Intro may be a little confusing but I don't like revealing the whole plot at once :) Hope you enjoy
Hunger was a pain. A pain that was alive. Much more than even Hinata herself felt at times. She tries to hold it while it rolls and scratches at the pits of her stomach asking to be noticed. It was a feeling only she was acquainted with in midst of all the other children with their heads in their books. The teacher's voice drones on about probability and error but the depths of her stomach keep whispering to her, threatening to embarrass her soon if she doesn't give in to it's demands. Demands that are just too high for her to ever reach.
So how do you fill an endless abyss? What could possibly satisfy the angry beast within her? The answer was nothing that she owned. So, if she could not satisfy it, then she would drown it. While the other kids at the renowned Konoha High were picking which lunch option to buy, course A with a main dish of steak or course B with a main dish of lamb chops, Hinata was watching her clear meal fill the bottle she brought.
"Hinata... I told you to pack yourself a lunch also," Neji's sharp voice startles her for a second but she doesn't spill a single drop of her precious staple.
"It's okay Neji," she had dropped formalities long ago, just as he has dropped his, "I needed a diet anyways."
Shaking his head and the long brown locks he quickly undoes his own sack and brings out his sandwich, ripping it in half. Hinata has stopped filling the bottle with her share of lunch and turned to watch him. The smell of thinly sliced ham and fresh lettuce punctures her nose making her saliva pour into her mouth before she forcefully swallows it all down. Neji gives a half knowing and half amused smirk before carefully wrapping the bigger side in a napkin and placing it on the fountain, knowing that if he were to place it in her hand it would go slack and she would give the food back without even accepting it first. Before she has time to protest he leaves to go to class, he eats during the second lunch period and thinks it was lucky today that he happened to pass by Hinata filling her water.
Hinata grabs the sandwich and shoves it into her mouth lustfully, groaning as the solid matter fights off her monstrous hunger. Still, her satisfied cries of happiness soon turn into sorrowful tears of self hatred and guilt. So wholly consumed by her hunger and desperate to fill the gaping hole in her stomach she had been careless, unwilling to take the extra steps to go to the fountain she usually fills up at. That mistake had lead to Neji giving her half of his valuable lunch. Now he would only have a small share, because of her. All because of her. All because she couldn't hold onto the pain and bear it a little longer within herself.
"If you're done filling your water you can move," the voice from behind slams into her like a winter blast and goosebumps paint her flesh within seconds. Without even turning to check who it belonged to Hinata grabs her bottle, crumples the napkin, and runs. Sasuke Uchiha watches the purple curtain swish this way then that as the girl stumbles away.
"Wasn't that the new student? She got in as a top scholarly student along with her cousin. You know the thing your family funds every year? Scared her away already i see..."
Sasuke was deciding if he should just ignore Naruto like normal or ask about it more. Turns out, his friend wasn't expecting an answer out of him anyway. "The female student was her, the male student was her cousin. It must be genetics huh? Thousands apply to come here and rumor has it they didn't even do that. They were so exceptional your brother convinced them to come! Amazing, one male and one female TSS scholarship every year and it goes to one family." Naruto shakes his head in admiration wondering why he could have everything in the whole world except for a A+ in math.
Sasuke has heard enough and smirks halfheartedly at his idiot of a best friend. He didn't particularly care about what the Uchiha corps head director, or for lack of better titles his brother, did, but the girl certainly caught his eye. Maybe it was the way such a timid and innocent beauty savagely engulfed the food that was lain before her, or maybe it was the way she cried over something so simple as stealing half a lunch. Whatever the reason was the strange curiosity prickled the side of his temple and he couldn't get the swish swish swish of the violate curtain out of his head.
Second day of school and although Neji hasn't made any friends, per say, he does have quite a few admires always huddling around him. Strong, smart, and attractive. The Junior girls all but swallow him in a sea of adoration, but his blank eyes glaze over them like they would a field of wild grass. Rock Lee, firstborn and successor to the Lee Training company for athletes that fund most of Japan's national teams, had challenged Neji on the first day. His surprise attack on the second had lead to him sporting a black eye and a permanent friendly rivalry with new rising prodigy Neji Hyuga.
