My Lonely Friend

"F-Father…what is t-this?"

Hinata awoke lying on top of a glowing sealing mark on the ground. Burning chakra binds tied her down and she couldn't move a muscle. She felt the chill of the cool floor biting her bare, pale skin. Confusion and drug-filled haze clouded her mind.

Today was her 16th birthday.

"It is for your own sake…Hinata." Hiashi couldn't look at his daughter in the eye. This was the only option left, after many failed attempts of curing her "illness". He tried seeking help from all sorts of private doctors, desperate to hear comforting news about his daughter's unusual predicament…but to no avail.

Exactly 50 different doctors were called and exactly the same 50 answers were heard. His daughter simply had no cure.

The following day Hinata will be taken to the Konoha Mental Facility. Orders were put out that she be given extreme therapy and psychiatric help…the Hyuuga household no longer worthy of her care. Hiashi adamantly refused, willing to never let that happen.

So…here she was, to be "unsealed of the bad spirits residing within her". The method seemed barbaric, but if anything works to help his daughter now – then there's no other way.

Hinata screamed out as she felt the sealing chakra creeping up to her skin and digging deep within her body – red orange sealing marks were bounded to her skin, ghastly shadows reminiscent of tattoos. "F-FATHER HELP ME!" Hinata thrashed her body around, almost maniac at escaping as she attempted to let loose of the chakra-infused bindings. She felt like an animal – to be sacrificed at the dark, freezing altar.

The figures…white-hooded men – solemnly sat clockwise around her. Their dry lips opened, releasing scripted murmurings that echoed hollowly. More chakra flowed through Hinata therein.

A blazing sensation of her body closing up and melting like hot lava ignited from deep inside…the sensation too numbing and liquefying that her brain slipped into the comatose state quickly.

With her systems shut down, tangible darkness wrapped around her like a blanket…

"S-Sasuke…" Hinata whispered. She was no longer in her bedroom, but in a place where a fond memory took place. This was the place where she first met him; where they became friends. It never seemed too friendly, nor did it felt completely unwelcoming – but Hinata always treasured it, for this was the place.

This is only her second time setting foot here actually, and she felt safe – sure her friend will be here to invite her in like the first time.

"Hinata what are you doing here?" His voice ricocheted off the narrow halls and Hinata had to search for him approaching in a distance.

Sasuke's eyes were bloodshot – frenzy written all over the curve of his tight jaws, the pallor of his ghostly skin, leading up to the droopy angle of his spiked, jet black hair. He appeared to have run all the way to where Hinata was – his breathing taut and short.

Hinata felt suddenly afraid, "What d-do y-you mean?" Loneliness begun to take root and the mysterious place grew darker.

"You're not supposed to come over here... I am sorry to scare you..." Sasuke came over to Hinata and embraced her. "I visit you so you don't have to visit me…Happy birthday by the way." The greeting surprised her; she forgot it was her birthday.

Hinata held Sasuke, her heart aching. "My birthday doesn't matter…right, Sasuke? It never did…" With those words, the darkness suffocated the last traces of light.

"Your birthday is important…to me. That matters." Sasuke gently whispered.

Hinata looked up to him and she saw his terrible eyes…Wildly spinning, scarlet ellipses that pierced the blackness. She choked up her tears, and wrapped her arms closer to him – for even though he scared her with those eyes, she couldn't bear the thought of not seeing them…

"Happy birthday to me…" Hinata murmured... She felt her sadness being lifted off her shoulders.

She looked around her surroundings – the darkness trickling back to black fires. She saw a body burning alive, and another one, and another one… They all wore white cloaks. Her skin no longer glowed and the ropes lay limp at the sides – she was free. She was back at her bedroom.

Hiashi's eyes were of deep brown stricken pupils, reflecting the horror presenting itself in front of him. He couldn't believe it…He fell down in sheer bewilderment. Screams tear from the men's throats as they incinerated to ashes.

Hinata closed her ears to block out the blaring sounds and whispered her thanks to Sasuke...

As if it was her approval to finish the damage, the fire extinguished itself once and no trace of the corpses was left. The room fell into utter silence, the air hanging stiff and dry.

