A/N:
Time for a new chapter! And you know what? This chapter signals that 1/3 of the whole story is completed! Isn't that exciting? I's only 16 more chapters! Well, I guess that might sound like a lot, but! I've promised myself that I'll try to prioritize this fanfic this year, so, who knows? We might be finished by summer XD

Anyway, I really hope you like this^^ And also, do tell me what you think, okay?

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Disclaimer:
«I do not own any of the following pictures, music, characters or the original universe. I only own the story itself the main character and to the idea.»
This has yet to be betaed.

Chapter 8 - The Hard Way

It was late in the evening when Hinata locked herself in to the house. After Kiba had left her, she'd stayed on the playground, thinking, trying to remember if there were more she had forgotten about her past. This had however been a waste of time. She let out a sigh as she rid herself of her jacket. What a day it had been. She felt exhausted. Maybe a nice, quiet bath could help her relax a little? And then she could go to bed early? Yes, that was what she should do. Loosening her shoes and placing them on the floor, she headed for the bathroom.

"Hinata?"

Hinata turned as she walked into her father on the lower landing of the stairs.

"Have you been out until now?" It was a question, but to Hinata's ears it sounded like an accusation. "Well?"

"Well," She stuttered, unsure what to say. "I've been thinking a lot… about a lot of things." It wasn't a lie. She really had been thinking a lot that day.

Noticing the grave expression on her face, Hiashi softened his own.

"I see. And were you able to find some answers?"

"I-" Hinata blinked in surprise. Her father didn't make a habit out of counseling outside the dojo. She opened her mouth, but closed it again, thinking, considering the question.

Had she been able to figure something out? Even though it had been a big blow to her that her early memories of her best friend had been forgotten for such a long time, it didn't change anything, did it? He was still her best friend and thought they had been wrong about their foundation - it wasn't as if it all had been based on a lie.

"Yes," Hinata smiled a small smile at her father. "I think I did. To some questions at least."

"That is good." Her father responded. "Be patient and remember that all questions will be answered in time."

"All of them?"

"Well, most at least." Hiashi smiled down at her. Then, to Hinata's surprise, he placed his left hand on her head. "You are a good girl, my child."

"Father..."

"It is late, Hinata. You should consider going to bed soon." He looked in direction of the kitchen. "And there is some leftover chicken in the refrigerator if you need something to eat."

"Thanks."

Hiashi Hyuuga gave her a nod, and then turned up the stairs.

Hinata waited for her father to leave before following him up the stairs. It was late, and all she wanted to do was to go to bed, but she knew that she would probably lay awake for hours thinking if she didn't get her mind its rest. In her room she put down her handbag and quickly changed out of her clothes and into her baby yellow bathrobe.

She closed the door to her room behind her and entered the bathroom next door. After locking the door, she walked over to the hanger beside bathtub. Hinata switched on the water and, as it poured, she brought out two small bottles from the cabinet. She opened the first one and let small, golden drops of a honey-looking substance fall into the tub. The other bottle she opened and shook carefully, letting small crystals of green fall to into the water, and watched them as they dissolved as they hit the surface. Hinata was soon surrounded by a heavy smoke of steam, and she felt her body relax as she breathed in the calming sent of sweet mint.

As the water level grew, Hinata slid the robe down of her body, dropping it on the floor beside the tub. Carefully, she let one finger touch the temperature, testing the temperature. It was little too hot, but Hinata didn't mind. She liked it that way. It was as the heat scolded her body, clenching it, and making her come out as new. Holding her breath, she stepped into the tub, and sat down. The warmth filled her instantly, embracing her, burning on her skin. The Hyuuga let out a sigh. This would definitely clear her mind.

She laid back in the tub and let her head rest on the edge of the tub. Her head felt like a mess. It was as it was filled with all these questions, all fighting, craving her attention. It was exhausting, and it was almost as if she didn't know what she thought anymore. What had actually happened today? It was all too much to take in at one time. She had been on a date with her best friend. How did she feel about that? Had it been weird? Yes, it had, Hinata thought. It had been really strange and… and different. Not necessarily in a bad way, it was just so bizarre to look at Kiba as… as something more than just 'Kiba'.

And Naruto… What about him? For the first time in forever she had talked to him. Not just to him - or him to her. They had actually talked, exchanged words. It had been so nice. Still… In her heart she knew that Naruto thought of her as nothing but a fellow ninja and a friend. It didn't matter how much she hoped for it to be something more. She had done that. Done that for years. But it had made no difference, no had it? Today… Today had just been a confirmation of that, hadn't it? Him telling her that he really cared for her and would be there - as her friend.

