Sweet Dispositions

-Chapter 49-
Marriage

After getting hugged by Ino and all the girls, Hinata sat as they conversed. She loved these people... way too much. Much further out in the distance, Karui's daughter and Amarante embraced, squealing about something.

"That's a cool tower you got there," Benjiro said to Mirai, away from his siblings.

Mirai, who was grown with the fruits of Asuma's chaotic hair and Kurenai's scarlet eyes, pulled Benjiro down and they were instant friends.

"That's my Ka-san. She buys me blocks." Benjiro pointed to Hinata.

"Oh. I dunno who she is." Mirai smiled.

Hinata looked away quickly. She deserved that...

Taiyo sighed beside a boy with pineapple hair, sitting down and eating.

All around her, there were flowers, her favourite foods, tomatoes and lots of beer and wine. The men and women segregated, naturally. The women went into the living room while all of their men settled around the balcony.

Hinata leaned against the snack table. It felt good to be there.

Kiba came up to her and she smiled. Instead of smiling, Kiba peered closely at her face. So much so that she got self-conscious.

"Here- a hair's stuck to your lip..." Kiba said, wiping away a hair on the side of her cheek.

Kiba froze and shoved his hand in his pocket. Hinata chose to ignore that.

"Did you guys plan this?" Hinata asked, clearing her throat from the ackwardness. "It's so elaborate. You guys even got cinnamon buns!"

Kiba nodded proudly."Yeah. Enjoy the party. We've all got kids and work and people to save. It's hard to get the gang all together like this," Kiba said.

Hinata widened her eyes. "I didn't want to... intrude-"

"Nah. You're more important than intruders. You're one of us and we take care of our own. And now I have another lovely lady to help babysit my pups when Akamaru isn't around. That Makoto..."

Kiba has kids too? Wow. They're so grown up. Talking about kids would have been too embarrassing years ago... Her jaw's on the floor. And Makoto's already showing off her cat to Hiromitsu.

Taiyo grumbled, "Turtles are better."

"Yeah. Mako-chan's cute, isn't she?" Kiba barked his laughter.

"She's beautiful," Hinata smiled.

Upon seeing Hinata watching the child, Mako gave Hinata a huge hug.

Hinata was shocked.

A baby dog, the size of a book laid comfortably on her tufts of honey blonde hair and a cat was at her feet. She ran away quickly after waving at her father.

"She's the only Inuzuka who has both a dog and cat life companion. Her mother was a cat breeder... Her family used to care for the cat-summons of the Uchiha..." Kiba explained. "So weird. Cats and dogs- kind of like you and Sasuke or you're the moon and he's a tramp."

Hinata flushed. "You- don't have to be so nice..."

He gave a half shrug. "We've told her stories about you. She's your favourite... She wants to be just like you," Kiba whispered. "Er, the old you..."

Hm... That was a little backhanded but she nudged him. "I'm confident you'll like the new me if you tried..."

Mako shouldn't know Hinata's name with how she treated Kiba... She forgot about their friendship and only, solely focused on Sakura and Ino. She made a lot of mistakes with all of them. However, she was willing to make it all better.

Kiba didn't answer. Hinata frowned a bit. Ouch.

"Did you really run away with the Uchiha? Did he keep you captive and breed you? He kept you during his bloody massacres and made you clean his swords. I think that makes him a coward. Were you lonely?" he asked, all seriousness in his tone. "Did you really fall for him?"

Hinata narrowed her eyes. "Don't be rude. He treated me well. I wouldn't let anything else happen... Did you really keep a picture of me in your wallet?"

Kiba crossed his buff arms. "What if I said no?"

"Then I would ask why... why you started," Hinata said carefully.

He slapped a photo of her in her early twenties onto the snacks table. "I thought about you every day when you were gone. Did you take a wrong turn to end up with Uchiha Sasuke? Did I let you pass me by?"

"What?" Hinata asked. "You don't mean-"

He sighed. "I forgot what your face looked like... And photos reminded all of us."

Hinata felt small and guilty. "I'm sorry-"

"You should be." Silence. Kiba glared at the spot beside her left foot. "You act like you don't remember what happened between us."

"What happened?" Hinata asked curiously.

"The kiss. Our kiss," he spat the words.

"Oh Kiba- that wasn't... a kiss. It was more like a mistake-"

"A mistake?" Kiba asked, outraged.

"You were dating Tamaki and we had just beaten the bad guys. It was more like a defence mechanism to all the dead bodies around us!"

"It wasn't a defence mechanism. You kissed me-"

"I didn't mean to," Hinata interrupted, shaking her head. "It... wasn't supposed to happen. The hormones during those weeks and pregnancy made... me -not that it's an excuse- just... more tolerable than other times. I couldn't... I wouldn't play with kisses and their importance like that."

"You did though. The last time I saw you after Naruto's wedding. You said- it doesn't matter now. For five years, it tore me up and you don't even remember," Kiba scoffed then walked away.

Hinata completely forgot about that. She must've wiped it from her memories and that's why... Kiba has been so distant.

Why is that time such a blur? Why is there a huge haze? Why would she kiss him? She didn't mean to ruin that... Them.

She remembered... She turned around, to go meet and catch up with the women. She met a shell-shocked Temari in her purple robes and pink lipstick, jaw hanging.

"Oh- I wasn't supposed to hear that..." Temari said awkwardly.

Hinata sighed. "Don't tell Sasuke, please. He hates Kiba enough."

Temari offered her a glass of grape wine. "Want some wine?"

"Always... but where's Sakura?" Hinata asked, looking around.

"She's at the hospital- it's a real emergency with her patient."

"She didn't want to see me..." Hinata concluded.

"I don't have an answer for that..." Temari whispered.

Hinata looked down.

Temari looked at her for a moment. "I am afraid of you but I like you. It's a strange feeling... I don't like being uncertain about those I become close to."

Hinata tilted her head. "I'm not... that rude all the time... The situations give many a lot of stress. I fell victim to it."

Temari shrugged. "My brother, the Kazekage, speaks fondly of you and he seldom thinks of other people. If you could penetrate his shell, then I think I could indeed come to the same pool of thought... That you're quite lovely."

Hinata smiled a bit. "You could come over later and we'll have lunch. Our kids seem to get along."

Temari gave a wary smile. "I don't know but- let's go meet everyone's kids. You have to learn their names. Every. Single. One."

Hinata smiled though she was mildly scared to death. She got introduced to what everyone was doing and their kids.

Karui and Choji ran businesses, with Chocho as their pink-loving, golden-eyed girl and the Akimichi clan to control. Karui acted as a diplomat from Kumogakure but Hinata might take that job. They provided all the food for the get-together. Fruit baskets and coupons for their restaurant.

Temari and Shikamaru got married a month or two after Naruto and Sakura- having a child named Shikidai. He was so wonderful and smart. It was almost uncanny.

Temari gave Hinata a letter of Gaara, another one, which was weird and Sasuke scowled a lot at the fact.

Lee and Tenten had their child Metal Lee, whom she knew and got another huge hug. Lee teaches a genin team and Tenten has her dojo with many swords. Sasuke was impressed with the craftsmanship of the sword they gifted Sasuke.

