BITE ME
Insanely Good Liar
Author Rambling: I think this chapter is the worst of the bunch. I mainly wrote it to introduce Sasuke as a character. He's cold, though not completely unemotional. He's not used to humans and what more is that he finds Naruto fascinating. Developing Sasuke in this plot will be very hard, because he doesn't open up like other people do to the mighty powers of Naruto's charm. He is Sasuke, after all. But gradually you'll find him changing. Since people who have something to protect (Naru-chan, for example) are different from people who have nothing to protect.
Read and enjoy, humans.
TWO
Prophesy
...
If you walk till the end of the pavement in the yard, you will get into a thicket.
It took me some time to pass it, but once I did (With only two and a half scratches, mind you.) I found a garden. The dark trees and big bushes had shielded most of the light and created a cupola; until only small ray patterns had danced on the floor of the garden.
It was big, and took almost all the backside of the house. I noticed the back door from the storage-room led here, and sighed; because apparently, I had a few scratches for nothing.
There was a small bench next to a column of purple flowers that ended in some kind of exotic plant I never saw before. I sat down, sighing.
It was beautiful. I had wondered what all that seemingly unoccupied place at the back of the house was for. I looked up at the copula and saw that there was a thin aluminum net that had kept the copula in shape; probably Iruka's work. I knew those planted exotic flowers were exactly his taste.
Wondering, I looked up and silently closed my eyes to the sight of the rustling leaves. The wind blew soft gusts on my body.
A small noise made me jerk up. I heard loud clattering and rustling as if there was someone in the bushes. I looked around, but there was nothing from where I heard the sound. I felt a shiver coming up my spine. Did I imagine it?
Before I could regain my alertness, something connected to the exact spot between my shoulder blades. It gently went down, and as quickly as it came it left.
I jerked away, yet landed on the floor as if someone pushed me down.
Fuck. That was really scary.
I stood up, still looking around, and brushed some dirt off my jeans. Jeez, I'm never coming here again.
I rushed inside the house.
……………………………
My next few days at school weren't as exciting as I hoped them to be.
More and more people disappeared from school. Everyday the class would turn into smaller and smaller groups. Sometimes people will return but others will be absent. It made a whole new impossible level to befriending. Some would send me glances around school, but Kiba told it was just because I'm new. Kiba was the only one who changed more than three words with me. Truth to be said; the guy was weird. He liked dogs a lot; therefore it was a constant topic of conversation with him. He would tell me stories about his great friends but when I would ask about them I would be gifted with a simple shrug of shoulders. He would know all kind of gossip, which I doubted were true anyhow, with no certain aim. But what was the most extroverting thing about him was his nature. In Tokyo, stereotypes were rare because each individual had tried to show-off with his uniqueness, but Kiba – he was the perfect stereotype of Wild-guy; Partying was his thing, motorcycles and sports were fun, meat was the best food in the world, even the way he wore his uniform; everything from his half-curly, messy hair to the way he wouldn't stop cursing.
Mr. Undead showed up once for class-room, further than that I barely saw him. Avoiding him was an easy task; I never saw him in school.
Today was the last day at school and the start of the weekend. It's funny how a week at school passed and I already felt boredom washing over me. But it was good in its own way: now that many of my anxieties – like being alone or not settling in quite well – faded, it seemed to me that my road has cleared up from all the stupid things my mind was preoccupied while in Tokyo. Maybe the country-side did have a good effect on me.
I sighed deeply and heard my exhale echo in the empty hallway. Many of our classes were far away from each other and students from every class were divided to learn in smaller groups; so the teacher would suffice a lot more material. The only subjects I had with Kiba were Math, Anatomy, literature and History. This was the first time I had chemistry, and although it was a big school, Kiba directions were quite good; "Third floor, Lab number 532, can't miss it, a huge purple door at the end of the hallway."
I rolled my eyes and looked outside of the window.
It was almost an afternoon, and probably Iruka already drove home. It means I'll have to go home with Kiba, because I have no idea which way my house is.
I noticed a girl waiting for somebody at the entrance of the building. I saw only her back – her long brown hair… I blinked when I noticed she was wearing a boys uniform – and moreover, not our uniform but the uniform of my old school.
Chill went down my spin and I stopped walking and stared. My breath hitched and I held the front of my school jacket, scared to let go.
Why was he here? Why? Why was I seeing him now? Why did I look out of the window? I know I should stay away from windows. I know I should stay away from windows. Windows—
He turned around.
My body shook and I felt my hands grip tightly onto my shirt. I felt as if I was still at my bed, dreaming, dreaming… about to wake up from a swirl of nightmares.