In contrast to her already popular and attention attracting cousin, Hinata was barely noticed. She preferred it that way, although she did wish her seating arrangement would be different. It just so happened that the invisible girl ended up sitting next to THE Sasuke Uchiha of Uchiha Corps. One of the biggest multi-industry companies of Japan, and the world. Globally they owned factories, electronic companies, hotels, sports teams, and supermarkets. On a national scale they were named every year in the top 5 most successful business and in the recent 3 years they have kept the number one streak. Sometimes Hinata cannot fathom how she is able to sit next to the second in line of such an amazing company and not combust from the pressure that radiated off of his greatness. Whenever girls gathered around him Hinata slowly, as not to aggravate them or bring their attention to her (for they were already angry she got to sit next to the prince), would sulk away.
While she was still think about her escape route from the hoard of fan girls the bell signifying the start of lunch sounded on cue with her own grumbling stomach. One would think she was used to skipping breakfast but apparently her body wasn't. Hinata uses all the strength left in her wobbly thin legs to sprint towards the basement locker room fountains. The one by the after school activities hub where the water was permanently warm because of the hum of all the school's hidden organs that ran the air conditioning, water, and whatnot.
Too hungry to think straight she pushes her stomach against the bar and water gushes into her mouth. She drinks, gulp after gulp, practically inhaling the stream of crystal light. One of Sasuke's droopy eyelids reluctantly opens up to the rude awaking. And here he thought he would have some peace and quiet from all the constant attention he always received. He wondered how long this hiding spot would last and apparently it was only 5 days this ti- he stops short in the middle of his sulking when he notices that the girl, the same one from yesterday, isn't here to see him at all. She wasn't one of those creepy stalkers that somehow knew his every step throughout the school. She just wanted lunch… or… water? Yes. Lots of water.
Eyes widening he watches as she continues swallowing the water only to stop a good 5 or 6 minutes later. Heaving a sigh that was somewhere between satisfaction and "this will have to do" she straightens herself up and briskly walks away with her head hung low, as if she were embarrassed at her measly lunch. Just as she turns the corner out of his sight a familiar ding brings his attention down to his phone.
Naruto: Aye~ you have plans after school today?
Sasuke was about to answer with "..." which means "No, I don't" in his energy conserving text language when he stopped short.
Sasuke: Yeah
A reply came back within half a second
Naruto: WHAT?! Basketball was canceled today!
Sasuke: Work.
Naruto: ?
Sighing the Uchiha pocketed his phone and swung his legs back onto the bench. He had a few more minutes to nap before class started.
It would be a metaphor to say that his glasses were knocked off his face from shock and theoretically they kind of were. Itachi was so suspicious of the sight in front of his eyes that he actually removed his glasses from his fine face.
"My my… what day is it Secretary Sasori?"
The aloof secretary looked at Itachi for a split second before responding, "Thursday." before leaving quickly. With an amused sigh Itachi looks back at his brother.
"You're probably not here to say hello and your probably not here for work so… what is it that's so important?"
Sasuke felt impatient standing in Itachi's office, it was as if the air was itching and clawing at his skin trying to force him and stay. The formal setting also clashed considerably with his school uniform and that annoyed his forever neat and matching mind.
"It's about a girl." Itachi's eyebrows soared and Sasuke closed his eyes knowing he should have worded the sentence better. His brother was never going to live this down nor was he going to forget to mention it to their parents.
"Really? Sasuke coming to meet me over a girl? And here I was beginning to think that you might only ever have a thing with Naruto."
Sasuke gritted his teeth and tried not to bust out of the office immediately. He did not have a thing with Naruto, they've practically known each other since they were in diapers. The kiss that happened in elementary school was a pure accident and should never be mentioned. Ever. If it were another person and not Itachi saying such a thing Sasuke would probably have beaten the daylights out of them. But Itachi didn't have daylight in him, that dark shadow of a creature he called his brother was his brother after all. Sasuke knew a losing battle when he saw one, and Itachi knew it too seeing the amused grin on his face.
"Anyway. It's about the new TSS scholarship student."
Itachi's face flatlines and he squints at Sasuke, "What exactly do you want to know about her?"
It's not the reaction he was expecting, especially from his brother. Itachi brings up his hands and rests them in front of his face, leaning his chin and lower lips against his joined fingers, hiding his expression save for the piercing eyes that serve as a warning not to prey into the territory further.
