Love Pattern
crisis rain

Tenth Pattern: Secrets

"So, you've come at last."

Hyuuga Hiashi's tone was heavy, but compared to the overwhelming wave of oppression that came from the Hyuuga council of elders that were seated behind him, to Naruto he might as well be in a celebratory mood. Gripping the folds of his pants on top of his thighs as he seated himself in a respectful manner before the medley of important Hyuuga clan members, Naruto gave a brief sideway glance at his fiance, Hanabi, before focusing his determination to the adversaries before him.

"I've come to respectfully ask for Hyuuga Hanabi – your daughter's – hand of marriage." And with a deep bow, he groveled before the pallid eyes that stared down at him intensely. Hiashi, with his arms neatly folded within the folds of his haori coat, gave a small nod of his head to the blond's prostration. Hanabi followed suit quickly, her posture practiced and precise.

"Please, father."

A particularly grumpy-looking Elder scowled, but begrudgingly motioned for the couple to release their pleading postures. "I believe we've struggled and fought long enough to come to a resolution. You have our blessings, Uzumaki Naruto. Hyuuga Hanabi-sama."

Naruto shot up from his bowed posture; all bright-eyed and wide smiles. "R-Really?! Thank you so much!"

The old man gave Hiashi a pressing glance. "Yes, since Hanabi-sama had declined the original arrangements of her marriage to the Uchiha Clan, they were happy nonetheless when we've offered Hinata in her stead instead." A momentary look of worry crossed Hiashi, and he quickly turned away from the Elder's searing gaze.

A look of confusion came across Naruto's face. "Uchiha? Hinata?"

"Yes," The Elder would respond matter-of-factly. "Uchiha Sasuke is to be betrothed to Hinata."

Naruto's face froze as he tried to process the council's words. Hanabi flashed a worrying glance over at Naruto, her heart clenching at his reaction.

"I believe you and the Uchiha heir are good friends, are you two not? I'm sure it's joyous news for you to hear that your friend is also getting married soon. Young people like you should settle down quickly for the stability of the future – the sooner, the better."

Naruto lowered his gaze to the tatami mat on the floor, gears and cogs inside his head seemingly still locked in place. "I… see. That's good news indeed."

He walked down the hallways of the Hyuuga manor, hands in his suit pockets. The Hyuuga manor's corridors narrow and traditional decor had some sunlight filter through from the shoji doors, thanks to the late morning's bright rays. Hanabi walked in a slow pace beside him, head hanging low. Stealing a quick glance at her boyfriend, she started to internally panic when she realized that she couldn't read Naruto's feelings. As if his face had muted out his emotions, and a lackadaisical look had settled on his expression.

"Naruto…" She started softly, and he would break out of whatever daydream trance he was in, and quickly glanced back down at her with a small smile. "Yeah, what's up?"

"Oh… nothing you just look a bit... " She trailed off, freezing in her steps as she stared straight ahead in front of them. Naruto blinked, before glancing in the direction she was staring in.

A tired-looking but smartly-dressed Uchiha Sasuke could be seen coming from the opposite direction; in his hand a briefcase, in the other, his blazer jacket he had taken off due to the warm, late spring weather. He was busy adjusting his coat over the crook of his arm, making sure that it wouldn't wrinkle, until mere seconds later he would then notice the couple standing before him.

"Ah." The dark-haired man would simply state, undisturbed to see the appearance of his close friend and his girlfriend. "Naruto."

Naruto quickly looked away, before trying to force to keep his eyesight on his friend, and smiled awkwardly. "Yo, man. I didn't catch you around much since my operation. Where you've been?"

Uchiha blinked once, registering the sight before him, and filed that thought away under the "things to be cautionary about" folder. "The company's been keeping me in the office lately, with us merging with the Hyuuga Group and whatnot. Ah, and, I see you two have made your marriage appeal to the council?" He would then shift his eyes coolly over to Hanabi. She paled slightly, sweat lining her brow.

"Y-Yes!" She would erupt suddenly in a cheerful tone. "We're finally getting married!"

Sasuke broke a soft, if small, smile. "That's good to hear. Congratulations. Well, I must be on my way to see the council myself. Business affairs, you see."

"Wait." Naruto's hand shot out, gripping his best friend's shoulder tightly. Sasuke glanced back, wide-eyed at his friend, perhaps unexpectedly alarmed at Naruto's sudden shift in behaviour.

Naruto struggled for a moment to formulate his words, before giving out a short laugh.

"Hey, you didn't tell me you were getting married too."

Sasuke's placed his own hand on Naruto's, prying it off his shoulder. He held it in a tight grip, shaking his hand in their clenched fists. The males stared at each other for another short moment, as if each one gauging the other's emotions.

"So you've heard. I assume Hiashi had told you."

"You're with Hinata?" Naruto could hardly believe the words that were tumbling out of his mouth, let alone he could hardly believe that he was sounding more annoyed by the second. Why was he so hung up about this? This was fine, right?

Right?

"It's an arranged marriage, so yes, I suppose we are now." Sasuke replied coldly; hands quickly dusting his jacket from their contact.

