A beautiful bouquet of flowers were being held tightly in a pair of small, delicate hands as they shook slightly. They were all so vibrant and colorful for such a gloomy day. The once blue sky had no disappeared behind a wall of dark grey clouds, as if threatening to open up and drench the entire village. At this point even the wind had picked up and was blowing the autumn leaves around, whirling about in the air before landing onto the ground. The days only continued to grow colder as winter neared around the corner. A shiver ran through the Hyuga's body, as she knelt down in front of the gravestone. It has been two years since the war that took many lives ended. Some bodies haven't even been found yet. Their loved ones were still out there trying to find them.
Everything was much more peaceful, now that all the five Kages got along, unlike before. Some say it's even boring now being a shinobi, because there aren't as many missions anymore. However, there are still rogue ninjas out there to be dealt with. They either don't approve of the newly-formed bond between the villages, or just don't like all of the new changes, and believe the shinobi world will only slip into another war. Some became hateful after the war, because they lost a loved one, or are all alone now because of it. No matter what...there will always be those who turn evil.
Pale-colored eyes saddened as her fingertips trailed along the engraved lettering. "Neji nii-san... Why did you leave me? Now that you're gone, father has changed... And for the worse." Her voice was quiet, but you could hear all of the hurt and fear in it. A few tears spilled over and ran down her pale cheeks. She just stared at the ring that now sat perfectly on her finger, wishing more than anything that it wasn't really there. Oh how she wanted to take it off and chuck it far, far away... Never to be seen again.
A sob ripped through her then as the flowers slipped out of her hands, falling onto the ground in front of her. From a distance, some may think she was merely crying over her cousin's death and nothing more. Yes she was sad about that, but... That's not what necessarily set her off. Right now she even felt like joining him in the afterlife. As if she wanted to be forced into doing something she didn't want to do. How was she supposed to live a happy life like that? It just didn't seem fair at all. A part of her wanted to stay here forever... To never go back to that place ever again, where her fiancé was always waiting for her.
Yes Hiashi decided on doing an arrange marriage for his daughter, since he wanted her pure Hyuga blood to be passed down to his grandchildren. In his eyes, no one outside of the clan was good enough for her. And now that he lost his nephew, who was first in line to take her hand in marriage, he resorted to someone who he didn't even know that well himself. And did he ask her first if this was what she wanted? Of course not. This guy didn't even propose to her. He just randomly showed up one day, calling himself her fiancé.
Hinata really didn't want to be stuck with someone who she didn't even love. What kind of marriage was that anyways? Not a very good one at that. Now every time she goes back to the compound, he welcomes her with a kiss that is forced onto her. Let's just say that he isn't exactly gentle. So when she says no and tries to push him away, he only tries even harder. In the end he always ends up winning. Not to mention he also has a nasty, possessive personality to go along with it all. And she's expected to bare this man's children? The very thought of it caused her to shudder.
"Why me? I don't like him. I... I can't take being around him. I don't feel safe with him!" She cried out, while hiding her face in her hands. This was just too much for her to handle. She felt like such an idiot for assuming her and her father were actually getting closer to each other. However, all of that progress had been destroyed when he decided to give his own daughter away to a complete stranger, without even getting her permission in all of this. She had absolutely no say in it at all. Even thinking about that man taking away her innocence made her feel sick to her stomach.
A loud boom of thunder caused the ground to rumble, which was then followed by a heavy flow of rain. Everything was soaked in a matter of seconds. Despite this, it still wasn't enough to make the Hyuga get back up and head on home. Long, violet-colored hair clung to the sides of her face as she stared down at the ground. This wasn't so bad. What was some water going to hurt? Her tears mixed in with the rain, masking all of the crying completely. She contemplated on leaving the clan, but...where would she go then? As if she wanted to impose on her friends and become an even bigger burden. No.. This is the life she was stuck with.
It was impossible to accept such a thing. She gripped tightly at her hand, just glaring hatefully at it. Even while trying to get away from it for a while, this ring was still a constant reminder of what was coming in the spring time. The invitations have already been sent out to everyone, and were thrilled to attend such a big and beautiful wedding. Already she had her kimono picked out as it sat all wrapped up in her closet. It was handmade by a close friend of her father's, and took a while to complete.
The sound of leaves could be heard crunching as footsteps neared her direction. Thinking it was her fiancé, she immediately tensed up and waited for that oh so dreadful voice to speak down on her. But...as the minutes ticked by and nothing happened, that's when she lifted her head up and looked around. And here she thought no one else would come here, especially in this type of weather. Her gaze landed on a figure that just stood there, staring down at two graves that were in front of them. Feeling curious, or rather...a bit nosy, she activated her Byakugan to read the names. But only the one sufficed, for the last name was enough for her.
