Chapter 38: Letting Go
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Sasuke let out a breath to compose himself, as he reached the dreaded destination at the top of the mountain, the shrine. Too late for regrets, he conceded, believing he had himself to blame, as he had always known what she wanted; who she wanted.
He had spent many conflicting moments supporting her dreams. Being a flawed friend at the time, he slipped a few times when his feelings became more contradictory each time she kept getting closer to her goals, which all led to her getting further from him. And if anyone were to ask him if he truly believes in the actions he had taken so far… Perhaps he was selfless like that, trying on the gentleman act just so that she was happy.
Sasuke paused before the red gates, not knowing there would be hundreds of people out and about, waiting for the couple to appear. He turned around, taking brisk steps to retreat, deciding he couldn't go through with this after all.
He had a valid excuse as to not show, as there was technically no real leadership back at the tower. Likewise, he decided he would sit this one out, in order to perform his duties as an advisor, and man down the office. Sasuke aimed for a portal further down the steps, getting stopped moments before he entered to the other side.
"Sasuke, wait." Kakashi's voice called out.
Sasuke turned around, one foot resting on the step above. He glanced up, placing one hand inside the pocket of his tux, attempting to look relaxed.
Kakashi tipped his hat, obstructing his face, as he walked down a few steps to meet him, hiding his contemplative state. With all his exceptional skills at observation, how had he not noticed a thing before? Perhaps Naruto was right, Kakashi mused. He was losing his touch with age. Then again, Sasuke never wore his heart on his sleeve before.
"Can't bring yourself to step inside?" Kakashi asked, understanding Sasuke for the first time. "Hmm, but it makes sense. I found it strange that you would engage in bribery when you could've easily just looked her in the eyes and taken back your land. It wasn't a bribe, was it? You wanted to grant her wish because-"
"Don't." Sasuke cut him off, his voice stern yet soft somehow, though Kakashi detected a hint of something hidden deeper that would go unnoticed by those who didn't know Sasuke.
Despair…
Kakashi's demeanor remained calm and collected, giving no thoughts away, before glancing back at the shrine and the red monumental gates, thinking about how to best guide his student. Falling for someone else's fiancée was a recipe for dread and disaster.
"I've experienced something similar," Kakashi shared.
"Hn. Really now?" Sasuke decided to entertain the conversation, just to see where this was going. It's not like he ever wondered why his sensei stayed single.
"Back then, during my youth, I was naive enough to believe that their smile was all just for me,"
Sasuke remained impassive, half suspecting Kakashi was making this story up.
"Were you ever straightforward with them?" Sasuke asked.
"I never cared to do anything because I believed I had time."
Sasuke's brow twitched. Was Kakashi just repeating his shortcomings back to his face? He decided to test him.
"Would you have gone to their wedding?"
Kakashi crossed his arms.
"Seeing them happy would've made me happy. You should stay for the ceremony, it may give you the closure you need."
Sasuke stood silent for a moment, unsure about his sensei's likely made-up experience. Though he understood where Kakashi's intentions were coming from, Sasuke disagreed all the same. Attending Hinata's wedding wasn't going to do anything but open up deeper wounds.
"Seeing her isn't going to make the difference that you say." Sasuke insisted, the portal still glowing behind him.
Kakashi took another step.
"You forget yourself, Advisor-kun. You've yet to apologize to the village's councils and elders, and other clan leaders, over yesterday's destruction. Your presence is needed, regardless of what's going on inside you. This is not up for debate. Come." Kakashi turned, ascending the steps, walking past the red gates.
Sasuke had to use his hand to block out the light, as he also followed.
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Hinata's voice ripped Shikamaru out of his thoughts, as she entered the ceremony room, located inside the shrine.
Though her posture remained graceful, she approached him hesitantly, feeling unsure as all the telltale signs were there, but she did not dare to ask anything just yet as to why he had summoned her to that room, as he was not supposed to see her just yet. Yoshino and everyone else, who had been inside the changing room, helping Hinata get ready, had shared similar looks of worry as the bride had pardoned herself and left when informed Shikamaru wished to speak to her.
Shikamaru turned away to gain back the strength he had lost, from knowing what he was about to do, as the lies had finally stacked, way too heavy and way too high. For instance, he couldn't pretend that he didn't know what she had done as the gratuitous drawing Sai had 'gifted' moments before, cemented his decision.
