A/N: Hot one coming through! I think I'm speeding up these updates, three weeks ain't so bad. And this one is a doozy. So, screw the preamble I know you're not reading this anymore and have already moved on to see what twisted fate has fallen on our lovers.


Lie, Cheat, Steal

Sasuke's ears were ringing, the world around him turning into an indecipherable blur of stimuli as he stared up at her. Her fists clenched and tears streaming down her cheeks. He could feel the visceral response to lash out at her for her unilateral decision rise in the pit of his stomach. But his mind sought any and all reasons not to act. The box was unopened, she hadn't gone through with it, maybe she wanted to have a discussion about their future, and their unborn child.

"We can talk about this, Hinata. You don't have to—"

"N-no…it's already done. Tsunade-sama…she gave me an extra in case—"

"In case you don't want to have a child with me, again?" he sneered rising to his feet, the box clutched tightly in his grasp.

Hinata took a step back, shocked at his reaction. For the first time in their relationship, she was afraid of him. "I-it isn't like that! Sasuke-kun please, listen to me…"

"Why should I? Tsunade put the idea to use this poison in your head, why should I listen to someone so easily fooled?" Every syllable cut her down and tore her apart piece by piece, his deathly serious glare threatening to turn whatever remained to ash. And still he approached, his fury coming off his body in waves. "You…you did this for yourself. And for what? Some naïve notion of self-determination? For vanity? To hurt me?!"

He was breathing fire now, his voice rising louder than she'd ever known he was capable of. Each accusation making her question her very feelings for the only man she'd ever known so intimately. The heiress shook her head furiously and bit back her sobs, grabbing his lapels and shaking him in an attempt to bring back the man she had fallen in love with. "No! None of that is true! I d-did it for us! We haven't even talked about this! W-we aren't ready for a baby!"

"What gives you the right to decide what's best for us—when we're ready to have a child?!"

She couldn't believe her ears. She knew he would question her, but never like this. Where had all of his love gone? Where had their trust gone? "Please Sasuke-kun, Y-you have to believe me. Y-you have to trust me…same as I trust you."

She could see the anger subside in his eyes at the reminder of their commitment to each other, it brought a smile her face to know he was still there underneath the anger. But when she reached for his cheek he flinched and turned away, unable to even meet her gaze. "Sa-Sasuke-kun?"

"You shouldn't." his voice was barely above a whisper, almost too low for her to pick up. How could he face her? After accusing her of mishandling that same trust that she was now inciting, when he had never trusted her from the very start? His own transgressions dwarfed her family planning strategy, and made the entirety of this argument seem insignificant. He had lied to her, planned to use her to get out of a mess of his own creation. He had coaxed her out of her shell, given her the self-esteem to beat back all the years of put downs and disappointed whispers. Given her the strength to emancipate herself from those who would control her, just to take control himself. He didn't deserve her trust, no more than he did her love. "Maybe you shouldn't trust me."

"W-why? Why would you say that Sasuke-kun?!" the fleeting moment of happiness now forgotten as panic took hold again. She tried with all her might to make him face her but he refused, his brow furrowed and eyes downcast, jaw clenched tight as if he were keeping his words back, hoping they would choke him.

"I've…" the minute he turned his head and looked her full in the face, he knew it was over. Her reddened features and tear streaked cheeks cut him to the core. He had brought this down on her when he was supposed to be the good in her life. He knew he could no longer protect her, not even from himself. His mouth dried and heart seemed to stop. To think, it wasn't Orochimaru or Tayuya who would deal him his deathblow, it would be her. At least he got to choose his executioner. "I've lied to you, Hinata."

"W-what?" her eyes grew as wide as saucers at the admission. She knew he had his secrets, most having to do with his own family, like most people. She had surmised that was the driving force behind his anger with her decision to delay having a family of their own, but this…seemed different.

Sasuke didn't know where to begin, the very foundation of this relationship was built on a lie. But he had strove to change that. He'd developed feelings for her, the sort Sakura would babble incessantly about, the kind that made him feel safe and grounded, as if his life was not just a series of financial transactions that held the weight of the world. She had slowly become his world, and if he didn't unburden himself, he would be broken beyond repair against that weight. "A woman."

"A…w-woman?" she repeated, the only thing she could manage as her world shattered around her. Had the papers been right about him? Had her sister and father been right? Was he nothing more than a reprehensible playboy skirt chaser, who couldn't keep it in his pants? A modern-day Lothario who she'd been fool enough to give herself to after little more than a month of courtship?

He could see the sadness grow inside of her, multiplying like an infectious disease. Slowly her hands slipped from his face and body, her mind struggling to grasp the meaning of his words. "She…I met her before we started seeing each other. We…"

"You slept with her?" despite the meek whisper of her voice, he could see the unbridled anger and humiliation bubbling beneath the surface.

"Yes, but that was before I knew who she—"

"Have you been seeing her?" her demeanor had changed in an instant, her eyes hard on him, her delicate brow creased in concentration. He knew what would be next, and he knew he wouldn't do anything to stop her. He owed her as much.

"...Yes, but I didn't know who she—!"

The sound of her palm striking his cheek resonated throughout the penthouse. She didn't know if she'd done it because it was her natural, visceral response to hearing that her fiancé had been unfaithful, or because she'd seen it in some cheesy soap opera. In either case, she wanted him to feel some fraction of the pain she was in that moment. "B-bastard…"

"It wasn't like that, it—it wasn't about sex. It was business—!" she struck him again, his head snapping a full forty-five degrees as blood began trickling from his split lip, crimson droplets marring the pristine white carpet.

"Of course, it was business." she spat ruefully through grit teeth, hot angry tears spilling freely as she swallowed what sobs she could. She was too angry to care how she looked, but refused to look weak in the face of his infidelity, or whatever it was he was doing with this woman. "No one is ever more to you than "business" with you. How could I be so naïve to think otherwise?"

"That isn't fair, Hinata." his weak defense of his actions only infuriating her more. She began whaling on his chest with wild blows from her fists and forearms. She was able to generate enough raw fury to back him up, again and again until he neared the door, asking why he'd betrayed her. "I'm being blackmailed! Hinata, please…"

"I—I don't care! Just go! Go to your whore or—or whoever she is!" her anger had reached its crescendo, unable to accept any explanation he offered as she pushed him against the front door with a thud. He looked like a wounded animal to her, pained expression on his face, eyes obscured by his hair as he hung his head in shame. Part of her wanted to nurse the wounds her verbal and physical onslaught had inflicted, but she was so drained that she couldn't stomach being around him any longer. The pain was too much. The sobs returned and wracked her body, she sheltered her face in her hands and shook her head, "J-just go, Sasuke."

