Chapter nine - Rising threat
Well well well, look what the cat dragged in - me!
That's right, I'm back. For the tenth time. I made this chapter a little shorter because I need to kinda see if there's even any audience left here. I need to pick this story back up. It's time! I'm tired of thinking about doing it - It's time to actually do it!
Anyway, hope you like it!
Thanks again to Shyhinata144. Always helping me, supporting me and being an awesome person in general. Thank her if you wanna thank anyone for this story's existence.
"Would a 'sensei' do that?"
No, he wouldn't!
Hinata leaned down against the girls' bathroom sink and splashed cold water against her face, still not registering that the last three days were not part of a very long dream. She smiled against her hands, excitement welling up within her.
Three days ago, Naruto had kissed her. And she had enjoyed it. A lot.
So much - in fact - that not a minute could pass without her thinking about it. Even now, she had subconsciously lifted a hand to touch the very lips that had met with his. He was so warm, so comforting, and something else that she couldn't quite place. There wasn't a word in her head which could accurately describe it. Attraction? No, that wasn't it… It was something else.
Outside, the sun blazed and the spring warmth poured in through the open windows. Distant sounds of the baseball team practicing for their next match and cars passing - their final year of high school. It was time for lunch, but Hinata had stepped aside to make yet another attempt at making sure she wasn't dreaming. Her first kiss, with Naruto. A teacher, not someone in her class. Was it okay to be this happy? To feel this immense, enveloping happiness? Hinata felt her chest grow warm.
Was it safe to assume that he… Liked her then?
Her thoughts were cut off as another individual entered. She quickly finished washing her face and reached for some paper, drying herself off in a hastened fashion before looking into the mirror and making eye contact with the other person.
"Washing your face up, huh." Shion leaned against the sink next to Hinata and towered over her disapprovingly. "I've been looking for you."
Hinata felt her heart drop and she grew tense. Her words from last time echoed in her mind, growing louder each time.
I'll personally fuck your life up.
"Ah…" Was all she could muster before Shion grabbed her by her collar, just like last time - although this time with much more force. She shoved her into one of the stalls and locked the door behind her. As some form of defense, Hinata's mind started to go blank with fear of what might happen next.
"You didn't take me seriously the first time, did you?" She scowled. "I can post this on the school facebook page. I can show it to the principal. Do you want him to lose his job for someone like you?" Her voice was low, quiet, yet more threatening than ever.
"I-I'm s-so-sorry…" How does she know…? How… Could she have seen us…
"You think you don't need to take me seriously, I get it-" She briefly reached into her pocket before pulling out a small pocket knife. Hinata gasped in terror but could only hold her breath as Shion held the blade up to her face. "Maybe this will help you." Oh my god…!
Hinata gasped. "Pl-please don-do-don-don't h-hu-h-h-hurt m-me-m-me…!"
"Shhh! I'll make sure the next time Naruto sees you - he won't be able to recognize you." Hinata felt tears brimming in her eyes, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. "But first…" She pressed the blade into Hinata's cheek, drawing a thin line of blood. "A little warning, if you will."
Suddenly from outside - the sound of footsteps right outside the bathrooms.
"All you really do is eat, Inuzuka." Sai's usual, monotonous voice. After a little while, Kiba's voice too, could be heard.
"You know that our school bakery was featured in a food blog, right? I'll even buy you one to prove how good their Melon Pans are. The crunchy, sugary texture on their outside, mixed with the creaminess on the inside - Perfection!"
Shion rolled her eyes, drawing her blade back and placing it back into her pocket.
"If you tell anyone anything about this, I'll kill you." She said, opening the stall door and leaving.
"Hey boys! On your way to the cafeteria?" Shion's voice was back to normal, but it would never sound genuine to Hinata. She fell to her knees, bursting into a fit of silent sobbing, in shock of what had just occurred.
Why is this happening to me?! I need to go to the police… But I'm also not in a good position… I could get Naruto-sensei fired because of my wrongdoings… What should I do…
It wasn't until the bell rang that she could finally muster up enough courage to patch herself somewhat back together and leave the bathrooms.
"Hinata?" A concerned voice spoke as soon as she walked out and she immediately spun around in fear.
"K-Kiba-kun..?" What is he doing here?
