Naruto's cerulean eyes shifted restlessly from right to left, surveying the towering stacks of papers that seemed to mock him from his desk. The sheer volume of documents threatened to overwhelm him – mission requests, trade agreements, budgets, appointments, promotions, law amendments, the intricacies of a new academy curriculum, and the ever-expanding list of upcoming events and celebrations. It felt ceaseless, never-ending. This morning, he had even discovered two stubborn gray hairs on his head. Two!
"I swear, it's like this pile is never gonna shrink," Naruto groaned, frustration as he thudded his forehead against the unforgiving surface of his desk.
Shikamaru, perched casually in a nearby chair, stifled a yawn. "Being Hokage comes with its share of responsibilities, Naruto. Remember, it's what you've dreamed of since you were that annoying prankster kid, and now, it's your reality."
Naruto turned his head, still resting on the desk, to regard his trusted advisor. "Yeah, I know, Shikamaru. But seriously, what was Kakashi-sensei up to? He left behind so much unfinished business," he mused, glancing at the empty instant ramen cup that sat nearby. With a sigh, he finally pushed himself upright. "Hey, Shikamaru, I think I'm gonna call it an early day. How 'bout you join me for a drink?"
The Hokage needed a break, a chance to release the mounting stress that threatened to choke him if he lingered in the office any longer.
"I should get home. The last time Temari almost killed me because I came home too late." Shikamaru shrudded at the thought. "Maybe another time. Besides, you should head home with your family."
Naruto sighed. "Yeah…"
Naruto had been consciously avoiding returning home due to the lingering tension between him and Hinata. He knew it would be best to sit down and talk things out, but discussing their issues had always been challenging for him. So, he resorted to his default coping mechanism: avoidance. But it had become increasingly clear that he couldn't dodge this confrontation for much longer.
"See you in the morning, Naruto," Shikamaru nodded, preparing to depart.
Naruto waved his advisor off, his mind heavy with thoughts. He might as well head home early tonight. Alone in his office, Naruto's thoughts drifted towards his wife. Their relationship had seen better days, and the recent influx of responsibilities had only strained it further. He knew things were dire when Iruka had pulled him aside to discuss it. It had been embarrassing, to say the least, but he didn't want his father figure to fret over him. Naruto had assured Iruka that everything was fine. Perhaps he shouldn't have lied, but the complexities of his marriage made it difficult to confide in anyone.
With a drawn-out sigh, he decided it was time to leave the office and face whatever awaited him at home. Exiting the Hokage Tower, Naruto navigated the bustling late-night streets of Konoha. He briefly contemplated stopping for a drink by himself but dismissed the idea.
"Look, it's Hokage-sama!"
"He's so handsome!"
"Lady Uzumaki is so lucky..."
"One day I wanna be as strong as the Hokage."
Naruto blushed at the whispered praises as he passed through the crowd. He appreciated the admiration but didn't want to let it inflate his ego. Deciding to take a quicker route home, he leaped onto the rooftops.
Upon arriving home, he gently pushed open the door, the silence of the house greeting him.
"Is everyone already sleeping?" he wondered aloud.
He carefully removed his shoes and noticed a soft glow emanating from the living room. There, he found Hinata sitting on the couch, engrossed in a romantic movie. A smile tugged at Naruto's lips as he observed her dabbing at her tears with a tissue.
"I'm home," he announced.
Hinata jumped in surprise, her eyes widening as she looked up at Naruto.
"N-Naruto-kun? I wasn't expecting you back so early," she stammered, glancing at the clock, which displayed seven-thirty.
Naruto made his way over to the couch, leaning down to plant a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Today was pretty stressful. I even found two gray hairs this morning! If I'd stayed any longer, I'd have had a head full of white hair by morning," he exclaimed, playfully dramatic. He plopped down beside her. "Where are the kids? Are they sleeping?"
"Himawari is upstairs sleeping, and Boruto left during dinner," she replied, chewing on her bottom lip, her attention back on the television.
He recognized that look all too well. Hinata had something on her mind, but the fear of sparking another argument made her bite her lip to keep it in. Sometimes, it irked him, but in other moments, he wished he hadn't pried the words out of her.
