Hinata took a deep breath before strolling towards Ino, who was beckoning for her to join them. Hinata was fully dressed in her cheerleading outfit right now. She was wearing her jacket over her blue mini cheerleading dress (which she was sure only a pervert had designed), over her ballet flats and pompoms. She would take off the jacket before the match began.
They were in the back locker rooms right now. The gym was filled completely, even though it was extra huge for a school gym. The rows of the bleachers were packed with people of the school, administration, parents and friends. And of course supporters from cloud high.
Hinata was slightly nervous seeing this big of a crowd but she calmed herself. Being the Hyuga heiress, she knew how to mask her emotions and present a calm persona.
"Hey." Ino said, spotting Hinata beside her now.
"Hi." Hinata said in her ever soft voice. "Are you nervous? This is your very first match after all." Ino said, smiling supportively.
Hinata decided she could open up to Ino. "A little." Hinata said.
"Don't worry, you'll do great." Ino said, encouraging her and Hinata smiled in return. She was right, she would do great.
"Where are the boys anyways?" Ino said, peeking into the crowded and noisy gym. They hadn't seen the boys since a while ago.
"They'll be around." Hinata said, as she thought about Sasuke, who had spoken very little since they had come. Was he nervous too? He was acting as the captain instead of Neji after all.
"Guys! There you are. Temari's calling! The game's about to begin." Sakura said, suddenly coming to them.
"Right." Ino said smiling and following Sakura out of the gym. The basketball field was huge and there was a small stage and a podium at one end with big screens on either side of the elite gym.
The announcer was familiar. It was Gaara's older brother, Kankuro. He was a talented ventriloquist and an awesome guitar player. He had a slight obsession with warrior paint though. Must be a family thing. He was also in the substitute team for the basketball.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to the first basketball match of the season! Konoha High versus Cloud Highhhhhhhhhhh! Kankuro riled up the audience, enjoying the show himself.
"Are you ready for the best match between the best teams!?" Kankuro called out, earning a yes from the whole crowd.
"Konoha, are you ready?" a roar followed, the students and others supporting Konoha High.
"Are you ready cloud high?!" Kankuro screamed and a large roar followed this as well. Kankuro grinned as he made sure the audience was not lost. He proceeded to introduce the teams.
"The first team tonight is Cloud High! Please put your hands together for….Cloud High!" The audience applauded happily as the cheerleaders came into view, cheerleading for their teams.
"First of all, the captain of the Cloud Team…..KILLER BEE!" The crowd went wild. Everyone had heard about the huge basketball player, who was also a good rapper. "….next is the right hand man and the fast as a lightening and stealthy as a panther, Omoi!" Kankuro announced as Karui came into view, followed by a cool looking Omoi.
He spotted Hinata and gave her a good natured grin which she returned before looking at the new arriving player. Hinata had to admit, their cheerleaders were good. They moved with fluidity, ease and….cheerfully. Hinata's mind flashed to a frowning Karin. Would they be able to pull this off?
"You guys better be good." A husky voice spoke near her ear. She stiffened before realizing it was Sasuke.
"We are. Where have you guys been?" she asked, turning her head to look at Sasuke, who looked as nonchalant as ever.
"Around." He replied. He was leaning on the wall next to her. And staring at her. She felt his gaze and returned it fiercely.
"Your dresses are too short." He observed with a smirk, looking at her legs, fine long legs he added in his mind. "I know that!" she snapped while trying to cover her legs more with the dress that barely skimmed her knees.
Sasuke chuckled and walked over towards the boys. The truth was he was slightly anxious as he was acting as the captain and teasing Hinata just distracted him.
The team formed a queue based on the order they would go to the stage on. The cheerleaders did the same as Kankuro was done announcing the team for Cloud High.
"Come on Hina." Temari said making her stand behind Ino, taking her jacket off. Hinata also took off her jacket and put it on the bundle of jackets with everyone else on the team. She took another deep breath and smiled.
"…Now are you ready for the second team of the night everyone?!" Kankuro screamed. The audience roared and Kankuro waited no more to introduce the Konoha team.
