Slowly unveil what is hidden,
Then you will begin to understand,
What mess I am in and what ride I have ridden,
That created the hate in this fair land.
Before the end of the month, it was Hanabi's birthday. The Uchiha household had been given a scroll as an invitation about the celebration. Sasuke was the first to read it before he gave it to Hinata.
"It's in two days," Sasuke said, throwing the scroll midair for Hinata to catch. She caught it. Then he asked in a monotonous way, "Have you any idea on what to wear?"
"They usually provide us clothings. . ." Hinata softly answered. Just as she opened the scroll, she continued, "With the Hyuga crest. We're Uchihas."
"That must be it," mumbled Sasuke before taking a seat. Inside, Hinata knew what he meant. She was no longer a Hyuga so they did not provide her what she's supposedly ought to wear. She flashed a small smile at Sasuke. He averted his eyes from her before he continued, "It's a short notice."
"I agree," said Hinata with a small nod. Informing her husband, the blue haired kunoichi continued, "They'll be wearing the same clothes, except for the celebrant, the elders, otou-san, and the guests."
"The Uchihas weren't much of a difference," muttered Sasuke in which Hinata nodded.
"I do remember some celebrations with the Uchiha clan," Hinata said, agreeing. "Though I was young, and I barely remember anything anymore."
"Hn," responded her husband. "Neither do I."
Pursing her lips tightly, Hinata wondered if she wanted to continue the conversation, yet it felt done. So, instead of opening up another topic, Hinata went over to their bedroom to rest a while. Her energy was still full and she highly doubted she could would fall asleep sooner as her mind was still capable of thinking things through. The day was longer than most days — as she spent it alone in the house. She figured that days without Sasuke felt longer than usual, even though she would train alone and would do her chores.
Hinata laid in their bed with her forearm atop her forehead, resting. The night was too young, but she did not have anything to do. Going out was out of the picture. She doubt Sasuke would take it lightly if she did go out alone. Neither did she think that Sasuke would want to go outside at night. Even a little bit of training wouldn't hurt, but Sasuke clearly showed a dislike of the idea of exiting their home when the sun had already set.
"I presume together we'll go out?" asked Sasuke, startling her thoughts away. Sitting straight as fast as she could, Hinata turned to look at Sasuke who stood by the doorframe. Once her lavender eyes met his dark ones, he continued, "Tomorrow."
"Why?" she asked, eyes widening as Sasuke slowly went his way to hers.
"A gift for your sister," Sasuke answered once he has settled on their bed. At this, Hinata slowly laid herself once more, her back meeting the soft cushion of their bed. "Or would you like it if we go empty handed?"
Hyuga celebrations were always formally done. The gifts every visitor gave them were too exclusive and expensive. With grateful heart, Hinata would accept them all with a smile displayed on her features. And thought she was thankful for their grand gifts, Hinata always felt envious to those who are given with presents that are thought through. Hanabi, unlike her, wouldn't mind.
"No," she answered the rhetorical question. Looking at her husband from her blanket, she continued, "But we don't have much choice in what to give."
"Yes, giving someone with a high social status can be difficult," agreed Sasuke, nodding slightly without looking at her. His eyes were on the ceiling while Hinata's were on him. "What's your plan, then?"
"My kimono. . ." she whispered, but the wife was certain her husband heard her. Hinata knew he would not ask more, so she took a deep breath before saying, "It's from kaasan."
It had been a long time since she has last seen the kimono her mother had left her. Hanabi also had one, but like Hinata, Hanabi had never used it either.
"Are you certain you want to give it to her?" asked Sasuke, giving her a small glance from the corner of his eyes.
"Yes," answered Hinata. "The Hyuga crest is still embedded on the back of it."
"Just because you're an Uchiha now, doesn't mean that it makes you any less of a Hyuga," her husband muttered. If Hinata did not know any better, she might have guessed that her husband spoke through gritted teeth. There was almost irritation or maybe a small hint of annoyance in his tone that — for some reasons — made Hinata smile. "You are a Hyuga, by blood. An Uchiha, only by name. The Uchiha name isn't known about its greatness. If you were to choose a clan between the two, you wouldn't choose mine at all."
