Konoha High
8 - Into Christmas Evening..
Amaya Shimizu
"I think everybody's here…," Hinata says.
"Everybody but Sasuke!" Sakura shouts, nearly throwing her onigiri at Naruto. He looks down in sorrow. Probably just jealous. But I guess I kinda understand. Seeing Naruto's expression, Hinata averts her eyes and starts to look kind of upset, too, and when Kiba sees that, he starts to turn away from them. It's like a damned chain reaction.
"W-Well, Uchiha-san is probably busy…, Sorry, Sakura-chan." She walks over and sits on the opposite side of the couch that Kiba is on. I get up to sit in the empty spot between them to try to avoid any further awkwardness, as I can see Hinata looks a kind of uncomfortable.
"Guys…, why don't we start the gift-exchange?" I suggest. Hinata, Ino, Sakura, Naruto, Choji, Shikamaru- everybody's face lightens up at this suggestion.
"Good idea," Ino says, holding up her purse. She starts digging through it. "I brought something for everybody, I swear."
After a few more seconds of this, she begins walking around the room. "Here you go. And you, and you…," And then finally, "And last one is for you." She hands me a box that's small enough for me to cup my hand around.
"Open up!"
I open my box in sync with Sakura, TenTen, and Hinata.
"This is actually pretty cute," Sakura slips a white-and-blue bracelet, (identical to the ones TenTen, Hinata, and I got), around her wrist. I can see Ino has one, too, already around hers.
"I had them made a week ago," she tells us.
"Thank you, Ino-chan," Hinata smiles warmly and puts hers on. I do the same, then TenTen follows.
"What the heck?" Naruto's holding up a 15% off coupon to some shop at the mall. Kiba, Choji, Lee, and Shikamaru hold similar ones.
"50% off anything in the food court," Choji reads aloud. "Thanks, Ino!" But he seems to be the only one who likes his present. The other guys kinda just…, put on sarcastic smiles while Ino giggles and goes back to sit next to Shikamaru.
"I guess I'll go next," Hinata says. "I need to go get them upstairs, first."
"Need help?" Kiba offers.
"No, it's okay, Kiba-kun." She leaves and comes back two minutes later.
"Naruto-kun, Kiba-kun, Shikamaru-kun, Choji-kun, Lee-san…, Amaya-chan, TenTen-chan, Ino-chan, Sakura-chan…" She finishes off.
"I like it," Kiba says as he puts on a red beanie. "Does it suit me?" He jokes around. It actually does…
Everybody got a different color. Kiba got red, I got yellow, Ino got purple, Sakura got a dark pink, Shikamaru got gray, Naruto got blue, Lee got green, TenTen got white, and Choji got brown.
"I tried my best making them myself…, a-and I tried to get everyone their own color. I hope you like them."
Naruto puts his on like Kiba. "I do," he grins and then scratches the back of his head. "But I feel kinda bad now 'cause I didn't really…, get any presents."
"N-No, N-Naruto-kun, it's okay! You didn't need to…" Hinata's face is reddening more and more…, her breathing is getting faster, to the point that it actually looks like she's hyperventilating.
Kiba gets up to put his hand on her shoulder, then he starts patting her on the back. "Calm down, Hinata." He glares at Naruto for a second before she breathes out, and after a few seconds she's at a regular pace again.
"Anyone else have anything to give out?" Ino asks. Nobody else responds, so I hold up my bag, then start passing out the four presents I have.
"Nice," Ino says as she wraps her scarf around. "Right color, too."
"Thanks!" Sakura puts hers to the side, then begins to announce: "I think I'm gonna pass out your guys' presents when school starts again after break, k? It was kinda busy and I didn't get to buying much."
"Alright," a murmur from everybody else.
"So that's done…, is anybody still hungry?" Hinata asks.
"Ah…, well actually…" Choji points to the empty table.
"A-ah…, S-sorry! I didn't make enough!… What should I do?…, I-I'll go buy some more food…, and drinks…, yeah…"
"Hinata…," Kiba again. "I can go-"
"I'll go with you to buy the food!" Naruto offers. He's grinning wide again and already standing up. "I didn't get a present for you, after all…, this is the least I could do in return, right?" He's headed for the door.
