Kiba was walking to the Hyuga estate. What he had discovered about Sakura didn't make him feel any better about this whole situation. He had no doubt that it must have made Naruto really happy, and the blonde's happiness felt like a knife in the gut.
Because Kiba loved Hinata. But always, always she had loved that spiky-haired idiot. No matter how much of a loser he was. And then that idiot became known throughout the ninja world as an amazing shinobi. As one of the greatest heroes that there had ever been. He didn't expect that to make Hinata love him any less. And indeed, it didn't.
He wasn't surprised at all when they had gotten together. Naruto might be an idiot, but he wasn't dumb enough to keep chasing after Sakura hopelessly when he could be happy with someone like Hinata. That was what the dog ninja thought, anyway. But he had been wrong about that. Apparently, Sakura had had some type of epiphany. She decided one day that she wanted Naruto. And Naruto had been happy to dump Hinata for her. He'd thrown Hinata away like she was nothing but garbage to him, when Kiba would have given anything to be in Naruto's position. He would have done anything for Hinata to feel that way about him instead.
Kiba didn't understand what the idiot saw in Sakura. He knew she was smart and a good ninja, especially for a civilian. But Hinata was the heiress of the Leaf's most prestigious clan, and despite her highborn status, she was very kind and gentle. And he thought she was prettier than both Sakura and Ino put together, not to mention she had the nicest body. Obviously, Naruto didn't agree with him.
He just didn't get it. Not only did Naruto pick Sakura over her, it wasn't even a choice for him. Kiba had to watch as Naruto casually tossed her aside. Then he had to watch as Naruto was blissfully happy with Sakura. He didn't really know how the pinkette felt about Sasuke. He only knew that he was sick of seeing Naruto's smiling face. That had been the reason why he brought it up in the first place. But it hadn't accomplished much. Kiba could no more destroy Naruto's happiness than he could make Hinata love him. The blonde kept grinning as always.
When he had finally gotten the chance to speak with Hinata about Naruto, his misery had only deepened. Because it was obvious that Hinata still loved Naruto. So Hinata would still do anything for Naruto, even though he wouldn't even stay with her. Her love for the blonde ninja was unconditional, while her love for the dog ninja was nonexistent. So Kiba didn't know what to do with himself. This had been going on for a while. The frustration would just build and build until he had a chance to lash out at either Sakura or the blonde idiot. He was well aware that he was making an ass of himself, but he couldn't help it. Even though all it did was make him feel worse, like it had today.
Kiba couldn't believe that pink bitch had gone so far as to threaten to use Hinata's feelings for Naruto against him. That had burned him more than anything. He hated her with a passion now. He hated everyone who was responsible for this. He hated Naruto for being so happy because of a decision that hurt Hinata. He hated Sakura because she was the one who made Naruto so happy. And a small part of him even hated Hinata for continuing to love Naruto.
The situation just kept getting more ridiculous. Sakura now loved Naruto enough to want to sleep with him, but Hinata still loved him just as much as she always had. Kiba didn't understand why Hinata had to keep feeling that way about this idiot when he had Sakura. He couldn't believe that he lived in a world where Hinata would continue to love Naruto after he left her in an instant for Sakura. He knew how much that had hurt Hinata. She hadn't left the Hyuga estate for days. But that hadn't affected Naruto. He had been happier than ever. That had made Kiba furious enough, but it got worse after the argument in the BBQ restaurant. Naruto heard about what had been said about Sakura and became distressed. And Hinata was the one to help him with that. She told Kiba to keep his mouth shut because it was upsetting Naruto. She still cared more about Naruto than him, even after everything that had happened.
That had twisted the knife. Kiba didn't know how much more of this he could take. He only knew he had to tell Hinata what he had learned in hopes that this information would have at least some effect on the way she felt about Naruto. If there was an opportunity to dislodge him from her heart even the tiniest bit, Kiba was going to take it.
He approached the imposing gate guard.
"I'm here to see Hinata. Is she available?" he asked.
