Sasuke

Hinata looked so unmeasurably sad. So unhappy that the damned video didn't even roll the opening credits. This was better for me, but I could not make her miserable just for my pride. Not even my own personal sanity was worth it. I could figure things out. I just needed help, which I'd always spurned. Time to grow up.

As it was, Hinata sighed and plopped down on the closest cot where I joined her. "Can you eat?"

"I'm starving." She exhaled softly, "Sorry, Sasuke. I'll try."

I shook my head, "No need. You try hard enough for three. I promise, as soon as I can, I'll repay your kindness." I hadn't meant to say that. I heaved my own sigh, "I'll get some food for us, okay?"

She nodded, and out of the corner of my eye I saw two heads poke around the corner of the door, "You two!" They jumped into the room, "I need water, and there's food out with the other shinobi, or you can help me make something."

Kenichi and Sunako shared a look, "There's a bunch of Sand shinobi, not…" Kenichi started, and Sunako interrupted.

"We didn't want to deal with that woman. So, we found someone else who gave us the combo to the storage."

"And the report Hinata-sensei wanted, too." Kenichi shot his teammate an irritated frown, "I'll go fill our canteens."

Sunako smiled, "What would you like? The one we talked to was nice, he said we were welcome to whatever we find since they're supposed to leave at the end of the week."

"Then let's cook." I regained my feet, "Mitsuba has our camp gear on the wagon, so bring the pot and whatever vegetables we've got." We might as well use them before they rotted in the packs. "If there's some meat in storage, bring enough for us four. Stew doesn't take much to make it good."

Kenichi snatched our canteens out of the pile of packs we'd dropped when we were shown in. Sunako dashed off, and I went to check out the kitchen. Such as it was. Little more than a kerosene stove, a sink, a sturdy cabinet with some dishes in it, and a handy little cutting board. It would do.

Hinata had joined me, her cheeks still a little red from her crying, but the tears were gone. Her eyes were luminous, even with the early morning sunshine pouring in through the door.

"Thank you, Sasuke."

I snorted, "You haven't tried it. You may have to take that back."

She laughed quietly, "I'm sure it will be fine." She nudged me even more softly, "And for talking to me."

"Go ahead and sit down and get some rest. Or read that report to me?"

She blinked, "Oh, yes." She reseated herself on the cot, "It says that the weather is clear with winds gusting from the north. Sand storm risk is still in the safe range, though caution should be taken if the wind picks up suddenly." The paper crinkled in her hand as Kenichi and then Sunako brought in the bounty.

"Peel those tubers. A kunai works if you can't find a paring knife." I grabbed my canteen for cooking water, "Kenichi, dice it all as soon as Sunako is done." I grabbed the pot, and blew a tiny katon into the stove, and put the pot on to heat. "Continue, please."

"It mentions the dogs I saw. Winter is a natural hibernation time in the desert, too, I guess." She continued, "It says that roving bandits have been spotted in the area." She shrugged before folding the report and pocketing it. "I don't feel worried."

"Me either. How about you two?"

Sunako and Kenichi looked up from where they were working, shaking their heads. I gave a nod to them and grabbed the paper-wrapped chunk of beef that the girl had brought. It looked fine, so I thunked it on the cutting board and rummaged through the cabinet until I found a bigger kitchen knife. I looked at it, then at the meat. I felt my cheeks heat in embarrassment.

I could cut meat with a knife, by using my stump to stabilize the cutting board or the meat itself. But I really hadn't wanted to do so in front of people. I usually cut things either by myself or while Hinata handles other tasks. Whatever. I don't care what people think! Anything but basketweave! I put the knife down and carefully folded the arm of my shirt to bare my mutilated flesh.

Even with a room next to Hinata, or bunking with Kenichi, I never purposely showed it. Just once, when Hinata scared the life out of me to show me her stomach. If there was ever a time to start making good on my boasting, now was it. I took a steadying breath and began to cut.

No one even looked up, but I began to wonder when I'd become so self-conscious. I am proud of how I lost the hand. Yet, I covered it at all times. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Hinata. She was starting to feel less like my roommate than family. With her carrying my brother's child, I suppose it was natural. I turned back to the cupboard, uncovering a small sack of flour.

"Hinata, can you toss the meat in the flour with salt and pepper, if you can find some."

She nodded and I crossed to the sink, using my clean elbow to nudge the water on and wash my hand and forearm carefully. Still no one was doing any noticing. Sunako and Kenichi were arguing over what was the proper dice size. Hinata was rummaging for a bowl, since the salt and pepper were on the chopping board. She turned, giving me a small smile, always smiling. I rolled the sleeve down, but resolved not to let it, or my feelings about it, make me ashamed.

I grabbed a small bottle of oil, and coated the pot. Accepting the meat from Hinata, I tossed it in, and gave it a stir, searing the flavor in, and cooking the flour taste out to make a good roux for the soup. That was really all it would take. The kids brought their veggies up and I put them aside. They'd go in after the water started to bubble again. It wouldn't have all the herbs that could turn a simple stew into a gourmet meal, but it would be hot, filling, and tasty enough. I learned how to do it from a housewife. I spent all day exterminating vermin for her a few weeks ago.

