Thank you all for your lovely reviews.
LaCrazyWriter I 100% agree with you. They are both orphans but they suffer it in a different way. So funny that you and Beru Wang agreed on the same points :) love it when you write I said what I said.
Beru wang so thoughtful of you to check Hinata's ninja status. But what does it mean active shinobi but doesn't take missions? Don't worry I have a lot of plans for her, but it doesn't involve her Byakugan development, I'm afraid. Besides never underestimate the work of a stay at home mum. The whole household won't function without her. You'll understand when you get kids. Plus if you are minor I will strongly recommend you stop here. The coming up smuts are SERIOUSLY mature content.
Evilqueen095 I PMed you
Guest Thanks for the review. I'm happy you like it. More Temari conv coming up.
I-Love-Trunks-1 a chapter is not complete without your review. Thank you.
Konekochan22 welcome back. Thank you, happy you like it.
Episodes 19-23
Sarada grew up and started to see her friends busy with their fathers, train with them and do fun stuff together. She misses her father and wants to know who he is. What kind of person is he? Is she really like him? And she tried to find answers to her questions.
Her eyes started to hurt. She asked Sakura, "Does my father wear glasses?"
"I don't think so, probably not" Sakura answered innocently.
"Properly? You don't even know if your husband wears glasses or not. " she said coldly. Sakura was hurt by her daughter's rudeness.
She asked her mother again. Sakura was tired and had a migraine. "How do you call yourself his wife, you don't know anything about him" Sarada was furious. "Tell me now, are you really my father's wife?" She never saw their wedding picture. She must get answers. " You can't fool me any longer"
"You are acting weird today" Sakura was furious.
"The weird thing is your relationship with papa, and not a little, a lot" Sarda answered angrily.
That made Sakura infuriated and she hit the ground with her mighty fist." SARADA!! "
"You are separated for a long time. Maybe he forgot us" Sarada cried.
"Don't worry, me and papa are connected… through our feelings" and she touched her forehead.
The house, still paying it's lone, cracked and broken into pieces. How many houses will she destroy? Sakura fainted.
Sarada looked for her father's picture. They don't have any pictures together. She found a picture of 'Taka', the only picture with her father in it. Sakura made a similar picture for herself with the same background next to it. This woman with glasses like hers, maybe she is her mother?
Sarada went with Chocho looking for more information following Naruto who was meeting up with Sasuke. She used the excuse that she will deliver the bento Hinata made for Naruto to follow him. Boruto was furious. His mother always cooks him dinner and makes him bento but he never cared to be there." she should have known better, she is always... " he was so disappointed and infuriated.
Sarada had high hopes in finding her father. Her heart beated so loud in her chest of excitement.
Sasuke was fighting a boy with Sharingan. He was so confused about where this Sharingan came from. He thought he was the only one with it. He was afraid there were more weird-looking creatures with his Kekkei Genkai.
Naruto told Sarada about her father.
"He was very handsome, popular among kunoichi's and he was the first in the class 'like me'. But he was arrogant, antisocial and rude, the opposite of me. He is my rival and still is to this day. No matter how long you don't see each other, you're still his daughter. You remind me a lot of him, you have the same eyes"
Sarada loved the trip with Naruto, he made her feel so happy and comfortable.
Then Sarada appeared in front of Sasuke with her Sharingan just awakened from all the emotions that battle in her heart and brain at finally meeting her dear father. He couldn't see her in the dark, he only saw two red Sharingan eyes. He almost killed her thinking she was one of his enemies. He never thought his daughter would go out of Konoha and meet him there where he supposed to meet Naruto and tell him about the new Sharingan enemies.
"I came to meet you, papa, I knew the Seventh was going to see you, I wanted to ask you something important, is mama my real mother? You are never there, why don't you stay and live with mama? you don't even recognize your own daughter's face. And who is this woman in the picture with glasses like mine? Where and what were you doing all this time?" she asked out of breath, screaming and confused.
"That has... nothing to do with you!" he answered coldly.
"Don't you think you should at least tell her why you can't come back to the village?" said Naruto.
Sasuke looked at him with a thousand expressions. That none can be read on his face. 'Are you kidding me? should I tell her, her mother doesn't need me or want me around her, should I tell her that I love the Seventh's wife and running away from her torment, should I tell her I was a prisoner in Konoha just waiting on my love to visit, what should I tell her exactly Naruto? you tell me.'
