Chapter 7- The project

Shikamaru's point of view

How troublesome; another troublesome day of school. After what had happened over the weekend, no doubt it was the talk of the class. Every one was blabbing about the attack on the mall. It had been repaired, but people still wondered who the four girls were. I smiled secretly to myself; I knew one of the girls, but I couldn't tell. She was my Halcyon, my secret.

"Shikamaaaaru?" I felt someone poke at my nose.

"Go away," I flapped my hand. I could tell who it was; it was Ino; that troublesome girl.

"Shikamaru, be nice!" Even now, I could here the pout in her voice.

"Shikamaru. . ." Finally I opened my eyes. The sunlight hurt my eyes since they were accustomed to the dark. That tall curly haired girl was leaning right over me, her curls brushing my face. I turned away a bit to hid my blush at the intimacy. All I had to do was lean forwards and I could kiss her.

"OHAYO MINNA-SAN!" We were shocked apart when Naruto came bounding into the room. I breathed a sigh of relief; this was the one time I was actually glad about that Idiot came at the time he did. Who know, I could have actually kissed her! Relationships were troublesome.

I took advantage of the interruption to look at my friends. Sasuke looked. . . awake for once. He's always had that half asleep look on his face, no matter how hard he tried to hide it behind his scowling persona. Naruto also seemed oddly energized, more than usual anyways. Neji . . . he was brooding in the corner. Seeing him brood was no unusual sight, but seeing brood this early in the morning was crazy. I sighed. Everyone was acting odd this morning.

"Gomen minna-san!" Hinata had just rushed in, a few minutes after Ino, Sakura and Tenten. I frown; that was odd, the girls never seemed to go anywhere without each other.

"I had the oddest dream last night, Hinata-chan! A fairy came in my dreams and she showed me some pretty shapes made from water," Naruto started chatting animatedly with his newest confidant. Instead of going red and stuttering like she usually did, she smiled and leaned forward as Naruto babbled on. Ino, Sakura and Tenten were listening into their conversation with barely concealed curiosity.

"Well lookie here, you said you weren't interested in Naruto-kun!" Feh, why'd we have to have fan clubs? Naruto's newest fan girl and self appointed president of his fan club appeared behind Hinata. Sekira was wearing her usual slutty clothes even though it was freezing. That troublesome girl has no common sense.

"H-Hello Sekira-san," Hinata replied as calmly as she could.

"Why are you around a whore, Naruto-kun?" Sekira simpered, her voice laced with venom. She completely ignored Hinata. I could see Ino, Sakura and Tenten getting ready to pounce.

"Yes indeed Sekira-san, why does he hang around you?" A new voice entered. I relaxed; it was Temari, Kai and Natsu.

"Oh, hello Temari-chan!" Sekira's voice changed from under lacing venom to sickening sweetness.

"I repeat, what are you doing around Naruto, slut?" Natsu shoved her face into Sekira's.

"Nothing you'd like; by the way, how's mutt boy?" Sekira smirked.

"Who'd like to be a complete whore?" Kai retorted, stepping between her sister and Sekira.

"And your little Gaarie-poo, is he not psychotic idiot?" Sekira mocked.

SLAP. The sound echoed across the classroom. It wasn't any of the new girls or Natsu or Kai; Temari had hit her, with a look of malicious satisfaction.

"I suggest you don't insult my sister and her friends in my hearing; especially not my girlfriend," Gaara had snuck up on them. Oh boy, was Sekira screwed!

"Settle down class," The teacher was behind them. I snuck a peek at the clock. Right. . . school should have started a while ago. At least it was Temari and Gaara; their family practically owned this school; not to mention half the town. The fact that Gaara was a bit. . . odd helped, too.

I drifted off to sleep until some one unceremoniously yanked my ear and dragged me towards the rest of the group.

"Ouch women!" I yelled.

"Oh shaddup for once!" Ino snapped at me. I sighed; was their anything that this troublesome woman couldn't hurt?

"What am I here for anyways?" I grumbled, rubbing my ear.

"You never listen, Shikamaru," Kiba sighed.

