AN: OK. this is the first chapter of Subtle Understandings. It's a bit different from how I normally write but bare with me. Also, just a warning, the romance side of this, while obviously there, is more light and casual. But I still like it. Also, I might just delete it if no one likes it. So, don't forget to say if you like it or not in a review.

My fist clenched as I lowered my head, letting the water from the shower run through my short black hair. I could feel myself shiver as the water ran down my spine. It was freezing. It had been for the past few days, ever since the landlord turned off our heater.

Stepping away from the liquid ice, I quickly lathered the shampoo into my hair, determined to finish this torture as soon as possible. Stepping back under, a string of curses escaped my lips as the water pressure died down until it stopped completely.

The water company had shut off our water, again. This is how it always went, first the heater, then the water, and some times the electricity. All because my bastard of a father couldn't even send the checks on time any more.

Running a frustrated hand through my still soapy hair I stepped out of the shower and dried off. Slipping into a pair of jeans I silently crept my way down the hall, stopping at the door to my sisters' room.

Sliding it open, my eyes first fell on the small form lying listlessly on the bed. I could feel myself smiling as I watched my youngest sister sleep. I liked these moments with her. They were quiet and peaceful, a major contradiction to how she acted when she was awake.

I turned to the other side of the room, seeing my other sister already awake and gathering her things for her morning shower.

"Don't bother." I spoke, smirking when I saw her jump in surprise. "The waters off again." She turned to face me and our eyes locked for a moment before she spoke.

"Again?" She asked, her long dark hair falling over her face. I simply nodded, turning my eyes back to Hanabi, listening to her small snores. "I'll start breakfast if you wake her up." She offered.

I took a moment to consider my options. I could either risk burning our breakfast or attempt to awaken the young girl. "Fine."

I could see the relief flash through her eyes as she left, offering me a small smile. I lingered in the doorway for a moment, watching her walk away. I knew my eyes probably lingered for too long, but I decided to push it off as brotherly love.

"Hanabi," I spoke softly, shaking the small girl. "Hanabi," Her brow furrowed as she turned over, mumbling in her sleep. "Wake up."

As usual, she didn't offer any response. Reaching up, I quickly grabbed the sheets, pulling them from her in one quick yank. Drowsy lavender eyes blinked up at me, reflecting my calm obsidian pools.

She looked around the room for a moment, as though confused as to where she was as I just watched. "Five more minutes," She groaned, closing her eyes again. I sat in silence as she drifted back to sleep in less than a minute.

Reaching out I woke her up again. She groggily opened her eyes and looked me in the face. "Go away onii-chan." She whined. Getting tired of her antics, I picked her up and carried her to the bathroom, propping her up inside and closing the door behind me.

Hanabi was like that, ever since she was little. It used to be cute, but now it just seemed bothersome. But, that's what brothers are for right?

I walked into the kitchen, and paused. Hinata stood before the stove in her school uniform, humming to herself. I stayed there for a moment, just admiring the view. I saw her everyday and yet I never quite got used to how much she had grown.

Soundlessly I walked up behind her and snaked my arms around her waist. I felt her tense slightly before she relaxed. "What're you making?" I whispered, glancing down at the food.

"B-bacon and eggs." She answered, clearing her throat. She was so cute when she was flustered. I pulled her a little closer, until her back was pressed against my chest earning a heavy blush.

Running a finger down her side and trailing over her thigh, I felt her shiver against me, her head turned away from me. I love teasing her. That's what siblings do right? They tease each other?

Hearing the bathroom door open, I released her and walked silently to the table. Not a moment later, a smiling Hanabi entered the room.

"Morning, Hinata-neechan. Morning Sasuke-niichan." She greeted. I gave a barely audible 'hn' in response, listening distractedly as Hinata began a conversation with our sister.

I glanced at the clock as we finished eating. Knowing they wouldn't make it to the bus in time I stood and walked to the door. "Come on, I'll give you guys a ride to school."

Hanabi bounced happily to the car, dragging Hinata along while I lingered behind. Hanabi was the perfect imitation of her older sister. Both had long dark hair and calm lavender eyes.

Although Hanabi was more out spoken and abrasive compared to the quiet and gentle Hinata, you could definitely tell they were related. I was the odd one out. With my crisp black eyes and thick black hair I didn't resemble my family all that much. But that's to be expected.

Pulling out of the driveway, my eyes drifted to the mirror, watching Hinata and Hanabi as they talked behind me. Well, at least my father did something right in his life time. He did, after all, make us a family.

