Main pairing: HidaSaku

Other pairings: SasuNaru, PeinKonan, unrequited HinaSaku, hints of many, many others…

On pairings: There is no yaoi (or yuri) in this story, but there is mild shonen-ai. There are no sexual scenes for any couple other than Hidan and Sakura.

Content Disclaimer: Rated M for language, violence, and sexual content later on.

Copyright Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

UPDATED 12/9/10- Read the part about Kohana, it's right before the snowglobe part. Kohana is a somewhat important OC from Hidan's past who will come back up later…

OOOOOOO

Session One

(Part I)

"Sorry, I'm only attracted to semi-intelligent men"- Sakura.

After signing up for peer counseling, Sakura reported to the guidance office. The office was large and cool, with sterile white walls and air conditioning cranked up to the maximum setting. Several smaller offices branched off the main one, each bearing the name of a current or previous guidance councilor. The windows of the individual offices had been replaced by sheets of opaque plastic, guaranteeing the counselees their privacy.

The secretary at the guidance office didn't know anything about the peer-counseling program. Sakura turned to head toward the main office and abruptly collided with someone who was carrying a large stack of binders. The binders fell to the ground, revealing a very pretty girl with long bluish-black hair and pale eyes.

"I'm sorry," she said, blushing profusely before getting down on her hands and knees to retrieve the binders.

"No, it was my fault," Sakura replied, kneeling to help the girl. She looked somewhat familiar. Sakura'd had a few classes with her, although they'd never talked or anything. As Sakura handed her stack of binders back to the girl she said,

"Hey, it's Hinata, right? What brings you to the guidance office?"

"Um, I was supposed to have public speaking this block, but Kurenai-sensei convinced the principal to let me help out here instead. She's been trying to help me overcome my shyness, but I haven't made much progress," Hinata admitted sadly.

Sakura felt a rush of empathy for the girl. "Don't worry about it, Hinata-san. With all the pressure that's put on us to do well in school, look good for the boys, and fit in with our friends, it's a wonder that any teenage girl has self-confidence!"

Sakura had meant to put her at ease, but if anything, Hinata's blush deepened.

"Thank you, Sakura-san."

"No problem. Say, do you know anything about the peer counseling program?"

"Um, the one with the student volunteers?"

"Yeah. Am I in the wrong place? If I didn't know better, I'd say I was the only one who signed up," Sakura said, laughing nervously.

"You're not the only one. Sasuke-kun got here a few minutes ago. He's counseling Naruto-kun in Hanako-sensei's office."

Sakura couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed that she wouldn't have the chance to talk to Sasuke. Well I guess it's to be expected. I did get here late, after all, Sakura thought. I wonder why Sasuke and I were the only ones who volunteered?

"So, where do I go?"

"You have to go see Kurenai-sensei in her office."

"Where's that?"

"I can take you. I'm going there right now."

"Thanks, Hinata-san."

Sakura smiled at Hinata and Hinata blushed. Sakura was beginning to think that anything she said or did would bring color to the self-conscious girl's cheeks. That was okay, though. Sakura hadn't talked with a girl as friendly and sincere as Hinata in a long time.

Sakura followed Hinata to Kurenai-sensei's office and knocked on the door for her, since Hinata's arms were otherwise occupied.

"Come in," Kurenai called. "Thank you Hinata. You can put the binders on the desk."

Hinata did as she was told and exited the room, leaving Sakura alone with Kurenai. Kurenai was a unusually beautiful woman with curly black hair and crimson eyes. Sakura had seen her in the halls a couple of times, but it was all she could do not to stare.

Kurenai gave her a warm smile. "Hello. Have you signed up for the peer counseling program?"

"Yes, I have. My name is Sakura Haruno."

"It's nice to meet you, Sakura. Why don't you have a seat?"

Sakura sat in the chair opposite Kurenai, nervously smoothing her skirt around her legs.

Kurenai took the binder on top of the stack and handed it to Sakura.

"You're going to be counseling Yugakure Hidan. This binder contains all the information you'll need. You may look it over at your leisure. But first, I need you to read over this confidentiality agreement," Kurenai said, sliding a piece of paper across the desk. "By signing it, you certify that you won't discuss Hidan's grades or disciplinary records with anyone other than the boy himself."

Sakura quickly read over the agreement, signed her name, and handed it back to Kurenai. She opened the binder to reveal Hidan's complete transcript, disciplinary records, and yearbook picture, as well as several other papers that basically provided a crash course in peer counseling.

"I recommend you start with the icebreaker questions before going into anything too contentious," Kurenai advised. "Hidan will be waiting for you in Jiraiya's office when you're done. It's the third one on the right. Careful of the snow globes. Jiraiya collects them."

Kurenai left the office when she was finished speaking, presumably to fetch Hidan. Sakura leafed through the binder, focusing on the icebreaker questions and the how-to guide. Most of it was common sense, really. Listen to the counselee, be polite, professional, and non-judgmental. Piece of cake. By the time Kurenai returned to her office, Sakura felt she was ready to begin.

