Chapter 21: Caught
Sasuke's POV:
"WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU TOUCHING ME YOU ASSHOLE?!"
I socked him one, straight in the face, and kneed him in the crotch area. He fell to the floor with a groan, his face blue.
"Hmph, that'll teach you to mess with me, damn pervert..." I muttered. I entered the girls bathroom to wash my hands. Touching middle-aged men wasn't exactly a hobby of mine, nor would it ever become one.
Turning off the water, I looked over myself in the mirror. My hair was slightly disheveled and my uniform had obvious handprints on them.
"If I ever see that old man again, I'm definitely gonna do more than just kill him," I grumbled. What kind of man suddenly gropes someone they see walking down the halls? Oh, that's right, a pervert.
Just as I was about to remove the wig from my head, since combing it out that way made it easier to fix, two girls suddenly burst through the bathroom door, one of them with oddly bright pink hair and the other a brunette.
"There you are!" The transvestite cried. "We were looking everywhere for you!"
Haruno glared at me with her arms crossed. "You'd have to be an idiot to get lost in this section of the building. The room is just down the hall and to the right."
I glared at her in return. "I didn't get lost. I was just-" I stopped myself short "...busy."
"Busy doing what?" she asked.
I turned away from her and continued on with combing out the tangles in my wig. "That's none of your business."
It was unexpected, but the slap she'd given me was hard, my left cheek stinging red with pain. A low growl escaped my throat. "What the hell did you do that for?"
She continued to glare at me, only this time, her eyes were filled with tears. In a broken voice, she said "You're a real jerk, y'know that?"
In a few seconds, she was out the bathroom door, the sound of her footsteps fading as she ran down the hall.
The transvestite turned to me and frowned. "You really aren't too good with women, are you?"
I adjusted my wig back on, studying my reflection in the mirror to make sure nothing was out of place. "Shut up."
He leaned against the tiled walls, crossing his arms. It was sometimes scary to see someone who looked so much like a girl act like a man.
"Well?"
"Well what?"
"What is it that you were so busy with?"
"What else? The moron called."
This got his attention. "So they're-"
"Yeah."
He closed his eyes and threw his head back, a thoughtful look on his usually idiotic, feminine face. After a few minutes, he finally stood, straightening his posture, and went back into the overly-girly mode he was usually set on.
"Oh well," he smiled. "We'll just have to deal with this later. For now, let's get back to Hinata-chan. She should be done with the photo shoot by now."
Sakura's POV:
How dare that jerk talk to me like that? Just who the hell does he think he is?!
Wiping my eyes free of tears, I stomped my way down the hall, scaring a few onlookers as well.
I was just worried about him, so why'd he have to-?
I stopped short, just before the door. Inside was everyone. Hinata, her sister, the director, and the rest of the workers. Hinata was inside, trying her best for something that her sister didn't want to do. And here I was, acting like a stupid lovesick fool.
"...why did he have to be so mean?"
I sniffled, wiping at my face with the sleeves of my shirt.
Gaara's POV:
I heard from Kyousuke-san that it was her first time modeling, but...
She leaned against me, gracefully wrapping her arms around my neck with her hands, her fingers just barely grazing the back of my head while she gently fisted my hair.
...this girl's a natural.
We shifted our positions. She now stood behind me, her arms wrapped around my torso this time. Moving to the side, I lifted the transparent, white veil that had been draped around her bare shoulders, an added accessory by Kyousuke-san himself. She raised her arms slowly, lifting her hair along with them. The movement was done so smoothly and sexily that I couldn't help but notice the men watching us gawk right at her.
"Whoa, she's seriously hot."
"How old is she?"
"Who cares? A thing like age isn't gonna stop me from asking her out."
Silently, I felt somewhat like the winner. At this very moment, several of the men were watching her, and envious of me as well I'm sure. I couldn't exactly blame them though. The expressions she displayed were enough to make any man want to take her. She had a sort of 'come hither' look about her, yet kept it distant.
I fought back the smirk that threatened to overtake my face. It was amusing really, for an amateur such as herself to suddenly become the center of attention after a quick makeover.
I decided to do something for fun just then, just to see what kind of reaction I could rouse out of our audience.
Switching positions to stand behind her, I placed my hands on her slim waist, slowly sliding them down to capture the hem of the dress that stopped short just above her knees and bring them back up, along with the dress. Her body tensed at the unexpected touch, but I could see that she was trying hard to not blush, nor shake and create a commotion. I admired that, her determination that is.
