School Entanglements
Pairing: Sasuke & Hinata
Rating: T
Summary: I got accepted at my high school of choice, Village of the Leaves High School. I'm starting in a few weeks but being so excited to attend school, I went there just for the sake of exploring the place. Unbeknownst to me, I'll find more than I expected.
Disclaimer: please see author's profile. In addition, this story's plot was not originally mine but from a one-shot manga I read some time ago. I wasn't able to take note or remember its title but as I was reading it I couldn't help but put certain characters from the Narutoverse in their stead. If anyone does find it similar to a manga they've read, please tell me the title so that I could disclaim it accordingly.
Dedication: heights1231 (Sorry I wasn't able to put it in as a one-shot. This probably would be 3-5 chapters in all depending on my free time and availability of the PC cause of my little bro hogging it.)
Chapter 5 - Starting Anew
It was already 4:37pm, about 25 minutes earlier than dismissal time. The classroom has dwindled down to a few students who stayed to chat for a while. Neji was still putting the papers he hasn't recorded yet in order so that he could bring it home with him.
Tenten has told Temari to go ahead of her so that she won't be late for her date with her lazy ass boyfriend. She ripped a piece of paper from her notebook and wrote a quick note and crumpled it in her hand. She stood up and grabbed her pack as well as the large plastic bag with her purchased items. As she passed the isle towards Neji's desk, she made it seem like she tripped suddenly which made her drop with her things. Her other classmates were surprised with what happened and some of them started to approach her.
"Oh my!" A girl exclaimed.
"Hey! Are you alright? That was quite a fall." A guy asked.
Since Neji was the closest to her, he was the first to stand up and to approach her quickly. "You okay?" he asked.
"Yeah, just tripped. Haha. Clumsy me." As they got her things gathered, he gave her his hand to stand up. The crumpled paper was in the Tenten's right hand which she extended to reach Neji's hand for him to pull her up. Neji grasped the paper as Tenten let go. "You better be more careful. Can't have my students getting hurt unnecessarily in my classroom. It would mean that they might not be able to study well for their entrance exams."
"Hai. Gomen sensei. I'll be more careful next time." She nodded to the others and left the room.
Neji went back to his desk and sat down. Some of his students bid him goodbye before they filed out of the room.
"Bye Hyuuga-sensei!" A girl waved shyly at him.
"Bye sensei! See you tomorrow!" A tall girl said.
"See ya!" A rambunctious boy yelled as he ran out the room.
"No running in the halls!" Neji reprimanded after the boy after he nodded to the girls.
He was the only one left in the room. The crumpled paper still clutched in his hand. He unrolled it and read the note:
I'll wait for you by the bench at the next intersection on the left side of the building.
He quickly finished packing his papers in his bag, closed the lights, left the room and closed the door afterwards, all in a minute's time. He went to the faculty room to bid goodbye to his colleagues before taking off towards his car. After taking his keys from his pocket, he opened his car and drove to where Tenten said she'd be.
He saw her eating a sandwich while sitting on the bench beside her things, waiting. He neared the bench and rolled down the windows before blowing his horn twice to get her attention. She looked up and he gestured for her to get in. She took her belongings and went to sit beside him. Neji rolled up his windows again and drove off to Hinata's school.
"I tried to call her a few times but she's not answering her phone. It's probably on silent mode. I just texted her to ask where she was." Tenten took out her phone. "Still no reply."
"This is not her. Is she starting a rebellious phase or something?" Neji told her irritatedly.
"Hinata is not a rebel. She never mentioned that she ever planned doing anything rebellious and she can't pull that off alone even if she tried." Tenten scoffed.
"She knew better than to go off alone. Her father only agreed to let her go because she would be with you and I even promised not to leave her unless she's already with you. Shit!" He ranted.
"We'll just look for her around school. Surely someone could easily spot her. Everyone's wearing their uniform-"
"She IS in her uniform! She's been wearing them for the passed few days since she received them!"
"Okay. Okay. Calm down. No need to shout. No good will come from that. Talk about a full 360 degree turn of personality. First, he was all Mr. Cool and Composed and now, he's Mr. Hot Potato Head."
"What?" Neji looked at her slightly perplexed as they were at a red light. Tenten stared back at him and blinked a few times.
"Did I just say that out loud?"
"Yes, you did." He sighed before starting to drive again when the light turned green. "I guess I really should keep cool since I am also driving."
"May I ask why are you not in your soccer practice when she was so sure that you should have been there?"
"First of all, you were already asking so you didn't really have to say 'may I'." Neji just raised his brow at that and told her."It's meant as a way of not wanting to seem nosy while asking. You're still given a choice if you want to answer or not."
"Hmm." She narrowed her eyes at him and conceded. Neji-1 Tenten-0 Hmph."Point taken. Anyways, to answer your main question, we really do have soccer practice this week but my mom was nagging at me that I won't have enough time to study for entrance exams once school starts. So, to ease her worries, I started prep school early. And if I had known Hinata was planning to see me beforehand, I would have told her about it but last week was the last time we talked. I didn't have any idea that she was going to surprise me with a visit at school."
"I see. Here take this." He tossed her his phone from his pocket. Tenten caught it.
"Any messages from her? Calls?" She checked her phone first then his. She shook her head but seeing as he wasn't looking at her, she voiced her reply.
"No text or call from either of our phones."
