Chapter 14

Thank you for being extremely patient with me and so supportive. Hope you like this chapter. Sorry for it being so small but I will try to make them better. :)

A Day in Suna Village

Hinata was half done with her sake bottle and started feeling a little tipsy in less than ten minutes. Right away she took a tablet to decrease the alcohol in her system and was grateful. Temari was in the bathroom for seven minutes already and Hinata started to get suspicious.

A muscular hand touched her shoulder and she sighed. Finally he came.

She opened her mouth to complain to Sasuke but the words died on her lips as other words filled her silence.

"Hey there sweetie, how 'bout I buy you a drink."

Hinata didn't answer.

"Aw, come on, I don't bite." The man spoke in a grubby voice.

"No thank you," she replied with as much innocent she can silk through her voice. She stood and payed for her drink.

Hinata turned around and instantly backed. The reek of alcohol coming from him was powerful, obvious he had to much to drink.

"Excuse me," she muttered. She turned to walk around him but he grabbed her wrist. In a second, Hinata rose her chakra, ready to attack.

"Where're you going?"

"I have to meet someone."

The guy gave a nasty chuckle. "I watched you come in with your friend. Every guy watched you. It's rare..." He touched Hinata's hair and she immediately jerked away. His touch was unwanting and cold. "You aren't from around here. I would have noticed you. I know almost every beautiful woman in this village and you're a little special one."

"I have to go," she repeated through her teeth.

"Aw, you're not going to let me buy you a drink?"

"You're a waste of my time."

"Ouch. You hurt my feelings." He took a step closer to Hinata, entering her bubble space. "But I promise I won't hurt you in my bed tonight." He reached for her lower area of her back as she instantly pushed his hand away.

"Listen, I'm not a woman you can smooth talk into a one night stand, especially a drunk man like you." She shoved her hand out of his hold. "Now if you're still sober enough or smart, I suggest you leave me and go."

"Ohh, fiesty woman. I like a woman like that," he answered, paying no attention to her threats.

Hinata tried not to vomit on this disgusting man, but she couldn't fight him. It will blow her cover away.

She tried walking around him again but he gripped her wrist again, even tighter than before.

"Where do you think you're going? I'm not finished with you yet."

Everyone in the bar was looking now, and judging by everyone's face, he was a prideful man and no one would mess with him.

She glared at him and she opened her mouth to speak but a man spoke up, his hand gripping the drunk man's.

"I think you should listen to the woman and get out of her way."

Right next to the man was the man she was waiting for. The drunk man looked hard at him. "Who the hell are you to tell me what to do?"

Sasuke held his ground but looked at Hinata. "Go, I'll handle this."

Hinata nodded. Sasuke squeezed the mans arm and he flinched, giving Hinata an opportunity to escape. She took a couple steps back.

"Hey," she said.

Sasuke turned his gaze to her. Her eyes glistened. "Don't kill him."

"I'll try not too." He answered.

The drunk man grunted at his hold and grew angrier by the second. "You think you're so tough."

"I don't think. I know." His voice was calm.

Next thing you knew, the drunk man was across the bar, smashed into a table and unconscious. the Uchiha looked at the bartender. "Sorry Onaki. Put that on my tab."

Onaki laughed and waved his hand. "It's fine. Someone had to finally stand up to that son of a bitch anyway and I'm glad it was you."

Sasuke smirked and Hinata walked up to him. She punched his arm. "Ow! The hell?"

She crossed her arms. "That's for taking so long."

He rubbed his sore arm, agitation write on his face. "I just saved you. At least you can say thank you."

"If you would have came earlier, it wouldn't have happened." She looked away. "And I would have done the same thing if it weren't for my cover."

"Yea, I bet you would," he said with sarcasm in his voice.

Finally, Temari exited the bathroom with a look of disgust on her face. "I swear, women need to learn how to aim their vomit in the toilets."

She looked at Sasuke and Hinata, both wearing a look of annoyance.

"What?" She asked dumbly.

Five minutes later

"HE DID WHAT?!"

"Calm down Temari, I'm fine," Hinata explained. She peeked over to Sasuke. "A knight in shining armor saved me."

Sasuke glared at her, obviously not liking his nickname.

Temari shook her head. "That man should have been arrested a long time ago. And it took harassment from my friend to stop him."

"Yea well, he learned his lesson." Hinata thought for a moment.

"Temari..."

"Hmm?"

"Why didn't you guys ever arrest him before?"

