Sasuke's Secret

Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. Well it seems passions are running high for this story. I've got feedback in all directions from people asking for fluff and lemonade all the way to suggestions about when Itachi and Hinata should get together and/or when Sasuke should reenter the picture. I know that I have been cruel to Sasuke so far, but the majority of voters wanted to see more angst. Though things will start getting easier for Sasuke after this chapter. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this chapter.

Viewers' Choice/Story Notation: How long do you think the Taka Traveling Adventures Arc should be? Short, medium, or long? Earlier, there was another Viewers' Choice listed, but I have come to a decision about Itachi and Hinata. Based on early feedback, I've decided that Hinata and Itachi won't get together until the situation with Sasuke is resolved.

Chapter 10

Itachi sighs as he watches Hinata the next day. She was still clearly devastated. He hated to see her in this state, but what made it worse was that he was the cause of her distress.

"He'll be back." He smiles at her reassuringly.

Of course, he hadn't been intentionally trying to seduce the Hygua Heiress. Itachi had merely been trying to help Sasuke do so. He never would have dreamed that the bluenette would misinterpret his instructional attempts for genuine flirting.

Hinata nods as she quickly sets about taking his vitals. "I know he'll be back." Barely holding back the tears in her eyes. "He promised that he would be in the letter, right?"

He felt as though he had betrayed his own brother. Itachi had "stolen" Hinata from Sasuke, even if that hadn't been his goal.

She was the one woman that his foolish little brother had ever shown an interest in and he had ruined it. To make matters worse, Itachi was fully capable of introspection. He was growing increasingly fond of Hinata to an alarming degree.

"Yes, he did promise." Which he shouldn't. "Sasuke will be back. If nothing else, my foolish little brother always keeps his word." Maybe, there was still a way to salvage this. Somehow.

If he told Hinata the truth, perhaps she would understand. It would be highly embarrassing and she would feel guilty, but Sasuke might have a chance. That would be the right thing to do. So why did the thought of doing so fill him with dread?

Hinata nods as she sets down his meal tray by him. "You're right." The bluenette shakes her head. "It's not as if anyone could seriously hurt him out there. He's too strong." That was a valid point.

Well at least it was a valid point from a physical perspective. Emotionally was another matter. Itachi had hurt Sasuke. He'd been unintentionally cruel to him and perhaps that was the worst kind of cruelty.

Assuming that Hinata didn't return Sasuke's feelings for one reason or another, then what would his foolish little brother do? Would he ever love again? Itachi wasn't so sure that he would.

Uchihas loved and hated with equal measure. Sasuke was no exception to this rule. Could he ever truly move on from his first childhood love?

"Of course, I'm right." Well either way, Hinata deserved to know the truth. "Though there is something you should know." That and his brother didn't have take this secret to the grave.

Hinata looks at him in confusion. "What is it?" It was those eyes, Itachi decides. That must have been why.

He could understand why Sasuke had so easily fallen for them when he was a child. They were beautiful and so expressive. So caring. Even now, Itachi had a hard time reminding himself that this was for the best.

"The reason why Sasuke left." Itachi looks out the window. "It was because of me." He wouldn't allow her to blame herself for this.

Hinata didn't have any idea that his brother was in love with her. It was only natural that the Hyuga Heiress would assume he was the interested party. There would likely be no more kisses between them.

That saddened him. Itachi didn't deserve her. His hands were soaked in blood and mostly the blood of his own Clan at that, but that didn't make this any easier. So this is what Sasuke was feeling when he wrote that letter.

Hinata's gaze only grows more confused. "How is this your fault?" Giving up on the possibility of love was painful, but he'd do it.

He'd do it because they both deserved better. Itachi honestly would be quite lucky just to assume the role of a doting uncle. By all rights, he should be dead by now. He was being ungrateful.

"What I told you about the letter was true." Itachi sighs and braces himself. "But there was more." A lot more.

It didn't take long for Taka to reach a nearby village. Well admittedly, village was a rather charitable description. Mostly, it was a loose collection of farms with other necessary buildings scattered about such as a school, a hospital, and a few modest shops.

"Well we could use the help." A middle aged man smiles at Sasuke. "Busy mending the fence. So if you all want to stay and help us take care of the animals, that'd be greatly appreciated!"

His name was Zeko and he was a farmer. A farmer who was willing to give them room and board for awhile. Which was just fine with Sasuke.

The Uchiha might have little control over his own life, but feeding animals was a simple task. A mindless one that would keep him busy. Something that he desperately needed at the moment.

He finds himself returning the smile. "That sounds perfect." Ignoring Suigetsu's protests.

Idiot. What did he think they'd be doing? That they'd become bounty hunters for a few months or years? Sasuke wanted to redeem himself and doing small good deeds like this was a place to start.

