My name is Sakura Haruno and I'm a senior in high school. I'm the top of my class, someone everyone admires, even the teachers adore me. My mother is a psychiatrist and my father is a lawyer. I am the captain of the volleyball team, and the student council president for my school.
Every boy wants me, because lets face it; I'm incredibly good looking. I stand at 5'8", perfect figure and silky pink hair. I have no enemies, only the best of friends. Everyone wants to be me, because well... I'm perfect.
At least, that's what I'd like to be true, and part of it is. You see, I am a senior at Kakushi Ha high school(1), that much is true, and I am the top of my class. Although sometimes I think if Shikamaru would put any effort into the tests, instead of you know, answering the first half simply to get a passing grade; then sleeping through the rest. I would quickly be demoted to number two.
It's also true my teachers do adore me, because I'm the perfect student. I don't get into trouble, I'm polite and I always do my homework. Not to mention I'm always more than happy to answer all their questions when others can't. Some call it kissing up, but I prefer to think of it as dotting all my I's and crossing all my T's.
'Brown noser,' my inner smirked, I returned her remark with a scowl. Anyways, my birth mother was a psychiatrist, and my father was a lawyer; at least that's how I like to imagine them. I had to get my brains from somewhere, right? As well as my stubborn attitude. In truth the couple that had adopted me was nothing close to that.
I shouldn't say that, Iruka and Anko were amazing and both had nice jobs, but I'm getting off topic. At first it was amazing, the picture perfect family. The loving mother, the doting father and the ace student daughter. Then, it happened.
My adoptive father was killed in a plane crash while going to visit his sick mother. I'd only met her once, she lived so far away, all I can remember is the smell of peppermint.
We, myself and my adoptive mother, were coming down in two days after my exams finished. We never ended up getting on our plane, receiving the news while I was still at school writing an exam. After that, Anko began to drink heavily, and now I find myself being more of the parent than her. Most days I wake up and have to wash out her empty liquor bottles and dump the remnants of the ones that weren't polished off.
Another truth, I am the captain of the girls volleyball team, however that was nominated by the coach, not the other players. Let's just say... none of them think of me as the 'captain'.
I am also the student council president, because no one else wants the job. At our school they nominate the top five students and people vote. The person who wins is the least popular one of the bunch, the job nominates you as the biggest loser in the school, not head of the student body.
Every boy wanting me? Yeah okay, that was definitely a complete lie, I have never even been asked out on a date. I am 5'8", pink hair – yes I know its a birth defect or something – and perfect figure, if you consider completely flat with no curves, perfect. However I do have next to no body fat, more due to my obsessive workouts. Between walking everywhere, swimming for an hour before school and being on the volleyball team, I move around a lot.
I have no friends, only enemies – no one wants to be me - because lets face it, I was elected the biggest loser in Kakushi Ha High.
So I sit, well – lean – in the dark confines of a locker. Who it belongs to this time I'm sure but I rarely know who's locker I get to sit in after school. Sometimes, I will find a test, or a school ID card, so I know where to send the thank you note for the hospitality, today that is not the case. As for when I will be let out? Well let's just say, myself and the janitor have become really 'close'. How could we not? When he releases you from the confines of my prisons three times a week.
From down the hall I heard the telltale whistle, the clink of keys, and the slight squeak of an un-oiled wheel, that signalled the janitor pushing his cart. Raising my fist, I knocked three times on the thin metal door, rapping out the usual signal that I was once again stuffed into a locker.
I could hear his chuckle as the squeak of the wheel stopped and he walked in my direction. He checked all the lockers he walked past, looking through the three slots in the top of each until finally he saw bored, green eyes looking back at him. Reaching for his equipment belt he pulled out the bolt cutter and snipped the lock on the door. Stepping aside, he grinned as I pushed the door open and stepped out, stretching the kink out of my back.
"Thanks," I said rolling my shoulders before stretching my arms out. I am getting way too big, and old for this. It wasn't so bad in the first year, when I was only 5'2" and sitting barely above 100 pounds. Now it was becoming exceedingly cramped, but they still manage to get me in there, somehow.
"My pleasure, Ms. Haruno." The janitor smiled, leaning against his cart. Dawning a navy blue jumpsuit. "Most people stop being stuffed into lockers after a few weeks, but I must say your three, heading on four, year streak is rather impressive. May I ask why they dislike you so much?"
I sighed, reaching into the locker and grabbing my bag off the bottom, it had been resting on some poor guys old gym clothes. I wrinkled my nose in disgust, guess my bag is going directly into the wash when I got home.
"Because I answer all the questions in class that they can't." I answered simply, trying to keep some semblance of my pride. 'He doesn't need to know the whole truth' I thought inwardly, my inner laughing evilly. Shrugging as I hefted my bag, laden with books, onto my stiff shoulders. The janitor peered at me from behind one of the books he carried around with him everywhere, eyes always glued to the words on those pages. "Why do you read those, Kakashi? I'm surprised you haven't been fired for reading porno books during work" My nose crinkled as I looked away from the red cover, a roughly drawn nude woman splayed over a sofa, detailing the contents inside the book.
Kakashi laughed lightly, adjusting the headband he wore at all times, so it draped over his left eye. "Don't worry, Sakura, I won't get fired. Besides, then who would rescue you from lockers on a regular basis?" He turned, putting his free hand on the handle of his cart. "See you, and try not to get into too much trouble." He grinned, picking up his whistle from earlier as he strode down the hallway.
Shaking my head I walked in the opposite direction, towards the front doors of the school, leaving the unlocked locker for some poor sap to find the next day. The halls are barren by now, everyone, even teachers, having long departed, only Kakashi and myself still remaining in the building.
Fifteen minutes later I was climbing the stairway in my apartment complex. Normally I would take the elevator seeing, as I live on the eighth floor, but luckily for me the elevator is broken. A piece of paper stamped up on the doors, taped up with bright silver duct tape, letting everyone know that it's under repair. So up the stairs I trudged, hauling a bag full of heavy text books with me.
Finally my feet touched down on the hallway to my home, victory! My legs shaking badly as I turned the key to my front door, breathing deeply before I entered, afraid of what I would see.
The apartment was silent, which wasn't unusual.
"Anko?" I called tentatively, flicking on the light so I could see. It's completely black, the curtains having been drawn closed since this morning when I had left for school. A hiss sounded from the living room along, with the crash of a glass bottle.
'Shit,' I cursed silently, dropping my bag and slamming the door closed in one motion as I ran for the living room. My mother lay on the couch, glaring at the accursed, and sudden, light that had filled the room. A broken bottle lay on the floor, glass shards littering the carpeted surface.
"Oh, it's you." Anko slurred, blinking as she rubbed her forehead and fell back down on the couch, reaching for a bottle on the table that I had removed before leaving this morning.
