Konoha High Chapter 36
Hinata fiddled with the model in front of her as she slowly dissected it. She hunched over, keeping her face close so she could see the details of it. It was a model of part of the propulsion systems of the old US Space Shuttle that she was examining to try and recreate. The previous year for extra science credit she had worked on remaking part of the shuttle miniaturized and she had liked it so much she decided to try and remake the entire thing. She worked on it when she was stressed, when she had enough of homework, or when she was bored. She picked off a small part made of metal and began to examine it.
The door banged open downstairs. "HINATA!" Hanabi screeched. "Someone's heeerreeeeee."
Hanabi went thundering into the living room as Hinata recovered from her surprise. She put the part aside and stood up, stumbling over her robe and opening the door to poke her head into the hall. "W-who is it?" Hinata called.
"You guys are very loud," Neji grouched, walking down the hall, carrying a bag of karate gear.
"Hey Hinata," Tenten said, cresting the top of the stairs, "Hanabi said Neji was out so I-" she cut off abruptly as she saw who was standing with Hinata and turned an unfortunate shade of pink. "Oh... sorry..." she said, looking around awkwardly. She was wearing a sports bra, overly-stretched out tank top, and a pair of running shorts. Right now she felt like she was dressed in a paper bag.
She and Neji stood awkwardly in the hall for a moment as Hinata looked between them. Finally Neji coughed and they both walked quickly past one another, Tenten towards Hinata and Neji towards the stairs. Tenten walked straight into Hinata's room and Hinata turned to follow, hearing the front door slam shut downstairs. Tenten leaned against Hinata's desk, her cheeks still flushed, though Hinata wasn't sure if it was from embarrassment or exercise.
"So, uh, you're still working on your space shuttle model?" Tenten asked, looking back at it awkwardly.
"Yeah…" Hinata said, standing up to gather up the model and put it back in the box she kept it in to keep it safe and organized. "So, what's up Tenten?"
Tenten fiddled with the hem of her tank top. "I heard from Naruto you were kind of depressed recently so I decided to stage an anti-depression intervention. It even rhymes," Tenten said, brightening a little. "So, come on, we're going to the movies!"
Hinata blinked, before breaking into a smile. "A-anti-depression intervention?" she asked. "Thanks T-Tenten. I'm n-not that depressed t-though."
Tenten rolled her eyes. "Whatever. We're still going. I want those little mini ice cream bite things and Magic Mike is still at the really cheap theater. So, onwards! To the male stripper movie!" Tenten exclaimed, grabbing Hinata's arm and pulling her towards the door.
"L-let me get my coat."
Elsewhere
"Okay girls! I've got good news," Ino said with a grin, turning down the music blasting out of the radio. The cheerleading team turned their attention to her, eager expressions on their faces. Ino bounced up and down on the balls of her feet, her ponytail flopping side to side. "So… as you guys may know, we had tryouts earlier today for boys to make the squad co-ed and we had better turnout than expected. As of now, we have five new bases and two new spotters, a significant number more then were predicted. I'm proud to present the new members of our co-ed team!" Ino said, gesturing to the gym door. "You can come in now!" she called.
Sai and Tenten were at the head of the group walking in. Tenten had an uncomfortable expression on her face, contrasting Sai's mild smile that he normally wore. Behind them were five other guys: two members of the schools karate team, that Tenten was also a member of, two members of the JV soccer team, and Sasuke Uchiha. The cheerleaders watched them enter with wide eyes, surprised that Sasuke even knew how to do a cartwheel, let alone cheerlead.
Actually, Sasuke didn't know how to cartwheel, but he had a stable stance and was much better than some of the others who tried out. At least he was serious about doing it.
"So," Ino started, clasping her hands behind her back. "Today is going to be back to basics. We're going to get the new peeps introduced to basing and spotting and practice some tumbling. Patience and good technique are today's key words." Ino crossed her arms. "Coach should be here in a sec, and then we'll introduce the flyers to their new bases. Niranjana has elected to stay a base, so Min-Yee, don't worry. You still have your base partner." Min-Yee grinned at Niranjana. The duo was the golden pair of the squad. The most experienced base with the best flyer. They had been a team since the second year of middle school and had gone from hapless to spectacular.
The double doors to the gym swung open again and the coach walked in. "Alright ladies and gentlemen! Time to get to work," the coach announced. "You've given them a briefing, Ino?"
Ino nodded. "Yup. We're ready to get to work!"
