"Is it stupid of me?" Hinata rested her head on the table, moaning in frustration.
"No, you're not. It's absolutely perfect to be feeling like this." She heard Ko's gentle voice and felt his hand rubbing her back in smoothing circles.
"It is stupid of her! Don't try to act like nothing is wrong!" Hanabi shouted, followed by the sound of Ko yelping in pain. "Big Sis, I think you need to push up your confidence and find that redhead woman and tell her that Sasuke's yours and to back off!" Her forehead banged against the table when she felt Hanabi slam her hand down on the table. She always got a bit too rowdy whenever she had a drink or two.
It had been a week since Hinata last saw Sasuke. She tried to avoid him the most she could, even if it meant masking her chakra. The image of Karin kissing Sasuke made her feel strangely odd. It wasn't as if they were a couple. Sasuke may have confess to her, but he was still a single man. What if he was testing out other women?
The other side of her thoughts doubled down and told her that Sasuke actually loves her. It was a mistake that he would never purposely make. She trusted him, but what if mistakes like those become frequent. She couldn't prevent Sasuke from seeing his friend or make him choose, then Karin would lose a friend. The kindness within her sometimes ran a bit too deep. What if he suddenly decided to go back to Sakura, realizing everything was a mistake? That she was a mistake.
She couldn't stop the whirlwind her mind had become in the past two days. Though she kept a calm composer at home in front of her children, she couldn't wait for the moment to be alone in her thoughts. It was a cycle.
Because of it, she couldn't face him until she settled her mind or else she would erupt in front of Sasuke.
Raising her head, Hinata's gaze landed on Ko, who was nursing his arm and shooting Hanabi a glare. Hanabi sat defiantly at the opposite end of the kitchen table, her glare matching Ko's in intensity. Hinata's heart sank a little as she realized that her sister had dragged Ko into her personal affairs, making it even harder for her to process the situation. Aside from Neji, Ko had always been somewhat of an older brother figure to her, but it was very embarrassing that he knew of her romantic problems.
"Thank you," Hinata murmured, straightening up. She reached out, placing a comforting hand on Ko's arm and then on Hanabi's hand, trying to bridge the tension between them. "Both of you mean a lot to me."
They responded with warm smiles.
"Still, she should remind that redhead where she stands," Hanabi grumbled quietly.
Ko, ever the diplomat, cleared his throat. "Lady Hinata, while Hanabi's advice may be, erm, direct, there's wisdom in confronting your feelings. From what I've gathered, Sasuke has treated you well, hasn't he?"
Hinata's eyes darted to Hanabi. "How much did you share? Please tell me Father doesn't know."
"Relax, I didn't breathe a word to Father," Hanabi assured her.
"As I was suggesting," Ko interjected gently, "conversing with Sasuke will ease the turmoil in your heart." He glanced past Hinata with a knowing smile. "It seems evasion is no longer an option."
Following Ko's gaze, Hinata's heart leapt into her throat. There, on the other side of the front door, she sensed Sasuke's presense. She wasn't ready for this encounter, not when her emotions were still raw. But with Ko and Hanabi rooting for her, she felt a surge of courage.
The trio rose from the table, advancing slowly towards the entrance. Each step made Hinata's pulse race even faster, but Hanabi's comforting embrace fortified her spirit.
"You've got this, Big Sis," Hanabi murmured encouragingly.
Pulling back, Hanabi signaled Ko with a nod that it was time to leave. As Ko reached for the door, Sasuke's silhouette became more prominent as the door opened wider, casting an imposing figure. A rush of warmth flooded Hinata's cheeks, and a thrill coursed through her. Their eyes met, and for a moment, everything else faded. So engrossed in the reunion, Hinata barely registered the farewells of Hanabi and Ko as the door closed behind Sasuke.
"May I?" Sasuke's voice, always so composed, carried a hint of hesitation.
"Please," Hinata replied softly, allowing him entrance.
He stepped in, closing the door gently behind him, and paused momentarily in the genkan, as if he was taking a moment to collect his thoughts. "I meant to come sooner than this. I'm sorry for coming so late," he began, his voice revealing a rare vulnerability.
She merely nodded, not trusting her voice. "It's alright. Please, take off your shoes and make yourself at home." She led the way into the living room, her heart racing, and settled onto the couch. The atmosphere was heavy, and she could feel the weight of the moment building between them.
Sasuke's eyes flitted around the room briefly before settling on Hinata. There was a palpable tension in his posture, and he seemed to be debating his next move. Eventually, he chose to sit beside her, close enough to bridge the emotional distance but not invade her space.
Hinata's nerves threatened to get the best of her, and words clung stubbornly to her parched throat. She swallowed hard, trying to find her voice. "How have you been?" The question sounded almost trivial given the circumstances, but it was a start.
His response surprised her. "Better, now that I'm here with you," he said, his words flowing with an ease that made her heart flutter.
That caught her off-guard. Sasuke Uchiha, with a hint of flirtation? It was almost comical, and judging by the sheepish expression on his face, he seemed to realize that too.