Perhaps that was one of his core issues. He preferred to avoid addressing their problems directly. In his view, sweeping issues under the rug seemed like the more sensible choice.
He knew he would regret it, but he had to know.
"Something is bothering you, isn't it?" He asked, his voice gentle yet insistent.
She shrank down into her seat, her brows furrowing as she attempted to evade his question. Naruto, however, refused to relent, his unwavering gaze fixed on her. He knew she'd eventually meet his eyes, and so he waited patiently, turning his body toward her.
"Can you... Can you take the day off tomorrow?" She shifted uncomfortably, her gaze darting to the side, avoiding direct eye contact.
Naruto realized that this conversation would never truly end and it filled him with a sense of frustration. It was disheartening to have the topic continually brought up. But he also recognized the truth in Hinata's words. Work had been keeping him away from his family, and it weighed on him. Still, he was the Hokage, and the responsibilities were immense.
"Hinata, we've talked about this many times," he explained, his voice tinged with a hint of sorrow. "If I take a day off, everything will be chaos when I return. Being the Hokage is a full-time job."
Hinata's voice wavered as she spoke, her tears welling up. "Being a father is a fulltime job also. Boruto has been having problems in school recently, did you know that? He left the dinner table upset because you weren't home. The kids miss you..."
Naruto had endured countless nightmares about coming home to an empty house. After each nightmarish episode, he would awaken alone in either his office at the Hokage Tower or his office at home. He hadn't experienced the comfort of lying beside Hinata in months, let alone the soothing touch of her hand on his back that used to lull him back to sleep. The distance between them had grown, even in their own bedroom. But his children…he needed to do better by them.
He placed his hand behind her head and drew her into his chest. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I haven't been very reliable lately, have I?" He gently held her shoulders, pulling back slightly to look into her eyes. "How about we go on a date tomorrow after I finish work? We can ask Dad to watch the kids. I'm sure he'd love to have them over for the night and it'll give Boruto a chance to spend time with Hanabi. What do you say?" His piercing blue eyes bore into her lavender-tinted white ones.
She blushed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Really?"
Naruto pressed his forehead against hers. "I promise," he assured her. "Tomorrow evening, at sunset." He leaned in, planting tender kisses along the sides of her face, down her collarbone, and onto her neck.
Hinata let out a soft moan as he nibbled at her neck. "Naruto-kun, what are you doing?" she breathed.
It had been a while since their last intimate moment, mostly his own fault. His relentless work schedule and the growing distance between them had made it difficult to find the time or mood. Now, he was closer to her than he had been in a long time, paying attention to her natural scent—a delightful blend of lavender, bergamot, and a hint of orange blossom. It was a fresh, citrusy, and musky fragrance that felt perfect for a man but divine on Hinata. It awakened desire within him, especially when he noticed her plump, moisturized lips.
He had once thought he had a preference for breasts, but he had discovered it was all about the lips and their shape. Hinata had the most exquisite lips he had ever seen, absolutely breathtaking.
"What do you think I'm doing?" he murmured, trailing his lips to the other side of her neck, then up along her jaw and toward her mouth. He nibbled and sucked lightly on her bottom lip, speaking against her mouth. "I'm... I'm feeling...horny," he admitted, his voice husky with desire.
"Himawari could come downstairs at any moment!" she protested, attempting to push him away.
Naruto pulled her back into his arms, his voice low and seductive. "I'll notice and you will too," he whispered, his lips returning to her neck. One of his hands cupped her breast, his index finger gently flicking her erect nipple through the cotton fabric of her purple shirt.
Hinata tossed her head back with a flushed face. "Na-Naruto…"
With his other hand, he pulled Hinata's hand and placed it on his crotch. "You feel that?" He grunted when Hinata rubbed his shaft through his pants. It was taking all his strength not to rip off both their clothes and taking her right on the couch, but he took his time.
Hinata preferred lots of foreplay before sex, whereas he just wanted to jump right into it. They were totally different in their wants, but the advice (awkward advice) from Kakashi taught him pleasing the woman always mattered more. He slipped his hand down her body and towards her inner thighs.
