Mine to Protect [Kagehina]

Chapter 2: Underground

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SUMMARY: Kageyama takes Hinata to a motel to hide out. They find out what the other knows about the target. Hinata's worst fear is confirmed.

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Hinata sat in the passenger seat of the man's car, staring straight ahead and gripping the laptop tightly. His heart was still pounding wildly in his chest, and he felt a little bit like vomiting. He supposed that was a rational reaction to almost dying and then being saved by a sinfully gorgeous man.

Who, incidentally, appeared to kill without remorse.

Hinata wasn't sure how to feel about everything that had just happened. He was, of course, grateful to the dark-haired stranger, and he had found evidence that Kuba was tied to Natsu's disappearance. So that was good.

But he had almost died and then watched a man be executed. Not so good.

He was confused and agitated, feeling overwhelmed trying to process it all. He only realized that his leg was bouncing when the stranger glanced at his leg and then his face, glowering. He looked grumpy and cute, despite the daggers shooting from his eyes.

Hinata definitely was confused. How could he think a killer was cute? There was definitely something wrong with him.

He stopped bouncing his leg and turned to study the stranger. He could just make out the man's profile in the darkness, but it was perfect. Strong jaw, straight nose.

"Thank you," Hinata finally said, causing the man to study him briefly before turning back to the road.

"You're welcome."

The silence stretched for several seconds until Hinata blurted out, more loudly than he intended, "You killed that guy!"

The man didn't even flinch. "Yep. And don't expect me to feel bad about it. He had it coming."

"But aren't you afraid? That the police will find you and arrest you?"

The man shrugged. "Not really. Haven't caught me yet."

His cavalier attitude sent a shiver down Hinata's spine. "You've done that before? Killed someone?"

He saw the man stiffen and clamp his jaw shut. Hinata imagined if there were enough light, he would be able to see his jaw muscles contracting.

Finally, the man spoke. "Yeah. I'm an assassin."

"Whaa?" Hinata exclaimed.

"You heard me," the man said in response.

"So, is that why you were there? To kill Kuba?"

"Yeah."

Hinata's brain was whirring. "Because of the human trafficking?"

The man glanced over at Hinata again, but answered curtly, "Yeah."

"I only suspected. Did you have proof? That he was doing that?"

The man seemed to debate how much to say, but finally offered, "Yeah. My associate was able to find financial records tying Kuba to multiple transactions of money for people."

Hinata's stomach lurched as the reality sunk in. He had been right. His sister was likely taken by Kuba and his people. He wanted to vomit, worried about what she might be going through at that moment, but he forced the thoughts aside, instead trying to focus on how to find her.

"I didn't have evidence. I was looking for it."

"You think he has your sister?"

Hinata felt lightheaded at hearing the words out loud. He managed to respond in a quiet voice, "Yeah."