Chapter Three: Math Problems

Shinako was well beyond upset. No matter how hard she tried she didn't understand Hibari Kyoya at all and no matter what she said her words never seemed to get to him. Then again, nobody's words ever did seem to get to him.

It caused her to wonder if there was anyone out there who could reason with him. If there was such a person then Shinako would most definitely like to present them with an award. And without meaning to, she suddenly found herself trying to imagine what the chairman's home life would be like. I bet even his parents are afraid of him. Heck, he probably lives alone in the mountains like some sort of hermit. She concluded, her face donning a quite pronounced scowl.

Right now she was walking in silence with Kusakabe and kept sneaking glances at her friend only to realize he didn't look nowhere near as upset as she was. He's probably thinking of the attacks… she assumed deciding to remain silent. That was yet another thing to be worried about. If someone was really after the Disciplinary Committee members then she couldn't be certain she'd be safe either. Her gaze fell onto Kusakabe once more. He was strong, she knew that already, and not just because he was the Vice-Chairman, she knew it from experience; after all they knew each other fairly well and even in the two years she was away they had still kept in touch.

"You shouldn't let something like this bother you" he finally spoke up, though his words only caused Shinako to look away from him. She still remained silent so Kusakabe only sighed and resigned himself to being quiet. There wasn't any point in trying to force an answer out of her anyway.

The silence between them seemed to last forever and the hall they were in looked as if it were endless, but after a good 5 minutes Shinako spoke up "I just don't understand him, at all." Kusakabe however, had a feeling she wasn't over so he allowed her a few moments to pick up where she had left off. "I don't understand anything that he does. Do you?"

Shinako however didn't wait for an answer. "He just acts like such a spoiled little child. Honestly that's what he reminds me. A dangerous, tonfa-wielding moron who's a child nonetheless and expects everyone to just do whatever he says; yet he never bothers to explain things or try to understand others!" she ranted, the tone of her voice going higher and higher as she grew more and more annoyed.

"I mean, if he's just going to take care of it himself, why did he even bother to drag me all the way there? Why is there even a Disciplinary Committee if he plans on always solving things on his own? What sort of leader does that!" By now she was making furious motions with her arms and at the end of her little speech forced herself to take a deep breath so as to calm down.

Kusakabe on the other hand had remained rather serene during her little outburst, which wasn't necessarily helping Shinako. She was annoyed and she wanted someone to be annoyed with her as well. "I'm right, aren't I?" she question, turning her head slightly upwards to stare at Kusakabe in the eyes. The former sighed "Shinako, do calm down. You can yell, shout and stomp all you want that nothing is going to change. Kyo-san does things his own way, it's best not to interfere with that."

"Spoiled brat…" Shinako still muttered under her breath, which prompted Kusakabe into laughing as he tapped his shoulder "Well, I still have some stuff to do, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Sure…, see ya Kusakabe."

"And remember to be careful on your way home!" he warned as he turned around the corner "I'm not a kid Kusakabe! Besides, I'm strong too!"

Kusakabe laughed, now out of her sight yet she was still able to hear his next words, that officially marked her day as bad "You may be strong, but you're no Hibari."

The rest of the day was pretty uneventful in Shinako's mind. She had left the papers with the forged signatures on Hibari's desk before going to class (and after making sure he was nowhere near the room), and now all she had to do was pay attention for the rest of the day. A task Shinako was finding to be most difficult.

Even if she were to forget about Hibari's lousy attitude and Kusakabe's words there was still the worry regarding what was happening to the Disciplinary Committee members and she could only wonder who was behind all of this. Why did something like this had to happen? She complained with a sigh, forcing herself to pay attention before she was called on.

The afternoon had gone by rather slowly so when it was finally time to leave she couldn't be happier. Granted, she was a little nervous about going home on her own but it was still daytime and she doubted anyone would try anything when it was still early. Besides, what could someone want with her? Comforted by these thoughts she went to her locker doing a mental checklist of what she had to do for the rest of the day.

Let's see… I have to pack up the gym bag for tomorrow morning, finish my English paper and do the Math homework and that's about it I guess.

She was happy actually, as for once she wasn't being plagued with countless things to manage at the same time, like three tests in the same week, so this sounded fairly easy to her.

When she made it to her locker she spotted Tsuna and Gokudera, talking to each other, possibly about the attacks given Tsuna's fearful expression and Gokudera's pleas that he would escort Tsuna home to protect him. He's a pretty dedicated fellow isn't he?... Shinako thought as she neared them and once the boys took notice that she was there she was immediately greeted.

"Hey Masayoshi-san" said Tsuna in his usual polite manner, followed by Gokudera's short "Yo."

