Hello everybody! I'm sorry for such a long wait, this usually doesn't happen when I write fics but I had a huge personal... problem per say, come up. This chapter was a little rushed but I didn't want to keep dragging this wait out. I know more people than what I deserve left reviews and stuff so I quickly put this together. Thank you so much for reading ^^

He wouldn't really call it waiting for her, exactly, but that's just what he did. Essentially. Technically, he tells himself that it's his own hiding spot and she was the one who always came to him, nobody else used that fountain anyways. Right on time Hinata Hyuga shows up and curiously stares at the brown bag that's sitting on the fountain while Sasuke watches intently from his cove behind the old, unused, storage lockers. It's just a bag filled with half a sandwich from the store and some crackers, barely a lunch at all, but he thinks giving her too much will shock her unaccustomed stomach.

He watches nervously as she reaches out to grab the bag, stops, shakes her head, and starts filling her water. Knitting his eyebrows in frustration Sasuke wishes he had some spell that would make her take the hint. Those were for her. Who else knew about this water fountain and conveniently placed their food there? And who cared about morals when they were so starved they barely looked like they could stand anyways? Sasuke was both exasperated and amazed, she had a stronger will than any person he's ever seen. That was saying a lot considering he had fangirls follow him around since Kindergarten and a family that literally built their multi billion dollar company on ambition and will of power alone. Still, this was a different kind of will. One that made him question if the world ever did go corrupt. In part he can't understand how somebody would think taking an opportunity was stealing when it was so blatantly displayed for you to grasp. In another contradictory view though he was awed by the strict morality she kept in an ever changing and demanding world. Despite it all it really boiled down to one emotion, Sasuke was disappointed that Hinata didn't take the lunch, he'll have to throw it out now. There was nobody else to give it to, because it wasn't intended for anybody else in the first place.

Itachi stares at the photo for another 10 minutes. The lavender hair, the large pristine white eyes that hold a certain warmth to them. Maybe it's the slight crinkle next to where her eyes end in a smile that makes her face look softer, kinder. She's exactly how he remembered her. She hadn't changed in over 10 years and he's so incredibly glad that he noticed her with one glimpse. Amongst the thousands of applications he had started collecting in hopes that she would apply, he had seeked her out and eventually (using the scholarship as a hoax to appease his parents and diver suspicion) he had finally found his gem.

The CEO runs his fingers gently across the smooth picture and allows himself the luxury of a smile. A genuine one. Even when his wife knocks on the door Itachi is still staring at the captivating smile, right up until she walks in, uninvited. "Izumi." It was like how he treated any other client that walked into his office. Business like, sharp, and incredibly cold.

She sighs, accustomed to the treatment but not exactly thrilled. He was her husband, even if he never acted like one. "I wanted to remind you about the dinner we have tonight with the Haruno Corps." Itachi gently folds the picture of Hinata into his desk drawer but the last image of long purple hair doesn't escape from Izumi's sharp gaze. She refuses to ask, she does have a thing called pride after all. If Itachi notices her gaze, he says nothing of it. "I have a secretary to tell me about my plans, he's fairly good at it too."

Izumi glares, the unfairness clogging her throat. "I just wanted to see your face. Why is that so hard these days? Do you do all of the work alone? I'm your wife, should I see your face more often than even your staff?"

Itachi sighs. "No." there was no point in him giving her the sweet, sugar coated version. When he warned her that this was simply an arranged marriage and if it would be okay that he had no feelings, whatsoever, for her, she had said she didn't care. No, she had specifically begged saying as long as he didn't get caught cheating she would never mess with any part of his life. If he remembered 100% correctly, Izumi literally told him that after their marriage she would no want or need anything else. She loved him enough that just being by his side in name was enough. And for a while, it was. The media ate them up and they were on the cover of every magazine whenever they went out on a public event together. She was the queen that overtook the cold Icy King. He was the indifferent gentleman, a hidden romantic who swept her away. For a while, they let that image play out and Izumi was fine with it. All her friends were jealous, she was always in the spotlight as the new reigning female in the Uchiha household and Itachi bought her whatever she wanted.

