A Class Act
Notes: Thank you everyone for you lovely reviews! Also, thank you Sunny Lore for giving me so many good ideas for this story! Without you I would have been stuck in so many places and probably would have given up out of frustration. Thanks to your suggestions and ideas though, I've got lots, lots, lots of chapters planned out for the future!
Anyway, enough of my yap! Onward!
–
Chapter Five:
Lectures, Apologies, and Samurai Swords
Lazily, the water droplets coursed down pale skin, across an arm, before dropping off a finger tip. Head in her hands, bare feet dangling off the edge of a bed; Hinata breathed rapidly in and out. Behind closed eyes, were the memories. Her ears burned with that same deep voice. It brought shivers down her spine, tightened the heart muscles, eyes grow wide with irrational fear.
He wasn't there. He wasn't. Yet, why did Hinata feel so...so...
'Don't look at me as if I'm the bad guy.'
She swallowed bile. Hands trembling before the fingertips touched. Even alone in this room, the height of paranoia made Hinata feel like eyes were watching. Looking at her and enjoying her embarrassment. Watching her peel off each wet towel, until there was nothing left by bare skin.
'It's your fault after all. Such a bad little girl...anyone else would have done the same.'
A sob escaped, despite her best efforts to keep it down. Clothes were pulled on hurriedly. She had to hide, cover up, and push everything down. Back into the box, then shove it back into the furthest corner of her mind, where it all belonged.
Hands moved quickly to pack everything away. Something was pushed off the dresser and crashed: a picture frame. Hinata just stepped around the glass. Leave it. Leave it behind. She had to get out of here at all costs. Don't stop for anything.
–
"I think she's...throwing things." Iruka stated after hearing glass shatter; his ear still against the door, he lost at a game of Rock-Paper-Scissors between him, Kakashi, and Obito- making him the 'lookout'.
The Uchiha gulped nervously.
"It was an accident!" he blurted out. "I didn't think she'd be this pissed. I didn't even know the Dorm Manager... was a her!"
While Obito was muttering how much trouble he'd be in, Kakashi and Iruka exchanged looks; then glared at the boy who was brow beating himself.
"What did you do?" Iruka asked, before Kakashi could grapple with Obito.
"I arrived late."
Kakashi interrupted, a heavy hand pressing down on Obito's ducked head, "When are you NOT late?"
"Hey! Let him finish!" Iruka barked.
"Thank you..." Obito sighed.
"Anyway, I thought the Dorm Manger could help me figure out a place to stay. I heard the shower running and thought that it was the manager, so..."
Suddenly, the door was wrenched open. All three boys jerked out of the way, as Hinata stomped on by, carrying her suitcases and a duffel bags.
"What..."
"Is she leaving?"
Obito, the bravest yet not the brightest of the trio; decided to get his apology out of the way- before things got worse.
Trailing behind the girl, Obito reached a hand out and grabbed Hinata by her right shoulder.
"Hey, I'm sorry for..."
Hinata spun around, quickly wrestling herself from Obito's grip. In the scuffle, her duffel bag wound up hitting him full on, in the face.
"D-don't...touch me!" the normally timid girl, snapped briskly. Obito recoiled, stepping back and holding his bruised cheek from where the bag hit him.
"I...am sorry though." he said in a small voice.
Hinata didn't pause to listen. Carrying her things to the front door, she spared a brief second to shoved the front door back; then swiftly walked out.
Obito stared at the open door. Behind him, his fellow seniors wondered where the girl was going.
"Think she's leaving to see the Headmaster?" Kakashi asked.
"Probably."
"...shit." Obito muttered. If she went to the Headmaster and told him...what had happened; he'd be a dead man.
With that in mind, Obito left the hall and was out the front door before anyone could stop him.
"What's going on?" a voice piped up behind Kakashi and Iruka. Iruka turned to see Naruto staring back at him. He also noticed the underclassman was holding a broom and a mop, secured together with duct-tape. It looked like an armature battering ram.
"Uh...what are those for?"
