A/N: Okay I've got a fresh chapter for you guys just before Christmas! It's a fanfiction miracle! First, I'd like to give a shout-out to my readers and reviewers. You guys are awesome and I appreciate all the support. Secondly, I'd like to give a shout-out to toshi9, this guy is a close confidante of mine and while bouncing ideas off one another, inspired an interpretation of the first scene of this chapter. And for that, I salute you my guy. So, as we saw last chapter Sasuke and Hinata's relationship has begun blooming in a very "mature" way. But don't expect it to be a smut fest just yet! This chapter represents a shift in the tone of the story, which was not what I planned when I first started writing it, given the lighthearted chapter title. But like the real world this story doesn't always go the way you think it will. So, let get on with it!
Little Things
Another day, another dollar. Or so Sasuke told himself as he entered his apartment and unburdened himself, leaving his briefcase by the door and blazer on the couch. It was pitch black, save for the illuminating rays of the moon that spilled through his large windows, odd he thought, knowing well enough that he rarely opened the curtains. Though it mattered little to him, it was late and all he wanted was to forget about the stressors of the day.
As he delved deeper into his domicile his nose wrinkles at the unusual scents that greeted him. Traces of smoke and alcohol prompting him to search them out. His nose led him through the living room and down the hall to the master bedroom. His keen ears picking up on the sounds coming from the slightly ajar door. Labored breathing with smatterings of whispers and something akin to a whimper. A new scent filling his nostrils as he stood outside silently listening, it reeked of sweat and sex.
He didn't know what possessed him to not storm into the room and throttle the offender, or offender's, how ever many there were. Choosing rather to peer through the cracked door like some common deviant, his breath hitching at the sight.
His fiancée sat there on his bed clad only in a white sheer nightgown that hung loosely over her intimate parts, her head thrown back in ecstasy, one hand buried deep in her matching underwear while the other kneaded her fleshy mounds. He could feel his slacks tighten at the sight, both of them too entranced to notice the other. That's when he spotted a length of red hair peek from behind her, mixing with the blue-black her own as a slender arm snaked around her waist and joined hers below. In his arousal he caught a gleam of brown eyes as Hinata's partner buried their head in the crook of her neck, biting hard enough to make her cry out for him.
"You want him, huh?" cooed the woman hotly, moving to take another bite of her slender neck, stopping when she noticed the spy. "Why don't you ask him to join us?"
"Sasuke-kun…" she half whined half moaned, her fingers never ceasing their actions in search of greater pleasures. His legs moved on their own as he entered the den of depravity, slowly making his way towards the edge of the bed. Her trembling hand leaving her breast to reach out for him.
"Your fiancée left all alone, wanting you to fuck her." taunted Tyauya with a sharkish grin, her fingers diving deeper inside sending the woman into another fit of writhing. "Poor thing didn't even know how to satisfy herself. I hope you don't mind me showing her the ropes?"
Sasuke hardly heard her words or cared much for rationalizing the redheads presence in his apartment, his sole focus on Hinata as he crawled onto the bed and between her legs. The heady honey sweet scent of her arousal guiding his hand to hers, the radiant heat forcing a husky breath from him, "Hinata…"
"Who are you going to fuck first, Sasuke?" questioned Tayuya, grabbing a handful of his hair and roughly shoving his head down onto his fiancée's heaving chest.
"Me…f-fuck me first Sasuke." moaned the heiress, her hips working overtime to match the manipulations of the hands guiding her closer and closer to orgasm. "P-please…make l-love to me Sasuke-kun."
His fingers worked harder and harder, vying for real estate amongst her slick folds until only he remained. Pumping and tweaking her bundle of nerves until she chanted his name like mantra.
"Sa-asuke-kun! Sasuke! Sasuke!"
Suddenly his eyes shot open. No longer was he nestled between his fiancée's ample bosom, her crying his name out in ecstasy, but face to face with his secretary leaning over his desk with a quizzical look on her face.
A dream.
"Sorry to wake you, but you have a visitor." She reached out to touch his forehead only to have him slap away the appendage, "Y-you looked red, I was just—"
"Who's the visitor?" he snapped, running both hands through his hair in hopes of quelling his straining arousal and stymieing the remnants of his hangover.
"Ano…it's your—"
"Uchiha Sasuke! How dare you keep your mother waiting!" in strode the Uchiha matriarch practically breathing fire. Arms firmly planted on her hips and a pout that rivaled her husband's as she approached the desk, and bore down on her youngest son with dark eyes, "You wouldn't dare do this to your father!"
"Karin, leave us. Now." He ordered, knowing a personal visit from his mother was never good. Sasuke eyed her warily as she stood there as still as a statue, only clearing her throat as she waited for him to greet her properly. Slowly Sasuke rose, hoping his mother wouldn't notice his unsightliness with her keen gaze, "Okaasan. Sorry, I was—"
I don't want to hear it Sasuke." she chided, immediately taking a seat and rummaging through her purse for something. She produced a small stack of photos and documents instantly making his heart drop. Had Tayuya betrayed him on a whim? Giving the photos to his mother no less? Upon further inspection his frenzied mind settled. They were nothing more than photos of sprawling gardens and spacious halls. He quirked an eyebrow before regarding her again. "This is important. Your wedding needs a venue."
"Can't this wa—"
"No, absolutely not." she snapped, forcing her son into his seat and his lips to curl disapprovingly. True that he had dodged some of his mother calls, texts, and messengers, but only because he felt he had more pressing issues at hand. "You are marrying a lovely girl and you are going to have a lovely wedding. Even if I have to tie you down and force you to make the necessary decisions."
