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by hea25

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Work Header

Rating:

Mature

Archive Warning:

No Archive Warnings Apply

Category:

F/M

Fandom:

Naruto

Relationship:

Hyuuga Hinata/Uchiha Sasuke

Characters:

Uchiha Sasuke

Hyuuga Hinata

Uzumaki Naruto

Haruno Sakura

Additional Tags:

Arranged Marriage

Marriage of Convenience

Uchiha Sasuke Needs Therapy

And a Hug

This gets worse before it gets better

Slow Burn

Forced Proximity

Hinata is too good for this world

Canon Divergent

Alternate Universe

Slow burn means slowww burn

Language:EnglishStats:Published:2022-06-07Updated:2023-08-18Words:14,879Chapters:16/21Comments:52Kudos:456Bookmarks:53Hits:8,999

A Marriage of Convenience

i_would_come_for_you

Summary:

Uchiha Sasuke has literally survived hell. How hard can marriage be?

Arranged Marriage AU/SasuHina.

Notes:

This story takes place after the Ninja War arc, after Sasuke has returned from his redemption journey. The story is canon uptil then, (except Neji's death- cuz let's be real...I was never going to do that). The characters may seem a little OOC at first, because this is my interpretation of them in this AU.

Chapter 1: Chapter 1

Chapter Text

The silence was almost deafening.

She felt everyone's stares on her as she was presented the cup to drink Saké from. The same cup which had just touched her husband's lips.

Her eyes were covered by the veil of her own hair. She clenched her jaw and took the cup. She sipped the sake like it was Poison. It burned as it went down her throat.

The burning lessened the buzzing in her ear. It made her realize she was getting married. The numb feeling she'd had since the morning started to lessen. She took another sip even though she was not supposed to and handed the cup back to whoever would hold it.

Her eyes burnt with unshed tears. She would not cry. Not now. Not ever. "I now pronounce you both officially married."

The priest started to recite a long prayer for the well being of them both and for a long lasting and loving marriage between them. She wanted to laugh at that.

That was not possible. Never.

She had not heard her husband say a word since yesterday, when he had curtly informed her about the arrangements and she'd nodded.

She did not care. At all. This might as well be her funeral. She cast a hateful glance at her father, who seemed perfectly content hiding his emotions behind that mask as always.

The prayer was over and they were both made to stand up. The traditional wedding kimono was heavy and uncomfortable; although all her friends had told her she looked beautiful.

Not like it mattered. She was sure her husband had not even noticed how she looked. Not that she expected him to.

This was merely a marriage of convenience for them both. Or more accurately, for him and her father. She breathed in sharply, expelling all the thoughts as she felt herself being walked to the carriage, which would take her to her new home.

Her father came closer to her, saying a traditional prayer of happiness for her before stepping away. Her sister hugged her, tears in her eyes. She did not know how Hinata felt. She was genuinely happy for her sister.

Neji hugged her last, his expression knowing and ice cold. He knew what was happening and he knew he would lose his cousin. His grip was tight on her shoulders and she felt a childish desire to curl up and hide with him.

But he could not protect her from what her fate was, could he? She sat in the carriage and felt it moving. She cast one last withering look to her former home.

Or her former prison. Since every breath in there had been suffocating. All the damn time.

The walk was silent. The carriage was set down when she reached her destination. Her husband came to stand next to her.

She did not look at him. Instead, choosing to look at the magnificent building in front of her. The giant gates and the lush green, albeit deserted garden inside. The infrastructure which had once housed a group of strong and determined individuals.

The Uchiha compounds.

Her new home.

Her new prison.

As if hearing her thoughts, her husband smirked cruelly, his hand on her lower back as he led her inside. The gates closed heavily behind them and Hinata's eyes burned again.

The buzzing in her ears began anew and her body began going numb again. But the merciful darkness did not take hold of her like it used to when she was younger.

No.

She'd become stronger. Now, she would endure whatever was in front of her. Because perhaps, she was fated.

To be surrounded by monsters.

To become one herself.

She only wondered, how long would it take?

Chapter 2: Chapter 2

Notes:

Hinata is a little OOC in this chapter, but then again, this is an AU so-

Also, I can't tolerate when Hinata has no feelings of resentment towards whatever happens to her in fanfictions...so if you're expecting that...you're going to be very disappointed.

Enjoy, leave kudos and comments and lemme know how you're enjoying the story 3

Chapter Text

Hinata Hyuga was not stupid.

So when she came home to find Sasuke Uchiha in her house, talking to her father privately, she knew something was wrong.

Neji was also there, strangely. Hinata was anxious. She was pacing in the garden, waiting for their private meeting to be over so she could ask what the hell was Uchiha Sasuke doing in the Hyuga compounds?

"Lady Hinata, you must calm down. It is merely clan business." Ko, her care taker since she was a child, advised her.

"I just-It's unusual." She stumbled for words to express what she thought. She did not stutter anymore. No. she'd outgrown that phase along with the shyness.

She'd expressed her feelings to Naruto and she'd been understanding when he'd told her he could only be friends. She was okay with the fact that he was engaged to Sakura Haruno, her close friend now.

Since the war, everyone wanted to rebuild. Together. That's why people did not hesitate to celebrate small things and small mercies either.

The war had been cruel. But that was 3 years ago. Hinata was a 19 year old now, strong and ready to take over her clan as head.

She'd become Jonin and then ANBU along with a few of her old classmates. Naruto was training to become Hokage under Kakashi's wing. Sakura was the head of the Konoha Hospital. Ino had decided to become a Jounin teacher along with managing her flower shop.

And Sasuke…he'd left Konoha for a journey as atonement of his sins. He'd come back a few months ago after 3 years. Hinata had been one to welcome him back along with his friends as she felt bad because everyone was wary of him.

He'd flashed her a look of intrigue before resuming his mask of cold indifference. She sighed. She'd drive herself crazy, over thinking this.

She decided to shower and change to calm herself. She showered and changed into comfortable clothing before deciding to read the mission report for her previous mission before presenting it to the Hokage today.

She knew it would be dinner time soon so she walked downstairs, clad in her T-shirt and yoga pants. As she reached the lower floor, she almost bumped into Uchiha Sasuke. She stopped herself just in time.

She looked up at his face which was weary but showed no hint of any emotion. Hinata just stared at him for a moment. "Uh-I'm sorry." She told him softly.

He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply before walking off, not gracing her with a response. What the-?

She saw Neji, white as chalk come out of her father's study. "Neji nii? What's wrong?" she asked him carefully.

He looked at her and almost freaked out. "Nothing." He breathed out heavily "Nothing at all. Please excuse me."

He walked off. She wondered was wrong with him. Her father did not come out of the study at all. Hinata shrugged it off, determined to ask why Sasuke was here later.

For now, she had dinner to eat since she hadn't eaten anything all day.

Hinata had just returned from presenting the Hokage her mission report. The Hokage had praised her good work.

She was still smiling from that, relishing the praise. She'd been happy with her performance on the mission. Her mind tracked back to when she was a young Genin. She'd been weak.

She remembered her father's mission before most of her missions.

Try not to be a burden for anyone else.

That was always great encouragement, she thought bitterly. It was no use thinking back on that now. Once she was clan leader, she would surely change the ways of the Hyuga. She'd make sure there was no more resentment between the two branches.

She just finished taking off her shoes when the servant informed her that her father wanted to speak to her in his study.

It was something regarding Sasuke's visit yesterday, Hinata was sure. She walked to her father's study and knocked softly.

"Come in." his voice rang out.

She entered and closed the door behind her. He stood besides the window in the room. As if anxious. Which was surely not possible.

"Good evening father." She greeted.

"Good evening Hinata." He said. She waited for him to say more.

"You called me here. What is the matter?" she got straight to the point as her father disliked beating around the bush.

"Hinata…I have some news for you and I hope you will take it well."

Hinata's heart beat faster. She had a feeling whatever the news was…it was not going to be very pleasant for her.

"What…?" she could not manage anymore words. Hiashi looked at her gravely, as if announcing her death.

"Uchiha Sasuke visited yesterday as I am sure you know. He presented me with a blood contract, sealing your engagement to him."

Hinata's breath was knocked out of her body as her father calmly informed her of this. "It was a marriage contract. Between you and Uchiha Sasuke."

Hinata still could not grasp what he was saying. "The engagement was arranged by me and the Uchiha head Fugaku. It must be fulfilled."

"No…" she breathed out.

"I'm afraid that is the arrangement. You will be married to Uchiha Sasuke with in the week." He said it like he was not ripping her life apart right there and then. Like it was a good thing. Like it was routine. Maybe for him, ripping apart lives was not a big deal.

"You can't do this to me." She said angrily.

"It is for the best." He told her.

"You can'tdo this to me." She said through gritted teeth this time. Hiashi sighed, like she was a child, stubbornly asking for a toy she could not have.

"I cannot break a blood contract. And besides, it is a beneficial match." He said, eyeing her carefully. Her eyes burned with tears.

"You can't rip my life apart just like that! What about my life? My ambitions. I don't want to be a breeding mare for him!"

Hiashi flinched at this. He could not help but notice how alike she looked to her mother. It sent a pang through him. Clan before family, he reminded himself.

"Hinata…I expect you to understand." He told her slowly.

"No! You're destroying my life and you expect me to understand?!" she said, raising her voice in front of him for the first time. Her tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Hinata…"

"No! What about being clan head? I was trained for that all my life. I endured taunts from you, snide remarks from the elders, beatings from Neji only to become clan head and change this clan. What about that?!"

