Chapter 3

"I've decided to change your seating arrangements." Kakashi Hatake, the English teacher, announced with a smile from behind a brightly coloured scarf that covered the bottom half of his face. The man would wear a scarf every day of the year not to mention his eye patch. It was rumoured that he destroyed his eye in a car accident and the government used him as a test subject to try out a new eye technology that people would kill him to get. It was farfetched but so were the stories he told for being late so anything was believable with him.

"So my first victims of seat switching will be..." Kakashi began deviously. "Kiba switch with Hinata so she'll sit beside Sakura and you can sit beside Shino."

"Oh man." Kiba said for both of them as he grabbed his stuff. Hinata actually liked sitting beside Shino. He was nice smart and fun to talk to when he was talking too, not to mention he knew the most interesting things about bugs. She didn't talk to Sakura except for once when the girl told her to 'shove off' after attempting to ask to borrow an eraser. Another reason she didn't talk to her was because she was like Ino. She was pretty, popular and bitchy. She acted like a princess and frankly she was even rich if Hinata remembered correctly. She used to be nice until Ino took her under her wing. The fact that the seat was in the middle of the class room was one more reason not to want to move.

"Next... Hmm..." Kakashi continued tapping a finger to his covered chin as he surveyed the class with one eye. "Karin, switch with Naruto."

Everyone in the class groaned when Karin immediately jumped from her seat. That would put her right beside Sasuke. Said boy was glaring at Kakashi.

"On second thought, go sit down." Kakashi said still smiling. Karin pouted and sulkily shuffled back to her seat. The class breathe a sigh of relief and even Sasuke's glare calmed. That was until his name was spoken in the same sentence with 'that' name. "Sasuke switch with Sakura."

Sasuke's glare was back full force but he didn't move even as Sakura slowly packed up her stuff. Kakashi looked on with an amused look. He watched as Sakura sauntered to the back of the class, purposefully swaying her hips and Sasuke stared at her blankly. Weren't his student so interesting?

"Any day now?" he commented when Sakura hadn't even reached half-way to her destination. After two more steps Sasuke rolled his eyes got up and brushed past her without a second glance. The girl stumbled in her heels and Kakashi cracked a grin behind his scarf as the rest of the class erupted in giggles. Yup, his brats were interesting. Who wore heels to school where their exes can pretty much break their ankles just by walking past? He knew the answer to that one.

"Well, I've had enough fun for this morning." he said cheerfully but didn't miss the nod of acknowledgement Sasuke gave the Hyuga girl. That boy didn't acknowledge just anyone." Now for the even more fun part: assignments!"

"Aww" "Come on!" Kiba and Naruto vocalised while the rest of the class groaned.

"We're all happy already." Kakashi said earning the glares of more than half the class. "You'll pair up with your desk mates and write me a short story of no less than two thousand words. It must have at least three chapters, no more than four, can include a prologue or epilogue or both, must have a theme and a title and it absolutely must be interesting. It will be marked for interest, grammar, spelling, and use of language techniques. Extra marks for dialectal variation and if I fall in love with your work. Due in SEVEN DAYS!"

"You could have just said a week." Chouji grumbled.

"But then I couldn't get to say SEVEN DAYS! in an eerie tone." Kakashi said and everyone knew he was pouting.

"You should so date Lady Anko." a student near the door grumbled

"You should tell her that. She just seems so hung up on Ibiki."

"You mean the scary guidance counsellor?" another asked and Kakashi nodded.

"With all the scars?" yet another asked and he nodded again.

"I can see why she likes him. He's scary."

"Don't worry sensei we're on your side! There's no telling what their babies would look like."

"Half-human dragons!" Naruto exclaimed.

"Snake headed humans." Kiba suggested darkly.

"Or not even humans at all."

"We're all Team Kakashi here!"

The class erupted in cheers.

"Is this seriously English?" Sasuke commented to himself annoyed but Hinata heard him. She smiled as everyone else had a conversation about the 'love affair'.

"Well literature does include imagination." she commented. He stared at her for a moment before rolling his eyes then sighing. This was going to be a long class.

"Hey! Has anyone realised that the only way he's going to fall in love with our story is if it's porn?"

