Contrived Flaws

Chapter Ten: The Surrender

All she heard was silence, until she finally relaxed, teetering on the border between dreams and consciousness, when a raspy scream tore through the house.

It was Itachi.

And he was screaming that he couldn't see.

That he was blind.

Hinata was out of bed and down the hall before she'd even consciously thought to move.

When she ran inside Itachi's room, she found him awake and sitting on the floor. He was clutching his face with shaking hands.

"I-Itachi?"

He said nothing and Hinata didn't hesitate to cross the room and kneel on the floor beside him. Little had been exchanged between them physically and she was unsure if Uchiha's were the touching kind. Kami knows the Hyuuga's aren't. But she didn't know what else to do. She was his wife, she was supposed to help, right?

Unflinchingly she snaked her arms around him from the side, having to sit up a bit to do so. She pressed her face to his shoulder, "A-Are you o-okay?"

She felt silly asking, or stupid. If his cries in the night were any indication, he was far from okay.

He pulled his hands from his face, blinked an impossible number of times before his gaze settled on her. "Hinata?" His voice was puzzled and hoarse.

She sat back on her heels and nodded, not knowing what else to do. Not knowing what was going through his mind.

Itachi grasped her face with his hands and he looked relieved. So relieved.

"What happened?" She asked, her timid voice sounding too loud in the dark room.

Itachi's face melted into a blank mask. His moment of vulnerability was gone. He was already getting up, pulling Hinata with him.

"I'm sorry if I frightened you," he said in his diplomatic voice. Smooth now, without a trace of fear or relief or doubt. It was startling how quickly he recovered.

"W-What-"

"Just an old ninja being paranoid," he cut her off. It sounded like it was supposed to be a joke, but there was no mirth in his eyes. And Itachi didn't joke. At least not with her.

"So you're n-not-"

"I am perfectly fine," he said, all but pushing her out of his room. "Please, go back to sleep."

He didn't close the door entirely in her face, but the message was clear: Go away.

She stood dumbfounded at the rapid turn of events. Her mind skittered to catch up. Itachi screaming he was blind, him not being blind, his shaking, his composure, his kicking her out of his room. All easily within the span of five minutes.

A measured knocking at the door startled her from her thoughts. She took a deep breath, grabbed a robe to be sure she was presentable, and headed for the door.

On the other side stood Fugaku Uchiha looking calm, if not a little irritable.

Hinata felt a sickening panic swell in her stomach. Fugaku had never come to their home, never been a guest in her house. She was too frazzled to even begin to know how to properly behave.

Before she could make a fool of herself, she felt Itachi's warm presence behind her, close enough to be felt, but not quite touching her back.

"Father, come in." He gently herded Hinata aside and his father seemed as though he wished to go no further than right inside the door.

"Patrol heard a disturbance," Fugaku stated.

Itachi dipped his head, "I apologize, father. There is no cause for alarm."

Fugaku cast a distasteful glance at Hinata. Itachi leaned down and whispered in her ear, "I would be grateful for coffee."

Taking the clue, Hinata disappeared into the kitchen, leaving father and son to talk.

"Should I be concerned for your well-being?" Fugaku raised an eyebrow.

Itachi could think of no greater mortification at the moment than admitting to his father he had had a nightmare. Like a crying, sniveling three year old. Like a weak fool with no control of his emotions.

"Of course not, father. I apologize again for disturbing you. It won't happen again."

Fugaku looked decidedly unconvinced but chose not to push the subject at the moment. He nodded once sharply before taking his leave.

Itachi deflated slightly at the relief of his father's absence. He knew there would be questions later, but at least there was time. He would no doubt be able to form a cohesive explanation before that time came.

He ran a hand through his untied hair before going into the kitchen. Hinata didn't bother asking if everything was okay, he wouldn't tell her. Instead she continued to busy herself with making coffee, perturbed that she had no more to do at the moment than wait on the water to heat.

Finally, feeling foolish for continually adjusting the kettle, she turned around to face her husband. He had a distant look of worry on his face. He was looking her way but she was sure he was not seeing her.

His distress was unnerving. Itachi never looked worried, never looked scared. If she could say nothing else of his presence, she at least felt safe in it. But if he was worried...

She stepped toward him, took his hand in hers. It dwarfed hers, tan and calloused and warm. Hers, small and pale, fragile looking.

Her touch seemed to pull him from his own mind and he looked at her, for the briefest of moments, in a way that made her imagine they were a real husband and wife. In love, concerned for one another, sharing each other's pain and secrets. It was like he had let her in for the tiniest of moments. In to what, she didn't know.

It had passed before she could really consider. He was Uchiha Itachi again. Heir, genius, prodigy, ANBU captain. And he was peeling her hand away as if the touch was a weakness.

The kettle whistled and Itachi took it as an out, pulling away quickly. Making coffee.

