Chapter 9 - Wife
For whatever reason, Uchiha Sasuke feels rather pleased when saying it.
"Oh — you don't usually get this cut."
"My wife prefers it."
The butcher's mouth opens in slight wonder, and something fills Sasuke's veins. It's almost like adrenaline, but it's different. He doesn't feel like he has to fight for his life or anything of the sort; rather, he feels content. When he thinks about the future, where his home is complete and sturdy and grand — this feeling is close to that fluttering satisfaction that fills his mind to the brim.
Surely, it has a name to it.
Sasuke is determined to figure it out.
Joy, perhaps. When the butcher serves him his cut of meat, Sasuke drops money on the counter before leaving the shop and making his way home. It's a bright afternoon, the sunshine combating the cold touch of autumn in the wind. Sasuke doesn't tend to do his errands during the day, but Hinata had asked for a specific cut of beef for dinner tonight, so he didn't have much choice. But that doesn't seem completely right.
Despite his known history, Uchiha Sasuke does know what happiness feels like. His childhood with his family was colored by the paints of genuine joy. Even if those memories are distant and a little foggy, the emotions still stir in his chest. Sasuke knows happiness.
This . . . is close to happiness. But it's not just that.
There's more, somehow.
Maybe it's fulfillment.
In the distance, he sees the approach of Hinata's teammates. The Aburame notices him first, brows dipping low behind his shades. He doesn't say anything, but when the dog one spots him afterwards, he sneers.
"Oi, Uchiha. C'mere for a second."
Sasuke takes an almost longing look in the direction of his home. Great. This is exactly why he prefers doing this sort of thing at night.
Dog Boy scratches the stubble on his chin impatiently as Sasuke slowly comes to meet them on the side of the road. Already, plenty of people have noticed them, staring in wonder as they pass. Which is annoying.
Extremely annoying.
"Hurry it up," Sasuke mutters. "I don't appreciate you wasting my time."
Dog Boy flashes his teeth as Aburame dips his hands into the front pockets of his jacket.
"Cut the superiority complex shit. This is about Hinata."
"It's obvious we want what's best for her," Aburame starts, and it's obvious he's trying to keep things tame.
But the other one — what's his name again? Sasuke doesn't care to remember — doesn't look concerned at all about getting rowdy.
"Yeah. And you obviously ain't it."
Irked, Sasuke tried to hold back his own sneer. "What will you have me do? Divorce her?"
Dog Boy (he was one of the people who helped with the wall, wasn't he? Why can't he remember his name?) rolls his eyes. "If only it were that easy."
"More so, we're strongly suggesting you be kind to her," Aburame explains.
Sasuke gives him a look. "You're threatening me."
"Yes!" Dog Boy barks.
"It's a suggestion." Aburame grabs the back of Dog Boy's collar and yanks it, not-so-subtly telling him to be quiet. "A suggestion for the betterment of both of you."
Yeah, right. Sasuke takes another look down the street, in the direction of his home. "Then I have a suggestion of my own. What's happening between myself and my wife is none of your concern. Fuck off."
Aburame's head tips, quizzical, while Dog Boy's mouth morphs into a strong grimace.
"Her name's Hinata," he growls, "and it is our concern, dipshit, because she's —"
"Alright."
They both turn to Aburame, Dog Boy more shocked than anything.
"Shino. You're shitting me."
"He's right," Aburame drones. "It's their marriage, and Hinata hasn't come to us about anything, so we have no reason to worry."
"First off —" Dog Boy glares at the both of them, "their marriage hasn't even happened yet! And just because something hasn't happened doesn't mean nothin' will ever happen! I mean, look at who we're dealing with!" Kiba gestures wildly at Sasuke, which he finds rather offending. "What good can this Uchiha bring?"
Sasuke's chakra snaps, and he's almost tempted to cut his head off in front of the entire village.
But Aburame yank's at his collar again, almost choking him, before saying to Sasuke, "I apologize for him. We don't hate you. Inuzukas are just wildly territorial and protective, you see."
"Damn you!" Kiba spits. "Damn both of you!"
"We won't bother you further," Aburame says. "But trust that the moment a bad word from Hinata comes up about you, we'll be the first to come to your gate."
Sasuke sighs. I want to go home already. "I doubt I'll ever be seeing you, then. My wife can handle herself."
Aburame adjusts his glasses, and Sasuke is almost sure he's smirking.
Dog Boy — Inuzuka or whatever — looks like he could just explode. "Stop calling her that! You ain't married yet!"
And that reaction alone is fulfilling in itself, but again, Sasuke doesn't believe that's all there is to it when it comes to this feeling that boils within.
