AN: I don't even know how to start this, but I'm so so so happy with all the reviews! You guys are so great, I can't put in words on how happy I got with all the amazing reviews (besides the one that got angry that this is not a narusaku story, but that made me laugh xD). I took hours to translate and it's totally worth it! I'm the one who has to thank all of you. You're amazing! I'm sorry for the delay. I live in a hurry.

The lyrics at the beginning is from "As The World Falls Down" by David Bowie. It's the song from a 1987 movie in which a guy kidnapped a girl's sister and tried to convince the girl to marry him. Doesn't it sound familiar? lol

I'm terrible at answering the reviews here, but you can find me on twitter: asthe_nia. I hope you like the chapter!

"There's such a fooled heart
Beatin' so fast
In search of new dreams, a love that will last
Within your heart
I'll place the moon
Within your heart."

Around two years ago.

Hinata was breathing deeply, trying to get the oxygen to her lungs to calm herself down. She knew how her movements and the use of her byakugan could drain her body's energy. She sat on the grass, looking at the sky and the Sun's position. Her friends would probably be coming already. She cleaned her sweat, a little less tired and ready to stand up. She heard some footsteps and when she looked up she saw Kiba and Shino.

Both of them were used to the fact that Hinata usually got to the training grounds earlier and started her taijutsu training by herself. She smiled at Kiba and Shino when they were approaching, but then she stopped smiling. Something was off by the Inuzuka's expression or the slowness from their walk. Hinata had a gut feeling that both of them were avoiding getting to her faster. She ran to them.

"Is everything okay?"

"I told you she would know."

Shino's cold tone made Kiba roll his eyes. The Inuzuka breathed loud, unsatisfied. Over the years they got so close that they became a one-cell team, they could read each other easily. Even Shino was easy to read by the Hyuuga.

Hinata stared Kiba, waiting for him to speak.

"Ok. I'll say it." He crossed his arms, diverting his eyes. "Naruto is back to Konoha."

The bluenette closed her hand, putting it near her chest. She hasn't seen the Uzumaki for months, since when he left for a long-term mission to help rebuild a village that was under nukenins' surveillance. Hinata had the urge to smile knowing he was back, but the smile never came. Something was still off.

"How is he?"

Kiba deflected his face, looking at the grass, bothered. Shino breathed out realizing Kiba didn't want to talk.

"What happened, Kiba? Why do you look so angry?"

"Hinata." The Aburame put himself between Hinata and Kiba. He would hardly invade someone's personal space that way, which made her conclude that something was really, really wrong. "Naruto came back with someone. He's-"

"He has a girlfriend, Hinata! He brought her to the village!"

Kiba's loud voice could be heard from afar. Suddenly the sun got down and the night was falling. Every color around them had disappeared. Her chest started to get heavy, as much as her body and Kiba's words were reverberating inside her head. Naruto was dating someone else. Her mouth got dry but her eyes were filled with tears.

That shouldn't hurt. No. She had to recompose herself. Shino and Kiba were in front of her, staring worriedly.

"He's an ass! I wanted to punch him, but Shino didn't let me!"

"Hinata wouldn't like it," Shino said, louder. "This would only expose her unnecessarily."

Hinata sat back on the grass, she couldn't hold any longer. Tears were coming down her face.

It shouldn't be hurting like this. It shouldn't.

"Thank you, Shino." She said. Her voice was low. Kiba sat beside her.

"Don't defend that idiot. Look at you! He couldn't-"

"That's enough, Kiba. Enough. I-It's not his fault that..." She took a deep breath. She was crying even more. She couldn't control her stuttering. "It's not his f-fault if... If these are his true feelings."

When Kiba put his arms around her, she felt her heart shattering to pieces. She cried more, not being able to hold her emotions.

-/-

The first time she saw the couple was on a cold winter night. She had been working either with clan stuff, her training, or any sporadic mission, trying to keep her mind busy. Her heavy steps marked the white snow covering the streets of Konoha. Coming back from a yarn wool store, holding the paper bag tightly, she saw the lights from a new fancy restaurant that opened just some days ago. By a big window glass it was possible to see everything inside and then she saw the couple by the table. His smile was as bright as the lights on the entrance.

