Lavender Roses

Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. I apologize for the long lag between updates, but life got in the way. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this very random chapter.

Update Schedule: I can't promise how quickly or slowly certain fics will be updated for the foreseeable future, but I have no intentions of abandoning this story. If you would like more information, feel free to out the New Update Section on my profile.

Request Response: Bad bunny fan, a guest reviewer, requested an Ino x Kiba story. While I don't believe I could write a full story about them, I'll incorporate them as a side pairing in this story.

Chapter 7

As far as arranged marriages went, Sasuke Uchiha knew that he was lucky. His future wife was a powerful ninja in her own right, intelligent, kind, and beautiful. There was just one problem.

"Hinata, are you sure that this is a good idea? I mean the guy is already sulking about hanging out with us." Kiba's concern reaches Sasuke's ears from across the room as the canine lover twirls Ino around without a care in the world.

The problem was said future wife wanted him to socialize more. With the other Rookies. It was unintentional cruelty on Hinata's part really.

"Kiba, be nice. He came back to the Leaf and Hinata seems pretty happy about it." Ino's tone was mostly teasing, but Sasuke could detect the worry buried underneath layers of forced cheerfulness.

Ino was worried. She probably thought it was a bad match and could Sasuke really blame her? It hadn't been that long ago that he was a Criminal Ninja. One with a lot of blood on his hands who had left a trail of tears behind him in his quest for revenge.

"Yeah. I guess so. If he upsets her though, I'll kick his ass." Kiba nod his head so vigorously, Sasuke was half amazed it didn't fall off.

It was a struggle, but somehow he manages not to roll his eyes at the 'threat.' Well, at least he thought he did anyway until a beautiful blunette proves him wrong.

"Sasuke, do you want me to talk to Kiba?" Hinata smiles, offering him one of the drinks she was carrying. "Kiba's just worried about me and n-none of us was really expecting any of this to h-happen. It will take them some time to get used to it."

"I know that and I appreciate the offer, but I can handle it, Hinata." He places a chaste kiss to her forehead. "I can't blame him for being worried over his teammate. Besides, he's far more bark than bite in this case."

Some might call him arrogant and perhaps that was true, but Sasuke couldn't envision any scenario where Kiba would pose a significant threat to him. It was better to settle it man-to-man anyway. Hinata obviously cared about him. Picking a fight with her teammates was hardly the wisest course of action when it came to establishing a happy marriage.

"Hey, have you guys tried the ramen? It's awesome!" Naruto beams as he skids out carrying several bowls of the noodles.

Sasuke snorts. Some things would never change. "Only you would go to a bar and order ramen."

Sasuke hadn't know the place even served the stuff. Leave it to Naruto discover that 'hidden gem.'

"Don't be such a bastard. You're just jealous that I found out first." Naruto grins at Sasuke, waving his chopsticks around like a maniac.

Hinata giggles and it was all Sasuke could do not to smack his forehead in his frustration.

Why, why did his future wife have to be hell-bent on him being nice to the other rookies? Wasn't the fact that he was back and being civil enough?

"It's hard to believe you guys saved the world." Ino laughs. "I mean you still bicker like Academy kids. You're going to have your hands full with him, Hinata."

"Don't know about the Ramen, but the chips are amazing." Choji grins, shoving a few in his mouth.

"I'm not the one that bickers like a child. Naruto starts it." Sasuke shrugs, only to find that Hinata was now giggling in a borderline hysterical fashion. "What?"

"It's nothing." Hinata laughs as she sets their drinks down, taking his hand in hers. "Dance with me? I like this song."

Gods and Goddesses help him, the woman was laughing at him and Sasuke couldn't really find it in him to be annoyed. Cute wasn't a word that he used much, well ever, but she looked like a cute bunny in that moment. For some reason that he couldn't entirely understand, he could practically picture her wiggling her nose in contentment.

Ah that was it. No more sake. The bunny nose thing had to be the product of drinking too much.

"Alright. We can dance." Sasuke shakes his head, wrapping his arms around her waste. "You should be glad that it's me and not any of them. Your feet will get stepped on less. Naruto has two left feet, Kiba is a horrible dancer, Shino probably doesn't dance, Choji is distracted by his chips, and Shikamaru is too lazy."

