That guy with the duck-ass hair confessed to me.

I'll trade my life with Sakura Haruno any day.

Not that there's anything wrong with Uchiha.

But I was scared that if he ever liked me, i'd just lead him to nowhere, and he wanted to be led to power.

I just didn't understand. Sakura could've made Sasuke a better deal.

I'd imagine Sakura wearing my dull black hair, Sasuke's attitude toward her (or me) would be a rude awakening.

Too bad that'll never happen.

"The tundras." Correct.

"Correct, class dismissed." School's over already?

I glumly grabbed my things, on my way out the door.

"Hey," I touched the shoulder of a random guy. He reluctantly turned to me, his look indifferent. "Why's school out so early?"

"It's only half an hour earlier.' Scoffed the guy, flipping his brown hair. "Maybe the teachers thought it was too nice of a day to waste."

I nodded with an 'oh' and started to walk ahead.

"Oh, hold up." I stopped, giving full attention to the boy. "The other students are gonna hang out to get something to eat. Wanna go?"

"Um, sure?" It's not like I had this booked social life, but I bet that would be a fun life. "Just let me – ah!"

"You're coming no matter what!" exclaimed a girl, linking her arm through mine, forcefully dragging me out of the school.

"Karin! I said I was going!" I assured her, still allowing her to pull me, at least I didn't have to fight walking. Karin was doing it for me. But I just wanted to check something out before I left, but I guess it can wait. It's not as important as it seems.

"Hey," Karin poked me, I barely responded with a simple glance in the eye. "Why aren't you eating?"

"I could ask you the same thing," I mumbled. "I save money this way. I wanna get a new book. Besides, it's not like I don't have food at home."

Karin 'hmph'ed. "You're just pissed school's over."

Nailed it. "Yeah…" I diverted my attention to the ramen bar. "Guys—check it out."

The majority of students that were with us turned. There was this blond dude stuffing ramen in his mouth bowl after bowl – a bottomless stomach. I was that way too, before I found out what a scale was used for.

"What the hell…" muttered a guy next to me. "How the hell can he afford all that?"

"He can't." I stated. "He's probably going to ask us for money right now." He didn't look rich, and I didn't look like I judged a book by its cover.

"HEY!" Yelled said person. Did he have to walk to our table, when where having a private conversation with our group? And I mean, not taking anything to a personal level. "Do you guys have any—whoa! I've seen you guys before! I just… I know you're Ichizawa Naoki!" The brunette. "Souen Karin! The fast runner!" He scratched the back of his head before turning to me. "You're that girl who was almost as smart as Sakura-chan… Kotoko?"

Beautiful. "No, Uzamaki Naruto. I'm Chiori Komaki."

" Don't worry, I'll get your name someday!"

"Believe it!" Both of us said it. Guess who had more enthusiasm?

"Where are your headbands?" Asked Naruto. At the cleaners. "Don't you have them?"

"No," Naoki said firmly. "We chose not to."

"But we're just as good as you," Smirked Karin. "We can be ninjas anytime we want."

I sighed. "But we're not, for various reasons."

Naruto's eyes widened with every passing word. "Whoa. How about one of you guys spar with me now?"

I shook my head. "I'll pass." I stood up; it's already been an hour.

"H-hey! W-where are you going!?" Asked Karin, sounding like she was the baby and I was the older sister.

"I'm kinda late." But my destination didn't have a late bell or anything. "My usual place after school."

"But we have no homework."

"So?" I asked impatiently.

"Oh," Karin said slyly. "I get it."

I kept my cool, like I didn't care. "What do you mean?"

My friend smirked. "Just, have fun."

Weirdo. "Whatever." I rolled my eyes. "Bye, everyone!"

Oh, Karin was right. I didn't have any homework. Then what the hell am I supposed to do here? Train? What do I have to train for? I'm no ninja! Ah! Everything's going so fast!

Then again, I am at the training grounds.

I sat at my usual spot, leaning against my shady tree. I let out a low sigh.

"You came here later than usual." Ooh, someone's pissy at someone else.

I stood up, trying to keep myself light. I didn't want to become an interruption to anyone.

"Komaki, I'm talking to you."

I jumped. It sent a sparkle of fear down my spine. "Oh," I managed to choke. "I'm sorry."

My hands close to my chest, slowly turning around. He was against my tree, hands in the home of his pockets.

"What happened?" That rock-hard face. Ugh.

"Um, class let out early, so I went out with my classmates."

"Oh?" Was he expecting to hear more?

"That's about it."

"Isn't there more?" The person walked closer to me; I was afraid that if I stepped back even an inch, he's just come to me faster.

"Um, N-Naruto asked for some money, for his Ramen." Am I seriously stuttering!? I feel like that Hyuga girl who's got that crush on Naruto! But damn, this guy here…

Uchiha Sasuke.

He smirked. "You're smart enough." I think he means that I'm smart enough not to offer Naruto money…?

I think that ended the conversation, because he started kicking the tree back and forth. What a relief. I even swore that I was sweating.

After watching Sasuke's sharp reflexes, I looked toward the direction of my house. I should be getting home.

I felt a hand envelope my wrist, tugging lightly. It seemed mild and no way to hurt me, but I still snatched my hand away sharply, holding it to my chest.