She was right. He needed to go, get away from her before he caused her anymore pain. He had lied to himself believing he could have what others did. Believing he wouldn't squander the love of a good woman like he had in the past. Uchiha Sasuke deserved everything he had earned with his deeds, nothing more, nothing less.

"Forgive me, Hinata." his apology was less for her and more for him. She wouldn't listen to anything he had to say now, and he didn't blame her. The defeated Uchiha gathered the briefcase he always kept by the door and opened it, removing a manila envelope and placing it on the kitchen counter. The blackmail. If this was to be the end, he wanted her to have all the tools needed to put him out of his misery once and for all. If only he could have been so honest with her from the beginning.

He wanted nothing more than to comfort her, to hold her in his arms and soothe her pain away, to flay himself before her as penance. He peered over his shoulder as she hugged herself, her sobs ingraining themselves in his psyche, ensuring he'd forever remember his failure, "I…I'll make this right. I promise, Hinata."

When the door shut behind him, her knees finally gave out and she collapsed to the floor. Her dull nails digging into the carpet below her as tears fell into her lap. He was the first true love she'd ever known, the first man to know her so intimately, and the first to break her heart so completely. "Sasuke-kun…"

He moved swiftly and with purpose down the private hallway, every cell in his body screaming for him to go back to her. But he couldn't, not until he fulfilled his promise, not until he could give her the trust and love she deserved.

"Uchiha-san, is—"

"Everything is fine." he answered quickly, brushing past his steward and the sentries without a glance. No doubt they had heard some, if not all, of his row with Hinata.

"Sir?" questioned Hanazaki incredulously as his ward entered the elevator.

"I think I'll…be away for some time." He explained briefly, noting how the halls occupants regarded him. If they thought him a degenerate who threw away the love of a good woman, they did a good job masking it. "Jugo will know where to find me. In the meantime, keep her safe."

The elevator doors closed and before he knew it, he was speeding through the early evening streets, finally arriving at the last sanctuary he had. The Lazy Cat.

"Sasuke? I wasn't expecting…you're bleeding!" exclaimed the young bartender, hurrying from behind the bar with a cloth in hand, "What happened?"

Luckily for him they had just opened for the night, barely a barfly in sight. Sasuke weakly brushed off the dabbing of his lip, "It's nothing, Tamaki. Where's Nekobaa?"

"Ano…she's not coming in tonight. Said the weather was making her joints ache."

"Hn. Guess it's going to snow soon." He mused idly, continuing on his path towards his private room, but not before grabbing a stray bottle of whiskey from the bar counter. "I'll be in my room. No visitors."

And there he stayed, staring up at the ceiling of his soundproof box from the comfortable leather of his sofa. But there was no comfort in it. There was no satisfying burn as his drink flowed past his lips again and again. Only numbness. To think there was a time when this was all he desired; the solitude of it all, an escape. But now all he wanted was her companionship. To see her smile again, to hear his name pass her lips in a wispy moan, to feel that love again.

But that was gone. And he was alone in this world again.


Hinata stood there in the kitchen, staring, just staring at the envelope Sasuke had left behind. Her fingers traced the opening hesitantly, as if viewing the contents would make his claims more real, and not just some convenient truth used to garner a few sympathy points. But it didn't matter, she needed answers. Her hands we shaking as she peeled back the flap and grabbed the edge of it's contents, her heart thudding madly at what awaited her.

"Hinata-san? Hinata-san are you in there? It's Jugo." The sound of heavy knocks jolted her to back to reality, the envelope still firmly in her hands as she approached the door and opened.

"Hinata-san…" the orange haired behemoth could see instantly that she was not well, practically stumbling into his arms when he entered the penthouse. He guided her to the couch, his keen eyes picking up on the indicators of a somewhat physical confrontation, the blood on the carpet giving him pause, "Sasuke-san, is he…?"

"H-he's gone…" the words left her body numb, her bloodshot eyes beginning to swell again. It was the first time she vocalized them after all. "Sa-Sasuke-kun…h-he left me."

Jugo opened his mouth ready to allay her fears, sure that he had simply walked out in a huff after an argument hadn't gone his way, but when he noticed the envelope she clutched to her chest, he knew more was at play here. He produced a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her once the tears began to flow, "What happened?"

"He…he slept with another woman. S-said she was blackmailing him…" doing her best to stem the tide of tears with a shaky hand. "I—I hit him. Told him to leave…a-and he did. This is a-all he left."

Jugo took the offered envelope, eyeing it warily. If Sasuke was truly being blackmailed, surely he would have divulged that information to his most trusted confidantes. As to the matter of his fidelity, he knew better than to speak on such a thing. His eyes widened in shock as he pulled the contents out, not just at the subject matter, but at the subjects themselves. Hinata took notice of the change in the gentle giants demeanor, her own curiosity forcing her to glance at the photos. What she saw made her sick, the bile instantly rising to her throat. To see him…like that, like a wild animal claiming a bitch in heat. It wasn't him. It wasn't the gentle lover she knew, and that made it all the more painful.

"If this is true…this woman is more dangerous than we thought."

"Who is she?" she asked, swallowing the nausea, not willing to be victim to her fiancé's misdeeds any longer. When Jugo hesitated, she pressed harder, "Tell me who she is."

"Her name is Tayuya. She works for Orochimaru." his tone was grim, assuring her that Sasuke had told the truth, a truth he'd kept from everyone. She may have been a casual encounter once, but she'd kept him tethered to her, bound by their sorted secret. "I need to find Sasuke-san."

When he rose and quickly began making for the door, she panicked, "Wait!"

She didn't know what she had intended to get from him. Part of her wanted him to take her to Sasuke, if only so she could confront him again, ask him why he'd kept something so dark inside all this time. The other part just wanted to see him again. To salvage whatever semblance of love they still had for one another. But that was a weakness, seeking the false comfort of his arms when they may as well have been world's apart.

"When you find him, t-tell him I still love him." The words were the first that came to mind. She did love him, but his betrayal had changed it. Whether or not it was to the betterment of their relationship or to its detriment was yet to be seen. But she wanted to be ready for it, with or without Sasuke.

The door shut and she was left alone with the blackmail. The heiresses wrinkled her nose in disgust as she scanned each, as if searching for some clue as to her motives. She had her name now, and she knew her face well enough now, even with it contorted in sickening pleasure. She had been in their relationship from the very beginning. Their first date, the run in on the street, no doubt meeting Sasuke that evening to retrieve the stolen ring. The very thought of having inadvertently shared her fiancé with such a devious woman renewed her nausea. And it got no better when she inspected the back, her anger flaring at the note.

"Do you fuck her like this too, Sasuke?"

