Sweet Dispositions

-Chapter 46-
Reports

Panicked and hurt, Hinata went to the graveyard. 

Too many shinobi die for them all to have a grave... This place would literally be filled, bodies piled and morbidly stacked atop of one another to compensate for the overflow of death. So they put names on one huge tombstone, those who are heroes. 

It's quite disturbing.

Bodies are never brought back to Konoha but Neji saved her and Naruto... A hero. She felt that same, aching guilt that never got small enough to disappear. Death touches people but Hinata gets punched by every death...

She roamed the graveyard until she stopped meters from the tombstone of her brother. 

Another person paid their respects and had flowers laid there.

It was Rock Lee and a small child with the same sharp almond eyes, bowl cut hair and- no green jumpsuit. A sheen of sweat glistened on Rock Lee's chiseled body. His building arm muscles were exposed due to his insane workout schedule. His dark pants contrasted his green shirt, also what the child sported.

His child observed Hinata for a moment then nudged his father.

Lee looked up and squinted. A rice farmer hat hid his thick bristly brows and he crouched before the grave she hasn't seen in years.

Hinata saw him as passionate and fierce, never calm and peaceful. He's looking like a middle-aged man tending to the graves of fallen friends. 

A bucket, a sponge and the citrus smell of pomegranates wafted to her nose.

The usually loud and optimistic man was hesitant as the dirt crunched under his sandal as his knee turned. He looked over at her.

"Hinata... You're alive," Rock Lee said simply.

"I know it's -" terrible, Hinata wanted to say but Rock Lee launched from his spot and wrapped his arms around her body, twirling her around.

His child blinked at her, eyes sharp with curiosity.

He exuded happiness. "Hyuuga Hinata- alive, another companion I have yet to lose! You're here with the vigor of youth and life," he half-yelled, excited.

As she was squeezed and hugged, she was shocked at the embrace. Rock Lee whooped cheers and stories of hope and encouragement to her. He was genuinely happy to see her. Even though she deceived everyone and their partners for five years. She didn't feel awful. This was the warmest reception she's gotten since... since never from Rock Lee, whom she never speaks to.

He noticed her unsteady breathing and how she was essentially frozen in his light yet tight grip.

He set her down and winked at her. "I knew you were going to push through," he reached over and squeezed her shoulder. His thick wrists smelled of soap and lilies.

Hinata blinked, the pull of tears rearranging her guts. "Thank you," she whispered thinly.

"For what?" he pulled back, at a respectable distance.

Not being mad. Everyone is mad at her and she's so angry. She doesn't want to be angry anymore, Kami. The pain in the back of her throat was too much and she couldn't articulate her words or feelings.

Just then, she felt the hug of his son on her leg, his grip filled with recognition.

Her heart nearly broke and she looked at the child. 

"This is Metal Lee," Rock Lee chuckled. "He knows your photos. Tenten showed it to him every once in a while,"

Smiling brightly, Metal Lee laughed against her knee.

"Rock Lee... Tenten? Congratulations," Hinata asked. A blush found his cheeks and she laughed. "Evidence of your marriage is this... little cute one, isn't it?"

Metal Lee liked the compliment and his father nodded, smiling lightly. Metal Lee pushed away and tugged on her arm to show him the grave Neji... Neji's grave and a breath caught in her throat. It was so well kept. Damn it. Her emotions were everywhere. She missed him.

For once, tears didn't threaten her eyes... Her gaze dropped to the grass below them and she caressed his name. 

"Neji," she whispered, full of pain and suffering.

In her voice was a smile. A little one. The engraved character was smooth not caked with dirt or dust. Flowers decorated the slab of stone and it gleamed with careful care and love.

You are so loved by many, my brother, she thought. She stepped back, at a safe distance.

"I miss him too," Rock Lee said.

"Hm..." she paused, a strange bittersweet taste in her mouth. "I never got over it,"

She looked at the sky. It's so wide and blue. Breezes carried away fading clouds and birds flew and it was indicative of something but she didn't know.

It was so well-disposed, this sunny, hot afternoon with the starting signs of winter soon. These lovely afternoons wherein Neji would practice with her. Wars and corruption ravaged his mind and Konoha yet she's seeing the life and spirit of Konoha here. There is no rush. It's noiseless and the air is clean...

Neji loved this weather. She never stopped thinking about it. About him. She never stopped being angry, either. She felt the stillness of everything affect her mood.

Nejj stayed still all the time because he was peaceful. She remembered his death like it was yesterday. All he wanted for her was to live, unburdened and free.

She missed Neji at every moment of every single day. She stopped missing him after every breath, every blink of an eye and every time she felt her own heartbeat. She began cherishing him, though. She cherished her mother in the same way. She loved them endlessly.

"Will we ever?" Rock Lee asked.

"Perhaps... Maybe not," Hinata concluded. That remains an unchanging constant; how much she loved him. "I want to say how I'm doing... That I'm doing well,"

"He probably knows. Why else would the sun smile, shining so brightly upon us?" Rock Lee chuckled.

She stared at the sun. It did seem a little more radiant than usual. Clouds were non-existent so he could see us better, she thought with a chuckle. Were they deluded or hopeful?

It made her laugh, a sound she's seldom heard at a place like this. She's seen so much, lived so much and he's here. He's fine, maybe the wind is whispering. He's pacific. It didn't fill her with guilt... Would he like for her to live like this, happy and healthy? Very much so.

She liked remembering, not giving into the pain. Happy memories should be everlasting.

"Neji... bragged about you in our youth," Rock Lee said. His voice was deep and low as it should be when saying something so serious. "He was very proud of you,"

The sudden confession made her stop breathing.

Her pain usually throbs like a second heartbeat but it echoed into the depths of her free soul. This moment and stillness are so significant, that she's unsure if she's alright. She knows he loves her. She knows that. She never heard if he was proud of her.

"He did?"

"Yeah. All the time. Despite not showing emotion, he was your biggest fan,"

The moment of significance passes and for once, she's alright. She breathes out, years of doubt and regret. Thank Kami. "It doesn't hurt..." she admitted. "Thinking of him... thinking it's not my fault,"

"I don't think anyone blames you but yourself... Hinata," Rock Lee said softly.

She bit her lips, nervous. "Does Tenten...?" Blame her?

"Never," he was quick in his response.

Oh... Maybe Hinata's developing theory was completely wrong but Tenten must be angry. For some reason, Hinata felt empty, plain with relief. Everything's flowing out of her, steady. Steady.

"Sometimes, I think Neji wants another round, he is my eternal rival," Rock Lee said.