Hinata's hands rested on her side, waiting for Shikamaru to say something. Only that he never did. Did he know what the silence always did to her?
Hinata folded her hands over one another and drew a step closer, her footsteps inaudible as white socks slightly peek through her white wedding Kimono. A hand made contact with his shoulder, and she noticed him growing stiff underneath her touch. She bit her lip and swallowed the lump in her throat. Without a doubt, she knew something was terribly wrong, but his reaction just confirmed it.
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The shrine began to light up as camera flashes went off, signaling the start of the wedding.
Sasuke took a deep breath and met Kakashi on the last step, and paused next to him, almost meeting his height. A puzzled expression overcame his feature as the elders called for a conference, with Hiashi and Yoshino standing side by side.
Yoshino's mouth moved, and she bowed down apologetically to the crowd.
"What do you think is going on?" Sasuke turned to Kakashi, already fearing the worst.
Where was Hinata? Did she get hurt?
Kakashi caught Sakura searching for them. Once found, she stepped away from the public conference and approached them.
"You're not going to believe this, the wedding was canceled," Sakura filled them in.
"Ah." That is all Kakashi could muster. While he would've normally applauded against the union of two of the most influential clans, he only felt uncertainty as he glanced over at his advisor.
Would he lose another one to her?
"Yeah… Apparently, it was a mutual agreement. Both clans decided they couldn't go through with it." Sakura explained.
As Kakashi listened in, he remained ever-observant of their surroundings. Yoshino's body language as she spoke at the conference gave something away.
It wasn't a mutual decision.
Kakashi didn't speak his theories, keeping a watchful eye out for Naruto, noticing him missing.
"And where did Naruto go?" Kakashi asked.
Sakura's lips tightened, as she folded her arms, looking past Yoshino's directions, towards the shrine. Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck and didn't say anything, making a mental note to sit Naruto down and have a talk with his student, as it was obvious Naruto had room to learn and grow in other areas of his life. He could sense that Sakura was pensive, for Naruto had no business rushing to get involved in their affair. Or rather, Hinata's affair.
Seemingly about to follow a similar path, Sasuke gripped his hand on his side as he made to take a step. However, he didn't make it any further than Sakura, as Kakashi aimed to purposely block his path.
"Listen, Sasuke, I think I understand what's going through your mind. But hear me out. If you stay here, you'll just end up getting in the way."
Sasuke glanced back towards the conference being held. His pondering state left him looking vulnerable.
Kakashi was right. It would be naive to think he could just walk in and grab Hinata's hand and take her away. Besides, he doesn't really know if it's over. They could be taking a break. And for the first time, he found himself asking for advice.
"Then what the hell should I do?"
"You'll be traveling for a few months." His teacher reminded him, mostly placing his hope on time and distance being the one thing that could guide his student out of this… irrational fog.
Kakashi observed calmly, unsure whether Sasuke would accept his advice or not.
Just then, Sasuke had been reminded of something he had forgotten about. His lips twisted into a slight frown as he turned to Sakura.
"Sakura, I don't think I'll be going on the trip after all."
"What?! You're joking right…?!" Sakura's eyes burned with anger as she begrudgingly gave a scoff, fingers tightening on her side.
Kakashi motioned Sakura to stand down, as her fists seemed readily awaiting confrontation. Putting his disdain aside, he took off his hat, silver hair moving in the wind, as he placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder, realizing the best way to handle him, or rather, kite him.
"This is Hinata we're talking about. If you approach her with those kinds of intentions, she'll end up resenting you for showing up in her life during a moment of weakness. Or are you okay with taking advantage of her?"
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Kiba couldn't stand it, the indistinguishable scent of her tears, even though she was nowhere in sight as she had been escorted to the offering room.
"We should blacklist his ass at the annual clan meeting," Kiba said, while next to Shino.
"Not sure how getting involved is going to help her. First, we don't know what happened yet. Let's just be there for her, properly, this time." Shino said as his dark sunglasses captured the reflection of the holy chalice, which burned wildly, casting a glow down the hall where Hinata had been led by a priestess.
"Shino, where is she?" Naruto asked as he entered the ceremony room, where the vows were supposed to take place.
Shino motioned past the burning chalice.
He understood Naruto's confusion, as none of them were religious ever since the war. The only prayer they performed were to the tombstone of loved ones.
"The priest suggested she greets the temple's Goddess before leaving," Shino replied.
"And Shikamaru?" Naruto asked.
