Kiba was stirring his ramen absentmindedly, his thoughts far away from the savory bowl in front of him. It had been nearly four weeks since he'd last seen Hinata around the village. Sure, he'd spotted Boruto once and occasionally Himawari, but Hinata seemed to have vanished. He'd considered just showing up at her place several times, but work always got in the way.

The concern had deepened when, about a week ago, Sasuke had awkwardly approached him, asking if he'd seen Hinata. Kiba had never been fond of the Uchiha, but he couldn't deny that Sasuke seemed to genuinely care for Hinata, given how often they'd been training together lately. Kiba remembered Hinata once saying they weren't that close, but their recent interactions around the village told a different story. He just didn't want the man stealing his best friend spot.

Sitting at Ichiraku Ramen beside his girlfriend, Tamaki, Kiba pushed around his noodles with his chopsticks. "I think we should visit Hinata after this," he said.

Tamaki nodded in agreement. "Of course, let's check on her."

After a while, they finished their meal and made their way to Hinata's house. When they reached her place, Kiba knocked, waiting with a mix of anticipation and worry. After a few moments, the door opened, and there she was.

Hinata's appearance startled him. The usual brightness in her eyes was gone, replaced by a dullness that was unfamiliar and concerning. Dark circles underlined her eyes.

"Hey, Hinata. Are you okay?" Kiba asked, his voice laced with concern as he eyed her warily.

She offered a smile, but it was clearly forced. "I'm fine," Hinata assured them, stepping back to let them in. "Would you like some tea? Boruto is on a mission, and Himawari is visiting her grandfather."

As they settled in the kitchen, Kiba couldn't shake off his worry. "Are you sure you're okay?" he pressed, needing to hear more.

Hinata's facade slowly crumbled, her eyes watering as she faced them. "I… Naruto-kun and I are getting a divorce," she confessed.

Tamaki immediately went to Hinata's side, embracing her as silent tears streamed down Hinata's face. Kiba and Tamaki didn't probe for details. They knew Hinata would share more when she was ready. Instead, they offered silent support.

Hinata eventually spoke up again, her voice soft. "I didn't think it would hurt this much. I miss him… Did I make the right choice?"

Kiba remembered hearing from Shikamaru how Naruto had been overworking to the point he collapsed. At the time, Kiba didn't think much about it, but now putting two and two together he could guess why the Hokage fainted, but Kiba chose to keep it to himself, not wanting to burden Hinata further.

Tamaki reassured Hinata gently. "You can always talk to us. We're here for you."

"You know I've got your back, Hina-chan. I'm your best friend, after all." Kiba patted her head affectionately, bringing a small smile to her face.

"Thank you, both," Hinata murmured.

As they sat together, drinking tea and talking, Kiba noticed Hinata seemed to lighten up a bit. Tamaki chatted about village happenings, trying to catch Hinata up and distract her from her troubles. But despite the lighter conversation, Kiba could still see the lingering sadness in Hinata's eyes.

XXXXXX

Sakura shifted uncomfortably in her seat at the restaurant, her eyes occasionally darting towards Sasuke, who sat opposite her, quietly eating. The atmosphere was mildly awkward, punctuated only by Sarada's cheerful chatter. It had been her daughter's idea to have a lunch date with both her parents. Sakura remembered the hopeful look in Sarada's eyes when she had first brought it up. Despite her reservations about how Sasuke would react, he had agreed.

Sakura had chosen to wear her best summer dress for the occasion, pairing it with just a touch of mascara and lip gloss. Her mother had blessed her with good skin, a small grace that didn't go unnoticed on days like this. She wondered what Sasuke thought when he saw them. He had been waiting at the restaurant, already seated when they arrived. His greeting was polite but reserved, his attention mostly fixed on Sarada as she filled the silence.

Sitting there, Sakura allowed herself to steal glances at Sasuke, trying to gauge any hint of emotion. But he seemed impenetrable as ever, focused on his food or nodding along to Sarada's stories. She missed him, more than she liked to admit, and it was moments like this that reminded her just how much.

It wasn't until they started to leave the restaurant that Sasuke finally spoke directly to her. "You look nice today," he said, his voice low.

The compliment caught her off guard, and warmth rushed to her cheeks. "Thank you," Sakura managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Sarada smirking at her reaction, which only deepened her blush.

