Chapter 9

Hinata's POV

After a week I never spoke or heard of Itachi. I was beginning to wonder if he actually wanted to see me. As I was making some lunch for Tenshi and I, my phone began to ring. Ignoring the boiling water that I had up for rice, I ran to my phone.

"H-hello?" I didn't even bother looking at the calling ID

"Hey Hinata, sorry I haven't called. Was kinda busy." It was Itachi. I smiled when I heard his voice. He made my heart go crazy. "I was wondering if you wanted to go get dinner or something."

"Yeah, how about this evening?" I asked. Which I thought was perfect because it was a Saturday and I didn't work on Saturdays.

"I'll pick you up around seven?" I agreed. We talked for a couple more minutes. I told him where I lived and then we said our goodbyes. I looked in front of me and saw Tenshi standing there with her hands on her side.

"Yes?"

"Mom if you're gonna be on the phone, can you at least shut off the stove?" she said as she walked over to the stove. I nodded and told her I was sorry. She shut off the stove and then looked at me.

"Yes?" I asked her again.

"W-well," she paused and then turned around to get herself some water. "Never mind, well who were you talking to?"

"No one," I lied under my breath. She huffed and went back to her room. I then got up and started to cook again. While cooking, I kept on thinking about him. He really drove me crazy.

:::

Just before seven o'clock I heard a knock on the door. I looked at myself in the mirror and thought I looked pretty good. I wore a nice black shirt with a pair of jeans. I felt I didn't need to dress that nice. Besides I had a long week at work.

When I opened the door, I saw him standing there. I smiled when he looked me in the eye. He was wearing a black suit and I blushed at how sexy he looked.

"Are you ready?" I nodded and he brought his hand out for me to grab onto. I looked at it hesitantly and then reached for it. I looked up at him and gave him a smile. When we were outside, he led me to a expensive looking black car. I gave him a skeptical look.

"Let me get that for you," he opened the door and I sat in. He followed after me. As we were driving, I didn't know what to talk about. It wasn't completely silent in the car, soft music played from the speakers. While looking out the window my phone beeped.

From Tenshi:

Wru?

I didn't bother replying. While we were driving, he parked the car at an expensive restaurant.

"I feel so underdressed," I told Itachi.

"It okay. Besides, I have a private room reserved and I never told you where we were going to eat. So it's my fault," he smiled and then shut off the car. He then got out and walked over to my door. When we walked inside, I really felt underdressed. There were people in fancy suits and dresses, like a child I hid behind Itachi while he talked to some guy. Itachi turned his body towards me and said for us to take the elevator upstairs. I agreed and we both went upstairs. After being seated, a waiter came and gave us some fancy champagne. I slowly took a sip.

"Okay," Itachi said serious. I nodded my head and waited for him to continue. I was actually scared as to what he was going to say. Was he actually going to admit who he was now? Which I thought would be stupid because it was only our second date. "Do you have a daughter?"

"I do actually, her names Tenshi," I admitted. I was relieved at his question. Why would he admit about being in the mafia?

"Well where's her dad? If you don't mind me asking." After he asked the waiter came and attempted to try and ask for our orders. Itachi immediately told him for the specials and the waiter walked off. I looked at him stunned and was going to question his reason, but decided to go against it. "So where were we?"

"Well you asked where the father of Tenshi was. If you want to know, he's no longer here with us," I said softly. Itachi sat there with a shocked expression.

"I'm sorry to hear. How old is she?" he asked.

"She's sixteen."

"Wow, you must have became a mother at a young age." I nodded.

"Yes, so enough about me. What about you? Plan on having kids?" I asked.

"Not now, well I see our food coming," he pointed towards the entrance and he was right. A waiter made his way with two plates. The placed it before us and I looked up at Itachi.

"What is this?" I asked nervously.

"Good ol' Cacciucco*," he said in a sexy Italian accent. "It's good, give it a try." I nodded my head and slowly took a bite. It was delicious.

"This is really good," I told him. We small talked as we ate. After we finished, we both made our way downstairs when someone stopped us. He had long blonde hair.

"Hey Itachi, got some time?" Itachi nodded.

"Here's the keys, go over to the car, I'll go meet you in a bit," I nodded. The two walked over to the bar and started to talk. Then slowly, I made my way out of the restaurant. Once I found the car, I went in and started it. Looking around, it was too quiet so I turned on the radio. While waiting for Itachi, I began to wonder if what Ino said was true. If it was, how do I ask him? Do I ask him is the question? Then what do I do if it is true? Stay with him? Leave?

While thinking about it, I heard the door open and Itachi walk back into the car. He gave me a smile and started to reverse out of the parking lot. When we stopped at an intersection, I grabbed onto his hand and held it tightly.

"Can I ask you something?" I asked softly.

"Hn?"

"Well," I started. I didn't really know how to ask and didn't know if I should. "Are you in the mafia?" I said quieter when I said the 'm' word. He looked at me shocked and began driving again. He also let go of my hand. I didn't try and grab it again. He never bothered to reply and that made it all to obvious that he was in the mafia now.

