Part 4- False
It was raining heavily. Hard drops of water pounded the top of Hinata's umbrella, but she hardly noticed. The rainwater felt the same as the tears she cried uncontrollably. The funeral had been over half an hour ago, but she wanted to stay behind. To be with her comrades one last time. Sasuke had been escorted home by Neji, and Naruto and Sakura were visiting Sai who was in the hospital, in a coma.
Flashback
"Gomen, Hinata. Sai was found in front of the gates of Konoha carrying your friends dead bodies. Kiba had a hole in his chest over where his heart should have been, Shino had been burned terribly beyond recognition, and Akamaru had been cut to pieces. But after we opened the gates to Sai, he collapsed into a coma. I'm so sorry. ANBU members have captured the group responsible for this and that group will be executed," Tsunade said with regret and sadness.
Hinata didn't want to believe what she heard. No…her comrades couldn't be dead…but they were. And it was her fault because…because she wasn't there for them…
End Flashback
The Hyuuga girl stared as the words on the gravestones, unable to interpret it, but she didn't need to. She knew what it said. It hurt so much to have those precious people gone, the people who had encouraged her to be stronger, who were always there. But now that wasn't true. They were gone. Forever.
Her knees gave way, and her head bowed down. Her hand was pressed against her mouth to silence the sobs coming from her throat, but it was pointless. There was nothing she could do to stop those tears. So she kneeled there, before the graves of her best friends, and cried with stopping.
xxOOxx
It had been a couple days since the funeral. 3 weeks since he had to live with the Hyuugas. Sasuke could see that Hinata was pained after the deaths of her comrades, but he had to admit, she was good at hiding that pain. Always that forced perfect smile that made everyone think that everything was okay. He hated that smile so much, but he never said anything about it.
He was looking for her one day to tell her that he wanted to go take a walk around the Uchiha property, but the thing was- he couldn't find her. He checked her room, the kitchen, and every possible place. Finally Sasuke found her. She was in the courtyard, sitting on the ground, hugging her knees with her face buried. He didn't dare say anything or even go close to her. Her frame trembled slightly, and there were damp spots on the ground beside where she sat. Sasuke was silent, not letting her notice his presence, but then decided to cancel is intentions of a stroll, and retired to his room.
Funny, how that night, Hinata smiled at Sasuke with that fake smile again as she gave him his dinner and wished him a good night. When she turned around where he couldn't see her face, she felt that smile melt right off that face of hers.
xxOOxx
A bright white light stunned Sai as he opened his eyes and found his self in the hospital. His forehead and arms were damaged, and for a moment, he couldn't remember how he got there. And in an overwhelming moment, it flooded and hit him painfully. He had let trusted comrades die.
With a sigh of sadness, he saw a vase of flowers out of the corner of his eyes. A simple rose lied in that traditional white vase. He wanted to smile but then Sakura and Naruto burst in. "Sai! You're awake!! Do you like the flower?"
Sai, after much groaning and cursing, sat up in his bed and wore that infamous fake smile of his. "Thank you for the flower. And thank you for visiting me. I'm really grateful." Naruto grinned madly and said, "We're not the only ones visiting you!" Sai raised an eyebrow in confusion when Hinata stepped in. Sakura and Naruto quickly stepped outside knowing that Sasuke was there, making Hinata feel bad for leaving him there. But he didn't want to go in the room anyway, so it wasn't really her fault.
"Hello, Sai-san. Are you feeling any better?" Hinata said with a kind gentle tone. She held out a bouquet of white lilies and placed them on the bedside table. Sai smiled at her but that smile disappeared when he turned his head to the window. "I'm sorry about your friends-" But then Hinata cut him off, "No, it's alright. That's the past now, and I believe they are in a better place now." She gave him a smile that shadowed her sadness.
It was convincing, but Sai recognized it after a moment. "That's a nice smile, but it's really not alright, isn't it? I'm sorry. Because of me, the people who were closest to you are lost. It's my fault that you are sad and pained. Proof is right there on your face. I can see it, because…well, I give those same smiles."
Hinata's eyes widened in surprise for a moment, but then softened and gave a small but gentle smile. "Arigatou, Sai-san."
xxOOxx
Meanwhile (between Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke)
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura cried with happiness at the sight of the jet-haired boy. But Sasuke ignored her and didn't even look at her, which angered Naruto greatly. "Oi! Sasuke-teme! She's talking to you!" Finally, Sasuke lazily looked at Naruto but remained silent. In blind fury, the blond raised a fist to attack Sasuke but was stopped by an even stronger hand.
