Chapter 10
Sasuke stared across the crowded yard, eyes narrowed as he observed Kakashi casually speaking with the unfamiliar woman. Irritation coiled within him, sharp and tense. Without looking down at Hinata, he spoke firmly, quietly enough only for her to hear.
"Go sit down. I'll get you some water."
"I don't want any," Hinata murmured softly beside him.
Sasuke turned sharply, his gaze pointed as he repeated firmly, voice a touch colder, "Hinata. Go sit down."
She tilted her chin upwards, lavender eyes narrowing slightly, clearly trying to read him, to figure out what he was thinking, planning, but after a tense pause, she exhaled softly and nodded in quiet surrender. Without another word, she turned around, reluctantly moving back toward their table.
The moment she left, Sasuke's expression darkened further. He slipped effortlessly through the crowd, approaching Kakashi and the woman with a smooth, determined gait. As soon as he stopped in front of them, Kakashi’s single visible eye widened slightly in surprise.
"Sasuke," Kakashi greeted awkwardly, feigning a friendly smile. "What a pleasure to see you."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed dangerously. "What are you doing here?"
Kakashi blinked, clearly taken aback by the blunt question, as did the woman at his side. The older man laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Well, I was invited. It's a birthday party."
He paused, motioning toward the woman beside him, whose curls fell elegantly around her face, framing delicate features. Sasuke immediately noted her beauty—soft, refined, and effortlessly charming. "This is Kahyo," Kakashi continued, his tone gentle yet guarded. "She's a friend."
The woman, Kahyo, smiled politely, her dark eyes warm and curious. "It's nice to meet you."
"Sasuke is my old student," Kakashi explained, still tense.
Sasuke nodded curtly in acknowledgment before immediately shifting his focus back to Kakashi. "I asked you why you're here," he pressed again, voice low, harsh.
Kakashi sighed softly, turning to Kahyo apologetically. "Could you give us a moment?"
She nodded easily, clearly sensing the tension, and quietly slipped away. The instant she was gone, Sasuke crossed his arms, waiting impatiently. "Well?"
"I told you already," Kakashi said calmly, though irritation was evident beneath his tone. "I was invited. Just like Gai and Kurenai."
Sasuke stepped forward slightly, his voice tight with controlled anger. "Then why did you have to bring your girlfriend here?"
Kakashi stiffened immediately, clearly offended. "She's not my girlfriend, Sasuke. She's a friend."
"Cut the bullshit," Sasuke growled sharply. "You're deliberately flaunting her around Hinata."
Kakashi shook his head, irritation now clear. "I didn't even know Hinata was here yet. I haven't seen her at all."
"You knew she would be here," Sasuke said bitterly. “I knew you were just toying with her.”
"I wasn't toying with anyone," Kakashi countered sharply, eyes narrowing. "Hinata and I are friends, nothing more."
Sasuke scoffed, voice filled with derision. "We're both adults. Drop the act. You clearly have feelings for her."
Kakashi visibly stiffened at that, jaw tightening. He didn't immediately deny it, confirming Sasuke’s suspicions. Sasuke shook his head in disbelief, exhaling sharply in disgust. "You're denser than Naruto."
Kakashi folded his arms defensively, clearly annoyed. "Kahyo was in town, and I'm showing her around as a friend, not that it's any of your business."
"Convenient," Sasuke muttered coldly, anger seeping through every word.
Kakashi stared down at him, clearly frustrated. "You know, Sasuke, for someone who constantly tells me to 'stay away from your wife'—a title you throw around a lot for a man who previously treated her poorly—you seem awfully upset that I'm here with another woman. Would you rather I'd shown up alone so I could hover around Hinata instead?"
Sasuke grunted, pinching the bridge of his nose and inhaling sharply. "I can't believe I'm saying this," he muttered bitterly. "But for someone as intelligent as you, you should've realized how she'd feel seeing you with another woman."
Kakashi blinked, genuinely confused. "You're implying Hinata has feelings for me?"
Sasuke said nothing, merely glaring at him pointedly.
A brief silence stretched before Kakashi’s eyes widened slightly, realization dawning. "Wait...is that what you're actually saying?"
Sasuke scoffed harshly. "You're a fucking idiot. Stay away from my wife, at least while we're at this party."
Without another glance, he turned sharply on his heel, leaving Kakashi standing speechless behind him.
Sasuke's jaw tightened painfully. He wasn't sure why he'd let that slip about Hinata. He wasn't usually so impulsive, but something about seeing Kakashi flaunting Kahyo around infuriated him deeply. Kakashi wasn't dumb. Sasuke knew that man understood exactly what he was doing. Hinata had developed a crush on Kakashi while he was gone, a crush born from loneliness and vulnerability. Kakashi had been there, providing her with comfort, attention, and companionship, things Sasuke himself had failed miserably at giving her before their marriage. Things that he had been trying to make up for.
It wasn't that Sasuke felt hurt, precisely, but it certainly didn't sit right with him. Kakashi had once been someone he'd respected, even viewed as family, but after returning to find Hinata so close to him, all admiration had shattered. Kakashi was far too old to chase a woman fifteen years younger than himself, a married woman no less. He clenched his fists in frustration, knowing he himself was hardly innocent given everything with Sakura, but he'd been actively cutting Hinata slack, attempting to be understanding of the situation.
Reaching the drink station, he poured two glasses of water, one with ice and one without, unsure of Hinata's preference. As he approached their table, irritation surged anew seeing Naruto, Sakura, Lee, and Tenten crowded around Hinata. He exhaled sharply, annoyed, but took a seat beside her, pointedly ignoring everyone else as he placed the glasses down.
"I didn't know which you preferred," he said stiffly. "I'll drink whichever you don't."
Hinata offered him a quiet "thank you," gently reaching for the glass with ice.
As Sasuke sipped his water, he felt everyone's gaze fixate on them. Looking up sharply, he found Lee and Tenten staring at him with wide eyes. Sakura seemed torn between hurt and confusion, while Naruto sat back smugly, arms crossed, clearly entertained.
Sasuke snapped irritably. "What? Is there a problem?"
Naruto waved dismissively, grinning. Tenten hesitated nervously. "We're just surprised, that's all."
"What's surprising about me giving my wife water?" Sasuke demanded sharply.
"Well…" Tenten scratched her cheek nervously.
Sakura spoke quietly, voice soft but edged with quiet pain. "It's just surprising considering how you usually treat her. You weren’t exactly kind before and—"
Hinata quickly interjected. "Sasuke-kun and I have been getting along just fine lately."
Sasuke's irritation flared uncontrollably. "Maybe if you'd stop projecting your feelings onto our marriage, Sakura, you'd realize things aren't always about you."
Silence fell. Sakura recoiled visibly, wounded. Naruto frowned deeply, and Lee cleared his throat uncomfortably.
Sasuke bit the inside of his cheek, immediately regretting his harshness, but he said nothing. He glanced at Sakura briefly, noting the deep hurt in her eyes before quickly averting his gaze back to Hinata. Her own expression was still distant, troubled, lost.
