A.N

To Anon3:

I don't know how to thank you for your review. I read it a couple of times a few minutes after you left it and I was so blind sided by the idea that I was able to make someone feel enough to make them cry that I kind of panicked! I've since calmed down a bit but I am still flabbergasted that anything I say could have the kind of impact you described. I appreciate that you've shared it with me and I hope that as the story continues I let the story do it's thing through me as it has been and not taint it as it goes. Thank you

To: Kiss2Lips

In the last chapter Sasuke was having a conversation with Sakura about her liking him without saying it outright. She was aware that he was referring to her having a crush on him and he was aware she knew what he was doing. Essentially he was saying "Maybe you wouldn't like me so much if I was the kind of guy who would take advantage of a student." Because that's why the rules are in place, to keep students safe from people in authority (teachers) who may prey on those who they have authority over (students).

I hope that explains it a little better. I have just read over it and I see how it was difficult to fully grasp what was being said. I am thinking hard about how I can rewrite that portion to be more clear without Sasuke full on saying what I just quoted above. I don't think he would feel comfortable to just say that. But I don't know maybe I'm wrong? What do you think?

I am heading into some stuff in this fic that I know is going to be difficult for me to write for some rather personal reasons. I'm staring at the next couple chapters with the same feeling you get when you're looking at the edge of a cliff before jumping. That may seem like an exaggeration but up until the last chapter the story was flowing nicely and I was getting out of the way for it to do it's thing. (sometimes I felt a little like I got drop kicked out of the way by the story but whatever). I hope that the quality of my writing doesn't suffer as I wrestle with the issues in the next few chapters.

I do hope that the story continues it's aggressive flow. I know where it is going but to say that this is pleasurable to me is an understatement. I haven't written like this in so long it feels kind of like taking a really cold drink on a day you feel you're dying for water from the heat.

Thank you for reading, reviewing and being a generally lovely bunch of people. Except for you- yeah you- I may like you around despite your attitude but you decidedly don't belong in the lovely bunch category. It's okay though, cuz I'm still grinning every time I see your "reviews". Picture the Cheshire Cat, that's my grin at you right now. Meow.

Much love,

Inky

PS. It may seem strange, but I am noticing that everyone is falling in love with the notes Naruto left behind. I found this astounding at first but I think that I would like to share with you all that my plot outlines, my notes, my research are all pretty thorough for this story. Literally the only part that is raw and completely unplanned is the letters. There's literally one word in my plot outlines that denotes their possible placement and around all the details I know I need to hit in everything else the word stands out naked by itself just "Note".

When the snow started she didn't even notice. Around her the flakes fell thick and slow, catching the wind as they drifted, moving through the coolness like fat feathers on the breeze. The trees cloaked their bare naked branches in the white dusting, and the silence began to grow as the snow flakes blanketed everything in their purity, muffling the sounds, even those of her crying.

She had never been a loud crier, something that Naruto had often complained about.

"I wish I could hear you, Hina-chan. I wish I could hear your sad, so I could come to you sooner. Please, call to me."

Silently Hinata stared at the papers in her hands, studying first the script she had not realized she had missed seeing. Haphazard and slanted Naruto had scribbled Sasuke's name on each envelope with care, making sure to do so clearly albeit not particularly pretty. Her old address glittered on the sticker on the other corner. She had had those made for him when they got engaged. The sticker was shaped like a leaf, in it was his name and their address.

He had been excited at the gift, and then chastised her. "Why doesn't it say Mr and Mrs. Uzumaki on there?"

She had glowed red as she pressed his forehead to hers, breathing in the soft smell of her hair, feeling the heat of her blush on his skin.

"Can you say it for me?"

"N...nani?"

"I am Mrs. Uzumaki."

"...ok...I... I am..."

"Mrs. Uzumaki." his words had been breathless, anticipation coating the name and making her more rosy.

"I am Mrs. Uzumaki."

The heat had made her ears burn and eyes clenched shut tight against the feeling she had not seen his kiss coming, the hunger with which he pressed her to him pushing the air out of her lungs with a deep sigh.