This can't be real. He can't be real.
My body tensed and my heartbeats fastened.
As if he noticed me, he grinned and waved. His eyes – black like an abyss. Haku - he was sending me a messege from hell.
"Hay." Something blocked the window, and as if released from a spell, I stumbled down.
I blinked a few times, adjusting to reality. What I saw before me was a pair of black boots. I took in a few deep breathes and looked up to see Mr. undead with a frown on his fiendish face.
If his eyes were glowing red and he was going to eat me right now, I wouldn't be surprised. Hack, better by his hand than Haku's.
A cloud of cynicism washed over me. Mr. undead is stalking me by my window (so what if it happened once? It was still weird. And he clearly didn't fled when he noticed me), glaring at me, and catching me in the most dumbest moment ever.
I stood up, groaning. Not that he even offered a hand to help, he just stood there watching me, and then he turned around at the window to see what I was so paralyzed by.
Haku wasn't there anymore, but I felt my head crack uneasily as an after-effect. Although it wasn't the first time this happened, it sure did felt like a first time. Relief washed over me for the fact that it was over so quick – one time I was found in the Janitor's room, sweating like shit and mumbling, I was even hospitalized a few times because I couldn't regain consciousness.
Instead of actually remembering bad memories, I looked at Mr. undead. He sure looked at his best; a black buttoned shirt and on it the school blazer. It made him look like he walked out of some magazine. Without the hood his hair looked perfect. It was styled with much taste, mind you, and looked like it was done by professionals. Probably because it wasn't sunny today - I snickered with my thoughts - had he allowed himself to come without hood and glasses.
"What is it…?" I rudely asked; since he was the one to tell me 'hay' and not even helping me up. He turned back to me, his frown dissipating into complete blankness.
"Nothing," his voice was surprisingly arousing; smooth and rich. A bit like butterfly kisses down somebody's back. "It just sounded like you were having an orgasm with all those gasps and pants." He added rather quickly.
A load of curses and threats and very vivid descriptions of how I'm going to crucify his evil body rushed down my throat like warm puke. Along with the feeling of being oddly embarrassed.
Instead, I calmed myself down, smiled and said; "Bite me." That would suit his fiendish presence, now wouldn't it? I turned around and walked to my class.
He hadn't followed, and only moved when I already entered the class.
There were seven people sitting and chattering among themselves. Only a girl named Hinata from my home-class nodded my way; I smiled back and she quickly turned to her friends.
When I sat down, Mr. undead opened the door.
A few of the girls squealed, and he pointedly ignored them. His stare locked on me and he marched to my desk, putting his bag next to mine.
Could this day be worse?
I looked away from him, my fury building up inside of me like a cage of zombie-monkeys. Why was he being an asshole? We don't even know each other. There were a lot of other vacant seats. He clearly was trying to piss me off, now I'm sure of it.
"Hay."
I turned to him, about to snap; but he preceded me.
"Be careful what you wish for."
Never have I seen a beautiful man. Men were… simply men. Sometimes I would find individuals that my eye caught and admit to myself they were handsome… but never beautiful. Yet, Mr. undead wasn't handsome. He was nearly beautiful. His beauty wasn't girlish but manly; so manly that one smirk had almost took my breath away.
"Fuck off." I mumbled, almost hitting myself for gapping like a fish. I hid my face from him, biting my lip.
That was the last I talked to him, and he too, hadn't told me a thing afterwards – although I caught him staring at me a few times.
I felt like I should panic, since he clearly was calculating what side of my head he was going to take bite of. I already imagined him having a few receipts on how to cook a rude-teenager. 'Coconut-like crispy head delicate' or 'Brains coated in sugar filled with vanilla cream'.
When the lesson finally ended, I marched out of the room, and to the ground floor. I peeked into the half-empty class only to be horrified by the fact that Kiba left without me.
That's it. Silent-Panic mode; on!
First Haku, now being hunted by a brain-hungry Mr. undead… what else? If the werewolf will appear in the entrance I wouldn't be surprised. I would just accept my death.
Okay… Calm down, Naruto. I noticed the bastard coming from the direction of the stairs and regained my calm unaffected face.
It looked horrible, but it really wasn't that bad. I have my phone with me.
Calling Iruka to get me would work perfectly. I nodded to myself and pressed 3 on the speed-dial.
It paused for a moment and then I was directed voice response.
You have got to be shitting me.
"Hay."
"Stop 'hay'ing me, will you?" I snapped at him, redialing Iruka's number.