"What happened to your cheek?!" He hurried over to her, quickly pulling a paper towel out of his bag and, with a trembling hand, bringing it to the wound. "What happened?!"
Kiba-kun… You came to my rescue last time, too… The contrast between the sheer hatred in Shion's eyes and the care in Kiba's was enough to make her cry again. She felt like she might fall apart at any given moment, and it seemed like Kiba understood that.
"Hey… It's okay, you don't have to talk about it…" He glanced around quickly. "Let's go somewhere else, okay?" Kiba took hold of her hand and led her outside.
"Here..." He stopped in his tracks when they had reached a more secluded spot underneath a tree. "You're safe here."
"I-it's fine… I just… I slipped…" Kiba bit his lip, holding back what he immediately wanted to say.
"It's okay, you don't need to tell me." I already know. He thought to himself. Don't worry Hinata, I'll protect you. "It's okay if you want to cry, I'm here."
It was like everything bubbled up to the surface. The happiness of being kissed by Naruto, but then being locked into the bathroom, threatened and cut - even if only a little bit - by Shion, all of the events leading up to all of it hit her at once and the tears started to flow down her cheeks.
"Kiba-kun…" She whispered, her knees too weak to stand. She squatted down, the grass just barely grazing her knees, and started to cry. "What do I do… What do I do…" Should I really be saying this in front of Kiba? He'll think I'm weak for crying like this again… He must think I'm so pathetic…
Hearing her say his name so meekly, as if she would fall apart any second, made Kiba want to just hold her and tell her that everything would be alright. He wanted to wrap her in a blanket and give her some cold green tea and watch TV with her - or something… Okay, I'm not sure if she would even appreciate that. He watched her for a little while before silently squatting down next to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her close without a single word spoken. If it weren't for her crying, she might've noticed that his entire body was trembling. He stared at the ground, but not at anything in particular. He could only think about one thing, and one thing only.
Upstairs in the school was a classroom with all but two students present. Naruto raised a brow when Kiba didn't answer when he called out his name for attendance, but it wasn't until he noticed that Hinata, too, was absent that his attention began to shift. Why are they both late? This isn't like them at all.
"Uh…" Someone in the class started. "Isn't that Kiba and Hinata out there, under the cherry blossom?" Suddenly, the entire class was pressed against the glass wall, looking down at Kiba and Hinata as they sat together in the grass, Kiba's arm around Hinata's shoulders.
Ino turned to Sakura, not quite sure of what to say. "Sakura, I'm sure something has happened." Sakura suddenly felt her body grow uncomfortably warm.
"Y-yeah…" I hope so. Still, looking at how close Kiba was sitting, and how Hinata was making no attempt at moving away, Sakura couldn't help but feel a lump growing in her stomach. "I hope nothing serious happened." She lied, secretly wishing that it would explain why they were as close as they were.
"Is Kiba finally making his move..?" Choji mumbled to himself in disbelief.
"It's the end times! The end times have come!" Someone else yelled, followed by laughter.
Kiba… Sai thought to himself. " Quit jumping to conclusions, you low-life imbeciles." He whispered.
Naruto stepped over to the window, only then laying eyes on what everyone was acting up about. His breath hitched and he felt something well up within him. Was it anger, because the class wasn't paying attention? Irritation, because they were skipping class? No, he clenched his hand into a fist.
It was jealousy.
"I'll go get them." Was all he said before storming out of the classroom, leaving the students bewildered, yet excited to see what would unfold before them.
His mind was blank, all he saw was floors and stairs. Didn't she… Like the kiss? He grew warm with discomfort. Is it him that she likes? Why? What does he have that I don't? His footsteps grew quicker, longer, more desperate. He felt like he was suffocating.
He flung the door open, the early summer heat hitting him at the very same instant. Ignoring it, he stormed over to Hinata and Kiba and was about to call out when he realized that he was appearing far too bothered by the fact that two of his students were late. Get yourself together, Naruto. He paused for a moment, closed his eyes and took a deep, long breath before reopening them. He changed entirely - or so he made it seem.
"I'm giving you each five seconds to explain why you're hanging out here when class started seven minutes ago." But none of them turned their heads. Hinata, because she was too afraid to let him see her in such a state. Kiba, because he was blinded by his own anger.
