The sounds of a fight barely registered in her mind until she was practically standing outside a large circle of kids, shouting and some even encouraging whatever was happening in the middle. Hinata had a bad feeling about this, one that got confirmed when she heard Naruto's voice screaming Sasuke's name, calling him a bastard, before a crack resounded throughout the yard.
She couldn't get close because of how many kids there were, however, she knew exactly what was happening now. Sasuke and Naruto were fighting again. Why were they fighting?
She didn't have much time to ponder, as soon after the teachers arrived and broke the fight. Hinata was horrified to see some blood marring their faces, especially Naruto's, who also sported a bruise along his cheekbone.
"That's enough out of the two of you. Really, making us work more than we're supposed to…" the one who had been her sensei the year before complained while dragging Sasuke away. On the other side, Iruka was taking care of Naruto, reprimanding him as it was normal between them, with the boy puffing his cheeks and turning his face away. He must have said something bad, because in the next second, Iruka's fist descended upon his head, before he was also dragged away. All the while Naruto's complains could be heard from a distance.
With nothing left to see, the crowd dispersed, the kids soon finding other activities to occupy their time with, being so used to the fights between Naruto and Sasuke at this point. Hinata, however, remained rooted in place, fists held tightly against her chest as she looked in the direction the two boys, along with the teachers, disappeared to.
This was becoming ridiculous, really. Why were they always fighting? Even when they were not in the same class, they always found each other and, as if destined, became violent at the drop of a hat.
"Hinata-chan!" she turned around after hearing a familiar voice calling her name. She couldn't help a smile at seeing Sakura running towards her, her hand in the air waving with enthusiasm. "Hinata-chan, you're here! I've been looking for you, you know?" she said with a small pout, crossing her arms.
Hinata's smile turned a little guilty, remembering the conversation she just had with Ino. She didn't mean to take so long and make Sakura wait. "I'm sorry, Sakura-chan. Something came up and…"
"It's alright, you don't need to explain" she interrupted softly, before allowing her arms to fall to her sides. "Ahhh, this year we're not in the same class… what a shame. Moreover, Sasuke-kun's also in a different class…" she lamented, hanging her head. Hinata patted her shoulder comfortingly.
"I'm sure next year we'll all be together" she reassured her friend. Sakura grinned, recovering her good mood.
"Of course! At the pace we're going, there's probably going to be just one class next year. Can you believe how close we are to finishing the academy? I'm so excited! But nervous too… I don't know if I'm ready to become a shinobi…" she said worriedly, touching Hinata's heart as she felt the same.
Nodding, she agreed with Sakura's fears. She was going to continue with another reassurance, but before she could, Sakura's exasperated huff stopped her.
"Although, having those two in the same class will be a nightmare."
There wasn't even a need to ask about who Sakura was referring to. Not when she casted her eyes towards the place Naruto and Sasuke shared their most recent exchange of fists.
…right. This, Hinata could agree with, too.
"I would normally say that we don't need to worry because maybe Naruto would be retained a year, or he will drop out but… from what we've seen of him, I have little doubt he'll at least reach the last year of academy, if only scratching" Sakura sighed, shaking her head.
That was… harsh but at the same time a very positive thing for Sakura to say about Naruto. Compared to how she was before, this was very good progress on her part.
"Say… why do you think they're always fighting? It's not like I particularly care but it happens so often… now even more than before" Sakura wondered out loud, tilting her head with a confused frown.
Hinata sighed. "I don't know… Naruto-kun doesn't like Sasuke-kun much at all…"
"That's obvious, however, Sasuke-kun doesn't back away either. Naruto's the one always initiating things, but lately it almost seems like, when it comes to Sasuke-kun, that…" at this point, Sakura stopped talking, shaking her head instead and turning to Hinata with a renewed smile. "Anyway, why don't we eat something before recess is over? I'm very hungry!"
"Ah, alright" Hinata nodded, though she couldn't help but become curious about her last sentence. What had Sakura noticed about Sasuke when it came to Naruto?
In the end, even after she asked, the other girl just dismissed it saying it was something silly she had come up with. The doubt remained within Hinata though, and she couldn't help but think that, maybe… maybe it had something to do with her, considering how quickly Sakura had discarded the thought.
But that would be silly, wouldn't it?