Hi guys! So sorry for being MIA for so long. I had work and professional exams to prepare for that is why i had been away from fanfiction for so long. I really miss you guys and i want to say thank you for all your love and support even whiles I was away. I planned to to make this chapter two chapters in one to compensate for my absence, but it was going to take to long and i didn't want you guys to wait anymore than you have. Thank you so much for your patience. Forgive me if this seems a bit rushed I wanted to just put this out there(its almost 2 am here) and also forgive me for my rustiness, these a muscles i haven't stretched in a while. I have already started with the next chapter and i'm hoping i can update it before the year ends. For now enjoy my early christmas present.

Previously…

As he passed by Hinata, Itachi's eyes turned to meet hers for a moment before he went off after his brother.

In that moment, it was almost like he was apologizing on behalf of Sasuke, with his eyes.

But beyond that she saw that he was worried.

Greatly so.

And she saw how seeing his little brother like this affected him.

Her heart clenched at this.

She wished he could help Sasuke.

She wished Sasuke would let him in to do so.

Hinata looked down at her hands wistfully.

Though she knew it sounded absolutely stupid after everything he had done to her, though it looked absolutely impossible because of how much he hated her…she wished…she wished there was something she could do.

Fugaku seemed to finally get back to senses as the object of his rage was out of sight.

He turned to his guests, seeing the shocked look on their faces at seeing the perpetually collected and emotionless Fugaku Uchiha, lose control before their eyes.

"I apologize you had to see me like this. Our children can get the best of us at times." He apologized in a casual tone, to brush away what had happened.

But then he paused when his eyes met Rasa's only now seeing the strange way he had been looking at him all along.

Rasa had been watching him like this since his confrontation with his son.

Rasa's eye narrowed unconsciously as a distant memory flashed through his eyes.

Fugaku, the only time I have ever seen you lose your cool like this in front of people was because…

…could it be the same this time?

Could it be that you didn't completely lose your temper at your own son like this because of us but instead…was it because of Ama-san…to unconsciously protect her daughter?

Chapter 13: Quicksand

With every step he took towards his car, Sasuke felt like he was sinking deeper… and deeper into quicksand.

It felt like he was drowning …but he was drowning in himself.

His lungs were crushing against his chest, screaming for him to let go of the breath he had held since he walked out on everyone…and everything.

However, with every step he took, it felt like he couldn't hold on to it any longer.

Yet still, he fought with strength beyond him to hold onto that breath he had held all this time like his very life depended on it…because…

…because he was afraid…he was afraid the second he lets it go, he would feel it all at once.

He would feel all that hail of pain he was using everything inside him to hold at bay even just for a little while…just a while for him to just get to his car, before it crushes him and everything falls apart…so he doesn't fall apart before he is able to make his escape, without his flesh torn apart, his bones broken to pieces here for all to see for those vultures he walked away from to feast on what is left him and his soul till there is nothing left.

He could feel his heart pound wildly not only in his chest but in his head and he knew it wasn't just blood it was pumping.

It was all emotions and immeasurable pain…it was so much it felt too dense and heavy for his anatomy to contain…so much it threatened to crack his skull open.

It seemed all his senses had been heightened to feel pain only. Everything hurt so much.

Seeing hurt.

Feeling hurt.

Tasting and swallowing hurt.

Hearing hurt.

Breathing and smelling hurt.

Just being alive hurt.

All he could hear was the persistent pounding, drowning every sound around him and his surroundings as a whole.

So much he didn't hear the sound of urgent footsteps towards him.

But…

"Sasuke!" Sasuke almost froze at that voice…that voice that cut through his impenetrable wall of pain.

That voice he could even remember in his sleep.

Never did Sasuke think hearing his name would hurt like this.

Never did Sasuke think hearing his brother's voice, that voice which some time ago he yearned to hear and which provided him with comfort, would hurt like this.

His legs kept moving on their own accord at an even quicker pace as if to help him escape from imminent danger.

He heard Itachi quicken his steps towards him in response.

Of all the people he could stomach seeing at this point in his life…

"Sasuke wai-"

"Stop!" The weight of the desperation in which the word tore out of Sasuke's throat brought both brothers to an abrupt halt.

Itachi stood there obediently as he silently watched his brother from behind.

His keen eyes observed how tensed his younger brother's shoulders were and how though he was trying to hold it, Itachi noticed the slightest trembling of his clenched fist.

Even with his back facing him, Itachi could see his little brother was suffering and was using every strength in him to not fall apart.

Especially in front of him.

It made something twist painfully in Itachi's chest.

He wished he could save his little brother from all the pain he was going through, even if it meant taking it all upon himself.

But…

"Why…why are you here?" Sasuke's voice was coarse with emotion and uncharacteristically delicate, almost as if it might break with the least exertion.

At that moment, Itachi was blank.

He racked his genius mind which he had been praised for all his life, to find the right words to answer Sasuke's question… but words failed him.

Because he knew….

"You are the last person I want to see right now." There was a loud silence as the sheer bitterness of those words from Sasuke's mouth swallowed whatever sound being made at that moment.

And Itachi stood there as those words whipped him in the face and chest without mercy.

Itachi nodded heavily in silence as he took in the sting and acidity of Sasuke's words.

He was glad he was at least speaking to him and not shutting him out with cold silence, so he remained silent to allow Sasuke to vent even if he still refused to turn to look at him.

"Is it not enough that you always have to win….do you have to also be here to watch me fall rock bottom too?" Sasuke sniped back as calmly as he could as he clenched his fist tightly till his knuckles turned white trying to control himself as much as he could.

Itachi watched him quietly, waiting patiently for Sasuke to gather enough strength to control and calm his raging emotions before he finally spoke.

"None of what dad said was true. Everything he said was because he was speaking out of anger, Sasu-"

Before Itachi could finish speaking, Sasuke whirled around sharply to finally face his brother, the darkness in face rendering Itachi silent in shock as Sasuke's eyes viciously accused him.

But what shocked Itachi was the pain, the sheer amount of pain on his little brother's face broke something inside him.

He had seen Sasuke in pain but never like this.

And his eyes…Sasuke's eyes accused, accused him of being the cause of it all.

"What part of what he said was not true; the part where he said you cleaned up my mess or the part where if you hadn't asked, dad would never have given me the opportunity in the first place?" Sasuke snapped at him, the spite and anger he was trying to restrain in his voice oozing in his words and unforgiving eyes.

Itachi was again rendered silent at the sheer magnitude of resentment, the all too familiar resentment that he had always seen burning in the depths of his brother's eyes, now fully unleashed.

He watched as so many questions, questions Itachi didn't wish to answer flashed through Sasuke's eyes as he glared at him.

But when they seemed too overwhelming, when they seemed to drive him to insanity Sasuke shut his eyes and shook his head, like he was shaking off the gnawing questions… so he could think…so he wouldn't forget to breathe.

"I did…I did exactly what he asked me to do…so why was dad angry at me?" Sasuke opened his eyes with a distant bewildered look in them like he was lost in a world of his tormenting thoughts. "He personally told me to crush Hyuga to her very soul before handing her over to me. So why was he angry when I was just following his orders? What did I do wrong?" Sasuke asked in genuine confusion, as if he was demanding answers from both Itachi and himself.

Itachi unconsciously narrowed his eyes as he silently took in his brother's words.

Then Sasuke finally looked up, his eyes finally darkening in focus to stare into his brother's soul.

"Is it because it is me… so I already failed before I even began?" The question made all the pain Sasuke felt hit Itachi so hard he felt every measure of it. But Sasuke was not done as his eyes turned sharp with accusation as he stared at his brother.

"Would it have been the same if it were you? If it were you, would dad have even attempted to hit and humiliate you in front of all those people?" Itachi heart broke when Sasuke's voice cracked at the end with so much pain.

He wanted to say something…to say anything to make his brother feel better, to even take away a little of the pain…to let his brother stop looking at him with so much spite and resentment which was crushing him…even for a moment… but there was nothing he could say.

All he could do was render nonverbal apologies with his eyes as he stared at his brother which was shot down with daggers of spite.

And then Sasuke tore his eyes from his brother to look at the ground as if it hurt to look at his brother as he let his shoulders fall in a defeated manner.

Itachi didn't know how long he could watch his brother like this.

There was a chilly wind of silence before Sasuke spoke again, his voice almost vulnerable like that of a child.

"Itachi…was my greatest crime against dad the fact that I am not you or that I was even born?"

At that question, Itachi physically flinched like he had been hit.

And then Itachi's aura turned dark, his face turned to stone and his eyes flashed red in anger surprising even Sasuke despite himself at this rare sight of his brother.

It reminded him of the same unusual sight and aura he had at their face-off in front of the elevators some days ago.

And then it was Itachi's turn to stare at his brother in the soul.

"Sasuke… don't you ever talk like that in my presence." Itachi's voice was ice and his eyes were fire as he gave that sound warning which could break spines and knock knees from the crippling intensity behind those words as the sheer amount of anger he was restraining could be clearly seen in his burning eyes, despite being said in a deceptively calm voice.

Sasuke felt the fear to obey his brother's words, but that fear instead made him angrier and broke whatever restraint he had been exercising to hold all that pent-up rage he was afraid would burn and consume his brother, himself and everything in its path.

That fear made him angry at himself and he let it all loose.

"Who the hell are you to fucking tell me not to talk like that, huh?!" Sasuke lashed out at his brother the first time in their confrontation, his whole body shaking with rage.

He glared at his brother like he wanted to set him on fire with his eyes.

His eyes turned even darker.

"What the fuck are you even doing here?" Sasuke paused to take huge gasps of air as he was panting, his immense anger taking up all the air in his lungs. But the more he stares at his brother's face, the angrier he got.

"Don't you need to be somewhere else fixing my mess like usual?!" Sasuke spat viciously at his brother.

But Itachi just stood there and took it all.

And it seemed to aggravate Sasuke even more.

But all of a sudden, he let out that dark and bitter chuckle of his like he had finally lost it.

He let his laughter die before he gave his brother a searing look.

"Do you know the funny thing? You are always and conveniently there when dad needs you or when you are needed to fix my mess…" and then his eyes turned raw with pain, pain not only from today but the pain from the past that had compounded over time, a very long time. "…but you are never there when I…when I need you the most so that I wouldn't…I wouldn't have to cause a mess you would have to fix."

A chilly wind of silence blew between the brothers as they stared each other.

A chilly wind blew from the past, a painful past that had scarred their once beautiful relationship with Sasuke words taking them back to the past with the memories playing in the each other's eyes as they watched. To the past when…

….

ooo

...

ooo

"Mum!…Mum!." 7 year old Sasuke frantically run the hallways of the Uchiha mansion in his pajamas in search of his mother. He had been looking for his mum everywhere since he woke up with the gift he made for her in hopes of being the first person to wish her happy birthday. But unfortunately, because he had stayed late in the night to finish the gift he was tired and had slept past the time he had intended to wake up.

He had gone to his parents' room first to check but both his mum and dad were not inside. He had gone to the kitchen next but she wasn't there. He went to the garden and found no sign of her and proceeded to search the whole house. The only places he didn't look was Itachi's room because he didn't want to disturb his nii san's sleep and his father's study which he was standing before its intimidating doors.

He was warned not to go in there because it wasn't a place for him to play but…

Sasuke rose his tiny shoulders up in bravery as he took a deep breath before knocking.

He didn't hear any response and after waiting a while and not getting any, he was about to knock again before he heard what sounded like a 'come in' from behind the door.

He stood on his toes to reach the knob to open the huge door before stumbling in.

The study was dark for that time of the day and it was because the curtains were kept closed and the only illumination was the persistent rays of light that were able to escape the curtains.

And behind the desk, Sasuke finally found his father facing the closed windows whiles he nursed a drink as he leaned back in his seat.

Sasuke tentatively stepped further into the room as he let his eyes roam still in search of his mothe-.

"What are you doing here Sasuke? Did I not tell you the study is not a place for you to play?"Fugaku's deep dark voice made Sasuke freeze where he stood startled at the suddenness of his father's question which made him struggle to gather his thoughts to speak.

"D-Dad I have been looking everywhere for mum to give her the gift I made for her birthday today, but I can't find her. Do you know where she is, dad?" Sasuke stuttered out his explanation as he unconsciously griped on the gift in his hands harder.

Then there was silence… an echoing silence and though it made a chill run down his spine, Sasuke later in life wished it had lasted forever…to save him from…

Sasuke watched as his father down all the hard liquor in the glass he was holding at once and he continued watched innocently as his father tried to keep a brave face as the liquor scorched him along its path down his throat.

And then he slowly turned to his son.

"Come here, Sasuke." Sasuke heard father beckon for him, in an uncharacteristically gentle voice.

Sasuke hesitated for a moment, afraid he was going to be punished for coming to the study without permission before he swallowed his fear and stumbled warily towards his father.

To ensure his safety, he stood behind his father huge desk in hopes that it could protect him in case his father had any ideas of having his head for breakfast.

He almost choked on his saliva when his father stood up and walked around his desk to him.

When Fugaku got in front of his son, he placed his hands on Sasuke's shoulders and bent down on both knees so he could be at eye level with him as if he was begging Sasuke for forgiveness which surprised him.

But the look on his father's face surprised Sasuke the more.

His usually stern and unemotional face had softened and for a moment it seems his father couldn't look him in the eye.

But after taking in a deep breath, Fugaku looked up into his son's eyes as if he of all people was apologizing to his son.

It confused Sasuke as he watched his father who looked as if he was at a loss of words and was trying to find the right words to tell hi-

"Your mother has left us, Sasuke. And she is not coming back." Fugaku finally said those words that were going to change Sasuke's life forever.

Little Sasuke could just stand there and stare at his father as his young mind tried to understand what he had just been told.

And Fugaku waited patiently for his son to understand.

"Where did she go?" Sasuke asked like he was about to set off to the location once his father gives it.

Fugaku closed his eyes as he schooled his face back to his emotionless mask.

"I don't know." Fugaku answered shortly before he opened his eyes with no soul in them.

"Then we can go look for her. Maybe she got lost and is waiting for us to come for her." Sasuke's young mind tried to reason, refusing with all his might that his mother, his beloved mother had gone forever. "We have to go find her da—"

"Sasuke!" The sudden boom of Fugaku's voice made Sasuke almost jump out of his skin with fear, instantly shutting him up as he stared at his father's stony face with huge frightened eyes.

"Your mother left us because she doesn't want us anymore, she doesn't want me, she doesn't want your brother and she doesn't want you!" Fugaku thundered coldly to let his words finally sink in for Sasuke.

Those words were what stabbed the painful reality into Sasuke's tender heart to finally understand the dreadful news his father had given him.

Sasuke at that young age had already realized their father favored Itachi over him and even though it hurt him, he found solace in the fact that his mother loved him and in her eyes he wasn't lesser than his brother.

And that was what made him smile through his father's neglect.

That was what made him be able to lift his head high even when those around him thought Itachi was the better brother.

She doesn't want you…

Those words made all those beautiful memories…those beautiful feelings he felt of being unconditionally loved…all become a lie.

Sasuke's little hands rubbed against his chest as he felt his heart squeeze painfully.

Being an energetic and adventurous child, Sasuke has had his fair share of painful injury from his escapades but never had he felt something hurt this much.

It hurt so much yet he couldn't see it, to get it treated.

And then he remembered how every time he got hurt his mother was always there to tend to his wounds with such love and care.

At that moment, the tears Sasuke didn't know had brimmed his eyes fell down in torrents as he broke down into inconsolable sobs.

