Chapter 11
Dinner with Sasuke had been surprisingly comfortable. Hinata sat quietly, her ramen half-finished, occasionally stealing glances at her husband across the table. Sasuke's usually guarded face had softened considerable. The rigid lines around his eyes and mouth had relaxed, replaced by a quiet, unspoken ease. Seeing him like this, openly relaxed, even quietly playful,, made her heart feel unusually light.
She'd almost forgotten the weight that always used to settle heavily between them.
"I’ll be right back," Hinata finally said softly, setting her chopsticks down. "I'm going to the bathroom."
Sasuke glanced up, nodding slightly as she rose from her chair. Just as she turned, he called after her in a dry voice, "When you come back, are we leaving, or are you getting dessert…Toothless?"
Hinata paused, cheeks puffing out in mock-annoyance as she turned around to face him again, cheeks warming. "I don't need dessert," she said firmly, pouting slightly. But her lips softened into a small smile at his teasing. "But, thank you anyway."
Sasuke smirked faintly, returning his attention back to the tea in front of him as she walked away.
Hinata quickly found the bathroom near the back of the restaurant and stepped inside, gently shutting the door behind her. She stood quietly for a moment, looking at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes drifted over her face, then down to the rest of herself, her expression slowly shifting toward uncertainty.
She couldn’t help but remember Kahyo. The woman's soft, captivating beauty, her effortless elegance. Everything Hinata felt she wasn't. Her chest tightened painfully, Sai’s careless words echoing cruelly in her mind: traditional large chest…not Sasuke’s type.
Embarrassment flushed her cheeks, and she lowered her eyes, shame prickling her skin uncomfortably. Shaking her head, she lightly slapped both of her cheeks with her hands, trying to clear her thoughts. None of that mattered, she reminded herself firmly.
Taking a deep breath, Hinata opened the door again, but the moment she stepped out, her eyes widened in shock.
Standing just outside, leaning against the wall, was Kakashi.
Her heart jolted, catching painfully in her chest as she whispered his name in stunned disbelief, "K-Kakashi…?"
He looked up slowly, eye softening the instant their eyes met. He smiled, but the expression was strained, quietly regretful. "Hinata. It's been a while."
She swallowed tightly, quickly glancing down the hallway leading back toward the restaurant. Kakashi caught the nervous look in her eyes and gently lifted one hand reassuringly.
"I'm not stalking you," he said quietly, voice gentle yet slightly amused. "I'm here with Gai. But, I noticed you and Sasuke were here."
Hinata nodded hesitantly, pulse racing. "I see…" she murmured quietly, shifting uncomfortably. "I—I should probably get back to Sasuke."
She moved quickly, intent on slipping away before her resolve weakened, but Kakashi's hand reached out, gently catching her wrist. She froze instantly, her pulse jumping under his fingertips, and slowly turned back to him, eyes wide and uncertain.
"Wait," Kakashi pleaded softly. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"
Hinata bit her bottom lip nervously, conflicted. Eventually, she gave a hesitant nod.
Relief flashed across Kakashi’s face. He exhaled slowly before he spoke, voice calm yet sincere, "I want you to know about Kahyo. She’s just a friend from the Land of Waves, visiting the village for a short time."
"I first met her during a mission years ago," Kakashi explained honestly. "We were involved in a complicated diplomatic incident, things were intense back then. She eventually became the warden of a prison known as Hozuki Castle, it's a long story, but we've stayed in touch ever since."
Hinata hesitated, softly repeating the words that had bothered her the most, "…A friend date."
Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, shifting slightly on his feet. "Yeah, a 'friend date,'" he echoed, embarrassment coloring his voice. "Exactly what it sounds like. Though Sasuke seemed eager to imply otherwise."
He stepped slightly closer, voice lowering into something quieter, more intimate. "Kahyo is only a friend, Hinata," he reassured softly. "There's nothing more between us. Because I—" He abruptly stopped himself, looking away, shame creeping into his visible features. "…Anyway, she's just a friend."
Hinata shook her head softly, eyes lowered. "It shouldn't matter to me anyway," she murmured sadly. "I'm married."
Kakashi sighed, a weary sound, still gently holding her wrist. Carefully, his thumb brushed along the inside of her wrist, feeling her pulse quicken beneath the gentle stroke. "I know," he said quietly. "I just didn't want you misunderstanding things."
Hinata pulled her hand away, heart aching from his gentle touch. She struggled to meet his eyes. "It's fine. Really…I should go back now."
Kakashi paused, clearly reluctant, but nodded slowly. "Right. I understand." Yet there was hope in his voice as he added softly, "Maybe…we can talk again soon? A cafe like usual, perhaps—or even sparring?"
Hinata lifted her gaze hesitantly, feeling a soft pang of longing. She missed him, missed their conversations, missed his reassuring presence, but after Sasuke’s decisive action with Sakura, her guilt had only deepened. She hesitated, feeling vulnerable. Quietly, after a heavy silence, she whispered, "…Sasuke-kun cut things off with Sakura-san."
