Back again :D Thanks once again to all of my fans, you make me feel special :"D Anyways, last time... something happened... oh yeah! They went to the mall and Sasuke made a little mistake by accusing Naruto of not knowing what it feels like to lose someone. Was he right or was he wrong? We're going to find out, maybe! Anyways,
Enjoy!
Hinata lay in bed the next morning, her mind reeling. Was Naruto ok? Was Sasuke still mad? She knew even though Sasuke put up an act, he seemed to care about Naruto. So did he feel bad, or was he still blinded with anger for his brother? Every time Hinata tried to imagine what it would be like if Neji or someone she was related to kill the rest of her family, she just couldn't fathom it. Who would do such a thing? And how old was Sasuke when it happened?
At any age that would be horrible, and no one deserved it, but Hinata couldn't help but feel curious. Tears built in her eyes as she thought of Sasuke being all alone, knowing someone he was related to betray him. Who did Sasuke live with now? Hinata shook her head; it was none of her business. If he ever wanted to tell them, he would. This thought brought her mind back to Naruto, and her heart felt a familiar stab.
Naruto. She didn't know what had happened to him, but she knew it must have been horrible for someone as cheerful as him to act this way. Hinata had to admit she was surprised he was even able to act this cheerful when he seemed to be hoarding so many secrets around. Naruto… what are you hiding? Hinata sighed and sat up, slipping out of bed. She felt for her walking stick, which was leaned against her bedside table, and tapped her way over to her dresser. She set her walking stick on top of it and opened the top drawer, her fingertips carefully scanning over pieces of clothing to determine pants from shirts and shirts from tank tops.
With only a small struggle she got dressed and closed the drawer, grabbing her walking stick before leaving the room. She made it down the stairs and followed the sound of glass clinking into the kitchen.
"Good morning, Hinata," Neji greeted.
"Morning, Hinata!" the voice of her younger sister, Hinabi, exclaimed loudly, reminding Hinata slightly of Naruto. Hinata smiled a little and found her seat, settling into it.
"G-Good morning…" she told them quietly, "W-Where is f-father?"
"Some business thing," Hinabi informed her, "He said Neji was in charge for today." Hinata simply nodded, and Neji frowned at her. Today she seemed more distant than usual, as if deep in thought about something.
"Are you alright, Hinata?" he asked, "You seem distracted." Hinata jumped a bit at the mention of her name and shook her head.
"O-Oh, no b-brother, I'm sorry. I-I was just t-thinking about how N-Naruto is doing…" Neji was silent while Hinabi grinned.
"Who's Naruto?" she asked interestedly, "Is he your boyfriend?" Hinata's face burned bright while Neji scolded Hinabi.
"N-No, he's j-just my friend…" Hinata answered quietly, "He's have a l-little trouble…" Hinata trailed off, deep in thought once again. Neji observed her.
"You want to check on him, don't you?" he guessed. Hinata blushed and pressed her finger tips together.
"I-I just want to know if h-he's alright…" Neji sighed.
"We can go check on him if you'd like," he said. Hinata jumped a bit.
"B-But I don't k-know where he lives," she told him, "A-And he might get m-mad if we j-just show up… H-He might still be upset from y-yesterday…" Neji wiped his mouth with a napkin and set it by his already empty plate.
"We are of the Hyuuga family," he announced, "There is nothing we can't find out. Besides, I don't know Naruto as well as you might, but I doubt he would get mad at anyone who worried about him, especially not you." Hinata frowned a bit at his words but before she could ask anything, Neji stood up and started to leave.
"Eat," he ordered, "By the time you are done, I shall have his address ready for you." Hinata smiled a bit. Though Neji acted cold sometimes, he really did have a big heart.
"T-Thank you, b-brother…" Hinata finished eating her breakfast in silence, politely listening to Hinabi talk on and on about school and other things. When she was done, Hinabi took her plate for her and Hinata stood just as she heard footsteps enter.
