Chapter 17: Revelation

Sasuke stood in front of the gate silently, unsure if he should make a comment on the current situation. He didn't want to pry yet he was dying to know.

He peered over to Neji, whose eyes were close and head was lowered a bit. It looked like he was praying. A few seconds after, Neji opened his eyes and took a deep breath in.

"Father, this is Uchiha Sasuke. He is the one I love…" Neji said without hesitation. Sasuke felt his face flush red.

"...He is the one who can make me happy everyday…" Neji continued. Sasuke realized where Neji was getting his words from and chuckled.

"Everyday is a bit too much isn't it?" Sasuke said, remembering what Neji said to his parents.

Neji turned around and looked at Sasuke in the eyes intensely, startling him. "W-what is it?" Sasuke asked nervously.

"I am not ready to tell you the details of my past yet, but you are already a very important person in my life and you will know everything you want to know about me eventually." He said as the winds picked up, blowing the leaves around.

Neji turned back to his father and bowed, suddenly feeling warmth on his back. Sasuke put his arms around Neji and buried his face into his black shirt.

Neji blushed a bit as he stared at his father's grave. Surely his father will accept anyone that makes him happy.

The two headed out of the graveyard, making their way back to Neji's house. Sasuke was delighted when Neji told him he was free to hang out now, but hid his excitement and coolly accepted.

As they were heading back, Neji held up a picture of his father holding him as a child. The two looked happy in the picture, but Sasuke sensed that there was sadness within the smile of Neji's father.

"You look like him Neji." Sasuke said, smiling at the adorable picture. Neji scoffed and put the picture back in his wallet. "Well, he is my father after all." He chuckled.

As Neji opened the door to his house, Sasuke noticed someone very familiar standing down the hall, frowning.

As he scrutinized the person further, he noticed he was looking at someone that shouldn't be seen.

N-Neji's father?! Sasuke thought to himself. This was scarier than any other horror movie he watched.

"You're back Neji." The man spoke in a stern voice. He didn't even crack a smile, looking down at the two.

"You cared?" Neji replied, taking off his shoes and heading up the stairs. Sasuke silently followed at he watched the old man glare at the two.

"It's not a ghost." Neji said, relieving Sasuke of his disbelief. "That's my father's twin brother. He is Hinata's father." Neji explained, taking off his black shirt.

Sasuke looked away to hold himself back from pouncing on the slender body. "I-I see…" He said, afraid to ask further.

The two studied and watched movies all day, napping in the afternoon only to wake up and play some games. Sasuke was glad the relationship stayed the same despite not dating. He knew his feelings were returned.

Night soon fell and Sasuke jolted after remembering something.

"What's up?" Neji asked, clearly disturbed from his video games. "I forgot I should head back tonight. The grandma that lives next to me wanted me to keep an eye out for her apartment as she goes out tomorrow." Sasuke said, standing up to prepare to leave.

"Oh, alright. I will walk you back." Neji said, slightly disappointed. "You don't have to Neji, it's late." Sasuke said, secretly hoping he would come.

"That is exactly why I will take you back. Now come on." Neji said, pulling a cardigan over his shoulders. Sasuke silently obeyed and followed Neji out the door.

It didn't take long before the two reached Sasuke's house. As Neji watch Sasuke safely enter his home, he turned his heels to go back.

The moment he looked up, he saw a man standing in his way. This man had long black hair that was loosely tied to one side, wearing a sleeveless hoodie and holding the very same envelope Sasuke had been receiving from his brother.

Neji raised one eyebrow and glared at the man. "Look, if you're planning on giving Itachi's brother money, don't. Give it to charity or something. And tell Itachi Sasuke doesn't need his money any longer." He said with a disgusted look.

The man hesitated and withdrew the envelope. "You're around him a lot. Who are you?" he asked.

Neji scoffed. "A bit rude to ask before introducing yourself." He said.

The man hesitated once more. "I do apologize." He said calmly while pulling off his hoodie with his purple painted nails.

"My name is Uchiha Itachi. I own the apartment that my brother resides in and should be able to put whatever I want in there. May I ask who you are now?" Itachi said.

Neji's face went pale. This was the brother that abandoned Sasuke when his parents died? Neji gritted his teeth and glared at him.

"Hyūga Neji." Neji said. Itachi stared at Neji for a minute and closed his eyes.

"Come. I will treat you to some tea." He said. Neji hesitated as Itachi immediately began to walk towards the shopping area. "H-hey!" Neji said, chasing after him.

The two sat in a quiet cafe, both ordering a cup of coffee. Itachi quietly stirred his coffee with some sugar and took a sip.

"...Why did you bring me here?" Neji asked. Itachi put down his cup and made eye contact with Neji.

"You are Sasuke's friend correct? How is he?" Itachi asked. Neji scowled "Why do you care? You didn't seem to concern for his well being after your parents died." Neji said truthfully. He knew something was off about Itachi's actions.

Itachi hesitated once more and stirred his cup of coffee. "You really care for him don't you?" He said. "...Very well. Let me tell you why."

Neji gulped as he was about to hear the reasons for Itachi's actions before Sasuke could.

"When my parents died, Sasuke was merely 10 and I just began high school. Imagine you had a little brother now. He needs proper living conditions and you had no family members to help you. What can you do?" Itachi asked Neji.

Neji widened his eyes in terror. "Yes, I sold my body. Every night, every day, to any man, any woman. They gave me the money I needed to let Sasuke live in a properly...but with that came a sacrifice. I couldn't go home with my body containing marks that an innocent child shouldn't see. Do you understand why I leave these envelopes?" Itachi explained.

"Why are you telling me this?" Neji asked. Itachi gave a small grin. "I have never seen him take a liking to anyone other than you. I want to ask you to do me a favor and watch over him when I am not around…" Itachi said quietly.

Neji frowned, unsure of what to say to this man. He didn't expect Itachi to care so much for his little brother. As Itachi stood up to pay the bill, Neji put his hand on Itachi's wallet. "It's on me." Neji said, immediately paying the bill.

Itachi smiled as the two headed out the cafe. "Hyūga." Itachi called out. Neji turned around to face him. "Will you tell Sasuke about this?" Itachi asked.

Neji gave Itachi a stern look.

"No, this isn't something I should tell him. That has to come from you. And I believe your way of thinking is wrong Itachi. I will always be there for him, but I can never give him the love you can give him. I am not his brother nor am I your substitution. He is earning an honest living now without your money. Don't you think it's time you stopped all of this and told him?" Neji told Itachi, who stood there dumbfounded a teenager was telling off an adult.

Itachi chuckled as he watched Neji walk back. "You found yourself a keeper little brother." He said to himself.

A/N: Oh man it has been so long since I wrote something. It's short and rushed too oh no... Sorry for that three year Hiatus. More coming!