Run Away and Pursue

Ch. 9 "Hinata: Church and a Bit of Realization."

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

A/N: Shorter than usual...

"You can't hide in your apartment forever. So get up, get dressed and get to church." Hinata muttered to herself as she slapped the off button on the alarm clock, forcing herself out of bed.

She had spent the past two days locked away from the world in Kurenai's attic, A.K.A. her apartment, and it was time to face it again.

No matter how much she didn't want to.

And she surely didn't.

What she wanted to do was shove her still-packed suitcase into her car and drive away from her troubles.

Unfortunately, fate was cruel to her, and that wouldn't get Sasuke thrown in jail where he belonged.

The only way to defeat him was to draw him out. To do that, Hinata had to stay exactly where she was.

So she was staying.

And she was going to live her life the way she had for three years, do the things she had always done. That included going to church.

There was something soothing about that place. She liked at how every time she went, even though she didn't pay attention, she always felt refreshed. Safe. Like there never was an aftermath of an ugly hurricane in her life.

She took a shower, savoring the warm water on her skin, and dressed quickly, choosing a simple black skirt and a long sleeved button-down down shirt. She pulled her hair up into a quick ponytail, her hair still damp.

Her shoulder still ached and she winced as she pulled on her coat.

She hesitated at the door, her hand on the knob.

Itachi was in jail, and the sheriff had told her Thursday that Sasuke was still in Okinawa.

She heard nothing different since then and she had no reason to doubt the Kiba's information.

She was safe for now.

A least, she hoped she was.

The house was silent as she stepped onto the landing and walked down the steps.

Kurenai had probably left for church an hour ago. As the church pianist, she was often the first to arrive and one of the last to leave. It seemed today was no different.

Bright sunlight and fresh air lifted Hinata's spirits and she hummed a tune as she got in the Ford. Soon, the first snow would fall in the mountains, covering the distant peaks with white powder.

Okinawa had been different. Unlike the cold fresh air of Sendai, Okinawa was hot and filled with bright colors and vibrant life. Sendai was cool and dry, it's pallet of muted colors.

It was quieter, more subtle and somehow more comforting.

It suited Hinata.

If any place had ever been a home, this was it.

Maybe that's why she was so determined to stay.

Maybe.

Or maybe she was tired of running, simply tired of hiding and tired of wondering if her past were lurking just around the corner, waiting to jump out and snag her again.

She frowned, pulling into the parking lot of the church.

The building that housed it was an unpretentious as the people in its congregation.

It was a one-story with weathered wood siding. It seemed like the kind of church that might be willing to welcome Hinata when she had arrived in town three years ago. Weary, worn and tarnished, Hinata hadn't felt she'd belonged in the fancy churches she had visited, but this one in particular had seemed as weary as she was. The building was timeworn and comfortable.

When she stepped inside, she had felt the warmth of the people who had been nothing but understanding and accepting.

She stepped out of the car and smiled at the elderly couple who were slowly making their way across the parking lot. Several other people were meandering toward the door, and Hinata joined them, talking, smiling and acting for all the world like it was any ordinary Sunday.

"Glad you made it today!" Ino waved her over when she had stepped inside the building. The same age as she was, with a sometimes overbearing attitude, Ino was the kind of person who wasn't afraid to share her opinion. Ino wasn't also above gossiping and thought that she was just repeating what was the best interest of everybody.

Hinata joined the small group of women, and offered a smile. "Hey, girls."

She had kept her greeting simple, not wanting to encourage questions or comments about the past week.

She knew that news about her ordeal had already spread. As a matter of fact, she had spent most of her two days at home answering phone calls and assuring people that she was still alive and well.

"I was worried you might still be recovering from the gunshot wound!"

Hinata's smile faltered a bit, but she doubt they had noticed. "It's getting better. Thank you for your concern."

"Heard that it was that Itachi boy who shot you." Temari, yet another lady near her age, a tad bit older than Hinata, had said. She was toned, and left her usual buns and instead put her hair into pigtails.

"Heard he wanted to steal some cash from your place and you fought him off, beat him up and he wanted to have revenge on you for that." Ino grabbed Hinata's hand into hers and placed the other on top of it, expressing her concern.

"What?" Hinata retrieved her hand back. She was surprised. "You're kidding, right?"

Ino gave her an exasperated look. "I think you know me well enough to know I'm as much of a kidder. I'm telling you like it was told to me!"

"What?" Hinata raised a brow. "From who?"

"Tsunade. She lives just next to me." Ino grinned.

"Well," Hinata sighed, smiling as she shrugged her shoulders. "She exaggerated the story. I didn't fight Itachi off. He took a shot at me outside my house. I ran inside and called the police."

"That's it?" Ino's grin fell.

Hinata nodded. "That's it."

"Well, that's a let-down!" Ino frowned. "Not as exciting as Tsunade made it out to be."

Hinata couldn't help but to grin at that.

