NOTE: This is NOT a 'cheating' fic...despite what it may look like.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of its characters, nor am I making any money off of this...though that'd be pretty cool :)
With a start, Naruto shot up in bed, sweat dotting his trembling body. Breathing heavily, he lifting his hand and wiped his forehead as he looked to the empty space beside him in bed. Sadness grew in his eyes at seeing her absence, but how could he blame her? As much as he loved her and as much as she cared for him, loved him, he could not be the man she wanted. Part of him had always wondered and feared her reasons for being with him, was it pity? Loneliness? He touched her heart, claimed a part of it even, but how long can a relationship last when she yearned for another. She hid it well, she smiled and laughed, kissed him with passion when they made love but he has known her for too long to be blind to her deception. Getting up, he pulled on a pair of boxers and walked over to the balcony, her body glowing in the moonlight.
"Sakura?" He asked for her softly, her arms were wrapped around her body as she gazed up at the moon. She didn't reply, she didn't know what to say. She couldn't help how she felt. He was dead and no amount of wishing would bring him back to her. The thought sent her body to trembling and she felt warm, strong arms wrap around her. Arms that belonged to one who has always loved her, not matter what. Arms that belonged to one who will always love her. She was so selfish and she hated it, why couldn't she just be happy? She loved him, she did, and she wanted to make him happy. She just isn't sure if she could.
"Sorry Naruto, let's go back to bed." She said as she turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him close to herself. She felt his arms tighten around her and she buried her face in his neck. She would do her best to love him the way he should, to make him happy like he deserved. It was the least she could do for him…and for the one who truly loved him the most.
Climbing back into their bed, Sakura turned to her side with her back to Naruto, feeling his arms snake around her body to pull her close to him. As the minutes passed, she heard his breath slowly even into sleep, but her eyes refused to close. She wondered, as she often did when she couldn't sleep, how different life might have been like had Sasuke not died. Would it be his arms wrapped around her right now? Would the woman in Naruto's arms be one with pale eyes instead of green? Sakura wished she didn't feel jealous at the thought; she was such a selfish person. Her love for Naruto was nothing compared to her love. And yet Naruto didn't choose her, despite her confession, despite her encouragement on the battlefield. She wondered if Hinata hated her, deep down inside.
Turning around in his arms, Sakura gazed at his sleep-relaxed face. Lifting her hand, she gently traced his whiskers with her fingers. Why did you choose me Naruto? Why didn't you choose her? What is it about me that you love? You know that I could never give my whole heart to you, how could I possibly make you happy? I wish I could love you the way you love me. I wish I could love you the way Hinata loves you.
The rain fell heavily, darkening the stone, making it more difficult to read all the names carved in it. Water soaked her hair and started to penetrate her layers of clothing, and the fingers clutching the single white flower were numb from the cold but she was blind to it all except for one name. Hyuuga Neji. It was still difficult to believe he was no longer with her. They had gone through so much together; she had always assumed that they would always be in each other's lives. She missed him so much more than she expected.
"Neji-nii-san." She whispered his name, remembering the first time they had met, the first time she had gathered her courage to confront him, the first time he saved her life…and the last. Part of her mind heard and focused on the footsteps in the distance making their way closer, focusing on the chakra signature. Relief and comfort flew through her as she recognized the chakra of the one she had dedicated her life to, the one Neji died to protect.
Turning her eyes away from the stone she watched the blond young man walking with a white flower in his grasp as well. She knew immediately who he was here for and felt sadness fill her heart. He didn't look up, only staring at his feet taking one step at a time. She wondered if he knew she was already here or if he was so wrapped up in his depression that he missed her completely. Did he want privacy? Unsure of what to do, she stepped behind the stone and sat down out of view. She wouldn't disturb him.
"Sasuke." Naruto whispered once he got to the stone, setting the flower down. He sighed deeply as he looked up, barely seeing the village from this vantage point. "I don't know what to do."
Over a thousand times he wished that Sasuke was alive, over a thousand times he wished things were different. He didn't know that the road to get to his dream would cost him so many people that he loved and cared for. He had made a silent promise to himself, and to Sasuke, that he would do all in his power to take care of Sakura, to protect her and her happiness. He was starting to wonder if that was going to be one promise he was not going to be able to fulfill. She's been pushing herself more than usual lately, her emerald eyes just didn't have the same life in them as they used to.
"Tell me what to do Sasuke. I don't know what to do…you were the only one who ever made her truly happy." Naruto's voice cracked with anguish, clenching his hands into fists at his side.
"I can't make her happy...I can't make anyone happy." He whispered softly, letting the rain wash down his face, mixing with his tears. Suddenly, he felt a pair of small and slender arms wrap around him from behind.
"That's not true Naruto-kun." He heard, determination and pain coloring the soft voice. He lifted his hands to cover hers, trying to draw strength from her, the one who was always encouraging him. "You bring happiness to so many people. Our village would not be here if it wasn't for you."
"Hinata." He said her name softly, he was so grateful for her. Sometimes it felt like she knew him better than anyone, she always seemed to have the right words. Grasping her hands, he gently lifted them off of himself and turned. Her long dark hair was sticking to her wet face, she looked like she had been out in the rain for hours. Her cheeks and the tip of her nose were red but her eyes were filled with concern for him.
"Thank you Hinata." He said, producing a small smile on her behalf. He didn't like to worry her. But she continued to gaze at him, and he had a feeling that they pierced through him. As much as he cared for her, it still disturbed him, it felt as if she could gaze right into his soul.
"Have you ever thought…perhaps…what she needs is for you to…let her go?" Hinata asked him hesitantly, lowered her gaze to the ground. She was not doing this to sabotage their relationship, at least she truly hoped so. Because she was nice, most people believed she was incapable of being selfish, but she was only human. Her and Sakura had come to a silent understanding, she had acknowledged that Naruto didn't care for her in the way he did for Sakura, and so had entrusted his happiness to the pink haired woman. But she was not blind to their relationship. She did not follow Naruto like she did as a child, but instead paid attention to the emotions in his eyes, how he held himself, what he said and how he said it. It had only been a year, and to her, their relationship was already crumbling.
"What!?" Naruto snapped, anger gathering in his blue eyes. Hinata flinched and wish she hadn't said anything.
"I love her Hinata, I'm not going to let her go." He said with a hard voice before walking past her, leaving her behind. Her lips trembled as she felt the warmth of her tears on her cheeks mixing with the coolness of the rain. Why couldn't she be more tactful? Why did she always have to say, bluntly, the things she saw? The last time she did, it was Neji lashing out at her, full of anger. And now, because of her thoughtless words, she had hurt Naruto.
Unable to stand there by herself, Hinata suddenly took off in a run, sprinting to an old and rarely used training site. She punched the wooden pole with all her might, kicked it repeatedly, blooding her hands and bruising her legs. But the pain helped distract her from the growing heartache in her chest. Relentless, she continued until there just was no energy left, no tears left, collapsing on the field in blessed unconsciousness.
AN: So I know I should finish my other story before starting another one...but I just can't help it. This will be my first attempt at a slow blooming love story, so bear with me. I usually love to rush into things, but I'm tire of reading fics like that, so I'm gonna try and tell my idea of a good NaruHina. Well, at least I hope it'll be good. To those Sasuke lovers, I'm sorry I killed him off, but in all honesty, I don't think he'll survive to the end of the manga. My sister and I have bets that he's gonna die, lol. Anyways, some lovin' is always appreciated. Thanks for reading!