A/N:
Warning: S**t just got real.

The small apartment was fit for one but shared by three. Hinata and her friends Sakura and Ino all took shelter together. Ino—a skinny, blonde girl—was in the same line of business as the other two were in.

They had only the essentials in their apartment. All of them made a pact to save as much money as they could to use later for their ambitions. Ino hoped to own a flower shop one day, Sakura hoped to work in the medical field, and Hinata… well, she was still figuring it out.

To add space to their cramped living quarters, the girls slept solely on small mattresses in the living room during the day.

When Hinata entered their home, the two girls were already sleeping—as expected. Taking off her heels, she stepped lightly to her mattress, hoping not to wake them. When she was close enough, she noticed a hundred-dollar bill and a fifty-dollar bill resting atop her makeshift bed.

Sakura must've placed them there as her pay for the house call.

She took the money—along with the money Sasuke gave her—and hid them in a hole that she made in her mattress where all her earnings were. Her roommates had advised her to keep the cash there when she first began living with them. It was the safest place they could think of for their remuneration.

The day was fresh and the small sips of coffee she had had were not enough to keep her awake. Although she had slept very comfortably earlier, she had to make sure she would stay alert at night. That meant doing her best to sleep now, despite not feeling tired whatsoever.

After an hour or two of rolling over in her mattress, slumber finally took hold of her.

The streetlight blinked sporadically, threatening to darken the street corner she was covering. Hinata, donning similar attire from the night before, awaited cars to come to her. It was another chilly night.

To warm her freezing fingers, she blew on them with her mouth. When her eyes fell to the purple color of her fingernails, she suddenly recalled when Sakura and Ino had noticed marks on her body earlier before.

"He must have a fetish," Sakura had commented.

"If he were your boyfriend, and not some horny stranger, that'd be so hot," chimed in Ino.

"He was hot to begin with actually."

"Really?"

"Yeah. She was so lucky for her first time."

"Damn, Hinata, you had practically everything going for you," Ino had said.

Hinata swiftly looked to the street when she heard the engine of a car.

It was just passing by.

Sighing, she wrapped her arms around her body and began walking up the long sidewalk toward Sakura, who was not too far off.

Her friends decided to remain close to watch over and protect each other if ever need be. Hinata was in charge of patrolling around the street corner, Sakura farther up the street and Ino on the opposite end of Hinata.

Without warning, a car pulled up beside the curb.

Danger in the form of a man got out and shoved past Hinata, knocking her to the cement floor. Her eyes watched this charged man as he made his way to Sakura. Then, her body froze at the sight of his fist rising.

She shut her eyes tight. At the sound of her friend's shriek, she opened them again.

Sakura dropped to the ground. He was kicking her, beating her, asking for his stolen money, to give him back every cent and more for her stupidity.

"Here! Take it, you asshole!" Sakura yelled as she threw at him all the money she had hidden in her shoe.

"Stupid bitch." The man kicked her hard in her arms that shielded her face. Then he turned around and headed toward Hinata.

Hinata's limbs were shaking and her heart was racing as he came closer, fearing he wanted to beat her too. Thankfully, he only stomped right past her, entered his car and left. Tears began to spill down her cheeks.

When he was out of sight, adrenaline kicked in. She picked herself up from the ground and ran straight to her beaten friend. Ino was already kneeling beside her.

"That fucking bastard," the blonde girl said through clenched teeth as she helped Sakura up.

Sakura had bruises scattered on every exposed area of skin. Wiping the blood at the corner of her mouth, her fists clenched and she growled. "God, if I had a gun I would've killed him."

"He's damn lucky we didn't," Ino said just as angrily.

Hinata wiped the tears from her eyes but they wouldn't stop.

Seeing her sniffling, Sakura tried comforting her, "It's all right, Hinata. I'm still alive."

"See?" Ino said. "This is why we work the same streets. We've got each other's back." So that the crying girl would look at her, she urged, "Right?"

