[Starting Author's Note]

Memo:
Hello love! This is the 6th chapter of Summer Polaroids! And looking over the previous chapter.. Damn it, I made some mistakes. But anyways, now that the hard part is over, after many weeks of revisions and writer's block (Oh, the writer's block! I wanted to piss myself every time I faced it. And I would've pissed the life out of me, oh my goodness, the horror.), I can progress the story once more! Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

Review Replies:
Thank you so much for the great feedback you guys! I'm sorry I made you guys wait so long.. Has it been a month?!

Chapter Summary:
As Hinata is busy decorating the main hall for tonight's celebratory party, Itachi and Neji excuse themselves from Hinata to discuss a 'plan'.

Disclaimer:
I do not own Naruto

[Ending Author's Note]
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| It's in the net! |

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"Neji!" Hinata clicked her heels across the palatial tile. Her effulgent eyes never left her pearl-eyed cousin while stumbling within several paces before Neji had even laid his heel in front. She dipped her head with a red blush painting her face. "N-Neji.. Back so soon? How was delivering the invitations?"

Neji ran his hand through her silky hair and dangled his arm lamely. "It went well. Say, aren't you excited about tonight?"

Hinata brushed her bangs to the side, her eyes filled the room with beaming anticipation. "Should that even be a question?" Hinata twirled around in her little summer dress and a black blur shifted at the corner of her eye. For a split second, it looked like Sasuke. But no, it was Itachi. Itachi Uchiha. "..Itachi..!" Hinata called with a wave of a hand. She remember this man well. At first, Itachi was almost ghost-like to her. Untouchable, a soundless spirit, a faint precense. Itachi returned her friendly gesture with an inane smile. He strode magnificently in his steps, almost doting his potent poise effortlessly in the hall. Though, there were only minimal people watching. Such grace exerted no matter the size of audience seemed as if he were born with it.

"Hinata! It's been a while hasn't it?" Itachi embraced her in an unexpected hug. Very unexpected but not uncomfortable. She hesitated in closing her arms around him in return but a small giggle slipped between her parted lips. Neji's shoulders leaned close to Itachi and dipped his head next to him. "Make this quick, we have something important to discuss."

Itachi released Hinata from his grip and pinched her cheeks. He knew if he hadn't, she'd probably throw questions about Sasuke before he could even open his mouth. "It's a shame we can't catch up being it's been so long, but there's actually a slew of errands we need to get ready before the night begins. Could you do me a favor and make sure you can manage this for me? That is, you do like lending a hand, yes?" Itachi sought a glimpse of disappointed in Hinata's eyes and by the way she nodded her head made it obvious she was going to ask him something about his little brother.

"Great. You're just great Hinata! You really are. You're really saving us time on this. Now, will you excuse me? I believe Neji and I have some feeble importance to discuss." A pensive pass of glance harbored over Hinata's wistful smile. Neji had already carried himself across the hall, out the doors. As Itachi turned to follow Neji, he reminded Hinata to check in with the volunteers in helping with errands. Hinata merely nodded as she never left her eyes from Itachi's back.

Sasuke must look so much like him..

A heavy flow of tears stuck behind in the back of her head. She rubbed her eyes, refusing to let the tears distort her vision. To distract her, she picked up her feet in search for a volunteer and Kiba.


A flicker of dim light lit the room. A comforting mix of coffee and dottle warily parachuted around the room. Itachi set himself down on the leather couch and insisted Neji to sit well across from him.

"Now, now, Neji, I know very well what we have to discuss." Itachi loosened his ponytail and let his hair dangle lifelessly over his shoulder. "I wonder how far your possessiveness over little Hinata will take you before it breaks every ounce of trust she has for you?"

Neji clasped his hands together and patience thinned with every spit of a word from Itachi. "I'm not trying to hurt her on her first days back."

Itachi cracked a giggle and it zipped through the room with an echo. "You're going to hurt her either way. If you succeed this night then what'll you do after? Tomorrow? The day after? I'll tell you what you'll do. What you're going to do is do nothing, you're going to keep watching her wish for Sasuke. You'll be listening to her speak of Sasuke. Those eyes of hers do not lie, much like yours Neji. And the more you keep hiding things from her, the more she's going to be a handful. She will demand for Sasuke and most likely she will come to me. And I will tell her. I will make them meet. Not because out of hurt, but this is for you Neji. And what will you do Neji? What will you do to keep her from seeing him? She'll become so impatient that you'll tell her you've tried to keep her from seeing him. You'll tell her that Sasuke suffered from an accident the day she left."

Itachi paused, waiting for Neji to bite back but it seemed he had thrown a dart right into Neji's intent. Those Hyuuga eyes never lied, he saw it so clearly. Itachi left the couch and wandered around the room, waiting for the rage to simmer. But those questions, Itachi tried to figure out who is at fault. But there was one thing he refused to consider; Maybe both of them were at fault. Itachi massaged his temples with the tips of his fingers. "Neji.. I'm telling you now. Hear me out, what you think you're protecting Hinata from is not hurt but rather you're bringing more pain. We bring more harm than good, Neji."

"Ah.. But you are wrong Itachi." Neji bit his lip and dared himself to look straight into Itachi's black orbs. Itachi's eyes were very different and unique. A black pool seemed to make him fall into depths. A galaxy seemed to open up when you stare for too long. Those emotionless eyes stared right back. With pursed lips, Itachi raised a brow in question to how he is wrong.

"Rather we bring more harm than good. We counterbalance. And that is what I am doing to this day. I have a helper, Itachi."

"And how do you suppose those words of yours is nothing but a fib? How do I know you're not fooling yourself?" Itachi crossed his arms and leaned against the wall where drapes covered the windows. A line of light masked the room and Itachi clipped them to the side. A bath of light spilled over the room. Through the speckless glass window, a tall figure reflected. An unfamiliar figure. Itachi turned his back and scanned his eyes over the sharp jaw line and chocolate features. He was an impressive man, more real than doll-like unlike his little brother. "And who is this?"

"My name is Kiba."