The Secrets We Keep

Author Note: lol I just want y'all to understand…I am the captain of this ship, okay? This story is going to go exactly as I want it. With that being said…

Chapter 11: Goodbyes

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Sometimes she daydreamed about how her life was "supposed" to go. She could never see how her parents looked, but they were much taller than her like in the cartoons. She just knew her mother was beautiful and soft whereas her father was just a big grump that only loved his two girls. She imagined them doing silly things – or rather her mother dragging them to do silly things so she could take thousands of photos. She knew they were warm people…she just knew her father would always be there to protect her. He would be her hero and at the same time she wanted nothing more to be just as graceful and loving as her mother.

They would be wise and they would always hug her when she cried…when she laughed, on her birthday and graduations and every day in between. They would always say they loved her and they would show it.

Never in her wildest daydream imagine the moment where her father would be getting arrested.

Hikari watched the officers escort Sasuke to the car. Sakura place a hand on her shoulder and that's when HIkari came back into reality – fully. Her cheeks were wet and her heart ached because finally she was getting a chance to bond with her father and something was taking him away. Just as she was about to shrug Sakura's hand off, the woman's phone rang and sure enough it was Naruto shouting that they got Hinata.

Everything was collapsing and Hikari was wishing she was never born.

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Sometimes he daydreamed about how his life was "supposed" to be. He always imagined his daughter looking just like Hinata but with his eyes. She would be a 'daddy's girl,' obviously. Of course, Hinata would be jealous and she'd never understand that she came first in both of their eyes. He imagined her first steps, mostly. It was a scene that he perfected. He would most likely be video chatting them because he was away on business because that internship really jumpstarted his career. Even though he was away a lot, Hinata was fine. She was strong and enjoyed when he randomly showed up at home as a surprise. Anyway, he would call and Hinata would put the computer a distance away before going to get a giggling Hikari.

She would put the child down and he would call her name. Big onyx eyes would light up and she would start waddling towards him. They did it as a joke but she would really do it. She would really walk and Hinata would just cry and sweep the child up before she put her mouth on the laptop. He would just sit there shocked and wish he was home.

They were happy and in love.

He, however, did not seeing getting arrested in that future.

Sasuke sat on a cold metal seat. Dark eyes lifted upon seeing Naruto and two guards. "Well, isn't this a sight."

Sasuke's frown didn't waver. "Did you call him?"

Naruto grabbed the bars and sighed, "Of course I did."

"Make sure you tell him to help Hinata first."

Naruto's face noticeably changed but right now Sasuke didn't care. Naruto would have to accept the fact that the woman he was in love with was also the mother of Sasuke's daughter and that fact would simply never change. The Uchiha stood and walked to meet the blonde. "Dobe," started Sasuke. "Thank you."

"Yeah," said Naruto, his voice dragged just a bit. "It's just funny because the roles are usually reversed for us."

"Mm." Sasuke smirked. His eyes averted upon thinking about the arrival of his "lawyer" and what was going to happen. At this point, Sasuke almost rather go to jail than to deal with the issues that waited for him pass these bars. Maybe that's why he wanted the lawyer to help Hinata first, so he can selfishly be alone.

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Hinata closed her eyes and almost laughed. She had never been arrested…Hell, she never even had a parking ticket and now she was in holding for kidnapping her own daughter. "Could life get any worse?" She asked whatever god that had apparently stopped listening to her prayers.

"Yes."

Her eyes lifted to another set on onyx eyes. These weren't a pair that she was fond of. She sat up, her heart pounding in her chest. "Itachi…" whispered the woman. Itachi was the only one that knew about…everything. He knew every detail. He never forgave her for leaving his brother without a goodbye. He resented her for even wanting a closed adoption. After the break up and she went to Suna…he came looking for her. He told her about the betrayal he felt and how truly broken his baby brother was. Hinata felt heartless at the time so the words didn't connect. Nothing did.

His words meant nothing to her then…

…but they would now.

