Paper Rings & Broken Hearts

Hinata sat quietly across from Sasuke at the dining table, fingers curled around her chopsticks, eyes occasionally flickering up to meet his. Dinner tonight had been quieter than usual, the only sound filling the room being the faint clinking of chopsticks against bowls. It was a comfortable silence, though still tentative in the newness of their fragile peace.

She noticed Sasuke's gaze lingering on his rice, his brow slightly knitted. She could almost see the gears turning in his head, the way his jaw clenched as he finally glanced up, meeting her eyes.

"I didn't seek Sakura out today," he began carefully. His voice held a low, quiet quality, the way it did whenever he addressed something sensitive. "I just ran into her while waiting for your cinnamon buns."

Hinata felt her chest tighten slightly, uncertainty flickering through her thoughts. She hadn't even aske, yet he felt the need to clarify it. A soft flutter warmed her chest. Sasuke was making an effort every day. Even if it wasn't perfect, he was trying, and she deeply appreciated it.

He continued, bluntly, eyes fixed on hers. "I'll find somewhere else from now on. No point in risking running into her again."

She nodded quietly, eyes dropping back to her bowl. Hinata understood the unspoken implication: he intended to buy sweets for her again. She couldn't help the faint smile at the thought, quickly hiding it behind a mouthful of rice.

The moment passed, returning briefly to silence before Sasuke cleared his throat, a subtle hesitation lingering in the air. "So...what exactly did you and Kakashi do today?"

Startled at the abrupt shift in conversation, Hinata lifted her eyes to meet his penetrating gaze. His face was unreadable, his tone nonchalant, yet his question carried weight.

"We went to a café," she answered softly, voice gentle but guarded. "Mostly, we just talked."

He hummed quietly, nodding as if accepting her words. But Hinata saw the glint in his dark eyes. He wasn't finished yet. A few tense seconds passed before he spoke again, his voice deceptively calm.

"Does Kakashi know you have a crush on him?"

Hinata’s heart practically seized mid-beat. A rush of heat flared in her cheeks, and she instinctively dropped her gaze, fingers tightening around the chopsticks as embarrassment crashed over her.

She shook her head rapidly. "W-What? No. He doesn't know."

"He's an observant person, Hinata," Sasuke pointed out bluntly, his tone slightly dry. "You blush at everything, even now. It's probably obvious to him. He’s not an idiot. He sees it."

She bit the inside of her cheek, uncomfortable at the implication. Could Kakashi really know? Surely not. She had always been careful—or so she thought. But then again, Sasuke was right, she did blush too easily, her emotions always visible right at the surface.

Sasuke sighed deeply, dropping his chopsticks onto the bowl, the sound sharper than he probably intended. "Look, I'm not saying it to embarrass you. But even if he hasn't figured it out, Kakashi obviously likes you. Even if he doesn't know how you feel, he's not blind, Hinata. If he knew how you felt, it'd only make him happier. I’ve seen the way he looks at you."

She parted her lips to protest, eyes widening. "Kakashi doesn't—"

"He does," Sasuke interrupted, voice low and pointed. "And I don't trust it. I don't care if you spend time with him because you're an adult, and unlike me, you've shown you can actually control yourself. But at night? That's different."

Hinata blinked, embarrassment fading to confusion. "Why specifically at night?"

Sasuke leaned back slightly, eyes narrowing, but his voice calm and even as he answered, "Because nighttime is intimate. And someone who already likes you doesn't need intimacy handed to them on a platter."

A tense silence filled the room, broken only by the faint humming of the refrigerator. Hinata glanced down again, taking a slow breath, trying to calm her racing heart. "…It doesn't matter anyway," she finally whispered, trying to regain some control. "I wouldn't cross any lines. I'm married to you."

Sasuke's expression remained stoic, unchanging, and he exhaled quietly, staring at her. His eyes darkened slightly, and she felt her pulse quicken again, this time from nervousness rather than embarrassment. "The way you said that," Sasuke began quietly, eyes piercing hers, voice carrying a subtle edge, "almost sounds as if you'd rather be free of me to be with Kakashi."

Hinata flinched visibly. The accusation hurt, digging into the pit of her stomach like a sharp, cold blade. She opened her mouth to deny it, to protest, to reassure him, but something made her hesitate. There was no venom in his words, but the calm, neutral delivery somehow hurt even more deeply. He wasn't angry, wasn’t shouting accusations at her, yet that made it worse.

She swallowed thickly, willing her emotions down. “…I didn’t mean it that way,” she said finally, voice more careful this time.

Sasuke studied her for a moment longer before exhaling through his nose. “I know,” he muttered, poking at his rice with his chopsticks. “I was teasing. Probably a bad tease, considering everything.” He paused, then, much to her surprise, muttered, “Sorry.”

Hinata blinked. That wasn’t something she was expecting.

For a moment, she wasn’t sure how to respond, so she simply nodded. “It’s fine.”

Sasuke didn’t dwell on it, though. Instead, he leaned back slightly, giving her a more pointed look.

Hinata started, “Do you still have an issue with me spending time with him?”

Sasuke didn’t even try to deny it. “I do,” he admitted, setting his chopsticks down. “Not because I’m jealous or anything. I don’t love you, so there’s no reason for me to be.” His tone was pragmatic as if he were explaining something completely logical. “It’s the age difference. And the fact that I don’t get what the hell you two even talk about for that long.” He glanced at her, expression unreadable. “If it were Naruto, I probably wouldn’t say anything.”

Hinata frowned slightly. “Why?”

Sasuke exhaled sharply, rubbing his fingers against his temple. “Because before all of this, you were with him,” he explained simply. “If you were sneaking off to meet Naruto, I would’ve just done the same thing and kept seeing Sakura.”

Hinata’s fingers twitched at the mention of Sakura. She looked down at her plate. “But…you still saw her anyway.”

There was a beat of silence.

Then, Sasuke exhaled heavily, setting his bowl down entirely. “You have a point,” he admitted.

Hinata glanced at him briefly, but he didn’t elaborate. He simply continued eating, clearly mulling over her words.

A few minutes passed before she spoke again. “How did you feel when you saw Sakura today?”

She didn’t know why she asked. Maybe she wanted to know if it was still difficult for him. Maybe she just needed to hear him say it. Either way, the question left her lips before she could stop it.

Sasuke’s chopsticks paused mid-air, hovering just before his mouth. His expression didn’t change, but she could see the way his jaw flexed.

After a moment, he lowered his hand, placing the chopsticks back into the bowl. “I did feel something,” he admitted, voice steady. “But I didn’t entertain it.” He looked at her then, eyes dark and unreadable. “Even if you don’t believe me, I’ll keep telling you that I’m serious about this. About starting over.”

Hinata wasn’t sure how to respond. She simply nodded, unsure of what else to say.

Sasuke exhaled again, shaking his head slightly. “Unlike you, I had a real relationship with Sakura. If I’m around her too much, I don’t trust myself.” He met her eyes then, unwavering. “But I do trust you. You have a crush—” he emphasized the word, “—on an old man, but I know you wouldn’t cross a line.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “I can’t say the same for Kakashi.”

Hinata’s lips parted, prepared to defend Kakashi, but the words never came.

Because suddenly, she remembered. The way his fingers had brushed against her cheek. The way his voice had softened when he said he wished she wasn’t married.

Sasuke caught the change in her expression instantly. His eyes sharpened.

“Exactly,” he muttered. “You can defend him all you want, but if I weren’t around as much as I am now, I’m sure he would’ve made a move by now.” His voice was calm, but firm. “The only reason he hasn’t is because he knows we’re actually trying.”

Hinata swallowed, her throat feeling tight. She didn’t know how to respond. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to.

Sasuke must have sensed the tension in the air because after a moment, he let out a quiet breath and pushed his bowl away. He shifted slightly, clearing his throat. “Anyway, I don’t feel like arguing about it. The point is, you can trust me. I’ll keep showing you that you can.”

Hinata looked at him, searching his face. Sasuke was a man of few words, indifferent to most things, but beneath that exterior, she had started to see something else. Something steady.

After a beat of silence, Sasuke changed the subject entirely. “Should I go with you to Kiba’s party?”

Hinata blinked. “Do you want to go?”

“No.”

She almost laughed. “Then why are you asking?”

Sasuke shrugged. “I feel like I should make up for missing the festival.”

Hinata smiled, touched by the sentiment. “I think it would be nice if you came. But I won’t pressure you.”

Sasuke was quiet, clearly thinking. Then, finally, he said, “I’ll consider it.”

She hoped he would.

The quiet clinking of chopsticks against bowls filled the space between them. It was a comfortable silence, something that had become surprisingly common between them in the last week and a half.

Hinata glanced up from her plate, watching Sasuke as he took another bite of rice. His expression was as unreadable as ever, but she could tell his mind was elsewhere, probably still lingering on their earlier walk.

She hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. "I’ve been thinking about taking up work at the Academy."

Sasuke’s chopsticks stopped midair, pausing for a second before he placed them back into his bowl. He turned his head slightly, his dark eyes settling on her.

Hinata tried to read his expression, but as usual, it was hard to tell what he was thinking. She wasn’t necessarily looking for his approval, she had already made up her mind, but a part of her was still curious about how he’d feel about it.

"Shino-kun told me there’s a spot open," she continued. "One of the instructors is going on maternity leave, and they need someone to help manage the Academy’s library for the next few months."

Sasuke remained silent, his fingers tapping idly against the rim of his bowl. She could feel his gaze on her, sharp and assessing.

“I figured…” she trailed off, glancing down at her food. “Before, when you wouldn’t come home, always out of Konoha or—” she swallowed, “—or over at Sakura–san’s…”

She didn’t miss the slight flinch in Sasuke’s posture. His shoulders tensed for just a second before he exhaled through his nose and took a sip of his tea.

