Beyond The Camera: The Sequel

Chapter 5

I suppose I should've put this disclaimer sooner, but I just want to assure everyone that this fic WILL have a happy ending with SasuHina and GaaSaku. Thanks for reading!

-Sasuke's POV-

I could feel Sakura staring at me as the three members still living in the Prestige house watched the official announcement of Hinata's engagement to Toneri. The Hyuuga woman's ability to steel her expression when uncomfortable has improved substantially since our debut. She's never been good at looking excited when dreading something, but someone who doesn't know her personally would never be able to tell she's shaking in her hypothetical boots.

A part of me is angry, seeing her hand in his, but the more significant portion is anxious. We need to get her out of this before something irreversible happens. It could be any number of things, but by how white Toneri's knuckles are while he's holding her hand, I fear him hurting her the most.

"She really doesn't like him," Gaara mumbled sadly.

Sakura made a slight sound of agreement, "She told me after the dinner party where she met him that he's fake. Apparently, he acted one way until Sasuke showed up and switched his personality completely."

My throat tightened. They were obviously waiting for me to chime in with my two cents, but I could only focus on the dull expression on Hinata's face.

A vibrating sensation came at my thigh, snapping my focus, and I pulled my phone out to see my brother's name cross the screen. Sparing the others a glance, I stepped outside, allowing the evening air to calm my heightened emotions, "Did you get it?"

"You're actually trying to save her, aren't you? That's why you want the phone."

I couldn't speak because I couldn't breathe. I hadn't expected him to read me so quickly without seeing me face-to-face.

After a moment, Itachi continued with a quieter voice, "If you aren't, I'll be incredibly disappointed in you."

My teeth gritted, but I forced myself to respond, "Did you get it or not?"

The sound of a car pulling into the driveway outside the fence met my ear.

"Let me in, brother."

Clicking the call to an end, I crossed the large yard to open the gate. Rather than walking into the house like I expected, Itachi simply came to stand before me with an unreadable expression and shut the gate behind him. I opened my mouth to repeat my question for the third time, only to freeze with my mouth half-open when I realized he had several folders plus the phone in question.

My eyes darted back up to his face, "Those aren't what I think they are, are they?" Itachi wouldn't bring me the blackmail they have on Hinata. Not now that things have already been taken this far.

The man's expression remained unreadable, as did his tone, "Before I hand anything over, I need to say something to you."

He did.

I fisted my hands and did everything in my power not to lose my temper like the last time he was at this house, "Why the hell are you doing this now? Why didn't you do this weeks ago?"

"Because you and Hinata made me realize how wrong I've been. About you, about her, about our parents, everything."

My mouth clamped shut in surprise at the sudden genuine regret about his entire demeanor. I watched as Itachi admitted to being incorrect for the first time in my life. He admitted to failure.

"More than that, I realized that I don't like anything about myself," his voice was softer. I looked down as he handed everything to me before meeting his eye again in disbelief.