Chapter 1
Life after the Hokage hat had been quieter than Kakashi expected, yet somehow just as exhausting. Without the weight of the office, he found himself with time, a strange, unwieldy thing that felt both like a blessing and a curse. Time to wander the village streets, time to train when he felt like it, and time to watch. Watching was something Kakashi excelled at. He’d always been an outsider, peering through the cracks of a world that moved on without him.
His students had grown into their roles with remarkable grace or, in Naruto’s case, with sheer, unrelenting determination. Naruto, now the Hokage, threw himself into his duties with such fervor it made Kakashi ache. There was something tragic about the way Naruto smiled at the villagers, his enthusiasm hiding the cracks that the world rarely saw. Then there was Sakura, who’d become the head of the medical department, a role she was clearly born to fill. She carried herself with confidence and purpose, healing bodies and spirits alike with hands that no longer trembled with doubt. Sasuke, meanwhile, had embraced the shadow of the Hokage, his role as a protector outside the village’s light. Quiet, distant, but unyielding in his resolve.
And then there was the marriage.
Kakashi could still remember the day the news broke like a poorly timed lightning strike. An arranged marriage between the Uchiha and Hyuga clan, a relic of politics and promises forged in the wake of the war. Sasuke and Hinata had been named as the key players in this uneasy alliance, their union meant to strengthen bonds between their families. It would’ve been easier to swallow if Sasuke hadn’t been dating Sakura at the time or if Hinata hadn’t been in a relationship with Naruto.
Naruto had reacted as Kakashi expected. Loudly, with a storm of protests and demands to annul the contract. But no one could annul tradition. Sasuke, for his part, had been quiet, his face a mask of indifference that Kakashi had seen cracked only once when Sakura confronted him. She had been devastated, pleading with Sasuke to fight the arrangement, but his silence had spoken volumes. Hinata, ever the quiet one, had seemed almost invisible amidst the chaos. Yet Kakashi remembered the faint tremble in her voice when she apologized to Naruto, tears staining her cheeks.
In the end, duty won out. Sasuke and Hinata were engaged. Kakashi had watched the fallout from the sidelines. Sasuke left the village not long after the engagement was announced, throwing himself into his travels. When he returned, it was always fleeting, his visits more like a formality than a reunion. Hinata, for her part, seemed to shoulder the weight of her new role with quiet grace, though Kakashi often wondered if she was as calm as she appeared.
Even now, almost one year into their marriage, Sasuke and Hinata felt more like distant friends than partners. They rarely spent time together, their lives intertwined only by name. Naruto buried himself in his duties, perhaps hoping to outrun the pain that lingered in his heart. And Kakashi? Kakashi had watched it all unfold like a bad chapter in one of Jiraiya’s books, messy and tragic.
It was during one of these moments of quiet observation that Kakashi had stumbled across Hinata, sitting alone on a park bench with a book in her lap. He’d been on the verge of walking away when he noticed the title: Icha Icha Tactics. His first reaction had been disbelief. Shy, polite Hinata reading that? But curiosity got the better of him, and before he knew it, he was teasing her about her choice of literature.
What started as a single conversation turned into many. He’d introduced her to the rest of the series, and they’d bonded over the humor and absurdity hidden within Jiraiya’s sometimes, questionable prose. Hinata had surprised him with her insights, her laughter soft but genuine as they discussed scenes he hadn’t thought twice about in years.
It was around that time Kakashi began to notice her in a different light. She wasn’t the timid girl he remembered from the Academy. She was a woman now. Gentle but strong, with a quiet resilience that drew him in. He told himself it was harmless. She was married, after all, and he was…well, he was Kakashi. Yet there were moments, fleeting and unbidden, where he found his thoughts lingering on her longer than they should.
Sometimes he avoided Sasuke entirely, guilt gnawing at him. It felt wrong, even if nothing had happened, even if nothing would happen. She was Sasuke’s wife, Naruto’s first love, and he was a retired shinobi with a history of loss that stretched too far back. Every rational part of him told him to let it go, to push those feelings aside, but it wasn’t so easy when she smiled at him, oblivious to the turmoil she stirred in him.