"His friends are trying to convince him to change his mind. Though, from what I gathered, Nara is intent on standing by his decision."
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"At least tell us why," Choji said.
"Yeah. I was starting to like her, you idiot." Ino added.
Shikamaru exhaled, remembering the dread he felt when he first saw the handwriting on the letter that had been handed to him, with instructions to deliver to Hinata claiming it was a wedding gift. The uneasiness came from having read countless recaps from Sai while working under the Hokage, which is how Shikamaru immediately recognized his handwriting.
Shikamaru fetched a cigarette out of his pocket and lit it. He had no other option than to give them an answer, mixed a few half-truths that would satisfy some level of curiosity. He felt sick lying this way, especially to them.
"I had time to think. How could I lead my clan, if I was willing to give my firstborn, so they may be raised as Hyugas? But that's just one of many other things," Shikamaru replied just as Naruto waltzed inside the room with a serious look in his eyes
"My point is exatcly. Why did you wait to change your mind on your own wedding day?" Choji asked. "Bro, that makes no sense."
"I was wondering the same thing." Naruto said, by the door. "Would you tell us?"
"Ino, Choji, I'll see you both outside. I need to ask Naruto something." Shikamaru said, while putting the ciggarate out by the window.
Though Shikamaru gave no indication of his thoughts, his eyes had been cold and distant the moment Naruto walked in. His friends nodded as they passed him, leaving the room.
Naruto growled, grabbing a full fist of Shikamaru's collar, and pulling him close.
"Oi!" He snapped. "Humiliating her on her wedding day, of all places. Did you plan this in advance?"
"That's rich, coming from the best man who helped cover everything up."
Was this about Ino and Sai?
"Hinata never gave the order."
Shikamaru calmly broke away from Naruto's grasp, shoulder pushing him as he walked by, heading towards the exit. What a pain, to realize that all this time, Naruto had never been objective enough, ready to always come to Hinata's aid and defend everything that she does. Little soldiers left and right. No wonder Kakashi was always concerned 24/7.
"Naruto, do not expect the Ino-Shika-Cho at any annual clan meeting. If our future Hokage wants our trust, he's going to have to earn it again, and just through talks."
"What do you want me to do?"
"Simple. Bring justice to Ino."
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Having no more tears to shed, Hinata prayed silently before the statue, inside the candle-lit room, as her sister remained by her side.
Hanabi touched her shoulder.
'What are we doing here? Praying isn't going to do anything.'
"I'm just trying to understand something… Nii-san spent part of his life devoted to this faith, while I always tried to evade it. I wonder if this might just be Kami-sama's punishment, for forgetting that we do not dictate our fate."
'No. Onee-chan don't fall for this religion. Fate doesn't dictate anything. Sometimes people just suck.' Hanabi said, while thinking about Sai.
"Hanabi… you don't know half of it,"
'I know enough. Yoshino asked me to spy.'
What?
"-Hinata-sama," They both turned to the voice by the door. A priestess stood by the entrance, holding a clear sphere in her hands, joining Hinata's side. "May I speak?"
Hinata nodded, turning her eyes away from the statue of the cloaked goddess frozen in a state of motion as she waited to accept an offering.
"Today may feel like the end of the world, but it is not. Our teachings have shown us that all the circumstances in a person's life are precursors to one getting closer to their predestined fate."
"How can this be part of Kami-sama's plan? I'm not entirely blameless." Hinata replied.
"Some beginnings are destined to end."
Hanabi rolled her eyes at the priestess vagueness.
Nevertheless, the priestess dropped a colorless sphere into Hinata's hand. There were questions in her eyes.
"Fill it with your deepest thoughts. Kami-sama accepts and appreciates all kinds of offerings." The priestess instructed.
Hinata looked down at the spherical crystal, closing her hands around it, and bringing it close to her heart. The sphere glowed a soft blue light, as she poured her wish to be forgiven.
Hinata rose from her knees and offered it to the statue. She was hoping for a faint voice to offer her assurance, but received none.
Kami-sama, canceling the wedding and telling the public, how am I supposed to handle that? She also asked the statue.
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Shino and Kiba stood from their seats when Hinata exited the room, appearing more collected compared to the wreckage she had been an hour ago. Hanabi paused next to her, gently touching her arm before walking up to Shino and Kiba.
"Nara-san already left." Shino offered, making no mention that Naruto had also stopped by.
