Secret Admirers Chapter 2, a naruto fanfic

AN: Posting these up as I finish. I'm hoping to have the fic completed before Darth Taisha's birthday this week.

I got a lot of positive reviews which is awesome, thanks so much. For those who don't mind more mature(NC-17 type), things, most of the prompts I received for the Advent Challenge on Live Journal(there are 25 of them) were mostly of that nature. From the 1st until the 25th of December I'll be posting a 500-1000 word prompt on LJ. All of them are Naruto although the pairings vary. There are a few that are not so mature, and I'll post them up here when the time comes. There's a few ItaHina, ItaHinaSasu and what have you.

Thanks again for the awesome reviews, you guys are the best.

xxxxx

Weeks went by with the three of them chatting either on messenger or even over the phone. Their voices always sounded familiar to her but she had been unable to place it.

"Do you want us to stop writing and sending gifts?" one of them had asked her two weeks after she gained the courage to speak to them on the phone. "You've been saying that your co-workers have been breaking into your desk."

"We don't really care if anyone reads them," the other came in over the speaker "because we don't have anything to hide; but it seems like it makes you uncomfortable."

"It's okay. I love the letters you have sent me...but I don't mind this or e-mails either." She paced her little bedroom, smiling warmly. They were always so concerned about her and making sure that nothing they did would upset or make her back off. They were so sweet; every time she spoke to them over the phone her face would be bright red for hours.

Nothing romantic was brought up again after that initial night unless she brought it up. Instead, they communicated as if they were all just friends getting to know more about each other. They always asked about her day, how she was doing. Their laughter, while rare, was a beautiful thing to hear. Sometimes, if she was feeling a little low about herself that day, they would say flattering things. It was different from a wooing attempt, however.

Different because it was said straight out, as if they were making a simple observation. Although they had never come right out and said it, they thought she was perfect exactly the way she was. The one thing she was beginning to question was their confidence-issues.

It was clear that the reason they didn't want her to meet them had nothing to do with their issues but rather with hers. They knew exactly what they wanted from her and it was simply a matter of waiting for her to say one way or the other. It forced her to change her view a bit and questions that had no answers emerged.

Hinata was convinced at this point that the two males had known exactly what they had been doing when they started this. It hadn't been an issue of two men fumbling around; the plan to get her to this point seemed to have been the objective from the beginning. It made her realize that they really were serious about her. They had known the obstacles they would face and had acted accordingly.

Knowing that actually put her fears at ease a bit. If they were truly that devoted and serious, it made it feel like she wasn't jumping into something crazy so much. Oh, it was still crazy, but reading up on the subject had been stunning.

There were many polyamorus relationships out there and while many didn't work out well due to various circumstances, the concept of it was sound. It was an agreement between all three individuals to be in a relationship together, no one was left in the dark about anything.

The people were normal, everyday individuals in any other type of normal relationship...except a third person was involved. The three could go out and do things, or two, or whatever struck their fancy. Movies, dinner, it was as normal or as 'kinky' as they made it – the same with any relationship. Everything about the relationship had to be agreed on by everyone; it was supposed to be as equal as with any other 'normal' relationship.

When she sat down and read what it should be and what people sometimes turned it into due to their own misunderstandings and misconceptions, Hinata had a feeling that if she decided to agree their relationship would be the ideal definition. There were some things she wanted to know, but was still a little afraid to ask.

That was fine with them, it seemed. They conversed with her only under friendly pretenses and it truly did seem that they were content with just friendship if that was what she wanted. She still had no idea what she wanted, even though she spoke to them on a constant basis now.

She loved just talking to them. They were so intelligent and their voices always sounded genuinely warm and interested. They even teased her occasionally and it felt so normal being with them like that. When she told them that they could call her after her shifts her heart would skip a beat when they did. It wasn't all the time, for it did seem that they also had lives and weren't obsessively dedicated to her that they would neglect it.

Hinata wanted to meet them so badly. As the weeks pressed on and she grew closer to them over the phone and messenger she felt a strong desire to do the things that she had read about. To perhaps try to go on a date with them to see how it would be like. To just sit and talk to them face to face as she would over the phone. Their voices were smooth and deep; she had to admit she wanted faces to go with those voices.

