Hey everyone! I couldn't sleep last night and wrote the next chapter :)
Disclaimer: Naruto is not mine! Other wise the Akatsuki would still be alive and kicking ass!
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Exiting the Art building, the three crossed the quad, only to find Deidara keeping a short dark-haired boy at bay with his open palm pressed to the kid's forehead.
"Deidara-sempai!" whined the boy, reaching out to embrace the blonde with little luck. His hands only grasping air.
Grimacing, the older boy ground out through his clenched teeth, "Tobi, I said, just because you go to my school now does not mean you can hug me."
"Hello, Tobi-kun," greeted Sasori with no enthusiasm as he passed by.
Without ceasing his attempts to hug his sempai, the boy replied, "Morning, Sasori-kun!"
Sniggering, Hidan said, "How's it going, kid?"
"Good, good, Hidan-san!" answered Tobi happily. "Tobi is a good boy!" He'd found his favorite sempai and was determined to get his arms around the blonde. The dark-haired boy strained his arms further, extending his reach by a few more centimeters.
Hidan shook his head, laughing at the scene. It was expected of Tobi to act in such a silly manner, it was just the kid's way of doing things. He noted Hinata as she looked on in wonder at the pair, squabbling like siblings.
"That's Tobi," informed Hidan impassively. "He's a frosh, like you. Kinda hyper, but he's an alright kid I suppose." He stared at Tobi, still whining. "Gets on my fuckin' nerves sometimes though."
Suddenly Deidara raced around Hinata and childishly hid behind her.
"Hinata-chan, save me, hmm!" he pleaded, his hands grasping her shoulders.
"W-what? I-I c-can't do th-that!" she stuttered, looking wide-eyed at Tobi. She noticed that a white patch covered his left eye, like he'd just been from the hospital.
"Hinata-chan?" questioned Tobi curiously. Then a smile spread across his face. Deidara yelped, backing away as Tobi threw his arms around the girl. "You're so cute~!"
Stunned by his sudden action, Hinata was speechless. She felt her temperature rise again and she couldn't do anything to stop the boy from squeezing her.
Sasori smacked his hand to his forehead, the girl was doomed.
Angrily, it was Hidan who reacted first. He gripped the back of the Tobi's shirt, yanking him off the woozy girl. She shakily stumbled backward, crashing into Sasori's arms as he caught her.
"Tobi, look what you did, hmm!" accusingly shouted the blonde, his finger outstretched towards Hinata.
The dizzied girl was steadying herself with Sasori's assistance, clutching his arm for support. He turned to offer Hinata in order to lend a hand when two arms slid around his waist from behind and someone crashed into his backside. Deidara cried out, startled by the contact, forced to take a few steps forward.
"Sempai!" triumphantly came Tobi's voice from Deidara's back. He pressed his cheek into the back of his sempai's school uniform, nuzzling him happily.
"TOBI!" shouted the antagonized blonde.
Deidara's hands flew to his midsection, attempting to rip the clinging freshman's arms off him. To his dismay, Tobi had an iron grip when it came to hugs. Deidara-sempai was not getting out of this one!
"Tobi-chan, let him go," ordered an exasperated upperclassman, joining the fray. The newest addition to the group was tall and had a unique appearance. Earthy green hair was mussed at the top of his head, giving way to an odd divide at his forehead. The older boy was split down the middle by contrasting skin colors, papery-white on his left and inky black on his right. His eyes were like golden spheres, staring down the young dark-haired boy fiercely.
Tobi let out a whine, grudgingly loosening his grip.
Freed, Deidara raced behind his savior. Hiding behind Zetsu, the blonde felt safer. The agitated junior was the only known person who could stop Tobi from pestering his superiors. Zetsu was like an older brother to Tobi and it was a lifesaver for Deidara, since he constantly needed rescuing from the young freshman.
"Hiya, Zetsu-san!" greeted Tobi, completely recovered from his loss of his sempai. As Tobi raced towards Zetsu, Deidara made a break for it hurrying to Sasori instead.