Hinata nodded, but her face was still buried in her hands. Ino gave her a hug to console her as Sakura placed an arm on her shoulder.

Smiling weakly, Sakura told the girls, "I'm gonna go and clean myself up. Take care, alright?" And before the two could answer, she began her trek toward the apartment.

It took a few more minutes before Hinata was able to calm down completely and return to working the streets without her body tensing up whenever a car made a messy pull over. She was able to work her usual amount.

Eventually, dawn was soon to approach. Ino was nowhere to be found, most likely working a client, so Hinata headed home alone. When she made it to the sidewalk just outside her apartment building, she saw a car parked in front of the trail that lead to the entranceway.

Cars didn't normally park there, and especially not cars that looked so nice. It was suspicious.

As she stepped closer, she recognized the vehicle. It was the same car that dropped her off after the house call.

It was Sasuke's car. But why was he here?

Her heels slowed in pace as she made her way closer to it. Does he want my services?

Her chest felt funny. Why did she feel nervous? It was her job. She had grown accustomed to pulling back her nerves and doing disgusting deeds for her livelihood. She shouldn't be nervous, she shouldn't—

He must've seen her coming because he opened the door and stepped out of his car.

Her hand fidgeted with her long, frizzy locks. She felt his eyes fixed on her as he approached. Something was wrong; she could feel it.

Once he was in her space, he said in a serious tone that demanded an answer, "Where is the girl you were with yesterday?"

Her eyes had been shut tight as if bracing for impact. After nothing but his question was directed to her, they slowly opened—and met Sasuke's intense glare.

Frustrated with her silence, he grabbed her wrist and held it up. "She stole money from my friend. Where—is—she?"

It wasn't that she stole a measly few dollars. Naruto had revealed to him the day before that she had taken two thousand in cash. His roommate had recently gone to the bank and was stupid enough to leave his wallet out around the whore.

Too afraid to look at him, her gaze fell to his jacket. "I— I don't… I don't know."

"Yes. You do," he said severely.

Her small, frail fingers wrapped around his grip. "P—Please don't hurt me," she whimpered.

He watched her for a moment. Seeing her so fearful of him… he didn't like it. But he wasn't in the mood to care. Nevertheless, he let her go. Her hand immediately held the other in her chest as his dropped to his side.

"Tell me where she is," he urged again.

He was angry and all that was pictured in Hinata's mind was the battered body of her friend. What if this stranger wanted to hurt Sakura? She wouldn't give anyone the opportunity. She would protect her.

But how could she protect her when her legs felt like they were going to give way any moment? To avoid collapsing, Hinata moved, in turn passing Sasuke to head toward her apartment building.

Sasuke assumed she was leading him to where the girl was. He didn't know she had no intention of taking him to her. Instead, she led him up the multiple steps of the staircase to the roof.

He remained a couple feet behind her as she plodded toward and climbed atop the ledge. Looking several stories down, she spotted the brown color of the weed-covered ground amidst the light of dawn. If he wanted to hurt her, he could push her now because if he did, then finally someone would fulfill her innermost wish.

As she thought this, her skin felt chilly so she crossed her arms. Taking in a deep breath, she raised her head and beheld the lights that sprinkled in the distance like stars on Earth. It was a soothing view. Occasionally, when she was sad, regretful, guilty, or ashamed, she would come to this ledge to take in the sight until she felt better.

"I'll find her whether you tell me or not," she heard him say.

As she turned around, her heel caught the edge and slipped. Suddenly, her balance shifted. Her body was falling back, her hair whipping around her face, her arms open as if like wings trying to gain flight.

Then something caught her and jerked her forward. She stumbled into Sasuke's chest. Now safely atop the roof again, relief poured through her. Her arms wrapped tightly around him and she realized that her heart was pounding and her body was trembling. But why?

Didn't I want to die?

When he pulled her off and held her in place, she peered up at him, still in shock.