--"--"--

"Sasu-nii, don't forget I'm having a friend over later, ok?" Hanabi asked, her thin arms wrapping around my waist in a hug. I gave a small grunt in reply as she stepped back, a big smile on her still young face.

"Do need me to pick you guys up?" I offered. The smile was replaced by a pout as she crossed her arms over her chest. When we were younger, I used to make fun of her whenever she made that face, but I figure it's about time I stopped.

"I'm eleven years old. Stop treating me like a baby Onii-chan!" Oh the wonderful years of preteen rebellion. I walked forward and leaned down so I was almost her height, giving her a smile of my own.

"That's right. How could I have forgotten?" I teased, giving her a light kiss on her forehead. Hanabi furrowed her brow and lowered her head in embarrassment, a small blush dusting her cheeks.

"Onii-chan!" She whined, trying to hide her embarrassment while rubbing the spot where I kissed her. "I told you, not in front of my friends." I couldn't help but laugh a little.

"Sorry, sorry." I quickly apologized, choosing to ruffle her hair instead. She still looked a little pissed, but I could see a faint smile behind her scowl.

"Just don't let it happen again." She warned, turning to the school. "See you at home, Onii-chan, Onee-chan."

I watched her go before turning back to the car where Hinata was leaning against the side casually. A small smile lit her face as she waved goodbye to her sister. Walking over I took the space next to her.

"So, would you like for me to pick you up, or are you too old to hang out with your big brother too?" I asked, cocking my head in her direction. A small blush covered her cheeks as she looked back up at me, our faces only a few inches apart.

"I don't know." She started, looking away from me. "I might have plans after school." I knew she was just making fun of me. "For all you know I could have a date." Ok, it officially wasn't funny anymore.

I could feel my eyes narrow as she just gave me a smug smile. "I'll be here before the bell rings. Don't make me wait long, ok?" She just gave me a look that I took to mean something along the lines of 'whatever'.

She ran off to join a group of her friends, turning back only to stick her tongue out at me. I smirked to myself as I climbed back in the car and pulled out, only to stop again a few streets down.

--"--"--

I took a second to glance up from what I was doing. A couple had walked through the door, both holding hands and smiling happily. Reaching into the pocket on my apron I took out some menus and approached them, forcing myself to smile. "A table for two?" I asked as politely as I could, which judging from their faces wasn't all that polite.

The man just nodded, giving his wife a look from the corner of his eye. I scowled at him and led them to a table, laying the menus before them. The woman looked at me, batting her eyelashes flirtatiously and swinging her hips as she walked. She's one of those girls who thinks their hot because they got laid by the quarterback in high school. I just scoffed. She was no where near as pretty as Hinata. Even Hanabi could beat her, and she was only eleven.

"What do you want to drink?" I asked, ignoring the sideways glances the woman was sending me.

"Do you have coke or pepsi?" Asked the man, glancing up at me over his menu.

"Pepsi." That look he was giving me was getting really annoying.

"Then two diet pepsis." He answered, shoving the menu in my face. "I'll have a cheeseburger and she'll have the chicken salad." I took a glance at the woman expecting her to protest but she said nothing.

I scrawled down their order and gave the man a small 'hn' before walking away.

I came back a few minutes later, carrying their food. Setting it on the table I grunted a 'here' before leaving, only to be stopped by the man calling out to me.

Turning around I didn't pretend to be nice as I barked out a 'what'. "This burger is too cooked. I need another one." Cursing to myself I walked over and snatched it away, storming back into the kitchen.

I brought him another one, this time waiting for his seal of approval. My eye twitched seeing the smug look on his face as he pushed the food away again. "Now it's not cooked enough."

I could feel my muscles tighten as he smirked up at me. I could hear the woman whisper for him to stop embarrassing her in public. He just gave her a look that clearly read 'shut the hell up'. She glanced at me again, and his face got even redder seeing this. Oh. Now it made a lot more sense.

My body relaxed as a smirk set over my face. Leaning down on the table I gave him a steely look, making his smile falter. "Sir," I spit out, putting on a fake smile. "It's very immature to send back your food because you're jealous that your little girlfriend finds me more attractive than you." That seemed to hit the spot.

I saw the girl brighten up a little bit as he turned red. I really didn't need to give her any false hope. "Not that I care. I wouldn't date a cow like her anyway." That should take care of that.

"That's it, we're leaving. But not before I talk to your manager about this." He announced, standing up from his seat. Good, I was getting sick of their ugly faces anyway. Just as I opened my mouth to express these thoughts, a voice interrupted me.

