Chapter 3: New Memories
Hinata watched as Sasuke watched Ayame's training. He was loitering around the training area pretending to meditate, but she knew better. Ayame was oblivious to the other Uchiha. Hinata giggled; it reminded her of when she used to watch Naruto. Sasuke was definitely more stealthy than her younger self. He didn't know how to approach his relative, but he wanted to get close to her. Unsure how to do so, he watched from afar instead. Hinata related so much. Unlike others, she wouldn't push him to speak. It needed to happen at his own comfort; whenever she and Naruto had a forced interaction, she fainted. She could laugh about it now; it'd been so embarrassing. Unfortunately, she blushed a lot less now. War had a way of hardening you. She didn't even fear Sasuke's hand around her neck. Hinata barely thought of how it could've turned out badly. Sasuke could have snapped her neck or choked her. However his artery would've been severed in a microsecond. 'Two houses, both alike in dignity…' Very Shakespearean. She held no grudge toward Sasuke though she was still cross about how long he took to see Ayame. She was rooting for him. Hinata loved an underdog.
Meanwhile…
Sakura was pissed. After all this time she was still a third wheel to Team 7. Apparently Sasuke had been in Konoha a full day before she learned of it. If it wasn't for Gamaisamu, would Sasuke have come and gone without seeing her? Her heart ached because she knew the answer. He had before and he would again if he wished it. She wished she could get used to Sasuke's indifference towards her. She genuinely loved him and always wanted the best for him. She was no longer that preteen wanting to marry the cute mysterious boy in class; she thought they were bonded in war and legitimate friendship. As much as she wanted to convince herself it was Sasuke's nature, she didn't want to be a passing thought anymore. Life was short.
The pinkette focused on her work and saw she had a new patient. Sakura glared at the nurse. She was swamped as it was! "Sorry Doctor Haruno, Dr. Sarutobi is still in surgery. I gave you the easiest of his cases though."
"The easiest? You're so good to me." Sakura said with a sweet, genuine laugh. She went to triage and froze in her spot. Abs. All she could see were solid, rows of man. "Oh my God." Nurse Kobayashi deserved a raise. She was unsure whether she should look down or up.
"Friend-Sakura!" Just like that, Sakura heat was doused in cold water. "What luck that I have been assigned to one of the best doctors in all of the ninja world!"
Sakura smiled at the compliment. Since he wasn't hitting on her, she could accept the praise. She'd never been complimented so intensely. Lee was exuberant. "What seems to be the problem, Lee?"
He lifted his leg which was very twisted. "I've gotten a small injury whilst training. I was just going to walk it off, but TenTen insisted I come."
Sakura sweatdropped. "She was right. Hold on." Sakura's hands glowed. "Training is great, but you also need to rest and take it easy on yourself." His leg weighed a ton. If Sakura wasn't as strong as she was, she would've hurt herself. She smiled. He was named Rock; it suited him. Everything on him was solid. Sakura's mind wandered. Everything…? She looked at his brows and cooled down. "Let this leg rest for two days."
"Will do. I'll just run 50 miles instead!"
"No."
"10,000 skips with a-
"No"
"Climbing the Hokage Mountain with-"
"No! What part of "rest your leg" don't you understand?!" She punched his head hoping to knock sense into him.
Lee rubbed his sore head. "How youthful…" He stared at her, deep in thought before he hit his palm with his fist thinking he knew what Sakura was hinting at. "You're right, Friend-Sakura. I will rest my legs and only walk on my hands until they're better! What a brilliant solution as I have been neglecting my upper body lately. You are truly a genius! "
Sakura gave up and discharged him.
