CCNote: Welcome to the extra-long final chapter just in time for Christmas! This could have been two chapters but it's the season of giving so I left it as one. The epilogue will be posted in a few weeks; until then, I hope everyone enjoys this chapter! I am so thankful to everyone who has supported me and my writing up to this point. You don't even know how much your reviews have meant to me over the years.
This story and all of my others wouldn't be here without your encouragement and feedback. Sleeping with the Enemy was going an ENTIRELY different route before some reviewers gave me some critical advice. For the Love of You was a left-field genre/world for me to write, but I kept going because so many people enjoyed it. It's still the best thing I've ever written. Becoming/Being an Uchiha would have been abandoned if not for all the outpouring of love for this story and a promise I'd made. So, thank you all from the bottom of my heart!
Feel free to join my p(A)treon under WritingandCurls. I am almost done with the remastered Sleeping with the Enemy and the first chapter of my new book 'In This Life and the Next' is up. The new book is about a love that spans multiple lifetimes, so if reincarnation is your jam, you'll like it! Without further ado- our finale!
Being an Uchiha
His hands roamed over her body reverently. Meticulously trying to commit every curve to memory. If he could, he would have activated his Sharingan to permanently etch her into his mind's eye. Even without the use of his bloodline, he would never ever forget the way that she felt. The way that she smelled…her moans. It would haunt him. Warm him. He had been a fool to think he could dispense of her after seeing her come undone in this way. How she could unravel him with just the slightest touch of her hands.
Down below he ached instinctually to dive right into her but he knew enough not to do that.
While experience wasn't on his side he did have a basic understanding of how painful a first time could be for a woman. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her, especially like this. While his physical needs were neglected, he took immense joy in discovering parts of Hinata he'd never known. Parts that were hidden between her legs and wet. Curiously he explored her depths with his fingers. She placed a pillow over her face to muffle her moans or hide her face…he wasn't sure which. Still, he did not allow her prudence to deter him.
He pulled down her now-soaked panties as they were frustratingly in the way of his exploration. She shivered as he did so, clasping her legs closed upon exposure. Sasuke smirked, enjoying the challenge of overcoming her shyness. He would make her come undone. Make her forget every propriety she ever learned. That of course wouldn't happen in a single night but he would get a running start.
Slowly, he placed kisses along her knee…her thighs. She arched into his touch and goosebumps rose against her skin. When he reached his goal, he gently spread her legs. There was only a slight resistance to him. Whatever war she was fighting in her head, she was losing. Sasuke wasted no time now that he had her right where he wanted. Slick but not quite ready for him. Without a second thought he licked her, curious about the way she tasted. Oddly enough, he liked it.
Hinata's thighs snapped around his head but that only kept closer. His tongue dove further, lapping up all she gave him. He knew that he had to be doing something right when he slid in two fingers easily to join his tongue. The muffled moans spurred him on. Faster, deeper. Hinata's fingers gripped his hair and his eyes nearly rolled into the back of his head.
"Sa-Sasuke! Sasuke I-" she gasped with a slight jerk of her body.
Her pussy impossibly tightened and pulsed around his fingers. Her limbs melted into the bed, breathing heavily as she did so. Sasuke removed his fingers and admired his handiwork. Her nightgown now clung to her like a second skin and was no longer suitable for sleeping. At some point, the pillow she'd clung to had fallen away to reveal a flushed face and wide, pale eyes. Those lust-filled eyes pulled him back in and had him capturing her lips. She kissed him back eagerly, her arms wrapping around his neck to pull him closer. He could kiss her until the sun rose but his cock straining in his pants would not let that happen.
Hungry hands pulled at clothing until they were both naked. Although the fire in the room had settled down to embers it still felt impossibly hot. Her cumming had spurred a desire deep inside of him. He wanted- no needed- more. Sasuke spread her legs further to accommodate himself at her center. He then slid inside halfway. It went in much easier than he'd expected but it was still too tight. Hinata's flushed face showed all her discomfort although she tried to hide it. He'd been too quick. Too hasty. Mentally he kicked himself and tried to draw away but Hinata pulled him closer.
"I-I'm okay." She said softly as she comfortingly ran her fingers through his hair. "Just go slow."
He found that statement incredibly hard to believe but did as she said. Slowly he was able to get all of himself inside. He closed his eyes and tried to focus on doing anything other than cumming so soon. To distract himself, he kissed the woman beneath him and relished the way she melted. Her tongue twisted with his own and all other thoughts vanished from his mind. Eventually her hips bucked against him, egging him to move faster and he was more than happy to oblige.
…..
As with every morning he was the first to rise.
Of the little sleep he'd gotten there had been no nightmares. He felt as if he could run for miles without stopping or meditate for hours. All the tension that he had been welling up inside him had been worked out in this very bed. Kami, why had he waited so long to do this? He would have never allowed Hinata to leave his side if he had known what he did now. He was being possessive. Irrational. He knew that his feelings were all of that and more. It didn't matter.
'I want you to try something new.'
He knew what he wanted…what he needed now. What he needed was not to die at the hands of bandits or his own sword. He needed this woman right here. Hinata. As if his thoughts had roused her, her eyes slowly opened. Pearl met Onyx at first with confusion. Embarrassment. Love. Then her lips spread into a small smile, that smile he hoped would return every morning for the rest of his days. However…the rest of his days would not be in Konoha.
