OPrincess ShinigamiO here! And yes, it's been a while since I've last updated, a month at most. I apologize since I just kinda lost the SasuHina mood ever since the Road To Ninja hype died down, if you haven't read my profile updates, so I apologize if I'm a bit rusty in this chapter. Why I decided to post a new chapter is because exams are over and I have all the time right now to get over my boredom and get my butt to write another SasuHina chapter! I had a sudden urging for SasuHina anyway, since I've watched the Naruto Shippuden ending named Cascade. People in YouTube are all arguing about how it's a shippy, implied NaruHina/SasuSaku/NaruSaku ending. I find that kinda funny, because if that's the case, then I suppose that I could "see" an implied SasuHina prediction. Well, yeah it's impossible, but a girl can dream right? ;)

So as you readers know, this will feature another Friend's Point of View, and this time, it's Hinata's very own sensei, Kurenai! Oh, and you get a glimpse of her son as well. Kurenai and Hinata will take over the first half of the chapter, but don't worry! SasuHina fluff will come after! So without further ado, please enjoy! ;)

By the way, I'd like to thank all those readers and reviewers who faithfully stuck to me while I update much more irregularly! I won't be able to post the reviewers' names now, but please accept all my thanks and gratitude for taking the time to comment and review! You don't know how happy and appreciated that makes me feel! ;)

Disclaimer: I'd rather not go through this again. (-_-)"

M- Memories

…

Kurenai leaned on the door connecting her kitchen to the living room with her arms crossed together. Right in front of her, Akira, her four-year-old son with Asuma, was showing the annoyed Uchiha the new moves he learned from Shikamaru.

The red-eyed, tan-skinned child was trying to flip his toy kunai in the air, and then tried catching it with one chubby hand. The Uchiha, however, was leaning on the couch with an irritated expression on his face. Having heard from Hinata of what happened when Sasuke was assigned to bodyguard some kindergarten children, Kurenai supposed that he might've wanted to stay away from kids for quite some time.

But here he was, tolerating the little enthusiastic child of his beloved's sensei. Kurenai smirked as she watched her son try convincing Sasuke to teach him some new tricks, pushing the toy kunai to the annoyed Uchiha's chest. Who would've thought that the very person who harmed her student in the past, what more the infamous former traitor of Konoha, would be allowed to entertain her only son?

"Kurenai-sensei, the pumpkin soup is ready." Hinata said, taking out the bowl of soup from the oven.

Kurenia turned from the living room and into the kitchen, smiling at her former student.

"Thank you, Hinata. You didn't have to do this, you know."

"Oh no," Hinata replied, waving her hands in front of her, "It's alright, really. It's been so long since I've visited you and little Akira, it's the least I could do to help a little bit."

"Yes, but that's because you've been dispatched to so many missions out of Konoha lately. It's not like you could help it, so don't worry about me feeling lonely." Kurenai said, taking the bowl of soup from Hinata, "Besides, Shikamaru and Choji have been keeping me company a lot more recently. And Kiba and Shino have been visiting as much as they can as well. So don't feel guilty, Hinata."

Hinata smiled apologetically before shaking her head.

"I'm not only doing this because I felt that you'd be lonely, sensei. I apologize for sounding so selfish, but I miss your company as well. With Hanabi away more often, I felt like I needed some female company. And I thought of you…"

Kurenai smiled amusingly at her former student, placing the bowl of soup at the dinner table.

"Thanks for making me feel better. But why do I have this feeling that it's more than just that?"

Hinata blushed, avoiding looking at her sensei in the eye. In the background, they could hear Akira's excited squeals mixed with Sasuke's hushed scolding.

"Uh, um…" Hinata mumbled, poking her fingers together.

Kurenai raised an eyebrow at this. Strange, since it's been awhile since she saw Hinata stuttering or being embarrassed. Unless…

"It's about Sasuke, isn't it?" Kurenai smirked.

To this, Hinata's cheeks reddened further. She bowed her head, but slowly nodded anyway. Kurenai's eyes widened, suddenly taking both Hinata's hands into her own.

"Omigosh, Hinata! DID HE PROPOSE TO YOU?!" she said in a half-whispered squeal.

Hinata's eyes widened, her face heating up so much, she could've sworn that her ears are emitting smoke by now.

"W-what?! N-n-n-no! W-what m-makes y-you think th-that?" Hinata stuttered in embarrassment, covering her burning face with both her hands.

Kurenai pouted in disappointment.

"It's a no then? Well, I'm sorry for assuming, Hinata. It's just that you said that you wanted some female company, and I assumed that you wanted advice from someone who has experienced… love, I suppose. Besides," she shrugged, nodding her head towards the living room, "I wouldn't actually be surprised if he would finally ask you to marry him. I mean, look at him."

Kurenai paused, walking to the kitchen's doorway to watch the Uchiha hold her son's toy kunai in the air while Akira tried reaching for it in glee.

