Hey everyone! Told you I'd be back!
A lot has happened in my personal life and I thank you all for the incredibly kind messages. I said I would still be writing even if it was a paragraph at a time and I meant it. I have no schedule for when I will finish writing but the entire story is mapped out so my mental health is the only thing stopping me from writing, not writer's block. I didn't edit this very well and honestly I won't do a full edit until I finish it so this is as rough as it gets.
I'm still in the throes of my crisis but I refuse to abandon this story because I too want to see how it ends lol. So enough talk, enjoy, as as usual I own nothing but this plot.
Chapter 13: Hinata and Naruto
Naruto's stomach roared, the tightening pinch gnawing his insides.
It was late Sunday night, after 9pm, and he was famished. Sakura ordered something for him earlier but one look at the healthy grilled chicken salad and Naruto decided he'd rather starve. She was constantly harping at him to eat better and be mindful of his health but he was emotionally drained from the past two days and just wanted something greasy and bad for him to feel better.
Meanwhile in her bedroom, Hinata was face down on her bed dealing with hunger pangs of her own. She'd changed out of her dress into a tank top and pajama bottoms set and finally felt comfortable in her skin; but her nerves were still haywire. After her run-in with Sakura she was terrified to leave her room and in the silence her mind re-lived everything from that weekend: Naruto yelling, Sakura's cruelty, but worst of all, Sasuke. The way he looked when he vowed to fuck her made her afraid. Not just of him but of herself. After everything he'd put her through, to end the night unwillingly attracted to him made her hate herself. The smile he gave his mother disarmed her and his kiss to her wrist sealed her fate. He threw all his charm at her, and it worked. Hinata squeezed her eyes closed trying to remember all the horror he'd put her through, but all she could feel was the electricity buzzing through her body. Sasuke's magnetism was real and if she weren't careful, her body would lead her to trouble.
"What is my life…" she groaned, her pillow muffling the sound. She turned over on her back to face the ceiling and took a deep breath to calm her nerves. Her life turned upside down in a matter of two days but she had no one to blame but herself. The only bright spot was rekindling her friendship with Naruto, but she was ashamed of lying to him. She nursed the idea of breaking up the plan with Sasuke now that she and Naruto were on better speaking terms, but how would Sasuke react? He was serious about his intentions by his actions and she feared provoking him to do worse.
Hinata's stomach growled loudly, twisting into a painful knot she couldn't ignore. The food at brunch was delicious but it was hours ago and she needed to eat something, sooner than later. Braving running into Sakura again, she stood from her bed, grabbed her phone and walked cautiously toward the shared living space. Her side of the hallway was dark, but the light from the living room was on and so was the TV. Only one person watched the living room TV in their apartment, and it was neither her or Sakura.
"He's still here…" she whispered to herself.
Her first instinct was to run back to her room and try to sleep off her hunger, but she refused. She couldn't remain afraid of him forever. What would that solve? Why was she dating the demon then? Hinata shook her head, took the deep breaths her therapist taught her, and continued to walk toward the light, determined to be stronger.
Naruto didn't notice her until she spoke.
"Hi…" she said softly
"Oh fuck!" he yelled as he scrambled up to a seated position. His eyes focused when he saw her and sighed in relief. "Hinata you scared the shit outta me."
"I'm sorry I didn't realize you'd still be here.
"Me either, but Sakura said I could stay since I'd come all this way and I really don't want to ride the train again. Three times in one day is enough."
"I can imagine." she said, her mouth downturned, staring down at him in sympathy. "Where is she now?"
"She left for her residency like an hour ago. She was in a hurry but maybe there was an emergency or something."
"Oh." she replied, trying to sound nonchalant as she stood awkwardly next to him.
Her fidgeting drew his attention and Naruto took the moment to get a better look at her. She wore loose long pant pajamas, a modest tank top, no makeup and her hair was tied in a messy bun. However none of it could remove the memory of what she looked like before. He guessed she hid underneath her layers of clothes because she felt insecure compared to other girls, but seeing her without her armor was eye-opening and he started to understand a bit more why Sakura acted the way she did.
"I'm sorry, for what Sakura said to you," he said unexpectedly. "She's been in a weird mood ever since Sasuke showed up here but that's not an excuse."
"It's ok. It wasn't your fault."
"I know," he sighed sadly, "but she was my girlfriend so I feel a little responsible.."
Hinata blinked. "Wait.. w-was?" she asked, catching his phrasing.
Naruto cringed, then gave her a sheepish smile. He didn't mean to say it but talking to Hinata came so easily it slipped out.
"Yea.. we're, sort of, taking a break." he confirmed.
"Wow. When did this happen?" She sat next to him on the empty side of the couch with an outward look of concern but internally she was singing, dancing, and jumping for joy.
