Sweet Dispositions

-Chapter 12-
Fringes

October 15th. Dawn-ish.

IT WAS SUNRISE NOW.

Hinata woke up. Her living with Sasuke made her wake up at around dawn all the time.

"Uchiha-san... did you set the tea up?" Hinata asked drowsily.

Sasuke would routinely ignore her and keep on sleeping.

"Uchiha-san?" she opened her eyes.

Hinata reached out, she was alone. Of course. She misremembered that Sasuke left. A few days passed. Hinata didn't know what happened to her. And oh, here comes the morning sickness.

Mitsuyo was outside of the bathroom, smirking a bit. "Right on schedule," Mitsuyo said as she craned her neck to watch Hinata stagger through the hallway, blindly reaching for the walls to guide her.

Hinata emptied out her stomach and cursed at the toilet seat bowl, hating what just came out of her. Her teeth must be rotten due to all of the throw-up. Rotten and gone.

Mitsuyo gave her strips of pickled ginger in a wooden bowl. She handed Hinata chopsticks. "How are you, dear?"

"Morning sickness is like dying without death. Mitsuyo... Is it usually this severe?"

"Not necessarily. I didn't have morning sickness," Mitsuyo said honestly. 

Hinata looked at Mitsuyo, feeling so jealous. It burned a hole in her chest or that... was just the heartburn.

Mitsuyo scowled and waved around the bowl of fresh ginger. "Before you turn green with envy, hold your tongue. I was close to your age when I had my second child."

"That's...  So young," Hinata sighed with admiration.

"Awfully so," Mitsuyo sighed. "Know that I was nauseous all throughout the entire day. I was on the verge of vomiting without the actual vomit. I had the unfavorable case of eating everything that 'looked' edible. Most women are different."

"I'm exhausted and miserable. I didn't expect any of this... Oh, my Kami, here's coming for round two," Hinata hunched over the toilet seat bowl. It didn't come... "Oh, false alarm."

"Do you still feel miserable?"

"Yes. "

"Good," Mitsuyo shrugged.

"How is it good?!" Hinata demanded.

"If you cannot bear the pain, why become a mother? If you want to have your child, this is what you have to overcome. Pregnancy is a mother's sole responsibility and duty. It is your job to protect the fetus and offer an optimal environment in which it will develop healthily. Morning sickness is just a hiccup, a small bump in the road. It is nothing compared to getting your baby."

"It... is so hard to stay positive."

Mitsuyo offered a sympathetic look. "You mustn't be negative. You must listen to proper sounds and look at proper colors. You must think of the rewards after a long and hard trip. Being pregnant is a blessing. Even though it's hard, it's something that some women never get to experience, despite years of trying."

"That's.. duly noted," Hinata whispered.

Hinata proceeded in throwing up again.

Once that round was over, Hinata gobbled down two more strips of the refreshing ginger. After she panted, trying really hard not to throw up, she looked at her hands.

"I would... have liked if Sasuke were here..." Hinata admitted.

Mitsuyo looked away, nodding. "I know you have been missing him. He's not a stranger in Kumo."

"Yeah... Missing him is the last thing I want to do..."

"It's usually the first thing that happens," Mitsuyo turned around and looked at Hinata over her shoulder, stopping at the door. "Once you shower, brush your teeth and get dressed, we will try something different."

"Different?"

"Aromatherapy," Mitsuyo nodded. "In Kumo, we often tell pregnant women that if nausea would come in waves, once that is over, the baby comes in sailing safely. Walk on the waves that sink everyone. And Hinata, brush your teeth twice while you're at it."

Hinata sighed.

¤¤¤

October 15th to November 1st.

Mitsuyo wasn't ribbing when she promised Hinata would be looked after. Hinata took a shower. She changed into pressed and washed clothes.

Mitsuyo sighed. "Since you've been wearing my daughter's tunics all day and night, I've gotten the idea to take you out into the world."

Hinata almost squealed then her eyebrows drew a line. "Why?"

"You, my dear, have not been very social since Sasuke left."

Hinata let out an awkward laugh.

Hinata was never social. Sure Mitsuyo took care of Hinata- but Mitsuyo wasn't exactly kind to Hinata. Hinaya doesn't have any friends... at least not anymore. When Hinata came to Kumo, Hinata realized that being alone was fun when she was alone with Sasuke.

Hinata understood that... Sasuke was the company she wanted. In this house, she had nothing to do or no one to talk to.

Mitsuyo and Hinata did wordlessly develop a routine.

Hinata wakes up, throws up and Mitsuyo makes her drink a terrible tasting assortment of herbs in a mush smoothie drink. Mitsuyo provides freshly pickled ginger shreds.

Hinata brushes her teeth, takes a shower and changes into the clothes Mitsuyo affords her.

Hinata gardens with Mitsuyo after seven a.m. hinata is in charge of pulling out the weeds. Mitsuyo didn't trust Hinata with the actual flowers.

Hinata and Mitsuyo feed Mitsuyo's koi fish then clean the pond and rocks. They go back inside for a tea break and Hinata was free to do what she wanted.

Hinata does yoga and chakra control exercises. Hinata was interested in throwing kunai at targets. Sasuke would growl if he knew but he didn't have to know, did he?

Hinata made herself busy with sketching drawings and improving in her physical regime. Hinata practiced her usual Hyuuga battle stances.

Mitsuyo regularly made Hinata watch Mitsuyo prepare the food Hinata will eat.

After Mitsuyo made Hinata cook once, she knew Hinata wasn't very good in the culinary department. All of her skill plummeted after giving Naruto that bento box.

Oh Naruto, Hinata mused that night over burned food, what have you done to me?

At noon, Hinata normally sits with Mitsuyo as Mitsuyo checks up on her stomach, pregnancy, and health. Mitsuyo drinks cranberry tea with Hinata under a swaying willow tree and to also play competitive games of mahjong. They alternately played tennis, too.

It was a sport Hinata didn't like too much but Mitsuyo said it was all the rage in Kumogakure.