She was prepared to tear the lewd photo to shreds until she spotted the number scrawled underneath the text. Without thinking she picked up her phone and began dialing. She was tired of being a victim to everything around her, tired of being left out. It was time she took the lead.

"I gave you a burner for a reason. This better be fucking good after you left me high and dry earlier today." chimed the gruff voice, none too delighted for the call.

The Hyuuga was livid, she wanted to yell, call her a homewrecker, a whore, all manner of hurtful names, but she kept it contained, if only for the moment while she sought the right words.

"Is this some game, Uchiha? Speak, while I still give a damn."

"T-this is Hyuuga Hinata." The silence that followed was enough to smother any conversation. "I think it's time we talked."


Sasuke paced around the room eyeing the documents spread on the table. He promised Hinata he would make this right, and this was the first step. He eyed each of the photos and accompanying dossiers as he took a swig from his dwindling bottle. Sakon, Ukon, Kidoumaru, Jirobo, Tayuya, he would dismantle them all piece by piece.

They each owned some form of establishment throughout Tokyo and neighboring prefectures, be it a gambling den or a barbecue joint, no doubt little more than a front for laundering their ill gotten gains. Cutting off their auxiliary sources of income may draw Orochimaru's ire, but it would draw out their true nature. They were thugs at the end of the day, if they were fool enough to show their true colors again, and once they were dealt with, Orochimaru would…

Without warning he threw the bottle across the room, shattering it to a thousand pieces against the wall. It wasn't enough, it wouldn't win her back. He ran his hands through his disheveled hair and grit his teeth, no matter what he did to get out of his predicament, she would still be lost to him, and he was doomed to a world without her light.

A knock came at the door, drawing his attention and annoyance, "Leave me, Tamaki!"

When the door creaked open he prepared to throw an empty glass at the intruder, but stayed his hand once he realized who it was, "Jugo…what are you doing here?"

"Sasuke…" the brawny guard was shocked by the state he found his employer. He was drunk, his clothing mussed and hair slightly matted. "I'm here to take you back to Hinata-san. We need to discuss the blackmail."

"Hinata…" just hearing her name made his chest tighten unbearably. He shook his head at the large man's claim, unwilling to believe she had already gone through the motions of reconciling his betrayal. "She wants nothing to do with me."

"That's not true. She wanted me to tell you she still loves you." He contested, swiftly grabbing his boss's scattered belongings and attempting to make him slightly more presentable. "After I take you back to her we need to discuss the matter of blackmail and Tayuya."

"You must think lowly of me now, huh?" he asked ruefully as Jugo helped him back into his blazer.

"Of course not, Sasuke-san. This is Orochimaru's doing."

"No…I did this to myself." He lamented as he was held up like a common lush by his protector and led through the a back exit, the last thing they needed was for the drunken Uchiha to be a spectacle for the masses. "I did this to her…"

"Hinata-san will understand in time. Have faith, Sasuke-san." The reassuring words did little to ease the executives clouded mind as he sat himself in the black SUV waiting for them and pulled away from the bar.

By the time they arrived back at the apartment he had sobered up somewhat, capable of operating the lock on his front door well enough. She hadn't changed the locks yet, a good sign. Though when he called out to for her, the sign turned. She was nowhere to be found, but her belongings remained. He produced his phone in a panic and dialed her number only to come up short again when she didn't answer. Sasuke stormed back to the hallway, his eyes wide with fury, grabbing the first guard he could and slamming them against the wall, "Where is she?!"

"She—she took Hanazaki and—!"

"Where did they go?!"

"Sasuke-san please…"

"I don't…they mentioned something about Shinjuku as they left."

"Shinjuku…what could she…?" the realization hit him like a kick in the nuts. She couldn't trust him anymore, so she was taking matters into her own hands. He released the shaken sentry and turned back to Jugo, "I know where she is. We need to go, now."


"Are you sure about this, Hinata?" questioned the suited man, warily eyeing the exterior of the shady looking bar from the safety of his SUV. He could see clearly that she was indeed apprehensive, solely from the way she kept her lips pursed and her knuckles clenched atop the manila envelope.

"No, I'm not." She admitted, her eyes hard on the large flashing neon sign depicting the three wise monkeys. It was ironic, considering she had already deemed the person she was meeting to be evil on all counts. "But there's no going back. I have to see this through."

"At least have me escort you incase—"

"You've done enough Hanazaki-kun, thank you." Before he could mount another protest she had gathered her things and was already crossing the threshold into the establishment.

Slowly she made her way through the throng of revelers, the majority if not all of them giving her looks, no doubt realizing who she was, or how out of place she was with little more than a glance. Though, few parted in her wake, choosing rather to go back to their drinking or open gambling. The dark crimson and lavish gold accents lightened the bar and patrons, but did little to make her feel very welcomed in the questionable establishment, the ominous black door all the way in the back reminding her exactly who she was here to meet. When she finally reached that destination, she could feel waves of dread pouring off of her, but she narrowed her eyes and steadied her breath, mustering all of her confidence into several loud knocks.

"Enter." commanded the voice on the other side. She obeyed after another moment of hesitation, pushing her way into the opulently decorated room. Instantly she was assaulted by the thick scent of smoke, her host watching her with a quirked eyebrow and an amused grin from her seat on the rather large couch. "Well well well, I'm surprised you showed, and alone no less."

She was trying to intimidate her already, everything from the way she stamped out her cigarette to the way she rose to her feet and sauntered across the room reeked of the haughtiness she held about herself.

Hinata tried her best to keep her face neutral despite the stench of stale smoke filling her nostrils as she stared down at her would be adversary, her heels giving her several inches on her. It helped to lessen the animosity she had towards her, though only slightly. When the redhead offered her hand, she had to restrain herself from taking the opportunity presented to give her the same as she'd given Sasuke. "I said I would be here. So here I am."

"Tch, you even talk like him." she mused with a thin scowl, as she retracted her hand and sized up her guest. They couldn't be more dissimilar. While Hinata was curvaceous and womanly, Tayuya was lithe and boyish by comparison, never mind the fact that it irked her to no end that just one of the pale eyed woman's breasts was close to the size of her head. But she quickly pushed that thought from her head and turned her back to her guest, nonchalantly gesturing for her to take a seat, "You seem different from the last time we met. I guess Sasuke has taken away that "maiden" glow of yours finally. Really rubbing off on yo—"

"Don't!" Hinata's voice rising before the crass woman said something to ignite the powderkeg of anger she held at bay. She didn't want to lose the plot completely and throttle the woman. Though, Tayuya wasn't making it easy for her to take the path of the pacifist. She calmed herself briefly, continuing despite the foul look she received, "I…I didn't come here to discuss myself."

