-gets off train with Ita-

Ersatz is german. i'm german. well, i've got german in me :) it means replacement. inferior.

have fun! and be prepared!...for some black and white scenes bwahahahaha!

ahem, that means reminisce xp

Itachi gazed forward at the front doors of his new job. The new firm that he'll be working at for some time. Where he'll most likely have associates that considered him as a friend. A new Deidara. A new Pein. A new Kisame. He scoffed. He didn't think anybody in this world could surpass Kisame's upbeat attitude. Maybe Naruto, but he didn't like him. And for a dumb reason. Maybe when he goes back home, he'll actually try to talk to the hyper blonde. They could become friends. Besides that he was Hinata's ex, nothing was wrong with him. He was always just so afraid that she would leave him in a heartbeat if Naruto asked her to. That's why every time he called, Itachi would treat him like people treated bill collectors: just pick up the phone and hang up. Leave the phone off the hook. Or just turn off the ringer. But when he goes back, he'll try. But even he didn't know when he was going back.

He thought about it long and hard at the apartment that he rented—faintly similar to a bachelor's pad. He continued to ask himself when he was going back. Was he even going to go back? He could just stay here, which was almost two thousand miles away. Whoo, that was too far for him. It was way too far. Being that far from her was difficult, but he would manage for now. But only for now. He knew sooner or later his patience with his vacation would run thin.

Itachi quickly came to from his reverie when he felt a force against his shoulder from behind. His eyes followed the body that bumped into him as she walked ahead without a care in the world. He thought she would at least turn around and apologize, but she didn't. She strutted right into the building with her nose in the air. He was remotely angry, but it didn't bother him much. He didn't even see who it was. But he was sure he'd find out soon.

He entered the firm with his aloof expression and took in his new surroundings—he didn't pay attention when he came in for the interview. It wasn't as big as his old firm, but that was because he was in suburbia now. He hated it. The lobby was very wide though. Tiled with vinyl flooring that had a pattern of different shades of black. The chairs were fairly the same as the ones back home. But he couldn't really remember those sofas. Not when he had his own chairs in his office. He wondered if he would get nice leather seats like his old ones. He would see his new office today.

"Good morning," the blonde female behind the main desk greeted with a polite smile once she noticed Itachi approaching her. Itachi spared her a single nod of reception and did the same for the familiar secretary next to her, but she did nothing but look away with a livid appearance on her face. He blinked twice; baffled.

"Haha," the fair-headed receptionist breathed out awkwardly while she got up from her seat. "Excuse me. I need to run a few papers off in the copy room."

Yugao punctually snapped out of her frustration and turned to her parting friend. "Wait! Don't leave me with..." A sigh of discontent left her lips. She straightened up in her seat and starting putting all the papers in front of her in a neat pile.

"You bumped into me," Itachi exclaimed tranquilly and noticed how she was avoiding his whole being. Like he was a gust of wind just passing by.

"Your office is the second door on the right," she explained, disrespectfulness coating her voice while she pointed towards the back door.

"You detest me," he simply pointed out and walked into the back room.

She rolled her eyes at the younger man and went back to work.

-o-

He couldn't believe how easy this was. Besides the leaving part. His professors in college always said the same thing. They said he was going to be a great lawyer. Especially since he succeeded so quickly for a guy his age. They said he would be brilliant, and he was. He knew he was a great lawyer. That's exactly why it was so easy for him to get this job. He looked up at a knock at his door. It was that secretary. And he was pretty sure it was his secretary.

"Mr. Uchiha," she uttered entering as she scanned the sheets in her hand. "Tsunade wanted me to give you these papers on"—she placed the three white sheets on his desk—"Miss Hyuga."

His eyes shot open. He looked down eagerly.

She sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes at her carelessness. "I'm sorry. Miss Hyugo. I got the letters mixed up." She let out a small laugh. "Hyuga. That's an odd name, don't you think? Then again, Hyugo isn't that—"

"It's not," he exclaimed with a slight clenched jaw.

She blinked twice out of perplexity. "What?"