Then Hinata would read all about Kumo. Hinata was forced to be lectured by Mitsuyo about the history of Kumogakure and the Raikage that came before Yondaime. Hinata wasn't sure why she was required to but she was and it sucked.

When the evening came, Hinata watches movies and films on Mitsuyo's television. Hinata eats dinner and they would go their separate ways.

They clean and Hinata waters all of the plants. If Hinata wanted to, she eats some of the vegetables without Mitsuyo's consent. Hinata gets some time to herself and she would take a healthy snack.

If it rained, Hinata was allowed to relax.

Kumo was fond of making things difficult for her.

Their culture was more relaxed than Konoha's. Sundays were the busiest days for shopping. Wives controlled the finances. Husbands usually worked out in the fields and children liked to play in the rain. They admired the lightning; their lore was concentrated around rain gods.

They had many festivals and people were very close to their Raikage; worshipping him like a God. They also had a thing for peaches at the center of each table and they smoked a lot more.

Kids played cruel tricks on each other and parents were more laxed when it came to politics and their kids. They had big families too!  And lots of people used swords! She wanted a sword. There were lots of clinics and places where she could heal.

Either way, she knew that she was bored out of her mind.

"You're kind of right, though," Hinata said to Mitsuyo after a while of just thinking.

¤¤¤

November 1st. Lunch.

"I don't think that we should dye my hair," Hinata bemoaned.

Hinata carried a glass bowl full of raw scrubbed beets across the kitchen.

"I am out of sight ninety-nine percent of the time. The chances of anyone recognizing me is just astronomically low," Hinata continued.

"You youngsters like to exaggerate. A beauty like you would be remembered," Mitsuyo laughed.

Hinata flushed. All these compliments made her so buttered up and embarassed. "Oh, Mitsuyo- you know that isn't-"

Mitsuyo said, "Excuse me," and sped out of the sparkling kitchen.

"Okay. Go anywhere as long as you don't touch my hair," Hinata called out.

"Hinata- I heard that," Mitsuyo said. "You're awfully sassy these days... Oi, Hinata! Get the door!"

What? Mitsuyo already opened the door and now she's making Hinata reopen it? Their guests were probably one of the older neighborhood kids paying for Mitsuyo and Hinata babysitting. So, Hinata walked slowly.

Mitsuyo made Hinata do tasks she never liked. At times, it was bothersome but really? This was just laziness...

Hinata straightened her apron and smoothed out her hair. She was fixing her appearance a bit. The kids are harsh and honest. Sometimes, too honest.

Sighing, Hinata opened the door. Sasuke was standing there with sort of foreign look in his eye.

"You're back," Hinata cried.

Hinata took two steps closer to him. She didn't know what to do... Hug him? Smile? No. Stay put.

"That I am," said Sasuke.

Hinata should act subdued. Sasuke was calm and all that stoic stuff. Why wasn't he excited? She wanted him around. Did he feel that way?

"Did your mission go well?" Hinata asked.

He shrugged.

Hinata deflated. Now he won't even say anything? Is she being weird? She doesn't want him to leave again.

"It's good to see you again." Sasuke told her.

Hinata smiled at the ground. Wow. At least she isn't being weird. He cared. Somehow. Somewhat.

"You're always gone for a long time. Don't... go like that. I was worried sick that something would happen to you."

"Hey, I'm here now, right?" Sasuke reminded her.

Hinata liked that. She nodded. "That you are. The house gets lonely without you, did you know?" Hinata asked in a small voice.

Sasuke didn't answer. They stood there for a little. His eyes, black, black ones softened a bit. "Yeah?"

Hinata twiddled with her thumbs and nodded again. She admitted, "I missed going fishing with you in the mornings."

"Your tea wouldn't have been half bad on the trip."

She opened her mouth then blushed red. She closed it again. "Yeah."

"Hinata, don't let the sprouts burn!" Mitsuyo called out from upstairs.

Oh. She wanted to give us privavcy, Hinata realized.

She jumped then said, "There was a place set for you at the table. It's quite dusty, want to... join us for Mitsuyo's zōni?"

"Zōni?"

Hinata smiled. "Yeah! It's our first meal together since your departure. It has to be special."

Sasuke was weirdly pleased while looking at her. An odd energy buzzed around him.

"It'll be a delight! All the Kumogakure women specialize in making their own delicacies around zōni! I haven't burned anything yet and we're adding some new spices!" Hinata pumped a fist in the air. "I'm ready!"

"You're excited for this, right?" Sasuke chuckled lightly.

Hinata contained herself then shrunk. Hinata stuffed her hands in her apron pockets. "Mhmm. Yes. Kind of. A smidge..."

"Don't quit. It's cute." he tilted his head.

Hinata's face burned. C-cute? Cute? What guy has called her cute? She went beside him and strung her elbow around his.

She hesitated then put her leaned her head on his shoulder, relishing it. "Welcome home, Sasuke," Hinata whispered.

¤¤¤

That night.

The zōni wasn't very good. That didn't stop him from having seconds. Hyuuga seemed real happy, watching him fill his plate.

Hinata apologized. For everything. It doesn't sound like a word anymore. Hell, if someone destroyed her, she would apologize. It was not right or fair.

Sasuke was annoyed of the evocative woman... not necessarily her. He's annoyed with the person he's become around her; a fascinated observer. His brain is producing an amazing chemical cocktail.

Hell, he's so used to being numb. Whatever happened to that, he doesn't know.

During the four weeks that he's spent with her, he knows he'll never recover. It wasn't bad. He isn't happy nor is he unhappy. The general unsatisfaction he feels is due to the insurmountable guilt he's amassed during his life.

Pregnancy changes a man as well despite what those stupid books about pregnancy say. Then there's that whole concept of Hyuuga and paper. Who likes reading that much? Going off into paper-land wasn't fun.

Since Hyuuga likes books so much, he picked up one or two of them while he took her to libraries. She was originally opposed to the scheme of taking books and never returning them but he affirmed that they'd never be in that place again. Her love for books made her become quite the stealing villain.

Sometimes, she's able to sleep at any time, anywhere despite the time or place. It's like a bad form of planned narcolepsy. It's rather unsettling.