'Holy shit it worked?! It actually worked!' Sasuke's very stupid idea wasn't so stupid after all but she would never tell him that.
"Right before she left," He threw his head against the sofa. "It's been building for a while but her reaction to Sasuke yesterday was the straw, you know? I think she still has feelings for him but she says she doesn't. I don't know.. I'm just, itiredi/ of having to struggle for everything. I just want something to be easy for once. Natural. I mean I'm not afraid of working hard but can a guy get a break?"
"Whatever you feel is best for iyou/i I'll support it. I will never understand what you've gone through Naruto, but I'm sorry for it and whatever part I caused."
Naruto turned his head to look at her and studied her face. She looked genuinely sad on his behalf and he was touched by how much she cared about him. They came from opposite classes yet she felt for him regardless and tried to understand as much as she could. She tried more in that moment, than Sakura had in months.
It felt nice.
"You didn't do anything wrong Hina," he chuckled. "but thank you."
Hinata beamed. She hated when anyone else called her that but Naruto was her one exception.
"Would you like to get something to eat?" she asked directly, "My treat. I'm starving myself."
At that moment Naruto's stomach growled louder than ever, silencing them both before they burst into laughter.
"I'll take that as a yes." she answered for him. "What would you like?"
"Something greasy and bad for me." He stretched his hands over his head, lifting his shirt slightly. Hinata's eyes immediately locked onto the strip of exposed skin and caught a glimpse of the bottom of a dark object on his abs.
"Hinata?"
"Hmm?" she jumped, a slight look of guilt on her face.
Naruto raised a brow at her reaction then repeated himself, ignoring the flip in his stomach that didn't come from hunger.
"Well the restaurant downstairs has some terrible-for-you options. Want to try it?"
Naruto stared at her in awe. "There's a restaurant in this ridiculous place and I'm just now hearing about it?"
Hinata laughed at his expression. "I thought you knew? You practically live here."
"But I haven't been to the other parts of this place! Sakura's never taken me.."
Hinata nodded. Her parents put the entire apartment in her name and gave her unlimited access to everything, including the ultra exclusive restaurant and bar that only allowed lease holders and their guests. Sakura couldn't access anything but Hinata's spare elevator and room key and Naruto, being her guest, couldn't either, so it made sense he had no idea it existed.
"Would… would you like to take a look?" she asked shyly, forcing herself not to take her eyes off of him even if she blushed.
Naruto wanted to jump at the idea but his stomach growled again. "Maybe later. Right now I just want food." He groaned leaning sideways onto the sofa armrest.
"Coming right up, you big baby." she said, laughing at his antics. "Let me grab my jacket and we can head down."
"Do I need to bring anything?" he called after her as she walked to her room.
"Just your ID if you want a drink!" she replied back from the darkness.
Naruto stood and stretched his arms over his head. "A drink does sound good right now." he yawned aloud.
Exhausted wasn't strong enough a word to describe just how tired he was. He didn't sleep well last night, tossing and turning and trying to process what the fuck happened, and he spent the whole day traveling, studying, and thinking too much.
He needed a break; a physical, mental, and emotional one.
"Ready?" he heard Hinata ask from her hallway entrance, and was surprised to see a change. Her hair was free from her scrunchie, she looked brighter, more awake, and the open zip up hoodie she wore complemented her pajamas nicely. She looked cute and adorable and Naruto couldn't help but smile.
"Anything wrong?" she asked, looking over herself nervously.
"No no," he waved his hands and laughed, "you look fine. Just, feeling proud of you is all.
"Proud." she repeated.
"You're coming outta your shell. I've noticed, and I like it. I mean, you iarei/dating Sasuke so not all your changes are good."
"Oh ha ha." she rolled her eyes at him as she walked toward the front door for her shoes.
Naruto grinned. He was exhausted a few seconds ago but suddenly felt alert and slightly giddy seeing his use to be best friend. They'd grown apart in their last year at Suna and Gaara took her place soon after, but he fondly remembered how inseparable they were their senior year of high school. He never figured out why she transferred in sophomore year, and she never told him, but he was glad for it.
He put his shoes on and felt his sweat pockets for his ID and wallet.
"Ready when you are."
"You're wearing pajamas. Does that mean I'll be ok?" he asked as they rode down the elevator to the first floor.
Hinata looked over Naruto attire in the elevator door mirror. The gray sweats, white t-shirt, and orange hoodie as bright as his blond hair, looked good on him.
"You'll be fine." she reassured him. "You're with me so it won't matter."
"So being with you gets me perks," he said grinning down at her, "that's good to know."
Hinata giggled then turned her head trying hard not to blush.
The elevator opened and Naruto allowed her to exit first. She thanked him then led them to the opposite side of the hotel-esque lobby. Tucked in a corner barely visible from the front entrance were glass doors with the words 'C'est Bon' written on top in small elegant letters.