Hinata laughed, feeling all the memories. "Eternal best friend, you mean,"

"That too," Lee nodded.

Getting angry will change nothing. Nothing changes his death. She has to be okay. She will learn to be okay.

"I have always come around here to say how sorry I am..." Hinata started.

"You mustn't-" Rock Lee protested.

"Yes... I mustn't. I avoided the grave because I should feel sorry. But there is honor in sacrifice and not living... would be a waste of his sacrifice. I've never been here... not to apologize but to thank him,"

Her mother's death made her question everything about hope and Neji helped her understand the meaning of hope. She kept herself so busy... with work, healing, books, research... but she paused to think of him in between all those moments.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Neji," she murmured.

She felt the heat spike up, in acknowledgment of her confession.

"It's okay to take time to heal. You're okay. You will succeed in your own time," Rock Lee said gently. "We will succeed in our own time,"

She felt him cross his arms beside her and pointed to her own grave, beside Neji's. It's strange, to see her tombstone when she's not dead. She liked that she was reunited with Neji but it hollowed her out that a clone Akuna-oo-sama selfishly killed was in her place.

Lee noticed her perturbed expression and the way she gulped at the tombstone. He nudged her and said, "We couldn't find the body after it was taken three years ago... We should take it down,"

She furrowed her brow. There's nobody? She will ask the Kage... In the meantime, she will avenge her brother. She will avenge him by living a full life. The life they could have... would have had together.

Metal Lee broke them out of their memories by crunching on the food his father brought. Metal Lee tugged on her arm, offering food.

"Care to lunch?" Rock Lee asked Hinata kindly.

"I wouldn't mind," Hinata said and took the snack.

They've left the graveyard and for once, she didn't look back or feel crushed with longing. The sun dimpled and shone a bit brighter as Rock Lee, his son and Hinata shared a small lunch of Rock Lee's and Neji's favorite pass time food; sushi and dried soba noodles.

As she remained silent and they had father and son time on a nearby bench, she realized that she wasn't as jaded. As sad. Plagued with grief. She wanted to be consumed by this melody of a feeling. She wanted it all to consume her. She loved it so much.

She's okay.

She will succeed in her own time. For Neji's life and death reconstructed her and tore her apart but she can be remade within acceptance as well.

That's what he would have wanted.

¤¤¤

It was colder out. Autumn was upon them but after a long soak in a waterfall Neji and her visited often and thinking she was remade, she returned home. 

Or so she thought. 

Just as she was about to call for the kids, she realized that the door frame of their motel was splintered and the door was gone. She immediately brought out her sword, picking up slivers and pieces of summoned metal to follow her through the hallways.

Just as she was about to attack or do more reconnaissance, she spotted Sasuke sighing and holding a bucket of what looked to be... bricks of their former door. 

"What happened to our door?" Hinata questioned, nervous. She hoped the kids hadn't fought too much.

"Karin," he sighed.

Karin must have disabled the protection seals she put up. Hinata sighed. What would make Karin do that?

"I don't understand why you invite her to our house, ocha," he grumbled, muttering curses.

"She's our friend," she reminded him firmly. She looked at the debris and chaos. Someina would never allow the motel to be this way. She's somewhat of a neat freak. 

Hinata frowned. "Why hasn't Someina cleaned this up?"

Sasuke stiffened.  

Hinata's tied up friend caught her attention. Hinata looked over to see Mitsuyo tied up in the corner of the room.

"Why is she tied up?" Hinata gasped. 

Mitsuyo's mouth was taped over and Sasuke was perfectly fine with that. Sasuke set down the bucket. 

He stretched his fingers, picking at the bandages. "Kokoro."

Hinata connected the dots. "Oh. Wait- why is Kokoro in our house?"

"Protection against Orochimaru. You getting married?"

"No. My father made a ruse to get my attention. If you... ask and we go through it, then maybe I will say yes,"

One eyebrow hiked to his hairline. "Maybe?" he asked lowly.

She set her sword down. "What happened between you and Karin? You hurt her,"

He sighed. "I stabbed her... End of story," 

His black eye was deep and charred with regret and guilt. 

"Karin loved you! She would have given up everything to be with you, just to watch the years go by with you and you hurt her! She's our friend. My friend. She helped us in so many ways. She helped you! And you stabbed her."

"I don't hurt the ones I love anymore, Hinata," he snapped sharply. "But... you know those villains in the manga Benjiro reads? That was me,"

"Those are fictional characters hurting fake drawings. That doesn't transcend what you did. I still can't believe you did it!" 

"I can't explain every wrongdoing I've done... in that mindset," he whispered. "It was a dark day, before the war. She was on team Taka and I told her she was useless... A hostage situation. Something like that and... I needed to get to someone else, maybe Naruto or Kakashi, to kill them... I misjudged everything. I haven't apologized. I think I tried to hurt Sakura. Maybe I did. It was a blur of hurt covering my conscious. My need for revenge overwhelmed me with bad judgment and... questionable things. It was like a blight or something. I didn't mean to hurt her. I didn't want to hurt anyone,"

"You do some questionable things... A violent, violent man..."

They were quiet while he watched her face composedly. He didn't seem lucid when he was sixteen. He was near a madman, the enemy of Naruto. Surprisingly, almost an enemy of hers as well.

"If you follow my sins, you'll see my mistakes... You'll think less of me," he let out a shaky breath. "You already do,"

She sighed. "I don't think that's possible. When I see you, your eyes and your soul, I see rubies and amethysts. Only, those things. You, I told you I'd never go rogue on you," she added, "I've done... terrible things too,"

She swallowed and thought about the missions the ANBU forced her to do to test her loyalty to the Kage. Her stomach lurched. So much death and delay in death by torture. Burning down villages. Tracking down murderers. Killing innocent. Though Kumo is peaceful within its walls and barriers of mountains, it does have a reputation of being the most merciless and ruthless of the five great nations.

The country of deceit and power, the Raikage said before dispatching her on gory, stomach curdling missions. Sasuke lied a lot but it's in his nature but that doesn't justify anything. Manipulation and detachment was his go-to dealing mechanism... She still loved him...

"I'm not good like you," he said.

"You know, you're better. We're all ethically compromised," Hinata whispered. "We've sinned and forgotten morales, as shinobi... The old you is someone I would never recognize. You're so different. So happy," she finished. She forgets that even he, the love of her life, is capable of great evil.

"Understandable," he whispered. A mildly reflective look on his face. "I never had to be... truthful, together with someone, give my all to someone until you came around. I'll tell you everything you need to know,"

"Just when I think I know everything about you... something like this comes up," she whispered. "It's..."  

