start now" I told her "It's his lost since he doesn't know your worth" I continued turning around to face her. I noticed that unshed tears were starting to build up in her eyes. "I'm leaving two days from now and you better make sure that when I leave, no tears will be streaming down your face"
"You're right" I hear her say "I'm a lot stronger than this…"
I nodded and she smiled at me, a true smile. "Arigato Gaara-kun, your words somehow made me feel a lot better…" she said lightheartedly "And Gaara-kun, when you return I promise to take you somewhere… as a sign of gratitude…" she continued "If it's alright with you?"
"Sure why not" I replied with a smirk
next day
"Naruto…" I said to the blonde fox that was currently stuffing his face with ramen
He turned to me "Oh hey Gaara!" he replied "Whazzup?"
"Remember what you asked me yesterday, I know what you should do. But we need to talk somewhere private" I told him motioning for him to follow.
He nodded and stood up to follow me I was heading towards the forest. We were walking quite a distance and soon reached an isolated clearing.
"So what do you think should I do?" he asked
You should rot in hell!
Sand started building up on his feet effectively stopping any further movement. "Hey Gaara what's the meaning of this?!" he yelled.
I turned to face him, watching as the sand start to climb up his body "I'm going to kill you slowly. Suffocating and squeezing the life out of your body…" I said sadistically. The sand already covered his entire body and I felt a smirk form in my face. I was about to end everything, when someone shouted my name
Sasuke's POV
I was walking in the forest looking for Naruto since some people said they saw him with Gaara of the sand going inside the forest. I'm already at the secluded parts of the forest and I still haven't found them. I then notice Gaara at the clearing and I quickly walk up to him when I notice a lot of sand in front of him. But no Naruto around…
"GAARA!!!" I shouted realizing that my comrade may be that sand
He turned to me his smirk slowly changing to a frown. "What the hell do you think are you doing?!"
"I was training with Naruto and was testing myself. If my skills are still intact and are not rusty" he explained blankly.
.Heh. Does he seriously think I'll buy that?! I raised an eyebrow at him "I know what you're doing and this is not the way to end things" I told him
"Whatever" he replied, I then noticed that Naruto was on the ground, unconscious. Gaara walked past me and I watched him slowly disappear through the trees. I approached the fallen fox checked his condition and notice nothing serious. And I smirked with an evil glint in my eyes "I meant to say that its not the right way to end things, I didn't say it's not right to end things"
Naruto was screaming his head off. I sighed contently, now this is the right way. My fan girls was attentive to him at the moment, like he have always wanted… just not in the way he would like them to be. He wasn't being showered with the kisses he always wished for but with endless amount dangerous weapons and was tied to a tree to prevent him from escaping. Poor, poor Naruto… having to face the wrath of my fan girls…
Now how did this happen you ask, well I just told my fan girls that I accidentally kissed Naruto… again. And well you know how enraged they get when I'm involved. I feel a smile form on my face as I placed my hands behind my head and leaned against the tree, I closed my eyes and just listened to the horrified and angry screams.
Beat that Gaara!
"DON'T YOU DARE DO THAT AGAIN!" Ino shouted. I opened one eye and noticed some women walking away from the scene.
Ah, they finished… As soon as everyone left and I made sure, the coast was clear I jumped from the tree I was hiding on. I walked up to Naruto and was going to check how he was doing, when I notice that he was unconscious, again. I untied him from the tree, when I felt someone walk up to me. I quickly turn around to find Neji…
"I knew you were the master mind here" He said
"And so what if I was" I replied blankly
"Do you really think Hinata would be happy? I think she would be more on the concerned side" He said
Damn! That never crossed my mind!
"I'm leaving this baka to you, just make sure Hinata doesn't find out" I tell him threateningly
"Like as if I would want Hinata to be concern anyway" I hear him murmur as I left
Neji's POV
"WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME?!" Naruto screamed. People looked at us wondering what was wrong. To them its seemed that we were two friends enjoying ramen on such a cool night while reading. Actually, we aren't friends and will never be. The truth was I tied Naruto's legs to the chair to avoid suspicion, then glued the chair to the ground. Now about the reading part I gave him the dictionary I threw him the other day for him to read. And now I'm eating his favorite ramen, now that's torture. And if you're wondering, why don't he just order or ask for help, that's because I'm throwing kunais at him from under the table, kunais that he miraculously avoided.
"I now know why you love ramen Naruto… it's because it tastes sooo good" I told him, to him I look like I was enjoying his favorite food while he has to suffer. I watch him from the corner of my eyes and notice that he was going to try to chuck the dictionary at me.
I turn to him "Don't you dare" I said threateningly
He quickly looked back at the book as I blew the steam coming from the ramen. He kept on looking enviously at me every now and then as I swallow a mouthful of ramen.
Ha! Let him die of jealousy! Now he knows how I feel whenever Hinata's full attention is on him. I order another bowl of ramen, when I notice that Hinata was coming our way.
"Neji-kun!" she greets then she notice that I was with Naruto "…Naruto-kun…"
"Uhh… so anyway what are the two of you doing?" she asks sitting down at a spare seat in our table. I turn to look at Naruto who was giving her a pleading look and looked back at Hinata
"Uhh.. the two of us are…" I try to think of something when my eyes catches sight of the dictionary. Hinata was waiting for my answer patiently with a curious expression on her face.
"The two of us are having an intellectual conversation" I finally say
Hinata looked stunned "…the two of you… intellectual conversation…" she tries to say while looking at Naruto.
"Uhh… ok… then" she said and stood up "I'll see both of you later, I've got to see Shino about something" she said with a smile
"Have fun!" I smirk as I watch her run off towards the Aburame estate.
"Intellectual conversation?" someone asked. I turned around to find Sasuke and Gaara, both with an unconvinced expression.
I'm guessing that Gaara was the one who asked the question
"Yeah why?" I ask "Don't try to play with me Hyuga, I can see kunais shining down there from here" Sasuke said
"What can I say I'm more creative than both of you combined" I replied sipping the soup of my ramen. I stood up and left the three of them behind.
"HYUGA NEJI UNTIE ME!" Naruto shouted but then I guess he notice I wasn't going to come back.
"UCHIHA SASUKE HELP!"
"Baka! You can untie yourself, because if you failed to notice only your legs are tied!"
Those were the last things I heard as I left the scene behind with a feeling of contentment…
I'm tangled up in something;
I'm getting a little sick of myself
--tangled up in the feelings to convey to those days that have been left behind...
The heart I've forgotten somewhere is starting to hurt a little.
I keep searching for you in a night lit by the stars that are bound to that time.
Author's note: hope all you liked that! I really worked hard on it (…yeah right!) but hey I hoped you liked what I did with Sasuke and Hinata (was that considered a date???) I'm really sorry if I suck at humor... and I suppose the song is about Hinata… but o well until next time! Don't forget to review!!!!