He looked up from the papers in front of him. His eyes glowing with fury and misery. "Hyuga. It's not..." He stopped himself and took several subdued breaths to gain back his self-control. "It's not strange."

Yugao bit her bottom lip. Did she say something to offend him? He looked very upset and hurt when she made that last comment. Maybe he knows someone with that last name, she supposed. "I'm sorry Mr. Uchiha."

He looked up at her somewhat confused. Why was she apologizing? Was it that obvious that he was upset that she made fun of his wife's maiden name? He shouldn't be. Because it's not her name anymore. It was Uchiha. Hinata Uchiha. And, hopefully, it would remain that way. His finger with the ring, not Sasuke's.

"I know I've been rude to you but..." She paused. A sigh escaped her mouth. "It's just the way you acted towards me when we first met and..." Another deep, exhausted exhale. "It was just rude of me. I'm sorry."

I'm sorry. His wife use to apologize nonstop. Always to him. Even when she knew it was his mistake, she still said that word. Sorry. The word that refused to leave his mouth. He wished he had at least told her it was okay. Or explained that it was his fault anyways. But it never left those faintly pale lips. "Its okay," he whispered to himself in reference of Hinata.

A smile appeared on Yugao's face. "Thank you," she said happily. She looked at her watch. "Y'know," she started and made eye contact with him. He just stared. "We could go get a cup of coffee if you want. Start over."

Hinata liked going to the coffee shop.

-o-

"Carmel latte please," Yugao told the waiter and smiled as the young female wrote her order on the note pad in her hand.

"And you sir?"

"Plain coffee," he answered with a slight shrug. He didn't know what he wanted. He didn't know why he accepted to come here. He wasn't that big on coffee. Or caffeine for that matter. He started to think about when he and Hinata first went to a coffee shop together. It was fun. Entertaining. It was about a couple of months after they started dating. He remembered everything. About her. He couldn't remember what he ordered or what he was wearing, or what the time was. But he did remember everything about her. She had on simple clothing—it was only the coffee shop. A plain white shirt with khaki Capri pants and white flip-flops. And her clothes fit perfectly. They weren't too loose and they weren't too tight. But they fit her shape flawlessly. Her petite body. She ordered a mocha iced coffee and he loved her expression when she received the drink. The drink was so big, too big for her small self. Umm, she breathed out, do you want to share? He just stared at her for a few seconds then agreed when she started getting nervous. He loved making her nervous. Those cute faces she made. It was too adorable to pass up.

She lightly placed her lips on the straw and silently sipped the cold beverage. He had his own straw but was too busy watching her. When he started really getting use to her, while they were dating, he went into some type of fascination phase. All he did was stare at her. And with a smirk. The only time he didn't have a smirk on his face was when he was trying to make her anxious. They put a lot of whipped cream on that drink and good thing they did. He let out a chuckle when she asked, is there something on my face? He didn't do nothing but smirk. She had a little whipped cream on her upper lip. He told her he'll get it and he knew she was waiting for him to wipe it off with a napkin, but he had other plans. He calmly leaned over the table before he licked the cream off and placed a tender kiss on her smooth lips. He, surprising himself, didn't rush it by turning the kiss passionate but kept it sweet. His eyes were closed but he knew her eyes were about to pop out of her head. He broke the diminutive kiss after a few seconds. She was blushing like crazy. It was their first kiss.

Itachi tried plenty of times to kiss her when they first started going out but she wouldn't let him. She would always dodge him and start talking rapidly. So of course he was surprised when she didn't back away then. She was finally ready. A minor smile absently appeared on his face from reminisce. He missed her so much.

Yugao giggled.

He quickly looked up at the small giggle. Her giggle was so small and soft. Like Hinata's.

"Here you go miss and mister," the waiter said and placed their drinks in front of them.

She smiled at Itachi. "Thank you," she said to the young girl.

And that smile. It was like Hinata's too. He always told himself that nothing could beat Hinata's smile. Nothing could beat the way she looked. They way she acted. Nothing. And she didn't beat Hinata, but she was so close. His mind started playing tricks on him, but he didn't notice.