Hinata hurried out of the class and to her locker. She quickly packed up her books and almost jogged to the cafeteria. It was already full of students. She stood by the doors looking around for them. Where were they? She couldn't see them anywhere. They were supposed to be free today.

'I'm too short.' she thought dejectedly.

"Hey little Bunny, who you waiting for?" a voice said from behind her. She turned to see Temari smiling at her. She gave Hinata a wink. "Why don't you come over to my place?"

"No, thank you." Hinata answered and the girl rolled her eyes.

"More attitude girl, more attitude." Temari told her before throwing her arm around the smaller girl's shoulders. "If you don't put in the right amount of attitude you'll never get away from them."

"Yea." Hinata answered allowing herself to get led to the line. "Where's Ten-ten?"

"She should be here soon, had to hand in an assignment." Temari answered preoccupied with looking for her brothers. That reminded Hinata that she now had two assignments to do with Sasuke otherwise from the one for Biology that was already done. It was like the teachers plotted to put Sasuke and her together for everything. Not that she minded. He wasn't that bad a person.

"You don't mind sitting at any random table, right? The boys are with the team." Temari asked after spotting Gaara and Kankuro at a table with the rest of the football (soccer) team.

"Nope." Hinata smiled.

"Fine. I'll send Ten-ten to help you when she gets here. I'm gonna save us a seat." the blond said and bounced away. Hinata sighed. Ordering the lunch. Oh joy. Before she got to the lunch lady Ten-Ten came to join her. They both chatted about a few things while they collected the lunch and found the seats that Temari had saved for them.

"Hey aren't you supposed to be sitting with your boyfriend?" Temari teased when she saw Ten-Ten. The girl blushed slightly at the mention of Neji. Hinata smiled. They were a fairly new couple and they were two of her favourite people. She was happy for them.

"He knows I have to spend some days with my girls. I'm a very busy person." Ten-Ten told them.

"Does he know that?" Temari asked looking over their shoulders at something behind them. The other two looked back to see Neji making his way over walking gracefully and ignoring any girl stupid enough approach him.

"Hinata, Ten-Ten, Temari." he greeted them when he finally got to the table.

"What's up Chocolate?" Temari asked with a grin.

"Nothing much Temari." he said running a hand through his long dark brown hair to humour her. He then turned his attention to both Ten-Ten and Hinata. "Uncle will be returning this evening, he just texted me."

"Wait hold on. Your old man can text?" Temari asked butting in.

"I just said so." Neji stated while Hinata nodded.

"Wow. Go old man Hyuga!" Temari cheered raising her soda can and totally missing the small glare Neji shot at her. "Butting out now."

"As I was saying," Neji began then turned to Ten-Ten. Hinata took that as her cue to stop paying attention. "I might be late to pick you up for our movie."

"Ok. Just call me when you're coming to pick me up." Ten-ten told him. She understood that whenever Mr Hyuga returned from his business trips he liked to meet with his daughters and Neji for a review of everything that happened while he was gone. She also knew it might take a while.

The rest of the lunch period continued as usual with conversation. That included Temari re-enacting pick-up lines that guys used on her for Hinata to decline. The girl was getting a little better at rejecting all she needed now was attitude. Ten-Ten would laugh at all of them and ask if these things were really lines.

Afterwards they all split up to go to their classes. Since Temari and Ten-Ten were in a year higher than Hinata they went in their own direction and she went in hers. She was half way to her locker when she saw Sasuke leaned on someone else's locker. He was staring right at her. Was that his way of telling her to 'come here'? She sighed and walked over to him. He watched her until she stopped an appropriate distance in front of him then turned his head to look down the hall.

"Will you be able to meet after school?" he asked and Hinata nodded even though he most likely couldn't see the movement.

"I'll have to go home first." she replied thinking about her father returning from his trip. He looked at her from the corners of his eyes.

"I don't have to pick you up do I?" he asked. That would just be too troublesome. 'That sounds like Shikamaru.'

"No. We have drivers and Father will insist on one." she said and let out a small sigh. Such was life in a family like hers. Protection was key. Sasuke knew how it could be and he was glad his dad wasn't that protective or was it that he, Sasuke, just didn't care? Whichever.