"You know that she… she… to me she's –"

"Your best friend, right? I'll make sure I won't do anything untowards to her. We'll almost be like family." Sasuke mentally cursed himself for the childish comeback. It was unlike him to engage in this sort of banter. He really let Naruto provoke him this time around.

"Good luck, you two. I'll make sure Hinata and I won't schedule our wedding too closely to yours."

Sasuke found himself alone once more, his feet carrying him further into the depths of the Hyuuga manor. His heartbeat was pounding so loudly it was in his ears. He was angry. Angry at himself, at Naruto, and...

...and Hinata.

She stared worriedly back at her best friend who was currently engaged in some sort of personal challenge against the world record of how much anmitsu and shiratama dango one could possibly eat. Hinata sat dumbfounded, her dessert spoon slowly slipping out of her loose grip before clattering back into her glass bowl without so much of a noise. Haruno Sakura, seated opposite of her, of course, was currently engaged with what they called "eating her emotions".

"Em fahn." Came the muffled reply from the pink-haired woman in-between bites of her syrup-coated gelatin cubes. "Rhreely."

"Sakura-chan…" Hinata's instinctual response was that of concern, not only due to the large amount of sweets her friend was ingesting, but she was talking through a mouthful of dango that could potentially pose a choking hazard. Still, the Haruno continued to chomp down voraciously. It was then that the Hyuuga noticed the wetness that was brimming in her friend's eyes.

A large gulp, then a sniffle followed. "It's fine… I mean… I always knew Sasuke-kun never… he'd never pick a woman like… hic! Me…!"

An incredibly guilty look came across Hinata's face. "I'm so sorry, Sakura-chan… I didn't mean for this to…"

Sakura slammed a fist on the table, disturbing the several silverware set upon the surface and causing the small pot of sugar to collapse on its side. Hinata instantly clamped her mouth shut, frozen in fear.

"It's not your fault." The sniffling came again, and Sakura hastily wiped the tears from her eyes before letting out a dejected laugh. "What am I even doing… I'm just feeling so helpless right now…"

She silently accepted the handkerchief that Hinata had wordlessly handed to her, quickly dabbing at her eyes lest her makeup would start running.

"You know, sometimes I wonder how things would be different if that dobe asked you out instead." Sakura gave a small, throaty laugh, still a little sore from her earlier outburst. "And it's not because of Sasuke, but I just… it hurts to look at you lately." Hinata's hands wound tightly around her friend's, her ice cream forgotten and melting.

"I hate the council. I hate the Hyuuga Group. But I hate seeing my friends in pain. I…" Words were choking in her throat now, but she persevered on. "...and I especially hate seeing Naruto in pain. I'm sorry, Sakura-chan. I'll see if I can break off my marriage to Sas–"

"That's it!" Sakura suddenly shot up in her seat, clutching Hinata's hands tightly with her. "Don't you see? Sasuke-kun's using this as leverage!"

Hinata blinked mutely back at her friend. "...Excuse me?"

"He's using your marriage arrangement to provoke Naruto into realizing how much he actually needs you, not Hanabi-chan!" Sakura explained, her tone breathless at the ingenuity of the Uchiha's secret plan that she had managed to figure out – all on her own. "Naruto's always had you standing by his side, supporting even even tho he made the terrible choice of dating your sister – sorry, no offense to Hanabi-chan –"

"Wait, wait, wait a minute," Hinata waved her hands, desperate for a time-out. "I really don't see how this is possible. Naruto-kun just thinks of me as… a friend, at best." She gloomily trailed off, recalling that one memory of that night where he confessed his inability to forgive her.

"That idiot's had your love and support the entire time, all these years. And I think that idiot's gonna finally realize how much you actually mean to him, after all this time."

Hinata wasn't sure if she should be worried about how fired up Sakura seemed about this vague "theory" she's wrapped her mind around, or the fact that perhaps that Naruto's affection for Hanabi wasn't as strong as she thought it was. The latter thought made her happy yet upset.

She wasn't ready to give up her secret just yet.

"Sakura-chan… I'm sorry but just… for now I don't want anyone telling Naruto-kun the truth. Because… I know he'll hate me for deceiving him like that." Hinata lowered her eyes, twirling the spoon in her hand before stirring the melted pool of ice cream in her bowl. "I pretended to be Hanabi. And that's the last thing I'll do for the both of them – saving their relationship – even if that means I'm throwing away any chance I'll have of being with him…"

Sakura looked crestfallen at her friend's words. But a smile cracked through amidst the pain.

"We need to support each other, Hinata. That's what best friends are for."

It was strange for him to be able to walk through the streets of Konoha on his own, without the guidance of Hanabi. The first time, in many months. He had told Hanabi to go on home without him, and felt like he needed some air and space to breathe to himself. He knew he was a terrible liar, but appreciated her kindness when she simply said she understood and went on without him. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he loosened the tie around his neck and casually strolled down the neighbourhood streets, aimlessly taking in the views all the while his mind brewing a complexity of thoughts.