"Try calling her again if you could get to her. Use my phone. Maybe she'll answer." Tenten did as she was told.
"I just hope she won't get lost." She voiced as she was waiting for Hinata to answer her call.
"She said she's with someone. So she doesn't have the problem of getting lost. But Hinata is naive and too trusting. She didn't say if she was with a girl or a boy. I'm worried about that."
"Hinata is very shy when it comes to meeting new people, more so with boys so it is more probable that she's with a girl right now."
They stopped at another red light and there was a slight buildup of traffic. Neji sighed.
"I hope you're right."
***With Hinata and Sasuke***
Hinata and Sasuke were holding hands as they made their way towards the soccer fields. There were only few students around campus at this time because most have started to head home. The ones at the field were putting away the sports equipment they used.
"And this is the way towards the soccer fields and baseball fields. There is a greenhouse somewhere over there as well." He pointed at the right side of the soccer field.
"I have been to this place. This is where I headed to supposedly meet my friend, remember?"
"Oh yeah. You did mention that earlier." They stopped at a nearby tree and enjoyed the breeze that passed.
"Let's sit down for a while. I'm sure all that walking has tired you..." Hinata was taking a seat and was starting to open her mouth and say something but Sasuke beat her to it. "but if it hasn't then I'll admit that I'm tired out." He promptly laid down with his head resting upon Hinata's lap and his arms spread eagle wide. Hinata smiled down at him and started to stroke his hair.
"Thanks for helping me tour the school even if you said it was too boring for you."
He opened one eye to look at her and closed it. "Hn." A small smirk present on his face.
Hinata leaned back on the tree admiring the view of the treelines and the sky, still stroking his hair. She thought back to what happened when they found what she set out to find.
***Flashback start***
Hinata's laughter took some time to die down and Sasuke chuckled a bit with her.
"I remember you telling me just a few moments ago, when you saw the other desk, that you wouldn't write something along those lines." He was still chuckling at her as he said that. Hinata blushed and defended herself.
"I didn't know why I even wrote that. I never did anything like vandalizing school property. And what I wrote, well...I was sort of daydreaming about a book I read and that's how I probably started to wonder about when I'll get my first kiss. I unconsciously wrote that, I guess."
"It's great that you did then because I've been trying to think up of a way to have an excuse to kiss you ever since you were chewing your lip when you were reluctantly telling me about this search."
Hinata was surprised by his admission and her mouth parted slightly. Sasuke's eyes started to smolder.
"You better close that mouth Ms. Hyuuga or you'll be receiving your second kiss sooner than you think."
Hinata, upon seeing the spark in his eyes, closed her mouth and blushed at his words. She was silent for a moment before replying in a whisper and shyly looking at him through her lashes. "What if I did want you to?"
Sasuke's eyes widened. Her shy demeanor along with her blush and the hopeful look in her face was bound to be his undoing. He looked away as he reached up and ruffled his hair a bit in exasperation and sighed. This girl is going to be the death of me. Does she have to look so alluring and inviting? I was taught to be the gentleman so I have to shake off these thoughts. Looking back at her again and keeping a fair enough distance, he composed himself and sternly admonished her. "Don't tempt me, Hinata. I might not be able to control myself. I'm supposed to do the gentleman thing here so I should still be looking out for you."
She gasped and looked down, still with a blush on her face. She was wringing her hands and fiddling with the hem of her shirt in embarrassment. Why did I even say that? It was so unlike me. And he is going to be my teacher for crying out loud! He was only being nice when he helped me find the desk and fulfill my written wish. He only tolerated me. He would never like me that way because he could honestly do better.
Sasuke stepped away from her before stopping almost near the door and looking back at her. Noticing the downcast expression on her face, he knew he was somehow the reason for that. "Hey." He called after her softly but loud enough for her to hear. She looked up at him, her face so open for him to see the warring emotions and insecurity she has started to feel.
"Don't seem so down. Look. I'll be the first to admit that I can't deny this...attraction I feel towards you. I'm not sure if you really think the same or if it's only the circumstance. You've intrigued me from the moment I met you and you keep surprising me with something I never expect you would do." He smiled a bit at that. She was listening intently and was blushing anew, albeit lightly. She has cheered up a little at his admission and he likes that she's smiling again. "I don't not like it. It is actually quite refreshing from all the girls I've encountered. I've never once thought I'd meet a girl who I'll be so fascinated with, bordering on being enamored even when I just met you. Now, I think I finally get an idea of what those other girls that said they're infatuated with me have thought and felt." She raised a brow at this, hinting on his arrogance. He shook his head a bit before continuing. "But this really isn't about that so anyways..." He sighed for the nth time this day before nearing her and taking her hands in his, their eyes fixated on each other's.
"There are still a lot of things you don't know about me just like there are a lot of things I would love to find out about you. School is going to start soon and when it has I would want to know if you would still like to...explore on this thing between us. Is that okay?" He asked her expectantly.
She was still staring at him. Her mind was so derailed with all these revelations and the truckload of questions she wanted to ask. Still, she knew she felt the same way as he did but it was too soon to tell if it really was just due to the events that led to now or not. She would have to agree with him then. He is the adult here so he has a better handle of the situation. "I guess you are right. Once school has started then we'll see how we shall go about it."
"And we shall." He smiled at her and let her right hand go as his right held onto her left one, bringing it to his lips and kissing it. "I'm glad you were open to my suggestion." She almost melted at his stare. But he was pulling her out the room now. She was looking at their entwined hands in wonder. "Where are we going? We already found my desk."
