Thank you all for the encouraging comment, I'm so grateful and motivated to finish publishing this story.
This is absolutely my favourite chapter. Hope you like it too.
Sasuke was there early to pick up Hinata. Boruto was at the Hyūga residence.
She stepped out and found him leaning on an outside wall.
"Oh Sasuke-Kun I didn't know you'd pick me up." she was surprised, pleasantly surprised her fists folded in front of her heart.
He looked so beautiful with a purple blouse and black pants. His bangs are so long now covering half of his face.
He admired her in a black modest skirt and long-sleeved and high-colour trousers. Black suits her so much. The contrast of her pale skin, lavender eyes, navy hair, and black outfit was astonishing.
Only an Uchiha fan is missing on her back. He smirked.
"I can't let you go alone at night, I.. I.. like your outfit" he blushed at her beauty. He can't believe he has the honour to escort her.
"Thank you" she smiled and tangled her hand in his arm.
He flinched, removed her hand, and looked up and down the street.
He never cared about people. But he cared about her, he didn't want the neighbours to start gossiping.
She pouted, looked at her hand in front of her heart and said: "gomenasai Sasuke-Kun, I forgot myself."
With his Rinnegan, he transported them to the training field near the Nara grounds.
She was surprised. He grabbed her hands, kissed them and put one back in the crook of his arm. She blushed and looked down smiling.
They walked along the river, to the Nara resident. It felt so romantic. She was so happy. He let her hand go and moved inside. Temari was stunned, they looked so good together.
Temari was an excellent cook. Everything was delicious. They enjoyed the meal then it was time for dessert. Hinata brought her famous cinnamon rolls. Everyone was happy to see them. Except for Sasuke, he is not a sweets fan, Hinata knows that and made him a special dish. With the same dough, she made tomato-cheese rolls. It wasn't dessert, but there is no better dessert for him than tomatoes. He was a sceptic at first but after tasting them he couldn't stop.
They drank tea and sake. Then Sasuke played shogi with Shikamaru. Temari and Hinata cleaned up the leftovers and dishes.
"This is so nice, thanks Temari-Chan for the invitation and dinner. It is delightful." Hinata said politely.
"Oh, Hinata, you can just call me Temari. It's my pleasure. I'm glad Sasuke could come. No offence but he is more impressive than Baka Naruto."
"Sasuke-Kun is not very sociable but he likes to be surrounded by interesting people. I think he likes Shikamaru-Kun, otherwise he won't come."
"How is Naruto with you?" Temari is worried about her friend.
"The same. He is very busy with Hokage training. He is learning about villages and their History, politics and all the protocols. He got to go on missions sometimes. The rest of his time he checks on his friends. He has to drag someone to eat ramen with. Like we don't have food at home. He embarrasses me in front of his friends." she confessed pouting.
"And what do you do all day alone?" Temari wanted to know, she suffers from the busyness of her husband too. But at least he spends his free time at home and tries to make fun things together or go somewhere special.
"Well, you know I have Boruto occupying my days. But when I have free time, I knit or sew him something. I go to the Hyūga compound or sometimes to the Uchiha District. As you know I helped Sasuke build the house and I like it very much. He allows me to visit whenever I want. I have a garden and some chickens there that I tend to." she said smiling.
"You and Sasuke... Alone... In that house?" Temari teased. No, she was serious.
Hinata innocently didn't get it. She didn't know what to say.
"Nothing happened between you?" Temari was teasing now.
"What do you mean?"
"You know. He is irresistible, I'm sure he likes you too, you are gorgeous. Did nothing happen between you? you know feelings? Touches? Romantically?" Temari is getting excited.
Does kissing a hand count 'Romantically'? No. Do hugs count? No. Does an indirect kiss count? Maybe. Does holding hands count? Maybe. The answer...
"No, nothing happened or will happen. We are both married and we are just friends." Hinata said dismissively.
"Ok... Ok, I was just teasing don't get so worked up. But you know, you would make such a hot couple. Your kids would be stunning. Oh, kami, I can imagine them." Temari giggled still teasing or is she serious? Hard to tell.
Hinata never had that thought. Damn, Temari is always putting things in her head.
Sasuke lost the game several times. He is a bad loser. He was very irritated.
"Come on Sasuke, don't be such a drag, it's just a game. You'll get used to it. You're the best player I've had since Asuma-sensei" Shikamaru tried to reason with the Uchiha.