Hiashi couldn't speak, his muscles frozen up at the spot, simply too shocked.

"Father"

Hiashi's eyes moved towards Hinata.

"Why did you do that? Why?" Hinata huddled herself into a tiny ball. She felt like crying, but bit her tongue shut instead.

Hiashi stood up and came towards Hinata. His fingers found the edge of the cream linen and he smoothed it in, tucking his daughter back to bed. Shakily, his lips touched her smooth forehead.

"Hinata, sleep well. When you wake up, we'll celebrate your birthday…"

Hinata slipped her hand out of the blanket and gripped her father's hand tightly – squeezing it tenderly. "I thought you forgot…" Hinata's pale purple eyes shone, giving it a soft angelic quality.

Hiashi nodded and let go of Hinata. "Rest well…"

*X*

When Hinata fell asleep she dreamt of nothing troubling. When she finally woke up midday, someone was nudging at her side.

"Hinata, I made you something." A smile greeted her. "Sasuke…"

Sasuke took out a wrapped gift box albeit a little hesitantly. "It's nothing much…" He protested weakly, "Happy birthday my Hina."

Hinata giggled, "I'd love it anyways, thank you." You don't have to be shy about it." She opened the box, and saw a small doll wearing a crooked grin.

"I-I love it." Hinata lifted the doll and cradled it. It looked like her…well the lilac hair part anyway.

She jumped out of bed and twisted the doorknob to exit but it didn't budge. It was locked.

Her hold onto the precious doll tightened.

"I heard the keys locking us in an hour ago…I'm sorry Hina, I didn't want to wake you up too early. You needed to rest." Sasuke stood up and walked near Hinata, holding her shoulders.

Hinata slumped back to the floor, dismay hitting her full in the face. "Father told me…We could celebrate today…For my birthday…So why –" Hinata couldn't stand back up as tears streamed from her face – her body crumpled up like the doll lying on the floor. She begged and pounded on the door for hours but no one came.

The doors didn't open the next day.

She spent the time looking out through her bedroom's glass square windows…looking at the stars, the sun mostly…dreaming about her freedom. It fixed her broken emotions for awhile – a distant light that held so much hope. It was so close, she could feel it.

It wasn't until 7 days later that the doors fully opened – Neji announcing their trip to the Hyuuga Dōjō…to which on that day entailed her tragedy.

*X*

Hinata stayed at the springs for a couple more hours, sitting there by a rock as she contemplated her circumstances. Talking with that man made her realize the grave situation she was in. She needed to run. Go. Go Away.

He told her that, and she thought about it.

Many are after her, and she could have died if not for Sasuke saving her when they got too close… She shouldn't be too careless – with that kind of power, comes a price. She held her eyes with the cup of her palms.

Exactly what was her purpose now? All her life she's been trapped into the world built up by strict clan rules, balancing by the word "family" which didn't have a meaning to her. She could finally taste her freedom now, and yet she still felt like something was holding her down.

'I could start a new life; go by a different alias in a different village…'

But she didn't want that, she was at a loss now – now that a new, fluttering future could be seen. If anything…she'd want to spend it all with Sasuke, no matter what her future presented.

Hinata stood up; clearly reminded of the time she's spent outside. Sasuke must be worried sick.

Her life now wasn't too bad…but something else was missing. Something she couldn't touch upon, though it pestered her heart.

*X*

Kiba knew his reckless actions would cost him great consequences. Nobody wanted to believe him… Even Shino… They were all convinced that the crime done was clear evidence of a ruthless murderer. But he knew better than that, and it frustrated him that even his friends didn't want to believe him.

He knew Hinata was no murderer, and he will clear that up. He swore to himself that. In his heart, he knew he was partly to blame. He didn't try to help her back then when she was suffering right in front of him. He was an idiot – he didn't know what to do or what to think.

It shocked him at first, the news of Neji's death. Everybody couldn't believe their ears. What made him go mad was the following blind blame game on Hinata. No one was willing to look at the matter further and final suspicions were confirmed when she fled from Konoha the same day.

Kiba didn't believe any of it.

Something didn't add up, no…nothing did. So he decided to take it upon himself to save his friend – to find the truth to which he himself is afraid to uncover.

