When you take a breath and say, finally - SasuHina Month Day 11, 14 + 21
I've been having such trouble just coming back home and writing and I've signed up for a *lot* of events and it's hitting that it's been hard to work on anything. Thankfully, part two of my Rebelde AU is done and here we are. I will most definitly be trying to work on other submissions even past Aug, I had a lot of ideas and I'm not giving up on them. No warnings, other than Hinata pretends to be drunk so Sasuke will kiss her but they're interupted by Kō.
In Denial | En Negación
Out of Denial | Fuera de la Negación
Meeting the Family | Conociendo a la familia
Meeting Distant Family | Conociendo familia lejana
Drunk Confession | Borracho confesándose
Pretending to be Drunk to Confess | Fingiendo estar borracho para confesarse
‘Hinata? You being scared of me hurt more than any injury I ever got. I…I care about you and I don’t want to lose you.’
“Hinata.” Hinata snapped out of her memory, looking at Sakura. The pink haired girl looked slightly concerned. It was strange how being tricked by the same boy could foster such quick friendships. They no longer needed Ino to be the go between them, Sakura going out of her way to talk to her more and bond, willingly letting Hinata take all of Sakura’s mother’s attention when she wanted. “Are you listening?”
“Sorry. Just…thinking.”
About how stupid it was to deny it anymore. She liked Sasuke, like a lot. They made up that night at the under 21 club, when Sasuke told her losing her hurt him and she found comfort in his arms. It didn’t feel like just regaining a friend, it felt like more. She felt, maybe not confident but sure, that Sasuke felt the same. It just felt, off to say so now. She had her heart broken by Aoi, who’d finally returned to school with crutches, jumping into a relationship was not something she needed. Even if she did want it with Sasuke.
“Oh, there he is. Sasuke!” Sakura yelled over Hinata’s head, waving her arms in the lounge room they were in.
Sasuke only stilled slightly when he spotted Hinata sitting with Sakura and Sai, but he still walked over, eyes only on her.
“Hey.” He said, slipping into the seat next to Hinata, finally pulling his eyes away from hers to look at Sakura and Sai sitting across from him. “What’s up?”
Sakura put her palms on the table, Sai seeming to ignore them as he focused on his sketchpad. “So, Lee told me that his girlfriend’s dad liked us.”
“You mean he enjoyed the free entertainment?” Sasuke asked, eyebrow raised.
Hinata and Sakura had returned to school after sending Aoi to the hospital, where Sakura’s mother found them. Sakura had burst into tears and Sakura’s mother convinced them to enjoy their time at the under 21 club Lee had invited everyone to. Lee also forgot to tell the staff about the invited guests and promised free drinks with his girlfriend to verify. Just after Sasuke and Hinata apologized to each other, she wanted to leave and it started a wave of the others also wanting to head back. The club’s entertainment had been cancelled last minute and the DJ on site was pretty bad, so everyone was ready to leave. Thanks to Lee not notifying ahead of time, they had a massive bill they weren’t expecting. Neji and TenTen’s calls weren’t getting an answer and Hinata’s offered card didn’t have enough money on it. her own call to her father went unanswered and the students were starting to worry. With the assumption of free drinks, no one thought to bring more money to cover what Hinata’s card couldn’t and the staff were getting close to calling the police. Sakura suggested singing for the rest of their bill, since people were starting to leave with no good music. The staff agreed, telling them to get set up while they talked to their boss. Sakura knew she could sing and she basically told the others to just join her if they could. Somehow, TenTen threw Hinata’s name in and since she and Sasuke weren’t planning on splitting up for the rest of the night, Sasuke agreed too. Sai was a wild card. He’d been the one to suggest the song they sang and frowned at anyone else’s offers to fit in as the fourth person until Sakura got annoyed and just told him to join them.
Unexpectedly, they’d been a hit, which was probably why Sakura had gathered them there now.
“Regardless of how it happened, he wants to hire us for 10 more performances. I think we should do it.”
