Regular disclaimers applied.

A/N: OKAY. Just to let everyone know, this is taken a totally different turn than I originally planned it. But not working on a story for about two years can do that to you, yeah? Anyway, thanks to all who stuck around, and if you're just joining, welcome!


Despite all speculations, Uchiha Sasuke did not favor a specific brand or distributor of coffee.

Strong. Black. And preferably inexpensive and easy to access. It was that kind of no nonsense coffee that was fitting for a no nonsense man like Sasuke.

That was the reason why he was currently located at a twenty-four hour convenience store situated only stone's throw away from the main Konoha Heat building. It was for that, and to check out the latest papers and magazines out on the rack, to keep in the loop with the current news and fellow magazine publishers.

After thrusting the clerk a few ryo for his cup of coffee, he took a quick glance at his wristwatch. Only a quarter past five in the morning. He doubted that even the earliest of birds would be there in the office this early, considering deadlines have long been dead, along with anyone who hadn't met them. Deciding that time allowed him for a less rigid schedule, Sasuke shuffled over to the magazine and newspaper rack, overlooking the cooking magazines, the magazines featuring glossy waxed cars, and the provocative magazines, and closer to more respectable reads, such as the Konohagakure Chronicles, the city's leading newspaper in international events. Scanning down the line, Sasuke caught sight of other local newspapers, the weekly manga, and of course the ever present Konoha Heat. No headline, however, had piqued his interest enough to actually pick up and flip through the magazine.

Until he came across a picture of a rather familiar face plastered on the cover. Sasuke froze in mid-sip of his coffee, and resisted the urge to spray it all across the cover when he read the headline.

"CLOUD NINE NOT SO HEAVENLY WITH LIQUOR," it read in bold, glaringly yellow letter on the front, "LEADS ON INNOCENT WITH NOT SO INNOCENT INTENTIONS."

In the featured photo underneath the name of the magazine, The Viper, Cloud Nine, looking desperate and reaching out, clawing almost, at a figure that looked like a woman's but her face was blurred out. However, to Sasuke, the long, raven hair was unmistakably belonged to somebody he knew…

Putting his coffee aside, he hastily grabbed the nearest copy and flipped the pages fast enough to seem like he was going to rip the magazine to the cover story. He didn't have to flip much, because after only a couple pages, he found it.

The article was written by a certain "K. Viper," titled "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" and had three corresponding pictures: one with Cloud Nine chatting to his friends (whose faces were also blurred out), another was the same one on the cover, and the last was one of Cloud Nine looking utterly ruined, his hands nursing his head and harboring a cigarette.

Sasuke quickly skimmed the article, which spanned nearly four pages, looking for a name he might have known. Words such as "partied too far" and "perhaps had a bit much to drink", passed by as he shot through the article, but thankfully, no names that he knew appeared. According to the article, the woman that the singer assaulted was just referred to as "a hapless victim, unaware of how (un)well Cloud Nine could carry his booze."

Already so early in the morning, a dull pain thudded at the base of the young editor-in-chief's skull. If things got out of hand, there would be much damage control to be done, especially for the "hapless victim." Exactly who the hell could have gotten their hands on this leak? Of course, it was certainly valuable; what publishing company wouldn't want to get their hands on such a defamation of a popular star? And, Sasuke noted, glancing up and down the magazine and newspaper rack again, it seemed that only The Viper had the inside scoop on it. Sasuke didn't recall seeing anybody else in the room. And Cloud Nine wouldn't be an idiot enough to purposefully shoot himself and suicide his fame, would he? And most of all, Sasuke knew Cloud Nine wouldn't be foolish enough to let leak about his little fiasco, because Sasuke would be all over him like a bad rash.

Apparently, someone had beaten him to the punch.

The magazine was starting to crumple underneath the pressure of his grip. Sighing, he rolled it up and tossed a few coins of ryo to the bored clerk. Sasuke took a large gulp of the now lukewarm coffee to try ebbing away the tension on his mind, tossed away the empty cup, and headed, in large, cool strides, outside of the convenience store, hands stuffed deep in his pockets, the rolled up paper pinned between his arm and his side.