Kakashi wasn’t used to this kind of vulnerability. Love had always been something distant, abstract, something he’d lost too many times to believe in. But Hinata was different. She’d slipped past his defenses without even trying, and it terrified him. He didn’t want to feel this way, didn’t want to risk the pain that always seemed to follow love. Yet here he was, an outsider looking in, watching her from the shadows and wondering when his life had become another tragic chapter in the book he’d sworn to close.
Kakashi spotted Hinata sitting on the same bench where he’d so often found her. She was absorbed in another one of Jiraiya’s old volumes, the soft afternoon light falling across her features. He approached quietly, as he always did, and settled beside her.
“Good afternoon, Hinata-chan,” he greeted.
Hinata looked up, blinking in surprise. When she realized it was him, her cheeks tinted pink, and the gentle stammer in her voice returned in full force. He enjoyed these reactions more than he cared to admit. She possessed a grace and softness that made the world around her seem quieter, kinder. Yet every so often, when he teased her, she’d blush and fluster herself into an adorable mess.
“T-The last part of the book, Kakashi-sensei…” Hinata began, a shaky smile forming on her lips. “I was just reading the chapter where the protagonist finally confesses his feelings to the woman he’s been circling around for so long. It’s…um…quite vivid.”
Kakashi tilted his head, pretending to think deeply about the scene in question. “Ah, that,” he said casually. “A classic scene. I always thought the way the two danced around their feelings was a bit much, but it certainly kept things interesting.”
Hinata nodded earnestly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I thought so too. Jiraiya-sama really drew out the tension. It’s interesting how the man in the story was so certain of his love, even when duty and circumstance tried to keep them apart.”
“Indeed,” Kakashi mused, leaning back. “It’s a reminder that sometimes people cling to the wrong things when their hearts want something else entirely.”
Before Hinata could respond, a familiar presence arrived, and Kakashi shifted his gaze to see Kiba strolling toward them. Kiba wore a grin that bordered on a smirk, and Kakashi’s inner assessment of the Inuzuka was as straightforward as ever. Kiba was loyal and direct, never one to mince words. He was a good man, someone Kakashi respected. The younger shinobi had grown from a brash boy into a protective friend. Still, Kiba’s manners and timing were unpredictable at best.
“Hey, Hinata,” Kiba said, sliding his hands into his pockets. “Just wanted to let you know Sasuke’s back in the village. Not sure if you knew.”
At that, Kakashi watched Hinata’s face fall slightly. Her eyes flitted down to the book in her lap. “Oh…I didn’t know,” she said softly, her tone uncertain. “Should I greet him?” She murmured the question more to herself than anyone. “But would it even matter?”
A pang of sympathy twisted in Kakashi’s chest. Hinata’s voice was so small, and he could see how the question weighed on her heart.
Kiba let out a sigh. “Well, you know how it’s been. He barely acknowledges you. Maybe I can talk some sense into him. This is getting ridiculous.”
Kakashi gently held up a hand, giving Kiba a knowing look. “I wouldn’t advise getting involved in their marriage, Kiba,” he said. “This is between them. Pushing Sasuke won’t fix anything.”
Kiba scowled. “I know that, Kakashi-sensei. But how can I stand by and watch him treat her like she’s invisible? He always seeks out Sakura, but Hinata? She’s left alone.”
Kakashi glanced at Hinata carefully. She didn’t protest. Nor did she affirm Kiba’s words. Her face was difficult to read, hurt, embarrassment, disappointment, all tangled into one quiet mask. Kakashi knew that Sasuke likely wasn’t cheating. He didn’t think the Uchiha was even emotionally invested enough to bother. But the optics of Sasuke’s actions were poor. He always drifted to Sakura’s side instead of returning to a home he’d never truly occupied.
Eventually, Kiba left them with a snort and a casual wave. “Enjoy your little pervert book club, you two,” he teased.
Hinata’s blush returned, and Kakashi merely shrugged as Kiba wandered off. He’d heard worse from the Inuzuka over the years.
Hinata rose as well, holding the book close. “I’ll be going now, Kakashi-sensei. Thank you for the talk.”
