Chapter Text
6:50 AM
Hinata checked the side of her bed, searching for any form of silhouette that hinted a certain someone's arrival.
Empty.
She swallowed the disappointment and made her way towards her kitchen, practicing the same routine she's mastered for the past years.
Drain the rice, fry the eggs, prepare the table, wake the kids, hand them their lunch, walk them out and bid them goodbye. All the usual.
Himawari helped her with the household chores, sweeping away until it was spotless. Sorting out their clothes, she began with the laundry, the familiar orange jacket immediately catching her attention. She smiled warmly and continued her chore.
◇
9:09 AM
March 23rd.
Their twelfth anniversary.
A smile tugged at her lips at the thought of it.
She had been lost in love with the man of her dreams for more than a decade.
An entire decade of laughter, tears and smiles. An entire decade of wishes, dreams and heartaches. An entire decade of love, love and so much love.
Time was a funny thing.
The both of you could be debating on what name you could give to your first born and the next thing you know, you're sending him off to another dangerous mission after earning his title as Genin.
Or crying buckets of tears after feeling your little girl wrap her tiny fingers around your own, only to find her running slowly away from you day by day
Time really was a funny thing.
Almost like sand slipping from the cracks of your fingers, granular pieces spilling from your grasp. How you'd do anything to pick them back up and cup them in your hands once more.
Time was fragile, incredibly so.
But with Naruto, time worked differently.
Time wouldn't move, wouldn't run, wouldn't even spin at all whenever he was near. It freezes in the midst of the moment, the ticking of the clock running on slow motion, everything else blurring out around them.
Everything else frozen in place.
Everything else trivial and obscure.
All but them. All but him, was what mattered in that moment.
She sighed dreamily, suppressing the swarm of butterflies fluttering in her stomach.
It really has been a decade, huh.
I wonder if he remembers...
◇
12:36 PM
Hinata checked the clock on the wall only to discover that it had already been half past twelve. Time to bring Naruto his lunch, she thought. Idling away with the ingredients for his bento, she began wrapping his lunch in a usual orange cloth, tying it in a loose knot with the bright red Uzumaki symbol adorned in the middle.
Today, she made his lunch extra special considering that today wasn't any ordinary day.
"I should take this to his office before it gets cold."
A few moments later, there she stood in front of his door, bento in hand and a smile in her heart.
PDA had never been advised in the Hokage's office but maybe a peck on the cheek would suffice?
It is their anniversary after all.
Knocking on the door like the polite little wife that she was, she waited patiently for it to open but to her dismay, it wasn't those familiar ocean eyes that greeted her at the entrance.
"Hinata, nice to see you. Is there something you need?" Shikamaru interrogated in a half whisper, the door opened in the slightest crack where she could see nothing but the light emanating from the office.
"Umm..." She hesitated for a moment. "I'm here to hand Naruto-kun his lunch. May I please enter the office? I wanted to give this to him personally, if you don't mind that is."
Shikamaru looked behind him for a split second, letting out a sigh. "Sorry Hinata. Don't want to seem rude or anything but Naruto's currently busy conversing with the Kazekage right now. I think this'll take a while."
"Oh."
Not like this was anything new. She's wondered off into the Hokage's office multiple times already, only to be rejected at the doorstep.
Not that she minded. She honestly doesn't.
She usually leaves his bentos to Shikamaru or she'd personally hand them to the Hokage himself.
That or she'd leave it on his desk if he was too preoccupied with anything else.
I'm used to this. She thought. Shikamaru opening the door for her, him apologizing in behalf of her husband, her leaving it to him as if none of it mattered. Same old cycle, same old routine.
But why did this particular day feel somewhat different?
"I really can't see him?" Hinata asked again, maintaining her calm composure.
"I'm sorry but no, they're talking about extremely confidential stuff right now, Hinata. Not even the Hokage's wife is allowed to know."
The Hokage's Wife. Ha. Is that all there is to her personality now?
"Even if its just for a second?" He stopped and looked gloomily into her eyes as if rethinking his decision. But he checked his back once more and immediately, a sterner, more serious expression painted over his face.
"I'm afraid I can't Hinata, I'm really sorry. I can give that to Naruto though, if that's fine with you?"
She glanced at the bento in her hands, internally debating if she should just leave and hand it to him or...
You'll see him tonight. It's fine.
"Please tell him I came by. Thank you Shikamaru-kun."
Hopefully.
◇
2:13 PM
"Hey, earth to Hinata? Hinataa? Are you listening?"
Hearing her name, she blinked out of her stupor, refocusing her attention back to the pink haired doctor in front of her. "Y-yes?"
Sakura laughed at her dazed friend. "I was asking if you and Naruto were planning on something for your anniversary this year."