"You're being overly dramatic." he sighed, pinching his nose in anticipation of more rebuking, "Not to sound crass mother, but I'm no good at this sort of thing. It's better suited for a woman."
"Both you and Hinata are busy people, I get that. But even I had help with my own." She was doing her best to level with him but he could see she was still fuming somewhat.
"So, you're asking me to pick a venue?" he questioned dully.
"No. I'm telling you to sort this, the caterer, the photographer, the florist, and the guest list out with your fiancée. The sooner the better."
Sasuke twisted his lips some more and knotted his hands doing his best to rationalize what time he could spare for such trivialities. Normally he spent his days finding ways to make exorbitant amounts of money, not how best to spend it in one grand gesture. Perhaps he'd float the town hall idea to Hinata again.
"Fine, Mother. I will talk to Hinata about our wedding." He conceded with a petulant pursing of his lips. The dark-haired woman breathes a sigh of relief and her face relaxed, giving way to a bright smile. "I already have a florist in mind."
"Wonderful. See how simple it is when you put that brain I gave you to work?" she teased, her smile remaining despite her son's annoyed scoff as she departed.
Sasuke sighed heavily and grabbed the stack of photos his mother had so graciously left him. They varied from ornate halls with gold trim and marble flooring as far as the eye could see, to traditional Japanese gardens with fountains, all manner of flora and fauna to recreate the most idyllic setting. Though, he couldn't make heads or tails of any of it. He couldn't picture anything other than what the image showed. He needed Hinata.
Though it was still too early to reach her, surely she was in class if not teaching one herself. He also was not too keen on having a conversation about their wedding following last night's events and his midday dream. He may never broach that subject for obvious reasons. It could only have gotten worse if Sakura was involved.
"S-Sasuke?" piped his assistant, shyly peeking her head into his office. Sasuke could tell by the pale look on her face that it was either his father or Orochimaru. Not that he'd approach either so differently.
"Put them through." He ordered, patiently waiting for his phone to ring. He let the device ring several times just to make whoever it was sweat, until he finally answered, "Uchiha."
"Nice of you take my call, Sasuke-kun." The smooth sound of the voice only made his blood run hot.
"You wouldn't call without purpose, Orochimaru. So what is it?" he had no reason to be cordial, his underling was blackmailing him and surely he too wanted something.
"Of course, we're both busy men. I've called to propose continuing our partnership."
"In what capacity?" he asked. In all honesty he had little interest in working with the shady man. He served his purpose, whatever he was offering could only spell trouble and turn his fortune into misfortune.
"Sarutobi-sama, he was hurt more by our maneuvering than he's let on." Sasuke could hear the delight in the other man's voice. That was the sort of person he was. Spiteful until the bitter end. It wasn't enough to weaken a for, he craved utter humiliation and destruction of them. Even Sasuke had learned that such scorched earth tactics were bad for business. Then again, that was why he was where he was and the snake of a man was where he was. "His allies have lost faith, they've threatened to call in his sizable debts if he can't stabilize his holdings. The old man is selling what he can just to stay above water. He's lost board members in the mayhem as well."
"Get to the point." Demanded Sasuke, his patience running thin for the man's reveling.
"We can offer Sarutobi-sama a way out. Liquid capital in exchange for…a respectable stake in his firm and board member status."
So, he didn't want to see his long time adversary destroyed. He wanted a seat at the table and then some. He must have also had some lofty goal of ousting Sarutobi in the future as well. Such greed was bound to be his downfall. The snake so insatiable he devours himself for an eternity.
Though, he decided to humor the man and his ambitions, at least as a means to understand his intentions more, "Sarutobi would be a fool to grant either of us even a modicum of control in his business."
"Naturally. We'd need an ally. One with a friendly enough face and amenable to being little more than a puppet for us." Sasuke grit his teeth at the flippant way he schemed, as if such a thing was as natural as breathing. He believed himself above reproach despite his less than prestigious status in the financial world.
"I have no interest in a controlling stake in a competitors business." He stated flatly, idly flipping through photos and pricing for his upcoming wedding. Even that was more interesting to him than Orochimaru and his machinations.
"That's where you're wrong Sasuke-kun. You're in bed with the Hyuuga's, so to speak. Therefore invested in them and their allies, in one way or another."
The cocky tone in his voice didn't sit well with Sasuke, but of course he would not act on his insinuations. "You forget your manners more and more these days, Orochimaru. You'd do we'll to remember them, especially when referring to my fiancée and her family."
"Of course. I only meant that you have the means…"
"Hn. Yes, the means to your end. I'll say it again for you. I have no interest." He reiterated, letting his frustration be heard.
"So be it. Though, with your recent success I have no doubt our paths will cross again."
"Lets hope not too soon." Sasuke wasted no time hanging up, the conclusion of the call being long decided even before he answered. That was easy work, the task at hand however was another beast. Now he just had to figure out what the hell a boutonniere was.
"Karin! Get in here!"
The amber eyed man leaned back in his leather seat, shreds of light filtering in through the blinds of the dark dwelling. The Uchiha had picked his side, he'd live with the consequences.
"He was just as you said, Kabuto. Uncooperative." The cool demeanor of the pale man slipping as he frowned at his associate.
"It's to be expected, Orochimaru-sama. The Uchihas have no allies, or at least not for very long." The young suited man pushed his spectacles up on the bridge of his nose with a wry grin.
"Yes it would seem so." seethed the snake, knotting his fingers as he contemplated his next move. The brash Uchiha was haughty. They all were, his father, his brother, and he was no different. But pride cometh before the fall. And Orochimaru had been around long enough to see the mighty fall, and he planned to be around long after the Uchihas did as well. "I suppose we'll have to handle it ourselves."