"I knew you had it wrong all along. You always do." Temari shook her head. "It wasn't Hinata who fought the kid off. It was that good gentleman, Uzumaki Naruto. The one who has been on the news this past few weeks."

"Why would Hinata hang out with him?" It was Ino's turn to raise a brow.

Temari looked at her and shook her head.

"The way I hear it," Matsuri, a small petite girl, a few years younger than Hinata, inputted. "He's got a soft spot for Hinata."

She gave a wink her way.

"Matsuri! Why would you say something like that?" Hinata's cheeks heated.

"Because that's what Mimi said!" Matsuri laughed. "Shino's her husband. He was there when Itachi tried to kill you the second time. He told Mimi that Naruto is sweet on you."

"Well he's wrong!" Hinata answered, not as amused as she had been at the beginning of the conversation.

Naruto, sweet on her?

It was laughable!

So, why wasn't she laughing?

"But Shino is a man, hon." Ino's smile returned, her eyes twinkling. "And men know these kinds of things about each other. So if he says Naruto is—."

"He is not sweet on me."

"Well!" Temari winked. "Someone is defensive!"

Hinata wished she had done what she had wanted to and stayed in bed.

"Look, ladies, I know it's fun to speculate about my love life, but since I don't actually have one, how about we talk about something else?" Hinata smiled sweetly, trying to hide the hostility behind the words.

"Ms. Hyuuga!" A young voice called out.

It sounded a lot like Keiji's.

Only there was no way Keiji could be at church.

Right?

Hinata turned, scanning the parking lot, and nearly bolted when she saw Keiji walking towards her, his father by his side.

Naruto, in bright daylight, looked stunning.

He wore a sports coat, dark slacks and a pale-green dress shirt, without a tie. The top button was open, revealing a hint of his tanned skin. He should've looked professionally sloppy but somehow managed to make it fit him.

Hinata was sure she heard the group behind her giggle.

"Keiji! Naruto!" She walked towards them, keeping her voice a bit soft, knowing that every word she said was being heard and judged by the women.

"I called around to find a good church to attend," Naruto's eyes were bright. "This is where I ended up."

Hinata frowned a bit. "You called Kurenai, didn't you?"

"Guilty." Naruto smiled, crookedly.

"Well, it's good to see you." She shifted her attention to the boy. "You're looking very handsome there, Keiji."

"I wanted to wear jeans, but Dad wouldn't let me!" Keiji scowled, shifting uncomfortably in his dress pants and button up long-sleeved shirt.

"That's okay." Hinata patted his head lightly. "You'll fit in with the other kids."

"I don't think I will. Dad said church was good for us, but I don't think so."

"Why not?" Hinata mused.

"It's boring."

"Have you been before?"

"No."

"Then how do you know it's boring?" Hinata felt the smile tug her face.

"Because it probably is."

"Keiji," Naruto calmly warned, offering Hinata an apologetic smile. "We had this talk at the hotel, and we agreed to go to church."

"I didn't want to. I wanted to stay with Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Senna."

"You know your Aunt Senna wasn't feeling well, and your grandparents were taking her to the doctor."

"I could've gone with them." Keiji muttered his protest.

This surprised Hinata. In the time she had known him, Keiji had never been anything but cooperative. Shy and sweet, he'd always been eager to please.

"I'm sure your father did not want you to hang around a doctor's office." Hinata smiled at Naruto, who was looking embarrassed.

"They were going to the emergency room. I think that would've been cool. Church blows."

Hinata ignored Keiji's comment and furrowed her brows at Naruto. "Is your sister okay?"

The last thing this family needed was a serious illness.

"She has a stomach bug. Nothing serious, but my parents are concerned she's dehydrated." Naruto gave a shaky smile to reassure her.

"We could go the hospital!" Keiji bounced, ready to grab his father's hand and drag him to the door. "Then we can know she is feeling better!"

"We're staying." Naruto sounded weary.

"But—!"

Hinata cut in, hoping to diffuse things. "You know, you might find church isn't as boring as you thought."

"I guess." Keiji gave up arguing. "But I still would rather be at the emergency room."

"Keiji—." Naruto began, but Hinata interjected, knowing this would just create yet another reason for Keiji to not open up to Naruto.

"If it's okay with your father, we can sit together." Knowing what effect this would have on the gossipers, Hinata didn't care, all she wanted was for the two to have a smooth sailing from now on.

"I don't mind." Naruto gave her a small nod of thanks. "As a matter of fact, we were hoping to run into you."

She heard the giggles behind her, but she ignored them.

Naruto raised an eyebrow.

"Friends?"

"Admirers of yours." Hinata grinned.

"Oh yeah?" He put a hand on her lower back, causing her to twitch a bit, but he ignore it, urging her to find a seat.

"They heard how you saved me from Itachi."

"Embellished tales." Naruto chuckled.