"These? Sasuke's being a pain in the ass. I've got to break the door down..." the blond trailed off as she noticed Hinata's room and the front door was open.
"It's not important. Where'd Hinata-chan go?"
–
Sasuke didn't know what hit him. One minute, he was minding his own business. Next, the door was all but torn back.
Dark eyes blinked as Naruto was on his bed in an instant, "What the hell? Naruto!" he growled.
"You're coming with me! Hinata-chan is leaving, cause you're such a jack-ass! You're going to apologize to her. When we get back...I'm kicking your ass from here to..."
Kakashi and Iruka stood back and watched as the Junior dragged his dorm mate out.
"...we didn't even get a chance to tell him why she left." Iruka realized as Naruto struggled with dragging Sasuke out of the door.
"Well, Obito really didn't give us the whole story either." Kakashi said blandly, honestly bored with all the SasuNaru drama.
It was much more interesting, when Hinata was wandering around; wearing nothing but a bunch of towels. Granted, all the white-terry cloth bulk wasn't flattering, but it was a change from the norm.
However, seeing Uchiha and Uzumaki fighting?
Eh. Dull. Tired. Seen it all before. He'd wait for the movie to come out.
"Yeah...hey where are you going?" Iruka asked, about to turn back to their room, while Kakashi was already at the front door.
Kakashi shrugged. "I'm...going out for a walk." he offered in a bored tone.
Iruka scowled, his forehead creased with wrinkles. "Don't give me that nonchalant crap! If you're going, to get in the middle of this fight, at least say so!"
"I have no idea what you're talking about," walking out the door, nevertheless.
Iruka looked around, then sighed in defeat. If Kakashi was going to interfere; he was resigned to do the same.
"Might as well."
–
Key jangled as a woman in her early-thirties, swung her purse over one shoulder.
"Sure you don't need anything else, Headmaster?"
Blue eyes glanced up from the paper, he was reading so intently. He looked about to ask something; yet stopped himself, after seeing Shizune's tired expression.
"Uh...it's nothing. I can get it myself." he said with a wave. A signal for Shizune to go on.
The woman's expression turned serious in response, "Headmaster, if you need me for something...it is my job after all."
"No, I'm fine. Go on."
"If you're...omph!" Shizune grunted as the door was suddenly shoved against her.
Getting up from his chair, the Headmaster watched as Hinata came strolling in blindly. The girl dropped her bags to the floor, looking miserable. Her hair was a drenched mess, clinging to her flushed face. Pale eyes dewy with the start of stubborn tears, that refused to fall.
"Uh-oh..." Shizune mumbled. She had seen scenes like this before. A quiet and timid girl would either get homesick or would be bullied by the other girls over some nonsense.
"Headmaster, I'll handle this..." Shizune tried to say, yet was interrupted as the girl stammered out a request.
Hinata, not looking directly at the Headmaster; blurted out, "I-I want to be changed to a different dorm. I...I'm sorry, I tried. B-but putting me in charge...of a boy's dormitory? N-no. I can't do it."
"Uh...actually. That wasn't my idea."
Pale eyes blinked. Hinata didn't recognize that voice as Jiraiya-sensei's.
Looking up from behind her wet bangs, Hinata openly gaped.
"You...you're n-not Jiraiya-sensei. Where is he?"
The blond-haired man winced. A hand reached back and nervously ruffled blond hair, "That's...a good question. We don't know either. He'll come back...sometime. Until then, I'm in charge."
Silence entered the room.
"Y-you're rather young."
Minato flinched again. Obviously, he had heard that one before. "Yes, well. You said you wanted to change dorms?"
"Wait!"
Hinata jerked, as the door was opened and Obito stumbled in. "I'm sorry. Really I am! Please don't make him call my parents...or expel me! I didn't mean it..."
"Sasuke, quit struggling!"
"Then, let go!"
"No. You'll try to run away!"
Following the shouts, two more boys burst through the open doorway, both trying to take swipes at each other.