"Should I call Tayuya and the others in to discuss how we'll proceed?"
Orochimaru nodded curtly and waved the man off to gather his troops while he mulled over the details of his plan. If you cannot reach heaven through peace, reach it through violence.
He toyed with the silver band of his ring, staring thoughtful at the embossed jewel in the center while he waited. Eventually his subordinates all filed into his office, stern faced and stiff backed. His loyal troops.
"Glad you could all make it in a timely fashion," he began rising from his seat and buttoning his blazer before continuing, "I hope I didn't pull you away from important business."
"No, Orochimaru-sama." They called in unison much to his delight, a thin grin spreading across their boss's pale visage.
"Good. I've call you all here to discuss Sasuke. The Uchiha has become a problem." He declared, carefully eyeing his associates for unconscious physical cues. "He can't see that continuing our partnership is in his best interest. Let's enlighten him, shall we?"
Silence filled the room as the spies exchanged a few glances amongst themselves. Orochimaru's word was absolute, they would not disobey. However, the vague order was not something they took lightly. Over the years they'd received similar instructions, but none on someone as high profile as Uchiha Sasuke.
"No offense, Orochimaru-sama…but the Uchihas are a stubborn bunch. Exactly how are we gonna get this done?" piped Kidomaru from among the suits.
"He means, how much can we hurt him?" interjected Sakon jamming his hands in his pocket, a grin of his own growing at the idea of getting rough with the wealthy man.
"Under normal circumstances I'd say such a thing was off limits. But, given the time constraints…Sasuke needs to see things our way and quickly."
"Shock and awe it is." Droned Ukon, mimicking his brother actions, albeit in a lazier fashion.
"Tch, consider it done, Orochimaru-sama." Tayuya was the last to speak, fashioning herself as the de-facto leader of the small cadre. It seemed that her warning to Sasuke wasn't stern enough, and now she had to bruise that pretty face of his.
They all began to file out keeping their somewhat creative ways to getting to Uchiha Sasuke to themselves until out of their superiors' earshot. "Tayuya, I'd like a word."
The redhead stopped in her tracks, her blood running cold if only for a moment as she spun around to face him. Had he somehow learned of her rendezvous with the Uchiha? Learned of their partnership? "Orochimaru-sama?"
The pale man waited while the rest left them alone, including Kabuto before he approached the diminutive woman. Despite her size, she had as much bark and bite as Jirobo, and no less loyal. "Have you had any encounters with Sasuke since the last at that bar with the silly name?"
"No, I haven't seen him since the boxing exhibition." She answered, doing her best to keep her voice even as to not tip him off to any foul play.
"Hm. A shame. While time is of the essence, if the opportunity presents itself again I'd like you to…use your talents to get some leverage on the Uchiha," he reached out and grabbed a lock of her lengthy hair toying with it between his fingers, his unsettling grin returning, "He may need more incentivizing."
Tayuyas lips parted in surprise, Orochimaru knew she was by no means a seductress of any sort, he had real women for that sort of work. He'd never asked for such a thing before, and to do so now made her uneasy. But she couldn't refuse, or hesitate lest he catch a whiff of insubordination. "Hai."
"Excellent. Now, don't keep the rest waiting. There's work to be done."
This was impossible. Sasuke had been pouring over the aesthetic and financial efficacies of his wedding for hours and felt as if he'd accomplished nothing. Karin was no help, having little to no better an eye for beauty than he did.
"Ano...the phone is ringing nonstop Sasuke. Maybe Hinata could help more…"
Sasuke sighed and reclined in his seat, pinching the bridge of his nose in an attempt to regain his sanity. How did people do this without wanting to call off the whole thing? Spreadsheets were a million times more simple.
"Fine. Thanks for all of the help." he droned sarcastically. He eyed his watch noting that he'd toiled the day away planning his wedding and not successfully at that. There was no promise that Hinata would be any better than Karin had been. But he had to try he supposed.
Ring.
Ring..
Ring…
"Hi, Sasuke-kun. H-how are today?"
"Not so well, actually."
"O-Oh…is something wrong?" Sasuke was never very forthcoming with how he felt, especially if he was in a foul mood. Had the evening before soured the entirety of his day? Had she scared him with her half-drunk confession? No, impossible. Nothing scared him. Especially not her.
"It's my mother. She wanted me to…" Sasuke paused, deciding this was no way to adequately broach the subject of their marriage much less it's planning. After all, they truly never had an honesty discussion about what seemed like the small things in comparison to their whirlwind relationship. "It's better to talk about this in person. Do you mind if I come over?"
Hinata hesitated, the memory of him in her home still fresh in her mind. She flushed bright red as she looked towards the couch, ghostly images of herself writhing beneath him flashing in her mind. "A-ano…I wouldn't u-under normal circumstances, but I-I have a lot of work to finish."
Sasuke could tell from her intonations that she was somewhat distressed, though he couldn't tell if it was due to her workload as she said, or something else. She had been shirking her pedagogical duties more and more because of him, whether she wanted to admit it or not. Though he was no different, hell he had fallen asleep at his desk, fantasizing about her hours ago. It was getting harder to focus on any task, especially his fiduciary duties when all he could think about was her.
"I see. Maybe I can assist you in some way." the suggestive words falling from his lips unintentionally. He'd be lying if he said he didn't desire his fiancées companionship in one form or another. And he knew now that the feeling was mutual as well.