Yugao's eyes finally averted Itachi's as she slurped on her drink. Why was he staring at her like that? He, to her, was a very dazed out person. He was so laidback and he didn't speak much. Just answered questions or pointed out the obvious. He was always out of it. However, she didn't mind it. She liked quiet. But him staring at her was making her nervous. She slowly lowered her head when she felt her cheeks start to burn.

He started observing her features. She had strong cheekbones. Unlike Hinata who had a childish face. She had cheeks you could pull, and it use to tempt him so much when she was blushing. Just like the time when she tripped in front of him. He wasn't the type to laugh at such a foolish thing, but he couldn't resist with her facial expression. It was close to the time of their coffee shop date. In the hot, humid summer. He guessed she was trying to be flawless for him; she looked so ashamed of herself when she messed up. All he could do was let out a small chuckle. Please don't laugh, she said with a reddened face and a moue. He remembered laughing again. She was too cute. She asked him to stop but the more she did, the more he laughed. Okay, he complied with a smirk and caressed her cheek. She blushed more and he noticed a faint wince when he gave her cheek a gentle tug.

"Itachi."

He blinked out of his trance and peered at Yugao to let her know she had his attention, but she wasn't even looking at him. She was staring into her drink. Her teeth locked onto the clear straw, giving it bite marks. She was tense. He observed closer and his eyes moderately widened when he saw that she was blushing. She was blushing. Her whole face looked like a cherry. Just like Hinata's would. Just like Hinata. It was Hinata.

Yugao gave Itachi a confused look when he suddenly left the café without a word.

-o-

Itachi's fingers lingered over her dark locks that slightly covered her glowing face. He brushed the strands out of her face so he could see her much better. "Hinata," he called in a low voice.

Her eyes slowly fluttered open. A smile found its way upon her face. "Good morning," she greeted and inched near him in the bed before embracing his warm body.

Her hands were so cold on his bareback. "Can I—"

She giggled mellifluously. "Of course you can."

He hastily wrapped his arms around her and pulled her as close as possible. He was afraid if he touched her without permission, she'd leave; she was so sensitive. And he wanted to gaze into her eyes but he couldn't. He had to move them every five seconds. Don't blink, he reminded himself.

That sweet odor of lilacs was back in his grasp. Her hair gave off the scent more than her body. He could feel her bust pressed against his bare chest; they were exchanging body heat. It wasn't cold in the room, he was almost sweating, but her hands felt like ice. Like a dead person's. But her body was as warm as his.

She looked up at him with the same smile. "I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too," he replied quickly. She rose up to him and let their lips meet. And just like their first on, it remained sweet and tender. Not passionate. He gazed at her closed eyes. Keep them open, he told himself again. And he did. Until a sharp pain in his back emerged and he shut his eyes tight from the affliction. He felt Hinata break the kiss and she buried her head in his chest. "But..." She paused. And she sounded as if she was hurt. Mentally.

His eyes reminded closed and winced when her nail dug farther into his back. "Hinata," he strained out.

He felt dampness against his chest and it trickled down towards his abdomen. She pulled him closer while jabbing her nails more into his skin. She started to gasp for air against him as the tears came down progressively.

"Y...you hurt me." It was beginning to become difficult for her to voice anything. Her sobs were interfering. "You left me. Why did you h...have to leave me?" Her face moved from his chest and he could sense her eyes on him. But he couldn't speak. He was silent. Her words. Were they true? Did Hinata really feel this way?

"Are y-you in pain?" she asked with those tears still flowing and went in further.

Itachi started to bite his tongue. He felt the blood draw from his back. She went deeper. He flinched again and felt his body start to shake from the agony. "Hinata..."

"Are you?"

"Yes." He knew she wouldn't stop until he answered truthfully.

She lowered her head and began to let go of him. "Me too."

A sigh of relief left his mouth once the hurt started to reduce. His eyes stayed shut. "I'm sorr—"

"Open your eyes."

"...but how long will it be this time?" he uttered with some eagerness.