"Why…Why did she leave? why did she leave when I haven't given her the birthday gift I made for her? Maybe if I had given her the gift earlier she wouldn't have left." Sasuke sob with so much pain and sadness, Fugaku had to look away. " it's all my faul_" Before he could finish that sentence Fugaku shook him roughly by the shoulders to literally shake sense into him.

"Look at me. Look at me Sasuke!" Fugaku ordered in that authoritative voice of his and even in his sad and confused state Sasuke still knew not to disobey his father's order.

He shakingly looked up into his father's hard unyielding eyes.

"It is not your fault. I never want to hear you say that again." Fugaku ordered sternly with Sasuke nodding despite the tears that continued to stream down his face.

Then Fugaku held him by the sides of his head so Sasuke could stare only into his eyes.

"And from now on, you must understand that you have no mother and you have to be a man." Fugaku declared to a 7-year-old Sasuke. Not giving his son time swallow his thorny words without coughing out blood, Fugaku continued. "Men do not cry. And most importantly you are an Uchiha. It is not Uchiha to show weakness. Stop the tears and wipe them away now." Fugaku commanded in finality.

Though little Sasuke was shaking with fear, though his young mind was muddled with confusion, though his heart was twisting in pain his chest, his shaky hands were already hurriedly wiping his tears away and he had already stopped crying before he knew it.

Though his throat was swollen painfully with the lump of screams, though his eyes stung with unshed tears, though his heart was swollen with so much pain, in his young tender mind, he reasoned that if he did as his father said, he wouldn't also leave him.

And as if to confirm his thoughts, when his father had watched him dry his tears away by himself, Fugaku for the first time gave Sasuke those rare proud small smiles he reserves for Itachi, with gently tap on his cheek.

"That's my boy." Sasuke felt his heavy heart lighten with happiness and hope with those words, those words he watched his father say to Itachi with such pride, those words he had always dreamt his father would tell him someday…

…finally

Finally, he said them to him.

The pride with which his father said it and how he looked at him warmed his heart.

And it made him feel like…his father wants him, even though he never showed it, his father wanted him all this while.

If I behave…

If I do as dad says…

If I make him proud like Itachi does…

He would show it to me.

And he would never leave me.

And at that age that was when Sasuke decided he would do whatever it took to earn his father approval, to earn his affection, to hear his father say

That's my boy

…again.

Sasuke was now in Itachi's room.

Itachi had been watching his little brother silently as the little boy stared too intently into space.

Itachi's eyebrows furrowed together in suspicion.

"Did dad tell you not to cry?" The suddenness of his question made Sasuke jump a bit before he looked up into Itachi's piercing gaze.

Itachi could see all the suffering Sasuke was going through and bottling up just watching him and it broke his heart.

Sasuke nodded meekly in reply as he stared at his shoes not wanting to let his brother see through him even more.

Itachi turned his head around as if he was inspecting his room.

"Well, dad is not here so you can cry if you want to." Itachi said as if in thought.

Sasuke shook his head vigorously and shut his eyes tightly.

"No! I-I don't want to cry. Men don't cry and an Uchiha doesn't show weakness!" Sasuke declared fiercely with his eyes still closed tightly and his fist clenched.

There was silence before…

flick!

"Ouch!" Sasuke squeaked out as he held the red spot on his forehead where Itachi had just poked with more force than he normally does, as he opened his eyes to glare at his brother.

Itachi gave him a cool reprimanding look.

"Who said I care about any of those?" Sasuke could only blink at his brother's words, trying to figure out if it was a rhetorical question or he wanted answers.

Then Itachi scooted in front of his little brother with a warm smile and a soft forlorn look in his eyes and it made the tears Sasuke was trying to hold back brim his eyes as he saw how their mother's departure had also affected his big brother though he was doing a good job keeping his composure.

And then Itachi reached out to tenderly hold his face.

"You don't have to be any of those in front of me Sasuke. In front of me, it's okay to cry as much as you want. It is okay to be the adorable 7-year old that you are even if the world doesn't want you to. I am your big brother and I would always be here for you… even if you need someone to hate."

And then before Sasuke could stop himself, his face flooded with the all the tears he had been trying to hold in all this while, reducing him into an inconsolable mess.

Then he felt the warmth of his brother's arms embrace him when with his father, he only received cold orders to suck it in and be a man.

Sasuke unconsciously gripped unto Itachi, as if he was afraid he might lose this warmth.

And then he remembered his brother's words:

I would always be here for you…

Those words reassure him that he didn't have to worry because at the end of the day the warmth his brother's presence and love would always be there to help him survive this cold world their mother left them in….

….

…..

A year later standing in the same room his brother had promised he would be there for him always was Sasuke in his brother's empty room, with everything of Itachi's gone as if he never lived in the room.

After running here like his life depended on it after his father broke the news to him

"Your brother is no more with us. He is not coming back anytime soon or he might never come back."

He ran as fast as he could like a mad man, thinking if he ran fast enough…if he got to his brother's room on time, all that his father said would turn out to be a lie.

Not knowing he was running faster towards the painful truth, another person he loved and trusted had left him, his beloved nii san had left him too, just like their mother did…

I will always be there for you

Sasuke stood in his brother's room as his heart broke to a million pieces

Sasuke began to feel cold unconsciously wrapping his hands around himself and then he remembered how his brother would have enveloped him in a warm embrace and comforted him if he were here.

He remembered how he thought his brother's love and warmth was going to be there for him forever to help him survive the cold of their mother's absence.

When he needed him the most….

His beloved nii san was nowhere to be found

he had abandoned him…just like their mother did…

….

ooo

...

ooo

The atmosphere between them had become thick, black and cold as unsettled dark feelings and emotions from the past flooded its way to the present to drown them both.

Anger, sorrow, resentment, guilt, bitterness, regret…

….

You betrayed me…

….

I'm sorry…

As they stared at each other naked without their perpetual masks of indifference, their eyes showed and said all the words that would crush their throats with its weight before it left their lips to be said.

Though they could see the conflicting feelings the other was feeling in their eyes, there was one emotion that resonated between them.

Pain.

They were both going through so much pain.

It hurt to look into each other's eyes so much, yet they didn't move their eyes.

Itachi had so much to say, but the weight of his guilt, crushed his throat to silence him.

And the more Sasuke stared into his brother's guilt-ridden eyes, the more he felt his 7-year-old self try to surface, to try and understand his nii san.

His 7-year-old self who even after his brother had left him, had ran away from home to try and find him.

"…Why?" Sasuke's raw and coarse voice cut through the tension-filled air like a spear to Itachi.

Even with just a word said, they both knew the unsaid words and questions that they had both dodged for all these years.

Why did you leave me?

Even in his distraught state, Sasuke found himself standing there looking expectantly at his older brother, for answers…and any answer that could stop his lungs from collapsing into itself with pain, an answer that could stop his heart from bleeding, an answer that could stop the pain from devouring his soul whole…

I'm sorry…but you would not understand

But Itachi just stood there in silence and with one look in his brother's eyes, Sasuke felt that little hope he had built fall to million pieces along with what was left of his heart.

I'm sorry …but you would not understand

Itachi said with his eyes, unable to bring himself to say it with his mouth, as it gutted him to disappoint Sasuke yet again.

The jolt of pain that those words hit Sasuke made him dizzy at how all the sorrow, the disappointment, and rage hit him all at once.

His body began to quake as his anatomy couldn't take anymore.

With one look, one look of pure disdain that he watched shoot a hole right in his brother's chest where his heart used to be, Sasuke turned so he doesn't completely fall apart in front of Itachi especially after what just happened.

He took one shaky breath to fill his impoverish lungs enough for him to…

"I forbid you from following me or showing up in front of me because just looking at you… makes me sick." and with those chilling and searing words, Sasuke forced his heavy legs to move as he dragged lifeless body towards his car and walk away from his brother.

With every step he watched his little brother take towards his car, Itachi felt himself die a little more inside. Everything was screaming inside him to call Sasuke back, but the lump in his throat would not let them come out.

He felt something kick him in his gut as Sasuke turned the engine on as he cursed his helplessness.

A crazy part of him told him to stand in Sasuke's path to prevent him from leaving as Sasuke was making his way out, but his body would not move.

So, he watched helplessly as Sasuke coldly drove past him, not sparing him a glance.

As the dust settled in the wake of Sasuke's departure, Itachi still couldn't move as his whole body was ridden with pain, a pain that was very familiar.

A pain he remembered when his beloved brother had walked away from him without a single glance like he was a stranger when he came back after he had left.

A pain that had left a scar that was bleeding again…

I'm sorry Sasuke…you would not understand…

Itachi schooled his face back to his emotionless mask as he turned to make his way back.

…but it is for the best

…

Back at the dining area, the atmosphere was charged as both Rasa and Fugaku stared at each other as the others sat in tense silence.

However, though Fugaku didn't show it, he didn't feel comfortable with the manner with which Rasa was staring at him. He noticed the change in the look in Rasa's eyes after his confrontation with Sasuke.

Rasa was looking at him like he had seen something strange concerning him no one had noticed including even him Fugaku. What gnawed on Fugaku's nerves was he couldn't pinpoint what it was. So, his piercing eyes continuing to search Rasa's eyes to see if he could find a glimpse of what he was looking for….

Did Fugaku protect Hinata because of Ama san?

Rasa was still trying to get over his surprise at what he had seen.

The only times he remembered the ever composed Fugaku getting so angry in public to get even physical always had a connection with Ama.

Does he even realize this?

Does he even realize his outburst may be due to the fact that despite himself, he was unconsciously protecting Hinata because she is Ama san's daughter?

But as Rasa looked at his old friend, he saw he hadn't realized this yet.

Rasa tore his eyes from Fugaku to fall on Hinata who quickly averted her eyes to stare at anything but him.

Something passed through his eyes as he silently stared at her for some time before he turned his eyes back to Fugaku to speak.

"Since dinner is done and Hinata's services would not be required, I would be taking her with me." Rasa declared in a commanding tone making Fugaku's eyes instantly sharpen at this.

"What do you mean by you are taking her with you? Dinner may be done, but she still works for me. She would only be done when I say so." Fugaku countered territorially, annoyed that Rasa was questioning his authority especially in front of everyone.

Fugaku repeating the fact that Hinata works for the Uchihas seemed to reignite Rasa's anger as his face darkened.

"Since we are all here do you want us to delve into that matter now, why you nicodemously coerced our former late chairman's daughter into working for you without our consent? Do you want to explain why such work entails her working as a waitress for a dinner designed for the shareholders of her late father's company? Are we to sit here and continue enduring such insults to our faces and to watch the person supposed to represent us when her late father is not around, is being disrespected like this? Are we to assume you brought us here in the guise of dinner to humiliate us like this?"

And with those carefully crafted words, Rasa ruffled the feathers of the shareholders as they began to stand up with unpleasant looks on their faces as they glared at Fugaku with a few even leaving in a huff.

Fugaku could just glare at Rasa without a word as he saw how Rasa had turned the situation against him and there was nothing he could do.

Holding his old friend's fiery gaze with his, Rasa walked towards Fugaku only stopping when he was right in front of him.

In a voice low enough so only Fugaku could hear and in a tone that could cause frostbite, Rasa asked.

"Are you going to let Hinata come with me or you would like to cause another scene?"

Fugaku gave Rasa the dirtiest look he could muster as he tried to keep his rage trembling in his clenched fists.

Rasa knew how Fugaku hated causing scenes to keep a perfect image and after making a slip earlier with his son, Rasa knew he was not going to let another one happen the same night even if it kills him.

And Rasa watched with a triumphant glint in his eyes as it killed Fugaku to lose their little power struggle in front of everyone.

Rasa didn't need to hear it from Fugaku that Hinata was free to go as he knew his friend was too proud to verbally admit defeat.

Rasa turned his eyes to Hinata.

"Let's go home, Hinata." Rasa said not hiding the triumph in his voice.

Hinata stood there for a moment and let her uncertain eyes wander to Fugaku's back to wait for any resistance from him…but it was just cold silence.

As if seeing she needed a push, she felt something warm envelope her arms and shoulders and looked up to see Gaara and Temari beside her with Gaara's tuxedo over her shoulders.

"C' mon my feet are killing me, let's go." Temari groaned as she hooked Hinata's arm with hers not waiting for her response, with Gaara trailing silently behind them with his hands in his pockets.

Before Rasa turned to leave with everyone else, he gave Fugaku one last look.

"We would continue this in your office on Monday." Then the look on Rasa's face turned to worry as he saw his old friend wasn't handling things well. "Have a good night Fugaku." He said with concern before he turned to leave with everyone else, leaving Fugaku.

But before they could leave…

"I would be expecting you at work on Monday morning, Hyuga Hinata." Fugaku stated out loud in his hard, commanding tone making everyone freeze wherever they were, to reestablish his power and not let Rasa outdo him.

But before Hinata could have a chance to reply Rasa turned to him to address him.

"Don't worry, I would make sure of that but be expecting me also at your office Monday morning." Rasa's reply made Fugaku's face darken as he glared at him.

"No problem. I would make arrangements towards your visit." Fugaku replied coolly to appear unaffected as his eyes kept throwing daggers at Rasa.

"Good. Then I would look forward to it." Rasa also replied in a similar tone, his eyes shooting icicles between Fugaku's eyes.

"Likewise."

"Goodnight Fugaku."

"Goodnight Rasa."

And with those synthetic and frosty farewells, Rasa turned and left with everyone else, leaving Fugaku behind with the untouched food he had prepared for them and with his burning anger which could set it all on fire to the ground

….

Making their way out, Rasa lead the way with brisk heated steps whiles Hinata purposefully trailed behind to make sure she was the farthest away from the group especially Rasa because she couldn't bring herself to look at of them in the face after what had transpired earlier.

Even though they surprised her by standing up for her and her father, it made her feel guiltier for not being honest with them.

She didn't want them to find out she was working for the Uchihas like this.

For the shareholders, she was still disappointed in them for quickly switching sides to the Uchiha and didn't trust them to tell them any time soon.

But for Rasa…her godfather…

she raised her head bit and just the sight of his back made her head dip low and her eyes shoot to the floor with the crushing weight of guilt that fell on her head.

She should have told him about all this a long time ago.

But she was waiting for the right time and to figure the right way to tell him...

But it never came… or to be exact she didn't because she feared how he would take it, because it would feel like telling her own dad.

After her father's death and all the hell she had gone through and feeling there was no one there to help she and Hanabi after their family had abandoned them, seeing the Sabakus especially her godfather, gave her the comfort and security of a father she had been unconsciously yearning for throughout this ordeal.

Having him around felt like having her father, Hiashi around with them.

So, the thought of seeing a look of disappointment on his face was like having to see that look of disappointment she dreaded from the past appear on her own father's face again which made her fear ever potent.

It made her feel like the little girl who could never be good enough for her father.

Hinata gasped in surprise when she suddenly felt an arm fall over her shoulders.

She looked up to see Temari giving her a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry Hina chan. He is just upset you didn't tell him first. You know how overprotective he can get." Temari reassured her giving her shoulder a comforting squeeze.

Then her green eyes glint with mischief with a smirk to match.

"But I must say that was some badass move there, Hina. I didn't know you had it in you." She said cooed connivingly.

Hinata couldn't help the blush from ripening her cheeks at the compliment.

"N-Nee san." She protested bashfully and Temari couldn't help but giggle at how cute this woman she had grown to love as a little sister was.