“Sakura, are you insane?” Sasuke said, glancing at Hinata. He placed a hesitant hand on her arm. “You were there when Hyuuga was there.”
Finding out about Aoi had been a bad moment that day, but getting off the stage and finding her father glaring had been worse for Hinata. She knew he didn’t love pop music; another reason she never told him about her spot on the cheerleading team. she didn’t think seeing her on stage would make him rake into her like he had. She couldn’t even explain why she’d been singing, that those 5 minutes on stage made her feel better than getting Sasuke’s forgiveness because it meant she didn’t have to think about what Aoi did. Sasuke tried stepping in to defend her and it still didn’t get anywhere, other than more yelling at her. She’d been left crying more and only later did her father come to apologise, to which it had been learned Sakura’s mom had to be the one to tell him what happened to Hinata.
Hinata put a hand on Sasuke’s. “It’s ok. I mean, I’m worried but if we explain to any of our classmates going to not say anything, he won’t find out.”
“And we’ll do stage names if we have to.” Sakura said, noticing that while Sasuke took his hand off of Hinata’s arm, the two still hadn’t let go of each other. “We’re getting paid to do this and honestly, it was fun, right?”
Sasuke sighed. “I guess. Didn’t think you’d want to be a singer.”
Sakura shrugged her shoulders. “I might not want to be my mom, but she’s instilled my love of music. She’d totally support us if I wanted. Sai?”
The other male looked up from his sketchbook. “Well, it’s not like there are very many options. Besides, I think Ino liked it.”
Hinata had to keep from dropping her jaw. She didn’t think Sai would actually admit to liking Ino.
Sakura also seemed impressed. “Well. ok then, we’ll need to find a place on campus to practise and figure out everything logistics wise. Right now though, Hinata and I have something we need to take care of.”
“Huh?”
Sakura got up and pulled Hinata out of her chair, pulling her towards her mother who was already gaining a crowd of admirers. Hinata let her hand slip from Sasuke’s, using it to wave at him as she was tugged away.
“I think they’re getting back at Aoi.” Sai explained. “I wouldn’t worry too much about Hinata avoiding you. I’m surprised you two aren’t in a corner making out.”
Sasuke tossed a glare at his roommate. “I’m not about to tell her how I feel right after she got her heart broken.” He didn’t know if Hinata had actual feelings for Rokushō, but he knew finding out you’ve been played with hurt. Losing Hinata made it clear to him that she was more than just a friend, something he somehow missed in the months they’d been friends. They were trying to find that balance again after the fight that ruined everything and Sasuke wasn’t about to disrupt that by telling Hinata how he felt. even if he had this feeling she felt the same. Just, not yet.
“I think that’s stupid.” Sai said, going back to his drawing.
“Your face is stupid.” God, he wanted to hit something, but he couldn’t do that anymore, not without Hinata’s go ahead. Thankfully, her family’s guards were still available and he still had anger towards the head of the Hyuuga family for making Hinata cry.
___________________________
“I cannot believe uncle is making him drive us.”
Hinata ignored Neji’s complaints as she checked her hair once more. her father ran a fashion show with all his backed houses, that was normally the event of the year. Hinata wouldn’t consider herself a fashionista of any type, she wore what she felt comfortable in, but she did enjoy going every year. Normally, it would be her and Neji leaving school for the day, spending the whole day at event and coming back or staying the night on the Hyuuga compound. This time, however, since Sasuke was working as her father’s assistant, he would be going with them. Neji had gotten into trouble for, something – Hinata couldn’t get an answer and the gossip mill of school was being pretty quiet – and had his car taken away, so Sasuke was told to drive them over.
“Miss Hyuuga, Mister Hyuuga. Have a good day.” The school’s prefect, Kabuto, said.
“Thank you.” she thanked with a small smile, seeing a convertible waiting for them, the top coming off to reveal Sasuke in the driver’s seat. She smiled at the sight of him.
