He didn't mean for it to get this far…but it wasn't exactly something he could control. No longer able to contain the feelings he had been bottling, Sasuke grabs the opportunity set before him by the gracious hand of fate. [T for cursing] Alt (SasuHina) End to FLLL
A/N: To understand what's happening in the fic, you must have watched at least the Hinata-centric episodes and 'The Last' movie. If you didn't I think it'll be okay, but major spoilers, so up to you.
If you're a Sasusaku fan or a Sakura fan in general please don't read this.
This is a rewrite of my first Naruto fic, 'First Love, Last Love' that was canon-centric. The beginning is basically the same save for a few things *wink wink*, but the ending will be SasuHina with hints of Naruhina. If you haven't read FLLL, you don't have to, unless of course you prefer NaruHina and Canon-verse then that's the fic for you. (I've also revised FLLL so it's quite different than before). It diverges from canon right before the beginning of 'The Last' movie so it's basically a rewrite of the movie with SasuHina written all over it. It's going to be longer than FLLL but I'm going to try to keep it short. I know me, and I get distracted quite often. I'd rather make things short and write an ending than make it long to never end the story and leave everyone hanging. (Actually kinda conflicted right now cause I want to write my ItaHina fic...my mind keeps spitting out ideas for that one...maybe I'll attempt to write both at the same time...GAH!)
I've found out that I write notes as if the readers read all of my fics...sorry for assuming...but, you know, for those few who do, these notes are for you.
Warning: I do not read comments because I've been hurt before and it might make me stop writing for a long time as it did that time, so I'm sorry if there's something you're dying to say. I won't say that I'll never read comments ever again since I don't know the future, so you're more than welcome to leave one if you like. Maybe I'll reply back one day. I hope you enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
He didn't mean for it to get this far…but it wasn't exactly something he could control.
After the massacre of his clan, Sasuke had one goal in his life at that young age.
Revenge.
Nothing was going to stop him from being the best. He would take down any competition in his way.
He needed to, if he was going to kill that murderer.
Unfortunately, it wasn't long before that determination was challenged by a certain annoyingly loud blond. The boy's constant hassling from left and right caused Sasuke to bite back despite himself, and the annoying gaggle of girls chasing him only added to his building frustration. He didn't have time to be concerned with petty things like popularity as the blonde was, and Naruto was by far not an opponent worth his time, but with the continuing jabs, it became irritatingly difficult to not respond.
Here he was, expecting himself to take down boulders upon boulders so he could one day take down a mountain, only to find himself stumbling because of a small insignificant pebble at his feet; kicked away only to be stumbled upon again and again.
Just like any other uneventful day, Naruto was rambling on about becoming the Hokage, while Sasuke was doing his best to ignore him. He didn't care about attention, but Sasuke couldn't help goading the idiot at times with a knowing smirk. Everyone knew it, but if anyone was going to be anything, it was Sasuke. To affirm his standing as the most popular, most awed student of his class, he found himself discreetly taking in his surroundings, and it was that day that he took notice of the shy, almost invisible presence not too far away.
It was Naruto's fault that she had come into his line of sight. If he had left him alone, Sasuke would have never seen her. Her big curious white orbs.
Those eyes weren't directed at Sasuke though. No. They were shining with admiration for the bane of his existence.
Sasuke knew not all of the female population looked at him the way most did. There were thankfully a select few sane girls who weren't obsessed with him. What he couldn't wrap his head around was the reality that any girl could possibly be attracted to someone like Naruto.
He identified her in that moment. The white pupils and the unblemished forehead were a straight give-away. Hyuuga Hinata. The heiress of the Hyuuga clan; well, former. She'd been disinherited for reasons unknown, but Sasuke had an inkling it had to do with her lack of prowess. He'd kept an eye on the Hyuuga as their clan rivaled his own with their doujutsu, but only one, Hyuuga Neji, came up as a real threat. He hadn't bothered to put a face to the name of the heiress after he'd heard the news. Until now that is.
Sasuke couldn't stop the look of scorn dawning on his face. In a way it angered him…bothered him to the point where he would catch himself observing her to try and understand why someone from a high-class clan would look at that idiot with such eyes.
