Looking back she always knew this would happen someday. That he would eventually lose interest, move on, and leave her abandoned.
When she was younger she actually hoped for this to happen, that he would just leave her alone to live her life, but then they began to get closer as time trudged forward.
Eventually they became friends and she never realized just how much that friendship had meant to her; how much he had meant to her until it was far too late.
It had started out slowly, at first. He'd leave right after training instead of pestering her about ramen or going on a date. She quickly picked up on his odd behavior but chose to say nothing. Looking back perhaps if she had this wouldn't be happening now. Perhaps she wouldn't be forced to wear a smile so fake that even Sai would be proud of.
The next change was far more noticeable. He'd suddenly stopped coming by the hospital to visit her when she got off work. Before then he'd always be there to walk her home and chat, and him suddenly not being there made her begin to realize just how much his presence meant to her. Despite this, she denied anything was wrong. She reasoned that he just had something else going on and things would be back to normal soon. If only she'd told him instead of denying her feelings. Perhaps she wouldn't be holding back tears for all the wrong reasons.
In the end it was he who told her himself. Someone had finally realized what a great guy he was, someone had finally recognized him for himself and not just some monster or hero, someone had finally given him the attention he'd always wanted; that he always deserved. Attention she herself now wished she had given. Perhaps if she had, she'd be the one standing next to him now instead of watching from a chair.
She shouldn't have been surprised that Hinata had been the first one to make a move. In hindsight her crush on him had been apparent since they were kids. Perhaps she should've seen it sooner.
"They'll only last a few months. Someone like her won't stand his antics for long." Ino had insisted when they met for tea the next day. She had left the restaurant feeling confident and assured by her friends words. Perhaps things would have been different had she talked to him instead of her.
Ino's words proved false as weeks turned to months and months to years, all as she watched Hinata and his relationship grow while theirs became hollow. Eventually she only saw him during training, missions, and the occasional group get together, but it was obvious his attention was never truly on her; or at least not the way it had previously been. Perhaps by then it had been too late.
He proposed a few weeks later.
So here she sits, watching the man she loves smile at another the way he used to smile at her. Watching as he slips the ring on a foreign hand while speaking vows with such love and tenderness that her heart begins to break, and as the ceremony ends and the two kiss each other to seal their fate unshed tears wet her face.
As everyone cheers at the now married couple, she joins them with the same fake smile plastered to her face. All the while one word replays itself within her mind further shattering her heart with its every utterance.
Perhaps.
Author Notes:
This story was inspired by a few angst stories I've managed to read in the middle of this extraordinarily hectic school year. That being said, I've wanted to write a NaruSaku angst story since the series ended. I'll likely post a NaruHina story sometime in the future as well. Hope everyone enjoyed reading and have a great night!
-Guardians Blade Out!