Sweet Dispositions

-Chapter 42-
Xenophobic

Hinata came home with wine and a few cuts and scrapes. She said she had a scuffle with Ino. They mostly threw punches but Hinata punched her in the eye. Ino probably deserved it. Sasuke was proud but he hated when she got hurt.

Later on, they watched a movie and Hinata laughed so hard at a joke he told her. Recently, their connection has been vague but she still loves him. She reached out to him in her slumber.

Fuck Naruto. Sasuke is in pain because Naruto is a little shit. He can't sleep on his side, stomach or back because of him. The alcohol numbed some pain. But not all.

What the hell- all those damn Rasengan burnt off his skin. He should have used his damn rinnegan.

He's actually a changed man. He wanted peace then Naruto opened his mouth.

Sasuke has nicks and wounds all over. He didn't know why Naruto was bat-shit insane and began swinging. It's like he was getting penalized for something... he presumably did do.

He ought to bless Naruto because if it weren't for him... then he would have never spotted Hinata but also thanks to him, he's having quandaries with Sakura and Hinata.

He didn't know Sakura also co-authored the letters. He wouldn't have thrown them out so... often. They were plausibly all hauled into the deep ocean currents by a riptide or something. Maybe he should... have read them.

He saw her for the first time, again. It was like standing on a bed of nails. He has been meaning to talk to her for seven or eight years but he... hasn't. He didn't mean to trouble her. He laughed at the wrong things and said the wrong things. She looked torn.

He climbed out of bed, unable to sleep with these things going round in his mind.

"You messed up her life!"

"Sakura hasn't forgiven you!"

"She would hate you like everyone does,"

"He hates everyone so I hate him,"

"He's a felon,"

All of Naruto, Ino and Tenten's words resounded in his mind as he sat in the tiny walk-in closet, breathing hard. Hinata's clothes were hung up, the kid's stuff were there in bulging suitcases. He just paused there, encompassed by night and his thoughts.

He sat there for ampere-hours, meditating on those thoughts. Maybe he shouldn't have acted dead. Maybe he should have been a better person. He's no good at all. He's a liar and an outcast. Kami can't even save him.

Hinata trudged over to him, joining him with tired but tender sympathetic gazes. She didn't even say a word. He didn't think the lump in his throat would allow him to speak, otherwise. So a part of him was... grateful for the quiet.

She was half-lidded and tired, so she talked in a languid, unfocused way. "You okay?" she asked with a yawn.

She's so beautiful... so, fucking beautiful. He took a moment to admire the dark swoop of her long eyelashes. After staring, he shook his head.

She blinked her eyes at him then nodded. "Love, you want to talk about it?" she asked after shivering a bit.

He shook his head then looked back at the floor.

She gathered the swaying folds of her robe and just kissed his forehead. After a while of pressing their foreheads together, she left for a few minutes. Probably to bed.

Surprisingly, she returned with a thick Kumogakure quilt that she and Mitsuyo worked on for months. She melted into him and wrapped the both of them into the blanket. She sighed and he tugged her closer, pulling her onto his lap and holding her, just to feel better. It always made him feel so much better.

He inhaled the scent of her shampoo then the aromatic odor wafting off of her skin- still flowers and bittersweet tea.

She promptly fell asleep. It was... odd but comforting, her just letting him think without the obligation of talking. An even odder sensation- he doesn't think that Sakura would respect his wish to be one with the silence.

Sakura was relentless with her love... and affection without knowing what he wants. Damn. He hasn't thought about Sakura in a while.

Maybe it isn't the worst that Naruto married her. It was still shitty but what would he have with Sakura? He'd be too guilty to stay at home, have one kid and avoid touching her. With Hinata, he can't keep his hands off of her. It was the opposite of what Sakura and Sasuke would be.

He's been arguing with Hinata often. Another odd thing about this is that he knows she loves him. Who else would sleep on the cold, hard ground because Sasuke has inner turmoil? It's weird.

The oddest thing about it is he loves her too. Quite a lot. Feelings have been caught.

He should have said it back, he wasn't sleeping.

For now, he should sleep. His eyes got heavy. He tightened his grip on her and fell into it.

¤¤¤

September 17th. Morning.

Sasuke was nervous. He hates being nervous because being nervous meant that something was wrong. Nothing was wrong. Nothing was supposed to be wrong. However, here he is- knowing that everything is wrong.

While brushing his teeth, Hinata came flying into the bathroom, barely clad. She rushed around, trying to get the kids ready that she forgot about her shirt.

He liked the view of her satin-soft skin and the plush breasts that filled his eyes. Tucked into some sarachi, her ample curves were exhibited as she pranced around, wearing no more than a brown kimono skirt. wrapped around her waist. Her white skin glowed, some days like the way the moon does.

Hinata has three freckles on her shoulder, that he liked kissing.

Sasuke was reasonably okay with nudity around the kids- Hinata couldn't care less if she were displayed to the kids, which was justly a wonder. He's more self-conscious about that because his scars and his prosthetic being a ghastly color of white Zetsu.

The kids were awake and they wanted to see Mitsuyo again. She also wanted to try again with her father? Which is just... strange?

She put in some earrings that she thought acceptable while humming a familiar lullaby she sung to the kids.

After sharing a gentle smile with him- and he had to query if she will be saccharine again, but that ended soon after the thought occurred.

She changed gears and thought about something serious. He could see it in the way her fingers moved quickly. When she would bring up something... significant or harmful, her nerves would get the best of her. She would then twitch her fingers, the way a hand does when reading a thrilling book.

She stared at him in the mirror, disquieted until she slid one fingernail under the other, apprehensive. He patiently waited for her to speak again. She'll come to him. She always does.

She got the guts and spoke. "Sasuke, where should we live? We can't stay in these bad hotels,"

Sasuke winced. "They're not all bad," he said, trying not to strangle on the toothpaste foam. Whenever he speaks, some of the thick froth burns the back of his throat.

Her dangling earrings swung as she moved quickly. "What do you mean? Compared to where we lived before- this is a downgrade of epic proportions. Ocha, this is a shack compared to our last house,"

They did... live in an Edo-era styled house. Sasuke shrugged.