Hinata felt something like anger well within her. The urge to curtly tell him she was going to bed and go, leave him in his solitude if that's what he wanted, was strong. If he intended to always push her away, fine.

But the other part of her just wanted to help him. Wanted him to know he could show her his weakness and she would never share it with another soul.

The rational part of her knew that was not about to happen. The angry part demanded an explanation.

Emotions clashed and conflicted inside her until she finally spoke. "S-So ... You had a d-dream you were blind?" She honestly still wasn't clear what had happened, but felt he at least owed her that courtesy.

He took a sip of his coffee, pinched the bridge of his nose like he was in pain. She could see the wheels turning in his head just the same. Calculating, concocting. Did he mean to lie to her?

"I guess," he said at last. She was unsure whether he was genuinely uncertain or if he was merely putting her off.

Her resolve seemed to grow with her anger. "How do you not know?"

"Hinata," he said sharply. Then he softened his tone, "I am fine now. That's all that matters."

"Are you?"

"You should get some sleep," it didn't sound like a suggestion so much as an order.

Feeling especially rebellious, Hinata replied, "I'm not tired." She immediately regretted sounding like a toddler, but not enough that she'd have taken it back.

Itachi sighed in a put upon manner, refilled his cup all while Hinata stared at him.

"Why won't you talk to me or tell me anything?" Her stutter had fled with her self preservation. She missed neither at the moment.

"There is nothing to tell, Hinata-sama. You are exaggerating the situation. I apologize for waking you."

Her mind raged at him, you were screaming! You were on the floor trembling! That's not nothing!

But years with her father and Neji had taught her to recognize defeat, tell when a person would not budge. And Itachi was an unmovable mountain.

So Hinata resolved to ask someone else. Someone who saw everything above the mountain. Someone in the clouds.

Hinata did not find him staring at the clouds, or smoking a cigarette, or even muttering "troublesome." She found Shikamaru training alone on an otherwise abandoned field.

It was everyday stuff to keep his strength up. Nothing special. But he looked intense. He was clearly pushing himself to his limits, and beyond.

Hinata waited quietly by until he finished, unsure if he'd noticed her at all. But she had nothing more important to do. She was cleaning the nonexistent dirt out from under her fingernails for the fifth time when a shadow fell across her.

She looked up to Shikamaru's serious, perspiration laden face.

"Afternoon, Hinata-sama," he swiped a towel across his forehead and down to his neck.

She dipped her head, "Nara-san."

"Something I can help you with?" He waited a moment for her answer, but the heiress just twisted the end of her coat in her fingers. Shikamaru reached for his nearby bag and emerged with a bottle of water and a pack of cigarettes.

"S-Something's wrong..." She hesitated. It wasn't as if she hadn't planned what she was going to say. But now, with Shikamaru frowning at her, her mind went blank. She swallowed back her nervousness. "I n-need your help."

The Nara genius downed his bottle of water before fishing out a cigarette. "Sure, anything you need."

"W-Well I-I need you to tell me what hap-happened on Itachi's last mission."

Shikamaru was turning all of his pockets inside out and cursing under his breath. Hinata was fairly certain he wasn't listening.

"Nara-san?"

"Yeah," he said distractedly, going for his bag again. He rifled through it violently before coming away with a small lighter. "I'm afraid I can't do that, Hinata." His words were muffled by the cigarette in his mouth. He lit it and sucked in a breath of smoke and nicotine, blew it out away from her face.

"Please, I think s-something's wrong with him. Itachi."

"What kind of thing?"

"I can't..." She looked down at her feet. Itachi would never forgive her for divulging that information.

Shikamaru puffed on his cigarette again. "Alright, Hinata, I'll make you a deal."

She met his gaze and listened intently.

"If you think something's wrong with Itachi, serious enough to warrant telling me, then I'll break the law and tell you about our mission."

"I-"

Shikamaru held his hands up, cut her off. "Think about it a bit, then let me know. Our team isn't slated for another mission yet. There's time."

For some reason, Hinata didn't feel like there was time, but she nodded, thanked Shikamaru, and left.

No sooner had she arrived home and closed the door behind her, than a knock sounded on it. She spun around and opened it to reveal Sasuke. There was a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes and Hinata wondered how she hadn't seen him behind her.

"Is Itachi here?" he asked, shutting the door behind him.

"Um, I'm not s-sure. I just got here."

Sasuke walked around her and yelled for his brother. "You here?"

He emerged from somewhere down the hall, with a bit of irritation crinkling the corners of his eyes.

Sasuke wasted no time. "So, rumor has it there was some idiot screaming in here last night."

Itachi pulled up beside Hinata and smoothly wrapped an arm around her waist. She tried not to squeak like a dog toy when he pulled her against his side.

"Sorry, little brother, Hinata and I will try to keep it down tonight." He smirked slightly and pressed his lips to her temple.