"My Mrs. Uzumaki." he had whispered into her ear, nibbling the lobe delicately. "Mine."

Swallowing hard Hinata pried the pages of the letter apart, studying the date carefully with pale liquid filled eyes.

"February 25th." She blinked, surprised. This was days after Haku's birthday.

Sasuke-teme,

You're an uncle.

Now, don't take it into your head that you have to rush back or anything, it's not like I want to see you, stupid jerk. But you missed it. You missed the terrifying day when I became a dad.

I don't know how women do it, Sasuke. I don't know. If you're with someone, I'm telling you now, start paying up for the gift they give you when they give birth. I don't know how to understand it. Think about it, they become a portal, a passage for another being to come through into your life- they do this for us, for the little squishy human with our DNA crawling through it.

I can't express to you how scared I was.

She started crying in the night. She said it was just fake contractions. But I knew better, or maybe I was just more terrified than she was. They didn't stop like they had been doing the last few weeks and all of a sudden she was looking less and less at me and more at some faraway place in the distance. Sometimes when the pain was bad she seemed to leave me, and all I could do was grip her hand as hard as she was holding mine.

Haku was born at 3 in the morning on February 20th. He weighed in at an astounding 6 pounds 8 ounces. I can hold him with his head in my palm and his feet tucked into the crook of my arm. He looks like the softest petals on a flower, I'm not poetic but that's what his tiny cheeks look like. Seriously.

Hinata was unsure at first of what you would think, because it's been a few years since I've heard from you and she was concerned that perhaps you would be offended but I'm pretty sure that you would be an idiot if you were offended, and we both know you're not an idiot, you're a teme sure but you're no idiot.

So I named him Haku Sasuke Uzumaki. I hope you feel like crap, and when you read this, if you haven't already come to see him then get your ass over here. I can't really write as long as I would like what with being a parent and all. And you would probably get sick of descriptions of my baby and the amazing awe inspiring thing that is my wife, so I'll just leave you with the knowledge that I am extremely, supremely happy, but as per usual, missing you.

-Naruto

Tears blurred the page for a second before dropping onto the ink and startled Hinata tried to wipe them away, her cold fingers trembling as she dabbed at the paper with the end of her scarf.

"Here."

Startled she jumped, turning to look at Sasuke watching her passively, his hand extended to her with a tissue between his fingers.

Blinking Hinata sniffed and took the paper in her hands. "T-thanks."

Slowly the Uchiha sat down beside her on the school steps, hands pressed firmly into the pockets of his coat.

"You named him Haku Sasuke." He whispered, noting the letter she had in her hands. Hinata swallowed hard, looking down at the paper like it was the holy grail. "Hai... we did... Naruto had decided on Sasuke for his first born son before you stopped talking to him." She bit her lip, feeling a jab of dislike at the fact that someone would ever reject the person who brought so much joy into her life.

Sasuke was feeling the jab a thousand times worse, his insides squirmed with displeasure and letting out a long puff of air into the freezing atmosphere he sighed.

"I miss him." Hinata whispered, surprised that she allowed the words to come out. "Haku... he stares at me sometimes and I see him, I see Naruto and I..." she paused leaning down to press her forehead to her knees hard.

Sasuke watched, searching the long strands of her silk hair for her gaze.

"I miss him too." He admitted suddenly, watching her turn sharply to look at him, her eyes tangled among the ink spill of her black hair. Slowly she sat up, face searching his with confusion.

"Demo... you..."

"I know it doesn't make sense." He muttered, turning away to stare at the icy landscape of the school grounds. "I thought I would eventually get a chance to go back, I guess."

Pale eyes stared dazedly into his face, momentarily unaware of her usual shyness. "Things never work out quite how we hope."

"No." He shook his head. "Never."

Realizing suddenly that it had begun to snow Hinata shivered. "I have to get to the kids daycare. They're going to want to play outside before we get home." Slowly she untangled herself from the mess of grief restraining her limbs and stood.

Sasuke followed suit, watching her rearrange her scarf around herself carefully.

"What are you planning on doing for Christmas?" He murmured. "It's a bit different here than it is back home."