He glanced at her as he kept on dragging her with him. "You said you came here because wanted to see the whole place so you'd know which is where, right? Well, let's not waste your school visit. I did promise you a tour earlier today."
She squeezed his hand in gratitude. "Thanks."
He squeezed back and looked at her as they went down the stairs. "You're welcome." They walked side by side now as they were headed to the western stairway. "So, you're well acquainted with the senior classrooms but you're a freshman, which means off to the first year's classrooms we go."
Hinata laughed at his words. I'm beginning to love this school more and more. And it is not just because of the uniform.
***Flashback end***
A hand waving in front of her face woke her from her recollection. Hinata blinked before asking. "Sorry, did you say something?" When she looked at him, he was already sitting next to her. While she was musing, he seemed to have gotten up without her noticing.
"Why did you suddenly space out on me? Is something bothering you?" Sasuke asked concerned while Hinata flushed slightly.
"No, nothing's bothering me. Just remembering something."
Sasuke was smirking while staring at her. It only made Hinata's blush darken. "What?"
"From the way your cheeks flushed while you were remembering, I'm guessing you recollected our first kiss together in the classroom or, if not that, the aftermath of it. Maybe, even both."
Hinata folded her legs closer to her chest and buried her face in her hands in embarrassment. "I was not! Why did you even think that?"
"Judging by your reaction, I'd say I was correct in my assumptions. Just look at it this way, I found out something else about you."
Hinata tilted her head a little and peered at him in between her fingers, which still covered her face. "What do you mean?"
"That when you're deep in thought your eyes seem glossed over and that you, Hyuuga Hinata, are a bad liar." He pointed at her nose whilst mentioning her name.
She pouted at getting found out. He only chuckled at her antics. He reached for her head and patted it as he comforted her with his words. At least he thought it would somehow appease her. "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me." He winked at her afterwards but she only shoved him a little and simpered.
"I'm getting a bit thirsty. I'll get some from the vending machines near the building. Would you like me to get you one?" Sasuke stood up and brushed his pants. Hinata nodded.
"What kind of juice do you like?"
"I'm not really picky but I feel like drinking apple juice right now."
"Apple juice it is. Don't go anywhere, okay?"
"I won't unless somebody would knock me out and drag me away."
"You don't have to worry about that. The school security is pretty tight here. I'll be back in just a couple of minutes." Sasuke waved back at her.
"Okay."
Hinata watched as Sasuke disappeared from view. She closed her eyes, enjoying the quiet and the cool breeze that passed. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and she felt that someone was crouched in front of her. That was quick.She was going to voice that thought once she opened her eyes. But upon opening them she was mortified by the person she had crouched in front of her and who was standing beside him with her hand on her hips.
"Nii-san! Tenten!"
Crap. I'm in big trouble.She gulped as she looked from one to the other before another thought crossed her mind and the words were out of her mouth before she was conscious of it.
"Wait! You two know each other? But I haven't introduced you yet."
Neji sighed and stood up in front of her. Hinata followed suit, not really wanting to feel more intimidated by looking at the from below. "Your friend here appears to be a student of mine at the prep school where I have my parttime job. Although, I am wondering how your friend would be touring you around school when she was sitting in my class answering tests and participating in our discussions. She can't possibly be in two places at once now, would she? And you never said she had a twin who had the same name as hers. But I remember that you clearly said in your text that you are currently with a 'friend' and you could only get away with that without your consciousness gnawing at you unless you bend the truth which you clearly did. Care to explain? We both need enlightenment and so we would be appeased." Neji ended with folding his arms in front of him. Hinata flinched as he pointed out every thing that seemed to not add up in her current predicament. She hung her head as she apologized.
"I'm sorry."
"An apology isn't going to cut it right now, Hinata. You need to explain what you were thinking!" Neji tried to be calm but he started to feel livid because he trusted that she was sensible enough to know what she shouldn't be doing and what to do in these situations. Tenten approached Neji and grasped his arm. She knew that getting angry and scaring Hinata wouldn't get her to open up.
"Hey, calm down." She addressed Neji then looked at Hinata. "Hinata, we were both very worried that something might have happened to you. You weren't answering your phone when we've been trying to reach you ever since we figured out that you went out on your own or possibly with someone unknown to us. We looked for you around the school, even asked some people but came out empty-handed until we decided to head to the soccer fields where we did found you." Hinata was shocked to hear that. And suddenly snatched her phone from her pocket and looked at the screen.
5:29pm
28 new messages
37 missed calls
Hinata looked up at them with tears threatening to fall in her eyes. I made them worry so much. All because I did something selfish.
"I'm sorry! I'm so so sorry! I didn't mean t-to-to-" Her tears were falling now. They both went to hug her but Tenten engulfed her in a hug before Neji did.
"It's okay now, Hinata. Don't cry. We're just glad you are safe." Tenten stroked her hair then rubbed her back as she sobbed into her shoulder.
"Yeah, Tenten is right. I didn't mean to make you cry so please calm down. It's okay, what happened. Although, I just hope you won't do something like that again. I was left in charge of you Hinata and I would feel very responsible if anything happened to you. I'd blame myself if you got hurt or worse."
"I'm really sorry, Neji."