The small pieces left from her heart hurt. His girlfriend was gorgeous. He was happy. He was happy with her. She took a deep breath, trying to ease the pain in her stomach. The snow was falling slowly, cooling the tip of her nose. She closed her eyes briefly and took her way back to the clan compound. However, his smile was tattooed on her mind.

Naruto was happy. That was all that mattered.

Some days later, she met Misumi in an unexpected encounter. Looking closely Hinata was sure on how Naruto and Misumi would perfectly match. She was full of joy like him. She would tell their story, always touching him, having him on her hands. It was noticeable how warm they were with each other. On that day Hinata faked so well that everybody believed she was alright, even herself.

He was happy. That fact repeated on her mind, trying to convince her. However, when she was alone in her room, all the tears got her face wet.

How could she be so selfish? She was supposed to be happy too. She sniffed, calming her heartbeat. She needed time and then she would be alright.

He is happy. In that way, I have to be happy too.

-/-

The engagement didn't take long to happen. When Sakura came to her clan to tell her the news, she was used to the pain in her chest. Her reaction to the news was bad, but this time not so devastating. Deep inside she knew that soon or later their relationship would go to the next level. It was clear that this was what Misumi wanted and Naruto dreamed of having a family of his own.

"Are you ok?"

Sakura's voice got her attention. She stared at her friend, who was looking worried and surprised.

"Weirdly, I am fine. I mean..." Hinata breathed, deeply. "If this is possible. I knew this would happen sooner or later."

Sakura put her hand on the Hyuuga's hand. The bluenette was staring at the floor outside the compound, deep in thoughts.

"The pain ceases. I know." The pinky haired friend was looking at the same spot as Hinata. "It's there but it seems that it's not bleeding anymore, right?" Hinata chuckled sadly, agreeing. "I wish I could be happy for him but I'm not. This will be the only time I'll tell you this, but I don't think Misumi is the person he's looking for. Not even the person he needs."

The Hyuuga kept quiet.

"I know it's not fair telling you that." Sakura looked at her and she looked back. A few tears had damped Hinata's face, but she wasn't crying anymore. "I just want you both to be happy."

"He's happy. That's all that matters."

"And you?"

She swallowed hard trying to swallow the pain too. She looked at Sakura, ready to say the mantra she was telling herself in the last few days.

"I'll be happy too. I just need time."

Sakura smirked, agreeing with her. Even when time could become an enemy, instigating deep love feelings, now the best choice was to take the way back.

Hinata was commited to do that. She would be happy. She would do that more for herself, and a little less for him.

-/-

The first time she genuinely smiled at Naruto after all the infortunes, not need to force her own lips, was in his engagement party. His happiness was contagious. She saw something shine in his eyes that she had never seen before. Hinata decided to be selfish once more: she would use his happiness as a support for her satisfaction. She would search for the peace in her heart knowing he was happy.

The months passed by, her days were filled with diplomatic work as the heiress beside her hard training. She had rarely seen Naruto, which was helpful for her feelings. Hinata had been one of the first people to know Kakashi's intentions – now as a Hokage – to make the Uzumaki as the successor line to be the next Hokage. Shikamaru and he offered her a place as the new counselor, highlighting her job as the heiress, her kindness and support towards Naruto, but always being sensible. The Hyuuga accepted right away. This would be her chance to repay effectively everything that Naruto had done for her. She would always be his friend and support his dreams.

The news about her new role as a counselor was happily received by the clan members, mostly to Hanabi, who found a new excuse to change her sister's outfit. She was against it, nonetheless, when Hinata dressed in formal clothes that belonged to her mother, she felt complete. Her father's proud look became a huge encouragement for that change.

Now her life had gone a different way she had expected, but even so, she was fulfilled.

I wonder… Is Neji-niisan proud of me?

-/-

It was inevitable to not be surprised with her father, standing by her door, carrying a set of scrolls. Normally, was Natsu who brought her mail, always with some tea and cookies. This time was her father. She stopped reading the file in her hand, giving him full attention.

"Otou-san."

"We need to talk." Hinata waited for her father to sit right across her. "I received some mail and these scrolls got my attention. They are from a member of the Otsutsuki branch family." The older Hyuuga gave her the scrolls.