He knew somehow that the way she looked at Naruto was different from the way the other girls looked at Sasuke, and it only made him hate Naruto all the more. Not getting anywhere with the unending cyclic questions, he decided it was because she was just as weird.
In her weakness, she sympathized with the pathetic Hokage-wannabe. A weird little girl who had no business taking up his time.
And yet, he found her at the corner of his vision from time to time.
ㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡㅡ
After joining Team 7, Sasuke was swayed once more. His clear path to vengeance was blurred as he learned about friendship and teamwork. The picture of another future took shape in his mind and the possibility made him question his resolve.
Sasuke found himself smiling, doing things he'd considered childish and beneath himself, but he'd enjoyed it. He had even been so juvenile as to steal from his so-called rival. A small circular container that used to hold ointment. Hinata had given it to Naruto at the Chuunin exams with his victory.
Sasuke had tried to convince himself that he took it to spite the annoying brat with his continuous boasting, but it was at that point he had to admit to himself that he had a small crush on her.
As much as the revelation had surprised him, it also made sense. He'd gotten to know her over time from a safe distance.
She was quiet, soft-spoken, kind, nurturing, and from her loud teammate's constant boasting, a great cook. Sasuke hadn't entertained the idea of girls; abhorred it not too long ago. Hyuuga Hinata had redefined his desires, and admitting it to himself was refreshing in its own way. Of course, the problem lied with the fact that her sights were not on said Uchiha.
Before he could put any more thought into what he could do about his predicament, Sasuke was brought to an abrupt stop with Itachi's appearance.
Weak. So weak. He needed power.
Sasuke regretted that he had wasted his time on 'making friends', 'having fun', 'falling in lo...
Naruto, Kakashi, Sakura...Hinata...They were all distractions.
He needed to leave Konoha to cut all ties. They would only draw him away from his priorities of avenging his clan.
Sasuke knew no limits in his chase for strength. He was revered by those around him, but it was never enough. He'd never let it show but those times tormented his mind. The dark thoughts, the dismal environment, the foul company...it was a miracle he hadn't gone completely insane.
He didn't want to think about her…he really didn't…but at times when he was on the brink of total darkness, it helped to think about her and wonder how things were, how things could be…If he let his mind wander far enough he found himself hoping to see her again...he hoped she would never confess, and that the idiot would never know.
After Sasuke killed his brother and soon afterwards found out the truth…even her light could not stop the all consuming darkness that took over his mind, his body, his soul...
It was only after all the conflicts and war that he saw her again, and he was overcome with unexplainable feelings. Feelings he thought he pushed away, feelings he thought had departed ages ago…
With a clear mind, he saw the small timid girl had grown into a woman, and seeing her appearance, the first person that came to mind was his mother.
Her long indigo locks cascading down her back dancing with the breeze. A simple attire consisting of a loose gray sweater over a peach shirt paired with a long white skirt. Very basic, and yet even in wearing such modest clothes, her beauty shined in his eyes. Under the light of the moon and the stars, she was illuminated, and without even seeing her face, he recognized her.
It was a chance meeting. Sasuke had avoided going out because of the wary eyes of the people of Konoha, but even he needed fresh air after being cooped up for so long. The darkness, the silence of evening welcomed him that night, and as always he had worn a black sweater on top of a grey shirt and black pants. Taking a walk through the familiar yet foreign streets, he met the one person he wanted to avoid meeting.
For the first time in a long while, he was afraid…afraid of her rejection…afraid of her fear…afraid of her hatred…
Thinking of escaping their encounter, Sasuke had stepped back a little too late. Loathe to admit, he only had himself to blame for his inability to leave. He could have done so easily, but the part of him that wanted to see her, face her; it had won.
Ebony black pupils met snow white.
He was several feet away from her, but he could see her so clearly. Her unique eyes held a hint of lavender, her porcelain skin was tinted with pink from the night breeze, and her features had matured, yet still retained pure innocence. He had pictured her to grow into a beautiful woman, but to actually see her become so, it made his heart stop.
They stared at each other for a long second before Sasuke was the first to wake from his trance. A second attempt to flee was made, but again he was stopped; this time by her soft-spoken voice.
"A..ano…Uchiha-san…" Hinata had wanted to call him as she called her friends. A sense of familiarity may break down walls, but knowing little to nothing but varying rumors and tales, she opted for the safer route of formality.
