Breaking away from the story in this note. Since writing the second chapter, I have this insationable urge to shout this out. So, I will do it here:
SHINO SAVES THE DAY WITH PURPLE PAINT!!!
Glad that's out of my system. On to the story.
Hinata awoke to find herself in a dark room. She gasped and sat up, her last memory of being in that alleyway. She quickly realized she was in a bed, and not cowering behind the dumpster. She looked to her left, where a small bedside lamp illuminated a handwritten note on the table. She picked it up and read it.
You will find some clothes in the adjoined bathroom. You may clean up if you wish.
When you are ready, come out and talk to me. I promise I won't hurt you.
Shino
At first she was fearful, but this person…this "Shino"… had saved her life. She quickly realized she was in a large green jacket, which she recognized as belonging to the artist. She hung her legs off the bed, stretching out her limbs. She was stiff. A glance at the analog clock told her that it was just shy of one in the morning. Slightly hesitating, she got up. The jacket went down to her knees. She tip-toes to the bathroom, which was indeed attached to the bedroom. Inside she found a baggy t-shirt and some sweatpants. On top of that was a folded washcloth.
Not completely trusting, she locked the door behind her, washing up with the cloth instead of taking a shower, which she really felt like doing. The large jacket was set aside and she dressed in the provided clothes. She figured he lived alone. Folding the jacket over her arms, she put the washcloth into the hamper near the door and walked up to the bedroom door. She held her breath when she heard his voice.
"…I'm telling you, Kiba. It was terrible. Yeah, she's here. I plan on taking her to the hospital in the morning. No, she's still asleep. Poor thing was terrified."
His voice grew quieter, and she cracked open the door and peeked out into the house of the man who saved her life. It was very open, a studio. She saw an easel near the window, but the canvas was faced away from her. She finally spotted Shino, near the kitchenette across from her. He was leaned against the wall, one hand holding a wireless phone to his ear. He was listening intently to whoever was on the other line. Suddenly, he looked up at the bedroom door and spotted her peeking out. She eeped and shut the door, crawling back into the bed. She heard his voice.
"I'll call you back, Kiba. She's awake."
She heard the phone click onto the base, then soft footsteps coming towards the door. She bunched up the blanket. He knocked softly.
"Are you alright? Why don't you come on out. You're safe now."
Something about his tone of voice calmed her down. She got up again and walked to the door, opening it again. He stood there, arms crossed. Those black glasses hid his eyes, and she couldn't read him. He gestured to the sofa on one side of the room.
"Why don't you have a seat. I've got dinner on the stove. I hope you like Tuna Helper, it's the only thing I had that could feed us both."
She just nodded, sitting on the sofa. Her eyes widened when she saw a roach skitter under the television. He stayed in the kitchen, stirring the pasta so it would cook correctly.
"So…" he began awkwardly, "What's your name? I am Shino Aburame."
He turned the stove off and removed the skillet from the burner, allowing it to stand and thicken. He set the mixing spoon down and leaned against the wall, awaiting her answer.
"My n-name is Hinata. Hinata Hyuuga."
She saw his eyebrow twitch. He had heard of the Hyuuga name. Her father owned a local franchise, and she had been sitting on inheriting the whole business. That was, until her sister, Hanabi, made up lies about her. Her father believed every word the little witch said, and threw Hinata out in the street, turning the business over to Hinata. Up until today, Hinata had been living with her boyfriend, Naruto Uzumaki. She kept in touch with her cousin, Neji. They were close. Most of these details were known through gossip, and he had undoubtedly heard the rumors. He let out a breath.
"Well… that's... What exactly happened, Hinata?"
Her mind reeled. She thought of how Naruto had always yelled at her when she did anything wrong, and how he hated having her living there. Then how he beat her today, throwing her out of a moving vehicle. The onyx eyes of the man in the alley. Tears welled up in her eyes and she began to cry again.
Shino watched the girl. Putting the pasta into two bowls, he left them on the counter and went over to the couch. Unsure of what to do, he waited until she could speak again.
-
Sasuke pounded on the front door. Finally, the resident answered. Sasuke glared at the blonde before him. Shock crossed the features of the blue-eyed man.
"Damn, Sasuke. What happened? Your face is purple…"
Sasuke shoved past Naruto.
"Shut up, loser. I thought you said it would be easy?"
Sasuke chipped more of the purple paint off of his skin and went to the fridge, pulling out a beer. He downed half the can before removing it from his lips.
"Damn painters…"
Naruto grabbed a beer from the fridge and sat across from Sasuke.
"What the hell happened, man? There was no way you could have fucked this up."
Sasuke glared.
"I wasn't far enough away from the street. Some guy came and saw me. He fucking shot a whole tube of paint in my eyes. Took my knife and used it against me. I had to run. I got beat by a pantywaist painter."
Naruto blinked. Sasuke caught the look in the blonde's eyes. He finished off his beer.
"Don't worry, loser. I take my job seriously. I never leave unfinished work. She'll be dead by the end of the week."
Naruto finished his beer.
"She better be."
-
It was almost two in the morning. Shino was absolutely disgusted. Holding the roll in his teeth, he cut the bandage and fastened it down. Hopefully her arms would be alright until the morning. Straightening up, he put the roll on the bathroom counter.
"Try that."
She bent her arm and straightened it, not taking her eyes off the bandages wrapped from her elbows to her wrists.
"Why?"
Shino blinked.
"What?"
She met his gaze, trying to see past those glasses.
"Why did you save me? He could have killed you."
Shino crossed his arms. He scrutinized her. She was definitely different from other women he knew.
"I didn't think of that. My first thought was to get you out of there. I didn't even think twice about going in unarmed. I'm just glad you're safe."
Hinata just stared.
"But… you don't even know me."
He smiled.
"Should it matter? I'm not sorry I picked you over this week's meal ticket."
Her eyes widened. She stood up.
"Thank you"
He was about to brush it off when she squeezed him, crying into his shirt. Shino froze. He was never a touchy-feely kind of person. He put his hand on her upper arm.
"It's alright."
He led to his bed.
"You should get some sleep. I'm going to take you to the hospital in the morning. If you need me, I'll be out on the sofa."
Even with the sleep she got, Hinata felt weary. Instead of arguing with the man, she slid under the covers. Shino said a goodnight and slipped out of the room, switching the light off. Going over to the phone, he dialed Kiba's number hoping he would still be awake.
"Hello?"
"Yeah, Kiba?"
"What is it, Shino?"
"Think you could drop off some cash? I'm gonna be a bit short this week…"