They couldn't possibly be ugly with voices that could melt a woman on the spot. Even if they were it wouldn't bother her, because they genuinely cared for her and that made her truly happy. But good gods those voices. It was one of the reasons she would be so red after talking with them. Men that sounded that amazing should be illegal.

"I was wondering something..." she walked over to the window sill and sat down. White eyes looked out the window into the dark night. When they didn't respond she took that as her cue to continue. "Is it...just me you want to be with?" biting her lip, she curled up, hugging her knees. They hadn't spoken about 'them' since that night. "I read sometimes that in these kind of relationships, um, sometimes they want to bring in more people but casually. Not really –"

"No." the one who seemed to be the more upfront came in almost sharply. "We care about you and we trust each other. I know what you're talking about and no, that will not happen."

"It is difficult to explain," the other came in and it actually sounded as if he was frowning in thought in an effort to word himself properly. "We are, for the most part, monogamous individuals. We simply ended up falling in love with the same woman...but our feelings on relationships have not changed. We would never cheat on you and it would hurt us equally if you cheated on us."

A small sigh of relief left her and she blushed horribly when they chuckled lightly.

"You're the only one we want to be with. The only person we've ever wanted to be with."

"O-oh..." there they went again with those words that made her feel so beautiful and cherished. She wanted to know more; needed to know exactly what she would be getting into with them if she decided to take 'that' step. "You said...you wanted nothing short of a serious relationship...w-what about um..." she began to stammer at the words, embarrassed to even speak them.

"Marriage and children?" one supplied. "Unless you are referring to something else."

"N-no...that...I mean I just..."

"Legally, if you wanted to do something like that it'd be impossible. You'd either have to marry one of us or we could just all live together and be content with that. There's unofficial marriages, if you're not bothered by it not being legally recognized. As for kids..."

"That would be completely up to you." The other supplied. "To us, it will not really matter who the 'true' father is, as the child would be loved equally. However, if you wished to know, we would be fine with taking a paternity test. You will never have to worry about us being jealous of one another. Our...friendship has never worked like that. If you wanted to become legally married to one of us the other would not feel slighted or offended."

"So..." she wanted to make sure she had this fully understood. "No dating other people."

"No."

"Absolutely not. There is only one person we wish to be with and that is you."

She had to put a hand on her chest to still her heart. The things they said to her sometimes... "A-and if we start a family it'll be a family...no one would be upset?"

"We would not, but it is something you should seriously consider. If a child having two fathers bothers you then..."

"Well..." she looked thoughtful. "There are plenty of men that raise children together..."

"We're not gay, Hinata." The other came in abruptly. "That's the difference. We wouldn't be adopting a child either."

"O-oh."

"Hinata...we truly will understand if all of this bothers you too much...that is why we haven't said anything since. We truly are content with just being your friend."

"I-if I just wanted that...to be friends...would you still tell me who you are?"

Silence lingered for a moment on the other line.

"Yes." They both said finally.

"I w-want to meet you." She blurted out, surprising herself. "I just...I've read a lot on it. I've read other people's stories. A lot of them were bad...some were good. But I want...I can't really say I want to do this if I don't really understand how things would be."

"Alright, so you want to go on a date with us. That's basically what you're saying."

Was she? She had to admit that she was very curious as to how it would work. Curious and excited, because she really wanted to know who they were and if she knew them. "Yes...I think so."

She could practically sense their unease. "Are you sure? You do not wish to wait a little longer? Meeting us will...change much."

That made her pause. "I...I actually know you." There was no reason for him to have said that otherwise. They had mentioned a while ago that they had met, but if meeting them would actually make something significant happen, it was because she knew them on a personal level.

More hesitation. "Yes. You know us."

They were uncomfortable. No, they were worried. She wondered if it was because they didn't think she was ready to know the truth just yet. "Will I be mad?"

One chuckled but only with slight humor. "We hope not." A sigh "We know you well enough to know you're probably not going to take 'no' for an answer if you're asking to meet us."

