Chapter Two
Accidents
She wasn't beautiful.
At least, not in the traditional sense.
Sasuke glanced at his passenger from the corner of his eye, covertly studying her appearance for possibly the fifth time in the span of two hours. Her mouth was a bit too top heavy and her eyes a bit too wide, and her face a bit too round to be considered traditionally beautiful—socially beautiful—but there was something about her. Something that drew his gaze and attention.
She was appealing.
Could be her curves, he acknowledged, giving her a once over. Beneath the long coat that she'd tucked in his back seat were some truly exceptional lines. Sasuke had seen more than his fair share of naked curvy bodies, and Hinata, to put it mildly, was built.
It could also be the fact that she didn't chatter his ear off with inane commentary or flirty come-ons. Silent, smiling contentedly at the passing scenery, she seemed all but oblivious to his presence. That in itself was unusual enough to have him curious.
For as far back as Sasuke could recall women, and sometimes men, had figuratively (and a few times literally) thrown themselves at him. Flashing smiles and cleavage and fawning on his every word, they would cling to him, but Hinata hadn't said so much as two words since she'd gotten in his car.
He had made it clear he wasn't a 'conversationalist' he supposed, but that had never stopped anyone before. It wasn't until he lost his temper usually that people learned he really did not give a shit what they had to say. But Hinata hadn't even made a peep.
Then again, if he thought back, he couldn't think of any time—even as kids—when she had ever been talkative, or even approached him. Well, unless he had been with Naruto. He remembered having a conversation with Naruto a few weeks into him dating Hinata where Sasuke had actually insinuated that Hinata was dating Naruto to get closer to him.
It had erupted into one of the biggest fights he and the idiot had ever had with one another, and in the end, Sasuke had been forced to apologize, because, as it turned out, Hinata had been into Naruto. And only Naruto.
Glancing at her again, Sasuke wondered what had happened between them. All Sasuke knew was that mid-way through senior year Hinata had ended things and Naruto had been a mopey bastard for weeks after. He hadn't asked Naruto, and he sure as hell wasn't going to ask Hinata about shit that happened years ago—it wasn't any of his damn business, anyway.
He was looking at her again.
Hinata tried not to fidget beneath his scrutiny. It was not the first time she'd sensed his eyes on her, but it was the longest his attention seemed to linger. She imagined he was annoyed with her. She was an unwelcome burden, and she felt guilty that he was going out of his way for her.
He hadn't complained outright, but aside from his initial list of rules, he hadn't uttered a syllable to her, and Hinata still felt that she was somehow irritating him. She knew many women that would do bodily harm to be in her situation—alone in a sleek sports car with Sasuke Uchiha for hours—but it wasn't her idea of an ideal journey. Not that she disliked Sasuke, because truthfully she didn't know him well enough to form a concrete opinion.
She knew his family name, she knew his reputation, she knew a select few of their mutual friends, but she didn't really know him. She suspected that not many people did. Sasuke didn't seem to be the type of person to open himself up often or easily.
Naruto was the only person Sasuke had seemed even remotely tolerant of back in school, and even that was an odd relationship. It was like the only way they could show affection for one another was through fists and name calling. But it worked for them, Hinata supposed, because as far as she knew they still kept in touch fairly regularly.
He'd changed some since she'd last seen him. With his glittering dark eyes, straight nose and a mouth that bordered on sinful, he was every bit as handsome as his youthful attractiveness had hinted at, but there was an intelligence in his gaze and a subtlety to his character that was a direct contrast to his overt beauty that made him all the more intriguing.
Blushing faintly at her own thoughts, Hinata returned her attention to the scenery and hoped he hadn't caught her looking at him.
As much as he appreciated the silence, Sasuke was surprised to find himself the one breaking it about an hour later. "So, how do you know Temari?"
"Huh?" Hinata turned towards him with wide blinking eyes. She looked like the kid caught with a hand in the cookie jar, and Sasuke briefly wondered at what thoughts he'd interrupted.
He glanced from the road to her, then back. "How do you know Temari?" he repeated the question, amusement curving the corner of his mouth. "It's okay to answer. The no talking rule is more for my sanity than anything, but this silence is just as annoying."