Things had been getting better. The awkwardness from their fight was dissipating and Sasuke hadn’t gotten into any physical fights, though she was just happy the tongue lashings he gave didn’t get past just verbal abuse. She knew she couldn’t change him completely, but he always looked worried whenever she was around the hear him go in on someone. Aoi left her alone after she and Sakura had started a few unsavoury rumours about him with the help of Sakura’s mom and they’d gotten back control of being the only cheerleading team, so there had been less stressors around. The practise for the band they’d made had been taking up time, with Hinata’s surprising skill in song writing and Sasuke’s music production skill, they’d been spending even more time around each other. In fact, their first performance at the under 21 club was after the fashion show. If they got through that without any issue, Hinata had a feeling they could get past any lingering awkwardness, assuming how she felt about him didn’t make things difficult.
“Get in the back.” Sasuke ordered Neji, when the older guy got to the door.
“Excuse me?”
“I drive, I make the rules. You wanna sit and argue about it, I can let your uncle know you’re why we’re late.”
Neji huffed but Hinata nudged his arm and gave him a look. Her father was stressed enough, having his child and charge, not to mention his assistant, missing wouldn’t help anything. Neji frowned and pushed the passenger seat forward to climb into the back, still muttering as Sasuke pushed it back and smiled at Hinata as she climbed in.
“You look nice.” He complimented.
“Thank you.”
“Can we go?” Neji demanded, leaving Sasuke to toss a glare over his shoulder before he put the car into drive.
The venue chosen by vote had been a circus big top, and some of the more marque designers insisted on bringing animals. According to Sasuke, finding sanctuaries would be willing to lend their ambassadors for the day had been near impossible, especially with the long list of requests they had when they finally did find someone. Sasuke didn’t complain when Neji announced he’d go to check that Sasuke hadn’t made a mess of anything, leaving the two alone.
“Still willing to punch him, if only to shut him up.” Sasuke reminded, making Hinata smile to herself as she remembered what he said when they first met. Hopefully there wouldn’t be a person to shove Sasuke away in an attempt to talk to Hinata. The smile he flashed at Hinata showed he also was sent back to that day that started their friendship.
“Hinata!” looking over her shoulder, the heiress tried not to contort her face. She was used to the overly spoiled behaviour of those she went to school with. They got interactions with those who could care less about their money i.e. Sasuke, so they learned to hold their tongue about judgements if they wanted to walk away without marks from scathing comments. These people, not so much.
“You ok?”
“Just,” she started, looking up at Sasuke, “I’m sorry for what they’re gonna do.” She said as the group of teens their age came over, in shiny clothes. Hinata would have felt bad about the simplicity of her tule dress with 3D flowers if she both like it and Sasuke had as well.
“Hinata! It’s so good to see you. you look so…cute.”
She felt Sasuke stiffen at the obvious dig and grabbed his arm. She didn’t want him to break his streak of controlling himself to be broken by this group.
“Anaka, thank you. Sasuke, let me introduce you. this is Anaka and her brother, Theo. This is Etsuko, Kaede and Minoru. All their parents are separate backers for the designers here today. My father is the largest backer.”
Meaning, her family had the most sway, not that she liked bragging about it.
“This is Uchiha Sasuke. We go to school together and he works for my father.”
“Uchiha. New money family?” Minoru asked.
“No. my mother is a nurse and my brother is at the academy. Dad’s a low-level business man.” Sasuke drawled.
“Oh. That’s strange. I thought there was this business under that name that lost everything. Apparently the CEO was accused – ” Theo started but Hinata noticed Sasuke’s fists tighten, looking like he was about to launch himself at the boy in front of them and jumped between them.
“I’m so sorry, but my father wanted us to meet him. Something about meeting the designers to get to pick items.”
The girls look jealous but thankfully, didn’t protest as she grabbed Sasuke’s arm and pulled him away, towards the table of finger food while the guests waited to be let into the room to be seated.
“I’m so sorry.”
