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After the lunch fiasco, Hinata sprung from her chair as if she was a racehorse and the gates just sprang open when the bell rang. She was focused on only one thing: getting the heck away from Ino. She swung open the double doors, but she heard some snickering behind her. Next thing she knew, Hinata was shoved violently in the back. The shy sophomore toppled over, barely catching herself with her hand. Hinata flipped over so she was sitting, and her heart sank when her keen, violet-tinted white eyes caught sight of Ino.
"So you thought that was funny, huh, you whore?" Ino snarled, her blue eyes flashing in a face that still had some smeared frosting on it. She gave Hinata a kick, and Hinata let out a yelp of pain. Ino started smirking again, as if she was trying to keep herself from laughing. Hinata flushed crimson, and looked down as Ino started laughing at her.
What a shame that would be short lived. Not really, but whatever.
Ino let out a shriek as cold chocolate milk poured down her highlighted, bleached, ever-so-priceless blonde hair. She whirled around to see a very angry Naruto, and for the first time that Hinata had seen, Ino's expression turned from scarlet rage to fear.
"If I were you, I would get the hell out of here." Naruto's voice had an unsteady, homicidal rage to it. The humor was no more, all there was left was frozen fury. His eyes flashed like cold steel and his jaw was set in rage.
"Naruto," Hinata started, and the blonde didn't even hesitate. He walked around a shaking Ino and grabbed Hinata's hand, hauling her to her feet. What worried Hinata the most was that she couldn't read Naruto's expression.
"You've gone too far, Ino," Sakura's voice added to Naruto's words coldly, and it had the effect of a metal box slamming shut. She made her way through the double doors, with emerald eyes flashing in anger. Sakura crossed her arms, shooting everyone a look that said You mess with me and you're going down.
Ino let out a forced laugh, but it seemed to encourage her, so she spat in a cold voice, "Like you're one to talk, traitor! I took you in, gave you a chance after last year to join our group, heck, I was nice to you! And what do you do? You return to a stammering, nobody new girl, a prankster who no one likes, a couple of tomboy girls, a womanizer, someone who plays with dolls, and a psychopath that is an insomniac!"
Strike one. Gaara had to hold Kankurou back while Hinata gripped Naruto's hand to keep him from attacking the vicious blonde. Sakura's eyebrow twitched but said nothing.
Feeling encouraged, Ino went on. "And what about you? All you are is a fan girl, who has to go after any guy that looks somewhat good looking! Take Sasuke for example! He had to move, and you fell in a freaking depression for like, what? A week? And then you go after a few more guys, before settling on Gaara! And who would have thought I'd feel sorry for him!"
Strike two. This time, Hinata, Naruto, Kankurou, and Temari; who had just entered, had to hold back Gaara from attacking Ino. Sakura's face went a chalky white, and a vein appeared in her forehead, throbbing and pulsing. Sakura still said nothing, but Hinata could tell that the pink head was absolutely burning with the flames of her fury.
"And you know what's even worse? You still have this forehead!" Ino flicked Sakura on the head. Sakura's eyelids flickered. "How cute, you still wear that ribbon I gave to you all those years ago!"
"It's a new one," Sakura finally grumbled, her fists clenched.
"So what, it was my idea!" Ino snickered, crossing the line. Sakura began to turn away, and started walking. "Yeah, that's right! Run like they ugly, pathetic weakling you are, billboard brow!"
Strike three. You're out.
"What... did... you... JUST SAY?!" Sakura shouted in a roar that nearly deafened everyone in range. Sakura whirled around, her breathing ragged and uneven. Her eyes were white rimmed and wild with rage.
"Get down," Naruto hissed in a low whisper to Hinata.
"What?" she asked, completely confused.
"Get down!" Naruto and Gaara roared. Hinata instinctively flattened herself to the floor just as Temari shouted, "Everyone, hit the deck!" Even Gaara dived towards the lockers, hiding in the smallest area he could find.
"Dive! Dive!" Kankurou shouted to the innocent bystanders in the hallway. "Sakura and Ino's on their rage sprees again, so if you know what's good for you, DIVE!"
All that could hear cannoned themselves towards the lockers and brick walls, pressing their bodies against the lockers. The chaos ended quickly, but it ended with the kids sitting against the walls, some using their binders or backpacks as shields.
Hinata heard heavy breathing as Naruto scrambled next to her, his eyes wide and face white with fear. Sakura was now sprinting straight towards Ino, and Hinata went a lovely shade of purplish red when Naruto put an arm in front of her.
"You won't ever call me ugly or weak again, Ino-pig!" Sakura shouted, and she drove her fist into Ino's face. Her legs were flying with kicks, and Ino began to fight back. She pulled at Sakura's hair, which only served to make the pink haired sophomore even madder. There were no ritual punches or timid kicks in this fight. Both girls were involved in a screeching, rolling tussle that threatened everyone at all angles. The kids were too scared to tell them to fight, for their own safety.
