- Meeting You Again -

- Chapter 11 -

"Hinata?"

"Naruto."

The two teens stared at one another for what felt like hours, neither of the two dared to say a word.

A thousand things ran through Hinata's mind, she wasn't ready for this, meeting him was the last thing she expected, hell she was already having a bad day and fate just had to toss her a curveball.

"Hinata?"

But what did she expect? Maybe she should have bought that lucky rabbit's foot at the airport's souvenir shop after all. Hell, maybe she should have bought all of them with the luck she's been having.

"Hinata?"

Wait! Maybe it's because she didn't buy them is the reason why she's having such bad luck. Does superstition work that way? No, that's just stupid.

"Hinata!"

"What!" She quickly covered her mouth, as she quickly realized who she was yelling at. "Oh God, I-I'm so sorry. I-It's just been a really long day." Her face was beginning to burn, she could feel it. She quickly covered her face as she began to scream inside her head. 'I can't believe I stuttered!'

"Pft!" Her eyes widened when she heard him laugh and her heart skipped a beat when she saw him smile.

What was happening right now? Her heart hasn't beat this fast since...well since she last saw him leave 5 years ago, when he promised to bring her back some silly saviour from his trip with Sasuke and how she promised to be the first one to greet them when they came back.

She never got the chance to fulfill that promise.

Suddenly her eyes began to water, as something felt like it had just got caught in her throat. She brought the back of her hand to the nose, as she could feel it begin to run. Her chest hurt, but then again it had been doing that a lot lately. She tried to wipe away the tears but only more fell.

When she looked up at him she realized he wasn't laughing anymore and that the whole room was now staring. How embarrassing, she wished that she could disappear, why the hell was she crying in the first place? Did she miss him this much?

At that moment she didn't know what to think, but crying in front of a bunch of strangers wasn't going to solve anything. Though just as she was about the make a mad dash for the door, Naruto grabbed her wrist. His eyes giving her a pleading look to stay.

He looked around, noticing the gazing looks as his stare alone caused them all to look away.

Before long he was guiding them to the other side of the pub, where there were fewer people and somewhere quite for them to talk. He gave her second to calm down, before speaking. "Hinata what are you doing here?"

"Well, that's kind of a long story. My parents-"

"No, that's not what I mean. What are you doing here? In this place, at this pub. The bus doesn't let students off at this village. So how did you get here?"

"I fell out of the bus."

"You what?!"

"I'm fine! I fell on a nice soft patch of grass, not even a single scratch. See." She could tell he didn't believe her, she could see it on his face, though she watched how a smile began to curve onto his lips as her heart skipped another beat.

"You haven't changed Hinata. You still don't like it when people worry about you."

"Well, what's there to worry about?"

His smile grew wider. "You grew out your hair. I almost didn't recognize you."

Hinata chuckled. "Sasuke said the same thing this morning."

Naruto's smile disappeared with the mention of Sasuke's name. "So I guess your living with them now, huh?"

Hinata could hear the tension in Naruto's voice and see the way his expression changed. "Sasuke told me what you've been up to in the past few years and that you two got in some type of fight and haven't spoken in the last year."

"You could say that."

Hinata sat up, as she looked directly into Naruto's beautiful ocean eyes, the ones she's been avoiding this whole time, she was afraid what they do to her, because right now she had to be strong, or else she'd never be able to say this."Naruto, it's been four years since we've last seen each other and were both different people now. Some of us have changed for the better and some off us have changed for the worse."

"Hinata?"

When Hinata first saw Naruto she thought the life she had before with him and Sasuke would suddenly come back, but just as quickly as that thought came it quickly left as an image of Shion appeared, along with dark images of her past, as she could see everything she'd build up until now, go up in flames.

"Naruto, I don't know if what Sasuke said was true or not, but I have people I want to protect now and I'm not about to let anything mess with that. Being around you now might only cause trouble." She got up as she smiled at him. "See you around."

Hinata turned to Sarutobi. "Thanks for the drink old man, make sure to give Taichi my regards. Hopefully next time I come we can all share a real drink. On me."