She shrugged. "Simple. He kept disappearing. When someone sees him, they tell us and by the time we get there, he's gone."

Hinata crossed her arms trying to bring warmth. In the sand, the days were boiling hot and the nights were colder than than ice!

"I see..." Hinata looked toward the moon, and if Sasuke got her cue, he stepped in.

"We'll do the mission tomorrow, since its already too dark and late."

Hinata nodded in agreement.

"Oh no, you don't!"

Hinata turned to Temari. "Something's wrong?"

"Of course something's wrong! Remember what I told you at the hot spring?"

"You told me a lot of stuff..."

Temari placed a hand on her hip. "Today was supposed to be the festival, remember?"

Hinata's mouth made an 'oh' shaped but no sound came out.

Sasuke was confused. "Why wasn't it today?"

"It was postponed because Gaara had to do some major things. It's in two days now."

"Two days?" Sasuke questioned. "We won't stay that long."

Temari looked angrily to Sasuke but seconds afterward she turned to Hinata, and boy, did she have the most saddest look on her face.

Temari closed her hands together, begging. "Hinaaaataaa, please make your husband agree. Don't the wives boss them around?"

Hinata stared at her surprised, and she blushed as red as a tomato.

"T-Temari! I've been married for one day and you expect me to know!"

"Well, you always boss him around. Tell him to stay!"

Hinata glanced at Sasuke and surprisingly, he was staring back, his signature smirk on his face.

She sighed reluctantly and turned to him, her eyes trying to hold on to his which was impossible.

She kicked her feet, her eyes to the ground. "Sasuke, can we please stay for another two days?"

He didn't answer and Hinata grew anxious. His answer ringed in her ears. "No."

Her head shot up and immediately she saw his face. Damn him, he was joking!

"Idiot, you little... Ugh..." She rolled her eyes and put on a smile. "Thank you."

Temari jumped up like a kid that got permission for a sleepover. "Yay! Oh my goodness, we have so much to do!" She gasped then giggled. "See! I told you that kimono we bought will come in handy!"

Hinata smiled joyfully in return. "I guess it will."

She looked over her shoulder and saw him staring at her. A tug on his lips was enough evidence that he actually did this for her.

Temari kept on jabbering on and on and before she could do anything she blurted out something that was meant to keep a secret.

"Oh, and the kimono Hinata chose out for you! You can wear it for the festival!"

Sasuke's eyes grew. "What kimono?"

Temari closed her mouth seconds to late and she glanced at hinata, who was giving her a death glare.

Hinata smiled bashfully as she turned to him. "Guilty."

Sasuke scowled annoyingly, making Hinata's pupiless eyes shine. She grabbed his hand and started dragging him. "Come on! I want to show it to you!"

Sasuke eyed her helplessly and started walking so she wouldn't have to drag him.

They reached their rooms and she pulled him into her bedroom.

She finally let go of his hand and ran towards the stack of bags on her bed.

Hinata rummaged it and yelled out loud 'ah ha!' and pulled out a dark blue bag. She put the bag next to her and revealed a black kimono with blue flames dancing on the bottom.

She then turned to Sasuke, a shy yet smiling expression on her face. "Well? What do you think?"

Sasuke's right side of his lip lifted a little. "It's good I guess. I don't remember the last time I wore one."

Hinata's white eyes grew when she smiled bigger. "And I added a detail to it."

She took a deep breath and turned the outfit around and Sasuke didn't know what to say. A bold red and white fan stood out on the back of the kimono, it contrasting the black so well.

Hinata walked up to him. "You like it? I know I shouldn't have done it without your permission, but I know you won't wear anything that doesn't show the Uchiha's symbol."

She looked up to him and her smile faltered on her lips. Looking up, she saw his face portray one emotion. His eyes were staring at the kimono, his dark pools empty with no spark in them. And his face looked so dark, a shiver ran down her spine.

Hinata tried to hold back her disappointment. "I-I...I'm s-sorry. I d-didn't think...I thought you'll like it." She stumbled over her words and looked away.

"I'll just return it," she mumbled. Hinata walked towards the bag and before she could put it in, a hand stopped her. She didn't look up, too scared to.

"I love it," he spoke quietly. "I just didn't expect it."

Hinata closed her eyes, them filled with pain. "You don't need to lie, Sasuke. I can tell you don't like it."

"I'm not lying," he spoke louder but softened again. "It's just..." He sighed. "It brought back old memories."

"Memories?" She asked confused.

He released her hand and stood there motionless. "It looked exactly like my father's."