"You told us your days off were Thursday, Friday, and Sunday." The other male, the one that seemed to be the reserved and poetic of the two, sounded very uncomfortable. "If you wish, this Thursday we can meet at the park near where you work at six."

Hugging her knees tighter, she felt mixed. They were uncomfortable because they felt that it was too soon, meaning that they felt she would reject them. Hinata wasn't sure how she felt about this, but hearing them unsure and vulnerable for the first time made her want to reassure them. She wouldn't ask just to walk out and reject them immediately. The fact that things had gotten as far as they had should say something to them. At least, that's how she felt.

It was only Sunday, so she would have a few days to make a decision. There weren't too many people she could approach about the situation that wouldn't flip out or tell everyone. Or both. She did, however, need some advice.

"Can you...give me until tomorrow to decide?" she began to trace patterns in the window idly.

"You may take as much time as you need, as always."

There was really only one person she could approach who would be completely open minded about her situation. She wanted to meet them. She wanted to know the truth...but she also wanted them to feel like they weren't making a mistake. To do that, she would need to feel more confident over the situation overall. Advice was necessary at this point.

"Thank you. I'll, um, call you tomorrow."

"Goodnight, Hinata."

xxxxx

"Do you love them?" her friend since middle school, Aburame Shino, asked her. "Why? Because looking at these letters and listening to your story, it would seem that they are serious. If you do anything, it should be as equals."

White eyes blinked "I-it really wouldn't...bother you...?"

Adjusting his shades on his nose, her friend tilted his head, dark brows furrowing slightly. "Should it? You have never given me a reason to believe you are anything but who you are. That person being intelligent and kind. As long as you are happy, that should be all that matters. Obviously, these two feel the same way."

Sitting outside at her favorite café, she poked her fingers together, looking down. Hinata thought back on his initial question and found she had no answer. Yes, she had been 'speaking' to them for a very long time but she wasn't sure if she could claim that she was in love. They knew her, so their feelings made sense. She knew them but she didn't know them, not personally. Well, she did know them but they wouldn't reveal themselves. So could she love them then because...

"Hinata." Shino put a hand on hers lightly when she swayed a bit, brain overloading with confusion. The corners of his lips twitched upward. "What do you want?"

The question snapped her out of her reverie "What I...want?"

"You want someone to tell you that you are doing the right thing, but in the end, your feelings and actions can only be validated by you. If what everyone else thinks means more to you than that, you should give up. Why? Because it is not good for any relationship if others must approve for you to be comfortable and happy with that person."

She considered his words, realizing he was right. Her biggest fear had absolutely nothing to do with her feelings and everything to do with how everyone around her would see her as a person. Logically, there was no real way she could tell everyone, it wasn't socially acceptable and that was reality. She tried to listen to Shino's words and dismissed any and all fears that involved outside forces.

Hinata's personal biggest fear was that if she met them she would fall for one over the other. It had yet to happen through other means but their personalities could be completely different from what had been presented all this time.

There was nothing for it; she would just have to meet them. She wouldn't be able to make a decision otherwise. She smiled warmly at her friend. "Thank you Shino-kun. I don't know if I love them; I'll need to meet them before I decide on anything so...that's what I'll do."

xxxxx

Nibbling on her bottom lip – if she didn't stop that she'd have to reapply her strawberry flavored lip gloss – Hinata nervously walked the path to the park, her heeled boots clinking softly on concrete. Slender fingers picked at the thick white belt resting on her hips. Her top looked like a dark beige trench coat that flared out at the hips to rest along the somewhat puffy white skirt that stopped just above the knees. The skirt itself had a few see-through ruffles drifting down the middle. She was wearing black tights, beige knee-high socks and brown calf-high boots. Her hair was pulled over one shoulder and tied at the middle, the rest hanging down in thick curls.

"We will both be by the large sakura tree in the middle. We will both be dressed in black coats with red silk shirts."

