Sweet Dispositions

-Chapter 17-
Benjiro

December 2nd. 5:40 p.m

THE SOBBING.

It was loud and demanding.

Hinata opened her eyes, crying rousing her awake. Why would she hear crying?

Hinata was covered by nature but resting in the onsen-like heat.

The kid! He was crying. She turned to look at him...

Hinata, what have you done? Hinata asked herself, mildly horrified.

The tears stopped when he noticed Hinata's gaze on him. He grinned with two front teeth.

He waved shyly.

She waved back and he clapped, making happy sounds. With all the movement changing the position of the blanket, she knew he was next to naked.

Bastards.

The kid smiled at her, climbing into her lap with his stinky breath brushing her face.

"We almost didn't make it," she whispered.

The child probably woke her up for attention, wanting to get her attention.

"You're a clever one, aren't you?" sighed Hinata.

He looked just over three years old. Give or take a few months. Take.

He has an old soul. His turmoiled eyes carried depth and occultism with it. They were dark, purplish-onyx like Sasuke's. His hair was a dusty blue shade. He did seem to have a lot of chakra. He must need water and food.

Hinata needed to get back home. How would she do that?!

"Hey... Kid, uh," Hinata waved at him, trying to get a response.

He wasn't talking.

Hinata furrowed her brow. Was... he aphonic? Does he have psychological aphonia?

She picked him off of her lap, his lip quivering and stood up.

He regarded her with huge coal eyes and tears pricked the corners of them. He grabbed the muddy leg of hers and wrapped an arm around it. There was a look of absolute panic on his face.

He attached himself to her and pressed his face into her calf. The next thing she knew, he sobbed hysterically, howling as if he got a wound. He was afraid of being left behind. He thought she was going to abandon him.

She smiled softly and patted his head. He garnered enough courage to look her in the eye, with only quiet tears. "You know... I'm not going to leave you," she said tenderly.

She pried him off of her leg even when he held on for his dear life and set him two feet away, getting to his level. She grabbed his hand and reverted to her original height but he shook his head furiously. He reached up, fists disentangling, fingers wiggling.

"Oh! You want me to carry you," Hinata said stupidly. Kids did this!

She picked him up with his head settled in the crook of her neck. She settled him into her arms, wiping away his fat tears. He furrowed his eyebrows and stared at her. Waiting.

"C'mon. Let's go find some help," They get ready to go nowhere in particular. She didn't have any money or anything. She had a child that was starved for human company and affection.

Oh, Kami. She only wanted it to stop raining and now she has a child in her arms. They almost tried to drown him! Those monsters! She will find them and hit them. She sighed, constantly fixing the blanket around him. She also smelled the stinginess of alcohol on him. "What did those monsters of men do to you?" she murmured into his hair.

The nameless child slept soundly, content to be in someone's arms. She returned to civilization, avoiding the hospital, remembering that Mitsuyo had a workplace. There must be kids who know how to get to Mitsuyo's. On the street, she stepped lightly and avoided the eye contact of people who looked like they'd track her. Where was she?

She was disappointed in herself. The circumstances. That was the number one rule; Hinata doesn't leave the house. Now she may never return... The child reminded her of how things changed so much.

It took a while but she found Chou Child Daycare... Mitsuyo's workplace. There were barely any children at the medium sized building. She was not used to the buildings and movement. Noise. It was all too claustrophobic. The streets were ruins and people panicked when the dust settled. She was glad the child was asleep; he couldn't see anything. Parents and children alike milled around, assuring that everyone was fine. She did see some shinobi so she worried but kept her head down.

Is Mitsuyo here?

A woman with brown hair, blue eyes, and soft features watched her, worried. "You work with Mitsuyo and Someina, right? Junpei, my son, keeps on talking about you and Mitsuyo. I'm sure that you could do some babysitting soon. My workplace gave me more shifts and all of us parents will be slaving away at fixing the chaos so I'll need a babysitter and who better than you?"

"Of course... If Mitsuyo is at the daycare, can we speak to her?" Hinata asked, holding the boy close and swaying gently. Her arms were getting tired.

"Oh- Mitsuyo is out of Kumogakure and at another facility, for a trip. Did she not tell you this?"

Hinata's heart fell but she lied. Easily. "Oh- yeah. I forgot. I'm scatter-brained," Hinata nodded, recognizing her. "Your Junpei loves rice crackers... and he likes to steal them as well. I happened to have gotten lost and I can't find my way back here. This place is too big," Hinata said.

The mom smiled at her. "I could take you to the house if you want me to,"

"Nope- your child needs you at the moment. I could use a map..." Hinata trailed off thinking of it.

"Speaking of children, this little pumpkin is sleeping. I'm pretty sure he needs to be put down for a nap. I didn't know that you had a child. We should set up some play dates... I hope my little Junpei doesn't corrupt you too much," she said, caressing the boy's cheek.

"They could have all the play dates in the world if I get back home," Hinata chimed in.

"Oh yeah! And my name is Fumiko and yours is?" Fumiko asked, jutting out her hand for Hinata to shake it.