Hinata blinked at him as she pulled her bag to the side to slide the letter into a pocket. "I haven't decided." She winced slightly. "It's the first Christmas for the kids after..."

Sasuke nodded. "Will you go back home?"

Eyes widening Hinata shook her head slowly just one turn from right to left. "No..." her hand pressed to her chest above her heart for a second as though soothing a wound. "No, I...I can't."

Puzzled but unable to ask anymore Sasuke nodded.

"Arigato, Uchiha-san." Hinata sighed, looking down.

"I have more." he murmured, although unwilling to admit how many more letters lay sprawled all over his apartment. Hinata nodded. "I think... I think I will just...look at this one for now, if you don't mind keeping the others for the time being?" for a second she felt her chin wobble and her eyes prick with tears. Biting her lip to keep herself steady she smiled with force, making Sasuke's chest ache. "Is that okay?"

"Of course."

"A-arigato." Turning she stepped out into the cushioned cotton cloud landscape, looking over her shoulder briefly to wave at him before starting out the school gates. Even from a few steps away though Sasuke could see the tears glittering on her cheeks in the dim winter sun, making her sparkle as though drenched in diamonds.

"What was it you gave Hyuuga-san earlier today?" Kiba inquired lazily beside him. The crunch of their feet over the snow harmonized with the puffs of breath that escaped their mouths as they walked.

Sasuke thought for a moment, biting the inside of his cheek before admitting softly. "I knew her husband."

Kiba kept his eyes straight ahead, training his surprise into calm non nonchalance. "Oh?"

"You know those...letters?"

At this Kiba stopped walking, looking at him as he rubbed his left eye roughly. "Wait."

"Hyuuga is her maiden name."

"Wait, wait."

"Our town is pretty small so..."

"Ugh." Kiba sighed, lifting a hand up to stop his chatter. Something that had not really ever happened to Sasuke before. A bit ruffled at the feathers he waited, eyeing Kiba silently.

"You... you grew up with her."

"Not exactly, we lived in the same town."

"But you'd met her before?"

Sasuke thought back, trying to remember the first time he had ever seen the pale gray eyes of the Hyuuga family before. Frowning he shook his head. "Yes, I suppose. We went to school together, along with-"

"Naruto Uzumaki, the guy writing the letters."

"The guy who wrote them. Yes." Sasuke waited on the sidewalk as Kiba digested this new information slowly, looking out into the playground of the park they were walking beside.

"So, you've known her all along and..."

"Not the way you're insinuating." Sasuke grumbled. "I knew of her, she's... I recognized her, anyway."

"She recognized you?"

Sasuke blinked, remembering the wide eyed expression on her face as she caught sight of him on the stairs the first day of September term.

"S-s-sasuke-kun?"

"I guess so."

"That's how you found out." Kiba blinked at him, something akin to sympathy flashing over his face. "About your friend."

Irritated by the expression on his features Sasuke turned away and began to walk again, not caring if he followed or not. "Yes. That's how I found out."

"She still wears the wedding ring. I definitely thought she was still married."

"She has kids, she kind of is." Sasuke shrugged. "At least for a while anyway."

"She has kids?" Kiba started. "I am finding all new things today. And you didn't care to share this with me sooner why?"

Growling Sasuke sped up his pace making Kiba stop again.

"Hey!" He shouted, picking up a handful of snow and chucking it at his shoulder. The whiteness splattered over his back as it exploded and Sauke stopped, looking at him like had gone mental. "What is wrong with you?"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because it wasn't... I didn't... " he mouthed like a fish for a moment, more irritated with himself in that moment than the childish man before him. "I don't know, it didn't... it didn't feel right."

"Feel right?" Kiba let out a humorless laugh. "You don't feel, you're an Uchiha."

"Shut up." Sasuke shook his head at him, starting away again, although he was feeling a little less annoyed than a few moments prior.

Slowly Kiba began to walk after him, shaking the snow off his fingers from flinging the snowball at his back.

"But hey, now she's free to start fangirling all over you right?" he teased, making Sasuke wince, thankful that he wasn't looking at him closely.