"P-planned? Well, that's a um" Truthfully, ever since Naruto had been inaugurated as Hokage, he'd been quite busy as of late, that everyday had been harder and harder in keeping him all for herself. She knew how much his job meant to him, how much he valued his citizens and Konoha in general. She was never that needy, attention deprived type of wife. Naruto meant a lot to her, yes, but she would never demand anything from him.
Love never demanded anything.
Love was patient. Her love was patient.
Though she would be lying if she said she doesn't miss him.
She'd be lying if she said the bed hadn't been colder without him, or how she missed his morning kisses or his eagerness for their suggestive activities late in the night. How she missed his strong arms wrapped tightly around her—
"Well? What are they?" Sakura asked again, snapping her out of her daydream.
Hinata shook her head shyly. "Naruto-kun has been really busy these past few days. He has the Kage Summit to catch up to and a meeting with the ANBU. A while ago he was just finishing up his meeting with the Kazekage. It would be unfair of him to drag him out of his office just for some romantic dinner. I wouldn't want to be selfish."
However, sometimes, sometimes, she wished she was just a tad bit selfish.
Sakura's face turned into a frown. Ino popped a brow, almost threateningly.
"What's so wrong with being a little selfish? He's your husband for crying out loud, least he can do is take you out for dinner."
Agreeing with Ino's statement, Sakura jumped along with her. "Yeah! You've been working your ass off at home and he can't even spare an hour with his wife? You're too nice sometimes Hinata. Learn to be a little selfish for once."
Both girls nodded, clinking their cups of tea in victory.
She's never thought of it that way. She loved Naruto, with all her heart.
But then again...
It was their Anniversary after all.
Maybe just this night, we could....
It has been a while since...
No. This wasn't like her at all.
She knew how much he's worked hard to get this far, she couldn't just yank him away from all that. He was the Hokage. And as the Hokage's wife, she needed to understand that.
His love for his village was immeasurable, all evenly distributed to his friends and the village folk. The village was his new big family. The entirety of it.
Even if she didn't want to, she had millions of people to share him with now.
He isn't just hers, and she needed to know that.
She needed to know that.
....So why did it hurt? Why did she feel neglected? Abandoned? Forgotten?
She shouldn't be feeling this way, it's too selfish.
She married the soon to be Hokage, she knew what she was getting out of it. She knew how much this title meant to him, how much the village meant to him. How much he's yearned for this title ever since he was a little kid. The main reason why she even fell for him in the first place.
It meant so much to him that he chose his job over his own family that one time. That one damn time.
Himawari's brithday. She could never forget that.
She could never forget the disappointed look etched on their kids. Boruto's outburst, Himawari's tears. She could never forget the anger, the frustration, the look of not being chosen vivid across their faces.
Vivid across her own.
They talked about it, eventually moved past it. He put in effort to repay his past errors, bought his family a cake, joked about it and made his family happy again.
She forgave him, they all did.
But who's to say he wouldn't commit the exact same mistake? For their anniversary, no less.
Who's to say he wouldn't forget? Was she even a priority? Did their anniversary even have the slightest of relevance to him? Did she even have any sort of relevance at all?
Does he.... does he even still care?
"Hinata? Hey, you alright"?
Blinking out of her thoughts, Hinata regained her composure before answering. "Um yes, yes I'm alright, Sakura-san."
"You sure? You kinda spaced out there for a sec" Ino stretched out her arm and rubbed soothing circles on her back.
Her voice a little shaky, she answered. "I am, I am. I um, I need to head home for a sec. I have to prepare dinner and everything. Himawari's waiting for me. Please excuse me for the intrusion."
"Oh okay, we'll see you then...." And before they knew it, she was gone.
◇
3:29 PM
Hinata arrived home a little later than opted, she made a few detours for some grocery shopping, picking up some ingredients for her special dish.
Today was a special day after all.
She opened the door, expecting some sort of surprise, a gift, a card, some flowers maybe.
Nothing.
She tried not to dwell too much into it.
◇
6:48 PM
Preparing the table, Hinata called out to both Boruto and Himawari, announcing that dinner had finally been ready. Ever the cheerful kids that they were, they dashed towards the dining room, bright grins stretched on their whiskered cheeks.
"Smells great, Mom! Too bad dad isn't around to eat your homecooking again." Boruto chided as he sat across his sister while reaching for his chopsticks.
"Papa loves mama's cooking so I'm sure he would've loved this!" Himawari proudly agreed.
She sighed to herself while watching both her rambunctious children tease away at another lighthearted quarrel.
"Hey, isn't today your wedding anniversary?" Boruto reminded her, as if she hadn't thought about that for the entirety of the day.
"I can't believe Papa and Mama have been in love for such a long time already!" Himawari added on, a bright grin spread about.
Boruto looked to her questioningly before continuing. "I'm not really that interested in whatever lovey-dovey stuff you have going on with the two of you, but what'd he give you?" Himawari looked just as eager as well.
