Hello readers! A very happy new year to you and what do you know, we're ringing in the new year with my first fic. I hope you like it and sorry about the late update. I know excuses should not be made and facing it, I was lazy trying to read all the fics I could before the vacation ended-which it is now- even though I'm not done all yet. Guess what though, I have a cold. Yip, it's the beginning of the year and I have caught a cold. I just hope it's not really bad so I can get an update for my other fic to you over the weekend.

Sorry to my Beta.

Excuse any errors and R&R!!!

Chapter 25: No regret

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Hinata wondered about what they were talking about, but as she was walking away from the inn, she did not question it. It made no sense asking about Sasuke's secrets if she could not tell him about hers in return so she would wait.

They had just left the inn and so far, neither of them had said anything until Hinata had build up the courage to start.

"Sasuke-"

"Iie," Sasuke cut her off. "You don't have to explain anything. It's fine, I understand."

Hinata kept silent, waiting for him to continue.

"I should not try to get you to tell me something if you are not comfortable," he finished.

Hinata looked across at him and smiled. "Arigato, Sasuke."

They were a fair distance from her house and silently opted to walk back instead of the heated and speedy way they had come. Hinata knew that tomorrow was the day she had to get Hanabi to Itachi so one more day couldn't hurt. She reached her hand out to hold Sasuke's and was glad that he did not pull away like she had expected.

"You know," said Sasuke. "I think you made me soft. I swear if it were anyone else this would not have worked out."

Hinata did not respond to this, thinking about what he had said. It was probably true. For some reason, Hinata knew that had it been anyone else, they would not have been able to stop Sasuke and Itachi from fighting- which she did not doubt they would have if she had not followed Sasuke.

It was not a big shock to see that some of the shops were still open and so they wordlessly started their 'date' by going for ice-cream and carrying out their tradition of sitting at the bench to talk. It was free conversation all the way and it was how they both liked. Simple.

Sasuke walked Hinata back home and stopped at the gate to say goodnight.

"Arigato, Sasuke. I had a great time," said Hinata. "But I am sorry about what happened with Itachi and everything."

She saw Sasuke look away in the faint light.

"It's fine," he said. "I'm just glad you're one of the few who were in his presence and had an impact on him."

"What do you mean?" asked Hinata.

"Well he's not the cold bastard he was before," said Sasuke. "And I can tell he's changed, as much as I would not like to admit it."

Hinata nodded. "Hai. He was not very nice in the beginning, trust me. I went through a lot before he came around," she finished softly.

"Do you like him?"

"Nani?" asked Hinata, stalling so she could think of something to say, but Sasuke's look told her he wanted the truth at least one. "Hai. I did like him but I came to a decision that he was not right for me."

Hinata's heads was down so she could not see what was flickering across Sasuke's face as he mulled it over but she hoped he did not think that she just settled for him because it would not have worked out with Itachi. That would be horrible.

Just then, she felt Sasuke's finger lift her chin up so she could look at him. She could see so many things swimming in his eyes it was mesmerizing and a smile spread across his face.

"All my life I've been second best to my brother, did you know that?" Sasuke asked.

"I know," replied Hinata, wondering where this was going.

"It hasn't been easy as a child as his little brother and things happened that I can't tell you right now but I will in time," Sasuke said. "I trained after he murdered the clan, solely because he asked me to and I hated him for it. Now he's here, right in Konoha and I walked away. All for you."

Hinata blushed.

"I know he kidnapped you and I know, even if you didn't think I would, I know that you had an attraction to each other. I could see it when we were at the inn and you both probably aren't over it yet."

Looking into those obsidian orbs, Hinata could tell that he was hurting a little. He was happy that they were together, but he knew that she was trying to get over his brother.

"Sasuke I-"

Sasuke cut her off for the second time for the night with a kiss, making everything she had been thinking about fly out of her head at the dizziness she felt. The earth seemed to tilt under her feet and she found that she didn't mind; she could have dropped in a whole and not care at the moment as long as she was falling with Sasuke.

That was it, was it not? She was falling for Sasuke more and more by the minute.

The two parted, slightly out of breath and Sasuke smirked.

"There's no way someone could kiss another like that if they're in love with someone else."

Hinata wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again and ran through the gates, her face hot. She didn't stop until she got to the stairs and panted from her sprint. It was amazing how these things tired her out but yet she could run for hours nonstop when needed. She just supposed it was the fact that she had initiated a kiss for once.

Hinata walked up the stairs but as soon as she got halfway, she saw Hanabi standing with her arms folded at the top. She was definitely going to annoy her.

She came to the top and tried to pass but the younger girl blocked her way.

"Please move, Hanabi," said Hinata politely, knowing it would not work.

"Iie."

"Hanabi, move," Hinata stressed, still trying to pass without physical contact.

"I said 'no' Hinata," Hanabi said with a sickeningly sweet smile.

Hinata realized that she was still on the stairs and did not want to fight here incase she took the brunt and found herself broken at the bottom so she thought quickly and shoved Hanabi aside to get away from the stairs.

"Dammit, Hinata!" Hanabi screeched. "Don't push me!"

