Himawari trailed quietly behind her brother as they wandered down the road. The air between them was heavy, filled with unspoken words and shared pain. Since they left home earlier, Boruto had barely spoken a word. His silence was unsettling, and she couldn't see his expression, his face hidden as he kept his back to her. For the past two hours, they'd been walking aimlessly around the village, each step feeling heavier than the last.
Himawari glanced up at Boruto's back, wishing he'd just turn around and say something. Anything. The way he kept everything inside made her chest feel tight. She wanted to ask if he was okay, but the words got stuck in her throat. Maybe he didn't want to talk. Maybe he just wanted to be alone. But she didn't want to be alone, and she didn't want him to be either.
Her feet dragged a little as they passed the same burger restaurant they'd walked by earlier. Normally, Boruto would have begged for a burger, but today he didn't even glance at it. That made her sadder than anything.
She thought about saying something funny, maybe teasing him about how his stomach was usually louder than his voice. But what if he got mad? What if it made things worse? She hated not knowing what to do.
Finally, she couldn't take the silence anymore. "Boruto…" she said softly, almost hoping he wouldn't hear. But he did. His shoulders stiffened, and for a moment, she thought he might keep ignoring her. But then he stopped walking.
She caught up to him, peering up at his face. He was frowning, his eyes looking far away like he was thinking about something too big to say out loud.
"Do you think…do you think it's our fault?" she asked, her voice trembling a little. It was the question that had been bouncing around in her head ever since their parents told them. She needed to know if Boruto thought the same thing.
Boruto finally looked at her, his blue eyes meeting hers. There was something in them, something sad and hurt, but he shook his head.
"No, Hima. It's not our fault." His voice was rough, like he was trying not to cry. "It's not."
She wanted to believe him. Really, she did. But it was hard. "Promise?"
"Promise," he said, more firmly this time. He put his hand on her head, ruffling her hair the way he always did. It wasn't much, but it made her feel a little better.
They started walking again, still in that heavy silence. Himawari kept stealing glances at Boruto, trying to figure out what he was thinking. She was about to speak again when she spotted a familiar face up ahead.
"Konohamaru-sensei!" she called out without thinking.
Boruto looked up at the sound of the name, and for a split second, his frown deepened. But just as quickly, it vanished. By the time Konohamaru reached them, Boruto was all smiles, his usual carefree grin plastered on his face.
"Hey, Konohamaru-sensei!" Boruto waved, his voice suddenly full of energy. "What're you up to?"
Konohamaru smiled back, though he looked a little surprised to see them. "Boruto, Himawari! I didn't expect to run into you two out here. Just finished some missions, so I thought I'd grab something to eat. How about you?"
Himawari hesitated, glancing at Boruto. His cheerful act was so perfect, so effortless, that for a moment she wondered if she'd imagined everything—the silence, the sadness, the heaviness between them. But she knew better. She remembered how he'd looked just a minute ago, and she remembered their mother's words, warning them not to tell anyone about the divorce yet.
"Oh, nothing much," Boruto answered for both of them, shrugging casually. "Just hanging out, you know?"
Himawari nodded quickly, forcing a smile to match his. "Yeah, just walking around the village. It's nice to get out for a bit."
Konohamaru seemed to buy it, though he studied them both a little longer than usual. "Well, it's good to see you two spending time together. If you're not too busy, maybe you can join me for some ramen?"
Boruto's eyes flickered, just for a second, before he grinned even wider. "Sounds great! We were just talking about getting something to eat, right, Hima?"
"Right!" Himawari agreed, the smile still stretched on her face. Inside, though, her heart was pounding. She wanted to tell Konohamaru what was really going on, to ask him for advice or just let it out. But she couldn't. Boruto was pretending, and now she had to pretend too.
As they walked toward the ramen shop with Konohamaru, Himawari felt a strange mix of emotions. It was like they were playing a game, keeping the truth hidden behind their smiles. Boruto was so good at it that if she didn't know him, she might have believed everything was fine.
But Himawari knew better. And as she laughed along with them, she couldn't shake the feeling that things would never be the same again.
XXXXXX
Naruto sat at his desk, the weight of the world pressing down on his shoulders more heavily than ever. His office, usually filled with the hustle and bustle of village matters, was eerily quiet. Papers were scattered across his desk, but he couldn't bring himself to focus on them. His eyes were drawn to a single, framed photograph sitting just within reach.
It was their wedding day. He and Hinata stood side by side, both beaming with joy. Naruto's arm was wrapped around her, holding her close, his smile as wide as the day he'd finally become Hokage. But it was Hinata's smile that he couldn't tear his eyes away from. She looked radiant, her beauty shining brighter than the sun that day. She was his light, his rock, the one who had always been there for him, no matter what.
Naruto's hand trembled as he reached out, brushing his fingers over the glass that covered her face. A deep pit formed in his stomach, a gnawing ache that only grew as he stared at her. He'd faced countless enemies, battled the strongest forces in the world, but nothing had ever made him feel as helpless as this.
He swallowed hard, his throat tightening. The realization that he wouldn't be able to hold her anymore hit him like a punch to the gut. He wouldn't be able to pull her into his arms after a long day, feeling the warmth of her body against his. He wouldn't be able to kiss her goodnight, whispering words of love as they drifted off to sleep. He wouldn't be able to tell her how much she meant to him, how grateful he was that she had chosen him, out of all people, to share her life with.
And worst of all, he wouldn't be able to call her his wife anymore. That word, so small yet so powerful, was slipping through his fingers like sand. He tried to imagine a life without her by his side, and the thought alone was enough to make his heart clench in pain.
