This is a repost of a story originally titled Disenchantment that I took down because of the negativity it got. It was pointed out that I should put warnings so as not to upset people.
So here goes. I cannot stress these enough.
*This is a NaruHina story but Sasuke is also a main character. If you dislike SasuHina and/or Sasuke, you won't like this.
*It will deal with dark-ish themes and can be a real downer. Rating may change later on. No lemons though.
*I'm labeling this AU. So expect many deviations from canon, OOCness and OCs.
*I hope you like cheese and corn.
Story is set after The Last. This is my first fic and English is not my first language. Please excuse any and all shortcomings. I would really appreciate a review. Thank you.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
CHAPTER 1
Home is where the heart is, the old adage goes. If that is the truth then he had none. Konohagakure is his place of origin but he holds it with no more fondness than any other. It is a graveyard of a past life. But after a journey to basically everywhere else proved in vain, even that bleak option offers a much-needed change.
It's been almost a month since his return. And as fate would have it, just in time to stop a meteorite from wreaking total devastation on the village. Naruto suggested he stay and make a life for himself here, insisting that no one holds him in contempt any longer. That he should end his self-imposed exile. Kakashi, now the Hokage, agreed with him. Why the hell not? Sasuke thought.
His former teammate Sakura left with her master Tsunade three days after his arrival. Apparently they were going on a medical excursion around the world. The number of medical ninja on record has become dangerously low and it is up to them to fill the deficiency. Sasuke admired her decision and new-found purpose. He also felt somewhat relieved. The girl had always been unreasonably in love with him. Something he found quite baffling. The rest of his batch from the academy treated him like they always did, with wary courtesy. He honestly couldn't care less. Sasuke likes silence and solitude more than he likes most people.
He was being summoned to the Hokage's office. It's about time they recall him to active duty. He was starting to get restless after sitting around for days on end. As much as he appreciated being left alone, he needed to put his faculties to use or he might lose them altogether.
"Oi Sasuke!"
A familiar voice pulled him out of his silent contemplation and he mentally groaned. As much as he loved the guy like a brother, his presence could sometimes suck all the energy out of him. The blond can be quite the chatterbox. He was always brimming with energy and moved around a lot. It could be exhausting keeping up with him. There are probably only a few people more opposite to his character than Naruto. How they remain friends will always be a mystery even to him. Turning to his direction, Sasuke noticed that he was accompanied by his girlfriend.
Insipid. That was the word Sasuke used to sum up Naruto's girlfriend when they were first introduced. It was a surprise to know that they were of the same class in the academy. He had no recollection of her whatsoever. Aside from her unusual eyes, she was just nondescript. She was small of stature, barely coming up to his chin. He can tell she has a slim frame despite the layers of clothing she wore. It was obvious that she was well-endowed in the chest area. Her skin is as pale as his, a stark contrast to her dark hair.
This is Naruto's girlfriend? He wouldn't believe it himself if he hadn't seen them declaring that fact for the whole world to see. They were floating high above the sky, with the big bright moon illuminating their silhouettes, like celestial lovers. It is now a subject of fascination for almost everyone. Love had finally triumphed for The Hero and The Princess. The hero's friend however is less than enthused with the whole affair. Probably because the princess means absolutely nothing to him.
She would do the customary bowing and smile shyly. He noted her fine manners which could be attributed to her noble upbringing. She hails from the Hyuuga clan, noted for their venerable bloodline, illustrious wealth and generally stuck-up attitude. It was no secret that they are an elitist group. But here is the heiress, the standard bearer of that proud clan, smiling timidly and making a sound only when spoken to. Pity.
He thought he may have judged her rashly. There could be more than what meets the eye after all. Maybe she's talented in combat. Then he found out she was ousted by her younger sister as the clan successor due to a discrepancy in skills. It affirmed his earlier assumptions of her.
How could this unremarkable wisp of a girl hope to keep up with the whirlwind that is Uzumaki Naruto? From what he knew of him, Naruto had always been crazily infatuated with their teammate. The bright, vivacious and self-assured Sakura. This one appears the farthest from those qualities.
Naruto was probably in hero mode and got caught up in the moment with the damsel. After rescuing a princess from captivity, maybe he thought it's a given that they become lovers as well. Like in the fairy tales. I wouldn't put that past him. I give this experiment at least a year. No matter how he looked at it, they were painfully mismatched. For his friend's sake, he kept his assessments to himself.