The composed redhead sighed, successfully rehabilitating Hinata.
"Are you okay, Hinata-chan?" asked Deidara, looking concerned.
She nodded, smiling meekly.
Deidara looked at her skeptically, adding, "It's okay if you were scared, hmm. Tobi's just an annoying brat!" Childishly, he stuck his tongue out at the dark-haired boy, making him whimper sadly at the rejection.
"I'm f-fine, r-really," she assured him. "I was just . . .s-surprised." She gulped, regaining composer. "It w-wasn't Tobi-kun's f-fault."
"See!" called Tobi, feeling empowered by her statement. "Hinata-chan likes Tobi!"
"No, she doesn't!" argued the blonde.
"Does so!"
"Does not, hmm!"
"Yes, she does! She does! Hinata-chan likes Tobi!"
"Pl-please stop f-fighting!" pleaded Hinata; she didn't want to cause anyone turmoil. "I l-like everyone, o-okay?"
"Ha!" exclaimed Tobi, victorious.
That made Deidara snap, glaring he charged at the boy, ready to sock him in the face. His hand balled into a fist, pulling back to slam Tobi with all his might.
"Eeek!"
"Deidara!"
Hidan caught Deidara's elbow before his blow actually met skin. The blonde's head snapped towards his friend and shot him a loaded look.
"It's the first day, give it a rest, seriously," scolded Hidan sternly.
Inwardly seething, Deidara snatched his backpack off the ground and stormed away, disappearing from view into the school building.
Tears swelling in his one visible eye, Tobi ran off in the other direction, followed closely by a concerned Zetsu.
"I-is this m-my fault?" asked Hinata, appalled with herself, glancing back and forth towards the directions they stomped off to.
"Nah, Deidara just has a short fuse when Tobi's involved," said Sasori plainly, shaking his head disappointedly.
"They're both dumbasses if you ask me," Hidan piped up, frowning. "Deidara should just fucking cut Tobi some slack. The kid loves him, for some bizarre reason." He rolled his violet orbs.
The school bell rang.
"W-we're late!" cried Hinata abruptly alarmed. In her distress she glanced at the other two, bewildered by their complacent expressions. The thought of being late hadn't bothered the older boys; both didn't seem to mind.
"Oh, well," muttered Sasori, shrugging. "It wouldn't be the first time. Kakashi-sensei is used to me being late after last year."
"Same here," said Hidan, turning to Hinata. "We'll walk you to class, Hime. Come on."
She nodded, accepting their offer. She was going to argue the point, but she greedily wanted them to stay with her. When she walked into the empty halls their presence comforted her, reminding her that there was no reason to be intimidated.
Upon arriving to the basement floor, housing four classrooms and the custodian's closet, the two led Hinata to her class at the end of the hall. Iruka-sensei was not kind seeing the hime's bodyguards.
"You're late Hyuuga!" he snapped angrily. "And what are you two doing here?"
"G-gomenasai!" cried Hinata apologetically.
Unfazed by the sensei's harshness, Sasori coolly explained, "Gomen, it's our fault that Hinata-kun is late."
"So, being the responsible students we are, we had to walk her to class, right, Sensei?" asked Hidan blatantly using a lame excuse. He smirked at Iruka.
The sensei was livid.
"We'll be going now, Hinata-kun," said Sasori impassively, apparently oblivious to the fuming man at the head of her classroom. That or he couldn't care less that he could land himself detention for his disregard for the rules.
"See you after class, Hime," added Hidan, already walking away. Sasori was quick to trail after him, waving slightly at Hinata, completely straight-faced.
The indigo-haired girl was now alone and her nerves were unsettling. She turned to her sensei, peering at the white classroom floor, silently waiting to be scolded.
"Get to your seat, Hyuuga," grumbled her sensei, feeling sorry for the girl. She didn't seem like the typical gang banger and Iruka could only assume they were harassing the poor child. If he was wrong then it was just one more ruffian in the class.
