Hi everyone! So I'm back again with another update. I'm truly enthusiastic about this story. I like all the little ideas I have in my head for it and I do hope you all stick around to watch it all unfold. Don't worry, this wont be another cliff hanger like CME and ALHR, I promise to finish this, (along with The Bundy Syndrome and All For Love; these three are my primary focus for now, I'll be randomly updating 'Together Again'). Anyway, onto the story, thank you once again for reading my senseless ramblings and I do hope you enjoy this chapter! Read, Enjoy, Review!

Mairudo Sebun

KawaiixKisses

Chapter 3 - Vinyl

"Again!"

Both ballerinas hid their discomfort from the instructor and returned to their positions before starting their pirouettes again. They had been spinning like that for nearly an hour as retribution for disturbing the class – again.

The pinkette just couldn't keep her mouth shut and the poor princess was dragged along with her. Again the bubble gum ballerina chattered on and on about Itachi. Apparently after class yesterday, the two had went out for a walk and Itachi was the perfect gentleman. Hinata had been hearing it all night. The pinkette would not shut up. Honestly, it was starting to work on the princess's nerves, but with all her home training in her back pocket, she managed to silently endure. That didn't mean she hadn't rolled her eyes every now and again, like she had been doing for the past few minutes.

"Again!"

The each let out exhausted sighs before straightening their backs and starting again. Kurenai had been riding them all day – from the moment the two walked in she had been eyeing them as if expecting a disruption. Hinata clenched down on her teeth, moving as effortlessly as she possibly could, despite the aching and angry protesting of her back.

"Haruno, you sit. Hyuuga, again."

Both ballerinas stopped and looked at each other before the pinkette nodded awkwardly and went to sit beside the other dancers in the studio. Hinata, looking to Kurenai, began spinning again.

"Fouette pirouette," the instructor called out.

Instantly the ballerina changed up her pirouette, her leg extending out briefly. Silently, the red eyed dance instructor watched, taking mental notes as the ballerina spun around the studio, quite possibly dizzy by now. "Leap," she said calmly, watching as the ballerina leapt into the air, her arms and legs straight yet graceful.

"Leap and fouette pirouette," she instructed once more and just as she expected, the ballerina performed expertly.

Her red eyes watched as the ballerina continued to spin, never once slowing or stopping. She showed no outwards signs, but Kurenai knew she had to be tired. She should control and drive, something the other girls just seemed to lack. It was impressive really.

"That's enough. Class dismissed."

The other ballerinas gathered their belongings and began filing out. Kurenai watched as the Hyuuga princess slowed to a halt and let out a tired breath before going back for her things. "Hyuuga," she called to her.

Hinata held back the irritated sigh she felt bubbling up her throat and made her way over to her instructor. "Yes, Sensei?"

Kurenai smiled a bit, slightly amused by the annoyance she spotted in her eyes. The instructor folded her arms across her chest, staring the young ballerina up and down for a while before meeting her weary white gaze. "Are you going to be auditioning for a lead role in the winter ballet?" she asked.

The ballerina wrinkled her brow momentarily, as if considering the question. Kurenai was actually surprised. When she thought of it, it was a stupid question, all of the ballerinas and ballerinos would be auditioning for a lead role, she had yet to meet one who was not ambitious.

"I'm not sure," she answered quietly, smoothing her hand over her flat stomach.

Kurenai gave her an odd look before smiling softly. "I think you should," she told her at last. "I wouldn't be surprised if you got a part."

Hinata stared openly before nodding her head slowly. She hadn't really been planning on it, even though she knew Fuji would have wanted that. She wasn't even sure what the ballet was; they had yet to announce it. "I'll think about it," she said softly.

Kurenai smiled and nodded her head. "You can go now, Hyuuga."

Hinata nodded and went to the back of the room to pick up her things before heading out into the hall. Her pale eyes widened only slightly at the sight of Sakura there. The slim girl leaned against the wall, her long, glossy pink hair let down from the bun she wore earlier. Her green eyes looked up from the ground to Hinata, for a moment her expression was unreadable, but it quickly melted away and was replaced by a bright smile.