The guard wasn't surprised at the request. Kiba had been here a number of times.
"Hinata-sama is training with her father right now, Inuzuka-san. She is not to be disturbed unless it is urgent. Is it?" the man asked.
Kiba frowned lightly.
"No, I guess it isn't. When will she be finished?"
"Likely in a half hour. If you wish to wait, you may do so in the courtyard, since you are Hinata-sama's teammate."
Kiba nodded.
"Okay, I will. Thank you."
He entered the estate and sat down on one of the benches outside. There were a few Hyuga milling about in white robes. Akamaru ran up to a tree and sniffed it.
Kiba thought about how Naruto must have felt after doing that with Sakura. His stupid grin probably stretched from ear to ear. Kiba wanted to knock out a few of those white teeth. His only consolation, and it was a very small one, was that he was fairly sure that Naruto had never done that with Hinata. It didn't make him feel much better, though. He knew Hinata would probably have done that with Naruto if the blonde had really wanted to. So the idiot was just lucky that he was too stupid or too noble to take advantage of Hinata like that. If he had, Kiba would have lost his mind by now. He would have tried to kill Naruto and failed, and then Hinata would have hated him forever for trying to hurt the blonde.
The Inuzuka knew that even after Hinata found out about what that pink slut had done with Naruto, she would still pick that grinning moron over him. As he continued to brood, that certainty was what haunted him more than anything else.
/
Rock Lee had spoken with his master Gai about the troubling emotion. Gai declared to him that he knew this emotion well. He had felt it before. It was one of the most unyouthful of feelings. He told Lee that he must do his best to purge that emotion from his heart for the sake of his youth. But when Lee asked him to explain what it was, Gai said he could not. Lee would learn nothing if Gai spelled it out for him. It was a journey that Lee had to make on his own. His youth would benefit greatly for the effort.
Hearing this, Lee was revitalized. He found himself training fiercely in the company of Tenten. His energy seemed boundless today. He wouldn't rest until he understood what that feeling was.
As he was deep in contemplation, the green ninja was laying kicks and punches on training dummies that he had strategically placed as far apart as possible. He was covered in sweat as he leapt between each of them at a furious pace. He hadn't taken a break for at least an hour.
Tenten was watching him with very wide eyes. This kind of thing was nothing new from Lee, but he seemed to be taking it to another level today. Something had clearly lit a fire under him.
"Hey, Lee? Could you stop for a second?" she asked.
Lee sprung in front of her and stood as tall as he could.
"Very well, Tenten! I feel a burning desire to continue, but it would be most unyouthful to deny your request," he loudly proclaimed.
Tenten grinned at him.
"Well, thanks. It seems like you're really driven today. I'm just wondering what happened. What's gotten into you?"
Lee's pupils were obscured by flame.
"It is very simple! On that day when Naruto came to our training field, I felt a strange emotion that caused me to say something that was untrue. Gai-sensei has instructed me that I must discover what that feeling is on my own. I cannot truly grow as a ninja if I do not!"
Tenten frowned slightly.
"You mean... You actually knew that Sakura was very happy to be with Naruto, but you said that anyway? That's horrible, Lee. You need to apologize. Why would you do something like that? Were you just jealous?"
Lee stared blankly at her. The fire in his eyes was exhausted.
"Jealous...?"
Tenten raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. Because you always liked Sakura, you envy Naruto now that he's with her?"
After a moment, Lee fell to his hands and knees, crying liberally.
"No! This cannot be! I have been denied an opportunity for youthful growth and discovery! Why, Tenten?! Why?!"
Tenten sighed.
"Come on, Lee. It was obvious."
Lee only continued to sob.
/
Kiba was dying of boredom. He was sure that it had been at least forty-five minutes. He had been walking around restlessly. He finally decided to go sit back down.
Just as he took a seat on the bench, he saw Hinata emerge from behind a wall. She approached him with a small smile. The dog ninja's face was the picture of relief upon seeing her.
"Hi, Kiba. I was told you were here. I'm sorry if you've been waiting long," the blue-haired girl said, reaching down and petting Akamaru.
