Run Away and Pursue

Ch. 5 "A Fork in the Road."

I don't own Naruto, but I wish I did.

Hinata detested hospitals.

The scents and the sounds; the hushed anticipation that always seemed to hang in the air.

People suffered in hospitals.

They died there.

She had watched her mother and father breathe their last breaths on a sterile hospital gurney.

She had sat beside her sister's hospital bed one too many times after she had overdosed on drugs and had been rushed to the emergency room.

Four years ago, Hinata had followed an ambulance to the hospital for one futile attempt to resuscitate her.

After her sister's death, she was alone. Her whole family turned their backs on her, ashamed of her.

The only one who gave her some support was her cousin, Neji; but she broke of communication with him when she had gone into hiding.

That was when she decided to give up on drugs, on alcohol and the hard-partying lifestyle that had led her to meeting Sasuke.

That had been the beginning of the end of their relationship.

But it hadn't been over.

Hinata knew too much about Sasuke's business.

Not his car dealership that he claimed made him millions, but the illicit drug trade he had been part of.

He wasn't planning on her walking away from their relationship.

She knew that when she had gone to the police with the information about Sasuke's drug connections. She had hoped that Sasuke would've at least serve his life in jail.

But he wasn't.

He was only put away for a few hours.

He vowed that he would repay her for her betrayal, and she knew he meant it.

So she ran, hoping that putting distance between them would keep her safe.

Now, she was pacing a sterile hospital room, trying desperately to believe that the person who shot her was not sent by Sasuke.

She shuddered, glancing at the closed door and wishing there was a lock she could turn to keep danger out.

But there isn't, so do the smart thing and leave.

She turned quickly, swaying from the combination of blood loss and pain medication. She was fuzzy-headed, but not so much that she didn't know what staying in the hospital made her; a sitting duck.

Her duffel was lying on the chair where the kind nurse had left it. Hinata headed towards it and scrounged through it, pulling out a gray corduroy pants and a white three-button sweater that she thought she could wiggle into, considering her bandaged shoulder.

It didn't take long to change out of the hospital gown. Hinata managed to scrape her hair into a ponytail, a few lock of hair framed her face, and shove her feet into her sneakers with barely a feeling from the gunshot wound.

Maybe it was the adrenaline, or the pain medication, but she couldn't feel much pain.

Either way, Hinata planned to find a way out of town before the effect wore off.

She grabbed her bag, checked to make sure her wallet was inside, and left the room. Her stomach was sick with realization of what she was doing.

Soon she would be leaving everything behind. Her friends. Her job.

Keiji.

How would he feel when he found out she was gone?

The question followed her as she stepped out into the corridor and walked to the nurses' station.

A red-headed nurse, one with hair redder than both Gaara and Keiji, smiled as Hinata approached. "Can I help you?"

"My name is Hinata Hyuuga. Room 1227. I've decided not to stay the night. Can you let my doctor know?" She gave her best sweet smile.

"You can't leave." She looked appalled, her hazel eyes were wide with concern.

"Yes, I can."

"Dr. Nara wanted to run another blood panel before you leave. If you wait in your room, I'll see if we can do that now rather than tomorrow in the morning." She was ready to get up and assist Hinata back to her room.

"I can't wait. Thank you, though."

"But—!"

"I appreciate the care I received while I was here, but I think I'll be more comfortable at home." Hinata gave a final smile and turned away, hurrying to the elevator across the room.

She slammed her finger on the button, half afraid that security personnel would swoop in and drag her back to her room.

The door opened and she stepped in, pushing the button for the lobby and feeling like she was a criminal who was escaping the scene of the crime.

Would someone be waiting below to escort her back up?

Of course not. It was a free country after all.

She hadn't committed a crime and there was no reason why she couldn't go where she wanted when she wanted to.

She straightened her shoulders, stepped out the elevator and straight into a warm hard chest.

She stumbled back, nearly falling as she struggled to regain her balance.

"Careful." Hands cupped her upper arms, holding her in her place.