"You know he didn't deserve you, right?"
Hinata didn't say anything to that, as Kiba had repeatedly expressed the same thing one way or another, even prior to today. She lifted her wedding Kimono, and walked past the burning chalice, taking a few steps down the altar.
Kiba held up a bag in his hands, no doubt containing Hinata's change of clothes, handing it to Hanabi.
"What do you say to getting out of here? If Nara is out there facing the public, so should you." Kiba's words were surprisingly sound at the time.
It won't look like a neutral decision if she were to go into hiding.
Hinata nodded firmly. "Yes… you're right."
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Attention was averted to Shikamaru when he exited the Shrine. He walked up to his mother, standing next to the elders, as he repeated similar words already said by the Hiashi. Choji and Ino waited, standing back, hiding their frowns.
"It was mutual, and there won't be any hard feelings between our clans."
"Why did both parties decide to cancel at the last minute?" A reporter asked. Shikamaru didn't give any comments, choosing to answer more sensible questions.
Hiashi turned away from Shikamaru's interview and noted Sasuke by the exit, likely ready to leave. He pushed past the crowd, waving off the questions thrown at him, and making his way towards the advisor.
"Uchiha-san,"
Sasuke turned away from Sakura, after he had opened up a portal. Kakashi also faced Hinata's father as he stopped across from them.
"My clan is in need of your assistance."
"Hn?"
"We can't have the public seeing my daughter leaving the shrine. She's very devastated at the moment-"
"You said the wedding cancellation was mutual." Kakashi said from his side.
"Kami, I wish it were so."
"So you want me to get her out of here, unseen?" Sasuke asked.
"Yes, otherwise everyone will know the truth if they see her." Hiashi motioned to a priestess on standby. "Escort Uchiha-san to my daughter."
Sakura gave him a look as if pleading not to go.
"Wait for us here." Sasuke instructed. "This won't take long."
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Naruto came across Sasuke as he was on his way out. Both paused a few feet across the other, and for some reason, Naruto wouldn't meet his eyes, as he had finally come across a situation that couldn't be fixed just by talking...
"It was an impossible situation." He admitted, in defeat.
"It's not your problem to fix, Naruto." Sasuke said, sympathetically, as he stood with one hand inside the pocket of his tux.
"Is Sakura still waiting outside?" Naruto asked, tucking his hand inside his traditional kimono.
Sasuke hummed an answer, his eyes drawn to movement as Shino and Kiba appeared around the hall, with Hanabi next to them.
Naruto also turned. "Guys, I tried."
Shino sent him a courteous nod. "It is what it is." He then tilted his head in Sasuke's way.
"I received a request that no one sees Hyuga-san leaving the premises." Sasuke explained. "I'm to escort her home."
Kiba chuckled. "Does her old man forget that people are not stupid? If Hinata-chan doesn't participate in the conference, they'll see just create their own rumors for why she's not there." Kiba countered, before his eyes turned to Hinata who had stopped around the hall when she heard Sasuke's voice. "Oi, Hinata, let's go. Only you can defend yourself."
After Kiba confirmed that she was there, Sasuke took long strolls to meet her around the hall. Then time slowed down, and it was like seeing her for the first time, a stranger that resembled more of an angel than anything else. Sasuke knew it was the most inappropriate time to feel awestruck when she was standing across from him, her heart likely in shambles.
Her eyes trailed upward, meeting his.
"I'm sorry Hinata, no one deserves this on their wedding day." Sasuke said.
However, his words brought it all back; the breakup, the conference that awaited her. Less than 24 hours ago, she had imagined everything with Shikamaru, believing he would be there for the rest of her life. She glanced down at her hands, playing with the sleeve of her wedding dress as she listened to his words of sympathies.
There was no going back now, was there?
Everything, tainted forever.
She smiled sadly.
"Sasuke… I think I understand what you're doing, but would you please let me go? I have to face everyone eventually. Hiding here is not going to change reality."
It took him a moment to understand what she was talking about. He blinked, realizing his eyes were active, and that he had mistakenly pulled her into an illusion, as everyone around them stood frozen. Just then, all delusions of taking her away shattered all across his mind because of the look in her eyes, as she had already decided what she would do. A vindication that probably came about from all family and friend's support.
Kakashi was right... this is not what she needed or wanted.
When he blinked, his sharigan were no longer active. Then time flowed normally as Hanabi brushed past him, gently nudging Hinata, motioning her to keep on moving forward.
