They Hold the World

Chapter 25: Evolving

Hinata

The second semester of school began with a frowning Uchiha - which was never a good sign for anyone.

Hinata had just been dropped off and was on her way to the front of the building when a series of honks startled her enough to drop her books. A distant "Whoops!" called behind her, but before she could even kneel down, Sasuke had already swooped in and grabbed them off the sidewalk. He handed them to her, eyes glaring over her shoulder.

"Why are you still here?"

Looking back, Hinata was surprised to find Shisui in the front seat of . . . Sasuke's car? What? The roof was down, and despite it being dawn with barely any sun out yet, he was wearing sunglasses. The image screamed cool, like an older brother dropping off his sibling at middle school. Only . . . Shisui was his cousin and Sasuke was seventeen.

His arm stretched behind the passenger seat as he leaned toward them, calling, "I'm still waiting for my thank you."

"Rot in hell!" Sasuke grabbed Hinata's hand and pulled her along with him as he practically jogged (or, at least, she jogged- because Christ his legs were long) to the entrance of the building. Shisui cackled behind them before the engine roared and he shot off.

When they got inside, Sasuke was scowling, and Hinata couldn't help but smile. "He d-drove you?"

Rubbing his temple, Sasuke nodded. "He kept going on about how he has always wanted to do it at least once." They made their way to the library, where they sat in their usual spot. It was refreshing, somehow. The two weeks of vacation had made her realize how calming it was to just be there. Calming, of course, when the boy across from you didn't have the expression of someone who wanted to tear someone's head off. "My mom overheard - and I know that bastard did it on purpose. She pushed me to do it, saying it would be a great bonding experience." Sasuke sighed and placed his forehead on the table, hands folded behind his head. "I've known him all my life. What more bonding do we need?"

He looked tired and peeved, sure, but Hinata had never seen him so . . . happy. Not exactly the 'all smiles and sunshine' sort of happy, but there was a softness in his eyes and a severe lack of tension in his body that made him look at peace. It was nice. He finally had his family back, and she was sure he'd rather complain about his parents and cousin than ever go back to those days of solitude.

Pulling out her new notebook from her backpack, she said, "I'm glad you're doing okay."

His head snapped up, and his eyes were sharp. "Okay?" His scowl tightened. "Hinata." He swooped down and pulled out a single piece of paper to slam it on the table between them. "This is not okay. This is bullshit."

Ah, right. The new schedule. The night before, they had printed out their new school schedules and discussed them on the phone, looming over and trying to find which classes they had together. And, well, upon finding that they had absolutely zero classes together, Hinata was disappointed while Sasuke was . . .

"This is pissing me off." Right. That. "Two classes with Naruto - two morning classes where he does nothing but sleep and annoy the hell out of me. I get this -" His hand beat against the paper, making Hinata's shoulder jump, "but not a single, damn class with you."

Her heart fluttered, but she shook her head and met his smoldering gaze.

"W-We'll see each other at lunch and during p-passing period."

His gaze moved to the schedule, now wrinkled from all the battery it had taken in just those few minutes alone. Eyes flickered and flared before eventually cooling down, and he grabbed it and haphazardly stuffed it in his backpack before leaning his jaw into his perched palm and groveling to the side. In the distance, students saw that disturbing glare and slunk to the sides, out of the way in fear of his sudden, brutal wrath. Because an angry Uchiha was not a good omen.

"I hate it."

Especially to Uchihas.

...

First period came with a familiar face.

"I miss my bed."

And the usual, tired look of a very sleep-deprived Nara. Hinata's smile stretched upon seeing her friend take the seat next to her - practically collapsing into the chair as he crossed his arms over the desk and used them as a makeshift pillow. He groaned and muttered, and Hinata had to bite her lip to stop her laugh as she situated herself for class.

"Good m-morning."

Shikamaru turned his head her way, making no effort to sit up. "You can call it that."

"H-How was your break?" she asked.

"Amazing." His eyes lidded, some in memory, some in fatigue. "I didn't have to wake up at a God-awful hour to learn things I already know." Another groan as he stuffed his face against his arms. "Damn that Asuma. Challenge yourself, he says. How is suffering from sleep deprivation challenging?"