Hinata continued, her voice softer now. “I used to feel restless. Like I didn’t have anything to do. Even though Kakashi kept me company for the last three months,” she whispered that last part, almost more to herself than to him, “I still felt like I needed something else to focus on. Something that’s just mine.”

Sasuke set his cup down, tilting his head slightly. "I think it’s a good idea."

Hinata blinked. She hadn’t expected him to respond so quickly or so supportively.

"You do?" she asked, surprised.

Sasuke nodded. "You’re good with kids. At least, that’s what I remember from Naruto running his mouth about you before we got married."

Hinata’s lips parted slightly. "Naruto-kun?"

Sasuke scoffed, shaking his head as he leaned back against his chair. "He used to talk my ear off about you. All day. Every day. How kind you are. What your hair feels like. How beautiful he thought your profile was. How strong you are. What a good cook you are. A bunch of other things that I didn’t care to hear.”

Hinata felt her face heat up.

“I know more about you than you probably think,” Sasuke continued, completely unaffected. "It was annoying." He took another bite, chewing for a moment before adding, "Not only that, but it got to the point where Sakura started asking Naruto if I had ever talked about her. It nearly caused an argument between us,” Sasuke muttered. "Made me even more irritated whenever I saw you."

Hinata’s blush deepened. He had said it so bluntly, so matter-of-factly. Like he hadn’t just listed off a thousand things Naruto had once adored about her.

She quickly cleared her throat, focusing on her food. "I…I didn’t know that."

Sasuke smirked slightly, but the expression faded as he went on. "You also obviously love books, even if some of them are questionable."

Hinata froze.

She knew exactly what he was referring to.

Her grip tightened slightly around her chopsticks as she recalled the exact moment—when Sasuke had first come back to Konoha, when he’d looked at her with that unimpressed, unreadable gaze and asked if she really read that smut.

The memory made her face burn.

Sasuke must have noticed because his smirk widened slightly, but he didn’t push further. Instead, he leaned forward, resting his arms against the table. "So, what exactly would you be doing there?"

Relieved that he was moving on, Hinata composed herself. "Mainly organizing and maintaining the Academy’s library. Helping the younger students with reading assignments. Managing book checkouts."

Sasuke hummed in thought. "Sounds easy enough."

"It should be," Hinata nodded. "I’ll find out more tomorrow when I go meet with the administration about the position."

Sasuke lifted a brow. "So you’ve already decided?"

Hinata smiled softly. "I have."

Sasuke nodded, setting his bowl aside. "Good. You should do it."

Hinata paused, her fingers tightening around her chopsticks as she stared at him. She hadn’t expected him to be this supportive. She knew he wouldn’t outright dismiss her decision, but she also didn’t expect him to outright encourage it.

"That’s surprising," she admitted quietly.

Sasuke smirked. "Why?"

"I don’t know," she said honestly. "I guess I thought you wouldn’t care one way or another."

Sasuke shrugged. "It’s something for you to do. Makes sense."

Hinata exhaled softly, looking down at her food. Something about hearing that from him made her feel warm.

As they finished eating, Sasuke stood and collected the dishes. “Go relax. I’ll wash up.”

Hinata blinked. “You don’t have to—”

“It’s fine,” he cut in. “I don’t mind helping.”

Hinata watched him for a long moment before finally relenting, stepping away.

x-x-x-x

The sitting room was easily her favorite place in the house. Unlike the traditional atmosphere of the rest of their home, this room had a more personal touch. It was warm, inviting, filled with an assortment of soft lighting and comfortable seating arrangements. There was a bookshelf against one wall, though it wasn’t as grand as the Hyuga’s collection. Instead, it was smaller, more personal.

A woven rug covered the wooden floors, and several large pillows were scattered around the space, perfect for curling up with a book. Hinata often found herself spending entire afternoons there, completely lost in whatever story she had chosen for the day.

Tonight was no different.

She had settled onto one of the oversized cushions, tucking her legs beneath her as she opened the book Kakashi had lent her. The paper felt slightly worn beneath her fingers, the pages creased in places where he had likely folded them back. It had been a while since she last borrowed a book from someone. It felt…nice.

As she read, the house was silent, except for the sound of Sasuke’s footsteps.

At first, they were distant, echoing lightly through the quiet halls. She could hear them shifting, pausing, then starting again, as if he didn’t quite know where to go. He wasn’t watching television. He wasn’t in his training room. He was just…moving.

Then, the footsteps grew closer.

Hinata didn’t look up right away, waiting until she felt his presence just outside the sliding door of the sitting room. When she glanced up, she found him standing there, surveying the space as if he had never really paid attention to it before. His gaze swept over the bookshelves, the seating, the quiet lighting—before his eyes landed on her.

His expression was unreadable, as it often was.

Hinata tilted her head. “Were you looking for something?”

Sasuke’s eyes flicked briefly to the book in her hands before he shook his head. “No. I was looking for you. I thought you’d be in the living room.”

“I was in a reading mood,” she explained, brushing her fingers against the pages.

Sasuke nodded, shifting slightly where he stood. “Then I won’t bother you.”

Hinata hesitated. Something felt…off. He wasn’t usually the type to seek her out unless he needed something.

“What is it?” she asked.

There was a pause. Sasuke rubbed his fingers against his forehead before finally exhaling. “Do you want to take a walk with me?”

Hinata blinked. “Right now?”

He nodded. “I was going to take a walk to clear my head. Thought maybe you’d want to come.”

His voice was calm, but there was something behind it, something restrained.

Hinata glanced at the clock. It was late. The village would be quiet at this hour, the streets empty. It wasn’t a request she had expected, but for some reason, she didn’t want to turn him down.

She closed the book, carefully setting it aside. “Okay.”

Sasuke nodded again, then turned toward the front of the house.

The night air was cool when they stepped outside. The streets were empty, just as she predicted, and the lanterns cast a dim glow over the stone pathways.

They walked in silence at first, their footsteps in sync. The breeze rustled the leaves overhead, the occasional firefly flickering in the dark.

After a few minutes, Hinata glanced up at him. “Why did you want to take a walk?”

Sasuke’s jaw clenched slightly before he answered. “There are some nights when I think about the past. I have a hard time shutting my brain off.” His voice was steady, but she could hear the edge of restraint in it. “Walking helps.”

Hinata nodded in understanding.

Sasuke exhaled through his nose, glancing up at the trees ahead. “I asked you to come because…” He trailed off, his mouth pressing into a thin line. Then, as if deciding against finishing the sentence, he shook his head slightly. “Anyway, forget it.”

Hinata didn’t push. But she wanted to. She let the silence settle between them again, letting him have the space he seemed to need.

Then, unexpectedly, Sasuke spoke again. “I saw something earlier.”

She looked up at him, waiting.

“There was some kind of event happening in the village today,” he continued. “Something for couples.” His lips twitched slightly as if he found it mildly irritating. “I saw Kiba there with his girlfriend. Forgot her name.”

“Tamaki,” Hinata supplied.

Sasuke nodded. “Right. Kiba was annoying as usual, but he was…fine.” There was a slight smirk at the memory before it faded. “That’s not why I brought it up.”

Hinata glanced at him curiously.

“Kiba mentioned something,” he said, keeping his gaze ahead. “He said you’d probably be into stuff like that.”

Hinata felt warmth creep into her cheeks. She ducked her head slightly. “…I guess.”

Sasuke exhaled. “Even though I’m trying, I don’t know if I could go to something like that with you.” His voice was calm, matter-of-fact. “It would feel like going there with Ino or Tenten.”

Hinata nodded, absorbing his words. She understood what he was saying. It wasn’t meant to be cruel—just honest. He didn’t have feelings for her, and being in a romantic setting like that would likely feel forced.

Sasuke ran a hand through his hair. “If you really wanted to go, though, I’d go with you.” He glanced at her then. “But just so you know, we’d be going as friends.”

Hinata smiled faintly. “That’s okay. I wouldn’t want to go there with you anyway.”

Sasuke’s head snapped toward her, his frown deepening. “Then who would you rather go with, Hinata Uchiha?”

She blinked at him. There was something sharp in his tone—something slightly offended.

Hinata sighed, shaking her head. “I wasn’t trying to hurt your pride. I just meant that it doesn’t seem like something you’d enjoy. I wouldn’t want to force you to go somewhere you wouldn’t have fun.”

Sasuke stared at her for a long moment, as if processing her words. His expression shifted slightly. Finally, he muttered, “You’re too nice.”

Hinata’s lips parted, his name slipping softly through them. “Sasuke-kun…”

The quiet way she said his name lingered between them, gentle yet piercing. Sasuke’s dark eyes held hers steadily, unwavering beneath the soft wash of moonlight. The night had settled around them, a comforting veil that made honesty just a little less daunting, and in the quiet, he finally spoke.

“Even though sometimes you know exactly how to crawl under my skin—how to frustrate me more than anyone, even Naruto, and your passive-aggressiveness seriously irritates the hell out of me,” he paused, voice lowering to something more introspective, more thoughtful, “you’re still…too nice, Hinata.”

Hinata stilled, caught off guard by the sudden vulnerability woven into his tone. Her eyes searched his face carefully, unable to look away even as her heart picked up its pace.

Sasuke stared ahead at the path unfolding before them, his jaw tight as he gathered his thoughts. His voice, softer than she’d ever heard from him, filled the silence again. “You’re nice to me, even though I don’t deserve it, not after everything I’ve put you through.”

He hesitated again, fingers briefly flexing into fists at his sides as though bracing himself for the words that followed. “I was worried, at first. About being home more often. I thought we’d keep fighting, especially if I brought up Kakashi, or if you mentioned Sakura. So, I tried to avoid that.” He let out a sigh, the sound tinged with exhaustion, yet relief colored it as well. “But lately, you’ve seemed lighter. Happier, maybe. And I guess I feel good too.”

