It should not have bothered Sasuke as it did, being ousted from the Hyuuga Main House like an unwanted visitor by an apparition. The bitterness in his mind scalded however, even as he arrived at his front door. Throwing the offending barrier closed behind him hard enough to shake the walls it echoed through the silence of the quiet house.
The darkness of his home yawned wide at him in reply, cast in moonlight and shadows and loneliness. He stared, stunned out of his tantrum by the sudden realization that there was no one to watch him fume.
The dining room was a mess of discarded cookie crumbs and the leftover plates Sasu and Hina had left behind. One of the chairs boasted Hinata's apron as a cloak on it's wooden shoulders and the remnants of cooking, living and laughing lingered in the oxygen molecules sleepily shifting through the dark.
He felt the pop of his frustration as he examined his home. Like an overinflated balloon the anger ebbed away leaving to his utter displeasure a wound as thin and grating as a papercut upon his mind. Neji's abrupt dismissal of him had hardly been out of character but for some reason Sasuke's own reaction surely seemed to be at odds with his own personality.
Plans had been forming within him as he stormed home. Plans of finding Naruto and telling him the truth, of ripping apart a training site for the sake of the frustration blooming in his chest.
Absently he removed his cloak and began the silent cold walk up the stairs to his bedroom, not bothering to turn the lights on, or undress as he slumped into bed.
Eyes closed, he missed the moment when the shadows in the dark shifted and solidified into three separate shapes.
"I told you." Susa's smug tone made the bright golden eyes of his sister flash to him in the shadows. "Something is changing."
"Perhaps you were correct." Her whisper had all the elegance of a good sport but beneath it's calm tones fire crackled. Turning to the third shadow she sighed, "Do you still wish to participate, then?"
Silently their companion gazed upon the dozing young man curled on the bed, dark eyes pensive despite there being nothing to think about. This was not a choice, after all. It was on par with wanting to breathe.
"Yes, of course." Itachi whispered, stepping forward out of the darkness and towards his brother. "Please."
There had been no sleeping for her restless mind. Not after the words the hardly visible shape of her cousin had whispered to her while her fingers ran anxious through the locks of the children sleeping on her futon.
No, sleep was for the good, and faithful. Sleep was for the selfless.
"I need your help, Hinata." Neji's whisper had lingered, like the touch of fog on her forehead and cheeks. "I cannot stay here, I... I've already rent myself in two just envying the life you lead, the movement of your heart within you and the shame it...I cannot bear it."
Hinata had stared appalled that she had not thought of this possibility, that she had been so very self absorbed as to not consider that her darling cousin, her beautiful guardian would struggle watching as life moved on without him while he lingered with the dead.
It made no sense, when he spoke of tearing himself apart, of having the Lady Goddess Ama stitch him back together but at the same time a primal terror had shivered up her spine as he spoke. Yes, her soul recognized this horror. Within her the spirit that made her eyes shine and her heartbeat winced against the mention of being torn to bits, of exploding into a million scattered particles like stardust through the universe, never whole, never resting.
As his words had faded Hinata had choked out an apology that he refused to acknowledge despite her desperation and when she begged him to watch the sleeping children he asked no questions.
Frantic, she had hoisted herself, kimono and all out the window. Climbing up the side of the house in a desperate search for the soothing calm of the night sky, for the stars that shone above, for the coolness of the evening spring breeze to ease her hot cheeks, her burning eyes.
It was there that Sasuke found her as the sun began to peek over the mountainous green of the horizon, tainting the navy pink and purple as it stretched. Perched at the edge of the roof tiles, knees drawn to her chin and arms wrapped tightly she might as well have been carved out of marble but for the flutter of her dark hair shifting over her shoulders.
At first his gaze sharpened on the glitter of her face and thought the dew had collected on her alarmingly still limbs as he landed at the bottom of the roof. Only as he approached, following the encroaching tide of butter yellow dawn light did he realize those were tears he was seeing, shining by the coming brightness of a new spring day.
Around them the world sang with bird song, with sighing spring breezes heavy with the promise of summer, scented with lemon grass and cherry blossoms soon to bloom bright through the Hyuuga property.
Still, he stopped before her with hands pressed into the darkness of his pockets, lips pursed tightly together so that when she finally raised her small face to peer at him something other than his irritated expression looked back at her.
"G...good morning." Her croak of a voice made her wince and bury face once more into her arms.
"Is it?" Slowly he crouched before her, surprised to find that between the silence of his home, the restful uninterrupted sleep and waking to the brightness of a day filled with the promise of her presence and that of the children his antagonism had faded to a quiet murmur.
Even more so at the sight of her tears it bled away from him with the chill of night in the brightness of dawn light. "What has happened?"
Clearing her throat softly Hinata looked up again, allowing herself the luxury holding the dark Uchiha eyes so feared and valued throughout their world. She understood Hina's fear of them, for if she was honest to see them in the dark unexpectedly shining blood red and fearsome she would have had hesitations despite her abilities as a shinobi.
Still, looking at him now she mused that they were soft. Pools of dark patient understanding and shakily she rubbed at one eye with the heel of her palm, smearing crusted particles of salt across her already splotchy face.
"Neji asked you to leave... because he had something he needed to share with me."
For a moment Sasuke froze, body tense as he pictured again the way that Neji's face had closed when he had inquired of the desperation on his face earlier in the week at the sight of his cousin. It had been a feral sort of question, aimed with intention to maim and to his growing horror he listened as she whispered of Neji's dilemma. The source of his spirit's pain was not disclosed, perhaps she did not know it or chose not to voice it but the seriousness of the situation did not escape him.
