Long time no see. Sorry for that. There were some things I had to prioritize and writing this story came to the second plan. But I absolutely will continue writing.
To say he was displeased with the idea of his daughter dating Uchicha Sasuke would be an understatement. He was furious because of three things. First was that the boy was a former missing non and one of most wanted criminals in the whole shinobi world. He has been a reason of so many troubles regarding the village and his name was unnerving to the Hyūga head. Second was his origin clan. It wasn't that he disliked Uchichas in the past but their relations have always been tense. The kekkei genkais of both clans were unique and desired by outsiders yet they've never cooperated to deal with the situation. And there has never been a time when someone has fallen in love between these clans. Up until now. And the third was one that aggravated him the most was simply the fact that Hinata was his daughter and he was worried for her. Hiashi never would have guessed that his daughter would ever be interested in this boy. She's always been in love with Naruto and there's been nothing anybody could do about that fact. And now the rumors cane to him and he was simply stunned and angry. He was one of the most influential and powerful people in Konoha and now he didn't know what to do. He knew one thing for sure, he couldn't just leave this matter to resolve itself. He needed to talk to her soon but their whereabouts were uncertain. When Hinata had left the village he hasn't tried to keep tabs on her. She's deserved time for herself and he's respected her right to it.
One of the first things he did was talking to Hokage. But he couldn't tell much about the situation and the whole visit was mostly pointless. He's requested prompt informations about his daughters whereabouts in the future and left. Then he met with the elders of the Hyūga Clan. It was something that had to be done. The elders were still in power even though he was the leader. And their reaction was as emotional as he's expected. So there was only one emotion - anger. The elders have always had bad attitude towards his older daughter, one that he'd shared for a long time. Now he saw things differently but it still was difficult to understand Hinata sometimes. For one the decision to form relationship with the man that was Sasuke Uchicha was something he couldn't fathom. His father was even more stern and exacting than he was and didn't care for „the new ways". There was a great knowledge in him but he has been born in different times and hasn't cared enough to change accordingly. The only thing that came out of this conversation was that this situation was unacceptable to his father more than to him and he was sure that there would be some troubles when Hinata came home at last. Troubles he wanted to avoid.
After a long day of worrying he decided to send someone out to find her and bring her home. She had to come here and explain.
Hanabi saw two branch members going out of the compound with their backpacks full and she wandered what it was about. She's heard about the Hinata situation as well and was sure her father was going to do something either really stupid or straight not empathetic. Her thoughts about the rumor were conflicted. She was mostly sad that she got to know about it from rumors and not directly from her sister but she was also happy-ish that her sister found someone that supposedly made her happy. If it had to be Uchicha she could lie with it. But she worried about the repercussions on Hinata from her father and the elder. She also was scared for Hinata. It was one thing dating a bad boy but to date Sasuke was simply scary and unpredictable. She's heard some things about Uchichas and one of them was the emotional character of their actions. They were quick in actions and very passionate. But this passion hasn't always been a positive thing. History of Sasuke was one of the best examples for it. Him murderous instincts were all born out of passion for something and there was nothing that could change his mind. Not even his best friend. So she feared the implication of his love for her sister. If this passion was as strong as the others it could be dangerous to anybody near them. He probably wouldn't hurt her in this scenario but what about somebody that came between them? And she was sure that somebody would come between them eventually. She was tired from it all and the worst thing was that there were so many ifs and buts in thin situation.
When she saw her father in one of the hallways she wanted to escape. This conversation couldn't be avoided though.
„Your sister is in trouble" his voice didn't show much emotions but she could tell he was as tired as she was.
„You sent them after her, father?"
„Yes. She needs to come home. It's been too long."
„Is it about Uchicha?" He only looked her in the eyes and it was enough for her to know the answer. They both knew that not only Uchichas were passionate. Hyūgas were as much passionate but more restricted. They were cold and Uchichas were the fire but both had to have a final say. It was more visible in her, their father and grandfather than in Hinata but she was also a Hyūga. Her long lasting affection towards Naruto was unwavering up until she met Uchicha and they both were sure that this time it was as strong if not stronger. She was now sure that there would be hell when she came back.
Suna was a place that both of them grew to dislike to be honest. Apart from some places it was all sand and wind. People there were welcoming as long as they didn't see Sasuke approaching and this attitude was making Hinata hate them. She was constantly hushing these emotions because she did kind of understood their approach but she still wanted for Sasuke to be welcome everywhere and seen by the people as the savior he was. He on the other hand seemed unbothered by their attitude. What made Suna dislikable to him was mostly the lack of diversity in the village and the fact that everything there was plain food, people, weather, scenery, clothes, everything. He wandered for a little while if he's ever cared about that in the past and came to the conclusion that it was a novelty. He suspected it was Hinata rubbing off on him and this realization made him smile. So after only few days spent there they decided to move again. This time they decided to visit Land of Rivers. When they crossed the border their senses came back to life. It was so much different there than it was in the Land of Wind. The scenery was once again pleasing to the eye and so diverse. Trees were high and the underwood was full of green bushes that were blooming. The birds were everywhere and their singing didn't stop.
„I'm never going back there" she said while exhaling the air.
„Neither am I" he smiled at her. „This is so much better" he gestured at the forest. She hugged him. He was far more comfortable with her than he was at the begging and he spoke much more often. Even when he didn't have to say anything he found some words and kept the conversation going. It was so unlike him but suited him so well.
„You've gotten so talkative lately" she poked him and smiled.
„Not a bad thing I hope" he liked talking to her.
„No. It's a good thing. At least I'm not the only person to talk non stop"
„It's only fair I started talking then" he winked and looked up to see sky between the branches of the trees. She was still looking straight at him and the only thought was how mesmerizing he was to her.
„I love you" she whispered. It was so quiet he wasn't sure she even said it but his eyes were instantly meeting hers. He smiled one of the most beautiful smiled ever. It was the first time she said that. It was the first time either one of them said it. They both knew how the other felt but it was unspoken up until now. He's been sure that knowing was enough but now he knew it to be nothing compared to hearing her say it.
„I love you too, Hinata" there was nothing stoping him from saying these words. They came naturally as breathing did. They've been together for some time and one could assume that their emotions would be calming but in these moment they both were once again he's to toes taken over by the intensity of this feeling. So, naturally, they kissed and forgot about the world around them.
When Sasuke was asleep Hinata was still breathing in the air that was fresh and crispy. She was only now realizing where she was and what her plan has been when she started her journey. She's made almost a whole circle around the Land of Fire. Her plan was to go back to the Village when she finished it. This plan was now something she was second guessing. She didn't feel ready yet and she was almost having a panic attack thinking about going back. But she knew that this had to happen and she guessed that it was only going to be harder and harder the longer she avoided it. So there she was. Still not ready and still not strong but at the end of the road. There was only this country and the Land of Waves left on her unwritten list. She could prolong their visit in both of these places and every fiber of her being wanted to do just that. Every apart form a part that missed her friends, her family and her home. What made going back even more difficult was the immature thing she did back in Suna. Why has she had to act that way with Shikamaru? He certainly has already told someone about their encounter and the rumors were most definitely spreading. She didn't want to admit it but she feared what her family had to say about that and there was something she didn't want to admit even more. She still cared for Naruto in some strange way. She was not in love with the blonde anymore but she still had a place in her heart that was reserved just for him. Her relationship with Sasuke has been taking over some of this restricted area but it was a slow process. Much too slow. She wasn't sure how would she act in front of Naruto and she dreaded this meeting. But she instantly remembered Sasuke with bright smile on his face saying that he loved her and all her worried disappeared. There was nothing to worry as long as they were facing it together.