"Yes, Anko, it's your daughter." I glared, walking back to the kitchen to get the broom and dustpan. The kitchen is a mess, ash trays and dirty dishes everywhere. The cupboards look like they had been ransacked while I was gone, obviously looking for the alcohol that was no longer there.
She snorted as if I had said something amusing, watching lazily as I swept up the glass.
"Such a good daughter." She drawled out the last word, letting it linger on her sloshed tongue. Fingers reaching for my jeans, she missed my leg badly and laughed, before scowling and covering her eyes from the light again.
My expression was hard as I turned my back to her and went back to the kitchen, stepping on the switch to the garbage can that flicked the lid open. I dropped the load of broken glass inside with the other bottles I had collected earlier. If I put them in the recycling bin she would sometimes get into them, looking for precious drops I had missed. It was less likely if they were in the trash with rotting food. Less likely, but sometimes even that wasn't enough of a deterrent.
"Where did you-" Anko paused to hiccough, "put my booze?" The question disgusted me, I sighed as I answered her.
"I threw it out."
Wobbling, my adoptive mother rose to her feet, walking unsteadily over to me. She's shorter than I am, reaching around 5'6". Her dirty, purple hair is clinging to her scalp, in obvious need of a shower. The old, ripped shirt she's wearing is stuck to the sweat on her skin. As she continues to glare at me, her breath bathing my face in a sickening stench, she forms her reply.
"That shit is expensive, Sakura, we can't waste the money." The irony in her words is so obvious I have to wonder, how she, herself; does not seem to catch it.
"Then stop drinking, you're killing yourself." I stated calmly, looking into her brown eyes. They look so dead... I can remember when I was younger, they were so soft, so full of love and life. Anko laughed in my face, the sound like a sharp slap that awakened me from my reminiscing. Grabbing for the keys that hung on the wall by the kitchen, she pushed past me.
"Your too drunk to go out now." I protested, trying to sound assertive, but I knew it would be futile, this seemed to happen on a regular basis, like a bad CD on replay.
I watched as she glared, raising a hand to slap me, I didn't try to avoid it. Accepting the strike as it left a sting on my cheek.
"Remember your place, girl. I am the parent here, not you!" Anko stabbed a finger into my chest, fumbling with the door handle before slamming it behind her as she departed.
I didn't move as she left, feeling my cheek start to burn where she had slapped me. Numbly, I grabbed my bag and slowly walked to my room, suddenly realizing how tired I was. My feet feel like lead, barely raising off the floor as I shut the door behind me.
Unlike the rest of the apartment, this space was mine, and mine alone. The walls are painted a deep red. Book shelves line the walls, mostly empty but I am slowly building my collection from the job I have. Someday, I want a house with a room just for books, with the walls lined with them, and I will read every single one.
My room is clean, not even a single item out of place. Even the clothes hamper is tucked away in a corner, out of the way. The bed is made, sheets flattened perfectly, the sides all pulled down to the same length like some perfectly measured box.
I looked at the single picture I had on my nightstand. The picture seemed to smile back at me, a happy young girl sitting on the shoulders of her proud father. My adoptive mother – Anko - has both her arms wrapped around his one, pure joy displayed on her face. I wish I had a better picture of my father, or rather, just of him. However my mother has burned all of his stuff, and all the pictures we owned of him, in one of her drunken rages. This was the only one left.
I can't say I blame her, sometimes when you are in enough pain, your body lashes out in a desperate attempt to heal your heart.
Carefully peeling off my shoes I put them beside my bed, side by side, before walking over to the desk I kept under the only window in the room. I sat down heavily. Dumping my bag so it hit the carpeted floor, making a light thud. I set my head down on my folded arms, on top of the desk.
"I'm so tired." I mumbled, and my stomach growled in reply. I havn't eaten lunch and a PB& J only keeps you going for so long, I didn't really have anything in mind for dinner. "I'll go get something in a few minutes, for now I just want to rest." I assured my stomach, punctuating the statement with a yawn.
~o~
"Get up! Get up! Get up! Get-" my alarm clock sounded from it's spot on my bedside table. Jerking awake with a jolt, the balance I had on my chair failed. Legs slipping out from under me, my chin slammeing down on the desktop as I fell onto the floor.
"Shit!" I swore, rubbing the back of my hand over my mouth, noting the blood that smeared my skin. Growling I stomped over to my Brian alarm clock as it bounced up and down, chiming 'get up!' as it went.(2)White dog ears flapping up and down, the coffee mug in his paws shaking with enclosed liquid.
Slamming my hand down on his unsuspecting head, the alarm instantly shut up, obviously feeling my sheathing hatred for the thing. I wiped my hand across my mouth again, noting more blood as the salty liquid burned my throat. I hope I didn't chip a tooth.
Cursing as I went, I made my way over to the mirror hanging on the back of my bedroom door. My cheek is bruised from yesterday, I grimaced looking at it. My lip is split, and the inside of my cheek is burning, having bitten down on the inside, as well as my tongue, as I made my graceful trip to the floor. To top it all off, a bruise is already forming on the bottom of my chin, the entire picture making it look like I had gotten into a losing battle the day before.
I sighed, 'well... at least the idea of me getting into a losing fight isn't anything new.' I thought inwardly.
'Neither is the site of you with multiple bruises,' my inner teased.
Scowling I retorted, 'let's see you win when it's three or more vs. one.' The only answer I received was a snort.
Grabbing my untouched bag from beside my desk, I crinkled my nose as I realized it still smelt like old gym clothes, great. Quickly, I pulled my t-shirt over my head and deposited into the hamper in the corner, peeling off the rest of my clothes as well. I went to my dresser and grabbed a navy blue tank top and old faded jeans, getting dressed quickly.
Reaching for the door handle I looked at my messy hair and frowned, running my fingers through the pink locks futilely. Giving up, I looked at my unused bed and scanned the room before opening the door silently.
Tentatively, I looked at the passed out form of my adoptive mother lying on the couch, a line of drool running down her chin. A new bottle of vodka clasped in her hands, various empty bottles littering the floor.
"Why do you do this?" I whispered, dropping my bag by the front door before returning to the living room. I gathered up the emptied bottles and threw them in the trash, returning for the full ones. I retrieved those as well, holding them upside down in the sink, one at a time.
I watched the clear liquid flow out of the nozzle heads and down the drain, "I don't know why I care anymore." I sighed, dumping the last of the bottles into the garbage can, eyeing the vodka bottle still in her clutches.
Silently I knelt beside her, gently trying to pry her fingers from around the neck of the bottle. Anko shifted, swallowing before continuing to snore loudly.
'One more...' I thought as I tried to peel her forefinger off the bottle, sighing in relief as I successfully completed my task. Quickly I disposed of the last bottle and its contents before opening the front door. Glancing over my shoulder at the sleeping form on the couch one last time, before closing and locking the door behind me.