When she gets nervous and can't sleep, she counts to gain enough boredom to sleep. She once counted to three-thousand.

Then she'd count the stars. She said she'll one day find the constellation that spells out her sister's name and her mother's face- which is impossible. He told her that and she responded with for a dreamer, anything's possible.

Then there was that thing she'd do- it made him the most confused man ever to live.

She would be nice... to him. After all that he said, after all that he did. She's seen the shadowy dark corners of him. By now with Sakura talking to everyone with loose lips, all of Konoha probably knew about him.

Hinata knew his history- not all of it, just a supercut of the good stuff and the bad things.

And she knows too much about him. She's still giving him smiles, still talking to him and doing nice things that she shouldn't. She should've given up on him like everyone happily did. She's not out to love him, she's just trying to be nice. Become familiar with him, as she'd said.

It's terribly stupid. Inspired by nothing and she's still offering him tea trials after every single breakfast, lunch or dinner. It made no sense. He's so used to listening in between cemetery trees.

He knows that he'll just infect her. His past haunts him constantly. He has too much self-hate and too little self-control. So he's been careful.

Don't let her come near. Don't feel anything. He swears to that.

Sasuke watched the door, confused at seeing a shadow. This shadow wasn't empty. Lo and behold, it was Hinata. He saw her image through the crack in the door.

Hyuuga stood there, her- no... a large black shirt hung off her shoulders. It was too big on her. Her hair was tied back, piled atop of her head.

The shirt reached her mid thighs, just hanging. Everything good... was covered. Her legs were smooth in the moonlight. Pale and shapely. They looked lean and long while poking from underneath that shirt.

That's not his shirt. When did she get that? She could have worn his shirt if she hadn't minded it. She would probably look just as good.

"Uchiha-san... Psst," she said, whispering out into the darkness. "Psst."

Sasuke pretended to sleep and not to move.

"Psssssssst," she gave up when she clicked her tongue. "Uchiha-san... I know you're awake..." she sounded like she just crossed her arms. A frown was creeping up in her voice. "You checked up on me three times in the past... fifteen minutes. And the odds of you sleeping in that short time frame is near impossible."

Sasuke didn't move a single muscle. It was simpler to act like a corpse rather than face her. He borrowed some tips from her about slowing his heart rate and dimming his chakra potency, masking a bit of his presence. Since he wasn't as active, he didn't require much chakra. It would give off the appearance of a sleeping man in the REM cycles.

Sasuke thought that she would leave him there for a moment. She hadn't.

Dripping anxiety, Hinata sat on the edge of the bed.

She swiftly had a mini panic attack before slipping beside Sasuke. She put her head on his chest and he was wondering why she hadn't left yet.

"Sasuke... I know you're awake. Your normal resting heart rate is different," Hinata whispered.

"Spoken like a medic nin, huh," he said.

She laughed, and it vibrated through him.

"Why did you come back?" Sasuke asked.

How could she be so bold? It was quiet while they were tangled in the sheets.

"You're warm..." she admitted.

"Mitsuyo'll smother us when she knows we're sleeping together," Sasuke said thoughtfully.

Hinata tensed then laughed. "Do you care?"

She's going to be deliciously corrupt for him. Not good or bad.

"It's whatever," Sasuke shrugged. "Why are you risking your neck? Mitsuyo might smother me in my sleep... Anyway, Mitsuyo hates me."

Hinata paused then sighed softly. "I'd never imagined... that I would... voluntarily crawl... into your arms. Times... really do change and...it's alright 'cause I know you."

Sasuke swallowed his doubts and felt... different.

"Hey... if you want to get familiar with me... Just know that don't hurt yourself by looking too closely."

Hinata shifted in his arm. "I want to know you better... That means I don't put you on a pedestal or place you on a bench because that isn't fair. But here are some things about me... I love tigers and cats. My favorite season is autumn, my favorite color is pale violet. I love pomegranates and cinnamon buns. My sensei Kurenai is a teacher who changed my life and I always had a cup of coffee when the morning started. Now... I drink tea."

"Hn," he said. "What do you want to know?"

And he broke all his promises again since they talked all night. But that was on the first night of being at Mitsuyo's house.

It wasn't like that this time. Two weeks later.

"Sasuke?" she called into the darkness. "Are you still awake?"

This time, she just slipped under the covers.

"What do I owe to this pleasure?" he asked.

"Hush. You're... warm," Hinata said, settling on his chest. "Yeah. I found... I don't quite like sleeping alone."

"So you'd sleep with me again?"

Hinata promptly untangled herself and hit him with a pillow. "Get your mind out of the gutter!"

She stuffed the pillow in between them.

"This is like the mountain range of Hamasaki! A border. Your side and there's my side. Kami, before you ask I've also been brushing up on the Kumo geographic maps and names... Probably..." she let out a yawn. "Let's go to sleep."

Somehow when they woke up, the make-belief border of Hamasaki was gone and she was sleeping on him again.

¤¤¤

For the next few forenoons, Sasuke was in the yard in the afternoon. Sasuke watched the koi in the pond, his cloak fluttering in the gentle wind.

Hinata and Sasuke continued observing the koi fish till Hinata finished sharpening Sasuke's sword.

Sasuke wanted Hinata to learn how to sharpen swords. Sasuke suddenly trusted her with something he valued so much. It made her feel good, for some reason.

He really liked training, though. The heat became brutal with hoe vigorous his sessions were. He liked it. He deemed himself weak though he yelled that was the best. Hinata watched him to see if he were okay, and not pushing himself too hard.

Now that Sasuke and Hinata were forbidden from resting on the shed roof, the sun was enjoyable. Sasuke liked the night twinkling stars but Mitsuyo constantly yelled about how dangerous it was.

"Here is your sword," Hinata told him. "I sharpened it and looked for microscopic mistakes. It's essentially perfect."

Sasuke looked a smidge bit happier when he heard the word 'perfect' and 'sword' in the same sentence.

"I know this isn't your first one. What happened to your last sword?" Hinata asked, inspecting the silverness with a squinted eye.