"It's obvious that the Uchiha cares for you. If it were any other girl, he would probably just brush them off without any second thought. He'd never accompany anyone else just to babysit a four-year-old, not if you're not by his side. In fact, he would've done anything to leave this village if it weren't for you." Kurenai smiled, turning her head to the former heiress, "Do you comprehend what I'm saying, Hinata? You are the sole reason why he's living on. You brought him out of the darkness, you are the anchor to his sanity. And because of that, he cherishes you more than anything else, more than the desire for death. You, my dear, are a very lucky girl to be loved by someone so deeply, it's crushing you deep inside."

Kurenai smiled as Hinata nodded her head, sinking in what her sensei told her. The red-eyed woman sighed, then glanced at the framed pictures on her kitchen counter.

"Hinata, do you remember when you first lived here? When your father assigned me to be your caretaker?"

Hinata nodded, frowning at the slightly offending memory. Her sensei continued on.

"Well, I remember the first day you came here, you didn't speak a single word. You refused to eat or drink anything. You'd just bow your head in thanks, and then slip silently into your room. That continued on for three days."

Kurenai smiled sadly at the memory, leaning on the counter and picking up the picture of a younger Hinata holding a tiny injured bird in her tiny hands.

"But one day, while we were taking a stroll around the marketplace, you happened to stumble upon a baby robin. It hurt its wing and therefore couldn't fly. Its mother nor its nest were nowhere to be found as well."

Hinata smiled at the memory, remembering the time when she saw the baby robin chirping weakly as she picked it up into her hands.

"Afterwards, you timidly asked me if we could keep it, just to keep it safe until its wing is completely healed." Kurenai continued, "I was surprised. That was the first time you spoke to me ever since you stayed with me. So of course, I complied. I wanted to support you, to do whatever I can to make you open up."

Kurenai sat down on a chair, signaling Hinata to do the same. Hinata smiled, sitting on the chair beside her sensei.

"I remember, sensei," Hinata said, "You asked me why I wanted to take care of the bird too."

"Yes, indeed," Kurenai nodded, tracing the picture with a slender finger, "And then, you replied that it was because the little robin reminded you of yourself. Because it was weak and abandoned, you wanted to help however you can to make it stronger and feel important. And then, since that day, you began opening up little by little, cherishing the tiny bird with utmost care at the same time."

Kurenai and Hinata smiled at each other, reminiscing the time when they finally set the bird free. The bird's wing was healed, thanks to Hinata, and when it grew a little bigger, Hinata decided that it was time to let go. To let the bird decide its own path.

And so, one summer day, they opened the living room window filled with potted plants, and let the bird fly free. And it flew, struggling a little bit, but it finally flew high and proud. Hinata could've sworn that the little robin turned for the last time just to give them thanks before flying away from their lives forever.

"Hinata."

Hinata looked up curiously at her sensei.

"Just like how you took care of the bird, you have to cherish Sasuke as much as you can. Cherish every single moment you have together. Never take his affection for granted, because you'll never know…"

Hinata looked worriedly at Kurenai, knowing that she faltered because of her memories with Asuma, who died in the hands of the Akatsuki. Slowly and gently, she took one of her hands into her own in comfort. Kurenai blinked, unconsciously letting the tears fall from her eyes.

"I-it's okay, Kurenai-sensei," Hinata said, patting her sensei's hand, "I-I understand what you're trying to say. But you didn't have to worry." Hinata paused, smiling assuredly at the red-eyed woman while looking straight at her eye, "There was never a time when I would not cherish Sasuke-kun's presence. Every time he's with me, I would feel… incredibly happy. Whenever he… holds my hand, looks me in the eye with that soft expression, covers me with his warm arms… I feel safe. I feel that there's nothing that could break us apart, no matter the obstacles. I feel braver, stronger, and better yet, loved."

Kurenai blinked, wiping her tears away while looking incredulously at her former student. Hinata's cheeks were sprinkled with tiny hints of pink, but she continued on. She didn't notice another presence, or two, enter the kitchen.

"And there's not enough amount of love that I could bestow upon him. There never was, and never will be, no matter how much I want to give him everything. If I could, I would protect him forever from all his nightmares, his regrets, and his dark thoughts. Of course, it's too naïve to think that I could completely heal him from all that. But I won't give up. I'll never give up trying, and if possible, I'd like to spend the rest of my life protecting him, caring for him, loving him. That is, if he wants me to."

"Of course I would."

Hinata squeaked in surprise, turning her head so quick that her neck almost snapped. As soon as she saw the Uchiha right behind her, slightly smiling in amusement while Akira hung at one of his toned shoulders, her face turned beet red, turning away to cover her embarrassed face with both her arms on the table.

"Mama!" Akira exclaimed, climbing out of the Uchiha's shoulder and jumping into his mother's lap. "Look what mister Sasuke showed me! He said- mama, are you crying?"

Akira reached up to pat his mother's wet face, scrunching up his chubby face in worry. Kurenai smiled, hugging her son closely to her chest.

