The stars were a bright contrast against the dark night sky and in the middle of it all was a large full moon. Its shape is not a perfect circle, the edges bumpy and sharp. Hinata looked up at the sky and placed herself fully in the quiet nature around her. She had taken Neji's car out the garage, something no one's done since he died, and traveled north toward the preserve.
On the way she stopped three times to cry, the tears blocking her vision and her voice was hoarse from her sobs. Her hair was wet with her sweat and she refused to open the windows; inwardly thanking that Neji had his windows tinted. She cried about Neji, her fear of abandonment and most of all Sasuke. She shut off her phone after sending a message to her friends and family about her whereabouts.
Now, she looked up at the sky and found that she couldn't cry anymore. Her heart hurt and she wanted to do anything in order for it to stop, but she knew that it wouldn't be as easy as it seemed. She saw both of the people she missed dearly in this night sky. Sasuke's dark eyes and hair as the night itself and Neji's bright eyes shining as the stars. She tore her gaze away from the scene as she pulled her knees against her chest. Around her were tall trees that seemed to stretch up into the sky itself and little patches of grass that tried to grow.
Hinata felt the cool air wash over her face and leaned against the trunk of a tree. Her eyes slightly red and still puffy from all the tears she shed on her way here. She'd been here for two hours, just sitting and watching the scenery around her. She stood up and took a deep breath. The fresh air filling her lungs and making her eyes sting just a bit.
As she made her way back to her car, she replayed the memories that Sasuke left with her. No tears struck her eyes, but by God did she wish to cry. She was exhausted and needed a nap but she knew that she wouldn't be able to sleep. Her dreams were haunted with his face and voice. Sometimes, she dreamt of a peaceful dream with Neji. They'd sit together in an abandoned building while the rain pelted the windows outside, and he'd share stories of his travels as a ghost. Then when the dream was nearing an end, he'd embrace her tightly and whisper how much he loved and missed her. Then she'd wake up with tears staining her eyes and sweat soaking her body.
Hikari had tried to get the young Hyuuga to open up but Hinata refused to. She didn't want to burden her parents with something as silly as missing someone who she wasn't suppose to know in the first place. Hinata looked up at the street signs as she drove down Kurama Avenue. A sudden burst of hatred filled her body. She hated the man who was so unbelievably drunk that he hadn't known he caused serious damage to a person's family. She hated him for making Sasuke lose his memories. Without that awful man she wouldn't have met Sasuke and therefore wouldn't be feeling this sense of loss and loneliness that plagued her at the moment.
"Thank God you're home Hinata!" Hikari exclaimed as she threw her hands around the young woman. "Your father was worried sick."
Meanwhile, said man sat in his rocking chair reading a newspaper while he sipped on some tea. "Welcome home. Leftovers are in the fridge if you're hungry."
Hinata smiled at her father's simple antics while Hikari removed her slipper and threw it at him, screaming that he was an uncaring jerk.
"C'mon baby, let me get you something to eat, you're probably starving," Hikari cooed as she tried to usher the girl into the kitchen.
In truth, Hinata was hungry, the hour drive up to the preserve and the two hours she sat down staring into space really worked on her stomach, but she didn't want to have to subject herself to the pitying looks Hikari was giving her.
"I'm all right mother. I'll just go to bed now. Goodnight mother, father," Hinata gave a small forced smile before she carefully walked to her bedroom. She caught sight of her mother's hurt look but reminded herself that keeping them at a distance was better.
Hinata looked up at the moon through her window and wondered whether Sasuke was happy with his new life.
0-0-0
Sasuke looked up at the moon and glared. For two whole weeks he's been subject to tests and people congratulating him on gaining his memory back. His eye twitched at being a charity case. He is an Uchiha for Christ's sake! Uchiha's weren't subjected to this kind of treatment. He cursed his damn accident to cause him the temporary memory loss.
He lost his wife due to his 'change in character after the accident' and along with her went his child. His only child, Ichiro. The boy was a perfect mixture of his parents. Carrying the traditional Uchiha hair and jaw lines, he took his mother's crimson eyes and nose. Sasuke smiled to himself upon thinking of the child. Though he had distanced himself from his ex-wife, the boy and he were still close. Ichiro looked up at him as if he held the answers to life in his hands.