Hinata bit her quivering bottom lip as her mind focused in on his voice. She had opened Pandora's box and now had to deal with the consequences. T-that's sweet Sasuke-kun. But I really need to f-focus on my work. Maybe w-we could talk later?"
Sasuke frowned at her resolve. Clearly she had less of a desire to see him than he thought. It was a shame really. He genuinely did enjoy the time they spent together. She was a solitary soul like himself, though never felt lonely, so long as they had something to keep them focused. "I understand, Hinata. I'll call you later then."
"Thanks…I should get b-back to it then."
"Hn. Bye Hinata."
"Bye, Sasuke-kun."
Needless to say, Sasuke was not thrilled to be saddled with the burden of planning his wedding alone. Though he was more perturbed about not seeing Hinata. Her sweet voice would suffice he supposed, but everyday he craved her presence more and more. Erotic daydreams or not.
Sasuke was snapped from his idle musings by the sounds of a commotion outside his office. Seconds later Karin burst through his door, dread written all over her face. When she failed to properly articulate the problem, he rose to his feet and made his way to the bullpen. Sasuke knew immediately that there would be further issues once her spotted the five suited individuals disrupting his analysts. "Call security Karin."
"Who let you trash bags in here?" sneered Suigetsu, rising from his seat to block their advance.
"Pipe down, desk jockey. We're here to have a chat with your boss." Snapped Salon as he sized up his former comrade as he shot him a sharp scowl, "How's it feel being some brats lackey, traitor?"
"Tch, feels about as good as a pocket full of money and a bed full of women. But you wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"
"Put your dicks away already. We're here on business." scolded Tayuya, taking a step to the forefront, a hard look on her face as she stood before Sasuke. She warned him not to test Orochimaru. Twiced damned stubborn Uchihas.
"You say you're here on business, no doubt on Orochimaru's orders," the dark eyed man stared down at the redhead impassively, as if daring her to try something, "Do I have any appointments with that man or any associates of his today, Karin?"
"N-no. Of course—!"
"That's enough from you, airhead." Interjected the brash enforcer, clenching her fists when Sasuke continued to stare at her like some mere annoyance. She had his balls in a metaphorical vice and he still believed he was superior. "Sasuke knows why we're here. And he knows why it's best to listen to what we have to say."
So she wanted to play it that way then. Fair enough. He'd play along and stall for security at least. Sasuke squared his shoulders and shoved his hands in his pockets, "What I know is that you and your cohorts are trespassing. If you want a meeting don't presume to overwhelm me with numbers. I'm pretty good at those."
Tayuya scowled at his cocky tone and sly smirk. He was pushing the limits and knew it. "We don't need numbers to handle you." She sneered peering over her shoulder at her comrades briefly, "I'll deal with you myself."
Sasuke quirked an eyebrow at her candor, half expecting her to haul off and try striking him there in front of everyone. But when she stayed her hand he stepped aside and gestured towards his office. He followed close behind, as calm and collected as could be while she radiated fury.
"You've got some fucking nerve." she whispered just out of earshot of everyone else.
"Look who's talking." He retorted as they crossed the threshold into his office, making sure to close and lock the door behind him. "Take a seat."
"Fuck you!" she exclaimed, slamming her palms on his desk as he settled into his comfortable chair. "I warned you about this. Warned you he would not be refused."
"And yet he has been. And all he's done is sent you to intimidate me." Sasuke narrowed his eyes and stared down the woman practically breathing fire.
"Are you trying to fuck this up for us? We had a plan—an agreement you fucking twat!"
"Charming." He droned boringly, casually checking his watch, "Our agreement involves us and us alone. Don't try to leverage me with that."
"Don't force me to then," she warned, reaching in her blazers inner pocket and retrieving a pack of cigarettes and lighting up, releasing a large plume into the air, "Because he won't stop until he get what he wants."
Before he could respond a heavy knock came at his door drawing both of their attentions. Tayuya was the first to move, stamping out her cigarettes on one of the numerous photos on his desk before making for the door. "If you're too stubborn to do it for yourself, think of your fucking wife."
She unlocked and pressed through the door, even pushing past Jugo in her exit muttering, "Fucking den of traitors."
"Escort her out with the rest, Jugo. And come back when you're done. I'd like a word." He directed with a nonchalant wave of his hand. Though he was not brushing off her final threat to him, or his fiancée rather. He cared little for whether it was an idle threat of her own or that coming from her more insidious employer. He would not take such a thing silently. He would pay for it with every last cent his notoriety and bank account had to offer.
"What the hell was that Sasuke?" questioned the cerulean haired man as he stormed into the office, Karin trailing not far behind.
"Why were they here Sasuke?" mimicked the redhead concern etched on her face, and rightfully so. If word of this fiasco got out his partners could get spooked, their suspicions of foul play being all but confirmed.
Sasuke held off their questions with nary a word, waiting for the gentle giant of building security to return before proceeding his makeshift war council. With the door to his office shut and the world outside obscured he could begin his meeting.
"What I say doesn't leave this room unless I instruct you all to do so." he began, leaning on his elbows as he addressed them. "Orochimaru is making his move. We knew this day would come. I had hoped feeding the man our scraps would keep him sated, but now he's grown too bold and hungry to keep on a leash. The partnership he seeks is untenable."
"I told you the snake bastard was going to outlive his use one of these days." mused Suigetsu, throwing his hands up as he plopped down on the couch in the corner.
"Hn. He's served his purpose well enough, but he's no longer worth the risk." agreed the young executive his eyes turning to Karin, "How can we neutralize him? You know his operation as best as anyone."