So he's back onto his way home (finally).
If he's lucky, he won't run into anyone else.
"Sasuke. Hey, wait up!"
But, of course, Sasuke has no such luck today.
And of all people . . . .
He stops and turns just as Uzumaki Naruto comes to his side, grinning just a little bit sheepishly.
*** Uchiha Sasuke - The Patient One ***
"I heard about Hinata. Congrats!"
He's not really sure why, but Sasuke got the feeling that Naruto would avoid the topic surrounding Hinata and their engagement. He thinks he understands why Hinata avoids talking about him — she used to have a massive crush on the guy, and it was so obvious that even Sasuke knew about it.
But with Naruto . . . there's no specific reason that makes Sasuke feel like he wouldn't want to talk about her. There's just something about the air, the way he holds himself.
But it's the first thing that springs from his mouth, and Sasuke's caught off guard.
". . . Thanks."
"It's in December, right? The wedding, I mean. That's only a little over two months from now." Naruto knocks a fist into the back of Sasuke's shoulder. "So? Nervous yet?"
Sasuke looks down at his bag of beef. He really needs to get home and put it in the fridge before it spoils. He starts walking, and Naruto walks with him.
"Why are you here?" he asks. "What do you want?"
"Ehhh. Can't I see my friend?"
"Don't lie."
Naruto falls quiet for a moment, grin slipping. Sasuke has the itch to hurry up and get home, but the sudden serious mood forces him to slow down and give Naruto time to respond.
Eventually, he does.
"Are you okay?"
Sasuke squints. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"I mean — it's arranged. These things don't always work out. Of course I'd ask."
Sasuke hums low in his throat. Somehow, he doesn't think this is just about him.
"I'm fine," he says, "and so is my —" He stops himself. It doesn't feel right to call her his wife. Not in front of Naruto. "So is . . . Hinata."
"Ooh la la. First name basis." There's no humor in Naruto's voice.
"If you want to ask about her, just ask." Sasuke frowns. "Or stop avoiding her and talk to her yourself."
Naruto stops before they can turn a corner, and Sasuke stops with him.
"Maybe I'm being dramatic." Naruto's smile is forced. Sasuke holds back the will to punch him, if just to get that stupid expression off his face. "I probably am, but . . . I feel like if I go see her now, I'll ruin a lot of things." He scratches the back of his ear and sighs. "Then that guy will probably come and kill me himself. Maybe you will, too."
Sasuke rolls his eyes. "You're right. You are being dramatic."
Naruto laughs, steps forward, then stops again. The wind is carrying a familiar chakra, and he's quickly walking away.
"Well, it's good you're doing good. Save me some cake from the wedding!"
He's gone.
When Sasuke turns the corner, he sees Hinata at the gate of the Uchiha estate, knelt down to scratch under Shisui's chin. When she looks up, there must be something on his face, for her byakugan activates, allowing her to watch Naruto sprint into the depths of Konoha.
When her byakugan fades, her eyes look heavy, and Shisui gives an annoyed meow that Sasuke can relate to.
...
"You're here early."
Hinata stands when he approaches, opening the gate to let all three of them inside.
"I'm sorry to come unannounced," Hinata says. "I thought I'd help you with the koi pond before dinner."
A small ounce of content fills Sasuke at the mention of the pond. It's no secret Hinata is unabashedly excited for the series of ponds they've both been planning to bring into the Uchiha estate. For the whole week, Sasuke's been gathering supplies for the project, with Hinata constantly checking in to see if he needs any help finding this or that. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and Sasuke's never been more determined to put all his efforts into rebuilding his home.
Maybe that's what this feeling is, Sasuke thinks as all three of them enter the main building, where he shows Hinata the cut he bought for tonight's dinner. Her hands clap together in glee, and he smiles slightly. Maybe I'm content.
Well, he is.
There's no question about that.
But it's still not the right description, somehow.
And that content feeling is quick to drain from his mind when he's reminded of Naruto, of the heaviness in Hinata's eyes. He puts the meat away, and then they both go out to start working on the pond. Hinata places a small bag by the door before leaving. Sasuke's sure it's another change of clothes, since any work outside will eventually become messy.
They work quietly for a while, measuring sizes for the pond and the path surrounding it. The dried up one is full of rubble and will need to be reshaped. It's also too shallow, so they'll have to dig a new floor, as well.
Hinata muses about a small fountain in the middle as she carries an armful of branches out of the old pond.
Sasuke tries to be patient, but it soon slips away as he asks, quite literally out of the blue, "Do you still have a thing for him?"
He doesn't have to say more. She understands.