"No, it's alright, Akira. Mommy's just happy for my student."

Hinata looked up, smiling at the sight of the mother-and-son's display of affection. A hand gently touched her shoulder, and Hinata turned to see Sasuke watching the same scene. His face was surprisingly filled with softness, from melancholy and nostalgia, remembering when his mother would shower him with the same affection when he would accidentally hurt his finger.

Hinata placed her own pale hand to his, smiling upwards at the Uchiha. Then she turned to her sensei.

"I'm sorry for interrupting, Kurenai-sensei, but the soup's getting cold. I'm sure that little Akira's getting hungry now."

Kurenai nodded, "Yes, you're right. Hinata." She then turned to her son, "Alright, my little ninja. Time for your dinner. Auntie Hinata made your favorite pumpkin soup tonight."

Akira grinned and jumped out from his mother's embrace.

"YAY! Pumpkin soup!" he scrambled to get up on his favorite chair, then paused and turned to Hinata, "Auntie Hina? Can you get my kunai please? I wanna show mama the new moves mister Sasuke teach me!"

Hinata smiled at her little godson as she stood up from her seat.

"Alright, Akira-kun."

"I'll come with you. I know where he left it." Sasuke said, following Hinata to the living room.

As they went to pick up Akira's toy kunai, Hinata's face reddened, suddenly remembering what Sasuke heard her say before Akira interrupted. Sasuke, in turn, smirked as he watched his only beloved.

"So, for the rest of your life huh?"

"U-u-um," Hinata stuttered as she picked up the tiny toy from the sofa, "W-w-well, I w-wanted to assure s-sensei that I'm not t-taking you for granted, a-and…"

The former heiress paused as she held the toy in her hands. Softly, she traced the smooth sides of the toy kunai, thinking back at what she said to her sensei. She wondered, if Sasuke really allowed her to spend the rest of her life with him, if she would be able to see a child of her own playing with toy kunais like Akira. A child that belonged to her and Sasuke.

She blushed harder at the thought, shaking her head while convincing herself that it's too much to wish for at the moment. Suddenly, she felt a pair of warm strong arms wrapping around her torso. Sasuke leaned his chin on Hinata's right shoulder, inhaling the sweet lavender scent from her long midnight-blue hair. Hinata sighed, relaxing into Sasuke's warm embrace, forgetting that they're not the only ones in the house. They stayed in that position for what seemed like hours, until Sasuke finally broke the peaceful moment.

"Would you really stay with me forever? Even when I don't deserve you, even when I'm far from perfect, would you really stay forever?" he mumbled into her neck, his warm breath tickling her.

Hinata could trace the slight nervousness and doubt in his tone. Smiling, she reached for both his hands and gently held onto them in assurance, turning her head slightly to look at the Uchiha in the eye. Her determined lavender-white hues met his unsure dark onyx ones.

"What I said before is real, Sasuke-kun. Even if I have to fight against everyone else, my clan, my friends, my superiors, even if I have to crawl my way towards you, even if the whole world is against you, I would stay with you no matter what happens. I can no longer imagine a good life without you in it. I want to stay forever with you and you alone, okay? So please don't doubt me anymore, Sasuke-kun."

The Uchiha's dark eyes shifted, showing less doubt and more softness and affection towards its counterpart. Sasuke closed his eyes, burrowing his head further into her neck. And then, he mumbled against her neck in a very soft tone that Hinata could barely catch. But she knew what he said, and even if he wouldn't say it out loud, she knew exactly how the Uchiha felt for her. And it no doubt made her all giddy inside.

Hinata closed her eyes, indulging into Sasuke's warm and strong embrace as he held her tighter into his chest.

Someday, Hinata thought, she would experience this kind of peaceful moment every morning when she wakes up. Into the arms of her beloved Uchiha.

And she hoped deep inside that it wouldn't be too far along.

Because she could barely wait for the day when she would finally and officially be by his side forever.

Unknown to the couple, Kurenai leaned behind the doorway as she watched her former student and "adopted daughter" leaning lovingly into the Uchiha's embrace. She smiled proudly, like a mother to her daughter, knowing deep inside her mind that a wedding wouldn't be too far along by now. She silently wished to Asuma that the heavens bless them with a long, happy life together.

"Mama! Where's Auntie Hina and mister Sasuke? I want my kunai!" Akira asked from the kitchen.

Kurenai sighed and left the couple alone.

"Akira, if you want to show mama your new moves, then I suggest you finish your pumpkin soup first. No toys on the dinner table, little man."

…

Reviews are once again VERY welcome! They make great motivators! XD Anyway, next up is probably the MOST AWAITED chapter of all! And no, it's not the wedding (yet), but features the very person who's the number one anti-SasuHina supporter of the whole Narutoverse! That's right, folks! Neji Hyuuga is going to take over the world next chapter! So you better watch out and better not cry, coz Neji's coming to town to promote anti-SasuHina (just kidding)! XD