"We're going to see Kakashi-sensei. Are you going there too?" Naruto asked.
"Hm."
"I wonder what's up, Hinata got called in as well."
"Who knows." He answered noncommittally, ending the conversation.
They spent the remaining time in an almost uncomfortable silence. It was a relief when they finally reached the office and the Hokage's assistant ushered them in. After briefly exchanging pleasantries, they went to official business.
His former teacher addressed him first. "Sasuke, I called you in about your request to rejoin the shinobi force. If it were up to me alone, I'd grant you that. But certain concessions have to be made. You have a rather questionable reputation Sasuke. It would provide security to the people of Konoha if you could prove your trustworthiness."
Sasuke felt a stab of irritation. "I already served time. And do I need to remind you that I saved this village from complete destruction. Is that not enough?"
"It's protocol for a defected shinobi, who is pardoned, to perform at least half a year of community service while on probation. You'll be reinstated after reasonable assurance that you have the village's best interest at heart." The Hokage intoned.
"This is absurd." He felt attacked. Like they were throwing his past transgressions to his face again. He anticipated hindrances to his readmission but he did not realize it would be this strict. Damn red tape.
"Trust has to be earned Sasuke. I'm not asking you to go around apologizing to the entire village. I imagine that would be even more difficult for you. You only have to behave for six months. Doing community service. And before you bite my head off, I'm telling you I'm not going to work you to death. I entrust that job to a person more forgiving. I mean you Hinata."
"What?" Three voices asked in chorus.
"She's involved in community restoration and social welfare projects. I'm very confident that she could find good use for you. And she's really the best guide you could ask for." Kakashi explained.
"Yeah Sasuke. Hinata will be a good guide to you. Just be nice to her or you'll answer to me." Naruto warned and he was rewarded with a small smile from Hinata.
"Are you seriously assigning me a babysitter?" Sasuke spat bitterly.
"She's not a babysitter. She's your probation officer. It's an official designation. One that warrants your respect Sasuke." The Hokage's usually laid-back voice now held a hard edge.
At the ensuing silence, Hinata chose to speak up. "I accept this task Hokage-sama. I will be prudent and fair in my performance. Thank you for trusting me."
She then faced Sasuke and extended her hand. "I'm looking forward to working with you Sasuke-kun. Let's endeavor to achieve favorable outcomes with this arrangement."
Sasuke turned to her with a look of surprise and suspicion. She can speak. In sentences too.
Hinata realized that he was not going to return the gesture so she dropped her arm to her side and looked around awkwardly. Naruto met her gaze and gave her a big grin with a thumbs-up. She blushed for a moment and then worked on gaining her composure.
Kakashi watched the exchange with amusement. "It's settled then. Hinata will be in charge of your probation. She will employ your help in certain activities to her discretion. Don't worry, you'll be duly compensated of course. She will issue a final report on your viability after six months and we'll take it from there."
Viability. Like stock to be appraised. Sasuke seethed with indignation but he remained quiet. Still in disbelief at the damnable turn of events. Even more so that his future will be decided by this girl. This mousy, inconsequential, strangely irksome person.
"Sasuke, this is the part where you usually grunt and we suppose that's you agreeing." Kakashi said with wry humor.
Sasuke considered his options and realized he had none. Cursing the whole thing silently, he resigned himself to his fate. "Fine. But you can't make me clean pig muck." He snapped.
"That's alright Sasuke-kun. We'll only be working with chicken dung." Hinata voiced out softly in what she hoped was a consolation.
Naruto guffawed at that while Kakashi was taking great pains to hide his amusement.
"What the hell does that mean?" Sasuke glowered at her.
Hinata was confused with everyone's reaction. "You see Sasuke-kun. Chicken dung is good fertilizer. It's non-toxic and a free resource. We'll be using it in the gardens." She explained hastily.
The explanation did her no good. He glared at her one last time before making quick strides to the exit. Naruto was still struggling and failing to rein in his mirth as Hinata gave him a perplexed look. She mouthed the word 'what' to him and he responded with 'nothing' in a similar manner.
Kakashi cleared his throat to get their attention. "Hinata. You're going to have to be very patient with our dear Sasuke. He is proud and prickly but he means well. When it matters most at least."
"Yes sir."
