Chapter 5:
Last stop on the list
A year passed by. They shared; a tent, a room, and many other things. Sasuke had begun to talk a bit more to Hatsumi, throughout the year. "Sasuke, you're a jerk!" She stood up from the ground. "You know. I don't like getting dirty." She looked at him "look at me, I am covered in mud" then walked off.
"I've told you so many times, when it comes to training. It's just mud." He followed behind her. He then caught her hand and pulled her to a tree. "Stop acting like a little princess. Princess."
Hatsumi Hated that word, the way he said it. "Fine. If you stop calling me that. Now, Come on. There is a hot spring nearby." They made it to the hot springs. The man had given them a key. When they arrived at the room they noticed it had a small door. They slide it open to see small hot springs. "Why do people assume?"
Sasuke found it inconvenient as well, but it did have a good point. He could make sure she was alright, they had peace and quiet. Hatsumi had undressed herself, took a shower. Then she put on a bikini, that was light purple and white striped, and a matching miniskirt bottom bikini. She walked out to see Sasuke already in the tub. His eyes were closed, while he was relaxing "You can, come in. If you want" he said.
She slowly entered the small pool. She made her way to Sasuke. "I am still mad at you." Sasuke opened his eyes to see her. He had a slight blush on his cheeks. "Why should I care?" He saw her pout, and he looked surprised. Hatsumi was happy, she could always make Sasuke act weird. She placed her arms around his neck "do you really, not care"
Sasuke had his mind set on her, and at this moment. Hatsumi had become hot, not just because of the hot springs. She looked up at Sasuke while he looked down. She eyed his lips. She stood on her tippy toes to try to kiss him, he bent down slightly to kiss her. Soon, He also became hot. He wrapped his hands around her waist. A simple kiss led to more. She broke free from his grasp and led him into the room.
The next morning Sasuke had woken up to find Hatsumi still facing the wall. Sasuke didn't care if she was awake or asleep, he just started his morning.
-Flashback-
Hatsumi Had been on top of Sasuke. When he gently pushed her down. "Sasuke?" He just looked away from her and tossed her a pajama kimono top. "Get dressed." Hatsumi Couldn't understand him, he acted like he wanted her. "I thought you wanted this too.. you never said anything when we started kissing 2 months ago.." He stood up to get his clothing from his backpack.
"Answer me?!" Hatsumi Stood up from the futon. Sasuke didn't answer, he just walked over to the bathroom. At that moment she changed into her pajamas. "What; am I not pretty enough for you? Am I not that smart enough for you? Answer me!" She went back to the foton, she was getting really impatient. "Sorry. I can't be that pink haired girl." At this point she fixed herself in bed facing the wall. Through the years of living in the hyuga compound, Hatsumi had learned to cry silently.
-End of Flashback-
Hatsumi had made the bed and had gotten her things ready. She was showering in the women's public showers, which were used by single women going into the baths. She waited patiently outside the building for Sasuke. When he finally walked out, Hatsumi followed him. Soon the sun had set, and It had gotten sandy. Through this temperature they could make it to Suna.
Naruto had spent almost a year under Kakashi. In that time he also made time for Hinata and trained another girl. "You have it so easy, Naruto, " the pink haired woman shook her head. "She is like; a secretary to a secretary. Which in reality she is Kakashi's secretary, and not yours." The yellow haired man argued back "you don't know what you are talking about!" He smirked at the girl "You're just jealous, I have 2 pupils already." He looked back to see this student. "Am I right. Yumiko?"
"I am not surprised to see you here. I have heard, you were on a journey. " The man looked over the dark-haired brunet" I also heard you were traveling with a girl. Is she the girl? And who are you?" The man walked over to the girl.
Hatsumi looked up at him, he was dreamy, she shook the feeling off "I am. My name is Hatsumi Hyuga" which he gladly introduced himself. "I am Gaara of the sand, the Kage of this village." The redhead sat at his desk. "You are pleased to roam my village... I will have two rooms, ready." With that, Sasuke walked out the room. "Kazekage?" Hatsumi was uncomfortable. "I would like to go roam..."
Gaara understood her problem "just wait here, I'll have Kankuro show you around." And like he said there was a knock on the door. "Come in, Kankuro" and just like that a taller man came in, he had red marks on his face. On top of that the man had a child in his arms "Show her around the village."