Hinata opened the scroll on the table, carefully. The content was extensive and detailed. She would need time to read everything. However, her father was there probably to foresee the subject. She read the name on the end of the document Toneri Otsutsuki.

"We must tell the Hokage about this scroll."

"Rokudaime-sama knows already. Toneri Otsutsuki also sent him a scroll, telling his intentions and giving full permission to be under investigation." The Hyuuga looked at Hinata, who still had no idea what were his intentions with Konoha and the Hyuuga clan.

"Toneri-sama asked the Hokage and me for permission to court you."

Her face flushed instantly. Her father had always been direct about any matter but that information was unexpected.

"C-Court me?"

"I am not going to voice my opinion about this, Hinata. It's up to you to decide." Hiashi let another scroll on the table. This one was sealed. "This was personally addressed to you. As soon as you have your decision, I ask you to inform me."

Hiashi stood up and left her alone in the room.

She looked at the scroll sealed with her name written in cursive. She opened, intrigued. It was different from the other scroll, this wasn't so long although the words filled all the white space on the paper, perfectly in order. Hinata stood up from her comfortable chair and walked to the window. The day was ending but the light from the sunrise would be enough to read the scroll.

"Dear Hinata-sama

My hands are shaking from writing this scroll. My heart beats strongly, I feel it out of me. My emotions are hard to put in words and, because of that, I have to be brief. Your name and legacy are known by me since I was a child. I have been watching you, admiring you for such a long time, it's impossible to describe. I have been hearing your name as much as I can remember, and inside of me, something pure started to grow. I once had been encouraged by my father to go to the Earth to suppress my loneliness in the Moon. Today I understand that this loneliness will be over if I have the opportunity in getting to know you personally and be able to demonstrate genuine affection towards you by all these years. Please, do not worry about my feelings. My affection will be eternal, whatever decision you take in accepting my proximity.

I just wish I could look at, without bothering, your eyes shining like the Moon.

And, if you wish, offer my true feelings.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Forever yours,

Toneri Otsutsuki."

The moonlight shone through the window when she read the paper for the third time. No man had ever declared feelings for her with so much intimacy. She didn't know what those words caused her. She sat down, lost in words. The Otsutsuki told his feeling with no fear, willing to pursue her.

She looked outside, staring at the Moon. The only thing around her head was the possibility of accepting feelings from another man that wasn't Naruto.

-/-

The Hidden Moon Village wasn't so far from Konoha. When Toneri asked Hiashi if Hinata could meet him in the Tsukimi festival – the festival for the Moon – Hinata accepted it. She hadn't dared to answer his beautiful scroll properly and felt that she could, at least, get to know him. Her hands were sweating, her nervousness made her steps get slower, having Ko waiting for her a few meters away, while the others Hyuuga were walking behind and in front of them. Ko smiled at Hinata, giving her comfort.

"Don't you worry, Hinata-sama." He said, walking right next to her. "I bet Toneri-sama is as nervous as you."

She felt her cheeks getting hot, unintentionally.

"He said he knows me. He must have some expectations about me."

Ko stared at her, smirking.

"So do you care about what he's going to think of you?"

Her hands sweated even more. How could she put her thoughts in words? She was afraid to disappoint her possible suitor and, at the same time, afraid to please him. He told he had been watching her for years and her heart knew that feeling. She had been watching Naruto from afar, admiring him. How was possible that at the same time, another man was watching her? Her emotions were confused.

Ko knew Hinata since she was a kid. He perceived her confusion.

"Plants can grow root only in fertile soil, Hinata-sama." She stared at Ko, that looked forward, distracted. "Feelings are like this too. They have to be cultivated. Some feelings take more time, but others... They can grow if they have roots to fix. They only need to be taken care of."

She smirked, blushing. She pressed her hand on her chest. Maybe her heart needed another chance.

Sometime later they got to Hidden Moon Village. The streets were decorated with an infinite of paper lamps and booths, selling dangos and other treats. She had already heard about that festival. Besides the lamps, some wheat straws were decorating the roofs of the houses and stores. She smiled. Everything was beautiful. The night was coming and the streets started to be crowded. That would be the first day of the festival.

