A/N: Would you look at that there! Another chapter, and uploaded just one day after! I would have put this up yesterday, preferably right after the first one went up, but 1) I'm too sick to be doing much else but exploring the internet rather languidly than rereading masterpieces and b) I was debating whether or not to paint myself into a corner. Well, I painted myself in the corner, just for you guys, to celebrate Labor's Day (means no school today! Whoo! I can continue being sick in peace!) but I'm also gonna have to work on chapters 11, 12, and 13 before I'm ready to update again, so if I'm a little late next time, don't get to angry, alright?

Now, onto the chapter! I know some of you were like, "Oh, Hanabi, TEAR INTO HIM!" and others were like "Hanabi, he's trying!" All very good responses, but for those who guessed correctly, here's your gift: the satisfaction of knowing you can read my mind, essentially. Disclaimer: Naruto isn't mind, but I swear to you, if I could draw as well as Kishimoto, I wouldn't be writing fanfiction.

Chapter 6: Are You Hurting The One You Love

Hanabi hit him, with a strength he hadn't expected from her petite body.

Sasuke cursed loudly as her slap connected with his face, as she had set Seiichi down hard and streaked across the room with a battle cry that startled the boy into tears. Hinata's voice was shrill and she tugged her sister out of the room, away from her husband, a wailing Seiichi settled on her hip. Hitoshi clung to her skirt with a fearful whimper, his dango lying forgotten on the floor as Hinata tried to comfort her son. Their friends had noticed the commotion and Hinata gave half-assed reasons about what had happened as she marched a seething Hanabi upstairs to her designated guest room, Seiichi wailing in her ear as Hitoshi found solace in Neji's arms.

Sasuke stalked out of the den, one hand pressed to his smartening cheek, and was faced with a curious crowd. Kiba let out a whistle as he eyed the bright red the right side of his face had become, and Naruto grimaced for him. "Oh God, Sasuke, what did you say to her?"

He scowled darkly, accepting the towel of ice Sakura had fetched for him. "Hanabi, as usual, can't handle that her sister and I are married. She took it upon herself to exact revenge." The pain that shot through his jaw let him know Hanabi had obviously been working out, because the last time she had slapped him hadn't been as hard as this. The younger woman was definitely pissed, and he could only be thankful that Hinata was as private as he. He didn't know what he would do if the news of his infidelity leaked out.

Ino shot him a knowing look and headed upstairs to confront the sisters. He turned his attention back to Sakura, who landed a soft punch on his shoulder. "See, this is why you shouldn't provoke her! Hanabi is just as volatile as you are!"

Neji stepped up for him shockingly enough, saying easily, "Yes, but you also have to know that Hanabi finds whatever reason she can to attack Sasuke." He eyed his business partner with a slight admonishing look as he ran his fingers through Hitoshi's hair. "However, I think it would be wise if you avoided her for the rest of the night."

Shikamaru scratched his cheek, frowning lightly. "Does this mean the dinner's off?"

They all looked to Sasuke and he gritted his teeth against his headache as he shook his head. "No, don't worry, it'll go on. Hinata's missed you guys too much for Hanabi's temper tantrum to ruin the evening."

Chouji looked relieved as he held up a pan of freshly grilled chicken breasts. "Oh, good. We've got a lot of food left."

A chorus of voice followed him back to the dining room and Sasuke felt himself relax in the sudden solitude of the foyer. He sank down onto the bottom step of the staircase, his eyes closing as he gently pressed the towel of ice to his jaw. He felt as if the bitch had dislocated it, though he supposed she was aiming to take his whole damn head off. As it was, he was shocked to realize that he felt lighter. Even though Hanabi was aware of their arranged marriage, she still treated them as if it had been Hinata's bad decision to marry him. So in a way, Hinata was forced to lie to her sister as well, to keep up this appearance of everything was dandy so Hanabi wouldn't come charging into their house to rip off his balls.

He didn't care though. She could be mad all she wanted; it was a problem between he and Hinata, she had no business in what went on.

