CHAPTER 14

The forest was eerily quiet as they made their way through the dense trees, the soft crunch of leaves beneath their boots the only sound that marked their passage. Sasuke moved ahead with measured steps, his body lithe and alert, though his posture remained as rigid and controlled as ever. His eyes, dark and unyielding, scanned the shadows between the trees, ever watchful, though his movements seemed more deliberate than usual.

Behind him, Hinata followed quietly, her footfalls light on the ground. Every so often, her Byakugan flickered to life, her pale eyes glowing faintly as she swept her gaze over their surroundings, taking in every movement in the underbrush, every shift in the air. She was quiet, though, letting Sasuke lead the way, trusting his instincts, but her mind was occupied.

The fall from the cliff still weighed on her, the memory of the freezing water and the sharp sting of bruises. But it was Sasuke's silence that gnawed at her the most. She knew better than to ask about his injuries—he was a master at hiding them—but his every movement, every slight shift, betrayed the toll their escape had taken. She could feel the tension radiating from him, a subtle strain in his muscles that spoke volumes.

Sasuke broke the silence first, his voice flat, though a razor-sharp edge ran beneath the words. "We lost the scrolls," he said, the statement hanging heavily between them. "Along with everything else. My katana, too."

Hinata's brows furrowed slightly, her eyes widening in surprise. "The scrolls? Then… we'll have to start over?" she asked, her voice soft, but with an undercurrent of concern. She had forgotten about the scrolls.

Sasuke didn't glance back as he spoke, his pace unbroken. "It'll take longer, but it doesn't change anything." His words were final, leaving no room for discussion, but Hinata could see the tension in his jaw, the tightness in his shoulders. The loss of their supplies was a blow, but the weight of something else—something more personal—seemed to weigh on him. She didn't ask, though. She had long learned that with Sasuke, some things were better left unsaid.

The silence stretched between them, broken only by the sound of their footsteps and the occasional rustling of leaves. As they walked, the landscape around them began to change, the trees thinning slightly, and soon a small clearing came into view. A modest house nestled at the edge of the forest, smoke curling lazily from the chimney. The soft hum of life reached their ears—clinking dishes, the murmur of voices, the warmth of home.

Sasuke's stride didn't falter as he made his way toward the house, his face unreadable, his mind focused on something far beyond the present moment.

"Sasuke," Hinata whispered, her voice barely audible as she hesitated a step behind. "Are you sure about this?"

He didn't answer. Instead, he raised his hand and knocked sharply on the wooden door. The sound echoed in the quiet of the forest, a stark contrast to the serene scene before them.

Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing an elderly man, his face weathered by years of hard work. His eyes narrowed slightly, taking in the disheveled appearances of the two travelers. Behind him, a woman appeared in the doorway, her gaze softening when she saw the state they were in.

"We were robbed on the road," Sasuke explained evenly, his tone devoid of emotion, though there was a hardness to it, a quiet command that left no room for argument. "We're just passing through. My wife and I need a place to rest for the night."

Hinata's breath caught in her throat at the word "wife," and her cheeks immediately flushed bright red. She glanced quickly at Sasuke, her eyes wide with surprise and a hint of embarrassment, but his expression remained unchanged.

The elderly couple exchanged a brief, unreadable look, then the woman stepped aside with a welcoming smile. "Come in, come in. You poor things," she said kindly, her voice warm, tinged with concern.

Hinata felt a flutter of relief mixed with embarrassment as she followed Sasuke into the house, her head bowed slightly to hide her flushed face. She couldn't shake the lingering awkwardness of being called Sasuke's wife—though it was a title she hadn't earned.

Inside, the house was warm and modest, the air filled with the comforting scent of stew simmering in the kitchen. The walls were lined with shelves filled with simple wooden trinkets, dried herbs hanging from the rafters, and soft, handwoven rugs covering the floor. The couple quickly set to work, ushering them into chairs by the small dining table, offering them bowls of steaming food and clean clothes, gestures that spoke volumes of their hospitality.

The elderly man, with a thoughtful expression, finally broke the silence. "So, travelers, may I ask your names?" he asked, his voice kind but curious. "And where are you headed?"