For that hour Naruto made sure his wife could feel every inch of him as he held his hand over her mouth to prevent her from moaning loudly. What started in the living room, ended in their bedroom as he had her against the wall, against the dresser and on the edge of their bed as he watched himself pound into Hinata in their mirror, his eyes shifted to her face.
He didn't say it often lately, but he fucking loved his wife.
XXXXXXXXXXX
To say she was more than a bit disappointed would be an understatement. Hinata awoke the next morning with a glimmer of hope that her husband would still be in bed beside her, but to her dismay, he was nowhere to be found. She had anticipated, at the very least, a good morning note, a sign that he'd thought of her, but there was nothing. The room felt emptier than ever.
As she moved through the motions of making breakfast for Boruto and Himawari, she fought to conceal her sour mood. Once the children had left the house, she could finally let her frown surface. In a strange way, she felt used, though she knew Naruto would never intentionally use her that way. At least she hoped not.
To clear her mind and escape the weight of her emotions, Hinata decided to take a walk for some fresh air. Surprisingly, the streets were less crowded than usual for this time of day, especially considering the discount offerings that Wednesdays typically brought. She couldn't complain, as fewer people meant less chatter. Yet, it didn't entirely quell the whispers around her, just made them less overwhelming.
"There's Lady Hinata. She's so beautiful."
"She's not that stunning. I saw Hokage-sama with some model-looking woman at the bar the other day. That guy definitely has a wandering eye."
"I heard he's been cheating on her, which is why we rarely see them together."
"No way! That can't be true. Lord Hokage loves his wife. He's not like that."
Hinata frowned, her discomfort palpable as she tried to block out the hushed gossip among the vendors. These rumors were exactly why she preferred staying home. Although she knew that the notion of Naruto cheating on her was utterly preposterous, it was hard to ignore. Her husband had an uncanny knack for attracting female attention, even if he remained obliviously innocent.
But cheating? No, that was a line she was certain Naruto would never cross in their marriage.
Nonetheless, the sting lingered whenever she overheard such talk.
"I wouldn't pay them any mind. They're always gossiping about anything and everything except their own lives," a familiar voice broke through her thoughts.
Hinata turned her head to find Sasuke walking alongside her, an unexpected sight. She hadn't anticipated Sasuke's return to Konoha anytime soon; the last she'd seen of him was the day he'd left the village five months ago. Her relationship with Sasuke was peculiar, not quite friends but not complete strangers either. Whenever they engaged in conversation, it was always direct and to the point. An unspoken mutual respect lingered between them.
"At least Naruto doesn't have a baby on the way by another woman," Sasuke sighed.
Hinata couldn't help but giggle at the absurdity of the rumor. It seemed that both Naruto and Sasuke couldn't escape the false accusations of infidelity, as numerous women aspired to replace their wives. However, these rumors held no truth; the Hokage and the Shadow Kage were too loyal to their respective spouses. The particular Sasuke rumor had been a source of shared amusement between her and Naruto. Her husband found it comical that people actually believed the stoic Uchiha would cheat, considering his personality was as awkward as a cow on a crutch in social situations. Hinata couldn't even fathom him being romantic, let alone sharing a kiss with someone else. If she were naive she would wonder how the man even knew how to produce a child.
She felt guilty for harboring such thoughts about the Uchiha, but the memories of their youth remained intact. Sasuke had never paid any significant attention to girls when they were young. She recalled seeing even someone as composed as Shikamaru blushing over a girl when they were younger. Upon Sasuke's return to Konoha, he had continued to exude an air of indifference towards women. However, according to Sakura, Sasuke was a loving and devoted husband behind closed doors, a fact that both comforted and surprised Hinata.
"I'm sure you two had a good laugh about it," she remarked.
Sasuke rolled his eyes, clearly not finding the humor in it. "Do you think Sakura and I laughed about that? I spent nearly two hours convincing her it wasn't true. She didn't see any humor in it," he sighed, rubbing his forehead.
Hinata's laughter faded, replaced by concern. "Oh, I'm sorry, Sasuke-kun. Is everything all right?"
