Disclaimer:I don't own Naruto and its characters; I also don't own His Stand in Bride by Michelle Styles which is the inspiration for this story. Any events written in the story that is similar to real life events is purely coincidental. This is not Beta'd yet.
Chapter XI:
Century old trees surround the walkway to the Hyuuga Summer House it was secluded, hidden from everyone to serve as a private place for the main family of the Hyuuga clan alone. Hinata and her family were always there when she was still young for it was the favorite place of her mother but when she died they never stepped into that house again, which is why Hinata was surprised when her father offered the house for her and Sasuke to use until the Uchiha compound is repaired. The house was smaller compared to the Hyuuga mansion but large enough to fit 3 families at least, like the Hyuuga mansion the summer house was also traditional in design and even if it has no electricity and uses lamps for lighting the house is cold inside thanks to the trees that surrounds it. A pond full of koi fishes in the middle of the garden with all of Hinata's mother favorite flowers is present which can be seen upon entering the gate.
"Welcome back Hinata sama." A middle aged lady greeted at the gate of the Hyuuga Summer House.
"Mako san it's been years since I last saw you, it's nice seeing you again." Hinata said smiling and hugged Mako.
Mako returned Hinata's hug before parting from her and gazed upon Sasuke, "Is he your husband Uchiha Sasuke?"
"Hai. We would be staying here until Uchiha compound is repaired."
"Of course your father sent Ko to tell me about you getting married and moving in here, he even sent your things and I believe it was your things that arrived earlier Uchiha sama, I didn't move your things and just put them in one room for the carriage driver told me not to touch your things. Both of you shall be staying at the master's bedroom I have placed all your clothes in the room's closet."
"Thank you Mako san."
"Both of you should come inside and rest I shall be preparing your dinner in a while." She said turning her back on them and opened the gate.
"Dinner can wait, as of now Hinata san and I would like some tea there are things we need to discuss."
"Alright Uchiha sama where shall I be placing your tea?" Mako said before leaving to prepare their tea.
"The garden would be nice Mako san." Hinata said with a smile.
Hinata led Sasuke inside the Hyuuga Summer House and showed him the rooms and their room after Sasuke left Hinata's bag in their room they preceded to the garden.
"Fancy garden you have here Hinata san." He said honestly, he had been to the Hyuuga compound garden but it doesn't compare to the beauty of the garden he was seeing now.
"The flowers here are my…mother's favorites." She said walking ahead of Sasuke towards the gazebo near in the middle of the lavenders and sunflowers.
"I assume these are your favorites as well." He said looking at the flowers around him.
Hinata picked a sunflower and said, "This is written like Hyuuga, which is why my mother probably liked them and the lavender symbolizes her maturity as a woman. I..I like all kinds of flowers actually but these two holds a special place in my heart with them being my mother's favorite. How about you Sasuke san what's your mother's favorite flower?"
He didn't answer the question in all honesty he doesn't remember but he also doesn't like answering the question it was too personal for him. Hinata noticed his silence and didn't push the topic further and continued to walk at the gazebo where a freshly brewed tea by Mako was waiting for them to drink.
As they sat Hinata poured both of them tea, "I'm sorry I asked a question about your mother Sasuke san."
He blinked at her sorry, Hinata always asks sorry even on the simplest things. "No it's alright the truth is I don't remember either."
They stayed quiet for a while simply enjoying the tea and the view of the garden until it was Sasuke who first spoke.
"I didn't mean to be forward but what is your meeting all about?"
Hinata sighed before answering, "As clan heiress and next in line to father's place as clan leader I have to pass certain tests and trainings that will start at the middle of the year, that's why they called me alone for the meeting to remind me of certain things."
"Such as?"
"That I should not get pregnant and that I would be leaving Konoha with my father in seclusion until the trainings are done."
Sasuke thought about what Hinata said, there is no problem in not getting her pregnant for he doesn't want to force himself on her until she says so that she wants it, he could also help her train to pass all the tests with ease, as for her leaving him alone when they were just starting to know each other is a different thing. He doesn't want to voice it out loud but being with Hinata relaxes him and makes him want to stay in Konoha when he was planning to leave Konoha and live as an avenger again but the marriage happen binding him to her that changed his plan, but now it was her that will leave him for kami knows how long.
Fighting the urge to ask her he asked, "How long will you be gone?"
Hinata twiddled her fingers she also want to know about Sasuke more but then she had to leave him when they were just starting, it was what her father told her to explain to him, "A year at least it may be shorter or longer than a year depending on my progress that is."