His heart wrenched at the sound of her voice calling him. A million thoughts went through his head in that second and knowing he could not deny her, he turned to her, keeping an inscrutable facade.
She stepped closer and it took Sasuke all of his willpower not to step back from his place under the streetlight, which had ironically been exposing him to the world.
"I…I'm sure you don't remember me but…" She had been meaning to approach the last Uchiha. This important person to Naruto-kun. Hinata had rehearsed it several times but words escaped her under his attentive gaze. She found comfort in looking at his grey shirt instead.
Unbeknownst to her, he too took that time to regain composure, and dared himself to call out her name. "Hyuuga Hinata."
Her lowered head shot up to look at him in surprise. Her wide-eyed innocence almost made him break into a smile. She looked like a deer caught by headlights and it was just…adorable.
It took her a moment to get a bit of her countenance back. "…Ano…thank you…"
For a moment he was puzzled and wondered if it was because he remembered her.
As if she saw that thought pass by, Hinata became flustered. "Not that you remembered me, of course! Not that I'm not thankful about that too! But um..not to say you're rude or anything..but..but…I'm sorry…"
"Pfft.." He couldn't help but let out a small laugh, and thankfully it seemed to calm her.
She looked at him properly with a soft smile and he was mesmerized by that alone. "Thank you."
"…"
"Thank you for coming back."
Two simple words…two words that held so much meaning…so much feeling…two words he never thought he'd hear from anyone…especially her. It had almost made him think that maybe she too felt what he felt, but that thought had quickly died with her next words.
"Naruto-kun was so happy…"
Sasuke knew she didn't mean to hurt him…how could she when she didn't know…when nobody knew…when even he hadn't known…but he'd never been so hurt as now. Overcome by rage in the next second, Sasuke could not hold back his words. "If you're bold enough to tell me such a petty thing, why haven't you confessed to that idiot?"
In that moment he had confessed to her that he knew of her love for Naruto, of her shyness, of her weakness, but it went unnoticed by both as her face turned bright red at the accusation. Sasuke had recognized that it wasn't just embarrassment, but that she had confessed and seeing as to how she didn't immediately look crestfallen, his heart had dropped.
"…"
"..."
Hinata calmed down to say with a sad smile, "I did, but he must have thought of it as something between friends."
It shouldn't have relieved him, but relieve him it did…that fact had made him happy, and for the first time he was silently thanking Kami the blonde was an idiot.
Waking from her momentary musing, Hinata continued, "I've been thinking of thanking you. We were all worried after finding out about everything that happened, and a lot of people had given up hope…but I knew Naruto-kun could do it."
In that moment he had almost told her how he nearly killed the man she loved several times, and how even now he wanted to hurt him.
"But I'm really more thankful to you." A look of true sincerity was directed his way.
As minute as it was, Sasuke could not hold back his look of surprise.
"Thank you for being strong in all those hard times…I couldn't possibly know or understand the hardships you faced…even just hearing about it, what little I heard...I was ashamed of how difficult I felt my life was…"
"…"
"Thinking about how conflicted and difficult it must have been to forgive us…to forgive yourself…"
"…"
"It's a bit silly for me to say this when I don't even know you that well, but I was very happy to hear you were coming back…so thank you."
The warmth of the smile radiated to his entire being. He felt like an idiot for getting angry. Sasuke took that moment to just stare at her smile, remember it, lock it away with all his other precious memories. Everyone...even he himself believed he was incapable of crying, but the foreign dampness on the corners of his eyes told him otherwise. "…Why?"
"…I just felt like you needed it…I've regretted not saying things, not doing things in the past because I was afraid. If I had extended out a hand, had been more confident…then maybe I could have made things better. So I wanted you to know."
Sasuke kept silent; taking in her words he kept his eyes downcast. She gave him that moment of peace and he had been very grateful for it.
"Why aren't you scared of me? Why don't you hate me? I've killed a lot of people…I almost killed him…"
He looked up at her again expecting her to flinch, but Hinata only looked more determined.
"Partly because he trusts you. But also because..I understand."
No one could possibly fathom the life he had lived, but he found himself believing her nonetheless. "…You're a fool…"
The obvious harmlessness of his words made her giggle.