"Momo," Hinata introduced herself as that. "Natsukawa Momo," Hinata reached her hand out.

Fumiko nodded, smiling brightly and shaking her hand. "I'll get my oldest Fumio to escort you there, okay. It was nice to meet you, Momo! I hope we meet again for those play dates,"

The boy stirred in her arms and Hinata sighed. "Fumio, come out here and take Momo to Mitsuyo-san's house," he said.

Fumio stood tall, proud with blonde hair and blue eyes. He sighed then led her through the village. It was easier in the forest... Less... crowded. It was a blur but she paid attention while he brought her back to the traditional cottage house. Its usual aura of pine incense and burnt tatami mats pacified her.

Home.

The front door was locked, and they went to the backyard after she thanked him. She was nervous about the person being in the backyard. She locked all the doors and windows. "Thank you... You can return home now,"

"Aren't you going to pay me? I was being nice and times are tough,"

Hinata furrowed her eyebrows. "Kumo has the best economy across the five nations. Times have never been 'tough',"

"Times are tough for me. I'm trying to make a profit. I'm still not rich and that's a problem- so Momo pay up," he said, playing the robust guy act.

"I'm not paying you any money, Fumio," Hinata said, setting the child down on the couch. "You're a gentleman, no? You're kind enough to walk a lady home. You're hustling a pregnant woman,"

"Paying me... This isn't the dirtiest thing you've done, Momo. Cut me some slack." Fumio said.

Hinata shook her head. "Inappropriate. So very inappropriate,"

"So what? What else can you give me?" Fumio bargained.

Hinata paused the swirled around, grinning mischievously. "I have Mitsuyo's almond cookies," They exchanged meaningful looks. She suddenly knew that he's been babysat by Mitsuyo if he knows the significance of those almond cookies.

"She'll freak if she knows that someone took it. I've only had them once and it was better than any gift on my birthday," he chortled.

"I'll let you have one if you stop asking for money. Just offer kindness to strangers and give back," she smiled at him.

"Everyone would love this,"

"You're sharing?" she asked, impressed.

He nodded frantically. She smiled, left and came back with a box of almond cookies. "All the neighborhood kids will pay big bucks for this," He grinned at her. "Thanks, Momo,"

"That is not what I meant," Hinata frowned and stopped veiling her chakra.

"It's giving back," he shrugged.

She laughed. "Okay kid, see you," she said while ruffling his hair. "Please don't do dangerous things,"

"I guarantee I'll try them all," he said, smirking a bit.

He might be attacked by the goons. She cringed but did the byakugan, feeling her body on fire. There was no one in a seven-mile radius of the house. "Run back home or else I will take back the rice cookies," Hinata threatened, hoping to scare him.

He left, running. Now all that was left to do was take care of a baby she didn't know.

¤¤¤

In Konoha.

Karin gawked at Sasuke with huge heart eyes. Her flaming red hair illuminated the dim room and she wrapped her arms around him. He'd prefer Hinata's everything now rather than having Karin's chakra so near. "Sasuke-kun! My kami, the gods have answered my prayers. You're back! I haven't seen your handsome face in so long!" Karin cooed, rubbing her head against his chest.

Sasuke scowled slightly but did not push her away, in hopes that she'd do that willingly. He grimaced, wanting to get away.

Suigetsu smirked. "Lovebirds, aren't they?" Sasuke shot a dry look in Suigetsu's direction. Thanks for putting that idea in her head. "Off into their Honeymoon stage. Horny and ready for you... Sorry, each other,"

Sasuke scowled at the angry- no jealous Suigestu. "I'm beyond this. Where's Orochimaru?" Sasuke asked.

"Oh- I should've known," she said, stepping back and blushing. "You didn't come back for me..."

"I stay away from Konoha and people I need because of my rinnegan,"

"Y-you... need me?" Karin said, red-faced and wobbly.

"Don't make her faint," Suigetsu warned. "I'll have to pick up the pieces when you leave,"

"Suigetsu- you moron! I am NOT going to faint- you fool!" Karin looked back to Sasuke, smiling. She stepped back, looking at him. "If you say more things like that, I probably will. Orochimaru isn't here. He left for a meeting with a woman," Karin said, pushing her glasses up her nose. "He's with Tsunade,"

The good-natured expression was gone. "No- seriously... What is he doing?" Suigetsu blanched, his teeth as white as his face. "He's doing her?" Suigetsu seemed revolted, ready to throw up.

"Is that what you ALL believe?! Kami! You're all such boys! They're not having sex or seeing each other. She's checking up on his medical state," she shivered. "Orochimaru is asexual and definitely celibate,"

"They both did age horribly and they're centuries old, Kami. They shouldn't be raunchy," Suigetsu demurred. "Why did you put that image in my mind?!"

"For once, please act like an adult, Suigetsu," she yelled at him. "Not everything is about sex! Kami, men are ALL stupid!" she jumped around and blushed at Sasuke. "Not you, Sasuke. You're the best, but them- arghhh! Do humanity a favor and stay indoors," she stormed off, hating men.