"Good morning." She said hoarsely, lifting a hand to caress his cheek.
He gently pulled her hand away and interlocked their fingers. He then brought her close and placed a short kiss on her lips. When he pulled away, her face had flushed red and his own heart was beating wildly in his chest. He needed her.
"Marry me."
…
"Marry me."
Hinata sat up, clutching their bedsheet to her chest. This was not how she imagined being proposed to but her heart raced all the same. Sasuke slowly sat up as well. He stared at her with a serious look in his eyes, unwilling to repeat himself and anxious for an answer. They were no longer bound by a contract to be together.
She could say yes and everything would return to how it was. A little house with a garden. Peace and quiet. Oh she wanted that more than anything but knew it wasn't possible. The minute they returned to Konoha her fate would be dictated by her clan.
"I…we can't." she said, struggling to get the words out. "My clan would never allow it."
Sasuke's eyes hardened but he didn't turn away.
"Tell me no because that is what you want. Not because it's what your clan wants."
Hinata swallowed her retort. He was right. Nearly every decision in her life she'd made in service to her clan. Even agreeing to marry him before was not of her own volition. But…how? How could they make this work? As if he knew exactly what she was thinking, Sasuke cupped her face and pulled her in for a kiss. Slowly. Achingly soft. She wanted to forget everything and just do this…
"I don't think we can rebuild but we can try something new." Sasuke said as he broke the kiss. "You said that to me did you not?"
Hinata nodded. It felt like their days amongst the rumble of the Uchiha district was a lifetime ago.
"I don't want to create a family in that village. I can't. Their eyes would be used by whoever is in power to fight another great war and the cycle will continue."
"Naruto would never-"
"He wouldn't but someone else could and likely will. Naruto will not live forever. He cannot protect us."
Us.
That single word made her heart skip a beat.
"There is land here."
He sounded hopeful, light. It was insane to hear him speak this way because his hope was contagious. She could almost see the gears turning in his head. Of the life he wanted them to have. The family they would build together. A family. Not a clan but a family. She wanted that vision to come true. No, she needed it to be true. Sasuke kissed her again; his lips barely grazed her own this time before he rested his forehead against hers.
"Marry me."
All of her resolve. All of her doubts washed away as she stared into his eyes. There she could see the future. It was tough. There would be cold winters and lean nights. Tears and laughter. One day they would expand their household to three and time would pass more quickly. With joy and with sorrow. She selfishly wanted it all. Her eyes stung as tears began to well up within them. Despite her tears she felt the most incredible sense of relief in her life. He was offering her freedom. All she had to do was take it.
"Yes."
…
Sakura looked through her small bag one last time. They had just enough supplies to make it halfway to Konoha. After that they would have to stop in a village to reup before continuing. That was going to slow them down but she didn't mind. Maybe this time she could bring a present back for Naruto…
As she zipped up her bag, her companions for this nearly completed mission were ambling down the stairs. They looked exhausted despite being able to sleep in a soft-albeit dusty- bed. Judging by the dark circles under their eyes, they probably didn't sleep. The only one that had was the energetic puppy happily weaving itself through Kiba's legs.
"You two okay?" she asked but was rewarded with a tired glare from Kiba.
"What do you think pinky?"
"Hey-"
"Oh you all heading out?" Reika asked as she entered the room with a heavy tray of food. Sakura quickly took the tray and placed it on the coffee table.
"Yes, it's time we return to our village." She said. "Thanks so much for allowing us to stay with you. I know it's been a bit of an inconvenience."
"It's no issue, dear. This old house gets lonely sometimes."
"We still appreciate your kindness!"
Reika waved off her gratitude, but the small smile she was trying to hide told a different story. She meandered out of the room, unwilling to stay any longer than was polite. Sakura reached for a piece of toast and glanced at the clock on the wall. They would need to leave soon to take advantage of as much daylight as possible. Where were Sasuke and Hinata?
"Did either of you check on Sasuke and Hinata before coming down?" she asked and the two men stiffened.
Sakura rolled her eyes at their behavior. Men were so inconsiderate.
"I'll go get them."
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Shino said vaguely.
"But-"
"Give them ten minutes."
Ten minutes? It was an odd statement. She looked to Kiba who was snarling at the stairs. Weird.
"I could wring his neck." He grumbled, angrily biting into a piece of toast but never taking his eyes off the stairs. "As a matter of fact I think I will."
"Hinata isn't a child anymore. None of us are."
"It's not about that-"
"Then what is it?"
"He's just going to throw her away again and we are going to have to pick up the pieces!"
Sakura felt like she couldn't keep up with their conversation. Why were they so angry so early in the day?
"Okay, please explain to me what is going on?!" Sakura huffed and the two men crossed their arms.
"Fine! I'm going to go get them then!"
"No!" they yelled simultaneously and she threw up her hands.
There was no winning with these two! Frustrated she plopped onto the couch. She just wanted to get moving and get back to the village dammit! She stared at the clock and watched the minutes slowly tick by. Five minutes turned into ten. Ten into twenty. It was at the thirty-minute mark that she finally got off the couch and was ready to stomp up the stairs when their two targets finally made an appearance.