"Oh, I know." there was that cockiness again, Hinata couldn't help but see the similarity between the redhead and her fiancé. The thought alone only made the questions she had lined up harder to ask. Tayuya returned to her seat, lounging with her legs up as she retrieved a pack of cigarettes from her blazer pocket, "Sasuke said he'd keep us a secret, but clearly that's fucked. So, what do you want to know?"

The heiress took a seat opposite her, doing her best to remain calm in the face of her would-be rival. She turned to the envelope she had been carrying, placing the contents in the table with a clenched jaw and a lump in her throat. Her eyes rose to meet those of the coffee eyed woman, noticing a glint of amusement in them beneath her disinterest, "I know about you and Sasuke-kun. A-are you still…sleeping with him?"

"Unfortunately…" Hinata's heart dropped in an instant as she hung on every word she could coax from the abrasive woman, "we've been strictly business since that night. Not for lack of trying on my part though."

The opal eyed girl could feel the anger rise from the pit of her stomach, the unconscious action of clenching her fists simulating what she wanted to do to her counterparts neck at the moment. She was shameless, proud even, of the fact that she was pursuing another woman's significant other. She couldn't hide her disgust any longer, her nose wrinkling and brow furrowing, "Why? Why him, when you know we're engaged?"

The crimson haired woman pondered the question for some time, taking the moment to light her cigarette and inhale deeply. Tayuya couldn't help but smirk and shrug casually as the not so demure side of the heiress revealed itself. She knew she had it in her, why else would Sasuke waste his time on a porcelain doll if there wasn't treasure of some sort inside? "It isn't so complicated. I saw him, and wanted him. So, I had him."

Hinata could only stare in shock at her forwardness. Her lips quivering at the sheer gall she had, "W-why blackmail him? What could you possibly gain?"

"I allow him to use me, and in time, he'll see my worth and he'll give me what I want." The corporate spy chuckled at her naïve line of questioning, finding it lacking considerably, but insightful nonetheless. "And when I want something, I don't stop until I have it. We share that when it comes to Sasuke don't we, Hinata?"

"We're nothing alike." returned the heiress, teeth bared, her fury on full display. "I would never go to such extreme lengths to get something I wanted."

"But you would do anything he asked of you, no?" she countered, not missing a beat.

"I…of course. I love him."

"Would you risk your life for him?" she snapped, caring little for her naïve response. "Would you risk it all for the promise of freedom, like me?"

"I…" she had no response to her adversary's question. The emotional response she mounted led Hinata to believe her, to believe that Sasuke had leveraged her blackmail by promising her a life away from Orochimaru. Perhaps even a life with him.

"Tch, what would a rich girl like you know? Born with a silver spoon in you mouth, freedom is just an seven letter word to you." she dismissed taking another puff before she leaned in with a grin, "Look at where you are right now. I don't know whether you came here to bribe me or threaten me, in either case you came because you want him all to yourself, same as me."

"I came here because he's my fiancé…and you're blackmailing him! Trying to steal him from me!"

"Steal? You act as if you own the man. You haven't earned the right to claim a man like him."

"W-we love each other, yo-you're just jealous—trying to come between us!"

"You love the way he makes you feel. Little more than a sexual attraction. But I don't blame you. He was your first, ne?" her condescending tone sent the Hyuuga over the edge.

"Who are you to judge me? To judge the relationship we've built?" Hinata's words were cold and inhospitable, were they delivered by someone with a history of violence Tayuya may have actually felt threatened, "How could someone like you understand love?"

"I understand what draws a pampered princess like yourself to want a man like Sasuke." she sneered; her patience finally exhausted. Tayuya rose to her feet after stamping out her smoke in a nearby ashtray, a hateful look on her face, "Your kind always wants it all, thinking you're entitled to it when you've earned none of it. Entitled to his money, deserving of his cock."

"I don't care about his money! I've earned Sasukes trust! I've earned his love! And I didn't blackmail him to get it!" Hinata rose to her feet as well, the tense conversation suddenly teetering on the edge of becoming an altercation.

"Trust? Don't make me laugh, Hyuuga!" Tayuya had had enough of the princesses pompous pontificating, closing the distance between them and staring daggers up into her eyes. "If you trust your fiancé so much, why did you really come here? Out of fear he was sleeping around? Sowing his wild oats?"

In an instant Hinata saw red and her hands were on the foul-mouthed woman, tumbling to the floor with her in her clutches. They rolled around in their struggle several times, clawing for purchase until the redhead won out, pinning the raging woman beneath her by the wrists. "You've got some fight, ne? I knew we weren't so different."

"Get—get off of me!" balked the heiress, bucking against her captors surprising strength only to have it stamped out immediately.

"Or what?" she sneered, locking the flailing legs below her in place. "Your precious knight in shining armor isn't here to save you, so what are you going to do, Hin-a-ta?"

She was right. She had cast him away and left him no way of knowing where she ran off to. She was alone and at the mercy of this vile woman. All she could do was scowl up at her, the thick curtain of her lengthy red hair engulfing her in darkness. This was her world, and she was powerless in it. "P-please, just leave us alone."

"You'll never get what you want in this world by being soft." she chided with a sadistic grin highlighting her obscured features, "I'll need some…incentive to give up on Sasuke. Are you offering yourself in his place, Hime?"

Suddenly the black door burst open drawing the combatant's attention to the figure standing in the doorway. He was fury incarnate, chest and shoulders heaving from his heavy breath, his black eyes wide and angry, tinted red by the surroundings as he regarded the tangle of limbs on the carpet. "Care to join us, Sasuke?"

He didn't bother addressing her childish joke with words, not now. Swiftly crossing the distance and prying her from atop his fiancée, using enough force to slam her against the wall that it buckled slightly as he held her in place, "I warned you once…"

"And I warned you." She returned with equal vitriol, breaking from glaring at him to turn to the woman recovering on the floor, "You told her...and risked our plan, for what? Something soft and weak? For love?"

She pushed him off of her when his grip loosened, his attention shifting to Hinata. He rushed to her side and helped her to her feet, but when he tried to brush the tousled strands of hair from her face she recoiled. He shouldn't have been surprised, anything remotely resembling intimacy was surely a distant memory for them now. He spotted the salacious photos on the nearby coffee table out of the corner of his eye, "Hinata..."

"I'm fine, r-really." she asserted, straightening her clothes and collecting herself. While she was relieved to have him appear as her savior, her conversation had soured that relief. She wanted to get away from all of it and disappear into thin air.

"You're making a mistake, Uchiha." toned the redhead ominously, sickened by the heartfelt moment she witnessed. She had tested the woman and could not see the worth Sasuke saw. She was ruled by her emotions, and too weak to harness the power her surname bestowed on her. "This girl will spoil all that we plan, simply because she can't stomach the sight of you between my legs."