Naruto stared up at the sign. "Wow, I would've never found this," he muttered.
"It's not meant for people who don't live here to find," she replied wryly. "They love their exclusivity."
Naruto squared his shoulders. "Well, stuck up or not, I'm starving so I'm not gonna care. Plus I'm with you not much they can do to me right?"
"Right." she said with a smile. "Let's go eat."
Naruto pulled one of the doors open for Hinata and stepped in right behind her. C'est Bon was smaller than he expected given how ritzy the Shade Apartments were, but it had the same air of sophisticated snobbery as everything else there. Black marble steps led to the red carpeted dining area that sat both cozy booths and tables covered in pristine white tablecloths. Soft light lamps hung from the high ceiling, warming the wooden walls into a reddish brown, and the many plants tastefully placed everywhere made it feel less empty. It was nicer than anywhere he'd ever eaten before. He had no idea a place like this existed in a building he'd been in and out of for years and he immediately felt his childhood inadequacy creep up when he remembered Hinata's words: it was never meant for someone like him to find.
The twisting hunger pangs in his stomach turned to anxiety the moment Naruto noticed a tall gangly man approaching them in slow measured steps. When he reached them, his cold brown eyes looked Naruto up and down in judgment.
"Bonsoir," he announced in a nasally yet demeaning fake French accent. "I am the maitre'd of C'est Bon, may I ask what you are doing here?"
Naruto blinked, more thrown off that someone was speaking directly to him than he was the condescension in his voice. The people in the apartment gave him rude stares when he came to visit, but no one ever actually spoke to him before, until now.
"For two please, outside if available." said Hinata, ignoring the man's judgment.
The gangly man turned to look down at who dared to order him and his eyes widened with glee. "Ahh, young lady Hyuga." His voice was as oily as his hair. "Welcome back to C'est Bon. Allow me to escort you." His hand reached out for hers but she continued to ignore him.
"For two please." she said again, her tone matter of fact.
The man looked up at Naruto then at Hinata confused.
"He's with me. Table for two. Please." Hinata repeated, growing annoyed.
Cold brown eyes shifted from Hinata back to Naruto and his oily smile fell into a scowl.
"I'm sorry Madam, we only allow residents of the building to dine. New policy. Your guest," he looked at Naruto smugly "will have to eat elsewhere."
Hinata frowned. "What new policy?"
"Lease residents only," he huffed, folding his arms. "We had an incident recently, and this policy ensures it never happens again."
"How recently?"
"Very recently," he said, staring directly at Naruto.
Naruto clenched his fists, his anger growing with every second he stood near the pompous host, staring at his taunting smirk. Something in his gut told him there was no new rule and the host made it up on the spot. Feeling powerless wasn't new to him but each instance of it robbed more of his soul and his dignity. He hated the feeling of being unwanted and he wanted to beat the man to an inch of his life for causing it, but they both knew it would only make things worse. His shoulders sagged in defeat and he was ready to just leave when he felt a small warm hand in his.
"My iguesti/and I will be eating here, outside, in the seat of our choosing." Hinata said in a voice so authoritative, it made Naruto jump.
"Young lady Hyuga," began the man prepared to protest.
"If we don't receive the above and beyond treatment I'm used to, I'll make sure your residence, not just in this restaurant but in this building, is terminated."
The host's eyes squinted. "Now listen.."
"No, iyoui/listen," she snapped, her eyes cutting right through the man. "You solicit, harass, and pester me when I'm here and I only allow it because I pity you," He dropped his arms in embarrassed shock when she spat the word 'pity', "but your rudeness toward my friend is the straw. Seat us or I'll report your behavior."
Naruto stared at her in amazement while the gangly man was filled with indignation. He closed his eyes for a moment, cleared his throat, then straightened his already immaculate tie before looking back at Hinata with a mixture of both subservience and hatred.
"Right this way young lady Hyuga and…guest." he spoke through a forced smile, gesturing to them to follow.
He led them to the other side of the restaurant; past large portrait paintings, scattered dinner guests, and the bar Naruto hadn't noticed from the entrance, until they reached another pair of double glass doors with the word ATRIUM written at the top in the same style as the restaurant name.
"Whoa," Hinata heard Naruto murmur behind her when they entered. Atrium was an outdoor lounge area connected to C'est Bon and it was Hinata's favorite place in the whole building. There were a couple of tiny tables for dining tuck in one of the corners, but the seats were mainly armchairs, lounge chairs, and boulders surrounding a fire pit so massive it was almost the main lighting. Atrium was casually set up compared to the rest of the building but it still retained a whiff of snobbery with an impressively sized manicured lawn and tall hedge wall to shield from outsiders.
"Will that be all?" asked the host in as polite a tone as he could muster.