"Look," he said, vexation in his tone. "I want that money back. Tell me where she is and then I don't give a fuck what you do to yourself."

He could feel her quivering. Gripping her arms firmly, he feared he would shake as well. Witnessing another death right in front of him wasn't something he was going to let happen. He refused it to be another added scene to the nightmares that disturbed him.

She looked down, and it was then that he recalled her name from when Neji said it aloud. "Hinata." It felt strange to say.

Her eyes returned to his, slightly widened. He knows my name?

"She lives here doesn't she?" he said. "What room number?"

Silence surrounded the two for a minute. Then she responded, "Promise… not to hurt her?"

Exhaling, he nodded and let her go.

Seeing as how he saved her and because he seemed calmer than before, she moved past him and led him back inside. After a number of flights of stairs downward, Hinata stopped in front of a beat-up door. She hesitated to open it, considering what might play out.

Sakura was in the wrong for stealing money that didn't belong to her. But she and her roommates made a pact to protect themselves: never bring men home. She didn't want to break that pact.

So before she turned the knob, she told him nicely to wait outside the door. She even said, "Please." But the moment she stepped inside the apartment, he opened the door wider and pushed past her.

He saw three mattresses side-by-side across the wooden floor, two of them empty. The girl he was looking for was sleeping atop the middle one. "Wake up," he ordered as he kicked the mattress beneath the sleeping girl.

His foot came close to her head, causing Hinata to think he was kicking her. "Don't hurt her!" she told him as she came up and knelt beside Sakura to shield her.

Sakura immediately bolted upright and turned to him, revealing her bruised face.

So Naruto wasn't the only one she messed with, he thought.

"What the hell are you doing here?" the pink-haired girl said fiercely, her head slightly dizzy from having just woken up from slumber.

"You stole money so you're going to give it back to me," he said just as harshly.

"Get the fuck out!" she screamed.

His intimidating glower he could see did nothing to her, so he bent down, grabbed her T-shirt and held her up. "Give me the money," he demanded venomously.

Hinata's pleas for Sasuke not to hurt her friend were drowned out when Sakura yelled, "Don't fucking touch me!" Her nails clawed into his arm.

His teeth clenched as he dropped her. Then her hands quickly scrambled to find something underneath her mattress.

It was a Black Widow revolver.

Sakura held the gun in both hands, directed point blank at Sasuke, whose own hands were up in defense.

Now the tables were turned.

"I don't have your damn money so get out!"

Hinata was too stunned to even say her friend's name.

"Now no one can hurt me anymore," Sakura muttered.

And Hinata understood then. The money Sakura took from Naruto must've been used to buy the gun for her own protection.

To ease the situation, and knowing that Sakura would never hurt her, Hinata stood back up and carefully placed herself between the gun and Sasuke. "Please," she pleaded to him as she faced him, "Just—go."

But he wouldn't move. He was watching Sakura with squinted eyes, watching and waiting as if he were figuring out how he could even the score.

Sakura wouldn't have it. She raised herself and gestured with the gun in her hand for him to leave. "Get out!" she yelled desperately. The gun felt like a shield of protection… but why wasn't he moving? Weren't people supposed to listen to others that held weapons in their hands?

Hinata attempted to push Sasuke toward the door, but she never expected him to maneuver past her to try and grab the gun from Sakura's hands.

Bang!

It went off. And a cry of pain was heard, not from Sakura, not from Sasuke, but from the unlikely victim—Hinata.

She collapsed with a thud, clutching her left side. In a daze from the shock, adrenaline temporarily numbed the wound that would soon become extremely painful.

Immediately, Sasuke crouched beside her and took off his jacket to cover Hinata's wound and slow the bleeding. Damn it. It was his favorite jacket too.

"I'm so sorry, Hinata," said Sakura, blinking back tears. "I didn't mean to. I... It was his fault."

Sasuke almost scoffed as he took out his phone from his pocket.