She looked up, only to be met by the calm, handsome face of Naruto Uzumaki.

"Naruto! What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same question. Last I heard, you were admitted and were staying the night."

She studied his face. His eyes were endlessly blue, like the sky. His blonde hair was wet from melting ice.

Hinata's breath was caught, the slow tumble of her stomach and the quick throb of her pulse surprised her.

She could not be attracted to Naruto.

She would not be.

She learned her lesson about love a long time ago. She didn't plan to forget it.

"Who did you hear that from? I haven't called Kurenai, yet." Hinata scowled.

"A deputy came to see me. He said you were shot." Naruto caught sight of the bandages under the sweater before she righted its place and covered it.

"Barely."

"I didn't realize that was possible." Naruto cocked his head to the side; the angle of his jaw, the shape of his eyes, the intent and solemn look on his face reminded her of Keiji.

But Naruto was no boy.

He was a full-grown, good-looking, and trouble-causing man.

She didn't need to know Naruto to know that.

There hadn't been a man in Hinata's life that hadn't cause more trouble than what he was worth.

"Didn't realize what was possible?"

"To be barely shot. I figure a person either is shot or she isn't." He gave a quick flash of teeth.

"It barely hurts. The doctor said I'll heal up." Naruto didn't miss her grimace when she shrugged.

"Maybe not, but you look pale. Are you sure you should be leav—?"

"I'll recuperate better at home." She cut him off. "In my own bed."

Or in a hotel room where no one can find her.

Not Naruto.

Not the police.

Not Sasuke.

She began to walk across the lobby, but Naruto put a hand on her arm. His fingers were warm and compelling through her sweater.

"You're running from something, Hinata. What is it?"

She froze and knew that he noticed. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Of course you do. You were running when I first found you walking alone in the dark, and you're running now. Who's after you?"

"Why can't I just be a woman who wants time alone? Why does someone have to be after me?" Hinata refused to let herself be pulled into offering excuses. She didn't owe Naruto any.

"Because you were scared when we met, and you're scared now. Because someone shot you a couple of hours after your photo was in the news. That isn't a coincidence, Hinata. You were hiding from someone and now he found you." Naruto's expression was so serious that it scared her.

She was shocked, not knowing what to say. She didn't know if she could admit the truth or keep trying to hide it.

She was faced by a fork in the road, not knowing which path to take.

Finally, she did the only thing she could do.

Push him away.

"Look, Naruto, you and Keiji have enough to deal with already. You don't need to add my problems to yours. Go back to the hotel, to your son and stop worrying about me."

"I can't. What you did for me and Keiji makes you family, and I never turn my back on family."

"You're wrong. I'm not family." She tugged away from his hand. "I'm just a stranger who happened to touch your life for a little while. In a few days, you'll forget I even exist."

She walked quickly to the automatic doors and stepped out into the freezing rain. Her chest was hot and tight with emotions she didn't want to feel.

There had been so many times in her life when she had wished for someone to say what Naruto had said. So many times when all she ever wanted was to be part of a loving family.

"Do you have a ride?" He strode up behind her kept his distance and didn't bother to ask why she was running and to where. He didn't mention family.

"No. I guess I wasn't thinking very far ahead." Hinata hated that she had to admit it.

"Then you're lucky I'm here. Where are you heading?" Naruto rubbed his nose that was getting a bit pink.

The bus station.

The airport.

The train station.

Anywhere but Sendai.

"I don't know." Her voice broke and Hinata pressed her lips together. No way was she going to let Naruto see her break down.

"Then take the night to think about it. Get a little sleep. Then you can talk to the Sheriff again and figure out what your options are." He spoke quietly, not trying to change her mind, as if he knew what was going in it and was just trying to make her see what she should have before. "If you still think you need to run, then do it. Just do it smart, not scared."

She knew what he was trying to tell her. Running when she was exhausted, physically and mentally, and hurt was not a smart move; and being smart was the only thing that was going to keep her alive.

"You're right. I need a plan."