OOOOOOO

The first thing Sakura noticed when she stepped into Jiraiya's office was the snow globes. There were about fifty of them, and they covered every available surface of the room, from the desk to the bookshelves to the windowsill. There were snow globes from the usual locations, London, Paris, Rome, New York, Beijing, and Tokyo, as well as snow globes from places Sakura hadn't even head of, such as Aberdeen, Stuttgart, and Volgograd.

The second thing she noticed was Hidan. His yearbook photo didn't do him justice. (They rarely do.) He was much more attractive in person. He had slim silver eyebrows, intense violet eyes, and a wide, full mouth that was currently twisted upward in a cocky smirk. A black bandana decorated with red clouds covered his smooth silver hair. He wore a simple black t-shirt that accentuated his muscular chest, loose-fitting cargo pants, and sloppily laced combat boots. Much to Sakura's chagrin, his feet rested comfortably on Jiraiya's desk as he slouched in his chair and played with a beaded pendant that he wore around his neck. Though he was no Sasuke, Sakura had to admit that he was, well, hot.

"Hello," Sakura said, feeling rather shy.

He looked up at her briefly.

"Yo."

Sakura crossed the room and sat in the chair opposite Hidan.

"Um, could you please sit normally? I'm afraid that you're going to fall back and hurt yourself."

Hidan rolled his eyes, but complied. His boots slid off the desk and hit the ground with an audible clunk. Sakura winced as the snow globes on the desk vibrated slightly in response to his movement.

"Whatever you say, Pinky."

"My name's not 'Pinky.' It's Sakura Haruno," Sakura said firmly.

"…Whatever."

"When someone introduces herself to you, it's polite to give your own name in reply."

"Didn't they already tell you my name?"

"Yes, but I'd like you to say it."

"Hidan."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Hidan," she said, smiling at him and extending her hand for him to shake.

He stared at her hand as if he suspected that she had some sort of contagious disease.

Sakura's smile faltered a bit and she withdrew her hand. Her cheeks burned. Did he have to make her feel like an idiot?

She cleared her throat in a futile attempt to cover the awkward moment and opened the binder Kurenai had given her. She scanned the list of "Recommended Icebreakers" and chose a question at random.

"So, Hidan, what are your interests?"

Hidan scrunched up his forehead in an expression of mock concentration.

"Hmmm let's see… sleeping, drinking, smoking, and fucking," he replied, checking them off on his fingers.

Sakura scowled at him. "Don't you have any other interests?"

"Nope, that's about it. Oh, and riding my motorcycle."

"You have a motorcycle?" she asked, a tad interested despite herself.

"Yep. I'm in a biker gang. Does that get you hot, baby?" Hidan asked, running his hand up and down his inner thigh suggestively.

"Sorry, I'm only attracted to semi-intelligent men."

The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. Sakura couldn't believe she'd actually said something like that. She had to deal with unpleasant people all the time, but the Bible taught that good Christians ought to address even the rudest people with courtesy. Sakura had thought she was pretty good at following that directive. Until now.

Hidan whistled. "Wow. I didn't peg you for the bitchy type."

Sakura wanted to deny the accusation, but her last comment had sounded sort of bitchy even to her. She returned her attention to Hidan's paperwork, looking for something that could help her steer the conversation back to the problem at hand. Somehow, she had to motivate him to pass his classes. That looked to be easier said than done. His grades were dismal.

"It says here that you've been held back… four times?" Sakura asked, attempting to sound neutral and polite.

"Yep. It's a school record," Hidan replied proudly.

"It's not something to be proud of! You're going to ruin the rest of your life!" So much for maintaining a semblance of professionalism.

"Read my lips: I. Don't. Fucking. Care."

Sakura sighed. This clearly wasn't getting her anywhere. She decided to forego the paperwork and ask the question she'd wondered about ever since she'd first laid eyes on him.

"What's that you're wearing around your neck?"

Hidan rolled his eyes again. "What does it look like? It's a fucking rosary."

Sakura's heart leapt. Maybe they had something in common after all…

Her hand unconsciously went to the cross at her neck as she asked, "Are you a Catholic?"

"Hell no. I'm a Jashinist."

Sakura raised her eyebrows. "Is that even a real religion? I've never heard of it before."

Hidan rose from his chair and leaned across the desk. Her cheek brushed against the stubble on his chin as he whispered in her ear, "Jashinism is the one true religion, bitch. I worship the God that you know as the Devil."

She drew back from him in shock and revulsion. Oh, that was good. The expression on her face was a major turn on. He couldn't resist leaning closer to run his tongue along the soft flesh of her earlobe and outer ear.

Sakura gave a small shriek and pushed him away from her. She rubbed her ear forcefully to obliterate all traces of his caress.

"Why would you do that? That's disgusting!"