They were stuck in a thoughtful, awkward silence until Suigetsu looked to Jugo and Sasuke. "Welp," Suigetsu announced. "That went better than I thought. She didn't kill you, Sasuke. Guess she had a change of heart,"

"Why?" Sasuke asked.

"She's supposed to hate you. She saw your face- maybe she fell in love again. Golden boy, you're the lucky one, she doesn't balk at hitting us," Suigetsu said, sad.

"You both were getting along," Jugo shared quietly. "Why do you always manage to piss her off?"

"Annoying her was my second favorite thing to do," he said calmly. Regretfully. "I'm not like that anymore. I'm not the irritating one; she just gets irritated easily. Do you think it's that time of the month?" Suigetsu assumed.

Both Jugo and Sasuke swapped identical looks. "Suigetsu- just shut up. We need those files. Jugo, where would they be?"

"In the labs," Jugo said. "This way,"

Sasuke went, followed by them. "Wha- wait- what about my sword?" Suigetsu complained.

Sasuke shook his head. "We have other priorities," Like intel about the 'supposed' Uchiha survivors and the failed experiments.

Suigetsu he looked around, fidgeting. "When he's not busy making her shrine, he's finishing her sentences. Always catering to every one of her needs. It's a shady improvement but still..."

They exchanged looks. Where the hell is Bashimon?

Bashimon arrived. Sasuke had the strong urge hit him. The man was coltish but built like a brick shithouse. Brawny and taut. He did seem dangerous. With mahogany hair and skin the shade of sand. If he's what Suigetsu says- Sasuke knows that he'll be a problem.

"What did you do, Suigetsu? She's crying," Bashimon yelled, drawing his sword on Suigetsu.

"Why is it whenever she's crying- it's automatically my fault?!" Suigetsu asked.

"You're the creep that intentionally harasses her," Bashimon shouted.

"Stalking me and Karin became your occupation and I'm the creep," Suigetsu cried. "You make no sense. Shut up and put another man's dick in it-"

"Suigetsu-" Bashmon said, glared at Sasuke and narrowed his orange eyes. "You're the infamous Uchiha. You're just an orphaned alcoholic. What does he have that I don't?! Karin still loves you,"

He hates that 'L' word. He didn't mind... labeling Hinata with it but that's years away. They should stop looking at his train wreck life and consider that he gets a free pass.

Suigetsu chuckled. "Because he's dark and gloomy and people love him for it. Bashimon, leave and cry a river if you have a problem with it," he said.

"What are you guys doing here anyway? Orochimaru-sama is not on the premises," Bashimon complained.

"What we're doing is none of your business. Never have, never will be," Sasuke snapped.

"He left me in charge. It's my business," Bashimon sneered.

"No, it isn't your business, Bashimon. I'm glad to see the back of yours in twenty seconds," Sasuke said.

"Anything I say goes, I'm second in command ever since Suigetsu killed Shigeko,"

"You're just like a hall monitor with bathroom passes, Bashimon. Don't kid yourself," Suigetsu said. "And when Kabuto comes around, Orochimaru will drop you on your ass like Karin does all the time,"

Bashimon looked like he would murder Suigetsu on the spot but glared at him and walked away. Suigetsu yelled after him and the argument followed.

Sasuke looked at Jugo, questioning. "Are they always like this?" Sasuke asked.

"Sure, Bashimon is infuriating. They casually butted heads before Suigetsu spent summer nights with Karin. Now Bashimon and Suigetsu fight, constantly. Coincidentally, it's been like this since Suigetsu... had affection for Karin,"

Sasuke glanced at Suigetsu. "Love is dangerous... that's why it's the most powerful feeling," Sasuke watching them fight. "However, it's jealousy that starts wars,"

He reflected, wondering if that's how he was with Naruto because of Sakura. Probably. Was it wrong? No, it is very normal... just very unhealthy. He opened up the gates of hell with all this self-reflection and discovery. Was I blind to color before seeing the world through your eyes, Hinata? What have you done to me, Hinata? Sasuke internally complained.

Suigetsu returned, spitting black anger. "Is it wrong that I think it's fun when I hit him with the hilt of a sword?" Suigetsu asked. Jugo nodded before Suigetsu grimaced at them. "Are we going to get the files or what? I'm tired of this place!" he grumped roughly.

Sasuke scowled. "Let's go,"

¤¤¤

They haven't eaten. She's caked with hard mud. She's a silvery mess. Hinata rushed around the house, annoyed with everything. Why, oh why was Sasuke a weapon's hoarder? He was worse than Tenten! Everything was so sharp with a kid around. She cut cherry tomatoes and cucumbers into a bowl when realizing that she may be insane.

