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"I've seen kicked puppies look less miserable." Sakura's laugh is one that is sarcastic and hardly amused and Ino's blue eyes sparkle playfully. "Sakura, it's only been a week. You should mope like this once it's been two and a half."
"Like how you waited two weeks to mope on your couch because Sai left the village for three days?" Sakura reminds her best friend petulantly and the blonde shrinks. "I'll be sure to follow your example properly, O Wise One."
There's a light kick under the table, then another in quick succession before the two decide to end their war with an amused truce. Jade eyes drift to the moon, nearly full.
For 18 years, Sakura has seen the same moon in the sky and for 18 years it's as beautiful as seeing it for the first time. In spite of that beauty, the celestial body serves as a transparent reminder of who is missing from this gathering of two. It's only been a week and somehow it's the longest week of her life; Sakura has experienced many a long week.
"Sakura-chan," soft hands with light callouses cupped her face the morning Hinata disembarked for her three week diplomacy assignment in Kirigakure. Were it not for her work at the hospital, Sakura would have joined her in a heartbeat. How she spent those years of her life pining for anyone else instead of seeing the lilac-eyed girl in front of her is beyond Sakura's comprehension.
Lilac eyes kissed with moon silver were eyes Sakura never wanted to stop swimming in.
Another sigh escapes Sakura's lips and Ino snickers, exhaling in amusement. "Hinata will be back before you know it," the blonde smiles, resting her chin on her palm. "She's been crazy about you since we were kids. Nothing can keep her away long."
.
A fresh-faced genin with pink hair would not have believed you if you told her that one day dinner dates with Uzumaki Naruto would be her norm. Sat beside Konoha's future Hokage in the present paints a different picture in the cozy walls of Ichiraku Ramen as he bemoans his newfound popularity. "There are worse fates to suffer than popularity, Naruto," she snickers pointedly. There's a flash of chestnut in the corner of her eye. "But I think I should tell you that another one of your fangirls is close by."
Naruto ducks, shoulders covering his ears hoping he'd somehow become invisible to Konoha and the world at large. "Not again!" Sakura and Teuchi share a laugh at his distress. "Don't laugh! I am going through a crisis! They never leave me alone! Not even when Shikamaru and I are on dates!"
"Your sensei is the one who sent my girlfriend away for three weeks, at least yours is still in town," Sakura sips the broth in her bowl with little sympathy.
Naruto has little to share in exchange, squinting. "You can't talk when you were popular when we were kids, Sakura-chan," he pouts. That pout is quick to turn into disbelief when Sakura argues that she'd never been popular. Such popularity had been reserved for pretty, confident kunoichi like Ino and mysterious types like Sasuke. "Hinata, Lee, me, even shinobi from other countries during the war? You were popular too!"
"All of you have questionable taste," Sakura grumbles into her bowl, pointedly ignore Naruto's indignant squawking. (She'd said Naruto's tastes were questionable but she can't say she disapproves of where his had ultimately led him. There are worse men to love than Nara Shikamaru, hardly a man as devoted. Seldom can compete with a man who came back from the brink of death for one person. If anyone deserves such a person, it's Naruto.)
"Besides, your problem has an easier solution. Channel your Inner Sasuke and reject them," an idea both of them know Naruto is entirely incapable of, the blond in question groaning as he plants his face on the shop's island. "Or you could do what Ino suggested and dip Shikamaru into a kiss in front of everybody." Preferably somewhere flashy like the Hogake Monument.
Naruto exhales with the exhaustion of a thousand genin persevering through the Chunin Exams, "that's what I said but Shikamaru's too shy."
"Shikamaru?" Sakura repeats, incredulous. "Shy?"
For the first time that night, Naruto grins like they're Academy upstarts preparing to get into trouble. "He's really shy," he snickers. His eyes are fogged with nostalgia of memories Sakura isn't part of and despite her envy, Sakura's lips quirk upwards. "He's probably worse than Hinata, but don't tell him I said that."