Naruto closed his eyes, forcing himself to take a deep breath. He was Hokage. He was supposed to be strong, to protect the village and everyone in it. But how was he supposed to protect his own heart from breaking?
He opened his eyes again, staring down at the photograph, at the image of the life he was about to lose. A single tear slipped down his cheek, and he quickly wiped it away, angry at himself for showing weakness. But the pain was too much to hold back.
"I'm sorry, Hinata…" he whispered, his voice barely audible in the stillness of the room. "I'm so, so sorry…"
He didn't know if he was apologizing for what was happening now, or for all the times he hadn't been there when she needed him. Maybe it was for both. All he knew was that he'd give anything to turn back time, to fix whatever had gone wrong, to hold on to the happiness they'd once shared.
But time wasn't something even the Hokage could control.
Naruto gently placed the photograph back on his desk, his hand lingering on it for a moment longer before he pulled away.
Naruto sat there, staring blankly at the stack of documents on his desk, trying to push the painful thoughts away. He knew he had to focus, had to get back to work, but his mind kept drifting back to Hinata. Just as he reached for the topmost file, the door to his office creaked open.
"Naruto," Shikamaru's familiar voice broke through the silence, pulling Naruto out of his thoughts.
Naruto looked up, quickly wiping away any lingering emotion from his face. He plastered on a smile, one that he hoped looked natural enough. "Shikamaru! What's up?" he asked, trying to sound cheerful, though he knew it didn't quite reach his eyes.
Shikamaru stepped inside, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Naruto. "You okay, Naruto?" he asked, his tone casual but laced with concern. "You don't look like yourself."
Naruto's smile faltered for just a second before he forced it back into place. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Just… thinking about some stuff, y'know? But everything's good, really." He gave a thumbs up, hoping to convince both Shikamaru and himself.
Shikamaru didn't look convinced, but he didn't press the issue. "If you say so," he said with a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "But we've got a situation at the front gate. I could use your help."
Naruto raised an eyebrow, grateful for the distraction. "What kind of situation?"
Shikamaru shrugged, though his expression was more serious than usual. "It's probably better if you come see for yourself," he said. "It's nothing too crazy, but it's… different."
Naruto's curiosity was piqued. Shikamaru wasn't the type to be vague unless there was something unusual going on. He pushed himself up from his chair, trying to shake off the lingering sadness. "Alright, let's go check it out then."
Naruto walked beside Shikamaru, his mind trying to shove aside the lingering thoughts of Hinata. He had to stay focused—this was his job, and the village depended on him to handle situations like this. But that didn't stop the dull ache in his chest from nagging at him, reminding him of the personal storm he couldn't quite escape.
As they approached the front gate, Naruto noticed a small group of ANBU members already gathered, their stances tense and alert. At the center of the commotion stood a tall, stern-looking man dressed in the traditional garb of the Land of Stone. His face was twisted in anger, his fists clenched at his sides. It was clear from his posture that he was ready for a fight, or at least to make a scene.
Naruto took a deep breath, trying to push his personal issues to the back of his mind. He had to be Hokage right now—nothing else mattered.
"Lord Kurosawa," Naruto greeted, raising a hand in a calming gesture as he approached the man. "What brings you to Konoha? I wasn't expecting a visit from the Land of Stone."
Kurosawa's eyes snapped to Naruto, his expression one of barely controlled rage. "Hokage!" he barked. "I demand to know why one of your shinobi entered our territory without authorization! This is an act of aggression, and it will not be tolerated!"
Naruto exchanged a quick glance with Shikamaru, who subtly nodded, signaling that he was already thinking through the situation. Naruto turned his attention back to Kurosawa, keeping his tone steady.
"I'm sure there's been some kind of misunderstanding. Konoha has no intention of violating the borders of the Land of Stone. Let's take a moment to clear this up."
Kurosawa's face flushed with anger, but there was a flicker of hesitation in his eyes. "Misunderstanding? My scouts reported seeing one of your shinobi near our border just yesterday. How do you explain that?"
Before Naruto could respond, Shikamaru stepped forward, his voice calm and measured. "Lord Kurosawa, if I may. We've been conducting some routine training exercises near our borders, but I assure you, none of our shinobi have crossed into your territory. It's possible there was a mistake in the report—our teams are trained to stay within our boundaries."
Naruto nodded, picking up on Shikamaru's approach. "We'll investigate the matter thoroughly. If any of our shinobi made a mistake, we'll take full responsibility. But we need to be sure of the facts first. Let's not let this escalate into something it doesn't need to be."
Kurosawa's anger seemed to waver slightly, but he was still clearly agitated. "Words are easy, Hokage. How can I trust that your investigation will be impartial? This isn't the first time Konoha has acted arrogantly, thinking it can do as it pleases."
Naruto felt a flash of frustration, not just at the accusation but at the timing of it all. He was already dealing with enough, and now this? But he forced himself to stay calm. He had to be the leader everyone needed him to be.
"Trust is built over time, Lord Kurosawa," Naruto said, his voice steady but firm. "And I want Konoha and the Land of Stone to continue building that trust. If there's been a mistake on our part, I'll make it right. But we have to approach this with clear heads. Let's sit down and go over the reports together. Shikamaru and I will personally ensure that any concerns you have are addressed," Naruto said, meeting Kurosawa's intense gaze without flinching.
Kurosawa studied him for a long moment, the anger in his eyes still simmering but tempered by the sincerity in Naruto's tone. After what felt like an eternity, the leader of the Land of Stone gave a curt nod, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Very well, Hokage. I'll hold you to that. But be warned—if this turns out to be more than just a misunderstanding, there will be consequences."
