I do not own Naruto.
Hinata couldn't stop thinking about that afternoon. Had he given up on her? He couldn't have... not with how gingerly he had caressed her cheek... but the way he walked away... it all was so confusing for her. She sighed and made her way back to her house. Naruto and Hashirama had told her to go home and get ready for the festival, but she had no idea if she even wanted to go. She made her way into her home, memories of when her and Tobirama had been forced to live here together plagued her mind. She had been in love with him then, but had been denying it to the ends of the earth and back.
She hated how empty this place felt now, but she didn't want to move again. She knew that Hashirama and Tobirama were building their own compound so she was happy for them. She smiled softly as she looked towards the kitchen and remembered how Tobirama had been sending clones into the kitchen to get what he wanted for himself. At the time it had been so annoying, but now she missed his antics. The passive aggressiveness that he was, while somehow still being absolutely goofy. She smiled softly as she made her way past his old room, which had still been untouched since he had moved out. She touched the light switch and took in the traces of his chakra that lingered there oddly enough. She missed him. It felt like they were drifting apart after the fall of Izuna and Haru.
She didn't understand how though. She could tell he had felt the same way, his chakra still told her that. However, his lack of communication and interactions with her said something else entirely. She made her way upstairs and sighed deeply. A small bundle on her bed caught her eye and her heart fluttered. It reeked of his chakra... she tore the package open in excitement and found a beautiful kimono within. She couldn't help the smile that crossed her lips when she pulled the matching hair ornament from the small box beside it. He had bought this for her? Her eyes widened slightly, had he bought the last one for her too?
She put it on and couldn't help the grin that covered her lips. She pulled her hair up into an elegant bun and slipped the ornament into it. She felt so beautiful when she looked in the mirror. She rarely saw herself this way, but perhaps this was how he saw her? Her heart fluttered at the thought and she reached for the small envelope that was hidden beneath the packaging and opened it. it had a short little message of "Hope you like this," from Tobirama. She shook her head at this, of course it would be short and straight to the point with him, unlike other things of course.
She rolled her eyes at that thought, only to once more get excited and slip on her sandals. She rushed down the stairs and out of her home and towards the village. She met up with Hashirama and Naruto along the way. "You look lovely." Hashirama commented and she smiled brightly at him. "Thank you! Are we stopping to get Ino and Menma?" she asked and Naruto shook his head. "They are already there and getting our spot set up." Naruto said and she nodded. She was super excited to see everyone again.
When they got to the park, she was looking around for Tobirama. Hashirama saw her scouting the area and he couldn't help the smile. He unhooked his arm from hers as Naruto did the same and made his way over to his family. Hashirama made his way over to where Tsunade was already dipping into the festive Sake and sat with her. She greeted him cheerfully and Hinata couldn't help but smile and look around at all the families around her that were enjoying themselves. She caught sight of Neji and Tenten, but Sakura and Lee were sitting with them so she didn't want to be a crowd. She continued through the park and looked around. She couldn't help the small twinge she felt when she realized she was still alone. Even with all her friends back, she was alone.
Her heart sank at this, but she continued searching for Tobirama. Her heart sank at this, but she continued searching for Tobirama. She wanted nothing more than to find her place in this world. She saw a flicker of white hair in her peripheral and she got excited. She rushed over only to see it was Kakashi. She was let down, but he still turned to her and offered her a seat. She politely declined and it seemed he understood. She continued her search for at least fifteen more minutes before her lip curled up in irritation. Perhaps he hadn't actually wanted to come to this after all. She knew very well she could seek him out using Mind Hunter, but if she had to do that she was playing into his game of tag once more. She was over the little game of hide and seek with him.
She turned and made her way back to the center of the gathering, where Hashirama and the others were. Hashirama stood and offered her his place, and she took it. he moved over and sat closer to Tsunade and her male friend who Hinata couldn't remember the name of. Hashirama offered her a small smile and she returned it. "He shouldn't be too long, I promise. He stopped by while you were looking for him and said he would be back in a bit. Hinata felt bad because of how she had been thinking. She had been so irritable with him, thinking he was hiding from her and that he wasn't going to show up. She sighed and folded her hands in her lap.
She looked over to Hashirama and saw he had been watching her for a while now. "Are you ok?" he asked and she nodded. "Of course. I'm just a little tired of playing games with him." She sighed and Hashirama nodded. "I didn't think you were really playing games honestly." He said and she frowned. "I kinda have. I mean how I feel for him, but I just want him to admit he feels the same way." She sighed and Hashirama smiled once more. "He has been flirting with you but I don't believe he has been playing games either. I promise he will be here." Hashirama said and she offered a small nod.
:-:-:-:-:
Tobirama was panicking inside, only inside though. If you were to look at him, he would be the epitome of calm. He was already ready, but he couldn't figure out what he was missing. He made his way to the festival and spotted his brother, but then it hit him. He sighed and turned to leave once more, but his brother popped up in front of him. "Tobi!" he seemed excited to see him. "Brother." He greeted, but Hashirama's didn't falter from his tone. "Is she here?" he asked and Hashirama nodded.
