Oh my gosh, finally! The third chapter up! My FanFiction was totally screwed up for a while. Wasn't working at all. But it is now! So. Third chapter. Please read and review :)
I don't own anything Naruto or Naruto related.
I hit the floor mats hard, the air whooshing out of my lungs. Even with Sasuke supporting me, I hit hard enough to leave a bruise.
Sasuke looked down at me with amusement, still holding my arm, his knee still outstretched.
"And that is how you do a hip throw."
"Oh, shut it," I grinned back at him. He released my arm so I could spring back onto my feet.
"Want to try?" he asked, bringing his fists up in a ready position. I nodded and brought my own fists up. As Sasuke came at me, a flurry of punches flying at me, I dodged a couple, weaving and slipping, before finding an opening and grabbing his arm. Quickly I tucked it against my body and slipped one leg in front of his before pivoting and throwing his body over my knee. As he fell, he twisted his arm away from my grip and slipped into a backwards roll, coming back up into a ready position.
"You're going to have to show me how to do that," I grumbled, stepping back.
He smirked coolly. "That was better. Might even be able to use it in a fight."
I huffed, reaching back to tighten my ponytail. "I seem to recall being able to beat some other trainees with my inferior techniques.
"I suppose." He smiled, and looked at the clock mounted on the wall, slowly frowning as he did so. "Sorry, can't practice the arm bars right now. I've got some…business to take care of."
I frowned as I untied my belt. The change in Sasuke was palpable. He had gone from smiling fellow trainee to brooding teen. "Not anything too serious?"
He laughed, a short, curt sound. He untied his belt as well and turned away, slinging it over his shoulder.
"I wish. See you around later."
I nodded to his retreating back and left for the changing rooms.
I had been with the Uchiha's for a month now. I'd quickly fallen into the rhythm of their lifestyle; family meals, lessons and training. Lots and lots of training. In addition to a myriad of martial arts techniques, Mikoto taught me other skills, like using weapons. All the meals were eaten together; it was not uncommon to see several trainees to show up as well. Itachi and Sasuke were homeschooled, as was I. Lessons were nearly first thing in the morning, opening up the afternoons and evenings for training. Weekends were our days off. We could do anything we liked on Saturday and Sunday. I often trained with Sasuke in the evenings, as I did today.
"Although," I mused aloud, "he's never left like that before." I brushed my hair back, wet after my shower, and dried it once more with a towel before tossing it in my bedside drawer. I reached for my I-pod where it rested on my pillow and plugged the ear buds in. The I-pod had been Sasuke's until he gave it to me, so it had a lot of thumping techno rhythms. I didn't mind in the least, though. I had developed quite a taste for it. Setting it to a harder, rocking beat, I reached over and pulled out a notebook from my desk drawer.
"Alright! Which should I do first, math or language?" I muttered to myself, pulling out two textbooks as well. I sighed. "They both suck, so I'll be bored either way."
It was eleven at night when I finally threw down my pencil in frustration.
"Ugh! I'll need help with this," I growled, glaring balefully at the stupid equations. "I wonder if Sasuke is still awake?"
I scooped up the math textbook and notebook before quietly cracking open the door and slipping out into the dark hallway. The crescent moon gleamed dully, providing a slight bit of light as I crept along. I went to Sasuke's door and tapped it gently. I didn't worry about him being asleep, as he was usually awake until one in the morning. I was slightly worried about if he was going to be there or not. I hadn't seen him since he left after our training. I tapped on the door again.
"Sasuke?" I called softly, silently easing his door open. The dull moon bathed his dark bedspread in soft light and reflected off the dull shine of his stereo, but didn't illuminate his form.
"Strange," I murmured to myself, closing the door quietly. I returned to my room, throwing the books on my bed. I gazed out the window, feeling hot and bothered, aggravated at the math. I wondered what it would be like outside and instantly a plan formed in my mind. I crossed the room to my window and unlatched it before pushing it open, wincing at the drawn out creak. Sliding my legs over the sill, I remembered that one night that had brought me to the Uchiha family. I smiled. Now that night was one of my most treasured memories, if not the most pleasant. I hadn't heard anything from my parents since; that was the way I liked it. I looked down to see what my landing would be like. I was on the second floor, so the drop wasn't that far. There was a nice convenient hedge as well, to break my fall. I slid my legs over the edge so I hung by my hands, then let go. I dropped silently and landed on the balls of my feet, dropping to my knees and rolling to expend momentum. I rolled onto a knee and smoothly stood up. Grinning at the moon, I stretched my arms over my head, pleased with my controlled descent. I began to walk over the perfect, green manicured lawn towards the shadowed green house, passing in and out of the dappled shade cast by the willowy trees. Reaching the glass doors, I slid open one and stepped inside, glad to be out of the chilly air. It was cold for November. I inhaled the scent of damp earth and green, living things and closed the door behind me. My impatience and frustration ebbed away into the cool air. I leaned my forehead against the door, sighing as I felt calm again.