"Well, since you know her and somehow you managed to smooth things over considering your monumental mess up of a start with her- Tsunade has asked me for a favor and if we both comply I think it might win you brownie points." Kiba continued unaffected by Sasuke's silence.

"A favor?" Already Sasuke was dreading the next words coming out of Inuzuka's mouth.

"Hai! So you know how you made all those Assistant Language Teachers quit earlier this year."

"All? There was only three."

"Yeah, so all those teachers." Unperturbed Kiba stepped up beside him again. "She's worried Hinata is looking a little unhappy lately, although now that you tell me she's a widow it kind of makes sense. But since she just moved here from wherever you're both from Tsunade is worried she's having trouble adjusting to living so far from home. She wanted me to ask her to join me and friends for some outings, like the year end festival."

Sasuke made a face that was more expressive than anything he could have said.

"Don't look so irritable." Kiba grumbled. "It's not that bad... I mean if she has kids she may say no, but at least we tried no?"

"I think Christmas..." Sasuke began, and hesitated, watching as his friend's face pricked with interest at him. "What about Christmas?"

Still feeling distinctly unsure of the next words coming out of his mouth Sasuke continued, restraining his face from doing anything that would betray any of the trepidation he felt.

"I know it's a big deal back home, especially for people with kids, and now she's here without family, and two kids, and without.." He drifted off, letting Kiba's eyes widen.

"Shit." He mused, "Guess we're gonna have to go over there then, eh?"

Blinking Sasuke stopped walking to stare at him this time, causing Kiba to look questioningly at him. "What?"

"You can't just invite yourself over." He shook his head. "That's not how-"

"Sure we can." Kiba shrugged. "Trust me."

Sasuke hesitated for a moment, the No wanting to pop out of his mouth getting caught on his adam's apple.

"Fine." he conceded instead.

"Do you think they have yukata for the End of Year Festival?" His friend continued, trying not to look too surprised by Sasuke's unusual agreement with his unorthodox plans to usurp the Hyuuga Christmas.

Blinking Sasuke shook his head. "No... why would they, they just got here."

"Hm." was all Kiba said. "Just wondering."

Thoughtfully Sasuke caught up to him, puzzled at how that conversation had gone.

...Haku is starting to have some words to throw at me. I'm a little proud to say that his first word was actually stop. I know most parents are all excited to hear the mama and dada thing, but the fact that he glared at me with such disdain at my tickling him and just flipped me the baby finger by telling me to quit made me laugh out loud. I thought for a second he was channeling you. He's a quiet guy. Hinata was a lot like him, she tells me. I can see it. She doesn't feel comfortable with people all that easily.

He's walking around a lot, which surprised me. I don't know why but I had it in my head that babies didn't start getting personalities and walking around like tiny little people until about two but he's only a year and a half and although he's only got a few words they're clear as day. Sometimes he watches us with these knowing looks on his face and Hinata laughs. She said once that it was probably because we named him after you, some of that genius had to rub off.

It bugs her that I sit here and write you letters, I think because I get a little glum after I do it, but I talk to her about you and I think she understands then, because I have almost all good memories of you Sasuke. I wonder if you've forgotten all of them by now.

It's a couple months late because Hinata doesn't ever want to jinx a pregnancy but we found out were expecting again and I have that feeling that it's going to be a girl. Teme, I'm so scared. I look at Hinata and the way her body moves, the way she smells the way she is and the idea of having my daughter resemble her mother makes me sweat. How the hell am I gonna keep something so beautiful safe?

I may have been half joking last time I mentioned that fear to you before but in all seriousness Sasuke, being a dad is terrifying. Haku, he's watching everything I do, he's listening to everything I say. What if I screw this little person up before he has a chance to get this walking thing figured out?

I hope you're doing well, wherever you are. I hope that maybe you've figured out some of this shit so if you ever decide to come knocking that I can get some tips because I'm floundering a little.

In the day to day crap I feel like I'm doing okay... I feel like I might pass out from changing diapers sometimes, don't get me wrong but when it comes to being part of Haku's world it's not so bad you know?

