Vow

7

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Hinata was happy that the woman had gotten her cat back. The little thing was shivering and sopping wet by the time it made it's way into her arms, but that only made the landlady all the more grateful to Hinata for finding it. That was the easy part. The hard part was explaining the bruises on Hinata's body. There were marks all over her that was well enough covered by the thickness of her jacket, but the other ones, the cuts and scrapes on her face, neck, and hands, not to mention the slight limp in her walk, alarmed the rest of her team, Kurenai included.

Hinata tried her best to lie, but Shino knew better. He didn't say anything, but Hinata knew exactly what he was thinking. Kiba himself wouldn't stop flipping his lid. Even Akamaru seemed upset, but somehow Hinata managed to dodge all their questions without giving away too much information.

Hinata made sure that when she got home she'd dressed her wounds up enough to avoid the suspicion of anyone who might question her markings. It was only bad luck that before making it to her room she'd run into Neji.

"Hinata-sama," He greeted with a tint of surprise. "What happened?"

Hinata had been down this road before. And in the exact same situation, if she recalled correctly.

"H-Hard day of training," Hinata responded wearily. "W-Well, the mission was harder than we thought it would be, so…" Not completely a lie.

"Is that all?" Neji questioned in a way that sounded more like an interrogation.

"Y-Yes…" Hinata stammered. Uh-oh. Neji was calling her out. She should know better than to lie to her niisan. Even though they were no where near as close as they used to be, that fact remained that no one could read her better than he.

"Why are you lying to me, Hinata-sama? We've come across this situation once before, have we not? On the first occurrence it was not so much cause for alarm, since it was extremely likely that it was only a result from a new type of training, but now that it has happened again, I cannot so easily write it off. Exactly what have you been doing?"

Hinata hesitated, resisting the urge to fidget her fingers. She clutched the sides of her worn jacket in an effort to keep them still. "I…I'm sorry, niisan." Hinata apologized miserably. She could think of nothing else to say. It was hard looking Neji in the eyes, but she did, waiting for him to say something. He gave a quick overview of the bandages on her exposed wounds, and looked back into her eyes with solemnity. "If this happens again, Hinata-sama," he warned, "I will be forced to take matters into my own hands. May I remind you that I have a duty to uphold."

He walked past her towards the west wing of the manor where the entrance to the lower branch was located. "Good night, Hinata-sama." he bid.

The first thing Hinata woke up thinking was that it would be her last time waking up. Ever. It was the third day, the day that Gaara would kill her. The wounds from the previous night were still, for the most part, fresh and throbbing. The rest of her ached, and when she moved her ribs protested with sharp eruptions of pain. Still, she had to move. She had to fight.

For a shinobi, things like pain came only secondary to duty.

As she was redressing her wounds, Hinata thought about Neji's warning. Of course it proved fruitless since this would be the last day she'd be alive, but just in the off chance she survived, she knew she would have to tell him the truth. Hinata vowed that she would fight until the end, because her life was worth fighting for, and though she unwaveringly stood by that statement, she knew how much weaker she was than Gaara. Yes, she could fight, but she would lose. The sky was blue and bright today, so there would be no rain to save her this time.

However…Hinata had also made another vow.

A vow that she planned to follow through with no matter what. This vow, of course, would lesser her chances of surviving the encounter with Gaara to near zero levels, but this was the one that counted most. She would be faithful to it.

Hinata wandered the streets for a few hours, taking in the pleasant scenes of those shopping, smiling, and enjoying one another's company. The sunny weather seemed infectious amongst the Leaf Village inhabitants, and Hinata would have loved to join them in their blissful ignorance, but was sadly unable. Because she knew this would be her last time seeing any of this.

When she allowed herself to stray from the distraction, Hinata finally set out to look for Naruto seriously. He was always running around at this time of day, especially on his days off. When finally she'd found him he was by the school, sitting--unsurprisingly--next to Sakura, talking through smiles and happily chattering. Hinata wanted to turn in the opposite direction, find Gaara, and hope that he'd give her a quick death, but she resumed walking.

She'd made a vow.

Real warriors honor their vows.

"We both have the day off today, right Sakura-chan? You don't have anything planned either, right? Let's go somewhere together!"

Ignore the pain. You're used to it. Keep walking…

Sakura crossed her legs and turned her back to him sharply. "And what makes you think I wouldn't have better things to do, Naru-tard?" Sakura snapped.

"Well, I just thought that, since you were here and everything, you didn't have anything important to do and so--"

"I'm waiting for Sasuke! Go away!" Naruto's expression twisted into a sullen grimace.

"S-Sasuke? You're meeting him here?"

"It's none of your business! Didn't I already tell you to go away? Why did you even come here at all if you were going to start annoying me? You're so immature Naruto, just like a pathetic little kid. All you do is gripe and complain; "I want this!" "I want that!"; without ever giving a second thought as to how many problems your causing for other people. You have the thickest head of anyone I've ever met! You don't listen, you have zero," the words spurred out in a rough and mocking laugh, "common sense; you're just a pain to have around. Useless and hopeless. In fact, why don--"

"Why doesn't he 'what?'" Hinata interrupted coldly.

Sakura spun to her in alarm, having been caught giving such an outrageous fit, and Naruto, who was bowing his head in absolute shame and embarrassment, did the same.

Hinata stood in front of them, eyes boring unfriendliness and irritation. So unlike her, and yet at this point, she couldn't care less.

She was going to die today.

Might as well make her last day on earth worth something. And fortunately, it started here.

With this tactless, pink-haired bitch.