Hinata looked up to give Temari a grateful smile as her compliment made her feel better as intended.

She gave her a hug which Hinata immediately and happily returned.

"It's been such a long time Hina. I miss you so much." Temari moaned out as she continued to hug Hinata.

"I miss you more, nee-san." Hinata cooed in response.

They reluctantly tore away from each other to take a good look at each other after a long time.

Hinata couldn't help but look at Temari with admiration, the same admiration she has had for her since they were young.

Hinata looked at the stunning tall woman before her with her wild sandy blonde mane tamed into a bun, her beautiful champagne-colored gown accentuating her amazing figure and her breathtaking emerald eyes shimmering in her gorgeous face.

Hinata couldn't help but admire her beauty.

What made her at awe at Temari's beauty was how it was not conventional making her unique and stand out.

Growing up she had always looked up to Temari as the big sister she had always wanted, and she admired Temari a lot. She admired Temari for her confidence, strength, intelligence, and beauty and always wanted to be like her.

Hinata was surprised to see her at the table, and she could also see the surprise on Temari's face at the sight and manner Hinata had appeared at dinner.

But despite the chaos, Hinata was happy to see her and have her back.

"You look so beautiful nee-san." Hinata couldn't help but gush out loud her thoughts.

Temari shrugged it off with an amused smile.

"And you are rocking your get up unapologetically." Temari sang.

Hinata instantly blushed in embarrassment.

"Nee-san, stop teasing."

Temari gave Hinata a scolding look.

"C' mon Hina, don't do that. Do you know the number of women would die to have a face and body like yours, not to even talk of the men drooling after you? You are a very gorgeous woman and makes everything you wear look stunning." Temari reprimanded her making Hinata feel like a little girl.

This was not the first time Temari has talked about how beautiful Hinata was and has been crusading it since they were young especially when Hinata voices out how she didn't believe she was pretty.

Even though she didn't feel it was true most at times especially when growing up, it made her happy coming from Temari, someone she admired so much.

Temari put her hand back around Hinata's shoulder to move them to walk towards the exit with Hinata also encircling her arm around Temari's waist.

Hinata felt the heaviness and tension she was feeling dissipate to enjoy the warmth and comfort of Temar-

Hinata almost felt her heart hit the back her throat when she saw Itachi walking towards them when she lifted her eyes to look forward.

Her whole body felt cold at the thought of him having to confront every shareholder including Rasa, fearing their reaction after what had just ensued.

Her eyes immediately moved to Rasa in alarm wondering how he would react when he and Itachi meet after what had happened.

Her eyes moved to back to Itachi and she watched how with every shareholder he met, he made sure he gave a respectful bow in an apology of what had happened.

Her heart sank at how he had to go through all this, taking responsibility for what had happened though it was not his fault.

It made her heart sink even more, when she thought of what he must be going through from how worried he looked when he went after Sasuke.

It made her even more worried with every step he got closer to them especially to Rasa, who had already stopped in his steps at the sight of Itachi to wait for him. It was inevitable Itachi would have to confront Rasa, which Hinata dreaded knowing Rasa was still angry at what had transpired.

She dreaded he would channel his anger at what Sasuke had done unto Itachi, which made Hinata's heart clench fear.

Because…despite everything, she didn't want to see Itachi get hurt.

Hinata wished she could turn the other way and escape all this, but Temari had already moved them to stand behind Rasa along with Gaara to also wait for Itachi to get to them.

Her heart thundered in her chest with every step Itachi got closer to them, her body now quaking to move to stand between Itachi and the Sabukus to shield him from any hostility in the means of protecting and defending her.

But all she could do was watch as despite the obvious iciness channeled towards his direction, especially from Rasa, Itachi steadily walked towards them until he was finally in front of them.

As soon as he got in front of them, he faced Rasa and gave a deep bow taking Rasa aback a bit.

"Sabaku sama…

And then he stood upright and move to the side to face Hinata and before she had the chance to jump in surprise, he gave her a deep bow, shocking everyone, especially Rasa.

"…Hyuga san… I would like to sincerely apologize on behalf of my family for what happened this evening and especially my younger brother for his actions, especially towards you, Hyuga san. I'm afraid my younger brother is young and prone to such unfortunate shortcomings, and I ask with all humility and hope that you wouldn't hold this against him as these are mistakes he would surely learn from and not repeat again."

For a long minute, there was silence after Itachi spoke at the shock of how sincere his words were. So sincere it melted any ice walls and spears of hostility they had made ready to shut him out and attack him with.

Rasa looked at the young man still remaining bowed towards Hinata, a Hyuga with an unreadable look in his dark eyes.

He was still in shock at how Itachi, who he was sure Fugaku had intensively educated him on hating Hyugas like it was his birthright, without any ounce of hesitation bowed deeply to Hinata, his mortal enemy from the time they were born, and apologize to her so sincerely.

Never had he seen this from an Uchiha, never had he seen this from a Hyuga.

Before he knew it, his hand had moved to Itachi's shoulders to gently move him to stand upright.

"You can stand now, son." Rasa said with some warmth despite himself, with a look of surprise flashing through Itachi's eyes at this as he stood up to face him.

"Thank you, sir." Itachi replied with meaning.

"Hmm, you said your younger brother is young which makes him prone to mistakes…" Temari suddenly spoke up from behind turning their attention to them.

She let her green smoldering eyes take a long trip up and down Itachi's form that made Hinata unconsciously blink at her owlishly and her face harden.

Temari finally stopped at his face to hold his eyes with her piercing ones.

"…You are also young but you seem to have your head screwed right." She pointed out to challenge Itachi's excuse for Sasuke's behavior.

Itachi turned to her and gave a slight nod in gratitude.

"Thank you, but you must understand I have more years of experience ahead of him." Itachi countered politely.

Temari's eyes glint with mischief as a sexy smirk stretched her lips.

"Is this said experience only work-related?"

Hinata at that moment suddenly felt something get stuck in her throat causing her to cough uncontrollably making everyone around turn to her with concern.

When Temari saw how red her cheeks had become, she started to chuckle as she rubbed Hinata's back soothingly.

"Ooooh, Hina you are such a naughty girl. Have also finally started getting some experience like Uchiha san here?" Temari teased innocently.

But the accuracy of her innocent joke made the Hinata's blood draw backward in her veins. She unconsciously looked up to see Itachi looking at her, and when she looked at his eyes she saw Temari's words had also taken his mind back to when they were together at their lake house.

Hinata started coughing and wheezing uncontrollably again as her face turned red guiltily.

"Temari..." Rasa reprimanded.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." She apologized with a giggle before turning to Hinata with concern.

"There is some water in the car. Let's go get you some." Temari said to Hinata as she gently put her hands around her waist to gently guide her on their way out.

Before leaving she turned to the men to address them.

"Please excuse us." And with one last look at Itachi, she turned and left with Hinata.

As they watched the women leave, Rasa turned his curious eyes back to Itachi.

"You know your father would not be happy to see you an Uchiha bow his head to a Hyuga, Itachi kun." Rasa pointed out, turning Itachi's attention to him.

Itachi nodded as if he was pondering on Rasa's words before he spoke.

"Sir, I also think my father would not be pleased if I put the Uchiha name into disrepute with lack of manners or decorum." Itachi replied politely.

Rasa looked at Itachi for a long minute before he finally spoke.

"Though I think it is still proper for your brother to be apologizing himself for what he pulled today especially to Hinata, I can let it go because of the sincerity and humility with which you gave your apology, and even looking beyond the bad blood between your families to do same with Hinata." Rasa said with Gaara looking at him with mild surprise at how much admiration he could hear in his voice for Itachi.

Then Rasa eyes turned cold again.

"However, what I cannot let go off is your family going behind my back to get Hinata to work for the Uchihas. I would be coming over on Monday to settle this." He declared stonily.

Itachi nodded.

"We would be looking forward to seeing you then, Rasa sama."

"Good. We will be taking our leave then." Rasa bid farewell and Itachi nodded in response as they walk past.

He also turned and started when suddenly…

"One last thing, Itachi kun." Rasa spoke up from behind him, making Itachi stop to turn to the man.

"Your brother may be young but he is still a full-grown man and should take responsibility for his actions and mistakes in order to learn from them and not repeat them. If you continue to fix his messes and take responsibility for his actions, he would never learn and not be able to do so on his own when you aren't around to do that for him. Goodnight, Itachi kun." And with those heavy words of advice, Rasa turned around and left with Gaara beside him without seeing the shadow that fell on Itachi's face at his words before he also turned and slowly made his way back to the dining area.

….

"I hope you don't mind I got some tea for you, Fugaku sama." Yoshino said as she placed a cup of tea before Fugaku, her voice bringing him back from his deep thoughts.

He looked up at her as if only realizing she was still there.

"Thank you, Yoshino." He said before he scowled in annoyance.

"That good for nothing can't seem to do anything right. How could he just run off and leave his date like some uncultured bum?" Fugaku spat in disdain at his son, making even Yoshino flinch slightly at the sharpness of his words.

"Sasuke already asked me to take Yoshino home." Itachi announced as he joined them giving Fugaku an icy stare.

Yoshino blinked at Itachi, pleasantly surprised Itachi came back for her.

"Oh, I need to use the restroom shortly." She said and Itachi just nodded in response his eyes still glaring at his father as Fugaku also gave Itachi a dark look.

Sensing the tension, Yoshino quickly left so as not to get caught in the crossfire.

"How long…How long are you going to keep on cleaning up Sasuke's mess?" Fugaku ground out in aggravation.

Itachi's stare got icier at his words.

"And how long are you going to continue pushing him towards those messes?" Itachi bit back, his voice sounding like his patience was running thin.

Fugaku was aghast at Itachi's words.

"Are you now trying to blame me fo-"

"Ah, Yoshino you are back. Are you ready to go now?" Itachi cut Fugaku's outburst by announcing Yoshino return.

"Yes, Uchiha san." She replied as she hesitantly got closer, feeling she had interrupted something at the palpable tension between the two men."

"Shall we?" Itachi gestured for her to lead the way.

She nodded and before leaving she turned to Fugaku.

"Goodnight, Uchiha sama." She said politely.

"Hn." He simply replied with a nod, looking like he was going to spit fire if he opened his mouth.

And with that, both Yoshino and Itachi left, leaving Fugaku with his cup of tea.

"I need something stronger." He grunted after staring down at the said cup of tea.

….

"Young lady, you are coming with me. We need to have a long talk" Rasa declared sternly to Hinata after he and Gaara had joined her and Temari at the car park.

"C' mon dad, don't be too hard on her. I'm sure she has her reasons." Temari said to soothe the situation.

"Which I would gladly listen to during our long talk. I just hope they are good enough to justify all this." Rasa replied unyieldingly, making Temari let out a sigh.

Rasa opened the door to the car he came with to beckon Hinata to come.

Hinata reluctantly walked towards him, not looking forward to their car ride together.

Before she got to Rasa, Gaara walked to her to have a quick talk with her.

"Hey, don't worry. He cares that's why he is this upset. Just be upfront and tell him the truth everything, alright?" Gaara said, giving her a reassuring look.

Hinata nodded feeling her nervousness wane a bit with his advice.

"Thanks, Gaara nii san." She said before walking ahead towards Rasa.

Hinata abruptly stopped and froze at the sight of Yoshino and Itachi walking to the parking lot towards his car.

She felt fear grip her heart as she watched them, unable to deny how great they looked together.

She felt dizzy with all her whirling emotions hitting her at once.

"Are you ok, Hinata?" Rasa asked with concern at how pale her face had suddenly become.

"Y-Yes I'm fine, Uncle Rasa." She quickly replied, glad that he hadn't noticed Itachi presence and that Temari and Gaara were already in their car to notice too.

Though she knew she was hurting herself, she found her eyes moving back to where she saw Itachi, to find him opening the door Yoshino, and the stunning smile she gave him in response.

She hated herself for letting such a simple gesture break her heart like this.

She hated herself for asking why Itachi had to take Yoshino home.

She hated herself for wishing Yoshino wouldn't smile at Itachi like that.

She hated how petty and jealous she felt towards Yoshino after how kind she had been to her.

Not wanting to stoop lower than she already had, Hinata quietly sat in the car with a gaping hole in her heart.

…

There is something off with her. Rasa could tell there was something going on with Hinata apart from the fact that she was worried about the talk they are about to have and his reaction, even though she tried to hide it.

But since it looked like she didn't want to talk about it, he decided not to push it and go straight to the matter at hand.

"How long have you been working for the Uchihas?" His question seemed to bring her back to the car with him, the suddenness almost making her jump from her skin.

Hinata blinked at him in confusion at first as if to catch her bearings before it finally dawned on her they were having the talk she dreaded.

Not able to look him in the eye and answer, she cast her eyes down to look at the floor of the car.

" A-About a month." She stuttered in a low voice.

But Rasa's sharp ears heard it.

Rasa stared at her in disbelief

"A whole month?! You had been working with the Uchihas for a whole month and you didn't tell me anything, Hinata?"

"Godfather…" Hinata let out weakly

"Has all that happened with the Hyuga elders made you lose your trust in me as your godfather too?" Hinata felt the hurt in her godfather's words and it broke her heart to make him feel this way.

"I'm so sorry for putting you in this position, godfather and it is not for lack of confidence that prevented me from telling you about working for the Uchihas. I really wanted to tell you but I feared you wouldn't take it well that's why I hesitated." Hinata explained earnestly to Rasa to reassure his doubts.

"Of course, I wouldn't take it well, Hinata. You are well aware of the great animosity between your families and the Uchihas are going to use the power they have now to make you taste every bit of their hatred for your family as we just witnessed. Do you realize they have got you where they want and can crush you as they wish?" Rasa stated with worry in his voice.

But Hinata looked into his eyes with steely determination in them.

"I am aware, godfather. But there is a reason why I took that risk." Hinata said making Rasa raise an eyebrow at her.

"A reason? And what could that be?" Rasa asked with skepticism in his voice.

Hinata held her godfather's eyes for him to see the determination and seriousness behind every word she was about to speak.

"I am working with the Uchihas to find out how my father died and what really made him sign that contract in order to take back what belongs to my father."

Rasa sat back in surprise at Hinata's words and the amount of determination behind them.

Never had he seen Hinata like this before.

He had always seen her as a timid meek child who needed to be protected.

He had never expected to see this much fire, this confidence, and determination from her.

For a moment, he was rendered speechless in awe at this sight of his goddaughter.

He didn't realize when she had grown into a full-grown woman who could take initiatives of her own and take care of herself.

But something she said made him curious.

"Do you suspect some sort of foul play in your father's death?" Rasa asked, his tone getting more serious.

Hinata's eyes darkened at this.

"The whole story doesn't add up. My father would never jeopardize the lives of the people he cares about and the hard work he had put to into the Hyuga empire by signing that contract and yes though father had heart problems, he managed it well and for him suddenly have a cardiac arrest and to have died from it, he must have gone through something traumatic." Hinata elaborated passionately unable to hide her burning emotions.

Her words struck a chord in Rasa, taking his mind to Fugaku.

Fugaku…are you really capable….?

He stopped himself before he finished that thought.

He looked down and saw Hinata's hands shaking.

He took them in his larger warm ones and gave them a reassuring squeeze.

"Hinata I am proud of you for being this brave and courageous after all the troubles you have faced all alone and still being this determined to uncover your father's death despite the high risk involved. But you must also be able to recognize when you need help. You know the Uchihas are not an easy target, right?"

Hinata nodded.

