Note: Neji isn't dead here.
The Chase
First Contact
Years after the war, Sasuke Uchiha returned to Konoha.
Most of his goals were fulfilled and as part of his confinement, his chakra was sealed for minimal use and he was barred from leaving the village. Instead, they assigned him to train students at the Academy. To their surprise, he had agreed.
It was easier to project a reformed image, Sasuke thought.
Many nins threw him murderous looks though no one attempted to confront him. The isolation was welcomed. The months went by and Sasuke dreaded the realization of his next purpose. It would take time to restore the Uchiha name and it was going to take even longer finding a potential wife. It hadn't bothered him yet. Finding a woman worthy of the Uchiha title proved time consuming, but he was already occupied adjusting to life in Konoha once more.
It all went downhill just last week. He accidentally set fire to the training grounds.
It wasn't his fault, Sasuke thought darkly.
He was wholly dedicated in serving his duty until Hinata Hyuuga had walked by with the small sway of her hips that drew his attention. Her long hair fluttered from the strong winds and it made his fists clench.
The flames unknowingly skittered past his arms and slithered outwards, as if wildly responding to her. His memory of her was bleary. She was overshadowed by the people that surrounded her and Sasuke never noticed her nor the generous fill of her body. It was truly the first time he had seen her alone. Sasuke stared after her and didn't notice the loss of control.
As the potential heiress of the Hyuuga clan, she understood the responsibilities. She was surely compatible with him. And her body more so…
"Help!" a young voice cried out and Sasuke blinked.
The fire had spread. So used to the heat like a second skin, he had forgotten about its feral temperament. The students scrambled to get away and he belatedly tried to recall it. That was until a cold rainfall fell over him, soaking him to the bone. He stood, undaunted, even as the water heavily sprayed him.
It stopped. His vision adjusted to the mist and he could make out an enraged figure coming towards him. "Sasuke Uchiha!" he heard his keeper shout. He straightened. "What's the meaning of this?" she demanded.
He glanced elsewhere. She was gone.
"Nothing," he replied.
…
He found her in a food stall.
She was still alone. He took the empty seat beside her. Though he didn't acknowledge her, she was frozen. He knew she was too polite to suddenly leave, a trait he was relying on.
She glanced at him. If she was wondering why his clothes were worn out, then it was a good thing he didn't like talking either. He ran a hand over his hair, glad it finally dried. When his elbows touched the counter-top, her hands daintily fell to her lap to make space. She was considerate, Sasuke noted.
If it was Sakura, she would have nudged him away. Ino would have kept her hands up in stubbornness and Sasuke would have to relent, disliking the contact. As for that woman… Tenten was her name, Sasuke didn't bother thinking about it. "You're an ass," she would have told him.
He decided to lay one arm down instead. Hinata sipped her drink. "Thank you for the meal," she said to the cook.
His pulse jumped at the sound of her voice. She was soft-spoken as he remembered. It was too soon to act now and he looked her way when she left.
When he saw her again, she was conveniently walking by a park. He turned his head to acknowledge her and she nearly stumbled. Her upbringing didn't betray her; Hinata stopped and gave him a small nod. She couldn't leave either – his legs were stretched in the grassy pathway. "Have you seen Sakura?" she asked timidly.
Sasuke inclined his head. "You'll have to wait," he said.
She believed the lie and looked for a bench. Considering he was also responsible for cleaning the park, he had removed it. It was why the area was completely empty. She finally met his eyes again and Sasuke nudged his head to the space beside him.
She was reluctant. He twisted the stem of a flower until she gingerly sat beside him.
She didn't look at him and that was fine, for he was busy planning. He held the flower low on his lap. If he was an ordinary citizen, it would be easy to offer it to her. As he thought about it, the wind ruffled its petals and it broke apart to fly to his right. Hinata sneezed. She did it again and her skin freckled red.
Sasuke paled.
"I-I'm," she stuttered as her body expelled another sneeze.
He set it on fire immediately.
Hinata sniffed. He had no handkerchief to offer her and a gasp from behind made him stiffen. "What did you just do?" Ino's voice asked.
Maybe it was a good thing he lied about Sakura's whereabouts, because it was Hinata who interfered and led the raging Ino away from him.
Sasuke stared after them. He couldn't risk anyone confronting him.
…
He was waiting in the cold for her.
Naruto managed to obtain information of her return. It has been a month. During that time, he was formulating many instances to meet with her. It had been successful so far though their time was short before anyone noticed them. He deemed it appropriate to meet away from curious eyes – it was better if no one knew.
