日向導 - A Hyūga's Guide

Chapter Thirty One: Quest

Sasuke laid on the bed they shared, his thoughts scattered as he raised his hand above his head and pressed his finger against his forehead in the same manner his older brother used to do. His hand fell against his chest as he let out a sigh and closed his eyes. He was tired, yet not physically. His life as the next in line for the throne resumed rather quickly, and part of him wanted to have a few more days [weeks, months, maybe a year or two] before he had to get back to studying.

He could not complain for very long though, he had a new goal in mind and that could only be achieved if he continued to work diligently. He made a promise he was going to fulfil, a promise to his wife, and himself.

Sasuke rolled to the edge of the futon, and was about to bury his head in his pillow when the sound of something falling was heard from downstairs. He got up immediately, his previous solemn mood quickly being replaced with an overwhelming sense of urgency as he left the room.

"Are you alright?" He called out as he walked down the stairs with quickened steps.

"Oh! Yeah, I'm okay, I was just rearranging the shelves." Hinata looked up momentarily from her task, missing the anxious look he tried to mask.

"Are you sure you don't need help?" He approached her, already picking up some of the scrolls that seemed to have rolled away.

She shook her head, "you've been in and out constantly, I know you're tired, Sasuke, so I did not want to bother you."

"I would have helped you—"

Hinata stood up and cradled a pile of books in her arms as she approached him. She lifted her hand and pushed his hair behind his ear before cupping his cheek and caressing it with her thumb. She smiled softly, trying her hardest to show him that she was really alright. He should be focused on his studies, and whatever tasks his father assigned to him instead of her for a second. She really was okay.

"I know you would, and I would have asked you if I needed it." She took the scroll from his hand and rested everything on the table as she continued her self assigned assignment.

What was she up to anyway? It had been bothering her quite a bit that their home was organized in a way that didn't scream practicality. To accommodate both her hobbies, and his interests in anything she was interested in, she was currently rearranging a lot of things.

The shōji doors to the office revealed the small oasis she was working on. It looked too plain, and boring, so she was currently moving the shelves inside before she could fill it with small pots of plants.

"It looks good." Sasuke took a peek inside.

"It should be, it's supposed to be a miniature library. I still kept the desk inside, but I'm going to add some chairs under the window so we can sit down together if you ever decide to return with some of your scrolls." She moved around swiftly, lifting the last shelf with ease as she brought it inside the office.

"Are you sure you don't want my help?"

"Is something bothering you?" She gave him a concerned look.

Sasuke shrugged and started helping despite her earlier refusal. "Just thinking."

"Did you have a nightmare?" She thanked him as he handed her some of the books to organize on the shelf.

"No." His voice trailed off. He really didn't have one, not one he could remember anyway. He returned back home, fell asleep in her arms, and had no recollection of sleeping the night before. That didn't stop him from feeling somewhat depressed that morning, and it confused him a little bit.

Hinata closed her eyes and sighed. "I get it."

"Hn."

"Would you like some tomatoes? I received some from your father while you were asleep."