"Yes, godfather." Hinata answered.

"So, you would need all the help you can get and we are here for you. I am here for you, alright?" Rasa said sincerely, warming Hinata's heart.

"Thank you, godfather." Hinata said with emotion.

"Don't mention it. I'm sure your father would have been proud just as I am to see the brave young woman you have grown to become."

At those words, Hinata felt her heart was going burst with happiness and her previous feelings of doubts and insecurities disappear. Her eyes glazed with tears of joy, trying to hold the waterworks in to keep up a strong front.

Unable to speak because of the lump in her throat she looked at Rasa with gratitude to say her sincere thanks.

Rasa gave her a rare warm smile in return, glad to see the shadow he had in her eyes before disappearing with the light shining in them.

…..

Uchiha san…

Yoshino couldn't help but worry about Sasuke after what had happened.

She had never seen him like this…so raw with anger…and pain especially after how harshly his father spoke to him.

Even though what he did to Hinata was awfully wrong it was hard to watch as his father ripped him apart in front of everyone.

For someone as prideful as Sasuke, she could only imagine how he must be feeling at being humiliated like that.

She felt bad for him and wished there was a way she could help but all she could do was hope wherever he was he was ok and hope wouldn't do anything reckless.

Yoshino's green eyes like they had a mind of their own sent a worried glance at Itachi for the umpteenth time.

After he asked her for the directions to her place, he had become awfully quiet during the car ride, not even turning to her even once to acknowledge her presence, like he was alone in the car.

It had been like this for 20 minutes.

Though his face looked serene, she knew he must be worried sick about Sasuke. She witnessed how upset he was at his father at his outburst at Sasuke and was surprised he hadn't already taken to the streets to look for him but was instead taking her home.

It made her feel bad that she was the reason preventing him from what he ought to do.

She wanted to speak but was hesitant because she wasn't sure of her words would get past his icy wall of silence to reach him.

She took in an inaudible breath.

"…Uchiha san." She beckoned to him which seemed to finally bring his attention back to the car with her and realize her presence, finally giving a glance in her direction.

"Hn?" he questioned his eyes back on the road.

After a moment of hesitation, Yoshino spoke again.

"I was thinking we could look for Uchiha san, and since we are two we can split up to increase our chances of finding him." Yoshino suggested.

There was a moment of silence as if he was mulling over her words before he finally spoke.

"…I think we should give him his space for tonight. But thank you for your concern, Yoshino, even after everything that has transpired." He said giving her a quick look of gratitude.

"You are welcome, Uchiha san." Yoshino replied.

And then they fell into silence again, much to Yoshino's chagrin, not knowing how to break the ice again or what would even be appropriate to talk about after what had happened.

As if sensing her dilemma, Itachi suddenly spoke.

"Yoshino, I would like to apologize for how the night went and how your date got ruined as a result." Itachi said with his eyes not moving from the road.

Yoshino couldn't help but lift an elegant eyebrow at him.

"Uchiha san, I wasn't on a date with your brother. I was keeping my promise with him fo-"

Before she could finish her explanation, she heard Itachi chuckle a bit under his breath making her stop in surprise.

"Yoshino, you do not have to explain yourself to me." He said, as a matter of fact, giving her a quick look with slight amusement in his eyes.

But this didn't deter Yoshino from wanting to set things straight.

"I understand that, sir. But I just want the facts to be made clear." Yoshino replied.

A ghost of a smile flashed upon his lips before he spoke again.

"It seems the facts from both sides are clear though conflicting, like Sasuke believing it's a date and you saying otherwise." Itachi pointed out, amusement woven in his words.

"Well, whatever the facts may be, it is just this once and no more." Yoshino insisted.

This time Itachi couldn't hide his amused half-smile.

"Again, you don't have to explain yourself, Yoshino." Itachi said with a slightly teasing tone to his voice.

Yoshino couldn't help the small smile that graced her lips, glad that the ice around him was melting.

"I think there is a need to so as to prevent any misunderstandings." Yoshino responded with equal light.

There was a pause before Itachi spoke again.

"Yoshino, if you are worried about my thoughts as your boss, you shouldn't be because your personal life is your business and none of mine as long as it doesn't affect your work." Itachi said to reassure her, this time without the teasing tone to show his seriousness.

But instead of reassuring her, his words gave her a sinking feeling inside as she forced a grateful smile on her face.

She turned to stare out the window in silence. The more she stared at him the more she felt her chest tighten uncomfortably. She was afraid she would give away her disappointment and …

What of your thoughts as a man? Have you…Have you ever wonder about m-

She stopped herself immediately so as not to get carried away because...

…you are just going to hurt yourself like how you are already feeling if you get greedy.

He is your boss, and he is just being a gentleman. Be content with that, Yoshino.

…..

In the darkness of his study, Fugaku mooned over the night's unfortunate events with a glass of hard liquor at his lips for a long sip.

But the darkness of his surroundings didn't hold a candle to the darkness inside fueled by the volcanic anger he had been holding inside.

However, the burn of the liquor could not fizzle out the anger still alive inside.

Fugaku didn't understand.

Why Sasuke couldn't be like Itachi.

Tonight, was supposed to be perfect. Tonight, was when he would completely win the shareholders to his side and complete the takeover… but you had to ruin everything like you always do, Sasuke.

Why do you have to ruin everything, Sasuke …why do you have to ruin everything that's supposed to be perfect…just like your mother?

The thought of the mother of his kids made him down all the contents of his glass and refill it.

The woman who ruins everything for him…

Fugaku let himself fall back in his seat in puzzlement.

He didn't understand…

Why do I continue paying for your sins, when you are the sinner here, Mikoto?

It was like life always had it for him and always played a cruel trick on him.

First, it was finding out that his perfect heir was having an affair with Hiashi's daughter after he thought he had finally had his revenge on Hiashi after all Hiashi had done to ruin his life and now Sasuke had jeopardized the completion of the takeover like he always does, just like his mother who also took a part in ruining his life.

After these people had hurt him so much, after how much they had sinned against him…he was still paying for their sins.

After they ripped the happiness right from his very hands and took the light out of his life to plunge him in the darkness he has been living all this time…he…they…

What did I ever do wrong?

What was my sin to deserve all this?

Those are questions he had been trying to get answers to all these years but has failed to.

He downed all the contents in his glass again, not moved by how it scorched his throat and chest.

When am I going to finally be happy?

He chuckled darkly the next second finding that thought childish.

Did I even feel a glimpse of it when Hiashi signed those papers?

It had been so long but he knew what it felt to be happy…because there was a time when he too was happy…

When he had light in his life, when he could look forward to every day...because every day he could look forward to her smile…that dazzling smile she reserved for him alone…and how she looked at him and made happiness erupt from inside him.

And then he remembered the day she started to smile and look at the very man who snatched all the things that made him happy, the way she did to him, the very day he lost his light and his reason to smile and was plunged in perpetual darkness…

Because the person he loved the most, the person he trusted, betrayed him by falling in love with the monster who ruined their lives…when she promised him she would not.

Because she became the devil's woman, physically, mentally and emotionally.

She even went ahead and bore his kids even if it killed her, leaving him alone in this hell called earth without her.

She betrayed him too. What she did was unforgivable.

Falling in love with Hyuga Hiashi ruined his life.

She had sinned against him too. She was like Hiashi and Mikoto.

Fugaku's eyes flashed red with vengeance as the darkness completely consumed him.

They were…They were all unforgivable.

…..

Hinata leaned her exhausted body on her bedroom door to close it once she entered after checking on a sleeping Hanabi.

She knew Hanabi was going to be disappointed in the morning when she is told Temari let Gaara drive her here with Hinata and her father just to see her but she was asleep.

She looked at the clothes they bought for her to change out of her waitress outfit to keep Hanabi in the dark about the night's events and everything connected to it.

I guess we didn't need it in the end after all. Hinata thought, feeling bad they had to waste money for nothing.

She didn't know she was this tired till she saw her bed and wanted to fall on it and sleep at that very moment but her mind was very awake with the thunderstorm that happened tonight with her in the eye of it all.

She was still in shock at all that had happened and was still trying to take it all in.

Hinata didn't expect the night to turn out like this.

Yes, she expected her godfather not to be happy when he saw her as a waitress…but never in a million years did she expect Uchiha Fugaku to blow up like that and tear Sasuke apart in front of everyone like that.

Hinata saw Uchiha Fugaku as a very composed man so she was shocked and puzzled he would go to such an extent that he was even at the brink of getting physical with his own son in public.

If anything, she thought he would hold it in and deal with his son privately, just like her father did.

Hinata thought Fugaku went too far.

Anyone would see this and think that it is karma that turned the tables on Sasuke and she should be happy and feel justified at what had happened to him.

Hinata tore herself from the door to start undressing.

But she just couldn't bring herself to feel happy about the whole situation.

Especially after their eyes met just before he fled off and she saw how he was just seconds from breaking down in front of all of them.

In that moment when their eyes met she saw immense pain that resonated with her pain as a little girl who was never good enough in the eyes of her father and her family.

In that moment, that little girl seemed to be staring at her reflection when she looked into Sasuke's eyes to see a young broken boy who just wants his father's approval.

Staring into Sasuke's eyes was like staring into her own wounds from the past being ripped open for her to watch as they bled.

There was so much anger, there was so much bitterness, there was so much pain it broke something in her.

It was just too much for one person to bear…that it made her want to reach out and help.

Even if it is just a little… just to ease the pain enough for him to breathe.

Because she knew how suffocating that all too familiar pain was, especially when it seems like there is no one to help you and you are alone with this overwhelming pain.

It is like standing in quicksand, it keeps sucking you in and you keep going down the more you struggle…

You try to reach out for help but there is no one to hold unto…there is no one to pull you out

You keep falling all alone and even as you scream at the top of lungs for help, no one can hear you calling as you are completely sucked whole in to an abyss where you keep on falling and falling, deeper and deeper without no end into self-destruction.

Remembering her dark memories of when there was no sunshine, made a shiver run up her spine.

It made her worried…very worried about Sasuke knowing how he is all alone at God knows where with all that pain.

Especially with how she saw how he had shut Itachi out, the very person who helped pull her out of her quicksand.

Hinata felt her heart twist painfully at the thought as she sat in front of her mirror in her undies. She stared at her reflection, a bit taken aback at how much the whole situation had affected her, the amount of sorrow that glazed her eyes surprising her.

From where she stood, Sasuke had no one to pull him out of his misery.

Especially now when he needed it the most, after what his own father did to him. She turned to the side unable to watch the sadness in her eyes grow only for her eyes to fall on her mother's picture on her dresser.

Hinata remembered how the world was a warm place when her mother was alive. So warm she saw how her father used to smile more often. After she died, the whole world became cold especially her father whose smile seemed to have died with her mother.

Hinata titled her head to the side a bit in thought.

She wondered where Itachi and Sasuke's mother could be.

The last Hinata heard of her was that she left and no one had heard or knew where she was.

That was almost ten years ago.

Hinata remembered how when one time their mother came up in a conversation she was having with Itachi.

Hinata remembered vividly how every emotion seemed to drain from Itachi's face in that moment.

He just flatly replied "She left" and Hinata didn't probe further because she could tell he didn't want to talk about it.

She decided that she would wait for when he is ready and comfortable enough to want to speak about the topic.

It seems he was never ready because they never spoke about her again.

It made her wonder if her absence and leaving him and his family at such a young age is what made Sasuke to become so angry, so bitter and so full of pain.

It made Hinata wonder why Fugaku never remarried after she left.

She wondered maybe like how her father loved her mother so much he never remarried, Fugaku Uchiha must have loved his wife that much not to remarry even after she left.

She wondered if like her father, his wife leaving is what changed Fugaku to be the man that he is today.

….

"Alright, thank you. If he comes around or anything about him pops up, please let me know." Itachi said politely to the receptionist at Sasuke's apartment despite his disappointment before leaving to his car.

It had been more than 24 hours since the dinner and he hadn't heard from or seen Sasuke.

He had called and texted him several times but to no avail.

He had come to his apartment and even waited out for long hours yesterday but no sign of him.

Itachi was worried…greatly so.

He ust hoped where ever Sasuke was he was okay especially after the state in which he left in.

Itachi got to his car and started his engine, making his way to work.

When he got to the Uchiha building, he went to check Sasuke's office to see if by any chance he had decided to come back or just to grab something.

He met Suigetsu at post who greeted him with a smile.

"Good morning Suigestu." Itachi greeted as he stared at the door to Sasuke's office.

"Good morning, Itachi. How are you doing?" Suigestu asked, not hiding the concern in his voice.

"I am ok. Has he perhaps shown up today?" Itachi asked with wariness and some expectancy.

The down expression on Suigestu was enough of a response for Itachi before he shook his head.

"No, he hasn't shown up and I haven't heard from him still." Suigestu answered, feeling bad he had to disappoint Itachi knowing how worried he was.

Itachi gave an inaudible sigh unconsciously hanging his head before he lifted his head to reveal a calm look on his face.

"Alright, thanks Suigestu. If anything let me know." He said in an equally calm tone not giving away any anguish he must be feeling.

"Sure would." And with those reassuring words form Suigestu, Itachi left to make his way straight to his father.

…

Fugaku allowed the fragrant scent of his tea to waft into his nostrils, before he took a long sip. He allowed himself to savor this moment of bliss and tranquil …taking him back to a time when every was so simple, when it was just him and … and her… when they could taste the beautiful future on their lips…the beautiful fantasy he once lived in, even if it would hurt the more once reality came crushing in like a bucket of ice cold water, he decided to at least enjoy this little moment of bliss before he faced all the unpleasantries he knew was ahead of…

There was a knock on the door, snatching him from the clouds to the cold cruel reality he was used to.

He gave the innocent door a dark look, hoping to telepathically send the person behind it away.

There was another knock, making it clear to him the person behind the door wasn't going anywhere.

"… Come in." Fugaku beckoned begrudgingly.

In response, the door opened to reveal his eldest son, who of all people had become one of his least favorite people to see of late.

The look on his son's face, made Fugaku take another needed long sip of his tea to relax his mind before confronting the storm in his son's eyes.

"Good morning, father." Itachi greeted flatly.

Fugaku looked up at him to look for any sarcasm he might have missed in his voice on his face.

But there was none, and it seemed he actually meant it, though it seemed in a more judgmental way.

At least he has not lost all his manners.

"Good morning." He responded under his breath, his eyes back to his cup of tea.

"I hope you were able to sleep well." Itachi said while still standing with his hands in his pockets, not hiding the accusation in his voice.

Fugaku eyes narrowed at this.

It was because of Sasuke.

"I tried to, after what your brother pulled." Fugaku replied in the same accusing tone as Itachi's.

Itachi took in deep breath, not wanting to delve into that matter like his father was coaxing him to, before he spoke.

"Did you at least try to contact him or find out his whereabouts?"

Fugaku raised an eyebrow at him.

"Now you want me to go around chasing a full-grown man around to bring him back home?"

Itachi didn't want to delve into the matter of the dinner night but he knew he couldn't go around it if he wanted to get anywhere with this.

"Ah, so now he is a full-grown man? Where was this when you treated him like a child in front of everyone?" Itachi asked as if he was really curious to hear his father's answer.

By now the soothing effect had worn off and irritation was steadily setting in.

"What did you expect? That I applaud him for acting like a brat in front of everyone?" Fugaku snapped back.

"None of this would have happened if you didn't have him do your dirty work for you." Itachi bit back as his piercing eyes accused his father.

