Mshinata: A lot of people have been asking me about the 2nd chapter. All questions will be answered in this chapter…hopefully. –Nervous smile-
Sasuke: Yeah, 'cause she easily lets people down.
Mshinata: That is NOT true!
Sasuke: I see.
Mshinata: What do you mean "I see?"
Sasuke: Exactly.
Mshinata: Fighting with you is getting really old…
Sasuke: Let's call it a truce then. –Takes hand out-
Mshinata: -laughs hysterically- Doesn't mean I'm going to stop. –Smiles- I love Sai in this fan fic. He's my kind of guy. Haha.
Sai: Mshinata-chan always prefers me over Sasuke-kun. –Smiles-
Sasuke: Pshh, she has bad taste in men. –Rolls eyes-
Mshinata: -sniff- I'm going to hit you again for Gaara'slittlegirl. –Hits Sasuke- Oh…and for HopeoftheForgotten. –Tapes Sasuke's mouth shut-
Neji: Déjà vu…
Mshinata: Aha! So you DO remember. –Smiles-
Neji: -shivers-
Sai: Mshinata-chan does not own Naruto. If she did, she would make the Manga chapters upload faster.
Sasuke and Neji were having a death glare competition. Sasuke was sitting on one side of the room on a couch while Neji was sitting on the other side. Hinata observed the two and sweat dropped.
Neji was sitting with his arms and legs crossed while Sasuke slouched over with his hands stuffed in his pockets…shows how similar they are.
"N-ne…Sasuke-kun…w-where's your brother?" Hinata bravely broke the thick tension between the two guys.
"He's…coming." Sasuke simply said and kept glaring at Neji. Hinata sweat dropped.
"He better hurry up." Neji closed his eyes, implying that he was tired of glaring at Sasuke. Sasuke smirked. "We don't have all day to spend time with…these people." Neji said with a graceful smirk planted across his face. Sasuke had an angry mark on his forehead.
"Hold your horses, Hyuuga-kun." A deep masculine voice replied as steps were being heard, going down the stairs. "You called, Sasuke-teme?"
"Itachi…this is…Hinata Hyuuga. Your tutor." Sasuke said, pointing to Hinata. She stood up and bowed and Neji stood up.
"It's very nice to meet you…um…Itachi-kun." Hinata stood up straight and found herself in front of Sasuke's brother.
He's…older than Sasuke?! What the fuck?! Is he some sort of drop out?! Neji thought angrily.
"Gomen that you have to tutor…him," Sasuke glared at Itachi for a moment. "But he seemed up for it. He's in college…but he's behind. Since you're always on top of your game, Hinata, I assumed that you learned even some things more advanced than high school…?" Sasuke raised a brow. Hinata slowly nodded.
"Maybe a thing or two…" Hinata said.
"Sasuke, you sound like you're our mother." Itachi said. Sasuke sighed out of frustration.
"I'll have to sound like her for you to actually listen, dumb ass." Sasuke said.
"That's no way to treat your older brother." Itachi retorted.
"I'd rather treat a younger brother with respect." Sasuke rolled his eyes. Hinata and Neji sweat dropped.
Such rude brothers…Neji thought to himself.
"Anyways Hinata," Sasuke turned back to Hinata. "Just teach him whatever his weak point is in…of course…I don't think Father wants any distractions…" Sasuke said, implying Neji.
"It's my duty to follow Hinata-sama everywhere." Neji said firmly.
"What a bore…you live with her. You can have her all to yourself later." Itachi smirked. Neji blushed a dark shade of red.
"T-that's sick!" Neji shouted. Hinata blinked.
"Nii-san…what does he mean?" She kept blinking. Itachi smirked with pleasure while Sasuke sweat dropped.
She's so freakin' dense…Sasuke thought to himself. "I'm going…you guys have fun." He made a curt wave and dragged Neji by his collar along with him upstairs.
"L-let go of me, Uchiha!" Neji shouted, trying to escape from Sasuke's grasp.
