Disclaimer:I am not talented enough to write a story like Nauto. It is Kishimoto's.

The longing moon...

She doesn't hate him. Hate is a very strong word for her. That is not the emotion she feels for him. It is an unknown pain that makes it difficult to breathe accompanied with embarrassment and regret that she ,sitting infront of the 7th hokage of konoha,Hinata Hyuuga feels like a pathetic existence. She is not that weirdly shy person with non existent confidence like before but a strong,skillfull,revered hyuuga leader who transformed her enter clan bravely and earned the respect of the entire shinobi world.

She noticed naruto's stiff ,uncomfortable demeanor and fake smile,us usual, when she entered the meeting hall. She can see regret,guilt and shame in his eyes which was unnerving her. Every clan meeting has been like this for the past 5 years. she sighed and tilted her head a bit to see her brother like teammates ,Kiba and Shino ,sitting at the end of the opposite row. She smiled inconspicuously. They have been with her all her life,through highs and lows without judging or berating her and more importantly adoring her as a little princess.

Anybody looking at her now might think that she is diligently listening to naruto but in truth she is actually staring at the wide window behind naruto at the moon. Today is a full moon day,she noticed. She has always been attracted to nights. Nights usually are her safe haven. Its probably because the darkness lets her be herself as nobody can see her,she believes. People are all dark silhouettes at night,with no judgemental or expectant faces. The cold night breeze took her thoughts so far away that she didn't notice the meeting ending. When naruto and the other leaders bowed and stood up she silently walked off from the hall without meeting naruto's eyes.

When the cold breeze gently caressed her face ,she felt relieved ,the breeze took away all her burdens. She felt as light as a feather ready to dance with the breeze. Hinata turned back to look at her gaurd,her brother, ko.

"Ko nisan,arigato for accompanying me. I wanna walk back alone now." Ko was expecting this as it is what she usually does but he cant help but be worried for her safety.

"Hinata sama its not safe for a young lady of your status to wander alone at night. If u you want to be outside a bit more I shall accompany you. Please"

Hinata smiled kindly but said with a commanding tone:

"Ko nisan,I earned the title of the greatest hyuuga leader not only by being kind but also by being the strongest among them so please dont underestimate your leader. " ko stared at her,bowed at his revered leader and left.

She sighed for the umpteenth time that day and took small soft steps forward ,totally relaxing. she embraced her deceivingly fragile self away from the chilling night which gave her goosebumps. She raised her chin and looked up at the moon. Who is she?What is she doing?Is she really living?Is this how life is?. Questioning her existence,purpose and significance is quite usual after meeting naruto. Its not like he cheated her or did something horrible to her. No,naruto is still the kindhearted jinchurikki he once was, who knows only to love others and nothing more. But he awakens so many disturbing memories of her life like how much of a pathetic,weird,weak,good for nothing fool she was. Those are memories she locked up inside the deep dark abyss of her heart which will hinder her from keeping her head high confidently . Naruto awakens them all,he reminds her of how undesirable she is. How shamefull for a hyuuga head? His mere thought sucks out all the confidence and convictions she has built upon these years. Her insecurities comes floating to the surface and she starts feeling like an empty shell. She has no more strength left to drag herself to move forward. For the first 3 years, it was anger,for naruto,for sakura,a thirst for revenge ,to show the world her worth,is what gave her the strength to move forward. But now, when the blindfold of fury is gone,she understood that her anger is absurd. Whatever she thought and did now seems pointless and foolish and now she has nothing to look forward to,nothing to live for.

She closes her eyes and lets out a deep breath which becomes one with the night. A walk alone like this helps her to think and question the direction of her life. She cannot show such a vulnerability of self-doubt and self loathing in the bright days where vultures are constantly watching her every move to find even a slight crack in her composure to take advantage of. These thoughts took away her sense of time and place,so before she knew ,she reached the hyuuga compound. she straightened her hunched up shoulders to regain the stiff,elegant yet feminine posture of the Hyuuga leader. She erased any reflection of her inner turmoil left on her face and plastered a serene expression and entered the compound.

Neji has been restless since ko reached the compound alone. The noises of nocturnals pored dread in his chest. He is aware of hinata's misery. He knows that the smile which mesmerizes the world is empty,her serene demeanor masks her inner turmoil,her commanding confidence hides a very insecure girl. He pretends to be oblivious to these emotions infront of her as neither she nor he is comfortable with it. He is scared of where the talk might lead to. So he always remains as silent as a shadow,never leaving her,to keep her firm and never swaying,proctecting her from prying eyes,conniving minds and lustfull monsters. He owes her atleast that much.

Neji saw the hyuuga gate opening. Entered hinata,with a polite smile,acknowledging the guards and returning their gesture of respect. Her eyes then turned towards him. Neji is aware of Hinata's beauty but now ,she looks almost surreal. Her long ,dark ,unique colored hair cascading behind her like a mysterious chasm where a curious one would easily loose himself. Her moon like eyes,an irony considering her name. Her petite but ample body,the very definition of femininity. The small kind smile on her full plump lips are enough to make any man go crazy. She,now,looks ethereal with the moon light illuminating her frame and giving her a mystical aura,like a goddesses from mythological storys. Neji smiled thinking how his sister changed over the years,but he did not fail to notice the apparent emptyness seen in this ravishing lady.

"Nejinisan,you didnt have to wait for me. You should have been sleeping now. I heard from Hokage sama that you have a mission tomorrow. Please don't neglect your health like this nisan" Hinata said with concern

"I am not the one careless here Hinata,its you. I am sure you are aware of the potential threats that you have. Why are you so adamant on putting yourself in danger like this."

"Nisan Please dont worry. I will never put myself in danger. Besides , Being the leader of hyuuga clan is denying even harmless leisures. So I should be allowed this much enjoyment no niisan." Hinata said almost with a pouting face .

Neji can see through her cheerfull appearance. He sighs. "Ok hinata sama ,but next time you go for one of your'harmless leisures' don't sent back your guard."Hinata nodes enthusiastically .

"Hinata sama please eat and rest for now, tomorrow hanabi is coming to visit us". Hinata smiled Hearing about Hanabi's arrival. Hinata has always assumed the role of a mother with hanabi and it sometimes gives her meaning in life ,especially during certain hopless situations.

Neji knows not to ask about the meeting with naruto . So he escorts hinata to her room while explaining to her the next days schedule. Hinata turns around facing neji and smiles beautifully.

"oyasuminasai nejinisan,arigato for everything"

"oyasuminasai hinata sama"Neji turns and walks away with a heavy heart filled with unasked questions and unsaid consoling words.

Hinata takes a bath and changes into a night gown. Standing infront of the mirror she sees an empty,plain,unloved,failure in life,quite the contrary to what the people call her ,like the most beautiful ,desired,kind,strong,blessed lady in the entire shinobi are all empty words in her ears . Sometimes it sounds like a mockery in a slight sarcastic way. She moves away from the mirror and closes the window,she wants absolute darkness,and lies down on the bed and slowly drowned in the pool of slumber...

The moon remained there ,all alone in the cold night with no one to appreciate and enjoy its beauty, just like the beautiful lady sleeping in the hyuuga compound. The moon will remain there until it is outshined by the sun. But it will wait patiently for the night, expecting someone to compliment on its beauty, even if it gets weared and teared as the days goes by,it will wait again to become complete and to love and to be loved and bring meaning to its existence unlike the lady who lost all hope...

NOTE:English is my second language so please excuse and correct my mistakes and this is the first time i have written something so I request lenient reviews,suggestions and your valuable opinion to decide whether this story is worthy enough to be continued or not .Thankyou.