Kakashi’s eyes widened in surprise, posture stiffening. "Did he?" His voice softened into confusion. "Are you trying to say something without saying it, Hinata?"
She looked down, conflicted, hands tightening nervously at her sides. "I—I just wanted you to know," she murmured softly.
She began to move away again, but then stopped abruptly, back still turned toward him. Her heart raced, painfully fast, as she added hesitantly, voice barely above a whisper, "Maybe…we could meet at a cafe."
She didn’t wait for Kakashi’s response. Her heart pounding wildly as she hurried back toward Sasuke. Every step was heavy with guilt, confusion, and a painful longing she knew she shouldn’t have.
x-x-x-x
As Hinata approached the table again, she realized her emotions must have been written clearly on her face, because Sasuke’s eyes immediately narrowed, one eyebrow raising in suspicion. He didn’t say anything, not yet, but rose from his seat, quietly murmuring, “I already paid the bill.”
Hinata nodded softly, heart still pounding in her chest. Sasuke waited silently, his dark eyes never leaving her face until she stood directly beside him. Only then did he start forward, his pace slower than usual, as if subtly matching hers.
He glanced down at her carefully, voice quieter than normal. “You alright?”
Just as Hinata opened her mouth to respond, a loud, enthusiastic voice called out from behind them, “Sasuke! Hinata-chan!”
Both turned at once, finding themselves face-to-face with Gai. His familiar wide grin stretched across his face, his eyes shimmering brightly as he raised one thumb in approval. “How wonderful to see young love blooming! It warms my heart seeing the two of you out and about together like this!”
Hinata immediately felt heat rush into her cheeks, embarrassment flaring. She glanced up anxiously at Sasuke, noticing the way his jaw visibly tightened at Gai’s words. She knew exactly what he was thinking, every comment their friends made about the past brought their previous struggles back into sharp, uncomfortable focus. It was an unspoken reminder of the tension, of Sakura’s involvement, and Sasuke clearly hated that.
Hinata wondered briefly if it embarrassed him as much as it embarrassed her.
“Hello, Gai-sensei,” Hinata politely greeted, attempting a gentle smile despite her unease.
Gai’s smile widened further. “Kakashi should be returning from the bathroom any moment now if you two would like to wait and say hello.”
Hinata immediately tensed, dread filling her chest. Her eyes nervously flickered toward Sasuke, noting how his jaw clenched even tighter. Without hesitation, Sasuke firmly grasped Hinata’s elbow, his voice stiffly polite as he said, “Maybe another time. We should be getting home.”
Gai’s eyes gleamed with mischief, clearly twisting Sasuke’s enthusiasm into something far more suggestive. “Ah, the sweet vigor of youth! I see you’re both eager to conduct some…after-hours training.” With a dramatic wink and an enthusiastic thumbs-up, he left Hinata’s cheeks blazing crimson. “Enjoy the rest of your evening!”
Sasuke’s own ears turned visibly red, but he said nothing else, pulling Hinata along swiftly as she stumbled slightly, struggling to keep pace.
Once they were safely outside, away from prying eyes, Hinata inhaled shakily. Her heart raced nervously as she whispered, “Sasuke-kun, I did run into Kakashi just now outside the bathroom. I was going to say something once we left.”
Sasuke halted abruptly, finally letting go of her elbow. He turned slowly, his sharp gaze cutting down toward her. His eyes were guarded, unreadable, waiting for her to continue.
Hinata hesitated, biting down anxiously on her bottom lip. Sasuke had been honest with her, he had openly spoken about Sakura, so perhaps she owed him the same courtesy.
She took a small breath and murmured softly, “He wanted to clear up some misunderstandings.”
Sasuke’s glare intensified, irritation clear in his voice as he repeated coldly, “Misunderstandings?” He shifted closer, towering over her slightly. “What exactly needed clearing up?”
Hinata felt herself shrink slightly beneath his gaze. She wasn’t sure if his anger was directed toward Kakashi, herself, or perhaps both. But she couldn’t lie, not now. Lowering her voice, she mumbled softly, “K-Kahyo-san.”
Sasuke’s expression hardened, and he glanced sharply back toward the restaurant, eyes blazing dangerously. He looked as though he were debating storming right back inside. But after a tense moment, he clicked his tongue sharply, turning away without another word.
Hinata stood rooted in place as he walked off ahead of her. She quickly hurried after him, quietly falling into step a few paces behind, their earlier warmth replaced by a cold, heavy silence.
The rest of their walk home was quiet, neither one saying another word.
x-x-x-x
Sasuke opened the door quietly, holding it for Hinata as she stepped inside first. As the door closed behind them with a soft click, he paused, remaining still for a moment. The silence that filled the room felt heavier than usual, pressing uncomfortably against his chest.