Woken up from his nap, he entered the kitchen naked. "You're awake and naked! Kami, sweetheart, you need to wear clothing. I don't know where clothes for you are,"

He frowned, yawning. He ran towards her, latching onto her knee with two skinny arms. "Hungry," he said, burying his head around her leg. "I want food,"

She paused for three seconds. "You can talk... Oh, my dear Kami, you can talk," she peppered his face with kisses. She recoiled, knowing- why did she do that? She placed a bowl of carrots and cucumbers in his waiting hands. He ate messily and quickly. After he was done, he said, "Thanks,"

Yay. A gentleman. She took the bowl and said, "Now that you've eaten... Now bathtime,"

She turned away, expecting him to follow but he waited, expecting to be carried. She picked him up and he held onto her tunic's shirt with a fist. He peered at everything, familiarizing himself. She didn't know how to feel about it. She took him to her room's bathroom.

She went to the closet which held toys, bath toys, soaps, and kid's clothing.

He picked a bright-colored toy boat and other toys he'd like. In the bathroom, without setting him down, she made a fun bubble bath. He peered at her, toying with her strands. Soon, the tub was filled with suddy lukewarm water and she put him in the tub.

He looked at the water fearfully but she stroked his hair, shushing him. "It's alright, okay? I'll keep you safe. I'm here, I'm here," she said. He understood but sat still, holding onto her wrist tightly. She placed his toys in the tub, smiling and playing with bubbles. "It's fun, ne?"

She felt her heart break a bit. She knows. The way he frowned reminded her of a certain Uchiha. She was charmed. She got to washing him. The water morphed into an ugly brown. Have they never bathed him? More grime came off in layers and she gasped. He wore colored bruises on his body. She ground her teeth together and felt like hitting a wall. She didn't know them but she hated them. Hate. Just hated them.

Hinata stood up, hoping to get some herbs and medicines to put in the water to heal him. It's not safe to leave small children alone in the tub/around water. She picked him up and took him with her. Going to the cabinet with medicine, she collected healing herbs and aphrodisiacs. She got lavender, eucalyptus, oatmeal, roses comfrey that alleviated the pain of bruises and irritated muscles. She came back and put them in the bath and set him back in.

He looked at her, wondering. "These herbs will help your bruises heal and they will calm you down, okay?" she explained, washing him. "I'll fix you. I'll fix it,"

He tilted his head and she pushed his preferred boat to him. He held onto her wrist but got distracted by the boat. She looked at the bluenette. "Ah. You don't know who I am. My name is Hinata... Hyuuga or Uchiha. It's only a matter of time. I can't cook but tea's baking, sort of? I can make sun-dried tomato chips that Sasuke loves. I have a sister, a father, and a cute baby. I also have Sasuke. He has me too but that's a secret," He tilted his head, intrigued. Calmed. She laughed, grinning. "I have him. We're not married yet we're having a baby! He's got a switchblade smile and a really nice laugh," she said. "My friend Sakura said it was magical. It is. He gave a little time to me and maybe he's my sun. Someina said I was the girl the cool bad boy went good for. I think he'll like you. He likes me... genjutsu or not. He said he had a thing for bluenettes,"

He grabbed her curled gray hair. "Yes. I know, it's gray but I am a bluenette. Like you," she bopped his nose. He smiled at her and she grinned back. "You have a right to life. A good dry, sheltered, peaceful life without bruises and bars. You really do,"

He looked at her and somehow, smiled. It made headway.

¤¤¤

She set of clothes after drying him. His skin was a lighter shade now that he was washed and that made her glow with some maternal pride. She took him to their makeshift medical room. He was fine. He let her tickle him and laugh.

She picked him up and carried him around, walking to the kitchen for some food. He chose some yakitori, some shabu-shabu, and soba noodles in a special broth. They finished with some well-earned ice cream but he was yawning, grinning like a fool.

She sat on the bed and he laid face to face with her. She turned off the lights and they reclined. His eyes are tainted with sorrow. He doesn't have a name. He doesn't have parents, a support system or a decent home. She felt so sorry for what happened to him. She reached out and ran her thumb under his eye. A suffering boy makes a man who's always in pain. No child of the earth should be carried to that level of misery. He's never felt the unadulterated love of a parent...

He will not fully grasp the labyrinth of emotions involved in being given away like this. She couldn't see the scars but she knew they were there. She didn't know what his routines are, how he liked to be soothed, his favorite color, toys, and games but she would like to learn. With clothes on his back, a roof over his head and people who loved him.

"I'm sorry that you've been hurt so many times. Love is stronger than biology. I'll take you into consideration... Because it's safe and secure you'll have a voice with me. You can use my whispers as your strength to carry on," she said. "This is... stupid and rushed but you have nowhere to go and Sasuke will... disagree and I don't know how long I have you but, I'll keep you, until you don't want me. Save you from drowning in the current of life,"

He nodded with glossy film eyes. For the first time, he looked... decently happy. "I want that. Your name's Nata? Nata?" he asked, pausing for a moment then said, "Sasu! Cool!"

She nodded and made the promise to herself. I will... save you, be your voice. I'll save you. You're my responsibility, my... promise. Wow. A new star in my universe... you, Hinata thought.

