Hinata's honesty again

Glancing at the wall clock, Itachi realized he was only half an hour early for the meeting. No matter the topic or importance of the meeting, he was trying to arrive at least an hour early. At the appointed place, where he was about to meet with colleagues, he was better prepared and concentrated.

He was just about to open the front door to leave the house, when the doorbell rang.

That was surprising because those few people who visited him occasionally never rang. Who could be at the door at his hour?

Itachi couldn't hear or feel suspicious movements, so he opened the door slowly.

''Good afternoon,'' the postman said as soon as he saw Itachi. ''Here's a special delivery for Uchiha Hinata. Is she at home?''

A special delivery for his wife?

''She is not at home right now,'' Itachi explained. ''May I accept it instead of her?''

''I don't know,'' the postman eyed him. ''It says here it is a high priority.''

''I will make sure my wife gets it,'' Itachi assured him.

''Oh, so you are the husband!'' the postman said and handed him a delivery list. ''Sign here then!''

Itachi did as told and the postman left him with a package.

Instinctively, Itachi shook it a bit, as if he expected to figure out what could be in it. The package was small and whatever was in it, fitted almost perfectly because it didn't move much. Actually it looked like a large envelope containing papers. Knowing Hinata, it was probably a handbook or a guide, possibly ordered from abroad for her or her students. Then again, those kind of books rarely had a confidential label on them.

He didn't know when Hinata would return, so it wasn't important for him to open it right now. But he wondered what had to be delivered exclusively to her and why he needed to sign he received it, so he took it with him and headed to the meeting place. It didn't take long until he reached it and noticed he was all alone there. He counted on couple of more minutes he would be by himself, so he decided to check Hinata's package. He opened it without ripping it too much and took out the bundle of papers. He searched for a note of some kind for Hinata before reading the top paper, but he didn't find it.

The title on the front page revealed that the following form should be filled with the latest data, both personal and professional. Turning the page, Itachi saw a common form for a shinobi containing questions about age, rank, skills etc. He skipped a few pages to get to the purpose why one must fill the form and he wasn't glad seeing a brochure for participating in a seminar while sharing one's expertise and knowledge as well as learning from other participants.

''Uchiha-sama, you are already here.''

Itachi was reading details about the seminar so he didn't hear someone coming.

''I usually come early,'' Itachi explained to a shinobi who just arrived.

''I see. The meeting should begin in fifteen minutes, I ran into the others on my way from Hokage's tower.''

''You were busy with Hokage?''

''My visit to his office was personal, not related to this meeting, but it was urgent, so when I heard the Hokage will be absent for a few days-''

''How do you know Hokage will be absent?''

''He postponed all of his meetings for the next week, so I concluded he won't be around.''

''Ah. So if I need to see him, today is the last day to do so?''

The shinobi nodded.

''Is it possible to postpone this meeting for some other time? I need to speak to Kakashi-sama before the next week.''

''As you wish, Uchiha-sama.''

Itachi made the decision and gathered the papers.

''Please, apologize to everybody in my name, but this is also urgent.''

The shinobi nodded as if he understood completely.

''Schedule a meeting for any other day, I will be present for sure. Now I must meet with Hokage.''

''I will let you know about the time and day of the meeting, Uchiha-sama.''

''Thank you,'' Itachi said, already on his way to Hokage's tower.

It didn't make sense to him, he thought while walking. Why would Hinata receive the form of this kind? He's never seen something alike. It was a great honor to apply to a seminar with the purpose to educate herself and become stronger and wiser team leader. After all, she was readying the next generation of shinobi for their own independent missions and it was a responsible profession. Not to mention dangerous.

What also bothered him, he opened the package that had a confidential label on it. But Hinata was his wife and she would have probably opened it the first thing she got home and have told him about it eventually. This way he saved her precious time, he could retell it in short when she arrived. That was perfectly reasonable. He wasn't concerned she would keep secrets from him, they were telling each other everything and she would probably consult him about seminar of this kind. Maybe she would wait for the right moment to tell him and inform him she was leaving for three months. Maybe she would do it over a dinner or made his favorite dessert.

None of it mattered because he opened the package and intended to ask Hokage about it.

He ran into several shinobi who headed to the meeting he just postponed, muttered an apology about urgent business and stopped in front of the Hokage's office. The door was ajar and Itachi heard a strange noise. It sounded like angry complaints along with the rustling of papers.

''Hokage-sama?'' Itachi called quietly and opened the door slightly.

Behind the heavy door he found the usual; tons of papers and Hokage in the middle of it, searching for something.