Iruka-sensei knew of the delinquent gang known as Akatsuki, all the staff knew. The gang always caused mischief, started fights, ditched class, and other such incidents. The sensei was cringing inside to see that one of them might be in this class.
Hinata entered the classroom, peering at the already seated students. Her cheeks burned when she recognized they were staring at her. Gulping, she took a step forward. Then part of her relaxed a bit when she heard someone call "Hina-chan" in a familiar voice.
Searching for the source, the indigo-haired girl's eyes met with two calm pools of pale blue, surrounded by an inch of black eyeliner. Slightly above the left eye, there was a red tattoo with the kanji for love. A hood of black sweatshirt was thrown over his head of crimson red hair. Hinata was staring at Sabaku no Gaara, seated in the back row. He was also known as the Hyuuga's best friend.
A smile broke across her face. There was an empty seat next to him and he motioned her to join him. Grateful, she hurried to the back and seated herself next to the red-haired boy.
"H-Hi, Gaara-chan," she cheerfully greeted him.
"You look great," he told her, expressionlessly.
She blushed; Gaara was so nice to her.
"Arigato," the Hyuuga whispered, embarrassed.
Iruka-sensei noticed this exchange and sternly warned, "Quiet in the back."
Gaara rolled his eyes at their new sensei and Hinata let out a small giggle, she was glad that he was in her class.
Gaara had acted as the Hyuuga's bodyguard during middle school, protecting her from bullies. Being different himself, the others shunt him. Hinata was the same way so he felt drawn to her. They became best friends over time. Though, Gaara felt guilty that people became scared of Hinata in the process. She was quick to reassure him that it didn't matter.
The redhead was pleased that she was striving to be popular, it proved that she wanted to like herself, but part of him could not evade the strangling feelings that she would leave him behind.
As Hinata focused her attention on the board where Iruka was writing about the topics of the first semester, something poked her elbow. Startled she peered up at Gaara, then down at an open notebook. There were words written sloppily on the first two lines.
Who were those guys?
A blush crept to the Hyuuga's cheeks, she wished he hadn't noticed. She picked up the pen to write a reply nonetheless.
Some new friends I made last period, in art. They're nice.
Gaara looked at her skeptically, raising his brow.
They didn't look like freshmen. How old are they?
Hinata could tell where he was going with this and knew he was being overprotective.
Hidan-kun is a junior & Sasori-kun is a sophomore. --Why are you asking?
Just checking . . . If they hurt you I'll kill them.
Hinata's eyes widened, glancing up at Gaara. His blank expression was sound, he meant every word. Seeing Hinata's frantic look, the redhead sighed, but he wasn't going to make any promises. Still, he had to say something or the Hyuuga was going to freak out.
I'll play nice.
The girl's tension loosened, as she read the words on the paper. Hinata was relieved that he was going to be pleasant. Though she found her thoughts drifting to a subject she'd never had much luck in.
Hinata was barely able to hold a conversation with a boy, let alone date one. That was going to be a challenge. One that would come much later, since she was still in her stuttering state. She decided when she could speak straight, she would find a boyfriend.
Disheartened, she sighed, not that anyone would want to date me. Her thoughts strayed further, back to her middle school experience. Boys never reacted well to her, she was the center of their teasing. The Hyuuga then recalled why she was dressed preppy.
No, I'm different now! She reasoned, focusing on the confidence that she'd been desperately attempting to gain over the summer. Encouraged, she thought boldly, I can get a boyfriend if I want to! I'm Hinata Hyuuga! The gorgeous hime of Konoha High!
"Hina-chan, are you okay?"
"Huh?" Hinata turned to Gaara, puzzled by his baffled appearance. Then she realized why he was looking at her in such a way. In her day dreaming, she'd bundled her hand into a fist and raised it above her head. Her fist punched into the air, Hinata blushed, retracting her hand. She prayed that she hadn't actually voiced her fantasies.
"Oh, u-um, it w-was n-nothing," she assured him. Absentmindedly she found herself snagging a stray hair and tucking it quickly behind her ear. She gazed intently at the empty desk before her.
Baka, baka, baka, baka, she inwardly chanted.
