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 XIV:
Sasuke did not sleep at all, he stayed at the Konoha gate by himself hoping Hinata had in her heart to forgive a scum of a husband he was and if Hinata gives him a second chance he'll make it worthwhile for both of them and be the husband Hinata truly deserves. As time passes by, Sasuke's anxiety grows for he was again at a crossroad in his life where if Hinata comes he'll live the rest of his life for her and if she did not come he'll resume the life of being an avenger with no direction in life.
Hinata re read Sasuke's letter over and over again finding the meaning of his words if he meant every word, although their time spent together was brief he never lied to her and was just drunk when he tried something on her but all the time he had been a gentleman who respects her. She remembered all of her past encounters with Sasuke to see what really kind of a man he was to her.
The first time Sasuke and Hinata met was on the first day of their school and because they are both from influential clans they are home schooled and their first proper schooling is when they entered Konoha Academy. Although they were of the same age and class they did not talk and barely look at each other. Even during the chunin exams and inter team sparring sessions they never bothered to speak to one another for Sasuke always wanted to be alone while Hinata always stutters and she opted not to speak much either.
She can still remember the day when Sasuke lost his family and felt sorry for him and although Hinata wanted to console him for she also lost someone dear to her who was her mother, they are not friends and she had no right to console him. It was after the war when they finally got a chance to talk to one another.
Flashback
After a gruesome war that nearly destroyed everything and the duel to death between Sasuke and Naruto, a lot of shinobis and civilians are injured and must be taken care of. Due to scarcity of medical nins, shinobis who are knowledgeable in medical justsus are called to help and Hinata was among them. It was also the time when she helped at the medical department that she and Naruto grew close for she personally cares for him during his hospital stay aside from attending to other patients.
One day after Hinata was done in her shift and all of her chakra was spent she went to the hospital garden to rest and enjoy the solemnity and beauty of the place she saw Uchiha Sasuke seated by the tree looking into the horizon. As a medical volunteer she walked towards him and asks him what he was doing there when he should be in his room lying in his bed resting to recover his strength.
"Uchiha san…aren't you sup-supposed to be re-resting at yo-your room?" She asked stuttering.
Sasuke ignored her and kept his silence and although he did not bother to see who it was, he knew she was the Hyuuga heiress Hyuuga Hinata because of her stutter.
"I kn-know you do-don't like to be di-disturbed but can you at least please answer me? For your health is my co-concern as a medical nin volunteer."
He faced her and said sarcastically for he was bothered when he do want to keep his privacy of solitude, "Do you always have to stutter, haven't you grown up already? Besides my life isn't your concern for I am not your patient, why don't you go bother the dobe you infatuate so much."
Hinata was taken back but continued not letting Sasuke get the win so easily, "I-I do grow up already Uchiha san but for some un-unknown reason I feel ne-nervous with you that's why I stutter. Taking that point aside what are you doing outside your room? And even though you are not my patient…you are Naruto kun's best friend and whoever he cares for is also a concern of mine."
"See talking without stutter is easy besides you have nothing to feel nervous of because with my condition now I can't kill you or anyone for that matter and as for the reason I am here it's because I feel suffocated in my room and if I will not leave that room once in a while I'll go crazy. I don't give a damn about your concern towards me or because I am the man of your dreams best friend and now that you have your answer you can leave me alone."
"I don't care what your reasons are Uchiha san, but if you insist on going out once in a while you can ask Sakura to ac-accompany you so that in case so-something happens to you have a medic nin to care for you immediately."
"Hn. Since you are a medic nin volunteer you can stay here whenever I am here just so I can have my peace and for you to stop bothering me with your talk and medical concern stuff."
Hinata laughed remembering the time when they first talked and how Sasuke had been so rude towards her and how she was always nervous whenever she was with him but they eventually tolerated each other's presence at the hospital garden with their silence. The next time they had a conversation was when Naruto introduced her to Sasuke as his girlfriend.
Flashback
It was 6 months after the war and the first war memorial was held where everyone who joined the noble cause of defending the shinobi world are present to give honor to those who died and scarified at the war. Naruto was walking hand in hand with Hinata towards Sasuke.
"Hey teme I've been looking everywhere for you since we were discharged where have you been? Anyway meet my girlfriend Hinata chan." Naruto beamed with a huge grin on his face while Hinata smiled at Sasuke.
"It's none of your business where I have been I just closed some loose ends that's why I left and I know who she is baka no need to introduce her again."
"Come on teme don't be rude in front of Hinata chan, you don't want her to be scared of you." Naruto said as he put his arm around Sasuke's shoulder.
"Hn"
Naruto left Sasuke and Hinata alone when he was called by Kakashi.
"So you and the dobe about time right?" Sasuke asked nonchalantly.
"Yes finally." She answered happily.
"If he left you to yourself I'll be there to pick up the pieces." He said and started walking away.
"Wait Uchiha san what do you mean?" She asked following Sasuke.