"You have my personal gratitude for this. Ask Shizune-san for a copy of the probation manual on your way out. You're dismissed. Naruto, stay behind will you. We have to talk. And it wouldn't do for you to be around Sasuke right now. He looked positively murderous and you look like you're about to bust a gut."
PAGE BREAK
Hinata left the Hokage's office and looked around for Sasuke, hoping to set up a plan with him about the new arrangement. Using her Byakugan, she spotted his retreating figure at a distance and ran after him. She walked a little farther behind and carefully thought out how she could get him to cooperate. His rigid attitude hinted at his current state of mind and she did not want to inflame him further.
She cleared her throat to signify her presence and started talking. "Sasuke-kun, I know you did not anticipate this situation and you feel very cross about it. But we have to start making a schedule of your duties. I promise I will be as supportive as possible."
"You wanna be helpful? Spar with me. Now." I need to hit something. He left that last thought unsaid.
"Eh. But…" She did not expect this at all.
"Don't worry. I'll try very hard to not kill you. Follow me."
Seeing as he might explode at an additional provocation, she decided to indulge him. It would be best to be on his good side if they were going to work together for months. He walked hurriedly as she followed and they soon reached an empty training ground away from the village. He turned to look at her with hard and measuring eyes. She stood her ground and tried very hard not to flinch. It took considerable effort but she managed to hold his gaze without shrinking onto herself.
"Here are the rules. We won't be using chakra. That means no ninjutsu and doujutsu. No weapons allowed as well. This is taijutsu only. Clear?"
"Yes."
"And take off that shroud you're wearing."
"It's a cardigan. And I would prefer to keep it on. It's a bit chilly." It was a weak excuse and she knows it but she felt hesitant taking it off. She was only wearing a sleeveless shirt underneath.
"The chill will be the least of your concerns. You can't possibly keep up with me with that restricting your movements. Take it off." He said in a tone that did not allow arguments.
She sighed and did as she was told. To her relief and to his credit, he did not look at her differently in any way. They stood facing each other and he gave the signal.
"Don't hold back. Give it all you got."
In a fraction of a second, she was suffused with a flurry of jabs and kicks. Everything was happening so fast Hinata could only dodge and block. His speed and agility exceeded her reaction time it did not matter that he only had one arm. She failed to evade a well-aimed kick to the hip and she was sent hurtling off. She landed on her shoulder as she hit the ground. A current of pain rippled through her as she fought to stifle a groan.
"Get up. You can't just keep on defending yourself. Try to hit me."
She stood up. But before she could even regain proper footing, he threw another barrage of attacks at her. This went on for a while with him having the upper hand. For every hit she managed to land, he would strike her threefold. A combination of sharp and dull pains on her arms and legs beset her strength but she refused to cower in front of him.
She moved to sidestep each blow while simultaneously looking for an opening. He threw a right punch as she ducked and went for his rib. Faster than she could gauge, his leg was up with his knee aimed at her head. Thankfully, she was able to lift an arm before the hit landed. Her arm took the brunt of the impact and she was sent flying off again. She felt dizzy as she willed herself to stay conscious. If her arm failed to cover her head, things would have been a lot worse.
Does he intend to maim me? Incapacitate me to get me out of the way? She tries to stand but her shaky vision gave in and she fell again.
"You're weak. It's pathetic." He did not bother to hide his disgust. Those were words she heard before. The tinge of scorn in his voice and the harsh look in his eyes felt oddly familiar. For a moment, the person in front of her was someone else. An old memory came up and she knew why he was so mad.
"You don't have to assert your dominance over me Sasuke-kun. I'm very well aware you can end me with a flick of your wrist. With a look even. Your overwhelming power makes you extraordinary but it doesn't make me weak. The world does not run by your standards alone. If you have a problem deferring to those you deem inferior, you have to get over it. "
Sasuke stood stupefied with her words. He couldn't believe she was able to figure out the source of his ire, thinking himself more discreet than that. Anger rose up not because of her defiance but more so because she was able to see through him.
"In what twisted world does a weakling like you get to judge me? Don't go thinking you can order me around. If you think you have me figured out then you're dead wrong." His anger is now in full view with the dangerous glint in his eyes.
"I only want to help." Hinata murmured softly.
If there's one thing he detested the most, it was pity. The fact that it came from her was the final straw. "Shut up!" He yelled as he rushed at her with blinding speed.
