Chapter 28
As Hinata gracefully navigated the bustling bazaar, her thoughts were consumed by the prospect of Neji's return. The days without him felt like an eternity, and she found solace in preparing a warm, homemade meal for his arrival. It was her way of reaching his heart without words, showing him how much she cared.
She wondered how they had or even their loved ones all survived before the war when their missions had easily taken them months.
Amidst the vibrant stalls, she engaged in pleasant conversations with street vendors, selecting items for the evening meal.
"Hello there, Yoshida-san! How's business today?" Hinata asked pleasantly.
"Greetings, Hinata-chan!" the man at the vegetable stand replied warmly. "Same as usual, thanks. Anything specific you're looking for today?"
"Just the usual, some fresh vegetables and ingredients for dinner," she replied. "How's the rice today?"
The routine of collecting groceries became a familiar comfort, though the absence of Neji made the passing days seem longer.
As she continued her stroll, she unexpectedly crossed paths with Karin, whose basket held essential oils and other jars of ingredients. Intrigued by Karin's presence, Hinata observed her quietly.
Karin approached with a grin, her eyes meeting Hinata's. "Hinata, isn't it? I thought you'd still be unsettled by Guy-sensei's recent lesson," she remarked, a hint of curiosity in her voice. "I'm something of a sensor myself, and I read chakra very well. But I find yours..." She broke off, squinting slightly. "Huh," was all she commented, leaving Hinata feeling agitated.
Her eyes met hers and she grinned maliciously. Hinata was perturbed, clenching her own basket tightly.
"You know, Hinata, it's fascinating how some people's chakra just aligns perfectly. It's like they're soul mates, don't you think?" Karin continued.
"Well, Guy-sensei's lessons are quite insightful," she said, smiling. "Speaking of soul mates, I'm myself engaged to my one true love, Neji."
Brandishing the engagement ring on her finger, she conveyed a sense of commitment and happiness.
Karin, seemingly accepting Hinata's response, raised an eyebrow, a sly smile playing on her lips. "No need to be so defensive, Hinata. I was just making an observation. I don't even know who Neji is. Just that he is substituted by the overcharged teacher on ecstasy we have in HUMINT while he's away. I've also heard this Neji is… well-endowed. I'm interested to meet him."
The comment struck a chord with Hinata, making her feel an unexpected sting.
"Well, we all hear things, don't we?" Hinata retorted. "I heard Sasuke and Naruto are quite close. Perhaps they're the ones who align perfectly. Their connection has always been rumored legendary. Relationships can be complicated. Sometimes, you're just… there, you know?"
Karin's demeanor turned cold as she delivered a stark warning. "Hinata, a piece of advice. Sasuke may find you interesting, but don't even entertain the thought of getting serious with him. Trust me, you'd never be able to satisfy his... appetites."
Hinata, taken aback, blinked in surprise. "I... I don't understand. Why would I even think of getting serious with him? I-I love Neji."
"You should focus on what's real," Karin said, her demeanor icier than the chilly breeze. "Sasuke is not one for commitments."
"Hang on," Hinata managed to say, swallowing her nervousness. "While I don't pretend to understand the dynamics of your relationship, I also don't appreciate being attacked like that nor would allow doubts cast on my own relationship."
Karin, maintaining her cold demeanor, simply walked away, leaving Hinata puzzled and slightly disturbed.
"There's nothing wrong with wanting to start a family," Sakura argued.
The group had met together at Jiraiya's Fountain Park, their verdant sanctuary. It was adorned with vibrant flora kissed by autumn's colors, winding pathways, and at its center, a mesmerizing fountain featuring a collection of whimsical toad statues.
A stone-paved walkway led to the focal point - a circular plaza surrounding the grand Jiraiya Fountain. The fountain stood as a testament to the great Legendary Sannin, the Toad Hermit Jiraiya, its namesake.
The fountain itself was a masterpiece, boasting a tiered design with multiple levels. Each level supported lifelike toad sculptures, meticulously crafted from stone and bronze. The toads were frozen in dynamic poses, some mid-leap with legs outstretched, while others lounged in serene repose. At the very center, a towering statue of Jiraiya himself stood tall, smiling at his legacy as couples made it their regulatory spot as a romantic getaway. It was the reason Sakura did not like visiting here any more.
Ino held Shikamaru's hand as they reached the meeting spot, and looked at the water gracefully cascading from one level to the next, forming gentle pools at the base of the fountain. Lily pads floated in these pools, creating small habitats for frogs. Surrounding the plaza, benches offered a place for visitors to sit and soak in the tranquil ambiance.
The park's landscape seamlessly blended with the fountain, featuring lush greenery, vibrant flower beds, and willow trees that provided dappled shade. Children giggled as they played around the fountain, their laughter blending with the soft gurgling of water. Couples strolled hand in hand, pausing to make wishes as they tossed coins into the clear pools. Akamaru happily chased after the butterflies.
Even Tenten felt enamored by the romantic scenery, smiling as the subtle mist from the fountain tickled her skin and looked at Lee, who was doing a one arm handstand at the border. The evil expression on Kiba's face indicated that he was waiting for a chance to push him into the water as Lee shifted from his right arm to his left, until Tenten pulled him away by his ear.
When the group had gathered, Ino expressed her concerns about Naruto's emotional well-being in the face of Sasuke's evolving family plans.
"I just don't want Naruto to get hurt," Ino was saying. "Once Sasuke starts a family with Karin, he might forget about Naruto."
Shikamaru leaned back thoughtfully. "Sasuke might be jumping into this without thinking about the consequences. Planning a family is a huge step."
This was when Sakura surprised the group by defending Sasuke's desire for a family.