"Chichiue," Seiichi hiccuped as he came down the stairs and Sasuke felt himself soften as he picked up his son, tucking his head under his chin. The boy sniffled as he leaned back to look at Sasuke, and a small hand touched the angry red marks of where Hanabi's manicured nails had ripped down the side of his face. Confusion and fear echoed in his smoky eyes and Sasuke heaved a sigh, murmuring soothing words as he rocked Seiichi. Hinata was better at the comforting thing, but he took solace in knowing that even his own son was worried about him.

He turned to see Hinata appear at the top of the stairs with a sigh, the corner of her eyes tight with the sudden stress. "Well, Hanabi-chan is stewing in her room now. I told her to take a break and think about what she's done–"

Sasuke couldn't stop the wry smirk that crossed his face. "You grounded her."

Hinata paused, and the tightening around her eyes loosened as she nodded, amusement glittering in those silver orbs. "Oh... Well, I guess I did. It's more of a time-out, I suppose. She threw a tantrum and now she needs to be punished." She plucked a calm Seiichi from his arms and dropped a kiss on the boy's nose. "I told her I don't appreciate her hitting you, or behaving in such a manner in front of impressionable children. When she tried to get close to Seiichi, he shied away and cried in my shoulder. Ino is up there talking to her right now."

Sasuke tucked an errant hair behind Seiichi's ear as he rested his cheek on Hinata's shoulder. "I managed to get everyone to move on. But they're still going to ask questions." His eyes locked with hers and she nodded, averting her gaze. "Do you have an excuse ready? Or should we just let them do the guessing game."

She heaved a sigh, her brow furrowing. "I don't wish to discuss what happened in front of them if that's at all possible." Biting her lip, she bounced Seiichi on her hip, garnering a small giggle. "I don't believe Hanabi will be staying the night either. She says she'll just stay with chichiue. I think she plans to tell him about what happened."

Sasuke licked his lips, his hand clenching into a fist at his side. "... I talked to Mikoto about this already, but I don't know if she told Hiashi or Fugaku."

"I have already told chichiue." Her voice came out in an almost-whisper and she set Seiichi on the ground when he began to squirm. He raced out to the garden, where most everyone had situated themselves after Shikamaru and Shino had set up the tables and chairs outside. They stared after him, unsure of what to say to each other before she sighed, clasping her hands together before her. "I... Just like you confessing to Mikoto, I just couldn't hold it back anymore. I needed someone to listen to me, and not judge."

Sasuke shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans, nodding. Mikoto had been the same for him, an objective view on a very subjective topic. "...What did he say?"

She reached for her throat, her fingers pressing into the skin hard enough to leave marks. "... He agrees with whatever course of action I decide to take in this situation. He trusts my judgment and will do what he can to ease my burdens." At Sasuke's penetrating gaze, she licked her lips, but didn't look away. "I... I told him I don't want to dissolve the marriage, but I also... It's hard for me to look you in the eye knowing you did what you did, and not feel bitter or angry." She paused, and bit her lip, before saying softly, "... It might take me awhile to come to terms with everything, Sasuke."

"If you're asking for time, don't bother. I already know that you need your space." He frowned, looking to his feet. "I just don't know how much space you need, or if I'm even capable of leaving your side right now."

"Because you're scared I'll run off with Seiichi." When he met her gaze, he wasn't at all shocked to see the frustration in those silver orbs. "Sasuke, I've already told I don't plan to leave with him in the middle of the night. If anything, I'm the one who should be wary."

"And you have every right to be, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to worry," he retorted and she shook her head, looking away. He bit back his growl of irrational frustration. He just couldn't find the right words to say in her presence. Hinata's shoulders hunched as she toyed with the collar of her blouse and he finally said, "I'll move out if you want me to, but I'd prefer not to."

Hinata eyed him quietly for a moment, before she turned away. "I don't know what to do anymore Sasuke. But I suppose if I find it to be too much, then I will ask you to leave."