"Ano...He's already sent his enforcers to intimidate us. Acting too rash could only exacerbate the situation." she cautioned, fiddling with her glasses nervously when Sasuke shot her a look that told her that wasn't an acceptable answer. "Alternatively, we could outmaneuver him. Take what he wants for ourselves. What does he want exactly, Sasuke?"
"He wants Konoha. Board seat and all. And he wants me to help him get it." he leaned in his seat and stared at the ceiling momentarily, "But we can't act so brazen. This has to be a carefully calculated play, that no one will see as suspicious. Not even him."
"We can't put an ally in the chair. They'll see it as a hostile takeover. It could frighten the market—ruin us."
"W-wait a second. You're not actually thinking we should giving him what he wants right!?" exclaimed the sharp toothed man with a look of disbelief on his face at the exchange between Karin and Sasuke.
"He'll be get nothing. We just need to make him think he's swayed me long enough. But first..." Sasuke rose to his feet causing everyone in the room to stiffly slightly at his sudden movement, "We need security. A failsafe if this doesn't pan out."
"Mutually assure destruction? For fuck sake Sasuke..." Suigetsu palmed his face.
"Only his destruction is assured in this case." promised the raven haired man as he turned his back to watch the setting sun. "Karin, do you have any contacts still working for Orochimaru?"
"A couple I guess...we meet for drinks and stuff every now and then, but we never talk shop." offered the redhead perhaps too freely.
"Dig up what you can from them. Inconspicuously, of course. I want to know of any movement he makes against us." he ordered, his obsidian eyes flashing shades of amber and crimson as he stared introspectively into the horizon. "As for the enforcers...Suigetsu, you know all of the seedy business they're in. I want to know of any weaknesses we can exploit to take them out of the picture.
"Tch, I'm a little rusty in that regard, but I can shake a few trees, see what falls out."
"Good. You're dismissed. Remember, not a word." as they began filing out he gestured for Jugo to join him by the window. The silent man may not have been a constant in his life as long as the others, but he trusted him no less. He was also far more likely to not utter a word compared to the rest. "You know the snakes enforcers better than anyone. How much of a threat do you think they pose, Jugo?"
"May I be frank, Sasuke-san?" he asked, the quiet tone of his voice never failing to deceive his appearance. When Sasuke nodded curtly he continued, "Those five are just the beginning. They will not relent. And if they fail, there will be others. There's a man called Kimimaro known to do Orochimarus...wetwork when necessary."
"Do you fear for my life?" the Uchiha spoke plainly as he craned his head to look at the towering man, knowing full well the man would not mince words if he commanded it.
"Hai. But it isn't only yours I fear for." he responded, a solemn look crossing his face as they exchanged looks.
"So, you heard Tayuya's threat." Sasuke's tone turned dark as the sun made its final descent behind the towers of the bustling metropolis. "Do you think they will come for her?"
"If all else fails. Orochimaru has been known to use whatever leverage he can to get what he desires."
"I see." the knowledge was a tough pill to swallow, his calm facade threatened to crumble just knowing that despite his efforts to separate his fiancée from the business she may still be a victim in their potentially deadly game.
"I can place a discreet security detail outside her residence, if you'd like." offered the amber haired man.
"Do it. I'll cover whatever expenses necessary." he agreed, moving through the now nearly dark office to retrieve his things.
"And yourself, Sasuke-san?"
"I'll take care of myself for the time being." he assured staunchly, making for the door, "Orochimaru mistakes me for prey. But the hawk does not hide from the snake."
Hinata nursed her sore wrists as she sighed heavily and lounged on her couch. For hours she had been grading papers and studying for her own upcoming exams, finally she had a moment to catch her breath. She glanced at her abandoned phone and suddenly felt a pang of loneliness. She had been somewhat short with Sasuke earlier and now she wanted to hear what concerned him enough to reach out to her. He often worked late and it wasn't unusual for him to contact her at all hours of the evening, wanting nothing more than a casual chat, but this seemed different.
The heiress threw her feet up on the couch and rested her head against the pillow on the armrest, staring idly at the ceiling in her respite. Her wandering thoughts once again returning to the absent Uchiha, the faint memory of him hovering above her with hungry lips creeping back into her mind. But the thought that she couldn't shake even as she toiled away with her work was what she had done—or what she said rather.
She told him she loved him, or that she was falling for him at the very least. It was simultaneously the most embarrassing and most exhilarating thing she'd ever done in her life. For years she struggled with expressing herself to the man she thought she was in love with, but just shy of a month into her manufactured relationship, she told her fiancé she loved him. God she was a fool.
She glanced at her idle phone once again, her inner millennial urging her to grab the device and figure out why he hadn't called or texted, not that he did that much or ever. And now she was having the sinking feeling he hadn't actually called to discuss some silly matter with his mother. Maybe it was all just a clever rouse to lure her into a false sense of security when in actuality, he wanted to express his displeasure with her affection for him. She scared him off just when their relationship had started to feel real, like the real deal, like more than a contractual obligation.
Her insecurities reared their ugly heads again, forcing her to recoil into a beige ball on a lavender couch. He hadn't rejected her outright, that was a good sign she supposed. But he hadn't exactly reciprocated either. Though, she was finding it hard to believe he put him in the most comfortable position, given her drunken advances and all as well.
Her nerves got the best of her in the end, forcing her to retrieve her phone and hastily dial his number. But she couldn't bring herself to actually call. What would she say? What could she say? Sorry I said I love you? I don't know if I do for sure yet? Her face soured at the thought of making an even greater fool of herself, a pout marring her features.