"She has Sakura, there is nothing to worry about," he answered.
It has been a long time since he felt wanted and loved. There is someone who needs him so bad that she awoke her Sharingan.
Sakura knew from Shizune that Sarada followed Naruto wanting to see her father. Shikamaru told Shizune. Sakura said " I always thought if Sasuke was around, Sarada would be in troubles. I mean Sharingan brings sorrow too. " -1-
Sakura then followed her daughter and fought the Sharingan enemies.
"What do you think you are doing to my husband and dear daughter?" She was angry.
"What are you doing here, you too?" Sasuke was irritated.
"I'm here too" she didn't mention him. Naruto was hurt by the attack of 'Shin Uchiha'.
She looked at her dear friend apologetically. "Are you alright, Naruto? " "I'll be fine"
Finally she turned to Sasuke, they looked at each other in the eyes for a long moment, they haven't seen each other in ten years. He was always thankful and apologetic to her for raising his child alone. She looked down in understanding and hugged her beloved daughter. Having Sarada was the best thing that happened to her. She is her everything.
"I'm sorry, I thought I've made things clear to Sarada, but... "she whispered.
"Don't apologise, it's my fault.." he said, his back to her.
"Papa, are your feelings connected to mama's really?" asked Sarada, very emotional. "ah" answered Sasuke "how could you be so sure?"
"Because you exist... Sarada" he answered in the softest voice.
Sasuke missed his daughter so much, how much she has grown up. Sarada is now everything he has after the loss of his love. There is someone new to fill his empty life. To bind him back to Konoha again.
Someone who can make her own decision and tell her mother she wants to be with her father and clearly, she yearns for so bad. She even doubted her mama to be her real mother. Another child will stay with their mother even if they aren't the real one because they love them. But she, wanting to know who she is, is more important than staying with Sakura.
They returned back to Konoha as a family. Sakura made them a weird dinner (miso soup with tomatoes) in her new rental apartment. He didn't ask what happened to the old house. He knew what his matriarch was capable of doing!!
At night he checked the old residence in the Uchiha district. It looked like a haunted house. No plants, no animals and no life. Just spiderwebs and dust. He visited once or twice through the years and found Hinata's kids toys and her fragrance in his futon. Hinata looked after the house for years. She even had white rabbits in the garden. His fridge and pantry were stacked. She had spare clothes for her and her kids in the drawers.
But now there were no traces of her visits. She must have vacated it. He told her he is never returning to Konoha and she finally believed him. It took her years to realise that he was serious.
He dusted his room and slept in his house. In the morning he was at Sakura's apartment before Sarada woke up. Sakura and Sarada walked him to the main gate. He told his daughter not to be sad. He hugged her tight, his eyes softened and tapped her on the forehead "until next time"...
Sarada remembered when she was a child and asked her mother. "Mama have you EVER kissed papa?" Sakura can't recall any kiss at all. She thought back to the kiss on her forehead at the birth of Sarada and blushed. And he taped her when he left for his atonement. "There is something better. I'll tell you next time" and she taps her. When you meet your father, you'll understand" now she understands what her mama meant.
Sakura, like an idiot, stepped forward blushing to get her tap too. 'She is absurd', he totally ignored her and left.
Sasuke thought long about it. That little human needs him so badly and wants him in her life. He can't disappoint her. He loves her so much. He will do anything for her. He will always visit her and train her and be there for her whenever she needs him.
Bolt's Birthday was ignored by Naruto, the kid had invited his teammates and was excited about his birthday but his father was too busy to spend an hour with him and celebrate, he was disappointed in his old stupid man. E51
Naruto promised Bolt to be there for Himawari's birthday not as he did to his months ago. But Naruto messed it up. Big time. After the man-to-man promise to Bolt, he sends a clone to his daughter's birthday. And because he was out of Chakra his clone disappeared while bringing the cake to the table. The cake fell on the floor. Boruto got so angry and Himawari was disappointed in her father. Sad Hinata didn't know what to do. What kind of father is that? She tried to defend him, but everyone was done with those excuses. E54
Sasuke could sense Naruto at home, then his chakra disappeared. That must be a clone. He must be still in the Hokage tower. The uchiha is back in the village temporarily. He must see his daughter's chunin exam. Naruto told him it was about to start. But first, he must see HER. Just a little. Then he'll meet Naruto and go home to his Sarada.
