S/O to PenCraft31.13

This one is for you!

"What's with the sigh?" Sasuke frowned at the girl in front of him. They had tried to squeeze in a study session before their next exam but her mind was obviously elsewhere. "Aren't you supposed to be all giddy and crap since Valentine's Day around the corner?" He wasn't a romantic at all; the stalking from the female population had been a constant reminder of the dreadful day. It seemed like he couldn't find an escape from the unwanted attention. However, Hinata was not like the rest. She only had eyes for his brother.

"I know but lately Itachi's been cancelling our dates. I told him I don't need to go out, staying in is fine with me. I just want to spend time-"

"Then be honest and tell him," he bluntly replied. "Itachi's probably swamped at work and didn't realize he was ignoring you."

"What if he gets upset?" She bit her lip in apprehension. "I don't want to seem needy or clingy."

"But you are." She slammed her book in response and stuffed her materials into her book bag. "C'mon Hinata, I was just kidding." Hinata frowned and stormed out of the library, blushing when the librarian shot her a scolding look.

"Damn it." He thought Hinata would be used to the Uchiha's sense of humor. Normally one to not care for how others took his words, he uncharacteristically chased after her. Itachi would be peeved for sure if he found out Sasuke had upset her but he also didn't want to leave things on a bad note. Itachi's and Hinata's interactions were uncomfortable to look at but he had gotten used to the quiet girl over the past year. She provided an unbiased opinion whenever he was at a crossroads with his career options and promised to not mention anything to Itachi. He felt like she had earned his trust.

Sasuke tracked her to a nearby bench and sat next to her. "It was a joke. I'm sorry it came off as malicious."

"It's fine. My sister says I'm overly sensitive, too." She tried to smile at him but he could see that it still hurt.

"Hinata, believe me. Itachi is in love with you," he grimaced. Playing cupid for his brother made his skin crawl but it was worth it to see her brighten up. "He's never acted like this with any other girl."

"I love him, too." She giggled when he blanched. "Sorry. But I can't help but feel something's up. The last time I felt this way, my boyfriend broke up with me."

Sasuke clicked his tongue. "He's not going to do that. Stop thinking like that! Okay, why don't you suggest something to do this weekend at the house? I'll clear out and you two can have the place to yourselves."

"I don't want to force you out…"

He raised his hand in annoyance. "Please, if anything you'll be doing me a favor. You'll see that you've been inducing wrinkles over nothing. Ask him tonight after dinner."

That night, Sasuke watched in amusement as Hinata twisted her napkin. "So Naruto's having a get together this weekend," he said out of nowhere.

Itachi raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Okay." It was unusual for the normally private to tell him anything about his plans. Hinata had teased him before about fretting over his younger brother like a mother hen.

"Yeah, so I'm going to be out. All weekend. Not here at all."

Hinata's eye twitched in irritation. Sasuke shot her a wink and she nearly slammed her head on the table with his obviousness. "That sounds like fun. At least you'll be out the house. I hate for people to think I'm related to a hermit." He chuckled at his own joke but stopped when Sasuke joined in.

"You're funny, Itachi. Anyways, I'm full and gonna head up to my room. See you two later." He headed towards the kitchen and gave Hinata thumbs up before disappearing. Thankfully Itachi wasn't facing that way.

"That was a lovely meal, Hina," her boyfriend said. "I hope you didn't stress over this. It was Sasuke's turn."

"Oh I just figured I'd let him rest." She placed her hands flat on her thighs "But speaking of Sasuke…since he's not here this weekend I figured we could do something special. Just the two of us," she said full of hope.

He had been drinking and coughed violently. Hinata got up and patted his back. "Are you okay?"

He nodded and wiped his mess. "Sorry, there must've been something in my throat." She continued rubbing his back. "I should take you home."

"Okay but what do you think about it?" He looked away and stood up. "About this weekend-?"

"I'm afraid I'm busy."

Her eyes lowered. "All d-day?"

"Yes."

"What about Sunday?" she softly asked.

