A/N: I know it's been a long-time folks and I apologize from the bottom of my heart. The world's gone mad and it's really fucked with my flow. I could find no time to actually write having the responsibilities of an entire department rest on my shoulders for the last several months and could only do so sporadically. But fear not I'm going to do everything in my power to get back into the groove and belt this tale out! I wrote this one into the ground and decided to split it up into two chapters. It's a doozy! Let the show begin!
Tools
"You shouldn't be here. Even if it's to help, as you claim." berated Sasuke removing his gloves and placing them on the bench in the locker room.
"If only you trusted Orochimaru as much as you trust me." returned the eldest Uchiha as he too began changing. "You wouldn't be in this mess if that were the case."
"For a recluse you know more than most. Have you been spying on me?"
"Call it what you will but were it not for me your betrothal would've taken you by surprise." he responded matter-a-factly. Some things hadn't changed in their time apart, he was still the same mysterious man who could pull strings from the ether. He shrugged into a crisp white shirt and began buttoning it, pausing briefly to regard his younger sibling, "How is the Hyuuga princess?"
Sasuke scoffed at the question, knowing that behind whatever veiled interest he had was no doubt an ulterior motive. That sort of thing was practically their family motto. "You can ask her yourself if you'd like. She's waiting for me in the lounge."
"I see. No doubt Konan is keeping her entertained." he mused idly, casually draping his blazer over his shoulder and standing before his newly dressed brother. He had grown in his years of absence, hair no longer looking like a duck's rear, his boyish features slowly molding into ones more befitting of his growing age, but his eyes were what piqued his interest. Hard and stoic, guarded and serious, as his station in life demanded, just as it had of him when he sat on the throne. Though he could pierce that veil as well as any other, he knew them well enough. At the mere mention of Hinata, he spotted the spark, a knowing smirk playing across his face, "Let's go join them then."
Sasuke frowned at his aloof attitude, acting as if his appearance was as natural as breathing, but followed his lead all the same. He would drill him for his intentions soon enough; this was no social call. They made their way to the elevator and ascended in silence, the majority of the tension coming from the junior Uchiha. When the doors opened and they entered the lounge, he quickly spotted the two women by the bar sharing a light-hearted conversation. Somehow he felt they were about to ruin that.
"Ah! They return." greeted the amber eyed woman, swiftly rising from her seat and approaching the two. She cast her arms around Itachi's shoulders with a smile before pressing her lips to his briefly, "You did well out there."
"Hm. My little brother gave me a challenge." he returned coolly glancing at his brothers reunion with his significant other with a smirk, "Sort of."
Sasuke scowled at the sly remark, doing his best to focus on the slightly tipsy Hinata in his arms. "Sorry I kept you waiting."
"It's alright." she whispered, her eyes flashing between her fiancé and his brother. She couldn't recall the last time she actually saw him in the flesh, and now her heart was thudding madly at meeting him as his brother's fiancée. She turned her thoughts back to the man in front of her, "I watched your race. For what it's worth, I thought you won."
"Sasuke, aren't you going to introduce us?" called the older Uchiha as he joined them, "Though, I'm fairly sure we've had the pleasure already, Hinata."
"A-Ano...yes, but it has been sometime. Nice to see you again, itachi-san.." she greeted nervously with a bow.
"So cute. You better not lose this one Sasuke. She's a keeper." Gushed Konan with a smile as she sipped her beverage.
"Enough of the pleasantries. I need to talk to... my brother in private." toned the young executive, quickly growing tired of the disturbingly wholesome back and forth. He roughly grabbed his arm and attempted to pull him away, but he held his ground, "Itachi..."
"All business now, I see." Itachi was growing weary of his brother's single mindedness. There was a time when he was no different from others his age, studious yet not without the occasional bout of fun, but now he seemed to take little to no time away from the family business. "Come to my home. Eat a meal. Spend the night if you like. I'll answer all the questions you want, little brother. If that's alright with you Konan?"
"It's been a while since we entertained guests." noted the cerulean haired woman smiling slyly at the young couple. The scowl of disdain on Sasuke face reminded her of the tales Itachi had told her of his brother's quick temper. Perhaps they'd have dinner and a show, "Why not? Besides, I'd love the opportunity to talk to Hinata-chan into a modeling career."
