Waiting and Feeling (Naruto X Hinata)
chapter 7: The Birthday

Without feeling the need to knock on the door, Shikamaru entered Naruto's room while carrying a stack of files in his hand.

Naruto was tired. Though he just put a stamp on the last file on his desk, but now comes another stack that is not less high.

Damn it was his fate today.

Bruuks...

Noooo...!!

he cursed in his heart as Shikamaru placed the pile on his desk.

"Naruto, have you checked the files for this year's Chunin exam?"

"Un.." he nodded his head.

"Have you received a report from Konoha Police?"

"Un..."

"How about,"

"Mission Elite Request, Village Financial Report, Shinobi Health Report. I've checked everything." He said as he pushed the report he had completed towards Shikamaru.

For a moment Shikamaru was silent staring at Naruto.

I don't know, Naruto feels Shikamaru is really sensitive. The man must have felt an uneasy feeling about him, even though in the end Shikamaru still lifted the pile of files.

"Anoo Shikamaru," Shikamaru who was about to go undo his intentions.he looked back at Naruto, this time with suspicion. "What is this.., very urgent?" Naruto asked as he pointed at the pile of files that had just been handed to him.

"Why?"

Uhuk... Uhuk...

Shikamaru just blicked his lips

Haachiim...

Then that view, the view that seems to say that he is lazy to serve Naruto, makes the concerned understand that the Hokage has failed to defeat his Advisor.

"Oh come on Shikamaru... I gotta go right away."

Shikamaru left Naruto's desk. Put the files in his hand on his own desk and start sitting down and sorting them out.

"The old rangos are still here, what should I say if they're looking for you?"

"You're even more than a genius looking for the reason.". He said while taking one document bendel in the top pile.

HALILINTAR TRAIN TRANSPORTATION MODE.

Hmmm.the dilemma struck Naruto's heart. On one hand he wanted to immediately leave his grand space. But on the other hand he was also very interested in this document.

Some time ago Naruto opened a transportation project between districts in the village of Konoha.

There were so many proposals coming in, but only a few caught his attention. One of them is this Thunder Train.

Naruto opened it. Read and observe the design carefully.

"Shikamaru, what do you think about the idea of Kaminarimon-san?"

"'He's the best." Answer's short.

Naruto nodded in understanding. "Please arrange a schedule to meet him immediately."

"She has free time at 8pm tonight. How's yours?."

Naruto looked towards the window for a while. Shikamaru snorted, he knew what the fox boy was thinking.

"Go."

Naruto turned his head, looking at Shikamaru who was yawning lazily.

"He may have visited Neji's tomb."

Naruto smiled faintly. It turned out that he really could not hide anything from Shikamaru.

"I know it's dattebayo!".

He immediately stood up from his chair. Naruto did not want to buy any longer until he decided to jump through the balcony.

"Shikamaru, arigatou." Before closing the balcony door.

Shikamaru smiled faintly. He snorted, in his heart asked.

How long will Naruto lie to himself?.

***

Orange spray began to color the sky of Konoha. A gentle breeze wiggled Hinata's hair child. The girl was eating with her cousin Hyuga Neji. He is still praying. Close his eyes and close his hands to his chest.

"Neji nii-san, Otanjoubi Omodeto." Hinata smiled faintly while opening her eyes slowly.

There was no one in the large cemetery but him. In front of him, Neji's headstone looked sparkling. Sunflowers that he brought were also lined up sweetly with a herd of White Lily and Red Rose.

Of course Guy's team has come before him. They must have spent quite a lot of time while cleaning the weeds in this tomb.

"Nii-san, Hanabi-chan is on a mission today. He asked me to tell you not to worry about him anymore."

Hinata paused for a moment, although she actually only spoke for herself, but she valued Neji as her listener.

"Hanabi is a grown-up now. So far, he has always made the right decision. But to not worry about it, isn't that impossible for us?" Hinata chuckles "When we really love someone, there's no way we shouldn't worry about it, right?"

"Oh yeah... Today I got an invitation from Ino-san and Sai-san. They're gonna have a wedding in 2 weeks." Hinata was silent for a moment, then a bitter smile fell on her lips.

"No feeling, it's been 10 years that Neji nii-san left us. There's so much that's changed. Starting with Sakura-san and Sasuke-san, then Shikamaru-san and Temari-san who already have Shikadai-kun. Oh yes, Chouji-san is also looking forward to the birth of their first child."

"One by one our friends start building families. I don't know what it's going to be like, in the future I'll also have my own family."

"I imagine, if nii-san is still here, is nii-san also married? what about Tenten-san? could it be that there's been laughter from Neji junior in our house?." Hinata fell silent again.His throat felt choked.

A drop of his tears fell as he looked at the red rose before him.

When Neji was alive, no one knew that the Chinese girl had any special feelings for her cousin.

Tenten. So close, even a cat cannot smell it.

But when Neji died. There are no words that can represent the destruction of his heart. Perhaps there is not a single ocean that rivals the depth of Tenten's remorse. Until now, he still often came to the tomb, with red roses and tears.

"Tenten-san is a good girl. Now he was already a Genin Guiding Master. Among all of us, he may be the hardest hit on your departure. After the one year anniversary of your death, she never again cried in front of others. Even though we all know her tears are not dry yet, she only cries in front of you. Tenten-san must be trying hard to toughen up and live her life well."

"Because of seeing it, I also made up my mind. I'm learning and training harder to be in this position. Nii-san I am still trying hard to realize our dream, removing the fate of the curse that separates Souke and Bunke. Although my heart is very doubtful, but I hope that the path I will choose this time brings good to Hyuga."

"Nii-san, I beg your blessing. Thank you for Neji nii-san for protecting me to the end. May Kami-sama always give peace to Nii-san."

Hinata closed her eyes again. Chanting do'a as the conclusion of his visit.

From the beginning he had intended not to cry at Neji's tomb. But somehow, his heart hurt. The shadow of war and the moment Neji fell before his eyes reappeared. Something that inexplicably never fades.

Hinata sobbed and tears poured out from her closed net. But not for too long, he tried to pressure himself so as not to look so pitiful in front of his brother.

When he opened his eyes, evening came. The sun in the western horizon leaves only an orange line that almost completely sinks.