Ready or not

''Ready?''

Sasuke met Itachi's gaze and knew the answer.

''You have to be,'' Sasuke said before Itachi could reply.

Itachi took a deep breath and nodded briefly.

''Let's go then!'' Sasuke ordered.

Although Itachi didn't make the impression he was ready for anything, he joined his brother and they decided to leave training grounds.

''This is what you wanted, remember?'' Sasuke asked, trying to cheer Itachi up.

''I also remember you tried to talk me out of it,'' Itachi replied.

''Does that mean you regret not listening to me?''

''It doesn't. Although nothing turned out the way I'd planned.''

''I've warned you,'' Sasuke reminded.

''I know. That's making everything even worse,'' Itachi frowned.

''I wish I could've been more helpful,'' Sasuke tried to take part of Itachi's guilt.

''You did more than I've ever expected you will.''

Sasuke frowned.

''I'm not sure how I should feel about that.''

''Flattered, of course,'', Itachi said,'' That means you've overcome my expectations.''

''You could've just thanked me,'' Sasuke rolled his eyes.

The training grounds were not crowded as usual and nobody could hear unusual trembling in Itachi's voice or see Sasuke's impatience for no particular reason. Two black haired men left the training grounds behind them, heading to the village centre.

''Should we take the shorter path or?'' Sasuke asked.

''It doesn't matter, as long as we are not late.''

''I'm afraid that's not possible.''

Beautiful sunny afternoon didn't seem to have any effect on two black haired men. Walking through Konoha's streets, they were both becoming more anxious with every single step closer to the Uchiha district. Street full of unfamiliar people made Itachi relaxed enough to come closer to his brother.

''How am I doing?'' Itachi asked, glancing at random people on the street.

''You are doing fine. But we are not in a hurry, so you should slow down,'' Sasuke advised.

''We should've left earlier.''

''It would end up in waiting either way.''

''What if someone-''

''You do know this is the easiest part,'' Sasuke interrupted. ''Calm down.''

''It's easy for you to say,'' Itachi stopped walking. ''It's now or never and-''

''Hey!'' Sasuke pulled Itachi's sleeve. ''You are not allowed to freak out. Keep going!''

''And what is the hardest part?'' Itachi asked quietly.

''Walking away, of course.''

Itachi frowned and Sasuke let go of him.

''And don't talk so much,'' Sasuke said when they'd continued walking.

Focused on speed of their walk, brothers didn't talk until they come to an end of the street.

''You still look very tense. Is something wrong?'' Sasuke asked.

Itachi didn't reply.

''You did everything you could. It's all up to her now.''

''I know,'' Itachi sighed.

Although Uchiha district looked the same as always, for Itachi and Sasuke seemed very far away as they were walking towards it as slowly as possible.

''Would you change something if you could?''

''Of course!'' Itachi frowned. ''I would give anything to have more time.''

''You think the delay would help?'' Sasuke asked.

''I'm not sure,'' Itachi sighed.

Sasuke shrugged. However, Itachi seemed nervous about something as he was standing very close to his brother.

''Hey there!'' Sasuke frowned. ''I know you love me, but you shouldn't be showing it in public, in the middle of the day!''

Itachi stepped away and frowned.

''There is still time to do the right thing,'' Sasuke said.

''And what is the right thing?''

''I have my opinion about that just like you have your own, so I can't help you out.''

''Why are you so smart all of the sudden?'' Itachi asked, obviously annoyed.

''Too much time spent with you lately,'' Sasuke smirked.

''One good thing, at least,'' Itachi tried not to frown any more.

Soon they were peeking at the entrance of the Uchiha district.

''Why don't you tell me what's the matter?'' Sasuke sighed, looking at his brother.

''Nothing you can help me about,'' Itachi sounded like Sasuke bored him.

''So it's Hinata,'' Sasuke smirked.

Sasuke didn't say anything because of Itachi's scariest glare ever.

Beautiful Hyuuga princess was the reason for his impatience and anxiety he failed to hide form Sasuke.

''Do you think her age had any effect on this situation?'' Itachi asked.

''I don't. People are different.''

''I guess you're right. I mean,you are the same age and look at you.''

''That's why I have Sakura,'' Sasuke explained.

''She is lucky.''

''Hinata is too!'' Sasuke added quickly.

Itachi rolled his eyes, instead of a protest.