"It's okay. You're forgiven." Neji patted her head. Hinata stopped crying and was already wiping her tears. She nodded at them. Tenten handed her a handkerchief which she used to clean her face. Neji let out a deep breath. "Let's just keep this to ourselves. I know how you wouldn't want to get grounded before school even started and this is the only time this happened with you. We'll all keep it a secret but promise me you wouldn't go off on your own like that again, especially without informing anyone. Wait, scratch that. Don't do it ever. Agreed?" Neji closed his eyes before having the fingers of his right hand rub his temples.
"Yes, understood." Hinata nodded but couldn't help but add a few more words. "Are you really keeping this a secret for my sake or for yours?" Hinata narrowed her eyes at him though not looking stern at all because of her reddish nose and puffy eyes. Tenten also awaiting his answer, standing beside Hinata. "Yeah, for whose sake is it?"
He sighed and looked at both of them. "It is for both our sakes. I also don't really want your dad to be angry at me for leaving you alone like that when I promised I wouldn't leave until I saw you with Tenten. And like I said, getting grounded when school hasn't even started is not something you would want, would you?"
"Okay. Point taken." She hugged Neji and whispered. "Thank you." he just patted her back before letting go. Hinata looked between Tenten and Neji.
Tenten pointed at Neji with his thumb. "Your cousin could be such a worry wart, Hinata. When he was in class and I didn't know he was your cousin yet, he was all composed and such but then when we were on our way here and when we arrived looking for you, he was so-" Neji interjected.
"Fine. Fine. We have established that." Tenten stuck her tongue out at him. Tenten-1 Neji-1
Neji was irked but then he smirked. She could be so overbearing but two could pay at that game. "Well, need I remind you of your crying fit when we started to think the worst of things. You were even saying weird things about being a bad best friend." Tenten blushed. She was never one to let her emotions get the best of her and she definitely never cried in front of anyone, even Hinata. Damn. Neji-2 Tenten-1 He did not just say that.
"Hey! That was an in the moment thing. And you weren't really keeping your cool when you almost tried to beat the shit out of a guy who was making out with a girl who had the same hair as Hinata." Who is smirking now? Tenten-2 Neji-2Tenten cheered in her head for a victory won even though they were tied for now.
Hinata was observing the two bicker. She couldn't figure out if they can't tolerate each other or if they are merely teasing the other. But she could be sure that they are perfect for one another if given the chance. Someone needs to intervene since they don't seem to want to stop anytime soon.
"Ahem." Neji was about to retort when they heard Hinata. They both turned their head towards her simultaneously and said. "What?"
"Well, shouldn't we be getting home now? I still need to set up dinner. You could join us too, Ten. Dad won't be home until late. I could also ask him if you could sleepover."
"That's a great idea but I have to leave early to get ready for prep school."
"You don't need to worry about that. You could borrow some of my clothes and Neji could take you. I can't believe you'd meet as student and teacher though." That last thought made Hinata think of Sasuke. She looked around to see if he has returned but only saw something reflecting light from the sun. It was a bottle of apple flavored juice at the corner of the walkway just beside a small shed. She quickly ran towards it and looked around for him but there wasn't anyone hiding by the shed. She reached for the bottle and pinned underneath, she noticed a small slip of paper with a note that read:
Seems your friends have arrived. Didn't want to intrude so I left. I'll be looking forward to seeing you again. Please don't be mad at me.
-S.U.
Hinata was puzzled by the last sentence. Mad at him? Why would I be mad? Maybe because he left without saying goodbye but it was more my fault because I forgot about him. Well, he should know I'm not mad at him.
When Neji and Tenten have caught up to her, she has hidden the paper in her back pocket. "What is that?" Asked Tenten.
"It was just a bottle I found lying around." I'm getting good at bending the truth.
"You looked like you were looking for someone. Is it your new friend?" Neji inquired, looking around as well.
"Yeah but my new friend left some time ago. We should get home too. Hanabi is probably waiting with her friends."
"I'll get the car. You two wait by the gate." Neji jogged ahead of them.
Tenten nudged Hinata as they were walking with their arms hooked together towards the gate. "Care to tell me about your new friend? Do I know her?"
"Why did you think it was a her?" Hinata asked tilting her head a bit. Tenten's eyes widened and she stopped making Hinata stop along with her.
"Wait. So it's a guy? Was he cute? What year is he? What's his name?" Tenten bombarded her with one question after another.
"Slow down Ten. I can only answer one question at a time." Hinata admonished.
"Okay. Fine." Tenten breathed first before walking again and then asking her next question.
"So is it a he or a she?" Tenten narrowed her eyes at Hinata.
"He's a guy." Hinata admitted bashfully. Tenten's mouth dropped and she was looking at Hinata incredulously. Hinata was slightly unnerved as she looked ahead. "Don't look at me like that."
"You will tell me everything, right?"
"Not yet. I'll answer your question when school starts. I promise. You have your prep school and exams to worry about. I wouldn't want you to be distracted with my story yet."
"But you already started to tell me. Why not tell me all about it now? Come on, Hinata!"
"Because Neji is waiting and I don't want him to know about it." They both looked to the gates as they neared. The car was already parked by the curb outside.
"I see. Don't worry. I'll cover for you. I'll tell him that you met a female 4th year student who I haven't been acquainted with and she toured you around school. Sound good?"
"I'm a bad liar Ten and Neji knows it. And what name would I tell him? I didn't meet or talk to anyone other than him." Hinata paused in thought.