"I-It's a new p-project. We h-have to artistically r-represent a G-Greek myth," Hinata explained. "T-the groups are S–Sasuke-san and N-Natsu-san, K-Kiba-san and K-Kai-san, G-Gaara-san and S-Sakura-chan, S-Shikamaru-kun and T-Temari-san, I-Ino-chan and S-Shino-san, N-Neji-san and T-Tenten-chan and N-N-Naruto-k-kun and I," Hinata couldn't help blushing at the last pair.

"But I want Ki-kun!" Natsu whined, "Swap you, Kai?"

"Hey, I want my boyfriend as well, you big fat feline!" Kai stuck her tongue out at her sister.

"How about you two go with your boyfriends and I'll go with Sasuke?" Sakura intervened to forestall the inevitable clash of the siblings.

"Don't I get a say in this?" Sasuke raised a brow.

"I prefer my girlfriend, Uchiha. You can always go with one of them," Gaara inclined his head at the many hopeful fan girls.

"Hn," Mentally, I laughed. There was no way Uchiha would go with one of them. Besides Sakura was good enough to get something done, unlike them.

"Shikamaru!" Ino screamed in my face. Her breath smelled of marshmallows, pudding and cherry tomatoes.

"Troublesome women."

"C'mon on, let's get a move on the project," Wait a sec, wasn't I with Temari?

"I'm partnered with Temari, though," I raised an eyebrow at her.

"Yeah, but she wanted to be paired with her boyfriend," Ino shrugged.

"Feh, troublesome women. I'd rather be with her," I grumbled.

Ino was silent for a moment, "Is being with me that bad?" She half-whispered. She sounded vulnerable for once.

I stopped. This was Ino? Wow. . . Who knew I had this effect on her? "No actually, just unusual." I told her rather lopsidedly while holding her hand in reassurance. She immediately brightened up after this and we sat around a desk, talking about our skit. I didn't notice, though for the whole time, I was clutching her hand.

Change point of view to Hinata

WHY! I swear, the gods hate me! I have NARUTO for my partner! It's not bad, but I don't want to make a fool of myself! We're already way too intimate. He used me as a teddy bear last night!

HE WHAT! Sakura, Tenten and Ino screamed into my head

Oh, leave me alone! I grumbled.

"Hinata-chan?" My head snapped up as I heard Naruto talk. He was leaning across the table looking very worried.

"Y-Yes? Sorry, I z-zoned out for a m-minute there," I blushed and looked at the table.

"I was thinking: can we do a skit maybe about the adventures of Orpheus?" it would be pretty easy and I know the story well enough, ne Hinata-chan?" Naruto grinned happily. I had to smile at this.

"S-Sure!" I responded with a smile. We sat there discussing the details and the ideas and even started writing it as well when the bell rang. Disgruntled, Naruto and I left the class.

"I wish we could've gotten more done on it!" Naruto complained. Then, his eyes sparked, "How about you come over to my place and we'll finish some more?" He offered.

"R-Really?" I squeaked. I wasn't prepared for that.

"Sure, why not? Come home with me after school, ok?" Naruto grinned happily.

"O-O-o-ok," I bowed my head and blushed, "S-see you, N-Naruto-kun!' I waved good-bye as I headed towards my next class. Score!

After school, I was waiting at the entrance of the door shyly. The other girls had already left; not before demanding details when I got home. I had agreed just to get them off my back and now, I was waiting for Naruto.

"Hi Hinata-chan!" I whipped my head around and saw him running down the campus towards me. I waved shyly towards him and met him half way.

"Shall we go?" Naruto offered me his arm. I blushed as I took it. WAI! Naruto and I are walking arm in arm!

We boarded the bullet train to the mall where Naruto took the elevator up to the 10th floor. With a ding, the place opened to a rather simple messy but rather comfortable room.

"Make yourself at home," Naruto grinned as he picked up some loose ramen cups. I shyly sat down and started unloading my note book from my bag when I stopped to admire the view. You could see the entire city from here!

"Wow. . ." I love the view!

"Gorgeous isn't it?" Naruto came up behind me and leaned on the railing. He looked really calm staring out at the city, "I want to be able to protect it in a way. That's why I want to be the president, just so I can protect my home," He grinned at me cheerfully. "But any ways, let's get to our project, ne Hinata-chan?"