“It’s fine.” Sasuke said, clearly not fine. “It’s just, they – that was my dad they were bad mouthing. The company got accused of something they didn’t do by some rival and even after it was proved, the damage it did to the company was insane. I don’t have many memories of growing up in the big house we had before, but I know it belonged to our family for years before the bank seized it. My dad works his ass off to prove himself to all the people he works for, to have them trust him. I don’t help getting into fights with their kids, but my dad still does it, gets them to trust him. I swear if they said anything bad about him.”
Putting a hand on his arm, Hinata reassured him, “if you did hit him, I wouldn’t be mad. I love coming to the shows, but I could pass on ever having to interact with them. it was meeting people like them that made me want to never be like them.”
“That why you pulled your silver spoon out?”
“Something like that. Just ignore them, they don’t know you. besides, the winter break is coming up, so you’ll be with your family for nearly 3 weeks.”
Konoha Academy might follow the US/Europe schooling calendar, but New Years was still important in Japan and the school gave the appropriate amount of time to go home and see family or visit temples.
“Not really. I could barely afford to come here to take the exam and while your dad pays me, a lot, just living in the area is hard afford, even with the discounts I get as a scholarship student. Everything else I send to my brother to give to my parents. It’s fine.” he said seeing the look on Hinata’s face. “I plan on going the closest temple for New Years and I don’t like fried chicken or strawberry shortcake anyway, so I’m not missing out on anything. Movies are cheaper, so I’ll probably do that.”
“No one invited you to their house?”
“To sit awkwardly while they scrouge through the house to get me a gift and be an extra mouth when they have their kid back? No, seriously, it’s ok. And if you try inviting me now, I’m going to say no.” Sasuke interrupted her before the sentence could leave her mouth. “I only have to deal with it until summer comes around and then we’ll see if I’ll stay on campus to work for your dad or go home and work there.”
Hinata pulled the silver spoon out of her mouth when she realised what it meant, but she couldn’t escape everything it came with. Anaka and her constant group was one, Kiba, Naruto and all other stuck-up classmates was another and the ease with seeing her father was one she didn’t think of. When her father cancelled their family trip because of a mistake of Hanabi’s, Hinata hadn’t cared. One of her first thoughts was, ‘Well, maybe on our next break’. She joked with Sasuke about using the school golf carts to get from the front door to the bus taking them to camp, hadn’t blinked that at the camp most students hated, they had expensive violins Sasuke hadn’t touched since his father’s bow broke. Sasuke’s formal uniform was given to him thanks to Hinata’s top score prize and he’d talked about how he was sure Shikamaru had lied about the price of his casual uniform Sasuke bought, it being the exact amount he’d budgeted to spend. She could get whatever she wanted with almost no issue. Sasuke didn’t have that.
Later, when their performance had been a success – regardless of Kiba and Naruto gate crashing in the middle of the song, jumping in with ease that Hinata knew would mean they’d be added – Hinata thought of how she could get Sasuke what he wanted without him putting up walls like he normally dad. And then it hit her. Every time she was around when Sasuke called his parents, his mother could easily be heard asking about her, Sasuke somehow keeping her mostly a secret from his parents. Maybe she should tell the secret.
___________________
“You’re hiding something.” Hinata looked at Sasuke, who wasn’t supposed to be in her room, but still made himself comfortable on the couch inside her dorm.
“I have no clue what you mean.”
“Uh huh. Like I believe that for a second.” He said, voice full of sarcasm.
Hinata only giggled, turning back to her closet as she pulled clothes she’d want for the break out. their class had already decided that the last week before they were supposed to be back at school, they’d stay at the third years’ personal hotel suits on the Land of Spring. Naruto had been the one to thank for that, slowly getting better the more he and Kiba spent time around them. it helped that while Sasuke didn’t hit him, he still didn’t take Naruto’s crap. Hinata assumed getting nearly sent to the hospital taught Naruto to pick his battles.
“Are you sure you won’t accept my father’s invitation for Christmas dinner?” Hinata asked.
“We’ve already got to sit through this holiday gala until parents sign us out.” Sasuke complained. “I really don’t want to have to mind my manners around your cousin. Your sister is scary enough.”
