Pivotal (Sasuke and Hinata)

Truth

"Itachi...", uttered Hinata.

With a pale face, Itachi said, "Well at least you still recognize me."

"H-How did I end up here? I was in my room just now. The c-crow...," said Hinata as she pointed the crow on Itachi's shoulder. "...Y-You are the one who sent the crow, right? Did you use genjutsu on me?"

Itachi saw the bandage on Hinata's right hand. He grabbed that hand and undone the bandage, revealing the symbol.

"What are you trying to do?!" yelled Hinata as she was shocked by the sudden action.

Itachi looked at the symbol and stare coldly at Hinata. "Why is the symbol appear?" asked Itachi

Hinata pulled back her hand and covered up the symbol, saying "It doesn't matter to you."

"It DOES matter to me. You are my vessel. The symbol means that something else is inside you right now.

"What nonsense are you talking about?! This symbol is to remind me of the promise," said Hinata.

"Promise? Promise doesn't need a symbol. You did something, right? Or else no one could know that I make you my vessel", said Itachi.

"This symbol is the promise between Neko-chi and Sasuke's mother that Neko-chi will always help Sasuke where ever he is," said Hinata.

Itachi went silent as he heard that. He stared at Hinata and said, "The seal is still intact. It should break a long time ago."

"Seal? Could you stop making me confused?! My head is hurting a lot now," said Hinata as she touch the back of her head.

"You still don't remember about that day? You are the one who begged me, Hinata. That seal only last until you mature enough to handle the emotions," explained Itachi.

The pain in Hinata's head is slowly hurting her. "Stop. Just stop. The pain is unbearable," said Hinata holding her head.

Itachi grabbed Hinata's hand and lead her to where he was sitting. He make Hinata sits and said, "The seal is making your memories upside down. You're confused, Hinata. Your memories are messed up."

"What? There is nothing wrong with me. You just don't know the whole story," denied Hinata. "One day, Sasuke summoned me and then I met Neko-chi. He's dying and he passed down his healing power and memories so that I can continue the promise and th-"

"Nonsense!" shouted Itachi. "I understand if you said you inherit the healing power but memories? It doesn't work that way."

"Then explain to me how I have the memories of the promise if it is not from Neko-chi?!"

"It is YOUR memories. You are the one who makes that promise with my mother, not Neko-chi."

"How can I make a promise to someone I never met?!" shouted Hinata.

"My mother favored you a lot, Hinata. You're supposed to know that by now. I don't understand why the seal didn't break," said Itachi.

"What does the seal have to do with everything?" asked Hinata.

"Supposedly after the seal is broken, you will remember everything about the past and eventually will come and find me. But you don't. Instead, the seal didn't break and you went to Sasuke," explained Itachi.

"How can I believe you? You are the one who killed your own clan," uttered Hinata.

Itachi stays silent. Hinata stared at Itachi and they both looked at each other. Then Itachi said, "You know the truth about it."

"Truth?"

"You were there when I killed my parents, Hinata."

Shocked by the statement, Hinata went speechless. Itachi continued, "Because you are still young at that time, you don't understand anything. You begged me to erase your memories because you can't cope with what you saw that day." 

Suddenly tears fell down. Hinata doesn't remember anything but there is something inside her that tells her what Itachi said is the truth. Itachi saw the tears and sighed. He put his hand on Hinata's head and said, "It's going to hurt a lot, but I think this is the right thing to do. The seal needs to be broken."

Hinata didn't have a chance to say anything and a sudden wave of pain splashed through her head making her scream on top of her lung. Hinata fainted because of the unbearable pain.

"I'm sorry, Hinata."