When Sasuke returned to the building, it was still empty. Save for the presence of Naruto and Sakura, whose noses were currently buried deep into the latest issue of The Viper. The very same issue he had pinned right under his arm. He gritted his teeth.

Oh shit.

"'It is unknown whether or not the victim will press charges, but who would have ever thought that behind such a smile lies such lewd thoughts? Only time will tell if the public still thinks he is deserving of the adoration he receives, or if he should be branded a menace,'" Sakura's voice was constant as read the final sentences of the article, and flipped closed the pages.

The pound of a fist on wood cut through the quiet floor. "That bastard! I knew he was too good to be true. There's always something fishy about guys who are way too pretty. I mean, look at him! I bet he waxes his hair and polishes his teeth to make it that shiny. I'm telling you, it's just not natural," Naruto angrily ranted, until his eyes snapped open at a sudden realization. "H-hey wait, w-wasn't Hinata supposed to be with him last night? Y-you—you don't think…" his voice was anxious and filled with worry.

Sakura's face screwed up in thought. "Well, I did call her later last night, but she told me she was fine, although she didn't get her article done…"

"She's fine," Sasuke cut in. "She left before that guy—" Sasuke roughly gestured his head over to the picture of Cloud Nine on the front of the magazine, his voice tinged with disgust"—got to her. I…found her, wandering around the bar of the club. Wasn't able to find him. So I gave her an extension." It was only half a lie, but it was still half a truth. Half a truth was good enough for Sasuke.

Naruto and Sakura blinked and didn't say anything for second, registering all that Sasuke just said, but when Sakura said "Alright, if you say so," Sasuke was satisfied that they were convinced.

"But Hinata's usually here by now," Sakura remarked as she peer at the clock on the wall. "She said she was fine yesterday night…"

"Not everyone comes to work on Saturday, Sakura," Naruto huffed, muttering something about slave drivers and days when it should be illegal to have to work.

Sakura's green eyes flashed. "What was that, Naruto?"

The sound of Sakura's knuckles cracking was enough to make Naruto quash all thoughts of behavioral misdemeanors. "Nothing, Sakura! Just saying that Hinata probably wanted a bit more sleep today, that's all! Besides, if anything did happen to her, I'll call her up later to check up on her."

Very few people show up to work on Saturday, especially when it's a Saturday after a deadline. Only a handful showed up to the building, but they were only there to straighten and pick up some loose papers and drafts. Hinata was the type to show up every day, rain or shine, hours before anyone shows up.

So when ten o' clock hit and Hinata's seat was still empty, Naruto picked up the phone and dialed her number. Sakura and Sasuke were busy reading the latest articles that had been delivered in Sasuke's office when Naruto barged in and announced that Hinata was okay, but she said she was feeling a little under the weather, and if you asked him, she did sound like she had the sniffles and her voice sounded weird if not a bit croaky. If he didn't know any better, Naruto would say that Hinata had been crying for the last few hours. But well, with the city of Konoha being notorious for aggravating allergies, especially during this season, it made everybody with bad allergies want to cry.

Sakura's initial response to that was, "Oh, I wonder if I should bring her over something. I've got this great concoction that I made myself for allergies…." To which Naruto replied, "You mean the one that nearly killed me last spring? Woman, your stuff is deadly!" Leading to Sakura fuming and Naruto running circles all around Sasuke's office, cackling with glee.

Sasuke's initial thought was Naruto, you idiot. Not only because he was being a brat and acting like his age divided by four, but because if it had been anybody else talking to Hinata on the phone, somebody with some tact and maybe a little common sense, they'd be able to tell that Hinata had indeed been crying. The question of why she was crying might have been a little harder to discern, but as to if she had been crying shouldn't have been too difficult. But to Naruto's defense, he had always been a bit on the slow side, especially to reading another person's feelings, so Sasuke supposed he couldn't blame him; they're supposed to be used to it, after all.

