Thank you all for the lovely reviews, it made me want to update quicker than I thought.
"Hokage-sama, can I talk to you?" Sakura blushed, waiting for her sensei to lift his head from the scroll on his bureau.
"Yo Sakura, so good to see you, what is up?" He answered with a bow, smiling eyes.
He is so kind, she thought. " I must tell you two very important things." She waited a moment to have the courage " Sasuke and I got married a few days ago." His face changed; she could tell even from behind his mask. Why though?
She added, "we want to have a child as soon as possible."
" C...Congratulations Sakura-chan, your dream has become a reality and your love is answered," he said with bitterness.
' I hope that was the case' she thought to herself, with even more bitterness.
"Could you please let the council know that this subject is taken care of," she asked.
" Of course, I'll let them know," he said in a sad tone. He eternally was her protector, he saved her so many times. But can he save her now from this toxic relationship? They are married, he thought, it's too late. He has to see Sasuke.
A few days later, he met him at the training ground like in the old days.
" Yō Sasuke, congrats," said the Sixth.
" Thanks," said the grim Uchiha.
"Well, you don't look happy, I heard you want to have a child as soon as possible," Kakashi added.
"For the council to shut up!" Spoke Sasuke irritated.
" So, your marriage is fake" he can't foul his sensei.
"It is," admitted Sasuke.
Kakashi was in a way relieved. " But you have to consummate the marriage to have a child, as you well know... Sasuke," he was a bit confused.
" I know, it's made in the laboratory. Just waiting for the results." The Uchiha informed him.
" Yare yare, that is not fair to Sakura, she loved you all her life." He sighs.
" She accepted my terms on her own, I never forced her." The raven-haired defended, pushing his hair in frustration.
" Of course, you can't force her on something like that. But you must know she is doing it out of love for you, if she can't have you, she can have something of you, your child. All I'm asking is to be gentle with her, especially in the case of her pregnancy." Kakashi pleaded.
" Of course I will, I'm not a monster. Why do you care so much anyways?" asked the old student.
Kakashi doesn't have the answer to that. But he said " she was my student too and I care dearly about her." He didn't lie but he can't reveal his true feelings to her now husband. Why is he always super late?
Hinata invited Sasuke and Sakura to meet at the Hyūga main estate for a tea ceremony.
They were at the tea room Chashitsu. Hinata was wearing an elegant kimono for the ceremony. Sakura, Sasuke and Naruto are wearing Yukata.
They sat down round the hearth Ro, covered with simple tatami. It was summer and there was no need for it.
She started the ceremony with Temea sitting in seiza position.
How elegant and graceful her movements were. The way she folds the silk cloth Fukusa, how she cleans the utensils, how precisely she scoops the water... All the guests were astonished. She looked so beautiful with a little shy smile on her face.
She hates attention, but she was so well trained that she made the Temea with her eyes closed.
Sasuke was amazed by her beauty and grace. Being a Nobel has its charm. Hinata was calm by nature. She was in her element, it suits her. The kimono, the tea ceremony, the traditional Hyūga architecture, she was in harmony with all of it.
Naruto was embarrassing himself with his clumsiness, Sakura was ok but Hinata and Sasuke were from ancient families and used to those ceremonies. Though Sasuke took part in one when his family was alive, before the massacre, he was very young. But he was trained for all formalities nonetheless.
Sasuke felt tranquillity in the estate. Everything was so calm and quiet, only birds were to hear. He closed his eyes for a moment to enjoy the serenity.
He could only feel her presence, her beautiful smell, her halo glow. He is so attracted to her, whatever that means. But he forgot about the world, there is only the both of them. What is this? Why is he feeling this way to a married woman?
He must control himself, this is getting out of hand, she is his best friend's wife.
After the ceremony and the admiration of the utensils. Hinata returned everything to place. Greeted them then returned to chitchat.
Hanabi joined them. She teased her sister.