The school bell dismissed the class a half hour later, bustling the anxious students off to their short fifteen minute break before third period.
Hinata let out a sigh, relief washed over her. A break and so far she'd survived her first section of the day, not bad. Two classes down, four more to go. . .
"Hyuuga-san, I would like to speak with you," announced Iruka-sensei, at her from his desk.
Her shoulders stiffened, fearing that she'd done something bad. Wide-eyed and fearful, she warily approached the head of the class, pausing before the large desk housing her sensei.
"H-hai, S-Sensei?"
"Listen, Hyuuga-san," began Iruka gently, he only wished to give her some friendly advice. "I noticed that those boys that brought you here were kind of rough. If they're bullying you, you can confide in me. They're problem students."
"N-no!" shouted Hinata, taken aback by her own outburst. "I mean, S-Sensei. . .Hidan-kun and Sasori-kun are m-my f-friends! H-honest! They w-weren't b-bullying me a-at all! Th-they're r-really nice, a-actually! S-so, p-please, d-don't say m-mean th-thing's about th-them." She swallowed hard, fixing her gaze on her toenails, painted dark purple with tiny white dots resembling flowers.
"I apologize," said Iruka-sensei incredulously. "You're free to go."
The Hyuuga nodded, scampering out of the class. The stairs were bustling with students escaping from the basement level, off to join up with their friends. Her shy nature caused her to hang back, rather than join the stampede. She assumed it would be better to wait for the stairs to be cleared than to be knocked around by the others.
"Hina-chan," came Gaara's voice from behind her. She whirled around, smiling because he waited for her. Of course, that was what best friends are for.
The break ended too soon and Hinata was forced to head to her third class of the day, math. She was placed in the geometry, since she took algebra a year early. That meant she was going to be in a class with students that were older than herself.
Upon opening the door, Hinata had not expected to see Sasori and Hidan at the back of the room. The feeling was mutual when they saw her enter the class.
"Hime, are you stalking me?" asked Hidan, teasing her.
"N-no!" she denied, blushing at the accusation. "I, um, al-r-ready t-took algebra l-last y-year." She wandered over to them.
"Wow, you must be fucking smart!" remarked Hidan, impressed. "I'm taking this class again, thanks to Sarutobi-sensei. Damn old codger wouldn't pass me."
"You had a 7 percent, no one would pass you," Sasori bluntly stated.
"Shut the fuck up, Sasori," snapped Hidan, irritated. Then he turned back to the indigo-haired girl, standing at the side of the class by the two boy's desks, all the way in the back to the right. He wondered how she faired in her last class, acting like that.
"Hinata-kun, you may sit down," Sasori pointed out politely.
When she turned to find a seat, Hidan's foot collided with the chair in front of him, causing the brunette who occupied it to yelp.
"What the hell's you're problem?" barked the boy, looking annoyed and then noticing who had hit his chair, he became uneasy.
Forcefully Hidan ordered, "Move, asshole. She's sitting there."
"H-Hidan-kun!" wailed Hinata. She could find a different seat, but after the brunette glanced at the timid hottie next to the jerk, who'd kicked him, he stood and moved up at seat.
Smug, Hidan looked pleased with himself as he offered Hinata the now open seat. She took it, thanking the boy who'd given it up for her before the class began. The Hyuuga was beginning to see what Iruka-sensei had meant by 'rough', but she could sense that they meant well by it.
Hinata giggled to herself, feeling unusually giddy. The only thing she could describe the bubbly warm phenomenon in the pit of her being was friendship.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX TO BE CONTINUED XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Arigato for reading~! :)
A/N: I love Gaara! So I HAD to make him Hinata's BFF. They look cute together, yeah? And originally I wrote the scene that had Gaara in it with Tobi instead, but it didn't work out that well and the story wasn't progressing at all. Tobi's too fun to write so it got really silly!
And couples are still up in the air while I'm introducing the rest of the characters, so voice you're opinions and I'll definitely try working them into the story! (no matter how odd because I like crack pairings!)