"Mikoto is always willing to take me back." He turned on his heel and headed towards the garden. Stepping outside, he felt the lull in the gaiety as everyone turned their attention to him. At their curious gazes, he rolled his eyes. "Your gossip-mongers, leave me alone."

Sakura frowned as Naruto handed him a full beer. "We were just worried, Sasuke-kun. I mean, obviously you and Hanabi got in one of your fights."

"She was just acting like the brat she is," he replied easily, ignoring the slight sting in his mouth. He had bit his tongue when she slapped him. "If that's the way she behaves after a eight-hour flight, I say next time, we go and visit her."

Kiba snorted, grinning as he shuffled a deck of cards. "Two-thousand yen says she caught you and Hinata going at it in the den." Everyone laughed at Sasuke's glare. "Yeah, we noticed you two lovebirds had sneaked off for a little canoodling. Had poor Seiichi-kun crying too."

Sasuke dropped into the plastic chair as a few others gathered for a game of poker. "Jealousy doesn't suit you, Kiba. Let's play this damn game already so I can take your money and shut your stupid ass up."

"You're on, jackass. I'll show you how real men play poker." Kiba dropped the shuffled deck into Shikamaru's hands with a growl as he glared Sasuke down. "Place your bet on the table, and don't be a bitch about it."

Sasuke gathered his chips and tossed a hefty amount in the middle, smirking his friends grumbled. "See if you can match that." He gathered his cards, pleased with his hand, and glanced around at his opponents. Just by looking at Naruto and Chouji, he knew he easily had them beat, but Shikamaru and Neji always left him wondering. Kiba, on the other hand, had been getting the drop on him lately.

Naruto gave a grunt of disgust, rolling his blue eyes. "Damn, I fold."

"Already, huh." Sasuke shot Naruto a look as he arched an eyebrow, garnering a growl for frustration from the blond. He turned his gaze to Chouji, daring him. "Well, I suppose idiots will be idiots. If you can't beat them, join them, hm."

Chouji folded as Shikamaru snorted, calling his bet. "You must think you're so slick, Sasuke."

"No." He kept his voice even as he looked to Neji on his right, who shifted through his cards expressionlessly. "However, I am going to win."

Kiba bared his teeth. "You sound pretty confident over there. I doubt you're holding anything better than a pair of face cards."

"Sure." Sasuke's smirked confidently and Kiba's eyes narrowed in agitation. "I'd still beat you if I did, so why bother?"

"Call!" he snapped out and Neji barely suppressed his smile, but couldn't hide the humor in his eyes. Sasuke shot him a look and he turned away, holding his hand steady. After a few more rounds of betting, Kiba slapped his cards on the table with a triumphant grin. "Four of a Kind, jackass."

Sasuke grunted and laid out his own, smirking when he realized his kicker was higher than Kiba's. Shikamaru and Neji folded and Sasuke collected the pot, smirking in Kiba's glare. "I told you I would win. Why don't you ever take a hint?"

"Kiba doesn't do subtly, Sasuke," Shino stated as he moved past, a plate of breaded fish in hand. "You have to be as direct as a brick to a face. And even then, he'll have a hard time understanding."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, jerkwad!" Kiba shouted after him, scowling. "I don't know how you keep friends with that mouth of yours!" He sat back with a sigh, glaring at Sasuke. "So, what did you and Hanabi argue about this time?"

"I don't have to tell you," he replied, taking a swig of beer as Kiba frowned. "I won this round – until you beat me, I don't have to tell you anything."

"Hmph, whatever. I'll just ask Hinata-chan." He reached out and snagged the woman by her hand. Hinata smiled warmly, absentmindedly wrapping an arm around his shoulder in a friendly hug before she walked off again, catching up to Seiichi before he could dig his hands into the mud surrounding the koi pond.

Sasuke stared after them, propping his chin in his hand. Around them, their friends laughed and chatted happily in a makeshift get-together, filled with good food and alcohol. Hinata had worked to make their house as cozy as possible, and everyone who came in the door was immediately enveloped in that warmth. She held the same aura, calm and soothing, a beacon of light and cheer in anyone's day. He didn't understand how she kept up such an appearance, how she was always there with a helping hand and a handkerchief. There were times when he had to sit back and admire the woman – she handled everything with a graceful ease that came naturally.