The hood slipped back to reveal long, dark locks. They sat at his shoulders, no longer sticking out at the back. It has been two years since Sasuke set out to travel around the world. He wore a beige-colored poncho with a plain dark blue headband wrapped around his head. And there were even beaded necklaces hanging around his neck. It was hiding the arm he lost and never got back, meaning he must have had to change his fighting style a lot to only fight with one arm. His sword was still strapped around his body and hung on his back, as usual. Did anyone else know that he was back in Konoha?
Her eyes grew wide the longer she stared at him. Did he even notice her presence? Probably. But they have never even held a single conversation with each other. Hinata...knew nothing about him. Did he come back just to visit his parents? If so, then that was really sweet of him to do. Has he been coming here all along without anyone even noticing? It was hard to tell what he was really thinking, since the expression on his face was blank. There weren't even any tears in those dark, mysterious eyes of his. He did however, place a single rose on both of the graves. And she could have sworn she saw his lips moving. But then again, she could just be seeing things.
"If you have something to say, then speak up..." The Uchiha's deep voice stated, turning his head slightly to stare right back at her. This whole time he could feel her gaze on him. At first it didn't seem to bother him, but after a few minutes it just got annoying. He just came here to visit his deceased parents is all. Could he not do that in peace?
"...!" Hinata flinched a little upon being called out like that so suddenly. Was she really staring at him for that long? She didn't even realize it. Now he must really view her as a complete weirdo. Slowly standing up, she pushed her wet hair back. What was she supposed to say now? It was already awkward enough. What if she says something stupid? "I...I'm sorry. It's rude to stare, I know. B-but I just...didn't expect to see you here is all. You've been away from the village for a while..."
"...Hn." Sasuke knew exactly why the Hyuga was here. She was visiting her cousin who died during the war, while protecting both her and Naruto. Without him, she wouldn't even be here today. He noticed how red and puffy her eyes were, but said nothing about it. People normally grieve in a place like this... But not him. He never allowed his emotions to take over like that. His brother isn't buried here. There wasn't even a body to put in a casket anyways. It was gone... His parents were here though, and that was good enough for him.
"A-are you here to stay?" She asked, slowly approaching hm. Others may find him intimidating, but not her. Talking to the Uchiha might make her feel better. Or it might even make her feel worse. You won't know unless you try, right? His old team mates were going to be really happy if he was coming back. They still talk about him a lot, and have been waiting all of this time to see their best friend again.
That was a question he didn't know how to answer. Should he really come back and stay for good? There was still so much to see out there, and such little time to do it in. Exploring new places always gave him a sort of high, so why would he want to give all of that up, only to be strapped down to this one little area? "Probably not. My journey is far from over..." He finally stated.
This made her frown. Did he ever plan on coming back to his real home? It seemed so unlikely right now. "Sakura and Naruto-kun, they miss you..." Everyone knew that though. You could just tell they wanted him back here with them just like the old times.
Sasuke shrugged his shoulders. Why couldn't he just live life the way he wanted to, without having people constantly nagging at him? "They understand why I am doing this. And if they really have a problem with it, then oh well..." He muttered. Being alone was something he has gotten use to, up until the point where he actually preferred it this way. He found people to be way too bothersome.
Her frown only deepened while listening to this. "...Don't you ever get tired of being lonely?" Hinata curiously asked. If she were in his shoes, she would definitely cave after a while. He had people here waiting for him! How many years will he be gone this time for? It just didn't seem right is all... And she would probably never truly understand. "S-sorry. I know it's none of my business..." She mumbled, looking away.
A dark brow arched as he just stood there, looking at her strangely. Why was she trying to talk to someone like him? Someone as pure and innocent as her really shouldn't associate herself with him. What she said was true though. It really was none of her business. "I like being alone. People only get in my way and slow things down..." Plus it was always hard for him to put his trust in others. It took a lot to win him over, and once you did... You only got one chance to prove your loyalty to him. He's not the forgiving type of person, and never has been.
To her, that was a pretty sad way of looking at it. It's not every time that someone gets in your way, or slows you down. Sometimes you even need to rely on others to get through certain situations. You can't just push everyone away forever. "I'm sure someday you will need someone, Sasuke. Yes you are a very strong and highly skilled shinobi, but...you're not perfect. You make mistakes, and can't always learn things on your own..."
"...?" Sasuke only ever viewed one person as being 'perfect', and that was his older brother. Of course now he can see all of Itachi's flaws, and what he all did wrong... What he could have done to prevent all of this from happening. So she was right about no one being perfect. And he has definitely made plenty of mistakes in his life.
Hinata looked down at the graves before them. "Wouldn't your parents want you to be surrounded by friends? Or even...family?" That was her way of hinting around at marriage someday in the future. If he continues to isolate himself, then his clan really will die out with him. Was that really something he could so easily accept? "Everyone deserves to be happy, or to feel loved... Even you, Sasuke." She spoke quietly.
