It wasn't until three days later that both of them were ready to move again. Sasuke's been worried about Hinata and she's been worried about him. He's looked tired for two straight days so she didn't want him to overdo it.

But it was time for them to leave at last. They were going towards Land of Waves. Sasuke hasn't been there since this memorable mission all these years ago. He remembered everything from this mission. It was one of the things that made him want to improve. And it was then that he almost died protecting Naruto. He wasn't sure if he was happy or not about seeing this place again. All things considered memories he had were mostly happy ones. Training with Naruto gave him satisfaction. And he remembered feeling that he had when he felt important. He decided it was probably good idea to visit this place and relieve these moments.

Hinata's never been there before for longer than few hours. She has been sent there on a simple mission few years before and she didn't pay much attention to this place or the people. Visiting this place was on her list because it was simply the last stop before they entered Land of Fire. But because of the events that have occurred few days ago she was not so sure it would be the last stop. She's always known that coming back would be hard but now that she saw what she could be really facing she wanted to postpone inevitable. They had to enter Land of Fire to get to their destination and during their march she had goosebumps. But once they saw the bridge she was calm again. The Great Naruto Bridge. She was close to laughing at this name. She looked at Sasuke who had a look of disbelief on his face.

„Of course they named it after him" he sighed. She knew that they've been there before and that it's been something grand but she's never asked about it.

„Can you tell me about that mission?" She asked and he smiled.

„It seemed so important then" he took her hand and they started walking. This bridge was impressive long and wide. „Tazuna, the creator of this bridge, came to Konoha and asked for a simple escort mission. So we got it. We were only genins then" he grimaced. Technically he still was only a genin. „But it soon was clear that he didn't say everything because he didn't have enough money for more important mission. Kakashi could just tell us to go back but he didn't. And we came here. We had our first fights there." He looked at her. „You know of Zabuza right?" She knew some things so she nodded.

„He was the one you fought?"

„He and his companion, Haku" he recalled fighting this boy who has been 15 when they've met him. „They both were very skilled ninjas. I remember how impressed I was by Haku. He was only two years older than I was but he was much more powerful. He had a rare kekkei genkai that made it appear as if he was everywhere. It was then that I could activate my Sharingan." He pondered if he should tell her how the fight ended. „Naruto came to fight and I almost died when this brat only made things worse. But when I was down it was Naruto that protected us both. I don't remember much else. I know that Haku sacrificed himself for Zabuza and that Zabuza was the one who killed his employers." He did like that memory. „So yeah, they named this bridge after the brat" She could tell that this was one of the memories he cherished and smiled. She could barely remember him from that time. She was always envious of the fact that everything had been so easy for him but it felt so funny now. Everything from their childhood seemed so funny now. Her naiveness and his relentlessness were still as strong as ever but in a different manner.

„Thanks for this story" he squeezed her hand. Right now his thoughts were occupied with something else. His former team. This place was a reminder of the bond he had with all of them but especially Naruto. Their friendship was one of the strongest in the world even though they didn't spend much time together. Sometimes Sasuke thought it was this strong because of the lack of contact but, nonetheless, he wouldn't want it to change. He's cursed this friendship many times in the past but after all they've been though he grew to accept and be kind of happy with it. They were similar in a way. Both used to be alone in the world, both had enormous power hidden inside of them. What was different about them was the way they've wanted to deal with their hurting and loneliness. Sasuke's chosen lonesome revenge and Naruto's improved through forming bonds and changing the way things used to be. And yet their bond has never been weak, it has only grew stronger over the years. The other person in their, now broken, team was their sensei, Hatake Kakashi. This man had so many secrets, starting with his face, that Sasuke still didn't know what to think about him. He remembered how impressed he was with his senseis skills during his fight with Zabuza and may times after that. But that was it. There might have been an emotional bond between them but there wasn't really. And there was Sakura. His whole body was ready to fight as soon as her image has appeared in his mind.

Hinata saw that he was deep in his thoughts and let him be there. At first his face was unchanged peaceful and at ease but it changed after a while. His jaw was clenched and every muscle tense. She wandered what it was but didn't ask. She just observed as his face got darker and darker. It somehow scared her to see this look on his face but it changed back in a second. He looked at her and breathed in deeply.

„Do you want to go back to Konoha next?" It was their plan but he wasn't sure it was still.

„I, well" she didn't know what to say. „I think so" she said but her voice was quiet.