Hinata opened her eyes and immediately began apologizing. "Forgive me! I didn't mean to!"

"No," he said. "It's fine." She could tell by the tone of his, he didn't want to talk about it.

Hinata hugged herself and stared at the kimono. "Sooooo, are you still going to keep it?"

"Of course," he said, as if she just asked such an obvious question. "It's a gift from you."

She shook her head. "You're money. I was only shopping."

"I'll still count that as a gift," he protested.

She grinned and laughed softly. "Okay, fine."

Sasuke looked at the bags. "So what else did you buy?"

She walked to the bags and stood there, hands in her hips. "Well, technically a whole new wardrobe." She eyes the bags in front of her. "Shirts, pants, kimonos, dresses and all other junk."

Sasuke walked over to her. "Did you buy anything else for me?" He said, sarcasm in his voice.

"Yup." It surprised Sasuke how serious she sounded. "A couple kimonos, new shirts, pants."

She grinned again. "Plus I'm making dinner tonight."

"Dinner?"

"Hai." She glanced at the clock and muttered something that sounded unpleasant.

Hinata grabbed two big paper brown bags, that had been unnoticed by Sasuke and she hobbled to the door. She opened the door but turned to him.

"Dinner will be ready in an hour. Wear something formal."

"Formal?"

"We can't look unpleasant on a dinner with the Kazekage and siblings. And Shikamaru is going to be there too."

"I don't need to dress up for them," he gruffly said.

"Yea you do. It shows that you will show respect towards the kage and notion peace and no insecurity."

"If I have to be formal, what should I wear?"

She smiled deviously. "Check in the big white bag on the bed. I think you could find something useful to wear."

Fifteen minutes left and Hinata was just about done. Hinata bustled through the kitchen, chopping, slicing, stirring, cooking until everything was almost ready. That's when Sasuke appeared into the kitchen.

He opened the door, and when Hinata looked up she nearly sliced a finger off!

The raven haired shinobi stood there, arms crossed, dressed up in a simple black kimono with a red obi around his waist. To conclude the look, Hinata also imprinted an Uchiha fan but a tiny one on both of his shoulders.

Sasuke fidgeted. "I never liked these."

She smiled. "You look good. I mean, it's better than your usual clothing."

He smirked. "I could say the same to you."

She looked down to her dark blue kimono, almost identical to the color of her hair. The white sash around her waist stood out, and her hair was once again in a loose braid, covering her slim back.

"Misuma chose it out. She said it matched my hair too well." She continued cutting expertly. Sasuke watched her cut with expert precision, obviously giving away she was an expert in weapons.

"She's right."

"She's always right." She tossed the vegetables in a bowl next to her. "She was like a second mother and older sister to me. When she left, me and Hanabi grew distant because she always interacted with us." Her hand reached for more things to cut. "Now it's completely different."

Both were quiet, only the sound of boiling water and the knife piercing through the food was among them.

Sasuke didn't know how to answer her. He could give her sympathy but what would that do? Instead, he watched her. He watched her stand there, her posture straight and tall, just like a proud Hyuga would stand. But that wasn't the only thing that caught his eyes. The kimono hugged her curves, the layered clothe laying in the right place. And when she traveled around the kitchen and he admiring her, he grew aware.

He was married to her. And seeing her like this only made him think of her cooking in his home, making him dinner everyday. His stomach fluttered at the scene, making him think he didn't mind seeing this everyday. She was his wife at contract. The contract he held, the Kazekage having a copy for evidence in case something happened to the real one.

But she could leave him. If he wasn't the right one and she found a different man, he promised to withdraw from the marriage and let her go for the man of her dreams.

With him thinking he didn't notice that she stopped walking and cooking, just holding a bowl with contents and staring at him. He didn't see her reach into the bowl and pick up a piece of food and aim at him, hitting him straight on his forehead.

He startled back surprised, and looked up at her. She looked back at him, a mischievous grin on her face.

"What was that for?"

"You were zoning out again."

"Am I not allowed to?"

She bit her lip, as if she was trying to hold a laugh back but composed the most straight face she could. "You could but I called you three times. Plus I didn't think waving my hand in your face was a good idea."

His mouth grew to his original smirk. "Smart choice."

Her lips broke into a smile again and she turned to put her bowl onto a cart. She walked to the opposite side of the kitchen to the stove and stirred what looked like was a mouthwatering soup. A timer went out in the kitchen and Hinata grabbed a small towel and ran towards the rather big oven opened the door quickly. She reached inside and took out a tray of pastries and walked carefully to a plate and carefully placed them neatly.