Insecurity. That was one way to describe the way Sasuke had spoken about his own family name, his clan, his own name, their name. But Hinata said nothing. Instead, Hinata pursed her lips and hugged the blanket closer to her. She tried to sort her thoughts out, but couldn't. A few minutes ago, she might have thought about having too much energy, now, she's drained. For some reasons, Sasuke's words sucked out her remaining will to do something for the night.
"Good night," Hinata said after realizing she bit her lip too hard that now it was beginning to bleed. She pulled the blanket and draped it over her shoulders as she put her back on Sasuke. His hand was once again in her shoulders, pulling her closer to him, shedding the heat in his body towards her.
"Hn."
The morning came by quickly. Just as expected, Sasuke was already out of the bed. Hinata guessed that if he weren't in the hokage tower, he would probably be in their kitchen, cooking, or in the living room, writing. It was almost a routine, and Hinata had now learned to adjust.
Stretching her hands up in the air, Hinata readied herself to go downstairs. In all honesty, she did not think of a better gift for her sister. The former heiress was not usually like this, she was thoughtful. She knew what to give to those who are around her. The thought about Hanabi's upcoming birthday circled in her mind for weeks, yet Hinata did not even do anything about it. Sure, she did not want to stress herself out over gifts, but that just wasn't her. Nowhere near at all. Was she beginning to lose herself?
As the unsettling ideas came to her mind, Hinata found herself whimpering in the headache it brought. Putting her fingers in her temples, her head now began to hurt. Constant headaches wasn't something new, she had experienced it a lot in the past and even when she has overused her byakugan – though after months of not feeling anything remotely close to that, Hinata had completely forgotten how irritating the feeling was.
Shrugging it all away, Hinata took her steps to go downstairs. As soon as she sat her feet on the wooden floor, Hinata felt another chakra signature. The chakra was unfamiliar and almost not visible, but there was a small tinge of it lingering around. Strange, Hinata could not sense where the chakra was. Activating her kekkei genkai to see where it was, Hinata found nothing close to her aside from Sasuke's by the kitchen. Within a second, the cold energy she felt was no longer present. Deactivating the byakugan, Hinata could only sigh.
It must've been my imagination.
"Good morning Sasuke-kun," Hinata greeted upon entering the kitchen door. Sasuke did not bother to look at her as he prepared whatever he was preparing. Turning the stove on, Hinata sighed. It was best if she asked her husband after all. "Do you want me to help you with that?"
Hinata was almost amazed at how Sasuke managed to chop the vegetables even with only one hand. Sure, he put other utensils that would help him chop the ingredients, but it was still hard knowing that he only has one hand. He was quite wise and innovative.
"It's fine."
"Oh," muttered Hinata. Just as she put the kettle with water by the stove, she asked, "Did someone come by?"
"No one," answered Sasuke after a small silence with his eyes still on the vegetables he was chopping.
"Oh. . ." Hinata said underneath her breath, still a little bit anxious at what she felt earlier. It must have been her imagination then. "I just sensed another chakra, but I saw nothing. . .I thought you knew who it was."
The steam from the kettle now started to come out of its holes. Because of this, Hinata closed her eyes to avoid getting hit by the hot air coming from the kitchenware. At this, it made her look at Sasuke. As her gaze fell upon him, Hinata's eyes widened. The Uchiha in front of her was frozen, his eyes were wide and alarming, his skin was paler than usual. . .and he had a huge cut in his palm. Hinata did not know how it happened, but she could only guess that the sharp knife slipped from his hand which he tried to catch but cut his palm.