Sasuke downplayed the issue. "It's nothing to be too concerned over."
It was a rare occurrence for Sasuke to open up even slightly about his relationship with Sakura, so when he did, Hinata paid close attention. From what she'd gathered, Sakura harbored fears that Sasuke might leave her for someone else whenever he was away. These anxieties had been planted in her mind thanks to gossip that Ino had picked up, suggesting that Sasuke and Karin had a brief fling that continued until he became serious with Sakura. Sasuke had told Hinata that Sakura heard this information from Ino, who claimed to have heard it directly from Karin.
Although Hinata had never asked for confirmation, the fact that Sasuke neither confirmed nor denied it led her to believe that it was true. For him to confide this in her indicated a level of trust that she deeply appreciated, even if it was one of the most personal things he'd ever shared.
"Anyway, I was looking for you," Sasuke said, abruptly changing the topic.
"Me? Why?" Hinata raised a curious eyebrow.
Sasuke's gaze shifted, his eyes narrowing momentarily as his jaw tensed. "There's this new video game called... Mental, no... uh... Ninja Perception. I think this game could be beneficial for Boruto," he said, avoiding direct eye contact, and his complexion paled slightly as he spoke.
Hinata stared at him for a moment, an amused smile forming. "Did Boruto put you up to this, Sasuke-kun?"
"No," Sasuke replied, still averting his gaze.
She chuckled softly. "Tell Boruto that if he gets his act together, I'll consider it."
Sasuke fell silent, seemingly too embarrassed to say more. Hinata found it endearing how their son managed to persuade Sasuke into helping him convince her to buy a video game. The bond between Boruto and Sasuke warmed her heart. Boruto admired Sasuke greatly and aspired to become as strong as him someday. Though Naruto might feel a hint of jealousy, he supported their training together wholeheartedly.
Reflecting on Sasuke's earlier words, Hinata realized that Boruto must have run into Sasuke recently. "Sasuke-kun, did you happen to see Boruto last night?" she inquired.
"I did. I took him to the yakisoba bun place he likes. Didn't he tell you when he got home?" Sasuke arched an eyebrow.
Hinata blushed at the memory. Boruto had indeed announced his return, but at that very moment, Naruto had her pressed against the wall while her legs were wrapped around his waist, his firm grip on her hips. She had been flustered, fearing that Boruto might walk in on them, almost pushing her husband away. However, Naruto had kept her firmly in place, continuing his actions while ignoring their son, apparently trusting that Boruto would head straight to his room and close the door.
"Uh... well..." Hinata stammered.
Sasuke, noticing her reddened cheeks, shrugged nonchalantly. "Doesn't matter, I suppose. I'll see you around, Hinata." With a nod, he continued on his way.
She watched him walk away for a few moments before resuming her own path. Besides taking a leisurely stroll to enjoy some fresh air, she didn't have much planned for the day. As she was walking a messenger bird flew up to her as she held out her arm and pulled out the note that was attached to the pigeon.
Hinata,
I'm sorry I left without a word this morning. I had to rush into the office, but I wanted to let you know I made reservations at Three Diamonds for seven tonight. I'll meet you there.
Naruto
Of course he would end the letter with just his name. Though, she tried not to complain considering that he hadn't sent her a letter like that in such a long time. He was trying and for that it did manage to bring a smile to her face.
She was looking forward to their date.
XXXXXXXXX
"Sakura, did you hear me?" Ino leaned forward, her cerulean eyes fixed on Sakura.
Sakura blinked, shaking her head slightly to refocus. "I'm sorry, Ino. I got lost in thought. Please, go ahead."
Ino grinned, her enthusiasm never wavering. "Well, I was asking how's life with Sasuke lately. I mean, Shikamaru mentioned that he's currently on an extended vacation, right? So, you two must be very busy making up for lost time!"
Sakura's cheeks colored slightly at the comment, but she maintained her composure. She didn't want to divulge too much about her relationship with Sasuke to Ino, especially not the more intimate details. "Yes, Sasuke's been on vacation, and we've been spending time together." She offered a vague smile, hoping it would suffice.
