Chapter 1
Six stone faces of previous Hokage, looked upon yellow bright lights ornamenting the streets of Konoha. It was the middle of October, the tenth day of a month. For Konohans as well as for the rest of the shinobi world it was the most important day, for several reasons. Firstly, it was the fourth anniversary of the end of the Fourth Shinobi War. The Hidden Village of Leaf invited all of the United Shinobi Nations, who now were wandering in the thick net of the village's streets covered with the darkness of the night. Secondly, it would be the twenty-first birthday of Uzumaki Naruto, the hero of all shinobi, the Sixth Hokage, who shall be remembered for the rest of eternity. And thirdly, it was also the day which was to recall the sacrifice Uzumaki Naruto bore in order to turn all the hatred into peace and love.
Naruto had left many people behind, all his friends, but in the end they could not blame him. He was now, as content as possible, finally with his whole family. Or so was believed.
"Happy birthday, Dobe.", whispered a tall man wearing the dark blue yukata with a visible emblem of the Uchiha clan located on his back between shoulder blades. The man was standing at the top of the latest stone head resembling the Sixth Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki. The pleasant wind caressed short black hair and the equally black eyes now hidden behind the lids. Sasuke could almost imagine his blonde stupid friend tapping his shoulder in thanks. The smile appeared on the twenty-one-year-old's handsome face, invisible in the night.
"It's almost time, Naruto", he said to the wind, "And she's still not here…".
It had been four years of anticipation for her return. The timid brunette, Hinata Hyuuga, left the shinobi world and her duties of the heiress shortly after the war. A little bit over two months left until her twenty-first birthday, which was marked for the ceremony of taking over the post Hokage by both of them.
"You are talking to yourself again, Uchiha.", said the sudden male voice on his right.
Sasuke didn't even flinch. He knew the voice quite well by now. It belonged to a certain annoying Hyuuga, who decided to observe Uchiha for the whole four years to determine whether he is a threat to all of them, especially to his soon-to-arrive cousin. Sasuke was perfectly sure the creators of this concept of stalking him were the Hyuuga clan as well as the Elders of Konoha. It didn't help that he really disliked them. Note, he didn't hate them. Naruto made sure of it.
"I thought you were busy tonight, Hyuuga.", answered Sasuke flatly.
"I had a feeling it won't be possible. TenTen must be disappointed, if not furious.", signed Neji, thinking of his girlfriend.
The Uchiha turned his eyes on him. The man had long dark hair gathered into a low-settled pony-tail. His uniform and the dog mask on his face shouted he belonged to the ANBU. It has been so for a year now. Although Sasuke never wanted to admit it aloud, Neji in some way reminded him of his brother, mostly when the man's face was covered with the mask.
"Anything suspicious in the village?" asked Sasuke in a serious manner, facing the view once again.
"Nothing I know of."
"You tend to know everything. You can see everything." replied Uchiha.
"Taking it from your own words I would say that everything is fine. NO one would dare to spoil this festival. Naruto is too important."
"Hn."
The short-lived silence fell upon the two.
"Has she contacted you yet?" asked Sasuke softly, as he asked regularly.
"Hiashi-sama would have informed me if any news arrived. Do not worry, Uchiha. It is more than certain that Hinata-sama will return before the deadline. She bears Naruto's will and we all know that their way of ninja was never to give up."
"I know that perfectly well. You are dismissed."
"I'm not taking orders from you, Uchiha." hissed Neji. "Not yet." And then he disappeared in the darkness of the night.
Sasuke jumped down into the streets. He landed gracefully in the shadowed alley and then joined the colourful stream of people. No one seemed to notice him, which he gladly accepted. Families and groups of friends enjoyed themselves in the game booths or restaurants. He spotted a number of foreign tourists. Rain, Sand, Mist… and many more.
"Good evening, Uchiha-san.", said voice on his left. He noticed the Sand siblings in the company of Shikamaru Nara sitting on one of the benches before the dango shop.
"Kazekage, Kankuro-san, Temari-san, Shikamaru.", Sasuke replied, coming closer. "Enjoying yourself?"
"Better than you apparently.", said the blond woman in a shimmering teal kimono teasingly.
Shikamaru rolled his eyes on the sky. Uchiha smirked.
"You can't know that, Princess.", he retorted.
"Maybe you would like to join us?", asked Gaara immune to his sister's weird behaviour.
"Thank you. I must decline. Looking for someone."
"Don't we all?", laughed Kankurou, his eyes glued to a lady in a luxurious yukata, strolling near them.
