What Happens Next?
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. I hope you all enjoy this chapter.
Chapter Notation: Some of our readers, wanted their drama. So there is going to be a rather uncomfortable argument in this one. Yes, yes I know that everyone is going to want one of the participants to pay. Remember, I only write happy endings.
Chapter 20
Hinata was laying, curled up in her lover's arms. She noticed the Sun was setting and her eyes widen. She had been with him the ENTIRE day. Her father was probably going to be worried sick.
"Kitten, what's wrong?" Sasuke asks in concern.
"It's getting late. I should probably go." She mumbles quickly and scrambles to her feet.
Sasuke pulls her back down and pins her underneath him. He smiles and kisses her. The Uchiha then brushes her bangs away from her face and breaks the kiss long enough to say the following.
"I don't want you to go." He informs her and looks at her with those ruby red eyes that indicated Sasuke might actually be up for a round two already.
"I have to though. I don't want father to worry. You know him. If I'm gone too long, he might actually send someone to look for me. What if they find out about your new place? Then we'll never get any privacy again." The bluenette warns him, after returning his kiss.
He didn't like it. But he knew she was right. It was better to let her scurry off home now. They'd see each other soon enough.
"I'll see you tomorrow. I promise." Hinata says as she quickly gets dressed.
"Good." Sasuke replies and stands up, giving her a soft kiss to the back of the neck and holding her for a few moments after she finished dressing.
Hinata smiles and leans into the hold. It was so hard to leave him. Speaking of hard, she blinks. Yes, he definitely would have been UP to continuing their lovemaking, if what she felt against her backside was any indication.
"I guess all that fighting with Naruto did pay off. Your stamina is amazing." She mumbles with a blush.
Sasuke kisses her cheek. She really was such an adorable kitten. He knew that was the Hyuga Heiress's version of a joke, but she said it in such a shy way that any sarcasm or slyness was lost in the delivery.
"Yeah. Guess I'll have to thank the loser at some point. Maybe not though. I don't want it to go to his head. You want me to walk you home?" Sasuke asks.
"You can't walk me home like that. You're still naked!" Hinata exclaims and Sasuke looks down, noting that she was correct.
He chuckles. The Uchiha could just imagine the looks he would get if he streaked across the Hyuga Estate. He smirks at the mental picture. It would be hilarious. But while funny, it wasn't worth risking his relationship with Hinata over.
The Hyugas were a very prim and proper Clan. Well at least they were in public. In private, apparently Hinata could be very NOT proper.
"Well obviously, I would get dressed first and then walk you home." Sasuke gently teases his lover.
"Oh in that case, it'd be okay." Hinata replies and smiles brightly.
"Though it would be funny to see their reaction, if I just showed up naked. I mean I already suspect some of them use their Byakugan to see through clothes anyway. I might as well save them the trouble." He muses.
"SASUKE! They wouldn't do that! We respect other people's privacy and would never use our bloodline that way!" Hinata protests.
Sasuke gives Hinata a look. It said, "Really? You actually expect me to believe that?" He shakes his head at Hinata's innocence.
"If you say so." The dark haired man states and swiftly throws on his clothes, takes his beloved's hand in his, and heads out the door with her.
"Alright. Maybe a couple of them have. Once or twice. You know adolescent curiosity! But it's not like it's a regular thing and I'm sure they wouldn't dare do such a thing to you. You are the son of the head of the Uchiha Clan. They wouldn't dare risk it." She mumbles and walks alongside him.
Sasuke smirks. He knew he had won that argument. He knew the prim and proper thing was more an actual for public appearances than anything else. A Clan didn't get THAT large, if everyone was so modest all the time. It was just common sense.
"But you admit that they would, if they thought they could get away with it." Sasuke says smugly.
"S-asuke, that was not the point and you know it." The bluenette stammers out quickly.