Now however, months after she thought she could seduce him into actually loving her wholeheartedly, he was still as cold and apathetic as ever. "Do you have something else to tell me?" Itachi asks, carefully opening another folder and diligently reading the contents. Izumi momentarily wonders if she should throw a tantrum and slide everything off of his desk in frustration, but decides against it. With a sweet smile and some even sweeter words, she bids farewell and returns to go shopping. It was the couple's first night out in weeks, she had to look good at the very least. Who knew? Maybe today was the day she blew him away and really made him her husband.

Hinata's vision fuzzes as she stumbles to the water fountain. Her shaky hand presses the button, jamming on the sides that are resistant with rust but somehow still functioning. She takes large measured gulps of water. When her eyes have finally stopped swimming in their own tears of pain, she looks at the bag that's on laying on top of the machine. It looks similar to the one she found and left yesterday. She wonders if someone forgot to clean it or to come back and retrieve it. "Maybe I should take it to the lost and found?" she asks herself out loud, looking in all directions for a soul that would step forward and claim the mysterious lunch. Lifting the bag she frowns at the letters splayed across the brown paper in deep blue sharpie. For: Hinata Hyuga.

Her chest squeezes with an overwhelming thankfulness before her stomach actually physically drops with the prospect of food. She opens the bag and gasps, choking back tears. Three full sandwiches and even a bag of chips welcome her with their aromatic smell and neat, shiny, plastic packaging. Delirious with happiness, Hinata momentarily forgets that she should be ashamed and embarrassed that someone knew her secret fountain. She closes her eyes in quick prayer and rips open the package, not even bothering to check what the ingredients were. "Ugh..." She groans, as the solid and tangible ingredients hit the rock bottom of her hardened, empty, hollow stomach.

Sasuke watches and even lets his lips move up into a tiny smile. Originally he had grabbed one sandwich, before he remembered seeing that Hinata would obviously share with her popular cousin Neji, and most probably her sister. For some odd reason, Sasuke knew Hinata had a sister. He assumed he had heard it somewhere, maybe as a passing comment in the hallway or maybe his secretary said something about it and Sasuke hadn't been paying full attention. Whatever the case was, Sasuke knew about Hinata's sister and since he wanted all of them to eat, he bought three sandwiches.

Hinata hums happily as she walks down the hall, vigor and giddiness hastening her light steps. Just as she turns the corner Sasuke's phone rings and it's his secretary.

"Hello?"

"Young Master, we've taken care of the hamburger restaurant owner. He can no longer do business in this city."

"Good," Sasuke affirms. If it was up to him, he'd rid the world of scum like that man. However, scandals and investigations were a harder thing to handle in this day and age, so he settles for blacklisting the owner. "Also put out a warning, if anybody under our managment treats Hinata that way, they're out too."

His secretary doesn't miss a beat as he answers, "Yes sir." Sasuke hangs up and pockets the device, starting to head back to class. Lunch ended minutes ago, if he didn't hurry then he'd be late, not that he cared, but it was good not to get on Kakashi's bad side.

Hinata walks into the room quickly. Stopping by the bathroom had delayed her route and she didn't want to be late. Scurrying in, she quickly shoves the brown bag into her backpack while collapsing into her seat. Mere seconds later, Sasuke plops down and sits next to her, avoiding the hawk like gazes of his fanatics.

"Sasuke and Hinata always walk in at the same time these days," Ino pointed out. Although she tried to sound nonchalant there was a definite edge to her voice. Sakura looks at her and frowns. She had been so focused on Sasuke that she didn't really notice Hinata's presence at all. After all, she was just the charity cause. There was no need to be weary of her.

"So what? What are you trying to say?"