I looked at my watch, it's hands ticking around the face it was given. Indicating it was 6:15 in the morning.
"Right, time to start the day." I said out loud to myself, I really need to stop doing that; people will start to think I am going crazy. Audibly, my stomach protested starting the day when it hadn't been given dinner or breakfast. Resisting the urge to punch myself in the gut, I walked to the stairway. Taking the steps two at a time I raced down to the ground floor, holding the railing as it slid under my hand.
I waved in passing to the front desk, the same lady that was there everyday smiled at me. She was older, blonde hair tied back in two pig tails, her face looked alarmed as she looked at me.
"Sakura, wait." She called as I slid to a halt at the door which I held open.
"Do you need something, Tsunade?" I asked in a hurry.
"Come here, you have blood on your face." I flushed as I realized I hadn't even stopped at the bathroom to wash off the damage from my wake up call. She disappeared into the room behind the desk, returning a minute later with a wet cloth and a brown bag. Roughly she grabbed my chin and pulled me to lean over the desk, inspecting my face with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Tch, what did you do now? This wasn't you mother was it?" She asked, the same 'don't bullshit me' look on her face as always. With a gentle hand she started to rub the blood off my jaw, dabbing my lip with as much care as she could.
I grimaced as the cut throbbed under her touch. "No it wasn't Anko." Well, not all of it, I thought inwardly. Tsunade raised an eyebrow and looked at me, "really, I just fell asleep at my desk and when I woke up I fell out of my chair and hit my chin on the edge." Her soft brown eyes narrowed to look at me, her grip on my chin shifted as she turned my face so the bruise on my cheek was prominent. I knew what she was thinking, if I had hit my chin this morning why then, was there a developed bruise on my cheek.
I looked at her from the corner of my eyes, straining to see at her from the angle my head was tilted at. Sighing, she released me and shoved the brown paper bag across the desk with her other hand.
"Your breakfast." Tsunade mumbled, setting her elbow on the counter top and leaning her cheek against a closed fist.
"Er... Thanks." I smiled, knowing she still had more questions and didn't believe the story I had given her. With a flick of her wrist she waved me off and I ran for the front door.
"Sakura," she called and I almost slammed into the revolving door. "Just remember I'm here, if you ever need a someone to talk to, or a place to stay." I smiled and nodded, stepping outside and preparing myself for my day to start.
Half jogging to school I opened the bag she had given me. Two apples, a banana and three granola bars sat in the confines of the bag. Simple things, Tsunade had obviously grabbed and shoved into a bag when she had seen me. Grabbing the banana I peeled it with one hand and my teeth, taking a large bite. I instantly regretted it, choking slightly so I had to stop my jog and pound on my chest until the mushed fruit slid down my throat.
"Even fruit hates me." I muttered, taking another bite of the breakfast that had tried to kill me, but unable to resist the lure of nourishment.
A few minutes later I stepped onto the school grounds. At 6:30 in the morning it was still barren. Only a few faculty members and the cleaning staff would be here at this time in the morning. Running around the side of the building I knocked on a back entrance, waiting a moment before the door swung open.
"Good morning, Sakura." Kakashi smiled, his eyes never leaving the same red book from the previous day.
"Good morning." I greeted as well, stepping past him and heading for my locker which was in the same hallway. Luckily for me it is set in the back corner of the school, completely out of the way for the average student. There are only two other students who share the hallway with me, and they tend to avoid me, as I do, them.
"I don't remember those bruises on your cheek and chin when you left last night." Kakashi looked at me, his one visible eye narrowing.
"Oh, uh I fell asleep at my desk last night, and fell off the chair this morning when I woke up. I ended up hitting my chin." I laughed lightly, nervous. Why is everyone choosing to be observant today? I thought. 'Kinda hard to miss the new additions to your look,' my inner pointed out.
"Right..." Kakashi answered with a shrug. I tossed my book bag into the bottom of my locker, reaching up to grab the small red bag from the top shelf.
"Thanks, Kakashi!" I called hurrying down the empty hallway. Quickly I made my way down to the locker room, changing into my one piece bathing suit. Our school is fortunate, it has two gyms, an auditorium and a swimming pool. As well as a soccer and football field out back, there has also been talk about a tennis court. I often wonder how we are able to afford all this, sometimes I think our principle would do better in money management.
This is my favourite time of the day, when I am able to swim alone in the massive pool our school owns, it is just me and the water. I don't have to worry about Temari, or anyone else sneaking up on me. About projects that are due, about Anko and her drinking. The world is as clear to me as the water washing over my skin. I love the way the clear liquid flows over my body, like I am the most powerful thing in the world, I am in complete control. My simple presence, can alter the movement of the water and change the outcome.
The silence is also very welcome. I rolled onto my back and looked up at the ceiling, large lights glaring down at the water. Sighing, I closed my eyes for a moment and just let myself float in the middle of the pool.
I thought back to last night as I swam over to the edge, resting my arms and my chin on the tiled floor beside the water. Ever since my adoptive father - Iruka - died in the crash, it's been like Anko no longer has a reason to live. I hate to call her my mother anymore, because she's no longer the same person as the woman I called mom. It's like she just doesn't care anymore, like there was nothing worth living for, not even me. How can I call her my mother, when she doesn't even consider me her daughter?
Scowling, I pushed myself up and out of the pool, grabbing the towel I had left on the ground previously. I rubbed at my wet pink locks furiously. Then I'll do everything myself, I'll show her and everyone else what I can accomplish. That might be enough to make her happy.
After drying off I went back to my locker to exchange my bags. Taking my books to the library to finish the work I had fallen asleep on last night. The library is where I hide every morning until the first warning bell goes off. There are no lockers in the library, and most of the people I don't want to see rarely visit.
Working diligently, I was able to finish the first half of my work before the bell went off. At least Calculus and Biology is done, I can finish my afternoon classes during lunch. All that's left is Chemistry and English. As the bell finished ringing I started to stuff books into my bag, shoving text books in first, from large to smallest, I really am a neat freak.
As I reached for a notebook my fingers brushed a stray pencil. It rolled off the table and clinked onto the tiled floor.
"Here you go," said a female voice beside me. I looked up to see red hair and fierce brown eyes grinning at me. The girl stands shorter than me, but it is obvious she does some sort of physical training, rugby perhaps? An amused smirk twitched up the corner of her lips as she held the pencil out to me, waiting to see if I was going to accept the offered utensil. I stuffed the last notebook into my bag, and eyed it warily.
"Thanks..." I replied suspicious, reaching out to take the writing utensil from her. A resounding crack sounded as her thumb pressed down on the wood, snapping it in half.
"Opps..." her smirk widened, flashing white teeth, "my bad."