"I-I'm just so stupid…" A tear fell from the corner of her eye and ran down her cheek, adding salt to the water. All these years, all that time. Why hadn't she realized it earlier? Realized that he was meant to be with her. Not that Hinata blamed him. Sakura was such a strong person. She was pretty, talented and- and she was the only one able to straighten out Naruto. No, it was probably the best for Naruto that he stayed by her side. Still, it hurt. All she had ever wished for was to be with the number one knuckle headed ninja, and now, what now? Where would she go? What would become of her?

"Hinata, in a half year you will turn 15, in that time we have to find you a suitable husband. It is a tradition from long ago. Your mother and I married the day she turned 15, and we wish the same for you."

The words ran through her mind. Maybe it was for the best if she chose to give up on Naruto? It would make it easier, she thought. If she was to be married soon it would only complicate the situation. Also, the man of her father's choosing would for certain be someone worthy of her and he would deserve the respect of her undivided attention.

"I wonder what kind of guy he'll be..." Hinata muttered to herself. She knew that her father had always looked at Neji with pride. He might not be his son, but he inhabited all the qualities her father valued. He was strong, talented, a genius in many ways. Her father even thought of her cousin as a humble person; one that knew the art of showing respect. Hinata allowed herself to smile. If he only knew… Neji didn't show respect. He hated the whole system of ranking within the family. The only reason why her cousin showed manners of perfection was to stay on her father's good side and also as an apology for the past years that he felt he owed his own, dead father.

Hinata couldn't help but laugh. So what her father wanted was an exact copy of his nephew - except that he should be the humblest man alive. There was no way such a man excised. Nobody held all those qualities. And even if he did, then he would be already married off a long time ago. Not that Hinata would complain. The kinds of Neji were not of her taste. Not that she disliked her cousin. She didn't. Even though he could seem cold at times, he still had a good heart - he just showed in a different and more hidden way than most could understand. But, Hinata thought, he was not a match for her. She was gentle of heart, and she needed someone that could understand that, if not feel the same.

What was the most important thing to her; was to find someone that could respect her. Not someone that saw her as the heir or as a 'price wife'. No, she wanted someone that respected her for who she was inside and that understood her heart.

Hinata sighed, thinking about how no one she'd ever met had been able to understand her. The Huuyga family wasn't a particularly close one, so there was no one she could talk to about her personal problems. The few female friends she had, well, they would listen, but the advice they often ended up giving her wasn't an answer to what she had asked. She remembered all the times she had felt down, weak and useless. None of them could say anything that helped. Then there were her teammates. Shino would try to avoid the whole situation if it was something that he couldn't relate to training, while Kiba would-

Hinata stopped the train of thoughts. 'While Kiba would sit down and listen to her, helping her out if he could.' The Hyuuga felt stupid as she realized that she had overlooked the amount of help he had given her. She should have noticed it, but it had just felt so natural at the time; both to her and from what she had been able to read in his face.

"I'm so sorry, Kiba." Hinata closed her eyes, thinking. How could she have been so blind? When she now thought back at all the times they'd spend together, she could she nothing but his care and help. How could she have missed that? She hated to admit it, but she knew the answer. In her constant attempt to make Naruto notice her, she'd blinded herself against all others. The worst part was that she now understood just how he'd felt it. Hinata knew, course she had felt it so many, many times before. The frustration, the loneliness and the sadness of being there without being noticed. The jealousy and envy that burned each time the person was spotted with their own love interest, and the worst of them all; the urge to help them up and support them in their conquest.

She had been through it, and because of her, so had he. It was an evil force of misery that been hanging over them, holding them both back and down for so long. Finally it seemed that Kiba had somehow broken free and that he had risked their friendship in the hope that she might open her eyes to see him clearly. It had worked. Hinata had now opened her eyes wide and was admitting herself to really look at him. This could have been her salvation, she knew. In any other situation she could have given it a try, and in time she might find her affections to grow, but it was not possible, not now. Not when there was no chance for them to be together.

She couldn't do that to him. It would be against all she believed in. It would be impure of her; their relation would turn toxic and tainted. No, she would have to stick with the plan: to be as uninteresting as possible while still being herself. That was the only way out of it, not only for him, but for the sake of her own heart too.

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