"Well... Sasuke hasn't been in the lunchroom for a while and Hinata doesn't eat lunch in the lunchroom either," Ino points out, nervously. It was strange, her relationship with Sakura. In middle school they had fought like there was no tomorrow for them. In high school they were this twisted thing called "frenemies" where Ino and Sakura were both collapsing for Sasuke's attention, but working together to get it. Two heads are better than one, was it? Whatever the reason was, because Sakura was the 'action-right-away' type, Ino always reported any suspicious behavior regarding females around Sasuke directly to Sakura.

"But she's just a poor charity cause, wouldn't she know her place?" Sakura asked. Never before had a charity student been so presumptuous as to go after the Sasuke Uchiha. Surly, this girl wouldn't mess in a place that was neither for her kind or for her rank.

"Those cases are the scariest," Ino whispers, watching as Hinata brings out her flimsy convenient store bought notebook. "They have nothing to lose, but a lot to gain. They're the typical gold diggers."

Sakura stands abruptly at those words, a sudden burning hatred riding into her chest and burning everything until her eyes see the red lick of flames. Not caring that class would start in a few measly minutes, Sakura marches over and stands in front of Hinata. A shadow falling over her nice notes makes HInata look up, here lavender eyes peeking at her classmates in curiosity. Sasuke, who had been leaned back casually with his eyes close snaps awake.

"Hinata Hyuga. Come with me," Sakura orders, the words leaving her mouth in a quick and dry manner. When Hinata doesn't move, Sakura grabs her wrist and yanks her out of her seat, the chair scrapes loudly on the floor in protest. The room falls silent, but students turn to busily do whatever they had to. It was much easier to ignore Sakura than confront her, especially if she was fried up about something related to Sasuke. If Sasuke himself didn't say anything about it then there was no hope for the unfortunate girl.

"I knew Sakura would go after the girl soon," Kiba yawns, looking outside to where Akamaru was running in the field, waiting for his master. A sudden commotion makes the class, including Kiba and even a doozing Shikamaru turn.

"No," Sasuke states, face blank and eyes void of any emotion. He doesn't even look at Hinata, yet her wrist is conveniently in his grip. "Class is starting."

Sakura awkwardly stands frozen in place, her eyes widen in shock. Although Sasuke had never particularly liked her methods of getting rid of his avid fans, but he had never stopped her before. It got rid of his annoying followers and stalkers, so Sasuke had never really said anything. Even if that meant Sakura was the reigning fan, at least it was only one person compared to dozens. Or so he had thought. This however, was too much. Did Sakura have proof that Hinata was annoying Sasuke or pinning on him? Of course she didn't. Simply because Hinata did not even glance in Sasuke's direction. He doesn't know what caused Sakura to be cautious of his seat mate (maybe the fact that they shared a seat), but Sasuke wouldn't let Hinata go through Sakura's cruel and humiliating punishments. It was an instinctual move to reach out and hold her wrist, but Sasuke was quick. Just as Sakura let go, Kakashi walked in proving his point. He tried to play it like he was just concerned for his fellow classmate's attendance, but he's not sure how well that worked. Sakura glares at Hinata and stacks her anger in the storage for later. Sasuke makes a mental note to himself to make sure Hinata got home safely.

Itachi stumbles into his car and Izumi's the one who says goodbye politely to Mrs. Haruno. While she goes through all the necessary thanks and procedures to a mannerly goodbye, Itachi blows intoxicated air through his mouth and pulls his necktie loose. Mr. Haruno wasn't present, too drunk to even remember his own name and probably sleeping in the backseat of his car. Itachi usually handled his liquor very well, but something about today made him want to drink. Maybe it was his guilt at agreeing to sell his brother over to the Haruno's without s knowing, or maybe it was because Izumi kept egging him on, pouring his empty cup in the hopes of gaining something. Something he wasn't going to give her. Quite possibly though, it was the thought of a distant memory (soft silky hair and gardens full of wildflowers, pale eyes like sheets of snow). A memory so close to him, yet when he reaches out to touch it she dispersed into the air, only a figment of his crazed hope.

