This chapter would've been up earlier but I get lazy after school, sorry.
Hinata doesn't want to get out of the shower and has been standing under the running water for nearly an hour. She tries to remind herself that it's not Friday anymore, and she is no longer at school suffering from the taunts of the students who were present in the cafeteria or had heard of the event that had taken place, along with the words said. Hinata cringes at the memory. She wants to forget but the incident replays itself over and over again in her head. She knows she's going to have to speak with her father as well, if that look that he gave this morning during breakfast is anything to go by. She choose to spend all day Saturday in her room mourning her and Neji's social-status as a Hyuuga, and today being Sunday she's sure her father will be ready to speak to her when his video conference with one of his sales managers ends.
Partially because she doesn't want to face her father just yet and also being too afraid to step foot into the schools communal showers, she's waited five days to get clean, Hinata refuses to come out from under the warm water of her shower. Unfortunately Hinata is very aware of her father's lack in patience with her at the moment and turns the knob of the shower off before grabbing a towel and stepping out. She dries her body quickly and grabs another towel for her hair. Opening the door leading to her bedroom she begins drying her hair as she moves to sit her bed to.
Glancing at her alarm clock, the bright green lights flash 10:51 am. Standing Hinata walks to her closet looking through the clothing she has left and grabbing a pair of jeans and a pullover hoodie, before heading back to her bed.
She's just finished drying her hair when she hears her phone vibrating on her nightstand. Reaching over to it she sees that Kiba is calling her, which is unusual, he's usually sleeping in or taking Akamaru for a walk at this hour. Answering with a curious hello Hinata cringes, jerking the phone violently away at the reply that is shouted into her ear.
"Change your classes!"
Saying she didn't expect this would be a lie, but what she definitely doesn't expect is for her to be on a conference call with Kiba, Shino, and Gaara. Given the event that'd taken place the previous Friday she didn't think– didn't expect – for Kiba and Shino to get along with Gaara let alone exchange numbers. Although given the circumstances they did seem to become more civil with one another after Shino stopped Gaara from swinging a kick at Deidara. She's still trying to figure out how none of them got suspended, most likely due to the lack of adult supervision in the cafeteria.
Slowly brining he phone back to her ear hears Gaara typecast both Deidara and Sasori, Kiba agreeing that the two are grade-a perverts and that Itachi was too quiet. Shino adds by providing his own comments on Kakuzu and Tobi, which Hinata has trouble disagreeing with.
They tell her that because it's only been a week there's still time for her to change her classes. Hinata tries to stop the claims at what Neji might – will – do when he finds out her and a fair portion of the Akatsuki share classes.
"I mean it's not like anyone would notice if you were gone anyway" Tough love. Something both her friends and family are very good at.
She knows they're trying to help her. Also possibly trying to get her to transfer into classes they're all present in if their well-timed comments are anything to go by.
Hinata wants to defend the Akatsuki, but holds in her protest knowing they might take it the wrong way, instead she stands from her bed and begins to dress herself. Putting her phone on speaker she listens to Gaara go on about the rumors of her catering to the sexual frustrations of the men of Akatsuki. She self-consciously puts her bra and underwear on faster.
Pulling on a pair of socks and then her jeans she gives a negative to Shino's claims on the possibility of them blackmailing her. She blushes a little and clutches her t-shirt to her chest before pulling it over her head when Kiba bluntly states on how her physical attributes and attractiveness leave something to be desired in the male populous. Of course Kiba himself didn't say that but rather Shino clarified his statement.
Grabbing and taking her phone off speaker she sits back on the bed as she listens to Gaara and Shino plan the changes of Hinata's class schedule. The two continue to debate what her new elective should be before Kiba interrupts with a suggestion of what they should do to keep the Akatsuki away from her. Gaara asks if she wants him to put them on his family's shit-list. Kiba says he'll let Akamaru do as he pleases in their dorms. Shino doesn't make a coherent threat to their lives or belongings but he does mutter something about releasing insects silently into the night.
Not knowing what to say she has half a mind to hang up before she hears a knock on her door. Thanking every deity, then cursing her luck she excuses herself from the conversation before hanging up and answering her sister at the door. Hanabi tells her to brush her hair and meet their father in his study.
Her sister has the faintest trace of a smile on her lips as she continues to speak. "I wouldn't worry. Father 's probably decided now of all times to give you the sex talk."