Kiba stopped his brisk pace through the forest, and sniffed the air for Hinata's scent. Akamaru did the same thing and he howled. It lingered in the air, though it was pitifully weak. 5 miles or so ago he went by a disturbing clearing in the forest. Charred and burnt logs of wood decorated the decimated area. It was of no regular occurrence.

An obvious shinobi battle took place – the awfully thick stench of blood clinging to the air around it. Then he smelled faint traces of his teammate's scent amongst the smoking ruins… It made his heart quicken faster as he thought the blood was of Hinata's, meaning her death. But Akamaru saved him from that thought as his companion smelled differently; he signaled to him that her scent was still traceable ahead.

After making sure they were following her scent, Kiba raced full speed ahead. He was closer now, so close he could make out her chakra…

Akamaru barked and Kiba yipped in excitement.

'Here I go Hinata! Just hold on tight!'

Her slight figure finally came to his view and he muffled his footsteps as he landed carefully by a tree.

*X*

Hinata brought her kunai out, she might have felt weaker the past few days, but her senses were still sharp as a tack. Someone was watching her, and it was near…

The sun's golden rays faded to wisps of soft orange and purple… The time was now late.

"Alright, just come out. I don't want to start any trouble…"

"That's the way you greet friends now, Hinata?"

That voice…

"K-Kiba…" Hinata's mouth dried up as she spoke. "Is that really y-you?"

It was him. There, her teammate stood in front of her, just a couple of feet away… Kiba looked ragged, as if he hadn't slept for days…and Akamaru's great white fur had brown dirt streaked everywhere on him, indicating a few scratches and cuts.

The pair couldn't have looked worse.

"A-Akamaru too…" Her fingers felt lax and the kunai slipped out of her hold. A happiness that felt unlike any other blossomed within her.

"H-Hinata…I just don't really know how to say this any other way… But I'm sorry…" He wanted to say something else more profound or sincere…but his mind didn't work properly.

Hinata couldn't wrap her head around the statement, "Kiba, sorry for what? You're not guilty of anything… I-I missed you." Hinata took a step forward, fingers outstretched as she sought to touch Kiba's face. When she did, it was warm to the touch.

"You're sick."

"Hinata that's not the point," her fingers felt cool on his burning skin. It was soothing in a way that made him feel better – her presence alone comforted him.

"Everyone…they blame you about Neji –"

"Say Kiba, why did you find me?" That question stopped Kiba.

"What do you mean? I'm here to bring you back. I know you're just hiding right now because everyone's been blamin' ya, but I don't buy it Hinata. You're not like that – t-to just kill Neji." Kiba's scattered thoughts funneled to one steady point, he wasn't going to back down. His sole purpose of coming here was to bring Hinata back, to prove her innocence.

Hinata sensed Kiba's firm resolve…she wanted to tell him everything, it tempted her so badly… But now was not the right time. Her teammate cared for her, she felt glad just knowing that.

"How about you rest up?" Hinata smiled and it rendered Kiba speechless. That smile was something he hasn't truly seen yet. It made Hinata look more beautiful.

"You're sick. Sick people shouldn't be talking too much."

*X*

Hinata guided Kiba back to the hut. Akamaru wanted to join in, but the hut had no room left for such a huge ninken.

"I am truly sorry Akamaru. You're a good boy; I'll feed you to later." Hinata rubbed Akamaru's head affectionately.

"So this is where you're staying at the moment. It's better than what I thought…" Kiba cringed as he reminisced on his thought of Hinata living off in a cold, dank cave where bats peed everywhere. Thankfully, a hut was a nice change from that imagination.

"What are you thinking about Kiba?" Hinata scolded, bringing out a wooden ladle.

"Er, nothing" Kiba replied hastily.

Once Hinata finished preparing the soup and rice, Kiba ate everything almost like a vacuum cleaner. "This is delicious! Thanks Hinata!" Kiba sounded too delighted as he slurped and gobbled down bowls of food.

"Sheesh, when you've been hungry for days everything tastes delicious Kiba." Hinata reminded Kiba seriously, "Eat slowly so you don't choke!" But a giggle gave Hinata's stern act away. She wasn't good at acting mean.