"Found him," Neji's voice announced. Hinata's heart jumped and she nodded. She just hoped Naruto wouldn't be mad when they got there.
Neji glanced at his sister. He was driving in his car towards the address he had found Naruto's name attached to with Hinata in the passenger seat. She seemed extremely nervous, more so than usual, and for a moment he wondered if this was a bad idea. Neji shook this out of his mind; they had to make sure Naruto was alright and didn't do anything… drastic. This also would be a good test for Neji to decide if Naruto was someone he wanted Hinata hanging out with.
The two rode in silence, both deep in their own thoughts. They had left Hinabi back at the house with the maids and butler, since they doubted, even if he was alright with them arriving, that Naruto would appreciate having a small, loud, obnoxious girl he'd never met come in and check to see if he was alright and try to figure out what his problem was. Hinata chewed on her thumb nervously. Were they doing the right thing? She really wanted to make sure Naruto was alright, but was it a good idea? What if he got angry and decided never to talk to her again? Naruto didn't seem like the kind of person that would do that, but Hinata still felt a little fear set in her heart at the thought of rejection, which was a feeling she was quite used to.
Neji glanced at Hinata again.
"Are you alright?" he asked. Hinata chewed her thumb a bit, her sightless eyes gazing into her lap.
"D-Do you think w-we should b-be going?" she asked quietly, "W-What if he gets m-mad at us?" Neji sighed.
"If you truly care, which you obviously do, Naruto will see that and won't get mad," he told her confidently, "He seems like the kind of guy that just needs someone to care, and he'd never push someone like that away. Besides, he seems to have a soft spot for you, anyways." Hinata's cheeks reddened and she pressed her finger tips together.
"A-Alright," she murmured, "You're right, b-brother…" They road in silence for a while longer until Hinata felt the car come to a stop.
"Well… here we are…" Neji said, somewhat uncertainly. Hinata frowned at her cousin's tone.
"W-What's wrong?" she asked. Neji glanced at his cousin, turning off the engine.
"Nothing, it's just… Not what I expected. Apparently he lives in a small apartment building…" Neji brushed it off and got out of the car, going around to the other side to help Hinata out. He led her to the front door of the apartment and hesitated. He glanced at Hinata.
"Do you want to knock?" he asked. Hinata shook her head, keeping her head down and pressing her finger tips so hard together they turned white. Neji swallowed a bit and, after only a moment's hesitation, knocked three times on the door. There was silence for a few minutes, and Neji knocked again. Hinata felt her nerves building. Was Naruto alright? Why wasn't he answering? Was he going to be really angry with her? Suddenly they heard his voice shout something from inside, and then the door flung open.
Naruto blinked in surprise to see both Neji and Hinata standing on his porch, Neji looking business- like and Hinata looking more nervous than usual.
"Er, hey, guys," he greeted, running a hand through his messy hair. Hinata jumped a bit at the sound of his voice and felt her heart do a back flip. Neji simply nodded.
"H-Hi, N-Naruto," Hinata whispered. Naruto smiled a little at the small teen before Neji spoke, drawing his attention.
"Good morning, Naruto," he greeted, "How are you?" Naruto shrugged and ran a hand through his hair again.
"Fine," he said, "Did… you need something?" Neji glanced at Hinata, but when she stayed silent he explained.
"Hinata was worried for your well being," Neji told him bluntly, "She wanted to make sure you were alright after… well, after yesterday." Naruto turned away, rubbing the back of his neck. Hinata heard silence and rustling and grew even more nervous.
"Y-Yeah," Naruto started, then cleared his throat and gave a smile before going on, "I'm fine, don't worry about it." Neji could tell Naruto's smile was fake, and both Hyuugas could tell by his voice that he was lying.
"N-Naruto…" Both boys turned to small Hinata in surprise. She felt their eyes on her and blushed.