Sai and Ino were the leaders of the ANBU. Sai became the clan head of the Yamanaka. Their child is an artist while Ino becams the best neurosurgeon at Konoha Medical Centre. Inojin and Amarante got along for some reason.

Kurenai and Kakashi are training Naruto in becoming Hokage. So they're busy with the pregnancy, the restoration of Konoha and the political problems with Iwagakure and Sunagakure. Kakashi also got into an accident that recently messed up his shoulder, so he's off duty.

He does love Mirai, as his own. She calls him "Papa" and Hinata wondered if Kurenai liked it.

Shino never had children. He likes teaching them but he won't settle down. He does have a lovely wife.

Tamaki died a year after Makoto was born. Kiba disappeared for three months, looking for her. He worked at an animal clinic and got jonin rank, to support Makoto. Akamaru also had two pups, which is adorable.

Naruto and Sakura have one child; Shinachiku with beautiful green eyes and hair a shade of calm blonde. The toddler hasn't yelled once and is silent, observing and all around has a peaceful aura. It got disrupted by Amarante yelling at him for blocking a toy but she turned away.

Sakura became chief of surgery and made history with new findings and techniques. Naruto is doing more office work as an intern, so he's almost never home- which annoys Sakura but there are trusty clones.

Hinata smiled at all the children.

Chocho. Shikidai. Metal Lee. Inojin. Mirai. Benjiro. Amarante. Hiromitsu. Taiyo. Makoto. Shinachiku. These are the Konoha 12's legacies, all five or so years old. With Mirai, Taiyo, and Benjiro the exceptions.

This is the new generation.

It was beautiful and she had to get a drink. She missed all of this... All of it.

She needed a drink.

¤¤¤

Shikamaru had weird hair.

He smelled like a cigarette. He wore beige and white. His eyes shone brown. His piercing shone silver like dark smoke. He even looked like a cigarette too.

That isn't what annoyed Sasuke. Over the years, the Nara has worked with Sasuke on occasion. Sasuke and him never spoke casually. Somewhere in between the lines of tobacco Shikamaru smoked, there was some respect.

Now, they're across from each other, Naruto was laughing at a joke someone made and the kids ran wild. A shogi board. Right here. Right now. They will play, for some reason.

"So... Why exactly are you making me play this?" Sasuke asked, looking at Shikamaru then at the gō board and pieces.

"Temari said I should make amends with you. You know the scorn of hers if I don't follow orders," Shikamaru said.

No. No, he actually didn't.

"Temari?" Sasuke winced.

Which one was she again? There were too many people! Hinata had too many friends.

Shikamaru chuckled. "Speak the devil's name and she shall appear. She really wanted Hinata to be apart of her friendship. At least that you and I get along."

Why? Shikamaru saw Sasuke's caustic glare in the direction of other people.

"What?" Shikamaru asked, furrowing his brows.

"It's tiring to be forced into crowds," Sasuke said.

"I believe that you can't go one second without proving you're tougher than Naruto. That gets tiring to watch," he yawned.

Sasuke decided against pulling a sword into Shikamaru's gut, mainly because Hinata was watching. He didn't want to get blood on his sword.

"You were going to ruin Hinata's surprise party... by being late on purpose," Shikamaru continued. "There would've been recourses. Some wanted to quit and go home but Naruto held out and waited for you to show."

"Is that so?" Sasuke asked. Shikamaru nodded. "Remind me why you're playing this game with me when you could be playing second fiddle to Naruto?"

Shikamaru scowled. Sasuke smirked.

Shikamaru sighed loudly. "When Naruto becomes Hokage, he will pardon you for all your crimes. He has this idea that you could be a supporting Kage since you do missions for Konoha that only otherwise be performed by Kage-level shinobi."

"I have no desire to do such things."

"What? Don't you want to serve Konoha and repent for your sins?"

"Don't assume shit about me," Sasuke snapped. "I want to be alive, thank you very much. I have other priorities than revenge. I won't be leaving the village that often anyway."

"Oh. Your project. Cute."

"It's not some small wooden stick house. It'll be a community built in the Uchiha district."

"Ah. I know how much it matters to you. That is why I am willing to help."

Sasuke nearly jumped in his spot. "Seriously?"

"You still burned down all the houses and plants in that area. Some of the Hyuuga used that land... for gardening and such. Also, to expand their territories... According to the village map, the Aburame clan lives right next to you... And the Hyuuga on the other side."

Sasuke nodded. "Hinata's clan will definitely refuse to help..."

He scratched the back of his neck. "And that's where I step in."

"How and especially where?"

"The Uchiha were originally confined to a small part of Konoha to ostracize them, as punishment for allegedly releasing the nine-tails whom we both know was an Uchiha but Obito, or Madara at the time. I don't want to create that disease of dissonance within your community by being isolated... Naruto will deal with that during his reign and no one wants that."

"I don't want that." Sasuke nodded.

"Today's ignorance will be tomorrow's problem. So, I'm offering to allow future Uchiha in my clan's district and the other men here will be willing when the Uchiha are numerous enough to do so."

Sasuke thought this was too good to be true. "People only help others if there is something they could gain or if they owe something..."

"Your pride can't allow you to take help?" Shikamaru demanded tiredly.

Yeah. Sasuke sat up taller. "Tell me what you want."

"Weak men create hard times. If the Uchiha think like you do right now, you'll never progress. There's the Uchiha mentality in a nutshell. That distrust."

Sasuke took offence and stared at Shikamaru's unfeeling brown eyes.

Sasuke wilted a bit. "Damn straight there would be distrust. I know this welcome back party is only for Hinata. I'm fine with that. You don't like me at all and now you're offering peace and shelter for future Uchiha..."

"I didn't owe anyone anything but Hinata saved my life..." Shikamaru said, smiling a bit.

Sasuke frowned. "That's a mighty broad statement. That sounds like the magic of debt. Owing someone."

"It's the magic of kindness. When Asuma died, she's the person I'd rant to. She would tolerate hours and hours of slow, torturous gō games just for the sake of me. She took care of Mirai and Kurenai. I'd never let her win until she did on her own. Once. Then she made me conquer card games."

"So you made her obsession with board games and card games emerge..." Sasuke noted drily.

"It was a pleasure not speaking with her."

"What the hell does that mean?"

Shikamaru sighed, scratching the back of his neck. "I don't play gō with just anyone. No one can understand gō in the ways she does. And she wasn't yappy like all the women I know. She never spoke but everything was said. It made sense; to have sunshine in the shadows..."

For all Sasuke knows, she talked a lot but she also understands the value of silence. She's clumsy and had issues with gravity. She did nag, and yell and the sarcasm she spits came from him but she's a listener.

And she listened really well. It's all sunshine and shadows for Hinata and Sasuke too.

Hinata sent a sunny smile over to Sasuke, laughing with Karui and Temari about something.

"Why is Temari so interested in Hinata?" Sasuke asked.

"Hinata is a pleasant person. Temari kind of took her spot with her being gone for five years and she's seen how Ino and Sakura act. She wants Hinata to fit in to do womanly things. Like academy schoolgirls, sometimes they're super dramatic," Shikamaru rolled his eyes.

"You got that right," Sasuke chuckled.

"Anyway, Temari was paranoid that she couldn't replace Hinata and that made it shitty for the other women. Now, she wants to learn about Hinata and be the friend they were supposed to be five years ago. If you won't travel as much, you'll have more time in Konoha, to work on homebound issues with me."