"Here comes…..KONOHA!" He yelled into the microscope. Ino grinned and jumped out to the stage, cart wheeling. There was a second's silence as everyone was too mesmerized by Ino to say anything, especially the boys of both Konoha and Cloud before everyone started to clap or whistle.
Kankuro laughed before introducing the other boys according to their lineup. "First up is, the acting captain for the night, Uchiha Sasuke!" he roared. Everyone applauded and then Hinata stepped into view. She cart wheeled towards the stage before Sasuke while he smirked at the reaction.
The crowd was silent again. They had not seen Hinata before. The silence went on for a few moments until Hinata thought something was wrong. She stood up straight, made eye contact with a few people of the crows (boys) as Sasuke followed to stand next to her.
The crowd broke out in nosebleeds and whistles (boys) and applause (girls). "ARE YOU SINGLE?"
"GOD, SHE'S SO FREAKING HOT!" came the yells towards Hinata who looked slightly bewildered.
"That's normal." Sasuke assured her as she looked a little freaked out. She sighed. Sasuke shook his head. Seriously, she was unbelievable. She looked up to see a boy staring at her rather intently; she caught his eye but looked away just as soon.
As Kankuro finished introducing the teams, the match was ready to start. Hinata went to the sidelines along with the other cheerleaders as she watched the team, comprising of Sasuke, Naruto, Kiba, Haku, Shikamaru, Suigetsu, Lee and Gaara, walk to the stage. The girls of the crowd were drooling over them in a disgusting manner.
The whistle blew, indicating the start of the game. A series of interesting events.
The boy sat in his seat silently, observing everyone around him shout or laugh with excitement. How strange? He was also interested but not like those idiots. He sighed and looked away. He shook his thick hair out of his eyes and straightened his already perfect clothes.
He was wearing a Leather jacket over a dark T-shirt over denim jeans and sneakers. The colors made his pale skin stand out and he looked stunning. The girls around him looked at him with blushes. He sighed. Why had the coach made him come here?
He had to admit, the Konoha gym was larger than expected. And the crowd filling it was also larger than expected but then again, everyone was bound to be excited for the first match of the season.
He watched as the commentator with the weird purple face paint came to the stage and starting the commentary. He managed to excite the crowd, the boy noticed, even he felt a little energetic.
The commentator introduced the team of Cloud High, which he was already introduced to. The captain of the team, Killer Bee noticed him and grinned and the boy smiled back. That Killer Bee was too friendly, but that was what made him a good friend.
After the Cloud Team, the commentator introduced the Konoha team. He watched the blonde cheerleader, Ino with disinterest. Yeah, she was pretty but she was not his type. "…acting captain for the night…". These words caught his attention. Acting Captain? Where was the captain, Hyuga Neji? Was he sick or something?
And who was in his place. The boy smirked as he saw the younger Uchiha come into sight. He was as arrogant looking as ever…and handsome as well. So he was acting as the captain, huh? Suddenly, someone else caught his eye.
It was the cheerleader coming before Sasuke, performing her moves with perfect accuracy and timing. He had never seen her before. But damn did he wish he had. She had midnight blue hair and lavender eyes.
She was wearing the standard Konoha cheerleading dress (which was too short but he was not complaining) which showed off her curves. She was petite and not too short. She looked at the crowd, who had fallen silent.
Then the shouts of "Are you single" and "She's hot" and shit started but he was deaf to them all. He could only see her, standing next to Sasuke as he told her something and she looked slightly relieved. As if she noticed him staring, she looked at him.
He felt his heart stop. Her eyes were so pretty. Especially when she looked at him. She looked away just as fast and the boy wished she hadn't. He did not even know why he was staring at her but something told him he could not stop even if he tried.
Needless to say, the barely accomplished the task he came to do that night. The reason was simple. He wasn't paying attention to anything but her. The doe, as he liked to call her that night.
"Wow Hinata, I can't believe you were so popular in your first game." Sakura said, honestly surprised at the reaction Hinata had gotten. Hinata tried to smile while panting from doing various formatios. Konoha had scored the last basket of the match, winning it from 3 baskets.
