Patience Chapter 12: Plan
Once again; let me remind people that my chapters will now be posted on Sundays around this time. I would like to thank everyone that reviewed and read my story! Hugs to everyone! I have realized that when i put an individual thanks, some names are crossed out for some reason so they don't show up and it's rude of me to only thank certain people. So i thank every single person that looks at my stories and reads them!
Disclaimer: Nope. I do not own Naruto, even though i should.
"Hinata-san!" The said women turned around to see a panting Sakura standing before her. She looked up into Hinata's eyes and smiled.
"I am so thankful that you chose to let Sasuke live. Thank You for that."
Hinata simply smiled and shook her head.
"He wasn't to blame in the first place. Please don't worry about it."
Sakura smiled and grabbed Hinata's shoulders.
"Is it alright if i walk with you for today?" Hinata looked towards Neji pleadingly who scowled.
"Well, she is supposed to have someone with her at all times. Just don't let go of her. Got it?"
"Yes!" Sakura beamed gratefully and started chattering vigorously to Hinata. Neji smiled slightly and nodded to her before leaving.
"And then Ino-pig decides that she wants the exact same bag! Can you believe it Hinata?" Sakura ranted on. Hinata giggled slightly and shook her head.
"No, i can't. Please go on." Sakura nodded and started talking heatedly again.
They were both walking through the busy streets of Konoha and heading to Ichiraku for a lunch break. They arrived at the small shop while chattering endlessly, more like Sakura chattered. Hinata politely listened.
"Then Ino-pig claims that she saw the bag first! I definitely saw it first!" The fire in Sakura's eyes humoured Hinata.
"Speaking of a different topic, don't you think it's time you tell Naruto your feelings Hinata?"
The lavender haired women's attention snapped back to Sakura. She shook her head vigorously. "N-no. I d-don't t-think i will."
"Why not? It's not like you are getting married that you can't!" Sakura laughed jokingly.
Hinata bit her lip and stayed silent. After a good laugh, Sakura noticed Hinata's silence and became puzzled. It was a joke, why is she upset...! Her gears shifted quickly as she put the two together. Sakura grabbed the kunoichi hands softly. "Hinata, did something happen?" She waited for a reply but only got a muttered response. "You can tell me Hinata. Please, i want to help." Sakura continued to prod.
"Even if i told you, you wouldn't be able to help Sakura-san."
"But i want to know." The concern in Sakura's eyes was so great, Hinata let it out.
"The elders are going to...marry me off to someone. There will be a formal party next week and the suitors will be there. The elders will pick for me."
Anger and shock bubbled up in Sakura.
"What?! Shannaro! I'll rip off the faces of those elders!" Before Sakura could fulfill that wish of hers, Hinata stopped her.
"Sakura-san, you can't do anything about it. Please don't. I don't want you to get in trouble. Besides, it's my choice and i don't mind." She put on a fragile smile that pierced Sakura. Already she had lost her precious shinobi life and now her normal life was decided for her. Just wait Hinata, I'll make sure to get you out of this mess.
"Alright, i won't. But have you told anyone else?" Hinata shook her head.
"Only Ni-san and you know. I still have to tell the others."
"Do you want me to tell them instead?" Sakura asked quietly.
"No. I need to tell them myself." Sakura smiled.
"Alright. It's getting late. I'll escort you home!" Hinata smiled gratefully and helped herself up. As they walked out of the shop, a determined look set across Sakura's face. A plan formulated in her mind, just a silver of hope that may save Hinata.
Sasuke sat in the cold cell, pondering about the events that had just occurred earlier. At first, he had felt anger. But now, confusion. He had ripped away the Hyuga's life and made it miserable yet she had no qualms about it. And she let him live. It confused him greatly yet what confused him even more was that his anger for her had dissipated and another feeling had taken over. He was actually grateful to her. He didn't understand. All his life, whenever anybody did something for him, no feelings of thanks filled him yet just by thinking of her, he was filled with warmth. No, it wasn't love, it was happiness. How long had it been since someone had made him happy? He did his best to rid himself of these thoughts; however, they continued to invade him. Sasuke scowled, smacking a fist to the ground. After grumbling a few times, he closed his eyes and let slumber take over.