She looked at her work, satisfied. Then something clicked into her mind, Sasuke saw this since she gave out a little gasp. The tea! How could she forget. Her eyes scanned the room frantically before they spotted a teapot on a high shelf.

Her feet carried her to it and she tried reaching for it, her fingers inches away. She stood on her toes for better height but still couldn't reach. She cursed mentally. Why did she have to be so short and out of all times, wearing a kimono!

Hinata tried again to reach but a glimpse in the corner of her right eye caused her to halt.

Sasuke reached for the pot, his left hand pressed against her back for support and his body right next to hers. His fingers wrapped around the handle and lowered it to her hands.

He turned to face her and realized that they were awfully close. Her face was merry inches away, the teapot being the blockade between them.

He cleared his throat and gently nudged the teapot at her, and her arms slowly reached for it. She grasped onto the pot and their fingers brushed against each other, and her face grew a dusty pink on her pale cheeks.

"Thank you," she whispered almost inaudible.

"Hn."

They stood there, his eyes on her, her eyes on the pot. She tapped on the pot a few times and made the motion of moving away. His hand grasped her arm and she stopped and looked up at him.

"I never got to tell you," he started and withdrew a small smile on his mouth. "The humming. You ran away before I could have told you."

She instantly dropped eye contact and tried to move, her fingers grasping onto the pot, her knuckles almost turning white. She closed her eyes, waiting for him to yell at her.

"I never got to tell you that it's alright if you can hum it."

Her body froze from the unexpected tone of his voice, let alone what he said. She rose her head and the first thing she saw was his eyes. They looked like normal black coal eyes to her but there was something else. Something flickered in them. Like a spark that lasted for a second, that only happened once in a lifetime.

"O-oh," she sputtered out, her hands losing their hard grip on the pottery.

He then did something she rarely saw. His mouth formed into a smirk, his lips recognizing the position. But

it did something different. His lips pulled higher and more even which led out to a smile. It looked a little sloppy, considering the fact he rarely smiled and his lips were not familiar with the change.

Hinata thought it was a wonderful smile. She smiled back shyly, her cheeks unstably growing pink.

She bowed her head down, her face almost touching the pot. Realization hit her, and she gasped loudly. Quickly she grabbed the pot and ran towards the sink, filled it with water and put it on the stove. She ignited a medium fire and turned towards the carts and lifted two plates, balancing them on the palms of her hands.

Hinata then glanced towards the Uchiha avenger and eyed him helplessly. "Mind me helping carry these out?"

He watched her for a second then walked to her and grabbed the plates and put them back down on the cart. She looked at him confused.

"A servant will come and do this. You're having dinner, it should be served to you."

"But-" She stopped when she saw how serious he was and sighed defeatedly.

Hinata went to the door and poked her head out, whispering something to someone. A few seconds later, two maids came in and she showed then the food she organized. She explained how the entrees, courses and desserts to be served and pointed towards the teapot.

"Water is almost done. Serve tea as soon as you bring out the first food."

They nodded.

Finding nothing else to do, she walked to where the dark shinobi, standing next to the entrance of the dining room where everyone was waiting.

"Ready?" He asked.

"Think so," she replied and entered to the room, Sasuke right behind her.

"The food's delicious, as always, Hinata," Gaara complimented.

"It's my pleasure." Hinata chimed.

Sasuke raised a brow. Hinata seeing his confusion, cleared her throat. "Temari usually does all the cooking and she's grateful for a little break."

"Ugh, you have no idea," the blonde spoke with a mouthful of food. She chewed some more then swallowed. "And who can dare say no to you're cooking?"

The bluette smiled at this, ducking her head to cover her blush.

Temari lifted her head and waved her hand. "Bring in the desserts!"

Shikamaru shook his head. "Troublesome."

She looked over to Shikamaru. "What? Her desserts are even better than her cooking! And don't tell me you aren't looking forwards to those...sweet finger bites, or whatever they're called."

He sighed but turned his gaze towards Hinata and Sasuke, who sat next to each other. Their postures were straight unlike his own, seeing both are from prestigious clan but something was off. They avoided contact, which he thought would have been okay but something shimmery caught his eye. His eyes widened but grew back to their lazy self.

He cleared his throat. "So Hinata, when were you going to tell everyone you were married?"