"Hinata," he finally called, voice calm but firm.
She stopped mid-step, turning slowly to look at him. Her eyes were cautious, uncertain. He inhaled slowly, carefully choosing his next words. He didn't want this to become another argument, but he needed to know.
"Did Kakashi approach you, or did you just run into each other?" he asked bluntly, voice low.
Hinata shifted nervously, eyes dropping slightly before she admitted softly, "I…I think he approached me."
Sasuke’s jaw clenched instantly, irritation flaring hotly in his chest. Approached her? He'd suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed still grated on him. Kakashi had deliberately sought her out. Why? To "clear up misunderstandings"? Sasuke scoffed inwardly at the thought. It wasn’t difficult to guess what Kakashi had wanted to clarify, but the very idea angered him deeply.
Hinata was his wife. Not Kakashi’s. She carried his name now—Uchiha—not Hatake. Kakashi had no place coming between them, even if Sasuke himself had complicated things before. He knew he wasn’t innocent. He'd allowed Sakura to linger around for far too long. But he'd recognized that mistake, he'd rectified it, he'd made it clear to Sakura, to himself, that he was committed fully to Hinata and their marriage. He had done the right thing, even when it hurt. Kakashi should've had the decency to do the same.
Sasuke was quickly losing patience with the older man. Truthfully, he'd held back only because he saw how much Hinata valued Kakashi as a friend, how genuine that friendship had become. A part of him didn’t want to be the one to rip that away from her, even though he knew he probably should. Even though it irked him endlessly. Yet Kakashi's persistent behavior was starting to test his patience beyond the limits of his generosity.
"Did you make plans with him?" he asked, voice tighter than he'd intended.
Hinata only nodded quietly, eyes still lowered.
He moved toward her, stopping just in front, looking down at her. His voice was lower, softer, but still sharp at the edges. "Are you actually going to go through with them?"
Hinata hesitated, finally raising her gaze timidly. "I won't go if you don't want me to," she said softly, uncertainty clear in her voice.
Sasuke paused, frustration tightening his chest. "That's not what I asked," he said, quieter this time. "What do you want to do?"
Though he asked, Sasuke already knew the answer. It was obvious in the way she hesitated, the guilty flush in her cheeks, the way she carefully avoided his eyes. Hinata murmured something under her breath that he could barely hear, forcing him to lean forward slightly.
"I—I said…maybe we could meet at a cafe."
Sasuke frowned deeply, realizing suddenly how he was towering over her, his presence unintentionally imposing. He'd done it in the past, purposefully intimidating her, but he didn't mean it like that now. Annoyed or not, he wasn't trying to scare her, so he took a slow step back, giving her space.
"Hn," he grunted quietly, moving around her toward the hallway. "Just tell me when you go."
Hinata quietly whispered, "Yes."
He didn't wait for her to finish before heading toward his bedroom. But before he got too far, he paused again, glancing over his shoulder at her.
"I enjoyed dinner," he muttered softly, sincere despite himself. "We should do that again sometime."
Without waiting for her response, he continued on, closing the bedroom door quietly behind him, leaving the complicated feelings lingering heavily in his chest.
x-x-x-x
Sasuke’s Birthday…
Two mornings later, Hinata stood quietly at the kitchen counter, carefully placing the finishing touches on the breakfast she’d prepared. She gently arranged slices of grilled salmon next to perfectly formed rice balls seasoned with umeboshi, knowing Sasuke favored their tangy flavor. Beside them rested fresh tamagoyaki, delicately rolled and golden, exactly how he preferred. A warm miso soup with tofu and sliced green onions steamed gently in front of her. Even the tea was brewed just right, slightly bitter, just the way he always took it.
Sasuke had explicitly asked her not to plan anything for his birthday, emphasizing that he didn’t want any attention or fuss. Yet Hinata couldn’t help herself. She’d avoided anything overly grand or involving anyone else, it would be just the two of them, but she wanted the day to feel special. For Sasuke.
Adjusting her apron nervously, Hinata glanced toward his bedroom door. It was still closed. Sasuke normally woke up earlier, and now the food was beginning to cool, causing worry to stir lightly in her chest. Hesitantly, she stepped out of the kitchen and into the hallway, quietly making her way toward his room. Standing in front of his door, she felt a rush of awkwardness. She’d never knocked on Sasuke’s door before, never intruded upon his personal space so directly.
She took a shaky breath, raising her knuckles, but before she could knock, the door abruptly flew open.
Hinata stumbled back, eyes widening in surprise as she was met by Sasuke’s glare,his expression grumpy, hair disheveled from sleep, one dark eye heavy-lidded, the Rinnegan still vivid and piercing even at this hour.
Stepping back further, she managed a gentle, shy smile. “Happy birthday, Sasuke-kun.”
Sasuke’s expression didn’t shift much, a deep, irritated grunt his only reply as he stepped out past her. Hinata watched anxiously as he trudged toward the kitchen, slowing and pausing as he reached the doorway. His gaze fixed on the carefully arranged breakfast spread on the table.