"What?" Tenten asked why she was suddenly quiet.
"Well, I did meet Guren when I asked about you while they were on break." Hinata admitted as she looked at Tenten.
"That's fine then. That's what we're gonna tell Neji - what I will be telling Neji." Tenten lit up as if all their problems were solved. Was it really gonna work?
***At the Hyuuga House***
They got home at 6:15pm.
Thankfully,their plan did work. Neji didn't seem suspicious about it and he believed Tenten's story. Tenten 'relayed' Hinata's story to Neji when they were on their way to the Hyuuga house. Tenten told Neji that Hinata told her what happened as they made their way to the gate where he was waiting. They found Hanabi with Moegi watching a movie in the living room. Her other friends have left the building after they finished cleaning up the house. Hanabi seems to be looking after herself well, which Neji and Hinata were thankful for. The older cousins were dismayed though when Hanabi admitted that she was doing it so she can get her grounded status lifted a week before school starts so that she and her friends could go shopping for a birthday party one of them has on the school's first week. How the older cousins wished that it because she learned to have more discipline with keeping things at home in order. Hinata has cooked the five of them some dinner. Hanabi took charge of cleaning the plates as another thing to add to her good deeds list. Moegi left when her mother called. Neji and Hanabi proceeded to their rooms while Hinata and tenten were in Hinata's room. They were just talking about random stuff and Tenten tried to coax the truth out of Hinata but she wouldn't budge so she'll just have to wait til school resumes. Hinata dreamed of a an onyx eyed and raven haired male who had a smirk on his face and a smoldering look to finish. She dreamt that they were on a date and they were trying their best not to get found out. A teacher and student relationship is unusual as it is. They would get in a lot of trouble if word got out of their relationship. In her dream, everything was perfect and he was everything a girl would have liked in a guy. When she woke up, she could only hope that it would be along the same in two weeks time.
***At the Village of the Leaves High School***
The days went by and the two weeks were over. School has started and Hinata is excited as ever. She is making her way through the corridors towards her room on the third floor. Some time today she will be meeting Sasuke again. Although it would be weird for her to be well acquainted with a teacher on the first day of school so she'll have to wait until the end of the day to find him and talk to him. But she knows that nothing will bring her down from her bright mood.
If only she knew what was to come, she won't be proclaiming that in her mind.
As she was making her way to the freshmen classroom, she came by two girls gossiping. She can't help but overhear what they were saying.
"It is really sad that Uchiha-sensei isn't going to be teaching here anymore." The taller of the two said.
"What? How come I didn't know that?" The smaller exclaimed in disappointment. Hinata halted in her steps. She already passed the two girls and she has abruptly stopped by the stairway. Her back was to them and they didn't seem to notice her. She clutched her bag and looked down as she tried to hear more of their conversation which wasn't hard since they didn't seem to be mindful of who may be listening.
"No one knew really. Except the administrators and teachers, I guess. Uchiha-sensei is very secretive of his private life. I didn't know either until earlier today when I was asking Hatake-sensei to give him my gift." She gestured to the wrapped bag in her hands.
"So where did they say he transferred?" The smaller one inquired, eagerly awaiting the other girl's reply, as did Hinata.
"He's not really going to be teaching for a while." The taller girl replied sullenly. "Apparently, he got married last week and will be in his honeymoon for the next month or two. He's moving to the US with his wife to start a family there. That's what Hatake-sensei said. He was at the wedding too. He even showed me a picture of Uchiha-sensei and his wife. She is beautiful, no doubt about that. They were childhood friends, Uchiha-sensei and his wife. I wish I pulled all my moves the last time I had a chance but he's already taken now." Her friend's mouth has dropped open at all the revelations. Sasuke married?Hinata unconsciously let go of her bag which suddenly dropped to the floor. It didn't make that much of a sound so not a lot of people noticed. What people noticed was the smaller of the two was ranting her frustrations out to her friend.
"No way! I can't believe it. That's worse than him transferring schools. I wish he just transferred and not have gotten married. And the States? That's a thousand miles away from here. I can't even just appreciate his looks from afar! That bitch troll has taken him away from us for good!"
"Calm down. I heard something else. It appears that he has a-"
Hinata has started to tune out after that. She picked up her bag and proceeded up the stairs to her classroom absently. She already knew where her room was. She should have stayed a little longer to hear more news but she was too downtrodden in her mind to listen to more. She would find out about it soon enough.
She entered the room from the door at the back of the room. She was not in the mood to greet anyone so she tried to inconspicuously make her way to the desk by the window on the last row. She placed her bag down and sat on her chair. Folding her arms on top of the desk, she rested her head. She tuned out her classmates who were talking excitedly and getting to know one another. She was so lost on the inside. The dreams she had the past few days were no longer possible. She was heartbroken and confused.
He lied to me. He was already getting married! He even kissed me. There's his words in the classroom, he even made me feel hopeful. No wonder he was holding himself back. And that note.
Please don't be mad at me.
Who wouldn't be mad if the guy they liked made you hope for something but then you find out he got married a week after you met? He's so- He's such an- Ugh! I won't cry over him. He doesn't deserve any tears from me. Sasuke Uchiha will never have that over me.
Hinata tried to calm herself down. She comforted herself with the thought that there is someone better for her. Someone who is actually her age and who isn't a lying and heartbreaking bastard.
