Heartbroken? Open to all but heroscomeback)

[twinlionfists]

Naruto-kun had been in Michi no Sato for a few days now, and while after their first talk they'd shared many more, it still felt awkward and painful to be around him.

No matter that he'd said, and she understood, that he needed time to adjust to being away from the fighting and other things that had occurred back home, her heart was still heavy.

She didn't know how to talk to anyone about it. Would it be proper? Who would understand? Could she do it?

Lost in thought, she sat down in the dojo of Mikoto-san's house with the intent to meditate and clear her head, but it wasn't really working after an hour.

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[openedthebasket]

Hinata-sama hadn't moved for the better part of an hour at least by the time Neji ventured into the dojo. It was one of the better places to meditate inside; less chance for one of his students to want to talk to him, since they'd learned quickly that when Neji-sensei was meditating, it was best to wait until he was finished unless it was important. Her restlessness was plain to his eyes, and he frowned, finally permitting himself to enter and kneel across from her, hands resting on his upper thighs.

Straight to the point, he kept his eyes on her. "What is troubling you, Hinata-sama?"

[twinlionfists]

Slowly, she raised her eyes to her older cousin's face, swallowing down the guilt she felt by obviously worrying him.

"Um...As you know...Naruto-kun has arrived to Michi no Sato..."

She was blushing again, but it was as if she couldn't help that reaction, no matter how long and how hard she tried. "Ah...I didn't tell you...but, um, I was the one to outfit him like you did for me."

[openedthebasket]

"I had assumed as much." He stayed quiet, just watching her face, the slight tics to her expression, the subtle (and not so subtle) cues in her body language to search for a hint as to how to proceed. "You have a very kind heart, Hinata-sama."

[twinlionfists]

"That is why Father will have Hanabi as heir to the Hyuuga clan," she said softly. "But that isn't why I wanted to be stronger at all." She screwed her face up in an effort to not cry. "No matter what, it will never be enough."

[openedthebasket]

"I know." His eyes fell closed as his hands tightened atop his thighs in a small gesture. "For me, it is the same, Hinata-sama. But you must not give up. You have not reached the limits of your potential, have you?"

[twinlionfists]

She looked away. "Never. Neji-nii-san, I know that I cannot give up. That I must protect what is precious to me, always. It is because of Naruto-kun that I have this way of thinking, this way of doing, to be better. Yet, somehow, I feel as if I will be waiting for the end of time for what I really want and I become discouraged."

[openedthebasket]

"Is it really worth the wait...?" He opened his eyes and focused on her again, his expression almost... open, as it were, his attempt at expressing himself without the kind of control expected of a Branch Family member. Can she afford to wait, with war already in her future. If he had already given his life for her, who would be next? Hinata-sama herself?

His tone firmed as he looked to her. "Naruto broke me from my own narrow way of thinking. Perhaps... as difficult as it seems... you might learn to cherish him as a comrade, and give your love to another."

[itachi_san]

Itachi arrived back home earlier than his exercise partner, so he decided to wait for Lee in the dojo. Given how sore he already was, light, easy stretching would be a good thing.

The room was so quiet at first, he didn't realize there was someone there!

"Pardon me... I didn't mean to disturb your meditation..."

[twinlionfists]

Hinata looked up at the strange, new voice. He reminded her strongly of Uchiha Sasuke-kun. It is probably his older brother, she thought to herself. "You, um, havent, Uchiha-san," she said nervously, trying to control her breathing.

[itachi_san]

"Then... you do not mind if I do my stretching?"

He was polite, as always. The girl had the floor first, and he did not want to simply shoo her away. But he couldn't help but notice how nervous she seemed.

"Are you... all right?"

[twinlionfists]

"No, please do," she said, equal parts polite and nervous as hell. Nothing she'd heard from any of the other shinobi of the village had ever prepared her for actually meeting Uchiha Itachi.

"Um, I...I...I don't know," she whispered, wishing to be anywhere else but there. Except, her legs had fallen asleep while she was lost in thought.

[itachi_san]

Itachi nodded, and slid out of his Akatsuki cloak. He hung it on a hook in the back of the room, and came back to sit across from Hinata.

He was dressed very plainly, loose fitting black pants and a thin shirt. It was clear he wasn't well, and that was an understatement. Once the cloak came off, it was impossible for him to look imposing, even if he wanted to try.