"M-Me?" squeaked the heiress, hiding her face in Sasuke's shoulder at the mere thought of pursing another career, she already had two! "I don't see anything wrong with that…Sasuke-kun?"
"Fine. Lead the way." conceded Sasuke, albeit begrudgingly. His brother knew more than most, he must have also wanted to pick his brain. He and Hinata followed the older couple to the carport where their respective vehicles awaited. Itachi's a sleeker more refined model than his own, it even seemed darker, the superblack paint practically absorbing all surrounding light.
"It's not far, do try and keep up Sasuke." He punctuated his final barb with rev of his engine. As he pulled away, Sasuke wasn't far behind, taking the challenge to heart as he sped out to the streets in hot pursuit.
"Sasuke-kun…is everything okay?" asked the heiress, even after a few drinks she could still make out the tenseness of his fingers against the steering wheel. He had been acting more standoffish than usual, "It's your brother, isn't it?"
"I haven't seen him in years. For him to show up like this..." his voice trailing off as he struggled to find their chance meetings true intention.
"You don't trust him?" she asked, though she had an idea that his answer would be an emphatic yes.
"Let's say a lot less than you trust your own sibling."
"Hanabi...? Yes, our relationship is complicated, but we're trying. Giving each other a chance." her words were sincere enough to give his need for speed momentary pause. "You should give Itachi a chance too."
"I've only so many chances to give my family." he sighed, his lips curling downward at the idea of another family falling out. "Speaking of which...you never told me about what your father had to say to you."
Hinata's heart dropped in an instant. While they were implementing a more honest approach to their relationship. she had hoped she could keep the particulars of that meeting between those in the room. But she could not hide it forever, he was annoyingly perceptive at times. "W-we discussed...my position on Sarutobi-sama's board...and you."
"I see." he responded simply, seemingly unfazed by the new information. Though internally he was already running through every possible answer she may have given the Hyuuga patriarch. "He must've cursed my name more than usual to have you so...apprehensive."
"No...it wasn't that, necessarily." she began, her finger knotting uncomfortably at the thought. "I stood up to him—defended you, defended us. A-and he may have, kind of...disowned me."
The revelation was almost enough to make Sasuke slam on the brakes. Despite the calm look on his face when he turned to her, she could see he was concerned. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"I didn't want you to worry. You were dealing with your own father and..."
"So, that's why your sister showed up on our doorstep. She must have something planned to get you back in Hiashi's good graces." he surmised wisely.
"Sasuke-kun, please don't get involved. It will only make matters worse—he already thinks you're controlling me." she pled hastily, seeing the gears begin turning in his head.
"Hiashi isn't known for being the most forgiving, Hinata."
"He's my father."
"But—"
"Sasuke..." she warned, instantly nipping the impending argument in the bud.
The Uchiha thought on it momentarily, knowing that giving her such latitude could have a ripple effect, for both their families. But she had a point, his intervention would only reinforce her father idea of his desire to manipulate her. "If you trust your sister with this, then I trust you."
"Thank you, Sasuke-kun." she flashed a bright smile, knowing he was making the decision against his better judgment, in spite of whatever unforeseeable detriment her actions may have. It was the sort of trust she wanted in their relationship.
Sasuke continued their drive silently, pushing the thoughts of possible disaster aside as he followed his brother off the main streets and down a more hidden path. As they delved deeper down the path, they found themselves being overtaken by nature until civilization was far behind them. They pulled up to Itachi's well-hidden abode, a mansion by most standards but more modest than Sasuke expected. Two stories of stone, wood, and concrete blending with the foliage of the woods. The only remain vestiges of his past life parked around the perimeter like steel sentries.
"I suppose neither of us are heirs of any sort now." he toned half-jokingly as they pulled into the paved driveway hidden among nature. He parked and unbuckled himself before shooting her a glance from the corner of his eye. "Perhaps we can take a page from my brothers' book on life as outsiders."
She knew he was making light of their respective predicaments, but even his brevity could not lessen the concern she had for their future. But at least she knew she wasn't doomed to face it alone.