She felt warmth rising to her cheeks, the sincerity behind his words wrapping around her gently. Sasuke continued, the corner of his lips twitching into a brief, hollow smile. “You’re always kind, always gentle, but somehow I managed to pull a different side out of you. You got angry enough to slap me. That day your anger burned so fiercely, I was sure I was the only one who could push you that far.”

He exhaled, gaze shifting briefly to the side, vulnerability flickering across his eyes. “But knowing that lately, I’ve been able to make you smile…to hear you laugh…” His voice grew softer, hesitant, as if the confession felt too intimate to speak aloud. “…makes me think maybe I’ve finally done something right.”

His words hung delicately between them, the quiet rustling of leaves and distant whispers of night. Sasuke refused to look her way again, gaze fixed straight ahead as if afraid of seeing her reaction. But she saw clearly the quiet honesty etched into his face, the sincerity he struggled to hide.

Hinata felt her chest tighten softly, emotions swirling, complex and unspoken. For a moment, neither said anything, the silence filled only by the gentle breeze and the soft sound of their footsteps as they continued walking beneath the calming glow of the moon.

They walked in silence for a while, the soft sounds of the night filling the space between them, the distant chirping of crickets, the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze, the occasional crunch of gravel beneath their feet. The air smelled of damp earth and something faintly floral, remnants of the late summer lingering in the cool night. Fireflies flickered in and out of sight, tiny golden sparks in the dark.

Sasuke, hands in his pockets, kept his gaze ahead, his expression unreadable. But Hinata could tell he was thinking. There was a tension in his shoulders, the way his jaw clenched momentarily before he finally spoke again.

“There are some nights…” He exhaled, slow, measured, like he was steadying himself. “Some nights when my mind won’t stop. It’s like no matter what I do, the past keeps crawling back in.”

Hinata slowed her steps, turning her face toward him. She listened, her focus solely on him as he continued, his voice lower now, quiet in a way that felt unguarded.

“I see things,” he admitted, his tone unreadable but heavy with something she couldn’t name. “The past—what happened that night. My mother, my father. Itachi.” His voice caught slightly on his brother’s name, and Hinata saw the subtle tightening of his fingers. “The things he made me see…what he put me through, over and over again, in that genjutsu.”

A long silence stretched between them, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was heavy. Laden with something so deeply embedded in him that she felt it in her own chest, a quiet ache for a grief she could never fully understand.

Sasuke stopped walking.

Hinata halted beside him, watching his profile in the moonlight. His expression was calm, but she could see it now—the lingering pain beneath the stoicism, the memories pressing at the edges of his mind.

He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “I know why he did it. I understand now. But back then, I was just a kid.” He scoffed slightly, but there was no humor in it. “I loved him, but I hated him, too. For a long time.”

Hinata’s fingers curled slightly at her sides, unsure if she should reach out to him. She hesitated, but her voice was gentle when she spoke. “You were alone.”

Sasuke’s gaze flickered to her, and she saw something shift in his expression, something raw. She could see it now—the lonely boy he had once been. The child who had lost everything, who had been left to piece together his own shattered world, all alone.

“I was,” he murmured. His voice was so quiet she barely heard it.

Hinata took a slow step closer, her voice soft but firm. “You’re not anymore.”

Sasuke blinked, his lips parting slightly as if he wanted to say something, but no words came. Instead, his gaze dropped to the ground, his shoulders lowering slightly as if releasing some unseen weight.

For a long moment, they stood there, surrounded by the hum of the night, the glow of fireflies flickering around them. And then, slowly, Hinata saw the corner of his lips twitch, not quite a smile, but close. A small, quiet curve that disappeared almost as quickly as it came.

“You really are too nice,” he muttered, shaking his head before turning away. But the softness in his voice gave him away.

Hinata shifted, tucking the fabric of her sundress around her legs as she sat down on the grass, pulling her knees to her chest. The night air was cool against her skin, and the sound of the stream nearby added to the peaceful atmosphere. She tilted her head up, watching as Sasuke remained standing, his posture stiff, as if unsure whether to join her or not.

“You should sit,” she said gently, gesturing to the open space beside her.

Sasuke’s dark eyes flickered toward her, hesitant. He rubbed the back of his neck before sighing and lowering himself onto the grass. He stretched one leg out, the other propped up with his elbow resting on his knee, a posture that somehow still held tension despite his efforts to appear at ease.

A comfortable silence settled between them, punctuated only by the gentle sounds of the forest, the quiet rustling of leaves, the occasional chirping of crickets, and the distant hoot of an owl. Hinata found herself watching him out of the corner of her eye, noting the way the moonlight highlighted his sharp features, the faint crease in his brow that never quite disappeared.

Then, almost absentmindedly, she said, “Your birthday is coming up.”

Sasuke’s head turned slightly. “I noticed you left a reminder on the fridge,” he said, his tone edged with suspicion. “How do you even know when it is?”

She smiled softly. “Naruto mentioned it once.”

He scoffed, shaking his head. “Figures.”

There was a pause before he exhaled, his gaze shifting away. “Don’t plan anything.”

Hinata blinked at him, slightly taken aback by the firmness in his voice. “I wasn’t,” she said lightly, resting her chin on her knees. “I just wanted to remember the day, that’s all.”

Sasuke shot her a sidelong glance, unimpressed. “You’re a terrible liar,” he muttered. “I mean it, Hinata. I don’t want anything.” His voice was flat, decisive. “I haven’t celebrated my birthday since my family was alive, and I’ve been fine without it.”

Hinata bit her lip, her fingers tightening around the fabric of her dress. The thought of him spending years letting his birthday pass unnoticed, like it was just another day, made her chest ache. She wanted to tell him that he deserved to be celebrated, even if it was just something small, even if it was just her acknowledging it.

But she didn’t push. Instead, she simply nodded. “Alright.”

She could feel his gaze linger on her, as if waiting for her to protest. When she didn’t, he looked away.

“Besides Kiba’s party,” she said, changing the subject, “I’m going to have dinner with my family soon. I’d like for you to come.”

Sasuke’s jaw tensed slightly. “I’ll go,” he said after a pause, but then added, “Not sure how that’s gonna turn out.”

Hinata tilted her head. “Why not?”

He let out a dry scoff. “Your father and sister probably aren’t too fond of me.”

Hinata shook her head. “I think you’d be surprised. My father doesn’t really know how bad things were between us.” She hesitated. “Hanabi might, though.”

Sasuke hummed in understanding. “I know she does,” he muttered. “She threatened me once.”

Hinata’s eyes widened. “What? When?”

His face remained impassive. “A while ago.”

“And you never told me?”

He shrugged. “Didn’t think it was worth mentioning.”

Hinata sighed, shaking her head. “I’m sorry if she overstepped—”

“She didn’t,” he cut in smoothly, surprising her. “She had every right to be pissed at me. Even if she annoyed the hell out of me, I knew she was right.”

Hinata studied him for a long moment, taking in the way he spoke about it so matter-of-factly. He didn’t try to justify himself. He didn’t try to act like he hadn’t deserved it.

Sasuke exhaled. “Everyone’s always up my ass about our marriage,” he muttered. “Makes me wonder if anyone ever said anything to you.”

Hinata shook her head. “No, not really.”

He scoffed. “Probably because I’m the only one who knows how close you are with Kakashi.”

She stiffened, heat creeping up her neck. Her fingers curled slightly against the fabric of her dress as she glanced away. “We’re not that close the way y-you’re making it out to sound.”

Sasuke arched a brow, clearly unimpressed. “Are you still crushing on the old man?”

Hinata’s throat tightened. She didn’t answer.

That was enough confirmation for Sasuke. He scoffed. “I don’t get it,” he muttered. “What’s so great about him, anyway? He always wears a mask. For all you know, he has buck teeth.”

Hinata let out a soft giggle, shaking her head. “He doesn’t.”

Sasuke turned fully toward her, eyes narrowing. “And you know that how?”

Hinata hesitated before lowering her gaze. “…Because I’ve seen his face.”

Sasuke’s entire body stiffened. He blinked once, twice, as if processing what she just said. “What?”

She suddenly felt shy, regretting admitting that at all. “He takes his mask off when it’s just the two of us.”

Sasuke’s expression darkened slightly. “Bullshit.”

“I’m serious,” she said, her voice softer.

Sasuke stared at her, skeptical. “The same Kakashi that spent years hiding his face? The same guy who made us waste an entire day trying to see it, only to have another mask underneath?” His tone was dry, but there was something else beneath it.

Annoyance.

Hinata tried to suppress a smile. “I swear, I’m telling the truth. Kakashi lets his guard down around me.”

Sasuke was still staring at her like he didn’t quite believe it. “And?”

Hinata bit her lip, suddenly flustered. The words slipped out before she could stop them. “He’s…handsome. Beautiful, even.”

The moment she said it, she regretted it.

A slow frown pulled at Sasuke’s lips. “Tch.” He turned his gaze away, scoffing under his breath. “Doubt it.”

Hinata swallowed, her face burning. She shouldn’t have said that. Why had she even said that?

She quickly tried to downplay it. “I mean, when he smiles—”

Sasuke turned his head sharply, his dark eyes pinning her with a look that made her clamp her mouth shut.

He looked displeased. Flustered, she buried her face against her knees, groaning softly. “I don’t know what possessed me to say that.”

Sasuke let out a slow exhale, shaking his head. “Whatever,” he muttered. “It’s not like I care.”

But Hinata could sense it, that mild irritation rolling off him, even if his voice remained indifferent.

She pressed her forehead to her knees, feeling thoroughly embarrassed. The atmosphere between them still felt a little awkward, but the weight of it had lightened.

She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, only to see that he was already side-eyeing her. He looked relaxed, but there was something about the way his lips twitched that made her wary.

Then, he spoke.

“So, is this how it’s going to be?” His voice was smooth, casual, but there was a teasing lilt to it.

Hinata blinked, confused. “What do you mean?”

Sasuke shrugged, plucking another blade of grass between his fingers. “You talking about how handsome another man is while sitting next to your husband.” He sighed dramatically, shaking his head. “I didn’t think I’d live to see the day my own wife would wound my pride like this.”

