The Secrets We Keep

Chapter 1: Meetings

::

Sasuke stared at the fireplace, partly lost in thought about his rapidly changing future and partly confused as to why his fiancée rather sit in the cold for hours until the fireplace heated the house up versus just turning on the heater. He did, however, appreciate the way the warmth felt on his skin. Spinning reds and dancing oranges gave his skin a healthy glow, they melted against his dark eyes.

The Spice Cinnamon brooms hung above the fireplace gave him a headache but she swore red apples and cinnamon was the smell of winter. Sasuke thought that cool mint was a better comparison to the snow that was burying everything outside but you couldn't tell her anything.

They would marry in the spring. The weekend of her birthday.

Sasuke rolled the band around his ring finger. Back and forth, back and forth. "Alright," said Sakura, she fixed her earrings and rubbed the wrinkles from her dress. "How I look?" She stood in front of him with a red stained smile. Her dress was black and elegant, way too elegant to a simple welcoming back dinner.

"We're dressing up for Naruto?" Sasuke raised a dark brow. Although his white button-down was tucked to perfection, his black tie hung loosely from his neck.

She rolled jade eyes. "No, never," grumbled the woman. "But we're dressing up for the girl he's bringing home."

Naruto was in Suna for the past five years and gushed over this girl for the past eight months. She was doing volunteer work just like him there. He never said a name because: "I don't want Sakura-chan trying to investigate her entire family background!"

It was true. She would.

Sakura extended her hands towards him. "Now how do I look?" She questioned once again.

He took her smaller, warmer hands and opened his mouth but a doorbell sounded before he could. Sasuke stood, placing careful lips at her temple. "I can't find the words, obviously..."

She tagged along to the door after straightening his tie. Sasuke hesitated to turn the knob when he heard Naruto's voice from the other side. He wouldn't admit it out loud but he missed his friend. There was a lot he wasn't around for, a lot of stuff that Sasuke needed to be face to face to say.

Sakura did the honors for him though. She pulled the door open and Sasuke glanced from Naruto to the person next to him. His entire world crashed down at his feet, like glass hitting a marble floor. Shattering into a million pieces.

"Sasukeeeeh!" Naruto shouted and pulled his best friend into a hug.

Sasuke absently patted his back but his eyes widened a fraction upon meeting opal eyes. Her lips parted until Sakura pulled her inside. "Now, now, tell me all about yourself!" Sakura showed the woman to the couch.

"I..." She started.

Naruto pouted. "Ne, Sakura-chan! Ask about me first! We haven't seen each other in forever!"

"I know about you," said Sakura then turned to the dark haired woman. "What's your name? Don't be shy! I'm Sakura and that's my fiancé Sasuke!"

She nodded. "I..."

Naruto plopped down beside her and threw an arm around the young woman. "Her name is Hinata Hyuuga and you're going to scare her off! Move."

Sasuke cleared his throat. "I need a drink."

"That's right," said Sakura, she turned into the kitchen with him. "I'll help."

Hinata blinked. Naruto pulled her closer noting her loss of color. "What's wrong? You look sick."

She glanced into the kitchen at the couple then back to her boyfriend. "I feel sick, Naruto... I'm sorry."

"Sorry? Don't be sorry. Hey...hey," whispered the blonde, lifting her lowered chin. "Babe, it's okay."

She smiled at contact. "I'll be f-fine. These are your...friends."

"Best friends," he said confidently. "They'll love you. Sakura's super welcoming, borderline scary. Sasuke...he takes some time."

She hummed in agreement. Naruto grinned and brushed his lips over her jawline. Crystal eyes watched her closely. "But if you can't go on...we can leave," Naruto promised.

She nodded and took his hand, he squeezed hers in response. Sakura came back with two glasses of wine and Hinata drank half of hers quickly. Anything. She needed anything.

Sasuke sat on the adjacent Love-Seat with the entire bottle. Naruto went onto talk about their time in Sunagakure. Onyx eyes drifted reluctantly to the woman beside him. She hadn't changed a bit…aside from her bob hair-cut. Her eyes were the same, her smile was the same, and even her nervous habits remained the same. Twelve years. It had been twelve long years. Why was she back? Eleven years ago this would be something he wanted- Hell, all he wanted. Now...now he was getting married. He was happy as someone like him could be. Sasuke wiped his mouth and brought the wine bottle to his lips.

"Sasuke-kun," called Sakura. "If you drink that much, you'll be crying over the hangover."

Naruto laughed. "Same old, bastard."

"Idiot," hissed Sasuke. He meant it this time. He knew Naruto didn't know who she was to him but it still…bothered him.

"So," started Sakura, taking the wine bottle from him and putting the cork in it. "Hinata, what about you? Where are you from?"