Naruto nodded firmly, his mind already racing with the next steps. "Understood. We'll get to the bottom of this quickly and fairly. You have my word."
Kurosawa huffed, then turned on his heel, marching back toward the small group of his own shinobi who had been waiting nearby. The ANBU members around Naruto relaxed their stances slightly, the immediate threat seemingly diffused.
As Kurosawa and his entourage moved out of earshot, Naruto let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. His heart was still pounding, not just from the confrontation but from the emotional toll of the past few days.
"That could've gone a lot worse," Naruto muttered under his breath, rubbing the back of his neck.
Shikamaru, who had been silent but watchful throughout the exchange, stepped closer. He glanced at Naruto, a hint of concern in his eyes that he didn't voice. "You handled it well, Naruto. But we're not out of the woods yet. We need to follow up on this, make sure there's no truth to his claims."
Naruto nodded, though his mind was already trying to push aside the thoughts that had been plaguing him. "Yeah… we'll get on it right away."
He forced himself to focus on the task ahead, knowing there was no room for distraction. But as they turned to head back into the village, the weight of everything—the duties of Hokage, the divorce with Hinata, and now this diplomatic mess—settled back onto his shoulders, heavier than ever.
No matter how much he tried to push it all down, Naruto couldn't shake the feeling that the cracks were starting to show.
XXXXXX
Hanabi walked alongside Moegi, the two of them chatting casually as they made their way through the village. The day was warm, and the streets were bustling with people going about their business. Hanabi wasn't particularly focused on the conversation. Her mind was half elsewhere, contemplating her next training session with Boruto. That was until something unusual caught her eye.
Up ahead, not too far from where they were walking, was her sister Hinata, strolling beside none other than Sasuke Uchiha. Hanabi's steps slowed to a halt, her eyebrow raised in curiosity. The sight was unexpected, to say the least. Moegi, not noticing Hanabi had stopped, bumped into her with a soft thud.
"Hey, what's up?" Moegi asked, rubbing her arm where she'd bumped into Hanabi. But Hanabi didn't respond, her attention fully captured by the scene in front of her.
She watched closely, narrowing her eyes as she observed the way Sasuke and Hinata moved together. There was something strangely familiar in their body language, something that made Hanabi pause. Sasuke, usually so stoic and unreadable, seemed oddly relaxed, his expression softer than she'd ever seen it. She knew he was staying with her sister and brother-in-law for a while, but she hadn't thought the two of them spent much time together outside of training. Interesting.
Moegi followed Hanabi's gaze, her own eyes widening slightly as she realized what Hanabi was staring at. "Is that… your sister? With Sasuke?"
Hanabi hummed in response, her mind still piecing together what she was seeing. The closer she looked, the more she noticed. There was something in Hinata's eyes—something pained as if she were carrying a heavy burden, but she was trying to hide it. Sasuke probably had no idea. Men. They never notice anything, she huffed and rolled her eyes.
And then, almost awkwardly, Sasuke reached out and patted the top of Hinata's head. Hanabi blinked in surprise as she saw Hinata's face turn a shade of red, even though she was frowning in what looked like mild annoyance. Sasuke's smirk was subtle, but it was there, just before he dropped his hand back to his side.
That was enough. Hanabi's curiosity flared, and without a second thought, she excused herself from Moegi. "I'll catch up with you later," she called back, already making a beeline toward her sister and the Uchiha.
Hinata noticed her first, her eyes widening in surprise. "Hanabi… what are you doing here?"
But Hanabi didn't answer. Her gaze shifted briefly to Sasuke, who stared back at her with his usual indifferent expression, offering no clues as to what was going on. Without hesitation, Hanabi grabbed Hinata by the hand. "I'm borrowing my sister for a bit," she said firmly, giving neither of them a chance to object as she pulled Hinata away.
"Hanabi, wait—" Hinata began, but Hanabi was already moving, dragging her sister along at a brisk pace. She didn't stop until they were back at the Hyuga manor, not giving Hinata any room to protest.
Once inside, Hanabi led Hinata straight to her bedroom, finally releasing her hand as they entered. She turned to face her sister, crossing her arms. "Alright, spill."
Hinata looked genuinely confused. "Spill? What are you talking about?"
Hanabi sighed, her expression softening slightly. "Come on, Hinata. Besides Neji-nii, I can read you better than anyone. What was that back there? Why do you look so sad?"
Hinata's reaction was immediate and intense—tears suddenly welled up in her eyes, and before Hanabi could process what was happening, her sister burst into tears. The sound of her sobs caught Hanabi completely off guard.
"Hey, now. What's going on, sis?" Hanabi asked, moving quickly to Hinata's side. She wrapped her arms around her, holding her close as Hinata cried into her shoulder. The unexpected display of emotion from her usually composed sister sent a wave of concern through Hanabi. Something was seriously wrong.
Hanabi held Hinata close, feeling the tremors of her sister's sobs against her chest. Her mind raced, trying to piece together what could have possibly caused Hinata to break down like this. She was used to being the strong one, the one who kept it together for everyone else. Seeing her like this was unsettling.
"Hinata-nee," Hanabi murmured gently, rubbing soothing circles on her sister's back. "What's going on? You can tell me."
Hinata sniffled, slowly pulling back to look at Hanabi through tear-streaked eyes. She hesitated, as if gathering the strength to speak, and then, in a voice barely above a whisper, she said, "Hanabi… you can't tell anyone yet, okay? Promise me."