"Hai," I smiled at him, "Let's"

For another 3 hours we worked on our project until-

HINATA! That would be Ino, Sakura and Tenten. I sighed as I responded

What?

Get your butt home like now! Ino commanded. We want details!

Alright! Eep! I stretched tiredly. I had been writing and revising for hours now and so had Naruto.

"N-Naruto-k-kun, I-I should b-be going n-now," I smiled at him. He whined but got up slowly.

"Alright, I'll walk you down," He pouted. We went down the elevator in silence. Naruto was unnaturally subdued though, as if he was talking to someone. ((Three guesses who; first two don't count)) We walked out to the lawn in front of the mall when I stopped, rather awkwardly.

"I-I'll see y-you later, o-ok?" I ducked my head as I waited for his response. As soon as he leaves I'll teleport home so I have all the time in the world. OW! A bolt of pain ran through me as I saw green. Then. . . Darkness.

"Hinata-chan?" That's Naruto, isn't it? I can hear him, but just barely.

Hinata! The girls were calling me; I can feel them Naiad, get your butt up this instant and give Naruto a hand! He's being chased by another one of Envy's minions!

Wearily I opened my eyes, just to be greeted by the sight of a HUGE neon green poodle looming over a struggling Naruto. NO! Why did Naruto have to be dragged into our business? Quickly, I dragged myself behind a tree and started chanting the transformation sequence

By the powers the Immortals have given,

By good intent I am driven,

Amphitrite, Artemis

I, Naiad, beg of change!

The familiar feeling washed over me again as I changed from shy, timid Hinata to Naiad, a warrior. Rushing out, I did the first thing I thought of. "ICY DEATH!" a million different crystals formulated around my palms and got fired off at the evil poodle.

"Eww, it's like, another, like, super hero, like, wannabe!" the poodle whined in a high pitched voice. Well, isn't this amusing; a little poodle acts like a little prep? Reminds me of some one I know. Bah Humbug, I just need her to leave.

"I wouldn't call anyone a wannabe until you've looked in the mirror, you little, insignificant toy poodle," I responded coolly. I chanced a glance at Naruto. Good, he's knocked out.

"AH! WHY, like, YOU-" The poodle opened its mouth and breath a HUGE cloud of toxins my way. I had to float up into the sky to get clear of those stupid things. Ewww. . . for a poodle, her breath stinks.

"You know what?" I glared at her, "I'm done with you. Oh, and your breath stinks." I giggled as finished her off. "Typhoon blast!" a huge water tornado appeared and slammed the dog against the side of the building.

"My breath, like, so does not, like, stink!" Were the poodle's last words as it faded into nothingness. I rolled my eyes. Typical poodle.

"Hinata-chan?" I whipped my head around to see Naruto sitting up, whipping his eyes blearily.

A/N: Should I stop here...?

Maybe. . .

Perhaps. . .

Possibly. . .

Conceivably. . .

(LCA hits me over the head with a pitch fork and growls) OW! Alright, Alright! I'll continue!

Change to Naruto's Point of view.

I groaned as I woke up. Kyuubi was healing me as I awoke, so my senses were amplified. Mmm… I smell saltwater and the wind of a lake and a lily… Is that Hinata?

"Hinata?" I sat up and rubbed my eyes. My vision is starting to return to me… Ah hah! I can see again! Wait a sec… that's Naiad! Whoa. . Look at the hole in the wall! "Naiad? Did you do that?" I rubbed my eyes again. That looks disturbingly like the shape of a poodle.

That big green poodle had attack you!

Damn, that means Kakashi sensei is going to make us hunt it down! Another Mission!

"Yes, I did. The dog is… gone," I saw her lips tightened. "It's complicated, but let's just say, it's not something that you should be mixed up in. Here," She took off an amber stone on a black string and handed it to me, "if you ever run into trouble, I'll be able to hear you, ok?"

"Gee, thanks but I don't really need this!" I accepted the necklace and placed it around my neck. I felt this new feeling wash over me… like an empty part of me suddenly became filled.

