Chapter 10: Decisions Part 1.
-Inori told me how happy they are in Konoha, thanks for taking care of them. -Itachi sighed wrapping the hand he had on his cheek.
-Thank you for giving me three wonderful children, for allowing me to be by your side. - He closed his eyes smiling.
-Sorry for stealing so many moments, because of me you missed wonderful years of their growth. I ... I'm really sorry Itachi. It was a girl and she was so scared. Between the pressure of the clans, the Akatsuki attack and my insecurities ... I thought I was protecting them, I thought I was protecting you, but ... I was wrong.
-You don't have to apologize for anything ... I'm the one who was a coward. I had never given up on anything in my life, and I gave up on you very soon.
Hinata shook her head. - We were both young and inexperienced. I am sure that now we would make different decisions, but nothing can be done now, only to move forward. I wanted you to know that I don't regret what ... that ... passed between us. - She blushed as cute as I remember her. He held her in his arms and thanked life for his son's incredible doujutsu, it felt so real.
"It seems that the Hinata I know is still here," he said sweetly, enjoying her essence that he had missed so much.
The trip on the boat continued quite calm, they were able to appreciate beautiful sunsets together and get to know each other a little more. Itachi was always very formal but each time she felt him open up and could read his subtle gestures of understanding and understanding. They shared more things than he could have imagined. Despite being the prodigy heir, he had confessed the disagreements he was beginning to have with his father, as well as the lack of time to take care of his little brother, something that hurt his soul.
She didn't have time to spend with Hanabi either, and even if she could; as much for the responsibilities of the clan as for the continuous rivalry that they did not tire of creating between them, they made it something impossible. And for his father, all his life had, had differences with him. With Pain's attack he seemed to have gained some points, but ... almost dying in front of a terrorist against a full of failures, it didn't sound so pretty or encouraging.
When they arrived in the Land of Grass they were both amazed at the kindness and hospitality of the people. It was like an unreal area, away from war. It was not a ninja village, although it clearly enjoyed the shelter and protection of Konoha. His guards at the entrance wore the characteristic green vest with the red swirl on their backs. However, unlike home, their faces were friendly and more than a customs office it seemed only a registration area to follow a protocol. They had even been given suggestions for accommodation and hadn't even realized that they, too, were Konoha ninjas.
"This town is so boring that bad news doesn't even come," joked the lady who had sold them a simple breakfast. -But in return we have the tranquility that any large city would like, as well as beautiful views and landscapes. The newlyweds chose a great destination to travel. -
Hinata thanked all the gods that Itachi found himself buying dangos at the store next door or had died of embarrasment right there. - What makes you think that ... we are just married? - Asked blushing and with slightly bowed shoulders.
-Two young men alone in a town like this? In addition, they give off something special ... a sexual tension that only a couple that has just joined can project -he said with the greatest naturalness in the world. He decided at that moment. If that lady continued with her assumptions, she would begin to hyperventilate.
- Or is it that they are looking to order? If so, at the end of the market you will find many plant stores that could help you in the process, from aphrodisiacs to relaxants. Don't be shy about asking, we all love to help visitors- she smiled so sweetly that Hinata seriously wondered how she could talk about something as personal as if she were talking about the weather. And what obsession did they have for babies ?!
"What are you talking about?" Itachi innocently interrupted, carrying the bag with dangos.
-Nothing important! Thanks for the food Oba-san! "He bowed repeatedly and walked away as fast as he could. He did not know or care when his mission companion began to walk by his side, he only thanked the silence and that he did not try to continue investigating the subject.
Without a doubt they were beautiful views, open fields full of plants and flowers, small, large, thin, thick, green, red, orange, of all colors. Hinata found the sensation of stepping on the greenest, wet grass she had never seen incredible. The rains were recurring that time, so she felt embraced by the vegetation.
Itachi opened the scrolls that contained the specifications of the required medicinal plants, it was only thanks to his Sharingan that he was able to memorize and recognize the differences between the types of leaves, because at first glance they all looked the same. Hinata had no problem, she had a natural gift for recognizing them, even just a glance was enough to know the types, quantities and order in wich they should be stored.
