KC: Hey everyone! Wow this chapter took a little longer than I intended it to. I apologize for the wait! I hope you enjoy chapter two! I'll try to not take as long for chapter three! Enjoy!

CH 2

Hinata Hyuuga clenched the note left for her from her love, her fiancé. Tears ran down her cheeks causing her mascara to run. Her father was furious; already sending people out for Naruto's head. Hinata was mad too, though not quite for the same reason as her father. She had thought for sure that she had won in the end. She knew from the start that Naruto and Sasuke were attached at the hip; you never saw one without the other. When she stopped seeing Sasuke come around all the time, she had thought for sure that she'd won in the end.

Taking a deep breath, Hinata walked out of the bustling room. There was way too much noise and commotion going on. Between her overprotective father and cousin, there would be no peace. Slowly she made her way out of the church to make the short walk home. She wanted to be alone.

"Hinata." stopping in her tracks, the young women didn't even bother to look up as her cousin Neji came running after her. "Where are you going? You should be staying close to your father and me right now." he stated, placing a hand on her shoulder to get Hinata to turn and face him.

Biting her lip, Hinata felt her anger start to boil. "This isn't an attack on the family, Neji." she spit, as she shrugged his hand off. "It's the end of my marriage that hasn't even had the chance to bloom." taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes to find peace deep inside. "I need to be alone. I don't care if someone is outside my door for my 'protection'." she mocked before looking evenly at her surprised cousin. She had to admit it felt good to be speaking to him like this; it was not in her nature to step out of line like this. "Send a minion or follow me. Just let me be, please."

Neji looked like he was about to snap himself, before he gave a grunt. "Fine." he hissed, following right behind the long haired girl. Somehow Hinata felt that even though this day was a bust, something new was still about to bloom.

As soon as Hinata made it home she shut herself in. There was a lot to think about and a lot to work through. Hinata really hated the fact that her father was so old fashioned. She wanted to inherit the 'family business' and run everything, but as far as her father was concerned a woman was not meant to run the business. If she did not marry then her lowly cousin would end up inheriting everything. Clenching her fists in anger, Hinata glared over at her door, knowing that her cousin was standing just on the other side.

It made no sense to her. Hinata knew everything there was to the business. Her father had trained her well; though he would always explain how she was learning to better help her husband. It was time to change tradition.

!

Sasuke was pissed. He didn't know why he was so mad. Naruto was impulsive, he always had been, but to spout about just suddenly being in love with… Clenching his teeth, Sasuke growled before punching the nearest tree in full force. Taking deep breaths, Sasuke relished in the slight pain spreading through his hand.

After a moment, Sasuke continued through the forest. Naruto didn't mean any of it any way. he told himself, feeling a dull ache in his chest at this thought. He's probably already back with his stalker and stating his vows now. Growling under his breath, Sasuke paused in his steps to glance over his shoulder. Naruto wasn't following him. Somehow this made the ache in his chest become more painful. Yeah, he just wanted to run away from his problems.

Running his good hand through his hair, Sasuke wondered when this incessant rain was going to stop. He really hated the rain, it only reminded him of his loneliness in the world more. Normally Naruto would… but that wasn't going to happen any more. Naruto was married into the Yakuza now, married to his stalker. Shaking his head, Sasuke tried to think of anything other than the blond man who was always by his side.

He could remember the day, Naruto decided that they were going to become friends. Sasuke really barely had a say in the matter it seemed. Naruto had been very persistent in them becoming friends. No matter what Sasuke seemed to do, Naruto always came back three times stronger with his conviction.

Why was he still thinking about the blond idiot? Looking to his right, where Naruto would usually be walking talking about some kind of nonessens, Sasuke felt cold. Were they really so dependent on each other? Sasuke had never really realized that. Had others?

In the distance, Sasuke saw the end of the forest and where he had parked his car. Walking faster, Sasuke tried to think of where he could go. Originally he was supposed to stay at Naruto's to watch the morons dog, Kyuubi, while Naruto spent his first night with his bride. That was the last place he wanted to be, but he didn't want to go home either…

Driving on autopilot Sasuke found himself in his brothers neighborhood. It seemed like just yesterday that Naruto was setting up for Sasuke to meet up with his brother after years of not talking to each other. Naruto had always been good and making good things happen from bad situations.

Heaving a long and heavy sigh, Sasuke pulled up the long driveway to his brothers home. Sitting in the car, he looked at the foreboding home. He and his brother Itachi were on good terms now, no doubts about it. Yet, Sasuke found himself hesitating to go in only to complain to his brother.

A tapping on his window, brought Sasuke from his thoughts. Looking at the window he found Itachi with an umbrella waiting patiently for Sasuke to get out of the car. Turning off the vehicle, Sasuke slowly got out of the car.

"Hello, little brother," Itachi greeted, looking at Sasuke with concern. Looking away, Sasuke began for the house, Itachi at his side. After making it inside, both men took of their shoes before making their way for the kitchen. "Would you like tea, or something stronger?"

Sasuke regarded his brother for a moment before releasing another sigh, "Stronger, please," he finally answered, sitting at the small bar Itachi had between the kitchen and the living room.

Handing Sasuke a glass with some bourbon, Itachi took a seat before his little brother. "I thought the wedding would be longer." he commented, watching the other Uchiha's face closely. Pain and remorse crossed Itachi's little brothers face, before the Uchiha mask replaced it all.