The longer they took to settle this odious bet between the gods, the more her cousin suffered and if there was one thing Hinata Hyuuga could not abide was causing someone unnecessary pain.
"Please... don't be angry with him. Last night he... I believe he was upset and so his rudeness, although it is inexcusable, it- I'm... I'm glad you're back." She sniffed softly, rubbing at her cheek with her shoulder before attempting to straighten her dark bangs with shaky fingers. "I can't do this alone, Sasuke."
Pale Hyuuga eyes lifted and peered at him through lashes wet with sadness and frustration that he understood. Face carefully smooth Sasuke gazed back, taking mental note of the pink sheen on her lips and the downward turn of that plump mouth.
"I am here." He mustered, turning away decidedly, clenching his fists within his pockets.
Dimly aware of her eyes filling once more with tears he listened as she breathed in shakily and pressed her forehead to her knee before her hand, cold from spending the night in her mourning vigil gripped his arm gently.
"Thank you."
With dark eyes magnetized to her fingers on his sleeve he breathed in, surprised to find himself at a loss for words and at the same time the sheer need to say something tangled up his tongue within his mouth.
Before he could figure himself out however a plume of fog unnatural in it's density and growing solidity despite the shining rays of dawn sun appeared beside them, half pierced through with the warmth of light.
"Hinata." Neji began, and froze as much as a half formed ghostly shape could freeze. His translucent gaze slid from her hand to Sasuke and back causing Hinata to snatch back her palm as though she had touched fire.
"Neji-nii." She began softly, smoothing her kimono as she moved to stand stiffly. "What is the matter?"
"The children wander in the direction of the kitchen." He began uncertainly, already drifting into nothingness once more. "I suggest one of you make an attempt to stop them from being found out. If I recall..." He sighed, the rest coming out tired. "... the servants rise with the sun at the Hyuuga Compound." And without another word of goodbye he disappeared.
"Oh no." Hinata turned, rubbing at her legs absently to try to get feeling back into the numb limbs. "I told them to stay in my room."
"Yes well, I do recall saying they were a pain." Sasuke muttered, following as she started a rapid climb back down to her bedroom window. "You always seemed opposed to the fact."
"Opposed?" Hinata managed a little shakily, surprised to be both amused by his tone and also bickering at once. "You carried Sasu upside down from the city center-"
"He was fine."
"He looked green."
Kicking the window frame open absently she slid into the room, move smoothly towards the door at the sight of the empty futon rumpled and abandoned along with the ajar door leading to the corridor.
Black as her shadow and distinctly less passive Sasuke grumbled. "He didn't even vomit, Sasu was fine."
"Vomiting is entirely too low a bar to set for fine," Hinata scolded gently, peering one way and then the other down the hall, the veins along her eyes hardening as her Byakugan studied the compound. "I'm leaving you with them today until after I see Tsunade-sama at the hospital, I'm counting on you to please not make him throw up."
"Noted." He relented finally as she sighed and began carefully maneuvering the corridors. He watched as she gazed levelly rather low on the ground, inspecting doorways as they passed as though the information she sought was on the floor.
It only occurred to him as they turned a corner that she was peering into rooms and purposefully avoiding looking up. She was avoiding look at people.
"How inappropriate exactly, is what you're doing?" He finally allowed himself the whisper as she paused before a corner to check for a clear path towards the kitchens.
Stiffening visibly, she glanced back at him, mouth parted slightly. "W...what?"
"Can you see through people's clothes?" He cocked his head then, amused to watch her face flood with blood, her Byakugan dying away abruptly considering her intent stare had in that moment been fixated on him.
"N-no! No why would you say that? I- I look at, the chakra network only I just-" Floundering in hissing whispers she gasped as he peered down the hall around her, and judging it safe enough dragged her through by the elbow.
"All right, don't implode. I was just wondering."
"Please, don't ask me such things." Hinata gasped, face buried in her hands despite his grip on her elbow as he pulled her along. "Please, please."
"Tch. You really-" Sasuke began and froze.
A door creaked behind them and quick as the flick of a knife Hinata's byakugan was back in action, Sasuke's sharingan glowing faintly red through his dark lashes.
Quiet as a poisoned projectile Hinata let out one whispered word.
"Gaara."
She had known, of course she had known that he and the Uchiha as a whole were a clan whose speed was rarely rivaled. Even Lee, who trained specifically to intensify his ability to slice through air had found Sasuke Uchiha a surprising challenge and so when he abruptly and without a word picked her up off the ground and essentially disappeared she should not have been surprised.
Still, it took most of her skills and self control not to scream.
They arrived as abruptly as they had left in the foyer which was one part of the Hyuuga house that Sasuke recognized. Arms full of the Hyuuga eldest he turned slowly, contemplating the next move towards the kitchens only to startle at the pinching grip of Hinata's hands on his arm. "Incoming, two maids from the left. Kitchen is to the right- go!"
Smirking now, despite the growing panic in his belly he disappeared, reappearing down the right hand hall which was tiled and lined with windows gazing out to the back gardens green with growing vegetables and herbs fragrant enough to entice him to sniff the air.
"Ugh." Hinata whispered as he lowered her to the floor easily. "How do you not get dizzy doing that?"
"Same way you don't blush every time you use that Byakugan of yours." He replied easily, pushing through the cloth curtain dividing the hall from the kitchen where a clatter of metal bowls echoed like a gong to alert the entirety of the household that something was amiss.
Entering the place the two adults flinched. On the counter, having pushed a chair against it to reach Hina stood on tiptoes. She reached up to a shelf below the high rectangular windows where Hinata knew a tin of raisins was still tucked, as it always had been since she could remember by the kind cook who doted on her since she was young.