Hinata fights a blush making its way up her neck as she stares at Hanabi, who is trying and failing to cover a cough that suspiciously sounds like a laugh with a fist to her mouth. Hinata slams the door and Hanabi's coughs, now full blown laughter, become much more pronounced, reminding her of Friday again.
Hinata does as she is told, use to her sister being the medium her father uses to communicate with her. Usually when her father choses to speak face-to-face it's extremely important, like how she would no longer be considered an heiress but beneficiary, or how she'd be spending five years in Suna.
Walking listlessly through the halls of her home, she reaches the staircase, and just below is her father's study. Taking the steps as slowly as she can then turning a nearby corner and walking to the second door on the left. Standing idly in front of the office she smooth's down her hair and slowly opens the door.
Upon entering the room she hears the rhythmic click click click of the computer mouse and the faint scribbles of pen-to-paper. Her father looks up from what Hinata assumes are financial reports and motions for her to sit. Closing the door silently behind her Hinata takes a seat at in one of the two chairs in front of her father's desk.
Hinata's father writes a few words then circles a large number on one of the papers before setting the documents down and casting his gaze to his daughter.
Hinata swallows before speaking "Father, I don't…" she grimaces at her words, knowing this may be her only chance to explain her behavior and to not have her father place a restraining order on whoever Neji said her crush was.
Her father folds his hands on the desk looking as expectant as a forty year old man can to her about his daughter's love life "I, I just think he's nice, and h-he has friends that – think I'm nice and we all get along with each other."
"And who exactly is he, his friends as well?" So, Neji hadn't given him a name, she looks at her father, he gives her a curious look that's more demanding than anything.
Hinata shifts uncomfortably in her chair "Um, his name is Hidan and his friends are called the Akatsuki"
Hinata's father gives her another look before sitting back in his chair. "Hidan, and the Akatsuki." Hinata nods. "If I remember correctly Hidan and his family are a part of that radical religious group, and the…Akatsuki is mainly a group of delinquent boys." He knows. Hinata fidgets in her chair as her father scrutinizes his computer screen after looking at the paper with the circled number.
Hinata's mind begins to wander with terrified thoughts. Did her father look up Hidan? Had Neji actually given a name? Was her father testing to see if she'd tell the truth? Why is he so concerned about his computer all of a sudden? Why is he circling large numbers? Is he paying for Hidan to be put on Gaara's shit-list?
Before she can rationalize her father's sudden change interest she blurts out "But, but those are just… rumors and, and Itachi Uchiha is his friend"
That got his attention.
It doesn't matter if Itachi is the son of a rival CEO he's still a respectable individual, even if Hidan and Itachi aren't what Hinata defined as friends they two were still associated with one another.
"I suppose you're right, but Hinata" she sits up in her chair looking at directly at her father. "Does he share your feelings?"
Hinata's eyes grow wide and she looks anywhere but at her father. That's something else both her family and friends are good at; making her face bone-crushing reality. It's quiet in the room for a moment the only sound coming from the ticking clock on the wall.
She…isn't upset? No she's not. Hinata actually feels as if she doesn't care. Does she care? A bit. Yes she likes Hidan but she also likes…all of the members of the Akatsuki, even if they are exceptionally good-looking they're nice too her, and that's good. Hinata begins to think. Gaara, Shino and Kiba are nice to her and she likes them, does she like them. Yes, very much so, but she doesn't like them like that. Does she? No. The three are like brothers to her, very attractive and a bit homicidal but she cares about them.
She gives a small sigh, but freezes when she realizes she'd still consider having a relationship with one of them.
Hinata's face grows red and she realizes she's turning into a very cliché version of a promiscuous teenager. That's bad.
Wanting to breakdown for letting hormones win she places her head in her hands. She likes them all and blames her father, but mostly herself, for not being able differentiate her want of an intimate friendship from intimate relationship. She knew those dreams featuring Shino, Kiba and Gaara, most at the same time, weren't completely innocent.
Hinata makes a noise that no doubt sounds like she's crying.
"Hinata I know you're upset" looking up from her hands she sees her father still looking at her, "and I can't choose who you love" Hinata's father looks just as uncomfortable as his daughter.
"Father I –"
He silences her with a raised hand "Let me finish, you've had your say. Hinata you need to seriously consider where you want to be when you graduate from the Academy. At the University? Back in Suna? An heiress? Or pregnant with your second child, divorcing your baby-daddy?"