Sasuke was done for the night and wanted to go home.
"Let's go Hinata, good night, and thanks for the dinner Temari." Sasuke can be polite when he wants. Temari blushed. Hinata smiled seeing her friend so startled for once, she was always the one to startle others.
He grabbed her hand and left in a hurry. She followed a step behind. The Naras looked at each other with wide eyes.
Sasuke was frowning thinking about his loss.
When they were halfway to the Uzumaki mansion, she stopped. He turned and looked confused at her.
"Did you forget something?" Sasuke was concerned.
"no... no, I just... I... I" she doesn't know what to say or how to put it. She looked at her feet.
"What Hinata? Is everything alright?" She is making him worried.
She blurted it out "I don't want to go home" she sounded like a child, dragged from the playground.
He looked at her for a minute. He doesn't know what to do or say.
"What about Naruto? where do you want to go then?" he was confused.
"I don't know. Naruto won't come home tonight. He'll sleep in the tower."
"Do you want to go to your sister?" He doesn't have a lot of options. If she says no, it means one thing.
"No" she looked like a puppy at him.
His eyes watered, he gulped and pulled her in a hug. "I don't want to leave you too but you can't sleep at our house. I'm not sure what could happen. You have to go home."
She was like a sad child. It broke his heart. He hugged her tight. Then held her hand again, tangling their fingers and walked slowly until they reached the mansion.
It was so dark and the streets were empty.
He bends over and lightly kisses her cheek " good night Hinata" he said in a whisper.
And left, clenching his fist. She looked at him sad until he departed. Her tears rolled down. It was such a lovely night... until they separated.
The next day Shikamaru visited the Uchiha district. He brought his board with him.
Sasuke loves challenges. So, they sat down on the porch by the pond.
"This is such a lovely house, Hinata has a good taste."
"Hm"
"Temari told me she helped build it"
"She did"
"And she tends to the garden. "
"Yes, what do you have to say?"
"Nothing, just she and Naruto are good friends of mine and my wife."
"hm"
Sasuke knows what he was talking about but he has nothing against him because there is nothing. Yet.
For the first time, he could draw with Shikamaru. It was an unbelievable feeling. He doesn't have to win but at least not lose.
Hanabi brought Boruto back to his mother. He got used to the Hyūga compound and sometimes he spends the night there.
"How could you do that?" Hanabi attacked.
"Do what?" Hinata was so confused.
"Hug the Uchiha in the street at night!" she put her hands on her hips.
"Uhm... H.. How did you know?" Hinata was startled.
"I saw you... I was walking with Kon... A friend"
"You had a date with Konuhamaru-Kun? how cute!" She was so surprised.
"Don't change the subject" she tried to press down a smile.
"How was it? " Too thrilled for her little sister.
"Great we had some Dango and tea at Dango-ya," she said excitedly, she already lost the subject. "Then we walked around until I saw you two, luckily Konuhamaru didn't see anything, you know Naruto is like his nee-chan" no she didn't.
"i...he... he was just escorting me home, we had dinner at the Nara's. I felt sad and he was comforting me."
"I know you nee-san, you love your husband, but if someone else saw you, they will gossip about you two! "
"Thanks hanabi for worrying about me. So did you plan another date?" She tried so hard to change the subject.
"Why were you sad?" Hanabi is too smart for this trick.
"What?"
"you said you were sad and the Uchiha comforted you" reminded her.
"oh nothing... Just grown ups problems, don't worry it's nothing,"
"I'm not a child... when will you treat me as a grown up" she pouted.
"never.. You'll always be my sweet little sister" Hinata has finally won.
The summer was getting hotter every year. Her visits to the 'garden' are getting more frequent 'because poor plants require a lot of watering'.
She had a little cherry and peach trees too that started to give fruit.
She was so happy with the fruits and decided to make pies with them. It's a shame Sasuke doesn't like sweets; she loves to bake a lot and wants to give him a taste.
"Sasuke-Kun, why do you hate sweets? Everyone loves it?" she asked innocently.
"My father was strict and didn't let us have sweets. But I remember Itachi loved dango a lot and would eat it behind his back."
"Itachi-san is a rebel," she whispered softly.
He tilted his head. His brother was. Always against the flow.
"He was," he smiled. She looked mesmerised at his rare smiling face. "What are you going to do with those?" he looked at her collected fruits.
"I thought I'll make a pie with them. There is not much to make jam," she said thoughtfully.