"Hyuuga," she said cheerfully, bouncing over to the princess. "Sorry about before."

"Hn," Hinata said softly, slinging her bag over her shoulder more comfortably.

The pinkette linked her arm with Hinata's and began pulling her away towards their dorm. "So, what did Kurenai-sensei want?" she asked.

Hinata thought about whether or not she should tell her. True, it wasn't a huge deal nor was it some kind of secret, but something about Sakura was unnerving to her. Forced almost. It might not be obvious to a lot of people, but Hinata was not an idiot – not that everyone else was –, she was usually good at seeing through people. Sakura, however, was a bit of a challenge and it made Hinata slightly unsure of her.

"N-nothing special," she halfway lied, her voice soft.

Sakura continued to look ahead, her expression thoughtful for a moment or so. "So I see," she said softly.

"Itachi-kun and I are going to go to Koriyama," she started, turning her emerald gaze onto Hinata. "You should come with us."

Hinata bit her bottom lip gently, she had no desire to watch the pinkette fawning all over Itachi for an entire day. She'd rather stick her toes with needles. "I don't…"

"Don't say 'no'" Sakura protested, pouting as the two entered their dorm.

Hinata sat down on her bed, slipping her shoes off and rolling her shoulders. "Why do I have to go?" she asked quizzically. Surely Sakura would rather be alone with Itachi while on her date?

"Because it'll be fun. You never go anywhere," she pointed out.

Hinata folded her legs underneath her, staring at the pinkette. "So?"

Sakura frowned. "So, you can't waste your life in here! You have to get out and have some fun every once and a while."

Hinata looked down at her hands, playing with her fingers shyly. "H-how do you know I don't have fun?"

Sakura gave her a look before making her way over to the princess. She sat on her knees in front of her bed, taking her hands in hers. Hinata looked at her, a question mark plastered to her forehead. "Please, Hyuuga-chan? For me?" she pleaded.

Hyuuga-chan? Hinata couldn't remember the pinkette ever using such friendly suffixes with her. In fact, she was slightly puzzled by the fact that she simply called her Hyuuga. Hinata bit her bottom lip gently, looking away from the pinkette before nodding her head, giving in to her will.

Sakura smiled broadly, obviously content with Hinata's decision to join them. She hoped up to her feet and headed over to the closet, pulling out a few items of clothing. "This is going to be so much fun, I promise," she said over her shoulder, flashing the princess a pretty smile.

"Yeah…" Hinata said softly, not believing that for even a moment.

Hinata should have known something was up. There had to be a reason she was invited along. Hinata knew she would not be welcomed as a third-wheel. She just hadn't suspected this would be why she was invited. Beside her in the back seat of the white 2011 Toyota Prius sulked the dark haired vocalist she couldn't stand. Why in gods name was she paired with him? Oh yeah, that's right, because a certain pinkette was unbearable.

Hinata sunk slightly into the cushioned seat, her brows wrinkling slightly at the sight of the pinkette smiling and giggling softly in the front seat. She had explained to her on the way to meet up with the two – apparently brothers – that Itachi had accidentally over booked. It was originally supposed to be his day with his younger sibling but he had also invited her out. When he threatened to cancel because he did not want any of them to feel left out or like a third wheel, she had told him how well her roommate – Hinata – and his brother got along and Hinata had been sucked into their date. The princess couldn't help but think that she was unfortunate.

Not only did she have to deal with the panging in her heart each time she looked at Itachi and Sakura, but she more than likely would have to deal with the irritating Sasuke. Why couldn't the pinkette just leave her alone? There were a ton of girls she could have invited, but of course it had been Hinata selected, fate would have it no other way.

Sakura turned around in her seat and smiled brightly at Hinata. Her emerald hues slid to Sasuke quickly before returning to Hinata, giving her a thumbs up. Hinata would have thrown up had she not been taught better than that. Instead she gave her a weak smile, hoping that Sasuke hadn't seen that, there was no doubt in her mind that the male wouldn't let her live it down.

The smell of tobacco filled the car, sliding through her nose and into her lungs. Her pale eyes turned to find Sasuke lighting up a cigarette before sliding the pack back into his pocket. His dark eyes caught her looking at him and he gave her a playful wink, earning himself a glare and 'hmph' from her as she tore her gaze away.