"Well I just wanted to know why they were from one family, but you know what? I can guess, they're just super smart right?"
He wanted to get out of there. The air changed so quickly it felt like his head was swirling. Itachi loosens his pose and nods at Sasuke, even though he's not fooled he'll let it slide. "Yes. They're smart. Is there anything else?"
It was not an invitation to keep asking, that was Sasuke's dismissal and he took the queue straight away. "No. Just didn't want to lose my first place to the Neji kid or the girl. Guess I should go study then." Whether Itachi believed those words were up to his brother but seeing how the muscles by his jaw slackened Sasuke guessed that Itachi believed it (which was foolishness, his brother must surely know Sasuke was beyond rankings and couldn't care less. It just so happened he was always first in his school.) Maybe it was that Itachi wanted to believe that Sasuke wasn't too curious about the Hyugas. Usually when one wants to console themselves their logic becomes flawed. Sasuke quickly said goodbye and left the office. He would have to find another way to get more information about Hinata because Itachi was not willing to give him any, and if anything, Sasuke Uchiha knew a losing fight when he saw one.
Hinata self consciously picks at the hole near the heel of her leather shoe. They weren't real leather of course, more like a rubbery material that was colored in black and made it appear like it was genuine although her classmates could tell within a second. Hinata frowns at herself for thinking about shoes during her precious break, she should really be getting some shut eye because with her after school part time jobs and studies she hasn't been getting nearly enough sleep, still, that one tiny hole is really bothering her. The air condition does cool her one foot but the temperature difference serves merely as an annoyance and a constant reminder of the empty space that shouldn't exist.
"HINATA!"
Jumping up she looks at her boss who gives her a cheery smile while waving a bag in front of her face. "Why are you so dazed?" He asked placing the package down in front of her, as she smiled. He was always so kind to her and although he really liked being close in proximity she thought it bearable because of the warmth he radiated.
"I was just thinking… Is it almost time to close already?"
Her boss nods and give her a small grin, "Do you want to take some leftover hamburgers for your sister?"
Hinata's eyes brighten. A treat for her sister and a meal taken care of, she couldn't be more thankful towards her benevolent overseer. "That would be so kind of you sir!" His grin widens as he ruffles her hair, a gesture she slightly flinched at. "Come let's go get them from the back, my daughter loves hamburgers too your sister reminds me of her."
Hinata smiles, this was the sort of kindness that warmed her heart. When someone she knows went out of their way to treat her like family, it made her foster some hope for the cold world. "Coming sir."
Sasuke sits at a table with his untouched drink and tilts his head. Could he call it an intuition? He didn't like the boss much, but at least he was willing to give something Hinata seemed to desperately want and need. He watched her work for a good hour (call him a creep if you will but he preferred the term surprise guardian). She barely seemed to be able to support herself while cleaning the tables. Instead of leaning on her two legs she'd press herself against the edge of the table as she used the towel to clean them off. He knew she filled herself with water for lunch but now he was beginning to doubt that she got one meal in at all.
Flicking some condescended water off his glass cup he eyes the clock. It was well past 11 and he could just picture his Secretary and driver in the car bickering about whether they should let him walk or wait for him. Of course, his Secretary would win because if the driver left they were both fired and they knew this. Thinking of them Sasuke knows he should really get going but his feet can't seem to move. It's as if they're stubborn and he can guess why. They, or he to be more exact, wanted to check that Hinata would leave okay. The minute hand has somehow moved 5 minutes and Sasuke raises an eyebrow.
The food closet is a dark place (because light can rot certain ingredients) and cool (in order to preserve all the temperature sensitive foods that Hinata could only dream about). Basically it was a refrigerator that Hinata could only dream about but never ever acquire. Now, being inside it with the thought that she could possibly be caring some of the goods home to her family excited her and she turned to her Boss with shining eyes.
The smile that tugged at her lips ever so softly falls, and then it opens into a shocked gasp as she watches him lock to door. Unlike the other restaurants she works at this one had a strange, sealed door, that didn't lock on itself and instead had door locks on both sides. In a way it was to prevent accidents where attendants or chefs let the door close on themselves. Now that she looks at it, the door was also a trap.