They looked…fine. Rested but off. Sasuke seemed calmer and oddly less tense. The usually murderous cloud that hung over his head had dissipated. Hinata had a permanent blush on her face…a little redder than usual but still fine.
"Finally!"
"Good morning Sakura." Hinata squeaked, surprised at her outburst.
"Eat quickly. We have to get moving if we want to make it back. If there are no issues we could be there in less than three days."
"Actually Sakura-"she started but her voice trailed off.
Sasuke placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed as if to give her some comfort. It was disconcerting to watch. She blinked and looked back at Kiba and Shino, who sat rigidly on the couch. Had everyone taken crazy pills this morning?
"We are staying here." Sasuke said firmly.
"Wha-why?"
This couldn't be happening.
"There is no place for us in Konoha."
She was supposed to bring him back.
"I don't…I don't understand…"
"There is nothing you need to understand."
At this Shino and Kiba began yelling simultaneously, ready to pummel the last Uchiha into oblivion. The puppy whimpered and crawled under the coffee table. Hinata swiftly stood in front of him with her arms outstretched and her Byakugan activated. Seeing their former teammate get defensive made both men pause. They were shocked that she would ever turn her powers against them.
"Hinata-"Shino started but she shook her head.
"We are getting married and will start a new life. Together. Here."
"But…Hinata…" Kiba trailed off, his brown eyes pleading with her to change her mind.
Sakura felt her knees give out at Hinata's statement and sank into the lumpy old couch. When Hinata didn't back down, Kiba's anger renewed.
"What about Konoha? Your family?!"
An unspoken 'what about us' hung at the end of his words and filled the tense air in the room.
"Are you just going to throw it all away for him?!" Kiba hissed. "He will betray you the first chance he gets! He's already thrown you away once. Don't be stupid and give him the chance to do it again!"
At his insult, Sasuke lunged forward but Hinata pushed him back.
"You go too far Kiba." Hinata said, hard and resolute.
It was so unlike their petite teammate to stand against them. It chilled Kiba's temper down to a simmer from the roaring boil it had once been. He sank to the couch next to Sakura with his head in his hands. Frustrated. Enraged. Embarrassed. When he was no longer a threat, Hinata deactivated her bloodline. The air in the room thickened.
Sakura watched, mesmerized as Hinata stooped and wrapped her arms around Kiba in a tight hug. The man was reluctant to let her hold him but eventually gave in and pulled her close. Shino made his way over to the embrace and while he did not join, he did place a hand on top of Hinata's head.
"Thank you…both of you…for caring about me but isn't it about time I started making my own decisions?" she said softly.
"We just don't want to lose you."
"You will never lose me."
The intimacy shared between them was something Sakura knew she would never understand. With her teammates, communication was done through shouting and fights to the brink of death. Perhaps their lives would have been different if they'd learned to communicate the way Team 8 had. She glanced over at Sasuke and shook her head. No way in hell that would have ever happened. Still, even stranger things were happening right before her eyes. Sasuke was willing to continue living peacefully, albeit far, far away from the village.
Sighing softly to herself, she stood up and left the room. They clearly weren't going to accomplish this mission as intended and a certain future Hokage was needed. Once alone, she took a deep breath before requesting her summons.
…..
As much as he hated to, he had to leave Hinata alone with her two overprotective teammates. There was nothing he could do to assuage their misgivings about them. All he could do was set the life he wanted into motion, and perhaps with time, they would come to understand. He didn't need or want their approval but it seemed to mean a lot to Hinata. All he cared about was proving them wrong.
'He's already thrown you away once. Don't be stupid and give him the chance to do it again.'
As dense as Kiba was, his words struck a chord with Sasuke. If anything he would be the stupid one to throw Hinata away…again. The Uchiha shook his head and continued on his journey to find the old woman who had the misfortune of hosting them.
She wasn't hard to find. In fact, she had barely made it halfway to the village before he'd caught up with her. When he fell into step beside her she wasn't even ruffled. Instead she simply bristled and handed him her empty bags.
"Finally come to help me eh?" she chided. "After all I've done for you. My poor bones creak and here I am doing errands alone."
Sasuke didn't reply. He only took her bags and continued on the snowy path at her snails pace.
"So I take it you all aren't leaving today like you said?"
"No."
"Figures. That little wife of yours isn't in a condition to travel yet anyway. I don't care what mumbojumbo that pink girl did. You don't come back from the brink of death that easy."
Inwardly Sasuke cringed at her words. Hinata was in that position because of him. Because he had preferred to take the easy way out and die. At times he wanted to curse her. At others- like now- the guilt ached at him. It was a similar ache he felt in the days after he'd killed his brother. Longing and rage twisting together in the pit of his gut. Having her nearly die as well quelled that battle within himself and now…now all he wanted was an uncomplicated life.
A life with her.
"She's not my wife-"
"Ah so your loud little friend was telling the truth."
Sasuke grunted. Friend was the last word he would ever use to describe that mongrel.
"She's not my wife yet."
"Well then. I suppose you didn't seek me out to help with my shopping today."
"How much for your land."
Reika stopped in her tracks and turned to eye him fully.
"I knew something was different the minute you set foot in my inn." She mumbled but then shook her head. "I plan on dying on that land."
Sasuke remained silent. He had no intention of kicking the woman off the land. If she wanted to continue living there, she could. If she wanted to keel over and die he would dig a hole and put her in it. Either way he didn't care.