"Dirty work? Weren't you the same person who convinced me to give him more opportunities, which lead to this disaster?" Fugaku accused back.

"Wasn't that after you had tasked him to make a young woman's life a living hell to fulfill your sadistic tendencies towards her family?" Itachi sniped back.

Fugaku let himself fall back in his seat as if to have a better look at his son.

"I am confused, Itachi. Are you here for your brother or you are here for that woman?"

Itachi just silently gave his father a chilling look before Fugaku's phone begun to ring.

With his eyes still on Itachi, he picked up the call to receive it.

"Hello." Fugaku said and after listening to the person on the other side of the phone, something ghosted through his eyes before he spoke again.

"Usher them in."

Without asking, Itachi knew who it was.

"I would take that as my cue to go back to looking for your son." Itachi announced sarcastically and turned to the door to make his way out.

"If you wouldn't stay, could you at least meet them on their way here?" Fugaku asked.

With his back still facing his father, he let out a sigh in response before he opened the door and left.

Fugaku let out an exasperated sigh of his own, already drained of the energy to face what is ahead of him.

…

"Welcome Rasa sama." Koga greeted with a deep bow when he opened the main entrance for Rasa and Hinata to walk through.

"Welcome Hyuga san." He was able to mask his surprise at seeing Hinata with Rasa especially in a dark grey skirt suit and black pumps with her hair tied in a high pony tail, instead of the ridiculous uniforms Sasuke forced her to wear.

But Hinata was quite surprise he was bowing to her too, more specifically surprised at the level of pretense.

"Oh, I didn't know Fugaku's right hand man bows to janitors when they come to work every morning. I have to learn and make a few changes when I go back then." Rasa said in feigned surprise.

Hinata had to hold herself from laughing at the amount of sarcasm dripping in Rasa's face despite his straight face and the stupefied look on Koga's face as he tried to keep a straight face.

Koga managed to force a polite smile on his face.

"Fugaku sama has been waiting for you. I would take you to him." Koga said before leading the way to let them follow.

Hinata was hesitant and to her surprise Rasa wordlessly offered his arm for her to hold on to.

He must have felt my hesitance.

Hinata felt embarrassed for being that easy to read.

She tentatively held on to his arm, giving her some comfort as she allowed him to move them forward with Koga to the elevators.

In the elevators, as they got closer, and closer to Fugaku's office, her hold on Rasa's arm became tighter and tighter unconsciously as she thought of how Fugaku was going to react to her walking into his office hand in hand with Rasa instead of at her post working for her inheritance as agreed, or how the meeting or confrontation between the two men was going to pan out.

She looked up when she felt Rasa's warm hand over hers giving her a reassuring squeeze.

Just when she was going to take in the intended comfort from his gesture, the elevator doors opened and Hinata almost had a hiccup at the unexpected sight of Itachi in front of them.

When their eyes met when the doors opened, his eyes widened in surprise at the sight of her with Rasa.

Almost immediately, his face was schooled to neutral as he turned to Rasa to give him a bow.

"Welcome, Sabaku sama." Itachi greeted.

"Thank you, Itachi." Rasa replied. "How are you doing?"

"I am doing well, sir." Itachi answered. "What of you?"

"I am good thanks for asking."

Then Itachi turned to Hinata, with that distant polite look on his face Hinata hated, like they were strangers.

"Good morning, Hyuga san." He greeted her with a nod.

"…Good morning, Uchiha san." Hinata replied after clearing her throat.

She held his eyes trying to figure out how he is but then...

"Your brother isn't here?" Rasa asked suddenly, pulling Itachi's eyes from Hinata to him.

Hinata saw the hesitance in his eyes before he spoke.

"No, he has actually taken some time off to reflect on his actions." Itachi answered politely.

Even though she wished it were true, Hinata instantly knew what Itachi said was a lie and he was just covering up for Sasuke's absence.

This made her know everything wasn't ok with Itachi and her eyes saddened when she looked at him at this realization, wishing she could comfort him at least.

As if he could sense this, his eyes moved to meet hers and, in that moment, he held hers as if to allow himself accept whatever she was trying to convey.

"Ah, that's good. He knows his mistakes and is trying to learn from them." Rasa said making Itachi turn to him.

Rasa's words and seeming to sound genuinely glad about Sasuke 'reflecting on his actions', made Itachi feel bad lying to him but appreciated that he didn't hold a grudge against Sasuke.

He instead was surprising accepting and wanted Sasuke to learn from his mistake, unlike their father who condemned Sasuke for every mistake he made and didn't give him a chance to learn from them and prove himself.

"Thank you, Sabaku sama for forgiving Sasuke." Itachi said with meaning.

"Don't mention it. We have all been young and made mistakes, even your father and I." Rasa said, with his voice and the look in his eyes getting heavier at the end, like in that moment he was watching a painful past flash before his eyes. And then he blinked it away, with a small encouraging smile on his face. "It's up to us to decide if we would make the mistakes define us and change our lives forever or if we would learn from them and come out better to take charge and change our own lives for the better."

Those words hit Hinata hard, and then her eyes fell on Itachi's hands just when they seemed to twitch in response to Rasa's words.

She looked up at him in surprise but his eyes were turned away from her, as if he refused to look at her in that moment.

Was he afraid to let me see his regrets…to see if he has regrets about us?

"Let's not keep Fugaku waiting. Shall we?" Rasa pointed out, getting them, all moving towards Fugaku's office.

When they were in front of his door, Itachi knocked and after Fugaku beckoned from the other side of the door for them to come in, he opened the door and stepped aside for both Rasa and Hinata to come in.

"Welcome Rasa. I hope you didn't lose your way up here after so many years." Fugaku greeted as he stood up to meet Rasa to welcome him with a handshake.

"Ah, even if I would, you made sure that wouldn't happen with all escorts you had arranged for me." Rasa pointed out good naturedly.

"Not as many as mine over at your place." Fugaku pointed out in same light which Rasa replied with his hands up in feigned surrender.

Then Fugaku turned his eyes to fall on Hinata all of a sudden, almost making her take a step back especially from how his sharp eyes pierced her soul.

"But I can see my escorts weren't needed in the first place since you already had a personal one arranged." Though his voice sounded nonchalant, the ice of spite in his voice could be felt throughout the room.

Rasa put a plastic yet pleasant looking smile on his face without breaking his firm gaze on Fugaku as he placed his hand on her back and nudged her forward gently so she could side by side with him.

Hinata looked up Rasa in surprise and Itachi looked on from behind in silence as something passed through his eyes at Rasa's gesture.

"Though it would be a privilege, no, Hinata isn't here to escort me, Fugaku. Hinata is the reason we are having this meeting in the first place, so her presence here is very much required." Rasa declared, turning to Hinata to make her feel part of the conversation.

Fugaku turned to Rasa with a sarcastic smirk on his face.

"Pardon me, Rasa, I think the meeting would go on very smoothly with or without her presence." Fugaku said condescendingly with a spiteful edge that was not missed by anyone in the room. "If anything, I think her presence here would be wasting both her time and ours especially since she has a deadline to meet." Fugaku finished off with him moving his sharp eyes to Hinata's to pierce her soul once again to give effect to the venom in his words, knowing it hit Rasa too from the silent glare he could feel him giving at the side of his head.

Rasa gave back a sarcastic smirk of his own before he spoke again.

"Ah, since we are not beating about the bush, why don't you explain that deadline you brought up at dinner the other night?" Rasa went straight for the elephant in the room.

Fugaku gave Rasa a look, not liking the fact he was demanding for him to explain himself to him.

"Have a seat, Rasa." Fugaku said in a commanding tone not wanting to be outdone.

Rasa returned the look, standing there without taking a seat as if to rebel against Fugaku. This made Itachi give a small amused smile at their antics and Hinata deadpan at having to witness a petty bout of testosterone between two middle aged men.

After what looked like they were going to have the meeting standing, with the intense nonverbal battle ensuing despite the silence…

"I would like to excuse myself so you can continue with the meeting, then." Itachi said from behind, bringing the warring men back to the room.

Hinata's head whipped around in alarm with a look of betrayal on her face, not believing he was just going to ditch her in the middle of a battle between these two thunderclouds all on her own.
Fugaku also gave him the stink eye also feeling Itachi was ditching him to deal with Rasa alone when they could work together and pin him down effectively like they did with Hinata.

Fine, I can handle things myself.

Hiding an amused smirk, Itachi then made his way out without a word.

With the three of them left alone, the tension felt heavier and thicker than before.

Rasa then proceeded to pull a seat for Hinata.

"Have a seat, dear."

"Thank you, godfather." She said politely to mask her hesitance in taking the seat, since taking the seat meant she was very much part of this meeting and there was no turning back.

Rasa also took his at last to finally start the meeting.

"Yes, I'm all ears, Fugaku." Rasa beckoned not hiding his impatience.

Fugaku had to swallow his annoyance before he finally spoke.

"The contract we have with Hyuga Hinata here is simple. Instead of losing everything after her father had signed everything to us, we offered her half of her father's possessions in exchange for her services for 6 months. If you ask me, we are being very generous especially for people who are supposed to be her enemies." Fugaku elaborated in a pragmatic tone.

Rasa gave a chuckle which made Fugaku narrow his eyes at him in displeasure.

"Oh Fugaku, I didn't know you were that generous." Rasa said in feigned awe. "So generous the only way you could use her service as a graduate of a prestigious university your son who happens to be your vice president also went to, is as a janitor." Rasa sniped sarcastically not hiding the thinly veiled anger in his voice.

"To make to the top, you would have to start from the bottom, Rasa." Fugaku threw back in the same sarcastic tone.

This time Rasa couldn't help himself from laughing making Hinata look at him with concern and Fugaku with spite.

"Fugaku, I didn't know you and your sons used to be janitors before climbing up to the positions you hold now." Rasa chuckled out in mocked astonishment which begun to anger Fugaku as he was feeling mocked.

"That is beside the point." Fugaku bit back icily as if to warn Rasa to not push him.

"What is the point then, Fugaku? Because from where I stand you are not even trying even to be a little subtle about your intentions for your 'generosity' towards Hinata, which isn't like you." Rasa pointed out, not hiding the heavy meaning behind his words.

"The point is Hyuga Hinata should be thankful for this opportunity given to her after her father left her and her family high and dry and she should use the resources given her as best as she can. She might be daddy's spoiled little girl or the pampered princess who has everything handed over to her on a silver platter all her life, but if she wants to see even a dime of half of her father's possessions as promised, she would have to fight and earn it with her own hands even if it means having to use even her teeth." Fugaku ground out, his sharp eyes pinning Hinata down for good measure before turning back to Rasa.

"Fu-

But before Rasa could reply Fugaku….

"Uchiha san." There was silence as the two men turned in surprised to see Hinata speaking up all of a sudden. Rasa looked down and saw how her hands were shaking in her laps and almost moved to hold them but stopped when he saw the determined look in her eyes. With her eyes trained on Fugaku's desk, unable to meet his intimidating gaze, she begun to speak.

"W-When… When my mother died I was almost 6. I couldn't grief properly as I should because I didn't want to make my father worry when we had my new born sister to take care of. At that age I had to become a mother to my baby sister and learn to take care of myself so as not to burden my father or any of our family members. Though I struggled and failed a lot, I had to work had to live up to my father and my clan's expectations." And then Hinata gathered the courage and lifted her steely eyes to hold Fugaku's.

"I may not have achieved much, but everything I have achieved and done to get to this point is by my hands, my sweat and my tears. I am not a spoiled daddy's girl or a pampered princess who has had everything handed to her on a silver platter her whole life, Uchiha san." Hinata stated firmly still holding Fugaku eyes with hers so he can see every emotion behind those words.

Rasa looked at Hinata with pride at standing up for herself with such grace and confidence. The silence from Fugaku made Rasa turn to him.

Rasa's eyes widen a bit in surprise.

He was expecting Fugaku to be giving Hinata a death glare straight from hell with the protocol venomous words to follow.

But Fugaku just sat there in silence as both he and Hinata held each other's gaze as if in their own world.

But what took Rasa aback was the look on Fugaku's face and how he looked at Hinata.

He didn't know how to exactly describe it but it wasn't the same way he looked at Hinata; with hostility and contempt.

Something had changed about how he looked at Hinata, almost as if he was looking at a different person or he was seeing her for the first time.

Hinata as she held Fugaku's gaze realized for the first time the normal hostility he seemed to reserve just for her in his eyes wasn't there. For the first time, his eyes were not accusing her. The way he looked at her was different.

There were so many intense things swirling in his deep dark pools that she almost couldn't tell them apart. But the more she looked, the more it felt like his eyes were mirroring some of the emotions she was feeling, especially with her mother. Almost as if he could relate with her…as if he understood her…like he had suffered the same lose and gone through what she went through.

It confused her a bit.

Did her little speech hit that hard at home to the extent it reminded him of someone he had lost?

Was it about him losing his wife?

There was a knock on the door, that brought them all back to earth. Fugaku quickly schooled his face back to his cold mask but as he turned his eyes met Rasa who was giving him a look similar to the one he gave him at the dinner, but he ignored it and beckoned for whoever was at the door to come in.

His secretary came in with refreshment, which Fugaku was glad for being at the perfect time.

Fugaku soon took to giving most of his attention to his abandoned cup of tea though he wished it was something stronger so as not to have to deal with Rasa's annoying gaze.

Rasa allowed himself to indulge in the tea he was served before he spoke again.

"Fugaku, even you must agree with me that Hinata's skills are woefully being underutilized here and with the reaction the shareholders had with her being a waitress, imagine if they learn about her being a janitor here. Whether you like it or not, she still represents her father and also the shareholders, so this type of insult to her is also an insult to them and trust me the shareholders including me are not going take lightly to it if she remains under such deplorable working conditions." Rasa served an ultimatum to Fugaku successfully cornering him.

Fugaku continued to drink his tea nonchalantly without a word, which was slowing wearing of Rasa's patience.

At least he was expecting and outburst or resistance of some sort but noth-

"Since she in no small words said she is capable, I hope working directly under me would not be beyond her capabilities?" Fugaku finally said over his cup of tea.

Hinata's eyes bulged out in surprise.

She didn't expect this. She didn't expect Fugaku Uchiha to propose that she works directly under him.

She knew it was a fast track to accomplishing her goals since she would be where everything happened to her father.

But she didn't know if she had it in her to work directly under Fugaku Uchiha without suffocating under pressure of his intimidating presence alone.

She unconsciously looked up and caught his gaze, as if he was taunting her knowing she wouldn't be up for it.

"That is if she is up for it?" Though he sounded like he was taunting her, if felt more of a challenge as his eyes pierced into her soul, feasting on the fear he saw in them.

She didn't know how long she was going to be able to handle Sasuke as she was already spent already, but Fugaku Uchiha was a different ball game altogether.

Though with Sasuke, the stress was more physical, with Fugaku Uchiha just being in his presence drained her mentally.

She didn't know how she was going to survive being in his presence constantly…. however…

She couldn't miss this opportunity to finally be closer to the truth…she couldn't when she had a lot of people's hopes in her.

She…

"It would be a pleasure and honor to work under you, Uchiha san." Hinata answered with resolve surprising the men in the room.

Though she struggled, she held Fugaku's intense gaze steadily as he held hers to further show her resolve…at the same time Rasa's hawk like gaze was fixated on Fugaku with an unreadable look in his eyes.