"Sasuke-kun!" called Hinata, instantly snapping Sasuke's frozen self away. And though she was more than curious as to why Sasuke showed such emotion, Hinata went over to his direction and suddenly ran her fingers in where Sasuke had cut himself using the knife. The man in fromt of her did no signs of resistance. The glowing green light escaped from her hands and immediately closed the wound. Grabbing a towel, she asked him, "Please be careful."
Usually, it would tear down a shinobi's pride when it comes to being injured in such stupid things, but Sasuke showed none of those. Instead, he still looked calm, but the constant changes in his chakra said otherwise. She could feel how his chakra would turn darker and lighter from time to time. Her husband was always calm and collected, and though he looked fine on the outside, Hinata knew that he was still uneasy about — something that she could only guess was — the other chakra signature she informed him.
"Can I help you with that?" asked Hinata with much hesitation draping in her words. Not hesitation because of pity, but because of worry. He cut his hand earlier, and it would be best if she helped him.
"It's fine."
"Oh. . ." she sighed. "Okay."
"Do you have plans for today?" asked Sasuke, looking at her in the corner of his eyes. Replying with a small shake of her head, Hinata tried to flash a small comforting smile but couldn't. "Do you want to go out?"
It was the first time Sasuke asked her that. It wasn't surprising all in all, but it was just. . .foreign. Hinata was not an idiot. She understood why he wanted to go out — or just partly understood maybe. It was because Sasuke needed a distraction with whatever he was dealing with. Hinata was his wife, and she had the rights to ask, but Hinata knew to herself that she would not ask.
"Yes," Hinata answered, giving him a small glance and a soft smile before putting her eyes on the whistling kettle. As she slowly poured the contents of it in the cups which had bags of tea, Hinata felt Sasuke's chakra calm a bit. It was probably the only time Sasuke showed his chakra all-too-well without masking it. Otherwise, Hinata would know. Deciding it was best if her husband would calm himself down with a cup of tea, she softly asked, "Would you like some tea?"
"Tha–" Sasuke paused, even his chopping paused. After a short while, he continued, "That'd be nice."
When Hinata served his tea, Sasuke was still stir-frying the vegetables in a pan. At this, Hinata watched by the doorframe — something her husband would usually do in almost every circumstances. Hinata wanted to talk to him, but she knew it was best if she kept her lips shut for now.
That morning, they shared breakfast, like any other days before that. Gone was the tension that Sasuke obviously felt earlier, now it was calming. Though Hinata started to wonder: before, she did not notice how his chakra would flare up, but now she felt it. And it was strong. Was he masking it all the time?
At noon, Hinata changed her clothes into a casual one. Putting on a button-up shirt and another long sleeved shirt with the Uchiha crest above it, Hinata smiled to herself. Somehow, she did not feel any discomfort towards wearing clothing with the Uchiha crest. True, she did not think much of it before, but now that she did, Hinata started to wonder that maybe she really wanted to be an Uchiha. After all, if she didn't, she would be in such a huge misery.
"Are you done?" His low voice echoed in her ears even though he was from a distance.
"Yes," Hinata replied before walking towards the bedroom door. When she slid it open, Sasuke was leaning by the wall with his hand in his pockets. "Where do you plan to go?"
"I have an appointment with Kakashi," Sasuke told her. "The tower, then everywhere you want to go."
"That's nice," she commented softly with a smile. She offered his hand for him to intertwine and asked, "Do you want to buy our stock for the upcoming week?"
"If you want," he answered straight. Taking her hand into his, the raven haired man started leading the way.
When they got out of the house, Hinata smiled to herself. The rumors had lessened because they had been leaving the house in the past few weeks more than they did before only to buy groceries together — except for the other rumor that they were expecting a child which was far from true. They haven't touched each other yet and the only time they shared something very intimate was at their wedding night — and it was only a kiss and a naked Hinata. The memory still brought her embarrassment from time to time, but Hinata would shrug it all off.
The walk to the hokage tower was short, and in all honesty, she really wanted to see the hokage again. Aside from that, Naruto have also mentioned that there were changes in the landmark they have yet to see. And for obvious reasons, it made Hinata a little bit giddy because of the excitement.