"Tayuya, lets go, we're going to be late!" A large boy called from the library door, his head shaved so he had three, orange mo-hawks.
"I'm coming, just shut the fuck up, Jiroubo!" The red head snarled at her waiting companion. The labelled Tayuya turned back to me and tossed the two halves of the pencil. I flinched as they bounced off my stomach, fists clenched at my sides, my eyes spitting venom at her back as she walked away.
"Stupid bitch." I snarled under my breath, picking up the two pieces before departing the library. What did I ever do to deserve that? I don't even know her! I growled inwardly. 'Should have just punched her in that smug grin of hers.' My inner chided, trying to edge me on.
I can't do that, if I want any hope of a decent scholarship for university, I need my record to stay clean. I mentally reminded my inner – and myself – why I couldn't get into a fight, even if I really wanted to. It's not like I can't fight, I was a terror in public school. Getting into fights because it was something to do, something I was good at.
Back then everything had been easy, happy. Anko, Iruka and I had been a happy family and I didn't worry about the future. I don't have a choice anymore, it was either buckle down and get serious, or give up on a scholarship and my dreams of going to one of the top schools in the country.
I guess that's the other reason I get stuffed into lockers every other day, why random people snap pencils in my face and why I was voted most hated in school. It's to try and get me to react, to retaliate, to bring the terror back out of me from hibernation and stop acting like a lap dog for teachers. Either way they win, I can take what they dish out silently, so they can exact long overdue revenge. Or, I can fight back and lose my perfect record. What choice do I have though?
I walked down the hallway to my first class, it's two weeks into the first semester of my final year of high school. Already the work load is becoming strenuous. (4)Walking through the door I kept my eyes focused on the ground, carefully away from any of my classmates glares. Calculus is first - bright and early - whoever made the schedules is truly cruel. If it weren't for my early morning swims, there would be no way I'd be able to concentrate on this class.
As I toke my seat, the boy sitting beside me smiled, a wide bright smile that screamed psycho, and at the same time... friendly. He's a really odd one, seems a bit off in the head if you ask me. Normal boys hair does not shine it's had a bucket of bee's wax dumped on it. On top of that it's been cut into look like he has an upside down bowl on his head and his eyebrows are incredibly thick. Like, I mean thicker than two fingers placed together think.
If you ignore everything from the chin up, and take the time to look at his arms and chest, you would notice he is really fit. I guess if your into muscles that would be a good thing, I've never seen the draw to them though.
"Good morning, Sakura." He beamed, with a bit too much enthusiasm. Each word was pronounced exactly, I've been unable to catch even the slightest bit of slang in anything he's ever said to me, or anyone else.
"Good morning, Lee." I grumbled back, eyeing him suspiciously. There is no one in this school who doesn't have a motive behind being nice to me. Now, you could call that paranoia on my part, but you haven't had to live through the past three years of my life.
"What happened to your lovely exterior?" He asked, blinking his wide eyed gaze, black hair shifting as he studied me.
"Nothing." I growled back as the teacher walked in, what kind of question is that? What's wrong with your eyebrows? How would you like it if I asked that?
"Alright. Books out, pencils on paper and lips zipped." Our teacher, as always, has a tooth pick sticking out of the corner of his mouth. A slight beard with hair combed back, thick side burns running down the side of his jaw. I'll admit he's handsome, or at least I can see how he would be considered handsome like the other girls say. He's one of those teachers that everyone seems to have a crush on.
"Shikamaru, wake up, class has started!" Asuma – my Calculus teacher - threw an eraser at his sleeping student, nailing him right on his forehead.
Good shot, I smirked, Asuma has always managed to keep class entertaining. My first class with him was in grade nine, first math class in high school.
The rest of class was the same as usual. Questions being asked, answered, and explained repeatably until everyone understood. Some people really are slow, I glared at the blonde boy sitting at the front of the class; massive smile splayed on his face as he scratched the back of his head.
Today's highlight was Asuma getting fed up and chucking a text book at the blonde boy – Naruto, I think. The bell rang as we turned in the assigned questions from the night before, I quickly jotted down the homework assigned for tonight, throwing my books into my bag and rushing from the room.
Next is English, a course I rather enjoy. For our first project, we've been assigned Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. A few summers ago, I read a bunch of his work, it's always been an interest point for me.
Doodles appeared periodically along the edge of the page as our teacher, an older guy with long white hair, started to explain the basics of old English. First, a simple flower, followed by what was my attempt at some sort of animal, it's indistinguishable by now. Finishing up, I drew a stick figure of myself, chasing 'Tayuya' as she was called, with an axe, a look of pure joy and murder on my stick man face.
"Very creative, Ms. Haruno" Startled by the sudden noise I jumped in my seat. Looking up to see my teacher smiling down at me. His loose t-shirt smiled at me, hands linked behind his back.
"Oh... I uh," ny cheeks flushed painfully, thoroughly embarrassed. Looking around, I realized in my attempt to finish drawing the terror on the red heads face, I had missed the bell.
"Do you have the assignment from yesterday?" He asked, seemingly unperturbed by the morbid picture on my notes, the only indication that he was able to decipher my doodle was the knowing grin on his rough cheeks.
"Of course." I quickly shoved my notebook into my bag, fishing out the paper he was looking for, quickly putting it into his waiting hands.
"Thank you." He grabbed the paper my neighbor had left on the table beside me and walked back up to the front of the class room. Breathing a steadying sigh, I quickly left the room.
Time for lunch, and off to my hallway. Heaving my bag onto my shoulder I half jogged to the secluded back hallway that held my locker. Ready to submerge my thoughts into the rest of my homework and drown out the world by playing music that would one day lead me to deafness.
"Sakura Haruno, report to the head office, immediately!" The speakers echoed through the hallways, shattering my dreams of a happy, undisturbed lunch.
"Shit!" I cursed, "not today." I moaned, spinning around and storming angrily to the head office, looking very much like a tantruming preschooler.
~o~
"Yes?" I asked, exasperated while levying a steady glare at the receptionist like it was all her fault. Silently she pointed to the principal's office, not even looking at me. She has been working at this high school long enough to be used to moody teenagers. Her short, tidy hair cut barely moved as she continued to stare down at her work. "Thanks," I grumbled, passing by her name plate that read 'Shizune.'
My mood was souring by the second as I pushed open the door that read 'Principal' without even knocking.
"Oh, Sakura, so glad you could join us." My principal greeted, not even the least bit surprised by my sudden intrusion. His black hair is parted with side bangs, which is odd enough for a grown man. To top that off, his hair is longer then most of the girls in school. His skin is pale, ghostly like he rarely sees the sun. Red brown eyes that seem to hold some secret that no one else knows smile back at everyone in the room.
"Principal Uchiha." I returned the greeting, looking at the blonde girl standing in the room, along side another man standing beside her with the same blonde hair; it's closer to a white gold than a defined blonde to be honest.
