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𝕳𝐨𝐦𝐞
They found a sanctuary—each other.
The rain fell steadily outside, a soft, persistent patter against the worn wooden walls of the small, dilapidated restaurant in a remote village nestled deep in the hills. The air inside the restaurant was warm, a stark contrast to the chill outside. The atmosphere was cozy and intimate, with only a few locals scattered at various tables, quietly conversing over their meals.
The door creaked open, and a young woman entered, shaking the rain from her cloak. Her long, dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She approached the counter, ordering a warm drink, her voice soft and polite. The locals, few in number, barely noticed her presence, engrossed in their own meals and conversations. With her drink in hand, she looked around, her eyes scanning the area for a place to sit.
The restaurant was small, and most of the tables were occupied. She found an empty seat near the window, not far from a lone figure seated at an adjacent table. As she sat down, she glanced outside, her eyes reflecting the gray of the rainy day. The steam from her drink curled up, warming her hands as she cupped it, lost in thought.
There had been a time when she was set on becoming a proper heiress, a strong ninja to uphold her clan’s honor. But that seemed like a lifetime ago. She had confessed her feelings to Naruto, but that had gone unanswered, leaving a dull ache that she had since accepted. Then, the war changed everything—Neji and his sacrifice, a loss that still greatly pained her heart.
In the aftermath of the war, Hinata found herself lost. With peace prevailing, her training as a kunoichi felt almost redundant. Others around her had found their paths—such as Sakura with her work in medical ninjutsu and Ino with her flower shop. Her sister, Hanabi, was flourishing, preparing to lead the clan with a confidence Hinata had never felt in herself. She was proud of her younger sister, yet it deepened her own sense of purposelessness. Hinata felt useless, stuck in a rut of depression and doubt. She felt adrift, unsure of her place in this new world. It was her beloved sister, Hanabi, who suggested she travel, to see the world beyond Konoha and perhaps find some clarity. And so, she left home and wandered, seeking relaxation, reflection, and perhaps a new sense of purpose.
As her thoughts returned to the present, she sipped her drink, and her gaze drifted around the restaurant. Her eyes landed on a man seated at the table beside hers. For a moment, she stared, her mind taking a moment to catch up. It was Uchiha Sasuke. He looked different from what she remembered—older, more solemn. Yet, there was no mistaking him, even after all these years. His aura was unmistakable.
He glanced up, meeting her gaze, and she blushed, realizing she had been staring. “I’m sorry, Uchiha-san,” she murmured, lowering her eyes. Sasuke simply nodded, his expression unreadable but seemingly unfazed.
She turned her attention back to the window, trying to hide her embarrassment. It occurred to her that they had never really spoken, despite having been in the same village and class at the Academy. Now, sitting so close, she noticed his missing arm, the sleeve of his cloak hanging empty. She didn't mention it. They sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts, while the rain continued its steady drumming outside. It felt oddly comforting for Hinata.
When the rain finally lightened, Sasuke stood to leave. Hinata looked up. "Have a good day," she said softly, not expecting a reply. Sasuke paused, glanced at her, and gave a brief nod before stepping out into the misty afternoon.
Hinata stayed a while longer, finishing her drink, and then left when the rain finally stopped.
Hinata didn't expect to see him again, but fate had other plans. They met again in another village, weeks later. Then again, and again. The first few times were brief, marked by polite nods and minimal conversation. Hinata, ever polite, would offer a soft greeting, and Sasuke, ever taciturn, would acknowledge her with a nod or a monosyllabic response. He tolerated her presence, she thought, because she was quiet and unobtrusive, unlike the loud and energetic personalities he had often been surrounded by. It was a strange companionship—two people from the same village, traveling separately but often ending up in the same places.
In time, their interactions grew more familiar. Hinata found herself looking forward to these chance meetings. Sasuke, though still reserved, seemed to relax in her presence. They would sit together, sharing a meal or a drink, the silence between them becoming less awkward and more comfortable.
Once, in a small tea shop, Hinata asked him about his travels.
"Where have you been, Sasuke-san?" she asked, stirring her tea. Sasuke glanced at her, his gaze thoughtful.
"Here and there," he replied vaguely. "Mostly ruins and remote villages. There's a lot to see." A hint of something like relaxation in his voice.
Over time, their conversations became more frequent and natural. They would sit together and discussing mundane things like the weather or the local cuisine. Hinata couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity and comfort during these interactions with Sasuke. It made her feel less alone in her journey.
One day, Hinata brought a small lunchbox she had prepared. "I tried a new recipe," she said, offering it to him with a shy smile. "Would you like to try?"
Sasuke eyed the offering, then nodded. He took a bite, and Hinata watched nervously for his reaction. He chewed thoughtfully, then nodded again. “It’s good,” he said simply. Coming from Sasuke himself, it was a rare compliment, and Hinata felt a warm glow of satisfaction.
As they continued to meet, they began to understand each other's quirks. Hinata got used to Sasuke's silences and occasional sarcastic remarks, while Sasuke learned to anticipate her blushing and stammering in certain situations. He started bringing her small souvenirs from his travels—hand-carved wooden figures, painted porcelain, and little candies from different regions. It was unexpected and touching. Hinata cherished these gifts, feeling a warmth in her heart that she didn't fully understand.