"The point is that I love you and your family is filled with closet perverts. That's okay though. My family is just a little bit more open about their eccentricities. I am still scarred about that handcuff thing with my parents. Stupid Truth Jutsu probably traumatized me for life." He mutters.
Hinata giggles. It was funny to see the expression on his face. She supposed some things were universal, no matter what Clan you were from. Hearing about your parents' sex lives and being traumatized by it, was just one of those things.
"Well it wasn't their fault. You know how thorough the Truth Jutsu was. It impacted us all." She reminds him.
"I know. I just really didn't need to hear the details." Sasuke responds and Hinata nods, walking towards the Hyuga Estate with him.
Once they arrive, Sasuke couldn't help but admire the grandness of the place. He knew that Hyugas were a proud people. They did love to showcase their power and wealth and they did so, excessively. It was almost like a fairytale castle complete with palace grounds.
His own house felt like an apartment in comparison and it was a fairly large house by most people's standards. Sometimes, he wondered how Hinata could actually live there and not get lost. He kisses her cheek.
"I'll see you tomorrow, kitten. Try not to get lost in that maze." Sasuke teases her.
"I'll manage. I've lived here all my life, after all." She says with a smile and kisses his cheek, before bounding off into the Hyuga Estate.
Sasuke smiles as he watches her leave. God, she was beautiful. He couldn't wait until tomorrow. He decides to head off, before he was seen by anyone else.
"Ah Hinata, there you are. I was getting a little worried." Hiashi says as he greets his eldest daughter.
"Sorry, father. Sasuke and I just lost track of time. We didn't mean to worry you." She replies and lowers her head in contrition.
"It's alright. I know how it can be when you are young and in love. Come, let's join the others for dinner." He states and wraps his arm around the small of her back, guiding her to the Dining Room.
They were soon seated and eating. Hinata noticed another Main House member was glaring at her when he thought her father wasn't looking. She frowns. The Heiress couldn't think of anything she would have done to upset him. They had rarely spoken.
"Sister, are you not hungry?" Hanabi asks, oblivious to her sister's unease.
"Oh not really. I'm sorry, I ate before coming home. It just seemed rude to refuse a meal offered by my host." She apologizes quickly, not wanting to give the real reason why she wasn't enjoying her meal.
"Oh okay." Her sister responds, seeming to believe her flimsy excuse and returns her attention back to her own food.
After dinner, she decides to see what was wrong. Hinata approaches the man named Tenji. He had long black hair and the trademark Hyuga eyes. For a Hyuga, he had a surprisingly stocky build.
"Is something wrong, cousin Tenji?" She asks.
"Yes, there is something wrong. I can't believe you are letting an Uchiha court you. Are you out of your mind?! It was bad enough that we had to live with them! But you actually want to mix OUR blood with THEIRS?!" He demands.
"Tenji, Sasuke and I have been together for weeks. Why are you so upset about this now?" Hinata demands, stunned at his reaction.
Tenji twitches. He thought she would see reason. He could understand a young girl being won over a "pretty face." But this was ridiculous. The fantasy should have worn off by now.
"I thought by now, it would be over. Hinata, I get that he's attractive. But he is an UCHIHA. They are all insane. The blood of Madara runs through his veins. It's only a matter of time before he succumbs to madness and the same is true for the rest of that cursed clan! I can't believe you would allow him to touch you. End this now. At least there are no children involved." He mutters.
Hinata blinks. She didn't know what to say to that. She knew that before the meetings, things were bad between the Clans. But she didn't realize that there was such hatred buried underneath.
"He's not insane and I'm not ending it. I love him and he loves me. I hope in time, you'll come to respect that." She says and turns to head off.
"You know the only reason that anyone is indulging this lunacy is because you are Hiashi's daughter. Do you think the rest of our Clan would do anything but shun you, if you weren't? You have allowed yourself to become an Uchiha's plaything! You're disgracing the Main House of our family AND the Branch House. I just hope he's sterile or you are barren. I can't bare the thought of a half breed." He snarls at her.