"Whatever you say Gaara" he gestured for the girl to follow him, and she did three roamed the village for some time now "I guess, I forgot to introduce myself" he put the small boy down for a second "I am Kankuro of the hidden in sand village ,a.k.a. Suna." The little boy smiled and bowed "and this little punk, '' ichiru..." Kankuro patted his brown hair "tell her, how old you are." The child started to say "I...am...two." Hatsumi Smiled at the boy reached into her ninja pouch, and she pulled out a piece of candy. "This is for you, Ichiru " the boy shook his head "don't worry, I still have some..."
The boy took the candy "look, Daddy kan!" He showed the piece of candy off. "Up...Up" and Kankuro had the child in his arms again.
"Daddy kan?" Hatsumi Giggled "cute" then moved around the village some more" so how is it being the brother of the Kazekage? What does he do for fun?"
"Not much... wait, don't tell me you're into him?!" Kanako's face palmed himself "And here, I thought you were into me" he shook off the thought. "If you're into him, buy him a salted tongue, and or Gizzards" a woman butted into their conversation "come here Ichiru l" She took the child from Kankuro's hands. The woman had straight long blue hair that reached her mid back. Her piercing red eye color stood out the most.
"Look! Mommy look!" Ichiru was still showing off his candy. The woman smiled, "what a nice looking candy. You can eat it after dinner." She looked at Burnett "Gaara doesn't eat with us for dinner, he keeps working until midnight by the way."
Kankuro had watched as the two interacted with each other and introduced themselves. He had also objected to the blue haired woman telling Hatsumi About Gaara " Ayame!" the girls looked at him "I give up" he turned to leave.
"Bye... Daddy kan!" Ichiru waved to him. Hatsumi Giggled at the sight. " Ichiru is so cute." Ayame smiled "thank you, he gets his looks from his real parents, and his playfulness from me" she showed so much love in one smile for the kid. "During the war, he became an orphan. But in the time I cared for him he quickly became my son. Kankuro also fell in love with his charm and agreed to be his father."
"Naruto, I have received word that Sasuke Uchiha has arrived at Suna." A girl said, her long honey blonde curly hair was parted into pigtails and bangs framing her face. Her blue eyes caught his attention. "It's about time, he's been gone almost a year and half. Wait until I tell Kakashi'' the blonde had a smile ear to ear.
-
There was knocking on the door "come in" Gaara said in a demanding voice. He was having a good time with his paperwork "..." he wasn't all pleased to see his guest.
"Kazekage..." Hatsumi was uncomfortable. "I brought you something to eat" she managed to walk over to his desk without tripping over anything. "This is for you. For letting me stay here, as well as Sasuke." She placed the plate on the table.
Gaara didn't like the Uchiha one bit, but because he had helped Naruto defeat; Madara, and the thing that called herself 'mother of all'. He looked over at the plate to see a salted tongue and gizzards on a stick. "Thank you" It was an uncomfortable silence for Hatsumi. She had been watching him look over paperwork, scrolls, and every so often he would take a bite.
'Not the council, again.' He placed the scroll down. He wanted to ignore the letter and he did so. "You haven't taken a bite from one."
"You see Kazekage. the thought of eating a tongue or a geezer's. it's not appetizing TO me at least" she didn't want to offend the Kazekage. "Have you ever tried it?" He placed the empty stick back on the plate. He heard her response as "Well... No." He offered the food again "try one" he said as he picked one up.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt." She said as she picked up the last stick. She hesitated until her teeth sank into the meat, it was flavorful with each bite.
-
" Ichiru!" Ayame called out to the child as he opened the door. Ichiru had glanced at the man against the wall in the room. He took in the main features, he didn't look like; daddy kan, unky Ga, Ta, or the girl he met earlier. The man looked troubled. He walked over to the man and held out a piece of candy.
Sasuke had looked at the candy, not bothering to take it from the child. Ayame walked into the room and picked up the child, there she saw their other guest "please excuse my son, Ichiru" she slowly closed the man's door. Sasuke could hear the mother's conversation with the child. "Mommy...I give candy..."
Ayame loved that her son was caring but it puts him at risk. "I know, and you're a sweet boy" Ichiru nodded as he agreed with mother "mommy? Where's the nice lady?" Ayame patted the boy's head "she with uncle Gaara."
"It's not bad, but it's not my favorite," Hatsumi smiled at the red head. "Gaara" The door to the office opened. "I brought you-" there was a girl with four pigtails "is she another one of our guests?" Gaara nodded "Temari, meet Hatsumi"
Hatsumi bowed her head at the older woman. "It's a pleasure to meet you" Temari was surprised at how formal she was. She placed the plate in front of Gaara. She picked up the scroll and began to read it "the council again. when will they stop, trying to marry you off" she tossed it in the trash.