Her heart was pounding as she entered the park's gates. Gloved hands rested over her chest briefly as if that would calm it down. The plan was to meet up, see a movie and then dinner. She couldn't get over her excitement; mostly because she wanted to know just who these two were and how she knew them. It had been eating at her ever since she had learned it.

No one else knew about her date except Shino and that was how she wanted it to stay. Maybe way down the line she would maybe tell Sakura, but that was it. Besides, going on one date wasn't going to set anything in stone. For Hinata, this was just the very beginning.

It was late afternoon so there weren't as many people around. Many individuals were going home although there were a few couples walking together or walking their small dogs. Clutching her tiny purse, she continued on through the park towards the large sakura tree that was the most popular spot during the spring.

She saw the black clad men up ahead and her steps faltered for just a second before she took a breath and kept moving. Their backs were turned to her; both men had their hands in their pockets. The closer she got the more familiar they seemed to be to her. They were both roughly the same height although one was a little wider along the shoulders. The hair...

Wait. The larger man's hair...she knew that hairstyle...

"Oh!" she cried out as someone on roller blades almost slammed into her. Shifting her body skillfully away, Hinata frowned when the person didn't even apologize or look back. How rude. Letting out a small breath she turned to look at the two men and started, eyes widening to saucers.

Standing there with blank expressions were the Uchiha brothers; Itachi and Sasuke. One was wearing a long black coat while the other had opted for something a bit more standard. Both had on red silk shirts and there was no way her brain was properly connecting what she was seeing.

This wasn't right. These couldn't possibly be them...could it? Sasuke had delivered the packages but he had always seemed uncaring and oblivious...

Of course he is if he's trying to hide his identity! She mentally scolded herself. But it just...made no sense. Neither male had ever expressed an interest in any girl although they could easily have anyone they wanted. Itachi she hardly saw at all so he couldn't be in love with her. None of this added up!

The brothers looked at her stunned expression and looked at each other. Sasuke shrugged and then turned to look at his date, a small smirk emerging. It wasn't his normal cocky smirk, this one seemed a bit warmer, if not teasing. "Hey, Hinata." He greeted.

Her mouth opened and she pointed at him. "Y-you..."

The smirk turned to a grin and he looked as if he was trying not to laugh. "Yeah."

She looked over to Itachi who still was keeping a straight face although his dark eyes were shining with equal amusement. "A-and you...?" he nodded at the question and finally a smile graced his beautiful features.

There was no way. Clearly she had lost her mind or taken some sort of hallucinogen without knowing it. That had to be it because these were not just any men, they were...

Sasuke's smile dropped when he saw her gaze become unfocused and she swayed slightly. He knew that look. He had seen it many, many times in regards to a certain blonde haired idiot during high school.

"Shit, aniki –" he burst into movement. "Itachi she's going to..."

He managed to catch her right as her face turned crimson and she fainted.

xxxxx

"...told you we shouldn't have..."

"...much we could do...Hinata..."

"Hn. She's waking up, finally."

She was warm. Warm and so very comfy. Whatever she was resting against was really soft and smelled really nice. Smiling, she let out a contented sigh as her hazy mind slowly began to return to the land of consciousness. Eyelashes fluttered open and she took in her surroundings.

It was dark and she was outside. The park? Yes, she was at the park. Why was she at the park? Oh, that's right. She was supposed to meet someone here.

"Hinata?" the voice was smooth, soft, and very familiar.

Frowning, she tilted her head up and looked into obsidian eyes. Their faces were very close, if he leaned in just a bit more their lips would brush. He had somewhat angular features, long silky hair that was tied back with bangs framing his face. His smile was warm although he looked a bit concerned.

Fingers brushed along the side of her face to pull some of her hair behind her ear and she turned her head to the other side. Identical dark eyes looked at her with warmth and affection she had never thought was even possible on him. He smirked.

"Told ya you should have waited." The younger Uchiha said to her, shaking his head lightly. "You're so stubborn sometimes."

Then she noticed that the 'soft' thing she was leaning against was none other than the two brothers themselves. They were sitting against the tree and had her propped up against them. They did smell wonderful, smoky and bright – if that was an actual smell. Besides her leaning on them they were not touching her. They both seemed to be a little amused.

