AN: Madara is going to be a tad ooc. Different from the jerkass I normally portray him as. There will be a few minor Ocs throughout the story, they aren't worth remembering. Also, the only full smut scene will be ItaNeji.

Itachi saw the mischievous glint in the teenager's pale eyes. He knew that look all too well. Cold, calculating, and duplicitous. It was the look of an opportunist. Apparently, he had also misjudged Neji during their first encounter. He didn't pick up on how desperate the younger male was. Desperate for what, exactly? One could only guess.

"I'm listening."

Beating around the bush was pointless. Neji also figured Itachi was the type that preferred to get right down to business. Straightening up, he moved away from the bar, and crossed his arms over his chest. "Simply put: I need 90 community service hours by the end of June. You don't like to leave the confines of this penthouse, and seeing that you no longer have a nurse..."

"You want to...fill in as my nurse?" There were so many reason why that would be impossible, with the main reason being that Neji wasn't certified.

Obviously, Neji was aware of his shortcomings. "I wouldn't be your nurse. But I could run your errands and assist with the non-medical aspect of the job." He was winging it. The idea seemed to appear out of thin air, and he hadn't thought it all the way through.

"And you think that running errands for me a few days out of the week would be considered community service? How is that service to the community?"

Pursing his lips, Neji thought over his next words carefully. "You have a disability. Helping those with disabilities is listed as a legitimate form of community service." He glanced up to see Itachi staring at the marble floors as he scratched his wrist again. He had been in the man's presence for less than an hour and had already picked up on a few of his habits.

Itachi hated being told that he had a disability, or feeling as if he were incapable of taking care of himself. However, it was the truth. Major depression, and social anxiety were both labeled as disabilities. Times like that he wished that his mask would have never slipped. Actually, he really wished that his father would have never intervened and pulled him out of that bathtub. Now he was so pitiful, that a seventeen year old, had to walk him home because he was too afraid to face large crowds, and the questioning glances that he would surely get if anyone realized who he was.

Taking the silence as a sign, Neji tried a different tactic. "Look, I really need these hours for this scholarship, and I know we aren't friends or even associates, but that won't hinder me from doing what needs to be done." It wasn't as if this was his last resort. There was still the animal shelter, or the soup kitchen.

Well maybe this was his last resort. Not necessarily, Neji would just rather not sign up to volunteer at a place he would surely hate. Then he wouldn't show up, and it would have all been a waste of his time, and the organization's time. Assisting Itachi would be easy, and less demanding.

He was persistent. Itachi had to give him that. "Fine," he finally relented. "Although, running errands won't be enough to give you the hours that you need in time. But I have my own suggestion in regards to that." Maybe things could work out well for both of them.

Neji perked up at that; he didn't expect Itachi to agree, honestly. "I'm all ears."

Lifting his head, Itachi looked at Neji directly, in all seriousness. "Keep this between us. Do not tell anyone that you've seen me today, or any other time during this arrangement and keep my location to yourself. If you can manage that whatever hours you don't have by the end of June, I will forge them for you."A confidentiality agreement would be better, in Itachi's opinion. But even he thought that was overdoing things.

"Why don't you just forge them for me now?"

"Why should I?"

"Fair enough," Neji shrugged. He knew that he was pressing his luck when he asked that. "So, do we shake on it?" He could feel the pills burning a hole in his pocket, and he was itching to take one.

"I have your word that you will be able to keep this a secret?"

Neji wanted to laugh, but settled for a sly smirk. "I'm great at keeping secrets, trust me."

"I will be entrusting you with more than just dry cleaning and picking up groceries. I will need you to accompany me to my weekly appointments, not necessarily, but you will need to walk me there. The office is a few blocks from here. Also, you will be responsible for picking up my medication from the pharmacist. Speaking of which, I'll need a copy of your identification card to fax to my pharmacist so they'll be aware that you will be taking care of the pick up."

"Weekly appointments?" His eyes widened fractionally when he finally registered what he meant. "Oh." What else was he supposed to say to that? Neji didn't ponder on it for too long. He slipped his wallet out of his pocket, and searched for his license. "Not my best picture," he said once he finally found it.