"Enough!" roared Sasuke, his anger rearing it's head again. Though, she was not the sole reason for his rage. He was angry at himself as well. He had perpetuated this unlikely alliance, led her to believe she had a role in his life, even if it was from the shadows, but most importantly, he kept it all from the woman he loved. "I was a fool to think you had any use at all. Do what you will with the photos. There is no we anymore, we're finished."

"Tch! You're bluffing." she snapped, unwilling to accept that he'd choose her over preserving his business and his name. To think he would force her hand like this…she expected a betrayal of some sort from the Uchiha one day, but not like this. Though when they made for the door her eyes widened in shock. Tayuya clenched her fists as they passed, glaring daggers to make her displeasure abundantly clear. "I'll be in touch, Uchiha. You haven't heard the last from me. Same goes for you, Hime."

The short trek from the establishment to the waiting SUV's was a blur to the Hyuuga heiress. She thought that her mind would be put at ease once Sasuke denounced the devious woman, but she didn't feel anything. Not even as he ushered her into Hanazaki's vehicle and closed the door. She watched through the tinted window in silence as he conversed with Jugo. She didn't know the man that she loved. The nights events made that abundantly clear to her, but the recognition made it no less painful.

When he joined her in the car she hardly looked at him, nor did he. She considered thanking him for coming to her rescue, but the rift between them was not mended just yet. The silence seemed to last an eternity, or at least until they pulled into the parking garage.

"Are you coming inside?" the heiresses voice was meek but heard loud and clear by Sasuke as they lingered. His lips parted slightly in surprise, had she reconsidered evicting him from their home?

"I…I need to get my car." His hesitation causing her eyes to drop from his own and a pout to form on her lips.

"Oh…" it hurt to hear that, she knew he was avoiding her, if only at her own behest.

"Actually, Jugo-san told me he's taken care of it. Tamaki will drop the car off once she closes the bar." Hanazaki's interjection wasn't exactly well received by his employer. It wasn't that he didn't want to be near her, but if it was space Hinata needed he would oblige her.

"I see." He only pondered it briefly before answering, he wouldn't delay the looming awkwardness anymore than necessary, "If you don't object, of course."

Hanazaki excused himself as his charges exited the vehicle, choosing not be a third wheel in their private discussion.

"This is about more than a disagreement Sasuke…" she began as they waited for the elevator.

"I know." He admitted without a fight, understanding that it was his actions that set off the volatile chain of events. "I thought I could contain it, solve it before it became a problem."

"Did you ever plan to tell me? About Tayuya? About the photos?" she asked, the pain still fresh in her voice.

The elevator door opened and she entered, while he lingered outside. He was considering running away again, knowing full well that the truth would hurt her as much as disappearing would. "I…I only wanted to protect you. To keep you at a distance from anything that could hurt you, or your name."

Her heart broke again, despite his best intentions, but she had no more tears left. She breathed through the tight pain in her chest and grabbed his hand, gently pulling him inside the lift before ascending. Hinata could see the regret and pain on his own face; for all that he had hid from her, he did not hide this. "You're the only one who could ever truly hurt me, Sasuke-kun. Would you keep yourself away from me if it meant I was protected?"

"Hinata…" he whispered, her words and sadden features cutting him to his core, forcing him to face the harsh reality of his choices. "I was a fool for believing I could keep you safe by keeping you in the dark."

"You told me once…" she intertwined her fingers with his and raised it between them, the diamond centerpiece of her ring shining briefly as she locked eyes with him, "that I was the only one you could put your trust in."

"It was true then, and still is. I—I felt trapped and lost my way." He pressed his lips to her hand, kissing her ring as if to infuse it with his adamant apology, "I'm sorry, Hinata."

The elevator door opened as the arrived at the top floor, the guards on duty in the hall stiffening at their return. He made a mental note to throw in an a bonus to the sentry he had assaulted earlier as they passed. Once behind closed doors and in the privacy of their home, Sasuke pulled her flush against his chest. "I've lied and kept secrets from you, forced you into difficult positions."

It wasn't the first time he admitted to the fault in his actions, but it was the first time he'd done so with a sense of distress. Listening to his plea in silence, the heiress could see it now. He was afraid. Afraid he would lose her, lose everything.

"Sasuke-kun…"

"I don't care about what you did, so long as you're by my side. Our family can wait—I can wait." He pulled back slightly to look her full in the face searching for something, any semblance of acceptance. For too long he'd seen the company as his future, the sole thing in his life that provided and would provide all he needed. But there she stood before him in all her ethereal beauty and grace. She was at the center of his world now, his new future. To lose her would mean the end, "Please forgive me, even though I don't deserve your trust, or your love."

She flashed a small toothy smile at him and shook her head, her hands moving to cradle his face. Hinata stared at him, capturing the sheer rawness of her fiancé in the moment. She may have been rightfully upset with him, but he was far harder on himself than she could ever be. "Can't you see, Sasuke-kun? I love you—I'm in love with you. You…you may have strayed from our trust, but you did it out of love for me. You could never lose my trust or love, not for that."

He was speechless. He wouldn't have faulted her for slapping him again, or at the very least banishing him to the couch or other bedroom for a fortnight or two, but she was absolving him of all sin instead. Regardless of what she said, he truly didn't deserve her. "Hinata, I…"

Her fingers pressed against his lips, instantly silencing him. Her hand dropped to his, leading him into the kitchen. He eyed her curiously, still slightly dazed from her commuting his sentence as she retrieved that sorted manila envelope once again. "But the only way we move forward from this is with trust. No more secrets, no more lies."

Sasuke watched as she ignited the gas burner on the range and pulled out the damning photos before handing one to him. He joined her by the fire and locked eyes with her; he was guilty of underestimating just like the rest, believing she wasn't strong enough to deal with harsh truths, but she'd proved him emphatically wrong. One by one they lit the pictures, tossing the flames into the sink to grow and turn to ash. "No more secrets, Hinata. I promise."

They watched the flames dance, illuminating their faces in the dimly lit abode. The heiresses hand found his in the darkness, knotting her finger with his as she peered up at him with a warm smile. This was to be a new beginning for their relationship, rising from the ashes of distrust as something stronger, something tempered by their love.


"She's what?!" exclaimed the opal eyed woman, her small hand nearly crushing the phone out of sheer shock. Hanabi prided herself on being knowledgeable of all things, be they business related or more benign factoids. To hear that her older sister had become less the latter and more the former without her knowing irked her to no end.

"Geez, what's the big deal? I figured you and your dad set it up." Replied the young man in the other end, recoiling slightly at the sudden rise in volume.