"Do you really want me working with you?" Sasuke asked, skeptical. It's strange to get help from someone who Shikamaru thinks is sort of a sociopath in waiting. Sasuke.

"No. But longterm issues of your mistrust can be dispelled with short-term solutions. Besides, we need the help. Konoha has many but Konoha is one. It's better for you to be a friend rather than an enemy."

"I don't want to be friends. Your mother threw a shoe at me. I almost got a concussion."

Shikamaru let out a breath. "That's a figure of speech and women throw things all the time. Not that I mean it, I wouldn't mind playing gō with someone with skill and technical thinking."

"Are you saying you want to beat me? That won't happen," Sasuke insisted.

"Let's see."

Sasuke nodded and made his first move. Maybe this will be a good thing. Maybe something good could work.

Then Naruto joined.

Oh hell no.

¤¤¤

Naruto burst into the kitchen where Hinata stared at a bottle of apple cider and lavender beside her hip. The lights were off until he flicked them on.

Hinata didn't bother greeting him with words. She tipped her drink up and went back to closing her eyes, ignoring him.

She opened her eyes after an odd pressure was felt.

He looked crazed when she looked up to his panting chest and balled up fists. Love wasn't there when she saw him... He looked mature... and attractive but not in the way she wanted to kiss him. Just in the way she noticed it and like- wanted to stare at Sasuke...

"Having trouble, Naruto?" Hinata asked in a sultry sweet voice.

"I think I would have punched Sasuke in the face if I stayed in that room for longer, Hina-chan," he said, shaking his head and centring himself.

"I know... We all do but I would rather kiss it all better. I bet I'm... a special case and you wouldn't like to do that now," she winked, "or again."

Naruto paused, looking at her, eyes so violently blue from this angle. "You joke now... I've never heard you make a joke... or seen you drink..."

Well... The moon is out, the apple cider is quite nice and the candles have a special charm to 'em, Hinata knew it was a wonderful time to be here.

You haven't seen a lot of me. I haven't seen your real self either. Just fantasies, Hinata thought.

Naruto approached her and they both stood in the kitchen, against the counter, not looking at each other.

Hinata didn't feel the morbid need to talk to him. He didn't know her well enough to say anything.

Silence ensued, passively. Every bubble popping in the not too far from vinegar solution sounded like a gunshot and her gulps like cannons.

"How did you get away with staying in the kitchen?" he asked suddenly.

"Genjutsu and masking my chakra..."

"You do genjutsu?"

"Nope. Sasuke-love just thought I'd like some alone time..."

Naruto awkwardly did a double take. "Oh- sorry... I'll go."

She nudged him because they were that close. "You don't have to go. Not alone time, I mean a break from... All this unless you want to go. Have fun, with the mayhem and vultures," Hinata warned him.

Naruto looked at her for a long time, again, like they've never met and she was a new piece in his life that didn't fit.

"You're different..." he popped an eyebrow up.

"Am I? You know when you get a different type of ramen flavour and it tastes good? That kind of different?" Hinata said, quoting him.

"When I look at you... you don't look away or brush your hair into your face and there's no flush. No colour. You laugh and you're mad at me. You've never done that before," he added.

"I never laughed around you?"

"Not because of me. Indirectly."

"I always thought I would choke. It was a real possibility in that time frame..." Hinata laughed. "Pathetic, was it?"

Maybe not. She didn't want him to agree. If he did, she could... melt into a puddle of shame. Were all teens and tweens lovestruck? She could die of embarrassment if he didn't-

Naruto smirked. "It was cute. In the sister kind of way."

Hinata looked at the curve of his chin, the rise and fall of his warm chakra and the way he lights up a room with his infectious... charm. She would have laughed so hard if she saw him as nothing more than the village hero, a no... a normal teenage boy who was reckless but meant well.

"You would have been a good friend but I loved you," Hinata admitted, "and that ruined it."

He stopped cold, freezing. "You loved me?"

Of course, it's sad that he didn't know or remember... She sighed, swishing around her amber drink.

"Didn't you feel it in my chakra? When you walked me home that one day in August and I thought it was the best day of my life?" Her throat closed, and she sounded stupid and hurt.

"You loved me the way I loved ramen?"

"Yes, I loved you the way I loved cinnamon buns." Hinata sighed. She hated to be the one who lost her love for him...

"You like cinnamon buns?"

He really doesn't know her... But it's mutual. She doesn't know anything about him except for that he liked to train...sleep and train some more... He shouldn't feel guilty.

The pain of an unrequited love is a pain one never forgets. A beautiful, awful, desperate ache she should have stopped feeling...

"Never mind... When I think of what I did... I think about an author I always read. He had the wisdom to carry us in all situations. Haichi Shinichi, do you know him? He was a good friend of the first Kage," Hinata smiled.

He scratched the back of his neck, rocking on his heels. "Haven't brushed up on my reading lately."

"When it rains, it pours, as my love did you. It evaporated, as my love did for you. It pooled inside of me, as my love did for you. It ran through me, as my love did for you. But eventually, it left, as I did to you... Haichi Shinichi. But my question is... who says water can't leave its river?" Hinata asked.

"It can."

"It did."

And again, they are swept into this awkwardness.

"And sorry, no offence or anything. Naruto... I think you're lovely, up there with many other talented, handsome men but I don't think you're my type anymore..." Hinata cringed.

She didn't make some winter blizzard come in or something.

"None taken," he laughed.

The ice was broken.

Finally.

"Is it because I'm not with more duck hair, uh, emo and the sharingan eyes?" Naruto asked.

Hinata smiled in a petite way, giving him just as small of a look. "Yes... that's my guy. My soon-to-be husband, as well."

"Lucky bastard."

"Sakura's lucky to have you, too," Hinata nodded. "I can read that... too."

"Damn. I didn't even know you liked to read, I hate reading," he said.

Hinata laughed. "Mr. Hokage needs to read or else the village will fall into... chaos. Do you think you will manage it?"

"I will! I've been training all my life for this! Once Kakashi sensei lags behind, I will protect and pick up the mess-"

Hinata took a long gulp of her apple cider. The bubbles popped and something in her just went off. "Why didn't you respond to my confession?"

"Shit Hinata... We don't have to talk about this," Naruto said, panicking a bit.

"I think we do! I almost died for you and didn't get a response, even now- nearing 10 years later. You didn't ask... I would've done again. Even now, but why didn't you let me down easy? Or say something?"

"I didn't want to focus on anything other than the war, the Kyuubi kept on kicking my ass and the Akatsuki we're around the corner and Sasuke. He took up a lot of my time and energy. I had... no energy to tell you anything. If I did, I had no courage to let you down easy. I forgot... You loved and cared for me because of everything that happened."

Hinata sighed. "All of our friends reminded you, all the time. You led me on and made me believe that we were on the raft for something better! There was a lot of water, Naruto! You didn't even remember that? Me? I wasn't good enough for your love?"

"No. I'm sure you're great, I just... never saw you in that way. I saw you as loyal, kind, dark but really helpful. I'm sorry, you weren't Sakura..." Naruto said honestly.