As the view of the building came to sight, Hinata's eyes widened in amazement. There were really changes in the tower. Its fading colors were now vibrant, but not too much to become displeasing. The railings were polished too. There were landscapes with assorted flowers circling around the tower — which Hinata thought was from the Yamanaka shop since only Ino could pull such a landscape. Maybe the building was even taller than it was before, or maybe it's just Hinata hasn't seen it for quite a while that it looked bigger than the one in her memory.
"Come," whispered Sasuke.
"Oh. . .sorry," Hinata said shyly. Her mouth was probably widely agape as she looked at the tower before. The blood rushed on her face. "I haven't been to this area a lot."
"Hn. I know," Sasuke mumbled. He gave her a small glance before looking back at the tower. When he started walking, Hinata walked with him.
The interior of the tower had changed, too. The walls were painted in a limited color palette that complemented each other. The flooring that used to be normal wooden tiles were now replaced with marbleized tiles. While everything in the tower still resembled the way it was designed before, the slight changes made it a sight to see.
"Good morning, Uchiha-san," an unfamiliar shinobi who was dressed in a green flak vest greeted them. Hinata smiled and bowed her head while her husband gave back a small response. "Hokage-sama still haven't arrived from the lunch break yet, Uchiha-san."
"Hn." Her husband turned to look at her. "Come. Let's grab a bite."
"Hmm," Hinata agreed with a small smile. Turning to look at the ninja, the Uchiha's wife spoke, "Thank you."
"No worries, Uchiha-san!" the ninja who was probably a little bit older than her sister said enthusiastically. At the boy's positivity, Hinata could not help but smile. With a bright smile, the nin went on ahead and exited the hallway.
"Should I be worried?" asked Sasuke flatly. Hinata assumed it was a joke, and it made her smile how she realized Sasuke could crack little bits of jokes. Though Hinata was not entirely sure if it was a question or a joke, so she just squeezed his hand lightly. As they walked again on their way to the exit of the tower, her husband asked, "Are you hungry?"
"A little bit," admitted Hinata with a shy smile. She had never eaten with Sasuke anywhere aside from their house and that one time they had to eat together in the Hyuga compound before they even got married. So this would be the first time they would eat together in the town of Konoha. But she needed to clarify it. "Are we going home?"
"Home?" repeated Sasuke, making her wonder if she said something wrong. "No. May it be any place you have in mind."
"Oh thank you," Hinata said in an unintentional ushering way. The thought that what she wants matters is just too surprising for her. With a smile stamped on her face, she continued, "Well. . .we can just go grab a bite in a small eatery. That would be nice. . ."
"Are you sure?" asked Sasuke, raising his visible eyebrow at her. At this, Hinata nodded. "Then pick a place."
"Uhm." Hinata roamed her eyes around the street in where they were. There was only one food stall and another at the end of the street where the stall sells drinks. Without thinking and pale eyes still on the surroundings, she continued, "Street foods aren't that bad."
Before Hinata knew it, they were already in one of the stalls, buying whatever that may fill their needs. Sasuke was neutral among other people, so Hinata started to wonder whether her husband was openly accepted at the village or not. The vendor who served them food was too busy to even glance at his customers so Hinata guessed that even if he did know that he was serving a former traitor to the village.
How strange it was that the first ever experience that they both had with each other in terms of eating outside was in a street. Hinata was not questioning any of it though. In fact, she liked its simplicity. People would steal glances at them from time to time but they would just eat their cups of fried rice with assorted toppings. The food was tasty, and somehow, it made Hinata miss other cooked recipes aside from their daily meals with Sasuke.
"This is nice," commented the blue haired kunoichi softly as she took another bite in one of its marinated pork topper.
"Hn," agreed Sasuke. His dark eyes hovered over Hinata before he continued, "You can always come here if you want."
"I know," Hinata said after a pregnant pause.