"Shut up. It's not like I want to do this…" Sasuke mumbled.
"W-what…do you mean?" Neji said, calming down. Sasuke let go of his collar and didn't face him.
"You care about her. We'll just…listen into their tutoring session. It's alright…no need to worry or anything." Sasuke said and walked down the hall to his room.
Neji stared at the back of Sasuke. He just didn't understand the Uchiha family.
oO0Oo
"Do you get it now?" Hinata asked, demonstrating the problem again.
"More or less…" Itachi said, continuing to practice what she had taught her. (Sorry…I'm not in college so…-sweat drops-) Hinata stared at Itachi's hard working face. They were sitting in his room at his work desk. His room was neat and clean. She wondered why such an organized person would need…tutoring. Right now, Itachi was working hard. She could tell. But then, why would he be…failing out of college? "Why am I failing out of college? That's a good question." Itachi said, putting his mechanical pencil down and closed his eyes. She was startled.
"H-how did you-" Hinata started but stopped when Itachi gave her an expressionless look.
"You're predictable." Itachi said with no expression whatsoever on his face. "Sorry…but I cannot answer your question for now…" He picked up his mechanical pencil again and continued to work.
Itachi was acting…really strange just now. Back with Sasuke and Neji, he was acting like an immature adult…but…right then, he was acting really mature (in a scary way Hinata thought) and was serious about his studies.
It took about ten minutes for Itachi to finish all of the problems. He gave her his paper and she became wide-eyed.
"T-they're…correct." Hinata said in surprise.
"What do you expect?" Itachi said, leaning on his palm on the table. Hinata blinked.
"…w-what…exactly do you mean?" Hinata asked.
"Iie. It's nothing." Itachi shook his head.
"A-alright…" Hinata said with a worried expression.
"Onegai. Don't worry about me. I'm not worth your time." Itachi said coldly. Hinata was shocked by his words. "I have a bit of trouble with this. Can you help me?" Itachi changed the subject by holding up a packet of work. Hinata nodded, but still wondered if this guy was okay.
oO0Oo
"Your brother is…weird." Neji whispered as he leaned in closer to hear better onto the conversation.
"Eh…that's him." Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"He was so serious…why?" Neji asked.
"Who knows…he's always acting like that when he's around me." Sasuke said. "I don't think...he will cause Hinata any harm…for now." Sasuke said, standing up straight.
"Hey…" Neji said, catching up to him. "What's up with your brother?"
"Like I said…who knows?" Sasuke said, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "It's not like I care for the guy. Sure he's family, but he's old enough to take care of himself." Neji stopped following Sasuke.
Not caring for a family member, eh…? Neji thought to himself.
He knew he could never do that.
oO0Oo
Hinata sighed of relief.
"Looks like we're done for the day." Hinata smiled brightly, stood up, and stretched. Itachi slightly smiled and stood up, too.
"Hai. Arigato gozaimasu, Hinata…hime." Itachi said, gently holding her hand and kissing it. Hinata blushed from embarrassment.
"By the way…I don't think…you'll need my tutoring, ne?" Hinata asked. Itachi gently let go of her hand. He didn't answer.
"That's…right." Itachi said. He looked…disappointed? Hinata didn't know why, but it was best for her not to butt in his life.
"Well," Hinata bowed. "I better get going with nii-san." She was beginning to walk away when Itachi grabbed her arm and pinned her to the door.
"You…wanted to know what I meant back there…right?" Itachi whispered. Hinata didn't answer. This guy was really frightening her. "I take that as a yes."
"I really…got to get-"
"My brother…" Itachi sighed and let go of Hinata. His back faced her. "I've always been getting the attention…you saw me answer those problems and get them correct, ne?" Hinata nodded. "I hate that." Hinata turned wide-eyed.
"Demo…that sort of talent is to be admired!" Hinata retorted. "I would…love to be someone who's…good at everything." Hinata pictured Neji just playing a song with his fingers moving gracefully on the piano.