„We don't have to"

„I know. But I really want to go back and spend time with my friends, my sister" she closed her eyes for a brief moment. „But I don't want to go back to the compound" she almost whispered. She was angry with her father and not sure if it was or could be her home. It was also making her feel like a coward that didn't want to face the problems. Sasuke stopped and made her face him.

„You don't have to go there if you don't want to" he would have had a hard time letting her go there to be honest. She was still looking at the floor so he lifted her head up. He wanted to propose something but couldn't find the words. „Hinata?" She only raised her eyebrows in question. „We could find a place together" he blurted. She just hugged him.

When they crossed the bridge they saw the city. It was bigger than he remembered and much more alive. It was a simple village but felt welcoming and they both felt warm in there. Their silent agreement still caused both of them to feel a little overwhelmed. Sasuke was simply happy with the way things were going but there was a lot more on Hinata mind. She was happy and very nervous, maybe even scared a little. For one there was her father who certainly won't accept it easily. Second thing was the reaction of her friends and his friends. And the last thing was that she was just nervous about the future. Weren't things moving too quickly? Were they rushing it? It wasn't even a year since they met each other in the Land of Snow. But these questions were so much less important than the fact that she was just purely excited and overjoyed with the idea of them spending all the time in the world together. It was a vild rollercoaster of emotions for her.

„Sasuke Uchicha?" They both turned and saw a young boy approaching them. Sasuke recognized him instantly even though it's been years. Inari was now around 13 years old. „What are you doing here?" It wasn't a hostile question but a sincere curiosity.

„Just visiting" Sasuke answered.

„I'm Inari" boy introduced himself to Hinata.

„Hinata" she smiled.

„Mother and grandpa will not believe that you are here" he smiled facing Sasuke again. „Are you staying here in the village?"

„Yes but we don't know for how long" he said.

„You have to come by our house before you leave! We were curious about you when we heard that you weren't in Konoha" Inari was loud and cheerful. So much different than before and so much alike Naruto.

„Sure" Sasuke tried to smile. „We'll come by" It was then that Inari realized that they were holding hands. He smiled even brighter.

„Okay, so see you" he waved goodbye and run off.

„Inari?" Hinata asked.

„Grandson of Tazuna" Sasuke started walking. It was almost dark and they were tired but they went into one of the restaurants and ordered a dinner. Food was good but they were not paying attention to it. Sasuke was once again quiet and in his thoughts. So Hinata just examined him. The feelings she had for him were so strong she was surprised she didn't burst with them. It was hard for her to imagine her life without him now. He's changed it so much and she was so grateful for it. She'd been so miserable and had been going nowhere until he's found her. She remembered their first encounter. She hasn't wanted to bump into anybody from Konoha and at first she hasn't even recognize him and she was sure he hasn't recognize her too. And then that cafe. She's been deep in her depressive thoughts all she's wanted was to disappear but he's sat in front of her and this change in her life has started. When she looked at his eyes she realized he was staring at her wit a skittish smile.

„Um?" She felt uneasy now.

„Hotel?" He asked and she realized that the bill was paid. She nodded.

She felt so young. Well, they both were still young but right now she FELT young. They didn't even unpack before they started kissing and undressing. It was so strange to her that she felt so free with him. She didn't care about the world around them when he held her in his arms and kissed her. When he told her how wonderful she was she forgot her own insecurities. And when he looked at her she felt important. Life with him outside of Konoha was so easy and good.

Her head was on his shoulder and he was stroking her back. Having her close made him feel at peace. There was nothing to worry about and everything was in place.

„So… moving in together?" She said. They had to have this conversation at some point and now was as good as any.

„Only if you want to"

„I do. It's just that we need to talk about it" she tried to look at him but it was difficult in this position. „Where for example?" He laughed. „Not funny" she whispered.

„Anywhere Hinata. But there must be something else. What are you really worried about?"

„My father won't be happy" she said after few seconds. His chest moved when he breathed deeper.

„We will deal with it"

„You know about the branch family, don't you?"

„I do" he tensed.

„They could seal me" her voice was shaky so she whispered it so quietly that she wasn't sure he's heard her.

„They won't" his voice on the other hand was sharp as a knife. „Won't let them" he kissed the top of her head. She decided not to dig deeper Ito this.

„And there are our friends" she spoke again.

„What about them?"

„Some of them won't be happy as well" she remembered the look on Saskuras face when she saw them.

„Doesn't matter" He shifted their positions so he could look into her eyes. „All that matters is what you and I want, nothing more" he smiled and she exhaled the air that she didn't even realize she was holding in.

„You're right" she smiled.