Kakashi nodded, watching her bow and depart, her shoulders slightly heavier than when she arrived. As she disappeared down the path, his thoughts turned to Sasuke. That boy needed a push or perhaps a hard shove. For Hinata’s sake, he should at least try to understand what Sasuke intended. The poor woman deserved better, even if the marriage was forced by politics neither of them asked for.
x-x-x-x
He found Sasuke on the old wooden bridge that spanned the stream outside the village’s training fields. The Uchiha was leaning against the railing, eyes distant, posture loose but alert. Kakashi approached without haste, the silence stretching between them until Sasuke finally glanced over.
“I hear you’re back in the village,” Kakashi said, voice mild. The sound of water rushing below filled the pause before Sasuke responded.
“If you can call it that,” Sasuke answered flatly. He didn’t turn to face Kakashi, simply stared out into the horizon as if there were answers hidden in the rippling stream.
Kakashi didn’t waste time. “Hinata-chan didn’t know you’d returned,” he said evenly. “She wondered if she should greet you, but she questioned whether it would matter.”
Sasuke’s jaw tightened. “If there’s something that requires my presence, I will be there,” he said curtly. “But nothing has. I don’t see the need for idle chatter.”
Kakashi’s eye narrowed. He leaned an arm on the bridge’s railing. “You’re not interested in getting to know your wife at all, are you?”
Sasuke’s lips pressed into a thin line. “It’s political. Nothing more,” he replied, the words detached, almost mechanical.
“And yet,” Kakashi pressed on, “whenever you return, you find time to see Sakura before her. Why?”
Sasuke stiffened, casting a sideways glare. For an instant, Kakashi thought he caught a flicker of guilt in those dark eyes. “I have a past with her. A shared understanding. We have things to discuss.”
Kakashi clicked his tongue softly. “Is that what you tell yourself? The truth is you’re avoiding her. You’d rather seek comfort in the familiar. But what if another man were to show an interest in Hinata-chan? Hmm? One who’d actually treat her like a partner?”
Sasuke’s silence was telling. He looked away first, shoulders tense. Then came his reply, cold and dismissive. “That’s fine.”
Kakashi’s brow rose. The lack of feeling in Sasuke’s voice was more than disconcerting. “You say that so easily,” he remarked. “You know people are talking. Some might think you’re already stepping out with Sakura. Cheating, perhaps?”
Sasuke’s reaction was explosive, at least by his standards. He turned sharply, eyes fierce. “I am not cheating,” he hissed. “Don’t imply such nonsense.”
The intensity rolled between them, tension knotting the air. Kakashi remained calm, voice unwavering. “I don’t believe you’re physically involved with Sakura. But can you honestly say you’re innocent of emotional neglect? You have a wife who deserves acknowledgment, respect, and you give her none. You cling to a past while ignoring your present obligation.”
Sasuke scoffed, bitterness twisting his features. “Obligation. That’s all it is. Politics. Clan legacy. I never asked for this, Kakashi.”
“And Hinata-chan did?” Kakashi countered. “She’s stuck too, just as unwilling. Yet you don’t see her pushing people away, or ignoring others’ feelings. You understand tradition, Uchiha politics, and you feel trapped. Fine. But that doesn’t excuse cruelty through indifference.”
Sasuke turned his gaze downwards. “My relationship with Sakura is complicated,” he admitted tersely. “We have a history. I can’t pretend that this forced union with Hinata means anything. Not when there’s no love to begin with.”
Kakashi studied him, disappointment weighing heavily behind his mask. “So Sakura knows you’re back and not seeing Hinata-chan?” he asked quietly.
Sasuke stiffened. “It doesn’t matter if she knows or not. I can do what I want.”
“Hinata-chan is not just a faceless Hyuga. She’s a person with feelings,” Kakashi said, voice calm but with a sharp edge. “Is it that you still love Sakura?” The silence that followed told Kakashi more than any words could. Sasuke’s face, carefully blank, was an answer in itself.
Sasuke’s eyes narrowed, and he took a deliberate step back. “Stop pushing, Kakashi. This has nothing to do with you.”
Kakashi tilted his head, sighing softly. “I’m pushing because I see the damage you’re causing. If you care at all about being honorable, even in a loveless arrangement, you should try to treat Hinata-chan better. You owe her that much. And as for Sakura, perhaps—”
Before Kakashi could finish, Sasuke brushed past him, heading off the bridge. “I’m not interested in your advice,” he said, voice flat. He didn’t look back.