Everyone was cheering. The boys had done a wonderful job. Despite it being his first time being the captain, Sasuke had not felt any further anxiety, pressure or tension (perks of being trained as an Uchiha). He had simply leaded the team to victory. Naruto and his coordination was still unbelievable. The boys played like they were made for this.
So this was what Sasuke meant by watching them play tonight. Hinata smiled faintly. The boys were smiling as Kankuro screamed Konoha's victory in the microphone. The captains smile and shook hands.
"THE WINNING CAPTAIN OF THE NIGHT, UCHIHA SASUKE!" Kankuro called out to the crowd. Sasuke came on to the stage, smirking, which increased the number of squealing fan girls. He suddenly looked at Hinata, who smiled and gave him a half hearted wave, because she was still tired.
She noticed a white haired boy go to the stage to shake hands with Bee while smiling and also shook hands with Sasuke minus the smile. Sasuke's smirk also vanished. The boy suddenly looked at Hinata and gave her a lopsided smirk, as if studying her. Taking her in. Sasuke also noticed and stiffened slightly.
"Come on, match's over. We're changing for the PAR-TAY!" Sakura shrieked. Everyone else cheered. The people in the bleachers started to move out slowly. Hinata looked over from the boys and started walking towards the locker room. She contemplated taking a shower but knew she did not have time.
"Where's the party again?" Sumire asked Hinata.
"Sakura's place. Again." Ino replied instead. Sumire nodded before walking away. Suddenly Naruto hugged Hinata from behind. His arms around her neck, he yelled. "Hinata!"
Hinata almost kicked his balls before she relaxed, realizing it was only Naruto. "You were great." He said, earning a bonk on the head from Ino.
"You idiot. You startled her and us." Ino growled. Sakura also looked annoyed. "Naruto, what are you doing in here?" Sakura asked, sighing because this was the girls locker room.
"I wanted to take a picture with you guys. Come on." He said before grabbing Hinata's arm and dragging her out.
"That idiot."Sakura muttered. "Well, one picture can't hurt." Ino said as she also walked out of the locker room.
After being done with the pictures, Hinata changed out of her cheerleading dress into the outfit she had come in, which was a sparkling full sleeved V-neck black top and a denim miniskirt over dark leggings and flats.
She walked towards the parking lot, which was over crowded. Everyone was either ready to drive to Sakura's pace or going home. Hinata went and stood besides Rai as she waited for Sasuke. He had told her that they would go to the party together.
Hinata's mind wandered to Naruto. This was supposed to be a date, right? More like, he had wanted to "Hang out" at the party. This wouldn't count as the first date, would it? It would be a hang out.
She was thinking of how their date would go when she saw the white haired boy for the third time that night. He was walking by himself when he spotted her too. He stopped in his tracks and his lips parted. He looked as if he was considering walking to her or not. Seems like he decided against it. He just threw her a slight smile before walking to a blue Ferrari and driving off.
Opposite to the road which led to Sakura's house. Huh, so he was not going to the party. She crossed her arms as she leaned against Sasuke's convertible car. Where was he?
She saw him rush outside, mobbed by hundreds of Fan girls. Her eyes widened as the mob rushed to where Hinata was, following Sasuke to his car. He yelled something she could not hear before sliding inside his car.
He unlocked the passenger side of the car and Hinata took the hint and sat inside. The girls were surrounding the car. "What the hell?" Hinata asked, a little freaked out.
"Shut up." He said before turning his attention to his car. He drove backwards and out of the parking lot. The girls yelled in dismay but Sasuke did not look like he cared.
"Are they really that obsessed?" Hinata asked and Sasuke shot her a look of annoyance that shut her up. She looked out of the window of the car.
"You guys played really good." Hinata complimented. This seemed to relax Sasuke a little as he stopped scowling. "Congratulations on winning. And you were the captain too so…basically what I'm saying is that you did a good job." she smiled in a comfortable way.
"I know." He said, smirking now. Conceited bastard. She was just about to retort when he added. "You weren't that bad either. I practically saw boys drool while looking at you."
Hinata did not expect that comment. He had noticed? Of course he had. What would she say to this now? She just looked out of the car in a flustered manner.