Sasuke glanced at Hinata before answering, his tone casual. "My name is Yoru," he said, offering a faint nod. "This is my wife, Aika." He paused, his mind quickly spinning a story. "We're headed to the capital, But we were robbed on the road, we've lost most of our belongings in the attack. We're hoping to find a smith soon."

Hinata felt a pang of surprise at the fabricated name but didn't protest. She kept her gaze lowered, her cheeks still flushed with embarrassment, but she followed his lead and quietly added, "It's been... a difficult journey."

The old woman's eyes softened as she listened to their story. She exchanged a glance with her husband before stepping forward, a warm smile on her face. "That's terrible," she said sympathetically. "But you two seem like you've been through worse and still made it here. Where did you say you were headed?"

"The capital," Sasuke repeated, without missing a beat.

"The capital, you say? That's a long way from here. You must have been traveling for days," she remarked. Then her eyes twinkled as she glanced between the two. "You make such a lovely couple. How long have you been married?"

Hinata froze for a moment, her cheeks instantly burning as she glanced at Sasuke. Her grip tightened around the edge of the table, and she swallowed nervously, unsure how to respond. Sasuke, however, didn't skip a beat. He remained calm, his voice steady as ever.

"Not long," Sasuke said, his gaze steady and impassive. "We were married recently."

The woman's eyes softened with delight, and she clapped her hands together. "Ah, newlyweds! That explains it," she said, her hand gently resting on Hinata's shoulder. "No wonder you look so shy, dear," she said, her hand resting lightly on Hinata's shoulder. Hinata could barely muster a faint, polite smile, her heart pounding in her chest as her face grew hotter with every passing second.

After dinner, Sasuke's voice broke the silence again, his tone steady as he turned to the elderly man. "Where can I find a smith? I'll need a blade before we continue our journey."

The old man scratched his chin thoughtfully, eyeing Sasuke carefully before answering. "There's a shop a few hours from here, just on the edge of the next village. You'll find a sword there."

Sasuke nodded once in acknowledgment, standing as he did. He didn't say much more, but the faint furrow in his brow suggested that his mind was already miles ahead, focused on the next step of their journey.

The old woman led them down a narrow hallway and gestured toward a small room. "This used to be our son's," she said with a fond, wistful smile. "He's staying in the village for a while, so you're welcome to use it."

The room was simple but comfortable, with a single bed covered in a faded quilt and a small window overlooking the yard. The soft glow of the evening light filtered through the panes, casting gentle shadows on the walls. A small wooden dresser sat against one wall, its surface cluttered with a few personal belongings, and a wicker chair rested in the corner.

Hinata hesitated in the doorway, her eyes drawn to the narrow bed. She shifted uneasily, suddenly aware of how small the space felt, how confined it would be with the two of them in it. The thought of sharing such a small space with Sasuke—especially after everything that had happened—made her heart flutter uncomfortably in her chest.

Before she could gather her thoughts, Sasuke's voice broke the stillness. "I'll sleep on the floor," he said flatly, already scanning the room for a suitable spot. His tone was firm, but there was an edge to it—perhaps a hint of reluctance.

After a few moments of awkward silence, the door creaked open again. The old woman stepped inside, her warm smile never fading as she carried a bundle of freshly laundered clothes. "Here you go," she said, her voice soft but firm, as she handed them both a change of clothes. "You'll feel better in these. There's a bathroom just down the hall if you'd like to freshen up."

Hinata took the clothes from her, grateful for the gesture. She nodded in thanks but couldn't meet the woman's gaze for long, her cheeks burning. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice soft with genuine appreciation.

The old woman then glanced over at Sasuke, her smile widening as she noticed him sitting on the edge of the bed. "Now, don't you be silly," she said with a wink, she heard what he had said earlier. "You're newlyweds, after all. There's no need for one of you to sleep on the floor." She gave a knowing, almost teasing look, as if she could see right through the situation.

Sasuke's jaw tightened slightly, but he didn't respond. The old woman didn't seem to notice—or care—and continued, "The floor's no place for you. You're both welcome to the bed, dear. Don't worry about the extra space—it's a small room, but it's a warm one."