"So, this is where you've been hiding all of these years." jeered Sasuke nonchalantly as they exited their vehicle and took in their surroundings. It wasn't so far from the city itself; it was a wonder he managed to stay out of the press for so long. "It suits you."
"I'll take that as a compliment." he returned, his tone proving to be Sasukes equal when it came to stoicism. He watched as Hinata placed a hand on his arm and whispered something in his ear, causing him to frown slightly. Itachi couldn't help but smirk at the interaction. His brother could act as callous as he liked, but he could see already that he had a soft spot for the timid Hyuuga. "Let's give them a tour Konan."
"Allow me. You can be dreadfully dull about these sorts of things" she chided with a smile as she motioned for their guest to follow her into the foyer. As they crossed the vestibule it was immediately obvious that the modest exterior seemed to be the only thing that was so about the home. Pristine hardwood floors, modern and traditional accouterments as far as the eye could see, and stunning marble accents that threatened to give Hinatas own eyes a run for their money.
"As you can see, Itachi gave me creative license when it came to our interior decorating." she boasted, a delicate hand gliding across the surface of a nearby credenza as she guided them through the sprawling dwelling, room by room. Lavish lounging's gave way to hallways decked with art, all leading to a fully stocked kitchen with quite possibly every appliance known to man, and a maid to boot. Hinata couldn't help but ponder how even an exile like Itachi could afford it all. The Uchiha's wealth never ceased to amaze her, it seemed to be as vast as it was mysterious, and if it was anything like Sasukes, sorted as well. "No doubt it would be dreary and not fit for guests, much less a princess."
"Please, Konan-chan. Y-your home is lovely. It's easily ten time larger and prettier than my own apartment in Tokyo."
"Oh? Shame on you Sasuke. A princess should be treated to only the best." the stern denouncement was punctuated by a flippant finger wag from the older woman, neither to Sasuke's liking, but he bit his tongue, Hinata's whispered words to, "be nice", echoing in his head.
"Hinata's former living arrangements were...quaint. But she's since moved in with me and I assure you..." almost on impulse his arm wrapped around his fiancée's dainty waist and held her close, "I treat her far better than any princess."
A low chuckle escaped itachi's lips at the display, earning him a sharp glare from his brother, though he paid it no mind. "I'm surprised Sasuke. You've never been one for public displays of affection. I see I've missed much."
"So have I, it looks like you haven't skipped a beat." returned the young Uchiha, his eyes hard on his brother as he regarded him. He never thought he would be living out his days in exile destitute, but this was levels of wealth above his station in life or lack thereof. "Where did the money come from?"
Hinata's lips parted in surprise at her fiancé's bold and vaguely accusatory question, the light-hearted aloofness of Itachi instantly becoming a distant memory as he stared down into his brother black orbs. This was what had come between them. Money. It seemed to be the common theme in his family. Both blessed and cursed by their wealth.
"Now boys, I'll have none of this going on between you two under this roof. If you must discuss your business, at least do so after dinner." the amber eyed woman's voice was firm even in its lightness, enough to defuse the brewing animosity. "Why don't I show you to where you two can relax and freshen up? Follow me."
She moved swiftly in distancing her guests away from Itachi, whisking them away up a flight of stairs and down a hall to their accommodations, unsurprisingly they were just as decedent as the rest of the home. "Itachi and I will be around if you need anything."
Once the couple was left alone Hinata was quick to turn on her fiancé for his standoffish attitude, "What was that? I thought you were going to try and—"
"I can't be around that man. He acts as if…" the opal eyed girl could see his jaw clench as he struggled to keep his disdain at bay. He brushed past her and moved to look out their rooms window, suppressing a scowl at the cars below. "Nothing. Forget about it."
"No. Don't do that, Sasuke-kun. Talk to me." She pled, joining him by the windowsill, "I hardly know anything about your family, and the way you act around your brother…"
She could see him tense and withdraw into his shell at her prying, and part of her wanted to take it all back, but she had to press on. She had heard the stories from Sakura and the tabloids about Itachi's sorted departure from the family business and taken both to hold a grain of truth. Tales of embezzlement, drugs, even murder circulated. Her father never spoke of it, not being the type for gossip, and now she had the closest one to it all, the one whose life changed in an instant under mysterious circumstances, right in front of her. "Please, Sasuke-kun."