"Yea, thanks," she said, waving him off.
The host gave a slight bow before he left the area, snapping rudely at a nearby waiter to attend to them. They placed their order with the waiter from the standing menu, Naruto ordering as much food and alcohol as he could, then Hinata led them to the best seats in front of the fire.
"That was the best burger I've ever had." Naruto announced, "I shit you not, the best!" He sighed with content and patted his flat stomach. They sat side by side on separate armchairs, two small circular tables covered in empty dishes separating them.
"They do have great food here." Hinata replied. She reached for the last of the fries but before she could get there, Naruto snatched it from her plate and ate it.
"Hey! That was mine!"
"Shoulda been faster." he said, grinning smugly as he chewed, making her laugh. Naruto's infectious energy made her calmer than she'd been all weekend. He was as attentive and hilarious as always, reminding her of a time when they were almost inseparable. In their last year of high school he was her only friend after Sasuke's successful campaign to isolate her from everyone else worked, but no matter how much bullying and teasing he got for hanging out with the school pariah, he was never embarrassed to be seen with her.
It was one of the many reasons she fell hard for him. One of the reasons she felt like utter shit when she remembered what she was doing to him.
"You want another drink?" she asked him, trying to distract her mind.
"I do, but that asshole from earlier is at the bar and I don't wanna deal with him again."
Hinata turned to the bar and sure enough the host from earlier was there, glaring at both of them as he leaned against its wooden counter. Hinata stared back at the oily man then waved her hand to him, as though summoning him forward. The man's glare morphed into an ugly scowl. He turned to a server next to him and barked at them to attend to Hinata while he turned tail and left completely.
Once the server cleared the dishes and refilled their drink orders, Naruto let out a slow breath.
"Whoo, I really thought that guy was gonna try and kick me out again."
"Ignore him, he knows better."
Naruto looked at her face and frowned. She was stiffer than usual with her arms crossed and had a scowl that could rival the host's.
"There's a story here," he said "and something tells me I don't want to know, huh?"
Hinata took a deep breath and relaxed. "More like I'll tell you later." she said, stretching her neck. "I'm so exhausted. This week was draining."
"Tell me about it." he agreed. "But I have the day off tomorrow so I can rest a bit. I love a day with no plans."
"I'm glad. You deserve some rest."
"What about you?" Naruto asked, leaning against an armrest toward her. "Still working at the vet's office across the street?"
"Yea," she replied, acutely aware of how close he was, "and I'm surprised you know that."
"I know a lot more than you think I do." he said seriously, his blue eyes piercing into hers. A pregnant pause fell between them. "I know you're not the heir anymore Hina, and I'm so sorry."
Hinata slowly turned her gaze away from him to the fire, staring into it as though it suddenly became interesting.
"Who told you?" she asked with a whisper.
He fidgeted. "No one told me," he admitted, "I kind of put two and two together."
Hinata turned back to her crush, her eyes glowing. "How?"
Naruto leaned away from her. The edge in Hinata's voice was back, and for the first time Naruto felt intimidated by her. He wanted to hit himself for bringing up such a touchy subject but he'd already stepped in it so he had to see it through.
"Sakura mentioned in passing that you worked for the vet about a year ago." he said, doing his best to pick his words wisely. "I was confused because I didn't think you needed to iworki/work. I couldn't see your family allowing it since you guys are like high status and you were going to take over for your dad. I thought it was weird but I let it go since I know you love animals so much."
Naruto took a peek in Hinata's direction. She didn't look pleased but she was no longer glaring at him so he felt safe to continue.
"Then a couple of months ago, I read an article written about your cousin Neji. They were interviewing him about some new position he got from your dad and he was bragging about it and being his usual dick self. I was gonna stop reading but…"
"But?" Hinata asked, trying her best not to sound angry. It didn't work but he didn't blame her. Couldn't blame her. He brought it on himself.
He shifted in the chair and looked down at his hands. "Then, they mentioned why his new position was a big deal. Your dad announced he was stepping down next year and… Neji's taking over when he does. 'Until the true heir is of age', it said."
Naruto looked up and studied their surroundings. The tall hedge blocking the street view, the large lawn with a crochet set in a corner, the drink in his hand. He looked at everything but her because he couldn't.
"When I read that I knew something happened." he said, sadness obvious in his voice. "You told me if your dad stepped down before you turned twenty five Neji would take over until you did. We're two years older so why did they say that? It didn't hit me until I walked by the vet office again and remembered seeing you there. Then I remembered you had a younger sister and pieces started falling into place for me."
Naruto glanced at Hinata again, wary of her reaction. He calmed when he saw she was looking at the fire and not glaring at him. She didn't look angry, but she wasn't relaxed and it made him nervous. He tried to gauge her thoughts but her face was a perfect blank.
"They never wanted me at the top." she spoke suddenly.
