Chapter 9

Dedicated to XalixeX

Hinata’s POV

I hate Naruto. I hate him and all of the things he did.

But still I couldn’t leave him. Not when he was breaking in front of me like that. My heart felt heavy and I wanted to cry. Instead of doing that I was there standing by his side listening to what he wanted to tell everyone but was too afraid to. This soft side of his made something in me want to tell him that it’s going to be okay. I wanted to make him feel better. And I hate it. I should not feel this kind of way. I guess it’s because I’m a good person.

We returned backstage and found his father.

“Where have you been, I was so worried?” Minato inquired with a concerned look on his face. 

“I…I was…” Naruto was obviously struggling with freely expressing his feelings. He was trembling regardless of his efforts to stop it or at least hide it.

“He was preparing. Long story short we met when I was just about to enter the washroom and he was exiting it. I explained to him that you were looking for him and then we came to tell you that you were worrying over nothing.” I took Naruto’s hand unconsciously and explained to his father with convincing tone and calm expression.  “It’s your turn after the end of this song.” Minato said. “Take your guitar and get ready to go on the stage. Your mother is in the audience with Yadachi. Break a leg! But not literally or your mother will be angry with us both.” He tried to cheer his son up and left.

“Be there with me.” Naruto turned to me.

“I’ll be here. What, you love me that much you can’t be more than 2 meters apart from me? Who’s the princess now, huh?” I teased him with the intention to take his mind off of his upcoming performance.

“You were the one searching for me in the first place.” His playful smirk returned and a feeling of relief spread through my body. We were standing close enough for our shoulders to be brushing against each other and I hate to admit but it felt nice.

“Would you prefer me not doing it?” I asked but he suddenly pulled me into a hug.

“I’m now standing here ready to go on that stage and if everything goes according to plan this is going to change my life. And it’s because of you. Thank you for saving me from myself, princess.”

Naruto’s POV

The lights went on as I sat on the chair in the middle of the stage and swung the guitar over my shoulder. My eyes scanned through the hundred guests in the hall. The only person I recognized was my mother that was looking at me with such hopeful and proud look in her eyes. I just wish I don’t disappoint her and father. Next to her was seating a man that had to be Mr. Norimara.

The song I was going to perform was “Song for no one” by Shawn Mendes. I started playing the guitar.

‘I wake up a little drunkCheck my phone I’m all alone 10 missed calls A couple texts None of them are who I’m looking for, who I’m looking for yeah’

I sang feeling the hesitation in my own voice, I don’t know if I can do it, I’m definitely going to fail…

‘This is a song for no oneThis is a song for no oneGet on a planeFly to the most beautiful place you've ever been’

I looked around. I was alone…Then our eyes locked. She was looking at me with a warm smile then nodded lightly reassuring me to continue. Her eyes were saying one thing – “I’m here”.

‘Close my eyesThings are better in my dreams

I did as the lyrics said. Thanks to the fact that I started to play the guitar from a very young age I was able to play it even with closed eyes. Or at least I thought so until I heard the false tone. I panicked. I was alone, it felt harder to breathe, the next line was coming and I was just standing there eyes wide open.

‘Cause I'm with someonesomeone I adoreThis is a song for no one I wrote this song for no one’

A beautiful tender voice sang. I gasped turning my head the way the sound came from. It was her. I never thought she can sing. When I asked her to be with me I meant that she can just seat there and smile, I don’t know. My saviour was taking step after another towards the chair I was sitting on.

Hinata was here on the stage with me after all. She was looking at my guitar and I started playing again.

‘Yesterday, I got pretty drunkSaid some things that I shouldn't haveTold you that I really love youYou did not reciprocate those feelingsBut that's okay, I'll be fine anyway’

We sang in unison. I was now on my feet still playing the guitar and Hinata was holding the microphone between us. We were face to face starring at each other's eyes. That’s right, I wasn’t alone anymore. It was just me and Hinata.

‘Oh yeah, hey, yeahI wrote this song for no oneI wrote this songWoo, woo, ohWoo, woo, ohNo, I wrote this song for no one’

It was mostly me that sang the last part with little accompany from her. Her look made me believe that there was still the possibility that Yadachi may liked my performance regardless the little setback. At the end of the song we were at both ends of the stage. Then the curtains closed.