Something is definitely amiss here. Naruto didn't know what to think, but a sensation in his stomach told him it wasn't good.
"Inuzuka Kiba." Kiba's head snapped up and he stood to his feet in an instant, letting go of Hinata. Naruto immediately felt a part of himself relax.
"It's all my fault, I'll take the blame!" If only Naruto had known how Kiba had looked before turning around, he'd be asking very different questions. Luckily, Kiba had managed to completely suppress his feelings and put on a strong front for Hinata's sake. "I asked her to come out here."
"Why?" Naruto had to actively stop himself from sounding personally involved. What do you think you're doing out here with her?
"I…" Damn, I hadn't thought this far. Kiba stalled. "I wanted to talk to her about something, uh" Quickly, think about something! "Private."
Naruto glowered.
"... Let me get this straight." Naruto's lips pursed in growing irritation. "You asked Hinata to come out here so that you could discuss private things during class?"
"That's exactly right!" Kiba decided to own his mess-up and pointed right at Naruto. "Ya got a problem!?"
Hinata stood up and turned around slowly, her head lowered. Naruto's attention immediately shifted to her and he felt worry grow in him. Something isn't right.
"I-I'm sorry…" Her eyes were concealed behind her fringe. "We-We'll be right inside…" Is that.. A scratch? A cut? Anger turned to worry, to concern. He wanted to walk up to her, to lift her head and see what her eyes had to tell. He wanted to ask her where the cut had come from, but he couldn't. He could only stand there and look like an for being as upset as he'd been because his stupid ass could only think about how terrible it was that she and Kiba were together. How could I be so selfish?!
Naruto let out a sigh, resting his head against his hand. "Okay, well, see you in class." He said nothing more, only turning on his heel and walking right back. She felt like she could confide in him, not in me. I… I wish it were me she'd turned to.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Kiba asked, turning to Hinata.
"I-I'm fine…" She wiped the tears from her eyes and took a deep breath. "I won't bother you anymore… I promise."
"You're not bothering me!" He quickly answered, as if panicked. "You're never bothering me!"
Hinata's eyes widened. Never… bothering you?
"I don't know what kind of environment you've been growing up in, but crying isn't something that makes you a bother!" He seemed to calm down a little. "So… Don't ever say that again, that you're bothering me, okay?"
Hinata nodded, a small smile forming on her lips. "You're so kind, Kiba-kun."
This time it was Kiba's eyes that widened. He quickly turned away to hide his blush.
"And… Thank you…" She whispered. "Thank you for saying that." She motioned for the school entrance. "Let's go back now."
She started walking, but Kiba remained in his spot, the cherry blossom petals falling to the grass below him as a gentle breeze passed through the school grounds.
Hinata, if you gave me a chance, I'd make you realize just how much you mean to me.
Earlier that day…
"And that's lunchtime." The chemistry teacher closed his book and the bell rang almost simultaneously. "Don't forget to study or you won't have a future."
Sai smiled to himself. "I like him. He's all about facts."
"Ugh." Kiba rolled his eyes at his friend's remark. "Whatever man, just because you don't study doesn't mean that you can't have a future. The school system is messed up, it's nothing to be proud of."
"I didn't say I was proud of it, I said it was fact."
Kiba ignored Sai and turned his attention to Hinata, who was standing over by Sakura and Ino. He had to admit that it was a little awkward talking to her now that Sakura had confessed to him, but he couldn't just ignore the feelings he'd had for so long because of Sakura's crush. If anyone asked, he'd say that he liked her since high school, but in reality it was a lot longer than that. It was almost embarrassing to know that he'd liked her for so long, but never acted on it.
"You're staring, Kiba."
"Ugh!" He ripped his eyes away from Hinata and let out a loud huff. Just then, he noticed how she excused herself and left the classroom.
"Really, you're gonna make her think you're some kind of creep and she'll never want-"
"Come on, let's go!" He grabbed Sai's arm and headed out, following Hinata without a plan.
"Go where?"
"Somewhere fun!" He could only think of trying to make up something to talk to Hinata about, but answering Sai was taking up too much of his brain capability.
"Oh…" Sai sighed. "Yeah, sure, fun. You mean following Hinata and trying to talk to her but failing miserably and embarrassing yourself?"