Not that Sasuke would have said no to a good fight at the moment. He would have done just about anything to get his mind off of her. This just happened to be a more productive use of his time than cracking skulls, even if Suigetsu disagreed.

"Wonderful." Zeko smiles. "Well judging by those muscles, you should have a look at the horses." He looks at Jugo as he brushes his long brown hair away from his neck.

Yeah. That made sense. This man obviously didn't have any idea who was really dealing with. He had no way of knowing that they had all been wanted Criminal Ninjas at one point. This was a small, civilian village that Sasuke doubted they would even recognize a Leaf Headband from say a Mist one.

"Alright. " Jugo smiles and heads off towards the stables.

Karin nods as she watches their friend bound off. "What about me?" She looks at Zeko.

There was something rather thrilling about that. Here no one had any idea who he was. Well other than his team.

It was a real chance to start over. Of course, Sasuke had no intention of staying here. Eventually, he'd return to the Leaf. Just not for awhile.

"How about you go check on the Hen House and collect the eggs?" He smiles at her.

Karin blinks, but heads off. Though Sasuke didn't miss the fact that Suigetsu was now snickering at this turn of events. He couldn't entirely blame the sword lover this time though. The image of Karin trying to collect chicken eggs was amusing to say the least.

"What about me?" Suigetsu looks at him.

Zeko turns his chocolate brown eyes on Suigetsu and pauses. "Well you like to swing that sword of yours around, maybe you can chop up some wood for the fence." That was the understatement of the year.

"Oh trust me, I do a lot more than just swing this thing around." Suigetsu grins somewhat menacingly and Sasuke gives him a dirty look. "I mean, I'm trained with this thing! I'll go get some wood." And with that, he bounds off.

Sasuke shakes his head. "Would you mind checking the sheep dogs?" Zeko looks at Sasuke. "Give them their biscuits." He hands Sasuke a bag.

The Uchiha nods. "Yeah. Sure." He takes the biscuits and heads off.

Naruto would probably laugh his ass off, if he ever found out. Though Sasuke didn't care at the moment. It was something to do.

He spent the rest of the afternoon feeding the dogs and some cats. He had stumbled on a stray cat and her kittens. Obviously, he couldn't feed them the biscuits, so he just opens up his lunchbox.

"This reminds me of the Loser." He rolls his eyes and chuckles at the thought. "Here you go." He hands the mother cat the meat from what was supposed to be his sandwiches.

He could remember the day he was assigned to Team Seven so clearly. His relief and his disappointment. It seemed like it was only yesterday.

"Sasuke Uchiha." Iruka's voice rang out.

The Academy Instructor was assigning teams. While Sasuke wasn't giddy with excitement like most of his peers, he was hopeful. Maybe, he'd be on the same team as Hinata.

There were lots of squeals and gasps as his name was called. Sasuke rolled his eyes. He knew why. The girls were hoping to be on his team.

Not that it mattered. They weren't attached and they weren't Hinata. Therefore, they currently meant nothing to him. He didn't hate them, but he didn't like them either. At best, he tolerated them.

"Sakura Haruno." Damn it!

That meant that Hinata wouldn't be on his team. Only one girl got assigned to each squad, unless you counted the instructor. And even then, odds are it was going to be another guy.

He wasn't sure whether to be crushed or relieved. This meant that he wouldn't see her at the Academy everyday and she wouldn't be on his team. His contact with Hinata would be minimal to nonexistent.

"And Naruto Uzumaki." Wonderful.

Maybe, that was for the best though. This way, Itachi would never find out that she was his most precious person. She'd be safer that way.

"IRUKA SENSEI, WHY DOES A GREAT NINJA LIKE ME HAVE TO BE ON THE SAME TEAM AS SASUKE?!" Sasuke felt himself twitch as Naruto's annoying voice echoed out.

It was bad enough that he couldn't be on Hinata's team, but did he really have to be on Naruto's? "Shut up, Loser." He really should invest in earplugs. Otherwise, he'd probably end up fighting Itachi while he was deaf.

"I was so stupid." He sighs. "Itachi was right." He really was the other man's foolish little brother.

Sasuke had foolishly believed that his beloved older brother would turn into a monster overnight. That he was protecting Hinata and that somehow, she'd return his feelings. After he ignored her for years. God damn, he really was foolish.

Hinata looks at Itachi in confusion. "There was more to the letter?" Why did she have a bad feeling about this?

Probably because Itachi looked so guilty. Though she wasn't exactly sure why. Obviously, Itachi blamed himself for Sasuke's departure, but she didn't understand why.

It was nothing short of a miracle, but it really did seem like the Uchiha Brothers had largely put the horrors of the past behind them. They had done so and reconciled. They were now brothers in blood and in spirit again, but now…Itachi looked so utterly broken.

