The New Gray
Rated: PG-13
Warnings: Swearing, light violence
Summary: Konoha High is led by two groups known as the Blacks and the Whites with individual leaders. When Tenten arrives, she's going to change school tradition... Nejiten, others listed when appeared
Disclaimer: Never will own anything, really.
Characters this time-
Ino- 15
Hinata- 15
Chapter 4-
"White Rose is more threatening than you give him or her credit for," Shikamaru warned his friend, between bites of lunch. "It's not like they threaten you with dandelions or something. There are certain plants that have been previously used to drive Grays out of Konoha, so don't be fooled by the wimpy codename. White roses are sorta ironic in this situation."
The first half of the day was done, and the two Grays were currently enjoying lunch outside during a cool breezy day.
Tenten swallowed her morsel, before questioning the genius.
"Is that it? He or she doesn't sound so intimidating. I mean plants? What's so scary about that? It's easy to just throw them away or something."
Pause. "Do you even know about plants, Tenten? Never heard of poison ivy, and such? Hell, one Gray even found a Venus fly trap plant thing in their backpack once."
…"Aren't Venus fly traps harmless to humans?"
… "You don't get the main point about this, do you? Troublesome…
Well, sometimes, let's just say that White Rose seems to have a large supply of pretty much every type of plant."
The girl threw her empty lunch box in the trash, and looked up at the clouds thoughtfully. "I'm not intimidated by plants," the brunette admitted, absentmindedly playing with a string of hair," so I'm not sure I can take this seriously seriously, if you get what I mean. I used to travel around a lot because my guardian likes to, and that includes going through forests and encountering thousands of plant types."
Shikamaru shrugged. "Just watch yourself, though," he said. "White Rose poisoned a Gray once. The kid ended up getting sent to the hospital, then left the district immediately. He or she has a lot of followers who will help out, too. Don't brush this off easily, Tenten."
She stood up, and blinking before landing her cool gaze on the genius. "I'm gonna go for a walk, Shikamaru. I guess I'll see you in class, 'kay?"
He shrugged. "Whatever."
"Hey! Tenten!" a loud voice interrupted. "Over here!" Both teens looked towards the direction of the school, seeing Naruto waving his arms brightly at them. "Sasuke-teme's got questions for you!"
The brunette glared at him. "No way, Naruto. Tell him to forget it." The blond bounded over happily. "Aw, come on, Tenten! Sasuke-teme's gonna get mad at me!" The Gray grinned, and stuck out her tongue at him playfully.
"Good luck to your ass then."
Tenten swiftly ran for it, turning the corner while Naruto started after her, only to stop and backtracking when he spotted Shikamaru's cup of instant noodles.
"Hey, Shikamaru old buddy! How about sharing that with me now, ha?"
"Get your own food, Naruto," the genius mumbled lazily.
Shows how easily the Black got distracted.
-
"Naruto's not even pursuing me. Sheesh, idiot."
The female Gray was currently sitting up on a tree branch, looking downwards. She was waiting for the blond to run past, but it didn't seem like he was running after her.
"Oh well, that's just fine with me." She stood up. "Naruto's probably bothering Shikamaru or something. Hope the genius is okay…"
Tenten jumped down from the branch carelessly, eyes widening when an approaching blonde suddenly appeared right beneath her. "Oh shit, look out!"
The girls collided. Tenten landed on top of the stranger, before quickly rolling off to the side embarrassedly. She stood up, cheeks stained pink. "I'm sorry, are you alright?"
"I'm fine," the stranger mumbled, sitting up and straightening her white blazer.
The other student was a female blond with long hair up in a high ponytail. Her eyes were a sky blue, and Tenten looked at her curiously. The blonde blinked curiously, and opened her mouth to say something, but-
"Oi! You there!"
Shit!
Breaking their eye contact, Tenten jumped to her feet as three students in black crowded came towards them quickly. "Uchiha-san wants to talk with you. Move it!" Tenten didn't have time to snap back a witty reply when someone else stepped in.
"Hold on a second."
The brunette blinked, and turned to the other girl, who stood up and brushed herself off gracefully, then flashing the Blacks a beautiful smile.
"I have business with Tenten-san," she said in a warm voice, "You boys don't mind, right?"