''Yes?'' Kakashi answered, obviously distracted while digging through the highest pile of papers on one of the desks.

''Can I ask for a moment of your time?''

''Is it urgent?'' Hokage asked, still searching for the lost paper.

''Hinata received the application form in the mail today and-''

''The application for what?'' Kakashi finally looked at Itachi.

''This application,'' Itachi raised a bit the papers he was holding.

''Good, good,'' Kakashi muttered. ''Did she answer all of the questions?''

''She isn't at the village at the moment, so I was wondering when the application is due.''

''I believe there is enough time,'' Kakashi assured him. ''Is that all?''

''I also wanted to know why Hinata received it. Did she request for it?''

''She didn't. Her colleagues agreed she was the best among them, so she will complete the training with the smallest effort.''

''I see,'' Itachi said. ''Why didn't you give me the application form when I was here the other day? I would have given it to Hinata.''

''It was somewhere in this mess so when I found it, I wanted to deliver it,'' Hokage explained. ''Speaking of the mess, I am really busy, so if you could-''

''If Hinata agrees to participate, she will be gone for three months,'' Itachi interrupted.

''Is that a problem?''

''No if she really wants to be the part of it.''

''Nobody's pressuring her, if that's what you meant. If she refuses, somebody else will take her place.''

''Do you know who?''

''I can't know who because Hinata needs to decline the position first,'' Hokage sighed. ''Why are we discussing this without her anyway? Did she mentioned to you she isn't interested?''

The truth was Itachi didn't know what his wife wanted. Every task she got, she would accept it. She never complained about work, so Itachi couldn't anticipate her decision on this seminar either.

''We never talked about it,'' Itachi admitted to Hokage.

''Then we must wait Hinata's return,'' Hokage shrugged. ''Now will you excuse me, I must get ready for the big meeting.''

''But this seminar lasts for three months,'' Itachi added quietly.

''So what? Five years ago you weren't at home for eight months.''

''That was five years ago when I was-''

''Hinata's age,'' Hokage interrupted.

Exactly. The timing was perfect. She was still young, but experienced enough to take part in an advanced training. That way Konoha would get another kunoichi ready for the extreme danger and battles.

''This is Hinata's opportunity to meet different people, work on her skills and learn from the best,'' Kakashi said. ''By coming to me, it seems as if you don't want her to apply and participate.''

''No!'' Itachi said quickly. ''I came to find out details so I could inform Hinata.''

''And I already told you everything I know. Now, if there are no other emergencies, I would like to continue with my work.''

''I apologize for bothering you,'' Itachi bowed slightly.

''It's okay, it's not your fault I can't manage without Shikamaru.''

''Where is he?'' Itachi asked, now noticing Shikamaru wasn't around.

''He didn't say, so I think it's personal.''

If it was something related to Temari, Hinata should have known. Only she didn't see her friends at all.

''I am leaving then,'' Itachi said.

''See you!'' Hokage said and returned to his papers.

Itachi's visit to Hokage's office didn't last as long as he anticipated, probably because he had the necessary papers with him, so Hokage didn't have to look for them. If he hadn't postponed the meeting, he would have arrived almost on time. The problem with the meeting wouldn't have been his late arrival, but the lack of concentration. Itachi couldn't stop thinking about the application for Hinata's seminar, so he was already plotting the way to drop the news to her.

To put it as simply as possible, he didn't want her to go. It was selfish, but it was the truth.

Three months was a long time, and no matter how the public perceived him, Itachi was a mere human with his basic needs and desires. He didn't ask for much, he wished to wake up next to his wife for ten consecutive days, but knowing Hinata's schedule, it would happen after she retires.

Maybe it was a coincidence Itachi received the application, so now he could present it to his wife in way she gives up on it in the end.

The easiest way was not to mention it at all. Unfortunately, in case Hinata finds out, and Itachi's signature was on the delivery list, he might spend the rest of his married life on the couch.

He could bring it up during a romantic dinner in an expensive restaurant and make sure Hinata forgets they ever talked about it by taking her to bed as soon as they get home. Or her brain was a bit different than his, he would definitely forget about the food, seminar and all of his problems if distracted in a right way.

Perhaps the time was his ally. If Hinata wouldn't make the decision until the due date, her colleague would participate instead, so maybe Itachi could make her busy, so she doesn't have time to fill the form.

The solution he disliked the most was to show her the application and explain the seminar as soon as she gets back.

The way he would do it would probably have an impact on her decision, so if he would present it too enthusiastically and pretend to be supportive, she might apply for it and for whatever seminar comes next. If he would explain how her job and other duties related to it make him feel, and that was lonely and miserable, she might give up on her career and become a housewife.