He cursed Kakashi inwardly, convinced the older shinobi had brought Kahyo intentionally, just to hurt Hinata.
Hinata abruptly stood up. "Excuse me," she said softly.
Surprised, Sasuke caught her wrist gently. "Where are you going?"
"Just out front. I need air," she replied quietly.
"We're already outside," he reminded her softly.
She shook her head gently. "I mean, alone. I'll be fine."
Reluctantly, he released her, watching her go. Lee spoke bluntly, "Maybe if you weren't so rude, Sasuke, Hinata-chan wouldn't need space from you."
"Shut up, Lee," Sasuke snapped irritably, mood blackening further.
Sakura stood suddenly, dazedly walking away. After a moment’s hesitation, Sasuke moved to follow her.
Naruto’s voice stopped him short, quiet but firm. "Oi, teme," Naruto called, his tone sharp with disapproval. "Shouldn't you be going after Hinata instead?"
Sasuke paused, jaw tightening. He didn't turn to look at Naruto, but he felt the words sink deep into his skin. Without responding, he continued forward anyway, leaving Naruto’s gaze burning into his back.
He reached Sakura quickly, calling her name just as she was about to disappear around the corner of the house. She stopped, shoulders stiff, before slowly turning to face him. Her green eyes were cautious, guarded, yet beneath that, there was something else. Hope, maybe.
Sasuke exhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair before speaking, voice tight. "I'm sorry," he said stiffly. The words felt awkward in his mouth, but he forced them out anyway. "I snapped at you because I'm angry about something else."
Sakura’s expression softened, but it was wary. "Is it Hinata?"
Sasuke almost rolled his eyes. "It’s not about her," he said, then sighed, realizing that wasn’t entirely true. His irritation wasn’t directed at Hinata, but everything surrounding her—the situation with Kakashi, the party, the way everyone kept looking at them, scrutinizing him.
Still, this moment wasn’t about that. It was about Sakura, and the unspoken weight that had been lingering between them for far too long.
"Sakura," he started, voice quieter now, measured. "I care about you."
Her breath hitched slightly.
"I care about you a lot."
Something flickered in her gaze, hope, unmistakably stronger this time.
"But," Sasuke pressed before she could cling to it, "that’s exactly why we can’t keep doing this."
The hope in her eyes faltered, shifting into uncertainty.
"...Doing what?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sasuke exhaled sharply through his nose, looking away briefly before pinning her with a serious stare. "Pretending like something is going to change."
Sakura’s lips parted slightly. "But I—"
"I’m trying to make this marriage work," he cut in, tone unwavering. "Hinata and I have a friendship now, and there’s no going back. You need to stop holding onto hope."
There. It was said.
The words hung heavy in the air between them, unmoving and absolute.
Sakura inhaled sharply, her fingers tightening at her sides. Her wide green eyes locked onto his, searching, pleading for some kind of opening. Some kind of doubt.
There was none.
Sasuke had meant what he said. And that realization probably hit her like a blade to the chest.
Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "...So that’s it?" she asked, voice small. "You’re saying there’s no chance at all?"
Sasuke hesitated, but only for a second. "No," he said, final and firm. "There isn’t."
Sakura stood frozen. For a moment, she looked as if she had more to say, as if she wanted to fight it, to plead, to convince him otherwise. But then, her shoulders slumped, defeated.
She let out a breath, and when she spoke again, her voice was so quiet he almost didn’t hear it.
"I understand."
Sasuke’s jaw tightened, watching as she dropped her gaze to the ground. He wanted to say something else, what, he didn’t know. But the damage was already done, and anything more would only drag this out unnecessarily.
He exhaled heavily, forcing himself to turn away. "I'm going to check on Hinata."
His steps were slow, deliberate, but they felt heavy. Like he was walking through quicksand, like something was pulling at him from behind.
And though he didn’t look back, he didn’t have to.
He could feel Sakura standing there, watching him go.
And his chest ached.
X X X
Hinata lingered quietly just outside the gates of the Inuzuka compound, her back pressing gently against the cool stone wall. The air felt crisp against her flushed skin as she exhaled slowly, eyes drifting toward the distant treeline. She wasn't sure what she was doing out here, only that she couldn't breathe comfortably back there, surrounded by laughter and smiles, all while Kakashi stood just yards away, smiling gently at another woman.
She shut her eyes briefly, shaking her head at her own foolishness. Why had she reacted that way? And worse, why had it been in front of Sasuke?
Kakashi had been nothing but kind to her, gentle, attentive, supportive. He had filled a quiet void within her heart at a time when she'd felt lonely and unseen. Sasuke had been away, distant and aloof even when physically present and Kakashi had slipped naturally into the empty spaces. Friendship had quickly turned into something more complicated, something she'd never openly acknowledged or dared speak aloud, but which still bloomed quietly beneath the surface. It wasn't intentional. She certainly hadn't planned on developing feelings for him, yet here she was, feeling hurt over something she had no right to be hurt over.
And then there was Sasuke. Her husband. The man who was slowly, gently, becoming something resembling a friend. At first, their marriage had been a struggle, a bitter, confusing obligation. But now, things were different. She caught herself smiling more often around him, laughing at his teasing, becoming comfortable in his presence. Sasuke was genuinely trying, and it made her heart ache even more.
Why did feelings have to be so complicated?
Lost in thought, she almost missed the sound of quiet footsteps approaching. Sasuke's familiar voice was low and slightly irritated as he spoke, though the irritation was softened by something else beneath the surface. "I've been looking all over for you," he muttered. "For a moment, I thought you left me behind."
Hinata slowly turned her head, meeting his steady gaze as he approached. He was frowning slightly, hands tucked casually in his pockets. Without waiting for an invitation, he moved to stand beside her, leaning back against the wall as well.
"You didn't have to come check on me," she murmured quietly.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "What kind of husband would I be if I didn't?" He paused, glancing down at her with a hint of amusement. "Besides, I'm sure Naruto would've given me an earful if I didn't. I didn't feel like hearing it."
Hinata didn't respond immediately, simply staring ahead at the soft glow of the horizon, thoughts swirling restlessly in her head. Sasuke seemed to sense her internal struggle. After a brief silence, he sighed softly, speaking again.
"You're thinking too much," he said bluntly. "It gives you wrinkles."
She blinked up at him, startled by his sudden teasing tone. His expression remained stoic, almost bored-looking, yet something playful flickered in the depths of his eyes.
Hinata couldn't help but smile just a little. "You shouldn't say things like that."
"Why not?" he challenged, expression unchanged. "Afraid it'll come true, Toothless?"
She puffed her cheeks out in mock annoyance. "I thought I told you not to call me that."
He tilted his head slightly, still no smile. "Chipmunk, then."
"Sasuke—"
"I could call you Cinnamon Bun instead, if you prefer," he said, feigning thoughtfulness. "But you'd probably just get hungry."
