FFN doesn't like to let people leave links, so i can't leave credit to the post that this idea was from. however, if you'd like, pm me and I should be able to send the link through there? anyways, i saw it and i was like, "well, i'm never going to get the chance to actually ROLE PLAY this idea out with someone else" so this fic happened!

i'm well aware i'm notorious for starting stories and never looking at them again, but hopefully this won't be one of them!

also, basing this story in north carolina (lmao) because since i live here, i'm familiar with the state, and it DOES get pretty hot down in the south, so...

also! this is a modern au take! i'm basing it on my modern au headcanons for hinata, and i'll be making stuff up about sasuke along the way because honestly, i've never thought about HIS modern au stuff other than from what other people have created who actually rp him, and i'm not about to take their ideas v.v

modern au-wise, they are japanese.

The day she decided just which university to go to, the day she saw their college acceptance letter amongst all the others piled up on the breakfast table, Hinata Hyūga had been ecstatic. Duke University, probably the most prestigious university in North Carolina, and it rivaled those of the Ivy League level, if not exceeding some of those schools' standards. She wanted to stay in state to begin with, not exactly ready to travel far out in the world on her own, and she would rather stay closer to home, anyways. Besides, Duke was probably everything she could dream of. It was home to a beautiful state, the academics were wonderful, and the campus was gorgeous.

Amongst other things, Hinata would be studying law and things like business and economics, psychology, and more. She was an heiress to her family's corporation, after all - Hyūga International Law Offices, a world famous corporation with offices in a number of countries, its home in the great U-S-of-A. The Hyūga were an old money sort of family, and they could trace their roots back to Japan, where they were still wealthy and successful.

Today, they were still incredibly wealthy and successful, and now Hiashi was the second and current chairman of the law firm.

All Hinata's life, she has striven to please and impress her father, her grades and behavior in school beautifully consistent and as best as they could possibly be. She was no prodigy, not like her cousin Neji nor her sister, and she once had a battered and broken confidence in herself that could only be referred to as self-doubt.

Over the years, Hinata was able to grow in more ways than one, becoming a confident, strong, and able young woman. She now had ambitions to succeed her father as chairwoman. The road wouldn't be an easy one; no, not in the least.

Duke University was one of the country's most prestigious universities, and the courses would undoubtedly be difficult. She still had private tutors to further educate her about the business world and how to specifically run her family's corporation where school could not, and there was still the pressure that came from hailing from the line of Hyūgas. There was a lot for her to do, and there was quite a bit that was expected of her, but with all the strength and the courage that she had gathered over the years, Hinata would succeed.

After all, now she was finishing up her second year of college, and there would be only two more years to go until she'd earn her Bachelor's, and she'd be off to Duke's law program afterward. Once she earned her Juris Doctor, she could take the bar exam, and even now, with that goal so far ahead in the future, she was still nervous.

Hinata was one of the lucky ones. Coming from a rich family, there was no worry over money and student debts; one could say she had it fairly easy. With the allowance she got and the money she made on her own from the small part-time jobs she'd picked up along the way in her high school years, she had purchased her own apartment, and working now (while still getting money from her parents), she was able to pay for her apartment and everything she needed to live comfortably.

And, that was where Hinata Hyūga's little story began.

Her senior year of high school was spent preparing for her life heading into adulthood. An apartment had already been purchased because her home was a little far (though not by much; just enough to be inconvenient in regards to possible traffic) from campus, and she didn't feel comfortable enough to live in a dorm. Eighteen, and still a little on the shy side. It would have been a great opportunity to make a friend, of course, but she would rather make a friend on campus in classes and grow comfortable with them through those interactions instead.

Besides, she had figured there would be students living in apartment complexes anyways; it wasn't uncommon for people to prefer off-campus housing.

Hinata had gotten an apartment on the top floor of a four-story building. It was more isolated, and it would be quieter, more peaceful - just the way she liked it. She could read, she could study, and she could indulge in any other hobbies she had. Of course, she had to be courteous to her neighbor below her, as well as the one across from her, but there shouldn't be any issues. Her steps were quiet and light, almost with the grace of a dancer, and she didn't exactly blast her music. It played on a comfortable volume level.

She'd survived two years already with no trouble, so she would be fine for many years more.

At least, that was Hinata's hope.

That day, it had been her last day of school for the year. Tote bag slung on one shoulder, her small shoulder bag slung across the other, and a small gift bag and her room key in hand, she climbed up the stairs up to her apartment, sighing in relief as soon as the door had opened. In comparison to the outdoor summer heat, her apartment felt like a breath of cool, fresh air. Once she was adjusted to the temperature, however, it wasn't so wonderful. It seemed that the air conditioning wasn't working so well, or maybe it was with the sun pouring in through the windows. Regardless, that summer was the hottest summer in years, and Hinata wondered if she would survive.