The old man crossed his arms as he huffed. "Don't count on it. I don't sell alcohol to snotnosed brats!" Hinata let out a small chuckle as she headed for the door, though just before she could leave, Naruto grabbed her wrist.

"Hinata, do you really think I've changed for the worst?"

Hinata smiled sadly at him. "It wasn't you who I was talking about." And with that, she was gone.

After she had left Sarutobi walked up to Naruto who sat frozen staring out the window as he watched Hinata walk away. The old man sighed as he then smacked Naruto hard on the back of the head. "Jesus, old man! What the hell was that for!?"

"For being stupid of course!" But before Naruto could respond, Sarutobi continued. "She's the one you've been waiting for right? If you don't go after her now you'll only regret it."

Naruto stared back at the window, as he whispered. "It's not that easy."


The clouds were still grey and the rain still pouring as she ran all the way back to the entrance of the village as she cursed under her breath. "Shit." Her head spinning as tears rolled down her eyes. Her chest felt heavy as she realized her feeling for Naruto never left if anything they were still as strong as ever. She stopped as she realized she was back where she started.

She laughed to herself as she covered her face with her arms. "What's going on with me? I thought I had better control over my feeling."

After what happened with her bullies so long ago, she knew no one could protect her better than herself, though as she stood there in the middle of nowhere letting the cold drips of rain cool her now puffy eyes, she wished someone would help her lift this unbearable heavy feeling.

"I still can't believe I cried in front of him. God, I'm so lame." She sighed as she ran her finger through her hair. "Dammit, I'm so lost."

"If you're lost, then I'll stay lost with you."

At first, it caught her by surprise as she now had an umbrella over her, though there was no mistaking who the voice belonged to. "Is that a promise?" she asked, not turning around.

"A pinky promise."

"Would you cut it off if you break it?"

"If that's what it takes."

Hinata stood up as she wiped away her tears before turning to face the familiar voice. "You know Sasuke, you can be incredibly cheesy."

"Whatever." He sighed as he crouched down. "Today I had to deal with your annoying friends all day. Before we split up to look for you. I gave them my phone number for emergencies, but they ended up calling me every 5 minutes, now my phone is dead." Hinata chuckled. "Laughed it up, but right now all we have one useless phone and no means of contact."

Hinata paused as she stared at the boy in front of her. Drenched clothes and muddy shoes. Hair dripping with ice-cold water. "Have you been looking for me this whole time?"

Sasuke raised a brow at her. "That's a stupid question."

Hinata smiled as crouched down to hug him. "Thanks,"

"Well look at that. It seems the whole gang is back together. Just like old times." Hinata and Sasuke froze at the suddenly new voice. "Naruto?"

"The one and only." He grinned. Though his smile was different, it wasn't warm, it wasn't anything, it was empty. Hinata's eyes widened. "Seems like you guys are as close as ever."

Sasuke stood in front of Hinata, almost protectively. "What about it? You know Hinata always felt more comfortable with me them you."

For a second Naruto's smile disappeared, but it was quickly replaced with laughter. "Well, I guess that makes this easier to say since I'll know you'll have each other to morn over your loss." Naruto handed a document to Sasuke which he quickly looked over, as his eyes went wide. Curiously Hinata read over his shoulder, though he quickly crumpled it, though not before she could readout...

"All residents living in Dormatoire 2244 (Nana) are hereby notified to evacuate the residence by January 28."

"That name isn't it-" Sasuke simply nodded as he stared daggers at Naruto. "Wait, they can't just kick us out of our dorm, can they? Neji told us that the whole reason we were even living with you guys was because of over housing. If they close down Nana then-"

"Will have to leave school."

"They can't just do that to us!"

"Yes, we can." Hinata froze. "You're still new here, but with the short time you do have left here, you'll understand just how this school works. It's nothing personal, but with Nana out of the way will have room for more important projects for this school. Besides, Nana has always been nothing more but a house for outsiders. No will miss it."

