Timeless
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. I think it's time that we check in on the other Uchihas ;)
Past Sasuke and Hinata: Speak in italics.
Present Sasuke and Hinata: Speak in regular font.
Future Sasuke and Hinata: Speak in bold font.
Chapter Notation: The first part of this chapter will be about Hinata's and Sasuke's kids in the future (or present depending on how you are looking at it). If you have no interest in the kids, you might want to skip that scene. Warnings were put up before and afterwards.
Chapter 7
Warning Future Scene
In the future, Naruto watches the children like a hawk. He knew where Hinata and Sasuke had disappeared to and that they would be back relatively soon. One of Sasuke's counterparts had slipped up and told him before they left. While weeks or months might have passed in that timeline, only two hours would pass in the future.
"Yay, big sister! You did it!" Rajah calls out joyously when an arrow hits its target.
Two hours might not sound like a lot, but it was when you were dealing with four children. This was especially true when they had Uchiha and Hyuga blood running through their veins. Oh and the fact that they ranged in age from three to eight, probably had something to do with it.
In this case, the "big sister" in question was Kana. Her name meant powerful and she lived up to it. She definitely took after Sasuke when it came to her abilities. She could already produce a Chidori and she was only eight. Not to mention, she really seemed to like playing archer.
"Thanks, Rajah." Kana says with a smile as she pulls back another arrow.
Kana had Sasuke's raven black hair, but it had Hinata's texture and length. Her eyes were the trademark Hyuga lavender, but they were shaped like almonds. That was clearly another trait that she had inherited from the Uchiha Patriarch. That and her ivory cream colored skin. Otherwise, she was a dead ringer for her mother. She had the same ears, nose, and even smile as Hinata.
"I can't wait to get to the International Academy! What else do they let you use besides, bows and arrows? I know they have more stuff than the Leaf's Academy." Kaemon asks excitedly.
"Oh they let you use weapons from all over the Five Nations. They watch you really carefully though. I want to try one of those fans sometime, but they won't let you until you are 10." Kana says with a slight pout.
Not long after Kana was born, an International Ninja Academy was built. Unlike the other Ninja Academies where all that was required to enter was citizenship and your parents' (or guardians') consent, this one had strict admission criteria and the competition to get in was fierce. You had to attend one "regular" Academy for at least a year, before you could even think about applying for instance.
Kaemon was only six. He had only recently begun attending the Leaf's Academy. He'd probably start at the International one next year. (Which was ironically located in the Forest of Death.)
"What can you do with a fan?" Kaemon asks in confusion.
He was Sasuke and Hinata's second child, but their first son. His name meant joyful. It shocked the Hell out of Naruto to discover this, but Sasuke's firstborn son really was a happy child. Seriously, the kid hadn't even cried when he was born like most babies. He just smiled. So the name stuck.
"You can use wind attacks or use the fan to send your weapons or chakra attacks flying at your opponent. It can also block attacks. Very useful. The Kazekage's sister uses a really big one." Kana explains.
"Oh that sounds cool!" Kaemon replies brightly.
He had Hinata's midnight blue hair, but Sasuke's onyx eyes. He'd definitely inherited Hinata's skin tone and her nose. The rest of him physically was all Sasuke though. Well except for one thing. He had the same markings on his cheeks that his late uncle did. He might have looked more like Sasuke, but in terms of personality, Kaemon was a less shy Hinata.
Miyoko was on a swinging from a tree branch in 180 degree spins. Naruto was worried that she would end up falling. So he had a couple clones standing double duty by the energetic child. The really, really energetic child.
"You know that's dangerous, right?" One of the clones asks.
"Not dangerous. Fun. Besides, it's good flexibility training." She says as she continues swinging.
Rajah might be the most aggressive of the four, but Miyoko was the most mischievous. She'd be turning five in a few months, but she could already successfully pull off transformation jutsus. So she was ridiculously good at Hide and Go Seek. (Which naturally was her favorite game.)
"What is he feeding these children?" Gaara asks in amusement as he strides over to his friend with his wife Tenten and their twins.
Yeah. Naruto hadn't seen that one coming either. Apparently, after the war the Kazekage had heard about Neji's death and went to offer his teammates condolences. The brunette and Kage had unexpectedly hit it off. Not long after that, the twins had been born.
