Written June 2013. Revised January 2014.
"Hinata?" His bright gorgeous topaz eyes, the ones she loved so very much, observed her with worry and anxiety. She couldn't help the ache in her chest with the sudden flooding realisation that they could never be. Not then, not now, not ever.
"I… I'm happy for you. I really am." She spoke lies. Yet it seemed like he was all too willing to quickly accept the proffered statement.
It wasn't that Hinata didn't want to feel happy for him… for them. She truly did wish that she could be content with the fact that the man she was enraptured with had found someone to love and adore him back. Unfortunately for the Hyuuga, that someone was not she.
She brandished a forced smile; it was all an act really. Yet he looked no further than her mask, not wanting nor willing to see how utterly broken she was, lest his resolve loosen and crumble. Naruto was a man of compassion and empathy. If he had one flaw, that would be his demise. But for once, he decided to be selfish and consider himself first. She could not blame him. How could he love someone he cared for but did not hold feeling for?
"I truly am sorry, Hinata." With a grimace upon his face, he left hastily, not wanting to deal with any unfavourable consequences of what might occur if he stayed a moment longer. He never did deal well with her feelings.
Her vision blurred and salty liquid cascaded down her cheeks. She had been so silly to even think they might have been together. Even if he did by some miracle, reciprocate her feelings, her clan would have never approved. Did it really matter though? She was happy to give up anything and everything for him if it meant they could be together. He didn't even have to love her. With that thought, she realised with disgust at how pathetic she had been and was being.
With bitter mirth, she recognised she was a silly, silly girl for even believing in happy endings, or more accurately, a happy ending for her.