"Hi, Sawada-san, Gokudera-san" she greeted them back and started on opening her locker. "Ano, Masayoshi-san?"

"Yes?"

"Has anyone on the Committee figured out who's behind the attacks?" Tsuna asked with a concerned expression. "Well, as far as I know, no, we haven't." Then again, if Hibari did find out it's not like he'd share the information, she added mentally with a scowl.

She did notice how Tsuna seemed to grow pale so she was quick to correct her previous sentence "At any rate, you don't need to be concerned Sawada-san it's only been Committee members so far, so it's probably someone pissed off at Hibari and trying to get revenge!" Yeah, that sounded like a good enough theory.

"But doesn't that mean you're being targeted as well?" Gokudera pointed out, eyebrow slightly arched. Naturally, he was correct. If Shinako's theory really was right then as a Disciplinary Committee member she'd be targeted too. "Eh…well, I guess…"

"You're not worried?" Tsuna suddenly questioned and Shinako shrugged her shoulders lightly as she started to take out books from her locker. "I guess, I'm a little worried. I'd be lying if I said otherwise but I just have to be careful." She assured.

Tsuna seemed to smile a bit but then he grew somewhat concerned again "Um…Masayoshi-san…?"

"Yes?"

"How is…you know, your head?"

Shinako almost dropped the Math book on her feet upon being asked this and to cover up for that nodded her head a number of times "Yes, yes, it's quite alright."

"That looked like it hurt, ah, if it were me I would have blown him away that guy straight to hell!" Gokudera interjected, looking ready to do just that.

Shinako and Tsuna however, both thought that-that wouldn't turn out that well. "Gokudera-san, I don't know you very well but I can tell you that when it comes to Hibari, it's best to keep your distance." She pointed out.

Still, right now the last thing she wanted to talk about was Hibari or random attacks so she decided to change the subject "Anyway, what are you two doing around here at this time? Almost everyone has gone home already."

"Ah, we're waiting for Yamamoto to come from his baseball practice."

"Damn that baseball nut, always being so damn late over that stupid sport!" Gokudera muttered under his breath, causing Tsuna to sweatdrop once more. "Masayoshi-san why don't you wait with us? That way we could all go home together." Tsuna suggested, trying to be helpful. He hadn't gotten a chance to know Shinako very well yet, but from what he had seen during lunch she seemed like a nice person and he'd really hate it if something did happen to her.

Shinako on the other hand was surprised by his request but managed to nod her head anyway. She didn't want to be rude by turning him down but just as she was about to thank him another voice cut her off.

No, for once it wasn't Hibari who had come to spoil her recently acquired good mood.

"Good job Tsuna. Taking care of your friends is an important trait for a Boss."

"Uh?" Shinako blinked her eyes as baby in a suit suddenly appeared atop of Tsuna's head, causing her to go so far so as to rub her eyes wondering if she was imagining things.

"Reborn!" Tsuna exclaimed in a sort of whining manner whether Gokudera simply bowed his face practically glowing "Good afternoon Reborn-san!"

"Ciaossu" The baby greeted in return. Shinako on the other hand still couldn't quite process what had just happen "A…baby?"

"Ye-Yeah, sort of I guess…This is Reborn he lives with me back in my place."

"Ah…um…Pleasure to meet you then, Reborn-san." Shinako said, in her most polite tone "Likewise, Shinako"

"Uh? How do you know my name?"

Tsuna was now panicking "E-Eh because you see, I told him! Yeah, during lunch, after you left!" he hurriedly explained. Shinako on the other hand wasn't entirely certain that was true so her eyes fell back on Reborn who confirmed Tsuna's story "That's exactly the case."

"I see…"

"Oi! Sorry I'm late!" Came Yamamoto's cheery tone from down the hall as he jogged towards them at a steady pace. Gokudera frowned "Hurry baseball nut! You've kept us waiting long enough!" he protested, whereas Yamamoto laughed "Sorry, sorry, oh is Shinako-san coming too?"

"Yes, I guess so." She replied, smiling slightly at the idea. At least she wouldn't have to go alone.

Shina-chan sorry! But Mom's going to have to work late again :( I've prepared your dinner already, all you have to do is heat it up.

Sorry, again! Mom will definitely make it up to you! :D

Love, Mom

Shinako sighed upon finishing the note her mother had left her. Well I don't mind that you're working late again, but seriously, when are you going to stop using smiles in your notes? Shinako thought in a questioning manner as she placed the note to the side and went to her bedroom, having decided on at least finishing her homework first.

It actually took her longer than she had expected seeing as she kept taking breaks in between exercises due to a terrible lack of focus so when she was done she went straight to the kitchen to get dinner ready.