Taking the small card, Itachi stared at the picture. Beautiful, as always. Though, he would never actually tell the Hyuuga that. "Hn," he replied instead and tore his gaze away from the card, and walked over to one of the kitchen drawers. "You start today."

That was definitely not apart of Neji's plan. "Actually - " He was silenced by folded bills being tossed in his direction. Effortlessly, he caught the money.

"I just need you to pick up the things on that list today. As you are aware there is no food here and I prefer not to eat fast food, again...ever."

That time, Neji did laugh. "You actually ate fast food? You poor soul," he ran his fingers through the crisp bills. There was more than enough to cover the groceries. "Are you sure you have everything that you need on this list?"

"Yes."

Neji took that as his answer to both questions. Although, he would have preferred to wrap things up so that he could leave, he pocketed the money. Itachi needed food, and since he didn't really have anything to do, he could start now. "How often do would you need me to stop by once a week?"

"Three days. Every Monday, and the other two days can be interchangeable. I've already calculated the hours - "

"15 hours a week," Neji interrupted. Frowning, he leaned his back against the bar. It wasn't going to to work. There was no way that he would be able to be there for five hours, three days out of the week. Even if he could manage that, what could he possibly do during that time? Itachi didn't appear to have that many needs. He could feel doubt slowly settling in. His stomach tightened, and knots formed.

"Neji."

Hearing his name, instead of the usual formal greeting, Neji's head shot up. He'd been sulking, and didn't even realize it. "Just show up when I need you, keep this between us, and everything will be fine." Itachi assured him.

Did Itachi just...comfort him? Neji felt the coils in his stomach relax, and his posture instinctively straightened. Did Itachi comfort him, and it actually worked? They stared at each other, eyes unwavering, and something unspoken passed between them. Itachi was going to help him out, and the only thing that he asked was that Neji honor his requests.

Neji could do that. Without a word, he extended his hand. It took a few seconds before Itachi clasped the hand, and shook it firmly. The handshake was brief, and when it was over the air in the kitchen became less clouded, and Neji felt like himself again.

Tonight, he would celebrate, and the sooner he finished up at the penthouse, the sooner he could start the festivities. "Okay, give me your car keys."

"Pardon me?" Itachi was sure that he'd only imagined that.

"Do you expect me to haul all of those groceries back on foot?"

"I was prepared to do so. I doubt it's a difficult task. Can you even drive?"

"Of course I can drive." Tokuma gave him a few lessons, and sometimes allowed him to drive from his school to the compound. He even took him to obtain his license. Every time he thought about the older male, he was left emotionally wounded by the painful nostalgia. "You have my license in your hand. Isn't that proof enough?"

Itachi glanced at the laminated card again. "This means nothing. Anyone can get a license these days," he sighed. "If you wreck my car, the deal is off, and I'll be sending an invoice to Hiashi-sama." Not really. In all honesty, he didn't care about the car, but he was so accustomed to pretending that it came natural.

"Not like you can't buy another one, or five more for that matter, Uchiha."

He couldn't buy anything, but kept that to himself. "I'm hungry. You should be on your way." Itachi opened the same draw where the money had been, and retrieved his car keys. "I'll call the parking garage security to notify him that you're on your way."

Catching the keys, Neji whistled in appreciation when he noted the brand.

Covering his mouth to stifle a yawn, Itachi murmured. "Write your cell down before you go."

"Sure thing," he saw how tired Itachi was, and he almost asked him how he'd been holding up. But decided against it. "Do you have a pen and paper?" Regardless of their arrangement, they weren't friends, and he wanted to keep it that way.

His scars were always itching, always reminding him that they were there. He stuck to long sleeves, all year round, to keep them hidden from the world. Those days, Itachi couldn't even recognize himself when he saw his reflection in the mirror. An ethereal fragility hung over him as if his misery made his beauty more poignant. Yet, in his eyes there wasn't anything beautiful about ghostly white skin tainted by charcoal circles under sad eyes. As impossible as it seemed, he looked paler, and his eyes darker. His hair was longer, and it was probably the only thing that he liked about his appearance.