A sadden giggle. "That's up to you."

He immediately opened his eyes and wasn't surprised when she wasn't there. He opened them fast because he figured the longer he let that hallucination linger, another one wouldn't come back for a while.

The pain left his back. With the first one, the first hallucination, he thought he was going crazy. Well, he is. He knows for sure now that he's not well in the head. He's insane. Ever since that day at the café with Yugao, he's been seeing Hinatas everywhere. Hinatas. Multiples. At the coffee shop, Yugao's appearance continued flickered from her to Hinata. He knew he had to get out of there.

He started to embrace his craziness though. There were plenty of Hinatas. They all acted differently and they all wore different things. The one that just left him was the miserable version. She always wore what Hinata was wearing before he left. Her black and blue pajamas. She must've jumped right out of bed when she heard Deidara ask if he was going to the party with him. And the hallucination always left crying. She always made him feel pain that she felt. And even though it was just an illusion, it hurt like hell. He can still recall the feeling.

The hallucinations were the reason he asked for a furlough. He gave them an excuse saying that he needed to cope with something that he refused to discuss. Tsunade agreed. He knew she would since she was a woman. But it took a while for her to approve of his decision. He wasn't afraid of the Hinatas when he was in public. He'd just ignored them until he was in a concealed place. He was having fun with them. In an insane way. But the sad Hinata wasn't as fun as the other ones.

He was crazy and he liked it. It would have to do until he went back home.

-o-

Yugao watched, from the living sofa, the front door open. "Welcome home," she greeted turning back to the TV.

Hayate coughed numerous times before closing the door behind him. "Hey," he replied dully.

"How was work?"

He shrugged as he took his suit jacket off and placed it on the couch next to her. He fell on to the sofa and began to gaze at her. She stared back; it was an everyday thing. "What about you?" he asked out of respect. He didn't really care.

She frowned slightly at the thought of Itachi's absences. "Fine," she lied.

He sighed closing his eyes. "That's good." She knew he was waiting for her usual nagging but she didn't want to. It took away too much emotional energy. She didn't know how much she could take anymore. But she knew she wouldn't be able to escape the nagging. He would just keep pressing the matter. It's like he enjoys seeing her outraged. She watched as he opened one eye. Giving her a tired, impatient look. "You're not going to ask?"

She shook it off and got up before heading to their bedroom. "It's only three a.m."

"So," he continued as he followed her, "that never stopped you before."

She stopped and turned to face him. Her face was tightened. "I don't want to fight."

He turned his head to let out a small cough or two. "But you want to ask."

"No I—"

"It's written all over your face."

"Hayate," she started in a cracked voice as she lowered her eyes. "I know you were at work. So can we just drop the subject?"

He shook his head as he walked by her. "You know I wasn't at work."

-o-

Itachi walked out of the elevator as he shuffled the bag in his hands. He stared at the cream-painted walls and the auburn doors. The doors reminded him of his front door back home. When they bought the place, it was some tannish color. Hinata suggested they change it auburn. He didn't care but wondered why. I like auburn, she said smiling at him. He let out a chuckle because he knew she was talking about his eyes. But she was also thinking about their home; she must've known that the house would look better with a deep reddish brown instead of the shade of his eyes; they were more of a bright crimson with a hint of brown. She always said his eyes were a wonder. He thought the same with hers. The first time she commented on them he assumed she was trying to insult him. She told him that it was a nice color that admired his appearance. The way his cool aura radiated from his whole body. It made him mysterious. I-it makes people w-w-want to get to know you, she exclaimed with her words enveloped with apprehensiveness. He didn't buy it at first and he sent her an inhuman glower, he saw that she became terrified instantaneously. She continued to apologize just because he was too quick to jump to conclusions. He quickly took her to a fancy restaurant once he realized it was an idiot move on his part.

He stopped at his apartment: number 4-0-6. He blinked twice looking down the long empty hallway. He turned to the left at the sound of the elevator. A tall, slinky man walked out with a wry face. The man looked up at him and forced a disgusted smile. Itachi simply nodded before unlocking his door.

