Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
Pairings: Gaara/Hinata, onesided Sasuke/Hinata
No Laws to Love: Part XII: Get With the Program, People!
Hinata twiddled her fingers as she walked silently beside the quiet boy who strode along the street with his eyes closed.
"Uhm…Gaara-san…?" She tried to break the silence.
His eyes opened as he looked over to her questioningly.
"Uh…a-ano…are you going to the w-winter f-festival?" Her voice squeaked at the end as she nervously asked him.
He stuck his hands in his pocket.
Now how would he answer that? Yes? That didn't seem like him. No? But what if she wanted to go?
You like her
Didn't I tell you to die already?
Denial is the first step towards realization!
His subconscious was spouting random philosophy facts now and he can't decide whether he really is losing his mind and is a schizophrenic with a split personality or he's just cracking from the stress and it was a temporary problem.
The latter was more convincing.
He never talked to himself like this before. No, of course not…at least he didn't think so.
Sighing, he looked straight at her, "Are you going?"
Hinata pressed her fingers together as a blush crept onto her cheeks, "A-Ah…I-I want to go, h-however …I-Ino-san is going with N-Nara-san and I-I didn't w-want to i-impose on—"
"I'll accompany you then," He didn't let her finish. He understood the gist of it and if he thought of it right, she was asking him to come along with her indirectly.
"A-Ah Arigatou, Gaara-san!" Her whole face flushed pink as she happily hugged him.
He froze on spot. She was hugging him.
Put your arms around her dumbass!
Before he could move his arms, Hinata had already moved away—her face still pink.
She nervously smiled as she started walking again, him following suit. To be honest, she had wanted to stay in an embrace with him longer, but she felt his body stiffen and he held his breath at her touch, so she had pulled away reluctantly.
His body heat had been so warm compared to the January weather.
"I've…never been to the w-winter festival…" She mused out loud as he cast her a look.
Shrugging slightly, "I go every year. We all go as a group."
"R-Really?"
Taking a deep breath of cold air, he spoke faster than intended, "I can come pick you up."
Hinata blinked before breaking out in smiles again for the second time during their walk. She hugged the jacket closer to her body—not worrying much about the cold gusts of wind that struck at her heating pink cheeks.
He had offered to walk her home, then not only to accompany her to the festival…but to pick her up too. She glanced over at the aloof boy walking beside her, and for once, she wished she could snuggle closer to him and loop her arm in his—like how she had seen girls at school with their boyfriends.
I wish…Gaara-san…I…
She couldn't help but giggle to herself as she turned red again. It just struck her then. The little nagging voice that calls out to her every time she sees him, how she worried about him, and how delighted every time he put his attention on her…she had a crush on him!
I…like…Gaara-san
Her shoulders slumped slightly. How would she ever tell him? She snuck another glance at him, absorbing the defined features of the red head.
That was when he turned and stared at her.
Oh no…I was staring at him…
Gaara shot her a questioning look—his defense was slowly dropping because of this one girl. She had been sneaking glances at him the whole time, and that just made him anxious to what made her so quiet so sudden.
"Is something wrong?"
She was chewing on her lower lip now, and his voice snapped her out of the trance.
"A-Ah…no…it's…no, never mind. It's not important…" She gave him a nervous smile and a forced laugh.
Oh Hinata, that was so obvious
She could slap herself for the worse denial acting.
If he could tell that she was still bothered, he said nothing about it and continued walking quietly. The tension she felt was slowly lifting. That was what Hinata liked about him. She could have a nice walk feeling safe and relaxed without him pressuring answers out of her.
But how would she tell him that?
Gaara eyed the girl beside him. She had been going through random moods signified by her facial expressions.
Truth be said, he couldn't find anything to say to her either. But enjoying the silence is fine.
Why don't you just tell her
No
It was a straight answer. What was he scared of?
REJECTION! Who can reject this hot ass!
Sighing he continued to ignore the stupid comments.
Why would a smart and well mannered girl like her have to do with some random guy from some public school. He smirked. Her cousin would totally flip though. That might be another thing to look forward to. That guy was just so uptight.
