We've gotten to that place, my lovely darlings. Yes, you guessed it; the final chapter! Apologies to those who made suggestions last chapter!

Based on what I'd told you earlier, there is a prize for the Most Faithful Reviewer. And I'll reveal it now.

This entire story is dedicated to its Most Faithful Reviewer! I went and checked every single chapter's reviews and this person has not missed even one. That means SSOO much to me! A round of applause for:

Deidaramaddie!

CONGRATULATIONS! (^_^)

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Chapter 21: The Confession

Inspired by my personal fluff-bunny (*_^) teehee!

Hinata clenched her fists together. She'd not been this nervous in a while. Not even when Sasuke had decided that she was dragging her feet and had dragged her into the college cafeteria and declared to everyone that they were married.

Which was saying something, since she'd nearly wet herself.

But no, in this instance, she was even more nervous. Why? Because she was going to be stuck with Naruto and Sasuke alone for the entire day. At the beach.

Of all the things Sasuke could choose to do, he'd decided to stick her, with Naruto, and himself… at the beach. And when he'd looked at her and told her his plans, she'd found herself nodding and saying yes before she even knew what she was doing.

Lies.

She had been freaking out inside, but had said yes anyway, because she couldn't say no. She literally had been unable to deny Sasuke. No, instead her focus had been on the now tanned skin of his neck, the neck she'd seen glistening with sweat when he-

Hinata blinked and felt her face heat at the directions her thoughts had been taking. She should stop blaming her weakness on his skin. Now. But then again, maybe it had been his hand on the steering wheel, gripping the accessory as surely as he'd gripped her waist when -

No.

No.

Maybe it had been the other arm then, the one he'd draped over the back of the passenger seat… and behind her head. Because she could smell that unique Sasuke scent. Pair that with the darkness of his eyes when he looked at her.

She'd been a goner.

Hinata watched the scenery, the familiar scenery pass by, and then it registered that they were already in Naruto's neighborhood. Hinata's eyes widened and she slapped her palm to her forehead.

Baka.

Baka.

BAKA!

WHY had she not asked to stay home?

"Ano… Sakkun…" she murmured, sending him a look through her lashes as she used his favorite nickname. He sent her a look as he turned a corner, his eyes trailing over her cropped tube top and shorts. His gaze lingering on her stomach for as long as he could afford to look away from the road, Sasuke gave a short chuckle and then looked away.

"Hn…?"

"I don't feel so good… Can I stay home? I don't want to spoil your fun…" Hinata suggested weakly, the butterflies in her stomach - there now because of that look Sasuke had given her - only adding to her general discomfort. Sasuke gave her a sharp look.

"And leave me to suffer the day alone with Naruto? Are you kidding? That idiot draws women like flies! Why should I have to watch him beat off rabid fangirls while my woman is at home? You're coming," Sasuke snapped. Hinata blinked, then sighed in defeat.

"Ano…" she tried again. Sasuke's hand slid from the back of the seat and down to cup the back of her neck. His warm thumb rubbed distracting circles at the soft hair at the back of her hairline.

"Hinata…" he murmured. Hinata pressed her legs together. Damn him… if he ever knew what an effect that had on her, he'd only do it more and get her to do whatever it was he wanted her to do. "I'll take care of you, alright?" he continued, oblivious… or maybe not so oblivious… to his effect on her.

Her luck sucked.

How was her body and mind supposed to cope with both Naruto and Sasuke? As far as she knew, she was still not over Naruto. Sure, her mind had been less occupied with him lately, but that was because of all the drama that had been happening recently with exams and facing the world with everyone knowing she was Sasuke's wife and everything… and her mind still ran on him from time to time.

The car pulled to a stop outside of Naruto's house, and Sasuke tooted the horn to alert his friend of their arrival. The longer Naruto took to come outside, the more nervous Hinata got. Oh, Kami. This was going to be a disaster. She could feel it. After what seemed like forever, but according to the dashboard clock was only two minutes, Narutos' front door opened and the athletic young man came bounding out.

Dressed only in beach shorts and a completely open hoodie… which left his impressive tanned chest and abs for open perusal. However Hinata wondered if something was wrong somewhere, because somehow his large build wasn't appealing to her as much as it used to. She rather preferred Sasuke's athletic build. Naruto was at the car door in a few strides. He yanked the door open, a wide grin on his face, and his blue eyes sparkling happily. He leaned forward between the two seats and flung one arm over Sasuke's shoulders and the other over Hinata's.

