sasuhina- lovestory chapter 14

PART 14

It was the day of the Sixth Hokage’s inauguration. Everyone had gathered, especially interested to see their new ruler.

Tsunade stepped forward and called in a strong voice.

“People of Konoha. Today is the start of a new day. Before, you had one Hokge rule and protect this village. Now you have two!!”

Naruto stepped forward and threw off the cap that masked his face. Applause erupted in the crowd, and people were cheering him on.

Naruto recognized many faces in the crowd. His comrades, Hinata, sensei, and so many others.

Sasuke smirked in the shadows. He didn’t want to go out in that crowd, and get trampled. He saw the looks on everyone’s faces though, and was amused by them. They’re surprised that Naruto, of all people, began Hokage. But they trust he will be a great Hokage.

“Sasuke? What are you doing?”

He jumped at the sudden voice, and found himself face to face with Hinata. Why didn’t I sense her presence?

“I didn’t see you in the crowd, and I noticed you were here,” Hinata said shyly.

“I can’t stand crowded places,” Sasuke stated simply.

“Ah. Hahaha. I see.” Hinata replied with a smile. “Naruto-kun is really happy. Today is the day he has accomplished his dream.”

“Hn.”

Strange silence took place, and Sasuke just stuffed his hands in his pockets.

“Hinata…”

“Yes?”

“Why did you request for me to be accepted into ANBU?” He was still puzzling over her action 2 weeks ago, and knew that she was the only reason for why he had accomplished such a high rank.

She blushed slightly. “Well, you deserve more for helping with the defeat of Zurui. And…”

“And?”

You remind me of Hero-kun. She wanted to say, but she didn’t. “And because you saved me several times.”

He raised an eyebrow and said nothing more. He felt that she was hiding something but he didn’t want to press further on.

She grasped his hand and pulled him out into the sunlight. “Come on, I want to show you something.”

Sasuke wanted to protest, but seeing the look on her face, he didn’t. It seemed like a hopeful look.

She led him to a small hill, and Sasuke immediately recognized it. It was the place where he and Hinata had played when they were little.

Sasuke was aware of Hinata gazing intently at his face and asking, “Do you know this place?”

His heart tore apart as he replied mutually, “No, I’ve never been here.”

Her face fell, and she said nothing. She raised her eyes and stared at the sky.

“Hero-kun and I would always play here. Those four years were the happiest of my life, even if I was blind. I had finally found a friend. I remember that we did so much here. Chased each other, played hide-and-seek, gave presents, and so much more.”

Tears slowly rised to her eyes, and she wiped them away. “I-I still miss him so much,” she choked.

Pity flamed in Sasuke. He patted her on the shoulder and said, “Don’t worry. I’m sure he will appreciate the fact that you miss him so much.”

A grateful smile greeted him. “Arigatou, Sasuke.”

He felt heat rise to his face and he turned his head. Why am I blushing?! He thought furiously.

“We’d better go back. Naruto’s probably going to throw a party,” he said hastily.

She nodded and smiled again.

When they got back, there indeed was a party. But at least there wasn’t any sake or wine.

Naruto was giving a simple speech, when they arrived:

“Today is the day I have accomplished the dream I have had for so long. There are so many people I want to thank, but it would take forever, so I would like to give most of my thanks to Kakashi-sensei, Ero-sennin, Sakura, Sasuke, and Hinata. These people stayed by my side for so long.”

A loud cheer came from the crowd, and Naruto yelled, “Now, let’s get this party started!”

Loud music started, and people immediately rushed in to congratulate Naruto.

Tenten pulled Hinata aside and began chatting with her. Out of the corner of his eye, Sasuke watched her. He noted how changed she was since she was little. She had grown from a cute loving child to a strong, gentle woman.

Sasuke was mesmerized by the way she laughed, and smiled. Everytime she did so, his heart would ache to tell her, but his head would hold him back. He was tearing apart.

A hand slapped his back, and he met the grinning face of Naruto.

“Sasuke-teme! I keep pinching myself to make me wake up, but apparently, this isn’t a dream!!”

Sasuke just smirked and said, “Now that you’ve accomplished it, what are you going to do?”

“Hmm, maybe I’ll propose to Hinata!! But I think I’ll have to get used to the whole Hokage-business thing”

Sasuke’s jaw almost dropped at Naruto’s suggestion. Sure, he could see them as a coule, but as husband and wife? He shuddered at the thought.

Wait, why do I even care in the first place?

Because it’s your two best friends here you’re talking about.

I know, but still, I normally wouldn’t care!

Sasuke was so buried in his thoughts, he didn’t notice Naruto pulled away by some fan girls (where a club had developed in less than five minutes after his inauguration).

Sakura came up and hugged his arm. Sasuke cringed and ripped his arm away. “What do you want?” he said harshly.

She gave him a puppy-dog face and said, “Can I have just one dance? One?”

“Will it get you off my back for the day?” he asked irritably.

She nodded eagerly.

He sighed and she wrapped her arms around his neck and they danced to the slow music.

Nearby, Naruto had been able to get away from his fan club, and asked Hinata to a dance.

The dance felt like the longest thing Sasuke had ever had to endure, especially since it was with Sakura. He wanted to just break away and make a run for it.

Finally the dance ended, but Tsunade grabbed the mike, and spoke, “Now, switch partners with someone near you!”

Excitement rippled among the dancers (excluding Sasuke, Hinata, and some other quiet people). Naruto tapped Sasuke on the shoulder.

“Switch?”

“Gladly.”

Naruto laughed at Sasuke’s response, because he knew of Sasuke’s attitude toward Sakura.

Sasuke grasped Hinata’s hands gently, and pulled it onto his shoulder. Her other hand moved to the back of his neck, and their feet began swaying to the music.

“Are you enjoying the party?” Hinata asked politely.

“Hn. Besides the fact that a large part of my fan club is here, and people who hate me too? Sure, I love it.” Saracastic was obvious, but it made Hinata laugh.

“I see, so am I saving you from a fan girl at the moment?” she said with a teasing smile.

Sasuke smirked and lowered his head so that his lips were just a breath away from hers. “Yes, you are, thank you.”

He pulled back, and noticed that she was cherry red. When the dance was over, he thanked Hinata, and immediately escaped from the party.

XXXXXXX

Naruto watched Sasuke and Hinata dance. The way Hinata seemed to laugh so lightly, and Sasuke speaking so freely…it made a strange feeling flame inside of him. It burned with intensity when he saw Sasuke lower his face, as if to kiss Hinata. But when he didn’t, Naruto relaxed.

He’d have to keep an eye on both of them. That much was true.