His last syllables resonated within her... like a bell. She felt cold, along with the sweeping nature of the confession. Hinata wouldn't ever be Sakura. That sense of loss hit her a bit. She had this desperate hopefulness. She didn't get over him quickly and painlessly. The worst way to miss someone is to have sitting right next to you and knowing you can never have them.

She didn't want him... or miss him but harsh... His eyes are shining and I can't look away, Hinata thought sadly.

"Yeah. I am not but she filled your heart. And you filled mine." Hinata sighed.

Hinata wasn't Sakura. She wanted to be. Jealousy is stupid. Does she now? Never. She found who she loved and what she liked... She was just... jealous. If she couldn't make Naruto love her, see her for who not a failure she thought it would be alright.

"I know you work hard, every day and you are awesome. Sasuke is lucky to have you." Naruto added, seeing her expression. "I'm sure that-"

"Don't- just be quiet..." she said suddenly. "If I hear you say something, it'll set me off and I won't be able to forgive you... Just... be quiet."

Her life always seemed like a smeared mirror with sensations and feelings she didn't know how to comprehend... Naruto always fogged everything up, made it swirled like noodles and that's sort of her fault. She looked away. It was a wicked thing to do, to let her fall in love with him...

He would always smell like nostalgia and sweetness. The smell of first love. It's classically timeless.

Hinata held up a vial of the lavender. "Smell this."

"What, you're going to poison me?" Naruto asked.

"I wouldn't, don't be daft. Now smell it," Hinata ordered, holding the vial of lavender extract to his nose.

Smelling a small bit, Naruto sneezed. "Lavander makes me sneeze... I hate that smell," he said nasally, rubbing his nostrils.

Hinata sighed. "Sasuke loves it. My house smells like lavender all the time because the kids love it. I love it."

Naruto, our wedding would have smelled like mint, lavender, and lilies... The whole thing should be sneezed at, Hinata thought.

She sank down onto the floor, thinking of all the things they could have been together. She remembered Naruto and Sakura. Good and grounded. They breathe for each other and are still so much like like love-struck teenagers who bicker and chase each other around the house.

She respects that love.

"I'm sorry for making you suffer." he looked at her. He seemed absolutely drained when speaking.

In the flickering light of the candle, none of the pain was dimmed. Everything was intensified. That voice made her want to laugh, cry and other things... The rasp to his voice was so personal, so poignant.

He seemed so sincere and perfect, like in her memories. It broke her heart and healed her all at once. Build her back up... Because he knew he did some harm.

She looked away. "Me too."

It was quiet while Hinata wrapped her arms around her knees. They had nothing left to say. She didn't know why she cared.

He came back, cross-legged beside her. "We were teens. Dumb. Me more than others."

"Nah. You defeated Madara. That takes brain and teamwork," Hinata smiled, for some reason. "You hero..."

Naruto paused, innocent shock written all over his face. "After how I've treated you, you still have nice things to say? Even after... Neji."

"Sometimes, I feel like I failed Neji because of me not marrying you. Boruto... I would've named our kid Boruto," Hinata said. "At least, that's what Neji wanted."

"Why? Boruto... That's terrible," he laughed.

Hinata laughed, and her laughs brightened him up. "Who names their kid after a noddle topping?" Hinata retorted.

"What kind of name is Hiromitsu?" he asked.

"A very thought out one, thank you very much!"

He laughed again until the chuckles died out and he was left with a melancholy and some wondering expression. He slumped his shoulders a bit.

"We wouldn't have worked out..." he looked at her, eyes so violently blue. "That's... there's something tragic about us."

There is... "Doesn't that make it a bit more precious?" Hinata smiled a bit.

"I don't know about that..." Naruto looked at the dark ceiling. "I don't know about anything..."

Hinata looked away. "I know that feeling... but life never ends up with... flesh in a fantasy... well, fantasy never becomes flesh..."

He looked at her then looked away. "Sorry. Who was I to make you wait?"

No one should make her wait. "Yeah... who were to..."

Hinata got quiet. Ah. This pain is all too visceral. She doesn't know if she could forgive him anyway... Kami. This is just too much and too hurtful...

"I was a kid. It wouldn't have lasted. Kami knows why..." she paused. "But hey, our kids- they'll end up nice and close. Amarante is arguing with Shinachiku and... I know they'll get along," Hinata looked at the ceiling.

She can't say she'll defy the unspoken truth about attraction. She's wondering why there was no connection but so much desire, deep pain, and loss.

"They'll be best friends. Do you think Sasuke and I might become friends?" Naruto said. "I thought we would be brothers by now."

Ah. Someone she knows...

"Sasuke's difficult. A labyrinth of sorts. Eventually, he'll stop being... so mean and uh, give you thread to find your way out and through," Hinata smiled. "Anyone Sasuke fights with or fights for... already got baskets of yarn..."

He looked up, facing her. "How do you think he'll forgive me?"

"He... treasures family more than all the golds and vengeance he pursued in the past. So he will forgive you. A little while. A bit. I mean, he will," Hinata smiled. "He has to. You're Sasuke and Naruto."

His smile could have fooled the birds that it was daytime but she didn't swoon. She only smiled back at him, enjoying this moment.

Enjoying this semi-friendship. She looked at him a bit and looked away.

"Naruto, you're kind of mean."

"Huh? What'd I do this time."

"Nothing. I just had to say it." Hinata shrugged. "I've never been mean to you before." she cocked her head to the side.

"Aw, please don't start. You're the only one who takes me seriously in this house!" he begged. He out his hands together.

Hinata laughed. "What about your wife?"

"She bullies me the most, puh-lease."

Hinata laughed and looked down. Some part of her was still angry at him. She can't laugh with him so easily. Like nothing happened. Like they were nothing...

"Did you get all of it out?"

"No," Hinata said honestly. Every other feeling is just buried.

Naruto suggested, "Oi. We can talk more-"

"Nah. It's fine."

Who was he to make her wait? 

¤¤¤

Later on, Hinata found Kakashi in his office- or, actually the first hokage's office on his laptop. What would the first Kage say about technology?

Hinata was told Kakashi wanted to catch up on his work because he is prone to sleeping or reading porn during the daytime.

Hinata found this uniquely strange and amusing. She wanted to ask him about his latest actions concerning her and Konoha.

He makes all these choices and never thinks of what Hinata would say. It's disrespectful and just the worst.

"Ho- Kakashi?" Hinata asked.

He looked up then back at his paperwork and computer. Sasuke wasn't kidding when he said the kage have a heavy workload. It was painful and tiring to look at the messy stacks.

"Ah. Hinata- I see that Sasuke made you late on purpose." Kakashi pointed out.

"I think I would've helped him be late... I don't know. You were pretty late as well," Hinata smiled.

Kakashi smiled slightly. "Yes... Do you need something?"

"I didn't want to interrupt your work... Kurenai asked me to get a flower vase since the kids knocked the one in the living room over."

Kakashi pointed to the beautiful bouquet of marigolds- purple and pouting tulips. "She'll like those ones."

Hinata got the crystal vase. Flower petals poked her shirt and neck as she carried them.

Hinata backed to the entrance and looked back at the busy Hokage. "Uh, I just wanted to say- more like declare.... thank you for everything," Hinata smiled, rubbing her hands awkwardly.

"I should be thanking you... Sasuke actually showed up," he joked.

