"Naruto and I were thinking of coming to visit you in a month...what do you think?" Ino asked, twirling her hair between her fingers. Naruto leaned against the other side of the phone, trying to listen in on the conversation since Ino refused to put it on speaker.

"Uh, Neji and I are going to be really busy next month doing repairs in the apartment before we move into the new one," Hinata replied nervously.

"Oh great! Naruto and I can help you guys move and stuff," Ino enthusiastically offered.

"I don't think-" Hinata's voice was abruptly cut off, and Neji's deep voice entered the phone.

"Don't bother coming to America; we are busy and don't need distractions."

Naruto took the phone from Ino, putting it on speaker. "Come on, Neji! Every time we try to set something up to see Hinata, you both say you can't. What's up, man?" He asked, puzzled by their reluctance.

Neji glanced at Hinata, who sadly nodded in agreement. He cleared his throat before speaking, "Hinata didn't know how to tell you guys this, but... she doesn't want to be friends with you anymore."

Naruto's response was unsure, "What?" He couldn't believe what he just heard, and Ino shared the same confusion.

Neji rubbed his forehead, trying to find the right words. "She doesn't want to be friends," he repeated, this time more slowly.

"Why not?" Ino and Naruto asked simultaneously, their emotions ranging from confusion to sadness.

Neji sighed, knowing he had to explain. "Hinata has been telling me for a while now that it's been difficult being away from you guys, and talking on the phone only makes her feel depressed."

Naruto and Ino exchanged a sad look as they absorbed the information. Ino turned back to the phone, asking, "And Hinata couldn't tell us this herself?"

Neji responded with a heavy sigh, "No."

The heaviness of the situation lingered in the silence that followed. Naruto and Ino exchanged glances once again, this time with a deeper understanding of the complexity of Hinata's feelings. The revelation that Hinata was struggling emotionally hit them harder than they had anticipated.

Ino's voice was softer now, empathy coloring her words. "We had no idea... We just wanted to stay connected, to support her."

Naruto's tone matched Ino's, his concern evident. "Yeah, we weren't trying to make things harder for her."

Neji's voice remained calm as he replied, "I know you both genuinely care about her, and she knows that too. But right now, for her own well-being, she needs some space."

Naruto's frustration was palpable in his voice. "Why didn't she talk to us about this? We could have found a way to help her."

Neji's response held a hint of understanding. "It wasn't easy for her, Naruto. She thought this was the best way to handle it."

Ino's voice returned, her emotions a mix of sadness and realization. "We just never thought that our good intentions could have the opposite effect."

Neji's reassurance was evident as he replied, "You couldn't have known. Sometimes, even well-intentioned gestures can have unintended consequences."

Naruto's voice grew quieter, more introspective. "So, what do we do now?"

Neji's voice was gentle, understanding the confusion they were facing. "Give her the space she needs. Maybe down the line, things will change, but for now, we have to respect her wishes."

There was a pause as Naruto and Ino digested Neji's words. The weight of their unknowing actions hung in the air, a stark reminder of how even the closest friendships can encounter unexpected challenges.

Finally, Ino spoke, her voice laced with determination. "We'll respect her decision, of course. But Neji, make sure she knows that we'll be here for her if she ever wants to reach out."

Naruto added, his voice earnest, "Yeah, let her know that we care about her, even if we're not talking."

Neji's gratitude was evident in his response. "I'll make sure she hears that from both of you."

After ending the call, Neji let out a heavy sigh and directed his gaze toward Hinata's closed bedroom door. He understood that behind that door, she was likely shedding tears, overwhelmed by the weight of their conversation. His heart ached for her, and a conflicted turmoil brewed within him. He battled his instincts, torn between his urge to barge in and comfort her and the realization that she needed space to process everything.

His internal struggle played out like a storm within his mind, the desire to be there for her warring with the understanding that respecting her boundaries was equally important. Every fiber of his being wanted to rush into her room and hold her, to offer the solace he knew she needed. But Neji knew that sometimes, giving someone the room to grieve and find their own way through the pain was just as essential.