He wasn't even going to deny it anymore. He felt something for the lavender-eyed girl. Obsession?
Uh, that's stalker material…
Okay, so not obsession. But he thought of her all the time. Infatuation? Like?
I would roll my eyes right now if I could. You are SO OBVIOUS.
That he liked her? No way. He hadn't said a thing yet about it.
EVERYONE knows…Get with the program!
His subconscious emphasized exactly what he didn't want to acknowledge. And for once, he felt no need to argue back. It was all true, wasn't it? Does everyone know?
Not really wanting to admit that, yes, sometimes his stupid mini-me can see things he overlooked—but everyone?
Sighing moodily he closed his eyes momentarily.
"G-Gaara-san!" Hinata's desperate voice broke through his thoughts.
His eyes snapped open.
"Hr—Oof!"
He felt the cold metal against his forehead and the next moment, he was on the ground with pale eyes staring down at him worriedly.
HAHAHAHAHAHA. That was SO smooth.
He pushed himself back up, dusting the bits of snow that clung to his jacket as he shook his head. Gaara could've kicked himself for that mistake. Now he just looked like an idiot.
"Y-You…walked i-into a p-pole," She stated slowly as she stared at him before bursting into giggles.
Raising an eyebrow curiously, he'd never seen her laugh like this before. She had always been mildly composed.
"G-Go-Gomen, Gaara-san," Hinata tried her best to suppress her laughter at his facial expression, "Y-You didn't…I-I tried t-to…"
Her explanation was worthless as she skipped bit and pieces.
But the sound of her laughter pleased him.
He smirked, humoring her, "I walked into a pole…and all you could say was my name."
Hinata gasped lightly, "N-Ne…I-I…Y-You were…" She paused slightly before her defense, "B-But…You were o-occupied…"
He swore softly to himself.
You can't even daydream without making it obvious. You. Are. A. Loser.
Don't have to rub it in…
It cackled, Careful, you might run into another stop-sign.
He let out a few more colorful words against his subconscious.
"B-But…that was…uh…was…" She struggled with the words, "I-It was…k-kinda cute."
She blushed as she said it.
Cute?
He could hear the damned voice mocking him.
Aww…widdle Gwaara ran into a pole
"Ah…" He said nothing in reply and she was silent for awhile.
"Gaara-san?"
He grunted in reply, still embarrassed at his previous act of stupidity and the fact that she called it 'cute'.
Who knew how much damage one single word could cause to a man's ego.
Cute. She's calling you cute like a stuffed animal…or like a bunny or like…
I am not cute
No, no of course not, It continued to patronize him, You're so strong and manly that the chick you like called you cute
Her voice broke through his thoughts again.
"I-I…"
Hinata paused as nervousness overwhelmed her.
It's now or never, Hinata!
She took a deep breath.
What if he rejected her? That would mean…no winter festival. Then again it's better to get it over with and learn the truth before dragging herself into an unrequited love.
It would be so awkward though…if he were to reject her and then having to go to the festival with her.
But…
She just had to tell him.
After the winter festival…It was unknown whether she'll ever be able to see them again. They did go to different schools on the opposite side of town. She bit her lip. It would be even harder to tell him when they were with everyone else.
Mostly with Kiba-kun and Naruto-kun around.
She brought her hands to her face in horror of the thought. They would blurt it right out loud!
They stopped in front of her house.
Hinata mustered up enough courage to look at him—well more like over his shoulder as her eyes darted back and forth.
My gosh
She was so nervous that she couldn't even make eye-contact.
"I…uh…I…" She stammered softly, a slight tremor in her voice.
Gaara blinked at the nervous girl before him. She was being a little too twitchy and he wondered what was bothering her so.
"You've been saying that for the last five minutes," He pointed out, slightly amused as she blushed at his statement.
"I-I…" She faltered slightly.
The words just won't come out!
Exasperated, she frowned as she took a deep breath.
He watched her facial expression change from frustration to worrying and back to frustration as she seemed to be stuck trying to say something.