"I have no idea. It's great to see you guys, though!" Naruto says with a smile as Rajah darts over to the Sand Twins excitedly.
Rajah had his father's raven black hair and Hinata's skin tone. His eyes were lavender like Hyuga Clan, but also almond shaped like Kana's. The three year old also had his father's ears and smile. He had also definitely gotten Hinata's nose and chin.
The siblings had once made a sand castle for the toddler that had enthralled him. Every since then, Rajah was always eager to show off for the Kazekage's children.
Hatsu was Gaara's daughter. She had been born five minutes before her brother and thus her name meant firstborn. Her exotic red hair reached all the way to her knees and she had her mother's chocolate brown eyes. Even at nine, it was clear she was going to be knockout when she got older. (Naruto did pity the boys in a few years though, she had inherited her mother's talents with weapons.)
"It's good to see you as well. Hatsu and Natsu are about to start their second year at the Academy. So we were just dropping them off. Naturally, the twins wanted to see their friends." The Kazekage says with a smile.
In a way, he supposed that Rajah was Natsu's Rajah. Natsu was Gaara's son. His name meant born in the summer because well he was born in the summer. (Yeah, Gaara was really creative with the baby names.)
Natsu was hitting his growth spurt early. He was easily four inches taller than poor Kana. This was a fact that Natsu did enjoy lording over her, much to the younger girl's annoyance.
"Look! See I can make a really big fireball now!" Rajah says proudly and proves it.
"Yes, that's certainly a big fireball." Natsu agrees.
He had Gaara's red hair and Tenten's eyes as well. His sister hadn't inherited the feral black eye markings from their father, but Natsu had. So his chocolate brown eyes looked more exotic than they otherwise would have. He definitely had Tenten's smile and ears though.
Hatsu and Kana were best friends. Kana and Natsu were rivals. Whenever they saw each other, it never failed. One of them had to try to outdo the other.
"Archery practice?" Natsu asks.
"Mhm. I'm way better with a bow and arrow than you are." Kana says with a smirk that reminded Naruto way too much of her father.
Oh for Godsakes. They were apparently going to get into it, before even a hello was exchanged. Hatsu was watching with interest though.
"Remember guys, it's tied 50-50. I bet a week's allowance on you Kana. Don't let me down." She informs her best friend in a monotone voice.
Like Guy and Kakashi, they kept track of their contests. Once they hit 101, they'd start over again. Naruto didn't know whether to find this cute or disturbing.
"You can do it, Natsu! I bet on you." Kaemon assures him.
"You bet on him?! You're MY brother!" Kana says in a scandalized voice.
"Well yeah. I mean you are awesome and everything, but he's going to be the next Kazekage. Plus Sand Villagers are really good with bows and arrows." The eldest Uchiha boy reasons.
Miyoko giggles as she swings more and watches. This was going to be funny. Her big sister and Natsu were so silly sometimes!
Miyoko had Hinata's blue hair and the trademark Hyuga eyes. Unlike her siblings, her eyes were wider like the Hyuga side of her family tree. The rest of her features, were all Sasuke. One only had to look at her to know who her father was.
"Alright. This one is simple. The person who gets their arrow closest to the center of the target wins." Kana explains.
"Agreeable. You can go first." The red head says.
Kana smiles and pulls back her quiver. She fires it off and it hits dead in the center. She smiles smugly at him.
"That's good. This will be better though." He says and forms a bow and arrow out of his sand and sends it striking her arrow in half.
"That was cheating! Your sand reacts to your will! That didn't take any skill!" She protests in outrage.
Kaemon tilts his head. Well she had a point. It was a little hard to miss, when your weapon was literally an extension of yourself.
"Yeah. She kinda has a point there. I'm not sure we should count that one." He says.
"I utilized one of my skills. No one cares about fair when you are in combat." Natsu says.
"That's true." Kana says as she pounces Natsu and begins tickling him without mercy.
"Wow. Your son is really ticklish Gaara. Should we step in?" Naruto asks and the Kazekage just smacks his forehead in exasperation.
End of Future Scene
"You know, you were really a very cute kid." Hinata muses as she unwraps Sasuke's bandage and begins placing a fresh set on him.
"Really? Thanks, I guess. You remind me of a frightened rabbit at that age." Sasuke says bluntly.