Would it be the end of the world if she did truly love him? He had shown her affection time and time again, even if he didn't say the words, would that mean it wasn't real for him? Would he treat her any differently because she had been so vulnerable?
"Sasuke-kun…" she whispered, as if invoking his name would make him call her by some odd mix of lucky and psychic ability. She couldn't take this self inflicted torture any longer. She needed to hear his voice, rejection or reciprocity, she needed to hear it. It rang once before she lost her nerve, quickly hanging up and hoping he wouldn't know of her half baked call.
"You can do it Hinata. Call him." She coached, hoping her encouraging words would convince herself that the only wrong action was inaction. Again she dialed, the monotonous ring of the line forming a hypnotic rhythm with her own racing heartbeat.
"You've reached the mailbox of…Uchiha Sasuke. Please leave a message at the tone."
Her heart shot into her throat at the sound, like a racehorse at the starting pistol. "H-Hi, Sasuke-kun…it's H-Hinata. I guess you're still at work—or just b-busy. I'm sorry I couldn't speak earlier...b-but I'm free now. So, call me. Bye."
The call did little for her confidence, if anything she began feeling like one of those suspicious women who couldn't trust their significant others as far as they could throw them. She trusted him of course, even with her own body, he'd seen bits of her even she was wary of. But it wasn't his attraction to her she feared would change, she feared their relationship would be forever marred because of a few stupid words.
She did everything in her power to push him from her morose thoughts. Menial tasks from washing loose odds and ends of laundry to meal preparations, but he found her there too. She ended up staring at the tomatoes they'd purchased for their meal longer than any reasonable person would, doing the same with the dress she'd worn the previous day, the faint whiff of his scent wafting off of it.
She performed her chores at a subpar speed, hoping thine would move quicker and closer to hearing from her fiancé. But nothing came. Not after an hour, and nothing after another. She began to worry. Sasuke was a busy man, but in their short time together he was never this busy. Hinata found herself staring outside her bedroom window for a glimpse of his dark vehicle, hope rising at the sight of one parked across the street. Though the feeling was short lived when in her haste she ran to greet him at the door and called out to him. When the clearly running automobile remained devoid of all movement she carefully approached.
"Sasuke-kun?" she called again, this time receiving a roar from the vehicle before it quickly sped off down the street and out of sight. Something was not right at all. Quickly she ran back inside and locked the door now in a state of panic as she shakily grabbed her phone and dialed him again.
Her heart dropped at the sound of his voicemail once again. "S-Sasuke-kun? It's almost midnight…and I haven't heard from you. T-there was a car outside—I thought i-it was you—I don't know...I'm scared. What's happening?"
"I've entertained to you lot long enough. It's time to go." Ordered Sasuke with narrowed eyes as he regarded his uninvited guests. The five of them accosted him in the parking garage, God knows how they managed as much, demanding a chat. They had begrudgingly apologized for acting so unprofessionally at his office, but now…
The enforcers all shared confused glances before bursting out into snickers and full blown bouts of laughter. He knew he had mad a mistake humoring their request for a civilized discussion. They continued their laughter, lounging on odds and ends of his furniture like they owned the place.
"No, I think we'll stay a bit longer. Have some more of your ¥10,000 a glass whiskey here while we hash out some details." retorted Sakon, casually taking a swig from the bottle before passing it off to Tayuya.
"We've yet to hear you agree to Orochimaru's terms, Uchiha." She spat, taking a rather large swallow before wiping her lips on her sleeve in a very unladylike fashion.
"I've heard the terms. I'll consider them." He returned rising from his couch and making for the door, "Your master will have his answer, in time."
"Time is a one luxury you can't afford." warned Kidomaru, moving swiftly and roughly grabbing Sasukes shoulder from behind before shoving him towards his comrades. He was surrounded now. But he said it once before, he wouldn't be overwhelmed by sheer numbers. "We'll take our answer sooner rather than later."
"Clearly Orochimaru never taught you any form of decorum. An agreement now would be done so under duress, rendering it null and void." He explained calmly, watching each of their movements for any more ill intentions.
"Duress is it? Scared of us, Uchiha?" Teased the redhead from his peripheral vision, haphazardly placing the whiskey on his breakfast nook countertop.
"Not at all. I just wouldn't want to see your efforts be for nothing." He watched as their faces distorted with sneers at his smug smirk, but he remained calm, cocky even, "The last thing I'd want was for Orochimaru to…punish his loyal lapdogs."
"Bastard!" without warning Sakon charged the Uchiha, rushing headlong into a fist that floored him. Though Sasuke was quickly subdued by the rest, despite his best efforts to fight back.
"Leave the face. Wouldn't want anyone to think he was under duress." ordered Tayuya mockingly as her comrades rained blows on his ribs and kidneys, effectively bringing him to his knees. "Get him up."
They pulled a chair from his unused dining room table and hoisted him into it, Jirobo keeping the man seated with two heavy hands on his shoulders. Sasuke raised his head defiantly, teeth bared and breathing ragged as he faced his captors. "Fuckers."
"Ne ne, Sasuke. No need for that language," chided the redhead menacingly stepping around him, her hand tracing the tousled collar of his shirt, "We just need to hear that you agree to the terms."
Sasuke would have to swallow his pride to do such a thing. He recalled Jugo's words to him and now he believed them. They would not relent. When he opened his mouth to respond, he paused at the feeling on his phone vibrating in his pocket. When Tayuya noticed his hesitation, she went for the source, retrieving the device and reading the name aloud. "Hinata…maybe you'd like to consult your wife first?"
