School Entanglements

Pairing: Sasuke & Hinata
Rating: T
Summary: I got accepted at my high school of choice, Village of the Leaves High School. I'm starting in a few weeks but being so excited to attend school, I went there just for the sake of exploring the place. Unbeknownst to me, I'll find more than I expected.
Disclaimer: please see author's profile. In addition, this story's plot was not originally mine but from a one-shot manga I read some time ago. I wasn't able to take note or remember its title but as I was reading it I couldn't help but put certain characters from the Narutoverse in their stead. If anyone does find it similar to a manga they've read, please tell me the title so that I could disclaim it accordingly.
Dedication: heights1231 (Sorry I wasn't able to put it in as a one-shot. This probably would be 3-5 chapters in all depending on my free time and availability of the PC cause of my little bro hogging it.)

Chapter 2 - On my own

Hinata didn't take long getting ready. After brushing her teeth, combing her hair, and taking her cell phone and some pocket money, she went downstairs to watch TV with Hanabi while waiting for Neji.

"Can't I just come along with you, Ne-san? Otou-san won't know." Hanabi pleaded with hopeful eyes at Hinata. Her older sister would normally let her get away with certain things but seeing as Hanabi was still receiving her punishment for breaking curfew, she was surprisingly denied.

"You know that I would if I could but since Otou-san didn't let you and you're still on probation, so to speak, I can't. You got off easy this time. You wouldn't want Otou-san to not allow you to go out until you get into high school, right?"

"Being locked indoors sucks!"

"Otou-san did allow Moegi and some of your friends visit here. You could call them to help you out and hang out in the living room. Just clean up afterwards and don't do anything illegal."

"That's a great idea! I'll do that. Thanks, Ne-san!" She hugged Hinata excitedly before running to the phone to call up her girlfriends. Hinata smiled at her sister and shouted after her. "You're welcome!"

Neji was just going down the stairs in his work uniform composed of a white button down shirt with breast pockets, the right side has a pen clipped on. He also had brown khaki pants on with a black belt on his waist and black socks on his feet. He was on his way to the shoe cabinet to get his black shoes, almost bumping into Hanabi in her haste to get to the phone.

"Hey! What's the hurry? I figured you would be sulking right now."

"Gotta call my girlfriends, have them help me with chores and hang out here. Hinata's idea!" She said as she went upstairs for her cell phone.

Neji then went to where Hinata was, just standing at the doorway. "You think it's a good idea to suggest that?"

She faced her cousin, turning off the TV and standing. "She's responsible enough. Otou-san did allow her friends over before but I already texted him so that he'll know. He said it's okay and that he'll call her around noon to check how things are here. Are we going?"

"Yeah, come on." Taking his keys that hooked on the wall. "Hanabi! We're leaving!" He called up to her at the foot of the stairs.

Hanabi replied, although a bit muffled cause her room was at the end of the hall. "Okay!"

Leaving their house, it was 8:00am.

***At the Village of the Leaves High School***

A black Ford Focus parked by the high black gates of the school. "Okay, here it is. Though I told your father to make sure to leave you with Tenten, I'll have to trust you'll be able to find her. It's already 8:30 and I'm supposed to get there at quarter to nine. Meaning, I'm short on time because of that accident that caused the traffic a while ago. If I leave now, I might be able to get there on time."

Neji is someone who likes to be on time and to him being on time means being at the location around 15-30 minutes before the specified time. In short, he starts work at 9:00am but he wants to be there at 8:45am.

She remembered that Neji attended school here but was never able to attend any festivals when he was studying there since something always came up. She was either sick, had exams to study for, needed to do something else for school such as homework and projects or already had prior arrangements. The only time she entered the school was during Neji's graduation and her entrance exams.

"You said that your friend was supposed to be at soccer practice a while ago, right?"

"Yeah, Tenten." Hinata nodded and answered fast, letting Neji talk because Neji wouldn't want to marr his no tardiness record.

"Okay. If I remember correctly, the soccer field is at the eastern side of school so just keep heading towards east once you've entered the gates. Don't bother asking just anyone because they might lead you someplace else. Got it?"

"Enter the gates and just keep heading east. Got it! Sorry if I kinda made you get off schedule." She affirmed as she left the car.

"No problem. But I really got to go. Text me when you're already with her or I might worry myself if you didn't. Your father might even disown me if I was the cause of something bad happening to you."

"Sure Neji! Thanks again for the ride! I'll text you later." She was already walking backwards to give room for the car. Neji nodded to her then left for his work. She watched him drive off, waving goodbye. Then she turned around, exhaling before entering the gates. She had her uniform on so she entered easily.

The gates were about 12 feet high and the school's symbol was designed in the middle of the gates although it was in half since one part of the gate was opened. Upon entering the school grounds, there was a five minute walk to the three-floor building.