"I can help you with it. If you let me."

Hinata heard fabric rustling and a warm coat was settled on her shoulders. It smelled like icy rain and Naruto.

She didn't know whether to burrow in it or take it off.

"You're going to freeze." She lamely stated as Naruto stepped in front of her and tugged the coat close. His knuckles brushed her collar bone and Hinata shivered in response.

"Based on the way you're shivering, I think you need it more than I do."

Hospital lights spilled onto his hair and face, casting shadows and deepening the angles of his jaw and cheekbones. His blue eyes glinted in the light and his hair resembled the sunlight.

He looked mysterious and compelling.

A hero come to life; offering his coat and his protection.

At that moment, Hinata wanted to believe she could accept then and not regret it later.

"Naruto I—."

"Come on. Let's go to the car before we both freeze." He led her through the silent parking garage. His hand was on her wrist making sure his touch was light and gentle.

He was the kind of guy she once dreamed of meeting. The kind who would offer a coat or a ride.

Or a smile.

A real genuine smile.

Not those sinister curl of the lips that indicated rough handling to follow.

All she met were guys who offered nothing but lies and knew nothing about family, sacrifice or love.

The only thing they knew was lust.

She shivered again, pulling the coat closer, allowing herself to enjoy the warmth while it lasted.

Tomorrow would be a new day. She had to make a decision and act on them.

But for tonight, she had to pretend that she really was Hinata Hyuuga—student, teacher's aide, law abiding citizen.

A woman without a past and no mistakes to come back and haunt her in a rainy day.

"Here we are." Naruto opened the passenger door of the SUV and waited while Hinata climbed inside. He placed her duffel bag on her lap then closed the door and rounded the car and opened the door, slipping in to join her in the front. "So are we going to your farmhouse or to your apartment?"

Hinata paused. There was no way she wanted to return to her house after the incident that occurred hours ago, but she didn't want to bring danger to Kurenai. "I'm not sure."

"You're house in the middle of nowhere. I don't want you there by yourself."

"And I would hate it when the guy who shot me shows up on Kurenai's doorsteps." Hinata shot back.

"How about I call the sheriff and see if he's willing to have a patrol car stationed outside her house for the night? If he can't, you can always stay at the hotel with me and my family." His eyes were hopeful.

"And give reports something else to speculate about? I'd rather take my chances at my house in the middle of nowhere."

"Really?" A brow shot up from his face.

"No." She sighed. The day was definitely not going the way she hoped it to be. "Go ahead and call the sheriff. If he can't, I'll go to the hotel. But I won't be with your family."

She leaned her head on the seat as Naruto called the sheriff's office.

She wished that she could back to the harvest party and keep herself from being shot in the photo.

She had been careful for so long, but Sendai became to feel like home, and she had let her guard down. She had allowed herself to believe that the past was truly behind her.

That had been her first mistake.

She couldn't afford to make anymore.

"Okay. A sheriff's deputy will park outside Kurenai's house for the night." Naruto flipped his phone off and broke into her thoughts.

"Thank you." Hinata straightened.

"All I did was make a phone call."

"You also came to the hospital to make sure I was all right. And you're giving me a ride home."

"But that's nothing compared—!" Naruto began.

"Let's not." Hinata raised a hand to stop him. "Compare, I mean. I helped Keiji because it was the right thing to do. I don't want or need to be repaid."

"Who said anything about repaying?"

"You did earlier. Besides, why else would you be here?" She felt a sting in her heart.

"I heard you were hurt and wanted to make sure you were fine. Isn't that a good enough reason?" He pulled out into the road, the slick surface shined in the headlights.

"Yes." But she wasn't sure it was. Her life was already too complicated. She didn't need to add a man like Naruto into the complication.

"You don't sound convinced."

"I already told you. I don't want any part of the media blitz going on in town."

"Would you like me to bring you back to the hospital? You can call someone else to come give you a ride." His tone was becoming irritated.

Hinata winced at his tone. "My friends are all asleep. And I don't have any family around to help me."