"Yeah!" He answered, not paying attention.
Sai stopped, making Kiba also stop.
"Just let me buy something to drink." He reached into his bag and fished out a 500 yen coin. Hinata entered the bathroom.
"No… My opportunity…" He felt his dreams shatter before him.
"Nice!" Sai exclaimed "It gave me two drinks." He said, handing one to Kiba.
"Oh, thanks." He said, leaning against the wall and staring at the ceiling. They took a couple of sips in silence. The amount of people in the hallway started to decrease as everyone was finding a place to sit and eat.
"It can't be easy being in love." Sai suddenly said, breaking the silence. "You can't seem to think about anything else."
"Yeah…" Kiba sighed. "I feel so stupid sometimes. I don't wanna bother her, but I just can't help myself."
"You don't need to feel stupid about that." Sai started.
"Well, I can't re-"
"You are stupid." Kiba quickly reached to put Sai into a headlock, but he just barely managed to slip away, breaking into laughter.
"Hey look! It's Shion-sensei." He said, trying to distract Kiba. Somehow, it worked. Just as Kiba looked up, Shion was walking into the girls' bathroom.
I hope it's a coincidence that she walked in there when Hinata is in there. He couldn't help but think about the one time when he was damn near dead-certain that he'd heard Shion threaten her. He didn't hear much more than something like that she'd "personally fuck her life up", but the tone she had, paired with the fact that she had isolated Hinata to say those things told him that it wasn't a joke.
He got a bad feeling in his stomach and started walking towards the entrance to the girls' bathroom.
"Kiba?" Sai immediately changed his tone upon seeing Kiba's body turn tense. "What are you…" He followed closely behind, uncertain of what to make of the situation. Something about Kiba's demeanor told him that he wasn't going in that direction to sneak a peek.
They stopped just outside and listened in as much as they could. Kiba picked his phone up and started filming the ground to pick up the conversation.
"-A warning, if you will."
"Pl-please don-do-don-don't h-hu-h-h-hurt m-me-m-me…!"
"Shhh! I'll make sure the next time Naruto sees you - he won't be able to recognize you. But first… A little warning, if you will."
Kiba's and Sai's eyes met in panic. What the fuck!?
Kiba got ready to run in, but Sai stopped him, pointing at the phone.
"All you really do is eat, Inuzuka." Kiba looked confused at first, but seemed to catch on.
"You know that our school bakery was featured in a food blog, right? I'll even buy you one to prove how good their Melon Pans are. The crunchy, sugary texture on the outside, mixed with the creaminess on the inside - Perfection!" He spoke, trying to sound cheerful.
Almost immediately after, Shion came out of the bathroom and Kiba and Sai pretended to just be passing by. She said some things, trying to cover her tracks, but Kiba and Sai knew. They had it all recorded on Kiba's phone.
"Alright guys, university visits tomorrow starting at 8 am, so get home and get some rest! Look your best! Hah - that rhymed."
Shion stretched her arms wide and let out a yawn as the class stood up to bow. They were five minutes early but Shion typically ended her lessons around five to ten minutes before the bell rang.
"Are you sure you aren't coming, Ino?" Sakura leaned over Ino's desk. "We'll miss you."
"Yeah, I did apply for recommendations though! I might get in anyway but I didn't get a spot on the visits. I'm going with Shion sensei to TUAC instead."
"Oh, you applied to Tokyo University of Arts and Crafts?" Sakura's eyes widened in surprise. "That really is closeby!"
"Like a ten minute walk!"
"Then you're forgiven." Sakura beamed. "We'll all be together for uni, too!"
Hinata smiled, all the while avoiding any eye contact with Shion. Please don't say that I have to stay behind…
"It's dumb that we have to take buses from the school though, why not just meet up there?" Ino rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, that's true, I'd be able to get up like one hour earlier if we could just go directly there."
"You're also for Tokyo, Haruno?" Kiba came walking over to them and leaned against an already cleared desk.
"Yeah, we're only five. You, me, Hinata, Sasuke and Shikamaru."
"Nah, Sai is also gonna be there."
"Oh, really? Since when?"
"He applied late, but the old man let 'em come along anyway."