"I've told you before, call me Madara. Sakura this is Ino, and her guardian, Mr. Yamanaka." I looked at my principal curiously, and this matters to me because? "She will be starting at our school tomorrow, I'd like you to make her feel welcome and show her around." I nodded in understanding, this isn't the first new student I have been asked to show around.
Looking over the girl, I noticed she stands taller than I do, probably closer to 5'10", and athletic. Her legs and arms are toned, flat stomach with prominent hips. I blushed as my gaze lingered, turning my thoughts to a safer area, she would be a good addition to the volleyball team, the height would certainly help and those legs...
I shook my head and inwardly, I wondered if having the school president show new students around was some sort of cruel joke. I am the last person that should be showing people around the school if they want a good start, being seen with me could ruin them forever.
Besides that... this girl gives me a weird feeling of dejavu, like I should know her blue eyes from somewhere. She's starring at me like she's thinking the same thing, but I just can't figure out what it is that I'm suppose to be figuring out.
Madara cleared his throat to get my attention back, I flushed realizing I had zoned out starring at the girl who was grinning deviously at me. "I've contacted your teachers, you have the afternoon off. Just make sure to pick up any missed assignments before you leave for the day."
I nodded again, I had a feeling my voice would betray me if I tried to speak.
"Well then girls, that's all. You can go while Mr. Yamanaka and I finish the paper work that's needed to Ino can become one of us." Madara grinned, one that forced his cheeks up and closed his eyes most of the way.
"Let's go," I mumbled, avoiding the eyes that had just a little too much mischief, and unsettled me more than I liked to admit. Ino waved a good bye that looked more like a flick of her wrist and followed me out of the office, happily following in my footsteps without anymore prodding.
"I'm Ino." She smiled, and I took the opportunity to look at her again, where do I know those eyes from?
"Sakura." I replied, repositioning my bag on my shoulder, it really is too heavy to be lugging around. Without a word, I walked towards my locker, turning a few corners as I went.
There really isn't any point to being friendly, I reasoned. As soon as the right people inform her of who I am she will join the dark side, but those eyes, I know those eyes and that smile. I glanced at her again, trying to think of were I knew her from.
Maybe she went to my public school? I don't remember and blue-eyed blondes, but everyone dyes their hair anymore. It doesn't look fake though.
"So... where are we going?" Ino asked, taking in her surroundings and looking utterly lost in our massive school. That amused me for some reason, for a moment I entertained the idea of losing her and knowing she wouldn't be able to find me. She's only going to hate me tomorrow so why not? If I can manage to slip away now, I can still finish my homework, eat lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon studying.
This is such a waste of time! What is there that I could possibly show her, that anybody else in the entire school, couldn't?
"I'm dropping off my book bag, it's heavy." I replied, trying to keep the sharp snap out of my voice.
"Oh..." She seemed to trail off, scanning the lockers an the decorations on the walls as we passed.
"Yep." Smooth, Haruno, that's it – bore her to death.
'Muwhahahaha!' My inner decided to accent the point by laughing evilly in my head.
"So what's up with your face?" Ino asked, motioning in a circle with her finger. I glared in response, not catching her meaning. "I mean the bruises, and your cut lip, did get into a fight or something?" She continued, unperturbed by my glare, returning it with a smile that caused me to shift uncomfortably under her cheerful expression.
"Oh," I muttered, running my fingertips over my cheek. "I had forgotten." Ino raised her eyebrows as she studied me as if to say, 'how could you forget something like that?' But didn't say anything.
"I fell asleep at my desk last night and fell off the chair when my alarm went off this morning. Ended up hitting my chin on the desk on my way to the floor." I flashed a lopsided grin. Ino let out a girly giggle and I found myself enthralled by the sound of it, blushing as I looked determinedly down the hallway.
"Then what happened to your cheek?" She asked.
What the hell is up with perceptive blondes today? How about showing some of that stereotype and not catching onto the obvious! My smile dropped and my disposition turned sour again, I really need to come up with a story that explains both.
Ino continued to look at me, making it obvious she was still waiting for an answer. "There was something hard on the ground and I fell on it." I smirked inwardly, that wasn't in the least bit believable.
"Oh." Was all she said in reply, I eyed her closely. She did not just buy that...? Shaking my head I looked forward, seeing the hallway I was looking for coming closer and closer. I sighed with relief, already tasting my sanction, before a hand slammed down on the front of a locker, directly in front of myself and Ino. After jumping in surprise, I looked up the arm to the face of it's owner.
"Hello, Temari." My eyes narrowed, I could feel my muscles bunching up just by looking at her. She smirked back at me, other hand on her hip. Her usual baggy jeans hung from her hips, sliding down to expose skin that should rarely see the light of day. A black shirt and dog collar finishing off her look, looking very much like a predator who had just found her favourite prey, alone and earlier than usual.
"Hello, Forehead, I missed you yesterday. Apparently someone else got you into a locker before I could. I was sooo disappointed." Rolling my eyes, I attempted to duck under her arm and walk past. Instantly she repositioned herself so she had an arm on either side of me, gaze titled down to look me in the eye. I can feel her breath on my skin, stinking of cigarettes.
"Was there something else?" I asked evenly, using all the practise I've had to look and sound as bored as possible, that always seems piss her off the most.
"Oh come on, Haruno. Whatever happened to the girl I used to have so much fun with?" Temari purred, a frightening smile taking over her expression as she leaned closer, I blushed and turned away so her lips were no longer inches from mine. I opened my mouth to reply when Ino cleared her throat beside us. Temari's head snapped to the side so fast I wondered if she would get whiplash.
"What?" Temari snarled, glowering at the taller blonde, infuriated at having been interrupted in the middle of her game.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but you see, Sakura is suppose to be showing me around school." Ino paused to take in Temari's incredulous look, acting very much the sweet innocent as she flashed her best cutesy smile. "You're in the way," her lips parted, as the smile turned into a feral grin.
"E-excuse me?" Temari stammered, unsure of how to react to being talked to in such a way.
"You're excused," Ino smiled and removed Temari's arms from around me, making it seem effortless. She grabbed my hand and tugged me along down the hallway, slipping her fingers between mine easily. Still stuck in my shocked state, I followed without a word. Temari stayed rooted to the same spot as the bell rang, signalling that lunch is over, her face a mixture of shock and outrage.
I looked up at Ino who was dragging me along, and I realized there was a look of glee displayed there, what is wrong with this girl? I wondered.
Suddenly, she stopped and looked down the two hallways she was at a crossroads with, both leading to a dead end. The pause was enough to snap me out of my trance like confusion.
"You know, I don't need anyone to protect me" I grumbled unhappily, embarrassed as I tried to soothe out the bruise that had been dealt to my ego. Ino ignored me, still clutching my fingers like her hand belonged there.