Quickly stepping in front of him, Hinata offered a small, nervous smile. “I made you an extra special breakfast today.”
Sasuke glanced at her, his eyes softening ever so slightly despite his lingering scowl. “You didn’t have to do this,” he muttered, voice still rough with sleep. “A normal breakfast would’ve been fine.”
Yet, despite his grumbling, he pulled out the chair and quietly added, without looking at her, “It looks good either way.”
Happiness blossomed inside her chest, warming her from within. She smiled, feeling encouraged about the rest of the day she’d secretly planned. “I might have to warm it up again,” she admitted sheepishly, “I thought you’d be up earlier.”
He shrugged carelessly, sitting down. “It’s fine.”
He stared pointedly at the empty chair across from him, raising an eyebrow as he gestured toward it. “Are you planning on watching me eat, or are you joining?”
Flustered, Hinata quickly took her seat, cheeks pink as she picked up her chopsticks and began eating quietly. After a moment, she softly called out to him, nervousness clear in her voice, “Sasuke-kun…”
He grunted slightly, already chewing his rice, prompting her to continue.
“I—I know you said not to do anything—” she flinched immediately when his sharp gaze snapped up toward her, but she pushed through anyway, “—I promise I didn’t plan any party. It’ll just be us.”
He raised a skeptical eyebrow, cautiously setting down his chopsticks. “Just us?”
Hinata nodded softly, her fingers nervously brushing along the edge of her napkin. “I thought we could visit the old Uchiha district,” she began gently. “I know you go there sometimes alone, but I thought maybe today, we could go together. I packed a few things in case you wanted to stay for a bit, tea, some old scrolls I found that I think belonged to your family. I cleaned them up.”
Sasuke’s chopsticks paused midair. He looked at her, expression unreadable.
“I also reserved time at the archives,” Hinata continued, voice soft but steady. “There’s a section they opened a while back on pre-war clans. I thought maybe you’d like to see if there’s anything there on your mother’s side. Or your father’s line, things maybe you didn’t have time to look into before.”
She hesitated again, twirling her fingers together.
“And then I thought we could stop by that quiet bookstore you like, the one near the edge of the market district. I noticed you’ve gone in there a few times and never come out empty-handed, somaybe we could find something new. Something you'd want to read. I already asked the owner if they had anything new on chakra research or taijutsu theory.”
Sasuke stared, eyes steady but no longer guarded.
Hinata gave a small smile, cheeks tinged pink. “And then, after dinner, I was going to make soba, since I know you like it simple. I thought we could sit on the porch. I brought out the telescope last night. The stars have been clear lately.”
Sasuke said nothing at first. From Hinata’s point of view, his brows had risen just slightly, his expression one of genuine surprise. A little taken off guard, he looked almost impressed. But as soon as he realized she was looking, he turned his face away and lowered his gaze.
“…Is that alright?” Hinata asked, more cautious now. “I just wanted the day to be meaningful to you. If it’s too much or if it sounds boring, I understand.”
“No,” Sasuke said, voice low. “I want to. Just as long as it really is just us.” He turned his eyes back toward her, sharp but calmer. “There better not be a party.”
Hinata laughed softly, covering her mouth with the tips of her fingers. “There isn’t a party,” she promised. “I know you well enough now not to put you through something like that.”
Sasuke allowed himself a faint smirk, eyes flicking back down to his plate. “Good,” he muttered, barely audible. He glanced at her suspiciously, eyes narrowing slightly as he leaned forward on his elbows. "This surprise you mentioned, it isn't just the soba, is it?"
Hinata shook her head slowly, lips tugging into a shy smile as she toyed nervously with her fingers beneath the table. "No, Sasuke-kun. You'll have to be patient and wait until tonight. I—I hope you'll like it."
Her voice wavered slightly, betraying her anxiety. Her heart fluttered nervously as she considered again if it was truly the right decision. It wasn’t anything too extravagant, but it was personal, deeply so. She just hoped Sasuke wouldn’t think it strange or uncomfortable. Or worse, become upset.
Sasuke continued to watch her, suspicion deepening as his eyes narrowed further. "You're absolutely certain it's not a party?"
Hinata quickly raised her hand, giving a gentle but firm nod. "I promise. No party, Sasuke-kun. It will truly just be us…unless there’s someone else you'd prefer to join us."
Sasuke paused, lowering his gaze thoughtfully to his bowl of miso. For a brief moment, he looked unusually contemplative. Hinata watched quietly, wondering carefully what thoughts could possibly be stirring in that usually unreadable mind of his.
Then, almost hesitantly, Sasuke mumbled, face growing distinctly red along his ears, "I'd…prefer if it stayed just the two of us."
Immediately afterward, he picked up his chopsticks and began eating roughly, clearly embarrassed by his own admission. Hinata's eyes widened in surprise at his unexpected words, her heart giving a gentle, hopeful flutter in her chest.