"A can of worms, isn't it?"

"A treasure box, actually," she corrected him. "Not everything in a treasure trove is gold, you know? It's hard to trust you when you do these things,"

"You don't trust me?" he asked, voice full of hurt and disbelief.

She put her hands on his shoulders. "I do. My trust is always there. I just think you should tell me all of it," she said. She pressed her forehead to his, sighing. "I would forgive you, even if you did the unspeakable... Unless it comes to the kids which even then, is impossible,"

"Gut me like a fish if anything happens to 'em," he chuckled but there was a serious undertone.

"My pleasure," she whispered.

"Though I won't, wouldn't ever dream of it unless I were possessed by the strongest jutsu in all of eternity, leave me if I hurt you," he said slowly. "Leave me." 

She laughed at his serious expression. "I wouldn't let you go, even if I tried. Would you let me?"

"Would you stay if I accidentally ruined you?"

Hinata thought for a moment. She would. He didn't even need her to confirm it. The grim expression on his face showed his regret. He pushed the hair out of her eyes. Whenever he wants to apologize, he brushes strands of hair away from her eyes and tucked it behind her ear.

"Wouldn't you?" she asked.

"I thought I lost you, just for a moment," he said, the look on his face a cross between relief and brokenness.

"But I'd come back to you,"

"You'll forgive me for it, later," He looked serious and pulled her to his chest. "If I die, promise me you'll move on,"

Ready to argue, Hinata opened her mouth. Suddenly, she heard a scream. Then two identical, shrill screams full of anguish.

Danger.

"Kaaaa-sann!" she heard one of her boys scream.

"Sasuke! Hinata- come quickly!" she heard- Kokoro scream.

In moments, Hinata and Sasuke both rushed to the source of the screams. 

There was sobbing and crying intertwined with those hollers and howels. The room was cramped and small.

The twins, on a bed they cuddled on with blood from their eyes. Taiyo and Kokoro were hunched over the twins. Benjiro was across the room, on another bed with a groggy expression.

As soon as Taiyo saw Hinata, he let out another scream and Sasuke accessed the situation.

Sasuke turned to Kokoro while Hinata trudged over to the twins. Sasuke looked at Kokoro with his rinnegan.

He lifted his hand, using something to levitate her in the air. She was smashed against the wall with her hands clawing frantically at her neck.

"What did you do?!" Sasuke growled.

"No... thing," she struggled out, legs kicking while suspended in the air.

Hinata saw the twins writhing in pain with blood dripping from their left eyes. The eye that has been hurting for months. She will kill Kokoro if she did something. The twins were so oblivious to her because of their pain. Hinata summoned a flashlight and sent chakra through both twins. It's the chakra in their eyes. She was formulating strategies of how to help them and all the sedatives she needed.

Taiyo latched onto Hinata's leg and whispered, " Ka-san, what's happening to them?!"

She hated to think what she thinks it is. "Taiyo, baby, what happened? Did Kokoro do anything?" she asked, trying to get some info.

Taiyo shook his head, his wide blue eyes brimmed with tears. "Kokoro was in the bathroom and Ben and I were asleep! I don't- I don't know what's happening," he sputtered, to bury himself in Hinata's safety. "Do something, please!"

"Taiyo, love, back up so Ka-san could work," Hinata said lightly. 

She needed Someina. It would be great to have her in the room.

Benjiro noticed the direness of the situation and ran over to Hinata, trying to pry Taiyo off of her. "We gotta let her work, Taiyo!"

Kokoro's skin was turning blue as her eyes were bloodshot red. She went into a violent spur of coughs and jerks of her limbs.

Sasuke dropped Kokoro. She was boneless when she slumped on the ground. Hinata sent a surge of chakra through the ground to help Kokoro through her violent coughing fit. Hinata yelled at Sasuke to get the kids out. He did as she said and Hinata gave the twins propofol.

They stopped that demonic screeching. It was difficult but Hinata immediately got a flashlight and checked Hiromitsu's left eye. Color... It was purple. Oh, my Kami...

Trembling, she verified Amarante's left orb- damn it. Black.

Oh... No. She knew it.

¤¤¤

Hinata paced as they were in the waiting room. The floor crawled with news journalists, ANBU, and high ranking doctors. They were outside of the public eye and the operation room the doctors were in. 

In a row of chairs Sasuke, Kokoro, Mitsuyo, Taiyo and Benjiro sat. Hinata walked around, nerves jumping and posing with urgency.

Hinata was anxious about the conversation she just had with Sasuke niggling around.

Hinata pulled Sasuke away for a few moments, through the haze of worry and chaos, to talk about Hiroki or her eager brother-in-law.

Hinata crossed her arms, irritated. "There's something wrong with Hiroki-"

"Who?" Sasuke squinted his eyes.

"My sustenance depends on you... and Hanabi and the kids. Hanabi's sustenance is named Hiroki -a Hyuuga she's engaged to- who makes me uncomfortable and on guard,"

"What happened?"

Hinata gave him some different encounters and he was shaking with laughter. 

"Hinata, he was flirting with you," he said, chuckling a bit. "I would if I weren't currently with you or he wants to bond or have a sister as great as you,"

Her face burned. "That's the opposite of bonding," she hissed. "He wants to be a Kage! He wants me in second in command 'to slit the throats of our enemies'. He kissed my hand and said we shall talk again. He wanted his lips to get burnt by my Chidori when I wanted to be let alone and he's just strange. That's all, he's strange and ambitious,"

"Oh,"

"It definitely wasn't flirting. He was being vindictive and snakelike!"

Sometimes, he doesn't take her seriously. He kissed her cheek as an apology and wrapped his arms around her as reassurance. "I will keep an eye on him, don't worry. We'll report him to Kakashi if he's too much of a threat,"

"Thank you," she said, hugging him back. She's so scared around Hiroki for some reason.

"If he makes any more attempts, I will kick his ass," he whispered. Hinata nodded and held him firmly. Eventually, he said, "Let's go back to the waiting room and wait on the twins, alright?"

She nodded.

Mitsuyo was petting a very awake Taiyo. Taiyo hasn't really looked at her or ducked away whenever Hinata looked at him. She guesses it's about the stress but it hurt her all the same.

The twins have new dojutsu! They might bleed out to death. Benjiro already has their problem with his senjutsu and now they have new eyes! This is so bad. This is so bad.

