Up until now life in the Village was surprisingly normal and happy. It's been only two days but small celebrations were important. Hinata had one thought ever since she's been out of her family compound. She hasn't met Hanabi there. She really wanted to see her sister. Right now she was looking at the necklace she'd bought for her. It was about time she gave it to her sister. Would Hanabi be happy about her return? There were a lot of doubts about the meeting but the longing she felt was stronger. So she decided to go and find her little sister. Alone. This encounter was something she needed to deal with on her own. And it was probably better to go there alone not to cause more difficulties by bringing Sasuke along.
„Are you sure you want to go alone?" Sasuke didn't like the idea but wanted to respect her decision. If it was him he would also want to go there alone probably.
„Yes" she was more than sure about it. Thanks to her eyes she knew where to find Hanabi. She felt bad about spying on her like that but it was easier than to look all around the village.
Hanabi was outside of the compound at one of the training grounds further away from home. She knew that Hinata was back and had the urge to find her but her father forbid her. She was angry at Hinata as well so training was the only thing that came to her mind. But when she saw someone approaching she stopped dead in her tracks. It was her. Hinata came to see her and every bit of anger was gone. Her sister was there. She ran towards her and bumped into her with her arms spread.
It was shocking to Hinata that Hanabi greeted her like that. She's expected more cold welcome from her but it was nothing but happy and warm. So she wasn't the exact copy of their father. She smiled and hugged her back.
Hanabi hasn't changed much. She still was rather thin and her hair were long. She wore the usual training clothes. She's grown quite a bit though. She was now almost as high as Hinata. Not that Hinata was particularly high herself. When they were apart from each other both of them looked at each other. Her face was more mature but there still was this mischievous look on it that Hinata both loved and hated.
„You look… different" Hinata laughed at the remark. She knew exactly what her sister meant. She was different. She was definitely thinner. She still hasn't regained her body mass after her depressive episode. Her hair were the same but she tied them now most of the time which she's never done before. She was also dressed differently. „Good, but different"
„You look almost the same on the other hand" she laughed when Hanabi made angry face. „More mature but still same old Hanabi" she was so happy to see her.
„So how was your trip?" The last word had a bitter taste for both of them.
„It was fine. For the most time I was too depressed to really enjoy it to be honest."
„So what changed?" It felt dumb to ask this since she already knew the answer.
„I know that you probably feel similar to our father about it but Sasuke does make me happy and loved and important" she needed to have this conversation done. „It's not like I've been planing to upset you both by getting close to him. At first we just travelled together. I didn't know why he wanted to go with me, I still don't quite get it but he did and we grew closer." Was she explaining herself to her younger sister?
„I believe you. But couldn't you pick someone other than Uchiha Sasuke? This man's done so much bad to Konoha. He's scary and always has been." She was simply scared for her sister. She knew that their father felt mostly the same.
„It wasn't that easy. Neither one of us simply picked."
„I know. But aren't you scared that one day he might turn evil again?" The thought of it made Hinata want to burst out laughing but she suppressed it. If only Hanabi knew how he really was she wouldn't have asked this question, it wouldn't have even passed her mind.
„No. And I'm sure he won't" she smiled at the memories of every little thing that made her so sure. The way he acted in front of her. His gentleness and the way he seemed lost when he was unsure about something. Sure he could be scary but she wasn't afraid of him.
„Not even if you broke up with him?" Hinata's mood dropped a little.
„He would probably just leave and never came back"
„Probably is an unknown. Be careful with him." Hinata smiled again. There was this contrast between both of them. Hinata was always soft and wanted to see the world in bright colors whereas Hanabi saw problems everywhere. It didn't mean she was careful, she often poked a bear consciously just to cause havoc.
„I've got something for you" she said and gave Hanabi a little box. When her sister opened it her face brightened.
„It's beautiful!" She instantly put the necklace on.
„I'm glad you like it" Then both of them talked about the things that have happened during this year long separation.
It was almost an hour later that an idea came to Hinata's mind. Maybe it was okay for Hanabi and Sasuke meet. For her to get to know him as he is now.
