Breaking the Rules

Chapter 4:

Hinata opened the door without much though. Her eyes widened as she saw kids everywhere.

'Some guests? It's the whole family!'

She tried to move on without being noticed, but easier said than done! She had to jump over limp, snoring bodies wrapped in sleeping bags on the ground, go through tight spots, and breathe silently…when she finally made it to the staircase, sweat was dripping off her face. Then she heard a click behind her. She froze. Hinata turned around uncertainly and saw her mother emerge from the kitchen. She looked calm but her eyes were bloody red from fatigue.

"Where were you?" she asked.

"At a…friend's house," Hinata said.

"Really? I called Ino, Sakura and Tenten and you weren't at any of their houses," he mother explained, her voice getting louder with each word she said.

"I have other friends," Hinata said in a barely audible voice.

'Do I…?'

She turned her back to her mother so her face wouldn't show. She then went up without another word. The "friends" topic wasn't one she wanted to discuss right now. She later felt guilty about her impolite attitude, but she argued with herself that the circumstances hadn't left her much choice.

After all the useless efforts she put into creeping in to her room, she felt quite hot. She automatically tried to take off her extra shirt then she realized: she didn't put it back on. It was still at Gaara's!

'I'll call,' she thought hurriedly. It was important.

Something expensive was in the pocket.

She finally arrived to her room, quickly but silently turned the door knob and disappeared from her mother's view. Hinata let out a surprised cry. In the dim light, she could make out a silhouette comfortably seated on her bed with something in its hands. Hinata didn't move as she asked, "You freaked me out…what are you doing here?"

She spoke to her cousin with more impoliteness than she had intended. He let go of the magazine and said, "Everywhere else is taken, as you probably saw. So I'm sleeping here."

"In my room? Isn't that a little…"

Neji matched her piercing glare.

"Do you think I wanted to spend the night here? Do you think I had a choice in this? Sleeping on a couch when I could be in my own, better room-" before he would get carried away, Hinata just answered, "Oh, I thought you would use the bed. It's…settled then. What are you looking at?"

He was staring at her in a rather creepy way. In a distant voice he said, "Nothing…it's just the first time I see you in a t-shirt. Usually you have something else on…"

The surprise in his voice was really exaggerated. She felt naked.

"It's…yea." Hinata didn't know what to say, and she remembered she had to make that phone call a-sap.

Neji looked at his watch and asked as he scanned her from top to bottom, "It's late, where were you?"

'I can't exactly tell him, can I? After the fight he had with Gaara the other day,'

"At a friend's place. By the way, happy birthday. It's tomorrow, right?" She silently hoped that her attempt at changing the subject was smooth.

"Yes," he said with skepticism dripping off each letter, "And what's her name?"

'That's all I needed. An over protective cousin…'

"Yea, anyway," Hinata said vaguely before getting out her cell phone and hurriedly dialing the number she already knew by heart. One ring, two, three, four…finally, someone answered, "Hello." She recognized Gaara's low voice.

"Yea, right, hi, how is it going?"

"Hinata? What do you want?" he asked with a deadly monotonous voice.

'That attitude has to go, damn it…'

"I'm also good," she said, aware of her cousin's scrutinizing, "I think I forgot my shirt in your room," she said awkwardly. That sounded kind of awkward actually.

From his side, Gaara quickly glanced at his sister, who was silently begging him not to say anything. Without a second thought, he said, "Yes, Temari spilled something on it so she's washing it."

Hinata's mouth hung open for a few seconds. Why, you ask? Well, it so happened that Neji's birthday present was in the pocket.

"Did she check the pockets before?"

"Probably not. Anything else?" he asked, for some reason satisfied.

"Yes, why don't you thank her for me," she said sarcastically.

'And he's so cool about it too…Wouldn't someone strangle him?'

"No problem."

The two hung up simultaneously. On his was to his room, Gaara met his sister. She asked him before he went up the stairs, "Was that Hinata?"

"I can't recall."

She waited for an intelligent answer. Gaara sighed loudly.

"If you know, why do you ask?"

"You didn't tell her about her shirt, did you?"

"I did. She says thanks," he said, smiling sadistically. She opened her mouth to fire at him a sarcastic comment, but kept it in when she heard his door slammed without mercy.

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

Tatam…tatam…TATAM…TATAMTATAMTATAMTATAM!

« SHUT UP! » Hinata half-screamed half mumbled, getting up abruptly and almost falling off her bed. The annoying sound stopped and she felt the shadow of someone near her. Neji, who also just woke up, let out a tired laugh.

"You fight with your alarm clock?"

Hinata arranged the sheets around her and scrambled to get into what she hoped was a respectable position. She looked around her as her eyes adjusted to the light. She paused her movements when she could see the alarm clock. It read: 9hrs 35.