Izumi climbs into the vehicle, bringing with her the scent of lavender. It hits Itachi like a block of concentrated fragrances from a large field and he leans closer, hugging Izumi tight. Surprised, she looks down at his blissful face and runs her slender fingers in his dark hair. "Itachi?"

She smelled nice. He must have muttered something about it because she laughs, "It's the soap you bought me. The one you like."

Itachi can't bring himself to tell Izumi that the soap was a sudden fling of the moment decision. He had seen the light purple bottle and it reminded him so much of her. Of her small hands clutching the long, bent flowers and her scent that always mixed with his when he would wrestle her to the ground in a practice training round. Taking a deep breath, Itachi tries to convince himself that he was back there. Back when he was a child and she was all his and their families were okay with each other. Back before the Hyugas were completely wiped out of existence. Way back, before everything went to shit. "Hinata," he mutters quietly, so softly that even Izumi couldn't hear over the hum of their car's engine. She asks him what he said, but Itachi stays quite, lulled to sleep by the smell and the bitter liquid that's burns his insides.

Neji had to go to work meaning today Hinata had to walk home alone. Meaning today Sakura was waiting for her by the gate. Hinata wishes she would at least know what her crime was before being punished. That was how the legal systems usually worked, was it not? Dreading the encounter, Hinata takes ginger steps and hopes to blend in with the crowed of students rushing past her when a hand suddenly grips her arm. She almost screams, but a dark voice hushes her. "You're not really going to go that way, are you? Do you have a death wish?" The velvety voice whispers into her ear at a proximity that was not only unsettling but embarrassing.

"Excuse me?" She asks, trying to be polite while yanking her arm back towards her body. She turns to face the offender and goes silent for a moment, judging if she should retaliate or hear his suggestion out. It was an interesting question he posed to her. Did she have a death wish? Thinking of her cousin and darling little sister, Hinata confirms with herself that she doesn't. Not quite yet. "I don't have a death wish Uchiha-san, however I don't see how walking out of the front door has anything to do with that."

Sasuke's lips quirk into a half-smirk before he promptly turns and starts dragging Hinata against the trickling stream of students. "It's a Haruno, I can't guarantee she won't kill you."

Hinata frowned, her backpack hitting the side of her leg uncomfortably. She can't fix it though because Sasuke's moving at a speed that has her battling to keep up ground. "Contrary to popular belief, I have quite a lot to lose too. I'm not going to let her kill me."

Sasuke half turns to face her, surprised by the determination in her voice. 'How cute,' he muses to himself. "Yeah? Well sorry then. I'll rephrase. It'll make me feel incredibly guilty if you died because of Sakura's crazy affection towards me and I wouldn't want to live with that burden, now will you follow me?"

Hinata studies the Uchiha but soon just sighs, exasperated. If her and Neji were in the school getting their education and degree thanks to his family, she supposes she can't have him feeling guilt for her actions. Whatever they were. "Where are we going?" She asked, curious because they were headed for the back. A parked car answers her questions as Sasuke opens the back seat and moves aside for her to get in. She looks at the interior, skeptical. Nobody else was in the seat meaning at least they couldn't outnumber her. She knew that it didn't make sense for the younger Uchiha to harm her, but it never hurt to be cautious. After all, whether he was different or not he was still an Uchiha, the family Neji told her to always be careful around. "You know I'll tell the cops that you're kidnapping me if you turn the wrong way, right?" Hinata asks, a survival instinct kicking her gut and making her spew words that she wouldn't have had the courage to before. Sasuke looks at her surprised, like he himself wasn't expecting that from the timid, Hyuga.

"Go ahead. I just planned on taking you home."

Hinata bows her head, a silent thanks for the ride. Hopping in she waits for Sasuke to follow, closing the door. "Address?" Hinata stays silent for a moment, judging the driver and the one who employed him. She had never planned on showing her living conditions to anybody at her school, much less the school's most saught after and successful family name. "Well..."