Hanabi frowned, concern deepening in her eyes, but she nodded. "Of course, I promise. Whatever it is, you can trust me."
Hinata took a shaky breath, her hands trembling as she reached up to wipe her tears. "Naruto and I… we're getting a divorce."
The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. Hanabi's eyes widened, and for a moment, she was completely speechless. Divorce? Her sister and Naruto? The idea seemed impossible, unthinkable. They had always seemed so solid, so perfect together, but then she was reminded of all the times she'd heard her nephew complaining about how Naruto was barely around, but Hinata hadn't talked much about it.
"Hinata-nee…" Hanabi began, but no other words came out. She wanted to ask why, to demand an explanation, to understand how everything had come to this. But when she looked into Hinata's eyes—so full of pain, so raw with emotion—she realized that now wasn't the time for questions.
Instead, Hanabi did the only thing she could think of. She pulled Hinata back into a tight embrace, holding her as if that alone could shield her from the hurt. "I'm so sorry," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm so, so sorry, sis."
Hinata's sobs quieted a little as she rested her head on Hanabi's shoulder, letting the comfort of her sister's presence wash over her. "I… I don't know what happened," Hinata admitted in a trembling voice. "Everything just… fell apart."
Hanabi bit her lip, resisting the urge to press for details. Whatever had led to this, she knew it must have been something serious. But right now, what mattered most was being there for Hinata, letting her know she wasn't alone.
"It's okay," Hanabi said softly, continuing to rub her sister's back. "We'll get through this together, okay? You don't have to do this alone."
Hinata nodded weakly, her grip on Hanabi tightening. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
They stayed like that for a long time, the silence between them filled with unspoken understanding. Hanabi's mind was still reeling, still trying to process the shock of what she'd just learned. But she pushed her own feelings aside. Hinata needed her right now, and that was all that mattered.
Eventually, when Hinata's tears had subsided and her breathing had steadied, Hanabi finally spoke again. "Whenever you're ready to talk about it… I'm here. No pressure, okay? Just… whenever you're ready."
Hinata nodded again, a small, grateful smile appearing on her tear-streaked face. "I know, Hanabi. Thank you… for being here."
Hanabi smiled back, though it was tinged with sadness. She wished she could do more, that she could somehow fix this for her sister. But for now, all she could do was be there—to listen, to support, and to help her through whatever came next.
XXXXX
Sasuke sat at the bar, his usual expression of indifference firmly in place, but beneath that calm exterior, he felt a flicker of irritation. This was supposed to be a quiet night—just him and Naruto. But somehow, it had turned into a small gathering. Shikamaru, Sai, and even Kakashi had shown up, each taking a seat around the table, their presence altering the dynamic he'd expected.
He didn't show his annoyance, though. Naruto deserved to have his friends around him, especially now, when he was going through something so difficult. But it still irked Sasuke to see how close Naruto had gotten with Shikamaru. There was a time when it had been just the two of them, but things had changed. Time had changed them all.
Naruto, a few sakes in, slouched in his seat, a half-empty cup in his hand. His eyes were unfocused, lost in memories as he spoke. "Hinata… she's such a good wife, you know? So kind, so patient… I didn't deserve her, but she chose me and I fucked it all up. Now she wants a divorce." His words were slurred, the alcohol clearly taking its toll, finally opening up to the other three. "Don't tell anyone though…"
Shikamaru, seated across from him, didn't look surprised—just concerned. Sasuke could tell that the lazy genius had suspected something was wrong for a while now. Sai, on the other hand, looked taken aback, his usual stoic expression faltering as he glanced between Naruto and the others. Kakashi's visible eye narrowed, his expression unreadable, though Sasuke could see the concern there as well.
Naruto took another sip of sake, his hand trembling slightly as he set the cup down. "And she's beautiful… so beautiful." He looked at Sai and Shikamaru, his gaze glassy. "I'm sorry, guys, but… Hinata is the most beautiful woman in the village."
Shikamaru didn't seem fazed by the statement; if anything, he looked like he was carefully choosing his words before saying anything. Sai, however, seemed to think it was the perfect time to chime in with one of his inappropriate comments.
"Well, she definitely has the biggest breasts in the village."
All eyes turned to Sai, who blinked back at them with an innocent expression. Sasuke's glare was sharp, his annoyance now fully surfacing. Even Kakashi, usually so composed, coughed awkwardly into his hand, his face flushing slightly as he hid it behind his book.
"Now's not the time to talk about things like that," Kakashi muttered, though Sasuke could tell he was struggling to keep his usual cool.
Sasuke decided it was time to step in. "Naruto," he said, his voice low but firm, "drinking won't solve anything. It won't help."
Naruto looked at him, his eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and desperation. "But… maybe I can convince her to stay. Maybe if I just talk to her, I can make things right…"
Before Sasuke could respond, Shikamaru spoke up, his tone gentle but resolute. "Naruto, that's not a good idea. You know Hinata. If she's made up her mind, trying to convince her otherwise will only make things harder for both of you."
Sasuke felt a pang of conflict deep within him. His loyalty to Naruto, his best friend—his brother—was unquestionable. But his friendship with Hinata complicated things in a way he hadn't anticipated. He shook his head slightly, trying to clear his thoughts. Naruto needed him, and he couldn't afford to let personal feelings get in the way.
Sasuke nodded in agreement with Shikamaru. "You need to give her space, Naruto. Pushing her might only push her further away. You need to think this through."
Kakashi, ever the voice of experience, added, "It's a tough situation, Naruto. But sometimes… you have to let go, at least for a while, to figure things out."