Hinata sat up straighter, eyes widening slightly. “I—I didn’t mean it like that!”

Sasuke hummed, looking completely unconvinced. “Mm. Sure.”

“I was just…” She hesitated, feeling flustered. “It’s not like I think Kakashi is—” She stopped herself, her face burning. “I mean—he is, but—” She groaned, burying her face in her hands. “I’m making this worse.”

She heard the faintest sound of a quiet snort.

Sasuke was enjoying this.

“I just meant—I wasn’t comparing!” she hurried to explain, lifting her head to look at him. “Besides…” She hesitated again, biting her lip.

Sasuke raised a brow. “Besides?”

Hinata shifted, feeling like she’d dug herself into a hole. But she forced herself to meet his gaze anyway, the words tumbling from her mouth before she could stop them.

“You’re…you’re very handsome too,” she admitted quickly, her voice barely above a whisper.

For a split second, his entire expression froze.

Hinata didn’t know what she had been expecting, but it certainly wasn’t the way his features stiffened, like her words had completely caught him off guard. He didn’t say anything at first, and for a moment, she worried she had overstepped.

But then she noticed it.

A faint heat creeping up his neck, just barely dusting the tips of his ears before he turned his face away. He rubbed his chin in an almost absentminded motion, clearing his throat as if to brush past what had just happened.

“Well,” he muttered, a smirk playing at his lips, “I guess I can let it slide this time.”

Hinata groaned again, this time hiding her face in her knees, willing the heat in her cheeks to fade. The moment stretched between them, neither of them speaking, the only sounds filling the space were the distant rustling of leaves and the occasional chirp of crickets.

Then, Sasuke shifted beside her.

"At least you didn’t call me beautiful," he muttered.

Hinata lifted her head slightly, blinking at him. "What?"

He was staring ahead, arms resting over his bent knee, his expression unreadable. "Kakashi’s ‘beautiful,’ but I only get ‘handsome.’” His tone was completely flat, but she caught the faintest twitch of his eyebrow. “Should I be offended?”

Hinata’s lips parted in shock. "I—I didn’t mean—" She stopped herself, quickly looking away.

Sasuke huffed, shaking his head. "Unbelievable. My own wife, ranking another man higher than me."

Hinata’s face burned. "That’s not what I was doing!"

"Mm." His response was entirely nonchalant, but she could hear it now, the tiny trace of amusement underlining his words.

Her lips pressed together as she looked down at the grass, feeling both flustered and slightly exasperated. "You’re not seriously upset about that, are you?"

Sasuke was quiet for a second too long. "No," he admitted. "But watching you get worked up over it is kind of entertaining."

Hinata let out a breath before shaking her head, a small, reluctant smile forming. "That was mean."

Sasuke shrugged. "Maybe. But it worked."

Hinata tilted her head, confused. "What do you mean?"

"You’re not hiding your face anymore," he pointed out, glancing at her briefly before looking back ahead.

Hinata paused.

Oh.

He had done that on purpose.

Her fingers curled into the fabric of her dress as she sat there, staring at him. Sasuke, who was distant and difficult, who could be so blunt and frustrating—but who was also trying.

Hinata looked down at her lap, her smile softening just slightly. "...Thank you."

Sasuke didn’t respond right away, but in the quiet of the clearing, she heard it, his quiet exhale, almost like a sigh.

"Tch. Whatever."

Hinata didn’t need to look up to know he was smirking.

x-x-x-x

The next morning…

Sasuke lay awake, staring at the ceiling. His arm was bent behind his head, his dark eyes tracing the familiar cracks along the wooden beams. The morning light filtered through the blinds, casting faint lines across his room, but he barely noticed. His thoughts were elsewher, lingering on the night before.

The real reason he had asked Hinata to walk with him.

He exhaled slowly, rubbing a hand down his face. He hadn’t told her the truth.

He had needed air. Not just fresh air, but space—distance from the thoughts that had crept up on him the moment he tried to rest. The kind of thoughts that refused to stay buried, no matter how much time passed. The kind that weren’t really thoughts at all, but memories.

Flashes of red. The metallic tang of blood. His mother’s lifeless body, the warmth drained from her skin. His father’s silent form. The way his brother’s eyes, full of sorrow and purpose, had been the last thing he saw before everything went black.

Sasuke inhaled sharply, pushing himself up.

He hadn’t wanted to be alone. But admitting that had been…difficult.

He hadn’t even expected Hinata to agree. He almost regretted asking her the second the words left his mouth. But she had surprised him, like she always seemed to lately, and after only a few minutes into their walk, she had completely pulled him out of his own head without her even knowing.

He was grateful for that.

Though, if she ever brought it up, he’d never admit it.

Sasuke swung his legs over the side of the bed and stretched his arms above his head before standing, rolling his shoulders as he made his way to the door. His body felt heavy from the night’s rest, but he ignored it as he stepped into the hallway, heading toward the bathroom down the hall.

Steam curled around him as the hot water streamed down his back, soothing the stiffness in his muscles. He braced a hand against the tiled wall, his head tilted downward, watching the water swirl down the drain. The heat seeped into his skin, loosening the tension that always seemed to settle between his shoulders.

He took his time, washing away the remnants of sleep, his fingers running through his hair, pushing the strands back. The pressure of the water drowned out the quiet hum of the house, the stillness outside.

Once he was finished, he turned off the shower and reached for the towel, running it over his face before stepping out onto the cool tile. The mirror was completely fogged over, his reflection nothing but a hazy blur. He wiped a hand across the glass, clearing a small section, just enough to see his face.

His dark eyes stared back at him, drifting lower to his damp hair. It was getting long in the front. Too long. The strands were starting to hang over his vision, which was an irritation he hadn’t cared much about before. But now, it was beginning to bother him.

Tch.

Sasuke reached for the cabinets, rummaging through them in search of shears. Nothing.

He sucked his teeth in mild irritation and ran his fingers through his hair again, pushing it back before stepping out of the bathroom. The house was quiet, almost eerily so.

"Oi, Hinata," he called out.

No answer.

His brow furrowed slightly. "Hinata?"

Still nothing.

He glanced toward the front door. Did she leave already?

His unspoken question was answered when his eyes landed on a small folded note sitting on the table. He walked over, picking it up, immediately noticing how neat her handwriting was—small, delicate strokes, precise and even.

Sasuke-kun,

I left early for the Academy to speak with the administration about the position. If you decide to eat breakfast, I set something aside for you. If you go training, please don’t be reckless again. Have a good day.

-Hinata

Sasuke exhaled through his nose, the corner of his lip tugging up slightly. He lowered the note and glanced toward the table, spotting the small plate she had left for him.

Onigiri.

Scoffing in amusement, he picked one up, taking a casual bite. The soft rice gave way to a familiar taste, one that sent a sudden jolt through him.His chewing slowed. His grip on the onigiri tightened slightly.

Tomato paste.

The exact way his mother used to make them.

Sasuke froze.

A memory surfaced so vividly that he could almost reach out and touch it, the scent of warm rice, the quiet laughter of his mother as she watched him eat, the softness of her voice as she asked if he liked them. He could see her so clearly, her eyes full of warmth, the gentle way she wiped a stray grain of rice from his cheek, her fingers cool against his skin.

No one had ever made them quite like her.

Not even himself.

Sure, a tomato was a tomato, but there was something different about the way she prepared them, something extra, something only she knew. He had never been able to replicate it.

Yet, somehow, Hinata had.

Sasuke swallowed, his throat feeling strangely tight. He stared down at the half-eaten onigiri in his hand, his fingers pressing into the soft rice. His stomach twisted with something unfamiliar, something foreign that he couldn’t quite place.

For the first time in years, he was eating something that tasted like home.

And he didn’t know what to do with that.

x-x-x-x

The Academy smelled exactly as she remembered—ink, parchment, and a faint hint of wooden polish. The sound of quiet murmurs and the occasional shuffle of sandals against the wooden floors filled the air as Hinata walked alongside the administrator, a middle-aged woman with sharp, discerning eyes and a no-nonsense posture. Her graying hair was pulled into a bun at the nape of her neck, and she carried herself with the same authority that came from years of overseeing the school.

Hinata listened attentively as they moved through the main corridor, heading toward the library. The woman, Madam Yuki, was explaining the responsibilities of the position.

"The previous assistant has already left on maternity leave, so we're a bit short-staffed. The main role will be maintaining the organization of the books, assisting students who need help finding material, and ensuring the library remains a quiet, studious environment. You’ll also be responsible for recording book checkouts and handling any returns. It’s a simple enough system, but if you need help, I’ll make sure one of the instructors walks you through it."

Hinata nodded, absorbing every word. "That sounds perfect. I’ll do my best to uphold everything."

Madam Yuki glanced at her, studying her in that way administrators always did when assessing a new hire. "I don’t doubt that. I’ve heard from Shino-kun that you’re a patient and dedicated worker. Those qualities are essential in a role like this. Some of these students require…gentle redirection."

Hinata’s lips twitched in amusement as they entered the library. The scent of aged parchment and ink filled the air, a scent she had always loved.

The space was wide and inviting, rows of tall shelves stretching toward the ceiling, filled with neatly stacked books and scrolls of varying subjects. The large windows along the far wall allowed natural light to spill inside, casting a warm glow on the wooden floors. There were quiet study areas with cushioned seats and a few scattered tables where students gathered, hunched over open textbooks and whispered conversations.

She could see students in the aisles, some diligently reading, while others were…less studious.

A small group of boys sat in the back corner, their textbooks open but clearly ignored as they passed a small game of shogi between them. One of them nudged the other when he spotted Hinata and Madam Yuki, prompting them to hurriedly grab their books and attempt to look busy.

Hinata smiled softly. Skipping class to hide in the library.