Hinata smiled wide tilting her head and bit her bottom lip then ran towards me and I spun her while hugging her. She was laughing holding tight onto me.

“You did it!” Still hugging each other she exclaimed wearing a huge grin on her face.

“You seem happier than me.”

“I’m just…proud. I’m proud of you.” Proud? Of me? I wish I had a response but she took me off guard.

“Never thought you can sing!” Was the only thing that came on my mind. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” I was amazed.

“I didn’t because I can’t.” She simply replied.

“You’re actually saying that even after what you just did?! You are talented, princess!”

“In fact, I wanted to be a singer before and sign with your dad’s company.” Hinata said with a shy smile and little blush. “But I realized this is never going to happen and gave up a long time ago.” She added.

“So that’s why you acted like that when you first heard he’s my dad.”

“It’s not like it’s easy to believe that such a smart and successful man created…you.” Hinata said with fake disgust.

“Too bad you’re madly in love with…me.” I said with the same fake disgust.

“Yeah….nope, that’s between in your dreams and never.” Was her comeback.

“Maybe if you repeat it enough it’ll become true, but ‘till then your heart belongs to me.” She was looking at me with amused eyes and parted lips.

“Really?” She chuckled.

“Mm-hmm.” I nodded. “Anyway, let’s get out of here before my father finds me. What about me treating you a bowl of ramen?”

Hinata’s POV

“Let’s get out of here before my father finds me. What about me treating you a bowl of ramen?” Naruto suggested.

“I-I’m sorry, I can’t.” I rejected the offer.

Tonight was supposed to be my date with Kiba…I can’t just go out with Naruto.

“What, why? C’mon it’s the first day in a long time you’re treating me like an actual person. And you saved my ass! Twice! You’ve been good tonight, you deserve a treat.”

“You’re using my teacher methods? On me?” I shook with mirth. “Unlike you I’m not a dog. Therefore this doesn’t work on me. And you know, maybe I would’ve treat you like a person if things were different.”

“You’re not over it?” He raised a brow and questioned somehow amazed.

“I am.” My reply came out way too fast.

“I thought we agreed this was nothing and we should not be sulking about it a long long ago. Forgive and forget, remember?”

“I told you, I’m over it.” I had no intention having this conversation right now.

“Yo, Naruto!” Sasuke called from behind us.

“No, you’re not. Or is your definition of ‘over it’ ignoring me and being harsh all the time.” He looked at me searching for some hint that can tell him how I really felt. “Can’t we talk it out? Please?” I saw the regret in his eyes as he was pleading.

“Sayonara, Naruto.” I broke our eye contact and walked away grateful that Sasuke accompanied by Sakura were coming our way so I can escape while they conversate.

Naruto’s POV

Ugh, Sasuke came in the most unsuitable time.  If he wasn’t here I would’ve caught up to her. I wanted to talk to Hinata. I wanted the only person that was there for me tonight to not hate me the least.

“Didn’t know you two are coming.” I turned to my best friend.

“Yeah, it was kind of a surprise.” He replied. “And it seemed like a good date idea.”

“Date? Wait?! You two? Finally, ttebayo! I knew you two were going to be together, ha now Shikamaru owns me 20 bucks.” This distracted me from my thoughts about Hinata.

“Don’t tell me you bet on my relationship too. Because of you I lost 50 dollars. No one thought you and two buns will get together.” He complained.

“Me and Tenten? You’ll may have to bet again soon.” I shrugged my shoulders.

“Troubles in paradise?”

“Dude, I have no idea what’s going on between us but it almost cost me my chance with Mr. Norimara. I’m really looking forward to figuring this shit out, actually we were going to have a conversation after I’m done so I have to find her now. She was in the crowd rooting for me, have you seen her?” I inquired.

“She left before you went on stage.” Sakura spoke.

“Tenten did what?!” I raised my eyebrows.

“She left, dude.”

“She really did, huh? Well then, I have to go find my parents. We can hang out tomorrow tho. Bye!” I left before they could protest.