"No," she says.
Relief floods his chest, which is a bit embarrassing. "Do you hate him?"
Hinata has to think this time. "No."
He has to think for a minute, clearing up his side of the pond. Shisui is on the engawa, lazily spread out in the sunshine, watching them. His eyes look way too much like Naruto's eyes, and Sasuke feels a spark of competent start in his lungs.
"Will you explain the situation to me?" he asks Hinata. "Or shall I be in the dark forever?"
A warning rumbles from Shisui, his fur standing.
Sasuke replays what he had said in his head, realizes how pointed and poisoned it sounded, and steps back.
"Sorry," he says.
Hinata shakes her head. "No, I understand. You deserve to know."
She sits on the bank of the pond, feet hugging each other along the shallow floor. Sasuke joins her, waiting, trying to show her he'll listen patiently.
"It's nothing horrible," she starts. "Really, it's silly if you look at it from an outsider's point of view. We were kids. It was a war. You can't expect perfection in those dire times." Hinata lifts a hand to her chest, eyes closing, as if she's falling back into a memory. "I was almost killed protecting him. It was against Pein. I jumped in. I wasn't supposed to, but I did — and I had truly thought I would have died. So . . . I confessed. Right there, I told him. I shouldn't have — but — but I couldn't imagine dying without telling him, without him knowing. So I said it."
Sasuke tries to imagine her there, in a battlefield, blood running down her face. It makes him feel sick. On the engawa, Shisui gets out of his leisurely pose, instead sitting straight.
"He didn't say anything after that," she whispers. "Maybe I shouldn't have expected anything. It was a lot to process. I tried to stay patient, to wait for him. Time passed. The war finally ended. We came into an era of peace, and I was hopeful."
Her tone turns dour, and Sasuke can see where this is going.
"He never said anything to you."
Her smile is thin. "I felt forgotten. I got tired of waiting, so about a year ago, I confronted him. I said I wanted an answer — even if it was a no, I just wanted . . . something. I-I would have died for him. I thought I deserved at least an answer."
Shisui digs his nails into a spot behind his ear, looking irritated.
"He rejected you," Sasuke realizes.
Hinata's eyes look like rain clouds. They're wet and gray. "I didn't ask you to do that for me," she whispers. "That's what he told me."
Sasuke frowns. He's beginning to feel irritated, as well.
"Hinata."
"And I know it's true," she continues, "but I felt dejected. My actions, my confession — it was all an inconvenience. He didn't mean it like that — I know that now — but even so . . . ."
Shisui jumps off the engawa and trots over, rubbing his face against her knee. She smiles and rubs his back.
"I don't want to inconvenience anyone." She looks at Sasuke. "Especially not you."
His chest stirs, and he puts his hand on her head. "You're not. You're the opposite."
Her shoulders relax slightly. "Sorry. I know he's a good person. He's, um, a little like you. He has good intentions, but the way he words it isn't always the best. And . . . I know he regrets it." She tips her head towards the gate. "That's why he left."
Sasuke's not really sure what to feel. Parts of his chest are still tight with anger, but she doesn't seem too upset by it anymore. He wants to think he's contributed to that factor, and the anger slowly sizzles out, nothing but steam.
"You told me," he says.
She nods. "I did."
"Thank you."
Hinata's face quickly turns red — a familiar sight he's beginning to enjoy. "You're . . . welcome."
Her hands grip his sleeve, and they sit there, feet dipped into an empty pond. She feels listened to, and he feels trusted — and this is something they both have missed feeling, and their hunger is satisfied once again.
...
"I wonder if you should get him a collar."
After dinner, as Sasuke is washing the dishes and silverware, Hinata rubs Shisui's tummy as he stretches out on the floor before her.
"A collar." Sasuke tries to imagine the stray with a collar on and snorts. "What for?"
"Well, so people know Shisui has an owner. So they don't take him home or to a shelter." She rubs his tummy a little more, blinks, checks, and hums. "Or, well — she, I guess."
Sasuke stops. "She?"
Shisui stands straight as Sasuke comes over.
"She," Hinata confirms.
Sasuke, frankly, is stunned. Shisui's a girl?
And even Shisui looks shocked as he — or rather, she — looks down at herself, then up at him, blue eyes wide and mystified.
...
Fifteen minutes later, they're at a pet store, looking through collars.
Hinata seems determined to find the right color and design for Shisui, who watches them from the store, looking petrified. And, again, that feeling comes to Sasuke again as he watches her go carefully through each option, turning to him every now and then for his input.
Maybe I'm at peace, he wonders.
Again, peaceful is a correct description of right now.
But . . . .
