Disclaimer: If you still aren't convinced, I ain't no Kishimoto-sensei. He's a genius and I clearly am not. xD
Author's Note: Like I promised, another fast update. I just want to give an extra thanks to everyone who reviewed because this story reached 225 reviews! All of you made me smile so much. It helps me write faster too, so I'm already finishing up with the next chapter. (:
Also: Important note at the bottom.
As for any warnings. . . Avid Sakura Haruno lovers beware. You read at your own risk of seeing your beloved character portrayed as the villain. If you aren't easily offended by a tiny bit of character bashing, then by all means continue.
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Friday had arrived unexpectedly fast. It seemed as though the first day of school had only occurred yesterday, not four full days prior. Looking back at all the insane events that had been jammed into that short period of time was astounding. Hinata felt proud of herself for enduring through it all. She wholly hoped that the initiation was going to come to a close soon.
Stepping out into the crisp air, in a low-cut, knee length, thick-off-the-shoulder-strapped, lavender summer dress she searched for any signs of strange vehicles. Spotting none parked on either side of the street, she smiled happily to herself. No morning kidnappings today, she thought contently.
Her cousin, Neji was quick out the door that morning. The brunette decided to escort her to school. With her off hanging out with new friends, being punished, and his obsessive studying they hadn't really gotten chances to talk about high school life yet. Hinata's cousin was constantly fretting over her wellbeing and how she was adjusting to a larger school.
A few well crafted lies eased Neji's worrying. He didn't really need to that his delicate younger cousin was getting into less than appropriate activities. If he even found out about her ditching school . . . the Hyuuga heiress dared not think of it. He just couldn't know, that was all there was to it.
When they got to school, Hinata felt a great deal more confident and prepared ambling onto the buzzing campus. The giant building was definitely less fearsome than it had seemed days ago. There were even several familiar faces in the once sea of strangers.
When her ghost-like eyes trailed over the floods of people she caught sight of the tall blue-skinned Akatsuki member walking through it just a ways off. He was definitely hard to miss in a crowd. Kisame stood a head or two above the average high schooler and his unique skin color attracted a large amount of attention.
"K-Kisame-kun!" she cried out, abandoning her cousin's side to chase after her friend. Reaching his side, the Hyuuga latched onto his sleeve. "Kisame-k-kun."
Blinking, the giant of a boy turned her way. "Oh, Hinata-chan. What's up?" She released his shirt and looked just passed him to see that Deidara was accompanying him.
"Hey, Hina-chan," the blonde greeted her, flashing her a foxy grin. He was back in school, much to his chagrin. Nevertheless, it meant he could spend more time with Hinata and the rest of his friends. Besides, being cooped up in his room all day wasn't exactly the pinnacle of fun.
The indigo-haired girl fell into step with them, stammering, "I s-saw you walking a-and I, ano, o-ohaiyo, Kisame-kun, D-Deidara-kun." Her head dipped into a small bow before smiling happily at her friends. Then addressing the Iwa, she asked, "S-so, you're b-back now?"
"Yep," he answered dryly, scowling as he continued, "Pein said that the mess was all sorted out now, yeah." However, the blonde kept that fact that their leader was keeping him on pretty damn short leash for the bombing of the noodle stand quiet. There was no point in voicing his vexation on the matter.
"I glad," she told him, giving him one of her heart melting smiles.
Willing down the oncoming blush that was dangerously threatening to envelope him, Deidara nodded stiffly. If only the clueless girl knew what power she held over his traitorous heart, that went into a flurry without her even trying.
When the Iwa and Hyuuga entered their first period, the blonde yelped loudly and hid behind his friend. Bewildered, the indigo-haired girl searched for the cause of his distress to come face to face with Deidara's worst nightmare: Tobi.
The energetic freshman already traveled the distance of the room upon spotting two of his favorite people. Beaming widely, the boy exclaimed, "Sempai! Hina-chan!"
"Tobi, what the hell are you doing in here, yeah?" angrily demanded the fearful blonde, his grip on Hinata's shoulders tightening as the 'annoyance' drew closer. In all his years, the Iwa had never come across such a child that perused him with such conviction that it was scary.
"Tobi switched classes so he could be with Sempai!" he explained, his thumb pressed into his chest proudly.