"He…betrayed me. Betrayed the family. And he did it for money, all on a whim." He seethed, doing what he could to not let his anger boil over as it had so many times before when he ran through the chain of events in his head for years. "My father found out he was selling insider information to the highest bidder. Funneling money rightful belonging to the company into his own private accounts."
It made sense now. The way he spoke to him—about him. The way he sneered and snarled, spat on his very name. He was the reason Sasuke ascended the throne at such a young age, the reason he had become the cold, callous, and calculating Uchiha many referred to as the Avenger behind his back. He had been fighting to restore the Uchiha name for years; seeing the man who tarnished it living like a king…it was a wonder he hadn't fought against this rendezvous more, nevermind not taking a swing at him.
"I—I never knew. I'm so sorry, we can leave I—if you want." she whispered, resting a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"No." he responded sharply, perhaps a bit too much so, his dark eyes turning to the grey sky outside the window and narrowing at the light snow flurry that began. "All these years…wanting him to answer for what he did, why he did it. I won't leave until I get those answers."
He was vindicated, and there would be no stopping him now. He had opened himself to her, and while touching, it revealed a darkness; a darkness that had festered for years, both sustaining and sapping him of his very essence. The fallout alone could be catastrophic, but she could do nothing but be by his side, "Okay. Whatever you want to do. You have my support, Sasuke-kun."
He shouldn't have been surprised by her candor, but he couldn't have faulted her if she chose to rebuke him instead. Confronting his brother could be folly, the man had pull with someone somewhere, and knew things he shouldn't. But it was a risk he'd have to take, especially if his intentions were well meaning as he claimed. Either way, he was grateful to have her by his side. Sasuke turned to face the woman at his side, his arms circling her waist as her arms eased around his neck on instinct. She had quickly become the one constant in his life that he could rely on, an unwavering pillar in turbulent times. "Thank you, Hinata."
She smiled lovingly at the light blush that graced his pale cheeks, giggling as it grew when she leaned in an captured his lips briefly. Though, when he leaned into the innocent peck she recoiled slightly, "Sasuke-kun…"
"It's started snowing. We may have to spend the evening." It was her turn to blush now, his suggestive words and hold on her hips causing her cheeks to flare. "Maybe we should make the best of a bad situation."
She opened her mouth to protest, but he seized the opportunity, and they were once again liplocked. They stumbled around the room, Hinata using the footwork she'd learned from Tenten to circle around the bed, only to inevitably be trapped against the door. "We sh-shouldn't…"
Before he could "plead" his case once again, a knock came at the door, the soft feminine voice that followed being their gracious hosts, "Hinata? Sasuke? Dinner will be ready soon, why don't you join us in the dining room?"
"O-one moment Konan-chan!" called the Hyuuga, much to her fiancé's dismay. The timely interruption was enough to get Sasuke to suspend his frisky business for the time being as they broke apart.
Once the sound her feet padding down the hallways subsided, she turned her attention back at the slightly frustrated man before her, returning his pout in kind, "Behave yourself, okay?"
An eyebrow perked at her sudden assertiveness, followed by the corner of his lips as he smirked at her. "I will, for now."
"I—I meant with your brother!" her blush growing to a fever pitch as she attempted to keep her volume down.
"Oh?" he questioned, seemingly oblivious to the suggestiveness of his response as he ran a hand through his hair. "I'll try. For you."
And behave himself he did, or at least attempt to. The two couples sat at a traditional low table on pillowy mats that put even Sasuke's plush carpeting to shame, sharing a plethora of dishes as Konan regaled Hinata with tales of her many travels.
"You must travel more Hinata, see the world before this one locks you away." joked the matron on the hidden home, smiling wryly at Sasuke's own frown at her insinuation. "Have you given any thought to where you'll go for your honeymoon?"
"Ano...no not really." she responded, slightly saddened at the prospect of not knowing whether they'd even have the luxury of a getaway honeymoon given their current situation, "We've been so busy lately that we've hardly even began planning the wedding."
"Yes, busy. If I recall correctly, you've just earned yourself a seat on Sarutobi-sama's board of directors, no?" Itachi's voice was even and knowing, a fact that made Sasuke bite his tongue to keep it at bay. They were both every bit their father's son's despite how they fought for autonomy.