"What about this one?"
Hinata holds up a bright, yellow collar decorated with sparkling stars and smiley faces. Her grin is cheeky, and Sasuke scoffs.
"Absolutely not."
Her lips purse in a slight pout. "Hmm? But what if Shisui would like a collar like this?"
Sasuke turns his attention back to the cat outside, who is giving him a look that screams — If you buy that shit, I'll never see you again.
...
When they get home and put the collar on Shisui, the first thing she does is fall to the floor, rolling around, trying to get it off.
Hinata laughs, and Sasuke sighs.
"Shisui, you're being dramatic."
"Maybe the collar is more of a work-in-progress."
They sit in his home, watching Shisui struggle to get used to the collar, chatting about this and that as the minutes pass on. When Sasuke stands to grab a glass of water, he checks the time and notices it's close to midnight.
"You should go home soon," he tells her, placing the drink by her left knee before sitting next to her again.
Hinata's face turns pink again, and her eyes slowly turn to the bag she had brought.
"Um."
She hesitates, and Sasuke leans back, waiting.
"I brought an overnight bag," she quietly explains, "so I was going to ask — if it's alright, of course — um . . . ."
Oh.
That feeling is buzzing with something warm and quick.
"That's fine," he says, barely.
Hinata keeps her gaze low. "I already told Neji and Hanabi, so they won't worry . . . like last time."
Suddenly feeling antsy, Sasuke stands and gets the extra futon out for her, setting it up in one of the empty guest rooms to the side of the main room. Hinata gets herself ready for bed in one of the bathrooms, leaving him alone with Shisui, who watches his face as he straightens out the quilt.
"I should get used to this," Sasuke murmurs. "Soon, she'll be living here."
Shisui's tail flicks back and forth, and when Sasuke's done, he takes the collar off of her.
"Soon, you might be living here, too."
He scratches her chin, and she purrs a bit.
...
When Hinata comes, she still looks embarrassed. She sits herself on the futon, thanking him for setting it up; she doesn't lie down, and he doesn't leave.
She looks like she has more to say.
He waits a while.
When she doesn't say it, he says, "I'll listen."
She shakes her head, face scarlet. "I-I can't. There's no way."
He takes in all the blushing and fidgeting and thinks he understands. He swallows, stands, and goes to his room, where he rolls up his own futon before carrying it into her room. When he unrolls it next to her bed, her hands cover her face, and her ears look burned.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be," he says. "You're my wife."
Her eyes are stunning and bright and stare right into him through the gaps between her fingers, and an explosive wave of confidence and satisfaction fills him to the brim. She lies down on her back, dark hair spilling like ink over the white pillow, and he —
Well, he doesn't do anything.
Shisui sneaks in and plops herself on Hinata's stomach, staring at Sasuke.
Back off, those feline eyes tell him.
Sasuke's lips pull back into a grimace, and he lifts the cat into his arm and carries her out of the room.
He drops her on the floor, and she spits, glaring at him.
"Oi." Sasuke crouches down, lowering his voice. "If you mess with this, I'm putting the collar back on you."
Shisui's fur stands, and she swats at him before making her way to the door, demanding to be let out. Amused, Sasuke lets her outside before returning to the guest room, where Hinata waits, amused herself.
"Was that necessary?"
He shuts the sliding door behind him, and it's dark inside. He steps over his futon and gets on top of her, looming. His hand keeps his torso up so he's not crushing her, but he's close enough to see her wide eyes through the dark. He can feel the heat from her face. His own face feels warm.
"I'll try my best to be a good husband," he tells her, because he feels like he should. It's clear enough she's putting in all her effort to be a good wife, and he thinks she should know he's doing the same. He is. "I promise."
Hinata's arms lift and wrap around his neck, bringing his whole body down. She rests her face in the nook of his neck and breathes long and deep, chest rising and falling with ease. Sasuke stays still, not sure what to do. He wasn't exactly expecting this. He . . . wasn't sure what, exactly, he was expecting — but this was definitely not it.
Not that . . . this is bad.
"You will be," she says, and her words melt into his skin.
He's careful about relaxing into her.
"I'm going to crush you, Hinata."
She doesn't let go. Her fingers slip into his hair and relax against the back of his skull.
"You won't." She sighs, holds him closer, and relaxes completely. "I feel so loved."
Loved.
Suddenly, that strange feeling makes sense.
Sasuke rests his face into the pillow, listening to her small breaths. His heart is wild, and he wonders if she can feel it in her own chest.
Loved.
He doesn't realize his sharingan is activated until a minute later, recording this memory into his brain, never to be forgotten.
Chapter 9 - End