"You live with Kakashi, right?" he looked unfazed by my retort.
Most would refer to him by 'sensei' or 'Hatake-sensei'. Kakashi himself had made sure I was calling him properly and not too casually; something about treating all the students equally. He would be the first one except me who would say Kakashi so bluntly. It immediately quirked my interest but the fact that I have no way to get back home made me push it away into the 'to ask' list.
Iruka's phone number was redirected again to the voice response.
I nodded, feeling the tips of redemption. "Why? Are you going there?" I stared at him while dialing Kakashi's number.
Now, he seemed a bit taken aback at my response. "Yes. I was about-"
'Hai, hai!' I heard Kakashi's cheery voice, turned around from a quite shocked Mr. undead and yelled into the cell-phone: "dammit, Kakashi, I'm stuck at school, come and get me-"
'That's right; you've dialed to Kakashi's phone! Unfortunately, I can't answer right now… it might have something to do with Iruka-sensei…leave a message after the beep!' I stared at the phone.
"Don't know the way home, huh?" the zombie said behind me; I could almost feel a silver of smugness in his voice.
……………………………
I kept three meters between us.
Call me a suspicious retarded moron, but this guy… there was something off about him.
There was no sun, light gray clouds covering all the sky till the horizon. It was warm though, and he was enjoying the weather.
Truthfully saying, he had a great build. He had a very muscular back, yet a thin waist, and a… nice ass.
We're both man, I know. But he happens to have the right ass to fit the uniform trousers that look like sweatpants on Kiba.
All I ever meant to say was that his ass has a nice, somewhat curly shape. Nothing more!
I wanted to bang my head on some wall. What the hell was wrong with me? Looking away from him I wondered how my ass looked in those puke green trousers; probably baggy like hell.
They didn't look so good on Kiba. They looked like used sweatpants. Not that Kiba cared; he loosely hanged the tie around his neck so it would be in his style; saying that he wore the tie and they should be thankful for that.
This guy… he wore his tie neatly yet on top of some designer black buttoned shirt. It was like they both knew how to bend the rules of the school to their look.
I sighed.
He glanced at me, and I saw he was smirking slightly. Well, fuck him and his nice ass! I furrowed my eyebrows at him. Wishing he would stumble upon some rock and die a horrid death.
"We're almost here," He started, without looking at me.
"Yes, I can see my house." I countered, glaring at his nape.
"Then why are you walking so slowly?"
I looked away and mumbled a; "can't turn my back at you… might eat me…"
Although it was barely a whisper, he heard me quite well; "I don't think you'll taste that good… actually." He retorted.
I was genuinely surprised by the fact that he heard me – but what more by the way he said it. It sounded as if he was being serious.
"You see, you're short,"
I gasped at his insult.
"—hot –tempered,"
"I am not!" I tried to be more convincing, but it was hard when he was so far away from me.
"—and seriously fucked up."
"God-dammit! You're way more fucked up than me!"
"Maybe… but I don't go moaning while looking out of the window."
"That's not my fault! I get panic attacks! Ever heard of Acrophobia?!"
"Fear of heights isn't expressed like that. You probably saw something… didn't you?"
I opened my mouth a few times and then closed it. "None of your business…"
I never thought it would disturb me so much to talk about it. The psychotherapist in Tokyo had never touched the subject of what I saw when I looked down. He just wrote down 'Acrophobia caused by Post-traumatic stress disorder' along with other things as nervous break-down and personality change. Maybe somebody at my age would understand my troubles better. That sent my thoughts about if Mr. undead was really my age.
He halted to a stop next to the gate of my house, and I pushed him a bit with my shoulder as I walked inside.
When I was about to open the door, I noticed that he didn't came in. I turned around. "Well?"
He made a face and I spun around and walked to him; "Why aren't you coming in?"
"I wasn't invited."
There were black bars separating between us, but I saw his eyes tingle with redness. His gaze wasn't angry but it was intense; my brain was sending alert signals to my organs, but my will refused to listen to the fact that I was scared. I hadn't felt even the slightest pin of fear. "Then, come-"
"Don't." He quickly cut me off. "For your own safety."
"But you said you won't eat me."
"Naruto! Is that you?" Iruka's worried voice called over my shoulder and I turned around smiling. "Thank god! I thought you were kidnapped!" Iruka ran to hug me. I laughed. "Oh please!"
"Jesus, don't ever do that again! You know how worried I was! I even sent that lazy ass to look for you! Why haven't you called?"
"I called; your phone and Kakashi's were off…"
"No, they weren't! I tried calling you from two o'clock!"