Hinata was stunned. She couldn't believe he was saying such things. Apparently, they weren't alone though.
"How DARE you speak to Lady Hinata in such a fashion?!" Neji snarls at him and slams his fist into Tenji's back stunning him.
"It's the TRUTH! Someone has to say it. You don't like him anymore than I do!" Tenji groans in pain and readies himself for a fight.
He knew that his chances of winning against Neji were slim to none. Neji was the prodigy of the Clan. But he had to try. He had to protect his family in the only way he knew how.
Tenji couldn't understand why Hiashi had sanctioned such a relationship. But someone had to step in. Someone had to protect their family's honor. It looked like it was going to be him.
"That's true. I most certainly do not approve of the relationship. But Hinata is our family. She deserves more respect than you have given her today. Lord Hiashi approved of the courtship. While I don't like it, I will respect his decision. Would I prefer it, if they weren't together? Yes, I would. But to speak to her in such a way is completely unforgivable." Neji growls.
"Please! Stop fighting!" Hinata pleads.
"Very well Lady Hinata. I do hope you come to your senses before it is too late." Tenji mutters and storms off.
Neji sighs. He wraps his arms around his now silently sobbing cousin. He didn't like Sasuke. That much he'd freely admit, but he hated to see Hinata like this. She didn't deserve it. She might have questionable taste in men, but she was a good person. She didn't deserve to be treated like THAT.
"I am so sorry." He whispers.
"You hate him as well." Hinata says in an almost accusing tone.
"I don't particularly like him. But I don't hate him. I just don't think he is good enough for you. Rest assured though, Tenji is in the minority. Our Clan doesn't feel that way about you." The lavender eyed man tries to soothe her.
Hinata sighs. She leans into Neji's comforting embrace. It seemed that things wouldn't be as easy as she and Sasuke had allowed themselves to be. She wasn't going to leave him, but it still hurt to know Tenji felt that way and likely so did others.
Meanwhile Sasuke was unaware of his beloved's distress. He was showing Itachi and Shisui around his new home. Shisui called it his bachelor pad.
"Oh I doubt it will stay that way very long." Itachi muses.
"Can't blame him. She is a pretty little thing, even if her Clan is a bunch of cold fish!" Shisui says cheerfully.
"Don't talk about Hinata's family like that." Sasuke warns Shisui and he puts up his hands in an "I Surrender," gesture.
Shisui really hopes Sasuke wouldn't fly off the handle. He had only been teasing. But his baby cousin was really protective of his Hyuga Princess. Sasuke was definitely in love big time.
"Alright. Alright. Well it is a nice place. I still can't believe Fugaku gave you a fucking house." Shisui muses.
"Neither can I. But it's perfect." Sasuke says with a smile, his earlier irritation forgotten for the moment.
Itachi smiles. He was sure that Sasuke was relieved to have his own place. Though he expected, he would be an uncle in the relatively near future.
"Have you shown it to Hinata yet?" He asks curiously.
"Yeah. I did. She loves it to. She's going to come back again tomorrow." His brother says and was positively beaming.
Itachi shakes his head in amusement. Well it seemed his foolish little brother actually figured out how kunais and pouches worked. That was the smile of a man who had just gotten laid.
"So guess you guys are getting along really well." Shisui says and couldn't resist snickering.
Sasuke gives him a dirty look. He smacks his cousin upside the head for that snicker. He knew where his filthy mind was going. He needed to be put in his place sometimes. (It didn't matter that Shisui was likely accurate in his imagination about how well they were getting along, he still needed smacked.)
"Pervert!" He mutters in disgust.
"I didn't even say anything." Shisui protests and rubs the back of his head as he whines.
"You were thinking it though. Sasuke was right to smack you. Really, Shisui? Mind your manners." Itachi chides him gently.