"!!"

"I just wanted to ask you," His voice was low. "If you wanted me to walk you home."

I stared at his downcast face. Had I, struck a nerve? In short, did I… hurt his feelings?

I didn't think that it was impossible, just the cause—that I actually did it.

"I-I'm sorry!" I exclaimed hurriedly. "I was just startled-" Shock. "Oh,"

Stuttering horribly was one thing, and the fact that I was still talking was also in the category. Only worse, I had no idea how to stop it, so I shut my mouth and waited.

"Whatever." He said. He's back in character!

"Oh, I'm sorry, I must-"

"Just go home." He ordered coldly.

Flustered by all means, an abundant amount of possible replies came to my thoughts.

'I—I really am sorry!' The easiest one.

'It's not entirely bad.' I'm not that cold.

'Please, Sasuke! Talk to me! I really would like you to—'

"Fine." The quietness in my voice amazed me.

"Hn."

The thoughts in my head caused me not to think straight as I stomped away. I wanted to resolve whatever was going on, yet I wanted to get out of this hell hole as soon as possible. I wanted to plead to Sasuke's face, and I wished that I had the raw power to hit him all the way to the forest and back.

But, was it me, or was the forest getting darker?

I've never been out this late alone.

I listened to the forest grounds with rapt attention.

Utter silence.

I started running, dashing in the midst.

Going home was the least of my worries, just getting out of the forest—I was lost.

Suddenly, something entangled my foot. I tumbled down some type of slope, because air was going though and past my body, and fast.

"Ah!"

With as sickly thud, I squinted and thought myself over.

An earth coating made my face unhealthy. There were minor splinters pricking every part of my body. Like how they stick pins in one's body for therapy—only this was uncalled for.

I think my left hand was the worst. I think a two-centimeter thick stick impaled through my palm. Yes—I'm considering that's the reason my hand is all sticky red.

It sounds like I'm exaggerating, but think. A small fall can't harm an agile ninja—something I'm not.

I started choking a sob. People have been in worse situations than this, but, that was me.

"I should've just gone home with Sasuke," I murmured. Talking to myself, that was another trait of mine. "It would have saved pain.

"I did want him to walk me home, or just talk to me." I silently admitted. The way I blurt out stupid things, like 'I'm sorry!' It's because I'm just nervous.

I relaxed my expression, trying to make both pains subside…

He didn't understand why he still bothered to go after her. She's weak, and as far as it went, quiet.

But the devastation that blew him the most?

Chiori Komaki was afraid of him.

But why? He never ignored her—even when she wouldn't shut up saying, 'I'm sorry!' Like he did with the other girls back at school—If he still remembered it.

"K-Komaki," he breathed, finally catching up to her.
Did she fall? She's a mess! Unconscious too! Should he take her to the hospital? Probably not, nothing was too deep that he couldn't handle— excluding her left palm.

Scooping the girl—as gently as possible—into his arms, walked away from the scene.

He should not have let her go, running away like a little child. He realized that at the last moment, that Komaki was a reckless girl, who couldn't control herself, and lets her emotions decide her turmoil.

Idiot.

The girl started to stir. Maybe she just took a nap or something.

"Mhm," Sasuke on the side, thought it was adorable how she woke up. "Sasuke… Sasuke?"

She was calling him.

"Annoying, interrupting me during my training." He muttered. Should he have said that?

"I'm here," He decided to say after multiple thoughts rambling in his head. "How do you feel?" Was he, soothing her? Trying to make everything better?

"Alright." Lie. "S-Sasuke, put me down!" she whined. "I'm too heavy."

"You just got up from whatever happened back there, and I'm wasting my time saving you, and you're worried about something as stupid as that?"

The poor Uchiha's head hurt. Going from comforting to the usual Sasuke attitude was killing him.

"I—I just want you to—" Not worry?

"I would've left you in the forest if I didn't care." He said, a small pink penciling his cheeks.

"Oh," There. That seemed to put her more at ease. "Sasuke, I'd prefer if you didn't take me home. I'd prefer somewhere quiet, I mean—if you can, or do I need to go to the hospital?"

Well, they would have to go to the hospital. She could have a bunch of things wrong with her right now. All Sasuke could point out now was that her body was numb from the accident.

"My house afterwards." He finally said.

Komaki squeaked.

"Don't worry, nothing will happen to you." Sasuke assured. "Promise."

"Sure?" Komaki, Komaki, what did he just tell you?

"Yeah," he muttered vaguely.

"Thank you," Komaki smiled. She had ten dimples. Snuggling into Sasuke's chest, she spoke faintly. "When I get better, I'd like it if you would… walk me home."

Sasuke stared at Komaki, he light breathing assumed she was sleeping again. Sleeping, peacefully, in his arms.

Is she, not afraid anymore?

No, maybe just a little cautious.

But it's a start.

But it's hope, maybe trust.

Walk her home? Sure.

Thank you for reading! I had the urge to post this crappy work after I heard Naruto will be on the Disney channel next month!

Give me tips, criticism, flames are okay, but you'll kill my soul inside.

But I'll learn to get up!

BTW: Karin in this story, was honestly an OC, not the one that's all fan-girl on Sasuke!

Thank yous again. And thank you narutopedia.