His words lingered in her mind, stirring old feelings that she thought she had managed to tame. Since their youth, Sasuke had always had a profound effect on her, his presence alone was capable of sending her heart into a flutter.

Trying to regain some composure, Sakura shyly asked, "Would you like to walk us home?"

She watched as Sasuke's expression shifted subtly. His lips pressed together, his nose flaring slightly as if he were weighing her words. Just as she was about to backtrack, worried she had overstepped, he responded, "I will."

Before Sakura could react, Sarada chimed in. "Actually, I made plans with Chocho, so Papa can walk Mom home instead." Sakura turned to her daughter, her expression a mix of shock and mild pride. She knew exactly what Sarada was doing—her clever daughter had planned this all along.

Feeling a mix of pride and exasperation, Sakura turned back to Sasuke. "You really don't have to—"

But Sasuke cut her off. "I don't mind."

The finality in his voice left no room for argument, and as Sarada hurried off with a wave and a grin, Sakura found herself alone with Sasuke. The realization of the walk home with him brought a nervous excitement. Sakura felt a cautious hope fluttering in her chest. Perhaps, just maybe, this walk might rekindle something long missed between them.

The walk was silent at first, filled only with the sound of their steps echoing softly on the village paths. Sasuke broke the silence first. "How have you been lately?" he asked.

Sakura felt a flutter of nerves but managed to respond calmly, "I've been fine, just really busy with work. Shizune took over my shift today, though, which was nice to have some free time." She appreciated the normalcy of the conversation, despite the awkwardness that hung between them.

"And you? Have you been taking on many missions?" she asked.

"Every once in a while, to stay busy. But I've been trying to stay in the village more… to spend time with Sarada."

Sakura's heart warmed at his words, though she kept her response neutral. "I'm sure Sarada is glad to have you around more," she said, her voice careful to mask her happiness.

Glancing up at him, she couldn't help but notice how time had only enhanced his features. His hair had grown slightly longer, brushing against his collar with a softness that reminded her of his late brother, Itachi. Sasuke had always been handsome, but now there was a maturity to his appearance that made her heart skip.

It had been a year since their divorce, and she occasionally wondered if Sasuke had been seeing anyone. The question nagged at her more than she liked to admit. Gathering her courage, she asked shyly, "Are you seeing anyone?"

His response was immediate, a simple, "No."

She felt a rush of relief but also embarrassment for asking. She had wanted to know if he had dated anyone since their breakup, but now she hesitated, not wanting to seem nosy or jealous.

Sasuke then asked, "You?"

Flustered, she replied quickly, "I've been too busy at work to date anyone."

The conversation paused again, the silence settling around them. Awkwardly, Sakura ventured into another topic. "Do you have anything planned for your birthday? It's coming up soon."

Sasuke looked down at her, his brows furrowed slightly. "I'd like to just stay home, but I'll probably end up doing what I usually do."

Sakura knew what that meant. Every year, Naruto organized a small gathering for Team 7 to celebrate Sasuke's birthday with drinks since the first time they were of drinking age.

"I hope you have fun," she said, trying to sound cheerful.

Even though she and Sasuke have been doing a great job at co-parenting, it was still awkward around them when it was just the two of them. Any conversation almost felt like she was reliving her twelve-year-old self again and he barely acknowledged her presence. There were times she didn't even think he cared if she made an effort to talk to him or not. This was the most they've talked in almost a year. It made her feel hurt, happy, and angry at the same time.

His eyebrow arched. "Aren't you coming?"

She hesitated, taken back by his question. "I didn't think I should go… considering everything."

Sasuke only stared down at her, not saying anything the rest of their walk. The air felt too thick for Sakura. At that point, she couldn't wait to get home. As they approached her house, Sasuke walked her to her door. She thanked him for the company, her hand on the door handle, ready to retreat into the safety of her home.

Sasuke turned his head slightly and said, "I'd like you to be there because it's not a full team if you're not there."

Her cheeks warmed with a blush, her heart fluttering at his words. "I'll be there," she managed to say, her voice soft.

"Sakura," Sasuke started again, his tone more serious. "I haven't been dating anyone since we broke up." He looked into her eyes, seeming to read her thoughts. "That's what you really wanted to know, wasn't it?"