Ino leaned in closer, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Come on, Sakura. You can tell me. How's it been going between you two? I bet things are sizzling hot, right?"
Sakura chuckled nervously, attempting to evade the prying questions. "Well, you know, we're catching up, enjoying each other's company."
Ino smirked, clearly enjoying her friend's discomfort. "Catching up, huh? Anything special planned for tonight then?"
Sakura seized the opportunity to change the topic and breathed a sigh of relief. "Actually, yes. I made reservations for us later this evening."
Ino's eyes sparkled with interest. "Oh, how lovely! Where did you book?"
"Three Diamonds," Sakura confirmed, taking a delicate sip of her lychee tea.
Ino's eyes widened in surprise. "Are you serious? I heard they're always booked out. How on earth did you manage to get a table?" Her voice held a mix of admiration and disbelief.
Sakura's lips curled into a sly smile. "Well, let's just say I may or may not have convinced the owner to open a table for us with a little persuasion..."
Ino laughed heartily. "You sly woman! You better not let Sasuke catch you doing that, or we'll find ourselves in another war." She leaned back in her chair, amused by the thought.
Sakura joined in the laughter, fully aware of Sasuke's possessive tendencies, even though he rarely showed them openly. It always thrilled her to know that, whenever another man so much as cast an appreciative glance her way, Sasuke would glare them down to the point where they'd hastily retreat. She couldn't help but smirk at the mental image.
"Enough about my marriage. How are things on your end?" Sakura inquired, attempting to steer the conversation away from her own relationship.
Ino's cheeks tinted pink, and she fidgeted with her glass. "Oh, well, you know..."
Sakura couldn't help but feel genuinely happy for her blonde-haired friend. Ino and Sai made an adorable couple, which had come as a surprise when Sakura first witnessed how sweet and loving Sai could be. His transformation from the emotionless ANBU agent to a caring husband was remarkable, and Sakura could tell that Sai was indeed one of the good ones. Ino was lucky to have him.
While Ino continued to gush about Sai, Sakura's gaze wandered to the side and landed on Hinata walking past the cafe outside. It had been a while since she had seen the blue-haired woman. Rumors of affairs and infidelity had been swirling around Hinata's marriage to her old teammate, Naruto. Sakura desperately wanted to dismiss these rumors, but there had been a few occasions when she had been out with Naruto and had watched him accept phone numbers from other women without hesitation.
It irked her, but she had tried not to get involved. Naruto could be such an oblivious idiot at times. She sympathized with Hinata and wondered how she was coping with the persistent rumors. Sakura herself had dealt with her fair share of cheating rumors about Sasuke. The most recent one had been the pregnancy rumor. She had almost torn their house apart when she had confronted Sasuke about it. Despite his vehement denial, Sakura had found it hard to believe him, especially because she knew that he had slept with Karin the day before they officially started their relationship.
The memory still gnawed at her, a source of lingering anger and hurt. In some twisted way, she had felt a sense of victory, knowing that she was the one who had ultimately married Sasuke. Yet, the knowledge that she hadn't been his first experience in such matters had remained a sore point in their relationship.
"Oh, isn't that Hinata?" Ino interrupted Sakura's thoughts, her tone carrying a mix of curiosity and gossip. "I heard things got pretty heated between them last night."
Sakura leaned in, her interest piqued. "Really? Did they have a fight?"
Ino snickered, clearly enjoying being the bearer of juicy information. "Actually, quite the opposite. Sai went to the Hokage Tower last night to deliver some documents, thinking Naruto would still be there. But Naruto had already left, so he went to Naruto's house instead. And, well..." Ino took a leisurely sip of her drink.
Sakura's eyes widened in disbelief. "He saw?"
Ino nodded, a sly grin forming on her lips. "Sai can be a little nosy himself, and he saw a bit more than he bargained for while snooping around the house. I don't know if it traumatized him or turned him on, but he came home in a pretty good mood." She blushed and chuckled.
Sakura blushed as well, her drink suddenly becoming the most interesting thing in the world. Perhaps the rumors hadn't been bothering Hinata as much as Sakura had thought.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Naruto stretched his arms high above his head, emitting a loud yawn that echoed through his office. "I feel like I'm finally making a dent in all this paperwork," he mumbled, a satisfied grin on his face as he moved on to the next stack on his desk.