At one point in the fight, the dueling pair went out of Hinata's sight range and closer to Gaara's, and there was a scream of pain and Hinata heard Gaara's shout of, "No, Sakura!" He sounded like something had hurt Sakura, but Hinata couldn't see from that angle. The fighting girls exploded into view again, but Sakura looked like she was in agony as she swung her fists.
They stopped for an instant, and Hinata through her disbelief and fright saw that Sakura's lip was bleeding and a bruise was forming on Ino's eye. Then they started screaming again, ripping at each other's hair. Finally Ino kicked Sakura in the stomach, sending her towards the lockers... and straight for Hinata.
Hinata let out a shriek of terror as Sakura went flying towards her, and she slid even further back into the lockers and squeezed her eyes shut, ready for the sudden weight and for a world of pain.
It never came. Hinata's eyes flashed open to see Naruto crouched in front of her, grunting as he caught Sakura around the arms. Sakura was barely conscious as Naruto kneeled down and dragged her out of the way. Ino pounced forward and punched Sakura across the face again even though she was already down, but before she could swing again Kiba, Shikamaru, Temari, and Kankurou seized Ino's arms and wrenched her back. The pink haired girl was panting heavily, having the wind knocked out of her. Hinata scurried over to check if Sakura was all right, but Gaara had beaten her to it. His face darkened.
"Gaara, with all due respect, don't do anything stupid," Naruto whispered in a low voice. "Tsunade will be here in a minute."
He was right. There was another whistle blast as Tsunade marched up, her face distorted in a flaming rage that scared the crap of Hinata. You guys thought she was pissed before? Ha. Yeah right.
"What on EARTH is going on here?" she roared, scaring the already cowering students. Gaara's face was set as he picked up Sakura carefully bridal style, and Tsunade gasped when she saw Sakura's wounds. Sakura now had a black eye, a bloody nose, her bottom lip was now more cut open, and several scratches on her face from Ino's nails. One of her arms were stiff against Gaara's side, and the redhead seemed determined to hide it. However, Ino only had a black eye and blood trickled slowly down her upper lip.
"Gaara, bring Sakura into the office with me," Tsunade said in a no-nonsense tone. "Ino, Hinata, and Naruto, you three should come also. And as for the rest of you," she said in a louder voice, "get to class!"
The kids shuffled back and forth, opening and banging lockers as if the whole fight scene had never happened. Naruto extended a hand to Hinata, who grabbed it after a moment's hesitation. He hauled her on her feet, but she was still shaking, so he put a steading hand on her arm and walked her pace. Sakura had fallen unconscious up ahead, and Gaara looked extremely pissed and worried as he followed Tsunade. Ino was on the clear other side of him, her injured eye closed now, but the other eye was cold and staring straight forward.
The group finally entered Tsunade's office, and the principal took a look at Sakura before making up her mind. "Gaara, take Sakura to the nurse's office and stay with her there, will you? I'll talk to these three." Gaara shot her a relieved look before heading to the nurse's office, which was just around the corner.
Tsunade closed the door once Hinata and Naruto had walked in, and she said, "Okay. Ino, tell me what happened."
Hinata's heart sank. There was no doubt that Ino would lie like the slimy horrible human being she was.
"But Granny Tsunade..." Naruto protested.
"Naruto, quiet. Ino?" Tsunade asked with a raised eyebrow.
Ino looked smug as she said her one line long story. "Sakura attacked me for no good reason." Naruto let out a barely audible groan, and Hinata sighed.
"Thanks for the detail, Ino," Tsunade said with a thread of sarcasm, and with joy Hinata realized that Tsunade didn't believe Ino any more than Hinata or Naruto did. The blonde woman turned to Hinata. "Naruto, tell me your side, and if you lie, you won't help Sakura in any way."
Naruto seemed to realize this. "Well, I guess it all started when the food fight started. Ino got mad at Hinata, and when Hinata left the cafeteria Ino pushed her over and called her a whore." Ino started to protest but Tsunade cut her off. "Quiet, Ino. Go on, Naruto."
"Well, I got mad and poured chocolate milk down her neck," Naruto admitted sheepishly, pointing to Ino's slightly brownish hair. Tsunade's eyes flickered in interest before nodding, and Naruto plunged on. "Sakura came in when I helped Hinata up, and I've never seen her so mad. She scared the crap out of me even though she didn't do anything yet..."
"Yes, yes, just get to the point, Naruto," Tsunade butted in.
"I will, once you two stop interrupting," Naruto pouted, and Hinata couldn't help but think that he was cute when he pouted. "Anyway. Ino said some really nasty stuff to her, and, well, Sakura attacked her. They started fighting and we all tried to get out of the way, and then the two went where Gaara was standing. I couldn't see but I heard a shriek of pain... I think it was Sakura's... anyway. Ino finally kicked Sakura in the stomach and it was all over."
Tsunade was about to say something but she was cut off when the doorknob twisted and Gaara emerged. Hinata gasped when she saw a stripe of blood on his shirt, right where Sakura's arm was. He was followed by a black haired nurse, who's face was almost white with anger.