"Is she back?", asked Gaara sincerely. Sasuke shaked his head. "Let me know, if something changes."
"I think you will know right away. If Hinata was to come back, there would be an uproar. My head hurts.", said Shikamaru, rubbing his forehead.
"The Hyuugas don't know a thing. Maybe she will not be back today.", said Sasuke. Gaara nodded with an understanding and they parted their ways.
The last Uchiha continued his stroll. He met various people on his way. He stumbled upon Sakura, standing awkwardly next to one of the booths. From the inside, all could hear loud vivacious shouts.
"Sakura.", he said simply as a greeting. She turned on her heels and lightened up.
"Sasuke-kun, good evening. How are you?"
"G'evening, good. You?"
"Lee-kun is trying to win me a prize.", she said sheepishly, gesturing the booth. She had a blush on her cheeks.
"How are things?" he asked, indicating their relationships.
There was a time after the war, Sakura wanted to attempt to win Sasuke's feelings. The brunette, despite attempts on his own, could not picture her as the Matriarch of the Uchiha Clan. He could give her only friendship and respect. Those were not enough for him to resurrect the clan. And to his immense relief she has accepted that, once he explained.
He feared then there were still too many people cursing the air he breathed and she would be in constant danger. He could not then take care of his legacy and lands, which would be returned to him only if he had taken the wife or became the Hokage, to pass through the law. Until then he had nothing. Sakura's loyalty flattered him, however, he knew he could not reciprocate it. Soon, he was to have tons of responsibilities. Both saw Tsunade-hime, their current leader, who did not have time to sleep, not to mention a life.
She then had understood it as a list of excuses, but to prove her wrong they did share a kiss. The spark was simply not there. She was too embarrassed for the long time to be with him in the same space, until Lee had swept her off her feet. Only then she could leave her infatuation with the last Uchiha behind them and see him as he was. A lonely boy, whom she could give only loyalty, friendship and respect.
"It's wonderful." she whispered, her eyes at ease. She felt loved and safe. He nodded with appreciation.
"Good. Say hi for me to him?", he said shortly, trying to take further steps, but she grabbed his arm.
"Are you ok, Sasuke-kun?", she asked seriously, looking for something in his dark eyes. "Maybe you would like to join us? We will be going for…"
"Seriously, Sakura? You want me on your date? What would your man think?", he asked with a slight tease.
"He would think that his Sweet Blossom was worrying about her dear friend.", replied the new voice.
Lee was a tall man, hugging a huge teddy bear with him. He looked content and smiled brightly at them.
"I see.", said Sasuke, gently releasing himself from her grip, patting reassuringly her hand. "Don't worry about me, Sakura. I'm fine. Have fun, guys."
He left them to be. Lee pulled the pink-haired kunoichi to himself and they both watched him with worried expressions.
"Oi! Sasuke! There you are!" someone shouted at him from the restaurant.
He turned to see the barbecue table packed with the rest of Rookies: Kiba waved at him, Shino pulled up his glasses, Ino laughed at something TenTen said while pouring the girl some alcohol and Chouji took care of the meat. Inuzuka's dog barked at him good-naturedly. "Come, we saved you a spot!"
"Thanks, but I was going to…", the brunette trying to dismiss him with a hand.
"Who fucking cares! Bring your moping ass over here!" Inuzuka demanded, earning himself a few short laughs. Sasuke's included.
He joined their table and accepted a glass of sake.
"So, how are you?" asked Kiba, sitting across the table after they emptied their glasses.
"Why is everyone asking me that?" Sasuke signed with exasperation.
"Because you are our friend and we worry about you. You stay away from the crowds. You show up for tasks and leave without saying a word. You are the only one left without your clan as no one of Uchihas had returned and you are our future Hokage.", replied Shino for him. Ino looked at the man with glasses as if he grew a horn.
"Have you heard of the subtlery?!", she shouted, ready to hit him.
"Ignore him, Sasuke-kun. Here, have some.", she handed him a plate with hot pieces of meat. "So, how are you doing? Last time we saw you, you were glued to the desk."
"Tsunade is giving me so much work, she has her evenings free for gambling." he said.
"She wants you ready." murmured TenTen not in her most festive spirits, sipping from her glass. "Neji says you will do fine."
"Thanks. Neji sends regards.", he replied and witnessed as her face magically lightened up at the mention of her boyfriend. She was suddenly all smiles.
They talked casually some more. Sasuke smirked several times and replied for slight teasing.
