6- Sicky icky
Hello everybody! I don't really wanna give you guys excuses for the wait, that'll be toward the end hehe. For now please enjoy my writings, tell me your thoughts and as always thank you for reading my little story. :)
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Gentle humming soothes the air with Hinata's crunching. Her eyes carefully read over the book in her hands engrossed in each page. One hand in between each page with her index and thumb and another deep inside a bowl of popcorn all while laying sloppily on the couch.
Times like this, her lying on the couch with the stereo playing quietly in the background gave her a sense of normality in this already tense living situation.
The past week Hinata felt like more of a squatter than a prisoner here, akin to a rat hiding and couped up in the small empty room all day until her predator leaves, allowing her to gorge herself on whatever her hands could get on only just to scurry back to her little cubby hole awaiting for her next taste of freedom.
She could've sworn that Sasuke was now working on the weekend too and even bought more small things for her to snack on too. Maybe it was his weird way of asking for forgiveness, not like it mattered. The thought of them being in the same room together caused her to run cold and lose her appetite.
But today was different, her body felt more exhausted than normal and even a slight headache came about when she woke up forcing her to declare today as a feast of her comfort foods to enjoy on the sofa.
She turned the page of her novel and sighed deeply into the soft cushion, despite how much she loved reading, even her favorite book did nothing but add to her growing headache.
Right as she finished the chapter she gently closed the book and rubbed eyes, not seeing the need to continue straining her eyes. Hinata groaned loudly and sank her head into her hands, rubbing her forehead harshly. Now not only did her head throb and her stomach churned in disapproval as well.
'Maybe I should take a bath before he comes home.' Hinata pondered.
Lately she had even more time in the world to herself. Sasuke had made it a point to stay out of her sight as much as he could. Their few run ins had been silent and almost as painful as the night he put his hands in her. In the early hours of the morning two days ago they bumped into each other in the hall. While Hinata tried to avoid looking him in the eye, a brief glance she caught made her confused rather than scared. His eyes that were once hard in anger and violence now bore in with pain and annoyance at the growing bruises that blossomed grimly on her neck and shoulders, unable to look away from his own doing. All that was left was them standing like deer in headlights, both of them too surprised and scared to make that first step.
Something in his eyes didn't fool her into thinking he was remorseful for hurting her, no more like remorse that his toy had been scratched and the frustration of her further fear of him.
She had eventually scurried past him back to her room, after that Sasuke made a point to avoid Hinata as much as humanly possible, leaving in the wee hours of morning and arriving home at almost midnight.
'What does he even do all day?' She thought while gathering her dishes into the sink.
Work? Study? Hold hostage other women perhaps?
Well at least she could use his guilt to her own advantage. 'Hopefully I can get him to get me a plant or some more books so the boredom doesn't kill me…' She schemed while rinsing her dishes until a knot in her stomach began to twist.
Geez her stomach still hurts like hell even after eating barely anything but snacks. 'Maybe I shouldn't have eaten that popcorn so fast.' She scolded herself while drying her hands on herself, making her way to her bedroom. She slumped back into her bed after trudging down the hallway curling into a tight ball to sleep, not bothering to pull the covers over her.
"I'll j-just sleep it-t off," she reassured herself.
…
Hours later the pain didn't die down, instead it only grew.
The dull pain expanded to her back and pelvis. Any attempt to move and uncurl herself was met with pins and needles pricking inside her flesh that feverishly burned to her core. Her breath labored with the inhale she took, struggling to maintain her composure. She tried opening her eyes but the fluorescent bulb in her lamp burned her vision and intensified the throbbing around her head.
What the hell happened? This couldn't possibly be just a migraine or stomach ache like she previously thought. Her body felt like it was burning, a cold sweat coated her body making her sticky even taking a breath of the usually cool stale air felt hot and stuffy in her throat.
It hits her, she feels so stupid she hadn't realized it before. 'Ah, I have a fever…' she thought hazily.
Gods with everything that happened, she forgot completely about how susceptible she was to getting sick. After dealing with a constant school pile for more than a decade, Hinata became a pro at scheduling and preparing finals days to avoid getting sick from stress especially. The expression worry yourself to death was all too common for her. The last time she felt this bad was when she finally did her first year of graduate school after being disowned. Even then she had resources and Ino to help nurse her back to health.
But right now she's alone, no relief or medication and the only person who could help her in the next couple of hours is the man that tried to strangle her to death.
'I have to get out of bed.' She told herself.
Staying bed wallowing in the wet sticky sheets did nothing but gross her out, sitting in a warm bath would at least ease her migraine and drink some water from the sink. He probably had some tylenol in the cabinet too.
