As I made my way through the forest I couldn't contain my smile even with the rims of my eyes still moist. I felt like I could finally fully take a breath. There was still a twinge of pain beneath my ribs but it was only a twinge. Not a crippling or crushing pain as it had been. It had been only a day but finding my own strength and being reminded of the support I received even in their silence had reaffirmed at the very least that I could be just myself. Not my love for Naruto, not my family name, not my eyes. Just Hinata. I could stand on my own feet even if I was shaking and stuttering.

I travelled out of my way but thankfully managed to avoid the main market with all its citizens. I didn't wish to run into anyone else after how unexpectedly smooth my goodbyes had gone. I readjusted my pack and approached the gate. He was already there waiting.

Tall and stoic, Sasuke stood like a sentinel simply gazing over the citizens as they passed. He did not hold himself as if he looked down on them as would be expected of a man with such power. Rather he held himself as if he was ready at a moment's notice to act as a shield for those that needed him. I was sure he had protected us all many times along his travels for redemption while we stayed safely nestled in our village, unaware and ungrateful.

With his well worn traveler's cloak, his head rap, and his bag he seemed fully prepared for the journey ahead. I could barely contain my excitement to begin my journey for myself. That is until I heard it.

The pounding of foot falls racing toward the gate.

I instinctively drew my kunai from my leg holster without hesitation as I moved to intercept the ninja who thought it wise to attack a ninja from our village. I saw a flash of pink as the figure leapt toward Sasuke and stilled.

"Sasuke you're home!" Sakura cried as she leaped at him with enough force to dent the ground. I thought that she would topple them both and was shocked that the only movement his body made was to move his sole arm to catch her. She latched on with a grip that would break the ribs of an average ninja. Sasuke made no expression to convey even mild discomfort at the force she was applying. She leaned back slightly and began talking animatedly as he focused on her quietly.

I felt a surge through my stomach that I was unaccustomed to. Seeing her brought forth a feeling I had tasted and disliked for its bitterness. Anger. For a moment I felt as if I couldn't contain it within my body. My chakra flared minutely at my momentary distraction. Sasuke's eyes immediately flickered over to mine. Before I had a chance to reign it back in his eyes flickered again to where Sakura had just come from. Then I saw him too.

Naruto

He sauntered towards Sasuke wearing a giant grin and waving his arms emphatically. Once he reached them he too began rambling. I immediately looked away.

Our conversation at dinner the night before changed how I saw Sakura's actions. It put them in a much different light. Before I would have viewed her reaction at their reunion as romantic. That she was unable to withhold her affection and it had overwhelmed her. After our dinner however I saw it as angering that she would push her feelings on someone even knowing that they did not reciprocate them. At that moment I viewed my actions in the same way. While I had never reacted in such a physical way, I did push my feelings on a man that I knew had not been interested in a relationship with me. I allowed myself to become a person he knew would always be waiting for him; that he could use my love to relieve his own loneliness. I was so overjoyed that he finally saw me that I had never questioned him when he said he loved me back. My anger melted away to its core of embarrassment and shame.

Naruto's presence at that moment made the twinge in my chest resurface in a rush that pushed its way up my throat. Seemingly trying to purge these feelings from my body onto the ground before me. I made no moves toward the trio as I tried to choke it back down.

My mind was brought back into focus by the feeling of eyes. I looked up to find Sasuke staring at me. He was still in the same spot but was no longer the focus of the excitable pair in front of him. Naruto and Sakura had begun to squabble over something I was unaware of while I had been lost to my thoughts. Sasuke wore an expression that I couldn't decipher. After a moment he tilted his head toward the gate and raised his eyebrow in a questioning manner. I knew I only had to make it through the gate and the feeling of freedom would return. This was why I had wanted to travel to Suna in the first place so I could heal and learn in my own way and my own time. My pain would still remain but my life could become whatever I wanted. I took a deep calming breath and steeled myself. The first step was hard but every step towards them was less difficult. As I moved, I kept my eyes connected to Sasuke's and the closer I got the stronger I felt. He had seen my weakness and yet still proclaimed me strong. He had thought I could make the journey by myself. I dug down deep within myself to find the small spark of confidence I had and I fanned it with his belief.

I stepped up to him just as he said, "Are you ready?" His tone did not convey his layered meaning but his expression did.

Wrapped in confidence I told him. "Yes. Whenever you are."

We shared a small smile before he turned to Naruto and Sakura, who were still squabbling, with a neutral expression. "While it has been nice to see you both, we must be going if we are going to make it in good time."

At this they both stopped and turned to him. " But you just got here! Can't we get a quick breakfast together?" exclaimed Sakura flirtily.

"Yeah, we haven't even had time to spar or talk or whatever. I've missed you! We have so much to catch up on." Naruto seemingly whined.

Sasuke rolled his eyes imperceptibly to those with standard vision. "Next time I am in the village for a longer time we can all share a meal. Unfortunately as I've said we must be going."

Both Naruto and Sakura finally took notice of my presence.

"Oh! Hello Hinata. Sorry I didn't notice you there, I was too busy fighting with this idiot. Where are you off to?"Sakura flashed me a grin while Naruto just gave a small smile.

"It's alright." I replied with trained politeness. I held no ill will towards her but seeing how unaffected and unaware she was towards me slightly offended me. "We're off to Suna."

"I didn't know you we're going to leave the village! Or that Sasuke was going with you!" Naruto suddenly exclaimed. "You don't need to go to a whole different village. I thought that the Hyuuga had said they didn't want anyone with the byakugan to travel? How can we work on us if you're so far away? I should come with you. I haven't seen Gaara in a while anyway. I'm sure he'd love to see me."

He took a step forward and I winced. My chakra began to rise toward the surface in response. I tried to stop my reaction but my body hadn't forgotten our last meeting. Intentional or not he had shown me that when his emotions were running high he was not as in control of his body as he should have been. Suddenly I felt hints of Sasuke's chakra as well and my eyes snapped in his direction just as he stepped towards me. "I don't think that will be necessary. I'm sure Gaara will visit you before long and I'm sure you have work to do with Kakashi as well. Here is the best place for you to be." Sasuke mentioned almost offhandedly.

Sakura's eyes grew wide with confusion. She seemed unsure of Sasuke's reaction over what she thought was simply Naruto moving towards me. "Everything ok Sasuke?" She cautiously uttered.

Sasuke didn't reply. He just stared at Naruto with a stony expression. Naruto stared back in disbelief, and then agitation. "What's that for? I didn't even do anything! Mind your own business!" He took another step towards us and my chakra jumped again.

Naruto registered my chakra level and his expression changed to remorseful. Sasuke's chakra disappeared as did mine.

"As I told you, I need time to myself. I will see you both when I return." I hoped that my tone articulated the things I couldn't bring to say again with his love standing there. "Goodbye."

At that I turned and passed through the gate feeling raw but ready. Within a few steps I heard Sasuke following. I started to feel better as we made our way. We made it a decent way down the path in silence before I felt steady enough to speak. "Thank you for helping me. I don't know what came over me but I am grateful that you were there."

"Of course. That's what friends are for." He responded kindly

"So are we going to have to get a white horse to bring back for your dramatic proposal?" I asked slyly

Without a moment's hesitation he responded just as blandly as always. " Obviously. Though I don't know where I'm going to find a suit of armor to go with it."

I couldn't control the laugh that escaped my lips. At that moment I was grateful to have a friend like Sasuke.