"My house." he said handing her a strip of paper with his address. He'd tell his father about it when he got home. His mother would probably be a problem. She'd probably end up cooking and flip out when she realises Hinata is a girl. He sighed mentally. "Later."

Hinata watched him leave. He walked as if he ruled the school even with his hands in his pockets and he always had space where he walk as if his entire aura told people to step aside. He truly was confident in himself. If only she could be like that. She continued watching him until he disappeared before turning to go in the opposite direction for her own class. This was one of the few sessions they didn't have together.

XXXXX

Hinata entered the house behind Neji and Hanabi with an apprehensive feeling. They passed through the front door and into the foyer without anything happening. They may have gotten further if the man they were trying to escape hadn't emerged from the kitchen.

"Good afternoon Uncle." Neji said instantly. It was best to go politely.

"Good afternoon Father." both Hinata and Hanabi said even if Hinata's was just a little relax. Hinata almost stuttered. There was always pressure from her father.

"Greetings." he said looking at all of them in turn. His gaze stopped on Hinata for a little longer than the others and it took all her will power not to look away from him. He spun on his heel and started down the hall. "Let's hurry. It was a long flight."

"Yes sir." Neji said following him. Hinata and Hanabi followed along as well.

"Did you bring anything back for us?" Hanabi asked, ever the brave one. Her father merely glanced at her over his shoulder.

"They're in your rooms." he answered. He entered his office and they stood while he went to sit behind his desk. "How are your studies?"

"They're well." Neji answered.

"I'm doing great." Hanabi put in. Hinata nodded when his eyes fell on her. He frowned.

'Here it comes.'

"Hinata, I noticed you haven't cut your hair." he said and both Neji and Hanabi looked at her. They hadn't even realised. "Why is that?"

It wasn't what she had been expecting but it was better than having to explain to her father why she hadn't spoken in her reply and then be told repeatedly to speak up. She pushed aside her nervousness, well as much of it as she could, before speaking. "I've had short hair for a long time and th-thought that it may be time for a ch-change."

'Curse stuttering!' she mentally screamed when her father's eyes narrowed. It was bad enough once in a sentence but twice was almost a crime.

"Is there anything I should know? Anything else that needs to be discussed?" he asked looking away from her. She sighed silently as the other two gave negatives. "Do you have anything planned for this evening?"

"No Father." Hanabi said instantly. She was allowed to leave.

"There is a movie that I am going to see." Neji and received his nod of approval before leaving.

"I have projects to work on at a friend's house." Hinata said and was prove of a lack of stuttering. Another sentence with it would not be good for her.

"Which friend might that be?"

"Sasuke Uchiha."

"Uchiha?" he muttered leaning back in his chair. Hinata remained silent. Technically, Sasuke wasn't her friend. They didn't do friend stuff and if she said so in front of him he would most likely put her to shame for even thinking it. "The Uchiha's and I will soon be discussing and agreement regarding a business. Be nice."

'I'm trying to learn not to be nice.' Hinata thought even as she nodded. It wasn't the first time she had been told to be nice. She should have known two huge families like the Uchiha's and the Hyuga's would eventually try to find some sort of business deal that would benefit them both. They were both in big businesses.

"Ask the driver drop you at their house assuming you know the address."

"Yes Father." she answered. He looked at her for a moment before turning away.

"Remember to speak up and do not stutter." he said sternly and Hinata took her leave.

"Are you ok?" Neji asked the minute she closed to door behind her. She nodded. It was as emotionally stressing as it could be.

XXXXX

Sasuke was annoyed. He was very annoyed. His mother was teasing him, his brother was teasing him and his father was silently teasing him. His brother was gone now but his mother was still in the kitchen singing that stupid song. He could hear her from where he sat in the hall. "Sasuke has a friend coming over. Sasuke has a friend coming over. Sasuke has a friend coming over and she's a girl!"

He would admit girls didn't usually come over. They were too crazy and all obsessed with him that they just weren't welcome in his house. The Hyuga was different. She wasn't one of those crazy beasts that seemed to crave him so much. Did he look like cake to them or something? Was he some kind of exquisite chocolate to them?

