Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. But oh, how I want Gaara.
Warnings: Gaara/Hinata, Itachi/Temari (some)
No Laws to Love: Part XI: Action and Dramatization
She wasn't part of it, but yet, she flinched every time the boy took a hit. Hinata glanced over to the two girls beside her. They were into it—way involved. At a point where Nara-kun had been inside the ring, Ino had stood up cheer for him—and curse at the opponent during the round. Temari-san on the other hand, sat with a smirk on her face as the boys cleared out one by one.
The white-haired boy from Seito backed up near the edge of the raised platform and Naruto took the chance to deliver the final blow, using more power in his kick that was promptly blocked to knock the other boy off the ring. Immediately, the next, and last, Seito fighter jumped into the ring to take over. Hinata gulped and shuddered at the gaze the last boy held for the captain of Furyuu. The glare though, was over looked by the current Naruto who celebrated the two-down.
"YEAHH!" The blond boy punched the air in triumph. He had knocked down two of Seito's fighters, putting Furyuu at matchpoint, two fighters left on Furyuu and one left on Seito.
Hinata felt a rush of air as the whole crowd around her stood up and chanted Furyuu—most of them being other public school competitors. One even had the guts to scream out.
"THAT'S RIGHT NARUTO-NII. GIVE IT TO 'EM, THOSE PRIVATE SCHOOL ASSES!"
She turned around to see a young boy—probably only middle school age, with brown spiky hair and goggles hopping onto the bleacher seat itself. Couldn't help but giggle, Hinata felt the rush of the tournament in her also as she stood up and prepared to cheer for Uzumaki-kun, when suddenly he turned back as a command from the redhead.
"E-EH?" Naruto glanced quizzically at his captain as the other boy pulled him down promptly and hopped on the platform himself.
He gave no answer, except keeping his eyes locked with the boy smirking from across the ring. Snapping his neck to his shoulder quickly, he shook out his shoulder and leg cramps from waiting for the final battle.
Hinata could only feel her heart sink as she watched the tension between the two in the ring and she stood there motionless. As if on cue, the rest of the audience silenced slowly. Sasuke wasn't evil—or so Hinata reassured herself, he was just a little strange—but they're not allowed to hurt each other that badly, right? She glanced over to Gaara whose usual stoic expression was pressed into one of intention and concentration.
She held her breath. If it was a past feud or something, she had no idea why they were so tensed. But she knew one thing—whatever it was they had at stake, they were serious.
Gaara eyed the boy across from him as they both circled the ring, waiting for the referee to call the start of the match.
I'm gonna beat that smirk of yours to the ground and shove it up your ass, Uchiha
His inner presence added gleefully to his threat, Don't forget how he scared Hinata-chan!
Looking right over his conscious' stab of teasing him about Hinata, Gaara only seethed with more anger on the subject matter of how Uchiha decides that he could pick any girl think she's going to follow and heed to his will.
Conceited bastard
I concur, The voice added its two cents. And for once, they both agreed—making the voice more delighted with its other side, that maybe, just maybe they had something in common.
Hinata was different. She wasn't like the other girls and Gaara would make sure that she won't be harassed by an asshole like Sasuke.
"If you hate me, Uchiha, then fight me," He muttered under his breath, loud enough for only the other boy, "But don't bring Hyuuga-san into this."
The dark haired boy only smirked, "What makes you think I'd be interested in some pea-brain like her?" He scoffed, "She can't even talk correctly."
Sasuke kept his demeanor, though rejecting some of his own words that had been spoken. He didn't mean to taint Hinata's image so badly, but a girl must be blind to be disinterested in him. Of all the girls he was somewhat attracted to it was the one that was uneasy around him. Either way, his pride was on the line.
READY.
"Sabaku Gaara," He stated, "I'm going to return that favor from last time." Sasuke slid his feet apart, arms raised as the flag was held.
SET.
The redhead only slid into stance.
You ready kid?
GO!
Hinata's heart lurched as the flag was dropped and immediately the two boys collided.
"Sabaku-san!" She squeaked in a hoarse whisper.
Temari smirked at the outcome of the first move. The girl beside her blinked struck between confusing and amazement.
"E-Eh!" Ino managed to ask.
"Well, this is sure new," The older girl commented, and then turned to the confused Hinata to explain.
She tapped her chin with her index finger, "Gaara, you see, is more of a defensive fighter…He…never made the first move in any of the fights before…yet, he's attacking now…"
"N-Never attacking?"
Ino nodded, adding onto Temari, "He's known for the best defensive play yet. Gaara attacks usually at the end—one nice and clean hit to knock the fighter out." She eyed the two boys and blushed at the dark haired one, "But I guess being against the Uchiha…"
The two boys were still in the same position from the first attack. Gaara had lunged forward, striking with a roundhouse—which was blocked by Sauske's forearm and the two held their pose—with the redhead applying more pressure against the arm, trying to break the block.