Hinata's not sure what she's more horrified at; that her father thinks she'll get pregnant in high school, or the fact that the word baby-daddy just came out of his mouth.
"Hinata, I want you to be cautious of the people you meet, and believe to be your friends. I know I can't control all of your decisions and I fear the day Neji or I aren't there to protect you. " Her father stands and motions for her to do the same as he walks around his desk.
"I don't trust them." He starts, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder "But I do trust you. Be careful, please" her father finishes with a second hand on her opposite shoulder.
Hinata tries not to look surprised, but she is. She shocks them both when she pulls her father in for a tight embrace usually reserved for long business trips away from home. He holds her for moment as well, patting her back before they separate awkwardly from each other.
Her father nods, excusing her from the room and Hinata wonders if that was her father's way of saying 'I love you.'
The library had become somewhat of a safe haven for her during school the following week. She'd come for lunch after eating hers quickly, then stay until curfew when classes were over then head to her dorm, Konan would give her knowing smiles and Hinata would blush madly and hurry to bed. Try as she might to avoid the mockery of the other students, she couldn't escape them unless she was in her dorm or the library. Ino would join her most times, the first day she told her Kiba and Shino would come but Kiba made it a point to avoid the library, especially after a scuffle he had with the librarians his freshman year, and Shino guilty by association, was also not welcome. Hinata gave an inward sigh of relief when she'd heard that, still not ready to face her friends after her small self-discovery.
Hinata looks at clock on the wall. A little over an hour until curfew. Standing up, she moves to the staircase going toward the reference bookcase on the second floor, she's studying for her upcoming economics test.
Placing one of her books on mixed economies back in its place she turns around to look for Shikamaru hoping he'll help her with the checkout process for the third time due to the librarian working the front desk growing irritation with her.
She finds him crouched near the end of the romance novels bookcases, placing books from his cart on the bottom shelf. She catches a book that falls from the cart, picking it up and handing it to him.
"Hmm. Oh, Hinata you're still here." He looks up at her after giving a quiet thanks
She nods, when he stands from his crouch "Yes, um I, I actually need your help, please"
Shikamaru looks at her then at the books in her hands. He gives a wistful sigh before leading her to the checkout down the stairs. When they reach the front desk she gets shushed by a librarian for accidentally slamming her books on the surface remembering she needs just one more book for history tomorrow.
Shikamaru looks at her with tired eyes and a raised eyebrow and blushing Hinata quietly asks him where the history books are located. He points to a shelf on the second floor before seating himself in the chair behind the desk, she hands him her ID card he begins checking her books out.
Moving quickly she goes toward the bookcases on the second floor. The fourth shelf near the windows is where Shikamaru pointed and she eyes the labels on the shelves until she finds the correct one.
Looking through the shelves she sees that the book she needs is at the very top. Cursing her luck she stands on the tips of her shoes to reach the book barely brushing the spine. Hinata tries again this time looking around her before stepping on the edge of the bottom shelf and reaching for the book when she freezes.
Just between the shelves of the bookcases is the last person she wanted to see. Placing a book in front of her face she hurries to reach for the book once more.
Hinata panics when she thinks she catches Hidan's eye. Instead he turns to the small shelf below the windows and crouches. Still panicking and running on the adrenaline of fight or flight she nearly brushes the paper-back spine of her history book. Still on her toes Hinata glances around the book to see if Hidan is still looking for his own book. Her vision is somewhat obscured due to both the book still sitting in front of her face and the length of the bookcase.
Still on her now aching toes Hinata thinks about asking Shikamaru for assistance when she feels the book slide into her grasp.
Hinata blinks. She didn't do that.
Suddenly the book in front of her face is moved. Hinata watches horrified as Genghis Khan's stoic profile is replaced by Hidan's smirking face.
Hinata nearly screams, but knows better because she is in a library, instead she opts for scurrying backwards into the bookshelf behind her, knocking a few books from the shelf to the floor.
Hidan removes his head from the shelf "Where the hell have you been? I haven't seen you around lately." Hinata stares as Hidan makes his way around the bookcase.
Hinata clutches the book in front of chest as if to shield herself from him. "I, I haven't had time to, met with you all…" Yes she's lying but she has no choice she can't tell him the actual reason she's avoiding them.
"Hmm." Hidan leans a shoulder against the bookcase that's keeping her from dropping to the floor. "If I didn't know any better I'd say you're trying to avoid us"
She knows he's only teasing her but Hinata still shakes her head rapidly "No that's not true" Lie.
