Romance Story

Chapter 1

It was a bright sunny day and the cool wind rushed from every corner of the forest to refresh the people of the Hidden Leaf village. The weather complimented the wondrous occasion for which the entire village had come to celebrate; Naruto and Sakura’s wedding.

The two comrades had spent years training and working on deadly missions together, saving each other's life countless times. For the last 8 years, they had traveled thousands of miles and across the seas, so it was natural that genuine friendship had eventually evolved into love.

Konoha’s hero Naruto Uzumaki had never tried to hide his affections from his soon-to-be-wife since his childhood days. She had once loved someone else, a rogue ninja, but as time heals everything she got over that boy and found love again.

But one wounded soul had to get away to gain her strength back and smile through her tears. Princess Hinata of the Hyuga clan was heartbroken. She stood alone leaning on the trunk of a tree outside the walls. The breeze brushed her silent tears time after time, only to fail.

Hinata watched the ceremony unfold before her. “No, what am I doing? I should be there and be happy for him,” she told herself, but her feet couldn’t move an inch further no matter how hard she tried.

Sakura had been her dear friend for many years. Due to her shy nature, Hinata had never confessed to anyone how much she was in love with Naruto. She had loved him long before he was considered a hero.

“It is my fault, my own failure that I could never tell him,” she mumbled to herself.

Once more she lifted her gaze towards the couple who had come out for the ceremony and saw their friends rush to greet them. Hinata couldn’t stop herself and with her byakugan saw how beautiful Sakura looked in her wedding dress. She couldn’t stop imagining herself in her place. How happy she would’ve been and Naruto smiling at her the way he did now. He looked so handsome in his Kimono. She had never seen him so happy and it hurt her wounded heart again; the tears rolled further down her cheeks and onto her chin.

What she had failed to notice in her torment was that another heart ached not far from her. Standing at a distance much above her was Sasuke Uchiha.

He had told himself a million times that he never loved anybody, but it was a lie he had hoped would one day come true if he repeated it enough. What no one knew was that a picture of Team 7 was still in a drawer beside his bed and what no one in the world could guess was whose picture he carried in folds of the clothes on his chest.

Sasuke had been standing there long before he had seen the fragile Hyuga Princess climb the tree next to his through her tears. Seeing her so vulnerable he did not care if she even learned about him. Sasuke knew she was too weak to fight him and he would kill her instantly without an effort.

He was certain she was too occupied with her thoughts to notice him and he had been right, until that moment. What Sasuke had forgotten to take into account was the unpredictability of nature and life itself.

As the bright sun shone and the leaves rustled with the wind, the slight glint of steel at the bottom of his sword caught Hinata’s eyes and through her Byakugan she saw the Most Wanted Criminal of the Hidden Leaf standing on the other side of the trunk.

She was completely jolted from her discovery and out of the fear that his name alone instilled into the hearts of the people her chakra concentrated to fight him if he made a move on her.

“Don’t even bother,” called Sasuke in mockery like he was making small talk with an old friend. “If I had to kill you, you’d be dead before you know.”

“Sasuke!” exclaimed Hinata in shock. Her heart began to beat faster when she realized that he must have been there long before her. “Had he been watching her?” she wondered with growing anxiety. “But why hasn’t he killed me yet?”

Sasuke continued to gaze ahead for a few more seconds before realizing that his mission was over. If he continued to stay there, the princess would continue to grow more scared and soon call the village police and he did not want to create trouble today of all days. So Sasuke turned on his feet and left without a word.

Hinata still in her shock turned glad to find an opportunity and escape from the village for the day and so she began to follow Sasuke against all her wise judgment.

She had only followed him for few seconds before Sasuke with stealth grabbed her arm when she was mid-air and pinned her to the ground.

“Why are you following me? Do you think I’m playing a game just because I didn’t kill you?”

Hinata was now more afraid than ever, she found his grasp strong yet gentle. She realized he did not want to kill her after all.

“Then why are you here? Did you come to destroy the village today? Do you have no heart? Today two people who were once your friends are getting married and is this the day you chose for vengeance?” asked Hinata frantically out of fear, surprised at herself with how many words had poured out of her.