"T-Thank you, N-Naruto-kun," Hinata blushes and follows him to the door. Kiba's face holds a…hurt expression, I guess you could say.
Hinata takes her coat from the closet and before closing the door, calls, "I-If you need anything you can call me…, or Neji-nii-san…, or Kiba-kun…"
Kiba? I guess he's been here pretty often though. They seem like good friends.
Hinata Hyuga
N-Naruto-kun…? Is this really happening?…
This is no dream…, Naruto-kun really is here, walking next to me. Just us. The thought makes my cheeks burn, and I think they're probably turning a strange shade of pink…, or red, as Kiba-kun tells me. I try to hid my cheeks behind my scarf.
I hope what I chose to wear is okay…, my favorite lavender-and-beige jacket with black leggings and the scarf Amaya-chan gave me. He's wearing an orange t-shirt under a white, unzipped jacket, with the hood over his head.
"Hinata?" His voice startles me.
"Yes, N-Naruto-kun?" My heart starts racing. What does he want to ask?
"What are we gonna buy? I was thinking maybe more onigiri…, instant ramen, 'cause, you know, it's easy to make, Ramune… Did I already mention instant ramen?"
I sigh. Of course. What else was I expecting him to ask?…
"Instant ramen is okay," I look up at him and smile. "And Ramune sounds good, too."
"Great!"
We walk in silence, all the way to the convenience store.
Amaya Shimizu
"Oi, Amaya! Where are the presents for the guys?" Kiba asks. Now I regret not buying anything for them…, But maybe it's just Kiba.
"I-I promised I'd treat you all to Ichiraku…, or wherever you'd like to eat." Why do I feel my cheeks going red again?
"Sheesh, what's with you?" Kiba asks. "You're just like Hinata around Naruto… You have a fever or something?"
"S-Sorry. I think it's just hot." What is this? What is this…feeling?
Kiba walks away and starts talking to the other guys. The way he's laughing and joking around with them, the way he was nice enough to carry me here and then get the stuff I forgot at my house… Is this… Do I really?… Could I possibly… Like Kiba?!
[…]
After a few minutes of thinking, Kiba sits next to me.
"God, you've gotten worse!" He puts his hand on my forehead. "Are you sick or something?!"
"N-No!" I turn my head away.
"You sure?" Kiba asks.
"Yeah, so e-excuse me…" I try to get past Kiba. Am I trying to avoid him now?
"The hell…," I hear him mutter.
Somebody's hand is around my wrist. Kiba. He's dragging me outside of the room, and into a more quiet area.
"Amaya?" He starts. "Are you sure you're okay? Is there something bugging you?"
"N-No, really. I just hope Naruto and Hinata come back alright."
With this, he averts his eyes for a few seconds. "I should've gone with her instead…"
"B-But isn't this good for her? Doesn't she like Naruto?"
He doesn't speak.
"Kiba?…"
He starts to give me some space. His head is down again, and he's avoiding any eye contact.
"I don't understand it," he mutters.
"Understand what?…, Kiba!"
"Hinata…" He mutters. He looks up, and at first I see anger, but through that… Is this pain? Sorrow?
Kiba wanted to go buy the food with Hinata instead of Naruto. He comforted her, but also seemed mad at Naruto when she started hyperventilating. It seemed to disturb him when Naruto got away with what Shikamaru couldn't. K-Kiba…
"K-Kiba…, I know what it is…"
"…"
"It's Hinata. And Naruto. Isn't it?" I realize that I'm no longer blushing, stuttering, or feeling nervous.
"…Yeah."
I stay quiet.
"But don't you dare tell her. I don't want her to feel awkward around me; we've gone so far- I don't want our friendship to suffer because of me. I mean…, she's my best friend."
"No I understand, Kiba. I promise I won't tell anyone."
"Thanks… So what about you?… You promise me there's nothing wrong?"