Sasuke eyed the gate. He'd seen the rush of shadows emerging from it, none resembling her feminine form. His brows furrowed. It was unlikely Naruto misled him and he was left wondering if she perished.
As he brooded over the thought, she walked past the gates.
She looked tired and Sasuke hesitated. She must have exhausted her stamina because she leaned against the pillars. Her skin glowed from the moonlight and he admired the sight. He couldn't sense anyone nearby. He stepped out of the shadows. "Hinata," he said and she cried out. Startled, he managed to dodge a potential knockout punch and ducked his head from a flying kunai.
"Oh," she breathed. She touched her chest to calm her heart.
Sasuke struggled not to look. Instead, he let the silence fill the air. The uniform she wore told him she was promoted sometime ago. She was accomplished, just as he suspected. Before his surrender a year ago, he sighted her from afar one day. It was a small team and they were headed back to Konoha. They hadn't even noticed him. Sasuke observed this disinterestedly until he recognized her. Hinata Hyuuga. Judging from the lack of mask, she didn't advanced far yet. Then she had turned to his direction and Sasuke froze. It was barely a glance and she didn't linger long, but the Byakugan arrested him in place even as she left.
She shifted uneasily. He realized she was getting anxious. "What a coincidence," he said.
She looked skeptical. "It's midnight," she said. "I…I didn't think you'd –"
"Be allowed out this late?" he finished. He wasn't a danger to anyone. He only hoped the record of his deeds was kept from her. She bit her lip and his gaze dropped to her mouth. It quickly traveled down her body to observe for any injury before she realized his intentions. To his dismay, there was dried blood by her arms and dirt stained where her knees were covered. "Hard mission?" he went on.
She hesitated. "No."
Unthinkingly, he reached out to touch her shoulder where the clothe split to reveal her bare skin. "You did well," he said. She looked bewildered and it made Sasuke pause. His hand fell. "You must be tired."
She rubbed her arm. "I am," she said quietly and he had the sudden urge to haul her in his arms and nurse her wounds. He reached out slowly, careful not to frighten her, to stop her from irritating the skin. It must have shown on his face because a hand hovered over the gash. Her chakra, warm and bright, flowed over the skin and mended it. He stared. That warmth, he needed to feel it again.
"Hinata-sama," a hard voice said from behind. Sasuke stepped away just as Neji Hyuuga emerged from the darkness. "Uchiha," he said cordially.
"Hyuuga," he intoned.
"Neji-niisan," she breathed in relief and Sasuke felt a stab of irritation.
That white stare only glanced at him fleetingly. "Let's go back," he said, placing a hand on her back.
Too late, Sasuke remembered his chakra was sealed. "Take care of her," was his parting words and noticed their shoulders stiffen. He didn't leave her out of sight until they rounded the corner.
It was another session of training and Sasuke chose a more secluded area.
He summoned fire to his hands and manipulated its strength, testing how much chakra he could draw out. As expected, it was like the Academy days. While he could rely on his physical strength, it wasn't enough to match the level his colleagues possessed.
Since his return, it was Naruto who held off those looking for a fight. True to his word, Sasuke never incited anything to cause any more aggression. But his recent meeting with Hinata had Neji wearily watching him.
He needed to be patient.
"Hello," a soft voice said.
He ignored her in favor for concentration. If he lost control once more, he was sure the Hokage, once a mischievous instructor of his, would extend his sentence. He quickly inspected her and turned his back. "I'm well," Hinata offered. "Thank you –" At the pause, Sasuke looked over his shoulder and she continued, "For your concern."
After that miserable encounter, Sasuke had consoled himself with the thought that at least Hinata had an indication of his interest. However she interpreted it, he didn't know. It was the first time she approached him. He banished the flame and wrapped his arms with binds in preparation. The students assigned to him were annoyingly passionate. She settled beside him and began to do the same. He frowned. "You shouldn't," he told her.
She bit her lip. "I can help."
"I can handle it."
That damned pride of his; it clashed with another opportunity to spend time with her. "I heard," she began timidly, "there was a… commotion last time." He tried not to scowl. So she did know what happened. "Children are like that sometimes," she said, looking down.
He didn't know what she heard, but at least the blame wasn't solely on him. When she finally looked at him, he nodded.