''Did you prepare a special speech for today?'' Sasuke asked after a few moments.

''Nothing she doesn't know already,'' Itachi replied. ''Or you think I should have?'' he added quickly.

''You know her better than me,'' Sasuke shrugged.

''I'm not so sure about that.''

''What? Why? Did something happen yesterday?''

''I could ask you the same.''

''Sakura is fine. Worried about Naruto, but that's all.''

They were standing in silence for a couple of moments. It was so quiet around them they could hear their nervous glancing towards the long street.

''What if she changed her mind?'' Itachi asked suddenly.

''Will you support her decision?'' Sasuke said calmly.

''I will.''

''What would you do in her place?''

''I don't know.''

Sasuke took a long moment checking Itachi's stance before he took a deep breath.

''One more question and I'll be leaving you alone with your thoughts.''

''Let me hear it.''

''What do you expect will happen today?''

''Nothing revolutionary, I'm afraid.''

''And that would be?'' Sasuke rushed his brother to get more specific.

''True confession.''

''The moment for that has to be perfect,'' Sasuke said. ''It's better to wait than rush it.''

''In order for something to happen, they have to show up!'' Itachi hissed.

''Relax!'' Sasuke rolled his eyes. ''I'm sure Sakura will drag Hinata if necessary.''

''Why can't they hurry a bit? This waiting is killing me!'' Itachi was desperately wanting for a change to occur.

''And you wanted to come earlier!'' Sasuke chuckled lightly.

''It's not funny!'' Itachi said firmly.

''Whatever worries you right now, another worry will take over as soon as Hinata gets here. You will act along with the situation. It won't be perfect but you can't control it. Especially not blame yourself for it. Come on now.''

Standing before its entrance, Itachi and Sasuke could see the empty streets of the Uchiha district. Sasuke, with his arms crossed, was frowning noticing Itachi's fake calmness.

''You will calm down this instant!'' Sasuke ordered.

''I can't be carefree like you!'' Itachi replied, suppressing his voice.

''Why is that?''

''I started the whole thing!''

''So?'' Sasuke rolled his eyes.

''I should have stayed out of it, I ruined everything!'' Itachi turned him his back.

Sasuke sighed and carefully approached to his brother on his left.

''Would you be happier if you haven't done anything?'' Sasuke asked, not making the eye contact.

Itachi shook his head briefly.

''I wouldn't.''

''Then you did the right thing!'' Sasuke said firmly. ''Stop whining already! I expect that kind of behaviour from anyone else but you!''

Itachi took a deep breath, still uncertain.

''But what if-?''

''What if it turns out great?'' Sasuke interrupted,'' It will be your credit! If it doesn't, you can't blame yourself because you've tried your best!''

''I never wanted to pressure her, it had to happen spontaneous,'' Itachi said as calmly as possible.

''Nothing in life goes as planned, you know it yourself!'' Sasuke tried to be comforting, placing his hand on Itachi's shoulder. ''I hate that I need to be the one telling you that.''

Itachi grabbed Sasuke's hand, holding it tightly.

''I don't need anyone's advice!'' he said, his teeth clenched.

Sasuke was too stunned to say anything so he waited for Itachi to let go of him. When he'd finally done it, Sasuke moved away, knowing it's the best to give his brother few moments to get a grip.

Itachi was looking at the opposite direction from Sasuke with his arms crossed. Sasuke didn't have other choice than wait.

They stood like that for a few moments and, after he'd seen Itachi calmed down a bit, Sasuke stepped in front of him.

''There is no need for this and you know it. I'm trying to understand, but I'm not and I'm begging you to calm down.''

''You mustn't tell anyone I freaked out,'' Itachi said firmly.

''You are still freaking out and making me nervous too.''

''If only we could-''

Itachi stopped talking after seeing a widest grin ever on his brother's face.

''You know what to do know,'' Sasuke nodded briefly and waved to somebody, looking away from Itachi.

Itachi looked over his shoulder and saw Sakura and Hinata approaching.

''Sakura, finally!'' Sasuke sounded impatient.

Itachi's breathing finally came back to normal after seeing Hinata. She was the same as always and nothing on her was revealing signs of whatever he's been feeling for awhile. After Sasuke's greeting, the girls rushed to come closer to their fiancés. It all ended up in nodding as greeting, except Sasuke's arm around Sakura.