“Hanabi likes you.”
Sasuke rolled his eyes. “Hanabi is a menace.”
The door to their dorm opened and TenTen walked in, focused on her phone. She barely glanced up at Sasuke, already used to Hinata’s best friend making himself at home in the dorm.
Flopping herself onto her bed, TenTen called, “Hinata, someone is waiting for you in the receiving room. The one closest to the office.”
Hinata bit back a smile and dropped a dress onto her open duffle. “I’m gonna be a while, I’ll see you after?”
“Who is it?” Sasuke asked.
“I’ll introduce you before the gala. Come on, before the next person to open the door is Kabuto. Or worse, Headmaster.”
Sasuke pouted at having to leave her, still not in love with being away from her for the next 2 weeks. He still needed to find a chance to give her her gift. He’d been lying slightly at the fashion show a month ago, he hadn’t sent all of his pay check to his family. Since he was the oldest, Sasuke had been be the one to go see the owner of the under 21 club and after a meeting, he’d passed a store and saw it, the present he saved to give to Hinata for her birthday, only 2 days after Christmas. She’d told him how growing up, other than her family, people would combine the gifts or get his Christmas themed ones. He made extra sure that his gift didn’t fall into that category. As he pulled the giftbox out of his own closet, Shikamaru and Sai waiting for him so they could eat before the food hall closed before the gala, Sasuke wondered if he could tell Hinata how he felt. Rokushō was barely a thought, the group – name still pending – was doing well and her father hadn’t hounded her after he found out she was on the cheerleading team due a sudden visit. Things were looking up.
“Hey Sasuke, hurry up.” Shikamaru yelled.
Furrowing his brow, cause yelling was too much effort for Shikamaru normally, Sasuke thumped down the stairs.
“Is Ino holding you hostage or something? Calm the fuck – ” he stopped when he saw who was standing at the open door, his roommates smiling pleased at him.
“Honestly, it’s amazing that mouth of yours hasn’t gotten you into trouble.” Itachi said.
“Honestly Sasuke. Mind your manners.” His mother replied, standing slightly behind Itachi, his father nodding along.
“What the fuck? What are you doing here?” he asked, jumping off the last few steps and launching himself at his brother.
“Really Sasuke, do you always curse like that in front of Hinata?”
The Hyuuga heiress put her hand on his mother’s arm. “I’m used it, really.”
“Oh god, Sasuke!” his mother scolded.
“What did you do?” Sasuke asked Hinata, letting go of his brother. “Did you do this?”
“Well, you wouldn’t accept the invitation for dinner and I know my father told you all staff have the next 3 weeks off, so you’d just be on campus doing nothing.”
“A patient of mom’s has a house nearby. She was gonna stay in it but her daughter surprised her with a trip and she needed someone to basically live there to deal with all the food she ordered for herself. We practically have free lodgings, so you can stay with us.” Itachi explained.
Sasuke looked at his mom, who nodded and again at Hinata, who just smiled at him. The gift hidden in his pocked didn’t feel good enough suddenly.
“Hinata.” What was he supposed to say to this?
“I’ll see you at the gala?” was all she said, leaving him feel uncertain as his mother agreed for them. he owed her more than she could ever imagine.
He got distracted introducing his family to his roommates and them all going for food, the others offering to use their daily free guest meal for Sasuke’s parents, that when his mom linked his arm with hers, he didn’t think much of it.
“She’s very sweet, this Hinata. Called out of the blue and introduced herself, said she knew I was interested in knowing about her and offered to have us come out. we almost said no, not wanting to be a bother, but she mentioned some dinner her father’s company is having the week of new year’s. Apparently, her father would love to meet yours, talk business. The lure of one of the biggest men within the game was too good to pass up. she seemed utterly excited when we arrived, more so when she heard we hadn’t told you we’d be coming.”
“I knew she was hiding something.” Sasuke said, thinking about all the sneaky smiles.
“Your brother mentioned you two got into an argument. You were so sullen for a while.”