Madam Yuki, of course, noticed immediately, her sharp gaze cutting through their poor attempt at innocence. She sighed, shaking her head as she muttered, "At least they’re skipping class somewhere quiet. I suppose that’s an improvement."

Hinata stifled a small chuckle but remained professional.

They reached the main desk, where a stack of recently returned books was waiting to be shelved. The checkout ledger was open, its pages neatly recorded with students’ names and loaned books. The system was simple, each student had a card where their checkouts and due dates were written down.

Madam Yuki gestured toward the desk. "If you’re comfortable, you can start today."

Hinata blinked in surprise. "Oh—today?"

"If you’re ready," Madam Yuki confirmed. "You’ll mostly be observing for now, getting a feel for how things are run. By the end of the week, you’ll be handling everything on your own. Of course, if you have any questions, I’ll be in my office."

Hinata didn’t hesitate. She had come prepared for this, and the idea of immersing herself in the work right away was reassuring.

"I’d be happy to start today," she said, bowing slightly.

Madam Yuki nodded approvingly. "Good. I’ll introduce you to the few students who work here for extra credit. They’ll assist you if you need anything. Otherwise, you’re free to familiarize yourself with the system. Welcome to the Academy, Hinata-san."

Hinata exhaled, feeling a quiet sense of excitement settle in her chest as she stepped behind the desk, already reaching for the first book in the return pile.

Madam Yuki clapped her hands once, drawing the attention of a few students scattered around the library. “Now, before I leave you to settle in, I’ll introduce you to the students who work here for extra credit. You’ll be seeing them regularly, so it’s best to get acquainted.”

Hinata straightened slightly as three students approached the front desk.

The first was a girl with shoulder-length brown hair tied into two low ponytails. She had wide, alert eyes and an almost permanent bright expression. There was something about her that radiated enthusiasm, the kind of student who likely excelled academically but also had a tendency to chatter too much in class.

“This is Emiko,” Madam Yuki introduced. “She’s been working here the longest and will help you if you need anything. She knows the cataloging system like the back of her hand. Everyone, this is Hinata Uchiha.”

Emiko grinned, rocking on the balls of her feet. “It’s nice to meet you, Uchiha-san! Oh, wow, that’s going to take some getting used to saying.” She giggled, covering her mouth. “I mean, we all know who you are, of course, but it’s just—wow, weird saying it out loud. It’s so cool you’re married to the only living Uchiha.”

Hinata felt warmth rise to her cheeks. Uchiha-san. It did sound strange. No matter how much time passed, hearing others refer to her with Sasuke’s surname still caught her off guard.

The second student was a girl as well, but her energy was the complete opposite of Emiko’s. She was leaning against the counter lazily, arms folded behind her head, a relaxed smirk on her lips. Her hair was cut into a messy bob, and she had sharp eyes that looked far too amused for a school setting.

“This is Rika,” Madam Yuki said, and the girl lifted two fingers in a lazy salute. “She’s…efficient when she wants to be.”

“I prefer to work smarter, not harder,” Rika said with an exaggerated yawn. “But don’t worry, Uchiha-san. I’ve got the best shelving system in the whole library…as long as you don’t ask Madam Yuki to verify that.”

Hinata smiled softly. “It’s nice to meet you, Rika-san.”

Finally, the last student stepped forward, and the moment Hinata got a good look at him, she almost did a double take.

Oh…

He was a boy, slightly shorter than the two girls, with jet-black hair spiked naturally in the back. His bangs framed his face in an eerily familiar way, but what startled Hinata the most was his eyes. They weren’t sharp like Sasuke’s, but his facial structure resembled him so much.

And yet, the moment he grinned widely, stretching his face into something far too warm and carefree, she realized the resemblance ended there.

Because he had Naruto’s energy.

“This one is Daiki,” Madam Yuki said, gesturing toward him with a tired expression that suggested he had caused her quite a few headaches over the years.

Daiki puffed out his chest, crossing his arms as he grinned confidently. “I’m Daiki, the strongest genin in the entire academy!” he declared, tilting his chin up with pride. “No one even comes close!”

Ruki scoffed, stepping forward as she planted her fists on her hips. “Excuse me? I am the strongest genin in the entire academy. You just think you are because you’re loud.”

Daiki spun to face her, eyes narrowing. “I am the strongest! Ask anyone!”

“Ask who? Your reflection?” Rika shot back.

“I don’t need to ask my reflection because my reflection already knows I’m the best!”

Hinata watched the exchange, pressing her fingers lightly together as she withheld a chuckle. Their bickering reminded her of a much younger Naruto and Kiba, and despite their argument, she found it endearing. But she kept that to herself, offering instead a small, composed smile.

“I look forward to working with all of you in the library,” she said warmly.

Madam Yuki let out a weary sigh, clearly accustomed to their antics. “I’ll leave you to it, then.” She adjusted the ledger in her hands before glancing at Hinata. “You can take your break in four hours.”

Hinata nodded. “Okay.”

As soon as Madam Yuki disappeared through the doors, an eerie silence fell over the three children. Then, as if they had all collectively come to the same realization at once, their heads snapped toward Hinata.

And they stared.

Unblinking.

Hinata blinked back. “Um…”

Then the questions came.

“Is it true you were on Shino-sensei’s team when he was our age?”

“Did you really fight in the Fourth Shinobi War?”

“What was it like? Did you see the Hokage fight? Did you fight him?”

“Did you fight with him?”

“Did you fight Sasuke Uchiha when he was a criminal?”

“Did you—”

Hinata took a small step back, overwhelmed by the rapid-fire interrogation. She could hardly keep up.

“How about this,” she interjected gently, raising her hands in a calming gesture. “I’ll answer your questions…but only while we work.”

The three exchanged glances before nodding in unison. “Deal!”

They quickly got to work, their hands moving as fast as their mouths.

“So, what was the Fourth War like?”

The question sent a chill down Hinata’s spine.

She had expected it—after all, it was only natural for children to be curious about history. But the memories that surfaced weren’t the kind she wanted to revisit. The battlefield. The losses. The fear that had gripped her heart as she watched so many people she cared about struggle for their lives.

Still, she forced a soft smile, steadying herself.

“It was…a very difficult time,” she answered carefully. “But we all fought to protect the people we cared about.”

They didn’t seem to catch the hesitation in her voice or the way her fingers tightened ever so slightly around the book she was holding.

Rika hummed thoughtfully as she stacked books onto the low shelf. “Difficult how? Like, was it harder than the Chunin Exams?”

Hinata paused, briefly glancing at the scroll in her hands before setting it on the cart. “Much harder,” she admitted. “The war wasn’t a competition, it wasn’t about winning or losing a match. It was about survival.”

The three fell silent for a moment, the weight of her words sinking in. But then Daiki, ever energetic, piped up again.

“Did you fight anyone super strong?” he asked, his voice tinged with excitement. “Like…really, really strong?”

Hinata hesitated. The answer was obvious. She had faced more than her fair share of powerful opponents, but it wasn’t something she liked to dwell on.

“Yes,” she said simply.

That was not enough for them.

“Who?” Emiko pressed, leaning in eagerly. “Did you fight Madara Uchiha?”

Hinata’s fingers twitched. She exhaled softly, shaking her head. “No. Not Madara.”

Rika tilted her head. “Then who?”

Hinata swallowed. “The Ten-Tails.”

The three of them stared at her, utterly dumbfounded.

“You fought the Ten-Tails?” Daiki exclaimed, his voice practically a shriek. “The actual Ten-Tails? Like, the giant monster with all the eyes and the crazy chakra?”

Hinata gave a small nod, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the spine of a book. “Everyone fought it,” she said. “It wasn’t something one person could handle alone.”

“But you fought it,” Ruki pointed out. “That’s insane.”

Daiki threw his hands up. “Why did no one tell us this before?! We should’ve learned this in history class!”

Emiko tapped her chin thoughtfully. “I think we did. But the textbooks don’t say anything about her fighting it.”

Daiki crossed his arms, pouting. “That’s dumb. That’s important information!”

Hinata chuckled lightly, trying to steer them back to their work. “There were many people involved in the war,” she said. “It’s not surprising that not every detail was written down.”

Rika’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if deep in thought. “Then what was written down?”

Before Hinata could respond, Daiki spoke up again, practically bouncing on his feet. “Ooh! Ooh! Did you ever see Hokage-sama fight?”

Hinata’s breath hitched, but she masked it with a quick nod. “Yes.”

“What was he like? Did he really take on Madara and Sasuke-sama?”

“And was he always that strong?” Ruki added.

Hinata smiled, this time genuinely. “Naruto-kun worked very hard to become strong. He wasn’t always powerful, but he never gave up and he became one of the strongest shinobi of our generation.”

Daiki grinned widely. “That’s so cool!”

Emiko, who had been quiet for a moment, suddenly perked up. “Wait, wait, wait! Did you ever fight alongside him?”

Hinata faltered. “I—”

“She must have,” Rika said. “If she was in the war, and he was in the war, then they must’ve fought together at some point.”

Daiki turned to her expectantly. “So? Did you?”

Hinata hesitated. “Yes.”

“What was that like?”

Her mind flickered back to the battlefield, the desperation, the overwhelming dread, and then the moment he had taken her hand, pulling her back from the brink of despair.

She felt the warmth of his chakra in her memory, the way he had looked at her, determined and unwavering.

But those were feelings she had long since buried.

“It was…” She searched for the right words, forcing another gentle smile. “It was reassuring.”

The three kids didn’t seem to pick up on the deeper meaning behind her words, too caught up in their own excitement.

“That’s so awesome,” Daiki gushed. “I wanna be that strong one day!”

Rika huffed, rolling her eyes. “Then you’d have to actually train instead of just talking about how great you are.”

“I do train!” Daiki shot back.

Hinata exhaled, suppressing a laugh. It seemed the two of them were at it again.

“I gotta say, that was a pretty solid retelling of my greatest moments.”

The familiar voice sent a jolt through Hinata’s chest.