Hinata huffs at that. Obviously, she wasn't too thrilled at that assessment. Though she supposed it was a good sign that Sasuke was feeling well enough to make "jokes."
"I was not a frightened rabbit!" She mumbles.
"Yes, you were. Cute and skittish. It's alright. You definitely aren't skittish anymore." The Middle Sasuke observes.
Hinata feels her face heat up. Sasuke had called her cute. Well more accurately, he had called her younger self cute. That still counted right?
"You think I'm cute?" She asks.
"Well you were cute then. You're beautiful now." Sasuke says and mentally slaps himself for that slip of the tongue.
It was one thing to call her a cute kid. Calling her beautiful was completely different. Damn it. He hadn't meant to say that. Mercifully, Tsunade decides to check on them at that exact moment.
"Ah there you are, Hinata. I would you mind checking on patient number 328?" Tsunade asks.
"Of course, Lady Tsunade." The bluenette says as she glances at Sasuke before darting off.
Sasuke wasn't entirely sure that he believed Tsunade. He had never had the best luck. The chances that she just happened to save his ass, seemed low.
"You wanted to get Hinata away from me. Why?" He demands.
"Kakashi wanted to visit you. I decided to indulge him. I suppose he wanted a private moment with his former student. I didn't pry." She says and heads off as the silver haired ninja comes in.
Yes, someone up there really hated Sasuke. Kakashi was really going to try this, it looked like. This was going to be highly annoying.
Back at the Hyuga Estate, Mini Sasuke shakes his head. Hinata still felt guilty about his minor injury. He was glad that she cared, but he was fine.
"Hinata, I'm okay. Really." He says with a smile.
"Are you sure? That looked really painful. I'm so sorry." She mumbles.
Sasuke shakes his head as he watches his younger self. Eventually, he'd learn his lesson. Once Hinata began her fussing, she wasn't going to stop until she decided you were better.
"What was that look for?" Hinata demands.
"It's just funny to see him try to get you to stop your fussing. That never works." Sasuke says with a smirk and he kisses her cheek.
Hinata was about to issue a retort, when she sees her father was nearby. This whole sneaking around thing was going to drive her crazy. She really hoped that the Middle Sasuke would make his move soon.
"Good morning. I trust that you slept well?" Hiashi asks.
"Could have slept better. I have to admit that I miss my own bed." Sasuke replies.
Yes, he missed his bed. He most certainly missed having his wife laying next to him. Sasuke also missed waking up and seeing their children. There were a lot of things that he missed, but he consoled himself with the fact that this was all only temporary. They'd be home soon enough.
"I'm not sleeping that well either. It's nerve-wracking, wondering if the future has been altered." Hinata admits.
As much as she wanted to whack her husband for his smug comment, she loved him and their children more than anything. The bluenette couldn't imagine her life without them. That's what made this whole situation so tarrying. One wrong move could change everything.
"Perhaps some green tea before bed, might help you relax. I doubt tea would help Sasuke much though. For you I would suggest some nighttime reading. Why don't you come me and I can show you the library?" Hiashi suggests.
"Alright. I guess it couldn't hurt." Sasuke says as he follows Hiashi.
Somehow he really doubted that the Hyuga Patriarch only wanted to help him find a book to read. Still he wasn't going to protest. The man was his future father-in-law. He could indulge him.
Hiashi sighs once they were alone. He couldn't help but glance at this version of Sasuke. He was so different from his present self and yet the same. It was unsettling to say the least.
"What's really bothering you? I don't believe for a moment that you just wanted to give me a tour of the library. Neither does Hinata. She's too kind to say that though." Sasuke states bluntly.
If nothing else, the Hyuga Patriarch did appreciate Sasuke's frankness. The man was certainly not afraid to express himself. It was a rare person who would dare to speak to him in that fashion.
"You're right. I suspected that she knew it was just a flimsy excuse to speak with you alone. Hinata has always been rather considerate of others, especially when they want their privacy. It's one of her many virtues." He replies.
"I'm aware. She unfailingly kind at times. Are you going to tell me what is bothering you or should I start browsing your family's impressive literary selection?" Sasuke asks dryly.
Hiashi sighs. He didn't know how to say this. Obviously, the ninja couldn't tell Sasuke that he knew that the other man was courting Hinata in the future. That would likely forever alter the timeline.
"I couldn't help but notice that you seem rather different than your present day self." He begins cautiously.