"Neji will be clan head." He told her softly.

She stopped dead. Her breathing became very slow for a second. Neji. Clan head. Her mind wrapped around the fact that she was so replaceable.

"You…you think I'm so useless that you can replace me in a minute?" she whispered out. Hiashi's head throbbed.

"It's not like that. You need to understand…"

"That I'm going to be Uchiha's breed mare, you're selling me off, appointing Neji as the clan head and getting rid of me for good."

"I trained all my life for naught. For this. Only to be married off. You never loved me, it hurt but it was okay. If it meant it would not happen to another under my watch, it was fine. This…death would be better than this."

Her voice was chocked with tears and Hiashi felt something inside him break. He urged his demeanor not to break. He was clan head dammit.

"Yes." He forced out.

She looked out and smiled without mirth. "I see."

"You are expected to be married this week." He informed her.

He looked at her, as she broke from the inside. He hated that he could do nothing about it. That he was the reason she was always hurting.

"After I'm sold to the Uchiha to be his whore" he flinched at her words for she was never one to use crude language "Do not expect me to visit. I will leave this compound, this clan and your lives forever. No coming back. If anyone tries to seal my Byakugan, I will kill them"

"And since you never played the role of a father anyways, what's the use of the title alone? You are no father of mine Hyuga Hiashi. I hate you. You didn't deserve my mother and you certainly don't deserve me. Good bye."

She walked outside, slamming the door shut, tears still streaming down her cheeks. Hiashi sat down on his chair, unable to support himself. He looked at the portrait of his wife, who looked as young as Hinata.

She'd always been like her mother, he mused. He'd lost Hana and now he'd lost Hinata for good too.

Hinata wiped her tears as she walked outside. She hated Hiashi. She hated him. She hated Uchiha Sasuke for barging into her life when it was finally becoming better.

She hated him. She walked to her room as her world collapsed around her.

"WHAT?!"

Hinata flinched at the volume of Ino and Sakura's combined voices. She nodded wearily, not wanting to look at them.

"Your father is marrying you off to Sasuke?" Tenten asked, astonished as well.

"That's what he told me." She said bitterly.

"What about being clan head and changing the Hyuga?" Sakura asked softly, knowing it was her friend's dream.

"Apparently marrying me off is better for me so Neji is going to be head while I will bear children for Uchiha Sasuke." Hinata spat out.

Ino's blue eyes filled with tears. "Hinata…I'm so sorry. That's terrible." She said, hugging her blue haired friend.

"Ino…life is not fair. Who knows, maybe I even deserve being treated like nothing all my life." Hinata shrugged sadly. At least her friends knew how she felt.

"Don't say that." Tenten scolded almost harshly "You deserve all the best things in life Hinata."

Hinata chuckled bitterly. "That's why I really am getting the best things." Sakura had never seen her friend so down and it made her extremely mad at Hiashi.

"Hinata, I'll go and kick your father's ass if I have to. You won't marry Sasuke if you don't want to. You will become clan leader." She said, taking Hinata's hand.

Hinata shook her head. "He's not my father anymore. I have cut ties with my clan and I will not force any bonds once I am married."

"You're actually accepting this ridiculousness?" Ino asked, angrily. Hinata shrugged.

"I am."

"Hinata this is crazy." Tenten said. Hinata did not say anything, staring ahead. She got up instead. "I should go tell the Hokage. I might need a few holidays for the preparations."

"Hinata please-don't. think about it. Don't throw away your while life because of your asshole father." Sakura urged her.

"Sakura, Ino, Tenten…it's alright. Things will work out, I am sure." She lied to them and herself "But more importantly…you'll attend the wedding, right?"

Ino forced a smile and the others nodded glumly. "Of course." Tenten said.

"You'll regret coming to shop with us." Ino said, grinning despite the fire burning in her heart for Hinata. Hinata let out a genuine smile.

"I am sure I will. I'll see you tomorrow for shopping then. Good bye."

She was gone in a flash, leaving her fuming friends who cursed Hiashi collectively, feeling bad for Hinata.

Sasuke was training by himself in a secluded area of the outskirts of Konoha when he felt Naruto's chakra flash nearby. He stopped and looked around.

Naruto appeared in front of him in a flash. He grabbed Sasuke roughly by the collar of his shirt and slammed him against the tree.

Sasuke could shake off his hold but he wanted to know what had caused Naruto to be frustrated this time. "What is it now Dobe? I told you I did not steal your ramen coupons."

Naruto's glare did not fade. "Sasuke…what is this rumor about you and Hinata getting married?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes. That. He shook off Naruto's hold and turned his back on him. "So you finally heard?"

Naruto growled. "Is it true?" he asked instead. Sasuke nodded.

"How could you, you bastard?!" Naruto yelled, lunging at him. Sasuke dodged his lunge and stood a distance away, an eyebrow arched perfectly.

"She wanted to be clan head! She had a life. How could you?!"

"Well her father did not really object. Plus the blood contract helped." Sasuke shrugged. "What do you care?"

"I care because she's my friend and Sakura told me she's really messed up about this."

"That is none of my concern." Sasuke shrugged.

Naruto's brows furrowed together as he aimed a punch at Sasuke. "Do you really want to go now?" Sasuke asked, grabbing his hand.

Naruto's kick was the only answer. Sasuke sighed before the spar began.

Hinata got married to Sasuke by the end of the week. Sasuke offered her any room to sleep in. He noticed her surprise.

"Am I not your breeding mare Uchiha-san?" she asked, raising her eyebrows in a mocking gesture. He did not waver as he said.

"No. You are my wife, not a common whore. After all I did go through the trouble of marrying you."

"You're not going to bed me then?" he noticed there was a hint of relief in her voice which almost made him smirk at her fear of sharing a bed with him.

"I am not going to rape you, if that is what your indirect question means. If we sleep together, ever, it will be because we want to…not because of obligation." He doubted it though. And he knew she did too.

He walked off, tired. She watched his retreating back with a slight admiration. But hate burned inside her. Why could he not be a complete demon to her so she'd hate him? Why did he say this? Why did he behave nicely?

She'd thought he was a sex-crazed, power hungry, obsessed and crazy bastard.

She cut the sex-crazed off the list.

As she lay in the unexpectedly soft bed in the room across from his, sleep engulfed her. She dreamt of demons, Uchihas and darkness.

Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Notes:

Thank you for the kudos and comments. Shit starts getting real from here onwards. Enjoy 3

Chapter Text

A month passed and Hinata felt no change in her life now that she was married, except that now she lived in the Uchiha Compounds. She rarely saw Sasuke around the house, who had taken to accepting weekly missions with his ANBU squad or even solo.

Anything to get away from the house.

Not that Hinata was complaining. The Hokage had insisted she stay home for at least 2 weeks, getting to know her husband and the house. The husband part…she did not do.

Although she had grown familiar with the house.

The Uchiha compounds were large, magnificent and now clean. Hinata had taken it upon herself to clean every nook and corner of the house. She also took to preparing the meals, leaving them for Sasuke in the fridge.

He never thanked her or said anything except for what they had said to each other on their wedding night. That was fine with her.

She changed into a sleeveless kimono styled shirt and shorts underneath, taking her weapons with her, she left for the training grounds under the Uchiha name.

She did not want to go out in the village, for the fear that she'd run into someone familiar. That part of her life was behind her.

She started throwing shuriken at the wooden posts in front of her. The training grounds were beautiful. She did not know what the Uchiha had wanted more. They'd been driven to a corner in the village, true, but this place was beautiful.

This particular training ground overlooked the river flowing by along with the pier. Hinata liked this training ground. She'd discovered it the day after her marriage.

As she was water elemental, she could train by the river too. It would be good practice. She decided to practice her Hyuga stances after weapon throwing, since she had nothing better to do.

She did not realize how much time she had spent in training. She was shocked when the she realized the sun was setting.

She'd trained the whole day?

She made her way towards her house. The other part of the compounds was rebuilt, but Hinata and Sasuke lived in one part of it only.

The house was empty as usual. Sasuke had been gone for more than a week. She sighed at the quiet environment and set to preparing dinner.

After eating and washing up, she prepared for bed. She took a shower, changed and laid in bed. Strong wind was blowing outside, making trees sway heavily. It was the rainy season and it rained heavily every other day.

Thunder rumbled and Hinata's heart thundered in her chest. She took a deep breath. This was ridiculous.

Suddenly, she saw a shadow moving outside her window. Her heart filled with dread and her instincts took over. She took the kunai on her bedside and was on her feet in an instance.

The person opened her window and stepped inside. A lightning bolt flashed behind him and Hinata could see why people thought of Sasuke as a demon. Right now, he was perfect in the setting.

His red eyes gleamed like rubies as he walked towards her. She lowered her kunai, her heart beating out of her chest.

He looked as nonchalant as ever but his posture was sagging a bit. He was hurt. The realization made her relax a little.

His knees buckled and he sat down on the floor of her room. He looked up at her, a bit irritably. "Bandage me."

She realized with panic he was getting blood all over the floor. She rushed to her bathroom for the healing kit, her healer instincts taking over.

She turned on the light, but the power supply was off. She cursed in her mind and sat down next to him on the floor carefully. Her thin nightgown did nothing for the cold wind.

She activated her Byakugan and even in the dark, she could make out Sasuke's injuries. She carefully cleaned the wounds, with Sasuke's hisses audible in the dark.

"Your Chakra is pretty low. You should rest."