He whispered their 'names' again and again as if trying to remember for a big exam. He didn't... want to forget them. She didn't want him to forget her. He fell asleep with a smile on his face, peaceful. She could change things. For him. She ran her fingers through his hair. He nodded and they sat like this for a long, long time. He eventually fell asleep. The pajamas she chose were blue and button ups. Not too cold or hot. She laid down with his head on her chest. How is he sleeping? So peacefully?

Why did... this feel so right?

She stinks, she hasn't eaten all day and her clothes are messier than the bathroom is. Hinata thought about her wild day. What is Someina doing?! Why did she leave? What did she leave for? She just went into the storm and left her alone at the house. Is she alright?

And she was put under a genjustu and lured into the middle of the street. She has to ask Sasuke about that. Was she being carried somewhere? She broke out of her genjutsu because she realized that it was a genjutsu. Was she supposed to be found by Jimpachi?!

The thugs found her by accident. Why did they think she was Kaiya? Who was Kaiya?! Why did the 'King' need her? Who was the 'King'? Was he the one who put her under a genjutsu? If they did put her under a genjutsu... Why didn't they take her after she broke out?

And no one missed her. No one at all. What happened to being loved?! Why should she even go back? She's not memorable. Kami. She has to get stronger. Be stronger. What will she return to? People who haven't felt her absence? She will bring the thunder and rain and lightning. Make them talk about her, know about her- wish they missed her-

But with him, it's nice and sweet and she forgot her worries.

And she has... this child that's sleeping on her chest and breathing easily. There was this deep quiet in her mind and body. If Hanabi asks, she never felt the overwhelming rush, it was more of a deep, relaxing, sigh. A feeling of good fit, rather than thrill. Some of his stillness seeps into her heart.

Ah, there it is with him. Her peace. The peace of tranquility.

¤¤¤

Jugo went off to go check on Karin and Suigetsu stayed with Sasuke. They entered a number of Orochimaru's offices, libraries, and labs and read up on it. Sasuke paused, not impressed with the papers and files. Ever since he's been with Hinata, he realized he wasn't a paper boy. He did find that scent of vanilla she's been wearing in the room so that made him feel better.

Sasuke fought the urge to leave. The hideouts place are always such a mess, smelling like decaying corpses, cheap medicine and I.V fluids. Sometimes, he'd like to watch it burn. The moldy walls are the same, there's the deathly scent of rotting the spirit in the halls and the same damn feeling of being observed.

He takes medicine scrolls for Hinata and Suigetsu doesn't comment. A lot of the documents are incomplete. Aside from that, he can't find anything about the experiments. One thing caught his eye. "Saisei... Rebirth Jutsu?" Where's the rest?

Suigetsu looked at him and gave him a briefing; "It was Kabuto's project- a spur of the moment thing. He abandoned it for his work during the war. It was the first stage of Orochimaru's vessel transfer jutsu. He didn't achieve immortality but he stumbled on switching bodies. He puts a seal on another human and somehow, the person adapts the memories, characteristics, chakra network, strength, appearance, and DNA of the anyone of Kabuto's choice. He left the Saisei Jutsu to work with dead people," he said. "Brilliant but terrifying,"

Sasuke scowled. "I didn't need a summary, I figured that part out. Where's the rest of the file?" Sasuke grumped. "Actually, most of the files about jutsu have missing documents,"

"None of our information was stolen. We're the top criminals in the shinobi world, no one can outdo us and win," Suigetsu argued. "Impossible,"

"Nothing's impossible in this shit world," Sasuke said. Sasuke sighed, irritated. "My word of advice, take inventory often and have an even tighter hold on your shinobi,"

For twenty minutes, Suigetsu went into a frenzy and looked around, cursing. "Shit is stolen. You believe our 'top criminals' linked to the DCA? That's how the DCA has been avoiding execution for so long. They know they're being hunted. Orochimaru cut off his ties, what the hell?"

"Not everyone changed their evil ways," Sasuke sighed. "You have a paid informant and a traitor on your hands. Someone must be loyal to Akumo-oo-sama. Bonds form, especially in the time frame that Orochimaru worked with DCA,"

Suigetsu cursed. Saisei sacrifices an innocent being for a man lacking morals.

The council would crucify the use of any of those jutsu. Why were files stolen? They're forbidden jutsu. Only a select few can perform them without killing themselves, the risk of getting it is too great and it requires years to master them. "Saisei Jutsu and most of the other jutsus are performed by high-profile shinobi with backgrounds in seals, excellent chakra control and the willingness to die for immortality," Sasuke said.

"It sounds like the old Orochimaru," Suigetsu said. "He can't leave Konoha and Kakashi himself does regular inspections. Orochimaru would be put to death if he did anything suspicious. His research was sealed in the archives so the temptation seized to be. Despite that, he's fallen in love and wanted a kid. He can't just throw it all away,"

"I wasn't talking about Orochimaru," Sasuke said calmly.

"They're supposed to be dead," Suigetsu argued.

"The wicked never rest. Not even after death," Sasuke said. "Looks like we have to visit Kabuto,"

Kabuto's loyal to Orochimaru. It's someone else who's giving away intel- to the DCA and why now? Orochimaru has enemies but why take his jutsu? It helps no one.