After realizing this, I feel guilty for supposedly having a crush on Kiba. Was it really a crush, though? I mean, aren't I supposed to feel jealous of Hinata? No…, that wasn't a crush. I know what it is.
"It doesn't matter anymore, I promise." I give a convincing smile and start walking towards the party again. "And Kiba?" I say, just a few feet from the doorway. He looks up to me and raises his eyebrows as a motion for me to go on.
"…You have a chance." I reassure him. His smile shows he's at least a little bit convinced.
No, this was definitely no crush on Kiba. I see him as, not a lover, but as a guardian-figure; a sibling.
Shikamaru Nara
Amaya walks back into the room, and Kiba follows a few seconds later.
"It's a good thing you guys didn't walk in at the same time," I smirk at Amaya and gesture towards the mistletoe hanging over the doorway. She just rolls her eyes and sits down. Kiba brushes it off and stands next to the couch.
"I'm gonna go to the bathroom really quick," Ino tells Sakura. She stands up and leaves the room.
A loud knock on the door resounds throughout the house.
"Oi! We're back!" Naruto and Hinata.
"I'll get it," I offer and stand up to walk to the front door.
"Th-Thank you, Shikamaru-kun," Hinata says as she enters the house with the bags in her hands. She walks on to set the food out, while Naruto stays to talk to me.
"That…, was kinda awkward," he scratches the back of his head. "I mean…, she doesn't talk a lot, and when she does, it's like she can't get her words out right!" He quietly screams. He sighs. "Well…, I'm heading back," he starts walking away.
I follow him, but I hear another door close behind me.
"Shi-ka-ma-ru~!" Ino loops her arms through the space between my torso and my elbow. We continue walking, and once we get through the doorway:
"Oi, Shikamaru!" God dammit, Amaya! "If I'm not mistaken, you two just walked in at the same time." Her smirk has "payback" written all over it.
My cheeks start to feel warm. Whatever…
Ino's immediately turns to face me. She's giggling. I sigh, and smile slightly- I can't help but surrender with the way she's looking at me.
I lean in, and slightly down, until her lips meet mine for just a small peck.
"Are you happy?"
Amaya stares, dumbfounded. I hear her mutter to herself, "I didn't think they'd actually do it…"
Kiba Inuzuka
"I mean…, she doesn't talk a lot, and when she does, it's like she can't get her words out right!" Why does Naruto have to be so damn loud?! Wait… Is he talking about… Hinata? He doesn't even understand…, he doesn't get how much he means to her.
Stop. STOP. I need to stop thinking about this and just enjoy the party. It's Christmas; I need to calm down.
"K-Kiba-kun…" Hinata!
"Y-Yeah?" Is my face getting as red as hers does right now?
"I brought back Ramune." She smiles and hands me a bottle of melon-flavored Ramune- my favorite flavor.
"Thanks," I grin back and pop the bottle open. She goes around to offer everyone else one. Amaya looks back at me and gives me a quick thumbs up. I shrug back at her. What was that supposed to mean? She rolls her eyes and talks to Sakura, then looks over her shoulder at Sakura's phone.
Beep! My phone goes off.
New Text Message
From: Number not in contacts
Kiba! It's Amaya. I realized I didn't have your number so I got it from Sakura. Anyways…, 1) Save this number, and 2) Didn't you notice? Hinata offered you soda first!
I save the number.
Compose New Text Message
To: Amaya
I don't think that really means anything.
Amaya walks to sit next to me. "Sheesh, Kiba, don't be a pessimist on Christmas day."
"I know, I know," I sigh. "I'm gonna go talk to some of the guys. If I keep silent, everyone's gonna ask me and eventually find out what's up."
"…Okay." She gets up, too, and goes back to Sakura.
[…]
"Kiba!" Naruto calls.
"Oi, Naruto." I sit down in front of him.
"Did you get any presents for anybody?" He asks.
"…Nah. Not yet, at least. I didn't have time."
"I really don't wanna go back to school."
"Neither do I."
Naruto sighs. "As soon as I get back, I'm probably gonna beat that Sasuke senseless."