She turned slowly, her breath catching as she caught sight of him. Naruto Uzumaki, Seventh Hokage of the Hidden Leaf, standing in the doorway of the library with his signature, easygoing grin.

His blue eyes were focused on the three children, watching them with amused fondness. But she knew. She knew he had already noticed her the moment he stepped inside. He was purposely avoiding looking her way.

It had been a long time since she had seen him. Not years, not even close, but it felt like it had been.

A stunned silence fell over the children, their mouths hanging open in perfect synchrony.

Then—

“HOKAGE-SAMA!”

Daiki, Rika, and Emiko bolted toward him, their tiny bodies vibrating with excitement as they bombarded him with questions, their words tumbling over each other in rapid succession.

“Hokage-sama, is it true you beat Sasuke Uchiha in a fight?!”

“Do you really eat ramen every day?!”

“Can you do a Rasengan right now?! Right here?!”

Naruto laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Whoa, whoa—slow down, will ya? I can’t answer everything all at once.”

The kids, practically bouncing on their feet, looked ready to continue their onslaught, but he raised a hand. “Actually, I need to have a quick chat with the lovely librarian over there.”

Hinata blinked as all three heads turned toward her, their faces twisting with exaggerated expressions of realization.

“Ohhhhh,” Daiki whispered.

“We should go,” Rika murmured.

Emiko nodded vigorously. “We should definitely go.”

Naruto chuckled as the kids scurried off, leaving the library in a flurry of hushed giggles and not-so-quiet whispers of "Did you see how he looked at her?!"

And then, finally, he turned to her. His blue eyes met her white ones, his face softening into something gentle, something familiar. “Hey, Hinata.”

She offered a small smile. “Hi, Naruto-kun.”

He took a step forward, slipping his hands into the pockets of his Hokage cloak. “It’s been a while,” he said. “I heard from Shino that you were looking into working at the library, but that was, what? A week ago?” He tilted his head slightly. “Haven’t seen you around.”

Hinata tilted her chin up just a fraction. “Have you been looking for me?”

Naruto’s lips quirked. “Maybe.” He shrugged. “I just wanted to check in. See how you’ve been doing.”

She exhaled softly. “I’ve been fine.”

Naruto’s gaze lingered for a beat longer before he asked, “Is Sasuke treating you well?”

Hinata nodded. “He is.”

Naruto blinked, clearly surprised by her immediate answer. Then, after a moment, he let out a slow sigh, running a hand through his hair. “Good. That’s good.” A grin broke out across his face, but there was something sharper beneath it. “I was worried he was still being a dick, ‘cause if he was, I was gonna break his legs.”

Hinata couldn’t help it, she smiled. Because despite the lighthearted tone, she knew Naruto meant it. Through and through.

Even after they had to break up, after her arranged marriage was sealed, after they were forced onto separate paths, Naruto had never stopped looking out for her in his own way.

“How’s life as the Hokage?” she asked, shifting the focus away from herself.

Naruto groaned dramatically and flopped onto the desk, slouching forward. “Ugh. Too much paperwork. I thought being Hokage would be all about cool missions and leading the village, but nope. It’s meetings and signatures and more meetings.” He rubbed his temples before shooting her a tired smirk. “It’s interesting, chaotic, and completely draining.”

Hinata giggled. “That sounds about right.”

Naruto sat up, kicking his legs lightly. “Enough about me.” His gaze softened again. “How are you really doing?”

Hinata knew what he was asking.

How has your marriage been?

How have you been coping?

She shifted, pressing her fingers together. “It was difficult in the beginning,” she admitted, her voice quieter. “Very difficult.” She hesitated, then continued. “Sasuke-kun and I argued a lot. But lately, he’s been trying really hard.” She exhaled. “And so have I. We haven’t argued in a while.”

Naruto listened carefully, nodding slowly. He seemed pleased with that answer.

Then, suddenly, he let out a whistle. “Sasuke told me you slapped him.”

Hinata winced. “I felt bad about that.”

Naruto snorted. “Don’t. He probably deserved it. Honestly, you should’ve given him, like, five more slaps.”

Hinata opened her mouth to protest, but then Naruto grinned at her.

She stared.

He stared back.

And then—

They laughed.

Naruto stretched his arms behind his head, letting out a yawn as he rocked back onto his heels. “So, what kinda librarian duties do you have to suffer through today?”

Hinata smiled softly. “Madam Yuki wants me to organize the returned books and reshelve them.” She gestured toward the small cart of books beside her. “It’s not difficult, jus time-consuming.”

Naruto peered at the cart, then back at her. “Want some help?”

Hinata hesitated. She appreciated the offer, but…“I think I should do my job on my own.”

Naruto smirked, tilting his head. “Hokage work is technically my job too, but I’d love to pawn some of it off.”

She giggled. “That’s not how it works.”

“Are you sure?” His voice was teasing.

Hinata shook her head, amused. “I should handle this myself, but if you don’t have too much to do and want to linger around while I work, I wouldn’t mind chatting.”

Naruto’s grin stretched wide, his blue eyes brightening like a child given permission to stay up past bedtime. “Ohhh, so I get to be a library ghost?” He shoved his hands into his pockets and walked beside her as she began shelving books. “I can do that.”

She smiled to herself as she placed a book back in its proper spot, feeling a warmth in her chest at how easily they slipped back into familiar rhythms.

As she moved down the aisle, Naruto strolled leisurely behind her. “Hey, do you still bake cookies whenever you get a sweet tooth?”

Hinata turned slightly, surprised by the question. “I do,” she admitted. “I actually baked some just the other day.”

Naruto whistled. “Man, some things never change.”

She smiled to herself. “I was craving something sweet, but Sasuke-kun actually bought me cinnamon buns before I even had the chance to eat what I made.”

Naruto blinked. He stared at her for a second, processing. “Wait. Hold up. Sasuke bought you cinnamon buns?”

Hinata nodded, sliding a book into place. “He did.”

Naruto made a face like he was trying to make sense of an impossible math equation. “Sasuke? The guy who never even shared his snacks as a kid? The guy who used to insult my instant ramen choices like he had superior taste? That Sasuke?”

Hinata giggled, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “It was…unexpected.”

She took another book from the cart, placing it neatly on the shelf. When she stepped back, she caught Naruto watching her, his eyes softened, thoughtful.

She raised a brow. “What?”

Naruto shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. “It’s nothing.”

Hinata studied him for a second before rolling her eyes. She grabbed another book. “Have you been eating any vegetables?”

Naruto recoiled immediately, his entire body tensing like she had just accused him of a heinous crime. “Pfft. No. Why would I do that?”

Hinata sighed, shaking her head disapprovingly. “Naruto-kun, you need vegetables in your diet.”

Naruto made a face, wrinkling his nose. “I eat ramen. That’s all the fuel I need.”

Hinata placed her hands on her hips. “Ramen doesn’t count as a balanced meal.”

“Sure it does!” Naruto grinned. “It’s got broth—hydration. Noodles—carbs for energy. Meat—protein. And if I have to, I’ll eat the egg on top. Boom. All the food groups.”

Hinata shook her head, laughing. “That is not how food groups work.”

Naruto gasped dramatically. “You wound me. My diet is flawless.”

She smiled at him, shaking her head. “You haven’t changed.”

“Neither have you,” he said, his voice softer, fond.

She looked at him for a moment, feeling the nostalgia settle between them. It wasn’t just about catching up, it was the feeling of old familiarity, of missing someone’s presence in your life and realizing just how much you’d missed them when you finally see them again.

They weren’t just exes.

They were friends.

And they had missed each other.

x-x-x-x

A few days later…

The day passed slowly, painfully uneventful. Sasuke spent the morning hours training alone, moving through familiar routines with mechanical precision. But his heart wasn’t in it. Afterward, he wandered the streets of Konoha aimlessly, hands shoved in his pockets, brows furrowed, mind debating in circles.

He was never someone who cared what others thought about him, not openly at least. Yet now, as afternoon settled firmly into evening, he found himself hesitant. The thought of arriving at a party filled with people who surely knew how poorly he'd treated Hinata at first wasn't exactly appealing. Even if things between them were good now, better than they'd ever been, that wouldn’t erase the quiet judgment in their friends' eyes. They wouldn’t see his improvements, only his past failures.

He wasn't naïve. They would watch him, evaluate him silently.

It was irritating.

And then there was Sakura, possibly Naruto too. Sasuke sighed at the thought. Naruto he could handle. He was blunt and upfront. They understood each other, for better or worse. But Sakura was different. Awkwardness always lingered whenever she spoke to him, tension simmering just beneath the surface. And didn’t want to be alone with her for too long. He didn't have the energy to deal with that today.

If he went, he'd prefer sticking close to Hinata, at least then he'd feel a sense of ease, but even that felt selfish. He didn’t want her to sense how uncomfortable he truly felt.

Still, as the sun lowered further, an annoying whisper of guilt tugged at him. If he didn't decide now, the party would end, and he'd disappoint Hinata again. It wasn't something he wanted to repeat.

"Damn it," he muttered under his breath, irritated at himself. He rose sharply from his seat, forcing himself to move toward the Inuzuka compound before he changed his mind.

X X X

When he reached the door, he barely raised his hand before it swung open abruptly. Sasuke blinked in surprise, instantly meeting the narrowed, sharp gaze of an older woman. Wild brown hair framed a weathered face, intense eyes scrutinizing him with suspicion. She reminded him vaguely of Kiba, the same feral, canine energy radiated off her in waves.

Recognition softened her expression just a fraction. "You're Hina-chan's husband, right? Sasuke?"

He nodded stiffly, shoulders tense.

She observed him for a moment longer, then cracked a rough grin. "Didn't think you'd show up. Come on in. Everyone's already out back. Hinata's around somewhere."