"Father would never, not without coming to me first at the very least. There's no way this is his doing, Konohamaru-kun" the spritley businesswoman bustled around her hotel room before settling onto her bed with her laptop. She scrolled through countless periodicals, blogs, blurbs, and everything in between. Hinata was the talk of the town.

"Hyuuga Dark Horse Rising"

"Konoha Asset Management Adds New Blood to Ranks"

"Hyuuga Hinata: Neophyte or New Genius on the Block?"

She couldn't believe what she was reading much less seeing. Photo after photo of her looking every bit the part they said she was assuming, the one constant being the man in the background or by her side. "Uchiha…"

"Huh? What's that?"

"Nothing. I had no idea my sister had been so busy while I was away." The lie was weak at best but the police academy cadet would be none the wiser. Sasuke had to be at the root of this development, why else would Hinata be inserting herself in such high-level business?

"I thought it was surprising too. Oh well. So, when are you coming back to Japan?"

Hanabi could feel her eye twitch as she stared intensely at a photo of her sister and her fiancé arm in arm. She would get to the bottom of this, no matter what, "I'm booking a flight now."

"Eh? Seems pretty sudden, Hanabi-chan."

"It's time I came home anyway." she asserted, casually scrolling through social media for more mentions of her sister. "I wouldn't want to miss my sister's wedding."

"Right the wedding…speaking of that…"

"I-if you're asking to be my plus one, you have a better chance of Naruto taking you!" balked the heiress, slightly taken back by his sly attempt at securing an invite to the event of the decade.

"Come on, don't be like that! What would it look like if Hinata-chan's maid of honor didn't have a proper date?"

"I—I—I have to go! I'll talk to you later!" Before he could plead his case any further, she hung up. The last thing on her mind was a date to a wedding, especially when she still had her reservations about the groom. Her sister was changing, from the clothes she wore to the way she carried herself. And it was all happening under his watchful eye. It was time someone started watching him. But first…

"Hanabi, I wasn't expecting a call. Is everything alright?"

"Hai, everything is fine father. In fact, I believe it's time I returned to Japan."

"Hm, true enough your direct oversight is no longer necessary. If you're confident in the operations management we have in place, you can come home."

"Arigato, Otousan." She thanked, making sure to mind her manners before broaching the true reason for her desire to return, "Ano…there is another matter that concerns me. It may be nothing but…"

"Best to be proactive than reactive, Hanabi. What is troubling you?"

She hesitated briefly, the idea that she may be betraying Hinata by expressing her concerns to their father coming to the forefront. But she would deny any accusation of manipulation, and who could blame her, she was young and in love.

"It's about Hinata…"


"You should have told us, Sasuke-kun." lectured the bespectacled redhead, pacing sound the office nervously.

"For the thousandth time, I was handling the situation." he returned, pinching the bridge of his nose in annoyance.

"Until now. You cut a wild dog loose and it's got a reason to bite us in the ass." chimed Suigetsu, retrieving a flask from his blazer and taking a deep draught, "Kami save us."

Sasuke frowned at his associates grim outlook on things, usually that was his forte. "It's been a week since I've seen or heard from her. Seeing as she hasn't brought the wrath of God down on us yet, I say we still have time to plan for that eventuality."

"Blackmail a blackmailer? Not very original, Sasuke-kun." Karin couldn't help but shake her head at her assumption of what he may have had in mind.

His team was growing more insubordinate with the looming troubles. The coffers were emptied, they were as lean as an operation of their size could be. It was a miracle his father had led an inquisition of auditors through the office yet. There wasn't a doubt in his mind that he knew of the cessation of hostilities between Tomoe and Konoha. What was he waiting for?

"Simple, but effective. Using her past against her will discredit any claims she makes." defended the Uchiha, leaning on his elbows and knotting his hands on his desk. "Label her as nothing more than an amoral, opportunistic profiteer."

"Regardless, the damage will still be done to your reputation, and Hinata-san's." toned Jugo from the corner of the office.

"Even acknowledging it as a falsehood could hurt more than help." noted Karin astutely.

"Translation: we're fucked." lamented the cerulean haired man, offering his flask to his boss.

"No, I'm fucked." he corrected with a wry smile as he took the offered gift. For a man who was often overly hydrated, he drank the equivalent of battery acid. He stifled his cough as he retrieved several stacks of paper from his desk, "Which brings us to our next piece of business."

They each grabbed individual stacks, eyeing them warily before realizing what they were. Karin released an audible gasp, while Suigetsu could only whistle approvingly, and Jugo look on with a frown.

"Sasuke-kun…you don't…this doesn't mean we're…?" Karin's eyes widened to the size of saucers.

"No. In the event this all goes to hell, I wanted to make sure you all well taken care of after I'm gone." He said watched impassively as they flipped through the files, "So I took the liberty of updating your severance packages."

"Do you think it will come to that, Sasuke-san?" asked Jugo, the only one with a lack of interest in the zeros on his contract.

"Whether Tayuya releases the blackmail at Orochimaru's behest or of her own volition, my father will take action. He'll look for a financial connection, and the missing billions will give him reason enough to fire everyone on this floor, myself included." The perfect storm of events he described didn't seem as improbable as it did a few weeks ago.

"You sure know how to make the best of a bad situation, Sasuke." Despite his flippant attitude, Suigetsu put the payday he always wanted aside and pursed his lips together, "So, is this it? We laying down and waiting to die?"

"Far from it." That was the first time Sasuke emoted during the after hours meeting, producing his patented cocksure smirk. With all eyes on him they were oblivious to the woman striding towards his office. "Where's the fun in making this easy for them?"

"Tch, I'll drink to that!" cheered the shark toothed man.

"Maybe we could hash this out over some drinks?" Karin's idea of a corporate outing was left unanswered however once a knock came at the slightly ajar door, forcing their heads to swivel.

"Sasuke-kun…oh, I didn't know you were having a meeting. I can—" Hinata took a half step inside before freezing under the attention.

"We were just finishing." He rose to his feet and gestured towards the door, his employees quickly taking the hint. "Have a drink on me."

The executive escorted them to the door before shutting it behind them and turning his attention to his fiancée. Despite the new leaf they were turning over, things were still somewhat tense. Sensing his hesitance, she made the first move. The heiress took a step forward and wrapped her arms around him, "Hi."

"Hey." he responded, instantly feeling like a fool for being the reason they were once again an awkward couple. He returned the hug, grateful for whatever physical contact she allowed. Needless to say, she was running that show. "How was your first meeting with the board?"

"You know I can't talk about that, Sasuke-kun." Both her voice and face highlighting her seriousness. The old men were already instilling her with their grim dispositions.

"Hn. I don't need specifics; I only want to know that they're being respectful of my fiancée." Sasuke had admittedly been working on expressing himself, especially in regards to her newfound responsibility. A little bit of care went a long way, even if all he received was a smile in return.

