This story's concept was loosely based on "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas", and, well, for those who don't know or didn't read that book, well… uh… okay, I don't know how to explain properly. –sweatdrop- So, well, there's this girl and guy (obviously), and then the girl found out the diary of the guy's ex-wife, and reads it. She finds out a lot of things, and has a really tragic and angsty ending.
But that's beside the point, and this one's just "loosely based", so no prob of angst and such. xD There will be some SasuSaku, but it's mainly because that would be the basis of the SasuHina. Yep, so no worries of them not ending together, 'kay? –grin- Oh, and yeah, this fic is for Arche-chan, because she's the one who introduced me to this pairing. xD
Disclaimer: If I owned Naruto I'd be insanely and ultimately happy. And not… uh, psychotic. o.O
Sunfire (for Arche-chan)
Prologue
"Let me in on your secret, so I'll take it away…"
"…of us here are gathered to pay our respects to one of the greatest ninjas who had…"
The person up front continued to drone on with the generic speech as Hinata's cloud-colored eyes watched the back of the raven-head kneeling in front of all of them, crouched on the dewy grass that carpeted the area. The early lemon rays of the sun was sending shafts of its light through the trees' foliage that was around and through some coincidence, was serving like patterned spotlight for the avenger who was kneeling in front of the person making the oration.
Most of the gang was there; her, Naruto, Tenten, Shikamaru, Ino, Lee, Shino, Kiba, Neji, Chouji. There were the elders and adults of their clans, other shinobi who weren't on missions that day, some of the students in the Academy who had came early before their classes started, the ordinary villagers… basically everyone who had enough time to spare that early in the morning. That is, except for one. Haruno Sakura.
The heiress took a deep breath, and when she exhaled, the warmth condensed as it touched the cold, early morning air. She looked at her cousin who was sitting beside her on the rows of chairs that were placed up in front of the shinobi memorial for that day's event, her movement catching the edge of his vision that Neji turned to look at her, his long hair glinting as it shifted in the rays of the sun.
"Are you okay Hinata-sama?" he asked, the concern flashing through his stoic features. She shook her head as a no and gave him a smile, forcing her own gaze to focus at the ceremony. Glad that her cousin took the bait, seeing him turn back to the ceremony as well, she relaxed a bit.
They were all there for a simple yet significant awarding. Sasuke's killing of one of the most feared missing nins who had been sought for the longest time, none other than his own brother in flesh and blood, the S-class criminal and Uchiha genocide cause, Uchiha Itachi.
Why this service was made in front of the memorial, where the Konoha ninjas who had died in the line of their work had their names etched into the rock to be forever remembered as those who sacrificed their lives for the village, there was a reason. Hinata's hands that were on her lap curled into small fists upon remembering that same reason, her pale, slender fingers that protruded out of her oversized jacket creasing the material of the black dress she wore for that occasion.
Once more, she took a look around, probably for the nth time that morning. She was seated in the third row, two seats to the left. Kiba and Shino were on her other side, and the rest of their generation were scattered across the assembly of people who attended the event, but she was looking for a certain person. White eyes swept to the front-most rows, and sure enough, in an instant she caught in her sight flashes of gold that glinted in the pale sunlight.
Tsunade, sitting beside Ino and Naruto. She let a small smile grace her pinkish lips. It was a bit funny to know that the three blondes were there sitting all together, but like what she knew, this was no ordinary awarding ceremony. Those same three were wearing black clothes as well.
Letting her gaze linger a little longer on the back of the golden spiky-haired head, which turned to the side from time to time to listen to what Ino was saying to him, cerulean eyes laden with sadness, Hinata finally turned back to the speaker and ignoring the small envy that formed in the back of her mind.
"… aside from this, we are all gathered here to pay respect as well to another great ninja of the younger generations, choosing to end her life for the village…"
The heiress heard the sobbing of Ino, and when her eyes flickered to her friend, saw her being comforted by Sakura's other best friend: Naruto. She sighed, trying not to let it affect her.
"… and who we could only offer so little by allowing her name to be carved onto this cenotaph…"
She saw the Uchiha rise from in front of the speaker and brush past him, ignoring whatever he had to say, and make his way towards the stone that served as the shinobi tribute. All of the people who were present watched while the speaker continued, amid a slight pause to see what he was going to do, as Sasuke laid a fresh cherry blossom branch in front of the memorial, and kneeled in prayer.
Hinata held her breath. Whether it was only her or because of her clan's renowned naturally powerful eyesight even without the bloodline limit, she could see the tears making their way down Sasuke's face, whose dark hair fell forward and masked his eyes, and notice the slight tremble of his hands that were pressed together in his respect.
Seeing one of the most formidable people she knew break down was something very hard for her to take. This was one of those moments. It was unnaturally painful to watch, owing to her tranquil personality, and because of that, something inside her was reaching out to him. She wanted to heal him of that pain.
Dickhead's Notes: Ugh. Hell, I'm really sorry for having to place you through the SasuSaku, really! Don't worry though, I promise, I really really REALLY promise there will be more SasuHina. And… since this is only the prologue, you can say that it's just to define how they are right now.