"Shizune? What's wrong?" Tsunade asked. "Is it Sakura?"
The nurse named Shizune said nothing, all she did was grab Ino by the arm with a screech of protest on her part. "Tsunade, you need to see Sakura now."
"Why?" Tsunade asked, her eyes wide. "Is she okay?"
"Other than the fact Gaara saw Ino take a knife to her arm during the fight and there's a huge slash on the inside of her arm from just below the armpit to her elbow to prove it, she's just fine!" Shizune fumed.
"What?" Tsunade and Naruto both screamed at once, and they proceeded to Sakura's room. Hinata hurriedly followed, her mind whirling in worry for her friend. The young woman had regained consciousness, and she was sitting up. Her arm was wrapped up to the shoulder, and she was clutching it.
"All right Ino, where is that knife?" Tsunade turned to Ino, her face livid. Ino took a hesitant step backwards, her face ashen and pale.
"That's right, bitch! Run away!" Hinata thought, before clapping her hand over her mouth. What did she just think?!
"I have it," Sakura said weakly, handing the principal the pocket knife. "I snatched it so she wouldn't stab me after she got my arm."
Tsunade flicked open the blade, and sure enough, blood was covered on the steel. She flicked the knife back closed and pocketed it. She closed her eyes, lifted her head, and took a few breaths, obviously to calm herself. Finally her eyes opened and she made her head level again.
"All right. Sakura, you started the fight. You had absolutely no excuse to do that, fits of anger should be beyond you. You have in-school suspension for a day, feel lucky it's a Friday." Sakura closed her eyes lightly, and she nodded slowly. Gaara walked around Tsunade and sat down in the chair beside Sakura's bed. He gripped her hand lightly and she squeezed back in return.
"And you." Tsunade turned to Ino. "I realize you were attacked first, but you seem to beat the crap out of Sakura. Instead of defending yourself and getting a teacher, you fought back unreasonably. And..." Tsunade seemed to stop before she went on. "There is absolutely no excuse for having a knife in school at all. Threatening a student, none less injuring one, is illegal, and it's also illegal to bully like you did Hinata. You're suspended for a week. I don't even want to see you take a footstep on school grounds. I'll be taking this, and if you take another knife to school and I catch it, you will be expelled. Are we clear?" Ino nodded, her eyes glaring at all, especially Hinata. Hinata tried to glare back, but her knees were shaking. She felt a hand on her shoulder, and she looked up to see Naruto glaring back at Ino. It was a battle of stares, until Ino finally left with Tsunade.
"Well, Sakura. You got suspended for the first time! Congratulations!" Naruto burst out, trying to add humor to the situation.
Sakura laughed lightly, knowing Naruto didn't mean it. "You idiot," she teased, scratching the back of her head. "Finally Ino-pig gets what was coming to her. Too bad we'll have to postpone the prank for a week."
"You didn't come out unharmed though," Gaara pointed out quietly, pointing to her arm with his free hand.
Sakura gave him a wide, but somewhat pained smile. "Thanks for caring."
"Oh great, mushy moment," Naruto grumbled.
"Naruto! Don't make me get over there!" Sakura shouted, the vein was back. Hinata immediately took a few steps back in fear of this crazy girl.
"Hey guys! Is it safe to come in?" Tenten's cheery voice sounded through the door, and Hinata immediately opened the door. Tenten gave Hinata a large hug, and said to Sakura, "I heard about the fight."
"Yeah...?" Sakura sounded wary.
"Well, was it worth it?!" Tenten asked in a squealing voice.
Hinata, Sakura, and Naruto all burst out laughing. Tenten even earned a smirk from Gaara, and Hinata couldn't help but ask.
"No, s-seriously. Was it?" Hinata asked.
"Definitely!" Sakura pumped her uninjured arm in the air, and there was another light wave of laughter. The bell drowned out every chance of conversation, and Hinata looked up weirdly. Was the day already over...?
Sakura got up with the help of Gaara, and Hinata noticed with a sharp dose of reality. They were still holding hands. Hinata wasn't the only one who noticed this little event. She turned to Tenten, grinning, who grinned back.
"Are you guys going out...?" Tenten asked slyly. Hinata looked at them expectantly, while Naruto was innocently pretending not to listen.
"As of... what? Half an hour ago?" Sakura asked Gaara, and he nodded. "Yeah, about that much."
Tenten squealed so loud that Naruto faked covering his ears in pain. Hinata managed to say without stammering, "Wow! Congratulations!"
"Thanks a lot, you three!" Sakura stressed the last word and glared at Naruto, who was still content to pretend he wasn't in the conversation. Hinata nudged him, but still got no reaction. Sakura apparently knew a lost cause when she saw one. "Now, don't forget that sleepover on Saturday, you guys!" Sakura said cheerfully before she and Gaara left the building.
"Wow." Hinata looked over at Naruto. "I wonder if that can ever happen with me."
Sorry, I was in a violent mood today. I hope you still liked it!!!