Forty minutes later, we were all sitting on cots that Kenichi had dragged into a circle and ate our meal. It was really the first time I'd cooked anything for others that required more than a stick and a fire. Or a toaster. We finished just as the sun started to bake the desert. Sunako closed the door and we fell asleep.

It was a fitful and uneasy sleep. Changing your sleep schedule, even if you're exhausted, can be extremely difficult. A seasoned shinobi was expected to be able to do it on demand. There was sometimes even a good reason to. But after an hour or two, I woke to find Hinata sitting on her cot, rubbing her stomach with a pot of cream that looked identical to the one Sakura had given to me. I had, of course, passed it on, but I didn't think to find her using it.

"You're awake?" She didn't look up, "A few weeks ago," she tugged her shirt down, "I would have been happy to sleep whenever."

"Anything I can do?"

She shook her head, "No. I should have brought my book. It's probably Itachi's fault." She smiled, "I've been thinking about him today."

I swung my feet under myself, "What about him?"

"Just how much I miss him." Her mouth trembled a little, "I wish he could see me now."

"Do you believe in heaven?"

"No. People die." She shrugged, "They are gone. But, I do think talking to them helps."

I grunted in agreement, "I always thought the idea of my ancestors looking at me whenever they wanted was creepy." She glanced up in surprise, then burst out in laughter. The kids stirred, but ultimately slumbered on. I shook my head, too, "I am glad you could accept me, Hinata."

"Thank you, Sasuke. After everything, I am glad you could accept me as well."

"Get some sleep, my Lady."

"I can't. I thought I could soothe myself, but…"

"Is that what you were doing?" I reoriented myself, and lay on my back, though I could still see her. "Go ahead, you have my permission."

She smiled, "Are you positive? I wouldn't…"

I interrupted her, "House rules. Go ahead, and stop apologizing."

She just nodded, and pulled her shirt up, before unscrewing the top, and dipping her fingers in the cream. She started rubbing at her waistline, where I noted with a rising heat in my face that her pants had been tucked under the bump as well. I resolutely shut my eyes, and tried to go back to sleep. Itachi's goodbye played behind my lids and I just sat through it. I was stronger than this, I would persevere.

I guess I can't. I jumped up, pulling my clothes straight and heading for the door, "I'll be back later."

I didn't stay to see if Hinata would answer. I just ran out. I stalked out to the barn where Mr. Mitsuba's horses were, and flopped down into a bed of clean hay. It wasn't my first time sleeping on the scratchy, stinking material. I fell into a restless sleep and dreamed of tenderly touching a face. Kissing the shell of a dainty ear. Wiping tears off the apple of a cheek too sweet for them.

When I woke a few hours later, the sky though the window near the roof of the barn was already starting to turn a dusky blue with orange streaks. I sat up, rubbing my eyes and frowning at a horse that had decided to check on me. I levered myself out of the pile and pulled my pack out of the wagon, intent on changing my shirt. I could not live with hay stuck to my back all the way to Suna.

Kenichi's face poked in, "Oh! Sasuke-sensei. Here you are."

"Is everyone ready to go?"

He stepped inside and watched me pull on a clean shirt, "Hinata-sensei had us topping our water while she talked to the Sand nin. Mr. Mitsuba asked me to find you, then he'll hitch up the horses and we can leave."

"Sounds good."

Kenichi stayed where he was, shifting his feet before looking at me again. "Sasuke-sensei?"

I frowned at him, and made a gimmie motion with my hand.

"You're a good teacher…" He paused, "Please be nicer to Hinata-sensei."

"Did she cry again?"

He nodded, his eyes troubled when he looked over his shoulder, "It's over now."

"She wouldn't let Mitsuba or those Sand idiots see her like that. I'll apologize later. Satisfied?" He nodded again, and turned to leave, so I caught him, "Here." I pulled my kantana from its loop, handing him the sheathed weapon, "Carry her while we run. I call her Yasakani."

"Yasakani." The boy nodded again, his curls bouncing on his forehead, "Thank you, Sasuke-sensei."

Of course she cried again. I fought back the feeling of anger. I knew I was only mad at myself, and I simply didn't have time to beat myself up. Giving Kenichi my katana for the rest of the journey would be enough of a punishment, though likely no one else would know I regarded it as one. I don't like not having my weapon. Instead I seated my pack and walked out.

In under an hour, Mitsuba had his horses hitched and the wagon situated. Hinata took point, her eyes more suited to long range reconnaissance. The kids flanked on each side and I stood ready at the rear. We would run in formation for approximately 6 hours, the rest of the way to Suna. Mitsuba's whip cut the air and he rumbled away from the fort.

Run we did. Unlike the first part of the Suna road when we switched positions, this time we ran. After an hour, Hinata jumped into the wagon, which was always part of the plan. She simply should not do this grueling assignment. The kids would likely drop just inside Suna's gates, but Hinata had made arrangements to stay at the newly installed Leaf compound. We'd spend the daylight hours recuperating, then we'd be back on the road for another three days, moving as quickly as we could.

AN/ As far as I can tell, Sasuke still has an arm to just below the elbow. I watched a great youtube video on one handed cooking! Wagons go about 9.6 kph; the average ninja (according to a math nerd online) runs around 14-16 kph. The average (non-animated, human) long-distance runner is going around 12 kph. Took out the song stuff...