Just a Game // wolf08
- Just a Game -
_________________
This story is dedicated to my best friend, Melanie Gagnon, for her successful recovery.
A twisted tale of crafty deceptions, sharp obstructions, tangled bonds and true love… Roll the die. Let destiny unfold. After all, it's just a game…
*Authors Note: I've kept this story relatively PG [ish] , by using the symbols #$% to represent vulgar language. However, the odd word or theme does slip through, so readers' digression is advised.
Weekly Song: Never Alone- BarlowGirl (Inspirational / Rock)
Declaimer: The characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto©, author and artist of the Naruto series. However, this plot is rightfully mine.
- Chapter 1 -
Prologue- The Secret
_________________
"It may be raining, but there's a rainbow above you. You better let somebody love you before it's too late"
-The Eagles
"The best love is the kind that awakens the soul, that makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds"
-from The Notebook
"Uchiha! What the heck is the matter with you?" Ibiki roared, nostrils flaring. His hands trembled to the point of fumbling with his clipboard, his expression tantalized. "How many times must I repeat: Your first priority is to put effort into the task at hand?! What is there left for me to do to get the stinkin' message through that thick head of yours?!" The surrounding peers exchanged nervous glances. The Great Sasuke Uchiha would not take this well.
Sasuke was crouched on a mat in the center of the gymnasium after getting his butt whipped in a wrestling match against the slowest, densest kid in his class. He bowed his head and muttered incoherent words under his breath.
"What was that, boy?" Ibiki demanded, his eyes flashing dangerously.
"I said that I DID try!" Sasuke snapped, traces of a pompous attitude seeping through his cool façade.
A muscle in Ibiki's jaw twitched. The class's eyes widened in terror, and murmurs of condolence and anticipation swept across the gym. "SILENCE!" he bellowed and his students obeyed at once. "Stand up, Uchiha!"
Sasuke lifted his head with surprise. Stand up? Was Ibiki going to throw him out? Was he going to suspend him or even beat him? He hesitantly rose to his feet, trying to hide the fact that his sprained ankle was throbbing harder than ever before. "Follow me, and don't dawdle!" Ibiki growled, walking at a brisk pace towards a set of doors that led to a narrow hallway between the two change rooms. Without sparing his classmates a glance (he was far too embarrassed), he trudged along after his teacher—sprained ankle and all. Once Ibiki was behind the set of doors and well out of earshot, the class's volume cranked up to a boisterous level once again. Sasuke's eyes narrowed. Did his classmates feel sorry for him or were they glad that they had one less person to compete with for Ibiki's attention? Whatever. It's not like he cared or anything.
Ibiki shut the door. Click. They were alone. Ibiki turned to face him. Avoiding his eyes, Sasuke let his own wander to the Sports Board on the far wall. Football tryouts started next week. "I seriously want to know what's wrong with you," Ibiki said, trying not to sound threatening, although his voice slightly shook. Sasuke pretended to ignore him. "You're usually the top in the class… but since yesterday… you've sucked." Sasuke rolled his eyes. Oh how he hated blunt, honest people. "Do you have something on your mind? Because if you do, I strongly suggest you shake it off. We have a fitness test on Friday and I'll feel guilty if I have to fail you. You have potential you know." He paused, carefully watching Sasuke's blank expression.
Sasuke was not planning on telling Ibiki about his sprained ankle. His first reason was that he didn't want his father to know about it. Secondly, if the news of his injury was passed along to his fangirls, they'd be bound to use this weakness to their advantage. No. I'm not taking any chances, Sasuke thought, cringing. "I don't know what's wrong with me," he lied. "I think I'm just tired."
Ibiki sneered. "Well, let's hope that you get your beauty sleep tonight then, huh?" Sasuke chose not to respond. "I'm afraid that I can't let you back in my class today. I don't want you holding us back or causing disruptions. So I'm going to send you to the fitness room. Do some exercises, but stay off the machines. There is another boys class in there, so keep quiet and don't disturb them. Ka-pish?"
"Yes, sensei," he answered, thankful for the mildness of his punishment.
"Good," Ibiki said, departing. Sasuke watched his retreating form until he was around the corner and hidden from view. That was close. Too close.
Much to his dismay, the fitness room was noisy and jam-packed. The present teacher, Gai, was preoccupied with one of his students, Rock Lee, who didn't seem to understand how to use the rowing machine. Sasuke crept in soundlessly and went straight for the weights. After all, it was just about the only thing in here that he could do that didn't involve the prohibited machines or putting pressure on his ankle.
After about 7 reps with a 10-pounder, he was tackled from behind. Of course, the intent of the tackle had been friendly, but unfortunately it had caused Sasuke to drop the weight onto his sprained foot. He let out a small frustrated cry, but it went unnoticed. "What are you doing here, Sasuke?" asked the vexing source of Sasuke's pain and irritation.
"I h-hate you Naruto," was his baffled reply, his voice cracking.
"I already know that," Naruto said with a chuckle. "What's the reason this time?"
"You make me drop 10 pounds onto my sprained ankle," Sasuke groaned.
