Everyday life was definitely improving. She had more freedom than before even if it was a secret. Her days were less lonely with him around but even when he was gone she wonder on the streets of the village filling her time. The truth was she preferred his company. He wasn't much of a talker but he cared enough to listen and she found funny his peculiar antics. She imagined he was quite the heart breaker, with his serious face and few words, giving a mysterious aura in his whole posture. Well he wasn't her type either. Not she could say she did have one since she was never left to be interested in feelings like that. But in the rare occasions she dared to imagine her husband when she was little, he was nice, soft spoken and kind. She could never picture a face but it blamed it on the fact that she had never met anyone in the house that smiled. And how can someone be nice if they don't have a smile that reached their eyes. Still he kept her company and was making an effort that Hinata knew it was hard for him to make. She was trying little by little to find her place to lessen the burden on him.
She had learnt about a week before that a small festival was going to happen dedicated to the warriors of the past lost in battle. Many people helped in the preparations and she thought it was a good chance to blend in more. She was clueless as how to exactly participate and the only person she could ask except Sasuke would be his mother. But still she was reluctant to visit her house in the fear her father in law to be there. If she would guess he would be away the same hours as her husband was gone, even more if her father was an example of the busy schedule a leader had. She waited till noon to be sure and walked bravely to knock her door. To her relief, Mikoto was the one opening, a bright smile on her face. She said many times as she served her tea how happy she was with her visit. She asked how Sasuke was with a hint of saddeness that quickly hide away. She thought it was peculiar how he never visited his parents' house as he clearly loved them dearly but held that observation to herself. The woman said she been meaning to visit them for a while but as the last time they came unannounced they made her feel uncomfortable she was reluctant to do so. Hinata made a remark that she wasn't the one doing so. She was always welcomed. Mikoto filled her about the informations she needed as she was naturally involved in the festival. They made a promise to meet again the next day as to guide her on the work that needed to be done. She filled her hands with bags of food to carry home and a request for her son to eat.
Hinata smiled at the thought of how worried she was about him as she was serving the plates. He should visit her more often. He had a chance she didn't and as many things that we take for granted, he didn't understand how lucky he was. She had wished many times for her mother's hand to brush her hair and kiss her tears away. But she wasn't sure of the circumstances that kept him away and she didn't want to push him now that they seemed to have finally reach good terms.
When they sat at the table she waited with excitement to see the look on his face as he tasted the food. He took a bite and then stopped as he averted his gaze from the plate to her.
"You didn't make this." He said and she nodded.
"Was my mother here?" He looked at the kitchen as though he would see the traces of her presence.
"No, I went to her to ask..." She joyfully replied.
"You went there alone?" He stopped her.
"Yes, I.." She tried to explain but her voice was more cautious than before.
"Don't do it again." He said coldly and began again as this conversation never happened.
It irritated her when he behaved like it. When he commanded without an explanation and she was supposed to follow it blindly.
"If it's too much trouble for you to cook, don't do it." He continued without looking at her.
"It's not." She said a pitch higher. "I'm happy to do it." She added slightly angry. He raised his gaze once more and just looked, expressionless and quiet.
"You are too bad in taking care of yourself anyway." She said as she returned her focus on her plate.
____
The next days passed in haze as she was busy working on the festival preparation. She had never been in one before but she had read about them in books about other clans cultures and practices. She was placed in the group that was in charge of the decorations. Unfortunately Mikoto was writing the talismans dedicated to the soul's of the departed as to guide them in peace, so she didn't have anyone to talk to.
She tried to be friendly at first but as it seemed her companions didn't share her motive. Her hands braided the flowers in little rings as she was standing in the corner of a large table. The others had swifted slowly but steadily a few feets away but she could still hear the whispers. She could feel their gazes when she wasn't looking, their lips forming words that she sometimes caught. By now she understood that her appearance was the first issue. The women of this clan were very dedicated in their look, not leaving the house unless they were flawless. Hinata didn't fit with her plain outfit and her unpainted face. Furthermore Sasuke was quite the catch and many young hearts craved for him. That was the second issue. Today they were discussing about a more difficult matter. It has been months since she had moved here as a married woman and she still was childless. They were sure there was something wrong with her since their golden boy was sure to be fine. They guessed, he would grew tired of her and sent her back. Like a toy you get bored of playing with and throw it in the garbage. She focused on her task, trying to not pay attention on the conversation that involved her. She always found it odd how people could freely judge others without making an effort to know them and their circumstances. Her hands moved more eagerly and pushed the rope too tightly making it snap.