Sasuke chuckled a little. "Seems like I finally have someone to relate to in the future. You'll have fan boys." He said.
"No I won't. That's ridiculous." She snapped.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night." He muttered. He was so rude. "I really don't like you." She spoke in a low voice.
"Keep telling yourself that." He said. She did not reply. He kept quiet too. He suddenly remembered what his mother had said to him. "We're supposed to be home by midnight."
"Alright. Get me before then." Hinata said, looking on the road.
"Get you?" he asked, raising his brow.
"Tonight's my date with Naruto, remember?" she asked, raising her brow too.
"No I don't. And what kind of dumb ass sets a date on a party?" Sasuke asked. Naruto would but still…this was Hinata. How could she agree?
"He more like asked to hang out, it was me who asked if it was a date or not. And why?" she asked turning to look at him.
"Drunk unsupervised hormonal teenagers." Sasuke said by way of reply. She was seriously going to get raped if she thought the party would not be wild. He had been to after match euphoria parties before. They were a disaster.
Hell, even he'd been tried to be molested by girls….and even a few boys. He still shuddered at the thought. Of course he'd broken the girls' wrists and the boys' noses because 1. He had high alcohol tolerance and 2. He did not drink much at parties like this. Who knew what was in the things present there?
"I can manage. Besides, I'm not drinking." She said. Sasuke almost laughed out loud. Yeah right. "Whatever; just don't get pregnant. Neji will kill the father. And my mother will kill me." He said, grinning slightly.
"Shut up." She said while she blushed. She was still a virgin, what was he even thinking?
He shrugged and drove on. They reached the street where Sakura's house was. There were cars parked everywhere. "We'll park a little distance away." He suggested.
"Where are Sakura's parents that she can party so much?" Hinata had to ask.
"They're on a business trip most of the time." He informed her while he parked the car. They got out of the car while Sasuke reached for her duffel bag in the back of the car, which had her dress and accessories that Mikoto had helped her pick out.
"…actually." she said, touching his upper arm slightly. He looked at her interrogatively. She pointed to the house, which had almost a million (sure they were exaggerating but it was a lot of) boys. Hinata knew her dress was beautiful and made her look stunning but she also knew it was a little provocative for perverts.
She decided to stick with her casual clothes for now. "I'm not going to change after all." She said, making him drop her bag in the back seat again.
"You sure? It's your date too." He said.
"Pretty sure. Like you said; drunk unsupervised hormonal teenagers." Hinata recited. Sasuke turned away and smirked a little.
"Whatever. You don't look too bad right now." He said. Okay he was slightly underestimating her look. She still looked beautiful.
"Let's go." She said, smiling and taking his arm, which he had not even offered. They walked across the teens who gave them looks of lust as they passed.
"Sasuke, Hinata." Sakura greeted them inside the living room.
"HEY GUYS!" Naruto's loud voice greeted. There was loud music blaring and people dancing, drinking, kissing and passed out.
"Um…nice party?" Hinata asked them both, smiling a little.
"I know right?" Ino asked, coming up behind them. She was standing with a boy Hinata had never seen before.
"Who…?" Hinata began when Ino cut her off. "This is Daichi, we just met." Ino said in a flirty tone and he looked back at her.
"I thought she was dating Itsuki" Hinata whispered to Sakura.
"They broke up." Sakura shrugged. Hinata shook her head, her gaze falling on Suigetsu, who was kissing a brunette right now. His white hair reminded her of the other boy.
"Hey, Sasuke, who was that boy who shook hands with you on the stage? The one with white hair?" Hinata asked, turning to Sasuke who looked at her.
"You mean…?" he was saying when Naruto cut him off "Who cares who that was? Hinata-chan, are you ready for our date?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah." she said, smiling brightly. "You look so cute." Naruto told her.
Hinata laughed and a lot of boys looked at her, their eyes glazed over. "Um…let's so and get something to drink." Hinata told Naruto as she walked off with him.
Sasuke had warned her not to drink anything but hey, if she wanted to, he would not stop her. He just stood there before walking towards the other guys.
"Yo, you made it." Kiba observed. He was grinning, showing his sharp canines.