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The crowd went silent, pausing their murmurs when Hinata came closer into view. Hiashi and the elders shared a look, wondering how this was going to go down, as it was obvious she had rejected her father's escape plan.
Hinata held her breath the entire time.
Perhaps she should've gone along with her father's request, as despair spread throughout her soul when thinking about her life up until now. Ex-heiress, ex-clan leader, ex-bride-to-be, ex-girlfriend, ex-friend, ex, ex, ex, so many exes. She feared that tears would fall pretty soon. Such as then, when all she wanted to do was change her name and run away. Part of her wanted to keep Hanabi around as a crutch, but she let go of her sister's arm, taking purposeful strides up ahead, even in the confinement of her wedding dress.
She kept her chin high and eyes straight ahead, hoping she could fool any onlooker. Then the crowd swallowed her, flanking her from all sides, as she answered their set of questions. Toneri left Gaara's and Temari's side as he moved amongst the crowd until he was standing in the front view of Hinata's interview.
"... This is quite stressful to admit," Hinata began, adding a new detail no one had, about a contract being broken.
"Hanata-sama, it is our understanding that you abolished arranged marriage during your leadership. What contract are you referencing?" A reporter asked, trying to assess the situation.
"Our union was an arranged marriage brought forth by both our parents."
Some people in the crowd gasped. So it hadn't been for love?
Just as expected, Toneri soon sensed she wouldn't be able to keep up the facade for much longer when a new wave of questions were brought upon by her admission.
"End the interview, now, cousin!" Toneri instructed, and Hinata nodded his way. She faced the crowd, her shoulders bowing as an apology for having wasted everyone's time. She also expressed that the chef's effort won't go to waste as all the food will be donated to orphanages and shelters.
Her family and friends waited until the crowd dispersed before approaching Hinata.
"Are you going to be okay?" Kurenai asked.
As similar sentiments were expressed, Hinata kept her eyes on Sasuke's retreating form as he rejoined his team, saying their farewells to the surrounding politicians, as they were leaving to go on a trip the next day.
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That same night, a gloom settled, as if despair had visited to stay. Although Hinata wasn't alone, she like no one in her clan could understand her deep sorrow, as none of them had ever attempted to marry for love. She was in her sister's room, being held by Hanabi.
They both glanced at each other, wondering whose stomach had growled. That's when Hinata finally let herself smile.
"What should we eat for dinner?"
'Nothing elaborate. I'm too hungry to help with the food prep. Let's keep it simple, with lazy ramen instead. Naruto put me on his favorite brands. It actually tastes pretty decent.' Hanabi replied, not realizing the word lazy brought up an image inside Hinata's mind.
Hinata sat on a chair behind a kitchen counter, watching Hanabi open a cabinet where she keeps her favorite pantries. Minutes of silence passed, from the microwave beeping to the cup of ramen being served. Hanabi joined her side, as they began poking at the steaming cup of noodles.
Hanabi let out a sigh, not knowing she was fighting a frown, contemplation ending in full circles as she said her farewell to Sasuke, the trip, and everything she had been planning. Kami, how had she been so foolish?
"Is something on your mind?"
Hanabi shook her head.
'No. Let's eat.'
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The next few weeks were spent keeping busy, through clan activities. The new wave of elders are more reasonable individuals, probably because they were close in age to her father, which is how she found herself sitting around the round meeting table, listening to the discussed issues. From her understanding, they wanted to devise a plan to prevent large-scale migrations as their clansmen were free.
"We can't stop any free slave from leaving the village," Hiashi said. "But we can entice many to stay. The question is how."
"I agree, we could be doing things much better," An elder said bitterly, knowing they weren't prepared for what the freedom had entitled.
"Daughter, what do you think about all of this?" Of course, they'll ask her for help. She was the one who put her clan in such a situation in the first place.
"I've kept in contact with a few family members that moved away. It seems they're more concerned about their children's future. They want their children to have the same kind of opportunities we do."
"I say we should instate a free slave in power, and give them a rank only the main branch occupies to inspire the rest and show them there's upward mobility." An elder offered, seemingly proud of his suggestion.
"Hmm, I thought about that, but in order for children to meet our intellectual standards, we need an educational institution that rivals are teachings." Hiashi replied.