"Are you feeling alright?" Itachi asked her, shifting away from his brother as she sat up and turned her body so that she was somewhat facing them.

They both looked so wonderful and she was quite dumbfounded at this revelation. Since words were failing her she settled for nodding at Itachi's question.

"Can you stand?" she nodded again and the three of them stood, hands on her shoulders to keep her steady.

"We really didn't want to do this so soon," Sasuke admitted and let go of her arm when she seemed steady enough. "We had a feeling this would happen." He rolled his eyes. "I know we're amazing, but fainting..."

The tease had the intended effect and Hinata snapped out of her stupor, giving her friend a look. "Th-that's not it..." biting her lip, she looked away and resisted the urge to poke her fingers together. She wasn't about to continue to look silly in front of them. "It's just...I never would have thought..."

"We did not either." She looked over at Itachi. "We have known our feelings for roughly two years and you are the first and only woman we have held feelings for. We are not exactly young, so it was also unexpected for us. We don't regret it, because we learned more about you than we had ever known during our exchange."

Her face turned red at his words. "You two...really...l-love me?" it didn't sound logical or possible, especially with both brothers.

The two looked at each other for a moment before glancing back at her. Sasuke moved first, walking ahead a few feet before putting his hands in his pockets. "If we hurry, we'll be able to make it before the previews end."

Confused, Hinata was about to speak up when something warm enveloped her hand. Fingers interlaced with hers and she looked up at the older Uchiha who smiled slightly.

"The movies." He elaborated. "About twenty minutes passed from when you had fainted." She gasped in alarm and he squeezed her hand reassuringly. "It's fine, we still have time."

And so the three of them walked down to the theaters. Sasuke kept a bit ahead of them while she walked hand in hand with Itachi, feeling a myriad of emotions. Mostly nervousness, but 'giddy' and even 'excited' were in there.

Her admirers were none other than the Uchiha brothers. Their claims of being best friends made sense now. She was so out of it that self-doubts and other insecurities took a back seat to the current situation. All of those beautiful words, all those gifts; they had come from these two men. Hinata knew them definitely, but putting everything together made her feel like she was meeting them for the first time.

They had always come off as being unapproachable or plain not interested in the fairer sex – or in Sasuke's case human contact in general. As she walked with them, she realized that probably no one truly knew the two save for very few people. People that they trusted and cared deeply for.

And she was one of those people.

She picked a movie that had a lot of action along with romance to the brothers' surprise. Hinata wanted to roll her eyes at them; not every girl wanted to go and see cheesy romance movies. She had laughed at their silliness and had been given a funny look from both of them, which had only made her giggle even more.

Just like that, Hinata relaxed. It was really only because the 'little' that she had learned about the two was, in actuality, a lot. They were so closed off and distant towards everyone but knowing what she did made them seem more down to earth. For a year and a half she had gotten to know who they really were, what was truly under the stoic façade.

Since they were going to dinner they didn't grab any snacks and so headed to find seats. The movie wasn't a new one so there weren't a lot of people, just the way Hinata liked it. Unlike everyone else who would rush to see a movie premiere, she would actually wait until it was about to leave theaters. She disliked crowds just as much as the Uchiha did.

Itachi did not let go of her hand during the movie, in fact, once they had sat down in the middle row Sasuke had taken her other hand. The gesture actually embarrassed both of them, who weren't really used to being affectionate or receiving affection. It had taken a lot for her to actually pay attention to the movie and not to the way her hands felt in theirs; how she felt sitting like this with them.

Itachi, who seemed to be perfectly fine with displaying affection without a blush to show for it, began to move his thumb along her wrist idly. When she timidly returned the gesture she caught the small smile that emerged briefly, although he did not look at her.

After the movie it was Sasuke who held her hand as they walked to the restaurant nearby while Itachi walked ahead. It did not take her long to understand what they were doing, and it also answered the question she had earlier concerning their feelings for her. Instead of explaining it through words, they were doing it through actions.