Naruto sighed heavily. He stared into his sake cup, as if searching for answers at the bottom of the glass. Then, with a groan, he banged his head against the table, his voice muffled but laced with raw emotion. "I miss her already…"
Sasuke's hand clenched around his own cup, a mixture of frustration and helplessness swirling inside him. He wanted to say something, anything, to ease his Naruto's pain, but the words wouldn't come. All he could do was be there, sitting beside Naruto in silence, hoping that somehow, just his presence would be enough.
Naruto lifted his head from the table, his eyes glazed from the alcohol. He swirled the remaining sake in his cup before downing it in one gulp. "You know… I was so stupid. Two years after the war. Two whole years, and I didn't even realize how Hinata felt about me."
The others remained quiet, listening as Naruto continued. "I'll never forget the day she confessed during the battle with Pain. She jumped in front of me, ready to give her life… and she said she loved me." He let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. "And you know what I thought? I thought she meant it like… like how I love ramen or something. I was that stupid."
Shikamaru sighed, a small, knowing smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Naruto, everyone knew Hinata had feelings for you—except you."
Naruto groaned, pouring himself another cup of sake, the embarrassment and frustration clear on his face. "Yeah, I was really stupid." He took another drink, the warmth of the alcohol doing little to ease the ache in his chest.
Kakashi, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. "Well, in your defense, Naruto, you always had your eye on a certain pink-haired girl back then." His tone was light, almost teasing, but it was enough to catch Sasuke's attention.
Sasuke's mind drifted back to those days, memories surfacing of how Naruto would go to ridiculous lengths to get Sakura's attention. He remembered Naruto's attempts to impress her, even going so far as to disguise himself as Sasuke. The thought brought a flicker of amusement to Sasuke's otherwise somber expression.
Sai, ever the one to speak his mind without much filter, added his own observation. "So, if I understand correctly, it's safe to assume that Sakura was similar to Hinata—always having eyes for you, Sasuke."
The comment hit Sasuke harder than he expected. He hadn't thought about it in that way, but there was some truth to Sai's words. He took a long, slow drink of his sake, trying to push away the emotions that were starting to bubble up.
As he set his cup down, Sasuke couldn't help but think about his own failed marriage. He and Sakura had been through so much together—she had always been there, always believed in him, even when he didn't deserve it. He hadn't been the kindest, or the most attentive, and yet she had never given up on her feelings for him.
For a moment, the weight of that realization settled heavily on his shoulders. He wasn't one to dwell on the past, but sitting here, watching Naruto grapple with his own regrets, Sasuke couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for falling out of love with his ex.
Sasuke let out a quiet sigh, raising his cup once more and taking another sip, the bitter taste of the sake matching the bitterness in his heart. He knew that he and Naruto were both wrestling with their own failures, their own regrets. But they were here together, trying to drown their sorrows in each other's company, even if it wouldn't fix anything.
Naruto leaned back in his seat, his expression a mix of sadness and self-deprecation. "Maybe we're all just a bunch of idiots, huh?" he muttered, staring down into his empty cup.
Sasuke looked at Naruto, then at the others around the table—Shikamaru, Kakashi, Sai—all of them lost in their own thoughts. He knew that, like him, they all carried their own burdens, their own regrets. But there was some comfort in knowing they weren't alone, even in their mistakes.
"Yeah," Sasuke finally said, his voice low but with a hint of resignation. "Maybe we are."
Naruto suddenly perked up, raising his hand high, a grin spreading across his face despite the haze of alcohol in his eyes. "Next few rounds are on me, guys!" he declared, his voice louder than necessary.
Sasuke watched as the bartender acknowledged Naruto's gesture, already moving to prepare another round. He caught a low mumble from Shikamaru, who sighed deeply, his face a mixture of amusement and fear.
"Temari's gonna kill me tonight," Shikamaru muttered under his breath, but then he shrugged, a small smirk forming on his lips. "But what the hell, another round it is."
Sasuke couldn't help but smirk himself, appreciating the irony of it all. Shikamaru, usually the most level-headed of the group, throwing caution to the wind for once. He turned his attention to Kakashi, who was beginning to push himself up from his seat. The former Hokage stretched lazily, looking as if he were about to call it a night.
"Heading to bed already, old man?" Sasuke teased, his tone casual but with a hint of challenge in it. "Didn't realize your bedtime was so early."
Kakashi paused, his visible eye narrowing slightly as he glanced over at Sasuke. Before he could respond, Naruto, who had just noticed Kakashi standing, jumped in, his voice taking on a pleading tone. "Kakashi-sensei, you can't leave yet! It won't be any fun without you. Come on, stay for a little longer."
Kakashi looked at Naruto, then at the rest of the group. For a moment, it seemed like he was about to argue, but then he let out a grumbled sigh, clearly torn between wanting to go and the persistence of his former students.
Sasuke smirked, watching the internal struggle play out on Kakashi's face. It wasn't often you got to see the legendary Copy Ninja looking this conflicted. "What's the matter, Kakashi? Scared you won't be able to keep up?"
Kakashi shot Sasuke a pointed look, but it was clear he wasn't really angry. With another sigh, he sank back down into his seat, resigning himself to staying.
"Fine, fine," he muttered, though there was a hint of a smile beneath his mask. "But if you all expect me to pay for the next round, you're out of luck."
Naruto let out a cheer, clearly pleased with himself, and Sasuke's smirk widened just a bit. It wasn't often he got to spend time with Naruto like this, and despite everything, there was something comforting about the familiar banter and camaraderie. Even if it was under less-than-ideal circumstances, it was a reminder that, no matter what, they were still a team.