It turns out Sasuke's car was forced to take a different turn. It also turned out that Hinata was much more understanding than she had planned to be and let him take the wrong turn. It also turned out that when Sasuke said 'home' he might have been implying his own home. Well, originally the plans weren't like that. However, Itachi called and said it was urgent, so it must have been important because A. Itachi never called him directly and B. Nothing was really urgent for Itachi. Somebody was either dead or dying, was what Sasuke said must have been happening and Hinata immediately said it was okay for them to drop by Sasuke's home first, before they went to her own place. When they pull in through the gates however, Hinata realizes she should have state fortress instead of home because that's exactly what the Uchiha estates were. A big, large, intimidating fortress. Flanked on both sides by land, tall trees and flowery gardens. Hinata hears the distant gurgle of multiple fountains no doubt ornate and artistic.

When the driver parked, Sasuke gets off hastily ready to sprint towards the door. Stopping, he looks at Hinata curiously and tilts his head. She waits for him to send her off in the car. "Want to come in? I'll ask them to give you some tea."

Hinata's eyes widen. Not many people were invited into the Uchiha brother's manor. In fact, dare she say that nobody, not even their parents were seen frequenting the place. "Well..." Seeing her hesitation (as her eyes dart back and forth between him and the door) Sasuke throws out a suggestion. "I have a good library where you can look for the sources for our paper."

That certainly has Hinata perking up. The Uchiha archives. Although they weren't as great as the Hoki clan at the very least they were a close second. Sasuke almost snorts, he couldn't say his pride wasn't hurt a tiny bit. She would hesitate his offer for tea, but showed boundless enthusiasm for his books. He lets the thought slide away and momentarily forgets the whole ordeal with him and his complicated good-for-nothing-anyway pride. If he's learned anything about this student, it was that whatever made her tick was different.

Gingerly stepping out of the car, she follows him inside. The moment the doors close, Itachi crosses his arms at the top of the stairs. "Sasuke I- Oh?"

Sasuke watches intrigued as his brother's breath immediately hitches and his voice softens to a completely different degree. "Hello. I didn't see that Sasuke brought a friend with him," Itachi says, his voice posed and calm. His business voice. Sasuke's probably heard it millions of times, more so than Itachi's actual voice. Yet, something about it was different today. He couldn't believe the girl beside him could actually fluster the Itachi Uchiha.

"Hello," Hinata answers, tilting her head and studying the well suited man. Who wore a suit at home anyways? "Sasuke was helping me get home because he didn't want me to die." Hinata states bluntly. She knew about the rumors and how secretive the Uchiha brother's mansion was, maybe Itachi didn't want visitors. She didn't stop to think if it would be rude of her to just take Sasuke's invitation and she had meant to explain, but she didn't intend it to come off so blunt. Although it wasn't exactly a lie, it was much more dramatic than she had originally rehearsed in her mind. As if on cue, Itachi's eyebrow raises but he lets a small smile graze his features, intrigued.

"Oh? Is that so?"

Sasuke rolls his eyes at Itachi's feigned interest. He steps in front of Hinata and looks up at his brother, unable to read him today. It was strange, and Sasuke didn't like the uncomfortably comfortable atmosphere around the two, like they knew each other from a past life and he was merely watching them reunite. "Sakura was waiting for her, you know how that goes."

Itachi's face hardens and he scan's Sasuke's annoyed scowl. That was a problem. His younger brother's hospitality towards the pinkette was quite concerning, especially considering the fact that he would have to marry her post University Graduation, when the time was fitting. "Helping her for one day won't really cut it, won't it make the next day worse for her?" Itachi asks, genuine concern lacing his voice. Sasuke almost reels back appalled, wondering since when his own brother had changed and became such a caring man. Either somebody was posing as his brother, or Hinata was a witch who could cast spells. There was no other explanation that could be logical. For a normal person to deduce, at least. Sasuke praises himself for not being normal and remembering his past conversation with Itachi. How he had been so adamant to keep silent about the Hyugas, especially Hinata. At the time, Sasuke simply shook it off wondering if maybe Itachi was in a bad mood and didn't want to listen to him talk about a scholarship student. Now, Sasuke is sure that Itachi was intentionally keeping him in the dark about something.