He glanced up, catching her wide-eyed stare and quickly snapped, voice flustered and defensive, "What?"
Hinata’s expression softened instantly into something warm, gentle, and she shook her head softly, giving him a reassuring smile. "It's nothing, Sasuke-kun. I understand. It'll just be us. You have my word."
He only grunted, eyes quickly dropping back down to his food, but Hinata noticed the lingering redness on his cheeks and the quiet relief that softened the tense set of his shoulders.
They continued breakfast in silence, but it was a warm and comfortable quiet, much different from the tense stillness they’d shared in the past. Hinata ate slowly, occasionally glancing up to see Sasuke quietly enjoying his meal. It was peaceful. Simple. Something about the quiet closeness filled her chest with a gentle sense of ease.
After several minutes passed, Sasuke placed down his chopsticks and stood, stretching lightly. "Go get ready," he said evenly, reaching out toward the table. "I'll wash these."
Hinata immediately rose to her feet, rushing forward to gently block his hand from reaching the dishes. "No, Sasuke-kun," she insisted softly. "It's your birthday today. You shouldn't be worrying about the dishes."
Sasuke stared down at her, eyebrows immediately narrowing in obvious displeasure. His jaw tightened just enough for her to notice, the muscles flexing slightly beneath his pale skin. A single eyebrow twitched in agitation. "Hinata," he said firmly, voice calm yet stubborn, "I already told you, I don't mind. You've done plenty already. I've washed the dishes every meal lately. I don't want today to be any different."
She shook her head stubbornly, her resolve firm despite her gentle demeanor. "It's really okay, Sasuke-kun. I can handle it."
Sasuke sighed, long and heavy, causing Hinata's shoulders to relax just slightly. She thought he was finally giving in. But suddenly, his hand reached out and caught her gently but firmly by her upper arm, pulling her along toward the kitchen doorway.
"S-Sasuke-kun?" she stammered, blinking up at him in confusion. Before she could protest further, he gently nudged her out of the kitchen with a surprisingly soft push.
"Go get ready," he repeated, voice low and authoritative. He crossed his arms firmly over his chest, blocking the entryway as if daring her to try to pass him again. He tilted his head pointedly toward the hallway that led toward the bedrooms. "You've already planned plenty for today. Let me do this much, at least."
Hinata hesitated, standing uncertainly at the doorway. Yet she still wanted to protest, to help, to not place any unnecessary burdens on him, not today, of all days. She opened her mouth to argue again, but Sasuke’s expression hardened slightly, his voice holding a gentle but firm threat.
"If you don’t get moving, I’ll physically drag you back there myself," he warned quietly, eyebrows lifting slightly in challenge. "And trust me, you wouldn’t want that. I'm starting to get annoyed."
Hinata frowned softly, tilting her head slightly as she studied his expression carefully. His annoyance was clear enough, but judging by the slight smirk playing on the corner of his lips and the glint of amusement hidden in his narrowed eyes, he wasn't as irritated as he was pretending to be. Still, she didn't want to push him any further. With a soft sigh, she finally gave in, nodding gently in resignation. "Okay, Sasuke-kun."
Slowly turning around, she began to walk quietly toward the bedroom hallway, glancing over her shoulder briefly. Sasuke stood firmly in place, arms crossed, eyes narrowed in playful victory. Just as she turned the corner, she saw his lips twitch up into a satisfied smirk before he turned back toward the kitchen.
Hinata shook her head softly, cheeks warming despite herself. Even on his birthday, Sasuke had managed to win their small battle of wills. But secretly, as she walked quietly toward her room to get ready, a gentle smile curved her lips, a warm flutter blooming softly in her chest.
It wasn’t such a bad feeling, losing to him like that, not when he looked at her with a smile like that.
x-x-x-x
The air was soft and comfortably cool as Hinata walked quietly beside Sasuke, making their way through the quiet roads toward the Uchiha District. She glanced up occasionally, feeling comforted by the relaxed way Sasuke walked, his hands casually tucked into his pockets, his dark hair moving gently in the morning breeze.
Every so often, she felt the distinct, subtle weight of his gaze settle on her. Sasuke watched her quietly, dark eyes narrowed slightly, as if carefully trying to decipher something complicated hidden within her expression. Each time their eyes met, Hinata felt heat brush faintly across her cheeks, her heart speeding up just a bit. But Sasuke never commented, only looked away silently, returning his attention forward.
When they finally arrived at the Uchiha district, Hinata's footsteps slowed instinctively, her heart suddenly filling with a gentle yet melancholic feeling. This area always felt quiet, almost painfully so. The buildings were old, worn, echoes of a place that had once been vibrant with life and tradition. Sasuke stopped beside her, expression unreadable.
She glanced softly up at him, feeling a subtle ache. "Does it feel strange," she began softly, hesitantly, "being here together?"