''You'll catch up on us!'' Sasuke glanced at Itachi and left with Sakura.

Hinata and Itachi stood still for a few moments. She was looking more anxious than ever and he didn't know what to say or do to change that.

''There's still time,'' he said quietly, not staring at Hinata's worried eyes.

''I know,'' she forced a smile, ''but we should get going!''

Itachi stunned like he couldn't believe what he'd just heard. Hinata nodded briefly to confirm she's been serious and Itachi felt relieved.

After few moments of waiting, Itachi and Hinata followed Sasuke and Sakura and entered the Uchiha district.

Being a friendly couple, Sasuke embraced Sakura's shoulders and quickly glanced at another couple behind them.

''You know,'' Sakura smirked, ''I've never kissed while being at the Uchiha district.''

''You haven't?''

''I mean, not outdoors!'' she added.

''So you want an audience?'' Sasuke teased.

''No!'' Sakura chuckled.

''I bet Hinata didn't do it either.''

''She will have an opportunity,'' Sakura said quietly, ''in two weeks time.''

''Sakura,'' Sasuke forced a smile.

Knowing he brought up the forbidden topic, Sasuke nudged Sakura's head with his, waiting for her to lighten up.

''What took you so long anyway?'' Sasuke asked. ''Was Hinata the one to blame?''

''She's a bit nervous,'' Sakura said. ''I was worried she might give up.''

''But you managed to talk her out of it,'' Sasuke smirked. ''How did you do it?''

''Nothing special,'' Sakura admitted. ''I told her that anyone will appreciate honest feelings about the sudden departure.''

''She is lucky to have you by her side,'' Sasuke commended and squeezed Sakura tightly.

''I guess,'' Sakura shrugged. ''And you?''

''You don't know the half of it,'' Sasuke rolled his eyes. ''Things almost got physical!''

''You are so funny together!'' Sakura chuckled.

''Don't be too loud, they might freak out again. And run away!''

''What would happen if they do it?''

''Nothing,'' Sasuke shrugged. ''Nothing will happen if they both start acting normally, either.''

After few short glances at Itachi's direction and a couple of minutes walking in a complete silence, Hinata gathered courage to come closer and briefly touch Itachi's right palm. Although he was stunned by that action, he embraced her left hand quickly and she smirked.

''Nervous?'' he asked plainly.

''A bit.''

''There's not need to be. Two weeks are-''

''I know, I know,'' Hinata interrupted, obviously troubled with something.

Couple in front of them suddenly stopped. Sasuke looked at Itachi and signalled him to hurry.

''What is it?'' Itachi asked after they'd got closer.

''Is it okay with you two if we occupy the house first?''

''Entire house?'' Itachi asked, trying to ignore Sakura's giggling and Hinata's surprised face.

Sasuke nodded.

''How long will it take?'' Itachi asked.

''We will hurry and then switch places,'' Sasuke replied.

''You don't have to wait here,'' Sakura said after Itachi'd nodded to agree with Sasuke's plan. ''Front yard will be fine.''

''Let's go!'' Sasuke took Sakura by the hand and they quickly disappeared out of sight.

Itachi glanced at Hinata and she was looking like she wanted to know more.

''I will explain later,'' Itachi said before she could ask anything.

She nodded, but her eyes were staring at the ground. Itachi carefully embraced her other hand too. She forced a smile after meeting his gentle gaze.

''It won't happen nothing you don't want to,'' he said plainly, ''and you won't be alone.''

''I know.''

''You can rethink everything, but not here,'' Itachi said, looking around the completely empty street. ''Just in case.''

She nodded and began walking so sudden that she had to pull Itachi to follow her. Luckily, nobody could see Itachi's first relaxed smirk today.

Very soon they entered spacious front yard that led to quite big household. Hinata, obviously knowing the area well, was dragging Itachi towards the house entrance.

''What's the rush all of the sudden?'' Itachi asked.

''I'm sorry,'' she replied quickly, ''I just want to get over with everything.''

''Were you hesitating until now?'' Itachi asked after he'd checked nobody could see or hear his question while they were standing few steps away from the entrance.

Hinata was also nervously looking around, delaying her answer.

''I am the only one who can hear your answer,'' Itachi said. ''If you want to share your thoughts with me, of course.''

''I wasn't hesitating,'' Hinata said, ''but until now, everything seemed so unreal.''

''Do you need more time?''

