Three's a Pattern

Chapter 2: The Beginning

AN: sorry for the delay, guys. Life has been crazy…but hey, happy new year: I'm still writing. Hopefully, this chapter gives you some of that good SasuHina feel that y'all be craving like crackheads! Let's do it!

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"Why do you drink tea? You obviously hate it."

Sasuke grimaced at the cup in his hand, little fake strawberries floated with the ice. Such an abomination. He placed the cup down on the table and folded his arms. "But you like it," said Sasuke.

Hinata shook her head with a humored huff. "I won't be offended if you bought something that doesn't cause you to look so sick in the face."

He looked at the drink for a few more seconds. "They exchange drinks?"

"They do."

He gave a curt nod before rising from his seat and returning to the short line. Hinata giggled at her boyfriend's antics. She sighed and sat back in the uncomfortable cushions. They decided to go to Hinata's favorite café –a little break in between study for their anatomy final coming next week. Her eyes drifted to the television when one of the baristas increased the volume.

"-ing News! Unfortunately, another body has been recovered from the Leaf's Lake. The body belonged to Haruko Yamana, a fifty-seven-year-old man. Authorities aren't completely sure that this incident is being linking to the other three this month. They do not seem connected to much. We will keep you all posted on-"

Opal eyes shifted to the steaming cup of black coffee. Sasuke slid back into the booth. Hinata leaned forward, shoulders hunching. "That's the fourth killing this month."

"Mm."

"You think it's a possible serial killer out there?"

"It could be. There are no patterns," he leaned back, rotating his shoulders. "Hopefully they find something."

"Yeah, I'm scared."

Sasuke tilted his head. "Why?"

"I don't know…that could have been anyone. Me or you…I don't want to die and I always can't stand the thought of someone hurting you."

"Would you avenge me?"

Hinata rolled her eyes. "Of course, I will."

He lifted his cup to drink and Hinata grimaced in disgust. His eyes fluttered with contentment. "However, be aware of your surroundings. I…need you."

Hinata smiled and extended her hands across the table. Sasuke placed his cup down and reluctantly placed his hands in hers. She would just nag him otherwise. Her smaller hands intertwined with his. She squeezed slightly.

"I love you, Sasuke."

He nodded. "I love you more."

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"I can't wait for this to be all over with," Hinata shifted out of her jacket when they returned home. Sasuke took off his gloves and sat them on the counter. Hinata lived on campus in the dorms, however, ever since she and Sasuke became more serious, she was spending most of her night at his place. He had a roommate, but he sent to study abroad for the year so unlike Hinata, who had three other roommates – Sasuke basically had his apartment to himself.

Sasuke headed into the kitchen and pulled out two water bottles. He handed one over the counter to Hinata. "I enjoy the cold weather," he said.

"How ironic that you were born in the summer and I was born in the winter and hate cold weather."

He shrugged, opening the bottle. "For some reason, maybe a lack of science – I doubt that has anything to do with my preferred season."

"Maybe so," said Hinata. "But there is a lack of science…so it's not proven false yet?"

"Fair enough, Hyuuga."

Hinata sat on the couch, folding her leg under her body as Sasuke joined her. She put her hands under his shoulder. He frowned. "Your hands are cold," he said.

"I thought you like it cold?"

He leaned forward. "I like cold weather not cold hands."

"What's the difference." Hinata whispered.

They leaned into kiss each other. Hinata's eyes fluttered as she wrapped her arms around him. He pulled the young woman onto his lap all while keeping their lips connected. Soft moans filled the apartment, as hands explored the other's body. Sasuke huffed lightly when Hinata pulled softly on his lip. Dark eyes stared back at her. Her heart skipped. She had been in relationships before him, but nothing had ever felt this natural. The way he spoke to her, it was never like he was trying to teach a child. He held her with respect and allowed himself to love her out loud. Before when they were friends, Sasuke wasn't talkative or affectionate.

He asked her one day after they had spent the entire night studying. She looked up a bit confused because truth be told she did care about him a lot than a friend, but she had been contented with that status so when he asked her – she was surprised to see that he liked her back. Her smile was contagious and had spread so rapidly to him. She said yes as if he had just proposed. They celebrated by falling asleep accidently at the library.

Now, Sasuke didn't care about PDA and would openly hold her into his chest if he pleased. He wasn't a cheesy man. He didn't whisper sweet nothings. He would hold her and simply taking calming breathes. After just a few months, she knew this was something that she could spend her life with. He was gentle with children and animals.

Nothing pointed to a vicious serial killer.

Hinata lifted her arms up as Sasuke removed her t-shirt and before him – with anyone else, she would hide her body. It was a habit that Sasuke was willing to help her break. He made her feel more beautiful and comfortable than she had in her life. She straddled him proudly, her chest held high. He traced a finger over her collarbone, goosebumps followed his path. Down to her breast, which he had managed to remove her bra. He took the image before him, making sure none of her skin was left untouched.

He released a breathy 'I love you' before pulling her towards him so he could kiss her skin. Hinata gripped the back of the couch, feeling his teeth graze the sensitive skin.

"I love you too," said Hinata.

He grinned and scooted them forward on the couch before he stood up with her in his arms, She was grinning like a child as he carried her into the back room.

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"Hinata! Oh my goodness!"

Hinata looked over her shoulder to see her roommate Ino. She had come back to her apartment to pack more clothes for Sasuke's house. The blonde woman was in tears. "Ino? What happened?"

"It's Karin, my Karin."