"There's nothing wrong with wanting to start a family," she argued. "Sasuke has the right to pursue that if it makes him happy."
Tenten and Lee exchanged puzzled glances with Kiba, struggling to reconcile this new perspective with their previous understanding of Sakura.
Kiba, sensing the tension, realized that as usual, they expected him to tackle Sakura when she did not make sense.
He sighed, cautiously broaching the subject. "Sakura, is there... something about Sasuke we don't know? This sudden support for his family plans is surprising."
The sudden tension charged the group like a Raikiri as Kiba spoke directly with Sakura. Ino looked at Shikamaru, worry etched on her face. Shikamaru hooked his finger on his chin, observing the situation carefully, and signaled Ino not to interrupt.
Sakura's gaze fell, and she could feel the weight of Kiba's question hanging in the air. She was caught in the awkward space between revealing too much and maintaining a semblance of privacy.
Tenten looked on in interest and nudged Lee to say something when the silence stretched longer.
"Sasuke did meet with only the Hokage and Naruto that one time he returned to the village to report his findings and register Karin as his companion for his next mission," Lee spoke at Tenten's prodding, a semblance of knowledge that Sakura and Ino were all too familiar with. "I have known that Naruto and Sasuke had an on-again/off-again situation, but this newfound seriousness was something I was unfamiliar with myself. Sasuke was never one for commitment, Naruto has told me that in the past. His aim was always to rebuild his clan. I guess it was then that Karin came into the picture, after he left the second time."
"You knew Naruto and Sasuke liked each other?" Tenten asked, surprised.
"There was love from both sides, especially Naruto's, but Sasuke then chose to leave the village," Lee revealed. "I don't think it ever blossomed into anything until after Sasuke returned as Naruto would have told me and Kiba when we went to the hot springs last year and... umm... it involved him, some shadow clones, and a few girls, I'll leave it at that. Anyways my surprise was much as yours with this revelation. I want to be happy for them, but Sasuke wanting a family certainly complicates things. I also find myself wondering if it's the right call."
Kiba looked at Sakura and she looked away, observing the intricate details of the stone toads, from the bumpy texture of their skin to the gleam in their stone eyes. She was unable to see the clear hurt on his face at being ignored. He still pressed on for more clarity.
"Sakura, we've been through a lot together," he prodded, his tone laced in exasperation. "If there's something bothering you, you can talk to us. We're… your friends."
Ino winced visibly. Sakura, torn between the desire for transparency and the fear of judgment, contemplated her words carefully before responding. There was no way she was going to reveal to Tenten and Lee about her own situation the first time she told Kiba. She knew Ino and most probably Shikamaru already knew.
"Kiba, it's not the time," Sakura glanced away, a subtle sadness in her eyes. "Let's focus on Naruto and Sasuke for now. We can talk about everything else later."
Tenten, perceptive to the tension, subtly signaled with her eyes and shook her head for him to drop the topic, recognizing that pressing further might withdraw Sakura even more. Sakura appeared to be close to a breakdown.
Kiba bit his lip, holding back the words he wanted to express, realizing that continuing the conversation in this moment wasn't the right choice.
"What makes you feel Sasuke is ready for this huge step?" he couldn't help but ask. "Do you know something we don't?"
Sakura hesitated before responding. "It's not about Sasuke. It's about... values. People change, and their priorities shift."
The puzzled expressions on everyone's faces indicated a shared confusion about Sakura's sudden sensitivity to the topic of family.
"Guys, focus. We need to think about Naruto," Ino tentatively restarted the conversation. "How can we prevent him from getting his heart broken again? And what about Neji? How do we keep him from finding out about it?""
"Neji deserves to know the truth," Tenten asserted, crossing her arms.
Lee nodded in agreement. "I agree with Tenten. But we need to be careful. Let's watch Sasuke and make sure we're looking out for Neji's interests. I admit after I saw Hinata's and Sasuke's chakra synchronization and their… whatever it was, I am cautious indeed. Perhaps it was really a coincidence and unintentional in its flirtatious nature"
As the group reached a consensus, Kiba announced his departure. "I should be heading out. I have plans for the evening."
"What plans?" Tenten asked with a mischievous smile.
Kiba blushed, his eyes shifting from them to Sakura then back again. "I... uh... got a date."
"Second date! Way to go you dog," Tenten applauded. "She told me a few things after your date last time, and I of course told Lee as well, especially of you being a gentleman when she wanted the ruffian you really are."
Lee slapped him on the back. "Don't be a coward this time, Kiba. You 'Almost' got it."
Kiba growled at the old nickname as he promised to kill him later.
"Lee, why don't we take a stroll as well?" Tenten wondered, and they left, hand in hand.
Ino and Shikamaru exchanged concerned glances, directing their attention to Sakura, who seemed lost in observing the water once more.
"Sakura, are you okay?" Ino inquired.
Sakura forced a smile. "I'm fine. Kiba can date whoever he wants. It's his life."
Shikamaru sensed Sakura's hidden turmoil. "You sure about that, Sakura? You seem a bit more bothered than usual."
Sakura hesitated before responding. "It's just... unexpected news, that's all. I'll deal with it."
Ino pressed gently, "If there's something on your mind, Sakura, you can talk to us. We're here for you."
Sakura managed a small smile, appreciating her friends' concern. "Thanks, Ino. I'll figure it out. I… I was trying to build up my guts to talk to him today. But it's ok. Perhaps later. I'll deal with it."
Her attempt to downplay her emotions was evident, and Ino, perceptive as ever, exchanged a helpless glance with Shikamaru.
As the night settled, the group dispersed, leaving Sakura with her thoughts and a growing sense of apprehension about the revelations and decisions that lay ahead.