AN: Hi, guys! This is my first attempt at writing FanFiction, so criticism is more than welcome, as long as it proves to be constructive. I will just say that the dark tone set in the first chapter is not meant to last through the story, it is only necessary for setting up the premises of this slight AU. I plan to develop the friendship between Sakura and Hinata, but the main focus will be the relationship between Naruto and Hinata. This will be a NaruHina fic.

I don't own Naruto or any of the characters, this FanFiction is written only for the purpose of enjoying this amazing universe. :p

Also, please review, I plan on continuing the story provided there is interest from the readers, otherwise, I will just drop it probably. Enjoy reading! :)

Konoha's weather was unusually unpredictable lately. After a snowy morning, the sun decided to come out of its hiding, not for long though; the temperature was still bitterly low. Hinata's hands were trembling on the cold plastic wrapping of the white lilies she brought creating a dry crackling sound, barely perceivable. Clouds started showing again, together with fine precipitation which one could not easily point as being either snow or rain. The skin on the back of her hands was starting to hurt, most probably she was having dry skin again from the massive amount of disinfectants and the numerous times she washed her hands at the hospital. The shifts were never-ending.

Hinata was wearing her usual attire but decided to add a thick scarf. Her usually lavender eyes seemed unexpectedly grey and dull and were framed by dark circles on the underside, whilst her swollen lids were adopting a pink hue. The kunoichis lips were thin and dry, dead skin hovering over them, some wild strands of her dark indigo hair resting in between. Shoulders were dropping with each step bringing her closer to the simple, white gravestone of her cousin.

"Neji-nii...", she barely whispered. She squatted unceremoniously beside the tombstone, placing the hastily bought bouquet on the cold surface. Her elbows rested on her knees, while her palms bore in her orbs. The breathing got more and more labored each second and soon she found hot tears streaming down her face. Hinata's whole frame started trembling furiously.

Her mind was racing remembering their first meeting: the pretty blush which graced his cheeks seeing her hiding behind her father's sleeve, him calling her cute. It was the first kind word she ever remembered hearing not coming from her own mother. She was shivering thinking about his kindness, his sacrifice, their friendship, the deepest relationship she ever shared with anyone really. She loved her sensei and her teammates as well, but there was just this additional understanding from sharing the same upbringing. He knew her inside out, her ugly side, her weakness, her hesitation - everything that was invisible to any other eye, Hyuuga or not. She felt so cherished by him exactly because he could see her whole, Neji cared for her for who she was, not only the kind blushing face she showed to the others but her fears, her most hidden thoughts. He was truly her best friend, her brother and he died protecting her. She loved her cousin dearly. And just like that, the cold weather made her feel more lonely than ever because the greatest warmth she knew is now gone, dead.

Just then she felt it again: heat. It was spreading quickly but just by trying hard to identify the source, she managed to pinpoint it as coming from her left shoulder. Hinata lifted her head and lightly but just as she was preparing to turn, she felt it spreading all across her back and hovering over her arms.

"Shhh" she barely managed to distinguish in a soothing voice. Sakura. Dull grey met bright green and no words were needed. She slowly let herself cry and relax into Sakura's embrace. Why she was even surprised she didn't know; this routine had been going on for the past two weeks nearly like clockwork. Her hands were smoothly going through Hinata's hair, Sakura's chin gently resting on the crown of her head.

"Let's grab some sweets and tea", she continued after she judged an appropriate time had passed since the start of the embrace, just like she did each day. Hinata never knew why Sakura and she just seemed to drift together after the war. It was not only because they worked together, it was as if they understood each other perfectly.

Normally they would be sitting at the table next to a small window, right in the back corner of the shop, talking, or rather Sakura rambling with Hinata interjecting every now and then to confirm that her thoughts were anchored in their interaction. Just that today Sakura's hair seemed duller and her eyes darkened just as they took their seats.

"You know, I just looked over your medical file over and over every day for more than a week now", the pinkette confessed. "It seems as though the stabbing you experienced during your fight with Pain damaged your uterus beyond repair, that is beyond any non-invasive procedure would hope to remedy", she managed to get out and then licked her lips. "There's always a chance we'd be able to perform surgery, but your chances are very slim", she finally confessed in a defeated tone.

Hinata just nodded. She knew as much. Her periods started being chaotic after the invasion, but as the war raged, that was pushed in the back of her mind. That, until Neji saw it with his Byakugan. He knew and so did she soon afterward. This was no news, really, it was rather a matter of Sakura convincing herself of the reality she came to accept.

"It's only that... We started spending more time together. I want to be excited by this prospect, but I feel guilty for letting his attachment to me grow. We're friends but-", she managed to say before Sakura interrupted. "Just see where it goes, Hinata. Please.", she said with a determined tone, looking at the Hyuuga. "You gave all this away in order to save Naruto. Give him at least the right to see what he feels for you. Of course, at some point, you will have to tell him. Just know that I'm here and I want to help you, Hinata. Every time you feel like talking, come to me, knock at my door in the middle of the night and I'll be here, okay?"

Sakura smiled while tightening her hold on Hinata's hand.

"And just know that your secret is safe with me."

Hinata smiled and held Sakura's hand back. This wasn't pitying. Sakura and she were bound because she saw her after the attack because she also loved a man ever since she was young despite everything. Because both of them were very similar in many regards and they found comfort in their friendship.

AN: Please leave me some thoughts and suggestions in the comments, I'd really appreciate it! :)