"Hinata, I'm sorry but I need to work on a project. Sasuke being gone will give me some time to focus." He kissed her cheek. "I'm sorry. I promise I'll make it up to you, okay?"

He smiled when she nodded. Itachi went to warm up the car and she placed the rest of the dishes in the sink where a curious Sasuke waited. "So?"

Shrugging her shoulders dejectedly, she wished him a goodnight.

Surprised at his brother's behavior, he decided to hover near his room when he heard him talking to someone. It wasn't out of the ordinary for Itachi to make calls outside normal hours; his clients had his personal phone number.

However, his heart dropped at the words he was able to make out. "She knows something's up. We need to be discreet. If this gets out, it'll ruin everything…. Akimichi's… see you then." Wanting to give his brother the benefit of doubt, he repeated to himself that Itachi loved Hinata. Itachi was probably talking to another lawyer at his firm about a case. He'd never do something like that…no it's something else.

Over the next couple of days, Sasuke noticed his brother acting oddly. He had closed his laptop whenever he walked in and walked into another room when he received calls.

Fed up with the thoughts tormenting him, he stopped his brother before he walked out for work. "Hinata thinks you're avoiding her."

His eyebrows furrowed. "I'm not."

"She loves you, you know," he said seriously. "I just wanted to remind you."

.

.

"He's breaking up with me, isn't he?" Hinata said. "I knew it."

"No…" Even Sasuke grimaced at how unsure he sounded. "He's been very busy. I mean he doesn't even bother me anymore and we know how he is." She let out a laugh and returned to their school work. The guilt was beginning to overwhelm him and he wished Itachi felt a million times worse.

They had decided on a reward for their performances on their exam. Sasuke had quickly turned down her suggestion of Akimichi's. "How about Yakiniku Q's instead?" he suggested.

After being seated in the back, they placed their orders. Joking about how stubborn their new professors were, Hinata began to feel better and Sasuke was happy to put the issue with Itachi to the side, at least for the moment.

"I mean, do we really need to each hand in a report? It's a group project…" she trailed off, eyes wide with shock. Sasuke looked over his shoulder and felt like cold water had completely drenched him. Itachi was there but he was accompanied by a leggy blonde.

"It's a work thing," he said, not knowing who he was really trying to convince. He gulped when the woman got up hugged him. Push her away and remind her of your professionalism, idiot! Hinata gasped when Itachi reciprocated. The stoic and often cold Uchiha had rarely shown so much affection to anyone aside from Hinata or Sasuke.

The two had paid for their meal and walked out together.

"I guess it makes sense now," she choked out. "He's cheating…"

"I'm sorry."

She narrowed her eyes at him, noticing his lack of surprise. "Did…did you know?"

Offended that he was being blamed, he quickly tried to clear things up. "I didn't! I mean I noticed somethings. I thought the calls were from a client but-"

"Why didn't you tell me?!" she cried out. Other people began to crane their necks to see what was happening. "Did you just pity me?" A second later, Hinata bolted with tears streaming down her face.

"Hey wait!" He muttered a series of curses and apologized to the staff before following her. The crowded sidewalk made it hard to find the pale eyed woman. "Fuck!"

Sasuke made it to his house, waiting for Itachi to come home. He fumed as the hours dragged on, well past his usual arrival time. By the time his car pulled up, Sasuke's blood was boiling. He was probably with his whore!

Itachi didn't seem smug or at least exhausted; he looked despondent. Undeterred, Sasuke walked up to him. "Did you have a good time?"

"Sasuke… what are you doing up?" his voice was raspy as if he'd been crying. "You should go to bed." Itachi moved past him and sat on the couch, head hung low.

"What happened to you?" Sasuke asked. He had a feeling but wanted to hear it from himself.

"She broke up with me," he replied. "Hinata said she couldn't deal with me anymore and had enough." He flung a paperweight at a nearby wall and shouted in frustration. "I fucking loved her and she said she hated me!"

Not wanting to coddle his brother due to his indiscretions, Sasuke smirked. "You deserve it."