"Really?" Hidan grabs her shoulders and steers Hinata out of the aisle of books. "Well, let's get your sweet ass in a chair"
Hinata is helpless as she's ushered to a table where she sees Kakuzu sitting with his own economic books. He looks up as the pair approach the table.
"Look who I found" Hidan laughs silently.
Setting his book down Kakuzu looks at Hinata and she shrinks into a nearby chair.
Hidan pats her head then goes back to retrieve whatever book he was originally looking for, Kakuzu continues to look at her, staring really.
Hinata's face heats she doesn't know what to say to him, she's only seen him in class and he and the others hadn't really made an effort to speak to her unlike Konan, Tobi and Deidara.
"Studying?" She asks politely. Kakuzu grunts in response lifting his book to continue reading pausing between paragraphs to take notes. Hinata's face cools.
Hinata looks down to the first floor where Shikamaru looks a bored clicking away at his computer as checks out other students, her books set aside. She doesn't want to be rude, but she was planning to leave earlier.
When Hidan returns with his book he sits next to Hinata and sets his book on the table, Hinata looks at the title and blinks. Anatomy & Physiology, she never would have thought.
"Surprised?" Hinata looks to Hidan as he opens his book and grabs a nearby pen, "Yeah, I'm studying, its basic shit though."
Still not comfortable with his vocabulary Hinata fidgets in her chair, "That's nice. Is, is it your major?"
Apparently Hinata had asked the wrong question because as soon as the words left her mouth Hidan snaps his book shut, and curses silently.
"He doesn't have one."
Kakuzu is looking at them from over his book, mainly at Hidan who is making it a point to match Kakuzu's glare.
Hinata can feel the tension growing in the air, all too familiar with the feeling after having to sit in on the courtroom case between the Hyuuga and Uchiha.
Grimacing Hidan looks away from Kakuzu, "Fuck no, we're not having this conversation again."
Kakuzu narrows his eyes. "It's not a conversation if you refuse to speak about it."
"Shut up, maybe I don't want a major"
"You won't get anywhere if continue to –"
"Continue to what? Fuck off Kakuzu, I'm not doing anything wrong" Hidan sneers his voice growing steadily louder, and Hinata chooses then to flee from the table.
As she stands and turns to leave Hidan grabs her shoulder and forces her back into the chair.
"Sit your ass back down, you're a part of this now too"
"She has nothing to do with this Hidan" Kakuzu's voice is gruff and also growing in volume.
Hidan leans forward placing the knuckles of fists his onto the table, "She fucking will be." Hinata looks at him horrified but doesn't have time to think about Hidan's implication when a savior comes to her rescue.
"Hey, the library is closing in a fifteen minutes, so if you need to check-out any books now is the time. Otherwise you have leave"
Shikamaru is standing near their table and Hinata stands to excuse herself. "Um, I, I've been meaning to study for history and I –"
"Just fucking go." Hidan is gathering his books and papers a scowl on his mouth, Kakuzu is looking at Shikamaru, contempt etched across his face and Hinata can't help but to wonder why as she bows and gives the two a polite goodbye. The Akatsuki members say the goodbyes, Kakuzu mumbling his and Hidan giving a 'yeah, whatever'. The two are obviously still upset.
Walking awkwardly back to the first floor Hinata thanks Shikamaru for getting out that predicament. "It was very nice of you, thank you."
Shikamaru looks at her "I forgot my cart up here, I still have your ID" he waves the card in front of her and nods over to the cart sitting near the entrance of an elevator "But you're welcome"
"Oh." Is she that easy to forget about? Yes, she thinks remembering how long it had taken her family members to return her calls when she was in Suna.
They're at the front desk now, Shikamaru takes her history book as he hands Hinata her other books opening up another line for the remaining students in the library.
"You know those two" Shikamaru looks over to Hidan and Kakuzu as they exit the library arguing with one another.
Hinata nods "We met, uh, last week"
"You met the others; whole group?" Shikamaru clicks something on his computer before sliding her ID card and clicking again.
Hinata smiles a little "Yes" she answers quietly.
"I heard what happened" He hands her the history book. "In the cafeteria." Oh, that. It's Wednesday, and she had only just gotten over what happened the previous week, choosing instead to trouble herself over her new personal dilemma. Hinata's smile drops, her lips pressing together to form a line, only two more days of school left before she can finally go home again.