To his surprise, she gathered her long hair behind her and secured it. He tightened the binds covering his hands. She was doing simple stretches while he tried to read instructions written in a scroll. The blazing sun forced her to unhook the clothe tied at her waist and when it dropped to the ground, he noticed she wore different sandals and the guards covering her legs were gone. All that covered her skin was the stockings and it was completely useless.
His face was completely blank when his students finally arrived. If they thought he was especially distracted today then their concentration was even better. To Sasuke's irritation, it was as if they expected another incident.
"20 laps," he told them, ignoring their complaints. "Now."
Hinata had quietly stood to the side as they disappeared. She stayed away from him the entire time, but he kept her in his vision. She had connected with the recluse student and it allowed Sasuke to coordinate the team better. He wanted to let her know her influence was appreciated, but it was stuck in his throat. Words never suited him. But as Hinata stood, he instinctively said, "I have another class this week."
She paused. "I – I can come again," she said hesitantly.
"I'll pick you up."
"Oh," she said shyly. "That's…that's not necessary."
He faced her fully and folded his arms. "Let me."
For some reason, she ducked her head and mumbled, "Alright."
He smirked.
He openly watched her leave. And it was a good thing she left, because the entire exchange was witnessed by three genin students who proceeded to test their newly found jutsu on their unsuspecting teacher. Purely out of instinct, he raised his hands defensively. It reflected high in the sky like a comet and crashed into a wall. Sasuke grimaced.
"Not good," Naruto whistled, appearing beside him. "You should have paid attention. Or is it because of Hinata?" He nudged his ribs and Sasuke grunted, the pain of a scar when a sword ran through him still aching.
"Stop it," he snarled.
Ignoring it, Naruto poked him once more. "You need to be more careful. Not a lot of people like you, you know."
He knew that. And it was especially prevalent whenever he was with Hinata.
…
He stared at the entrance of the Hyuuga compound. Beyond the gates were impressive stretches of shrubbery and stone paths, all cleanly done.
He left a short message for Hinata and returned to the Uchiha compound. It didn't surprise him that since his return, the entire property was left desolate. Overstretching vines climbed the walls, grass existing in patches and the overgrowth of it in pathways. The remnants of a long-ago fight still lingered.
Sasuke decided it needed to be maintained.
Two hours into it, he only managed to remove the rubble of the main residence. It looked almost like the mighty likeness of the past.
A shuffle of footsteps had him whipping around, the Sharingan blazing. It was Hinata. He set down the rake. "I said I couldn't meet with you today," he said.
She looked uncertain. "Yes, well… I wanted to know why," she trailed. Unwilling to answer, Sasuke resumed clearing the pathways in silence. It was his luck that the future mistress just had to witness the mess that was the Uchiha compound. As he cursed the fates for the humiliation, Hinata watched him. "May I help?" she asked timidly.
He debated, but she was already moving towards him. She knelt to gather tools and a bag while he tried to find words to send her away. There was a flush on her pale cheeks as she rose and Sasuke let it be. She worked on the garden and he lingered close, the sight of her in his home strengthening his resolve.
Though no words passed between them, their eyes met occasionally in understanding. And more than once, Sasuke stole a glance when she bent down and eventually snapped the handle of the rake in his grasp. He tossed it to the pile. "It was rusty," he said to her questioning look.
Once it was done, she patted her hands to rid off the dirt. Then she smiled at him. "I'm glad I could help."
Without thinking, he leaned down and laid a brief kiss on her lips.
They froze.
Her eyes were wide as his and Sasuke was very aware of someone shaking – he couldn't tell if it was her, him or both.
It was a mistake, he wanted to say. It wasn't the right time yet, he revised. Though Sasuke prided in possessing an iron-will, his restraint was surprisingly weak when it came to her. Appalled at the revelation, Sasuke tried to think.
"I'm sorry," he could say. His mouth opened to say so. Nothing came out. Hinata mimicked him yet there wasn't a sound from her either.
He was counting on her to leave. In fact, he was dependent on it. His pride, which was sinking each second, rooted him to the spot. Damn it. Fine. If she wanted to stay and stare at his face, waiting for an explanation that wasn't coming, she was free to do so. During this time, at least he was confident his looks could finally make her falter. He stared back and it was a struggle to hold her gaze. She was beautiful, from the enticing curve of her lips to the widened curiosity of her white eyes. As if she was waiting for something.
She was braver than he thought, Sasuke noted.
"Do you," she trailed. "Uhm, that is...mind if I…?"
He pondered if he should purposely make her say the words first then rejected the thought. She was always welcomed here. Except he uttered, "Maybe."
