Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Reaching out his hand he caressed her cheek, admiring the sleeping form of lovely his wife tangled in bed sheets. It was a teasing display, flashes of flawless pale skin hinted at the supple, delicate body made for pleasure, he had spent hours, days worshipping that frame. If he were to close his eyes a perfect image of her was burned onto his retina. Sighing he couldn't help reflecting that he was going to need that photographic memory of his to get through the next few weeks away from home, away from her.
Just the thought made him chuckle softly in slight amusement, it still surprised him just how much he had changed. Some days he would look in the mirror and he couldn't fathom the person he had been before she came. That Uchiha Sasuke had never needed anyone, to him relying on someone was a sign of weakness in his eyes. He wasn't dependent upon anyone for happiness.
Yet now the mere thought of leaving her behind, of spending weeks away from her depressed him, business had always been important to him fulfilling his duties had been his number one priority, but now it didn't seem to give him as much satisfaction as hearing her warm spine tingling laugh that seemed to thaw the cold that surrounded his heart.
Sasuke hadn't really started appreciating life until he had began to spend time with her and from then on he wanted every moment of their time together to last for ages, he didn't want the happiness, the contentment and security he felt with her to end. Growing up the relationship between his mother and father had been distant and formal, there hadn't been any examples of a "loving" relationship thus he hadn't expected his married life to be any different. He had always scoffed at those couples in love and completely wrapped up in each other knowing that sooner or later the attraction would fizzle out as quickly as fireworks did burning bright, blazing before going up in smoke after all the divorce rate wasn't disapproving his ideals in the least.
Now he was beginning to doubt himself, he couldn't put a name to what he felt for the sweet, kind woman he had been fortunate to be married to, but he couldn't deny that his feelings ran deep and with each day they grew stronger.
Looking back he frowned upon his earlier treatment of her, he had been a downright bastard, treating her as a possession, she had held no meaning to him beyond fulfilling her duty which was to procure him an heir. She hadn't been clingy or needy nor had she been flashy or extravagant burning through his money with the pace of a racehorse as the wives in his social circle where known to do, no she been quiet and gentle with a sharp mind and impeccable manners, she was the perfect trophy wife yet she couldn't do the one thing that was expected of her.
And for a long time her had begrudged her for failing to give him a child, irrationally upset with her for all her miscarriages ignoring her tears and pain dismissing them as hormones and theatrics. His resentment towards her had grown steadily and sometimes even looking at her made his mood turn sour after all he had been stuck with a defect. The seemingly perfect wife was perfectly useless he had thought.
Blaming her made it easier not to confront his own feelings of grief and disappointment at losing his child, he had been secretly looking forward to being a father, towards spoiling his infant. Sasuke had wanted to ensure his child would never doubt that he was loved or wanted; he didn't want his child to have to strive for every ounce of attention as he had with his father always questioning his self-worth and whether or not he was good enough.
However as he looked upon the broken shell of his wife on the hospital bed the day they lost Megumi he couldn't deny that her suffering was greater than his own, that while he had buried his feelings of anguish she had been suffering through every moment of hers alone. Sasuke also was not unaware of the taunting and mockery she would face at the hands of their families for losing a yet another child.
Yet she, no they hadn't just lost an heir, they had lost a part of themselves, a beautiful little person they had managed to create, a baby who had not gotten the chance to live and now that spot of sunshine, that ray of hope was gone despite their best efforts, fate had once again cheated them out of their chance of happiness and a pit of despair was encroaching them.
It was in that moment he decided he had lost enough, his child was gone, but he would not lose his wife. He owed her his support for putting her through this, for abandoning her, for running away because he hadn't been strong enough to confront his grief.
When he approached her he hadn't expected her to respond or even accept his presence not that he deserved it, after all he had never given her a reason to trust him, so why start now. But once again Hinata surprised him by allowing him to hold her and seek reprieve in her company.
From then on he promised to stay by her side to help them both get through their loss. It pained him to see her so small and vulnerable, defenseless again the withering gaze of their families thus somehow in his mind he appointed himself her protector and did his best to keep their clans at bay.
He held her as she wept and clasp her hand when they visited Megumi's headstone and kissed her breathless when she just needed to forget. Somewhere down the line his own pain diminished as he focused on caring for her and eventually they began fostering a relationship.
It wasn't something they talked about, but after the first time they slept together after losing their daughter there was an unspoken agreement that passed between them that they would give their marriage a try. It wasn't even all that difficult.
After the months Sasuke had spent by his wife's side helping her recover any lingering trace of discomfort vanished, they knew each other on a personal level, had witnessed each other at their lowest point and that helped them cross bridges that most couples never managed to make.