She laughed softly despite herself, shaking her head. Sasuke's lips finally twitched upward at the edges, slowly breaking into a gentle, genuine smile. It was rare, something she seldom saw, but when it appeared, it warmed something inside of her. It felt real.
Hinata exhaled softly, her heart feeling lighter now. He had a way of calming her. It was odd, unexpected, yet deeply comforting. She felt grateful.
After a quiet moment, Sasuke pushed gently off the wall. "You ready to go back inside?"
She nodded, stepping away from the wall herself. They walked side by side back through the quiet halls of the compound. As they passed through an empty corridor, Hinata found herself glancing thoughtfully up at him. He looked straight ahead, gaze distant, unreadable.
Yet as if sensing her eyes on him, he glanced down, brow raised curiously. "What?"
She hesitated briefly, biting her lower lip before softly admitting, "I'm surprised you're not upset with me. Or...that you didn't go and spend your time with Sakura-san."
He halted mid-step, turning to look at her directly. "Before I came looking for you, I made sure Sakura knows exactly where she stands with me." His eyes darkened slightly. "And I'm more upset with Kakashi than I am with you."
She blinked slowly, heart stuttering slightly. "You really did that? For me?"
He stared down at her, expression firm and unwavering. "I did," he said simply. "But I also did it for this marriage."
Hinata stood speechless, warmth spreading rapidly across her cheeks and chest. She didn't know what to say. Didn't know how to respond to his blunt honesty. Before she could form any coherent thought, Sasuke had already turned, resuming his walk down the corridor. She stood frozen a moment longer, emotions swirling frantically within her.
Sasuke wasn't the type to say things he didn't mean. And his quiet, straightforward declaration had left her both touched and strangely hopeful. Her heartbeat quickened, chest fluttering gently. Was this what it felt like, when something shifted between them?
She took a steadying breath and quickly followed him back out toward the yard. Yet the moment they stepped outside, Hinata's gaze unwillingly landed right on Kakashi and the woman standing near the entrance. Her breath caught sharply, eyes meeting his silver-haired gaze briefly before she quickly averted them.
Suddenly, Sasuke's tall frame stepped deliberately into her line of vision, blocking Kakashi completely. Before she could question him, his arm shifted subtly behind him, gently gripping her wrist and guiding her around to his opposite side, placing himself firmly between her and Kakashi.
Startled, she looked up at him questioningly, but the moment she saw Sasuke's face, she fell silent.
He was glaring openly at Kakashi, the sharpness of his gaze piercing, icy, dangerous. She could feel the intensity radiating off of him, protective, a silent warning that left no room for misinterpretation. Even she felt the sting of that cold, steely gaze.
The woman beside Kakashi had her back to them, oblivious to the silent confrontation unfolding, but Kakashi noticed immediately. His posture stiffened, eyes narrowing sharply as he met Sasuke's glare directly, neither man willing to back down.
Hinata swallowed hard, heart pounding heavily in her chest. Sasuke's grip on her wrist remained firm but gentle, and in that moment, the conflicting emotions within her intensified even further.
Sasuke finally looked away, breaking the tense stare-down. Gently, but insistently, he tugged Hinata alongside him, guiding her away from Kakashi and the woman. Hinata tried desperately not to glance back, tried so hard to resist, but inevitably, her resolve weakened, and she turned her head.
Kakashi was still watching, the harshness of his gaze unwavering, but the second their eyes met, his expression softened considerably. His eyes held something vulnerable now, quiet and regretful, and it left a strange ache deep within her chest. Hinata watched him, feeling a silent pull in her heart that made her breath catch. It wasn't until she felt Sasuke squeeze her wrist gently that she snapped back to attention, pulled abruptly into reality once more.
"Ignore him," Sasuke murmured quietly, voice low and strained. "At least for today while we're here." He paused, shifting uncomfortably before adding, almost awkwardly, "Do it for me."
Hinata's eyes widened in mild surprise. Sasuke wasn't usually so openly vulnerable or requesting something so personal. After a quiet moment, she exhaled gently, nodding. "Alright," she whispered softly, holding his gaze reassuringly. "I won't look at him or talk to him for the rest of the day."
He looked down at her, shoulders relaxing slightly in relief. "Thank you."
She smiled faintly as she turned back towards their table, noticing it was now completely empty. Sasuke sighed deeply, muttering softly under his breath, "Thank goodness."
Hinata giggled gently, his relief contagious as they returned to their seats. Sasuke leaned back immediately, tilting his head tiredly to look at her. "I know Kiba is your good friend, but seriously, how much longer do we have to stay here?"
She chuckled softly, feeling a little lighter now that they'd stepped away from the earlier tension. "Just a little while longer," she reassured gently. "Then we can go home."
Sasuke made a face, eyes rolling toward the sky dramatically. "I hate gatherings like this," he grumbled quietly, expression darkening comically. "I can only handle being around so many people for so long."
Hinata smiled softly at his expression, her heart easing further at the playful side of him he rarely showed around others. But her relief didn't last long, as the chairs across from them suddenly scraped softly against the ground.
Hinata's breath stilled in her throat. She stared wide-eyed as Kakashi and the woman sat casually at their table, seemingly unaware of the inner panic gripping her chest. Up close, she was breathtakingly beautiful, with soft curls framing delicate features and eyes warm enough to melt the iciest heart. Hinata couldn't help the quiet pang in her chest, wondering silently what Kakashi thought of her. Did he find her beautiful, too? Surely, he must.
She turned to Hinata, offering a gentle, elegant smile. "Hello there," she greeted warmly. "My name is Kahyo. I saw Kakashi's former student sitting here, and I thought a familiar face would be nice. I hope it's alright we joined you."
Hinata forced a polite smile, ignoring the intense heat radiating from Sasuke beside her. "It's fine," she replied softly, nodding gently. "I'm Hinata. It's nice to meet you."
Kahyo’s smile brightened, eyes flickering briefly between Sasuke and Hinata. "And are you two together?"
"Yes," Sasuke replied bluntly, immediately asserting himself. "Hinata is my wife."
Kahyo laughed lightly, nodding approvingly as she glanced warmly towards Kakashi. "Oh, that's so sweet! Don't you think they're a cute couple, Kakashi?"
Kakashi hesitated only briefly, expression subtly tightening as he forced a small smile. "Yeah," he agreed quietly, though the word seemed to leave an uncomfortable taste in his mouth.
Awkward silence settled thickly over the table, tension palpable. Sasuke cleared his throat sharply, staring pointedly at Kahyo. "So," he began abruptly, voice dry and blunt. "Are you dating Kakashi or something?"
Kahyo immediately flushed bright pink, blinking rapidly in surprise as Kakashi sputtered and choked into his drink beside her. She glanced nervously towards Kakashi, a gentle, slightly embarrassed smile crossing her lips. "Oh, no," she quickly corrected. "We're…just friends."