"Doesn't sound like a problem at all, but an opportunity. We could open up our own educational facility with the promise, to parents, to turn their children into leaders. We may use Hinata-sama's name as an example, and promise they'll have a few learning sessions with her." Another elder said thoughtfully before turning to Hinata. "Hinata-sama, Would you be willing to participate and teach a program?"
Her? In the educational field? It had never occurred to her before…
"I don't have any experience in the field of teaching," Hinata said while fidgeting with an ink brush as she had been taking notes on her father's behalf.
"Which can easily be fixed within the year," The elder replied.
"If we open up this educational facility, children of free-slave parents must be given free admission. Otherwise, what's the point? Why would they stick around?" Hiashi said.
"Then how do we break even if the education is free?"
"We can invite children of other politicians, selling the education to the elites. I'm sure high tuition won't break their banks." Someone else replied.
"Daughter, building the school and running it will take a few months, maybe even a year. During downtime, how do you feel about becoming our ambassador in Suna, and getting some teaching experience there?"
Hinata nodded.
Anything to get her out of here.
Everyone rose from their chair with their new plan to keep any free slave from leaving the village.
Hinata rolled the scroll, handing the notes to her father as she met him at the door.
"How have you been holding up? Yoshino tells me you haven't gone to pick up your belongings." Hiashi asked, concerned.
Her eyes immediately watered, and Hiashi sensed a storm would soon follow. She took a silent deep breath and took it back in. Without a single tear spilling, she met her father's gaze. There was a sad tilt to her lips.
Having people rally around her all the time, to comfort her, was not enough.
"Father, it's too soon… "
"Hinata, it may be time to seek mental therapy. It's not just you that has a stake on your feelings, your family is worried about you. And I never have the answer to those kinds of questions when they ask me how you're doing."
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When Kakashi heard from Hiashi that she was leaving soon for Suna to pursue a new path, something resembling a smile tugged at the corner of his mask, as the last two months have been pleasantly quiet, and that peace will be prolonged with her new interest away from the village.
But when the village's council received similar news, they urged Kakashi to find a way to get her to stay, as she was deemed more trouble if they couldn't keep an eye on her. Thus, he reached out, leaving a message with her father, requesting to speak with her, over a friendly game.
"Friendly game? Father, you know I can't stand that man."
Hanabi almost spilled her tea, surprised at how blunt her sister was being.
"Hinata, I'm tired of hearing the same thing. Lord Kakashi is probably reaching out because there's not much to do without his students around, so humor him. The man is lonely."
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It was a late afternoon when Kakashi heard a knock on the door.
"It's Hyuga-sama!" A chunin announced.
"Let her in,"
Kakashi glanced up from a scroll he had been reading, and removed his elbow from the desk as she approached him up front.
"I've been told you sometimes find yourself bored and lonely without team 7," Hinata said with a smile, as she stood before him.
His brow twitched and she pretended to give him a curious look when he pushed himself off his desk and grabbed his hat and cloak, passing her.
Wait, did she anger him? She turned around.
"Where are we going?" She asked.
"Let me show you a place I found the other week owned by a Suna resident,"
"So he told you I was leaving?"
"Your father shares a lot these days,"
"That's very concerning."
"Aren't you coming?" Kakashi asked while outside the door.
She said nothing about the mountain of paper on his desk. Did he even have time for this?
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It wasn't typical to spend her Saturday being introduced to a new establishment she hadn't known existed. The staff were certainly happy their Hokage was back, as he didn't bother to hide behind a disguise just to help the place become more popular as it was recently new.
"Would you like us to set you up with the usual game?" A staff member asked.
"Today we'll be playing Suna chess." Kakashi replied.
"And drinks?"
"Just water." Hinata insisted.
She followed behind Kakashi after he booked a room. He pulled the door open, revealing a large room containing a live-size black and white chess board, with huge pieces to command.
He watched her eyes light up as she stepped inside. She immediately removed her shoes before stepping on the board, standing before the piece she recognized as queen. Kakashi removed his hat, hanging it on a hook by the door as she continued to survey all the pieces, her attending lingering on the tallest structure of all; The king, which stood taller than her.
"Since you're going to Suna, I presume you're familiar with the rules." Kakashi asked.
"Yes."
"So why did you choose to teach in Suna of all places?" He bluntly asked her. "Are you itching to make a difference there, just like you did here?"
Hinata looked his way.
"Sensei, You make me sound so selfless and philanthropic. But I don't have those kinds of aspirations. I thought my father tells you everything."