Hinata laughed. "Yes... Sasuke told me of what- no, how you tried to help Sasuke before the whole Orochimaru drama..."

"He is my student and I should guide him into better and brighter things..." Kakashi tapped away on his device, not looking at her.

Hinata shifted a bit in her spot. "You help him a lot. And I'm wondering why... you help me too."

"I said I'd make sure Konoha becomes a warm place and that you're safe in," he smiled. Warmly.

"But- why... why did you say I would be able to move to Sunagakure with the Kazekage?"

That question caught him off guard. The tapping sound of fingers against keys stopped.

He looked up, jaded and surprised. "I thought both you and Sasuke would have liked the change in scenery..." Kakashi said, finally closing his black laptop.

"I mean- I think Sasuke likes this place now. He's even planning to make a district for Uchiha... We plan to stay and ultimately make a clan. I'm glad for the opportunity and the recommendation but- you shouldn't do that..." Hinata frowned.

"I'm sorry but you need to integrate into our society sooner or later. Sasuke will follow in your footsteps."

"I know but saying all these promises behind my back makes me reluctant to do any of them..." Hinata admitted. "You're making all these plans for us but I have no clue. It's all exhausting."

He looked down. "I apologize again..."

"And about me teaching- I don't think you should speak on my behalf about these things. I don't know if I'm qualified and you shouldn't have this much faith in me."

"That isn't a problem. I trust you to do the right thing."

"Is this the right thing?" Hinata asked, gesticulating wildly around the flowers. "You're putting me in positions of power when I am affiliated with Uchiha and Hyuuga. On the clan council. In our own Uchiha district. In your village's classroom."

What's up with people doing that? First... Mitsuyo and her mother of Uchiha thing and now this... It's just so strange...

"You would be good with Shino and Lee. Your being at the academy would help the next generation learn from our mistakes. With your influence in the academy, someone, an Uchiha can tell the students your clan's past and educate them about the dojutsu and raise them up with knowledge."

Hinata's cheeks reddened. She paused. "I never thought of it like that..."

"A Kage thinks of how to bring all his people together. If and when there are more Uchiha, they won't be so cast out and the stigma around them won't be too terrible."

Kakashi wasn't even thinking of the present. He was decades into the future and how everyone will treat each other... She felt foolish.

"Thank you... and I came in here to yell and such..." Hinata inhaled the flower's perfume, "and get these little guys..."

"It's alright..."

Hinata sighed. "My kids will go to the Academy. I have no idea whether or not their troublemaking ways will test the teachers or make them quit."

"So they grew up to be Narutos rather than Sasukes?" Kakashi chuckled lightly.

"I guess so. Amarante wants to be a Kage- which is very surprising... She's five and has a dream. It's beautiful."

"Indeed. Can I show her around the Kage tower?"

"A Kage/Uchiha tour?" Hinata perked up.

"I'll show her what Kage do and maybe she'll become my apprentice... Or Naruto's apprentice if he gets elected the next Kage."

Hinata smiled. "Are the twins qualified to be enrolled at the Academy?"

"Yes. I won't have any trouble with them or complaints from teachers?"

"Of course-" Hinata wilted, wincing a bit. "You probably will... Hiromitsu is quiet but will follow Amarante willingly through their schemes..."

"Just like Sakura and Naruto back in the day... And Mirai now..." Kakashi frowned. "You'll have a lot on your hands but the Uchiha are quick to learn..."

Hinata nodded. "Academically, they're fine but socially... They are rocky at best. My Uchiha are extremely advanced. Taiyo is best at ninjutsu but Benjiro has senjutsu- he needs to be trained by Naruto and the twins have the byakugan and the sharingan. They will be targeted-"

"Our defence is strong. We can defend them from other countries..."

"By Konoha... I'm afraid we'll be targeted here..."

"I will prevent that. I will limit the incidents against the Uchiha that plagued this village for over a decade."

"You could only do so much..." Hinata smiled sadly. "The council threatened Sasuke this morning while he was at the park with the kids."

Kakashi looked at the ceiling, an elusive expression his face. His body and muscles stiffened. "The council has been a problem for the past eight years..."

Hinata rubbed her wrist, avoiding his gaze. "They don't like Hyuuga or Uchiha. Not to be melodramatic but the twins seem like their worst nightmare on biblical proportions..." Hinata bit her lip.

He sighed, melting into the chair. "The council is afraid of your loyalty to Kumogakure, our latest enemies. I think the Uchiha children should be fine with you close by at the school. Kurenai is still teaching, so that'll be good."

"Really?" Hinata brightened up. "I never thanked you for making her smile again... and caring for Mirai and the little one you share..."

"Believe or not... you can find happiness in the weirdest places. Kurenai isn't a weird place but you understand what I mean."

"I do." Hinata nodded. "You are a good Kage. A father to all your citizens... Please teach that to Amarante."

"I will," he said nonchalantly but his eyes shone with some pride.

Hinata closed the door after saying, "Don't work too hard."

¤¤¤

Hinata carried a vase of flowers, staring at large photographs on the walls. Sasuke followed her, catching her bringing the vase from Kakashi's office to the table. They paused to look at the walls, a museum of a house with all the artifacts displayed.

"You know, I feel these eyes following me..." Sasuke said.

Hinata laughed. "Don't be a baby. Are you afraid of ghosts?"

"Yeah. I saw Itachi for three months until I tricked him into drinking with me... Do you believe in the afterlife?"

"I don't know. When I met you- I started to... Why are you asking?"

"Will I see you again? If I..." Die, he asked.

Hinata smiled at him. "Don't worry... we all end up back together in the end..."

"I'll make you a place you belong. A part of the city for you to feel safe." he smiled.

"I'll run to your lovely buildings. Along with looking at what the Kage made."

He pointed to the Senju clan photo. "I've met the first Hokage and his brother... Cool guy. Do you think I'll get the chance to fight him?"

"The afterlife is about- I dunno, planting, and peace- not fighting."

He smirked. "You should wash me in your smooth waters..."

"Will you wear a bathing suit?" Hinata asked, laughing.

"Clothing is optional," he kissed her eyebrow, laugh a bit.

"Stop it! Sex talk in front of the mightiest Kage's pictures... Sasuke, I'll never get bored of you," Hinata covered her lips.

They looked back at the different frames.

"They're so regal and special. Did you know that these photos are only here because a woman rummaged through the rubble of war for days to find them?" Hinata smiled a bit.

"They're just photos... but they're always more to them that I could see... Color my eyes with what's there..."

"These are photos of all the individual clans that came along. Akamichi. Inuzaka. Aburame. Yamanaka. Uchiha. Senju. Sarutobi. Hyuuga..." Hinata reached out to the photos. "This is a show of how great and small Konoha was before agreeing to merge into the superpower it is now. Isn't that glorious?"

"Ah. Harmony. Konoha doesn't have a lot that. They all have big noses," Sasuke commented. "All the clansmen."

"Do I have a cute nose?" Hinata asked.

"Yep, surprisingly Konoha-girl," he looked at the Uchiha photo. "This is my clan. They are the only ones looking fine..."

Hinata smiled. "They are handsome and proud to be here."

His gaze became watery. "If you don't have a clan, you have nothing. Not all of them were criminals. Some were innocent," he wiped away some wetness.