Hinata stared at the notice one last time with anger boiling inside, as suddenly she noticed something missing on it, as she then-

Rip!

It wasn't as loud as lighting or anything, but at the moment it might as well have been as both boys watched Hinata tear up the notice. "Are you finished?" Hinata asked as she gave Naruto a cold stare. "I couldn't help but notice that there was a signature missing, one that belonged to someone rather important, making this-" Hinata tossed the pieces of paper in the air allowing the wind to take it away, "-nothing more but scraps of paper."

"Ha, I guess your right, but it won't be like that for long. If I was you I'd enjoy what little time I have left here."

Hinata laughed. "Sorry, but it's already been settled."

"Yeah? And what's that?"

"That will be staying here."

"And what makes you so sure that things won't go my way?"

"Where there's a will there's away. You were the one who taught me that, remember? And I give you my word, were going to fight like hell to stay here. So you better prepare yourself because I never go back on my word."

Hinata left Naruto speechless, as she stormed past him, heading back towards the pub. Leaving Naruto and Sasuke in stone silence. "You know she brought 3 other friends just like her."

Naruto laughed. "Yeah, but Hinata still one of a kind."

Sasuke stared at Naruto, before shoving his hands in his pockets as he walked away, "This is war Naruto and I'll do what I have to, to win. You can count on it."

The blond boy smiled sadly. "I know."


| At Nana |

"What do you mean you lost her!" Temari yelled while slamming her fist on the table causing Tenten and Ino to jump in their seats.

"Don't yell at us! It's not like it was our fault that she fell out of the damn bus!" Ino protested. "The stupid bus driver wouldn't believe us when we told him what happened, and when he finally did it was already too late. Sasuke told us to go home before giving us his number and disappearing, but so far nothing."

Temari glared at the two but sighed soon after as she turned her gaze towards Neji, who was sitting next to her with his head hanging down while muttering "I'm such a good for nothing cousin." over and over again.

She shook her head in disappointment. "I swear, it's only been one day and we've already lost one of our own."

"You shouldn't worry too much. If Sasuke said he'd find her then he will." Shikamaru stated while playing a game of shogi with Choji, who was losing horribly to him. "Shikamaru's right, Sasuke always keeps his promises. They'll be here soon." Choji smiled reassuringly.

Temari gave Choji a weak smile in return as she turned her attention to Tenten and Hinata's brothers. "So tell me, why are you idiots so calm?"

Oji let out a cynical laugh, as he and Tenko both sat calmly on the couch. "There is no need to worry my dear Temari. We have this all under control."

"And why do you say that?"

"Its because the magical 8 ball told us so," Oji answered confidently while Tenko lifted up the ball with a smirk across his lips.

Ino got out of her chair as she walked towards the two boys as she bent down and gave them an annoyed "tsk." While snatching away the ball and throwing it across the room where Tenten was already standing by with a trash bin in hand. "Coming your way Tennie!"

"Got it!"

"How could you!" The two boys yelled in horror. "Do know how much that cost!?" Oji yelled as he yanking at Ino's collar while Tenko cried in the corner.

"I don't know what's more stupid. The fact that you actually spent money on that crap, or that you actually believe what it told you." Ino barked back as she roughly pushed Oji's face away.

- Door Slams Open! -

Though just before the two could start bickering, the sound of the door opening and closing caught their attention, along with everyone else. Soon came in a furious Hinata holding a large paper bag along with an annoyed Sasuke.

The two didn't say a word as they both took a seat on the couch, sitting opposite sides of one another and staring dagger at each other. The whole room watched as Hinata stuffed her face with pastries from the paper bag she was holding, not taking her eyes off of Sasuke. Sasuke crossed his arms as a chilling aura surrounded him, sending shivers down everyone's spine.

"Will you stop eating!" Sasuke barked, causing everyone in the room, besides Hinata, to jump.

"I'll eat if I want too!"

"Uh, guys." Temari started as she stood in front of the two, who quickly replied. "WHAT?" She chuckled nervously as she continued. "Everything okay? You two seem kinda stressed since you've come back."