Her face fell.
Fuck.
If she ran now, he'd chase her down and that would definitely cause unwanted gossip. The thought of the men surrounding her coming after him didn't bode well. "Yes," he said strongly this time. She blinked. Sasuke nearly sighed and came closer. Just as their toes touched and she had to look up at him, Sasuke told her quietly, "Thank you."
The ensuing silence racked his nerves and it wasn't until her smile that he relaxed.
…
It was finally going well according to Sasuke's standards.
They ran into each other early in the morning. It only took a glance at the papers stacked in her arms for him to make a quick decision.
She tried protesting when he hefted it to his hands but her voice wavered when they touched. He was amused by her speech. "Is there something you need to do?" she asked.
"No."
He was thankful the route to the building was empty. It was even better when no nin was present in the office. "Thank you, Uchiha-san," she said.
He looked down at her. "Sasuke."
She swallowed. "S-Sasuke-san."
His lips curved and she quickly turned her face away. Sasuke mulled over it. She was still reasonably shaken from his…sudden action when she visited. He needed to be careful when it came to his urges. When she finally agreed to be with him, it was going to be more than just kisses, Sasuke vowed. The time to discover her body could wait. His hands flexed.
He knew from one time when saving her as she tripped over nothing. Ridiculous. Nonetheless, he caught her.
Her breath had shortened when he pressed her against him and he let her know his appeal through his body. If his face couldn't make her heart race, she just proved his body could. Her face was red. There was satisfaction, but it gave way to astonishment when he realized the fullness of her body. He had greatly underestimated it.
"Be careful," he said gruffly and let her go before she panicked.
She mumbled an apology and their walk continued in silence.
It consumed his thoughts on their way back to the street. The next time he held her, it would probably be their wedding night. As if pitying him for all that he suffered, it miraculously happened again. "Hey," he warned as she unknowingly walked over a suspicious layer of dirt. He had spotted the familiar contraption set by those damn, brilliant students of his. "Hinata, stop."
Maybe it was her name that made her stumble or the actual trap, but Sasuke preferred to think it was his voice. He reached to grab her waist and shifted his foot to hold their weight as he pulled her back. They collided and he righted them before they fell.
His restraint faltered. She was too close, pressed against him in the right places that Sasuke tried to block out.
He was sure his face reflected hers right now. Sasuke paused. He never appreciated her white eyes, how bottomless it was. As the seconds went by, they remained in place. She didn't mind his touch, Sasuke noted. He experimentally squeezed her waist and it wasn't just her gasp that had Hinata leaving his grasp.
"What the fuck, Uchiha!" Kiba roared, ripping her away. He grimaced. "What were you doing to her?"
Sasuke looked at her. "He…he helped me," she said slowly.
"Did he touch you?" he demanded.
"Of course I did," Sasuke scoffed and slowly realized the implication of his words. His pride prevented him from correcting it and Sasuke challengingly met his stare.
Hinata was pale. "Not like that," she said quickly. There was some low rumbling coming from Kiba. "It's not important," she assured.
"Yes, it was," Sasuke said automatically. Hinata was beginning to get used to his closeness. And that Inuzuka had ruined it. "You're thinking too much."
"Why do I smell you around her nowadays?" Kiba challenged. Sasuke stiffened. He didn't factor in his sharp senses. "You've never cared for her before."
"None of your business," he said sharply.
He couldn't say he wanted her as a wife. Not yet anyway. He wasn't in love but Sasuke was, at least, attracted to her. And from the glances she gave him, she was responding to him. It was almost unfortunate his body couldn't persuade her just yet – there was time for that later.
"It is if you're planning to hurt her," Kiba warned and took a step forward. Sasuke moved his fingers, a hint of flame racing between them. If he wanted a fight, Sasuke would meet him halfway, damning the conditions of his surrender.
"I think he wants to be friends," Hinata said and was flustered when Sasuke turned to her, incredulous. There was nothing he conveyed to her about being mere friends. She had to realize that. "That's all," she wavered.
He decided to speak about that with her at another time. Alone. And soon.
They sparred.
His swords were locked away, the use of his ninjutsu limited. But he still could make use of his hands and very well he did, Hinata would later find out.
He was careful to not leave bruises. His future wife needed no reminder of whatever pain he inflicted on her. The thought of anyone questioning who was responsible had nothing to do with it, Sasuke reassured himself.