Sideways and clearly having had a series of metal bowls and containers on it's surface was another shelf she had used to keep herself from falling into the sink. Right below her, wound tight as a drum skin Sasu winced, looking at the mess they had created in their adventure for some morning raisins.
"Go and I'll do damage control." Hinata whispered quickly finally breaking the silence with the logic of a shinobi at work. Beside her Sasuke moved without having to be told twice, scooping up a pliable and sheepish Hina and with one stern look at Sasu he stretched out his hand.
"Come with me nicely and I won't grab you by the ankle, runt."
Eyes as stern as his elder version Sasu glared, pouting feebly before walking into Sasuke's embrace. "Fine."
Unable to contain the grin that flashed over her face Hinata stiffened at the sound of a voice behind her calling out.
"Hello?"
There was Gaara again, coming to investigate the chaotic sound that had come from the kitchens so early in the morning.
Before Hinata could reply Sasuke disappeared like a bit of summer cotton caught on a breeze, taking the two trouble making children with him out the window.
Turning abruptly, Hinata let out a relieved sigh as Gaara entered the kitchen, studying the mess and her genuine expression of relief before allowing himself a small smile of his own.
"Hinata-sama... is everything okay?"
Hinata blinked, contemplating. "I think...maybe."
Somehow, she was not bothered by his puzzled expression.
"Breakfast. Go wash your hands." Sasuke ordered as soon as they entered the house. Sliding like she was using a fireman pole Hina tumbled from his shoulders and Sasu frowned slightly, chafing at the order but mostly consenting as Hina skipped towards the bathroom.
By contrast to the night before the house flared with light from windows which had for many months been shuttered by the curtains against the brightness of the sun. Hinata had opened them on more than one occasion in the past week and with the weekend rolling in there was no sign of workers to worry him from peering into the soon to be chaotic mess that was his house.
Stretching absently he moved into the kitchen, pulling out dishes from the fridge as he listened to the kids giggling in the bathroom.
Where the house had been cold and silent the night before it now yawned and woke. The smell of the warming soup on the stove and the clatter of dishes as he gathered breakfast together for the squealing creatures likely ruining his bathroom was a welcome reprieve he was still grudgingly admitting he had missed.
Absently he washed emptied dishes, counting in his head how many more meals were left in the fridge before he would have to ask Hinata for help in that department again.
"I wanna play outside!" Sasu's voice called from the top of the stairs. At the same time the rush of water that said the sink was still in use warred with his demand. Sasuke grumbled mildly.
"No."
"But I want to!"
"You haven't had breakfast."
"But I want to see if there's honey in the-"
"Sasu, I said no! Hina is probably starving anyway." Sasuke shouted without looking, pouring miso into the bowls Hinata had taken to using for the kids. "Eat first, you can go in the yard later." After a pause where he listened to the obstinate silence he added. "Hina! That's enough! Come down here!"
"I- I'm... Coming!"
Tumbling childish steps, the giggle of the kids bickering good naturedly about something hummed through the house and placing the kid's dishes on the table he turned, stiffening at the sound of a new voice to join the fray.
"You know, family life suits you."
No.
It can't be.
It seemed strange within his mind to find that the one thing that was most unbelievable in his life considering his current predicament was this. Not the gods wagering on his life and heart, or the tangle they had made of his future with Hinata's or the ghost of a fallen comrade that now followed him around. No, all these things he could take in stride. He had after all seen many terrible and wonderful things through the years.
But this, this voice behind him he could not believe. He dared not.
Softly, layered with surprise and joy Sasu's gasp punctuated the silence, shouting what Sasuke's heart struggled to put to words.
"Big Brother!"
Turning he stared at the tall, albeit see through frame of his brother. He smiled kindly at him before turning to the little Sasu beaming in the doorway.
"Hello, Sasuke."
"What a clatter you were making this morning, Sister." Hanabi was all too keen to discuss what she assumed was a clumsy mistake on Hinata's part. She was also more interested in it because when the servants had arrived to investigate moments later they had found the Lord Kazekage and Lady Hinata smiling shyly at each other in the brightness of the kitchen in the early morning before anyone else was up.
Somehow this bit of information had found its way into Hanabi's hands. And although Hinata had no proof of it she could see the knowledge sparking like firecrackers in her sisters eyes.
"I must admit I was being rather loud." Hinata admitted easily. "I'm afraid I gave the old cook a fright."
"Mhm." Hanabi hummed as she sipped her tea, largely ignoring the plate before her steaming with warm rice and tiny fried fish in a savory sweet sauce. "Gaara-sama too I hear."
"I was already up." Gaara replied easily, stirring the rice in his bowl with eyes carefully focused on his meal. "It was no inconvenience."
The only silent party to their breaking fast was Hiashi who studied them all past laced fingers, uncharacteristically stoic. Hanabi, accustomed to his reproving eye was unfazed but Hinata fidgeted beneath his stare, picking up bits of breakfast only to put them back down in her anxiety.
"H...how was your sleep, Father? Are you rested?" She dared finally, lifting her gaze to her elder warily before plopping a mouthful of rice in her mouth.
Hiashi seemed to stir at the sound of her voice and the touch of her eyes upon his face, picking up his tea cup with a smoothness practiced from endless formal dinners through the years.
"I must admit I was thinking long after the sunset about some issues I need to resolve today. I am perhaps a little weary."
"Oh." Hinata sat up then at the admitted weakness, an unusual thing for her father. She could probably count on one hand the times he had admitted to being tired. "Is there anything I can help with? I do not think I have-" She paused, realizing the mistake that she was about to make with Gaara's eyes suddenly on her, listening intently to what he assumed was going to be the offer of her day. She could see how that conversation would go.