Sasuke smirked like the world was figured out. "Uchiha Madara used it to mortally stab me. After everyone was under the Infinite Tsukuyomi, I used this same sword to seal his soul."

"His... soul?" Hinata gulped. "How'd you... Actually, I don't want to know."

"How was your lunch today?" Sasuke asked dead serious.

Hinata swallowed. "It was tasty."

"You don't want to know then." He nodded and she trembled a bit. "Legend has it, my adversaries who are slashed by this very sword hear his last words when they meet their demise."

"What does it say?" Hinata leaned in, spellbound.

"It says, I will end you, Hyuuga Hinata!"

Hinata yelped in fear and dropped the sword onto the concrete. "Sasuke! don't say things like that! Madara is terrifying. Ko-kun used to use him as a child's scare-tactic. I didn't know I'd actually meet my childhood nightmare."

"It's a cute story, ne, Hyuuga?" Sasuke picked up his sword, dusting it off.

"You like playing dangerous games," she said, upset.

"You're just easy to scare," he laughed.

Hinata puffed out her cheeks. "Rude."

"Don't fret, I'll keep you safe. I am the one who defeated Madara for you after all." he smirked proudly.

"For shinobi kind and Naruto-kun helped you, you mean," she corrected.

"Nah. Mostly for you," Sasuke laughed.

That made her heart clench for a some reason and she paused. Flattery. Appreciation for that same flattery poked through her annoyance.

"Hmph. I'm going to go read," Hinata called out.

"Naturally."

"And I'm not sharpening your swords or kunai anymore," Hinata added.

"It was a joke!" he whined. "C'mon. You're balancing my soul by being a sword."

Hinata didn't answer and sat down, reading baby magazines.

Hinata relaxed out on the warm deck, like a cat in the sun. Sasuke was on the concrete path in the middle of the yard/garden. It reminded her of a dry onsen; hot and humid.

She has taken to sunbathing now. She's in the garden most of the day, asleep in some shrubbery in full sun.

Hinata had never been a sun-lover before her trip with Sasuke, out all day just reclining. Hinata would ever so often nap in the greenhouse, sneaking in through the open door. Mitsuyo used to go and see if she were in there and bring her out. Hinata was frequently joined by Sasuke, both reveling in a siesta.

Sasuke quieted down and practiced his sword techniques. He was slashing and thrusting, practicing multiple rounds of routines to (insert eye-roll) "get better".

"It would be a gift if there were snow now." Hinata whispered. She's sweating a lot, too.

"Bleh. I hate snow!" Sasuke declared, shifting to maim some imaginary adversary.

"I know but it's weird not to have snow around now. Konoha would have ice-rinks, and scarves! And those cute trees dressed in white." Hinata dreamed of it. "It's so weird."

Sasuke eyed her. "What else would you want as a gift? Anything. I could buy it."

That's true. Naruto's stomach for ramen eating was just as boundless as Sasuke's bank account. The way Sasuke acquired those funds was sad but it was there at his unspending self's disposal.

Hinata thought for a moment. "I would like-"

Sasuke sighed. "Aside from cinnamon buns."

Hinata laughed. How did he know she'd say that? "I dunno. I want new scalpels."

Sasuke nodded. "Done."

"What would you like?" Hinata asked.

He paused. "Swords. Weapons. What else?"

What else would Sasuke want? He hated books, had no interest in clothes or food, and he only liked combat and warfare.

Hinata tapped her chin. "What about Wire Strings? You mentioned something about wanting to use them."

"I don't know where my last pair went."

"Wakizashi are impressive," she said. He grimaced and she suggested, "Tachi are quite nice,"

Sasuke paused, his sword waving in the air. "No, they aren't. Simple."

"What about the Dao?"

"Curved Dao blades are boring. The cloth around the hilt would eventually irritate your skin and the single cutting edge- yawn. Not efficient," he said. "My current sword isn't a Jian but a chokuto. Straight sword."

"So... you like straight Jian blades?" Hinata nodded. That's useful information.

"Versatile. One-handed. According to legend, it was so sharp it could slice through water without getting wet," he said.

"That's impressive," Hinata nodded, smiling a bit.

"Hell yeah," Sasuke agreed.

"Have you ever kept one?" Hinata tilted her head to look at him better.

Sasuke shook his head.

"Why not?" Hinata pressed after a moment of hesitation.

Would he tell her? He seems pretty easy-going and open. But that's because he is sword weilding. Violence puts him at a better mood.

"Katanas kick any Jian blade's ass," Sasuke declared. "And I had a sword. It was given to me by Orochimaru and the sword of Kusanagi was epic," Sasuke paused, a sheen of sweat on his forehead. "Why do you know all of this?"

Hinata shrugged slyly, scratching the back of her neck. "Ano, it's quite weird."

Sasuke shrugged. "I've probably seen weirder things."

"Ah. The world is a big place."

Sasuke nodded. "It is."

She tilted her head. "I paid a lot of attention to my friend Tenten. Moreso, her words... Before the war, I used to hang out with my brother and Tenten. While they talked about swords and weapons, I'd pick up one or two things about them."

"Do you want a sword?" Sasuke asked, amusement evident.

Hinata narrowed her eyes, hating the look in his. "No. They aren't child-friendly."

"If you know how to use it, then nothing's dangerous. And I know our kid, they will have a natural talent with swords," Sasuke nodded. He seemed excited.

Sasuke had this awful calculating look in his eye.

"You're not thinking about my genes! I'm a natural at being clumsy and falling," Hinata protested. "I'm not apart of the Uchiha and if you didn't remember- I'm kinda pregnant."

"That's why you need to learn how to use a sword!"

"I'm the one who is supposed to have a pregnancy brain. You're being crazy! I don't need to use one."

"Sure, you do. It makes perfect sense." He nodded three times.

"No, it doesn't."

"Hyuuga, it's settled."

"Are you listening to me?!"

Sasuke nodded. "Of course I am."

"You make me learn about all of the sword types, we throw kunai together, you make me sharpen them and now I know how to hold them... Unless we fight people together- which won't ever-" Hinata gasped and stuck a finger out at him. "You're conditioning me so we both could be swordsmen. I'm a Hyuuga and we don't use swords. Our hands are sufficient! I don't need a sword."

