Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or the characters within. I am but a fan with an excess of imagination and a penchant for writing my thoughts down…then sharing them online. :D

Thank you to all for reading this fanfic! I know it's been a while since my last update, but I promise I will continue this story to the end! Grad school has been awesome but keeps me crazy busy! I'm actually supposed to be writing a 10 page paper right now...but this is my refuge from the storm. So here I am with a new chapter for all of you. Hopefully I'll get another chapter out before summer :D Also, don't forget that I warned all of you that this was going to be a slow burn story. There will be a lot of diving into emotions and motivations. This story will be long and in depth. Every happy ending has some twists and turns, so buckle up buttercups, we have a long road ahead.

On with the story!

Hinata was not sure where her father had escaped to. He had been given quite a head start as she tried to muddle through her thoughts and then the conversation with Hanabi, and now she wasn't sure where to look for him. While she searched, her thoughts were whirling around in her head. Her father was worried about her. Worried. She wasn't sure she had ever seen Hiashi worried about anything. He had always been her stoic, unyielding, legendary-poker-face-holding father. She had always struggled to understand how their gentle and loving mother could have loved a man that seemed so out of touch with his feelings, but maybe she had just never seen this side of him. What had Hanabi said…'He's upset and he doesn't know quite how to express it.' Had he truly been so upset at the thought of her moving out that he hadn't heard any of her conversation about finding a new apartment? It would explain why he thought she was just moving into Naruto's apartment. If she could find him, she'd make sure he heard her this time. Hinata didn't want him to worry like this.

After nearly 25 minutes of walking around searching for her father, Hinata wasn't sure he had stayed near the Hyuga complex. Maybe he was wondering though the village? Had he stopped somewhere and was visiting with someone? She had almost decided to find him later when she noticed someone crouched in a field on the edge of their clan estate. The green cloak blended in a bit with the grass and shrubs, but the bowed dark head was visible above the grave stones. This field was the Hyuga clan grave site. There were lines of memorial stones, neatly arranged in groups by family, and the crouched form of her father was in front of the memorial stone for her mother. Hinata was hesitant to approach him. He seemed as though he were having a conversation with no one. His head was bowed, his face obscured by the fall of long brown hair, but his hands moved as if he were in discussion with another person. Hinata imagined he was speaking with the memory of her mother. While she had questioned his love for her as a child, she had never questioned his love for her mother. Her mother had been the stabilizing force within their family, the keeper of peace and tranquility. WIthout her tempering presence, Hiashi had hardened into the clan head he was today. Clearly, he came to her still when he needed to work through a problem he had.

Hinata watched him quietly for several minutes before he finally rested his hand upon the memorial stone and leaned forward to rest his forehead upon the smooth surface where her mother's name could be seen etched into the front. He seemed to have concluded the conversation and had reached some consensus within himself. Had she not been looking at his face as he turned and noticed her, she would have missed the brief play of emotions that skirted across his face. It took only a fraction of a moment for him to realize she had been there to witness his actions, and the play of emotions progressed from surprise → happiness → chagrin → poker face. His expression was shuttered and his spine straightened as he approached her. The man walked toward her looked as composed and imposing as he ever had, but there was something in his eyes...something she had never noticed before. The milky lavender of his eyes looked the same as always, but when she looked deeper into them she could see a note of uncertainty. If she hadn't made complete eye contact, she would have missed it. A thought seeped into her mind as she watched him walk towards her. Had he always had a bit of his feelings in his eyes, but she had never noticed because she hadn't been brave enough to actually meet his gaze? Had she missed the signs because she was intimidated by his stern nature? Had he been unable to yield because he truly didn't understand her insecurities as a child? It seemed like such a waste to think that they may have been misunderstanding each other all these years. His lack of support/showing love had only fed her insecurities, and her weakness from insecurity had only fueled his reserved nature and lack of support. It had been a vicious cycle, repeating for nearly her entire life. This small moment wouldn't even have been possible if Hanabi hadn't stepped in and talked with her. She would have gone on misinterpreting her father's reaction and feelings.

Hinata knew she couldn't squander this chance her sister had given to them.

"Father...I'm glad I found you."

"Hinata…"

Her father seemed to be at a loss for words. She waited to see what he might say, but the silence stretched on, becoming awkward as they stared at each other. Hiashi shiftly slightly as the intensity in his eyes increased. They couldn't continue on this way, and not just with the silence. Her father needed to really see the person she had become, to listen to her words, and to believe in the changes she had undergone over the years.

"Father. I'm not moving into Naruto-kun's apartment. I told you this a while ago, but it seems you did not hear my words. Naruto-kun and I are looking for a new apartment together, one that meets the needs of both of us. We've found a few that are closer to the Hyuga complex, are larger, and have better accommodations for us. We are trying to find a place that isn't too far from Hokage Tower but also not far from the Hyuga. Naruto-kun is not making me move into his current apartment, and has listened to all of my wants and needs. Please try to understand what I am saying. I love you, but I love Naruto-kun with my entire heart. I can't live without him. I hope you will give us your support."

Hiashi remained silent while she spoke, and she wasn't sure if he was truly listening until a small smile broke out on his face.

"You know, I come out here whenever my heart is in turmoil."

Hinata was confused at the change of subject, but listened as her father continued.

"Your mother was the one person I could tell everything to. She would just listen with that soft smile on her face, and then tell me what she thought of things when I was done. She never held back either, haha, she would give me her honest opinion even when it wasn't what I wanted to hear. Even though she is no longer with us, I come here to gain her counsel still. It may seem fanciful, but I believe she is still here, and helping me to come to grips with my actions. I did not intend to lecture you Hinata. I had intended to listen to you and offer my opinion, but my temper and impatience got the better of me. I have been terrible at showing it through your life, but I do love you. I know that Naruto is taking excellent care of you, and I know that he loves you more than anything. I do support you, and I'm glad to know that he is listening to your needs. I do not recall you telling me about the apartment search, and for that I am sorry. I will endeavor to keep my ears open and my mind listening in the future."