Before Sasuke could quietly ponder, Jugo waltzed in with Karin and Bashimon at his side. "Finally, you give me their locations. What are you idiots doing in Orochimaru-sama's labs?" Bashimon growled.

"None of your business," Sasuke said.

"Uchiha Sasuke- it is," Bashimon countered.

"When he says it's his business, it's his business alone, Bashimon. Let him speak," Karin snapped, sounding sluggish. She batted her eyes beautifically at Sasuke. "Anything you say is important,"

It didn't escape Sasuke's attention that both Suigetsu and Bashimon had the same eye roll. Sasuke rose an eyebrow. "We were just leaving," Sasuke said. "We have an old colleague to visit,"

Karin looked straight at Sasuke. "We need to talk," Karin said. She was crying. Well... her voice sounded like she had just been crying, kind of nasally, and it just adds to the ambiguity. "In private,"

"Hn," Sasuke said, not expecting that,

"About what?" Suigetsu asked, jealous. Again.

"There are things about my life you don't have to know about. Respect that," Karin scolded. She turned to Sasuke, smiling. "We could.. talk in private- if that's okay with you?"

Sasuke nodded, stiff with nervous energy. Sasuke took one last look at the place. If Orochimaru doesn't burn this place, I will, Sasuke thought. He was led into the hallway, ignoring the eerieness of the darkness or the flicker of the torchlight.

"I'm sorry I told Orochimaru. I wanted you. You and your kids but someone beat me to it. Orochimaru promised to bring us together. As beautiful as it sounds, it's terrible on my part. I really screwed up chances of your child being safe," Karin smiled, in a broken way. "I won't do anything to destruct your happiness. When I found out, I used hating you as self-defense. I want to be mature about you moving on. Be a rose flower rather than a thorn in your side and help you out. Perhaps deliver the baby,"

"That was unexpected," Sasuke said.

She pushed the glasses up her nose and nodded., chuckling. "That's your future... I'm stepping on. I can't do... that to you. I think you'd be a great father. That's all I wanted to say! I'll find a way to protect your clan! And... don't be a stranger. The boys get antsy without you to knock 'em straight," And just like that, she walked away.

"Wait. Karin-"

"Yes?" She twirled around, hopeful.

Sasuke felt awkward which is unlike his blunt and bold self. "Suigetsu's not such a bad, mature option. Not anything that'd destruct your happiness,"

"You're sure," Karin asked, eyes shining with possibility.

"I can't step on your future either. Onwards and over, isn't it?"

She walked away, leaving him in the middle of the hall. She didn't even look back while looking freed. He sighed in relief. He would have been disappointed if she did look back.

¤¤¤

December 3rd. Dawn.

Hinata woke up, the next morning. It was around dawn and Hinata wanted more sleep. He crawled beside her, being face to face with her while lying down. "Nata. Nata. Nata. Nata! Hungry..."

"Before that... You do have to brush your pearly whites, first. I do too, no?"

He looked disappointed, on the verge of a tantrum when Hinata smiled, sitting up. "I also have to change and you have to find a toothbrush then I'll give you something special,"

He quirked up at the mention of something special. And she opened her arms and he sighed. "Would you like some breakfast now or later?"

"Now," he said.

"I think children like... pancakes. Now, would you like waffles or pancakes?"

He looked at her then grinned. "Pancakes,"

"Delectable and creatable," she said.

He clapped his hands. She picked him up, walking to a storage room where Mitsuyo keeps all the toddler clothes, toothbrushes and toothpaste. He sighed laboriously into her shoulder.

¤¤¤

20 minutes later.

Hinata was clothed in a black flowing skirt, three rock/gem necklaces and a white kimono shirt with gray clouds sporadically placed. He wore gray cargo shorts and a plain green shirt with the words, 'Tough Boy,' written on it. While fully brushed, clothed and washed, they walked kitchen and began putting the ingredients into a bowl.

He watched her work from her hip.

"Wanna add a little zest?" she said. "These blueberries were grown right in our garden. Want to taste it? They're a bit much too sour for my taste,"

He cautiously took one, popped it into his mouth and smiled. She lowered their blueberry bin said, "These are the ones I helped grow! These are almost blue waffles. I think you like the color blue?" Benjiro nodded. "Can you say blue?"

"Bwue?" he asked.

"Close enough and that was perfect,"

Sasuke would probably say, "Blueberries for bluenettes. Hn. Fitting," and probably smile. Sakura hasn't ever seen his smile cause it's magical too. Sasuke doesn't know what they were doing and the boy has no idea what Sasuke looks like. They had no photos of him.

While she put in the correct amount of ingredients in, she wondered how much he ate. She wondered what his eating habits were. Was he a picky eater? She put in some more blueberries, seeing that he liked blueberries. She suddenly smiled to him tickling his ribcage and he laughed, limbs everywhere. He suddenly knocked over the entire blueberry basket into the mixing bowl.