"Yes, this isn't your fault, Hinata." Itachi sighs as he caresses her cheek. "You weren't wrong to assume that I was flirting with you. I was and I do care for you a great deal, but there have been some misunderstandings." Misunderstandings?

Well that was one way to put it. Hinata definitely didn't understand what was going on at all. It almost felt like Itachi was breaking up with her, but he said that he cared for her. So why would he end things before they truly began?

She shakes her head and looks at Itachi, determined to get her answers. "What did the letter say?" This time would be different.

This time she wouldn't allow herself to be overlooked or ignored. With Naruto, she had patiently waited in the background for him to notice her. It hadn't worked. Even when she gave her life to protect him, the blonde had still taken forever to give her an answer and damn it, she deserved one!

Of course, she had understood at the time. There had been a war going on. That took priority over someone's love life, but afterwards…there had been no real excuse.

"It's complicated." Itachi sighs and shakes his head. "And I do feel guilty for revealing his secret like this, but I feel that you both deserve to know the truth." He hands her the letter.

Hinata takes it and blinks as she reads it. The Hyuga Heiress didn't know what to say as she covers her mouth in shock. Itachi might like her, but Sasuke loved her.

"I d-don't know what to say?" This explained so much.

How could she have missed this?! Hadn't Hinata spent years admiring someone from afar? She should have realized it when someone else was doing it!

Itachi shakes his head and kisses her forehead. "I think that's why he left." The other Uchiha Brother pauses. "He didn't want to make either of us feel awkward. Sasuke didn't want to stand in our way." Itachi smiles ruefully. "He's always been adorably foolish."

Sasuke thought he was doing them a favor by leaving. That's why he left. It was because of her. Because he thought he didn't have a chance and he wanted Hinata to be happy with Itachi.

"We have to find him." She bites her lower lip. "And explain everything!"

Itachi shakes his head. "If we went after him now, he'd think that you were only trying to make him feel better." He look at her warily. "That your kind heart was compelling you to soothe his heartache. It's better to let him have some time alone for now."

Hinata didn't like it. Her instincts were screaming at her to go after Sasuke and to tell him, well something!

"M-Maybe you're right." She felt like she might faint. "I don't feel right about this." It all made sense now.

That was why Sasuke asked her how she was everyday. That's why he was engaging in small talk. That's why he hadn't protested the sponge baths! He loved her!

Itachi shakes his head and pulls her into the bed with him. "If you're going to faint, it'd be best to do so in my arms." He runs his fingers through her hair. "I know that you're confused now, but you don't have to worry about that. We've got time to figure this out."

Hinata sighs and nods. "I never thought that he'd see me that way." It hadn't even occurred to her. Now, she didn't know what to do.

It was one thing to act on Itachi's attraction to her, but now she had two brothers who had feelings for her. Hinata had always wanted someone to notice her, but she didn't think two people were going to.

"My foolish little brother is like a volcano." Itachi laughs quietly. "He's either an explosion of emotions or his emotions are building just underneath the surface and one never knows that, until it's too late."

The bluenette could only nod in agreement. She was torn between guilty and another emotion. An emotion that she shouldn't be feeling. Curiosity.

"You're right." She sighs.

Curiosity. They both had some feelings for her. Sasuke apparently had cared for her for a long time and Itachi's were more recent, but that didn't make them less genuine. She had known Sasuke longer. It wouldn't be fair to compare them in that way.

Those sponge baths were making a deviant out of her. Hinata was well aware that Itachi and Sasuke were both very attractive men and she wasn't so innocent that she didn't know that it was a possibility. It was possible to be intimate with more than two people at once. What would it be like?

"Hinata, are you alright?" Itachi looks at her in concern. "Your face is turning red."

She squeaks and flails. Hinata couldn't think that way! It was wrong! Oh God! Itachi would never look at her the same, if he knew what she had been thinking about. Sasuke would never look at her the same way and her father, would ground her for the rest of her life!

"I'm j-just worried about him." Hinata reassures Itachi.

That was certainly true, but it wasn't the full truth. Hinata Hyuga had a problem. She was attracted to two men. Not just any two men, but the Uchiha Brothers!

Back on the farm, Sasuke smiles as he finishes feeding the cats. Though his smile soon fades when he notices Jugo approaching him. This might not end well.

"Sasuke, are you alright?" Damn it.

Jugo was by far the most perceptive member of Taka. Which was ironic given that in some ways, the man was the very definition of innocent. Most of the time.

When Jugo was in control of himself, he was the very definition of a gentle giant. For goodness sake, he frolicked with birds and other cute woodland creatures! When he wasn't in control of himself, well he was a homicidal maniac.

"I'm fine." Sasuke looks at him.

Hopefully, he would believe him. Jugo was a very trusting person. He tended to take things at face value. Sasuke might get lucky.