But when I think about the future, about his graduation, about his marriage, about his children I freak out. He's going to go into life with the tools I give him.

I wish you were here to balance it out for him, you always had a much more level head on than I did. You know, until you took off like a jerk and didn't come back.

I'm missing you a lot lately, sometimes I see Haku do something and all I want to do is show you.

where the hell are you, Sasuke?

Biting his cheek Sasuke pressed the letter to the counter in his kitchen, his hands felt cold. Truth be told his apartment was freezing. He was sure the people above him were wondering why there was nothing but chill coming up from their floors, but he hadn't bothered to turn the heat on yet that year and he figured maybe he would sleep deeper if the room was freezing and he cocooned properly in his bed each night, trying desperately not to think about gin and tonic or tequila and lime.

"Like I have anything figured out." Sasuke muttered darkly, staring at the letter a moment longer before tossing it on the read pile and moving on to another one.

Long ago he had stopped reading them in order, finding it more interesting to find things out in surprising bursts. Like a jack in the box sometimes the letters had bits of life that he had not expected. The last moment of surprise had been Naruto's letter about his anniversary.

In it he had described Hinata's dress, and the way her lips had looked after he'd kissed her, the way they had been bruised and soft from the attack he had leveled on her in his hunger. It wasn't often, but when Naruto delved into the topic of his wife Sasuke found himself unable to finish the letter, tossing it and feeling the jittery energy in his body that signified his desire for a drink.

After a few instances where wrestling with his thirst had nearly defeated him he had found the answer in working out, throwing himself to the floor in push ups or sit ups, listening to the pounding of his heart race, because of his breath, because of his body moving, and for no other reason. Nothing else.

Although he had always kept up with some semblance of a work out despite his drinking, the last few months had taken a toll on even that. Finally finding himself able to move and breathe hard, feel the sweat gliding down the side of his face, it had been satisfying, and distracting. Both good things to have when you're staving off crippling depression.

Slowly Sasuke opened another letter, studying the writing with curiosity.

December 15th.

Sasuke blinked. A year ago, today.

Ignoring the feeling of dislike hovering over his head he peeled back the pages.

Hey Sasuke,

It's a week before Christmas. I always have a hard time writing you during the holidays. Yesterday we had a dinner party with a bunch of friends and Hinata's family. The house was so bright and warm. It was freezing outside. We have had so much snow this year. I'm worried about the flats flooding considering we live here in the summer, but I guess we will just have to pray that doesn't happen.

I hope you're doing okay. This never replying to me thing is getting old, and Hinata got upset with me today in a way I never thought she would over me writing this. We don't scream, so it wasn't ugly like that, but she never put into words how she felt and today she told me it seemed to her that with every letter I was giving you and opportunity to reject me.

I guess I am.

I can't even remember how many of these damn things I've sent you. All I know is they're not being mailed back so, for sure someone is receiving them. I hope at least if it's not you that they aren't ending up in some recycling bags because that would genuinely piss me off. Not that I'll ever know.

Why aren't you replying though? I mean, damn Sasuke, it's been years.

I hope you're okay.

Haku is turning four this February. I cannot believe I just wrote that. Haku is almost four. I can't believe he doesn't know you. It boggles my mind. I can't figure out what to get him for his birthday. Hinata always figures out presents for Christmas. She's good at gifts, always has been, so I don't often do much for birthdays and stuff but this being his fourth birthday I'm freaking out.

I always wanted to get my kid something amazing for milestone birthdays, the big ones you know. Five, ten, fifteen, and that glorious moment when you get to have your first beer without looking for a cop over your shoulder, ya know?

But I have to admit I feel like his fourth birthday snuck up on me and now I'm freaking out about the fifth. He's not even four yet and I'm already panicking.

I've been thinking of getting him a tool kit. A real one none of the plastic kid crap. He's pretty good with the ones I have but they're too heavy so I've been looking around to see if I can find smaller ones so he can take shit apart. He went at the old radio I had when I threw it in the recycling and actually managed to get the backing off before I knew what he was up to.

