Towards the Sun
Chapter 16
The weeks leading to the final stage of the Chuunin Examination went by in a blur of sweat and exhaustion. The longer Sasuke spent time training with Hinata, the more comfortable he felt in her company. Unlike before, the physical contact allowed them to understand each other's patterns and engage in a dynamic dance across the training ground.
While Sasuke was aware of the elders' silent disapproval of his daily presence, none dared refute Lord Hiashi's authority.
On the eve of the Exams, Sasuke and his training partner had yet again dedicated two hours from daybreak to an intensive sparring session. Sometimes they asked Hanabi to join in, but in reply she simply grinned and waved her hand dismissively.
"We should rest," panted Hinata. With the back of her hand she wiped a trail of sweat dripping down her cheek. "You should rest. Tomorrow is an important day."
Sasuke grunted in reply. His companion deduced it meant something along the lines of "I know but I'm stressed." He busied himself with picking up the arrows and throwing stars that littered the floor.
Meanwhile, Hinata had gone inside and soon returned with a tray. She had brought freshly brewed tea for them. She placed it by the edge of the terrace and, grabbing her own cup, sat atop the stone step underneath.
"How is your family?" asked Sasuke, joining her. That was how he referred to the three members who suffered from memory loss. So far, they had learnt that the three had been victims of a strong yet unrecorded sort of genjutsu.
He took the remaining cup and blew softly at the wisps of steam rising from the green liquid.
"Since Sakura-san is personally tending to them, their health has improved considerably. And with Ino-san's aid, they managed to remember bits and pieces from that… mission."
After a short pause, she asked, "How about your… old… teammates?" Sasuke had started to share his own investigations with Hinata some time ago.
"It seems that we will witness quite a show tomorrow."
"And Hanabi?"
"They'll look after her."
"I'm not reassured."
Sasuke swept his gaze over the worried woman next to him. She was tapping her nails against the porcelain recipient in her hands.
Clink clink clink…
Despite her best efforts, her nervous habits seeped through her calm persona. While she would remain within the safety of the Hyuuga residence the next day, her younger sister… She…
Hinata preferred not to linger on the thought.
For a while, she simply cast her gaze on the training area before them. The sun had already crawled over the high stone fence and illuminated the entire yard.
"Long ago," she began quietly. "I used to train here with Neji-nii-san."
Her eyes gleamed in the daylight. Unspoken emotions swam at the brim of her eyelashes. They fluttered for a brief moment.
"Things were not so easy when we were young," she went on. "But after… well, when we managed to patch things up. After that, he would patiently guide me whenever I requested his help."
Her voice had reduced to a thin whimper. She had to pause and tilt her head up to regain her composure. She made no effort to conceal the sorrow glimmering beneath her eyes.
"Given his natural prowess at our martial art, Father had even brought up discussions with our family. It was about Neji-nii-san succeeding the clan leadership. I – I was so excited for him."
A pause.
Almost inaudibly, she added, "But then…"
Sasuke heard her choke on a sob, and instinctively wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Gently he brought her closer and felt her body shaking and shivering with grief in his embrace.
He quickly lost track of time, listening to Hinata mumbling into the soft fabric of his shirt. Most of it was an apology for bothering him with her troubles. He hummed in response, for it mattered naught.
She was starting to move on.
The rest of the day was spent in relative quiet for Sasuke. The potted rose that had matured in his dining room was no longer there. He had replanted it in a flower bed close to his apartment building. With the advent of autumn, the flowerless growths all looked the same to him.
Once back home, he readied his equipment for the Exam and positioned them close to his bed. He no longer had strange dreams and unwelcomed visits at night, but he figured that keeping a few weapons close wouldn't hurt.
That evening, Sasuke and Naruto met up at Ramen Ichiraku for a good-luck-for-tomorrow-idiot meal. The dropping temperature had become too flagrant to ignore, so both men had donned mantles and thick pants.
"Do you think I should ask Sakura-chan out?"
"Excuse me?"
The question had been uttered by the blond shinobi as soon as they were seated.
"You heard me, bastard," muttered Naruto.
Sasuke clicked his tongue. First of all, he had no idea how things had developed between his former teammates.
Second of all.
What. The. F –
"For your information," said Sasuke grumpily. "I refuse to provide my input on whatever you have in mind."
"You suck, Sasuke."
"And you swallow."
Naruto's gaping mouth was a sight to behold. Smirking, Sasuke directed his attention to the menu affixed on the wall behind the counter. He was slowly learning how to speak in Naruto's vocabulary.
Sometimes, it was hard to deny the fun and satisfaction those comebacks brought.
"Are you the Sasuke I know?"
When Naruto received no answer, he opted to switch tactics.
"I heard," he said in a teasing tone. "I heard that you are getting cozy with a certain someone, ya know."
To be fair, half the village had already noticed that Sasuke was harbouring feelings for a certain Hyuuga, with whom he spent much more time now. And that was how the news eventually reached Naruto – through Sakura, of course.
Naruto could only grin at the rate at which Sasuke's ears heated up to several shades of red in mere seconds.
"Tell me more about it," pressed the blond, edging closer to the flustered young man.
"No."
"Please, Sasuke-kun?"
Sasuke-kun felt the muscle beneath his right eye twitch at the view of the cheerful blond idiot next to him. He knew Naruto all too well though. The stubborn moron would pester him until he finally gave in.
"Argh – shut up. Fine, I will!"
Boisterous laughter echoed in the chilly air of Konoha that night.