"I want to have a piece of it," he said calmly.
"REALLY? Are you serious Sasuke-Kun?" She was so surprised.
"yes"
"I can make it here, it's easy," she said enthusiastically.
"Hm"
She knows it's his birthday, he knows it's his birthday but he doesn't celebrate it though he wants to... with her.
She went to the nearby grocery store to get butter and sugar and started baking.
Boruto played with Sasuke throwing wooden shuriken Sasuke gifted him on his birthday.
The smell of the house turned sweet and fruity. It brought a smile to Sasuke's lips. Every time Hinata cooks it reminds him of his mother. Their house smelled like this in the summer. Before his father comes home.
They made tea and sat down to enjoy the pie. It was so delicious Sasuke had to take a second piece.
"I can't believe you are eating a sweet pie," she said, shaking her head.
"This is so delicious, thanks for not making it too sweet"
"I'm happy you like it. I always wanted to bake you something. I love to bake. Actually, I want to open a bakery and sell cinnamon rolls, pies and bread." she said excitedly.
"Why don't you? You are an excellent baker," he said, still enjoying his second piece.
"Naruto thinks it's too much stress for me, with Boruto and the house... a... and he thinks a Hokage's wife shouldn't work." She was sad, looking down.
"That Dobe, he really cares about the villagers too much" more than his own wife and her dreams.
"I guess he is right, I'm really too busy with Boruto right now." she exclaimed.
He looked into her sad eyes.
She was silent for a moment. Then she said, " Sasuke-Kun, I made you something, please accept it." and she pulled a big lavender envelope.
He accepts it and opens it. It was a black cape with a purple inner lining. It was waterproof and light so that he could wear it in the summer.
He put it on directly. He likes it so much. He was so happy that he didn't know how to thank her.
"Did you make this?" he was astonished.
"Yes, I sewed it. I wanted to make you one long ago but I haven't had the opportunity."
"Thank you Hinata" and he bends to kiss her cheek, but she accidentally turns her head and the kiss lands on her lips.
They both blushed and startled.
"Gomenasai Sasuke-kun" "I'm sorry Hinata" they said at the same time. He smiled, she giggled.
"It's ok," she said. "I have to go home, see you soon Sasuke-Kun"
"hm," this girl is making him crazy.
She touched her lips and looked down.
That was the best birthday party he ever had! All thanks to his sunny place.
At that moment they heard a familiar voice
"Hey Sasuke, where are you? Happy birthday teme, want to get some drinks and celebrate? Oh, hey Hinata you are here? I can smell pie? Did you bake?"
"Hello Naruto-Kun, Sasuke-Kun wanted to taste the fruit I collected from the garden."
"Wow Sasuke cool cloak"
Sasuke didn't want to say his wife made it for him. The pie is more than enough.
"hm"
"Come wane grab a drink, I'm treating" Naruto grins
"Sure," he said, uninterested.
"Come on Hinata, Bolt let's bring you home first"
They walked home. Sasuke looked gorgeous in his new cape. He stole glances at her, at her lips, he wished he could enjoy them more. He gulped and reminded himself of her husband walking between them.
Later that night, he dropped him home, wasted.
"Thaaanks temeee, happy bday agaiiin"
"hm"
And he jumped home afraid to see her and lose himself after the little drinks he had, forced.
The Nara invited old team 10, Hinata, Naruto, and Sasuke (he became friends with Shika) to celebrate Shikaday's first birthday at Yakinku Q.
They sat all around a big table. After they had their fill of barbeque meat, even Choji, they brought out the cake and gifts. They drank sake except for Sasuke and Hinata. Naruto was wasted. He even ordered more beer.
Hinata looked at him worried. He ignored all her pleas to stop drinking. He couldn't lift his head at the end.
After the party was over everyone went home. Sasuke helped her get Naruto home.
"Thank you Sasuke-Kun," she said embarrassed.
"Does he always liquor up like that?" he was more worried about her than his friend.
"When he goes out with his friends, sometimes" she led him to the office. To his sofa.
"Why do you put him here?"
"He likes to sleep here. Not to disturb me when he comes late at night or wakes up early, he said." She looked interested at her feet.
He put him down and turned around to go home, she followed him to the door.
When they reached downstairs she said.
"S... Sasuke-Kun... could you... em... stay a little longer... p-please. "
He turned to her, she was embarrassed and almost fidgeted with her indexes.
"hm" they went outside, it's still a hot summer. She grabbed non-alcoholic drinks from the fridge.