Kakashi stood there, watching the stiff line of Sasuke’s shoulders as he disappeared into the distant fields. He felt no satisfaction, no relief. The conversation had been tense and bitter, leaving a sour taste in Kakashi’s mouth. He had tried to bridge the gap, to understand and guide, but Sasuke’s heart was locked tight.
He sighed, crossing his arms over his chest, looking at the rippling water below. If only he could understand the way Sasuke thought. Maybe then he’d know how to help Hinata-chan find some measure of peace in a situation none of them deserved.
But for now, he had nothing but silence, the distant rush of water, and the faint sting of failure weighing on his mind.
x-x-x-x
Hinata walked with the book pressed tightly against her chest, her heart weighed down by the memories and regrets of the last eleven months. Each step she took through the familiar streets of the village reminded her of the home she and Sasuke shared, if it could even be called that. It was nothing more than an empty shell, a house given to them by her father, as if that alone could make up for the absence of a husband. Sasuke rarely spent the night under its roof. He would come by, gather his clothes, sometimes take a quick shower, and disappear again as if both she and the house were nothing more than fleeting obligations.
She thought of Naruto. She missed him more than she could ever say. During the few Konoha 11 gatherings they had, they still talked, but there was always an unspoken sadness in his eyes. Before her engagement to Sasuke had been finalized, she and Naruto had shared a quiet moment together. It had been nothing dramatic, nothing grand, but it had been enough to plant hope in her heart. That hope had long since withered. Now, they both avoided anything that might be mistaken for closeness. Naruto had tried to respect the situation, had even confronted Sasuke more than once about the way he treated her, but nothing had changed.
She was so lost in her thoughts that she almost missed Sasuke's presence ahead of her. He stood just a few steps away, and by chance, their eyes met. His gaze was as unreadable as ever, distant and detached, as if he were looking at a stranger. Her stomach twisted, and she struggled to keep her nerves in check. He had never looked at her the way he looked at Sakura. That realization sank like a stone in her chest. Even knowing it, even accepting it, the pain never dulled.
"Sasuke-kun," she greeted quietly, her voice shaking slightly. Sasuke's expression did not change, but she caught the faintest flicker of irritation in his eyes.
"Are you… are you okay?" she asked.
Sasuke stopped, his dark eyes locked onto hers for a moment before he responded. "Yes," he said simply. His tone was flat, as if even speaking to her was an inconvenience. He looked away, his indifference cutting deeper than any words could.
Then, unexpectedly, he spoke again. "Do you have anything you're doing right now?"
Hinata blinked, caught off guard by the question. "No, I'm not busy."
"I'm going to Tenten's shop to pick up my sword. You can come if you want."
She hesitated. In eleven months of marriage, Sasuke had never once invited her anywhere. She searched his expression for any trace of sincerity, but his face remained unreadable. Even so, she found herself nodding. "O-Okay."
As they walked, silence stretched thick between them. Hinata could feel the distance, the vast chasm that had formed between them over the years. Sasuke glanced at the book she held and raised an eyebrow.
"Do you really read that smut?" he asked bluntly.
Heat rushed to her cheeks, but she nodded. "Y-Yes," she admitted, keeping her eyes downcast.
Sasuke scoffed, a barely-there smirk tugging at the corner of his lips before he looked away. "I didn't think you were the type."
She was not sure how to respond, so she said nothing.
When they arrived at Tenten’s shop, the kunoichi behind the counter arched an eyebrow at them. Her surprise was obvious. Hinata knew how strange it must have looked. The husband who was never home, the wife who had spent months waiting, suddenly appearing together.
"Well, look at this," Tenten said, crossing her arms. "Didn't think I'd see you two here together."
Sasuke ignored the comment entirely. He pulled a slip of paper from his pocket and placed it on the counter. "I'm here for my sword," he said curtly.
Tenten’s smile tightened slightly, but she said nothing, disappearing into the back to retrieve the weapon. Hinata shifted uncomfortably, clutching her book as she stole a glance at Sasuke. He stood with his arms crossed, his posture rigid, his eyes fixed ahead. The disinterest in his entire demeanor stung more than she wanted to admit.
Tenten returned with the sword, holding it carefully in both hands. The newly polished blade gleamed under the shop lights. "Be careful with this one," she said lightly. "It’s extra sharp."