Sasuke...

He pressed a hand on the Uchiha photo, dotted with long draped cloaks, strawberry eyes and cascading spiky black hair. "I forgot that there were so many of us. So many Uchiha... in Konoha. I want this. A big clan. With all the photos..."

"Hey, don't lose hope. I'll keep your dreams true. We'll make the impossible happen. I'll tell Kurenai to put our photo up here, alright? We'll replace the photo by the decade... Is that fine?" Hinata asked.

He smiled a real smile for the first time in weeks. "Yes, better than fine. I like what we stared," Sasuke said. He picked a purple flower from the batch. "I promise on this cosmos. On our cosmos."

"That's a marigold," Hinata smiled, feeling it get tucked behind her ear.

"Well, we could pretend it's a rose," Sasuke chuckled.

They smiled for a moment before Hinata  preened the flowers in the vase. "I know I'm a lovely distraction but you can't use me to hide from the big, fighting men... Why aren't you socializing with your friends?"

"That's a questionable choice of words." he scrunched up his expression. "Friends."

"Okay. Uh, why aren't you socializing with people who happen to like you?"

"I might kill all of them," Sasuke scoffed.

Hinata frowned. "Isn't that reason enough?"

"To kill them?"

"No. To make amends."

"Nah. Can we run away? You know, no more listening to rules- only listening to you."

"You already listen to me," Hinata laughed, setting the vase down.

"We have no vases at our house. My perfume gets stolen. Mitsuyo's Uchiha artifacts get stolen and even weirder portraits of Benjiro and that photo on our dresser was taken."

"You're being paranoid."

The kids might have broken it but it's weird. Why would their things go missing? It's always an attack. She really missed those things.

Sasuke pulled on her hair strand. "Stop thinking about that. I'll buy you everything brand new, okay?"

Hinata smiled and it faltered into an amused sigh. "You know, your misanthropic tendencies are quite concerning... considering you want a big family."

"Oh don't diagnose me, Hinata- you're an introvert!"

Hinata smoothened out the red scarf around his neck. "There's a difference between introversion and hating all of society and its people..."

Sasuke pulled away. "Pfft. Whatever."

"It's most likely not a whatever."

Sasuke had a mischievous look on his face, tender and knowing all the same. All the right amounts of Sasuke and worry she learned to ignore.

"Will a gift make you leave early? Will you have a better day if I do? A good boyfriend makes everyday feel like a special occasion." Sasuke smirked.

He snapped, his arm bracers summoning a black box. A small, black box with clean edges and felt shining. Hinata knew what it was- immediately.

He's going to propose! He's going to propose to me. Oh, my Kami! I'm ruining my makeup but I'm so happy because he's freaking proposing to me! Hinata thought.

She had no idea! No hint, no note- no nothing. She was overwhelmed and she felt like crying and being happy because he's proposing! She felt excited, strange and loved all at the same time.

Instead of getting down on one knee, he turned to her and proudly offered the opened box.

The shadows revealed a rock- not only a rock. A rock with some type of jewel attached to the center. It was blood red and beautiful.

"So, here's a necklace that I made..." he said, his purple and black eyes roaming hers.

She reached for the necklace and held it in her hands.

She wanted a sparkly, diamond ring that showed their commitment to each other, not dull, beach rock. He made it and she's so happy he did- but... does he even want to marry her?

Her face fell. It wasn't a ring. Why- why is he... Why...

"I'm already wearing this one," Hinata reached up to the one she wore. She blinked away tears. "You shouldn't have..."

Sasuke's smile became dimmer. "It's special. I got my mother's jewelry. With that, my heart's against yours. So breath and I'll be there."

She couldn't feel her hands, they felt like air and the necklace was so beautiful but she couldn't smile. Some small part of her wanted to appreciate the necklace but the other part wanted to cry...

"You don't like it," Sasuke concluded.

Hinata offered a watery smile. "I d-do-"

"I know everything about you. Even when you try to lie."

Hinata took a deep breath. "You know what- it's nothing, I'll just wear it," Hinata struggled, trying to put it on.

Sasuke took it out of her hands, looking upset. "No. Hinata- tell me before you wear it," Sasuke commanded.

"Give it back- I'll wear it," Hinata reached for it. He was concrete with his resolve. She gave him a pleading look. "Sasuke-"

"Hinata- tell me why you look like I just killed your mother."

Hinata looked down, the smell of the marigolds overpowering and foul. "It's just that... I thought it was something else."

"What else would it be?"

"A ring..." Hinata said, looking up. "I really wanted it. One."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes, confused and angry. "A ring? Why?"

She was gobsmacked at his words. "Why? There'll be one eventually... Right? A wedding?"

He hesitated.

"You know, I'm not having the best time either but if you wanted to- let's go home and we need to talk..." she nodded slowly. She could quell this disappointment and talk to him tonight and say she wants a marriage...

"Talk?"

"Don't you... know how ambivalent all of this is? I thought... we'd move up- level up-"

"You're not making much sense."

"We'll talk later, alright, at home?" Hinata said quietly.

"Why are you overreacting?"

"I'm not overreacting," Hinata snapped. "You pretend you love me when I don't think that's the case at times."

Sasuke stepped forward and Hinata stepped back. "I do-"

"Why can't you say the words that'll make me yours? Why don't you want to say it?"

His gaze dropped. "My past... my trauma keeps me from doing so..."

"Trauma of yesterday shouldn't be so present... I mean, it always will but... I thought I could transcend that chaos of yesterday. That... I don't know, you could say it after all that we've done and been through. How... can you not love... the person who's your best friend and see up all of your wounds? It's. I don't know, you should try to."

"No chaos will keep me from you... But it's hard to say those words."

"Unless you say it, I'll never know." Hinata breathed.

"Why... didn't you just say it to me?" Sasuke asked, getting angry.

"I tried. I was afraid you would run or... not say it back." Hinata admitted, watching him closely.

Sasuke looked away.

"And I was right. But, I love you. I love you, Sasuke." Hinata's voice cracked a bit.

She said it! It feels good to say it aloud. Those vibes slid over her. She's all light and a pressure was taken off of her chest but- it's the truth! And she takes refuge in that.

Sasuke blinked. He was as delicate and as white as stone. He froze! Not saying anything at all.

"Sasuke... It's my second attempt at saying it. The first time, you called me ocha and that was like a year or two ago. I just- I just had to say it but you were sleeping..." Hinata was rambling but she caught a glimpse of his expression.

Regret and whatever else made him look away. "I was awake."

"You weren't... sleeping? You just- what?" Hinata stepped backward.

"I didn't-"

"You didn't know if you... loved me." Hinata's heart broke. "Oh."

"It's not that! It's just- I can't be as open with my feelings. I can't be so emotional. Love is emotional and I am not good at it. I would rather avoid them and that's the way it should be."

"I want to marry you and I love you and that will never change. I think the world of you. Every facet of you... I love what I know of you and trust what I don't know yet and you can't even say the words... You're still in this emotional hibernation." she said, cheeks red from anger and embarrassment.

"There is more than marriage between two people... We don't need it to prove anything... to anyone."

