Aienai. (NaruHina) |English|

Chapter 27 - Ice.

Hinata didn't eat for three days, but it wasn't because she didn't want to, however, every time she thought about what was growing in her belly, taking shape and life, she lost any will.

And Naruto didn't touch her, nor come close, however, he was always in the corner of her room, looking at her from afar, quiet and silent in a way he had never been before. And he didn't speak up when she denied the food Miwa made, just... she watched.

He was like a shadow.

At that moment, Hinata wondered why fate was so bad with her.

After all, what had she done to him? Why a shitty life like hers?

His eyes looked up to the stars as he felt the wind move his hair, now short. She was sitting in the big chair on the balcony of her room, watching the trees move in the early morning breeze. She was wrapped in a fluffy robe that hid her shorts and Naruto's huge white blouse she was wearing — she had been wearing his clothes because they were baggy.

Why all that, at that moment? Why that child?

He was just thinking about the child when he heard a gasp of surprise behind him.

His head turned to find Naruto holding a juice box and a bag of cookies. His blue eyes connected with his and she could see the shock in them. He looked so tired.

"Ah... I hadn't seen you were awake... I..." he coughed, gaining a detached tone in his voice. "...I'll leave you alone, sorry...

And he turned his back on her, clearly walking away, the moment he couldn't help himself and stood up, calling to him.

— Naruto.

He stopped exactly where he was, without turning to look at her.

— Yes, Hina?

What could she say? That she wasn't good enough for him? That he should find some woman, a real woman?

- I...

- Do you need something?

Her eyes began to fill with tears at his coldness.

- You can stay?

She didn't get to see if he had looked at her, for he was staring at his hands, but without a doubt he heard her.

Silence.

Deep silence broken by the wind.

And Hinata wondered how much of what had hurt him was irreversible.

— And for what, Hina? Her voice was a whisper filled with pain. "For you to be scared of me?" No thank you. Now, if you'll excuse me.

"Please... don't leave me alone.

There was a sigh. Then, he approached her and Hinata saw the exact moment he stopped right in front of her, forcing her not to cringe, but he did nothing but extend the food he had in his hands.

- With the.

"But... it's your food.

"Eat, please, I can't stand to see you so thin, Hina. And his eyes were pleading as she lifted them to his. - With the.

His fingers trembled as he accepted what was offered to him. The weight of imagining how much he'd suffered watching her starve to death slammed into her stomach. Hinata couldn't help but notice the way he didn't let her fingers touch as she pulled out the food. So this was how he felt when she wouldn't let him touch her? Was that it? That pain in her chest?

- Thanks.

- You're welcome.

And he walked away again, however, he didn't go away, he just sat in the chair across from where he was. The food should have tasted good, if he could taste it without tasting the acid and old paper that came on his tongue when he swallowed the first cookie.