"You have got to stop glaring at the sky like that. One day, it's gonna get pissed and make an asteroid hit your pretty old house," Naruto complained as he stretched in his seat.
"Preferably with you inside," Sasuke jabbed with a monotone voice.
"You wound me Uchiha. Here, I thought we were friends," Naruto said in mock pain as he clutched his heart.
"You're annoying. Did you finish looking up the recipe for that girl you like?" Sasuke sighed as he rubbed a hand over his face.
He and the Uzumaki had been friends nearing ten years now. When he'd been in the hospital the boy was also there since his godmother, who was his caretaker, worked there. He'd come visit Sasuke and talk nonstop about all of the things he'd seen and his dreams about the future. He'd wanted to be a hero like in the books he read.
"I don't like her dumbass! Sakura is the only girl for me!" Naruto exclaimed but a hint of pain flashed across his face for a moment.
"Whatever," Sasuke shrugged and sat across the blonde. His eyes traveled to the moon once again.
"You still looking for her?" Naruto asked as he also turned to look up at the bright orb.
"I've got my memories now, why would I need to?" Sasuke sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"You tell me," Naruto looked at him from the corner of his eyes, the light making them bright.
"She's the only thing I don't remember."
"Maybe that's for the best."
"Maybe it's not."
"You're obsessed with a vision girl that you think you know. What if she doesn't exist? Then what?"
"I know that she's real," Sasuke glared and pulled out the silver band from his pocket. The branded H.H. in the middle, shining against the light. "She's out there."
Naruto looked at the ring and sucked his teeth. "You're fucking annoying."
Sasuke smirked and held out a fist. Naruto glanced at it and pounded it with a roll of his eyes. "I'm going to get my ass home before Tsunade tries to castrate me."
"I'm surprised she's still up and kicking."
"Frankly so am I. She hides her age well though," Naruto grinned and lifted a hand. "See you tomorrow."
Sasuke watched the male leave and turned his sights back on the moon. She was out there, he knew she was. He'd just look harder.
0-0-0
Hinata snapped out of her daydream when a customer entered. She greeted the young woman with a smile and giggled when her daughter waved at Hinata. Her big brown eyes grew in size when Hinata waved back. She seated the two young woman in a booth and was surprised when Naruto came up behind her.
"Hey, I've got a surprise for you," He said happily before he noticed that she was dealing with a customer. "Ah, forgive me."
"It's no problem dear. I remember being like that with Hana's father," the young mother smiled at her daughter. "Go on and surprise your girlfriend."
Hinata was about to protest against the woman's assumptions but she was pulled away by the hyperactive blonde. He dragged her into the kitchen, past a curious Ino and Sakura and presented to her a sloppy looking piece of cinnamon coffee cake.
"Ta Da!" Naruto said happily along with jazz hands. "I know how much you love things involving cinnamon.
Hinata stared down at the little piece of dessert and her eyes filled with tears. Memories of laughter and split batter as she danced around with her cousin filled her thoughts. She continued to stare at the dessert and let a tear fall from her eye.
"What? No! Hinata you're not suppose to be crying! Jesus, I thought this would make you happy! God, I'm sorry. Look I'll just throw it away and-"
Naruto stopped in mid ramble and watched in shock as Hinata took a bite of the dessert, a delighted smile on her face. She greedily scooped up another and her smile grew in size. Naruto's face also split into a grin as he watched her happily eat the hurried gift.
"Is it any good?" Naruto asked with a teasing smile. Almost as if the spell had been broken, Hinata stopped her hurried eating and looked down treat again, a lost look filled her eyes.
"Thank you," the young Hyuuga whispered. She smiled at him and leaned up to plant a kiss on his cheek.
Naruto's face turned a bright red and he chuckled nervously as he ran a hand through his hair.
"It's no problem. I just want you to be happy," He shrugged and scratched the place where she kissed.
