Through the dark, cold streets of Konoha, a young man wandered. Though he walked at a gradual pace, the houses seemed to pass by in a flash, much like his life had. Much had changed, he thought. Much had changed indeed, for he was now twenty years of age, and a good candidate for the position of Hokage.
Yes, much had changed – as well as his feelings.
Thinking about it made him slightly uneasy. He rubbed at the back of his neck, ill at ease. His mouth formed a thin line, making his whisker marks twitch. Yes, he was sure he still had feelings for Sakura – she was beautiful, all he ever thought about.
Lies.
He hadn't known if that had been the Kyūbi, or his gut that had said that, but that single word had spoken more truth than he would allow.
Whenever he found himself thinking of Sakura, his thoughts would instantly drift to her…
To milky white, smooth skin, long, dark hair silky to the touch, pale, poignant yet kind eyes—
No, he couldn't think of her like that—she was his best friend, and he wouldn't dare to ruin their friendship with something as stupid as his petty feelings and confused emotions. Emotions so confusing yet so strong it made his heart painfully pound and stop at once whenever he saw her, made his being soar to the very heavens when he caught her little smile, and drop to the darkest pits of misery when he could do nothing to lift her spirits.
It felt so wrong, feeling the way he did about her. To want her the way he did, when he knew nothing of her feelings for him. Sure he caught her little blushes, and awkward behaviour around him, but what if he all took that the wrong way? What if she just wanted to stay friends? Maybe he just had to let it go.
That was why he made up his mind; he was going to ask Sakura out – tonight.
A crack of thunder sounded – as if disagreeing with his decision – and made him jump. He looked up at the cloudy sky, stunned at how quickly the weather had changed.
Was that a sign?
Well, he thought, he was going to ask Sakura out, and that was final.
'~*~'
In the park sat a pink-haired woman, deep in thought.
It had been two years.
Two years since Naruto had brought Sasuke back, but she hadn't spoken to him since. What was there to say? She thought that everything had been said, that night, seven years ago, when he thanked her for everything, but then pushed her aside – as he always did, like she was nothing.
It was safe to say that she had given up on him.
She had given up trying to woo him…
Trying to show him that she was worth something…
Trying to show that she cared…
Trying to make him see that she loved him all along…
There was no point in trying when all these feelings that she had fostered for him would clearly never be returned. If she wasn't as broken as she already was, she would've managed to shed a few tears. But she was all cried out, stuck between holding on and letting go – which wasn't easy when he was everywhere she went, staring at her, searching the depths of her soul.
What he wanted from her, she did not know. But it was enough to make her insane, self-conscious…
Addicted.
Addicted to those hypnotising pools of dark abysses that were so hard to read, when it pulled you right in. It wasn't healthy, this obsession, this dark aspiration.
She needed a distraction.
As if on cue, Naruto stepped into the park, spotting her at once. He greeted her, plopping down beside her as she nodded in reply. His initial smile then faded, replaced by a slight frown, as if a tornado of great conflict resided within him. He kept twisting the ends of his white and red flame-emblazoned coat while his lips twitched every once in a while. Finally he faced her, a serious look on his face. Whatever he was to say next, was something direct and to the point. After knowing him for so long, she knew that he wasn't one to beat around the bush.
"Sakura-chan…go out with me…?"
It sounded more like a statement than a request. Nowadays, asking Sakura on a date was out of habit, rather than a love-struck impulse – and they both knew it, so why was he still asking?
She looked into his eyes, finding her answer there. It was too evident, that not even his often distracting smile could hide it.
Denial.
Denial so great, that it even rivalled her own. But what was she to do?
Maybe it was time that she moved on. Naruto was a good-looking shinobi with a promising future. He looked after everyone and wouldn't dare to hurt any of his friends or her, unlike…unlike…
The memories were too painful to think of him all over again…
With a deep breath, she steadied herself and looked him in the eye.
"Sure, Naruto-kun…"
The blonde ninja sat there, taken aback, a smile of mixed emotion plastered to his face. He was happy that Sakura had finally agreed to go out with him (after all these years), but why did he feel so…so…
Disappointed?
As though he had wanted her to say no. Hiding his confusion, he flashed his brilliant smile.
"G-great! Uh…see you tomorrow then…"
Hesitantly, he kissed her on the cheek as he went on his way, leaving the pink-haired woman to her thoughts.
'~*~'
A dark-haired woman ran through the streets of Konoha. After seeing what she had just witnessed in the park, she would never be the same.
She thought that she might've had a chance…
Thought…
When he sought her out all the time, always seeming eager to talk to her, she thought—
An onslaught of sobs escaped her as she dropped to her knees. She had finally gained the courage to tell Naruto of her long kept, hidden feelings towards him, when she found him in the park with Sakura. She didn't want to eavesdrop, but something told her to stay.
Stay and witness the horrible reality that she knew she wouldn't be able to escape.
With tearful eyes she watched as Sakura agreed to be his girlfriend, and didn't bother to stay when he inched closer to the pink-haired woman. She couldn't will herself to.