"I...I may have some time later in the afternoon or evening to help with anything." She reassessed, ignoring Hanabi's quirked brow and the smirk she hid behind a sip of tea. "Would you like me to take anything from your schedule, Father? I would love to help."
"No, Daughter, thank you." Hiashi murmured, pushing up from his place at the table slowly. "These are all things I must deal with myself, I am afraid. Please, continue your breakfast. Kazekage-sama, I hope that I can join you for the noonday meal. Were you and my Daughters not planning to train this late morning? I thought I recalled such plans being discussed at dinner."
Hinata blinked, trying to remember and in her hurry she slammed into the memory of her voice denying Sasuke a chance to train with them. Awkward and pained they had listened to her floundering silence until he had rescued her from the mistake. Flushing at the memory she cleared her throat.
"Ah... I'm... I'm afraid I have to check. I have an outstanding appointment I need to reschedule with Tsunade-sama, among other things to do today but, before dinner I do think I may be free."
Gaara frowned, the disappointment lingering on his shoulders. "Oh. Well, perhaps we can wait until then-"
"We can go." Hanabi put in suddenly, surprising Hinata as well as Gaara. She flashed a smile. "I could use a good spar and regardless, in the afternoon I would rather you and Hinata help me pick out flowers from the gardens for the Crane Folding Party. She tells me you have a thumb greener than even her own, Gaara-sama."
Gaara started, even as Hinata repressed a roll of her eyes. "Gaara-kun probably has things he would rather be doing other than-" she began slowly, only to stop in surprise as he nodded.
"I would love that. I will get ready after breakfast, yes?"
"Perfect." Hanabi waited until his attention turned to wishing Hiashi a good day before she winked at her sister, who felt her shoulders droop warily.
A wink from Hanabi likely meant she owed her something.
Avoiding the foyer of the house until Gaara and Hanabi disappeared from her enhanced vision felt distinctly wrong. It twisted her gut within her and made her chew the inside of her cheek, but it did not encourage her to go downstairs to wish them well on their day.
Gaara's eyes would linger long on her face. His gentle open posture would lean forward in a way that said he might have wanted to touch, perhaps a finger to the tendrils of her dark hair, or a thumb to the curve of her cheek.
Either way, she would have frozen in his presence, thinking about the implications of her reaching back, allowing the caress. Also her mind flooded with the implications of life for herself, Sasuke, Sasu and Hina if she jumped back as her body desired.
Glum again, despite the brief flare of calm that had come over her at Sasuke's presence she gathered her bag for the day. Training clothes in case something happened, or she had the chance to spar with Sasuke in the afternoon, as well as her notebook filled with a handful of wild blooms she thought perhaps Hanabi would be interested in having for the Crane Folding Party. Though their gardens were expansive and beautiful there was not enough growing there to provide for both the wedding and the party so close together. They would have to outsource and Hinata had a place in mind.
Thoughts of a picnic, perhaps even a swim in the pond near the wild flowers that bloomed rampant and strong among the hazel nut trees of an abandoned orchard far on the outskirts of the village agricultural sector made her sigh with longing. It had been a long time since she had thought of the pond, of the silvery fish that nibbled at her ankles as a child when she had first gone there and the water lilies that bloomed wide and beautiful on the surface of the water.
Sasu and Hina would love the place, it would give them a chance to stretch their legs so often jailed inside a house or room.
A knock on her door drew her gaze, and she frowned slightly, shuffling her bag on her shoulder as she peered around her door.
Hiashi stood in the hall with his hands folded neatly behind him, his kind eyes searching her face even before she had opened the door fully. Startled by the seriousness of his expression Hinata let out a long breath. "Father. Is everything all right?"
"Yes." Hiashi nodded, forcing a smile that did not meet his eyes. "I came to ask if you were feeling any better, since yesterday you took your leave early."
"Oh." Hinata cleared her throat as she remembered yet again something else she had done that would now after so many uses seem like a growing fault in her character. "I'm very sorry father. I was tired, and I think perhaps my training-"
"Yes." Hiashi interrupted, frowning slightly so that wrinkles slid along his forehead. "You have been working rather hard, and when you aren't working hard you are often ill. I have seen so very little of you, Hinata. Usually I did not need to tell you when I expected you in my office to assist with the paperwork. Have you been avoiding our lessons?"
Stunned by the mild mannered accusation Hinata felt her shoulders tighten around herself and worked through a breath to straighten her spine. "Oh Father, no. Not at all. I am so very sorry..."
"We discussed the possibility of the title still being undecided, of the headship perhaps being better handled in your hands and since then..." Hiashi waved a hand. "Since then..."
Pressing a hand to her brow Hinata mused that all her lying about having headaches was proving to be a self fulfilling prophecy.
"Father. I... I thought that the council, the elders, even your own mind were set on Hanabi. She is the stronger candidate by far, and has been groomed for it since birth." Hinata whispered softly, careful to keep any whining from her voice even if in her mind the irritation bloomed like a blood stain.
"As have you." Hiashi responded. "It is not as simple as it once was. The world is different, peace prevails."
"Father."
"Suna is a world trimmed with unreachable terrain and people still living in the past decades of war. The Lord Kazekage has been discussing with me, in your absence the difficulties he faces in his lands. It is no small thing that he has taken the time to be here and if there was the possibility of a misunderstanding before it is there no longer. I know, and I believe you know his intentions in being here, Daughter."
Lips parted in awe, Hinata stared at her father, tongue useless in her mouth with a lack of words with which to reply.
"I do not know that you are made for the darkness that still resides in Suna. Battles must still be fought, wars won. You have served your people. If you accept Gaara-sama's proposal when it comes... that responsibility will come with his hand."