Naruto stared at him hypothetically. "You sprained your ankle?" Sasuke nodded, suddenly regretting that he'd opened his mouth. A devious grin sprouted beneath Naruto's nose. "Someone should tell your fangirls!"
"No!" Sasuke hissed. This was why he hated having a loudmouth for a best friend. Naruto knew that Sasuke detested his fangirls and wanted nothing more than to be left alone, which was exactly why Naruto pestered him about them. Sasuke's downfalls were Naruto's opportunities to shine, after all. It wasn't easy living in his shadow. "They'll consider me vulnerable and corner me! And then who knows—"
"Oh bah! You need a girlfriend anyways Sasuke. You always act so violent and angry!"
Sasuke glowered at him. "Maybe the reason I act violent and angry is because you tell the whole school everything that I tell you!"
"Alright, cool it, guys. You know how much I can't stand noise. Man, what a drag. What's going on over here?" asked a new voice.
"You wouldn't believe it, Shikamaru! Sasuke sprained his ankle!" Naruto exclaimed with such excitement that passers-by would glance over their shoulders to catch a glimpse of whatever or whoever had caused such an uproar.
Shikamaru folded his arms. "Are you planning on telling your fangirls? I wouldn't recommend it." Sasuke scowled. Everyone seemed to know that his fangirls were his greatest, if not only weakness.
"Aw, where's the fun in that?" Naruto whined. "I, for one, would find it terribly amusing to watch Sasuke get tackled by a wad of girls. I mean, what if—in all the fuss—what if Sasuke got a girlfriend? Wouldn't that make it all worthwhile?" Shikamaru rested his chin on his balled fist, considering Naruto's side of the argument.
Sasuke shook his head. Shikamaru just couldn't take Naruto's side this time! Firstly, Shikamaru was the smartest kid in their grade, and surely watching Sasuke lose his dignity wouldn't satisfy him-? At least, it better not. And anyways, what made them think that Sasuke would ever want a girlfriend?! Especially one of those ditzy, mindless fangirls? "Don't listen to Naruto," Sasuke piped up. "Both of you know how much I hate them! And if they found out about this… secret of mine, just imagine what they'd do to me! I'll do anything for you not to tell them!"
Before Shikamaru could give a straight answer, Naruto butt in with a new triumphant gleam in his eyes. "Oh, oh, oh! Do you mean it, Sasuke? You'd do anything?"
Sasuke tilted his head to the side. "Well, what do you have in mind?" he asked carefully, feeling a little nervous. Naruto had a pretty wild imagination.
"I want you to ask someone out."
Sasuke's eyebrow twitched. "Isn't this exactly what I was trying to avoid?"
"No, no! You don't understand! This will be different! It doesn't have to be one of those slobbery stalkers of yours. You can ask anyone you'd like! I know a lot of decent girls in this school who'd at least give you some space."
Sasuke weighed his options. Either he got mugged and Lord-knows-what-ed by his fangirls, or he picked a smart, classy girl (who'd give him space), and have her for a girlfriend for… "Wait, how long is this bet-thing on for?"
"Hmm… How about three weeks? If you and whoever it is you chose can keep a steady relationship for three whole weeks, Shikamaru and I will pretend that we never knew that your ankle was sprained. Sound fair?"
Sasuke grunted. "I guess so. Fine, I'll do it."
"Perfect!" Naruto exclaimed, words laced with an awkwardly feminine charm.
"Ah, hold it!" Shikamaru said, raising his palm up to stop them. "You'd better ask her today, Sasuke."
"What?!"
"You heard me. If you hold off for too long, your ankle will heal, and therefore, you will see no reason to take part in this bet. And so, we'll be too late to tell anyone about the sprain. Am I right?" he asked with smirk.
"Ok, ok! I'll ask someone today! You happy now? All I've got to do is tell her that she's my girlfriend now, and in exactly three weeks, I'll tell her to take a hike!"
Naruto and Shikamaru exchanged glances. "Um… no, that won't work," Shikamaru said, scratching his head.
Naruto nodded. "You've got to take her out on dates, give her compliments—"
"W-whoa, whoa, whoa! That wasn't part of the bet! You can't just throw in little quirks at the last minute!" Sasuke snapped, furious.
"Erm, sorry buddy, but you don't have much of a choice. If you don't give her enough attention, she'll dump you first, and your secret will slip," Shikamaru said with a shrug. "I know it's a pain, but females are a lot different than we are. They need attention."
"Fine. Ok, I'll take her on a few dates. Is that good enough?"
Naruto put a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "Just one more word of advise: Don't dump her too harshly. It won't be fair for the poor girl to have her heart broken, whoever she is."
Sasuke snorted. "I'll dump her however I want. As long as she gets out of my life as quickly as she got in it."
Please check out my deviantArt account for images based on this story!
*Please insert "http://" "wolf0808" and ".deviantart" before the following website extensions:
-Character Profiles: .com/art/Just-a-Game-Character-Profiles-127777367
-Sakura's Outfit in Chapter 5: .com/art/Just-A-Game-2-85365453
-Just A Game "Advertisement": .com/art/Just-A-Game-81334144
- Chapter 2: She's the One -
Time to REVIEW! :)