After what felt like a long minute of their three-way staring contest, Fugaku broke his gaze from Hinata letting her heave a sigh of relief before meeting Rasa's demanding gaze with some annoyance at its persistence.

"Very well then you would commence work here from tomorrow at 8 am prompt. No lateness." He stated, ending in an ominous tone making the whole sentence sound like a threat. But as he spoke to Hinata, his eyes were still fixated on Rasa throughout, which made Hinata turn to Rasa only to also see his eyes transfixed on Fugaku too.

Rasa's eyes had not moved an inch from Fugaku the moment he offered Hinata the opportunity to work directly under him.

Though he knew this would mean Hinata getting closer to the truth, Fugaku too should know this…so why would he still risk it and let Hinata work directly under him?

Did he underestimate Hinata this much?

No, Fugaku wasn't one to take such chances or unnecessary risks.

Did he want her close in order to keep an eye on her so as to promptly sniff out whatever secret agenda she has in working with them to disarm her swiftly?

Or was it to scare her to the point of backing away from the deal and completely losing her inheritance?

Those reasons seemed plausible and more like Fugaku to Rasa but just in that moment, the image from the dinner night of Fugaku of all people losing his cool and tearing his own son apart because Sasuke had Hinata dress as a waitress to wait on them flashed through Rasa's mind and his eyes widened as the shock from that night hit him again.

Was he…was Fugaku doing all this because of Ama san without realizing it?

Was he ending her working under Sasuke to work under him to unconsciously protect her from his son…because of Ama san?

Rasa couldn't tell and he didn't want to get ahead of himself because from their last conversation he made it crystal clear that his resentment for Ama was still alive and breathing but his actions from where Rasa stood seemed to contradict his words.

Rasa stared into his old friend's eyes searching for whatever answers he could get, but he found nothing.

Or was there something more…?

Rasa narrowed his eyes at Fugaku.

Now with how much he had seen how bitterness had changed Fugaku to the point of directly or indirectly causing the life of his arch nemesis in order to achieve his goal, he knew he couldn't look at Fugaku like the man he once knew.

He didn't know this man before him and to what extent he would go to fulfil his goals.

Because of the Rasa knew had to be wary of him.

What are hiding, Fugaku?

What is the real reason behind your actions of late?

Rasa finally broke his stare from Fugaku to turn and move closer to say something to Hinata so only she could hear.

"Hinata, could you spare me some few moments alone with my old friend?" Rasa said as he let her stare into his eyes.

She didn't understand his behavior at first but soon understood that he wanted her to know he wasn't going to do anything behind her back and it was just personal matters between them, knowing that upon all that had happened to her she might misconstrue this as something else.

She felt bad he thought she would mistrust him, but she appreciated his efforts to allay her fears and to reassure him, she returned it with a warm understanding smile.

"Don't worry, I have a few people to see before we leave." She replied to only his hearing.

"Take your time." Rasa nodded as they both turned after their private conversation to a visibly annoyed Fugaku.

"Oh sorry, did I interrupt your conversation?" Fugaku snipe sarcastically to voice his disapproval.

"Our apologies, Fugaku." Rasa apologized.

Hinata then got up and gave a bow to Fugaku.

"Thank you again Uchiha san and if you do not mind I would like to take my leave first." She said stiffly in her effort to sound firm.

"Hn." He simply grunted dismissively, Hinata taking it as her cue to leave.

With a parting smile at Rasa, she made her way to the door and disappeared behind it without turning back once especially when she felt Fugaku's intense gaze at the back of her head the whole time she was leaving.

When she left, he let his eyes linger at the door for a few seconds before finally meeting Rasa's persistent gaze on him.

"You seem to have a lot you want to discuss with me." Fugaku pointed out nonchalantly as he got up from his seat and made his way to his mini bar for a bottle of whisky.

"Ah." Rasa simply said in affirmation as his eyes followed Fugaku who was walking back to the desk with two glasses in hand along with a bottle of whisky.

"From the look of things, we would both need this." Fugaku pointed out as he poured a glass for Rasa.

"I couldn't agree with you more on that." Rasa said as he accepted his glass and waited for Fugaku to pour his before they raised their glasses to each other in light sarcasm before they both down their drinks in one gulp.

They both furrowed their eyebrows together as the whisky burnt its way down their throats.

"I heard Sasuke has taken time off to reflect his action at dinner the other night." Rasa spoke up suddenly as Fugaku poured another drink for him.

"Hn." Fugaku almost scoffed out as his eyes darkened slightly.

Rasa raised an eyebrow at this.

"You haven't contacted him since that night, have you?" Rasa asked, with a touch of reprimand in his tone.

Fugaku poured himself another drink and took a shot before he answered.

"You seem to be really interested in Sasuke." Then Fugaku lifted his piercing eyes to stare into Rasa's soul. "Is it because of his resemblance to Mikoto reminds you of her?"

A cold wind suddenly blew through the room at the impact of Fugaku's words.

Rasa blinked at Fugaku with wide eyes as Fugaku's eyes mocked him with a triumphant smirk already making its way on his lips, at getting Rasa right where he wanted.

Then when Fugaku was about to go in for the kill…

"Hahahahahahahaa!" Rasa out of nowhere burst out laughing.

Fugaku could just sit there and look at his friend like he had gone mad.

"Are you already drunk?" Fugaku asked wondering if the whisky was too strong for Rasa.

Rasa waved his hand to say no to answer Fugaku's question as he tried to calm down his laughter.

"Sorry about that. It's just that your question was that comical I couldn't help myself." Rasa said in between chuckles.

Fugaku narrowed his eyes at him.

"What is so funny about my question?" Fugaku asked with an edge of iciness to his voice.

Rasa smiled at this.

"After your surprising outburst at dinner the other night, should I not be the one asking you this question?" Rasa threw back at Fugaku.

Fugaku's eyes darkened at this.

"What exactly are you trying to say?"

Rasa looked at Fugaku for some time before he spoke.

"What I am trying to say is the only time I have ever seen the cool as cucumber Fugaku Uchiha lose his cool publicly to that extent always involved Ama san." There was another wind of silence, heavier than before, as Rasa watched Fugaku's face immediately freeze at the mention of her name… like someone trying to hide his nakedness after suddenly being exposed.

"That was a long time ago, Rasa. What has she got to do with me straightening my wayward son?" Fugaku grounded out through clenched teeth.

Rasa looked at the unstable front he could see Fugaku was struggling to put up, for a long moment.

Rasa gave a smirk before taking a sip, a smirk which greatly disturbed Fugaku.

"Ah, it has been a long time indeed… maybe I am the only one here who is not able to move on from the past. Sorry about that." Rasa finally replied in words that should have been reassuring.

But Fugaku gave Rasa a dirty look.

Rasa, you crafty old weasel.

Fugaku knew Rasa intentionally said those words in order disorient and quip Fugaku's curiosity at what he was hiding for Fugaku to press on and fall in the trap that Rasa had prepared.

But not asking was also disturbing him because the look in Rasa eyes told him there was something important here Rasa knew that Fugaku didn't…something that may come and bite him in the ass because he didn't know.

Fugaku hated this.

He hated how always Rasa seemed to know something important he didn't which came back to haunt him…like in the past.

Something Fugaku still held against hi-

"Now can we discuss Hinata's contract with you into detail?" Rasa brought up suddenly, cutting any chance for Fugaku to bring up the issue they were discussing previously.

Fugaku swallowed his disappointment painfully before he begun to indulge Rasa.

…

"Hinata!" Suigestu let out in excitement at the sight of Hinata as she appeared from behind the door and was making her way towards his desk.

"Good morning, Suigestu." Hinata greeted with a warm smile on her face.

"Good morning, it is so good to see you again. I thought you weren't going to come, especially after what happened last night." Suigestu said, holding Hinata's hands and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"Oh, you heard?" Hinata voiced her surprise, a tinge of sadness in her tone at the memory, which was not lost on Suigestu.

"Yeah, I kinda had one of the waitresses keep an eye on you to make sure you were fine so she updated me on what happened last night." Suigestu explained with a bit of bashful reluctance.

Hinata looked up at him in surprise.

"Y-You did?"

"I didn't know if you were going to be okay after finding out what Sasuke had planned for you, and who knew what else he might have had in store for you." Suigestu explained further.

Hinata surprised Suigestu with a warm hug out of nowhere.

"Thank you so much for looking out for me." Hinata said with gratitude, touched at the care Suigestu showed to her.

Suigestu allowed a warm smile on his face as he received her hug.

"C'mon, what are friends for?" He shrugged nonchalantly but his words even warmed Hinata's heart the more.

A friend?

He sees me as his friend.

Hinata felt her heart burst with joy at that.

She broke away from their embrace to beam up at him with a genuine grateful smile which made Suigestu cheeks turn pink.

After she started working in this new cold place where it seemed she was never safe anywhere and everyone was out for her blood, it was reassuring to have someone to call a friend.

"Though I'm happy what I dreaded would happen to you didn't, I must say I wasn't expecting things to turn out like that." Suigestu said voicing out his surprise.

Then a shadow of sadness fell on Hinata's face.

"…Yes… we were all surprised at how things turned out."

Suigestu blinked at Hinata in surprise.

"…wow, you never seem to stop surprising me." Suigestu said with an amused smirk on his face.

Hinata gave him a puzzled look.

"Why?"

"It is shocking to see someone this sad over someone who orchestrated to publicly humiliate her but had the tables turned on him instead. Most people would gloat with victory and call this karmic justice especially after all he has done to you." Suigestu pointed out.

"You are right, I guess I'm weird. My family especially my father always chastised me for that weakness of mine and called me soft for that" Hinata said, trying to hide the wistful tone in her voice with a smile.

Suigestu looked at Hinata for some time in silence with an unreadable expression on his face before he spoke.

"If that is your weakness then you must be the most badass person I know." Hinata looked up at Suigestu to blink at him owlishly which made Suigestu chuckle in amusement as to whether she was too posh to understand the word badass or she was shocked to be called a badass.

"I mean the most easy and normal thing is to want to see the downfall of your enemies and people who hurt you and be more than happy to witness them fall epically. Even when it comes to making amends, forgiveness is one of the hardest things for humans to do and requires strength and maturity beyond oneself to truly forgive. So, I think it is really admirable which also means 'badass' for you to go beyond forgiveness to empathize and feel the pain of Sasuke, someone who has done nothing but made your life hell since you started working here. And in my book that is far from weak." Suigestu elaborated to Hinata with an air of seriousness she never knew the jovial Suigestu was capable of.

It made his words sink in and hit home even more and it overwhelmed her with so much emotion that what was always considered a flaw and weakness in her by everyone she knew was seen as a quality and strength in another's eyes.

It made her see Suigestu in a different light and made her appreciate him even more.

Suigestu started feeling awkward at how Hinata kept staring at him without a word like she was seeing him for the first time.

"Erm hello…Hinata….geez did I break her from too much information?" Suigestu said in concern as he waved his hand in front of Hinata's face to bring her back to earth.

Hinata blinked out of her fixated stare to bow her head to hide her red cheeks unsuccessfully to stare at her shoes bashfully.

"Thank you Suigestu, what you said really means a lot to me" Hinata said with a lot of emotion which made Suigestu feel a bit awkward not knowing how to handle it "…. A-and I know what badass means you know." Hinata said out of nowhere which made Suigestu laugh at how much she wanted him to know she wasn't so posh to not know what badass meant.

"Don't worry, Hinata. The whole world would know you know what badass means, by hook or crook." Suigestu said in feigned seriousness, making Hinata's face ripen at him teasing her.

"I would get you back for this." Hinata threatened with a smile.

"Hey, what happened to forgiveness. How come you can forgive Sasuke of all people and not me? Such a world." Suigestu said in feigned shock and hurt, making Hinata giggle.

"But don't worry, Sasuke would be fine." Suigestu said to reassure Hinata.

But it seemed to bring that shadow of sadness to her face again.

A flash of the raw pain Sasuke's eyes on that fateful night negated the comfort from Suigestu's words with doubt.

"What if he is not?" Hinata almost whispered with worry and uncertainty in her voice.

Suigestu sighed, not able to hide his worry anymore.

"We can just hope, he is okay…wherever he is." Suigestu replied.

Hinata's eyes widened in surprise.

"What do you mean by wherever he is? Is he not at home?" She asked the worry in her voice now turning to fear.

Suigestu shook his head hesitantly.

"He hasn't been to his apartment since that night and no one has heard or know where he is since then. Itachi has been trying non-stop to find him but to no avail."

It broke Hinata's heart to hear this, to hear how devasted Sasuke must be to cut out all contact from everyone, to hear how much it has affecting Itachi and also, it made her worried that in Sasuke's state of mind if it was safe for him to be all alone.

At least if he allowed Itachi to-

She remembered how Sasuke shut Itachi out and knew that was not an option.

It made her remember the hostility that Sasuke had towards Itachi despite Itachi caring for Sasuke in his own way.

Even before meeting Sasuke, she saw Itachi loved his little brother.

The way Itachi spoke about Sasuke then was not the Sasuke she had the privilege to meet… the sweet kind boy Itachi always described with a twinkle in his eyes.

Though that is far from who Sasuke is now, Hinata now begun to believe Sasuke was once that kind and sweet boy.

It made her wonder what must have happened for Sasuke to become this angry and bitter young man who seemed to want to burn everything in his sight.

From just the short time she started working, she had already seen how Fugaku favored Itachi over Sasuke, something she could relate to with how her father and even the family seemed to favor Hanabi over her even though she was the eldest.

Though it hurt her a lot and put her through so much pain, it wasn't enough for her to resent Hanabi because she loved her little sister dearly.

From how the past Sasuke is described by Itachi, Hinata didn't think a kind and sweet boy would resent his brother to this extent because their father favored his older brother over him.

Something serious must have happened to change Sasuke this much.

"Erm...Suigestu, was it always like this? Were the brothers' relationship always like this?" Hinata asked tentatively.

Suigestu looked up with a thoughtful look on his face before speaking.

"They have had a weird relationship since I knew them. They have a rivalry between them because of their dad but they had this closeness about them too and they look out for each other in their own weird. They might act like they don't care especially Sasuke who always acts like a dick to Itachi like Itachi owes him something, but they care about each other. I remember recently, when Itachi wasn't coming to work which was rare of him, Sasuke was in such a bad mood during Itachi's absence and constantly went to Itachi's office to check if he had come. But from how he has not stepped foot at his apartment and has cut everyone out, it must be that bad to see Itachi of all people this worked up."

Hinata looked down on the floor trying absorb all that Suigestu had told her.

It proved her right that despite the rivalry between them, they still cared about each other…even Sasuke.

Though she knew their father pitting them against was a factor, she knew that was not enough reason for Sasuke to resent Itachi this much.

There must be somethi-

…They might act like they don't care especially Sasuke who always acts like a dick to Itachi like Itachi owes him something…..

Suigestu words struck Hinata where she stood like lightening.

Perhaps did Itachi do something to Sasuke in the past to cause Sasuke to resent him this much.

Was something similar to what he is doing now to me?

Did he hurt him like how he is hurting me?

Did he cr-

Just then Hinata's phone rang cutting through her thoughts and bringing her back to the room.

She fished her phone out to check who was calling.

It was Rasa, meaning he was done speaking with Fugaku and was ready to go.

She turned to Suigestu with an apologetic smile on her face.

"Unfortunately, it's time for me to leave."

Suigestu gave her a puzzled look.

"Oh, you aren't staying with us? Are you not working with us anymore because of what happened?" Suigestu asked with some alarm in his voice.