To make matters worse, the heavens split, drenching her with its tears.
Were the heavens crying for her?
No.
The rain almost felt like acid, burning her skin - they were soaking her with shame.
It was never meant to be - him and her. She never wanted to admit it, but now that all seemed futile now. He was now with Sakura, the woman he was destined to be with. How could she compete? Sakura was everything she wasn't; smart, beautiful, outgoing and…and…the only woman that Naruto would ever desire. Knowing that brought another onslaught of tears, when she felt herself being lifted off the ground.
"Hinata-chan?"
Her heart stopped on the spot when Naruto's concerned eyes met hers.
How could eyes of a brilliant blue, so beautiful and charming be so painful to look at? She hurriedly shut her eyes, breaking free of his grasp.
"Hinata…Hinata-chan, you're crying! What's wrong?" he asked, grabbing hold of her by the arms.
"Lea…leave me alone…" she struggled to say. She did not wish to speak with him. She didn't want him to see her like this.
"Hinata-chan…what are you saying?"
His eyes held sadness as he looked down at her, but she refused to look at him.
"Hinata—"
Naruto let out a gasp as she smacked away his inching hand and sobbed louder as she tried breaking free once again. A frown crossed his lips as he grabbed her by the shoulders. She wasn't getting away that easily, he thought.
"Hinata, speak to me!" he ordered, his voice holding concern, shaken with panic. He held her tighter, but still she refused.
Hinata looked up at him to find his eyes slightly shimmering with tears.
This was so wrong.
He was the last person she wanted to see right now, and yet here he was, trying to console her. If only he knew – but it was too late to tell him now, it was too late to tell him forever.
Panic slashed through Naruto as the dark-haired woman broke down in front of him. She wouldn't talk to him—she wouldn't even look at him! Frantic, he cupped her cheeks and just froze when he caught her shocked gaze. Her wide, teary eyes seemed to stare right through him, as if he wasn't even there, holding an emotion so strong that he had to look away for a slight second.
"Hinata…please…tell me what's wrong…" he begged softly.
If it was something he could fix, he'd try to just for her. But she didn't reply. Her lips moved, but no words came from it, just heavy breaths as more tears fell from her eyes.
"Hinata…please…" he pleaded, his voice thick as he rested his forehead against hers.
"I…" she whispered.
He hurriedly pulled back to look at her, only to see her more saddened.
"I'm sorry, Naruto-kun." She sobbed, and with a quick hand seal, she was gone.
"Hinata…? Hinata! Damn!" he yelled, kicking at the mud road.
Crouching, he cradled his face in his hands as rain fell all around him.
What had he done?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Second Fanfiction I made, hope you like it.
Yes, much had changed – as well as his feelings.
Thinking about it made him slightly uneasy. He rubbed at the back of his neck, ill at ease. His mouth formed a thin line, making his whisker marks twitch. Yes, he was sure he still had feelings for Sakura – she was beautiful, all he ever thought about.
Lies.
He hadn't known if that had been the Kyūbi, or his gut that had said that, but that single word had spoken more truth than he would allow.
Whenever he found himself thinking of Sakura, his thoughts would instantly drift to her…
To milky white, smooth skin, long, dark hair silky to the touch, pale, poignant yet kind eyes—
No, he couldn't think of her like that—she was his best friend, and he wouldn't dare to ruin their friendship with something as stupid as his petty feelings and confused emotions. Emotions so confusing yet so strong it made his heart painfully pound and stop at once whenever he saw her, made his being soar to the very heavens when he caught her little smile, and drop to the darkest pits of misery when he could do nothing to lift her spirits.
It felt so wrong, feeling the way he did about her. To want her the way he did, when he knew nothing of her feelings for him. Sure he caught her little blushes, and awkward behaviour around him, but what if he all took that the wrong way? What if she just wanted to stay friends? Maybe he just had to let it go.
That was why he made up his mind; he was going to ask Sakura out – tonight.
A crack of thunder sounded – as if disagreeing with his decision – and made him jump. He looked up at the cloudy sky, stunned at how quickly the weather had changed.
Was that a sign?
Well, he thought, he was going to ask Sakura out, and that was final.
'~*~'
In the park sat a pink-haired woman, deep in thought.
It had been two years.
Two years since Naruto had brought Sasuke back, but she hadn't spoken to him since. What was there to say? She thought that everything had been said, that night, seven years ago, when he thanked her for everything, but then pushed her aside – as he always did, like she was nothing.
It was safe to say that she had given up on him.
She had given up trying to woo him…
Trying to show him that she was worth something…
Trying to show that she cared…
Trying to make him see that she loved him all along…
There was no point in trying when all these feelings that she had fostered for him would clearly never be returned. If she wasn't as broken as she already was, she would've managed to shed a few tears. But she was all cried out, stuck between holding on and letting go – which wasn't easy when he was everywhere she went, staring at her, searching the depths of her soul.
What he wanted from her, she did not know. But it was enough to make her insane, self-conscious…
Addicted.