"What did I say about discussing business, Itachi?" warned the aqua haired woman, shooting him a glance from the corner of her eye as she sipped her tea.
"Calm, Tenshi. I only want to know about my soon to be sister-in-laws life." he assured slyly, paying the glare his brother sent him little mind. "Such a powerful woman should surely be able to speak freely."
Hinata fought back the urge to blush at his flattering words, knowing full well that Sasuke would not take the innocuous gesture as such, just as he hadn't with Gaara. Her eyes panned up from her plate and locked with his own, struggling to spot the difference in them from Sasuke's own like Konan could.
"Yes, it's true. But I'm little more than an observer. My true passion is behavioral psychology. I'm teaching and pursuing my doctorate at the moment." she explained, doing her best to steer away from business lest Konan scold her as well.
"Psychology, hm." pondered the elder Uchiha, knotting his hands together as he looked to the irritated face of his brother. This had been his favorite pastime in a time long forgotten; it was more of a duty really, as his older brother. "Have you analyzed my little brother yet? Figured out what makes him tick?"
While Konan chuckled at the lighthearted barb of her lover, Sasuke bristled at it. Hinata could see his hands flex beneath the table, itching to strangle his brother no doubt. But of course, she couldn't let that happen. She had no other alternative but to fall on the sword herself to avoid an otherwise catastrophic dinner. "A—actually, he's the focus of my thesis."
Suddenly all eyes were on her, some intrigued, others shocked by her admission. She could see a hint of confusion in Sasuke's eyes, almost as if he were questioning the entirety of their relationship.
He knew of her ambitions and the like, but they hardly ever intersected with his own. Though he couldn't rightfully count out the possibility that she had considered possible upsides to being his wife, her notoriety and wealth had already benefited, who's to say she had no plans for use that to advance her pedagogical status as well?
She did all she could assuage the obscured concern on his face, offering an assuring smile and gentle hand on his own, "I wanted to assert my own theory of personality development. And Sasuke-kun and I have had similar upbringings, being born into wealth and an adult world with…certain expectations of us. The correlation to my research was unintentional at first but—"
"You couldn't resist the urge of studying the finest creation of our parents since Tomoe Capital. It's sweet really, isn't it Konan?" the lightheartedness of his tone and smile were not enough to lessen the bite his words dealt Sasuke. While Hinata and Konan laughed unconvincingly at his jest, Sasuke was gritting his teeth.
"I'm beginning to understand that the best things in life are unexpected, like Sasuke-kun." she smiled brightly at the man at her side, giving his hand a forceful squeeze as a warning to grin and bear it just as she was, "I—I guess you could say he's my muse, and the love of my life."
"So sweet. I can't contain myself any longer, we must begin planning your wedding this very second." declared the statuesque woman, quickly rising from her seat, crossing the distance between them and all but dragging Hinata off down the hall, "I have a list of designers and photographers you must use."
"But…"
"The boys can keep each other company, we have so much to discuss." She insisted, pulling the girl behind her as they made their way down a hall, calling back, "Play nice boys!"
That was a tall order considering the palpable animosity in the air as the two stared down one another in silence. He watched through narrowed eyes as Itachi grabbed the long-forgotten bottle of sake at the table poured them both a saucer of the pungent liquid.
"You always had a thing for women smarter than yourself, and Hinata seems exceptionally bright." he mused casually, gingerly sliding the drink closer to his brother as he raised his own, "To your fiancée."
Sasuke eyed the beverage warily for some time before picking it up and bringing it to his lips. He would play whatever game he liked, he'd done so diligently for the entire evening, what was one more round? "To Hinata."
The Uchiha's downed their drinks in tandem, the subtle sound of the saucers against wood once again the only sound in the returning silence. Itachi could see the unbridled anger in his brother's eyes, they were hardened and mature now, no longer bright with limitless possibilities of the life before him, but darkened by the duties thrust upon him. The sight brought a frown to his lips.
"Come, let's talk outside. Leave the girls to their fun." He stood and gestured for him to follow him out through a sliding door to the patio. Sasuke followed suit, bringing the bottle with him should he need a weapon, or to be more inebriated for the coming conversation. The nights air chilled him to the core, but he ignored it for the time being, if it meant he'd finally get what he wanted out of his brother.