Somehow, along the way that he had decided to take, he detoured to the familiar street that led towards the middle school he had attended a long time ago in his childhood. The cherry trees swayed, the weight of its late blossoms bulking the branches down at the slightest bit of wind. Surprisingly it was still blooming, Naruto noted, as he continued to walk down the quiet road, marveling at how bright and floral the landscape was. The familiar, sweet scent filled the air, and he would briefly stop to take a deep breath.

In the recesses of his mind, memories flashed into view before him: the timid, pale face framed with dark hair staring curiously at him; the two of them getting in trouble for being late at the first day at school. Kakashi-sensei making them write apology essays when he took a prank too far – and ended up involving Hinata, which resulted with her tears blotting the letters she wrote on her essay.

Vivid visions of his school days filled his mind. As Naruto raised a hand to touch the fence that leaned against a particular cherry tree, he could still see the dents that he had caused from that very first day at school. The bullies had knocked him down into the wiring forcefully, and that was where…

Hinata.

Fingers curled around the bent rings of the fence. His grip tightened, his other hand clenched his chest. He didn't understand what he was feeling. Confusion. Pain. Regret.

He knew however, that he missed his best friend.

"Naruto-kun?"

It was as if the spring weather had summoned forth his wishes, making them come true. Standing before him, holding a small shopping bag of things, was Hyuuga Hinata. She looked a little perplexed to see him there, if not perhaps a little flustered at their meeting.

Naruto paled, suddenly remembering the last words he had spoken to her.

"I don't want to see you right now. I'm sorry."

"Uh, Hinata…" He started awkwardly, hand instantly scratching the back of his head as he raked his mind for something more meaningful to say. He glanced at her cautiously, trying to read the expression on her face.

She looked like a deer frozen in the headlights; too scare to move, too scared to speak. He let out a long sigh, dropping his arm back down by his side once more.

"It's been a while." He tried to sound reasonable about things. Keep it lightly amicable. That's the way to go.

"Yeah…" Her response fell short of what he expected, punctured by her usual timid gloominess.

Naruto tried to smile. Forcefully. "I, uh… thought you might've come to visit me sooner, but I guess it can't be helped. You've been busy, right?" He framed his question with an attempt to sound sincere; he didn't want to sound accusatory, that she would purposefully avoid him. Even though… he was pretty sure she was.

That was mostly his fault, though.

"Are you doing okay now?" Hinata asked quietly, and although she kept her gaze towards the floor, he could tell she was worried. The nervous tightening of her fingers around the shopping bag, to how she would comb her bangs back behind her ear. His heart pace relaxed, and he gave her a big smile.

"All better now, thanks to Sasuke."

"That's good."

Another small moment of silence, and things became awkward again. "Uh… umm…" Naruto furiously tried to brainstorm what other things he could say. Anything to keep her longer. Anything that would make things go back the way it was before.

"G-Good night then… it's nice to see you again…" Hinata finally broke the silence, and attempted to make a quick dash past him, to her end of the street. Fear seized Naruto's heart, and without thinking he whirled around, catching her arm, tugging her back. Surprised at being held back, Hinata let out a small yelp as she felt herself falling backwards…

...only to have his arms catch her fall. The shopping bag fell to the floor with a gentle thud, the pears and other assortment of fruit rolling out of its plastic containment silently, sprawled across the uneven concrete road. Breathing hard, Hinata took a moment to assess the situation, before feeling her cheeks flaring up in heat.

Naruto's arms were wrapped tightly around her, as if he was too scared to let her fall anymore she did. And the blond stood there, feeling both of their heartbeats beating at a rapid pace in the warm silence. The all-too familiar sensation of having held Hanabi in such a similar fashion overwhelmed his senses, and his ears were ringing; dizzying.

"T-Thank you." Hinata managed to squeak out, quickly propping herself back up, but blushed harder when she realized he kept his arms around her waist, not letting go. Naruto stared down at her with a dazed look of wonderment in his eyes.

"U-Uhm… Naruto-kun, you're too… close…"

The wind stirred, sending back tresses of her hair, which has now grown past shoulder-length, stirring Naruto's senses once more. The scent of her shampoo. The same one that Hanabi uses.

He immediately let her go.

"S-Sorry. Uh… you're ok?" He cleared his throat, embarrassed that he had held onto her for so long. Hinata quickly nodded, bending down to pick up her fallen things. He did so as well, helping her.

"I should really be going now." She almost whispered, training her eyes solely on the peach she reached for in front of her and quickly deposited it back into the plastic shopping bag. "I-I… I have a lot of things to attend to…"

"You mean like your marriage with Sasuke?"

Hinata froze, fingers touching the fuzzy skin of the peaches, before quickly scooping them into her bag. "So you've heard."

"Congratulations." He smiled, handing over the last of her things. "I hope he makes you happy, Hinata."

Hinata stared at him, an empty, hollow feeling settling inside. She stood up, gripping the handles of her shopping bag tightly.

"Thank you. Good night, Naruto."

With that, she turned around and quickly left before he could see that her eyes were starting to become wet.