Hinata gave an amused smile and waved her hand as if to wave off his fears.

"No, I have not stop working with you guys. However, I would be working directly under Fugaku Uchiha san which I would commence tomorrow." Hinata explained though she felt sad giving him the news that she would no longer be working with him especially seeing the sad look on his face.

"So, I would not get to work with my partner in crime anymore and give Sasuke a run for his money?" Suigestu moped at Hinata which made Hinata sad and amused.

She held his hand to give him a reassuring squeeze.

"Don't worry, I would come and visit you. I promise." Hinata reassured Suigestu which seemed to work as a smile found itself on Suigestu's face again.

"Alright, take care of yourself. You know where to find me if you need anything." Suigestu said with meaning

Hinata nodded with a smile.

"Thank you, Suigestu." Hinata said with gratitude.

"Don't mention it. See you tomorrow then."

Hinata gave Suigestu one last smile and a wave before making her way to the door as she called back Rasa.

"Hello godfather."

…

Yoshino checked her watch for the umpteenth time that morning.

Itachi was still not in.

She looked at the door with a wistful look.

Even though it wasn't like he had not come to work later than this before, after what happened the other night and how worried he was, she wanted to see him in person to see for herself that he was ok.

It would at least give her one least thing to worry about especially after being worried about Sasuke and his whereabouts throughout the weekend.

She tried with no avail to contact him several times, going straight to voicemail.

It saddened her how he had shut her out.

She was used to him coming over to tease and flirt with her just to speak with her or get a date with her.

To her surprise she even missed it.

The way someone like him put an effort in his pursuit of her despite her indifference made her…made her feel flattered and somewhat special.

One of the things that hurt was how she had to disappoint Itachi anytime he called to ask if she had any success getting into contact with Sasuke.

How she wished she could do something to even hear from Sasuke if it is just once just to know how he is to put her and everyone at ease most especially Ita-

The sound of the door almost made her jump to her feet with its suddenness, her heart skipping a beat when she watched Itachi emerge from the open door.

But when they locked eyes, her heart clenched in her chest with sadness, at the worry in his eyes despite trying to hide it with a cold mask.

"Good morning, Yoshino." Itachi greeted her devoid of the normal warmth in his greetings, not wasting any moment, to make his way straight to his office.

"Good morning, sir." She responded trying to inject some cheeriness in her voice to lighten the mood.

She wanted to ask how he was doing but it seemed silly to ask as it was quite obvious he wasn't doing well after not hearing or knowing where his brother was.

She just helplessly stared at his back wishing she could bring back his usual small smile he greeted her with which was now replaced with a tense line of his lips.

Itachi suddenly stopped right in front of his door, surprising her.

"I'm sorry to be a nuisance but have you heard anything from Sasuke?" Itachi asked with some tightness in voice with his back still facing her.

It hurt her to disappoint him yet again…but it hurt her more to think he thought he was a nuisance to her.

"No sir, I haven't" She replied heavily.

Itachi simply nodded and turned the knob to ent-

"And sir, you are not a nuisance. I'm always here to help if you need anything."

Itachi froze in his step and stood there for a long minute at Yoshino's words.

Then he turned to Yoshino with a ghost of a smile on his lips that did not reach his dead eyes.

"Thank you, Yoshino." He simply said but the depth of gratitude in his words touched Yoshino.

"You are welcome, sir." Yoshino responded with meaning, and with that Itachi turned and retired to his office.

Yoshino continued to stare at the door to Itachi's office with a wistful look in her eyes as she remembered the flicker of smile Itachi gave her.

She knew that smile was not from the heart, and though it made her heart sink…

…you cannot be greedy, Yoshino.

…..

"Godfather!" Hinata called out to Rasa as soon as she saw him sitting in one of the sofas at the reception area waiting for her.

Rasa tore his eyes from his phone screen at the sound of Hinata calling to look up at her.

As he got to his feet with his eyes still on her, watching her smile at him as she walked towards him, he couldn't help but have that feeling of nostalgia…like he was looking at Ama herself.

He couldn't help but feel that way sometimes when he was with Hinata. Hinata having a striking resemblance to her mother didn't help, so much it felt unreal. Most of the differences in their appearance was subtle but one visible difference was the color of their eyes; Hinata's is the signature whitish grey eyes of the Hyuga but had a purple tint in them that was distinct to her, whiles Ama had bluish-purple eyes.

Despite this difference, they had the same gentleness and warmth in their eyes, the same warmth and gentleness they carried themselves with…

…the same warmth and gentleness Fugaku and Hiashi fell in love with in Ama.

The same warmth and gentleness Fugaku lost and changed him from the good man that he was to the bitter cold-hearted man he is now…

The same warmth and happiness that changed Hiashi from a man who had lost his way and made mistakes to a man who strived to correct his mistakes and be a better man Ama would be proud of and love…

Then Rasa remembered Fugaku's surprising public outburst at the dinner which made him indirectly protect Hinata…

He knew so much time had passed and Fugaku was a far different man now, but he knew deep down in his gut that it had a connection with Ama.

It always had something to do with Ama, most especially when Fugaku publicly bursts out like this because the only times he had seen the stoic and level headed Fugaku lose his cool and burn everything in his path so publicly in rage was because of Ama.

It made Rasa wonder of Fugaku had realize the great resemblance between Ama and her daughter that was why he reacted that way.

But if it were so why didn't he just give her half of her inheritance like in the contract but instead made her to work with them for 6 months to get it just to use that time to break her and leave her with nothing?

Then Rasa remembered the confused look Fugaku gave him when their eyes met at the dinner after his outburst and also the responses he gave when Rasa was indirectly hitting at that point and also the confused and annoyed look he gave Rasa when Rasa stopped in the middle and withheld further information from him.

Could it be that he was in denial...or…or he hadn't even realized it himself?

Rasa wasn't sure of what the case was, but he didn't want to bring too much of Fugaku's attention to it, because with how Fugaku was now, he would take that as weakness being seen in him and would make Hinata's life hell to prove a point that, that sort of weakness did not exist in him of all people.

That was why Rasa held himself from giving any more information at Fugaku's office… to protect Hinata.

Rasa was really hoping Fugaku hadn't realized it.

Especially now that Hinata is to work directly under him.

"Godfather." Hinata voice pulled him from his trance to see her in front of him with a slight puzzled look in her eyes as she looked at him.

Rasa gave her a small smile to allay her confusion.

"Shall we?" He asked, to which she nodded with a smile of her own.

With that affirmation, they both walked in step and made their way towards the exit.

As they were walking Rasa was pulled back to his previous thoughts.

Rasa didn't really know what to make of the decision that Fugaku made for Hinata to work directly under him.

He didn't know if Fugaku was doing that to make sure by himself that Hinata does not survive the 6 months she has to work with them to get half of her father's fortune… or he did it to protect Hinata from Sasuke without even realizing it.

Though he hoped for the later, Rasa couldn't help but worry a little for his old friend because if he made Hinata work directly under him to protect her because of Ama without realizing it, should he not be the one to protect himself from Hinata then?...

…

"So, what you are saying is you are now working directly under the devil himself?" Ko asked in a deceptively calm voice which was betrayed by the troubled look in his eyes after Hinata had told him about what had ensued in Fugaku's office earlier in the day.

"Yes, I would be working directly under Uchiha Fugaku san from tomorrow." Hinata repeated herself as she gauged Ko's expression carefully.

He stared at her without a word.

"Why?" Ko suddenly said out of nowhere, catching Hinata off guard.

Hinata could just stare at him blankly not knowing how to answer.

"…Why?" She repeated.

"Yes, why is he allowing to work so close to him, when you obviously could come dangerously close to the truth that could make you take everything he took from you? Why would he jeopardize that by having you this close if it's not that he has diabolical plans to hurt and ruin you with his own bare hands?!" Ko ranted as he got to his feet because his seat could not contain his frustration, not hiding his worry anymore.

Hinata took a deep sigh as she slowly stood up to join Ko.

"Ko, I understand your worry and I won't deny working under that man terrifies me-"

"Exactly, even your gut even knows this is a terrible idea! That is the monster that took everything from your father and caused his death, Hinata sama…he is going to hurt you!" Ko was now almost pleading as he held Hinata by her arms to stare into his panic-stricken eyes.

Hinata felt her heart squeeze at seeing how worried she had made Ko.

She put her hands gently on Ko's and gave him a smile.

"Ko, I know being this close to him is dangerous and I know he is the reason why I lost my dad and everything he has toiled and worked for all his life…but that is more reason I should be close to him, so that I can be closer to the truth in order to prove what he did to dad and take what he stole from us. It is not going to be easy that is why I have to put away my fears to face this head on if I am to achieve anything. And I need you to trust me and have faith in me that I would be able to achieve this."

Ko bowed his head dejectedly as he took in Hinata's words.

Ko's mind took him to how pale Hiashi was when he came from the Uchiha building that fateful day, and how he suddenly clenched his chest in pain and was slowly dying at the back seat as he drove, that memory which had haunted Ko since Hiashi died…all because of that man Uchiha Fugaku and now Hin-

"…Hinata sama, it is not you I don't trust…it is the monste-"

Hinata took Ko's face into her hands so he would look into her eyes.

"Yes, Ko. I know. But you trusting me should be more than enough…especially knowing I have you at my side, hmm?" Hinata said to assure Ko.

They stared at each other for a long minute, as if in a final non-verbal battle.

Ko breathe out and shrugged his shoulders in defeat, a small smile creeping up his lips making Hinata relieved.

"Were you always this stubborn?" Ko said light heartedly.

Hinata chuckled at this.

"I am a Hyuga after all." Hinata pointed out which made Ko also chuckle.

"Touché." Ko agreed. And then his face turned serious. "But Hinata sama, please be careful."

Hinata nodded in response before she suddenly embraced Ko out of nowhere, surprising him.

"Thank you for everything, Ko. I know wherever dad is he is happy and thankful you are here for us…

Ko was overwhelmed with emotion not knowing what to say, especially as a lump had formed in his throat.

She must have seen through the guilt I have been carrying about her father's death.

He had been blaming himself for not reaching the hospital sooner and not being there in the office with him when he was signing everything to the Uchihas.

"If I hadn't let him go on his own and had been there with him, if I had just got him to the hospital soone-"

Hinata pulled from their embrace so Ko would stare into her eyes

"Ko you are just human, you don't have the power over life and death…you did what you could humanly do. You did everything you could, Ko. Never believe otherwise, ok?"

Ko looking into Hinata's eyes, seeing how she earnestly believed in him and that he was not to blame for her father's death touched him so much his eyes glazed with tears of relief and gratitude making him turn his back to her so she doesn't see him like this.

He nodded firmly to answer Hinata.

Hinata walked to him to stand behind him and to give him his privacy.

She took his hand into hers from behind and placed her forehead on his back in comfort.

Ko interlocked his fingers with hers and gave her hand a squeeze.

"…Thank you, Hinata sama." He croaked out with emotion and relief in his voice.

Hinata smiled in response.

I should be the one thanking for everthing, Ko.

….

Hinata didn't sleep well. Not that she had been having any good night sleep since her father passed. But this time it was worsened by her being worried about Sasuke, how worried and stressed Itachi must be and now she working directly under Uchiha Fugaku.

She felt a chill run up her spine for the umpteenth time at the thought of it.

Though before everyone, she acted like had already psyched herself for it and she knew what she was getting into, she was really scared and didn't know what to do or expect.

Heck she didn't know the exact job she was going to do under him.

Even before she started working with the Uchihas, his presence unnerved her. He had that dominating air about him that made you feel small and unworthy to be in his presence, just like her father's. Because of her father, she was used to it and hence help from suffocating in it all.

But his eyes, the way he stared at her…into her soul…

It made the hairs on her skin stand even as she was showering with warm water from just remembering it.

…no one had looked at her the way Uchiha Fugaku looked at her and she could never fully decipher what was behind it.

But she could feel it, how his smoldering and intense eyes seemed to accuse her, accuse her very existence especially at the beginning but yesterday the way he looked at her, she felt like she was going suffocate under the weight of his stare alone but for some reason all those times their eyes met, she couldn't take her eyes away…

It was like those dark pools turned into a vortex that was pulling her in the more she stared and the more she did they tried to tell her something…to tell her story…a story so deep she would have to completely be sucked in and drown in those dark pools to even understand or get a gist of it.

Hinata stood in front of her mirror and took in a deep breath as she looked at her reflection in the mirror.

She wore a dark blue short sleeved pantsuit and low kitten heels in case her job required any lifting of heavy objects or scrubbing toilets.

She wanted to scoff at how the ridiculous chores Sasuke had been given her had made her kind of prepared for anything thrown at her without her caring as much as she would like before.

Despite her fear, this empowered her that she would be able to pull through whatever Uchiha Fugaku came throwing at her.

She couldn't afford otherwise especially when she had so many people depending on her for this.

You can do this, Hinata.

With that resolve she took one last look at herself and left her room to work.

Hinata was now in the elevators moving up to Fugaku's office after making a stop at Suigestu's. She made sure to come extra early to avoid any problems with Fugaku at least when it came to tardiness.

Ding!

Hinata was alerted that she had reached her destination and the elevator doors opened for her to step out. Swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat in the elevator, she tentatively stepped out of the elevators into the reception area to Fugaku's office especially now she was alone and without her godfather's protection.

She was met with Fugaku's secretary, a red head with short hair and dark blue eyes wearing grey pants suit and crisp white shirt, sitting behind her desk who just lifted her head to see who had arrived and turned back to her work with disinterest when she saw it was Hinata.

Hinata didn't know what to make of this.

Though she felt the chill of being ignored, she decided not to take it to heart and just took is as that she must be busy working on something.

Hinata walked, though with a bit of hesitance, towards the desk.

And even when Hinata stood in front of the desk, the secretary kept her eyes glued to her computer screen without even acknowledging the fact that a human being was standing before her.

Hinata couldn't make excuses anymore. She was clearly ignoring her.

Hinata pushed this aside and to still be polite. She quickly looked at her name tag.

Ayane Ito.

"Good morning, Miss Ito." Hinata greeted politely with a smile to match.

The secretary paused at the mention of her name, probably surprised Hinata knew her name.

She then looked at her name tag in realization before she took her mug to her lips to sip its content before she gave a curt nod in response without even lifting her eyes to look at Hinata and just continued with her work.

If she wanted Hinata to feel like she wasn't welcomed, she definitely did a brilliant job with that. Hinata felt the sting of it to her face but decided not to let it waver her from why she was here.

"Erm, sorry to bother you but Uchiha Fugaku san told me to start work here today and I wanted to know if there any work I have been assigned to or if there is anything I could help with?" Hinata asked politely though with some hesitance in her voice.

There was just silence, a long silence with the secretary just typing like Hinata had not asked her a question.

Hinata blinked at her as she stood there awkwardly.

Did she not hear me or I didn't speak loud enough?

Just when Hinata was about to repeat herself…

"Have a seat. Fugaku sama would see you when he arrives." She finally replied tersely still with her eyes glued to her screen.

Hinata stood there and stared in silence with another sting to her face.

So, she heard me.

"Thank you, Miss Ito." Hinata still managed to say politely though with some stiffness, before taking a seat at the waiting area which was in between two doors, a smaller one and a larger one that lead to Fugaku's office.

After about an hour, a smallerdoor opened to reveal Fugaku's right hand man Koga stepping out of his office.

His eyes widened in surprise when they fell on Hinata.

Hinata thought to herself that he was probably surprised at how early she was.