Itachi leaned against a thick wooden support beam as he watched the snow add another layer to his forest sanctuary, the moon giving all that it touched an ethereal glow. "So, what would you like to know, little brother?"
"Why did you do it?" he seethed, the sound of his voice just barely above the sound of the howling wind as he stared at his brothers' impassive profile.
"Why do people betray those they care for? Personal gain? To protect themselves? To protect their loved ones from the truth?"
"Now is not the time for your cryptic musings. Answer me." he snapped; his teeth bared to emphasize his seriousness.
"You're right. You deserve to know the truth of why I did what they say I did." He began, his voice as icy and chilling as the winters air. Itachi didn't regard him directly, his eyes more deadset on the falling snow, "You deserve to know why our father chose you over me."
The howling of the wind faded into the background as ever cell in Sasukes body focused solely on the man before him. He listened intently as his brother detailed his fall from grace. Explaining how it all began when he told their father he wasn't interested in replacing him as President and CEO, and he was only doing his familial duty. He had grown disillusioned with the business, learned all of its sordid secrets and fraternized with the worst it had to offer, all in the name of duty. Fugaku was incensed when word got out that the shining pride if the Uchiha would just as soon resign rather than be the leader they so desperately needed.
Clients deserted the rudderless ship that was Tomoe Capital with such speed the raiders began circling. Itachi did all he could to keep the family afloat, made deals with those he shouldn't have, associated with seedy folks who made Orochimaru look like a saint. And then the rug was pulled from under him—from under all of them.
"Do you remember the drive we took with Shisui ages ago? That fateful day that—"
"The day he died. I remember it well enough." Interjected the younger Uchiha, his free hand unconsciously moving to cover the scar on his side that began to itch. "We were going to the spot overlooking the city. You were driving that day. Rounded a corner too quickly and the car wrapped around a tree."
"Hn, I remember the day as well. It was the day I all but killed my best friend with my recklessness." It was the only time his tone had changed, a somber reminder of his youthful folly. Itachi turned to face him finally, the sadness clear in his dark pools.
"What does this have to do with what you stole from the family?"
"I stole nothing." He defended staunchly, his gaze hardening at the accusation. "It was a lie of convenience, concocted by our father to mask the truth."
"You keep saying that this is father's fault? After all of these years…removed from the family, you still defend your innocence!?" Sasuke was tired of excuses, tired of the painful walk down memory lane. He wanted his answers.
"I've done…things I am not proud of, Sasuke. And I did them for me. For my pride, for my family." His voice turning coarse and strained as if the years of harboring the Uchiha family's darkest secret had finally wore him down. "But since that day…since Shisui, all I've done was to protect you from our father.
There was a sincerity in his words that the quelled the rage Sasuke had harbored for years as he listened. Had their father truly lied about everything?
"Shisui survived the accident, but just barely. Same as me. You fared better than we did that day, probably conscious by the time they found us and took us to the hospital. You wouldn't know what happened next, just as father wanted."
"He told me about the surgery. How the doctors saved your life. If it were in his power, he would have done the same for—"
"A lie." snapped Itachi in a harsh whisper, his façade a distant memory under the weight of remembering the fateful day. "He traded Shisui's life for my own."
Sasuke's eyes widened marginally at the assertion, his mind racing to find a rationale behind such a thing. Their father was fiercely protective of them both, of course he would want to save his eldest and heir if he could. But Shisui was the closest distant relative they had, his parents the only other family they spoke to…until after that day.
"I was barely conscious when the doctors told me Shisui had offered to be my donor, even though he had a higher chance of surviving his injuries." His pale hand moved to his chest, clutching at the fabric over his heart roughly. "I refused…I accepted my fate. I caused all of it after all."
"But father…"
"He persuaded the doctors. Bribed them most likely to go through with it." Itachi's hand reached out and grabbed the bottle of sake in his brothers' hand, bringing it to his lips and taking several swallows, "In one fell swoop he saved my life and stole my soul. All to manipulate me to continue being the dutiful son he wished to control."