Embarrassed but touched by his directness, she blushed deeply.

"Next time just ask me directly." He said.

He turned to leave, and Sakura watched him go, a small smile playing on her lips. The possibility that he might still have feelings for her lingered in her mind, giving her hope. As she closed the door behind her, she found herself looking forward to his birthday, to spending time with him again, perhaps rekindling something she thought was lost.

XXXXXX

Throughout his lunch with Sarada and Sakura, Hinata would pop into his mind every so often. He wondered if she was doing well. Before lunch was over, he already made up his mind to go visit her. As Sasuke walked the path to Hinata's, his thoughts were preoccupied. It had been weeks since he'd last seen her, and the absence felt more conspicuous each day. Initially, he had been too caught up with his move, missions, and spending time with Sarada to notice her absence. But three weeks ago, it had hit him—Hinata was nowhere to be seen.

He had tried visiting, but each time, the house was eerily quiet, with no sign of anyone home. Boruto was on a mission with Mizuki and Shikadai, and Himawari's whereabouts were unknown to him. Sasuke had even approached Kiba, despite the odd feeling it gave him to ask about Hinata. Kiba, too, hadn't seen her, which only deepened Sasuke's concern. He didn't want to bother Naruto about it knowing the Hokage already going through things.

As he approached her door, he knocked firmly, hoping today would be different. No response. He knocked again, louder this time, but still nothing. Just as he was about to turn away, a subtle flicker of chakra caught his attention.

Sasuke paused. It was Hinata's chakra, but it was faint, almost as if she was deliberately masking it. Why would she hide from him? Frowning, he faced the door again, a mix of frustration and worry knotting in his stomach.

"Hinata, are you hiding from me?" he called out, annoyed. Silence met his question. He could sense her chakra flickering, now you see it, now you don't, a clear sign she was still there.

After a moment of silence, Sasuke felt worried. Something felt off. He leaned his forehead against the door, his voice softer, tinged with concern. "Hinata?" Again, no response.

He sighed, his frustration giving way to stress and concern. "I know you're in there," he murmured, speaking through the door. "Whenever you're ready to talk, I'll be here."

Slowly, the door creaked open, just enough for him to see Hinata's fingers clutching the edge. "I look awful," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I didn't want you to see me like this."

Sasuke stepped inside, his eyes quickly taking in her appearance as she shut the door behind him, keeping her back to him. She was wearing an oversized t-shirt that slipped off one shoulder, presumably with shorts underneath since only her legs were visible.

When she finally turned to face him, the dark bags under her eyes and her slightly gaunt face made him pause. Hinata always carried a certain aura, but now, all he could sense was profound sadness.

He couldn't help but try to lighten the mood. "You look like you could use some rest," he said dryly, managing to coax a small smile from her.

"Pot calling the kettle black," she shot back, a slight curve of her lips.

Sasuke observed her closely, his expression becoming serious. "What's wrong? Why were you ignoring me?" he prodded.

She hesitated, her gaze shifting away before she sighed, turning to walk towards the kitchen. "Do you want some tea?" she offered.

Sasuke felt she was trying to change the subject. However, he wasn't interested in evasions. "No, thank you," he declined.

She turned to face him again, her eyes looked distant as her white eyes met his black ones as they stood in the hallway. "I haven't been feeling well since Naruto-kun and I broke up," she muttered so low, he almost didn't hear her.

Without thinking, he reverted to what he knew best. "Maybe training could help clear your mind?" he suggested, hopeful. It was hsi way of coping, to expel any negative emotions through physical exertion.

Hinata frowned, crossing her arms. "Not everything can be solved by training," she said.

It made him pause at her tone. Previously training seemed to have worked for her, but perhaps it was deeper than that currently. He took a step back from her, feeling rather embarrassed by his suggestion and not knowing what to do to cheer her up.

"You're right…sorry," he said, tinged with regret.

Looking down at her, Sasuke felt a twist in his stomach. Hinata had cried in from of him before, openly sharing her vulnerabilities as their friendship deepened. Yet, this was different. He'd never seen her quite like this. The sigh reminded him of the distress he felt when Sakura or Sarada were upset, a natural urge to life their mood would surge within him. But with Hinata, he felt at a loss. He wanted desperately to help, to find some way to ease her pain, yet he struggled to find the right approach at this moment. Joking with her for that split second seemed to have helped some, but he didn't want to push it too far. Maybe a second time wouldn't be the same.