Hinata continued walking and looked back, feeling a sneer mar her face. "Then don't get in my way. I'm sick of you and your games."

Hanabi followed Hinata anyway all the way to her room, trying to taunt her.

"You know," the younger girl said. "I saw you and the Uchiha tonight, I did. Down at the gate all over each other like you didn't already get a room earlier."

Hinata continued to ignore her as she took the few more steps to her door.

"The Uchiha must be blind to want someone like you," said Hanabi. "Slut"

Hinata turned on her at the door. "Listen to me, you dirty little girl. I'm not going to stand for your nonsense everyday. It has to stop." Hinata was honestly giving the girl one last chance so she wouldn't have to do what she had to.

Hanabi closed in on her. "What if I don't?" asked Hanabi, she leaned in, impossibly close to Hinata, making the older girl lean away in reaction. "I hate you."

Hinata felt all her will drop when Hanabi slapped her across the face. Feeling her cheek heat up from the stinging blow, Hinata turned and slammed the door shut before Hanabi banged on it. Hinata threw open the door again and blocked the punch Hanabi wanted to land.

"You want to fight me?" Hinata asked.

"Hell yeah. I'm going to kick your weak ass," Hanabi said with a smirk.

Hinata had finally had enough. "Fine. Meet me by the river just off Konoha where I had to camp and we'll fight all you want tomorrow at sunset."

Hanabi took the bait and swam with it, not realizing she was hooked as she smirked.

"I can't wait. I'll show Otou-san he's wasted himself on you," Hanabi told her before she wrenched her arm away and stalked down the corridor, bumping Neji on the way who was coming up the stairs.

Hinata turned around to close her door but Neji came up too soon and held it open.

"What was that about?"" he asked her.

"Nothing. Hanabi is being a pest again," Hinata told him, hoping he had not heard the conversation between herself and her younger sister.

"She's very difficult, isn't she?" said Neji. "I had to stop her from fighting with one of our younger cousins earlier but she told Hiashi-sama that I hit her."

"Oh no," Hinata gasped. "What did he do?"

"I was very lucky that a main house was passing by the same time and told Hiashi-sama Hanabi had not told the truth," Neji said. "Of course, you father would hear none of it, but I was let off with a warning."

Hinata sighed tiredly. "I'm so sorry about that, Neji," she said.

"It's no big deal."

Neji gave her a short bow and bid her goodnight and then walked to his own room as Hinata closed the door, ore than ready to have a long bath.

Hanabi had her chance too many times and Hinata had had enough. She could not bear the verbal abuse any longer and was surprised that her father had not come to add to the stress level. She needed this. It was the only way.

Striping, Hinata got into the tub and sunk all the way in, letting the water come over her head to drown out everything.

Hanabi had to go.

This was it. The last day of the mission and Itachi knew that Hinata had come up with a plan. He had visited her the night before and found her in the bath looking like she wanted to drown herself, but after she had dressed she told him of her plan and where she would bring Hanabi to be taken away.

It was dusk, a little before sunset and Hidan was annoying Itachi with his daily prayers. Itachi didn't think he was so glad to finish a mission as he was now. He was finally going to go back to the hideout and he was going to shun Hidan like the plague.

Itachi shrugged on his cloak as he waited for Hidan to finish and then took up his packed bag to go through the door. He did not even have to see to know that Hinata and Hanabi had started without him being there. He knew Hinata was strong enough to take on Hanabi and possibly kill her but he also knew that Hinata had a kind heart and she would not cause more damage than was necessary.

As they came upon the clearing by the river, Itachi could hear the faint clinking of metal and the grunts of fighting.

"Finally! Some freaking action!" said Hidan. "I can't wait to see the two brats try to kill each other, fucking little pests they were to watch."

"Quiet," said Itachi as they came upon the closet cluster of trees to the two Hyuuga.

Itachi watched they two fight as Hidan cheered them on softly so as not to upset him. There was no way Hanabi had a chance against Hinata now that she had trained with both him and Deidara and the poor girl was losing miserably. He could see that Hinata was holding back so much as she fought Hanabi, trying not to seem as though she could easily take her down and frowned. She had to hurry.

As though reading his mind, Hinata sent Hanabi flying with a kick to her stomach as soon as she blocked one of Hanabi's and waited until she stood up again.

Hinata was very smart to set the rule of not using their bloodline limit for they would have seen both him and Hidan. He watched as they continued another bout and then when Hanabi went down a second time Hinata flashed her Byakugan to find him and sent the signal now that Hanabi was worn out.

"Let's go," Itachi said and then he appeared in front of Hanabi and Hinata just before Hidan did.

"About time," said Hidan.

Hinata looked at them in fear as was the plan. She had to act as though she did not know what was going on so that Hanabi would go when they took her thinking that Hinata was going to be kidnapped as well.

"Sorry to break up your little spar," said Itachi, his face cold and his aura menacing.

Hinata stepped in front of Hanabi defensively.

"I won't let you take us," she said.

Hidan chuckled and looked across at Itachi probably surprised that they could act so well while he was trying so hard not to fall on the floor laughing, but Itachi gave him a glance and he sobered up, clearing his throat to let Itachi take care of it.