"Not everything. What are your new goals?"
"Maybe that's the problem. I don't have a purpose."
Kakashi crossed his arms, giving her a long thoughtful look, suddenly feeling a little sympathy for her. Shikamaru really was her world, and now she was withering. Hinata continued to move about the board, as if trying to memorize every single tile she stepped upon.
"Lord Hiashi is sending you to Suna to become a teacher, and you're just allowing it?"
"This is the only way I can help my clan at the moment," She said while leaning her body against a piece, finding it difficult to move as it looked lighter than it was. "Why won't it move?"
"Hinata, in this version, we move the pieces with our chakra."
"I see, that makes a lot more sense now."
"Alright, pick a side to play, then take your place. I'll explain the rules as clearly as I can." Kakashi said.
"I'm a quick learner, Sensei, so don't hold back." She said, but he didn't catch her sarcasm.
"I'll be the judge of that."
Kakashi blinked.
What was he doing?
Hadn't she already stated she knew the rules to the game? So why had he proceeded to treat her as if she was clueless? He narrowed his eyes, now understanding how she had managed to rope every single part of his team over to her side, one way or another.
She gave him a knowing smile. "Sensei?"
"Hinata, to you, it's Hokage-sama." He corrected her, once he realized she had been messing with him.
She noticed his demeanor changed once the game started. His calculative gaze never leaving the board.
"Has Sai kept in touch with you?" He asked as the game played out.
"Define keeping in touch? On the day of my wedding, he left Shika with a graphic letter of a kidnapping I had nothing to do with."
Kakashi pinched the bridge of his nose. Is that why Shikamaru canceled the wedding?
"Shikamaru knows you let him escape on purpose." She added.
"We had no choice in the matter." Kakashi's confirmed. "Ino's clan was going to find a way to get to his memories."
"When are you going to call out checkmate?" She asked, drawing his eyes back to the game.
"Hmm. Checkmate."
They reset the board together, but Kakashi didn't make a move to start, as a new fear was living inside his mind.
"Should I be worried about my team's well-being?" Kakashi asked.
"I'm not sure what Shika will do with the information he has obtained from Sai," Hinata answered as she move a pawn.
"This could go in two ways," Kakashi began. "If he decides to come forward, it would be me that will be asked to step down,"
"I don't see how something like that would be so bad." She said from her side as she cut across the board to make her way to him, seeing that he was no longer interested in playing.
"It will impede Naruto's dream of being Hokage if they deem me corrupted. Sasuke will also find himself displaced, his image tarnished once more."
"So what are you asking of me?"
"Make peace with Shikamaru. Find a way to make him forgive you before you leave to Suna."
"There's no need for me to do that. I know he still cares about Naruto. He won't destroy his future."
Kakashi walked away from the chessboard, to phone the staff. He turned to Hinata.
"What's your poison?"
"Whatever you're having."
When, drinks arrived, and the two resumed the game. Kakashi derived little joy from winning, since she was practically new at playing.
"Since you're soon going to be a sensei, I'm going to ask you this question. If Sai had been your student, what would you have done to help him?"
She tilted her head.
"I think you're asking me the wrong question. From my understanding, if you give a Shinobi a life with peace, some will seek chaos, no matter the generation. No amount of guidance can prevent some unfortunate things from happening."
Kakashi hummed thoughtfully, as he internally admitted the village doesn't have any outlets, especially for Sai's kind.
"But at the same time, this is not me trying to blame your teaching style. For example, how does one create a controlled space for someone who specifically likes to witness violence, pain, suffering, happiness, and all ranges of emotions combined?" She also added, seemingly sharing a similar stream of thought as she thought about Sai.
Truth be told, this had been the longest conversation he had ever had with her. Since she surprisingly complied, he was able to get enough information from her, enough for him to make a decision, as they seemed to agree on certain things. Even if not on everything.
He just hopes he doesn't regret his decision by giving her a chance.
"Did your father ever tell you that you don't have to go to Suna, to become a teacher? There just so happens we have a position opening up since one of our sensei is going on maternity leave."
Was this all just a job interview? "Are you sure you're comfortable with me corrupting your students?"
"Believe me, while I prefer you as far away from this village, I also can't have you going to Suna where we can't keep tabs on you."
.