"Hn." He said as she finished bandaging his arm. She did not let go of it, instead looking at his face. His Sharingan was still active and she found he was staring at her too.

"You don't have enough Chakra to activate your bloodline." She told him, narrowing her eyes. He scoffed.

He got up from the floor. "Whatever Hyuga."

"I'll…Do you want some food?" she asked. He looked at her for another moment before nodding his head a fraction.

She nodded. "Come on."

They both walked to the kitchen in the dark. The occasional lightning burst lit up the room. He made it a point not to look at her as they sat across each other. She presented him with food which he accepted without a word.

She sat there, watching him eat in silence. He did not say anything either. The heavy patter outside told Hinata it was raining quite heavily outside.

"What was the mission?" she tried for a conversation.

He said nothing. Hinata got the point. He did not wish for her to keep talking and ruining the peace. She appreciated the silence too.

The rain only got heavier. Sasuke looked out the window. He was tired. He got up from the chair.

"Uchiha-san!" she called after him.

He stopped walking and turned his head a fraction, just enough so she was visible in the lightning that flashed. She looked…restless.

"Why…why did you marry me?" she asked.

Sasuke sucked in a breath before turning around properly and composed a smirk on his face.

"Because Hyuga…misery loves a companion."

She watched his retreating back once again, unable to speak, think or even breathe.

Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Notes:

More SasuHina!

Chapter Text

The silence was awkward at best and uncomfortable at worst. Neither party had anything to say, and the silence prickled at Hinata's skin like a paralyzing needle would.

Maybe her companion didn't feel the need to fill the silence but the quiet was getting to her. Lately, that had been all that had been present; the quiet and silence.

Ever since her marriage, the Uchiha Compounds had been too much.Too silent, too lonely and too deserted.No one dared to wander there, fearful of the last Uchiha and too sympathetic for his poor wife.

Who'd been chained to him, by none other than her own father.

Her friends had been the exception. They'd been very understanding and kind to her current circumstances. They visited a lot, invited her to come with them everywhere. But for how long?

The compounds were her home. How long could she delay the inevitable? On top of that, Sasuke seemed to accept any mission that would keep him away from home. It's like he was avoiding her like the plague.

And sometimes, she wondered, if he only married her so they could be miserable together. She'd had dreams and aspirations for her life once-

"We'll camp here tonight."

Sasuke's rich baritone made her halt at once. She realized it was going to be dark soon and they'd been running the whole day towards their destination. She nodded.

They took shelter in a clump of trees. "I can gather firewood." Hinata told him. His silence was agreement enough as she stalked off.

There was the distant sound of water. Maybe a lake? She gathered firewood before she returned to their campsite.

Her companion was probably not waiting-but she should head back quicker anyways.

Sasuke had no clue as to why the old hag insisted they come together for this mission. He didn't need Hyuga-Uchiha now, he corrected himself-for this.

"Why?" had been his question to Tsunade.

"Why not?" she'd asked instead.

"You don't need two dojutsu users for this."

"On the contrary. This is a stealth mission. You're both there to gather intelligence." Tsunade said, leaning back in her chair.

"Intelligence about an old man who's being targeted for his position probably by his own son?" Sasuke argued.

Tsunade scoffed. "You need to gather intelligence about the current situation with the other villages. There will be representatives from every village. No one tells more about a place than the dirty handed rich people."

"And you could send me alone." He argued. He was not in the mood to face off his damned wife right now. "I can easily represent the most vile original clans of this village. Send me alone."

"You appear too hostile alone. She's going to balance you out." Came the answer.

And now here he was, sitting here while she left to gather firewood. As she came into view, Sasuke watched her from the corner of his eye.

Her long indigo hair fell over her shoulders as she bent down to set the firewood. He'd never paid attention to her in their past years. She was always in the background as the weird blue haired Hyuga who was too focused on Naruto instead of her training.

But she'd grown, he realized. The stuttering mess of a girl she'd been had changed into a young woman, confident in herself. And now, at 19 years, she was confident enough to survive with him.

Because living with him was just that...surviving.

His brows furrowed at the thought. "Uchiha-san?" she said, breaking him out of his thought. "Could you light the fire?"

"Sasuke."

"Huh?"

"It's Sasuke. Not Uchiha-san." He said, making the hand-signs for a fire technique. Hinata nodded.

"Sasuke-kun." She said, as if practicing the feel of his name. He sighed when she said that. He supposed it could have been worse. She could have been slow, or too loud or have an annoyingly screechy voice.

Still.

Hereallydidn't need her here.

Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Notes:

Thank you for the nice comments everyone left on the last chapter. I hope you enjoy the story. A side note is that, the mission is not going to be too detailed, it's just a way to open the SasuHina interactions so I won't be too detail oriented. Also, their development may be arbitrary sometimes in the later chapter (i.e. they may even be a little vague sometimes) and that is intentional.

Onwards with the story now 3

Chapter Text

Oh my friend, My beloved is finally home

My beloved is finally home

My courtyard will be visited by good fortune once more

Beholding the face of my beloved

I have lost my mind and soul

Beloved; place the Palenquin undeneath the Mango tree

Saavan (The rainy season) is in full bloom.

-Underneath the Mango Tree (Ambwa Talay)

_

The glower Sasuke provided when he was informed they'd be sharing the room was impressive. The poor servant scurried away, scared for his life.

Hinata sighed. This would indeed be a very long mission judging by Uch-Sasuke'sreaction. She looked at him tentatively. He didn't meet her gaze.

"I can sleep on the floor." He told her.

They'd just arrived, tired and exhausted. They'd been greeted by the Daimyo along with his other guests, there for his whatever-year-birthday, which was tomorrow. Then, the servant had showed them their room which they'd be sharing and Sasuke's face had changed from passive to murderous in seconds.

"I'll take a shower first." She ignored his plan of their sleeping arrangement and made her way towards the bathroom with her clothes in tow.

The bath was indeed refreshing, she realized as she dressed in a silk kimono and came out. Sasuke was leaning against the bedrest when she entered.

"All yours." she gestured to the bathroom.

He didn't say anything as he walked off, passing her. Her mind flashed to the last real conversation they'd had.

Misery loves a companion.

_

"So, Mrs. Uchiha-" Hinata couldn't stop her cringe at that. "What? The food too spicy?"

"No. Nothing. You were saying?" Hinata said, forcing a smile as she faced the noble lady next to her.

"Your husband is very handsome, I must say." The noble lady, Haruka, said with a smirk. Hinata coughed.

"Yes. Anyhow, who are you accompanying here?" Hinata asked.

"My bethrothed. He's the one sitting three seats down." Haruka introduced.

She gestured to a man looking to be in his early thirties with chestnut brown hair and a kind face. "Oh. He looks very nice." Hinata commented.

"Yes. He is."

"When is the wedding?" Hinata asked, to keep the conversation flowing.

"Next Spring." Haruka blushed happily. "I was so lucky my family allowed me to accompany him here, of course on the condition that there would be chaperones present-"

Haruka launched into a lengthy account of her bethrothed Jen and his family. Hinata nodded along and "Hmmmed" at all the appropriate moments.

Her focus was on her husband (she cringed internally), to make sure he didn't kill anyone trying to make mundane talk with him. Luckily for her, he seemed to be listening to the people around him talk.

He seemed to have felt her gaze on him as their eyes locked. He looked at her as one might, a stranger. She felt annoyed as she looked away.

"Oh, stealing glances at your husband?" Haruka teased.If she only knewHinata thought as she laughed fakely.

"What is it like..." Haruka trailed off suggestively. Hinata almost choked on her water. Oh hell no, they weren't going down that road.

"You know what, I think the Daimyo wants to speak." Hinata deflected instead, thankful as the Daimyo indeed stood to speak.

"Thank you to everyone who made time to come here and attend the ceremony which is to be held tomorrow." The Daimyo spoke. He was still active for his age and his eyes sparked the kind of confidence that comes with age.

On his right side, his son was seated. He looked displeased with so many people present. "We'll continue all formal talk tomorrow. Please, eat."

The Daimyo sat down and Hinata felt something was wrong. And judging by the look on Sasuke's face, he thought the same.

Sasuke stood on the small balcony adjoining their room, which looked out over the gardens of the Daimyo's residence. He noticed how that nobleman, Jen had the room next to theirs. Interesting. The man seemed decent enough but something about him was off.

He noticed a strange crash sound go up in Jen's room. Then, he smirked knowingly. And continued looking over the ground when he felt her come up behind him.

Hinata stood next to him in silence before another small sound came from the room next to theirs. Sasuke knew what she was about to do and grabbed her hand as she was about to make the hand-sign to activate her dojutsu.

"Don't look."

"What? What if something's-" Hinata began. Sasuke rolled his eyes. How dumb was she?

"Looks like our neighbor's having a rendezvous with his soon to be wife," Sasuke informed her curtly, a smirk threatening to spill out when she turned as red as a tomato.

"I-That-you" she sputtered and almost choked on her own spit. Sasuke snorted.

Well, at least she was amusing, he thought as he looked over the gardens again and then up at the sky. Hinata calmed down beside him.

"You enjoy watching the stars?" she asked, trying to start conversation. Sasuke grunted noncommittally. He did not want a conversation with her. Really.

"Sleep." He told her instead, hoping she'd take the hint and leave. But no. Apparently the girl was feeling inquisitive.

"Sasuke-kun...do you think about your family?" She said and then a hush fell over her. As if she couldn't believe she'd had the gall to ask that.