"You... seem nervous, or upset about something." he asked again, though not wanting to pry. "Is something wrong?"

[twinlionfists]

Once he was out of that horrible cloak, she was able to look at him properly. He appeared to be in dire need of a medical ninja. It was amazing that he was even able to get up and walk around on his own. She allowed herself to relax a little, but activated her Byakugan, checking out his chakra flow. It was appalling low for someone his age and obvious skill level.

Should she talk to him about what was wrong with her? No, he was a stranger. It was highly improper. In fact, this was their first meeting. To speak about her feelings was difficult enough with Neji-nii-san and Naruto-kun. She couldn't even begin to imagine confiding in this man who wore an Akatsuki cloak and was the known killer of his entire clan; murdered by his younger brother even.

"Um, where I...come from... you are...not alive," she whispered. "It is...strange. A little."

[ministeelbuns]

Tenten had tried her room, first, but she wasn't there... she knew she'd told Neji that she wouldn't act on her own, but this was important... and it was probably better that he not be there. Continuing through the house, she kept looking, hoping she'd find the older girl before she lost her nerve. She had to do this, for Neji.

There, in the dojo. Slapping a smile on her face, Tenten poked her head in, glancing toward her. "Hinata-san, right...?"

[twinlionfists]

Hinata looked up at the other girl, the familiar face with the strained smile making her feel a little anxious. "Ah, yes," she said quietly. "It's nice to see you again, Tenten-san."

[ministeelbuns]

"Can I join you?" Her voice stayed light, even as she moved into the dojo without asking and moved to stand in front of the older girl, hand resting easily on her hip in what looked like a natural motion, but her fingertips just gently rested atop one of her scrolls. "How've you been enjoying the house? Everyone's pretty great here, huh?"

[twinlionfists]

"Yes, please do." As someone who'd spent a bit of time around the Tenten of her time, Hinata did not miss the fact that the younger girl's hands were near her weapon scrolls as if she was waiting to attack. "I am still getting used to being here," she answered honestly, readying herself to move quickly to defend herself if need be. "However, I am finding that I enjoy speaking with everyone, so far."

[ministeelbuns]

"Yeah?" Her smile never left her face, even as she took in the subtle hints that Hinata was readying herself. She moved like Neji, but Tenten was counting (rather incorrectly) that this girl couldn't compare to Neji. She could handle it, if she needed to~

"I heard you talked to my teammate. What was that about?"

[twinlionfists]

The reminder of how she'd arrived to Michi no Sato and the run-in with the younger version of Neji-nii-san hurt, but she was able to keep it from showing on her face.

"He came upon me as I just entered Michi no Sato from my timeline," Hinata said softly.

[one_without_wings]

Sasuke had been waiting for Hinata in the dojo as he had told her yesterday, where they were to meet to go and pay a visit to the flowershop. As he waited, not keen on being idle since he had missed opportunities to train yesterday although for good enough a reason, he trained the clone jutsu.

Closing his eyes, picturing that filling cup, he swiftly weaved the handsigns, and...
Bunshin no jutsu! a copy of himself appeared, stayed for a few seconds enough for him to grin at it, then was made to poof out.

[twinlionfists]

Hinata entered the dojo just as Sasuke-kun conjured a clone of himself. She watched as the mirror image and the original of the boy smiled at each other. They were just too cute for words.

"You're really very good at that," she replied softly from the doorway. "Who taught you?"

[one_without_wings]

"Ha!" he turned as her voice reached his ears, then beamed. "Neesan!" he half-trotted, half ran over to hug her. "Slept well?"

[twinlionfists]

She accepted the hug around her waist stiffly, still not used to being so casual with touching other people. "Yes, thank you for asking, Sasuke-kun. How did you sleep?"

[one_without_wings]

"hahah~ Slept like a log!" he laughed, looking up at her with a wide smile. "I was thinkin, we gotta bring somethin to Ino-neesan! ...but m'not sure what she likes.. ya know anythin?"

[twinlionfists]

Hinata wracked her brain for things that Ino-san liked. "She has beautiful hair and has always worn..." She paused and blushed a bright crimson color. "I think maybe something for her hair or a picture of a flower? She likes the color purple, I think."