"Oh." She gave a nervous smile before adjusting herself so that she faced him and not the window. "Well, uhm, she took one of my classes."
"You teach?" he asked when she offered nothing further.
Hinata nodded and tugged absently on the ends of her sleeves, her fingertips working the knit. Sasuke vaguely recalled nervous gestures being common from her. Naruto had told him they were 'adorable'. At the time Sasuke had figured if the guy got off on a twitchy girlfriend, more power to him, but looking at her now, he was almost inclined to agree.
"Do you remember the community center near the high school?" she asked, drawing his attention.
Sasuke nodded. "There's a laundry mat and some small retailers in that area too, right? The center is beside a thrift shop or outlet store or something, right?"
Hinata's smile widened in approval. "That's the one."
Why in the hell did he suddenly feel so proud of himself for remembering where the dumpy community center was?
"I teach a class there three days a week," she informed him. "Temari was one of my first students, actually. We just kind of hit it off," she said fondly. "She's really wonderful."
Sasuke nodded. "She'd have to be for Itachi to want to marry her," he agreed. His mouth curved up a bit as he thought of Itachi. Several months ago when he'd called Sasuke to tell him he was going to ask his girlfriend to marry him, it was the first time in his life that Sasuke could recall his brother ever being nervous. It had made Sasuke realize that for all his near legendary reputation, Itachi was still just a man and that he wasn't some insurmountable goal to compete against.
"You think a lot of your brother," Hinata commented, watching his expression.
Sasuke shrugged. "He's my big brother, so I suppose it's only natural."
Something flickered in her eyes but was gone a moment later, hidden by a smile. "Temari thinks he's rather fantastic, too."
A sing-song ring-tone cut off Sasuke's comment. He angled a look at Hinata who was fumbling with her purse and pulling out a shiny purple cell phone. "Excuse me," she said politely, before turning away slightly and answering. "Hello?" A pause. "Two calls in one day, it's almost like you miss me," there was a slight tease in her tone but also a hint of exasperation.
Boyfriend? Sasuke wondered.
"No, I'm on the road now. Yes. I know my flight was canceled." A longer pause as Hinata let out a breath, her gaze sliding towards Sasuke. "Uhm, Itachi's brother picked me up," she said. She made a face, closed her eyes. "Yes, that brother."
The voice on the other end of the conversation rose so that Sasuke could hear. Although he couldn't make out the words, the anger was evident. A brow arched. Who the hell was she talking to?
"Uhm, Neji, I can barely hear you, the reception is terible," she lied, grimacing as she did. "I'll call you when I get settled. Love you, bye." She hung up.
"Boyfriend?"
"Neji?" Hinata glanced at the phone in her hand, her expression softening affectionately. "No. He's my cousin."
Sasuke leaned back in his seat, mulling the name over in his head. Neji Hyuuga. Didn't ring a bell. "He doesn't sound as if he thinks too highly of me."
Face flushed, Hinata shook her head. "Oh, no, please don't think that. Neji is just over protective. It's not you." She wore the same pinched expression she had on when she lied to her cousin. Whoever Neji Hyuuga was, he didn't like Sasuke, and Hinata had just lied about it.
Sasuke wasn't sure why that bothered him as much as it did. He wasn't the type to pry—usually he didn't give a shit—but he really, really hated being lied to. About anything. "Try again," he said, tone flat.
Hinata blinked. "I'm sorry."
Sasuke shot her a narrow eyed look and had that satisfaction of seeing her flinch, "I said 'try again'. As in the truth this time. Why does your cousin dislike me?"
Fidgeting, Hinata pressed her fingertips together. "Well, it-it's not so much Neji as it is his girlfriend..." she took a breath. "Sakura Haruno."
Oh. Well that certainly explained it.
An awkward silence enveloped the car and Sasuke decided that this was as good as time as any to end the conversation. He had no desire to discuss Sakura, their past, or anything else about that fiasco with anyone. Ever.
Seeming to sense the shift in his mood, Hinata resumed her scenery watching and allowed him his space.
She was sleeping.
He had been about to tell her that they were less than a mile away from the Estate but he didn't see the sense in waking her. Although she would probably enjoy the view from this winding road better than she had on the highway.