Boruto was so angry with his father and wanted to hit him. He didn't even consider him a man to respect his promise.
Sasuke rang the bell, Boruto came downstairs running thinking it was his 'stupid old man'. He wanted to hit him. He opened the door and his fist landed in Sasuke's strong hand. Sasuke remembered him, that little adorable brat that loved him so much.
"You must be Naruto's son, what is your name? " After ten years he forgot his name.
"Uzumaki... Boruto" he answered, surprised at the late-night visitor.
She heard him, she smelled him, is that real? How is that possible? She runs to the door, happily "Boruto... What is going on?" She turned on the light.
It was him... he... at her door, wearing her cloak, his handsome tired face, his deep breath-taking voice. She couldn't believe it. She was out of breath from excitement.
"Is that you... Sasu.. ke... Kun? " She gasps and startled saying his dear name. She couldn't breathe. He said he is never coming back, what happened? Why is he here? She folded her hands in front of her heart as she does when she sees his pretty face.
"Is Naruto here?" he knows he is not here; she knows he knows that. But they must say something in front of the kid. He didn't expect him to open the door. Boruto looked at his startled mother, why is she so happy?
Sasuke admired her gorgeous face, not as pretty as before, she looked so thin and tired, she looked ill even. She is wearing a lot of layers of top baggy clothes and shorts. But he could see from her legs how thin she is. What happened to her? Why does she look so ill? He must talk to her in private.
"I think he is still at the Hokage office." Sasuke knows that, where else would the Hokage be?
She was shaking, words barely coming from her mouth. She clutched her knuckles harder.
"I see... sorry to bother you" there is nothing else to say when Boruto is in between them. He must leave, he'll find another time to talk to her.
He looked at her for a moment. Their eyes said a thousand words. Then he turned and left. He is grimmer, darker, and more serious than ever. He looked so sad and broken. Her heart ached to see him like that.
Boruto runs past him, "I will show that stupid old man" he means Naruto.
"Baruto please wait" Hinata screamed. But he shunned her running to the Hokage tower. Sasuke holds him by the collar of his brand-new sweater.
How dare this brat ignore and disrespect my love Hinata. He was angry he wanted to hit him.
"Your mother told you to wait.."
"That is none of your business"
"by 'old stupid man', you mean Naruto, right?" he asked furiously. This disrespectful child! He got an idea of the family life of the Uzumaki.
He met Naruto and Shikamaru, he told his best friend, he visited his house looking for him and saw an angry Boruto, he is like his father. Shikamaru rolled his eyes, 'he saw Hinata and here we go again. What a drag? '
"No, I think he is like you Sasuke, no I pull that back, his clothes are always new" he saw the cloak that Sasuke wore for ten years. Sasuke was surprised that he compared him to his son.
"Usuratonkachi!! "
He saw Boruto coming to meet his father at the tower. He went to the entrance to meet him.
"You want to hit your father don't you, go home before you get hurt." Sasuke toyed with him a little. Boruto was no match for his little finger.
The mini-Naruto admired how strong Sasuke was. He couldn't even touch him. He was an amazing shinobi better than his father. And way cooler.
Sasuke didn't understand what happened to this angry brat. He changed and his eyes gleamed and turned into hearts. "You are amazing... Please make me your pupil"
He must teach this kid a lesson.
"Can you make a Rasengan? No, how do you think you'll hit Naruto? You can't be my pupil then"
"I'll learn it, that is easy, Sasuke-San" Sasuke looked at the grown-up kid. He used to call him 'Papa' ; he uses honorifics like his mother. She taught them manners, so Hyūga.
When he went home, he noticed Sakura didn't destroy this one. She had migraines all day. When she found Sasuke at her door she was shocked and fainted from tiredness. Actually, she was about to meet up with Kakashi when her husband showed up.
Hinata cooked dinner and left her kids at home. They are grown up now and they can stay at home alone. Boruto tried to make pancakes and discovered the power to help him make the Rasengan.E54
She went to the Uchiha District, they must talk. It has been three days since Sasuke returned and she can't wait to see him again. She has a lot of questions for him.
It was night as she reached the district. She was lucky no one saw her in the darkness.