Sasuke turned away from Hinata to hide the stray tear and he vanished from sight to his current abode. That night Sasuke let down the many burdens upon him fall with his silent tears.
He reflected on many things upon his bed as he stared out into space. Even without placing his hand upon his erratic heart, he felt the thrum of its beat throughout his whole body. From the top of his head to the tips of his toes. Kono kanji...kore ga..ai nano... {This feeling...is this..love...}
It was quite ridiculous really. He only knew about her by silently watching her from afar and having had only one conversation…but that was enough apparently…he had tried denying it once, but now…he couldn't.
She had grown so beautifully. No longer did she stutter or lack confidence. In the few days he'd been in Konoha he had heard bits and pieces of news about her as his ears would tune in at the call of her name. She had become a strong kunoichi and if possible an even kinder person than before. What took him and many others years to realize, it took but a moment for Hinata to see Naruto for his true worth. Her ability to see and understand someone such as Naruto…someone such as himself…not to say that she was not attractive, but the beauty which she had within was what made her truly beautiful. And it was because of that…that he did not belong with her…...
He now understood Naruto to be a great person, and seeing how much she loved him, the only way for her to truly be happy, was for Naruto to be with her. He couldn't do that for her…
He would never admit it to his friend, but the only one he knew who deserved such pure love was Naruto. As much of a hard life he had lived, Naruto had also gone through the same…the difference was in his optimism and the choices he made. His greatest friend and greatest rival. Maybe it was also because of that, that he also felt so envious.
Even now he wanted to follow that dark voice within him…steal her away…
…
….
He had come back for redemption and here he was thinking of taking what he also knew Naruto desired the most and was also too ignorant to see.
He'd decided to run away again. Told the others he was going because he wanted to see the world in a new perspective. It wasn't a complete lie as he had been planning to leave, but not so soon and not for so long. At that time he had also set an ultimatum for himself. If Naruto didn't realize or rejected Hinata in realization, if Sasuke's own love for Hinata did not die over this journey, he would pursue her. In the case that things worked out between Naruto and Hinata, even if he still loved her…he would take this love to the grave. He would give them time and hope that things would go well, hope he made the right decision for the first time…
In his long journey his feelings had not waned. If anything it had grown. Looking at the sights before him with a new perspective, Sasuke found himself contemplating, imagining Hinata next to him. What he thought she would be awed by he kept in mind. Black, blue, purple, white...any color reflecting her palette; red, pink, peach, brown...all other hues complimentary to her image, he would think of her with a smile. Believing enough time had passed, Sasuke set back for Konoha. No one could have foreseen he would find an unconscious and beaten Hyuuga Hiashi before him.
He could not help but think it was a sign. Here he was going back to Konoha still very much in love with Hinata, and an opportunity, a chance to approach her had fallen at his feet. Quite literally.
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Weakened by the mysterious power of the man who called himself Toneri, Hinata could not fight against the pull of gravity as she continued to fall. The red scarf she knit for Naruto was ripped and damaged, unable to hold her any longer. Like her heart it was split down the middle...a scarf..a heart he did not need...
"Hintaaaaaa!"
Had it not been for Naruto calling her name, Hinata would not have woken from her thoughts. Her eyes dared not open though until she was caught in a secure hold and her savior found momentum on solid ground. The kunoichi expected to see sky blue, but her pearl eyes met a familiar ebony black.
"Sasuke?!" Naruto was as surprised as the girl in the Uchiha's arms, if not more. If he hadn't been so fine-tuned to sensing chakra with all the adrenaline in his system, he would have attacked his friend. The robed attire looked like that of the enemy ninjas. A million questions bombarded his mind, but no words escaped him. Said friend was ignoring him, as he continued to stare at Hinata.
A small voice cut through the deafening silence. "Ano..Uu..Uchiha-san?" Uchiha Sasuke was the absolute last person she was expecting. Not that she was expecting any other person as the only other person in her vicinity was Naruto, but she had secretly been enjoying the welcoming warm embrace just a few seconds ago. It was a small victory after seeing her crush's sincere smile when referring to the green scarf around his neck. Apparently not.
The rigid form of the Uchiha finally animated as he broke his stare with a blink of acknowledgment. Sasuke had wanted to hear her voice for so long. The quiet sweet sound spelling out his name. He wasn't quite satisfied though. "My name."