His eyes narrowed upon hearing such a ridiculous thing. "Happiness? Love? Those are also things I am not interested in..." He said, following her gaze. His parents were gone, so there really was no telling on what they wanted for him. It was an impossible thing to ask, since they obviously cannot give you an answer. So there really was no telling. His days of being 'happy' were long gone. That part of him has been buried for way too long, that it can't be dug back out.
That made her heart ache a little. Just a lonely, regretful person who planned on running away forever. "It's okay to be happy. It's something everyone is allowed to feel. Haven't you suffered enough as it is?" Although, she didn't even know the truth about Itachi, so her knowledge on Sasuke's pain and suffering was very little. She couldn't understand the decisions he made, unlike his old team mates. Only they truly understood him and no one else.
"...So because you're happy, that means you have to make everyone else do the same?" And with that, he pointed right at the ring that sat on her finger, noticing how big the diamond was. If that's what she was really trying to do, then that was really going to irritate him.
"Eh?" Her pale eyes followed his gaze and sighed. So that's what he is talking about! Just looking at it made her feel even worse. She shook her head, tugging at it a little. "It's...an arrange marriage my father set up. I'm actually not happy with this engagement..." She admitted. It's not like he had a big mouth, and was going to go around telling people of this. Even when they were little... He seemed like a rather trusting person.
Well that was something he never expected to hear. Who does arranged marriages anymore anyways? Her clan was probably the only people who still did such a thing. To think Hiashi would stoop so low as to just give away his own daughter like that. "Why are you going through with it then if you're so unhappy?" He asked.
Hinata smiled sadly to herself. "I don't get a say in this. If I refuse...then I will be shunned by my clan and kicked out. I don't have anywhere to go..." Not even he had a place here in Konoha. She never thought about it, but...where will he even stay if he does come back? Surely he must have a place already waiting for him.
"Hn..." Last thing he wanted to do, was to actually bring someone with him on his so called 'journey'. It won't be as fun and exciting then. No... This is something he needed to do on his own, like he has been doing for the past two years. What was he supposed to say to that anyways? He was terrible at comforting people and giving out advice.
"It can't be so bad...right?" She whispered almost too quietly for him to hear. The guy was rude and obnoxious. However, he was still a Hyuga, and she needed to continue the pure, strong blood of her clan. Here she was sprouting stuff about happiness... When she herself wasn't even happy at all with how her life was turning out.
Sasuke stared at her face for a long few seconds. He couldn't ever possibly understand what it's like to marry someone you don't even love. Well he just simply wouldn't go through with it anyways. "And you wonder why people call you weak. You never put your foot down and say no, so that gives everyone the right to walk all over you..."
Hinata tore her gaze away from him, feeling her body beginning to shake due to the cold. Her body was soaking wet as it continued to rain heavily. Her family was probably out looking for her right now. "When will you come back?" She asked, wanting to change the subject now. Also, she was just naturally curious is all.
"...Whenever I feel like it..." The Uchiha said, staring back down at his parents' graves. He didn't even like coming here to begin with. It made him feel things he didn't want to feel. But it really was necessary that he does this. Other wise he would only be racked with that much more guilt and regrets.
"I see..." The Hyuga whispered. That could be days, weeks, months...or even years! There was no telling when he would feel like coming back just to visit this one place here in Konoha. A bolt of lightening lit up the sky, which was then followed by more thunder. Was he even going to check in with his friends? It seemed very unlikely right now. She reached out to touch his back, but stopped herself. This was a man who didn't like to be touched.
"...Hn. It's pointless to worry over someone like me. Focus on your own life..." Sasuke said, before turning around and walking off. He didn't plan on staying this long anyways. He had places to see, and people to meet. Wasting his time here only irritated him. As if he needed another fangirl chasing after him, offering to have his Uchiha babies. Although...a baby with a Hyuga would be powerful indeed. Maybe even overly powerful! But that wasn't enough to make him stick around. He barely even knew this shy, quiet woman.
Hinata could only stand there and watch as he walked away from her. There was nothing she could do to stop him, even if she tried... It wouldn't really work. Will he really come back? And if so...when? Now she could say she has officially held a conversation with him. For some reason she wanted to know so much more about him, but didn't want to come off as being nosy or something. His life wasn't any of her business, and that was something she understood fully. But still... Her heart beat painfully in her chest just thinking about how lonely he was.
This is the type of person she was. For as long as she could remember, Hinata has always put others before herself. Even now when she was suffering the most, she seemed to be more worried for him, and what was going to happen to him. It was something she just couldn't help. It was because of her caring nature that she was this way to begin with. She craved for everyone else's happiness, even though she herself was far from feeling such a thing. Was there really something wrong with her for being this way? It sure felt like it.
Sighing in defeat, she began to trudge back home, her sandals covered in mud. It was probably going to storm like this throughout the night. Knowing what was waiting for her back at home, she began to feel depressed all over again. Her fiancé was going to be all up in her face with a million questions on where she has been, an what took her so long. Yeah...life wasn't going to be so great for her anymore. Not like it was amazing beforehand.
Can she really live this way...forever?