"Hn." He took a his last bite at the pork topper before saying, "I can always come with you."
Hinata did not get one bit of it. She was startled at how Sasuke never really clarified anything. But by now she should be used to it, right? But Hinata decided that instead of looking all confused, she needed to put on a smile. Smiling softly and with a sigh, the Uchiha woman nodded.
"Thank you," Hinata sincerely said.
After they had eaten, the married couple went on their way back to the hokage tower again. This time, Hinata was almost pretty sure that the hokage would be there. It was a known fact that the silver haired hokage was always late. When Hinata thought that the habit would end when the former teacher of the team seven became the kage, she was wrong. It was pretty obvious that nothing had changed with the man.
Instead of going straight to hokage's office, Sasuke lead her to where he would usually be. His workplace to be exact. There were several ninjas in the room, Hinata even knew some of them by name or by faces. In an instant, Hinata knew that one particular desk belonged to Sasuke. The wooden table was pretty empty except for a small bottle of ink, pieces of parchment that were perfectly arranged, scrolls, and a brush. Aside from those, nothing else were on the table.
When she moved her gaze to the tables surrounding Sasuke's, Hinata saw how others can be messy and organized. There were desks with frames, papers, and other things that are usually present in a workplace. When Hinata's pale lavender eyes fall under a certain table, she knew immediately who it belonged to. Naruto.
"Why are we here?" asked Hinata, trying her best not to sound rude at the question. She was just curious, but Hinata did not want Sasuke to get the wrong idea. Especially because she knew how annoyance would always be her husband's excuse — not that he told her, but she just knew. "I mean. . .I am not complaining."
"I know," Sasuke informed.
But he did not tell her how he worked, why he worked, his work, or if it is work? Hinata never really understood anything. She just wanted to act like she does. Everything with Sasuke is unclear and blurry, but for some reasons, Hinata liked it that way for now. Eventually, she figured that she would know as it would reveal one by one, but not now. It would be nice if she just set things aside from time to time.
"So why?" asked Hinata, her small smile threatening to widen at the sight of another ninja patting Sasuke's back. Her husband however didn't seem pleased at the shinobi, but didn't even acknowledge it. Hinata made sure to smile at the shinobi who began to walk away with a returning smile before looking back at Sasuke. "Why are we here?"
"Naruto will be here," he told her. "Later."
"Are we waiting for him?" asked Hinata.
"Yes," her husband started. "He arrives late."
As much as Hinata wanted to ask Sasuke as to why they were waiting for the blond, she shut her mouth. She had asked more than what she usually did. So she just smiled at the nins who were in the room. They looked sort of busy so she understood why only some of them paid her mind.
"Sit here," instructed Sasuke, offering her chair.
"Thank you," Hinata said as she took the seat.
"Waiting for Uzumaki-san?" asked the shinobi who patted Sasuke's back earlier. Hinata did not know if the nin was talking to her or her husband so she let out a small nod. "Oh, well then, hello Uchiha-san."
"Hi?" greeted Hinata shyly as the young man had his eyes on her. After that, they didn't talk. For some reasons, Hinata did not feel awkward about it. The young lad was just being nice.
After quite a while, the jinchuuriki entered the office with his boisterous voice seeping through her ears ever so violently. Hinata tried her best not to wince. It would be rude to do so.
"Ah! Bastard! Hinata-chan!" greeted Naruto with a bright smile.
"Good afternoon, Naruto-kun," Hinata greeted back with a small smile.
When she turned to look at Sasuke, she reached our her hand to touch his. Sasuke didn't show any emotions, but then again, his chakra flowed differently before it went back to normal. Strange it was. Before, Sasuke was always calm. His chakra signature was always at the same pace even when he was — what she assumed — angry at her. Was it always like this? Or did she focus too much on other things that she did not notice Sasuke's constant chakra changes before.
"Shall we?" asked Sasuke, snapping her thoughts away in an instant. At this, Hinata nodded and stood straight. Her hand was still on his, and she did not bother to pull it away. . .neither did he.