Hinata roamed back to her habit. She twiddled her fingers aimlessly in nervousness for Gaara's safety—and maybe in pity—Uchiha-san's safety too. It wasn't like they were going to get killed, but this is a pretty loose-ruled sport everyone was betting on.
Remembering her conversation with Gaara when they walked, she wrung her hands in anxious.
"N-Ne…Sabaku-san?" She held her hands behind her as she glanced over at him.
His eyes were closed, and neither did he answer her vocally but the slight nod of his head let her proceed.
"How…How does winning o-occur? W-When one person forfeits...o-or before it gets too dangerous?"
He turned his head and his eyes glance over her sincere face quickly before answering.
"Until someone is knocked off the ring," He paused, trying to remember the rules himself, "Or is pulled out from the ring by another member since they're useless by then. If…it's the last fighter on one team…they have a certain amount of time to get back on their feet or the match is over." He finished everything in one breath and Hinata blinked, trying to absorb the information.
Gaara shrugged and stuck his hands into his pockets. When they're fighting, it's a whole different story from rules.
"C-Can you be in-injured...badly?"
"…Sometimes…"
Almost at lightening speed, Gaara had flipped to the side and raised his other leg for a second kick, a higher one to the head.
In a split, the dark haired boys eyes widened and he broke his stance and slid backwards to avoid the fatal hit. That one could've been a knockout.
Sasuke cursed to himself as he put up his defenses again. This wasn't a time to underestimate an opponent. There was a reason why Gaara was made captain.
Just because he's never on the offensive, doesn't mean he doesn't have one…huh?
He readied his fists and lunged at the redhead, starting his own offensive.
Let's see how versatile Sabaku can be in defense when he wants to go offensive.
Each punch was blocked promptly, a flurry of arms racing back and forth as the audience sat in silence, trying to decipher which attack was made by whom.
Using the moment when he knew Gaara would retaliate, Sasuke duck and swiped Gaara's feet—knocking the other boy backwards.
As he fell, Sasuke lifted his leg and smashed it down on Gaara's abdomen, sending the redhead crashing onto the barely padded platform.
Overestimating Gaara's time to recover from shock, Sasuke took too long to back up which resulted in the redhead's hand gripping onto his ankle. Before he could react, Gaara had pulled him forward to swing his legs overhead into an awkward flip.
The first leg impacted the side of Sasuke's head, throwing him off-balance and the second round that followed it sent him to the ground, landing on his shoulder with a dull thud.
Gaara stumbled slightly after his landing and brought his arm up to cover the newly bruised spot.
The dark haired boy exhaled painfully as he licked the small amount of blood off his lips. The impact was harder than he thought and it resulted in him biting his lip in pain.
Fuck.
He rolled over and propped himself up slowly, reaching out to massage his throbbing shoulder. Any harder and that could've caused some dislocating. Sasuke glanced up at the opposing boy.
Heh…one to one now. At least he's not into hitting someone who's down…
Hinata could do only but sit at the edge of her seat. Her heart lurched when either boy took a hit. She almost squeaked when Gaara was thrown to the ground.
She could hear Ino mutter beside her.
"Gaara took a pretty hard hit, huh."
The fight had started again as the crowd rose along with them. From the other side, she could hear Seito's cheering squad urging Sasuke on. In contrast to the rehearsed cheering, the Furyuu side retaliated with a loud roar of random phrases. Even Temari was on her feet threatening Gaara to win. Yet, all Hinata could do was twist her fingers until they were pink.
The blonde girl beside her elbowed her playfully, "Come on Hinata-chan," Ino giggled, "Help Gaara-kun win this fight!" She pumped her fist in the air.
Temari smiled behind the other girl, "Don't be shy," She winked, "We're supposed to cheer our men on, right?"
The blood rushed up to her cheeks.
Do they know! Do I make it so obvious! W-What am I supposed to do!
She inhaled slowly.
Grow some backbone Hinata!
The petite girl stood up shakily and cupped her mouth with her hands. She closed her eyes and drew a breath.
"G-Ganbatte Sa-Sabaku-san!" Her lithe voice rang throughout the stadium.
Hinata opened her eyes and glanced nervously around. When did it get so quiet! She could feel all eyes on her as her face flushed red.
Ino slapped her on the back, "That's the way to go!" As if they were waiting for her, the crowd started their second round of cheers.
As the other boy's hand connected with his fist, Gaara could faintly hear a voice in the background. Sasuke must've heard it to since he stopped in his attack as both boys glanced quickly to the stands to see a pale girl standing nervously in the crowd.