-The End-
(AN: Just kidding! Sorry, I couldn't help myself. That would've been a crappy ending wouldn't it? Go on read the next part.)
The bell rang to signal the start of homeroom in a few minutes. The students settled down to their seats and chatted with their seatmates. Hinata still had her head down and the only available seat is beside her.
Someone entered the class and there were sudden gasps and shrieks from the female students. Then there were exclamations from different female students.
"Hi! My name's Ino. What's your name?" A girl with blonde hair said in a seductive voice.
"Please, don't mind the pig. I'm Sakura. Want to sit beside me?" A girl with pink hair voiced.
"He's so cute!" A girl at the front exclaimed.
"No! He's very handsome!" A girl with red hair and glasses shouted.
"I wonder if he has a girlfriend." Another girl pondered.
Amidst all the chaos in the room, Hinata just rolled her eyes still with her head down at the table.
"Alright! Settle down everyone! Take your seats! I will not tolerate shouting in my classroom." The students took their seats and quieted down at the female teacher's entrance. Hinata raised her head when the teacher has reached her desk to arrange her materials. She has her attention focused on the teacher so she didn't notice anything else. She heard a small gasp but she didn't think much of it.
"Okay. Good Morning! I am Yuuhi Kurenai. I will be your homeroom teacher for the whole school year so we all need to start being acquainted. After homeroom, we will be heading to the auditorium to have the opening exercises where the faculty and administrators will be introduced. I'll discuss the rules of this class after the opening exercises." She took out a green folder and opened it. She took the pile and started to hand out papers to the class.
"Now, we will be starting with an activity to get to know your classmates. And by this time next week we have to vote on your class representatives. This paper is something like an autograph book or slum book, whichever you prefer. You shall write your name on the line provided at the top and a classmate will be filling this up for you after ten minutes of conversing with them. And that classmate who would help you fill it up would be your seatmate. All odd numbered columns, please face your left and all even numbered columns, face your right. "
Hinata received her paper and read some of the questions. Most of them were trivial like 'favorite color' and others were slightly personal such as 'number of siblings'. She concentrated on Yuuhi-sensei's instructions again after reading through the questions.
"There are about 20 questions which each of you will be answering within one minute and 30 seconds. Each of you will have to answer as many as you could in the given time. The ones who could get all 20 questions answered or whatever is the most number will get the privilege to choose his or her seat and seatmates next quarter." Most of the girls cheered as well as some boys. "You may take this time to go through the questions and I will collect them again before we start so that there will be no cheating. No other papers or pens on the desk either during the conversation time." Kurenai was back at her desk and she looked at the time. She has a confused look on her face then looks in her bag.
"I'm sorry, class. I seem to have forgotten to take attendance. We'll do that first while you go through the questions then we will proceed to the class activity. I have approximated the time we would be consuming with this activity so I was puzzled when it is still 8:35 in the morning." She took out another folder with the color blue. She opened it and started calling out the student's names. One of which were familiar to Hinata. Aburame Shino was from her elementary school. they were good friends ever since they paired up for a science project. He was at the front row so she guessed he hasn't seen her yet. All of a sudden, she has this feeling of being watched but she just shook it off as nerves from meeting new people. She was reading through the questions again when her last name was called.
"Hyuuga?"
She looked up, raised her right hand and voiced out, "Here."
She waited for the attendance to finish so she looked out at the window for the moment. She had the view of seeing those who were on their way to the auditorium and the other places in the western part of the school. She noticed a slight reflection on the window and she saw that her seatmate was staring at her direction. The image was slightly distorted but there was something familiar about it. That was when a certain name was called, which Hinata knew all too well.
"Uchiha?" She snapped her head up towards Kurenai and waited for the reply.
"Uchiha?" Kurenai repeated. Hinata leaned forward a bit and scanned the heads of her classmates for a raven haired male. On her periphery, she saw her seatmate raising his hand and saying, "Here."
She slowly faced him and he was staring at her with a small smirk. She opened and closed her mouth. At a loss for words and slightly incoherent in her own mind. Wha- How? Who? Twin? Younger brother? "Uchiha-san, congratulations on your brother getting married. I wasn't able to attend because I had other plans that day. Do extend my best wishes for them." Sasuke broke eye contact to address Kurenai.
"Will do sensei."Hinata looked to the other side and tried to compose herself and to comprehend who is sitting beside her. It can't be him, can it? But he's a teacher, he said so himself. But now that I think about it, he never said he was a teacher deliberately. I assumed he was but he didn't comment much on it when I did.
***Flashback start***
"Just ignore him." Sasuke muttered to Hinata.
"Ah hai, Uchiha-sensei." She whispered and just followed as he said then Kakashi left, already feeling ignored.
"Why do you keep calling me that?" When he saw Kakashi head back up the stairs he asked her, not really knowing if he's angry or exasperated by the situation.
"Well, I was taught to always show respect. What else should I call you then?" The girl was confused by his question because she was taught to always follow orders from those older than her. She had her head looking down.
"What's your name?" He asked Hinata, facing her. She debated telling her name but it would seem suspicious to not give her teacher her name.
"It's Hyuuga Hinata." She said shyly looking up at him.
"Hinata, just call me Sasuke." He smiled slightly at Hinata, to seem friendly.
"But you're a sensei. It would seem disrespectful."
"You're not really a student yet."
At that she nodded. "I guess you're right, Sasuke-san." She blushed.
