Failing to Be Remembered

A/N: Characters are eighteen years of age.

Disclaimer: "Naruto" belongs to Masashi Kishimoto

Flashback

"Naruto-kun...I...like-No! I love you! I just want you to know this. I know that you're in love with Sakura-chan and that you may never stop loving her, but I just want to try and see if you and I may work out… if you don't mind?" I proclaimed. I watched as Naruto stood there speechless, motionless. His mouth opened and closed, repeating the process. All I could hear was the sound of the water hitting the shore.

"Yea! I'll accept! Let's try it out Hinata...chan!" exclaimed Naruto, laughing. We headed back to where Sakura and Sasuke were, in the water, and informed them of our news. Sakura nearly hugged me to death and Sasuke offered a smirk.

Present

The memory flooded my mind as I wiggled my toes through the sand, looking out onto the setting sun behind the water. It was just this past summer that Naruto and I began dating in June. I closed my eyes and smiled at the thought. We are going on our fourth month this October. When we began school, it seemed as if the news of Naruto and I spread to Ino by Sakura and Ino eventually told the entire school about it.

"Hinata? Hinata?"

Huh? I turned my head towards the call of my name to see Neji."Yes, Neji?" I answered.

"Your father is worried. He sent me to search for you," he said.

I nodded my head at his sayings and traveled back home with Neji. Silence filled the walk there until Neji asked, "How is your senior year, so far? Have you thought of attending any college, yet?"

"Ah, yes! I have. I was thinking Suna University in Sunagakure. I know it's a long way from here in Konoha, but in order to achieve my goals I have to risk some things, like leaving far away," I answered. He nodded in approval and didn't say anything else the rest of the way. I did the same.

When we got home, Hanabi and father had the table set up and ready to eat. We ate dinner in silence and, after dinner, I showered then slept.

The walk to school was lonely. Considering the fact that Neji drove Hanabi to class earlier. I thought about my relationship with the three of them: father, Neji, and Hanabi. I loved them all very much but to them it seems as if they only care slightly. When my uncle passed away, my aunt left Neji abandoned and father took Neji in. Father grieved for his brother but it didn't last long. With my mother's death, though, father took it harshly. He ignored my existence, claiming that I mirrored my mother's reflection. Still to this day, he continues to ignore me. The thoughts continued until I reached the high school building of Konoha High. I searched around and spotted Naruto and Sakura under the tree. "Good morning, Naruto-kun!" I chanted.

"Hinata, hey!" Naruto said. "At first, I thought you weren't going to show up," he pouted, pulling me into his warm arms, "But here you are!" I love it when he does this, hug me. Although he constantly holds my hand and wraps his arm around my shoulder he barely hugs me, but when he does I always savor the moment.

"Dobe, shut up. I could hear you from the entrance," Sasuke butt in.

"Argh! I was just telling Hinata how sad my day was going to be if she didn't show up," Naruto pouted again.

I giggled and laid a hand on Naruto's arm, "You should, maybe, lower your voice down a bit, Naruto-kun." Sasuke snorted then the bell rang for class.

It wasn't until lunch that I figured out that Sakura was avoiding me. In fact, this morning by the tree she left before I could greet her, and when I greeted Naruto he seemed shaky. Something happened over the weekend that I'm not supposed to know of. I ran towards Sakura, being careful of those with a tray in their hands. "Sakura? Hi, may I speak with you?"

She looked at me as if she saw a ghost. Her voice trembling, she replied, "Yea, why not? Let's go outside." I followed her outside to the benches. I didn't realize how cold it actually was until we stopped to take a seat at the bench. "So, what was it you wanted to talk to me about, Hinata?"

"Ah, it's just that, well, you seem to be avoiding me and Naruto-kun seemed kind of cautious this morning. Sakura-chan, I want to know the truth. Please? What happened between the two of you over the weekend?" I pursed my lips awaiting Sakura's answer.

"Hinata, I'm so sorry." Tears surfaced upon Sakura's cheeks. "I didn't mean for it to happen. We've been going out since June behind your back. I felt left behind. I saw you two together all the time that I couldn't help myself. I wanted to be loved, too, and Sasuke didn't help it. He wouldn't even give us a try like Naruto did to you. I'm sorry, Hinata." Sakura left me on the benches in shock.

My eyes became blurred from the tears that refused to shed. "Hinata?" I looked up to see Naruto walking towards me. "What happened? Why are you crying?"

I stood up and wrapped my arms around his torso. "Why didn't you tell me earlier? We could've broken it up. I wouldn't have minded at all. But learning it like this. It hurts."

