Whoa, it is so much easier to write a story with two people. Faster to update too. Right now A is winning. Support B! Please? Well, I guess even if I don't like it, Walking Green Cucumber likes it (She supports A for those who don't know). I'll tally the scores before I update chapter 4.

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Hinata woke up to the sound of rain pitter-pattering against her window. The heavy rhythmic tapping helped to soothe her nerves and brought a drowsy smile onto her face. The distant sound of thunder echoed in her ears.

Then she sighed as she remembered yesterday's events. Luckily for her, Neji-san was too busy running the Hyuuga companies to have time for her. Then again, if his schedule was so full, why did he take the time off to visit her?

The answer came in the beeping message left on the answering machine. Apparently, he had called sometime late last night.

"Hinata-sama, this is Neji. There's an important party that I need you to attend as the Hyuuga heiress. It'll be at the Hyuuga Company's reception hall, and I'm sending a driver to pick you up at around six tomorrow. It's important that you be there. Stop running away. Don't forget to wear something nice; this party is very formal."

Hinata looked at down at her hands in shame. Even Neji-san could tell. She had to face her fears sooner or later. But at least Neji-san was safe.

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Hinata slowly trudged to school, huddling under her small blue umbrella, which was unfortunately too small to provide much protection against the pouring torrent of rain. She sighed, and remembered the time she loved to play in the rain, splashing in puddles and trying to catch the raindrops. But then on that day, the day she lost everything, it had been raining. Now when she looked at the rainy sky... the clouds seemed to threaten to pour blood.

No, it wouldn't do to dwell on the past. But it was hard, especially considering how every time she set foot in the mansion, she was haunted by memories, the ghosts of her past. Then the what ifs would follow- she must have already gone through hundreds of scenarios, but all ended in the same way. Hinata had considered renting an apartment, but she still had to suffer, still had to pay for the lives she had taken.

Uncontrollably, the tears began to fall, tears that mixed with the cold rain pelting down her face, as she stood there, face uplifted to catch the raindrops, her dropped umbrella all but forgotten.

She was about to pick up her umbrella and go back home, when a car, standing out from the rest because of its obviously better quality, pulled up to the sidewalk next to her.

The tinted window rolled down, as Sasuke Uchiha looked out at her.

"What are you doing standing here? If you don't hurry you'll be late," he stated, part of his mind still pondering over the events of that morning. The Hyuuga heiress, could it be her? Then to meet her here, right after his father's announcement, fate was so twisted.

He sighed when he realized she just stood there, rain still pelting down on her thin frame, staring dumbly at him, and gestured to her. "Get in."

"W-what?" she stammered.

"Hurry up before you make me late!" Sasuke barked. If what his father said was true, then he might as well be kind to her.

"H-hai!" she stuttered, quickly climbing into the backseat of the car, picking up and collapsing her muddy umbrella on the way.

"Uchiha-san?" she began, slightly unsure as this was the first favor anyone had done her in a long time.

"Hmm?"

"Than-thank you."

"Hmph."

They drove the rest of the way to school in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

---

Sakura placed her elbows on the desk and leaned against her hands. "My Sasuke-kun is never late! Where is he?"

Ino arrogantly corrected her, "You mean my Sasuke-kun!"

Sakura opened her mouth to retort that Sasuke was hers, but the sound of the door sliding open stopped her.

Immediately, the two girls stood up and ran over to Sasuke, squealing his name, each trying to catch his attention. He ignored them as if they weren't there at all, and walked briskly to his desk, revealing a queer and shy looking girl, clothes still dripping wet, who had been huddling behind him.

"Who's that?" The two girls whispered to each other, "Why was she with him?" "Isn't she that new girl?"

Curious and envious, they sulked around Hinata all day. During lunch break, they finally seized the chance to give her a mordant lecture about the morning and warn her to stay away from their Sasuke.

It was easy; Hinata walked in the hallways alone and generally avoided other people.

Although Hinata knew that they were following her, she didn't try to shake them off or tell them to go away. She let them follow her; they would ask her why she was seen with Uchiha-san and she would clear the misconception. Or unintentionally make it more complicated.

In the end they cornered her at a relatively isolated table in the cafeteria, just as she started to eat lunch.

Hinata didn't look up, but rather started munching on her rice balls.

Sakura placed her hands on her hips and frowned, "Hey."

This time Hinata looked up, meeting eye contact, which surprised both girls.

"Y-yes?"

But Sakura was unable to reply, her eyes still locked onto Hinata's. They seemed so sad. There was a depth to them she hadn't noticed before either, a sort caused by suffering. She quickly shook her head to clear her thoughts. Since when had she been so philosophical?

"Sakura, are you okay?" Ino began, a hand reaching out to her friend/rival.

"N-never mind. Let's go, Ino." This time it was Sakura's time to stammer, something the self-assured girl just about never did.

"What! But we came to-"

"Let's go Ino," she insisted, startling the blond with her serious tone of voice.

"Okay, okay. I'm coming," Ino replied, as she hurried after Sakura, wondering what had caused the sudden change of mood.

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Not much happened in this chapter, but the next chapter will definitely be more exciting. Some of you may have ferreted out what's going to happen already, since it's a bit overused, but oh well. I like it.