Sasuke felt injured by the words that had judged him wrong and his grasp around her wrists tightened making her wince in pain. “Quiet,” he ordered and she obliged. “I told you if I wanted that, you’d be dead already. I hate to repeat myself so return to the village before I change my mind.”

After finishing his sentence Sasuke released his grip over Hinata and made a run again. She wanted to return with valuable information. If she returned only to say that she had seen Sasuke wandering around the village, it would cause a great alarm and Naruto’s wedding day would be ruined. Hinata did not want that, she wanted something important but also something that could wait another day. But Sasuke was running again and so with more caution she decided to follow him one more time.

Sasuke was fast but Hinata had mastered her byakugan and so she followed him with ease. A minute later she fell right into Sasuke’s trap and a net made of ropes closed around her. “You are really pissing me off now,” said Sasuke annoyed.

It was like divine assistance when it dawned on Hinata that perhaps Sasuke was too hurting inside. “Were… were you there because of Sakura?” Hinata asked unsure of herself.

As soon as the words came out of her mouth, she felt stupid and collapsed further into herself, hiding from his eyes that looked at her like how everyone did, like she was so weak and stupid. “How could a man like him feel such a thing as love?” she thought embarrassed at her emotional intelligence.

No words were said and silence prevailed for a moment causing Hinata to look at Sasuke again and notice that the eyes that looked at her were different than others. They were cold but not threatening despite the red hue of the much-feared Sharingan. Those were the eyes that had suffered greatly she realized.

“Are you not going to call me stupid?” asked Hinata defeatedly in a low voice and wet eyes.

A moment of another silence passed.

“No,” answered Sasuke analyzing the woman caught in his trap. He had never acknowledged her existence for the short time he was in the academy and never found a reason to until then. She had seen right through him, but it was a lucky guess he imagined. The sight of her trapped body and her vulnerable nature combined in a frame amused Sasuke and took his thoughts away from the bond that had severed permanently today.

“How many years have passed since I spoke with someone?” he reflected.

After some thought he decided to confide to Hinata, knowing that she was the farthest from being a threat to him than any living person.

“I came for Sakura,” confessed Sasuke as he relaxed and laid himself on the ground. Talking about his feelings felt strangely good and he almost chuckled with surprise.

Hinata’s eyes opened wide at the unfolding before her. She saw Sasuke suppress a smile from the corner of his mouth. “You are mocking me,” she exclaimed and went quiet as her soft fair cheeks turned red in humility.

Sasuke saw the blush of strawberries appear on her face and noticed how pretty the woman in front of him really was. He saw that she did not trust in herself and it put a bitter taste in his mouth. Scowling at her he said, “You are so weak that it disgusts me. Learn to stand for yourself if you want to become a better Shinobi.”

“When you feel you are right, don’t step back no matter what the others say. Most people in this world can’t see the truth. Believe in what your gut tells you.”

Hinata stole glances at Sasuke’s face, her anxiety had disappeared and her shyness had once again taken over her. She couldn’t meet his eyes as he talked but she liked the way he said those words. His words were harsh but they helped her feel better. All her life she had been lied to by people who were afraid to offend her. No one corrected her and help her improve, but Sasuke didn’t care. He did not worry what she would think of him and so all he said was the truth.

“The sun will disappear soon,” said Sasuke as the shadows in the forest stretched. “Can you escape from this by yourself?” he asked her.

Hinata stayed silent unable to meet his eyes for more than a fraction of a second. Sasuke took her act as affirmative and disappeared from her sight.

Hinata stayed hanging from the trap; she didn’t carry a kunai or a knife. She did not tell Sasuke to help her out because she did not want to further lower the opinion he had of her. Moreover, it gave her some time to stay away from the village.

It was a long time after Hinata came out of her thoughts. The sky was dark and the beasts of the night growled. With great effort, she escaped the trap and landed on the ground when suddenly a group of bandits appeared from the bushes. They had been watching her for a few minutes and surveyed the area before coming up with the plan to abduct the beautiful damsel and have their way with her to the full content of their animalistic lust.

Hinata activated her Byakugan and turned to fight the bandits and the tamed wild beasts that accompanied them, but her fear increased with every moment. She did not scream for help, she promised she would not and with a strong will she continued to fight for another hour as the beasts clawed at her and the men laughed and cut her skin with their long-range weapons. They wanted to immobilize her, drain her blood and chakra like vicious hyenas and when she would be out of her strength they would enslave her and commit unspeakable torture upon her body and soul.