Sasuke felt her coming; he also knew that Hinata had been staring at him for a while. He didn't mind because she kept her distance. Additionally, after their meeting it was understandable if Hinata was wary of him. He was embarrassed. The Hyuugas welcomed him and his kin into their home and he attacked her. He tried to be nonchalant and indifferent, but his rage was volcanic. She said nothing but the truth to him, but it was hard to hear. Many people coward before him; maybe this is why he wasn't used to hard truths. Sasuke shook his head. He couldn't put the onus on anyone other than himself. He was now a clan head. Lashing out the way he did was uncouth and uncalled for. He guiltitly accepted the Hyuuga's hospitality. He needed to swallow his pride.
The blunette walked to the desperate shinobi. "Would you like to stay for dinner?"
"Hn"
Hinata found Sasuke quite strange, but maybe this truly is the best he could do with a sizable chunk of his adolescence being in the Hidden Sound Village. "Follow me, Uchiha san." Sasuke took one more look at Ayame before following Hinata into the manor. "We've prepared clothes for you so you can dress in clean clothes after you bathe." She wasn't trying to be rude, but she wondered how long he wore his traveling outfit and cape. Luckily, he smelled of campfire instead of sweat and mold. "W-we can wash your clothes for you."
Sasuke didn't respond to her. He was glad to see her stutter had drastically improved. He was slowly remembering his childhood aside from the trauma.
His mind couldn't process much when she showed him his attire. There were a few pieces, simple but made of fine material. All of them had the Uchiha fan embroidered on the back. He looked up immediately knowing this hadn't come from a branch member. Although Hinata used "we," he knew this was her handiwork. It was the stitching. Appreciation died on his lips. How could he say thank you? Something like this was worth more than a simple thank you. He couldn't even get her something physical. She was an heiress; she could have anything she wanted. She was also beautiful enough to have anyone she wanted. Would it be presumptuous to guide Naruto her way? He lamented being an ass. This woman was thoughtful, selfless.
"Thank you… it's not enough," he mumbled.
Hinata smiled warmly. "You've done so much for me without you knowing. I-I was also in the war. Your efforts and Naruto-kun, you saved the world and therefore my family. You owe me nothing, Uchiha-san." Sasuke just stared at the clothes she embroidered. He couldn't believe this was his. It wasn't a tattered fan worn from battle; it felt like a new beginning. Hinata watched Sasuke and smiled at his reaction. She was going to leave him to bathe and dress. Before she walked out his door she turned to him. "Do your best Sasuke." Okay, now she understood why others encouraged her to speak to Naruto. They wanted her happiness. Now it was her turn and she wanted his.
Meanwhile...
Ayame breathed heavily looking at the clouds. Everything was sore and she was tired. She wasn't fast enough, nor strong enough. Her chakra wasn't special. She did get halfway up a tree before she fell. If she hadn't seen many grade school children jumping from rooftops, she'd be proud.
Sasuke approached her. His voice sounded emotionless when he asked, "How are you feeling?"
Sasuke was the last person she wanted to see. Would he be disappointed to see how weak she was? He wouldn't be able to relate. Itachi and Sasuke had been at the top of their classes. She couldn't even make a shadow clone. "I'm okay."
"Hn," His eyes scanned her before he replied. "You've reached your peak for today. There's nothing wrong with taking a rest." He was unaware how hypocritical this advice was.
Ayame wanted to cry. "I have to try. I have to get stronger. Maybe if I just push myself like Naruto did."
His mouth twitched in a smile before going back to Sasuke's normal face. "I understand why you admire him. Secretly, I do too."
"You do."
"I do. I can be a bastard sometimes, but I am really trying. Naruto knows that without me telling him."
Ayame wished she could turn around to meet his eyes better. "You should tell him that. He was crushed when you left. He trained so hard to bring you back. I wish I'd known we were kin earlier. Nobody would've been alone."
He looked sad. There was silence between them until his stomach grumbled. "I don't suppose you still cook ramen." He chuckled.
Ayame jolted up and glared at Sasuke. She knew those mannerisms anywhere. Her sharingan blazed in anger. "Naruto!"