"It's not about what everyone thinks of marriage. When I was nineteen, I couldn't think of marriage without gagging. Then I met you and I think- it's all I want. You are so evasive about marriage, you are snarky when I bring up the topic and you don't take it seriously. You don't take that commitment seriously?"

"That's bullshit. I'm here- with your children and your house and your country and your love and I'm not committed? That's a load of bullshit!"

"Sasuke, I'm here, as close as can be, by your side while you tell me your dreams of the future and not one of them includes me. I'm here- like an accessory that can make children while I'm not considered for so much as marriage. Will we have a future or you're just waiting for someone better to show up-"

"You have to think of yourself as more than that."

"I do but I don't know if you do. I'm just wondering if you... are unhappy... or something?"

"I'm not unhappy. I like what we have. Why change?"

I want to get married. That's me being honest. I want to write my vows, walk down the aisle, I want to wear a beautiful dress and have the kids throw white petals because we're getting married, Hinata bit her lip.

"Well, I want to get married," Hinata said slowly.

"I don't know if I... could give you that."

What? He doesn't want marriage but... he loves her? Maybe? Not at all? She didn't know.

"Making big decisions and talking won't be good right now, when we're angry. I will talk about this- tomorrow," she said. She tried to move forward, and Sasuke blocked her way. "Move."

"No. You aren't going... What do you want me to say?"

Hinata wiped away a small tear. "Nothing. I feel embarrassed and stupid for wanting to get married. Let me go," she picked up the vase of flowers and inhaled the perfume to center herself.

Sasuke seized her wrist. "Hinata- you can't run from everything."

She pulled her arm back. "I'm not. I'm going to the dinner you made us late to, I'll kiss the kids then we'll eat and go home."

"Screw dinner, do me a favour. Marry me," Sasuke said.

She dropped the glass vase. The sound was delayed. All of it. She couldn't even see the crash's products until the water wet her shinobi heels.

The atmosphere changed. This wasn't how she imagined being proposed to.

The broken glass- was there. On the floor. She had to clean it but her brain suddenly became engaged.

"Sasuke- what- are you serious? Right now?" Hinata asked, crouching down to clean it.

She won't do it. She can't be proposed to in this way. Not after he said those things... and she put her heart out there. The little slivers of glass sparkled like the ring she should've gotten. She wanted to say yes but that just seemed wrong under these wrong circumstances.  It's all wrong, wrong, wrong!! She had to clean this up so... she doesn't have to look at him.

"Yes- stop with the broken glass and marry me, with all your sweet dispositions," he said.

Hinata sighed and looked at the lovely perennials on the ground. She picked one up and smelled it. The water soaked her knees and she got up.

"You know- there are inconsistencies in our attitudes towards marriage- which I thought was the ultimate goal for both of us. It was wrong but everyone wants marriage. That's the point. I hate waiting for you to do this."

"Hinata- that's not true... I didn't answer, alright? I didn't say anything!" Sasuke panicked. "That's not a crime- uncertainty? Right? We all get- confused."

"That's not the point... You don't want to marry me... but I want to marry you so badly."

"If you weren't so insecure, you'd realize that I don't want to be with anyone but you. I don't want to be anywhere you aren't. You want to be liked by everyone and I'm sick of you wanting to think like everyone else. We don't have to be married to prove what we have. Our relationship doesn't need wedding bands and labels. We don't need the contract."

"I want to wake up with you, I made all these plans. We could die at any second. What is there to lose?"

"You. That's one thing..."

"I'm grateful for the changes you made me in... and I love living with someone who could make me laugh and understand... but you wouldn't lose me. I wouldn't let you."

"Many people die with their marriage because it kills them."

"I don't want to be liked by everyone. I only want to be loved by you. So... no..." Hinata nodded.

Why does this hurt so much?

"No?" Sasuke echoed.

"I won't marry you after a proposal like this. Maybe I asked for too much."

"It's what you've wanted for five years and you say no?"

"It's not what you want... You proposed to me so it wouldn't continue our fight and oh kami- that's the worse way to be proposed to. Not out of love but just to satiate this and that sucks! A lot... So, you know what- keep your necklace..." Hinata said.

"You don't get to wear this. You know, I can't live with or without you," he said, looking down.

"Well choose! Choose one because this is ridiculous! Our forever was supposed to start tonight and you- you don't care."

"You knew I was like this. You can't continue like this- I don't want a cheerleader, I want a wife."

"Oh. So you want a wife? Since when? And I am going to be direct; I want to be a married in a year's time."

"I can't give you that... I don't want to marry you when you're like this..."

"I gave you a simple 'no'. Okay? No. I don't want to get proposed like this."

"Huh? You don't want to get married, make up your damn mind!" Sasuke snarled.

"That isn't what I said!" Hinata raised her voice, to reflect his anger.

He shifted on his feet. "Time... That's what I want to give you. Time until I'm ready..." he said, trying to grab her hands, to hold them- to crush her dreams. "Hinata-"

"I'll wait... I thought it was alright to love you but I thought you loved me."

"You don't get to say that to me. Ever," he snapped.

"Well- it's just that. A thought," she took out the flower in her hair and put it in his hands. "Maybe we're marigolds pretending to be roses... Notwithstanding, I will always love you and we'll talk... okay?"

He threw the flower down. "Not okay!" Sasuke finally snapped, finally yelling with the curiosity and confusion he's held back. "You're so needy and self-righteous... Not everything will be sunshine and rainbows. Wake up. Maybe we don't need marriage to continue this..."

"This? What do you mean 'this'? And needy? Sometimes you can be such a monster wanting to live in a dark hole of darkness and sadnesses. I wanted to fix that... and love you. I don't want to stand by and just- let you hurt yourself with your casual suicidalness."

"That's how you feel?" Sasuke asked. "You never tell me."

"I'm telling you now... Maybe I don't want to marry you," Hinata held her ribs. It hurt so much. Argh. She couldn't breathe.

"Maybe I never want to see you again."

"Fine!" Hinata said, her throat closing up.

"Fine!" Sasuke snapped.

"Okay. I'm going to go away now... Don't follow me..." she looked at him through teary eyes. She looked back. "If I don't deserve the necklace, you don't deserve this scarf."

"Fine. I don't want it," he took it off and tossed it to her, huffing.

"Don't follow me," Hinata said, snatching the scarf and scurrying away.

"Wait- Hinata-" he called out. "Let's talk-"

She was all but gone.

¤¤¤

The streetlamp flickered uncertainly, standing outside of the Hokage Residence. Hinata didn't feel like having a nervous breakdown in front of everyone she ever cares to remember about...

He's a maniac. Arrogant. Obsessive. Rude and all around snarky but he's my beau... He never wants to see me again. And I lied and said I don't want to marry him, Hinata thought. He never wants to see me again...

Redness ruled her face, angry tears marching down her face untriumphantly like a sad waterfall. She was inconsolable, crying. She may flood the frozen street, maybe she'll be waist-deep in the infinity of the sea.

Her head buzzed. Her nose was clogged and she was mouth breathing. She felt disgusting. She felt cold and her head burned with a fever and her heart hurt.

She still couldn't breathe.

She stood outside, sighing and sighing. She looked up, still wrapped in the knitted sweater she made for the men she loved. She messed things up. He messed things up but she wants to talk to him and work this out.

You're needy and self-righteous.

I don't want to marry you.