"Hey guys!" he said loudly. Happily. Hinata cringed. Less from his effect on her and more because of his volume. She blinked.

Waited for the butterflies. Waited for the increased heartbeat… aannddd nothing. There was nothing. No response.

Was Naruto-kun broken?

Sasuke knew he was playing with fire, but Naruto had begged him to hit the beach with such intense puppy-dog eyes that he'd caved. And he'd brought Hinata into his little hell too, it seemed, based on the expression on her face. They were headed to their favorite beach spot, which was about three hours away from where they lived.

They were twenty minutes into the drive, and Hinata had been even more quiet than usual. Sasuke knew that Hinata wasn't over Naruto yet. He knew but he just couldn't help but bring her along. It sucked that their first beach trip together had to be with Naruto of all people, but Sasuke just couldn't bring himself to leave her at home.

Naruto was in the back, in his own world, singing off-key at the top of his lungs to a song playing on the radio. Hinata was staring at her lap. Sasuke was driving and wondering what the hell this day was going to turn out like. He dropped his hand from the back of the seat and down to play with the soft hair at the back of her neck again. He felt for a kiss right now.

If only to reassure himself that she would still be affected by them. Sasuke shook away the thought, because of just how mushy and weird it sounded in his head. If their sex life was anything to go by, Hinata was definitely still affected by him… she was probably up to half as affected by him as he was by her, considering she always seemed to get the upper hand these days.

The thought made Sasuke grin. Naruto stopped singing in favor of answering his mobile phone. From the way his tone dropped low, it was obvious to Sasuke that it was a woman on the other end. This was his chance, while Naruto was distracted.

"Hinata…" he said shortly. She looked up at him. He glanced at her to ensure that she was looking in his direction, before winking at her. "Kiss me." She squeaked at the command.

"Sa-Sakkun, you have to watch the road…" she muttered. But she wanted to. He could hear it in her voice and see it in her eyes.

"Just do it. There's no-one else on this stretch…" Sasuke demanded, one of his brows rising. Hinata looked at the road. There was indeed no one else on the stretch of road.

"Umm…" she murmured, her face reddening.

"Just do it," Sasuke said again. "I'll keep one eye open." He lied. Because the moment she leaned forward and her lips touched his, Sasuke's eyes closed. Both of them. In fact, the hand that was on the steering wheel left it in favor of cupping her cheek.

And boy, did she kiss him. The whole french shebang, to the point that Sasuke's ears were filled with a loud blaring noise. That was new.

Then Naruto was yelling and slapping him on the back of the head. And Sasuke turned and all he saw was green. Trees.

Shit.

He sunk the brake to the floor, and the car jerked to an abrupt halt. And then the air was filled with the harsh breathing of all three people. Hinata was the first to break the silence.

"I'm never driving with you two again."

Sasuke was next.

"That was probably a bad idea… we'll pull over next time…"

Naruto found his voice then.

"That was kind of awesome!" the blonde yelled. Sasuke and Hinata blinked before turning and giving Naruto a strange look. "What?" he asked. "Did I say something weird?"

"AAHH, wonderful sunshine!" Naruto yelled when they stopped and parked at the beach. He ripped off his hoodie and tossed it on the back seat. "Time for me to catch some waves!" Hinata gave him a curious look, because she still couldn't really figure out how he comes he wasn't having any effect on her. Not even a little one.

Sasuke rounded the front of the car and took her beach bag from her. And there it was.

Thump, thump, thump as her heartbeat sped up. Hinata blinked, looking up at Sasuke.

No way.

Thump thump thump. They were coming faster now. Especially since her eyes found a tiny freckle on his collarbone as he was leaning forward to drape a towel over her shoulders. Hinata felt her face heat.

Seriously? After being married to Sasuke for four months, she was blushing because of a freckle on his collarbone? Really?

And then the only way she could stop the grin that surged to her face was to bite her lower lip. An action which apparently caught Sasuke's attention. He stared at her until her face reddened.

"What?" Hinata spluttered. Sasuke gave her a dark grin and leaned forward to whisper in her ear.