She lingered softly on the last word, looking hesitantly towards Kakashi before quietly adding, with an uncertain chuckle, "This is just a little friend date as Kakashi put it."
Kakashi cleared his throat again, clearly uncomfortable now as he emphasized stiffly, "We're just friends." Hinata knew that emphasis was deliberate, felt the subtle shift in his voice, as though he were silently pleading with her to understand. She could feel his stare burning softly into her, trying desperately to communicate something silently. But she forced herself to ignore it, averting her eyes carefully downward.
Sasuke didn't back down, a subtle irritation in his voice. "And what exactly is a 'friend date,' Kakashi?"
Kakashi exhaled heavily, clearly agitated. "Exactly what it sounds like, Sasuke. Friends spending time together. It's not what you're implying."
As Sasuke and Kakashi began exchanging tense, sharp remarks, Kahyo politely turned toward Hinata again, softly ignoring their escalating argument. "So, how long have you two been married?" she asked gently, her curiosity genuine and kind.
Hinata smiled faintly, hands folding delicately in her lap. "A little over a year now," she explained softly. "We celebrated our first anniversary almost a month ago."
Kahyo's smile softened warmly. "Oh, that's lovely, a fresh marriage. How are you enjoying being a wife?"
Hinata hesitated briefly, emotions swirling gently in her chest. The past weeks flashed quietly through her mind, small gestures of kindness from Sasuke, genuine smiles, cinnamon buns, silly teasing, quiet moments alone where they'd finally begun speaking openly and honestly. Warm memories tangled softly with lingering confusion, doubt, and hope. She exhaled gently, voice soft yet certain.
"It's been fine," she replied carefully, her gaze distant yet somehow warm. The words felt genuine as she said them. For the first time in a long time, Hinata realized that, despite the difficulties, despite everything, she truly meant those words. Being married to Sasuke, at least lately, had indeed been unexpectedly fine.
Hinata glanced gently to her side, eyes meeting Sasuke's briefly. His sharp gaze softened subtly. A silent understanding passed between them, comforting and delicate, and it made something tender flutter softly in her chest.
She saw clearly, now more than ever, how Sasuke had gone out of his way for her today. He’d sensed her discomfort, recognized her silent pain, and he'd tried to shield her from it. Hinata knew Sasuke was aware of her complicated feelings for Kakashi. He could’ve easily chosen to ignore it or let it fester, or blow up like he used to but instead, he'd confronted Kakashi directly and firmly placed himself between her and whatever emotions might hurt her. His actions were protective, considerate, exactly what a true friend would have done. It warmed her heart, easing some of the tightness she'd felt earlier.
She exhaled slowly, glancing quietly back at Kahyo and offering a soft, polite smile. "I think my husband and I will head home now," she said gently.
Kahyo’s lips immediately curled into a small pout, clearly disappointed. "Aw, so soon? It was really lovely meeting you, though." Her eyes held genuine warmth as she continued softly, "I’m returning to my village later this evening, so I probably won't have a chance to see either of you again soon."
Sasuke stood abruptly, not wasting another moment and clearly eager to leave. Hinata quickly followed suit, quietly relieved at Kahyo's mention that she'd be leaving soon as well. Keeping her gaze carefully away from Kakashi, Hinata bowed gently, polite and reserved. "It was nice meeting you too, Kahyo-san." She hesitated briefly, her voice softer and quieter as she added respectfully, "And Kakashi-sensei."
Kakashi shifted slightly, his tone gentle, almost hopeful. "I'll see you later, Hinata-chan."
Hinata didn't respond, keeping her silence carefully, but gave a brief nod, following Sasuke closely as he moved away from the table.
When they were safely out of earshot, Sasuke spoke up quietly, a slight edge in his voice. "Went back to calling him sensei?"
Hinata exhaled softly, shaking her head slowly. "Can we not talk about Kakashi right now, please?"
Sasuke paused, eyeing her briefly before nodding quietly. He sighed softly, running a hand through his dark hair. "Fine. You owe me for being so nice and not blowing up at you or Kakashi today."
She blinked softly up at him, lips tilting slightly upward into a gentle smile. "Then name your price."
Sasuke smirked faintly, looking briefly amused by her insistence. "Not now," he replied casually. "I'll save it for another time."
Hinata frowned gently, clearly unsatisfied. "But it has to be now."
He tilted his head slightly, the smirk widening a fraction. "Soon," he assured, eyes flickering with hidden amusement.
Hinata pouted slightly, cheeks puffing softly with gentle annoyance, but didn’t push it further. Instead, she sighed, shaking her head lightly. "We should probably let Kiba-kun know we're leaving."
Sasuke grimaced slightly at the suggestion, clearly not eager, but he nodded grudgingly. "If we must."
Hinata smiled softly at his reluctance, but she felt warmer now, steadier. Sasuke’s small acts of consideration and protection today had left something delicate, comforting blooming quietly within her heart. He was looking out for her emotions, respecting them, protecting them, even if he didn't fully understand them himself.
Hinata's eyes searched quietly through the dwindling crowd, trying to catch a glimpse of Kiba. The party had thinned slightly, but she still couldn't spot her friend anywhere. She bit her lip, frustrated. Sasuke walked silently beside her, his irritation evident in the way he stuffed his hands deeply into his pockets and kept his eyes firmly forward.
Suddenly, as they rounded a corner, she bumped softly into someone. Stepping back quickly, Hinata felt mild dread when her eyes met Sai’s calm, blank expression. Sai's face held its usual polite yet empty smile, one that hid nothing and everything at once. Hinata swallowed nervously. Sai was known for being blunt, often painfully so, and she worried about what he might say, especially given the complicated situation she and Sasuke were currently in and Sasuke’s mood appeared to be holding on for dear life.
"Ah," Sai said in a pleasant tone, tilting his head with a small, fake smile, "I'm surprised to see you two together like this. Everyone's been talking about—"
"We were just leaving," Sasuke cut in immediately, voice cold and firm, clearly intent on avoiding whatever awkward topic Sai might bring up. He glanced down at Hinata briefly, speaking more quietly but just as firmly. "Let's go."
Hinata gave Sai a polite bow, smiling gently. "I'm sorry, Sai-san, but we really should get going."
Sai blinked, his expression blank as usual, but there was a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. His head tilted to the side as he studied the space between Hinata and Sasuke. “Ah, I see,” he said flatly, as if reaching a conclusion. His eyes drifted between them again, slow and observant, though lacking any real understanding of the tension he was poking at.
Then, casually, as if commenting on the weather, he added, “I assumed you two were leaving because Hinata caught you with Sakura-san earlier. That tends to happen in these kinds of love triangle situations. Sakura-san is...how do people say...the ideal type?” He looked at Hinata, unblinking. “With a more modern face. Not traditional like Hinata-san's. Hyuga eyes tend to unsettle most people.”
Hinata flinched, her hands tightening slightly at her sides. But Sai didn’t stop.