Sasuke gave a short nod and pulled out his wallet, handing her the exact amount. As soon as the transaction was complete, he turned sharply and walked toward the door without a word.
"Sasuke-kun," Hinata called softly, but he did not stop, did not even glance back. The door swung shut behind him, leaving her standing in the thick silence he had left behind. She felt her shoulders slump under the weight of her disappointment. It was familiar, but it never hurt any less.
"Wow," Tenten muttered, leaning against the counter. "He hasn’t changed much."
Hinata forced a small smile. "It's an improvement that he asked me to come with him."
Tenten tilted her head, studying her carefully. "That doesn’t sound like much of an improvement. Are you okay? How are things with him?"
The question hit harder than it should have. Hinata hesitated under the weight of Tenten’s kind but piercing gaze. "I’m managing," she said finally, her fingers tightening around the book in her hands. "I should probably go before he leaves—" She caught herself, the words trailing off bitterly. "I should catch up with him."
Tenten frowned but nodded slowly. "Hinata, you don’t have to—" She stopped herself, shaking her head. "Never mind. Good luck."
Hinata offered a small bow and hurried out the door. She scanned the street, expecting Sasuke to be gone. He had never waited for her before. It was foolish to think he would now.
She sighed softly, biting the inside of her cheek to keep her frustration at bay. Just as she was about to continue on her own way, she caught sight of him lingering in the shadows nearby.
"S-Sasuke-kun, I thought you left."
"A fangirl spotted me," he said. "I went to hide."
The bluntness of his statement took her by surprise. She stared at him, processing what he had just said. Then, before she could stop it, a laugh bubbled up from her chest.
Sasuke's face darkened immediately, his cheeks tinged red. "What’s so funny?" he asked sharply.
"I-I’m sorry," Hinata stammered, covering her mouth as she tried to stifle her giggles. "It's just the idea of you hiding from someone. It’s a little funny."
His jaw clenched, and a faint flush crept further into his cheeks. "I don’t see what’s so amusing," he muttered.
She tried to explain, but she was still caught in the moment. It felt good to laugh, to release the tension that had suffocated her for the past few months. But Sasuke did not share in the amusement. He looked as if he was about to storm off.
"Wait," Hinata blurted, reaching out and grabbing the edge of his cloak. "I’m sorry, Sasuke-kun. I didn’t mean to laugh."
He turned to face her fully, his dark eyes flashing with irritation as he yanked his cloak free of her grasp. "Don’t touch me," he snapped.
Hinata flinched, her hand falling to her side. She opened her mouth to apologize again, but something in his expression shifted. His gaze moved past her, locking onto something beyond her shoulder. She turned to follow his line of sight.
Sakura stood in front of Ino’s flower shop, a bouquet cradled in her hands. She bent slightly to inhale the scent of the petals, her expression peaceful. The soft glow of the late afternoon sun cast a gentle light around her.
Hinata felt the familiar ache settle in her chest. The distance between her and Sasuke had never been more painfully obvious.
The warmth in Sasuke’s eyes as he gazed at Sakura struck Hinata like a dagger to the chest. It was a look she had seen before, not from him, but from Naruto. That quiet, unwavering devotion, the kind that softened every sharp edge, the kind that spoke of love without a single word. She had long accepted that she would never see that expression directed at her, but knowing didn’t make the sting any less sharp.
Her fingers tightened around the book clutched to her chest. She shouldn’t ask. She already knew the answer. But the words pressed against her tongue, suffocating her. She had spent eleven months swallowing her pain, pretending not to notice the way Sasuke avoided their home, the way his silences stretched too long, the way he was always somewhere else, always with her.
“Sasuke-kun…” Her voice came out quiet, unsteady.
He finally turned, tearing his gaze away from Sakura, but whatever warmth had been there moments ago vanished the second his eyes met hers. His face hardened, his expression unreadable, but Hinata could feel the weight of the distance between them, heavy and suffocating.
The words clawed their way out before she could stop them. “Do you still love Sakura-san?”
The question hung between them like a blade, sharp and unforgiving. The world around them faded into nothing but the silence that followed. Sasuke’s dark eyes snapped fully to hers, the warmth he had shown to Sakura nowhere in sight. The tension thickened, suffocating, pressing into every breath.
His voice was low, cold. “Why would you ask me that?”