"Ilikeyou," She spouted randomly in one breath and…ran towards her front door.
Leaving a confused red head teen standing in front of her lawn.
"And you just stood there!" Kiba almost knocked his drink over as Ino slapped her forehead in vexation.
Gaara just blinked.
What was I supposed to do?
If you had listened to me…
I'm not asking YOU
Fine. Fine. Just DIE alone then
Ino stuck her face in front of him, "We're going shopping tomorrow. Pronto."
"For…what?"
Even Naruto fell over from his seat after hearing that statement.
The blonde girl placed her hands on her hips as she explained with a wide grin, "When you like a girl and she tells you that she likes you too…You buy her a gift."
Gaara blinked again for the second time.
Dammit…so they all knew
Ten points to me. I win.
I don't need you to antagonize me
If I wanted to, I would've said 'TOLD YOU SO'
He sighed, "What am I supposed to buy her?"
Ino grinned widely, "You just leave that to me!"
Beside her, Shikamaru turned over and groaned.
"Better get your wallet ready, man."
Blinking blearily at the board, Hinata yawned. She didn't get much sleep last night after blurting out to Gaara that she liked him and then running off.
She tapped her pencil on the desk impulsively as she made up hypothetical situations that could be the outcome of it.
The winter festival…
Sighing, she laid her head down on the desk.
"Ah!" Squeals in the room could be heard from the female occupants.
Hinata closed her eyes. It could be no one else than him. And at this point, she wanted no more awkwardness in her life.
She could hear movements coming closer to her.
Pretend to be asleep…
The sounds went right past her and sat down on an adjacent seat.
Oh crap
Why was he sitting right next to her!
She was frustrated enough with her earlier act of stupidity.
Might as well face the inevitable…
Opening her eyes, she met dark orbs staring down at her.
Blushing instantly, she averted her eyes over to another corner.
"O-Ohayo…U-Uchiha-san," Hinata whispered.
He nodded in reply silently before starting, "Hin—" Pausing slightly, Sasuke decided to take a different approach, "Hyuuga-san, are you going to the winter festival?"
"Ah…uh," She stopped.
Was this him indirectly asking her to it?
She couldn't lie, because she would be there…
Unless…Gaara didn't like her back and wouldn't come to pick her up.
Then would it be better if she went with…?
No…Gaara-san's not that kind of person…He wouldn't ditch me over something like this…
"H-Hai…I'm g-going," She looked away from him as she answered.
"Ah."
It was his only reply as he turned back to the front of the room.
"Hyuuga-san…" He started, still not looking at her, "Are you going with Sabaku?"
Hinata's eyes widened as she turned and stared at him.
H-He knows!
"H-Hai…" She stopped for a bit, and adding in a whisper, "Hopefully."
Sasuke bit his lip as he turned towards the pale girl.
There was just something about her…that he liked.
Too bad someone else got to her first. The only girl he'd ever paid attention happened to be the one he couldn't get. Life was ironic.
However, the last part that she added made him interested.
Hopefully…?
Does that mean he still had a chance in hell somewhere?
"If not…" He glanced at her mixed expression, "Would you go with me?"
Her mouth formed and 'O' as she stared at him suddenly.
"E-Eh?"
Unfortunately, the whole class overheard.
"This is just like that drama I saw last week!" A girl in the back squealed.
Oh no…
End: Part XII: Get With the Program, People!
Eh heh heh :scratches head: I seem to change my mind a lot. Seems like this will be going on a bit longer than where I decided to end it.
Now you have the choice to have it end soon or I can add some Sasuke-drama. Lol. Which will then, I have no idea how much longer this ficcie will be.
Ending soon would be in at least 1 more chapter. With Sasuke-drama would be at least 2 more chapters.
:D Read and Review, s'il vous plait.
My Itachi/Temari one-shot is also out. Of Fans and Sand. Please check that one out too if you're interested and leave a comment! I like feedback. Because then it tells me if it's worth continuing or not. And so far, you guys are awesome. Much love from here!
Ame no Megami