Itachi didn't answer. "It's not as much of a blessing as you think it is."
"Nani?" Hinata questioned.
"The one who is always better at everything than the other person is acknowledged more. He is admired more." Itachi explained and turned back to face her. "That is why…I'm failing school." Hinata was shocked.
"That's n-no reason to fail school! It doesn't even make sense! And…what does this have to do with Sasuke-kun…?" Hinata muttered the last sentence.
"It makes perfect sense. Of course…you should know. You're always second to Neji." Itachi answered. Hinata twitched. It took her a few seconds and she finally realized the problem.
"You're failing…because you care about Sasuke-kun?" Hinata asked. Itachi didn't answer.
"You can say that."
"Demo…why?" Hinata asked. "Sasuke-kun is a very capable person. I heard from Neji-niisan that he could successfully succeed in the Uchiha business."
"Compared to me, Sasuke is stupid." Itachi answered bluntly. Hinata sweat dropped. "I'm the genius…and…to make Sasuke get attention…I must be worse at everything than him."
"I see…" Hinata replied, not knowing what to say. So…his brother was just worried about Sasuke. That's why he was failing school and doing this. "But if Sasuke-kun found out, wouldn't he be angry?"
"Eh…I guess so." Itachi returned to his immature self and chuckled. "But…brothers bicker, ne? It just means he acknowledges me. I think he knows that I'm acting stupid on purpose." Itachi smiled.
Acknowledges him…Hinata thought to her. If Neji was her rival, it meant that he actually acknowledged her. It made her smile.
"So anyways," Itachi said. "You can go." Itachi waved.
They said their good-byes and Hinata was on her way.
"Oh…I almost forgot. Please…don't fail school. Wouldn't that also make Sasuke-kun mad?" Hinata asked and left with a smile. Itachi stood there confused.
"What a strange girl…" Itachi smiled, running a hand through his hair.
"How pathetic." Neji said.
"Tch. Shut up." Sasuke had a tinge of blush on his face. They were both at the front door, waiting for Hinata.
"Um…what are you talking about?" Hinata asked.
"It's nothing, Hinata-sama." Neji smiled. "Uchiha's just being an idiot. Let's go."
"You're brother won't need any tutoring. I think he's fine." Hinata said.
"Really? Eh…alright." Sasuke was surprised but brushed it off.
The three said their good-byes and Neji and Hinata were on their way home.
"Ne Neji-niisan…" Hinata said. "If we're rivals…you acknowledge me, ne?" Hinata asked. Neji blushed from embarrassment.
"W-what kind of question is that?" Neji asked.
"Never mind." Hinata shook her head. She happily walked with Neji back home.
oO0Oo
Hinata ran to the club room as fast as she could.
I know he's not there…maybe I'll be first this time. Hinata happily thought to herself.
"Hey, wait up!" Ino called out, running after her.
Hinata came into the club room, panting. She scanned the club room and inwardly cheered.
"First." Neji said, suddenly appearing at the tea table and reading a book. Hinata and Ino sweat dropped.
"How…when…why…where?!" Ino shouted. "We could've sworn you weren't in here!"
"Well…apparently you're blind." Neji said, shutting his book closed and looking at her.
"How can you call Hinata-chan blind? That's mean!" Ino said, hugging her.
"No…I was calling you blind." Neji said. Ino had an angry mark on her forehead. Hinata sat down next to Neji and Ino sat down next to Hinata. "So…I guess that means I'm first." Neji said emotionlessly. Hinata twitched.
"Hey." Sasuke walked in and sat across from Neji.
"Where are the others?" Neji asked. Sasuke shrugged.
"Loitering around or something. I don't know." Sasuke said. "You act as if I'm their caretaker."
"Well…yes. You've been known to take care of Sai, Sakura, and Naruto you know…" Neji replied.
"Tch. Shut up." Sasuke said, looking the other way.
"Guys!" Sakura slammed the door open and panted. "We have a problem here." She said nervously running over to the tea table.