"You didn't grow up here?"

"I grew up in the lower islands."

"Oh yeah? What part?"

"Somewhere near Okinawa—." Hinata frowned. "Hey. Are you interrogating me?"

"I prefer to think of it as interviewing." He gave a grin while Hinata deepened her frown. "It's what I used to do for a living and still use time to time."

"An interview for what?"

"I can't help you if I don't know what kind of trouble you're in." He pulled up in front of Kurenai's house, flashing his headlights and beeped once at a police cruiser parked on the street a few yards away.

"The police are helping me, Naruto. All you should be helping is your son. Not me."

"I'm capable of doing more than one thing at a time." Naruto crossed his arms.

"I—."

"It's late. We're both exhausted. How about we save this argument for another day?"

He was right, of course.

Spending time discussing all the reasons why he shouldn't get involved with her wasn't going to make him leave her alone. In fact, it made him want to help her even more.

She pushed the door open and hopped out of the car, grabbing her duffel and offering Naruto a smile that felt stiff. "Thanks for the ride."

"Anytime." He followed her out the car and up to Kurenai's front door, waiting as she dug for the keys from her duffel bag.

"Good night." She started to open the door, but he put a hand on her arm, holding her in place.

"The deputy I spoke to seemed to think you might have some idea who shot you tonight."

She wanted to ignore the comment or to pretend she didn't know what he was talking about, but none of them changed the truth.

"I have a past, Naruto. It's not one that I'm proud of, and it's not one I want to talk about. It's possible it's finally catching up to me."

"I don't suppose you want to explain." His tone was very sincere and caring.

"I explained to sheriff. He knows everything he needs to." It wasn't easy telling him. Her past wasn't something she was willing to sit down and share.

She had made money the easiest way she could and spent it on drugs and parties.

That had been her downfall, but it also led to her redemption.

She opened the door and stepped into the dark foyer, turning to Naruto to offer a smile that she hoped was a relaxed one. "Thank you again for the ride."

"Hinata—."

"My past isn't open for discussion."

"What about your plans?" Naruto gave a long sigh, giving up the topic about her past.

"Plans?"

"Are you going to stay in Sendai or run away?" He saw her twitch.

"I haven't decided yet."

"Let me know one way or the other, okay?"

"Why?" She was so defensive.

"Because Keiji will want to know if you leave town. Because I'll want to know that you've come up with a plan that will keep you safe."

"I'll let you now. Now, if you don't mind, it's late."

"Right. Be safe, Hinata." He offered a quick wave as he turned away.

"Oh, before you forget, here's your coat." She began to unbutton it and pull herself from it.

"You know what, keep it." He reached his car.

Before she could protest, he slid inside the car and drove away.

Hinata closed the door and walked up the stairs to her apartment. Naruto's words rang through her mind.

Be safe.

If only she knew the best way to do that.

Stay.

Go.

Neither seemed like the perfect plan.

She sighed, dropping onto the sofa and rubbing at the tension in her neck. She had taken the coat off and placed it on top of her duffel on the floor.

The house creaked and groaned as the wind buffed the windows and sprayed ice against the glass.

Hinata wanted to fall into a deep slumber, but each sound sent her heart racing, and she could do nothing but lay awake and listen to the storm.

Frustrated, she turned the TV on and grabbed the small blanket used as a decoration from the back of the sofa and wrapped herself in it.

The sound of a late night talk show masked the creaking house, but not her chaotic thoughts.

They were a backdrop to the television and the storm.

They kept Hinata from drifting to sleep.

Well, nothing happened here except for more explaining.

I decided to update just because of that very reason.

If you think this story is going so slow and nothing is happening, then you must really hate books!

xD

Just kidding!

But really, I wrote this story in the style of a book.

I would really hate it if you guys stop reading this because of that reason.

Well, I hope that you stay tuned in the later chapters, especially the next couple of chapters coming up.

Don't worry. Each story is just building up to the end.

Thank you for reading and reviewing!

Leave me some sugar~!

:P