Unbending herself was the first hurdle, every movement felt a wave of muscle twist and bend inside as punishment for moving. Sitting up from her bed felt as if someone stabbed her sides until she slowly stood up on her wobbly feet.
The walk from her bed and the bathroom left her labored in breath, Hinata hunched over herself as if she was ninety years old climbing an uphill path. The minute she entered the doorway, Hinata fell to the floor unable to bear standing anymore and resumed her fetal position at the door frame.
'Just like that night.' she thought grimly. Right back on the cold hard floor helpless and weak, any way to relieve the pressure was met with a cruel mockery when she rolled on her side to lay comfortably on the cold tiled floor.
Time passed, how much has passed she couldn't really tell or care but long enough for her to be rudely awoken to Sasuke slamming open the front door and stomping into the bathroom yelling out for her.
Just as she is about to open her eyes, Sasuke's kneeling down to her side, demanding to know what happened. He gently tried to shake her only for her to let out a cry in pain, he flinched back as if she had been burned by him. Hinata cracked her eyes open to see his panic take over his face. She feels no sympathy for him and shoots him a glare.
Under his breath, he demanded, "What the fuck happened." As if she had done this to herself.
'He must have cameras at least outside the bathroom.' She deduced lazily. She must have been there for at least an hour too long that scared him.
"What h-happened," she stated curtly "Is that I'm sick-k." She tells him annoyed, rubbing the arms where he had touched her.
He only shot her a confused look at her answer, unsatisfied. "I… have a-a-a fever." She explained further.
That was an understatement, her body felt raw and ached at even the slightest touch and her brain swell to the point it felt like it was about to burst.
She took a deep breath and exhaled shakily "Just give me a mm-inute," she slowly lifted her head, eyes still closed. "I'll get up an-and go to bed." She said out loud to herself and Sasuke.
'Rest, all I need is to sleep it off.' she assured herself.
"Stay there." He ordered for her.
'Like I'm gonna get up and run out here.' she rolled her eyes internally with her cheek firmly in the floor tile.
She doesn't watch him leave but she could tell his quiet footsteps led to the kitchen and the sound of water running in a pot.
Now awake, Hinata realizes as nice as the cool floor feels it's time for her to sit up. In one clumsy swoop; she does so breathing deeply against the bathroom cabinet. Gods her skin felt disgusting, she definitely needed to bathe first thing when she got even a bit of her strength back.
Her eyes are still wound shut but Hinata knows he's back again, looking down at her.
"Get up."
Gods, instead of the fear she felt for Sasuke she felt pure anger now. If Hinata wasn't so weak she'd give him a piece of her mind right now. How could someone so popular with women act like such a jerk!
"I am." She barked back.
Couldn't he see her suffering and at least pretend to care, "Jus-ust give me a second g-geez…" She felt embarrassed looking so weak in front of him while he callously watched her.
With her eyes closed, she feels out a sturdy surface for her to lean on to hold up herself. Slightly struggling all while under Sasuke's eye she wobbly gets herself up.
"Open your eyes Hina," He taunted.
She was starting to get really pissed off now, "I can't!" She whined back.
"With all-all these lights, it hurts so-o much." Not only the lights but Sasuke's presence became another source of headache.
She almost wished he had killed her that night if it meant she could get away from this humiliation. It felt like being a shy little girl being picked on all over again. She bit her lip in frustration, forcing herself to try and hurry up to get away from him fast.
Just as she's about to take a step to appease him, a cool calloused arm snakes around her hips tightly and quickly.
It was cold and rough, the polar opposite to her hot and sensitive skin. Her tank top offered little to no shelf from his touch.
She's terrified, her feverish state only heightens her fear. She shouts at him, "Wh-what are you d-"
"Save your breath," he cuts her off. Despite her resistance, his hand firmly grips her lower back while forcing her other hand around his neck.
"No!" he's too close, he could easily overpower her again. "Stop it!" She hisses. Hinata tries to pull herself off him. Prepared to rip her arm off to be free. While it does pull them both to the floor in a brief struggle match, ultimately Sasuke hikes her back up and drags her to her room. Hinata was too tired to even try to fight even more really, those 30 second quarrel left her panting as Sasuke started to drag her from the bathroom.
"Don't t-touch me the-ere." She commands, ultimately it falls on deaf ears as he doesn't move his hand that's right above her butt.
She feels his hard calloused fingers slowly press their way into her tender flesh right above her pelvic bone.