You'd know exactly what I was talking about. Hinata looked worried about it being dangerous and stuff but kids find dangerous things the most fun, you know? And he could help me figure out stuff around the house. Honestly I think that he would probably be teaching me some things too, he's got his mom's ability in that I'm completely hopeless and materials and tools actually make sense to him.

Fuck, I can't keep writing this. You should be here. You just disappeared and that was a dick move and I hate that Hinata gets so upset about these damn letters but I can't stop writing because if you get this I really need you to call me.

I won't even punch you when I see you. Okay, maybe that's too unlikely a thing for me to promise but beating the shit out of each other would be better than this black hole you've gone to.

Hinata is prepping Christmas dinner today, it's a process to get it done and she always spends inordinate amounts of time on it. I think because she enjoys it. Sometimes I'm astounded that I got both a good cook and a hottie for a wife. Usually they're one or the other. I sometimes want to ask her to make something you'd like, just in case...

Wish you would surprise me one day

-Naruto

Sasuke closed the letter. It had been significantly shorter than most. Sometimes three or four pages would spill out of an envelope, rarely was it only one.

...I hate that Hinata gets so upset about these damn letters...

Rubbing his face Sasuke stood. It was strange, knowing exactly how his friend had felt, being the cause of it now and being the cause of it then. Hinata's tear filled gaze had haunted him on his way home, and now glancing out the window it was still clinging to the edges of his mind, sparkling with the winter sun light through her sadness.

"I gotta get out of here." he murmured. He had already finished the half bottle of rum in his cupboard, slowly over the span of several hours and three drinks later. But his fingers were twitching for more, and as per usual he was attempting to keep his head. It may be Friday but there was one more week of school before the winter break and he couldn't afford to call in sick.

Hinata couldn't handle him calling in sick.

Shit. Shaking the thought from his head he shoved his arms into his coat and headed out the door, astounded that the place he called home was now terrifying, often making him rush into the chaos of the streets to avoid the palenes of the letters that haunted him in the darkness.

Out on the sidewalk he began to walk, picking a direction at random, just so long as it wasn't towards liquor stores he knew about.

He had pissed him off. It was making the already tight muscle of his stomach contract painfully to be in the bad books of someone dead. Usually he wouldn't really give a damn about irritating someone, but the whole last letter had left a bad taste in his mouth. Naruto had been upset. Even with his usual teasing tones in his words there had been a wounded sound he had resonate in his head with each sentence.

He had strained his relationship with his wife, to write him, to keep up the hope that he would one day reply.

Sighing Sasuke looked around at the shops that were blazing with Christmas lights, their spastic flickers making multicolored patterns all over his face.

He hated owing people, hated the feeling that he would be called upon to be something to someone at any moment because of something he had done. Hinata he owed already because of all the times she had taken his classes while he drank himself into a stupor. Naruto...Naruto he owed...

Christmas decorations covered the walls of the booths at the market, and surprised to find himself walking through the chaos of people chatting loudly and vendors selling foods and wares he paused, finally looking at where he was.

Although Christmas was less of a holiday in Japan than it was back home there was certainly the market places to confuse people. Couples wandered hand in hand through the cool evening air, their breath lighting up their faces with fog, cheeks and noses rosy as they buried into their scarfs.

The booths offered trinkets, hand made toys and Christmas tree ornaments and lights. Treats made the cool air smell sweet as they fried and were coated in powdered sugar that puffed up in clouds as he passed.

Hands in his pockets he walked slowly, seeing and not seeing everything around him until something caught his eye. The booth was smack dab between two loudly decorated Christmas ornament vendors, and so it seemed more muted in it's display. An older lady sat behind the table, reading a magazine casually, uninterested in her potential customers.

Sasuke stared up at the wares, his eyes trained on the tiny baby kimono up above on the booth wall.

"What can I help you with?" The woman asked gently, following the trail of his eyes to the miniature suits.

For a moment he paused, staring at the little articles of clothing, trying to picture Haku and Sora in the brief moments he had been in their presence.

"I think, I will take those two..." he hesitated, his eyes lingering on the pale purple kimono to the woman's right. In his mind Hinata's hair played with the lavender fibers, her small hands peeked from the sleeves. Hands tightening he nodded at it, before he could change his mind.