She smiled; it was fake. Sakura didn't notice but Naruto did and Sasuke just couldn't help it. "I'm from Konoha too. Born and raised." Her eyes darted to Sasuke's once more.

"And you...just moved?" Sakura opened a water bottle.

"No, it's been twelve years," said Hinata. "But...Naruto brought me home." Their hands intertwined together. "Home..."

Sakura took Sasuke's surprisingly sweating hands. He knew she felt his quickened pulse but she smiled anyway. "Well, I hope to learn more about you. Naruto really cares about you…from all the letters he sent so religiously."

Naruto rubbed the back of his neck. "Gee, don't make me sound like a total dork."

"You are!" Chimed both Hinata and Sakura.

"Man!"

Sakura stood, seemingly pleased with her so far. "Well, I'm hungry so let's not allow the food to get cold, yes?" The pink haired woman stood and walked into the kitchen.

Naruto huffed. "If there's anything I remember about Sakura is not to eat her food, am I right?" He motioned to Sasuke. The Uchiha glanced into the kitchen and nodded along. She was…getting better.

::

Hinata helped wash dishes. Sasuke glanced up at Sakura and Naruto chatting about something before in the living room. Sasuke took the wet plate from her hand and dried them slowly. "Did you tell him?" He whispered.

Hinata paused and looked at him and replied, "Did you tell her?" Her tone was nearly venomous. Why ask her something so stupid?

Sasuke lowered his voice even more. "You...vanished."

She continued washing a plate. "Being around you...is still painful."

"We agreed-"

"We did," Hinata interrupted, "…but we never agreed staying together. Do you...even think about her?"

He glanced at his friend and fiancée. He placed the newly dried plate on the place mat before answering solemnly, "...Yeah."

"I'm glad you two are hitting it off," said Naruto, stretching his arms and walking into the kitchen with the dark haired duo. Hinata grinned and Sasuke's face was, well…Sasuke. Naruto rubbed his jawline and yawned. "But I gotta get home to catch up on some much needed sleep!"

Not only did they have to fly in but Naruto had to drive almost ten hours because he drank two Red Bulls and couldn't sit still in the passenger seat. On top of all of that, they didn't get to rest because Hinata wanted to be early to make a good impression. Sakura nodded in understanding before saying, "I'll take care of the rest. You're the guest anyway, Hinata."

Hinata shook her head and dried her hands. "I don't mind, honest. It was nice meeting you both."

"Same," said Sakura. "You are coming to the wedding, yes?" They walked the couple to the door.

Hinata looked at a grinning Naruto and nodded to the pink haired woman. Sakura was so welcoming. Hinata sputtered helplessly, "Yea-yeah, yes. Thank you, Sakura. Congrats too."

"No, thank you. Get home safe!" She waved as they walked towards Naruto little beat up car. "Bye!" After they were out of sight, Sakura closed the door and looked at Sasuke. "Did you know her?"

Sasuke shrugged. "Seemed familiar. Maybe on campus."

Sakura sighed, closing her eyes. "Mm, maybe."

::

Hinata sat in the car and looked out the window. Naruto started up the car. "I think they really liked you. Sasuke took to you too."

Hinata mustered a smile. "You make it seem like he is an animal."

Naruto scoffed. "Just you wait," said the Uzumaki. "The guy is my best friend but sometimes I have to punch that fancy face of his."

"Oh Naruto," whispered Hinata and giggled.

He shrugged and glanced over. "Actually, have you guys met before?" Hinata went to open her mouth but he shook his head. "Well, we all did grow up in Konoha so it's possible. Hey, I think you should hang with Sakura too."

"Naruto…we just met."

"I'm being forward?" He asked. They had been over this before. Naruto had to remember that everyone wasn't like him. Hinata shook her head but he knew that he may be pushing her. "It's alright. Don't worry about it."

"No, that's your best friend…let's do something together."

"Ah, what about a double date?" Hinata glanced over at her boyfriend. He stopped at the red light with a wide smile. "What do you say?"

"Okay."

"Okay?"

Hinata giggled. "Yeah! It'll be fun." She looked back out the window and frowned. This was all wrong! How…what were the chances of Naruto being friends with him? Why hadn't names come up? He just always said his friends, his best friends… "Fun."

:::

:::

Konoha looked the best in the winter time, honestly. Snow blanketed the city in the calmest way. Sasuke adjusted his scarf and cupped one hand around the end of the cigarette. A small flame was birthed and lit it; red burned away into ashes and his nerves began to unravel.

The Uchiha leaned against the wall of the cake tasting place and pulled slowly, allowing the smoke to fill his lungs before releasing it back into frosted air. Sakura hated the taste of tobacco on his lips. He hated the taste of cake on hers.

"You know," started the pinkette. "Despite my love for cake... Why are you smoking?" She grabbed the cigarette from his fingers.