Her heart pounded so hard in her chest. What will she say to him? What will he tell her this time? She knows from Naruto that he will stay until the chunin exams. She missed him so much. But she will not tell him that again. He pushed her away last time and is probably still angry with her.
He was so grim and broken. Is it because he missed her? Because he left her? Because she couldn't be with him? She felt so sad and tears started to pool in her eyes.
"I knew you would come!" he whispered as she approached the porch. He stood behind her.
"Sasuke-Kun how are you?" she wiped her eyes and turned to see him.
"What happened to you? Are you ill? " he narrowed his eyes.
"No, I'm fine" she looked to the ground.
"You don't look fine, is it because Naruto is too busy? "
"..." she was embarrassed. He lifted her chin.
"You deserted 'our' house too" he whispered. He looked her deep in the eyes.
"Sasuke-Kun?" She was shocked. How did he know?
"Tell me Hinata what is happening to you?"
"I really thought you're never returning to Konoha. That the ascension was an exception... I lost hope to see you again… " she started to sob.
"Boruto wants to be my student." he tried to change the subject. And wiped her tears with his half-covered thumb.
"He is doing his best with Konohamaru-Kun to learn the Rasengan. He admires you so much."
He left her face and walked to the porch.
"I love that kid, but he is a pampered brat" and he sat down on the porch like he used to do ten years ago.
She sat next to him... at a distance. "He is looking up to you as a father figure. I guess he recalls your scent." she giggles.
He was silent for a moment. That troublesome pregnancy.
"How are you and Naruto?" he can't leave it.
"As always, he is barely there so we are practically separated but together." she looked at her feet.
"WHY?" he surprised them both with the tone of his voice.
"Why what?" She looked at him shocked.
"Why didn't you gave him another chance? Why didn't you two do your best to save your marriage? " That is why he basically left, was it all for nothing?
"After the birth of Himawari, my father scolded him for his neglecting habits. Tou-sama noticed I was in a very bad condition and almost died giving birth. Naruto-Kun changed then... for me. He tried, tried his best, we...we were.. em.. back together for some time, but then he changed back to his old habits until he became Hokage and we were completely separated."
"hm"
"I'm sorry Sasuke-Kun '' she blushed and looked down in shame.
He narrowed his eyes " what for?"
"..."
He smirked and arched a brow "for having sex with your husband?!!!" Ofcourse he is boiling and hates the thought of Naruto touching her. But he understands this would happen. He did everything for it to happen.
"..."
"Why didn't you do anything to save your marriage?" What about her? What are her feelings?
Tears welled in her eyes again. " I can't... I don't have any energy to save this marriage anymore... I'm drained... I'm totally hollow... I have nothing to give." She said between sobs.
"You still have your kids, they need you"
"I know, that is the only thing that kept me alive. Boruto is grown up now. But Himawari is still a child and depends on me a lot."
"Himawari! It's a nice name" he smirked.
"It's for the sunflowers you planted for me. That was Neji's favourite flower." he remembered he is her Neji. He has a lot of mixed emotions and memories.
"Hinata, you should know. I'm not here to get back together, even if you and Naruto are separated. I'm not here back to you. I'm done with that part of my life and I don't want to feel that shame and guilt again. I'm here for Sarada, she needs me and wants me so badly by her side." He made it worse.
She stood up " I know and I'm sorry I left your house in such bad condition. I'll send someone to clean it and bring everything back as it was. Sorry to bother you too Sasuke-kun" she said firmly, her back to him, for him not to see her shivering chin.
And she walked slowly home, her back bent in shame and disappointment.
He was so angry with himself. Why is he so Uchiha rude sometimes? She just wanted to talk to him, it doesn't mean she wants them together either.
The next day he visited her. Boruto was thrilled to see him.
"Sasuke-San see you in the training grounds later?" He ran to the academy.
"Hm"
"Himawari can you please clean up your room?" Hinata knew they wanted to talk in private.
"Haaaai, ja-ne Sasuke-San" runs Himawari upstairs.
"She is very… cheerful" said Sasuke amused.
"She is... I'm sorry, I didn't have the time to arrange the service stuff Sasuke-Kun."
"I know, I'm not here for that! Plus, I can arrange that myself." He looked around at their pictures.
"..." Then what do you want?
"I wanted to apologise for what I said yesterday. I didn't mean to be rude." He looked at her.