Humming, Hinata rubbed his shoulder assuringly before pulling out her schedule. "What's your class a-after this?"

"Honors German IV." He sat up and glanced at her schedule, eyes trailing it with sudden acute focus. He brought forth a hand to tap his index finger on her third period. "But I have that one." It slid down to her fourth. "And that one."

Huh? She looked at it, blinking. We have three classes together?

But how was that possible? Shouldn't he be in all the advanced classes?

The bell for the start of class rang, high and shrill, making both her and Shikamaru wince. The teacher began introducing the class material with a powerpoint, and as Hinata scribbled down supplies she would need for the class, she glanced over, and was a bit surprised to see her friend . . . awake. Not only that, his eyes were fogless and sharp. Hadn't he just complained about being tired and knowing everything already? Realizing her wondering train of thought was distracting her, she snapped her gaze back to the powerpoint and continued her scribbling.

...

With the end of class came a bit of tension.

Because Sasuke was waiting for her, and upon seeing her exit the classroom with Shikamaru, he instantly pushed off of the wall and walked over, towering over both of them. There was a shared look between the two boys, one so fleeting and vague that Hinata had barely seen it herself, before Shikamaru adjusted the strap of his backpack before turning. His hand rose in a lazy wave as he walked off. "See you in third period."

Hinata waved back before turning to Sasuke, who was staring her down.

"Third period?" he droned.

To avoid his heavy gaze, she skimmed her schedule to find where her next class was. Finding that it was on the second floor, she made her way to the east staircase, not surprised whatsoever to hear heavy footsteps follow behind her. "U-Um," she said, voice a bit muffled under the cacophony of students and creaking doors that were constantly opened and closed, "we - he and I-I have third period together."

Not a sound escaped Sasuke. They made it to the first floor, and when she got to her class, they stood in front of his. A bit fearful, she took a chance to read his expression, only to find it completely unreadable. His eyes were narrow and the anger she had expected to see was simmered down to nonchalance. He looked like Sasuke Uchiha - the one he portrayed himself as in front of everyone. And she hated to sound pompous, but it confused her to see him mask himself that way in front of her. It's been a while since she's seen the stone-cold, flat-faced Sasuke that used to walk the hallways with terror in his wake.

"Okay." One word. So short, yet so . . . puzzling. Was that an affirmation - and if so, what was he affirming? Or was he just letting her know he . . . heard her? Before Hinata could even begin to guess, he tilted his head in a silent farewell before leaving to go back downstairs.

And what confused her most was not the sudden nonchalance or one-worded statements, but rather that he had followed her up there for a reason, so why hadn't he said anything more?

Because Sasuke, despite having changed in multiple ways over the past few months, had never been afraid to state his mind.

...

"He hates me."

Third period started with the obvious - something Shikamaru did not delve much into, so it became abundantly clear to Hinata that Sasuke wasn't the only one acting off that day. She bit her lip as she watched him settle in the spot next to her, eyes never trailing away from the front of the class.

"I-I don't -"

"Don't lie, Hinata. I know." His eyes refused to look at her. Why? Had she done something wrong. "For someone who acts so cool and cocky, he sure is easy to read."

Despite herself, she smiled, glad to see that she wasn't the only who could understand Sasuke beyond his aloof expressions. She wasn't blind. She knew Sasuke was putting more of himself out there, for both of their sakes; but it was hard to make friends with people when you only showed them one of two expressions at a time. And their shared group of friends were kind, amable people, sure, but it seemed that in order for Sasuke to let you close, you had to prove to him you understood his boundaries first. Shikamaru was well aware of those boundaries. He just . . . chose to ignore them.

And, in a way, maybe it helped Sasuke and pushed him out of his comfort zone. But with that being said, they were far from being friends, no matter Shikamaru's capability to read Sasuke like Poe. And . . . Hinata wondered if they'd ever be friends.

Because there were . . . multiple reasons why they disliked each other, some of which she did not want to dwell on for the sake of her own conscience.

