Breaking the Rules

Author's note: I'm feeling nostalgic already =)

Thanks for the reviews!

I had a lot of fun writing this story. Enjoy!

Chapter 2:

The evening was going to be busy for Hinata. She tiptoed silently to her room, hoping that no one – if anyone was there- would see her. Her house was a little too big for the four people that lived in it, but her father had insisted on buying it since they could afford it. When she arrived in her room, she gently closed the door and caught her breath as she sat down behind it. Her eyes slowly swept the room. The first thing she noticed was the phone. She got up quickly and dialed the school's number.

'There's no way I'm getting detention for skipping…' she thought as bad memories in black and white played in her head.

"This is Konoha State high school, hello."

Hinata noisily cleared her throat and said in a deeper voice than her own, "Y-yes, I'm calling for-"

"To reach the secretary of grade 7¹, press four. To reach the secretary of grade 8, press five…"

Hinata was startled both by the terribly monotonous voice as well as her own stupidity. She put her hand on her forehead and sighed. After the options had all been given, she pressed six and waited.

"Yes, hello, how may I help you?" Hinata recognized Shizune's voice. She was the secretary of her grade. Somehow, talking to someone familiar eased her nerves on fire.

"Hi. I'm calling for my daughter. She will be absent this afternoon."

"What's the reason and what's her name?" she automatically asked.

'Shoot I didn't think of that! What's the most logical thing?'

"She's…sick. Hinata Hyuuga is feeling really terrible right now." She said in what she thought sounded like her mother's voice.

"Thank you. I'll be sure to write that down. Have a nice day and take care." She concluded.

Hinata did a double-take. Who exactly was she asking to take care?

'I've underestimated her. Well, as long as I won't get in trouble…'

She put down the receiver and suddenly frowned.

'What could Sakura have done to prove that I cheated?' she wondered as she sat down.

O+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+O

As he entered his room, the redhead slammed the door. He looked at it with mock surprise and murmured in a threatening tone, "When are you going to finally break?"

He allowed a sigh to escape. The doors in his house were way too resistant. He threw his bag with nonchalance and sat on the floor. Everything else had something on it. Gaara crossed his legs and allowed his gaze to wander towards the white sealing.

'What should I do today? I beat up that kid earlier, his friends, and all those who had come to watch. I already messed with Kankuro; he's out of service. I also got rid of his cat since it wasn't responding to torture as well and there's nothing else that I can get away with killing in this house. I should buy…chickens.' He though with a grin while letting out rather…worrisome laughs.

O+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+O

Hinata watched some episodes that she had illegally downloaded. She gave up on finding the treasure, or in other words, finding out how Sakura managed to frame her. After about twenty videos that made the whole afternoon pass in the blink of an eye, she stretched and went down to get something to eat. Ever since her mother started working, decent diner was never prepared so she just made herself a pizza with pita bread. She was desperate.

Around seven, she logged in on her MSN. A window popped up saying that Deathalltheway (at) hotmail (dot) com had added her.

"That must be Gaara…" she thought out loud with some degree of uncertainty. Gaara was online and even started the conversation:

Dying is just like sleeping- in a mixer says: Hyneta rite?

She mentally fell off her chair.

While falling off a building, the optimistic person says, "I'm not hurt yet!" says: Yes.

'As long as you don't get pissed off.'

Dying is just like sleeping- in a mixer says: 1. chanje yr username; i dunt like it, 2. whats the theeme of our antology?

Hinata quickly changed her username (while noticing grudgingly how distasteful his was) and noticed how bad he was at writing.

Dying is just like sleeping- in a mixer says: we certinly wont do it on freindchip or love we'll do it on war.

'Whats the point of asking if you already decided? What an annoying guy…'

hInAta says: No. I don't like that subject.

Dying is just like sleeping- in a mixer says: Wat than?

hInAta says: On death. Is that ok with you? Bereavement.

Mixer says: Lets do it 2 days b4 the deadline.

hInAta says: What about this weekend? We have a lot of other projects to do at that time so we'll be busy.

Mixer says: I dunt do them.

hInAta says: I don't care.

'Hehe, behind the screen, it's easier to confront him…thank you internet!'

'She's getting annoying…'

Mixer says: …

hInAta says: Let's devise the work then.

Mixer says: Sure, DEVIDE it as you like.

'Is he mocking me? It's just a small typo..!'

hInAta says: Ok. So we have to have at least 8 different books and two websites.

Mixer says: Sinse wen?

hInAta says: 5 different languages and 5 different eras.

Mixer says: …reelly…

hInAta says: I'll bring books, choose the poems and you can type them, ok? Since you type faster than me…

'She's completely ignoring me…'

Mixer says: ok…

She asked after several minutes of hesitation:

hInAta says: Then, can you come to my place on Saturday?

Mixer says: why?

Mixer says: Im not going anywere. and i dont want u to come 2 my plase.

'He's way too direct. As if I really wanted HIM to come over…'

hInAta says: Why?

Mixer says : gotta go. bring some books tmrrow an note inside witch ones i need to type.

hInAta says: Ok.

'The public library is closed by now but I should be able to find some material in ours.'

hInAta says: So am I going to your house?

He was gone. Hinata reread the conversation and didn't miss a single chance to make fun of his mistakes. Was he doing it on purpose? Because thanks to him, she was in a better mood.

O+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+O

Hinata walked slowly in the hallways, looking for something to do.