She was breathing hard, determined. His mouth twitched. The Byakugan suddenly flared in her eyes and he felt his body stir in response. Sasuke shifted. Although he never really liked the sight of the Hyuuga's bloodline, as there was always hostility directed to him, there was something appealing seeing it in her eyes.
He felt the Sharingan bleed into his vision. She faltered. "I-Is that okay?"
He realized her fears and turned his face away, the Sharingan leaving his eyes. His gut twisted though he ignored the shame settling in. He could never be ashamed of his heritage, but the sins he committed in the war still frightened her. "No," he said. "It's a habit."
Her stance softened. He had kept the Sharingan activated for so long, it had almost become permanent. Not counting how it betrayed his moods these days.
They resumed and Sasuke fought her at the front. He suppressed his power; it responded to the caged frustration of his life in Konoha or how she was still uneasy around him. There was nothing for him to accomplish except to rebuild the Uchiha clan and to think his entire life was now fixed on that, he felt restless. It was all dependent on Hinata.
He saw an opening. He pushed his weight on her just as he blocked her attack and used that to pin her down.
Maybe he can finally work through that abrupt haze of powerlessness that gripped him. The weight of Itachi's words and Hinata's sweet concern for him, "S-Sasuke-san?" were enough to settle him. There was time to fulfill his life's desires. He pushed back the dark thoughts and breathed, a soft weight pushing back on him.
His eyes flew open.
She was beneath him, her eyes wide and it was the upheaval of her large breasts pressing onto him. Caught off-guard, Sasuke was about to move away when he paused at the wonder in her eyes. She looked at him so guilelessly, and he wanted to glide his hands down her body to the hollow between her thighs, feel the softness that was her.
She coughed delicately. He blinked.
The silence lengthened.
He wondered how long she could stand it. He wasn't one to tire out easily, especially once she was in his bed.
"Meet with me tomorrow," he said.
Her eyes fluttered in confusion. "Why?"
He leaned down closer. "Say yes."
To his disappointment, she said yes far too early and he had to stand. But that was fine; he secured her time.
…
It was cancelled.
Sasuke glared at the drink before him.
"You need to spend more time with her," Naruto was chiding him.
"I'm trying," he gritted.
That damned protector of hers. Neji Hyuuga. Sasuke was certain there was meddling involved. A Hyuuga clansman had stopped by the gates of the Uchiha property telling him, "Hinata-sama would like to inform you that she cannot meet with you tomorrow."
Leashing his temper, he said, "I see."
He contemplated stopping by the Hyuuga compound.
Maybe it was a good thing that Naruto caught him on his way there. "Where are you going?" he had asked. Sasuke stared back stonily. "Let's get some ramen," he suggested and Sasuke didn't fight it when he was dragged there. "What do you want from her?" he asked. It was met with silence. "Look, I know you're looking for a wife and all, but don't treat Hinata like that if that's your plan."
Sasuke glared. "I know that."
"So you do want her." He stirred the bowl. "Your eyes are red again," Naruto reminded.
He scowled. It began to appear periodically since their last encounter. "Why do people interfere?" he asked darkly.
"Because you were a traitor."
Sasuke looked away. Time and time again, he regretted nothing. The fleeting thought of Itachi made his chest tighten. It was quickly banished and when he thought of Hinata, it eased substantially although his heart still squeezed. He rubbed the skin absentmindedly. He didn't consider what Hinata thought of him. Maybe she forgave his actions in light of her kindness. "She accepts me," he said quietly.
"It's not easy for others to trust you. Wasn't it your ancestor that nearly killed Neji?" That was an undisputed fact and it explained the hatred towards him. "Hinata was crying so much," Naruto continued.
Sasuke stiffened. He hadn't thought about her feelings towards him from that incident. Did she blame him as well? His fists clenched. "I had nothing to do with him," he gritted.
"I know. Look, it takes time." It's been months, he wanted to shout. "But she doesn't seem to hate you," he said. "I mean, she didn't run away yet, right?"
"No."
"Then keep doing what you're doing. Legally," he added. "And as long as she's willing."
Sasuke scrutinized him. Hinata had loved Naruto. He needed to capture her attention before another idiot did. An exceptional idiot, Sasuke grudgingly revised. After all, Naruto just told him very good news.
"Neji will be leaving soon. He won't be back for at least four months."
TBC
For my beta who wanted me to write a Sasuke/Hinata fic. I'm a Neji/Hinata writer, but I'm interested writing these two together. I tried getting a feel of them here (the non-angst part anyway) and I think I got it.