"Eventually, you're going to be using a blade," Sasuke said as if her using one was a given.

"Why? You need a partner in crime?"

"Nah. Just someone to spar with," he declared. "Who doesn't love swords?"

"More people than you think," she snapped back.

He recoiled slightly because of the clipped answer. After watching her, he got really close. She stood on the slightly elevated deck of the back porch but he equaled her height. He stood eye to eye with her.

"Do you use chakra scalpels?" he asked innocently.

Hinata nodded.

"Baby steps. You'll be able to use katanas in no time," he smiled.

It reminded her of the smile a cat gave after capturing a canary.

"You are not making me into a swordswoman," Hinata told him.

Sasuke brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yeah," he said but he wasn't really listening to her.

Hinata waved away his helping hand. "I'm going to take a nap but you keep dreaming, ne, Sasuke?"

He smirked while looking at her back. "You'd be an excellent partner. You have precise hand-eye coordination, you possess lightning-type chakra and a detailed understanding of weapons in general," l

Hinata let out more puffs of smoke.

"And... you're not listening to me." he grunted.

Hinata laughed. "Bye Sasuke?"

"Wait, Hinata," he called out.

"Yes?" she turned around, arms crossed.

He suddenly got sullen and serious. "How do you think our child will react when they hear that I beat Uchiha Madara?"

"Impressed," Hinata said. "What you did was historical. You're going down in history as monumental and consequential."

"You really think that?" he asked, challenging her.

"Of course. But hey now... you're their father. Competing for their attention will be easy because you could win against the stars," she said. "They'll think you put the stars in the sky anyway."

She winked and Sasuke leaned on his sword.

¤¤¤

Later.

"Where is Hinata?" Sasuke asked, walking into kitchen with a grumpy Mitsuyo washing the dishes.

His arms ached and his whole body hummed with pain. It was a good work out. He might have tried harder since Hinata was there but that isn't a biggie. She wasn't really impressed by brute strength, though.

"She's upstairs- sleeping. Do not bother her. Her morning sickness has gotten worse and it's putting a strain on her body. She's defied the schedule and fell asleep too early." Mitsuyo said.

"Schedule?"

Why Mitsuyo would make a schedule freaks him out.

"Hey, I take my job seriously!"

"She's a pregnant woman, let her be," Sasuke said harshly.

"Says you, bozu. You and I both know that Hinata is... compliant to anything during pregnancy," Mitsuyo hummed.

"She could handle it. She's bent not broken."

Mitsuyo probably rolled her eyes. "She's bent and broke half of the things in my house! And she's incredibly clumsy," Mitsuyo complained with her back turned to him. "Despite having an inert exterior, she ruined two of my glass china teapots by squeezing them too hard. And she dropped two glasses while getting excited. I am forever switching to wooden trays, teapots, and cups. That way, she won't generate mayhem... She went with you to Kumo and left her family, friends and work as well, all thanks to you."

"Hn."

Mitsuyo gave him a sly side-glance like she grasped his secrets. "And why would you take a woman on such an obnoxious trip? She has the repositories, funds and supports back at home. The Hyuuga are ever rolling in dollars. They're royals. The trip to Kumo was hard and exhausting. She is late for all of her ultrasounds and medical checkups. Oh, Kami help us if she's having multiples. Imagine going back-" Mitsuyo gasped, turning round from the sink to face him. "You snake!"

"What?"

"You don't plan on taking her back after a year!"

Sasuke shrugged. "The child won't thrive there. Anyhow, what about the schedule?"

Mitsuyo clicked her tongue. "The schedule was put in place so more of the milestones that she has to face during pregnancy is monitored by me. This is nothing harmful and surely I wouldn't underperform or make any mistakes."

"I paid you not to."

"That's beside the point. Sasuke... she's been waiting for you to come back because she hasn't seen you. Blah, blah, blah."

Sasuke didn't bother listening.

"-Rather, Sasuke? What are you doing?" she asked.

Sasuke got to leaving. "I'm going to finish an errand I'm going to have a drink. Drink til my blood turns to alcohol. Leave me be."

Mitsuyo frowned and squawked, "What? In public? It's close to nine a.m. What about Hinata?"

"What about Hinata?" Sasuke questioned, not understanding.

"Your pregnant-" Mitsuyo hissed.

"She's not my pregnant anything, Mitsuyo. You and I both know that."

Mitsuyo paused, scowled deeply then revealed an amused smile. "Aw, there's that pout... The drunk's pout when an alcoholic can't drink."

"I am not an alcoholic," Sasuke scoffed.

"Then why do you drink so much?" she questioned, fire in her gray eyes. "Eh, you and I both know that shinobi don't get as much of a hangover unless you drink more than half the typical civilian would. The hangovers are notorious and your kidneys will fail if you continue like you do and-"

Sasuke paused, a dark laugh escaping his mouth. "Three magic words; I don't care. I have historically gravitated towards pain rather than softness."

"Oh boo hoo, Sasuke-boy! Why aren't you staying with her?" Mitsuyo said, showing signs of worry. "Her attitude changed. It's different. She's silent, more than usual and she has this perpetually sad look in her eyes. I've been spoiling her, pampering her and the thanks I get are... sad looks. It's rubbish. She has been twiddling her thumbs waiting for you to come back. I just met the girl so I don't know her daily attitude. I think you could help. She wanted you to be around. Bozu, stay and fix her-"

"She couldn't care less-" Sasuke began saying.

But somehow, it escaped his notice that Hinata would storm down the stairs and into the kitchen.

"Oh, Sasuke! Did you see the books Mitsuyo got me? A Haichi Shinichi original! The whole batch!" Hinata said as she put down the books. "You have to read them with me!"

Mitsuyo looked at Sasuke, particularly smug. Sasuke turned away, not particularly guilty.

"Ano, where are you going?" Hinata asked.

Sasuke turned around and blanked. "I'm doing business."

"Ah! He's doing business?" Mitsuyo asked with a knowing smile.