Well, this is awkward.
Hinata had never been one for expressing herself. Usually, she'd swallow the pain and suppress her thoughts. Something she was all too familiar with growing up. She would wallow alone, in the corner. Her thoughts even louder than reality.
Now however, as a mother of two and the wife of the busiest man in the village, feeling pitiful for herself was never really an option.
"Mom, you alright? You haven't touched your food since we got here. He did give you something, right?"
She feigned a smile, something she's always done for these past years and answered her son with earnest. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me and your father. Things like that are private for us." She winked at her son, to which he immediately faked a vomit in front of them
"Oh, and Boruto, " Her son looked to her, a bit guilty at the sudden call.
"Make sure to eat your vegetables."
She doesn't mention that the dish she served was one of Naruto's favorites. Maybe she could save some for later, he could try it out when he gets home.
Maybe.
◇
10:03 PM
The plates were washed, the floors were clean and the clothes have been folded. Now to remind Boruto of his daily homework. She knocked on his door and politely gave him a grin whilst reminding him of the homework he needed to finish.
He seemed a bit scared and flustered but his reaction was normal enough. Checked off of the list. She thought proudly. Now to tuck Himawari into bed.
"Mama, are you sure you're alright?"
Hand on her daughter's cheek, a gentle smile sneaked her lips before answering. "Of course I am darling, why wouldn't I be?"
"Because Papa isn't home"
Hinata sat there on her bed beside Himawari's tiny figure, tucking a tendril of her hair behind her ear. If she looked deep into her eyes enough, she could see those familiar ocean eyes she came to love all those years ago. Though Naruto's were prismatic and a cerulean blue, hers were the shade of the bright, turquoise sky. Though she knew that both vibrant eyes emitted the same blaze of determination and buoyancy within them.
Smiling as she pecked a kiss on her daughter's cheek, Hinata playfully pinched her little whiskers, her eyes softening in the process. "It's getting late Himawari, it's time for you to go to bed alright? Mama is happy, I can promise you that."
But for some unknown reason, she couldn't promise herself that.
◇
11:49 AM
It's late. Again.
After changing into her nightly gown, she strapped on her robe and awaited her husband in the kitchen, hoping on hope that she could at least be given the chance to greet him a happy anniversary.
Not that this was anything new.
Waiting on her husband's arrival had sort of become a nightly routine. Where she'd stay up all night to simply meet him at the doorstep. There were nights where he would text her he wouldn't be home soon, reminding her to not wait up or that he'd simply spend the night at the Hokage's office. Again.
11:50 AM
10 more minutes and their anniversary would come to an end. Last year, he had taked her out to a quaint, little ramen date at Ichiraku's. Similar to their very first date as a couple. She suggested the idea, he smiled and nodded, hooking his arm around her waist and tugging them towards their favorite destination.
Their night of passion had been unforgettable.
Now however. He seemed busier than usual.
Well, even busier more so
It seemed as if day by day she could feel him slowly drifting farther and farther away from his family.
Away from her.
11:52 AM
Her thoughts continued to chastise her and before she knew it, she felt herself slowly dozing off, eyelids heavy as sleep overcame her quickly.
◇
She woke with a start, immediately checking the clock for the time.
3:02 AM
March 24th.
The day after their anniversary.
She tried not to act disappointed at the knowledge of her husband's absence, but she was never one for acting, anyway.
Rubbing the sleep in her eyes, Hinata pushed the chair away from the table and wrapped herself with the comfort of her robe, making her way towards the stairs.
And as she did, there she saw it.
A bouquet of daintily wrapped Sunflowers perched atop their table.
The set reminding her of the ones she'd leave at Neji's grave every time she'd visit.
She made sure to visit him ever so often, knowing how much she owes her cousin for this grandiose life he gave her.
"Do you love them? They're the best I could find."
A smile snaked her lips at the sound of that familiar cheery voice.
Turning around to thank him, his body was now a few short steps in front of her, a wide goofy grin adorning his features.
Scratching his cheek in embarrassment, he smiled to her and said. "I uh, I'm sorry I got here late. It's already like, 3 hours past our anniversary and I feel like such an asshole for only seeing you now."
She shook her head, denying. "Shikamaru told me how busy you were a while ago, I didn't want to seem like a nuisance to you."
One step forward, Naruto took her hand and lead her to their living room, where there she could see an old stereo by the center of their coffee table.
"Nuisance? Hinata, you are everything but a nuisance. You're my wife and I'd give anything just to spend my entire day fooling around with you again."
He clicked on a button and as he did, soft tunes of the piano began playing from the stereo. Their bodies fluid to the music as Naruto circled his hands around her waist, pressing his forehead against hers.
Hundreds of eyes in the room
But yours found mine
"I'm sorry I don't come home this often." The only light emanating from the room was the dim shade by the kitchen, a pastel amber glow illuminating the area.