They sat down on lounge chairs.
"Why did Naruto change like that?" Hinata started "I blamed myself most of the time but now I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong."
Sasuke was just listening, which was important sometimes.
"We were so happy. He cared for me and my feelings, then he started ignoring me again. He spends most of his time with his friends if he's not working. Shikamaru-San, Sai-San, Choji-San, Lee-San, Konohamaru-Kun, Gaara-San, KillerB-San, and even my teammates Kiba-Kun and Shino-Kun. Sometimes -no offends- Sakura-chan and Tenten-chan. He has to visit them all, check on them all, and drag them to eat ramen with him.
Maybe go to the hot springs for a few days or camp or spar. He is full of fun around them and forgets completely that I exist. He takes me for granted. He assumes that I'm always happy. He doesn't make any effort anymore. I never told anyone about this. But I feel... you know him the best. Maybe he told you something?" she looked at him.
"You don't sleep together anymore. That bothered him." for ones he felt lucky. He doesn't want to ask her why. The last time he did he ended up sleeping in her bosom. Not that he minded but no need for troubles.
She blushed deeply and lowered her head.
"That is all I know from the last time we ate ramen together before Boruto's birthday."
"The day he said, you were lucky with Sakura-chan, free like a bird?" she remembered.
"He is an idiot; he just doesn't know the treasure he has" his eyes glittered.
She blushed deeper. " Thank you Sasuke-Kun… I never controlled him or restricted his movement. Even when he said he wants to sleep in his office I didn't argue. And he still feels like a caged bird! What more should I do? "
"Nothing,"
"What do you mean?" she looked at him.
"It's not your fault, you shouldn't blame yourself," he said uninterested.
She looked deep at his gorgeous face for a minute, he was sipping on his drink.
"What am I to you Sasuke-Kun?" She took him by surprise, he almost choked on his drink.
He sat up in his lounge and looked at her small heart-shaped face, in her curious eyes. He must think deeply about this, he can't just blur his heart out.
He lounged back, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes.
"You are my family," he said in a deep voice. Well maybe he can blur it out. He has nothing to lose " you are my friends, my everything. In you, I find tranquillity, security, and warmth. By you I can be myself, I don't feel judged, I feel relaxed and accepted, I'm not sure why but I can't leave your side, it brings out the best in me"
She looked at him for another moment, she never thought she could be those things... to anybody..., especially to him. Every word he said touched her soul. Her tears rolled uncontrollably without blinking. Her lips and chin quivered. She never thought he would answer like that to her stupid question. She thought he would say 'a close friend' but he opened up his heart... to her.
Without thinking, she stood up, walked to his lounge, laid down next to him, her head on his shoulder and chest, and hugged him... tight. His eyes went wide open. He glimpsed at her until she settled her body next to him, he pulled his hand from behind his head and hugged her small back closer to him and put his chin on her head, and smirked. She lifted one leg lightly on his for a better position and encircled his lean body with her arms.
They stayed like that for a while, it felt so nice they didn't want to move. Then her hand went from around his body, moved slowly around his ribs and up his firm broad chest to his neck and shaved beard. His closed eyes went open waiting for her next move. She touched his jaw enjoying his prickly little hair for a while. He closed his eyes again and enjoyed her touch and caressed her long indigo strands. He loves long smooth hair. But hers felt so smooth between his fingers it was barely touchable. Her hand travelled on his ear and her thin small fingers brushed his long hair again and again.
He enjoyed the touch of her fingers on him and in his hair, he moaned shamelessly. He caressed her back and held her closer. Her boobs crushed on his ribs. His heart throbbed and he felt his face heat up. His breath went deeper and relaxed on her bangs.
She could hear his heart dance inside of his heaving chest with deep breaths that tickled her face. His proximity drove her crazy. She was longing for him. She was burning with desire that she couldn't think anymore. Her core damped and her nipple hardened. She lifted her head a little until her nose was in the crook of his neck.
He froze and his breath stopped. She shifted her body a little against his thighs, and went on torturing him and whispered hardly audible "Sasukee" her lips touching his sensitive skin and her hand clamped around his neck.
This is too much, is she drunk, did she drink anything at the party? She forgot where they are and who they are. Did she forget her sleeping husband inside?
He looked down at her, removed her bangs from her forehead, and kissed her there long with all his heart.
"Hinata... I have to go!"