"There was no wedding." Sasuke finally grunted, sipping his bourbon. Itachi was taken aback by the words. "Naruto called it off."

Itachi rubbed his chin as he took in Sasuke's words. "Isn't he in danger then?" he asked with a raised brow. Sasuke glanced up at his brother, worry flashing through his eyes, "Hinata's family is dangerous if they don't have their way…"

"Tch," Sasuke stared at his drink for a moment, before sipping it again. "It's not my problem." he grunted, tightening his hold on the glass. "He's made his bed, now he can sleep in it."

Itachi raised a brow at this, drinking his own glass of bourbon. Itachi knew this wasn't like Sasuke, which told him that obviously Naruto had done or said something to him to piss him off. "So, you're saying you are going to just leave Naruto to defend for himself?"

Without looking up, Sasuke shrugged his shoulders. "I'm sure Shika or Kiba is on it." he muttered, narrowing his eyes into a death glare. The glare intensified when his phone began ringing, "Behind Blue Eyes" by The Who began playing. Sasuke pulled the phone from his pocket and silenced it, setting it on the counter. Soon it went off again, growling he finally answered, "What!"

"Sasuke," it was Shikamaru and he sounded on the verge of pissed. Sasuke had only heard this tone from his friend once before. "Where the hell are you?"

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Sasuke heaved a sigh, "What do you want?"

There was a long pause and shuffling on the line, "We're getting Naruto out of town. We thought you should know, in case you want to… I don't know, be the best friend you are."

"Do whatever you're going to do, leave me out of this! I don't want any part!" with that he ended the call and slammed the phone on the counter.

"Okay, Sasuke, tell me what happened. From the beginning." Itachi ordered, grabbing the bottle of bourbon and refilling their glasses. "I will hear all of it, Sasuke. No leaving things out."

Letting out a long, defiant, un-Uchiha like groan, Sasuke told Itachi everything. From his feelings for Naruto; which Itachi had figured out long ago; to what Sasuke had said the day before Naruto's wedding and finally what Naruto had told him after finding him at the training grounds.

Itachi was unable to keep his jaw from dropping into his drink. Rubbing his forehead, Itachi shook his head. "Little brother…" he muttered, before making eye contact with the younger Uchiha. He saw a touch of shame shimmer in those dark eyes before it seemed to disappear. "I had figured you had a crush on our little blond forever ago. I'm just surprised at how you've handled all of this."

Sasuke gave his brother a look of exasperation, almost rolling his eyes, "Itachi… how am I supposed to take his words?" he asked with a glare before looking into the golden liquid of his drink. "I was a mere second pick to Hinata. I mean all it is, is cold feet, Itachi. He's confused."

Running a hand through his hair, Itachi bit his lower lip. He had been watching his little brother and Naruto since Naruto brought them close again. Itachi was pretty sure Naruto had been in love with Sasuke for as long if not longer than Sasuke had fallen for Naruto. With the situation though, Itachi understood where Sasuke was coming from.

"Stay here for the night little brother." Itachi finally sighed, standing from his place. "I'll make dinner, go take a shower." Itachi watched his brother begrudgingly get up and head to his designated room where he'd left spare clothes for such occasions, before heading into the bathroom. Itachi waited to hear the shower running before moving from the mini bar and to the kitchen.

Leaning against the counter, Itachi pulled his cell phone from his pocket. Pushing the button to turn on the screen he scrolled through his contacts before finding the proper person and pressed call.

"Itachi?" the voice on the other end sounded tired and lost.

"Hey kiddo," Itachi replied, licking his lips as he glanced at the door to make sure he was still alone. "Sasuke told me everything…" he began, rubbing at the back of his head. "When you get to wherever you're going… don't contact anyone who isn't already with you."

"I'm not a child, Itachi,"

Laughing at the scolding, Itachi shook his head, "I know," he sighed, rubbing at his chin. "Look, Naruto, I'm keeping Sasuke safe. That means… he will not be with you through this, Naruto."

There was an extended silence on the other end, "I…" Naruto cleared his throat on the other end a couple of times. "I figured that much… tell the Teme… mm… never mind. Good-bye Itachi…"

A beep on the phone let Itachi know the call was over. Looking at the phone, Itachi frowned before shoving it back into his pocket, before pulling food out from the fridge to make dinner with.

Sasuke tried to take his time in the shower, he really did. Everything about the day kept replaying over and over in his head. He knew that being mad at Naruto was illogical, after all, Sasuke could of made a move at any point in time. Instead he had chosen to be 'okay' with just being by Naruto's side. Maybe Naruto's idiocy was contagious… Sasuke thought.

After washing up, Sasuke got out and dressed in his clean clothes. His shower had taken less than ten minutes. As he left the bathroom, sasuke could hear his brother talking. He couldn't hear any returned conversation so Sasuke figured he was on the phone. Making his way to the kitchen he listened in;

"... he will not be with you through this, Naruto."

Sasuke clenched his fists at this. What the hell is he doing? Glaring at the wall, Sasuke shook his head before turning on his heel and going back to his room. Sasuke knew that Itachi meant him… that he wouldn't be by Naruto's side… this left his stomach feeling empty and his heart ache. "Fuck…"