"Leave her out of this!" he snapped returning to his struggles of futility as she grinned down at him, playing at answering the ringing phone. "If that son of a bitch wants my money for his schemes, he'll have it!"
"We all know there's things money can't buy, Uchiha." piped the wounded Sakon as he approached his eyes wide with sadistic glee, "Orochimaru-sama is gonna need your sterling reputation as well. That fucking Uchiha name of yours to pave his way."
The man exacted his revenge on him with heavy blows to his ribs, Sasuke could be sure that he had several of them broken by now.
"And soon the Hyuuga princess will have that same name," jeered Tayuya dropping his phone to the floor and crushing it to bits beneath her heel. "She'd be better off without it.
"You..." Sasuke did his best to catch his breath but it was getting harder to breathe by the minute, raising his head to face them again despite his bruised pride, "You'll all get what you deserve."
Tayuya scoffed at he failed attempt at bravado, bending down to lean next to his head and whisper, "Thanks for making this look good, Uchiha."
Before he could lash out at her, she struck him clean across the temple. The world around him going dark as he fell to the floor.
Sasuke came to some time later, his penthouse still as dark as the world he had adjourned to. When he attempted to lift himself from the carpeted floor he was immediately racked with pain, enough to have him double over and sent him into a bout it ragged coughing that only hurt more. It took him even longer to just roll onto his back.
He stayed that way, doing his best to steady his heart with the shallow breathing he was only capable of. He wasn't a doctor of any sort, but even he could tell he was all sorts of fucked up. 'Oh how the mighty have fallen' he thought ruefully.
By the time he managed to get himself to his feet, he could see the sun begin it's ascent over Tokyo. Slowly he made his way through his bedroom and to the bathroom, leaning against the wall for support. He turned the shower on as hot as it could get as he disrobed at a languid pace. The battered and bruised Uchiha hissed as the heated beads cascaded down his frame, soothing his wounds as best they could.
Orochimaru, Tayuya, all of them would pay. The beaten Uchiha grit his teeth and released a feral growl as he punched the slick porcelain of the shower wall. He may have damaged his knuckles with the act, but he didn't care. The new pain stifling the old one enough to make his movements somewhat quicker as he navigated his still spinning world. He spotted the remains of his cellphone next to the overturned chair, a single thought running through his mind. "Hinata…"
They knew she had called, it wouldn't take them long to find her, if they were so inclined to do so. He couldn't risk it, even with the security detail. She was a target as much as he was now, and he would not be lax in her protection as he was with his own. Finding his long unused landline in his kitchen, struggling to remember his own fiancée's phone number. It hardly rang twice before another voice was heard.
"H-Hello?"
"Hin—" he suddenly broke out into a coughing fit, having no idea it would be this painful to talk.
"S-sasuke-kun?! Sasuke-kun, is that you? I c-called a hundred times a-a-and it kept going to voicemail! W-what's happening?"
Despite her panicked and tired tone, he managed to muster a smile. If only she knew the hell he had just endured, she'd probably be speechless. He toyed with the idea of lying to her, for her own sake of course, but he could no longer keep her innocent. His sins would reach her sooner rather than later.
"I…need you…" he croaked.
"A-are you okay? W-what's wrong?"
"I'll tell you…when you get here. Pent—ugh! Penthouse…Hinokicho Tower. No…no one else. Just you. Hurry." He urged weakly, the pain enough to force him to take several large, painful swallows of his nearby whiskey in hope of dulling it.
"How will I…" Hinata began but stopped herself, finding it selfish to think of such trivial things. She could tell he was not well, and for him to reach out to her—to need her, "I'll be there soon, Sasuke-kun."
Hinata scrambled to collect herself, adrenaline pumping through her veins, making her fatigue seem like a thing of the past. She had stayed up all night, too frightened by the mysterious car outside her window, and the unconscious feeling of uneasiness having not heard from the usually punctual Uchiha. And now he needed her.
She dressed haphazardly and packed an overnight bag full of random odds and ends, her mind still frazzled by the urgency of the situation. She warily stared outside her window as she ordered a ride from one of the numerous ride-sharing apps. The suspicious vehicle was now gone out of sight but she still stayed alert, even as she stood out in the night waiting. When it finally arrived, she quickly jumped in and ordered the driver to be quick. Courtesy be damned, her fiancé needed her.
She bound out of the vehicle in an instant once they pulled up to the towering building, taking a deep breath before walking through the door the doorman had so graciously held open. Though she panicked once the man at the front desk approached her, probably because of how lost she looked in the sprawling atrium, that and the fact that she was dressed in a peacoat and pajamas.
"Can I help you miss?"
"I-I'm here to see Sasuke…Uchiha Sasuke." Given the suspicious look the concierge gave her she could tell it would not be that easy. Nervously she fiddled with her ring before straightening her back, "I'm his f-fiancée. Hyuuga Hinata."
"O-of course! My apologies, Hyuuga-san. Sasuke didn't…" he trailed off suddenly embarrassed by his mistake, "Please, take the elevator all the way in the back to the top floor."
She could waste no more time, hastily mashing on the elevator button as if it would make her ascent any faster. When she arrived her fear emerged once again as she gingerly grasped the handle of his front door, unsure of what awaited her on the other side. But she pressed forward nonetheless. She was greeted by the budding rise of the sun that peeked through his floor to ceiling windows, an eerie silence thick in the air. "Sasuke-kun? Where are you?"
Hinata spotted his destroyed phone on the floor and the overturned chair beside it, the dread growing more and more by the second. Her voice echoed in the staggeringly large domicile as she explored through the dark corridors, calling again and again. The faint sound of running water reaching her ears and guiding her steps as she called again. She ventured into what must have been the master bedroom given the size before finally finding the source, she pushed inside with no hesitation, an audible gasp escaping her lips at the sight.