He looked down at her silently, thoughtful. "Maybe a little," he admitted quietly, voice low and thoughtful. "I've always come here alone."
She nodded gently, understanding. "If it gets to be too much, please tell me."
Sasuke studied her again, eyes thoughtful, almost gentle. "I will," he murmured simply.
They began walking slowly, side by side, their footsteps softly echoing in the empty streets. It was Sasuke who spoke first, unexpectedly breaking the silence.
"I remember my brother training me near here once," he said quietly, his voice unusually soft. "Itachi made me practice throwing shuriken until my hands bled. I hated him for it at the time." Sasuke’s expression darkened slightly, his voice becoming colder. "Of course, now I understand why he was pushing me so hard."
Hinata listened carefully, eyes gentle with compassion. She didn’t interrupt, allowing him to share what he wanted.
Sasuke continued, voice quieter. "And there was another time…after everyone was gone. I came back here to visit my house, and I just stood in the doorway, staring at nothing, because I couldn't bring myself to go inside." His eyes softened slightly with distant pain. "I stood there all night."
Hinata's heart tightened painfully. She paused slightly, carefully choosing her words. "It’s okay to remember those things, Sasuke-kun," she whispered quietly, voice gentle yet steady. "Painful memories remind us we're human. But you're not alone anymore."
Sasuke stared at her for a long moment. He scoffed lightly, looking away, but there was no harshness in his voice. "You really are too nice."
Hinata felt her cheeks warm. But as she looked at him, she noticed a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, his dark eyes subtly amused as he glanced at her again from the corner of his eye.
She smiled softly back, her heart feeling light once more.
They continued slowly down the quiet street, Sasuke occasionally pointing out places he remembered, places where he had played with friends, moments of mischief he'd had as a child. Hinata listened intently, softly laughing when he dryly recounted a memory of nearly setting one of the training dummies on fire during a failed attempt at practicing katon jutsu.
"You really did that, Sasuke-kun?" she asked softly, eyes wide, giggling lightly.
He only shrugged, averting his gaze. "I was seven. Itachi put it out and covered for me." His voice softened slightly. "He always covered for me."
Hinata glanced up gently, heart aching for him again. "Your brother truly loved you," she murmured quietly.
Sasuke didn’t reply, but the look in his eyes spoke clearly—he agreed.
They walked in silence again, quietly comfortable now, until Hinata paused gently, softly smiling up at him. "Sasuke-kun?"
"Hn?"
"I'm glad you shared these things with me," she admitted shyly, cheeks warming again. "Thank you."
He stopped briefly, looking down at her, expression unreadable at first, before his eyes softened subtly. "Hm," he murmured softly. "Me too."
Today was just beginning, but somehow, she already knew it would be something special.
As they continued down the silent street, Hinata reached for the small satchel slung over her shoulder. “Ah,” she murmured, “I brought something.”
Sasuke slowed, glancing sideways at her.
She opened the flap and carefully pulled out a neatly bundled cloth, unfolding it to reveal several weathered scrolls. “I found these tucked away in the archive storage,” she explained, holding them out gently. “They were listed under Uchiha records. I thought maybe they belonged to your family.”
Sasuke stared at them for a moment, saying nothing. He reached out and took one, unrolling it with practiced fingers. His eyes scanned the faded ink, his expression unreadable, but Hinata noticed the way his grip tightened just slightly around the edge of the scroll.
“…This was my grandfather’s handwriting,” he muttered under his breath.
Hinata smiled gently. “I cleaned the scrolls up as best I could. They were dusty. Neglected, almost. But I thought they should be with you.”
Sasuke closed the scroll carefully, not meeting her eyes. “You didn’t have to do all that.”
“I wanted to,” she replied softly.
Sasuke grunted.
Hinata continued walking toward one of the nearby old courtyards. The stone tiles were still cracked from disrepair, but there was a quiet beauty in the faded space. She knelt down and laid out a small blanket from her satchel, placing a thermos of warm tea and two cups on top.
“You even brought tea,” Sasuke said as he approached, a trace of disbelief in his voice.
“I know it’s not much,” Hinata said quickly, flustered, “but I thought we could sit here for a while, maybe look through the scrolls together?”
Sasuke didn’t answer right away, but he stepped onto the blanket and slowly sat down, legs crossed. “It’s fine,” he muttered, already reaching for another scroll.
They sipped tea quietly as Sasuke opened a second scroll, the sunlight catching the gold thread of old ink, illuminating old clan philosophies, brief mentions of past Uchiha leaders, ideologies on chakra control, and notes about Sharingan development theories. Sasuke read in silence for a while, eyes focused and still.
Hinata sipped her tea, glancing over at him.
“You used to come here alone…were you ever lonely?” she asked gently.
Sasuke didn’t answer right away. He closed the scroll, rolling it slowly. “Not really,” he said. “Not at first. I didn’t want anyone here. Then I got used to the silence.”