"My brother's right," Sasuke says turning as the brilliant idea strikes his mind with inspiration. "Why don't I take you home every day?" Sasuke asks. Itachi stiffens, his breathing going still and Sasuke relaxes, even having the leisure to roll his shoulder back and flick his tongue out to wet his smiling lips. Hinata watches to two brothers, one posing on the steps and looking down on her from the bridge of his nose, eyes flashing with a scary red tint; and the other, approximately 4 steps ahead of her, leaning against the banister with an easy grin and all the time in the world.

"That would be very considerate of you but-"

"Oh-" Sasuke interrupts, earning a small glare form the well mannered Hyuga who was always taught that such behavior was wrong and terrible manners. "By the way," Sasuke forges on like the small zap from Hinata's short stare was nothing, "I meant i'll take you to my house. From school to here. We just lost a maid and I heard you just lost a job. You can take it, right? I don't think you have anything else to go for."

Hinata stands, speechless. The red tint of humiliation creeps onto her face at the offer tossed so carelessly in her direction. She has no doubts that Sasuke Uchiha could find out about her status if he wanted to (heck, half of it was public knowledge since she was rumored to be the scholarship student). Her classmates had resources, they would all find out about her situation sooner or later. It was just the fact that he was the first to directly confront her about it. Her poverty and desperation, that is. As if noting the tone, Itachi steps in to warn his brother about offending Hinata, "Sasuke that's no way to offer-"

"How much do you want?" Sasuke asks.

Hinata tightens her fist as two wolves battle in her chest, clawing and biting and growling. They send shivers up and down her spine, howls bounce around in her brain hitting her temple to the surreal beat of their thumping paws. "How much do you usually give your maid?" Hinata asks, cautiously. Under normal circumstances if a boss gave her the wrong vibe she would walk out on them. After all, minimum wage under not so great conditions and a not so great supervisor was not worth it. There were hundreds of other burger shops she could work in.

"1700 yen (Aprox. $15 USD) Every hour. Five hours after school. Everyday. Weekends you're free."

Hinata swallows. That was unimaginable hourly wage for a high school student. Especially a high school student like herself. She calculates the workload, the time she'll have left for studying, and deems it doable. Killing the last of her pride that whispers to her saying 'you'll be working for a fellow student and your desk mate at that!' Hinata nods. Itachi lets out a silent breath, but doesn't object. He can't exactly say he's thrilled, although it's something close, but worry does capture his heart first. Because Sasuke also owns half the house, Itachi has to accept his employees also.

"Welcome to the Uchiha estates, would you like the tour today or tomrrow?" Sasuke asks, a sarcastic smile spreading across his face.

"Sasuke-" Itachi starts, chiding his little brother for the ever playful (yet slightly offensive tone)

Hinata gives Itachi a small nod of thanks before turning confidently to Sasuke, "I'll take the tour tomorrow. Today isn't my work day, I believe you promised me tea."

Sasuke blinks surprised, taken aback by the starkly contrasting answer she gave, so different from the one he was expecting from the quiet student. Hinata smiles softly, a kind playfulness overtaking her features, silently patting herself on the back for not losing spunk and bending backwards in the presence of an Uchiha heir. Itachi laughs out loud, sending an approving wink towards their new worker whom he liked more so than before. This new Hinata was nice. She was just how he remembered her in some senses, but completely different in others. Itachi supposes what she went through could warrant the stronger will inside of her, but she still had the gentle eyes. The eyes he used to stare into for hours as a child. Seeing her back in the Uchiha household was intriguing, a little worrying, but most of all exciting. Itachi almost couldn't wait for another day to start; now he really did have a reason to get back home after work.

Ohh I kinda forgot to mention. Hinata's kinda OOC. I mean she's nice, considerate, shy, self sacrificing and all that but I mean I didn't want her always bowing her head and not knowing how to handle herself in front of Sasuke. It seemed kinda overused. I think a tiny bit of sassy Hinata is okay, but what do you think?