Her eyes again on the fire. "I was too 'weak' as my mother would kindly say. My father didn't insult me, but he didn't defend me either. Life in my house was horrible, but I thought I could survive it. Then Hanabi was born."
"Hanabi?" Naruto asked, his brows knitted.
"My little sister. I love her to pieces and she's the only one who ever cared about me at home. She was also created as a threat to keep me in line."
Naruto coughed on his sip of Old Fashioned. "Excuse me?" he sputtered. "A threat?"
"Fucked up isn't it?" she said, giving him a wry smile. "She was my competition and if I lost she was allowed to usurp me. I wasn't ruthless enough. I was too 'kind' and that level of vulnerability was like cancer to them. They needed to cut it out."
"That's why they ignored Sasuke bullying you." Naruto blurted out before he could stop himself.
Hinata's eyebrows raised in surprise. "You're really good at putting two and two together." She laughed, Naruto didn't.
"It's not two and two Hina." He let out a breath and his shoulders sagged from the weight of the words. He already crossed a boundary with her that night but he couldn't continue lying to her. "It's more like, Neji basically told me all of this."
She blinked, her smile morphing to a confused frown. The silence stretched for what felt like hours. "He told you what, exactly." she finally asked, her voice showing no emotion.
Naruto took a deep breath. "Remember when he interrupted us when we were at the ramen shop?"
"I remember." she replied, her tone the same.
"Well.." then Naruto launched into the flashback he had that evening. He told her everything he could remember, from Neji threatening him with his scholarship to admitting Sasuke's abuse was ignored on purpose, and when he was done he felt great relief, and fear.
"That was a lot right?" he asked sheepishly.
Her lips pursed. "Yea. It was."
Naruto chewed his bottom lip, his body heating from the guilt of keeping it from her for so long. He could hear the gears turning in her head, putting things in place and when she looked up at him, he wasn't shocked by how dejected she looked.
"Is this why you canceled going to prom with me?" she asked softly.
"It was," he admitted.
"And why you distanced yourself from me?" she asked, looking him dead in the face. Naruto gulped. Her eyes were hypnotizing. He'd never seen eyes like hers on anyone outside of her family. When she was herself they were a soft gray, but when she was angry like she was with the host, they looked white like arctic ice. As she stared at him, in that moment, they were hard like steel. Unmovable. Unbendable. She wanted an answer, an honest answer, and she deserved one.
"It is." His voice sounded small even to his own ears. She'd been so gracious to him even after he blew up on her in her own home, and he paid her back by admitting he iced her out of his life on purpose.
Hinata took a deep breath then looked back to the fire. "I guess I can't really blame you."
Naruto blinked. "Huh?"
Hinata chuckled dryly when she glanced at the bewildered look on his face. "I said I can't blame you. I mean Neji scares the shit out of grown men so I get you had to be cautious with your future on the line, but…"
"But?" he repeated, ready to be gutted.
"But you abandoned me." Her throat tightened as she fought back tears. "You abandoned me Naruto. Left me alone by myself when you knew I had no one."
She turned her body so she faced him head on. His beautiful blue eyes were filled with remorse when she looked into it and all she wanted to do was forgive him completely, but she had to say it. To tell him how she'd been feeling.
"When I finally stood up to Sasuke at the end of high school, my father was impressed. So impressed he gave me one favor and I used it to go to Suna instead of staying in Konoha. I wanted us to finally get to know each other without our pasts in the way. It's what you wanted too and I thought you would be happy, but I felt you pulling away. I didn't say anything because I thought you were just adjusting to making new friends, but eventually I realized you didn't want me around. You only came by to see me when Sakura was there and when you started dating her I was left alone, again." She sighed. "I'm not as outgoing as you are. I didn't make any real friends besides Gaara and that was through you. The people who did speak to me only did when they found out about my family, using me for my money and connections and because I was so starved for connection I let them."
Naruto nodded, the corners of his lips turned down in shame.
"When I was looking for a roommate, Sakura hinted heavily that she wanted to live with me. We had a falling out and I didn't feel comfortable having her in my space anymore but you convinced me it would be ok and that it meant you and I could see each other more often. But we never saw each other. You were feet away from me and you rarely spoke to me. It made me feel awful."
He reached for one of Hinata's hands and held it tightly as she cried out her hurt. He could feel the tears forming behind his eyes when he really thought of how lonely she must've been, because he understood loneliness better than anyone. They sat in silence holding hands for several minutes, Hinata's sniffles the only noise made between them. He squeezed her hand to let her know he was there and even though she felt betrayed, she couldn't help but blush from it. His hands were large and warm, and she felt safe when he held hers, a complete contrast from Sasuke whose touch sent a fierce jolt of overstimulation through her body. His warm hands also reminded her of what she was currently doing to him and the self-loathing she felt made her let go. He didn't fight it when she did.