Finally relenting, she sighed in resignation which snapped Sasuke from his thoughts. "Okay. But you said so yourself, I'm technically not your student as of yet. So I won't get in trouble if I did something wrong before then, am I right?" She looked to him for confirmation.
He was puzzled as to where this could be leading to but what the heck. He nodded yes.
She twisted her fingers for a while and breathed deeply before telling him. "Okay. I'll trust you, not as my teacher but as a confidant." She closed her eyes then breathed in and out again before speaking. "I kind of...wrotesomethingonmydesk...when I took my exam" pausing for a while "and...I want to see it again." She opened her eyes then and looked to him.
"Hey! This one has writing on it." Sasuke was smirking.
"Really? Let me see." Hinata jogged over to the desk and peered at the writing.
The desk read: Kin loves Uchiha-sensei Forever! (AN: the 'loves' should have been a heart but it wouldn't show up.)
Hinata blushed and looked at Sasuke pointedly. "Surely, that's not mine because I'm not Kin and I just met you today. Plus...I'm not the type to write something like that." She walked back to her side to resume looking at the other desks as Sasuke checked the others. He was near the back and Hinata was at the middle row.
"I seem to be seeing a lot of those, only the name before the heart is different every time."
"Oh really? How come you didn't tell me? I didn't see any of those in the chairs I looked at until that one I showed you."
"Need I remind you that we were looking looking for something I wrote?"
"How many did you say that was? You know, the one with the hearts and my last name."
"If you must know, probably around...20 plus."
"That few?"
Hinata laughed at that. "Now that's what you call arrogance. Maybe you're already losing your touch." Sasuke was finished with his side so he sat at a desk in the last row as he replied.
"Not me, no. I can assure you of that." He smirked at his proclamation and Hinata looked at him confused.
"How are you so sure?" She asked before going back to work.
"I just know these things."
"Hm" Hinata just nodded to his weird reply. "Are you really sure it's okay helping me look for a vandalized desk which was my doing? You are a teacher here so I find it slightly disturbing that you're willing to help."
"We're all students for almost half of our life, not just at school."
***Flashback end***
That explains the vague and weird replies he's been giving me then.Hinata was still turned away from Sasuke as Kurenai finished taking attendance. Hinata decided that she was going to blatantly ignore him for the rest of the period, the rest of the day probably if she could.
"Alright. Please pass the papers once you've written your name and then I'll give the signal to start. No talking yet til I say the word 'now'." The students did as they are told. Only the scribbling of pen on paper and shuffling of paper could be heard. Kurenai gathered the papers and looked to her watch.
"And your ten minutes start...now!" The class filled with conversations but in Hinata and Sasuke's corner, silence reigned.
"Are you really not gonna talk to me?" He asked, leaning toward her more.
"We could both answer all the questions just fine. You should already know the answer to yours." she told him coldly.
"Yes, I could recite all the answers. Well, can't we just use this time to talk about what happened? Please." He tried to coax her into talking more. She just rolled her eyes at him, still with her back towards him.
"Do you really think I'd want to talk to a liar?"
"I didn't lie. You assumed that I'm something I'm not. I never said I was a teacher here. You thought that all on your own."
Hinata abruptly turned towards him. "Yet you didn't correct me. I've mentioned it a lot of times but you didn't say that you weren't one even once."
"Okay, so I was at fault at that. But why did you think that I was one anyways?" He admitted and added his question.
"Well, you weren't in uniform. And then there was another teacher who knew you." Hinata answered.
"You mean Kakashi? He's a family friend. A good friend of my brother's that as Yuuhi-sensei has mentioned is married. I visited my brother who was a teacher here that day I met you. He was finishing his resignation papers and instructing his replacement of the lesson plans set by the school. I was supposed to be on my way home when I saw you almost fell." He tried to make her understand.
"I still can't believe you pretended to be a teacher just to get a girl. And I'm the fool who believed it." Hinata scoffed.
"I didn't pretend. Aren't you supposed to be happy that I'm a student like you so there's no drama of a student-teacher relationship? Don't tell me you're one of those girls who likes older guys or maybe you want to get with a teacher to help you get good grades." Sasuke accused her.
"I can't believe you'd accuse me of that! I was not the one who deceived you here."
"I'm sorry. That was uncalled for, sorry. I knew from spending the day with you that you were not like that. I just..." He sighed and ruffled his hair. "It was supposed to be just passing the time by spending the day with you but I really enjoyed that day. I was going to clear things up about that but your friends arrived so I thought to surprise you when we meet again. I did say there were still some things we need to know about each other. But I was really glad we're in the same class."
"So I was supposedly just something to pass the time." She narrowed her eyes at him.
"But you were more than that. Please understand, Hinata." He said earnestly, he was clutching her chair with his left hand and the desk in the other. Hinata was still not convinced and she didn't want to forgive him so easily.
"Let's say I believe you but tell me what else about you have you deceived me in."
"Only that you misunderstood me as a teacher. Nothing else. I promise. I was truthful with everything else." He looked straight into Hinata's eyes, willing her to believe him. There was still a question nagging at her mind.
"Why did it seem like you were so reluctant about everything then? I thought it was due to your profession but that's clearly not it." She asked.