The Inuzuka grinned.
"It's fine, Hinata. I haven't been here that long. Don't worry about it," he replied.
Hinata smiled a little wider.
"I'm glad to hear that. So what did you need from me?"
Kiba's features grew somber.
"Well, I have something to tell you. And you probably aren't going to like it, but you have a right to know."
Her eyes widened a little as her smile faded.
"What is it, Kiba? Just tell me."
He sighed.
"Well... Naruto and Sakura... I'm pretty sure that they slept together."
The bluenette's eyes widened a lot more.
"But... How do you know that? Naruto-kun would never brag about something like that."
Kiba frowned. He hated how Hinata never missed an opportunity to say something nice about that blonde bastard.
"I smelled it, Hinata. Things like that are unmistakable to my nose. There wasn't any doubt. Trust me."
Hinata only stared at him blankly. There was an uncomfortable silence.
"... So, now you know... Naruto probably isn't going to come around," Kiba continued awkwardly.
Her right eye twitched a little.
"Kiba... Why?" Hinata asked softly, her voice cracking.
The Inuzuka cocked his head to one side.
"What do you mean, why? I don't know. I guess Sakura really does love him."
Hinata's white eyes had grown watery. She spoke in a shaky voice.
"No... Why did you have to tell me that...? Naruto-kun..."
She blinked a few times before fixing Kiba with a harsh glare. His eyes widened.
"Why, Kiba...?! Why would you tell me that?! I didn't need to know! I didn't want to know that, Kiba!" Hinata shouted.
He gaped at the volume she was using. Surely everyone else in the courtyard had heard.
"Hinata, I'm sorry... Please calm down."
She shook her head, her stare still burning through Kiba.
"No. There's something that I need to do. I've been putting it off for far too long. I trust that you can see yourself out?"
He nodded numbly.
"Then goodbye, Kiba," Hinata stated firmly.
She walked with great resolve towards the exit, leaving Kiba standing where he was. He didn't move from that spot for some time.
Kiba had known she would be upset, but he never thought it would be like this. He was unsure if telling her had been the right course of action. He never imagined Hinata would look at him like that. That had not been pleasant. He didn't know how to rid himself of this sinking feeling.
/
Naruto had returned to the Hokage office to resume his work there. He was reading his study materials while Kakashi read his usual book. They had been doing so for hours until Kakashi glanced over at Naruto and spoke in a low volume. The doors were open and he didn't want Shizune to overhear.
"So, Naruto... How was it?" he asked.
Naruto looked up at him questioningly.
"How was what, Kakashi-sensei?" he replied.
Kakashi gave him an imploring look.
"You know what. How was Sakura? Was she shy? Or was she one of the aggressive ones?"
Naruto glared at him.
"I'm not telling you that. That would be so disrespectful towards Sakura-chan. I would never talk about something like that with anyone else."
Kakashi frowned.
"Come on, Naruto. I've read this book at least a thousand times. What if I make it worth your while? You must be sick of being a Genin by now."
Naruto shook his head.
"No... I could never betray the trust that Sakura-chan has in me. It doesn't matter if you offer to make me the Hokage. I would be a Genin forever before I would do something to hurt Sakura-chan. Forget about it, Kakashi-sensei."
The Rokudaime leaned in a little closer.
"But, Naruto... She would never know."
Naruto glanced down for a moment.
"I would know. And in a lot of ways, that's worse."
Just as Kakashi was about to say something else, a female voice rang out from the vicinity of the open doors.
"Hokage-sama! What are you trying to do to Naruto-kun? He isn't a pervert like you, so leave him alone!" Shizune hollered.
Kakashi didn't respond, merely giving Naruto a look of disappointment before going back to his own reading.
Naruto smiled to himself. He would always protect Sakura's happiness like she had protected his.
/
Sakura had finally gotten off work. Her job at the hospital had actually relaxed her a little. There was no drama and she was able to keep busy. But she missed Naruto already.