The next few days passed by quickly, Hinata losing her courage with each passing day. Soon, the party was only 4 days away. By now, she was quite comfortable with her crutches and could easily move around with them. Though stairs were still a huge problem. She still hadn't told Kiba, Shino or Naruto. After the rest of the group's reaction, she seriously had no hope and wished not to tell them. Everyone had been either angry or sad combined. Lee had hugged her while crying; Ino had shrieked and threatened each and every member of the Hyuga elders. Tenten had took out her most sharpened weapons and asked which one Hinata wanted her to use to kill the elders. All of these supportive people had soothed her yet saddened her greatly. None of them could do anything. Hinata sat quietly in the huge garden, watching the beautiful down pour. Most people despised the rain, yet Hinata loved it. It was like a fresh start to something and made her sappy mood disappear.
She heard footsteps behind her and a presence.
"Hinata-sama, it's cold out here. Let's go inside." Neji said kindly.
"I'd rather not. It's quite nice here." Hinata replied politely. Neji smiled and sat down next to her. They both shared a few moments of peaceful silence before Hinata spoke.
"How is Hanabi?" She asked quietly. Neji scowled slightly and thought carefully before answering.
"She is fine. No need to worry about her."
"She is glad that I'm disabled right?" Hinata smiled sadly.
"No. She isn't. Do not think like this Hinata-sama." Neji scowled. Even though Hinata had been so kind to Hanabi her whole life, the girl had never returned the kindness. In a way, she reminded him of the past Neji. He was the same spoiled brat at that time. He had changed, but Hanabi hadn't. She still followed her father's wishes and never once looked at Hinata with any sort of respect. She just had over confidence that she could easily beat Hinata. Neji shook his head and changed the topic.
"Have you told the trio yet?" He asked.
Hinata chewed her lip for a while before answering.
"No, i haven't. I don't want to tell them."
Neji sighed. "But Hinata-sama, they will find out anyway. You need to tell them before the ceremony happens."
A thoughtful expression crossed Hinata's face.
"But if i tell them, i know that they will want to interfere. That can't happen."
We have already interfered quite much though. Neji smirked silently. He and Sakura had already set up the plan, now it was up to Hinata to activate it. It was difficult for them to get her to begin it without her finding out.
"Say, Hinata-sama. How about you tell them today? I'll go with you." Hinata was quite for a few moments but smiled.
"Alright."
"So why are meeting here?" Kiba asked. He, Shino and Naruto had been called over to the training are by Neji. For some reason, he and Hinata stood there with solemn expressions. Shino quickly figured out the atmosphere and quietly voiced his opinion.
"Is there something wrong, Hinata?" She looked up quickly, her eyes wide.
"N-n-no...n-nothing i-is w-wrong." She murmured quietly.
A puzzled expression crossed Kiba's expression. Hinata only stuttered when she was nervous. Neji took her hand and gripped it tightly.
"The elders gave her a choice, to either marry someone or to bear the cursed seal. Hinata chose to marry someone of their choice. Now the party will be held in 4 days." Neji calmly spoke all of this, surprising Hinata and the rest of them.
"What?!" Kiba growled and Naruto hollered. Both had devilish expressions full of anger. Shino on the other hand was looking at Hinata.
"Is this really what you want?" He asked.
"I have been asked this so many times and yes. Please don't cause a fuss. I really don't want anyone to get involved. I beg of you." She bowed her head low, while shaking silently.
Kiba and Naruto immediately halted their actions. Kiba scratched his neck and scowled.
"Well, we have to do something Hinata! Please let me rip their faces off at least!"
"Are you okay with this Neji!? Shino asked.
"Yes. She has already chosen so it's alright." His stone like expression surprised and angered Naruto.
"So you don't care what happens to her at all?!" Naruto moved forward to punch the man but was stopped by Hinata. "Please don't fight!" Naruto stopped but growled.
"Hinata, can you please go home with Akamaru? I will talk to them." Neji said calmly. The lavender haired woman nodded once and hobbled off, with Akamaru next to her.
As soon as she was gone, Neji turned to the trio.
"Listen carefully. I'm not letting Hinata get married off to some bastard nor is she bearing that shitty cursed seal. Sakura has already formulated a plan and you are going to help. We are all in it and the only way we can carry it out is if you guys calmly go along to the whole marriage thing got it?" Kiba and Naruto looked shocked while Shino simply smirked under that huge coat.
"What do we need to do?" He asked with a streak of evil in his voice.
"Here is what we need to do."
Did you really think i would let Neji's brilliant plan be revealed before it has even been put into action? The next chapter will be a time skip so basically, this ending should be satisfying. I have made a lot of developments involving Sasuke, Sakura, Neji, Hinata and a few more people that will be revealed in the next chapter. Also, next week there will be no chapter as i am really busy. But i might post 2 chapters the following week as an apology! Please review and tell me what you thought of this chapter!
~TheJollyHyuga