"'Old man'? You mean Uzumaki-sensei?"
"Yup." Kiba patted Sai on his back. "So we're gonna have to drag this sack of crap with us tomorrow."
"Thanks, I hate you too." Sai replied.
"Well, see you guys tomorrow!" Ino waved and motioned for Sakura and Hinata. "Let's go you guys!"
"Coming!" Sakura picked up her bag and headed for the exit.
"I'll be right there…" Hinata remained in her seat while everyone started to leave.
"Come on Kiba." Sai started pulling at Kiba, but he quickly resisted.
"I'll be right there too, I just need to…"
"Do what?" Sai, you stupid idiot! Kiba glanced at Hinata, then Shion, and Sai immediately understood.
"Okay, see you outside." He quickly left.
"You still here?" Shion looked over at Hinata, but then saw Kiba and quickly changed her tone. "You're slow, haha! Right, Inuzuka?" But Kiba said nothing, only seating himself by his desk.
Hinata shuffled to her feel after snapping out of what seemed to be some sort of trance. She didn't tell me to stay, so I should hurry… She gathered her things and promptly exited the classroom after giving one finally bow.
Shion redirected her gaze to Kiba. "Did you want to talk to me about something?"
"I know." Was all he said, and Shion froze.
"Know what?" She forced a fake chuckle. "What's this about, Inuzuka?"
"If you ever lay hands on her again, I'm going to the principal and eventually to the police." His glare was burning with such intensity that Shion found herself speechless. No way, why would he know? I made sure no one was there. I spoke quietly, there's no way he would know!
And yet, all she could do was stand there.
With that, Kiba stood up and left the classroom.
The next day
"Yaho!" Ino called out, entering the school grounds and spotting Hinata, Kiba, Sai and Sakura. "Sorry I'm late!"
"Morning, Ino." Sakura smiled warmly and ran a hand through her long hair.
"Morning." Sai mumbled.
"Good morning!" Kiba called out, far too awake for his own good.
Ino gave Hinata and Sakura a warm hug. "Good luck at Tokyo! Make me proud!"
"Okay everyone, get into your groups!" Shion raised a sign with a list of three schools on it. "We're leaving in five!"
Naruto emerged from the school building without a sign. His hair was, as per usual, styled neatly and he wore a tucked in yellow T-shirt with black suit pants, an elegant leather belt and white Adidas sneakers.
"Can't wait until we can walk around in our own clothes." Kiba said, watching as Naruto checked over his list of students.
"Yeah, you could say that again." Sakura nodded in agreement and glanced at Kiba, momentarily thinking about going to the same university as him. Maybe I'll have a chance then.
Hinata, mildly bothered that she had no bag to fiddle with (since there was no need to bring one today), stood a little restlessly and waited for instructions. I want to talk to him… But I'm so afraid…
Suddenly, Naruto looked up from his list as if he'd read her mind and their eyes met. Hinata quickly looked away, blushing, and Naruto smiled to himself.
"Let's get going, they're waiting for us."
Everyone got onto the bus and searched for seats. The bus had already picked up students from three other schools so the places were scarce. Sakura and Shikamaru picked the first seat she could find, Sai forced someone to move their bag so he could sit, and Kiba found a seat at the far back. When it was Hinata's turn, it seemed like every seat was taken.
"Can't find anywhere to sit?" She heard Naruto's voice as he was stepping onto the bus from behind her.
"Oh my god, he's so handsome..!" Some students from the other schools whispered (not so discreetly) among themselves.
"He's so young! He can't be much older than us…"
Naruto tried to continue. "You can have my se-"
"Hinata!" Kiba waved wildly from his spot. "There's room for you next to me here!" Naruto rolled his eyes exasperatedly and let out an audible sigh.
"Tryhard." He muttered.
Hinata hurried over and sat next to Kiba. "Thank you…" she whispered. Is it really okay to just… Ignore him like that? She glanced over at Naruto - who sat with his back against her - and felt a tinge of sadness.
It's better this way though. I can't let him get fired because of me.
In Naruto's mind however, things were quite different.
Today I can finally show her that I'm not just a teacher. I wonder what she'll think when she sees this side of me.
Next one will be interesting, I promise!
Please review! It's the fuel for this story! 333