#sasuhina month 2019 day 9

[craziedrawer]

- God, I love you.

Sasuhina month day 9

Ichi-go Ichi-e

[ssa25]

Day 3: Post War (Sasuhina month 2019)

@sasuhinamonth

The first time he actually noticed her as a woman, was when all of them had gathered at their favourite barbecue place for dinner and drinks. Apparently, they did that a few times a year to catch up amidst their busy lives. But it was a first for him. His travels for repentance had kept him away for a good part of the two years, since the end of the war.

It was the sound of her laugh, her drunk laugh to be precise, that made his head snap in her direction. If she was Team 8's kunoichi before, now she was the woman with the pleasant laugh. He did not know if it was the alcohol in his system that made him react to her.

"Kiba~kun, stop refilling my glass…", even her whine was soft. "I hate not being in control of my senses.. . It isn't very becoming ... of a future clan head."

He could appreciate her uprightness. And the warm tone of her flushed cheeks. He had to force his eyes away from her, but his ears strained to hear more of her.

Her canine-loving team mate laughed boisterously, "I think you are already past that limit Hinata~chan."

The third member of their team, Aburame Shino was already out of his senses, as he slept with his head down on the table, his insects buzzing around his head.

She seemed shy, unlike the other kunoichis of Konoha. But that did not mean that she was incapable. She looked like someone who had silent determination, not loud proclamation of their bravado like his team members. She caught his interest, as fleeting as it may turn out to be.

Over the next few days, he heard bits about her during casual conversation between Rookie Nine. About how she volunteered at the hospital two days a week. And at the local orphanage every once in a while. About the hushed speculation that she planned to step down as clan head as soon as Hanabi was of age. Unconsciously, he formed an opinion about her in his head.

The second time, he noticed her out of the crowd, was during his grocery run at the market. He saw her covered in the most conservatives of clothes, not a sliver of skin showing which was in stark contrast to her new ninja uniform, which hugged her curvy petite body in an appealing way. But her civilian clothes were all dull colours. Although if you looked closely with a discerning eye, they were woven with the most expensive materials, as was expected from one of the wealthiest ninja clans in the Fire Nation. She looked happy and content picking out from fresh produce. No outward display of fame or power, as she smilingly greeted the humble stall owner.

It was after the third time his eyes drew to her, that he decided that he wanted to know her more. On his way to visit his older brother's grave, very early one morning, he heard her soft voice greeting the old frail man upkeeping the cemetery. He was sure she must have felt his presence too. And true to his thoughts, a few seconds later, she turned in his direction and bowed her head in acknowledgement with a kind smile.

She went about her business, without so much of a second glance in his direction. She cleaned the headstone, before laying down a fresh bouquet of handpicked flowers and lighting a few incense sticks. Silently, she clasped her palms together and offered a prayer. 

Unaffected by the world around her, she was a vision, and he stared shamelessly. His eyes traced the name on the tombstone. Neji Hyuuga. Jounin. War Hero. And her cousin. There was something melancholic yet beautiful in the way her thick lashed eyelids opened but lowered again as she sat still staring down, as if she was having a wordless conversation with her departed cousin. The one who died saving her.

Maybe, he too, saw her worth to be infinitely more than what was apparent on the outside. 

He decided to wait outside the crematorium gates for her. It took her a good few minutes, to meet him outside, her hypnotic gray eyes looking at him warily.

"Is something the matter, Uchiha~san?"

"Hyuuga Hinata, what do you think about my past sins?", he asked her bluntly. She blinked her eyes a few times, her frown making her confusion evident. 

"I-I beg your pardon?" 

"You heard me. What do you think?" 

She stared at him as if he was missing a screw or two. But after a few seconds of contemplation, she squared her shoulders as she answered. 

"Unforgivable.", her voice was almost soft as a whisper, but it was clear enough for him to hear.

Her answer managed to satisfy and worry him. She was impartial to him, that was a good thing in his books. Yet it made him wonder if she found his efforts at making amends to be pointless. If she would decline his offer in disgust.

As if reading his mind, she began to elaborate. 

"Your past sins are unforgivable. But you also helped save the world from the strongest foes we have ever faced. A-and you are trying to atone for your mistakes by helping people in need across all lands. Good deeds will not erase your dark past. But in the end, if they manage to outweigh your sins, then it means that you have learnt from your mistakes and you will continue to do what is right, what is just. Your sins might be unforgivable, but as a human you deserve a chance at forgiveness. T-that is what I think."

"So you won't hold it against me, if I decided to ask you out?" 

Her eyes widened like saucers. "A… A-Ask me out?" 

"Is there a problem?" 

"Umm… N-No… But… I like someone else.." 

His face soured, as did his mouth at the mention of the fact he had come to realise and he had tried to downplay it. 

"Yes, I'm aware of it. But I can be very convincing. How does 9 o'clock dinner at the new tempura place sound?" 

"Eh?!!", she was positively pink by now. "I-Is this some kind of prank, Uchiha~san?" 

"I'm not Naruto. I don't pull pranks. I'm Sasuke. Call me by my name."

"Sa… Sasuke~san, why are you doing this?"

"Are you going to pretend you don't know the reason behind asking someone out?"

"B-But this is like.. So out of the blue." 

"It's not. But you are always preoccupied elsewhere with something or someone."

Now she looked ashamed as she cast her eyes down. "B-But I can't do that to Sakura~san."

"Let's discuss more on this at dinner. I will arrive at the Hyuuga estate at half past eight to pick you up." 

With that he vanished into thin air, as Hinata was left flabbergasted. She had to pinch her arm to discern if she was dreaming.

Hiding somewhere to avoid the date was impossible, this was Uchiha Sasuke after all. 

" Oh well… ", she muttered. "It's just one date, and then I will tell him clearly, that he's not my type."

Little did she know, that ten months later, she would be eating her own words, as she walked down the altar to marry him. 

xxx

Note: Wasn't very satisfied with how this turned out. But I can't edit this anymore than I already have. As usual, apologies for the delay.