I felt safe in his arms. How could I not, when he was what I loved most? Those were my thoughts as we walked through the gates of the Uchiha estate… our home.
-"S-Sasuke-kun?"-
-"Hmm?"-
-"Y-You must be tired. I can try to w-walk…"- I tried to play the "strong girl" card, even though my body was saying otherwise.
-"Nonsense"- was his curt reply.
-"B-But, S-Sasuke-k—"-
-"I like the feeling of you in my arms." - His stern eyes met mine, and a small smirk formed on his lips. - "Are you going to take that away from me?"- He raised a perfectly arched brow in a mock challenge, and I melted at the sight of his flawless features.
-"N-No…"- My cheeks flushed furiously as I turned away from him, avoiding his gaze. A deep chuckle rumbled in his chest, the vibrations running through my body, from my toes to the very last hair on my scalp.
As we walked along the engawa, the familiar warmth of our home embraced us.
-"Hinata."-
-"Y-Yes?"-
-"Do you want to rest? Are you feeling better?"-
His concern sent a fire coursing through my veins, a fire only he could ignite. His deep obsidian eyes reminded me once again how much I loved him.
-"I t-think… uhm…"-
-"Tell me."-
-"Could we g-go to the garden f-for a w-while?"-
He studied me for a moment before nodding. -"Of course."-
We walked down the main hallway toward the backyard. With one hand, I slid open the shoji door, and the scent of the sakura trees hit me with an almost overwhelming sweetness. I couldn't help but laugh softly. His hold around me tightened slightly, and before I could glance at him, he stepped outside and gently set me on the grass. I released my hold on his neck, but he turned his face away from me, avoiding my gaze. Something wasn't right.
-"S-Sasuke-kun…"-
He knelt beside me, one knee on the ground and the other bent, his left arm resting on it. Still, he wouldn't meet my eyes.
-"I see… Sasuke."-
I reached for his right hand, holding it gently as I coaxed him closer. -"C-Come here…"- I pulled him toward me until he was sitting by my side. With both hands, I cupped his face, not giving him a chance to hide any longer, and pressed my lips to his. Something within him seemed to ignite. He kissed me back, his lips moving with so much passion that it sent my head spinning. A soft moan escaped me, unbidden, and his body leaned over mine as we slowly fell back onto the grass.
I didn't stop him. I didn't want to. His kisses grew more desperate, though his hands stayed still, as if he were trying to restrain himself.
-"S-Sasuke-kun…"- My voice broke the spell the moment he pulled away, sitting upright once again.
-"The cherry blossoms are beautiful this year…"- His voice was soft.
-"H-Hai… they are beautiful…"-
Our eyes met, and I saw the need in his gaze, reflecting the same desire I knew was in mine.
-"Let us go and rest."-
He stood and offered me his hand, which I gladly took. But as I tried to stand, my knees buckled beneath me. His strong arms caught me effortlessly.
-"Take it easy. Strength will come back gradually."-
-"H-Hai…"-
-"Come on."-
He wrapped his left arm around my waist, supporting me as we walked slowly back inside. I was immensely grateful for his care. Sakura-san had been right—being without treatment for so long had left my body weak, and moving felt uncomfortable.
-"Tsunade said you'll be fully recovered in a couple of months"- he said, his calm voice grounding me.
My heart leaped. -"R-Really?"-
-"Yes."-
-"Healed… completely?"-
-"Looks like it."-
I stared at his serene expression and couldn't hold back my joy. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I hugged him tightly. His arms encircled my waist, lifting me slightly off the ground.
-"I'll be h-healed"- I whispered, a wide smile spreading across my face.
-"I know"- he replied, his tone steady but warm.
-"I am v-very happy…"- I rested my head on his shoulder.
-"I am too, my love."-
As we reached our room, his soft chuckle rumbled again in his chest, a sound I cherished deeply. When my feet touched the tatami, I turned to face the futon, freezing in place. The sheets were still a mess from the night before. Warmth crept over my body as vivid images of what we had done just hours ago flooded my mind.
-"S-Sasuke-kun…"- His arms wrapped around me from behind. Instinctively, I held my breath, trying to hide the slight discomfort I felt about my body. I wasn't as slim as other women, and embarrassment always lingered at the edges of my mind.
-"Don't do that"- he murmured softly. I exhaled slowly and relaxed in his hold. -"You're perfect."-
I let out a small laugh, but it quickly turned into a soft moan as his lips pressed gently against the curve of my neck and shoulder.
-"How about…" - His voice was low and husky, brushing against my skin like silk. -"…we take a bath?"-
-"T-Together?"- My thoughts were becoming hazy.
-"Are you not my woman anymore?"-
-"O-Of course I am!"- I shot him a mock glare, affronted by his teasing. How dare he question that? But my "anger" only seemed to amuse him, as his lips curved into a playful smirk.
-"Then I'll wait for you in the onsen, Mrs. Uchiha."- He kissed my forehead lightly before turning away and walking toward the bathhouse.
-"S-Sasuke-kun!"- I called after him after a moment of trying (and failing) to compose my self, still flustered I slowly followed his path. When I slid the shoji door open in one swift motion, I intended to give him a 'piece of my mind', but the words died in my throat.
-"Sa—oh… Kami-sama…"-
Steam curled around him, caressing his form as if nature itself wanted to bask in his presence. –"No my love…"- his deep baritone rumbled "… it's just me"- His bare back was exposed, and the water from the hot spring lapped just above the small of his back. He turned slightly, glancing at me over his left shoulder, and his deep stare sent shivers cascading down my spine.