Her guards were walking on her side. She preferred letting her hair down, on her shoulder, with a flower hair clip. All the details were chosen by Hanabi. She laughed, remembering her sister.

"Hinata-sama" Ko called her. Both of them stopped in front of a big gate with some symbols drawn around it. Hinata looked briefly inside the place and saw a traditional garden. "Toneri-sama is waiting for you there. We'll stay here, but you can call us anytime."

The bluenette thanked Ko. She held her breath and walked inside the place, also illuminated by the lamps. It didn't take long to find a very tall man, staring at her. He was getting close in slow steps and she felt her hands sweating and her face getting warm. When he approached she could see clearly, he was handsome.

Toneri's eyes were paled as her own. They were blue, almost cyan. She could see his pupils, different from the Hyuuga eyes. The end of his hair was curly and didn't have any vibrant color, but it was a match with his skin tone. On his collarbone, she saw magatama tattoos – in the shape of jewels – and she recognized them as symbols from the Otsutsuki family. He was really attractive. His characteristics were elegant but his posture and his presence would transmit confidence.

"Hinata-sama." Toneri smiled, a few meters away. "I'm glad you're here."

He bowed to her. Hinata bowed back, still nervous.

"T-The pleasure is mine, Toneri-sama."

She was relieved when he proposed to walk around the garden. In that way would be easier to hide her trembling. She was surprised by the size of the garden, divided into small spaces with grass and lakes full of colorful koi fish.

"How was your trip?"

"It was alright," Hinata answered, staring at her own hands. "Konoha is not so far from here."

Toneri was very tall, at least twenty centimeters taller than her.

"I've been in your village a few times. I spent most of the years living on the Moon, protecting the Hamura's legacy." His eyes were looking at the Moon, which was illuminating the dark sky covered by the clouds. "The Hidden Moon Village gave me a new home."

Hinata stared at him. Without holding her curiosity, she asked:

"Why did you choose to stay on the Moon? I mean… It must be lonely."

"And it is." He looked at her. "But for a long time, I believed that the Earth didn't deserve the Hamura's legacy, using the chakra as a weapon to cause wars and destructions. My grandparents and their ancestor were loyal to the Otsutsuki's main family. They even gave their own eyes for this legacy." His eyes warded off, full of memories. "My father was against that when we find some clues in the Hamura's ruins never exploit before, that hold information's about how Hamura supported his brother Hagoromo, the creator of shinobis on the Earth."

Toneri seemed to be in peace with the decision on staying on the Earth. Maybe he felt welcomed here. Or maybe he came because… Of her? The thought embarrassed her. Her face got red.

"You're the reason why I came to Earth."

He stared at her, tender, and stopped walking. Hinata couldn't answer.

"However I can see that something is holding you back to accept my feelings."

"H-How do you-"

Her stuttering only confirmed to him that she was holding herself.

"You haven't answered my scroll." His eyes were shining through the night. "But you wanted to come here to meet me. I thought that you may feel sorry for me." Hinata looked at the grass under her feet. "Don't be shy, this doesn't bother me. Anyway, this is our first encounter. I can't expect anything from you right away."

She bit her lips, not looking at him.

"I don't feel sorry for you." Her voice was louder. "I-I'm here because I was curious to see you and because… I know what's like to have feelings for someone from afar. I know how much this can hurt. I didn't want to cause somebody else this pain."

The silence that came didn't bother any of them.

"As I said, I'm happy you're here."

Toneri approached her, smiling. Hinata smiled back, more comfortable.

"I-I'm also happy to be here."

He invited her to walk around the festival and they did so, with the Hyuuga's guard. The Moon was shining even more, without any cloud in the sky.

-/-

After a couple of days, Hinata was back in Konoha. Toneri promised he would do the possible to come to Konoha in a few weeks and, this time, Hinata would show him around. He was always pleasant towards her, making her feel relaxed, always talking to her. It shouldn't be hard to fall for him if she had her heart free and unbroken. After all, she needed to remember that wasn't her case. Her heart had already been broken, and because of that, she needed more time to put the pieces together.

Her commitments as a council member were, most of the time, used to socialize and build good relations for Konoha. Hinata was used to doing that. She was in one of those reunions, talking to a feudal lord's daughter. A smiling young lady not older than fifteen years old.