"I...Hinata, I wanted to tell you for so long but you just looked so happy I didn't want you to stop being happy. I've always wanted Sakura-chan, but I couldn't help to get in a relationship with you to get close to Sakura-chan."

"It's okay, Naruto-kun. I don't want Sakura-chan to feel alone. I had fun while it lasted. Thank you. I wish you two the best. Sakura-chan is a great person." I turned away from him before he could catch a glimpse at my tear-filled eyes.

Two months passed and ever since the day I discovered Naruto and Sakura's relationship behind my back, they did it in public and it makes my heart clench to know that they did it secretly. Naruto shows more affection to Sakura than he did to me and I hate the way they act like that day, two months ago, never happened. Like they feel no remorse to their friend. I still continue to sit and talk to them at lunch and after school but it's not as often anymore. Most days I eat my lunch in the library where I don't have to see them. I chuckle thinking that Sasuke sits there, being the third wheel. It doesn't seem like he cares at all, though. Back when we were still in first grade, Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, and I made a pack. We were the best of friends and stuck to each other through everything. I'm starting to doubt that we're sticking to each other through everything. Click. "Found you. I've been wondering where you disappear to at lunch," stated Sasuke.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know you were looking for me. Do you need anything?" I questioned.

He sat down at the table with me, "No, not really. Just wondering. I've just been seeing you all around the building in the mornings but when lunch comes around you disappear from us," he said. "I knew about it." My eyes grew wide. "I was the one who they told it to. I had to keep it from you for months now."

"...Then why didn't you tell me? Why? Do you know it hurts me to see them together? It took me all week long to stop the tears and now you're bringing them back," I cried softly, not wanting to disturb the librarian. "My heart clenches at the sight of them together. All I hear them do is talk like they're deeply in love, not giving a care to the world. I have to muster up the courage to be able to see them with each other. You don't know how much my heart aches, Sasuke. You have both your parents here that both love you and you have a caring brother that loves you. Do you know who I have who cares? One person. My dead mother!" I spilled my anger out on Sasuke. I didn't mean to but it felt good to say it to someone and I'm glad that it was Sasuke and not someone else. Sasuke is a great listener. That's what I learned from him in the library and although we've been friends, I have the smallest bond with Sasuke.

That afternoon I walked home just as I normally do, but today felt oddly empty as if a burden was lifted off my shoulders. When I reached the house, there were movers piling my father's, Neji's, and Hanabi's belongings onto the trailer. I ran into the house, searching for them. Where are they? I thought. "Excuse me, but may I know where my father and sister are?" I asked one of the movers.

"Ah, your father gave a message to the man in the orange shirt. Here. Gitai!" A man in orange turned his head towards us. "This is the Hyuuga's daughter. You were to give her a message from her father, I reckon."

"Ah, yes. Miss Hyuuga, your father has left you for reasons of your late mother. He notified me that your presence and traits reminded him too much of your mother and that it hurt to look at you without speaking of Hikari. He has told me to leave your stuff out here. The house is not under your name nor your father's. That is all. My condolences to you Miss Hyuuga," Gitai and his movers bid me farewell and gave their condolences as well before continuing to pack the remains of the belongings.

I sat on the corner of the sidewalk, my knees pulled up against my chest. I watched as cars passed by with family in each. My eyes caught a familiar red Altima, Sasuke Uchiha's, and watched it drive off. The movers pulled out of the driveway and just as the trailer sped off, I screamed,"Wait! Where are they moving to!?" I sprinted towards the trailer, demanding to know where father and Hanabi were, never stopping until my footing gave out on me, causing me to scrape my knees harshly against the concrete. I guess this is it, then, huh? I limped back "home", thinking to myself. Yea it is. Just me now. Your wish came true, father. Now, you're able to continue on with life without any traits of mother. I hope to see you again one of these days. I finally reached the house and saw a wagon that had boxes on it that labeled:clothing. At least you were nice enough to tell the movers to leave my stuff. I smiled sadly to myself. I walked up to the door turning the handle that I figured would be locked. Guess I'm staying out here, tonight. It didn't help that it was one of those cold December nights, either. I opened one of the boxes to search for anything warm. Ah! A blanket! I grabbed the blanket and sheltered myself from the cold. Although it was a small one from when I was still an infant it worked. Better than nothing. I lied myself on the driveway pavement in a fetal position, tucked my head towards my chest and took out my phone to the scroll through my contacts. I can't call Naruto or Sakura. They may be busy with each other. Kurenai has a child to take of. I'm not that close to Ino, Shikamaru, or Choji, so not them. Lee and Tenten are at college far from here. Not them either. I gasped out of realization. Sasuke! I dialed Sasuke's number and awaited an answer.

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