"Who's worse than Hinata?" The two of them jump at Shikamaru's voice, Naruto whipping around with hands waving wildly in his defense.
"Shikamaru, it's you!" Naruto laughs forcibly, arms wide open as he approaches his partner. "We've been waiting for you!"
"Telling Sakura things you shouldn't have, more like," Shikamaru attempts to side step the hug but Naruto is nothing if not stubborn, peppering the Nara heir's face with kisses. "You're not about to distract me from this, you clown. Knock it off!" Sure enough, the tip of Shikamaru's ears are tinged red. Hinata and her best friend apparently have more in common than Sakura initially thought.
Voices fade into the distance as Sakura turns her attention back to her ramen the warmth of the bowl transferring to her hands. Over the years, Hinata's shyness shifted into a quiet confidence with her demure demeanor never quite fading. It's never stopped being easy making her blush, however. It would also be remiss to say it's no longer uncommon for Hinata's fine eyebrows to knit in dismay whenever Sakura does something stupid.
More often than not, though, there is peace and tranquility between them. If Sakura closes her eyes, she can pretend the warm bowl is Hinata finally home from her mission. Their embrace tight and Hinata softly murmuring a "I'm home" into Sakura's shoulder.
"Sakura-chan," Oh, Sakura blinks and remembers where she is in the heart of Konohagakure. A bandaged hand waves in her face. "Sakura-chan," Naruto nods to himself in satisfaction with her attention properly regained. "Shikamaru and I are going to head to his place. I promised Yoshino-san I'd come over for dinner." ("More like she strong-armed me into inviting you over," Shikamaru grumbles, muttering his familiar catchphrase under his breath. "How embarrassing is it that my mom likes my boyfriend more than her own son?" Sakura can say much the same about her own mother's opinions on her partner. Naruto grins in his lover's direction.) "Is that okay?"
"Have fun with the in-laws, lovebirds," Sakura concedes with a giggle. A happy flush accompanies Naruto's grin even as Shikamaru sheepishly protests.
.
Hinata's younger sister is amusing company. Sakura can surprisingly say the same about her cousin, despite their rocky relationship years ago.
"Sakura," she whines, holding Sakura's arm tightly to her chest. The current head of the Hyuuga pinches the bridge of his nose at the display. "Tell Neji-niisama that he's fussing for no reason. I'm tired of hunting down lost pets and walking elderly around the village!"
"Sakura," Neji counters through grit teeth. The two of them look even more similar like this with their matching brown locks and furrowed brows. "Tell Hanabi that unless I sire an heir, she is still the heiress apparent of our clan. And as such, no, she is not allowed on missions unless otherwise having such permission granted." Pale eyes glare at each other without giving each other any mercy. "Which she is not going to receive."
"Or you and Tenten can get busy already," Hanabi grumbles, Neji choking furiously. Sakura has to slap a hand over her mouth to prevent her laughter bubbling to the surface. Their marriage had been quick after the war but there'd been no mentions of children in their future. "Even the elders have been saying so! So make your heir so I can get out of this boring village!"
Finally, Sakura decides to enter the conversation. "Alright, what if we find a happy compromise in letting Hanabi accompany me the next time I have an escort mission?" It's a suggestion that makes Hanabi light up much like the fireworks that are her namesake, beaming. Hinata smiles the same way.
"As long as it is within the borders of the Land of Fire," Neji relents with a sigh, likely knowing this is likely the best truce he can hope to achieve.
Hanabi jumps victoriously, "you're the best, Sakura!" Neji shakes his head as he leaves, trying to see what other part of the compound needs his expertise. Hopefully somewhere without pestering elders and cousins wondering when his wife will be with child. "We should wait for one so when Hinata-neesama's back, we can take her with us!"