"Aha, you're gonna get your ass kicked instead!"
"You dunno that yet, Kiba." He looks down and sighs again. "But I'm glad he didn't come today."
"Why Sakura invited him in the first place, I don't even know," I say. "All he would do is sit on some couch and not talk to anyone."
"Shino would do that same thing, huh?"
"But at least the girls wouldn't be all over Shino," I joke around. "Oh shit, man I just forgot we didn't even invite Shino!"
"So?" Naruto, you clueless son of a-
"Man you know how Shino is gonna react to this!"
He takes some time to think about this.
"…Damn, you're right, Kiba. Shino's gonna take it personally and sulk all day!"
"I see. You guys invited Uchiha-san, but not me…" I imitate him, pretending to put on a hood and start hiding my face. Naruto and I both burst out laughing.
Naruto… He's not bad. I mean he's one of my good friends, too. The only thing I dislike about him is probably his actions and words towards Hinata. His cluelessness.
"Kiba, Naruto! Come on!" It's Ino calling from in front of the TV. "We're gonna set up karaoke!" She's giggling while we look somewhat reluctant. Shikamaru just gestures for us to go there already.
"Okay, okay," I get up and wait for Naruto to follow. We move to the couch in front of the TV.
"You can sing, first, dude." I nudge Naruto and Ino starts to hand him the microphone. He glares at me.
"I hate you," he mutters.
"Same to you," I fake smile.
"You gonna sing next?" Amaya says quietly as she passes in front of the TV.
"Ha, yeah, sure."
"R-Really, Kiba-kun?" Hinata?
"Yeah, yeah," I sigh, "Of course."
I now wait for my turn. My ears are bleeding because Naruto freaking doesn't know how to sing!
[…]
"Here." Naruto hands me the mic, "Your turn." He smirks back at me.
"Better to get it over with," I laugh slightly. "Actually," I turn to him. "Why don't you choose the song?"
I really don't care anymore. I've sang karaoke as a joke with the guys tons of times. Why should this be any different? Naruto's face lights up, and he opens his mouth to announce the song number:
"2079!"
I punch in the numbers and push enter to reveal what song he has chosen.
"Damn bastard," I tell him.
"What song?" Sakura chimes in.
The song he chose doesn't suit me at all. First of all, the person who sang it has such a light, high-pitched voice. And then, there's the title, which now flashes across the screen in big pink letters:
"Renai Circulation," in other words, "Love Circulation."
A countdown appears in place of the title. 3..., 2..., 1!
"Se-no!" I begin, though Naruto's already laughing.
"Demo sonnan ja dame, mou sonnan ja hora…, kokoro wa shinka, suruyo motto, motto!"
This is an opening to some anime Naruto convinced me to watch a while back. It probably sounds hilarious to everyone else, me trying to hit a higher pitched voice. I don't even know all of the damn lyrics to this song!
"Kotoba na suru- ba hachijuha ni something kore wa ra…" At this point I'm just faking it. This verse is freaking hard!
"Kami-sama arigatou…, unmei no itatsumademo…" I think that's how the chorus goes…
[…]
"Oh God, Kiba!" Sakura is laughing.
"That was just a-ma-zing," Shikamaru says sarcastically, then he starts laughing with everyone else.
"G-Good job, Kiba-kun," Hinata tells me. Her lips curve upward into a smile, and now she's giggling, too. I don't really care how awkward or embarrassing it was for me to sing that now, since it made her smile.
Amaya Shimizu
Oh my God, I'm dying from Kiba's performance… I don't really know the song, but I know it well enough to tell that it does not work for Kiba. He was trying to sing in a higher voice!
"Hahaha!" I'm glad I'm not the only one laughing so enthusiastically. Naruto, Shikamaru, Ino, Sakura…, we're all laughing hard, all trying to take a breath and failing.
"I-I'm dying!" Naruto's gripping his stomach.
"…Me too!" Sakura's slapping his back.
Kiba's face turns a dark shade of red, then it's just his cheeks and he grins wide. "Arigatou~!" He laughs, then talks to Naruto; "I can't believe I just did that."