Sasuke quietly rose from his seat. "Naruto, stop. I am going to overlook your horrendous ability to spell this once, because I need you to take over looking over these for me."

Sakura had finally caught up to Naruto, her fist about to connect with his blond head, and Naruto was in mid-struggle, when they both froze at his words.

"What? Where are you going?" Naruto called after Sasuke, who had his hands already on the door handle, swinging it open.

"Urgent meeting. Just remembered. Don't know when I'll be back."

"Okay, fine, be that way. How about you don't come back at all?" Naruto stuck his tongue out at Sasuke's back.

"And Sakura, I need you to call up the people at the Viper. Tell them to free up some time for me."

"Got it." She nodded firmly. Sakura didn't bother to question Sasuke, the determined edge in his voice was enough to tell her that he didn't need anyone asking him twice about what he planned to do, whatever he planned to do.

"Oh, and don't forget to tell Naruto: should he ever come across it, penis is spelled with an 'i'. It was spelled wrong when he scribbled it all across my computer screen in marker."

The door behind Sasuke closed soundly, and only muffled screeching could be heard from behind it.


Sasuke rapped his knuckles on the door of apartment number 318, and waited.

The apartment complex was by no means a shabby place. Not extravagant enough to be called ritzy and have plush carpets and elevators lined with marble, but it was still nothing to sneeze at. In fact, they even had a young, if not pimple-faced, nicely dressed receptionist at the concierge. One that got all up on Sasuke's case when he inquired on the whereabouts of Hinata's apartment, eyeing him with high suspicion and asking him if "he had any real business with Miss Hinata," and if he was the one who sent her rushing back upstairs this morning in tears. If Sasuke didn't know any better, he'd say somebody had a crush.

Kid needed to set his sights on somebody that wasn't out of his league.

Well. At least somebody would look after her nicely.

Sasuke waited for another second, and was about to pound on the door for good measure, until he heard the clacking of the door being unbolted shut and the lock being twisted. The heavy door opened, with Hinata just barely peeking out from behind it. She was dressed as if she had every intention this morning to go to the Konoha Heat building, and it appeared that she had splashed some water and dabbed herself with a towel to clean up some of the tears, the reason for the delay in opening the door. But the telltale signs were there; her eyes were still red and puffy, face all splotchy.

"O-oh, Uchiha-sama," Hinata sniffled a little. "P-please, come in."

He stepped inside, surveying his surroundings. It was organized, clean, and not without some homely touches. Corners decorated with plants. A squishy couch with a simple coffee table with a neat stack of home keeping and gardening magazines underneath the glass, in the center of the room. A large window that allowed quite a view on the wall over to his right. He strode over to the window, gazing out at the bustling city below, his hands in his pockets.

"Would you like some tea?" Hinata asked, her voice soft and her head still bowed at an angle, refusing to look at Sasuke's face.

"No. Just sit."

Somebody else might have been offended at being ordered around in her own house, but Hinata quickly obliged, her hands clasped at her knees, almost she if she was trying to bring them closer to curl up in.

"You saw, didn't you? You saw the morning's papers."

Hinata's breath hitched. . So that's what he was here for. Her mind jolted back to the nightmare, the cover and article that could very near bring her to ruins. What if she was recognized? What if some more digging and bribery was done, leading to her exposure? She was sure that all who kept up with the business of Cloud Nine, which was pretty much a good half of the people in this city, was curious to know who this 'hapless victim' was.

As if almost being forced wasn't enough. Hinata pushed back the tears that threatened to spill.

"I…I did."

"I want you to know," he said slowly, purposefully. He wanted Hinata to fully understand. "I had no doing in it."

"I know."

"And I want you to know, it didn't mention you at all."

"I know."

Sasuke spun around on his heel and marched over to the forlorn figure that was Hinata, her head still bowed, her dark hair curtaining her face. He stood looming over her.

"Then…?"

"I…I don't know how long it will stay that way. How long will it be before my name does end up on the front page, Uchiha-sama?" Hinata whispered. Her head turned aside, to a spot of carpet to the left of Sasuke's black shoes, its image blurry, her tears barely clinging to her lashes. "I should have never left the Hyuuga," she said even more softly that it almost didn't reach Sasuke's ears.