Your girlfriend's cheering for you! The voice in his head bounced gleefully. Now you must show your manliness and not disappoint her
Shut up. Your advice sucks ass.
He gripped onto Sasuke's fist and pulled the boy towards him as his other hand clenched into a fist.
The dark haired boy saw the set up and fisted his free hand in attempt to gain the first attack.
This was it. Gaara narrowed his eyes. Their final attack.
Hinata couldn't help but bite her own lip at the impact of both of their hits. She paled slightly when she heard the crack and tasted the blood on her own lips. Beside her, Ino and Temari grimaced as one boy flew to the side and the other one backwards. As they slammed to the ground, Temari stood up hurriedly.
"Oh my…FUCK," She jumped into the stands in front of her and proceeded down the stairs, "Gaara!"
It wasn't like he didn't expect pain or anything, but fuck it hurt like a bitch. He can taste the salty metallic liquid in his mouth and noted at the fact, it probably would stain the platform. Glancing over at the other boy who had flown backwards and now laid on his side, clutching his side—he slowly picked himself up. Wiping off the blood outside his mouth with his sleeve, he eyed the ref warily as he stepped into the ring to check the boy across from him.
He was down for more than fifteen seconds after Gaara had stood up.
"Winner—FURYUU!"
Gaara could hear his teammates celebrate behind him and for once, he felt, maybe, some accomplishment. He glanced up at the stands to see Temari knocking people down, clearing a path for the girl behind her.
Hinata.
He couldn't help but smile. Even a bit.
Of course, no one saw him smile. Heaven forbid the day that Naruto would catch him smiling to himself.
I can make this into a sap story…His conscience prodded
Now leap over, claim your 'princess' The voice snickered, and flaunt it in front of stretcher-boy's face!
He grunted, Making fun of an invalid. You're stupid. I'm done.
Whatever. I was just making a point. You could show him that even if you had lost, Hinata-chan would've still been yours.
That clicked and he stared at the girl tentatively making her way down the crowded stands.
Would she still go out of her way to talk to him if he had lost to Uchiha and revoke his rights to communicate with her?
"Oh fuck, Gaara!" Temari exclaimed as she stared at her younger brother's bruised face. His teammates hung over his shoulder as Naruto patted his shoulder repeatedly.
His eyes trailed to the shorter girl who was fumbling with her bag as she pulled out a packet of tissues.
"B-Blood!" She managed to squeak out as she held it out to him.
"Ah…" He took her offer, "A-Arigatou, Hyuuga-san…"
As if on cue, Kiba giggled like a little girl, which made everyone turn his way.
"What the hell!" Naruto turned his attention as the brown haired boy pulled them all away from two facing each other.
Kiba winked at the girl, "I think they need their alooone time," he sang as Gaara glared his way.
The blond boy's eyes widen as he was about to blurt out something a hand covered his mouth and dragged him away.
This now, left the two staring in awkward silence at the direction their friends had disappeared.
"D-Does the bruise h-hurt a lot?" Hinata peered tentatively at the mark on his cheek as he wiped the blood off his lips, "I-I…have some ointment…"
"It's okay," He glanced around nervously, "A-Ah Hyuuga-san…"
Oh save the dramatics
He felt his eyebrow twitch. Just once. Once. He would ask for that obnoxious voice to shut up.
Is Gaara-kun mad at me? It provoked him.
You ruined the mood
It snickered, Ookay…you are such a melodrama.
In a mimicking voice it pretended to act out a love scene from a soap Gaara had seen on TV.
"Thank…you…for cheering for me…" He coughed out.
Hinata could only blush at his way of showing gratitude, "I-It seemed like…like…s-stalemate…so I thought that it would help…Sabak—"
"Gaara."
"E-Eh?"
"Call me…Gaara…You don't have to be so formal."
That rewarded him with a smile, "Then…Then you can call me H-Hinata."
Only then, and only to her, he cracked a small smile. Very small, mind you, though Gaara was a sensitive person, it was all on the inside. But for this instance, he felt her breaking through his cold demeanor.
"We should go…they're waiting outside for dinner…"
"A-Ah, hai," she followed his direction. It was Gaara's indirect way of inviting her along, and to Hinata, it was fine for now.
"O-Oh!" Her eyes widened and she stopped short.
Gaara turned quizzically at the petite girl.
"I-I forgot to see Uchiha-san!"
He could only frown on the inside. Hinata's friendly nature only made it natural for her to feel bad for anyone hurt—whether she liked them or not.
But putting his man-pride aside, "I'll…walk on over there…"
That earned him another smile, "T-Thanks, Sa-uh-Gaara…kun."
"Stop it," The disgruntled boy swatted his older brother's attempt to bandage his bruised shoulder and torso.
"Ne," Itachi sighed, "You are such a brat."