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto yelled in surprise. Why would she stand up for a jerk like Sasuke? The pink-haired girl watched Naruto with saddened eyes and pleaded, "Please don't hurt Sasuke-kun. I'm sure he has his reasons for being the way he is." Naruto calmed down, and heard a familiar, "hmph". Sasuke had turned and strolled calmly away. Sakura looked as if she was on the verge of tears. Sympathetically, Naruto wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and felt a small tremble in them.
I'll make Sasuke pay.
xxOOxx
After that day, Hinata visited Sai more often, and almost daily. Many people wondered why she did this, and some suggested that it was because Hinata felt a certain bond to the boy who had been with her best friends when they were dying. Well…this was partially true. She did feel a bond, but not that kind of bond. They understood each other's pain and dealt with it the same way: hiding it away and covering it with false expressions or smiles. That way, nobody would suspect any hurt from a face that always seemed happy.
Sasuke didn't get along very well with Sai, but then again, Sai had been Sasuke's "replacement". Luckily, Sasuke didn't have to see Sai that often, since Hinata always got someone to watch over Sasuke while she was on her visits. For a while, it was Neji, who didn't get along really well with Sasuke. However, when Hinata got home, the place was somewhat trashed and Neji would be cursing aloud: so Sasuke and Neji got into frequent fights. So, she finally got Hanabi to look after the Uchiha survivor, but Neji and Sasuke would give each other the silent treatment.
After about 4 days, Sai was released from the hospital, and was free to do as he pleased. On that day, Naruto decided to throw a party to congratulate Sai on getting out of the hospital. So the rookie 9 were there along with Neji, Tenten, and Lee. There were loud conversations, and the sounds of food taken from the dishes on the table and cups being filled. Loud music radiated from the speakers and some people danced excitedly.
Sasuke had placed himself in a quiet corner away from the party and its loud commotions. Hinata was the only one to notice his anti-socialism and attempted to join him but she couldn't when Ino and Sakura pulled her away for some "girl talk".
"So, isn't Sasuke-kun hot?" Ino said with a high-pitched whisper. Hinata blinked, not understanding what the girl meant. With a roll of her eyes, Sakura said, "Do you like Sasuke-kun after living with him for 3 weeks?" The midnight-haired girl blushed lightly but shook her head, however Sakura pressed, "But you seem to be really close to him." The blush was lost and Hinata looked straight into Sakura's eyes. "Really? He seems to be really distant." She gave a small smile and walked away.
As she was walking away, she thought, Yes…he seems so very distant. But maybe I pity him and his pain. Maybe I want to help him open up and find peace.
Sakura stared hesitantly at Hinata's back, but then shook her head to rid the thoughts that floated through her mind. Hinata wouldn't take Sasuke away from her. Hinata wouldn't do that.
Hinata felt a tap on her shoulder and turned around to see Sai who held a smile for her. She replied with a smile of her own and said, "Are you feeling better, Sai-kun?" The pale boy nodded and eyed the party going on. "Naruto went all out on this party, didn't he? What with the sake and music." Suddenly the once loud music softened and slowed into a more peaceful song. It was a couple's song.
I didn't know that everything was hidden.
So I hoped to walk that road again.
Sakura immediately was at Sasuke's side asking for a dance, but he coldly rejected her. Feeling that this was a chance, Naruto asked Sakura to a dance, and with no other choice, she accepted. Tenten danced with Lee, who proved to be quite graceful. Sai turned to Hinata and offered her his hand.
I didn't know that day
That I longed for an easier life.
"May I have this dance?" Sai's silky voice echoed in her ears. Hinata's white cheeks colored a bit, but she placed her hand in Sai's hand and nodded. Holding her hand, Sai walked her toward the dance floor.
Your love is more dazzling than anyone's
I care only for you
As you know, sometimes I will stagger.
The dance was slow and yet smooth. Hinata's hand was soft in Sai's hand, and they moved with even grace. Sai's hand was at her back, the other one held her hand and Hinata had her other hand on Sai's shoulder. Their feet seemed to be carried by the wind for the way the danced was so light and easy.
I'm waiting for you
When I forget the love I know
Will you come to me?
Sai, without realizing it, smiled. It wasn't the same fake smile he always wore. It was, for once, happy and glad. But Hinata couldn't see the smile through the darkness of the room, since someone had dimmed the lights. Hinata enjoyed the dance though, for it seemed to wash her worries away, and the song was sad but beautiful. She closed her eyes to think only of the dance and music, and when she did, it felt like she was walking through an unknown place.
If I could see all my life one more time
I believed that it would all be okay.
I'm waiting just for you.
When I forget the love I know
Will you come to me?
But then everything felt different when Sai kissed her gently on the forehead.