I know I said that I will be moving out of the Naruto kingdom, but I swear to god this is the last one. It came to me before Naruto was concluded, so I just have to write it... The plot is based off of Cheese In The Trap, the manhwa. And using the Naruto characters, I shall create... A masterpiece... Mwahaha. Main pairing: ItaHinaSasu.
And also, this fic travels between the past and the present.
Cheese In The Trap
Chapter I
Running
One Year Earlier (August) [Past]
"You! Beware men!"
Hinata looked around, trying to spot any other person in her surroundings. Not finding anyone, she dumbly pointed at herself. "M-me?"
The fortune teller nodded furiously, making crazy hand gestures. "Yes, you! You're going to meet an unfortunate boy - and because of this unfortunate boy, many unlucky things will happen to you! You have to avoid men!" Not noticing Hinata's doubtful expression, the fortune teller continued on talking. "In fact, this misfortune is so strong, that it carries onto the next year!"
"U-um, could you like, e-explain a bit more, m-maybe?" Hinata bent on her knees to face the fortune teller who was on the floor (next to a unique blue tent that was set up), weakly trying to make the fortune teller understand that there was almost no way that she would be going around meeting boys. Not only was she too shy to do so, she had no time.
"Yes... That man will make you so very..." The fortune teller continued on muttering darkly, unaware of Hinata's uncomfortable expression. Finally, she shook her head, and paid the teller for their time.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed, and she looked down to see the caller. Ino. Shaking her head in exasperation, she answered it, pulling the phone to her ear. "Hello?"
"Hey, Hinata!" Ino exclaimed, her tone happy and bubbly. "So how'd it go? You said you were going to get a fortune teller to tell your fortune, right? What did they say?" Hinata secured her phone tighter to her ear as she kept on walking through the warm streets of Konoha.
"They said... They said that I should beware men." Hinata would have laughed had she not been so polite. Her and men? No matter how one looked at it-
"But that's ridiculous!" Ino uttered before laughing. "The only man that you liked was Naruto - in high school - and he's got a girlfriend! There's just no way!"
"I know, right?" Hinata shook her head, sighing. "Besides, I have no time for boys. I'm going to study really hard in university, get a scholarship, and help my mother and my family!"
"You're just saying that because you're shy," Ino murmured dejectedly. "And why did you choose business, anyway? I always thought you'd go for medicine, or something..."
"Just because!" Hinata smiled, and it was a good thing Ino wasn't there to see how painful that smile was. "Anyway, I'm glad we got into the same university!"
"I know right? And-" Hinata started to tune out as Ino continued chattering. Already, she was beginning to forget about the fortune that was given to her - even though the teller had said it was so bad that it continued into the next year.
If only she'd paid attention.
One Week Later (September) [Past]
"Oh, you're here?" A man asked, looking up from the cup of alcohol he had previously been chugging.
"Yeah. Sorry I'm late, everyone!" The handsome, dark headed man replied - and almost all of the girls in the room became excited.
Present
"I'm - I'm t-taking a leave of a-absence," Hinata muttered, looking like death himself. Her normally white eyes seemed to shine a sickly grey, and her usually shiny raven hair was dull. The bags under her eyes looked worse than they had ever been, and her nose was runny. The worst thing was her skin - a creamy pale tone - was sallow and yellowish. Even though she looked horrible, she still had brought herself to visit a hang-out with her friends, with a purpose in mind.
The 'hang-out' was a restaurant/bar targeting young adults on one of the main streets in Konoha. It wasn't quiet, but it wasn't too loud, either - the perfect place for a meeting between the students of the department. Her friends had been looking forward to coming and enjoying the food and drink; Hinata just couldn't let them down, and she just had to tell them the news.
Both Ino and Shikamaru had noticed her not-too-pristine exterior, but had kept quiet. Instead, they tried to show that they supported her announcement. "Well, I get your book," grumbled the lazy Shikamaru, glad that he didn't have to bother himself by writing things down. He turned his eyes away, instead languidly pushing food into his mouth.
"And I get your locker," enthusiasm was one of Ino's better traits. Although it was obviously a fake enthusiasm, as her blue eyes didn't retain the sparkle they always had. It was obvious that she was trying to obscure her concern... But Hinata was grateful no questions were asked, nonetheless. "For how long?"
"A year," Hinata sighed, leaning back on her chair. "I wasn't able to get the scholarship."
"So, is it because of financial reasons?" The blonde was always one for clear answers. Subtlety was never one of Ino's strong points.
"Yes," Hinata agreed, preferring the easy way out. "I did get some scholarship, but... i-it's just too little." She wasn't lying, she repeated to herself. She just wasn't telling the whole truth.
And Shikamaru obviously noticed that. "Is that really all there is too it?" His dark eyes were on her, calculated her words and her actions. It always unsettled Hinata when he became like that. She knew it was because he was aiming to be a lawyer, but still...