The place was nothing fancy, just a quaint and small Italian restaurant. Very little was said between them but it wasn't necessary. They spoke all the time; they knew all of the small nuances about each other's daily lives for the most part. She knew that normally around this time Itachi would either be doing paperwork or reading. Sasuke would also read or would be out taking a long walk.

Like her, they didn't do much but seemed content with living a quiet, stress-free life. They did not need much, asked for less and preferred to stay out of the limelight.

We complement each other so well... she thought briefly, looking up at the two from her plate. Two sets of dark eyes settled on her but she shook her head at their slight inquisitive gaze. Smiling, she looked back down at her dinner, feeling oddly at peace.

Once again it was Itachi who was at her side after dinner. After glancing at her for a moment he put an arm around her shoulders instead of taking her hand. Blushing heavily, she leaned into him and gave Sasuke a funny look when he shook his head and looked amused by her antics.

They really weren't jealous of one another and that was a huge relief. They couldn't be open about the true details of their first date but it truly did not seem to bother them.

"So," Itachi looked down at her, amused. "Are we as ugly as the rumors say?"

Hands flew to her mouth as she spluttered, instinctively wanting to apologize for her co-worker's rude behavior. The younger sibling started chuckling lightly.

"It took so much for me to not start laughing..." he said to them. "Considering how obsessed Karin is with me, I almost wanted to tell her the truth just to see the look on her face."

Hands still over her mouth, the Hyuuga giggled. "She would have died right on the spot."

"After convulsing and foaming at the mouth, yeah." He actually – to her complete surprise as he did this for no one – opened the door for the two of them as they entered her apartment complex. "I'm just glad Ino's dating Naruto, one less fan girl." He inclined his head at his brother. "Aniki's not so lucky."

The subject of the conversation sighed softly, his hand resting lightly on her lower back as he guided her inside the elevator. "Many of the administration I have are female. In addition, there are a few company heads or executives like ours that are female. My e-mails are never ending and perhaps fifteen percent of them are actually business oriented."

"Oh..." her heart went out to him. "I'm so sorry..."

He shook his head. "It's quite alright. It's always been like that for us, we're used to it even if we don't enjoy it."

"It was nice to actually pursue someone instead of being pursued." Sasuke added, leaning against the back of the elevator, arms crossed. "We never really had a type or a preference because we had thought we had seen and met every kind of girl you could meet."

She regarded the two of them. "Is that why you like me? Because I'm not like the other girls?"

"That's a small part of it." The elevator stopped at the fifth floor and the three of them exited. Her apartment was actually two doors down. When they arrived Sasuke shifted, gently grabbing her wrist. Itachi's arm had dropped from her shoulders but he was standing very close. "Aniki could probably explain it better."

"We both were able to get to know you a little better in our own ways," Itachi took her hand and her heart began to pound at the close proximity of both males and their intense gaze. It was one thing to have one of them look at someone like that but both? It was a miracle she hadn't had a mental meltdown. "And we fell in love with you. But then we actually began to truly get to know you through the letters and things changed.

"In short, it is everything about you that we find endearing. That is why we will wait as long as we must. Because we have been exposed to so many different types of women we know that someone like you..." turning to face her, white eyes widened as fingers brushed along her cheek. Before she could process another thought soft lips brushed lightly along hers in the faintest of kisses.

He pulled away and as he did Sasuke closed the distance, mimicking the chaste kiss. Instead of pulling back immediately, his words were whispered along her lips. "Someone like you comes once in a lifetime." He finished the sentence and also pulled back. "And we're not stupid. If we don't have to let you slip through our fingers we won't." he gave her a half hearted wave. "See ya, Hinata."

With a small nod, the older brother turned to leave as well. "Good night, Hinata. Thank you for agreeing to meet with us. It was a wonderful evening."

Hinata completely ignored her sister's line of inquiry as she floated into the apartment and locked herself in her room. Hands over her burning face she slid down to the floor and failed at trying to keep her heart from pounding. Their words echoed in her mind and she sighed, feeling too many things at once to classify it into any one thing.

The only thing she was able to grasp onto was that whatever her feelings were; she felt it towards both of them.