A.N: hello hello! Well, I'm back-ish. Enjoy the new chapter! I had to cut it in half otherwise it would have been way too long…
Chapter 13
Breakfast was… interesting.
On one side there was Hinata, who pretended to act natural but couldn't help but frown whenever she found Sasuke's eyes following her every move.
She didn't know why Sakura let Sasuke off the hook after so many disappointments, but it wasn't her place to judge. Hinata had talked about it with Naruto before they left the bedroom, but he'd said his and Sasuke's relationship lately had been… difficult . Strained . (He knew why but didn't want to worry Hinata and cause her more stress)
So he didn't have that much insight into where the Uchiha stood in his relationship with her friend.
But Naruto did assure her that Sasuke had to have some type of romantic feelings for Sakura, otherwise, he wouldn't act so comfortable around her. That in his strange way he must care.
But if that was comfortable for Sasuke, Hinata didn't want to know what hostile meant.
On the other side , there was Sasuke who was trying not to focus on how Naruto's clothes covered Hinata's body.
How disheveled the two were.
And the red splotches littering Naruto's neck.
Besides that , there wasn't any other evidence that the two had done any late-night activities, given that he was up for a long while after the two returned from their date, and he didn't hear a thing through the thin walls.
"Where's Sakura?" The blond asked as Hinata passed him a cup of coffee. "Off to work?" she busied herself with making a quick breakfast for her and her - Boyfriend. Could she call him that? - since he still needed to swing by his house to change clothes before going off to work.
"Hn." Sasuke scrolled down on his phone, going through some of his work e-mails as the sound of the tv filled what would've been uncomfortable silence. "had an emergency at work and left thirty minutes ago." Hinata nodded and proceeded with making breakfast while Naruto attempted some small talk with the Uchiha.
Eventually, Naruto said his goodbyes and she was left with Sasuke alone. Who was supposedly going to go back to Sakura's room and chill there till he had to leave for his supposed work meeting.
But instead, he insisted he cleaned the kitchen, which Hinata was more than grateful for. The two worked in silence, as Sasuke minded the dishes and she cleaned the counters and put all the food in its rightful place.
After all was done, she debated whether or not she should go back to the bedroom or stay and sit on the couch and attempt to work out a confession from Sasuke so she could finally put the pieces of the intricate puzzle that was his and Sakura's relationship.
After deigning herself calm enough, she went back to the kitchen area and stood on the other side of the island, choosing to have it in between them as she spoke.
"What are your intentions towards Sakura?"
Sasuke froze, shoulders tensing for a moment before he continued to dry the dishes. "Are you her mother to be asking me that?"
"No, but I'm her best friend who is deeply concerned." Crossing her arms, Hinata stared at the back of the Uchiha's head, glad he wasn't facing her, otherwise she probably wouldn't be able to be so straightforward.
"Concerned with what?"
Scoffing at his lack of care, she swallowed a few insults she wanted to throw at him before replying with, "Don't play dumb. You've been using Sakura as if she's some sort of toy."
A moment of silence followed before he turned and gave her a sarcastic smile. "In a sense she is. She's my submissive, we never agreed on more than a physical relationship. Even the word relationship feels a little too much."
"You're a pig." Hinata could only stare in disbelief. "If you say what you two have is nothing more than physical what are you doing here? What are you doing parading her around town on dates and leading her on? You barely do any aftercare and still, you act entitled to her… are you blind? Can't you see that she's enamored? I won't say in love cause I don't want to even think about that being possible."
Sasuke lifted an eyebrow, impressed with her for being so straightforward and protective of her friend. But what shocked him the most was that for the first time she was actually speaking to him. Willingly speaking to him. So in an attempt to shift the conversation, he voiced that thought. "Look at you. In five minutes you've spoken more to me than in the months we've known each other."
Frowning, she looked at him as if he'd grown another head. "What could I possibly have to do with you that would require us to have a conversation?"
"Well, for starters you fucking my best friend, even when you and Toneri were together." Part jealousy, part anger made him say this, but it was worth it cause it made her turn red in embarrassment and stumble over her words when she answered with, "You're straying from the main f-focus of our conversation."