"Good, good…" coach said, motioning for the new recruits to take a seat on the bleachers with the other team. Ino stood off to the side as the coach surveyed the new members quietly. "Regional's are four weeks away. We've got a new batch of members, all athletic and ready to work. However, there is still a long way to go. It's going to be hard. Very hard. But I know you can do it. And you need to know it too. This week is going to be all about the basics, which means I expect all of you to do extra workouts on your own to improve your fitness. I recommend long runs, fartleks and stair sprints, weight lifting, and core workouts. You need those abs for good posture. Now, let's have the free flyers over on the right side of me, and the new bases on the left side of me. Niranjana, Min-Yee, the spotters, and the tumblers stay on the bleachers."
The team had five extra flyers: Atsuko, Nia, Masaki, Maybe, and Ino. They lined up, looking eagerly at the new people. Nia was short and compact, with flawless dark skin and black hair she liked to tint with henna. A sophomore, she had been cheerleading for a couple years and loved it. Masaki was a senior and since the fall of her junior year had been consumed with college worries. She could often be found before and after practice doing homework or feverishly filling out college applications while stretching out, her shocking orange, bleached hair up in a topknot.
Maybe's sprain had turned out to be a twist, which she, thank god, bounced back from with amazing speed. She was a freshman who insisted on ironing her hair stick straight every day, much to the horror of her teammates, who thought her corkscrew curls were adorable. Finally, there was Ino.
Sai, Sasuke, one of the karate team members, and the JV soccer boys lined up on the other side, looking a little confused about what was happening. "I've matched up bases and flyers to the best of my abilities. I may move around bases as I get a better idea at what you're capable of, but the pairs will be set for sure at the end of the week. For now, Atsuko, you go with Sasuke, Nia, you and Alonzo… Ino, you and Ryuu," coach said, naming the JV and karate team member respectively. "Masaki… and Sai. And finally, Maybe and Keigo. Again, these are subject to change."
The coach nodded. "Pair up and I'm going to brief you guys on the plan for today." Ino strode over to Ryuu and smiled.
"You're Tenten's friend, right?" Ryuu asked.
Ino nodded. "Yup!"
Ryuu chuckled. "She got me to try out. She said if she had to suffer, another of the karate team should so she'd have someone to whine with," he said.
Ino snorted. "She would say that…"
Sai smiled at Masaki, who stoically nodded. Nia was shaking Alonzo's hand. Atsuko looked over Sasuke with a skeptical look on her face. Keigo was listening shyly as Maybe introduced herself.
"Today: trust activities, the basics of basing, a quick rundown of common stunts, and then practicing some easy stunts. Ino will get you through the trust activities and then I'll be here to help with the practicalities." The coach turned to look at the people clustered on the bleachers. "Now… spotters. I have a big bunch of information for you, and a lecture I'd only like to do once. We'll get to that in a sec. Tumblers, basically today shouldn't be too much different than normal for you, except that I won't be able to give you one on one as much as I normally can. Cerie, you're the lucky girl today. I want you to put together a workout plan for practicing tumbling. Then go through the routines we've been doing. After that, 12 times around the track and calisthenics. You guys can have some fun with that last one."
Coach was almost finished. "Finally, Niranjana, Min-Yee. I have a great workout for you on the whiteboard. Run through it. If you're done before I come to get you, do some abs. Then you get to come up and demonstrate stunts for the newbies. Get to it." The Niranjana and Min-Yee left for the weight room to check their workout and the tumblers went over to the far side of the room. The spotters stayed on the bleachers. Coach turned back to the group of flyers, checking her clipboard quickly. "I'll leave these guys in your capable hands Ino," Coach said, passing her the clipboard. "Come get me when you guys are ready for the demonstrations."
Elsewhere
Neji's hands were shoved in his pockets as he slowly walked down the sidewalk, his karate bag over one shoulder and his gaze held firmly on the ground. His heart felt heavy, not unlike the bag of gear he was carrying. The company… the company… the company… Neji had no brain for business. No love for it. And absolutely no wish to be stuck in a desolate job for the rest of his life.
His uncle was not a nice person. He did not care much for other people. And he always kept one foot planted firmly on the back of Neji's family, reminding them often of the kindness that he was displaying, letting Neji live with him and his family in Konoha. The goodness of his heart, and all that. Neji bristled, just thinking about it.
He kicked a rock out of his path angrily, sending it flying down the sidewalk, where it bounced off of a woman's shoes.