He decided to join them, when they moved on the streets. One after another they left when finding something interesting, someone interesting or met old acquaintances. The war connected many different people.
Sasuke continued on his own. He nodded or waved his hand to people who greeted him, the feisty Mizukage for one. Sasuke somehow made it to leave her be without pissing her off. He did not know if she attempted to seduce him on every occasion or that was her way to show cordiality.
Sometimes he hated these attempts on their part. There were days he knew they pitied him. He was the only one whose family, whose clan, did not come back after Naruto sacrificed himself. He struggled at first, but then accepted this as his way for redemption. He was not a good guy after all.
The brunette was passing by complete families with a wife and a husband, who carried their children or held their hands. The onyx eyes looked at them almost longingly. He was not a man who would show his emotions so easily. Besides, no one was to turn their attention on his lone existence.
A child in the shrilling voice exclaimed his joy over a new golden fish, when Sasuke was shot with a feeling. He turned around alarmed looking for any suspicious presence. The last Uchiha jumped on the nearest roof just before the crowd went mad.
Under unclear reasons, the whole walkway of stalls stood in fire. People started to run away from the danger in every possible direction.
The brunette glanced at them only for a moment, but when he looked up again at the fire he immediately observed that it had extended to the nearest standing houses.
Unfortunately, it was a rather windy night. He cursed silently and jumped down to help those of people, who were about to be ridden down.
Where were the ANBU when they were needed most? Sasuke made sure not to miss anything. Eyes as red as the fire dancing towards the sky stared at everything. One of the stalls was about to fall down on a child who got lost. He was ready to go after it, but the little girl was covered with a mass of sand. Sasuke looked up and saw the twenty-one-year-old Kazekage. Both men nodded to themselves and the brunette set out to save anybody needing saving.
Soon, the ANBU appeared and eased the crowd, who was more than willing to cooperate and everything was to be fine until…
"My children!", a cry of a dead-pale woman tore the night. "Someone…! Somebody save them!"
Sasuke needed just a second, a mere second, to look at the house in the living fire and run into it. He was absolutely sure someone shouted after him, but his Sharingan has already swirled with tomoes as he went inside. His marvelous eyes found three sources of life on the first floor.
The scorching heat was licking his arms as he covered his face a little with them. Somehow he did it upstairs, but it was certain he must start looking for another way to escape the fire trap.
When Sasuke made it to the closed room, he kicked the door revealing almost unconscious children in the corner of the room full of smoke. The Uchiha's entrance opened the way for the fire. He cursed and approached children. A boy in his pajamas was nearly six years old, his little sister might have been four and in the bed laid an infant.
Sasuke found two blankets and covered two older children with them and then came to the closed window only to move away at the last moment. Someone broke through the window causing the tunnel for wind to enhance the fire.
"Are you stupid?!" he shouted at the person coming back to cover children with his own body as the room was dominated by the fire hurricane. It was hard to breathe. It was too hot. Hell…
Only a moment later, Sasuke realized it was not so hot anymore. Something protected him and three unconscious little ones. The golden light appeared in the room, pushing flames away. Sasuke's mouth dropped. He couldn't breathe, yet it was absolutely possible. He had been dreaming about this coat. The golden cloak left by…
Sasuke moved a shaking hand to catch this wonderful piece of clothing, but then he heard a soft, but serious voice. The feminine voice.
"Breathe, Sasuke-kun."
And he did, but out of shock.
"Sasuke-kun, focus.", said this strange voice. And then he saw it all. He saw the back covered with the golden cloak belonging most probably to Hinata Hyuuga. Because who else.
Sasuke looked dumbfoundedly at her ridiculously long black hair that was flowing in the air, mostly shielding them from the fire. This black hair was full of Chakra.
"Hyuuga…" was all he could say, a self-made confirmation.
"We will have a lot of time to talk, but now if you were so kind to take these two out through the window. I will take care of the baby and provide you some way of escape. Is it…?"
"Let's do this." Sasuke cut her short, grasping seemingly lifeless children lying from the heated floor.
Securing them in his arms, he nodded to Hinata, who still faced the fire. He knew she saw this. She was a Hyuuga for goodness's sake. He was approaching a window, while long black hair surrounded him like narrow walls in the labyrinth leading straight to the open window. He wanted to look at the Hyuuga, but he knew children's lives were more important. Sasuke jumped out of the window only to be caught by a huge hand of Akimichi Chouji.
"Uchiha, you're burning! Give some water here!" shouted someone.