"That's sweet, but everything is fine." She assured pulling back slightly to look up at him. He was expecting more, wanted more, but she couldn't do that. She rose on her tip toes and planted a light peck on his lips, her nose wrinkling slightly at the taste, "You've been drinking…"

"No more than a sip." He defended, dismissing the way her lips twisted disapprovingly. While she didn't have any particular issue with the practice, she knew that when he imbibed it was because he was stressed. She was not without her own coping mechanisms however. In the days leading up to her first board meeting she baked more sweets than Sasuke had ever seen outside of a shop.

"What's wrong, Sasuke-kun?" she asked, stroking the length of his arm gently. Hinata was surprised when he pulled away from her and moved to stare at the waning sunset. She followed, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind and resting her head against his back. He had been this way for some time, withdrawn and cagey, the stress of the issues lurking in the proverbial shadows. "It's about her, isn't it?"

His fiancée was as perceptive as ever, so much so that he didn't even feign ignorance or outright lie anymore, even to protect her. They agreed to part ways with that practice in their relationship. "I keep asking myself, is today the day the world comes crashing down on me?"

"Sasuke-kun…"

"Some days I wish she would get it over with—put me out of my misery already." Hinata couldn't help but frown at his morose attitude, she'd never seen him so utterly defeated, to think he was smiling with his confidantes moments before her arrival. He was putting on a brave face for them, being their fearless leader, but in front of her he could be vulnerable. She mustered her strength and spun him around to face her, staring deep into his dark pools. Despite all that they hid, his heart was as clear as spring water to her.

"Anata…" she had taken to using the term of endearment when she needed to talk him off the ledge and listen to her. The soft touch of her hand on his cheek that accompanied the love in her voice was enough to soften his demeanor and lower his defenses, "Don't talk like that. We can't let her win."

"I know, that woman…she wants us on edge, divided." he leaned into her hand, adding his own to the mix as he stroked the smooth metal of her ring. He had long since given up trying to decipher what it was about her that disarmed him so easily, deciding to embrace the comfort rather than question it.

"And we won't let her, okay?" she smiled up at him sweetly, her words lulling him into a peaceful state, making his stress seem miles away.

They hadn't been this close to one another since before that night, both knowing the physical dynamic would take some time to return, but she could sense the spark returning as his arm carefully drew her closer. Her free hand found its way to his chest as her eyes landed on his lips, her heart quickening at the thought of feeling him again. "W-we'll see this through, together."

Seconds later he was on her, his lips gently molding against her own. They moved together on muscle memory alone, their bodies not missing a beat as he led her backwards until she was seated on his desk and he was nestled between her legs. He missed this more than he had anything in his life, and it had only been little more than a week.

She breathed his name as he attacked her neck with nips and kisses, his hands roaming over her body before impatiently tugging at the buttons of her blouse., "Sasuke-kun…"

Her moan went unanswered as he continued his exploration, his lips fluttering over the exposed tops over her breasts before venturing lower, his hands hiking up her pencil skirt as he neared his desired destination. She opened her mouth to protest but the words caught in her throat at the sound of her phone ringing inside of her purse.

"Ignore it." he mumbled against the sensitive skin of her inner thighs, unwilling to let the opportunity to have her slip through his fingers. She had fully intended to do just that as she hastily retrieved the phone to decline, her breath hitching at the caller. Feeling her tense slightly, Sasuke peered up at her, a dissatisfied growl escaping as he watched her answer, "What are you—"

"O-otousan! W-what a surprise, it's nice to hear from you." The heiresses mind was a muddled mess as she peered down at her lover, as if seeking guidance in her state of paralysis.

"Hm, I would have liked to have you call me yourself."

"Gomen…I—I've been busy with my studies and t-things." She tried to wiggle her way out of Sasuke's hold but he held her thighs firmly in place, proceeding to nip a trail to her nethers.

"So I've heard. From your sister no less."

"A-ano…I don't know what Hanabi told you b-but, maybe we can discuss it later?" when he began slowly sliding her panties off, she again tried shimmying away, swatting at his head and hands fruitlessly, his smirk taunting her all the while.

"I'd rather do it now, before there are any more developments you neglect to inform me of."

"I—" her undergarment dangled from her ankle as he draped her legs over his shoulders, the heat of his breath caressed her privates sending a shiver of desire up her spine.

"You're no longer staying at your apartment? You're suddenly an advisor to one of my oldest allies— without even seeking my consent? Is this the Uchiha's doing? Is he forcing you to be his pawn for whatever maleficence he has planned? "

Sasuke paused briefly, glancing up at her flushed face having heard part of her father's heated rebuke. He could see the conflict raging in her pearl colored eyes as she chewed on her bottom lip, her desire for him making the response that much more difficult.

"Sasuke-kun…" the words eluded her briefly as she stared down at her fiancé between her legs, the dominating position filling her with an intoxicating sense of control as desire took her. Almost on reflex, her legs drew him closer, he gingerly planted a kiss against her slick folds, slowly parting them with his tongue as he began worshiping her treasure. He didn't care if Hiashi heard him pleasuring his daughter, the man needed to understand that Hinata was her own woman, and not his to berate like a child any longer.

She covered her mouth to smother the moan that escaped, her hips moving on their own to the rhythmic strokes of his fleshy appendage, "Sa-Sasuke would ne-never force me…"

"Hinata, I did not raise you to be so naïve. That man is manipul—!"

"I'm not—aah!" a shrill mewl escaped as her fiancé's tongue dove inside, greedily lapping at her nectar.

"Hi-Hinata? What is going on?"

Hinata could no longer contain herself as his fervent ministrations continued, forcing her breathing to quicken, coming out in hot puffs through the phone. Her free hand knotted into Sasuke thick dark mane, urging him on further, earning an grunt of approval from him. "I—I have to g-go. So—ooo—rry."

Sasuke wasted no time burying his nose deep in the soft dark curls of her mons pubis, smirking all the while against her lips as she hung up on her father. Her arousing show of confidence was not left unrewarded, his tongue drawing lazy circles around her bundle of nerves.

Hinata inhaled sharply and bucked against the sensation, releasing an unrestrained moan as he devoured her, the exhilarating rush of rebelling pushing her closer to absolution quickly. She feared she may suffocate him, her legs locking him in place as she rode out the orgasmic tremors that rippled through her body.

"You…shouldn't…have done that, Sasuke-kun." she admonished weakly as she tried catching her breath, watching through half lidded eyes as he rose to his feet. Even in the dim light of his office she could see his arousal straining against his slacks, begging for attention of its own.

"You can berate me later." he cooed slyly, taking the small step between them and leaning in to capture her lips. Though he was not met with the plump pillows he remembered, but her slender fingers instead.