"You too, huh." Hatsumi had remembered her father introducing her to countless men "I guess Kazekages can't escape it either." she chuckled, "that's one of the things I dread going back to Konoha." she shook off the thought. "Well, I am tired..."
Temari excused herself, and offered to take Hatsumi to her room.
It was 10 o'clock "Lets go to sleep." Ayame had gotten into bed. She had shared the bed with Ichiru, and Kankuro. "Night Daddy kan, night mommy." The child shut his eyes, and drifted off.
"Kankuro," Ayame said as looked into his eyes. "Thank you." Kankuro let out a chuckle" for what?" Ayame smiled "for being a good friend. Looking after Ichiru, and most of all the monster seeker." She laughed at the last part. She could tell her son felt safer when Kankuro was around to 'fight the monsters away'.
Kankuro had found this girl when she was 5 years old wandering, alone. She had actually found him in a cave. When Ayame was 14 she found a baby in an exact cave. She decided to take in the baby just as Kankuro and his family took her in. He felt bad for them, he offered food, supplies, and a roof over their heads free of charge. Before Ayame was paying the elders for settlers in the city while working in a garden shop that only sold herbs due to poor weather conditions.
For Kankuro Seeing Ichiru grow, tugged at his heart. He never once thought he wanted a relationship with her. He saw her as another sister. "You got, anything for Ichiru."
-
"Are you sure you don't want to eat." Temari asked her as they stopped in front of Hatsumi's guest room. "I am fine." She smiled at the girl "thank you for everything." She entered her room, her mind was in a different place, she didn't see Sasuke by the window. Her feet slipped out her ninja shoes. She saw her backpack on the doorknob. She looked inside to take out a nightgown. She took off her shirt, she was about to unhook her bra.
Sasuke had purposely opened the window, to stop her. Hatsumi covered her chest with her night gown. She looked up to see Sasuke. She turned her back to him and ignored the man. She put on her nightgown, before she completely put it on she unhooked her bra. It dropped to the floor. Next was her shorts. She bent down to pick up her clothes and folded her shorts over so her bra was hidden from sight. She still ignored the man, as she got under the covers of the bed.
"What do you think you were doing?" He was very annoyed, to the point his eyes were red. "Repaying my gratitude." She closed her eyes "Now, is that all?" She could hear his little attitude "Ever since the hot springs, you refused to talk to me. I acknowledged what I did, and I take FULL responsibility. It was 'all my fault', I let my feelings cloud my judgment, and got carried away. So please, there's no reason for you to be angry"
"Stubborn" Sasuke had spat the word so fast he realized he messed up. It touched a nerve on the girl. "Call me whatever you want" she sat up to look at him. "Stubborn, an ass, a bitch. Should I keep going." Hatsumi was done with his mood, "the way I see it, I could never please you. I. Sorry for forcing my affection onto you" she tucked herself into bed "night, Uchiha." With no noise he disappeared. Hatsumi began to cry, she had tried to be friends and that worked out okay, but when she thought he felt the same way and tried to be more than friends. She was embarrassed to be rejected. Having Sasuke as a friend wasn't an option anymore, because of her actions.
It had been some time, she tossed and turned. She was used to sleeping by Sasuke's side, by now. She would have to suck it up. She made her way to the next room. She didn't bother to knock and entered the room. "Sasuke?" she said quietly. She could see him sit up from the bed. "Hn"
"I am sorry for the way I've been acting, but it's how I feel and I know that you don't understand why I do what I do, or act the way I do." she walked over to him. "Let me guess, you can't sleep" he heard her answer "A pampered Princess, like always."
Hatsumi smiled, whenever Sasuke used that term, he was in an okay mood. She went over to the other side of the bed and slipped in "Good night, Sasuke." She felt safer when she slept near Sasuke. She turned her back to Sasuke and said "A princess always gets what she wants but you're not on the list anymore."
Hatsumi woke up to find she was alone in the room. "Like always" she decided to go back to sleep, she placed the cover over head. She then heard a clicking sound of the door knob being turned. "Does the 'Princess' need her beauty to sleep?" Sasuke stared at the lump on the bed for sometime. Until he broke his silence " HE was looking for."
Hatsumi sat up in a second, in his bed. "Who?" Sasuke's tone was harsh on the next word. "Gaara"
Hatsumi Blushed at his name. "What did he say?" Sasuke pulled out a piece of paper from the pouch and he tossed it on the bed. Seeing her blush at Gaara's name made him mad, and here he thought Hatsumi liked him, how quickly her feelings changed. "If that's how you feel about HIM, I suggest you cuddle with him, in the dead of night."
