Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ A Long Waiting ❯ The Thoughts that Decided ( Chapter 7 )

A Long Waiting

Manga: Naruto

Genre: Hentai/Angst/Drama/Romance

Type: Continuation

Rate: 17+

Pairings: Hinata-Neji, Hinata-Naruto

Summary: Naruto finally knew that Hinata loved him, and deep inside his heart, he loved her back. However, his training with Jiraiya was the only thing that prevented him to be together with Hinata. Before he left, he said to Hinata to wait for him. Could Hinata do it, when her guardian, Hyuuga Neji, love her not as a cousin?

Chapter 7: The Thoughts that Decided

Intuitions and situations, nothing led worse than that…

“Kiba!! Oi, Kiba!! Over here, boy!” a voice called a guy who was wearing a dark jacket. The large dog beside him barked, signing that it never heard the owner of the voice before.

Kiba turned his head to where the voice came. It was weird, no one was there, but he was sure he smelt a vain fragrance of someone he knew, though he didn't really sure who it was. It was buried deep inside his memory.

“Oi, it's me!” the voice owner jumped out from nowhere and landed in front of him.

Kiba gaped at the guy who has the same height, almost taller, than him. The blonde hair and the fox-like face… it reminded him of someone… but who the hell was it!? There it came again, he and his worsening memory.

“Err… did I know you or what? I didn't owe you anything, right?” Kiba scratched his head, grinning.

“Dumb!! It's me, Naruto!! Don't tell me that you have already forgotten me, you scum!?” Naruto pointed himself vehemently.

“NARUTO!?” Kiba shouted in disbelief, “i- is this really you!? That super duper dope!?”

“Err, yeah right, I am Naruto, but not that super duper dope, you smelly dog!!”

“Geez!! How're you doing, boy!? Coming back in a sudden without telling any news!? Try to wreck havoc, eh?” Kiba poked Naruto's chest.

“Heheheh, quite right. I just wanted to give a surprise, especially for Hinata,” Naruto grinned, “speaking of her; do you know where Hinata is? I searched for her everywhere, but didn't know where she is. Got any info?”

“Uh, well… actually, me too, Naruto,” Kiba sighed, “she went to her villa with someone on her birthday a week ago, and she said it would be only for three or four days, but up until now, I haven't seen her either.”

“Hey, w- wait a sec!” Naruto startled, “first of all, explain about this birthday and that someone she went together!”

“You didn't know!? Her birthday was on the 27th day of December, unless you didn't remember, and that made me give you the title as the stupidest lover a woman can get,” Kiba laughed.

“Err, don't you feel like forgetting something, Kiba?” demanded Naruto.

“Eh? Um… err… what?” Kiba asked back so fake-innocently.

“The person who accompanied her to the villa, Kiba-san,” reminded Naruto formally.

“Eh, err… about that… uh, just forget about it! Who said that she went with someone!? She went with some… err… some people! Yeah, some people, that's it!” said Kiba nervously.

“Kiba…” Naruto tapped his foot impatiently, “please… don't play dumb with me.”

Kiba gulped. The atmosphere around them became so tense. Kiba could feel that this came from the chakra pressure that Naruto tried to control.

“Err… it's… Neji…”

“HIM!?” yelled Naruto in disbelief.

“Y- Yes…” Kiba unwillingly nodded.

`Shit! Me and my big fanged-mouth…' Kiba cursed.

Naruto punched his fist on a nearby tree. The wood cracked and the tree fell down. His anger was so obvious. Well, he didn't like the news of Hinata leaving with Neji. Didn't know from where, but he has the feeling that Neji thought of Hinata more than as his cousin. After all, he knew that they have mended their relationship well after the chuunin exam. Especially, Naruto has given him extra two years without him being around in Konoha. Who could have guessed what Neji had done to his precious Hinata!? The thought of it couldn't help but make him shiver in anger.

Naruto suddenly turned his body, leaving Kiba who was thinking that it was all his guilt.

“Na- Naruto! Where are you going!?” Kiba called him one last time before he got too far.

“Flower shop.”

Kiba's expression turned weird. He almost wanted to call Naruto again and explain that Neji hasn't quit his job as a Jyounin to be a florist yet, but unfortunately, Naruto has vanished.