"My husband got that land for a steal. It's worth more money than a boy like you could ever give me."
"Name your price."
Snow began to pile up around them, erasing their tracks on the path.
"You are a determined one aren't you. Who are you really boy? You and that 'not-yet-wife' of yours."
"Hyuuga Hinata and Uchiha Sasuke."
Recognition flickered behind her eyes as he said their names. Surprised at hearing 'Hyuuga' before her brows knitted in consternation together at 'Uchiha .'She then turned away from him and began walking but this time back towards the inn instead of the village.
"I thought all of the Uchiha were dead and the Hyuuga never leave from behind their walls." She said pensively. "I suppose the rumors you hear from travelers aren't always as true as they seem."
Sasuke smirked at the woman's outdated information. She wasn't entirely wrong. The Uchiha clan was dead and he was only one man. He would never be able to rebuild it even close to its former glory. Not in this lifetime. Slowly they made their way back to the inn but before they entered Reika paused.
"You are strong yes?"
Sasuke rolled his eyes but nodded. That seemed to satisfy the old woman.
"Keep me safe and fed until I can rejoin my husband in the afterlife. Then you can have this land."
For the first time in a while, the Uchiha felt genuinely surprised. He was prepared to negotiate for much longer- days and weeks if need be. He narrowed his eyes at her skeptically.
"Oh don't look like that." Reika grinned and opened the door. "Just make an honest woman out of that 'not-yet-wife'. That's my final condition."
She held out her wrinkled hand as if to shake on their deal. Sasuke stared at it for a moment. He rarely, if ever, touched another person in a nonlethal way. Though…he supposed…this was the start of something new. Resolute he shook her hand and marveled at how warm and familiar it felt. If he'd had a grandmother…
"Alright boy, go find that 'not-wife-yet' of yours. We have work to do!"
…..
As impossible as it was, Hinata felt as if she were having whiplash from all of the ups and downs of this day. From getting a proposal, to arguing with her teammates, to now being at the mercy of Reika and Sakura. Dragged from one end of the inn to the other, all in preparation for a wedding. A wedding she'd expected to happen a few months or even years from now but they were insistent that it happen in a couple days.
"I thought you two were already married!" Reika scolded. "Young people these days! There was no need to lie to me. I understand that times have changed and men and women like to…um, cavort together unwed. Doesn't make it right but I know! And another thing-"
The woman continued ranting all the way into her attic and returned with an armful of boxes. She continued to grumble as she laid out the boxes before Hinata and Sakura, but her words held no malice. Just annoyance at being kept out of the loop. Despite how much they inconvenienced her, Reika seemed to enjoy the excitement they'd brought into her home. Excitement and warmth.
"You are so lucky I never got rid of these. I had half a mind to but I guess they will come in handy today."
Reika opened the boxes to reveal a black tomesade kimono and white uchikake. There was a layer of dust over each garment but the color was still as pigmented as the day they were put away. Reika lovingly ran her hands over each one before pushing both boxes to Hinata.
"They'll need to be cleaned but you're welcome to them."
The Hyuuga bowed deeply to the older woman, beyond grateful at the hospitality she'd shown them. Reika simply waved her off and left the room with a nostalgic look in her eyes.
"Let's air these out." Sakura said and picked up the dusty boxes.
Hinata followed her outside, enjoying how the frigid air hit her face for the first time since they arrived. She took a deep breath and looked around. The area was quiet, surrounded by only trees and snow for as far as the eye could see. She activated her byakugan and found that there was nothing around for miles. This little inn was all that stood in the clearing with a natural hot spring not too far away. Though she could not see the transient village she knew it was only a few miles south, just far enough that they wouldn't be a bother. Besides, very few permanent residents resided within the village. It was simply a checkpoint for travelers on their way to bigger and better things.
It was freeing just to let it sink in that she would not be amongst the travelers moving on. She was staying. Hinata tried to focus on their task, hanging up her borrowed uchikake and beating off the dust with a stick, but her mind wandered.
"I don't think I've ever seen you this happy."
Sakura's voice snapped her out of her thoughts and brought her back to the present. Hinata blushed at being caught so distracted and it made Sakura smile.
"I like seeing you this way."
"Thank you."
'I think'. Hinata mused, a little confused by her companion's statement. In fact, all of Sakura's actions up to this point confused her.
"This is the happiest…or, well, most "non-angry" I've seen Sasuke as well. I don't think "non-angry" is a word. Maybe less broody?"
At this Hinata chuckled and continued to beat the dust off the kimono. Sasuke was certainly less broody these days. A far cry from the boy she knew in their genin days and the man he'd come to be after the war.
"You know the only times I've seen him act like a semi-normal person is with Naruto."
Naruto.
Her heart leapt at his name but not for the same reasons as before. If she and Sasuke were going to be married Naruto would want to be here. Sakura smiled knowingly as she beat the black hakama she'd hung up.
"Don't worry. I've already let him know." She said. "Since I've failed my mission to bring you both back it was the least I could do to bring him here."
"Thank you Sakura."
"I should be the one thanking you. Seriously."
"I…I don't understand."
At this Sakura stopped beating the heavy black hakama and crossed her arms.