"W-wait." she whispered, trying her best to focus on his face and not the clothed hardness pressing against her thigh for the moment. She wanted him, of course she did, she had wanted him days after their blowout, but she wasn't quite over him being with her. She couldn't get the thought much less the image of him being intimately involved with the crass woman. Even though she had been nothing more than a passing fling to him, she had grand dreams possessing him. She could burn the photos, but not from her mind. "Not here."

Sasuke could only pout at her response, he had dreamed of the day he could bend her over his desk and ravage her. Alas, today was not that day. But he knew why, it was as plain as day. She had avoided most intimate contact with him since that day. A peck on the cheek or a brief hug were the highlights of his day for the most part. Hell, they hardly even held each other when they slept, his own bodies natural reaction to the close proximity being to blame. Not to mention the self conscious body issues the morning after pill had instilled her with.

The Uchiha contemplated trying to convince her otherwise, but chose to give her the time she needed, nodding simple as he took a step back and allowed her to dress herself. "I'm sorry if I…took things too far."

"No…I—I liked it. But I just…" she blushed brightly as she stepped into her panties and buttoned her blouse, her gaze turning back to his own, "I need some time, before we…"

"Of course." She didn't need to explain her reluctance, he shouldn't have taken her acceptance of his roguish actions as anything more than a moment of weakness. He offered her his hand, "Come on, lets go home."


The couple lounged on the large couch of their apartment, the smell of their modest meal filling the home as it had their stomachs. They changed into the leisurewear of their choosing and settled in for the night. Hinata diligently tended to her studies in her favorite sweats, as Sasuke toiled away on his phone in a pair of tan shorts and a drab navy blue shirt, engaging in whatever after hours financial dealings he deemed important enough to occupy the few solitary moments he had.

"Have you given any thought about what you'll do with your newfound wealth?" sounded the Uchiha, breaking the silence.

"Hm? What do you mean?" she asked, turning from her work to address him.

"I'm sure Sarutobi offered you the full spread. A hefty salary with stock options to boot." he peered up from his phone briefly before returning to it, "You may very well become the breadwinner one of these days."

"Ano…I don't know. I've always been very frugal." A light blush spreading across her cheeks. "Hanabi was always more free with our families money. I suppose she had the right, since she earned some of it for us."

"Hinata…" a frown accompanied his disapproving tone as he placed his phone on the marble top of the coffee table. He hated it when she put herself down passive aggressively, "You've as much right as anyone, your sister isn't special simply because your father says so."

"I know…"

"Be who you want to be. Do what you want." he urged, a small smirk coming to his lips as he tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear, "Forget the rest."

His words were kind and supportive, as they always were, but for some reason they didn't sit well with her. She would never be as flashy as her sister was, or as commanding as her father, she could only be the Hinata she knew. He had changed her however, filled her with loads of confidence and resilience. But was it for her own benefit or was he simply molding her to be who he desired?

From the very beginning of their relationship she feared this; that she may lack the personality traits he found desirable. The thought was a constant, especially with Tayuya now entering the fold. She was a strong personality to be sure. Crass yet cunning, having shown to be Sasukes equal on some level. Was that what drew him to her? Did he want a woman who was as lascivious as she was devious? Someone who could challenge him in the boardroom and the bedroom?

She snapped from her trance like internal monologue when she realized he was staring at her with a concerned look. "Is something wrong, Hinata?"

"I…" she opened her mouth fully intent on assuaging his worry, but something in the back of her mind told her to confront him. She had to. If she didn't she would be doomed to a life full of self doubt. Her hands knotted into the fabric of her sweat pants as she locked eyes with him, "Do you…do you ever wish I was different?"

"W-what?" he was shocked to say the least.

"D-do you wish I was different? More assertive, or confident, or s-sexy?" she felt like a fool the minute the words passed her lips, surely he thought so as well.

"Of course I don't, I—"

"I just can't get it out of my head that I'm not the woman you want…" she could feel the tears well in her eyes before she mustered the strength to even finish her sentence. Years of insecurity compounded on top of the idea that her own fiancé did not—could not love her was killing her from the inside out. "The woman you want me to be."

"Come here." His command was soft as he gently took her in his arms. There was a time when an earlier version of himself would find her constant incertitude to be an annoying hindrance. He hated people who wavered or lacked convictions. But this fault was a part of her very core, and he had simultaneously fanned the flames and sought to douse them. He was as much of the problem as he was the solution.

"I know I've…made you question my feelings for you, my loyalty, my love…" the word was so foreign on his tongue he questioned whether or not he even pronounced it properly. A sudden rush of weightlessness giving him pause, as if the last of his walls had finally fallen under the tireless assault of her affliction that was her affection for him. "But I have never felt what I do for you before."

She stared wide-eyed up at him, her lips parting to unconsciously suck in air, lest her heart truly stop. She could feel his own heart beating madly out of his chest against her shoulder.

"You're every bit as perfect to me as you believe you're imperfect." He whispered, a shortness of breath setting in under her gaze. It was like she was seeing him for the first time, seeing the whole picture and not just his perfect and imperfect moments. "And I could never ask for, or want anything more than what you are, or ever will be."

"Sasuke-kun…I…"

"I love you, Hinata."

Her heart burst at the sound, her vision threatening to fail her at the pure affection of his voice. Oddly enough, she had prepared herself for the moment. In the times they had shared together, both good and bad, she'd seen flashes of his affection. But even with her preparation for the day he uttered those words, she found herself lacking in the moment. She cradled his cheek in her palm as she searched for the words, "Anata…"

"I don't want anyone but you." He felt free, as if the dark cloud looming overhead had been pierced by the light of his life. "Now, and forever."

The tears she'd been holding back spilled freely now, his lips meet hers as if for the first time again. The sparks connecting them closer than carnal pleasures ever could. When they pulled apart, she wiped her tears against his chest as he held her, a smile gracing his visage. "Should I have saved the words for our wedding?"

"B-baka…" she mumbled in return as he chuckled, raising her head again to look the love of her life in the eyes again. No longer were they cold and distant, but warm and inviting. Enough room in them for only her.


Whew! What a rollercoaster huh? I know I left you guys with a little cliffhanger last chapter so I decided not to do that again. This had to be one of my favorite chapters to write because it was so dynamic and raw in the conflicts that transpire. Some smut, a catfight, and some heartfelt moments, what more could you ask for!? Hinata and Tayuya! I get shivers just thinking about how much worse it could have gotten. And who could forget Sasuke spilling his guts. But why am I talking about it, you guys read it. So tell me what you thought, what you liked, disliked, I want hear it all cuz after all I do this for you guys.

Next Chapter: Prince/Princess

Until next time! Sayonara!