"And you're deflecting. Why is that Hi-na-ta?" Sasuke asked in a mocking tone, attempting to sound like Naruto as he walked around the island so he could be closer to her. He placed a hand on top of the marble, almost as if caging her in. "Are you scared? Jealous ?"
"Me?" She didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the stupidity of his argument. " Jealous ? Of what? Of an asshole that doesn't give two shits about his girlfriend? Quite the opposite actually." She pushed him off and began making her way to the bedroom, not liking where he was steering the conversation.
"Are you sure? You're certainly giving it more importance than normal." He looked so full of himself and was acting so arrogantly that Hinata turned and answered with barely contained anger.
How dare he play Sakura like that?
"She's my best friend. What do you expect me to do? Stand by and watch as you play with her feelings and break her heart? She deserves better. And if it weren't for my concern I wouldn't even be talking to you."
"And what do you know?" Now it was his turn to get impatient and angry. All she was doing was chastize and insult him. What did she know about him? That's right. Nothing. "You never gave me a chance. You always run or ignore me or hide behind that moron." Sasuke pointed at the door, his face beginning to lose the mask of composure and letting all his feelings show.
"Don't talk about Naruto that way." Hinata threatened, eyes darkening as she took a step closer to him. "He's a better man, a better person than you'll ever dream to be."
Leaning down, Sasuke gesticulated towards himself as his forehead nearly touched hers. "You don't know me."
"Nor I intend to. Trust me." With that, she concluded their conversation.
Scoffing, Sasuke pushed back on the island and strode towards Sakura's bedroom.
But before Hinata could leave his line of sight, he turned and stared straight into her eyes. "You'll be easy to break once you're under oath."
One could hear a pin drop in the silence that had settled in. Hinata's whole body stiffened, mind reeling and going through the worst scenarios possible, imagining how Sasuke would chew her like a dog does his favorite toy.
"You're d-defending him?"
She couldn't believe the words that left her mouth, the stutter giving Sasuke enough evidence of the fear that had now been installed in her body. Eyes watering, Hinata was ready to run towards her bedroom and make herself small under the covers, knowing that Sasuke would use all his knowledge about her and Naruto to destroy her credibility in court.
He'd probably paint Toneri as the victim and her as the cheating one.
That it had all been the result of a loving fiancé losing his mind after he had been betrayed in the worst way possible by his fiancée and his best friend.
She could already see the headlines and the scrutiny she and Naruto would be under.
Naruto…
The scandal would definitely ruin any chance he had of becoming Hokage.
And it would all be her fault.
Before she could spiral even further, Sasuke tsked and said, "No. I don't defend rapists. Some other friend of his is doing the dirty work. I just told you that so you could start preparing yourself. His lawyer will most definitely ask intrusive questions and try to paint you in a bad way, despite the fact that you're the victim and are completely blameless." His tone changed from aggressive mocking to a more sincere and sympathetic one.
"D-Does he-" Hinata took a deep breath, hand coming up to clean the tears that threatened to fall. "Does he k-know?"
Sasuke gave her a once over, face expressionless as he waited a few moments before answering. "Not for now, he doesn't. And if I were you, I'd lay low until the trial is over. You and Naruto parading around town might leave Toneri questioning all your behaviors and he's not that stupid. He'll be able to do the math. And it can undermine your case."
With that, he left and Hinata stood motionless as she tried to take it all in and not fall apart in the process.
It was a big day for her, and Ino would be stopping by to help her pack for their trip. The last thing she wanted was to worry her friend even further and have what was supposed to be a perfectly good day be ruined.
And the last person she would let be the reason for that was Toneri. And Sasuke.
Hinata meant to call Ino and talk about the surprise visit they would be doing her family, but she couldn't move.
Right in front of her, there was a mirror that showed her reflection as she sat on the end of the bed, phone in hand with an empty look in her eyes. She stayed like that for what seemed like hours.