Tears once again flowed through her face. Her vision blurred and Hinata finally fell to the ground. The bandits cheered with joy and Hinata in her cry let out a final scream which delighted them even more. The leader of the bandit excitedly stepped forward with his hungry eyes; gazing at the girl's exposed legs and the glistening sweat on her soft bosoms.

His hand reached forward to strip her of her remaining sanctity when a kunai charged with lightning darted right through his head and exploded his entire skull to pieces. He was dead before the remaining bandits had found the time to blink. Sasuke landed in the center of the circle and gently covered Hinata’s body with his cloak.

“Sasuke?” called Hinata in her blurred vision before fainting in his shadow.

The bandits saw the Sharingan and knew their time had come. They had heard stories about a man in muffled tones. The members of the darkness trembled at the mention of the Last Uchiha. Before any of them could lay a scratch on Sasuke, he released his Chidori to burn all of them to a crisp and put an end to their evil for all eternity.

He looked down at the unconscious woman under his cloak. He had not left sight of her for a single moment. He had seen her fight and although she was more fragile and physically weaker than he had expected, she had won Sasuke’s respect. He carried her in his arms as gently as a man could and carried her to his home.

Sasuke reached the Serpent’s cave and the giant snakes parted from the way for their Lord and master. His home was a mirror image of the one back in the leaf village when he was a child. He had built it by his own hands in the memory of his brother and parents.

Sasuke laid Hinata over the mattress on the floor and concentrating his chakra without much effort he went on to heal her as she went into a peaceful sleep.

Chapter 2

Hinata woke up late the next day. The candles had long served to their extent and her eyes still blurry saw a ceiling she did not recognize. The haunting memory of yesterday came to her and with a jerk, she stood up and looked around alarmingly. She did not recognize the room, it was empty.

No sounds came from the outside and it was still dark. She looked at herself and saw the stitches in her clothes where the weapons had pierced her. Her chakra was low but recovering; unsure of what had been done to her she opened the door to an inch and looked outside.

Hinata saw a small beautiful lake reflecting the crescent moon in the sky. Fireflies added an aura of magic to the serene view. The small ecosystem seemed like one in the center of a volcano. The rocky walls reached all the way up until the sky could be seen from the giant chimney.

“How are you feeling now?” said a voice behind Hinata. She quickly turned in defense and the ground beneath her shook when she saw Sasuke standing at the door. She couldn’t stop the worrisome thoughts in her mind and panic began to rise in her throat. Sasuke saw it and with his sharingan, he placed her in a genjutsu and showed her the events of yesterday. He found it much easier to do than to talk.

Embarrassed at her wild assumptions of Sasuke’s character Hinata felt deeply ashamed and tears began to rise in her eyes. She was deeply touched.

“You cry too much,” said Sasuke without looking at her.

“I’m sorry Sasuke kun,” said Hinata.

“I will place you in a genjutsu then take you to Konoha and you will forget about all of this,” he said without emotion.

“I don’t want to forget this,” replied Hinata, leaving Sasuke confused why.

“I’m sure the information about my location will be of great importance to the Hidden Leaf but I’m sure you can see why I cannot allow you to do that.”

“I understand that, but please, I…I beg you,” pleaded Hinata.

“Begging doesn’t explain anything,” he stated.

Tears now rolled down again but without a crying voice, Sasuke felt uncomfortable and turned his head away.

“Thank you Sasuke,” said Hinata with a smiling face.

The reflection of the moon bounced from the lake and shone on Hinata’s milky skin. Her tears twinkled like the stars in the sky and something inside Sasuke’s chest moved.

Her purity filled the entirety of the land Sasuke possessed. She was the lake, the moon, the sky, and the stars within it. “Hinata…,” said Sasuke, calling her by name for the first time as she stood motionless, afraid to break the spell that had fallen upon them.

Sasuke began to feel afraid, he didn’t understand what emotions he was experiencing, and breaking the spell turned and went back inside the house.