"Onee-san is so traditional, she loves this boring stuff. Tea ceremony, gardening, knitting, flower pressing. She is like a grandma." She chuckled and hugged her sister in an apology.
"Sasuke is traditional too. He loves quiet walks. Wearing a kimono. Traditional architecture." Sakura teased too.
He was focused on the affection between the sisters. There weren't a lot of siblings in Konoha. Everytime he sees one, he finds himself fascinated by this relation.
"They have a thing for the color purple too, orange is way cooler" Naruto was grinning. He loves teasing those two.
" onee-san is so organised, it's unbelievable. she folds her plastic grocery bags in triangles." Hanabi added.
" TEME TOO" shouted Naruto in a loud laugh "he even organises his spice rack alphabetically."
They laugh hysterically. Sasuke's eyes narrowed glaring at Hinata. Hinata blushing glancing at Sasuke from under her silky bangs. He loves it when she does that.
"Hanabi you can't tease me about that. Organizing is important in life. You should see Naruto-Kun." Answered Hinata giggling in her sleeve.
Sakura remembered the time she entered Naruto's old apartment and fell into a bowl of ramen and his underwear landed on her head. She gets chills everytime she remembers it.
"Yeah, Naruto is like a pig. How do you tolerate him? I wander." Sakura teased directing her question to Hinata.
Hinata blushed and smiled.
"Like you are any better than me. Your mother always scolds you for how unorganized you are." Naruto back fired at Sakura.
Hanabi was amused looking at the two couples.
"You should change partners. You married the wrong one." They looked all startled. This kid was bold.
Sasuke couldn't agree with the kid more. She understood what they didn't.
"Hanabii!! how could you say that? You know that Naruto-kun and I love each other." Hinata was embarrassed in front of Naruto and Sakura.
She noticed that Sasuke liked that idea from his small smirk.
"It's really not that unrealistic idea. You and Sasuke are like one person in two bodies. Except you're light and he is darkness" Naruto is just being an idiot.
Sasuke doesn't mind being called darkness. He loves it. But Dobe was right about the light part. Hinata was like a place in the sun. So bright, she shines on everyone and every place she goes.
"Naruto-kun!" Hinata scolded disappointed.
"Just kidding. Hinata" he grinned, scratching his nape, looking at Sakura. He would probably like the idea of him marrying Sakura. Hinata noticed.
"Hinata was never interested in Sasuke-Kun. She has always had an eye on Naruto" defended Sakura a little frowning.
Sasuke never moved his eyes from Hinata and occasionally her sister. He was amused by her reactions.
He never thought of any women lady of his house. But Hinata fits the picture perfectly. The Uchiha fan on her back. Mother of his offspring. Matriarch and clan leader of the Uchihas. No one could be better for the role than her.
She has the politic, the delicate and the strength of a leader.
The kindness, mother love and affection of a mother.
The serenity, loyalty and sex-appeal of a wife to the lone Uchiha.
Maybe he should talk to Naruto about an exchange. He smirked at the thought. If it only was this simple.
Her head was pounding and her eyelids heavy. But that knocking on the door won't stop unless she opens the door. Sakura walked with hurting feet to the door.
"Kaka-sensei!" Her eyes widened.
"May I come in? " she moved to the side to let him in, then closed the door.
"I've heard from the hospital that you are not feeling well." He explained.
"Yeah, just a little headache, nothing serious." She mumbled.
"I brought you something" he had a bag in his hand.
It was syrup-coated Anko dumplings, her favourite. 'Kakashi is so thoughtful' she thought silently 'and nice and caring and gentle' her eyes watered.
He was surprised by her response. He came closer and hugged her. "Are you ok?"
"Yeah, don't worry" she holds him back, with no intention to let go anytime soon.
He didn't mind, this is so nice. His hands caress her head and back. He felt her getting heavy against him. He pushed her a little to look at her beautiful face.
She was asleep, she slept in his arms. She let her guards down in his presence, for a ninja that means a lot. She trusts him completely, that is nothing new. He lifted her and carried her to her bedroom. She wrapped his neck in reflex for better support. He smiled (at least his eyes) and put her slowly and gently on her bed.