Megumi's death had brought them together whereas others would have drifted apart.
They weren't very talkative and for all appearances they didn't' have much in common, but they were comfortable in each other's company. They didn't need to talk to fill the silence, though conversation was never lacking either, Hinata was quite clever and he valued her opinion, never hesitating to ask her for her thoughts upon something because she gave a diplomatic, honest response and a new perspective at looking at a problem.
Then there was her cooking, his wife could give any executive chef a run for their money, she was exceptionally skilled in the kitchen and her cooking set the standard for every other chef he ate from be it at meetings or dinner parties he could always inwardly smirk that in comparison Hinata's dishes were far superior in taste and originality.
Sasuke knew that their clans had not approved of the new development in their relationship, her inability to provide an heir meant they were looking to replace with someone who could get the job done. That however was not something he was in favour of in the least, he did not want to give up Hinata and there was no way in hell they were getting him to remarry.
It was a point of contention between him and the clans as he opposed them every turn when they attempted to sabotage his marriage to her. Until this instance he had never openly contested his family, but he absolutely refused to back down. He had accepted it when they had chosen a bride for him, had married her, had even bedded and given his name and all the rights that belonged to the wife of the head of the Uchiha clan and now they wanted to take it all away from him.
He would not allow it.
She was his, Hinata belonged to him and he would not allow her to be branded as a failure and tossed aside while he had another woman foisted on him to be his brood mare. Uchiha Sasuke was no one's puppet and he refused to dance to their whims.
However he had not prepared for them to subvert him and attack Hinata directly, knowing her to be his weak point, they sent her sister pinpoint her insecurities and exploit them. Preying on her sense of obligation and selflessness, taking advantage of her self esteem issues and using it against her. Leading her to believe that best thing she could do, her only choice was dissolve their marriage and break ties with him. Hanabi played her, knowing exactly how to crush her sister and bend her to her will, just the thought of that little imp in his house undermining his wife summoned a cold fury that obliterated all good intent and mercy, he wanted to destroy her.
They had thought to keep him in the dark, but he knew his wife too well and the hold her family had over her. In addition his servants were loyal to him nothing happened under his roof without him hearing about it.
He reflected upon the chill that had descended upon him when she first proposed the idea of divorce sent him reeling, such a topic had never been an issue yet for it to appear now when things had been going so well raised immediate warning flags and he knew immediately who was to blame.
It sickened and angered him to think that their families were so petty and vindictive, so ready and willing to destroy his happiness for their own gain. That they would target his wife upsetting her, laying blame at her feet for something that had never been her fault, if anything the Hyuuga clan should have been held accountable for what they had done to Hinata, it was because of them, and them alone that he had no children of his own.
All his attention had been devoted to making Hinata realize how much she meant to him, that in no way was it acceptable for her to leave him. He put all his efforts into reminding her how good they were together, that what they thought and felt for each other, was all that really mattered. Sasuke wanted to wipe the taint of their families from her mind completely.
And honestly he felt he was succeeding, they were even closer he would readily admit after spending so much time together. He wasn't one to speak about his feelings freely, but through his actions Sasuke tried to let her know she mattered, that what they had together was important to him.
However time slipped by too quickly and all too soon he would have to leave for Germany, a trip that had been scheduled months in advance, there was simply no way he could miss it. Yet the unease that persisted in the back of his mind made him reconsider the trip, he didn't feel comfortable leaving her at home within the reach of their clans it was too soon, he wouldn't be there to protect her.
When the time came for him to leave he grasped her hand, tangling the other in her hair locking their eyes together, "Come with me. We can see Germany together, hell we can take a tour of Europe if you like. I want you to be by my side."
Shaking her head she laughed a little, "No I have to stay here, you won't be able to concentrate with me there. It's better if I stay behind. Stop worrying or you'll get wrinkles", she teased poking him in the forehead.
"I'll be distracted if you're not there besides. Come with me," he repeated his eyes imploring.
"No. No I can't." He tried to interrupt but she placed a finger on his lips, "I'll be fine, the time will pass quickly. I'm sure you will be back here before you know it. Now no more protests or you will miss you plane."
Sighing he resisted the urge to throw her over his shoulder and haul her onto the airplane forcibly; he didn't want to leave her behind something just didn't sit right with him.
Scowling at being denied he tugged her closer before kissing her soundly, his lips meeting hers as though saying one last goodbye, trying to brand himself into her memory so that she wouldn't forget who she belonged to no matter what their families tried,
And he was right, he did feel his attention was divided and the greater portion was devoted to fussing about Hinata back at home. Sasuke cursed himself every night before he went to sleep in that cold bed that he hadn't done has his instincts had given him otherwise he wouldn't have been alone and troubled because his wife would be right beside him where he could look after her and keep her out of the clan's reach.