Head spinning and going back to her conversation with the Uchiha.
She tried to believe Sasuke's words but it was difficult since he'd been close to Toneri.
He could very well be playing double agent and then, later on, stab her on her back.
But what would he stand to gain?
The more she thought about it the worst it got. So when her phone rang, Hinata jumped, startled by the noise. But once she saw Ino's face her heart began beating at a regular pace.
Instead of focusing on the what-ifs, she needed to focus on the now.
Or at least that's what Ino often advised her to do.
The day of the trip was set. They'd go on a Thursday and stay there till Sunday.
But a lot needed to be arranged. Particularly, buying some suitcases and a few extra clothes. Ino picked up Hinata after work and the two went to the shopping center nearby and began browsing the shops while they waited for Sakura.
Who, speaking of which, had stopped by another shop before meeting the girls to buy some new clothes as well.
If they knew why she was doing so she wouldn't hear the end of it so she was going to be quick and put the evidence in her car before the other two could find out about it.
She received a strange call from Sasuke, which resulted in her almost dropping the phone once her brain processed his words.
Sasuke had invited her for dinner at his parents' house.
She would be meeting his parents.
His family .
She needed to be at her best. Make a good first impression.
But she had already been through two stores and still hadn't found the perfect outfit.
Looking at her phone she saw that she still had half an hour before she had to meet her friends.
Walking into a bigger store that claimed to be with sales, selling clothes for all ages, ranging from newborns to elderly people, she began looking in the business section of the shop.
Coincidentally, the outfit she'd be eyeing happened to be near the kid's section. Sakura was riffling through the clothes when a little boy suddenly crashed against her legs.
"Hey there, little guy." Crouching down she helped the kid stand straight, smiling. "You okay?" The boy nodded, hand reaching towards his mouth. "What's your name?" From what Sakura could tell he couldn't be more than 3 or 4 years old.
Instead of answering her question, the boy with a weird bowl haircut kept staring before saying loudly, "You're pretty!"
Before the boy could say more, someone ran over to them and picked the little boy up. "I'm so sorry, miss. My kid tends to run away when I'm not looking. My uncle says that's the youth in him." Rubbing the back of his neck, he was so lost in his rambling that he didn't notice who he was talking to. "I agree one hundred percent, but I just wished he would stop doing that in public spaces-"
"That's okay." Sakura smiled, realizing who she had just run into. Or rather ran onto her. "Lee? Is this your son?" Grinning she waved at the little guy who shyly waved back. "He's so cute!"
Once Lee realized Sakura was standing in front of him it was as if his mouth stopped working. Cheeks burning red, he tried to apologize again but was so lost in her smile that nothing coherent came out.
"Really, it's ok. Do you need any help? I have some time." After checking her watch and confirming that indeed she still had some time, Sakura noticed he had a small backpack hanging on his right arm and a basket filled with kid's clothes on his left one. And was now holding his son, which to her seemed a little too much and he could really use a hand. Or two.
Lee simply nodded, not risking any words that might ruin anything.
She took the backpack and the basket from him, but couldn't help but notice that it was mostly variations of weird green jumpers. "Sorry to bother you during y-your shopping. Really, if you want to go I completely understand-"
Placing a hand on his shoulder she decided to stop his rant before it got worst. "Lee! Calm down. I'm having issues finding something I like either way. I'm glad to help you out. I can see you're in need of a hand." After gushing some more about his kid, Lee shook off whatever awkwardness was keeping him from talking properly to Sakura.
"Oh. Well. I'm not one to deny a beautiful woman's help, so," Sakura blushed at his forwardness. (For someone who seconds ago was blushing and stuttering nonstop, this was a surprisingly interesting turn of events.) "Metal, this is Sakura. Sakura this is my son Metal." Smiling, Lee encouraged the boy to speak, not knowing how his son had originally approached the pinkette.
"Hi!" The little boy said, cheeks rosy from all the attention that was on him.
"Hi Metal!" Turning to Lee once more, she pointed toward a specific section. "I saw the cutest overalls over there. I think they'd fit him perfectly."
