S/N- This chapter is going to be rather short, for the following reasons, first- it was made as a prep for the next chapter, and second- I've been lacking on my part and am aiming to update both chapters in the same day in order to make up for the shortness. Reviews, follows and favorites are always appreciated, also don't fear questioning my reasoning or writing- there's a reason for everything (mostly).
It was a new beginning, in other words, spring. Azure birds circled the Academy's fields, chasing each other in a lively manner. One, rather clumsily landed in the rich green grass, his companion chirping at his landing, almost laughing.
Huff, air flew out nostrils in humor. "What is it?" pearled orbs questioned, gazing up to meet the laughter's owner.
"Birds are kinda dumb, huh?" he chuckled out.
"Are they? I think they're...chirpy?" she replied contently, and searched the brilliant spring sky. "Sometimes, I wonder how it is to be one...flying freely through the wind...and all." When she glanced up, she noticed Naruto staring intently at her, his eyes squinting- not really getting her point.
"I guess?" he scratched the back of his head. At the moment, he couldn't understand her words. Only until the sky gloomed scarch grey would he come to understand the deeper, cruel meaning of her words.
Later that day, in the afternoon Hinata came rushing into Naruto's apartment.
"Hey?! What's wrong? You're all soaked!" He ushered her in, running to his bathroom and retrieving a dry towel. Hinata, stood frozen- her eyes questioning the length of reality. After her hands refused to receive the towel, he propped it on her head, and hurriedly began to dry her dripping hair. When he realized she hadn't responded to any questions, he paused and lifted her head to meet him, both hands resting on each of her wet cheeks. His eyes open wide, pupils dilating at the sight.
Separate trails of tears rained down her face, he traced them upwards to reveal red puffy eyes. Her lip, quivered as she bit to silence her sobbing. He wasn't thinking about what to do, he just did it. Naruto's chin rested atop her head, after a few cries he lowered it, stopping when his lips met her forehead, slowly downwards he left sweet trails of his own in kisses. After placing one on her nose, did he stop to gaze sympathetically at her teary eyes. Forehead to forehead, he whispered softly, "Can you tell me what's wrong?" she met his azure orbs, tried to open her mouth and spoke in short bursts.
"I can't...anymore." his eyebrows furrowed,
"What do you mean?".
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry…" she sniffled, "I'm really sorry…" he was confused, though deep, deep down, knew why she was apologizing- the thing was, right now, he refused to believe it.
"For what? Hinata, calm down...let's talk." after changing to dry clothes, he walked her to the sofa they've sat on countless of times. Outside, thunder roared in up-cry. Her head now rested on his lap, his hand nestling her locks of hair. She was definitely calmer than before, but he decided it was up to her to speak at will.
It took a several minutes, maybe an hour until she finally spoke.
"Being a bird really seems like a nice thing" she faintly said. "According to Hyuuga regulations, an unfit heir must become certified...using whatever method needed." she breathed out heavily. "I'm too kind, too weak, too unfit." she turned her gaze to him, locking eyes together. "I refuse to become like father, and the elders." her arm stretched out to him, brushing his whiskered cheek. "It's my own stubbornness that will bring you loneliness." he was confused again. She could see it in his eyes, and explained it in different words. "I'll never be a fit Hyuuga." then as if unworthy of his stare, her once brilliant-eyes and arm both dropped in a single motion. "That's why, I'm sorry." Naruto chuckled a little, surprising Hinata, and leaned down slowly- his lips gently pecking her near her plump, swollen ones. She could feel her face changing colors. Naruto's hair softly brushed the side of her face, when he whispered into her ear,
"Even a bird with wet wings can fly."
Another hour passed, the time had dreadfully arrived.
"I must go back now, they're probably searching for me. If they find me here...it won't be good." she got up, headed to the bathroom and changed into her drenched clothes. Naruto was waiting for her at the door. She halted, turned and said, "Until another day...Goodbye, Naruto." then closed the wooden, creaky door behind her.
It was until this moment when he felt it, something had been ripped away from him, leaving a huge empty hole.
...
"Oh" he realized, "She's taken my heart".
