The Return

Chapter 34

The Promise of a Lifetime

Sasuke walked through the village feeling anxious but comforted at the same time. He really wished Sakura was by his side this morning, but she had a busy day at work. Her lunch break couldn't come soon enough in his eyes. Still, this was something he needed to do on his own anyway.

Walking up to the doorway, he hesitated before knocking. What if he said no? What if he turned him away on the spot? He shook his head; he couldn't think like that now.

Footsteps echoed down the hallway and the door clicked open. "Oh, Sasuke! It's you!" the shy woman smiled brightly back at him. "I assume you're here for Naruto. Why don't you come inside?"

He smiled and nodded, stepping through the entryway. Hinata was so kind and gentle, complimenting Naruto's wild and unpredictable nature. They were complete opposites but perfectly suited for one another it seemed.

They made their way into the kitchen where Hinata put on a pot of tea and Sasuke sat at their dining room table. It was a nice, comforting home they'd built together. Sasuke wondered if he would ever be able to settle down like this with Sakura. To have a family like his own again. He smiled at the thought.

"Yo! What brings you here?" Naruto smiled, running down the stairs and making his presence known in the room.

Sasuke's nerves returned in full force. The speech he'd prepared went out the window and all logical thought seemed to have disappeared.

"Oh? We're having tea, are we? Did you have breakfast yet, Sasuke? Hinata's cooking is the best  if you haven't eaten." He gave Hinata a big hug and she squealed in surprise.

"Honestly, doing that sort of thing in front of guests. You really are hopeless" Sasuke looked away, blushing.

"Hey, she's my wife after all, so why not?" Naruto argued.

"N-Naruto" Hinata stuttered. "That's too tight. You shouldn't...I mean...I just worry...um..."

"Hmm?" Naruto looked at her then jumped back as though he'd been electrocuted. "S-sorry, Hinata" they both looked away from each other, blushing madly.

"What's going on?" Sasuke asked, looking between the two of them.

"Well," Naruto said, about to launch into a big speech. He caught Hinata's eye though and stopped. "It's nothing! It's nothing, dattebayo!" he backtracked. "So, why did you stop by?" he chuckled nervously.

Sasuke gave him a look to show he was unconvinced, but let it slide for now. "I-I came here to ask you something" he replied, nervously.

Naruto sat across from him as Hinata brought over two cups. She smiled and left them to their conversation.

"What is it?" Naruto asked, blowing the steam away from his cup before taking a sip.

"I-I" Sasuke stammered. Damn it! Why was it so hard to talk to him?! He willed himself to take a deep breath and gathered his courage. "Naruto" he started again. "Despite all of the terrible things I've done, and despite the fact that you're still a loser..."

"Hey!" Naruto huffed. "I'm not that bad, and I thought we were past everything that happened."

"Would you just stop talking for two minutes!" Sasuke retorted, getting frustrated.

"Don't be so impolite, you're in my house after all!"

"It's not just your house, it's Hinata's too, and you're really getting on my nerves right now!"

"If you have something to say, just say it!"

"Naruto!" Sasuke yelled, frustrated. "Will you be my best man or not?!" Damn, I lost my temper!  He thought, frantically. He wanted that question to come out naturally as they were sipping tea and talking as civilized people, not like this.