- 13 Days -

"Day two of my vlog. I heard about Kiba Inuzuka's party in a couple of weeks. I wasn't planning on going, hoping to avoid someone I don't wish to see at the moment. Heh, but Hidan asked me, and when Hidan asks me something, I couldn't say 'no', no matter how much I want to."

Hinata finished up quickly as her free period was quickly dwindling away. Not too long after, the bell rang for next period, which, for her, happened to be lunch.

"Hinata, let's go." Hidan ordered, and she nodded as she gathered her books and followed him out of the library, two figures watching them leave.

"It's Hidan and Hinata again..." Tenten murmured.

"I think they're an okay couple." Ino Yamanaka yawned as she flipped through the pages of her history book, "if you ask me, it seems like one of those abusive ships, ya know?"

"You could say that. But you've really got no proof. They're just like any ordinary relationship." Tenten shrugged, "but seriously though, have you seen Sasuke and--"

"Ew, don't even bring up that name." Ino cringed.

"Ouch, sorry." Tenten chuckled nervously, "didn't think you'd still have a nerve about that."

"Yeah, I do." Ino shook her head, "we should probably head down to lunch, if we want to get anymore inside info about those two, because watching them only makes me worry."

"What's even there to worry about?"

"Well, I don't know... The fact that someone like him could fall in love with someone like her. It's like water and oil." Ino explained.

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Tenten hummed to herself before speaking up again, "is Sakura seeing anyone?"

"What?! Are you setting her up with Hinata? Tenten, I had no idea you were--"

"No! No!" Tenten shook her head, "did you know she was dating Naruto last summer?"

"Of course I did. Everyone knew that. Well, not until after the break-up, ironically. The fact that everyone saw Sasuke nearly kill Naruto because of it was evidence enough." Ino laughed, "why would Sasuke do that, though? They're practically brothers. At least he and Sakura are still on good terms."

"Sasuke and Sakura?"

"No, Naruto and Sakura."

"Oh. Well..." Tenten tapped her chin, "you know why they broke up, don't you?"

"Wasn't it because Sakura was into someone else?"

"No, he broke up with her, because he was into someone else."

Ino nodded, "oh yeah, I heard that. I wasn't sure who it was, though."

"It's Hinata." Tenten concluded, "I'm sure it was. But then that bitch of a boyfriend happened and now we have no idea where Naruto is right now with his love life."

"That's rather disappointing..." Ino sighed, "well, enough wasting time up here. Let's go down to lunch."

________________________

"Whoa, is that Hinata and Hidan? Since when were they a couple?" Kankuro eyed the pair as they moved down the lunch line, his friends Konan, Yahiko, Sasori, and Deidara in tow.

"Get with the times! They've been together for months!" Kiba Inuzuka chuckled, "it makes no sense, but at the same time, it's just so friggin' accurate. Like, someone like him should be dating a cheerleader like Konan or Karin, but they're both taken. Like, I'd even imagine he'd date someone all scary like your big sister, Temari."

"Heh. Scary." Shikamaru Nara chuckled.

"Well..." Shino Aburame spoke up, "that's only because Hidan is more of the rowdy type, while Hinata is mor--"

"Hey." Kankuro pointed a finger at Kiba as he cut Shino off, whose eyebrow twitched in annoyance, "you should know as well as I do how troublesome it is to have an older sister."

"Hn. You think a sister is bad? Try an older brother."

The four turned to see Sasuke and Naruto standing behind them with their lunches.

"Hey, speaking of Karin..." Kiba sneered.

"What do you mean?" Kankuro asked.

"Wow. You're so behind. Such a pain..." Shikamaru groaned as he took a bite from his sandwich.

"Oi!" Naruto spoke loudly as he and Sasuke sat with the group, "Sasuke's dating--"

"Shut up, you idiot. It's not really supposed to get out." Sasuke murmured.

"What?! You and Karin?!" Kankuro laughed, "wow, what do you see in someone as obnoxious as her?"

"I don't know. It just happened." Sasuke sighed, "she's so annoyingly clingy."

"Of course she is." Naruto laughed, "man, I'm sure he gets that question all the time."

"Hn."

"So, you guys coming to my party?" Kiba changed the subject.

"Of course!" Naruto held a thumbs up before taking another slurp from his instant ramen cup.

"Eh. Debatable." Sasuke shrugged.

"Not interested in some lame party." Shikamaru replied bluntly.

"Hey! Shikamaru!"

Shikamaru turned to the direction the voice came from, "huh? Wh--" he was cut off when Ino ran up to him and slapped a hand over his mouth.

"You see that guy over there?"

"Let go!" Shikamaru pulled her hand away, "why are you always dragging me into stuff like this?! I know nothing about hunting for guys..."

"His name is Sai, he's been talking to me all day today and he wants to ask me out." Ino squealed excitedly.

"Then say yes! It's not that hard!" Shikamaru exclaimed.

"No, but should I play hard to get? He'll come back wanting more?"

"What a drag... what is it with women? It really isn't hard at all..."

Naruto chuckled lightly as they watched the two banter for some time before Kiba studied his expression.

"What's on your mind?"

"Mm... I know I'm just trying to let it go, but..." Naruto watched as Hidan and his friends laughed loudly, but Hinata only smiled and chuckled, clearly being the odd one in the bunch. It only bothered him to think she could feel more comfortable with a group like them, but avoid the people she grew up with, being Kiba, Shino, himself, even Sasuke.

"Don't worry about her." Shikamaru interjected, noticing Naruto staring, "as long as there's no blood or tears, she should be okay."

"Yeah." Naruto nodded, "I hope you're right." I'll take your word for it, Shikamaru. For now.