Surprisingly, Itachi didn't want either of it.

He preferred balance, so Hinata could be at home more at the same time keeping the job she loved. She probably knew that too, but she was delaying to make a change.

That was her greatest flaw, fear to make decisions not approved by others and neglecting her own wishes. She sought encouragement, from her family and clan, and now from her husband. Because of the mentioned fear, Itachi almost didn't become her husband. Well, he was also the one to blame, what he confessed to her on the night before their wedding, but Hinata's thoughts remained hidden for a bit longer. When she finally gathered the courage to speak her mind, he was shocked to learn what was troubling her.

At the same time, it was the most traumatic and the most honest conversation they had.

They were married for two weeks and Hinata went out to dine with her friends. She had a lot of catching up to do with the girls; back then, Temari got engaged recently, Sakura and Sasuke's wedding was within a month and Ino just returned home after ten days away with her no-longer-secret lover. Itachi pictured the girls' chatting , gossiping, laughing, dramatizing over the wedding preparations, admiring Temari's wedding ring; typical girls' night out. He found nothing suspicious about Hinata's early arrival home or her quiet entrance. She wasn't known for being a party animal or a gossip who shared with him unimportant details about her friends.

As a newly weds, they were going to bed at the same time so Itachi casually asked about her sleepiness when she walked into the living room. Her answer included a small smile and a promise she would join him soon.

Like every previous evening, he went upstairs to get ready for bed. The reading material was right next to his side of the bed and he took it to skim the text while waiting for his wife to snuggle up to him.

When Hinata leaned on the door frame, having the same clothes she wore to go out, Itachi knew the reading was out of the question.

''What's wrong?'' he asked softly.

''Nothing,'' she replied, shrugging.

A man didn't have to be married for long to know nothing was never nothing. To demonstrate his complete attention, he tossed the blankets aside and got up.

''You can tell me whatever is on your mind. I am here to listen if something's bothering you.''

''I know,'' she replied quietly.

He felt she needed to tell him something, only she was probably thinking about the best way to do so. Not having better idea, he walked up to her and took both of her hands in his.

''I mean it. I am here for you.''

She smiled faintly and released her hands. As soon as she did it, she rubbed them against her thighs, having distracted gaze. They both knew she wasn't the type who talks much, so Itachi didn't come after her when she walked away from him, as if she needed more space between them to speak up.

''There is this something,'' she started quietly, ''I must tell you about even though I am aware not telling you would be better. That would also be unfair to you because it's not your fault I did what I did and-''

''Hinata, what are you talking about? You can tell me everything.''

''But you will get angry with me!''

''Come, let's sit here, you got so upset!''

She listened to his suggestion, so they sat down on the mattress. It didn't calm her at all.

''What's wrong?'' he asked. ''And for how long this has been bothering you?''

''I feel bad because I lied to you.''

''About what?''

''It's so complicated,'' she sighed deeply. ''There is a reason for it and it's related to us and our wedding.''

''Okay...''

''Back then it seemed as a good thing, as a right thing,'' she swallowed, ''but now, you are so sweet and understanding and I hate I wasn't honest with you.''

If he got it right, she did something before and because of the wedding, it was okay at that moment, but now she was feeling guilty because he turned out to be a good husband. His train of thoughts went into a dangerous direction which was making him jealous of certain someone about whom they already talked, so the chance they were talking about that person again wasn't high, was it?

Maybe a small question would clarify.

''This thing you believe that will make me angry, when did it happen? I mean, if it's something from your past, let it stay there.''

''It happened recently,'' she admitted sheepishly.

''Before we got married?''

''Uh-huh. And after.''

Now he was slightly worried.

''When was the last time?''

''Tonight.''

''Tonight?'' he repeated. ''Weren't you out with your friends?''

''Uh-huh.''

''Girl friends?''

''Uh-huh.''

He didn't understand. What could have been so horrible? And including girl friends?

''Maybe you just tell me,'' he said. ''I promise, we will work on whatever it is and-''

''I kissed Temari-san.''

Huh?

''And Sakura-chan.''

What? She kissed two women?

''Hinata, did I get this right? Your and your friends-''

''Yes and I am the worst because I lied to you!''

He probably should have been angry, but he was confused instead. He needed more details because there obviously existed a story behind this kissing thing. He didn't have that much experience with women, no matter what everybody were thinking, but he thought he knew enough to consider kissing between two women as unusual. Or at least not too common.

''I suppose that didn't happen out of the blue,'' he said, but it sounded like a question.

''It didn't,'' Hinata shook her head. ''Well, for me it didn't, but for Temari-san maybe it was unexpected.''