Disregarding the look of horror that crossed Deidara's face, he carried on with his typical antics of trying to get his arms wrapped around the blonde and as per usual he ran away. Observing the two race around the art room, Hinata had to hand it to Tobi, he had formidable determination.
"Yo, Hime."
The Hyuuga span around to face Hidan. She said her hello and then turned to discover Tobi had effectively cornered his victim, er, Deidara. Watching the dark-haired freshman capture the whining Iwa's midsection the two spectators chuckled. Hinata did feel sorry for Deidara's discomfort, but inwardly she was cheering for Tobi's victory. He really was sweet and nothing, but nice to his sempai.
"Tobi joined our class?" impassively speculated Sasori, entering the classroom.
The giggling girl nodded, warmly greeting the redhead.
Art began as soon as Kurenai joined the room, commanding that everyone be seated so they could begin. The period was rowdier with Tobi's liveliness added to their table. Unpredictably, Hidan and the dark-haired boy actually got along relatively well together and it gave Deidara a break from his constant 'Sempai this' and 'Sempai that'. When they were all together like this, Hinata found that it was more fun with a fuller group.
Break went by uneventful. Afterwards, the three students that had Geometry headed to class, while Tobi was more than happy to escort his sempai to his next period.
When they arrived, it was apparent Sarutobi wasn't very forgiving of the insolence the Hyuuga and Hidan had showed him two days prior. However, some smooth words from Sasori had the whole episode pinned on solely silver-haired junior.
When the class ended and the trio moved to the hallway, glaring spitefully at his 'friend', the wronged teenager demanded, "What the fuck, Sasori?"
Dully, the Akasuna turned to him and deadpanned, "What?"
Thrusting an accusing finger, Hidan shouted, "You set me up! That's fuckin' cheap, man!"
The redhead shrugged, unruffled by his words. More pointedly, he inquired, "Would you rather Hinata-kun get in trouble?" His mahogany eyes narrowed at the silver-haired boy.
"A-ano," said girl piped up. "I c-can go t-tell Sarutobi-sensei th-that it was all m-my fault."
Feeling like a jackass, Hidan face palmed, groaning. Shooting a sideways glare at Sasori, he told her, "No, damn it. Don't do that, Hime. Just forget it."
"O-okay."
After that, they parted ways and went onwards to their next scheduled classes. It would be the Hyuuga's first time attending her fifth period Spanish class, seeing as she had missed it the past two times during the week. She briefly wondered who would be in it as she paused outside the door.
Stepping into the classroom, she abruptly stopped. With saucer-sized milk white eyes, Hinata stood rooted to the linoleum, but her brain screamed 'Run!'
Already seated in the center of the front row, in all his orange-wearing, bronzed skin, sunny-haired, brilliantly blue-eyed, obliviousness was Naruto Uzumaki. He hadn't changed one bit since middle school, except maybe maturing physically by a year. The freshman was laughing at full volume about something and it caused the Hyuuga's heart to skip a beat, but when memories of last year flooded her mind her chest seemed to tighten painfully.
Oh, Kami. She wasn't prepared for this.
Panic rapidly surfaced and Hinata felt herself becoming woozy. The feeling was instantly recognizable as to what occurs just as she's about to faint. Identifying the sensation wasn't enough to save her though.
As if all the tension drained from her, the indigo-haired girl's knees buckled and she fell backwards. Unknown arms had caught the Hyuuga's body before her head hit the ground just before everything went black.
Gradually returning from unconsciousness, Hinata could hear a voice calling her name. The voice soon morphed into multiple voices as she regained more of her senses. Ghost eyes fluttering open, she peered up into the small crowd of worried faces.
Crouched around her was Kisame, Kiba, Shikamaru, and Gaara. Others were lingering close behind, all mirrored expressions of concern and confusion.
Blushing violently as she it dawned on her what happened, Hinata straightened up. She'd been leaned against the wall on the tiled floor, judging by the room's appearance she was still in the Spanish class.
"Hina-chan, are feeling alright?" asked Gaara, resting a tender hand on her shoulder.
The redhead had shown up to class just in time to watch his best friend begin sinking to the ground. Luckily, the blue-skinned boy was a step ahead of him and rescued the Hyuuga from a head injury.