"Why's Hanabi's alarm here?" she asked as she carelessly threw it out the window. A distant crash was heard as Neji shrugged.

Neji picked up his shirt from the floor and said as he swiftly put it on, "Can you get out a sec?"

"Why?" Hinata asked, not quite following.

"You can stay if you want, I don't mind," he answered with a playful wink and took out a pair of pants from his backpack. Hinata surprised herself actually thinking about it.

'What the hell is wrong with me? It's my cousin for God's sake…'

She mumbled a "no", her face illuminated by a red glow. Before closing the door behind her, she asked, "who's idea was it? The sleepover?"

"Hinabi,"

"I knew it."

Hinata sat down, her back to the hallway wall. She thought. The whole "Sakura & Friends" dilemma. She needed proof. She couldn't just simply say that she saw Sakura spying on her when she was at the principal's office.

It was SAKURA after all. One of the most popular girls at school, the volley-ball team captain, the best illusionist, the uber-smart-super genius…

Hinata massaged her temples, trying to concentrate.

"I said I'm done."

Hinata snapped out of it and nodded. She went in and absent-mindedly picked out an outfit from her dresser. A black shirt her mom hated and some sporty shorts. Her stomach dangerously rumbled as he tied her running shoes.

She quickly went down the stairs and as she had guessed, her sister had formed a little group and all the kids were eating and watching TV. Some retarded program with somewhat scary old men with makeup and big smiles was on. She shook out the disturbing image from her head and headed to the kitchen.

'As I thought, anything suitable for breakfast has already been taken. This leaves one choice…'

She rolled up her sleeves and took out with an involuntary wince the leftovers of the day before: Rice, beans and chicken. She put everything in the microwave and as she waited three minutes, she washed a plate and a spoon. All the washing was still to be done; her mother was probably leaving it all for her as a punishment. Around 10:15, she went up again, taking care of other minor business; brush her hair, check her e-mail…

But someone was waiting for her in front of her door.

"When did you get back yesterday?" her sister asked, arms crossed and an eyebrow arched like a…bridge. Followers were behind her.

"Ok, go play now…" Hinata simply shooed her away, used to this kind of intrusion in her private life.

"You think this is a game?" Hanabi stated stupidly. Everyone started to laugh.

"YEA!" a little blonde girl exclaimed.

'Oh Lord…I pray for maturity to hit them soon.' Hinata thought with a pitied look.

"If you don't move away sometime in the next five seconds, I will throw you all out of that big window over there." She took a menacing step forward. The kids, most of them unaware of Hinata's Golden heard (Well…) somehow believed her and started running around, screaming their heads off. Only Hinata and Hinata were left face to face; Sister VS Sister.

"Well?" Hinata asked impatiently.

"I'll get you next time! You might have won the battle, but you haven't won the war!" She said, her eyes shining like a full moon on a cloudless, pitch black night.

"What war…? Since she saw that movie, she doesn't stop saying that…" Hinata said to herself.

The older of the two Hyuugas opened her computer. She was organized- no doubt about that- and all her school work for the month was completed! Everything, except the anthology. Hinata sighed and started looking for information about many forgotten artists.

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

"Sakura! Tenten's on the line!"

"Ok I got it! Hello?" Sakura typed out eight "BRB"s on her open facebook and MSN pages to be able to speak comfortably with her friend.

"Uh-huh…yea, I'll keep that in mind. Tenten, just trust me, aight? Ok ok, I'll stop talking gangsta….Yea…ok, calm down, I'm on my way. See you there."

The pink-haired girl clenched her fists until they became white.

'Indeed this will become a problem…'

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

Hinata saved her finding on a USB and put on a navy blazer. It looked awkward with her shirts but Hinata wasn't paying attention. She put the USB in her pocket and left by the back door without telling anyone.

When she arrived, she didn't have to ring the bell; the door was open. A young man in a wheeling chair and – were those purple bruises on his face, or paint? – going in.

"Welcome home, Kankuro!" Hinata heard someone say meekly. Probably Temari.

'Maybe this is a wrong time…I'll let them enjoy this family moment…'

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard someone say, from a higher place, "You're late."

It was Gaara.

"I can come back later," she offered.

"Why?" he asked in a low tone.

"Well, your brother just,"

"Come up," he ordered.

'Wow, someone has to chill out here…'

She went up the same way she had took the last time while ignoring the surprised look Kankuro gave her.

Hinata knocked on the slightly open door and entered the room. Gaara gave her a sideways glance when she stood behind him. He was in front of his computer, and she was reading what was on the screen over his shoulder.

"So…you found anything?" she asked.

"I did comments and found two websites for the bibliography," he said without much enthousiasme. Hinata couldn't stop a small smile.

'He probably wants this to be over so we don't have to get together anymore...but technically that's what I want too.'