"What are you doing?" Sakura asked him quickly.

"Calling for an ambulance."

"We can't afford one!"

"You'd rather she die?" he looked at her frustratingly.

"No," she said pathetically, her voice shaky, "But…"

He clenched the phone in his hand before returning it to his pocket. Resolved with what he was going to do next, Sasuke scooped Hinata up in his arms and proceeded to carry her out of the apartment complex.

She was lighter than she looked, too light in fact; but it wasn't surprising, considering her thin appearance.

"Where are you taking her?" Sakura inquired as he passed through the front door.

Did she really have to ask? "The hospital."

As he raced down the flights of stairs, he realized silence surrounded the two. The pink-haired girl hadn't followed them out.

Hinata felt light-headed but still conscious enough to listen to Sasuke as he set her down in a leather seat and told her, "Hold onto the jacket. Don't spill blood in my car."

She was nodding off now, her eyelids drooping.

But before she could allow herself to drift away, strong arms lifted her up again. The outside air whisked around her as she was carried somewhere. Then it got brighter. She heard feet shuffling and things rustling and voices she couldn't recognize.

Then finally, silence.

Her eyes fluttered open. Daylight illuminated the foreign room through the window. It smelled of clean and she was resting comfortably atop a small bed not her own.

Jolting upright, she winced when she was met with immense pain at her side. Clutching the wounded area, she looked down. Her clothes were gone, replaced by… some robe? Feeling the need to panic, she scanned the room she was in.

This must be a hospital, she perceived. But I can't be here!

Ignoring the pain at her side, she got off the bed and made her way to the open door. Peeking out, she noticed few people scattered in the long hallway. It would be tough, but she had to sneak out. The hospital was sure to ask her questions she couldn't answer and give her a bill she couldn't afford.

Looking to the left to make sure no one was watching her, she quickly turned to the right in hopes of finding a nearby exit.

"Oof!" She accidentally hit a wall.

No… it wasn't a wall. It was a chest.

She gasped. Reluctantly, she looked up at the person she bumped into.

It was Sasuke, holding a cup of coffee away from her.

"Where are you going?" he looked at her questioningly.

She turned her head away. "I can't pay," she admitted softly.

"I know." Then after a beat, "I did."

Stunned, she met his eyes. He was serious. "What?" He wasn't going to repeat himself, so she said, "I— I can't let you do that."

"The shot was meant for me," he told her. "It's only fair."

She looked down. "Thank you… but, I want to repay you."

"...The money your friend stole still needs to be paid back."

Her gaze met his again.

"How long does two thousand dollars give me?"

"For Sakura?"

"No. You." If he can't get the money back from the woman that stole it, he'd get his repayment another way.

Hinata was surprised. But Sakura was hurt so she was okay with taking her friend's place. In this way, she could repay Sakura back for when she helped ease Hinata's transition into the streetwalker way of life. Contemplating her answer, she said, "I—I don't know. I don't do hours… only requests."

It seemed like he had it already figured out when he decided—"A week."

A week? she thought.

"You'll repay it by doing what I say for one week."

Her jaw hung slightly. "But—!"

Before she could try persuading him otherwise, he turned around and left. With every step he took, she felt nervous, so she looked around and scurried to catch up to him.

After she was discharged and handed painkillers, Sasuke took her to her apartment building to fetch anything she would need. It was his decision that she would stay under his roof for the seven days. He waited in the car as she went inside.

She knocked on the door since she was without her key. Ino opened it, her eyes wide.

"You're alive!" she said.

"Hinata?" said Sakura from further inside the apartment. When she saw her friend step inside, she hugged her. "Thank God! I'm so sorry. I swear I'll make up for it. Oh!" She abruptly let the girl go, fearing her embrace might've hurt her. "Sorry."

The painkillers were working their magic. "It's alright," Hinata said gently with a reassuring smile. "I know you didn't mean to. I forgive you."