"Nah, you're cooking is honestly good." Kiba licked his lips clean once the last bowl was emptied out. "Guess I'm finished…"

"It's Akamaru's feeding time now." Hinata prepared another bowl of soup and rice for Akamaru, but Kiba was giving her the puppy look as she stepped outside with the food.

"Now Kiba, don't be greedy." Akamaru slightly growled at Kiba, defending his food.

"Gah ok, boy" Kiba slightly pouted in a way that was contorted, trying to look nonchalant about it.

Hinata sighed in defeat. She then gave Kiba her share. He was such a kid… "I'm not hungry, so you can have it."

"Are you serious Hinata? Wow you're the best!" Kiba pulled the bowl towards him and finished it in seconds.

"No more?"

"No more Kiba!"

*X*

"You're fever has lessened." Hinata soaked a piece of cloth with water, placing it gently on Kiba's forehead.

It was well past 10 o'clock at night.

"Your food was medicine – healing and delicious." Kiba replied. "As an Inuzuka, all it needs for us get better is good food and a loyal friend."

Hinata pressed the damp cloth onto Kiba's forehead evenly, the cloth warming up in seconds. "Y-You consider me as a f-friend, Kiba?"

Hinata never realized it…it's just that the thought was too…different.

Sure Kiba was a teammate, but they never came closer to anything other than that. He had never initiated any personal conversations with her unless it was important. The Academy and a handful of her missions was the only time she was exposed out of home.

She was the resident pariah; everybody excluded her as the 'weird one'.

Hinata didn't want her team to be burdened by that…so she treated her teammates with mutual respect as partners – nothing more. She bottled her emotions inside and stayed quiet and diligent outside.

That's why…she was still confused on why Kiba would be here right now… Why he would appear so frantic and urgent by the springs hours ago, only to say I'm sorry to her. Like he did something wrong to her… He never did.

"You're my friend, Hinata. You've always been. I'm not just some dog you know – I'm an Inuzuka! Inuzukas as you know are very fierce when it comes to their loved ones; we protect them no matter what the costs." Kiba gave her a huge grin and that twisted her heart.

"I see…"

How could she have been so blind? Kiba was a friend – someone she could trust…

"K-Kiba… I'm not going back to Konoha."

"What – Hinata why?" Kiba was not going to take that answer as it is.

Hinata winced as Kiba gripped her forearm – with no intention of letting go.

"K-Kiba, you wouldn't understand…"

"It's because of them isn't it? Hinata, they won't believe you if you don't return!"

"T-That's not it! I've learned not to care about their thoughts of me. I-It's because –" Hinata couldn't go on.

"It's because of what? Is someone forcing you to do this Hinata? I'm here to help you! J-Just tell me…please."

She opened her mouth to reply, but instead was abruptly cut short. Hinata clutched the collar of her jacket tightly. Her heart and chest felt like they were being squeezed strongly – while a burning sensation was set afire inside.

Hinata couldn't breathe properly, she gasped for air but it didn't reach her lungs.

"Hinata, Hinata!"

Her vision dimmed and faded, she was looking through a foggy glass – the world swirling.

Kiba's voice sounded too far away…away…away.

"Hinata…Hinata…"

She heard Kiba calling out her name until her vision slipped…falling into darkness.

*X*

She was back to that place.

This time, an ominous presence stifled the air – and Hinata didn't feel safe at all. She called out his name. She looked around.

It wasn't until Hinata glanced to her left did she saw a pair of ruby-red stones, set in a far lightless corner.

Those eyes…It was his eyes.

"S-Sasuke, there you are." Relief flooded her.

"Hinata, who is he." The way he said it, it didn't seem like a question.

"He is Kiba, Sasuke. He is a friend of mine."

"A friend…" She heard the shuffling of feet and Sasuke was in front of her, the feeble lighting casted shadows that heightened Sasuke's grim expression.

She wanted to crawl back into a corner…

"Are you afraid of me now Hinata?" Hurt laced his voice.

"N-No, please don't say that. Sasuke…"

"So then...I'm I not good enough for you? Need you have another friend but me?" Sasuke slowly encircled his arms around Hinata.

