A/N: This is an AU Itachi and Hinata fic.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
...
She swayed and staggered her way home, neglecting to call for a car. At least she thought that's where she was going. If she ended up somewhere else, that would be fine with her. She was too messed up to really care. The party she had just left had been a great distraction from the life she was never meant to lead. Business sense and abnormal intelligence had skipped over her in her development. Despite her best efforts, she could never be good enough for her father or the company. Her shy nature as a child had caused her to be depressingly lonely and bullied by the family. That's when she threw her caution to the wind and made herself into the flirtatious, wild young woman she was well-known to be. The party life had offered her companionship and acceptance, which was all she ever wanted. Having taken some type of pill and drank enough to put any heavy drinker into a drunken coma, she vaguely wondered how her father would react. Would he yell? Would he kick her out?
There was nothing at that house for her anyway. Her cousin, the only family she could stand, had left her there despite Hinata's pleas to take her with him. She supposed it hadn't been up to him though. He was her best friend and the only person that could ease her father's abuse. Neji wouldn't return to her for several weeks, as he was out of the country on business for the wretched man she called father. They could still be friends with her living elsewhere. She was ready to go.
Shivering violently, she decided much too late that she should have worn more clothes. She had learned, however, that the less you wear, the more attention you get. Mid-December weather was not appropriate for short shorts, not the other way around. Her coat seemed to do nothing to warm her. She had been told that she had a lovely body, though she had believed it to be gross. She had developed almost unrealistic curves, earning her the nickname of 'whore' by her family just because she wasn't the beanpole they all were. Anything they could find to set her apart, they did. How was she supposed to respect people who had never even shown her the slightest amount of decency? She was surprised she hadn't mysteriously died after her mother's death.
The penthouse had to be close, she thought, looking around for familiar landmarks. Sure enough, there was the park that she had gone to as a child with her mother. It was but a few blocks from the place she had lived most of her life. She only had a few minutes of peace left. Fishing through her large purse, she located the small, bunny-shaped pillbox and opened it. There was a variety of different pills, but she didn't know what was what. She swallowed the one she deemed cutest.
She reached the steps of the giant building too quickly, and entered with a small greeting to the rude doorman. Riding the elevator to the top floor, she braced herself for the screaming fight she was surely going to have with her father. To hell with apologizing, begging, or anything else that might give him the pleasure of having her beat down. She was gentle and caring by nature, traits that the family attempted to strip her of, but she was finished with using anything other than utter coolness on them.
The ding of the elevator brought her out of her thoughts. She could see, when the doors opened, a note was stuck to the door of the penthouse. Rolling her eyes and sighing, she moved to get it. It was simple and to the point, she discovered as she read.
Hinata was absolutely livid, shaking with fury as she finished reading the note. She wasn't even allowed to unleash her anger on her father. No, she hadn't been given the chance. She had been stripped of her key months ago, and knocking would do no good, as Hiashi had had the whole place soundproofed. She could push the call button beside the door, but she knew the informing tone would be ignored. She went with the only option she had left to show him how she felt. Praying he was watching, she looked to the camera and flipped him off. To hell with her place in the family. She didn't care about them or their money.
The effects of the mystery pill caught up with her when she exited the enormous building. In the elevator, she had discovered she had seventeen dollars in cash, half a pack of gum, pills, cigarettes, a lighter, makeup, and perfume. It wasn't much to go with, but she believed she would be okay. She could build a fire if it got to that point.
…
"It's cold," the blonde whined. "Why are we here at three o'clock in the morning anyway?"
Sasuke sighed before explaining himself once again. "Because we need to be alone for what I'm going to do to you." He popped Naruto on the behind.
"Pervert," he growled. "We're in a park! Little kids play here! This is how we wrongfully end up on one of those lists..."
"Shh, it's okay. We can play here, too." He cupped his lover's cheek.
"But Sasuke! It's too cold!"
"Nonsense," he barked, dragging the blonde into the playground area.
"What, you want to do it on a slide or something?
"No. There," he pointed to a small playhouse in the corner of the fenced area.
"We won't fit, and we're going to catch pneumonia and die!"
"Will you just shut up? You're ruining the mood."
"There was never any mood, jerk!"
"You're a lot sexier when you keep your mouth shut." They had stopped at the wooden structure.
"Hah! You lie! If my mouth was shut, I wouldn't be able to-"
"Naruto. Look inside," Sasuke whispered, nudging his boyfriend's arm.
"A girl?" A young woman lay on the ground inside the playhouse, passed completely out, deep indigo hair splayed around her head. She was covered as well as possible with her coat, but she still shivered in her sleep. Her legs were bare, save the scandalous shorts and high-heeled boots. "Is she a prostitute?"