Neither could he actually because his eyes seeped crimson as he turned to her. "Do I think about my family?" he smirked and enjoyed the way terror seemed to seep into her expression as he trapped her against the wall and his red eyes looked into hers.

"Want a good bedtime story hearing about the Uchiha massacre, hime?" he mocked, inexplicably angry at her suddenly. "Thinking you can get some more gory details from the survivor aside from the tidbits the gossip fed you?"

"No, I-" Hinata started, scared. "I didn't-"

"Do youreallywant to know how much I think about my family?" he asked, leaning closer, his Sharingan tomoes spinning and his Mangakeyo activating.

She shook her head, clenching her eyes shut. Her hands weren't shaking so Sasuke had to give credit where it was due as he leaned away from her.

He felt disgusted. He didn't know why. "Sleep." He told her.

Then he was gone.

Chapter 6: Chapter 6

Notes:

There is not going to be much detail about the mission. There are many, many fanfictions for that. The mission is just a way to get the relationship started from strangers to at least acquaintances. Enjoy, comment and let me know what you think 3

Chapter Text

I knew I wouldn't forget you

And so Iwent and let you blow my mind

True to his word, Sasuke did not come to the bed. Hinata did a perimeter sweep before she closed her eyes to sleep.

She didn't even know if Sasuke slept or not. By the time she woke up, he was nowhere to be found. After the events of last night, she felt relieved not having to face him right now.

She took a shower and dressed in another silky kimono, choosing to let her hair flow freely.

The morning was early and she set out to take a walk. The Daimyo had beautiful gardens though, she admired. Suddenly, she felt someone's presence nearby.

Jen. Haruka's betrothed.

He smiled as he saw her. "Good morning, Lady Hinata." He greeted.

"Good morning."

"You're an early bird then." He said in a friendly way. She smiled politely.

"Force of habit."

"Indeed." He said, with a knowing smile. Hinata furrowed her brows. "It's part of being born and raised in a Noble Clan."

She relaxed, hopefully not visibly. "Oh. Yes. Yes it is."

"Where might your husband be? Leaving a pretty lady like you here alone...why someone might steal you."

Uh-what? Hinata couldn't even reply in the initial surprise of his words. Wasn't he bethrothed to Haruka?

"Thatsomeonewould have to be one hell of a thief." Sasuke's dry, ironic voice caused them both to look surprised. Hinata was slightly on edge, looking for any signs of lingering anger on his face, but Sasuke showed none.

"Ah-Good Morning Uchiha-san." Jen smiled even wider on seeing him. Sasuke didn't even have the decency to nod.

"Leave."

Jen looked confused at his rudeness before he noticed Sasuke was serious. "Ah, I'll take my leave then...Lady Hinata."

"Uh...Good bye." She mumbled.

Jen hurried off while Hinata looked at Sasuke. "Where were you, Uchiha-San?"

"I told you to call me Sasuke."

"Okay. Where were you, Sasuke-Kun?"

"Around." He replied in an annoyingly vague tone. "Did you gather any valuable information?"

His tone became so soft that she had to strain her ears to hear him. She shook her head. "Nothing valuable. I don't know why Tusande-sama deemed this mission so important."

Sasuke sighed. "Looks like the hag spends more time playing match-maker than doing her job." He muttered to himself.

Hinata blushed a little. "She must have her reasons. I don't like how...good everyone here is."

"Sure...call the lecher good." He scoffed.

"I wasn't talking about Jen-Sama."

Sasuke didn't deem that worthy of a response. "We leave tomorrow. Try to...find something useful."

Hinata nodded. Sasuke walked off without another word.

The venue for the ceremony was beautifully decorated. Hinata admired the dim lights, flickering above them. She and Sasuke walked carefully inside. He was wearing formal clothing too and she admitted he looked quite nice.

"Watch out for everyone." He warned her before they parted.

"Hello dear." The Daimyo's wife greeted. "You're so beautiful." She said admiring Hinata's long silky hair.

"Thank you." Hinata said. "You as well."

"Oh you don't have to flatter this old lady, my dear." The Daimyo's wife, Kira replied. "It's the old age."

Hinata laughed a little. "You look so young. Your husband too. Couldn't wait any longer to get married?" Kira winked.

Hinata smiled, though there was a bitter undertone. "Yes, it was inevitable so...why wait."

"Well...you suit one another." Kira said, glancing at Sasuke, standing a little away from the others. "Sometimes, it isn't the person you want...but the person you need that the Universe gives you."

Hinata looked at her surprised. Kira smiled with that elderly wisdom. She certainly seemed nicer than her husband.

Hinata mingled around but there was little information of consequence. She began to get bored by the time the Daimyo spoke. Sasuke had drifted to her side, for appearances.

"Thank you again to all my lovely guests for attending." The Daimyo said, eyeing Hinata with a smile as he said that. She inwardly rolled her eyes. "I am extremely grateful to you all."

"This is the first lively event we've had since the Shinobi war three years ago. And we have a special pair of guests as well. After decades, members of the Uchiha family have attended an event of mine. Their massacre was indeed a tragedy..."

Hinata felt Sasuke go murderous. It reminded her of last night, when he'd gone all 'Uchiha Survivor' mode on her. She'd never felt scared of Sasuke, never before. But last night, there hadn't been a shred of humanity in his ruby eyes.

Hinata immediately tensed up, grabbing his arm with both her hands, seemingly in an affectionate gesture. But actually, she didn't want everyone present here to be slaughtered. She missed the next few minutes of the speech as Sasuke calmed down

"...but enjoy the event. Thank You."

Sasuke stalked off, freeing his arm from her grasp harshly.

She did not see him until the early morning.

Hinata did not know why but she felt like the Daimyo was hiding something. She was proved right when she woke in the early morning by a choking sound.

It turned out to be the sound produced as a result of Sasuke slitting someone's throat. It was Jen, Hinata realized on further inspection.

"Sasuke!" she shrieked at the sight of Jen trying to breathe and making a horrible sound choking on his own blood.

"We're leaving."

"He was someone's betrothed." She shrieked again, feeling hysterical as the light left Jen's eyes and he slumped over. Sasuke simply wiped his Katana on the sleeve of his shirt. His hands were blood red and it made Hinata sick.

"He came in here trying to kill us." Sasuke informed her, picking up everything that belonged to him.

"He had no reason to do that."

"That's the Daimyo's orders he was executing." Sasuke told her. "Guess it was too good of a chance for them to pass up the Byakugan and Sharingan."

Hinata felt herself trembling. She might just throw-

"Hey, we're leaving." he said harshly. "Act like a fucking Konoichi."

So she did. And they left instantly, covered by the night. But she hadn't witnessed was Sasuke infiltrating the Daimyo's mind using Genjutsu that night.

And he had he gained the Intel the Hokage wanted. Along with his intentions to have the two dojutsu users assassinated.

And now the Daimyo was going to be pretty mad, and since he couldn't kill him...well they should get out of there before he awoke.

Chapter 7: Chapter 7

Notes:

Here we see some progress. Do leave me your thoughts as they keep me motivated to update 3

Chapter Text

Fresh poison each week

We were born sick

You heard them say it

My church offers no absolution

-Hozier (Take me to church)

This was not supposed to be happening.

He cursed in his mind. Those fucking Ninjas had been sent by the Daimyo, no doubt about that.This is why we should have just fucking killed that sniveling rat,Sasuke thought, looking at a comatose Hyuga-Uchihadammit.

The rogues were taken care of. He'd killed most of them while a few had fled with heavy blood-loss. But the fight had taken its toll on Hinata, who was collapsed in his arms as of now.

The poison would be spreading in her system already, he realized. He needed to hurry. Konoha was still far. He'd need to search for a medic in the nearest village.

With that thought, Sasuke sped onwards, carrying hiswifetowards a potential healer nearby.

"I need a healer." He said those words to the first person he saw in the village.

"Shinobi." The man exclaimed as he ran off hurriedly. Sasuke's eyebrow twitched. He did not have time for this bullshit.

He grabbed the next man by his collar, possibly scaring the other person shitless. "Healer."

"Medic!" The man exclaimed frightened, pointing towards the main building of the village. He let go of the man.

"You better be right or I'll find you later and kill you and everyone you've ever met." He warned as he took off with Hinata.

The building was-something. Sasuke didn't care at this point. He just needed to get his companion healed so they could go back. The people in the building appeared intimidated by Sasuke.

"Heal her."

No one moved. He closed his eyes and opened them abruptly.

"Now!" He said, more forcefully while red color seeped into his eyes. Everyone set into motion at that little gesture.

Someone took Hinata out of his hold while he took a deep breath, turning off his Sharingan. He didn't trust anyone here so he moved into the room with the medic.

"You go out. I remove shirt." The female medic told him as eloquently as she could in his language. He sighed again.

"No."

"Out. No proper." She tried again.

"She's my wife." He told her with a snarl. "Now you either save her modesty or her life. And I prefer the latter."

Besides, it's not like he'd not seen women and their bodies before. He'd been with a few in the Sound Village. Though he'd never been with Hinata or seen her before.

The medic looked unhappy but she set to work, removing the obi from Hinata's shirt. Sasuke watched the wound on her abdomen, staining the fishnet undershirt red.

He'd tied the wound best as he could over her shirt when he'd removed the poison needles. The medic cleaned her wound before she healed her.

Sasuke didn't care usually, but he noticed how her skin wasn't flawless at her abdomen. There was a very faded scar there. He was reminded of the things about the Pein attack he'd been told. And about how Hinata had been stupid enough to jump into the fray.