"Then I shall train you whenever we are not on missions; expect a training like no other Hinata san." He warned.
"I don't expect less Sasuke san. Ano..now that I told you what my meeting was about you have something to tell me as well." She asked unsure if he would hold on to what he said about telling her about his scars in return for telling him about the meeting.
Sasuke could shrug it off and tell her he will explain some time but with time not on their hands opening to each other little by little will help on their relationship if it was enough to be called one, for as far as they were both concerned they married during dire circumstances not because they love each other.
"My scars (he traced the scars through his clothing as if trying to feel them) they were from my training with Orochimaru and the fights I had with other nins, I killed a lot of people Hinata san both shinobi and civilian…my desire to avenge my clan made me do it and I am not ashamed of it because it was a part of me..of my past. I don't expect you to forgive me or anything but speaking about it for the first time lightens the burden a little." He said honestly said his eyes failing to look into Hinata's he can't bear to see her accusing or afraid eyes staring into his.
Hinata reached into his hand that was resting at the table and gave it a reassuring squeeze and said, "Look at me Sasuke san I am not judging you for your past actions for they are a part of you…I am also not proud of my past as well I was a weakling a disgrace to my clan…I can't even talk without stuttering and I blush and almost faint at the sight of Naruto kun…then he…(tears started to fall) he even left me for I don't deserve a strong shinobi like him."
Sasuke clenched his hands at the mention of Naruto and his stupidity, he made a mental note on himself that he'll make the baka pay for breaking the woman in front of him who experienced nothing but be the sham of her clan until she proved herself worthy of being heiress and then the baka shoving her love in the trash.
"You shouldn't be shedding tears for the baka he doesn't deserve it. Thank you for understanding me although there are many things I am yet to open with you and you to me but for now what we talked about is a good start for us who always kept everything to ourselves right?"
Hinata wiped the tears that fell on her eyes and smiled, "Yes, Sasuke san. Shall we start training tomorrow then?" She asked changing the topic.
"No we still have a honeymoon to spend remember? Besides since after the war we had been busy in the rehabilitation and this honeymoon is a perfect opportunity to rest at least and then we'll proceed to your training immediately."
"Do you have a place to go in mind?"
"Not yet though we have to go to Suna and to wood country and iron country."
Hinata knew why they have to go to Suna because Sasuke promised the kazekage that they will be visiting him but why the wood and iron country, curiosity got the best out of her and asked, "Why wood and iron country?"
"I have to find good wood and carpenters to rebuild the Uchiha compound as for the iron country I am thinking of importing metal and selling it here in Konoha so that our country will have easy access on it, I will get Kakashi sensei's approval and the iron country's leader approval as well for it to flourish."
Hinata can't help but feel amazed on the way Sasuke's eyes sparkled upon mentioning his desire to have a business that will definitely change the future of Konoha, "I happen to know a wood shop in wood country that sells the best wood and a workshop whose carpenters are the best in the craft also."
He laughed, "My wife who loves pressing flowers knows where to buy the best wood and where to find the best carpenters, why didn't I even think about that?"
She jabbed his hand lightly, "I happen to be with my father when he went there to buy wood and hire carpenters to repair damages in the Hyuuga compound courtesy of Pain's invasion here in Konoha."
He knew Pain attacked Konoha because his former teammate Suigetsu told him when he asked him to go to Konoha and report what was happening, he just never thought that the famed Hyuuga compound will be damaged at least.
"He damaged your compound well that is new."
Hinata nodded recalling Pain's invasion and her protecting Naruto and blushed upon remembering it but shrugged it off to avoid tears from falling in her eyes again, "Yes he was strong almost all of Konoha was destroyed it was also the reason why your compound was totally destroyed."
"It's for the better I hate the place anyway and rebuilding it and change the design will make me somehow forget the past." He trailed off not wanting to recall the events that happened there.
"As for your metal…my clan have contacts there we can go to them and try to seal a deal."
"That's great how about we leave the day after tomorrow, I'll give our official leave to Kakashi tomorrow is one month enough?"
"Yes it will be enough for rest and business." Hinata replied with a smile.
Sasuke and Hinata ate dinner Mako prepared for them and Hinata again applied healing balm on Sasuke's bruises before retiring to sleep, the next morning after they ate breakfast Sasuke and Hinata went to Konoha main district.
"I shall be going to Kakashi sensei, do you want to come with me or are you going somewhere?"