Indeed they were Metal's size and after Lee told her his kid was in need of more everyday clothes and some pajamas, Sakura was more than glad to help him find some. Kid's clothes were always so cute and fun to look at that Sakura didn't really care that she was supposed to be looking for an outfit for herself instead of one for Lee's precious son.
After shooting her friends a quick text about a work emergency, she went back to look for outfits for Metal. Ino and Hinata blew up the chat with saddened emojis, promising to make up with a nice dinner for when she got home. Sakura felt bad for doing so, but she was grateful for the dinner, her stomach was already grumbling.
Lee and her talked about many things. About their jobs, how demanding and stressful they could sometimes be but also how fulfilling they were. Lee expressed his admiration for her dedication and seemed interested in knowing more about the good part of her work, instead of the gruesome bit that people usually seemed more interested in.
It was weird.
Usually, she was the one doing all the talking and finding conversational topics that would help keep the talk going.
Not the other way around. Never the other way around.
It was a nice change of pace.
Eventually, when they were moving towards the register, which had a somewhat long line already, Lee asked why she had come shopping.
"Oh! Well, you know, my boyfriend," Frowning, Sakura remembered the nerve-racking phone call and the fact that she still hadn't gotten a thing. Lee nodded, face blank as he waited for her to continue. "He… He invited me to meet his parents. And I might be freaking out just a little. Cause he's from this really rich and fancy family… I just want to make a good impression you know?"
Sensing how stressful she was, Lee bumped his shoulder against hers, smiling as he did.
"Meeting a significant other's family for the first time can be quite stressful." Shaking his head, Lee was reminded of a fond memory. "When I met my late wife's family I was so nervous I almost broke my father-in-law's hand with how much strength I used when I shook his hand. The man never shook my hand since." Sakura laughed as Lee continue to talk to her about how the pressure one puts on themselves when meeting the other's family can be ridiculous at times, Sakura realized that she was really enjoying talking to Lee.
As they moved further along the line, something caught Lee's eye, pointing his chin towards it. "That green dress looks very beautiful. I bet it'd bring out the youth in your eyes!" The pinkette's eyes settled on that same dress and she couldn't deny it. It was really beautiful. Nothing extravagant but also not too simple. It was the perfect long dress for her to take to Sasuke's family dinner.
Utterly perfect.
When they were about to go on their separate ways, the words that left Sakura's mouth were unexpected even to herself. "Hey, Lee?" Once he turned and Metal waved again at her, Sakura spoke up. "Wanna grab lunch sometime? Munchkin included." She winked at the kid and was about to wave as well but he had already turned and hidden his face from her view.
Lee was taken aback, not really expecting it, but agreeing non the less.
"Great! I have your number! I'll text you later this week!" With that Sakura went on her way, leaving a very confused but happy Lee behind.
Once she got back to her apartment it was as if all the nervousness was gone and nowhere to be found. A small part of her wondered what it would have been like to have met Lee before Sasuke.
But then she realized she probably wouldn't have looked twice in his direction due to how blind-sighted she was by her obsession with Sasuke.
If only she didn't like him as much as she did...
"What the fuck do you want? Came here to antagonize me further?"
The corners of the Uchiha's mouth lifted, an overall sense of gloating taking over.
"You look like shit Otsutsuki."
Toneri rolled his eyes, or eye since the other was closed shut due to it being bruised.
"Playing house with your new cell buddies?" Sasuke tried but miserably failed not to make fun of the man sitting across from him in the visitors' lounge of the prison.
Toneri's eye twitched but those icy blue eyes were zeroed in on him. On the way Sasuke so casually sat in his chair, zero fucks given as he shoved a paper folder towards him.
"I already spoke with your father. I assume he has passed the information along." Sasuke noticed how Toneri's fists were closed, sitting on the table and how the cut on his mouth didn't prevent him from curling his lips as he gave him the utmost look of disdain.