It felt like bars about to lock her up, but Hinata couldn't find the heart to push him away.

Sasuke buried his nose beneath the strands of Hinata's light indigo hair, inhaling softly. "This scent is pleasing…Lavender is very fitting on you."

"T-Thank you" Hinata didn't understand why her heart felt uneasy. "S-Sasuke…Kiba is a good friend. So…Please d-don't h-harm him, he's trying to protect me."

"I kill only those that interfere…" Sasuke lowly whispered, looking down upon her. The meaning was both direct and vague.

Hinata swallowed down her fears. "You've always protected me better than anyone…"

"That's because I love you more than anyone…"

"I know" She embraced him more closely, afraid that her own words will wither.

"Hina…I don't like it when you're with him… It makes me feel ill and envious…" Sasuke's eyes radiated even more prominently. He was always so frank – you could never miss his point.

"There's no need to feel that way Sasuke."

"But I do feel it, and it's driving me slowly insane… I've never felt this emotion before. It's like a disease, and it's started when he showed up. You have no idea how much I was worried about you when you left for so long… I yearned for you to come back…"

Hinata looked at Sasuke straight in the eyes, hands flat on his chest. She felt his heart beating…ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump…rhythmically.

"It's only us now – just the two of us…" Hinata quietly reassured.

It's always been just the two of them.

When she was alone, he was there. When she felt lonely he picked her up. And when…she almost died…he carried her…just the two of them. Her friend – one that never left her…one that she owed her life to.

Sasuke's mouth dropped down near Hinata's lips, hovering just a centimeter away… She felt flustered again and blushed. She couldn't quiet put the exact words on her feelings for him. But…it couldn't be that… She closed her eyes, her cheeks warming up... A heartbeat later though, Sasuke turned upwards and kissed her forehead instead. Hinata opened her eyes and saw Sasuke's teasing smile. Her face heated up even more, flushed completely crimson.

One thing was for sure: her feelings for him will never change – whether it rained or whether the sun shined, her heart belonged to him.

"Our plans will not differ from previously Hinata. If we go back, you know what we will do." Sasuke stated crisply, cracking her feelings of elation. "Your return will not be welcomed…none of them deserves to live after what they've put you through…"

Sasuke's actions against those that wronged Hinata were callous and merciless, even Hinata realizes that. But Hinata looked up to him and depended on him – trusted his judgment without second thought. It was nostalgic in a way on how she no longer saw the boy that first came up to her – so friendly and carefree.

"I'll protect you so you don't have to be lonely anymore."

Those words were what gave her life its first light. Hinata had never forgotten that.

"We kill them…I know." She whispered back. That's why…she couldn't come with Kiba.

As much as she wanted to, her childhood friend simply wouldn't allow it. A certain price had to be paid first.

*X*

When Hinata woke up, she was greeted by Kiba's dark brown eyes.

"H-Hinata, you're awake. F-Finally…"

They were outside; the sun warming her skin, the birds chirping, the fresh scent of wood and dirt mingling, and the bright color of blood…Blood?

Blood was not supposed to be part of the natural scenery.

She was lying outstretched outside the hut, bleary and barely awake. When she looked closely at Kiba, Kiba had burnt patches on his skin – scorching and still bleeding.

"W-What happened t-to y-you?" Hinata shakily asked, sitting up. She had a killer headache and her muscles were sore.

"I should be asking you that… Hinata I thought you almost died last night… Then this morning you woke up from your sleep and just went crazy. You attacked me, like you were possessed." Kiba couldn't shake off his trembling; all day since last night he'd been worried sick of her current condition – worsening till the sun rise. It was more than he could handle, but he stayed resilient.

No way is he abandoning Hinata now. Not at her current state.

"A-Attacked you, how?" She couldn't believe her ears.

Hinata saw through Kiba's wrecked disposition, and it was proof enough of her delirious act. Her muscles groaned in protest from the strain as she tried to move an inch.

'Could it be that Sasuke…?'

Hinata shook her head, erasing the thought. The painful headache blocked her head from thinking too clearly, and she was too afraid to jump to that conclusion.

"K-Kiba, I'm very s-sorry… I don't know what has happened either. Are you okay?" She asked gently, trying to sound the least dangerous.