They took the twins to the only person they knew would help; Tsunade. Hinata idly wondered if Sakura would be the one she would run to in case of a medical emergency. Probably. In another life.

Mitsuyo followed Hinata with her concerned gaze. "My dear, you age when you worry. You'll be one hundred by tomorrow,"

"Well okay! Tsunade-sensei's supposed to be finished with her examinations by now, isn't she?" Hinata asked her family.

"Trust in your sensei," Mitsuyo whispered, stiff in her chair.

Hinata wanted to but the outcome of what happened to the twins is death. What if the two react negatively? What if they go blind? What if... Her mind went wild and she shook her head.

"Tsunade is the best medical-nin of all time. She will be sure to produce good results," Mitsuyo said.

"The kids could do gentle fist jutsu and were extraordinary with chakra control but now they both have a sharingan and a byakugan! They are already in so much danger!" Hinata protested.

"You anticipated this, my dear," she said softly.

Benjiro was asleep in Sasuke's arms and he snored lightly, shifting a bit. Sasuke was as still as a statue in his spot. He closed his eyes and pretended to be motionless. Kokoro's pressed at the bruises on her neck, glaring at Sasuke. She said nothing otherwise. Earlier, Mitsuyo snapped at her daughter for speaking about the twins.

Sasuke cracked an eye open and sighed. "I didn't kill you so stop whining, Kokoro,"

Kokoro crossed her arms. "You didn't have to choke me, dirt-bag!" Kokoro hissed.

"What else would I have suspected? You are open to hating the sharingan so much that you hate the very sight of the eyes and what they mean. It's disgraceful. You are the perfect candidate for such a crime," Sasuke drawled.

Kokoro's jaw dropped. "The twins are basically like my cousins! Why would I harm my cousins?"

"There should never be any reason for you to commit such a crime. However, you are a loose cannon. You do remember that I do not know anything about your person aside from the hate you give to Uchiha," he said.

That seemed to shut her up. Kokoro huffed and turned her chair away.

Behind her, the hallway door opened a crack and Hinata was so out of it, she perceived it as a danger. Hinata threw a lance of senbon as she turned around. It was only Shizune. A little older and wary but her all the same.

"I'm so sorry -" Hinata cried, covering her mouth with her hands. Her nerves are everywhere.

"Hinata-" Shizune said and ran up to her old student, embracing her tightly.

Hinata smiled but felt something break in her. Did Shizune solely come out here to tell her that the twins died? Her heart burned. No. No. She would be crying. Hinata would know, just by the temperature of Shizune's chakra.

"Did something bad happen?" Hinata asked Shizune.

Shizune shook her head. "No," she released Hinata enough and grabbed her hands, squeezing. "Not at all. She's checking them out. I just wanted to see you. I wanted to know if the rumors were true. You are alive and healthy. Tsunade-sama rejoices. I rejoice,"

The smell of soap and antiseptic was on Shizune's clothes and Hinata smiled. Shizune looked at those in the waiting room... The sense of mild protection and vigilance and togetherness overwhelmed her.

Shizune dark eyes darted to Hinata. "You have gotten a family. Kids, too. I cannot believe you reeled in Sasuke," Shizune said, glowering at the aforementioned man.

Sasuke gave the medical woman a breezy smile. "Hello Shizune, Miss me?"

Shizune scoffed, rolling her eyes. They seem to have bad blood. Sasuke likes tormenting Shizune... Just as the medic and the doctor were glaring at each other, Tsunade burst out of the operating room.

Hinata hasn't seen her sensei in the longest time and fought the urge to cry or squeal at seeing her idol. Her hair was tied back, golden and luscious. A white coat hung off of her gorgeous body and she still looked like a woman in her twenties when she was pushing fifty-something.

She looked oddly proud while the others looked depressed and anxious or numb. Tsunade noticed their nervous movements, their four expressions and the tension in the clean, cluttered white hallway.

"Don't look like that," she ordered. She didn't have blood on her gloves she discarded. She also had a clipboard.

Kokoro gulped and bowed. "T-Tsunade-sama, greetings,"

"And you are Kokoro?" Tsunade asked, kind.

Kokoro's eyes widened and she almost fell out of her chair. "What? You know who I am?" Kokoro asked, shocked and starstruck.

"The children of my good friends are always known," Tsunade said. She winked to Mitsuyo. "I remember those who could outdrink me,"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow and Hinata shook her head, remembering how her sensei drank and drank and drank some more than that.

Mitsuyo smiled, the corners of her lips pulled up. "I'll never forget that beach trip or the mission in Iwagakure,"

The pair shared a couple of giggles while Hinata looked at Shizune for an explanation. "They have many secrets from other days, other times," Shizune murmured.

Hinata nodded. It seems so. Hinata didn't care, she wanted to rush into there and caress her children. Find out their fate.

"Tsunade-sensei, what's the report?" Hinata asked.

"Ah Hinata, you look well," Tsunade grinned, a feline look in her smart eyes. "Your twins pulled through without any injuries and no signs of blindness,"

Hinata smiled, sighing in relief. Mitsuyo smiled at Taiyo. Sasuke nodded and Kokoro didn't seem so guilty. She was celebrating their survival. Hinata just wanted to cry because of the catharsis and laugh because of how worried she was. They're strong.

Tsunade gave Hinata the chart and began speaking animatedly. "Hiromitsu and Amarante Uchiha each have a sharingan and a byakugan. There hasn't been a child in history with both eyes. Both are deadly. Both are paramount. Both could kill them because of how coveted those eyes are in all of its rarity," she said seriously, her eyes skirting their faces. She smirked and crossed her arms, her lab coat crinkling with the motion.

Everything checked out. Hinata handed the chart back to Tsunade, beaming.

"Dangers may come and go but I know you will protect them," Tsunade looked at Sasuke then at Hinata who was nodding fiercely.

"We all will," Mitsuyo said pointedly staring at Kokoro who nodded quickly.

"Sasu? Are Hiro and Ama okay?" Taiyo asked in a small voice.

Sasuke nodded and Tsunade said, "They're coming home with you,"

"They're okay because of aunty Tsunade," Mitsuyo added helpfully.

He sprung out of Mitsuyo's lap to hug Tsunade. Tsunade smiled, patting the boy's hair. "What's your name?" Tsunade asked Taiyo, who was grinning.

"Uchiha Taiyo," he said slowly. Tsunade then fished a lollipop out of her pocket and tossed it over to him. Taiyo unwrapped it after looking at Hinata for confirmation.

Hinata sucked in a breath. "Taiyo-love, you just had lunch," she said lightly, hesitant.