"Please don't. I am so sorry for his behavior. I assure you, this has never happened before. Now, if you will please just sit down I'll make sure that you get a new server and I'll even give you desert for free." The blonde boy smiled down at the couple, waiting patiently for them to sit back down. As soon as they did, he took back the burger, apologizing profusely for my behavior.

He gripped my arm and dragged me to the kitchen with him. I didn't resist. It would only be bothersome to get in a fight in the middle of the restaurant.

"Sasuke. How many times have I told you? You can't provoke the customers." He scolded, handing the burger back to the chef and muttering orders. "Seriously dude, learn some people skills."

I watched as Naruto picked up the burger and took it to the man who happily accepted it. Figures he's accept it from that idiot. I hated to admit it, but I didn't have very good people skills. I got pissed easily and I never could tolerate others.

Naruto normally always had to save me when I got into fights with customers. Which is more often that I'm willing to admit. Even if Naruto graduated the lowest in our class, he could still befriend anyone at anytime. Stupid little idiot was just too friendly.

"He was being a bitch, I had to set him straight." I justified myself, looking Naruto straight in his bright blue eyes. He just sighed and rolled his eyes.

"You know what the boss will say if she finds out. Why don't you just go work the check in desk." He suggested, pinning a few more orders to the wheel.

"Fine, whatever." I walked casually out of the kitchen, my hands in my pockets and right to the front desk. This is normally where I spent my days. I only had to deal with people for a short amount of time and it was never enough to do any real damage.

After a while of answering phones and ushering people, the door opened one more time, showing exactly who I was longing to see. Hinata walked through the door, her hair blown back from the slight wind and her eyes wide as she scanned the seating room for me.

Ducking behind the desk, I walked up to her as quietly as possible and slipped my arms around her waist. Apparently she already knew it was me as she twisted around with a large grin on her beautiful face.

"Hey Sasuke. Didn't see you there." She giggled. I knew I should have let her go, like any normal brother would do, but she was intoxicating. Just holding her was enough to stir up emotions inside me.

"Hey yourself. What are you doing here, aren't you supposed to be in school?" I loosened my hold and she slipped out of my arms, instead choosing to place her hand in mine. Everything about her is just so cute.

"I wanted to have lunch with my big brother. Can you take a break?" Her silver eyes stared into mine and I found myself nodding. Technically, I already used my break, but I figure if I'm not fired by now, then what the hell, why not.

I took us to a table near the kitchen. It's the one deemed for workers. It gets pretty loud but there's never any retarded customers close enough to wave you down as they pretend not to notice that you're on your break.

She laughed as I snuck into the kitchen and stole us some lunch. God I love her laugh. We had almost finished eating when Naruto fell into the booth next to me, that broad smile on his face.

Hinata flushed seeing him. She had had a crush on him when she was younger. It was adorable really, but a little annoying. I only find comfort in the fact that she doesn't like him anymore. As a brother, I say she can do much better.

"Hey guys, what's up?" He asked, helping himself to my fries. Frowning, he squirted ketchup on the small pile that was left. I sent him a silent glare before pushing the plate over to him. I hate ketchup.

"I just came to visit my brother during lunch." Hinata offered, taking out her cell phone and checking the time. "Which was over five minutes ago. Sorry, I gotta go." I watched her slide out of the booth, her short skirt sliding across the plastic like material of the seat. "See you later Sasuke. It was nice seeing you Naruto."

I didn't turn to watch her leave, but I did listen as the door chime rang, announcing her departure. I liked it when she visited me at work, even if we only got a few minutes alone together.

"Man, your sister is hot." Naruto voiced, turning back around in his seat. He had watched her leave.

"That's gross man. Don't talk about my sister like that." I countered, my voice loosing it's enthusiasm as I gathered the plates. But even if I say that, I can't help but agree. Hinata is definitely hot.

"Yeah yeah, I get it. Stay away." He turned his head away, ending the conversation. Naruto is my best friend, he always has been. And although he can be a total idiot, I know why he'd never tried to get with Hinata. It wasn't because of the age difference, and it definitely wasn't because I told him not to. It's because, even though he pretends not to, he knows how I feel. The dobe's more observant than I'd ever give him credit for.

Walking back to the desk, my eyes drift to the windows, thinking more about my beloved family. I could feel myself smiling as I remembered the first time I had met Hinata. She was so small as she clung to her mother's long coat. Everything about her had changed since then. Everything except her eyes; I loved those even then.

AN: So yeah, that's it. Hope you liked it. Or are at least interested. Don't forget to review. If you like it I'll post the next chapter soon.