"And that one."

"It's so cold." Hinata whispered, sitting next to Kiba in the teachers lounge with her hands between her knees to get the tips to thaw. "I can't feel my fingers." She paused. "Or my toes."

Kiba smiled at her broadly, watching her tiny curled up shape in her chair, black hair a curtain around her shoulders.

"The heat being off is definitely not helping." He muttered, glancing at the workers down at the end of the room busily trying to figure out what had happened. "At least the classrooms are warm." He added.

Hinata sighed. "But full of children."

A short laugh escaped Kiba, and she blinked then smiled slightly. "I said that out loud." she murmured, and his laughter rose again.

The door to the lounge opened suddenly and a storm cloud walked in, lightening bolts and thunder and all.

"Good morning, Uchiha-san." Kiba sang, Sasuke glared at him for a moment, glancing only briefly at Hinata sitting stiff and cold in the chair to his right.

"Morning."

"Uchiha-san has this allergy..." Kiba began to explain in an exaggerated whisper voice to Hinata, one hand raised to his mouth as though blocking Sasuke from reading his lips. "...to sunlight. So mornings are rough for him. It's the vampire thing."

Brightening with a blush she couldn't control Hinata pressed her lips together firmly to keep from grinning,

"Please." Sasuke muttered darkly, flinging his bag onto his desk with force. "Be quiet."

"I should." Kiba admitted, turning to Hinata. "Or he may feast on my blood."

"Tch." Sasuke grumbled, and more quietly. "I don't eat junk food."

Surprise bloomed on both Kiba and Hinata's faces for a moment. "Well damn." Kiba finally laughed. "Who are you and what did you do with Uchiha-san?"

"Uchiha-san!"

Startled the three turned to look over at Tsunade-san walking quickly towards them. It seemed that the principal of the school rarely had the chance to walk at a normal pace.

"I need to have a word with you, in my office please."

Suddenly less cheery than before Kiba and Sasuke glanced at each other, Hinata watched them blinking rapidly. "Of course, Tsunade-san. I will be right there."

"Good morning." Tsunade called to the others, waving a hand as she walked by and into her office, leaving the door open for Sasuke to follow, closing it abruptly as he walked through.

"Eek." Kiba ventured, glancing at Hinata who blinked at the door with both curiosity and trepidation.

He was subdued in a way she had not seen him be before, and she was surprised to be worried. Watching him out of the corner of her eye she noted that the slight frown had not faded from his face from the moment he stepped out of the principals office. His tone with Kiba and Hinata had not changed but, with Tsunade wandering around the teachers lounge he had not elaborated on his meeting.

Kiba kept glancing at him with eyebrows raised, questioning, only to receive short furtive shakes of his head in reply.

Now in class Hinata pondered, watching the students start to divide to get their projects together before handing them in. Slowly walking up to his desk she twisted her hands together tightly, glad that they were at least less numb than previously.

"Uchiha-san?"

"Hn?" he didn't look up, setting out the bins for the students to place their finished work.

"...a..no...is everything okay?"

Perhaps it was the surprise at her question that made him do it. Leaning on the desk he glanced up, and as he did a student passed behind her, making her lean forward to avoid being pushed, glancing back at him and finding his face inches from hers, dark eyes penetrating. He smelled nice, something masculine and clean and interesting.

Startled by the proximity and intensity of his stare Hinata's face flared with color and she leaned back quickly, taking a step from the desk to make more room between herself and his calm thoughtful gaze.

"...yes." He replied, and then paused, letting his head hang in defeat. "No."

Trying to calm the heat in her face with deep slow breaths Hinata started. "Oh no.."

"Tsunade has had a report from a parent, about my behavior with Haruno-san." His eyes flickered to the pink haired girl at the back of the class who was buried in her books, attempting to avoid making eye contact with anything at the front if at all possible. Hinata glanced back, biting her lip.

"Demo... you have been nothing but firm with her. I've seen it." she replied, surprise lighting her face as she turned back to him. Sasuke smirked at her slightly. "Tsunade-san has her doubts. It's been a long haul for her dealing with this stuff." He shrugged. "I don't blame her, although it is...irritating."