"What would you like to take Hinata?" The boss' voice smoothens out into velvety richness filled with the unveiled lust he had held in for the past weeks. Hinata inadvertently starts backing away trying to melt herself into the wall.
"I… I thought you were giving me… giving me the food."
He smiles at her while sliding his fingers from her shoulder down to her frozen fingers which he grabs. Rubbing his thumb on the back of her smooth hand he squeezes when she tries pullng away. The kind face turns into stone within seconds as he glares at her, "I said I would give you the food, but I never said it was free."
The scream was stuck in her throat. Hinata really didn't know what to do but she knew she couldn't stand there doing nothing. Nobody was here, nobody could help her but herself. Eyes widening she watches his face come closer, she can see the small wrinkles by his eyes and mouth, the gray roots of his hair, she feels the metal of his wedding ring on her wrist. Squeezing her eyes shut she does what comes naturally to her fight instincts without thinking of the ramifications. His face turns the other way with the impact of her slap. Immediately his cheek starts reddening but Hinata can't tell if it's from the force of her hand or his anger.
"YOU ARROGANT BITCH!" He grabs her by the shoulders and throws her onto the ground. When she tries to push herself off the ground a sting swivels her head the other way until she's looking at the ground by her elbow. The tears are half for her pain and half for the betrayal. Yelling angrily her boss rips at her white blouse and Hinata tries kicking him away while clinging to her clothes. This time it's her right cheek that suffers for her rightful resistance. At the moment it's not fear that grips her anymore, it's the humiliation and anger. But why should she be humiliated? Why should she be ashamed for something this married man is trying to do to her? She shouldn't. Pulling back her fist she squares him in the jaw and abandons a shoe that came flying off as she twists the lock forcefully and yanks open the door. Out of the corner of her eye she sees someone getting up but her vision is too blurred with tears to notice. Feeling like a twisted Cinderella she flies out of the restaurant doors with only half her shoe, at least it's not the incomplete one. At least it doesn't have an empty space where it shouldn't. There was nothing more annoying than that.
Sasuke watches Hinata run out in tears and immediately turns towards the counter. Without hesitating he jumps across the smooth white surface and lands just in front of a bumbling man. Within a second Sasuke scans him from head to toe. Unkempt hair, the top buttons undone, holding his belt, red cheeks. Sasuke turns, disgusted, and runs out hoping Hinata hasn't gotten hurt in her daze. He could deal with this man at another time.
She wishes she could stop the tears by the time she reaches the corner but she can't and Neji Hyuga can tell something's wrong just from the way she walks. Balling his fists and briskly walking with purpose Neji's about to surpass Hinata and find the culprit when Hinata grabs his arm in her shaking hand. "N-neji…" the whisper barely squeezes its way out of her closing throat and she can no longer repeat herself, but he hears it. Her legs loose all feeling as she falls but Neji won't let that happen. Pulling her towards him he holds her slender frame upright in his chest. Whimpering she squeezes and un-squeezes his shirt, sometimes with tight grips of fear and sometimes with slaked hands that are too numb to react.
By the time Sasuke turns the corner out of breath he can hear Hinata's soft cries muffled by her cousin's shoulder. Placing his hands on his hips and huffing he watches for a second before turning back. She was violated enough, he didn't have to stand and secretly watch her weakest moment. It seems that he forgot his place, Hinata Hyuga already had another Hyuga to look after her, he had been too ahead of himself because of his damned curiosity. Still. Still, Sasuke felt like his business wasn't finished. His secretary comes huffing up to him with his clipboard, "Sir why did you run past the ca-" Forcing him to turn around and leave the Hyuga's alone Sasuke quickens his pace towards the parked car, "I need you to get some video footage."
"Sir?" His secretary questions while uncapping his pen,
"Are you deaf?!" Sasuke yanks the car door open and glares at his secretary exploding some misplaced anger his way, "the CCTVs in this hamburger store I was just in. I need all of the footage."
Not understanding his young master's strange request the secretary looks up at the store and frowns, "Yes sir," better to appease the Uchiha than piss him off, "and how much footage?"
Sasuke climbs in, "the whole week's" and slams the door shut.
The middle part was ehhhh but ch 2 will be coming soon hopefully it's better, review? Thank you for reading!