"What?"

"You were acting weird around here and were distant with her. Then I heard your conversation the other day." Sasuke scoffed at the confused look on his brother. "We saw you okay? Today at Yakiniku Q's and how you embraced her."

Suddenly looking alarmed, Itachi paced back and forth. "She wasn't supposed to find out about her!" Fed up with his dishonorable behavior, Sasuke slugged him. Staggering back, he looked even more hurt. "Why did you do that?"

"Don't lie to me. You might've lied to Hinata but don't try to play dumb now. We caught you cheating!"

Itachi's eyes turned red and he throttled him. "I didn't cheat you dumbass!"

"Then who was she?!" Sasuke retorted, trying to get his hands off his neck. "Who was the blonde?"

"Ino Yamanaka." Itachi tightened his grip. "The planner I hired for the proposal," he emphasized each word. Seeing Sasuke struggling to breathe, he got up and kicked the wastebasket in anger.

"Huh?" Sasuke rubbed his neck and winced. "A proposal?"

"Yes, as in a marriage proposal," he hissed. "I was meticulously planning this out and when Hinata began to get suspicious I got worried. Ino suggested moving things up but we were waiting for the ring to come in. I had it custom made to resemble her mother's ring. She had it rushed and came through for me at the last minute, that's why we were so happy!"

"Oh," Sasuke dumbly said. "Congrats…?"

Itachi scowled at him. "I'm going to kill you."

"Wait!" Sasuke ran around the couch as he tried to pounce on him. "You can't blame me for how it looked! She's just as dumb as me." Itachi hopped over the couch and Sasuke ran up to his room, skipping steps along the way. Itachi pounded on his door.

"Open up!"

He dragged his dresser against the door. "No. You're trying to kill me."

"I'm not going to kill you," he sneered out. "I'm just going to make you feel the same pain I felt when she broke up with me!"

"Do you love her?"

"You little shit-" The pounding intensified.

"I'll help you get her back. Hinata was just hurt you ignored her and assumed the worst." The pounding stopped. "But we'll clear everything up. You two can get married and have kids and shit. I'll help."

"Okay," Itachi sighed. "Get out and let's talk."

Frowning, Sasuke didn't move. "Promise you won't hurt me."

"I'm not going to hurt you…" he trailed off. Sasuke could tell he was upset but had calmed down. He pushed the dresser away and slowly unlocked his door. Peeking out, he saw Itachi leaning against the wall looking distraught.

"Hey-"

His words were cut off by a swift punch to his stomach. He wheezed and Itachi leaned down. "I promised not to hurt you much. It could've been much, much worse." It was a side of Itachi that he rarely saw and couldn't avoid flitching when he helped him back up. "Why couldn't you just ask me? This could've all been avoided."

"I wanted to give you the benefit of doubt," Sasuke answered earnestly. "You're my big brother and I always thought the world of you. The thought of you betraying Hinata hurt me too because it felt like you had betrayed me too."

Itachi flicked his forehead painfully. "You're so irrational sometimes. I don't know what I'm going to do with you." They smiled at each other but then Itachi pulled out a small red box. "You know if it doesn't work, you're going to regret it."

The younger Uchiha gulped and nodded. "She won't refuse, I swear."

.

.

"What do you mean she's not home? I can see her from where I'm standing," Sasuke argued. He rolled his eyes when Hinata slowly slouched down on the couch. "I can still see you!"

Tenten shifted to the right, blocking his view. "You heard me. She's not here."

He scowled at the girl with a bun hairdo. "I'm done playing these games, Leia. Sorry." He used his strength advantage over her and forced his way in. She threatened to call her boyfriend, but he waved her off.

"Hinata, just give him a chance," he pleaded. "He's hurt and depressed you won't even return his calls. I promise he wasn't doing what you thought. You took it out of proportion. Remember you're too sensitive."

Offended, her jaw dropped and she flung a pillow at him. "How dare you call me overly sensitive? You confirmed it!"

