Post-war; non-canon. Does this make this AU?
Please read the author note at the end, it would mean a lot. Enjoy.
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I do not own Naruto.
Tadaima.
I have arrived in Suna. We plan to head out two days from when you will get this message. -S
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Please send my greetings to the Kazekage and his siblings. Sakura's birthday is in two months. Naruto has planned a party already and has invited us. He promises that there will be more than just ramen. -H
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It seems that there is more to be done in Suna. The kazekage has requested our team's help. It shall take a week at most. Ramen is fine. -S
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There have been dense, dark, gray clouds in the sky making their way to Konoha. I think it will rain soon. -H
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We leave tonight—what would have been yesterday by the time you read this. I plan to be home before the rain. -S
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We were attacked, however fine. We have stopped at a village a day's travel away from Suna. I will return soon. -S
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You say you are fine; I trust you. But I still worry. Be safe. I love you. -H
It was late at night—or early morning—he mused. Sasuke wasn't necessarily sure which it was, he had come back from a mission that ran later than expected. What originally was supposed to be a two week long mission turned into nearly one month, and as much as he wanted to return to his home and wife, he had to not only report to the Hokage, but the clinic as well. It was precautionary, he and his team had been attacked on their way back from an escort mission and though not much harm was done to his team —bruises, scratches, cuts, and at most sprained knees or arms—, it was customary to make sure the ninja were in good health. Reporting to the Hokage was simple and kept brief. Sasuke told only of necessities, details that one would deem important. His old mentor, Kakashi, nodded at the appropriate times and dismissed Sasuke after informing him that he would receive his pay in the morning after the rest of the team would recount their journey as well.
At the moment, Sakura was bandaging his right arm as he stared out of the window, mind elsewhere. It had been raining for the past three days straight. The storm brought creases to his brow in frustration, he was late. Strong winds shook the window panes and pelted the rain against it; if he hadn't known any better he might have thought it was a hail storm.
Sakura glanced at her childhood teammate and friend, hands finishing up the end of his bandages. She observed his distant look and she could only hypothesize what he was thinking about. With a chuckle to herself and a pat on his arm, she nodded once, pleased with her work. "All set," the pink haired woman placed her arms at her hips. "You're free to go, Sasuke."
Snapped out of his thoughts, his eyes widened for a millisecond, forgetful of where he was and who he was with. "Mn." Sasuke nodded his thanks and stood from his chair. At the door, he looked over his shoulder to the pink haired medical-nin, "Your birthday is soon." It was a statement not a question.
Sakura knew this, and smiled widely with a nod. "It is".
"Ah," the man nodded his head once more and turned to leave. He left without regard for the storm, headed directly for the home he shared with his wife, who was sure to still be awake.
During his mission, he had sent messages to her by hawk to relay their progress. It had become tradition that he would write to her of his return after she once asked him to do so after his third out-of-village mission given to him after their marriage. Sasuke later found out that not only would it appease his wife's anxiety, but it was also so she would be able to prepare a warm meal to welcome him home. While it benefitted him as he didn't get to eat well on missions, Sasuke knew it also brought her happiness to be able to provide for him where she could. So he figured he could allow her that.
As he neared his home in a rebuilt Uchiha compound—though much smaller and less ostentatious as the original—, his assumptions about his wife was proven correct. He could see the dim lights of the kitchen through the window, proof enough that she was still awake.
Sasuke made his way to the front door as he fished his keys from a pouch strapped to his hip. He unlocked the heavy frosted glass door and stepped in to the warmth of his home. Slipping off his shoes, he walked up the few steps onto the raised platform of the house, heading towards the lights that were turned on in the kitchen. He could see that there were pots left on the stove, a dim fire keeping its contents warm. His heart strings pulled on the idea that his wife kept the food prepared for whenever he would return, which on this particular mission was unexpected and delayed. Sasuke found Hinata at their dinner table, examining a scroll, brows furrowed in concentration. A smile crept upon his lips as he observed her, completely oblivious to his presence. He found himself content with the idea of just watching her for a few more moments. She was biting on her lower lip, committing whatever she was reading to memory. She was studying and researching healing properties of the herbs she had collected in the jars she laid out in front of her. The jars were the only things odd on the table, as the dinnerware was set in their rightful places, ready for his first meal back.
Hinata stretches her arms above her head, letting out a small yawn into her shoulder.
Sasuke walks across the tatami mat, feet padding softly underneath him. He gently catches his wife's hand in the air and presses a kiss to her palm. It takes Hinata a moment, but she stands from her seat and is about to scurry to the stove to get him a plate, but Sasuke halts her actions and pulls her into his chest. He takes a deep breath and inhales the lavender-herb scent that is his wife and relishes in her warmth. The rain continues to pour outside, heard over head as it pelts against their roof.
Sasuke Uchiha was not a talkative person. He was not known for his eloquence or his vast vocabulary. Similar to battle, he was sharp, quick, and efficient. He was direct, curt, and he shaved off the excess frills of unnecessary details when speaking. He was never truly good with his words, he may have even been considered awkward whenever he was trying to express himself in ways other than combat. What he says and what he means, especially to his wife, are different and yet completely the same.
His voice was hoarse, from exhaustion and perhaps from the nervousness that settled in his stomach.
"Tadaima," he says.
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"I love you," he means.
Hi. Welcome to this… thing I threw together. I've been lurking around the Sasuhina community for quite some time and there has definitely been a decline in the amount of content being put out. I decided to try my hand at it. I haven't written in actual years, so I apologize. I also apologize if the format was odd and hard to read. I may edit this at a future date.
The idea of these two always sparked my interest as I hated the notion that Hinata just waited around for Naruto to realize he loved her and — she just deserved better.
As that I have been lurking for some time, I do feel the need to let you know that my name is not Ashley, and that I do not intend to die anytime soon. Thanks.
Other than that, let me know what you think. It would be amazing to hear from you all.