Chapter 5
Hand in his pocket, Sasuke questions Hinata for a second time, "Do you want to?"
Crimson rays from the setting sun cast a demonic glow around the man before her. Hinata shivers slightly and it's not from the cool, crisp autumn evening.
She internally deliberates his proposition while digging short nails into the tender skin of her forearms. 'Did I want more last night? Is that why I briefly hesitated to push him away?'
As frustrated and lonely as she may be, Hinata still loves her husband and cherishes their marriage. She reminders herself that she isn't the type to stray for carnal desires.
She finds the courage to turn her gaze to Sasuke's."No," she quietly declares.
"Are you sure?"
Resolved and proud of her conquest of temptation, she raises her voice slightly, articulating, "Yes."
"Tch." Sasuke's right eye twitch with a hint of annoyance – or anger, Hinata is unable to decide.
A sliver of pride runs through her body for a moment upon realizing she's able to elicit this reaction from the stoic Uchiha.
"We are only a few hours from Konoha. Why did I sign up to chaperone a princess and some damn teenagers," Sasuke angrily mutters to himself.
Pale eyes quickly survey the forests of Hi no Kuni at the mention of children. In the dimming light, Hinata catches sight of her young blonde son sitting on a large downed tree trunk with his back facing her direction. Next to him are his two teammates with their shoulders slouched reaching out to grab what she can only assume is food from his lap.
Internally cursing herself for her devious and depraved thoughts, she meekly turns toward Sasuke.
"Sorry, Sasuke-san. I spaced out there for a second and misunderstood you. I'll talk to the kids and try to encourage them to go a bit further."
She hurries away, not waiting for him to question exactly what it was that she didn't agree to.
Hinata stops a few feet away from the children and tilts her head to the side, a small smile appearing on her face. "Hey guys, we are really close to Konoha. Do you think you can keep up for a few more miles?"
Dividing a candy bar into thirds, Boruto shares it with his teammates. Mouth full of chocolate and nuts, he whines, "We are so tired and hungry. Can't we rest until daybreak?"
Mitsuki and Sarada don't verbally echo Boruto's distress, but the slump of their shoulders and grumbling of stomachs is a telltale sign they feel the same.
"If we get home tonight, I'll cook you all a special meal." Sarada and Mitsuki perk up at this offer, but Boruto still needs a bit more convincing, so Hinata continues, "Also, we didn't travel with any sleeping bags. Which means we will have to sleep on the cold, hard dirty ground. I don't know about you guys, but I can't wait to get back to a comfy, warm bed."
The mention of a warm, comfortable resting spot finally is enough to convince the young Uzumaki to ignore his hunger pangs and trudge forth.
With all three teenagers riled up and ready to go, Hinata discreetly gives Sasuke a thumbs up.
Sasuke nods his head in appreciation. Usually, he would be in no hurry to return to Konoha and would prefer sleeping under the stars rather than his marital bed, but tonight he wants to get as far away as possible from his travelling companions. He especially doesn't want to try to understand his behaviour from the night before.
Deep in self-deprecating thoughts of how foolish she was for her salacious misunderstanding, Hinata doesn't notice when she enters Konoha's entrance gates. However, she is quickly brought out of her musings when tiny hands wrap around her bare shins.
"Mama, you're back!" A little girl chirps in delight. Hinata kneels down to embrace her daughter. After a quick embrace, Himawari darts off to greet her big brother.
"Nii-san, welcome back!" Boruto smiles warmly but dodges his sister's outstretched arms. Keeping her at arm's distance, he taps the top of her head. A blush now warming his face, he glimpses to the left to see his male teammate snickering at the affectionate display between siblings.
Himawari frowns but brushes off the rejection when she sees her brother scrummaging through his backpack. Jumping up and down, she's unable to hide her excitement upon receiving a gift.
Caught up in the reunion of her children, Hinata jumps upon hearing her sister's voice, "You look glowing. Did the sun kiss you, or someone else?"
"Hanabi!" Hinata whispers while searching for Sasuke to ensure he was nowhere near to hear her sister's outrageous question. Seeing him several feet ahead, she sighs in relief. "Be quiet! There are children around."
The giggle that escapes Hanabi's mouth paints a pink blush on Hinata's cheeks as the group of teens and adults continue walking toward the center of the city. All engaged in separate conversations, except for Sasuke whose countenance can't hide the irritation he harbors for the excitement circulating among his travelling companions.