"Perhaps I can speak to her."

Sasuke looked up at her again, feeling distinctly that this day was going to be full of surprises. "Nani?"

"I could speak to her. I have been in the room consistently when the girls have been inappropriate." Hinata replied calmly, puzzled by the confusion on his face.

"I suppose..." he began slowly and then blinked, listening to the sudden sound of a phone ringing. Startled Hinata turned to her purse, staring at it with growing panic. "My...my phone."

Watching her confusedly freeze as she looked at it Sasuke moved around the desk, picking her ringing purse up and extending it to her. "Hyuuga-san, perhaps..." he began, watching some of the kids glance at them curiously.

Pale Hinata reached into the purse he held as though she were putting her arm into the mouth of a lion.

"No one calls me." she whispered softly. "Everyone I know is here. Everyone except..."

Suddenly understanding her panic Sasuke took the phone, answering the call before she could do anything about it.

"Hello?"

"Oh... uh, may I speak to Hyuuga-san? This is director Inamura from Chibi Cheek Preschool. It's kind of an emergency."

Without another word Sasuke handed the phone to her, watching intently as she pressed the cell to her ear. "Hello? Inamura-san?"

The voice on the phone continued, and Sasuke found himself putting a hand on her elbow to steady her as the rest of the blood left on her face drained.

"Hai... yes... I will be there right away. Thank you."

Hanging up she picked up her purse, heading towards the door in rapid steps. Sasuke followed, glancing back at his class for only a second before closing the door behind him. Hinata was nearly running down the hall.

"Hyuuga-san!"

"I have to go!"

"What happened?"

"Sora-chan!"

Startled again Sasuke ran forward after her, down the stairs. "Hinata-wait!"

Missing the fact that he had used her first name Hinata stopped, eyes wide in her face. "She broke her arm- she jumped off the playground- she's at the hospital, I have to get there-" she paused, startled. "Haku-kun! I... I have to go get Haku-kun first, demo- I..." frazzled she stopped, feeling his hand grip her elbow again, more firmly this time.

"I...I'll go get Haku." the words were out of his mouth before he knew what he was saying. Startled Hinata stared at him. "You... you'll.."

"Text me the address."

"D-demo-"

"Go to Sora, I'll bring Haku to you, okay?"

Starting again down the stairs Hinata took it, sometimes it was better not to ask questions. "Hai."

"Make sure you have your phone on you."

"Hai!" and running out the door she was gone.

Sasuke paused, biting his lip before heading to Tsunade's office, walking rapidly through the teachers lounge, picking up Hinata's coat, scarf and work bag as well as his own as he went, knocking hard on the Principals door while he put his coat on.

Tsunade's face peered at him from around the office door, surprise lighting her features. "Uchiha-san... are you going somewhere?"

"Hyuuga-san's daughter broke her arm." He answered, wrapping his scarf around his neck. "I have to go get her son from daycare, and she's just left for the hospital."

"Oh no." Tsunade blinked, startled by the quick efficient way he was gathering his things and Hinata's. "But... you? Is there someone else who could-"

"Not really." he looked up at her. "I'm sorry. I don't know when I will be back."

He turned, heading out the door as quickly as he had come in.

"Demo!" Tsunade gasped, stepping out of her office now in her surprise. "What about-"

"See you tomorrow, Tsunade-san!"

And he was gone too, leaving Tsunade and several of the other teachers staring after him in shock.

"What the...?"

Thinks-to-hard: I actually didn't know about Boruto at the time of starting this, and to be honest I think even if I did I would have made up their kids anyway. Their personalities are I think rather different from Boruto and Himawari, also, I wanted the girl to be the one that had Naruto's spitfire and the boy to have Hinata's thoughtful quietness. Their characters popped up over time as the relationship between Naruto and Hinata in an AU solidified for me.

Also, and getting a little more personal here, my kids are a huge inspiration for those two characters. ;) i guess thats why i prefer them.

Leave me some love ne,

Inky