His contrite demeanor and obvious reflection of his actions helped to lift Hinata's spirits. Sometimes the Hiashi of the past made an appearance, but that was happening less and less. This new Hiashi was warmer and more approachable. Naruto had done this. His inability to accept 'fate' had changed the Hyuga forever. First Hinata, then Neji, and now Hiashi. He had no idea the domino effect he had started, and wouldn't have accepted credit for it even if he did. Her father visibly collected himself, and moved back toward the main house.

"Why don't you show me these places you have looked into so far, show me what is being considered?"

Hinata's heart warmed at the obvious olive branch and stepped forward to walk beside him.

"Hai, father. I will show you all of them."

-/b/-

Sasuke felt a level of contentment that had eluded him his entire life. The woman walking beside him held his hand firmly with hers, neither clinging nor loose. Her stride matched his as they walked leisurely through the forest. His senses were on high alert for any potential dangers, but he wasn't picking up anything. It felt as though they were the only ones in the world at this point, even though he knew that was false. This was something he had never thought to imagine in his future. A walk through the forest, without any specific destination in mind, and enjoying the trip for what it was...an experience. To be honest, he had never allowed himself to consider the future after Itachi's demise. He had lived for death, and then for his twisted vision of peace. Never had his visions of the future included a woman, this woman, and never had they involved mundane things like walking. It was truly surreal to him. When he had accepted her invitation to join him, he hadn't really thought about what this would entail.

Maybe this would be part of his atonement as well. Sakura had been wronged by him in dozens of ways over the years. It still surprised him that her support had not broken under the weight of his sins. Naruto, he understood. The dobe had never been good at giving up on anything, and the bond between he and Sasuke had never waivered, even under the most dire of circumstances. Sakura was a mystery. Sure she had idolized him as a child, and fancied herself in love with him. He had brushed it off as childish whimsy, the actions of an immature child. Somewhere along the line those moments of whimsy had coalesced into a deeply felt emotion that she had named love. Despite all the terrible things he had done and said, she had continued to claim love. His blind eyes had refused to admit that he relied on it. Somewhere in his mind he had known he would always be able to come back to Sakura and Naruto, and that feeling had consoled him in his darkest hours. While they had always trusted he would return and take up the mantle of Team 7 again, he had always trusted that they would never give up on him. There had been dark moments where he had refused to admit it, even to himself, but the feeling had been there.

A light squeeze of his hand broke his thoughts as he looked towards the woman walking next to him. She wasn't looking his way, but there was a small, secretive smile on her face as she kept pace beside him. Her hair seemed to sparkle in the beam of sunlight that filtered through the leaves and her porcelain cheeks had a rosy hue. He discreetly studied her as they continued to walk. She was a beautiful woman. Pink hair brushed her shoulders with each step, swaying gently with their tempo. Her eyes weren't quite an emerald green, but not quite a seafoam green either. The color seemed to reflect her moods, and her mood right now shown through a soft, sagey kind of green. There was a look on her face that Sasuke had rarely seen. Obviously he was well acquainted with her worried, sad, angry, and lost faces as he had been the cause for many of those over the years. This look would have to be one of serenity if he needed to name it. Her forehead was smooth, her lips tipped up in a small smile, and her eyes shone with an inner light of...peace? Contentment? Uncertain exactly what to call it, Sasuke let it drop. Whatever the feeling was, it had to be a happy feeling of sorts. Because of him. He had helped to bring this tranquility to her visage. Her happiness helped to boost his. He had spent so long bringing nothing but negativity to those around him that it felt good to bring a positive feeling instead. He felt happy because he had made her happy. How amazing that such a simple thing could have such profound impact.

Sasuke was loath to break the silence between them, this soothing silence was a balm to his troubled mind, but he was suddenly curious about her. He really didn't know that much about the woman she had become. The last time they had been together long enough to really know about things, they had been about 13 or so. At 18, they were vastly different people. There was a nearly 6 year gap of knowledge that he wanted to learn about. This was new to him. The only other people he had ever been curious to understand were Itachi and he found himself curious about Sakura...what had she gone through to make her who she was today? What had her training with Tsunade been like? Had she made other friends outside of the rookie 9 and Gai's team? How had she become a medic of such renown? Had she had many suitors besides Lee and Naruto? Did she still love sweet things? Did spicy food still make her sick? There were suddenly so many questions in his mind that he wanted answers for. How should he start this conversation?

"So...Sakura, how have you been?"

What the actual fuck? Did those words actually come out of his own mouth? God, he was such an awkward weirdo when it came to small talk. Sakura turned to look at him; surprise making her eyebrows rise and her mouth drop open. He braced for a barrage of whatever she sent his way, but suddenly she started to laugh. Hard.

"Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha, oh my gosh Sasuke…"

Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes as she doubled over, her arms wrapped around her middle for support. Sasuke was almost offended at how hilarious she seemed to find his question, but it was refreshing to be responsible for tears of laughter instead of sadness, so he let it go. Once she had herself under control, she wiped the tears from her cheeks and grasped his hand again, resuming the walk.

"Where should I begin?...I guess right after you left the first time would be a good place…"

She seemed content to share this story with him, and he was determined to commit it to memory. Her melodious voice soothed his ire from being laughed at, and he listened intently as she shared the story of how Team 7, and her, had continued after his absence. Maybe it hadn't been such a bad way to start this conversation after all.