Sasuke had been awake and ready to leave before the first rays of sunshine crept their way into his bedroom. When he finished up resetting his bed, he left his room and headed to see Itachi in his study. The floorboards creaked beneath Sasuke's bare feet as he made his way through the empty hallway of his home. He stopped when the hallway gave way to the small koi pond and garden that seemed to grow every time he passed it. Sasuke made his way down the two steps that separated the wooden floors and the trimmed grass. He paid no attention when the door to his brother's study slid open until Itachi's hand landed on his shoulder.
"Sasuke," Itachi spoke quietly as his hand dropped back to his side.
"Hm?" Sasuke simply hummed out as he replaced the grass under his feet with the wooden floor, his eyes slightly moved to look up at the figure who was only a few inches taller than him.
"Are you leaving now?
"I still have about an hour before I need to report to the Hokage."
"Then please do me the favor of telling okaa-san breakfast is ready." Itachi turned once he was finished speaking and headed back into his study. Sasuke didn't see a reason to reply so he simply returned to where he had came from. After Fugaku's death, Mikoto had urged Itachi to take the room since it was the closest one to the study. Itachi declined and simply had his room remodeled to allow more space for him and Izumi. He also had rooms added to the Uchiha household for his children, but also for the future generations after their time was over.
Once Sasuke reached his mother's room he gave a firm knock before sliding her door open. "Ohayou, okaa-san," he spoke as walked into the room and stood a few feet away from Mikoto's bed. He found it strange his mother was still in bed because any time he came to see her in the early hours she was ready to begin her day. Even though his father's death had hit her hard, she continued her life almost similarly to before his death.
Sasuke wanted to let her rest, but figured she would have wanted to be woken up. Although hesitant, he stepped forward and placed his hand on his mother's bare arm to lightly shake her. He flinched when his warm fingers met his mother's unsettling cold skin. Sasuke quickly pulled the covers down to her waist and rested her on her back.
"Okaa-san," Sasuke again spoke, but instead of waiting for a response he pressed his ear to her chest. Without much time to think, he ran out of Mikoto's room and headed for Itachi's study. He didn't have much time for niceties that without stopping to knock he walked in and immediately directed his attention to Izumi, who looked at him with confusion for his hasty intrusion. Before Sasuke had barged in she had been making tea for Itachi and herself while their children played with each other. Itachi and Izumi had two boys and had no intention of any more. Fumio was the oldest of the two and had recently reached the age of five. The young boy was becoming the spitting image of his father as he grew older, but held the lovable personality his mother had. Once Fumio had reached the age of three, Itachi began to train him. Of course, the eldest child proved to be a becoming genius like the many Uchiha before him.
While there had been many Uchiha children near Fumio's age, his attention ended up reserved for his younger brother, Isao, when he was born. Isao was to become two in the coming months, but was very quiet for his age. The young boy's reserved personality often reminded Itachi and Sasuke of their father. What made the child unique was his hair. Isao held both his parents' hair. One side was dominated by Izumi's dark brown hair while the other side was dominated by Itachi's dark black hair. Nobody had taken much notice until his hair began to grow out and the difference between the two became too noticeable to ignore. Isao had allowed, for the most part, only his brother to witness his childish antics. The two, to say the least, were fond of each other.
Once Isao were to reach the age of three, Itachi would begin his training as well. Sasuke hoped that his younger nephew would be just as highly regarded as his older nephew. He didn't want to be the bystander of a sibling rivalry that would only end up being one sided. Sasuke never stopped being mesmerized by his older brother, but more often than not he was jealous. He knew it couldn't be helped, but he wished he had been given his own light instead of always being seen in Itachi's shadow.
"Izumi, okaa-san's heartbeat is very faint. Please come see her." Sasuke spoke as calmly as he could before he turned on his heel walking out of the room. He didn't pick up the pace until his sister-in-law was behind him. Izumi had taken up medical ninjustu of her own free will, but for the purpose of her future children. Sasuke knew Izumi's level wasn't anywhere near Sakura's, but this was what he needed for now. When he arrived to his mother's room, Sasuke stepped aside to allow Izumi in first. He noticed Itachi walking towards him with Isao in his arms as Fumio trailed behind him.
Itachi handed Isao over to Sasuke without a word and walked into the room, sliding the door closed behind him.
"Obaa-san is sick?" Fumio spoke with curiousity while Sasuke set Isao down on the floor next to him.