"Sasuke. You know how I feel about smoking in my car," a deep voice sounded.

Hinata looked up, gazing into the rear view mirror as Itachi spoke behind the wheel, turning along the road. She hadn't heard him talk much the night she first met him, but she hadn't forgotten how delightfully deep his voice was. Its slid over her skin, sending small tingles throughout her and caused her heart to pick up.

"You're right, I do know," he answered his brother, sucking back on the cigarette before blowing out a puff of smoke.

To his credit, Itachi hadn't looked at all bothered. The only thing that told them he was in fact annoyed was the tell-tale signs in his voice. "Put it out, or I'll put you out."

Sasuke hadn't bothered to hide his amusement, in fact, the male chuckled softly. "Sure thing, niichan," he said sarcastically before blowing out another puff of smoke.

The older sibling gave Sasuke a look in the rear view mirror, one Sakura hadn't noticed and Hinata wouldn't have noticed save for the fact that she noticed everything Itachi did. Sasuke kissed his teeth and rolled down the window, plucking the cigarette out. The male sat back and mumbled something under his breath. It was obvious that Itachi had heard him, but gave no comment; instead he continued to drive until they reached their destination. The prius pulled into a parking lot and the passengers all slid out.

"Today is going to be so much fun," Sakura said to Hinata, linking her arm with Itachi's.

The princess only gave a stiff nod. The only person to have fun today would be the pinkette and possibly Itachi. Hinata had a feeling she'd be doing nothing but bickering with the man who walked beside her.

Her pale eyes watched Sakura as they all walked into the town. It was apparent that today meant a lot to her, she had even gone as far as to dress Hinata, yet again. Apparently her own clothes weren't good enough for the pinkette's date. When she had spotted her in the black tights and white hoodie, she had adamantly protested. Now the princess donned a mini white lace dress with thin straps and a low back. A pair of pink pumps replaced Nikes she had on before, making her a few inches taller. And of course, the ponytail she had pulled her thick black hair into had to go. Now the long, dark tresses hung down her back, her bangs held back by two hot pink bobby pins. The pinkette had even insisted she carried the small wristlet that dangled from her wrist. Hinata hadn't seen what was wrong with what she had on before.

"At least you're properly dressed this time," Sasuke mentioned.

The princess pulled away from her thoughts, her eye eyes drifting from Sakura and her little teal dress and white pumps to look up at Sasuke. The male had been studying her briefly but looked away when she turned her gaze to him. She frowned as she watched him lighting up a cigarette.

"Did you want one?" he asked half-jokingly, amusement dancing in his eyes.

Her mind supplied her with images of the last time the two had met and her brows crunched together. Why did he have to be so damn irritating? Everything that came out of his mouth just bothered her, and he knew it. No one couldn't tell her he didn't enjoy picking with her.

When she gave him no response he made a mock surprised face. "You don't? I thought Mairudo Sebun was your favorite," he teased, earning himself a glare from the princess.

"Shut up and give me one," she responded, her voice hushed as she held her hand out for one.

The male smiled to himself, satisfied with this little accomplishment as he handed her a cigarette. He watched her as she balanced it between her lips, her frown still in tack. "Forgot your lighter again? No worries," he teased, pulling out his lighter once more and lighting her cigarette.

The princess frowned at him as she sucked back on the cigarette, hoping that she didn't gag like last would just love it if she did. He was a jerk like that.

Sakura turned back just in time just to spot the two – Hinata glaring and Sasuke smirking. Interesting. She was right then about the two of them. She knew something was up from the first night. Then there was the night before when the princess came back smelling like tobacco and the pack of cigarettes she found in the leather jacket she had loaned to her. She and Sasuke were indeed getting along. Hinata felt the pinkette's gaze on her and looked up. Sakura smiled at her roommate and gave her yet another thumbs up.

"Ugh…" she grumbled softly.

Sasuke arched his brow questioningly before looking up at the pinkette attached to his brother. She had some sly look on her face as she stared at the woman beside him.