Hinata waited in silence. Her heart had skipped a beat and she experienced the warmth that she had once felt a long time ago. Gathering her wits, she went after Sasuke and found him feeding the fish in the pond on the other side of the house. “Stop following me, will you,” he said softly.

“I am leaving in some time, I have a matter to take care of,” he added. “If you want to leave in my absence you can, the snakes will guide you home and not harm you.”

“People from the village must be looking for me,” she said realizing she might have ruined the wedding. But Hinata did not feel as bad as she had expected to and she flushed at the absence of such virtue that she had once possessed.

“What if they find you?” she asked much more alarmed and concerned at people finding Sasuke which surprised even him.

“They’d be very lucky if they did and I just might begin to respect them again,” answered Sasuke with a grin.

“Still, I would like to head home in that case at sunrise tomorrow,” she said.

“Very well.”

“But I don’t want my memory taken away,” she repeated with a blush returning to her cheeks. It was almost a request but made with a stern attitude.

Sasuke looked at her figure and saw how she stood firm like a soldier but her aura so feminine and fragile like a flower. “Why?” he asked.

“So I can find you again,” she confessed turning away from his eyes and the red in her cheeks growing.

Sasuke had the feeling that he shouldn’t ask further. He had already invaded her with more questions than he had planned. “Can I really trust her?” he pondered. He considered that the worst case would be if they came for him, but he ruled these lands, he would be told by the snakes and even if they ambushed him, he could easily get away without wasting a second breath. The full extent of his power was still not seen or heard by anyone and many knew that no ninja would ever come to know it but him alone.

Hinata’s innocence entranced Sasuke and he decided to leave some events in life to providence as if being controlled by some unknown power. “Okay,” he agreed.

Hinata followed Sasuke the next day as he showed her out of the cave and to aid her further on the journey his pet eagle would be soaring high and guiding her to Konoha.

“Take care,” said Sasuke and saw Hinata blush which made him feel very warm and uneasy.

Hinata had some words rolling inside her head but she did not know if she could say it. She looked back at her life remembering how much she had lost because of her silence which gave her some much-needed confidence.

“Until we meet again,” replied Hinata.

Sasuke smiled, he made a promise to himself at that moment. He would wait for the day when she could repeat those words to him while staring directly into his eyes.

Chapter 3

Hinata’s return to the leaf village was better than she had expected. She was told to report to the Hokage’s office and tell her everything in detail. She saw Naruto and Sakura, now husband and wife, waiting for her with Lady Tsunade and Kakashi. They had arrived as soon as they got the news. When Hinata saw her friends, she felt happy for the couple. She was surprised how life could change in such little time.

“Hinata! Are you alright?” asked Naruto with concern for his friend.

“Yes, I am okay Naruto. Thank you for asking,” she replied with a genuine smile.

“What happened to you? We waited for you to show up at our wedding but you never did. Kiba was searching for you everywhere with Akamaru. They found your traces deep in the forest and a dozen corpses,” said Sakura.

“I hope you did not cancel the wedding for me,” asked Hinata worried and she meant it.

“Lady Tsunade felt reluctant to give us this information at first, afraid that we might call off the wedding and we almost did, but she assured us that she had immediately sent a team of ANBU corps to look for you and she also made some argument about tragedies and life.”

“I’m sorry I gave you such trouble on your special day,” said Hinata sulking in guilt.

“We had to make a strong argument and almost forced them to go through with the wedding. Your absence affected the mood but I’m sure if you could avoid it you would have,” said Kakashi.

“Of course Kakashi sensei,” replied Hinata.

“That is enough talk, now tell us what happened Hinata. We need your report for the bodies, your whereabouts, and actions for the last 2 days.”

Hinata knew she would be asked to narrate everything, and truth would only hurt everyone, so she had come up with a plan of her own before she had left the cave.

“I came to the forest looking for some rare wildflowers for the wedding when a team of bandits ambushed me. I fought them for hours but they had training and experience. They trapped me in a net and drained all of my strength with simultaneous long-range attacks until I could move no further. They were going to abduct and exploit me if I hadn’t been saved,” Hinata said.

“Who saved you?” asked Naruto with curiosity.

This was the moment she had been waiting for. “Sasuke Uchiha,” she replied with a blush.