"I guess it malfunctioned then…" I took out my phone from my pocket. "I think we should check it."
"Let's get in, it's chilly here… we need to call Kakashi... Jesus, we looked for you everywhere! " Iruka ruffled my hair affectingly and looked to the sides. "Hay, wait- He wanted…" I turned around but the zombie was gone.
I turned back at Iruka that already raised an eyebrow. "Why didn't you ask Kiba or something…? The guy didn't even wait for me… I bet he forgot-"
"Actually Kiba called home just a while ago to invite you to his house tomorrow. He said that somebody told him you already went home."
I beamed; "Really?"
……………………………
Kiba's room was completely messy. There were clothes on the floor, the bed, falling out of the stuffed closet. If they were dirty or not was not the question in line, because the room smelled like barbeque.
He had a 22inch TV which was plugged into an old Xbox with a few Pokemon-stickers. It was paused in some shooter game, showing high-scores. He had a few posters on his dark-red walls with hard rock bands. He had a chest of drawers, on which on top of it were a lot of photos.
"Is that your dad?" I asked while he started trying to clean some space on the bed for us to sit. He looked up, and came closer to see what I'm talking about.
The picture had the woman that I saw the other day while we came with Iruka, holding a small child that looked like a twin version of Kiba only much smaller in her hands. Probably his mom, to her left stood Hana, his sister, next to her; a smaller girl that beamed at the camera. At the other side of the woman stood Kiba, a bit taller like the man beside him, he was ruffling the hair of another kid that looked approximately ten. The man and his mother looked almost identical and it was freaky.
"Nah, that's my uncle. My dad's… a fucking retarded. He's dead to me anyway."
"Oh. Sorry…" I cursed my-self for my stupidity.
"That's ma, Hana and that's my little brother, Kawa."
"He looks just like you, only smaller."
Kiba snickered while pointing the next ones. "Mimi and Shippo are both Uncle Manako's kids. His wife died recently… so don't ask about it while in dinner. You're staying for dinner, right? Since you just came here."
"Yeah."
"Great!" Kiba started picking another pile of clothes; "Sorry for the mess," he grinned while a sock fall down from the little mountain of clothes he gathered next to the closet. "Two of my friends stayed the night and they really don't mind the mess, so I didn't bother cleaning."
"I don't mind the mess either." I replied. "My room's no better."
Kiba looked at the second pile in his hands and just dropped it. "Cool."
"Is that them?" I turned back to the pictures and he nodded. "Yeah, I wanted to introduce you actually… but they really needed to go somewhere…" he crushed on the floor, next to the Xbox.
In the picture were four teen. Kiba was hanging on the neck of the tallest of them; the guy had sunglasses and million layers of clothing on him although Kiba was wearing a simple undershirt. Next to them stood a chubby guy with a bag of chips and another guy that had a pony-tail, he looked so troubled standing there – as if the camera was assaulting him.
"Shino's… well… I don't really know where he is. He's my best buddy… but he sometimes just disappears… and Chouji and Shikamaru are either too busy to go to school, or too lazy."
I laughed; "Busy doing what?"
"patrolling." He simply said, and it looked like he hasn't given it much thought. "Shikamaru was away for a few years, and Chouji accompanies him… Everybody's so busy with the preparation, it's almost stressing me down."
"Preparation for what?" I sat down next to him.
"For the Big Winter." He answered.
"The Big Winter? What's that? Sounds like an event."
Kiba sighed. "You really came from outside, huh?" I nodded; "Of course, from Tokyo."
"Mikoto and Fugaku Uchiha recently… died." He started and seemed to be hesitating for his choice of words. "I heard that name before… I think Iruka said it…"
"Yeah… remember the guy that bothered you."
"Who? Mr. Undead?"
Kiba laughed heartedly. "An ironically fitting name." he commented before continuing; "Remember I told you that his dad used to own the area?"
"Yeah."
"Well. Now he's dead. And once our country-"
"Are we still talking about Japan? You kind of lost me."
Kiba rubbed his chin. "Konoha is… well… never mind that! Let's just say once the protector dies… comes a period when there's no leader in Konoha… that's called the Big Winter… why big? Because this happens once in every… I don't know… at least a thousand years-"
"Does this means Fugaku lived that long?" I cut in. He growled as a retort, and I quieted to let him continue; "and when it does… different groups fight for the right to rule over the area."
"Kiba." I patted his shoulder, sniggering at his serious face. "I have to tell you. This sounds completely fictional."