Kiba looked at Hinata with careful wariness – it was only fair he acted cautiously after almost being burnt alive. He couldn't quite put his finger on what had happened. One thing bothered him greatly, leaving him clueless. Back then…Hinata wasn't herself at all – like a new persona overtook her usual self. Her attack patterns earlier did not match up to her Gentle Fist style and her mannerisms were very different, like she was indeed possessed.

Kiba felt completely bewildered and infuriated – he knew so frustratingly little about Hinata, and it was his fault for not helping her sooner… He feels so guilty inside…it hurts.

"Please forgive me…" Hinata murmured, losing herself to deep regret. She didn't want to ever believe it was true.

Hinata felt awfully sick at her bizarre actions… she was far from wanting to injure Kiba in anyway – especially not after just rekindling a fragile trust with him.

What had caused her to do that?

"No don't apologize, Hinata! You weren't feeling right, plus I'm okay. I was just surprised you attacked me, that's all." Kiba reassured quickly. The last thing he wanted to do was blame her. He wanted to help her if she'll let him.

"Oh ok, thank you Kiba, for caring for me…"

'Why – why do you care for me?'

"Hinata…is something wrong? D-Do you have something to tell me – something that's been bothering you?"

Hinata didn't know how to answer that question... She was confused, just as he is...

"I guess the both of us had been pretty roughed up lately" was her indistinct response.

"I guess so…" Kiba murmured – he was utterly disoriented and fighting Hinata wasn't as easy as he expected.

"I'll cook us up something then… I feel a bit better now." Hinata cheerfully offered.

*X*

That night she talked with Sasuke. Things went far beyond suspicions… Hinata knew it was him.

"Sasuke…I don't understand…Why would you hurt Kiba?"

It was madness; Hinata couldn't contain her anger at Sasuke. She told him not to hurt him, but he did, and that's crossing the line.

"I don't trust him"

The moon was full and it shone in pale light. The time was midnight and the weather was freezing. Though that was not the reason for why Hinata was shaking. She was shaking because she was crying.

"But I trust him!"

"You shouldn't trust him! Me Hinata, I'm the only one you can trust! Have you forgotten that?"

Hinata turned away from him, seeing his face made the matter more painful than it already was.

"You're greedy Sasuke… Don't let that consume you."

*X*

Kiba stirred in his fitful sleep, turning and tossing on the floor where he laid. Akamaru kept growling at his side, waking him up slowly.

"What is it boy?" Kiba mumbled, wiping out a string of spit from his mouth.

Kiba glanced at what Akamaru was facing. The door from the hut was set ajar, and he saw Hinata.

Hinata was crying…and was speaking quietly.

"Hinata…" Kiba spoke out.

Akamaru sensed danger like he could sense fresh meat. That person with Hinata was not welcome.

"Alright…time to meet this son of a bitch." Kiba murmured.

Kiba crouched low and crawled noiselessly near the door, giving him the view outside. The air smelled tainted – thick and strong…the typical sign of an evil aura… Whoever it was, Hinata shouldn't be near it.

Kiba craned his neck towards Hinata and looked at the spot directly in front of her… 'Wait, what?'

Hinata was there alright, but no one else was with her.

She was alone, and yet Kiba saw her speaking…like something was there.

"What's going on?"

*X*X*

a/n: And thank you for reading! :)

Oh my vegetables...this chapter was kinda hard for me to pen down... 0_0 It was a tough nut to open. Honestly I could not emphasize enough on how much I edited chapter 2, but that does not mean I didn't enjoy writing it of course. That's the point of me writing this story, I enjoy it thoroughly. :3 As always, leave a comment if you like - write on things I could improve on, or a part in the story that's confusing you; I'm always more than happy to answer/clarify them for you.

A special thanks to those that did left a review on chapter 1! *Hugs and loves* :D

And that's it, please expect more on this story, thank you!

Chapter dedicated to my family ~

Music Accompaniment: Aftermath by ZE:A, Monster & Haru Haru by BIGBANG (Piano & Musicbox version) & a lot of other musicbox kpop covers. Musicbox is very soothing, as well as piano when I write.