Hinata nodded slowly. “And now?”
Sasuke’s lips pressed together in thought, then he looked over at her, his voice low but honest. “…It’s not bad with someone else here.”
A small warmth spread in Hinata’s chest. “I’m glad.”
They sat for a while, reading, sipping, and sometimes not saying anything at all. It didn’t feel awkward, just still. Peaceful. Occasionally, Sasuke would point something out in a scroll or scoff at a clearly exaggerated clan legend. Hinata would smile, or laugh quietly. At one point, she caught him staring at her again, his gaze steady, not cold or searching, just present.
She turned red. “S-Sasuke-kun, is something on my face?”
He blinked once, slowly. “No.”
“Then why are you staring?” she asked, heart fluttering.
Sasuke looked away and muttered, “You really do talk a lot more now than you used to.”
Hinata blinked, unsure if that was a complaint or an observation.
But then, he looked back at her with the faintest smirk. “It’s not bad.”
She stared at him for a moment, unsure how to respond, before finally smiling. Her cheeks were still warm, but her chest felt light.
Their eyes drifted back to the scrolls, sharing another moment of comfortable quiet, until Hinata suddenly recalled the morning. Before she could stop herself, a gentle giggle slipped from her lips.
Sasuke's gaze snapped toward her, his brow furrowing slightly. "What's funny?"
Hinata covered her mouth quickly, trying to hide her amusement, but she couldn’t quite manage to hide the warm twinkle in her eyes. "Sorry, it's just I remembered how you looked this morning."
He raised an eyebrow, clearly confused. "What do you mean?"
"Your bedhead," she clarified shyly, cheeks tinged with amusement. "It was really something today, Sasuke-kun."
Sasuke’s expression shifted from confused to distinctly embarrassed. His ears turned faintly red, and his eyes narrowed sharply. "It wasn't that bad," he muttered defensively.
Hinata only giggled again, more openly this time. "But it was," she insisted gently. "Your hair was sticking up everywhere. You didn’t even bother fixing it throughout breakfast."
From her vantage, she watched his embarrassment deepen, a faint flush creeping to his cheeks even as he tried to mask it. Sasuke folded his arms more tightly, turning his gaze away with a muted scowl. “Tch…You could’ve said something at the time,” he muttered, the annoyance in his tone barely hiding how flustered he truly was.
Hinata smiled warmly, enjoying this rare moment of vulnerability from him. "Well, it looks normal now," she reassured softly. "Just so you know, I wouldn't have let you leave the house with your hair looking like that."
He shot her a sharp, sidelong glare, but beneath the surface annoyance, she could detect the faintest trace of amusement in his eyes. After a quiet moment, he sighed softly, dropping his scowl slightly as he glanced back at her again. "What’s with the smiling now?"
She softened her gaze, hesitating briefly before answering gently, "I was just thinking about us, how things have been going lately. It's been really nice."
Sasuke’s expression softened considerably. After a pause, he nodded faintly, voice low but sincere, "It has."
Another quiet moment passed, more thoughtful this time, before Sasuke spoke again. His voice was quiet, carefully measured. "You know, at first…I despised you."
Hinata glanced up at him, but said nothing, patiently waiting for him to continue.
Sasuke sighed deeply, eyes fixed thoughtfully on the distance. "When the arranged marriage happen, all I saw was something forced on me. It felt like punishment, like they were taking away the one thing I still had control over." He hesitated, voice dropping even quieter. "I didn't want to lose Sakura. It's partly why I kept going to see her even after our marriage. It felt like, I was still holding onto something of my own choice."
Hinata listened quietly, a gentle ache blossoming in her chest. She nodded slowly, her voice soft as she replied, "I understand. Back then, I felt so lonely. There were days when it felt like the house was swallowing me whole. I even thought about getting a pet, just to have something, someone, with me." She paused, glancing hesitantly at his expression, noticing the faint flicker of guilt in his eyes. Still, she continued gently, "I rarely left the house because the whispers about you and Sakura-san always reached me somehow."
She hesitated again, then said softly, "That's partly why I grew closer to Kakashi. He was someone I could talk to, someone who listened. But the crush I developed wasn’t immediate. It started about a month before you returned. I never thought, back then, that things between us could ever be like they are right now."
Sasuke watched her silently for a long moment before exhaling quietly, eyes lowering thoughtfully. When he spoke again, his voice was calm but earnest, "I never thought we would be either. But…" he paused, struggling with the words, before he admitted quietly, "I'm glad things have turned out the way they have." He gave a faint smirk and glanced away, adding casually, "At least now, when your family decides to come check up on our marriage again, I won’t act like such a bastard."
Hinata let out a soft laugh at the memory of his former hostility, though she had been just as cutting, if not more so. She was about to tease him further when Sasuke spoke up, his voice going so low and hesitant that she almost missed it entirely.