"What's going on?" Hinata gasped, the girl hugged her. She was Ino were close, while she wasn't always at home. They did text and call. Hinata made sure not to lose touch with her friends with her new-ish relationship. They all went to high school together, she, Ino, Sasuke, and Karin. Karin and Sasuke dated briefly before Karin realized she was gay as the day is long and apparently Ino was her soulmate. Also no one knew Ino was bisexual until she popped out with Karin. Literally, they got caught in a hallway closet at an old friend's house.

"She – she hadn't…she wasn't picking up her phone, but I thought that she was just being herself, you know, she forgets her phone sometimes – you know she always loses the damn thing," Ino said through sobs. "I tried calling her all day. I thought she was mad at me. We argued, Hinata. It was stupid, and they found her today…"

"They…they found her?"

"By the fucking creek with her…" Ino cried in Hinata's arms. "Her heart missing…"

Hinata felt tears form in her eyes. These killings had just hit too close. Too close.

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Sasuke unlocked his apartment door to see Hinata curled in front of the television. "I got your messages. I was at the hospital, I couldn't check my phone," he said, sitting next to her. Hinata threw herself in his arms. He held her tightly as the night news told the story.

"Her heart, Sasuke. He didn't just kill her, no. He had enough time to surgically remove her heart. That's the connection. Each victim was missing something small before: a tooth, a toe-nail…and he took her heart."

"Disgusting."

She shook her head. "Ino is undone."

"As she should be," said Sasuke. "That was Karin."

"She didn't deserve that."

He gritted his teeth in pain. "She did not."

The entire time, he was comforting her about a killing he committed. He knowingly killed Ino's girlfriend, their friend Karin. He cut her heart out and burned it. It was like a meaningless trophy. How was Hinata supposed to know? How was anyone supposed to figure out it was him. It was like he purposely left behind a clue – but nothing that pointed to him. He just wanted the recognition – the pattern,

Time moved along without Karin. They attended her funeral as did many other of their high school class – even her distant cousin: Naruto Uzumaki.

"I refuse to die without bringing that monster to justice," he hissed.

Sasuke had his arm around Hinata's shoulders. She looked over at the blonde male. She didn't know how much he would become in the taking down of the man that she trusted. She didn't know that he would potentially save her. Sasuke pulled her along. "I just want our friend to rest in peace," he said.

Sasuke had been through the death of everyone in his family – he didn't kill them. A house fire killed his parents and a drunk driver killed his brother. Death was numb to him so Hinata could understand why he was so distant from the entire situation. If one could handle at fifteen losing both parents, then at eighteen losing his only brother – one could handle any of them. Hinata said that he was lucky to be alive and that it meant that he was destined for greatest, Sasuke felt like death makes no mistake and that if it missed him then… it wouldn't miss him later. He stopped talking like that when he proposed.

After spending only three years in Med School, Sasuke got hired onto the hospital. Despite his claim of having parties, he decided that this deserved one. To Hinata's surprise, it wasn't a party celebrating his graduation but a surprise proposal. She couldn't even speak, only cry and nod her head.

They were so happy.

Everything was supposed to be perfect.

And for two years they were…

Until…

"I'm…excited," said Hinata. She held her cell phone between her shoulder and ear. "Yeah. Hanabi…I'm going to tell him – he is my husband now. I'm just…also nervous." She rubbed her lower abdomen. She went to the kitchen and grabbed a spoon. "Have I what?"

She opened the freezer and pulled out the frozen yogurt. She went to take a sit at the island. Hinata pointed the remote towards the television and sighed. Another killing. "This is crazy! It's been five years and they still haven't caught this guy."

She stuck the spoon in the cold treat and shook her head. "These poor families," she mumbled. She squinted upon seeing that same blonde guy from four years ago. His name displayed on the screen: Naruto Uzumaki.

He looked much older in the face from stress, still handsome. "I was just thinking that," she smiled at her sister's words. Her ears twitched upon hearing the front door open. She grinned. "I have to go," she said. "Okay, bye."

She turned to see her husband in his blue scrubs. "Hey," she greeted him.

He came over and kissed her on her temple. "Hey, long day."

She wrapped her arms around him. "Then let's go take a shower…Are you hungry?"

He nodded and allowed her to lead him upstairs. "No, I already ate. I just want to take a nap."

"We can do that," said Hinata. "I'll wake you up for dinner."

"Sounds good."

As Sasuke went to take a nap. Hinata started on dinner and thought about the way to tell Sasuke that she was pregnant. When he did get up, everything was ready.

"What, um, do you think about starting a family?" Hinata nervously watched him eat.

"There's nothing to think about," he said. Hinata tilted her head in confusion. "I'm not blind, Hinata. I know you are pregnant."

"W-what?"

He smirked. "I am a trained doctor and I also do listen when you complain."

She huffed. "Sasuke!"

"I was just waiting on you to be ready to tell me."

She bit her lip. "Are you happy?"

"I have never been more," he decided.

She released a breath that she didn't know she was holding. "I love you, Sasuke."

"I love you more."

Later that night, after dinner, they made love like it was the last time. Sasuke kissed her softly. "You must believe me when I say that I love you, Hinata."

"I believe you," Hinata took a deep breath. She was exhausted.

"I always have."

She didn't know that the police would be knocking at her door in three hours. She padded down the stairs and opened the door upon seeing those blue lights.

"Ma'am, is your husband home?"

That question sent her world crashing down.

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AN: Hopefully the next chapter won't take as long to do. Sorry again! This plot has been kind of rough for me. Sorry for any mistakes, I just really wanted to get this chapter out of my brain!