"Perhaps," was all Sasuke could answer as he tried to understand himself whether she was sick. He hadn't seen his mother much since there had been many missions team seven had to go on to deal with the aftermath of the war. When he was able to see his mother she was usually helping Izumi with Fumio and Isao or household duties. He often tried to catch her up on his life in the mornings before he would leave or during the evenings in the garden. Sasuke was collecting all his time spent with her in the last few months to see if he felt something strange, but came up with nothing. If he had noticed his mother was ill he would've told Itachi or at least Izumi.
Nothing was making sense in Sasuke's mind. He was actually surprised his mother didn't allow her grieving to be seen by her two sons. In all honesty, he hoped she would've been more open about it. Sasuke needed to let out any lingering feelings that were left after the war, but he was never given proper time for it. The Hokage, of course, did make it known that anyone who needed help dealing with the aftermath of the war, the hospital did have groups for that. Sasuke didn't want to grieve with strangers. He wanted to grieve with his family, but instead his family showed they had no need for that. Itachi became busy when he was made the new clan head, Izumi grieved like any daughter-in-law would, his nephews weren't sure what to make of the situation, Mikoto assimilated into her new life without much trouble, and the Uchiha clan grieved their beloved clan head.
Sasuke felt as though he had no one to turn to, but he had remembered Hinata also lost her father during the war. Hinata, along with Neji, had also been present during Hiashi's last words. He could've gone to Hinata if she weren't going through the same thing as Itachi. He wondered if Hinata felt the same way he did. He figured Neji would have made sure she didn't. Sasuke felt undeserving that his father gave his life for him, but he understood the unsaid rule of parents to give their life for their children.
You did good, Sasuke.
The words he tried so hard forget rang through his head. He wanted to forget that moment. He wished he had been paying attention. It had all happened so fast. One moment he was standing on top of Aoda's head and the next he was on the ground while his father's lifeless body was next to him while Sakura tried her best to keep him alive, but it was too late. Fugaku had made a decision and Sasuke was left to accept it.
Sasuke had been ripped out of his troubled thoughts when Izumi slid the door open and dipped down to pick up the two boys. The somber look on her face didn't make his heart beat any slower. Itachi walked out with Mikoto in his arms and didn't say anything as he left.
"Do you know what's wrong, Izumi?" Sasuke would've asked Itachi regarding their mother's state, but he knew Itachi's priority was taking her to the hospital. Questions could come later.
"I do not wish to alarm you, but her current state is serious. With my limited knowledge and ability, I can't exactly tell you what's wrong. Itachi will stay with her in the hospital, but I'm sure when you get back from your training I will have more details." Izumi held her two sons close as though the same thing could happen to her in that very instant, but the boys only looked uncomfortable. They looked between the two adults and knew things were not good. Although they both realized their grandmother was ill, only Fumio truly understood how serious the situation was.
"Thank you." That was all Sasuke could muster out as he left Izumi and her sons. Once he was out his home Sasuke quickly made his way to the Hokage's tower, but not to report for his ANBU training.
It was a little after dawn, but Hinata remained in her bed. She had been awake for some time, but all the saké she drank the night before had caught up to her. She knew Neji was most likely already in her study and she felt bad for making him wait, but she couldn't will herself to get out of bed. Hinata did drink from time to time, but rarely did she let it effect her morning routines. She had been too captivated by the crowd that surrounded her the night before to worry about her saké intake.
When the pounding in her head had finally began to dwindle she built up the strength to head to the shower. The warm water she perfectly measured to her liking felt soothing against Hinata's pale skin. She let out a few last yawns before she was fully awake. Once her whole body had been cleaned up and ready for another day she grabbed her lavender bathrobe. When she was finally out the bath she grabbed a soft white towel to wrap her hair in. She wiped the fog off her mirror with her bathrobe sleeve and continued with the rest of her morning cleansing.
Once she was all done, she stepped out her bedroom with her formal white robe. It was similar to the one her father wore, but instead of the dark green clothing Hiashi wore over the robe she wore a black one that had embroidered flowers with her signature color. When she got to her study she found Neji already there. He was meditating off in a corner, but Hinata simply smiled as she made her way to her desk.
"Sencha?"
"Yes," was all Hinata said as her attention had been directed back to the scrolls she had been reading last night. Neji had left her alone for about ten minutes before returning with a teapot and two small black ceramic cups. He set a small plate that matched the teacup on her desk and then rested the cup on top. He poured the tea halfway up before serving his own. "Doumo, Neji nii-san."