He notion to the guards and they opened the door. "You're free, Hyuuga." One guard sneered.

She stood slowly and walked over to the eldest Uchiha. "Be clear," he started. "This is for my brother."

"It's understood," mumbled Hinata. "Thank you."

They walked silently until Itachi went to get his brother from jail. No doubt this was Hinata's doing… Itachi released a breath upon feeling his emotions getting the better of him. He didn't hate Hinata anymore but he couldn't find it in his soul to forgive her as his baby brother had.

"Foolish little brother," said Itachi.

Sasuke sat up from the cool metal bench and reluctantly went to greet his brother. "Brother…"

"When will you learn?" Sasuke smirked as the bar pulled back. He stepped out and shrugged. Never, maybe. "They could have charged you for kidnapping…but your daughter saved you…and her."

Sasuke didn't reply to his brother's weariness about Hinata. This wasn't her fault, entirely. They stayed quiet until reaching the waiting room where Sakura and Naruto were. He pocketed his hands. "Where is Hinata and Hikari?" He asked. Sakura simply pointed out the door.

He hurried out the building to see Hinata and Hikari sitting, simply talking. They both turned to him with a look that made him stop in his footsteps. It was a look of concern, relief and something else that he wasn't used to seeing on Hinata's face. Hikari jetted off into his arms.

"They…they are taking me back," she pointed to the pick-up truck. "Can't you stop them?"

The door of the truck opened and Hiro waved her to come along. Sasuke knelt and held the pendant around her neck in his hand. "Not…right now."

"But you said…" she whispered.

Hinata stood beside him. "You have our numbers, right? You can still call us."

Hikari wiped her face and nodded. She opened her arms as both her parents hugged her together for the first time. It wasn't like how she dreamed it would be…it was better. It was everything she wanted. She stepped back and ran towards the car.

"The wound tore open again," Hinata whispered.

"Yeah," Sasuke agreed. He was surprised to feel her arm around his waist, in return he rest his arm over her shoulders. They stood like that until the car was out of sight. Sasuke didn't reply when Hinata said she would go to jail again for that girl…but he felt the same way. "Don't leave…" He told her.

She looked open at the man, the arm around her shoulder was trembling. Hinata wondered had she heard him say that before she left for Suna…would she have stayed? Would fate have them together? It was scary because she didn't know but she almost wanted the answer.

"You need to talk to Sakura," Hinata said, instead.

There was a long silence before he dropped his arm and left her side this time. Hinata had a horrible coping mechanism. She couldn't figure out why it was so easy to push Sasuke away. It was better if they weren't around each other. She was convinced at the Life and Death made a bet and threw them together at that party. They just didn't know that things would move so quickly.

…but now it was time to move on.

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Two months had pass since HIkari left. Spring bloomed nicely over Konoha. Sakura finally Sasuke that she was pregnant and they had decided to put it all behind them…for the child. Naruto was giving Hinata time to heal again.

He ate a baby carrot and watched Sakura get off the phone with the wedding planner. "Everything is going according to plan." It was newly planned for two weeks considering their venue had been taken. Sakura's biggest problem should be the fear of not fitting perfectly into her dress anymore but instead it had more to do with Sasuke. She knew every time he looked at her and even the thought of a child just reminded him of Hikari.

Her feelings are valid. She deserved to feel a bit hurt. Sakura is human…

She stood and walked into their room, ignoring Naruto's question about who was cooking tonight because he is too hungry. She found him sitting on the bed watching a mute television. She sat beside him and placed a hand of his knee. "You need to talk to her."

"Who?" He asked, stilling watching the commercial about vacuums.

Sakura ran a hand through her hair. "Please, don't act like this. You know who?"

He huffed. "You want me to someone and you can't even say her name?" He said, it came out a lot harsher than he wanted but Sakura didn't flinch.

She looked at the television and smiled. "I do admit I am hurt," said the pink haired woman. "You don't need to marry me with loose ends."