"I'm not angry at you." she said breaking the silence. "I'm not even angry at you for hiding it because I get it. I just feel let down because I thought we were friends."
"We iarei/ friends, Hina." he said reassuringly. "The best of friends! I'm so fucking sorry, you have no idea!"
"I know," she smiled at him, "I forgive you. But I'm slightly pissed you waited this long to tell me. What made you decide now?"
He looked away from her. "Honestly I'm not sure. I've been doing a lot of thinking lately and…I regret pushing you away. I guess I didn't fully realize how much I missed you until I saw Sasuke yesterday. He brought it all back for me."
Hinata looked at him in shock, then burst into laughter.
"What?" Naruto asked, confused.
"Sasuke was the reason we started off terribly and now he's the reason we became friends again. It's hilarious."
"How's that for irony huh?" he said, making her laugh harder. Naruto's eyes roamed over her face, taking in just how beautiful she was when she smiled and he couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. If Neji never threatened him the way he did, would they have still been friends? Would they have been more? He wanted to believe they could've been, but right now, he didn't know her. The adult her. He was determined to change it.
"Well, now that we're friends again.."
"The ibesti/ of friends," she said jokingly, making him grin.
"Yes, now that we're the best of friends again, I would like to make up for my douchebaggery."
"Douchebaggery," she repeated with a laugh, "what a word."
"It's the best description isn't it?" he said cheerily before continuing. "To make up for it, do you want to go to the Konoha Fair when it comes back with me? My treat."
At the sound of the Konoha Fair, Hinata's morphed to delighted shock.
"Shut up!" Hinata yelled before clamping her hands around her mouth. It was louder than she meant it to be and it made Naruto snort with laughter.
"Wow," he said as his laughter died down, "never seen you this excited for anything. How many times have you been?"
"Never." she admitted to his shock. "I've never been. Mother said it was too common for the Hyuga so we never got to go. I've only heard the stories in highschool and," she sighed, "going alone would ruin the experience for me, you know?"
Naruto nodded. "I get it. Going alone to something like that would be a bummer. But!" he stood to his feet to stand in front of her. "It's a good thing I'm here."
He cleared his throat dramatically then reached out his hand.
"Hinata Hyuga, will you do me the honor of going to the Konoha Fair with me?"
Hinata gave him a pursed smile then smacked the hand he offered out of her face making him laugh.
"I forgot how dorky you are, but yes I will." she teased, secretly loving every moment of it. She stood to her feet with him and she felt herself being pulled by strong arms toward the warm, hard body she'd wanted for years. Her nose buried deep into his shirt while his chin rested lightly on her head. Hinata inhaled, taking in his scent. A smell, again, so opposite of Sasuke; like freshly done laundry, cologne, and sweat. A scent she could never imagine on a man as meticulously groomed as her pseudo boyfriend.
She loved it, and quickly hugged him back.
Above her, Naruto closed his eyes as the scent of her hair floated up to his nostrils. He took a deep inhale to get as much of it as he could and sighed, his mind and heart racing. She smelled amazing. They stood in the hug for a while, neither wanting to let go. It had been so long since they'd been in each other's presence and a big part of him wanted to hold her even closer, but he released her before his body betrayed his thoughts.
"I'm beat," he said with an exaggerated yawn. "Ready to go?"
He stretched his arms to give himself an excuse to get her go and Hinata's eyes roamed his chest while he did. Thin but not lanky, muscular but not bulky. He looked in great shape and Hinata couldn't help but look lower. There she spotted black marks jutting out from under his raised shirt. She noticed it before in her living room but she didn't think anything of it until now. What was it?
"Naruto, what's that black thing on your stomach?" she asked, reaching out her hand to lift his shirt. Before she could she saw a tanned hand lift the hem of the white t-shirt and she swallowed. A thick black line encircled his belly button in a swirl pattern and wavy lines designed that looked like black sun rays were drawn around it.
"Nice right," he smirked at the look on her amazed face.
"When did this happen?" she asked, trying her best not to reach out to touch it.
"Right after my twenty first. Gaara's birthday gift to me." He remembered his friend and everything he said to him mere hours before seeing Hinata again and hastily put his shirt down.
"Ready to go?" he repeated, looking her over like he was searching for something. Signs of her attraction to him perhaps? He wasn't the best judge when it came to female attraction but he just got his friend back. He could deal with his other feelings later.
"Yes." she said looking up at him smiling. She looked to be in a much better mood and he was glad if he helped in any way.
They were entering the main elevator when he finally had the courage to ask.
"Us being friends like before," he said as he watched her press the button for her floor, "will your boyfriend have a problem with it?"
