Forgotten

Chapter 19: The Last Goodbye

It was the day before our wedding when everything fell apart. He was back.

"All of these villages just killed and destroyed over night? Is that even possible?" I asked Naruto, the new Hokage, as he gave us the report on Asura's reappearance.

"It is true. I want the same team that went out years ago to go on this mission." He answered.

We all nodded and knew that we would have to go get ready. Even Naruto was coming even though he was the Hokage.

"Can I speak with you, Naruto?" Sasuke asked. Neither one of us said anything about our wedding being tomorrow. We both knew our duty came before our personal lives.

We all left leaving the two friends to talk through the mission. Even now Sasuke was the team leader who called the shots. Naruto never was jealous. He was much like Sasuke and never made a choice without consulting everyone. They had both grown so much from when they were children.

I waited at Sasuke's and I's house. We hadn't officially moved in together but after tomorrow we were going to. Now it might have to wait until we return, or never happen at all.

I swallowed back the panic that was forming in my throat. I didn't want to think about what could happen once we left. I knew the risks, yet, it was terrifying to dwell on too much.

Sasuke returned after a couple minutes and wrapped me in his arms the second he saw me. "Looks like we're not getting married." He said into my hair.

"We can get married afterwards." I said looping my arms from under his arms around his back.

Sasuke didn't say anything. Sometimes it's best not to say anything but let the silence say the thoughts that are trapped in our minds.

We both started packing a small bag for the next day when a ninja came to our door and said that the Hokage wanted to speak with me. I kissed Sasuke as I departed to go speak with my former teammate Naruto. Since Naruto became Hokage our team fell short one member but it barely effected our team. We all agreed that if we were to recruit another member our synchronization that we have developed over the years would be disrupted.

Once I made it to Naruto's office I knocked on the door and entered at his request.

"Hello Hinata." The Hokage greeted.

"Hokage." I returned.

"Hinata, you know you don't have to be so formal with me. We are teammates." He sent his signature smile making me smile back unable to disregard his contagious smile.

"What do you want Naruto?" I asked crossing my arms trying to look irritated to no avail.

"Sit down we need to talk about the mission tomorrow."

I sat down and watched nervously as Naruto suddenly became serious and leaned forward to stare me directly in the eyes. I gulped back my nerves thinking that it wasn't going to be as bad as I thought. He's just messing with me, making me think that something is wrong.

"Hinata, I don't want you on this mission. I've done some thinking and I think it would be for the best if you didn't come along." Naruto let the words seep in giving me time to process. However, I didn't need time. I jumped to my feet in an instant.

"I'm apart of this team! I was there when Asura was first seriously injured! I need to be there! I am the only medical ninja besides Sakura who can heal quickly but lose little chakra!"

"Hinata listen. It's not that you haven't proved yourself, you have, but let's face it, Sasuke was injured severely the last time we encountered Asura. We both know that it was because he was protecting you. You're just not as strong at keeping yourself out of danger as the rest of us are on the team. Also, Asura seemed to take a strong interest in you making your chances of being attacked and getting injured even higher. I only want what is best for the team." Naruto sat there calmly while I continued to scream at him about how stupid he was being.

"That was years ago! I'm stronger now than anyone of you guys! How dare you say that it was my fault! Sasuke and I know how to separate work from our personal lives!" I retaliated.

"Do you really? Then why is it that you two were going to get married tomorrow? Is that separating work from pleasure? I'm the Hokage now, Hinata, and I say that you are forbidden to go on this mission under any circumstances." Naruto rose out of his chair glaring down at me. This was the first time I had seen Naruto truly angry and most of all conflicted.

"You don't want to keep me away from the mission, do you?" I asked stepping forward to look deeper into his blue eyes. "This was all Sasuke's idea."

"Hinata, wait." Naruto reached out to stop me but it was too late, I was already out the door and running towards what was going to be my home.

I burst through the front door of our house right into Sasuke.

"Hinata—" The dark haired ninja started, but I wouldn't let him finish.

"You think I am weak?!" I pushed against his chest wanting him away from me. "You told Naruto not to let me come because you're worried that I can't hold my own out there? Well then fine! I won't go, but don't expect me to just wait for you to come back. The wedding is off... for good." I stormed past him and took the bag that was currently packed and slung it over my shoulder.

"Hinata, wait. I don't think that your weak." Sasuke reached out and grabbed my wrist. "I just can't stand the thought of letting you go and have the possibility of you dying."

"What about you? There's a good chance you'll die too. What am I supposed to do? Just sit here at home waiting for news to come back that your dead?" Sasuke moved his hand to cup my cheek but I slapped it away. "If I go we could be together, but if I stay I could break into a million pieces."

Sasuke's onyx eyes looked down into my lavender ones with sadness. I could tell he wanted me there at his side, but I knew he wouldn't let me go. I understood his reasoning; however, I wanted to know what I was to do if he died.

Sasuke's head dropped down and I knew that this conversation was over. I turned and walked out going to stay at my own house. I never looked back at him and he never stopped me from leaving.

~

The next day it was time for the team to leave, without me of course. I was awake, but I didn't go to wish them luck. The other guys had already stopped by and made jokes on how they'll have to make their own food without me. Even Naruto stopped by to say he was sorry. I shook my head at him though and told him that it wasn't his fault and to be careful. We needed him back to keep watch over the village.

Once they all left I tried to go about business as usual and got ready for training... by myself. Then there was a knock at the door. I went and opened it and there stood Sasuke.

"Aren't you leaving soon?" I asked not making eye contact with the ninja.

"Yeah, but I thought I'd stop by and talk to you." Sasuke stepped forward and reached out to move a stray hair from my face, but his hand retreated when he saw me move back and flinch when he tried to touch me.

"You should go." I said as my own hand reached up to move the hair.

"I guess I should. I'll miss yo—" Sasuke started but I cut him off.

"Goodbye Sasuke."

The ninjas expression looked one of pain. It was then that I could tell that he hadn't gotten much sleep last night. I wanted to take my words back and say that I was joking that'd I'd miss him until I saw him again, but it was too late and I didn't know if I would ever see him again.

"Goodbye Hinata." And with that final goodbye, he left.