She hates it. The fact his hands are running on her all over her without her consent and even more how much she slightly doesn't mind his rough fingers gently running on her aching sides. His hands feel gentle despite how cold he is with previous touches. After giving up her fight she relents and gets more comfortable as they head to her room.
"You b-better not g-get any disgusting i-i-ideas." Hinata grumbles.
"Try me." Sasuke replied dryly. Despite her initial worries he really just did help her from and further her bed as quickly as he could. She was softly laid on top of the duvet unable to put the plushy sheets over her hot body. She resumed a fetal position once Sasuke had dropped her down gently.
Gods this felt so much better than the tiled floor she left out a loud sigh of relief into her pillow.
He slowly moves away from her after placing his Hina on her bed and takes a few steps back, admiring her. Her eyes were still wound shut with her body curled in a tight ball and took deep heavy breaths with an occasional moan in discomfort.
He spoke to her softly, "You know I can really make you feel better if-"
"I will vomit on you-u." She cut off.
She couldn't hear him laugh but she could feel the sinister smile form on his face. She buried her head further in the pillow to make him disappear.
Her wishes did come true, Sasuke eventually did leave but only to return again.
He kneels down to her in a whispered voice. Causing her to turn her head up from her pillow and at him.
"I'm gonna place something on your forehead," he warned.
'Ah.' A cool wet towel was gently placed.He did make sure to wring it out but a few drops of cold water ran down her forehead giving her goosebumps. He placed another towel near her side in case she got even sweatier.
"You've d-done this b-before." She observed, he grabbed another small dry drag to dab some of the water that dribbled down her temples.
"Treating sunstroke and fever is the first thing they teach you in Suna." He stated, concentrating on trying to be gentle.
In an even softer tone he confirms her suspicions, "I also get bad migraines."
Hinata hums in response, still so fatigued to keep up any conversation. Once he's finished he takes a seat on the floor next to her head.
"You know, you can open your eyes now." He told her annoyed, she barely peaked her eyes before she had realized he had turned off every light in the apartment. Finally able to fully open up her eyes again. In the darkness, they could both easily see each other's silhouettes, both of them alone quietly looking at each other in the dark.
Eventually he raised from his hand to her night stand, she could barely make it out but when she did she left a gentle gasp.
Heavy duty aspirin.
"It's sealed so you can check the box and packaging." He informed her, placing it on the nightstand.
"If you can't dry them, I'll bring you water." He paused "from the sink." He added for reassurance.
He continued to speak, unaware of her growing frown, "Since I'm in there I can run a bath for you before you-"
"W-Why are you doing this?" She gasped out.
The cut off surprised him, not expecting her to ever be this combative or even question him especially when ill.
Sasuke took in her body language carefully, despite her weakened state, she still held a defensive position lying awkwardly on her bed. Staring him down like a wounded animal waiting for him. He thought about his next words carefully.
She continued, "Are you trying to bu-butter me up? Guilt me-me? Whatever i-it is it w-"
"I'm sorry." He interjected.
Her doey white eyes blinked at him, unsure in her state if she was hallucinating or actually heard him correct.
He coughed a bit, uncomfortable with what he was saying to Hinata himself, "For what I did that night", he clarified, but unwilling to go into any more detail. "It was unacceptable. Taking care of you is the only way I feel like I can make it up to you." He tried justifying hoping to ease her off a bit.
It didn't work. "This isn't making it up to me!" She countered, "I-I wouldn't be like this if I wasn't here!" Hinata wasn't stupid, a few kind gestures doesn't make up for the hell she was put through.
He sighed, placing the small dry and wet towel on her night stand.
"I was tired of waiting for Hinata."
"Tired." She sneered. She couldn't bear to hear his excuses anymore, as if that was fair as if that was any sort of reasonable justification for his actions.
"You-you took advantage of me!" She accused, "The st-state I was in, trust I had-d in you and you- you!" She cried so frustrated at his selfishness she could barely speak. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down after finally cooling down. She muttered to herself, "That night i-if you would've just… taken me home, ma-maybe we could'-
"Could have what, Hinata?" He spat.
His tone change scared her, Hinata looked up at him, annoyance filling his aura at her. She gulped fearful of what he was capable of doing to her sober.
"No, enlighten me," he egged on. "Maybe you'd developed a little crush on me?" He asked his voice boomed in the dark, "Perhaps I asked you out and one day we even get married." His mocking made her face flush in anger and glare at him.
Before responding to him, his hands came up to her, she curled harder into a ball but only delicately flick her forehead hard. "Get real Hyuga." He told her quietly, "Everyone including Naruto knows you love him." The venom in the blonde's name made her shiver.
