This chapter is shorter. I hope you like this story and I'm so grateful for all the reviews so far.
When they were at the dinner at Tazuna's house she was in awe how much appreciation for Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura and Kakashi this family had. Every single one of these three were so grateful for the help they'd received. Tazuna's daughter, Tsunami, was a gentle woman with a tragic past and yet she was still optimistic and warm. Inari was a loud and very energetic. He was so very young and it showed even though he's lived through the war and so much pain. These people were a family that was so much different than her own. They was love and acceptance and a bond so tight no one could break.
It felt somewhat weird for them to be there. She didn't know any of them and felt out of place. But it was Sasuke that really didn't fit into the situation. He tried to behave as he was expected to but it was not possible. He wasn't the same as he's been back then. Fighting Zabuza and Haku now would have been easy and the importance of that mission from years ago was now only symbolic to him. He really didn't know these people well. He's used to be so aggravated by the little boy because of his lack of faith and effort and now he was tired of his optimistic demeanor. He was not where he wanted to be, that's for sure.
And yet this short visit has made them think more about their own lives. They were moving in together and they both wanted their home to feel this full of love. Sasuke was silent on the way back to the hotel. He was deep in his thoughts. He barely ever thought about his family and didn't feel shit about it. This time he was thinking about the possibility of getting this feelings back and he was once again a young, hopeful boy. Once he looked at Hinata he knew he could never repay her for simply being there with him. There was a foggy memory of the answer he's once given to Kakashi. He hasn't said much about himself. The only thing he has said was that his only goal has been killing Itachi. But now he knew that revenge hasn't been the answer. Somehow the answer turned out to be her. It was unbelievable how much his life's changed in such a short time.
„Hinata?" He stopped walking still looking at her. She turned to him surprised and with a kind smile.
„What is it?"
„I think I know where we should move in" he's never wanted to go back there again. The place all of his demons have been born. He suddenly felt stressed. Maybe she didn't want to live there? Why did he want to go and live at a place with such a horrible history?
„Where?" She asked when he didn't say anything.
„My house" he gathered all his courage to these two words. But he soon realized that there was nothing to be stressed about. Hinata just smiled and nodded.
„Nice thought" she grabbed his hand and they started walking again. Most of the time Sasuke was in awe of her and this time was no different. In a second she made all of his worries go away.
„You don't mind?" He asked
„Why would I? It's your home after all" was it simple as that to her?
„It's probably in a desperate need of renovation" he said.
„Good thing we can do most of it" this time she was grinning. „What do you say we go somewhere?"
„Aren't you tired?"
„Not really" she wanted to spend some more time outside. The night was beautiful. It was warm but not hot and the stars were all over the sky. They went to the nearest river and sat down on the grass. They were covered from the village by the forest and there was not a soul to be seen. She lied down on the grass and looked at the clear sky. He followed her lead and they held hands.
„What do you want in the future?" He asked quietly.
„What do you mean?" She didn't look at him but knew that he was looking at her.
„When you think about the future, what do you think about?"
„I try not to expect much" she knew what it meant to be let down by her own imagination. „But I have a lot of mixed feelings about my future" she closed her eyes. „There was a time when all I wanted to be living on my own, outside of my home. And I still think it is the best thing to do for me."
„But?" There had to be more.
„But… There is a part of me that would like to try and change my family's ways. I don't think it's even possible but I would love to try." But she knew she wasn't strong enough to change the way her clan was. „But maybe I don't have to be there to change things." She knew he wasn't asking about this but she didn't have the answer to his real question. If he'd asked her that a few years ago she would have answered easily. But now she didn't know. Thinking about having children didn't come to her as easily. A whole idea of family of her own seemed unreal even though he was there with her. She wanted to want it but she wasn't ready for such thoughts yet. And he deserved to know that. „When it comes to other aspects of the future" she paused „I need more time." She felt horrible with saying that. She thought for a second about the things she hasn't thought about in so long. The children in her mind had no face, the list of wedding guests was empty. She was angry at herself for not being able to see these things.
He wasn't disappointed with her answer nor was he sad about it. He knew that both of them had to move at a different peace than most people. Up until now everything was so fast and uncontrollable but there were changes coming. Moving in to Konoha was a big thing for both of them, and moving in together was a strong statement on its own. They had all the time in the world for more and he could wait for her to be ready for it.
„That's okay" he looked at the stars and squeezed her hand. „When do you want to go there?"
„Is there a reason for us to wait?" She felt sick and happy at the same time when she thought about Konoha.
„Not really" he agreed.
„So tomorrow?" She opened her eyes and looked at him. He only nodded.
In Konoha things were peaceful once again. Kakashi had a hard time convincing Hiashi to calm down but it happened after a lot of negotiations. Sakura was more or less safe but she couldn't come back just yet.
Naruto went back to his training and day-to-day life. He felt weird without Sakura there. He spent most of his free time with Shikamaru and Choji now. Both of them were smilingly uninterested with the whole affair but were a good company. Much better than Kiba and Shino at the moment. Hinatas former teammates were still pissed ant Sakura for doing something so reckless. And both couldn't believe that Hinata didn't come back with them.
Ino was pissed at the whole situation. Sakura was her best friend and she was gone. Naruto didn't behave the way she wanted him to and didn't stop Hokages decision. She was also more and more angry at Hinata and Sasuke for being the cause of this all.
But life was still happening, missions had to be completed and there still were responsibilities to be taken care of.
Once again nobody was waiting impatiently for the return of Hinata and Sasuke.
Going back on the bridge they felt tense. The journey would take them at least three days but both of them weren't rushing towards their destination.
„Who exactly hates me there?" He asked her. It didn't really matter to him but he wanted to know what to expect.
„I wouldn't say hate" she said. „Most of our friends are okay with you. Some of them are still holding a grudge but it should change once you talked to them" she knew Kiba was one of these people and them being together might have added salt to the wound. Right now she wouldn't expect Ino to be friendly with neither of them. Shino was more angry at her than he's ever been at Sasuke. „My father probably will be difficult." And Hanabi will be upset with her as well.
„Villagers?"
„I don't know really. Probably similar reaction as in other villages" she's never cared about what people said about Sasuke. „But Naruto will convince everybody that it's okay."
„We'll see" he knew that the blonde will go out of his way to make him feel welcome there and it made him cringe.