He's used to appalling conditions. He's also used to things burning down- since it was nearly... constantly his fault. That was almost eight years ago and he didn't have the same responsibilities. With a thick syrupy warmth in his stomach, he recognized just how alone he was before the kids and Hinata.

She strung her eyebrows together, getting to the point of being bothered. "Sasuke- are we staying? Or are we going? Coming back... is just reaping consequences and the people we don't like are up and at 'em at trying to kill us,"

"This house isn't awful," he disagreed. She doesn't apprehend that he's brushing his teeth and he can't really say anything- which is to her advantage.

"I mean. It's not big, we have no privacy and I don't like the rules against not smoking in the building! It's as if we could hear other people's conversations and smell other people's cigarettes as if they were right beside us, in our suite,"

Sasuke spat out the foam from the mint-flavored toothpaste. "That's what you can expect in the crowded, somewhat overpopulated Konoha," he simply told her. "Adjust,"

"Adjust? No," Hinata said, shaking her head. She turned away and he saw the tattoo on her lower abdomen. The darkness of the tattoo was gleaming and it made her seem less... innocent. Flowers... black flowers.

She left for a couple of minutes then returned, relatively calm.

She crossed her arms over her chest then sighed, avoiding his gaze. "And- I haven't asked you this before... 'cause it's been bugging me... but why weren't you invited to Sakura's and Naruto's wedding?"

Sasuke laughed, chortling bitterly. "You really want to hear the story of why I wasn't invited?"

Hinata nodded, thinking hard. "You were Naruto's best friend at the time and Sakura... Sakura would have wanted you there. I mean, Ino and I practically planned their wedding but we had no control over the invites list. You weren't on it. I was... confused but I didn't say anything 'cause I didn't care. Then... suddenly, Sakura was sobbing and we couldn't fix her makeup so she took it all off,"

"Would you care now?" Sasuke asked, feeling his chest tighten up with something. Was it emotion- guilt? Hypersensitivity? Or was it simply peace? "If I didn't show?" he added lamely.

"Yes. Why wouldn't you show up for your own wedding? Our wedding?" she said, with a tantalizing smile. It dimmed a bit before she centered her focus on Sasuke. "Yeah... but before... you weren't invited... but you stayed?"

Sasuke set down the toothbrush and stared at her. "They thought I was dead- before... the wedding. I made everyone in the shinobi world think I was dead. There were articles and articles talking about my death when really, I never died. I somewhat perpetuated the lies until I showed up at the wedding, Sakura's dressing room. I made sure to place a genjutsu on you and Ino, 'cause you both were flying in and out of her chambers,"

"Why would you do that?"

"I wanted to talk to Sakura. I mean, I came from the dead to talk to her," he said. He did notice the jealous look in her eyes but continued. "Then it went south. Naruto found out. I called him unworthy of Sakura and that he didn't deserve a wedding. He said I should leave. I didn't. We threw punches and I left after Sakura began sobbing. I stayed in the trees until I wanted a drink. Then I met you, there. At the liquor table,"

With the envy gone, she seemed more... understanding. "Oh. That's why it happened," she said impartially.

At first, he stared head on but now he wasn't really looking at her, he could tell that she was... disgusted with him. It brought an ironic sneer to his face.

"You disgusted with me now?" he asked.

Hinata shook her head. "Not at all,"

Uncrossing her arms, she reached up and brushed his chin with a hooked finger. She gently tugged his chin in her direction.

"Thank you for telling me," she said, standing on the tip of her toes and kissing his cheek.

"Hn," he just grunted when she pulled away.

"I appreciate your past just as I want to see your future," she told him sweetly. "Besides, you woulda looked dashing with a suit on,"

Ignoring her sorry grin, he eyed her carefully. "Did I mess your life up?" Sasuke asked.

She laughed, shaking her hands and tracing the hollow of his cheek with her slow hands. "Never," she said, so much honesty there.

She smiled at him, open her lips to say something but a piece of the ceiling, a little tile, crumbled off and fell.

She shrieked, her shinobi senses roused. "Oh, my Kami! That could have hit one of the kids!" she says, loudly. Troubled, she just inspected the ceiling with a long look.

Sasuke knew she would blow this up. "It didn't, Hina-"

"Well, it could have,"

He chuckled, shaking his head. She... always does this. She has to relax. At least sometimes. She furrowed her neat brows and concentrated hard, staring at everything with disgust. She was already acting paranoid and he reached out to smoothen the line between her brows.

"Don't think like that," he chided carelessly.

She smacked his hand away, looking peeved. "I am not overreacting! Kami knows what goes on in these death traps. We have four kids. All of them are precious! I can't have the kids get hit by the sky falling," she finished with a serpent-like hiss.

Sasuke shook his head. "It pains me to say but, Hinata, it was a ceiling, not the sky and all resorts are like this,"

He knew saying all motels were generally run down but adequate in that... cynical manner was a mistake.

Her eyes widened and she shuddered. "All of them are like this?"

"Yes-" he said then he remembered the worrywart he was talking to. "I mean, no. Hinata, babe, it's really not,"

She cut him off with a dismissive look. "Nope... We are moving soon! Find us a new house!"

"I have to," Sasuke keened, "but you want to move, I'm fine with this,"

She made an annoyed sound as she stomped out of the washroom and he shrugged.

"Fine! I'll look, but I don't promise to find anything," he murmured. "No promises, at all. None,"

He could feel her furious glare through the discolored walls of the motel. At him. He did feel the fury. He did want to have sex sometimes in the next years coming.

He just resigned himself to it. "I promise some results, then,"

After a string of curses, he thought about how... whipped he was. Happy wife means a happy life... Hinata isn't his wife but she could be with the way she nags about things. She makes his mornings sometimes unbearable but mostly entertaining.

Still unbearable. It was just a little bit. He liked this... Maybe they could live in the Uchiha district.

He thought about that when meeting with Kakashi and all the way to the hospital.

¤¤¤

Later.

At the hospital, Mitsuyo was awake. She had the same bandages wrapped around her forehead but she was smiling. She wasn't as ill. Someina remained in the corner of the room, cross-armed and running a hand over the coin she seemed to have picked up. After Mitsuyo swapped insults with Sasuke, Sasuke scowled at the hoary woman.

"Sometimes, I prefer you unconscious," he hissed.