PAGE BREAK
As soon as Hinata left, Naruto turned to the Hokage to ask a question he couldn't ask with her in the room. "Sensei, why did you really choose Hinata for this job?"
"I did not expect an interrogation from you Naruto. You really care about her." The Hokage commented lightly.
"Of course I do." He answered seriously.
Kakashi leaned back on his chair and gave him a thoughtful look. "Hinata is a very capable shinobi. She can also multitask and has a knack for keeping things organized. Sasuke has gone considerably mellow but every now and then, he has an attitude that could test the patience of a paragon. The closest we have to that is Hinata. She's more patient than he can be insufferable. And I know this is a bit underhanded but Sasuke knows she's precious to you so he would treat her more gently."
Undercurrent to that was, 'He might think twice before hurting her.' But the concerned beau does not need to hear that.
Naruto thought this over before accepting the explanation. To which Kakashi made an internal sigh of relief. "Now on to more pressing matters. Naruto, this mission is going to take longer than usual. A village in the Land of Water requires our help rebuilding infrastructures leveled by the meteorites. They are mostly businesses exporting seafood. It's imperative that these establishments resume operations as soon as possible or there will be adverse effects to their economy. I prioritized their request because they are a primary source of food items. We help ourselves by helping them. And foreign relations are very important. Right now they severely lack the manpower to even begin restorations. Your shadow clones would be a big help. You should leave tomorrow."
"Go help fix buildings with my shadow clones. Got it. You know Kakashi-sensei, you don't have to tell me about the business stuff. I don't even understand half of what you're saying most of the time. Just tell me what to do and I'll do it." Naruto grinned.
"That won't do Naruto. You have to understand the implications before making decisions if you're going to be a leader someday. And economics keep villages alive. Consider this training. I'll be here to help you but you have to try very hard. Let's start with theory before application."
He walked over to a bookshelf and picked something out after a quick perusal.
"Read up on this and ask me what you find difficult."
He handed him the book.
"Fundamentals of Economics. With an Overview of Trade Laws. Eh? Sensei do I really have to?" Naruto eyed the book like an enemy.
"It comes with the job Naruto. And I know you're not busy today so sit down and read. That's the most simplified version I could find so you better learn something."
"Okay okay. Here goes." Naruto sat down and started reading silently.
Kakashi smiled at his earnest effort. He knew that this is not the boy's strong suit and would need a lot of help in the process. It was good seeing him exerting himself. But after about twenty minutes, he stood up abruptly. His Sage Mode was activated and he had a grim expression on his face.
"I have to go." He said curtly and vanished in a blur, dropping the book on the floor.
The Hokage wondered at his strange departure. Oh boy. Maybe that wasn't such a good idea after all.
PAGE BREAK
Rage defeated reason and he blitzed towards her, ready to deliver a punishing blow. But before he could reach her, he was hit by a force that pushed him back. He landed lithely on his feet and saw Naruto standing between him and the girl.
"What the hell are you doing Sasuke!" He yelled with barely controlled anger.
Without waiting for an answer, he turned around to tend to his girlfriend who was now on her feet.
"Are you okay Hinata? Where does it hurt?" Naruto looked all over her, taking note of the bruises on her arms and legs.
"Your arms." He wanted to hold her but he held back, afraid of hurting her.
"I'm okay. Sasuke-kun and I were just sparring. Don't be so alarmed, you know I bruise easily. It's like when I spar with Kiba-kun and Shino-kun." She smiled to prove her point, hoping to placate him.
"I felt a strange spike in your chakra. You were definitely in danger." He insisted unconvinced. And he knew damn well that Kiba and Shino would never hurt her to this degree during training.
"No matter. Sasuke-kun did not assault me. I agreed to a spar Naruto-kun." Her tone held firm but her eyes pleaded with him.
Naruto immediately understood what she was trying to do. And Kakashi-sensei thought he would treat her gently. The urge to beat up Sasuke jarred on his nerves but Hinata comes first. He scooped her up and lifted her off the ground.
"But I can walk just fine." She protested.
"It's easier this way." He countered.
Ignoring further protests, he activated his Sage Mode to the next level. Chakra started pouring into her, healing her injuries. The bruises began to fade and he sighed in relief. She thanked him with a smile and he leaned in to plant a kiss on her forehead.