"I-I-I'm alr-r-right," she stuttered quietly.
Relieved, Kisame held out his hand to help her onto her feet. Everyone surrounding them backed up to give the girl some breathing room.
"You okay there, Hyuuga-san?" inquired a fair-haired man, most likely the teacher.
Apologetically, Hinata nodded twice. "Sumimasen."
The sensei addressed her and then the class as he said, "Good. Now everyone take your seats, we'll start class now that Hyuuga-san has recovered."
Still worried somewhat, Kisame guided the paled girl to the second to last row and seated her between Gaara and Kiba, Shikamaru was at his right. He then resumed his position at the head of the class. The teacher, Mizuki, announced that the towering blue student before them was going their to be the TA for the period.
This aided Hinata's mental recuperation considerably. Sure, the one guy that had ever ripped her heart to shreds without caring in the least was in her fifth period class, but so were her very best friend, two other friends, and a good acquaintance.
It wouldn't be that horrible, right?
Surviving the last half of class, Hinata mentally sighed. It was going to be a long year. Kisame, Gaara, Shikamaru, and Kiba all walked down the hallway towards the cafeteria once they'd been dismissed. A little over halfway there, the indigo-haired girl paused.
"I forgot, I h-have to stop by m-my locker," remembered the Hyuuga. She told them to go on ahead and that she'd meet up with them right after.
Heading back into the school building, she made her way to the second floor. When she opened her locker there was a note inside. Curious, Hinata read it a loud, "Hinata-chan, p-please meet m-me in room 110 at l-lunch." She stopped short when she silently read who it was signed by: 'Your secret admirer'.
Her face flushed, glancing around the nearly empty hallway.
Uncertainly, the indigo-haired girl decided that she'd better go to the rendezvous. On the way there, nervousness quickly overtook her. The Hyuuga had never had a secret admirer before.
Opening the door to the specified classroom, Hinata hesitantly walked inside. She didn't see anyone and wondered if maybe he was running late? Or was it all a practical joke?
The sound of the door opening once again, drew her attention back the doorway. Though it wasn't a secret admirer that had just entered the class; it was Sakura Haruno, flanked by four unfamiliar girls and they looked angry.
"C-c-can I-I h-help y-y-you?" she stuttered, shifting uncomfortably beneath their glares.
"Look at her," remarked Sakura nastily, striding towards Hinata with haughty air. "She thinks she's hot stuff. Little Hinata Hyuuga." She scoffed, jutting her chin up so she could look down the bridge of her nose at the Hyuuga. "As if! We know the real Hinata, now don't we girls?"
A few of them nodded seriously, drawing nearer. The looks on their faces made their intent clear.
"Wh-wh-what d-do y-you w-w-want?" the indigo-haired girl squeaked.
One of the girls spitefully answered, "To teach you a lesson, for going after Sasuke, bitch." As Hinata backed up more, she put the pieces together. They were Sasuke Uchiha's fangirls. They were pissed off that the two of them were on friendly terms with each other.
"P-p-please, g-go a-w-way," the Hyuuga pleaded desperately. Her back now pressed to the wall behind her, they continued to move closer. "I-I d-d-didn't—"
"Aw, don't be a baby," snapped Sakura, glowering angrily. "This is what happens when you go and touch something that's not yours."
If Hinata wasn't deathly afraid, she would have pointed out that Sasuke did not belong to them either, but she held her tongue. Pissing off the group of jealous hormonal females was not in her best interest. The Uchiha's fans were not forgiving.
"Let's teach her the same lesson we taught Ami."
They cackled at the memory of their once friend, who'd gotten a little too close to Sasuke the year before. Hinata vaguely recalled the loud mouth girl switching schools abruptly in the middle of the eighth grade. Getting close to Sasuke wasn't permitted. It was not acceptable; no one was allowed to touch him. No one.
"Give me the scissors," commanded Sakura, grinning evilly.
Horrified, Hinata's eyes went wide as she saw the silver blades being passed into the pinkette's hands.
"You see," began Sakura, her tone soft. The Haruno's emerald eyes traced the sharp instrument in her grasp. "Back when you were a shy little tomboy . . ." Green orbs connected with ghost white from behind thick lashes. "Nobody gave a damn." The pinkette beamed maliciously at Hinata, opening and closing the scissors deliberately. "So. . . If we turn you back into that Hinata, things will go back to normal, ne?" Sakura and the girls hooted cruelly, finding a sick humor in the situation.