A few of the students behind her seemed to hear what Shikamaru had said and began to chuckle, some comment on how 'oh she's that girl'. Shikamaru looks behind her and apologizes silently, Hinata gives him a forgiving look. Taking her books and ID back Hinata exhales. Schooling her face to avoid a waver in her appearance Hinata straightens herself, thanks Shikamaru and turns to leave the building. Hinata doesn't miss the looks she gets as she exits the library.
It's only her second class of the day and Hinata doesn't think she'll be able to make it to her next four. They've just finished the day's workout and are just starting the pre-cool down which consists of five laps around the gym. It's raining outside which means the class is being held indoors and not on the Olympic sized track, but instead in the just as expensive gymnasium.
The equipment in the gym, a rock wall and foam pit, leaves less room to run and that's the only reason Gai-sensei seemed to go easy on them for the day. Hinata is finishing her third lap when she sees their teacher roll out a screen and projector setting up in the middle of the running students. Gaara, meanwhile, is standing near the sidelines getting chatted up by Rock Lee. Hinata would smile at the thought of Gaara of making another friend but is too exhausted to even think about moving another muscle.
By the time her and the other students finish the lights in the first few rows of lights in the gym of been shut off for the screen in the gym to illuminate the darkness. Gai tells them to spread out and form rows and columns for the final work-out of the day. Hinata and Gaara stand next to each in the very back of the rows with three other students. Chouji is pulled to the front row next to Rock Lee in order for Gai to keep an eye on him and make sure he does the day's work-out unlike last week. When the screen cuts from blue to black a gaudy hum of music fills the air and the video starts.
Hinata blanches, Gaara is unamused and other students either look scandalized or are too worn-out to be surprised.
On the screen in obscenely bright letters is a title screen: Gai's Springtime of Youth!
The video begins and their teacher is standing in the middle of a grassy field in a tight green spandex suit, similar to the sweat suit he's been wearing the beginning of time, according to some students. Gai begins to direct them into a fast-pace exercise that he calls Gai Chi.
The real Gai, the one not on screen, is going around the formation of students commenting on their posture and correcting their stances.
Gai jumps into the air kicks his legs, scaring a few students in the third row in the process. "Yes! That's it! Leaf Hurricane!"
Hinata is tired. Her gym clothes are sticky with sweat and deodorant. Her chest is still heaving from the beginning of class, her legs hurt and are aching to rest, arm sore and she's not sure if she'll even be able to change back into her clothes, let alone carry her books and binder or even hold a pencil. She begins to re-think her wariness on using the communal showers.
Looking over to Gaara she notices he is just as content going through the complicated body movements just as much as Lee is, face still indifferent. Unlike her, he easily executes the 'Dynamic Entrance', while she forces herself to raise her arms and move her hips.
Turning back to screen Hinata grimaces when she has to sit on the floor knowing she won't be able to get up afterwards. She feigns the complicated the complicated leg-stomach-glute exercise, trying her best to make it look convincing as Gai passes her row. Hinata openly lays on the floor when she sees Gai head to first row where Lee is helping Chouji transition his legs and torso to-and-from the floor.
Because of their teacher's rigorous exercise regime Hinata and Gaara usually don't have time to speak to one another during class, instead choosing to walk with each other to their classes much like Kiba and Shino do with her after lunch. Unfortunately, or fortunately, the walks escorting her to class have become a bit more guarded, giving her the chance to successfully escape the Akatsuki.
The video-Gai tells them to stand and Hinata with an assisting hand from Gaara heaves herself from the floor.
"Thank you" she says quietly.
They let go of each other's hands, and Hinata wipes the sweat off her own. She can tell Gaara wants to say something else to her from the way he's still looking at her, but he was never really one to initiate a conversation.
"I, um," she's still out of breath "I don't think I need to change my classes" That was relevant, at the very least it continued their last conversation.
"You don't have to." He begins to lung to the right still looking at the screen.
Hinata looks at him "But, I thought –" she cuts herself off, that didn't make sense.
"Kiba wouldn't leave me alone. I'm not sure how he got my number" He grounds out the words in obvious frustration at Kiba.
Oh. Well, that did make sense, she thinks.
"Sh-Shino must have gotten your number." Hinata thinks back to when Shino had somehow acquired Neji's number, and gave it to Kiba. She tells Gaara about the incident, he gives her a face that looks as if he could be smiling, he never really liked Neji.