"It would be easier to find you if you carried around a sign saying "Locker cleaner"!"

Hinata turned her head to the source of the somewhat mocking voice and noticed a blonde girl. No, it wasn't Ino; this person was a lot prettier even with her weirdly tied up hair.

"You're talking to me?" asked Hinata just in case.

"Yea. Listen. Could you clean my locker…for free?" the girl asked as she looked left and right.

"I don't charge money," answered Hinata.

"Ok. Here's the key. It's locker #1876. Finish before the first class starts," she ordered as she would order a servant.

"How come…" Hinata started, surprised at the total confidence this stranger had in her.

"I skipped class when we were supposed to be cleaning. My prof didn't believe me when I said I did it so he's checking during first period. I really don't have time now; I've got to copy an important homework," she sheepishly explained.

"Ok…" replied Hinata to the girl who was already leaving. The latter stopped and looked at Hinata one last time and said, "My name is Temari and if I notice anything missing from my locker, you're dead meat. Got it Huneta? That's your name, right?"

'What's wrong with everyone??'

"I'm not a thief. You can trust me," she simply said.

A few minutes later, Hinata really considered apologizing to Kiba. At least he didn't have sets of clothes, makeup and an iron in his locker! Moreover, Temari was probably in grade 11, judging from the number of books.

When the bell rang, Hinata was doing the final touches. As she stuck the schedule on the door with a bright yellow magnet, she heard someone beside her. She stole a glance at the student who was opening his locker.

Gaara was a little surprised that his sister left her locker to Hinata but he didn't give it much thought. He knew that she was light-headed and stupid- compared to him of course. The two closed the lockers simultaneously -bam bam!- making her heart beat twice as faster. Hinata patiently waited for Temari to return; Gaara's presence was not very…reassuring. Before leaving, he gave her a little ripped piece of paper. Hinata hesitantly took it as he murmured, "Saturday night is fine. Six o'clock. Don't forget the books."

She slowly nodded, even though she wasn't exactly rejoiced at the idea of crashing at his place. He opened his mouth to add something but the arrival of his sister made him as silent as a stone again.

'In two days…' Hinata thought with a shiver.

O+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+O

Because of Temari, Hinata didn't have the time to get her stuff for class. She just had her agenda and ran to the classroom. Everyone else was seated (except Sakura, but that wasn't important) including the teacher Kakashi. (Thanks Temari!)

"Ok everyone, calm down. Today, during this fascinating lesson on geography, we're going to have a lot of fun. Since I like geography, I also like hockey. Did you see the last game on channel 14? Anyway, it was really something!"

"What's his point?" Hinata asked Kiba, who was sitting behind her, in a low voice.

"We caught him reading his dirty books again- something like "Make out"- So he's trying to make us forget I guess. What an idiot." He answered.

"…and then, score! Anyways, open you books and complete pages 156 through 162," he concluded with a severe tone.

'Only when I don't have it, huh?'

Hinata carried her agenda to the teacher's desk and put on the most sincere smile she could. Then she said, "I forgot my book. Can I go get it?"

O+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+O

As she turned a corner, she heard Naruto. She took a deep breath and moved on. He was a nice kid, her first crush. His determination still impressed her but…things changed a little.

She had already realized that he wasn't alone. A puff of pink hair had attracted her attention. That shock of hair that looked so much like a used broom could only belong to one person: Sakura. Let's not talk about her forehead that was as large as a window! Or her eyes that reminded you of kiwis cut in half! Brr…kiwis…anyway, it was Hinata's perspective. Others would have said that they looked like ripe green apples.

'I'm really hungry and…since when is she interested in Naruto? What's she planning?' Hinata wondered.

As she heard snippets from their conversation, she understood that they were skipping class together.

'Weird…really weird…'

O+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+O

As she entered the class, Kakashi told her that the principle had asked for her over the intercom. Without further ado, she was on her way. She quickly said hi to Shizune who in turn asked her if she was feeling better. Hinata meekly nodded. The principle opened the door with a suspicious bottle in her hand and invited Hinata to enter her office.

The principal's office was one of the rare rooms that had air-conditioning. Anyway, Tsunade nicely told her to take a seat before starting to talk, "Hinata, I called you in today to discuss a very grave subject."

Something in the women's tone gave Hinata shivers. She swallowed her saliva with difficulty and waited for the rest.

"I heard that you often tidy up lockers, is that information correct?" she asked.

"Yes," Hinata simply responded.

"Are you aware that any business in this school is forbidden?"

"Yes,"

"Ok…I think we're having a communication deficiency here. Cleaning lockers in exchange of money is doing business."

'What is she talking about…?'

"I don't ask for money. It's just something I do for friends," Hinata said.

"And why would you do such a thing? Listen Hinata. I want to believe you, but this just doesn't make sense. Also, the person who informed me about your unacceptable behavior brought several people who denounced you."

Before getting a chance to defend herself, the principal concluded as she got up and showed Hinata the door, "I'm giving you two two-hour detentions and consider yourself lucky. If you do something like this again, you will be suspended."

What was happening? How could the trust she built between the school personnel be so easily shattered?

Lost in her thoughts, Hinata still noticed the janitor's door quietly closing. You don't have to be a genius to guess who the queen of indiscretion was. In any case, to notice her amongst all the brooms…what a challenge that would be!

To be continued…

grade 7¹: Where I live, high school is grade 7 through grade 11. I'm using that system in this fic.