An angry blush adorned her already red face. "Jesus, ar-are you serious? He's en-engaged!" She exasperated, angry at him bringing up Naruto of all people now.
"Of course I lo-loved him but I'm not like you! I let him-m go!" She fought, she wouldn't deny her early love for the blonde but once he had kindly rejected her after their date. Still even after a week of moping she swore not to put herself in between Naruto and Sakura ever.
Even if there was a lingering awkwardness between them, she realized it's come to be expected, but there was no animosity atleast and Sakura was even nice enough to put in a good word or two Tsunade for a paid internship.
Despite the pain, she sat up at him and grabbed the wet towel on her nightstand and shoved it back at him.
"You're right I-I don't think taking me home would've g-gotten me to fall in lo-love with you."
She laid back down, turning away to face the wall.
"But I could ne-never love someone who-o forces their love on m-me."
He sighed, that's all she could really hear as he got up and started to leave and hopefully try and get some sleep.
"I'd say I have a chance." He told her matter of factly.
"Get out." She grumbled, knowing he'd have something smart to say before leaving.
….
"It's not fucking making any sense." Ino groaned into her hands.
"..Yeah…" Hanabi agreed, looking just as frustrated.
The four adults sat shoulder to shoulder in front of Hanabi's laptop on the coffee table.
Ino barely had enough time to prepare when Hanabi gave her a frantic call stating that the club finally gave up the security footage from that night. All day she had been antsy and suddenly in the middle of the night the two Hyugas appeared at her front door ready to view the last scene cottage of Hina.
What should have been the answer to their problems only led them to more questions though.
Everyone was dead silent, too focused on what was playing on the screen and harsh the click of the rewind button on her keyboard.
After rewinding two more times, Shino tried to cut through the silence, "I hate to say it but-"
"But everything isn't adding up!" Ino interrupted.
Her eyes raced frantically across the screen trying to find something she missed, she turned to Shino, "The security footage shows her leaving, willingly!" She continued frantic and upset.
"If you say stumbling on her own feet willingly, sure." Neji grumbled.
"You know what I'm fucking saying," Ino shot at him annoyed with him, "She obviously knew who this dipshit is, she's HUGGING him!"
Not just that after hugging her they sat and chatted for a bit before leaving. The entire recording lasted for about 15 minutes in total. Hinata sat at the bar swaying a bit before some guy came up behind her. Greeting her as she pulled him into a hug and got her to drink her water a bit more before helping her out of the club.
"Don't remind me." Neji snapped.
"Let's try to stay on track." Shino spoke up. " At least we are still sure she isn't a runaway. Hina isn't a huge extrovert, once we get a better description of this fucker its really just a matter of process of elimination." He deduced trying to bring some hope in.
"This bastard probably planned this too, knew to wear a cap and mask." Hanabi muttered. Even covered, the built screamed male, pale and possibly dark hair.
Neji sighed, rubbing his temples, "Your right Shino, the more we sit here the more time we lose." Losing his temper would only add more useless time wasting.
He sat up from the couch and spoke to Hanabi, "Get your father to set an interrogation with the security and bartender immediately, after that we can release a description to the public."
"Already on it." She started to stand up while tapping away on her phone.
Ino and Shino nodded in agreement. The Hyugas left right after both were too engrossed in their own phones to even say goodbye. Once the door closed Ino dropped her head on Shino's shoulder and sighed.
He took a deep breath as well, "I know."
He tried to reassure by holding her hand. "But this is about as good of news we're gonna get through."
She squeezed his hand tighter, "How is any of this good?" She groaned.
"Well she's probably alive."
"Who really knows at this point Shino." She looked up at the ceiling in deep concentration. "I mean if it was a ransom, something would've happened by now right?" Gods, anxiety was through the roof after all this.
"Perhaps," he agreed, "But I don't know just something about how she held him." Rewinding the scene in his head over in his head, the way she held onto him sat with him. She only was that comfortable with a few people. "It gives me faith it's someone she knows which means it's someone we know."
"You're probably right," Ino agreed.
Shino got up to get ready for bed, he was worried about his girlfriend being home alone and was staying with her for the time being in her room.
Alone on the couch, she mumbled to herself, "That's what scares me the most."
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Whew, all that wait for this? Yeaaah I'm so sorry guys, this chapter was so hard to write, the original plan I had for this story was scraped and reworked and made me wanna avoid writing at all costs cause I felt like such a shitty writer. But the fact that I occasionally get a like after never updating gave me fire!! I can't make any promises on the pacing but thank you all so much! Your continued support is my biggest motivation. See you guys sooon!! (Hopefully…jk)