That seems to be end of their conversation,
"Pay attention people; this one is summoning the turtle!" Gai is still in the front next to Lee, back turned to his class.
Most of the students aren't even doing the exercises anymore instead choosing to sway to the unknown pop song in the background. Gai-sensei, now thoroughly engrossed in his own video, doesn't take notice, but is instead immersed in assisting Lee in his endeavor to perform the maneuver on the screen.
Chouji, now able to escape from Lee and Gai heads to the back row to join Hinata and Gaara, mostly Hinata. He looks just as tired as Hinata feels.
She smiles kindly at him when he stands next to her careful to avoid Gaara. "We're almost done guys. Only few minutes until we can get out of here."
When the class does finish most of the students are still tired and are trailing themselves over to the doors to reach the locker rooms to change.
When Hinata enters the locker room she moves to her locker, and chooses to sit in front of her locker not yet changing, still winded from class. It isn't until she spots the clock on the far side of the room and begins to stand to unlock her locker.
Pulling off shorts she tries to pull on her jeans, but it's difficult due to her skin still being slightly damp. She takes off her sweat-drenched shirt she pulls out a small towel from her locker to dab her torso dry before grabbing her deodorant and applying it.
Hinata is changing into her shirt when she notices the girls across the locker room looking at her. Not sure if she should flattered or offended she hurriedly pulls her shirt over her body and reaches for her hoodie. Trying not to notice one the girls walking over to her still clad in just her underwear, Hinata grips her jacket tightly attempts to remain calm knowing she's going to be taunted by yet another female for professing her love to Hidan.
She's luck though, the girl continues past her toward one of the body mirrors attached to the end of the locker rows. Hinata gathers herself enough to stop staring at the girl and pull her arms into the jacket, and zip it up. Hinata begins to pick at her hoodie and rolls up her sleeves to mask the wrinkles from where she had gripped it so tightly.
Hinata jumps a little when she hears the whistle of the female gym teacher and security head, Anko.
"Alright ladies time to hustle, the bell will rang any moment." As if on cue the bell sounds throughout the locker room and the girls remaining undressed begin to rush to make themselves presentable. Hinata turns back to her locker to grab her things, thinking that she should bring a tote-bag from home to carry her books.
Hinata is usually one of the last to leave. Due to her shy demeanor she can't bring herself to check her appearance while the other girls are present and so she finds herself fixing her hair when the others are gone. It's no different today when she leaves the locker room last and heads off to find Gaara to walk to class together. The exception being that when she turns the corner to head for the school's main grounds she is pulled by the forearm into a dim corner.
Hinata is about to scream when another hand comes up to cover her mouth, and then she really starts screaming. The sound is muffled successfully by her captor's hand.
"Don't freak out kid. It's just me, Kisame" Hinata looks up to her assailant, and yes, it is indeed Kisame gripping her arm and covering her mouth.
"Calm down alight; breathe." He nods at her, and she nods back. She inhales then exhales as she tries to calm herself. Kisame releases her mouth and arm and steps back.
"Why are – what, what are you d-doing here?" Hinata is shaking slightly a combination of her still being worn-out from class and nearly having a fear-induced seizure.
"Listen." Hinata tightens her grip on her things. "Due to popular vote you're going to be the Akatsuki's newest member." Kisame leads her toward the exit where male and female students are pouring in to get to the locker rooms.
Hinata looks at him and swallows, her mouth drying. That's not what she wanted, that's exactly what she wanted to avoid; no more interaction with the Akatsuki but unfortunately luck hasn't been on her side these past few days.
Kisame grins at her. "Zetsu will tell you when and where to meet us, alright?" Hinata nods mechanically. She's not sure how this works but she's fairly sure she should be getting more information than this, especially since she doesn't even know what Zetsu looks like or why she can't just meet them on the bleachers during lunch.
Kisame looks out the still open doors of the entrance to the locker rooms and Hinata notices that he's looking at Gaara. She now realizes why he'd been hiding in the corner.
"Congrats." Kisame grins at her for one last time before shoving other students aside and disappearing on the other side of the doors.
Hinata, herself moves to exit as well before she makes both her and Gaara late.
When Hinata enters her next class she turns to wave goodbye to Gaara and he nods in reply. She'd tried her best to avoid his questions as to what took her so long to exit the locker rooms. He'd been rather persistent, more than usual. When telling him that she'd been pulled aside by Anko didn't work, she'd tried to say she'd forgotten something, but Gaara isn't easy to fool. He'd seen Kisame enter and exit, and Hinata lied her way through that as well, telling Gaara that she's neither seen nor spoken to Kisame since Friday.