''Time is not the problem,'' Hinata shook her head. ''Problem is within me, but I'll be fine.''

''Just act along with the situation,'' Itachi suggested.

She shrugged, constantly staring at the door to open. Minutes seemed like hours to both of them and Itachi was thinking of an adequate question which would reveal him a bit more of Hinata's opinion of what was expecting her. He couldn't stand this uneasy position for both of them.

''Do you always look like this?'' Itachi asked when he couldn't just look at Hinata, saying nothing.

''I try not to, but since you are leaving, I can't be happy,'' Hinata smiled.

''Good thinking,'' Itachi smirked. ''You succeed to fool me.''

Hinata shrugged, but smiled also. Standing in complete silence seemed to last forever, until familiar voice broke it. They both relieved the waiting's over.

''All set,'' Sasuke informed them, peeking through the entrance door.

Hinata rushed to enter the house, too nervous to delay it any longer. Itachi nodded briefly, gazing at his brother, looking for some more information or advice.

''I think she needs you more than she needs Sakura,'' Sasuke said, looking inside after Hinata.

''We'll be late,'' Itachi frowned.

''I'll take care of that.''

After last glance at the front yard and empty street before it, Itachi crossed the doorstep and Sasuke closed the door behind them.

The very next moment two black haired men were cloaked in a cloud of smoke. Two smaller and blonde figures appeared.

''Thanks,'' Temari said.

''Any time,'' Ino smiled.

Seeing Sakura next to Hinata in a long hallway, explained Ino's words. Hinata was still only because there was no time to run away. Sakura was smiling at Ino as usual, but she wasn't free of worry, either.

''Finally!'' Sakura chuckled. ''Temari was totally freaking me out!''

''Yeah, you were pretty good,'' Ino commended.

They were all happy, being inside and secure behind Uchiha home's walls.

''Who would've said that we are such a great guys?'' Ino chuckled.

''Experience I don't want to repeat any time soon!'' Temari felt relieved she'd done her part successfully.

''Actually, there was one thing, Temari-san,'' Hinata said quietly.

''What? I gave myself away?'' Temari panicked.

''No way!'' Sakura said sadly.

''No, it was just for a second!'' Hinata said quickly.

''When?'' Temari asked.

''Itachi-san would never hold my hand on the street during the day,'' Hinata explained.

''But you took my hand!'' Temari protested.

''I had a feeling you doubt my decision so I tried to dismiss that thought,'' Hinata shrugged.

''True,'', Temari smirked.

''Told you,'' Ino rolled her eyes.

''You were too happy, Ino,'' Sakura said. ''I mean, I'm glad but I have never seen Sasuke so happy for bringing me home!''

''We have to change that,'' Ino frowned.

''So we will switch on our way out?'' Temari asked.

''How much time do we have until then?'' Hinata asked.

Temari turned to Ino, as she was the one in charge of time shortage.

''Eternity,'' Ino chuckled. ''And then some more,'' she added, rolling her eyes.

''She meant before you two leave,'', Sakura explained. ''I need to ask you something.''

''Something you couldn't have asked me on the street?'' Ino chuckled. ''I can't wait to hear it!''

''Didn't you talk here?'' Temari asked, worried about the lack of time.

''It was my first time, so I had to concentrate!'' Ino explained.

''Will it work?'' Temari asked seriosly.

''Yes!''

''How much time?'' Sakura repeated Hinata's unanswered question.

''Not much, I'm afraid,'' Temari shrugged.

''We will be quick!'' Ino said. ''We didn't take them here to fail them, did we?''

''No,'' Temari smirked.

''Great! I will come and get you on time!'' Ino said, noticing Temari unusual doubt.

Temari nodded briefly and approached Hinata.

''Nobody expects to solve everything today,'' Temari said and Hinata forced a smile.

''Just a bit of hugging and he won't know what hit him!'' Sakura advised.

''Don't be violent like Sakura,'' Ino said, taking Sakura to the room on the left, leaving Hinata to Temari's care.

''Or too explicit like Ino,'' Temari smirked, knowing Ino heard her.

''Or too complicated like Temari!'' Sakura added before Ino closed the door behind them.

Hinata took a deep breath and met Temari's gaze.

''You must be your normal self,'' Temari instructed.

Hinata nodded. Temari took both of Hinata's palms and squeezed them more tightly than usual.

''Let's do this!''