Sasuke leaned back in his chair, feeling a rare sense of ease settle over him as the next round of drinks arrived.
After a few rounds of drinks, Sasuke could feel the alcohol coursing through his veins, making his head swim. He was plastered, and he knew it. Everything around him had taken on a slightly blurred edge, and even though he wasn't usually one to let loose, tonight was different. When he glanced around the table, he noticed that everyone's face was flushed from the alcohol. Even Sai's usually pale face was bright red, an almost comical contrast to his usual pale face.
Out of nowhere, Sai spoke up, his voice slightly slurred. "You know, speaking of breasts…"
Shikamaru hiccuped, cutting him off with a dismissive wave. "No one was talking about that," he muttered, though his own voice was tinged with the effects of the sake. "You're just thinking perverted stuff in your head."
Sai seemed to consider this for a moment, then shrugged, unbothered. "That might be so, but it's more like a rumor I heard… about you, Shikamaru."
Sasuke watched as Shikamaru's brow furrowed, his curiosity piqued despite himself. Sai, in his usual blunt manner, continued. "Despite how lazy and nonchalant you act, it seems you handle things quite differently in bed."
The words hung in the air for a split second before Shikamaru sputtered, nearly choking on his drink. He wiped his mouth hastily, his eyes widening as he stared at Sai. "What the hell are you talking about?"
Sai's expression remained infuriatingly calm as he went on, oblivious to—or perhaps enjoying—the discomfort he was causing. "I was told that you're quite the 'jack rabbit' in bed. Of course, it's just a rumor."
The table fell silent for a moment, everyone caught off guard by Sai's bluntness. Shikamaru looked as though he might combust on the spot, his face a deep shade of red that had nothing to do with the alcohol.
Sasuke, feeling a mix of amusement and irritation, leaned forward slightly. "By 'rumor,' you mean you heard this from your gossip-talking wife, right?"
Sai seemed mildly offended, his smile never quite reaching his eyes as he responded. "That's part of it, but I also heard another rumor… about a certain Uchiha." He tilted his head slightly, his fake smile widening. "Apparently, Sasuke Uchiha is quite passionate… and surprisingly shy and can be lazy in bed and let's Sakura do all the work. A pillow princess."
The words made Sasuke's blood boil, a heat rising in his chest that had nothing to do with the sake. He could hear Naruto laughing, the sound grating on his already frayed nerves. He whipped his head around to see the two reactions: Shikamaru, now fully recovered and clearly relieved that the spotlight had shifted away from him, was trying—and failing—to suppress his laughter. Kakashi, on the other hand, was snickering quietly, his eyes crinkling with amusement behind his mask.
Sasuke didn't know why, but the idea of being teased for being passionate irked him more than it should have. "There's nothing wrong with being passionate with your woman if that's what she wants," Sasuke snapped, his voice defensive. He paused, glaring at the others before continuing. "And as for being shy, that was only when it was our first time. Not that it's any of your concern."
"And being a pillow princess?" Naruto snickered.
Sasuke glared at everyone at the table, causing Shikamaru and Kakashi to cease their laughter, but Naruto kept on while Sai seemed quite pleased with himself.
In the back of his mind, Sasuke felt a pang of irritation—directed not just at his friends but also at the thought of Sakura sharing their private moments with others. He'd never been one for public displays of affection, let alone discussing what happened behind closed doors, and the thought of those moments being talked about so casually made him bristle. And so what Sakura was on top often? He didn't see what the big deal was. Sakura liked the gentleness of sex and he wanted to make sure she was pleased in the way she liked. If she wanted him to take his time. He took his time. If she wanted him to be on the bottom. He would be on the bottom. It gave him the chance to admire her at least.
Assholes. He continued to glare at every person at the table once more.
As Naruto's laughter finally began to die down, Sai turned to him with a new target in sight. "Naruto, I've heard some very interesting things about your… bed adventures."
Naruto, who had been caught up in his own amusement, suddenly blushed, his hand moving to scratch the back of his neck in that familiar nervous gesture. "Oh yeah?" he asked, his voice a mix of curiosity and wariness.
Sai nodded, his expression still infuriatingly calm. "I've heard that you're quite well-endowed, and that even though you don't take much time for foreplay, the sex is… very pleasurable. Apparently, Hinata was quite the talker when she got drunk with my wife and Sakura some time ago."
Naruto's awkward smile widened, but Sasuke could see a smugness there that made his irritation flare again. Naruto didn't seem embarrassed in the slightest—in fact, he almost looked proud, as if this was some sort of accomplishment.
"I suppose you look a lot more impressive than before." Sai casually said as he took a sip of his sake.
Naruto turned red, frowning at the black-haired man that embarrassed everyone at the table aside from himself and Kakashi.
After a few more rounds of drinks, Sasuke could feel the alcohol working its way through his system, making his thoughts hazy and his reactions slower. He wasn't the only one. As he glanced around the table, he noticed the telltale signs on everyone's faces—flushed cheeks, slightly glazed eyes.
Naruto, several drinks deep, started talking again, his voice a bit louder than necessary. "You know… when Hinata and I first, you know, did it… I thought she was going to be super shy. I mean, she's always been quiet and reserved, so I figured it'd take a while for her to get comfortable."
Naruto chuckled, the sound almost boyish, and Sasuke couldn't help but glance away, feeling like he shouldn't be hearing this. It wasn't just the content of the conversation—there was something unsettling about hearing Naruto talk so openly about something so personal. Sasuke's eyes flicked over to Kakashi, who was pretending to read his book, though Sasuke could tell the perverted old man was all ears.