The group found themselves in the heart of the city, browsing through the shopping district. "Hyuuga!" Sakura called over her shoulder.

Hinata tore her gaze from Itachi, blinking a few times, and looked to Sakura, tilting her head slightly.

"Isn't this cutest thing ever?" she squealed, pointing to a pair of sliver strappy heels in the window of a department store.

Hinata turned her white gaze to the shoes, eying them considerably. Her gaze shifted to Sakura, taking in the hopeful look on her face. "S-sure…" she answered.

"They're ugly," Sasuke mentioned to the princess. "They should look good on you."

Hinata turned to glare at him, her brows knotting together. Just as she opened her mouth to retort, a much deeper voice cut in.

"I don't think mother taught you to pick on girls," Itachi commented, looking down at his younger brother.

"I don't think she taught you to stick your nose in other people's business either, niichan," Sasuke replied, ignoring his brother's gaze.

Itachi smiled. "On the contrary – she taught me to make sure you minded your manners."

Sasuke frowned, sliding his hands in his pockets and blowing out puff of smoke. "She wasted her time then, she should have focused on teaching you how to mind your own business," he bit back sourly.

Itachi turned a kind smile onto Hinata, ignoring his brother for the time being. "Hinata-chan, please excuse my brother's behavior. He doesn't know how to talk to girls yet," he said to her, his voice gentle.

Her heart rate kicked up and heat flooded her cheeks, turning her face a rosy color. "H-h-h-hn!" she said nervously, averting her gaze to her hands.

"Don't hesitate to tell me whenever Sasuke-kun is mean to you, okay?"

The princess nodded her head, her heart speeding and her stomach fluttering. She placed her hand on her stomach, vaguely wondering what was wrong with her.

"Tch," Sasuke kissed his teeth. "I know how to talk to them just fine."

"Sure," Itachi replied simply, implying that he didn't believe a word his sibling said.

"Itachi-kun…" Sakura chimed in, tugging on his arm a little.

Hinata tried to ignore the panging in her heart as the male looked down to the pinkette. She bit hard at her bottom lip, forcing herself to look away. Sasuke, over his little dispute with his brother, looked to the female beside him. Curiously, he watched as she pulled the cigarette from her lips, tossing it to the ground and lightly stomping it out.

"You like him, don't you?" he asked suddenly.

Hinata looked up at him, her brow crunching together. "Like who?"

He stared boredly at her. "Itachi."

Heat flooded her cheeks once more and her heart did that funny thing again. "N-no," she lied, her voice cracking.

"Sure. The blushing, stuttering, that has nothing to do with Itachi," he said sarcastically.

She bit her bottom lip hard. "I don't like him. I don't even know him," she reasoned, with him and herself.

Sasuke smirked. "Right. You staring at him on the ride here too was also nothing."

Hinata's face couldn't have been anymore red. She hadn't known she had been that obvious. If Sasuke had noticed her, maybe even Itachi had noticed. She bit her bottom lip hard, wishing she could disappear for a while.

"Thought so."

"Maybe your mother should have taught you to mind your own business," she mumbled, stalking away from him.

Sasuke smirked, following behind her and blowing out a puff of smoke. Why did he love picking with her so much? He was still asking himself that. The expression on her face, her inability to take a joke, it was amusing to him. She was frigid and uptight; it was fun to watch her lose herself in their little hiccups.

"You shouldn't frown so much, you'll get wrinkles," he mentioned, catching up to her.

The princess knotted her brows together, biting her bottom lip to keep herself from retorting. The male smirked, watching as yet another frown claimed her features. "You don't know how to listen do you?" he teased.

The ballerina sucked her teeth, shooting him a nasty glare. "You don't know how to shut your mouth, do you?" she snapped.

Sasuke couldn't help but laugh at that. It was a deep, rumbling sound, different from the dark chuckling she had heard him make before. She looked up at him, just in time to catch him smiling, not a smirk, not a grin, a smile. It was… weird.

"Tch," she kissed her teeth, picking up her pace a bit.