While he was driving, I looked out the window and realized that we were in a part of town that I was unfamiliar with. As we were driving, I felt a bit uneasy and started to regret asking. While thinking about it, the car came to a sudden stop. I looked out the window and saw nothing around us. Then slowly, I turned my head to face Itachi.

"Where did you hear that?" he asked.

"A friend of mine."

"Who?"

"Is it true?" I asked.

"Who told you?" I nodded my head.

"Ino and so it is true then?"

"Yes, but not a word to anyone. This is a very serious matter and if word gets to the wrong person," he paused and looked me sharply in the eye. "Then that's it."

"I understand," I said quickly. He nodded his head and then grabbed onto my hand. When Itachi told me, I didn't feel shocked. For some reason, it didn't bother me. I don't feel worried about the fact Itachi is in the mafia. "If you're wondering, it doesn't bother me."

"I'm glad then," he smiled.

:::

It's been a month since he told me. Since then, I barely come home because I'm always with Itachi. Even though he's not with me all the time, it doesn't bother. I quit my job and now Itachi pays for everything back at the apartment. At first I always came back when I'm suppose to, but now I stay at Itachi's longer. I don't even come home on the weekends. I've been lying more and I could care less. It sounds bad for me to say that, but being with Itachi, I feel young again.

Just before it was time for Tenshi to go to school, I stayed home for a couple of days and bought her some new clothes and supplies. Then after that, I was back at Itachi's. When I was back at Itachi's, he wasn't home. There were a few dishes. I washed those and grabbed a book. While reading, I fell asleep and while I was asleep, I dreamt about that day. When I saw him hanging, I woke up screaming. I opened my eyes to see Itachi sitting beside. I still never told him about Kiba.

"Are you alright?" he asked. I nodded my head and then positioned myself so he could sit on the couch properly.

"Y-yeah, just a bad dream." I tried and give him a reassuring smile. It must have not looked very convincing.

"Tell me more about it, you still look a bit shaken up."

"Okay, I'll make some tea then." I stood up and made my way to the kitchen. I was standing at the sink when I felt his arms wrap around my waist. "Can you please not do that?" I asked very quietly.

"Is it about him?" I nodded my head. In the past month, I've tried multiple times to tell Itachi, but every time my eyes would get watery. It was a subject I didn't like bringing up.

"Yeah, I was the one that found him," I said quietly. I could feel something go tight in my chest and my eyes stung while I fought back the tears. Itachi still held me around my waist.

"What do you mean?" I turned my body around to face him.

"I found him hanging," I said quietly. He lifted his arms and then turned around to sit at the table. I followed after him and sat in the chair beside him.

"He committed suicide?" he asked with a serious in his voice.

"Yes. It was after Tenshi turned one." He let out a loud sigh. I looked onto my lap and felt a couple of tears fall down my face.

"I'm sorry, he shouldn't have done that to you. He's a coward. He should have stayed and protected you," I gasped at his comment. It came so unexpected and I didn't know how to react to it.

"Why do you say that?"

"A man is suppose to protect their family without hesitation. Sadly, he thought suicide was the right thing but no. He should have stayed with you thick and thin. I would do everything in my power to protect you and Tenshi without hesitation." Not knowing what to do, I leaned in and gave him a kiss. When I pulled away, I couldn't help myself but smile. When he said those words, something in me sparked into happiness.

"Sorry for interrupting, but the boss needs you." I turned around where I heard the voice. It was Kisame. Itachi scowled and then got up to get his coat. So they could handle whatever needed to be handled, I walked away and went to the kitchen. When I got there, I grabbed the kettle and started to put some water in it. While waiting for it to fill up, Itachi tapped my shoulder. I turned my body so I could face him, he leaned in and gave me a kiss on my forehead.

"Hopefully I won't be too long, love you." With that he left. I stood there a bit stunned. That was the first time he actually said those words to me. Not knowing what to do, I shut off the water and set the kettle in the sink. Instead of having tea, I went to the cupboard and grabbed the whiskey. Slowly, I took shots of the drink. It burned my throat going down, but it didn't bother me much. I needed something to get my mind off things.

It was all to surreal, he couldn't have meant those words. If he really did, did I feel the same? I loved his company, I was able to tell him anything. Anything I said, good or bad, he never judge me and that felt nice. Every time he did something nice for me, it always sent a smile. It didn't matter with anything he had done for me, just his company was good enough. Even if he wasn't home with me all the time, I didn't mind as long as he always came back to me. That's all that really mattered.

After a couple of glasses, I heard the door open. Not bothering to go and check to see who it was, I saw Itachi walk in the room with Sasori behind him. The month that I've been with him, Itachi told me that I met almost all of the main people. Itachi told Sasori to go and wait outside.

"What happened to you?" he asked me. I didn't bother answering, instead I reached for the bottle. Quickly, Itachi grabbed the bottle. "No more Hinata. Why?"

"Say it again," I asked him. I wanted him to say the three words again. I wanted to make sure if he actually did. Slowly, Itachi put the bottle down and picked me up off the chair in a bridal style. He brought me to the bedroom and pulled the blanket over me. Then slowly, he planted a kiss on my forehead.

"I love you," he said softly and then made his way to leave the room. Before he was completely put of sight I asked him to stop.

"I love you too," with that he left. I smiled and then fell asleep.