The brunette did not even pay attention to his burning clothes. He made sure he put children near Sakura, who uncovered them from blankets and started to heal them with the assistance of another medic being close. Someone wanted to touch him, but he shoved a person away, turning his unclear sight to the building.
Some people poured the bucket of icy cold water on him to prevent burning of his kimono. Surprisingly, it cleared his mind. His Sharingan was set on the window he had just jumped through. Why hadn't she been here yet? Without thinking, he came closer and wanted to jump, but something stopped him. He felt a blockade on his legs. It was Shikamaru Nara.
"Stop it, Sasuke! The building is about to collapse! You did what you could!"
"If you don't let me go, I will kill you", growled Sasuke in his old mad tone, which seemed to work. He was released instantly.
He jumped in the air to have a look inside. A person stood by the window covered with flames, unable to escape. Even before he landed, Sasuke was covered in the purple Chakra cloak of Susanoo.
The long-time-no-seen giant held his purple hand to the window, evoking the audible gasps from the crowd, but dismissing the majority of flames. In a second, the person stood on the open hand. And then the whole building collapsed. The power of this fall caused some flames to burn up and they touched the person.
Sasuke had made Susanoo put the woman on the ground as far as possible from the fire and quickly approached her. She was on her knees, protecting a little baby in the orange coat with her own body. He kneeled before her and touched her arms, but she hissed.
"Sakura!"the Uchiha shouted in a powerful voice.
When the woman made it to him, he felt that Hinata put the infant with the orange coat in his still wet arms and then disappeared in the smoke.
Both shinobi blinked.
"Kage Bunshin…" whispered Sakura, and then her emerald eyes landed on the unmoving baby in Sasuke's arms. Without thinking twice the medic genius kneeled next to the man and put glowing green Chakra hands on the tiny body.
Sasuke kept looking around, looking for her.
"You saw her, didn't you." said Sasuke in a quiet voice lightly demanding confirmation.
"Yeah, I did. Everyone did. Hinata-chan has returned." The woman smiled a little, never failing to remain focused on her job. "Damn… he isn't breathing." Sakura murmured.
"Hey, look! Everyone, look! On the moon!" shouted a ninja, pointing the shining silver orb in the dark blue sky. Sasuke was one of the many, who directed their eyes there. On the roundness of the moon was a black shadow. A figure of a woman, whose long hair danced in the air with the wind.
"Angel," stated Gaara, standing not so far from Konoha shinobi. "Angel of Konoha has returned." The all who saw her, started to shout a cheerful welcome in her direction. Then she disappeared to reappear before Sasuke and Sakura.
Sharingan met Byakugan.
"How did you learn Naruto's Kage Bunshin?" asked Sasuke the first thing he saw her, and the first thing he thought about. The twenty-year-old woman smiled at him without a word and then lowered herself to him and the baby with a concerned frown on her forehead hidden by the thick fringe.
"How is the little one?" asked Hinata in the mature yet soft voice. Sakura let herself be surprised enough to look at her and then she shook her head.
"His lungs aren't working. There's too much smoke in them, I can't do anything.", the pink head whispered.
"I think I can do something about it." Said Hinata. "Are you wet because of water, Sasuke-kun?" she asked the surprised man.
"Can't you tell, genius?" he snorted. "Some idiots poured a full bucket on me."
"Perfect." She almost purred, finding the couple nearly collapsed out of shock.
Hinata touched Sasuke's arm and started to take the surplus of water from his clothes and body. Without making a seal. Then, the brunette gently pushed Sakura away and positioned her opened hand near the child's face.
The silence fell on the place of the whole accident. The numerous pairs of eyes never left the slightly bowing figure of Hinata Hyuuga.
Sasuke could not remember if he had ever seen her so close. The thick fringe covering her forehead created a light shadow on her face, making her white eyes glow. At the same time, he wondered, if it was not a case of the moonlight locked in her eyes. Her face had lost its childish features, which he remembered from the last time he saw her. Hadn't it been for a small smile on her face, he would have admitted she would look almost intimidating due to her pulsing tenketsu. She had full plump lips in the color of the red rose shone with the silver light of the moon. Around her body were thick curtains of ebony silk hair, now laying partially on the ground. He was unable to see what clothes she wore.
"There…" whispered her lips. Then, the dark water appeared between them. Hinata threw the smoked water ball away with an incredibly fluid motion of her hand.
"Sakura-chan, the heart stopped.", said Hinata as a matter of fact, never deactivating her Byakugan. "Will Chidori do?", she asked the medic, who looked at her so shocked her mouth opened.
