Chapter Text
Hawk eyes. Watchful of the movement of the trees, he kicked out and pulled his foot back. Returning to the Gentle Fist. Never forgetting the taijutsu teachings that came from her.
It was impossible to deny that his fighting style had become even more effective and assertive since he'd learned the key technique of the Hyuuga clan.
He'd become captivated by it ever since, during the Fourth War, his ex-girlfriend had used it to fix his dislocated shoulder.
And he kept training. Amid punches thrown at the air, in the distance, the thick black cloak covered a slender figure, and at the simple whistle, Naruto knew who it was.
"Sasuke."
They greeted each other with a touch of hands. Eye to eye.
"I didn't know you were in the village."
"It's practically a sin for you to say that to me, 'ttebayo." He hid a smile. "You're the one who travels the most. Konoha is practically part of my last name."
"The trips are going to slow down from now on." Sasuke wasn't one to share details about his social life, but it was no lie that the plan was to start a family. "I want to spend more time with Sakura. She deserves my presence."
"She really does." The blond agreed and touched his shoulder, warning him. "Try not to do anything stupid, 'ttebayo."
"I'm not you, Naruto." The Uchiha let a faint, sarcastic smile show through. "I hope you don't miss the bachelor party." He handed over the envelope. "Sakura thought it'd be best to do a mixed celebration. A space for us and another for the girls. I tried to talk her out of the games, but I'm not good at faking a sad face."
"Is she afraid of a special show from the courtesans?" Shameless, the blond burst out laughing, opening up the golden, embossed paper.
After the near-beating Chouji got because of Shikamaru's prank about giving him a dancer as a gift months before his ceremony, the topic became a standing warning not to pull that kind of stunt again.
Shikamaru apologized so much he nearly got down on his knees to clean up after himself.
"I'm certainly not as perverted as you and your old sage. Keep your indecencies to yourself."
Laughing a bit more, the two let their feet carry them toward the sound of the lively city.
"Indecencies… anyway. How's all the planning going?"
"Everything's on track. We didn't want anything too flashy or complicated." The dark-haired man explained. "The Uchiha District is in its final round of renovations. Soon enough, it'll be livable again."
Hearing that brought a smile to Naruto's face.
"I'm happy for you, man."
"Sakura just needs the girls to get together… she mentioned something about a 'panty tea,' and I didn't really understand it, and I preferred not to dig deeper."
Naruto's thoughts drifted to her, but he held back. Reading his best friend's all-too-obvious expression, the Uchiha filled in the blanks.
"Yes. She'll be there." He confirmed. "Enough running away."
"I wasn't the one who ran away."
"Neither did you go after her." With a smug little smile, the Uchiha enjoyed watching him choke on his lies and fears.
"Dating isn't for me." Naruto blushed.
"No need to pretend with me. I know you too well, dobe."
Sobering, Naruto looked toward the clouds.
"Love, when it's real, is patient and without expectations." He said. "Thinking about that brings me peace."
୭˚. ᵎᵎ
Hinata let out a sigh. Happy and at peace.
The light sun was enough for the chūnin to enjoy their weekend off, indulging themselves at Fuji's ice cream shop. She was back, and it wasn't as if she had ever truly left.
Receiving a letter full of formalities from the Rokudaime, however, hadn't put her at ease.
It meant something serious had happened.
Was Naruto in trouble? Had her father's health gotten worse? Was Hanabi struggling with her training? Were her friends going through a hard time?
She couldn't say, but her anxiety only pushed her steps faster and faster toward the Hokage's tower.
Anxiety tamed by a more intimate connection with her inner self, by meditation and an appreciation for life.
Living peacefully in a countryside house in Kusagakure, she worked as a consul at the diplomatic office, a center for social aid, between Konoha and the other hidden villages. And in her spare time, she tended a vegetable garden and managed part of the clan's business.
Her welcome at the building was full of smiles and hugs. Just before being sent on her consul assignment, she fondly remembered everything she'd learned from the administrative jōnin.
When Shikamaru saw her come in, his smile widened.
"The missing ones always show up. They just need to be… threatened."
Hinata laughed gently.
"Don't be so reckless, Shika-kun." The two embraced warmly. "How's Temari?"
"Couldn't be better. She says Konoha's water has been good for her skin." He joked as the two made their way to the Hokage's office. "You know her pretty well, don't you?"
Of all the unlikely things to happen, Hinata never thought she'd form such a strong friendship with Temari.
"I know her well enough that I should visit you two soon. She sent me a message threatening me into making that banana cream pie for her. Otherwise, I'll be in trouble." And the two of them laughed.
At three knocks on the door, they heard Kakashi's pleasant voice and went in, finding him with an amused expression.
"Hinata!"
"Kakashi-sensei." He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her in a hug.
"Only something like this could get you out of Kusa." The gray-haired man knew how much the quiet but purposeful life suited her. "How was the trip?"
"The trip was wonderful. I didn't tell anyone I was coming back. I already know how frantic Hanabi would get trying to come pick me up."