The only problem in those meetings was the attention Hinata could get. Not from the young people, but mostly from the others. There were times that, in the middle of a conversation, she would find a very known pair of blue eyes staring at her. She could feel her heart fooling itself, trying to interpret that look as something intimate.

She ignored it. She always did. Until her perception started to realize something different. She felt trapped by her feelings. She could only find it strange catching Naruto staring at her in inappropriate moments. What could bother him so much? What could have happened that he had his attention towards her?

In those weird moments, she put Toneri's eyes in her thoughts. They were distinguished. With no fear, no apprehension. There was nothing wrong with Toneri staring at her, unlike Naruto. Hinata was getting used to finding him looking at her, or hiding his face purposefully away from her. But to keep her good posture and for her own peace of mind, she kept ignoring him.

-/-

Sakura's invitation to celebrate Naruto's nomination was addressed to her in urgency. Her pinky-haired friend repeated for too many times that Hinata's presence was mandatory. Hinata didn't feel like going, but she knew Sakura wouldn't like it, so she ended up accepting the invitation. Toneri arrived in Konoha a day before the party and even his presence wasn't an excuse to not go. He was also invited to the party.

"Are you sure you don't want to come in?" Hinata said when Toneri and her stopped at the door. "You were invited too."

"This is an intimate celebration. I hope I can be your company in moments like these but not just as a suitor."

Hinata's face got flushed. Toneri took one of her hands. In his face, he had a little smirk.

"I see you later."

He kissed her hand smoothly. She smiled back, still shy.

Everything that happened that night made Hinata aware of the discomfort she could cause. It was because of Naruto's or Misumi's behavior, she couldn't say, but both of them avoided her or seemed to pretend she wasn't even there. That upset her more, as the minutes went by. Although things could look conflicting for all the times when he wasn't near but he was staring at her from afar. His facial wasn't happy. Naruto looked sad or something else, she couldn't tell.

Maybe Misumi didn't like her or even Naruto could think he might be in debt with her. Hinata thought that Misumi could know about her passion for him, the moments they shared in the past. Maybe she wanted Naruto to be away from her. There was the possibility that Naruto could feel distressed with all the love she once offered him, thinking that Hinata was waiting for something beyond the diplomatic interactions they would have.

How could they have any interaction with Hinata as a counselor member and he as a Hokage?

Filling her mind with those thoughts, when she found an opportunity she ran to Kakashi to suggest him not to be part of the counselor any longer. The Rokudaime stared at her, not answering.

"There are people as capable as me." She said, avoiding his eyes. "It's palpable that Naruto is not comfortable with my presence."

"You're the best choice for this position."

She noted that the Hokage didn't even mention Naruto's discomfort.

"How can I be a counselor member in this scenario?"

"We'll talk about this tomorrow, okay? I'll meet you in my office."

Kakashi was smiling behind his mask for a moment. The celebration wasn't an appropriate environment to discuss that matter.

-/-

Decided to not be part of the Konoha's counselour, Hinata was walking towards the Hokage's tower. That would be the best decision, she could never have peace if she stayed in Naruto's way to make his dream come true. Helping him turn his dream into reality was the main reason she accepted the job. Her steps were firm, and when she knocked at the door and heard a voice saying "come in", she opened it fast.

For the first time in her life, Hinata saw the Rokudaime bothered, standing up in front of his desk with his arms crossed. He was serious. Shikamaru was next to him. The Nara looked lost in thoughts.

But the person that got her attention was Naruto, who stood up as soon as the door was opened. He was worse than everybody else. He was disturbed, his eyes were more open than the usual, staring at her like he was lost, not saying a word.

"Thank you for coming, Hinata."

Kakashi said, still crossing his arms. Her hands were sweating. For an unknown reason, the air seemed hard to breathe.

Translation notes: I feel like I repeat a lot of words and my sentences are very, very long. I tried to change that but GOSH, that's hard! My mind keeps changing the language when I'm writing, but some things are harder to adapt. Aaaand as you can see Toneri is not exactly an ass hole here. Btw, his letter in English sounded more beautiful than in Portuguese and I have no idea why. I guess it was the present perfect lol

See you guys soon! I promised I won't take that long to come back. :)