Hiromitsu shook his head. "I like you most awake, unlike Tousan," Hiromitsu said, burying Mitsuyo in a hug.

Amarante was auspicious just sitting in Mitsuyo's lap, observing everything that went on.

Mitsuyo chuckled. "Kids, you know, your grandfather was a great man and so are you- kids. I don't know what happened to the funny generations in the middle,"

Sasuke clenched his teeth and Mitsuyo stuck out her tongue. Her black eyes settled on Hinata, who paced around with spastic, stiff movements.

Mitsuyo tilted her chin and stared at Hinata. "It seems as though the chatterbox is quiet," Mitsuyo said aloud, to no one.

Hinata noticed Mitsuyo examining her and Sasuke ignored Hinata. "She's still thinking about this morning's incident," Sasuke explained in a worn way.

Hinata's jaw dropped to the floor. "Sasuke... this room is quite better than our entire motel," she commented, using a bittersweet tone. "Must be nice,"

"Because I.V bags and heart monitors really bring out the character of houses," Sasuke deadpanned, rolling his eyes.

She narrowed her eyes, a fire in the purple. "The ceiling doesn't fall and there aren't insects in the bathtub," Hinata clicked her tongue. "We really have to move. We truly have no home and I don't want to be a drifter for the rest of the month. We won't stay here for a month- just until we meet Hanabi,"

"Fair enough but not being a drifter? I thought you wanted a nomadic lifestyle," Sasuke shrugged.

"That was five years ago... when it was only me and you... without four kids," Hinata lamented.

"My opinion still stands," he grunted. "The tile could have fallen all the same and your opinion is wrong,"

"Guys," Mitsuyo said gently.

Sasuke waved her voice away, looking annoyed. "Opinions can't be wrong and if they were, why would mine be? It's perfectly valid. We don't have to live in Konoha-"

"Enough!" Mitsuyo said. "Can mama bear and papa bear not argue in front of the little babes because that's not what parents do?"

Sasuke and Hinata stared at each other, mouths pursed and eyes narrowed. They looked away, grumbling.

"We're staying, are we?" Someina asked, announcing her otherwise forgotten presence. She looked at Hinata for clarification. "cause we have to stay. I can't leave Konoha,"

"What? You're on our team let's-stay-in-Konoha? Why?" Hinata asked.

After that discharge of frantic emotion, Someina moved back into the corner, hoping to draw attention away from herself.

"Just have things and things to do," Someina answered vaguely, not looking at Hinata in the eye.

Hinata smiled then walked up to Someina, her hand squeezing her shoulder. "Whatever business you need help with, I'm here,"

Someina offered a faint smile then darted her gaze from Hinata's warm smile.

Hinata's eyelashes fluttered then she beamed at everyone in the room. "On that note, Mitsuyo is feeling better. We should do something to commemorate it!"

"Like what?" Mitsuyo asked.

She smiled at Benjiro then pointed to Taiyo. "Give me a drumroll, darlings," she said, pointing ro them.

Watching her with a neutral gaze, he looked off to the side, wondering and embarrassed. "So... goddamn enthusiastic..." Sasuke muttered under his breath.

"Yeah. You'll put a ring on that," Mitsuyo said, laughing lightly. She threw a long look at Hinata. "All your life,"

Sasuke groaned. Benjiro, Hiromitsu, and Taiyo jumped off of the bed then stomped their feet on the cold ground, a steady beat of loudness and excitement. Amarante just clapped, instead of moving from Mitsuyo's lap.

"And what will we eat, kids? As a celebration meal?" Hinata asked.

All the kids yelled out; "Waffles and ice-cream!"

Hinata grinned. "Exactly, loves," she said, her hair falling across her face.

"The ice-cream here... has sugar, right?" Someina asked.

Benjiro walked up to Someina and grinned. "Good thinking, Meina! Food needs sugar! I love sugar,"

"No. No, no. Sugar is not good, that's why we eat veggies and fruits," Hinata shook her head, trying not to give into Benjiro's inane addiction with sugary things.

Benjiro groaned and crossed his arms, glaring at the ground. "Ugghhhhh, Ka-chan!"

"Loosen up, Hinata- it's a vacation. Let 'em have what they want," Mitsuyo protested while Amarante observed the tattoo on her neck.

"Aoi, you bounce off the walls when you have that stuff, kid," Sasuke said, chuckling.

Someina ruffled his hair and Taiyo joined Someina in the corner of the room. "This is where cool people with sugar go, Nata- Sasu, you're not invited," Taiyo said.

"Not you too," Hinata sighed. "Is everyone boarding the going-insane train?"

"We're not going insane! We're rotting!" Taiyo said.

Rotting? Huh? That makes no sense. Hinata suddenly snickered. "You mean... rioting?" Hinata asked after concealing an amused smile.

Taiyo shrugged his shoulder in a non-committal way. "That! We're rioting!"

"Pffft, sure," Sasuke said.

What... is this mass chakra... reserve doing outside of the door?

Hinata made three long strides approaching the door, still grinning. She twisted the handle while beaming at the kids. "Okay, we'll discuss this at the store, alright? I'll get Mitsuyo's doctor to discharge her so we can have Uchiha Family Fun Time-"

She swung the door open, still happy and bouncy, and met Gaara standing there with an army of guards with mean faces. Mitsuyo created a barrier around the kids without even moving a finger. He felt the chakra quantity in the air shift.

Aw. Shit. The Kazekage. They knew what Sasuke did and he knew that these people would come back for blood. He perceived that.

Her tone was still playful and high from her encounters with the kids. "Kazekage-sama?" she asked then the many pairs of eyes encircling the Kazekage narrowed.

She got the memo, so she bowed. "Kazekage-sama... Greetings," she said, tone somber.

Sasuke and the rest of them- did not fucking agree to bow. He absolutely wouldn't. This man is menacing and his dull voice made all the ladies fall in love.

It was ridiculous.

Gaara's mussed hair and black-lined eyes still made a good impression as Benjiro and Taiyo waved to him. Gaara gave a small nod of acknowledgment and a small wave, that delighted the trouble-makers.

Grinning, Benjiro watched the guards at the door but concentrated on the Kazekage. "What's up, sand-man?" Benjiro called out.