"Well, welcome to Konoha, my friend."
"Kiba!" The Inuzuka's mother barged in without knocking. "I heard you have a friend- Ah! I knew you'll become friends with him! He's so cute!"
"Ma! Could you please leave?"
He face turned a bit offended and he sighed, regretting his words. But then she slapped his back and made him choke onto air. "Dinner's ready!"
……………………………
In the end, after dinner we played 'Left 4 Dead' till eleven; I wasn't aware of the time until Hana came in and said that Iruka came to take me home.
I felt a bit like a kid, but after what I pulled yesterday, I guess, Iruka won't be able to forget it for quite a while.
Kiba was… really fun to hang out with. He was really warm even if he looked rude and unfriendly on his exterior. I could never shake off the things he told about Konoha earlier, even while in car with Iruka.
"So…" Iruka urged, breaking my line of thought. "Did you have fun?"
"Yeah! Did you ever saw his little brother? He looks exactly like him!"
"It's common in their clan."
"Clan, huh?"
Iruka glanced at me from behind the wheel, still smiling, as if asking me for more details. I couldn't help but wonder if what Kiba said was true. After Mr. undead who, I now doubted, was real. It was like a reality check. I saw him with a huge animal. Then he goes off and scares me with the things that come out of his mouth… and now I can't even stop thinking about him.
"Uncle… is there really something like 'The Big Winter'?"
Iruka parked the car as I asked it, and stopped whatever he was doing when I asked it. He wore a twisted, worried look on his face as if he's going to explode.
"Who… who told you about it?"
"I can't believe it!"
Iruka sighed and went out of the car hurriedly, locking the gate after himself.
At home Kakashi greeted me by ruffling my hair but was soon distracted by the fact that Iruka locked the door and looked like he's having a small nervous breakdown.
"What's wrong?" he immediately said.
"He found out!" Iruka down the corridor to the phone, was about to pick it up, but regretted after a second a stalked from one side of the corridor to another.
"About what?" Kakashi's question was completely calm, but didn't have any effect on Iruka.
I decided to retort for Iruka. "About the Big Winter whatever it is. Why are you making such a big deal out of it, anyway?"
Kakashi too looked taken aback.
For once, at least I understood why Kiba said he was stressed out from it.
"Don't worry, Kiddo, Iruka is just being fussy." Kakashi reassured. But for some reason that hadn't soothed me at all. Uncle had finally taken the phone into his hands and started dialing. He clamped it to his ear and tapped his foot on the floor.
"Hi. Sorry I'm calling so late… No, he's fine."
"Is that dad?" I asked Kakashi and he confirmed my suspicion by nodding. "Wait, wait!" Iruka continued; "don't panic, alright? Yes, I know. He found out- I don't know how much! Alright! Can't you just come here? Wait," Iruka handed me the phone; "he wants to speak to you."
I took the phone hesitatingly. Is dad angry with me again? What did I do?
"Hello?" I asked because there was complete silence on the line.
"Hi, baby." Dad hadn't called me baby for a year or so; it surprised me and I felt like a kid again. I yearned to go home suddenly, to hug him and mom and beg for forgiveness for everything I said or done.
"Hi, dad…"
"I'll come visit you next weekend, okay?"
"Okay."
He sighed very deeply, and sounded more cheerful; "So, how's school?"
"It's really nice… I already made a friend."
"Really? And how is he?"
"Umm… His name is Kiba Inuzuka… he's really fun and easy going… and… he's a bit of a delinquent."
"Just like his mother…" dad laughed, and I smiled, and even though he couldn't see it, I expected him to know that I'm smiling. "Do you know her, dad?"
Making up with him was never so easy. It almost left a bitter taste of something that will soon come.
……………………………
When I woke up, I felt deliriously happy.
I stood up smiling, and rubbed my eyes as I walked to my closet. From the window I could see it was about to rain any minute, tough the ground seemed yet to be wetted.
I took off my pajamas and tossed it randomly in air, wearing my jeans and a shirt. I opened the window and took in a few breathes. The air felt fresh and a bit mold – but it made my heart flutter as soon as it hit my lungs. But not only had the air made my heart flutter.
It wasn't sunny, but bright enough for me to see his onyx cold glare. His trench coat was covering an opened shirt that revealed bit of his pale chest. a pair of cargo pants suited his legs. He looked good.
I wondered how long he stood there, waiting for me to wake up. Had he even waited for me?
Took me seconds to get down-stairs and grab my coat. Rather than staying with Kakashi and Iruka, I needed someone else; someone else to talk to.