Sasuke chuckled. "Let the kid have his sweets,"

Taiyo gave her a wary look and Hinata nodded. Taiyo took the lollipop and relished it while Hinata noted to ask for some treats to spoil the kids. Taiyo went back to Sasuke and sat beside him.

Hinata stood beside Shizune and Tsunade like so many times before in surgery.

"History suggests wrong," Tsunade said to Sasuke. 

Sasuke's cheeks reddened and he nodded a contrived nod. 

"Tradition was wrong too," she added.

Hinata was confused. "Huh? You both have spoken?"

"Yes. Sasuke asked me for help during your pregnancy and I made sure he took his meds," Tsunade hummed. "He drank with me a couple of times, too,"

Meds? What meds? Hinata looked at Sasuke who ducked his gaze away.

Tsunade chuckled. "History suggests that the Hyuuga hate Uchiha because of their political status and bloodied hands and beliefs... History also suggests Hyuuga are homebound to Konoha and are destined to meet, marry and birth Hyuuga within the confines of these walls and their district. There are no fringes in either clans,"

"History never suggested a Hyuuga on the fringes, one that an Uchiha would marry," Shizune said quietly.

"I guess you make your own demands... and live with those choices. Alive, living," Tsunade then reached over to Hinata and pulled her into a tight hug. "It would be a shame if I lost you and your kindred ways, my student," Tsunade whispered into Hinata's hair after kissing her forehead.

Hinata laughed into her embrace. "Thank you for checking if they were all right," 

"I wouldn't want them to be anything but okay. You're okay, right? I don't have to straighten the Uchiha out?" Tsunade threatened, just as she used to, just as she would have a lot if Hinata stayed.

Hinata laughed. 

Shizune got in on the squeeze while Hinata wiped away the tears. She had to be strong for Benjiro and Taiyo. She will break down later, in Sasuke's arms. She looked at Sasuke and they went to see the kids. Their kids. Their responsibility.

¤¤¤

Evening. 9 o'clock.

Sasuke left right when they came back to the motel. He said he had to look for someone and he left before she could clarify who it was. Kokoro and Mitsuyo were in the living room, yelling and talking in low voices every now and then, switching when the topic struck up an argument, which was often.

She was just outside of Taiyo's and Benjiro's small room. Benjiro's was in dreamland, sleeping. Taiyo was looking at a scroll, sad and focused. His eyes were piercingly pale blue and clear when he is focused. No ripples or fog.

He used a flashlight and stared at the scroll, oblivious to his surroundings.

Hinata rapped a knuckle on the door. "Taiyo-love?" she said gently, not to wake Benjiro or scare Taiyo.

Taiyo saw her, clicked the flashlight off and burrowed himself under the blue covers of his bed. She frowned and went over to the bed, moving slowly.

"Taiyo, would you like to come out?" Hinata asked.

He shook his head, face still hidden.

"Why don't you look at me? Did I do something wrong, my dear?" Hinata sighed. He shook his head. "Then why don't you want to spend time with me? You barely look at me and I want to know if something or someone is bothering you,"

He poked his head out of the covers and his lower lip trembled, eyes wet with tears. "I'm a big burden or bother to you and Sasu!" he exclaimed, not looking at her.

"Never, ever think you're inconvenient for me. You are not a bother, you're a welcomed son to me," Hinata said slowly.

He sat up and sighed. "I called you 'Ka-san' without meaning to," he said, arms folding around his legs and white hanging hair hiding his shamed expression.

Hinata nodded gently. "If you are not comfortable with it, you can stop, I'll love you all the same and still take care of you the same,"

He gave her two quick looks. "I want to call you Ka-san because you've been one for a long time. I can't remember Mama because I have a new one,"

Hinata reached out and carded her fingers through his mane, cupping his cheek and smiling lightly. "It is my pleasure to have you around, Taiyo," she whispered.

He reached up to the hand caressing his face and squeezed her wrist three times. "Me too. It's just when I have a Ka-san, they leave or die or do bad things. I thought all children were loved equally,"

Hinata stiffened. "I will never leave you. Sasuke will never leave you. We are here, we choose you, alright? Nothing bad will happen to us as long as we stay careful and you have to believe that,"

"Yeah but Mama said that and look at her now- gone and doing bad things!"

"What makes you think she does bad things?" Hinata popped an eyebrow up.

He shrugged, looking small and scared. "I hear what you and Mitsu and Sasu say 'bout her. She's not a good person... She's what you and Sasu fight against. I want to... protect you all. I still wanna look for her but she's gone, her head focused on something other than me..."

Hinata wiped away a rolling tear. She forgot that pain he carried around. He felt pain like Sasuke does, it's visceral and forever.

"Do you regret me and Ben? We weren't here from your stomach and that annoys you, right? We're here for no good reason and you regret me..." he said, burying his hands in his face and shaking with tears. He looked up suddenly and wrapped his arms around her neck, locked on like a vise. "Don't hate me for calling you Ka-san,"

He was sobbing, uncontrolled and desperate. 

"I'd sooner break the moon than hate you, my love," she hugged him and rocked him. "I couldn't ever hate you... Never,"

"It hurts to think of Mama," he wailed quietly. Whereas Benjiro would be an atomic bomb, Taiyo was as quiet as summer rain.

Taiyo... I didn't know how much pain was in your heart... I hate you Kaiya, so much, she thought.

"Taiyo, it's okay... It's alright... Baby, I want you, okay? You are wonderful, I could never regret you or Ben, alright? We're here forever, you're my child, alright? Nothing could tear you away from me, alright? Despite you not coming from my stomach, you are my heart, you and Ben really are a part of me,"

Taiyo released his grip around her neck just enough to lean back and look at her. "You don't regret me?" he asked.

"Never," Hinata said, voice catching in her throat so she tried again. "Never,"

"Never ever, ever, ever?" he asked, teary-eyed and sad.

"Never times infinity. I love you, times infinity," she whispered and he touched foreheads with her. "You know that? Never forget my love,"

"What if I forget when I am a hundred?"

"Then I'll remind you every day,"

"What if I can't hear you?"

"I'll scream or do Morse code, do you know Morse code?" she asked. He shook his head. "I'll teach you..."

"I'll learn it," he nodded to himself. He met her eyes, sad. "Every day?"

"Every single day, you're emphatically mine and emphatically loved by your brothers and sister,"

He nodded into the action. "Ben... Hiro and Ana... an' Sasu loves me tremendously. I thought I was your doom... You love me times infinity, this is nice," he sighed. 