Dense trees were coated in layers of glittering white and the soft hues of the sky blended with the horizon. It was picturesque and postcard worthy. It also cost a fortune. His parents had dumped a substantial amount of money into acquiring the land.
They owned the mountain, very literally, and had stuck their massive Estate on the north face, overlooking the lake and everything below. He was sure there was some symbolism in that, but he refused to dwell on it.
He had asked Itachi why in hell they were having their wedding in the frozen cold and snow when they could be in the tropics somewhere, Itachi had told him that he was indulging his wife-to-be. Temari's family lived in the desert and she hadn't seen snow until itachi had taken her to their winter home the weekend he'd proposed.
Sasuke rolled his eyes. Romantic, fanciful rubbish.
It was fucking snow. Whoopee.
But, once again, it was important to Itachi, and therefore important to him. Sometimes, Sasuke thought as he turned off onto their private road, he was far too indulgent of his brother. The saving grace was that he knew Itachi would be just as supportive and indulgent of him.
Not that Sasuke was ever getting married. No way. No how. He was perfectly content with his life as a single man, and he had no plans to change that. He liked his life just fi—
"Shit, shit, shit!" He jerked the wheel as a large animal darted from the trees along the side of the road and slammed into his car. Deer, moose, one of Santa's fucking reindeer, he had no idea. What he did know was that the impact slid the car along the ice and there was no way to stop from heading over the embankment. "Brace yourself," was the only warning he could shout to Hinata before the smash of the fender against the guardrail snapped his head forward.
The airbag slapped him in the face with all the cushion of a punch. The side of his head cracked the window as the car rolled over the metal and began to flip end over end down the steep incline. Glass rained over them and Sasuke worried at the lack of screaming coming from his passenger.
After what felt like forever, the car slammed to an abrupt halt at the bottom of the ravine atop snow and ice—cracking ice, Sasuke realized as water began to seep up from beneath, flooding over the hood of the car. They'd landed on the lake.
"Fuck." He pushed himself off of the door, turning to get a look at Hinata. She was slumped forward in her seat, her long hair having come loose from its tie and hiding her face. Her chest was moving, which he took that as a good sign, but he couldn't tell how bad she was hurt.
They needed to get the hell out of the car, but he knew in situations like this you weren't supposed to move the injured party... "Fuck," he repeated.
Beside him Hinata made a soft sound, her head tipping back. Blood trickled down her forehead, into her left eye as she blinked at him. "Ouch," was all she said.
Sasuke couldn't help but smirk. Ouch. She was so strange. He was thankful she wasn't freaking out on him though. He couldn't imagine coming awake to such a mess.
"Come on." He reached across the divide and pressed the release latch of her seat belt. "We need to get out of here before—" The car shuddered violently as the ice cracked completely and gave way. Water surged in through the vents and broken windows cutting off any further words as they became fully submerged.
Cold!
Sweet Gods above, the water was cold!
Hinata made an effort not to gasp, knowing she'd only inhale a mouthful of ice water. Fingers already numb she fumbled with freeing herself from her seat belt. She pushed her way through the window, ignoring the flare of pain as the glass cut her fingers, and kicked off towards the surface.
They weren't that far down, she realized as her head broke above the ice and she took a ragged, broken breath. Maybe eight feet? But eight feet was plenty deep enough, she knew. They were lucky to get out... She turned, frowning. Sasuke should have been right behind her, but he didn't emerge. She waited only a heartbeat before diving back down.
Shit. Sasuke yanked at his belt, but it was stuck. On what, he couldn't see. All he knew was that the water was freezing, his lungs were burning, and he was running out of time. The edges of his vision were fuzzing and he could feel the car sinking deeper down against the soft bottom of the lake.
Itachi was going to be pissed. Him dying would really screw up the ceremony. That foggy thought came with the urge to laugh. He wondered, briefly, if there was a back-up best man...just in case... Itachi was always a planner...
A few more rough yanks before Sasuke stopped fighting with his belt, his entire body going numb. He let himself drift, watching the midnight strands of his hair sway before his eyes.
Hn. He didn't remember having that much hair...