"I guess if it came down to divorce or staying together now," he admitted softly, as if speaking the thought aloud surprised even himself, "I'd choose staying together."
Hinata’s eyes widened in stunned surprise, heart jumping in her chest. She stared openly at him, momentarily speechless. "W-what?" she breathed softly, barely believing what she'd just heard.
But Sasuke was already standing abruptly, turning his back to her quickly. "I want to show you something else before we move on to the next thing you planned," he muttered, voice suddenly curt and rushed.
Hinata quickly shook herself, pulse racing as she whispered, "Wait, Sasuke-kun…what did you say? What did you say just now?"
Sasuke didn’t turn back around, his voice gruff but tinged with embarrassment, "You should’ve listened. I’m not repeating a single word."
Hinata blinked rapidly. She watched him carefully, noticing how his back stayed stiff, shoulders tight, clearly uncomfortable with what he'd just admitted. She decided not to press any further and quietly began gathering their things.
Once she'd finished packing up, she stood carefully and approached his side, but just as she drew close, Sasuke took a quick step forward, subtly indicating he'd rather she followed behind him. The gesture was odd, but Hinata didn't question it.
Hinata quietly followed Sasuke through the empty pathways of the district, her curiosity growing with each passing moment. Sasuke walked ahead, shoulders tense, seemingly deep in thought, but still careful enough to slow his steps slightly so she wouldn’t fall too far behind.
Eventually, he stopped in front of a small house near the edge of the Uchiha district. The wooden exterior was faded with time, but still sturdy, and a gentle nostalgia flickered quietly in Sasuke's eyes as he stood staring silently at it.
"What is this place?" Hinata asked gently, stepping quietly to his side.
"This was where my mother brought me whenever she needed ingredients for cooking," Sasuke murmured quietly. His voice was low, almost lost in memory. "There used to be a small vegetable garden out back, and we’d pick whatever she needed. Tomatoes, mostly."
He looked at Hinata, and a faint smile touched his lips, softened by nostalgia. "My mother and I…we used to come here every afternoon after training. She’d hold my hand the entire way, humming softly. It was simple, nothing special, but somehow, those were my favorite moments with her."
He paused, as if hesitating to reveal too much, but continued softly, eyes distant. "She’d always bring me inside afterwards and let me help her cook dinner. Itachi preferred to train with our father, so I’d stay and spend my time in the kitchen with her instead."
Hinata's eyes softened gently as she listened, heart quietly moved by the tenderness in Sasuke's voice. She stepped closer, letting him know she was there, listening.
Sasuke glanced at her briefly, a subtle redness touching the tips of his ears as he admitted quietly, "I was definitely a mama’s boy back then." He snorted quietly, amused at himself, shaking his head slightly. "Always following her around. It was embarrassing, now that I think about it."
Hinata smiled softly, her voice gentle, comforting. "I don’t think it’s embarrassing, Sasuke-kun. It sounds beautiful. You obviously treasured those times with her very much."
He looked away, expression quiet, thoughtful. "I did," he finally murmured. "She’d let me taste everything first and tell me my opinion mattered, even though I was just a child. And when dinner was done, we’d always eat alone together first, before my father and Itachi came back from their own training."
Sasuke hesitated briefly, then slowly began walking around to the side of the old house. Hinata quietly followed, her heart warming gently at the tenderness he displayed when speaking about his mother. They stopped in the back, where an empty, long-neglected garden sat, now overgrown with weeds, remnants of forgotten tomato plants barely visible among the wild grass.
Sasuke stood quietly, silently staring at the abandoned garden plot. Hinata watched him carefully, noticing the gentle shadow of sadness that flickered briefly across his expression. After a long moment, she softly murmured, "Thank you for sharing this with me, Sasuke-kun. Your mother sounds like a very kind woman."
Sasuke stayed quiet for a moment, then murmured, "She was."
He paused, glancing over his shoulder toward Hinata. Something in his gaze softened, a hesitant warmth flickering briefly before he turned back around. "You remind me of her sometimes," he admitted softly, voice low. "She always worried too much. Always trying to make everyone around her comfortable, even if it inconvenienced her."
Hinata’s cheeks flushed gently at his words, feeling deeply touched. She didn’t know quite how to respond, so she remained quiet, simply allowing the moment to settle softly between them.
Finally, Sasuke exhaled quietly, shaking his head slightly as if clearing away the weight of memories. "We should probably keep going," he murmured gruffly, clearly uncomfortable with the vulnerability he'd just shown.
Hinata nodded, carefully giving him space again as he turned to walk back around to the front of the house.
Yet as they stepped away from the quiet, overgrown garden, Hinata couldn’t help the gentle warmth that bloomed within her. Sasuke had willingly shared something deeply personal with her, opening a small window into his past—into the tender memories of his mother he’d obviously cherished dearly.
She quietly followed him back onto the main road, heart quietly hopeful.
Today, it seemed, Sasuke was letting her in further than he ever had before.