Sakura and Hinata stood on the edge of the training ground, the orange hues of the setting sun casting long shadows around them. The air was cool and carried a faint breeze, but the tension between them was palpable. Despite her years of training in the Anbu, her countless battles and missions, Hinata found herself uncharacteristically nervous. She took a deep breath to steady herself. She had made a promise to herself: no more running, no more hiding.
"Why have you been avoiding me, Sakura?" Hinata's voice was steady, stronger than Sakura had ever remembered hearing it. It was a far cry from the muted voice of the timid girl who used to faint at the mere sight of Naruto. This was a different Hinata, one who had forged herself into something remarkable.
Sakura blinked, startled out of her thoughts. She had been lost in them, replaying the events of the past few weeks and the moments with Hinata that had left her more confused than she cared to admit. "I... I don't know what you're talking about," she said weakly, crossing her arms defensively.
"You know exactly what I mean," Hinata said, stepping closer. "Why are you avoiding me?"
Sakura winced, unable to meet Hinata's gaze. "Hinata, I—" She faltered, searching for the right words, her fingers gripping the edges of her sleeves. "You know why."
Hinata raised an eyebrow, her tone softening but losing none of its resolve. "Do I? Because you kissed me. I don't see why I'm the one who suffers for your mistake."
"I didn't call it that," Sakura blurted, her voice rising slightly before she caught herself. She let out a shaky breath and turned away, her shoulders slumping. "I'm not ashamed for what happened. But I feel like I'm playing with your feelings."
Hinata froze, taken aback. Her blush deepened, but she pushed forward, emboldened by the opening. "Were you, though?" she asked quietly. "Playing with my feelings?"
Sakura bit her lip, turning her gaze to the ground as if it might hold the answers she needed. "I don't know," she admitted, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "I feel like I've been playing with my own feelings, too. I don't know why I'm like this."
Hinata smiled softly, her earlier nerves giving way to warmth. She stepped closer, her voice carrying a hint of teasing. "The Ice Queen of the Leaf," she said, her tone light.
Sakura let out a surprised laugh, some of the tension melting away. "Always thought that nickname was stupid," she said, shaking her head. "I'm not cold, am I?"
"Sometimes," Hinata replied honestly, though her voice held no malice. "But I don't think you mean to be. You're hard on yourself, Sakura. And sometimes on others." Her smile widened just slightly, enough to make Sakura's heart skip a beat.
Sakura stared at Hinata for a long moment, the weight of her words settling over her. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice almost a whisper.
Hinata shook her head. "Don't be sorry. I'd rather you not be sorry," she said gently, her gaze steady, unwavering.
Sakura found herself smiling, despite the confusing storm of emotions within her. She stepped infinitesimally closer to Hinata, her voice soft. "I don't want you to feel like a second choice, Hinata."
Hinata tilted her head, her laugh light and genuine. "Second choice?" she repeated, amusement flickering in her lavender eyes. "As far as I know, you've turned away every suitor to date. Hence the nickname."
Sakura felt her face grow warm, but she couldn't stop herself from smiling at Hinata's teasing. "Except, maybe, one," she said softly, the words tumbling out before she could stop them.
This time, she stepped closer, significantly closer, until there was barely any space between them. The air between them felt charged, as if the whole world had stilled to see what would happen next.
Hinata's blush deepened, but she didn't step back. Instead, she raised her head to meet Sakura's gaze, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. "And... is that what you want, Sakura?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sakura hesitated for only a moment before reaching out, brushing a strand of Hinata's hair away from her face. Her hand lingered, her green eyes soft but filled with a quiet determination. "I think... I think I'd like to find out."
For a moment, neither of them moved, the world falling into silence around them. Then, with the faintest of smiles, Hinata closed the gap further than she even thought possible.