Everyone fell silent at the mention of his name. His teacher and friends were all in one room and they were never seen or heard talking about him in public.

“Are you sure it was Sasuke?” asked Sakura doubtfully.

“Yes, I am sure it was him,” Hinata replied confidently. “He saved me a moment before I lost my consciousness.”

“Maybe you imagined it was him,” said Naruto with a lump in his throat.

“The bandits were burned as if lightning had struck them,” said Kakashi thoughtfully.

“There have been whispers about an Uchiha who has been shaking the underworld for a few years. Many consider his existence a myth,” said the Lady Hokage. “But I doubt it is Sasuke even if there is someone.”

Hinata’s hopes rose a bit. “He healed me too,” she said showing them her skin through the tears in her clothes. “Maybe he isn’t bad after all. I think we misunderstand him…”

“Enough Hinata! Your innocence and impressionable mind often take things at face value,” shot Tsunade and Hinata abruptly fell silent with embarrassment.

“We will investigate this matter further and see what truth comes out of it,” answered Tsunade. “Were you with this man all this time?” she asked inquiringly.

Hinata felt all eyes prey upon her and she understood what imaginations would appear in their minds if she agreed.

“I don’t think so. I found myself waking up on top of the hill that overlooks the village. I must have slept all this time regaining my chakra.”

“If it was Sasuke, he could have easily erased her memories with his visual prowess and left her there,” said Sakura with scorn. Her feelings of contempt came from deep within her heart, unable to accept that Sasuke had shown kindness to a woman and even more hurt that it wasn’t her. She had married her closest friend Naruto and left Sasuke for good. She told herself that she had no regrets, even if it was all true, but a part of her wished it wasn’t.

“I don’t think a man like Sasuke has anything to fear or gain from someone harmless like Hinata,” Kakashi replied. “Is that everything Hinata?” he asked.

Hinata gave a nod in the affirmative.

“You are all dismissed until further query. I suggest you 3 Jonins start training. I will have a mission for all of you soon,” ordered Tsunade. “Kakashi, I need to discuss something with you, so you stay.”

Once outside in the bright sunlight, Naruto and Sakura recovered from their sulky thoughts. “Since you couldn’t join us for the wedding feast, how about you join us for dinner tonight at your favorite restaurant? It will be our treat,” said Naruto cheerfully.

“That is so kind of you Naruto but I should not. It was your wedding day and I was the one who ruined it. It should be me who must make up for all the worry I caused everyone. Please allow me to invite you all to the Hyuga mansion for a special dinner.”

“Did someone say dinner?” asked Kiba who came right around the corner of the building where the group stood talking.

“Kiba!” called Hinata, “And Akamaru.”

“What happened to you? We all have been worried and sending search parties for you.” Kiba asked.

“It is a long story, why don’t I tell you this over dinner where you can join me, Sakura and Naruto.”

“Sounds great! How about I also invite Shino?”

“Of course, invite all of our friends.”

“Great, I will see you guys later then,” said Kiba as he walked away.

Hinata returned home, washed, and dressed in better clothes. Her thoughts returned to the cave and she tried to come up with an excuse to go back. She couldn’t wait to see Sasuke again.

“Hinata!” came her sister calling, “your friends are here.”

“I’ll be right there,” she replied.

Hinata met everyone and they all settled around a large table that was decorated with the most wonderful dishes. There were some benefits of being a princess after all.

Everyone had come to learn the details about Hinata’s disappearance and no further inquiries were made by anyone out of respect for the newly weds.

“So Hinata, you got a test?” asked Ino carefully whispering into her ear.

“A test for what?” asked Hinata in mild confusion.

“Umm… you know if you were touched in some way while you were passed out,”

Hinata felt a sharp sting in her heart with the accusation that was blamed on her Savior. “Absolutely not!” she exclaimed loudly turning everyone’s attention to her.

“What’s going on?” asked Shikamaru carelessly as he sipped his wine. He hated being dragged into arguments.

Ino felt offended for being shouted at after having shown her concern for her old friend. “I just asked Hinata if she got tested for physical abuse,” she answered pretending that it was the fairest question. “I only meant concern,” she added.

“Sasuke Uchiha is a good man. He saved me from mutilation and torture of all kinds. I am grateful to him and he is not the man you think he is. He would never touch a woman without her consent. I owe my life to him,” answered Hinata looking at everyone in turn as she took a stand for Sasuke.

