In the two remaining days before her departure, Hinata found herself confined to her bedroom, overwhelmed by a profound sense of sadness and disillusionment. The weight of recent events had left her struggling to believe or trust in anything anymore. As she sat there, consumed by her thoughts, Neji, her brother, appeared in the doorway, his bags in hand.
"Hinata, are you all packed?" Neji inquired, his voice filled with concern.
Hinata nodded, her gaze lingering on the familiar surroundings of their apartment for a moment longer before reluctantly following Neji. With a heavy heart, she locked the door behind them and descended the stairs, each step feeling like a weighty farewell.
Neji glanced at his sister, his expression gentle yet determined. "I have a surprise for you at the airport," he revealed, attempting to inject a glimmer of excitement into the somber atmosphere.
Hinata managed a small smile, grateful for her brother's efforts. "I can't wait," she replied softly, her voice tinged with a touch of hope.
As they reached the car, Neji began loading their luggage while Hinata settled into the passenger seat, her eyes once again fixated on the apartment building. It was as if she was etching the image into her memory, bidding a silent farewell to the life she had known. Neji joined her in the car and, with a final glance at the place they were leaving behind, he started the engine and drove away.
"I'm certain you'll find happiness in America," Neji assured Hinata.
As Hinata and Neji made their way through the bustling airport, the weight of impending departure hung heavy in the air. Their path led them to the gate where they were greeted by the familiar faces of Naruto and Ino, their dearest friends who had come to bid them farewell.
Ino's vibrant personality shone through as she sprinted toward Hinata, wrapping her in a tight embrace. "Oh, Hinata! I'm going to miss you so much. Promise me you'll keep me updated on all the juicy gossip from America, okay?" Ino exclaimed, her words overflowing with both genuine affection and a hint of playful anticipation.
Hinata couldn't help but smile, her heart warmed by Ino's exuberant display of friendship. Returning the embrace, she replied, "Thank you, Ino. I will miss you too, and of course, I'll keep you in the loop!"
Meanwhile, Naruto approached with a hint of bashfulness, rubbing the back of his neck. Hinata met his gaze, and before any words were spoken, she sensed the sincerity in his eyes. Naruto, with a soft voice, expressed his regret for their recent encounter, acknowledging his affection for her. Tenderly, he planted a gentle kiss on her cheek, a silent gesture of farewell filled with unspoken emotions. Hinata's smile widened, appreciating Naruto's heartfelt words. "I'll miss you too, Naruto," she replied, cherishing the genuine bond they shared.
The intercom crackled, announcing the boarding of Gate A48 for their flight to America. Hinata's gaze wandered, hoping against hope to catch a glimpse of Sasuke among the crowd. Neji's voice broke through her reverie, reminding her of the impending departure. Reluctantly, she tore her eyes away from her friends, a mix of gratitude and longing etched on her face. "I'll send a text when I arrive," she promised, her voice filled with a sense of reassurance and a tinge of longing.
Hinata stood at the gate, her heart heavy with a mix of emotions. She turned her gaze back to the bustling airport. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she whispered, almost like a final farewell carried by the wind, "Goodbye, Sasuke."
Itachi's gaze remained fixed on Sasuke, concern evident in his eyes as he broached the subject that had been nagging at him. "Hinata was leaving today, wasn't she?" He inquired, his voice filled with genuine curiosity.
Sasuke, caught off guard by Itachi's question, let out an exasperated scoff. "Yeah, so what?" He retorted, his tone betraying a hint of annoyance.
Itachi's expression softened as he pressed on, his concern growing. "Aren't you going to say goodbye to her?" He asked, hoping to understand the sudden shift in Sasuke's demeanor towards Hinata.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, irritation radiating from him as he met Itachi's gaze. "No, why should I?" He replied, his tone defensive and guarded.
Itachi's concern deepened, the pieces of the puzzle slowly falling into place. "Did something happen between you two?" He probed gently, recalling the once-intense connection he had observed between Sasuke and Hinata. "You were inseparable, constantly drawn to each other, and now you don't even want to talk about her."
Sasuke's jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with an unsettling mix of frustration and secrecy. He turned his attention to his phone, busying himself with texting another girl, dismissing Itachi's inquiries. "Nothing for you to worry about," he muttered dismissively.
Itachi took a step closer, his voice filled with genuine concern. "Sasuke, please tell me what's going on. I'm here to listen and help," he pleaded, desperate to break through the walls Sasuke had erected.
