"He was avoiding me, so I thought it was best to give him his space, and then I had a mission..." Itachi shrugged. He felt almost certain he should have gone after Sasuke and talked with him before he'd left, but he hadn't known what to say, honestly. "I had tea with Hinata, but I didn't hit on her."

Itachi sobered a little more, suddenly as cautious as if he were undercover again. "And why does he think that?"