The men gasped, some of their faces turning bright-red, others with blood dripping down their noses.
I whispered into her ear, hoping that I would be able to help calm her down.
"Don't worry, I won't go any higher. Just relax and follow my lead."
The tension left her body without a second thought. She stood against me, completely relaxed.
Hm, that was easier than I thought it would be.
"Good job, you two, great way to improvise!" Kyousuke-san shouted approvingly. He came up to us, cigerette in mouth. "The last five photos will feature the two of you gazing at each other, as I mentioned earlier, like your in love." He turned his eyes on the Hyuga. "Can you do that?"
She flushed red, unable to answer I presumed. I patted her shoulder reassuringly.
"It's fine, Kyousuke-san." I moved my hand up the slope of her neck to hold her by the chin and have her gaze up at my face. "I'll just make her fall in love with me."
Kyousuke-san coughed, his cheeks slightly flushed red, as well as everyone else in the room. "You really have no shame, do you?"
"I don't believe you pay me to."
He frowned at me. "Well, anyways, let's just get this over with."
"Of course."
With her body pressed against mine, I held her by the waist with one arm, the other lifting up the silk-like tresses that fell down to her waist.
Before we could again change positions, she politely, if that was even possible, pushed herself away from me, rubbing at her eyes.
"What's wrong?"
"Ow...ugh, my eyes. They...they hurt."
Kyousuke-san asked what the problem was.
"Her eyes hurt," I told him. "I think it's the contact lenses."
He sighed and muttered something incoherent.
"What?"
"Just remove them," he gestured with a wave of his hand. "We have four shots left. No sense in dragging this thing on any longer..."
I peered down at her, confused that she was still rubbing her eyes. Hadn't she heard him?
"Hey, did you hear Kyousuke-san?" I asked. She nodded. "Then take out your contacts."
"I-I'm sorry," she sniffled. "I've done n-nothing but cause trouble f-for everyone t-today..."
I gently ruffled the top of her head, careful to not mess it up. "Everyone has their limits. If it hurts, it hurts. No one's blaming you for anything."
She looked up at me, her eyes watery. It was in that instant that I felt my heart betray me. The pounding quickened somewhat, and the blood almost rose to my face.
Huh? What was that just now?
"...take them out?"
I shook my head to clear my thoughts. "W-What?"
She continued to stare up at me, her eyes still watery with tears. When was this girl going to wipe her eyes?
"C-Can I really take them out now? I-Is it okay to?"
I nodded, turning my head away so that she couldn't see my face. What's wrong with my chest? Is this an early sign of a heart-attack?
"Oh, now it feels a little better..." she murmured, rubbing at her eyes again.
Hn, it feels strange... "Here," I offered. "Use this." I held out my handkerchief. She received it, thankful as she dabbed lightly at the corners of her eyes.
After wiping away her tears, she looked up at me and smiled. It was a smile that no girl had ever given me before.
Confused, I covered my face with one hand and lowered my head, unable to look her directly in the eye, not after that smile at least.
Damn, the pounding is even worse than before. Should I tell Kyousuke-san about this?
"Sabaku-san?"
Although she startled me from my thoughts, I tried to not let it show on my face. She peered up at me. "Is something wrong?"
"It's nothing." The words came out stiff. She blinked, confused.
"Um, all right...we should finish this up then, yes?"
I gave a nod. "Hn."
Hinata's POV:
BEEP
To: Hinata
Sorry, forgot that I had work today.
Let's hang out next time.
From: Sai
BEEP
To: Sai
Okay, next time then. 3
From: Hinata
Tucking away my cell phone, I stretched my arms high above my head, letting out a breath of air as we exited the building. It felt good to be outside after spending what seemed like forever inside the studio. My body and mind felt lighter. I was free from having to do anything else. I'd already rejected the offer to continue the project. If modeling was hard for me, what made them think I wanted to be in a music video that required acting(kind of.)?
Hanabi begged me to continue, but I'd made it clear to her that her line of work wasn't in my comfort zone. In fact, it overstepped the boundaries by an incredible distance.
Haku-san and Sakura hooked their arms with mine, smiling as we walked back to my house. Uchiha-san followed behind us, but not so much that he'd attempt to keep up. As I turned my head to look back at him, I noted with interest that while walking, he kept his head down, his expression that of one in serious thought.
What's wrong with him?