Hinata reigned in a shiver. His lips felt like they ignited a fire against her head, leaving a burning sensation in their wake. She resisted the urge to rub at her temple, and tried not to turn an unbecoming shade of red. Wondering if she should help further the illusion, she reached up, thinking to hold Itachi in return, but only ended up clinging to a bit of shirt.

Sasuke managed to look simultaneously disgusted and unimpressed. "You don't seriously expect me to believe that."

"I understand that it's difficult for you to think of me that way-"

"Please, stop." Sasuke shook his head like he could dispel the images rushing into his mind's eye. "You're right about that, but I still don't believe you."

"I'm sorry to hear that, little brother." He stepped away from Hinata. Her traitorous body left her with a feeling it was missing something, warmth, strength. She felt weaker now. She didn't like it.

"Is there anything else I can clear up for you, Sasucakes?" Itachi said it in such a casual manner, like he was there only to help his little brother.

The younger Uchiha glowered at him. "Your failure of a wife still doesn't offer me tea when I come over," he snapped.

It was clear that his intent was only to lash out at something. He did not like his brother and his wife sharing a secret he was not privy to. Itachi was his brother.

Hinata let out a small gasp and turned to head for the kitchen, but Itachi stopped her.

"I think we're finished here, little brother." His voice was quiet but stern; A clear dismissal.

"Whatever," Sasuke muttered. "I'll find out what happened." He looked directly at Hinata when he said it, there was no doubt.

And then he left.

Hinata didn't catch it at the time, but later she would ponder that look. It would eat at her thoughts like a cancer. And she would wonder, did Sasuke mean to use his favor? Would he demand she tell him what she knew?

For now, though, she was overcome with embarrassment at being called a failure.

"I-I'm s-s-sorry," she managed, frowning at Itachi. He must've hated being reminded what an awful wife she was. She may not have wanted to marry him, but she still never intended to disappoint him or her family.

"Hush," he said. "He was only angry. You mustn't listen so closely to what that foolish boy says."

"B-But-"

"Hinata," he gently grabbed her chin, tilted her gaze to meet his. "I rather like that you don't offer him the hospitality he thinks he deserves. Just remember your place when anyone else comes."

She nodded. It still felt like a scolding, but if Itachi didn't think she was a complete failure then perhaps she wasn't doing as poorly as she thought. He certainly didn't seem the type to sugarcoat things.

Itachi found himself dreading the evening, the night, sleep. He couldn't. There was no other option than to stay awake. He wouldn't risk another outburst. He couldn't take the questions, from his wife, his brother, his father.

But how long could he last? He knew better than anyone he would have to sleep eventually. He could go awhile; A few days, a week if he pushed it. But then what?

It would hardly be wise to build up such a sleep debt when the possibility of an important mission was around every corner.

He closed his eyes, rubbed them. It must've been his imagination but they seemed to be bothering him since the last mission. Just a niggling irritation.

"No," he muttered, it was only his mind playing tricks on him. His vision was perfect, his sharingan top notch.

He just needed rest.

Hinata stood outside Itachi's bedroom door, the picture of ninja stealth. She wasn't moving, was barely breathing in an effort to hear her husband; Trying to discern if he was awake.

She heard shifting and sighing and was that muttering?

"Hinata, your frantic presence is giving you away," Itachi deadpanned from behind the door. "Come in."

Disappointed in herself, the heiress pushed the door open and stepped inside.

"H-How are you?" She asked, stopping at the end of the bed.

"Fine. Did you need something in particular, Hinata?"

"N-No... Well," she paused, swallowed, "I c-can't... sleep." Kami, she sounded like a three year old. And that was the biggest lie she'd told today. She could fall asleep standing up right now.

"Try some tea," he said dismissively.

Hinata shifted, staring intently at her feet. The thumping of her heart was a roaring in her ears. Just say it, she urged herself.

"I-I was actually... I j-just wondered..." she gulped in air, "S-Some company." She frowned, wondering if she'd managed a coherent sentence. She didn't think so.

Itachi narrowed his eyes at her almost suspiciously. Then, all at once, his face eased into his usual placid expression. "Of course, Hinata-sama." He folded his blanket back on one side. "My bed is always open to you." He let loose the tiniest smirk. It was clear that he expected her to either run from the room or spontaneously combust.

If asked later why she stepped forward instead of back, she would have to blame it on that smirk, that smugness. She refused to be an open book.

So she stepped a shaky leg forward, dipped her head. "Thank you, Itachi." She mentally pumped her fist, no stuttering! Now if she could just take a few more steps...

Itachi hid his surprise well, instead looking pleased, like a predator whose prey had willingly walked into his trap.

Hinata suddenly found herself at the side of the bed, staring at the wrinkled sheet. Could she really do this? Could she really crawl into bed with Itachi?