At this, Hinata was a bit taken aback to hear Sasuke let out a little scoff. He wasn't…belittling her pains, was he?

"Nobody ever regrets working under Konoha Heat. And I'll see to it that you're not the first one, Hyuuga."

At the sound of her surname, Hinata peered up to look at Sasuke's face, for the first time ever since he stepped into her abode, to search for some sort of meaning to his words in his face. However, the only thing she caught when she looked up was a face full of cloth. A handkerchief was dangling in between Sasuke's fingers.

"Take it. You look better when you're not sobbing your eyes out."

Hinata hesitantly accepted his offer of his handkerchief. She supposed this was his means of comforting someone. It was…certainly not mean in any way, but it wasn't everybody's definition of nice, either. Just like that time he just tossed her his jacket to walk out in the rain with. In his own distant, cold way, he was being comforting. It would seem that Sasuke was one of the rare people who could pull it off. Or maybe it was just the only way he could pull it off.

He was now heading towards the door and letting himself out, but before closing the door, said, "I expect to see you back Monday, Hyuuga."

Sasuke was gone before Hinata could even begin to form a reply.


It wasn't that the publishing building of The Viper was a sinister place, it only emitted that sort of aura as Sasuke approached the glass doors tinted pitch-black under a cavernous opening that seemed to swallow its entrants. It was of granite black, and Sasuke doubted much anyone could miss the structure as it displayed the title of the papers for which it housed in gargantuan letters, glowing red even in the light of the sun. The burlesque security guard who stood at the entrance after he entered glared harshly at him, but Sasuke made no move of even noticing him, striding past the man as if he were only a mere statue.

The receptionist at the front desk was a girl by the name of Kin, as her name plate stated, who had chemically damaged hair and wore too much eyeliner. She smiled a sickeningly sweet smile that, Sasuke felt, belied a character nothing short of the word bitchy.

"How may I help you, s—"

"Yes, you can help me by not wasting my time, and taking me to the man who runs this place."

Kin's eyes flashed and her smile faltered a little, but her voice never lost its jarring perk. "I'm sorry, that's not possible at present, as Orochimaru-sama has currently gone off to lunch," she said, glancing at the digital desk clock sitting on the counter. According to the clock, it was currently eighteen past three.

The sound of hands slamming on marble could be heard, and the next moment, Kin found her face dangerously close to Sasuke's face that looked none too happy. "Look. I know you're not a stupid girl, and I'm sure as hell you know I'm not a stupid man. So you go call up your boss and tell him he's late for his three o' clock meeting and he needs to get back before he finds his staff a whole floor short. And you and I both know I can live up that threat. You don't want that on your hands, do you?"

At this, Kin's face fell completely, and he regarded Sasuke with hard eyes before conceding. "Very well," she said, her voice wavering only once, and proceeded to pick up the phone.

She had only the chance to punch in the first three numbers before entrance door burst open, allowing the city noise to flood in.

The security guard had bowed to the newcomer with reverence, and greeted him with "Welcome back, Orochimaru-sama." But again, he was ignored, because the first thing that caught the man's eye was none other than Sasuke.

"Sasuke," he said with languid pleasure, his voice like oil. "To what do I owe the pleasure? Usually it is I who chases after you. Imagine seeing you right in my lobby!"

Sasuke did not return his repulsive glee that almost seemed like a child's. "Cut the bull. You're late. You know you're late. You and I both have business to do."

"Hm, so I am." Orochimaru did not return Sasuke's fire. "If you insist on a talk, you must come up to my office. I wouldn't want to bother my hard working staff." Orochimaru brushed past Sasuke to the elevators. "Eighth floor. I trust that you'll find me. I'll be waiting," he said with a playful chuckle that ran ice through Sasuke's veins. What did he think this was, a game of cat and mouse? Sasuke certainly wouldn't be surprised if that was so.