She turned, noticing someone was watching her, and he watched the flush that crawled across her face when she realized who her admirer was. Her hands snagged Seiichi's before they could get to her clothes and she hauled him up, placing butterfly kisses across his face, beaming as his shrill laughter rang through the backyard. When she let him go, Seiichi hit the ground running and she kept pace with him easily, making sure he stayed out of the flowerbeds and koi pond. Sasuke knew that by the time everyone had left, which wouldn't be for a few more hours – at the earliest nine at night – Seiichi would be out cold.

Ino joined them once more, a cranky Hanabi on her heels. The younger woman waved away everyone's questions, shooting Sasuke an enraged look as she flounced over to Hinata. Seiichi was still wary of her, but Sasuke saw his son couldn't stay mad at his favorite aunt for very long. Hanabi's good cheer may have been forced, but no one else had to the courage to ask why she was acting the way she was.

Ino seated herself beside him, brushing her bangs out of her eyes as she spoke in a soft voice. "Well, Hinata told Hanabi what had happened while she was away and we discussed some things. She's still mad at you – I don't think she'll let it go until after she's been reassured that it won't happen again – but she's agreed to be civil towards you. Honestly, I think that's the best you can expect out of her until she's ready to cool down."

Sasuke nodded and she stood with an easy smile. "Just so you know, Sasuke, this process is going to be long and hard. A lot of things you and Hinata have been holding onto are going to come out – so be prepared to bare your soul. Hinata won't accept anything less." She turned on her heel, headed over to Sakura and Tenten, who were chatting softly. He ignored Neji's curious expression, instead looking to Hitoshi who came to sit with them. The preschooler had inherited his father's good looks and Tenten's easy-going temperament, often walking around with a tranquil look on his face. He default state of mind seemed to be one of serene happiness, an opposite to Seiichi's usual grin and peals of delighted laughter.

Hitoshi noticed Sasuke and offered over his onigiri, compensation for losing his dango. "Ojisan, do you want this?"

Sasuke shook his head and Hitoshi turned to Neji, who refused as well. He shrugged, unfazed by their refusal and munched happily, content to watch as others drifted between Chouji who went back to manning the grill, and Sakura and Ino, holding court on the deck. Hinata and Hanabi entertained Seiichi, who was beyond happy to have so much attention lavished on him at one time. And in the middle of it all, Sasuke finally felt himself relax. For the last week and a half, he had done nothing but worry and sweat over what Hinata would tell him – if she would tell him to get lost, or if she would accept his proposal.

He lifted the mouth of the bottle to his lips and took another hearty swig, letting the alcohol ease his burdened mind. Hanabi could get pissy all she wanted, but this was Hinata and his problem. They were the ones who were going through this, they were the ones who needed help. Hanabi could take her opinion elsewhere, because he didn't give a damn about it. He only cared for what Hinata thought at the moment.

As if hearing his thoughts, the two sisters looked to him. Hinata give a thin smile, offset by Hanabi's furious glance. She immediately returned her attention back to the toddler, her grin strained, but Hinata held his gaze for a few seconds, and he held his breath at the electricity that shot through him. She must have felt it too, because she jerked suddenly, her face flushing as she turned away from him, reaching for their son.

"I can't stay here," Hanabi announced to Hinata as the last of their friends left. She tossed her head, her dark locks rippling down her back. She shot a look of heavy disgust in Sasuke's direction as he climbed the stairs with a sleepy Seiichi. "I can't sleep in the same house knowing such a creep is here with me!" She lowered her voice as smoky eyes glared down at her before they turned around a corner. "You kicked his slimy ass out of the bedroom right?" At Hinata's nod, she narrowed her eyes. "Why the hell didn't you kick him out of the house?"