"Having you here, as my son is nice, isn't it?" she said honestly.

"Yes... It really is," he told her and hugged her again, not so frantic and worried.

He just wanted to be held. After he calmed down and stopped clinging to her, Hinata laid down. He was tucked into her side as they looked at the scroll together.

"Why don't you sleep, my dear?" she asked.

"I can't sleep till I hear the rain," he admitted.

"We'll stay up til it rains, alright?"

He nodded, delighted. Laughing, laughing and listening until it rained.

-x-

Midnight.

Mitsuyo and Kokoro left, to do something and she felt alone in the motel. Sasuke wasn't back yet and Someina wasn't here either.

After Taiyo fell asleep, Hinata went to the twin's rooms and eyed the bandages on their faces. Every now and then, she would send soothing chakra to their channels to help them. She checked their temperature and made sure none of them kicked. They've been through worse. 

They're fine. They're fine. They're fine.

Someone- Sasuke, was coming in through the window, and Hinata shook her head. "Couldn't you be normal and go through the door?" Hinata asked.

"We don't have a door anymore," he said, probably smirking.

"You shall pass,"

"You could be very fickle, ocha,"

"You still have me here, right? You don't care, do you?" 

"I don't but fickle women don't care for carefree, hot men like me,"

She elbowed him because he was looking over her, his head resting on the crown of her head. 

"I would tell you to hush up but... you're wasting my breath," she smiled.

"I don't, 'cause I take your breath away," he joked.

She laughed. "You're cheery today... Well. Now..."

"I punched Orochimaru," he nodded. 

That's why he was out.

"Oh. That seems reason enough," she said lowly then she frowned. "I thought you would slap him for me,"

"Doesn't a punch suffice, ocha?" he mumbled, laughing.

"I think it does. The kids would love to hear your voice and laugh but they'll come around," She looked back at the twins. "I know so,"

"They're precious," Sasuke said in her ear, wrapping his arms around her waist.

She melted into it. She cherished it. 

"Sometimes... I think we did the worst thing in the world by giving them our bloodlines... Other times, I think we gave them a gift," Hinata said lowly, tracing the thick veins in his hands. 

His palms are calloused but the back of his hand was smooth.

"We gave them a future. They maybe won't become great heroes but maybe they will be champions of the Hyuuga and Uchiha or they will prolong their own lines. They will live until old age and that is more than what a lot of us get," he told her gently.

She's never thought about it like that. "We fought for them to have this age of peace... and for old age between us," Hinata said.

"Hn. Old age... isn't a faraway dream,"

She turned around and reached up. "I can't wait to see the story of us written in the lines of your face, our history, seen and read and loved," she told him, tracing the curve of his cheekbones.

"You're lovely, did you know that? Mine... did you know that?"

"I do but I am... not lovely. I hurt a lot of people, Sasuke... Sakura wouldn't even look at me,"

"Did she say something rude?" Sasuke asked, confused. Hinata nodded, not looking at him directly. "Then it's justified,"

Maybe. She still felt bad but that went away when she kissed him, slow and steady, tasting him and loving him.

She whispered her words against his lips. "We have to tell my father that his one Hyuuga sun granddaughter has your eyes."

"Yeah," he said and instead kissed her. He pulled back and eyed her. "You spoke to him?"

"I yelled at him. Mostly. Something like that. He's claiming he's a shinobi afraid of love and I believe him,"

"Do you think he's better?"

"He had a heart attack and saw my mother and they had a talk. Like he was a moon with the brighter parts on the other side of him. The kindness in him made me believe that I was talking to both parents but there was only one. Only him,"

"And about your sister?" he asked, pleasantly.

"Surprisingly kind. She's different," Hinata laughed and ducked her head, giggling a bit. "She asked about our sex life... How it was, was it nice...." she faltered, blushing from the way he was devouring her up with his eyes.

"What did you say?" he rasped, his hands lowering and squeezing her ass. He knew where to touch, lick and bite to make her fall apart into ecstasy.

It elicited a throaty moan from her as he rocked into her core but they were clothed. 

"It was amazing..." she whispered and his teeth raked over the vein pulsing in her neck.

He trailed kisses up her collarbone and then swept her off of her feet and took her to the living room. Once they collapsed on the chair, Hinata straddling Sasuke's lap, his large manly hands gripping her waist. She trailed her hands closer to the belt he always wore and he breathed hard, still kissing her but allowing her to have her way with him.

"You really wanna go now? With no door?" he asked after breaking away from Hinata's wandering fingers and waiting lips.

"There are seals and Someina'll fix it for me,"

"Ah. About that..." Sasuke said, sitting back and sighing. "Someina... went to the dark side and was given a bargain, your life for the life of her sister. She's with Kakashi and Ibiki right about now. Being interrogated,"

She jumped off of his lap, doing her shirt back up and crossing her arms. "Seriously? You thought to tell me now?"

"I didn't know how to!" he exploded. "I wanted it less than you did and Orochimaru wouldn't talk. It was a tricky situation-"

He was cut off by the sounds of her breaking right there and then. Her flinging herself into his arms and crying out a plethora of bad, bad feelings. 

Instead of being shocked, he held her tightly and rocked her until she calmed down like a husband would do. Like the husband she loved would do.

¤¤¤

October 3rd. Morning.

The kids were loud in the living room, laughing at some show.

To Sasuke,

I am hosting a dinner with friends and family alike in the Hokage residence tomorrow. You are the only family invited. Be there.

P. S It starts at 7:50. Don't be late.

On purpose.

-Kakashi.

Be there. Kakashi was always aggressive just not in a detectable way. Now, he's an asshole.

And don't be late. Prick... Kakashi was always, consistently late when Sasuke was a genin.

Sasuke just got the letter from one of Kakashi's messenger mutts who Hinata petted and gave the dog turkey bacon. The summon ate it although it was turkey bacon. A feat even Sasuke hates doing.

Sasuke crumpled up the letter after sighing. Hinata wasn't angry but she was cautious and sad. Sad tears mottled her dark eyelashes, looking like diamonds tangled up with shadows.

She felt betrayal as a wound that never healed. 

Sasuke knew betrayal as a push to the ground. The difference between her and Sasuke was that Sasuke was trained, made for getting up and walking away. Hinata tended to everyone else's wounds before noticing her bleeding knees.

The next five days were rough for the family. Hinata found out about Someina trying to kill her and now this. This lunch.

Kokoro tried to replace Someina but it wasn't working. Kokoro dropped things, told off-hand and off-color jokes that made Hinata upset.