"Also," Hinata continued, her gaze dropped to the floor. "You're Naruto's friend. It might be best if we put some space between our friendship. Once the public finds out about my separation, it might spark unwanted rumors if we're seen together."

That struck a nerve. Growing up, Naruto had been his only close friend, and now Hinata was on that very small list. The mere thought of her suggesting they distance themselves didn't sit well with him. Anger flared within him at the idea of her trying to end their friendship as if it were something insignificant.

Sasuke closed the distance between them, his expression hardening. "That's stupid," he said bluntly, tapping her forehead, not harshly, but with enough force to convey his frustration. "Who cares about what other people think? I'm not going anywhere. Naruto is my best friend, but you've become just as important to me. You know this."

Hinata looked up at him, her fingers brushing the spot where he had tapped her forehead. Her eyes were wide for a moment until a small smile broke through her features.

He sighed, his frown softening. "Don't hide from me again."

"I'm sorry, Sasuke-sensei." She said it with a teasing tone, despite the emptiness in her eyes remained.

He scoffed but allowed a smirk to tug at the corner of his lips. "Good."

After a moment, Sasuke observed her once more. "Have you gotten any fresh air?" When she shook her head, he wasn't surprised. It was summer, yet she looked as pale as a ghost. What she needed was a little bit of sun. "Walking or going to get food?"

Hinata's eyes widened. "U-Um…I'd rather just stay inside."
Sasuke frowned. "No. Walking or food?" he pressed.

"Walking…" she murmured quietly.

He could tell she was reluctant, but he knew it was necessary. Grabbing her wrist gently, he noticed her flinch at the contact, but he chose to ignore it as he used his space-time ninjutsu to transport them outside. They arrive at the little trail that led to the spot where they first began their friendship. Letting go of her wrist, they fell into step together.

There weren't many people out, which was what he had hoped for. He figured Hinata didn't want anyone to see her in her current state.
"You know, Kiba said he hadn't seen you in a while either. You should check in with him," Sasuke mentioned.

"I saw him yesterday. He and Tamaki-san stopped by."

"And you let him in?" He raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued by her blush, which answered his question without words. He wondered if she had hidden her presence from them as well, or if she had welcomed them without hesitation. Kiba was her best friend, after all. It would make sense that she wouldn't turn him away, but it irked him slightly to know she had gone out of her way to mask her chakra from him.

He wanted to ask more about it, but it felt trivial. Why should it matter?

"Have you signed the papers yet?" Sasuke shifted the topic.

Hinata shook her head. "I haven't seen much of Naruto-kun, nor have I heard from him. I've been thinking about going up to his office to discuss the next steps, but I haven't had the courage to see him yet."

"Are you having doubts?"

"Sometimes…but I know it's for the best."

"Hn," was all he offered in response. Though he hoped Naruto and Hinata could reconcile, he understood too well how deeply things had turned in their marriage.

The breeze that passed through was refreshing, a relief from the recent humidity. Glancing at Hinata, he noted her hair had down longer, brushing just past her shoulders. He had always appreciated long hair, it reminded him of his mother.

Reaching the opening of the water view at the end of the trail, Sasuke stopped. The sound of water was always soothing. Looking over at Hinata, he saw her features soften, the familiar aura he knew returning slowly.

"I'm sorry about before," she suddenly said.

"About what?"

"That day when I left…the day you moved. I left without saying anything because I felt awkward around Naruto-kun. I couldn't even get myself to look at him…and I…"

Sasuke cut her off, "Don't worry about it."

Although it had bothered him, and Naruto as well, he didn't want to delve into that now. Sometimes, the past just needed to be left where it was.

Sasuke took a seat on the grass, patting the spot next to him as Hinata joined him. They both settled into a comfortable silence. Sasuke appreciated these moments. Unlike Naruto, who often filled silence with needless chatter, Hinata understood the value of quiet. She could simply sit and be, a trait Sasuke found increasingly rare and valuable.

As he glanced over at Hinata pulling her knees up to her chest, her long shirt rode up, revealing the black shorts underneath. Sasuke coughed awkwardly, quickly diverting his gaze. Without a word, he removed his cloak and draped it over her, ensuring she was covered.