He tilted his head back, looking around. He was delusional. He had to be. How else could he explain the ethereal sight before him. A halo of dark hair fanned around a glowing pale face as a slender arm reached for him, hand curling around his.
He was tugged on. Hard. But he didn't budge.
Maybe he should tell her that his belt was stuck...? He opened his mouth to do just that when she clamped hers over his, pushing warm air into his lungs. She gave him the 'one moment' hand signal before she vanished.
Weird mermaid.
Hinata splashed up through the frigid water, filling her lungs again. Crap, crap, crap! Sasuke was stuck. His seat belt was holding him down and she couldn't get the latch free. She'd have to cut him free, she thought as she plunged back into the freezing water.
Since she was eight years old Neji had insisted she carry a utility knife on her at all times. In a pocket, in her purse, wherever. You never know, he would always say. Digging into her pants pocket, Hinata was suddenly, overwhelmingly, thankful for his obsessive protectiveness.
Her fingers fought against her as she dug the slim blade open, but that was because she could barely feel them. She could barely feel anything and she knew that she'd have to be quick. She grabbed the belt with one hand and made a quick, clean slice through the nylon with the other. As soon as Sasuke slumped forward she fisted the collar of his shirt and pulled him across the car and out the broken passenger window.
Her lungs ached and she only hoped she wasn't too late. Please, she begged. Please.
Sasuke allowed himself to float towards the water-angel-mermaid-delusion, his mind a pleasant haze. Funny, he thought, he had always imagined death much more painful.
The mermaid-angel turned to him then, her hair fanning out in a wide circle. He felt himself being dragged up, then pushed from behind, and as he went, the pain that had been missing suddenly returned as his face broke the surface and frigid air entered his shriveled lungs.
"Fuck me," he gasped, thrashing.
Behind him, Hinata splashed to the surface with a choked coughing breath. He turned, instinctively wrapping an arm around her as she began to sink again. Exertion and frigid temperatures were taking their toll.
"Sasuke," she gasped, reaching for him. "Are you all right?"
"I'm freezing," he muttered, grabbing her. "But alive." Blue lips parted and he couldn't believe she was smiling at him. "Come on," he said. Together they swam and sloshed to the snowy bank.
After hauling himself out of the water, he reached down and tugged Hinata up. "Come here," he told her, rubbing his hands up and down her arms. "We've got to move; keep warm."
"O-okay." She pushed the thick ropes of her wet hair out of her face.
Sasuke wrapped his arms around her, trying to ease the hard shakes that wracked her body. Fuck he was cold. The Emergency response Alarm in his car should have activated the moment his airbag deployed, but there was no way anyone was going to see them down at the bottom of the ravine. "We're going to have to climb out," he told her, staring up at the rocky slope. "Think you can make it?"
She looked up at the brush and snow and twisted guardrail that seemed miles out of reach. "Y-yeah," she nodded, her teeth chattering together.
"Good," he looked at her with approval. "Let's go."
He followed Hinata up the incline, staying close in case her footing slipped or she needed a hand. It only took a few minutes to get to the top, but they had to be some of the longest minutes of Sasuke's life. His hands were blocks of ice and he couldn't feel his feet. He didn't even want to think about the testcicles between his legs...
At the top Hinata reached out her hand for him, her eyes straying to the faint glow of his taillights beneath the water. Sasuke followed her gaze and let out a breath. They were lucky. Really fucking lucky.
"Sorry about your car."
Sasuke leaned back on his haunches. "It's just a car." He looked up at her, shivering and huddled in on herself, and spread one arm open. "Come here." Teeth chattering, Hinata slid to her knees and pressed against his side. He knew it was for body heat, and he knew it was essential, but that didn't stop him from registering how soft she felt and just how easy and right it was to have her against him.
He was still fuzzy from nearly drowning, he reasoned, even as his arms tightened around her. That was all.
AN: Sasuke Uchiha, king of denial. You like her Saucy...admit it! lol. Well, I hope you enjoyed this addition to the story. Nothing like a little adrenaline to fast fuse those bonds, eh? Thank you all so much for reading, it means a lot, and especially for those of you that take the time to review. It's genuinely and greatly appreciated. **hugs**