Hinata smiled and held his hand between both of hers. "Thank you for this."
Naruto's cheeks turned a small shade darker and he turned to face away from her. Hinata released him after a moment of silence and awkward smiling then returned to the dessert. She scooped up a spoon and held it up to his face.
"Have you tried it?" Hinata asked with a slight tilt to her head. Naruto shook his head and opened his mouth, allowing her to feed him.
"I did better than I expected," the blonde said sheepishly around the food in his mouth. Hinata smiled and was surprised by the excited laughter behind her. They both turned to see Ino and Sakura smiling with knowing looks on their faces.
0-0-0
A knock on his office door, had Sasuke stop himself from typing. His dark eyes traveled to the door and raised a brow. He wasn't expecting anyone to come in today.
"Come in," He answered and he prepared himself to see his partner, a man named Juugo, standing there.
He was correct in his assumptions but he wasn't prepared for the look of sincere pain on his face. Sasuke stood up immediately and made his way over to the male. Juugo ran a hand through his hair and quickly glanced at the Uchiha once more. Sasuke had only seen him like this once before.
"Who?" Sasuke asked, his voice nothing but a whisper.
"It was Ebisu...And Hayate is in serious condition," Juugo answered as he used the door for support.
Sasuke looked down at the floor and tightened his hands into a tight ball. His eyes didn't leave the floor as he remembered that he had been specifically assigned to the case but was taken off because he had suddenly regained his memories. He cursed everyone in his mind.
"Perp got away?" Sasuke forced himself to ask.
"No, Ebisu killed both himself and the perp...Sasuke I…" Juugo trailed off as he ran a hand through his hair again. His nearly crimson eyes watering just a bit.
"Fuck!" Sasuke swore in anger as he punched the door. Juugo looked down at his feet and bit his lip.
"Captain went to go tell his family ten minutes ago. He wants you to fill in until he comes back," Juugo explained as he tried to keep himself together.
Sasuke sighed and ran a hand over his face before he nodded once again. He placed a hand on Juugo's shoulder and tightened.
"We're not going to have any cases today if I'm in charge. Go home," Sasuke ordered as he opened the door to see the office full of nearly crying women and men.
"Everyone, I'm captain for the day. If you have anything Jiraiya was supposed to sign, hand it over," Sasuke announced before he made his way to head's office. He looked out the window and allowed himself to a drink that Jiraiya had hidden away. This was going to be a long night.
0-0-0
Hinata entered her home to see her younger sister and parents sitting in the living room waiting for her arrival. Hikari was the first to stand as she tried to beckon the young woman to enter. Hinata raised a brow as she took in all of their expressions.
"Has something happened?" She asked quickly, fearing the answer.
"No nothing is wrong,-"
"No, screw that. Yes there is something wrong," Hanabi interrupted their mother. "You've been depressed and distant. The real question is what happened to you."
Hinata's eyes widened in surprise at her younger sister's outburst. Hikari looked at her as if she was expecting some kind of answer. Hiashi sat in his chair with his white eyes piercing hers. They all wanted an answer.
"A friend of mine...moved away," Hinata answered as she turned away from their prying eyes. She'd never felt more claustrophobic than she did now. Her heart pounded against her chest and her head felt light. She could see him smirking at her as she tried to catch up to him. I miss you so much.
Hinata opened her eyes to see Hanabi sitting in front of her saying words she couldn't catch.
"Listen...and...count...beat...my...heartbeat," Hanabi seemed to realized that her words were futile and grabbed her Hinata's hand and pressed it to her heart. "Count."
Hinata understood then and counted the girl's heartbeat.
One, two, three.
Her eyes traveled to her sister's eyes and noticed the fear that swam in them.
Eight, Nine, Ten.
Hanabi smiled for her sake but kept her hand around Hinata's.
Fourteen, Fifteen, Sixteen.
Hinata calmed down as she reach twenty three and Hanabi sighed in relief as she released her sister's hand. She looked up at her parents and noticed that her father had kept a light hand on her back the entire time.
"You had a panic attack," Hanabi explained as she eyed the young woman wearily. "You've never gotten them before."