When I closed the door after myself I didn't see him at the gate. I saw a glimpse of him when he turned behind the walls of the fence, and followed suit, struggling my coat on.
When I turned the corner after him, I saw his shadow inside a small trail that led into the forest.
The forest wasn't so thick, yet it seemed intimidating – but it hadn't budged me. I knew there was a small forest behind the house, yet never visited it. Looking back now, I barely went outside if not school; the forest was no exception… if it were Tokyo, I bet I'd be so bored at home, I would already know how to get around the whole neighborhood. But it wasn't Tokyo, and I didn't know the way home. Hesitating – but only slightly – I ran after him.
The trees were long and dark-barked; almost black. The sun hadn't penetrated through and it started looking murkier than it did a second ago. The floor of dry leaves crunched below my feet noisily. When I understood I lost sight of him I stopped and looked around. He couldn't be far away.
I saw him walking between trees – and disappearing behind a large barked tree. I understood at once that he was leading me off the trail; but fear was the last thing on my mind.
"Hay, wait!" I yelled, and jumped over some mossy rock. When I turned behind the tree I saw him at, there was completely nothing but more trees. I sighed and spun around, but before I could let the disappointment overcome – looking up, I saw him leaning on another tree right in front of me.
I yelped, clamping a hand on my heart. "Don't just pop out!"
As an answer, he smirked, pushing himself off the tree and turning his back to me. His hand danced on the black bark of the tree he leaned on, as he circled it. I followed him stubbornly, but he wasn't there once I lost sight of him behind the tree. How can you even do that? It's like he's disappearing to thin air. I looked around again. This time, the tips of his black clothing fluttered through some thicket. As I passed it, covered with cobwebs, I found myself in a clearing.
He stood in the midst of it and above him, in the sky, assembled a group of dark-dark gray storm clouds. The grass in the clearing seemed soft and long; vibrant green against all the darkness in the sky. "Why are you following me, human?" He seemed amused, and it ticked me off.
"Why are you standing outside my window and freaking me out?" I retorted.
"Fair enough."
"What… what's your name?" I wanted to continue the conversation, because Mr. undead surely didn't seemed the kind to talk a lot.
"Uchiha Sasuke." How Suiting. It was like he was born for that name.
"I'm Naruto."
"Funny human. I didn't ask for your name…" I rubbed the back of my head and looked around. Rude bitch. He looked at me from up to down before turning to me with his back. "Come, I'll show you something."
……………………………
I followed the sounds of his steps and the grazes of his trench coat.
He was hard to trail. He was swift and his reflexes were better than mine. He would snap his head at every rustle of leaves – which was a lot.
I did not remembered for how long I followed him. Inside the forest, when there was nothing but him for what looked like eternity, time flew. I could feel the tips of my fingers tingling with lost minutes. As if years passed by me and their fragrances stayed shimmering.
Expect him there was complete stillness and silence. He became my everything; with him in my field of view I hadn't felt lost or scared.
When we arrived another clearing, he slowed down.
It wasn't a big clearing at all, since most of it was taken by the huge tree that grew in the middle of it. It looked old and his roots penetrated everywhere nearby. His leaves were dark, but for some reason it seemed to almost lit the surrounding. The sky still announced on a scary storm, but the tree sent waves of warmness and lightness around it.
A small bird fountain stood in a small path of earth and short grass, between the dark roots of the tree. It was colored deep, deep gray; cracks and dirt covered it from up to down. Since it was a bit dark, the water inside of it seemed pitch-black.
"My secret place."
At his words, I glanced at him. "What makes it secret?"
"I used to sneak here when I was younger." He briefly explained before walking to the tree and caressing its bark. I watched him do it with unsaid fascination. The more time I spend with him, the weirder he gets. And I thought seeing ghosts was weird. Why the girls in school did even liked him? He was a total dork.
I walked around, enjoying the view of the long branches and the dark leaves, until I came near the bird-bath. "Is that a place where you bring all your girlfriends and make them feel special?" I stared at my reflection; I seemed so bright over the darkness of the water.
"Does it make you feel special?" He voice was close behind me and I suddenly felt threatened, spun like a rocket clenching onto the fountain. He looked quite pleased, and it, yet again, somehow pissed me off.
"You know, right now we're in my yard."
"Oh. So… we're neighbors."
"You can say that." He continued walking until he met a root that burst from the ground, and sat on it. I sighed deeply, looking back at the fountain. In the water I had a bright orange aura and the branches and leaves above me on the tree, rustled and swayed in the wind. I blinked when I noticed figures inside the leaves and branches, as if people were sitting there and hiding from me.