They began to spend more time together whenever their paths crossed. Sometimes they would sit in silence, other times they would talk—still about mundane things, about the places they had seen, the foods they had tried. They never delved into deeper, more personal topics, but there was a quiet companionship between them. They were comfortable in each other's presence, even if they didn't share their deepest thoughts or past traumas.
Four years had passed since their first encounter in the rain-soaked village. The last time they had seen each other was eight months ago. Hinata found herself back in the village where it had all begun. The weather was cloudy but calm, a contrast to the rain-soaked day of their first meeting. She entered the same dilapidated restaurant, noticing a few small changes. She ordered a drink and took a seat, feeling a wave of nostalgia wash over her.
As she sat there, sipping her drink, her thoughts wandered back to the letters she received from her friends and family in Konoha. She had kept in touch with them throughout her travels, exchanging news and stories. The village was thriving—Kurenai-sensei's child was growing up with Team 10's help, her clan was exploring new business ventures, and Hanabi was blossoming into a capable leader.
Hinata smiled, feeling a sense of contentment. Everyone was doing well, and she was no longer burdened by the pain of the past. She felt at peace, more confident, and less timid than she had been. She was no longer lost, the pain of Neji’s death had softened, and she felt a sense of peace. Her journey had brought her new experiences, and she had grown in ways she hadn't expected. And then, there was Sasuke—a constant, albeit unexpected, presence throughout her travels.
Just as she was thinking of him, the sound of a chair being pulled out beside her broke her reverie. She looked up from the familiar presence, her heart skipping a beat. Sasuke stood there, his expression as stoic as ever, but there was a warmth in his eyes that hadn’t been there before. He sat down, and for a moment, they simply looked at each other. He had changed too, she realized. There was a lightness in him now, a subtle shift that she had witnessed over time.
Hinata couldn't help but smile, a genuine, joyful smile that reached her eyes. It had been so long since they'd last seen each other. There was no need for pleasantries—they knew each other well enough to understand how they were doing without asking.
Hinata reached into her bag and pulled out a small lunchbox. “I tried a new recipe,” she said, offering it to him. “I thought you might like to try it.” Sasuke took it, nodding in thanks.
Then he pulled out a small bag from his pocket and handed it to her. “Found these in a market,” he said, his tone casual. “Thought you might like them.”
Hinata opened the bag and found an assortment of candies. Her face lit up, and she immediately tried one. “They’re delicious,” she said, her eyes sparkling with delight. “Thank you, Sasuke-kun.”
They sat together, enjoying the quiet companionship, as they had many times before. The sounds of the restaurant around them were a comforting backdrop.
Sasuke broke the silence, his voice low and steady. "When are you going back to Konoha?" he asked, his gaze fixed on her.
Hinata was caught off guard by the question. She hesitated, then chuckled. “Are you trying to get rid of me already?” she teased, a playful glint in her eyes.
Sasuke's lips twitched in a smirk. "Maybe," he replied, his tone mock-serious.
Hinata rolled her eyes playfully, then grew thoughtful. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “My family and friends at home are doing well without me. Everyone has their own lives, their own paths. It's nice to be out here, away from the responsibilities."
She paused, glancing at him. "How about you? Have you ever thought of going back?"
Sasuke was silent for a moment, then he shook his head slightly. "Not yet," he said, echoing her earlier words and a hint of something unspoken in his voice. "It's not just about redemption. Sometimes... there's no reason to go back."
Hinata studied him, noticing the lack of the old, haunted look in his eyes. She smiled softly and nodded, understanding the sentiment.
There was another comfortable silence. Hinata looked out the window, her thoughts wandering. They sat in comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts. As Hinata looked out the window, Sasuke discreetly glanced at her.
He has not considered going back to Konoha yet, for he doesn't have a home to go back to. For Sasuke, the concept of home had always been elusive. The Uchiha clan’s massacre had shattered any semblance of it, leaving him with a hollow longing that he buried beneath his quest for revenge. Even during his time with Team 7, he had never truly felt at home, though in retrospect, he realized they had come close to giving him that feeling. But then, he left, and home became a distant memory, clouded by pain and anger.
Hinata’s presence, however, had brought unexpected comfort. She reminded him of the warmth of home—her stories of wandering made him think of Shisui, her gentle yet firm demeanor echoed his brother Itachi’s, and her cooking brought back memories of his mother. Her kindness, her quiet strength, even her blushes—they all stirred something in him that he hadn’t felt in a long time.
As they sat together, he realized that Hinata felt like home. It was a startling revelation, but one he found himself accepting. The feelings he had for her had grown over time, a slow, steady burn that he could no longer ignore.
Finishing his drink, Sasuke spoke, his voice softer than usual. "I don't mind you," he said, the words simple but laden with meaning.
Hinata blinked, confused by the sudden statement. “What do you mean?” she asked, her brow furrowing.
Sasuke refused to elaborate, a rare playful glint in his eyes. “Figure it out,” he said, his tone teasing.
Hinata pouted, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "That's not fair," she muttered, though she couldn't help but smile.
Sasuke’s lips twitched, a small, almost imperceptible smile forming. Yes, he thought, she truly feels like home.
They found a moment of peace. It was a small, fleeting thing, but it was enough. They didn't need to define it or speak it aloud. It was enough to know they had found a place of comfort in each other's company, a place that felt like home.