Chapter 8

Steady Flame

Sasuke had led Hatsumi to his apartment. "This is my new apartment." He opened the door to reveal a luxurious one bedroom apartment. "I ran into Kakashi last night. The old place I used to live in was disaster by pain. So this is my new place."

She was amazed, the apartment model was that of a simple yet modern. She had looked around like the place was an art museum. "That's wonderful, not so much destruction. I mean everything was destroyed. I just thought that you would go back to the Uchiha Compound." She thought it over. She could have sworn that they did build the Uchiha compound back up.

"Kakashi was able to catch me up to speed. The houses are built from the outside, not from the inside yet. They should have two houses ready to go in three months. I'm going to rent more than half the houses out." Sasuke made his way to the living room where he sat on the black sofa, watching Hatsumi walk around. "It's just me. I don't think the Uchiha's population is going to grow anytime soon."

The purple eyed girl stared at the refrigerator. She couldn't help but open it. She looked at the semi empty refrigerator. "Have you been eating enough?"

"I have. The food should be arriving in an hour. " He stood up to walk over to the kitchen to see Hatsumi bent over as she looked into the refrigerator. " Those are just snacks until tomorrow. I will be going grocery shopping."

He smirked as he watched Hatsumi jump up in surprise.

"I didn't mean to. I just had to make sure you are eating." She closed the refrigerator. "You said food?" He rolled his eyes at her, "I am having ramen delivered." He changed his expression into an annoyed one. " I wanted to eat lunch with me. Without anyone ruining it or asking too many questions." Hatsumi smiled and took his hand into hers. "That's very considerate, and thank you" she blushed.

Sasuke nodded as his cheeks grew a pink color.

"Umm" Hinata shifted under her shyness. "Can I ask, why did you agree to take Hatsumi out?" She is referred to as a dog. Naruto smiled as he finished his lunch noodles. "She does deserve to be out like any person." He chucked "she needs more freedom"

Hinata had a sour look on her face and then wiped it off " she already has too much freedom." Naruto looks serious for a second "you're wrong. Compared to you and Hanabi. She is under constant lock down. Neji wouldn't want her to be a caged bird."

The blue-haired girl snapped out of her mood. "I guess... when.. you put it like that", her blush grew. Naruto began to chuckle more, and rub the back of his head with his hand. "I get the feeling you don't hate her. It's just you probably never actually talked to her."

At that instant Hinata eyes opened wider, as Naruto guessed was right. She closed them for a couple of seconds to gather her thoughts. " my mother...had always pulled me away before I could talk to her...I guess it's embarrassment... that turned to jealousy... she had a fancy life.. while I raised Hanabi." She opened her eyes to see Naruto smiling even bigger "you have time to repair the relationship" he said. "Right Yumiko?" He looked behind him to see his partner.

"Yes. Naruto, we should get going. Lunch is over." She bowed at Hinata. "It was nice seeing you again." With that he stood up placing money on the counter. He winked at Hinata and walked out with yumiko in tow.

"How was your lunch? Doesn't Matter it wasn't ramen" Naruto was excited he just changed Hinata's mind. "Because we are off to train!" Yumiko loved to see the passion in his eyes. "I appreciate everything you do for me. Just a reminder we train for an hour . Then off to the office." She had also added an hour in her head. Naruto was the type who runs late. If you lie and tell him it's already late, he's early. "Of course. I love spending time with you l." He didn't notice that he made her blush. " I have a sparring partner Hehehe and a office partner"

"Ayame If you go to the Hokage building. Talk to Kakashi, tell him you need immediate work. He will help you. Don't worry about Ichiru. Shizune will help me look after him." Tsunade sounded responsible. She didn't hesitate to lightly push Ayame out the door.

"I can't complain, I did want to stand on my own." Ayame walked to the Hokage building but along the way she got lost. She somehow ended at the front gates. She turned around and managed to miss the Hokage building again. This time she was in a district with dogs. As she admired the dogs, an off white dog jumped on her. "Great Pyrenees, I've seen pictures of your breed" she petted his head. Which he loved, he nuzzled her even more.

"AKAMARU DOWN!" A boy with brown hair called out to the dog.

Ayame could have sworn she was looking at Kankuro. She blinked and realized it wasn't him but someone else. "Does he belong to you?" The brown haired boy smiled, "You could say that." The dog went to stand by him. "My name is Kiba Inuzuka."

Akamaru looked at her "My name is Ayame Uzumaki" she smiled at the dog and then looked at Kiba. "Where I am from, it's rare to see dogs. Suna is just too hot for dogs and cats."

"Oh you're from Suna. That's cool, what are you doing on the cooler side" he laughed off his joke. "I actually moved here. I am supposed to head to the Hokage building." She looked down at her feet as she was embarrassed "I got lost."

He smiled at her, "Is that all?" He grabbed her hand and led her to the building. "Since you're new. We should hang out sometime, Akamaru sure seems to love you." Ayame blushed "Of course! I'm staying with lady Tsunade." She waved goodbye two them too.

Hatsumi was sitting on Sasuke who was sitting on the couch. They were in the middle of a kiss. He smirked at her "you never did tell me how you were able to meet up with me." Sasuke asked while their foreheads touched. "It was thanks to Naruto, and my sister Hinata." She blushed, and kissed his forehead. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Go right ahead" He looked up at her. He could feel her tense up. "Why did you push me away, at the hot springs?" Hatsumi had caught him off guard. He looked away from her. "You are a classy woman and you come from a prodigious family. I didn't want to take advantage of you."

Hatsumi kissed his neck "what a gentleman. Cherishing my chastity" their lips met and continued to kiss for a bit. " I should be going." She unsettled him. "Thank you for lunch."

"Let me walk you home." He stood up and walked to the door with her.