Beyond The Camera: The Sequel

Chapter 7

Disclaimer: Endgame is SasuHina and GaaSaku.

A happy ending is coming!

Thanks for reading!

-Sasuke's POV-

After getting advice from Kakashi, we had Ino hire a lawyer to help us prepare our case against Fugaku, Hiashi, and the rest of those involved. The three of us and the CEO are likely being watched. If our statements show transactions with legal counsel, it may tip them off and ruin everything.

The first thing the lawyer told us to do was to begin preparing ourselves in the event the photos were released. Sakura contacted Konoha's largest charity for abused women and started working out a contract with them. Luckily, she remembered the name of the woman who took the photos at the hospital. She'll be included in our case, so hopefully, she'll also pay for what she did. Sakura's irritating, but her strength in the face of something we all know terrifies her is admirable.

Gaara admitted to having already contacted those he hurt before Prestige even debuted, so there wasn't much else he could do to prepare for that.

And then there's me. What can I possibly do to prepare for explicit photos of Hinata and me to be leaked? As much as I love the idea of having a few for my personal enjoyment, neither of us even considered it because it's too dangerous for those things to exist. Besides, we were under the impression we could see the real thing any time we wanted.

The best I can do is avoid alcohol and paparazzi. If I succumb to the stress, I could fuck everything up. Hinata needs us; she needs me to be strong right now.

What will it be like to see her on Monday? We have a concert debriefing with Kakashi first thing in the morning. No matter how hard it is, I must pretend nothing's wrong. Acting selfish and heartbroken around Hinata will only make her feel worse, and I know she's hurting badly. God, it pisses me off that she's going to suffer the entire time we're preparing all of this.

Itachi told me she had a new phone. Her number hasn't changed, but not one of us has even received a text message. Undoubtedly, she's worried her phone is bugged. It's not an irrational concern. I just wish she'd at least tell me she's okay. I need to know that Toneri hasn't hurt her, that no one's laid a finger on her.

When the three of us got home from another meeting with the lawyers on Friday evening, we realized Hinata either came home or sent someone in her place because most of her belongings were gone from her room. Her keyboard was also taken from the studio downstairs.

Sakura was the only one who visually reacted, bursting into tears as we stood in a half-empty bedroom. She was also the only one to say something, "She's not gone forever. We just have to wait a little longer."

I don't know if she was trying to comfort me or herself, but it didn't work either way.

In an attempt to keep my cool, I let the others drag me along to whatever they wanted on Saturday. Sakura and Ino decided I'd be their chauffeur while they spent the day shopping. In their own words, it was "retail therapy" to help them deal with the stress.

I visited the restroom while the girls ordered lunch at the food court.

On my way out, I nearly ran right into someone. Stepping to the side, I glanced at them, "My bad-" Icy blue eyes widened, making me do a double-take. I turned to face the smug white-haired man fully, "You've got to be fucking kidding me."

Toneri grinned sheepishly, "Small world."

Every atom of my being was ready to genuinely murder him, but I clenched my teeth and fists to keep my composure.