„Do you have to go back to the compound any time soon?"
„Not really. I have to be there for my training with father but it's still a few hours" she looked at Hinata with question on her face. Hinata was grinning. There was no way now that Hanabi could think of any excuse not to go.
„Would you like to see where I live now?" It was clear but indirect way of asking if she wanted to meet Sasuke and both of them knew it.
„Sure." Her answer wasn't particularly optimistic and Hinata could sense a hint of anger in it but she was still happy to get this word out of her.
Sasuke was working on the walls the whole time Hinata was gone. He had to plaster them so when they wanted to paint the walls it would be even. Plastering was a dirty work so he was now covered in a white dust. He sensed their chakras and went outside to greet Hinata. He didn't expect her sister to come in as well so when she did he raised his brows slightly. Hinata just smiled at the view of him. His hair were almost white now and so where his clothes.
„Sorry that I didn't say Hanabi was coming but it was a last minute decision" she said when they were close to him. She reached for his head and shook the dust out of it.
„No problem" He was mostly glad to see her and meeting her sister was going to happen either way.
„Hanabi meet Sasuke. I don't believe you two really met before" Hanabi was shook when Sasuke held out his hand but did the same.
„Good to finally meet you" her voice sounded so much different than before. The Hiashi in her really popped out right now. Sasuke had one of his brows risen and Hinata knew that he could read the girl like a book.
„We are only starting the renovations, as you can see" she tried to dust off her boyfriend. „Let's go inside" she took Sasuke's hand and led the way towards the house.
Hanabi stayed with them for another hour. It was the weirdest hour since they've been back. Hinata was the only one to start a conversation and ask any questions. Sasuke observed her sister and Hanabi was tense the whole time.
„I think I'm going to go home now Hinata" she said and got up from the couch. Hinata followed her and Sasuke was close by.
„Thanks for coming. And I hope to see you soon" Hinata said and hugged her.
„Sure! Thanks for the necklace again. I'll come over to see this house finished." She was being mostly polite now. She wanted to be out of this place. But then strange thing happened.
„You're always welcome here Hanabi" it was Sasuke who said it. Hinata giggled but Hanabi just stood there and looked at him. „Tell your father that he is invited over as well and wish him well" that sentence only caused Hanabi to froze even more.
„I will" she acted almost robotic now. She didn't even say goodbye to them before leaving promptly.
„You can't play with her that way" Hinata punched him teasingly.
„I was being nice" he wanted his face to look saint but she saw this mischievous sparkle in his eyes. They were similar in this aspect so she just laughed.
„Sure you were" she hugged him not minding the dust that was still on his clothes. „We should go back to work, huh?" He nodded and they went back in. She quickly changed her clothes and they started working on the walls together.
Once they finished both kitchen and the living room they were exhausted. They went outside and sat on the chairs that were on the porch.
„Are you happy that you went to see her?" He asked.
„Oh, I am. I love her so much and it was so nice to see her again" she was smiling now. „I only wish you two could get along"
„She doesn't seem to be fond of me"
„She has to bet used to you, that's all" she was almost sure of it. There was this tiny doubt that there were too many ill feelings but she didn't want to take it in.
„We'll see" he was more cautious when it came to other people's opinion on him changing. He wished to have her optimism in that matter.
Naruto was tired from long journey from his mission when he reached the gates. He didn't even want to speak to Izumo and Kotetsu. But they stopped him with gins on their faces.
„What is it?" He asked curious now.
„He's back" In a second Naruto felt new wave of energy coming.
„Sasuke?" he had to make sure but he knew that it was him.
„Yes"
„Alone?"
„No. Hyuga Hinata was with him" Kotetsu said. Naruto breathed in and closed his eyes. He searched for their chakra points and when he found them he run straight towards them. Kakashi and the report could wait.
He was fast so reaching Uchiha district didn't take long. He saw then sitting outside. They were quiet but once he stepped inside the district Sasuke's eyes met his. One of them was red and the other was spinning.
„Not here to fight time!" He yelled out.