"P-Please, N-Naruto… Don't l-lie to me…" It was silent. Neji looked over at Naruto for his reaction. He seemed to be in shock, staring at Hinata with his eyes wide. After a moment he recovered and looked down at the ground, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I'm sorry, Hinata," he murmured, "Don't worry about me… I'll be fine, really." Just then someone walking down the street, a woman in a long trench coat, spotted him and glared.
"Monster!" she shouted, pointing at him with a boney finger, "No one wants you here! Why don't you just leave, get out of here and never come back?" Hinata's eyes went wide behind her shades. How could someone way something like that? Neji sent the woman an ice cold glare that sent her scampering away in search of warmth. He then turned back to Naruto, who wouldn't meet either of their eyes.
"You guys should go before you're seen with me," Naruto advised quietly, "People around here… Don't like me a lot, and if they see you with me, they…"
"N-Naruto…" The boys once again turned to Hinata in amazement, this time spotting tear streaks down her cheeks.
"W-Why would s-she say that?" Hinata asked in a whispered sob, "H-How could anyone say that to y-you?" It was dead silent, and Hinata shook her head.
"You're one o-of the nicest p-people I've e-ever met," she told him, "Y-You of all people s-shouldn't deserve that…" Naruto's deep blue eyes softened and he looked away.
"I deserve more than you think, Hinata," he murmured back. Hinata shook her head.
"T-Tell me, N-Naruto," she whispered, "T-Tell me what h-happened. T-Trust me…" Neji suddenly felt that he shouldn't be there. He wanted to take care of Hinata, but at the same time he felt as if he was trespassing on a very private moment. Naruto wouldn't look at either of them, but Neji could clearly see pain in his eyes. Suddenly Hinata's body shuddered and started to fall. Naruto caught her, looking down at her in surprise.
"Hinata, are you alright?" She didn't answer, and Neji discovered that she was unconscious.
"She should lie down," he told Naruto, who nodded.
"I can lay her on the couch… if that's ok, I mean." Neji nodded and Naruto picked up Hinata bridal style, noticing with a small smile how light she was. He walked into his house and set her carefully on the small couch. Neji looked around as he followed Naruto inside the apartment, closing the door behind him. The place was extremely small but surprisingly clean. There was a small kitchen where a box of ramen sat on the counter, which he guessed Naruto was about to make before they showed up, and a small living room with one couch, a chair, and a small TV. There was a narrow hallway leading back to what Neji guessed were the bedrooms and bathroom.
"Nice place," Neji commented. Naruto finished getting Hinata settled before straightening and giving him a small smile.
"Thanks," he replied. Neji observed him for a moment.
"Kind of small though," he said, "How many bedrooms are there?" Naruto supplied a small, tight smile.
"Just one," he responded shortly, turning away. Neji paused a moment.
"Hinata's a good person, Naruto." Naruto looked at him in surprise before turning to Hinata. His eyes softened a bit and he looked away, as though not able to look at her any longer.
"I know," he murmured, "She's one of the nicest, most innocent people I've ever met. Even though she… can't see…." Neji nodded.
"She wasn't always like that, you know." To Neji's mild surprise, Naruto nodded.
"Yeah, she told me," he said, his blue eyes turning somber, "She told us. It must have been hard… must still be hard… To be able to see everything in life and then one day… Having it all gone…" The amount of sadness in Naruto's eyes surprised Neji. Sure, he got sad when he thought about it; it was very unfortunate. But Naruto seemed to actually feel the pain Hinata must have or may still be having. Neji sighed.
"Just… don't hurt her, alright?" he asked, "Just promise me. She obviously trusts you, and I'm going to trust her judgment. Hintata is one of the most understanding people I know, and she'd be the last person to ever judge you." Naruto looked away.
"I know…" Neji approached him.
"Can I trust you with my cousin?" he asked, looking Naruto straight in the eye. Naruto observed him before his eyes turned serious and he nodded. Neji held out his hand and Naruto shook it.