They had told him that he was lucky. Most people didn't survive injuries such as his. Itachi knew that, and it was why he chose that method over overdosing, or hanging himself. Jumping from a building would have been more successful, but he didn't want his brother to see him like that. He'd heard that people didn't die from falls. They didn't die from landing, or even every bone shattering. No, what killed them was the bounce. The tiny bounce off the ground and back down again that pushed all the broken shards of bone out of place and deep into one's internal organs.

He tried to close his eyes and sleep, but he couldn't. He didn't like what he saw whenever his eyes were shut. That night played on a loop. His mother's frantic screams, Sasuke's silent tears, and his father's disappointment rolling off of him in waves. The trip out of the bathtub, down the hall and into the car was hazy. Those were the only things that he could recall, and he wished that he'd blacked out sooner.

Sighing, Itachi sat up on the couch, opting to sit instead of lying down. Neji hadn't returned yet. That was to be expected. The grocery list was long, and specific. He was still trying to figure out why he agreed to help the teenager out. Once upon a time, he thought Neji was like him. They'd never met until the infamous photo shoot, but he was there in the crowd when Neji revealed the Hyuuga clan's dirty little secrets. Quite simply, Neji had been so fascinating that day. Seeing the adolescent boy stand tall in the center of the large stadium, with his shoulders squared, and head held high, was a sight to behold. All of the cameras were on Neji, not the poor heiress that was struggling to fill her tiny lungs with the wind her older cousin had viciously knocked out of her only moments ago. The flashing lights focused on him, and Neji didn't waiver.

He always wondered if Neji had planned it. Would have been a smart move on his behalf. During the tournament, the Hokage, and the Kazekage were both in attendance. People traveled from great distances just to see that match, and out of the hundreds in those stands, Itachi was one of the only few that believed every single word Neji said. But he couldn't do anything about it.

Itachi asked his father about it, just to see if he was aware of the modern day slavery going on in the capital city, and he was told not to waste his time on another clan's internal issues. He would have asked Neji about it, but the only time that they ever held a conversation with each other had been a disaster. So like most things, he kept it to himself.

Maybe that was why he decided to give Neji a chance. That, and the fact that he didn't want to hire anymore nurses that constantly gossiped, and would sell his address to the local journalists just for their fifteen minutes of fame. Neji may have been an opportunist, but recognition wasn't what he was after. And having someone around that didn't want to worship the ground he walked on, was what he preferred.

Again he tried to close his eyes, and that time he was able to keep them closed.

When he opened his eyes again, the sun was setting, shading the living room in a soft orange. The sound of cabinets being shut told him that Neji was back. He'd fallen asleep with his head tilted back, rested on the couch, and now his neck was sore. Rubbing the back of his neck, Itachi stood up from the couch. Neji was in the kitchen, putting the groceries up when he rounded the corner.

"You didn't need to do that." He leaned on the wall, and watched the teen organize the refrigerator.

Without turning around from his task, Neji shrugged. "Not a big deal. I'm about done anyway. Your receipt, and change are on the counter."

Itachi glanced at the counter. "Thank you," he would have to compare his list, and the receipt later on. Sometimes he hated how particular he was. It always came off as him being stuck up, but he wasn't like that all. He didn't want to check it while Neji was there because he didn't want to offend him again, and...

Breathe, Itachi. He told himself.

"I was gone for an hour and a half, by the way." Neji closed the fridge. Turning around he finally took in Itachi's tousled hair, and drowsy eyes. The older man looked so...adorable. The thought caused him to inwardly grimace at the choice of word. "Did you get a copy of my license?"

It was the first thing that he'd done after Neji left. A fax had already been sent to his pharmacist. "Yes. I have everything that I need," he reached in his back pocket, fished for the card, then handed it over. "I can give you a ride to the Hyuuga compound since it's dark out."