"But Shisui's family must've known to some degree." he inquired, too awestruck to comprehend how deep the web of lies truly was.
"They know only what father told them. And paid them, for their grief." He handed the communal bottle back, seeing that the revelation needed some lubricant to swallow. "When the surgery was said and done, I refused to sell my soul to that man. In turn, he claimed the money spent to silence Shisui's family, bribe the doctors, and placate the media, was what I embezzled. Dishonoring me, and Shisui's sacrifice."
Sasuke had never been known as naïve, and never did he think his father was a saint, but this was another beast entirely. This world had made a monster of him as well; a caring family man perverted and twisted by greed and self-preservation, so much so that he'd destroy that which he loved to protect the rest. "He saved you, so he could use you."
"But a tool is only useful until it isn't anymore. And I would not be used any longer." asserted the older man, inhaling deeply before exhaling, as if a weight had been lifted.
"And now I'm his tool." seethed Sasuke, his eyes turning downward as he grit his teeth, the neck of the bottle in his hand struggling not to crack under his strained grip.
"For now." Itachi placed a hand on his brothers' shoulder, the tension beneath as clear as day. For years, his anger had been directed at him and him alone; to learn that the truth that fueled his fury was sorely misdirected was shaking his convictions to the core. "I've watched you grow from afar, Sasuke. You won't fall like I had."
"I may have already sealed my fate." he lamented bitterly, unable to believe that he hadn't already put one foot in a grave he had unwittingly dug himself.
"Orochimaru tried to bring me down as well, you know?" the comment seemed offhand, nevermind slightly off color for the current conversation, forcing Sasuke's head to rise in question of his brothers meaning. His lips parting slightly in shock at the kind, gentle smile he was met with. He hadn't seen the familiar sight in years; it flooded him with all of the forgotten memories of a time long passed, a time when they were brothers not only in name. "You're an Uchiha. More importantly, you're my brother, and you've surpassed me long ago. Neither he, nor our father will be your undoing."
It may not have been the reason he desired to confront his brother for, it may not have yielded the satisfaction he so desperately sought for years, but it was exactly what he needed, and only he could offer. "Nii-san…"
"And you have something I never had. A smart woman, who loves you by your side." He assured, a smirk growing as his brother's cheeks flushed in embarrassment. Itachi peered over Sasukes shoulder, spotting the two women clad in several layers of elaborate kimonos approaching. "Keep her close."
"Will you help?" he asked, his racing mind finding a shred of clarity in the moment.
The elder Uchiha could only smile. Despite all that had transpired between them in their time apart, Sasuke was still that little boy who turned to his older brother, the man he idolized, and grew to hate as he matured, in his time of need. "Even if you still hate me, I'll be there if you need. We're family, after all."
He was right. The true Uchiha genius hadn't missed a beat in his exile and knew exactly what to say and how to say it. Even a seasoned orator like Sasuke was left in awe. His chest was tight and throat dry, he wanted nothing more than to throw himself at him and embrace the man. "Family" was the crux of both his salvation and his damnation, and Hinata and Itachi were the only family he knew he could trust now.
The sliding door opened before he could get a word out, his mind still unsure of what it may have been, the two men took a step away from each other before regarding the newcomers. "Come inside boys, before you catch a cold."
"As you wish, Tenshi. We were finished with our chat anyway." Itachi breezed past his brother and approached the two women, planting a light kiss on Konan's cheek, his hand tracing the small intricacies of her garb, "Overdressed as usual, but lovely, nonetheless. You as well, Hinata."
"T-thank you, Itachi-san. But I think it may be a bit excessive, even for a wedding…" she remarked attempting to lift her arms under the weight of the many layers of fabric. "What do you think Sasuke-kun?"
"I…" Sasuke's mouth opened and closed several times as he struggled to make sense of the dizzying colors and designs of her dresses. Though she did have her natural beauty working in her favor, the way her lengthy hair mingled amongst the floral prints and glided collars in such a way that made her seem every bit the reincarnation of an ancient Hyuuga matriarch. "You look…beautiful, Hinata."
The older couple couldn't contain their chuckles at the sight of the young lovers, especially when they held hands, blushing madly like a couple of teenagers on a date chaperoned by their parents. Itachi had feared his brother's duties would keep him from joys of meaningful companionship, but it seemed to do the opposite. Sasuke loved this woman, just as she did him.