-break-

Hinata's sluggish steps have brought her back to her cousin's ward. Holding back the tears that seemed like never ended, she approached Neji. She clutched the bed sheet in her knuckles, almost tearing it up. She glanced at Neji's face, which now was looking so fragile and vulnerable.

`It's all because of you, Neji-niisan…'

Her eyes' stare has turned slowly into a hatred one.

`If you are dead, that means I shouldn't have to forget Naruto-kun…'

Strong blue chakra appeared on her right palm, she raised her hand, ready to send a blow to Neji's left chest. In his condition now, he could easily be killed with only one blow.

Yes, she was there. She was ready…

Until she took a last glance on him.

He mumbled in his unconsciousness.

“Gomen…”

Hinata's eyes widened when she heard the words. Who was he saying sorry for? His self for being weak? Or…?

She glanced outside the room, on the window, which was opened a bit. Right when she tried to regain her courage to kill Neji, a bird landed on the window's frame. The bird was pure white, it must be a dove. She heard the bird was chipping so sadly. Hinata was dumbfounded with the view. Why was the bird look so sad?

The bird brought back memory when Neji apologized to her right after the chuunin exam. He bowed his head to the ground, dared his self to lay low, not caring about his pride anymore. When Hinata hurried her self to him, embraced him and saying that she has forgave him long before he asked for it, Neji hugged her back and sobbing quietly, saying that she has freed him to the great sky.

And on that time, a dove flew low near them, singing so happily.

But why this time, the dove chipped a heart-tearing song?

“forgive… Hina…” Neji mumbled again.

Hinata startled when she heard her name mentioned by Neji. So her intuition was true. Neji was actually mumbling to apologize to her. Hinata stood back to her feet, approaching Neji again.

She looked at her cousin's face. The face which she adored so much a long time ago. The first boy who have been her first crush. Why in hell she could have the thought to kill him?

“I'm sorry, Neji-niisan…” she caressed Neji's hair, who know was as short as Kiba's. If only he was healthy now, he would be looked more energetic with the new hair. The thought of it made Hinata smiled, just a little.

She kissed Neji's forehead, right on the place where the bandage covered his jyuuinjutsu. If fate had to bring her to be with him in the end, there was no way except to accept it. She should try to love him.

Even though her love for Naruto hasn't faded already, she knew she should quickly forget him. The thought of Naruto not coming back sooner to the village has helped her to ease her feeling of her beloved blonde boy.

-break-

The bell on the door of Yamanaka's Flower Shop clang when someone opened the door. Ino, who was arranging a flower bouquet, raised her head to saw who it was. But no one was there. She furrowed her brows, suddenly became curious to the person who irresponsibly disturbed her work. She walked towards the door, to get a better view.

“Boo!” someone suddenly jumped behind her back.

“YIKES!!” Ino shrieked and in a flash turned her body to face the man. Naruto stood in front of her, tall and mischievously grinning.

“Long time no see, Ino! You didn't grow much!” Naruto looked down at his friend who was gaping at him. Losing the strength to talk cause of the sudden shock.

“NA- NARUTO!?” she grabbed both of his shoulders, shaking his body so hard and then slapping him hardly for several times on his cheeks.

“O- OI!! INO!! WH- WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?” Naruto tried to dodge all of the sudden attack, when suddenly Ino stopped and let go of him.

“I… I never thought that you came back home this late! Hinata has her birthday a week ago! No doubt that she was so sad because of you, dense blonde!” Ino started to talk with her usual lecturing tone.

“Err, how about `sorry for the sudden torture' and `how are you, Naruto' firsthand before asking about anything else, Ino?” Naruto shook his head, trying to ease the pain.

“Well, sorry about that… I just don't want to be cheated if someone disguised of you and got the hell out of me,” Ino grinned innocently, “Ah, well, take that as a payback for surprising me! Anyway, have you met Hinata yet?”

“Err, um… no…” Naruto blushed.

“Well then why did you come here in the first place, stupid? You should see her first, that is the most priority!”

“I will, don't worry! But I think I shouldn't come seeing her empty-handed,” Naruto's blush became deeper, “besides… I haven't got her any present these two fucking years… so that's why I came here first,” he explained.