That comment was met with a derisive smile. Itachi saw him as someone that needed to be protected. It was a thoughtful gesture, but unnecessary. "No thanks. I can manage on my own."

Itachi didn't feel right about allowing Neji to leave without making sure that he could, in fact, manage on his own. Yet, he also didn't think it was his place to force Neji to take him up on his offer. "Very well. I'll need you here Monday after school is over."

"Okay. Can I go now?"

Something was different about Neji, but he couldn't quite place it. He seemed anxious. Glancing down, Itachi watched how the teen's slender fingers drum against his thigh. From his observations, the one during their first encounter, and the several that he made today, Neji didn't have any nervous quirks. "Yes. Thank you again for your help today." He would just file the information away for later observation.

Neji gave him a curt 'hn' and quickly left the kitchen. The chime of the elevator was the only indication that he'd left. When he was gone that was when Itachi opened his fridge to see that everything was neatly organized by category. The cabinet was actually organized by color. It was impressive, and Itachi was finally convinced that he'd made the right choice...for once.

Noone could see the dance floor, it was wall to wall people dancing to the club music. There was no room, but when Neji stepped on the floor, the space magically appeared. The sea parted with every step that he took, all eyes were on him, and the attention made him feel powerful. Desired. They all wanted him. At least that was how it seemed in his drug induced mind. He was on his second pill, he took the first while he was running errands for Itachi. His first drink of the night was on the house. The bartender was hoping to fuck him during his break, but Neji wasn't interested.

No, a quickie in the alley wasn't what he wanted tonight. What he wanted was currently in the V.I.P section. At the door, he overheard the security guards mention that some young, hot, actor was in attendance tonight. Why settle for a bartender when he could aim much higher? He made his way to the middle of the dance floor, that just so happened to have a perfect view of the elevated private section.

Spotting the actor wasn't difficult; he was the one surrounded by the most women. He appeared to be straight, but so was spaghetti before you boiled it. Neji knew from experience that most straight men were more willing to give him a chance due to his androgynous appearance. So that didn't hinder him from swaying his hips to the hypnotic music in the general direction of the private section.

He'd always wanted to fuck a famous person for the hell of it. If it wasn't for the paparazzi, he would only fool around with the rich and the famous. The last thing that he needed was the entire city knowing that he was a slut. Although, he was starting to get reckless. Last weekend he had sex with a married man. His wife showed up to the hotel room the next morning. It was a disaster, and he barely escaped that room with his dignity.

Dignity?

Neji snickered, as he continued to dance. Whatever dignity he had, was lost years ago. The fact that he ruined a marriage didn't bother him in the slightest; he didn't tell the man to cheat on his wife. It was further proof that people couldn't be trusted. They had been married for ten years, all it took was a young piece of ass to throw everything away. Years of trust building were shattered in half in hour.

Monogamy was a joke.

The song changed, and he opened his eyes to see that he was being watched. Winking flirtatious, Neji followed the beat of the new song, starting a new dance. He saw the actor whisper to one of his bodyguards, and point in his direction. Looked as if his previous dance routine had worked like a charm. In his pocket, his cellphone buzzed, and he just knew that it was Tokuma with another one of his, "where are you?" text messages. When was he going to get the hint that he didn't need or want him to help him anymore?

He pulled out his phone to tell the man to leave him alone, but was surprised to see an unknown number.

Did you make it home? - Itachi

His thumb hovered over the screen in shock. Was Itachi really that concerned about him? He was about to respond to the message when a deep voice grabbed his attention.

"Mr. Sanada requests your company."

Well, he didn't want to keep him waiting. Neji ignored Itachi's text, locked his phone, and followed the brawny body guard.

-o0o0o-

Three hours later, Neji was at a luxurious suite. Sanada really knew how to party, if the white lines on the table were any indication. He offered Neji a hit. Even in his muddled mind, he knew that it wasn't an addiction that he could handle. Instead, Neji undressed while the man powered his nose.

"Come here. I want to do it on that nice ass of yours!"

