Five thousand something.
Chapter : 5271
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He bought the puzzle- the one he had his eyes on for ages. Of course, it wasn't just on impulse decision. Him, being a precarious university student- orphaned with an estranged, unsupportive brother kept a tight hold on what little cash he got.
He bought the puzzle- because the guy his eyes found in every single class told him to. It was as simple as that, and as he looked down at the offending little box- it was an utterly disgusting reason.
Why? Surely, this guy was a lovely, kind and friendly person- one close to himself. But that, unfortunately was not to be. In fact, the guy that made the suggestion was the exact opposite. Obnoxious, loud, rude, ill-mannered and his competitor, Uzumaki Naruto in a nutshell.
What made it even more dismaying was the fact that Mr. Uzumaki wasn't even the sharpest tool in the shed. (More like the bluntest knife in the drawer, from his opinion.) However, when it came to physical academics, Uzumaki was definitely not one to disappoint. It was annoying that the one sport Uzumaki dominated was the one sport that he wanted to own as well.
Besides their ultimate passion for archery- they had absolutely nothing else in common.
Which was why, he was confused and irritated with himself as to why he bought the puzzle simply because Uzumaki beckoned him to. It definitely wasn't a challenge- in fact it was the only statement that he had heard come out of the blondes mouth directed at him that wasn't filled to the brim with mock or spite.
That, was probably the reason. Satisfied with his blurry compromise, he went along his way to his home- forgetting the minute fact that he didn't know what the 5000 something piece puzzle had for a design.
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He arrived at his apartment, a small studio with a non-too-impressive view of the city. He quickly snapped the blinds shut and snarled. When the neon lights came on, his tiny abode was bathed in a red light, making it seem rather seedy.
Settling down in a couch, he pulled out the cardboard box from a paper bag and chuckled at the irony of it all. Apparently the puzzle that had attracted his stare was one of the mythical Kyuubi creature. A legend he thought greatly resembled Uzumaki. He knew Uzumaki thought the same- wearing fiery colour twenty-four-seven, that reminiscent of the Kyuubi's fiery coat, and playing immature pranks with his dog lover friend. He sighed as he looked at the print announcing "5279 pieces" and wondered when would he actually have the time to finish the colossal puzzle that could probably tile his whole living room and bedroom combined.
He fixed himself a cup of coffee and found a distinctly empty space in the corner of his studio. It was meant to be a dining room, but the kitchen and the living room were appropriately furnished for dining, he didn't need to leak more dough on another dining set he probably wouldn't touch. He delicately ripped open the shrink wrap and un-lidded the box, his eyes not leaving the image of the fox. Tipping out the small, curved, jigsaw edges, he fished for the four pieces he could start with- the corners.
Two hours later, he wasn't any closer to finishing the puzzle from when he started the endeavour. Of course, the four corners were there with a couple of pieces attached to them securely- but other than that, progress was almost non existent. "5271"
To say he was disappointed with himself was an extreme understatement, and to add to his frustrations- he couldn't shake the feeling this was only the start to something much greater, like when the university gave him a sample pamphlet explaining in detail why he should choose their institution to educate himself (complete with bright, surely photo-shopped pictures, as non of the images presented were actually on campus.)
It was a stepping stone. He had a dark foreboding feeling, that this puzzle was something more.
To say he hated it, was and extreme understatement.