The next day, Konohamaru sighed as he left his apartment, as he did not look forward to seeing the job he may be stuck with, since a sensei recently left on a very long maternity leave, and Kakashi had hinted that kids may make him a little more responsible. He fixed his scarf slightly as he entered the Hokage tower, and mentally prepared for being assigned to a classroom filled with Konoha demons.
His hand paused as he touched the doorknob when he heard a soft giggle on the other side. When Konohamaru entered, he found Hanabi's sister sitting across Kakashi's desk, legs crossed.
"H-Hinata-sama, what are you doing here?" He asked, cheeks flushed when lavender eyes darted his way.
"I want to put in the hours and get some experience as a teacher." Hinata replied.
Konohamaru's mouth slightly fell open. If it was Kami that had sent her, then he wasn't going to complain. The reality that he hates kids would've impeded his availability to teach them a single thing!
"Heaven, yes, go for it!"
"Then it's settled." Kakashi said, rewriting their mission.
Konohamaru joined them, taking a seat, and listening in as Kakashi and Hinata discussed her assignment.
"Hokage-sama, I hope you keep in mind what we spoke of, the other day. I want to encourage every student to be a leader," Hinata said. "There'll be little room for soft leaves or petals. We have to toughen them up."
Konohamaru coughed. Did she call those young demons weak and soft? It was obvious she had yet to meet them.
"When does orientation begin?" She asked.
"First week of spring." Kakashi replied, as soft cherry blossom leaves fell slowly outside their window. "Now, Konohamaru, I need to speak to Hinata privately."
He tried not to sound too happy that he won't be a teacher this year.
"Roger. See you around, Hinata-sensei!"
Once the door closed, Kakashi resumed.
"Hinata, since you signed and accepted the job, it comes without saying you will be evaluated by a therapist. We understand a breakup can be hard, even if its been two months. We don't want to expose you to an environment that may trigger any negative emotions as these are teenagers you'll be dealing with. You see, kids can be cruel sometimes and may call you unwanted names." Kakashi said, as if talking from experience.
She nodded. "I understand-"
"Sensei! We're back!" Naruto said, as he barged into the room, while dragging a Konohamaru back in, head stuck in a headlock.
'Kakashi-sensei! Did you miss us?" Sakura asked, with a happy gleam in her green eyes, as her cherry blossom hair bounced behind her.
"Oi! Let me go!" Konohamaru said, while trying to punch Naruto.
Naruto finally did, when his eyes landed on Hinata, who stood from her chair and bow slightly his way.
"No way, you two in the same room? Guess a lot happened while we were gone-"
"Naruto, what's the rush?" A deep, sarcastic voice rang in Hinata's ears as he entered the room. "It's not like you even missed a single day of being here,"
Kakashi leaned forward in his seat, elbow resting on his lap. His silver eyebrows raised slightly his way.
"Is that true Naruto?" Kakashi asked him suspiciously.
"That's not true at all!" Naruto said nervously, as the three stood lined up right next to each other, with Sakura at the center.
Hinata's eyes were immediately drawn to his dark ones, and Sasuke sent her a tiny smile, before glancing at Kakashi.
Kakashi chuckled. It seemed the trip had done the three some good, as there was this refreshing aura to them, eyes lit up with a glaze of happiness. He stood up and walked around the desk, to leaned against it as he sent his three students a smile he only reserved for them.
"I should get going," Hinata said, not wanting to impede their moment.
Kakashi then crossed his arms as he stayed leaning against his desk, his voice stopping her.
"Everyone, I have an announcement to make. We have a new member joining our educational branch, Hinata-sensei,"
She spun around and glared at Kakashi, as she had been hoping to keep that to herself. Quite frankly, it was embarrassing to be seen working under him after everything's happened.
Sasuke smirked from his side.
"Hn. Seems like Kakashi-sensei finally got to you too, huh?"
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Hello all,
I hope your holidays are going well!
This chapter takes place the moment Ino called out to Hinata and Shikamaru, on chapter 36, letting them that it was their turn to get ready for the wedding. That's the moment the timeline splits. In this alternative timeline, Sai escaped, left Shikamaru a drawing which connects Hinata to an event she never took part of.
This chapter is also heavy with Kakashi scenes, because I figured if Hinata is going to join the family... Kakashi has to tolerate her one way or another as Sasuke is someone who's really important to him. This was all just to set up the SasuxHina ending, without having Hinata and Kakashi glare daggers at each other forever.
In the mean time, don't mind me, I'm just editing.