Sasuke shrugged, watching Hinata engage his father, one who was normally so quiet, into a conversation about martial arts. “I met her on my first day and she just, accepted me. She was nothing like all those rich kids I knew through dad. She’s aware she has privilege and does whatever she can to use them to help people. She’s…amazing.”
His mother hummed. “must have been very nice when you two started talking again.”
“I, really messed up and hurt her. She was scared of me. I didn’t want that. So, yeah. It was nice to gain her trust again.”
“When are you gonna tell her how you feel?” his mother whispered.
He didn’t even bother denying it. his mother knew everything. “Soon. I’m pretty sure she feels the same. We’ve always been pretty clingy with each other and it took a bit to get back to it after what happened, but it just feels charged now. I didn’t want to push but, I think it would be ok now.”
“Then I can’t wait to meet her properly, as your girlfriend.”
Sasuke hoped his face wasn’t red, though Shikamaru and Sai kept giving him looks that he was clearly failing. Either Hinata hadn’t noticed or she was good at pretending and they made it to the gala, their parents in the back and quietly talking while the rest of the students stared with bleary eyes as Headmaster Baki went on for ages about traditions and meaning of Christmas. There were very few religious people within the school and even they looked bored. Then the talks were over – they dragged on for ages as Saya, the secretary, kept interrupting, making Hinata groan quietly into his arm – as a hired string quartet played slow music while alcohol was given to the parents and inedible food was given to the students. Caviar sounded expensive, but to Sasuke, it was gross and way too salty, and he liked roe.
“This is how rich kids eat? No wonder your class keeps getting into trouble.” His dad commented, frowning at the little toast that had the caviar on it.
“Ok, in our defence, Baki signed that permission slip for us to be off campus. Because he didn’t know we were going out to a dance club was not our fault.” Sasuke defended, remembering the first time he realised their class was full of troublemakers, Naruto and his gang being the biggest offenders, Sakura following closely behind.
“It was actually surprising Sora managed that.” Sai said, sipping a stolen glass of champagne, before shoving it into Itachi’s hand as one of their teachers passed by.
After smiling at the look he was given, Itachi passed both glasses to a passing server and turned to his parents. “Didn’t the landlady of the shared house say something about a Christmas festival? At the temple near the house. We drove a bit to get down here, but if you want, we can go do that instead.”
“Oh yes! That sounds fun. Hyuuga, would you and your family join us? We’ve seen you dodge talks from at least 3 other parents, I guarantee they wouldn’t be at the festival.” Sasuke’s mother pointed out.
Hiashi tried waving the offer off, not wanting to intrude, but Hanabi had basically begged her father to say yes. Hinata backing her up got him to give in. “I’ll call Kō to drive us all over.”
Hinata got permission to go with Sasuke in his family’s car, with the promise to Hiashi that he’d look after Hinata. The head of the Hyuuga family always assumed Hinata needed looking after, taking it even more so when he’d caught her on stage at the under 21 club. It was the excuse he’d given to Hiashi, hoping to get him to stop yelling at her, not that it helped. Her father always felt like she needed to be babied and protected all because she didn’t do confrontation or she was too nice.
Sasuke had watched her really give Naruto a talking down to when he arrived at the festival, caught Sakura while annoyed and then started to make it worse. She’d told Sasuke about her previous crush before she saw how he used his power and clearly the heartbreak from that gave her even more reason to tear into him.
It was beautiful. So was she.
“Here.” he handed her a mug of beer he got his brother to buy for him. He didn’t drink much, only if his brother was willing to share. “present for that beautiful tear down.”
“Oh, thank you.” she was a bit hesitant on drinking and it occurred to Sasuke that he probably should have asked.
“You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”
“No, it’s fine. I don’t normally but I think as long as my father doesn’t notice, it’ll be ok.”
“I’ll cover for you.” he promised, gaining a smile as Hinata took a small sip. “Come on, I’ll win you something from one of the booths.”