Suddenly, something clinked.
I whirled around, immediately searching the shadows in the greenhouse. I stared hard, probing in corners and underneath tables. I saw nothing.
"Hello?" I called, my voice hard. Silence stretched on in the greenhouse.
"Hello?" I called again, taking a step forward.
"Hey, Chalice," came a smooth, low voice. A voice I knew.
"Sasuke?"
More clinking noises. I realized that they were bottles. A dark form detached itself from the wall glided towards me, bringing with it a smell I was all too familiar with. I stepped back, against the glass.
"Sasuke. You aren't…drunk, are you?"
"Chalice," he said, stopping in front of me. His face was shadowed, his eyes hidden. There was a scent of alcohol, barely discernible underneath the smell of earth and plants.
"Sasuke…" I reached behind me for the door handle, pulling it open. "I think I should go now."
I jumped as his hand shot out and slammed the door shut. He leaned his face up close to mine and growled, "I am not drunk."
I flinched.
He slowly leaned in and rested his head on my shoulder, his breathing irregular. I swallowed, feeling his soft dark hair against my neck. "I'm just…tired." I felt something damp against my skin. Was he crying? The thought was incredulous.
"Sasuke, are you alright?" I asked softly, incredulously. I heard a soft, broken hum.
"Yes. I'm fine. Just…stay still. For a while." Sasuke slid his hands down my shoulders and locked them behind my back.
I slowly slid my hands behind his back and leaned my head against his, still confused about his behavior. We stood there in silence for what seemed like an eternity. I didn't mind, though. Something felt nice, felt right, when Sasuke was close.
"I've killed someone before," Sasuke said suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence. "He was young. Too young. Sixteen, like us." He tightened his hold on me, nuzzled his face closer against the joint where my neck and shoulder met. "I was on a job, in Shanghai. Our employer was in danger. He was targeted by a local gang, a band of…younger men. Between fifteen and twenty-four at the most. The man, or boy, really, was getting too close to killing our employer, so I had to take him out. I know it was my job, but…" He paused, and I felt his fingers clench. "Right before he died, he begged me not to kill him. On his knees, begging. I killed a teenager. That's why-that's why I-"
"Shh," I said softly, reaching up to slide one hand through the soft hair on the back of his neck. Not knowing what else to say, I just continued to smooth his hair.
The light in the greenhouse dulled, making me look up at the sky. Without my noticing, clouds had rolled across the sky, obscuring the light of the moon. White flakes had begun to fall, creating a thin crisp blanket over everything.
"Sasuke," I said, pushing me slightly away from me. He only tightened his grip, pressing me against him. "Sasuke, it's snowing." I felt him shift his head and look out the window.
"So it is," He sighed. "I guess that means we have to get back inside."
"Um…" I mumbled. "How do we get back in? I jumped out a window to get out."
"We can climb up," he said, loosening his grip and pulling away. His face was completely composed. "Follow me." He reached behind me for the door and pulled it open and I followed him out. He still held onto my hand.
We both walked quickly across the soft lawn, feeling cold flakes fall onto our cheeks. I shivered, a slight wind cutting through my thin shirt. Reaching the side of the house, Sasuke went over to his window and pointed to the rope there.
"I use that to climb in and out," he said. "I'll go first." He quickly grasped the rope and hoisted himself up, reaching the window in a matter of seconds.
"Show-off," I muttered, gripping the rope with cold hands. Using my knees to hold the rope as well, I climbed up almost as quickly as he had, but much less gracefully. Grabbing the hand he held out to pull me the least few feet, I vaulted in and landed softly on the carpeted ground. He pulled the rope back inside and coiled it into large coils with the practiced moves of one who had done it many times before. I stood awkwardly next to his bed against the wall as he stowed the rope away in the closet and quietly moved to close the glass window pane. He lingered by the window for a moment more, a faint reflection in the glass staring back at me. I shuffled my feet as the silence stretched on. Finally, I couldn't stand it anymore.
"So. I guess I'm going to go back to my room then," I whispered into the silence. There was no reply. Taking that for acceptance, I turned and reached the door, but halted as his voice pierced the room.
"Don't."
I turned in confusion drawing my hand back from the door. "What?"
He turned to the bed and sat before looking up to me. "Come here. Please."
"Okay?" I said, the question evident in my voice. I crossed the room and sat cautiously next to him. As far as I knew, he was drunk.
His dark eyes regarded me for a moment, and I caught the surprising glint of his white teeth as he smiled. He mumbled something to himself, and laughed softly.
"What is it?" I asked, slightly frustrated. I leaned in closer to try and catch what he was saying.
Which was partially why I was so caught off guard as he leaned in and kissed me.
I hope I didn't make Sasuke too terribly OOC...bah.
You know what makes me happy? Reviews! (hinthintnudgenudge)