Neji smirked at the request. Dropping to his hands and knees, he crawled over to where the man was on the couch. He allowed Sanada to pick him up, toss him over his lap, and smack his ass. Gritting his teeth, he mewled at the rough treatment. He could feel the substance being sprinkled on his right cheek. Sanada snorted the coke, and licked every particle that remained.

It was oddly thrilling.

"Do you want me to order room service?"

"Maybe later." Neji sat up after the second line was snorted, and moved in between the man's legs. "I heard that it's hard to keep an erection while on coke." He palmed the bulge in the man's pants. "I guess that's not completely true."

Sanada peered down at him, with a loopy grin on his face. "I haven't had any complaints." The door to the room opened, and one of the guards walked in. "You don't mind if my friend watches do you?" He cupped Neji's cheek, feigning affection.

That was when Neji was supposed to draw the line. Demand the other man to leave, or he would leave. However, as he'd already mentioned, his dignity had long abandoned him. Biting his lower lip, Neji looked at the security guard. "He could join, if he liked." Then he averted his gaze to stare at Sanada. "I told you that I was here to have a good time, didn't I?"

Sanada motioned for his guard to come over. "Don't worry baby, we're going to show you a real good time."

Konohagakure was once a lovely village, surrounded by verdant trees, hence the name. The exact reason why the village was founded, and its principles were lost on him, but the only thing that he knew for sure, was that the Uchiha were one of the first clans to settle there. His family's bloodline dated back to feudal Japan, along with the Senju, the Hyuuga, and other affiliated clans. Over the years, more clans showed up, and the village blossomed turning into what it was today.

"A huge melting pot of bullshit."

Itachi lowered his chopsticks, and grimaced at his cousin. "I thought you loved it here, Shisui. I recall you begging my father not to send you to dry ass Suna."

"You and I both know that I never swear in front of, Fugaka-sama," he chuckled. "Did I ever tell you that you sound weird when you curse?"

"All of the time."

Itachi laughed, bringing a smile to Shisui's face. It was good to see him in a better mood than he was last Sunday when he stopped by.. Last year, Shisui was sent to Suna to oversee the family's interests with their manufacturing warehouse. He was still upset that he wasn't there when Itachi needed him most. Due to his job, and recent engagement, his free time was scarce, but he took the three hour flight to Konoha as much as he could.

Over the brim of his glass, he watched Itachi check his phone for the third time that afternoon. "Expecting a message from that lover of yours back in Kiri?"he teased. "What was his name again?"

Sighing, Itachi put his phone away. There was still no response from Neji. "If you are referring to Kisame, you are sadly mistaken."

"Come on, patient/orderly relationships are pretty legit. I totally liked you two together."

Although Kisame was one of the few people that he could tolerate, and actually hold a conversation with, there was nothing between them. Shisui knew that, he just enjoyed teasing him as usual. He missed it, though; Shisui's playful nature.

"Did you give my letter to Sasuke?"

Shisui's smile faltered, giving Itachi his answer. "Sorry. I really tried."

"My father?"

Shisui really didn't want to tell Itachi about what was going on. The family was a nightmare, and he didn't want to worry the younger male. Every time Shisui stopped by the compound there was new drama. Itachi was safe here in the penthouse, or at least he hoped. He was far away from the compound where there was constant bickering. A lot of the members didn't think Itachi was stable enough to be the heir, and that the position should go to Sasuke. Shisui thought they were all sheep. It was the twenty-first century, they didn't need a clan head to lead them. Of course, he kept his opinions to himself.

Itachi knew what that silence meant. "Tell me, Shisui." It wouldn't be the first time that his father intercepted one of his letters. He didn't even think Sasuke knew that he'd been trying to contact him, but that didn't stop him from trying.

"Sasuke ripped the letter to shreds without even reading it." He saw the pain in his friend's eyes, and his anger towards the younger Uchiha resurfaced. "Just give it some time, Itachi. Don't stress yourself out over this." He had almost punched Sasuke when he said that he didn't want to hear anything from his brother. Selfish little shit.