"You can," he told him, "Trust me."
Naruto sat in the only chair in his living room, holding his hands in his head. Neji had left a little while ago after getting a call from Hinata's dad. Apparently there was an emergency and he needed Neji at the meeting, so Neji had once again made Naruto promise to take care of his sister before leaving. Hinata was still passed out on the couch, and Naruto ran a hand through his hair.
What was he supposed to do? Hinata had been worried about him because of the stunt he pulled when he stomped off from the mall after what Sasuke had said. Naruto shook his head. How could he have been so stupid? Usually he was good at covering his emotions, but lately… Naruto looked over at Hinata, her face peaceful and her breathing steady. Hinata… maybe it was her. It seemed that ever since he had met her, it got harder and harder to keep his emotions hidden from others. What was happening? It was like every time he was around Hinata, he wanted to tell her all of his secrets, all of his troubles.
It was as if the one that couldn't see was the one that saw him the best. She saw right through his façade without once having to see his face. How did she know? How could she break through his years of practice in just a couple of days? Naruto sighed agitatedly and ran his hand through his hair again. What was he going to tell her? He knew she wanted to know his past, and he did trust her, but… What would she do once she found out? Hinata was nice, but after finding out about his past, she might be just like all the others; she would hate him. Naruto didn't think he could handle another person hating him, especially not Hinata.
Just then he heard a small noise and turned. Hinata had started to lift herself up on her elbows, and Naruto rushed to her side. He put a gentle hand on her arm.
"It's alright, Hinata, it's just me," he informed her, watching her automatically relax, "You should stay lying down. You passed out on the porch."
"W-Where is N-Neji?" she asked.
"Oh, uh, I hope you don't mind, but your dad called him into a meeting, so he left," he said, then hurried on, "But don't worry, he should be back soon. You're still at my apartment, but I brought you on my couch. You trust me, right, Hinata?" Hinata nodded immediately.
"Y-Yes, N-Naruto…" Naruto smiled a bit.
"Good." Hinata hesitated a moment.
"N-Naruto…" she started quietly, "Are you m-mad?" Naruto frowned.
"What do you mean? What would I be mad about?" he asked. Hinata pushed her finger tips together.
"Y-Yesterday… what Sasuke said… O-Or me and Neji c-coming over h-here… I-I'm sorry, I was just w-worried…"
"It's alright, Hinata," Naruto told her with a slight smile, "I'm not mad at Sasuke, or you or Neji. I'm glad you came. I'm glad…" Naruto trailed off, and Hinata reached out slightly towards him.
"N-Naruto?" Naruto caught her hand and she jumped.
"I'm just… glad that you care," he said quietly. Hinata relaxed a little.
"O-Of course, N-Naruto…" Naruto hesitated a moment.
"I don't want you to hate me, Hinata," he told her quietly. The statement was vague, but she knew what he was referring to. Hinata shook her head.
"I-I couldn't h-hate you, N-Naruto," she replied, "I know you. I-I don't think a-anything about y-your past could m-make me hate you…" Naruto looked away.
"Please… don't make promises you can't keep, Hinata," he whispered so quietly he almost didn't hear it. Hinata used her free hand (her other was still caught in Naruto's) and slipped off her sunglasses. She set them beside her on the couch and Naruto's breath caught a little at he once again saw those beautiful, snowy eyes.
"I never do, N-Naruto," she told him. Naruto smiled a bit and brushed a few strands of hair out of her face, making her face turn red. Then he took a deep breath.
Ha! Cliff hanger much? CHECK! Well, that's to you that don't comment :) Maybe I should just hold off posting the next one until I have... Hmm, say 30+ comments? If not, oh well :) I guess none of you will find out what happens... Haha, just kidding... Or am I? Well, there's only one was to find out! Review and Shtufts, BYES!
Alright, I'm just kidding, of course I'll continue :) But you can review! BYES!