"Anything important?" Neji sat back down on the floor, taking a small sip of tea. Hinata had told Neji she could get him a desk, but he objected since he saw no need for it. She didn't really like seeing him sit on the floor and for some time she let it be, but it began to bug her. While Neji had been off with Tenten working out details for their wedding in the next few months, Hinata had gone to look for a desk for him. She had found him the perfect quaint desk for him and it would be arriving in the next few days.
"Nothing major," Hinata shook her head while she continued to go over the scrolls that were dropped off every so often. For the most part the scrolls contained alliance agreements and most of them were outside Konoha. Although the village and the majority of the world was in peace, everyone knew sooner or later there would be trouble. It was better to prepare the future generations with aid outside of the Hyuuga and even outside the village. Other scrolls contained simple requests from members of the clan and others were from the Hokage. Most of the information she got from the Hokage were given to all the clans and simply informed them of things among the village. A scroll that caught Hinata's attention was information regarding Hyuuga members that had been promoted to a higher rank.
Hanabi was one of the few who had been promoted to Jōnin. She had forgotten about the recommendation she had put forth for her even though Hanabi hadn't asked her to.
"Could you ask to Hanabi to come see me, Neji?"
"Of course," Neji nodded as he set the book he was reading down and left the room once again. Hinata set the scroll down and stood up to face the window behind her. She unhinged the lock that was between the two large windows and pushed the windows away from her. A gust of the cool spring wind made its way in and she inhaled deeply, feeling much better than she did when she woke up. She turned to pick up her glass of tea, but Hanabi was stepping in as Neji slid the door closed behind him.
Instead of sitting back down, Hinata walked over to Hanabi and embraced her tightly.
"Omedetoo, Hanabi!" Hinata let go of her younger sister, but still held her by the shoulders.
"Ehhh? For what?" Hanabi racked her brain for what sort of accommplishment she must have done to be summoned all the way to Hinata's study.
"Gomen, I forgot to tell you about my recommendation I submitted to the Hokage for a promotion in rank." Hanabi's eyes widened when she was now aware of her accomplishment and returned her sister's hug.
"Doumo arigatou gozaimasu, nee-sama!"
"Omedetoo-gozaimasu, Hanabi-sama." Neji congratulated the younger Hyuuga as he sat back down on the floor and resumed his reading.
"Would you like to do anything special for today, Hanabi?"
"Nah, sis, I think I'll just rub it in Konohamaru's face for some time." Hanabi grinned as she decided to herself that she would see Konohamaru after she was done talking with her sister. "Plus, I need to remind Moegi why he chose me!" The young Hyuuga girl held a fist up to her eye level and laughed. Hinata looked back to Neji who was only shaking his head while continuing to read.
"Well I'm off! Again, thanks!" Hanabi left without giving Hinata much of a time to tell her to leave the poor pig-tailed girl alone.
"Well it when comes to love she certainly is nothing like you, hm?" Neji chuckled as he set his book down, looking up at Hinata who was heading back to her desk.
"She's lucky Konohamaru only sees her. I just pity his teammate." Hinata sighed as she finished reading the names of other clan members who had been promoted. She decided a special dinner would be held for them all tonight.
"If one is up against a Hyuuga, they should know defeat is their destiny. No matter if it is as fickle as love." Everyone in the Hyuuga held pride for themselves and the last name they were fortunate enough to have been born with. Often their pride went beyond that and it didn't help that people of the village, and even outside of the village, let such cockiness be. Hinata loved her clan and knew they were strong, but to a degree. She didn't want arrogance to be the downfall of such a mighty clan.
"Although it took years, it is inevitable Naruto will end with you, Hinata."
"It just helped Sakura told him to forget about his feelings for her."
"No. That girl is certainly capable of many things, but she is not you. She is not a Hyuuga. Even if she were to return the feelings to Naruto, he could easily see who was better."
"Tenten didn't say yes to your marriage proposal because you're a Hyuuga, Neji."
"I'm sure Tenten wouldn't have wanted to wed a man who was not capable of supporting her for the rest of her life. The Hyuuga give a sense of safety and I'm glad I can give her that and more." Neji got up and put away his book in the shelf. "I'm going to get more tea," Neji gave a small bow to Hinata before leaving the room.