-"Are you coming?"-
This man… he's going to be the death of me.
I began undressing, my hands fumbling with the fabric. He wasn't watching me, but when my eyes caught my reflection in a nearby mirror, I froze. My body was covered in small purple marks—on my breasts, ribs, and stomach—all reminders of his touch. Memories of his lips against my skin and the way his strong hands had held me close flooded my mind.
Without realizing it, my fingers traced each mark, and my body heated with a mix of embarrassment and something much deeper.
-"S-Sasuke-kun…"- I whispered, barely audible.
-"Yes?"- His voice came from just behind me, his breath ghosting against my ear.
Startled, I looked into the mirror again, and there he was. His reflection stood tall behind me, his hands resting lightly on my stomach atop my own. His gaze met mine in the mirror, intense and unreadable.
Our breaths mingled, erratic, and I couldn't stop myself. I guided his hands upward, placing them on my breasts.
-"Hinata…"- he murmured, his voice strained.
-"I d-don't know… I… w-want this…"- My words tumbled out, unfiltered, my body betraying the chaos in my mind.
-"We can't."- His words said no, but his actions betrayed him. His fingers tightened slightly, kneading my sensitive flesh, and the sensation ignited a fire within me.
-"Ah! S-Sasuke!"-
-"Hinata…"- His voice was raw, thick with unspoken longing.
He pulled his hands away reluctantly, brushing a soft kiss against my cheek. His damp torso pressed against my back for a fleeting moment, sending a rush of warmth through me.
-"Come, Hina"- he said, his voice gentler now. - "Get in the water with me."-
Taking my hand, he led me to the edge of the hot spring. By now, coherent thoughts were all but impossible.
The warm water embraced my body as I sank into it, submerging up to my neck. His touch was gone, but his presence remained electric.
-"You seem distracted, Hinata. Are you alright?"-
His teasing tone pulled me from my daze. I looked up at him, and my brain finally seemed to catch up. What is wrong with me? He'd barely touched me, and yet I was already losing myself.
-"I-I'm fine" -I muttered, trying to regain some semblance of composure.
The smirk on his lips was unmistakable, and a gleam of pride danced in his eyes. -"He is doing this on purpose!"-
-"B-Baka!"- I crossed my arms over my chest, pouting, but before I could say more, he closed the distance between us.
His hands rested firmly on my shoulders, and his lips claimed mine in an intense, searing kiss that left me breathless.
"Two months, Hime"- he murmured against my lips, his voice full of promise.
We enjoyed the warmth of the onsen without hurry, though I still felt a lingering sense of fluster. Afterward, as we reached our room, his soft chuckle vibrated through his chest—a sound I had grown to cherish deeply. His arms remained around me even after my feet touched the tatami floor, and I hesitated for a moment, unwilling to break the precious closeness between us.
Turning slowly, my eyes drifted to the neatly laid futon in the center of the room, Tomoe must've fixed it while we were bathing, its crisp linen inviting in its simplicity. My hand instinctively brushed against the sleeve of his yukata, and I looked up at him, finding his gaze already fixed on me.
-"S-Sasuke-kun,"- I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.
His hand moved to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear, the gesture tender and deliberate. -"Hn?"-
-"I'm… really grateful,"- I began, but the weight of my emotions tangled my words. -"F-For everything. For… for staying by my side."-
A flicker of surprise crossed his features before his expression softened. - "You don't need to thank me, Hinata."- His voice was quiet, steady. -"It's where I belong."-
My heart fluttered at his words, and I couldn't stop the tears welling up in my eyes. He noticed immediately, his thumb brushing away a tear that slipped down my cheek.
-"Hina…"- His voice held a note of concern, but I shook my head, offering him a watery smile.
-"I'm j-just… happy"- I admitted.
The corner of his mouth twitched into a small smile—rare, but so precious. He leaned down, his forehead resting lightly against mine. - "Good. You deserve to be."-
For a moment, the world seemed to stand still. The weight of the past, the battles, the uncertainties—they all faded away, leaving only the two of us in this quiet, sacred space.
-"Come"- he said after a while, his hand gently guiding me toward the futon. I let him lead, his touch grounding me in the present.
As I settled onto the futon, I couldn't help but notice the way his gaze lingered, as though memorizing every detail of my face. He knelt beside me, his hands resting on either side of my frame.
-"Sasuke-kun"- I whispered, reaching up to touch his face, tracing the line of his jaw. –"You… you've always b-been so strong. I've always admired that about y-you."-
His eyes darkened slightly, and he leaned into my touch. -"And you've always been my light, Hinata. Even when I didn't realize how much I needed it."-
The sincerity in his voice took my breath away. Before I could respond, his lips found mine—soft, yet firm, conveying everything words couldn't. My arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer as the kiss deepened.
His body shifted slightly, his weight pressing into me just enough to feel his warmth. It wasn't rushed or desperate—it was steady, deliberate, as though he was savoring every second.
When we finally parted, both of us breathing heavily, he rested his forehead against mine once more. -"Rest now"- he murmured. -"You need your strength."-
I nodded, my cheeks flushing as I sank back onto the futon. He adjusted the blankets over me, his movements careful and precise.
-"W-Will you stay?"- I asked, my voice small, though I already knew the answer.
-"Always"- he replied without hesitation, settling beside me. His arm draped over my waist, pulling me close, and I felt his breath against the crown of my head as he pressed a soft kiss there.
Safe in his arms, I closed my eyes, the rhythmic sound of his breathing lulling me into a peaceful slumber. Whatever challenges lay ahead, I knew we would face them together. In this moment, all was right in our world.