How much time was it going to take? Itachi hadn't seen his younger brother since the night of the incident. They only had one phone conversation back when he was in Kiri, and Sasuke barely uttered a word to him. Itachi wanted to explain things to him, in his own words. Yet, he couldn't. It was eating him up inside.

Shisui noted that a subject change was in order. "I talked to uncle Madara. He really wants to see you."

That information did brighten his mood, if only a little. Madara wasn't really his uncle, not that he knew of, anyway. He lost count of how many of his clansmen were actually his close relatives. Because of his eccentric nature, Madara was ostracized by several members of the clan. Itachi, Shisui, and their cousin Obito were actually quite fond of the older man. Unfortunately, due to their uncle's private life, they were all told to stay away from him. It was because of his mother, that Madara was accused of molesting them. The accusation was false; he told his parents that, but, they didn't listen.

"How is he doing these days?" asked Itachi.

"He's still not over the betrayal, but he seems content with the way things are. Obito still visits him weekly."

"If my father found out..."

"Obi, is always careful."

They shared a look, and then laughed. Obito was never careful. When they were children he was the reason why their schemes were always discovered. Even though he was far older, and was supposed to set an example for them, he failed miserably. Regardless, those were the best years of Itachi's life. Madara used to take them fishing on his boat and he took them camping one year. He actually listened to what they had to say, and didn't treat them as though they were mere tools for the clan. All of that changed when it was revealed that Madara was involved in an affair with another man - a married man.

Itachi could remember the fiasco like it was yesterday. The media destroyed Madara's reputation, and the Uchiha clan did nothing but drag him down further. It was understandable that he held a grudge against them, and the entire city for so long.

"We should go see him one weekend. I'm due for a vacation in a few months." Shisui informed him. He glanced at his watch to see how much longer he had before he needed to leave for the airport.

"Is it time for you to leave?"

"I have another hour. Enough time to finish up our last game of Go."

"You're referring to the game that you're currently losing?"

"Tch. Don't get ahead of yourself. The game isn't over yet."

"Hn."

. . .

Surprisingly, Shisui handled his loss maturely, and didn't resort to his usual tactics of accusing Itachi of cheating. He only boasted that he'd win the next round. Of course, he said that after every loss. Itachi walked him down to his car, he wanted to spend as much time as he could in the older man's presence. Shisui had tried fruitlessly to convince Fugaku to let Itachi move to Suna with him. But Fugaku's word was final.

"Itachi," he said once they were standing in the parking garage. He cupped the younger male's face, and brought their foreheads together. "I don't care what time it is, call me if you need me. Or if you just want to talk, call me."

Nodding his head, Itachi held on to Shisui's hands once his eyes began to water. No matter how many times he apologized, he still felt guilty for the impact that his suicide attempt made on his loved ones. Especially Shisui, and Sasuke. He understood why Sasuke ripped up his letter, and refused to come see him. He'd been so selfish. "I'm sorry...I..."

Shisui kissed his forehead, and gazed down at him with a genuine smile. "I already told you once before that I forgive you. If you still feel like you want to make it up to me, do so by taking care of yourself. Don't be afraid to ask for help, Itachi. You're not alone."

Itachi could only nod his head. So many bottled up emotions were fighting for dominance, and it was painful trying to keep them all in.

"Now I have to go. I have a company to run." Shisui chuckled.

They hugged, but it was more of Itachi clinging on for dear life. He didn't want Shisui to leave.

The previous night's events could be felt all over. Neji hoped that the shower would help remove the grime, and the bodily fluids from his hair and body. Standing in the shower was damn near impossible, but he fought through the pain. He was grateful that he had enough sense to turn down their attempt at double penetrating him. He didn't think he was ready for that kind of action, just yet. What had he been trying to prove? That he had control over his body?

Neji felt disgusted with himself, yet, he couldn't stop. Not now anyway. It was like a sickness, an addiction. He didn't feel right without someone's cock inside of him. The only way that he could identify with intimacy, or love. Which was strange because he detested his uncle's touch. With every fiber of his being, he hated that man. What happened to him on a nightly should have turned him off from sex, but it was the complete opposite.