"S-s-st-t-top," breathed the Hyuuga, unable to do anything. She was vastly out numbered and had no weapon to scare them off. Clutching the fabric of her dress that was stretched across her chest, Hinata's back slid down the wall. Her entire frame was trembling as she cowered, crouched low to the ground.
"Grab her," ordered the pink-haired leader, smirking. Two of her followers grabbed hold of their prey by the arms, signaling that they were ready.
As Sakura's reached out and seized a fistful of silky regalia purple hair, the deafening sound of glass shattering was the only warning to the shards sailing threw the air. One sliced through bubblegum locks to graze the smooth flesh of Hinata's cheekbone, blood sliding down to her chin. Several cut a few of the other Sasuke fangirls that had been nearer to the windowsill.
Petrified, all eyes turned warily towards the gaping hole where the window had previously been. In it's place, a senior had just leapt through it, closing the distance with dark silver eyes never leaving Sakura. The spiky orange-haired boy held an air of pure terror, one that could only be described as demonic.
In one purposeful motion, the back of Pein's hand whipped across the pinkette's face with thunderous 'smack'. The other girls let out shrill screams, released Hinata, all stepping away from the demon of boy, but they dared not run. Tears pricking her wide fear-filled apple orbs, Sakura tentatively brushed her fingers against the burning mark of his handprint.
As the rescued Hyuuga watched her savior round on the other girls, suddenly her own wellbeing was hardly her worry. Shakily rising from the floor, arm outstretched, she took a apprehensive step towards him. "P-P-Pein-s-sama, y-you can't!"
The Akatsuki leader's hateful glare turned to Hinata, his acid words slipped through clenched teeth as he bit out, "Go outside."
"B-B-But-"
"Now," he demanded, glowering furiously. His attention redirected to the retreating females, all drawing closer to each other in a corner. He approached the cluster like a predator, the same evil smile tugged at his lips that had once been on Sakura's face. Now the pinkette looked like a lost frightened child. How easily the tables turn.
The hand at the indigo-haired girl's side clenched tightly. She couldn't allow him to do this. If she sat back and permitted this to happen it would mean nothing had changed. She would still be powerless and pathetic. The same timid girl that hid behind her hands and baggy jackets. She had to stand up and do something, now. It was her chance to finally change.
Her feet moved as her decision was made, carrying her across the room.
"No!" she cried, slamming into Pein's hard backside. Desperately, she grasped onto his muscular arms, using all her might to keep them at bay. "S-stop it! I won't l-let you!"
"What?" he hissed disbelievingly, entirely taken off guard. The Akatsuki leader span around, knocking her back, to face the fiery Hyuuga, his hardened glower narrowing.
Not wavering in the least Hinata repeated, "I-I won't let you f-fight my battles f-for me." She swallowed, taking in a shallow breath. "O-or I'll-I'll fight you." Lifting her arms, forming fists, she showed that she was serious.
The orange-haired senior had parted his lips, a look of outrage twisting his features, but the words that the had been about to speak were killed when he saw the passionate determination shining in her alabaster orbs.
Instead, Pein's features softened and all the animosity dissipated. With a resigned sigh, he nodded once. Slowly a satisfied smile crept onto his face. It threw the indigo-haired freshman off and she blinked in confusion.
"Alright, Hyuuga," he agreed. Then extending an open palm, he gently beckoned, "Come on."
Hesitantly, the girl placed her hand in his, blushing when his fingers enclosed around her own. Tenderly, the Akatsuki leader rubbed the flowing blood from her cheek. As they departed, the two left the gawking fangirls staring after them shell-shocked, half relieved, and bewildered.
Mutely holding hands and walking down the hallway, the heat in Hinata's cheeks extended it's warmth to her full face. She knew that she had to be completely scarlet at this point. Her thought process was in utter ruin and her heart was rapidly pounding. All the flushed girl could do was stare shyly at the floor, letting Pein guide her.