"So, tell us everything from the beginning," said Ino. "We stayed up because we were worrying about you. What happened the last few hours?"

Hinata explained what had occurred after she woke up at the hospital as briefly as she could because Sasuke was waiting.

When she was finished, Ino was skeptical. "You sure he won't pimp you or something?"

"Yeah," said Sakura, "If he raises the debt to keep you longer, I'll go to his house and take care of him for you."

"What, with your gun? That thing isn't even registered."

"So?"

"You should've gotten a cheaper gun and bought two so I could have one."

"But this one looked cute."

Ino rolled her eyes. "Anyway, stop stealing! You'll get yourself killed."

"Hey, a medical degree is expensive. And now that I have a gun, assholes won't be getting anywhere near me," Sakura slammed her fist into her palm. "And you guys too. Any creeps that bother you guys, just bring them to me."

"Yeah, well," Ino turned to Hinata, "Hinata, you should change out of those clothes. The blood stain is creeping me out."

"I'll give you some of mine," said Sakura.

"You owe her a lot more than just clothes. She's doing you a favor."

"I know and I'll repay her back one day."

After changing into Sakura's clothes, reminiscent of streetwalker attire, Hinata packed a few other necessities into a disposable trash bag.

"Take care," said Ino, holding the door open for Hinata as she stepped out.

"See you in a week," said Sakura.

After waving them goodbye, she left.

For one week Hinata was to live with Sasuke as his maid, servant, toy… anything he wanted her to be.

After he brought her home, she watched him head to the couch in the living room where she saw a pile of clothes.

Footsteps were heard descending the stairs as Naruto's voice called to Sasuke, "Did you get my money back?"

"No," he replied once Naruto was visible.

"Seriously? Why not?"

"It didn't work out that way," he said, annoyance in his tone.

Naruto let out a frustrated groan, then slumped his shoulders. To change the disappointing topic, and after noticing him staring at the clothes on the couch, he asked Sasuke, "Hey, so, why'd you make Tenten bring clo—" Hearing the movement of a plastic bag, he turned his head to find Hinata standing a few feet away. "Hey," his sullen features were replaced with an eager grin. "You're back."

"She'll be staying here for the week," said Sasuke, whose eyes were still inspecting the clothes in front of him.

"For a whole week? Why?"

"She owes me."

"Can I have her too?"

It was then that Sasuke realized what he had forgotten. He had begun treating the $2,000 like it was his loss when in fact it was Naruto's, which also meant Hinata's one week stay wasn't repaying him back, she was repaying back Naruto.

Suddenly, he felt irritated.

"Is that a yes?" Naruto urged, hopeful.

Sasuke looked at Hinata. Technically she was supposed to be here for Naruto, but Naruto was under the impression that she was here for him. And she did want to repay him back for her medical bill. That could work in his favor.

"Well?"

Looking away, he muttered, "Yeah."

Naruto was ecstatic. "Awesome! I really need a pick-me-up. Let's start now!"

As he went to take her hand, Sasuke beat him to her and intercepted him by pulling Hinata behind him.

"Hey, what gives?" he asked confused.

"She needs to get settled in first, idiot."

He looked from Sasuke to Hinata, whose eyes were staring at Sasuke's grip on her wrist. Then Naruto noticed something. "Hey, what's with the patch?" he inquired, seeing the white, square material taped to her exposed side.

"You just noticed?"

"Well at least it means I'm looking at her eyes," he countered to Sasuke.

Unexpectedly, a stomach growl was heard.

Naruto patted his stomach. "Oh yeah, I'm starving!" Then he got an idea and looked at Hinata. "Hey, wanna go out to eat with me?"

"Um." She had already eaten enough earlier at the hospital, but seeing his hopeful grin, she felt obliged to reply, "Okay."

Sasuke's fingers unconsciously curled tighter around her wrist, causing her other hand to automatically grab his. When he felt her touch, he realized he was still holding her and abruptly let her go as if she were on fire.