Unfortunately, today was not his day. "You know, Suigetsu says when a woman says that, she's lying." Uh huh. "You're not a woman, but I don't believe that you're fine."

Great. How could he possibly explain this to anyone? Then again, this was Jugo. If there was anyone he could confide in and not worry that he'd spill his secret, it was probably him.

"It's a long story." Sasuke shakes his head. "I've done a lot of bad things. I needed a fresh start."

Jugo nods in understand and for a second, the youngest Uchiha thought that might be that. That the worst thing he'd have to worry about today would be the stray cats scratching him, but well he had never been that lucky. So why he had thought that might be the case for even a moment, he didn't know.

The other man shakes his head though. "I don't doubt that, but I know there's something else bothering you." Jugo pauses and adds. "Otherwise you wouldn't have made us stop to make camp so early when you knew this village was here."

Sasuke shrugs. Well it was worth a shot. "Perhaps, I was just tired of listening to Karin's and Suigetsu's bickering." That was a believable excuse.

Jugo couldn't argue with that logic. No one could. Could they? No way. That was pretty self-explanatory.

"Who is she?" Jugo smiles pleasantly.

Sasuke face faults straight into the ground. "What makes you think there is a she involved?!" Damn it! This just wasn't right!

Jugo was supposed to be his Shield. Not his counselor! This was not the natural order of things!

"Well I presume it's a woman because you want to restore your Clan one day." He tilts his head as if considering it. "Was I wrong? I don't mind, if you prefer men."

Sasuke twitches. "I DON'T LIKE MEN!" His shouts scare away the feline family.

He sighs and shakes his head. Wonderful. Now, he was scaring away the cats. Sasuke supposed that it was time to face the facts. If he couldn't even talk about his feelings for Hinata, how was he ever going to return to the Leaf?

"If you say so, Sasuke." Jugo nods.

This might be healthy. "Fine. You probably wouldn't know her." Which made this safer. "Her name is Hinata." He wasn't going to give a last name.

Jugo nods encouragingly. Damn it. It was going to be a very long day, Sasuke muses to himself as he continues his sad tale. His tale of unrequited love.

Back in the Leaf, Kakashi shakes his head as Tsunade joins him in his office. The woman could be Hokage again, if she wanted. The silver haired man had never sought out this position, but she was being stubborn.

"Kakashi, are you aware that Sasuke has left the village?" She looks at him. "Again?!" Yes, he was aware of that.

The CopyCat Ninja might not want to be Hoakge, but that didn't mean he was bad at his job. Keeping an eye on Sasuke was an essential part of being Hokage. The last thing anyone needed was for him to have a relapse.

"I'm fully aware of that." He shakes his head as if to banish all her doubts. "He's changed, Lady Tsunade. He's not a threat. It matters little where he is at." Kakashi was sure of it.

His former student seemed so sincere about his quest for redemption. In time, the silver haired man had every confidence that Sasuke would find what he was looking for. Mostly in the form of a pretty little Hyuga Heiress when his stubborn student got his ass back to the Leaf!

Tsunade's eyebrow raises ever higher. "I doubt he would attack for no reason, but this going to cause a lot of tongues to start wagging." Well that was true.

Kakashi chuckles. "And when he gets back, I suppose his choice in wife will cause those very same tongues to fall off." Wait. He probably shouldn't have said that!

That certainly got the former Hokage's attention. Not that Kakashi could blame her. He shouldn't have let that little gem slip.

"Do I even want to know?" Tsunade sighs heavily.

Kakashi smiles nervously. "Well you're going to find out one way or another." That was true. "Hinata. Yes, I didn't see it coming either at first, but I've thought the matter overt." He nods somberly. "And the match makes perfect sense in a strange way."

THUD! The busty woman's reaction was well unexpected. Tsuade actually fell onto her charming backside. Rather harshly.

That looked painful. "You can't possibly be serious!" Ouch. That fall was likely going to leave a bruise.

"I'm serious. Hinata came to me and informed me of Sasuke's departure." The silver haired ninja shakes his head. "She looked on the verge of tears. The feelings are there." He smiles at her again. "They merely need to act on it. I give it two years before their married with their first child."

Tsunade blinks and looks at Kakashi as if he had grown another head. "You've lost your mind." She shakes her own head. "I know that Hinata forged a friendship with him, but that's a far cry from becoming his wife!"

Kakashi takes out his book and flips to the most recent passage. "That's true." He smiles as he rereads it for what seemed like the thousandth time. "But it's a good start. Tell me Lady Tsunade, would you like to get in on the betting pool?" He smirks deviously. "I can give you good odds!"After all, there was a reason why Tsuande was called the Legendary Sucker. This should be an easy bet for Kakashi to win!