"So, since you're suppose to be showing me around, where now?" My cheerful, blonde, companion asked. I sighed and shook my hand loose from her's, turning to the right and down the hallway that held my locker. Turning the dial on my lock, 5...12... 36– click - my locker popped open and I dropped my book bag inside; rolling my shoulders as the pressure was relieved. I looked at the contents of my locker, spotting the brown paper bag Tsunade had given me earlier, my stomach growled loud enough for us to both hear.
"I didn't get a chance to eat lunch." I muttered at Ino's amused look, suppressing a growing blush. Snatching the paper bag, I shut the door, sliding down to sit with my back against the smooth metal door. Ino toke my cue and sat down beside me, absently running her fingers through her long white-blonde hair. I tried to ignore the amount of leg her short-shorts are showing, concentrating on a spot on the floor.
"So..." Ino tried to start a conversation as I dug hungrily into one of the apples. "What was up with that...?" She paused, a perplexed look on her face.
"Temari," I answered her unspoken question, chunks of the juicy fruit rolling over my tongue as I munched away.
"Right, what's up with that Temari chick? She seemed to really hate you." She emphasized the second to last word. I shrugged in reply, it doesn't matter if I tell her why, she will find out eventually. I might as well get my side out there.
"We used to be friends, we aren't anymore." I swallowed the chunk of apple I had been chewing and toke another large bite, hearing the crunch and slurp of the juicy fruit.
"She doesn't actually stuff you into lockers, does she?" Ino asked, trying to look serious but failing miserably, it was obvious she is finding the idea hilarious.
"On a regular basis," I stated simply. With that statement the dam broke and Ino burst out laughing, wiping tears from the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand. I scowled and ripped off another chunk from the apple. Throwing the core into the bag I toke out the second. Yes it's hilarious that I spend an hour of my day in a locker on a regular basis, harhar, laugh it up.
"Oh com'on, her? You could take her." She giggled, settling down, keeping the large smile that made it look like her cheeks probably hurt. "She kinda reminding me of a puppy that just needs a hug."
"Probably...?" I'm not sure which statement I'm reply to, Temari is not a puppy that just needs a hug. She's a wolverine who an attitude problem. I could definitely win if it came to an actual fight though, well, probably.
"Then why do you just let her do that to you? Or are you just a pansy?" Ino teased, striking a nerve.
"I am not a pansy!" I snapped back, annoyed anyone would think of me that way. Why is everyone so avid that I get into fights?
"Well then, why?" I sighed and lowered the apple from my lips, glancing at her from the corner of my eye. Why did I have to get stuck babysitting this chick?
"Because universities don't hand out scholarships to students with records of fighting," Ino's eyes narrowed at my statement. She didn't seem to have a reply, thankfully. Finally she's out of questions! I toke the first bite out of the second apple.
"Well, then I'll fight for you," Ino said after a few silent moments of contemplation, a smile lighting up her face as if it was the obvious solution. I choked for the second time today on a piece of fruit, pounding a fist against my chest to try to dislodge it.
"What?" I asked incredulously, croaking out the answer.
"Well I don't need any scholarships or anything, and besides I've decided I like you." Ino smiled her wide smile, looking at me with baby blue eyes like it was already decided and my objections wouldn't matter.
"You what?" I practically screamed, I'm not sure which is more of a surprise, that she just said she would fight for me... okay, I just got a double meaning on that. Or the fact that she just said she liked me, somewhere along the way, she definitely got some wired crossed.
"Oh com'on, don't you know what a 'friend', Sakura?" Taken back by her question, I fingered the apple in my hands, suddenly very uncomfortable. "Earth to Sakura?"
"Well I'm kind of friends with the Janitor." I muttered, my cheeks turning a deep crimson.
"The janitor...?" It took a moment for her to catch on to what I was saying, "you're kidding..."
I shook my head slowly, the blush creeping down my neck as well. I could feel my entire body starting to heat up, I really should have just ditched her when I had the chance. What more can this day throw at me?
"Well then, consider me your first friend that's uh... your age." I glowered at the fruit in my hands like everything was it's fault. Unsure of what exactly I was feeling anymore, I bit into the apple, a trail of juice slid down my chin, I ignored it already lost trying to figure out what was going on. The last time someone had said they liked me, or considered me a friend was in the ninth grade, and that lasted two hours before a prank.
Absently, Ino reached over and wiped it off with her finger, before licking her digit clean, like it was the most natural thing to do. I stared, mouth open, what the fuck was that? There is something seriously wrong with this girl! You don't just do that! Not unless you're dating someone or want to be dating someone! Not a complete stranger!
'Hot,' my inner said. Shut up! I snarled, that was not hot – that was creepy!'.
Again, 'hot,' was the only reply my inner gave me, obviously already on the, we accept Ino's friend request, side.
"What?" Ino asked, her finger leaving her mouth as she studied me curiously, what do you think? You just sucked all the juice you wiped off my face from your finger! I ignored the discomfort between my legs, the blush that had consumed my face and neck before travelling lower, and tried to ignore her already grown chest.
"N-nothing," was all I could make out, taking another bite from the apple, more to distract myself than from any actual hunger anymore; this time, I made sure I was careful not to get any juice on my face.
From the corner of my eye I noticed Ino looks very amused, and possibly pleased with herself. Both of those reactions confused me and seemed to strengthen my alternate motive plan.
We sat in silence as I quickly finished my second apple, I can feel her eyes studying me, sporting curious expression, like there is something I should know but haven't caught onto yet.
"How long have you been in Konoha, Sakura?" Ino asked as I was putting the bag back into my locker. I paused, how does she know I was ever not in Konoha?
"I moved here when I was seven with my adoptive parents?" I asked, feeling very much like it was a question rather than a statement.
"From where?" Ino asked, seeming very much like she already knows the answer already.It also struck me as odd that her followup question wasn't, 'you're adopted?' Or, 'oh, I'm sorry, what happened?' She completely skipped the whole pity section that usually follows this train of questioning.
"A small town named Suna," I spoke slowly, looking into her blue eyes suspicious again. Ino smirked at me, turning to look at the contents in my locker, changing the subject at her whim.
"What's that red bag have in it?" She asked, and I slowly looked away from her and at the object in question.
"My swimsuit, a towel, shampoo... stuff like that," I answered.
"This place has a pool?" Ino exclaimed, surprised. Doesn't Madara tell new students anything? You would think the fact that we are the only high school in the state to own a pool would be on the list of bonuses he would brag about.
"Yes? A rather big one at that..." I have a very bad feeling about this.
"You have to show me that!" The energetic blonde squealed, grabbing my bag and my hand, before dragging me down the hallway the way we had entered.