Sasuke was rooted to the ground watching the couple. Naruto was cradling her ever so gently in his arms, like a precious and breakable item. With a smile, she kept assuring him she was fine. They made him an unwilling spectator to an intimate moment and he felt completely out of place and intrusive. He was starting to realize the magnitude of his actions and somehow his chest constricted almost painfully.
Naruto started walking away, still holding her in his arms. After a few steps, he looked over his shoulder and called out to him. "Sasuke, we'll talk about this later."
He would gladly take the punishment that was sure to come. It's preferable to the uncomfortable wave of guilt that he was feeling at the moment. He made no reply but was surprised when she spoke up as well. "Sasuke-kun, please meet me here tomorrow at about eight in the morning. We have to discuss your schedule as soon as possible."
When he still made no answer, Naruto picked up his pace and the two were soon out of sight.
What the hell just happened?
Great going. You almost killed someone.
Granted that did not happen. But she would most likely be dead if Naruto hadn't stopped him on time. He was only made aware of her injuries when they stopped fighting. More accurately, when he was made to stop beating her up. She was probably expecting a friendly match and he went berserk on her. He basically used her as a punching bag.
How low you've gotten. You've been reduced to a bully who beats up women.
He felt like scum.
PAGE BREAK
Hinata can feel the tension in Naruto's body and she put her arms around him to calm him down. He looked down at her worried face and gave her a strained smile.
"I'm taking you to my place. You can clean up there. I can't take you home looking like that."
"Okay."
They were now on his front door but Naruto still refused to put her down. With impressive dexterity, he was able to open the door while carrying her. They entered his apartment and he deposited her gently on the couch.
"I'll get water and a towel. Just stay put." She could only nod at him. This is a side of him she hardly ever sees. Naruto is very rarely firm with her.
Almost immediately, he was back holding a bucket of water and two small towels. He sat beside her and gently took hold of her chin. He tucked her hair behind her ears and moved to dab her face with the damp cloth. Hinata felt conscious of their proximity and she pulled back.
"Naruto-kun. I can do it myself. Just hand me the towel please." As much as she had gotten closer to him, somehow this feels more intimate.
"I know you can. But I want to." He answered uncompromisingly. He took hold of her face again and started gently wiping off dirt and dust. Hinata could feel herself turning red.
He then proceeded to do the same to her arms and legs. She was thankful her pants reached up to her knees. After that, he used the other towel to pat her dry. He was focused on his task, his expression tight with intent. Hinata couldn't suppress a giggle at the image.
"What?" He asked with a startled smile. When Hinata laughs, it's bound to make him laugh too.
"Naruto-kun. You're so fussy. Like a mother hen. Or a grannie." She said laughingly.
"I'll be anything you need Hinata." He said with a small chuckle.
Her laughter slowly subsided at the seriousness in his eyes. Unable to hold his look for longer, she dropped her gaze to her hands.
"You don't have to keep saying stuff like that." She said softly.
"Why not? I mean it."
Naruto pondered at the implications of her words. Hinata still holds misgivings about his feelings for her. He really couldn't blame her for that. Just a short while ago, he had not given her any inkling that he shared her affection. It still makes him cringe when he remembers how he hurt her with his insensibility.
There was always something different with Hinata. How she never made him feel any less as a person. How he can be honest with her without fear of ridicule. How she was always kind to him. And kindness like that was rare in his lonely childhood. A bright spot he was always thankful for.
After a while, he started to feel protective of her without even being aware of it. He doesn't notice it until it was pointed out but he's always something else when it comes to her. He treats her more gently. He speaks to her in a softer voice. He was once embarrassed by a random thought where he wanted to take care of her. And when she's hurt, it felt like the biggest injustice for him. Not one to make assumptions, he believed that their special connection was nothing more than friendship.
A load of nostalgia and his first heartbreak made him realize that she is something different from the rest. That what he felt for her, the constant protectiveness, the giddy happiness and the almost painful longing is for her and her alone. It'll only ever be for her. That she is simply irreplaceable. And it is so different from anything he ever felt before.
Everyone called it love. But somehow that single word felt so small and silly. What he felt was everything all at once. It was not unlike water in a dam. Constant, contained and serene. When the holders broke down and realization set in, everything poured forth in great waves. Sometimes it overwhelmed him with its immensity.