Now sitting in her assigned seat in her Horticulture Studies class she waits for Ino to make her appearance.
When she does, she smiles and eagerly makes her way over to her seat next to Hinata, and begins talking about Chouji and what they plan to do for Shikamaru, and his birthday next week.
Their teacher starts class with a lab they left off on last class, and the students file out of their seats to go to the greenhouse on the back of the class to bring their plants to their lab tables.
Hinata has never been more thankful for mixed classes. Unlike her most of her classes her Horticulture Studies class is full of either seniors or students attending the University, people mature enough not to mention the incident in the cafeteria.
The rest of class is spent observing and recording the effects of certain pesticides on plant life. When there's only ten minutes left of class their teacher tells them to head back to the greenhouse, and prepare for class to end. Ino tells her she's thinking of giving Shikamaru's party a theme when the head of the damp room. Ino preferring hand sanitizer to soap and water goes back to her desk while Hinata waits in line to clean her hands of plant soil.
When she reaches the sink she notices the lack of paper towels to dry her hands. Turning away from the sink when finished she heads to opposite side of class, the area closest to the greenhouse, to get a set of paper towels.
When Hinata turns around to head back to the sink a pair of dull yellow eyes are staring at her.
She screams.
Scrambling backwards, she hits a cart of plants making one drop the floor.
"Calm down Hyuuga. It's me. Zetsu." Zetsu, right, the one they won't tell her about. Hinata drops to her knees to pick up the broken pieces of the pot her hands shaking as she separates the broken ceramic from the soil and roots.
"Ms. Hyuuga? Are you alright?" The teacher is heading toward her but Hinata waves off the man and squeaks her reply, that yes she's alright to Ino when she gets up from her seat.
With all the scares she's been getting from the Akatsuki the past two days she's wondering if she's making the right choice to accept being a member of their group.
When she finishes separating the pot pieces she reaches for a nearby dust pan and hand-broom to sweep and clean the mess.
A fellow student brings her a trash can and Hinata thanks them as she staggers to her feet to throw the contents of the dust pan away. As she's clearing away the dust of the ceramic pot she examines Zetsu as he speaks, and tries to not look so frightened.
"Twenty minutes into your next class go to the last building west of the University." He's tall with green hair she's sure is dyed, his skin is painted; half his face black the other white. "The third floor hall and the second to last room on the left. Got it." Hinata nods much like she did with Kisame.
He's also encased in what looks like a Venus flytrap, and Hinata is hoping it's not real.
Looking closer she sees that the green mouth is actually papier-mâché, she breathes a sigh of relief as she gets back down to sweep up the spilt dirt. Now she knows why he's in the Akatsuki, his looks are just as halting as the others, they're not people you see every day.
Art is her next class, or Aesthetics Appreciation, but really just an elaborate way to say art. When she moves toward her seat she sees Deidara already in his seat next to hers and Hinata tries to calm herself when he smiles knowingly at her.
Taking her seat next to him, she sees Sasori enter the classroom and take his seat near the teacher's desk. The class begins with their teacher telling them they'll be working on ceramics, specifically they'll be free-styling for a grade. Sasori goes around the room with a box and places generous amounts of clay on each table. When he reaches Hinata and Deidara's table he gives them twice the amount of other students, and Deidara rubs his hands together before giving Sasori a pleasant pat on the back before reaching for the clay. Hinata watches as Sasori frowns at Deidara then looks at her before leaving to finish passing out the clay.
Not knowing whether to complete her assignment or just sit in her seat and do nothing, Hinata stares at the block of clay on her table being used to the best of its ability by Deidara.
Deidara's on his third mound of clay, and he's showing Hinata how he imprints his pottery with just his palms when the teachers phone rings.
Deidara stops in the middle of his sentence, and sets his clay down. "Now would be a good time to get your things together, un."
Hinata gives Deidara a curious look and he nods at the clock behind her. Turning around she reads that the time is exactly twenty minutes into class. She looks over to her teacher just in time to see her set the phone back on its receiver.
"Deidara, Sasori, and Hinata. Please head down to the dean's office." A few students ooh at the news and Hinata pales, that's not right. Gathering her things anyway she hops off the stool of her table to leave.
Deidara is already coming back from putting his art away and washing his hands and Sasori is standing outside the door of the class.
