Chapter Text
Sasuke could only look up at the sky and just let his mind clear itself. Ever since he returned, he hardly had time to himself since Naruto and Sakura would always try to help him assimilate back into the way of the village. Kakashi insisted on them letting him go through the motions on his own, but this was Naruto and Sakura after all. But, he did need his time alone and they understood that. So, he came out to the old training grounds and waited for nightfall.
His years away, the only true solace he had was the stars. He’d look up at them and they’d glimmer back down at him. Throughout his years of harsh training and all the lives he took along with his thirst for vengeance, they were the only ones that never judged him. They never expected too much from him nor would they belittle him. They were just there, giving him a sliver of hope that one day, he can move past all of this. That one day, he’d actually have a normal life without hatred or darkness.
Who am I kidding?
That was all he could think. He wasn’t cut out for that life. After all that he had done, who, aside from Kakashi, Naruto and Sakura, would ever tolerate him? Half the village hated him and the other half feared him with both sides wanting to hang him. He knew returning home would be a mistake but he didn’t do it for the villagers, but for himself. Where would he go? Who would take him in? He knew for a fact that Naruto and Sakura would be there for him and he needed them, even if he won’t outright admit it. After all of these years, they were the only ones that never gave up on him.
At the end of the day, Sasuke wasn’t worthy of anyone’s forgiveness. He had done so many terrible things. No one, only the stars, could ever forgive him for the slightest transgression.
Footsteps.
Sasuke looked up to see someone slowly approaching him. He jumped up and was ready to pull out a kunai when she came into full view. She stood nervously after he jumped up.
“S-Sorry!” she stuttered. He knew her, she was Hyuuga. She was also at the academy with him when they were little. She calmed herself and said, “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean t-to startle you.”
Sasuke only relaxed and laid back down on the ground. He continued to look up at the stars. She, on the other hand, didn’t move at all.
“Is there something I can help you with?” Sasuke groaned in annoyance.
She bashfully stood and said, “W-Well, I like to come up here at night. I-I like to look at the stars.”
Sasuke gave her another glance and said as he sat up, “I’ll leave you to it then.”
“Oh!” she squealed. “Please, don’t go!”
He looked up at her, raising his eyebrow.
“What I-I mean is...I...I guess I wouldn’t mind the company. I-I love looking at the stars.”
That was a surprise. Someone actually wanted to watch the stars with him. He wanted to be alone, but look at her. She’s too nervous to even stand. He guessed it wouldn’t hurt.
“Fine.”
The girl smiled and sat down where she stood. She said nothing at all, just looked up at the sky. Sasuke gave her a few glances to see if he remembered her name. Eventually he did. It was Hinata, the eldest daughter of the Hyuuga clan. He didn’t really give her much thought at the time due to her being so meek and quiet all the time. Here, she looked...different.
He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but there was something about her. He had not true interest in girls before, but here it was different. Sure she was quiet but at least she wasn’t like all the other girls that fawned over him. She wasn’t clingy or obsessed. She was just sitting here, minding her own business and watching the stars with him.
He looked back up, but this time at the moon. He remembered a story his mother told him when he was really little. It was about how the moon was lonely, so God created the stars so the moon wouldn’t be alone anymore. It was a silly tale.
Yet, it kind of made sense for him. He looked back up at her. She had the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. She looked so radiant looking up at the stars. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, even more beautiful than the stars. Even now, after all that he had done, she still sat with him, alone with only the moon and the stars.
No, he was the moon because he was alone and she was the stars.
She sighed and stood up. She said to him, “I-I won’t bother you any long. I’ll go.”
Sasuke sat up and called, “Wait.”
She looked back at him, wide eyed in confusion. She watched as he reached his hand out to her.
“Stay.”