He didn't like the idea of Hiashi leaving his mark on him so he went from stranger to stranger seeking a way to cleanse himself. But all he accomplished was making himself even more filthy. Was there no end to this?

Just three more months. Neji reminded himself. He'd suffered at the hands of Hiashi since he was eight, he could survive three more months.

There was a knock at the bathroom door followed by the stern call of his name. What a surprise. Hiashi actually knocked for once. Turning off the shower, he grabbed his towel, and secured it around his waist. He'd almost slipped on the wet tile when his uncle knocked harder. Finally opening the door, he didn't bother with a greeting.

"My colleagues are here and we are all waiting for you downstairs in the courtyard."

Shit. He'd forgotten that he had to entertain Hiashi's snobbish friends. Hinata and Neji were supposed to be sparring in the courtyard. However, he was not in the best shape at the moment. "Could Hinata and Hanabi spar instead? I'm feeling a little under the weather."

Hiashi stepped in the bathroom, closed the door behind him, and locked it. "Under the weather? What's wrong?" He actually appeared to be concerned.

"No worries, it's not morning sickness, uncle. Lucky for you that I'm a male." The slap to his face left his head spinning. It was a miracle that he didn't puke.

"I want you downstairs in half in hour. Do not embarrass me today, boy."

His cheek was throbbing. It would more than likely bruise, but like always, it would go unnoticed.

-o0o0o-

Neji made it downstairs forty minutes later just to spite Hiashi. Even small acts of defiance like that were better than nothing. The pills had long deserted him, leaving him sluggish, and despondent. The alcohol, however, was still on his stomach waiting to be purged from his body. He'd tried to take care of it before he came downstairs, but had no luck. They were both dressed in their white training garbs. Long hair tied back in high ponytails. Hinata greeted him politely, and he bowed respectively.

He hated her. She was weak, yet, had everything that he never would. The title of heiress was hers by birth, but she didn't deserve it. Hinata was still chaste, and he envied that most of all. He hated her purity, and gentle nature. Hinata was easy to love, and he loathed her for it.

Apparently, Hiashi didn't love his older daughter that much, since he thought it was a good idea to put her in the ring with Neji again. One strong hit to the heart, and he could end her. Take away something so precious from the man that had ruined his life. It seemed fair. However, Neji didn't plan on ruining his future over one pitiful girl, and her pedophile of a father.

The match began at the wave of Hiashi's hand. Recovering from a hangover, and one bad case of vertigo, Neji was still better than his younger cousin. Admittedly, she had improved over the years. Her steps were more confident, her hits more precise. Nonetheless, she couldn't keep up with him. He knocked her down several times, and she kept getting back up.

"Stay down." He bit out.

Hinata shook her head defiantly. "No." She rushed him, resuming their fight.

Initially, he was going to go easy on her. Now he wanted to teach his younger cousin a lesson. Dodging a hit to the face, Neji grabbed her arm, twisting it with brute force. "I said stay down!" He added pressure, allowed her to feel the bones in her arm strain under that pressure, as a warning that he could break the limb effortlessly.

"Enough!" Hiashi's voice boomed from the veranda.

Neji released her arm. "The next time I tell you to stand down, you better listen. He won't always be around to save you, Hinata-sama." She had lost her mind thinking that she actually had a chance. His hand twitched with the urge to put her in her place once again, until he broke that fragile spirit of hers.

"Why do you hate me so much?" Hinata quietly asked. "I just want to be strong, like you."

Hiashi was on his way towards them, with his friends on his tail. Scoffing, Neji faced the heiress. "You should find another goal, Hinata-sama. That one is far beyond your reach. You could never be like me, and you're a fool for even trying." Why would anyone want to be like him? Hinata was better off being herself. Which was everything that Neji could never be.

By the time Hiashi walked up, Neji was feeling sick to his stomach. The businessmen were praising them, and he wanted to roll his eyes. Hiashi enjoyed showing them off at special luncheons, and dinner parties like they were a sideshow attraction. Weren't they tired of seeing the same old performance? Neji supposed that it was time for him to switch things up.