More than a couple of times he has spaced out during meetings, replying generically to save face even as he mentally berated his for his wondering thoughts. The sooner he could wrap up things here the sooner he could get back to her and that was the mindset he employed to keep him on track reminding himself every time he felt his attention slipping away it would mean one less night feeling miserable in an empty bed in a foreign country.
Of course the one guilty pleasure he indulged in was calling her, though he had to refrain from picking up the phone every time the whim struck him. Sasuke would wait all day just to hear her voice, though there was a time difference of 7 hours he wanted their conversation to be the last thing on his mind before he fell asleep so as a result he sometimes went to sleep in the wee hours of the morning while she arose with the dawn so they could have a chance to reconnect as his day came to an end and hers just began.
"If our meeting tomorrow continues along the same line as it did today I shall be forced to strangle those imbeciles", he growled in frustration as he swiped his hand angrily through his hair.
In response he heard her smothered laughter knowing that she trying to restrain her amusement in light of his predicament. "Don't think I can't hear you Hinata."
"Ano I'm sorry", she coughed a bit trying to disguise her residual chuckling, "I know that regardless of how difficult and uncompromising your associates may seem I have complete faith in you convincing them to cooperate.
"You mustn't lose your patience. After all you are an Uchiha and you are never one to give in easily" she teased, but nonetheless he could feel his resolve strength upon hearing her encouragement.
No he was not one to blow his cool; he would wear them down and get their compliance one way or another. They were not going to make him back down, he was Uchiha Sasuke and he yielded to no one.
Smirking as the plans for retaliation formed in his mind he thanked her, "You are a wise one, my wife. If not for your calm reasoning I may have already browbeaten these dimwits. I'll be sure to demonstrate how grateful I am when I return." It was his turn chuckle as he heard her sputter in embarrassment imagining that delightful blush that colored her pale cheeks.
"Now no more talk of work I won't have it dominate my time with you as well. Tell me of your plans today."
That was how most of their conversations went as he vented his frustration and she soothed and motivated with him, her patience and support unwavering, it was all he could do not to demand that she flight out to be with him, but the promise of returning home to her was all that held his tongue.
With only a couple days of his trip left Sasuke was anxious to return home. The deal was pretty much wrapping up, there were simply a few loose ends to be dealt with then he would be on the first plane back to Japan, back to his wife.
He missed Hinata that much was clear, but he hadn't realized just how much she had spoilt him and now his taste buds were forever ruined. It sounded like an exaggeration…well it probably was, but nonetheless he had never been one to care about what he ate. It was merely a requirement for living, one had to eat, but he never really derived much pleasure or comfort out of eating until she began cooking for him. Then he understood why they said the way to a man's heart was through his stomach because she pretty much ruled it.
Of course he made sure to mention to her how she had corrupted his taste buds and it was only fair he receive some sort of compensation. After all three weeks of bland dishes was a particular kind of torment.
"You've done me an injustice, my wife."
"Nani? What's wrong?"
"For the past few weeks I have been eating sustenance that is comparable to cardboard. Their food is absolutely unpalatable thanks to you and your cooking."
There was a pause before she replied incredulously, "You've eaten cardboard before?"
Sasuke could feel his eye twitch in annoyance.
"No, dear wife", he said tersely, "I have never eaten cardboard. Their cooking is merely reminiscent of it."
"Then how can you truly compare their food to cardboard if you haven't ever tried it?"
"Do you want me to eat cardboard?" he deadpanned.
"Well no, but you can't compare their food to something like cardboard unless you have had it before, it's quite impolite. I'm, sure their food is perfectly edible, you merely being difficult."
"I never said it wasn't edible", he managed to utter through clenched teeth "I'm saying that I might have well have been eating it because the food was absolutely tasteless in comparison to yours! I think these people have never even heard of salt."
"There is something called a salt shaker you know Sasuke" she chided.
Exhaling sharply he quelled the urge to the growl in frustration, this woman was absolutely incorrigible.
"But I thank you for the backhand compliment anyway", he could literally hear the smile in her voice.
Argh the bloody woman drove him mad sometimes.
It's not to say the German's cooking was terrible, even if he didn't particularly care for their cuisine, but it was just that he missed his wife's cooking. Sasuke missed that her knew all his favourite dishes and purposely avoided all those foods that he hated, that she made onigiri every time he had a frustrating day at the office and knew exactly how he took his coffee and though he didn't like tea in the least she had made a special blend that was worth drinking just for him because she was aghast at the thought of anyone not liking tea. Just little things that no one had ever bothered to pay attention to making it so much more special to him and create that sense of longing for home, for that comfort and familiarity.