Thank God her mother had at least remembered to leave her dinner because God knows Shinako would most likely be too lazy to do it herself and would end up eating sandwiches.

By now the 16 year old was already used to eating on her own so it didn't really bother her. She considered herself a mature young woman and she knew that her mother had to work hard to support the both of them so she wouldn't complain about having to eat a couple of meals on her own. She was lucky she had such a responsible mother.

I really should think about getting a job too though… she thought and then remembered that Yamamoto had said something about his dad owning a sushi store. Maybe she could work there? No, that sounds wrong…I've only just met the guy I can't go around asking for favors like that.

She was about ready to start listing places where she could look for a job when her phone started ringing and she reached over the table to pick it up. "Hello?"

"Oi, Shinako! It's Ryohei! How are you doing?"

"Oh, fine, just finishing up dinner, you?"

"I'm a mess to the extreme!"

Then why do you sound excited?

"Why? Did something happen?" she asked, now growing slightly concerned. "Nothing special, but I can't solve these Math problems! They're hard to the extreme!"

Shinako almost felt like banging her head against the table. "Do you want me to explain them to you?"

"That would be the best!"

Shinako nodded a bit even though, Ryohei couldn't really see it "Actually, it'd be pretty hard to explain it through the phone, mind if I drop by?"

"Uh? Isn't that a bit risky?"

"Ryohei, it's like 19.35 it's not even that dark outside." She tried to reason while internally convincing herself that it would indeed be alright.

"Um…alright, but my dad will drive you home after you've explained it."

"Yes, yes, that's fine Ryohei."

"Alright! Then see ya!"

"Bye bye." She said and hung up. Stretching a bit she lifted the dishes and placed them on the dishwasher. I'll just get to these when I return she told herself and went upstairs to gather her notebook so that she could explain Ryohei. Honestly she was no Math genius but she felt fairly confident with this new part of the subject, so she was pretty sure she could explain it well.

"And now a jog to the Sasagawa residence." She muttered under her breath as if coaching herself and went on her way.

Ten minutes later she was about ready to reach Ryohei's house and still nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

And here I was, worrying over nothing.

"Hey! You over there!"

"Uh?" The unknown voice caused Shinako to stop dead in her tracks as she turned around to see who exactly was calling her, keeping the notebook tightly against her chest.

Now in front of her stood two guys, the blonde one seemed to have been the one that called her, and behind him the boy with the glasses and a weird code bar tattoo on his cheek looking utterly bored, even spaced out.

"Are you Masayoshi Shinako?"

Her eyes narrowed. Those uniforms… these two must be from Kokuyo, She eyed them carefully once more. The blonde guy…if she had caught sight of him in a dark alley she would have probably mistaken him for a beast, going by the way he was sticking out his tongue right now, practically like dogs and wolves did. There was no mistaking about it, these two gave her a pretty bad feeling.

"I don't talk to strangers." She deadpanned and kept her eyes narrowed. Suddenly the idea that these people could be the ones behind the attacks crossed her minds and it made her shudder for a moment, as it wasn't a very good possibility.

The blonde animalistic guy snickered "What's with that attitude? And are you sure you're 16? You're so short and—"

"Ken, we have other things to do, hurry up."

Ken rolled his eyes "Fine, fine."

Shinako felt her eyebrow twitch, not just from being called short (a very sensitive topic for her), but mostly because it seemed like these two were looking down on her and she was done being underestimated for the day.

"What do want after all?"

"Masayoshi Shinako, congratulations, you're our number six!" Ken exclaimed with a widened smirk.

"Six? Six in what? What are you talking about?" her frown deepened "You wouldn't be the ones behind the attacks on the Disciplinary Committee members would you?"

"Tché, let's do it like this then, if you beat me I'll tell you everything you want to know. How does that sound?"

Shinako closed her eyes and drew a deep breath by his suggestion. In a matter of seconds she had tossed the notebook to the side and ran towards Ken who, only snickered.

When she ran though, her hand swiftly retrieved the Bo-staff that she kept, divided into three segments, strapped to her left thigh. With yet another swift movement she raised the Bo-staff, connecting the three segments and brought it down on Ken, who had to block it with both hands. "That sounds like a good enough agreement to me."

I'll show Kusakabe and Hibari who's strong.

OCC: Alright so I wanted to thank this opportunity to thank those that have reviewed the story, those reviews were very much appreciated!:) The other reason for this OCC comment was to explain Shinako's weapon as I was having a hard time describing it. Basically a Bo-staff is a very long wooden staff used in several types of martial arts fighting. As for where she keeps it hidden…Well I based it off Nami from One Piece, only instead of keeping the staff under her shirt, Shinako keeps it under the uniform skirt xD

That's it then, I hope you'll keep enjoying the story ^_^