"You do know that I'm the only one allowed to bite that lip, right?"

"S-Sakkun!" Hinata stuttered, her hands coming up to hide her face. He tugged them away and let his eyes trail over her face.

"Don't you dare hide from me," he murmured, stepping closer. Hinata looked away, conscious of the stares they were getting from people passing by.

"S-Sasuke people are staring."

"Let them," Sasuke growled, bending to press a warm kiss to the side of her neck. Hinata sighed.

"Geez, you guys," Naruto said from behind Sasuke. Hinata jumped. "Get a room, would you!" the blonde declared. While Hinata thought she'd die of embarrassment, Sasuke only chuckled and tugged her closer before turning and giving Naruto a look that only guys understand.

And it wasn't until an hour or so later, when Sasuke was kissing her ardently at the back of the seafood restaurant on the beach, that Hinata realized how scarce Naruto had been since they arrived.

"Kami, you drive me wild," Sasuke muttered against her neck. "What I wouldn't give to be back home now."

Two days later, Hinata was looking at the pictures from the day at the beach and unable to stop the smile lingering on her lips.

She was over Naruto.

Sure, she was blushing in the photograph of her and Naruto, the blonde's arms looped over her shoulders, but that was because of the look Sasuke had been giving her because she'd taken off her tank-top.

And then there was this picture of Sasuke giving her a back-hug, his face pressed to her cheek. And she was grinning. Hinata smiled for pictures. She never grinned. But she was grinning. And her hands were holding Sasuke's arms in place.

Sasuke shuffled from the bedroom, barechested and his hair in disarray. He groggily raked a hand through the dark strands before sliding his hand down to cover a yawn. Hinata watched him walk past, the only shred of clothing on his body being the pair of dark boxer briefs he must have just dragged on to come outside, and tried to stifle a grin.

She couldn't wait to show him. To tell him. But how? She couldn't exactly just blurt it out could she? That would be… stingy. After everything he'd done for her, Hinata wanted to do a grand gesture. She wanted it to be special. Perfect, even.

"Morning, Sakkun," she said.

"Mmm," he responded lazily, giving her a smile even though his eyes were still bleary. He paused at the fridge, glanced at it, and then sighed. Hinata giggled as he slapped a palm to his face, turned right back around, and shuffled back to the room.

Sasuke could be strange in the morning.

Moments later she heard water running from the bathroom tap, and the sounds of him brushing his teeth. When he resurfaced, he looked more alert… but not much. He padded over to where she was sitting in the living room and sat next to her. He put his head in her lap and tugged the phone out of her grasp.

"Hinata."

"Mmm?" she responded. I love you. The words wanted to come out, but she held them back. Timing. She wanted to wait until the timing was perfect.

"I'm still tired, and it's Sunday. Come back to bed with me," he demanded. Hinata blinked.

"You'll have to get up first." She smiled down at him. He sighed and groaned as he rose to a sitting position. He looked back at her tiredly and sighed.

"Kami, it's hard to move…" he grumbled, as he swung his legs down to the floor and stood. Hinata stifled a giggle and followed him, looping her arm around his warm waist. They tumbled back into bed, his arms finding their way around her, and she snuggled closer to him, nestling her face into that perfectly warm spot in the crook of his neck.

And she wanted to say it again.

I love you, Sakkun.

She almost did, too, but then she looked up and saw that his eyes were already closed, and his breathing had evened out.

One week passed, and Hinata was sure that she would burst from trying to keep the words in. How had Sasuke survived this for fifteen years? And Hinata was forced to consider whether or not what she had felt for Naruto was even love in the first place. Because it hadn't felt like this.

Love like this felt best shared. She and Naruto had not shared anything.

But it was finally drawing close to the time she'd planned to tell Sasuke, and Hinata just hoped she could pull off the gesture she'd had in mind. Itachi had helped her set it all up, and so now all that was left was to get Sasuke to the spot she had in mind.

Sasuke's Engineering class finished later on Fridays than her English one did, so Hinata found herself sitting on the hood of his car, waiting for him to exit the building. She tapped her booted feet against the pavement. She just had to convince him to let her drive him out on a date. If she could get him to the beach, then this would all be perfect.

"Were you waiting long?"

Hinata looked up when she heard her husband's voice as he drew closer to her.