"I'm not someone who puts myself out there, Hinata. I like to keep my emotions in check and this was something different. I don't know what to expect." He closed his eyes and paused to breathe for a moment then opened them. "I decided, I want you and I don't want to lose you but there is no assurance that you won't leave. I don't know how to go about this. I know people fall in love and stuff. I saw it with Itachi and Konan. If this is that then I really would hope it would be forever with you. That's what has been running through my head ever since I witnessed my brother get married. I know it's too soon to tell but let's at least try. My brother said I had to take a chance so I will. Will you take it with me?" Sasuke was so earnest and hopeful. Hinata was speechless and her eyes were tearing. His words were unexpected and a lot to take in. She did want this but a part of her doesn't want to forgive him yet. He so easily deceived her. What makes her think that he couldn't be doing it now?
She opened her mouth and was about to voice this but then Kurenai interrupted before she could. "Time's up! Quiet now. I'll hand back the papers but you will now get the paper with your seatmate's name. Pens up until I say 'start'." Hinata and Sasuke stared at one another before Sasuke mouthed the word 'later' then they both faced front. Everyone took their designated paper and raised their pens. There were a few delinquent students who were still talking but Kurenai called their attention.
"Ready? And...start!" Looking to her watch, she gestured for them to begin. They scribbled away, most of the girls in class eager to get all the answers to win. And soon enough Kurenai told them to stop. She made them pass their papers but Sakura became disqualified since she was caught still writing when they were already passing their papers. When time came to announce the winner, the top 5 were selected by Kurenai. Three girls were able to answer all 20 questions but were disqualified since they wrote the wrong answers when Kurenai checked with their partners. They were Ino, Karin and Sasame. They cried when they couldn't get away with winning. The last two were Sasuke and Hinata who tied with 26 points and had all correct answers, to the envy of most girls. The two of them were surprised as well. The bell already rang for them to proceed to the auditorium. Kurenai instructed them to file along the hall. Since Sasuke and Hinata were at the last row the two of them were last in line. After a while, their classmates started to move along the line but Sasuke had other ideas. When the two of them were to follow next, he pulled Hinata in a different direction before she could follow the line.
"Wait! Where are we going? What about the opening exercises?" Sasuke ignored her question and kept pulling her along with him as they ran towards the greenhouse. When they got there, both of them were panting from running because they almost got caught.
"Why are we...here?" Hinata asked still catching her breath, with her hands on her knees and she was crouched a little. Sasuke was grinning in the same position as Hinata before he let out a large breath and stood up with his hands by his hips.
"We needed to talk and you still haven't answered me awhile ago." Hinata finally caught her breath and peered at Sasuke before standing straight.
"Can we sit down?" Sasuke took her hand and led her to the central part of the greenhouse where the flowering plants bloomed. There were an assortment from roses to daffodils and also tulips and sunflowers to name a few. There were some colorful butterflies fluttering around.
"Very romantic huh?" He smiled and Hinata rolled her eyes but deep inside she admittedly thought it was sweet of him to bring her here. But then a thought came to her and she can't help to comment unconsciously like word vomit.
"Did you bring me here so that you could have your way with me without anyone interrupting?" Hinata blushed soon afterwards in embarrassment while Sasuke looked at her incredulously before laughing out loud.
"I really didn't expect that coming from you but I wouldn't mind if you were willing." Hinata's eyes widened at that and Sasuke laughed again. "I was kidding. It probably wouldn't be comfortable doing it on the ground or this makeshift bench. But no, seriously now. I'm dying to know what you think." Sasuke's eyes were serious. Hinata gazed into his eyes. She could see that there was warring emotions in him. There was hope, eagerness, fear and some unnamed emotion she wasn't sure. She started to blush self-consciously and just now noticed that he has taken her hands in his, grasping them gently and rubbing her knuckles from time to time.
"I.." She looked away for a bit since looking into his eyes didn't really help make her think straight. Looking at their joined hands instead, she squeezed them as if trying to get a grip of what's happening and finding the courage to voice her previous thought. She closed her eyes and took a breath as he squeezed back, helping her make a resolve. Okay. Opening her eyes, she looked straight into his."I'd like to try...with you." Sasuke smiled as did she, starting to get teary-eyed. "You have to promise not to break my trust because this is your second chance and I believe in second chances but I'm telling you that there may be no third."
"Yes. I know. I understand. You won't regret this. I promise. Thank you. Can I hug you?" His eyes were shining with the unnamed emotion, which she could now tell was love all along. She smiled coyly at him before replying.
"I'd rather you give me my second kiss first. It's long overdue." Her blush ever present as he tilted his head and leaned close to press his lips to hers while reaching up to tuck her hair behind her ear then holding her close by the nape of her neck and folding her in his other arm. Who was he to deny her something he wants as well?
Now, they can start anew.
AN: Not sure if I kinda killed the mood with that lame ending. Any suggestions for a better one? Also, don't cut classes like they did! It's bad for you and your brain. Well, not really but it's still not right. Had to edit this one a lot. I posted this at one in the morning where I'm at. And woah! 21 pages! Not bad, If I could say so myself.
Anyways, remember I said last chapter there was one more thing that was from the oneshot manga I read, which was the main reason for this story, and that is the fact that the teacher in question is to be married as well as Sasuke not really being a teacher, it's his older brother who is one. Pretty shocking, isn't it?
I guess I forgot to select the option 'complete' when I posted this one so the first few people who read it probably thought it wasn't finished. This is supposedly the last chapter but I can make another one for y'all! Something like an epilogue entitled 'Sasuke and Hinata meets the family'. What you think?