She opened her eyes just a little.
"You are always so nice, gentle and good to me, thank you Kakashi, I wish Sasuke was half as caring for me as you." she whispered.
He flinched at the mention of her husband.
"I..I should go, Hokage responsibilities are a lot."
"Yes, of course, don't worry about me, I'll be fine."
He leaned closer, kissed her forehead, and caressed her cheek with his thumb. She closed her eyes enjoying his kiss and touch and blushed. He admired her pretty face for a moment, stood and left.
'What was that' that was so nice, why did he have to leave? She was so confused about her feelings. She was just lonely and needed someone by her side, she thought. She'll go to Ino later.
After a few days of the Tea Ceremony at the Hyūga estate. Hinata visited the Uchiha district.
The tomatoes are doing so well, that she collected two big baskets. Except for the ones Sasuke already devoured.
Sasuke was watching next to the pond, feeding the fish. "What are you going to do with them?" He was so curious.
"You'll see," she said smiling.
He admired her for a moment then he remembered how she was with Hanabi.
"You know you remind me a lot of Itachi. How sweetly you treat your little Sister, you're smothering her. You are willing to sacrifice everything for her..." He stopped for a moment "Why did you sacrifice your position as heiress?" He had that quickly figured out.
She blushed and frowned, biting her lower lip. She lowered her head thinking. Then answered "No one knew this! How...how did y..?" She was silent for another moment.
Sasuke gave her all the time to collect her thoughts. 'It wasn't an easy subject to discuss' he thought.
She inhaled deeply "It was my mother's wish and commandments for me to look after her. There are five years between us but I feel I'm like a mother to her. I don't want her to get the 'Caged-Bird Seal'. She had suffered enough never knowing even how her mother looked like." Her tears dropped from the memory of her mother.
"What about you?" Sasuke's interest is tremendous, maybe he'll understand Itachi better.
"It doesn't matter, I can take the cursed seal, I can bear it, but I won't be able to if Hanabi was sealed."
He stared at her thinking of everything she said.
"You know I had a funny dream about Itachi in the period of war. He is an absolute perfectionist. And he wanted to make me the perfect sunny-side-up egg. He made many attempts. Finally, he was able to collect an egg with two egg yolks. He cooked it perfectly. And designed one with Uchiha Fan and the other with Uzumaki Crest.
He made me and Naruto perfect. We were his product of perfectionism. And Naruto pulled me from darkness to the light. If Itachi wasn't there my clan would have killed Naruto to control the Kyuubi with my father's Mangekyo Sharingan. If he didn't sacrifice himself for me, I wouldn't be at this level of strength. And we both won't be able to save the world from Kaguya." His eyes widened with enthusiasm talking about his beloved brother.
She thought for a moment "You killed your brother but I feel you admire him".
He moved to the porch and sat down. She slowly moved and placed herself next to him.
"I do admire him. He is not what everyone thinks of him." He told her his story. Everything happened between him and Itachi from the day he was a child.
She got closer to him and poked his forehead. No one has done that since the day Itachi died. His eyes widened again but this time filled with tears of surprise, sad memories and joy.
She hugged his head to her chest and said "I'll be your Itachi."
He smiled, bending in her hug. He never thought anyone could replace his beloved nee-san. But now he feels there is some kind of love and kindness and friendship that reminded him a lot of his late family. His warm and kind mother, his sweet and protective big brother, all those feelings he could find in Hinata. He seriously thinks he could find all the love he misses in her and no other.
Hinata added "You know you remind me of Neji too. The stoic behaviour, your smirk, the way you close your eyes when you are bored, the way you humm ..."
He straightened his back, his hand on her thigh, he looked deep into her lavender eyes and said "I'll be your Neji too".
His eyes travelled down to her lips. He was so close; that he could place his lips on hers. They held their breath. But he didn't want to ruin the moment. It meant a lot to him. He backed off slowly and turned the other way. He removed his hand, clenching his fist.