"It's your present, but my past. I can't disagree with that assessment though. If you're worried that I'll attack the Leaf, you can put your mind at ease in that regard." Sasuke says.
That hadn't been his concern, but it was good to hear nonetheless. For some reason, Hiashi actually believed Sasuke when he said that. However, that wasn't his main concern.
"What I mean is that you seem more…at peace with yourself." The Hyuga Patriarch tries again.
"That's because I am. I feel sorry for my youngest self. I know what he's about to go through and I can't help him. Well at least not without risking losing everything. My "present" self though is a different matter. He's made it through the worst that is going to be thrown at him." Sasuke informs Hiashi.
He figured as long as he was vague, it was alright. Hiashi was a perceptive man. It was likely that the Hyuga had already deduced most of this. There was no reason to hide it.
"That's good to hear. I will admit that I had many reservations for allowing you to stay here. You have a rather colorful history to put it mildly." The lavender eyed ninja confesses.
"I can't blame you for that. I've done a lot of horrible things in the past. If I was you, I wouldn't have allowed any of us to stay here. You have no real reason to believe me, but things are different now." Sasuke says.
Hiashi sighs again. He sounded so sincere. Then again, this was Sasuke Uchiha. He was certainly intelligent enough to put on a good act, if he desired to do so. Hiashi honestly couldn't tell.
He did want to believe the other man on some level. If Hinata was already being courted by him, Hiashi was forced to hope that Sasuke was being genuine. Otherwise, she was going to get hurt and get hurt badly.
"I really want to believe you." Hiashi says.
"But you don't. It's alright. I've given you no reason to trust me. All I can say is give it time." He states as he heads out of the library.
Meanwhile Hinata was checking on a patient. It was a good thing that it was pretty standard injury. They had a broken arm. She could have treated this in her sleep.
Not that having a broken arm was fun, but this person was a ninja. For people in their line of work, that was considered minor. Mercifully, it was easily treatable as well because she was having a very hard time focusing.
"Thank you, Hinata. What a drag, some kid got stuck in a tree. I went to get them out of there. They started to fall, so I threw myself underneath and took the blow. It shattered my arm." Shikamaru mutters.
"That was kind of you to help him. Don't worry, Shikamaru. We'll get you back to normal in no time." Hinata replies with a warm smile.
Sasuke had called her cute and beautiful. He had actually opened up to her. The bluenette didn't think that he would ever do that with someone who wasn't Naruto.
As she finishes up with Shikamaru, she pauses as she remembers what Sasuke had told her. Well future Sasuke anyway. This was all getting rather confusing!
"I'd say that I'm closer to you than I am to Naruto." He had told her.
Maybe this was when their friendship really started to take root. She doubted very much that he had told anyone else about how he felt about his arm. That had to mean something, right?
Idly, she wonders if Sasuke would have gotten the transplant without his future self showing up. He had seemed very against it. Now she knew his reasoning. Would he have eventually changed his mind anyway though?
"Hinata, are you alright?" Shikamaru asks in concern.
The medic was clearly spacing out. Shikamaru wasn't sure what was wrong with Hinata today. Her head obviously wasn't in the game though and that just wasn't like her.
"What? Oh yes, sorry. My mind wandered away from me there for a minute." She mumbles with a blush.
"It's alright. We all have those days. I'll see you around." The lazy genius says as he departs.
Hinata mentally slaps herself. She couldn't believe that she had spaced out while on duty. Thank goodness that she was now a medic and not a combat ninja. Mistakes like that had a habit of costing people their lives!
She couldn't help it though. She felt like something really important had happened between her and Sasuke. He had opened up to her. Perhaps even more so than he ever had with his teammates. She couldn't help but feel a little giddy about that and that fact disturbed her.
Elsewhere in the hospital, Sasuke gives Kakash his best Death Glare. This one had even terrified Orochimaru at the end. So he knew that it was a damn good glare.
"Sasuke, don't give me that look. Can't a man check on his former students without it being a crime?" The silver haired ninja asks in amusement at Sasuke's reaction.
Unfortunately, it didn't appear to have much an impact on the CopyCat Ninja. It was likely Kakashi had been expecting that. Maybe he should fire off a few Chidoris?