"No, I shall be going to Sai's place and look at his drawings he may have sketches of houses or landscapes."
"Alright I'll meet you there and we can look at his drawings together and if there is nothing that we like we can ask him to design for us, are you sure you will be fine going there alone?" He asked worried that Hinata will bump into Sakura or worst Naruto.
Hinata saw his concern, "I'll be fine by myself besides I doubt any one of them will show their self to me."
Sasuke nodded in understanding and leaped away to go to the Hokage's office, Hinata then walked to Sai's place and was greeted by Ino and Choji who were walking together.
"Hi there Hinata chan how's married life?" Ino asked.
"Fine." She simply answered.
"Where is the Uchiha by the way, did he leave you this soon?" Choji asked as he was stuffing chips in his mouth.
"He went to Kakashi sama's office to deliver our official leave for our…honeymoon."
"Honeymoon?" Ino squeaked like she was a fan girl of Sasuke again.
"That's nice to hear but when are you telling us how you got to marry him instead of Naruto?" Choji asked seriously.
"Um…ano…"
"Hinata sama doesn't need to explain anything to anyone, I can explain everything." Neji suddenly appeared and said.
"Neji niisan, your arm is it alright did the medics allowed you to leave already?" Hinata asked with concern.
"Hai. My arm is healing well where are you going Hinata sama?"
"To Sai san, Sasuke san and I agreed to meet there and look at some of his house drawings or ask him to design for us."
"Hn, you should be going there I'll be talking to Choji and Ino here."
Hinata bowed at her friends and walked fast to Sai's place.
"Hey Neji are you still going to hide the truth?" Ino asked jabbing a finger in Neji's chest.
"No, as I have told Hinata sama I will be explaining everything, I just can't let her recall it again and be saddened by it. Anyway have you seen Naruto baka or Sakura?"
"Now that you have asked it Choji and I haven't seen him since the wedding and Sakura asked for a leave to Tsunade sama."
"Figures. I shall meet you later at the training grounds tell our friends we'll meet there so I can explain to everyone at once." Neji said and walked away from Choji and Ino to find his teammates and Gai sensei.
"That's weird why would Hinata be saddened and what's the deal with Neji looking for Naruto calling him baka and Sakura?"
Choji placed an arm around Ino's shoulder, "Maybe those two have something to do with Hinata getting sad."
Ino placed a kiss on Choji's cheek, "Sometimes you are a genius like Shikamaru, Choji kun."
"I know that's why you love me." Choji said proudly.
"Yes, how about we look for our friends now?"
Sasuke was welcomed by Kakashi in his office.
"To what do I offer this visit Sasuke?"
"This." Sasuke replied handing over a scroll to Kakashi which he read.
"You are leaving for honeymoon with Hinata well that's good news, I thought you are leaving for good again." Kakashi said as he stamped the scroll and signed it.
"No, I am now married to her I just can't leave her right?"
Kakashi looked up from the scroll to Sasuke, "You are serious right?"
He only nodded.
"Well since I haven't given my gift yet here it is." Kakashi said and handed a scroll to him.
Sasuke read it and asked, "A week to spend in a private hot spring resort?"
The hokage's eyes twinkled at this as perverted thoughts of Sasuke and Hinata entered his mind. "Yes since it is your honeymoon better it is better spending it somewhere sensual."
"Whatever." He gruffly replied and tucked the scroll inside his kimono.
A shinobi knocked at the door and announced, "Hyuuga Neji is here to have an audience with you hokage sama."
"I shall be leaving now anyway, and will you refrain from thinking perverted thoughts involving me and my wife?" Sasuke said with anger as his former sensei just imagined him doing dirty things with Hinata.
"You can let Neji in now." Kakashi announced.
Sasuke saw Neji when he left Kakashi's office and both nodded in each other's presence.
"Take care of her Uchiha."
"I will Hyuuga."
Author's Note: Thanks for the support everyone your reviews, follows, favorites and reading this makes my day. I wasn't able to write an Author's Note last time because I was so sleepy after finishing that chapter and this week had been busy which is why it took time before I can update. What do you think about Choji-Ino pairing? Sai-Hinata-Sasuke encounter on the next chapter coming up. But don't fret Hinata won't cheat on Sasuke Sai and Gaara will just make our dear Sasuke jealous. If there is any pairing you would like just write it in the review and if you have any plan on Naruto and Sakura leave it in the review so I can write it here. Hahaha. Happy holidays everyone.