Patience Chapter 14 Haru

My finger is better now! Thankfully. I aint going near a hockey stick now. -_- Anyways, extreme apologies that it took so long for me to update!

Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto, simple as that.

"N-naruto-kun..."

The elder looked disgustedly at Naruto, sending him glares of hatred. He simply ignored them and gazed upon Hinata, smiling slightly. She just stood there, still not processing the fact that her beloved Naruto-kun was standing there as a suitor, asking for her hand in marriage.
Hinata quickly snapped back to attention and looked away, hiding her smile behind her hand. After exchanging a small bow with each of the candidates, she excused herself and left the room.

Out in the garden, the lavender haired woman sat quietly, pondering on the big surprise she had just gotten. She couldn't believe what had just happened. How had Naruto even entered the party? More importantly, how was he one of the candidates? Surely the elders must be out of their minds to let him enter. These thoughts circled her head over and over, confusing her more by the minute. Footsteps shuffled behind her and Hinata looked back only to gaze into azure eyes. Naruto stood there awkwardly, scratching the back of his head while nervously shuffling back and forth. Eventually, he moved forward and sat down beside Hinata on the bench. The two were silent for the moment, thinking on what to say to the other. Finally, Naruto broke the awkwardness.

"I...I'm sorry that i lied. It was so that you wouldn't find out until you saw me." Choosing her words carefully, Hinata spoke.

"Why are you here Naruto-kun?" She asked silently. He was taken aback by her question. He expected her to be happy, not disappointed.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that how can you be here? The elders surely would not have chosen you, and i very much doubt that you came here by your own will. If this is something that nii-san or someone else made you do, please don't do it. Please go back. You don't have to force yourself to do this and i know you already have feelings for Sakura-san." Hinata looked at Naruto with pleading eyes. Already she was in too deep in this mess. She didn't intent on drowning Naruto with her. Sighing, Naruto looked away muttering in his breath.

"I came here on my own will Hinata. No one forced me to. And what you said about me having feelings for Sakura is wrong. They left me a long time ago."

"I can't believe it..." Hinata muttered quietly.

"Why not? It's the truth."

"Well, i don't believe your feelings can disappear just like that, Naruto-kun. You loved Sakura, I'm sure that hasn't changed."

"How would you know?" Naruto replied, with a slight hint of irritation. Couldn't she tell he had moved on from Sakura?

Thankfully, Hinata didn't notice the irritated tone and smiled slightly, a sad look in her eyes.

"Because...once you fall in love, your feelings don't just leave you Naruto-kun."

The way she said it confused Naruto.

"What do you mean?"

"Um, Never mind. It's getting cold right? L-lets go inside." Hinata snapped back to attention and quickly changed the topic. Cheering up, Naruto nodded and got up, brushing his hands. Helping Hinata up, he took her hand and led her towards the compound.
As the two entered the room, all heads turned towards them. The suitors and the elders with a glare but the few people that wanted Hinata to have her choice with smiles. One of the elders stepped forward and took Hinata's hand from Naruto's, squeezing it slightly. Putting on a sweet smile, the old lady spoke.

"Now that Hinata-sama has had time to chat with you, I would like her to meet others."
A vein popped on Naruto's head. But before he could retaliate, Hinata squeezed his hand and shook her head slightly.

"Of course Yumi-sama. I'll be there."

Letting go of Hinata's hand, Naruto smiled and took off to find Neji. Hinata continued walking down the long hallways of the compound, enjoying the feel of the atmosphere. She heard footsteps behind her and turned back quickly, thinking it was Naruto.
"N-" halting in his steps, a young man smiled at the Hyuga heiress, seeing her beautiful face closely for the first time. When she had exchanged bows with him, he had not gotten a chance to look at her face. Only now he noticed the slight glow to her and those smooth doe like lavender eyes. The man bowed deeply in front of Hinata and spoke.

"If you would allow me, my name is Haru. I am one of the suitors asking for your hand in marriage. If i may, can we take a little walk?" His voice was rich and resonated. Hinata nodded and smiled, following him. They chatted for some time, getting to know each other better. Hinata found out many things about this person. One surprising thing was how kind his eyes were when he looked at her. Many of the suitors had that glint of lust and greed in their eyes as they had gazed at her. She was just a means for them to gain power and good heirs. Haru, however had that kind gaze to him. Like the wealth and power didn't matter. Only she did. He told Hinata about all his travels, his family and how they admired the Hyuga clan.

"When i had heard that the Hyuga clan had a daughter, i was eager to meet you. To see if you were the same as them. But you are not. You are so kind and so polite."

Hinata blushed brightly at the comment.

"T-thank you." She muttered. They walked in silence for a while. Haru reached out and stroked Hinata's cheek, startling her instantly. She stood frozen with widened eyes. Caressing the smooth skin of her cheek he moved his hand down and gently took her hand in his. Bringing it to his lips, Haru pressed them to the tip of Hinata's pale hand, before letting it go. He leaned in and whispered in her ear.

"I'll definitely claim you my princess."

Well, that extremely long for me to type due to my laziness and exhaustion. Hopefully everyone enjoyed this chapter. From here on, my chapters will once again be updating every Sunday.

~TheJollyHyuga