Midway through Hiashi's speech, about the clan's expertise in Baguazhang, Neji opened his mouth and emptied his stomach on the concrete. It was so much that even Hiashi's shoes were ruined. Hinata placed a comforting hand on his back and he shoved her away.

"My apologies. Excuse me." Neji said to their guests and took off towards the mansion with a sly smirk on his face.

Of course that didn't go unpunished. That night, Hiashi came to his room. He was beyond furious, and took his anger out on Neji. There was no love in what Hiashi was doing to him on a nightly. It had never been about love. Hiashi saw Neji as his property. Someone that he could use as much as he liked. That was how he viewed the members of his clan, and it was how he had viewed his own twin brother. Hizashi had submitted to him without much of a fight. Their father had played a role in that by constantly telling the younger twin that Hiashi was not his brother, but his Lord.

He told Hizashi when he was merely a boy that his life belonged to the clan, to his older brother, and he had to obey him. So whenever Hiashi wanted something , he gave it to him. However, Neji was different.

Even when Hiashi overpowered him, with his hands wrapped around his neck, Neji never fully submitted. He didn't play along, and tell Hiashi everything that he wanted to hear. Throughout the entire ordeal, he made it very clear that he did not enjoy it in the slightest. Neji made it very clear that he hated Hiashi's guts.

And that was why he kept coming back. Hiashi wouldn't be satisfied until he broke Neji like he did Hizashi.

The next evening, Itachi sat in his lobby and waited for Neji. School had let out an hour ago, and his appointment was in twenty minutes. He'd wanted Neji to be early so that he could show him where his pharmacist was located, and the cleaners. Everything that he needed was in walking distance. When the teenager didn't show, he tried calling him, but was sent to voicemail. He understood that things happen so as long as Neji showed up before it was too late, he would be lenient.

Today was his first session with a new therapist, and naturally he was nervous. He'd had a really great relationship with his former counselor, but his father decided that it was time to come home. All of the progress that he made in Kiri seemed to have went down the drain. Anxiously, Itachi scratched his wrists. He had ten minutes before his appointment started. Neji was still nowhere in sight.

Picking up his phone, he tried dialing Neji again. He thought about Saturday night when he texted him and didn't receive a response. What if something had happened to Neji after he left his penthouse that night? Heart accelerating, Itachi went through his contacts to see who he could call in order to get Hyuuga Hiashi's number. He needed to make sure that Neji was alright.

"Itachi."

Looking up, Itachi sighed in relief. Then he actually took in the teen's appearance. "What happened?" There was a bruise on Neji's face, and from the opening of his shirt, he could see bruises on his neck in the shape of...hands?

Neji snorted. "Baguazhang training. Are you ready to go?" He tried to change the subject.

"You don't get bruises like that from Baguazhang training," he reached out, running his fingers over the tender skin. "Who did this?"

His gentle fingers were cool, yet, they burned Neji's skin. "I didn't know that the Kendo champ knew so much about taijutsu. You never cease to amaze me." Itachi's touch was far too tender for his liking. He moved away from it.

The sarcasm was not loss on him. It was a defense mechanism, obviously. "Why didn't you text me back?"

"We're not in a relationship. I don't need you keeping tabs on me!"

Taken aback by the teen's sudden outburst, Itachi frowned. "I was worried about you." They needed to be walking, not talking, but there was something really bothering him. Neji was battered, someone had put their hands on him, and Itachi didn't like it.

Rolling his eyes, Neji scowled. "Worried about me? It's not like if I were in serious danger you would be of any assistance since you're too afraid to leave the house!" He said it louder than necessary garnering the attention of a few people in the lobby. The look on Itachi's face made him quickly regret saying that.

That was where Itachi drew the line. "Find someone else to help you get the hours you need, Hyuuga-san." With that said, he turned on his heel and left Neji standing there in the lobby.

Neji had to bite his trembling lips to fight back the tears.