"I don't think so," the raven-haired man said, cocking his head as if to examine her better. "Her clothes are expensive, and that bag is worth a ludicrous amount."
"What do you think she's doing here?"
"Sleeping, obviously." He took his coat off and climbed inside, covering her legs.
"Asshole," he growled. "Check her bag."
"I was about to." He already had the designer bag in his hands. Pulling out a wallet, he went through the cards. "Hyuuga Hinata. Oh, yea, she's no prostitute."
"Hyuuga?"
"They own Byakugan Industries, the company that owns everything from software rights to hotels. They're a bunch of loaded bastards," he explained.
"What should we do with her? She's obviously in some sort of trouble..."
"I would say call the police and let them deal with it, but I think that would only create more trouble," he said, handing Naruto the box of assorted pills. "Her phone service is cut off, and I bet you if we tried using any of these credit cards, they would all be declined."
"She might just be some snotty princess. Maybe it would do her some good."
"No, I don't think so. Look at her face. She seems sad, but not newly sad. There's a broken and heavy aura around her."
"Oh, the vibe guy," Naruto said sarcastically. "She does look kind of sad though," he frowned. "So what do we do?"
"Take her with us."
"What? We're your brother's guests. We can't just take a random stranger back with us."
"Itachi would do anything for me, and he's a nice guy in general. It will be okay."
Naruto sighed. "Fine."
"You never had any say in the matter. Now help me carry her to the car."
…
A jackhammer. Yes, it must be. A jackhammer let loose on my nightstand. Glowing? A glowing jackhammer? Quit glowing, jackhammer.
Itachi was not a four in the morning kind of guy, but his Sasuke senses kicked in as soon as his phone quit vibrating. Quickly dialing his little brother's number, his heart nearly pounded out of his chest. What was going on?
"Itachi."
"Sasuke! Where are you? Are you okay?"
"Don't worry. I'm fine. Sorry to wake you up, but could you come open the parking garage entrance? I forgot to bring the keycard..." Sasuke explained, inwardly cursing his shortcoming.
"Of course. I'll be there as soon as possible."
"Thanks, bro."
"No problem," he said before hanging up.
Itachi threw on a robe, shoved his feet into his slippers, and crammed his glasses onto his face, managing to poke himself in the eye. Uchiha Itachi did not possess the grace he was known for at four in the morning! Eye watering madly, he shuffled out of his bedroom, on to letting his brother and Naruto in the building.
…
He opened the door, immediately feeling the harsh winter air. Heated parking, his ass. His brother wasn't waiting there like he'd thought he'd be. Of course he had left his phone upstairs, so he couldn't call him. Sighing, he looked around and found a large chip of concrete to hold the door.
He could see exhaust and headlights two rows up, so he moved that direction. Thankfully, he didn't creep up on some stranger. When Sasuke spotted him, he turned the car off and got out.
"Why did I have to come all the way out here to find you?" Itachi asked.
"Well, it's warm in the car."
"Oh. Okay. Like you couldn't be cold for a little bit. Wait, where's your coat?"
Sasuke pointed to the backseat, and Itachi looked in through the fogged window.
"Who is that?" He couldn't make anything out except for a blurred outline.
"A girl..."
"Sasuke," Itachi sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Why would you have a random girl in your backseat?"
"We found her in the park. She was passed out and freezing."
"You should have called the police."
"I couldn't. She seemed so... sad."
"You're too kind, little brother. Well, let's get her inside."
"You mean manipulative," Naruto corrected, climbing out of the car.
"Pish posh. My Sasuke-kun does no wrong."
A collective effort had everyone inside and toasty. Once Hinata was situated on the couch, Itachi was able to see her properly. He nearly gasped when the realization hit him.
"This is Hyuuga Hinata, the heiress."
"Do you know her?" the younger brother asked.
"I met her once a while back. She was so sweet and shy then- just a child. I could never imagine her dressing like this," he said, taking in her attire. "I had heard the rumors, but I'm still shocked."
Hinata slowly cracked her eyes open, and the men swarmed around her on the floor. She looked around, blinking tiredly. Looking at Naruto, she mumbled, "an angel." Switching her gaze to Sasuke, she murmured, "duck demon." She focused on Itachi next, whispering, "glasses demon.. sexy eyes," before losing consciousness once again.
"Duck demon!" Naruto rolled around on the floor laughing.
"Be quiet, dork," Sasuke bit out. Turning his attention to Itachi, he seethed. "We have the same eyes. Why are yours sexy?"
"They are not the same, Sasuke-kun. But if you want them, I will gladly give them to you. I can arrange the procedure if it is what you wish."