Mitsuyo chuckled and Someina sighed, halting in the middle of raking her hands through Taiyo's white hair. Hinata's eyes widened as she looked at her boy. Sasuke thought the name was fitting. He wouldn't tell Hinata- since she seemed quite abashed by his nick-name. Kid's nicknames are rarely... inventive. Amarante named a blanket she couldn't go to bed with, "Blankey," and Ben called his pots, "Potty,". So... he wasn't really blown away when he called the Kazekage Sand-man.

He couldn't even bat an eye or... become speechless like the rest of his company was.

However, Sasuke wondered when the kids said this man and why... they liked Gaara so much. They were supposed to his have personality- and traits- and not like the Kage. Whatever. He will ask Hinata about that.

Gaara wasn't bothered but Hinata turned to the boy, who was on the left of her. "Sandman?" Hinata repeated with a strained voice. "My love, treat the Kazekage with respect and call him Kazekage-sama,"

Benjiro scratched the back of his neck, noticing how everyone was staring at him. He hid behind Someina then peeked out from behind her waist. "Sorry- uh, Kazekage-sama?" he muttered quickly, now shy at the attention.

She turned her attention back to the neutral Kazekage. "Sorry- a million times over- children... Sorry," Hinata whispered and let go of the door handle, clasping her hands together.

She was eager to ask another question but Gaara interrupted her. "We need to talk," Gaara stated.

Hinata's whole temperament changed as she nodded. She twisted around to the rest of them after facing the Kazekage. She shared a sorry smile. "I guess you'll have to get waffles and ice cream another time," Hinata said placidly.

The kids had a chorus of sighs and whines then she winced.

"At least, at another hour. I will be back soon. My heart goes out to you all," she said, blowing them one last kiss.

Gaara watched her then frowned a bit, an action Hinata also caught.

Gaara observed the people in the room.

Sasuke was a bit disconcerted that she wasn't spending time with them but more inquiring about why Gaara was asking for Hinata's presence.

Sasuke thought they met yesterday. That's what she left him in that damn seal for.

After a decade of silence, the venerable Kage finally spoke. "May we meet in the cafeteria?" he asked, all reserved and aloof.

Hinata widened her eyes then masked her shock. "Of course, anything you want, we can do that," she said, her voice firm and loud.

He nodded at her reply then sent small smiles to the boys proceeded in walking away, without a word. That was rude. Did Gaara think he was all high and mighty? He was Kage but Sasuke would definitely beat him up in seconds.

Hinata blinked then looked at Sasuke. He knew exactly what she was thinking; why meet up? He kissed her goodbye, as promised. She looked annoyed but accepted it all the same.

¤¤¤

About five minutes later, Gaara and Hinata met in the cafeteria of the hospital, seated across from each other. Both Hinata and Sasuke weren't gratified that she met with the Kazekage on such short notice.

It was cumbersome. Hinata didn't know what to say, because they were meeting in such an... inelegant place and her responses felt unnatural. Contrived.

They were on plastic chairs. The staff broke their backs to clean the dining space feverishly in the Kazekage's presence. The guards stood around them like a wall. Many of them were afraid of her, seeing how most of them were around when she drew one-hundred senbon on Kankuro.

Gaara and Hinata sat in a relatively uncomfortable silence while she just stared at the countertops and floors. Hinata didn't want to make any rash movements and she didn't want to make a fool of herself either.

Hinata didn't enjoy the taste on her tongue but she drank the tea the cafeteria had. She dropped the compact sugar and watched it sink, taking a spoon to mix it all up.

Sand particles eddied around her like dust in their old library. The sand shone in the light that streamed through the many, many windows of the hospital cafeteria.

All the meanwhile, Gaara regarded her with a relaxed curiosity that was intense... for her. He had this aura of authority swirling around him. She felt it raise goosebumps on her skin, with how much of a daunting presence he had. She didn't know if it bordered on fear or respect.

Not wanting anything to be awkward and tense, she spoke, tentative. "Did you perchance win your fight with Naruto?"

He shook his head. "No... Naruto beat me fair and square," he said while chuckling at the memory of Naruto.

She used to do that... now she has headaches when she sees him. Times have changed. Gaara lost... which wasn't really presumed. She didn't want Naruto or Gaara to win over the other, maybe that's what made the rivalry so appealing to the onlookers. They frankly didn't know who would win.

She still smiled at him, wishing to ease some of the tension. "You are very powerful, Kazekage-sama, an honorable opponent. Do not sell yourself short," she said.

His sharp gaze tipped up to her. "You are quite excellent yourself, Ji-Hinata. The jutsu you possess are wildly formidable," he faltered then his gaze relaxed. "I apologize... I didn't realize that you were in the middle of something. I was eager to meet you and share information,"

Eager?

"No, no, it's fine. I also have things to say, as well," she said. Not wanting to wait any longer, she spoke. "I did not meet with you after the competition, family-related issues have... taken first priority. My mistake, forgive me," she bowed, which was strange because she never really bowed to anyone, at least not anymore.

"Raise your head, Ji-Hinata of the leaf. There is no need for that. I feel that we can become close allies in the years to come," he said gently.

Hinata perked up, not knowing he would say that. She straightened her back and shot him a shy smile. "Alright," she murmured, unsure.

He seemed sincere in his promise and she watched his eyes skirt all over her face. "We can have that encounter now. I have an important task to give you but as for now, I would like to hear all the facts associated with your ability,"

Hinata weighed her options then nodded. It seems easy enough for now. Her curiosity couldn't help but be piqued because of his proposition.

"So... Ji-Hinata of the leaf, what gave you this chakra ability?" he asked slowly.

Hinata explained what happened and he listened, without any questions. After she finished, she looked directly at his face and sat up taller. "That's my story," she said.

He just nodded, his turquoise eyes flitting over hers. "That is what happened," he said languidly, staring at his hands and folding it over again then unfolding it.

Hinata tipped her chin up. "Kazekagae-sama... It's the truth," Hinata said, in a fast way... It seemed accusatory. All the same, she felt like he was scrutinizing her. His stare was intense. Like the Sunagakure sun baking the dunes of her cheeks and soul.

He sat up, straighter then shook his head. "No... There is nothing that is false,"

Hinata leaned closer, frowning. "But..."

