I was walking through the Hyuga compound when suddenly I heard someone screaming my name.
"Miss, you cannot be here," one of the Hyuga members said as they blocked them from entering.
"Hinoka! He's awake!" Sakura exclaimed.
"What…" I mumbled.
I ran towards her as I grabbed her shoulder, shaking her for answers. "What happened? Is he okay?" I asked.
"He'll be fine. Lady Tsunade healed him; he's… he's a little angry about something, but he's going to be fine," Sakura replied with a smile, tears in her eyes.
I sighed, relieved. "Thanks," I whispered, and she nodded before I ran off.
"Sasuke?" I said as I stared at the empty hospital bed.
I ran out of the room, searching the whole hospital. Where is he?!
"Hinoka!" I heard a familiar voice scream.
I turned around as I spotted Naruto.
"You're back!" I said as we fist-bumped.
"Yeah, and I learned a new jutsu!"
"You've got to show it to me later. Is Kakashi sensei okay?"
"Yeah, Granny healed him and Sasuke."
Granny? I'll ask about that later.
"That's good to hear. Hey, have you seen Sasuke?"
"That jerk?! He's been in a worse mood than ever today! He was rude to Sakura when she was just trying to take care of him, and then he picked a fight with me! I would've definitely won with my new super duper cool jutsu if Kakashi sensei didn't stop us!"
"Wait, what, you guys fought?" I asked, taken aback, "Thanks, Naruto. I'll catch up with you later, and I want you to tell me everything about your trip with your new sensei."
"Alright!"
I stopped running as I arrived where Sasuke usually trained.
He turned towards me, and as our gazes met, my smile disappeared. That feeling I once had, that feeling that I would lose Sasuke, came rushing back.
"Hey," I simply said.
"Do you need something?" Sasuke asked.
I forced a smile, hoping to ease the tension as I replied, "Well, when I heard you woke up from your coma, I thought I'd see you and see how you're doing. Shouldn't you be resting?"
"I don't have time to rest; I have to become stronger. And sitting in a hospital bed isn't making me stronger, Hinoka."
"... I heard you got into a fight with Naruto," I said, unable to maintain my smile.
"What do you want, Hinoka?!"
"What in the world is wrong with you! I know you and Naruto never particularly got along, but fighting him?!"
"It's none of your business!"
"We're a team, remember?! Of course, it's my business if there's fighting among members of said team!"
"I didn't ask to be part of a team; I don't need a team! I don't need you!"
I froze. My pain soon turned to anger as my fist curled up.
I sighed, calming myself down. "You just woke up; you should rest and calm down. I have to go."
I walked away, heading back to the Hyuga clan for my lessons.
The sun had long set, and I sat on my bed, stacks of books all over my room, as I drew a seal.
I stopped and began sealing all my books, papers, and notes into a scroll before sneaking out of the compound.
"I didn't want to believe it, but it seems I was right," I said as I walked up to Sasuke.
He gently placed Sakura down on a bench before turning to me, "Hinoka."
"You're leaving the village, aren't you?" I asked.
"Yes. I'm nowhere near as powerful as he is, Hinoka, and if I stay in this village, I never will be."
I stopped in front of him, a grin on my face, "I'm offended you didn't ask me to come with you after all I promised I'd help you."
"What exactly do you plan on doing when you come? Leave a trail of bread crumbs so the leaf can find us? Are you going to try to convince me to return the whole time?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"We both know there's nothing more important to you than your sisters. You wouldn't be able to leave the leaf village, at least not for long."
"You're important to me too."
"But you can't leave them."
"...You know if you leave, they'd just come after you, Naruto and Sakura. They won't give up until they get you back."
"I know."
"But I won't."
Sasuke stiffened as he looked at me, shocked, but quickly hid it.
"I won't come after you, Sasuke. If you choose revenge now, I'll let you go, but just this one time, I'll ask you, no, I'm begging you, please stay," I said, my voice trembling, and my eyes burning, "Please don't go, don't leave us, don't leave me."
Sasuke put his hand on my cheek. He leaned in, his lips stopping just a hair's breadth away from my forehead. As though he had changed his mind.
But it was for the best because I don't think I could've respected his decision if he had.
"Goodbye, Hinoka," he whispered. He stepped back, his hand leaving my cheek, a slight smile on his face.
My vision blurred, and I tried to speak, a lump in my throat.
Slowly, his smile faded, and his gaze hardened.
He was going to leave; he was truly going to leave.
That scared little boy disappeared before my eyes. All I could see in his eyes was anger; all he wanted was revenge.
Sasuke began walking away, and I simply watched until I could no longer see him.
I turned towards the bench, and as I tried to take a step, my legs felt weak, and tears began streaming down my face as I cleaned them, trying desperately to stop crying.
"Get a grip, Hinoka," I whispered to myself.
I also have to get stronger, I have to get stronger for my clan, that's all that matters right now, that's what I have to concentrate on right now, cause this… this is the path I'm choosing.
My tears stopped as I lifted Sakura into my arms and walked away.
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Hey guys! Well, we'll soon be reaching the end of this fanfic. I'll probably create another book for Shippuden. Not sure if anyone would even want it though😅