"What's wrong?" Ino asked as all heads turned to face Sakura.
"Just listen to the broadcast." Sai said as he and Naruto walked in.
"This is the student council president speaking! Yosh! I've been released from the hospital because of many injuries from my last challenge!"
All the members of the Musical Club sweat dropped.
"You may all visit me if you please! Let the youth flow!"
"I'm not going." Naruto sweat dropped.
"Agreed." Sai said as he sat down next to Sasuke. All the members nodded.
oO0Oo
"Hey, do you hear something?" Sakura asked as she sipped her tea.
"Eh…sounds like…someone running?" Ino answered.
"Looks like we have an idiotic guest." Sai smiled as the door slammed open.
"NARUTO-KUN, SASUKE-KUN, SAI-KUN, AND NEJI!" The guy with thick eyebrows and big eyes said with a finger pointed at them.
"I think we know who we are, Lee." Neji stated. Lee sweat dropped.
"Why didn't you come visit me, Neji?" Lee said as he cried Anime style.
"I felt there was no need since you have so much energy." Neji said, sipping his tea.
"Why does Lee act this way?" Ino asked Hinata and Sakura.
"They've been friends since forever." Hinata answered with a smile.
"Sakura-san!" Lee ran over to Sakura. "Aren't you happy to see me?" He grabbed her hand.
"U-um…" Sakura sweat dropped.
"Hey! Back off, Lee!" Naruto shouted.
"Naruto-kun," Lee started, "do you want a challenge?" He had a twinkle in his eye.
"Let's not destroy my club room, okay?" Sai sweat dropped.
"No, let's destroy it." Sasuke said.
"Haha Sasuke-kun, you suck." Sai smiled.
"Ahem," Lee cleared his throat, "Sai-kun is right. I'm not here to win Sakura-san's heart…yet." Lee said.
"Then, go away. No one wants you here." Neji said bluntly. Everyone sweat dropped.
"Ah Neji…because of your attitude, barely anyone showed up to visit me!" Lee said, pointing at Neji.
"U-um…what does that have to do with anything?" Hinata asked.
"Neji really had no interest in seeing his old friend so all his fans decided not to come visit me either." Lee Anime cried again.
"I don't think anyone wanted to go visit him, anyways." Sasuke mumbled.
"Neji, Hinata-san," Lee pointed at the two cousins, "you're performance the other day was astounding! Do you mind to do another challenge?"
"I…I don't think I can choose a song and get another person to play a duet with me…" Hinata said nervously.
"No! I mean…you two can play a duet…together." Lee said. "I already have challengers in mind who want to defeat you."
"I'm not interested in creating any more rivals…let's see…the only one worthy of me is Hinata-sama." Neji stood up and faced his old friend, Rock Lee. Hinata's heart skipped a beat. W-worthy?
"Oho," Lee said with a sly look on his face, "are you…scared?" Neji sweat dropped.
"The only one scared is Sakura and Ino and that is because of your thick eyebrows." Neji said. Lee laughed and swung his arm over Neji.
"The same as always, Neji! So do you accept the challenge?" Lee asked with a twinkle in his eye.
"Of…of course we're not scared!" Hinata stood up with a sudden surge of confidence. "We're going to accept the challenge!"
"W-wait…you are?!" Sai, Naruto, and Sakura said in astonishment.
"My Hinata-chan!" Sakura cried Anime style. "You're going to get yourself hurt!"
"The only way to get her hurt is if she banged her head on the piano." Sasuke said and sipped his tea.
"You really are crackin' some wise jokes today, Sasuke-kun." Ino sweat dropped.
"Sasuke-teme's on fire." Naruto teased.
"Hinata-sama…" Neji said. Hinata nodded confidently. He sighed. "Fine. We accept."
"YOSH!" Lee let go of Neji. "IT'S A CHALLENGE THEN! I'LL TALK ABOUT YOUR CHALLENGERS LATER, OKAY?! OKAY!" And he ran out of the club room.