She walked through the doors and down the foggy road. It was quiet and there weren't many people around. In the pale light of dusk, she was able to make out a figure standing in the middle of the path. The pinkette walked faster to see who it was.
The figure had long blue hair and wore baggy clothes. It was Hinata. The white-eyed girl was gazing at her with a resigned expression. She had probably seen Sakura with her dojutsu long before the pinkette had even noticed her silhouette.
Though Sakura had expected this, she was still worried. She gave her a nervous smile as she approached, but Hinata remained stone-faced.
"Sakura-san... Will you walk with me?" Hinata asked.
Sakura nodded.
"Sure..." she replied.
They began to walk side by side, both looking straight ahead. Neither said a word for some time. Finally, Hinata spoke up quietly.
"... I used to hate you."
Sakura's eyes widened, but she didn't say anything.
"I hated you so much... I would have given anything to have Naruto-kun treat me the way he treated you. To have him look at me the way he looked at you. If he had ever called me Hinata-chan, I think I would have died of happiness. But he never did. Not even once. All of that love and devotion was for you. Only for you. But you didn't even seem to care. It was like it meant nothing to you," Hinata said bitterly.
The pinkette's head snapped towards Hinata.
"It meant everything to me! He was always very important to me. You don't know-"
Hinata quickly interjected without turning to look at Sakura.
"I realize that now. But that was how it seemed. So I never liked you, Sakura-san. Then the war ended. When I began to spend time with Naruto-kun, I knew he still felt the same way about you. But I didn't care, because I was happy to be with him anyway."
She looked down at the ground sadly. Sakura continued to observe her as they walked.
"I hoped that you would love Sasuke-san forever. I wanted to be the one to make him feel better about it. And for a short while, that looked like it was going to be what happened. But then you and Naruto-kun decided to go on that strange mission. I was able to speak with him before he left. I asked whose idea it was, and he said it was his," Hinata explained.
Hinata finally looked at Sakura.
"When I heard that it was his idea and not yours, I knew it was over. I hoped I was wrong, but I knew I wasn't. There was no way that he would have been the one to engineer a meeting between yourself and Sasuke-san under normal circumstances. It would have hurt him. Even hearing your name hurt him."
Sakura's expression softened. Hinata looked away again.
"And each time the thought of you hurt him, I hated you even more... And now, even though I've never hurt him, and you've hurt him so many times, I've lost. You've won... I've lost completely... And I feel like I never even had a chance."
The pinkette's eyes widened.
"Hinata, I'm sorry. I really am. It wasn't fair to you... Naruto and I should've-" she replied.
Hinata limply raised a hand to interrupt.
"Don't bother... It doesn't matter. But I want you to know one thing, Sakura-san."
Sakura raised an eyebrow curiously. The blue-haired girl turned her head to regard her once more.
"I can tell that you do love Naruto-kun... Finally... So I'm going to try to move on. But I've come to understand that a big part of me will always love him... So if you do end up hurting him anyway... If you take him for granted and abuse his heart carelessly..." Hinata continued in an icy tone.
Her white-eyed gaze grew more claustrophobic.
"The first thing I'll do is try to make him feel better about it... But after that, I'll use every resource available to me to make your life a living hell. You will never be happy in Konoha again. I'll see to it that you end up having to leave this village. Do you understand?"
Sakura stared wide-eyed at Hinata for a moment before nodding.
"I do, but you don't have to worry about that. Even thinking about hurting Naruto makes me feel miserable. If I were to really hurt him, I would never be happy again anyway," Sakura replied.
Hinata smiled sadly and stopped walking.
"Good... I feel a little better knowing that. I need to return to the Hyuga estate. Farewell, Sakura-san."
Sakura also paused and gazed at her uncomfortably.
"Bye, Hinata... Good luck."
She watched as the blue-haired girl walked away. When she finally disappeared from her sight, Sakura sighed. She would feel so much better if Naruto were here. She knew this anxiety would disappear if she could just hug him. But he wasn't here, so she couldn't.
The pinkette slowly made her way back home.