When she woke up that morning, her blanket had been kicked onto the floor, and she had regretted wearing pants instead of a pair of shorts. Her ceiling fan in the bedroom had been on high, and the air conditioner had been on, yet it didn't seem to help so much. The thermostat was set to its appropriate temperature, but it still read "83." It felt a little better outside because it had still been morning and there was a nice and gentle breeze to cool her down. The temperature had been at its peak at noon, though it still wasn't any better now in the later afternoon hours. The sun was still burning hot against her skin and through her clothes, making her head hot to the touch.

She was glad to be home.

The other day, she had purchased a few fans; two tower fans, and one little table fan. Dyson fans - quiet and effective, though some days, she did enjoy her fresh air. Opening too many windows, though, let in more bugs than she'd like to allow, and so that afternoon, she left her apartment door wide open. While she was sitting around in the main living room, she would be able to monitor the door easily.

For a while, she was wary, as she was a slightly cautious person by nature. It was a safe neighborhood, especially since it was rather close to the university, so nothing bad should happen. Still, the Hyūga really couldn't help it.

"Maybe I should leave the door closed after all," she silently mused, glancing over at her open door. "But... Getting fresh air saves money on the utility bill..."

Not that she had anything to worry about in regards to living expenses. She was wealthy. But, Hinata was a modest woman and she didn't like to flaunt it, and she wanted to be able to take care of herself to prove that she was strong, independent, capable, and responsible.

Her cat seemed to agree that it was best to leave the door open. Taro - and that was her cat's name - seemed to enjoy the occasional breeze that would roll in, his tail flicking from side to side contentedly. Every now and then he would spot a bug outside, and he would bound right out the door and pounce on it.

A pleasant smile had spread over Hinata's face as she looked up from her book as she kept an eye on her cat. She often let him out, though with her following close behind (although she really didn't need to; he always came back home, and he was never gone for long. He was a smart cat.) to keep an eye on him, mostly to make sure that he didn't make any trouble. It was a pet-friendly apartment complex and Taro had no problems, but, there were always others who'd make trouble, and there was never a guarantee that he would get along with the other animals he might come across.

Taro was going in and out, returning as quickly as he had left. Hinata's worries were touched upon briefly, however, when the ginger and white coated Siberian didn't return after ten minutes. Letting out a soft and concerned sigh, she bookmarked her page and set the book down on the coffee table, slipping her feet into her flip flops before she went out the door.

"Taro," Hinata called out softly, looking left and right for the cat. It wasn't like him to not come back home, and so of course, she couldn't help but to be worried. "Taro-!"

Maybe he'd gone downstairs, or maybe he had found a bug to play with, or some poor bird, or-

"Is this your cat?"

Looking up from her feet, her brown eyes trailed upward, meeting with a ball of familiar ginger and white fur, and a long tail with long, shaggy fur swishing to and fro. Dark eyebrows knitted together as an "oh no" sort of expression settled across her pale face.

Sheepishly, Hinata averted her gaze from Taro before she allowed her eyes to continue moving upward as she replied with a soft, "Y-Yes!" Before her, she saw a young man with raven black hair that framed his face and dark eyes, akin to coal or obsidian glass. He was fairly tall, at least five-foot-ten, and he had fair skin. Briefly studying his face, she could tell that he was at least a little annoyed. That, and the atmosphere felt...tense. Bowing slightly, she quickly added, "I'm so sorry! Did..did he cause any trouble? I apologize..! I've left my apartment door open due to the heat, and he..well, he wandered out and didn't come back home right away and..."

"And he walked right into my apartment," the male finished, "right as I opened my door."

Hinata avoided looking into his eyes; he was slightly intimidating. "...he's a little on the..friendly side and-"

The man cut Hinata off, and simply held Taro forward. "Here. And he didn't make any trouble. Just came and tried to share my cat's food bowl. 'Least she didn't mind."

The girl almost looked horrified. "He- He did? I'm so sorry!" She took her cat into her arms and pouted down at him. "And he has food in his bowl now, too," she mumbled, softly stroking Taro's fur. Hugging the cat to her chest, she allowed her eyes to meet her neighbor's, and she attempted a diminutive smile. "Ah, um.. Thank you! For giving my cat back, I mean!" Grinning a little wider, she said, "I'm Hinata...I apologize that we've had to meet this way..."

"Sasuke," he replied, raising a single brow. He huffed and just gave Hinata a little nod. "Whatever."

He said nothing more and turned around, heading back into his apartment. While the door closed behind him, Hinata stood around quietly, looking down at the Siberian cat.

"Don't run off like that, Taro-kun," she gently scolded as she walked back into her own apartment. She set the cat down, and she, too, closed the door behind her.

She would try leaving it open again tomorrow. Hopefully, it would go a lot better, and hopefully, Taro wouldn't escape again. It shouldn't be a problem; Hinata doubted that Sasuke's door would be open.

She wondered how long he had lived there. In her two years at the complex, she didn't think she'd seen him before. She wondered if he was a university student at Duke, too. It wouldn't be strange. Duke had an enormous campus with various classes. Some students might not ever see each other once.

Shaking her head, Hinata decided it didn't matter. It wasn't her business, after all.

Minor details that didn't concern her.

She'd keep her nose out.