When the duos resigned to their respective rooms for the evening, Sasuke seemed even more distant than usual. He sat silently on the bed half staring off into space half watching his fiancée struggle to peel back the layers of her silk cocoon.
"Sasuke-kun…?" called the opal eyed woman, noticing his uneasy demeanor in the mirror's reflection. Whatever he had talked to his brother about had shaken him somewhat, despite how he masked it under his stoicism. "Sasuke-kun, can you help me?"
"Yeah…sure." He responded dully as he rose and approached her from behind. She couldn't help but gasp as the coldness of his hands as his fingers grazed her neck, they were still chilled from his time outside. He stayed silent as he guided each delicate dress off her shoulders, keenly focused, but not on the task at hand.
"Did you…did you get the answers you wanted from your brother?" she asked timidly, her sharp eyes catching the sudden pause of his breathing.
"…Yes, and no." he responded after several moments of silence, turning back to the task she'd given him, only to have her hand cover his own, stopping him. "He gave me...perspective."
"Perspective? What do you—"
"He told me about what led to his exile, and in all honesty, I don't know if I believe it any more than what I thought to be the truth for these years." He explained, unwilling to squander the clarity his brother had gifted him by returning to his old ways, and redirecting his hate towards their father. He was meant to break the cycle, just as Itachi had tried, and failed. "No matter the truth, there is a constant."
Sasuke gently pulled her flush against his body, the last layers of kimono sliding halfway down her shoulders. Hinata's lips parted slightly as she stared into his eyes, too mesmerized by the look on his face to feel his hands slide down to her waist. It was the first time she'd seen this expression from him, it was a wealth of emotions she hadn't seen from him, a mosaic as complex as his own personality. "Sasuke-kun, I-I don't understand…"
"Family. It's always been family." His voice was as gentle as his touch, he buried his nose in her hair and breathed in her sweet scent, wanting to cement his epiphany in his mind for all time. "For better or worse, they're the one thing we can rely on in this world."
Hinata couldn't be sure if she had too much to drink at dinner or if he had. He was acting…odd to say the least. He was expressing such a level of self-awareness that she couldn't be sure what he'd say next. "Anata…"
"The only family I've ever known played me for the fool. Your own father would rather disown you than accept the strong woman you've become." His hands slid from her hips to rest on her lower abdomen, the small symbolic gesture causing her to flush lightly, "But our family…is the one I choose to trust, to protect with every fiber of my being."
"I choose our family too, Sasuke-kun." The Hyuuga heiress craned her head over her shoulder to get a better glimpse of his face, stifling a gasp at the intensity of his dark eyes. "I trust you, and we won't be like our parent's…like our families."
"One day soon…we'll have a family of our own." He whispered softly before capturing her lips in a gentle kiss. Despite the chaste gesture, she could tell by the way he began leading her his intentions were less than such. Regardless, she let him lay her on the bed, her colorful kimonos and sash finally giving way and leaving her clad in only her undergarments as her fiancé crawled atop her. Though their carnal ritual went no further than a few kisses and love bites when an unusual sound invaded the bedroom. The less than subdued sounds of wood being stuck rhythmically, followed by sporadic sighs and something akin to grunts.
The young couples faces flushed in tandem at the realization of what they were now unintentionally eavesdropping in on. Needless to say, the moment was effectively ruined. Sasuke couldn't even muster a frustrated sigh he was so mortified.
"L-lets just try to get some sleep, Sasuke-kun." stammered Hinata as he rolled off of her and moved to cover his head with a pillow.
"I knew I didn't like that woman for some reason." He muttered to himself as she settled in beside him.
"Konan-chan is…a perfectly lovely woman." She defended, doing her best to block out the growing noises.
"Whatever."
A/N: And there you have it. Part one of this double header is in the books. What do you guys think about the Uchiha's darkest secret? I did my best to make it seemingly canon in a modern setting, I couldn't tell you how long I brainstormed the event that set everything in motion. I hope you enjoyed it cuz part 2 is right behind it. As always let me know what you think with a review or PM.
Next Chapter: Discord
Until next time! Sayonara!