Hinata’s grip on the book trembled slightly, but she forced herself to hold his gaze. “Because it matters,” she said, steady despite the knot forming in her throat. “You’re my husband. I think I deserve to know.”
Sasuke’s expression remained unreadable, but irritation flickered beneath the surface. “Deserve to know what? That this marriage isn’t what either of us wanted? You already know that.” He glanced away, dismissing her like she was nothing more than an inconvenience. “What difference does it make?”
Hinata’s chest tightened, anger bubbling beneath the sorrow. “It makes a difference,” she said, her voice sharper now, cutting through the cold air between them. “I’m tired of feeling invisible to you, Sasuke-kun. You barely speak to me. You barely look at me. You spend more time with her than you ever have with me. So yes, I want to know. Do you love her?”
Sasuke scoffed, his gaze darkening as he turned to face her fully. “Hinata, stop. You’re being ridiculous. Sakura and I—”
“Ridiculous?” Her voice rose slightly, something breaking inside her, something she had kept buried for too long. “Is it ridiculous to want honesty from my husband? Or are you just angry because I’m saying something you don’t want to hear?”
His jaw tightened, irritation flaring in his eyes. For a long moment, he said nothing. Then, when he finally spoke, his voice was sharp and cutting. “This marriage was never about love. You knew that from the beginning. Don’t act like I owe you something. That was never part of the deal.”
Hinata’s breath caught, her chest aching from the weight of his words. She had always known this marriage was nothing more than a political arrangement, a duty forced upon them, but hearing it laid bare in such a cold, dismissive tone almost shattered her.
“You’re right, Sasuke-kun.” Her voice was quiet, but steady, each syllable laced with something bitter. “This marriage was never about love. But that doesn’t excuse the way you treat me. You don’t have to love me, but you could at least show me a shred of respect. Instead, you avoid me, leave me alone in a house that feels more like a prison than a home, and you don’t even pretend to try. Do you know how that makes me feel?”
Sasuke opened his mouth, but Hinata raised a hand, stopping him before he could offer another excuse, another empty response.
“No. Don’t.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, but it cut deeper than a scream. “I don’t want to hear it. I don’t want to hear how this isn’t what you wanted or how you’re bound by obligation. I already know. I’ve lived it every single day for the past eleven months.”
She stepped closer, her gaze locking onto his, raw and unflinching. “You may not owe me love, Sasuke-kun, but you owe me decency. And I’ve given you all the time in the world to figure that out, but you haven’t. So maybe it’s time you stop thinking about yourself for once.”
She turned before he could respond, walking away with quick, purposeful strides. The ache in her chest was unbearable, her hands trembling as she clutched the book tighter. She wouldn’t cry. Not here. Not now.
Behind her, Sasuke stood frozen. His gaze lingered on her retreating figure, unreadable, distant. And then, as if drawn by something stronger than reason, his eyes drifted back toward Sakura at the flower shop. The warmth returned.
Hinata didn’t see it.
She didn’t need to.
She had already felt its absence too many times to count.
x-x-x-x
As she walked away, Hinata’s heart pounded, a chaotic mix of guilt, anger, and hollow relief. She had finally spoken her mind, but the weight in her chest remained. If anything, it felt heavier, as if voicing the truth had only made it more unbearable. For months, she had been patient, loyal, and understanding. But even she had limits. And Sasuke, with his relentless indifference, had pushed her past them.
x-x-x-x
Back at home, silence greeted Hinata like an unwelcome guest. She set her book on the coffee table and sank into the couch as the dull hum of the television filled the empty space. Her thoughts raced, replaying the encounter with Sasuke repeatedly. The sting of her own words mingled with a twinge of guilt, but beneath it all lay an exhaustion born of eleven months of loneliness, disappointment, and unmet expectations.
Her eyes drifted toward the corners of the room, where long shadows stretched across the walls. "Maybe I should get a pet," she mused quietly. At least it might make the house feel a little less empty.
Before she could pursue the idea further, a wave of sadness crept in. Tears welled in her eyes and streamed down her cheeks as the weight of her situation pressed upon her. This was not the life she had imagined, nor the happy, loving marriage she had once dreamed of sharing with Naruto. Instead, she found herself trapped in a union with a man who treated her presence as an afterthought. In the first few months, Sasuke had been absent without a word, leaving her uncertain if he was even alive. When he finally returned, it hurt to learn he had been in touch with Sakura while never reaching out to her. Honestly, it bothered her more than she was willing to admit.