“Gee, how romantic…” Ino said dreamily, “wish that he will do the same… or the other he…”

“He and he? Oh my God… hitting on two different guys, aren't you? Haven't changed much these two years,” Naruto grinned.

“Well, I think I better get many baits sent off, maybe you'll be targeted next, though. Your looks have grown incredibly well,” Ino smiled teasingly.

“Ino… please, stop joking around…”

“Okay, don't be mad at me, I'm not serious!” Ino laughed, “well, what are you going to get here?”

“Err, that's the point,” Naruto chuckled, “I thought flowers would do well for her. But unfortunately, I don't know the language of flowers, so I ran here, desperately needing your help.”

“Yappari…” Ino sighed, “Well, you came to the right person. I'll get you the most beautiful bouquet a woman can get! Leave it on me!”

“Thanks, Ino! I know I can count on you!”

“Well… first of all, I better give you the star of all love flowers… ” Ino thought for a moment, “I guess roses will do!”

“Ino! Don't you think that roses are actually boring?” Naruto grumbled. This bouquet is the one he's going to give to a very special person. The ordinary red roses were low-classed if it was going to be a present for her.

“I know, Naruto! Don't teach me! The roses I'm going to give you are the special ones!” Ino grabbed Naruto's hand and dragged him with her, “these were the ones that I'm going to give you!” she pointed to a flower bucket.

Naruto gaped at the flowers in front of him, eyes widened like seeing a sudden goddess. Suddenly losing the way to talk, hypnotized by the roses' beauty and luxurious fragrance. They were all so beautiful, so perfect… so fitted her…

“Violet roses…” Naruto gasped.

“Yeah, they're so beautiful, right?” Ino took about five or six flowers with her, bringing them with her to the table where she usually used to make flower bouquet. Naruto glanced at the price that written on the bucket. He gasped incoherently when he saw so many zeros that a flower could cost.

“I- Ino!! Don't take the violet roses too much! I don't have enough money! And also that other flowers!” warned Naruto in a panic way as he pointed at Ino who has already taken some small pink hortensias and white lilies with her.

“Calm down, you stingy lover! I'll give you extra discount!” Ino smashed Naruto's head with the small shove near her.

“Ouch!” Naruto rubbed his head, “that's really hurt, you brat! Thanks anyway though, but what's the discount for?”

“Well, we haven't seen each other in such a long time, and I think it'll be all right if I gave you some discounts, besides…” Ino's words became tailed.

“Besides…?” asked Naruto eagerly.

“Besides… it is all for Hinata… I think your homecoming and also these flowers could ease her sadness. Something's been on lately since she got back from her vacation. She looks so sad, pale and unhealthy. You're the only present that could cheer her now, and I guess… I guess I should take part in it too, even it is only through giving flower discount,” explained Ino.

Naruto fell silent with the news. Something's been on with Hinata, she said, and he knew she got a very big problem. And from Ino too he knew it was all started after the vacation he went with Neji.

“Was Neji…?” Naruto stopped on his words. He shook his head, trying to get rid of any horrible thought he got.

“I don't know, and better not guessing things about it, Naruto,” said Ino wisely.

“Why don't you ask her, Ino?”

“I can't, Naruto. I didn't have the heart to do it. I don't want to add burden to her only because of my curiosity. I would wait until she has enough courage to share her problems with us, the girls. Until now, maybe she wants to spend sometime alone,” said Ino. She glanced at Naruto, whose face was mixing with anger and anxiousness.

“You should understand, Naruto…” she patted Naruto's back and continued to do the bouquet, “I'm sure she'll talk it to you. You're the only one who could open her heart.”

Naruto nodded slowly when Ino told her that. Even though he tried to remain calm, deep inside his heart, he swore that he would torture Neji to death if he has hurt Hinata in any kind of way.

-break-

“Are you sure about this, Hinata!?” Sakura yelled when Hinata has already finished talking to her. Seeing the change of Hinata's expression from the fake-calm to the most sorrowful one, Sakura then tried to suppress her voice, and… her emotion.

“I'm sorry for yelling, Hinata-chan… I mean… are you really have made up your mind about this? You know, you shouldn't do this… I don't mean that you shouldn't make it up with Neji, but… leaving Naruto!? Are you out of your mind!?” Sakura's voice rose.