"I mean, school is so expensive! I'd understand if they had extra-lux bathrooms or something, but..." Ino chimed in, trying to lighten up the atmosphere. When that didn't work, she also decided to follow up on what Shikamaru started. "But is it just because it's expensive? I mean, it's you, Hinata, and I'm sure you can get a job! Multitask! You're a hard worker-"
Hinata contemplated how much she should reveal. They were her friends, right? She could at least say a little of what was honestly bothering her... It shouldn't be too much of a burden on them... "I... I'm tired," she finally admitted, her eyes closing ever so slightly. She could feel Shikamaru's intent gaze on her, but she couldn't bring herself to care.
"But... What are you so tired of?" Ino asked curiously, her blond hair swinging to the side as she tilted her head. "I mean, I know studies are hard, but..." As Ino continued talking, Hinata's eyes fixated on a figure that sat on the bar. A very handsome male that was laughing, and lightly sipping his beer.
Even if they asked... How the hell was she supposed to explain? She wouldn't be able to answer. It was too complicated... Even now, she highly doubted that they would believe her. How would they believe her? She even found it hard to believe herself and her own suspicions.
That guy that sat on that bar stool, happily talking to his friends... was an abomination. And she had only said it in her mind, but it still seemed ridiculous, even to herself. Nevertheless, she knew that her words were true - and although in the beginning, she had brushed her paranoia off, it was reaffirmed... Again and again, countless times.
And as much as she hated blaming others... It was all his fault.
Feeling frustrated, she decided to gulp down her drink. It wasn't the best idea since - everyone knew it - she was terrible with alcohol. In an instant, she felt dizzy and lightheaded, and cursed herself for being so light-weight. It wasn't like her. What on earth was she trying to achieve?
But it was the truth. The truth that she couldn't admit - she could barely admit it to herself. That frustrated her, and she took it out the way she knew how - the way others did - alcohol.
"Wow, she's serious," Ino whispered to Shikamaru, and Hinata pretended that she couldn't hear. She didn't need to hear - she just needed to drink. To forget.
"Yeah," Shikamaru said, knowing that from the very start. It was the way Hinata's eyes seemed like tunnels - there was no need to further stress herself out when she implied that the problem would be gone for a year. Hence why she particularly mentioned a one year leave of absence - and although Shikamaru still couldn't fully understand why (a first for him) he fully agreed with her decision. For her, school must be so troublesome now.
But as everyone knew, once one drank too much, one had to throw it all up, too. And that's exactly what was happening to Hinata, fifteen minutes later: retching on the pavement outside the restaurant while trying to retain some of her lost dignity. So much for only drinking one glass of beer.
"Hinata, you know you're a lightweight, why did you drink so much?" Complaining, Ino continued rubbing circles on her back while Shikamaru stood to the side, observing the situation. Why, indeed.
But suddenly, Ino's tone became more serious. "Have you been having problems at school? I'm sorry, I haven't noticed..." Ino trailed off, quiet. "Tell me everything, okay?" It was solemn, a thing very much unlike Ino. Hinata felt really grateful to have good friends such as Ino - and since she was her best friend, she could share. Even if she did, Ino wouldn't turn against her, and maybe even give her advice?
Maybe it was because of the alcohol, or her own twisted hope, Hinata tried telling the truth. "Y-you see... Actually... T-there's thi-"
But of course, whenever there was a critical moment, she had to be interrupted. "What are you guys doing?" A large male with brown hair and brown eyes called out loudly. He had also exited the restaurant, looking excited to move onto a new place. "C'mon, next round is in Konoha's Bite! Itachi's paying!" The black haired male appeared from behind Kiba, a pleasant smile on his features. Hinata's face involuntarily paled.
"But Konoha's Bite is expensive!" Ino said, astonished. She turned her head, looking back at Hinata who was embarrassedly trying to get on her feet. "Hinata, let's talk about it when we get there, okay? Maybe it'll cheer you up!" Shikamaru still stayed silent, eyes observing what was happening in front of him. Or maybe he was feeling lazy and had his eyes closed. Hinata was too light-headed to tell which.
"Oh, Hinata, ya sick? If you don't feel well, you can take a break, ya know..." Kiba said sympathetically, already beginning to turn around to walk on.
"Um... I-I think I'll pass," It was said in a low tone. Hinata felt sick, already starting to take cautious steps back. There was no way she was going to... Not with him... She felt sicker just thinking about it.
"Hey, are you really going? Are you going to be okay?" Ino said, looking worried.
"Hinata, maybe I should take you back," Shikamaru started, taking a few steps to her to grasp her shoulder.
"No, I'm okay," she insisted, taking his arm off her and turning around. "I'll see you guys later!"
"Are you sure? You'll really be missing out, you know!"
She began to run unsteadily, trying to get away. Maybe it was just her, but she could feel eyes on her back. Unwanted eyes on her back. But it was probably just her.
And ultimately, she didn't get to say the most important part: Itachi Uchiha. The centre of her misery for the past year. Stories about that senior.
And the fact that she was still running away, even now.
Okay... The last line was totally stolen. Fret not! Even though the beginning is basically the same, my version deviates later~ Again, the chapters are shorter here than in THM or Enigma - since it's my last two fics! And that's why they'll be updated more regularly, cuz, ya know...
Wow... I suppose these will be around 2K chapters, although this didn't quite reach 2K [just with the long author's note... ha]
Reviews? Aurora.
