Epilogue

Karin thought she liked their new home more than she should.

They were secluded from everyone else on the island, and their house was built on a waterfall. It was always sunny, and on this lovely day, she was seated on their wooden veranda overlooking the palm trees and assortment of exotic flowers she promised she'd learn by name.

It was a special day, she tried to tell herself.

She took to staring at the scenery one more time before pushing out of her seat and entering the house. When she got inside, she saw Sasuke finishing with fluffing the pillows in the living room. She smiled at his self-consciousness, but she had much rather preferred if he acted like his normal self.

"Are you worried?" she asked.

He looked up. "No."

I've never seen you clean up for him before."

He cocked a brow at her. "This isn't cleaning."

She rolled her eyes, deciding not to push the matter any further. She would convince herself that Sasuke was anxious to see his brother again. Usually, they never see Itachi for little over a year, but now things were very different. Not only had a decent amount of time passed, but Itachi was traveling far from Japan to see them.

And he was bringing along his wife.

Karin sighed, returning to the veranda.

Big day.

Big, big day.

Two hours later, Karin heard the doorbell ring. She remained seated; Sasuke could be heard walking to the door almost immediately.

This was a day she had never expected to come. She never wanted this day to come, but she had to remind herself the circumstances were different.

Karin walked into the house and saw the brothers turned outside the door, preoccupied with something.

Itachi happened to look her way and smiled a greeting at her. "Hello, Karin."

"Itachi," she smiled warmly, walking towards the door. Her heart pounded, but she was determined to see. She had to see.

She stopped short of the entry when the woman came in. Long, dark hair flowed around a delicate, red face. She was panting lightly as she held each brothers' hand and let them help her inside. Karin's eyes trailed down her child-like, smiling face to her round, protruding belly.

The woman met Karin's gaze and smiled at her bashfully, unable to keep proper eye contact. "It's s-so nice to finally meet you, nee-san."

So, this was the former Hinata Hyuuga.

After a brief moment of introductions and greetings, Karin escorted Hinata to the veranda. She could tell the dark-haired woman was a little nervous around her, but Karin couldn't pinpoint why. When they were seated, Hinata placed her hands on her belly and took to peeking at Karin from beneath her bangs.

"What?" Karin finally asked, smiling.

Hinata blushed, blinking rapidly. "I'm just...e-embarrassed."

"About what?"

"I... It's just..." Her hands wrapped around her stomach. "I wanted...t-to make a good impression, but I'm... I'm so..."

Karin waited.

"F-fat."

The red-head's eyes widened slightly, caught off guard. "You mean pregnant?"

Hinata reddened, finding that word even worse. Before she could stop herself, Karin burst into laughter, which only seemed to distress the dark-haired woman more.

After ten minutes of Karin convincing the woman it was not her she was laughing at, the two were able to have a decent conversation. Hinata was seven months pregnant, and she feared she would have a premature birth—she feared this the first day she found out about her pregnancy. She had quit her job shortly after becoming engaged and was now in charge of her very own bookstore. She was a very sweet yet self-conscious woman, but her company was well received.

This was not how Karin ever saw this encounter going.

Hinata was the woman her husband had been taken in with years ago, and now she was his sister-in-law. She would probably be around them more... So she just had to know...

"So, tell me, Hinata," Karin said casually, "how much do you love Itachi?"

Immediately, Hinata's face became red, and her hands flew to cover her cheeks. "Enough to feel...light-headed whenever I see him."

Karin was truly surprised by her reaction. "Even after all this time? Does he work a lot?"

Hinata shook her head. "He does most of his work at home, and he often visits me at work." She laughed. "I'll be honest, he's not a romantic or an overly affectionate person, though."

Karin snorted. "And his brother is no different."

Hinata laughed again. "I...have to be honest. Sasuke-san kind of...scared me...when I first met him."

"Did he do something to you?"

"No, he was just... He never showed any emotion. He reminded me a lot of my cousin."

"That's funny. Whenever I look at Sasuke, I think about how different he is from my cousin."

Hinata smiled sheepishly, constantly peeking at the red-head. "Can I...tell you something personal?"

"Sure, go ahead."

Hinata looked around nervously before leaning forward as best as she could. "Itachi... I think I might love him forever."

Karin was surprised by the insecure seriousness of her statement—as if it was taboo to feel or think this way.

This was the woman her husband had fallen for once.

Karin smiled. "I would hope so." She leaned forward as well. "Because I think he might love you forever, too."

Hinata smiled brightly, relaxing in her chair and looking over at the overflowing wildlife. She pushed hair behind her ear, and softly said, "I hope so." She paused, looking at her. "Do you think you'll love Sasuke-san forever?"

"I think...I just might."

Hinata nodded, content, and looked back at the scenery. "I think he'll love you forever, too."

Karin watched her contemplate the concept—a mutual, everlasting love.

It must be beautiful.

She could see how her husband could have fallen for this woman. Even today, Karin saw how Sasuke still had feelings for this woman. He looked at her gingerly. He stayed close to her side in case she needed help with anything. He had left the country to run away from his feelings, but now she was part of his life—she was married to his brother. She would give birth, and Sasuke would be an uncle... And if Karin wasn't careful, her heart would ache for her husband's sake.

Sasuke would never leave Karin.

But Sasuke would never forget Hinata.