In this moment of grappling with his emotions, Neji found himself learning one of the toughest lessons life had to offer – the delicate balance between wanting to protect someone you cared deeply for and allowing them the autonomy to navigate their emotions. He had to remind himself that while his intentions were noble, Hinata's emotional journey was uniquely hers to navigate.

As he stood there, the silence of the room seemed to echo the battle of emotions waging within him. Neji understood that this was a pivotal moment for both of them. He clenched his fists, an embodiment of his internal struggle, and finally made his choice. With one last longing look at her closed door, he turned and walked away, trusting that Hinata's strength would guide her through this storm, even if it meant weathering it alone for now.

Sasuke gazed out of the window, his eyes tracing the constellations as a pair of arms encircled his bare waist. He responded with a scoff, the tone of his voice tinged with a mix of irritation and frustration. "I told you, Naruko, this was just a one-time thing."

Naruko pressed her forehead to his back, her voice soft and filled with a touch of longing. "Why can't it be more than just a one-time thing?"

Her warm breath brushed against his skin, and Sasuke's resolve wavered for a moment. He turned his head slightly, catching a glimpse of her silhouette against the night sky. His words were cautious, tinged with concern. "If Naruto were to find out—"

"He won't find out," Naruko interrupted, her voice confident and unwavering. "Besides, why would he even care?"

Sasuke sighed, his expression conflicted. He carefully removed her arms from around his waist and shifted to face her fully. The dim moonlight cast a gentle glow on her features. "I'm not going to date you."

Naruko's smile remained, undeterred by his words. Her eyes held a spark of determination as she looked up at him. "Maybe not now, but eventually, you will."

Naruto drew Ino in closer as they lay together on the bed. The weight of Hinata's decision weighed heavily on his heart, and he sought comfort in Ino's presence. He let out a sigh, his voice tinged with disbelief and sadness. "I can't believe Hinata doesn't want to be friends anymore." His grip on Ino tightened, seeking solace in her embrace. "I mean, she and I have been best friends since childhood," he continued, his voice reflecting the depth of their shared history.

After a moment of contemplative silence, he continued, his voice softer but still tinged with emotion.

"I do understand her though. She's feeling so disconnected. It's been seven months since she moved, and we haven't seen her. I can't imagine how tough it must be for her, being in America while we're all in Japan..." Naruto's words were muffled as he nuzzled his face into the crook of Ino's neck, seeking comfort and understanding.

Ino's hand reached up to hold his head, offering a gentle gesture of reassurance. "She did what she felt she needed to do," Ino responded, her voice calm and supportive. "We're her friends, and we'll always be there for her, no matter what." Her words were a testament to the depth of their bond. "But for now, she needs to navigate this on her own terms. We'll respect that."

As they lay there, the weight of their emotions shared between them, Naruto found solace in Ino's words. The complexity of their friendships and the challenges of distance were not lost on them. But in each other's arms, they found comfort in the certainty that their support for Hinata would remain unwavering, even if their roles had shifted for the time being.

"I just wish there was something more we could do," Naruto murmured, his voice carrying a hint of frustration. "I hate the idea of her feeling alone over there."

Ino's fingers gently ran through his hair as she responded, her tone soothing. "I know, Naruto. But sometimes, people need to find their own way, even if it means facing challenges on their own."

Naruto's arms tightened around Ino, seeking comfort in their connection. "You're right. It's just…tough."

Ino pressed a kiss to the top of his head, her voice gentle. "We'll be here when she's ready, Naruto. And in the meantime, we can still support her from a distance."

Naruto nodded, the weight of Ino's words sinking in. They lay in silence for a while, the comfort of their shared space offering a sense of solace.

Finally, Naruto spoke again, his voice quieter but resolute. "I want her to know that she can always count on us. That no matter where she is, we're here for her."

Ino's hand slid down to his cheek, guiding his gaze to hers. "She knows that, Naruto. And when she's ready, she'll reach out."