She gave him a puzzled look, which made him wonder if she had forgotten what she was wearing, but he offered no explanation, instead turning his attention back to the tranquil water before them.

"Sasuke…"

"Hm?"

"To be honest, I was afraid to let you see me. I used to get depressed often as a child and during some moments as I got older, but you've never seen that side of me before. I can look quite pitiful as you can see." She paused, tracing invisible patterns in the grass, avoiding eye contact. "When I felt your chakra approaching, I hid because it's embarrassing and I didn't want you to see me like this. It's quite pathetic."

Sasuke frowned, his gaze softened as he turned to face her. "Like I said before, don't hide from me again. I don't care about things like that," he reassured her. His voice grew warm as he continued, "And it's not pitiful or pathetic. It's normal to feel the way you're feeling. You've loved that idiot since we were kids. Emotions aren't something you can just switch off."

"You don't have to be afraid to seek comfort from your friends when you're going through a tough time," he added, hoping to ease her burden.

Hinata's smile wavered as tears began to roll down her cheeks. "Thank you."
Sasuke exhaled slowly, reaching out to place his hand on her head, then gently pulled her into his chest. She resisted for a moment before relenting, allowing herself to cry. "Don't thank me, stupid. It's what I'm here for," he murmured, his voice a mix of gruffness and warmth as he continued to hold her.
XXXXXX

A few days later…

Sasuke wasn't fond of surprised, and the unexpected knock on his door has him bracing for anything. The only people he knew who would show up unannounced were Naruto or Kakashi, and he didn't feel like dealing with either at the moment. When he swung the door open and found Hinata standing there, a box wrapped in blu cloth in her hands, his first reaction was a guarded curiosity.

"I brought you a thank you gift for helping me," Hinata said, her smile sheepish.

She could probably tell he had discomfort with receiving gifts. His initial impulse was to decline, to avoid the awkwardness that came with accepting gifts. Yet, seeing the genuine happiness in her eyes as she offered it, he couldn't bring himself to refuse. Reluctantly, he extended his hands and took the small box.

"Do you want to come in?" he asked, partly out of politeness, somewhat hoping she would stay.

"I would, but I'm meeting Kiba-kun and Shino-kun for a Team Eight lunch. I just wanted to drop this off before I head off to meet with them," she explained.

"Ah. Have fun, I guess. Thanks again," he said, a nod accompanying his words as he held up the box in acknowledgment. As Hinata turned to leave, a thought struck him. "You look happier today. I'm glad."

Her reaction was immediate, her face flushed a deep red and her eyes widened in surprise before she broke into a broader smile. She nodded and continued on her way. Sasuke smirked slightly, watching her go before turning back inside. He carried the box to the kitchen. Carefully, he untied the cloth and noticed a little note atop the box.

I hope you enjoy them. I grew them myself.

-Hinata

With raised eyebrows, Sasuke opened the box, revealing four ripe tomatoes. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he spotted a small drawing at the bottom of the note, a sketch that looked to be him as a cat surrounded by tomatoes.

"Idiot," he muttered with a rare, affectionate chuckle as he smiled.

XXXXXXX

I meant to have this out sooner than I did, but alas it is here! Sometimes as I'm writing the SasuHina scenes, I have to remind myself to slow things down since this is a slow burn story, haha. We have a long way before we get to the actual romantic side because in this current state, Sasuke knows he cares about Hinata, a bit more than he might realize, but he assumes the feelings are similar to that of a sibling. Sasuke is aware of Hinata's beauty and might feel awkward during some moments, but he's not there yet when it comes to liking her romantically. Hinata on the other hand, can somewhat understand what she is feeling and tries to bury it due to shame and guilt.

I say all of that to say, there will be cute SasuHina moments, but the main one feeling flushed by those moments will be Hinata. I feel that I need to restate this every so often, lol. Also, regarding SasuSaku, I'll dive deeper into that in the upcoming chapter. It's obvious that Sakura still has feelings for him and neither of them has dated since they broke up. So how does Sasuke feel? You'll find out soon!

The next chapter will feature POV's from Naruto, Boruto, and Kakashi. And as always, let me know what you're thinking so far in a comment or what you'd like to see happen!