Hidan smirked. "Jashin told me to."

She was counseling a boy who heard voices in his head and believed that the Devil was telling him to do perverted things. Dear God, please help me.

Sakura put her head in her hands and rubbed her temples soothingly. When she finally met his gaze, the look in her eyes was bleak. "What am I supposed to do, Hidan? I'm trying to reach out to you or whatever, but you're not cooperating with me at all."

"Why should I cooperate? It's not like I want to be here."

"I don't want to be here either!"

"Then, why are you?"

"Eh?" She hadn't expected him to ask her that.

"Why are you here, if you don't want to be?" he asked, searching her face. He was truly curious about the answer to his question.

"I'm here because I have to do a community service project for Health class," Sakura admitted grudgingly.

"So, blow off the project."

"If I don't do it, I'll fail the class!"

"So, fail."

"If I fail Health, I won't graduate on time!"

"So, don't graduate on time."

"I can't do that, Hidan," she said softly. "I'm not you."

Hidan was surprised to find that he felt a bit sorry for her. He had always assumed that "good" girls like her were snobby bitches who enjoyed kissing up to the teachers and lording it over their classmates. That was how Kohana and her friends had been. But after talking with Sakura, it was obvious that she felt trapped by the need to conform to everyone else's expectations.

"Don't you ever get tired of doing the 'right' thing?" he asked.

"Of course I do. But it's important to follow the rules and grow up to be a productive, contributing member of society."

There she goes. Just like Ko-fucking-hana. Tell it to someone who cares.

"Bullshit. You're just jumping through the hoops they set for you. You're like a trained seal at one of those water shows."

She pulled away, offended by his comment. "I am not!"

"Arf, arf."

"Hey!" Sakura protested as Hidan took the "Paris" snow globe from atop the desk.

He leaned his head back, and attempted to balance the snow globe on his nose like a seal with a beach ball. Sakura leaned over the desk to recover it, certain that it would break. Unfortunately, their combined weight made Hidan's chair tip over, and Hidan, Sakura, and several snow globes fell to the ground with a loud crash.

Kurenai, Hinata, and the secretary rushed into the office at the sound.

"Are you two all right?" Kurenai asked.

Sakura winced. Her knee had hit the ground pretty hard and a shard of glass from the shattered snow globe had cut her bare leg just below the hem of her skirt.

Hidan's elbow hurt, but he couldn't complain, since his face was conveniently pressed against Sakura's chest. She wore a modest white blouse that only hinted at the possibility of cleavage, yet Hidan somehow found the effect more mouthwatering than that achieved by biker chicks clad in black leather brassieres.

He couldn't help feeling marginally disappointed when Sakura stood and said, "I'm okay."

"I'm fine," Hidan mumbled, when he realized that everyone was waiting for him to say something. He got to his feet, careful to avoid the broken glass that now littered the floor. Maybe breaking the snow globes hadn't been such a good idea, since the sight of blood made him kind of crazy. His gaze involuntarily flicked to the cut on Sakura's leg.

Hinata and the secretary discreetly left the office as Kurenai began to lecture Hidan and Sakura.

"You should be more careful. School isn't a place for horseplay. I ought to give you two detention…" Kurenai noted the horror-stricken look on Sakura's face. She felt sorry for Sakura, who was obviously doing the best she could with what she had to work with. "But I'll let it slide this time."

"Thank you, Kurenai-sensei," Sakura said, relieved.

"You're welcome, Sakura," said Kurenai, leaving the office.

Hidan and Sakura stared at each other.

"I think we're done for today," Sakura said, breaking the awkward silence.

She turned to leave, but Hidan grabbed her wrist.

"Wait a minute, Sakura. You're bleeding." Hidan knelt beside Sakura and took a handful of tissues from the tissue box that had fallen off the desk. He pressed the wad of tissues to the gash under her knee, dabbing at the wound till the blood began to clot. Sakura relaxed a bit when she realized that he was only trying to help. His touch was unexpectedly gentle.

"Um, thanks."

"I'm not done yet," Hidan said, giving in to temptation and licking the last of the blood from the wound. By Jashin, her blood tasted wonderful.

"Thank you," Sakura said firmly, her tone stating please stop now. His tongue raised goosebumps on her skin. She told herself that it felt weird and kind of disgusting, ignoring the simultaneous thrill of pleasure that shot up her spine.

"Don't mention it," Hidan replied, getting to his feet. He gave her a grin that set off alarm bells in the back of her mind. "By the way…"

"What?" she asked suspiciously.

"You felt damn good on top of me. If ever you decide to drop the 'good girl' act, I'm down for a fuck anytime."

The murderous impulse grew inside of her at an uncontrollable rate. It flowed from her brain to her heart, then outward though her fist, which slammed into his face with a satisfying crunch.

OOOOOOO

Review, please. Oh, and if you like this story, tell your friends to read it! Don't let Hidan break your snow globes xP!