Unbelievable. Shisui gives Itachi a look of disbelief. He was being scolded for thinking the obvious? He knew that Itachi was thinking it to. The man was just better at keeping a Poker Face than him. That wasn't fair. Itachi should get smacked as well!
"Oh like you weren't." The other Uchiha grumbles.
"Me? I would never have such thoughts about my baby brother and his lover." Itachi replies and feigns an innocent look.
Sasuke twitches. How did Itachi know that Hinata was his lover? He had better not have been spying on them! That was just creepy and he would not put up with it!
"Were you SPYING on us?!" Sasuke demands in a growl.
"No. I would never do that. Why on earth would I want to watch my brother during THAT? It's just rather obvious. There's a certain smugness about you that can only be the result of making love to your little Hyuga Princess. That's all." Itachi says sagely.
Sasuke blushes. Seriously? They could actually tell? Damnit! If they could tell, Hiashi would probably be able to as well. That wouldn't end well.
"Don't worry. I'm sure it will go away after a day or two. Lord Hiashi doesn't need to know." His elder brother says, apparently deciding to take some pity on him.
The youngest Uchiha sighs in relief. Well that was good. He knew that if Hinata's found out, they'd both be toast. He didn't regret it, not for one second. But he also kinda wanted to live long enough to see his next birthday.
"Good to know." He says.
Itachi laughs. He smiles and pokes Sasuke's forehead. His little brother would forever be adorable in his mind. It didn't matter that he was a man now. He'd always be that little kid with the huge bubble eyes that used to follow him around everywhere, to Itachi.
"But I am happy you found someone. Plus you two are likely doing more to improve Clan relations than anyone else. It's a good thing. Oh and have you seen Kita lately?" Itachi asks him.
"No. Not really. Why do you ask?" Sasuke inquires.
Shisui shakes his head in amusement. It was cute really. He suspected it was puppy love. Sasuke had been a little busy with Hinata, so it wasn't surprising he hadn't noticed yet.
"Seems like you aren't the only one with a thing for Hyuga women." Shisui muses.
"Wait what? What does that have to do with Kita?" The younger Uchiha asks in confusion.
"Kita and Hanabi have been training together, a lot. I think he's got a crush. But he's like you. He's too stubborn to admit that right now." Shisui says.
Sasuke glowers at that comment. Alright, so it had taken him awhile to act on his attraction to Hinata. But that was mostly because of Clan relations. It wasn't like he was oblivious like Naruto was!
"Relax, Sasuke. What matters is you finally got over your denial." Itachi says and Sasuke twitches.
The next day, Hinata came to see him. Sasuke immediately knew something was wrong. Her face was red. He blinks and rushes over to her.
"What happened?" He asks.
"I don't really want to talk about it." She mumbles and wraps her arms around his neck, leaning into him.
Had she been CRYING?! It looked like she had been crying. When he got his hands on whoever made her cry, he was going to Chidori them into a billion little pieces.
"Hinata." He says gently and rests his head on top of hers.
"It will only make you upset. I don't want that. Let's just enjoy our time together. You can distract me. You are very good at that." She says with a brave smile.
He sighs and kisses her head. Sasuke knew he couldn't just leave it at that. He had to know what had upset his kitten.
"Tell me what's wrong." Her lover says and brushes the bangs from her eyes.
"One of my family members doesn't approve of our relationship." She mumbles.
Sasuke resisted the impulse to say, "So?" Hinata was a kind person. She actually cared what other people thought of her. Sasuke well not so much. If you weren't Hinata, from his Clan, or on his team, he didn't really care. Hinata was just wired differently than him in that respect.
"Well Hinata, your Clan is massive. It was kinda a given at least one of your family members wasn't going to be happy about us. What happened? Why did it upset you to the point of tears? And don't bother denying that you have been crying. I can see it all over your face." He murmurs.
"This was more vicious than the usual objections. It was so cruel. It wasn't fair to you or your family. He called me your plaything and said we shouldn't mix. That we should end it before children were involved." She stammers out and Sasuke holds her tightly.
