002nd saving smile [voice]

[selfdoubt]

[The journals will be graced by a familiar, soft voice that was quiet for a while.]

I... see that I am back in this place once more. [The voice sounds resigned yet concealed by an otherwise neutral tone. Hinata's really not too happy to be back.] I suppose that the others are still here, then?

[There's a pause as she begins recalling her memories. It takes some time since these memories are still a bit hazy.] Kiba-kun, Shikamaru-kun...? Tenten-san, Sakura-san...

[She trails off because the next name she's going to say is being held back by this lump in her throat.]

... Naruto-kun? Are all of you still here? [Before she waits for a response, Hinata is already on the move.] I- I will be heading back to my apartment. I will see you all, then. Please be well.

[And the voice transmission cuts.]

Comments

[Voice]

[jinchuuriki]

[Naruto would know that voice anywhere, and he's actually quite excited to hear it. But he's not really showing it, since he feels like this conversation might be a little awkward for him. Especially since it kind of seemed like Hinata remembered Luceti, which means... yeah.]

Oh, oh! Hinata, we're all still here!

[Voice] 1/2

[selfdoubt]

[Hearing his voice immediately sends her blushing as she remembers that experiment where they-- She can't even say it in her head! With all the awkward feelings surging within her, Hinata tries to compose herself.]

[Voice]

[selfdoubt]

[But she really can't.]

Ah- Um, I'm now aware, Naruto-kun. [She says this a bit quickly, like she already wants to end the conversation.] Thank you.

[Voice]

[jinchuuriki]

[Yeah, there's that awkward. Naruto thinks for a moment, trying to figure if he should confront the whole debacle of Valentine's Day now or later.

He goes with later.] So... you need any help or anythin'? [Least he can do.]

[Voice]

[selfdoubt]

Oh, I'm fine. [She pulls out a lopsided smile, hoping he won't bring that up since she really doesn't know how to handle it. At the back of her mind, she's afraid of what he's going to say.] I will be back in my apartment after a short while.

[Voice]

[jinchuuriki]

That's good! [... There's really not anything else to say. He doesn't want to talk about the shift right now. She just got back, and he hasn't had much time to dwell on the subject with Madara's arrival.] I guess I'll see you around, then.

[Voice]

[selfdoubt]

Um, yes. You will. [The awkwardness is certainly evident even with Hinata's conscious effort to shove it aside. There's this definite pang inside her heart upon realizing that maybe her relationship with Naruto will just remain like this. She absolutely hopes not, though.]

I'll see you around, Naruto-kun. [She opens her mouth as if to say something else, but decided against it as she bites her bottom lip.] Yes... ah, I'll see you. [Like before, from afar.]

[Voice]

[jinchuuriki]

[Naruto is hesitant to close his journal after that, but he deems that it's probably for the best. He's not ready to start talking about this, but when he is, he'll be sure to seek her out. When he's ready.

He really hopes she's not mad at him.] Yeah. [And he closes the journal.]

[Voice]

[selfdoubt]

[When he closed his journal, Hinata almost called out to stop him but no voice came out of her mouth. She just looked to the side, then, and sighed. She's really hoping against hopes that all this awkward will get patched up soon because she can't withstand this, not around Naruto. She's afraid of how all this is going to go down, though. Does she have to reinforce her feelings? What will he say?

At the back of her mind, she has a pretty good idea what but she's fighting against this fear, clinging to that tiny glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, he'll acknowledge her feelings. Even when she knows that loving him without asking anything in return is enough.]