Hinata blinked slowly, feeling the tightening fist in her gut as her father surveyed her.
"You do not think...that I could handle the job that marrying the Kazekage entails?" She blinked slowly, thinking not of the soft faced, tender Gaara but of a bold shining smile, the glowing wild mane of blonde and the flash of sky blue eyes that had ripped her heart out of her chest.
Hiashi frowned, watching as tears condensed in soft dewy pearls at the corners of her daughters vision.
"Oh, my Daughter. It is not that-"
Bowing low to hide her face behind her dark hair Hinata breathed in deeply. "Father. I... apologize for the...for my inability to uphold the strength of our family."
"Hinata-"
"Please...please know that I... I cannot imagine that if I cannot sustain a marriage to someone as the Kazekage that I would be capable of leading our clan. I stand firmly in support of my sister, the heiress and rightful owner of such a title."
"Hinata Hyuuga, stop and-"
"I'm so very sorry." Holding back the flood of tears that choked her Hinata pushed past him into the hall, walking rapidly away despite the lack of dismissal even as her father sighed deeply and shook his head.
Through the chaos of the village streets Hinata held herself tightly together. A compact little shape with a rainstorm within her. Face turned downwards so that eye contact was minimal she cruised through the familiar streets and the loud banter of the village in full weekend fervor.
Ice cream parlors were beginning to open up their doors, coffee and tea scents wafting through the spring time warmth. The smell of baked goods from the bakery down the street of the hospital always made her think of cinnamon rolls but nothing could urge her to stop her slow determined path towards the hospital doors.
Lined on either side with trees that glowed with twinkle lights in the darkness of night and flared green and full in the brightness of day Hinata entered the coolness of the hospital and froze.
With the thoughts of her failure and humiliation still at the surface of her mind it took one look at Ino to make her stomach sink to the bottom of her shoes.
"Uh oh."
"Oh, look at who the cat dragged in." The blonde began slowly, crossing her arms in what Hinata recognized as one of her battle stances.
"Ino-chan,"
"Oh don't Ino-chan me, missy." Ino began, rolling her blue eyes as she approached. "I know what went down at that date and I am very annoyed with you."
"Oh." Hinata breathed, leaning back a bit as the taller blonde encroached on her personal space. "I'm s-sorry. I realize it must seem as though I was terribly rude, I can apologize to-"
"What?" Ino snapped back as though scalded. "No silly, good thing you walked out on that crazy lunatic! Asking about you getting fat was one of the few things I thought for sure he would know not to discuss! I was wrong! Lord, I nearly beat him senseless when he showed up at my house all confused by your sudden departure. Only took a moment for me to put two and two together. Why didn't you call me? It must have been awful!"
Hinata stared at her friend, flooded suddenly by a deep affection for the beautiful blonde before her so that she reached out and very gently drew her into a hug.
Ino froze, surprised by the gentle squeeze Hinata offered around her neck and patting her back gently she sighed. "Oh Hinata. You never learn. We're on your side, silly."
"S-sorry." Hinata replied wetly, sniffing a moment as she pulled back. "I... I haven't had a great day and I just thought..." she drifted off, rummaging inside her bag for a packet of tissues.
"You thought I was out to get you for insulting Fu." Ino laughed, patting her head lightly. "No way, dear. No way."
"Hinata!" Sakura's voice drew the two girls attention to her from the service desk where she was leaning heavily, face flushed and round belly seeming exponentially bigger than just a few days ago. Hinata blinked rapidly at her for a moment as she attempted to gather her lab coat around her middle only to give up the futile attempt with a grumbled sigh.
"What are you doing here?" Sakura asked, a little out of breath as she approached, tapping a long fingernail on the clipboard in her hand. "Didn't you get the message Tsunade-sama sent to your house?"
Hinata sighed, shaking her head slightly. "No, am I to meet her elsewhere? I can-"
"No, she had to cancel your appointment today, I'm sorry." Sakura frowned slightly. "Something urgent came up, she said. But I'm sure she will finish off your orientation as soon as possible. Do you want me to tell her when you're free next?"
For a moment the concept of time was a terrible thing and Hinata floundered, trying to think of her calendar and what it looked like. To her surprise all she could see in her mind were tiny white boxes all labelled Sasuke, Sasu and Hina with the very bottom being a blazing red containing a single frantic word: wedding.
"Um..." Hinata allowed herself sheepishly, resisting the urge to press her fingers together as had been habit for so many years. "I am actually not sure. You see the wedding is coming up and-"
"Oh yeah." Sakura nodded, and then grinned. "Naruto tells me Gaara is staying at your house until then."
Ino's head whipped like it had been kicked towards the brunette. "What?"
"Oh." Hinata shook her head, recalling the very recent conversation she had just had with her father. "Oh it's nothing, he just needed somewhere to stay and we have had such good communication with Suna lately on behalf of Konoha-"
"Thanks to you." Ino poked her shoulder. "And that pretty face of yours. Oh!" she sucked in a breath. "Is he... is he interested do you think-?"
"No." Hinata stepped back rapidly, rubbing her hands on her sides to dispel the sweatiness building there. "No, I don't think so. I... I should go, however. If Tsunade-sama is busy, I need to-"
"Hold on, join us for tea!" Ino called, even as Hinata stepped through the hospital double doors. "Hinata!"
"Sorry!" Before either of her friends could stop her Hinata turned and rushed down the street, almost as if she was fleeing rather than leaving.
Letting out a grumbling sigh, Ino shook her head. "Some things never change."