She was so stupid. But he could not help but add:

"Make sure it doesn't scar."

Hinata felt very lightheaded and tired when she opened her eyes. The room was bare and very small. But it was clean.

She noticed Sasuke sitting in the chairs in front of her bed near the door of the room. He looked tired but still vigilant.

"Sasuke-kun."

His eyes opened at that. He raised his eyebrow at that. Hinata tried to sit up weakly. "How am I-"

"If you think death is getting you out of this marriage, you've got another thing coming." He smirked.

It was the most Hinata had ever heard him say, and the most he'd ever tried to make humor with her. And maybe-just maybehe cared.

So she chuckled weakly. That was all before the tiredness took over once again and she lay back.

Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Notes:

Updates are slow, but never fear because this story is complete. This story was written as a short story, a series of moments from the married life of Sasuke and Hinata, until I turned it longer; so this chapter might be a little confusing for some. But enjoy 3

Let me know what you think about the chapter.

Chapter Text

By some miracle, make me yours

I'm yet someone else's

Make me yours

-Tera Ho jaoon (Translation: To be yours)

"What thefuckare we doing? I don't know what i was thinking when I took the gods damned contract to your father."

He snapped in frustration. She'd known all this of course. But hearing it from him hurt somehow. Because to him, she was another expandable toy. He'd wrecked all she'd had and now even he wasn't sure of what he had done.

She'd known they were a train wreck waiting to happen. But-

"It's too late now. We're stuck together." She informed him, bitterness creeping into her voice despite trying her best not to let it show.

He didn't say anything in reply to her. But she was afraid. "I-I don't have anywhere else to go." She told him in a resigned manner, swallowing her pride.

"You're not leaving this place."

The deadly promise and the coldness of his words made her shiver. Was that a threat. Or a plea. Or a bit of both really.

She took in a gasping breath when the lightening lit up the sky, illuminating half of Sasuke's face. The effect made him look like a condemned spirit. AGaki.

The demon posing as the charming prince.

"This isyourhome. It hasn't been mine for a long time." He said, more to himself than to her. He now seemed tired. The rain fell harder and harder outside.

"Sasuke-"

"You can't fix me. I-screwed up. And the only reason why I'm still here is becasue of Naruto." He took a shuddering breath. "I don't know what I expected to change butthiswas a mistake."

Hinata didn't have it in her to say anything. But the broken sound of his voice broke her a little too. And the thought of being in these haunted grounds alone made her skin crawl. The silence...it had been here for too long already.

He was beyond damaged. Shattered more like it. He would never be whole again. He would never heal completely.

The wounds had festered too long for them not to scar. And he was full of scars. But that didn't lessen his value.

To her, he was just as deserving of redemption as anyone else. He was morphed into what he was today but a series of unfortunate and horrible events.

But he needed to know, he was loved.

By Naruto, Sakura...Kakashi.

Maybe even her. Someday.

Sasuke sagged down on the wall in front of her. She took a deep breath.

"Sasuke." He looked up. She'd approached him quietly. And now she crouched in front of him.

"I told you-" he said.

"I can't fix you. You're broken. You'll never heal completely and you're wrecked beyond belief."

He didn't even flinch as she said all this. Maybe he'd told himself things worse than this. She hated that thought as soon as it formed.

"But-You're still here aren't you? That meanssomething.Maybe you shouldn't try to fix yourself. Revel in the glory of what you are instead. You're a survivor. Maybe you should relish the pieces of yourself youhavegot. Maybe we should salvage them. Together.

She was cupping his face as she made him look at her while she said this. There was truth in her eyes. She meant all this.

But Sasuke looked so afraid. His eyes were wide, as if he was waiting for her kindness to turn into hatred and into another one of his nightmares. He wasn't even breathing.

His paranoia was back in full force. His eyes distrustful and scared. It broke Hinata's heart a little. So she did something he could never imagine.

She moved towards him, until their noses touched. His faint breath ghosted over her cheek. This felt more intimate than any kiss in the world.

Neither of them moved from their position while the rain continued outside.

Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Notes:

Sorry, it's been a while since the last update. Thank you to everyone who leaves me comments on the story. They make my day 3 Let me know what you think of this one.

Chapter Text

Your faith is strong

But I can only fall short for so long

Down the road, later on

You will hate that I never gave more to you

Than half of my heart

-John Mayer (Half of my heart)

"Naruto, have you seen-?" Sakura started when she realized Naruto wasn't in the room. She scowled.

"Where did he go?"

Meanwhile, Sasuke stood next to Naruto in the forest, both of them panting from their spar. "Good-fight." Naruto huffed in between breaths. Sasuke nodded before he sat down heavily. Naruto followed suit.

They were silent for a while as they caught their breath. Naruto looked at Sasuke. "Eh, how are things with...Hinata-Chan?"

Sasuke didnotwant to answer that. "Good."

"She was injured on the mission. Badly. Shouldn't you go home to her early for some days?" Naruto inquired.

"She's fine." Sasuke told him."I don't need to do that."

"Why?"

"Because she'd tell me if she needed me to do that." he stated simply.

Naruto sighed. "I swear bastard, all these times you called me a baka while you're so naive." He shook his head exasperatedly, similar to how Sakura did. "Of course she won't say. Girls don't do that. They just expect you to."

"How would I know if she never even asked?" Sasuke said, his eyebrow twitching. Naruto shrugged.

"I dunno man. That's just how girls are. Plus, Hinata's delicate. Like a snow flower. You need to treat her good."

Sasuke realized once again aboout how little he knew his wife. And how despite all of his coldness towards her, she'd reassured him that day.

That night, where she'd sat with him, assuring him with mentally and physically, the thought of it always confused him. And irritated him.

Why would she do that? What did she have to gain from that? She had no reason to do that, yet she did. He'd ripped everything from her...and she still did not hate him for it.

"And she's so kind. She loves everyone. Even those who don't deserve it." Naruto continued. His words struck a chord within Sasuke.

He had never shared anything but his misery with her.

Because Misery loves a Companion.

And yet, she'd re-assured him. Helped him. She had his back. Why?

Maybe-we can do that together.

Her words from that night rang in his head.

"Sasuke?" Naruto asked, when he was quiet for too long. Sasuke sighed before turning to him.

"She believes I deserve redemption." He didn't know why he told Naruto that. But he needed to tell someone.

"Hinata?"

Sasuke nodded. Naruto smiled wistfully. "Of course she does. And of course you do."

Sasuke scoffed at that. "Teme, what you did...you were crazy back then. Besides, you came back didn't you?"

"Only because you brought me back." Sasuke said in a bitter tone. Naruto shook his head.

"Teme, Konoha's your home. It always has been and it always will be your home. You belong here. And if you're worried as to why Hinata thinks that...it's not because she wanted something from you. She always sees the best in people. She's always believed in me...even when no one else did. She loves so-purely. It makes you love you too. Because how could something she loves be unworthy of love?"

Sasuke watched Naruto with amazement. He'd never heard him speak of someone-even Sakura- that way.

"She's good for you bastard. You're a lucky man." Naruto concluded.

And Sasuke decided going home at the end of the day might not be too bad.

Hinata was finished cooking dinner for herself and for Sasuke in case a miracle happened and he came home.

Ever since the night she'd told him she believed him...he'd been even more distant. Sometimes she wondered if that had been infact the wrong thing to say.

Maybe he was so used to being alone that her belief in him only made him wary and paranoid of her. That man was wary even of his own shadow. Other times she felt tired, not knowing what he wanted from her.

She was setting the table when she heard someone enter the kitchen. She turned immediately, her hands in front of her in an offensive stance.

Her hands lowered when she realized it wa Sasuke. "Sasuke-kun."

"I-" he cleared his throat before he looked at her, slowly. His gaze was penetrating, confused and wary. Tentative. "I'm home."

Hinata looked stunned for a second. Filthy, tired and exhausted as he was-he was home.Home.

Her lips curved into a very small-barely there-smile.

"Welcome home."

Chapter 10: Chapter 10

Notes:

Hopefully everyone is doing fine and still enjoying the story. Leave me your thoughts on the chapter 3

Chapter Text

Could you come a little closer but still keep your distance?

I've been thinking it over and I'm terrified

Are you still afraid that maybe something's missing?

I want you to be honest, are you scared of heights?

Cause, oh, we might fall

-We might fall

Hinata hummed to herself softly as she tended to her garden. Lately, she'd been home from missions. Tsunade was deliberately giving her an easy time and easy missions.

Hinata was grateful. Now, after 8 months along in her marriage...she finally had started to feel like the Uchiha Compound was her home. And Sasuke would still take missions but not in a frenzied state like he used to do before.

He came home and they'd usually have dinner together. She learnt he liked to eat food with lots of tomatoes in them. She packed him lunches if she didn't have missions.

But they started working better together. As a unit.

He wouldn't talk much. But neither did she. The silence was no longer strained or uncomfortable. It was alright with both of them now.

"Hinata."

Her head snapped up when she heard her own name. At first she could not believe her eyes when her gaze fell on her cousin.

"Neji..." she whispered.

"Hinata." He said again, as he moved to engulf her in his arms. She stepped back. Neji stopped, as if burnt.

"Hinata?"

"Neji...what are you doing here?" she asked, quietly. All that anger, resentment and hurt came flooding back.

"Hinata...i wanted to see you. It's been a while." He said, quietly as well. Hinata nodded.

