To me it's so damn easy to see
That true people are the people at home.
Well, I've been away but now I'm back today,
And there ain't a place I'd rather go. - I Feel Home by OAR

Hinata

I fluttered around the kitchen. Living by myself was, at times, a little overwhelming. I missed being able to slip across the street and chat with Auntie Suisen, or to be practicing in the garden or the dojo to suddenly find my little sister there. I used to be a little bit afraid of her, but when I'd been taught that I too had worth, then my confidence had risen along with the relationships I'd always wanted.

Aunt Suisen was very nice, but still needed time to come to terms with her grief. Hanabi was practicing to be a chunin. Neji… though I could talk to him, I always felt a little lost just being at his graveside. Itachi… I could do what Kakashi-sama did, slip down to the memorial and talk to him, but without his small smile and his adorably awkward attempts at being sweet, it was almost too sad. How did Kakashi-sama stand it?

It was fortunate that my teammates were here if they weren't on missions. Shino had even confided in me that his mother had given him grief for spending so much time over here. I had been sorely tempted to offer them a room to stay in. I slept in the room I knew to be Sasuke's because the other rooms, there were six all together, were all still quite dust-stangled. And someone had burned Itachi's room, leaving nothing but sooty walls and piles of half-burned ashes from whatever possessions had been there when he left.

Today was a good day, though. My team was here and they were in a helpful mood for once. And Sasuke would be here today, though he hadn't said when. So I was working off my nerves cleaning, and the boys were putting together a futon.

"Do you know when he's supposed to get here?" Kiba grunted as he pressed a joint together. I shook my head, though he was growling now at Shino who was braced to put the frame right-side up so that they could test it.

Shino's coat and glasses were in a jumbled pile with Kiba's leather near a brass coat rack. I hated it, but it and a few other basic furnishings had come from my father. The formal dining room had the appropriate furniture, but I knew I needed to definitely raid our storage or find out where the village had stored the Uchiha things.

There was a formal living room, a study, an informal dining room, and many others. Akamaru was curled in a white pile of doggy happiness in the middle of what should have been full of furnishings for an informal living room instead of a half-finished futon. Besides a very pretty padded bench, I had brought all the things I'd had in my bedroom. I was sure that if Sasuke thought he was going to take over his old room, he'd be deeply disappointed with the new furnishings.

"No. And honestly I'm mad at myself for offering in the first place!" I fretted, "I need to get some contractors in here to remodel Itachi's room. Not to mention a nursery! I've been living here for almost a month!"

I twisted the hem of my shirt as the boys traded looks, then smiles, then outright laughter. "Guys, I'm serious!" I gave them a mock-severe look, "After that's together, I cleaned out the room between mine and the burned one." Finally, I laughed at myself. These hormones are going to be the end of me.

That made them groan, but they obediently folded it and lugged the frame up the stairs. I could hear them moving it into place and I smiled.

A short knock followed by the sound of the front door opening had me looking excitedly toward the foyer.

"Anyone here?" Sasuke's voice sounded weary as I rushed to meet him.

"Sasuke! I'm glad to see you, welcome home!"

Akumaru followed me, but stood, hackles raised and stared Sasuke down.

"This beast is Akamaru?" Sasuke's visible brow rose, "Down, doggie."

Akamaru revealed sharp teeth and Kiba thumped down the stairs, "Easy, boy." He trotted into the foyer followed by Shino. "Hey Sasuke. Akamaru, he's cool. You're cool, right? Hold out your hand."

"As a cucumber." He held out his hand and Akamaru obediently gave it a sniff, "He staying here?"

"He's a good dog." I put my hand out too and Akamaru rubbed his head on me before sitting to Kiba's right.

"Kiba, it's good to see you. You too, Shino."

"You owe me 500 ryo," Shino gloated to Kiba, and everyone except Sasuke laughed.

"Come in, don't mind them." I moved aside and the boys did the same making it feel slightly less like they were going to have a showdown. We all watched in silence as Sasuke reached into his bag and tossed down a pair of slippers. He politely kicked his sandals off and put the soft-looking black slippers on.

Internally I grinned at his good manners. The rest of us were barefoot as we progressed into the house, Sasuke following meekly behind.

I turned to give him a slight bow, "We've started a room for you, Sasuke. I'm afraid I am in your old room." Which for some reason made all three boys trade looks, "It was cleaned when…" I looked back with a smile, "Itachi cleaned it."

"I suppose I'm not surprised since that's where I found you," he gave me a crooked smirk and I blushed. I had been asleep in his room when he'd paid a visit to his brother. He glanced at Kiba and correctly interpreted his scowl, "Chill. I came to see Itachi, not spy on your teammate."

"We're going to have to get along, aren't we?" Shino was quiet, but I could tell he meant what he'd said. "The fact is that Sasuke is here and he's not a criminal. For one, I'm glad you're back." Sasuke's normal eye registered surprise. "Are you surprised? Don't be, some of us brought back more than war stories. You helped save us. Even Kiba knows it."

Kiba scowled, but his face smoothed when he caught me looking. What was his problem with Sasuke? He'd never mentioned anything beyond the petty jealousy when we were children and the same general feeling of having to 'corral the troublemaker' that everyone seemed to have.

I touched his arm, making him stop to look at me, "Sasuke, please go drop your bag upstairs. I have dinner ready when you are."

We watched him go, and Kiba gave me tired eyes. "Kiba, what is wrong? I told you he was coming. If you had a problem, you didn't have to be here."

"I don't know. I just looked at him, and all I could see was Itachi. I know that he isn't here like that but last time you let a Uchiha get close…"

"I'm already pregnant," I joked lightly. I totally understood what he was saying. Sakura's counseling had one memorable session with the four of us talking. Kiba felt that Itachi had played with my feelings. Shino had trusted me more saying only that he wished things had been different.