When he thought he lost her love to another man, apparently of her own choosing, it hurt a lot more than losing a limb. He made a vow to fight for her. To spend the rest of his days always by her side. He aimed more than to reciprocate. He wanted to give her the world.
The transition of their relationship from friendly to romantic went as well as could be expected. There was still the comfortable friendship from which everything started. But there are very notable changes and surprises as well. He's learning a lot of new things about himself. For one, he never would have pegged himself to be the touchy-feely and lovey-dovey kind. She just naturally makes him that. But he doesn't dwell on it that much now. He just did whatever felt right.
Taking her hand in his, he made her face him. He cupped her cheek with his palm and leaned in to lightly press his lips against hers. When her eyes closed, his immediately followed suit and he deepened the kiss. He instantly felt the familiar heat in his stomach and the pounding in his chest. Everything else faded and there was only Hinata. Soft, warm and vibrant in his arms. He put all his love and passion in the kiss and hoped it reached her.
The gentle kiss soon became searing. He was so lost in her, he did not even notice she was now seated across his lap. Nor is he aware that he is hugging her tighter, restricting her breathing. Suddenly, she was squirming in his arms and pushing at his shoulders with her small fists. He released her with much effort and she buried her face on his chest. It took a while for them to settle down and he thought he may have pushed too far.
"I'm sorry. I was carried away. Are you okay?" He really couldn't be too sorry when everything felt amazing.
"Mhm." was her muffled reply. She still refused to look at him.
"Why are you hiding?" He tugged at her shoulders and pushed her gently off him so he could look at her face.
Embarrassment has stained her face a bright red as her bashful eyes peeked at him from beneath long lashes. Her cheeks were furiously flushed and her lips were slightly swollen. He burst out laughing before he could stop himself.
Hinata went stiff at the sound of his laughter. Mortification put her on the verge of tears and she moved to get off him. He caught her swiftly and pulled her close to rest her head on his chest again.
"I'm sorry. I really didn't know kissing could make your lips look that way. You were just so cute I can't help it." He cooed, a trace of amusement lingering in his voice.
"You were laughing at me." She said accusingly.
"I'm laughing because I'm happy and you're adorable." He reassured her smilingly.
The sincerity in those simple words left her speechless. She sat still, listening to his heartbeat as he rested his chin on her head and rubbed her arm tenderly. Hinata marveled at his effect on her. Does he know that he could effortlessly cause her turmoil and then soothe her just as easily? She was soon broken out of her reverie with an unexpected question.
"Hinata. What do you think of Sasuke?"
It took her a while before she could answer. "To tell you the truth Naruto-kun, I don't know what to think of him. That time you first introduced us, it felt like he disliked me immediately. I couldn't even make myself talk to him. But he's your dear friend so I'll try to be friends with him too. If he lets me."
"That's good to hear. But what I meant was, do you still want to be his probation officer? Because after what happened, I'm not sure I could leave you alone with him again." He said worriedly.
"I assure you we were only sparring." She said it with less conviction this time and he heard it.
"You're covering for him Hinata. I know what I saw. And I know Sasuke better than you so please don't lie to me."
Her prolonged silence confirmed the truth in his words. "Please don't fight with him. I know you're going to confront him later. Let's not make this a big deal. He just started a sanctioned probation. It wouldn't be good for him to have a bad record this early. He may have tried to hurt me but it's probably my fault. I said some things I shouldn't have."
"No words are worth your life. And it is a big deal to me. I promise I won't fight him. But promise me you won't lie to me about him again." He pleaded.
"I promise." She quickly answered.
That seemed to mollify him and he was soon relaxed. "Enough about him. What do you want to do now?" He asked more enthusiastically.
"Are you free today? What about Kakashi-sensei? He called you in earlier right?" She reminded him gently.
"Never mind him. He's in full sensei mode and it can get scary." He answered with a small shudder.
"Really? The great hero Uzumaki Naruto himself is afraid of something?" She teased lightly.
"He's making me read." Naruto narrowed his eyes ominously and said the dreadful words, "Fundamentals of Economics". He paused for dramatic effect. "With something something laws." He finished with a whisper.
Hinata laughed at his antics. "Can't say I blame you. Economics can be very daunting." She would know. It was one of the many subjects she was made to learn at an early age. The Hyuuga heiress was expected to have an extensive education.