"Not really," she lied. She leaned away from the car and stepped closer to him to accept the hug she knew he was going to give her. Sliding her hands up to grip the lapels of his blazer, Hinata looked up at him.

"So… I want to take you out on a date…" she murmured. Sasuke's left eyebrow rose.

"Oh really?" he asked.

"Yes, really," Hinata muttered back, her face reddening. Oh Kami, she hoped she could pull this off. She stuck out her hand. "Keys."

Sasuke blinked at her.

"Right now?" Hinata nodded. She was almost about to think he wasn't going to give them up when he plopped them into her palm. One hour of driving and curious burning looks from Sasuke found Sasuke and Hinata just a few minutes away from the beach.

"You're not planning to take me to a secluded spot and murder me, now are you?" Sasuke muttered from the passenger seat. He was a bit uncomfortable being driven around like this, and he wasn't used to this nervous anticipation. He had butterflies. And he hated them.

He slid an uneasy glance in Hinata's direction. It wasn't helping that she looked a little nervous. One part of him was keyed up because she wanted to take him on a date, and the other part was worried that what if she was really trying to find a nice way to break up with him or something. His leg bounced nervously and he put his hand on it to slow it down.

"I'm not going to kill you…. It's just a date…" she said after short giggle. She sent him a quick glance before turning her attention back to the road. Sasuke glanced at her a little warily as they continued down the road. Soon, they were pulling into a small area that was cleared of forestry. Hinata parked in the clearing, kicked off her heels and turned to Sasuke with a smile.

"What? Is this it?" Sasuke asked, giving the secluded-looking clearing a dubious once-over.

"We have to walk from here. There's lots of sand, so take your shoes off," Hinata replied, switching off the engine and opening the car door. Sasuke did as he was told and followed her outside. Hinata sidled up next to him and stuck out her hand.

She wanted to hold hands now?

Sasuke grabbed her hand before she could change her mind and tugged her closer to him. They followed a small path down to the beach and began walking, the surf coming up to splash against their bare feet. The sun was setting, casting a coral glow over the beach. Hinata's hand was small, soft and warm in Sasuke's, and he couldn't resist giving it a little squeeze. She looked up at him and smiled, but didn't say anything. Words weren't really needed at that moment.

They'd been walking in comfortable silence for a few minutes when Sasuke's steps slowed. In the distance was a white cloth covered gazebo standing on the beach. Even from where he was Sasuke could see the yellowish glow of the candles that lit the inside.

"Are you sure we should be here?" He asked Hinata, giving her an uneasy glance. Hinata only smiled softly at him and pulled him towards the gazebo. As they drew closer, Sasuke could see that the gazebo was more of a tent formed by draping material over a wooden frame.

Hinata pulled him inside to where a blanket was laid out on the sand. Instead of wine that one would expect in such a setting, there was beer, and Sasuke's favorite brand too, so immediately it began to click in his mind.

"You did this... for me?" He asked quietly.

"Un," Hinata confirmed with a nod. She nibbled her lower lip nervously. She started to say something, but her words were cut off when he yanked her into the circle of his arms. Sasuke pulled away from her after a heart-thundering moment and pressed his lips to her forehead. Hinata pressed her palms to her cheeks to hide their redness, ducking her head when Sasuke chuckled.

Sliding her hands down to link her fingers with his, she sat with him on the blankets and opened a bottle of beer for him. Sasuke accepted it, his heart racing, and made sure to let his fingers linger against her as he took it from her.

"What's this about, Hina? What's the occasion?" he found himself asking. She looked up at him with her pale grey eyes. Her cheeks coloured and she looked down, her dark lashes fanning over her cheeks.

"I… You always treat me so well, Sasuke… I just wanted to do it too…" She looked up just then, and Sasuke felt his gut clench. Dare he hope?

No.

It was too soon.

He was impatient, and too hopeful, but he knew it was too soon.

Scant months.

There was no way.

She must have sensed the disappointment he was trying to hide, because her face fell.

"I-Is it alright?" she asked, sounding a little unsure. Sasuke melted a bit more inside and dragged her over to sit in his lap.

"It's perfect," he said gruffly, kissing her cheek, content to just enjoy the moment and hold her while they listened to the waves.

In the end, she hadn't told him.

