Hey there... hehe ^^" It's been a while, huh? ... Yeah, sorry about that! I kinda had writer's block, and I was busy with school, and now I'm basically just making excuses for my laziness ^^" Heh, sorry! Well, I'll try to update sooner, I promise! Now, this one is super short, but I promise the next one will be longer. I already kind of know what I'm going to write, soooo, Kick Back, Relax, and
Enjoy!
The next day Kiba and Shino were introduced to everyone and sat with them at lunch. Neither of them seemed bothered at all by Hinata's shy blindness or Naruto's scars. Ino noticed that Naruto sat a little closer to Hinata than usual and smiled. It was louder than usual, since Kiba seemed to have a lot to say. He babbled on and on about random things, while the others either listened contently or rolled their eyes (this usually consisted of only Sasuke). After a while it finally went silent and they sat contentedly. Ino shivered a bit and glanced up at the sky.
"It's starting to get cold," she announced, "I wouldn't be surprised if it started snowing soon." Everyone else nodded, and Hinata ducked her head. Naruto noticed this and frowned, tugging on her shirt sleeve.
"What's wrong, Hinata?" he asked. Hinata twiddled her fingers.
"W-Well, I-I just… haven't seen s-snow in a w-while, and I-I… miss it," she admitted quietly. Everyone turned silent and Naruto lightly clasped her hand. She jumped a bit, but then smiled and held his hand. Ino smiled.
"I'm sure you'll enjoy the snow when it comes here, Hinata," she told her kindly. Hinata gave her a shy, thankful smile, and Naruto's thumb brushed against her soft hand thoughtfully.
"Yeah… And we could all go snowboarding and sledding and have a snow ball fight!" he exclaimed excitedly.
"I agree, my friend!" Lee exclaimed.
"Yeah, I'm in!" Kiba shouted. So the three loudest people in the groups gave each other high- fives. Hinata and Ino giggled as Sakura and Sasuke rolled their eyes and Shino remained silent. The three settled down again and again it was quiet. Each person seemed deep in their own thoughts. Eventually, it was Kiba who spoke.
"So um… Shino, told me not to mention it, but I can't help it," he said, and turned to Naruto, "What's with those markings on your face?" It was dead silent. This silence was different from the one before; it was tense, heavier. Hinata felt Naruto stiffen beside her and tugged his hand for encouragement. Naruto looked over at Hinata and saw what she meant to say; the timing was up to him. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"They're, uh… Been there since I was born. They don't mean anything." The others in the group, beside Kiba and Shino, sighed a bit in disappointment. Kiba glanced back around at them before looking at Naruto, who was staring at the ground while Hinata whispered something in his ear. He then smiled up at her, though she couldn't see it, and Kiba saw something strange in his eyes. After a second Sasuke spoke.
"Hey, Naruto." Naruto himself looked up at him in surprise. They met each other's eyes for a moment, and a silent understanding past between them. Naruto smiled a bit.
"It's alright." Sakura smiled at the small exchange, and this wasn't missed by Ino. She smiled. Look whose going soft? Looks like it just took a little patience... And time. She held in a sigh at remembering how precious time really was.
After lunch Kiba and Shino split from the group and started walking down the hallways. Surprisingly, it was Shino who spoke up first.
"I told you not to bring it up," he told him in a low voice. Kiba sighed and dug his hands into his pockets.
"I know, but I couldn't help it. I mean, you can't admit that you aren't the least bit curious?" Shino shook his head.
"Patience is a virtue," he answered simply.
Naruto walked with Hinata out of the school. He didn't need to walk her home this time, but he still wanted to spend as much time with her as he could before he had to go back to his apartment, alone. Hinata walked beside Naruto in silence, her walking stick tap tap tapping on the ground, her mind deep in thought. She hadn't been expecting Naruto to be so open to the others about what had happened to him in the past; she had been surprised that he had even told her. But she couldn't help but feel disappointed that he hadn't opened up to him.
His past was something no one person could bear, and even for two people it was too much. But perhaps, if everyone reacted about the same way she had, just maybe they could help carry that burden together. Hinata realized he would't open up so early, especially with Kiba and Shino being so new to the group. It would take Naruto time, and it would take all of them patience.
Naruto and Hinata stopped walking near the street curb and he turned to her.
"Look Hinata, I—" Hinata shook her head.
"D-Don't worry, N-Naruto," she told him, giving him a small smile, "T-This is your s-story to tell. Y-You need time, N-Naruto, but just… Don't t-think you e-ever have to carry this b-burden alone." Naruto smiled, feeling a few tears prick his eyes.
"Thanks Hinata," he whispered, and pulled her into a hug. Hinata surprisingly didn't jump this time, instead, just smiling and wrapping her arms around him also. They stood like that, lost in their own little world, until finally Naruto pulled back. He hesitated.
"Hey, Hinata? Are you busy tomorrow after school?" Hinata frowned a little.
"I-I don't think so, N-Naruto. W-Why?" Naruto ran a hand through his hair.
"Do you think you could come somewhere with me? I want to go, but I…" Hinata was surprised that he asked her, but smiled and nodded.
"Y-Yes, N-Naruto, I w-will." Naruto looked up at her in surprise before grinning.
"Thanks Hinata! Could you just meet me out here tomorrow?" Hinata smiled at his enthusiasm.
"S-Sure, N-Naruto…" Naruto grinned.
"Thanks, Hinata." He wrapped her in one more hug before tossing a good- bye and walking away. Neji, seeing that Naruto had left, approached Hinata and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"It is me, Hinata," he said when she jumped. Hinata smiled as he began to lead her away from the school.
"Hello, brother…" Neji observed the pure, slightly dazed smile on his cousin's face, and briefly wondered what it was about the boy Naruto that made her like this. He wanted to ask, but decided against it; it was good to see his cousin happy again, as she had been trying to cover up how truly sad she was ever since she had gone blind. Neji smiled at Hinata's practically glowing face. Maybe someday she would tell him, and maybe someday he might find out Naruto's real past. But he, and surely the others of the group, would have to wait. All they needed was a little patience.
So, Neji has softened up quite a bit, hasn't he? On the other hand, Naruto is still scared to tell the others. Unlike Sasuke, who blurted out his past from anger, Naruto is keeping his hidden because of sadness, regret, and being scared that his new friends won't want to be his friends anymore. But he told Hinata, right? So will he ever tell the others? We'll have to see! Forgive this for being late, por favor! Review and Stuff, see you later!