Hinata stood in front of a hotel bathroom mirror and exhaled a shaky breath. Her clear eyes were fixated on her long flowing black hair. Before she even realized, tears started to fall freely from her eyes. She shook her head harshly to try and get rid of any second thoughts. She had to do this. There was absolutely no turning back now. Not after everything she did to get this far away. With her new resolve she quickly snatched up the scissors sitting in a dingy woven basket.

She hesitantly grabbed a handful of the left side of her hair. If I don't do this quick, I might not do it at all. She thought before guiding the scissors higher and higher up her hair. She was going to cut a lot off. Back to how it was when she was younger. Before everything blew up in her face and she left home. Before she became who she was today.

Snip.

Hinata's eyes nearly bugged out of her head in disbelief. She actually did it. She actually cut hair. It was above her ears now with a piece on the side still pass it. Staring at herself in the mirror she almost felt poetic. It was as if the new her and the young her were in the same place. A soft smile glazed over her lips. It's time for a new beginning.

Snip.

Ten years ago...

"Fine! I didn't want to hang out with you guys anyway," Naruto shouted at the backs of his latest attempts of having friends. Naruto watched as they laughed and continued on as if he didn't exist. He tugged at his black T-shirt and dusted off his blue jeans. No amount of dusting could get those grass stains out though. He smirked to himself.

Those guys sucked anyway. I mean if I think about it, everyone knows my name. I'm more popular than those losers. Pft, I don't even remember their names!

Naruto's tenth birthday was only a few days away. He was going around his town asking people if they wanted to come. So far not a single soul had said yes. He didn't know however that there was a certain little girl dying for him to ask her.

Hinata had overheard him saying he was throwing a party during lunch at school. Well, to be more exact, Naruto was leaning back nonchalantly at a lonely lunch table screaming out his address and how "banging" his party was going to be.

"And if you're wondering! My parents won't be home!"

Now Hinata found herself blushing at the thought of being in his room...alone...with no supervision. She nearly fainted at the thought. She was patiently sitting on the porch of her mansion. Her father, being a business tycoon for a family owned bank, made a lot of money. They were starting to go nationwide, so he was barely home now. Hanabi, her little sister, was constantly with their nanny. Who, for some reason, seemed to hate Hinata. So for the most part she was alone.

Her shyness inhibited her from going out and making new friends. But for some odd reason she felt attracted to Naruto. Not because of his dreamy blue eyes or gorgeous blond hair. Not because of his outspoken personality. No, it was because he was lonely just like her. And maybe if they shared each other's loneliness, maybe they wouldn't feel so left out anymore.

"Fine! I didn't want to hang out with you guys anyway! "

Hinata's head shot up at the sound of Naruto's voice. A sympathetic smile fell upon her face. She could see him in the distance at Central Park walking away from a group of kids who already walked away from him.

I would've ran away crying, she thought. But he keeps his head up. No matter what. "N.. Naruto," she sighed.

"Why are you saying that weird kid's name?" Hinata nearly jumped out of her skin. She turned to she her little sister leaned over with her hands on her knees. Her light gray eyes looking into hers curiously. She was filled with innocence, Hinata smiled at her and patted the stair beside her, Hanabi sat down.

"I.. I don't," Hinata couldn't even get through a whole sentence without blushing, "I don't think he's weird at all." Hanabi tilted her head at her. "He's just misunderstood and I think... I mean... Um what I'm trying to say is... I want to be his friend."

Hanabi made a face that showed realization."Oh okay, I think I get it, big sister." Hanabi didn't know it, but Hinata appreciate that moment more than she could put into words. To be understood. That was one of her first goals in life.

"Well then why don't you just go talk to him," Hinata could feel her face rushing with blood. She shook her hand back and forth with feverish speed.

"Oh no... I could never do that! He's so much better than me. I.. I'd only embarrass myself!"

Hanabi blinked a few times from that sudden out burst."But, no one's better than big sister."

Hinata's bottom lip began to quiver as a single tear fell from her eye. She searched Hanabi's eyes for lies but she could only see her innocence. Hinata began to lightly giggle before scooping Hanabi up into a big hug and squeezing her tight.

"Thank you."

Present...

Three loud knocks startled Hinata out of her slumber. Hinata instantly began to scramble to gather up her things. "Hey bitch! I can hear you in there. Open up the fucking door and let's go. Ion have all day ya know?!"

"Just go away Oro! Please I want out! I want to go back home!"

"I want you out just as much as the next guy, k babes? But that's not how this business works. Now there are ways to get what you want without running away. Either you come back and work for me, die, or buy yourself out," Oro shouted to her from the opposite side of her door. Oro was a very slender man, who always dressed to the nines. He had perfectly tanned skin and brunette hair cut into a quiff. His dark brown eyes always looked so menacing, and tonight was no exception.

Hinata slowly put down her things she had been trying to hard to grab. "Oro, I... I can't do that," the stutter she had tried so hard to overcome, came back. She could hear him lighting a cigarette and taking a puff of it. Oro blew out the smoke and placed one hand on the door frame.