"Forgive me, Hinata-chan! Hehe. I didn't know you were coming so I just went late, 'ya know?" said Naruto with his palms rubbing each other. As they walked towards Kakashi's office, the blond continued, "If this bastard only told me, then I would've come earlier. I'm not always late, 'ya know?"
"Oh, it's alright," Hinata said assuringly.
"Not always late, huh?" Her husband scoffed.
"Oh c'mon bastard. I'm not always late and you know it," Naruto huffed with a pout. "Besides, it's not my fault you don't notice the time to come here early."
"If you say so," Sasuke mumbled.
"I'm sorry for asking," she started, hoping not to stutter with the men around her. "But what exactly is your work, Naruto-kun?"
"Ah, Hinata-chan," the blond started with a grin. "It's the same as this bastard right here, 'ya know? We'd gather files while the guards watch us."
"Guards?" asked Hinata, her curiosity flowing through her mind.
"Oh they're everywhere. It's almost like we're all under surveillance." The jinchuuriki chuckled and put his hands in the back of his head. Suddenly, Hinata remembered that Naruto, too, lost his hand. So she guessed that the other one was just prosthetics. "Anyhoo, basically, what we do is do Kakashi-sensei's job. He sucks at being hokage, yet refuses to admit it."
The fact that Naruto still calls the hokage his 'sensei' almost made Hinata's heart swell. It was just like the old times. So they say, old habits die hard indeed.
"Sometimes I even ask myself why Kakashi-sensei refuses to just give up his place, 'ya know?" continued Naruto in a joking manner. "Baa-chan immediately gave up being the kage after knowing that Kakashi-sensei would want to be the successor."
"Because Naruto, I want to train my successor first and let the whole village know how worthy he is," Kakashi, who was suddenly behind them, said. Naruto looked a bit shocked and red as the silver haired man walked towards the door to his office. As he opened the door, the boys started to walk so Hinata complied since she was hand in hand with Sasuke. "Besides, Naruto, you are with Sasuke here so I know you enjoy it."
"Ah! Kakashi-sensei, your sweet talks don't work on me!" Naruto said with his hand pointing at the hokage.
"Oh? Is that what you think I am doing?" asked the hokage before taking his seat. "I'm actually telling the truth."
"You are?" asked Naruto. With a blush, he contined, "I'm touched, 'ya know?"
At this, Hinata giggled. The hokage was such a smooth talker.
"Oh, Hinata-chan. I didn't notice you there," the hokage greeted her with his eyes smiling at her. Up to now, Hinata still wondered what was behind the mask but she guessed she will never have the chance to know. "Come, take a seat."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama," greeted Hinata with a small smile as she went over the chair that was offered by Kakashi.
"Finally, someone here addresses me the way it should be," joked the silver haired man, making Hinata giggle softly once more.
"Why did you call for us?" asked Sasuke, cutting her small giggles into nothing. She looked at her husband who stood just right behind her, but still held her hand.
"Getting straight to the point, are we?" the hokage commented with the visible amusement in his tone. "Well, you were never really fond of small talks. Then again, are you sure you would want Hinata-chan, your wife, to hear everything?"
Hinata could sense his chakra moving in a manner that resembled what he had felt in the morning. Maybe it was overthinking or doubt. The wife could only guess, but it was enough. She didn't miss the look of worry in Kakashi's droopy eyes for a small matter of time before the copy nin masked his emotions.
"Hinata. . ." called Sasuke, giving her a small squeeze by the hand. "Can you wait outside for a moment?"
"Of course," Hinata said, bowing before leaving the room.
Whatever the men would be talking about, she was out of the picture. It was a boundary she wasn't willing to cross, therefore, she waited. Just by door, she waited.
"Ah, it's nice to see you again, Hinata-chan," said a familiar voice. When she turned to look at it, Hinata was surprised to see the hokage leaning by the closed door. "Don't worry, I'm the original. The clone is inside."