"And now you've seen that Uchiha Sasuke treats me well as i am healthy and standing. You can leave now."

Neji paled. "Hinata,I've missed you."

His voice was agonized. "So have I. But i cut off all ties with the Hyuga when i got married. And from what i hear-you're the leader."

Neji flinched visibly. "I'm your cousin."

"And I am not of your clan anymore. Please leave." She said, her cold as she took his face in. He looked healthy. Good.

"Please don't-" Neji pleaded.

"Good bye Neji." Neji stood there, frozen as she walked off towards the compound building.

"Neji came today."

Sasuke looked up from his dinner plate to look at her. "Okay."

"I told him to leave."

He didn't ask why but his inquiring gaze was enough. "I-I cut off ties with the Hyuga on my wedding."

"I never asked you to do that. You can meet them still."

"I know. I was-just so angry."

"At being wed to me." He stated in a deadpan voice. She nodded.

"And you still are?"

"Angry? Well...not as much. But yes."

He nodded again and there was silence. She almost wanted him to say something. But he didn't. There wasn't anything that he was entitled to say to her.

"And you? Do you...still think we're better off...alone?" she asked. He didn't meet her eyes. But he knew what she was asking.

Do you still think you're broken beyond repair?

"Maybe." He answered finally and then looking up to see into her eyes. She looked surprised that he didn't answer with a resolute yes.

"Sasuke-kun..."

"I still believe I'm not worth...whatever you're doing. But, if you're faith is still strong...I appreciate it."

Hinata couldn't believe it. Her mouth broke into a lovely smile which made Sasuke's face morph into thatbarely theresmile.

"Okay." she said.

He nodded and took another bite of his food. Maybe there was hope for him yet.

Hinata stood on the roof of the main building, where she and Sasuke lived, to witness the sunset. She always came here to watch the setting sun. It soothed something in her to watch the scenery. And the beautiful shades of orange and yellow melting into one another-

Sasuke knew she always came on the same balcony, the highest view their compounds had to offer to watch. And today, he didn't know why something compelled him to come too. To see what the hell attracted her to the setting sun so much.

Maybe he could-

He shook his head. There was nothing like that for him. No rest for the wicked, he told himself. Hinata seemed to be immersed in watching the scene unfold. So immersed that she didn't even notice him. He decided not to interfere with her cathartic activity.

Instead, he leaned against the nearby wall, watching her instead of the sunset. Her midnight blue hair (eerily reminding him of his mother's) was blowing slightly with the breeze and her bangs caressed her face gently.

And that slight smile on her face he could see from this angle where her face was only partially visible, seemed so peaceful. He was taken aback slightly. How?

Just how did she manage to be so at peace with everything despite everything that had happened to her?

And he knew it was stupid. And that he couldn't possibly hope for it anymore.

But at that moment, the rays of a dying sun bathing him in its fading light; as he looked at her...he felt something close topeace.Finally.

Chapter 11: Chapter 11

Notes:

I'm sorry for the late updates but I promise I will finish the story. Thank you for your comments. They make my day. Enjoy 3

Chapter Text

As reason clouds my eyes, the splendorfading

Illusions of the sunlight

The reflection of the light

Will keep me waiting

_

The blood-red eyes he knew better then his own by this point, were all he could see as he lay there, unmoving, unblinking. He knew he had tears in his eyes but he could not make a single sound as those eyes looked on at him.

Itachi, he thought.

A surge of love and hate simultaneously passed through him as the name flashed through his mind. How many times had those same eyes haunted him as a child, showing him his clan's massacre over and over and over again until he'd learnt them by their shape, texture and the exact color.

Until he'd learned to hate the very person he'd loved more than life itself. Sasuke felt a flash of pain at this statement. His brother's eyes...his eyes now.

These eyes...they see quite well in the dark.

He sat up straight in bed, in cold sweat, taking in deep breaths. It'd been more than a decade and the dreams never stopped.

Only dark loneliness there to greet him whenever he woke. So he would try to stay awake. It would go to the point where he couldn't sit up anymore due to extreme exhaustion and he'd pass out. And still, the dreams never stopped.

The ghosts tying him down never stopped. He cursed as he threw the sheet away and his feet touched the wooden boards of his floor.

The moonlight streamed in through his open window as he looked out the window before getting to his feet to get a drink of water.

He walked out into the hallway and passed by Hinata's room. The door was open and he stopped involuntarily. She lay with her back to him, her long hair draping her like a dress. The moonlight on her hair looked almost like a halo.

He scoffed. Halo indeed. She looked so small on the huge bed. But so innocent, he thought, picturing her face as the light fell on it. Would she have the same nightmares a decade later after the same happened to her?

Or would she learn to forgive and forget?

All she was, was compassion and love. He could see the way it hurt her whenever her cousin tried to approach her. The love in her eyes for him, the way he'd never seen directed at him by anyone.

Not for a very long time.

Still, this wasn't the time to think about himself. It was to think about her. They'd had this argument before. When she'd refused to give up on him.

Although why was he dragging her down with him? It had been his initial intention as he'd asked for her hand in marriage. To take her down with him.

However living with her, seeing her compassion directed towards him had changed him completely for her. He couldn't do it anymore.

But she'd burnt all bridges when she'd gotten married to him. And she was too pure to be tainted by someone like him.

Too good.

But he'd vowed to try. He owed her that much.

He didn't know how long he stood there, contemplating about her, water and dreams long forgotten. It was only later he realized...something had made him forget his nightmares, if only for a while.

Love gone, for so long

Chapter 12: Chapter 12

Notes:

Since I won't be updating at least for a while, here's a double update :)

Chapter Text

Give a little time to me, to burn this out

We'll play hide and seek

To turn this round

-Give me love (Ed Sheeran)

They both sat on the couch in the living room, looking at the strange film playing on the small Tv. Sasuke had come back from training surprisingly early, and Hinata had offered him tea after he'd showered.

He'd shrugged and dropped next to her on the couch, taking the small tea cup from her delicate hands. And now, he was forcing himself to watch the movie with her.

"You...really don't like the movie, do you?" she asked suddenly, breaking him out of his thoughts which involved his next mission, next week.

"No." He answered honestly and Hinata frowned at that. But it looked endearing on her, he thought. A faint smile made its way on his face.

"We can watch something else." She suggested and he shook his head. Hinata sighed. Then, he felt a twinge.

He didn't have to be such ateme, as Naruto put it, to her. He sighed too. "We could talk." He said, surprising himself with the suggestion along with her. He never liked talking. Ever.

"Oh. Okay." Hinata's face lit up with a smile after the surprise vanished, and Sasuke groaned internally. He couldn't take that back now.

"So, when's your next mission?" she asked him, turning to face him, putting her now empty cup on the table beside them.

"Next week." He curtly replied.

Hinata nodded. He got the feeling she was finally coming to terms with the fact that he was a bad conversationalist. She lowered her head and her hair fell over her face.

And then before he could stop himself, Sasuke found himself reaching for a strand between his fingers as if in a haze. Hinata froze too.

"You know, my mother had hair like yours."

WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?he thought internally, cringing. Comparing his wife to his murdered mother wasn't exactly what he was going for.

"I remember." Hinata said softly and Sasuke looked at her, startled. He dropped her hair like it had burnt him. The question was clear in his eyes.

"You don't remember. We used to have play dates together." Hinata said with a mischevious smile on her face. Sasuke felt himself intrigued. To be honest, he'd never bothered to think about any of his earlier memories from before the massacre.

"Really?"

His wife nodded. "Your mother was friends with mine. At least when the clans were at friendlier terms with each other."

"The play dates stopped because your mother died." Sasuke felt himself remembering. Hinata froze again, a glimmer of sorrow covering her features.

"Yes." She told him.

What a wonder, how people long dead could still hurt them like this, he realized. He tilted her face up with a soft touch to her chin.

"I remember now. You played house with me. Even though you were too shy to talk to me properly and I hated the game." He smiled. Who knew they'd play house for real once they grew up.

He knew saying asorryon her long dead mother's death would be no use. But focusing on better memories would be. And it was instantly better since her eyes lit up again.

"You were a terrible husband." Hinata reminisced. "You always wanted to go on missions and left me to cook meals and wait for you."

His brain registered the irony of the statement and then, for the first time in years, Sasuke felt himself laughing loudly. Hinata seemed to catch up to his train of thoughts and began laughing too.

And after decades, the haunted Uchiha Compounds rang with unrestrained laughter.

Chapter 13: Chapter 13

Notes:

Again, sorry for another late update. Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter Text

All I am is a man

I want the world in my hands

-Sweater Weather (The Neighborhood)

_

Power.

A concept that had driven him for most of his life. Power meant survival. Power meant victory. Power meant success.

Power meant loneliness. It meant driving yourself to your limits everyday just to end up feeling hollow after you achieved your goal.

It meant regret, after realizing you had nothing worth living for.

Until now.

Sasuke felt a smile twitch onto his face at the sight of the midnight blue haired girl, working on dinner with her tongue poking out and her brows furrowed in concentration.

He'd walked in stealthily and she hadn't realized he was home from his mission. His question was...why was she decorating the food, which was undoubtedly rice cakes?

He leaned against the doorway and crossed his arms over his chest before he spoke. "Hello."

Hinata jumped a foot into the air before she turned rapidly, her midnight blue strands whipping her face. "Ouch." She said, rubbing her cheek before she looked at him, continuing her ministrations. "When did you get home?"