"There is one more way."

"Oro I... "

"Take it or leave it, babe," Oro cut her off. He could hear her hesitant footsteps easing their way towards the door. The door know jingles as she slowly unlocked the door. She opened it a bit, but the chain was still on. "I knew you couldn't resist me." Hinata rolled her eyes at him before narrowing them.

"Oro, I think I know what you want but..."

"But what? You're a fucking stripper. Not like you're virgin any- oh my God you're a damn virgin!" He couldn't stop himself as he burst into uncontrollable laughter. "I mean, what are the odds? A saint as a stripper. I thought you were just naive. I didn't know no one never stuck ya before!"

Hinata looked down at the floor as her cheeks began to burn. This guy is such a jerk. He always has been. And as little time as it took her to figure out how much of a douche he was he already tried to sleep with her fifty six times in the past four years.

His laughter faded and he took a few deep breaths. "Now," his voice was gravelly, "Open the door."

"Oro..."

"You want out or not?"

Hinata bit the inside of her cheek to try and stop any tears that tried to slip their way through. She got herself into this. Now it was time to get herself out. She raised her hand and closed the door. She took the chain off and Oro took it upon himself to open the door again.

"Nice place," he said sarcastically before putting out his cigarette in a cup of water. His back was to her and her mind was racing. "Man I can't believe you cut that pretty black hair of yours..."

Does this count as rape? Or is this consensual? Can I just escape now? Is there something I can bash him over the head with? She scanned the room. Nope. Nothing in arms reach. Maybe I could...

Before she could finish her thought Oro had launched himself at her. He pressed his lips on hers roughly and began reaching into the back of her black tank top. He unhooked her bra to free her breast within seconds. Hinata pushed him away and gasped for air. His mouth tasted like cigarettes and scotch. She quickly tried to hook her bra back and ease away from him at once.

But he was fast. Faster than she thought he would be. He pushed her hard and she fell back, luckily the bed was there to catch her. "You better loosen the fuck up. Or stay completely still. Those are your options, babe." Hinata couldn't stop the tears this time. "Guess that means you're going to stay still."

She jumped when he literally tore her shirt off and next her bra. This is not how she imagined her first time would be. She closed her eyes tight and tried to picture herself anywhere but where she was.

Ten years ago...

"Pl... Please wait up!" Hinata was the loudest she had ever been. Naruto stopped walking and turned to see her. He gave a questioning look before pointing at her.

"Hey you're that girl who gave me a pencil in math class last week! Thanks for that. I mean I still failed that test. But thanks for the opportunity." He turned, about to walk away but Hinata spoke up again.

"I... You're having a party?"

Naruto's face lit up with joy. "As a matter of fact I am. I decided to downsize it a bit though. I don't want those posers to trash my place, ya know?" Hinata nodded even though she knew he was lying.

"My... Dad won't be home this weekend! I... If you want you can... could have your party there. Not that your house is bad or anything. I... Just... Well mine is always empty so. It's okay. Also the maids will clean up any mess so it's fine to... Umm... You can.."

Naruto gave Hinata shocked look, "Wow for someone who doesn't talk. You sure talk a lot." Hinata's face was now a tomato. "And here I thought you were some weirdo." Hinata could see the light. This is it. This is how she dies. "But I don't want to use your house." Yup. Goodbye cruel world. "My house is small. And yours is really big. I um... There won't be that many people there so in this case my house is better."

Hinata blinked at him, unable to form a sentence."You know where my house is right?" She nodded. "Good, I'll see you tomorrow then? I wanted it to be a sleep over. Don't worry we'll have fun!"

Her vision started to blur from this new information. "Yea," Naruto continued, "Me, you, and um possibly Choji. I promised food." Hinata giggled slightly and stared and the ground.

"Hey," Naruto said softly. Hinata looked up slowly after being called. "Thanks."

And just like that Naruto walked away. Hinata might have been imagining but she saw him walk with a little more confidence than before. She smiled at his retreating figure.

"Y..you're welcome."

Present...

"I got to say," Oro said while buttoning his pants, "You're a lot better in bed than you let on. Maybe it's that figure of yours... Ion know. But damn. If you owe anymore debts please come my way."

Hinata stayed still, laying on her back. Her eyes were glazed over and staring at the ceiling. She couldn't help but wonder what Naruto was up to now. They haven't talked to each other on ten years. She wondered if he still thinks about her as often as she does about him.

Probably not. I'm weak and I need the memories of him to keep going. He doesn't need me.

"Consider our business done," Oro said while approaching the door, "I'm a man of my word Hinata. You won't be harmed again. Just stay out of my city and I won't come looking for you."

Hinata glanced over at him. If only to show that she heard him speaking. Oro opened his mouth to speak,"Just pull yourself together. You look like shit."

AUTHORS NOTE: This is just the beginning. Tell me what you think so far. Appreciate any feedback.