Sasuke's patience wore thin, his words cutting through the air with a sharp edge. "No, Itachi. It's none of your business. Just get the fuck out of my face," he snapped, his frustration boiling over. With that final outburst, Sasuke stormed off to his bedroom, leaving Itachi sitting there.
Frustration and anger burned within Sasuke as he slammed the door shut, his emotions consuming him. "Damn it, Itachi," he muttered through clenched teeth, his gaze fixed on the time displayed on his phone. "Only 40 minutes until she leaves." Determination coursed through his veins as he hastily grabbed his jacket and keys, storming out of the door.
As he made his way to the car, Sasuke couldn't help but mutter under his breath, his words laced with bitterness. "Why the hell am I even doing this when she's chosen Naruto?" The weight of his conflicted feelings hung heavily upon him, a mixture of longing and resentment vying for dominance.
Arriving at the airport, Sasuke's eyes darted to the departure board, scanning the countless flights listed. A48. That was her gate. His steps quickened as he moved towards it, his heart pounding in his chest. However, as he drew closer, his gaze fell upon a scene that shattered his hopes. Naruto leaned in, planting a tender kiss on Hinata's cheek. Sasuke's anger surged to the surface, boiling within him like a tempest.
"Fucking bitch," he spat, his words dripping with venom. In that moment, all the pain and rejection he felt overwhelmed him, and without a second glance, he turned on his heel, retreating from the airport.
As Hinata sat inside the plane, anticipation and uncertainty intertwined within her. She held her phone in her hands, her fingers dancing across the screen as she contemplated reaching out to Sasuke. A message was drafted, but doubt crept in, causing her to swiftly delete the words. Letting out a sigh, she mustered the courage to open Sasuke's contact.
Scrolling through her phone, her gaze fixed on the option she sought. "Block this caller." Hinata hesitated, her finger poised over the screen, wavering with indecision. After a moment of contemplation, she pressed the button, sealing her decision. It was time to close that chapter and embark on a new journey, leaving behind the lingering memories that tethered her heart.
With a sense of finality, she plugged in her headphones and selected a song, allowing its melody to envelop her senses. As she locked the screen, her gaze drifted towards the airplane window, captivated by the distant skyline. The world outside seemed filled with both unknown possibilities and bittersweet farewells.
Neji, sensing Hinata's inner turmoil, cast a glance her way. He understood the weight of her decision, recognizing her reluctance to leave. Letting out a resigned sigh, he too donned his headphones, seeking solace in music. Deep down, he held onto the hope that this new chapter in their lives would bring happiness to Hinata, despite the challenges and uncertainties that lay ahead. As the plane taxied down the runway, they both silently hoped for a brighter future in America, where Hinata could discover a sense of belonging and forge her own path.
As the plane soared higher into the sky, Hinata's gaze remained fixated on the window, lost in a world of her own thoughts. The image of Sasuke at the haunted house lingered in her mind, a poignant reminder that it could be the last time she would see her friends for a long time, if ever again. She let out a sigh, shaking her head slightly, trying to dispel the melancholic thoughts that threatened to overwhelm her.
Aware of the challenges that awaited her in America, Hinata knew she would face struggles. English, in particular, loomed as a formidable hurdle she had yet to fully conquer. She had devoted countless hours to learning the language, but there was still so much she didn't know. Uncertainty cast a shadow over her heart, but she resolved to persevere, determined to overcome any obstacles that lay in her path.
Time seemed to slip away unnoticed as the sky transformed from a vibrant blue to the velvety darkness of night. Turning her gaze towards Neji, she found him peacefully slumbering. His tranquility brought her a sense of comfort, a reminder that they were in this journey together.
The flight attendant approached their row, offering food with a warm smile. Sensing Neji's deep sleep, Hinata gently shook his shoulder, eliciting a sleepy grumble from him. "If you could hold his meal for now, I'd appreciate it. Thank you," Hinata requested, grateful for the flight attendant's understanding.
Hinata's attention turned to the tray of food placed before her. It didn't appear particularly appetizing, but she recognized the necessity of nourishment during the long flight. She ate the meal with a mix of gratitude and resignation, aware that it would sustain her for the time being. When she finished, she handed her empty container to a male flight attendant making rounds with a trash bag, expressing her gratitude with a soft smile.
Retrieving her bag from under the seat, Hinata pulled out two blankets. Gently draping one over Neji's slumbering form, she ensured his comfort before tucking the other around her legs, seeking solace in its warmth. With the rhythmic hum of the plane and the soft glow of the cabin lights, Hinata settled into a state of introspection, her thoughts accompanied by the gentle whispers of the journey that lay ahead.