The eighth floor was lined with endless doors, and the corridor was completely soundless, save for the billowing climate controller. Over at Konoha Heat, although everybody knew Sasuke was tough, but the staff was still able chat and banter (it was mostly at Naruto and Sakura's insistence it be kept like so). At The Viper, the silence was almost eerie and suffocating. It was almost like some prison.

Sasuke passed countless doors, at the very end of the corridor, was an office different than all the other rooms, marked with double doors and golden plate with Orochimaru's name emblazoned on it. He gripped the handle and flung the door open, revealing Orochimaru at his desk in the very center of the room, feet propped up on his desk and smug grin smeared on his face.

"So, what brings Uchiha Sasuke from the popular Konoha Heat down to a little place like this?"

"Orochimaru, we know that The Viper and Konoha Heat are two of the top provider for entertainment news. You just tend to be a little popular because you tend to gather shady details and bring many celebrities to ruin without much thought," Sasuke said, not without a tinge of bitterness.

Orochimaru did not giggle or laugh or chuckle, nor did he make any reaction in reply to Sasuke's words. But his face lost the playful mirth that a predator gets as it toys with its prey. "So I do. Tell me, Uchiha Sasuke, do you have a problem with anything that comes out of my building? I assure you, I've yet to mention anything particularly embarrassing about you."

"Actually, I do have a bone to pick with you." Sasuke whipped out the morning's copy of The Viper from the inner breast pocket of his jacket and held it out clear for Orochimaru to behold. "This. I want this off and gone from every shelf and newspaper rack by tomorrow. And I want you to back off and stop poking around."

The anger that Sasuke had been suppressing ever since he entered the building flared when he saw the corner of Orochimaru's mouth curl deviously, and he steeled himself for an uphill battle that could prove to be costly, knowing this man.

"Sasuke-kun," he crooned, and at this, Sasuke nearly failed to resist a shudder. "You are simply asking for the impossible. Surely as a publisher you know hard it is to take back words?"

"Yes, but knowing you, there's a price tag for everything."

"My, Sasuke-kun, I had no idea you were one for bribery."

"No, but I know for a fact that you aren't, and neither are your staff. And that makes them second-rate writers only good for mudslinging and libel."

Orochimaru's face drained of all its mirth, and he planted his feet from his desk to firmly on the ground to better regard Sasuke. Sasuke a bit satisfied to see a bit of emotion getting riled up behind his slitted eyes. He was baring all his claws, and if Orochimaru was a man, he would do the same.

"Now name your price, Orochimaru. And don't give me any shit."

Orochimaru's voice shifted to a low, dangerous tone. "As you wish. My price is simple: I want your Hyuuga heiress."

Sasuke swallowed. "Not happening. What else do you have?"

"I don't see why you have to make this so complicated, Sasuke. She's of no real use to you, am I correct?"

"Better than letting you exploit her."

"Now, Sasuke, just think of it like I am keeping an eye on her."

"How will I know you're not pawning off all information on her over to her family? Or better yet, going to ship her back to her family for a nice ryo or two?"

Sasuke knew that Orochimaru was feigning his innocence by looking scandalized at the suggestion at such a thought.

"All birds have to return to their cage. Or else they get clipped."

Something with the way Orochimaru said his sentence did not sit well with Sasuke. He stared down at The Viper, the picture of the woe begotten Cloud Nine on the magazine cover gleaming back at him. Sasuke had still yet to figure out how news of the scandal had could have gotten out so fast. Who could be so perfectly positioned to be able to catch what happened in the room yesterday night to be able to get it published only a few hours after? It had to be someone very intimate with Cloud Nine, able to know all his mechanisms and plans, and able to access the printers very easily, bypassing the editors.

"Orochimaru…you…you were the one who sold out Cloud Nine, weren't you?"

"Guilty as charged, Sasuke-kun." The smirk had returned on Orochimaru's face, and at the same time, Sasuke could feel the color draining from his face.

"So…so you know everything…"

"Correct again! And I can divulge everything, unless you give her up. Don't you see? I withheld her name, knowing that somebody would come to her rescue, be her white knight, just like you were last night."