"Business? You just- you just came back?" Hinata sputtered. Hinata's happy look slept with the dogs. "I haven't seen you. Why are you leaving again?"

Sasuke looked at Hinata's face then back at Mitsuyo's. Caught. Damn it.

"Yes, child, what business are you doing?" Mitsuyo taunted.

"Something the Rokudaime assigned me to do," Sasuke lied, "it's... Classified."

"I am always ready to serve Konoha. What can I do for the Hokage?" Hinata said.

Sasuke turned away, aiming for the door. "It's nothing I can't handle."

"Wait!" Hinata called out.

He turned around again.

Hinata chewed on the edges of her lips. "Then at least let me show you the library."

Before he could say anything, she grabbed his wrist and ran through the house until they were led to a library.

The library had many leather-bound books and loose papers. There were high bookshelves lining the walls, stuffed to the brim with scrolls, books, and letters. It smelled of vanilla and dust. It was filled with boxes and weapons. Shuriken. Huh.

"Sasuke! Look at all of this," Hinata said, eyes a-dazzled with wonder. "I dusted everything up- and I moved some things up."

Sasuke observed as she twirled around everything. "Do I have to buy you a library?" he joked.

"Why buy a library if I have all of this?" Hinata hummed happily. "And- I swear, I'll pay you back, don't worry! Don't worry!"

"Nonsense," he shook his head. "You don't have to."

Hinata really didn't.

"Someday... Sasuke I'll change your mind," claimed Hinata. "I'm more stubborn than you."

Nah. He's way more strong willed than her. Sometimes, she folds easier than wet paper. He liked that sometimes and hated it at others.

He looked like he didn't believe her so she smiled. "We'll see. Someday," she whispered.

"There's a someday. Nice," he said. "That's nice."

"What did you say?" she asked, jumping beside him.

"Nothing!"

She looked at him for an extra two seconds. "I will. Anyway! Let's focus on these place."

"They're just books," he said. Only books.

Sasuke took to observing the semi-clean place. Probably her doing. This place hasn't been used in so long.

"This is where magic is created. Books are food for the brain."

"I'm fine with going hungry, so excuse me," he said, trying to leave.

She momentarily panicked before grabbing his arm again. "Come on! Stay a while... I just got you back... And I brought you here because of the Uchiha."

Sasuke stiffened at her touch. "The Uchiha?"

He was busy looking at her hands. Her eyes roamed his face before noticing. His wrist was especially hot since she was holding him. Her fingers sprung apart and she put distance between them.

She coughed a little and recovred. "There are a lot of books about them here. There are documentaries, radio recordings, scrolls, books, paintings and weapons that originate from your clan. I found one or two jutsus that I can do and some seals that I can learn. I found an autobiography that tells me some shuriken that we could use."

"Mitsuyo is meddling with things that she has no right to!"

What the hell?

"These were actually owned by former Uchiha... If Mitsuyo collects them... What is the harm in that? Some run towards chaos and tragedy like a moth does a flame."

"This is disrupting the peace of my clan," Sasuke snapped. "My dead clan."

She stepped back. "Sasuke... there's nothing wrong with Mitsuyo having pieces of your history. It's keeping your clan alive in a way."

"Everyone's dead! And I try my hardest to leave the past alone but it haunts me. The clan massacre happened so long ago and I don't think people should mess with this stuff. Grave robbers shouldn't be praised nor should people who collect things like these."

"Mitsuyo is not a grave robber!"

Sasuke shook his head, glaring at the ground. "She's something like it. Something worse."

"I'm not defending her but it's neat to read about your clan... Their medical histories, their ways of life and traditions," Hinata said quietly.

"Did you want to learn about my clan?" Sasuke looked at her carefully.

"Of course! And you won't tell me anything."

"That's the way it should be."

"That's. I know that but eventually, our child is going to want to know about our separate clans and I know nothing about yours and our sharingan child will want to know and I got interested."

"They're all just horror stories and the rest are just true."

"The shared opinion of everyone may not be the honest one. Konoha got into your brain and poisoned your thoughts of what the Uchiha are. I don't exactly know what happened but I know that they were at some poin in time- enchanting, peaceful people," she breathed.

Why does Hyuuga have to say it like that?

"How do you know that? We're just outsiders to them," he snapped. It's getting hard to breathe, and he doesn't know why.

"You're not an outsider. Don't you want to look at them?" she said.

"You're a Hyuuga. You'd never get it!" Sasuke admitted.

"Sasuke... me being a Hyuuga or Uchiha doesn't matter. Me being human means that I'll try to see the best in someone."

Sasuke looked down. "You are being stupid, then."

"Your clan... Their autobiographies... are quite interesting. Not all of your clan's men were evil like the public says. Some are heroic, some lion-hearted and others magnanimous." Hinata whispered. "You can't deny."

"I've never heard anyone say they were anyone less than scum. Much less, heroic," Sasuke said calmly.

"Sasuke-"

"Hinata- just stop. Just stop," he said, the air not being enough. "I have to be somewhere."

He was already gone.

¤¤¤

Sasuke laid in an open room, thinking of how much he missed them.

Someday he would see Itachi and his family again. Sasuke couldn't wait to see his very own brother. Where has Itachi been? Sasuke has no clue. They're both hell-bound but Itachi'll get out.

Hinata keeps on saying that Sasukee'll be just fine in a matter of time. The day his family died was the worst of all. Everything was so goddamn barren. An empty void the size of his whole fucking clan. He let the lights fall and everything was dark.

Everyone would just leave him alone if he showed any sign of being depressed about everyone he knew being lifeless. It was like they didn't particularly care or want to indulge in the darkness he amassed in his lifetime. All the resentment was tied up... held inside and everyone waited for him to off himself. He knows the hate they have for him. He has that under wraps because he knows he deserves it.

He was so angry at everyone for getting up and leaving him. He was so fucking angry at everyone for dying. Everyone continually and blatantly gave up on him.

He was outcasted or the lost cause that no one tried to help. The toy no one wanted to play with and if they did, they rue the day they wanted to. So normal yet he was left alone. Then they leave and he's stuck with the mess, the memories and himself.