You don't get to say that to me. You don't get to say you love me.

We don't need labels.

I don't want a cheerleader.

I don't want to marry you. I don't want to marry you. I don't want to marry you- Hinata.

Make up your mind.

He was cruel and she was cruel but she has a right to be angry. She doesn't know if there is a future... with him. What if they break up and their kids are split up? Will she take the twins, will she ever see Benjiro? She wanted something solid.

She already believed they're sort of married.

She loves him and thinks they're married but he thinks she's delusional and overbearing.

It's like they're already married. He just doesn't want to marry her. She doesn't want to be some handbag at his side, pumping out babies and just being a cheerleader.

What's so wrong about being positive? She's just- she thought she could have a definite future and maybe Sakura was right... Maybe she was right.

Hinata hated when Sakura was right about Sasuke.

She just- was it so wrong to want a marriage? She's so angry at him. Jerk. Jerk. She didn't want to be involved with a man who can't marry her...

But it's Sasuke and she will always want him. If he, if he could return...  He's mad at her for not giving him time but it's been four years and he doesn't- he doesn't want her.

He doesn't want her. She didn't know... He won't let her go or commit. She's powerless to this person.

Hey. Hyuuga girl, I am the authority in your mind, a voice echoed in her mind.

"Sasuke- I told you not to talk to me!" she yelled in the middle of the lonesome street.

I want you, the voice said.

Hiroki.

He's the only bastard who made her feel like Hanabi had horrible taste in men. Maybe she's right there with Hanabi. Tears were fresh on her face and she didn't feel like looking at anyone. Besides, where the hell was he?

Her skin crawled and she stared at the road. She got a shiver and his voice- rang through her core again.

You have the choice. A very special talent. You have the privilege of divulging punishment to those who may not deserve it.

"What are you talking about?" Hinata asked.

Do you want things to burn? Six different villages have bombs. All different villages will be in smithereens if you do not concentrate and choose to help me in my endeavour. Total population for all of them; one million. Expected casualties; three point nine hundred thousand if all of them go off plus the million. Where are they? Kumogakure. Konohagakure. Iwagakure. What could prevent this; an answer from Hyuuga Hinata regarding her willingness to join my side?

"Who are you? Why are you doing this?" Hinata asked. How was he in her head?

Oh. It's Hychu Taichirou- not Hiroki. I need you to settle loose ends with a certain person. You have thirty seconds to decide or eight hundred thousand people die.

Hinata paced back and forth. What the heck is going on? She didn't want anyone to die nor did she want to help Hychu Taichirou!

He was the father of Benjiro and he burnt their house down! Why would she ever help him? Besides, Hychu Taichirou will literally- he can't... He won't-

Then-

Boom!

An explosion burned brightly in front of her eyes. Rocky geography and many mountains but no greenness.

Brilliant yellow and orange were met by billowing bouts of smoke. It was all blackened an charred under the night stars. A healthy vibrant, thriving, body of humans were all now skeletons.

"That wasn't even thirty seconds!" Hinata yelled.

I don't like waiting... Give me an answer! Taichirou yelled in her mind.

It became a symphony of pain when she heard the demonic screams of the victim. People's panic surged through her skin, the hopeless running moved her planted feet and the smoke- was pressed against her soul. A whole village- eight hundred thousand dead. That couldn't be real. Wait- this can't be real!

"How are you showing me?" Hinata asked, gulping air through thick agony and fear.

"Genjutsu..."

"You blew it up?!" Hinata asked.

This is real time. I am making villages fall to their knees. Submit. Don't you believe this incident of absolute power?

"Of course not!" Hinata snapped. "You are deluded."

Look all around you. Look at where the end begins. It starts with you.

She saw Shikamaru. Sai leapt out of the house, phones pressed to their ears. Sai was too far ahead but she caught Shikamaru.

"What's wrong?" Hinata asked, clawing at Shikamaru's collar.

"Iwagakure got attacked by a bomber. The casualties are high and all communications are down."

"That's all my fault..." Hinata chocked out.

Shikamaru's brown eyes widened. "No- it isn't. None of us could've known. Don't worry- we'll fix this."

It's all your fault. All those lives. All those people you didn't save. They died because you don't believe in a better world controlled by the DCA. You didn't want to save them because you value your horrible life right now. You don't think the purpose of life is to end. The meaning of people is to control them and peace is earned through control and war. You are a coward with spindly views.

"Listen- Shikamaru, it's an attack by an organization-" she said but another deafening blast then deafening silence-

Another venue, that wasn't as landlocked- the coast of somewhere- oh Kami! It was Kumogakure and she saw the shine of- the- her Raikge tower- and, and the house, and the pine forest she was in to be devastated.

A!

Silence or else more die...

"Hinata- you're wasting my time, I have to get to headquarters- oh, another bomb went off in Kumogakure-"

"Shikamaru- listen to me- it's all my fault-" Hinata held his scratchy cheeks and shook her head frantically. "Don't go because I am the only one who can stop it."

He held her wrist and shook her a bit. "What's gotten into you? You have to calm down and I have to leave. People are dying."

"But-" Hinata tried to say but her voice was broken by tears.

I can stop whatever pain happening. Say one word about us and another village dies. Did I say village- I mean Raikage... I meant to say more Kage... Say the word and we'll all die. I promise.

"Kage? You say that like my Raikage is- you wouldn't."

Yes. There is truth in every promise I make. You will all die.

"Shikamaru- I'm sorry. Tell everyone I'm sorry..." Hinata sighed.

"What a drag but okay..." Shikamaru pushed her away and ran.

Hinata hyperventilated and brushed away angry tears. She won't- she can't let any more people die. He only wants her in this. She hasn't even said goodbye. She sat on the sidewalk.

Do you agree to my terms, Hyuuga Hinata? You're needed for your skills. If you do not cooperate, you will be swiftly punished. I'll put you in a cage, safe and bound while the flames illuminate our skies and there is no escape. A pin-up in a lonely place. I pick up butterflies like you and cut their wing-

"You won't be able to. Trust me... No more deaths. No more killing!"

Don't interrupt me! You're causing an alarming crisis. You will come with me until Kozakura surrenders and Konoha will burn.

"Why do you want to punish Mitsuyo by using me? What did Mitsuyo do?"

Kozakura delayed my plans. She did something bad and I need incentive, a backup plan if you will. On top of that, Akuma-oo-sama wants to play with you for a while. We are a power in motion who wants to corrupt the world, its women and children in order to make a new nation of champions.

"What will you do to me?"

The real question is what you will do for me. Unless you agree, the one million people will not be harmed by the six bombs. No more death has to occur but you will belong to me until Mitsuyo comes to her senses and returns what also is my birthright. My power. My reign.

"You will leave everyone alone? You will leave my children, Mitsuyo and... S-Sasuke alone?" Hinata asked.

Che. I need you to get revenge on her. I won't harm you or your children but Mitsuyo deserves all the hate I can give and some more than this. Despair. Death. Chaos. I don't think I will ask again. Will you serve me?

"That wasn't apart of our deal!" Hinata yelled. "And no."

I liked giving you semblances of hope. I would've taken you from all that you loved just to make you feel a sliver of what trauma I went through. And I do not ask twice. I never ask twice.

Suddenly her vision blanked out and she was gone.