“And yet, you chose to be around her more lately and no longer Sakura-san,” he said, voice still devoid of malice, just thinking aloud. His gaze dipped, lingering inappropriately. “Maybe it's because of her figure. Large breasts are said to attract men with more primitive desires. That must be it.”
The words sliced through the air like blades.
Hinata’s breath caught in her throat, a sharp pang of humiliation gripping her chest. Her face turned red, not from flattery, but from raw, cutting shame. It wasn’t the first time she’d been compared to Sakura, never favorably, and it wasn’t the first time someone made her feel alien for the way she looked. But Sai’s clinical, dispassionate delivery made it feel like a dissected flaw laid bare.
Her arms crossed over her chest reflexively. A lump formed in her throat.
Sasuke’s footsteps stopped behind her and the air changed.
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
"…What did you just say?"
His voice was low. Controlled. Too controlled.
Sai blinked, confused by the sudden shift in atmosphere. "I just meant—"
He didn’t get to finish.
In the blink of an eye, Sasuke was standing directly in front of him, his Sharingan activated, spinning violently in his eyes as a faint pulse of chakra cracked the air between them.
"Say one more thing about her," Sasuke said, his voice ice. “Say it and I’ll make you regret it.”
Sai froze completely, instinctively stepping back a half-step. His usually composed face twitched with discomfort as his body tensed, sensing the very real threat behind Sasuke’s words.
"I didn't mean it disrespectfully," Sai said cautiously, his voice losing some of its usual detachment.
Sasuke took one deliberate step closer. "You think that matters to me?"
Sai’s eyes widened slightly, finally understanding that this wasn’t just annoyance. Sasuke was genuinely pissed.
Hinata, still frozen in place, slowly looked up at the man standing in front of her. She had never seen Sasuke like this—not for her. His body was rigid, barely contained rage humming beneath the surface. And yet, somehow, he was still holding it in for her sake.
He turned his head slightly, not taking his eyes off Sai. "Hinata. I’ll wait for you outside."
His voice was quieter now. Strained. Controlled. Dangerous.
"I’m already not in a good mood," he added, a threat barely veiled in his tone, "and pale boy over here is about to push me over the edge."
Hinata swallowed hard and nodded, still too stunned to speak.
Sasuke gave Sai one last look, his Sharingan still glowing, and then turned and walked off without another word.
Sai shifted awkwardly on his feet, visibly unsettled now. He looked at Hinata, lips parting as if to explain, to fix what had already been done.
"I didn’t mean to offend you, Hinata-san," he said slowly. "I was just trying to point out the contrast. Sakura is well, conventionally beautiful. You're different." He paused, then added, as if offering comfort, "But I think you’re very cute. And your quietness is soothing."
Hinata managed a soft, tight smile, her arms still crossed over her chest. She just wanted this conversation to end.
"I-It’s fine," she said quickly, voice quiet. "I have to go now."
Without waiting for a response, she turned and made her way toward the door, heart pounding, chest aching, but somewhere deep within her, a warmth flickered. Sasuke had stood up for her. Protected her.
And she hadn’t expected it.
Not like that.
She finally located Kiba chatting animatedly with his relatives. Approaching him slowly, she gently touched his arm. Kiba turned, his smile brightening instantly upon seeing her, but it faltered slightly when he noticed her expression.
"Hinata?" Kiba's voice was gentle and worried. "What's wrong?"
She shook her head lightly, forcing a small smile. "Nothing. Sasuke-kun and I are heading home now, Kiba-kun. I just wanted to say goodbye first."
Kiba’s expression softened instantly, disappointment evident but understanding. He sighed playfully, gently pulling her into a warm embrace, resting his chin comfortably atop her head. Hinata relaxed slightly, leaning into him as he murmured affectionately, "Thanks for coming today. You know how much you mean to me, right? You'll always be my little sister."
Hinata's heart warmed gently at his words. Smiling softly, she hugged him back tightly, feeling safe in her friend’s familiar warmth. After a quiet moment, Kiba released her, ruffling her hair affectionately.
She pouted softly, playfully swatting his hand away. "Kiba-kun, we're not kids anymore."
He laughed warmly. "Yeah, I know, but that doesn't mean I'll stop." He paused, expression sobering slightly as he met her gaze seriously. "Listen, Hinata. I noticed how Sasuke was treating you today. Shino and I both did."
Hinata followed his gaze across the yard to where Shino stood quietly, clearly observing them. Kiba continued, voice protective, firm. "We were watching. Even though today was my party, we were ready to step in if Sasuke started acting like a jerk again." His eyes softened warmly. "But I haven't seen that sad, miserable look in your eyes in a long time. You look happier around him now. I hope it stays that way, but if he messes up again, Shino and I will handle it."
Hinata smiled softly, grateful for the fierce loyalty of her friends. "That's not necessary, but thank you, Kiba-kun. And thank Shino-kun for me too."
Kiba nodded, squeezing her shoulder gently. "Always."
After saying her final goodbyes, Hinata stepped outside, spotting Sasuke standing stiffly, arms crossed over his chest. When he noticed her, he immediately began walking, not bothering to wait. Hinata followed quietly behind, several steps between them.
"Sasuke-kun," she finally called softly, her voice gentle but earnest, "Thank you."
He didn't pause, continuing to walk ahead of her. "For what?"
"For Sakura-san…for Kakashi…and for Sai-san," she explained softly. "And for coming today." She hesitated, eyes lowering sadly. "I'm sorry for all of this—for everything. You’re pushing away someone you care deeply about, for someone you despised not too long ago. I know how difficult that must be for you. But you’ve been taking time to get to know me, making meals, buying me cinnamon buns, washing dishes...You've been good to me, Sasuke-kun, and I truly value the friendship we're building. Yet, here I am, still feeling things for another man…I don’t want to be a hypocrite or hurt you—"
"Hinata," Sasuke interrupted sharply, voice firm.
She startled, looking up quickly. "Huh?"
He glanced briefly over his shoulder, smirking. "Shut up."
She blinked, confused.
He exhaled softly, shoulders relaxing slightly. "You don’t need to thank me. And as for the old man…like you said earlier, I'd rather not talk about him right now either." He paused briefly, voice softening further, almost gentle. "Let’s just walk home in silence."
Hinata swallowed, nodding quietly as a comforting silence settled warmly around them, each step drawing them closer to home.
X X X
Two weeks later…
Sasuke lounged across the length of the couch, one arm folded casually beneath his head, dark eyes lazily observing the television. The volume was set low, more of a quiet hum of background noise rather than anything particularly interesting. He was relaxed, comfortable even, his usually tense muscles at ease as he stretched his long legs, feet resting comfortably against the opposite armrest.
Two weeks had passed since Kiba’s irritating birthday gathering, and Sasuke’s own birthday was now looming just two days away. Ever since that awkward party, he had noticed Hinata’s deliberate distance from Kakashi. It was a welcome shift, one he silently appreciated, though he never openly voiced it to her.