Hinata looked at him quizzically then immediately remembered Sasuke and froze. The reason she finally rekindled something with her crush. She'd been so swept up in her Naruto bubble and now she had to face reality. The aroused feelings he invoked in her were gone and what was left was her disgust in herself for what she'd done. Ending it now with him wouldn't bode well for her because one thing Sasuke was above all else was vindictive.
"To be honest, he might." she replied not looking at him.
"Oh." was all Naruto could say, his face blank.
"He's not as overt with his bullshit like he once was," she quickly added when she saw his reaction, "so he can pretend to compose himself. But you don't have to worry, I don't see us lasting long anyway."
"Really?" Naruto asked trying to hide the eagerness from his voice
"Yea. He's changed for the better in some ways and I've given it a chance but I'm not sure he's the one for me." 'I also need to figure out a way out of this deal.' she added to herself.
Naruto grinned widely at Hinata's words and she couldn't help feeling flush when she saw it. He was so handsome when he smiled. Give up everything and run away with him, handsome.
"I'm glad to hear it." he said before nudging her playfully. The elevator opened and Hinata stepped out first so he couldn't see the lovesick look on her face.
Hinata fell into her bed and sighed. Her mood was greatly improved from that morning of hangovers and annoyance and things were looking up. If someone told her last month that she and her crush would be good friends again, she'd never believe it, but here she was, planning other outings with the man of her dreams. She felt giddy and elated all through dinner but the feeling didn't last once she remembered why she and Naruto started speaking to each other again.
Sasuke was a sick asshole but one thing she could never call him was stupid. He was genius-level smart and had the grades and accolades to prove it, but instead of using it for the betterment of others, he used it to manipulate them. Manipulate them into agreeing to sleep with him for one. She never believed he actually wanted to touch her much less fuck her until she saw the look in his eyes right before she fell out of his car. A look that promised he'd do devastating things to her body once he had the chance. He wanted her in that way and she couldn't delude herself about it anymore. But sleeping with him would mean giving up the most precious thing she could give to Naruto to prove how much she loved him. If Sasuke took it from her, it's one more thing he could hold over Naruto's head. Another thing he'd taken from him. It was very Sasuke of him, she concluded, and probably why he asked for it.
Hinata closed her eyes and tried to introspect on a way out of her situation, but the sudden loud buzzing of her phone on vibrate made her jump. She turned her head to her nightstand where it sat charging but she couldn't make out the name from her angle and decided to just let it ring. The caller was persistent and called again and again making her assume it was Sasuke again based on his childishness that morning. Fed up, Hinata grabbed the phone and answered rudely.
"What asshole?" she snapped.
"Excuse me?" a cool feminine voice responded. Confused, Hinata finally looked at the caller ID, then blanched.
"Mother!" she gasped in horror sitting up, "I'm so sorry I thought you were someone else. Good evening!"
"Who were you expecting?"
"J-just… I.. I thought you were someone else, I'm very sorry Mother."
"Someone else. Hmm."
Hinata bit her lip in exasperation. Her mother, like Sakura, knew exactly what buttons of hers to press, but unlike Sakura she couldn't fight back, even if she wanted to.
"How may I help you Mother? Is everything alright?"
Her mother got right to the point. "Mikoto called." She paused long enough to make Hinata sweat with anxiety. "When did it happen?"
Hinata didn't pretend to misunderstand her. She planned on telling her parents about her new 'boyfriend' on her own time, or never, but Mikoto the high class gossip got to them first.
"It's recent Mother. He asked me a couple of days ago and ..."
"Couples of days," Hitomi repeated, "but I hear about who my eldest daughter is involved with from someone else."
Hinata cringed. "I'm sorry, I was going to tell you. We went on one date to see if it could work but I've decided to end it and just be friends and-"
"You will do no such thing." Hitomi interrupted, her voice cold as ice. Hitomi sighed deeply, the sound and weight of it forcing Hinata to relive the memories of it, and the humiliation that followed after it.
"Hinata," she began with a condescending sigh, "your father and I have been talking. We realize we've supported you for years, waiting for you to do something meaningful with your life and grow out of this depression thing you claim you're dealing with. But you haven't. You're almost thirty with nothing to show for it but a 'job' like a commoner."
"I..I don't understand?" Her voice trembled and she could feel the familiar sting of shameful tears. "You told me if I step-stepped aside for Hanabi I'd be taken care of..."
Fear gripped her gut like a vice.
"We did. We also expected you to go on and do great things. Make the Hyuga name proud. But you've disappointed us yet again."
Hinata's eyes stung.
"Our eldest daughter being both unmarried and dependent on us for survival shames our name Hinata, and it's time you make it right."
Hinata swallowed. "How can I make it right?"
"Marriage. Mikoto has assured me of Sasuke's interest in settling down and a match between you is the best solution to all our problems."