"Wait, Ino!" I sputtered, digging my heels in long enough to shut the door to my locker. "You don't even know where to go!" I reminded her, she stopped mid stride and the momentum carried me into her back. "Urg," I grumbled, once again shaking my hand out of her grasp, what is it with her and grabbing my hand?
"It's this way." I muttered, giving into her request. Ino practically skipped the entire way as she followed.
As we stood outside the pool room I ran my finger over the posted schedule, making sure there wasn't a class scheduled for third period. That would be just what we needed, an entire class suited up and ready to go.
To my great pleasure – sarcasm is amazing – there isn't. I opened the door and looked around the white room. The tiles on the floor are a light blue-white, the walls are painted white, making the entire room seem a lot brighter than is healthy. To top it all off, massive over head lights shoot a glare of light off the glistening water, causing your eyes to burn while they readjust.
"So this is the pool..." I stated simply, nothing special, you can stop acting high now, I rolled my eyes and waited for the giddyness to wear off. Ino let out a tiny squeal, looking very much like a child in a candy store with a credit card. "Uh, Ino?" I asked.
"There are no lakes in Suna, it's really dry. I've never seen this much water all in one place before!" The words came out of her mouth so fast I could barely catch them, but when they did it all seemed to click.
"Wait you're from Suna? The orphanages? Ino your..." As everything seemed to fit together, I couldn't help but form a big 'oh...' it took me a while to notice she had moved to the side of the pool, leaning over to touch the surface. "Ino be careful.." She can't know how to swim... can she? That wouldn't make sense, it's not one of those 'comes naturally,' things.
As the words left my lips a loud splash sounded and I cringed, feeling the residual drops of water spot my face and clothes. Ino slipped, falling into the pool and instantly sinking, affirming my guess that swimming isn't something that comes naturally.
"Shit!" I swore as she sputtered in the water and tried to reach the edge, quickly sinking towards the bottom.
I kicked off my shoes in a frenzy, running to the edge and diving in beside where Ino had gone under. Opening my eyes, the chlorine burning as bubbles ran up the side of my face, I spotted her still fighting and hooked my arm around her waist, dodging out of the way of spasmodic limbs.
Kicking with my legs, and ducking under the arms that were still thrashing, we breached the surface shortly after going under. My heart pounded furiously in my chest, heaving in great gasps of air, I could hear the trembling blonde I was holding doing the same.
Slowly I side-stroked over to the shallow end where there's a ladder, and ground I'd be able to walk on. My legs and arms started to tremble, the combined weight of the frightened blonde and the set of waterlogged clothes took every ounce of adrenaline I had to fight my way up. I dragged the frightened blonde with me, her arms tight around my throat, I fought the urge to tell her to loosen her grip, before she drowns us both. I'm sure the principal would love that, school president drowns new student.
"Ino, your feet should be able to touch the bottom now, you can let go." I choked out, breathing heavily as I felt the smooth tiles under my toes. Instead of letting go, Ino decided that moment would be the best time to thank me, by throwing her entire body at me. I felt her chest crush against mine and almost fell back, doing my best to ignore the feeling of her wet skin against mine.
"I-Ino, l-let go." I stammered, now is not a good time to notice her light blue shirt has become see-through. I blushed furiously, trying to push her off. All I accomplished instead, was losing my footing and tumbling backwards into the water again. On the upside, it did accomplish my task of making Ino let go, unwilling to go back under the water just yet.
I pushed myself back up to the surface for the second time to find Ino was looking past me timidly and for the first time, looking bashful.
"Ino, what are you looking at?" I asked, turning around to look up at a very amused Kakashi. Somehow, I just I know his thoughts are somewhere along the line of the books he reads. I glared at the janitor sporting a large, and creepy grin.
"Kakashi, you pervert!" I yelled at him and he chuckled.
"I heard a splash and a scream, I simply came to see that everything was okay. I didn't realize you were entertaining a girl in here, Ms. Haruno. Shouldn't you be in class?" His good eye twinkled, leaning on the mop he was towing along.
"Shouldn't you be working?" I retorted, following his gaze to Ino's see-through top, shaking my head, I screamed at both Kakashi and probably myself. "Get out you pervert!" I slapped the surface, sending a spray of water towards the ever grinning janitor.
Kakashi's only reply was an amused chuckle, and a wave as he pulled out his novel and left the pool area. I glared, feeling the pull of the water causing my body to sway slightly.
"We need to get out of the pool," I muttered when he was gone, motioning to the ladder, I started to wade over, quickly pulling myself out. I reached down to help Ino out as well, pointedly looking away from her as she took my hand.
As soon as she made it safely out of the pool, I half ran over to grab the towel out of my bag that had been left on the floor. I handed it to her, still without being able to look, feeling my skin burn under the cold and wet clothes. Feeling the weight leave my hands, I sighed with relief and decided it was probably safe to look now.
"Thanks," Ino replied. I reached down and rolled my shirt up my stomach, wringing out the material with my hands.
"I was right," I replied, trying to return my thoughts to a safer area, naturally that led back to when Ino wasn't in soaking wet clothes.
"A-about what?" She stuttered, I finished with my shirt and decided it was a cold teeth chatter, moving on to try and work some of the water out of my shorts.
"You can't swim," I smiled, and looked up with a triumphant grin. I blinked, and instantly knew Ino hadn't had the same idea about what to do with the towel, which she had used to dry out her hair. I mentally stammered as Ino looked at me confused, oh come on! Your shirt is see-through, dry off your shirt!
"What do you mean?" Ino asked, her thoughts apparently innocent while mine are... not.
"Er..." I tripped over my tongue for a moment, looking down at my toes as I started to wring out my hair. "Right before you fell in, I was thinking to myself, that you probably can't swim. Since you said you've never seen a pool... and Suna doesn't have any lakes or anything." Talk about irony.
"Oh, right." Ino smiled, and I could feel her eyes watching me. Determined not to betray my embarrassment - I do have some pride - I forced a glare to counter her smile, keeping my eyes firmly locked to her face.
I sunk down onto the tiled floor, frustrated. Ino dried herself off as I pulled my legs into my chest. Where do I know her from? I know I know her, I just can't for the life of me remember from where!
"Are you alright?" Ino asked, sitting down beside me on the cold tile. She stretched out her legs, laying back so her shirt ran up her stomach with her back against the floor. I cursed and focused on the water, not the tanned, smooth skin she was showing off that was usually hidden beneath her shirt.
"Have we met before?" I blurted, ignoring the requests of my inner to give into the desire to... I don't even know. All I know is every nerve in my body is standing on end, my mouth feels dry and I know I can't look to my left at the moment.
"You really don't remember me, do you?" Ino stuck out her bottom lip in a pout, "Saku, I'm hurt!"
"Saku? No one calls me that." There was one person, but there's simply no way she could possibly be...
