Patience Chapter 19 I Choose
I have been seriously lazy and busy! I am soo sooory! I'll update more often! Anyways, my goal was to polish my writing and make it better. I have been doing that and hopefully, my writing has improved enough that you people don't choke on it. Enjoy! This chapter is long in my standards…
Disclaimer: Nah...
"Where are we going Haru-kun?" Hinata looked quizzically at her companion, who seemed to be at ease. He has invited her over for a small walk but he wouldn't tell her where they were going.
"Hm? Oh, Hime, I thought we'd take a little walk through these woods." Haru replied calmly. The full moon was out that night. Soft light emitted from its surface giving a slight glow to Hinata's face. A soft breeze played with her locks as they walked. Hinata was lost in her own thoughts oblivious to her surroundings. She hadn't realized she'd gone ahead of Haru. About to turn back, she heard faint talking ahead of her in the woods. Looking at her surroundings, Hinata noticed she was back at the old training area where she would look for Naruto. Walking towards the sounds, Hinata spotted Naruto and Sakura just ahead of her in a clearing. Her smile brightened at seeing Naruto. However, as she approached the two, Sakura leaned in and pressed her lips against Naruto. It happened in such slow motion, Hinata didn't notice Haru come from behind her. He hugged her from behind and put his hand gently on her eyes, blocking Hinata's vision. What happened next, Hinata didn't remember. Only that one scene was burnt into her mind. Haru walked Hinata back to the Hyuga Compound slowly. A few feet before reaching the compound, Haru turned Hinata to face him.
"I... I'm so sorry Hime that you had to see that. If I'd known..."
"It's... Alright. Thank you for walking me back." She shuffled back to the compound.
Haru watched her go as a slight smile played on his lips.
Naruto quickly pushed himself away from Sakura's tight, yet not feminine grasp.
"Sakura-chan?! What are you doing?"
'Sakura' backed up and smirked at
Naruto.
"You aren't Sakura. What kind of prank is this?"
The figure vanished into thin air, leaving Naruto alone in the gloomy night.
What the hell was that? I better tell Sakura-chan.
The next few days, Naruto did not see Hinata. He went on long missions so the two had no chance to meet up. He conversed with Sakura, who was just as confused about the figure as he was.
Naruto pulled at his vest and sighed heavily.
"Man this mission was hard! Ne Sensei! Treat us to ramen!"
"Well, you all worked hard, so consider it a break." Yamato smiled and poofed into air.
Sakura turned to her companions and smiled.
"I need to get some documents, I'm off."
Naruto turned to look at Sai who smiled eerily.
"It's me and you Naruto! What shall we do?"
"Uh... No thanks. I'm going to see Hinata-chan. haven't talked to her in such a long time!"
"Since you guys are getting married soon, you should see her more often."
Naruto blushed, "it's not confirmed yet.." Laughing awkwardly, he patted Sai and ran off.
"I'm finally here!" Naruto stopped in front of the Hyuga compound. He looked at his surroundings. It was the day the meeting for Hinata's choice of marriage was setup. They were to meet and Hinata would make the choice. A thoughtful smile played on the blond's lips, thinking of the future. He had never taken marriage seriously, but he was excited to think about it. Marrying Hinata eh? I'll look forward to it!
He entered the compound and made his way up to Hinata's room. He'd been in the compound so often, Naruto knew his way around. He ran up the stairs but bumped into a figure.
"Hey! Wa-" Naruto stopped to look at the figure of Haru.
"Why hello Naruto-san." A smirk played on the man's lips.
"What are you doing here?" Naruto narrowed his eyes.
"Oh I'm just visiting my bride to be."
"I'm sorry to let you know but Hinata will be choosing me." Confusing flocked Naruto's mind. Why hadn't Hinata kicked this guy out? And why was he so confident? I can't let this bother me.
"If you would like to know, Hinata-hime is not accepting to see anyone at the moment. She is quite ill. Please don't disturb her."
"What?"
Haru strode past Naruto and disappeared in one of the hallways.
"Hinata? Hinata!" Naruto knocked on her door but no reply came. Frustrated, he stormed off. There was no point in knocking at a non-responding door.