"But, man, was I wrong," Naruto continued, oblivious to Sasuke's discomfort. "I was nervous too, of course, and it was a bit clumsy at first, but… well, let's just say I soon found out that Hinata likes to be very dominant… when I let her, of course. We take turns depending on the night and mood." He grinned, clearly proud of himself.
Sasuke's grip tightened around his cup. He really didn't want to hear this. The last thing he needed was to have these images in his head, especially when he was going to see Hinata again later that night. He glanced back at the table and noticed Kakashi's visible eye narrowing slightly as he continued to pretend to read, though his posture betrayed his interest.
Naruto, apparently unaware of the growing tension, kept going. "She's got some serious stamina, too. I mean, she can keep up with me, no problem. And her lips… man, you wouldn't believe how good they look when she—"
"Enough, Naruto." Sasuke's voice cut through the air, sharp and irritated. He locked eyes with Naruto, his expression dark. "Would Hinata be happy knowing you're talking about your private moments?"
Naruto blinked, the question seeming to sober him up slightly. He considered it for a moment, his expression shifting as he seemed to weigh the thought. Finally, he sighed, running a hand through his messy blond hair. "You're right. I shouldn't be talking about this… but the point I'm trying to make is… I'll never find another woman like her. No one will ever please me the way she does. She's… she's a goddess, you know?"
And just like that, Naruto's bravado crumbled. His face fell, and tears welled up in his eyes as the full weight of his words seemed to hit him all at once. "I miss her so much. I want her back…" His voice cracked as he abruptly stood up, swaying slightly on his feet. "I gotta… I need to go. I need to see her right now."
Shikamaru, ever the voice of reason even when slightly drunk, stood up as well, quickly moving to Naruto's side. "Hold on, Naruto. You don't want to do something you'll regret in the morning."
As Shikamaru guided Naruto out of the bar, probably to get fresh air, Sasuke, Sai, and Kakashi remained at the table, an uncomfortable silence settling over them. Sai, of course, was the first to break it.
"Hinata seems like she's quite the vixen, don't you think? She's such a demure woman…I would have never thought. Can you image the things he probably does with her boobies?"
Sasuke didn't respond, too shocked—and too disgusted—to even want to say anything. The idea of discussing Hinata in such a way felt wrong, intrusive. He shot a glare at Kakashi, who, to his annoyance, only hummed in agreement with Sai, his eyes crinkling in that way they did when he was smiling behind his mask.
Sasuke wished he could wash his ears out, erase the last few minutes from his memory. The thought of facing Hinata later, after everything he'd just heard, made his stomach churn. This was supposed to be his last night staying at that house before he moved into his new home tomorrow, and now he wasn't sure how he was going to manage it.
And yet… he realized with a pang of regret that he was going to miss it. He'd grown closer to Hinata over these past few days. There was a sense of comfort and ease around her, something he hadn't felt in a long time, not since his brother. Sure, Naruto and Sakura meant the world to him, but this was different, and he couldn't quite place why.
Kakashi finally spoke up, standing. "I'm going to order some food. Anything in particular you want?"
Sai immediately said he wanted fries but Sasuke wasn't feeling hungry. His thoughts were too tangled, too heavy with everything that had been said tonight. Just then, Shikamaru returned with a more sober, but clearly solemn, Naruto in tow.
Shikamaru patted Naruto's back as they both sat down. Naruto, looking worn out and emotionally drained, mumbled, "Thanks for being here, guys. Tonight is gonna be a rough one. Hinata didn't want me at home because she thinks we'll sleep together again," he says, drunkingly, much to Sasuke's disdain. "I mean, she's probably right. We're like magnetic or something these past few months. Plus, it'll just delay everything. I'll be staying at the Hokage Tower from now on…"
The table fell silent again until Kakashi returned, this time with a bucket of fries in hand. He set them down in front of Sai. "I'll keep you company tonight," Kakashi offered casually.
Naruto looked surprised, almost touched, but he tried to brush it off. "It's fine, Kakashi-sensei. I'll be okay."
But Shikamaru chimed in. "We can keep drinking at the tower. I'm probably dead when I get home anyway, so what's a few more hours?"
Sai nodded, pulling out his phone. "I'll call Ino and let her know I'll be back later."
Naruto managed a small, grateful smile, clearly appreciative of his friends' support. Sasuke opened his mouth, ready to say that he would stay as well, but then he remembered Hinata—how sad she had looked earlier in the day. He hesitated, the words dying on his tongue.
"I think I'm going to call it a night," Sasuke said instead, standing up.
Naruto looked up at him, whining slightly. "Come on, Sasuke, stay. We hardly ever do this. This was your idea after all."
Sasuke shook his head. "I've got to get ready for the move tomorrow. I want to start early."
Naruto sighed, eventually nodding. "Alright… but I'll help you out in the morning."
Sasuke gave a short nod and said his goodbyes to everyone. As he exited the bar, he used his portal to get back to the house—he wasn't sober enough to walk or run.
When he arrived, he made his way to the kitchen and found Hinata there, putting away the dishes. The sight of her made his stomach twist with guilt and something else—something he didn't want to name.
"Do you need help?" Sasuke asked, his sudden appearance causing her to gasp and drop a plate. She let out a small scream before realizing it was him, her expression shifting to a frown as she threw the drying towel at him.
"Don't do that!" she scolded.
Sasuke couldn't help but chuckle. "Sorry about that. Need help with these?"
"No, I've got it," she said, though he was already moving to help, picking up dishes from the drying rack and asking where they went.