The princess followed the pinkette and her date into the boutique, instantly wishing he hadn't the moment she was inside. It was lined with leopard interior – the curtains, the cushioned couches, the rugs. But to make it worse, the central color was pink. Bubble gum, Barbie pink. It was disgusting, her royal highness decreed. Her nose wrinkled as her white eyes looked around at the horrible décor. What were the people who worked there thinking?

"Wow," came a voice sarcastically.

Hinata looked up to spy Sasuke staring boredly at the horrible color scheme. Slowly, he sucked back on the cigarette in his mouth, blowing out a puff of smoke. Hinata's white gaze returned to the store, watching in horror as the pinkette made her way over, carrying a jean-jacket lined with pink leopard, silk-like material on the inside.

"This would look so good on you," she said, holding it up for her to see.

Hinata looked at it, smiling awkwardly. "U-um… I don't think – "

"Try it on," the pinkette insisted, staring her in the eye.

Hinata stared back at her, her smile slowly slipping away as she reached for the jacket.

"Oy! No smoking!" a voice shouted.

The three turned to spy an angry woman in her mid-30s storming over to them, dressed in a white and pink leopard jumper. Hinata felt her stomach churning.

"Can't you read?" she yelled, placing one hand on her hip and other pointing to the sign by the window that clearly read 'no smoking'.

The male stared at her, sucking back on the cigarette before blowing out a puff of smoke in her face. "Sorry, didn't see it there," he said calmly, taking the cigarette from between his lips and releasing more smoke.

The woman let out a less than ladylike groan, kissing her teeth and swearing a few times. Her dark brown eyes narrowed and her face turned red with anger. "Get… out."

Sasuke shrugged his shoulders and placed his cigarette back in his mouth. "Fine. Hyuuga lets go."

"Eh?" her quiet voice came, but it was too late, he was already dragging her out of the boutique and saving her from the monstrosity of a jacket.

The male dragged her out onto the street, leading her down the road and away from the pinkette and his brother. The ballerina tugged and pulled at her arm until he finally released it.

"What do you think you're doing?" she questioned, her pale eyes narrowing.

He sucked on the last bit of his cigarette before tossing it to the ground and stomping it out, releasing a puff of smoke. He turned his dark eyes onto her, smirking.

"I'm sure you'd rather spend the day with me than tagging along with bubblegum girl and my brother," he replied, digging in his pocket for the pack of cigarettes he knew was in there.

The ballerina frowned, kissing her teeth. "On the contrary; I'd rather be doing anything other than spending the day with you."

His brows rose in mock surprise. "Is that so?"

"Yeah."

He chuckled a bit, shaking his head a little as he pulled out a cigarette. "Fine. See ya," he said to her, walking away and leaving her alone in the street.

The ballerina looked around for the boutique, only it wasn't where it was supposed to be. All the road signs looked unfamiliar too. She bit hard at her bottom lip then turned in the direction Sasuke went She watched as he walked away, not once looking back to see if she was following him. The ballerina let out an exasperated sigh and began running after him.

"Uchiha-san!" she called after him.

The male stopped and turned around, a knowing smirk claiming his lips as she watched her run up to him. He knew she would end up giving in, there was no way she'd be able to find the boutique again. He hadn't intended on bringing her along, but he had been bored and figured she could provide some source of entertainment for him. He had not been thrilled when his brother told him their "brother day" (something he did not want to participate in from the beginning) would have an extra guest - the pinkette - nor that this guest would be bringing along a friend for him. He would have been just find staying on campus and practicing with the band. But when he noticed that the "friend" was none other than the frail, yet easily irritated girl from the night before, he figured it wouldn't be so bad to hang out with his brother for the day. Though now that he thought about it he wasn't exactly hanging out with Itachi - not that he really wanted to.

"I see you're back," he commented, watching as she slowed down.

He found great amusement in watching her wrinkle her nose and crunch her brow. It was a starkly contrasting expression for her demure features and personality. The way he saw it, she was much better this way, bickering with him than giving in to other people. Like back in the boutique; it was obvious she didn't want anything to do with the jacket, yet somehow was reaching for it anyway. Why on earth would she cave so easily? The would-be-rock star had been wondering that before the ugly woman kicked him out of her shop. He knew this would be the perfect opportunity to ditch the sappy couple, something in him told him to being the Hyuuga along with him.