"HINATA, YOU'RE FINALLY HOME!!" Naruto cried, running towards the door before I could even step inside. I knew he was about to hug me, so I raised my arms and waited, but the faint smell of soap and his muscular figure did not hit me all at once like it usually did.
"Huh?" I looked around the entrance hall, not able to locate Naruto's spiky blond hair and tanned skin. "Where did he go?"
Uchiha-san shrugged off his jacket and hung it on the rack. "Ask the two idiots that ran upstairs while carrying him."
He walked past me, but stopped to turn his head, his expression weary.
"You mind if I use your bath?"
I don't know what it was about Uchiha-san, but ever since today, he seemed more tired than I'd ever seen him. It was strange.
I blinked. "Uh...g-go ahead."
He muttered a thanks and climbed the stairs, his footsteps containing somewhat of a drag to them.
As I hung up my own jacket, and carefully slipped off my shoes, setting them aside. When I stood back up, Haku-san was right there, and I mean right there as in standing really close to me when I hadn't even expected him. I nearly jumped out of my skin from the shock alone.
"Sorry, Hinata-chan, did I scare you?"
I held my hand over my chest. "More than that, you nearly gave me a heart-attack."
He laughed. Blushing, I noticed Sakura come down the stairs, wiping her hands on her skirt as if she'd just finished a deed.
"Ano, Sakura...what's Naruto doing upstairs?"
"Him?" she scoffed. "He's just...sleeping." Wrapping an arm around my shoulder, she smiled at me sweetly. "You needn't concern yourself with him, Hinata. You must be exhausted, would you like a massage?"
"E-Eh? No th-thank you."
"Oh really? If not a massage, then would you prefer a bath? We could take one...just like we did yesterday," she grinned.
My face burned from embarrassment. "A m-massage is f-fine..."
Haku-san turned red as well and headed straight for the kitchen.
"H-Haku-san?"
"Don't worry about him, he's just going to make us dinner." She cracked her knuckles. "Now, how would you like it to be done?"
The hot water engulfed me completely, causing my skin to flush a warm red as I stepped out of the bath to cool down. Drying my hair (not the wig) with a towel, I wrapped it around my waist and stared at my reflection in the full-body mirror.
Dark locks of hair dripping wet with water, dark eyes, sakura-colored lips, pale skin, and a slender figure that could've passed me off as androgynous if not for the obvious fact that I didn't have breasts.
I wanted to hit the mirror so badly, but doing that would've been stupid, especially in Hinata's home.
If it was one thing I hated, aside from my family, it was my looks.
If I'd took after that old man, then maybe I wouldn't look like this.
With a sigh, I draped the spare towel I had over my shoulders, ready to head out to my bedroom and get dressed.
Pulling open the door, I froze on the spot, due to the person standing before me. The blood in my body went cold, and for a second, I almost went stiff.
Damn.
An annoying blond I'd come to know over the past few days stared, and much to my displeasure, continued to stare. His expression wasn't that of someone who was shocked, but rather curious. Scratching the side of his head, he grinned.
Damn.
"I was wondering why you were pretending to be a girl, however, I didn't think you'd come out of your disguise so soon."
Dammit all!
HARUNO SAKURA
Age: 16
Height: 5 feet 4 inches
Class and year: 2-A, 2nd year
Favorite Subjects: Science and Math
Personality: Sweet and kind to those she cares for, but also violent and temperamental
Likes: Studying, Hinata, and Sasuke
Dislikes: Men and the fact that she likes Sasuke
School Ranking: The Princess-type. With her grace, beauty, and mannerisms, Sakura is considered one of the most beloved "Onee-sama's" within the school. Her intelligence and confidence has won her the many hearts of her juniors and seniors.
Sai
Age: 18
Height: 5 feet 10 inches
Class and year: 3-B, 3rd year
Favorite Subjects: Art and Calligraphy
Personality: Not sure...
Likes: Hinata, manga and reading
Dislikes: ?
School Ranking: ?
UZUMAKI NARUTO
Age: 16
Height: 5 feet 11 inches
Class and year: 2-B, 2nd year
Favorite Subjects: Gym and Lunch
Personality: Outgoing, loud, an all-around nice guy
Likes: Ramen
Dislikes: Silence
School Ranking: The Knight-type. He attends an all-boys school, but despite that, there are a few boys who have crushes on him as well. Naruto excels athletically in all sports making him the number one candidate that a team must have. Muscular, but with a slender build, Naruto attracts both sexes. His naturally blond hair and tanned skin are found to be quite tempting among the Japanese.