Part 11- Timeless
Hinata was finally home from that week-long mission. It was a simple mission: to escort some nobles to another village. She had been anxious to get home to see Sasuke. She was worried of whether he would really destroy Konoha…
"Sasuke! I'm back!" she called as she took off her shoes in a hurry. When she looked up, Sasuke was standing right there with that familiar smirk. "Welcome back," he stated simply. Hinata stood straight up to face him, and he saw the worried look on her face.
Before she could open her mouth, he answered her unspoken question. "I called off the attack." Her eyes widened and then seemed to sparkle with happiness. With glee, she hugged Sasuke and thanked him over and over. Then Hinata stared into his red eyes, and asked, "But what about avenging your brother?" She felt guilty that she had caused Sasuke to give up his goal.
He smiled down at her, and ran his fingers through her hair. "Itachi told me to stop." She was confused, but she nodded, not wanting to press any further. They broke apart, and Sasuke took her hand and said simply, "Follow me."
They walked through some corridors that Hinata had never been through. Finally they came to a room. It was completely white all over, the walls, the ceiling, the floor. And on 2 of the walls, there was a window, that stared out at a garden. But Hinata gasped at the long black piano in the center of the room. "S-sasuke…what is this?"
He smiled at her, and drew her into another embrace. "My birthday present to you." His lips were pressed against the top of her head. "Happy birthday, my precious."
Sasuke pulled her over to the piano's bench, and sat her down. Her fingers glided over the surface of the keys, feeling the smooth white cover of the keys. Then she began to play. He listened to her with peace. It was like magic, her music. Every note swept a weight of burden from him. Every chord took an ugly feeling away. The tempo calmed him and sang to him.
Hinata felt tranquil as she played. She put her heart into it, feeling the music within her. It was like she was running freely with the wind beside her, throwing behind everything she feared. And there beside, her was Sasuke. Though he never said those words, he loved her. And she loved him.
xxOOxx
(2 months have passed)
"Sai!" The white-skinned boy turned and saw Sakura and Naruto. "Oh, hello, Sakura and Naruto," he said with the same smile. They looked at him worriedly. "Are you alright Sai?" His smile dropped as he looked at them strangely. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Naruto stared at his feet. "We heard that...Hinata…didn't…you know…have the same feelings for you…" Sakura was also blushing with embarrassment. Sai laughed. "Yes, but that's okay." Sakura stopped blushing, and Naruto looked up in shock. "You're okay with that?"
Sai nodded, and said, "Yes, I am. As long as I didn't lose her friendship, and as long as she's happy, then I'm good." The couple stared at Sai with admiration. He really did seem happy, and relieved. But Naruto didn't notice the slight signal of disturbance on Sai's face. Sakura did, on the other hand, and she knew that Sai was thinking about Hinata's suddenly-cut life.
Naruto patted Sai hard on the back, and yelled, "Let's go get ramen, Sai! It's on me!" Of course, it was at Ichiraku's. Naruto consumed several bowls as usual, and Sakura was scolding him for his appetite. Sai smiled at the couple in amusement, but didn't eat very much. Sakura noticed this, and when Naruto went to the restroom, she asked Sai, "You're worried about Hinata's condition, aren't you?"
The pale boy nodded and looked up, staring at the sky. "It's so difficult to believe that a girl like her, so pure, so kind…that she..will just disappear in less than a year. If I could stop time, I would, just to see her live."
Sakura watched him in sadness. "Sai, I'm sorry. Hinata is too. But she's accepted it. She's making the best of the time she has now. It's been 2 months since, and Sasuke still doesn't know. Hinata is going to be due for check-ups. Tsunade can determine the specific amount of time she has left from these check-ups. One year isn't exact." She placed a friendly hand at his shoulder.
With no words, Sai got off his seat and disappeared into a crowd. Sakura wished she could help Sai somehow. The only people who knew of Hinata's heart problem was Sai, Sakura, Tsunade, and Shizune. It wouldn't be easy to keep everything a secret.
Sai had been walking when he saw 2 children sitting together. One was a boy, and the other was a girl. The boy was holding out a beautiful white lily out to the girl, who smiled and took it. He thought the kids were adorable, and wished he could have been as foolish as they were. He continued walking and found himself staring at Hinata.
She was at a stand, buying fruits. Her laughter carried through the wind. The girl Sai had seen, ran up to Hinata, and tugged at her sleeve. Hinata smiled and handed her an apple. The girl carried the apple over to the boy and handed it to him. His face brightened and he smiled happily.
Hinata felt someone was watching her, and then realized it was Sai. She went over to him, and gave him her greetings. "Is something wrong?" she said worriedly at his silence. He took a breath and said, "I'm…just worried. About your health. You're going to be gone soon."
Suddenly, Hinata hugged him in a friendly way. Sai was surprised. When she let go, she smiled a radiant smile. "Don't worry. I won't be gone completely. You'll remember me won't you?" At his nod, she continued, "If I'm remembered, I'm not gone." Sai couldn't help but smile at her remark.
His eyes moved to the sky again. Yes…perhaps he couldn't prevent her from dying, but he could prevent her from being forgotten.
xxOOxx
Spring was here. Sasuke smiled as Hinata squealed with glee, as flowers began to bloom in their garden. Life had grown from the cold hands of winter. Colors began to spring everywhere. White, red, pink, blue, purple. Every color and shade was visible. Leaves began to grow on the black barren trees, and cherry blossoms had started to bud. The birds had come back to sing their sweet melodies, and crickets were singing at night.