"Oh, shut up," she snapped, rolling her eyes. "Bring me back to the boutique."

Sasuke stared at her for a moment before speaking. "For what?"

"What do you mean for what? I don't want to be here with you."

Sasuke smiled at her, laughing softly. "Find it yourself," he told her, lighting a cigarette.

The princess frowned at him. "Take me back," she demanded.

Sasuke kissed his teeth and began walking away. Hinata frowned and followed behind him. "Where are you going?"

"Away," he answered simply, dangling the cigarette from between his lips.

"You aren't going to take me back?"

"Why would I?"

"It's your fault I'm out here," she retorted. "You could have just left me where I was."

The male scoffed. "Yeah right. We both know you were getting tired of the barbie doll."

Hinata opened her mouth then shut it again. He was right. She was indeed growing tired of Sakura. It was weird watching her cling onto Itachi. She hated the way it made her feel. Her heart raced every time she touched him and whenever he smiled. She couldn't help but stutter and blush when ever he looked her way or spoke to her. Seeing him with Sakura was too much for her. She didn't like, being jealous that is. She felt like such a bad person. When did she become so nasty? So selfish?

She followed silently behind him for a while, watching as his dark hair swayed as he moved. He was nothing like his brother, she thought to herself. He wasn't at all as enchanting as Itachi. He was brass and obnoxious, while Itachi was kind and graceful. They were exact opposites despite their family resemblance. She had a hard time believing they had the same mother.

"Where are we going?" she asked after a while, falling into step beside him.

The male tossed her a short glance before shrugging his shoulders. "Anywhere we feel like, that's the beauty of it."

The princess rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah," she mumbled softly.

"Come on," he said, tugging her elbow and pulling her into a music store.

That was beginning to be a habit of his, Hinata noticed. He was always tugging her around everywhere, forcing her along with him, her will be damned. The princess wasn't sure if she liked that or not. She was used to her father's guards guiding her around by the elbow, but that was for her safety. She had begged her father to let her do this alone, she didn't want to be the freak on campus. All through high school she had had guards following her every move - she wasn't even a real princess, but what with her family's money and history, she was treated like one. Her grandfather had always said that if Japan had a monarch they would have been royalty. But that was besides the point.

"Hmph," she grumbled, pulling her arm away from him.

The male only stared before moving deeper into the store. Hinata followed behind him, noting that rather than CDs, there was mostly vinyl albums. She had no idea they still made them.

"I hate rock," she said, mostly to herself as they browsed through the rock section.

Sasuke casted her a glance before looking to the albums once more. "And what would you know about good music?" he challenged.

"I know a lot more about it than you do," she retorted.

He scoffed. "Is that right. Enlighten me oh great Buddah," he said sarcastically.

"Tch," she kissed her teeth. "What's the point, you wouldn't understand anyway."

"Right, yet I'm the one in Music school."

"Whatever," she said, walking around him and into the classical section.

The male followed her curiously, watching as she flipped through the vinyls. "Beethoven?" he questioned, eying her album skeptically.

Hinata looked up at him before shrugging her shoulders, turning the vinyl around to study the songs on the back of it. Before she could get through it, the male snatched it away from her, studying it.

"Hey," she argued, reaching for it.

He ignored her however, pushing her head away before she could get a chance to grab it. He ignored her protests and fidgeting, scanning the back of the album. "I can show you real music."

"Tch, it doesn't get more real than Beethoven," she pointed out.

"Mhm," he agreed. "But still."

The male pulled from his pocket a tiny jump drive and dropped it in her hand. She stared down at the white device, not comprehending for a long while. The male stared at her before understanding hit him. "It's a jump drive, you put it in your computer. You do have a computer right?"

"Hn."

"Good, just put it in and listen."

She looked at it then up at him. "What if I don't want to?"

He gave her a bored look. "Just listen to it."

Before she could give him a sassy retort he walked away from her, leaving her in the classical isle and moving onto reggae.

Jesus Christ, this was a long chapter. Hm. Idk what to say about it. Anyway, leave me a pretty review and I'll make love to your monkey, real good, real real good. ;]