"Now." He answered. He noticed she was standing in front of the plate she had been working on, trying to look casual. "What were you doing?"

"Finishing dinner!" she said, too quickly. He raised his eyebrow in a silent question. She smiled unsurely.

"I-I made you dinner." She told him.

"Why is this one special?" he asked, since she cooked dinner every day.

"You'll see." She smiled. "Go change, I'll lay the dinner."

Sasuke felt curious but complied. He went and showered quickly. He changed into a casual outfit of a long sleeved V-Neck and dark yoga pants. He walked barefooted on the wooden floorboards as he reached the dinner table.

It smelled divine but it was nothing out of the usual. Then, his wife walked in holding a plate-the same plate she'd been working on-triumphantly.

"I made these for you!" she declared, placing the plate in front of him with a proud smile which made her cheeks blush red in anticipation.

Sasuke looked at the plate for a moment, before he looked up. "Looks nice,"

"Really?"

He shrugged. "What is it though?" he asked. Hinata narrowed her eyes as she took a seat next to him.

"They're rice cakes!" she told him, a pout coming over her face.

"I know that. But...is that supposed to be...me?" he asked, an amused look coming over his face as he looked up from the plate, at her with twinkling eyes. Hinata blushed and looked away.

Then she nodded.

"You decorated the rice-cakes to look like me?" he asked, just to see her blush again.

"They're tasty." She told him. He looked up at the ceiling with an amused but exasperated huff before he extended his hand to take one.

A year ago, he'd been wandering on his own, unsure of whether or not he'd ever get repentance for his sins or not. And now...he was eating mini-me rice cakes that his wife had made for him.Karma really is something.

He took a bite and hummed appreciatively. "Theyaregood." He admitted.

"Why the tone of surprise," Hinata said drily, picking up one herself and taking a bite. Sasuke noted his sarcasm was rubbing off on her.

"Is there a story behind this?" he asked, munching distractedly, all the while looking at her. Hinata blushed again. That meantyes.

"Well, when I was a genin...i went on a mission. With Naruto-kun." Hinata started. Sasuke started on the rest of the dinner items, all the while listening.

"I made him lunch. And uh-decorated the rice cakes to look like him." She admitted, her gaze still downcast. Sasuke smirked. She was embarrassed by her former crush on his teammate.

"Ah, when you had feelings for him." Sasuke remembered all those instances where he'd see her following Naruto around or stuttering in front of the blonde idiot. Hinata blushed harder.

"Well, he told me I'd make an excellent wife for someone." Hinata finished her story. She looked up to meet Sasuke's gaze. He was looking directly at her with a corner of his mouth turned up.

"You hoped it would be him." Sasuke stated, with no maliciousness in his tone. Hinata shrugged.

"At the time."

"Do you still?" He asked, putting his rice-cake down. Hinata looked surprised at his question.

"You tell me." She said, looking at him challengingly, before he looked down at the Mini-Sasuke rice cake in his hand. A realization dawned upon him and he looked back up.

He was still staring at her, when Hinata felt his hand engulf hers. He squeezed it gently and Hinata clasped hers around his hand tightly.

Sasuke looked away, something gentle coming over his features. She almost didn't hear him when he spoke again.

"For the record,Naruto was right. You did make an amazing wife to a lucky bastard."

Chapter 14: Chapter 14

Notes:

So, how we holding up?

Chapter Text

I was made to believe I'd never love somebody else

Made a plan to be the man who could only love himself

Lonely was the song I sang

Till the day you came

Showing my another way

And all that my love can bring

-John Mayer (Half of my heart)

_

Hinata's heart skipped a beat when she opened her backpack and found the bento. The bento Sasuke had packed for her.

"What the-?" She muttered to herself softly.

There was a small note attached.In times of danger, always go for the throat.

She smiled softly to herself. That was Sasuke's version ofTake care. She'd take it. Her teammates stared at her as she smiled like an idiot while taking the food out of the container.

It was cinnamon rolls and some onigiri, neatly arranged and it honestly smelled very good. Hinata took a bite and took her time enjoying the meal her husband had made for her.

Husband.

It was still so surreal. A person would think she'd have gotten used to that term after 9 months of their marriage. Very platonic up to this point, but still a marriage.

Sasuke had become much more agreeable. He didn't talk too much even now but he talked more than a grunt here or there.

He voiced his opinion in the matters she asked him to and where he felt was necessary. He even accompanied her for grocery shopping once or twice.

The people stared at them as if they were something unnatural. Maybe they were, but Hinata had learnt to like it. She liked the solid and comforting presence Sasuke provided even if it was some mundane task like carrying her bags.

The only person who could make the 19-almost 20 year old Uchiha come act like an actual young adult was his best friend Naruto, who annoyed Sasuke to the point where he took the bait and bickered with the blonde.

Hinata smiled again as she finished her food and took first watch. She stared into the fire, wondering what Sasuke could be doing at that moment.

Sasuke realized the house was too quiet when Hinata wasn't around.

He also realized he didn't like the quiet anymore. He still appreciated it, but after a lifetime of too much silence in his head and his home, he had come to appreciate other things too.

Like the soft scurrying noises Hinata caused when she moved around in the house and the stirring and clanging of the dishes as she made dinner for him.

Or the delicious aromas arising from the kitchen. And the smile she gave him when she saw him come home. Along with the soft "Welcome home".

The house seemed dead without her. But then again, he'd always known this. But why was it hitting him so hard now?

Probably because she'd taken fewer mission and no long term mission in months. And he'd gotten used to their easy routines now.

He wondered what she thought of the Bento he'd made her.

She'd told him of her mission beforehand. And since she did nice things like that for him on a regular basis and he'd had some time on his hands, he had thoughtwhy not?So he just made her lunch.

It wasn't exactly a declaration of love but she deserved to know he was an asshole but he did appreciate her.

He shook his head.

Get a grip,he told himself.

Sasuke was agitated when she didn't return on the day she was supposed to.

The mission was supposed to be two weeks maximum. Hinata and her team were supposed to be back from thehunt and eliminatemission they'd been on.

All her friends were standing by the gate to greet her when she came back. But there was no sign of anyone coming in to Konoha.

Sakura, Ino, the girl with buns (Tenshi? Tenka? Tenten? He honestly didn't care), Naruto, Kiba and Shino were waiting for her at the gates. Not wanting to be seen with them and taken as a sap waiting for her return, he hid in the trees.

But now he was annoyed.

If she died after telling him torevel in his gloryhe would be pretty pissed. Like...actually go on a rampage.

Whoa...

Where did that come from? He wondered.I care for her.He realized. And then he sighed. For a man who was inclined to leave her and run off half of the time, that was pretty contradictory.

But he stayed waiting nonetheless. Until Naruto popped up next to him.

"Yo bastard, why waiting in the shadows?" he grinned "Your wifey's gonna be back soon ya know. Don't worry."

"I'm not worried."

"Your eyebrows twitch when you lie."

"They don't." Sasuke said before he realized his eyebrows were indeed twitching. Naruto grinned.

"Hinata!" a voice called. Sakura's voice.

Three weary figures came into view, battered, bruised but alive. All of them still wearing their ANBU masks. Sasuke immediately jumped down the tree to get a better look.

Hinata, seeing her friends took off her ANBU mask. Her face was scratched and tired. But she was alive. And walking. Always a good sign.

"Hinata! We missed you." Kiba shrieked. But instead of running to her friends, she was running elsewhere.

Sasuke stood still as her body collided with his. She wrapped her arms around his neck, standing on the tip of her toes to reach him.

"I'm home." she whispered.

Sasuke's arms went around her waist of their own volition. Her found himself burying his face in her hair. Yet, he didn't smile as he whispered, barely audible.

"Welcome home."

Chapter 15: Chapter 15

Notes:

Okay so, the story continues. Let me know what you guys think and as always, enjoy 3

Chapter Text

I keep digging myself down deeper

I won't stop till I get where you are

I know where you go, down on your darkest road

I would've followed all the way

To the graveyard

-Graveyard (Halsey)

_

"What do you say?" The woman seated in front of him prompted him. He, who had been standing in front of the desk, staring thoughtfully at the ugly porcelain vase placed on it, looked up.

His tongue felt leaden as he tried to speak. His brain was mush. And it wasn't because the decision was difficult. It was just incomprehensible for his mind to even entertain the idea. Nevertheless, he spoke softly. "I'll think about it".

Tsunade stared at him a beat longer with that unforgiving stare of hers before she sighed and leaned back against the leather chair. "I'm getting too old for this shit." She muttered, pouring a cup of sakè and sipping from it. "Consider the offer."

Sasuke nodded once, looking at the cup of sakè she was holding before scoffing, to himself, as if entertaining himself. Then, he walked out the room, still in a daze.

He looked out the window, the pitch dark making it difficult to see anything outside. The breeze outside was cool and slow. And Sasuke wanted to go out in it.

Sometimes, he felt like the compounds and the grounds of the Uchiha District were suffocating him slowly. Hell, just being in Konoha made him feel like that.

Everyone here...was so happy and at peace. They felt like they deserved the peace and sound atmosphere they had created since the war, because of everything they'd lost in the war.

But Sasuke never felt like that. Not since he was 7 years old. Maybe for a while when he was genin, and had been naive enough to think he could give up his revenge fantasy and live an easy life.