"It's no use in trying to tell them otherwise," Hinata muttered under her breath once Neji left her alone. She got up again and leaned over the window frame. She watched as a the new generation of Hyuuga children were being trained by older generations and smiled at how much strength their small bodies held. "Perhaps I could teach them," the Hyuuga clan head spoke quietly to herself before she was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Come in," she let a small sigh out as she took her seat again.
"Hinata-sama." It had been Hinata's bodyguard that was assigned to her as a child. He gave a deep bow with a smile on his face.
"Kō, it's good to see you. What do I owe your presence to?" Hinata returned the smile and realized how much older he had gotten. She hadn't seen much of Kō for years after she had told her father there was no need for a bodyguard any longer. After the war ended he spent most of his time training with young Hyuuga children.
"There is someone at the gate wishing to see you."
"Who?" Hinata hadn't arranged to see any one this morning. She was also very certain it wasn't Naruto.
"Uchiha Sasuke, Hinata-sama. He says it's urgent." Hinata decided not to dwell on wondering what could be so urgent that Sasuke came to her, but hurriedly got up and headed to the gate. Kō followed behind her until they were nearing the gate and briskly made sure to open the gate for her. As Kō said, Sasuke was standing there and relief seemed to wash over him as Hinata came into view.
"Sasuke?" It was all Hinata could say before Sasuke came up to her quickly and put an arm behind her knees which made her lose balance. Her back hit Sasuke's other arm and the Hyuuga compound was suddenly a blurred image behind them.
"She will be fine." Kō spoke quietly to calm the troubled looks on the guards. He walked back in and closed the gate remembering the peculiar friendship between the two when they were young. Sasuke was no threat and there was no bad blood between the Hyuuga and Uchiha so Kō was only left to assume it was a personal matter between friends.
"Has she finally grown out of her crush for the Uzumaki boy?" The older Hyuuga wondered and chuckled to himself as he returned to spar with the younger Hyuuga children.
When the pair finally arrived to the front of the hospital, Sasuke set Hinata down.
"Sasuke?" Hinata spoke again as she looked back at the hospital and then at her old friend, hoping he wasn't going to carry her off somewhere new.
"She's sick. There was no one else I could think of to help me with this. You can leave if you choose to." Sasuke knew Hinata wasn't going to leave even if he begged her to leave. Her loyalty never wavered even though he rarely gave her much reason for it to be held so strong.
"Lead the way." She spoke without hesitation and motioned her hand towards the hospital. Sasuke nodded and made his way towards the entrance of the hospital. When he walked in, he paid no attention to the receptionist and walked down one of the hallways. After a few turns down the hallways, Sasuke was finally in front of his mother's hospital door. He allowed Hinata to walk in before him while he took a deep breath to calm himself.
"Uchiha-san." Hinata greeted Itachi with a small bow while he stood in front of Mikoto's bed, his gaze not breaking away from his ill mother.
"Hyuuga-san." Itachi recognized the quiet voice, but couldn't bring himself to address her appropriately. Deep down, he was scared if he turned away from his mother life would stop flowing through her. Even though it has been some time since his father's death, Itachi was never able to make peace with it.
Itachi was nowhere nearby when news had gotten to him about his death. He didn't witness the moment Fugaku breathed his last breath. He didn't hear his last words come from his vulnerable dying body. Itachi simply was told he died and he often found himself visiting a grave.
He couldn't afford to dwell too much on how it all felt surreal because his new position demanded his full attention. Except it didn't stop him from feeling misplaced as he sat behind the desk he often saw his father sit at. Itachi wished he could've been with Sasuke during their father's last moments. The last time he had been with his father was before they had all been separated into their appropriate groups. Fugaku simply told Itachi and Sasuke to make the Uchiha proud. The last words he heard from him were as a clan head, not a father.
"Oh! I didn't know you would be here as well, Hinata." Sakura had walked in, but only Hinata had paid her any attention.
"Yes, but I wish it hadn't been for this." She looked over to Sasuke who had gone to stand next to Itachi. Sakura nodded sadly as she also looked over to Sasuke and couldn't figure out exactly how Sasuke was feeling. Of course he was sad, but to what extent? She wanted to offer her hand to the boy she had been in love with since she was a child.
"I hate to do this, but because of her current state I can't have more than two people present." Sakura directed her attention back to Hinata and she nodded as she understood what she was trying to say. Although Hinata wished to see her, she knew she couldn't ask Itachi or Sasuke to leave her side.
"Hinata I also brought you because okaa-san loved you."
"And I loved her as well, but I can't ask either of you to leave."