"You didn't have to bother yourself to bring Himawari to greet us. I would've gotten her myself," Hinata tells her sister, hoping to move past the inappropriate questioning.
"Himawari was bouncing off the walls in anticipation of your return. I couldn't contain her even if I tried to." Both sisters turn their attention to the little girl who is greedily devouring a fish-shaped treat.
"Taiyaki!" Hinata and Hanabi state in unison. Seeing the disapproving scowl on Hinata's face, Hanabi puts her hand on her older sister's shoulder. "Let her enjoy it. It's a gift from her big brother and she didn't have any treats this weekend. Father and I were busier than usual this week, so Ko stepped in to keep her company. You know he is even more strict about her diet than you."
Her eyebrows slightly raising, Hinata asks, "You two were busy on the weekend?"
"Yeah, the elders are trying to persuade me to take over some of Father's responsibilities."
From the corner of her eye, Hinata notices a dimmed buoyancy in Hanabi's gait and speech. "You look tired," she remarks.
Hanabi nods her head. "I thought it would be easy to handle a genin team, clan work, and have a social life. I've trained nearly my entire life to be an heiress… but I'm just not ready to give up the freedom I have."
Hinata can't help but feel as though this is her fault. That her weakness and incapability led to her little sister shouldering the burden of being clan head.
"Don't look at me like that."
"Like what, Hanabi?"
"Like you're guilty. Don't get me wrong, I want to be clan head. But just not right at this particular moment. Or maybe I am just having a bad day."
"I can help, Hanabi," Hinata earnestly offers.
"Don't worry about it, Hinata. You have enough of your plate with those two little monsters. I'll figure it out. Anyways, I have a date," Hanabi beams.
Hinata's eyes slightly widen. "With whom?"
With a teasing wink, Hanabi rushes off into the bustling crowd, "A young stud."
Outside the Uzumaki compound, Hinata invites Mitsuki and the Uchihas to stay for dinner. Sarada eagerly accepts without consulting with her father.
At the base of the steps leading to the front door, Hinata falters behind, waiting for Sasuke to approach.
"I'm sorry about last night," Hinata's whisper is barely audible.
Face to face with Hinata, Sasuke silently waits for her to continue.
"What happened last night?" A deep, raspy voice inquires.
With a stern expression, Naruto leans against the wooden door frame. Pulse racing, Hinata stumbles up the stairs and clumsily hugs her husband. "You're home!"
"Yeah, I've been doing a bit of work from home." Naruto hugs her back, and asks again, "What happened last night?"
Deducing that Hinata is attempting to avoid her husband's question, Sasuke nonchalantly answers, "Your wife is afraid of snakes. I helped her escape one." He doesn't elaborate, hoping the information provided will satiate his friend's inquisitiveness.
Naruto's face softens, "Did Sasuke have to save you from a big, bad snake?" he teases and pinches his wife's rosy cheeks.
Feigning annoyance, Hinata exaggeratedly pouts and pulls away from Naruto's hug. Rushing inside, she breathes out deeply in relief that she avoided a near collision.
Outside, Naruto slaps Sasuke on the shoulder and thanks him for assisting his wife. "She had a bad experience as a kid with a snake. Sorry you had to deal with that. But thanks for taking care of her and Boruto."
"Hn."
"Did papa buy us ramen too?" Himawari tugs at her mother's blouse in an attempt to get her to the kitchen faster.
"Why don't you ask him?" Hinata suggests as she makes her way to the kitchen, slightly excited to have an already prepared meal ready for her and their invited guests. Disappointment quickly replaces excitement upon the sight of nearly a dozen, empty paper ramen cups strewed across the kitchen island.
Judging by the number of empty cups, Hinata realizes Naruto must have been home for more than a day. Frowning, she begins to clean the kitchen.
"I'm sorry, Hima. I didn't know you guys would be home so early or else I would've gotten you some." Hinata huffs to herself as she listens to her husband's excuse.
She turns to her daughter, and tenderly rubs her shoulders, "I'll prepare us something yummy to eat." Though dejected, Himawari nods her head in understanding.
Wanting to alleviate the disappointment her daughter is experiencing, Hinata decides it's okay to bend the rules tonight. "Why don't you share some of your taiyaki with Boruto and his friends?"
Blue eyes widen at the memory of the treats in her Kurama knapsack. Nodding enthusiastically, Himawari bolts up the stairs.