Despite Sasuke reminding her constantly, Kokoro was just unpleasant and Hinata was her teacher. There was this need for Kokoro to prove herself to Hinata, this inferiority that was always there. 

Hinata hung out with her sister and talked with Ino while Mitsuyo and Sasuke discussed plans for the new and improved Uchiha district.

Hinata was annoyed and lost, honestly hating Orochimaru and Someina at the same time. Hinata tried to find Orochimaru, to talk to him but Orochimaru fled the country or was taken Sasuke didn't know. He was somewhere the Uchiha wasn't.

"Someina... she's probably out by now," Kokoro said, looking at Hinata with a lined mouth that would be a smile if she tried harder. "I think, no- I know so,"

Hinata sighed. 

Mitsuyo chuckled. "If you know Someina is alive, you must not know Konoha," Mitsuyo shrugged, nursing her own cranberry juice.

"Drink your cranberry juice," Sasuke threw a sharp glare at Mitsuyo.

She shrugged. "Fine." 

Sasuke went beside Hinata at the stove and nudged her hip, easing the metal utensil from her grip. It was warm in his hand.

"Kakashi wouldn't betray me like that. I would kill him," he promised. 

Hinata didn't seem eased. The metal utensil levitated from his grip and into her hand. Hm. She's using that jutsu a lot now, weird.

Mitsuyo shrugged. "I would too but it's been five days and they don't allow her to see us, her family, I think the worst has occurred,"

Kokoro wrinkled her nose. "Maybe Kozakura is... right,"

Mitsuyo froze when her daughter's words landed on her. Kokoro agreed with her mother? Unheard of. They were getting along more these days. They were planning to meet Kaito, Kokoro's bother, in Suna...

He focused on his girl, watching her carefully. "Hinata... Kakashi offered to give, uh, you and I a spot on the clan council with all the clan heads. He wanted me to ask you... if you wanted to be at a dinner with him at his house,"

"What time does it start at?" Hinata tilted her head.

Sasuke hesitated and thought back to the letter;

P. S It starts at 7:50. Don't be late.

On purpose.

"Uh, a mere 8:30," Sasuke shrugged.

"Okay to the council spot but the twins need more rest," Hinata protested. "We need to stay home and tend to them,"

Just then, the magic of the twins' voices and laughs rocked into the kitchen. The twins have woken up the day after their check up with Tsunade. Hinata was a smotherer for affection and care. Sasuke was sure they were fine, if not with more energy than before.

Sasuke was proud of his kids, being an Uchiha was already one accomplishment but having both of the most powerful dojutsu known to shinobi-kind is just a dream come true. His bloodline is enhanced and stronger.

The twins think their eyes match their dad's and they couldn't be happier. Hinata didn't meet this new discovery with joy, she was nervous and paranoid, which reminded Sasuke of himself.

A lot of himself, actually. They seem to be fine. She just wants to hide them away, which is quite okay. She doesn't want to train them, as she vehemently said two nights ago when discussing their shinobi career.

"They're Uchiha. Brilliant and resilient. Besides, Kakashi has something important to tell you,"

She shifted and watched the turkey bacon pop and cook. "Maybe... Could Rock Lee be invited?"

"Who is Rock Lee and why do you want him?" Sasuke asked, giving her a sideways glance.

She laughed, "Jealous?"

"Depends,"

It's not every day when she dropped some random guy's name. It's hard to be possessive when she's laughing and wrapping her arms around his waist. 

"He's a friend on my brother's team... I saw him when I visited his grave. Opened my eyes, made me realize I wasn't guilty. I confused my guilt with my grief, isn't that dangerous?" she chuckled into his chest.

"It happens a lot more than you think," he said, thinking about himself and his exploits.

Sasuke could smell the scent of burning, rubbery eggs and turkey but let it slide. He doesn't want her too stressed.

"I want to... uh, show the kids their uncle. Suigetsu and Jugo, aren't their only family... And Neji would love them. The kids haven't even met Hanabi. I'm not sure if she wants to meet them and I am not comfortable with Hiroki in the palace," she looked up in earnest." You will definitely meet him. My father. My brother... Neji,"

The last word was laced with grief and loss but a certain joy only she could pull off. Sasuke realized she was turning the turkey over with the spatula controlled by her jutsu.

"Uh... Neji," Sasuke said, weirdly. He's never said the word before.

"You'll meet him... alright?" she said again. "Rock Lee will have more positive stories than I will. I had many great months with him whereas Lee had years with him,"

"Hinata..." Sasuke paused. That's sad. Depressing but why does he relate?

"I know... but if I didn't... Lee should have those memories," she smiled, looking like a crown of cosmos... 

Lee didn't seem like a threat. Lee seems like a tool to use to heal Hinata.  There is so much residual trauma from that Hyuuga horror house in all spheres of her life. 

She just wanted someone who could relate to her and her brother with strings and memories and laughter with this Neji. Sasuke wouldn't get in the way of her happiness and never would. If she wanted this... he couldn't deny it.

He nodded and she was off, packing some money and away to Lee's house.

-x-

Hinata realized, half-way to Tenten's house that she had no idea where the girl resided now that they had their child. How would she invite Lee? Did it make sense to invite him when Kakashi said only their family would be there? Man, should she bring oranges? Or fish? She didn't know but she went to Konoha's vast, interconnected system of markets and vendors and people.

It smelled like fruit and green and life and the odd buzzing of neon signs rang in her ear.

Then, she saw it. Her. Under the shade of the fruit stand, testing the ripeness of the mangoes she was maybe going to buy. Hinata's kind of arch-nemesis. Karui had the red hair and the gold eyes and foul mouth. They were both doing the same thing, shopping for their presumed families.

Looking up and seeing her, Karui casually focused back on the mangoes, not completely ignoring Hinata but not acknowledging her either.

"Oh. You again," Karui said, voice plain with annoyance.

Hinata was about to ready her weapon but Karui shook her head. 

"There are people here. People who would get hurt if we fought," Karui said, moving the next stand.

Hinata froze and stared at her, following her. The woman's basket was filled. Karui was womanly-looking, wearing a Konoha forehead protector, a bandana to tie back her draped gray dress. That dress was tied with a blue sash at her waist. Just like a Kumo inhabitant would.

Just like how Hinata is right now. Her blue tunic dress brushes her ankles and the gray belt around her waist reminded her of her former home. Karui's dark cafe skin and gold eyes reminded her of Someina's cat-like eyes. Maybe gold wasn't such an odd color.

"Your kid and my kid. Played together at the park about a week ago," Karui said, speaking in short, precise sentences while Hinata gritted her teeth.