"I know, I know." He rolled his eyes at me, "I just don't want you hurt. He does have a reputation for hurting people around him."

Shino sighed, "Sasuke is a hero. He may have lost sight of himself, but if you read over some of the debriefing reports, you will learn that he tried his hardest not to hurt people he didn't have to." He clapped Kiba on the shoulder, "We can trust Hinata, and I plan to think of Sasuke as her family now. We should trust him too."

"You read debriefing reports?" Kiba shook his head in wonderment, "You just like that he didn't forget you."

Shino chuckled quietly, "You think I'd forget that?" He sobered quickly though, "If you need time, come over. Mom is making okonomiyaki, it's easy to add enough for an extra couple of people. Even if one of them is you."

"Yeah. Okay, thanks." Kiba sighed, "Is it okay, Hinata? You aren't mad? You know I'm just being stupid."

"It's fine. I don't think you're stupid, you just care about me." I opened my arms and Kiba gave me a crushing hug. "Thank you, Kiba. You're a good friend."

Sasuke, who'd been waiting at the bottom of the stairs for this drama to resolve, came back in. He gave Kiba and Shino a steady faced look, "I am not sure what you want from me, but if it's an apology, you can have it. I am full of regret over the things that happened between me, the village, and all of the people I've hurt along the way." Kiba opened his mouth, but Shino stopped him with a touch. "If you want a promise, I will give that as well. I would not hurt Hinata. As long as I am here I will protect this place and everyone in it." He turned to me, "That means I won't leave; not unless you ask me to, or Kakashi-sama gives me a mission. I want to give you my word, Hinata." His eyes turned back to my team, "If you have to think it over, that's fine. But I want you to know that I want things to be better than they were."

He stuck out his good hand in a fist. Kiba took a breath, "You'd better."

Kiba shook out his hands, but joined fists with Sasuke with a lopsided grin. Then Shino bumped in from the other side, "I accept." They broke apart and Shino gathered their things, handing Kiba's jacket to him before slipping into his long coat. The boys kicked into their shoes while Akamaru, who'd had taken his cue from Kiba, stood wagging his tail with a doggie smile.

I waited for them to leave before exhaling sadly, "Well, I had made enough for the four of us. I hope you're hungry."

"Yeah. Always."

I giggled, just like every other male. "Okay. I made rei shabu and tomato no ohitashi just for you. I hope you like them!"

"You don't have to cater to me."

Sasuke blushed in that pale-skinned Uchiha way that gave me a nostalgic feeling. I wasn't grieving Itachi as I had been, but unexpected things still made me think of him. In many ways, Naruto was absolutely correct. It had been just a week. We'd kissed only a few times, and made love once. We'd argued the most, but it was interspaced with such sweetness. He'd really tried to be a good boyfriend. But I was actually sadder about Neji. That I had mourned Itachi, that I still think well of him - I had to hope that was enough.

I shook my head, "For today, let me spoil you. You saw your room; food is all I have to offer."

He nodded, and turned toward the dining room. I served the dishes with a couple of other little things, and at the end brought in some mochi that I'd found at the market when I was shopping yesterday. He ate them, exclaiming over the tomatoes, as I picked at my shabu. My stomach was starting to rebel at dishes I would have happily eaten last week.

Sasuke finished up, and made to stand, but remained seated, "It's been a long time since I've had to have manners. Or be nice. So if there's anything you want to discuss, house rules or whatever?"

I pushed my plate away and contemplated the mochi instead. "As for us, if anything I do bothers you, please let me know. Shino told me a couple of days ago that I'm much more touchy-feely than I was. So, if I've offended you, or you want me to try and stop, then just say so. I was so embarrassed about the hug I gave you in the market. I shouldn't have."

He stiffened, but then the blush came back, and it was slightly more than I was used to on that snowy face, "Ah, no. No, I just…" He sighed, "Remember when you hugged me in the tent?"

I blinked, "Yes, of course. We were both so sad. I really needed a hug just then." My own blush lit up, "Did I offend you back then? I'm so sorry!" I buried my face in my hands, but Sasuke pried one off.

"No. I was shocked. And again yesterday, but I don't want you to stop!" He clucked his tongue, "I mean, it's fine." He lay my hand flat on the table with his on top, "I haven't had an honest interaction that I wanted in nearly five years. It will take time, but it felt good." His voice quieted, "I forgot what it was like to have a family. Thank you. Don't ever stop."

Tears welled up, but I swallowed them back, "Since we're sharing, could I have you read something for me?"

His brows drew down as he withdrew his hand, "Sure. But I'm positive you already know how to read."

I shook my head with a small chuckle, "Itachi left me a message. Sakura says it reminded her of writing only someone with a sharingan could read. If it is, and not just random scribbles for whatever reason, I'd like to know what it says."

Sasuke nodded and I dashed upstairs for the scroll. I brought it down, and he turned it over in his hand with a smile tilting his lips. "Finally. I had wondered why he took the time to put a summoning circle in my room."

"He did?"

"Carved it into the floor. It's a very nice circle." Sasuke unrolled it on the table, smoothing over the seals with his hand. He looked amused, probably after reading Itachi's picnic choices. I smiled, too. "On the path in the desolate field-," he read, "The shadows overlapped-, and parted." He ran his fingers over the writing. "It seems sad." He glanced at me, the red draining out of his otherwise blue eye, and I nodded, "But it seems like you helped him. I'm glad I am the only person who can read this for you. I don't think Itachi would have wanted anyone else."

AN/ Rei Shabu is like a cold pork salad and tomato no ohitashi sounds freaky good, like beefy pickles? LOL You can look them up if you're into food like I am.