"More work, less talk." A woman spoke making the whispers huss. With the corner of her eye she saw a brown haired girl, probably around her age, walking at her direction. She moved away her gaze until the woman reached her and stopped.
"Hey." She looked up and saw her smiling.
"Don't listen to them. She glared at the direction of the people she spoke before. "They are just jealous." She pointed the last part, making sure they heard her."
Hinata formed a line on her lips, almost a smile.
"I'm Izumi by the way." She smiled brightly and bowed.
"Hello. Nice to meet you." Hinata said still surprised with the woman. "I'm Hinata."
The other one laughed.
"I know who you are. Everyone here does."
She felt stupid with herself but Izumi didn't seem to make fun of her.
"Their little prince is stolen and by a Hyuga on top of that. That's why they are jealous. You're beautiful. That doesn't help either."
Hinata blushed on the sudden comment.
"Izumi-san thank you for your kindness."
"I'm not saying it to be kind. It's the truth." She looked at the table. "You made enough of this. Let's go for a walk."
"I really should finish some more today."
"Hinata-san you made more alone than the others together. Let's go."
_____
The woman almost dragged her in a small path formed naturally behind the shrine. It lead to an uphill opening with small pods scattered in the area. Lavender had grown around big rocks that served as seats. Izumi placed herself above one and Hinata mimicked her movement. Her feet didn't reach the ground and she felt like a child waiting for something that didn't know what it was.
"So how do we look so far?"
She spoke with seriousness but her eyes kept a playful shade. Hinata observed as she had a chance to look at her closely that the girl was really pretty. Her hair was straight and she left them fall until the middle of her back. A black ribbon was decorating her head, keeping the brown waves from reaching her face. She had a mole under her right eye that matched her cheerful appearance. A purple dress that reached above her ankle, left her slender arms exposed.
"I haven't met a lot of people yet. I started only recently to explore your grounds."
A look of surprise was painted on the other woman's face.
"Really? You have been here for months." She looked at the sky. "What is that boy doing?"
Hinata titled her head.
"Are you maybe friends with my husband?"
As if a jolt hit her, she turned and gave Hinata her full attention.
"I'm sorry. I'm not used to the idea that the little brat is married." She smiled. "I've known him since he was a little annoying boy. That didn't change much. But I was mostly close with his brother."
Hinata formed a silent oh. Somehow she knew that the topic of his brother was not supposed to be discussed with anyone.
"I see that he didn't waste any time." Izumi said a little angrily. "I hate that man."
Hinata knew she wasn't talking about Sasuke anymore. The way her look changed and the choice of her words made her understand. But she kept her lips closed, since speaking like this was almost treason.
"Who do you hate now?" A man's voice came from behind. Hinata turned in panic to see a man approching. She turned her eyes on Izumi worried. She hoped she would not be in trouble. She was really nice to her so far.
"The one I always do." She said bored.
"You should speak more quietly or better you should not speak at all."
The man voice was smooth but his whole aura kept a level of authority. He was a little shorter than Izumi, his hair a bundle of black curls. He was a warrior, she guessed as she saw the katana laying on his back.
His look made Hinata nervous.
"Why did you bring her here?" He said as his eyes never left her. "If anything happens to her.."
"Oh please relax. She needs a friend. Sasuke keeps her locked in the house."
Then she saw a look that startled her, since the image of the man didn't match with it. He bent his knees in front of her with concern.
"Is this true?"
Hinata tried to deny it but Izumi's laughs prevent her.
"I don't mean literally."
She smiled on the annoyed face of the man, before she got up and bowed.
"Hello, I'm Hinata."
The man smiled only for a moment.
"I'm Shisui Uchiha. Nice to meet you Hinata-san." He put his hand in front of his chest and bowed earning another laugh from the sitting woman.
"Why are you always so formal?"
Hinata liked the girl. She hated the formalities too. They felt as lies in her eyes.
"She is to be the future matriarch. You should be more considerate."
"But I'm not now." She spoke. "So please don't push yourself around me."
The man just nodded.
