Hi everyone, this is the first chapter of my first story, so I hope you like it. I'm really bad at beginnings, so please keep reading even though it may seem a bit strange it'll pick up and get good really soon, I promise. Also, since this is my first story, I love reviews, but please, no flames.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters in it *tear*
The sound of chairs clattering filled the room and the students of Konoha High burst into the halls for lunch period. Hinata gave a small sigh as she slowly put her books into her bag and got up from her seat. The last to leave the room, as usual, but she was in no rush to start the hated hour.
After making a stop at her locker to grab her lunch, Hinata quietly walked into a deserted classroom and put her stuff down on a desk. She hated lunch, hated watching everyone rush to join their friends for the celebrated social period, hated no one noticing little quiet Hinata left behind, alone. They made fun her, too, made fun of distant, shy Hinata with the stutter and weird blue hair. But Hinata wasn't one to be bitter.
She reached to turn on the light—and let out a small scream. Sitting in the back of the room, alone, in the dark, was Gaara. He wasn't eating, just staring into space. Hinata started to blush fiercely, and then made to take her stuff and get the hell out of there.
Gaara had only been at Konoha High for a couple of months now, and he hadn't made a single friend, or even uttered a single word. When he looked at you, there was a hard coldness in his eyes, and he scared Hinata. Some of the other students had even begun calling him a monster.
At that moment Gaara looked directly at Hinata, causing her to blush even more. He had pale green eyes, like sea foam. Then he looked away, and Hinata took her stuff to eat in another classroom.
That was strange, what was he doing in there, in the dark, all alone?
Hinata walked up to the driveway to see three cars sitting in it behind her cousin Neji's. Of course Neji would have his usual flock of friends over, like he did every day. Not that it mattered; Hinata always went straight to her room to do homework like a good girl anyway.
She took her shoes off and hung up her jacket. On her way to her room, Hinata passed by her father's office and the living room, which held her cousin, along with his friends Tenten, Kiba, Naruto, Sakura, Rock Lee, Ino, Sasuke and Shino. She ignored both them and her father, knowing that unless they wanted something, they would take no notice of her. Eh, time for homework.
During lunch the next day, it was a nice day, so Hinata decided to eat outside. Under her usual tree, off to the side from everyone else. She took out her chopsticks and began to eat. A leaf fell to the ground next to her, though there was no wind, and Hinata looked up, to see Gaara sitting in the top of the tree, staring down at her. Startled, and a little creeped out, Hinata finished her food quickly and left.
Hinata ran down the block, desperate to get home as fast as she could. If I'm not home in time for dinner, Father will be furious! She thought frantically as she dashed home. Suddenly, three figures walked out from an ally and stood blocking her path. It was Itachi and his cronies, Deidera and Kabuto, all seniors.
"Hehe," Itachi chuckled, a wicked smirk crossing his face as Hinata skidded to a stop, "look who we have here, guys, it's the Hyuugas' pet freak. What say you we teach her a lesson?" He turned to look at his buddies, who cackled, standing on either side of him.
"U-u-um, p-please let me through," squeaked Hinata. These guys were no joke. They thoroughly enjoyed beating up underclassmen, and Hinata, who was a sophomore, was one of their favorite punching bags. "I-I really have to g-go, if I'm late m-my father w-w-will—"
Hinata broke off as the wind got knocked out of her from the punch Itachi had just planted in her stomach, sending Hinata to the ground, the contents of her bag spilling everywhere. Coughing and gasping, Hinata got on her hands and knees, trying to catch her breath. She never got the chance, because Itachi picked that moment to kick her in the side, and Deidera and Kabuto joined in as well. Hinata curled into the fetal position, tears streaming down her face as she tried to protect her vitals. This happened about once a week or so, but Itachi and his gang never seemed to tire of pounding her over and over again. Eventually, Hinata just took the beatings in silence—defending herself would just provoke them to do worse.
Someone managed a kick to her head, sending stars across her vision. As she started to lose consciousness, Hinata became vaguely aware that the beating had stopped. A scream sounded, terrified, but distant, and then everything went black.
