Gaara tries to apologize to Kiba..

Note: I want to thank Cephisco for the amazing review of chapter 11 that I forgot to add into my note at that time… and I haven't forgotten about all of you other reviewers, you all make my day!

The noise level in the crowded hallway went from loud chatter to a stream of whispers as Gaara stepped into it with Hinata, who, as a reaction to the unwanted attention, cowered meekly behind the redhead's toned back. She felt the burn of many curious, and some hostile, stares as Gaara led her to her locker, and then to class.

During class, with the absence of Gaara, the stares became much less oppressive and more curious, and even those were dropped once the teacher began her lesson.

The many eyes, however, followed Gaara around all day, even through classes, and since Gaara would hardly let Hinata out of his sight, they followed Hinata around most of the day, too.

Hinata grew increasingly uncomfortable under the gazes, hiding behind Gaara and for once feeling somewhat comforted by his extreme reluctance to leave her alone.

At lunch, Hinata followed behind Gaara as they entered the cafeteria, bento box in hand. She figured they would be going through the noisy room to the doors that would lead outside, as per usual. However, Gaara made a sudden swerve in the middle of their usual beeline across the room, which landed them right at the table at which sat Neji, Naruto, Ino, Sakura, Sasuke, Shikamaru, Tenten and Kiba. This could not go well; what was Gaara thinking?

Said anti-social redhead simply stood there until the table's occupants noticed him and, one by one, looked up at him apprehensively. Gaara, however, gave no reaction until, finally, Kiba lifted his head from his food and turned to glare at Gaara.

They all watched him expectantly; Gaara did not do things without a reason, especially things that were out of the norm. He cleared his throat somewhat awkwardly, as Gaara was unaccustomed to speaking to people who were not relatives or Hinata.

"I-er-that is…" He seemed unsure how to say what he obviously needed to get out, when he blurted "I came to give my apology to Kiba, for my actions in the museum. I am sorry."

Every single person in earshot (which, due to Gaara's soft voice, was basically just the table's occupants and Hinata) stared at him for a moment. Then Kiba simply turned back to his food without saying a word.

It was Naruto who spoke for the dog-lover, his usual sunny grin had slipped off of his face, and he was now gazing at the redhead with as cold a look as he could muster. "He doesn't forgive you. Don't expect him to any time soon—or ever, for that matter."

Gaara nodded and turned away towards the outside doors. Hinata gave the group one last glance, catching Neji's eye. It held suspicion and warning. She blinked a couple times and followed after Gaara.

Hinata was walking back from the library to meet Gaara, who was devoted to his practice of ignoring any contact anyone attempted to make with him (including the slightly unnerved teacher's), when she bumped into a tall figure standing in the hallway.

Silly Hinata, you're such a klutz, she thought to herself. That was before she looked up and saw just whom it was she had collided into. Itachi. Hinata gave a squeak of surprise and fear, and dropped the binder she'd been holding.

Aforementioned senior turned and looked down at her from under the hood of his black-with-red-clouds sweatshirt. His eyes narrowed slightly in recognition, and as he spoke the black orbs filled with maliciousness and something border-lining glee.

"Watch yourself, little angel," he drawled silkily, "we wouldn't want anything bad to happen to you. There's a lot of dangerous people around here who would try to hurt you."

As he spoke, Itachi had been inching closer and closer to Hinata, and by the time he had finished, he was looming over her with the space between them almost nonexistent.

Itachi leaned down so that he could bore right into her pearly eyes. A shiver went down Hinata's back at those cold, dead eyes. At his whispered words of "careful, now" she gave a soft 'eep' and ducked to pick up her binder, while Itachi turned away and walked down the hallway, chuckling menacingly to himself.

When she got back to Gaara, Hinata had no need to explain the events that had transpired to Gaara; he could read it all in her eyes. Hinata inwardly cursed her inability to mask her all-telling eyes. Now Gaara would be even more worried. Hinata waited for his reaction, which would be along the lines of a growl and a warning, followed by his (and by extension, their) immediate departure from school for the day.

Instead, Gaara pulled her down into the seat next to him, wrapping his arms around her, and whispered to her that she was not to let 'that bastard' control her through fear—she was stronger than that.

Hianta was taken aback by the extremely rare public display of affection. Gaara did not accept so much as hand-holding in any situation where another person was present. In fact, Hinata was the only person he willingly let touch him (although, sometimes Temari was reluctantly admitted into this category as well).

After a few moments, Gaara fell silent, and the two sat for the rest of last period enjoying the silence of teenagers (not) studying.

…~…

After Hinata came in during last period with shaking hands and fearful eyes, Gaara knew she had had an encounter with Itachi. The meek, fragile girl was getting pushed around by the (so-called, Gaara was afraid of nothing) intimidating senior. Itachi would make his move, and soon, and Hinata would have only Gaara to protect her. And if that scum happened to act while Gaara wasn't around…

No. Gaara had made up his mind, and hardened his resolve. He would not let that happen, and therefore something had to be done, now. And so the youngest Sabaku sibling formulated a plan.