She stood up address him as he turned to her.

"Good morning sir." She greeted politely.

"Good morning Hyuga san, I hope everything is fine. Have you been waiting for long?" He replied with a questioning look in his eyes as he stared her.

"Yes, everything is fine. Thank you. And no, I haven't been waiting for long." Hinata said, so as not to put the secretary in trouble just in case.

He gave a polite smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Well then, how may I help you?"

His question made Hinata blink at him in surprise.

He didn't know I was to start work there? Is he not supposed to be Fugaku Uchiha san's right-hand man?

"Erm, Uchiha Fugaku san said I would start working here as of today, that is why I am here this morning." Hinata explained which elicited a surprised look in his eyes a second time that morning.

"…Oh… I see." He said after a long pause and then his plastic smile was back. "Well, he is in now so he would be up shortly."

Hinata gave a polite smile back.

"Ok. Thank you so much sir."

"You are most welcome Hyuga san. If you would excuse me" He said and made his way to the elevators.

After about 15 minutes, there was the sound of the elevators making Hinata's heart kick harder against her chest involuntarily as Fugaku stepped out of the elevators to finally make an appearance with Koga following in tow holding Fugaku's suitcase.

Hinata could just stare in shock when the secretary shot to her feet to give Fugaku a deep bow with big bright smile Hinata thought her facial muscles were not capable of pulling off.

"Welcome, Uchiha Sama." The amount of sweetness and cheeriness she injected into her voice almost made Hinata's jaw hit the floor.

Hinata couldn't believe she was the same mannequin she met a while ago.

As Fugaku approached to make his way to his office, Hinata got to her feet.

She noticed, he hadn't looked her way or made any eye contact with her since he arrived, almost as if he was avoiding doing so.

When he got close enough, she took in a deep breath and…

"Good morning, Uchiha san." Hinata greeted with a bow.

"Hn." With just a grunt and without even skipping a beat in his step, Fugaku just walked on to his door and opened it to disappear behind it, like he didn't know her.

Hinata could just stand there awkwardly in confusion as Koga blinked at her before following Fugaku to the office.

Hinata was confused.

Was he not the same person who told me I was going to start work here?

Why did he act like he doesn't know me…like he didn't know why I was in front of his office in the first place?

Hinata just calm down and be patient. He just arrived and looks like he is not a morning person.

She told herself before she awkwardly took her seat.

After some time of waiting, the door opened making Hinata almost turn in anticipation when Koga stepped out with files in hand.

But with just a small tight smile, he just made a beeline to his office without a word.

Hinata blinked more confused.

What is happening?

She was beginning to get work up and that was not good if she was to face Fugaku Uchiha.

Calm down and just be patient, Hinata.

…

…

…

It had been more than 2 hours since Hinata had been sitting outside Fugaku's office…waiting.

And Fugaku had not called for her.

Everyone was going about her business like she wasn't even there.

People kept coming in and going out of Fugaku's office, some giving her questioning looks as they passed her by especially when they were asked to go in when they had come to meet her there.

She kept telling herself maybe he was really busy.

She kept telling herself maybe he had urgent issues to discuss with the people who came to see him.

But after more than 2 good hours, the more she told herself this…

…the more she felt confused.

…the more she felt stupid.

She could feel the secretary steal glances at her with every person that passed her by to see Fugaku, as if to sneer at her with her eyes.

And if to add salt to the injury, at that moment Koga came out of his office only to disappear into Fugaku's office without a word…again.

Did I not hear right yesterday?

Her mind replayed his words from yesterday as if to refute that.

Very well then you would commence work here from tomorrow at 8 am prompt. No lateness

He told her she would work under him.

He even gave her the time to report.

And to add the cherry on top, he even warned her not to be late.

Hinata came to his office to start working under him.

She even came before the time he told her to report to wait outside his office for him.

She was very early to make emphasis.

I definitely heard right and did as I was told perfectly.

So, what was wrong?

Why was he acting like he had lost that part of his memory?

Why did he seem like none of the people working under him were aware of him asking her to work there?

All this was slowly eating away at the resolve and confidence she had built from yesterday till Fugaku had arrived.

After sitting outside for hours without being called and no one even saying a word to you, you begin to feel so little and you begin to question your relevance.

You begin to question your significance if it seems your presence can be forgotten so easily for that long.

She was sure she must look stupid sitting outside someone's office without the person giving her a time of his day.

Why am I even here?

Wh-

Ko, I know being this close to him is dangerous and I know he is the reason why I lost my dad and his fortune…but that is more reason I should be close to him, so that I can be closer to the truth in order to prove what he did to dad and take what he stole from us. It is not going to be easy that is why I have to put away my fears to face this head on if I am to achieve anything. And I need you to trust me and have faith in me that I would be able to achieve this.

She remembered her own words, the very words she told a doubtful and very worried Ko to reassure him of her working under Fugaku Uchiha.

If I asked Ko to trust and have faith in me, was it hypocritical of me to start having doubts now?

Why am I letting something like this shake my resolve and confidence when I had asked someone to put his trust and faith me?

Then she knew she couldn't let down Ko down, she couldn't let herself down after such lofty promises.

She had a rare opportunity to be able to take everything that was taken from her and she didn't have the luxury to feel sulky about being ignored.

Hinata felt her resolve and confidence renewed again.

She got to her feet which earned her a weird look from the secretary from her side view.

She had half the mind to knock and enter his office to go speak to Fugaku face to face, but she reasoned it would rude to just barge in when he might be discussing something important with Koga and she didn't want to cause problems for the secretary despite her less than receptive attitude towards her.

Hinata begun to pace slowly around the door to Fugaku's office to better organize how she was going to go abo-
The door to Fugaku's office suddenly not only to reveal Koga but Fugaku, which made her heart jump at not expecting to see him come out now.

And when their eyes met briefly, he tore his eyes away from her like he didn't know her and seemed to be about to make a beeline to the elevators.

"Uchiha san." Hinata's voice was clear and firm making Fugaku freeze where he stood, and Koga and the secretary look at her like she had grown a second head.

Hinata took his silence and he still standing there as him giving her an audience. She mustered courage to take tentative steps to stand in front of him to face him though he didn't make eye contact with her.

"Yesterday in your office, you were so gracious to ask me to start working under you starting from today. But since I came I have not been assigned to what I am supposed to do, so I wanted to know how I can be of service to you whiles working under you, sir?" Hinata said in one breath, managing to keep her voice levelled and clear despite her wildly beating heart.

Koga and most especially the secretary were gawking at her and she didn't know if they were surprised she had the guts to stand before Uchiha Fugaku to demand answers from him or that she had the audacity to do so.

After a moment of loud beats of tension filled silence, Fugaku lifted his icy eyes to pierce right through her eyes as if he wanted to freeze her heart.

"…When I find you useful, I would call for you."

The only sound that could be heard were the soles of Fugaku's expensive shoes clicking on the polished floor as he made his way towards the elevators with Koga following a moment later after recovering from shock and impact of those words.

And Hinata stood there in rigid silence as those words dug a hole right through her chest to bite and inject its painful venom into her heart.

She could feel every part of her body get heavy with mortification. She could feel the sting of the secretary's gloating eyes mocking her which felt pouring salt on this raw and fresh injury.

She didn't know how she was going to make it to her seat without tripping on the sheer amount embarrassment and humiliation she felt.

Hinata wondered why she would go back to her seat when she was told in no simple words that her presence here was useless… that she is useless.

She felt that thought gut her and open old scars of when she felt inadequate when being compare to Hanabi when she was younger. She suddenly felt the eyes of those elders and family members, looking at her with disdain…their eyes telling her she was of no use…that she was hopeless. Then she remembered her father's eyes and the look of disappointment in them as he looked at her.

Hinata didn't know how she was still standing on her feet and not crumpled on the floor.

But at that moment she remembered Sasuke on that fateful night.

And this moment she understood him more than ever.

She felt …

…the humiliation he must have felt.

…how mortified he must have been.

…the pain that was burning his very soul.

But he must have felt it 10 times hers because he had a larger audience to witness his humiliation and was more scathing than hers and also was delivered the lethal blows by his own father…someone he looked up to and sort approval from.

Though the pain she saw in his eyes was so unbearable and crushing, he didn't let them see him break down there, he didn't crumble to the floor like he should with that much pain…he made sure walked out on his own two feet and his pride as an Uchiha and also as Sasuke to hold him to make his grand exit as a whole and not in pieces.

If Sasuke had the strength to do that under worse situation…

…who was she to crumple to the floor?

… who was she to fall in pieces?

…who was she to breakdown because she was embarrassed in front of two people as against a whole board of shareholders?

Hinata took a deep breath and pushed her non-budging legs to walk to her seat the whole time feeling the sting of the secretary's gaze on her.

Hinata was sure she looked more stupid in the secretary's eyes, still taking a seat to wait after what Fugaku had told her.

Even though she still felt embarrassed and humiliated and the only thing she wanted was to run out of here to cry and never come back…she knew this is what they wanted…this is what he wanted.

Hinata clenched her fists at her sides to prevent her hands from shaking, feeling her eyes sting from all the unshed tears.

I am not going give him what he wants…

Since she said in no small words she is capable, I hope working directly under me would not be beyond her capabilities?

That is if she is up for it?

Remembering these words made her resolve to stay stronger and it made everything that happened from when she arrived till now make sense.

Not informing his right-hand man and secretary of her starting work here

Acting like he didn't know her or hadn't told her to start work here

Making her sit outside for hours like an outcast without giving her the time of the day whiles receiving other people and making her feel out of place

And those scathing words that was meant to break a person's spirit

It all made sense now…but…

…I am not going to give you the satisfaction of driving me out, Uchiha Fugaku.

Hinata said to herself with a cold fury burning inside her and fueling her resolve.

….

Even though she had got up a few times to stretch her muscles, Hinata's butt hurt from sitting down for so long doing nothing.

It was late afternoon, almost evening and there were no signs of Fugaku coming back to his office.

She at one point wanted to ask his secretary if he was likely to come back, but after completely ignoring her existence and going about her work like Hinata wasn't even there all this while they were here alone, Hinata knew it was best to keep her question to herself.

It was evening and the secretary had started packing up.

Fugaku never showed up.

She wasn't going to lie she was disappointed he didn't come and meet her still here and to have the satisfaction of seeing him try to mask his surprise at seeing, after sitting on her sore butt for hours.

But at least she stayed and that was enough for her.

Knowing she was strong enough to stay was enough for her.

"If you don't mind I would like to now leave now." Hinata suddenly heard the curt voice of the secretary.

Hinata turned to see her on feet with her eyes staring at her coldly with impatience.

She was telling her to leave because she had to close up.

Hinata just nodded and got to her feet and started walking towards the elevators.

When she got to the secretary's desk, Hinata stopped and turned to her with a small sweet smile.

"Ok. See you tomorrow."

The secretary could just blink and look at Hinata like she had lost her mind for wanting to come back next day after all that she had been put through.

Satisfied with her reaction, Hinata turned and made it to the elevators not expecting or waiting for a response.

The elevator took her to the parking lot where there was a shortcut to a café she was going to wait for Ko to pick her up since she just informed him she had closed.

But when she was about to turn towards the direction of the café, she heard the sound of a car door suddenly open making her turn to its source…

…and then she froze where she stood.

…Itachi.

Her mind unconsciously called for him at the sight of him.

He seemed to drop something at the passenger seat and was now about to sit in his car.

She hadn't seen him the whole day and she had been worried about him…she was worried about how the whole Sasuke situation must be taking a toll on him.

Hinata at that moment forgot about how tired she was and how she wanted to go the café to feast on some delicious cinnamon rolls to lift up her spirits.

She had to see him…she had to see his face even if it is for a moment…

…just know and make sure he was ok.

…just know how he is faring.

She didn't even realize when her legs had already started moving her towards his car, her heart beating harder with each step.

What if he is not ok?

What if he is not faring well?

What are you going to do about it?

And who said he would let you or even wants see you?

She felt her legs almost slow down to a halt at the heaviness of the doubt those questions gave her.

But they nonetheless kept moving, her legs kept moving her towards Itachi.

Even though she knew he was most likely going to turn her away or drive off, she just needed to see his face… just to know how he was doing.

Just to know…

Hinata was now standing in front of the car adjacent his, watching him just sitting in the car, leaning back in his seat with his eyes closed, without turning on the ignition.

…that he was ok?

Why was he just sitting in the car like that without moving?

Is he ok?

Why is he leaning back in his car like that with his eyes closed?

She would have thought he was waiting for someone if not for a few files he had at the front passenger seat.

Hinata was really getting worried and unfortunately though she could see him, his windscreen was a bit tinted so she couldn't scrutinize his face well as she would have wanted to, to give her the peace of mind that he was fine.

She decided to take a few tentative steps forward to get a better lo-

She saw Itachi's eye lids begin to move making her freeze mid step and was wondering if it was best for her to turn and leave before he fully opened his eyes.

Her fear of Itachi pushing her away yet again surfaced,to protect her from the crushing pain that came along with his rejection.

But her need to make sure he was faring well made her stay.

And with her heart kicking mercilessly against her chest, she watched as his eyes fluttered open and almost immediately fell on her as if he knew she was there all along.

Like magnets, their eyes instantly met throwing them into a world of their own.

But as soon as their eyes met, Hinata knew at the moment that Itachi was not ok.

At that moment she felt all the anguish, frustration stress and sleepless nights he had gone through since Sasuke disappeared.

He was being eaten alive with his anguish over Sasuke.

She could see how powerless he felt of not knowing what to do to bring his brother back.

The same powerlessness she felt at not knowing how to shield him from all this worry and stress.

Her heart ached seeing him like this. She could see he was at the brink of giving up with the dejected look and immense guilt in his eyes.

It broke her heart to see him like this. She wished she could bring Sasuke herself back to clear these stormy eyes and put everyone at ease.

It surprised her how he let his eyes wide open her of all people and didn't hide anything in them from her.

And he continued to hold her eyes steadfastly, not letting go as if he would lose his mind if he does.

It was as if he was reaching out for her as if he was telling her he nee-

She watched him removed the files at the passenger seat and lean to the passenger side of his car only to open its door ajar from the inside.

Hinata's heart skipped beat.

She looked at Itachi in disbelief.

Does he…does he want me to sit in the car with him?

And as if to answer her doubts, Itachi slowly blinked his eyes as if he was nodding with his eyes, never letting them leave hers.

Hinata could feel her heart swell in her chest, overwhelmed by emotions at this.

Itachi… She didn't know what this meant but though she was worried sick about him…

She was glad he allowed her in so she could just be there for him at a time like this.

He stared at her expectantly, making her heart squeeze hard.

She tentatively walked to the passenger side of car opened for her.

Then she finally put her foot in the car and then slowly and still with uncertainty sat inside the car, her heart beating like crazy at being back in this seat again with so many memories rushing in at once, at being in this car alone once again with this man…this man who upon everything he had done, her heart didn't know how to stop loving.

Being with this man alone like this was a temptation especially how all her sense seemed to heighten all at once to him… a temptation she didn't know if she would be able to survive whole yet…

…Hinata's hand with a mind of their own reached out for her side of the door and closed the door despite her heart skipping a beat at her own actions as she tried to calm her heart to be able to breathe properly.

There was no going back.

But unbeknownst to them, they did not see a pair of fiery eyes watching her as she sat in Itachi's car…eyes that belonged to a silently fuming Uchiha Fugaku as he watched from a distance.

…

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