"Hm." Sakura hummed sadly, thinking about the crimson rise of nerves that would plague Hinata at the mention of a certain special someone. "I hope things change. Things need to change, or they fester."
"Don't get cryptic with me." Ino rolled her eyes. "I'm not interested. Are you meeting your hubby for lunch? Please, let's do something other than ramen."
"I actually want ramen, thank you very much." Sakura growled, defensive of being forced to eat something other than the one thing the baby seemed to crave all the time.
"But no, we're not. He said he was going to stay in to work today. Sasuke didn't show up again." Sakura frowned, discarding the clipboard in her hands as she removed her lab coat. "He's trying to catch up on a bunch of stuff he's been neglecting."
"What's with that guy?" Ino frowned, following her friend out into the warming day. "Seems like he's always missing from what you tell me."
"Lately." Sakura admitted softly, picturing in her mind her husband's face upon his return from a short training run. It had been a long time since Naruto's expression had been so clouded. When she had asked what was wrong he had admitted he could not talk about it. Sakura wasn't thick however and she knew he had headed towards the grounds closest to Sasuke's house. Whatever had happened, it surely wasn't sweetening Naruto to his flaky best friend.
"Eventually they'll just beat each other senseless and that will be that." Ino shrugged, looping her arm through Sakura's. "Isn't that how they resolve things."
"I hope not." Sakura grumbled. "Naruto mentioned he was going to go see him today. I do not have time for that. It took me forever to put them back together last time."
"What... are you doing here?" Sasuke managed after a long endless stare as his brother crouched to study the two kids who blinked owlishly at him, one beaming and Hina cautiously surveying the situation from behind Sasu's shoulder.
"Well, there's some gods that are up to no good, I believe. But you know all about that." Itachi smiled, rising from his crouch to study his brother.
A minute shift in Sasuke's stance, just the barest leaning forward towards his Nii-san made Itachi's smiling mouth somehow without moving turn sad.
"Aw, Little Brother. Surely the little Hyuuga did the same thing when she saw her cousin the first time. You must remember." And he blew through his fingers, causing the digits to disintegrate like smoke before gathering back into shape.
Memory served to draw up the image of Hinata throwing herself through Neji's intangible arms, her loss doubly felt as she stumbled to a stop on the other side of him.
Drawing on the annoyance that had served him so well all his growing up years Sasuke swallowed and forced a frown on his face. "What do you mean?"
Smiling still Itachi moved as though to sit at the third spot at the kitchen table. "Come, come young ones. Aren't you hungry? That miso will be chilled."
Happy for the first time in days Sasu's grin could hardly be contained, scrambling like a kitten with too big paws onto his chair where his breakfast awaited.
"Why would they send you?" Sasuke continued despite Itachi's attention being focused on the two little ones who eyed him curiously while they slurped up soup and rice balls.
Wary at the thought of what it would do to Hinata Sasuke let out a long breath. "Where is Neji?"
"I've no idea, although I don't recall them suggesting I was a replacement, more of a-"
"Unwelcome addition." Neji suggested suddenly, poofing into existence at the entrance of the kitchen, arms crossed and frown furrowed.
"Am I unwelcome?" Itachi sounded both surprised and nonplussed. "Pity."
"You are under Susa's orders and I trust that blue snob about as far as I could throw him." Neji retorted with distaste. "And I can't pick anything up so,"
"Yes. I get the implications." Itachi replied amiably, crossing his legs as he leaned back in the chair. "What makes you think one god is better than the other? Lady Ama agreed to the wager just as he did. She could have not and left these poor things were they belonged." He said simply, waving a hand at the children busily creating a mess as they ate.
Neji frowned. "Lady Ama hopes for a better outcome for them, certainly better than that of the Lord Susa."
"Hm." Itachi allowed, watching with interest the silent sponge-like way Sasuke was considering everything. "Interesting thought."
"Susa hopes our hearts break." Sasuke finally whispered, eyeing his brother for confirmation. Itachi bit his lip and did not reply. "Hm."
At the table the kids pushed out from the chairs, happy to be ignored by the boring adults discussing things around them. As though it were normal they passed through Neji's frame, drawing a frown from his face as they hurtled into the living room.
"Well, for whatever reason the gods have decided that I too will join your little party." Itachi mused, glancing at Sasu and Hina who were taking endless rows of books from Sasuke's shelves to build towers.
"It does appear to need some... refreshing."
"I have a lot of Hyuugas on my plate right now." Sasuke grumbled, storming after the kids to put the books Sasu was playing with back on the shelf. Beside him Hina happily passed him her own. "There's not a lot to be done about their..." He glared at Neji openly. "..staleness."
"Staleness?" Neji snapped, bristling like a cat doused with water. "What do you-?"
"You're dead." Sasuke snapped, shoving through him just to annoy him further. "You can't argue with me about being stale. You're practically the definition."
Neji drew in a breath at the silence, clearly preparing himself for a tirade only to be stopped by the abrupt and unwelcome banging on Sasuke's door.
"Sasuke?" Naruto's muffled voice called through the wood. "Who the hell are you talking to in there?"
From the two children round saucer eyes offered worry and fear. So far any visitors or people not of the nebulous ghost kind or Hinata and Sasuke themselves were to be feared.
Judging from the pale startled look on Sasuke's face the trend was to continue.
"Shit."
"Children present." Itachi scolded, pressing a hand to Sasu's little ears that tickled like the whisper of a breeze through his hair, drawing a soft chuckle from the child.
"Sasu, Hina." Sasuke hissed, ignoring his brother blatantly. "Upstairs, quickly. Quietly."