"He's strange," a familiar precious voice commented. Itachi paused as the door edged open. He caught a glimpse of pink from the corner of his right eye and turned to see if the man was still there. He was. Either way, he let her enter before him as he followed.

He pressed his back against the door, making it shut, as he looked her up and down. She was smiling at him, and her face was natural. Just like the genuine one. Hinata never wore make-up, unless they were going to a special dinner party or something and even then it wasn't a lot. His eyes traveled her slender body. She had on a pink camisole that was rimmed with white lace at the bottom and had the lace as straps. The jean skirt she had on was short and was also rimmed with white lace. He almost laughed. The Hinata he knows wouldn't wear such short or tight clothes. She was so modest, but he loved it.

"Hi," Hinata greeted with a smile.

He couldn't help but give her that small smile he usual gave his wife. She was just another illusion, but she was different. All his hallucinations, no matter what, would disappear if he blinked. She didn't. She was permanent in peculiar manner.

"How was your day?"

He put the bag of food on the round table in the kitchen. "It's only one o'clock."

She shrugged still smiling and followed him to the living room. "Did any other hallucinations come today?"

He laid down on the couch and closed his eyes. He sighed. "No."

"Are you lying to me?" she asked teasingly as she moved his legs over and sat at the end of the sofa. She started to take off his shoes and threw them on the floor. She intertwined their fingers and eased closer to his face as if she was going in for a kiss. "You're cheating on me aren't you?"

A crease formed in his forehead. "With who?"

"The other Hinatas."

"That's not cheating."

She laughed. "I'm more like the real Hinata than the others." Her eyebrows rose when he scoffed. "You don't agree?"

"You act nothing like her," he muttered in a scratchy voice letting her hand go and shifting on the couch. "She doesn't like sex as much as you." Glimpses of the incident that happened after his mother's funeral arose in his head. Countless different images revived persistently like a silent film. He felt an abrupt abhorrence towards himself.

A sly smile occurred, not noticing the wretchedness that his eyes showed. "But she likes it. Only with you of course." She sighed and carefully laid herself onto of him. She rested her head on his heart and enjoyed its beating pace. It was just right. Not too slow and not too fast. So soothing. Her hand ascended to his cheek and she caressed him softly. "You two are so scared."

"What do you mean?" he asked and cleared his throat. He liked talking to her. She told him information that he was either oblivious to or something he didn't want to accept. Like the other day when she asked him about children. She wants to have kids with you, she said. He never really thought about it. But children with Hinata would truly be amazing.

"Of losing each other," she said through a yawn, "I know you can't go back now but don't take too long. She won't stop waiting."

His eyes ajar at the last sentence. "She has Sasuke," he stated with bitterness.

"She loves you too much." Her hand moved to his onyx hair and began to twirl the silky strands. "Both of you misunderstand each other." She looked up and saw he was staring at her. She smirked. "She use to think you were a drunk."—she shrugged when he looked away—"Which you were but..."

"Okay," he uttered. Sometimes he couldn't handle reality. He exhaled. "When are you leaving?"

"I'll leave when I want to," she said smiling with pride, "You have no control over that." Her free hand made its way down to his and she linked their hands again. He realized she liked that. Does Hinata like that? He never really thought about the little things that she enjoyed. He couldn't even remember the last time they actually did this. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, making the cold item around his wrist touch hers. She giggled. "Why don't you ever take that bracelet off?"

"I don't want to."

"Are you afraid you might lose it?" she asked with a devilish smile. He was. "If you lost that bracelet that was suppose to be a birthday present, she'll be upset with you. I would."

He almost grimaced. He refused to speak on that. She could get annoying at times. He apprehended that his wife was truly ideal for him. But he wanted to know if he was good enough to be with her.

She sighed again and lifted her head resting her elbows on his chest, which wasn't that comfortable for him. "What do you want to do?"