This is a good communication device. Kyuubi remarked as he, as well, savored the new feeling.

"You will, trust me. Let me tell you the whole story," Naiad had been quiet for a little while I thought, but nowhere voice just seemed to say, "trust me!"

You might as well trust her. If it comes to worst, we'll fight, but I doubt I'll need to. Like I was telling you in the elevator, squirt, this girl is strong but she's trust worthy.

That's high praise for the king of foxes. I snorted. "Let's go up to my apartment," I took her hand to get up.

She hesitated for a moment and then grabbed my hand. Suddenly, I felt my body jerk off the ground and twist for a moment. The feeling lasted for a split second though, when I landed on the floor of my apartment.

"Where should I start?" She asked smoothly, sitting cross legged on the couch.

"How you did that would be a good place," I responded, agreeing with Kyuubi in my head.

"Well you see…"

Change point of view to Sakura

"She's doing it," I murmured. Inner Sakura had deserted me momentarily to "Keep Hinata in line" or just spy on her. While we sat in the living room, we agreed that so long Naruto didn't get our identities and he was sworn to secrecy, he'd be fine. We'd only known him for a week, so there was a bind on him as well.

"She's taking a huge risk here," Tenten frowned as she sat on the couch, arms crossed.

"Naruto's already into this crud, anyways, he needs to know most of the story at least so he doesn't blab to the press. Besides, Hinata trusts him." Ino snorted.

"I'm not saying it's not a good idea, I'm saying there are too many risks involved!" Tenten retorted.

"Oxymoron alert!" Ino stuck her tongue out childishly.

"Shut up, it's only partial anyways," Tenten snapped, irritated.

"Sure. . ."Ino grinned.

"Why are you so worried anyways Tenten? You know Hinata can do a mind wipe if she has to," I asked. The "older sister" figure of our group was getting really worried. . . too worried.

"She can wipe his memory but she can't wipe her own without major sacrifice. And if something bad happens. . " Tenten responded stubbornly, "She's already too far head over heels with him anyways, making her vulnerable."

"It's just a puppy love," Ino waved it off. "She's got to have one of those or I'll question her. . . commonsense," She scratched her head.

"Actually, she's pretty deep, even for a puppy love," I shook my head in disagreement. "But I agree with Ino, Hinata's got to experience some sort of love; the sort we can't give her."

"Oh cheer up, we sound like we're giving her away for marriage!" Ino rebuked us cheerily.

"It feels like it," Tenten folded her arms.

"Chill, Tenten. Besides, don't you girls have some guys to help?" I reminded them. In our eagerness to get to Hinata, I bet those to completely forgotten about Shikamaru and Neji.

"That lazy bum'll wait forever," Ino snorted, "but I might as well go since there's no sense in waiting around. She might be a while." Ino got up and breezed herself away.

"Neji is probably already smoking because I'm late. Better not delay it any longer." She as well left in a swirl of leaves.

I sighed as I leaned back and regarded the ceiling through heavy eyelids. I hope Sasuke wouldn't be mad at me not coming. . . I know! I'll send him a message!

Iris! I hope Hera's messenger has a moment.

Yes miss? Iris was a very sweet girl; I'm glad I can count on her and not Aphrodite's annoying little cupid.

Can you send this to a friend of mine? I can't leave because of Inner Sakura. I magicked up a ball of fire that had some of the muses' lullabies to help that guy sleep. Be careful though, he's got a pretty good sixth sense.

Sure, I'll be right back. She vanished out of my mind and a few minutes later came back, looking rather annoyed. He's not very trusting is he? I got it to him though, She made a face.

No, he's not, I laughed back. She waved as she pulled out of my mind and left a shimmering rainbow. I'm glad my Sasuke-kun is alright. . .

A/N: The end! No really long Author's note this time, just a quick comment: LCA (LilCatAnime) is my beta, and she's rather scary.

Thank you for the reviews last chapter! Sorry it took a while to get up, but this chapter was more transition that anything. Next chapter, however, things will pick up a bit and –gulp– takes a turn for the worst. Oh and Sasuke's taste will also be questioned. . . So hang on tight and leave me some reviews!

Love,

Nyte