She put a strand of her hair behind her ear "No you're right and I know that. I lost faith in your return the last time I saw you on the monument." She answered, a little embarrassed, a little angry. Wiping the kitchen countertop.
"Good, you and Naruto should work things out." He looked at their pictures again.
"I told you me and Naruto are done. I'm just with him because of his prestigious as Hokage. The village is his family now." She looked outside at the village view.
"What about your promise?" He remembers her promise to Naruto.
"I realised I was wrong, that my nindo is not helping me but it's imprisoning me. I realised my ninja way doesn't apply to my daily life. That I can be free of my promise." She wiped again, head bent down.
"Why now?" His eyes wide as he gritted his teeth. "Why now do you realise that? We could have been together all these years if you weren't so... stubborn." He was furious.
"I didn't know. Temari asked me and made me understand my mistake. I didn't know what to do. She helped me understand what I wanted!" She sobbed. "You were not here. I would have left him if you were here. But..." She wiped her tears. "You are right, you are here for your daughter's chunin exams then you'll leave again, your mission is never going to end like Naruto's job as hokage. So..."
He walked closer to the kitchen, to her. 'What does she mean?' he saw in the cabinet her medicine. He knows them, he used them after the massacre. "What is this?"
"It... It's my medicine.." and she grabbed them from his hand and hid them in the drawer.
"Antidepressants and sleeping pills? How long have you been taking those?" He looked at her confused, that was a strong medicine, not recommended for use for more than six months.
"Almost ten years now" she said, ashamed, looking down.
His heartache and his eyes watered "Hinata!" He reached to touch her, hug her, he didn't know. She didn't see it.
Before he touches her "Sasuke-Kun please leave. I think we have nothing to talk about anymore." She said, still looking down.
He lowered his arm and looked at her for a moment.
"I want to see you again," he said in a firm tone.
"NO. We are done. After the ascension day I suffered a lot and I've had enough. I can't do this. Please leave me alone." She never was so bold, so hurt and so angry...at everything.
He frowned and clenched his fist. He went to meet Boruto for training.
Temari visited her after training Shikaday's team.E55
"Is Boruto ready for the Chunin exam?"
"He is training with Sa.. 'his sensei'! He is teaching him the Rasengan and how to throw shurikens" She doesn't want to say his name. It hurts too much.
"His sensei? The Uchiha? I've heard from Shika that he visited you. Is everything ok?" Temari looked concerned.
"We are fine. We agreed to let it be as it is. He is only here for his daughter's exam anyways." She said frowning.
"Are you ok? You look angry!" Temari knew her friend, she was never like this.
She inhaled and exhaled deeply "I'm just tired, so tired, I have fought for years, waiting for him. Maybe he'll return to me! Then we met and he told me he is never coming back!! And now he is here, he told me he is not here back to me, then he tells me he wants to see me. But I can't. Can't do this anymore. What does he want from me exactly?" She looked confused at Temari.
"Do you know what YOU want? It's all that matters" she pointed a finger at her heart.
Her eyes softened "I don't know what I want either. I'm concerned about Naruto's position but Sasuke-Kun... I want him. I want him so bad. But he is pushing me away. And I'm afraid he will leave me again. I will die if that happens. And now I don't have the intrepidity to meet him or even talk to him. He never was like that." The damn tears welled in her eyes again.
"Don't think about Naruto's position, he earned it with his strength and determination. He works everyday to protect the village and service its citizens. It has nothing to do with you if you stay or go. If you still love the Uchiha then divorce Naruto to be with him. He is doing this to you because you are still with baka kage. It hurts him to see you, his wife." Temari always knows what to say. She is so wise.
"Why are you always pushing me to divorce Naruto-Kun and be with Sasuke-Kun?" Hinata looked at her with narrow eyes.
"Because I can't see you like this anymore. Look how much you've changed. What had you gained from this marriage except depression and illnesses? You have your kids, I know but they are grown up now. In a few years they will leave you to their own missions, friends and life. And you'll stay all alone, suffering. This is your chance to be happy, to be with your love. I want to see you joyful, sunny like before and I know you'll be... with him."
She thought about it for a long moment.
"Will I?" she whispered, asking herself.
But she must be sure, he wants her as she wants him. Maybe he had forgotten her?
-1- if anyone knows more information about this please tell me. That would mean Sakura really doesn't want Sasuke around Sarada also in anime not just in this story. That is serious.
Thank you all for reading. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think