Already a week had passed since their date, and Hinata was still thoroughly disappointed in herself. But the moment just hadn't felt right. It would have been far more natural if she'd told him that time he'd lay on her lap in the living room… back when she'd first noticed it.

Hinata chewed the inside of her lip and frowned.

She would have to just wait until it felt natural again. And when she felt the words coming, she wouldn't stop them. But she would tell him tonight. Sasuke would get his grand gesture… just… in the way that felt right to her.

Sasuke pushed the door open and heaved a tired sigh. He was absolutely exhausted. Still, he'd thought it would be nice to bring some cinnamon rolls for Hinata, so he'd stopped at the cafe before coming home. A grin teased the corner of Sasuke's mouth. Hinata was always so… generous when showing her appreciation.

After depositing the bags on the kitchen counter and grabbing a can of beer, Sasuke ambled towards the bedroom, unbuttoning his shirt with one hand as he went and flipping open the top of the can with his thumb.

By the time he got to the bedroom, his shirt was hanging open and the beer can was at his mouth. He opened the door, beer in his mouth, and went to swallow before announcing his arrival to Hinata.

The beer never quite made it down his throat.

Because Hinata…

Hinata, in all her lingerie-clad glory was kneeling temptingly on the bed in a room bedecked with candles.

"Welcome home, Sakkun," she said in that whispery tone that always went straight to Sasuke's crotch.

All notions of being tired fled from Sasuke's being. He made his way to the bed, admittedly entranced. But then he'd never been able to resist the pull of Hinata's outstretched arms. They curled over his shoulders and pulled him down to her for a toe-curling kiss.

And he did…

Curl his toes.

"Hinata...wh-?" he asked when they pulled apart. She didn't let him finish asking the question.

"You look tired, Sakkun," she clucked, brushing a finger in a feather's touch over his brow. "Are you tired?" Even to Sasuke, that question sounded loaded. What was the right thing to respond? Was there a correct and an incorrect answer. Sasuke didn't know. He wasn't feeling very tired at the moment, so he shook his head, not trusting actual words to come out of his mouth… especially when her nails gently raked his scalp… but then what if that was the wrong answer?

His stomach gave a little flip… and he nodded.

She smiled, and Sasuke felt excitement and anticipation have a field day within his body. She kissed him again, pushing his shirt off his shoulders and edging him backwards to the bathroom, where the hot tub was already bubbling and frothy.

Oh, Kami yes. He'd done something like this for her a few months back. Was it his turn? Please, let it be! Just the thought of Hinata paying such close attention to him… well it turned him on more than anything he remembered. And then he was kissing her back like a man possessed. He absently rid himself of his belt, trousers and boxers before lifting her up against him. Her legs curled around his waist immediately and Sasuke thanked Kami with all his heart that Naruto was such a bloody dolt.

Hinata broke their kiss when they settled into the warm frothy water. Her lingerie, white like the shirt he'd wanted to put on her way back when, went transparent in the water.

Oh, yes.

She licked her lower lip and inched closer to him, both palms at his cheeks, holding his face. He leaned forward to kiss her some more, but she evaded him neatly and giggled.

"What?" Sasuke managed, feeling quite proud that the word had actually made it from his currently addled brain to his lips.

"I love you," she said softly, smiling at him. Sasuke blinked, not sure if the hot tub had been that loud before.

"You… what?" he asked, needing to make sure that he'd heard correctly.

"I love you," she repeated, still smiling, but her eyes were watering. Sasuke felt like the world had prostrated itself before him and made him king. But then she continued speaking.

"You cured me of Naruto… like you said you would… I'd suspected before that you were… That I was… but then I saw Naruto and I didn't feel anything because you… because…"

"Because you love me…?" he finished for her. She nodded emphatically, visibly having trouble speaking.

And Sasuke was so ridiculously happy he felt like he might just die of it.

"Tell me again," he demanded, fiercely fighting the side of the happiness that might make him cry like a girl. He reached for her, gently pressing his mouth to hers in the softest and most sensual kiss he'd ever had the pleasure of experiencing.

"Say it…" he murmured when they pulled apart, his mouth hovering over hers because he knew he'd be taking her mouth again the moment the words left her lips.

"I love you, Sakkun."

~ FIN ~

And this story is finally complete! OMOU!

Thank you all so very much for the support. I hope the ending was to your liking!

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