She exhaled a breath she didn't know she was holding. She was surprised by herself. She didn't do anything to stop what could have happened. She wanted it to happen. She even longed for it! 'You idiot' she scolded herself. What was she thinking?
She tried to lighten up the air. " Sasuke-Kun, don't forget to come for lunch tomorrow. I'm making a tomato feast." She knew he couldn't resist.
He smirked bitterly "hm." After a moment he said. "Wait here I have something for you." He went inside and came back with an elegant box.
"This is for you. I guess you don't have one of your own." He spoke.
"What is it?" She smiled sweetly. Hinata was so curious. She started opening it.
It was so luxuriously wrapped in delicate silk and then velvet red fabric. She found a ceremony tea set. It was a handmade, hand-painted very delicate set. All the necessities were there. The bamboo whisker, the water scoop, the little matcha spoon, a white tea holder with a lid, a white whisker holder and even green tea. Under all of them is a navy blue Fukusa silk cloth and a black bamboo tray.
The most impressive and admirable were the tea bowls. Two elegant bowls were painted black with a hint of navy blue on the outside, when she picked them to admire them, they turned out white on the inside with a brush of lavender. It was the best combination of colours she saw. She could tell it was specially made.
"Sasuke-Kun, this is so beautiful. I'm speechless. Was this custom-made especially for me? You shouldn't have. I don't even have a tea room. Wow, it's stunning. Thank you so much!" She said she was speechless. But she couldn't stop mumbling.
Her face blushed. She never received such a beautiful thoughtful gift. How did he know she didn't have her own set? How did he know she would like it?
"I never thanked you for the Poncho you made me, for healing me, or for helping build our house." He looked happy that she liked it so much.
'He said "our" house again.' She thought. ' He said it's my house too. I spend a lot of time there.' So it was only logical to say our house. But still, it sounds weird. Like they are a couple that lived together.
"Since it's my house too. I'll leave the set here, at the tea room." The Byakugan Princess suggested.
He smiled. "Glad you like it." He said and caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers.
At home, she smiled and touched her cheek. What was that? Every touch of him burned her skin like fire. Though it was so nice, soft and gentle.
Hinata told Sasuke to come over for lunch the next day. She was preparing a tomato feast. And Sasuke won't miss it for the world.
She cooked every tomato dish she knew. And made a bunch of sauces to freeze for the months when she was too lazy to cook.
The tomatoes tasted delicious on their own and everything she I'll make with them will turn out delightful. She made a big badge of Sasuke's tomatoes filled onigiri to take home.
Naruto was salivating at the view of the dishes. Sasuke had even bigger hearts in his eyes than before.
The three enjoyed their meal then they drank some sake. Hinata and Sasuke weren't fans of liquor. So, they had one serving. Naruto was in the mood so he had his fill. After a while Hinata asked Sasuke how their marriage life was. He lived alone after all.
"Fine" he answered shortly, a little bit annoyed. She sensed that but her curiosity was too big. So, she pushed on.
"Why don't you live together? I know she doesn't like the architecture of your house. But you could spend some time with her at her place."
"We do spend time together, sometimes." He lied.
"I wanted to bring her some sauces and dishes that I made today. Let's all go together." Hinata said too enthusiastic. Sakura was her friend after all and she liked her.
Naruto told her he is too tired to go. So, she dragged Sasuke with her. He was frowned all the way. She thought maybe they had a fight.
He was thinking about a lot of things lately. How that Hyūga made him vulnerable and weak is at the top of his thoughts.
What is wrong with him? How can he let his defences be so law that she could break into his shield? How did she make him feel so at ease that he tells her all about his feelings?
Feelings! they never meant a thing to him. But that woman made him dig deeper into himself and brought his feelings from their grave to the surface. She made him acknowledge them and embrace them and finally make peace with them. She even made of them happy memories after they have been his torture all his life.
Thank you all for reading. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think