He sipped his tea. "No... buts... I did not expect... such an adventure," he said, pausing during and between rough syllables. "I expected your jutsu to be given this chakra affinity without the struggle and pain,"

She nodded, mixing her warm tea. "We use our suffering as a part of our path, our growth. Through time... I learned that I should practice this forced part of me... It's a beautiful, beautiful practice,"

He looked at the spoon that was in her hand. "I apologize if you felt that I was being condemnatory," he apologized. "or if I insinuated... anything,"

Hinata perked up, wondering why he was confessing... that. He was a Kazekage. It was nice, all the same.

"You seem to have knowledge of the actual physical jutsu and administering it in combat but none on where it originates from," he said, humming. He set his cup down.

She shook her head, flinching at his... arrogant tone. Is he insulting her... intelligence? She couldn't decide so she was proactive instead of reactive. "Can you enlighten me, I would like to know more,"

She's read through the Kumogakure archives, trying to find any semblance of a clue of this jinkishi no jutsu. This... chakra affinity that no one seems to harbor.

"I, myself, discovered it when I adopted my son, Shinki," he said.

She felt this happiness bloom in her chest. "Bless your kind soul, Kazekage. Adopting is a good way to live," Hinata felt the first strings of understanding pulling her closer... to fearing him less. He adopted... Beautiful.

Noticing her blithe reaction, he leaned back a fraction of an inch then darted his eyes back to her. "Yes... I discovered this new phenomenon when he entered our amalgamated life, however, I do not know much about the skill he seems to possess,"

Hinata's smile became minuscule. "Oh," she echoed, feeling quite foolish.

Well, that just... limits... everything. Why does no one know? The only teachings about this jutsu are the ones she has written down. That... is not great. She swallowed her disappointment. Maybe she expected too much... He came to her, seeking help.

"Your... father, Yondaime Kazekage-sama-" she said but faltered slightly.

At the brief mention of his father, she felt the sand particles around them freeze. The other guards tensed up.

She continued then nodded. "Yes... uh, he had... the jutsu, Gold Dust which, if my theory is correct, he controlled Gold particles by manipulating a magnetic field within the element? With an alternating electrical field? Is that how it works?"

He nodded. "Very impressive, Ji-Hinata. Was that information given to you?"

Hinata shook her head. "No... Just from mere observation and knowledge from my own proper jutsu,"

He seemed even more impressed. "Very well calculated. I have some minor ideas of the jutsu my father once had but as far as it goes, I know as much as you,"

Hinata widened her eyes. "It's real? It was merely just speculation," she dropped her jaw.

"You were completely right," he said.

She smiled but Hinata acted carefully. "If I am... right then, you can also do the renowned jutsu?"

He shook his head. "Just little notions and inklings," he looked back up at her and flicked his eyes at her. "That is exactly why I sought out your aid, Ji-Hinata,"

Her aid?

He took a moment to answer. "I do not have any teachers that reside in my village, Sunagakure... that understand how to control Shinki's... chakra release except for you," he revealed. "Though trials and tribulations, I cannot help him master his power nor can my brother Kankuro. To a certain degree, if we shall groom him to become a better shinobi and eventually the future Kazekage, he must know how to utilize his jutsu in perilous situations,"

"Of course," Hinata nodded.

Gaara's expression became darker when he recommenced talking. "It is conventional, customary for him to attend the Academy of Sunagakure. None of the teachers are willing to teach... Shinki with such a tumultuous and unruly jutsu. I wanted to beseech you... to pass on your lessons to Shinki as a sensei," he said, his stare so heavy on her face. Her soul. "I know it is a lot to ask but I would like to formally invite Sasuke and your four children to Sunagakure so my son can perfect his jutsu under your watchful, byakugan eye,"

She blinked twice, voiceless like a cactus staring silently at the sun. "Sensei? Of your... child?" she said, softly. "But... I live... not particularly here- but in Kumo and I have... my kids and Sasuke,"

That's where his expression soured. "I didn't know that you were... involved with Sasuke or that you had children," Gaara admitted. "Wanting to know more about you and your finesse with jutsu, I heard from your Hokage that you and your partner were fond of traveling the shinobi world without attachments to a certain country. I assumed that... you would be open to going to Suna, all expenses paid to teach my child," he said, nodding. He threw an empirical glance in her direction. "Would you like to serve me in Sunagakure?"

What the barnacles, Kakashi? She was just dismayed and weirdly honored that he would ask her. Wow. But she was... so crestfallen. She couldn't truly leave... when they just got here. She hasn't seen... Hanabi and she isn't finished. She hasn't done everything she wanted to.

She stared at her drink then set down her spoon. "Kazekage-sama... I cannot leave... my children for a month," she said simply. "nor can I leave Sasuke. They are so small and they would... miss me so. However, I am... so happy you gave me a chance to... do that," Hinata gazed at him in his eye. "but no. I cannot go to Suna,"

She sat up straighter and nodded at her choice.

They made eye-contact. "How else can you aid me?" he asked, kind of desperate.

"Yes. I am a teacher, I taught all the time at schools, medical-ninjutsu, and weaponry. I specialized in using the sword but... I teach jutsu," Hinata smiled. "I can give you lessons through messages or books. My servant can give you the textbooks," she said, hoping not to go.

Gaara seemed inquisitive. "I'm listening,"

"I... I was a writer of sorts throughout my five years in Kumogakure. I wrote under the euphemism Natsukawa Momo. My textbooks are used in... all five countries now... I can give Shinki-san documents that the Nightblood man gave me himself to you,"

"That may suffice," Gaara said, obviously not impressed with the way things went against his wishes. "I understand you have chosen... Konoha,"

She shook her head. "I didn't choose this country. Konoha is merely... a place I reside at," she said, a funny feeling inside. She wasn't lying. She didn't live here. "Nothing more, nothing less,"

Gaara tilted his head in question.

She clarified for him after thinking for a moment. "I choose my family... In a couple of years, yes, when the twins are habituated to me going on long missions, I may be able to switch between Konoha and Suna," she said. That's something she will possibly pursue. Teaching.

Gaara seemed gratified with that and defeat didn't tint his voice. "I expect for you to ship the documents in the coming weeks?" he said.

Hinata thought for a moment. "Yes..." she told him.