Boys are all the same, and at this age, they had to deal with certain hormones and all. So of course, they faces immediately flared up. "Of course not, Ino-san!"
With that, the three rushed off, while Ino stared after them amusedly. "Tsk, boys are all so predictable, aren't they?" She grinned. "Well, I must say you're getting pretty popular, Tenten-san."
"Who are you?" the Gray asked suspiciously, unsure of what to think of the White.
"We haven't met, have we? I'm Yamanaka Ino, of the student council."
The student council… Ino-san isn't an ordinary White then. Huh, seems she's one of the powerful students around here…
"Thank you for scaring them away," Tenten said in a kind tone. "I'm grateful."
"This school is just wack," Ino said haughtily, and threw her long hair over her shoulder. "Of course, I'd rather wear my own clothes. I don't care much for these white blazers, they make me look washed out, with my pale skin and hair."
The blonde beamed, turning back to Tenten. "So you go on and fight against the school customs."
She returned the friendly gesture in a sort of confused manner. "Thank you very much, Ino-san!"
As she left, the Gray didn't see the grim expression that spread across Ino's.
-
"There are people who agree with me, but don't voice their opinions, Shikamaru," Tenten said happily to the genius as they left school for the day. "It's nice to keep that in mind, being different from everyone else and all!"
He frowned. "Don't automatically assume things, Tenten, because I'm sure she's planning something. Ino's one of the last people in Konoha who would seem likely to support you. So be cautious."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, student council is what keeps the custom of Konoha going. And also, there are rumors that Ino and Neji have a relationship."
The brunette stared at her companion, and blinked. "Are you joking again? I mean, Hyuuga-san has a girlfriend?" Shikamaru sighed. "I don't joke. Anyways, if Neji and Ino are involved, you would think she hates you for causing such an uprise."
"I'm not sure about it, but she seems really nice!" Tenten protested in the other girl's defense.
"Don't be stupid, Tenten. Remember, half the students in this school- Hey! It's rude to run away while others are talking, dammit!"
Tenten had dropped her backpack and sprinted back towards the hall the two had just passed. "Women are so troublesome," Shikamaru muttered, before grabbing her bag and running after his friend.
A few moments later, the sound of a girl's cry was heard. "Finally, I caught you!" Shikamaru's mouth dropped open at the scene in front of him.
Tenten had pinned a girl with short dark purple hair to the wall with three shurikens, while the girl's white eyes were wide with surprise. "Have you been stalking me! You're the White Rose, aren't you!"
The girl shook her head furiously. "N-n-no, I-I'm not…" "Then who the hell are you!" Tenten yelled in frustration. Shikamaru sweatdropped. "Err, Tenten, maybe you should let her down now."
Tenten glanced at him, before cautiously removing the shuriken. "Okay, talk."
The pale eyed girl smiled shyly, and twiddled her thumbs nervously. "A-ano, T-tenten-san, I p-promise that I'm n-not White R-rose." The brunette stared at her cautiously at her before nodding. "I'll buy that for now. Why are you following me?"
The purple haired girl smiled. "I-I'm slightly s-surprised you d-didn't re-recognize m-me, T-tenten-san. I-I'm H-hyuuga Hinata, remember?"
"You're related to Hyuuga-san?" Tenten asked curiously, and Hinata's smile fell, replaced with a disappointed look. "H-he's my c-cousin. D-don't y-you re-remember me? W-when we s-started grade school, y-you and I u-used to w-walk home with N-n-neji-niisan." Shikamaru raised a brow, while Tenten blinked stupidly. "We did?"
"So Hinata knows you too, eh, Tenten? I guess if Neji recognizes you, there oughtta be others too." The genius grinned at the blank look on the weapon mistress's face. "Though let me guess. You don't know her either, right?"
Hinata lowered her eyes again in an obviously disappointed manner. "A-ano, i-it's o-kay, Tenten-san. I-I wasn't that important anyways…" The brunette shook her head furiously. "Hold on, Hinata-san, it's not that you're not important! I don't think… Anyways, I'm sorry, I'm just drawing a blank!"
"I'm fine, Tenten-san." Hinata's voice hardened slightly. "We may have been friends, but I suppose I never did speak out. But it's terribly cruel of you to forget Neji-niisan." She didn't stutter, and Tenten felt herself shivering slightly staring into those familiar white eyes.