Sasuke took them to the beach, which is strange because she thought she would always do that but the park is something he enjoys with fatherhood for some reason.

My twins take after me. They wouldn't choose Karui's child. Amarante has my softness and Sasuke's confidence, Hinata sighed.  

"She was... a girl. Small. Has a hairclip. Pretty, probably worth more than all the jutsu in Konoha," Karui sneered but her voice was soft and low from longing. "Probably from Kumo's finest Raikage,"

"How do you know that?" 

Karui tilted her hair and showed her the hairclip that was similar to the kanzashi Hinata's daughter sported. "I wanted to have one of my own and he's given me one. He gives hairclips to the women he would like to train or take on as students. So far, he's given out three but my training is over. It's just a reminder," she looked over after smiling grimly. "From the things I've heard from Omoi and Darui, you're his favorite,"

"Jealous?" Hinata asked cautiously.

"No."

 Hinata tilted her head.  

 "After his daughter died in the war, he never opened himself up to new friendships," Karui hummed.

Hinata felt awful for the man. She didn't know. He hasn't told her. She hoped she helped. 

Noting the glassy look in Hinata's eyes, Karui smiled faintly. "He's fine now... because of you, I guess," Karui shrugged and perked up, a smirk curling her lip. "Your child... she stared at me like that,"

Hinata flitted her eyes away and stood taller. "Like what?" Hinata asked.

"Like you do. Like you are. Trying to figure out my thoughts by staring and staring," Karui snapped. Karui spoke despite Hinata's frown. "Your kid also had pretty Byakugan eyes like her mother's with sharingan father nearby, looking like an awkward, deadly owl," she chuckled.

Hinata paused and found herself disarmed by that last quip. "He could, could he?" Hinata noticed the ring and laughed. "Akimichi, right? Why would you corrupt Choji?"

Anger flashed in the copper specs of her yellow eyes. "I don't think telling him he's handsome at his weight and not minding his weight is corruption. He's actually quite sweet and a good cook. You should come to our family restaurants... Choji has many establishments that are in the top tier rates of restaurants. We might even give you a discount..."

Hinata and Karui stared at each other when she stopped talking, bashful.

"Are you advertising to me? About your husband's business? To me?" Hinata laughed to herself. "You must really love him..."

Karui paused and nodded. "I guess so. I do,"

Hinata smiled a bit then nodded, about to leave. This was strangely calm and peaceful. She has to go. 

Maybe she won't hate Karui she still hasn't forgiven her but she won't actively avoid the woman now. She sees. Unexpected encounters give the sweetest results.

"I'm a pacifist now..." Karui called out to her. "I heard about what happened to you,"

"What did you hear?" Hinata turned around and saw Karui shifting awkwardly.

Karui looked dispirited and tics of sympathy passed over her appearance. "Stories. The good. The bad. The ugly. All from Tenten after your fuinjutsu dome drugged her,"

"I told them... I didn't want them to feel guilty or bad but... just to tell them what happened," Hinata shared, kicking the dirt and sighing.

Karui shook her head. "It makes me feel like shit. Honestly. I was a stupid bitch at nineteen. You were too but... you were just trying to protect your kid like I would. I was a nasty kid. Nasty. The Raikage doesn't even hate Sasuke but I did...Killer Bee likes Sasuke despite what happened just before that... It seems like I'm the only one who hates him, "

Hinata went up to Karui and looked at the sky. It's nearing noon. A bittersweet ache passed through her. "You'd be surprised at the number..."

"He is arrogant and after what he did to Sakura... and my sensei and Naruto- it's quite hard not to dislike him,"

"For a pacifist, you sure do beg to get stabbed," Hinata sighed. 

Karui rolled her eyes. "I shouldn't have said it but I'm tired of being jealous of you and your open relationship with Kumo and the Raikage. I should have defended the kids when... they got best by the cruel ANBU," she finished with a small sigh.

"You should have," Hinata said helpfully.

"And I didn't. Sorry," Karui said shyly.

They both were staring at red apples that were round and fresh in their little wooden crates. It was easier than looking at each other.

"I hate apologizing but I was wrong, so it'll be worth it. Is it around the mountain?" Karui gave Hinata a reproachful, hesitant look.

Hinata considered it and eventually nodded. She couldn't stay mad and their fights were explosive. Hinata was explosive in a way. Besides, Hinata was overly aggressive though Karui was just doing her job.

Then, they both unconsciously went to the peach crate, after Karui was offered an apple. 

Reluctant, Karui accepted the apple but marveled at the peaches. Karui chose a couple peaches and dropped them into a bag.

Karui dug out some yen to pay but Hinata gave the cash before Karui could cough it up. Realizing what Hinata had done, Karui blinked. "Thanks,"

Hinata shrugged. Karui while chewed on the apple, the taste quite gross.

"The peaches are way better in Kumo, aren't they?" Hinata giggled at Karui's strangled expression. 

"Peaches are what real Kumogakure inhabitants eat," Hinata nodded.

When Kumogakure was a small thing, a baby, the first Raikage would go into his people's houses and have a conversation, like a family because there were so few people. The First Raikage's wife was obsessed with the peaches that grew more than apples in Kumo. Something about the climate not being good for the apple seeds made the apple trees hard to cultivate. While accompanied by the first Raikage's wife and visiting homes, the people would try to impress her with bowls of peach and planting peach trees in their yard.

It became a cultural thing to include peaches in one's home, to pay homage to all the Raikage have done for the country itself. They just taste better, too.

"Peaches are what you put in a bowl instead of the traditional apples," Karui said.

"Konoha doesn't get it," Hinata shrugged and Karui nodded.

The two women looked at each other and laughed. After the laughter died out, it was awkward. They struggled with a topic and looking at each other. Hinata wanted to say something but she couldn't define it.

Then, suddenly, Karui looked up, finding common ground for them. "So, did you hear of Darui getting appointed Raikage in a year or so?" Karin asked.

Hinata nodded. No one here cares about Kumogakure politics in Konoha. Konoha is an enemy to Konoha. It's a surprise that the Karui who renounced her country wanted Hinata's take on the latest scandals and accomplishments for her friend.

"My friend. He is, he sent a messenger to tell me personally," Hinata said. "It was funny because C was going to be chosen..."

And they talked. It was strange. They could have been great friends, maybe she wouldn't have been lonely in Kumo at times when Someina was studying and Karin was out, being a normal wife.

The whole topic of inviting Lee left from their minds as they ate and shared that whole bag of peaches.