Since he didn't speak, Sasuke kept on talking. "If he hasn't, well, I won't be your lawyer anymore or be associated in any way, shape, or form with you, your family, and your company." Smiling cruelly at the Otsutsuki, he tapped two fingers on top of the folder. "Here's the contract you and your father signed where it's specifically stated that if you or he were ever indited with sexual abuse our arrangement would be terminated."
At the time, the Otsutsuki, or rather their lawyers, had overlooked the clause since the possibility of it ever happening had never crossed their minds. Embezzlement, extortion… that they might have caught on. But that Sasuke was aware of. He didn't want to raise any suspicion, and knowing Toneri and Hinata's situation or at least having glimpses of what he assumed it to be (and ended up being right about) he put that in.
Toneri was close to lunging across the table, seething as he threw at him the word " Traitor. "
Shaking his head, Sasuke took out another envelope, smaller, from the pocket inside his coat. "That I might be and honestly I've done and been called worst. But did you really think I'd work for you if I hadn't the chance to get something out of our arrangement in the long run?"
Toneri's eyes never left his. Sasuke was aware that, if given the chance, he might have lunged for and tried to kill him. But given that he had been locked up for a while now and looked like he had been run over by a truck, he hadn't any reason to worry.
"What the fuck is this?" Toneri asked, unimpressed and unsurprised.
Sasuke suspected that by now the Otsutsuki's nails must have been cutting his skin due to the way he was clenching his fists. But Sasuke said nothing, fixing his tie and adjusting in his chair so he could sit more comfortably. Snorting, Toneri broke eye contact, fidgeting in his sit as he looked through the room's window. "You know you're blacklisted right?"
"You think that scares me? C'mon Toneri. Drop the act." Pushing the envelope closer, Sasuke taunted him. "You can't do shit to me while you're here. And your father doesn't care. The only thing he's worried about is the company's image.
"You're a liability. Always were. Hinata was the only reason he looked your way. And now…" Sasuke's eyes shifted towards the envelope and then back again to him. "You lost her as well. You fucked up. Bad . If my judgment of the old man is right… I'd say you're the one blacklisted." Toneri immediately picked up the envelope, tearing it open and letting the pictures inside of it fall on top of the table.
They were all candids of Hinata. Days, weeks, months captured. They ranged from her going on her day-to-day activities when she was still with the Otsutsuki, ones of her in the club wearing extravagant outfits, to recent ones, of her in Sakura's apartment, cooking breakfast, trying to make out the exact measurements from an online recipe for some dish Sasuke didn't remember. Candids of her arranging a beautiful flower arrangement that Naruto had gifted her, of her leaving the apartment and entering a car Toneri didn't recognize.
Evidence.
Proof.
That Hinata had moved on with her life while Toneri sat in jail, suffering.
It was too much for him. His hands were moving quickly, trying to absorb as much information as possible.
Was she happy?
Had she received his gift? Had she forgiven him? Would she be able to?
Of course… After all, she loved him.
Right?
Sasuke watched as he scanned every picture to the last detail until something clicked in Toneri's head.
For him to have this many pictures. For Sasuke to have these many pictures of Hinata acting so domestically…
"You bastard." Toneri nearly jumped, hands going straight to Sasuke's neck before the guards interceded and held him back. " Don't you fucking touch her! She's mine . Get it? Hinata's mine and when I get out of here I'll kill you . I'll murder you as I should have long ago." Toneri struggled against the guards, wanting to act on his promise but one of the guards punched him in the stomach to force him to settle down.
Laughing, Sasuke simply shook his head, gathering the pictures to put them back inside the envelope.
"Told you I had my reasons. Have ." Taking one step closer to Toneri who was still doubled over in pain, Sasuke spoke with a weird glint in his dark eyes. "Hinata isn't yours anymore. But I bet sooner or later she'll be mine. "
"You-" Before Toneri could go on a crazed rant the guards announced they'd be taking him back. He trashed, screaming his lungs out as he promised to get Sasuke back and that he'd never have Hinata.
Sasuke kept laughing, cleaning everything up before leaving, satisfied by the outcome of his visit. Shorter than he expected, but still very profitable.