"What's there to embellish? You did save my life. They heard about it and were impressed." Hinata wondered when they would reach and empty group of chairs because she felt uncomfortable with his hand on her back, though it was a pleasant feel.

"Nice, but there's only one lady here that I'm interested in impressing." He grinned, his eyes flashing. "Want to guess who?"

Hinata's mouth went dry, her heart skipped a beat and she knew she was in big, big trouble.

"I-I've never been very good at guessing games."

"I'm good at them!" Keiji raised his hand eagerly. "And I guess that he wants to impress you, Ms. Hyuuga!"

Naruto's smile broadened.

She groaned inwardly. No way was she going to acknowledge Naruto's question, and no way was she going to think of Keiji's response.

She spotted four chairs that were empty and rushed towards them, the feel of Naruto's hand leaving her back.

She saw that Keiji was hesitant to sit down, but she just patted the seat next to her. "Come on, I don't bite."

"But I don't want to be here!" Keiji whined. "I want to—!"

"Keiji, Ms. Hyuuga is being very patient with you, but my patience is wearing thin." Naruto spoke with a quiet authority. "Whether or not you want to be here, you already are here. Make the best of it."

"Sorry." Keiji mumbled and sat down. "I'm thirsty."

"There's a water dispenser at the entrance, I'll be right back." Hinata started to stand, but since Naruto was already standing, he stopped her and stepped out into the aisle before her.

"I'll get it. I'm closer anyway. Just point me the right direction."

"It's the hallway to the right just out those doors." She gestured to the door that was still open for late comers.

"Okay." He nodded, but instead of walking away, he stood where he was and studied her intently.

"Wh-what?"

"I was just noticing how breathtakingly beautiful you are."

He didn't even smile when he said it.

Hinata's cheeks blazed.

"M-Maybe I should get the water myself." She was ready to run out and away from Naruto's charm.

She heard him snort. "No need to run away, Hinata. Compliments aren't dangerous."

He flashed a dangerous smile.

They are when they're from you.

But she wasn't going to tell him that.

Instead, she said, "I'm not running. Church is going to start soon, and Keiji's thirsty."

"Right." Naruto kept on the smile.

"Look, Naruto—."

"I'm going. You're staying here."

She merely nodded. She would stay even though she wanted to do what Naruto had pointed out.

Run.

Back to her apartment.

To her quiet, orderly life.

"You know something, Ms. Hyuuga?" Keiji said as Hinata sat down, his eyes staring straight to hers.

"What?"

"My dad is right."

"About you making the best of things?"

"No." Keiji smiled. "About you being beautiful."

"Aww, that's sweet of you to say." Hinata ruffled his hair and tried to forget how she felt when his father had said the same words.

"Do you think my dad's handsome?"

Hinata blinked and looked hard at the boy. She was surprised a nine-year-old would ask her, his expression guiltless. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, he thinks you're beautiful. If you think he's handsome, then maybe you guys should date. Then I could see you more often."

Hinata lightly laughed, her cheeks red. "Your father and I have known each other for only a few days. We certainly aren't going to start dating."

"How long do you need to know someone before you do start dating?"

In Hinata's case, a lifetime.

Instead, she lied. "It depends on the person."

She couldn't believe she was having this conversation with a young kid.

"With you and my dad, how long do you think it will take?"

Fortunately for Hinata, the service began before she could respond.

"We have to be quiet now. The service is starting." She whispered, relieved to have an excuse to use and avoid the question.

"Sure." He sounded disappointed.

They were on the second worship song when Naruto had returned with the cup of water.

He passed it to Keiji who drank it slowly.

Hinata couldn't help but block out the service and focus on Naruto.

What was it about this man that made her feel like an inexperienced school girl?

Whatever it was, she planned to ignore it.

She had enough to worry about. There was no need to add love and Naruto to the mix.

Staying in Sendai might be the right thing to do, but she wasn't convinced it would keep her safe. She needed to pay attention to her surroundings, and that would be difficult if she were distracted by a man.

So she wouldn't be.

Period.

End of story.

No matter how good-looking, charming and brave that man was.

She tore her gaze from Naruto, refusing to think that Keiji was just the one to keep them from being seated side by side.

She wasn't planning to spend an hour thinking about Naruto.

So why are you still thinking about him?

The question flitted through her mind, but she ignored it.

She didn't have time for childish crushes.

A crush?

She refused to even call it that.

What she felt for Naruto was nothing more than a physical attraction.

So what if he was proving himself to be a compassionate and caring father?

So what if he seemed to always be around when she needed him?

So what is he'd risked his life for her one too many times?

He was still just another man.

Due to her past, Hinata had given up on relationships.

She wasn't going to forget that.

Not for Naruto.

Not for anyone.

She faced the pastor who made his way to the pew, ready to preach.

She was determined to lose herself in the words and forget everything else.

All her troubles.

Her past.

Sasuke.

Naruto.

Those things were temporary, and they would fade like the seasons.

Dragged… I know…

_._