Behind The Veil

Chapter 19

"What did you just say", Sasuke froze in his spot, the Kunai that he threw in the air came tumbling down and lodged itself into the hard ground. The area around them quaked with the anger rumbling off the young man.

"You have been banished from the hidden leaf. That is after you do four years of prison isolation." Sakura's voice was quiet yet steady. She stared at the man she so dearly loved. The man that has wrecked her life. The man that hit her. The man that was going to leave her again. 

He didn't move, didn't look at her, just stayed in his spot and stared at the weapon he failed to catch because of the sudden news she had delivered. Did he really think he wouldn't get punished for all he has done? Did he think everyone would take pity on him just because the leaders of the leaf forced his brother into betraying the people he called family? 

"Is that so," he uttered after a moment, the words were sharpened with venom. He bent down and pulled the kunai out of the ground with a slight tug. Sasuke reached for Sakura's arm and gently lifted, opening her hand and placed the warm metal into her palm, "for you." 

And with that he walked away, back in the direction of the village that thrived with the news.

 ***

"Are you okay?" Hinata aproached Naruto, who had his head hanging heavy between his knees. She rubbed her hand up and down the boy's muscular back in a calming motion. He had been like this since the meeting and that was hours ago. He hasn't even muttered a word. 

His head bobbed up and down, yet he didn't sit up straight. Didn't look at her and give her a wide smile. He had even refused to go and get ramen. She frowned and brushed a lock of hair away from her face. 

"I'm going to have to go soon, Father and Neji must be worried since I havn't returned home yet," She already knew what was waiting for her at home and she wasn't in a rush to go get that talk. Her father is likely pacing around her room, his face red with fury. "Will you be alright by yourself?" 

He nodded again, but she figured he'd remain in this position for a while more. "I'm sorry hime, that I can't walk you home. That I can't explain anything to your father right now. I'm just not in the right mind frame right now. I'm so sorry." He finally spoke, his words rushed. 

"It's okay," Her dark eyebrows bunched together. Sure, she'd rather he be there to explain everything to her father. But she'd be okay, Naruto would eventually come around. She smiled at his frame before walking out the door. 

The walk home was slow, lonely. She tried to make it last though. A rabit darted across the path infront of her, a tiny dog chasing it. She smiled at them. The was high in the sky, birds dashing under the clouds. Children laughed as the played together. 

Everything seemed beautiful to her. And she loved it, the last few months have been dark for her. She sighed as she turned the curve, suddenly anxiety ate at her core. Was she ready to tell every thing to her father? She was in love with the hero of the village. And he loved her back and was willing to take her into his care. 

She rubbed her neck, of course Neji already knew all this. Neji seemed to know everything. That alone was nerve racking enough because she was sure he knew what already happened between her and Naruto. Redness stained her cheeks and she looked down and realized she still wore Naruto's clothing. Crap. She also went to the meeting like this? 

She knawed at her lip, what did the others think? 

Well, whatever they thought, she didn't care! She finally has a shot with the man she loves. Even if they are both only just becoming  adults, she wished for an eternity with the blonde, and hopefully she'll get it. She turned into the long,curved driveway that would take her to her home. 

Her blood heated with excitement, once she told her father, it seems like everything would be real. Not that it was fake but the revelation would bring it out into the open to her parents. Maybe she'll have a shot a impressing her father. She craved for his approval. 

"Hinata!" She heard her little sister, Hinabi, yell out before she could even see her. The little girl came tumbling out the house followed by Neji and TenTen. Their relationship amused her. They just begun dating but they havn't told anyone just yet. She only knew because she once pretended to be asleep while the two talked about telling people. 

They were polor oppisites but somehow it was like they were meant to be. She smiled at the thought as her sister slammed into her and pulled her into a tight hug, "Are you okay? We were so worried!" Hinata looked up and cringed with the dissapointment written across her cousin's face. 

"Yes, Hinabi. Im perfectly fine. I just stayed over at a friend's home because it had gotten a little late." Her voice was steady, she smiled in delight. But the smile faultured as her father stormed outside. His face was contorted in anger, redness crept all the way up his neck.

"Just who do you think you are?" he yelled out. His pace so quick the dirt was being kicked up. Her sister shrank back from Hinata, her eyes wide with fright. 

Hinata straightened her back. She was done taking this abuse from her father. Yes, she knew she was weak. She wasn't as gifted as her sister, even though she was destined to inherit the clan since birth. She knew she was slow to get the motivation to pick up her slack. But she had been working hard for years now, yet this man still looked down on her. Still, his gaze was filled with regret anytime he looked at her. 

She cringed as he came close but she kept her chin up, her face slack in indifference. His face grew even redder, if that was possible. A lump formed in her throat and she struggled to remain calm. This was it wasn't it, she would finally loose her place in this family.

 But then, the unexpected happened. Her father yanked her to his body, his long, muscular arms pulled her into his tight embrace. She choked back a sob as he held her close to him, slightly rocking them back and forth, "Who do you think you are." He chanted in a hushed wishper against her head. Tears escaped her eyes as she hugged him back. There wouldn't need to be any begging would there? She wouldn't need to beg to keep her rightful place. 

She swallowed back the loud noises threatning to escape her mouth. Her father pulled back, his face still red but now tears swirled in his pale eyes. She gulped, he cared.

"I'm sorry father." She whispered out, her voice sounding odd to her ears. His grip remained tight.

"Where were you?" He asked. 

"I was with Naruto." 

He looked her over, frowning at her clothing.

"We were splashed with water," She rushed out before he could ask, "It was cold and Naruto didn't want me getting sick." Neji smirked behind his uncle and shook his head at her. Tenten held a big, toothy smile. 

"You were okay? He didn't make you do anything did he?" The leader of the Hyuga clan asked, his voice thriving with authority. 

She smiled and shook her head no and hugged her father tightly. She was willing to do everything with Naruto. Not that she was going to tell her father that. 

"I love him father." She gulped, nervous about his reaction. His pale eyes widened and he stared at her as if she'd said something in another language. "I love him." She repeated just in case. 

"Like love? Love, love?" His voice cracked. 

She sucked her lip into her mouth and gave a small nod. He pulled her into a tight hug again. His face was warm against her head, was he crying? 

Neji and Tenten beamed at them from behind. Maybe Naruto's return had been a good thing afterall. 

~

lol there will be like another chapter or two  then an epilouge if everything goes to plan. After I finish i'm going to go back and edit all my mistakes and reword some things. I feel like my writing style really changed alot throughout this story. But I appreciate those who stuck through this all with me, thank you so much!