"You're letting a clone work, Hokage-sama?" asked Hinata with her eyes widening. Taking it back, she concluded, "But I am not prying, Hokage-sama."
"Oh Hinata-chan, I know you aren't," the 'real' Kakashi assured her. He was smiling from behind his mask and at this, Hinata sent a small hint of a smile. "Anyways, you must be wondering why I've sent your husband and Naruto here."
"Not exactly, Hokage-sama," Hinata admitted without thinking. At this, she reddened. Her own honesty was the worst. The fact that she blurts out her thoughts right away the moment she reached the appropriate age made it worse. To somehow lessen her own embarrassment, Hinata started, "I'm actually starting to wonder why you've sent a clone in your work, Hokage-sama. Oh, but I am not questioning you, Hokage-sama."
"Is that so?" asked the hokage with his fingers touching his masked chin. "To answer your question, I do it all the time."
"Oh," was all she said.
"But since you are here now, I believe that we should talk," Kakashi stated with his eye smile. "Are you ready?"
"As I'll ever be, Hokage-sama," Hinata assured.
"Here's the thing. I know what happened that night," Kakashi said. Hinata didn't know what he was talking about so Hinata just looked at the hokage with wide eyes. "Sasuke was asking you about what you did, didn't he? He made a report about it, but I want to hear it from you."
So the hokage was talking about 'that' night. The night when Sasuke flashed his sharingan red right in front of her eyes as he pinned her to the wall. The night that almost made her want to forget her vow to love him. The night that should be scary, but for some reasons, it wasn't. Hinata could remember it all vividly, but she didn't think much of it.
"That's what my husband did," Hinata said, looking at the ground. "Hokage-sama, I am pretty sure Sasuke-kun reported everything."
"Aren't you wondering why he asked you that?" asked Kakashi with crossed arms. It was almost a scary sight, but it made Hinata smile. "Why he kept asking you about what you did?"
"I am," Hinata admitted. "But Hokage-sama, it is not my business anymore."
"If you think so," Kakashi commented in a slow pace. "But do remember, Hinata-chan, that what he did that night was just a misunderstanding. It has never been clarified to him, so if it happens again, it will be a big deal."
"I don't understand," Hinata mumbled underneath her breath, her eyes still on the floor.
"Neither does your husband, Hinata-chan," the hokage informed her. Even if Kakashi didn't tell her this, she still knew. The hokage moved towards the middle of the hallway but still talked to her. "Then again, if it happens again, it will be chaotic. If you still don't want to hear the reasons why, then it's still your choice. You see, Uchiha Hinata, you can do everything by choice if you could only pick it. If you want to know, I can always tell you."
For a few seconds, Hinata stared at the hokage's masked face. His face was masked, yet he was transparent. Unlike Sasuke whose face was bare but couldn't be read.
"I'm ready to hea—"
"That was a clone?!" Naruto yelled from the other side of the door, cutting Hinata's voice. The door slammed open, revealing a red Naruto with a pout and Sasuke behind him who looked bored. The blond's finger pointed at Kakashi. "There you are!"
"Yes, I am here," agreed Kakashi.
"You're slacking off!" Naruto accused the hokage. "That's not a great hokage trait!"
"Everyone slacks off," the hokage said in a matter-of-factly who still looked amused at the situation.
When Hinata looked at the hokage, he wasn't looking at her. Her question can wait some other time but she would be lying if she said that it didn't catch her curiosity. In fact, it was a very captivating thing. She needed to ask him, but she could see that it could be a really long time before that happens.
"Come, let's leave," Sasuke said, pulling her closer to him as he tangled his arms in hers.
"Where are you going, bastard?!" shouted Naruto as they walked away. Hinata tried her best not to look back at the hokage and at the blond.
"My wife and I are going somewhere," replied Sasuke, loud enough for Naruto to hear. "Where both you and Kakashi aren't."
She didn't get his deal, but whatever it was, it still made Hinata smile.