She has all the scrolls for the Naitochi Clan all over the place. She summoned one of the textbooks she wrote about bukijutsu and handed it to him. "This is one of my works,"

Gaara hummed, looking at the cover. "I have seen this on the shelves at one of Konoha's bookstores,"

Hinata beamed, caught off guard by that. "Well... it's all there, tips, facts, drawings, and tutorials. If you would like to know how exactly I teach, then it is seen in that,"

Gaara nodded and Hinata stared at him for a moment. "Is the magnet release... a Kekkei Genkai of the Kazekage Clan?" Hinata asked.

Gaara nodded but didn't elaborate. He fixedly gazed at the textbook then turned it over and placed it aside. He cleared his throat and spoke.

Finally.

"Yes," he replied, "but my Yondaime Kazekage-sama did not write the directions of the jutsu into a scroll. It is law in most shinobi areas to do that. As said many times, Rasa-sama was... for lack of better word- neurotic of whom could take his prized jutsu. He did not teach the jutsu to other members of my clan nor did he pass along the instructions. I was not in... contact with him long enough to understand firsthand- just how to use it or apply my missing aforementioned information to other elements that are controlled- like iron. Shinki uses and controls iron,"

Hinata felt melancholia twisting his words. He also had daddy issues. She also felt cheated. She could have had help from his clan- who was intertwined with her as well.

Unexpectedly, Gaara continued, watching her with a straight line for a mouth. "We cannot find any erudition about him as well. His body was used as a puppet by Sasori, a former Akatsuki member. We have asked for patrons of the Yamanaka clan to inspect his body and draw out memories but he was wiped clean,"

"I remember that attack. An elder... died," Hinata said. "I apologize for... the death of the Yondaime Kazekage. He was a great Kazekage,"

"Yes, he was," Gaara agreed, numbly. He sat up straighter, not having darkness in his turquoise eyes anymore. "Enough about that. Ji-Hinata... I will be expecting your word,"

Hinata nodded then lifted her gaze to the ceiling, imagining what the kids were doing or most likely, arguing about.

"I shouldn't keep you from your husband and kids," Gaara said, noticing her wistful expression.

Blushing, Hinata stated, "Oh. We're not married yet,"

"Be sure to invite me to the wedding," he told her, smiling gently.

Hinata wanted to laugh so she did. "Of course. Your invitation is assured," she winced. "I will make sure Sasuke... apologizes for whatever he did to Sunagakure. I'm sure it borders on... crazy and destructive,"

"No reason," Gaara said and he dismissed the widened eyes of Hinata. "It's gone like sand in the wind, as Suna residents would say,"

Wanting to put in something she heard from Kumo, she spoke. "It's around the mountain... that is what Kumo residents would say," Hinata said precisely.

"What do the Konohagakure residents say?" Gaara asked her.

She shrugged her shoulders. "I haven't gotten the foggiest clue, Kazekage-sama," she offered a small genuine smile. "I will find out,"

She promptly left. When she returned to the hospital room, she hugged Sasuke very, very hard and kissed the foreheads of her kids. No amount of money, status or danger would keep her away from them. A month? Feels like decades of lost time and they're just... growing up so fast.

She promised- she would be there for all the moments. All the birthdays, smiles, lost teeth and riding the bikes alone. Going out for waffles and ice cream felt good. Very good. She wouldn't trade this for anything in the world.

Hinata fell into the steady habit of waking up early, doing a scan of Konoha with her byakugan, looking for Hanabi. Waiting for her return. She then fed the koi fish fresh fruit and vegetables. The kid's eyes also needed eyepatches since their eyes hurt.

All in all, it was good.

¤¤¤

September 19th. Noon.

Two days later, Hinata nagged Sasuke to find a new house. Fights ensued and snarky comments did too. It seemed he was fed up with the motel when they found a bat hanging from the ceiling in the bathroom. Her unlucky Amarante found it, screamed and the bat aimed at her eyes.

All of her complaints worked but in a bad way.

There was nothing and nowhere that any landlord would give them. All desperate and saddened, they eventually went to the Uchiha district after Mitsuyo said staying at that place was free.

Everything was free because everyone is dead.

Then, it was just her, Mitsuyo and Sasuke walking towards that cursed place. Sasuke did many things to moderately scare Someina- like telling lies. Someina was too creeped out by Sasuke lying about ghosts in the Uchiha district and stayed with the kids at the motel.

Honestly, Hinata was frightened to go but in a different way. She felt like she was Sasuke again. At eight years old, reaching the district to find everyone dead. Just dead and more dead. She became catatonic after seeing his memories. Some memories seeped into her mind because of her pregnancy, sharing chakra and all.

They were still going through the Konoha streets to the district, chatting idly. Throughout this whole week, Sasuke and Hinata have been bickering a lot, so Mitusyo stood in between them, to avoid conflict.

Despite that, Sasuke still only wanted to speak with Hinata, even when it caused fights.

Sasuke watched Hinata's face carefully. "This is where I lived for a bit," he said conversationally. It was as if he were discussing the weather.

Hinata fought the urge to throw up. "Here?" Hinata asked loudly while thinking of all the fallen buildings and broken windows. "Like... here, here? In the Uchiha district?"

Mitsuyo's eyebrows reached her hairline. "Excuse me? They made you stay in the... that place? When?"

"The power of pain brings you to unnecessarily morose situations," he said, shrugging. "I wanted to live here. The council couldn't stop me. Besides, I was younger then I moved into an apartment,"

"It's like peeling an onion," Mitsuyo muttered to Hinata. Hinata nodded.

Stopping, Mitsuyo turned around and glared at the mountain with all of the kage with pure hate and rage. "All the damn Kage continue to fail Uchiha! Over and over! Curse them!" she screamed. "Curse them to the deepest pits of hell!"

Hinata and Sasuke exchanged glances.

With her red eyes brimming with tears, she looked at Sasuke. "They should have let me... take you to live in Kumo with me. Damned government! Never trying to make children's lives easier! Look at you both!" Mitsuyo yelled out and looked at Hinata. "Your father is the opposite of nurturing! Forced you to go blind every weekend and spare with your sibling!" she pointed to Sasuke, livid. "and your father was just a cold, cold bastard! Child soldiers aren't supposed to be in the arms of these men or involved in village to village political war! My kami! The nerve of these men!"