"Sasuke!" A bang on the door made the entire side of the house jump as though startled and Sasuke growled low, storming to the kitchen to rummage in the bread box Hinata had stuffed full of things on her last cooking binge. Finding a bag full of sweet sticky treats he grabbed Sasu by the arm and practically threw him up the first three steps with the bag. "Now, scram."
"You, keep them quiet for a change. Do something useful, perhaps." Sasuke snapped at Neji who bristled like a disgruntled hen despite the lack of angel wings at his back. Another bang through the house rattled the frames on the walls by the door.
"You better answer this door before I knock it down, Sasuke Uchiha or I'm-"
"And me?" Itachi poofed out of existence and reappeared by the door. "Shall I let him in?"
"For the love of-" Sasuke hissed, shooing him away. "Disappear. Do it now."
Before the blonde on the other side did in fact knock the door down he flung it open.
Naruto did not bother being invited in. He stormed past, right into the living room, knocking over a tower that Sasuke thought Hina had built with a clatter that the Hokage clearly ignored. It took only a moment for Sasuke to realize he was in a real state and arms crossed he leaned against the doorframe.
"Come to inspect my house? Doesn't the hokage have better things to do?"
"You were supposed to be at work hours ago." Naruto snapped, hands on his waist and neck a visible trunk of tense muscles as he clenched his jaw. "I sure as hell have a lot of things to do considering you've practically disappeared. You know you can ask for vacation time right? What the hell have you been doing?"
The scrolls Sasuke had been systematically searching for mention of time travel were spread throughout the house, covering on occasion discarded dishes the children had left behind. Wincing at the sight of Hinata's pink apron still hanging on the back of the chair he shrugged. "I've been busy. Sorry."
"Sorry?" Naruto cocked his head, blue eyes sharpening to laser beams. "Sorry? You haven't been busy, you've been..." He paused, eyes lighting on the same apron Sasuke had been purposefully not looking at.
"What is that?"
Behind him Sasuke could feel the spring sun on his back from the open door, warming his shoulders and back. Similarly but less pleasantly his stomach burned with anxiety as Naruto walked to the chair and lifted up the apron by the neck ties, noting the ruffles at the end.
"Why is there a pink apron in your house?"
"You know," Sasuke muttered, as annoyed as he could possibly make himself sound. "I'm a little sick of you just walking into my life and assuming things. Just get out."
Unimpressed and visibly unshaken Naruto threw the apron at his chest where it smacked before landing on the ground. "Is that Hinata's?"
It occured to Sasuke, as it had been occurring to him since he was first teamed up with the blonde that calling him idiot was hardly fair. Naruto was many things. Awkward, short sighted, obstinate, indelicate but stupid? Stupid he was not.
And how Sasuke suddenly wished he was.
White noise hissed in his head as Naruto glared him down, jaw set and unimpressed as he waited. Options did not offer themselves to be said as excuses, instead he swallowed and adjusted himself vaguely where he leaned his shoulder on the doorframe. "So what if it is?"
It was clearly not what Naruto had expected him to say. Moving as though he had been shoved at the shoulder the Hokage blinked, jaw wide. "What? Are you kidding me right now?"
"I don't know what you're implying but-"
"Implying!?" Naruto finally roared, throwing his hands in the air. "I'm not implying anything! You're cheating on your fiance with her sister!? With Hinata!? What in the hell is wrong with you?"
Of course, and because there was literally no fairness in the world, it was this moment which Hinata chose to appear at Sasuke's steps, hidden by his broad back and startled to stillness by the sound of Naruto's voice echoing out of the house.
Glancing back minutely as Naruto turned to storm at his living room, Sasuke did the only thing he could think of- and shoved her one handed into the bushes.
The soft "eep!" of surprise was muffled by the rustling of the foliage and Naruto's ranting as he paced Sasuke's living room.
"This is despicable- even for you and that's saying something considering that very bad stint you had as a teenager, damnit!"
Suddenly very aware of what they were discussing and who was listening Sasuke felt heat flare along his neck, dangerously molten it seared his ears and to his growing terror began to creep forward onto his face.
"Are you done yet? I'd like to get on with my day." He snapped finally, stepping away from the front door to wave Naruto through. "I have better things to do than listen to you insult me all day long."
"Insult you?" Naruto growled, prowling forward to shove himself dangerously close. For the first time in the conversation Sasuke paused, feeling the sudden electric flicker of his chakra through the house at the animosity displayed on Naruto's features. It was that determination that had nearly ended him more than once, and it was that same expression that had saved him. Suddenly being on the receiving end of it was not a pleasant experience and without his say so his chakra roared back, hackles rising in defense.
"You would be so lucky as to deserve Hinata's attention. She's a sweet girl, with a good head on her shoulders and I cannot imagine it was her idea to do this. It must be eating her up inside, doing something so awful to her sister."
"You have this all wrong." Sasuke hissed. "I would not do such a thing, so yes. I am insulted. Get out of my house."
"You're honestly denying to me right now that you two aren't-" Naruto paused, searching for a word that would do what he was about to say justice and finding none he settled on glaring.
Sasuke listened to the all consuming silence coming from the bush outside and urged himself to fume. "Hinata and I are not doing anything."
Naruto's glare continued, unwavering. At that proximity Sasuke could see the flecks of dark blue among the icy coolness of his iris and as he drew back how they warmed with confusion.
Softly, stunned by the revelation the blonde stared, "...But you want to."
A sharp lethal sting ripped through Sasuke's chest, at the same time that his face finally flooded completely with blood and furiously he grunted.
"I've had enough of you." Grabbing the Hokage by the shirt roughly Sasuke tossed him unceremoniously outside. Lithe as a cat Naruto stumbled a step before righting himself easily on the unpaved road yet to be finished by the workers.