Kakashi, however, clearly wasn’t getting the message. On three separate occasions within those two weeks, the old man had approached Sasuke, asking with feigned casualness if Hinata was alright. Sasuke inwardly smirked every time. It must have hurt the old pervert’s pride considerably to come to him. It was satisfying, knowing Kakashi had noticed Hinata’s obvious avoidance.
He wasn’t certain if her distance was born of guilt for her lingering crush on Kakashi, or perhaps still tinged by the jealousy she'd felt seeing him with that Kahyo woman. Or possibly a mix of both. Regardless, Hinata sometimes wore a quietly distant expression, one she swiftly hid whenever she caught Sasuke watching. He never openly addressed it, content that this newfound distance meant the perverted old man might finally get the hint and leave her alone.
The soft click of the door opening drew Sasuke’s gaze briefly towards the hallway. Hinata's gentle voice drifted quietly through the apartment, a hesitant, softly murmured, "I'm home," barely audible, almost shy. He felt his ears heat up uncomfortably at the memory of the night they'd both begun the habit, when he'd awkwardly announced his arrival home, and she'd practically dashed toward him, face flushed and smile bright.
He coughed lightly, quietly embarrassed at how vividly that image stayed burned in his mind. Without moving from his comfortable spot, he called out casually, "Welcome back."
Moments later, Hinata appeared in the doorway of the living room, her lavender eyes soft as they settled upon him. She wore a simple yet elegant sundress that gently accentuated her waist. The dress flared out tastefully around her hips, the soft fabric drifting delicately down to stop just above her knees, gently swaying with her every movement. Sasuke’s eyes lingered brief, perhaps a moment too long before he swiftly averted his gaze back to the television.
Clearing his throat, he asked neutrally, "What'd you do today?"
Hinata approached him, stopping politely by the couch. Sasuke lifted his legs just slightly, giving her enough room to sit at the edge of the sofa, though he made no further move to shift his comfortable position.
"I went to see Father today," she said softly, hands gently smoothing the fabric of her dress over her knees. "He gave me the final details about the dinner. It'll be the day after your birthday."
Sasuke hummed quietly, eyes staring blankly at the ceiling for a moment. He wasn’t exactly looking forward to dinner at the Hyuga compound. It had been a long time since he’d set foot in that stiff, formal environment. But it was probably best to get it over with sooner rather than later.
"What about you?" Hinata's gentle voice asked, pulling him out of his thoughts. "Did you do anything today?"
He shrugged slightly, expression neutral. "Trained in the training room, went for a run, stopped at the weapon shop to buy new kunai, then came home. Been here ever since."
Hinata smiled softly at that, nodding slightly. "Sounds like you had a productive day."
He grunted quietly, uninterested in further small talk. But then Hinata shifted nervously beside him, and he could hear her begin to stutter quietly, voice hesitant, unsure. He turned his head slightly to peer at her from the corner of his eye, watching as she gently bit her lower lip, nervousness clear in her body language.
"S-Sasuke-kun…" she murmured hesitantly, clearly struggling to gather courage.
He sighed softly, mild impatience flickering in his dark eyes. "Just spit it out already."
She jumped slightly, startled, but finally blurted out quickly, "Would you…would you like to go out for dinner tonight?"
That immediately caught his attention, and he pushed himself upright, one eyebrow raised skeptically as he turned fully toward her. "Are you asking me out on a friend date? I believe that’s Kahyo said Kakashi called it." He asked dryly, faint amusement coloring his tone.
Hinata’s cheeks immediately turned pink, eyes widening in embarrassment as she quickly averted her gaze. Sasuke shook his head, a quiet chuckle escaping him at her reaction.
"Alright," he conceded with a smirk. "Where did you want to go?"
Hinata glanced up again, obviously relieved he hadn't teased her further. "Um, there’s a new ramen shop that opened not too far from here," she explained quietly, fingers nervously tracing invisible patterns on her dress. "Naruto-kun mentioned it's quite good, and I've been wanting to try it."
Sasuke snorted quietly, crossing his arms over his chest. "A ramen shop? That figures, since Naruto recommended it."
She smiled shyly, ducking her head. "If you don’t want to—"
"I don’t mind," Sasuke interrupted smoothly, smirk fading to a more neutral expression. He glanced down at his casual clothes, then back to her elegant sundress. "Can we go dressed as we are, or is this place fancy?"
Hinata quickly shook her head. "We can go as we are," she assured softly.
He nodded slowly, eyeing her sundress once more, quietly noting again how elegant it made her appear. "Fine by me. Want to go now?"
Hinata smiled gently, clearly pleased. "Let me freshen up first," she said softly. "Then I'll be ready."
He leaned back comfortably into the cushions again, folding his arms lazily behind his head. "Alright."
His dark gaze quietly followed her movements as she rose gracefully from the couch, her dress gently shifting around her legs. He watched, silent and contemplative, until she disappeared from view.
Once alone again, Sasuke sighed quietly to himself, trying not to overthink this newfound closeness between them.
Sasuke waited quietly, sprawled lazily back against the couch, arms folded behind his head as he half-heartedly stared at the ceiling. After a few more moments, soft footsteps echoed gently down the hall, catching his attention.
"I'm ready," Hinata's voice drifted softly through the doorway.
He shifted his gaze toward the doorway, and his breath momentarily caught in his chest. Hinata stood there, framed by the light from the hallway, the gentle curve of her neck now elegantly exposed, her dark hair gathered neatly into a low ponytail. Sasuke quickly rose from his spot, approaching her slowly as he quietly took in her appearance.
She had applied subtle makeup, he noticed. Her lips bore a soft, rosy tint, lashes delicately darkened to enhance her already gentle, expressive eyes. Sasuke had never considered Hinata someone who needed makeup. He preferred women who embraced their natural beauty, but seeing her with it now made him reconsider. It highlighted the softness of her features in an appealing way, accentuating her gentle femininity rather than overshadowing it.
"You look nice," he murmured quietly, surprising himself with the soft compliment.
Hinata glanced up at him, a shy smile curving her lips as her cheeks flushed gently pink. "Thank you," she replied softly.
He cleared his throat, moving quickly toward the door to hide the warmth that suddenly touched his own face. Pulling it open, he gestured for her to step through first. She nodded quietly in thanks, stepping out gracefully. He followed behind, shutting the door quietly and pausing beside her.
"Lead the way," he instructed softly, falling into step beside her as they moved forward.
As they walked through the quiet streets of Konoha, Sasuke's eyes subtly drifted downward, tracing the graceful curve of her neck. A delicate warmth pooled unexpectedly at the base of his throat, spreading slowly upward as he observed the elegant, smooth line of her skin, noting how her ponytail left that particular spot enticingly bare. It was the second time he'd caught himself staring at her neck, each time unintentionally lingering just a little longer than necessary.