"Hai?" Hinata continued to be confused by the enigmatic man.
"Sasuke."
"Sa..Sasuke-san?" Making no movement as if to show his dissatisfaction, Hinata tried again. "Sasuke-kun?"
Feeling more and more like a third-wheel, Naruto was questioning his vision when Sasuke seemed to bring Hinata deeper into himself, before kneeling to carefully let her sit on the surface they were on. He'd unconsciously clenched his fists at the gesture, but petty things like that weren't important right now. Naruto got down on one knee in front of Hinata to assess her state and carefully ask ,"Are you alright Hinata?"
"Yes, thank you Naruto-kun." Hinata gave the blonde a weak smile. The faltering ends of her lips could have been because of her weak body, but Sasuke had an inkling it had to do with the scarf on Naruto. It had been less than a second but he saw Hinata's face fall as her gaze dropped to the green-white fabric, before she looked at the tattered red one in her hands.
It was then that Naruto took notice of what was making his friend look so heartbroken. "Your scarf's ruined.."
"..hai..."
Not liking how she seemed to become more downcast, the blonde shinobi steered the conversation in another direction. "Who were those shinobi?"
"I don't know.."
Before Sasuke could give his two cents, a white-haired man in unfamiliar robes appeared before them. Sensing the alarm in the two shinobi before him, Sasuke immediately shielded Hinata behind his body.
"The final day is approaching. Before that.."
"You..!" Naruto attempted to punch the man, but his fist only made contact with air as his form disappeared.
Toneri apparated not too far from his original position, but he floated above them as he spoke in riddles again. "Before that day, I will come for you, Hinata."
The shinobi vanished with the blinding flash of a meteorite following overhead. They could only chase the fiery object with their eyes as it landed with an echoing explosion not too far away. The remaining three had similar thoughts that this was somehow connected to the apparent 'final day'.
"What...what the hell is going on..?" Naruto walked to the edge of the building they were on to look at the direction of the explosion and Hinata followed close behind.
Knowing this all connected to Hyuuga Hiashi's near-death experience, Sasuke finally voiced the reason he was here. "Hinata, your father is at the hospital right now."
"What?!"
"I found him on my way back to Konoha."
"I..I need..to..." The shock of the news and her already fragile state made her stumble as she made to go to the hospital.
"Hinata!" Naruto reached out to catch the kunoichi's falling body, but again he was too late.
Sasuke caught Hinata by her small waist before he easily scooped her into his arms again. "I'll take you there."
"But.."
"You're still too weak." He didn't see what had transpired before his entrance, but her lack of movement, save for a few weak attempts to get out of his hold the first time told him enough. He stopped Naruto as well, seeing him approach them; as if to try and take her from him. Not this time.
"Naruto, go see what's happening on that end. If I'm right, this is all tied together." Sasuke knew Naruto's sense of duty would hold him back, and before any more protests or questions could stop him, the Uchiha took off to Konoha Hospital.
He couldn't help relishing the way her body felt against his. As he'd imagined, it fit perfectly to his bigger frame. He had reluctantly let her go the first time as he knew a chance like this would not come so easily. Fortunately for him, it seemed the hands of fate were quite heavily siding with his desires. The fact that he rushed to catch her the second time, could easily be shrugged off as the heroic mindset of all shinobi to help those in need.
The only problem was that this was Uchiha Sasuke.
The Uchiha Sasuke who especially hates girls and human contact. Add to that the fact that his audience had been his one and only best friend.
Hopefully the blonde wouldn't question it...who was he kidding. He could feel the Uzumaki's stare burning into his back.
At the least, the alarming situation and the imminent danger would give him some time before he had to explain himself. It wasn't that he was afraid. Far from it. He just didn't want Naruto to step in and try to 'help' him. Knowing the nosy blonde, he'd do more damage than good; especially since this involved Hinata.
No. Nothing would stand in his way. Not when it concerned the indigo-haired beauty within his embrace.
Even if the world really was ending, he'd make sure they were together this time.
A/N: I wanted to post this yesterday since it was Hinata's birthday, but I needed to tweak it a little more. I've actually been holding onto this for a while now, since I wasn't sure if I wanted to write it anymore. I'm hoping actually posting it will motivate me to finish it.
I hope you enjoyed it and Happy Holidays~