Suddenly the zombie-guy's face appeared in the other side at the other side of the circle of water. He was watching me intently, and started closing up distance between our heads. I looked up quickly; "What are you-" He was indeed standing in the other side of the bird-bath, but he was quite far away from me, unlike our reflections in the water. When I looked back at the bowl – I noticed the distance between us changed.
"What do you see?" He quickly asked me.
"Myself." I rolled my eyes. "And what is it with this water? Why is it so dark?" I dipped my finger inside and the liquid seemed viscous. When I drew my finger out, I saw that it coated my finger with somewhat thick dark brown liquid.
"What is this?" I asked, as it rolled from my finger back into the bird-bath. Although the traces of it barely stayed on my finger, it felt as if I just touched a puddle of blood.
"Blood." He answered me. It felt like he was reading me from my facial expression without even trying.
"Are you shitting me?"
He chuckled. "It's magical fountain. In its waters you can see the future. Some see their whole life in it… others' destiny is hidden from them."
"I barely saw something."
"Really?" He spun suddenly to his right. "Your uncle is looking for you."
I stared at him. Is he really human? I should get scared from his actions but nothing he says is alarming and he doesn't seem to intimidate me.
I nodded slowly, and he nodded back but none of us moved. His eyes seemed more relaxed, at that moment. Maybe they're just deep brown and when met with light they blink with redness? But rather brown – they seemed dark, dark blue, matching his midnight colored hair.
"Are you dead?" I blurted out, unable to help but wonder if he really is some undead creature. A zombie… or a vampire.
I earned another chuckle from him. "No, I'm not dead." He coaxed as he grabbed my hand and put it on his chest.
I could feel steady, rhythm of a lonely heart. His chest rose a bit, and then sunk a bit as if dancing to his heart's beat.
"Sasuke… Naruto? What are you doing here?" We both turned to the thicket we came from. Kakashi blinked strangely from Sasuke to me. I quickly hauled my hand from Sasuke's grip, which was tad loose. It made me a bit disappointed to find him as alerted as me about the situation.
His face was in a frown.
"I just went for a small trip and met Sasuke." I explained.
"And what was Sasuke doing near our house?" The question was directed to Sasuke, but I answered for him. "We're neighbors, so it's natural I'd meet him, right Sasuke?"
Sasuke glared at me, but I beamed at Kakashi. "Is that so?"
"I need to talk to you." His pale body leaned to a slight bow. It seemed very graceful, as if he was talking to someone superior than him.
Kakashi nodded. "I'll just get the troubled teenager kid home."
"kid?" I grumbled. Kakashi stretched his hand for me and as soon as I took it, he clenched onto my shoulders, as if making sure I'm real and safe.
I looked up to see the expression on his face, but he was staring at Sasuke.
"Wait here…" Kakashi commended. He turned me around, his grip on my shoulders still very strong, and started walking. A few steps forwards and I couldn't help myself but look back.
Sasuke was standing next to the bird-bath, his head slightly bowed. Mr. undead looked up at me, and once again I saw the small twinkling-red glimpse. At a certain angle, it just seemed like his eyes were red. They were back to a deep onyx once our eyes met.
I didn't know if I should wave as a goodbye, so I tore my gaze from him back into the thicket me and Kakashi stepped into.
Once inside the forest and out of Sasuke's sight, Kakashi's grip loosened. I wanted to understand what he was feeling that moment, but searching for his gaze was tough. He would stare blankly ahead of us.
"You okay?" He suddenly asked.
"I'm fine." I sighed deeply, and stepped over a log, before I could question him about the behavior, he cut me off; "He didn't do anything to you?"
"No. Why would he do anything? I know he's a delinquent… but he's alright. I guess."
"You shouldn't go out without telling us where you go, you know. Iruka will freak."
I nodded. "Sorry, sorry."
"Tell him you just got lost… okay? Or else he'll bother me about it forever."
I paused for a second, watching Kakashi making his way on the forest path. "Alright." I finally said, but it still felt suspicious to me.
……………………………
Somewhere near noon it rained.
Well, technically… it poured.
The roads immediately turned into mud and huge puddles appeared in minutes near the house. In addition, on the sideway of the road, a stream flowed, overflowing the vegetation.
It was so dark, Iruka had to turn on the lights in the house. I wanted to get ready for a storm, but there was barely wind; only darkness and rain.
It was warmer in the blue room since there was a small heating machine. The royal-blue colored walls were calming and the right side of the room was covered with wooden shelves with hundreds of books on them. I did like this room the best; it just seemed cozy.