"Without you Sasuke would still be in a coma or dead or off wandering no man's land or who knows what. I'd still be chasing after him and I'm not so sure I've come to terms with that about myself. And Naruto…I don't know where he'd be but it wouldn't be with me and I just- I don't know. I just wanted to thank you okay!"
She was breathing heavily at the end of her rant. Her cheeks nearly matched her hair. Hinata couldn't help but giggle a little at her confession. As ludicrous as it all was, Sakura had a point. Their lives would all look very different if she'd rejected their plea for help in that hospital basement. As her laughter continued, Sakura joined in. Unsure at first but soon both kunoichi laughed so hard that they had to clutch their sides. It felt so damn good to laugh freely for the first time in months. To laugh instead of cry brought about a different catharsis she never knew existed. When they finally settled down her cheeks hurt from smiling so hard.
'I pray for many more days like this.'
It was bittersweet in a way. There was so much that would break her heart in the coming days, but for now…she would enjoy this moment to the fullest.
…
Sometimes he truly believed he was on track to become the next Hokage.
At other times, it felt like he was still Konoha's number-one knucklehead.
The minute Sakura left the village, he regretted every day he'd spent avoiding her. Every night he'd spent away. He'd been so caught up in his own insecurities that he'd nearly pushed away one of the things he'd been fighting most of his life for. Her recognition. Her affection. Sure it had been a one-sided, childhood crush for most of the time but that had changed. That crush had blossomed into a love and with that love came fear. Fear that she would one day leave and it would have been all his fault.
He couldn't even focus on these boring scrolls Kakashi was making him read. Every time he tried his eyes slid off the page and towards the door, anxiously awaiting her return. Their return. She promised to return with both of their friend intact. She promised. Naruto sighed and lightly tossed the scroll away. There was no way in hell he would absorb any of their information. Although it was his dream, becoming Hokage was a lot harder than he imagined…and a lot more paperwork. Maybe he could just sneak out for a bit and stretch his legs? Kakashi wouldn't even notice he was gone-
Knock, knock
Naruto snapped to attention and tried to look like he'd been reading his scroll before the interruption. If Kakashi caught him slacking he would find at least five other scrolls for him to read. However, the blonde let out a sigh of relief when the door opened to reveal Tsunade. Naruto blinked and rubbed his eyes almost in disbelief before glancing at the clock. It was nearly midnight. If Tsunade wasn't gambling this time of time she was drinking. Either way, she was much too busy to pay the Hokage Tower a late-night visit.
"Hey Baa-chan! What's up?"
"Disrespectful as always." Tsunade replied with a roll of her eyes. "Though I am happy to see you taking your role seriously…for once."
"You're one to talk." Naruto mumbled under his breath but by the way Tsunade's eye twitched he knew not to test her patience.
"I have a message from Sakura for you-"
"Sakura!"
At her name, Naruto immediately jumped to his feet. She would only send word if something had gone horribly wrong. Kakashi be damned. He needed to leave-
"Hold your horses brat. It's not an emergency or at least she explicitly told me to tell you that it wasn't. She said they just need back up and requested you specifically."
Not an emergency, but needed backup? Sakura wasn't known for being vague like this. Had she been captured during the mission? No…she said it wasn't an emergency. In any case the urgency of the situation still stood. He needed to leave-
"Hold it, there was more."
"Spit it out Baa-chan!"
"I'll let that one slide." Tsunade said with a click of her tongue. "Before I give you these coordinates you need to make up your mind about Sakura. Either you come back an item or single but I'm not putting up with another one of her heartbreaks, ya hear me?"
Naruto nodded, eager to be on his way. Barring the world ending- and even then- he would never let go of Sakura. Even if she told him to get lost or that she hated him. He would always be there in some capacity. He just hoped she didn't ever come to hate him. Satisfied with his response, Tsunade handed him a hastily scrawled note for her location.
"How did you get this?"
"Katsuya told me. I'll be sending one back with you to help find her. Just be sure to get back quickly. The hospital is already short-staffed as it is."
A small slug poofed onto his shoulder, ready for the mission ahead. Internally he felt the pit of his stomach burn. Restless. Anxious. Ready to release all of the pent-up energy he'd held in for the last few months. Peace was great for civilians but for a shinobi such as himself, he felt most at home on the field. He was already out the door and down the hall by the time Tsunade shouted after him.
"Remember what I said!"
Naruto waved off her words. There would be no heartbreak this time. Sakura wouldn't lock herself up in her room again and he wouldn't run away from his problems. Although at the moment he was running full speed ahead. With a chuckle at his own joke, he glanced down at the coordinates Tsunade had given him. It appeared that wherever Sakura last was, it was pretty far north. That was no matter. He could get to them by morning if he was fast enough. Or well…with Kurama's help…
…
Sakura knew that she shouldn't be worried. There was not a single instance in which Naruto failed her. It was embarrassing to admit how she'd rebuffed all of his efforts to focus on their moody teammate inside. What would her life look like if things had worked out between her and Sasuke? She could never imagine leaving Tsunade and the village to be a permanent nomad with Sasuke. No…she would have remained and Sasuke would have taken every chance he got to be as far away as possible.