Sasuke's hands clenched his hands tight and hard, releasing only when he felt moisture, and glancing down, he saw his hands stained crimson. It was unbelievable that Orochimaru would toy around with lives like this, even using rising stars like Cloud Nine. And now he was poised to ruin another person's life. It was almost frightening how unhesitant he was, willing to sell celebrities and VIPs at the drop of a hat. The situation seemed hopeless. And Sasuke was here feeling hopeless for Hinata, who had no idea of any this.

"I'll tell you what; I won't reveal her name in The Viper."

Sasuke broke from his thoughts when Orochimaru spoke again. "What? You won't?"

"Where would be the fun in that? Her family would swoop down and lock her up forever, and what would I get? No, even for someone in a business like this, I know it is sometimes better to keep quiet."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "What's the catch? You always did like playing with your food."

If it was possible, Orochimaru's serpentine grin grew even wider. "You know me too well, Sasuke. In return for my generous silence, for a month, I would like you to indulge me in some information on her—"

"Female, twenty-two, not listed as married."

"Amusing, but not quite what I was looking for. Relax, Sasuke, it's relatively painless. For a month, I want the scoop on her: history, what she is currently up to, and did you know it's a real mystery as to why she ever left Hyuuga in the first place? In return, I will keep quiet, and I will pull all printed copies in the city and you won't be able to find a single one still on the racks tomorrow morning. This whole fiasco will then eventually blow over in a month or two. Certainly very nice, wouldn't you say so?"

"What…will you do with what you get?"

"Small articles here and there. Only in The Viper, of course. Very brief, and besides, no one will notice anyway. It isn't as if Hyuuga Hinata has been very high on the public radar. Do we have a deal?"

Sasuke's couldn't help but feel this was like negotiating with devil.

Like he couldn't fucking win.


Strong and black. That was the kind of coffee that was currently rushing into his mouth, scalding membranes and tissue, but it was exactly the kind of drink he needed to keep him running today.

Soft knocking against his door pierced the silence of his office. He could only guess one person who would knock like that. Naruto would simply barge in. Sakura would give three firm taps just to alert him before walking in. Others would just call his name from behind the door, usually pleading with him to open up to receive treats they had so lovingly purchased for him. And the few others—they just avoided his office altogether.

He could only guess one person because after all, he did personally ask for her.

"Come in."

As expected, Hyuuga Hinata emerged from behind the door, and Sasuke thought that the burn in his mouth from the coffee was only a fraction of what he was going to do to Hinata.

"Uchiha-sama." She bowed deeply. "Did you ask for me?"

"I did, Hyuuga. Listen. We both know that you skimped out on your last assignment. I know I gave you an extension, but I'm willing to make a deal."

Those last six words were bitterer than his coffee. Compared to them, his coffee might as well been doused with all the packets of sugar and containers of creamer in the whole building.

She only nodded and continued to listen in rapt attention.

"I have to be fair, and I can't just let you walk away like that."

From under his desk, Sasuke pulls out a small video camera, a good size to hold, and not too cumbersome.

"I need you to record your days for a month on this. Record or write. Either one. That's it. Do you understand?"

Hinata blinked for a second, and for a second, Sasuke thought Hinata was going to start firing questions at him.

"Yes, I understand. It's only fair."

Sasuke let out a breath he never knew he was holding, and focused back on the papers in front of him to drown out that sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. "That's it, Hyuuga. Now get back to work."

Hinata had started out his office before she turned around to face him again.

"Oh, and Uchiha-sama? Thank you. Thank you again. It was you, wasn't it? It was you who somehow got rid of all the magazines."

Sasuke looked up from the papers that he wasn't actually reading through anyway, and she was right there, in front of his desk, her mouth carved into the sweetest smile, and she was beaming at him, with such gratefulness and joy that he could have sworn it was something like love.

He swallowed. Hard.

"Just…just making sure you get your work done, Hyuuga."


A/N: I honestly think I'm starting to veer off of characterizations. Um. That would probably be due to not being involved in the Naruto fandom for the last two years.