"What a drag? Why did you have to bring me into this, Uchiha?" Shikamaru yawns far too widely for it to be considered normal. "It's not a competition and besides, Temari would kill me if I danced with anyone else."

Yeah. That was one match that Sasuke was having a hard time wrapping his mind around. True Shikamaru and Temari were both geniuses, but they were complete opposites. Then again, the same could be said of himself and Hinata. Perhaps there was merit to the old saying after all.

Opposites really did attract.


The sun was just beginning to peak over the horizon as Hinata Hyuga realizes they had all stayed out far too late. Her family was going to panic and she must have grabbed Hanabi's sandals by accident.

These ones were far too small and her feet hurt. Dancing all night shouldn't have caused her this much agony.

"I'll carry you." Sasuke glances at her.

The others were either already gone or were well on their way towards heading off. Kiba and Ino were walking off, hand in hand, with Akamaru strutting alongside them. The ninja dog's tail was wagging a mile a minute. Probably because he had been given an insane amount of table scraps last night.

"What?" Hinata blinks.

"You're practically limping. I'll carry you back to the Hyuga Estate. I'd Flicker you, but if they sensed chakra coming towards them that fast…they'd likely think they were under attack." Sasuke shrugs as if his proposal wouldn't raise every eyebrow in her family home.

It probably wouldn't have drawn more than amusement in most families, but hers was more private in their affections. Maybe his family was just more open about such things.

"Do you think that's a good idea? Some of them aren't too happy about our match and there was already a fight at the announcement?" Hinata bites her lower lip.

"I don't really care. You're hurt and the more they see us around each other, the faster they'll get used to it." Sasuke grabs her as if she weighed little more than a pile of feathers did and kisses her. "You're kind, Hinata. You indulge their tantrums too much really, but I won't. I won't hurt them, but I'm not going to pretend that we aren't together to humor them."

Hinata finds herself smiling as she returns the kiss. It hardly registers in her mind that they were actually moving forward as she loses herself in the kiss.

That was until she heard a quiet meow and purr. Both of which were surprising enough, that Hinata breaks the kiss and looks down at the feline in question only to realize they were standing only a few feet away from her home.

"Awe. I think he likes you." Hinata smiles. "It's rare to see such a friendly stray."

Sasuke wasn't smiling as he scooped up the cat by the scruff of the neck. "I'd like to say the same, but this isn't a stray. The fur is too pristine and generally don't cuddle with strangers. He's also a Ninja Cat." His eyes narrow as he hurls several kunai behind a tree.

"DAMN DEMON!" Someone yelps as the sound of metal striking the bark is heard.

"Says the man that tried to poison your Heiress's intended by sending a Ninja Cat to do his dirty work." Sasuke seethes.

Hinata jumps down from Sasuke's arms as she stares at her fellow Hyuga in horror. He wasn't denying any of it.

She had known there were protests against their engagement. Some members of their Clan had been exceptionally vocal about their opposition, but this was unforgivable. To go so far as an assassination attempt?

"Sasuke, don't kill him." Hinata feels her Byakugan activate. She didn't remember even consciously willing her bloodline trait to manifest, but there was raw fury intermingling with her shock. Directing her actions before her mind had a chance to catch up. "Father will need to be notified of this as will your brother. We need answers."

Answers that would be difficult to obtain if he was dead.

"I knew you'd see reason, Lady Hinata. It's not too late to end this blasphemy." A Main House member looks at her with pleading eyes.

"I suggest you answer all their questions. I don't want to hurt you, but you clearly don't reciprocate the feeling." Never before had Hinata wanted to cry and strike someone so desperately at the same time.

He looks at her in disbelief. "My Lady, I was merely trying to protect you from this demon."

"You're not helping our case." The Ninja Cat looks up at Sasuke. "Please release me. I was only following orders. He offered me catnip. It was nothing personal."

Hinata couldn't believe her ears. Not only had a family member tried to assassinate Sasuke, they had bribed a Ninja Cat with catnip to do it.

"I hope you understand it's nothing personal, we just want answers. I take no offense. You're a Ninja Cat. If you give us the answers we seek, you'll remain unharmed. Who was this one working for?" Sasuke arches an eyebrow. "I know he wasn't smart enough to act on his own."