A/N: Formally known as "Absolution", I rewrote and edited parts of the story, but it's still the same story. I wasn't satisfied with what I had before, certain scenes seemed too contrived and unnatural to me, and some parts just left me embarrassed. I also finally realized that "Absolution" was simply too presumptuous of a title for a story like this. Here's to hoping you like the changes as much as I do.
A Cold Night
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It is a cold night, the clouds hang low and oppressive, the winds blow biting and bitter. There are two children much older than their years sitting together, close enough to touch, but too much strangers to do so. Neither one is speaking, but both are gazing at the silvery orb hanging in the black canvas of the night.
Finally, one of them breaks the heavy, suffocating silence,
"It's pretty, isn't it?" There is no response, but she does not expect nor need one, so she continues, and for once she is to the point and frank,
"He should be here to see this too."
The other one does not reply, but he shifts uncomfortably and clumsily on the cool, damp grass, now his back faces the girl. It is a long time before he speaks, and when he does, his voice is cracked and trembling, partly because he hasn't used it in such a long time, but mostly because even he does not realize how much it still hurt to say it aloud,
"I'm sorry I killed him."
She had known, almost like instinct, that the boy she longed and hoped for had lived and died according to his own principles, and the boy she secretly disdained and resented came back alive, the fruit of Naruto's sacrifice.
She turns to really look at him then, the second time that night since he first sought her out and she followed him. There are no words for how she feels, but there are words that came close, and her stomach tightens, her heart clenches, but she can't seem to find her voice.
She relives the moment when she first heard the news, and never has she felt such hatred and despair welling within her. Yet still, yet still she pities and weeps for this man-child who has also lost everyone dear to him, but who has also snatched away the one person who meant everything to her.
She gulps for air, a bitter lump replacing that knot in her stomach. But she does not cry for him; this is the one thing she does not allow herself. If she were strong she would be able to seal off her heart; if she were strong she would be able to forgive him. But because she is kind, because she is weak, and because she knows Naruto would have wanted her to forgive and smile again.
"I'm sorry," He repeats, choking on his own conscience.
And Hinata finally draws into herself and sobs.
In the morning, they will walk back together, neither one knowing where to look or what to say.
In the months to come, they will meet back here supposedly by chance and coincidence.
In the years to follow, they will wake up sleeping against each other, with neither one noticing.
But that is for another time, another day.
For now, the night is long, the stars are still, and two children who aren't quite children are sitting together underneath the moon. And for once, that is enough.
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Fin.