"Can I ask why you've been friends with such an annoying and loud guy for so long?" Naruto asked. "I mean…I couldn't live with a guy like that." He crossed his arms and nodded. Sai and Sasuke sweat dropped.
"Yes, because you're one of the quietest and calmest guys I have ever seen, Naruto-kun." Sai smiled.
"Exactly!" Naruto flashed a smile. "Everyone should follow my example."
"Baka." Ino and Sakura muttered under their breath.
oO0Oo
"I still can't believe you have until the end of the day to play a song!" Naruto shouted at Neji as Neji, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sai were walking down the hallways.
"Tch." Neji replied.
"Hm…you know what's weird, Neji-kun?" Sai waved a finger in the air. "You immediately went with Hinata-chan's decision even if you didn't agree with it personally. Why?" Neji closed his eyes.
"There's no reason for me to answer that." Neji said, shoving his hands into his pockets. Sai and Naruto looked at each other.
"Let them do what they want. I'm going home." Sasuke said, flipping his school bag over his shoulder.
"Eh?! Don't you want to stay for the competition?!" Naruto shouted as Sasuke started to walk towards the exit.
"Not really." He replied and left the school building.
oO0Oo
"Sasuke-kun left early?!" Sakura asked, shaking Naruto's shoulders while crying.
"Y-yeah…" Naruto said and tidied up his tie on his school uniform after Sakura was done…shaking him.
"Anyways," Sai said seriously, "do you guys have a song in mind?" He looked at both Hyuugas. All of the Musical Club members (except for –cough- lazy Sasuke) were gathered back in the club room after the lunch break. Hinata slowly shook her head and sighed. "Eh…that's a shame."
"I hate doing these competitions." Ino said, helping Sakura bring out the tea and cakes.
"What are you talking about? You barely participate in any…" Sai sweat dropped.
"Exactly! Look at all this trouble Lee has put Hinata-chan into." Ino sighed and cupped her cheek. "It makes me sad to say that she has another challenge. That's the challenge of life I guess."
"You make no sense, Ino." Sakura sighed.
"Can we practice for a change?" Neji asked.
"Why? Aren't you two like geniuses? So…it's no problem. Just walk in there and play whatever you feel like it." Naruto said, putting his feet up on the table while he sat down. Neji and Hinata sweat dropped. Sakura gave a good punch on Naruto's head.
"They're not super geniuses, Naruto." Sakura scolded.
"Ehe…gomen, gomen." Naruto sweat dropped, rubbing the bump on his head.
oO0Oo
"I really don't care." Neji dropped down on the couch and crossed his arms. Hinata blinked.
"This is important, though. I mean…Lee-san seemed to be confident that our challengers were…really good." Hinata worried.
"Tch. Since when were you worried about our opponents? You always seem to be confident when you face me." Neji pointed out and looked at Hinata. She blushed a deep scarlet.
"That's…" Hinata trailed off and averted Neji's gaze. Neji sighed.
"Whatever. Let's just do this." Neji said and went to go sit down on the piano bench.
"H-hai!" Hinata followed and sat down next to him.
oO0Oo
"Welcome guys and girls to the first piano competition against Team Lee and Team Hyuuga!" Sakura announced on a big stage outside of the school. The school seemed to afford anything…even if it was expensive. All the seats in the audience were filled up with fans of the two Hyuuga prodigies.
"We know you can do it, Neji-sama!" A group of girls shouted out with a banner that said "Go Neji-sama!" with hearts drawn all over the place.
Hinata looked outside and immediately came back to back stage. She took a deep breath.
"You already faced against me. Why are you so nervous as to play the piano with me?" Neji raised a brow.
"…I…" Hinata couldn't seem to find the words she was looking for.
"Oh my gosh! Looks like we get to see the competition, don't we?" Sakura announced once again in her microphone. She pointed to the two figures, coming onto the stage.
"And who are you guys?" Sakura said, giving the duo the microphone.