Sai, who was in the room, couldn't resist chiming in. "I'm surprised you have any energy at all after what I saw."
Naruto's face turned a deep shade of crimson, and he frowned deeply. Sai's comment about what he had witnessed the previous night had become a source of both embarrassment and annoyance for the Hokage. During their morning meeting, Sai had blurted out that he had seen Naruto "pounding away into Hinata." The mention had left Naruto feeling awkward and irritated.
It wasn't the fact that Sai had seen him naked that bothered him so much; it was the constant teasing and the graphic descriptions that were driving him up the wall. Sai seemed incapable of letting it go. The worst part was that during this uncomfortable conversation, Yamato, Shikamaru, and Kakashi had also been in the office, listening to Sai go into explicit detail about Hinata's physical attributes and vocalizations.
Naruto wanted to feel proud of his intimate moments with his wife, but he couldn't help but think that such matters were best kept private, especially among a group of men.
"Sai, if you utter another word about your peeping tom ways, I will personally throw you out of the window," Naruto glared at the man.
Sai only smiled in response but wisely chose to keep his mouth closed. Relieved, Naruto returned his attention to his paperwork and exchanged a knowing look with Kakashi, who promptly hid his face behind his book. The ever-perverted teacher probably relished overhearing the topic Sai was so eager to discuss.
The previous night, Naruto had been completely engrossed in his time with Hinata, so much so that he hadn't detected Sai's presence until he was leaving. Hinata had almost noticed it herself, but he had quickly distracted her. If she ever found out that Sai had seen something, she'd never leave the house again.
"And you better not mention anything about that to anyone. Got it?" Naruto added.
"I may have already mentioned it to Ino…" Sai slowly admitted.
Naruto pinched the bridge of his nose. "Well, tell her the same thing I just told you. If Hinata starts hearing people around the village talking, I'll be coming after you." Ino had the biggest mouth he knew and if someone else knew by now it would most likely be Sakura.
What a nightmare.
"Will do, Hokage-sama." Sai saluted the blonde.
Naruto rolled his eyes and decided to change the subject. "Shikamaru have you gathered a team for the Otogakure mission?"
Shikamaru cleared his throat. "Ah, yes. Konohamaru suggested Team Seven for the job since it's just a simple delivery mission to Orochimaru. The mission should only take one week," he rubbed the back his neck. "Though, it may take longer if Orochimaru wants Mitsuki to stay…" he mumurered the last part.
Naruto smiled thoughtfully. He would have never assumed Orochimaru would become a father, let alone a good one. Hell, one might argue he's a better father than him and Sasuke combined. Whenever Mitsuki when to Otogakure, the snake man wanted him to stay longer than intended.
"That's fine. I'm sure the kids would enjoy themselves regardless," he said as he motioned for the mission document. "I'll give it my stamp of approval." As Shikamaru handed him the paper, Naruto stamped the document and wrote additional notes allowing there to be an extension if needed.
"You all may be dismissed. I'm going to focus on going through the rest of these documents. The rate I'm going I'll definitely be able to make it to dinner tonight." He said, more to himself than the others.
XXXXXXXXX
Later that evening
Hinata stood before the mirror, her gaze intently fixed on her reflection. She marveled at the thigh-length lavender dress she had chosen for the evening, its neckline daringly low and a subtle slit gracing one side. She had adorned her neck with a delicate black pearl necklace, which perfectly complemented her diamond-shaped earrings.
Carefully, she ran her fingers through her hair, ensuring each strand was in place. Earlier in the day, just before slipping into her elegant dress, she had given her bangs a slight trim. During a recent shopping excursion, she had come across this dress and felt an instant connection to it. It was as if it had been waiting for her, destined to be worn on this special date.
Hinata took a moment to check her reflection one last time, applying a final touch of lip gloss to her lips. Her image in the mirror seemed to glow with a newfound confidence that she had been trying to muster all day. With a black coat draped over her arm, she headed towards the restaurant, the clicking of her heels a testament to her determination. Whispers might have swirled around her, but she had learned to block out the noise, maintaining a graceful stride.