"I guess we're having blueberry pancakes," she said. How did he get flour in his gray cobalt hair? She lifted a hand to his face, to clean it off.

He panicked, shutting his eyes and flinched away from her. "Oh- no, no, no. I am not going to hit you! That's awful! Never think that I'll harm you," she apologized.

He recoiled from her touch and she sighed. Those monsters. She really hates them. Abusing him? Throw him in a river but they also abused him?! She will destroy them sometime. She will! She was going to say... they should always have blueberries he liked the color blue. Not... rude words that would break him. They threw away his life like it was nothing... Yoki and Tadashi will pay for hurting him.

After five minutes of promising never to hit him, he opened his eyes and stopped trembling. He looked into her eyes and she patted his cheeks. "I would never- ever hurt you, my dear. Never. Can you trust me on that? I never break promises, never,"

He offered a shaky grin. He still looked guarded but he seemed to have forgiven her. She took out the blue food dye and smiled. "Just a hint of vanilla and three dabs of blue should fix our pancakes up,"

He was amazed at the colors when she mixed them. The pancakes were delectable. He didn't mind the little-burned part and he did appreciate the little-sugared lemon strips she gave to him as a treat. He sat across from her at the living room's low table, where they usually ate.

She realized that Someina wasn't here, again. She hasn't seen Sasuke in over two weeks and Mitsuyo was gone and it was the first time she-she was alone. She wasn't missed. She wasn't herself. And- she saw the sympathetic boy crawl into her lap. He offered a syrupy-sweet dripping pancake. "Pancake?" he nudged her.

She took the pancake with a smiling face. "I'm fine," she nodded and he ate it. She tried to hide her sadness. He kept on looking at her, thinking and brought up a hand to her cheek, although it was sticky and messy, she felt warm. "I'm alright. C'mon. Eat. I have a surprise for you,"

"Supwise?!" he cried, tense with excitement. He began shoveling his food into his mouth.

"Hey now.... slow down,"

He twisted around and grinned at her. I could get used to this, Hinata thought. She looked at the spot where Sasuke usually sat. Almost. If he's here.

¤¤¤

She changed him into playtime clothes and a floppy hat that was blue but matched hers. "We have to go feed the fish. They're koi and they are quite interesting. They like things that won't eat them. The also like silkworms, do you know what silkworms are?"

He shook his head and she explained, "They are what creates what those curtains are made out of. These little worms make clothes and bedsheets,"

He stuck his tongue out and gave her thumbs down sign. "Gwoss,"

"They are quite gross but all my clothes were silk. It's very expensive," Hinata said. She never uses the word 'expensive' because money was never a problem... Nothing's expensive for a Hyuuga, Hanabi would say.

"These are the usual treats. Grapefruit. Hyacinth. Watermelon. Orange slices. The big fish will eat 'em out of your hand,"

He looked at his small palm and held it up. "I know right out of your hand! Cool!" He looked at her, intrigued. "You wanna see them?"

He jumped up and down, tugging on her flowing black skirt. "First, we have to put on shoes, sunscreen, the tea with ice cubes and the sketchbook,"

She balanced the bamboo tea tray, her sketchbook and a pail of food in her hands. He looked annoyed that he couldn't hold her hand so he stomped all the way to the yard where the gardens were.

¤¤¤

They sat in the unrelenting Kumo sun. It was just nice, just how she liked it. She set the tray down on the rocks that surrounded the medium sized pond. "Look at them! Gorgeous," she said, smiling.

He gaped at them. He clutched the edge of her skirt, hiding behind her. "They won't bite you. They are well behaved and kind to little bluenettes,"

She patted his head and he looked up at her, still in her shadow. She leaned down and got to his level. She got some mandarin and looked at him pointedly. "This is how you make them adore you,"

She dropped some orange slices into the koi's home. He watched in fascination as twenty-three koi of numerous sizes flopped about, making the otherwise calm, pond look like a hot spring.

He wasn't scared of this. She laughed at his awed expression. She dropped in more pieces of fruit and paused, realizing this was no fun for him. "Do you want to feed them? It's your turn, Aoi," He hesitantly reached into the half-full bucket and grabbed one small bit of lettuce.

He tossed it in and hid behind her, fearing again. The fish ruffled about and he smiled. "See, it's easy and they love it," she chimed. And for the rest of the twenty minutes, they fed the fish.

¤¤¤

She wanted to move to the bridge over the main creek but he liked feeding the koi so they stayed near the pond. He looked at her bamboo tray filled with tea and ice. "First we have to start the day with tea. Iced-tea is good in Kumo's endless summer afternoon weather. Refreshing,"

Hinata slipped in medicine that would help with any medical issues he had. She used the Hyuuga's secret ointment and rubbed it into his skin, hating the ugly bruises. She poured him a drink and one for herself. He took the drink eagerly and drowned it. "This is called lemongrass tea. Do you like this one? It's Sasuke's favorite. Well, his least disliked one. He doesn't like much of anything,"

He frowned and pointed to himself, a question on his lips. "He'll like you. Don't worry,"

He looked reassured and grinned. Her stomach churned with anxiety. The more she said it, the more she wanted to believe it. Kami, please let it be true.