He stood there hunched over the bathroom sink clad only in a pair of grey gym sweatpants, his torso exposed and marred with numerous bruises that he had poorly tried wrapping. Her heart broke when his low hanging head craned towards her, his eyes dull and tired, now longer vibrant with their own brand of dark luminosity.
"Hina…"
She watched as his legs slowly gave out, quickly dropping her bag and doing her best to cradle his heavy body's fall. She struggled getting him to his feet, using the sink counter for leverage and her own body to keep him upright and relatively comfortable. "I'm here Sasuke-kun. I'm here."
She led him to his bed and sat him down at the edge with an audible grunt, falling to her knees from the exertion, either she was exceptionally out of shape or the svelte man was deceptively heavy. She ran her fingertips over what injuries she could see, recoiling with each flinch and groan her actions elicited. "Y-you need a hospital Sasuke-kun!"
"No." he groaned, grabbing her hand if only to halt her examination. Sasuke looked down into her eyes, beginning to well with tears. His pain was hers now, and her expression was enough to make him regret everything that led to her seeing him in such a sorry state. "If this get out…they'll go for them too."
"Who? Who Sasuke-kun? Who did this to you?!" she pled, the tears now spilling free as she grasped his hand tightly. She had grown so distraught that she hardly noticed his wincing at her aggressive grip.
"Hinata…" he couldn't lie to her, even if his brain was capable of such a thing given his injuries. She deserved more from him. He could see that plain as day. She was here for him; he had an obligation to let her know he would not keep her in the dark. He wiped the tears away with his free hand and stroked her reddened cheek to sooth her intermittent sobs, "Hey…come here."
She wiped up the remnants of her tears and joined him, unwilling to release his hand as if he'd fade away. But he didn't. He told her everything, or everything pertinent at least. How he'd skirted the lines of legality with his usage of Orochimaru as a shadow broker, and now it was coming back to bite him. She listened in disbelief, unable to truly fathom the severity of the situation even as he described the beating he endured at the hands of the same shadowy figures she met that evening at the boxing exhibition. He could see the dark shroud of fear fill her frame, causing her to shake and the tears to begin flowing again. "Hinata, please do—"
"W-we need to go to the police! Th-they can't get away with this!" she decried.
"That will only worsen things for me...for us." his tone was grim, and when it did little to lessen her fears he began to panic. For years he had conquered all of his foes single-handedly, but even he knew when the odds were too stacked against him, and to lose her now would be the nail in his coffin. "I have a plan. But I need you by my side. I need your trust now more than ever, Hinata."
"How can I...I-I can't Sasuke-kun. I'm scared." she whispered, burying her head in his chest and shutting her eyes wish this was all some insomnia induced dream that she would soon wake from.
"I won't let any harm come to you. Not now, not ever. I promise." he declared staunchly, holding her close in his arms. For all the trust and loyalty she had shown him in the past, he realized he'd done little by way of reciprocating. Trust and distrust were what got him into this in the first place after all. But she was not of his world. She was pure and untainted, and he had always feared involving her would ruin her very soul as it had so many others. But neither had a choice anymore, all they had was each other.
"Who will protect you?" she asked meekly, peering up at his face, now fully illuminated with tinges of orange and red from the sunlight.
"The woman I trust with my very life." he returned lifting her chin carefully and pulling her face closer to his own. He stared longingly into her opal pools, taking in each flicker of emotion and minuscule movement. "She's stronger than she knows. But I see it. I see her for everything that she is."
Her very presence had the uncanny ability to erode all of the barriers he had erected, stripping him bare for her eyes only. For her heart only. He could see it all in her eyes at this distance, her serene nature, her trust in him, her love for him. His mother was right about her. She was important to him, gave him purpose and a strength unlike any other. He traced the delicate curve of her jawline, smiling at the comfort she brought him even in his darkest hour; the happiness. "My partner. My protector. My wife."
She smiled back through all of the sadness and apprehension, his vulnerability and sincerity breathing new life into her commitment. Into their commitment to each other. She had promised herself to him on her fathers orders, but this was no longer a mere duty. It hadn't been for sometime now. He wouldn't let any ill will fall onto her if it was within his power, and now he needed the same. He needed her above all others.
She covered his hand with her own and inhaled deeply, capturing the moment for posterity in its purest form before leaning in and capturing his lips briefly. She pulled away from the tender kiss and looked him full in the face, now devoid of any second thoughts. She knew for sure now, "I-I will protect you, in whatever way I can. I'm here for you, Sasuke-kun."
Her lips parted as he approached for another kiss, but he hesitated, giving her time to collect herself when the words caught in her throat briefly, "Ai...Aishiteiru."
Alright! Amping up the drama, and amping up those warm fuzzy feeling we all expect from these two. I guess, I dunno this is the my first time writing this pair and I am loving it. Just feels right. But what doesn't after you get your internals smashed in? Ahem. As you just read, Sasuke is at his most vulnerable in this chapter and Hinata is there to share his pain and his little emotional revelation. He knows he's doomed to fail without her, or doomed to succeed and lose her in the process. For all his planning he knows the one battle he can't give ground on is the battle going on in his heart. Cue studio audience "Awwww". Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, just in time for some light holiday reading! I will be busy working on the next installment so feel free to send me those reviews, critiques, questions, PM's or what have you to keep me in the holiday spirits!
Next chapter: Hime's Gambit
Until next time! Sayonara!