*creak* the prison door opened, making Sasuke flinch. A figure walked in, clutching a box in her hands. The Uchiha's lips thinned into a scowl.
This idiot again.
He hated the fact how his heart warmed at her presence. Hated the fact that in this empty life, empty cell, how he craved another human's warmth, no matter who it may be. She had been coming in this room for almost a month. Each time, with a small bentou in hand, its contents Sliced Tomatoes, Octopus balls and Onigiri. Each time, the food had been good. At first, he had refused the food completely, not ready to eat something made by her. But against the shitty food given to him by the Anbu, he couldn't help it. After a while, he had started tasting her food, determined to only eat a bit. Without knowing, he had eaten up all of the contents and was shaking the box for more. Each day, she came with the same food and each day, he waited until she left before devouring the delicacies. Today however, he had something to say to her.
"Sakura."
His deep voice resonated in her ears, making her flinch and turn back. Never in their exchanges had he actually said her name.
"Y-yes? Sasuke...kun?" To add 'kun' next to his name unsettled her. Love or not, he was still an enemy. Enemies should not have been addressed so affectionately.
"Tell me one thing. Why do you come here every day, and give me this food knowing I'll never return your love?"
Those monotonic words grazed across her heart like a sharp blade. For almost a month, she had been coming here, giving him food. She had almost stopped but continued when one day she found this he actually ate the contents. It was a good question. Why did she do it? Sakura steeled her nerves. A lot had changed in her. She wasn't going to make herself a crying mess in front of the one man that she still cared about. That in general disgusted her.
"Maybe because there is still some humanity in me."
Surprise was clear in those coal eyes. It felt good to make him surprised. After a while, his deep voice retorted.
"So this is what humanity is. You give what you have but ask for nothing in return. How stupid."
"If humanity was stupid to you, you wouldn't contribute by accepting the food i give you every time i come in here."
Sakura surprised herself by how calm she sounded. Where was this confident coming from? She couldn't do anything but flirt with Sasuke before but now she was spurting philosophies in his face.
An amused smiled played on his lips.
"Then tell me this. Is it the same humanity that made that Hyuga bitch used when she decided to let me off for my crimes?"
Anger welled up in Sakura's chest. How could he speak like that about someone who saved his life?! Mixed feeling poured out of her lips.
"First of all, she is not a bitch. Appreciate what humanity she had in herself to save your ass from execution. If you had even an ounce of a heart, you would realize people do things not just to be nice, but because they love that person they do it for!" Tears were streaming down her face now. Frustrated, Sakura ran out of the prison, past the guards and out the entrance. Why did i have to let him see my pathetic crying? Slowing down a bit she walked to the nearest bench and took a shaky breath. No, she had to be brave. She needed to put on a happier outer exterior. Getting up, she sighed heavily and headed to a random direction, sorting her jumbled thoughts.
The council consisted of all of the elders, Hyuga Hiashi, Hinata, Neji, Hanabi, Naruto and Haru, all seated in a big circled. Sweat trickled down in bead from the back of his head. This whole thing was surprisingly nerve-wracking to Naruto even though he knew the answer. He absolutely knew Hinata would pick him to be her husband, so why was he so nervous?
"We will now begin this meeting. First of all, any objections towards the two suitors will be taken up now."
No one spoke. The room stayed completely silent. If Naruto wished, he would have invited Kakashi sensei and Sakura. However, he wasn't allowed to. This was only to be him, Haru and the Hyuga clan.
"-give her decision."
Naruto jerked his head to see Hinata had now stood up. She looked across the Neji and met eyes with Neji who nodded encouragingly and looked slightly in Naruto's direction. Then she crossed her beautiful lavender eyes to first meet Haru's, then his. Naruto smiled at her when her eyes met his. However, she quickly looked away.
"I- i... Have made my decision."
Naruto's ear could almost hear his name to be spoken by those soft lips of hers. Say it Hinata!
"I choose to marry... Haru- san."
Review people! Maybe something good will happen up if i get around 110 reviews. Who knows?
*wiggles eyebrows*
~TheJollyHyuga