Pensively, she blew on the mug of tea in her hands before taking a sip. She grimaced at how it had long since grown cold, but she didn't have the energy to dump it. Naruto would be here any minute but he was taking longer than she expected. She swallowed her doubts and kept her eyes on the tree line he would inevitably pop out of. Inside, she could hear Shino and Kiba bicker again about leaving Hinata here. She'd hoped the two men would have resolved their misgivings by now, but Kiba was stubborn. At least he wasn't voicing his frustrations to Hinata anymore. That had to count for something, right?
She took another disappointing sip. The minute they returned to Konoha, she was turning up the heat in Naruto's apartment as high as it could go. She would make more than enough hot tea and cocoa and drink it until she popped. Never in a million years would she admit this out loud, but she missed Naruto's little hovel. She missed how warm it was. How lived in it felt. She missed waking up next to him or burning yet another dinner...
Sighing, Sakura took another sip. Just as the cold liquid passed her lips, she nearly spat it back out. A bright orange dot starkly contrasted with the snow rapidly approached the inn. Her heart skipped several beats as he got closer and closer. That tiny dot became more of a figure until she could make out all of his glowing form. She frowned, frustrated that he would waste so much chakra. Still, no matter how much she disapproved of his tactics, she couldn't tamp down the nervous butterflies in her belly as he approached. His footsteps melted the snow, leavi'g behind puddles in his wake until he finally returned to normal. Clearing her throat, Sakura prayed her cheeks weren't as red as they felt.
"Took you long enough, idiot-"
She didn't even get to finish her statement before warm hands cupped her cheeks, and equally hot lips descended upon her own. Sakura melted instantly into the kiss, returning it with as much fervor as he gave. When he finally released her, she felt like she was in a daze. The only thing that would clear her head is another searing kiss. Naruto smirked at her reaction. Too cocky. Too mischievous.
"I missed you too." He said as his smile broadened.
That was all he could do before she brought him down for another kiss.
…..
The once-abandoned inn felt even more alive with the addition of Naruto. The blonde shinobi really knew how to breathe life into a place without even trying. The pup and the old woman had taken to his charms immediately and by the time the sun had set it was like he'd always been there. Sasuke inhaled deeply, ignoring how sharp the cold night air was. He needed a break from all of the bluster going on inside. Everything was happening so fast, and at the same time, he felt anxious that it wasn't happening fast enough.
As irrational as it was he feared the Hyuuga followed Naruto and were ready to drag Hinata back to Konoha. Or yet another band of criminals would come to raid the inn and harm Hinata before their life together ever began. Or he would say something he didn't mean in a fit of anger and she would leave without a second glance. So many scenarios played in his mind as he watched Hinata enjoy the company of their comrades that it was enough to make his head spin. He hated it.
More than anything he just felt guilty. Guilty that he was going to rob her of this joy. Guilty that the rest of her life would not be as cushy as it should be- as it deserved to be. Guilty that despite knowing all of this he still wouldn't let her go. He'd already abandoned her once. He wouldn't do it again even if it was for her own good. Sasuke took another deep breath, ears pricking up as the back door opened. A gust of warm air escaped with loud laughter and barks from inside. He didn't turn around. Maybe if he ignored the intruder they would just go away.
"Hey asshole, you're missing in there!"
Sasuke rolled his eyes and rested his forearms against the porch railing. Naruto never took the hint that he was being ignored. Instead he joined Sasuke by the railing and playfully poked him in his side.
"So… you're getting married…again." He teased as Sasuke brushed his grubby hands away.
"Don't you have better things to do than bother me?" Sasuke asked.
"Of course I don't. What else is there to do out here in the middle of nowhere?"
The middle of nowhere was right. The village was an hour's walk one way. Very little foot traffic made its way out here, especially given the icy conditions. That was what made it perfect in Sasuke's eyes. Here, at least for a time, there would be no alliances. His eyes would not be under threat and neither would Hinata's. Here he could try and scratch out an existence from the earth. An existence that didn't require his hands to be soaked in the blood of another which is exactly what his brother would have wanted. Sasuke winced at the fleeting memory of his brother. Of Itachi's blood on his hands and the smile his face when he died.
"You know…Sakura thinks you guys are crazy to stay out here." Naruto said, snapping the Uchiha from his thoughts. "I don't think so. It's kinda peaceful in a weird eerie way. Perfect for a creepy guy like you."
Sasuke scoffed but when he glanced at his former teammate, his blue eyes held a rare seriousness.
"I'm happy for you Sasuke. You're getting a family again. It might just be a family of two but one day you're going to look around and see your clan. Aw man it makes me jealous just thinking about it!"
"Pfft." Sasuke grunted but his words tugged at something primal buried deep within him.
"I'm glad I made it out here to see this. I would have beaten your ass if I got left out. Did you know..."
Naruto's ranting slowly faded away as reality sank in. One day he wouldn't be the last Uchiha. That beacon of hope drowned out a lot of the anxiety that had drawn him outside. That hope of a new beginning…a fresh start with Hinata. He took another deep breath and turned his gaze up to the night sky. Tomorrow would be the start of a new life. He just hoped that this time he'd be able to keep it.
…
Hinata had often imagined how her wedding day would go. A bright blue sky. Birds chirping happily overhead. More people than she could name or recognize crammed into an elegantly decorated hall to celebrate her union. In reality it rained. Hard.
"What rotten luck huh?" Sakura sighed as she straightened Hinata's obi for the umpteenth time.