Why didn't she kick him out of the house? Hinata found herself hard pressed to answer the question, hemming and hawing as her sister folded her arms, tapping a foot impatiently. She honestly had no idea why she didn't shove Sasuke back out the door the minute he had walked inside. She had certainly been angry enough, and most certainly justified. For the first few days, she could barely look him in the eye, or speak without feeling the bitterness well up inside her body. Even after her chat with Hiashi, she found herself alone at night, feeling Sasuke's presence all around her, because not even his scent had left their bed sheets.

She licked her lips, finally saying. "This is just as much his home as it is mine." Her chest clenched at the words, because they were true. This land was in their name, this house was built for them, and she had planned on keeping it that way until she couldn't handle the strain anymore. It was true – this was his home, just as much as it was hers. If they ever got a divorce, she realized she would have to sell this house – the memories of what went on behind these walls were just too great, something she had realized once Sasuke had left her bed.

Hanabi grunted in anger. "Well, he's lucky I didn't beat his ass into a bloody pulp. I can't believe the nerve of that man – he cheated on you, onee-chan! Why aren't you angry!"

"I am angry," she replied sharply and folded her hands behind her back at Hanabi's shocked expression. The bitterness inside of her bled into her silver eyes as she sighed in frustration. "Oh, I'm so angry Hanabi-chan. When I first learned of it, I was furious. So many things ran through my mind at the moment, and it was all I could do to just breathe. But these days, I'm just bitter. I hate what he's done – I detest it."

Hanabi curled her lip back in a sneer. "I notice you said you don't hate him, just what he's done, when you have every right to be as hateful to him as you want."

"But it's true, Hanabi – I don't hate him. I could never hate Sasuke." She sighed softly, letting her arms fall back to her side. "He's... not a bad person. Just... the decision he made this time wasn't for the best. He knows now that I won't tolerate anything like that every again, but he does deserve a second chance."

"No he doesn't!" Hanabi snapped, her voice rising. "He's a no-good dirty dog, Hinata! He used you to get what he wanted – don't think I don't know what he's trying to do with the company – and now he thinks he can get away with throwing you off to the side? You should leave Hinata – you should leave and not look back. Take Seiichi-kun and go, or even – pack up all his crap and ship it back to Mikoto-san's house. He doesn't deserve you."

Hinata stood stock-still under her sister's rant, stiff with her anger. "I understand you are upset, Hanabi, but you also don't have the right to tell me what to do in my marriage. This is a problem Sasuke and I have to solve on our own. I must thank you for being worried about me – you're my precious family and I know that you hurt as I do – but please, don't push your opinions on me." At Hanabi's infuriated grumbling, she sighed, wrapping her sister in a close hug. "Oh, Hanabi-chan, please try to understand where I'm coming from. Sasuke and I have discussed this already – we want to try and save our marriage."

Hanabi pulled her close, saying softly, "If I were you, I wouldn't have let him in the house. Just thrown his bags out the window and handed him the papers to sign."

"I know you would have Hanabi," she murmured, taking solace in their embrace, Hanabi's head resting on her shoulder. "But that's what you would have done. I wouldn't have faulted you about your decisions either – so please don't tell me what I was in the wrong about mine. I am an adult now – and so are you. You should act like one."

Hanabi pouted as she leaned back to look Hinata in the eye. "Are you telling me to apologize to Sasuke for slapping him?"

"I would appreciate it if you would, yes." Hinata felt the loss of warmth as Hanabi pulled away with an agitated huff. "He's still my husband, Hanabi-chan, and no matter what you think about him, I still care for his well-being. You shouldn't raise your hand to hit anybody for the sole reason that you are angry. Sasuke didn't deserve the abuse you gave him."

Hanabi sputtered angrily. "What? Abuse? If anything, he should be apologizing – to you! He's ruined your life, Hinata, and you're telling me to go apologize to him? What crap! I'm not going to bow my head to that bastard – not when I know that he's hurt you much more than my slap hurt him. He deserves an ass whipping, not an apology!"