He looked up at her. Just staring. He knew what they were about to do. They were about to have sex. They always did. He never considered it cheating. No way. She was her. And he craved for her touch. Hinata's. He craved for it like drugs. He was addicted to her smooth skin, the way her soft fingers swept along his body giving him goose bumps. The memory was still fresh, but he wanted it twenty-four-seven. And he would do anything for it. Anything. That's why he didn't mind having sex with the hallucination. But he did mind being around Yugao. If he was every around her and her looks turned into Hinata's, he might open up to her like he would with Hinata. He might kiss her. He will touch her. And he will cheat on his wife.

-o-

"Mr. Uchiha," Yugao called knocking on his office door, "May I speak with you for a minute?"

He nodded tentatively as she quickly walked in and shut the door behind her. He hoped it was about work. His body was getting tense. Why would she shut the door? He didn't think he could manage with her in a secluded space. Her appearance might flicker like it did the last time.

It's been a few days since he had any of his hallucinations so he was stressed. It felt like weeks. He avoided Yugao because of this, and it's hard to evade your own secretary. He was at his breaking point and he didn't know if he could handle her presence. He came back to work only two days ago and he's been out of it. He wanted to just see her. To touch her.

Yugao sat down in the chair across from his desk. "Mr. Uchiha," she said with somber eyes, "Why have you been avoiding me?"

This wasn't about work. "I haven't," he uttered looking at the small piles of papers on his desk.

"Did I—"

"No."

She sighed and unhurriedly got up from the seat. "Okay then."

He mentally exhaled. Relieved. He presumed that was going to be much more difficult. He thought she would hang around like other women did. Like Rizu did. Like Hinata wouldn't. His eyes looked up and he watched as she was slowly leaving his office. Her hair was longer. Much longer. And instead of being its usual violet color, it was a bit blackish. And had that indigo tint he always loved. Her name left his lips without his permission.

Yugao's hand stopped before gripping the doorknob. She turned her head with a baffled expression. "Who's Hinata?" she inquired.

Damn. He cursed himself for being on the rim of his sanity. And now, of course, she's back to normal. His eyes were making a complete fool of him. They were playing with him. Tricking his ability to think straight. And he was falling for all their pranks.

"Is that..." Her vision fell downward at his desk where his hand was rested. His left hand. She looked back up at him. "You're married?"

He moved his hand to his lap, telling her the answer. She returned to the chair and smiled at him. Trying to make it as happy as possible. "Is that her name? Hinata?"

His eyes stared down at the sliver band around his finger. He started fiddling with it. His body wouldn't stop shaking. "Hinata Hyuga," he answered with a trace of anger dying slowly off her old last name.

She got the clue and veered her teal eyes. "Sorry."

And there goes that word again. He bit his tongue from saying what he could never say to his wife before. But now he couldn't wait to say it to her. He was like a child that learned how to ride a bike and wanted their mom or dad to see them. He wanted her to hear him. He knew her face would be so surprised. He hated those words. Thank you. You're welcome. Please. It's fine or it's okay. He hated them all. But he would do anything to show Hinata that he's changed. Changed for her. All for her. That is what she wants. Isn't it?

He looked up. She's married as well, he pointed out at the sight of the gold band. And he was fine. Until she started to modify. That's when rage began to fill his body. His Hinata? Married to someone else? No. Not Hinata. She was his heart. And if she wasn't his then everything would be in ruins. But she was his. For now. His hallucination was right; he couldn't take too long.

"Hayate," she said in a sad tone looking at her gold ring. "Hayate Gekko."

Back to reality. He blinked.

She sensed his confusion and laughed miserably looking up. She assumed he was wondering about her name. "My last name is Gekko. It's just..."

He watched as she laid her head down on her folded arms that were supported by his desk. Muffled sobs emitted from her and the bawling increased its volume. His once blasé face converted to a softer look once the violet turned blackish. And her skin turned paler. He could see her puerile cheeks.

"Itachi," she called and his eyes became gentler; now she had that modest voice he yearned for. He didn't even notice the different from her usual Mr. Uchiha. She peeked up with sad eyes and that just put the icing on the cake for him. He was stuck. Trapped in her pale eyes. The tricks worked. He fell for all of them. And now his mind was thinking the unbelievable. He took in her soft voice like fresh air as she asked, "Can I trust you?"