What Sasuke didn't notice was that one of the pictures had been taken by Toneri who was now trapped in solitaire, while awaiting his trial. The picture wasn't one all that special, the quality wasn't the best as well.
It almost looked like a paparazzi picture.
It was one of Hinata walking down the street with Ino.
But Toneri didn't care.
For him, it was enough.
He missed Hinata terribly.
And now he had something of hers in a way. Something to help him remember the good times. Times when he wasn't locked up and she was his.
But he'd get out.
If everything went as he and his father planned he would.
And then no one would stand between him and his love.
"Want me to ring the bell for you?" Ino asked, eyebrows raising as she looked at the Hyuga mansion. Hinata stood by her side, shifting on her feet as shook her head.
"I got it." Taking the steps up to the front door, she gathered all the courage she could find in her and rang the bell.
A few minutes passed before the door is abruptly opened and a sleep-deprived Hanabi stands on the other side. Her eyes widened, mouth dropping open as she tried to process the fact that her sister was actually standing there.
Ino stands by Hinata and gives her a tiny push on her back as if to say go ahead! Hinata exchanges a worried glance with Ino before shyly waving at Hanabi. "Hi!" Hanabi shakes her head and immediately throws herself at Hinata, engulfing her in a huge hug. Hinata returns it, holding her baby sister, who is now taller than her, as close as she can.
"Oh my god, I can't- Oh my. I can't believe you're here. Like here here ." Hanabi held Hinata impossibly closer, tears falling out of her eyes and onto her sister's shoulders. Hinata mirrors her sister, happy tears trailing down her cheeks as she lets herself indulge Hanabi's affection, something that wasn't all that common with the youngest Hyuga.
Ino stands on the side, smiling and trying not to join the sisters with more tears until something in the corner of her right eye caught her attention.
"Hanabi how many times have I told you to close the damn door when you're out there smoking?! For heaven's sake do it on your balcony like a regular person." A person in a wheelchair spoke, drawing all the attention to him.
Silence fell over them, as Hinata pulled away from Hanabi so she could get a better look.
" Neji? "
Ino looks from Hinata to Neji, who looks astonished and much like Hanabi, disbelieving of her presence there.
No words are spoken but after a minute or two, he opens his arms wide before it's Hinata's turn to throw herself into his arms. This time she doesn't contain the sobs that rack through her body, letting it all go as Neji holds her close and smiles. Which in turn makes Hanabi gasp and turn to Ino.
"Thank you." Hanabi held Ino's hands in hers. "Thank you so much for bringing her back." The blonde nods, makeup be damned as she let herself cry a bit as she side-hugged the youngest Hyuga. Ever since she became close to Hinata, Ino had wanted this. To bring them all together once more.
Eventually,
they all go inside to the living room, where Neji settles himself next to Hinata on her left side while Hanabi takes her right and they each take one of Hinata's hands in theirs.
Hinata's father had yet to show up but Ino didn't blame him since it was close to dinner time and he must be around the kitchen if Hanabi's guesses are right. And according to her they always are.
Sitting on the armchair next to them, Ino watches as Neji jokes about Hinata's cast and Hanabi pokes fun at her sister as well, talking about how she needed to sign it and make a stupid and embarrassing drawing, otherwise, it wasn't worth it.
The blonde could see, from the way Hinata searched the room and looked towards one of the doors that she must have been looking for her father, a look of disappointment crossing her face before she tried to answer all of Hanabi's questions.
"Okay, okay, what's all this commotion about?" A heavily pregnant woman entered the room, fanning herself with her hand, "Dinner is- Hinata?!" Mimicking Neji and Hanabi's faces from earlier, the woman couldn't believe her eyes.
"Hey, Tenten!" Hinata smiled big and looked surprised as well, at the size of the woman's stomach. She got up and walked towards her, whose hands covered her mouth. "Sorry I didn't call in advance, wanted to surprise you all."
Smiling, Tenten pulled her old friend close, and just like it happened to the others, fat tears left her eyes and spilled down the woman's cheeks. "You're here. Oh. I'm so glad you're back!"