"E-Exactly which part of what you just said is true?" Hinata asked bitterly. "Exactly which part, do you think, makes you look more superior than you really are? Exactly what makes you think you have the r-right to talk to Naruto--to anyone--like that. With how you are."

"E-Excuse me?" Sakura stammered with shock and barely concealed rage.

"H-Hinata-chan?" Naruto stuttered, incredulous.

Hinata continued, ignoring them both.

"You, Sakura Haruno, wh-who has always been beautiful, always been adored, always been the smartest, always had a mother and father that loved you? You, who has been sheltered your entire life, t-taking things out on Naruto because you yourself have absolutely zero common sense when it comes to the circumstances and f-feelings of others. I-It is easy for you to judge someone who you have never, not once in your life, have tried to relate to. There is nothing in your character that even suggests that you are, or are willing to be, understanding. Y-You, who has no idea what it's like to have no one, nothing. You, who has no idea what pain is. You, who has no idea what it's like to try hard to get what you want, to suffer for it, to work for something that you have been deprived of only because you are what you are. Because of wh-who you are. You, who has such astounding talents--looks, smarts, and family--and have all but ignored them just because of a boy who doesn't even care enough about you to look in your direction. So tell me, Sakura Haruno, exactly what, do you think, makes you a better person than Naruto?"

Hinata was calm with her words, putting strength into each syllable, each meaning. Never had her voice been so dangerous, and yet so subtle. For the first time in her life she was not careful with her words. She allowed her feelings to speak for her, something she'd always wanted to do ever since she was a child. She knew it was reckless, and in some form, heartless, but what did that matter now?

Hinata barely left time for silence to descend before continuing. "N-Naruto is a wonderful person," she went on, voice crushing into softer tones. "He is brave, determined, and the strongest person I have ever met. H-He has grown up with nothing, no one, and yet every day he is smiling. Why? I couldn never understand it…and I know I'm nowhere near as good a person as he is…but…I love that smile. I-It makes me so sad that you cannot see how lucky you are to have someone as pure as Naruto who is willing to look beyond each and every one of your flaws…and be with you. I…feel sorry for you, Sakura. So sorry."

Never before had Hinata seen someone with so many emotions on her face as she did Sakura. Shocked, humiliated, confused, enraged…and utterly and bitterly ashamed. Not bothering to make a remark, or even try to defend herself, for she knew she was in no position, leaped from her seat and ran off. Hinata watched her go, still and sorrowful. But not regretful. Though the things she'd just said were harsh, Hinata could not find it in her heart to feel regretful for what she had said. Because they were the truth, and a long time coming. Sakura needed to know these things, and the sooner she learned them the better. Hinata only hoped, with all her heart, that Sakura would try to realize the mistakes she's made and try to change herself a little.

Not drastically; only a little, into a better person who would look at Naruto fondly. That's all she wanted. Because Hinata knew this would make him happiest.

"H-Hinata-chan?" Naruto said in a bewildered state. His eyes boggled, lips twitching to form unintelligible words, for he did not know what to say, and his expression was…awe-struck.

"A-Are you mad, Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked gently, tilting her head slightly.

"No, I…it's just…"

He glanced at the ground, unable to process the correct expression. He was trying very hard to get a grip on his emotions, and when finally he'd smoothed his features into a somewhat sad look he stood to his feet and said, "H-Hinata-chan…did you really mean all those things you said?"

Hinata stared at him and smiled, a slight blush forming on her cheeks.

"Y-Yes. I did."

Naruto was silent for a while, seemingly conflicted, until finally he asked determinedly, "Do you want to take a walk with me, Hinata-chan?"

Hinata agreed, of course. They refrained from talking about Sakura as they walked, sharing a silent hope that she would get over herself, think about some things, and calm down. They didn't know it would happen soon, but they knew something about her would change tomorrow. Naruto seemed a bit worried, but for now he just pushed it to the back of his mind.

"I-I never knew you thought those things about me. I never knew anyone did," Naruto said quietly, keeping in step with Hinata who was currently a few inches in lead. There was a long winding dirt road leading them to a section of small hills and trees which basked in the pleasant light of the sun, giving off a wonderful atmosphere of tranquility.

"Y-You really didn't know those things yourself?" Hinata questioned with a smile. "I-I thought they were obvious."

Naruto stared at her, then turned away, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. He grinned the grin Hinata loved so much and said, "No…haha, I guess I didn't."

Hinata walked Naruto up the hills and beyond a thicket of trees where resided a wide open space. The trees provided a convenient enough barrier, a wall if you will, for anyone who happened to be walking by, and Naruto only noticed when she came to a halt.

Hinata turned to him, eyes hard and focused. Naruto drew back a little, surprised and confused.

"H-Hinata-chan…what're you doing?"

Yes…there was one more vow she had to uphold. One that had been determined from the beginning of their meeting but never set.

The vow…that she would prove her strength…to the one she loved.

"Naruto-kun," Hinata said, spreading her feet apart, taking battle stance. "Fight me."

//***********************************//note from moi//**********************************//

Yes, in case you haven't realized, this is actually a HinaXGaaXNaru fanfic. I've never done one which included Naruto, and this is one of my first. I am actually quite fond of Naruto, but Gaara has always been my favorite. After all, who wouldn't love Gaara?

And as to who Hinata will wind up with in the end…

Let us wait and see.

To those of you who have reviewed, thank you so very much. You are the ones that have shaped this story, not me, and I wish for you to continue to nurture your unwavering affection for my story.

I love everything it is you have to say, even if it's negative, so please keep reviewing.

Please keep supporting me no matter what.