Summary:
The eyes of the Hyuuga are as cold and glittering as the iced-over snowflakes. Are their minds, their hearts, their souls any different? [AU] [Non-Chronological Linked Drabbles]
General Disclaimer For The Entire Story:
I don't own Naruto. If I did, I'd have given Deidara more screentime, because he is awesome and a pyromaniac and thus doubly awesome. In fact, he's 120% awesomer, you could say. Oh, and the cover picture isn't mine, either. Should I change it? (Does anybody actually read this disclaimer?)
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(beware of what you wish for; and of losing drunken bets, as you should always make your bets sober)
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[Age 13]
Kurenai thinks that her female student could use a little more enthusiasm.
So she decides to send her to Gai for a day; if that didn't do the trick, well, then what would?
Of course, she doesn't say that to Hinata.
What she says goes more along the lines of:
"[apologetic tone, hands gesturing, earnest expression] I lost a bit of a wager to Gai, and he requested that we switch a student for a day. He wants me to give Lee some practice in throwing off genjutsus, and I thought that you'd appreciate some tips on improving your taijutsu, and maybe get some pointers from Gai's weapon master about your throwing techniques."
Hinata stares at her, flatly and deadpan and somehow conveying her utter lack of amusement and her intense disapproval without so much as twitching her perfectly composed expression.
"You need to send away a student to collaborate with another team for a day. You realized that Kiba would most likely incite them with unintentional inflammatory comments, or purposeful taunting remarks, and thus get very quickly stomped, as well as spreading a bad reputation for you. You realized that Shino's solitary nature and curtness, added to his occasional long analytic trivial explanations, would not be a positive factor in promoting closer bonds between teams. Thus, I am chosen, being the most diplomatic of us all."
It's accusing while being utterly neutral.
Kurenai winces.
"Well, yes," she admits, because lying to Hinata usually wasn't worth the paranoid effort, and because it was the truth, really.
The whole 'enthusiasm' thing is just her trying to convince herself; also, something she told Gai in an effort to get him off her back about 'repaying the extremely unyouthful debt!'.
"To be fair, it's also because you're very perceptive, and the strongest of the team. Gai does want to see you again, though, and it'll be a good opportunity for you, since I'm not as well-versed in taijutsu or bukijutsu as Gai and his student, Tenten, are," she adds, in a slightly desperate attempt to sell the idea to her.
She can just make it into an official order, but that would just sour their fledgling relationship.
Hinata is particular about her decisions, and if she decides against something, she sticks to it until she changes her mind.
Hinata doesn't change her mind very often.
Luckily, Hinata already chose to agree.
"I see your point," her student concedes, folding her sleeves together and dipping her head at an angled nod.
"When am I expected, and where?" she follows up with, eyes expectant, tone brisk and business-like.
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The next day, Hinata accompanies her cousin to his team's meeting place, and it is indescribably awkward.
"YOSH! THE LOVELY PRICKLY KURENAI HAS REQUESTED THAT I SPREAD MY FLAMES OF YOUTH TO THE HIP FROST-FLOWER SHE TEACHES!"
Gai pauses for a moment.
"That's you," Tenten kindly informs her, patting her on the back before shoving her forward like a sacrificial lamb.
"NOW LET US BEGIN THE JOURNEY TO PASSIONATE ENLIGHTENMENT!"
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(-an hour later-)
"Neji, I take back my wish for you to smile more and stop being such a frigid bitch," the weapons-user croaks in an imitation of a traumatized, wide-eyed knife-equipped panda.
Her teammate, trying vainly to wash out his eyes, risks another glance at the largely-grinning Hyuuga Heiress.
"Agreed," he shudders, plonking his head back into the river.
Their sensei, confused, looks at the pleasantly smiling (to him) Hinata, uncomprehending of his Genins' distress.
"WHAT IS WRONG, MY YOUTHFUL STUDENTS? DOES NOT THE HIP FROST-FLOWER APPEAR SO MUCH MORE YOUTHFUL THIS WAY?"
Hinata's lips stretch further, now passing the line of 'psychotic chainsaw-killing yandere' into 'holy fuck run like hell before Satan's spawn skewers you'.
Tenten shivers in a reflexive full-body shudder and can't help jumping into the river.
"I appreciated your lessons, Gai-sensei. They were very helpful," Hinata thanks him.
She now knows exactly how to freak out basically everyone except Gai and Lee.
This is... very good information.
(Revenge for everyone who mocked her inability to finger-snap.)
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More comic relief.
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-Review.-