"I will wait outside." Itachi spoke as he tore his gaze away from his mother and began to leave. No one said anything as he left and when he was finally outside Hinata quickly made her way to the side of Mikoto's bed. She rested her knees on the tile floors and pressed her elbows on the edge of the bed as she took Mikoto's frail hand in both of hers.
"Okaa-san." Hinata whispered as tears brimmed at her eyes, but failed to make it any further. At the beginning of the friendship between Sasuke and Hinata, they often spent time in each other's home. Most of the time it was spent at the Uchiha district. It was one of the few places his avid followers wouldn't dare to follow him. It brought Mikoto immense joy seeing how well the two got along.
Hinata's mother had passed away after giving birth to Hanabi and the young Hyuuga heiress grew very fond of her new friend's mother. Mikoto had no problem treating the small child as her own. Fugaku often looked down upon the relationship, but with time grew a soft spot for the heiress. Although he would never admit it, the late Uchiha made sure that Hinata knew she was always welcomed in their home. Both Fugaku and Mikoto took notice of the Hyuuga girl's consecutive absences from their home, but never bothered Sasuke about it. Whenever there were clan meetings, Fugaku always saw Hinata present behind the late Hyuuga Hiashi. She never had a problem in acknowledging him so Fugaku reminded himself she was an heiress to a noble clan. Both his son and her were praised shinobi. He couldn't have expected them to continue being children in this world so he was pleased they both grew up to be exceptional.
Although Mikoto was saddened by Hinata's lack of presence in her home, she was always happy on the rare occasions she dropped by for tea. She never stopped seeing Hinata as a daughter and was proud of the accomplishments the young girl achieved. Mikoto once confessed to Hinata that she saw her as the perfect fit for Sasuke. Hinata had been so taken aback by the confession, but told her her heart was set on Naruto. Although Sasuke's mom wasn't completely pleased, she still wished her the best. While Hinata's heart may have been set on Naruto, Mikoto always believed in change.
Sakura had been doing her necessary report of Mikoto, but she couldn't help look over at Hinata in envy. While she held the sick woman's hand, Sasuke stood behind her with his hand resting on her shoulder.
Hinata I also brought you because okaa-san loved you.
At what point had Hinata gotten this close to Sasuke's family? How did she? Sure Sasuke had friends, but for him to have this sort of friendship with a girl made the pink haired doctor too jealous to think.
"H.. Hinata?" The ill woman spoke out so quietly that Sasuke didn't think it was real at first. "I'm so glad to see you, dear." This time Hinata's tears did make their own path down her cheeks, but she still smiled at her second mother.
"I wish we had been in a better situation to see each other, but I'm glad to see you as well, okaa-san."
"Oh, Sasuke, darling. You're here together? I knew you'd have a change of heart, Hinata." Mikoto spoke with a grin thinking back to when she told Hinata about how she felt. She had been too tired to notice Sasuke's confused expression and only focused on the fact that one of Hinata's hand let go of her own hand and reached out to Sasuke. He took it and got down on his knees as well. Mikoto tried to sit up and even though Hinata and Sasuke protested at any sort of movement, she did it and held her arms out to them.
Hinata and Sasuke looked at each other before standing up and each hugging her on their own side.
"Hinata will make a strong wife, Sasuke." His mother whispered into her son's ear and although the simple comment wasn't what he expected he nodded knowingly. Sasuke did know she would make a strong wife one day, but not to him. "Sasuke will be a loyal husband, Hinata." The dazed woman whispered as well into Hinata's ear. Hinata's tears fell more freely and although this was a lie, she was glad to give this to her. The older woman pulled away and the fake couple helped her rest again easily on the bed.
Sakura didn't know how to react to what she saw, but she knew she was in no place to say anything. She was friends with Sasuke and Hinata, but Sasuke's mother only knew her son was on a team with her. So she quickly scribbled some last notes on her clipboard and left without saying anything to the trio.
"Is Itachi here?"
"Yes, we will leave you with him." Sasuke nodded and grabbed Hinata's hand as they left the room. Hinata looked back once more at Mikoto as more tears made their way down her face, but Mikoto simply smiled happily at her. She wasn't sure when she would see her lively smile again and the very thought made Hinata's heart ache.
Sasuke let go of her hand once they were out the room and found Itachi in the waiting room. "Okaa-san wishes to speak with you." His elder brother nodded and left them without another word. Hinata took a deep breath as she wiped away the trail of tears.