Hinata's voice was stern as she faced her sister head on. "You will apologize to him, Hanabi-chan. You may not like him, but you will respect him – and he didn't deserved to be slapped. If you can't apologize, I ask that you not come back until you do."

Silver eyes widened in shock and for a long moment, Hinata could see her sister debate her options. Finally, Hanabi gave in, folding her arms as she looked away, frowning deeply in irritation. "Alright, fine. I will... apologize to Sasuke."

"If you do it now, you won't have to worry about it later," Hinata said smoothly, smiling at Hanabi's growl of frustration.

She followed her sister up the stairs, and down the hall to Seiichi's room, where Sasuke was stuffing the toddler into pajamas, nodding as the boy mumbled between loud, wide yawns. He glanced up to see Hanabi standing in the doorway and his eyes darkened with his question as she placed her hands on her slim hips, tapping a foot impatiently.

Taking a deep breath, she said simply, "I'm sorry Sasuke, for slapping you."

He paused, looking to Hinata, before he nodded slowly. "I accept your apology. Try to refrain from hitting me from now on please. It hurts."

"Good," she snapped, before dropping a kiss on Seiichi's head and wishing the boy goodnight. Hinata folded her downstairs and helped load her luggage into the trunk of the taxi that would take Hanabi to their childhood home, where she would spend the night with Hiashi. In the cool evening darkness, she gave her sister one last hug and waved as the yellow car drove off into the night, Hanabi's head visible in the back windshield.

Sasuke was waiting for her in the foyer when she finally stepped inside and locked the door with a sigh. "This is has been an exciting day."

She paused, then nodded with a soft smile. "It's been exhausting. When she slapped you, I thought for a moment we were in a soap opera."

"Sure as hell felt like a damned soap opera," he grumbled. He folded his arms as a sudden silence descended on them, awkward and unknowing in each others presence. She had been active in avoiding him this past week and half, running from work to daycare to home with Seiichi always between them. She could find no time to discuss their situation – yet her mind had been constantly filled with him, how he was doing, what he was planning, what she was to him. There were so many questions she had, and answers to questions she didn't know. Sasuke was an enigma, she realized. He did what he wanted, when he wanted, without giving a reason, unapologetic for the things he did – and yet he could stand here and tell her without batting an eyelash that he was scared of losing her. She just didn't know what to think of him anymore.

Her eyes fell to the four-pane sidelight window lining the door. The sun had set, as it was nearly ten at night, leaving in its wake a velvety dark sky. Their driveway was cold and empty, Sasuke's black four-seater coupe and her silver sedan glinting in the moonlight. Sasuke's sigh drew her from her thoughts and she turned to see him walk down the hall to the study, no doubt to catch up on work he had missed. Lately, he had been coming home earlier, and on more than one occasion, picked Seiichi up from daycare, freeing her to spend more time at the office and advancing her own career – a career she hadn't been putting much effort into.

"You should get some sleep," he said suddenly, giving a halfhearted wave over his shoulder. "We've got our first therapy session tomorrow."

Her eyes followed his lean figure as he walked, one hand placed in the pocket of his jeans, the other hanging idly at his side, seemingly relaxed despite the thick tension of the room. Sasuke managed to keep a cool, collected air, while she struggled not to let the bitterness color her life. She heard the sliding of the door as he spoke and knew that he would disappear inside without another word for the rest of the night if she didn't say something now.

"Oyasumi nasai," he muttered and the door closed behind him. She folded her arms across her abdomen, finding that she had nothing left to say. The day was over, and it seemed, so was their temporary truce. Come tomorrow, she would bare her soul to him, in an attempt to right their circumstances.