He hadn't felt peace in his journey of redemption. A slight solace maybe...but nothing real. He knew he lacked a sense of purpose...something to focus his life on. His revenge had been that previously but now-

"What's wrong?" He was startled out of his reverie by the soft voice of Hinata, who was sitting on her knees, kneeling in front of him by his bed, looking up at him in concern. How deep had he been thinking? He hadn't even heard or sensed her coming!

"What?" He managed to get out as he felt her small hand engulf his large one in a supporting manner. He didn't care enough to pull away or squeeze her hand to let her know he appreciated it.

"What's wrong?" She asked, her brows furrowing "You've been distraught ever since you came back from the audience with the Hokage."

Sasuke raised his eyebrows, surprised she had noticed. Giving one worded answers to everything was his default setting so..kudos to her for being able to tell something was up. He felt a corner of his mouth lift despite himself.

"Nothing for you to worry about." He told her, looking down at her in what he hoped was a reassuring look. Hinata did not look pacified. He opted for another approach. He patted the space next to him on the bed. Hinata looked at the spot before she sighed, got up from her crouched position and plopped down on the bed.

"What did she want?" Hinata asked. Sasuke debated not telling her but she always did give good advice.

"Sasuke, Konoha is a developing village. Our population is increasing fast since the war. People want rehabilitation...they want to celebrate something good instead of the remembering miseries they endured during the war."

Sasuke was not impressed by his preamble. "Get to the damn point." He told her instead.

Tsunade rolled her eyes. "The elders want me to suggest to you…"

"To demand from me." Sasuke corrected. Tsunade glared but did not correct him.

"They suggested we let civilians stay in the Uchiha District." Tsunade evidently decided to get it over with. Sasuke stood there, stunned for a moment.

"What?" He asked, fearing his hearing was starting to fail him.

"Look...the Uchiha District was...rebuilt" Tsunade was searching for the right terms "as compensation for what happened."

"As a'we're sorry we had yourclanmassacred'gift." Sasuke said, his voice heating up now. "How nice".

"What happened is past…" Tsunade sighed. "The district is empty save for you and Hinata. You two don't need the space and I don't think you need the trauma. You could sell the lands over to us or we could rent them out...I don't care."

Sasuke stared at her, trying to see if she was serious. His first instinct was to say hell no. And to tell the elders to shove their suggestion up their-

But his rational and more serious thought was...who the fuck would even want to live there? To live where his formerly glorious clan used to live, running around with the ghosts and impressions that place held. He hadn't been able to voice this.

"What do you think?" She'd prompted. And as she'd sipped her sakè, he'd felt the Gods mocking him. As if he could sink no lower.

Hinata was silent after he'd told her the conversation that had taken place, minus his emotions regarding the suggestion. Then she spoke.

"You're considering it?" She asked. Sasuke shrugged, trying to remain calm.

"It couldn't hurt. We don't need so much space." He told her, trying his best to sound indifferent. "We could get another apartment, somewhere you'd like."

Hinata didn't smile. Her hand found his again. "Sasuke...this is serious. This is your house...your property. Are you sure you're okay with this?"

Thatpissed him off. "Did i stutter?" he gritted out.

Hinata met his gaze without flinching. Her look contributed in making him feel even more frustrated. And that meant his temper, which had been rising steadily ever since his meeting with the Hokage, was reaching a boiling point.

"Hinata, I know what I'm agreeing to."

"And I'm asking if you're really thinking this through. You're obviously frustrated." Hinata snapped, his harsh tone riling her up as well.

Sasuke was silent as he snatched his hand away from her grip and she realized he was looking away from her. She felt bad instantly for snapping at Sasuke. He was obviously confused and under a lot of pressure from the elders.

She motioned to touch his shoulder in a comforting gesture when he turned to her, grabbing her hand mid-air.

"Sasuke?" she asked in a soft voice, approaching him as one might a scared animal. Sasuke's gaze snapped towards her and she could see something...take over him.

The grip on her hand was growing uncomfortably tight. Hinata winced as her Sasuke clenched his hand tighter around her delicate wrist.

"Hinata, you don't understand." He sounded desperate now, like a man clawing for air.

"Understand what, Sasuke?"

"No one else can survive here." Sasuke snapped. "Theycan't."

Her confusion must have been evident from her face, because Sasuke struggled for words...trying to tell her.

"The Uchiha District...it's a- a graveyard. I already brought you here." Sasuke paused, and the dark undertones of his eyes were highlighted further as red colour seeped into his eye. A heartbreakingly sad smile came over his face.

"And now, you're following me to my grave."

Chapter 16: Chapter 16

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter fornotes.)

Chapter Text

"Sharingan...the eyes that reflect the heart."

-Tobirama (Naruto Shippuden, 4th Shinobi war arc)

Hinata did not know what to do.

What she'd learned from a year of living with the Shinobi world's most renown and famous ex-criminal was, that as stupid as she might sound while saying this, he would not hurt her.

Whether he was angry, indifferent or just frustrated...he would never cause her physical harm.

She'd seen his Sharingan appear when he was frustrated before. In the Daimyo's palace, he'd snapped at her...his Sharingan activated and anger evident in his stare. But this..she had no idea what he was feeling right now.

He wasn't angry. He just looked heartbreakingly sad. And guilty. And he was holding her hand like she was a ghost who he was looking through. She didn't need to know how fucked up his life had been, if the darkness lurking behind his eyes right now was any indication.

She had known he wasn't okay with the suggestion presented to him, but she didn't know what state this was. She wasn't scared. She was just confused. And worriedforhim.

Hinata knew he acted tough but he'd still not gotten over the ghosts haunting him. Making him feel insecure about starting anything new with anyone.

"Sasuke?" She squeaked out when he didn't speak for a minute.

His eyes snapped to hers. He paused before he blinked. Then, he realized he was bruising her hand with his grip. And then, it was like all fight and frustration left him. He let go of her hand like she was contagious as he moved back on the bed.

Hinata was still reeling from what just happened but she listened when he spoke. "I-"

"It's okay." She assured him, her mind clouded by confusion.

"It's not." He sighed out.

He didn't speak again. Then, Hinata asked. "Sasuke, why are you calling the Uchiha District a graveyard?"

"Do you honestly think it's not one?" He asked, his voice lower now. Hinata turned her head to him. He was already looking at her.

"What?"

"The Uchiha District. Konoha." He said, a sad look in his eyes, which was breaking Hinata's heart. "It isn't my home. I haven't had a home in a long time."

"Sasuke…" she whispered.

"I don't belong here, Hinata." He said, his voice lost as he finished his sentence. Hinata felt her eyes fill up with tears at that tone.

But she wanted him to let it all out. For once. Sasuke seemed to see her invitation as something.

He turned on his back and looked at the ceiling. "I can't- this village...these compounds...they just remind me of what I've lost and all the bad things I've done over and over and over again."

"Sasuke, those circumstances weren't your fault, everyone knows that." Hinata tried, her voice assuring. Sasuke didn't look her way. There was a pause.

"You belong here." Hinata told him.

"In Konoha, where I've spent every second since the war pretending to be at peace when I feel like I'm suffocating here?" He scoffed.

Hinata shook her head even though he wasn't looking at her. "I don't mean Konoha."

Sasuke felt his heart stutter a beat at this. Was she giving him an out?I could always leave,he thought.I didn't come here tostay.

And something in his chest fluttered at the thought of walking away from here, this place. These people. These memories.

Until he turned and saw his wife lying beside him, looking at him, her eyes teary.

Tears for him, he realized.

And then at that instant, he realized she would never leave Konoha with him. She was too loyal. Too loving. And it was her home. This was where she belonged.

And he could never stay, because he hadn't belonged in a long, long time. But he would never ask her to leave with him. He wasn't selfish enough for that.

He could not take her along.

I could leave her behind, he told himself. She would be okay, he told himself. She would survive better without him.

She has no one else, a part of him whispered. And as much as he wanted to believe he didn't care...it was his fault. His fault she had no one left besides him.

Once upon a lifetime ago, Karin had been in love with him. And one day she'd told him. Something that he'd always remembered since.

You burn your bridges after you cross them, Sasuke. You're ruthless.

And once upon a time when he'd been ruled by hatred and revenge, he had relished in knowing that. Knowing that he cared for nothing and no one. Because that meant nothing could ever hurt him like Itachi had.

But now...

Hinata, evidently taking his careful contemplation of what she thought was her face, for something else, crept closer, placing his head in her lap.

"Sasuke...nothing is eternal. It leaves behind traces but that's it. And this place was your home...before everything went to hell. But things regrow." She paused. "I know you're scared...but we-we could make the Uchiha District a home again."

Sasuke's mind raced but she continued. "As long as you're here...I'll have a home. And...I hope to be the same for you some day."

And Sasuke could bring himself to hate himself a little more when he heard those words of his sweet, naive little wife.

Notes:

Okay, so this might be my favorite thing that I've ever written. I don't know what you guys think, but I tried my best to convey how lost and scared and torn Sasuke is feeling. I know most of you will be impatient for him to move the hell on already, to accept Hinata and to be secure about where he stands with her. But that's not how this works.

Some of you might hate him after his inner monologue and if you do, I'm sorry to say you've not reached the point where you understand where he's coming from.

I did a little more character study to write the best point of view for Sasuke that I could. It includes watching his maniac days and the multiple vows he made to destroy Konoha. And if you truly get his character, you'll understand where he's ultimately going with his monologue.

Also, if i haven't mentioned this before (i have) Sasuke and the others are 19 here. The story takes place after he returns from his redemption journey (and takes Sakura with him this time). All the events before this (except for Neji's death) are canon.

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