Depression is something that everyone goes through. But when does it become unhealthy? Learning about depression and its symptoms was something that's been with Sakura for the longest because she's been through it when she was lost on what to do once she realized school wasn't for her.

Hinata hasn't really gotten the energy to get out of bed or eat much. Sometimes she'll have bouts of sudden cries, which was normal, but it's been a few months since her pop's passing and she just seems to deteriorate with each day. Not to say she can't mourn but Sakura is starting to see that she's still in denial or, maybe, she couldn't find closure in time. She's taking a break from school and work—Sakura couldn't blame her for that either—but something just felt off. She shouldn't diagnose or assume quickly but…

"What are you worried about?"

She jumped and saw Sasuke standing by the door way, toothbrush in hand.

"It's Hinata…" she trailed off, kneading the back of her neck. "I'm worried."

Sasuke nodded and went down the hallway to the bathroom. She heard the faucet turn on but his voice echoed off, "She's been sad for a while now."

"Yeah," she sighed, collapsing on her bed. "Ino and I have tried taking her out, distracting her. I mean, everyone has! But she just doesn't glow anymore. I don't know what to do."

"How about therapy?" She heard him spit and the faucet turn off. He went back to the room and sat beside her. "Have you tried that?"

"How…do I approach that?" She burrowed her brows and sat up. "Should I go up to her and be like, 'Hey, Hinata, you should go to therapy!'"

"Yeah," he replied bluntly. "Why not?"

"Because what if she gets offended or just says no!" she sputtered out, waving her arms around.

"You think she'll get…offended?" He gave a confused look, mouth twisting and brow rose. "Why?"

"I don't want her to think she's crazy…" she whispered.

"She won't think she's crazy and you shouldn't either," he replied quickly, sighing. "There's nothing wrong going to therapy. She needs the help after a big loss. Therapy doesn't mean crazy. It means a source of help." He stood, stretched, and walked towards the hallway. "I'm going to water my plant. But…" He paused. "…think about it."


"So you want her to go to therapy?" Naruto asked, putting down his fork and pushing the cup of noodles to the side. Sakura and Ino stopped by, texting him that they needed to talk. When they sat down and explained to him things they've seen with Hinata, he couldn't deny it. She just wasn't her anymore. He can't imagine the pain she's going through and, at times, he feels useless and at a loss to help her.

"What do you think?" asked Ino, looking at her coffee. "We're just really worried for her. She hasn't done anything to help herself either. I think we need to push her in the right direction. But we need everyone to help."

"I think it's a great idea," he responded. "How about bringing in her whole family as well?"

"That's good too," added Sakura, pointing to Naruto and nodding, "Maybe we should focus on her first? I can text Hanabi another time for family therapy."

"How are we going to tell her?" Naruto's voice was firm, his eyes burning to help the one he loves.

"We should all sit down with her and tell her." Everyone nodded and, as a collective thought, Hinata's health was the number one priority.

They're there for her, no matter what.


There's this feeling that's been building up since the moment the doctor announced there was nothing left to do for her father. It was like floating in a dark, deep void and Hinata can hear and see the people close to her and she'll yell and scream but her desperate attempts for help, it falls before it hits them. She reaches out but pulls back. How could they understand? How could she burden them with this heavy feeling? At times she can't control the exhaustion that hits her body and she sleeps, hoping that when she wakes up she'll feel better. But she doesn't. Food that she once loved no longer has taste. She doesn't have any motivation like she did before her father's passing. She can feel herself breaking apart but she how can she fix this? Certainly not asking her friends and family to help her carry this. Her family is still mourning, she can't bother them. Her friends are busy with their lives, she can't bother them. And Naruto, her bright sun…she can't cloud his sunrays. She just can't.

A few tears ran down her cheeks and she sobbed. Why did her father have to go when everything started falling into place? Why?

Her front door opened and she heard footsteps. The door closed and the footsteps got closer to her room before it stopped in front of her door. She didn't have the energy to sit up from her bed. Frankly, she didn't have the energy to worry on who came in.

"Hinata?" Naruto's voice cut the silence. "Can we come in?"

We? Who's we?

No words came out but the door opened slowly.

She closed her eyes, trying to stop the tears from falling but they kept pouring out. She sat up quickly and wiped her eyes until she felt the tears stop. She blinked and looked up to see Naruto, Sakura, and Ino in her room. Ino sat down on one side while Sakura sat on the other.

"Hinata," started Sakura. "I—" Her voice cracked and she stood up, turning away.

"Love, we're worried for you," picked up Ino.

But Hinata couldn't look away from Sakura crying. Is it…her fault that her friends are hurting?

"I'm…sorry," whispered out Hinata, looking down. "I—I didn't mean to cause you guys pain. I don't want you to worry for me." She was tired, so tired. "Don't worry be-because I'm okay. I'll be okay." She has to fake that everything is okay. She has to. "Everything is going to be okay! Please, I don't want to be a burden to all of—"

"Damn it, Hinata!" shouted Naruto, causing her to look up, eyes wide with shock.

He was breathing heavily and stared her down. "How could you say those things?! You're not a burden! We'll always worry for you because we fucking love you! We love you and care for you and we're in pain because we see you're in pain and we don't want that!"

"We want you to be happy," sobbed out Sakura, running to her and giving her a tight hug. "We have no idea how much pain you're going through but we want to help you because this isn't healthy! You have to see that, please. You're not a burden."

"We're your friends," added Ino, grabbing Hinata's hand and putting a strand of hair behind her ear. "We'll always worry for you. Always. It's because we love you. It's because we want to carry the weights on your shoulders. We want to see you grow as a person. We just…" Ino broke off and hugged them too. "We just love you so damn much."

"So please," whispered Naruto, joining in on the hug, "let us help you. Please."

Suddenly the dark, deep void felt a bit warmer. It became bright and her pleads of help shattered the dark walls containing it. She felt the love of her friends. She felt hope.

"I…" She hugged them as much as she can, with all the strength she had left and cried out, "I just miss him so much! I'm just so sad! I feel hopeless and alone! I don't know what to do!" She sobbed, burying her head in Sakura's shoulder.

"Please," she cried out, "Help me."


"How are you doing today?"

Hinata fidgeted. "I'm…" She inhaled and exhaled. "I'm trying to do better."

The other person sitting across from her hummed in agreement. "I want to tell you some few things before we start. Everything you say stays between us unless it involves the harming of yourself and others. This is an environment where we can build trust and where I can help you. Do you understand?"

Hinata nodded. She has hope that things will change from now on.

"So let's get started. How's your day been?"

"Not…so great."

"Tell me why."

"I…feel depress."

She can stand tall now. She can move on and grow because she knows that when she falls, everyone is there to help her get back up.


A/N: I usually don't leave something like this here but I want to tell you all that your comments and excitement towards this story has led me to do this chapter and having hope in finishing this story. Thank you all so much. Don't forget you're not alone. You are loved.