As he stepped inside, he paused briefly, surprised by the neatness of the interior. He'd expected the overwhelming smell of wet fur, animal musk, or scattered clutter typical of a house filled with dogs, but instead, everything was tidy, clean, comfortable. It smelled pleasant, warm even. He felt a small surge of relief at that.

The older woman gestured toward the back. "Out there," she repeated firmly, already moving away to tend to something else.

Taking a slow breath, Sasuke followed her direction, stepping out into the backyard. He halted immediately, eyes widening slightly at the sheer number of people gathered there.

Since when did Kiba know this many people?

His eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he scanned the scene. Members of Kiba's family were easily recognizable by the familiar red triangle tattoos on their cheeks. But beyond them, groups of unfamiliar faces laughed and talked loudly amongst each other, likely colleagues from Kiba’s work in the police force, as Hinata had mentioned before.

He shifted his gaze, scanning for familiar faces among the crowd. Shikamaru was deep in conversation with Chouji and Temari, his typical expression of lazy annoyance present. Tenten laughed beside Lee, who spoke animatedly to Naruto. At least Naruto seemed occupied. Good.

Further to the left, Sakura stood with Ino and Sai, their conversation appearing calm, almost cheerful. A small, unconscious smile formed on Sasuke's lips, relieved she wasn't alone or uncomfortable.

At the center of the gathering, Kiba himself stood loudly laughing, his arm casually draped over the shoulders of his girlfriend—whose name Sasuke never quite remembered. The Inuzuka's loud voice carried clearly across the yard as he joked with his circle of friends.

He continued to look around slowly, suddenly realizing he hadn't yet seen Hinata.

Brows knitting together, he searched until finally his gaze settled on her small figure seated at a table near the edge of the party. A plate of cake rested in front of her, drawing an amused exhale from Sasuke. Another man sat nearby, speaking to her animatedly. Even from this distance, Sasuke could easily tell he was trying to flirt, leaning in too close, eyes fixated on Hinata's delicate features. Yet, Hinata didn't appear bothered, if anything, she seemed entirely focused on enjoying her dessert, only politely responding when necessary.

He frowned slightly, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. But he forced it down; she could handle herself just fine.

Not quite sure what he was supposed to do now, Sasuke stood awkwardly for a moment longer, silently evaluating the unfamiliar gathering. He'd forced himself to come, yes, but now that he was here, he felt more out of place than he'd anticipated.

He wondered briefly if Hinata had even noticed him yet. Probably not, considering her deep attention to the cake. He exhaled again, eyes shifting warily around the yard. He needed to move, join in—do something other than standing here like a fool. And yet, nothing felt quite right.

This, he thought bitterly, is exactly why he rarely bothered with gatherings like this.

But he'd come for Hinata. For the small, quiet hope she'd had in her voice that morning. The part of him that wanted her to know he cared, even if he was terrible at showing it openly.

Swallowing his discomfort, Sasuke finally stepped forward, prepared to face whatever judgment awaited him.

"Sasuke-kun," Sakura said softly from behind him.

His entire body stilled. Sasuke turned slowly, expression carefully neutral, and saw her standing there. She smiled shyly, dressed in a soft pastel-colored sundress that reached just above her knees, the color contrasting gently with her hair. Her hair was styled neatly, slightly curled at the ends, framing her face. A small necklace glinted subtly against her collarbone, catching the evening light.

"I'm happy you came," Sakura greeted gently, shifting slightly in place.

Sasuke nodded once, a short acknowledgment. He tilted his head slightly towards Sai and Ino, standing nearby, chatting with cheerful expressions. "Seems you weren't all alone anyway."

Sakura's smile grew warmer, more relieved. "Things have been alright since I got here, actually."

"Good," Sasuke said shortly, hoping the conversation would end there.

But Sakura didn't move. She hesitated for a moment, then tried again. "So, um...how have you been lately?"

He shrugged, avoiding her gaze. "Okay."

His eyes drifted away restlessly, scanning the crowd again. Almost immediately, they locked onto Naruto’s blue eyes, narrowed and focused directly on him. Sasuke stiffened slightly under the intensity of Naruto’s stare.

Turning back quickly, he lowered his voice to Sakura, expression serious. "I don't think it's a good idea for us to be talking alone like this."

Sakura frowned gently, shaking her head with a soft sigh. "You worry too much, Sasuke-kun. There are tons of people around. Everyone's busy talking and drinking. Nobody's even paying attention to us."

Sasuke clenched his jaw, his irritation spiking, but he didn't reply. Paranoia crept beneath his skin. He glanced again at Hinata, hoping she'd noticed hiyet her attention remained completely on her cake and the man sitting beside her.

Before Sasuke could consider leaving, Naruto’s voice interrupted sharply. "Yo."

Sasuke glanced to his left and found Naruto standing in front of them, eyes guarded.

"Oh, hi, Naruto," Sakura greeted softly.

Naruto smiled gently at Sakura. "Hey, Sakura-chan." He turned immediately towards Sasuke, expression tightening slightly. "I wasn't expecting you to show up."

Naruto's eyes flicked meaningfully between him and Sakura. He jabbed his thumb behind him, motioning toward Hinata's direction. "Hinata's back that way, if you're looking for her."

"I saw her," Sasuke replied flatly, voice cool and indifferent. "I'll talk to her shortly."

Naruto crossed his arms, frowning pointedly. "Better hurry up. The guy talking to her hasn't left her side since he got here. He's been eyeing her non-stop."

Sasuke shrugged dismissively, feigning disinterest. "Hinata knows how to handle herself."

Naruto's frown deepened into annoyance. "Shouldn't you at least go check on her? She is your wife, after all."

Sasuke's jaw tightened at Naruto's tone, voice sharp and annoyed. "I know exactly who she is. I don't need you to remind me."

Naruto only grunted irritably in response, turning instead toward Sakura. He sighed quietly, expression softening slightly. "How have you been lately?"

She gave him a soft, cautious smile. "I've been well."

A heavy silence hovered above them. Naruto shifted awkwardly, clearly uneasy with the moment. He cleared his throat, forcing a conversation. "Hinata mentioned things were going better between you two," Naruto said, his gaze flicking back to Sasuke.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "She told you that today?"

Naruto shook his head. "No. I visited her at the school the other day while she was working. I'm glad things have improved." Naruto's eyes narrowed suddenly, voice lowering. "Because if you weren't treating her right, I'd punch your face in."

Sasuke scoffed, eyes narrowing sharply. "You could try."

They glared at each other, the air growing heavy with tension. Sakura quickly stepped between them, trying to diffuse the situation. "Hey, guys, please. Let's not do this here."

Naruto huffed irritably, backing off slightly. Sasuke exhaled sharply, pulling back his own irritation.

Just then, someone across the yard called Sakura's name. She turned, raising her hand to indicate she'd be right there. Sakura glanced at Naruto, smiling softly. "I'll talk to you later, Naruto. We still need to discuss hospital matters, anyway."

Naruto gave a short nod. "Sure."

When she turned to Sasuke, she hesitated for a brief second, cheeks coloring faintly as she tucked her hair shyly behind her ear again. "Later, Sasuke-kun."

Sasuke watched her retreating figure briefly, feeling a slight discomfort at her lingering gaze. But the heavy weight of Naruto's stare quickly drew him back, making him frown. "Why are you staring at me?"

Naruto eyed him suspiciously, arms folded stubbornly across his chest. "What's going on with Sakura?"

Sasuke groaned in annoyance, rolling his eyes impatiently. "Nothing. I don't hang around Sakura, so there's nothing to it." He crossed his own arms firmly, now thoroughly irritated.

Naruto grunted again but abruptly shifted his attention, pointing suddenly across the yard at Hinata. "Look. That's her third slice of cake already."

Sasuke snorted softly, following Naruto's gesture and watching Hinata closely.

She was smiling warmly, fully engaged in the conversation with the man sitting beside her. She nodded occasionally as he spoke, clearly listening carefully and responding politely. Yet whenever she took a bite of cake, a soft blush would spread faintly across her cheeks, her eyes sparkling happily at the sweet taste. She looked genuinely delighted, lost in her own small moment of quiet joy.

Sasuke shook his head slowly, a faint smile tugging involuntarily at his lips. "She's really going to rot her teeth out one of these days."

Naruto suddenly spoke again, voice oddly hesitant. "Sasuke, you…"

Sasuke tore his gaze away from Hinata sharply, eyebrows furrowing in confusion at Naruto’s startled expression. "I what?"

Naruto stared at him a moment longer before slowly shaking his head, a quiet, amused laugh escaping him. "Nothing," he murmured, clapping Sasuke roughly on the shoulder. "You think everything's fine, but maybe you should still go check on Hinata." Naruto patted him again with a mischievous grin before walking off, leaving Sasuke irritated and confused.

Sasuke sighed heavily, glancing back toward Hinata. She stood up from her seat, smiling politely at the man still seated. Sasuke narrowed his eyes as the man openly stared at Hinata's retreating figure, lips curving into a sly, suggestive smile.

Perhaps he should intervene after all. Sasuke moved swiftly forward, taking Hinata's vacated chair without hesitation, leaning back calmly in the seat.

The man's expression shifted quickly into annoyed irritation. "Someone was sitting there," he snapped.

Sasuke raised a brow indifferently, voice cold and mocking. "Doesn't look like they're sitting here now."

The man's mouth opened angrily to argue, but a feminine voice suddenly interrupted them, shy yet excited. "Um, excuse me—are you Sasuke Uchiha?"

Sasuke looked up warily, quickly realizing it wasn't just one woman but three, standing in front of him with flushed cheeks and overly bright eyes. They whispered excitedly to one another, giggling quietly as they glanced between themselves and Sasuke.

He sighed quietly, giving only a curt grunt in acknowledgment. That should have been enough to dismiss them, but apparently it wasn’t.

The second woman stepped forward eagerly, her hands clasped nervously in front of her. "Would it be okay if we take a quick picture with you? Please?"

Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly, his tone flat. "No."