Addicted to those hypnotising pools of dark abysses that were so hard to read, when it pulled you right in. It wasn't healthy, this obsession, this dark aspiration.
She needed a distraction.
As if on cue, Naruto stepped into the park, spotting her at once. He greeted her, plopping down beside her as she nodded in reply. His initial smile then faded, replaced by a slight frown, as if a tornado of great conflict resided within him. He kept twisting the ends of his white and red flame-emblazoned coat while his lips twitched every once in a while. Finally he faced her, a serious look on his face. Whatever he was to say next, was something direct and to the point. After knowing him for so long, she knew that he wasn't one to beat around the bush.
"Sakura-chan…go out with me…?"
It sounded more like a statement than a request. Nowadays, asking Sakura on a date was out of habit, rather than a love-struck impulse – and they both knew it, so why was he still asking?
She looked into his eyes, finding her answer there. It was too evident, that not even his often distracting smile could hide it.
Denial.
Denial so great, that it even rivalled her own. But what was she to do?
Maybe it was time that she moved on. Naruto was a good-looking shinobi with a promising future. He looked after everyone and wouldn't dare to hurt any of his friends or her, unlike…unlike…
The memories were too painful to think of him all over again…
With a deep breath, she steadied herself and looked him in the eye.
"Sure, Naruto-kun…"
The blonde ninja sat there, taken aback, a smile of mixed emotion plastered to his face. He was happy that Sakura had finally agreed to go out with him (after all these years), but why did he feel so…so…
Disappointed?
As though he had wanted her to say no. Hiding his confusion, he flashed his brilliant smile.
"G-great! Uh…see you tomorrow then…"
Hesitantly, he kissed her on the cheek as he went on his way, leaving the pink-haired woman to her thoughts.
'~*~'
A dark-haired woman ran through the streets of Konoha. After seeing what she had just witnessed in the park, she would never be the same.
She thought that she might've had a chance…
Thought…
When he sought her out all the time, always seeming eager to talk to her, she thought—
An onslaught of sobs escaped her as she dropped to her knees. She had finally gained the courage to tell Naruto of her long kept, hidden feelings towards him, when she found him in the park with Sakura. She didn't want to eavesdrop, but something told her to stay.
Stay and witness the horrible reality that she knew she wouldn't be able to escape.
With tearful eyes she watched as Sakura agreed to be his girlfriend, and didn't bother to stay when he inched closer to the pink-haired woman. She couldn't will herself to.
To make matters worse, the heavens split, drenching her with its tears.
Were the heavens crying for her?
No.
The rain almost felt like acid, burning her skin - they were soaking her with shame.
It was never meant to be - him and her. She never wanted to admit it, but now that all seemed futile now. He was now with Sakura, the woman he was destined to be with. How could she compete? Sakura was everything she wasn't; smart, beautiful, outgoing and…and…the only woman that Naruto would ever desire. Knowing that brought another onslaught of tears, when she felt herself being lifted off the ground.
"Hinata-chan?"
Her heart stopped on the spot when Naruto's concerned eyes met hers.
How could eyes of a brilliant blue, so beautiful and charming be so painful to look at? She hurriedly shut her eyes, breaking free of his grasp.
"Hinata…Hinata-chan, you're crying! What's wrong?" he asked, grabbing hold of her by the arms.
"Lea…leave me alone…" she struggled to say. She did not wish to speak with him. She didn't want him to see her like this.
"Hinata-chan…what are you saying?"
His eyes held sadness as he looked down at her, but she refused to look at him.
"Hinata—"
Naruto let out a gasp as she smacked away his inching hand and sobbed louder as she tried breaking free once again. A frown crossed his lips as he grabbed her by the shoulders. She wasn't getting away that easily, he thought.
"Hinata, speak to me!" he ordered, his voice holding concern, shaken with panic. He held her tighter, but still she refused.
Hinata looked up at him to find his eyes slightly shimmering with tears.
This was so wrong.
He was the last person she wanted to see right now, and yet here he was, trying to console her. If only he knew – but it was too late to tell him now, it was too late to tell him forever.
Panic slashed through Naruto as the dark-haired woman broke down in front of him. She wouldn't talk to him—she wouldn't even look at him! Frantic, he cupped her cheeks and just froze when he caught her shocked gaze. Her wide, teary eyes seemed to stare right through him, as if he wasn't even there, holding an emotion so strong that he had to look away for a slight second.
"Hinata…please…tell me what's wrong…" he begged softly.
If it was something he could fix, he'd try to just for her. But she didn't reply. Her lips moved, but no words came from it, just heavy breaths as more tears fell from her eyes.
"Hinata…please…" he pleaded, his voice thick as he rested his forehead against hers.
"I…" she whispered.
He hurriedly pulled back to look at her, only to see her more saddened.
"I'm sorry, Naruto-kun." She sobbed, and with a quick hand seal, she was gone.
"Hinata…? Hinata! Damn!" he yelled, kicking at the mud road.
Crouching, he cradled his face in his hands as rain fell all around him.
What had he done?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Second Fanfiction I made, hope you like it.