Small details drew his attention: the way her skin appeared impossibly soft beneath the gentle glow of the street lamps. The faint, vulnerable pulse fluttering lightly beneath her skin. Sasuke quickly averted his eyes the instant he noticed her begin to turn her head, inwardly frustrated by his own reaction.
Clearing his throat again, he asked abruptly, "How do you like working at the library?"
He glanced sideways, catching her surprised expression as she looked up at him. Her eyes brightened immediately, soft enthusiasm lighting her delicate features. "I've been enjoying it very much," she admitted warmly. "There are three kids, Ruki, Emiko, and Daiki, they're always so lively and curious. They ask so many questions." Her voice carried a gentle fondness as she spoke.
He noticed the genuine joy illuminating her expression, warmth radiating softly in her eyes as she spoke of her work. It brought a quiet satisfaction, knowing she found fulfillment and happiness in something so simple.
Before long, they reached the ramen restaurant. The scent of savory broth and fresh noodles greeted them warmly. Inside, a small sign advised customers to seat themselves. Sasuke’s dark eyes quickly scanned the bustling space before he spotted a vacant table toward the center of the room.
Wordlessly, he guided Hinata to the spot, stepping slightly ahead to pull out the chair for her. Hinata hesitated briefly, lips softly curving upward as she settled into the seat. Sasuke took his place across from her, meeting her gaze questioningly.
"What?" he asked bluntly, noticing her thoughtful smile.
She ducked her head shyly. "I was just thinking about the first time you did that, pulling the chair out for me," she admitted softly. "It surprised me. I hadn't expected you to be such a gentleman."
Sasuke snorted softly, the corners of his lips twitching upward. "I was trying to be nice to you that day," he pointed out. "But it didn't matter, did it? We ended up arguing anyway." He tilted his head slightly, a quiet smirk forming. "You used to really know how to get under my skin, but lately, you've been alright."
Hinata raised an eyebrow slightly, eyes teasing. "Only alright?"
He shrugged carelessly, feigning disinterest. "Maybe a little more than alright," he admitted quietly. "But just a little."
She smiled, a gentle blush coloring her cheeks warmly. At that moment, a young waiter approached, handing them menus with a friendly greeting.
"Welcome! Take your time. Can I start you off with any drinks?"
Sasuke glanced briefly toward Hinata before answering for them both. "Two green teas, please."
The waiter nodded politely. "I'll give you both a few moments to decide."
Once they were alone again, Sasuke glanced down at the menu, idly skimming the ramen selections. Silence settled comfortably until he casually pointed to an odd choice on the menu. "Shrimp-flavored ramen?" He scoffed lightly, expression incredulous. "Who even orders that?"
Hinata tilted her head thoughtfully, lips twitching as she fought back a smile. "Naruto-kun probably would," she mused softly. "He tends to eat anything placed in front of him."
Sasuke snorted quietly in amusement, shaking his head. "That's an understatement. I've seen him eat instant ramen dry, straight from the package."
Hinata laughed, a light, delicate laugh that rose softly, turning sweetly higher at the end. Immediately afterward, she blushed furiously, quickly lowering her gaze in embarrassment. The genuine sound of her quiet laugh, so softly joyful, yet sweetly shy, caught him off guard. He found himself smiling, quietly pleased to see her happy.
After a short silence, he cleared his throat awkwardly, expression sobering slightly. "About Sai," he began quietly, avoiding her eyes at first. "I apologize for how I behaved at the party. I was already irritated with Kakashi and a few other things, but—" he paused briefly, voice quietly firm, "—regardless, I wouldn’t tolerate anyone disrespecting you like that. Not only because you're my wife, but because you're my friend."
He risked a quick glance up, noticing her face immediately flushing bright pink. He chose not to acknowledge it, quickly nudging his chin toward the menu. "Know what you want?"
Hinata quietly cleared her throat, still embarrassed as she whispered shyly, "I think I'll have the miso ramen."
He nodded in approval. "I'll get shoyu."
Just then, the waiter returned, politely asking if they were ready to order. Sasuke quietly nodded toward Hinata. "Go ahead."
As Hinata softly placed her order, Sasuke found himself quietly observing the subtle mannerisms he'd grown used to noticing: the gentle way her fingers traced lightly over the menu, how her voice softened slightly when ordering, the polite but genuine smile she gave the waiter. Small details, unassuming yet distinctly hers.
Sasuke gave his own order afterward, and once the waiter left, he folded his arms casually on the table, eyes quietly thoughtful as he studied her. After a quiet moment, he spoke quietly, genuine curiosity evident in his voice.
"Hinata," he murmured carefully, meeting her gaze. "How do you feel about our friendship so far?"
He watched her expression closely, awaiting her response, hoping, perhaps, that she felt the same quiet comfort he’d found in their slowly deepening bond.
“I feel…” she started quietly, her voice barely above the clatter of dishes from the kitchen. “I feel like I’ve been able to breathe lately.”
Sasuke’s eyes didn’t leave her face.
She glanced down, fingers tracing the rim of her cup. “It used to be…tense. Always. Like walking on eggshells. We couldn’t even say two words to each other without fighting. And I—I used to hate how that made me feel.”
Sasuke didn’t flinch. He remembered. He remembered every long, quiet day where the silence between them was heavier than any argument. The sharp words that followed any attempts to bridge the gap. The resentment. Hers. His. It was mutual, and it was ugly.
“But lately,” she went on, slower now, “I’ve been happy.” She looked up at him then, meeting his eyes, and for once, there was no hesitation. “Not perfect. Not like a fairy tale. But I’ve been pleasantly surprised. I enjoy spending time with you. The little things.”
She smiled, barely. “The cinnamon buns. The dishes. The quiet. Even the teasing.”
Sasuke blinked once. Slowly.
He looked down at the steam curling up from his tea, quiet settling between them again, but this time it wasn’t heavy. It was still. Thoughtful.
She wasn’t wrong.
He hadn’t thought about it in that way, not until now, but he hadn’t hated anything recently. Not her company. Not the conversations. Not the meals shared in silence or the strange, light teasing that passed between them like something familiar, something that didn’t need explaining.
He hadn’t thought about how miserable the marriage had once felt, how it used to claw at the inside of his chest like a cage.
Because lately, it hadn’t.
He lifted his eyes again, meeting hers, and the way she looked at him now wasn’t guarded like it used to be. She wasn’t forcing herself to be polite or careful. She was just there. Present. Honest.
He nodded slightly.
“Yeah,” he muttered. “It was toxic.”
Hinata nodded too, a soft breath escaping her lips.
“I don’t think about that anymore,” she admitted. “About how much I hated it in the beginning.”
He didn’t either. Not until she brought it up.
“I don’t hate it now,” she added, voice small but real. “Being married to you.”
Sasuke didn’t respond right away. He didn’t need to. He sat back slightly, the corner of his mouth tugging the faintest bit, not quite a smile, but something like it.
“Hn,” Sasuke muttered, eyes shifting back down to his tea. Then, after a moment, he added under his breath, “I don’t hate it either.”