Turning on her heel, she trudged back up the stairs, and poked her head into Seiichi's bedroom. A small Red Ranger nightlight glowed beside his bed, and in his sleep, he had turned his face away from it. Even after Sasuke had tucked him in, the sheets were twisted around his tiny frame, a look of peace upon his small face. She stepped into the room and came to stand beside his bed, careful not to wake him. His chest rose and fell with each breath, and she seated herself in the rocking chair, her silver eyes studying this child she had given birth to. Twenty-one hours of labor and pain had resulted in this beautiful boy who was so sweet and so innocent, compared to the man he resembled. She had helped place furniture in the house during the early labor stage and once she had finally told Sasuke that she was ready for the hospital, her contractions were almost fifteen minutes apart. Mikoto had laughed and chattered the entire way to the hospital, holding her hand and helping her with breathing, while Sasuke drove like a madman, his eyes snapping with anger as he cursed and swore at any car that dared to cross his path. That was probably the most flustered she had ever seen him become – Sasuke was generally very in control of his emotions, but the arrival of his son seemed to knock down his carefully built barriers.

That would explain why he had been adamant that she not take Seiichi away. He loved the toddler dearly, the way his father couldn't with him. He in no way wished to harm the boy, to scare him or cause him to pull away. If Seiichi grew up knowing that his father had betrayed her, she didn't think Sasuke could have the close father-son relationship he dearly desired for.

A long, tired sigh left her lips and she let her head fall back, her eyes fluttering closed. Seiichi was the bond holding them together – she didn't want to leave, because without his father, Seiichi couldn't grow up to be the healthy, wonderful boy she wanted him to be, yearning for a father who wasn't so strict and mother who was still alive to give her hugs like she had as a child. She couldn't even take solace in the fact that Sasuke wished to rebuild their marriage, because it was all false. Sitting here, in the dark, she berated herself for being so foolish as to let him talk her into this situation. With him constantly around, she couldn't not think of him and ultimately, this marriage of theirs. It was of convenience, she knew. If they had their way when they were younger, they wouldn't be here...

But there would also be no Seiichi, and she couldn't bear the thought of that.

She bit her lip and pushed out of the rocking chair. Dropping a kiss on Seiichi's forehead, she rearranged the sheets so they weren't twisted around him, and quietly headed towards the master bedroom, her slippers whispering across the wood floors. Tomorrow, she would tell Ino everything she had been holding back in these past three years, the arranged marriage, Fugaku and Hiashi's plans for the company because of their marriage, the days and weeks and months she spent wondering if she really could be happy with their circumstances, and how the infidelity had changed everything she come to know.

Sluggishly, she changed into a simple camisole and pajama pants set. Almost as soon as her head rested on the pillow, she was asleep, and dreamed of porcelain dolls with smoky eyes, smelling of summer rain and thunderstorms, confident and certain that despite all that had happened, everything could be fixed.

A/N: Yes to ending with cliches! So, as I've said before I'm sicker than a dog. My mother was convinced I had strep throat (because apparently, my dad and brother had it) but I think I just caught a regular old cold, you know, after being stuck in school all day and spending the first hour of it in gym shorts and sweaty t-shirts. But that's just my opinion. Also, last chapter - because of my illness. Gosh it sucks being sick :c - I missed replying to my guest reviewers! Shame on me!

So, here's to my guest reviewers:

rei: You're an absolute doll, reviewing every single chapter! And such lengthy reviews too! Anyhoo, yes the last chapter was to cool down on the drama. I realized I've been throwing a lot in everyone's face, so I decided to give y'all a break. As for Sasuke and Itachi's issues, yeah, that'll definitely crop up, especially since they're going to be talking about their feelings, and Itachi provokes a whole slew of those in Sasuke. Thank you so much for reading honey!

Saihei: Sorry I didn't get to you last chapter. Sasuke is a great father. Seiichi adores him, and Hinata can see that Sasuke wants to be everything Fugaku wasn't for him. Thank you for reading!

ProBono: From here on out, things get a lot more intense. Or at least, the emotions do. Therapy tends to bring them to the surface. Thank you for reading!

Okay, that's it for reviews. I'll have to catch you guys in the next chapter because my cough drop just got used up, and I'm running on very low fuel right now. I can't thank you enough for reading. Please review, I want to hear what you have to say! Also, still looking for a beta reader. It would be much appreciated if someone with the qualifications could just pop up and say they'd do it for me :) Keeping on dreaming, my darling duckies! ~ A Dreamer Always