The Hyuuga only smiled and gazed out the window. The rain pelted the glass and slid down in thick streams. Although the rain was cold, it was warmer than the usual precipitation in this area. That meant spring was just around the corner. At this realization her heart skipped a beat in anticipation for the future.
"I think it's nice." She whispered, ignoring the skeptical look on Sakura's face.
"Well you're all done. Neither I nor Reika have any make up though and I can't curl your hair. We went into the village but there's been no shipments either."
Hinata tuned out Sakura's ramblings to finally take in her image in the mirror. Her wedding garments were nowhere near as refined as what had been painstakingly hand-tailored for her before. Her hair was pinned up simply to accommodate her umeboshi. No makeup. No jewelry but for some reason she felt prettier than ever before. Was it just wishful thinking? Was she becoming delirious in all of the excitement? She smiled and turned away from her reflection. Even if all of that was true, in this very moment she would relish her happiness.
"Ready my dears?" Reika called from the door. "Oh you look wonderful! Even better than I did!"
Her gushing made Hinata blush but she resisted shying away from the attention. From this day forward she would confidently stand on her own two feet. She was becoming an Uchiha after all. Just thinking about it made her fingertips tingle.
"I'm ready." She said though the words came out more confidently than she felt.
Although she knew without a doubt that this was the right decision it didn't stop her from feeling jittery. She took one last look in the mirror before following Sakura and Reika out of the room. It took a bit of help to make it down the stairs but she was grateful she didn't slip and fall. Naruto, Kiba and Shino were at the landing ready to catch her even if she did. Although she knew they didn't entirely support what she was doing, they would always stay in her corner. She drank in the image of the three of them greedily, wondering when the next chance was that she would see them like this. In a year? Two? She shook that thought aside and followed them to a small side room where Sasuke awaited her.
"If he ever messes up just let me know and we'll come here to beat his ass. I don't care if I'm on a mission or not!" Kiba said, earning him a broad smile from Hinata.
"I know. I know." Hinata replied softly and reached out to squeeze his upper arm comfortingly.
Shino remained silent when she turned to him but that was alright. Resolute now, she opened the door and entered the room. The door shut softly behind her, leaving her heart pounding in her chest as she regarded the only occupant in the room. Sasuke sat at a low-lying table on the tatami floor. In front of him was a scroll, an elegant dagger, and a small bottle of sake with two cups.
When he looked up at her, her breath caught in her throat. Slowly, she crossed the room to sit across from him. His dark eyes followed her every movement as if he were analyzing her. Memorizing each move she made. When she was finally settled on the cushion he broke the heavy silence that had fallen over the room.
"Hinata."
Her name being uttered by his lips sent a shiver down her spine.
"Are you ready?"
Ready? Was anyone ever truly ready to shed their old life and step into a new one? No… but she was as ready as she'd ever be. Slowly, she nodded, and Sasuke unfurled the scroll. A contract not unlike the one her father had shown her before but this time much much shorter. No clauses on children. No outline of clan responsibilities. Just a promise to bind themselves together in an unbreakable union. Sasuke handed her the dagger hilt first and offered his open palm without hesitation.
The hilt of the dagger felt heavy in her hand as she cut his thumb deep enough to bleed. He then pressed his bloody finger to the scroll and it left a bold red print. Hinata returned the dagger to Sasuke so he could do the same to her. The blade was sharp. So sharp that it only stung a little as it bit into her skin. Blood pooled quickly on the pad of her thumb, making it easy to stamp her print right next to his. Once there, all of the anxiety bubbling in the pit of her stomach washed away leaving a sense of relief.
"Wow." She whispered as their blood and the contract glowed briefly before returning to an ordinary piece of parchment.
Sasuke smirked at her astonishment and handed her a small saucer of sake.
"Who would have thought you would be impressed by such a simple ceremony."
Hinata blushed as she took a small, hesitant sip. The sake was smooth and didn't sting on the way down. She blinked with surprise and took another sip. It was delicious! Sasuke merely grunted but his pleasure at choosing a good sake for their wedding ceremony was evident.
His confidence elicited a smile from her. Of course he chose well. There was very little Sasuke did poorly because he only had himself to rely on. From this point on that would change. Resolute, she placed her free hand over his own.
"You're not the last Uchiha anymore."
Dark eyes stared back at her as if he was finally piecing together the reality of what they were doing. They were starting a family, a life- together. He leaned down and captured her lips, spreading an increasingly familiar warmth through her body. The kiss nearly took her breath away but he only seemed amused.
"Uchiha, Hinata." He whispered and it sent chills down her spine.
…..
The next morning the sky was incredibly clear. Light blue and pink streaked across the horizon as the sun slowly rose. Hinata struggled to smile as Kiba and Shino wrapped her up in one last hug. Mentally, she kicked herself. This wouldn't truly be the last time she saw them but it would be a very long separation. Between rebuilding the village and lives of their own, they would have to start; they wouldn't have many chances to see her. She wanted them to move on with their lives. To start a new journey just as she was. Still, it didn't stop their release from her embrace from being bittersweet. Tears began to burn in the corner of her eyes, threatening to spill but she blinked them back. Instead she focused on pulling a letter out of her pocket and handed it to Shino. As much as she loved Kiba, he had a penchant for losing things.
"Please make sure my sister gets this when you tell her the news." She said softly, and Shino nodded before tucking the letter into his inner breast pocket.