"Hey Ten, careful now. We don't want you popping the twins out earlier than you should!" Hanabi joked before yelping from the arm punch received from Neji.
"Oh quiet. Let me enjoy this." Arms still circling Hinata's shoulders, Tenten poked her tongue out at Hanabi before a cough made everyone in the room silent.
Ino turned to look at the source of the sound and found Hiashi Hyuga standing there, arms crossed, face devoid of emotion other than a lifted eyebrow. "Dinner's ready." With that, he turned and left. Part of Ino wanted to yell at the man to come back and properly welcome his daughter back home, who mind you, he hadn't seen or spoken to in ages and had no idea that she'd be returning.
Sighing, Neji rubbed his temples before he went and sat back in the wheelchair with some effort and began following in the direction the patriarch of the Hyuga had gone.
Hanabi crossed her arms, shaking her head with disappointment. "I'm surprised the old man didn't have a heart attack and dropped dead."
"HANABI!" Everyone, including Ino, yelled out, causing the teen to shrug and lift her arms up in defense.
"What? It's true, bet he's just as surprised to see my sis here, but he's decided to act like a dumb emotionless rock. Wanna bet money to see how long it takes him to crack?" Hanabi laughed sarcastically, jumping away from Tenten who was close to hitting her head.
Ino stared at Hanabi and then back at Hinata, shocked at how different the two were personality-wise. When she was about to say something Neji spoke up first.
"We better go. Hanabi," He called out to the youngest Hyuga who was back to clinging to her older sister as they moved towards the dining room. "Since you're so full of energy why don't you take Hinata and Ino's bags upstairs towards Hinata's old room?"
Groaning, Hanabi began bickering with Neji, before Hinata interceded, stating that there was no need, that she and Ino would manage. But Neji gave a pointed glance at her cast before telling Hanabi to just go, which she did, stating that Hinata was staying with her instead and that the blonde could have Hinata's room all to herself.
Neji had offered Ino a spare room after introductions were made but both Hinata and the blonde said that there was no need and that they could share a room, to which Neji then agreed and made no further comment.
Shaking her head trying to contain her laughter Hinata turned to Ino to apologize for Hanabi.
"Oh, no need to apologize!" Ino scratched the back of her head as she spoke. "Is Hanabi always this… full of energy?" Part of her wanted to believe this behavior stemmed from her sister's return. Again, they all answered at the same time with a huge, "YES!"
Tenten stated that Hanabi could be even more insufferable, which made Ino's eyes widen and mutter a small "wow."
Once they got to the dining room, Hiashi was already eating at the table, not sparing a second glance at them as they filled the rest of the seats. There was an awkward silence in the room that made Hinata mouth a "Sorry for this." at Ino, who simply nodded, understanding that the situation wasn't that easy between Hinata and her father.
Only when Hanabi came into the room was there a spark in Hiashi's eyes, but it was only momentarily since he simply opened his mouth to tell his youngest to call down and behave in front of the guests. Hanabi completely ignored her father's comment, and thankfully, was able to guide a somewhat entertaining conversation as they ate. Hinata talked to Tenten about the babies who were about a month away from being birth as Ino spoke with Neji. The blonde noticed how her best friend looked more relaxed and happier than she'd been in a while, and nothing brought Ino more joy than that.
But then again that was short-lived.
As soon as Hiashi finished eating he stood and stared directly at his oldest daughter.
"When you're done come to my office." With that, he left and Hanabi snorted loudly. Neji gave her a pointed look before she could even utter a single word out.
"You called, father?" Hinata hid her hands behind her back so as not to show how much they were shaking.
This was what she had been dreading the most since she boarded the plane there. Her father looked up from his spot against the desk.
Hinata swallowed, not knowing what to say or do. Her relationship with her father was always so estranged. She had never been able to form the same bond Neji and Hanabi had with him.
Stepping into the same office where, ever since she was a child, she was used to be subjected to hours-long lectures on how what she did wasn't enough, that she needed to push herself harder in order to become someone in life, and so many other soul-crushing admonishments, almost made her knees give out from under her.