She wasn't able to appreciate her surroundings during the first two times she entered the school because she had other things in mind. But now she sees the lush grasslands with a number of trees here and there as well as pathways leading to other parts of the school. There were some students and also teachers scattered around the school.

As she got near the school building, she saw some of them were busy arranging a large tarpaulin saying 'Welcome to Village of the Leaves High School!' which they are probably going to put up in front of the building.

Suddenly remembering why she came here, she decided to head to the soccer fields per Neji's directions of going east.

More trees lined opposite the school building as she was making her way to the east. From afar, she could see some people in soccer uniforms doing drills and warming up. She figured that's probably where her friend, Tenten is.

Tenten is two years her senior, meaning she would be graduating after this school year and heading off to college. They became friends during her elementary years and Tenten was in junior high. Hinata had a timid personality and liked to keep to herself. She did have a few other friends but there are times when she likes to be alone to read. Tenten was starting to learn soccer then and was practicing by herself in the grassy area of the school. She wasn't aware that Hinata was resting on the shade of a nearby tree. She was trying to make the ball curve with her kick and she succeeded but unknowingly kicked the ball towards Hinata's resting place which resulted in Hinata getting hit on her temple, losing consciousness.

Tenten was so worried she hurt Hinata badly. When Hinata woke up in the clinic, where Tenten carried her, she was apologizing profusely and said that she'll accompany her and help her for two weeks as a way of showing that she truly is sorry for unintentionally hurting her. Getting Tenten to help Hinata for two weeks wasn't originally Tenten's idea but her two male best friends'. Hinata protested saying that she felt fine, though a little disoriented and a bit dizzy when she woke up. Her temple was slightly bruised but nothing a little ice wouldn't help as well as bandages to cover it up for a while. She was never one to make a slave out of anyone or have someone to do things for her so Hinata just told Tenten to be her friend and it would be enough for her. Tenten agreed immediately but still kept to her word of helping Hinata by tutoring her with certain subjects she was good at. Hinata relented after much persuasion from her friends and the two girls were the best of friends ever since.

They weren't able to meet up much since Tenten got into high school but they always called or texted each other. And just a week ago while they were texting, Tenten mentioned that she had soccer practice this week so she thought to surprise her friend with a visit.

She sat down by the bleachers on the sides of the field, watching the players do their drills. The female and male soccer players were training together but they were on different sides of the soccer field. Since the female players were on the right side, she was watching them, trying to find which one was her friend. Tenten is team captain this year but she also has a co-captain. At least that is what Tenten told Hinata when she brought up the news. She remembered Tenten saying that her co-captain had peculiar gray hair. She saw said girl just finishing her drills and stopping by the benches before hunching over with her hands at her knees, panting slightly.

Their coach whistled for a break of 15 minutes which cued for Hinata to go near and look for Tenten. She didn't notice any girl with dark brown hair in two buns but she thought that Tenten opted to tie her hair in a ponytail for a change and probably uniformity since all of the girls wore their hair that way.

The soccer girls either laid on the ground to rest or went to the benches for some water. Hinata went near the benches but didn't see her best friend among those girls so she looked to those laying on the ground.

The girl with gray hair noticed Hinata and approached her. "You looking for someone?"

Hinata lit up at having someone to ask about Tenten. "Ah, yeah. I'm looking for Tenten. She mentioned that she was your co-captain and you had training today."

The gray haired girl chuckled at that but then told her the unfortunate circumstance. "Yeah, we're co-captains but it's Friday today, isn't it? Didn't she tell you that she's started attending prep school today? It was sudden but it's so she could attend more of our practices when school starts."

"Oh. She's in prep school? I didn't know that. Well, last we talked was last week and I was supposed to surprise her with coming here and have her give me a tour of the school. She did mention that she will be attending a prep school but I didn't think that it's so soon." She said dejectedly.

"Yup! But even if she was here, she can't leave in the middle of practice to give you a tour because she is co-captain and we help oversee practice with coach. What did you say your name was again? You're a new student, right?"

"Yeah, sorry I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Hyuuga Hinata. I'm friends with Tenten and yes, I'll start this year."

"Hi Hinata, I'm Guren. She has mentioned that a friend of hers will be starting this year. I'm sorry again but Tenten isn't here and I can't show you around school either." Their coach suddenly blew the whistle to signal the resume of drills and specifically gestured to Guren to come over.

"Well, I have to go practice. You could probably look around and take a tour for yourself while you're here so that you could familiarize with the surroundings. So good luck with that and nice meeting you!" She then jogged back towards her teammates while waving back to Hinata.

"Thanks and nice meeting you too!" Hinata shouted after her, waving. She sighed afterwards and looked at her watch which it read 10:00am. Then she faced the school building and looked up at its vast structure.

"I guess now I'm on my own."