The two spent time together, Sasuke suddenly full of stories to give about his family now that they were within earshot. Itachi, whenever he found them, gave as good as he got when he heard what Sasuke had divulged.
“Sasuke has a stuffed dino he still has at home. He called it Squirrel.”
Hinata raised a brow at the red face Sasuke had. “I got it after we went to visit this wildlife centre. they were my favourite animal then.”
“Aww,” Hinata cooed, pinching Sasuke’s cheek, “how cute.”
Sasuke got redder, glaring at his brother when Sakura ran over. “Hey! I was talking with one of the mikos. They’re missing one of their performers and they have a gap between the programs. How quick do you think we can get rid of your dad?”
Hinata hummed. “Gimmie a sec. I’ll get Hanabi to help.”
Itachi looked in confusion as the girls disappeared into the crowd. “What’s going on?”
“It’s just easier to show you.”
___________________
“Hinata!” Hanabi called as she led the Uchiha family into the living room. “You’re boyfriend is here!” she teased.
Hinata yanked her younger sister away, who was still giggling before smiling at the family in front of her. “Welcome. thank you for coming.”
Mikoto smiled at her. “Well, you and your father were quite insistent.”
The day of the gala and festival, when Hinata managed to convince Hanabi to beg their father to go home, Hiashi had extended the same offer of joining the Hyuuga family for Christmas dinner. With Sasuke’s parents there, it had been harder to say no, especially since they weren’t fully familiar with Konoha and the area they were staying in was one of the more expensive ones. They agreed in the end.
“I hope you don’t mind. My mother always insisted we never arrive anywhere empty handed. I know fruit is the main gift but I thought you’d like to try these egg tarts. My mother’s speciality for holidays.” Fugaku said, pointing out the tray Itachi was holding.
“That sounds amazing. The kitchen is that way, our chef will make sure they’re kept well. they’re an after-dinner treat, correct?”
“Yes. We made more than enough for you to enjoy them throughout the next few days.”
Itachi walked towards the kitchen and there he was, Sasuke.
“Hi.” She greeted, smiling growing on her lips.
“Hey.”
After her father left and the group – who still needed a name, they were just called ‘singers from Konoha Academy’ at the festival – Hinata wanted to try something. It was silly, but the one thing she wanted either for Christmas or her birthday was for Sasuke to tell her how he felt. since Sasuke had looked worried when she hesitated to drink the beer, something she didn’t have taste for, she pretended to get past tipsy. She’d been to Naruto parties, full of alcohol, she’d earned the hard way what her limit was. Sasuke didn’t know that so when he split from his parents to get her home, with Kō driving them, she acted like she was a giggly drunk, like Ino was. She laid herself of Sasuke’s shoulder, giggling and telling him how much she liked his family.
“You really didn’t have to bring them down.” he told her, letting her play with his hand, lacing their fingers together.
“I didn’t want you to be alone for 2 weeks when I could bring them. I don’t like it when you’re upset. I already made you sad for so long.”
“Hey,” he said, tugging on her hand, making her look up at him, “I upset your first. Besides, Rokushō’s not important. if he got the chance to date you and still wanted someone else, he’s the idiot. You deserve someone better than that.”
That was the moment she’d been looking for. She knew her smile was soft, so it wouldn’t look too off if she was tipsy, though easily letting go of his hand to pull his arm closer might have been too smooth.
“I had that, I think I still have that now.” She stared at his lips and she felt his arm move as he hand started to get close to her face.
And then, Kō had to go and clear his throat. Sasuke flinched, moving his hand and instead resting it on the arm that had pulled his close and she had to dig her head into Sasuke’s throat while cursing her caretaker. Kō had dropped Sasuke off first, promising she’d be fine and as soon as Sasuke was inside his family’s accommodations, she kicked the back of Kō’s seat.
“Ow!”
“What the fuck, Kō? You couldn’t wait 5 minutes!”
He looked stunned at her reaction, which fair. There was a reason her father made Sasuke look after her. “You’re drunk.”
“Do I look drunk? I’ve been to parties thrown by Uzumaki Naruto, I know when I’m drunk.” She groaned, mad that she had been so close.
