ENEMIES
CHAPTER 4
It was a nice day today. Benches were stationed all around the academy for students who liked taking their lunch outside, and most of them did. Hinata would have taken her lunch inside, since class was practically empty, but after last night she didn't exactly trust being alone. Besides, she enjoyed sunny days every bit as much as everyone else.
She sat at the same bench she always did, the forgotten one, the one submerged by the shadows of trees. The Hyuga complexion didn't much care for sunlight, but it made things sparkle, and she appreciated that. To eat comfortably in the cool shadows and watch the sunbeams do their dances—it was heavenly.
Looking down at her lunchbox did not exactly inspire the same feelings. She didn't know what she had been thinking when she packed it this morning. There wasn't just enough for two people, but a good full grown three. She remembered packing one for her Neji-niisan as well, which she had left in the Branch House with a note attached. But she doubted very much that he'd taken it. More than likely he'd rather eat dirt than touch something she made for him.
That was okay, though. It still felt nice giving him the option.
A flash of orange caught the sunlight, drawing her eye. It was Naruto, sitting in throng of chattering kids, eating and laughing. Naruto, who usually sat by himself, had planted himself next to Sakura. He was still riding on the cloud from yesterday, it seemed, since all he could talk about was the tournament. Hinata sighed. Only yesterday he'd been talking about it with her. Well, it was selfish of her to think that a microburst of energy like Naruto could really restrict himself to one person. As long as he was happy. That's all that mattered.
Ah, Sasuke. They'd been running into each other a lot as of late. It never happened before, so she had no idea why it was happing now. When she was walking home yesterday he had appeared quite literally out of nowhere, just like Gaara. Why either of them would be following her she hadn't the slightest idea, so she didn't even bother entertaining the thought. Not that Sasuke's interference was completely unwelcomed. It served as a shield of sorts against Gaara, whether that was his intention or not. She couldn't fathom why it would be, though.
Gaara. He was there, a statue propped against the building. He was not eating or talking to anyone, but simply looking up into the sky. He looked bored, as usual, but slightly irritated. Students did turn to look at him every so often, no doubt just as relieved as Hinata herself that he'd chosen to distance himself. Still, their anxiety could not be mitigated too much. Gaara was still Gaara, after all.
As if sensing Hinata's eyes on him, he turned exactly in her direction, glaring. Or perhaps just looking (it was so hard to tell with him) and she let out an unintentional "Eep!" Her eyes flew elsewhere. Because of that she ended up meeting eyes with Sasuke, who was also staring at her, except from a crowd of people. He was with Sakura, Ino, Naruto and several others, the only two she recognized immediately being Shikamaru and Choji. He ate nothing.
Sasuke rarely took his lunch outside. At least in a spot where Sakura and Ino were likely to smother him, and this occurred to Hinata, once again, as being out of the ordinary. The pricks exploded across the length of her spine and her attention was immediately diverted back to Gaara. Sasuke noticed and redirected his attention also, securing Gaara's eyes with his own. No one could glare like Sasuke, but even with Gaara's apparent disinterest Hinata wasn't sure who was scarier.
Two nin she had never seen before came out of the building. To her surprise they both approached Gaara. One was a girl with two large spiked puffs of blond hair and a massive fan, probably older than she looked, and the other was a boy. He was a bit stranger, as he was covered from head to toe in black, and sported a face paint job Hinata had never seen before. He also carried something large on his back. It was impossible to tell what, as it was wrapped in bandages, but she had no desire to discover what it was.
They started talking to Gaara comfortably and casually. How strange! Obviously they were familiar with each other, so could these two be the siblings Hinata had heard about? It was possible. Though none of them looked the least bit related. When the bell rang Hinata caught herself staring, and looked down at her lunch box. She'd eaten nothing.
Sakura and Ino, who were absorbed in an argument, left their seats shoulder to shoulder on their way back to class. Naruto jumped up to follow Sakura. Shikamaru and Choji departed with kindred laziness, absorbed in their own conversation. With everyone gone Hinata felt better about approaching Sasuke. She presented herself stiffly, carrying the lunch box with both hands. "Uchiha-san?"
Sasuke, who had been keeping his eyes on Gaara, was surprised to suddenly see her there. "Yeah?"
"U-um, thank you so much for walking me home. I d-didn't know you were so kind."
"Because I'm not. You're lucky I just happened to be there. As I've said before, don't wander by yourself at night." Hinata nodded in agreement, eyeing the lunch box nervously. She placed it on the table in front of him.
"Please, t-take it. It's full. I packed enough for several people . . . I noticed you didn't eat anything today, so . . . um . . ."
"Thank you," he said quietly. His hand clenched and unclenched as he stared at it. Hinata nodded again and turned to leave, but he stopped her.
"Hyuga."
"Oh, y-yes?"
He popped open the first tier. He removed a plump rice ball and offered it to her. "You didn't eat anything either. Take this. You need to take better care of yourself if you're going to train efficiently."
Fire rose to her cheeks. "Okay," she squeaked. With one hand she grabbed the rice ball, cupping her face with the other as she rushed away.
Her next class was located in the lower level of the building. Taking the extra time to talk to Sasuke left her running a little late. Still, she walked slowly, her eyes on the rice ball. 'Sasuke Uchiha just told me to take care of myself. Out of everyone in the world I can't believe he's the only one who ever . . . '
"Hyuga." Hinata whirled. Gaara was standing right there, looking out the window with his arms crossed. He spoke without emotion, without conviction. "Do not think the Uchiha will always be around to save you. A warrior must be prepared for anything at any time. You are not."
Hinata creased her brow. He did not avert his gaze from the window. The air of quiet he assumed made her wonder if had forgotten her, or maybe he was dismissing her. "G-Gaara-san . . ." She stretched the rice ball toward him without knowing at all what she was doing. "Are you hungry? P-Please, if you are you may take this." Gaara finally turned from the window. Something flashed across his face. Surprise, maybe? It was gone so quickly she actually thought she'd imagined it. He stared at the offering in her hand, his face a mask.
"You dare show your kindness to an enemy?" he said lowly. Hinata drew her hand back.
"I . . . um . . ." And what could she say to that? It had been stupid of her to pursue the conversation at all. She bowed swiftly, graciously, and spun on her heels.
"You know, Gaara-san," she said, collecting herself just enough to speak. She did not have the courage to look at him. "We're only supposed to be enemies on the field." Without waiting for a response, she hugged the rice ball to her chest and scurried off.
*AN*
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I am surprised at how much people are liking this story. It moves me that so many people are interested in it. I started this story some years ago, and have only been able to upload it recently. I never had any intention of making it past 2 chapters, let alone up to 4, and it's only because you guys have been supporting me. Please keep reviewing, as I love to hear everything you say!