A spoon clattered against a bowl, it bouncing off to the floor. Her hand that held the utensil froze and her eyes were wide. Sasuke stopped chewing, his right cheek popping out with the food in his mouth.

Temari and Kankuro watched him in shock, but Gaara just sat there, watching the act in front of him.

She spoke nervously. "Heh, where did you hear that from?" while bending down to reach her spoon. She was so in awe, she hit her head while getting back up, resulting a whole clatter of porcelain to rattle o the table.

"Ow..."

The pineapple head yawned. "No one told me. I wouldn't have guessed if it weren't for the identical rings you have on with Sasuke." He rubbed his head. "But I guess I would have known sooner or later."

Sasuke swallowed his food slowly and peeked to Hinata. She peeked back, her eyes with a retreating look. She sighed and looked back to Shikamaru.

"It was an arranged marriage."

His brows went up, interested on what she said. "Really?"

"Hai. It was two days ago."

"I see. You're father sent you here?"

"Hai," she answered again.

Shikamaru looked at Sasuke now who was staring back, black eyes glaring at him.

"You agreed."

He merely gave his head a little nod.

Shikamaru was confused. "But I thought-"

"I had to come here with Hinata and made her agree to it. Her father sent me."

The genius of Konoha stared at him,

and something wasn't right here but didn't say anything else.

"Well, congrats."

She whispered a quiet thank you before grabbing her spoon again to continue eating her soup.

Everyone continued eating, only speaking a few words here and there. Soon, they finished eating and the married couple excused themselves for the night.

Though before they left, Hinata excused herself to the bathroom, leaving Sasuke alone outside.

Sasuke stared at the stars outside while a breeze of wind bit at his skin. His hair flipped unmanageably in the air, making him run his hand through it. It's grown since Sasuke left. His sides were longer and his hair in the back stood out even more than usual.

He heard footsteps approaching but didn't turn or speak. He knew it wasn't Hinata.

The shinobi stood by the door, his eyes drilling holes in the avengers back.

"Are you going to keep staring at me?"

"No, too troublesome, and what in about to say is even more."

"What do you want from me?"

He came and stood next to him, more specifically a yard away from him. "You should know my place in Konohagakure. I'm the genius of Konoha, right hand man to both Tsunade and Naruto."

Sasuke scowled. "Where are you going with this?"

Shikamaru turned to him. His face was serious. "I know every deal, mission, map, secrets of Konoha. And so far as I know, you've declined Hiashi's offer for marriage to Hinata."

Sasuke didn't say anything at first, but turned to face him. "If you were to be forced into a marriage into a complete stranger and given 2 minutes to decide yes or no, would you agree?"

Shikamaru took a step forward. "It doesn't matter, you lied to her."

"I didn't."

"Then what are you going to do when she finds out the truth? Is she going to be happy about it? Hiashi sure as hell won't be and so will everyone else."

"I told her the truth. It just took a while for me to decide."

"And why didn't you tell her that?"

"It's not that simple," he gritted through his teeth.

Shikamaru relaxed his body, giving up in this pointless argument. "I won't tell Hinata this but you better tell her soon. She's be leaving in a couple days Sasuke, and what will happen she came back to the village, married?"

The genius walked back inside muttering good night. First sasuke thought he said that to him but turned to see Hinata at the door, a confused expression on her face.

Sasuke swallowed, hoping, praying to kami she didn't hear their conversation.

She took small steps to him, not breaking eye contact. When she was a foot away she stopped. Her right brow raised elegantly. "What was that all about?"

Sasuke almost let out a sigh of relief. "He just told me he wouldn't tell anyone of our marriage when he went back to the Hidden Leaf."

Hinata let out a sigh. "That's good. I don't want a whole chaotic scene when we come back." She walked past him, her arms around herself.

"You coming?" She yelled over her shoulder.

Sasuke strode over to her, his hands in his pockets of his kimono, trying to block out all cold from biting his skin. But what could he block out was the words that rang in his head.

"When we come back."

How was he going to come back to a village he tried to forget for so long? He looked at her face. And was he really going to just for her?

Let me know what you think:)

P.S. thank you for the people who sent me messages about my upcoming one shot collection. Around ten people sent me suggestions! like I said last chapter, I'm writing up a thirty one shot collection about any couple in Naruto. And YOU DECIDE! It could be sasuhina, narutohina, sasusaku, nejiten and all others! Please write! Your imaginations need to be out up on display!

P.P.S. thank you for all the reviews! fills me up with butterflies of love!

Love and Farewell,

NarutoImagine01