"Some of them can. Not you though. I know what you are up to and stop. It isn't going to happen and we both know why. I shouldn't have admitted that to you about the pillows, but I don't need romantic advice from a lifelong bachelor!" Sasuke warns him.
"That's a fair point. Though I am a bachelor by choice. I didn't want to get married and have children. I'm a combat ninja. That entails a certain degree of risk. I didn't view it as very fair to put a family through that. Though I'll have you know that I have many offers of female companionship." Kakashi says.
Sasuke raises an eyebrow. Yeah. He didn't need to hear that. The last thing that he needed to think about was Kakashi having one night stands and flings. He knew that it was a common lifestyle for ninjas and for very practical reasons.
He didn't hold it against Kakashi, but that just wasn't how he was wired. Uchihas were very monogamous by nature. They tended to pair of rather early and fidelity was rarely an issue. His father had been something of an exception. Fugaku had fathered his first child at 27.
"I really didn't need to hear that. If I want love advice, I'd ask Kurenai. She actually had a healthy, normal relationship with Asuma. It's not her fault that he died in combat." Sasuke reasons.
"Oh that's a good point. That and she does know Hinata very well considering she's her former Sensei. I'm proud of you. That's very good thinking." Kakashi sayas.,
"THAT WAS NOT THE POINT!" Sasuke snarls at him.
Damn it. Kakashi could be really annoying sometimes. He liked to meddle. The raven haired ninja was almost certain that Kakashi did so because he was an Uchiha.
Kakashi had worked with Itachi while they were both ANBU. In addition to that, Obito had been on his Genin team. So Sasuke was certain that on some unconscious level, that was why the silver haired ninja couldn't mind his own business when it came to his love life.
"You are very defensive today. Sasuke, you really are going to have to learn to control your temper, if you want to find a lover. You wouldn't want to scare the poor girl off." The Jonin reason.
Sasuke twitches. He was really debating about Chidoring his former Sensei. It would serve him right, to get hit by the very attack that Kakashi had taught him.
"That's really none of your business. Besides, I never yell at Hinata. She's not annoying like you." Sasuke mutters.
"Oh well that's good. She's a very sensitive woman. If you yelled at her like you do me, Hinata would probably take it very personally. Now, I really do recommend the old fashioned romantic approach. Flowers and things like that would probably be best. You don't want to be too aggressive. She is rather shy." Kakashi counsels.
Unbelievable. Kakashi was giving him romantic advice. Could this day get any weirder?
"I know that she's shy. That's why I wouldn't yell at her. Flowers? Really? That's your big secret? Anyone could have thought of that." Sasuke says and rolls his eyes.
"Well I think that there is something to be said for the classics. Jewelry is also another common choice. You couldn't go wrong with a stuffed animal. Though that might damage your pride." The Copycat Ninja muses.
Oh yeah. There was a fireball or a Chidori with the Jonin's name on it. Kakashi was really asking for it.
"I'm not giving her a stuffed animal. Just drop it, Kakashi. We both know that she deserves better. She's a good person. She really shouldn't be anywhere near me and we both know it. So knock it off. Go harass Naruto or Sakura." Sasuke snaps at him.
Kakashi shakes his head as if he was dealing with a stubborn child. Sasuke was going to be difficult. He didn't want to do this, but apparently he was going to have to fight dirty.
"I see. So you have absolutely no intention of courting her?" Kakashi asks.
"That's right. I have no intention of courting her. I like her and I'm physically attracted to her, but that doesn't mean I'm cruel enough to court her. I don't know how to give her what she needs." Sasuke says as if that settled the matter.
The silver haired ninja did feel a little guilty about what he was about to do. He acknowledged that it was definitely hitting below the belt. That wasn't going to stop him though. Desperate times called for desperate measures.
"So if I told you that I saw Kiba admiring Hinata's pillows earlier, that wouldn't upset you? After all, someone is going to court her and you have no intention of telling her about your feelings." The Jonin reasons.
"HE WHAT?!" Sasuke snarls at Kakashi and his obsidian black eyes bleed ruby red instantly with rage.
Uh oh. Perhaps he had gone too far. He had wanted to prove his point. He didn't want an innocent man to be ripped limb from limb by a jealous Uchiha.
"I was merely teasing you. Kiba didn't actually do that. Still for someone who claims you have no intention of courting her, you do get jealous rather easily." Kakashi observes smugly.