Sakura can imagine the mission that will eventually be. Hanabi will proudly declare her byakugan's abilities is as good as any adult's while Hinata still insists she take even an escort mission seriously. Then they'll enjoy what the local shops have to offer once they're able before returning to Konoha at a leisurely pace. A comfortable mission with Sakura's favorite person.
"Actually," lilac eyes sparkle with mischief and Sakura suddenly has the urge to use the Substitution Jutsu. "If anyone is moving at a snail's pace, it's you," And there it is. "What are you waiting for? Neji-niisama will approve if you ask. Hinata-neesama practically spends more time at your apartment than she does at home. Hurry up and get married."
The flick Sakura gives Hanabi's forehead more than a touch gentle. "There's a lot more that goes into planning a wedding and a marriage than you think, Hanabi."
Hanabi rubs her forehead with a sour expression, "adults always come up with dumb, lazy excuses," the teenager clicks her tongue. Sakura can't disagree entirely but she doesn't want to give a 13 year old the satisfaction of knowing she's right.
.
Sakura recalls meeting Hyuuga Hinata proper in the winter.
They were both Academy schoolgirls and neither of them considered their own introduction flattering. Of course, Sakura finds Hinata's plight more excusable. There's hardly anything more embarrassing than finding oneself at the mercy of bullies you intended on defeating. Somehow Hinata made even a lackluster hero as Sakura seem as strong as Lord Third himself.
Silly boys, it's never quite possible to forget the name of people who tormented you in your school hood. Kenta remains but Ganta and Atsushi's names have been carved into a memorial stone. Sakura seldom sees the man unless he finds himself in her hospital; even then her staff tends to see him more than she does. Who in their right mind can find anyone as pretty as Hinata weird.
Even when it was a perky blonde who smelled of flowers who had Sakura's heart, Hyuuga Hinata had been pretty. Winter is her season, Sakura presses her nose into Hinata's pillow, restless. Her navy blue hair and lilac eyes surrounded by snow make her seem like a yokai of legend. The only difference is that Hinata isn't one for freezing unlucky travelers in the mountains.
She much preferred tending to the plethora of plants she slowly yet surely added to Sakura's apartment. Their apartment. Too much of Hinata exists in this apartment for it to be Sakura's alone.
It's Hinata's shawl neatly draped over the couch.
Her toiletries beside Sakura's in the bathroom.
It may be cold inside but here in this home, they're warm. If only the bed didn't feel too large for one person due to lacking its other resident.
Winter had never been Sakura's favorite season, at least not in her younger years. She preferred the seasoned that served as her family name's namesake. Laying in bed, she yearns for winter's cool and the snow that comes with it.
It's autumn in the Land of Fire, temperate and comfortable.
She hopes it's the same in Kiri.
.
A bowl of ramen is warm, Hinata's body is warmer.
Sakura sighs in satisfaction, hugging the shorter woman closer. "Welcome back," Sakura murmurs into silk-like tresses, breathing in the familiar scent of lavender and vanilla. The moon is waxing once more with Hinata's return, presently a crescent but it'll be full soon enough.
"I'm home," Hinata hums into Sakura's shoulder.
"I'm telling that pervert to never send you away for that long again," Sakura tells Hinata resolutely, leaning back just enough to look her in the eye but never to break apart. I'll never get tired of looking in them, Sakura vows. There's much that goes into planning a wedding; a lot that goes into a marriage. Despite those facts, Sakura can't seem to think of any justifiable reason to stop herself from asking Neji an important question.
"You shouldn't call our Hokage a pervert," Hinata giggles, shaking her head but amused.
"I'll stop calling him one when Naruto tells me he's finally put down those copies of Icha Icha Paradise," Sakura tuts, closing her eyes. She opens them again.
Jade green stares at lilac, eyes dipped in the moon's silver.
You're the prettiest person I've ever seen. "I missed you," Sakura presses their foreheads together.
"I missed you too," Hinata is soft but her lips are softer.