Naruto pats him on the back in mock sympathy. "It's okay, it's okay. Everybody loved it!"
Kiba Inuzuka
"Oh my gosh…" Ino is giggling, and I can hear some imitation of my singing.
No… Not an imitation…
"Did you record that?!" I shout at her.
"N-No…" She's trying to breathe between her giggles while turning her phone's screen away.
"You bitch, you did!" I try to snatch the phone away but Shikamaru deflects my arm.
"No man, that's a keeper," he smirks.
"…Fine," I tell them. "I don't care. Just…, don't you dare post that. Or show that to anyone outside of the group. Anyone," I threaten.
"Promise," Ino winks.
[…]
It's around eleven p.m. now, and the party's dying down. Only Sakura, Naruto, Amaya, and I are left with Hinata. And Neji, if he counts, but he didn't really join in on anything.
I'm sitting on a couch, kinda tired. Across from me on another couch is Naruto, who fell asleep around thirty minutes ago. His arms are outstretched over his head while his legs are pouring over the edge of the couch.
On the other side of the couch, Hinata is wedged between Naruto's feet and the couch's armrest, talking to Sakura, who's standing next to me.
"Tonight was nice," Hinata begins. "We should do this again next year."
"Yeah! Who'll host?"
"I-I don't mind, but maybe we could try your house or Ino's house."
"Probably Ino. Her house is big enough. My house is so small!" Sakura complains. She glances at her phone. "Oh crap, it's almost twelve! Curfew's in five minutes… Think the storm's calmed down?"
"Let's check."
They both get up and start in the same direction towards the door.
"Yes! It'll only take me five extra minutes, maximum," she says, her voice begins to fade. "Thanks Hinata! See you tomorrow!… Wait, I mean… sorry haha, I-" I can't hear her anymore, but Hinata responds:
"Thanks for coming, Sakura-chan!"
When she gets back, Amaya, who I almost forgot about, asks, "Did she say we'd meet up again the day after tomorrow?"
"Y-Yeah," Hinata smiles.
"Cool. Just hanging out?"
"Well it's-"
"Her birthday," I complete.
"Oh! Sorry! I didn't know…"
"It's alright. But you can come, too. We're going to Konoha's marketplace."
"Where's that?" She asks.
"Well…," Hinata explains. "It's a good place to meet up with people. It's like the center of the village, I'd say. Movie theater, cafés, various shops, restaurants, little parks and playground areas… That kind of place."
"That's nice. I just need the directions that day, or someone to help me get there…" She laughs awkwardly and scratches her head. "Well thanks. I'll call you tomorrow about the directions, but I'll be there for sure!"
"Thanks, Amaya-chan."
"There was a place like that in Kiriga…, I guess every village has one, huh? I wonder what Konoha's looks like…, because well, in my old village, it was always pretty crowded. And…"
Amaya goes on, but I can't focus on her. Hinata's smiling and nodding, but her eyelids are slowly closing and suddenly fluttering open. This repeats until she starts swaying slightly and then finally lands gently on her side and dozes off.
Her lips are turned upward a bit, as if in a slight smile. Her expression is just so tranquil…
My vision begins to blur a bit too, as I struggle to keep my eyes open. Amaya's voice is drowned out and, by the time my head starts swaying, I can faintly see Hinata's figure: her hands are cupped over her chest, her legs are curled up to her stomach and her feet cross. My lips, too turn upward into my own stupid smile.
Wait. I snap out of my sleepy state. Her head and torso rest on Naruto's chest.
"Oi, Naruto, Hinata!" Amaya stops talking.
"Aha…," I scratch the back of my head. "It's like everyone's falling asleep."
"Man….," Naruto mumbles. "What time is it?" He sits up.
Hinata gets up, too. "O-Oh…" She blushes madly once she realizes who she fell asleep on.
"S-Sorry, Naruto-kun! I didn't notice…"
"Nah, you're fine," he starts to stand. "Well I'm beat. I think I'm gonna go home, k?"
"Yeah alright," Amaya says. "See ya."