"Hate," she began shyly, "is a strong w-word."

Finally, he looked her way. "He's a strong guy."

Oh, how true that was. "I-I'm just saying that, um, t-to not take it t-too personally." She fiddled with her necklace, struggling to get the words out. "Especially today. It's been, um, a r-rough start."

Shikamaru snorted and perched his chin on his folded hands. "What could have possibly gotten him so riled up?" Her mouth snapped shut as her face went red, already feeling like she had shared too much about Sasuke without his permission. But Shikamaru was as observant as he was nosy, and with a quick glance at her face, an amused smirk came to him. "Ah, I see," he snickered, looking strangely proud of himself. "I always guessed him to be the jealous type - but that is just golden."

Hinata bowed her chin, guilt already running its course. "Please, Shikamaru," she whispered, "d-don't mention it to him."

His hand covered his mouth. "Sure, Hinata."

And that along with his flittering gaze didn't make him sound . . . trustworthy at all.

...

The bell rang -

"I'll take you to fourth, Hinata."

And things were already speeding up beyond her control. She wasn't even done with reading over the syllabus as she shot up and pulled her backpack on and squirmed past the students to follow Shikamaru as he quickly exited the classroom. So caught up in the rush and colors whizzing by her, she nearly forgot -

"O-Oh!" A hand grabbed her arm. She grasped the syllabus to her chest and looked up to meet Sasuke's eye. "S-Sorry. I was trying to f-finish this and got distracted and -"

"Oi, Hinata." To the side, Shikamaru waited for her, backpack slung casually over his shoulder. "Fourth is all the way on the other side of school. We need to get going."

Sasuke's eyes never left her. "Fourth . . ."

She blushed and shrugged out of his loosening grip. "I'm - " Her eyes flickered to Shikamaru, then back to Sasuke. "I'm s-sorry." She grabbed his hand, half in a desperate hope to reassure him that she wasn't abandoning him, half to stable herself. "I'll see you at lunch."

He pulled his hand away and stuffed it in his pocket. "Okay."

He walked away without another word, leaving Hinata shaking.

Because that time, she wasn't fooled.

He was pissed.

Oh God. Her mind was whirling, and her feet were on autopilot as she followed Shikamaru to their next class. I need to talk to him after this.

She lingered on her plan to get him alone at lunch, but before she could figure something out, her shoulder bumped into Shikamaru's back as he suddenly stopped. "S-Sorry!" she said, moving next to him. He was looking at the number by the classroom door, comparing it to the schedule's number in his hand.

"This is it."

They entered, and she glanced at the clock, noticing they had a good three minutes until class started.

"I thought y-you said it was on the other side of school."

He sat down, back facing her as she moved past him to get in her spot.

"My mistake."

Right. Hinata rubbed her forearm, heart pumping. And, sure, Sasuke was something of an open book to her - but he wasn't the only one. His mistake.

Finally. Lunch.

The second she sat down at the normal table in the back, Sasuke was right next to her, quiet but always looming. And were they alone, she would have taken his close proximity to her as a chance to talk to him about Shikamaru and hers relationship - or rather, lack thereof. But the second the chance came, it was quickly swept away by Naruto plopping down next to him.

"Hope you two don't mind me joining," he gleamed, already stuffing lasagna down his throat despite having just sat down. Through his chewing and slurping, he prattled on as he normally did. "Guys, this semester is killer! Like, who decided it was a good idea to make Calc a morning class? I swear I'm going to sleep through half the classes - heh, not that it'll be much of a problem, because Sasuke has my back, right, bastard?" He nudged his friend's shoulder, who didn't so much as grumble. Even Naruto was caught off guard by such a passive response, and he swallowed and leaned into Sasuke. "Woah. What crawled up your ass and died?"