"No please stay... a little longer," she said, still tickling his neck with her nose, her thick long lashes, her sweet breath, and her lips. He doesn't know what will happen next if he stays. He must be the sober one here.
"No, someone may see us" and he started to move slowly, removing her against the screams of his body and soul for the treason of his mind. She removed herself pouting, almost crying at the loss of the warmth of his body and his touch.
He stood up and embraced her in a long hug. Then moved to the house to go out. She followed silently until he walked around the corner, his head bent down. She checked on Naruto, he was sleeping with saliva running from his mouth "Sakura-chan... so you really were a man!"-1- He never stopped dreaming of Sakura-chan, she pouted even more and went to bed, burning with unanswered lust.
The next day she picked Boruto from the Hyūga residence and went to Temari.
"Temari, I have to tell you a secret, only you can know about it, I have no one else to advise me. Please can I trust you not to tell anyone, it's dangerous!" she was shaking.
"Hinata dear what happened, tell me quickly, of course I won't tell anyone, that is what friends are for. You, have a dangerous secret? I hardly believe that!"
"I almost cheated on Naruto last night, I feel like trash. What is wrong with me?" she starts to sob uncontrollably.
"Calm down Hinata, you can't cheat on Naruto you love him so much! Don't you?"
"..."
"Ok tell me what happened from the start, do I know him" Temari said excitedly!
"Please I don't want to say his identity... He told me I'm his everything, I'm his family and friends with me he feels warmth... and tranquillity and love, no not love... and security that I bring the best in him and a lot of other things."
"Ok, so what happened next? "
"I laid down next to him, and hugged him and touched him... On his face and hair" she explained the last part quickly.
"yes yes, go on" Temari got too excited and she touched her neck.
Hinata stopped sobbing and looked at her with narrow eyes.
"And he caressed my back and hair then I nuzzled on him more and without thinking said his name"
"Good good, And? " More excited, her hand reached her collarbone.
"He kissed my forehead and left," she said shortly, frowning.
"What... that's it?" Temari was disappointed.
"I'm afraid if I tell you more, y...you'll come" she looked down.
"hehehe sorry, I'm so horny we haven't done it in a while now, we are too exhausted, he with work, me with Shikaday."
"Yeah, so what do you say?"
"Well technically you didn't cheat."
"Really?"
"I don't know, I'm not sure myself."
"Ok so... what should I do next?"
"Nothing just ignore what happened, it doesn't mean anything right? Except his feelings for you, of course. Wow he might be in love with you"
"In love with me?" She looked surprised.
"Isn't he? you almost did it, it's burning between you, I can tell. Don't get in contact with him again if you don't want to cheat on baka. The next time..." she looked with raised brows.
"O.. Ok, I'll try" she blushed and lowered her head.
"Ok, are we done? Now leave, I want to prepare myself for dear Shika. You set me in the mode. Maybe I'll visit him in the office ooooh. Can you watch over Shikadai, please? I'll pick him up later" she already left her, walking to the bathroom.
"Of course." Hinata giggles at her crazy friend. Wow, office sex. They are naughty.
Next to his occasional insomnia, he got these feelings and desires to deal with too.
He stayed up all night admiring the half-moon on the roof-2-. It was too hot inside.
How could this happen? He almost took her there. Well, she did. She caressed his chest and neck and tangled her fingers in his hair. Her breath sent goosebumps on his skin.
How she moved against his thigh, how she brushed her lips and nose on his neck. How she whispered his name... without that stupid honorific. Her soft, small body was in his arm.
She pleads with him to stay, to give her more.
He could feel her burning desire. Why didn't he? His heart ached for not answering her lust and body scream. For leaving her like that.
Maybe she went back to her husband. That loser. He could not imagine her with Naruto. She is his!
What is this? He feels so helpless. He can't have her and can't leave her. And it's getting harder and harder every time they meet. He is thinking of kidnapping her and running away with her. But poor kids, well Sarada is used to his absences but Boruto. Naruto will kill him.
He would gladly die if he could have her... forever. He is irrational, this whole thing is not making any sense.
Maybe the best thing is to forget her, avoid her, and run away from her. There is no guarantee of what will happen next. Or what would not happen? Because in his imagination there are millions of possibilities.
-1-Naruto said that when he and Kiba attacked Yamato while sleeping.
-2- From Endless Journey. Absolute one of my favorite stories, so sad but so cute, love it, please translate more Tingshui!
Thank you all for reading. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think