Drawing a deep breath, Hinata found the courage to address the elephant in the room. "Sasuke, these past days have been a whirlwind of emotions for me. I've stressed myself out with so many doubts and questions. While I'm still untangling my feelings, seeing you now brings some clarity." She felt a rush of warmth to her cheeks, and from her peripheral vision, she noticed Sasuke visibly relax.
His chuckle broke the tension. "Funny how the most unlikely person, Naruto of all people, tried giving me advice." He paused, rubbing the back of his neck. "I kept overthinking, imagining scenarios where you'd be disappointed in me, or worse, go back to Naruto."
She couldn't help but smile, realizing the parallels in their worries. On impulse, she leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss to his flushed cheek.
Drawing in a deep breath, Sasuke began, "Hinata, there's something you need to understand about my past with Karin. We used to sleep together, but that was when were young. On the day you saw us, she had been drinking, struggling to cope after her split with Suigetsu." As he spoke, he inched closer, sincerity shining in his onyx eyes. "I want to be transparent with you, unlike how I was with Sakura. I've learned from those mistakes. I've already talked to Karin and let her know that I have a girlfriend and never to do that again. She said she was sorry."
Hinata felt the weight of his revelation, appreciating the vulnerability it took for him to share. This more expressive Sasuke was a side she hadn't seen often, revealing the depth of his emotions.
Wait. "I…g-girlfriend?" she stumbled over her words.
He reached forward and placed his hand on top of her hand, his gaze held unspoken intensity, Sasuke's usually impassive face betrayed a slight blush. "Hinata, these past days have clarified something for me and I want to make it official. Would you... be my girlfriend?"
A rush of emotions welled up in her heart as she murmured, "Yes." Without any further hesitation, she leaned in, gently kissing him. Her arms slowly wrapped around his neck, pushing him back into the couch as she crawled on top him, stradling his waist, breaking their kiss momentarily.
His dark eyes was filled with lust as he stared directly into her eyes, holding her in a trance. She felt the coolness of his finger tips through her shirt as he glided them up her back. Her hands cupped his face as he pulled her even closer towards him, deepening their kiss, his hips thrusted upwards causing her to let out a little meep of a moan when she felt his hunger for her.
The unexpected intimacy of the moment startled them both. Flustered, Hinata rose quickly, retreating to the sanctuary of her kitchen. "I'll... I'll make some tea," she said, her voice a tad too high. The sudden rush of emotions and what could have transpired left her reeling. She yearned for a deeper connection with Sasuke, yet insecurities about her own body held her back.
She remembered Naruto's comments about her figure, the word "thick" echoing in her mind. He had tried to be reassuring, telling her that many women would envy her physique. But she often wondered if he was merely trying to please her, to mitigate the sting of his offhanded remarks.
Then there was Sakura. She had the body of a model. Karin also had the same figure, which showed Sasuke had a body type. It made her feel subconscious. She felt warmth spread through her as she heard the soft scrape of a chair behind her. Turning, she saw Sasuke seated, his eyes closed, a picture of restraint and composure.
"I apologize if I was too forward," he murmured, his voice deep and sincere. "I'll slow down."
She shook her head, pulling her hand to her chest, contemplating her choice of words. "You didn't cross any line. It-It's me."
Sasuke opened his eyes. "You? What do you mean?"
"I'm a bit self-conscious of my…body." She murmured the last word. Before she could even comprehend what was happening, she felt Sasuke's arm around her body. His head in the crook of her neck as he planted soft trails of kisses, up and down, her neck. She could feel her skin getting hot.
He pressed his lips to her ear as his fingers danced down the side of her waist, creeping behind her back as he cupped her butt. She tensed her butt, taken back by his bold actions when he spoke, "Your body is gorgeous. Don't doubt yourself to me like that again." He unclasped her bra, as he trailed his kisses down the nape of her neck as his fingers glided across her torso up so close to where her nipple had began to harden. If he touches that spot, she…
Suddenly, Sasuke leaned away from her with a smirk and flicked her forehead. "But like I said, I'll take it slow from now."
The audacity! He had the nerve to unhook her bra, leaving her to momentarily struggle with the clasp. She finally managed to secure it back into place. As she passed Sasuke to retrieve a kettle from the shelf, she shot him a reprimanding glance, one that contrasted sharply with the playful grin he wore.
His laughter was rich, carefree. "Every day, you reveal new layers to me," he observed with mirth in his eyes.
Hinata could feel his gaze on her, intense yet tender. She peeked over her shoulder to find him unabashedly admiring her. "You make me happy," he commented, nodding at the kettle in her hands. "What kind of tea are you brewing?"
"Green tea," she responded, feeling a small sense of pride. "It's a favorite of mine."
His smirk grew more pronounced as he reclaimed his seat. "Offering up little insights into your world, are we? I can't wait to uncover even more."
She couldn't help but turn away, her cheeks tinted with pink. Sasuke's brand of flirtation was uncharted territory for her. It was both disconcerting and utterly thrilling, making her feel as though she was experiencing the blush of first love all over again.
Attempting to shift the topic, Hinata inquired, "Should we keep this...our relationship, between us? At least for now? Provided Karin can keep it to herself."
Sasuke's expression turned serious. "Karin will keep quiet. As for us, I believe it would be best if we confided in our ex-spouses first. From there, we'll go from there."
She found herself nodding in agreement.