Hinata glanced at him, her nose twitching slightly. "You smell like alcohol… Are you drunk?"
"I'm not drunk," Sasuke replied quickly, though the look on her face said she didn't believe him. It made him wonder what his expression must look like to her right now.
He smirked, trying to lighten the mood. "Don't worry, I won't throw up on you."
Hinata pouted at him, bending down to pick up the towel he'd forgotten to retrieve. He mumbled an apology, but she walked by him, setting the towel on the counter without a word.
"Don't apologize," she said softly, though there was no annoyance in her tone like a few seconds ago.
Sasuke suddenly found himself reminded of everything Naruto had said about Hinata earlier. He looked down at her, his black eyes meeting her white ones, and felt a rush of heat to his neck. Embarrassed, he quickly looked away putting the last dish in the cabinet. He headed toward the living room where he sat down, resting his head back with his arm covering his face.
"Stupid Naruto…" he muttered to himself.
Despite his best efforts, images popped into his head—memories of that night he had overheard them his first night here, despite telling Hinata he never heard her and only heard Naruto's loud mouth. He lied. He heard it all. The sounds she made, the intensity of Naruto's eager grunts, the sound of what he knew was a body, being slammed against the wall, the bed creaking…he wished he could forget it all. He had nightmares that night and now he had mental images of Hinata thanks to Naruto.
As Sasuke settled into the couch, he heard the soft creak of the cushions beside him. He lifted his arm slightly and glanced over to see Hinata sitting down next to him, her expression curious, her white eyes searching his face.
"Are you okay?" she asked gently, her voice laced with concern.
Sasuke hesitated, debating how much to say. Finally, he decided on honesty. "I can barely look at you," he admitted, his tone flat but tinged with the slightest hint of discomfort.
Hinata's eyes widened, and she leaned back slightly. "Why? Did I do something wrong?"
He shook his head quickly. "No, you didn't do anything. It's just that your soon-to-be ex-husband seems to enjoy talking about your… sex life so openly, and now I'm shell-shocked. I might die."
He dropped his arm back over his eyes just in time to miss the deep blush that spread across Hinata's cheeks, though he could feel her scooting backward on the couch, clearly embarrassed.
Sasuke scoffed lightly. "Yeah, feels weird, doesn't it? I feel like I just heard about my sister's sex life." He shuddered at the thought, the feeling of unease settling in his stomach.
"S-Sister?" Hinata's voice wavered, barely above a whisper.
Sasuke glanced at her again, shrugging slightly. "Not exactly, but that's the feeling I got when he was talking about the… private stuff between you two." His face flushed as he tried to maintain eye contact, even though Hinata was now staring at the floor, clearly mortified. "It bothered me that he didn't think twice about sharing such personal details about you to other men. You deserve more respect than that."
For a moment, he wondered if he had said something wrong, but Hinata quickly changed the subject, her voice soft.
"Let's erase those memories with some bad movies?" she suggested, a tentative smile tugging at her lips. "I found some really cheesy romance movies. I thought it would be fun. The kids were upset with the news and went to bed early." She paused, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "I was planning on watching these alone to cheer me up… but if you need to sleep to prepare for your move in the morning, I understand."
Sasuke considered her words, then patted the spot next to him, motioning for her to sit closer. "What cheesy movie are we watching first?"
Hinata hesitated for a moment, but then she smiled, the tension easing from her shoulders as she moved closer, remote in hand. As she turned on the television, she glanced at him, her tone casual but concerned. "How's Naruto-kun?"
Sasuke's gaze softened. "He'll be okay. Just like you will be."
Hinata looked at him, her eyes wide with surprise. She seemed taken aback by his words, but then a soft smile graced her lips, and she whispered, "Thank you, Sasuke."
She stood up. "I'm going to make some popcorn," she said, heading toward the kitchen.
Sasuke watched her go, his thoughts briefly drifting back to Naruto and the others. He wondered what guys were doing now, whether Naruto was okay.
Had he made the wrong choice by leaving his best friend while he was down?
He glanced behind him, watching as Hinata stood on her toes, reaching up into the cabinet for the popcorn. She grinned to herself when she finally managed to get it, tucking a few loose strands of hair behind her ear as she placed the bag in the microwave. Then, as if sensing his gaze, she turned to look at him with a mock-serious expression, giving him a thumbs up before starting the microwave, saluting him like a soldier.
Sasuke couldn't help but smirk at her silly behavior. He returned the gesture with a thumbs up of his own.
"Don't burn the popcorn, sergeant" he teased.
Hinata pouted, her voice rising. "I will not…" She suddenly quieted her voice, as if remembering her children were sleeping. "I will not burn the popcorn!"
"Okay," Sasuke replied, his tone light and teasing, "but if I spot one burnt piece in there, I'll flick your forehead three times."
She immediately raised her hand to cover her forehead, her eyes widening in horror, causing Sasuke to chuckle.
As he watched her smile, the earlier doubts faded from his mind. He knew he had made the right choice. Staying here, with her, was where he was meant to be tonight.
XXXXXXXXXX
I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. I tried to include a new POV, Hanabi! Also, you may notice how Sasuke views Hinata. As I mentioned before, it will take Sasuke some time to finally view Hinata in a romantic way, but he does recognize that he feels something but he isn't quite sure exactly what that feeling is.
Next chapter we'll have a little flashback in the beginning from Hinata's POV while she was with Sasuke towards the end. Then we'll be jumping into some drama and action!
Please be sure to tell me what you're thinking and what you'd like to see happen! The next chapter will be posted soon!