Thank you for the reviews (finally)! As the majority I still believe you guys suck but whatever, this story is too much fun to write. I'm flattered that I'm on so many people's Story Alert and Favorite Story list – but to be honest reviews are much better because they help me as an author. It's nice to know you 'like' it but I'd rather hear (read) your honest opinion.
Sakura: What she's trying to say is – STOP BEING A LAZY SCHMUCK AND REVIEW ALREADY!
-ahem- thank you.
Oh I realized I made an epic mistake (which I am too lazy to fix) In one chapter I said Ino was going to Jersey and the other she ends up in Chicago. INO IS IN CHICAGO OKAY? New Jersey is my home state; I must still be pining for it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto… laaaaa…
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-Hinata-
Germany is so beautiful. I gaze in awe at its rustic structure. I feel like I've taken a step back in time. I stare in wonder as a man rides his bike by, steaming loaves of bread secured in the basket on his handlebar. I think I'm in love.
A red BMW blurs past and nearly runs the man over.
I was guided over towards a large gray bus which in turn would take us to the school. There were not many people inside the bus, and the few that were there carefully ignored the others. A tall boy held a cello case close to him as if someone would snatch it from his grasp. I saw about two violin cases, about three trumpets, a cello, and stacks upon stacks of tightly bound sheet music.
This school is the real deal. I clutched my violin tightly and prayed for strength.
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We arrive at the campus less than an hour later. It is quiet and rustic much like the surrounding town. I step out of the bus, followed by the possessive cello player. I pay him no mind as I move to the side so I don't block anyone else.
The buildings are all stone with dark tiles and wide windows. Squares of grass break the monotony of the cobblestone walkways. There is a fountain near the center of the largest square of grass and behind it you can see the clock tower. It chimes out the hour in low haunting notes. After it echoes out its final toll I could hear something faint and melodic. The strains of a violin carried on the wind. I recognize the melody from my hours of strenuous lessons.
Before I can say anything a woman approaches my small group. I stared at her. It was my seatmate from the plane. I wondered if she recognized me.
Her eyes are a deep shade of red that would probably look creepy on anyone else. She smiled tightly "Good afternoon and welcome." She said in clear, distinct English rather than the German I had expected "My name is Kurenai Yuuhi and I teach music theory at this fine institution. As you may know this college was founded and dedicated years ago upon the principal that music be shared with all, which is why many of you were offered scholarships. The summer orchestra program is one of our most widely acclaimed, and we hope you learn much from us as we learn from you. Enjoy your summer and play from your heart."
We were clearly dismissed. I pulled the information papers out of my pocket. I was given a dorm as well as the other summer boarders. I smiled tightly at Ms. Kurenai as I walked past.
I took a deep breath.
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I had found my room on the third floor of a tall building. The inside was classically furnished. I was surprised that I was given a suite. I would have a roommate of course, and we would share our restroom with the two girls on the other side.
We were both given a desk, a dresser, a bed, and a vanity mirror to work with. I guessed the mirror was for us to practice our form. We were given card keys which in turn would give us access to the cafeteria, library, our dorms, and the various sound proof practice rooms.
I was used to plane trips so the flight did not exhaust me. I changed clothes, feeling slightly sticky, and slipped into black dress pants with black comfy flats, a black camisole with a white sparkling top half buttoned over it, and my signature Michael Jackson hat (courtesy of Ino).
I smiled, feeling more like myself as I tilted the hat at a jaunty angle (much like the King of Pop, may he rest in peace).
I grabbed my violin case and I was out the door.
The halls were eerily silent. I took the elevator down and was surprised to find it empty. Where was everybody?
I saw two students walk by. They talked in hushed tones as they obviously were critiquing my choice in clothes. Both students were female and wore their hair in intricate knots. Their clothes were clearly indicative of what type of musicians they were. Serious, with little time for fun. The knee length skirts and plain white blouses were unflattering.
I swallowed loudly, thinking of the many times Father dressed me like that. Ino, Sakura, and Tenten always had my back. It was Ino who gave me this hat on my twelfth birthday. 'You are unique, so be unique! Let the whole world know who you are! Think of Michael Jackson who changed the face of pop music for being different.'
Hence my always wearing hats.
"H-hello…" I said quietly, not wishing to appear rude.
"Hi." One girl deadpanned while the other snickered. They scurried by, probably hoping to make me feel ridiculous.
I felt sad for them. Was not this school about music? Aren't we supposed to be unique? I found an unoccupied room in this lonely hall and slipped inside. There wasn't much room to move around with the baby grand piano taking up a lot of space.
