Author's Note: The next chapter will be slightly delayed. I'm trying to complete a longer NaruHina oneshot (Little Ironies) so that will take priority. Once I am finished with Little Ironies, updates to this story will resume as normal. Also, the next chapter for this story will be longer since it is number ten in the sequence. As always, I would love to hear your thoughts.
Chapter Summary: Even the greatest of plans require flexibility. After all, life is full of surprises.
Prompt: #29 Waiting (50scenes)
Word Count: 250
Chapter Nine:
A Stranger at the Door
Hinata awoke the next morning with a dry, scratchy throat and a dull headache. But her heart felt better, lighter, more refreshed. She might struggle adjusting to this new life, but she resolved to make things work. Hinata had longed for independence her whole life, desperate to prove to everyone that being blind didn't make her incapable. Now she could.
Her newly recharged attitude lasted until the moment she discovered she didn't have any running water.
"Shoot," she muttered playing with the facet, praying for a miracle. But no matter how much she jiggled the knob, no water came out. She needed to get in touch with the water company, but the phone wouldn't be connected until late afternoon.
Then the doorbell rang.
Hinata froze. She didn't know anyone in town except Shikamaru and she doubted he would be visiting. On the other hand, her family might have already located her.
She hesitated for a moment, torn by indecision. Then, she slowly walked into the entryway. If they had found her, then returning home would be unavoidable. She opened the door and waited.
"Well I'll be..." a woman's voice said, "People must say this all the time but you look just like her."
"Excuse me?"
"Your mother. You're her spitting image."
The air left Hinata's lungs. She had been prepared for almost anything but she never imagined this possibility.
"You knew my mother?" she asked, voice soft and hopeful.
"Of course I did. I'm your godmother after all."
"You're what?"