“What a drag,” said Shikamaru breaking the ice that hung in the air. “Let us all just enjoy and play some karaoke which our wonderful host today has set the stage for.”

The party resumed and came to an end a little after midnight.

Sasuke returned home in his cave tired after a long mission. He opened the door and found the place spotless. As he opened the door, he saw Hinata arranging the flowers by his bedside.

“You returned,” said Sasuke with a mild surprise.

“I told you I’d come,” Hinata replied shyly, her eyes drifting to the floor again.

“I see you cleaned around,” said Sasuke sitting down.

“I hope you don’t mind,” she answered flustered.

“I do not,” he replied. “I hope it wasn’t too difficult to find your way back.”

“I used my Byakugan to make sure I wasn’t followed in case you are worried about someone following me here.”

“I’d be more worried about the shinobi who followed you here. He’d be counting his last minutes. And I won’t hesitate, just so you know.”

“I understand,” she replied.

“Did you build all of this yourself?” she asked in awe.

“I did. I made it in the exact likeness of my home, back in the village.”

“I prepared some food in case you would show up, should I prepare the table?”

Sasuke was pleased, “You do that and I’d take a bath in the meantime.”

Sasuke washed himself clean off the sweat and dust on his skin from all the fighting. The presence of a female company in such a long time filled him with some freshness and the flowers on every corner of the room changed the air with a sweet scent.

He felt that his room had always been much empty, but now it seemed more like home. Sasuke had no affinity to decorations but surely the feminine touch felt pleasant to his senses. He smiled and looked forward to his meal with Hinata.

Sasuke changed into loose robes which hung on his frame like a regal personality and Hinata felt her heart beginning to pump faster. She had imagined this day obsessively over the past week. She had allowed the security to grow more relaxed around her before she slipped away with the right excuse.

The candles were lit and the dining room was changed with rugs and ornaments. Sasuke was immediately taken back to his childhood. “I like what you have done with the place,” he confessed.

“I was very afraid to do anything so I’ve only done a few changes that can be undone in a minute,” she said feeling that perhaps she had over-exercised her welcome.

“It is nice, and that is a lot for a man to eat,” he answered looking at all the food on the table before him. There was a large variety which he hadn’t seen in a long time. He was touched by Hinata’s efforts for him and understood what it meant.

“I’m simply trying to show my gratitude and you deserve it,” she said glowing red that maybe her feelings had come out too strong.

“I hope you will join me for the feast you have prepared.”

“If you want, I’d be glad to.”

Sasuke gave a nod and Hinata took her seat opposite him, the warmth in the pit of her stomach kept growing.

“Food tastes wonderful,” Sasuke complimented.

“Thank you,” she answered nervously.

They ate in silence, meeting each other's eyes with a twinkle of the unsaid romance now and then.

“Will you be spending the night?” Sasuke asked bringing the red in her cheeks soon after they had just settled.

“I’m afraid I should leave, it is better to travel at night so your location is safe,” answered Hinata through her blush.

“That is fair but it is not night yet, so I hope I have a little more of your company.”

“Yes.”

After they finished eating, Sasuke went out and sat by the lake where Hinata soon joined him. The sinking sun painted the sky orange and the lake doubled the feelings in the air that filled the lungs of the two beating hearts.

Hinata’s eyes moved recklessly from the sky to the lake and finally on Sasuke, her breaths betrayed her and exposed her nervousness. Sasuke had been staring at the sea giving Hinata time to calm but it wasn’t working, so he moved closer to her and stared into her eyes. To his surprise, she did not stir and continued to meet his gaze with equal intensity. Sasuke cupped her right cheek with his hand and Hinata closed her eyes slowly accepting his warmth, welcoming it. His thumb traced the pout of her lips making them part exposing her white teeth. It would have been evil to waste any time further so Sasuke came closer and Hinata felt his breath on her skin. Goosebumps came all over her body until he slowly planted his kiss upon her and she kissed him back under the perfect sky.

“I love you, Sasuke,” Hinata confessed with wet eyes.

“And I, You,” replied Sasuke with his heart beating out of his chest, before they kissed again.