"W-why?" Oh great. Now I'm the one stuttering.
"You and Neji-niisan were engaged!"
Shikamaru held onto his friend's arm slightly as she tripped and fell backwards, landing most ungracefully. This was definitely one of the moments that if she was drinking something, she would have spit it out.
"E-ENGAGED!" Tenten shrieked in dismay. "WHAT THE HELL!"
-
"Dammit, that hurt, Sasuke-teme!"
The leader of the blacks ignored the bumbling blond as he nursed a large bump on his head. "It's your damn fault, Naruto. You should have just given me the report instead of running around like a fool." Naruto stuck his tongue out childishly. "Ne, Sasuke-teme's such a bastard and a stick in the mud!"
"Shut up dobe!"
Sasuke scanned through the documents from the school about the Tenten's past. "Born and lived here in the Fire country until she was about five. Her father died first when she was three, then her mother passed. Shugotenshi went to stay with her mother's trusted friend, who's well known around these parts.
This is crap. Not what I need. Just, what the hell does she have to do with Hyuuga?" He flipped through more papers, tossing some carelessly aside.
The Black stopped at an entry made during Tenten's later childhood. "So, they knew each other in first grade. Seems Hyuuga was always skipping out on classes, and the newbie convinced him to attend."
Sasuke glared at the papers, dropping them on his desk. "All I found out was that they're acquaintances, and she helped him get out of some habit. That doesn't explain what I need…"
Naruto opened, then shut his mouth, pondering inwardly whether or not to reveal what he knew about the subject.
I'll keep what I remember to myself, he decided silently, as Sasuke scanned through more papers.
Serves the bastard right… heh heh heh…
-
"Neji-niisan was always distant. He ignored everyone, and ended up skipping out on class a lot," Hinata explained quietly, while the other two hung on her words.
"You used to force him to attend every morning, and he became more social." The girl paused to reconsider her words.
"Well, not more social, but more… tolerable, if you understand. Like his aura softened somehow. But then you left suddenly, and Neji-niisan reverted back to how he used to be. The only difference is that he goes to school now."
Silence.
"They were engaged?" Shikamaru asked finally, grabbing both girl's attention, and Hinata nodded affirmatively, before pausing and looking thoughtful.
"I'm not sure of the full details, but Tenten-san told me and this other friend of mine that they would get married in the future."
The pale eyed Hyuuga turned to the female Gray. "Do you really have no recollections, Tenten-san?"
She didn't say anything for a minute, before snapping her fingers, eyes shining at a sudden recollection. "I think I know why I can't remember!
I was sparring one day in the tree tops," the brunette stated, "And I fell down from a tree about 11 meters high. I got knocked out, and that's the only reason I can think of that's causing a major gap in my memory."
"It's a miracle you even survived," Shikamaru muttered, and Hinata sweatdropped. "O-oh, w-well, th-that must be it then," Hinata said, resorting to her shy nature, "ev-even th-though I-I'm sad that you d-don't remember me, i-it's really w-wonderful to see you again!"
The Hyuuga female smiled brightly, and Tenten returned the expression. "Y-you were a-always in-independent back t-then, Tenten-san! I-I'm not s-surprised th-that you're a Gray!"
Suddenly, she turned bright red and twiddled her thumbs again. "I-is it okay if we're reacquainted, Tenten-san?" The brunette leapt to her feet, overjoyed. "Of course! It would be awesome to make friends in this school!" she cried happily. "Besides the lazy genius. Though of course, you can call me Tenten, and don't stutter, okay?"
Hinata smiled softly, and rose to her feet as well. "Hai, Tenten." The taller girl yanked on Shikamaru's arm, pulling him up unwillingly. "Oi, watch it woman!"
"This is Nara Shikamaru," Tenten said quickly, "Grudgingly, he's my only other friend, or acquaintance, but you can trust him too, Hinata."
"Tch, troublesome woman," he muttered darkly, "Was is really necessary to use 'grudgingly'?"
The brunette ignored him. "Err, Shikamaru's the only other person that I'm on friendly terms with. But if he bothers you, tell me and I'll kick his ass." The purple haired girl bowed. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Nara-" "Shikamaru," he himself stated more warmly, "And it's a pleasure to meet you too, Hinata."