"Is something the matter, Hinata?"

She shook her head and climbed in without another thought.

She was immediately engulfed with a warmth that made her shiver. Itachi, never one to back down, wrapped an arm around her and pulled her closer.

Hinata was all tingling nervousness, like every nerve ending in her body was on high alert. She forced herself to breathe, but only ended up getting a whiff of Itachi. He smelled like... like the forest after a summer rain. Kami, she sounded like Hanabi.

"Hinata," Itachi said quietly.

Not trusting herself to speak, she simply made a hmm noise.

He dipped his head down, brushed his lips against the shell of her ear, "Relax," he whispered.

It turned out to have the opposite effect on Hinata. Her face flushed red and she suddenly felt like running; What she should've done to begin with.

She pulled away, but Itachi's grip tightened. "Uh, uh. You're not getting away now."

She forced herself to take in another shaky breath.

"Now tell me why you're really here."

"I t-told you."

"Yes, but you're such a very poor liar."

She pressed her face into his chest, if only to hide it. She felt foolish now. Why did he always make her feel like a silly child?

"If y-you knew I was l-lying-"

His soft laughter interrupted her. It was brief, but it rumbled sweetly into her ears.

"I did not expect you to carry it this far," he admitted.

She felt a spike of pride at that.

"Why, then, Hinata?"

She buried her face more, unwilling to let him see her embarrassment. "I don't know," her words were muffled by his chest.

"I know," he said, amusement lacing his voice. Hinata marveled at the tone, one she had not heard from him. So much she hadn't heard from him except in the last few minutes. It seemed that when alone, really alone, Itachi was no longer a tyrant, an emotionless warrior. He was a person. A person that she could possibly stand to live with for the rest of her life. Maybe even enjoy living with.

"You're ready to produce an heir," he continued.

Okay, not so much enjoy living with, as completely hate.

Itachi didn't stop her that time as she reeled back, apparently speechless, or at least unable to form a coherent word.

He could see, even in the dim light, that she was a dangerous shade of red. So naturally, he decided to push her a bit more.

He leaned into her space and put his hand on her cheek. "I think you have a bit too much clothing on, though." He let his hand slide down her neck and tugged the shirt off of her shoulder.

She sputtered and squeaked as she backed farther away. But all she could see were Itachi's arms snaking after her.

"Don't fall," he said as he grabbed her and pulled her from the edge of the bed. "I was joking."

Hinata's mind struggled to catch up. Itachi. Joking. The two weren't computing in her brain. They just didn't coexist.

He coaxed her firmly back on the bed while her thoughts were still running away.

"J-Joking?" Her frazzled mind managed.

"Yes, Hinata. If you're uncomfortable, perhaps you should go to bed."

"No," she yelped. She had come this far, she wasn't backing down. It was a matter of pride now, if nothing else. She would not run away with her tail between her legs. She scooted closer, fully integrating herself into the bed.

Itachi smirked down at her. He pushed a bit of hair out of her eyes, not willing to let her hide behind it. "Now will you tell me why you're here?"

"T-To help," she said it so quietly he almost didn't catch it.

"To help." He repeated, trying to work out what she meant.

"You," she added looking up at him in that way that had made him want to smile once before.

He was fairly certain he knew what she was doing, though he'd be lying if he said he wasn't surprised at her method. He wanted to tell her he didn't need help, reassure her that there was no trouble. But she was so sincere in that innocent way of hers that he just said, "Okay," and wrapped his arms around her.

Maybe this once he could accept help.

To Hinata's surprise, she fell asleep quickly. But not sweetly in Itachi's arms. She had already turned and claimed her side of the bed, determined to be there for Itachi, but not comfortable being that cozy with him.

She awoke a few hours later to Itachi trembling and mumbling in his sleep. He was still firmly on his side of the bed, but he was clearly tense, engaged in whatever dream was plaguing him.

Without further consideration, she scooted over and grabbed his hand.

"Itachi," she whispered, squeezing her hand around his.

He gasped and his eyes shot open. They flew around wildly for a moment before settling on Hinata.

He blinked and rubbed a hand over his eyes. "I'm fine," he said roughly, though they both knew it was in vain.

Instead of asking what happened, Hinata just settled her head on his chest and listened until his heart rate slowed. He didn't protest, didn't speak, just ran his fingers through her thin hair until her breathing evened.

Itachi didn't dare close his eyes. He should've never let Hinata this close, let her see him this weak.

It wouldn't happen again.

Before Hinata ever fell back asleep, she had made up her mind. She needed to know what would reduce the great Uchiha Itachi to a quivering wreck in his sleep.

She would tell Shikamaru what he wanted to know.

This quick update was brought to you by... YOU! Everyone that reviewed played a part in me writing this so quickly, so thank you!

Next chapter we'll find out what's going on!

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