And the answer was yes. Of course she could trust him. He wanted Hinatato trust him. He wanted her to confide in him instead of Sasuke. He hated his little brother. He hasn't seen Hinata for a while and when he saw her crying, he figured Sasukemust've done something. He couldn't have. Yes, he did leave but they were together now.

They went to a very private restaurant so they could talk. She continued to thank him for his time. But why wouldn't give time to her? She was the world to him. For her, he would wear his heart on his sleeve. He may not have done it before but now it was completely different. After all they've been through; he would do anything to keep her by his side. Anything and everything.

"What is your wife like?" she asked with a small smile. That set a small alarm off in his head. He subconsciously knew she wasn't Hinata, but she still looked like her. And he realized the one he thought was Sasuke was actually this Hayate Gekko. But it still didn't phase his actions towards her. Even though he knew his mind wasn't in the most stable state, he opened up to her. Even though he was becoming very delusional, he spoke to her as if she were his wife. He began to pour his hear out. All his regrets. All his worries. Just like he would do if it was Hinata.

He told her about his drinking problem, and had a very apologetic vibe linger on every last word. As if he was saying sorry, and she noticed. She took in the details of his wife. Her modesty. Her actions. How she was very helpful. She seemed like a very nice person. But she noticed that bothered him. But why would it? Then it hit her when he told her how she use to help his brother cope after his parents died. The way he said his name wasn't very loving. He must've been jealous, she supposed. He loves her very much. And it seemed like she loves him too, but he didn't really know it for sure. He was a very troubled person, and he knew it.

She told him her story too. How her and her husband never really got along. How he always came home late. She said she thinks he's cheating and she doesn't know why. Itachi didn't reply on any question she asked herself about her husband. But it did hurt his heart to see his Hinata cry. It made his heart ache.

He started to hear a small voice in the back of his head.

-o-

"Where is your wife?" Yugao asked in a shaky tone while looking around his apartment.

He closed the door. That question really brought him back to actuality as he answered, "At home." Everything was going all wrong. He turned around and stared at his secretary. His secretary. Not his wife. But his mind tried to make him believe otherwise. But he knew she wasn't. So why was she here? In his apartment. She didn't belong here. Her appearance was giving him chills.

"Itachi..." She looked away. "Will you help me?" He knew what she was talking about. They talked about her husband for hours. She wanted to get him back for not showing her what true love was. She longed for that feeling. And she figured that Itachi could show her. "Will you?"

"I ca—" He stopped when he saw her hurt eyes. His wife's hurt eyes. He had to shake it off. It wasn't her. "I can't."

"I know you love your wife...but don't..." She inched near him gradually and saw how he tensed up. She knew she was close. And she didn't want to trick him, but she wanted to get Hayate back so badly. Anything to make her good for nothing husband feel the pain he made her feel over the pass few months. Itachi was a good man, at least that's what she saw in him. Nothing but good, all for his wife it seems. It seems he would do anything for her. And it seems he was having trouble being so far away from her; she realized that when he called her Hinata more than enough. Yes, Itachi was a very good man. But Hayate wasn't. He was a monster, and he deserved the worst treatment. Especially from her. "Don't you miss your wife? I could..." She gulped and stared at him with pleading eyes, not knowing her eyes were livid in his vision. "I could be Hinata for you? Your Hinata."

His eyes slightly expanded. What was she trying to do? This wasn't Hinata. It couldn't be. That was impossible. Wasn't it?

That voice became louder.

I love all the flashy-backys :) cuteness.

oh my freaking gosh i'm so sorry! my freaking class that i'm taking is the problem! blame the school! i could've sworn this story was updated july 16, not june16! sorry! i'll update faster this time just for that little mishap.

next chapter is going to be small...i think -shrugs-

and what about the lovely chapter after that? i can't wait :)

like i said in My Imaginary Friend ;)

R3view.