"Uhm…ano…Uchiha-san…" A timid voice from behind Itachi spoke up and the older boy turned around briskly.
"Hinata-chan!"
She blushed at the older Uchiha's forwardness.
"Uhm…" She held out a small white container, "I-It'll help with the…b-bruising…"
Sasuke glared up at her, which only made her cower backwards into the boy behind her. His eyes trailed up to the redhead, who now had his hand on Hinata's shoulder to reassure the frightened girl. He frowned.
"I'm fine."
"O-Oh…okay…" Her voice faltered, "W-Well get well soon, Uchiha-san…"
"He'll take it," Itachi piped in, earning him a disapproving glare from the younger Uchiha.
"Uhm…" She handed him the container, "J-Just…apply it to the bruised area…it'll help with the soreness…"
"Thank you, Hinata-chan," He smiled at the retreated girl, "I'm sure Sasuke'll appreciate it."
As soon as she was out of earshot, Itachi glanced down at his sulking brother, "Seems like you lost this one too." He tossed Sasuke the container and picked up his jacket. "I'll see you at home. Call the chauffeur or something if you're not going with Kabuto and them."
Sasuke only grunted an answer as he caught the small white ointment. Whatever Itachi had to do was none of his business.
"Y-You're not coming with us, T-Temari-san?" Hinata peered at the older girl.
She grinned at them, "Can't. These boys only want me with them so I can order them alcohol."
"WHAT!" Kiba waved his arms, "It was only once did we ask for it! Now you're holding it against us forever!"
Temari shook her head, "Just kidding, I have some reports to write. I'll take you guys out some other time." She waved as she parted ways with them.
"YEAHH!" Naruto skipped ahead, "Time for some ramen!"
Gaara walked behind Hinata as Ino chatted non-stop with the shorter girl about some useless stuff he wasn't interested in. Beside him, Shikamaru yawned.
"She's been talking about this festival thing all week long," He stressed the last three words.
Gaara shrugged as he closed his eyes.
Winter Festival?
"When is it?"
"E-Eh?" Shikamaru cracked an eye at him. "Man…if you're planning to go," He mumbled to himself, "Then Ino wants to go and then I'll have to take her…ugh…it's so much work…"
Ino turned around at that moment, "We can go over to my house afterwards for movie night!"
Shikamaru could only groan as Kiba and Naruto celebrated and Gaara agreed because of Hinata. He rolled his eyes. How could they not realize their attraction when everyone could? Whatever. It was too much work for him to be the middle man. He'll just shut up and let Ino take care of everything.
"Mari-chan!"
A voice from behind her called out.
She pulled her jacket tighter as she let out a breath of cold air before turning around to face the person.
"Itachi…" Refusing to keep eye contact she kept her eyes on the spot over his shoulder.
He paused, before sighing, "Can't…Can't we just talk about this like responsible adults?"
She crossed her arms briskly, "Fine. We're talking. Say what you want. I'm listening."
Itachi threw his arms up. This girl was not easy forgiving.
"I meant like…over coffee or tea or something…not standing in the freezing street."
All she did was stared past him silently.
Itachi took a step towards her, his gaze lowered to the ground. It was long past due from him now.
"All…It's…ah…I'm…I'm sorry, Mari-chan."
He could hear her sigh from across him.
"Apology accepted," She removed her arms from her chest and placed her hands on her hips, "So can I go now?"
"I'm serious," He stiffened, "Why are you being like this? I apologized."
Temari snapped back, "And I accepted. Get on with it. Life goes on."
"It doesn't seem like it for you. You're still holding that grudge."
She paused, looking up at the sky.
"I was sincere then. Everything," She cracked him a bitter smile, "And you played me for a fool. How'd you think I'd react?"
He faltered before stepping closer to her, "I'm not asking for your forgiveness right now…I'm…asking for a second chance…to show you—that I could be better—you…can decide that for yourself later…"
Itachi circled his arms around the young woman before him as she dropped her arms in defeat.
She gave a bitter laugh as she fought back the tears.
"This is just like a stupid melodrama," Temari muttered.
End Part XI: Action and Dramatization
Whew! Cranked out another one with about a week before schooling chaos starts again. I'll say this like I always do, I'm sorry if there's any grammatical errors. I don't have a Beta-reader, and I rarely proof-read my stuff. When I write, it just all comes out and I try to correct as I go along…but I miss some stuff sometimes. This chapter doesn't have much humor to my own liking : Fight scenes are hard to write!
I have a feeling the next chapter will be the final conclusion to this story. To those who have stuck with me, I'm so grateful to you guys.
A new interest of mine is now Itachi/Temari for some reason. There's just not enough of those two out there. If you guys would like a story on those two, then tell me. : It's all about you guys out there!
Thanks so much!
Ame no Megami