When the first basket was full, he made the first seals to keep them on the scrolls that Tenten had specially prepared for it. So when they went back to the village to sleep, it felt slightly as if they had just gone for a walk as they came "empty" handed. Obviously for the locals the cute newcomer couple was the novelty. They were no strangers to stares and whispers, at least Hinata. With a slight blush, he saw in profile how Itachi passed among the people as if nothing had happened, with extreme security and indifference. I wish I could be like that. Suddenly he caught her eye, he smiled so cute that she wondered how it was possible that the most feared Uchiha in the world could radiate such tranquility.
They had been given a nice room with a view of the sea and although it was not a large inn, they made sure to keep everything clean and always fresh flowers. He came out of the bathroom in his nightwear and took advantage of the fact that it was Itachi's turn to wash up for his mirror routine. "I am strong, I am brave, I am beautiful," she told herself with confidence. It had become his new mantra. He repeated it over and over again. Suddenly the image of Itachi smiling at him slowly came to mind, the evening light highlighting his manly at the same time delicate features. When he told himself to the mirror again that she was beautiful, for the first time, he really believed it.
It became a routine, wake up together, have breakfast, take a small boat to explore the different islands in search of herbs and medicinal plants, search, collect, seal them, return, have dinner, take turns showering and changing in the bathroom. Sleeping lying down, side by side, without touching, not too close but not too far. Physically at least, because at some point their hearts had gotten close enough to become friends. Hinata soon discovered more qualities to say to herself and Itachi caught himself several times looking at her sideways.
They carried half of everything they had to collect and they were going according to the planned times, if everything continued like this in another week they would leave again for the village of the leaf. Itachi moored the little boat on the dock and got out of it waiting for Hinata to do so. A small stumble coming down landed her on the male chest. He blinked a few times before he understood what had happened. Both looked at each other for a few seconds confused and as if their skin burned they separated quickly, blushing unable to hold their gaze.
-I-I'm sorry Itachi-san-
-Okay, the important thing is that Hinata-san didn't get hurt-
The road to the inn for the first time became uncomfortable. The previously pleasant silences had become heavy and strange. Every glance, every accidental touch was difficult for both of them to process. To complicate matters, people seemed determined to mention the cute couple they made and the cute babies they would have. The tension between them was like a snowball growing and growing and neither of them knew how to handle it or release it.
The night was worse, now neither of them could sleep for fear of touching the other. Since when did their skin burn? They had created an invisible wall between them, an insurmountable wall, and if by mistake they touched, just a delicate touch, Troy burned with shame.
Hinata was choking. He didn't understand what was happening, but whatever it was surely his fault. He could no longer bear it, sometime in the morning he sat on the bed in the dark, only a little moonlight and the noise of the waves of the sea filtered through.
-Itachi-san?
"Is something wrong?" He sat down too. He was obviously unable to sleep.
-Itachi-san ... Did I do something wrong? ... I just can't stand it anymore- she shed some tears- my heart hurts, I don't know what's happening. - He put both hands on his chest, they were used to the slight lighting so they could see the silhouette of each one.
-Hinata-san ...
Itachi understood what was happening, but there is a big difference between theory and action. And in any case if there was a culprit it was him. It was impossible for him to hide the great attraction that the princess of the Hyuuga Clan provokes in him, every pore of him detached it, an attraction that had finally reached her. But now what? They were both on virgin ground. However, he was bigger, he had to take control of the situation.
-Hinata-san ... I feel a great attraction towards you. Kami don't faint!
She clenched her hands on her chest and her eyes widened in surprise. He took her by the shoulders to keep her from rolling away. His heartbeat echoed in his ears. TUM, TUM, TUM. He was going to pass out. No no no! As he could, he normalized his breathing. He felt his breath go away again when he asked if he could kiss her. Hinata Force! Force!
He closed his eyes, not only because the moment required it, but because otherwise he could not remain conscious. They shared innocent, awkward, slimy kisses. He massaging her shoulders trying to calm her down, her with both hands pressed to her chest trying to control her overflowing emotions.
Perhaps it was the hunger for affection; that neither of them had realized they possessed up to that point, wich made them approach so fast. After that night, Hinata more easily accepted Itachi's small physical interactions and subtleties such as holding his hand on the way to the dock, placing flowers in his hair or discreetly brushing his arms during the journey into the sea. Miraculously without passing out.
They were surprised when a team from the Military Police arrived for the Tenten scrolls. They could not wait any longer in the village for the plants and food and on top of that they had left new lists to stock. Both Itachi and Hinata had never been happier to have a mission extended for them.