Please take care of him

After his simple yet meaningful good-bye with Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke walked towards the house of someone he never thought he would talk to. He had his forehead protector inside his pocket and he was caressing it with his thumb, as if the scratch would bring back those 'happy' memories with Naruto. He couldn't lie to himself anymore, he actually had liked been chased after by Naruto. The blonde had almost forcefully made his way into his heart and now there was no way Sasuke could destroy that warmth. He sighed as he finally arrived to his destination.

The Uchiha knocked twice, his heart clenching when he heard light steps approaching the door. He pocketed his hand and stared at the door as it was being opened.

"Y-Yes?" a feminine voice asked. The Uchiha just looked at the girl from head to toe, so she was the one…

"Hinata, I know we've never talked before and you probably don't know much about me and think I'm some kind of jerk for doing what I did…" He said emotionlessly "But I need you to do me a favor"

"Eh?" The girl didn't know what to say, she was still processing that Uchiha Sasuke was in front of her, saying those things to her. A favor? "No, that's not true… I mean, I don't… I don't think of you that way…" She stuttered and by seeing Sasuke's stoic face, she understood he really didn't care about that "Sorry… etto, what… what kind of favor?"

Sasuke's face turned into a more relaxed one, his eyes were full of nostalgia, Hinata could notice the sadness and suffering in his dark eyes. She wondered what was wrong, she didn't know Sasuke very much, she actually only knew about him because of Sakura and Naruto but there was no doubt; those eyes were filled with sorrow. It was clear that Sasuke was devastated. But still, there was something in those black eyes that made his face glow and his heart beat fast…

"Please…" his voice almost cracked which made Hinata worry "Please take care of Naruto"

So that was it. That was the reason why Sasuke's face glowered and why his heart beat fast…

Dead silence filled the atmosphere. Hinata's eyes were focused on the Uchiha's, it was clear what Sasuke's words meant. She didn't need further explanation; she understood the Uchiha's intention and how pure and selfless they were. Hinata took a deep breath and looked at him, her face determined, she didn't feel pity for him, she didn't dare.

"Are… Are you sure?"

"Don't make me repeat myself" Sasuke whispered. If she kept insisting, he would break down. He wasn't sure if his self-control could hold on any longer "Just… will you do it? Will you take care of that dobe?"

Hinata's pearl-like eyes locked with Sasuke's pitch-black ones. She was overwhelmed and didn't know how to react but she knew what she had to do. She felt the tension between Sasuke and her, how he wished to be in her place… Well, not exactly in her place, how he wished for her not to interfere but knew there was no other possible way. His love and adoration for Naruto could never be returned, for the well-being of each of them.

The Hyuuga simply nodded. Was it relief that took over Sasuke's stoic expression? He nodded a good-bye and dismissed saying two last words "Thank you"

When he heard the door closing behind him, he ran away… Never looking back, trying to leave all those memories with Naruto behind, trying to maybe, start over; but he knew those ghosts would haunt him forever. How could he forget the love and caring Naruto gave him? How could he forget his frantic efforts to bring him back to Konoha? How could he forget those blue eyes twinkling with a fervent love for him? Those deep blue eyes full of forgiveness and will to start over again, but not in the same way Sasuke wished, right? Their kind of love, the way they felt for each other was different, right? After all, Naruto had always said that he was his "friend"… So Sasuke will have to forget his undeniable, ever-lasting love for the blonde one, and for the sake of success, he won't step into Konoha for a really long time, or at least the time it takes him to get over his feelings. He hoped for that time to come, he really did, Sasuke wasn't sure if his heart would be able to take it if the time never came to look at Naruto without breaking down, to feel his touch without feeling the world under him shake, to talk to him… Without his heart beating a mile a second.

Few years passed. Sasuke was now standing on top of Minato's monument head in the Hokage's hill. He was staring down at the celebration, the ceremony had already ended and everyone was dancing and congratulating the couple. Hinata looked up and her eyes were fixed on Sasuke's. She smiled at him and slightly bowed her head as a sign of respect. He nodded and then felt a soft hand caressing his. He intertwined his fingers with hers and then heard her tranquil voice.

"Should we go, Sasuke?" He turned to look at her and his lips formed a smirk on his face. He caressed her cheek with his free hand and approached to peck kiss her tender lips. She sweetly broke the kiss and looked at him; Sasuke had started caressing his forehead protector. She smiled at the Uchiha and the latter turned around as she did the same. She had saved him and helped him to, somehow, get over Naruto. They began walking and he whispered in her ear in that tone of voice only the Uchihas could muster.

"Let's go back travelling, Karin"