"Saku-"

Emerald eyes watched his. It reminded him of winter's mint. He inhale crisp frozen air and she crushed it beneath her tan boot. "You know I hate that..."

"I know," he ran a hand over his forehead, rubbing his aching temples. "I'm just- stressed."

Sakura lifted her purse from her elbow to her shoulder. A few strands of pink hair stuck to her lipstick, Sakura pushed them behind her ear before asking, "Have I been stressing you out?"

"No."

"You sure?"

His smirked, moving towards her. "Well that might..."

She grinned and put a hand at his chest. "We're having lunch with Naruto today. Not sure if Hinata is coming..."

Sasuke didn't flinch when she said her name. Those mint eyes were waiting to see any lies. She was good like that. "Then let's go," he checked his watch. "I hate being late."

::

"You put it in the newspaper?" Naruto leaned forward. "Can you do that?"

The couples sat in cushioned booths, both Hinata and Sasuke chose in window seat. They were both fond of staring out into nothing. Sakura shrugged, "I guess so! It's there."

"You're not inviting strangers to our wedding," said Sasuke.

Sakura waved that off. "No, no, just an announcement. I got Shikamaru to pull some strings."

"More like you forced some strings," mumbled Naruto. Sasuke smirked into his cup and Sakura faked a healthy laugh.

Hinata smiled softly. They were truly childhood best friends...and where did she stand? Opal eyes widened feeling Naruto drop his hold on her shoulder to her waist. His hands held on before pulling her closer to him. "The joke is that Shikamaru is a lazy genius that doesn't do anything if he can help it," whispered Naruto.

Hinata nodded and couldn't help but blush when the blonde grin against her ear and making random noises. "N-Naruto." Hinata covered her giggles and moved away a bit.

Sasuke watched the interaction closer than he realized. The Uchiha simply lifted his and Sakura's intertwined hands and placed her knuckles at his lips.

Naruto rolled sapphire eyes. "Still trying to one-up me, bastard?"

"I have no idea what you mean," said Sasuke.

"We might not be married yet but we're a thousand times cuter than you guys."

Before anyone could comment on that 'yet' of his sentence their food arrived. "Naruto, I caught Sasuke smoking."

Sasuke looked away when the couple in front of him lifted their eyes. Naruto frowned. "Man..."

"Don't-" Sasuke chose his words carefully. He almost directed them to the wrong person. "Barely...and you didn't catch me. I wasn't hiding."

Hinata continued eating but her stomach wasn't having it. "Naruto," she whispered. "I need to go to the bathroom."

"You okay?" He asked while moving.

She nodded and went to ask for directions. He sighed. "She hasn't been feeling well. She tells me not to worry but-"

"You're worried?" Sakura finished.

"Yeah," mumbled the blonde. "I'm like-" he glanced back to make sure she was gone then towards his friends. "I could be in...in love with her, you know?"

Sakura cooed and Sasuke lifted his coffee mug. She should have stayed in Suna. His life would be much smoother. He hadn't thought about her in so long but when he did...that's when the smoking became a problem. She was the problem and he was making her physically sick.

Wow. That's deep.

"Could she be, you know," whispered Sakura. Sasuke glanced over at his fiancée, his hands gripping the mug too tight. Don't- "...you know, pregnant?"

Sasuke needed to smoke.

Naruto furrowed his brows. "I didn't think of that. No, I don't think so. I'm not stupid, you know."

"Well-" Sakura paused, looking behind him. "She's coming back."

Naruto stood. "Are you okay now?"

Hinata pulled at her jacket's sleeve nervously, nodded and slid in smoothly. "Yes. I am. There's a lady in the bathroom that gives out little mints. I feel much better."

"Mints?" Naruto questioned. Hinata stuck out her tongue to show him the little green mint. Naruto grinned. "Did you steal some for me?"

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a napkin with several inside. "Hmm."

Naruto gushed. "You know me so well."

Hinata voice hitched when Sasuke's foot hit hers by mistake. Sakura clasped her hands together. "Hinata, I want to know more about you! You are dating my best friend, you know."

Hinata glanced over at Naruto and back at Sakura. "You're t-the one getting married. I would like to know about that...I'm really, um, boring."

"All lies!" Naruto spoke up. "Her work in Suna is the reason why I transferred."

"Was not," murmured Hinata, embarrassed.

"Well...partly, but hey stop trying to interrogate my girlfriend, Sakura."

"I'm curious!"

They went onto argue about nothing. Hinata chewed her food and glanced up at Sasuke. His eyes were so suffocating over the coffee mug. His eyes reminded her of the ones that she didn't have the pleasure of looking into anymore. It made her feel terrible all over again. She shifted closer to Naruto and tried to include herself in conversation.

It didn't matter. They were nothing. Not anymore.