Hinata watched Sasuke's eyes narrow, and she moved to warn Naruto to not bug him too much, but -

"I can't believe it!" A tray slammed onto the table as a very angry Ino sat across from them. Next to her was Shikamaru, looking as he always did - bored. He set next to her and across from Hinata, frowning to himself as Ino practically tore at the wrapper on her spoon with her canines. "I hate it. I do! German class sucks so much ass, and you'd think - you'd think - three years of it would make it stick. NOPE! I can barely even remember 'Gluten morgen' -"

"Guten morgen," Shikamaru corrected with a roll of his eye. "Christ, Ino, how are you in honors and mispronouncing one of the easiest sayings to learn?"

Her head snapped his way, blonde ponytail flying behind her shoulders. "Unlike you, Shikamaru, I'm human and forget things." Her red face turned into a light pink as she poked at her peaches. "You don't understand - you're a genius. Teachers love you, and I'm . . . I'm just a forgetful dolt."

"Ehhh?" Naruto pushed his tray forward and rounded the table so he could sit next to his girlfriend. "I think your forgetfulness is charming!"

She smacked his shoulder, but smiled. "Aww, Naruto. Itch liebe dich!"

Shikamaru sighed. "Ich liebe dich."

Ino sneered. "SEE!? Genius!"

"I'm not doing this just to piss you off," he said, poking holes in his pasta to get the steam out and let it cool. "Things just stick with me."

Naruto, having already finished his tray of food and was now picking off from Ino's tray, who pushed him the broccoli that came with her salad, looked over his girlfriend's head to stare at the Nara. "Hey, you mind giving me some of that stick? Because Calc. is going to kill me!"

"You'll need more than just some, Naruto. Trust me." Suddenly, those sharp eyes were on Hinata, who had been enjoying the conversation while nibbling at her own food. She paused, spoon hanging a few inches away from her mouth, wondering why he was suddenly acknowledging her in a conversation she wasn't even a part of. "Ask Hinata. She's smart and good at studying."

Why is he . . . ?

Naruto's eyes brightened as he looked her way, as if she were a beacon of hope. "Hey, great -" Two things happened simultaneously. A sharp look from Ino and a sharp kick from Sasuke thoroughly shut him up, and Naruto winced and laughed nervously before saying, "Uh, heh, actually, I think I'll stick to Sasuke's help. Thanks, anyways."

Shikamaru, who most definitely noticed both things - Hinata could tell by how his eyes narrowed upon Naruto's hesitation - tried his best to ignore them as he, instead, honed in on Sasuke, who would much rather pick at his food than meet his eye.

"Sasuke?" he mused, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms. "But he doesn't even know what mistletoe is."

That did it. It broke Sasuke's trance, and his glare bore into Shikamaru.

"What?"

Who, of course, did not even flinch. "Is your hearing as bad as your memory."

Hinata pursed her lips as Sasuke straightened his back. "Sh-Shikamaru -"

"I know what mistletoe is," Sasuke gritted out.

"Uh-huh. Then how come you looked like a sweet, summer's child when Ino was lolling around under it at the Christmas party?" Shikamaru turned to Ino. "Smooth move, by the way. Real subtle."

And Ino's face turned back to red, but she was cut off by Sasuke suddenly standing. "I forgot I need to be somewhere," he said, grabbing his tray. "Talk. With my teacher. My AP Psychology teacher. You know -" His eyes pinned Shikamaru down. "AP."

He left to throw his trash away, came back to pull on his backpack, turned, paused, seemed to hesitate on something, and slowly turned back. Hinata moved to grab his sleeve, hoping to calm him down. "Sasuke -"

But he instead leaned down and grabbed her face with both hands and smashed his mouth against hers. There. In front of everyone. In the middle of school. And it wasn't just a quick peck or the brush of his lips - he was going all out, pulling her close as he tilted his head this way and that, molding and mashing and tugging and everything. And then he pulled away for half a second to let her get a look at his seething pools of dark lava before he went back in and kissed her more, teeth nearly crashing into hers as he became messy and heated. He sucked on her upper lip before fully backing away and removing his hands from her. He wiped his mouth and stared everyone down; and Hinata, dazed, couldn't even turn her head. All she heard was ringing and buzzing and thumping and -

"I know what mistletoe is," Sasuke said, "I just don't use it as an excuse to kiss my girlfriend." And with that, he walked away with his hands in his pockets, as if he hadn't just made out with someone in the middle of the cafeteria.