How quickly Hatsumi's blush feel, she made her way over to him "How could you say that?! He can make me blush, but you're the person I gave my heart to." She looked away, and the thought of that rejection hurt her. "Last time, I was hurt."
Sasuke placed his thumb under her chin. He forced her to look at him. He could see that he had made her blush. In the heat of the moment he leaned down to kiss her. When he parted her lips "I am willing to have 'THIS' type of relationship with you."
That statement hit Hatsumi like a pan in the face. He was willing to become a couple, from the way he talked. 'If Naruto was a bond between a best friend, and a brother. His real brother had the bond of family, and Sakura was an acquaintance' " You mean, a romantic relationship?" He just nodded "If you wanted THIS type of relationship why did you push me away?"
He kissed her once more, ignoring the question and reminded her she had somewhere to be. "You should get going, and get changed. I'll see you at Lunch." Hatsumi smiled as she left his room. Not a second later she saw Ayame and Ichiru "Good morning?!" Ayame kept her eye on the girl, and asked "how was he?" Hatsumi couldn't believe her question, she started to shake her head "WE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING."
Ayame just smiled bigger and shrugged it off "Sure." she had a mug look as she said the next part. "Next time you should bail before 7am" Ichiru looked at the woman "Come play with me" he placed his hand on Hatsumi's hand, to pull her to his toys.
"She can't right now sweetie" she patted the boy's head "maybe after lunch, but before dinner."
-
Gaara had been waiting for Hatsumi, in his office. He had heard his sister's voice from the other side of the door "come in" as Temari came, so did the girl he wanted to see.
"Good morning, Kazekage" She had become jumpy on the subject of 'morning'. "How did the two of you sleep? I hope the rooms were to your liking." He would also try to please his friend's friends, even if it was Sasuke. Hatsumi had gotten stiff until he explained "Oh" she smiled "for me, it was like laying on my own bed, back home." He nodded, that's what he wanted to hear. So he cut to the chase "Has he behaved?"
Hatsumi had understood, each Kage had asked when they stayed at their village. "from the beginning, until now. I think he's been okay, never starting fights, he avoids any and all drama. On Several occasions he has helped small villages from bandits. " She had informed each of the Kage, what the previous Kage's response was on Sasuke's stay and status. "In conclusion, do you think he is a menace to society?"
With one shake of her head "No, he's not. He does have little quirks here and there, but that's just like everyone else. Sir. He has shown his duty to his village and he does show remorse for what he did." Gaara had written her statements down and and then he signed bottom, he had heard her stomach growl. Hatsumi couldn't believe her stomach" Sorry, I slept in, and didn't eat breakfast" she put her head down in embarrassment.
"Would you like me to take you out to eat something?" In the years of being Naruto's friend, he lost the ability to be around people whose stomach growls. It would cause him to be short tempered and give in to Naruto whining. "I'm fine." She looked up "back home they had me on a strict diet. Being on the road, I was spoiling myself." She bowed to him. "I'll be going, see you later, Kazekage."
Ayame had been cleaning her room with the help of her son. While Kankuro was out keeping peace within the city. Now she had now started cleaning the living room while her son played in his playpen. 'I really need to stop depending on Kankuro and his family. I chose to take in Ichiru and the rest of them have helped me so much. I wish I could just be Independent with Ichiru'
-
Hatsumi had walked out the doors of the building, when someone pulled her in. She looked up to see it was Sasuke. "Where are we off to in such a hurry?" He had pulled her into a clothing store. He had let her go and said in a demeaning tone "Choose something" Hatsumi looked confused. It was forbidden from entering places like this. "If father finds out- and... I don't have that much money"
"Don't worry about it" he stood against the wall with his eyes closed. He had noticed she was dehydrating faster with the close she had on .Hatsumi had looked around to find an outfit. Her eyes landed on the cutest dress. It was an off the shoulder white micro dress, the bottom of the dress was shorter on the left side. She walked around to find dark blue short mid thigh shorts. She also saw a black sleeveless oversized black sweater.
Sasuke had looked over to see her eyes sparkled. He had gotten the attention of the cashier. Hatsumi picked out another outfit, to see which one fit her personality best. She made her way to the fitting room. She tried the items on, the only problem was she could only buy one of the outfits.