The memories weren't the best, and she half expected her father to start arguing with her the moment she entered, so she stared at the polished wood floors the whole time.
What she didn't expect was her father's arms pulling her into a hug. His right hand pulled her head to his chest, tucked under his chin until she felt droplets of tears fall on top of her head.
"Sorry. It's all my fault. I'm so sorry." It was as if time stopped at the moment Hiashi whispered those words. "Forgive me Hinata. Forgive me for allowing him to do this to you."
Hinata willed her body to move, her arms to return the hug, something. But she couldn't.
Never in her life had she heard her father apologize.
To her, to another person.
No one .
So she just stood there, letting herself enjoy her father's warm embrace, another thing that she could count with the fingers of her hands that she remembered her father giving her.
It was as if her body entered a state of stasis.
She could only blink and listen to him begging her for forgiveness, blaming himself for everything that had happened and how he'd give his life to go back and change the past.
That was when she snapped back into the now, her right arm coming up to touch her father's shoulder and assure him that none of it was his fault, that nothing could have been done. After these years of living by Toneri's side, Hinata came to the realization that even if her father had managed to put a stop on the contract, Toneri would've still gotten his way.
He always did.
But she had hope now. Things were different. And Toneri had fallen from the pedestal he had placed himself on. It was only a matter of time until his father fell as well, and for good.
After she told her father that and how they had Itachi Uchiha dealing with their case, Hiashi pulled back and asked how she had managed to do so.
"Well, I have a friend ," Hinata didn't want to use the word boyfriend cause part of her felt silly doing so and also because the last time she had uttered that word in that office it had been the beginning of what she assumed would be her end.
"And not only is he the most amazing man I've ever met, but he's also the person who saved me."
She then proceeded to tell him everything about Naruto (the PG-rated version, leaving out some details), and all that he'd done for her and for them, her family.
"Hinata… are you sure this boy is to be trusted? What if-" Before he could continue that line of thought Hinata cut him off.
"Dad, trust me on this. Naruto is not Toneri. That, I'm sure of. He'd never do such a thing. He has no malice in his heart."
Hinata then began listing all of his qualities, some defects too cause nobody's perfect , and most importantly, how good he was for her.
And as scared as he was for his daughter, and as much as he wanted to find something to nitpick at, Hiashi noticed how Hinata's eyes shone. How they sparkled the same way her mothers' did when she talked about her loved ones, how she talked at him .
"Trust me on this okay dad?" Hinata pleadingly looked at him and Hiashi didn't have it in himself to tell her no.
"I'll be there when the trial comes." He promised, giving his daughter one last hug before wiping his eyes and telling her goodnight.
Hinata suppressed the urge to giggle, finding it funny how quickly her father's demeanor changed, but she also understood that it was his subtle way of asking her to be left alone to think about everything that had been spoken.
Nodding, Hinata left her father's office much lighter than when she had gone in.
"I have to say, your family..." Ino was still recovering from the entire thing. "Your father is a real piece of work. I get it now. Your apprehension. I truly do." Ino was in the middle of applying her night cream when Hinata got into the room. She was so tired that she didn't bother with all the nostalgia that being there brought her.
"And don't get me started on Hanabi!"
Chuckling Hinata took out her pajama's from her bag, before looking at her friend. "The worst one is Neji."
Ino stared in disbelief as she got into the bed. He was so nice earlier. How the hell could he be the worst one?
From the look on the blonde's face, Hinata saw how Ino didn't believe a word she said.
" Oh , he is. You'll see tomorrow. I'm going now. Talk tomorrow?" Tilting her head, Hinata considered just staying with Ino instead, but the blonde told her to move her ass and jokingly told her to be gone cause she needed her beauty sleep.
Waving, Hinata told her friend goodnight and left to go to Hanabi's room.
As soon as her old bedroom door closed she heard Neji's voice loud and clear.
"Who's this Naruto guy I've been hearing about? And what's this about him being your boyfriend ?"