Temari felt something bounce off of her flats. "Hmm?" she asked, looking up curiously. She had her camera bag with her, and she held a notebook in her hands, a pencil behind one ear. "Oh… Neji…" Temari said, looking awkwardly to one side.
"Sorry!" Neji said, embarrassed. "I didn't notice there was anyone there…"
Temari shook her head. "No problem."
Neji started to walk past her, staring back at the ground. "Neji? Do you mind if I ask… why is there an expression of abject misery on your face?" Temari asked, raising an eyebrow. Her sarcastic tone masked actual worry. Neji had not been looking good lately. Normally he was quiet, but not like this.
Neji paused. "I've… been having some family trouble," he said, hesitating.
Temari frowned slightly. "Family trouble?"
"Yeah…" Neji said, looking up at her, the huge bags under his eyes standing out under the mid-afternoon sun. Temari looked a little alarmed.
She stepped towards him and grabbed his wrist. "Come on. We're going to a café where you are going to tell me about it."
"What?" he asked, surprised, as she began pulling him towards the coffee shop a block away.
"You look like hell, and sometimes you just need to talk it out. So we'll talk. I'm not one to gossip, so you don't need to worry about me. And you don't need to tell me anything you don't want to. Hey, if you want, we'll even just talk about your favorite flavor of ice cream. But talk, we will," she said.
"I'm not really in the mood, Temari," Neji said.
"And I am very pushy and don't respect boundaries," Temari responded. "If you really don't want to though… you don't have too."
Neji paused. To be honest, a little talking didn't sound too horrible. "Yeah… sure… let's talk," he said quietly.
Temari led him into the shop, where a tired looking woman was sitting on a stool behind the counter with her eyes glued on the television that was playing Spanish telenovellas. "Hey, can I get a green tea and a… uh, what do you want?" Temari asked, looking at Neji.
"A chamomile tea," Neji said.
The woman behind the counter nodded. "It'll be 4.21. Hang on a sec," she said, getting up and grabbing two cups. The woman plopped in two tea bags and filled them with boiling water, before putting the lids on and carried them over to Temari and Neji. "Give 'em three minutes or so and they'll be good," she said, taking the money Temari handed her. "79 cents is your change," the cashier said, handing her a handful of quarters and pennies as she sat down, looking back at the TV.
Temari grabbed them, holding two napkins around them so she wouldn't burn herself, and carried them over to table. "Okay, talk," Temari said, cradling the tea.
Neji leaned back in his chair, his normally impeccable posture falling to the wayside in his exhaustion. "My uncle is an asshole who wants to control my life," he said simply. "It's not as bad as it sounds probably."
Temari frowned. "'Not as bad as it sounds'?" Temari echoed. "You don't hold your wishes in very high esteem do you?" she asked. "How is he trying to control your life?"
"He thinks I'm going to run the company for him," Neji sighed. "I absolutely refuse. But he thinks because he's helping my parents out he can dictate what I do. I'm not the only one he does that to. I know he thinks he'd rather have sons than daughters. I guess he thinks I'm going to fill that role."
"He regrets Hinata and Hanabi?" Temari asked, her eyes widening.
"A little… yeah," Neji said, looking over to stare out the window.
Temari took a sip of her tea, hissing slightly as it burned her tongue. "Ow… he sounds horrible," she said, a little lamely.
Neji chuckled. "No shit." he said, sarcasm dripping from his words.
"Shit," Temari said, pursing her lips. "So… what are you going to do about it?" she asked.
"What am I going to do? Like I know," Neji said, looking down at his hands as he fiddled with the paper cup his tea was in. "That's my problem. I don't know. I have no idea what to do. Or what I even can do."
"Do you feel like you've lost to him?" Temari asked, breathing in the smell of her tea.
Neji sighed. "To be honest… a little," he said quietly.
Temari looked up at him sharply. "Then you already have," she said.
He looked up at her, surprised. "What?"
"If you think you've lost, you have. If you think you can't do better, you can't. Don't think you've lost, Neji. You haven't, but you can't do jack about anything if you don't believe it too," Temari said, leaning forwards towards him.
"Isn't that a little harsh?" Neji asked, his voice falsely light.
The corners of Temari's mouth turned upwards. "You're a karate regional competitor right?" she asked. "Didn't they tell you something similar when you fight?" Temari tested the temperature of her tea by taking a careful sip, glad to find that it had cooled slightly. "Giving up isn't an option. You and I both know that."