"No, she use to get them after Neji…" Hikari trailed off, the pain still fresh even after all these years. Hinata sighed at the memory.
"Who died Hinata?" Hanabi asked with calculating eyes.
"Hanabi!" Hikari scolded with a stern look on her face.
"No, she has to talk about it. It's obvious that those incompetent best friends of yours, Kiba and Shino, haven't even noticed that you're upset. I haven't seen you with them in weeks actually and you only have panic attacks when someone close to you dies."
"He didn't die. He moved on," Hinata corrected as she stood up and silently made her way back to the front door. "Please don't wait up for me. I'll be staying at Ino's tonight."
Hikari called out for her daughter, but Hinata was already gone down the street. Hiashi touched his wife's shoulder as they watched their eldest run away from them.
"Maybe it's Neji that she misses," Hanabi supplied as she gathered the bag Hinata left behind.
"I don't think so. When she misses him she visits his grave," Hiashi answered with a frown.
"I didn't know that he meant so much to her," Hikari whispered before she threw on her shoes and quickly chased after her eldest; leaving a confused husband and daughter behind.
0-0-0
The young Uchiha placed the flowers down on his mother's grave first then on his father's. He squatted down and ran a hand over their names. The familiar feel of hard, cold stone reminded him of the reason he was here in the first place.
"I've regained my memories," Sasuke started off. "I went to Ebisu's funeral today. His wife couldn't stop crying and she kept asking why, as if someone had an answer.
"If you see him around over there, tell him that I'm proud. Hell, he'd probably laugh and say that I was a kid trying to be big man on the force."
Sasuke let a tear escape from his eyes and leaned his head on his fist. "Damnit Ebisu, you fucking moron, why'd you have to go and die?"
A drip of rain fell onto the ground next to him.
0-0-0
Hinata didn't realize it was raining until her hair was soaked and her clothes hung close to her body. After she lost her mother, she had ran to the fountain where she decided to help Sasuke and her tears mixed in with the rain. She stood there looking at the fountain for what seemed like decades. Her chest heaved in sorrow and she longed to scream out all of her pain and frustration. She shouldn't be this hurt over someone she barely knew.
"Hinata?" she turned around to see Ino standing under a yellow umbrella with a raised brow. "Oh my god. C'mere, what are you doing out in this rain?"
The young Hyuuga shook her head. "Leave me here."
"You'll get sick if you don't get out of those clothes," Ino reminded her as she tried to get near the young woman.
"Please...Leave me here," Hinata begged as she turned to the fountain once again.
Ino said nothing as she made her way over to the female and covered her from the pouring rain with her umbrella. Hinata glanced at the blonde and noticed that she was too was looking forward.
"When I was younger, Shikamaru and I use to come here and throw quarters inside. I thought that if the coin was larger, then there was a higher possibility of my wish coming true," Ino said with a smile at the memory. "What do you remember from here?"
Hinata looked forward as she thought of the person that she met here. "I agreed to help a friend here."
"You're a good person," Ino said suddenly.
"Why do you say that?"
"You've never denied any of us help, even when it's a lot of pressure on you. Like when Naruto asked you to cover his shift."
"Those were happier times," Hinata whispered as she looked down at her soaked feet.
"I bet they were," Ino agreed. "Will you come back to my house to dry off?"
Hinata gave one last look at the fountain and allowed herself to be dragged over to the young woman's home.
0-0-0
Sasuke stared at the ceiling, eyes void of any emotion. Dark circles formed below his eyes from lack of sleep. He had seemed to develop a bit of insomnia. All he could think about was the girl who plagued his dreams. He could faintly hear her laughter and he swore she whispered his name. He didn't know what she looked like but he could identify her laughter from the loudest room. He needed to find this girl before he went insane. It's already been a month since he gained his memories once again.
His head pounded against his skull and all he longed for was peace and quiet. Karin came marching into the room with a frown and threw a pillow at him.
"You're not even listening, are you?" Karin accused as she prepared to throw another pillow at him.