"I believe I can answer that," Neji spoke up. "So you met Naruto today." Hinata didn't answer as she simply continued to eat, but even without an answer Neji already knew. "I guess this is my fault, I should have told you sooner, but I didn't."

"Hinata what's going on?" Ino asked.

Hinata sighed as she put down the bag of pastries. "Neji this isn't your fault, it's mine." Hinata turned to the girls. "Before I met you all, you could say I was bullied out of my old school, and I guess you could say I left some pretty old friends behind."

"By what she means old, she means great." Sasuke butted in.

"Okay, whatever, but what I'm trying to say is that now one of them is trying to tare down Nana."

"WHAT!?"

"And with that, I shall explain." Neji soon continued for Hinata." The schools planning on demolishing this building." Tenko, Oji and the girls froze. "This school was built almost 300 years ago, and Nana's was the very first dormitory built for the members of the student council. But through the years, came new buildings along with a new student council building. And with that Nana was cast aside and abanded.

"That is until they put us here." Shikamaru was the next to speak. "The student council saw us as a bad influence to the school so now we live here. And they've been making it very clear that they don't want nither us or this building here anymore."

"But why are you guys even here in the first place!? You guys don't look like a bunch of trouble makers." Ino asked as Choji quickly answered. "That's because we're not!"

"Choji!" Neji hissed, but the chubby boy continued anyway. "We're not. Last year we were all members of the student council and at first, it was all good, I felt like I was actually making a difference in the school, but the happy times didn't last long."

Sasuke sighed before he added. "None of us know what came over Naruto, but one day he just started taking things too far. If he felt like someone was stepping out of line then he'd do just about anything to get them expelled, even if it meant setting the poor bastard up. What I told you before wasn't a lie, the school does idolize him, but they also fear him."

"When we spoke out about Naruto's actions to Tsunade she told us it was our problem to deal with. She told us the only way we could handle this situation for ourselves, was if we got Naruto overthrown." Neji growled as he clenched his fists. "But before we could do a single thing Naruto had already caught on to us and before long we were forced to leave and the school saw us as nothing more, but traders."

"So what have you been doing to stop them?" Temari asked as the boys went silent. "Well, I guess that answers my question."

"Why does it even matter if we stay here or not? We can just explain the situation to our parents, I'm sure they'll understand." Tenten said as she trowled a kunai on her finger.

"That's not the point!" Ino yelled. "Remember how it felt to leave New Orleans! When we had to leave our home behind! Well, these guys are about to lose theirs! And this is our home too now, so if you like it or not, I'm staying."

The room went silent, as Ino's eyes began to go glossy, but before long Hinata had an arm around Ino's neck as she stuffed a pastry in her mouth. "Couldn't have said it better myself. Now does anyone have a problem with that? Temari?"

The dirty blond simply smiled. "I was wondering when things were going to start getting interesting, so you can count me in."

"Tenko? Oji?"

Oji grumbled as he wiped the Magic 8 ball he fetched from the garbage, as Tenko spoke for both of them. "Technically, we're just here for the ride. Do whatever you want as long as it doesn't get you expelled."

"Tenten?"

The bun headed girl huffed as she crossed her arms. "From what you say the student council sounds like people you don't want to mess with." Her friends waited intently for what she had to say next, as she sighed in defeat. "But what the hell, were all crazy anyway."

The girls cheered as Temari brought out glasses and a bottle of Springbank whiskey 1919. "Temari, you've been holding out on us!" Ino grinned as she marvelled at the bottle.

"Sorry I couldn't bring a bottle of Isabella's Islay, daddy keeps that shit locked uptight."

As Temari poured drinks for everyone, Hinata took a seat next to Sasuke. "You know you don't have to do this right? We know what's at stake for you if you get expelled."

Hinata sipped her drink as she watched the girls smile and laugh with everyone. "We won't be together forever, but I'll do whatever it takes to cherish these moments. So don't worry about us, were doing just fine."

"I hope your right Hinata."

- End Of Chapter -

{I Do Not Own Naruto}