"We are called…the Sabaku Siblings." They both said in unison. As soon as Hinata heard this, she immediately peeked out of the curtain on the side of the stage to get a better view.
Sa…Sa…Sabaku?! Hinata thought to herself in panic. So…Gaara was their opponent?!
"Ahh…I see, I see. You're Gaara-kun's siblings, yes?" Sakura asked.
"Hai. I'm Temari and this is Kankuro." The girl said cheerfully. "We'll do our best today to try and beat the Hyuugas!" She exclaimed and everyone cheered. Hinata sighed. False alarm…
"Looks like pianists run in the family." Neji said. Hinata nodded.
"Good thing it wasn't Gaara-kun…" Hinata truthfully said. Neji raised a brow.
"Why?" He asked.
"It…it would be hard for me." Hinata admitted. This made Neji boil.
"Now…the moment you have all been waiting for…NEJI AND HINATA HYUUGA!" Sakura announced. "Please come on the stage, you two!"
Hinata hesitantly walked onto the stage but Neji pushed her forward.
"Don't look back or down." He briefly said and followed her onto the stage.
"Neji-senpai…Hinata-chan…do you have any words to your challengers before we start?" Sakura asked.
"Good luck." Neji bowed, earning squeals from many fan girls.
"Same." The brother called Kankuro replied.
"Okay…this competition will be different." Sakura said a twinkle was shining brightly in her eyes. "You see…it doesn't matter how many mistakes you get. As long as you put enough emotion into it, the best team will win!"
"Hai." Hinata, Kankuro, and Temari all said in unison.
"First off, Team Lee." Sakura said.
Flashback
"Hyuuga." Sasuke said.
"Eh? I thought you went home, Uchiha." Neji said.
"I thought I would warn you." Sasuke said.
"Oh? So you worry about me, then?" Neji raised a brow.
"Not for you," Sasuke shook his head, "for Hinata." Neji glared at Sasuke for this.
"I know the way you play the piano, Hyuuga." Sasuke said.
"How so?" Neji asked curiously, testing Sasuke's knowledge.
"…I know for a fact that you are better than Hinata…but in a way…you lack something that she has." Sasuke said technically. A sweat bead appeared on Neji's temple.
"And what's that?" Neji asked.
"Emotion." Sasuke plainly said.
"Tch…you got to be kidding me." Neji scoffed.
"You lack emotion in the way you play piano. I don't think Hinata realizes that yet…" Sasuke said. "That's why I think this is a waste of time. You're going to lose."
"I never lose." Neji said.
"It's because you always get everything right. But in the end, you play like a robot; always following orders and doing whatever you think is right." Sasuke said. "But Hinata…the way she plays is…she plays with her heart." Neji twitched.
"That's why…you were so hesitant as to go along with the competition. You were afraid you were going to lose." Sasuke said. "Then again…I might be wrong."
"You're very talkative today, Uchiha." Neji smirked. Sasuke smirked back.
"Well then…let's see who will win…shall we?" Sasuke said as he walked away.
End of Flashback
To be continued…
Mshinata: Haha, sorry for the late update…-sweat drops and bows- I've been too busy watching Clannad.
Sasuke: WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?! YOU ALWAYS WATCH ANIME INSTEAD OF UPDATE!
Mshinata: I'm sorry! –Sad- It's too good to miss out on. Besides…Vampire Knight, Code Geass R2, and Special A came out. My friend yelled at me for not being an Otaku. Lol. I can't understand RAW episodes. –Cries-
Sasuke: That's just too damn bad.
Mshinata: -ignores Sasuke- Ah Clannad…such a sad and sweet Anime (the series). I want to go watch it again!
Everyone: NO!
Mshinata: -pouts- Why not?
Sasuke: So you can update faster.
Mshinata: Fine.
Sasuke: Does this mean you'll stop watching all this Anime and update faster?!
Mshinata: No.
Gaara: Lol. Owned.
Ino: Mshinata-chan needs nice reviews please. –Smiles- She made this chapter extra long.