"I am listening. You're being annoying by telling me things that I already know," Sasuke droned as he kept his gaze on the white ceiling.
"Would you want Ichiro to see you like this? Laying around in bed because you can't seem to remember an imaginary girl. You should be fucking grateful you remember anything at all!" Karin seethed as she threw the pillow at his face. "Get off your ass and get a hobby. You look like a lost puppy after you finish working."
"Karin, I'd appreciate it if you'd shut up," Sasuke answered as he glared at her. "If I wish to lay in my bed for one fucking day let me. I'm not like you, who's always awake at the crack of dawn preparing for the day."
Crimson eyes flared in anger as she stalked over to the side of the bed. "Listen here Uchiha, you're going to get your ass out of bed and come with me. I'm sick of your shit."
Sasuke sighed and ran a hand over his face as he got out of bed and grabbed a change of clothes. He'd do anything to get the woman to finally shut up. Karin nodded her approval as she watched him walk into the bathroom.
The water cascaded down his body as he cleaned himself. He heard the door click open and he sucked his teeth in annoyance.
"I don't think Suigetsu would approve of you being in here," Sasuke called to the woman.
"Oh shut up, we made Ichiro. I've already seen you," Karin dismissed him, causing a small smirk to appear on the male's face. "Besides, I need to pee."
"How do you know I'm not getting off at the sound of you peeing? I could have gone off the deep end after we split," Sasuke shrugged as he washed his face.
"You're so fucking weird, Uchiha. I hope Ichiro doesn't grow up with your traits," Karin sucked her teeth as she finished her businesses and exited from the room.
Karin had demanded that they walk to wherever she was dragging him. Sasuke, you need air and sunlight. You're pale in the middle of summer.
He hated to admit it, but the sun did feel good on his skin. There was a hot breeze that smacked their faces but it felt good to stretch his legs for a bit. Almost as if Karin read his mind, she gave him a knowing look full of smugness.
"Ichiro was so happy to spend time with Itachi today," she commented instead.
"I wouldn't be surprised, Itachi loves kids," Sasuke shrugged.
"Hey, c'mon turn down this street," Karin smiled as they turned on Kurama avenue.
"Why are you taking me here?" Sasuke demanded as he tried to break away from her hold on his arm.
"You haven't been here since the accident. You're going. Now."
Sasuke briefly wondered what made him want to marry this pushy woman.
0-0-0
Hinata eyed the new flavored donuts that Chouji had made this morning. Before the man had set them up for buying, he asked for her opinion on the taste. They were utterly delicious. Ino tried to steal one for herself but Chouji had thrown a spoon at her for trying. Hinata wanted one so badly.
"Alright, how about I just buy one off of you Chouji? That way Ino and Hinata can stop looking like someone took away their favorite sweater and the cafe still earns money," Kiba asked as he pulled out his wallet.
Lately the brunette was spending more time at the cafe with Hinata. He claimed it was to make up for lost time, but she suspected it had something to do with how Hanabi had called all of her friends and called them horrible human beings for not knowing when someone was sad.
Chouji came out of the kitchen and held out his hand. "Three dollars then."
"What!? The price says 1!" Kiba exclaimed.
"Why would you buy only one donut for three people," Chouji asked with a sigh.
"Three people?"
"I know you're going to want a piece as well. Just cork up the three dollars and I'll give you the donuts."
"Fine," Kiba grumbled as he held out the money. As soon as the donuts were out, Hinata and Ino quickly grabbed theirs in bliss.
"Oh my god, this is heaven," Ino groaned in happiness.
"Thank you Kiba," Hinata smiled as she happily at treat.
"If someone comes in, I call not it for attending to their needs," Ino quickly called out.
"Not it!" Naruto called from across the room. "I'm taking a break in like five minutes."
Hinata sighed as she was left with customer duty. The bells chimed just as she was going to bite down into her donut. She walked to the front and planted a smile on her face.
"Good afternoon," Hinata quickly bowed and looked up to see Karin Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha standing before her. She looked between the two and felt her heart pound against her chest.
Sasuke is standing front of me.