With the children now out of hearing distance, Hinata approaches Naruto. "Were you home all weekend?"
Reacting to the edge in Hinata's voice, Naruto immediately begins defending himself. "I came home on Friday night, but I was swamped with work."
Turning away from her husband, Hinata begins washing the dirty dishes in the sink. Naruto winces as she haphazardly tosses the clean dishes into the drying rack. It's a miracle that the ceramic wares aren't all broken.
"Why didn't you bring Himawari home?"
"I was busy, Hinata!" Naruto begins to press his index and middle fingers to his temple.
"Too busy for your daughter? She has been begging to spend time with you," Hinata half-whispers. She never wants to be the nagging wife, but tonight her mouth has a mind of its own.
"I told you I was busy. I didn't have time to take care of her."
"She is not a baby. She would've been content to silently colour or play in your office while you worked."
Seeing how worked up his wife is getting, Naruto tries to pacify her by adding, "I also didn't want to take her away from your dad. You know how much he loves spending time with her and Boruto." Her eyes shoot up to his. He looks away a bit embarrassed and guilty.
"So, you did my father a favour by letting him babysit your daughter?" Hinata's voice rises slightly.
A wooden stool is slightly dragged against the floor, causing the conversation between husband and wife to immediately cease. "What are you guys fighting about now?"
Steadying her breath as she rinses the suds out of a coffee mug, Hinata turns toward her son with a soft smile on her face. "We aren't fighting. I was just catching up with your father. Why don't you take some fruit up for your teammates? Dinner should be ready in 30 minutes."
Eyeing his father with suspicion, Boruto quietly asks, "What did you do?" The young man shakes his head in disappointment. Not waiting for an answer, Boruto climbs the stairs to re-join his teammates.
Cloaked and forgotten in the shadows of the dim living room, Sasuke discreetly observes the Uzumaki family dynamics. He is somewhat surprised by the pugnacity of the meek housewife. Mentally, he notes that Hinata isn't as spineless as he initially assumed. He would expect this reaction from someone as abrasive as his own wife, though Sakura has never reproached him for his prolonged absence or lack of initiative to spend time with his daughter but not from a little rabbit who hides away from the dangers of the world in a comfortable but weirdly shaped burrow.
After dinner, Naruto accompanies Sasuke and Sarada as they exit the Uzumaki home. With Sarada occupied with a few ninja cards in her hands, Sasuke slows down his pace to provide some distance between the adults and child.
Naruto, lost in his thoughts, jumps when a strong palm taps him on the shoulder. Gauging Sasuke's somewhat gentle expression, he realizes it's his friend's attempt to lighten the mood. Naruto smiles at the small gesture.
Raking his hands through his hair, Naruto candidly reveals, "I love my family. I want to spend time with them, I just wish someone prepared me better for marriage and fatherhood."
"I know," Sasuke replies. "I know."
Sasuke also frequently wishes the same. But life has taught him that at this point in his adult life, he is the only one to blame for the predicaments he faces. Decisions made him the man and father he is today. Genocide and loneliness are not to be blamed. His personal choices led him to this juncture.
Hands in his pocket, Naruto keeps his gaze to the ground as he slowly walks back inside. His thoughts for once are not focused on mission assignments or diplomatic relations; all he could think of tonight was the disappointment in his wife's eyes. He was under the impression that they had an understanding – she would be the homemaker, thereby giving him the freedom to protect their village. But recently, more and more it seemed that she was dissatisfied with this arrangement.
Quietly, he ascends the stairs leading to his bedroom. The door creaks as he slowly pushes it open.
Hinata appears to be fast asleep with Himawari tucked into her side. Taking a seat on the edge of the bed nearest his daughter, Naruto brushes aside her soft bangs to place a gentle kiss on her forehead. Himawari is growing up so quickly and he hates that he missed so many important moments.
Feeling eyes on him, Naruto glances up to find Hinata awake and observing the rare display of affection. She smiles, but it's a smile filled with hurt and pity.
Barely audible, Naruto apologizes. "I'm sorry." Hinata doesn't reply but instead taps his side of the bed – an invitation to join them. His exhausted body wants to comply, but he still has a stack of paperwork waiting for him in his study. "I'm sorry."
Hinata exhales deeply, then closes her eyes. Naruto caresses her palm that is still on his side of the bed, but she quickly snatches it away from his hold. Sighing he takes that as his cue to leave.
Happy Holidays! I hope everyone is well and healthy!
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