A knock at the door startled her, breaking the spiral of her thoughts. Hastily, Hinata wiped away her tears and made her way to the entrance, forcing herself to appear composed. When she opened the door, she was surprised to see Kakashi standing there with a book in his hand.
"Kakashi-sensei," she greeted, her voice slightly hoarse. "What brings you here?"
Kakashi's dark eyes studied her with soft, perceptive concern. "Were you crying?" he asked calmly.
"No, nothing like that," Hinata stammered as she quickly dabbed her eyes again. "Something got in my eyes, that's all."
Kakashi did not appear convinced, but he did not press the matter further. Instead, he extended the book he had been carrying. "I found this at the bookstore earlier. It is not Jiraiya's, but I thought you might enjoy it. It seemed like your kind of story."
Hinata blinked, taken aback by the thoughtful gesture. "Thank you, Kakashi-sensei," she said softly as her fingers curled around the book. "Would you like to come inside? I can make some tea."
Kakashi hesitated for a moment before a small smile appeared behind his mask. "I would like that," he replied in a warm tone.
Hinata stepped aside to let him in and guided him to the living room, where she indicated that he should take a seat. As he settled onto the couch, she busied herself in the kitchen. The quiet rhythm of preparing tea gave her a moment to steady her swirling emotions. By the time she returned with two steaming cups, she felt a measure of calm.
"Here you go," she said as she placed a cup before him. Taking a seat opposite Kakashi, she wrapped her hands around her own cup for warmth.
They sat in comfortable silence for several moments, the tension from earlier slowly easing away. Kakashi opened a book and casually flipped through a few pages, his relaxed demeanor quietly reassuring her.
After a sip of tea, Kakashi looked up in a gentle tone. "I do not mean to pry, but are you sure you are alright, Hinata-chan? You seemed upset earlier."
Hinata hesitated, her gaze dropping to the tea in her hands. She had not planned to talk about what had happened with Sasuke, but Kakashi’s calm presence made her feel safe enough to confide. "It is Sasuke-kun," she admitted softly. "We had an argument earlier. I…I snapped at him."
Kakashi offered her a moment of silence, giving her space to continue at her own pace. "I feel bad for yelling," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "But I am so tired, Kakashi-sensei. Tired of being ignored, tired of feeling like I do not matter. He is still in love with Sakura-san. I see it every time he looks at her. And while I am here alone in our house, I would not be surprised if he spends most of his time at her home."
Her voice faltered as she looked away, embarrassed by her confession. "I do not know what to do anymore. I feel trapped in this loveless marriage."
Kakashi’s expression softened as he gently set his tea down. "Hinata-chan, you do not deserve to feel this way. You have given more to this marriage than most, and it sounds as if Sasuke does not realize how fortunate he is."
Hinata shook her head, her lips pressed into a thin line. "I do not think he cares," she whispered.
Leaning forward, Kakashi fixed his gaze on her. "He should. Anyone would be lucky to have you, Hinata. You are a very cute woman." He paused and then added with a small, playful smile, "Beautiful, actually."
Hinata’s eyes widened and a deep blush spread across her cheeks. "K-Kakashi-sensei..."
Kakashi chuckled softly, his tone smooth yet sincere. "It is true. You should never let anyone make you feel as if you are anything less than wonderful."
Hinata looked down at her tea, her heart racing. Unsure of how to respond, she found that his words eased the ache in her chest. She felt the warmth of his sincerity even as she grappled with her own confusion.
After a moment, Kakashi leaned back. "If you ever feel lonely and need some company, I would be happy to spend time with you. We could discuss the books we are reading or share thoughts on the Icha Icha series. Honestly, I do not have anyone else to talk to about them, and it would be pleasant."
Still blushing, Hinata managed a small smile. "I would like that, Kakashi-sensei."
Kakashi regarded her for a moment, his dark eyes softening as her smile brightened. He returned her smile, the curve of his mask lifting subtly. Hinata looked away, focusing on her tea as she took a sip. Though her expression remained composed, a gentle warmth blossomed in her chest.