Recognition flashed across Karin's face as she realized who she was speaking to. "Ah! Hinata right? It's good to see you again. How are you doing dear? I didn't know you worked here with Naruto."
Hinata barely heard anything that she said. Tears filled in her eyes as she stared up at the uninterested male.
Sasuke is standing in front of me.
"I know he's quite the handsome man, right? But trust me, he's just a grump. This is-"
"Sasuke Uchiha," Hinata interrupted as a tear was finally able to escape and fell down on her cheek.
He looked down at the girl and raised a brow. "Why are you crying Hyuuga?"
Hinata's heart swell in happiness. He knew who she was. You remember me.
0-0-0
Sasuke watched as the young woman suddenly beamed in joy. The girl named Hinata smiled as she wiped at the stray tear before she wrapped her arms around his neck in an embrace.
"I thought you'd moved on," she whispered. "I was so scared."
Sasuke pushed away from her and looked at her in bewilderment. He hated clingy fan girls.
"Listen, I don't know who you are. I'd appreciate it if you didn't touch me," Sasuke claimed as he tried to squash any hope she had left of him reciprocating her affection. The girl's face fell in seconds as she realized what he had said.
"But you...You called me H-Hyuuga," Hinata tried as the tears formed in her eyes again, this time hurt and pain swam there.
"All Hyuugas have the same eye trait. Everyone knows that," Sasuke shrugged as he turned to look at Karin. "Can we go? I'm not in the mood for sweets."
Hinata sniffled a few times before the tears fell from her eyes like a waterfall and she was quickly shielded by a rather furious Naruto. He glared at Sasuke and puffed out his chest.
Karin watched the girl with curiosity and then her eyes widened. "...Oh my god."
Kiba whistled for Akamaru to get up before he too stood in front of the Hyuuga. He didn't seem to understand what was going on but he didn't look like he wanted the girl hurt.
"What are you doing here?" Naruto demanded as his bright eyes locked onto Sasuke's.
"Karin wanted something sweet and dragged me here. So this is where you work," Sasuke answered with a small smirk. "I don't know why you were so embarrassed."
"I'm not embarrassed, I wanted privacy."
"Privacy?" Sasuke stood confused for a moment before he was dragged out of the store by his ex-wife.
"Ah, I'm so sorry for the disruption. I had no idea he'd make the girl cry and cause such tension. I'll be back tomorrow without this grump. Have a good day," Karin smiled before she quickly forced them both to exit the cafe.
"What's going on?" Sasuke demanded as he ripped his arm away from her grip.
"Remember that imaginary girl?" he nodded, confused as to what the girl had to do with anything. "She may not be so imaginary. I think that Hyuuga you just made cry is her."
Sasuke's eyes widened and he tried to enter the cafe again but was stopped by Karin's heavy hand on his arm, pulling him away.
"We're going home Sasuke. You've clearly made the girl fucking cry," Karin hissed in annoyance as she dragged the male back home.
"How do you know Karin?" Sasuke demanded once they entered his home; his eyes wild at the possibility of this Hyuuga being the girl that he was searching for.
"When we were still together, while you were sleeping you once whispered about lilacs and a toy ring. I thought you were just whispering weird shit in your dream but...Hinata has lilac eyes and the same ring that you always carry," Karin explained as she sat down on the velvet couch.
Sasuke placed a hand on his head and nearly exploded at all the thoughts that flooded his head at the moment.
"Why didn't you let me check?!"
"Because-"
"Karin, the girl is real! She obviously remembers me for some reason!"
"I know-"
"The girl is fucking real Karin! She's a Hyuuga with lilac eyes and...Shit...I need to hear her laugh."
"What? Sasuke what the fuck?"
"I need to hear her laugh," Sasuke pressed as he stood up from his seat and made his way for the door.
"Sasuke! You moron!"
Hello beautiful! I haven't heard from you guys in a few months and the reason shall be found on page. Trust me my readers, I cried over my laptop. But here is the latest chapter of Insanity! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I cried over rewriting it. Thank you for sticking with me and continuing to read. I greatly appreciate all of you lovely people. Thank you and see you next time!