"Sasuke is busy." Karin stated, crossing her arms over her chest as she stepped in front of the doorway to block Sakura and Hinata from entering the courtyard. "Training."
"I am aware." Hinata nodded. "Excuse me."
"You can't take her in there." Karin's frown deepened. "Not while he and Suigetsu are displaying their techniques."
"Excuse me." Hinata repeated, stepping up to the redhead. "I need to see him, urgently." Karin rolled her eyes.
"Of course you do." Karin sighed heavily and stepped to the side. "He's going to be pissed when you bring one of them in."
"One of them?" Sakura raised a brow at the girl. "Are we not on the same side?"
"Are we?" Karin remarked.
"Karin." Sasuke's voice rang out from behind the doorway. "Let them through." Hinata chewed the inside of her lip, stifling a smile. She led Sakura into the courtyard, not sparing a second glance to the disgruntled redhead. Sasuke and Suigetsu were standing in the middle of the opening, a thin layer of sweat decorated Sasuke's exposed chest. "Sakura." He greeted, the atmosphere between them tense. Sakura hadn't seen Sasuke outside the Hokage office since his return to the village, and the time before that they had attempted to execute each other.
"Sasuke." Sakura nodded.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" He asked, stepping up to join them.
"Nostalgia. But mostly I wanted to check out where Hinata has been sneaking off too." The pink-haired girl shrugged. "I know Naruto would like to speak with you, maybe we can all catch up over ramen."
"Same old compound." Sasuke remarked, the mention of Naruto made him slightly uncomfortable. There were unresolved issues between them, issues he wasn't sure he could overcome just yet. The growing skepticism of Sasuke's compatibility to Hinata in comparison to the potential of her and Naruto's only fueled the contempt. "I'll think about it." He stepped closer to Hinata, leaning in to whisper to her. "How did it go?" Their hands brushed together briefly. Sakura's gaze dropped, the contact, no matter how innocent, was like a slap in the face.
"Not great. We should talk later." Hinata nodded, taking half a step back. "I have something to ask Suigetsu, everything good here?" She asked, looking back at Sakura. She wanted to afford her friend the time, the closure, that was clearly needed.
"Yeah." Sasuke nodded.
"We're all on the same team." Sakura smiled halfheartedly. Hinata gave another nod before making the quick trip across the courtyard to Suigetsu and Karin.
"Aren't you worried?" Karin asked, looking past Hinata at Sasuke and Sakura. "She's obviously in love with him."
"I'm not worried." Hinata glanced back at the former teammates. Sasuke shifted, taking a slightly defensive stance. Sakura inhaled deeply.
"Is Karin being helpful?" He asked, unsure how to conduct himself in this situation. Things were different now.
"Oh yeah of course." Sakura nodded, mustering a small smile. "She's a little hard to get along with at times."
"Absolutely." Sasuke agreed, the corner of his lips turning up for a smirk. Sakura furrowed her brow, her demeanor shifting to a more serious vibe.
"Do you care for her?" She asked, her green eyes shifting to Hinata.
"I don't think she'd want us to talk about it." Sasuke admitted, glancing back at the dark-haired girl. Hinata, Suigetsu, and Karin were watching them; some on lookers more skeptical than others.
"She's taking on a lot for you." Sakura explained. "Don't let her down."
…
Hinata sat on Sakura's left, Naruto on the other side of the pink-haired kunoichi. Some of the others had agreed to join them, but had ended up being no shows. The conversation was dry and mostly revolved around the current situation involving the Akatsuki. The rebuild was coming along nicely and Ichiraku Ramen was humbly accepting a small volume of guests. Even though the two girls had officially made up things were still tense between them. Several unfamiliar faces had stopped by to speak with Naruto, thanking him for his bravery during the Pain assault. It was genuinely satisfying to watch him get the recognition Hinata always felt he deserved.
"I thought Sasuke might come." Sakura admitted. "I guess he decided against it."
"He's just trying to adjust to being back." Hinata defended, looking down at her empty bowl. "I'm sure he'll come around."
"I hope so." Sakura stated, shifting uncomfortably in her seat.
"Hey Hinata, I wanted to talk to you about Sasuke." Naruto announced, leaning forward to peer past Sakura. Hinata looked forward, an overwhelming sense of embarrassment taking hold. How could she comfortably speak to Naruto in general…but especially about Sasuke. Things were too complicated. She had strong feelings for both and it always felt like a betrayal when the worlds collided.
"O-okay." She nodded.
"Since we're done here, Naruto, why don't you walk Hinata home and talk about it on the way?" Sakura suggested, the idea was less than innocent. She knew of the growing rivalry between Sasuke and Naruto that had not changed upon the Uchiha's return. Sakura knew Naruto had no interest presently in Hinata beyond camaraderie, but she also knew it would provoke Sasuke. She didn't want to hurt her friend, but she was still heartbroken. It didn't seem fair for them to be so blissful, to be so bold. The meeting at the compound had done the opposite of what she had hoped for.
"I guess." Naruto shrugged, sliding off the stool he sat on.
"Sure." Hinata agreed, glancing towards Sakura. Her heartbeat accelerated as she stood up, joining Naruto at the exit. She was careful to maintain a safe distance, and keep her eyes forward as they started towards the Hyuga compound. It was still under construction, but the main branch had adequate living arrangements for the time being. The two walked quietly for a few moments, allowing distance from the ramen shop.
"How is he?" Naruto asked, tucking his hands into his pockets as they walked. Hinata thought carefully before responding.
"H-he's adjusting." She stated.
"He won't see me." The yellow-haired kid sighed. "That redhead won't even let me get close."
"Karin…" Hinata nodded. "She is…can be, w-well, difficult."
"You see him everyday right?" Naruto asked. "You could talk to Sasuke for me."
"I can't." Hinata chewed the inside of her cheek. "If he won't see you… it's because he isn't ready."
"I just know he must be having such a hard time right now." Naruto sighed. "He's been through a lot. I know he hated Itachi but he was the only one left… I know that must hurt… To be alone."
Hinata sat cross-legged on the edge of the bed, waiting patiently for Sasuke to return. The masked man was desperately trying to drive a wedge between the young couple. He could see them growing closer. The alleged Madara spent his evenings whispering hate into Sasuke's ear, painting Hinata as a leaf shinobi villain. Sasuke pushed open the door, his face heavy with disappointment. Hinata could see the confusion taking root in his onyx eyes.
"Sasuke-kun…" She whispered, her frown deep with concern. "What happened? What did he say?" Sasuke crossed the room quietly, dropping to his knees to wrap his arms around her waist.
"I don't want to talk." He closed his eyes and rested his head in her lap. Hinata took a deep breath and ran her fingers through his hair.
"It's okay." She assured him, ignoring the moisture collecting on his cheeks so as not to further embarrass him. "We don't have to talk."
"You aren't alone." Hinata offered a warm smile, her cheeks flushing a bright red as the two made eye contact. "Neither is Sasuke, he just needs time."
"Thanks Hinata." Naruto beamed. "You're a great friend." He squeezed her shoulder briefly. Before she might have fainted at the contact. Her heart fluttered and she took half a step back, hoping to avoid the fog that threatened to claim her mind.