Forty-five days. Couldn't (Kiba/Hinata, Naruto/Sakura)
She presses her hands against her chest in the usual gesture, trying to protect herself, to fence off the outer hostile world, which each time brings her pain. Her lips shiver like before tears, but none of them spilled - the girl learned to hold on to the long years of trials.
Hinata tries to smile. She covers her devilish eyes to avoid seeing a picture that brings both sadness and joy and strange feelings with a rattling mixture in her soul, waiting for a spark to appear. And she can appear at any moment, while the girl stays in place and can watch Naruto smile at Sakura, and she squeezes his hand in her. But Hinata cannot move. She seems to be chained to the ground, bound by Shikamaru's technique, even her eyes cannot be kept closed for long. Eyes still open, eyes tired and hopelessly watch someone else's happiness, which will never be hers. Naruto will never be so close to her - happy, in love, free. With Hinata he is different - kind and sweet, but still some other. Because he doesn't.
- Yo, Hinata! - Uzumaki shouts when he sees his girlfriend. He smiles widely and goes to her, dragging Sakura with him. Hugo trembles with fright and removes a small bundle behind her back, which was tied up with a gentle purple ribbon with a modest bow.
- Hello, Naruto-coon, Sakura-san, - Hinata smiles tormentedly, but apparently, Naruto does not notice it, continuing to shine with happiness. Sakura is tense and excited. She looks at her girlfriend carefully until their views cross, and Haruno's face flies off all the masks, leaving him with guilt and regret.
"I'm sorry," Sakura says with just his lips, releasing his hand to Naruto, who hasn't noticed anything from the girls and continues to say something.
- ...and so Sakura-chan agreed, you know? - Uzumaki continues, distracting the Kunoichi from their mental conversation.
- Stop it, Naruto, - Sakura hisses, looking excitedly at Hinata. She barely smiles, taking help and thanks for the care, which, of course, will not be able to relieve the pain, but at least will not allow it to grow stronger.
- And what about you? - suddenly asks Uzumaki, trying to look behind someone else's back. Hinata retreats, not letting her see... Seeing her love she wanted to give that day.
- It doesn't matter, Naruto-coon, - Hugo smiles, swallowing a lump in her throat. - I'm sorry to bother you.
- It's okay, - the blonde smiles, but Sakura is pushing him aside. She smiles at Hinata with a cheerful smile, but sees the pain in other people's eyes and barely holds back her tears.
And she runs. Runs as far as possible, so that only not to meet the happy couple again, pressing down a precious bundle, which will never dare to give. Hinata runs without taking the road apart, finding herself in the training field. Here she was always calm and cozy because in this place they gathered together as a family - a team, which always reigned in understanding and care, which the girl lacked in the clan.
Now she missed a lot.
Hinata sits by the tree, hugging her knees, allowing herself to finally cry. It hurts to see the happiness of a loved one who doesn't have you in him. It hurts to love the one who gives his love to another. Being near nobody, but time after time to feel his care and warmth is unbearable, because this hope, along with feelings refuses to give up, tearing everything inside.
Suddenly her hand touches something wet. Hinata raises her head sharply and sees a blurry white face through the veil of tears. She smiles and pulls her hands to the big head of the dog, gently stroking his hair.
- Hello, Akamaru, - says Hinata, stretching out his legs, on which the furry head soon falls. The girl continues to patch up the big beast, feeling the tranquility of the pain. The heart still whines unpleasantly, but the storm has subsided, leaving a heap of ruffled feelings.
- Hinata, - Kiba says excitedly, looking at his girlfriend in surprise.
- Kiba-kun, - smiles tormented Hinata, not hiding, looking at his companion-in-arms. - I failed again, Kiba-kun.
He understandably nods and sits next to him on the other side of Akamaru, laying her head on her shoulder, hugging her tightly. Kiba hides her like a girl from evil boys, allowing her to open herself completely.
He understands everything.
Because he also failed and did not give her a small box hidden under her jacket. He too is hurt, but it is not scary for him. The main thing is to help Hinata, and Kiba will be able to endure everything for this purpose.