"Um..." Shizune uttered, this time learning her lesson and staying clear of the door; as two more students poked their heads in.
"Don't mind us, Minato-sensei. Just here to watch the show." Kakashi said, Iruka right behind him.
"Thank you, Kakashi-kun." the blond-haired man said in a deadpan tone; a heavy head bowed with a sigh. He decided to use the divide and conquer method. He'd let Shizune take the girl. Talk with Obito. Then deal with Sasuke and his s...Naruto-kun, afterwards.
"Shizune...Shizune?" Minato turned to look and his assistant had taken off during the scuffle. Leaving him to deal with several irate teenagers at once.
Joy.
–
Obito squirmed. He had just finished telling the Headmaster his account of the incident. The girl, he now knew to be Hinata; hadn't spoken at all.
"Am I...in trouble?" the Uchiha asked. Stupid question he knew. Of course he was in trouble! He'd be lucky to spend another night at this school.
The Headmaster shook his head. "No. From what I've heard so far, it was a mistake. An accident."
Relieved, Obito sank back in his chair. Yet, he still felt uneasy about how quiet the girl to his left was. She hadn't accepted his apology yet.
"Hinata-san..." Minato began. Pale lavender eyes looked up, "Y-yes." His head inclined to Obito. The girl blushed, seemingly reluctant to look at him at first. Obito swallowed, keenly feeling the weight of how awkward this situation was.
"I'm very sorry, Hyuuga-san; for the trouble I've caused you."
She blinked, then slowly nodded. "It's okay. It was...an accident."
"It was! I promise that won't happen again."
"It won't, b-because I'm leaving the Ginkgo dorm." Hinata then looked at the temporary Headmaster. "Right, Minato-sensei?"
It was Minato's turn to sweat. "Uh, not quite. There is slight problem with us moving you to another dorm."
–
Outside the office of the Headmaster:
Sasuke and Naruto were still giving each other evil looks from across the room. Kakashi and Iruka keeping a tally-score of who was winning. So far, Naruto had the most glares. Sasuke's looks, though infrequent; were downright murderous. In the end, the Seniors got tired of the game and decided to declare it a tie.
Bored, Kakashi leaned against the wall. Iruka, kept a close eye on the silver-haired boy. He knew, when Kakashi sighed, it meant he was bored. When Kakashi was bored, bad things happen to good people; namely Iruka.
So, to head off any mischief, Iruka cleared his throat and stated, "I think we should go back. There isn't anything else we can do...no..." the boy groaned as he saw Kakashi approach the sulking Juniors.
"Hey...not that it's any of my business..."
Sasuke glared, then moodily scooted away from the Senior.
"But, that guy over there. I heard him say something about..." his voice so low only Sasuke could hear. The boy's eyes grew wide, then narrowed sharply like daggers.
"Kakashi, don't start anything."
"Start what...gah!" Naruto yelped as Sasuke lunged to attack him.
Smirking, Kakashi side-stepped the ensuing brawl; walking back to Iruka with hands in his trouser pockets.
"...I hope you're proud of yourself."
"Yes, I am actually."
Iruka sighed heavily, shaking his head.
Thankfully, the fight broke up quickly when the door to the office opened. Obito and Hinata tried to step out, yet both ended up walking back into the Headmaster; to avoid getting caught up in the scuffle.
"Not again." Minato said. Kushina was going to chew him out, for allowing Naruto to get into so much trouble.
Lightly pushing Hinata and Obito back, Minato stepped forward and forcibly separated the bickering boys.
"Stop, both of you. What started it this time?"
"Kakashi." Iruka said bluntly.
"Did not."
Minato felt exhausted. And he still had to deal with Naruto, on top of it.
"Everyone, it's late and classes start tomorrow. Please go back to your dorm." he asked in calm, yet serious-no-arguments-heeded tone.
"Yes, sensei." Hinata muttered, the first to leave. Obito followed, but at a distance. Iruka and Kakashi next. Sasuke gave his roommate a parting glare. Naruto would have lunged at him next, but the Headmaster kept a tight grip on the boy's sleeve.