The mentioned straightened, and waved at them, walking off. "I have to go, but I'm sure I'll be seeing you two soon!"
When she disappeared, Tenten punched Shikamaru on the shoulder playfully. "Yeah, Shikamaru! We have another group member. "
"Tch. Women," the genius mumbled, rubbing his shoulder annoyingly. "Since when was this a group thing?"
-
The next day at school-
Things were not improving. The moment she stepped into school, a bucket filled with ice cold water fell and landed on top of Tenten.
Damn it, it's freezing… idiots won't give up!
Walking quickly and cursing under her breath, she slipped off her jacket, before folding it carefully and putting it into her locker.
Fuck, I could get sick! Bastards are getting more confident now…
"Why do you even bother?"
The brunette looked up in surprise, an emotionless Hyuuga Neji staring straight at her. He repeated his question when it was obvious Tenten wasn't going to reply. "Why do you bother trying to accomplish something that can't be done?"
Tenten smiled sweetly. "Good morning, Hyuuga-san," she said pleasantly, ignoring his question.
"You're not like the rest here. Why try to perform meaningless acts that will cause you to suffer?"
Closing her locker, the Gray put on a bitter smile, facing the male. "Acts don't have to be meaningful to perform, Hyuuga-san. I'm just doing what I want, and think is right. That's just how it is."
Neji stared at her, before snorting. "Whatever," he muttered, straightening himself, and readjusting the headband that covered his forehead. "But you can't defy Fate, Tenten. Konoha High was meant to be like this. You can't change anything. Remember that."
The leader of the Whites walked up close to her, arm outstretched for something. Tenten jerked slightly, but relaxed when he brushed an ice cube from her hair.
"Thank you, Hyuuga-san, for the advice" she said slightly sarcastically, lips curving in amusement as he wiped the wet remains on his sleeves.
He glanced at her quickly, before turning his back to her.
"Don't thank someone if you don't mean it. Forget my advice. It doesn't matter. Do what you want." His icy and distant aura returned, and the brunette found herself frowning again.
What is it like for Hyuuga-san though, I wonder? If Hinata is right, then what is it like for his fiancée to just suddenly reappear?
Does he hate me? Dammit, he's fucking hard to read….
Both him and Uchiha.
Tenten shook her head, annoyed by her thoughts.
Argh! This is just way too troublesome… Damn. I'm hanging around Shikamaru too much.
"One more thing." "Eh?" the brunette broke off from her thoughts, eyes locked on Neji.
His back was still turned to the Gray, but his strong voice carried to her ears. "Don't trust everyone around you."
The White left, leaving a speechless and confused Tenten behind.
Is there someone who plans to betray me that I trust?
-
Where is Shikamaru today? Tenten wondered to herself, tugging lightly on one of her two braids. It's not like him to be absent or anything…
She pushed the door of the classroom open, and stiffened immediately at the glares she received the moment she stepped into the room.
Ignoring the dark looks, Tenten headed towards her desk when the tense mood was broken hysterically.
"This is entirely your fault!" one of the girls in white screamed at her, chucking a textbook at the Gray. "It's your fault we're all suffering!"
Ducking quickly, Tenten peered into the classroom, only to have her eyes widened in shock.
What is she talking about?
"What the hell-" "Three students just got sent to the infirmary because they were infected with poison ivy!" a boy in black yelled at her, his hand moving for another object. "It's all because of you!"
"This is all your fault we suffer!" "Leave Konoha!" "Get your ass out of here!"
Shikamaru was right when he warned me. It's not about what I'm afraid of. It's what everyone else around me fears, and they're using the fear against me to isolate my position.
White Rose plans to eliminate all the Grays present, in order to cover up for Hyuuga-san's weakness most likely.
If everyone in this school turns against me, I'm as good as dead.
So that's their plan. The only question now, is-
Who is White Rose?
-
Question: ShikaIno, or ShikaTema? I could work something in for both sometime during the story if you tell me early on which pair you prefer.
Sorry if the chapter disappointed anyone. XP My apologies. And I'm seriously sorry it took so long to update. But school work is seriously killer these days, so once again, my apologies.
Thank you very much for reading The New Gray!