Still disguised as Sasuke, Naruto bowed over laughing. "Sorry Ayame-chan, I had no choice. I think Hiashi is playing matchmaker. I wasn't allowed in, but henged to Sasuke just in case I was seen." Naruto laughs knowing that's not going to happen for them both. He was sure her type was older men. Plus Sasuke saw her like a beloved little sister (despite her being older); she was a precious person to him.
Ayame grunted as she got up. Naruto helped her steady her feet. "I should've known you weren't Sasuke. We don't talk. Things are awkward between us." Her nose scrunched in dislike. "I don't want to be Lady Uchiha like Hiashi wants nor an Uchiha Princess like Sasuke is treating me. I'm Ayame." She smiled affectionately at the blonde. Once I get steady, I'll make you a fresh pot of ramen."
"YEAH!" Naruto cheered excitedly. He lifted Ayame up and rushed to his place.
He watched her work. A pain was in his chest. He tried to chase away his melancholy; ramen helped make things better. As he watched Ayame wistfully, he realized this was going to change too. It was silent. He could hear the broth, clinking of pots, and the sounds of seasoning being added, but there was no jovial laughing. She didn't speak at all. Naruto didn't know if he should fill the quiet or not. He rubbed the back of his head. Perhaps he shouldn't have asked her to make ramen. Was she reliving bad memories? Concurrently, Ayame was feeling similar. Making ramen didn't hurt as much as she thought it would. She felt rather numb. Her heart and soul used to go into everything she made. Now she was cooking clinically. She didn't say anything when she put a bowl in front of Naruto.
Naruto gave a small smile. Spicy miso ramen, it was befitting now that she belonged to a fire clan. Naruto gave his thanks, lifted up his bowl and chopsticks and ate. It was fantastic, but also missing something. A tear dropped in the bowl.
Ayame had been watching him nervously. She wasn't sure how it was going to taste. When she saw Naruto start crying into his ramen, she knew what bothered him.
Ayame turned Naruto's face to meet hers. "Please. Try to enjoy this. Don't feel guilty. You know this," Ayame choked up. "This is what he'd want us to do." Naruto embraced her. She whispered on his shoulder. "I've watched my dad die, over and over again. I hate these cursed eyes! Dad was gone before anyone reached us."
He clutched her. It took her breath away from the strength. "Ramen is not just food. For us it's home."
"You're the only one I'll ever make ramen for from now on."
When Ayame missed dinner, Sasuke went to find her. He wouldn't force her back to the Hyuuga manor, but he just wanted to see her safe. He had to admit, she was in the safest place in Konoha, Naruto's. Sasuke pondered about their relationship. Was he interested in her or vice versa. They had spent so much time together, practically growing up together. She was a cute girl, plus she knew how to make him happy. She could make ramen.
Whatever pleasant feeling he had dissipated when he found his way into Naruto's apartment. The number one most unpredictable ninja changed himself into Sasuke once more and was chasing Ayame around the apartment.
Ayame stopped to catch her breath, but turned back to the brooding figure behind her. Melodramatically he said, "We're the future of the Uchiha. Let me depress you so your sharingan can improve."
"Naruto stop! I'm so sore!" She could barely catch her breath from running and laughing.
He stalked her. He felt Sasuke's presence, but didn't care. "I'm going to enroll you into the ninja academy and monitor your progress. You're an Uchiha now. You need to be the top of your class, even though you're 40."
Ayame shrieked and ran after him. "We're only 4 years apart! You're going to pay for that."
"Got to chase me first." Naruto disappeared in a flash. Ayame flopped in a chair. Her body was screaming, but maybe this was the extra training she'd longed for. Her eyes grew heavy and she soon slept.
Sasuke picked her up and tucked her into Naruto's bed. "I'm going to kill that idiot."
Next Chapter: As Ayame's ninja skills improve, the council wonders if Karin and Ayame are the only displaced Uzumaki and Uchiha.