She knew that in just a few minutes, she would be dining with her husband at Three Diamonds, and perhaps this could be the first step towards a brighter future for their relationship.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, she announced her reservation to the host, who promptly led her to a table. As she glanced at her watch, the hands had crept from six-fifty to seven-thirty. Her heart sank, the tears lurking just beneath the surface.
"Hinata-chan!"
Startled, she searched for the source of the voice that had called her. To her astonishment, Sasuke and Sakura were seated at a table not far from her, waving her over.
Sakura beckoned with a warm smile. "Would you like to join us?"
Hinata hesitated, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment, but she nodded slowly and made her way to their table. As her eyes met Sasuke's, he quickly averted his gaze.
"Are you sure it's okay?" she began, her voice tinged with unease. "I don't want to intrude, and Naruto-kun might still be coming..."
"I'm positive, come sit with us," Sakura reassured her. "You look absolutely stunning in that dress, Hinata!"
Sakura's compliment prompted Hinata to instinctively cover her cleavage, realizing that the dress she had chosen was more revealing than she had initially thought, drawing stares from Sasuke and other male patrons.
"Sakura…" Sasuke's voice carried a hint of reproach.
Sakura blinked at her husband, momentarily perplexed by his tone. As the realization dawned upon her, she slapped her forehead and sighed. "I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable, Hinata-chan. I truly do think that dress suits you. Now, please, put your hand down." She waved it away, offering an apologetic smile.
Hinata blushed and complied, her eyes moving from Sakura's long jade gown with intricate gold lining to Sasuke's impeccable black tie suit. Earlier in the day, Sasuke had mentioned that he would be having dinner with his wife, and by sheer luck or fate, it seemed to be at the same restaurant where she had a front-row seat to Naruto standing her up.
He promised...
The ambiance of Three Diamonds was elegant yet cozy, with soft lighting and gentle background music that provided a soothing backdrop to their conversation.
Sasuke, leaning slightly towards Hinata, caught her gaze with a quiet understanding in his eyes. "Sakura figured it would be better to dine together than to let the evening go to waste."
"I'm sure something important must've come up for Naruto-kun." Hinata said, her voice soft but earnest.
Sakura nodded in agreement, placing a reassuring hand on Hinata's. "You're right, Hinata-chan. Knowing Naruto, it must be a matter of great urgency. He wouldn't want to disappoint you willingly."
As the waiter approached, pen poised over his notepad. His recommendations flowed effortlessly, describing the specials and house favorites with enthusiasm. Sakura was the first to order, choosing a delicate salmon dish with a side of asparagus. Sasuke followed, opting for the chef's signature steak, medium rare, while Hinata decided on a vegetarian option – a vibrant plate of grilled vegetable medley served over couscous.
Throughout the meal, the conversation flowed naturally, punctuated by laughter and shared stories. Sasuke, much to Hinata's surprise, contributed anecdotes with a dry, wry humor that sparked genuine amusement. It was clear that he was making an effort, and Hinata silently thanked him for it.
"Man, I couldn't eat another bite," Sakura patted her contented stomach. "That was some of the best food I've had at a restaurant. Remind me in the morning to give Naruto a piece of my mind when I see him." She leaned back in her chair, sipping her drink.
Hinata couldn't help but agree with Sakura's sentiment, although she held back from vocalizing it. Maybe Sakura's sharp words would finally spur Naruto into action, making him follow through on his promises.
"You know," Sakura continued, casting a meaningful glance toward Sasuke, "we should spend more time together, Hinata. Just us girls."
Hinata's heart warmed at the suggestion. She had always admired Sakura and cherished the idea of strengthening their friendship. "Of course, Sakura-chan. I'd really like that."
Sakura, seemingly pleased with the response, excused herself from the table, mentioning she needed to visit the restroom. As the waiter returned with the bill, Hinata reached for her wallet in her purse. However, before she could place the money on the table, the waiter discreetly walked away.
She looked up at Sasuke, who was already stowing his wallet.
