BEEP…BEEP…BEEP…CLICK.

Hinata groaned. Why oh why did she have to wake up so early? And why did she stay up so late? Hinata blinked at her clock. She shouldn’t be awake right now. She should be sleeping! She didn’t have lecture till 11 a.m. and here she was waking up at the crack of dawn. Slowly she crept out of bed and paused to look over at Ino’s bed. A tuft of spiky black hair mixed with blond peaked out of the covers. Shikamaru had spent the night again. It’s not that Hinata minded she shouldn’t care if Ino’s boyfriend spent the night. She just wished he would sleep there when she was there… Okay so she minded, a lot. Again, Hinata was reminded how everyone had a good guy except for her. With a slight frown she walked to the bathroom to take a shower.

Slightly refreshed from her shower, Hinata quickly dressed incase Shikamaru suddenly woke up (not likely) and saw her changing. Giving herself a quick glance over in the mirror Hinata grabbed her bag and headed to see Kurenai.

Walking towards Kurenai’s office, Hinata could not help but wonder howo she was going to talk to this woman. True she seemed nice, and she had told Prof. Kakashi that she would speak with her…but it was…hard. Hinata didn’t want to do it. Her feet slowed at a halt. She didn’t want to tell anyone. It was so embarrassing and humiliating. She didn’t want anyone else to know. Turning to head back to her dorm, a piece of burnt wood caught her eye. Hinata sighed as she remembered last night and what she had heard. She had to do something…but Kurenai…could she trust her? Kakashi seemed to think Kurenai was trust worthy…but could she trust Kakashi? It seemed every guy she trusted (except for her dear cousin) seemed to betray her trust. Hinata shook her head. It wasn’t like her to doubt people. She felt bad that she was so distrustful. Taking a deep breath she turned and started to walk to see Kurenai.

- - -

Kurenai stared in disbelief at the girl in front of her. All that had happened and she never told anyone?

“Hinata,” Kurenai said, “You need to press charges.”

“No!” Hinata said loudly, much to her and Kurenai’s surprise. “No…I…I don’t want people to know.” Hinata said as she blushed in embarrassment.

Kurenai’s eyes softened. “I understand that Hinata, but you have to do something.”

“I…I know. But I…don’t know…what to do…” Hinata mumbled. “I…I don’t want to change who I am…but I want to change…” Hinata blushed as she spoke, “That didn’t make sense did it?”

Kurenai smiled warmly at the girl. “No, I understand. You want to be yourself, just stronger.”

Hinata nodded.

Kurenai sighed, she could not believe she was saying this, “I think Professor Hatake would be able to help you.”

Hinata looked slightly confused. “Um, Kurenai, who is Prof. Hatake?”

Kurenai blinked. “Oh….that idiot. I bet he has you call him by his first name, Prof. Kakashi.” She said as she sighed in annoyance. That guy could be such an idiot…and he was teaching the minds of the future? Kurenai shuddered.

“Ummm…” Hinata nervously looked at Kurenai. She wasn’t sure what was going on…but Kurenai looked really scary!

Kurenai realized she was starting to make Hinata nervous and quickly shoved any thoughts of her idiot colleague. “Ah sorry, I was just thinking of something annoying.” Kurenai said to put Hinata at ease.

“Ah, no, its…okay.” Hinata said uncertainly, making a mental note not to annoy Kurenai. “I should go…thank you for your help Kurenai.” Hinata said as she reached for her bag.

“Hinata.” Kurenai spoke, causing Hinata to look at her, “Just remember, I’m here for you if you ever need help, or if you just want to talk.” She smiled at the girl.

Hinata returned the smile warmly and said, “Thank you. I’ll remember that. I-I really do appreciate everything you’ve done to help.”

Exiting the building Hinata looked at the time, it was almost time for her lecture! She hadn’t realized she had been talking with Kurenai for so long. But she felt relieved that she had told someone about it. She no longer felt so alone and Kurenai seemed so nice. Hinata smiled, Kurenai seemed like a big sister. It was comforting.

Entering the lecture hall, Hinata was a bit nervous that Kabuto might be there to listen to the lecture, but luckily she didn’t see him. She did see Kiba and Shino who were waving at her, well Kiba was waving, Shino was sitting and it looked like he had saved her a seat. Sitting between Shino and Kiba, Hinata took out her notebook and pencil.

“Last night was a blast!” Kiba said excitedly. “Naruto was a genius to bring those brooms.”

“Don’t say Naruto and genius in the same sentence.” Shino muttered so only Hinata heard him, which caused her to giggle slightly. They were good friends. Part of her wished they could be more then friends, but she valued their friendship greatly.

The lecture hall suddenly became silent as a busty blond woman approached the podium.

“Hello. I’m Tsunade, the president of this university. For the rest of the semester I will be giving Prof. Orochimaru’s lectures and for some of you, your TA’s will be replaced.”

Murmurs ran thought the hall full of questions.

Clearing her throat, Tsunade continued, “Prof. Orochimaru has decided leave Konoha University and has taken a position at the Sound Institute of Technology and Science. Some of his students, particularly his graduate students working on their dissertation with him have also transferred.” She paused to take a sip of water (which was actually sake, but what the students didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them). “Now then, time to focus.” She said as she began the lecture.

Hinata was stunned. She took notes on the lecture, but in her mind she only had one thought.

Had Kabuto left?