"Arigatou, Sasuke."
"I know she would've wanted to see you."
"And I know she would've wanted to see us together. I hadn't seen her in so long, so it was the least I could do."
"Your heart was why my family loved you very much. Arigatou."
Sakura had hidden herself out of view from her two friends and although it was obvious there was only friendship, she couldn't help, but let her heart sink. She knew Hinata loved Naruto and Naruto was eventually going to love Hinata, but Sasuke was another story. Sakura had never seen him care for someone so deeply who wasn't his family. Perhaps Hinata couldn't catch it, but she could see it in his eyes. The pink haired kunoichi had never seen Sasuke with those eyes before and the fact that they only seemed to be lit up was when Hinata was around made it clear to Sakura. She always thought it was her imagination, but the events unfolding before her eyes made everything clear. Those eyes would never be directed to her and for that she felt betrayed by Hinata. Sakura didn't like how she felt because she treasured her friendship with Hinata, but it was hard to be happy when the one you loved would never be yours. It was hard not to envy Hinata, but she was taking Sasuke without realizing it.
Suddenly the buzzer that hung around her neck began to buzz and her jealousy turned into panic. The buzzer had been set up to monitor Mikoto's heart rate. Sakura pulled up her mask and ran to her room, drawing the attention of Sasuke and Hinata. She hadn't even noticed Itachi had already stepped out the room. He was staring at her as she got closer. Before running into the room Sakura noticed the tears falling off of his chin onto the tiled floor. When she was already inside, her hands were hovering over Mikoto's chest as a few other nurses had arrived.
"Stay with me!" Sakura yelled as the other nurses tried to help her, but she knew it was no use. It was the same as when she was trying to keep Fugaku alive. She had failed Sasuke twice. She couldn't bring to facing him again, but she knew she was the only one who could break the news to the Uchiha family. So she took a deep breath and dropped her hands to her side. The other nurses saw the defeat in her eyes and they began to complete a death report.
"Five after eight. AM." Sakura had glanced at the clock on the wall and then to the nurses who nodded. She stepped away and left the nurses to take care of the rest while she built up the strength to inform Uchiha Mikoto's family that she had passed. She opened the door and realized Itachi was no longer nearby. She walked out the room and realized his wife and children had arrived. Sakura saw as Izumi comforted a weeping Itachi while their sons hugged his legs hoping to bring him some comfort as well.
She walked farther into the hallway and saw Sasuke and Hinata. They stood silent next to each other, but immediately locked eyes with her when she came into view. Sakura pulled down her mask beneath her chin, but she didn't need to say anything. Her grief-stricken eyes said everything Sasuke and Hinata needed to know.
Hinata began to cry quietly as her head hung low, but Sasuke pulled her into his chest. Sasuke kept his eyes locked with Sakura's for a little longer before bowing his head and closing his eyes. His own tears made way down his own cheeks while he held Hinata close to him.
Sakura's own tears fell down her own cheeks, but not for Uchiha Mikoto. Her tears were for Sasuke because it became crystal clear that he was not meant for her, not in this lifetime at least. Despite all the times she tried to prove herself and her love to him, a heart that is truly in love cannot be changed. Just like her own heart will never be capable of loving another like she loves Sasuke.
doumo: thanks/thank you
omedetoo: congratulations
gomen: sorry/excuse me
my intention is not to write Naruto as an asshole or Sakura as a weak link. during the series when Naruto began to get attention from the villagers, and mostly women, this is what I imagined how'd he treat the new attention. I see Naruto as a character that can't say no to simple requests as going to grab a bite together, going for a walk, etc. when he realized he was learning new things about these people he figured he would learn from all of them. I'm not trying to make Naruto a bad person in this story for the sake of making Sasuke the better one. I prefer Naruto over Sasuke, but this is how I'm deciding to write this story.
same thing with Sakura. this story I'm writing is one where Sasuke never betrayed the village or his friends. I felt as though Sakura was able to deepen her feelings for Sasuke past a simple school crush only because he chose a dark path. I figured without his departure she was never able to grow out of that fascination. Sakura won't ever be weak to me. I don't hate Naruto or Sakura.
I don't like NaruSaku. I don't see the point in pairing them just because of SasuHina. I respect the fans of the pair, but it won't be happening in my story.
please continue to leave your thoughts and constructive criticism because I really do care for it.
if you did end up reading all that, thank you. any further questions or curiosities review or pm.
val :)