I slid to where I would have room to move around. There was a girl, with haunting gray eyes staring right at me. She was dressed just like me and she looked like she was going to cry – just like me.
I smiled. She smiled too.
"We'll be fine." I said in reassurance.
Her face brightened a little. My face, it was my face.
I gave my reflection a curt nod before opening my violin case. I pulled out my bow and tightened it, then lovingly applied resin. The main body of the violin was next. I rested my it on my shoulder, gently pressing my chin down onto the holder.
I let the bow rest on the string and made sure it was parallel to the bridge. My fingers positioned themselves accordingly on both the main body and the bow. I pulled softly. A note, pure and bright echoed in the room.
I smiled softly. Father wanted me to be worthy of the Hyuga name. We wanted me to be cultured since I didn't have the raw talent of Hanabi, or the sharp shrew mind she had inherited. I am the heiress to the fortune but everyone knows Father will give everything to my sister. I will be the pretty young lady at the head of the business, while behind me Hanabi runs everything.
I am destined to be no more than a puppet, but at this moment I am free.
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There is a faded sound on the door, interrupted the melody I had improvised from memory. "Come in!" I call, feeling a little uneasy.
The door opens. I doubt whoever it is heard me (it's a sound proof room). They poke their head in and suddenly I feel like I've seen the sun for the first time.
Bright golden hair, and the most beautiful blue of eyes attribute to the sunny beauty of this boy, whoever he is. He grins widely at me "SALVAMI!" he yells, the noise echoing.
I couldn't stop staring as he came in fully. He is taller than me, but not by much. He too is dressed comfortably in a long black t-shirt and naturally torn jeans. He didn't stop smiling. It seemed his smile lit up the whole room and destroyed the black and white by which I defined myself.
Pardon me. I read a lot of poetry growing up.
"Salvami!" He says again. He must be around my age. He tilted his head a little, the spiky halo of hair tilting with him. I wondered if it were some kind of greeting. It was definitely Italian (one of the languages I am not fluent in). He sensed my confusion "The song, its Salvami by Gianni Nannini, right?"
Those words break through the mist that clouds my world. "A-ah y-y-yes…"
"Awesome," his grin returned in full force. He folded his arms behind his head "Most people here only listen to classical music. It 'enhances the experience'" he used air quotes "Or whatever mess they say. Personally, I think all music is awesome, eh?"
I nodded shakily. Was he real?
"Let me introduce myself," he extended his hand "My name is Naruto Uzumaki!"
I accepted his handshake, trying not to revel in its warmth "H-h-Hina-hinata…" I did not say my last name. To this day I do not know what compelled me to hide my identity.
"Hina-chan!" he proclaimed.
I noticed the suffix "A-are you J-J-Japa-Japanese?" I couldn't stop stuttering like an idiot. What was wrong with me?
"Yup!"
I stared in disbelief. How many Japanese walk by with naturally blonde hair and blue eyes?
"Well… at least I was born there. My Dad… anyway, I was born in Japan." Suddenly the sound of Flo-Rida's 'Right Round' filled the room. How very appropriate.
He reached inside his pocket, pulled out a sleek cell phone and frowned. "Ah, I gotta go. It was nice to meet you Hina-chan!" he gave me one last heartbreaker's smile before leaving the room, taking my breath with him.
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-Ino-
Aunt Yori is cruel beyond words. She may not look it, but that woman is a monster in disguise. She may smile at you pleasantly, exchange tender looks with her husband, and even rub her pregnant belly but really she is hiding a demonic soul.
What other reason would she put me to work on my second day in Chicago? I had anticipated having some free time to explore the city scene. I had just changed into some decent clothes, pulled my hair up, and was ready to go exploring when she caught me at the door.
"Honey, today you start work."
With those fateful words I was forced to change into a frumpy pair of jeans and a t-shirt. I mean, come on! No low-rise? They were mid waist jeans, the kind that women in their forties wear with cardigans.
I grumped in the passenger seat of Aunt Yori's old gray Buick. She smiled pleasantly as she honked her horn at other drivers and flipped a couple off.
The car wheezed up to a dingy brown building of moderate size. "Summer day care is the best," she sighed longingly "we get to do all sorts of fun activities and go on field trips."
"Oh joy…"
"I'm glad to know that you're qualified to take care of these children." She said sincerely "It means so much to me that you can help out."
"Whatever."
"I hope that you'll enjoy your time here."
"Sure, say- how do I get out of this seatbelt?"
"The other workers are friendly, they'll show you around. I think I'll give you the four to five year old age group. The worker there is great with kids."
"Aunt Yori? Help it's choking me! Is it ALIVE?"