Everyone's just gone and he's left with the task of cleaning up the mess of the legend to restore.

It kills him. Slowly. Slowly. All the time.

And fuck. Hyuuga's still there. It was annoying. So annoying.

He laid on the bed, in broad daylight. His eyes were glued to the wooden ceiling.

"You've been standing there for a while," Sasuke called out. "Just come in."

There wasn't any nervousness in her moonstruck eyes, only concern. The anger subsides or perhaps he has lost the energy to keep up with the anger. It took everything he had to make it this long and it's fading when she comes into view. Can he even see?

"Sasuke? Are you alright? It's not normal to see you... bedridden. I looked for you all over and you were hidden from me," Hinata whispered.

Hidden. Oh. That's great.

"I didn't know what to say to you which has supposedly become rare... So, I thought of things to say but..." Hinata lingered from outside of the door.

He grunted in response.

Hinata came in.

He turned to look at her.

"Go away," he said.

With some new confidence, she refused. "Uh. No."

Hinata settled on the bed before he could say anything or protest. It was bold and so unlike her but that didn't stir him. The unbalanced mattress made him feel reassured.

She cleared her throat to while shiftinng once more. "I know that I have been bothering you about your clan... way too much."

He turned over to face her and she blushed but she didn't stop talking.

"I shouldn't have disrupted anything. And please, do not get angry with me but I'm sorry... I know it's from..." Hinata slowly reached out and pointed to his heart, "in there."

Sasuke sighed. He's still so strangely hurt. Why'd this have to happen to him? Why?

"I've kind of decided... Not a sword, a new shirt or whatever. My perfect gift to you is to offer my understanding." Hinata admitted.

Sasuke laughed a bit. That's... That's not too bad.

"Do you want to talk about it? Anything, your thoughts or like your story... We have time, you know? We have a year so... I would like to hear it to help you," Hinata smiled.

When she asked to hear his story, Sasuke realized that he has been lacking someone to hear it.

Then she was in front of him, lending her ear, without judgment.

He hasn't come upon a person like this in a long time. In fact, he thought people like her didn't exist. Why was Hinata like this? She is kind and she is gentle. She smiles softly and laughs so modestly that you can barely hear her joy.

"No... you talk," he said, not quite ready to infect her with his thoughts.

They're all just horror stories then corruption then death. He does want to tell her his story but he didn't know how. There'd be things he wouldn't say and many torn pages but he probably wouldn't say anything.

"About what?" she squeaked, eyes widening.

"Anything."

She obliged. "I didn't think I was pregnant then but... my father told me that I was going to be married off and my child would be in the branch family and with that- any respect I had for him was... destroyed completely... and that one incident alone kept me from ever trusting my father. I don't want him to see our kid... but I know someone who would have loved to meet our child."

"Who?

"He was extraordinary. I tried playing instruments as a hobby... He wanted to train and I made a song for him. It was easy to hear, remember and play... It's taken me until now to listen to it. It makes me sob but happy with tears. I'm happy for the time I spent with him. It reminds me of his last farewell. I miss him more than words can say."

"Who else have you lost?" Sasuke asked.

Oh fuck, it's morbid. He shouldn't find comfort in other people's loss... but he did. One death could never compare to the massacre but it helped.

"My... mother," she said. "I sometimes see her around here. In some way, I feel her watching over me. She's the scent of certain meals, the breezes of wind, the smell of flowers and the overall, my soul knows that she is at peace," Hinata took a moment to steady her voice. "She's the smell of jasmine that I detect in the kitchen or in the archives I used to work in during training for being a medical-nin."

It was strange to hear her words tinged with sadness. He didn't know that she lost someone.

He always thinks he's the only one drinking over lost people but other people were dealing with things. She was piling up heavy baggage. She dealt with more than he knew. She didn't look like where she comes from... it is joyless where once there was laughter... Where things are falling apart.

"With every death comes honor. With honor, redemption," Sasuke said.

"Where'd you hear that?"

"Some game at a bar."

"Very wise. Mhm, clarity..." she nodded, not denying the two stray tears that fell.

The truth got heavier but they laid there, not indulging in their individual sadnesses. Instead, they breathed in and out. They synched out in their sadness and sorrow.

The tear tracks disappeared. Dried out. How long have they been there?

"I've been wondering about Konoha," Hinata focused on his eyes. "Don't you ever feel like you're not friends... with your friends?"

"Yeah... we're just better on the fringes,"

There was a strange look on her face.

"What?" Sasuke asked.

"I just realized something crazy. Have you noticed we are ascending into a new plane of existence? We're friends... aren't we?"

Something hit his head. Maybe it was just realization. There was an intense quiet- a polarization of some sort. It disappeared. Gone.

"Yeah," he said quietly. It was surprising, to have to admit that.

"Friends? I'm glad that you're one of them... I don't have many friends,"

"Me neither. You know... you're an exception."

She smiled that smile, when for a moment, time stops and the whole world ceased to exist.

"It feels good to be the one exception," Hinata smiled.

They stopped talking for a while.

"We're getting good at this. Understanding troubles and not leaving things unsaid. Heal the way you do. Be gentle with yourself. You're trying your best. I won't force you to be okay with what Itachi did or what angry, spiteful people said," she told him. "You don't have to forgive them. You just have to recover."

"It's a burden. Don't hold yourself responsible for my well being. It won't fix me," Sasuke said harshly. "You won't fix me."

"I don't want to fix you or change you. I like you the way you are. I just want you to be happy," Hinata chewed on her lips. "Have you ever been to therapy?"

"I've made three of those fools quit their jobs," he said proudly.

"Three?"

He nodded. "What's the problem?"

"It's just..." She sighed, shaking her head. "I'm just going to be patient with you and you know? Help you."

"That's beyond you. Why would you do that? Make my messes matter?"

"That's what friends do. I promise. Peace should never be permanent although peace should come to all. "

Ah.

It was kind of fine when her head rested next to his.