He looked distracted and touched her sketchbook. "I would love to live in a book. A really good one. Do you like books?" He shook his head. Just like Sasuke. "Not even bedtime stories? Oh... you've never had one. I'll read them to you. I promise,"

He brightened up with that promise and leaned into her side- laying over her lap. "Books are food for the brain. We eat the knowledge we feed ourselves and digest the potency of the understanding and use the information for energy," she said. "Books are human intuition gives us. It's our life- knowledge is,"

She remembered- she just went all adult philosophy on him with huge words. She cleared her throat, grabbing her sketchbook and asked him, "You wanna know what Sasuke looks like?"

He nodded and she looked over his head, placing the sketchbook on his lap for him to see. She flipped through it, showing him all the drawings and pressed flowers she's amassed. Hinata absently ran her fingers over the memories. She liked to draw the things that she knows she'd miss. She drew her home village- Konoha, the Hokage monuments, and Hanabi.

Did you miss me, Hanabi-love?

She showed him Hanabi's drawing. She was around fourteen at the time and her ebony-chest nut hair was shorter. She also showed him the sketched out monuments and explained. She paid attention to detail and all the little things. Who knows? It may be someone's lifesaving detail, something that makes or break the rest of everything. "I like drawing people I'd miss. So I drew Sasuke,"

"Is that Sasu?" he asked. She nodded. He wasn't p disappointed. He was almost impressed. He ran his finger over Sasuke's face like she did. That's the familiarizing thing. He pointed to Sasuke's eye. The rinnegan. She didn't find anything to be amiss. They were just purple and black, like normal.

"That's him... He's handsome, right? A real reason to have butterflies, ne..." Hinata looked at the boy, a bit alarmed. "This no-name thing- it puts distance between us and it's inhumane to not have a name. Can I call you Benjiro? It doesn't have to be permanent- you can choose your own name but in the meantime- can it be Benjiro?"

Benjiro means enjoy peace. It's fitting.

He nodded then shrugged. "Benjiwo,"

"Benjiro it is,"

¤¤¤

December 3rd to December 12th.

She did change things up and started to know him.

Benjiro really likes the blue pancakes despite them being super messy. He hates whenever she puts raspberries. He cried for ten minutes until Hinata picked out every single raspberry from the batch and his plate. When Hinata ate the raspberries, he seemed to want them all back into the waffle. She had to make a new batch.

Usually, whenever she cooks, he likes playing with the pots and pans because they make a whole lot of noise and he especially likes sitting on the soup pot. She hates whenever he does it but he is quite fond of that pot. He puts his 'toys' he claimed into the pot and lugged it around the house. Usually, Hinata carries it. Sometimes, he builds all the blocks up to knock them down. Sometimes, Hinata joins him but he mostly likes his blocks. He did fancy one green dinosaur that he brought everywhere.

She played 'I spy' with him a lot if the time. He liked hearing about the plant names. He found it funny when she said the plant's scientific names and he laughed. They touched everything. She let him plant a spring flower to watch it grow. They picked fruit off of their peach trees. They explored the forest, touching everything, tossing leaves. They played games to see what types of creatures or plants they spotted.

He was startled when they saw a dainty white-tailed dear lurking in their garden. Deers liked chewing on tulips and they weren't lucky enough to actually be close enough but they weren't fazed by it anymore.

He did like being outside. When they were outside, they fed baby ducks, Benjiro liked chasing them... He liked the koi fish. He found his favorite one which he named "Guppy,". It was a small peculiar fish that caught his eye. He likes 'overfeeding' them. He calmed down and liked to watch the clouds, like Shikamaru and Choji. She went the extra mile to educate him about the clouds.

He did like collecting rocks. She got a plastic container for him to look at. He liked the smooth pebbles so she taught him how to skip them.

He does fall asleep a lot and he has two nap times every day. Sometimes, he would crawl into a drawer in their room and sleep in that drawer. She panicked when she hadn't heard the toddler laugh. She was trying to make him sleep in the smaller twin sized bedroom downstairs but he ended up sleeping with her. He just didn't want privacy.

He never liked bath time. He did like getting dirty, coming home with dirty feet after playing all day but he just hates bath time. She understands but he does like water. He liked playing in the sprinklers outside or dipping his toes into the creeks that pass under the low bridge in the backyard. He doesn't mind playing with boats and rolling around on the floor. Rough and tumble play was his favorite.

He did like books after she gently coaxed him into liking them! Despite not knowing how to pronounce anything, he did like songs, rhymes, and music. They had random dance parties. And he liked hugging her.

He had a lot of likes and dislikes that she's defining every day. There must be lists that he himself hasn't figured out but she knows that... she's somewhere written on the imaginary lines. He also did like her and that's the best... finest reward she could ever ask for.

¤¤¤

December 12th. Noon.

Eight days have passed and Hinata heard the door open. "Hinata? I'm here,"

She smiled. "Sasuke!"