"Hn." Sasuke said. He noticed Shikamaru looking at someone. He followed his gaze to Temari, who was laughing, standing with Omoi and Killer Bee from cloud.
"Hey." Sasuke interrupted his fascinations (whatever those were). "Hey." Shikamaru replied, sipping coke.
"Temari, huh?" Sasuke smirked.
"What are you talking about?" Shikamaru asked, looking away from her.
"If you like her, do it. You're just being a damn coward." Sasuke playfully shoved him. "Nah man, girls are too troublesome." Shikamaru said, making his way to the couch, where a few teens were making out.
Sasuke smirked. He decided he would just talk to Shikamaru who was not annoying and because Naruto was busy. He joined Shikamaru and they started discussing the strategy cloud high had used.
"Hey cry baby." Someone said. Shikamaru and Sasuke looked up to see a blonde girl looking at them with a mocking smile.
"Temari." Shikamaru acknowledged.
"Why are you both sitting here when there's a party going on?" she asked, raising her brow. Sasuke and Shikamaru shrugged simultaneously.
"Come on and dance." She said, dragging them both up by their arms.
"That's just too much trouble." Shikamaru muttered. "And I don't like girls." Sasuke said to himself.
"You guys are being assholes. Come on." Temari dragged them up. She took Shikamaru with her to the dance floor while she shoved Sasuke towards Killer Bee, who fist bumped with Sasuke.
Sasuke would wonder why he even came but the reason was clear. His mother wanted him to take Hinata out.
"Captain." Bee smiled. Sasuke nodded with a smirk. "You were good." Bee acknowledged.
"You guys weren't too bad either." Sasuke said. They started talking and were talking about something when Omoi appeared.
"Bee, we need to leave. Karui told me Ay just called." Omoi said.
"Fine, gather the team. Sasuke, I'll take my leave. See ya." He grinned and bumped fists. Sasuke watched him go with a lazy smirk.
Suddenly, he felt someone latch on to his arm. He looked to see Karin, another cheerleader and an obsessive fan girl hold on to his arm.
She looked slightly drunk and Sasuke wondered if he had any danger of being molested. "Hey Sasukeee!" she said, smiling too cheerfully.
"Karin, what do you want?" he asked bluntly.
"I want youuu…" Karin said slurring her words. Sasuke rolled his eyes; that was obvious.
"Let go of my arm." He said roughly shaking his arm out of her grasp. She gasped and her eyes filled with tears.
"Why don't you like me Sasuke?" she asked with a shade of solemnity.
"That's none of your business." He said before trying to walk off when she grabbed his arm again. He breathed in because he was seriously tempted to break her arm like last year.
"Do you like someone else?" she asked.
"Is it really your problem if I do?" he snapped.
"Yes! Because I love you Sasuke!" Karin yelled. Some people paid attention while the others did not. Sasuke seriously started to wish he did not come. He remembered why he hated parties.
"Karin, I do not like you. Let me go." He said turning to face her and patiently repeating what he had been since the first day of high school. He noticed Suigetsu looking at him with anger, hatred and envy.
"It's because of her, isn't it? It's because of the Hyuga bitch! The one you keep giving rides to." She exclaimed.
Dear God. Now everyone was looking at them. Even the people from cloud were looking, waiting for Sasuke to confirm or refuse the statement.
"Because she doesn't have a car or a driving license" He said snatching his arm away and beginning to walk away.
"I'll get her for this….she stole you away…I will get back at her..."
Hinata laughed at Naruto's joke as he watched her laugh with a smile. He was actually having a lot of fun because she was not a fan girl who ran after him because his father was the president.
"Naruto, your drink's finished. Why don't you get some more?" she asked. They had been drinking coke since she had arrived and talking over snacks. She had vowed not to drink anything other than coke at parties. Naruto was really enjoying sitting with her.
He nodded and said "Be right back." before walking away. Hinata smiled. Naruto was fun. She wondered if he would try to kiss her tonight. She was not sure how she would feel if he did. She decided not to think about it.
She was sitting on the stairs when she looked at someone standing in front of her. It was a boy with dark hair. Itsuki. "Hey Hinata." He said. He was obviously drunk because his eyes were glazed over.