"Sakura…"

She stood. "When our child comes, I need for you to be here with me." She took his chin and his eyes slowly lifted to hers. "…with us. I'm not asking you to love our child more…but not any less…" She finished. "And I feel like for that to happen you need to talk to – Hinata." She said her name especially slow so he could hear it clearly.

"What makes you think she wants to talk to me?"

Sakura paused because she honestly didn't expect him to ask her so genuinely. She had accepted the fact that there will always be something between the two, but she also understood that she wasn't in competition with Hinata. "She will…" Sakura waved, leaving him in the room alone.

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Hinata walked to the door and looked through the peephole. She stood there quietly as Sasuke stood on her front porch. What did he want? "We need to talk…" he said through the door. Honestly, Hinata wanted to avoid him until after the wedding. She didn't want to cause any more problems. Even so, she slowly opened the door for her ex-boyfriend.

Wow.

He was hit with the smell of cinnamon. It made his stomach turn a bit. "What do you want to talk about?" She asked, leaning against the doorframe.

He pocketed his hands. "I just…want to." Because honestly, there was nothing to talk about.

Hinata allowed him to come inside. He followed her to the couch and took note of the naked Christmas tree still standing up. She seemed embarrassed by it. "Naruto…wasn't here to help me take it down." She confessed, rubbing her arm. She sat down on the exact opposite side of the couch.

"You were never good at anything."

She huffed but agreed.

"I didn't mind," said Sasuke.

Hinata glanced over at him. "Why…are you here?" She pulled her legs up and wrapped her arms about them. He shrugged. She turned back to the tree. "Remember…" she trailed off.

"What?" He asked.

She shook her head.

"What is it?" He repeated himself.

Hinata tightened her hold on her legs. "Remember…our little tree."

He stayed quiet for a moment before leaning back. "The singing one."

"Do you still have it?" She asked.

He shook his head. "Gaara…probably."

She giggled at the image of her old friend humming the tune of the cheap little Christmas tree. "How is Gaara?" She asked.

"He's flying down." He rubbed his neck. It was then that he remembered at Hinata used to have a crush on the red headed man until Sasuke had to break the news to her. It was the first conversation they had.

"…for the wedding," mumbled Hinata. She didn't see him in Suna as much as she thought she would. Maybe once a month, every two months.

He turned to her. "How…never mind."

Hinata looked over. "What is it?"

He closed his eyes and leaned back. "We could have figured it out, you know?"

"We…could have."

"Why didn't we?" He voice had dropped just like it had when they were on the bridge the last time. Dark tresses fell over sincere eyes.

"We…were scared."

"Do you think about it?"

She turned to him fully. "I…do."

He nodded. "Then this is our fault."

"In a perfect world," started Hinata. "It would be just the three of us."

Sasuke was angry more than hurt. He was angry because they didn't fight hard enough. They didn't fight for anything, not Hikari, not their relationship – nothing.

"How do you think she is? She hasn't called." Hinata said.

"I don't know." He stood. That was a topic he wasn't ready just yet to talk about. Talking to her was already hard enough.

She walked him to the door and took his wrist. "Sasuke…do – do you think we could adopt her back? I mean…I probably couldn't but you and Sakura could. They like married couples. I believe-"

"Hinata…"

Her eyes were becoming glossy. He should have simply told her that things were never that simple, but instead he cupped her face. His thumb brushed a tear away. "We c-could do it." She took his shoulders.

Just like on the bridge, he returned the gesture…he placed his lips on her temples. Even though her home smelt like cinnamon, she smelt like warm vanilla and blueberries. She lifted her head slowly, her hands went to his chest.

"…Sasuke." Opal eyes fluttered.

Being this close to her felt like he was just so close to a drug he spent so long in rehab to break the addiction. His thumbs traced her jawline. Just one shot of her and he would probably overdose this time.

They were fully aware that they were using pain as a motive and both started to close the distance…

Was relapsing worth it…?

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Author Note: You should already know, I'm not one of those authors that comes back with a 12k story…nope. I enjoy cliffhangers. Till next time!