Which led to now, Sasuke no doubt remembering she’d been ‘tipsy’ when wanting to kiss him.
Her father came in from the office, Neji following and greeted Sasuke’s parents. “Can get either of you anything to drink?”
“This one can only really handle one drink before getting drunk, so he’ll wait until dinner. If you have wine though, I’d be very happy.” Mikoto said. The adults disappeared and Hinata grabbed Sasuke to wait in the alcove by the living room, shooting Neji a glare when he moved to follow. Her cousin, thankfully, decided the yelling wasn’t worth it and instead flopped on the couch, pouting.
“Where’s the fire?” Sasuke teased, looking down at her when she stopped them in front of the window.
“I just, wanted a chance away from them. it’s a little strange not being able to find you whenever I want to see you.”
Sasuke leaned against the wall, the glow of the lights outside casting interesting shadows on his profile. “You are allowed to text me.”
“But you’re with your family.”
“Trust me, they’d be totally fine with it.” Sasuke assured her. They stared at each other in calm silence before Sasuke pulled a hand out of his jacket with a box in hand. “Here. I think I should give this to you without an audience. It’s for your birthday; you outdid me for Christmas.”
Taking the box, Hinata carefully opened it, the hinges taking a second to follow through. Sitting on a velvet bed was a bracelet with charms. A music note, a flute, a pom pom, all charms that correlated to her, including one of the kanji used to write her name.
“Where did you get this?”
“Remember when you and Ino were Sakura practise for cheerleading auditions? You did it on the lawn by your dad’s office?”
“I found you inside his office.” She remembered, Sakura nearly messing up a back tuck because she spotted Sasuke watching them.
“After I was off, I took a chance to look around the area and found this antique shop and I saw it. I kinda lied, not all my pay check ended up with my brother. Of course, you brought my family here, so it still doesn’t feel like enough.” Sasuke said, rubbing the side of his neck, until Hinata put her hand and the bracelet near him. He pulled the bracelet out and attached it around Hinata’s wrist.
Hinata smiled at it before looking up at Sasuke. They were alone, parents were busy and there should be no reason to be bothered. “If you want to pay me back for getting your family down here. then, maybe…you can do the thing, you were gonna do in the car.”
Sasuke stared at her in stunned silence. “Weren’t you…?”
“I know my limits. I know I shouldn’t have pretended, but for either, I just wanted you to…because I don’t think I’m wrong in knowing you feel the same.”
There was zero hesitation in Sasuke stepping forward, tugging her close with a hand around her waist and kissing her. Her kisses with Aoi were ok, if nor forceful on his end. She’d kissed Shino once, the other wanting to know what the big deal was and it was nicer that Aoi’s kisses. Sasuke’s…it felt like taking a breath and thinking ‘finally’. He echoed back the desire she gave but wasn’t afraid to push a little. she felt out of breath when they pulled away and stared at each other.
“I think I still need to pay back more.”
She couldn’t help but smile at that. “I’m ok with that.”
“Hinata!” Hanabi yelled, her father scolding her for yelling just loud enough for them to hear. “Dinner is ready!”
Sasuke sighed. “You wanna hide this from your dad? He’s so overprotective as it is.”
Yes, but he seemed to enjoy Sasuke’s presences to the annoyance of Neji. If he wanted Sasuke looking after her, this was the best way. She took his hand and dragged him to the dinning room where everyone was waiting.
“Sasuke and I are dating.” She announced.
“What?” Neji yelled.
“Oh, that’s amazing news!” Mikoto said, clapping her hands. “I’m so happy for you two!”
“Since when?” her father asked.
“Right now.”
“I thought you already were dating.” Hanabi commented, Itachi stifling a laugh from the comment.
Most of the dinner conversation was dominated by questions and comments, but through it all, like their hands had been the drive back home after the festival, Hinata leaned on Sasuke, lacing their fingers together.
This time, the girls at Konoha Academy really had no chance with Sasuke.