The spring festival was finally here. Hinata had dragged Sasuke to go again. This one was during the day, instead of at night. The main park in Konoha seemed to be in full bloom. Bright green grass was everywhere. Tall strong cherry blossom trees stood high. Bushes and flowers were spread through out the park. Children with spring festival masks danced together, and people were crowded around food stands.
Sasuke and Hinata watched several acts and shows, most being quite interesting. People from other countries were here admiring the beautiful time of spring in Konoha.
"Oi! Sasuke!" Naruto had called from behind them and was jumping up and down to get their attention. "Join the drinking contest!" Sasuke smirked and walked over, leaving Hinata alone with all the other girls to worry about their health.
Naruto, Sasuke, Lee, and Shikamaru were drinking several bottles at an incredible pace. Tenten was trying to hold Lee back, but it wasn't working. He was starting to act strange, and tables were being snapped in two, until finally, Tsunade had to come in and take him out.
Hinata was quite surprised to see Gaara and his siblings. But then there was a small white-haired boy she didn't recognize. Kankuro decided to join the competition. Temari began to talk to Hinata, complaining about Shikamaru, "He's so bored, he wants to drink. Eh…he can be an annoying guy." The Hyuuga girl laughed, but then stopped when she saw the white-haired boy peeking from behind Temari.
She kneeled down to his height and smiled. "Hello, I'm Hinata. Who are you?" Shyly, he said, "I'm Isao. Nice to meet you." Temari laughed and said, "This kid's from Suna. He wanted to come to the festival to see Sasuke."
At Sasuke's name, Isao brightened and squealed, "Yes! Uchiha-sensei! Where is Uchiha-sensei?" Hinata said, "Umm…he's playing with his friends for now. Just wait a little while, and he'll be with you. How do you know Sasuke?"
Isao explained how Sasuke had encouraged and taught him. Hinata was surprised that Sasuke seemed to be so kind to this boy in particular, but when Isao explained about his terrible past, Hinata understood all too well.
The competition was finally over and the winner was surprisingly Sasuke. Shikamaru had given up, and Naruto and Kankuro were laying sprawled unconscious on the floor. Sasuke didn't seem too fazed by the amount of drinking he did.
Then he realized that Isao was there. The boy brightened when he saw his master, and ran towards him. Sasuke was quite surprised that Isao threw a hug at him, but with a small smile, returned it. "Uchiha-sensei! It's so great to see you again!" Sasuke nodded. "Yes, it's been quite a while." Isao leaned in closer to Sasuke and whispered into his ear, "I met your lady! She's really pretty! Good choice."
Sasuke felt heat and embarrassment in his face and laughed. He was really glad to see this boy again.
Hinata smiled at the connection between Sasuke and Isao. Almost like father and son. Now that she thought of it, they seemed to be at the right age for that. Maybe…if Isao could come to live with them…when she was…gone, then perhaps, Sasuke wouldn't be so lonely. The thought made her a little bit happier for Sasuke, and yet guilty too.
"You're thinking about Isao live with Sasuke when you're gone from this world, aren't you?" She jumped at the sound of her best friend's voice. "Oh, Sai. You surprised me." Sai was silent, apparently waiting for her answer. With a sigh, she nodded. "I'm worried for him. I want him to be at least happy, even when I've moved on."
"Perhaps, you shouldn't think negatively. I keep praying that you can be healed. I'm sure the people who know of your state are too."
Hinata's lips curled into a smile and moved to say, "Thank you, Sai."
xxOOxx
Hinata had told Sasuke her idea the next day but left out the purpose of the idea. He really liked the thought of Isao living with him, but it would depend on Isao. Sasuke lifted Hinata into the air and drew her into a tight hug. "Thank you, Hinata!" Hinata said, "It's nothing. You should go talk to
Tsunade thought about it for quite a while. When Sasuke had said it was Hinata's idea, she suddenly understood the purpose. She smiled at the love in Hinata's heart, still wanting Sasuke to be happy, even after her death. It was the least Tsunade could do for her subordinate.
The Hokage sent Sasuke to Suna with a scroll describing the request to Gaara. The Kazekage read the scroll and thought about it. Isao as a lonely child, and he truly felt sorry for him. Isao could be happier with a family. The child could truly be happy. Gaara really wanted this for him.
"Go talk to Isao about it, and see if he'll agree. If he does, I have some papers for you to sign. And you do need to promise to take care of him. Make sure that you are his family."
Sasuke smiled, which surprised Gaara. Sasuke knew that Gaara felt sorry for Isao, because he too had been alone throughout his childhood. "If you'd like, if he agrees, I can bring him back often." Gaara smiled too, which surprised Sasuke. "I guess I'd like that."
Right there, a strong friendship grew between the two people who once were rivals.
xxOOxx
Since Sasuke was gone, Hinata was sent to the hospital for a check up. Tsunade was going to determine the exact amount of time she had left. Hinata was really glad that Sai was there sitting beside her, waiting for the results.
Finally Tsunade came out, and the two jumped up. "Well? What are the results?" Sai inquired. Tsunade looked sadly at Hinata and closed her eyes, because of the threatening tears.
"I'm so sorry Hinata. I calculated completely wrong. You had one third of what I said. And since 2 months have passed…you have 2 months left."