PART 19
Sasuke hadn't seen Hinata in days, and his heart kept sinking deeper and deeper. He sighed in the cool air and got off the bench he sat on.
He heard footsteps and raised his head to meet emerald eyes.
"What do you want Sakura?" he grumbled.
Sakura gave him a look that he had never seen before. It made him uneasy.
"Can't you see that I love you?" she whispered.
Sasuke glared at her. He was sick of always hearing about her love. "Can't you see that I don't love you?"
Tears rolled down her face and she cried, "You love her, don't you? You love Hinata!"
Sasuke said nothing for it was true. He loved Hinata.
"How can I persuade you? How can I show you?" she cried desperately.
His eyes narrowed and he stated simply, "You can't."
He turned to walk away, but she stepped in front of him, blocking his path. Sasuke was about to tell her to move, when he felt her lips forced over his own.
XXXXXX
Hinata breathed in the fresh air around her as she walked. She had purposely avoided Sasuke now knowing that he was Hero.
She didn't know how to react. Should she be angry? Grateful? Happy?
But Hinata was hurt that Sasuke didn't tell her, and she wondered why he didn't do so. She couldn't face him.
Turning a corner, she froze.
She saw Sakura and Sasuke kissing.
Her heart shattered.
All she could do was fight back tears and run.
Hinata didn't understand why she was running, why her heart hurt so much.
But she knew that she had reached her decision.
She would marry Naruto.
XXXXXX
Sasuke pushed Sakura away harshly and glared at her with murderous intent.
He spoke clearly and coldly, "Sakura, I don't love you. I never will. Go pawn over someone else."
With those cruel words, he left Sakura and disappeared into the distance.
XXXXXXX
(Two days later)
Naruto grasped Hinata's hand. It was cold and like marble.
"Hinata, is something wrong?" Her smiles seemed to be hiding something painful.
The thin line of her lips curled faintly. "It's nothing, Naruto-kun."
Naruto cleared his throat nervously. "W-well, so…what's your answer?"
What made him shake the next moment was the way she gazed at him. He couldn't describe it.
"Yes."
That simple word made him jump in happiness. He pulled Hinata into his arms and danced around.
"Hinata!! I'm so happy!! When do you want the wedding?" he exclaimed.
She didn't hesitate to answer. "What about 3 days?"
"Fine with me!!" He tried to ignore the way she behaved (like an emotionless doll). Naruto had to get ready for a wedding.
XXXXXXX
Sasuke was heartbroken. He heard from Shikamaru that Hinata was getting married to Naruto.
Naruto had asked Sasuke to be his best man, but Sasuke immediately declined. He wouldn't be able to stand there and watch the one he loved get married to someone else.
He knew that Hinata had been avoiding him, and it hurt him. He had seen her recent expressions, and he grew worried. She wasn't herself. Did something happen?
It was 2 days before the wedding. Well, the day of the wedding rehearsal.
Sasuke didn't go. He couldn't. He didn't even think he could go to the wedding. That reminded him: he needed to think up an excuse.
Sasuke sat against a tree on the same familiar hill and gazed out at the horizon. The sky bled a deep red color and the stars began to emerge.
He didn't move despite recognizing a familiar presence.
"Congratulations," he said without looking away from the sky.
"Thank you," her voice was softer than before forcing him to turn his eyes onto her.
She was still wearing her wedding dress. It was a long white flowing dress with embroidered flowers. He had to admit, she looked beautiful, but her face seemed so dark.
"You don't seem to happy," Sasuke grumbled.
He expected her to giggle her light laughter as usual, but instead heard a choked voice.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Sasuke rose on his feet and faced her. He felt like he was having de ja vu.
Tears streamed down her pale white cheeks, and she raised her hands and beat them weakly against his chest.
"Why didn't you tell me that you were Hero-kun?"
He grasped her hands and whispered sadly, "I wanted you to be happy."
Hinata ripped her hands away from his, and said, "I'm getting married to Naruto in two days. I-I…hope you'll be happy with Sakura."
In his head, Sasuke wanted to say, No! You've got it all wrong! I want to be with you!
But he didn't. He watched her go. He watched her break his heart over and over again with each footstep she took.