"She looks absolutely stunning as well. She went that way, better catch up to her before I go find her." Hashirama said and Tobirama glared at him. He knew his brother was saying he better make a move pr else he would. It was taunting and that was the one thing he couldn't stand about his brother. "I will be back, in the mean time stay away from her." He grumbled and Hashirama smirked, only to sit back down. Tobirama rushed back to his home in their newly built compound and gathered a few things. He looked at the small basket in his grasp and began grabbing what he had made for them to eat and put it in there. He made his way back to the festival and was slightly irritated when he saw Hinata sitting with his brother.
As he strolled up, they began playing music and he couldn't help the small twinge of jealousy when he saw his brother ask Hinata to dance with him. He looked around and saw so many other couples doing the same and he sighed softly. He made his way over to the secluded spot he had picked out earlier and set up his things. He wasn't done with his brother yet, he wasn't going to take her from him. Not this time around. The pull he felt for her was so much stronger than anything he had felt for anyone else.
He swiftly made his way back over to where Hinata and Hashirama were and he bowed politely to them. "T-tobirama... you came..." was her soft reply to his bow. "May I?" he asked and Hashirama stepped away from Hinata. Her eyes met his and she reached for his outstretched hand. The moment she took his hand, his heart fluttered softly. He gently pulled her closer to him and she flushed red. Their footsteps were in sync the entire time they danced. The fluidity of their moments flowing together flawlessly. "Tobirama..." she began and he offered her a small smile. "Don't speak, just listen." He said and she nodded. He dipped her down and carefully pulled her back up.
"I'm tired of playing this game with you." He said and he could see the slight fear in her eyes. "I want nothing more than to end this game." He said softly and she opened her mouth to speak but he continued. "Hinata Hyuuga... I want you." He said this softly, but he knew she heard him. The song ended and other couples began sitting back down. He just intwined his fingers with hers. "I want to say this..." he began but the stare she was giving him somewhat faltered his thoughts. It was so hopeful...
"Hinata... I don't think I love you..." he said and she pulled her hand away from him and turned away from him. He swiftly grabbed her wrist and turned her to face him once more. "Tobirama, let me go." She demanded but he could only smile at her and pull her closer. "I know I love you." He said and her tugging stopped. "Tobirama..." was all she managed to get out before he pressed his lips against hers gently. his body felt light and he knew this was what he wanted. He pulled away from her and she was still just staring at him. She reached up to touch his face and he actually leaned into her touch. "I'm done hiding it away and wondering if this is the right thing... I know this is what I want. So... can I be the one you spend your days with?" he asked and her thumb brushed over his markings once more.
"I... I love you too... Tobirama..." she whispered softly and he smiled at her softly, only for that joy to be short lived as her fist crashed down on top of his head. "Don't you EVER scare me like that again!" she snapped and he looked back at her to see the tears in her eyes. His heart sank and he opened his mouth to apologize, but she pressed her lips against his once more. He couldn't help the pure joy that filled his being. His fingers made their way to hers and intwined their fingers once more.
"Come on then little girl, I brought food." He said and pulled her gently behind him. He sat down on the blanket he had set up and she sat down with him. When the moon was at the highest point in the sky, the bursts of fireworks began and she laid her head on his leg and watched them with a smile. He loved that smile. He began running his hands through her hair as he watched the fireworks as well. She tugged on his shirt softly and he looked down at her. He was confused as to what she wanted, but he assumed she wanted another kiss as she rolled and leaned up to him. He met her lips once more and she returned to her spot beside him, to which he wrapped an arm around her.
:-:-:-:-:
Hinata curled further into her pillows and smiled. She loved her life, every bit of how it was now. She reached down and ran her fingers through the white mop of hair on the pillow next to hers. Ruby red eyes cracked open and looked up at her and her smile widened across her lips. "I love you." She said softly and continued running her fingers through the white hair. He leaned up to nuzzle noses with her and they heard a thump in another room. She couldn't help the smile that broke out over her lips as they both scrambled to get out of bed and rushed into the room across the hall.
When they got in there, Hashirama was there and his back was towards them. "Oh... uh... this is not what it looks like." Hashirama blubbered nervously and Hinata couldn't help but laugh. "Well love, I guess our time to rest is over." Tobirama said as he scratched the back of his neck with a sigh. "No! you guys can go back and rest. I've got this!" Hashirama spit out and Hinata giggled softly as she made her way around Hashirama, who deflated when she took the small bundle from his grasp.
A patch of white hair peeked from the top of the bundle and she brushed that away to reveal small red eyes. "Hello my little love... good morning." She greeted cheerfully and the infant stared back up at her while smacking their lips. "Hashirama, her bottle please?" she asked and Hashirama scrambled to get the bottle from the floor. "I just wanted some Uncle Hashi time." He pouted and Tobirama chuckled. "We are aware." He said as Hinata handed her infant daughter back to Hashirama, who accepted the baby gratiously.
Soft padding of footsteps echoed behind them and they turned to see that their eldest was also up. "Good morning Itama! Momma loves you!" Hinata blubbered as she lifted the child off the floor and nuzzled noses with him. He only managed a mutter of 'Mama' as she did so. Tobirama reached over and ran his fingers through his son's white and black hair. They looked back over to Hashirama who was joyously feeding their young daughter, Akane, who was named after Hashirama and Tobirama's mother.
Hinata could only smile as Tobirama hugged her tightly to his side. This was everything she could have ever dreamt of. She looked up to the man beside her and her heart soared. "I love you." He whispered softly down to her and she leaned closer into him. "I love you too."