"What an exciting summer you have in store for you." She smashed her fist against the seat belt holster once and it released its death grip on me.
I stepped out of the car and toward an uncertain future.
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They are everywhere. My eye twitched. I was SOOOO gonna kill my Mom and Dad, especially my Dad because he has a sick sense of humor.
Children, screaming, crying, puking, laughing, playing, slapping, hollering children. They are practically hanging from the woodwork.
"I wanna go home…" I whimper pathetically.
Aunt Yori approached me. She was busy greeting some of her regulars while welcoming the newcomers "Come on, I'll take you to the room where the younger kids play. Yesterday I showed you the schedule and hope you took your time memorizing the shifts. Everything else is on the board if you must know." We walked down a short, brightly painted hall and turned left into a large sunlit room.
There were more children, all of them young and all ready to devour my soul.
I wanted to die right then.
The room is geared specifically towards children. All the toys are considered safe and appropriate for their age group. There are lots of toys on wheels and those giant foam floor puzzles, which two blonde haired children are currently trying to assemble. Giant bouncy balls, Barbie's, all the traditional toys. I count three our four cribs for the younger children. A stack of blue floor mats rests against the wall. A giant wide screen TV is built into the wall beside the stack of mats.
The walls themselves are interesting. Two are painted blue, the other two are bright yellow and each is adorned with various posters and bright pictures.
All in all it's a pleasant place, minus the children. I shudder.
Aunt Yori pats my back "Go ahead, introduce yourself."
I shake my head, forming an escape route from the little orcs.
She cupped her hands over her mouth. I dreaded what came next "EVERYONE PAY ATTENTION!" the playing ceased. "THIS IS MISS INO! SHE'S GOING TO BE YOUR NEW TEACHER! WHAT DO WE SAY?"
"Hi Miss. Ino." They droned
I waved, suddenly feeling shy "Hello…"
They resumed playtime. Aunt Yori patted my back and winked "Oh, your partner is over there in the corner. Go introduce yourself. Bye."
Suddenly I was very alone.
Something tugged on my jeans. It was a little boy with messy brown hair and big chocolate eyes. He removed his thumb from his mouth "You're pretty."
Wow, who knew kids were so smart? "Thank you…sweetie." I added awkwardly.
He smiled and trotted off. What am I supposed to do? I folded my arms tightly and glanced around. Where's my partner? I don't see them anywhere… I noticed a bunch of the children piled onto someone or something. I carefully stepped my way across the mine field. I tugged the arm of a little girl with her black hair pulled into severe pigtails. "What are you doing?"
"Jumping on Mr. Shika!"
Ah! So there's my partner. "Everybody off!" I said in my most no-nonsense voice "Come on, go play with the toys, or destroy the room or something like that…"
They slowly peeled themselves off until I could see something faintly resembling a human being under the dog pile. "Hello?" I pulled a set of twins off and ordered the rest away. Grumbling and looking on the verge of tears, the rest evacuated the site.
It's a guy. I didn't know they let men in these places on account of the pedophiles walking our streets. He laid on his back, his arm draped across his face. Was he sleeping? I grabbed a Barbie and poked his stomach. He twitched reflexively and sat straight.
Bored brown eyes. That was the first thing I noticed. The second was that he looked really sleepy. The third his ponytail, which gave me the impression of a pineapple. The fourth he's around my age. The fifth he's scowling at me.
"Stop scowling." I snapped, letting my temper get the best of me.
"Stop being annoying." He drawled.
"Are you my partner?"
He gave a long, low sigh that seemed to zap up the remnant of his energy. I glanced at the bright blue nametag on his shirt. Shikamaru Nara. I force a wide smile on my face "Nice to meet you!"
"…whatever…"
A little girl appeared out of nowhere and wrapped her arms around his neck "Mr. Shika! Can I have a piggyback ride?"
He watches me for a moment longer before complying. A horde of the little monsters spots the girl's fun and race over and start demanding that they have turns too.
"Miss Ino, can you carry me?"
Their eyes light up and they immediately surround me. I wanted to scream so badly. It must have shown on my face because my worthless partner walked past me chuckling. "Welcome to Sunnyvale Day Care."
Somehow I get the feeling he was mocking me. Grrr…
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End Chapter
Methinks this one is shorter. I like writing Ino, she's really unpredictable and has constant anger issues. Hinata was great too, I just adore the idea of her in a Michael Jackson hat, by the way, what exactly are they called?
It's really hard writing this POV of Ino because I work with children and love every minute of it. They can be little monsters sometimes tho, ha-ha.
Don't forget to review!