He put his hands up. "Okay, I'm sorry. Yeah I did think the same thing but we were totally wrong. Itachi's not that kind of guy."

"Then who was the woman? Huh?"

"I can't tell you."

Hinata scoffed. "Exactly. You're covering his affairs because blood sticks together, right?" Suddenly her eyes began to water. "You don't even respect me enough to…I thought we were friends!"

"We are!"

"Then tell me!"

"I can't." He tensed his jaw. "I wished I could but you'll just have to trust me." She shook her head and began to scoot away. "Do you still love him?"

"Of course I do but I've always been stupid," she looked down shamefully. "Father would be so happy to know I'm still the same naïve and idiotic girl. Even after he broke my heart, I still have these stupid feelings." She noticed his hopeful look and glared. "That doesn't mean I'm taking him back. Everyone's right, I need to grow a backbone. I'm not going to let him play with my heart anymore."

"God damn it! He's not playing with your feelings. Itachi loves you and you love him so just hear him out!"

Hinata had a look of hesitation and Tenten shook her head. "Then tell us who she was," Tenten challenged him.

Sasuke dragged his hands down his face. "I said I can't say anything. Trust me when I say you need to hear it from him."

Tenten shot Hinata a look and she suddenly looked determined. "Get out."

"What?"

The brunette motioned towards the door. "You heard her, get out."

"Sorry Itachi," he mumbled and suddenly grabbed Hinata's hands. Tenten shouted in protest but he ignored her and stared at Hinata intently. "She's a wedding planner or some shit like that. He was going to ask you to marry him and had this all planned out but your suspicions had him speed up the process. He was just happy Ino, that's her name, was able to get everything in with such a short time frame. You got it? So stop being so stubborn and call him up."

"M-m-marry me?"

Neji walked in to see his cousin passed out and Tenten had to restrain him from attacking Sasuke who was frantically trying to revive her.

.

.

"She said yes."

Sasuke tried to look surprised. "Did she? Well congratulations. When's the date?" He flipped the magazine page and tried to hide the smile forming on his face.

Itachi removed his tie and his brother smirked at the lipstick around his collar. "We want her to graduate first."

"That sounds logical. Going to bed?"

"Yes, I've had quite the long day," he laughed. Itachi walked up the stairs but stopped midway. "There is something I realized, though."

"What's that?"

"It's a good thing Hinata didn't go into the arts. She's not the greatest actress." Sasuke's eyes widened and he tried to control his breathing. "I wonder if she knew it was coming."

He coughed and chuckled nervously. "Well you know what they say about the Hyuugas and their keen sense of perception. Weird, huh?" Sasuke could feel his fierce stare and the hair on his arms stood up.

"Odd indeed." After a few moments, Itachi yawned. "Goodnight, Sasuke."

Relaxing his tense muscles, Sasuke sank into the couch. He rubbed his eyes and decided to call it a night as well. Walking in to his room, he was shocked to see Itachi sitting in his bed. "Itachi?"

"I forgot to mention something. You see, I showed Ino a picture of you and she has taken quite the liking to you."

Not liking where this conversation was heading, Sasuke crossed his arms. "And?"

"You will be taking her out on a date."

"What?! Why should I?"

"Well I do feel like I owe her," Itachi said nonchalantly. He saw Sasuke begin to protest but he narrowed his eyes. "And we know you owe me big time."

They glared at each other and Sasuke was the first to look away. "Fine but I'm not promising anything beyond that," he pouted. Itachi's demeanor improved and he ruffled his hair.

"Thank you, Sasuke." His voice held no sarcasm and he hugged Sasuke. "I really mean it."

"Yeah, yeah." He pushed Itachi away. That night, both men slept the best they had in a long while.

AN: I didn't think I'd ever expand on any of my one shots but after a request for this one I did begin to wonder. This cliché idea popped in and I welcome the short break from my other story. Short stories and one shots are relaxing to do. I will be adding another chapter or two but my main focus is on BD.

Thanks for taking a moment to read. I appreciate all my readers!