"I-I think so, but it must be very well mustered. It mustn't be too strong, yet too weak will be useless."
"Hyuuga, you manipulate Water Element." the realization hit Sasuke. "If water can pallid the effect, you can make Chidori focused enough."
"I will tell you whether the tension in Chidori is fine.", she said with a short nod. "Put him on the ground, please."
Sasuke put the lifeless infant on the ground with the orange coat around his little body. Sakura could only stare at the work of the Uchiha and the Hyuuga. The dark-haired woman tore the clothes of little body, revealing a tiny white chest.
The light blue cold light shone between the two people. Sasuke had his left hand striking small lightings with the high sound of birds' songs.
"You can't apply it directly," said Sakura.
"I know." replied the two as a one organism.
Hinata looked at Sasuke's red eyes and he was even. Hinata took his Chidori hand in her own. Her body trembled a little.
"S-sasuke-kun, a little more Chakra…", he compelled without a word causing Hinata to shake visibly. She clenched her fist and teeth, took a deep breath and then touched a little chest with her two fingers. The little body rose a little, but apart from this nothing happened.
"Again.", said Sasuke focusing on the little boy before him. He heard one more deep breath and the long beautiful fingers touched the body again.
"There it is.", whispered Sasuke and Hinata at the same time. The little eyes shot open and the air was filled with a high cry of a frightened child.
Then, the Chidori has faded and Hinata let go Sasuke's hand only to move back a little for Sakura to examine the crying infant. The man and the woman deactivated their Kekkei Genkai.
"He will be fine." announced the medic and Hinata could only beam with a smile looking at Sasuke, whose face looked content enough to think he was pleased with their cooperation. Both of them rose from their knees and Sasuke came closer to Hinata to point slightly on her hand.
"You should show it to Sakura.", he watched as a young woman held her slightly burnt hand with his Chidori in the other by the wrist.
"I will be fine. Thank you for your concern, Sasuke-kun.", she answered in a melodic soft tone.
"Excellent job, you two." said the new voice.
The Hyuuga and the Uchiha looked to the source of this voice to find a little drunk Tsunade approaching them.
"Show me your hand.", ordered the older woman. The brunette had no other choice but to compel. Green light appeared before them. "I'm glad you're back, Hinata." she murmured softly.
"And I am glad to be back, Tsunade-sama.", she replied, bowing her head a little as the treatment bent to its end. "Thank you."
"Hinata-onee-san!" shouted a female voice. The second thing everyone saw was a teenage girl hung to the neck of Angel of Konoha.
"Long time no see, Hanabi-chan", the woman said lovingly, caressing the head of the younger sister.
The crowd was growing thicker and thicker. Everyone wished to take a glimpse of the Angel of Konoha. Someone cheered her name. She just bowed her head, embarrassed at such a display. Hanabi had not left her side. Soon she was embraced by her team members, who were a little intoxicated, but hugged her tightly. She smiled kindly at all of them. Sasuke witnessed all of it with a feeling of stability of sorts. With her finally back, he could fulfil his promise given to Naruto. With her back, he could finally find himself some purpose.
"Hinata, I have plenty of questions to ask you. Come to my office tomorrow morning. Sasuke, come too." Tsunade said loudly. The silent brunette only nodded, grabbing the orange coat in his hands he picked up from the ground. It wasn't even dirty. The material seemed normal and he failed to feel any familiar Chakra, much to his disappointment.
"I believe your family is going to steal you away for tonight." The blond turned to Hinata.
"I believe so too, Tsunade-sama. Yet, I think I will meet with my friends and my closest family members to catch up.", he heard and saw her looking in the direction of a certain long-haired ANBU member.
"Good. I expect you tomorrow at noon.", with this Hokage left to take care of the citizens who have just lost their homes and to order ninja to initiate investigation.
"What do you want to do with it, Hyuuga?", asked Sasuke as it was his only chance. Hinata looked at him to see Naruto's cloak in his hands.
"You can have it for the time being, Sasuke-kun. Please take care of it.", she replied. "Do you mind joining us?" she asked, seeing their friends coming closer with overjoyed looks on their faces. All of them looked invintingly at him.
"Not really. I'm seeing you tomorrow. We need to talk.", with this he departed only to hear her reply:
"I am very well aware of that. Good night, Sasuke-kun."
What he didn't see was the smirk and the look Hanabi gave her older sister. That was the first thing screaming that Hanabi was no longer a child. Hinata learned far more this night about her sister, as well as all the news concerning her dear friends. What she could not know was that he began watching over her that night from afar.