She ended up spending the afternoon with them. Their voices were heard, with her mostly watching. But still it was nice. She learnt this was the place they used to meet as children as many were afraid of this place since it was so close to the shrine. They had began to make tales about ghosts and souls wondering around to feed the uneasyness and keep the place for themselves. As she watched them interact, her heart pained a little. The giggles, the glares, the easyness they were talking with each other. It must have been nice to have a friend.
____
He returned only to find the house empty. The deafing silence annoyed him as he was used to the sound she was making as she wondered around the place. She had told him about the festival so he had nothing to worry about. Maybe the work kept was more this day that the other and kept her busy until now. He took his bath and as he exited he heard the knock on the door. It could not be her, she would not knock. But then again he was never the one home waiting. She might as well thought that this was a form of decency. She was peculiar in that way. He walked to open it only to be stuck with surprise.
"What are you doing here?"
"I missed you." Her voice was low as her eyes searched behind him. "Are you alone? Can I come in?"
She tried to touch his arm with her delicate fingers as he moved away.
"You can't come here, Sakura." His eyes held a stern expression but the sparkle on her eyes didn't waver.
"I wanted to see you only for a moment. Didn't you miss me?"
She lifted her feet to close their distance. He grabbed her arm and pulled her inside, looking for any presence that might pass by on the dark street.
He watched her as he closed the door, walking in small steps inside room. Her eyes wondered on everything and when she turned again, he saw the familiar that made her seductiveness that made her appealing. It felt wrong for her to be here and looking him like that. She had wore the red kimono, she knew he liked. Her hair were reaching above her shoulders in pink curles, her lips a dark red to match her dress. She was beautiful and she knew it. He just standed there as she closed their distance.
"You need to leave. Now." He commanded.
"But you don't want me to." She said again in her low voice as her fingers touched his face.
He had missed it. That look on her eyes, making him feel wanted. She gave him a kiss and he didn't stopped her. Her hands, freed him from his shirt as his pulled her closer.
Then a sound was heard. Like something falling on the ground. They both broke their contact and turned on the source.
Hinata was standing at the door with her eyes widen and her face whiter than usual. Two bags was on the floor beside her. As their eyes met her skin started turning into a deep shade of red and she placed her palms in front of her face.
"I'm sorry." She said frantically. "I'm sorry." She said again in a fail attempt to calm herself. "I'm sorry." She repeated for the last time as she run to her room and closed the door behind her.
"How pathetic. I see why you hate her." The woman spoke as she was on the right. As this was her place and Hinata was an intruder, distarbing her peace.
"Leave now." This time he yelled.
The green eyes slightly turned, looked at him with a fake shyness.
"I won't repeat it. Don't ever come here again."
She catched the fury in his voice and walked to the exit.
"Don't be angry at me. I will wait for you."
He heard the door closing without looking at the leaving figure. His stare was at the door at the end of the hall. He walked towards it and opened it with force. He saw her sitting on the floor, hugging her knees.
"What are you doing?" His voice harsh.
She lifted her head slightly and shook it in denial.
"Why are you hiding in here?" The brows above his eyes so frowned it pained him.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know you...you had a guest."
He grabbed her by her arms and lifted her. He knew, he was angry with himself. He was in the wrong yet as he saw her apologising he felt a deep fury in his chest.
"You walk inside your house, to see your husband with another woman." He yelled again. "Don't apologise. Be mad. Curse me. Curse her. Don't flee in your room. Throw me out." His breath was uneven. His rage was irrational but he couldn't stop.
"But I don't have that right. We agreed..." She spoke above a whisper as to counter his loud voice.
"I give you that right."
She widen her eyes.
"But you should live your life." The whisper rose slightly.
"Whatever I do, it's not to happen in here. You live here. I should respect you. Demand my respect." He stopped for a moment to look at her. "Unless you don't care." He said a little lower. He saw as she bit her lip.
"I would prefer if it didn't happen again. It..It was uncomfortable."
He wasn't fully pleased with her answer but it calmed his nerves enough to remove his hands of her.
He turned to leave as he had barged into her room but stopped at the door.
"You don't prefer it, so you are not actually command me otherwise."
He walked to his room and sat on his bed. He was exhausted. He let his body fall on the mattress only to rise again as his door opened.
"Don't do it again. That was what I meant."
She bowed in a hurry and left as suddenly as she came.
He let out a scoff that was too close to a laugh.