"Hi Itsuki. I'm sorry about your breakup with Ino." She said sympathetically. He waved his hand and sat down next to her, on the spot previously belonging to Naruto. "It's no biggie." He said.
Hinata smiled awkwardly. "So did you have fun at the game?" she asked.
"Yeah. Especially since you looked so hot." He said, smiling like a pedophile.
"Yeah…uh, I have to go." Hinata decided she did not like his tone right now. It was too suggestive.
"I'll go with you." He offered, standing up with her. "I have to go alone." She said firmly.
"Just one kiss before you go, Hina. It's okay." he said, suddenly pinning her to the stair wall. No one was paying them attention, busy within themselves.
Hinata panicked for a second before becoming angry. "I said no!" she said, kicking him where the sun doesn't shine. He yelped and fell on his knees and down the stairs. Hinata skipped down and ran over him.
She was just walking when she bumped into someone. "I'm sorr-" she stopped when she saw Karin standing there, looking malicious in her bottle green short dress.
"Hinata. I was looking for you." Karin said in a malicious tone.
"I have to go." Hinata said before attempting to walk away. Karin grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
"Not so fast." Hinata wondered what her problem was now. "You can't just run away from me after stealing my Sasuke from me. You slut!" she screamed.
"Let me go." Hinata said in a quiet rage.
"No! Why should I? How dare you? You bitch! He wasn't yours! He was mine." Karin screamed in her face before Hinata shook her arm out of her grasp.
"Sasuke is not your little toy Karin. He isn't yours and he isn't mine! He's a person so treat him like one. And he doesn't deserve someone like you." Hinata spat before stalking off.
"What the fuck do you mean?" Karin screamed as Hinata found her way blocked by Kasumi. Everyone was now looking at them.
Karin walked over to her and Hinata noticed she was crying. "I love him! He's mine. LEAVE HIM ALONE!" she yelled and upset her glass of punch on Hinata's head, which trickled down her neck and clothes.
Sasuke entered the room just as Karin did that. He did not know who it was who was being targeted because there were people surrounding them. He just watched until that someone screamed.
Hinata slapped Karin's face so hard, Karin stumbled backwards. "You bitch! How dare you hit Karin?" Kasumi asked, grabbing Hinata's hair roughly.
"SASUKE IS NOT YOUR TOY!"
Sasuke recognized the voice as Hinata's. He was even more shocked at what she was saying and the fact that she was screaming.
"….he does not like you. He does not like me. I DON'T EVEN LIKE HIM LIKE THAT! HE DROVE ME TO SCHOOL AND BACK OUT OF PITY, BECAUSE HIS MOTHER SAID SO. I'M HERE FOR NARUTO, NOT HIM!"
Naruto entered the room at this point and froze. "Stop treating Sasuke like you own him. You're pathetic." Hinata spat before kicking Kasumi's shin and walking out of her hold. Sasuke noticed that Kasumi had some of her hair in her hand and that made him inexplicably angry.
How dare they do that to someone because of him? He was about to retort when Hinata made her way out of the crowd, tears of anger and frustration streaming down her face. She looked and Naruto and him and let out a chocked sound.
"Hinata…" Naruto said softly before dropping the cola cups and enclosing her within his strong hold. He had his back to Sasuke but Hinata's face on Naruto's shoulder was visible as she squeezed his shoulders.
Sasuke watched the tears on her face and her clothes and hair sticky with punch. He was so angry he did not even know what to think.
Hinata released her hold on Naruto and looked directly at him, as Naruto also looked at him, his face angry.
"Hinata-" Sasuke said, not knowing why he felt the need to comfort her. Yes, he was ashamed that she had been harmed because of him.
"Sasuke-please. Not now." She said in a tearful voice before Naruto put his hand on her middle back and lead her out of the room.
Sasuke watched them leave and a silence filled the room. He looked at Karin stonily before saying "Fuck you." And walking off.
By the time Sasuke went out of the house, Naruto's car was gone. Hinata had left. With him. She'd left with Naruto instead of him. He walked inside, drank a shot and walked to his car. He sat inside and drove home.