"Not so fast. You're staying." Minato ordered.
Naruto cringed, an expression so alike to the Headmaster, it was almost identical.
"Why?" he questioned aloud.
"In the office."
Naruto slipped out of Minato's grip, "Sorry, Minato-sensei. Got to get back to my dorm. Classes tomorrow and all that." he said, loudly faking a yawn.
Watching his son walk away, Minato resigned to let him go; but not without a few parting words. "We'll have to talk eventually, Naruto."
"Whatever. Goodnight, sensei." the blond said, obviously not caring he was leaving his father in a lurch.
–
"So, you're sticking around?" Kakashi asked, he had caught up to Hinata and Obito.
"I um...yes."
"That's great!" Naruto chimed in, getting to Hinata's other side, rudely bumping Obito away.
"You'll be able to get better at speaking in public. And..."
Lingering behind the group, Sasuke scowled. His dark eyes glared at the back of the girl's head. Just as he assumed, she was completely oblivious. Having her stay here, would be the worst. For both the DM and for himself.
As the group reached the gates leading into Ginkgo dorms; Sasuke noticed Naruto lingered behind. Expecting another fight, dark eyes boldly looked at the blond's blue ones.
Naruto, however looked away; obviously uncomfortable.
"Oi, Hinata-chan said I should...apologize. For dragging you out of the room. It wasn't your fault she tried to leave. So yeah, sorry about that."
Sasuke blinked. Well, that was, unexpected.
"G-good night everyone." the girl stammered ahead of them both, heading back into her room.
–
Once Hinata closed her bedroom door; the young woman sighed.
Six months. It would take that long for Minato-sensei to over turn Jiraiya-sensei's 'order'; to place her in this dorm. Unless, Jiraiya-sensei came back to reclaim his job before then; there was little anyone could do. When she had asked why, Minato-sensei simply shrugged.
'Since, I'm not this school's official Headmaster; I have to follow Jiraiya-sensei's last orders. It's in the school's bylaws. I could see, if we can get you moved out of there sooner. For the moment, unless a real problem comes up; you'll have to endure it the next six months.'
"Six months." Hinata repeated in a weary tone. Could she last that long? It seemed like forever. Tonight alone, had dredged up things in her past, painful things. Leaning against the door, Hinata snapped her head up.
No. She wouldn't think like this. Naruto-kun was happy to have her there. So, Hinata thought she should be happy too. Be more...positive rather than focusing on the bad.
Yes, Hinata thought as she recalled Naruto's broad grin. She could do this.
Pulling off her blouse and skirt; replacing both with a pajama set, Hinata suddenly felt the weight of the day. All the excitement, stress, and chaos was pressing behind her eyelids. After painfully brushing the knotted tangles of her damp hair; Hinata decided to start the following day anew.
She'd forget what happened tonight- well save for the names of her charges. Simply, wipe it clean, like a slate. With that in mind, Hinata turned off the light and crawled into bed.
Only problem was, she couldn't sleep for staring at the blank wall above. It took several hours of counting sheep, mindless wanderings, and wool-gathering thoughts; before sleep at last claimed her.
–
In the dead of the night, footsteps padded lightly down the hallway. He walked without a sound, aided by deadly grace more akin to a cat than a human. Finally, the feet stopped at a door. A pale hand, the one not clinging to a long object; pried open the sliding door and stepped inside.
Once in, the figure crouched down and sat. A heavy and sleepy head, covered in unruly red hair, dropped forward to rest against his chest. Though unconscious, the boy was determined to guard the entrance, until morning.
–
Notes: Not very happy with how this chapter turned out. However, I had a lot of ground to cover in this part; plus there are a lot of little things important to the plot later on. Yeah I know, I promised no serious plot; but well the plot bunnies made me add some serious bits here and there. I promise the humor and Hinata-harem-ness will be back next chapter!
Thanks for reading!
And thanks again for Sunny Lore to allowing me to ramble/spoil her rotten with this story. Thank you, so very much for all your help!