And Itachi planned to do just that as simply as possible with no fuss. He stared at Hinata expressionlessly as she got into the Hyuuga stance and forced her Byakugan, Hanabi doing the same behind her.

Itachi forced his Mangekyou to life as soon as Hinata rushed him and she fell into Hidan's arms not even giving her a chance but just putting her to sleep, then he looked at the younger girl.

"Useless," he heard the girl mutter and he willed himself not to break her just then and decided to let her try to fight him. A couple seconds should be enough.

Hanabi got into Hyuuga stance and rushed him as well, trying to attack him wit Juuken but failed when her broke her two fingers, gaining a gasp from her. Quickly coming out of it, she tried to punch him but the foolish girl made the mistake of looking up at him and he pushed chakra to his eyes to drag her forcefully into his world where he tortured her for a good second or two before she fell to the ground.

Itachi looked down at the small Hyuuga lying of the ground and then walked to Hidan to take Hinata from him.

"Go get the other one," Itachi told him, gaining curses from the other man, but he ignored.

While Hidan was getting the younger Hyuuga up, Itachi looked at the girl in his arms and shook her slightly to wake her. Hinata opened her eyes and Itachi felt as though he was drowning in those orbs as she looked at him the same way, probably staring at his Mangekyou that he had not released yet.

Itachi blinked away the wheel and set Hinata on her feet. She shook her head, a little disoriented but fine.

"I'll never get used to that," she said with a tiny smile.

He could see that she was hiding the fact that she was not happy that he had to leave and he felt the same but it was nothing he could help.

"Hidan," he called to his temporary partner who was not paying him any attention because he was busy contemplating out loud if he should just throw the brat in the river. "Go ahead and I'll make sure the Hyuuga gets home. I'll erase everything."

Hidan nodded.

"Good. The faster we go, the faster I can get rid of her and this mission will be over."

And with that, he was gone.

"You're not going to erase anything, are you?" asked Hinata.

"Of course not, Hinata," Itachi said. He then picked her up and in no time there were in her room where he put her down. Hinata looked down at the floor sadly.

"I guess this is goodbye," she said and then looked up at him.

He could tell she was trying to be strong and act as though it was not bothering her but he knew better. Itachi came came closer and hugged her.

"It's not goodbye," he said. "I'll see you again. I have to check up on you and Sasuke, don't I?"

Hinata hugged him tighter and then kissed him in his neck before letting him go. "I'll hold you to that or I'm going to come looking for you."

She then became silent again before she voiced her thoughts. "People will notice she's gone," said Hinata.

"I know. Just go with it. There's no trace to you whatsoever," said Itachi. "I'll send a crow to you so you can tell me what happened and I'll send you news of your sister."

"She said she hated me," Hinata said suddenly. There was such coldness in her voice that Itachi was taken aback.

"She doesn't matter," said Itachi. "Sasuke loves you and I… well I tolerate you more than I should."

Hinata laughed at him and Itachi felt his face relax into a small smile. Hinata gave him a short tight hug once more before she stepped away, now serious and hiding her face but Itachi could tell that she was near tears.

"Sayonara, Hime," said Itachi, discreetly slipping a note on her drawer.

He then saw the tears drops stain the floor and it deeply moved something in him to see someone so emotionally attached to him like that, enough to bring tears. The only other time it had happened was with Sasuke but this was completely different. Hinata took a step back and looked at him with a tear-streaked face, sniffling to stifle a sob.

"Sayonara, Itachi," said, her voice dripping with loss already.

And just as he disappeared he heard the choked cry and had to control himself less he go back to comfort her. Why was it so hard to leave her? He hoped Sasuke took care of her. If not he would break his neck for protecting the most precious thing to them both. In return, he hoped that Hinata took care of Sasuke and showed him a few moves until he got back.

He wanted so much for them both that he sometimes wondered what they had turned him into. Nothing but happiness was what he wanted for them and he had taken away what was necessary for them to achieve it. He felt no regret in what he was doing and he knew that Hinata did not either. Hanabi was the source of Hinata's problems and if Hiashi became too much, Itachi would take him out as well.

"I think we should take turns with the brat," said Hidan when Itachi caught up. "She weighs a fucking ton."

"Iie."

"Don't be so unreasonable," Hidan continued. "By the way, can we stop to get something to eat? I'm shitting a cow at the thought that we're not eating until we get to the hideout."

Itachi was not in the mood for Hidan but in light that he would soon be rid of him, he agreed much to the man's delight, making him almost drop the young Hyuuga.

Not that that was as bad as what he had in store for her…

And that's it. I hope you liked it and I'm very sorry about the late update again. I was in the middle of a fic when I thought "Get yourself in the mood to write," and I had no choice but to obey my muse and get my fingers moving. I apologise about any unnecessary erros as well but I did not get the chance to reread-as usual- because of school and I actually just updated it from here so bearwith me because I could have gotten in a lot of trouble for doing that.

If you have never read A happy Ending or Hinata theVamp, please do.

Until next update…

Ja ne!

Please review, I love it when you do!