Now he actually had a reason to look forward to returning, because for once he had someone waiting for him and that made all the difference.
He chuckled to himself in the dark room as he pondered upon his latest conversation with her, admittedly he knew he sounded like a petulant child, but he was homesick and pretty much fed up of his trip already. Thus the Uchiha felt than gave him enough justification to whine if he bloody hell wanted to.
Even though she spoke to him as she usually did he could help but detect a note of hesitancy in her voice when he questioned her about things at home or how she randomly seemed to slip into melancholy, her stifled laughter did nothing to assuage his concerns. Sasuke was quite tempted to send someone to check up on her, he just could ignore his instincts which left him feeling worried and frustrated as she evaded all questions about her family and deflected any suggestions that something might be wrong. But the Uchiha has relied on his gut too often not to trust it and things just didn't sit right with him only their daily calls were what pacified him and stopped him from taking any drastic measures knowing that he was one day closer to being back with her and he didn't want to alert her about his suspicions and inadvertently make her think he didn't trust her.
Though he knew his wife well enough to know she would rather bite off her own tongue before she thought to burden him with her problems and that left him anxious. How could he protect her if she didn't tell him what was wrong!
When the final day of his stay arrived he was immensely relived yet his eagerness to return had only intensified knowing that he was only hours away from seeing her face again, from hold her against him, inhaling in her familiar scent, being surrounded by her warmth. He couldn't resist one last call, just reaffirming that they would be together soon.
"Sasuke?" she answered, sounding confused….and was that fear he heard in her voice.
"I know we spoke last night, but I wanted to inform you that my flight will be leaving soon. We shall be seeing each other in while, but I wanted to hear your voice one last time."
"I know…..I can't wait-" but she couldn't finish her sentence before he heard what sounded like a muffled sob.
"Hinata", he spoke insistently, "Hinata!" he repeated when she didn't reply he could now plainly hear the sound of her crying. His heart raced as the myriad of possibilities flitted through his mind. What the hell had happened since he last spoke to her?
A heavy leaden feeling settled in his stomach and he couldn't help the chill that had descended upon him, the sharp tang of fear in his mouth.
Softening his voice he pleaded, "Tell me what's going on Hinata. Why are you crying?"
Sniffling and clearing her throat she tried to put him off, "It's nothing Sasuke. You just caught me at a bad time. Nothing's wrong I promise."
Scowling he kept his tone low, but his voice hardened, "I don't believe you. Please don't lie to me Hinata. Tell me what's wrong."
"Leave it alone Sasuke please don't ask anymore" she begged, but he could not let it rest.
"I will be home in soon, you can either tell me now or I will find out when I arrive. Don't make me worry, because one way or another I going to know exactly what's going on."
At his last words her restraint on her emotions faltered and the tears returned in full force, he could hear the great heaving sobs and knew her petite frame must be trembling with sorrow.
"Let me help you. Please why won't you let me in?"
Her voice trembling and obscured by her crying she fumbled, "I can't. I just can't. I have to go now Sasuke. Please have a safe flight."
"No! Don't hang up! Hinata."
Her voice was soft, quivering and impossibly sad, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Goodbye, Sasuke."
The next sound he heard was the defeating beeping of the call being disconnected.
His fingers shaking he swiftly redialed her number, but was greeted automatically by voicemail.
Growling in frustration it was all he could do not to smash the useless phone in his, but as his cold logic and rational prevailed he scrolled through his address book before calling the one person who could help him now.
"What is it? You woke me from a nap you know", the male on the other end grumbled.
"Nara listen to me, this is important. I need you to…."
A/N: Yes I know this chapter took a long time. I have been working on this thing since January, but all my creative juices just dried up and everything I wrote just sounded pretty crappy. There was more planned for this chapter, but I knew if I didn't post it now it would take me god knows how long to complete it.
So now you have seen Hinata through Sasuke's eyes and its pretty much obvious the guy's in love with her even if he doesn't realize it. I know he seems OOC because he's so much more expressive than the actual Sasuke who is a stick in a mud and honestly I think that it just one of the many ways she has liberated him. After all the guy didn't give a crap about anything but making money and acting like the clan's puppet, it's like she stuck him in the microwave and put him on defrost and now he can feel! Lol.
Anyway I can't wait to hear what you think and the next chapter we'll be hearing from both Hinata and Sasuke. Yay, right?
Sincerely,
CharmGirl24.