"Ja ne~!" He calls on his way out. "Was fun though, guys."
"S-Sayonara," Hinata murmurs.
"Later," I say quietly.
"…Well, I think I'm gonna go, too," Amaya gets up. She runs her fingers through her hair like a comb, then walks out. This time, Hinata and I follow.
Amaya gets her cardigan out and scarf out of the closet and put them on.
"See you guys soon," she smiles.
"Bye," we both wave.
Once she's gone, Hinata and I are quiet.
"When are your parents gonna be home?" I ask.
"Well they were out of town, anyways…, they won't be back until tomorrow morning."
"Oh. Well I'll help you take some of the decorations down and clean up."
"Thanks," she says as we walk back.
[…]
Ribbons are down, Christmas lights are out. All of the extra food has been stored some place in the kitchen, and all of the trash has been thrown away. I think we both look really tired, but as much as I'd like to suggest sleeping over, (which I have actually done a few times before), I know I have to get home. My parents haven't been warned ahead of time that I'd be spending the night, and I don't even have extra clothes with me.
"Well, Hinata, I'm gonna start walking back, k?"
"Be careful, Kiba-kun."
"I'll try my best, but who knows?"
Her expression changes, and her eyebrows raise in concern. I try to kid around:
"I mean, what if Shino tries to jump me on my way home for not inviting him?"
"Oh…, W-Wait!" She covers her face with her hands. "I-I can't believe I forgot to invite Sh-Shino-kun!"
"It's okay, Hinata. Invite him to your birthday meet-up, it'll be fine."
"O-Okay…"
"Goodnight," I say as I leave.
"Goodnight," she responds.
[…]
I wake up that morning at nine. I'm tired, but I somehow manage to pull the covers off and get up.
"Kiba, are you awake yet?" My older sister, Hana, calls from outside. "Breakfast's ready!"
"Yeah I'm up," I call back.
I hear my mom talking to Hana:
"I'm surprised he's even up this early. He usually wakes up around eleven to noon."
"I can hear you, ya know," I say as I enter the kitchen.
"Well it's not like it was a secret."
"Whatever." I sit across the table from my mom, who's already served herself and started eating.
"So why are you up this early, anyway?"
"I have to go buy something."
"Why?" Hana asks.
"Hinata's birthday is tomorrow," I explain.
"Oh! Hinata-chan? I like that girl," my mom says. "She's very polite and has a great sense of respect, unlike some people." I can feel her eyes on me.
"Here, Kiba." Hana hands me a bowl of rice porridge on top of a plate with beef jerky and bacon on the side.
"Thanks, Nee-chan."
I look down at my plate, and, before I can start eating, notice that a piece of beef jerky has disappeared. The hell?
"…Akamaru," I whine, "that was mine." My dog starts to whimper.
"All right, all right. Nee-chan, can you-"
She throws Akamaru some meat. "Done."
"Arigatou."
Akamaru starts to dig in, furiously biting at the meat. I pick up a strip of bacon. Hana smacks me on the head with her cooking utensil.
"Finish your porridge, first."
"Fine."
[…]
The next day…
"Twelve o'clock. We can meet at the fountain by the café." Our phone conversation repeats itself in my head. I'm walking to Konoha's marketplace now. I check my phone; It's 11:45. I'm keeping a good pace, so I should be there a little early, if ever.
I tried to dress decently, too. Still winter, so I have my favorite gray jacket with the fur-lined hood on, on top of a black t-shirt. Basic straight jeans, black Converse, Hinata's present in hand.
I look around. Fountain's up ahead. I'm here.
Author's Note:
Major thanks to my friend evenestfacade, who helped me draft this and came up with a lot of ideas with me.
The song mentioned in this chapter, "Renai Circulation" is by Kana Hanazawa and is the opening for the anime "Bakemonogatari". I figured it would be funny, imagining Kiba sing a song like this.
I'll start working on chapter 9 right away, promise! Most likely to be released in a week or two. I usually have around 30-60 minutes to write everyday, sometimes more. Be patient, yeah?
Thanks for reading!