Mitsuyo's cheeks were red from the rage she had and she panted after the angry rant.

Sasuke shrugged. "I agree. Just not about sending them to hell. I mean, they're not all bad,"

Mitsuyo ignored him. "I hate them! All Kage in every country!"

"You're both anti-government when both of your sensei you... know became leaders like Kages," Hinata said.

"That doesn't change a thing!" Mitsuyo said then began muttering to herself. "I have to... save those kids! If mine can't stand me... I should try again with parentless children who... need a figure to straighten them out and keep their noses clean,"

Hinata walked up to Mitsuyo, curling an arm around her waist. "Relax, Mitusyo," she told her, placing her head on her shoulder. "Maybe you should just open an orphanage. It's the closest thing... to a daycare but... for kids,"

Melting into the embrace, Mitsuyo smiled softly. "Kabuto... came from an orphanage. We'd say that if Orochimaru weren't providing for us- then, we would have opened one together,"

Hinata jumped away. "The man who... killed Benjiro's mother worked with you? An orphan killing other people's parents? Opening an orphanage?!"

Mitusyo nodded. Sasuke's jaw dropped. "Kabuto came from an orphanage? How do you know that?" Sasuke hissed.

Mitsuyo sniffed then wiped the tears from her eyes, standing taller and dismissing her feelings. "Orochimaru and Kabuto and I were... quite the devils. We'd do... bad things. When we wouldn't fight, he would be quite the partner," Mitsuyo said then looked up quickly, hiding her smile. "Anyway, there aren't any in Konoha despite the number of children that get left behind because of deaths on missions or attacks or war. There's this culture that shinobi kids must be strong and raise themselves. I want to change that,"

Sasuke folded his arms, looking irritated. "You should. I'll either pay for it or make Kakashi help us,"

"Maybe I should. Change this already incorrigible place others call Konoha," Mitsuyo said, with determination shining in her black eyes.

Hinata watched, her eyes narrowed. "And... Kabuto?"

"Despite the fact that we would fight, constantly, Kabuto always said we'd reconnect late in our lives and grow old together," Mitsuyo chuckled. "Ridiculous,"

"That's quite disturbing," Hinata gulped. Sasuke nodded with a grimace.

Mitsuyo laughed. "So imagine my surprise or disgust when a damn fortune teller confirmed the same thing,"

"They're useless and it's not happening," Sasuke said.

"Not that I want it to happen- or whatever, I still say that fortune tellers aren't mumbo-jumbo!" Hinata protested. "They foretold that we would have two pairs of children, four kids. You thought it was idiotic but look at us now," she said.

"Guys- no arguing," Mitsuyo groaned.

They both ignored her. "She just wanted to please you," Sasuke shrugged.

"It worked. I got my dream," Hinata smiled and Sasuke pulled her into a tender kiss.

Mitsuyo gagged, belching at their affection and announced; "We're here!"

Those memories haunted him. He had to experience that. She steeled herself to not think about it. There was something... ominous going on. The restless hot air hummed with something she couldn't describe. Unease. The sun was out but she's feeling colder. Was she sweating? She didn't want to sweat.

It was surrounded by huge gates and cinderblock walls. There was graffiti and parts chipped off of the wall. It was so run-down and plants draped itself all over.

After a humorless laugh, Mitsuyo tsked at the wall. "So much love for our clan," Mitsuyo sneered, crossing her arms and shaking her head.

Sasuke snorted. "Yep," he agreed.

They always had a darker sense of humor that was so crude. Laughing at this... is the last thing she would do. The atmosphere... It made her depressed. The whole place was depressing.

Sasuke pushed open the rusted, iron-orange alloy gates that were falling off its hinges. Hinata thought for a moment and sighed. Mitsuyo watched her, concerned, but didn't say anything. Instead, she grabbed Hinata's hand and held on tight.

Sasuke waited for a moment and turned around to them to say, "Welcome to the Uchiha district, the fallen clan,"

Hinata gulped. She was scared of what could happen. Despite that, he pushed the gate open.

¤¤¤

After walking around for a long while, she learned new things. Sinister things. This place isn't depressing. It was devastating!

The whole place was devastating. No one took care of the rotting village. The place was overrun by green vines and weeds, ravaged by no one caring. The green that was splashed on the streets did nothing to hide the almost deserted village.

She knows how much she's read and researched and collected about the Uchiha. The fact that his clan died has never been... so in her face and real until now, looking at the ruins.

Why did Pein's attack hurt this place so much? It wasn't all gone.

They passed houses even more decayed than the last. Cracked sidewalks that were comparable to broken mirrors. The pillars that once held up mightily were weak and small. Decorated houses were falling apart, pebbles beside or around the skeleton of a house. Everything was gnarled, twisted. Walls were punched into or ripped off.

The buildings were discolored. Paint has either been pushed off by the slow rain or been blown away by the powerful wind. She passed shops without anything in them and houses fully furnished with no owners. The roof's tiles were missing or slid off from years of no upkeep. She knew it was like having missing teeth in odd places. The most chilling thing was... the scent of... blood was there and there were no bodies.

Sasuke didn't seem fazed, nor did Mitsuyo. They walked on like this was an everyday occurrence. They chatted normally.

"Iron..." Hinata choked out.

"Huh?" Mitsuyo looked at her.

"The iron in everyone's blood. It's still on the ground. I can smell it. I can feel it," Hinata groaned.

"Oh," Mitsuyo said with a bitter expression on her face.

"We can go if this... is too much for you," Sasuke suggested.

Hinata threw an unimpressed glare his way. "I will never leave you to do this alone," Hinata practically snapped. She realized how... flippant her tone was and recoiled a bit, calming down. "I... I'm fine,"

"Okay," Sasuke said neutrally, chalking her anger up to nerves. "All the blood has been washed away by the rain. You can't smell it anymore,"

"This place does reek of misfortune and death," Mitsuyo commented. She looked at Hinata, closely. "How do you know the iron... is in the air?"

"My magnet release makes me know where... all the... me...metals are in the entire world," she said. She wiped her sweaty palms on her brown kimono skirt. "Nevermind that- why isn't the Uchiha insignia anywhere?"