"Why won't you talk to me about this?" He yelled, straightening his clothes before throwing his hands in the air. "It's ridiculous! Let me help you! You need to break of that damn engagement if you care about her! How can you be happy this way-I cannot believe you right now."
"You were always rather surprised by my inability to live up to your damn expectations." Sasuke snapped, fingers tightening to claw shape at his side. The hiss and spit of chidori sizzled in the air and beside him the hydrangea bush meeped nervously.
Tiredly Naruto hung his head, shoulders drooping. "God, Sasuke. You are such a moron. Fine. Damn it. Fine! This is not okay! And this is not the end of it, do you hear me?"
"Whatever." Sasuke snarled, releasing chidori with a flick of his wrist before snatching up a throwing star out of nowhere instead. Without even bothering to look he tossed it, listening for the puff of Naruto's clone dissipating.
At his sudden disappearance Itachi materialized beside Hinata among the maze of the hydrangea bush, blinking big Uchiha eyes at her startled face.
"I'm Itachi. Hi."
Her little shriek and the abrupt explosion of her onto the steps had Sasuke sighing deeply. "Hinata." He grumbled, "Meet my older very dead brother, Itachi."
Face pinched and red Hinata stared at the new Uchiha in her midst, panting slightly as she tried to compute the conversation she had just overheard and the obvious instance of another ghost in her life.
Smiling ruefully Itachi watched as Sasuke pulled the startled woman to her feet, raining twigs and leaves out of her hair and clothes as she straightened her kimono with slightly shaky fingers.
"Pleasure... pleasure to meet you." Hinata managed finally.
Grinning now Itachi flashed his gaze behind Sasuke where Neji stood with Hina and Sasu. "See. Maybe I am welcome."
"Ugh." Neji sighed, pressing a finger delicately to his temple and rubbing slowly. "Uchihas."
They had run out of places to sit.
Neji had never taken much space, being nebulous in his construction Sasuke had taken to walking through him as it seemed to trigger an attack of the pouts. Besides standing in the way of things he had never taken up space on a chair or a couch or showed any signs of tiredness.
By comparison Itachi looked nearly alive if you ignored the fact that he was see through and when he stood in front of a window he nearly disappeared as the light flooded through his ghostly shape. Sitting comfortably on the couch with Sasu at his side and Hina plastered to him they took up all the space available on that piece of furniture.
Hinata and Sasuke had somehow ended up on the love seat, with Hinata precariously balanced at the edge as though she were unsure she was going to remain sitting.
"What are you doing here so early?" Sasuke inquired quietly as he tried to ignore Sasu discussing something animatedly with his brother. Itachi smiled calmly as he always had in his memories, eyes fixated and attention unable to be diverted in a way that both defrosted something icy in Sasuke's chest but also stung.
Hinata dragged her eyes from the tall angular young ghost that had appeared in her life, wondering at the fact that she could hardly be fazed by it at this point.
Perhaps I have gone mad. She mused before letting out a breath as she studied Sasuke. "I... was going to meet with Tsunade-sama at the hospital but she cancelled her appointment with me at the last moment." Rubbing at the painful pinch between her brows she sighed. "Perhaps it's for the best."
Sasuke disagreed vehemently beside her although he did not say anything. His ears still sizzled beneath his hair and although neither of them had mentioned the conversation she had so clearly overheard it was bound to come up some time. Wincing at the thought he stood abruptly, feeling the heat of her thigh by his side like a solar flare.
"We can't stay here."
"I thought we were going to discuss a plan." Neji replied, sitting stiffly and clearly out of his comfort zone on the last chair left in the living room. Sasuke studied him for a moment before breaking out in a smirk at the thought that perhaps he had to concentrate so as to not sink through the material and to the floor.
"The Hokage could perhaps return." Hinata admitted softly, pushing herself up beside Sasuke. "And honestly..." she sighed, looking longingly out the window. "I think... we all need some air. Perhaps we will be more productive in the sunshine."
"Yes!" Sasu shouted suddenly at the insinuation of an outing. "I want to go out!"
"But-" Neji began, annoyed to silence by the look Sasuke flashed him. "Where would we go?" Sasuke asked finally, watching as Hinata slid her hands through Sasu's hair absently as she passed towards the kitchen.
"I know somewhere." Hinata offered gently, pulling dishes out of the fridge with the intention of gathering a picnic. "Shoes on, everyone."
Itachi followed her movements from his place on the couch, undisturbed by Sasu and Hina bouncing beside him with joy at the concept of a picnic outside.
Turning to his brother he smirked, catching the lingering look that Sasuke tore himself from before scolding the children off the furniture and towards the door.
Left alone in the living room the two ghosts watched as the living creatures readied themselves, loud and boisterous and although there was no laughter, there was a strange sort of peace in the chaos.
"This does not bode well." Neji whispered, glancing at Itachi with distaste. "What exactly does your master have in mind?"
Itachi moved his shoulders in what might have been a shrug, still gazing. "I am not privy to the minds of gods, Hyuuga, anymore than you are. I doubt much is really up to us anyway, I'm just glad to be here, to see it."
The lack of expression on Neji's face communicated how much he believed the statement and Itachi smiled. "It's okay. I'm not used to being trusted."
Neji turned away finally, in time to see Hinata grab onto Sasuke's elbow as she fit her shoes onto her feet in the melee at the front door.
"I wonder why."
I...uh.
So I love you guys, just remember that okay?
And also, I'm sorry. I feel like this is almost right but the tone is a little off and my grasp of the plot is loose since it's been coy lately. Sorry for the extremely long wait. I'm also happy to see this moving forward!
Much love to you all,
Inky