Sasuke whispered to the clerk, to which she responded "Every well sir." He handed her some money that would cover the outfits and a nice tip for the woman. He then walked over to the fitting room waiting for the woman to come out, and when she did, he loved both outfits. "It's just a matter which one I like the most." The clerk came back up "Excuse me. They both look nice on you. Especially Because of your figure. Don't worry about it, both outfits have already been paid for. "Would you like me to wrap them up for you?" Hatsumi handed her the items so they could be put in a bag.
-
Ayame had put Ichiru down for a nap. She had heard the front door open, and she looked at Hatsumi. "I just put Ichiru down for a nap." Hatsumi nodded and lowered her voice, she named a couple of people "Lady, Tsunade is the 5th Hokage, right?" She saw Sasuke nod "Okay thank you" Ayame had remembered her old teacher. 'I wonder if Iruka is still around' She excused herself into her room.
Hatsumi Accompanied Sasuke to his room, "I can't believe it, tomorrow we head out." She always had a smile "wonder If they'll recognize me." Sasuke couldn't care less of her high and mighty family, soon he was in his own little world thinking. "Sasuke '' she was very close to him, she could see she caught him off guard. She let a blush seep through, she fiddled with her index fingers. "I wanted to say thank you, for; training with me, teaching me about Hokage's and about the world. 'She pulled out something from her pouch "this is for you. I hope you like it."
His eye never left her hand, she slowly opened it to reveal a wood keychain. It was in the shape of his clan symbol. The lines were burnt into it, along with some words on the top section 'It is foolish to fear what we have yet to see and know.' His eyes looked up at her. "It's my token of gratitude" he had noticed the saying "it's the words you told me that night we first set out. On top of that you are the only person who told me a Neji. So thank you."
"Gaara you just can't ignore the elders..." Kankuro had been advised to talk some sense into his younger brother. "It's been two months. since they started bothering you. "Gaara was done with this topic. "Just tell them, I'll reply in two years." Kankuro was shocked when his baby brother agreed to get married. "We'll see what I can do." Gaara waved his brother out of his office.
Naruto was grinning ear to ear "tomorrow he'll start his journey back." Naruto was so happy he could explode. "Naruto" Hinata smiled "I am happy to see you are excited." The blonde gave a look at Hinata. "How about, happy to see your sister?"
Without emotion Hinata answered back "Not really .I-I-I never got close to her. "Naruto was confused" but she's still your sister. ummm, half sister"
"Kankuro, I have decided to go with Hatsumi to see an old friend with Ichiru" she knew this wasn't going to be easy, and it wasn't. Until he gave in to ichiru asking him. "Fine, but only for a couple of months." Kankuro patted the little boy's head. He was curious about what kind of friend but she did have a life before she came to the Suna.
-
Then the next morning Hatsumi and Sasuke had entered Gaara's office. "Thank you so much, Kazekage." Gaara had his eyes on Sasuke "just call me, Gaara." She had shook her head and refused to call him by his name. "take care." He waved the two off, since he could accompany them to the gate.
"Sasuke?" She looked at him, "Why don't you like each other?" Sasuke didn't want to answer "I'll pass" . The two made it to the gate, to see Ayame and her brat. "Ayame!" Hatsumi Smiled, "are you waiting for us?" Ayame shook her "where are you coming to, There's someone I want to see."
Sasuke looked at the brat "don't fall behind." He averted his eyes to the girl. And the group had been on their way.
-
Three days later
Naruto had been pacing back and forth at the gate. "Calm down" Yumiko had a small smile on her face. Her long blonde curly hair was parted into pigtails and bangs framing her face. Her blue eyes caught his attention.
"Yeah..." he stopped and looked out the gate to see three figures out from the distance. "He's here" he placed his hand on her shoulders, he was overwhelmed with happiness to see his best friend back. "Naruto?!" She could barely talk. "Your hands"
Naruto looked back at Yumiko "sorry" he had run to the group "Sasuke!" He noticed the woman and the child on one of the girls' backs. "And." he whispered to Sasuke, "who's are the girls and the kid."
"What you can't remember me?" The brown haired, brown eyed girl shook her head "Sasuke is right, about you." She sighed" I am Hatsumi Hyuga." Then she gestured to the other girl, Straight long dark blue hair and red amber eye color " this is Ayame" Hatsumi couldn't but help to say her last name in a smile "Ayame Uzumaki"
Naruto smiled "I am Naruto UZUMAKI!" Hatsumi then gestured to the sleeping boy "And her little boy, Ichiru" the little boy had black hair.
Ayame corrected her "adopted son." It finally made sense since she looked a little young to have kids. "Naruto? Kakashi is expecting us." Yumiko had creeped up on Naruto.