When they returned to the village it would be reported that Hyuuga Hinata was dead. She would have been killed in the line of duty by rouge ninja who had forsaken their homelands for a life of crime. The story wasn't that far-fetched. The remains of the men Sasuke and Sai had been dispatched to deal with would serve to further this tale. It wouldn't take long for the quartet to double back to the cave to find what they could to substantiate events. Her pack was still there and so was Sasuke's. It would be said that they died honorably. Her clan wouldn't question much. They would not search for her.
In their eyes, it was only a matter of time before she died by an enemy's blade. Now, nothing stood in the way of making Hanabi their true Head. No matter how callous clan politics would be moving forward, Hinata knew her sister could weather the storm. This letter was her way of letting her know the confidence she had in Hanabi's abilities and, if she found it in her heart to forgive her, a map to their current location. One day- far into the future given her sister's penchant to hold grudges- Hinata hoped she would visit.
Her heart wavered a bit with fear. What if Hanabi never forgave her? Lying. Abandonment. Those were challenging hurdles to overcome no matter the circumstances. Even she and Sasuke had found it difficult to open up to one another again after all that had happened. This lie, this false death bought her security. It purchased Sasuke his freedom and none of their future children would have the seal or Konoha weighing over their heads. But…at what cost?
"She's going to come around." Shino said, assuaging her mounting worries. "At the end of everything…you know that you cannot live your life in service of your sister. She wouldn't want you to."
"Besides, we'll be there to keep an eye on her when we can." Kiba added and Hinata smiled.
The Inuzuka whistled for the pup he'd brought to join his side from where he hid behind Hinata's legs. Instead of listening to the command, he whimpered and pressed his cold nose to the back of her knee. The sound broke her heart more than expected as she bent down to pet the young pup.
"It's time to go with Kiba now." She said and tried to put on a smile. The pup saw right through her and whined more. "All of your family and friends are in Konoha."
The pup remained unconvinced by her argument. If anything it only made him more determined to stay. Kiba let out a sigh of frustration and threw up his hands.
"The runt's already bonded to you. He won't be any good to anyone else at this point."
Her heart fluttered despite Kiba's frustration with the situation. A little piece of home could stay with her.
"So we can keep him?"
"Yea yea. Just know he's going to grow crazy fast and will try to eat you out of house and home."
"Thank you Kiba!" Hinata exclaimed and the pup immediately perked up at the news.
"Ready to go?" Sakura chirped as she eagerly made it down the porch steps. She had been itching to return to Konoha since Naruto's arrival.
The blonde in question was right behind her, ready to follow her every move. If she said jump Hinata was positive his response would be 'how high'. It made her heart feel an encouraging warmth to see them this way.
"We've been ready. Its you two slow pokes holding things up!"
"Hey! We aren't slow!" Naruto protested.
They all knew that to be a lie. No shinobi on a 'mission' woke up at nearly noon. Shaking her head, her smile widened as Sasuke finally joined them outside. He didn't seem affected by his former teammates leaving. If anything he was ready for them to go so the old house would be quiet once again. Hinata reached out and grabbed his hand and was rewarded with a slight squeeze.
"Be safe getting back." Hinata said as Naruto gave her a huge hug.
His embrace was warmer than any fire, almost suffocatingly so. Still, she patted his back and tried to commit it to memory. Just like with Kiba and Shino, it would be a long time before they met again. Just as she thought he'd let her go, he pulled her in tighter.
"Thank you Hinata." He whispered in her ear and her eyes widened. "For everything."
"O-of course!" she squeaked, taken aback by the surge of emotion that flowed through him and into her body.
Just how powerful was Naruto? She didn't have much time to contemplate this as Sasuke tugged on her hand and pulled her out of the other man's arms. His pale face betrayed no emotion but she knew the truth. Sasuke was jealous.
"Sasuke-"Naruto started.
"You're suffocating. Leave."
"Asshole."
"Idiot."
"Alright! Alright! Let's get going already!" Sakura huffed and Naruto's mood immediately brightened.
"Be on the lookout! I'll send a message soon as we get back!"
Sasuke relaxed a bit but only gave him a stiff nod. While he was no longer a recognized shinobi of the Leaf, his abilities will always be needed. In exchange for going along with their plan, Sasuke would be at Naruto's side. Should the need ever arise he would help from the shadows but only if the need was dire. Until then, he would stay out of Konoha's business. Hinata tightened her grip on Sasuke's hand as they watched Naruto join the others. They were finally leaving and her heart tugged painfully. This wasn't the end…just a new beginning.
"Be safe!" she shouted as she watched their backs quickly recede. She wasn't sure if they'd heard her, but she didn't have the heart to say 'Goodbye.'
By the time they'd gone further than even her Byakugan could see, reality sank in. It was more than a bit unsettling but Sasuke's hand in hers kept her here on the ground. She looked to him and found reassurance and resilience in his eyes. Like a weight had finally been lifted off of his shoulders. Her own chest felt lighter and an inexplicable happiness at their newfound freedom burst to the surface. Without a word, he led her and the pup down the steps and away from the little inn. The sound of snow crunching under foot filled the silence as they walked the vast perimeter of the clearing. A future unfolded in her mind's eye with every step.
A future she couldn't wait to meet…
Being an Epilogue…