Avoiding her gaze, he crossed his arms and told Naruto, "Your car is in the shop."

"I know. So can I borrow yours?"

"No."

"Aw, come on!" he whined.

"Make something."

"When's the last time we've bought enough food to actually make something?"

"I," started Hinata, the two men turning to her, "I can make something." Any ounce of confidence she had in her waned under their stares. "If you want," she added more softly.

A grin spread on Naruto's features. "Oh yeah! We have a girl in the house now."

"Doesn't mean she's a good cook."

"I bet she cooks fine," said Naruto. "Right? Uh…" It hit him then that he couldn't recall her name. "What's your name again?"

"Hinata," she replied.

"Nice to meet you, Hinata. I'm Naruto," he said with a cheeky grin. "So I guess we need to go shop for food." He looked at Sasuke, "Can I use your car now?"

Sasuke looked at Hinata from the corner of his eye before he answered, "Not unless she changes." Her streetwalker attire wasn't daily clothing. He went back to the clothes on the couch and picked up a yellow dress. "Here," he said, tossing it to her.

After catching it clumsily with the hand that wasn't holding the plastic bag, she examined the material.

"So those were for Hinata?" asked Naruto.

Sasuke grunted in response. Noticing Hinata looking around, he gestured. "The bathroom's over there."

"Thank you," she said politely.

Once Hinata entered the bathroom, she redressed. Then she looked at herself in the mirror. It was a plain, short-sleeved dress that came to her knees. Besides her chest feeling a little cramped, it seemed to be around her size. Leaving her bag on the counter, she opened the bathroom door.

Their stares fell upon her figure the moment she was visible.

Sasuke eyed her from head to toe. In contrast to her previous clothing, the dress gave her a different allure. She seemed more feminine, a girl-next-door type. What with her strangely timid demeanor, this look fit her better. His eyes fell to her voluptuous breasts. Despite her thin frame, she was gifted. Seeing them pressed against the clothing reminded him of their naked feeling against his chest, rocking to his rhythm as he moved inside her.

"Great," said Naruto. "Let's go before this guy"—he pointed his thumb at Sasuke—"changes his mind and decides to come!" He exited the condo with keys jingling in his hands.

As Hinata stepped to follow him, Sasuke came to the door to get ready to close it behind her.

Seeing as how he hadn't stopped staring, she felt self-conscious. As she slowed her pace, her arms crossed over her chest to fidget with the sleeves of the dress. When he was within her proximity, she turned slightly to him, her eyes looking off to the side, "Is... it okay?"

"No," he said. "I want to rip it off you."

"Oh," she felt vaguely disappointed.

Bending slightly so that his lips were beside her ear, he said, "I want to fuck you right now."

"Oh." Her spine tingled, realizing now what he meant. Peeking up at him, her cheeks colored pink when she saw his handsome smirk.

Gradually, the space between them began to diminish. Just as their lips were about to meet, they heard Naruto call from outside, "Come on, Hinata!"

Sasuke tilted his head down and exhaled. To her ear again, he said, "Later." Then he leaned back, stuffed his hands in his pockets and gestured with his chin, "Go."

She did, following after Naruto.

It was going to be a long week.

To Be Continued

A/N:

I'm not sure what this is, but I'll admit this is my favorite chapter in terms of the full-circle content. And yeaaah had to take liberty with some of the medical stuff. This is fiction after all.

I literally spent three days working on this, sitting at the computer for hours upon hours on end. I never regret wasting my days by putting in so much effort though. It's fun after all!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter and, as always, thank you all for your wonderful reviews! They always make my day.

*For those of you that are waiting for my other story—Staying on Top—to update, I am working on it. I actually wanted to upload it last weekend but I ended up working on this one instead because this one was already mostly written out. Staying on Top is at a turning point so I am working on the plot to make sure it makes sense and will come together in the end.

Anyway, do let me know what you think of this filled chapter!