Sasuke stopped walking and glanced back at her and said before continuing to walk, "You'll know if that time comes."
Hinata thought to herself, "Wait is that what Sasuke san meant before that he'll be picking up the pieces if Naruto left me alone? That he'll be there to pick me up that's why he married me when Naruto left me and since our marriage I never bother to even say thank you for what he did and now with his mistake although dire but he was under the influence of alcohol I am hesitating on forgiving him?"
Rushing Hinata took a quick shower and wore her travelling kimono and the overcoat Sasuke bought for her bearing her and his clan symbols and carried her bag to reach Sasuke in time.
"Hinata sama why are you running and why did Uchiha sama not return after he left again at midnight?" Mako asked who was sweeping at the gate and saw Hinata running towards the gate.
"I can't explain now and I'm sorry for that but I'll tell you everything after I return a month from now with my husband." Hinata said and ran as fast as she could and leaped from tree to tree for the daybreak was already approaching.
Sasuke looked back at his memory with Hinata and at his ring fingers where the red thread ring of his engagement and wedding ring are to keep his anxiety at a low and to raise his hope of seeing Hinata arrive in time.
Flashback
Sasuke kneeling on one knee while holding out a red thread for Hinata said, "I know this is very uncharacteristic of me but this is necessary for us even though it was out of convenience, this is the best I can do in such short notice. I can't promise you love you so dearly deserve for I am incapable of feeling it with all the painful experiences I had, but I can promise you one thing to give my loyalty and honesty as your husband." He cleared his throat before continuing for that was the best speech he can give for he never thought he would be doing this in his life. "Hyuuga Hinata will you give me the honor of marrying me Uchiha Sasuke last of the Uchiha clan."
Sasuke pulled his new wife towards him and lowered his mouth to Hinata's. At first she was unresponsive but the gentle movement of his lips made her give way to his tongue that slowly explored her shy mouth. Hinata was almost getting weak at her knees and wrapped her hands around his neck for support before their kiss could go any further Sasuke removed his lips from hers leaving her wanting more and smirked at his wife.
"You should be eating not staring at the food, besides with a wedding so long you must be famished." The gruff voice of Sasuke said startling Hinata whom she looked at and her eyes lingered from his eyes to his lips making her blush slightly when she remembered their first kiss. Hinata consciously covered her lips with her hand while Sasuke chuckled and kissed her forehead teasing her.
"You know how I am Hinata san I am a person who is not good at interacting with people, like you I am in a state of shock for I didn't plan on getting married soon (he reached for her hand and held it tightly) but I never regret marrying you yesterday. What I said last night was the only thing I can think of to assure you that I won't be touching you in bed unless you want me to. I am a man Hinata give me at least this (he gestured at their intertwined hands)."
Sasuke's gruff voice and sincerity when he explained send shivers to Hinata's spine, she was confused at him for he seems to have a switch in his personality he can turn on and off when he wanted to but given his history she can see why Sasuke is like that. Hinata being the most forgiving person in Konoha smiled at him the first real smile she showed to him, "I understand Sasuke san..but can you at least don't say harsh words and I am sorry for being angry earlier it's just that…your words hurt."
He nodded and out of impulse and joy for having Hinata forgiven him Sasuke embraced her and did something he never thought he would do in his life, "I know I'm sorry also for the things I said to hurt you."
"I would like to ask our respected elders to keep your opinions to yourself and let us explain how our marriage came into fruition which is the main topic of our meeting here. As everyone is aware of Sasuke is now my husband and him being Uchiha clan leader and me your heiress, Sasuke deserves to be treated with respect as much as you respect my father and I." Hinata said when she defended Sasuke in front of her clan elders and father during their luncheon with them.
"I trust no one but you to hold my katana." He said before giving Hinata a quick kiss on the lips. "For luck."
Taking a bold move Hinata reached for his arm and pulled him near her causing his face to reach hers making their lips touch for a brief kiss.
Hinata moved her face away from him blushing, "Ano…"
Sasuke smirked at Hinata admiring her boldness though he knew she only reached his arm and pulled him towards her is to check his injuries and she never meant for them to kiss. But he wanted to tease Hinata who he had to admit was cute when being teased at.
"You know if you want to kiss me just say so I'll be happy to oblige." He said with a smirk.
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"
Sasuke looked up and towards the Konoha main road noticing that it was morning already and Hinata was nowhere to be seen, with a heavy heart Sasuke left Konoha.
Author's Note: Again thanks for the reviews, follows, favorites. To the guest who would like to help me and beta read this fic just leave me a private message so we can communicate and I can submit my finished chapter to you first before updating here at fanfiction. I know you are devastated that Hinata was not able to arrive in time and the plenty number of flashbacks but they are necessary. I am still waiting for your suggestions on how Naruto and Sakura will be treated in the next chapter when they return please leave a review on your thoughts about this chapter and how you feel about Sasuke and Hinata's situation now.