She shook her head declining. "You're busy being the Hokage. I completely understand that. You're amazing at your job and the people of Konoha are forever grateful for you"
Naruto smiled at her praise though a hint of sadness laced his eyes.
What lasted for minutes
Seemed like eternity
Naruto slipped his fingers in between hers, her touch lingering on his skin as they tune everything out, and drown into the symphony of the music. "Sakura-chan told me about your lunch yesterday."
Oh, she thought to herself. Is that the only reason why?...
"N-not that I did this out of pity," He quickly retracted. "I actually bought those sunflowers first thing in the morning, I just needed to spare some time and give them to you."
"I hope it wasn't too much of a hassle."
"Hinata," Naruto looked into her eyes, engraving the breadth of his love for her with his eyes alone. "Nothing I do for you is a hassle. Everything I do for you is done out of love, you know that."
You walk down the aisle and I smile
To know that you're mine
She plays with the hair on his nape, their foreheads still brushing against each other as she's lost in the depths of the ocean in his eyes. Their noses grazed each other's, breaths mingling while the tunes of the stereo enveloped the room.
"You were all I thought about today." He lamented, his lips so agonizingly close to hers.
"Is that so?" She giggled a half-hearted laugh, taunting him as their bodies still swayed to the song.
The band starts to play and you ask me
To dance once again
His brows furrowed playfully, a suggestive stroke on the slope of her hips causes Hinata to break out into a smile. "You know you're always on my mind."
"Am I now?" She missed his flirty jokes, his hidden ulterior motives, the least she could do is relish them in this exact moment.
"I love you."
Three simple words, one little kill.
The constriction in her heart unbearably tight, tears began to prickle at the ducts of her eyes. She held onto him closer, pushing their bodies closer, hoping and praying that time would simply stop and maybe, just maybe everything else would disappear too.
Their foreheads pressed together in that intimate way that only they knew, a lilac opal crashing with sapphire blue.
Put on a song, let's pretend
To dance round the room
"I know that I'm a failure as a husband." He blurted out, catching her slightly off guard. "I wanted to send in my clone and give those flowers to you but I thought it felt too superficial.... I miss you, Hinata. I miss this. I miss us."
Despite her protests, he continued. "I'm sorry I made you wait. I'm sorry I keep making you wait. I —-"
His lips felt soft against hers. The simplest touch she'd been yearning for, for so long.
Chaste and gentle, much like their love.
Their lips linger for another second more as they kissed each other again, again and again. Because once didn't feel enough. Time with him never felt enough.
They part, locking each other in their gaze once more as Hinata parted her lips and breathed out. "I miss you, too. So much. I just... I didn't want to voice this out because I didn't want to seem selfish. I know how busy you are, a-and I understand that. It's just, I dunno..." Her voice falters, the slightest shade of pink tinge her cheeks.
"You know you can tell me, hime."
Hime.
How long has it been since she's heard that silly nickname?
She chuckled bashfully. "You haven't called me that in a while."
Naruto leaned in closer, planting another soft peck, whilst smiling into their kiss. "Tell me what's wrong, please. I know how absent I've been, I know how neglectful I've been lately but believe me, I'm trying, I promise I am. Hinata, I'd never sideline you. You're my wife and I love you... I love you"
His last words came out in a half whisper and this alone made her grip on him tighten. Her head rested on the plane of his chest, her arms wrapped around his neck, her body fitting oh so perfectly with his. She could feel his hands stroking the small of her back, his chin resting atop her head in an affectionate way.
They fell into reverie, too lost in the music to even break the spell. The rhythm of the music controlled their movements as they laid in each other's arms, bathing in the warmth of their lover's touch.
Everything else dissolved into background, only the hums of the stereo present in their world. His warm hug, her head on his chest and the flood of emotions coursing through them.
"I love you." She promised, tightening her hold around his neck once more.
Planting a peck on her head, Naruto looked down and smiled at her tenderly. "Happy Anniversary, Hinata."
Hello my god and my love
At last I am home
The music came to a halt, though they had no slightest of intention of moving away from each other's grasp.
Not wanting to let go, Hinata lifted her head and noticed the bright red light radiating from the clock reminding both of them that it was already 3:35 AM
"Anata, look at the time, we should head to bed."
At the sound of this, Naruto broke out into a wicked smirk, wiggling his eyebrows at his hidden intent. "I'd love to take you to bed."
Unceremoniously, he lifted her off of her feet, causing her to squeal at his abrupt gesture. They made their way towards the foot of their stairs, carrying her bridal style while never missing a step.
Naruto pecked another quick kiss to her temple, all too happy and energized despite the late of the night. He smiled that gorgeous smile of his as he leaned in even closer and whispered ever so subtly. "Today's gonna be one hell of a good morning."