Hinata's face went scarlet, and she glanced at Sasuke, unsure how he would react. Sasuke, for his part, remained calm and indifferent, his eyes never leaving the floor. His silence seemed to be the only reply the woman needed. Without waiting for further protest, she smiled again, nodded, and left them to their own devices, her soft footsteps fading into the hallway.

Hinata, still holding the change of clothes in her hands, glanced at Sasuke. He hadn't made any move to change, but the moment of awkwardness lingered in the room like a thick fog. She shifted uncomfortably, unsure of how to proceed.

Still feeling the heat rising in her cheeks, she couldn't take the silence any longer. Desperate to escape the awkwardness, she blurted out, "I'm going to bathe... you can join if you want," Realizing what she had just said, her face flushed even deeper, and she quickly scrambled to correct herself. "I mean, you can join later..."

Her heart raced as she realized how ridiculous she sounded. She hurried to add, "I mean, you can bathe after I'm done."

Sasuke, who had been silent up until now, raised an eyebrow. The usual stoic expression he wore seemed to falter for just a moment, as if he were trying to suppress the amusement bubbling inside him. "Is that so?" he asked, his voice laced with a touch of dry humor.

Hinata's face felt as though it might catch fire. She quickly turned away, desperate to escape his gaze. "I-I didn't mean it like that!" she stammered, her hands fumbling nervously.

Sasuke chuckled lightly. The sound was almost imperceptible, but it reached Hinata's ears, surprising her. It wasn't often that Sasuke let his guard down enough for even a small chuckle to escape, and the sound of it made her heart skip a beat.

His stoic exterior cracked, but for just a moment, he seemed more human—more alive. Hinata risked a glance back, catching the faint curve of his lips before he masked it again, his face reverting to its usual calm.

"Go ahead," Sasuke said finally, leaning back slightly as if dismissing the awkwardness altogether. "I'll keep watch until you're done."

Hinata nodded quickly, clutching the clothes to her chest as she practically fled the room, her heart pounding as though it might burst. She could still feel the heat on her cheeks, her earlier words echoing endlessly in her mind. "You can join if you want…" What was I thinking?!

As she stepped into the bathroom and closed the door behind her, she sank against it, letting out a quiet, mortified groan. The small, warm space was a welcome refuge as she took a steadying breath. The faint sound of water dripping echoed in the stillness, grounding her as she worked to regain her composure.

Out in the room, Sasuke remained seated, his gaze lingering on the closed door. His smirk had vanished, replaced by the thoughtful, serious expression he wore so often. Though he'd chuckled at her flustered words, the weight of their situation lingered heavily on his shoulders.

They were being hunted, and now, without their supplies and scrolls, they were vulnerable. And yet, amidst all of this—the mission, the danger, the growing tension—there was Hinata. Her quiet strength, her unwavering trust in him... it unsettled him in a way he couldn't quite understand.

Wife, he'd said. The word still hung in the air, strange and unfamiliar, though he had uttered it without hesitation. It was a lie, of course. A necessity. And yet... the sound of it had stirred something deep within him. Something he refused to confront.

Sasuke sighed softly, closing his eyes for a brief moment. The room felt too small, the silence too loud. He could still hear Hinata's earlier stammer, the flustered sincerity in her voice as she'd tried to recover from her slip. A hint of that same, fleeting amusement threatened to tug at his lips again, but he pushed it away.

Focus, Uchiha, he reminded himself.

Still, as the faint sound of water echoed from the hall, Sasuke found himself glancing at the door once more, his mind a tangle of thoughts he couldn't quite chase away.

That night, before retiring to bed, they reviewed everything they had gathered so far. The scrolls were lost, but they still had a destination in mind from before the incident. Dwelling on what was already gone would change nothing—it was out of their hands. All they could do now was move forward.

As Hinata lay back, staring at the ceiling, a troubling thought crept into her mind. When had the line between hostage and companion blurred? Shouldn't she be doing everything in her power to escape him? And yet, here she was—calmly strategizing, trusting him with her safety, and moving alongside him. It was unsettling, this quiet shift she hadn't even noticed until now.

Author's note:
Hinata, actually, it was me who forgot about the scrolls. So many chapters have passed with no mention of them—oops, lol. And as for running away... shouldn't you really be doing that? I feel so bad for the rescue team!
Hinata will redeem herself in the next chapter. Thanks for reading!