“I- I don't know… maybe I am, Sakura-san… I don't know what else to think, th- this is the only way that left! I overheard y- your talk with Godaime-sama at the hospital! And… and she said so!” Hinata's voice trebled.

`No, please don't cry… I should stay strong…' Hinata whispered to her self.

“Hinata-chan… no, don't tell me that you heard it… you lie to me, right?” asked Sakura desperately hopeful.

“I don't lie to you, Sakura-san… I just think that somehow… somehow Godaime-sama was right… what I and Neji-niisan had done… it is a big problem, and it can only be solved by marriage…” Hinata's body trembled in sadness, “it's our fault… both of us, that's why… we should get over it… when Neji-niisan has awake, I will tell him as soon as possible about this…”

“IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT!! HOW MANY TIMES I SHOULD TELL YOU!? IT'S HIS, AND ENTIRELY HIS FAULT!!” Sakura shouted furiously.

“Sakura-san!! Please… don't yell at me!!” Hinata's voice rose. Her tears already lost control, dripping fast on her cheek.

Sakura gaped. After a brief moment, she braved her self to talk again.

“I'm sorry, Hinata-chan… I lost control… but…”

“N- No buts, Sakura-san… this is not his only fault… me too… if I hadn't accepted his offer to go with him, this thing might not be happened…” Hinata wiped her tears.

“Don't tell me to not blaming my self too, Sakura-san… I have already done it here, in my own heart… repeatedly telling that it's not my fault… but the more I did it… the more I hate him… and the more I hate my self…” Hinata continued and heaved a deep sigh, sobbing softly.

“Hinata-chan…” all Sakura could do is mentioning her name. Why in times like this, Hinata could still act so wise? So loving, so caring… and didn't think only about her self, but also Neji. Hinata realized it well that not only her that suffering the pain, but also Neji… and maybe, just maybe… Neji's guilty feeling was far deeper than Hinata's.

“I don't know what else to say, Hinata-chan… you have your right to decide… no matter what it is, I will support you… but Hinata, before everything has gone too far, may I ask you something?”

“Of course, Sakura-san…” Hinata nodded slyly.

“Do you still… love Naruto…?”

Hinata's eyes widened when she heard the question. After thinking for a moment, she nodded. The tears kept dripping on her cheeks.

“If… if it is not because of loving him, I would have chosen death… but I live, Sakura-san… even though I can't be with him, just with loving him… is the only reason for me to keep living…”

-break-

Neji: Okay, first of all, why in hell my hair was cut down!? Are you outta your mind, stupid Author!?

AN: Gee, calm down, baka character… it was just my freak mind who want to make you in a short hair…. Fuahahahahahahahahahahaha….

Neji: But my long gorgeous hair is my famous style! I'm not Neji if I didn't have it anymore!!

AN: Aww… come on… use your brain, this is a fan fiction! You should thank me for not making you bald! I could do anything I like if I want!! Which reminds me of something… *cleared throat* Okay!! Let's have fun a bit, readers!! I didn't mean to boast or what, but I'm quite good at drawing, which made an idea popped on my head! If you reviewed this fic, and giving me some satisfying words, I would gave you a Neji picture in his short, Kiba-like hair!! Coloured manually and edited a bit with Image Ready, but still in jpeg format. Just leave me your email on the end of your reviews!

Ino: *Suddenly popped out from nowhere… err, actually popped out from my idea XD* so you want reviews that praising you and kissing your ass?

AN: Not that, you dense!! Reviewing is not only about praising! Fine critics that will advance my writings are priceless! You get it, Blondie? *looked around* Hey, where did she go?

Ino: I'll give you a review *appeared with note paper and pen, busy writing something* Here it goes! *gave the paper*

AN: *Read something scribbled: “If you didn't put me on the next scenes and didn't make me hook up with a guy in this story, I would stop playing in this fic!! Love, Ino”*

Ino: How's it!?

AN: Who DO YOU think YOU ARE!? I'm the ALMIGHTY AUTHOR here, idioticre!! *tore the paper and threw it backside*

Neji: Aggghhh!!! Get rid this stupid paper from my precious hair!!

Ino: Gee… that author didn't welcome critics at all… I think my criticism is fair and so objective!! Why in hell the author threw it like that!?