Hinata's eyes widened, her palms so sweaty she could barely grip the phone. "That's not possible! We had one date!"
"And you will agree to more," her mother said with finality. "Fugaku Uchiha has had a long talk with your father and they've both decided your union would be beneficial for all of us."
"You can't be serious!" screamed Hinata losing her composure. "Mother, tell me you're not serious! I can't! I won't!"
"You will. Or you'll be married off to a man of our choosing. We can't continue to have the shame of you being unmarried over our heads while you live off of us. You either get married, or we cut you off completely."
Hinata started hyperventilating. 'This isn't happening. This isn't happening!' she chanted to herself. 'How the fuck is this happening?!'.
"Your father has also requested you make your relationship public," she continued ignoring her daughter's anguish, "so your dates from now on will be pre-planned to ensure nothing goes wrong. He'll be meeting with you tomorrow. A car will be coming to pick you up before noon."
"Mother, I have plans tomorrow! I can't just cancel my appoint-"
"You will cancel all prior engagements and will meet with your father tomorrow. The marriage of a Hyuga to an Uchiha will be the talk of the world. Everything must be pristine and well planned and you will not disgrace our name, is that understood, Hinata?"
Hinata looked ahead, staring at nothing. She barely registered her mother's words because she was in full denial. A month ago she was wrestling with the idea of going on one date. Her gut screamed it was a bad idea and Sasuke could never be trusted, and now she was being thrown at him like a steak to a dog. As leverage for their fathers' ambitions. Without her consent.
"Is that understood, Hinata?" asked Hitomi again, her voice dark.
"Why are you doing this to me?" whispered Hinata in tears. "Do you hate me so much that you'd marry me off to a man who'd tortured and abused me my whole life?"
"You were able to look past his alleged abuse to go out with him, were you not?" goaded Hitomi.
Hinata bit her lip in silence and cursed herself.. She couldn't tell her mother of all people she was bribed with a chance at Naruto. Neji already scared him away from her once. If her whole family knew of her current intentions, they'd destroy him and she'd never see him again. Besides, it sounded stupid, even to her.
"We'll discuss this in better detail tomorrow. I've scheduled a glam team to prepare you and they'll be there early morning. Do not disappoint me." Hitomi concluded before hanging up on her daughter.
Hinata stared at her phone in awe. She felt an out of body experience so sharp it was like watching herself in real time. She took several breaths but none calmed her down and she breathed faster, harder, her body shaking. She closed her eyes and let out a scream so loud the whole floor probably heard. She hurled her cellphone against the wall and fell to her bed in copious tears.
Naruto burst into the room at the noise. He'd been in the living room about to fall asleep when he jumped at the sound, so loud it scared him to full alert. Hinata! He searched around trying to find the danger. He saw her cell phone in pieces on the floor, a dent where it hit the wall, and Hinata sobbing uncontrollably on her bed.
"Hinata! What happened?!"
Hinata looked up at him, tears streaming down her eyes.
"Oh my god, Hina." Naruto ran to her, putting his arms around her in comfort. "What's wrong? What happened?"
Through a flood of tears she told him everything her mother said. Naruto sat on her bed and held her as she cried out her pain, rocking her gently while she weeped volumes into his shoulder. She was just telling him she was thinking about breaking up with Sasuke and now, she was going to marry him. Within minutes of her saying it. It was too much of a coincidence for his liking.
Hinata's cries eventually turned to hiccups. Then, she quieted all together. They sat on her bed holding each other, Hinata deep in thought. With her mind cleared of the initial shock, she began to search through it. Trying to figure out how it could've happened. He said they couldn't just date and they had to be seen as a couple. It was his one demand and she couldn't understand why he pushed for it so hard. Then her eyes flew open. It became so obvious she almost laughed out loud.
He'd planned this. He planned all of it. Planned a date knowing she would agree if it meant any chance with Naruto. Forced her to brunch to meet with his parents knowing she couldn't slight them as a Hyuga. The private meeting he had with his father where they probably spoke of his intentions without her knowledge. It all worked out in his favor, and she became angry. Rageful. Sasuke was once again getting his way at her expense and her family, once again, didn't care. He used the one thing she wanted and trapped her with it and a small part of her had no choice but to be impressed at the genius of it. She never saw it coming.
What she still couldn't grasp was why. Why would he go through these lengths? Go out of his way in this way to trick her into a betrothal. It was too random. He had to have another motive. A bigger one than just marrying her. And she was determined to find out what it was. She'd play his game for now, find out exactly what he wanted from her and destroy him in the process. His ego made him underestimate her, and she'd use it to her advantage, because Sasuke Uchiha had fucked with her for the last time.
Damn. I'm mad at myself for doing this to Hinata :( Poor girl, she was so close! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I have another 90% done so I'll do my best to upload asap.
Please review because I love those! Thank you!