Kakashi came back after an hour or so, just in time before the rain started. He didn't say a thing about where he was and that he was with Sasuke so I didn't mention anything to Iruka – although I had to endure a small lecture by myself. Damn Kakashi with his sneaky ways… I bet he delayed on purpose.
I sat by the window, the sound of Kakashi's typing on his laptop lolling me to sleep when Iruka came in with hot muffins.
He left soon after saying; "Oh! My garden!" and I could see him in his red rain-coat in the garden, trying to protect the poor plants from the rain.
I giggled at his attempts at shielding it with his body.
"Naruto."
"Hmm?" I turned to Kakashi.
"What did Sasuke talked with you about?"
I stood up. "Nothing really… He just wanted to show me his tree."
"Why?" Kakashi turned to me from his computer. I rimmed through the books, sighing about the way I'm being investigated.
"How should I know?"
"Is that really all?"
"Yes! Jesus! I don't understand what's wrong… I know he's a tiny bit weird…"
Kakashi cut me off with a small sigh. "That's not what I'm talking about that…" I reverted my attention back to the books, not knowing if to be angry with the fact there's something he's not telling me or with the fact that I'm treated like a virgin religious girl that can't get out of the house without parents' approval.
'Spirit, body and mind' was the thickest book on the shelves. I wanted to take it out but I noticed more interesting titles like; 'Japanese myths' and from there; 'The art of Blood Sucking'.
Who knew Kakashi had such a vast interest range? I smiled upon the last book, but then I noticed a purple covered book right next to it. Golden words spelled the phrase; 'Reading the future'.
My thoughts hurried to get me back to the tree and to the bird-bath beside it; to his words as if he chanted them inside my mind. 'It's magical fountain. In its waters you can see the future.' He said.
I took out the book, stroking its cover.
The cover was as simple as there is. It was purple, contained the author's name and beneath it in golden font 'Reading the Future'.
"Can I borrow this?"
Kakashi didn't even peeked at what I was holding and shook his hand to the sides, signaling his approval.
"Thanks!" I smiled and exited the room to the coldness of the hallway.
……………………………
My room was colder and yet I snuggled into the covers and sighed blissfully.
I creased the hard cover of the book in my hands before opening it. It was a bit rough and textured. The first thing my eyes landed one after the introduction was Table of Contents
There was plam-reading, tea-cup-reading, reading by runes or stones and even reading by wax. One before the last subject was 'Reading by Water'.
I opened the said page. There was a brief explanation saying that reading by water can come in two ways, like a sudden vision or from a source of water that is known to have such abilities(i.e. magical fountain, thank you very much Sasuke.).
Afterwards there was a list of simple words or phrases like birds that you might've seen in your reflection and their meaning.
The first word to come up from a set of very basic words such as 'Apple' and 'Arms' – was 'Aura'. Certainly I saw an aura over at the bird-bath.
The orange colored Aura meant; "Uplifting and absorbing personality. Inspiring. A sign of power to come." I read out loud. It meant nothing to me whatsoever.
I flipped through the pages until the word 'creatures' came up; "If the creatures are hiding inside trees or in a rocky landscape, it means that a big storm is coming your way. Whether friends or foes, hidden as they may be, their meaning is of to warn you from a huge responsibility and trouble… Huh?" I frowned deeply at the paper.
Next I looked for the fact that Sasuke appeared there. 'Face' soon came up. This category didn't include much. 'Face of a stranger', 'face of a friend', 'face of a family member' or 'face of lover'.
Since I didn't quite knew Sasuke I decided to read stranger but it said 'somebody that you might cross paths with in the future.'
I already met Sasuke, so I decided to label Sasuke as a friend; "If your friend is frowning – his anger will cause you troubles. If he's smiling – your friendship will become a great asset to you. If he's trying to kiss you – might it be… that you're feeling something else for your friend?"
I bristled.
"What the hell…? Nothing useful at all." I tossed the book aside and cuddled into my sheets, nuzzling my pillow. Little did I knew, that Sasuke was never my friend to begin with.
Well, well, well...
Next time: Papa Minato is coming. And Naruto's about to find out...--!
Anywayz, thank you for the long wait. (which wasn't long, considering my breaks). I apologize for the language, my mother tongue is not English, I try my best without a Beta in order to give you a story that will improve himself with time.
If you liked the story, hated it, or even have a mixed opinion on it - I would love to hear anything you have to say. A review is very important to an author, so please be kind with me.
Stay tuned! Thank you for reading!