The first woman pouted softly, pressing her palms together in a pleading gesture. "Oh, come on, Sasuke-san! It'll only take a second. My little sister adores you! She'll be thrilled!"

"I said no," Sasuke repeated bluntly, his voice colder, more pointed this time.

But the third woman, clearly the most persistent, leaned in closer, fluttering her lashes in an exaggerated attempt at charm. "Just one little picture! You can't possibly be in that much of a hurry. We promise we won’t bother you anymore afterward!"

Sasuke raised his gaze, his dark eyes settling on them with sharp intensity, his expression colder, more forbidding. His Sharingan flickered briefly beneath lowered lashes—just enough to unsettle, but not enough to alarm. "I don’t like repeating myself," he said icily. "No pictures."

The women froze immediately, their bright smiles faltering under the weight of his glare. A heavy silence stretched between them, and Sasuke’s stare remained unwavering until they finally shrank back awkwardly.

"S-sorry to bother you," the first woman mumbled softly, averting her eyes.

Without another word, the three quickly scurried away into the crowd, whispering embarrassed apologies to each other.

Sasuke exhaled, irritation flickering in his expression as he glanced back at the other man, who was now openly glaring at him, clearly jealous at the attention he had just received.

Sasuke couldn’t stop the smirk that tugged faintly at the corner of his lips.

"Are you some kind of big shot?" the man demanded bitterly.

"No."

The man glared harder, voice sharpening irritably. "Anyway, my girlfriend was sitting there."

Amused, Sasuke challenged dryly, "Your girlfriend, huh?"

The man's gaze darted anxiously, obviously lying. Sasuke's smirk deepened.

Sasuke leaned back slightly in the chair, crossing his arms as he observed the man with mild amusement.

"My girlfriend," the man repeated, his voice trying to sound more confident than he looked. "She—uh—she just got up to get some cake. She's coming right back."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "That so?"

The man nodded quickly, avoiding eye contact. "Yeah. So, uh...I don’t think you should be sitting there."

Sasuke smirked, finding his growing discomfort entertaining. "Afraid I'll steal her attention away from you?"

The man scoffed, rolling his shoulders back in an attempt to look relaxed. "As if."

Before Sasuke could retort, the man's eyes flickered past him. His posture stiffened, and Sasuke didn’t even need to turn around to know Hinata was approaching.

Sasuke remained seated, entirely unbothered as Hinata stopped next to him, her soft voice laced with slight surprise.

"Sasuke-kun," she said, blinking at him. "You really came."

Before he could respond, the man next to him let out a sound of pure shock.

"Wait—you know this guy?" he asked, looking between Hinata and Sasuke with disbelief.

Hinata glanced at the man briefly before nodding. "Yes. He's my husband."

The reaction was instant. The man’s mouth fell open slightly, his entire expression shifting from confusion to regret.

"You’re—" He blinked rapidly, then groaned under his breath. "I didn’t know you were married."

Hinata tilted her head slightly. "You didn’t ask."

Sasuke turned to look at the man fully, satisfaction settling into his features as his smirk deepened. The man looked absolutely mortified.

"So when’s your girlfriend coming back?" Sasuke asked smoothly, pretending to glance around the party. "I’d love to meet her."

The man turned red, clearly scrambling for an escape. "Uh—right. Well, I—I should actually—uh, I gotta go."

Without another word, he bolted, disappearing into the crowd so fast it was almost impressive.

Hinata frowned slightly, glancing at Sasuke. "What was that about?"

"Nothing to worry about," Sasuke said dismissively, watching the man vanish.

Not wanting Hinata’s mood to fall any further, Sasuke glanced at the half-eaten cake again, smirking slightly as he changed the subject. "Naruto told me you already had three slices earlier," he said casually, nodding at her plate. "That makes this your fourth."

Hinata paused mid-motion, fork hovering halfway to her mouth. She blinked, cheeks immediately coloring pink. "He told you that?"

Sasuke propped his elbow lazily on the table, leaning his cheek into his palm. His eyes glinted in quiet amusement. "Keep going like this, and you'll end up toothless. You know, I should just start calling you that now. Toothless."

Hinata’s lips parted indignantly. With a huff, she quickly swatted his shoulder, not too forcefully, but enough to rock him slightly backward in his chair. "Don't call me that! You'll make it come true if you keep saying it!"

He raised an eyebrow, lips twitching upwards as he tried, and failed, to suppress his amusement. "The only way it'll happen is because you're eating too much sugar."

Hinata narrowed her eyes at him, her tone earnest. "You're putting it out into the universe."

He chuckled softly under his breath. Leaning forward a bit more, he drawled out with exaggerated emphasis, "Okay, Toothless."

She immediately puffed her cheeks out in frustration, glaring at him through narrowed eyes. It was oddly endearing. His smirk widened as he leaned closer. "Now you look like a chipmunk storing nuts. Maybe I'll call you Chipmunk instead. Which one do you prefer? Toothless or Chipmunk?"

Hinata flushed even brighter and quickly swatted his hand away again. "Neither!" she grumbled, embarrassed. "Just leave me alone and let me finish my cake. Go bother someone else."

Sasuke tilted his head, watching her with undisguised amusement. "But I'm having fun bothering you."

She shot him a glare, clearly not nearly as entertained as he was. Before Sasuke could push her buttons further, the chair beside him was suddenly occupied, causing him to glance over in irritation.

Kiba dropped heavily into the seat, throwing his arm casually over the back of the chair as if they were longtime friends. "Yo, Sasuke. Thanks for the gift, man."

Sasuke turned slowly, confusion immediately knitting his brows together. He opened his mouth to question exactly what Kiba was talking about when a sudden, sharp pinch shot through his thigh. Jolting, he barely kept himself from jumping out of his seat. He turned a sharp glare down to Hinata, whose expression had quickly shifted to one of total innocence. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously, but she stubbornly avoided his accusing gaze.

Kiba, oblivious as ever, laughed to himself, nodding with satisfaction. "Gotta admit, I didn't think you'd actually show up. But it's alright that you did, at least for Hinata's sake." He glanced fondly at Hinata, who returned his look with a gentle smile.

Kiba leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially as if sharing some great secret. "Everyone’s about to take a shot together to celebrate, so you two better come grab a glass before they're gone."

Hinata nodded immediately, answering before Sasuke could say anything. "Okay."

He internally sighed, having absolutely no interest in participating. But Hinata’s quick willingness left him feeling strangely compelled. He realized, not for the first time lately, that he was consistently going out of his way, doing things he ordinarily wouldn't, for her sake alone.

He exhaled quietly and glanced down sharply at Hinata as soon as Kiba moved away. "Why did you pinch me?"

She blinked innocently again, fingers absently brushing her hair behind her ear. "Sorry," she murmured sheepishly, lowering her voice even further. "I put your name on the gift I got for Kiba. I didn’t want you to ruin it by questioning him. I just wanted it to be from both of us."

Sasuke scowled slightly, irritation flaring up again. "You didn't have to do that," he muttered gruffly. "I don't want the mutt thinking I actually like him."

Hinata only shook her head lightly, lips tugging upwards as she suppressed her smile. Sasuke sighed heavily, resigned yet again to dealing with the frustrating warmth she somehow was starting to ignite within him.

Sasuke watched as Hinata eagerly dug her fork into the cake, her delicate fingers poised for another bite. But before she could bring the piece to her lips, he snatched the plate away.

Hinata’s eyes widened in pure shock, her hand frozen mid-air as if betrayed by the sudden absence of her dessert. She blinked up at him, stunned.

“Sasuke-kun!”

“You’ve had enough sweets for today,” he stated simply, holding the plate out of her reach.

Her lips parted slightly in protest, but after a brief pause, she only sighed and dropped her fork onto the table, accepting her fate.

Sasuke stood up, placing the plate aside as he glanced toward the rest of the party. “We might as well get ready for this shot.”

Hinata hesitated, gaze flickering longingly back toward the abandoned cake. For a moment, she looked as if she were considering making a grab for it when he wasn’t paying attention.

But after another sigh, she stood, dusting off her skirt before following him toward the main crowd. As they walked, Sasuke’s entire body tensed.

His eyes landed on Kakashi.

The older shinobi stood near the back of the gathering, hands tucked lazily into his pockets, his usual posture relaxed and unbothered. Sasuke frowned instantly.

“What’s he doing here?” he muttered, his voice low.

Hinata, startled, followed his gaze. When she spotted Kakashi, her steps faltered. “I…I didn’t know he was here.”

Sasuke’s frown deepened, his eyes narrowing slightly. Hadn’t she?

Before he could press the thought further, someone moved through the crowd, carrying a tray filled with small glasses of sake. The drinks were swiftly passed around. Sasuke grabbed his without much thought, as did Hinata.

Still, his focus remained locked on Kakashi.

The former Hokage didn’t seem to have noticed them. His mask remained in place, his eyes half-lidded in apparent amusement. A woman stood beside him, leaning in slightly too close, smiling flirtatiously.

Sasuke barely heard the voices around him. He was too busy watching Hinata.

She was looking at Kakashi.

She was trying to act indifferent. Trying to appear unaffected.

But Sasuke saw through it.

Her grip on the shot glass was a little too tight. Her gaze lingered for too long. She wasn’t just noticing Kakash, she was watching.

Sasuke’s fingers twitched slightly against his own glass. He didn’t say anything. Not yet.

Kiba’s loud voice suddenly cut through the moment, snapping everyone’s attention back.

"Alright, everyone! On my count! Three—two—one!"

A loud cheer erupted as everyone downed their drinks.

Sasuke tipped his shot back with ease, the burn of alcohol sliding down his throat. But when he lowered his glass, his sharp eyes immediately flicked back to Hinata.

She had drunk hers too, but she was still looking at Kakashi.

The woman beside Kakashi laughed at something, lightly touching his arm.

Hinata didn’t move.

And for the first time that evening, Sasuke clenched his jaw.