He's fought impossible creatures. He has lived his life so many years in chaos. To lay there with Hinata. To laugh and smirk and joke around using muscles that seem strange and new yet so familiar at the same time is odd.

Through hatred, he's come to know the pain and through pain love and through love he knows pain. It's been diluted since he's met her. He's known no real war except for that which lives in his mind. Through disconnection with the people he knows physically, he could appreciate her from here.

She was a broken girl like a porcine doll. Not much is hidden underneath. He was much of the same but all these different pieces are falling into place.

They sat on the bed, doing nothing but look at each other.

The world is like chewing gum in the universe's teeth. He was the gum in bad luck's jaw. He's just bones for someone to crush. Now he's a person in her eyes.

He was in a darker place. Sometimes, he flirts with the thought of suicide, but nothing lasts... It'll get better. It got better.

He's troubled by what he's been through but now... he feels so normal- painless while sitting with her. His darkness is still there but it's quiet, lurking inside but... he feels better.

Somehow, looking at her now, he felt melancholy. He felt it; nostalgia for summers he has never spent with her and memories he has never had with her.

He started thinking of the older years. If he had the chance to relive those days, he would take it. He would run away for good.

However, he didn't mind staying here.

The sun was setting on the glass windows. He glanced to an indigo enigma and looked down to the smile silking its way into her face.

"It's fine on the fringes," she whispered.

"Right. Now... yeah."

¤¤¤

November 4th. Dinnertime.

They were on the floor, across from each other with the coffee table between them. He was eating and now she's being a bother. She ate gross noodles.

"You can't live off of baby tomatoes," Hinata said, pulling the plate of tomatoes closer to her.

"Watch me," he said, taking them back.

"I would cook you something but there's the off chance that you won't be here next dinner. So you can't avoid meals. Why aren't you eating?" Hinata asked.

"They're noodles," he said as if that answered all of her questions. Sasuke watched as Hinata ate her noodles. "How do you eat ramen after watching Naruto's fetish for it? I don't get it. I'm better off with lard or tree bark bits."

She laughed. "You don't like tree bark."

"Why are you laughing?" Sasuke raised one eyebrow.

"It's just funny. You don't like anything," she got out between giggles.

"There is not a lot to like," he said.

"That's so like you to say!" she giggled.

Sasuke frowned.

"Lard is disgusting but tree bark... Now... those aren't too bad. You liked the Tamarac tea we had in Shimo. Even if you didn't like it, I sneaked it in your food."

"Why?" Sasuke demanded. "When did you start doing that?"

"When you made your second batch of beef jerky, I put some nutrients and some vitamins in your food. To make up for your loss of health. You like salty junk food... You're not the healthiest shinobi out there," she pursed her lips.

"Hn," he stated. "I don't appreciate it. At least look guilty."

Hinata swallowed a laugh and bowed slightly. "I'll stop. I'm sorry. Forgive me?"

"Hn. Fine," he said, eating some baby tomatoes.

"Anyway, while we were at the koi pond, I wished them all a plentiful life, however long that may be," she looked at him.

"Do you think that Mitsuyo eats any of them?" he asked.

Hinata choked on her noodles. "That's morbid, Sasuke. That would be like eating your pet. She named all of them!"

"You see the good, I see the ugly. Hinata, you know, times get tough. You make sacrifices."

She shook her head, wondering why he would say something remotely horrible like that.

"Oh," she said. "Speaking of pets, are you allergic to anything?"

"Soy beans."

Those gross things.

"Oh! Good."

"You like that I'm allergic to something?"

She shook her head, laughing a bit. "No, don't kid yourself! I thought you were allergic to pets or some other type of animal," She was still giddy with excitement.

"You want a pet?"

"Our child might," she stated dismissively.

"Do you want one?"

"I thought you would never ask!" she said, squealing.

Sasuke rolled his eyes.

"I would like a cat or a snake. Can't you speak to snakes? I mean... your summoning animals seem quite content to speak to you... Wouldn't every other serpent be happy to do the same?"

"You think I can talk to snakes? Like a damn snake charmer?" he asked.

She nodded- crimson, shrugging a bit.

"I can't talk to them. They don't seem to like me. I got bitten by quite a few," he sighed at the pain. Hyuuga was about to blow her top and he shook his head. "Don't fret. I'm immune to a vast majority of poisonous substances."

"Sasuke, your immunity... that defies what the human body... can tolerate? Did Orochimaru have something to do with it? Oooh, I will give him a piece of my mind-"

"Don't be mad. It was a part of my training. I needed the strength," he said. "If it weren't for Orochimaru or Itachi... I wouldn't be here. With you, now."

Hinata seemed to calm down. Slightly. "Even so... I do not like what he's done to you," Hinata looked at his invisible left arm. "What anyone's done to you."

"He's changed. He never became good, he hasn't repented from the evil he's participated in. He just changed his perceptions," Sasuke said, chewing on some tomatoes.

She shrugged. "While that's over with, I want to know what type of pet you want to have. A cat would be nice," Hinata suddenly got quiet. "And... in Konoha, I want to visit the Uchiha... mass grave and pay my respects. Your parents... are buried there. I think that it's fair that both of our parents know what miracle both of us made."

"I see Konoha as a graveyard. There are ghosts walking around in a cemetery or something. It's hell."

"I'll stand by you," she said. "Know that, okay? I'm with you. Don't look at me like that... Like you don't believe me... Who's going to stand with you if I don't and our child doesn't?" she looked at him. "It's just being by your side."

"You're surprisingly loyal... I didn't expect that... from anyone," Sasuke admitted.

"There's a certain loyalty parents have for each other... Isn't there?"

"Yeah. There is," he said.

"Do you still not want some ramen?"

"No."

"Your loss," she snorted.

"And the baby's gain. You've got more than enough but you gotta put on the pounds," he paused.

He suddenly noticed the pricks of tears in her eyes.

"Heh... Don't... cry," he said, resigning himself to torture. "We can watch that lame chick flick later on."

"Yay!" Hyuuga clapped.

He sighed. What am I going to do with you, Hinata? Sasuke thought. He denied the smile on his face, though.

¤¤¤

-End Chapter-