"How are the special spring activities going at the orphanages in Takigakure?" He gestured for her to make herself comfortable, and Shikamaru closed the door, sitting down beside her.
"Mioto-san has been very attentive. He's truly a good leader for the village, and since the village is surrounded by beautiful waterfalls, the water activities have been very popular with the children and young people." Hinata reported proudly. "The only thing that worries me is these small pockets of rebels trying to recruit people into a group aiming to revive a 'legitimate' Ōtsutsuki. They take advantage of numerous people's innocence."
"I'm looking into that." Shikamaru spoke up. "Naruto and Sasuke checked out one of those cells in Otogakure. It's strange, but they found a lab there with notes on technology and cloning."
Hinata grew worried. It felt almost like déjà vu of Toneri's ideology about punishing humanity through the Tenseigan.
"Could this be a continuation of Toneri's plan, or not?"
"Hard to say." Kakashi sighed. "As for why I called you here, I don't intend to burden you, but I need to take this leave. Following our regulations, the correct thing would be to leave it in the hands of the committee or a more experienced jōnin. For that reason, I need you to cover my position for those weeks."
"I considered that I've already got my wedding anniversary trip booked for the end of this month, right after Sakura and Sasuke's wedding celebrations, so the options are limited." Shikamaru explained. "The Uchiha and I are both out of the running."
Hinata nodded, listening closely to her superior's words.
"The most obvious choice would be to leave Naruto in charge as my substitute, but… there are still a few gaps in his training, and you're better qualified."
"The two of you complement each other well as a team." Shikamaru tried not to show too openly that he was rooting for his best friends to get back together. "And he listens to you."
"Qualified?" Her cheeks flushed, surprised. "Oh, it's a great honor that you'd consider me for this."
"You're a skilled jōnin. Especially when it comes to diplomatic matters." Kakashi scratched the back of his neck. "Naruto's still a bit… impulsive."
"'Loudmouth' would be the more accurate word." Nara joked.
Hinata swallowed. Her life, both as a ninja and personally, had changed after the mission to the moon in every possible sense.
Steady in her resolve, she dedicated herself to her studies, becoming a jōnin and taking on high-level missions.
Tired of living in the shadows of her clan and of her insecurities, Hinata had allowed herself the chance to pursue her life according to her dreams, without being held back by fear of failure.
And one of the side effects of chasing that freedom was giving up a great love.
"That's why I decided to talk to you first. I know personal life and private life are two different things, but I would rather not cause any embarrassment for you or for him with this request." Kakashi knew his ninja well, especially the Konoha 11. The friendship and support built between them was something the Rokudaime shared in too, which was why he always trusted them with major responsibilities, knowing each of their talents up close. "Still, I'm asking you to consider my request."
"Have you already talked to Naruto-kun?" She wanted to know first.
"Not yet. I wanted your opinion first." Kakashi shook his head.
Hinata weighed the pros and cons. She and Uzumaki were adults, mature, and living their lives. Besides, they hadn't had a dramatic breakup.
Quite the opposite, there was still a lot of warmth, respect, and regard between the former couple.
It would be impossible not to have some contact with Naruto. After all, he was the village's hero, a strong and skilled ninja, and Konoha's future Hokage. A man impossible to avoid.
Decided, she nodded with a warm expression:
"You can count on me for this mission., sensei."
୭˚. ᵎᵎ
He reached for the key in his pocket, approaching his apartment, whistling a tune.
His eyes lifted toward the moon, and for some reason, it was as if its glow warmed his heart.
Right away, a familiar chakra entered his senses. Naruto smiled faintly. It was a happiness mixed with surprise and caution.
"Strange to see you after so long." Stopping mid-step, he turned around.
His blue eyes admiring the beautiful pearls of a gentle, compassionate gaze. Her shimada hairstyle was done up in an elaborate bun with flowered kanzashi, and a long lilac dress with a green knit blouse, long enough to nearly brush the top of her brown boots.
"I still can't blend my chakra as well as you do, Naruto-kun." She tried not to sound hesitant in her affectionate tone and took a few steps toward him, holding a black bag in her hands. "I preferred to give you the news of my return in person."
"Knowing our friends, I know they wouldn't have kept it quiet, 'ttebayo." He scratched the back of his neck, his nose turning pink, his stomach twisting with nerves.
"I missed you." They hugged. The embrace was tight, warm, and full of good memories.
"I missed you too, hime." Breathing in the scent from her pale neck, Uzumaki felt like he was returning to a safe haven.
Letting go of him, Hinata gave a nervous smile, lifting the bag.
"I brought strawberry sake and curry." She said lovingly. "I hope you've got a good piece of meat at home. I'll cook for you."
Taking the bag from her hand, he smiled from ear to ear.
"I didn't know today was my lucky day, 'ttebayo!" He blew a kiss up at the sky, drawing a lovely laugh out of her. "Looks like I'm going to eat like a king tonight, huh!”