Author Note: As This Chapter was finished I decided to post it anyway. I will not normally update as quickly as this. The next chapter will be up in a week at the earliest.Thanks for reading

Disclaim: I don't own Naruto.

Chapter 1

Naruto walked away from a sobbing Sakura. His feet squelched in the newly forming mud. His heart was breaking as he left her crying in the rain. He couldn't look back. He knew that if he turned his head, and looked back, he would go back to her, just like he always did after each time they had broken up. He would go back, and sooth she, telling her that it didn't really matter that she didn't love him. He kept on telling her, and himself, that all she needed was time.

However, couldn't keep lying to himself. Sakura would never be his. He shivered slightly. This mission would be awkward. He didn't think he could bear to see Sakura in love with Sasuke. He didn't want to see her being hurt by him all over again.

He vowed that if Sasuke hurt Sakura again, he would kill him. He wasn't going to do it for Sakura's love but for his friend who had just healed herself after the hurt she had suffered last time he left. He wouldn't let that happen.

Naruto shook his head. No, he thought to himself . This was the end of Sakura and him.

He sped up trying to get away from the sound of Sakura's sobs. He would go can tell Tsunade they accepted the mission. Sasuke wouldn't be getting away again that easily.

From behind a tree Hinata peered out. So the rumours were true. Sasuke Uchiha was indeed back in Kohona.

Hinata blushed as realised that finally Naruto was single again. Her years of living in the shadows were over. She would finally tell Naruto how she felt. She had kept it hidden for long enough but she loved him so much. She knew that it didn't make sense. She barely knew Naruto. Every time she saw him she fainted. Yet, she loved him. Every time she was around him her heart would beat uncontrollably and a blush would creep into her face. Even though she knew she was a shy person, around Naruto she couldn't talk at all. She felt so uninspiring in comparison to Naruto. All she was was a shy girl who was an okay ninja.

Hinata couldn't understand why Sakura didn't love Naruto. Hinata thought Naruto was perfect in every way. His fierce determination and loud personality made him so strong and unique. Hinata felt a blush creep up her cheeks as she thought of how handsome Naruto had become. She stepped back and, a twig snapped under her foot.

She saw Sakura's head whip round.

'Naruto?' Sakura pleaded. 'I'm sorry, please take me back please!'

Sakura hoped so much it was Naruto coming to say he had made a mistake. That he would put his arms around her and tell her he loved her. Tell her it didn't matter that she didn't love him and would in time. He was her safety net. She didn't know what she would do without him. Whenever anything bad happened Naruto was always there to help her. She did love him! So much that it broke her heart to see him hurt, but she knew this love she held for him was more like a love for a best friend, and no matter how much she told herself to love him as he loved her, she couldn't.

Sakura kept staring at the place the twig had snapped but she couldn't see anyone though the rain. But she could feel someone looking at her. She waited before calling out again.

"Who's there?" Sakura said trying to sound demanding but failing in her dejected state.

Hinata knew she had to show herself so Sakura didn't attack her thinking she was an enemy. Hinata stepped out from behind the tree.

"Sakura-Chan," Hinata said timidly "Are you okay?"

"Hinata, I thought, oh never mind." Sakura tailed off.

"Did you and Naruto have a fight?" Hinata asked. Even though she knew the answer, she didn't want Sakura to know that she had been there the whole time. Sakura nodded glumly and burst into fresh sobs.

"He said I didn't love him and I do and I love him so much, just not in the way he loves me. I feel so bad. I'm so sorry; I didn't mean to hurt him. I was so alone and Naruto… Well Naruto was there for me. I know Naruto left as well but he didn't hurt me. He tried so hard to get Sasuke-kun back for me. He almost died for me and, and all I do is lead him on and hurt him!" Sakura sobbed.

"Shh," Hinata said "I'm sure Naruto knows you didn't mean to hurt him. I'm convinced you two will be great friends again, but maybe it's for the best you and Naruto broke up. A relationship that carries on for years without love ends can still hurt."

Sakura continued to cry and Hinata shivered. It was still pouring with rain and the wind was picking up making it feel even colder.

"Come on Sakura-Chan; let's go back to my house. It's not far away and if we stay out here we'll catch a cold."

With that Hinata and Sakura began to walk to Hinata's house. On the way Sakura had a stab at a conversation.

"Hinata I've just realised something."

"Realised what Sakura-Chan?" Hinata said shyly

"I've never hear you speak this much before."

"Oh…"Hinata said weakly. She was glad she thought Sakura was about to say that she did love Naruto and was going to tell him that as soon as the rain stopped.

Sakura saw the look of concentration in Hinata's face and took it to mean that she had hurt Hinata's feelings which she didn't want to do. She continued speaking to try to make sure Hinata knew it was meant as a compliment.

"I mean… You should talk more often. You are a really nice person."

"Oh…Arigato Sakura-Chan." Hinata felt awful after hearing Sakura say these words.

Hinata became lost in her own thoughts. Was she really a nice person? All she could think about was: "Yes Naruto is finally single and maybe I will be lucky enough to be his next girlfriend." How could Sakura say she is a nice person when she barely knows her? If she knew how happy she was when she noticed the tension between them months ago, would she really be standing here saying that she was a really nice person? Hinata didn't think so.

They walked the rest of the way to Hinata's house in silence. Neither Hinata nor Sakura knew what to say. Hinata was very quiet most of the time, and Sakura didn't know what her interests were so she couldn't ask about that. Sakura wasn't even sure if Hinata had many interests. She guessed looking at how mature Hinata was that she wasn't one for girly gossip. Sakura wondered if Hinata had ever had a boyfriend. She couldn't really imagine Hinata as someone who would be big on public displays of affection, so Sakura supposed she might have had a boyfriend at one point. She just might not have noticed. Sakura supposed she could have gone out with Shino who was on her team. Both were quiet and mature. Although Sakura did think Shino was a bit creepy. She just couldn't see the sweet shy Hinata going out with Shino either.

"Umm, Sakura-Chan?" Hinata's voice broke Sakura out of her thoughts.

"We're here now."

"Oh, sorry I was lost in my own thoughts I didn't notice." Sakura replied.

Hinata gave a nervous laugh and said "I thought so, Sakura-Chan."
They both slipped off there shoes outside the door and stepped inside.

Hinata asked Sakura to follow her and they made their way to Hinata's room.

"Would you like to borrow some clothes until you're dry?"

"Yes please Hinata."

Hinata rummaged though her draws until she found a pair of jogging bottoms and a t-shirt.

"I'm sorry this is all I have that I think will fit you." Hinata said apologetically. "The bathroom is the door directly on the right next to my room."

Sakura took the clothes from Hinata, said thank you and walked to the bathroom. She thought it was odd that she had known Hinata since she was 7; so about 9 years, and this was the first time she had been to her house. She pulled the bathroom door closed and began to change. Maybe she and Hinata would finally become friends.