She put in the USB and asked to see the comments. Her question wasn't necessary since they were right in front of her anyways. The layout of the pages was like a book. The picture and biography was on one side and the poem on the other. Hinata read:

"First poem. Title: The Death of a Child. Comment: A long interesting poem on the death of a child."

"Second poem. Title: At your Funeral. Comment: A long interesting poem on a person that attends a funeral."

"Third poem. Title: The Death of the Poor. Comment: Refer to title."

Etc.

Etc.

Hinata looked at Gaara with a bored expression.

"How long did this take you?"

'The time you took to come up the stairs…'

"All morning," he said as he moved his chair forward, showing her that she was too close. She frowned a little.

"The comment is supposed to make people want to read the poem."

Before he could answer, Temari appeared at the door, one hand behind her back.

"Hinata," she started with a worried voice, "It's not my fault, ok? I did all I possibly can to save it, you know?"

"What are you…talking about?"

Temari took out something grayish from behind her back.

"Is it…?" Hinata couldn't say any more. She went up to the blonde girl and checked the pocket.

"Tell me you checked the pockets…"

"Um…no?" she said as Hinata took out a white paste. The colorless-eyed girl's mouth hung open.

"It's Gaara's fault, you know. He's the one who put bleach instead of fabric softener," she accused.

"Don't put me in the problem. You're the one who spilt pepsi on it."

"But who can't tell the difference between bleach and fabric softener? You never did any washing before?" Temari asked, her voice getting louder and louder.

"No," he simply answered.

Hinata stared at the floor, not wanting to interrupt the sibling's dispute. She was already mad enough; the 100$ gift certificate from 'Sports Experts' was pulverized.

"Hinata, just ask for anything in exchange. He'll do it," Temari said.

"He?" Gaara interrupted.

"Yes, YOU," Temari said before an extended awkward silence. Gaara mentally rolled his eyes.

'Buy me another one, you bastard!' he imagined the Hyuuga saying. It was rather humorous.

'This is what happens when you leave your things for half an hour at someone's house. It's crazy…'

Hinata wanted to leave, to go back to the security and comfort of her room, her house…but the guests were still there.

"I'll leave you then," Temari quickly said, leaving the two of them alone once more. Hinata was frustrated. She didn't want to appear like someone who cried at the loss of a meaningless personal object. No. She was going to get through this and what is better than suffocating sadness with anger?

'Could I use this opportunity for…yes, I must be out of my mind!'

"One thing. I'm going to ask you to do one thing," she started with a stable voice. Gaara looked at her with faint curiosity on his features.

"How can I say this…" she said, nervously brushing back her hair with a hand. "I know it's a crime but…" her voice faded.

"Vandalism?" Gaara asked. She shook her head no.

"Murder?"

'Is it just me or did he sound hopeful?'

"Stealing?" he asked again in a monotonous voice. At that, Hinata looked up.

"Kind of. More like, you know, breaking in a place and …and looking for something…" she said, feeling a wave of embarrassment drench her.

Gaara wanted to laugh. Hinata? That girl wanted to break into someone's house? Incredible.

'Who would have thought?'

"And what if you get caught?" Gaara asked, leaning back.

"Who would doubt me? And you don't seem like you'd denounce me, right? And you owe me 100$."

"What?" Gaara asked, confused. Hinata showed him the paste she had taken out earlier. An awkward, silent moment went by. Finally Gaara said, "How do you plan on entering?"

"The window?"

Involuntarily, Gaara's mouth curved into a smirk.

"I could probably. But you? You'd never make it," he said in a "too bad" tone.

'Am I actually having a conversation with Gaara right now? This feels odd…' she suddenly thought out of nowhere.

"Why not? You think I'm weak? Want to see my abs?" she asked jokingly.

'Oops, maybe that wasn't the best joke…'

"Show me."

"Excuse me?"

"Get out and come up my window without making a sound." He challenged.

"Very well," she answered with confidence. She got up and followed his orders. When she was under his window, she looked up.

'Oh…it's really high…'

She rubbed her hands, her eyes shooting out determination. She looked for a path she could follow on the stones. They were similar to the stones that wrapped Sakura's house. They were unequal and stood out, creating a harmonious look and stepping stones for Hinata.

'If I can do it here, then I can probably do it there!'

She went back a few steps and jumped. One of her hands settled correctly while the other got lightly scratched. She quickly held on. Arms crossed, Gaara watched her with interest from the window frame. It was going alright till then. She swallowed and went up a few inches. Her leg slipped and let out a shrill sound.

'Damn…'

She went at it once more, going up again. A satisfying smile crawled onto her lips.

'About half way through,' she thought to herself.

She came closer to the wall so that she can avoid making so much sound. Unfortunately, her leg was too close to the wall and a sharp edge cut her. She then lost her balance and fell.

To be continued…

(review? Hehe)