Her head snapped up when she distinctly heard a mass of voices growing louder, she recognized that they had already traveled to the other side of the school and were entering the cafeteria. Audible murmurs reached Hinata's ears, her body tensing when she recognized her name. Gossip of her dating the impassive-looking orange-haired boy grasping her hand were already beginning. Just her luck.
Yet, it wasn't as upsetting as it would have been before. The idea didn't totally repulse her either. Pein wasn't the sick jerk she'd originally pinned him as.
Seriously, the Akatsuki leader asked the Hyuuga beside him, "Are you sure that you want to join Akatsuki?"
"Hai," she answered confidently, her mind had been made from the start. There was no way that she was backing down when she'd come so far.
"It suppose it can't be helped," the upperclassman muttered to himself, letting the silence take over.
Sneaking a glance at the boy beside her, he caught her ivory gaze. Quickly turning away, the Hyuuga mentally kicked herself for her heart fluttering when he'd smirked at her. What if she liked him? Shaking her head, she dismissed the thought. It was probably just because she was grateful that he'd saved her.
They halted at the gang's lunch table, everyone was present. Their heads all turned to face the pair. The cold glares from a select few of the Akatsuki directed at their leader, for holding the blushing girl's hand, were uncaringly ignored.
Then grinning proudly, Pein announced, "Hinata has finished the initiation and is now a full-fledged member of Akatsuki!"
Utterly surprised by this turn of events, she span to face him with wide disbelieving eyes. For the first time, he gave her a genuine smile, one devoid of any dark undertones or hidden emotions. The true smile of Pein.
The table erupted into cheers beside the pair, standing up to rally around the newest member. Tobi was the first to enthusiastically embrace the surprised freshman, hopping up and down in his fervor.
The hug didn't last long because Deidara shoved the Uchiha off Hinata to give her a gleeful hug of his own, spouting his congratulations.
Hidan ruffled up Hinata's soft hair from behind, saying "Fucking knew you could do it, Hime."
Next, Kisame enveloped the girl in giant bear hug, lifting her feet off the ground, nearly crushing her in his excitement.
When she was set back down, Itachi patted the Hyuuga's head, smiling encouragingly.
The less exuberant of the gang were less touchy, but still warming. Konan gave her warm smile and a thumbs up, Kakuzu gave her an approving nod, and Zetsu beamed at her from behind Tobi's bouncing head.
Happy tears welled in Hinata's eyes as she told them, "A-arigato, mina!"
She'd been accepted by so many wonderful people. She stood up for what she believed. She met her goal and changed.
It was one of the happiest days of her life.
As Pein had watched his gang celebrating the new member's formal induction into Akatsuki, he couldn't help having a combination of different feelings on the matter. As an individual, he rather liked her, but he was still somewhat against the girl as one of them.
The initiation phase for the Hyuuga had been to see if she could come out of her timid shell. Thus he first humiliated her with an outrageous outfit, tested her devotion when not in their presence by having her refer to everyone regardless as 'Master', and acted callously towards her to test her nerve. Just moments before she demonstrated her courage by standing up to him. So, it went without saying that she was worthy to be one of them, yes.
The Hyuuga freely chose to run with the wolves; nonetheless, she had no real idea what business she was getting herself entangled in. The fear of Akatsuki was substantial for a reason. Not only that, Madara had set his sights on the girl. When the elder Uchiha was involved it could only mean bad things.
If anything, the leader thought, Hinata Hyuuga was in for one hell of a ride.
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Author's note: Hinata made it into the Akatsuki at last! :D
The story will be progressing at a faster rate from this point onward. Only two or three more chapters and we'll be moving onto the more intricate plot. The first week was just really hectic and I wanted everyone to get the feel of her soon-to-be everyday life.
IMPORTANT: Another Poll for this story. It'll be closed fairly soon though. I just want a general feedback on an idea I had. Remember the EXTRA update I added with Konan's phone call?
Well it's be kind of like that only with more storyline to it, featuring different characters, and show scenes that aren't on the main plotline, but still relevant. Kinda' like a behind the scenes of their character development for when they coincide with the main plot.
Go ahead and vote on my profile or give your answer in an anonymous review if you're too lazy to login. Lol.
Like I said, I'm already finishing up with the next chapter too. So, please review and I'll keep updating quickly. :D
Arigato gozai masu!