"Hinata…" he was at a loss for words. Of all the things he had expected, this one statement was not one of them. "I'm sorry…there's…I can't…Hinata I'm,"

Words of rejection tumbled out of his mouth, each one imprinting themselves on Hinata's heart. It wasn't supposed to happen this way. After all these years, her love for Naruto overflowed finally. She just had to tell him. And now what? All she discovered was heartbreak and the end to something she should've ended a long time ago. Then it wouldn't end this way. Sure it would be anticlimactic, but her heart would still be in tact right? Her soul would be untouched. Now it was laying between them, in a crushed mess.

"Naruto,I love you," Was what she said. What a foolish mistake. And this leads us back to where we started.

"Hinata," he started off delicately, "I'm flattered by this," as if that would put her heart together, as if that would make everything better. He felt flattered! Sure I'll just say his hair looks nice today! Maybe that'll put a hop to his step! She thought angrily.

When had she become so cynical? Her now scarred soul probably had something to do with it.

"But you and I…this won't work. I don't feel the same way you feel about me." He decided not to mention that only a week ago, Sakura had admitted that she loved him. He had waited for Sakura for years, and now it finally paid off. Maybe if Sakura decided not to do what she did, the he might've actually decided to give Hinata a chance. He may not have loved Hinata like Sakura, but it would've been wise to move on. Lucky for him, this didn't transpire. Sakura was at his apartment waiting for him, and nothing could compare to that, not even the little heiress in front of him. Yet it would be mean to tell Hinata any of that.

"I'm sorry," He said at last. An awkward silence pursued them. Naruto didn't know what to do; he'd never been in this sort of situation. Sure Sakura had rejected him when they were young, but now he had her, so in the long run, he guessed it didn't count. what did could he do to make this as gentle as possible for Hinata?

"Let's just stay friends Hinata," he said finally. He turned to walk away. His blonde hair moved with the wind as he took a few steps forward, adjusting his ANBU vest. Hinata's soul cried out in sorrow and pain; her heart was saying to stop and run away, but her brain was telling her one thing only.

"Naruto wait, I have to ask one thing. Why don't you like me? Is it because of someone else? Or…" she drifted off, a lump in her throat stopping her effectively.

"Hi – Hinata," he paused again. This was going to be bad; he had purposefully not said anything so it wouldn't be worse than it already was.

"Naruto kun!" An angelic voice broke the silence. Naruto couldn't help the grin he had on his face as he turned around. He hoped Hinata hadn't seen it.

As Sakura walked up to them, she said happily, "Hey Hinata!" she turned her head towards her lover. "I was getting worried, you were running late."

"Sorry Sakura chan, lets go." He replied eagerly. "I'll see you later Hinata!"

He didn't have to say why. Hinata knew now. As they walked off, it was more tan obvious why he didn't love her. Why she had to face the jaws of rejection. With Naruto's arm slug over Sakura's shoulder, her warm wrapped around his waist, their eyes twinkling with happiness, she knew why.

As Hinata walked home that day, she realized couldn't compare, and overall shouldn't compare herself up to Sakura. It had nothing to do with self esteem or anything of the like. It was because to Naruto, nothing could compare to Sakura Haruno.