"Yep. Super awesome stuff. This Hokage business is a lot more than what I thought it was." He said in an uncharacteristically deflated tone.
"But you won't give up. Because you're Naruto-kun. And you're not alone this time. You have me, Kakashi-sensei, Iruka-sensei, all of our friends, and Sasuke-kun. We'll support you all the way. As far as we're concerned, you being Hokage is already written in stone." Her eyes were shining with adoration it mirrored on his as well, brightening visibly at her words.
Quietly he reflected on other occasions when she picked him up from a slump. "I swear you always know what to say to cheer me up you know. You're like..." Naruto paused to think and then it came to him.
"An angel. You're just like an angel Hinata. My angel." He said proudly.
That brought a smile to her lips. Not for the first time, she wondered what magnanimous act in her previous life warranted his love for her. They went on chatting about nothing in particular. She's never been a very good conversationalist but somehow he makes it a lot easier.
At one point, Hinata tried to lecture him about supply and demand. He balked and complained but soon kept quiet, just listening to the sound of her voice. She gave him a brief but thorough explanation of the basics and was pleased with his attention. When she was done, he looked at her and grinned.
"I've been good, now I demand you give me a kiss. You have an infinite supply for me right?" He said and leaned forward.
Hinata blushed, tapped him playfully on the shoulder and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.
After that, their conversation turned to more serious matters. "Hinata. I have to go away for a mission tomorrow. It might take a while. I have to go help build stuff. Kakashi-sensei said I could learn a lot about being a leader by interacting with the outside."
"How long will the mission take?"
"I don't really know. I'll know when I get there."
The indefinite answer made her uneasy but she did not want to show it. Their relationship is still so new she wanted to keep him to herself for a while longer. But the world does not cater exclusively to her whims and duty calls for him. She suddenly felt ashamed of her indulgent thoughts. "Okay. Do your best. But I don't have to tell you that."
Naruto hugged her tighter and whispered in her ear. "I'm really going to miss you."
She hugged him back. "As will I."
"Hey. Let's spend the whole day together. I know how. Let's go get some ramen." He suggested cheerfully.
"Are you really going to play hooky today Naruto-kun?"
"It's fine." He insisted.
Hinata giggled and relented. "Maybe I should be your truant officer instead."
PAGE BREAK
The sun was setting as Naruto trudged on the way to the Uchiha compound, silently contemplating what he should say to his friend. His destination was located at the edge of the village where only a few dare thread. A haunting feeling hung in the air on the now scarred lands, legacy of the tragedy that happened years ago.
Sasuke's house is the only structure on an empty and level expanse of land. The original dwellings were destroyed during the Akatsuki invasion and no one saw fit to restore them. He was granted sole ownership of the vast property. Upon Naruto's request, Captain Yamato built him a house. It was plain and simple but it suited him just fine. Sasuke accepted it with gratitude.
Sasuke lives alone in a massacre site. His family's. The morbid thought made him shiver.
He found his friend sitting on the front porch wearing his usual passive expression. The two regarded each other quietly and he sat down beside him.
"You should apologize." His opening statement went as calmly as he intended.
Sasuke took a moment before making a reply. "I apologize."
"Not to me bastard. To Hinata. You hurt her Sasuke. Dammit, what were you thinking?" He asked with his voice slightly raised.
"I wasn't." He admitted.
"What the hell happened?" Naruto persisted.
Sasuke gave him the concise truth. "I was angry and she was there and she made me angrier."
"And how do you think I feel about it? The reason you're not sporting a blackened eye right now is because she asked me not to fight with you. What did she do that made you angry?" Naruto asked as he fought against his resurfacing anger.
"She called me out."
"She does that. But only when you're asking for it. Even after what you did, she still worries about jeopardizing your chances. She doesn't deserve your hostility Sasuke. Better hope no one else hears about this or you'll make a whole new list of enemies." He said frustrated.
Sasuke had no response to that and both of them fell silent for a while.
"If I did not stop you, would you have killed her?" Naruto asked in a low tone.
"I don't know." He answered honestly.
A long silence followed. After which Naruto took a deep breath before standing up. With his back to him, he spoke with a clear voice that belied his turbulent feelings. "It won't happen again Sasuke. Whatever the reason, you won't hurt her again."
Sasuke heard the tacit warning and even his cold heart made a jolt.