Sasuke shook his head, eyes lowered and bitter. "After the Uchiha downfall, many people just wanted to forget, so they scratched off the insignia. If it were on concrete, they painted over it,"

"No... evidence that we ever were," Hinata said, thinking hard. "Let me change that,"

"What?" Sasuke asked.

"Give me your chakra, some of it," Hinata said to Sasuke.

Sasuke looked confused and scrunched up his eyebrows. "Why?"

Mitsuyo shrugged then clapped hands with Hinata, giving her a boost. Hinata smiled gratefully while a puzzled Sasuke shot a concerned look. She activated her byakugan and saw all the tiny, tiny scraps of iron littered on the ground. Some places glimmered more than others, and she knew that bodies were dropped there.

With doubts fresh in her mind, she took a pill. It was a pill that tricked the body into having more chakra. She took the pill dry and she focused on her breathing, performing three handsigns; ram, pig, and rat.

She lifted the millions of little scraps then concentrated them all over her. Overhead, the copious amount of metal momentarily blocked the sun as the bits condensed into a stream of gray and various darker shades, all moving toward the area in front of her.

With the byakugan, she color-coded all the strips and organized them to make a huge paper fan. She settled the metallic statue in front of them. The Uchiha insignia.

The height of it was at least twenty-three feet tall and the diameter of the paper fan's base was at least five feet wide. It seemed professionally done and it will stay forever. It was an Uchiha masterpiece, all shiny and brand new.

She then put protection seals so its mint condition wouldn't get eroded by the weather or knocked down by dissenters.

So... much... chakra. She smiled, panting. "Is that good enough? Do you both like it, my clansmen?" she queried, her voice hoarse and shaky. She sounded happy, nonetheless.

"It's the most beautiful thing I've seen," Mitsuyo declared in a nasal tone.

Sweat drenched her clothes and her knees trembled with the over-exertion. She was about to drop but Sasuke caught her, his arms around her waist. The warmth radiating off of him was immediately felt. Mitsuyo was still gaping at the statue, lips parted in awe.

"Wow," Mitsuyo said, no more than a breath but Hinata heard.

Her legs were rubbery and the ground shifted beneath her feet. "You did well," he whispered in her ear. "Didn't know you could do that,"

"It's not half bad, is it?" Hinata said, chuckling.

He was unconsciously giving her chakra and keeping her upright. All that she needed. "Hey! Mitsuyo- snap out of it. Yes, admire the art but heal the artist," he said.

Hinata smiled when she saw Mitsuyo wipe away some tears and heal her. "You are a real gem, my love Hinata. A real gem," she whispered as the green light illuminated around her fingertips. It made Mitsuyo look kinder, softer.

Hinata grinned but was carried for the rest of the trip on Sasuke's back. It was even more sad, feeling his chakra grow weary and dull. They saw... everything. She swears she heard all the screams. She could taste the bitterness of him. She wouldn't say that his iron grip on her skin was tight, purpling her and she stayed quiet.

He was nursing his own sadness, keeping steady. She wishes she could do more. Mitsuyo wasn't there when Itachi committed the crime. Only Sasuke witnessed the atrocities. He saw it.

Mitsuyo remained stoic while they trudged toward Sasuke's childhood home. They didn't speak. All she heard was the distant whistle of the wind blowing through the trees and the relentless crunch of dirt and rocks under their shoes.

He watched birds flapping their wings, flying overhead. "This pace is a nightmare," Sasuke grumbled. "It was. There was the stagnant smell of corpses and abandonment,"

Hinata kissed the base of his neck and held on tighter. She doesn't know how he wakes up every morning. He used to wake up because of... nightmares. She used to say to Hanabi, "Nightmares are just Kami's way of saying reality is a dream," Reality was worse.

Way worse.

"Danzo... did most of this. Just as much as... we Uchiha caused this... but we did it," Mitsuyo said thoughtfully. "Killing him would have satisfied a darker part of my soul,"

These overwhelming feelings of sadness and longing were... too much. Too deep. Too heavy. She... would have run away had Sasuke not carried her. She couldn't look. "I don't think I can... live here. With all the broken... everything. It's just too much," Hinata admitted, hiding her face. "A skeleton of a once healthy clan,"

Mitsuyo cleared her throat. She probably didn't agree with Hinata at all. "Hinata... it was just a suggestion to live here and we can clean this place up. With your magnet release and his rinnegan and my strength, we can make this area... alive with wealth and people. We can't live in your father's house and the landlords of Konoha do not build houses for seven to ten people anymore unless they are a clan. We are a noble clan, my dear, and this is our home,"

This isn't a home... This is a crime scene. With Mitsuyo's last words, they passed many more houses, silent.

"We're here," Sasuke said.

Oh. The house... His childhood home. It looked bigger than every other house because his father was the head of the Uchiha clan. Of course, it was... It looked... torn apart by death.

"Sasuke," she whispered as he set her down beside Mitsuyo.

Then he went towards the house.

"You... don't have to get... this house... not go inside," she said but he ignored her.

He doesn't look back, instead, he simply went in. She hates that she couldn't push aside her own sadness for him but she couldn't follow. It's too sad. Hinata could already imagine what was in there. Everything was just yawning, blurred with gray dust as if a fog were damned to haunt this house forever.

Her mouth was dry as she swallowed. This place was described as a nirvana... A river of people in the streets. Now there are only three signs of sentient life and millions of slow-moving plants that exploded in their pots.

Mitsuyo stood beside her, watching with a steely gaze, black eyes empty. A few minutes later, Sasuke came back out with a yellow note in his hand.

His head hung and his rippling muscles were taught. He looked ready to fight. His eyes were hidden by the shadow of his spiky black hair.

"Damn it," he yelled.

"What?" Hinata asked, from about three or four meters away. She could see the crystals falling.

His eyes were still hidden but something dripped from the curve of his cheek and separated from the sharp edge of his jaw... to fall.

Sasuke...

"There's a note from my mother... in the lunchbox I never... ever dared to check again," he explained. He looked down, and read. "See you later- honey. Have a nice day- from Mikoto,"

Hinata's heart broke.

"I never... checked it," Sasuke said, sighing.

Defeated, he sat on the porch of the house, staring at the note. Hinata sat beside him and wrapped her arms around him, not even saying a word.