Yeah, he was going to get a name out of here. Then he was going to kill this son of a bitch, for making her cry. His plaything?! He called Hinata his plaything and insulted their future children?! Forget about a billion pieces, there wasn't going to be anything left, by the time he was done with him.
"What's his name?" Sasuke asks.
"Sasuke, I'm not going to tell you that. You'll probably attack him or something." Hinata tells him.
"There is no probably involved. There is only a WILL. He upset you. He had no right to speak to you that way. His issue is with ME, not with you. He should take it up with me, like a man. Instead he torments you, like a coward." Sasuke growls.
Hinata bites her lower lip. She knew she shouldn't have told Sasuke. It was nice that he was so protective, but she didn't want anyone to get hurt. Maybe Tenji would come to see reason in time. But he wasn't going to, if Sasuke killed him before that happened.
"Sasuke, I am asking you not to say or do anything about this. For me?" The bluenette pleads with her lover.
He sighs. His kitten was far too forgiving sometimes. He really didn't now how she did it. Sasuke holds her tightly and nods.
"Alright. But if he says anything like that about you or me within my earshot, he's a dead man walking." The Uchiha assures her.
Hinata nods and snuggles into him. She felt guilty about ruining their time together. They should be focused on each other, on Tenji.
"You hungry?" Sasuke asks as he runs his fingers through her hair. He really did love her hair. It was such a beautiful color and so silky. He particularly liked how it would sway when they made love. It was like a waterfall. Very poetic.
"A little." She says.
"Good. I made us breakfast." He says and leads her to the kitchen.
"That was really sweet of you." Hinata replies with a smile and eeps when Sasuke sits down and pulls her into his lap.
He smiles. Hinata was really too adorable sometimes. God, he loved her. And if Sasuke ever found out who upset her, he such a fucking dead man.
"Comfortable?" He asks with a smirk and Hinata nods shyly, blushing slightly.
"Good." He states and begins eating with her.
Now that he knew what she could do with her mouth, it was a surprisingly difficult task just to eat breakfast with her. It should have been a rather innocent activity. But his thoughts were anything but.
Idly, he mused that he was turning into Shisui. He couldn't even have a meal with Hinata without thinking about sex. In his defense though, the night before had been incredible and Sasuke was eager to continue getting to know each other in the most carnal sense possible.
"You are a really good cook." Hinata says after awhile.
"Thanks." Sasuke replies and nibbles on a bit of toast, glancing at Hinata with ruby red eyes.
She blushes. They were just eating breakfast. Hinata wasn't sure what had excited Sasuke. But then again, maybe he just had a naturally high sex drive. It might be genetic. The Uchiha Clan was as large as her own.
"I really am sorry about what happened. You shouldn't have had to go through with that." Her lover whispers and caresses her cheek.
"It was bound to happen. There are centuries of tension between our Clans. I shouldn't have gotten so upset. I should have seen it coming." The bluenette mumbles, feeling a little embarrassed.
Sasuke shakes his head. Hinata was too kind. He knew that if he let her, she'd probably blame herself for this. It wasn't her fault and he wasn't going to let her think it was.
"It's not your fault. It's his fault. He can't put the past behind him. If your father can approve of our relationship, then he should learn to do the same. By questioning it, he is indirectly questioning Lord Hiashi. Perhaps you should remind him of that fact?" Sasuke suggests.
"Maybe I should." Hinata agrees.
The Hyuga Heiress suddenly felt much better. It was easy to feel that way around him. Sasuke always made her feel safe and cherished in a way that she couldn't quite articulate. She loved him and she wasn't going to give him up because of one person's disapproval.
The bluenette hoped that they would find a way to make everyone understand. She knew that things were still tense between the Clans. But surely, they could find a way to help with that? She decides not to worry about it further for the rest of the day though. She was just going to enjoy her day with Sasuke.