A quiet silence followed, not awkward but steady. Comfortable. They didn’t need to explain it.
Sasuke could hear the waiter’s approaching footsteps before he appeared. The clatter of ceramic against wood broke the quiet as two steaming bowls of ramen were placed between them, the savory aroma rising immediately between the two of them like smoke from a battlefield that had long since gone cold.
“Shoyu,” the waiter said, setting Sasuke’s bowl down. “Miso for the lady. Enjoy.”
Hinata bowed her head politely. “Thank you.”
Sasuke gave a nod, already reaching for his chopsticks. The scent of the broth was rich, just how he liked it, and he was more than ready to eat. But when he glanced up, Hinata was just sitting there, hands folded neatly in her lap, eyes watching him.
He paused. “…What?”
Hinata tilted her head slightly, smile small but warm. “You always look so serious when you eat,” she said softly.
Sasuke blinked, taken off guard. “I do not.”
“You do,” she said again, laughing lightly. “Your eyebrows scrunch a little when you take the first bite.”
His eyes narrowed slightly, hand pausing midair with his chopsticks.
“I don’t scrunch,” he muttered.
Hinata giggled again, covering her mouth as her eyes sparkled. “You just did it.”
Sasuke stared at her for a beat, then looked down at his bowl, brow twitching. He hadn’t even realized it. Was he really that obvious?
“Tch,” he clicked his tongue, feigning annoyance, though his ears burned faintly. He didn’t know why that flustered him, but it did. Maybe it was the way she said it. Or the fact that she was looking at him like that. Soft. Teasing. Like she was enjoying herself. Like she wasn’t afraid to say something like that anymore.
He picked up his bowl and muttered, “Eat your ramen.”
Hinata gave a quiet, contented laugh and lifted her chopsticks obediently. "Hai."
Sasuke didn’t say anything else, but when he took his first bite, he consciously relaxed his face.
Just in case she was still watching.
X X X
Kakashi sat back in his seat, the soft hum of the ramen shop wrapping around him like background noise. Across from him, Gai was talking with his usual fervor, hands animated, voice rising and falling with dramatic enthusiasm, as if every sentence he spoke needed to be underlined in bold.
"I'm sorry again that it’s not the BBQ place, Kakashi!" Gai said, clapping a hand over his own chest. “I know I promised meat grilled to perfection, but I heard the miso ramen here is an explosion of flavor unmatched by even the flames of youth!”
Kakashi chuckled, his uncovered eye crinkling just a bit. “It’s fine. I’m not here for grilled meat,” he said mildly, reaching for his tea. “I’m just happy to be spending time with a friend.”
Gai’s eyes shimmered with emotion, his fists clenched. “Kakashi…! How poetic! Our bond, forged in the fires of rivalry, still strong after all these years!”
“Sure,” Kakashi said, dry as ever, sipping his tea. “Poetic.”
Still, there was a flicker of sincerity beneath the mask. Gai was loud, exhausting, and dramatic, but he was loyal. A constant. And in a time where so much felt like it was shifting beneath his feet, there was something grounding about sitting across from someone who never wavered.
"You doing alright?" Gai asked suddenly, leaning in, voice dropping just enough to sound genuinely concerned. “You look like you haven’t been getting the best sleep lately.”
Kakashi blinked once, slow. “Have I ever looked like I get good sleep?”
Gai didn’t laugh. Instead, he gave a knowing look and nodded. “Still, If something’s bothering you, Kakashi, sometimes a walk under the moonlight and one hundred squats can really clear the mind!”
Kakashi snorted lightly. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
He was about to offer some half-hearted retort when movement caught his eye. Subtle, familiar. Just a few tables ahead, Sasuke, seated across from Hinata. Kakashi’s gaze lingered, narrowing slightly as he observed them.
Hinata was laughing. Lightly. Her hand covered her mouth, the way she always did when something genuinely caught her off guard. And Sasuke was smiling. Not smirking, not sneering. Smiling. His usual sharpness dulled into something softer, his eyes fixed on her with an expression Kakashi hadn’t expected—fondness.
It twisted something in Kakashi’s chest.
He didn’t even realize how long he’d been staring until Gai’s voice cut in beside him.
“What are you looking at?” Gai asked, turning in his seat. His eyes widened when he saw. “Ahh! Sasuke and Hinata-chan! Isn’t it nice to see young love bloom?”
Kakashi didn’t reply right away. His expression didn’t shift, but his fingers tightened slightly around his chopsticks.
Gai smiled brightly, elbow resting against the table as he leaned closer. “Lee was telling me Sasuke has been doing quite well in his marriage! He’s even been teasing Hinata-chan—can you believe it? Sasuke! Teasing! Lee said it was like watching spring thaw the frost!”
“Hm,” Kakashi murmured. “That’s…good to hear.”
Outwardly, he nodded. Inwardly, it was a different story entirely.
He hadn’t spoken to Hinata in nearly two weeks, not properly. She was avoiding him. He knew it. The way she never looked at him directly, the short responses, the way her presence would quietly vanish from any space he entered. He’d been a fool not to expect it, but that didn’t make it any easier to stomach.
Seeing her here with Sasuke, relaxed, smiling, her eyes soft and open, hurt more than he was willing to admit.
And Sasuke…
The old irritation stirred in Kakashi’s chest. Sasuke, who hadn’t even wanted this marriage. Who had spent the first stretch of it cold, combative, closed off. And yet here he was, now being the one to make her laugh like that. Now being the one who got to sit across from her and make her smile.
Kakashi lowered his gaze, his grip tightening slightly around his chopsticks, the wooden edges pressing firm into his skin.
He forced himself to exhale slowly, as if the tension could be released that easily.
But it stayed lodged there, tight in his chest, heavy behind his ribs like something rusted shut. He kept his eyes on the steam rising from his bowl, hoping maybe if he didn’t look again, the ache would dull.
It didn’t.
He could still hear her laugh.
He could still see the way her eyes softened when she looked at Sasuke, like he was safe. Like she trusted him. Like she was beginning to fall for him, even if she didn’t realize it yet.
And Sasuke…the bastard didn’t even look like he understood how lucky he was. Maybe he did. Kakashi wasn’t sure which was worse.
Hinata had once looked at him like that. Quiet, shy, but full of warmth. Back when she still sought him out. Back when she still smiled at him without hesitation. Before distance. Before guilt. Before everything he’d been too slow, too careful, too blind to stop from slipping through his fingers.
Now, she belonged to someone else.
By name. By bond. By slow, budding choice.
And it didn’t matter how much Kakashi told himself that this was better, that she deserved something stable, something honest, someone closer to her age and future, because watching it happen, watching her heart drift farther from him and settle somewhere else…
It hurt.
Husband or not, it still hurt.
Kakashi tightened his grip on his chopsticks again, forced another breath through clenched teeth, and said nothing. The pain stayed where it was—quiet, buried—but steady. And deep.
He didn’t look at them again.