Pivotal (Sasuke and Hinata)

Backstory 4

It had been months since they started training together under Itachi's watchful gaze. Initially awkward, their sessions had evolved into a routine both of them enjoyed. With the determination of wanting to surpass each other, they always look forward to their next training session with Itachi.

But lately, things have changed. Itachi, burdened with increasingly cryptic missions from the Hokage, was a ghost. Their once rigorous training sessions had dwindled to a curt.

"Spar amongst yourselves," said Itachi nonchalantly.

"Not again! Itachi-niisan this is the 5th time you have skipped training with us. Hinata, don't just stand there. Say something!" Sasuke was furious with Itachi.

"Well, it's not Itachi-niisan's fault... he's just busy with something, right, Itachi-niisan?" said Hinata.

Itachi looked at Hinata with guilt. He wanted to explain to her but Sasuke suddenly cut him off.

"No need to listen to him, Hinata. Let's go," said Sasuke as he grabbed Hinata's hand and dragged her. "We just waste our time waiting for him." 

"B-But we can't j-just go like this," uttered Hinata trying to stop Sasuke from dragging her. "Sasuke! Stop pulling me!" They stomped out from the Uchiha residence making their way to the training ground. 

After arriving at the usual place they practice, Sasuke lets go of her hand. Hinata looked at Sasuke and said, "I think Itachi-niisan has a lot to think about. Don't you see his face? He looked exhausted."

"But still! It doesn't even take that much time. It's not like we train the whole day," said Sasuke then he whispered under his breath, "Just a few minutes is okay." 

"Hey, come on. There will be next time. For now, maybe we can practice what he taught us before." Hinata tried to cheer Sasuke. 

Sasuke didn't have the mood to train so he sat under a tree nearby. He stared at Hinata who was training alone and he couldn't help but notice her improvement. She was a solitary figure, immersed in her training. Her movements were fluid and precise. A stark contrast to the hesitant girl he remembered. A flicker of surprise ignited within him. Her growth was undeniable. Without realizing it, he had risen to his feet and shouted at her.

"Hinata!! Lets' spar!"

Hinata who heard that break into a smile and ran towards Sasuke. 

"Finally feeling motivated, huh," teased Hinata.

"Shut up."

They started with a light sparring and then gradually turned into a serious fight. Both of them pour everything that they learn into that fight. Gasping for breath between the fight, they let out a smirk, acknowledging each other. 

Then during the fight, Hinata awakened her Byakugan and attacked Sasuke until his body was thrown away. Shocked by the sudden attack, he cursed under his breath. Sasuke landed without getting hurt and screamed at the top of his lungs, "THAT'S NOT FAIR!!!"

Hinata was catching her breath as she questioned Sasuke. Sasuke ran towards Hinata and said, "How can you use Byakugan while I still haven't awakened my Sharingan?!"

"It's not my fault that you can't use Sharingan," said Hinata sarcastically.

Feeling furious, he pulled Hinata's hair, and that made Hinata feel offended. She too started to pull Sasuke's hair and then started the childish fight. It lasted for a few minutes and they laughed out loud with hairs all over their hands. 

"Look at you," said Sasuke as he laughed. 

"Huh, speak for yourself," uttered Hinata holding her laugh.

Both of them lay down on the ground to loosen up their tired body. Looking at the blue sky, their breathing synchronizes with each other. A comfortable silence settled between them for a moment, until Sasuke spoke up.

"I wish I could activate my Sharingan like Itachi," Sasuke muttered, a hint of frustration in his voice. "My father always compares me to him, always expects more."

Hinata listened attentively, a pang of familiarity resonating within her. "I understand, Sasuke. My own experiences are similar. I often felt the weight of being compared to someone else in my clan, too." 

A thoughtful silence descended again. This time, it wasn't filled with frustration, but knowing that they were not alone in this journey. They both lay there, gazing at the vast canvas of blue, silently thanking that they have each other.

"Maybe," Sasuke finally said, his voice barely a whisper, "we can help each other."

Hinata turned to him, a genuine smile gracing her lips. "I think we already are, Sasuke"

Both of them let out a relief sigh at the same time. They stared at each other and laughed. 

"This is too depressing for kids like us to think, right?" said Hinata.

Sasuke rolled his eyes, a rare, genuine smile curving his lips. "I'm not a kid like you."

"Well, then maybe I should call you Grandpa Sasuke," Hinata teased.

"HEY!!"