"Sasuke-kun, you didn't need to do that. I could have paid for my own meal," Hinata insisted, her gratitude evident in her soft-spoken words.
Sasuke's dark eyes met hers, his expression firm yet strangely warm. "Sakura wouldn't stop nagging me if I didn't. And don't even think about paying me back," he added with a hint of amusement.
Hinata nodded, touched by his generosity. She understood that in their own ways, both Sakura and Sasuke were offering her support and comfort during a challenging time in her marriage.
An awkward air settled between Hinata and Sasuke at the table. Hinata fiddled with her silverware, not entirely sure what to do or say. She knew Sasuke was a man of few words and sometimes found it challenging to engage him in conversation. However, the silence was almost unbearable.
"Um, Sasuke-kun," Hinata ventured softly, "how have you been?"
Sasuke glanced at her, his obsidian eyes assessing her for a moment before he responded. "I've been good, but I'm realizing being on a vacation has it's ups and downs. You?"
Hinata nodded, trying to find common ground. "I understand how that can be. I've been...busying myself."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "When was the last time you trained?"
Hinata blushed slightly, feeling self-conscious under his scrutiny. "Well, it's been a while. I've been more focused on family and managing the household lately."
Sasuke smirked, a teasing glint in his eye. "That's how shinobi skills dull, you know."
Hinata chuckled nervously, feeling a bit out of her depth. "Yes, you're right. Maybe I should consider some training again."
Unexpectedly, Sasuke's expression softened just a fraction. "I could help you with that, if you want."
Hinata blinked, surprised by the offer. "You'd train with me?"
Sasuke nodded, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Why not? I'm sure I could teach you a few things."
"I'll think about it," she replied, considering Sasuke's offer.
Hinata was intrigued by the idea of training with Sasuke, not because she doubted her skills, but because it was unusual for him to train with anyone besides her husband or their son. Typically, Sasuke trained alone or with Naruto.
Sasuke leaned in slightly, a playful glint in his black eyes. "Don't think too hard on it. You get this focused squirrel look whenever you're thinking too hard," he remarked, his voice carrying a mock seriousness. He wrinkled his nose and puffed his cheeks, imitating the expression he claimed she wore when deep in thought. For a brief moment, he even crossed his eyes before returning to his usual stoic demeanor.
Hinata couldn't help but stare at Sasuke in surprise, momentarily taken aback by his playful antics. Then, a burst of laughter escaped her lips. Sasuke's unexpected humor had caught her off guard, and she found herself genuinely amused by his antics.
"What did I miss?" Sakura asked, her green eyes curious.
Sasuke glanced at Sakura as she returned to her seat. "Nothing important."
Hinata chose not to comment on Sasuke's playful antics, deciding it was best to let that moment stay between the two of them. Instead, she turned her attention back to Sakura and informed her that Sasuke had graciously covered the bill for everyone. Sakura leaned affectionately toward her husband and planted a kiss on his cheek, expressing her gratitude for his kindness.
The sight of Sakura's affectionate gesture made Hinata smile, and she couldn't help but feel thankful for the distraction and Sasuke's unexpected offer to train. This evening had shown her a different side of him, one she hadn't seen before. It seemed that, in his own way, Sasuke had been trying to cheer her up.
After they finished their meal, the trio left the restaurant together, walking side by side down the dimly lit streets of Konoha.
Sakura turned to Hinata. "So, what's your plan now, Hinata-chan?" Sakura asked.
Hinata paused, contemplating her next move. "I think I'll visit Naruto-kun at his office," she replied, her voice determined. "Thank you for tonight, Sakura-chan. It meant a lot to me."
Sakura smiled warmly. "Anytime, Hinata-chan. We're here for you."
Hinata glanced at Sasuke, who was still wearing his usual distant expression. However, there was something in his dark eyes that seemed to convey understanding and silent support. She beamed a bright smile at him, silently acknowledging the unspoken gesture of kindness to which he simply nodded.
With a sense of renewed determination, Hinata parted ways with the married couple, her steps carrying her towards Naruto's office. The growing courage to confront her husband on why he stood her up tonight.