He looked up but didn't move when his father entered to walk past to his office. He was humming something that sounded strangely like the same thing his mother was singing. Sasuke glared at the man but he merely swatted it away.

"Not strong enough." he said before disappearing into his office. Why his glare never seemed to work on his father could always be put up to his father's glare being ten times scarier than his. Why no glares worked on his mother was another thing entirely. Nothing worked on her, except one eyed puppy eyes. Tobi, his cousin, could get away with anything.

'This is taking a while.' he thought annoyed. He had been sitting there for almost a half hour now. It wasn't that he didn't have anything to do but keeping his mother from opening the door when the Hyuga eventually got there was top priority. Who knew what the woman would say to the Hyuga.

The doorbell chimed and he was out of his seat and at the door in three seconds flat leaving his mother to pout at the door to the kitchen. Victory!

He pulled the door open to reveal the Hyuga standing there with her bag slung over her shoulder. She smiled at him before waving to the sleek black Chrysler still running in the driveway. The vehicle flashed its lights and the girl turned back to Sasuke. He stepped aside to let her pass. He watched the car over her shoulder as she passed him. He couldn't believe they were actually serious about the driver.

"He's leaving." he commented when the car began to slowly back out of the driveway.

"Yea. He'll be back for me at 7/8." the girl said looking from Sasuke to the car. Sasuke closed the door.

"Hang your jacket there." he said making a gesture to the rack by the door as he passed by her. He looked back to see her trying to decide whether to drop the bag or try to remove the jacket without putting it down. He took it from her. He looked down the hall just in case his mother decided to poke her head out of the kitchen.

When he turned back around he froze. She was just pulling her hands out of her sleeves but that not what made him freeze. He'd admit he hadn't given much thought to what might have been under the baggy jacket but whatever he expected hadn't been anything like this. The navy blue shirt wasn't baggy even if it fit her a bit loosely as if it wasn't really her shirt. It however fit perfectly around the swell of her breast. Those looked close to Ds! Wonderfully curved... And she was slim! All those years of thinking she was some fatty trying to hide her fat just pretty much flew out the window. What the hell?

"Sasuke!" his mother shouted from the end of the hall. They both turned to look at her. Hinata was I'm the middle of reaching to hang her jacket. "How mean of you! As the host, you should be the one hanging up the coat not staring at her."

He glared at her before shoving the bag back to the blushing Hyuga and hanging to jacket himself. Way to ruin his slow admiration of her finer physical traits. Damn him for being caught but she didn't have to say it. Oh but she did, she was after all his one and only very loving mother that was just bent on making his life better while she had fun. To hell with his cool demeanour and Uchiha pride for all she cared.

"Aww. You have the same eyes as Neji." his mother continued approaching them. Sasuke was on the verge of growling. This woman was out to embarrass him, he just knew it. "But you're so much cuter. Isn't that right Sasuke?"

'Knew it.' he thought before looking at the poor girl. Her face was entirely red now. Instead of saying anything to condemn him to his actual thoughts of 'yes, kind of, in a delicate, way.' he settled for a "Hn." of indifference and turned away. "I'm going to my room. When you're done with her, send her up."

Hinata watched him leave in shock. 'Did he just dump me on his mother?'

"He can be such a pest." the woman beside her sighed shaking her head at her son's behaviour. She smiled at Hinata. "I'm Mikoto by the way. I'm the mother of that little jerk. Want some cookies? Have I told you you're cute? Who would have thought my little Sasuke had such fabulous friends. Cool and hunky boys and a super cute girl."

Hinata could only smile at all the woman was saying. She talked fast and in such an excited tone that her speech was jumbled. Hinata wasn't sure she heard half of it properly.

"Oh poor girl. I'm just too excited to speak properly." she said noticing the girl's confused look. "Cookies?"

"Thank you but I should probably hurry up to Sasuke." Hinata said politely.

"You don't have to bother with him, that's my job. Come have a cookie." Mikoto insisted looping her arm through Hinata's and beginning to pull her towards the kitchen. Hinata sent a worried look up the stairs as she allowed herself to be pulled along.