"I do, well I did, a long time ago now. You really don't remember?" She confirmed, looking at me from her spot on the floor.
"No! For fucks sake, I don't remember you!" The frustration boiled over and I snapped, "should I?"
"Probably, you did promise to marry me," Ino smirked, watching my expression as it turned from surprise to confusion and then finally, horror. Now I know she is just screwing with me! I knew it! There is simply no way someone would just randomly want to be my friend, this is all some sort of elaborate joke!
"I what?" I bit back a scream, voice cracking as the bell went off, signalling the end of the third period. "Shit, we need to go." I cursed, there's a class coming into the pool this period, getting caught with a soaking wet Ino, isn't a good idea. Especially when the class is the boys gym class.
"Huh?" Ino asked unintelligibly, pushing herself up into a sitting position. I snatched my bag off the floor, along with the towel Ino obviously had no intention of using.
"Let's go, Ino." This time, I was the one grabbing her hand, trying to pull her up onto her feet. "There's a class coming in." Ino's mouth formed an 'o', followed by a sly grin. I cringed and tried to do some damage control before anything happened, "Ino, whatever you're thinking about doing, it's not a good idea." Ino waved off my protests, already tuned into devising whatever plan she was hatching.
Click... "I know you just want to see me in my speedo, Kiba." Come the first voice from the approaching gym class.
"Urg gross, not a chance in hell Naruto!" Replied the second, scoffing at the joke.
"Shut up, you're both annoying." Sounding more annoyed than amused, a third male voice joined the debate.
"Aww, com'on,, Sasuke! Don't be like that..." The first voice trailed off, we've been spotted. I fought the urge to shoot myself and looked up to see how much damage had been done.
"Alright! I didn't know there was a wet t-shirt contest going on today!" Accented the second and I could feel my heart sink inside my chest.
"What are you boys talking about?" Slowly I turned my head to look at the three boys, and their teacher – great – that had just caught Ino and I.
The tall blonde from my homeroom, is busy ogling Ino beside me, a wide grin plastered on his face. I felt a jealous flare light up and resisted the urge to punch the idiot.
I also recognize the shorter one with the black hair, he's the guy Naruto follows around... Sasuke? Yeah, the principals nephew, I recognize him from the picture on Madara's desk.
The third however I don't recognize but I can eliminate the other two and figure out he must be called Kiba. 'Kiba' is sporting shaggy, dark chestnut coloured hair, and is standing between Naruto and Sasuke. He is about the same as Naruto in height, wearing a grin that says he just won the lottery.
Today just keeps getting better, doesn't it? Best of all, the teacher looks like he's passed out, who I recognize as my English teacher, his shaggy white hair splayed out across the tiles. I hope the old man didn't have a heart attack... that would definitely be the icing on the cake. Not only do I drown the new student, I also manage to kill a teacher as well.
Sighing, I opened my mouth to ask if the old man was still breathing. The air caught in my throat, before I could make a sound, feeling a hot, wet presence on my neck. She wouldn't, no... Ino wouldn't go that far, would she? To my horror I couldn't suppress a shiver of pleasure as I felt her teeth run over my skin, arms wrapped around my neck and eyes glued on my aroused classmates.
I knew there was a hidden motive, that's the only reason anyone is ever nice to me, to make my life a little bit more of a living hell.
I could feel the corners of my eyes prickling with tears, why.. what did I do to deserve this? Shoving Ino off of me I pushed past the three paralysed, teenage boys. Slamming into the door in my effort to get out as quickly as possible, I kept my head down and ran for the back door. I kept my head down, focusing on keeping myself from crying. Dog whistles, insults, laughs, clapping and cheering followed me.
"Who dunked Haruno in the toilet?" One boy yelled.
"You need breasts before you try to enter a wet t-shirt contest, Haruno!" Laughed another.
"Eww, what the fuck." One girl said, disgusted as she turned to whisper to a friend.
I bumped into and shoved past the staring student body, making my way for the doors to my freedom. The hot afternoon air crashed into me, like a wave rolling over my skin. I kept running, unable to hold back the tears any longer as they began to roll down my cheeks.
I managed to make it half way across the back of the school grounds, before my vision was too blurred and I tripped over a tree root, falling hard onto my knees. Shakily I leaned against the tree that had tripped me, digging my fingers into my hair I screamed – letting out my frustrations and anger in a single outburst.
"Well, would you look at this." My head shot up, eyes open wide. "Haruno ran off crying, poor baby did someone call you a bad name?" Tayuya looked down her nose at me, that's it! I could feel my resolve snapping as I jumped to my feet and lunged for her.
My fist soared through the air, whistling past her cheek, a look of complete shock as she stumbled out of the way. Instantly I dropped down, crouching on one leg as the second swiped for her legs, connecting with her ankles and dropping the red head to the ground. My fingers ran over the grass as I jumped on her, everything I had learned about how to fight coming back to me. Like I hadn't taken a break for the past three years, letting all my frustrations build and build until someone finally pushed me over the breaking point.
I was on top of her now, ready to strike and looking into her confused and angry eyes. I noticed for the first time that they are a soft brown, and that she was making no move to push me off or strike back. Tears streamed down my cheek and splashed down onto her skin, beading and rolling down her neck and onto the grass. Shock took over the red heads expression, unsure of what just happened.
I can't do it, I realized, I want to so bad, I was to beat the living crap out of her to finally give back a little bit of what I've taken silently. But I can't do it, I can't bring myself to strike her even though right now, no one would see us, no one would know.
Silently I rolled off her, ignoring the curious look that was following me, already pushing myself up onto my feet. I just want to go home, no... not home. Maybe I'll go to the park, where it's quiet and I can work out today.
"What are you doing?" Tayuya asked, I looked back over my shoulder, the look on my face must of surprised her because her features softened considerably. The stress in her shoulders seemed soften at the same time I felt my legs start to tremble and my head become foggy.
"I'm so tired..." was all I could whisper before blacking out.
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1 - Means hidden leaf in Japanese, I kno I'm creative. * rolls eyes *
2 - Brian from family guy... love family guy lol :) I have this as a bobble head..
3 - Just though I should mention I am going by the way my high school worked with classes and semesters. Not to up to date on the way it works anywhere else :P So yay Canada.
Well that's it, my first attempt at first person pov, as well as being really drama-ish/ romance. Read + review. Thanx – Kiravu.
This is a story that wanted to get out, I apologize for the depressive starting. I promise it will get better, the worst is pretty much over. Everything that could go wrong this summer has for me, so I guess in a way this is my way of venting. :P Anywho! What did Ino mean? Why is Naruto wearing a speedo? Why is Kakashi the janitor? Why am I randomly obsessed with Tayuya? Why does everyone hate Sakura? Ahhh so many questions – until next time.
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Updated/ Reworked: 11/07/11