Hinata heads for the door with Deidara and when they reach the exit of the building she begins to walk towards the Academy.
"Whoa, where are you going, un?" Deidara stops her with a hand on her shoulder.
She turns and he drops his hold. "I was, um, the dean's office is in the Academy?"
"Yes we know that, but our teacher doesn't know where we're really going." Sasori begins, he's walking toward the University.
"Zetsu told you, un. Right?" Hinata nods yes, and Deidara waves for her to follow them.
As they're walking through the campus only a minimal amount of students are walking about, most likely from the University or students from lunch. Continuing to look around she sees a figure running toward them and immediately recognizes him, but it's too late to clear a path.
"Tobi." Hinata yelps out when she's enveloped in a bone-crushing hug. "I, I can't br-breathe."
Tobi lets her loose and steps back. "Sorry! Are you okay?" Hinata nods, and relaxes her own grip on her binder and books.
The two start walking, catching up with Sasori and Deidara as they enter the last building west of the University. They climb the stairs heading to the third floor and turn the corner to walk to the second to last room on the left. Tobi grows quiet as they approach the room and that worries Hinata.
Sasori and Deidara enter the room, Tobi stops her when she tries to follow. "Not yet Hinata, they have stuff to do first then we can go inside."
Hinata gives him a questioning look before gazing curiously at the door. "What are they doing?"
"I don't know, but we'll find out when we're over eighteen." Well that's troubling.
Kakuzu and Hidan are walking down the hall, they don't look happy. Most likely still mad about the previous day's event the two are still scowling at one another as they enter the room, completely ignoring Hinata polite 'hello' and Tobi's enthusiastic greeting.
Hidan and Kakuzu are the last two, because after they enter the door shuts with the sound of a lock sliding into place.
Still tired form her morning activities she slides down the wall to sit on the floor. Tobi joins her.
"Are you okay?" Tobi is leaning towards her and getting closer at an uncomfortable rate.
"I'm fine. I just, I'm tired and Neji…" She doesn't know where that came from. Yes she's concerned about what would happen when Neji finds out, especially Kiba, Shino and Gaara. But Neji is the one that plagues her mind, knowing he takes things personally when she is involved she'll have tread carefully and bring the subject up very carefully to him.
"Neji?" Tobi gives her, what she thinks is a curious look behind his mask.
"He, he's my older cousin. I don't think he'd want me to join your group"
"That's okay Hinata, Tobi's older cousin didn't want him to join either." She's not sure if that was supposed to be comforting but it's the thought that counts.
"R-Really?" He nods vigorously "Who, who's your cousin?"
"Itachi!" Tobi beams at her.
For a moment all Hinata can do is stare and blink, and wonder how such an outlandish individual with the name Uchiha can stay out of the press for so long.
Suddenly there's a rapping knock at the door, and Tobi stands, offering his hand to Hinata. Taking his hand she hauls herself up with his assistance.
Tobi releases her hand and opens the door, ushering her inside. The two enter the room, it's dark, quiet, and smells like…lemons?
A light snaps on to reveal a janitorial closet, and Hinata can't help but feel disappointed, this is not what she expected.
Standing in front of her is Pein and Konan, to her left Sasori, Deidara, Tobi and Zetsu. Itachi, Kisame, Kakuzu, and Hidan on her left. For some reason they all seem to be wearing matching jackets and rings as well, Konan also has one of the jackets folded neatly in her hands a ring sitting on top. This is definitely not what she expected.
"Hinata." She looks over to Pein. "Do you promise to –" Hinata had stopped listening altogether. Too enraptured, too nervous in her current situation to really pay attention. She can imagine how she looks this very instant, eyes glazed her mouth slightly open, she probably looks fascinated at whatever it is Pein is reciting to her. When she does come to she's just in time to answer Pein as he finishes.
"I, I…do." Konan hands her the jacket and ring, Hinata takes it.
Why does it feel like she's joining a gang or cult of some sort? Maybe this was a bad idea. Should she report them to the dean? No, they're her friends, or if they weren't before they are now.
Banishing the negative thoughts from her mind Hinata pulls the ring on her finger and replaces her jacket with the Akatsuki's.
"Hinata." She looks to Konan, who smiles at her then turns to Pein. "Welcome to the Akatsuki."
That's the last we'll be hearing of Hiashi and Hanabi for awhile. Also most of the story will be taking place on the school campus.
Until next time!