Chapter 1

"Eh Hinata have you seen Sakura-chan anywhere?"

Naruto asked the shy, white eyed girl.

"Aa Naruto-kun, I-I haven't; maybe she's with Hokage-sama?" she spoke softly; looking up timidly to Naruto. A smile curled on the blonde's lips and he gave a nod before rushing off to Tsuande's office. "Arigato Hinata-chan!"

Hinata stared after Naruto with a slight smile, it was strange for her not to have gone dark re and fainted around her former crush, but then that's what he was. Hinata had given up on Naruto some time before because she'd finally understood the sad fact that he'd never love her; he'd only feel that way for Sakura. That was another reason she'd stopped going after the blond; she had hated the bitter feelings of jealousy against the pink haired girl. Then things had started to change; the kunoichi had been brought into a brand new light; she still remembered that day.

Flashback:

Hinata had been on her way home when she'd spotted Sakura heading away from the hospital, the saddest expression on the pink haired girl's face.

"Sakura-san ar-are you alright?" she asked softly approaching her. Sakura had looked up, eyes red with dried tears; staring at Hinata as if she didn't know her. "Sakura?" Hinata tried again, a worried expression on her face. Sakura's harsh, pained eyes softened as she seemed to finally recognize the Hyuuga.

"Oh it's you; Hinata -chan, nothings wrong…it's just been a long day. What are you doing out here anyway?" Hinata knew the pink haired girl was lying, but instead of frowning she gave a shy smile.

"I-I was just on my way home." Sakura nodded excepting the answer.

"Ah I see, well then don't let me keep you; goodnight Hinata." Hinata blinked as Sakura brushed past her; something was wrong.

"Wa-wait Sakura-chan!" Sakura turned in surprise when she heard her name shouted by a soft voice, hiding her irritation she put on a smile. "Yes Hinata-chan?" The Hyuuga's face started to go pink and she twiddled her fingers nervously, voice flustered. "Would you mind if I walked you home? I-I know its dangerous and…" she trailed off face growing darker as she saw Sakura's confused expression afraid she'd be rejected, but the other girl's answer surprised her.

"Hai Hinata-chan that'd be nice," Sakura replied with a small smile.

"Aa sure." She smiled softly back at Sakura following along beside her as they began to walk to the Haruno home.

Most of their walk was silent; in truth the two girls hadn't spoken before so neither was sure what to say. Every now and then Hinata would glance over at Sakura hoping she would tell her what was wrong, but the coral haired girl just stared ahead in a daze. By the time they reached Sakura's house Hinata was ready to give up; her father was probably already angry with her for not telling him she'd be here in the first place. Sakura smiled at her and gave a small thanks heading inside and Hinata turned to leave disappointed, but all of a sudden her friend's voice stopped her.

"Hinata-chan?" Hinata blinked and turned to face Sakura wide-eyed.

"Ah yes?"

"Can I trust you with a secret?" The pale-eyed girl nodded stepping closer to Sakura. Sakura sighed and nodded to herself.

"O-okay…do you remember way back during the Chunin exam when Sasuke-kun fought that sound guy? How he got a bit…strange?"

"I think so." Sakura gave a small smile and continued.

"Well you see," Sakura went on to explain Sasuke's curse, what had happened to him to put him in the hospital, and finally the terrible fight between Naruto and Sasuke. "I-If Kakashi-sensei hadn't appeared I don't—"

Fresh tears started to fill her eyes and for the longest moment Hinata just sat there staring silently, then finally she slowly reached out and touched Sakura's shoulder gently.

"If there is anything I can do Sakura-chan I'll be here for you." she whispered.

"H-Hinata-chan…" Sakura looked with a flash of mixed emotion at her friend; taking in the king words and hugging her tightly shaking and sobbing against the shy girl. "Thank you…thank you…so much."

Hinata's eyes widened and she went red when she was hugged; not used to such actions.

"You're welcome."

She said softly starting to hug her back slowly, her face changing from crimson red to a flushed pink. She closed her eyes; starting feel strange and…warm inside.

'Sakura-chan you can always cry in front of me, I-I won't be cruel to you for it.' She thought leaning closer to Sakura afraid to voice her thoughts, but completely serious. End flashback.

Hinata smiled at the memory; remembering how after that night they'd become best friends and Sakura had told her everything as true friends should. However, these past few days Sakura had been acting weird, like she was hiding something. Her friend had been depressed lately too, even when Sakura convinced others with a 'smile'; Hinata could see through the charade and deep sadness within those jade eyes.

Hinata sighed wondering how she'd come to actually care so much about her friend…maybe she'd actually developed a crush. She shook her head roughly at that thought, her face a deep red as she pondered over the idea.

"If anything happens to Sakura-chan I-I," Hinata's eyes hardened a sad expression showing on her usual calm and happy face; without another seconds hesitation she took of toward the Tsuande's office.