...

The final bell rang, and Hinata was sure her blush was permanent.

I can't believe it. Those words were chanted in her mind like a mantra, and it was hard to focus on anything else. I can't . . . believe it.

And so, the moment she stepped out of her last class of the day, she was out on the hunt. Sasuke hadn't shown up since lunch, and damn, when he wanted to, he could really avoid her. But now, without the next class looming over her head, she had all the time in the world to look for him and give him a serious lesson on PDA.

And, to her surprise, Hinata discovered a minute into her search that she wasn't the only one looking for Sasuke.

"Shikamaru?"

He walked up to her with a bit of a wobble in his step, and he glared at the ground, as if to make sure he didn't suddenly fall over. Because, well - based off of how pale he was, he sure looked like he was.

"About lunch . . ." He trailed off and scratched the back of his head. "Shit. Look, I'll apologize to him, alright? I crossed the line and . . ." His hand rose to pinch the bridge of his nose. "And trust me when I say I've learned my lesson."

Because of what happened, it was obvious that neither of them could look one another in the face. For a while, at least. "Why d-do you . . . poke at him s-so much?"

His sigh was a long, heavy one. "You know why."

Right. She did. And she knew she couldn't just ignore it and hope it would disappear, because things don't work that way. Feelings don't just disappear. Hands curling into the bottom of her sweater, she gnawed at her lip, and said, "Shikamaru -"

"I'll back off," he said, stepping away, giving her enough room to see the slanted smile on his face. "Obviously, you don't know where he is, either. So . . . I'll just talk to him, tomorrow." Shuffling for a bit, Shikamaru finally turned to leave. "Sorry, Hinata."

He was gone by the time she had the courage to look up, and with the sag of her shoulders, she returned to her looking. She checked the library and the second floor, and upon remembering that Shisui had dropped him off that morning, scurried to the parking lot. Hinata got there just in time to see him throw his backpack into the back of the car and open up the passenger's door.

"S-Sasuke!"

He stopped, looked over, frowned a bit, and slammed the door shut to meet her in the middle. "Where's Shikamaru?" His voice was so icy that even he flinched, and with a bowed gaze, quickly added, "Sorry."

"I-It's, um . . ." Her words left her before she could even finish the sentence, and with a gulp, she tried to start from the beginning. "He . . . was looking for you just now." Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "He wanted to apologize for, u-um, everything."

"Right."

Her lips moved up in a shy smile as she moved closer. "You know y-you don't have to worry about him."

He nodded and ran a hand through his bangs. "Yeah, I know. But - seriously, Hinata - I can't stand him. Whenever he's around and I can't stop thinking about -" She grabbed the collar of his jacket, stood on the tips of her toes, and kissed him. "Mrph!"

Not nearly as . . . spectacular as the one in the lunch room (Hinata didn't nearly have enough gusto for something like that), the kiss was short, but purposeful. She grazed her teeth along his bottom lip as she waited for him to snap out of his shock, and just as he began to respond, she pulled back and nearly burst out laughing as he practically followed her, leaning in, clearly wanting the kiss to keep going. But then his eyes met hers and he must have seen the twinkle in her eye, for he went red and snapped back.

"Hinata!" His exclamation came out in a harsh whisper as his eyes flickered every so often to the car beside them. "Shisui's right there."

She mocked his gesture earlier and wiped her mouth. "S-So were my friends."

"He's my cousin."

"I've known Ino and Shikamaru since I-I was five."

To the side came a hum, and they both looked to Shisui, who leaned against the steering wheel, dull eyes never leaving them. "Are you two going to make out again?" he mused. "Or can we get going?"

Sasuke glared at her - not his normal kind, of course, but a much weaker, sheepish one. "I'm not done with you," he said as he turned and marched to the car.

"Ooh, Sasuke, I'd be careful if I were you." Shisui smirked at his cousin, pulling the car into drive. "Those Hyuuga are tricky folk. I don't want my little brother to lose his tongue."

Chapter Twenty-Five - End