"Ugh, shut up, you freak! You don't have to go so far."
"Anything for you, little brother."
"Something happened to her. I can feel it," Sasuke mystically supplied, refocusing on the new guest.
"Oooh, the feels," the blonde man teased crankily.
"Go to bed, grouch-ass. I'll be there in a little while."
"Of course, Your Majesty." Naruto scoffed, leaving the living room.
"Where are all of the bubbles and sunshine? What about that winning personality?"
"He gets really cranky when he's tired." The younger Uchiha ran a hand through his hair. "What do you want to do with her? I want to get in bed soon."
"Let's put her in the other guest room. You should change her into something more comfortable and less revealing."
"What? Why me?"
"It would be inappropriate for me to do so."
"Oh, so because I don't like women, it's okay for me?"
"Let's go with that explanation. You are also the reason she is here, and therefore, she is your responsibility."
"Fine!"
Itachi moved his hand from her forehead to in front of her nose and then placed two fingers at her pulse point. "Her breathing and heart rate seem fine, and her body temperature is normal. We shouldn't have to seek any medical attention, but we should check on her throughout the night. Well, morning. I'm not going back to bed, so don't worry about it this time I guess."
"Okay. Thanks, dude."
"Please do not 'dude' me, Sasuke. It is unseemly."
"Right," he sighed. "Let's move her to the bedroom."
Itachi grabbed her under her arms, while Sasuke grabbed her feet. "This does not seem to be the proper way for gentlemen to handle a lady," the older brother mused. "It's as if we are about to swing her into a pit of doom."
"Pit of doom? You're really strange these days, you know?"
"These days? Oh, Sasuke. I thought you knew me," Itachi feigned hurt. He had been eccentric and slightly nutty his whole life, only putting on his cool, collected exterior for business purposes, which he had been introduced to at a much too young age.
"I meant even more so. Damn. Why is this door shut?" The younger man held Hinata's feet in the crook of one arm. Thankfully for his pride, it only took a second to pop the door open before he dropped the young woman. She was unexpectedly heavy.
They lay her on the bed gently, and Sasuke immediately started undressing her, throwing her boots in a corner and reaching for the button of her shorts.
"Woah, woah! Give me the chance to leave and get her something else. You know, you seem to be enjoying this. Why are you in such a hurry, little one?"
"I want to get it over with! And I absolutely am not enjoying it at all!" He whispered harshly.
Itachi chuckled. "Be back in a minute," he disappeared into the room across the hall.
He pilfered through his dresser, not finding anything that wouldn't be abnormally big on her. Truthfully, his smaller brother or Naruto would have clothes better suited for her stature. Telling himself to worry about it tomorrow, he selected a very soft, worn t-shirt and a pair of his jogging pants. It wasn't the most attractive ensemble, but it would be warm and comfortable. He hoped his brother had stopped undressing the unconscious girl so he wouldn't have to feel awkward, walking into a private moment.
"Sasuke~," he waved his hand in the doorway, "Are we decent?"
"Get in here, Itachi." The voice sounded strikingly serious.
"What is it?" His brows furrowed in worried confusion as he walked in.
Instead of answering his brother's question, Sasuke thrust a wrinkled piece of paper into his hands. "Read." He exchanged the letter for Hinata's new clothes.
Hinata-
You were a disappointment from the first time you breathed. You have continued to dishonor my family and company, and I will allow it no more. You have been disowned. Please do not call, visit, or make any scenes.
Hopefully you have some money on you, because I have frozen your bank account and canceled your credit cards. The wages you earned will not be returned, and you will not receive your latest paycheck.
If you end up living in poverty, I do not care. You were never of any use to me. Perhaps you should start collecting money for the whoring you do.
Do not try to contact your cousin. Your phone service has also been cut off, by the way. If Neji helps you at all, I will know, and he will be fired and stripped of his inheritance. I would like to keep him, as he is a great business man despite his repulsive weakness for you.
I expect to see a news story about your brutal murder in the next few weeks. I will make the proper, expected reaction to the press, but it will only be an act. It is only a matter of time until that despicable personality of yours causes your downfall. You were never meant to survive in this world.
Byakugan Industries' President and CEO,
Hyuuga Hiashi
"What a pitiful excuse for a human being," Itachi spat.
"What should we do?"
"It's too early to say, but I'm sensing some sabotage in the future, little brother. One thing is for certain, and that is Hyuuga Hiashi will not be so high and mighty when I get done with him." Itachi nodded once in a promising manner, and walked toward the door.
"Really? Or are you just being dramatic?" Sasuke, asked, stopping him from leaving.
"Well, I'm not going to not do anything."