''So you decided to kiss her first?''

''Yes.''

''Ah. Does that mean you are attracted to her and you felt strong desire to kiss her or?''

''No, nothing like that,'' Hinata interrupted. ''You see, it was a test.''

''A test? What kind of test?''

''Maybe I should start from the beginning.''

''Probably,'' Itachi agreed and Hinata took them back at the time she had to pick a maid of honor for their wedding.

Apparently, Temari wasn't supposed to participate in the wedding preparations, but she was around when Sakura accepted to be Hinata's help through the ceremony and reception. She was the only one who explicitly asked about Hinata's feelings for her future husband and whether she doubted his true intentions. With Ino's help, Temari made both Sakura and Hinata reveal their relationships' problems and insisted to solve them.

''Are you angry with me?'' Hinata asked.

''I am not sure how I should feel,'' he shrugged. ''I kind of understand what led to it, but if you had come to me and explained what was bothering you, I wouldn't have visited you on that night.''

''But it was the best night of our unmarried life,'' she said, smiling shyly.

''Maybe, but the period before it was the most stressful. I mean, if I knew only the half of your thoughts, it would have been different, it would have been easier and-''

''I know. I am sorry.''

''It's not you who should apologize. If a total stranger recognized what we both tried to hide, it is an obvious sign we should have took action ourselves. I should have been straightforward right away, not wait until the last moment.''

''No, it's not your fault,'' she said softly. ''Don't blame yourself now when it's already over.''

''Is it?'' he asked.

''What do you mean? If we would kiss again or-''

''Not about that, but if you will share your doubts and wishes with me instead of hide them from me.''

''Of course I will!'' she replied immediately. ''And you will too.''

He smiled a bit to that and for the first time that evening he felt Hinata was truly close to him.

He only had one question before he starts forgetting all about it.

''I was wondering,'' he said, ''when was the first time you decided to, you know.''

Hinata blushed a bit.

''I mean, it can't be that bad, you already told me and-''

''It was in your bedroom, in your family house,'' she said sheepishly, ''right before we, you know.''

''Ah. Okay. I guess. I mean-''

''That's how Temari-san lost her ribbons and you found them and brought them to me,'' Hinata added.

''I wouldn't mind if we never talked of this again,'' he said quickly. The less he knew, the better.

She nodded shortly, as if she understood the topic wasn't pleasant.

It was unreasonable to get angry about it, but he disliked the thought Temari was involved in their intimate moments.

They didn't mention it since, but he was aware his jealousy was totally unjustified.

It wasn't about kissing at all. It was about Hinata and Sakura relax and talk to their friends, what Sasuke and Itachi actually were. Kissing between them was apparently what they needed to open up and share their desires with their future husbands too.

Itachi blew the chance to behave like a non-jealous-husband the very next day when that silly and unnecessary combat with Naruto took place. It wasn't too comforting Sasuke was jealous also and wanted to fight Naruto first.

Hinata has been an Uchiha for almost eight months now and Itachi hoped there really was nothing bothering his wife, since she didn't tell him anything. If that was the case, that meant he was the one hesitating to tell her he hated her job and wanted her to be at home more. At the same time, since Hinata didn't complain, she loved being a team leader and hearing such a thing from him would affect her future for sure.

If he had the opportunity like Hinata's and if she disliked it, he would prefer she told him. He didn't know what he would decide in the end, but his wife's opinion mattered more than the one of his friends, colleagues or superiors.

Unfortunately he was aware participation in the seminar was a chance of a lifetime and she probably wouldn't get another one. Would she be happy if she declined it? Or she would be happier to accept it?

The valuable experience, on top of her passion to be successful at her job, would open many new opportunities for her. By behaving selfish, he would take all that away and that could make Hinata unhappy.

One part of him hoped Hinata would ask for his opinion, but the other part doubted she would like his answer. He missed her terribly, but he knew that in a five years' time, she would regret she didn't educate herself more and had a successful career.

Would he handle Hinata's honest answer, if it included her participation in the long-lasting seminar? Would he be proud of her and brag among others or envy all men married to housewives?

Was this their first test as a married couple? Would this cause the first big fight between them? He hoped not, but he couldn't postpone this issue forever. This was only the beginning. What if Hinata becomes in charge of education, as one of the lecturers? She would be gone for much longer! Unacceptable.

If she could have found the courage to share with him her most intimate thoughts and secrets, then he should man up and confess his true opinion about her work. If she could have presented kissing with Temari as a good thing, he might find a way to make a housework look more attractive than deathly missions. Or so he hoped.