Prologue
The voices of Angels are dark things; they haunt the living, calling them, one by one, into the realm of the deceased.
Putting an end to life.
Stopping.
The heartbeat.
Forever.
Death.
But never mine.
They'll never come for me again.
I can hear it, trapped in the central-city building-yard's sudden bustle.
Alone.
My hands are thickly coated with my own blood, a haze of lights flickering before my eyes, cloudy faces hovered before me – there mouths open in speech – but I could not hear them talk. I could I feel no pain. Yet I could hear they're muffled words calling to me.
The Angel's were whispering.
My eyes glazed over and I saw them.
The Angels.
My Angels.
The Angels of death.
My death.
Or my first one anyway...
One
It was Monday again. I HATE Mondays… doesn't everyone? Because it means SCHOOL – yes, in capital letters. Our school – Konoha High is probably the dreariest place on earth, grey walls, grey desks, grey floors, and grey doors, grey boards… even our teachers are going grey….
I dragged myself out of my bed, the duvets getting thin and I get splinters off the bare wooden frame where my dad ran out of strikingly orange paint – my favourite colour – but I just have to smile and put up with it because Mum's lost her job, and my Dad's gone. It's just tough luck really.
The mirror's cracked, it's one of those full-length ones, that has a stand - though ours is broken and it tends to sway when the wind blows in the smashed window that we haven't been able to repair. I tried wiping the dirt off the mirror with my grey school sweater once, but I just made it worse, so I had to give up. I sigh, the tanned-faced bit of Naruto Uzumaki I could see within the frame sighs with me.
I give the boy in the mirror an evil glare, the kind where you screw your eyes up, hunch your eyebrows and stare out the corner of your eye without blinking – I've perfected it to use against my friend Sasuke Uchiha, who could win the award for the worlds 'glare-e-ist-emo-of-doom'... If there is such a thing. My reflection glowers back at me; bright blond hair hanging limply in front of my eyes and sticking up in odd places on the top of my head for no good reason. It's getting a bit long and really needs a cut. I run a hand though it and blow the stray strands out of the way so I could see my sharp, blue eyes – Dads eyes. I'm annoyed to notice they have dark rigs around them from lack of sleep. I don't remember Dad ever having rings like that.
I turned away from the mirror, and tiptoed across the creaky floorboards, constantly running my hands through my tousled blond locks, as I did and trying in vain to tame the wayward strands.
I really HATE Monday mornings…
I had to tiptoe around my room so I don't wake Mum up - or she'll throw her Stella Artois or Guinness cans at me. I don't have time for breakfast or to pack a lunch, because I woke up late.
Still Sasuke might give me his Snickers – I couldn't help but wonder…
I dragged my itchy grey school trousers on then tugged my mis-matched PJ top off over my head – it took a lot of effort, as it had become too small – before pulling on my white(ish) shirt then looping my stained grey school jumper over my head.
I slung my bag over my shoulder, slid down the banister, and threw myself through the front door.
At school I sit at the back of class – avoiding the way the eyes would land on the back of my head, and the hushed gossip I just know is about me from the way they look at me when they think I'm not looking - I used to get that all the time when I sat at the front.
I'd gotten used to the sympathetic faces over the years – the teachers, fellow pupils, the canteen staff, even Mr Henry who has a pet pit-bull we named Yoda (his real name Soda to go with his cat called Whisky – but the dog has pointy ears like Yoda from Starwars so it stuck). I can't stand sympathy. That's why I push them all away – why I have practically no friends – why I'm alone… Because my Mum's a 'druggy' and my Dad isn't here no more… because they all feel so sorry for the small, sad child in the outsized clothes. I hate that. I hate them feeling sorry for me. And they all do… It's in the way they look. Their eyes.
That is… everyone but Sasuke Uchiha…
He's genuine – the only friend I've got… and not (for once) only with me through sympathy but for who I am. I really respect Sasuke. He means a lot to me. But… well… You see, he's the most popular boy in class, which really annoys me as all the stupid girls tend to swoon when he talks, or looks at them, or anything. He's really annoyingly good-looking, and always forgets his tie just so he looks cool and casual. His clothes are all clean white and nicely pressed, and he's got this clear pale skin, piercing black eyes, and straight dark hair that hangs softly round his face to frame it.
I look up and notice Sasuke has turned round in his seat and is smirking at me. He winks and holds out his Snickers for me to take. I smile, and tell him it's his Snickers so he should eat it – but he insists I have it.
His hand brushes mine and I feel a familiar sick-sensation in my stomach. My cheeks flush red and my breathing speeds up... he leans forward and whispered in my ear;
"Naruto, fire eating lessons? Tonight?"
I stared at him, wide eyed, I'd been begging the jerk for months to teach me fire eating, and…
"Yeah!" I grin and his smirk melts into a softer smile. I stare at him, heart pounding in my ears. I shiver.
"Sasuke Uchiha! Will you turn round and pay attention to the lesson instead of Mr Uzumaki!" – Our teacher Mr. Umino was glaring at us from over his desk. The girls in our class titter and bat their eyelashes at Sasuke; trying to get his attention, but Sasuke just stares at Mr. Umino calmly as the majority boys glare at him and Sasuke's mates, Kiba and Neji, laugh.
A slow smirk spreads like honey across Sasuke's face and I knew before he moved what he was about to do.
The one thing that REALLY annoys Mr. Umino.
He licked his lips, leaning to the side and tensing his body.
I ducked throwing my head into my hands. I knew what was coming... as did everyone else in the room. Mr. Umino shouts out a warning, but…
Sasuke opens his mouth shoots a tongue of blood-red flame into the air – causing the girls to scream and giggle and blush in the way I hate. But the fire is awesome, strong and red and fluttering. It's truly beautiful.
Show off. I can't help thinking; I roll my eyes obviously at him. Complete show off.
Mr. Umino frowns sharply at the raven boy – apparently our teacher shares my view.
"Sasuke Uchiha stop showing off for the girls."
But Sasuke wasn't looking round to see if the girls were impressed – he was looking at me, and smiling.
I suddenly find a striking red blush right across my face, and I'm wondering how it got there.
Stupid Uchiha.
...
A.N. Hiya readers! This story idea was originally not a Fanfiction... but then I thought about how Cute Sasu and Naru would be together in it... and this is what I've ended up with. Point out any awfully bad mistakes for me will you? Thanks. Drop me a review if you like it! :D