The Hero Game:

Chapter Three:

Update: 3/18/17

Where was she? He gazed at his phone reading their conversation out loud in his head. His eyes trailed over her last message.

I'll be at my locker in five minutes.

Well, where in the fifth realm of fuck was she? That text was sent 15 minutes ago and she was still nowhere near her locker. The day was over and the hallways were beginning to fill with bustling students. Naruto sighed, realizing that the girl's quiet personality probably would transfer over through text too. In short, she was one of those people who took ages to respond. A slow texter if you would. Guy-sensei definitely wouldn't stay too late after classes, he was Guy-sensei he only stayed after when there was track practice.

He hoped she hadn't fallen down another staircase!

"Yo, Naruto!", he turned at the mention of his name, his head slamming into the figure.

"Ah, geez man!" Naruto complained in pain.

"You good, dude?" It was Kiba. Rubbing his forehead, as he stepped back a little. He had heard that the dude had gotten himself into a little trouble with Tsunade as of recently. Kiba was a bit of a trouble maker, though it wasn't too bad.

"Yeah, you just startled me is all" Naruto rubbed his head also.

"So, what's got you waiting here? Is this where your locker is?"

Naruto moved out of the way as two students attempted to get into their lockers.

"Oh, bro. I'm just waiting for Sasuki."

"Sasuki?" Kiba questioned before.

Kiba facial expression suddenly changed significantly. His eyes opening in realization.

"The new girl, huh? The police chief's daughter." He smirked heavily, his eyes smiling with his lips. "I see you, dude! You sure are working fast."

He backed up his hands coming up defensively. "No dude, nothing like that at all!"

Kiba rose an eyebrow. "No? But she's such a catch. I mean, she's not much in the boob compartment, pretty average. But, have you seen that ass?"

Naruto should have known Kiba would act in such a manner. Truthfully, Naruto wasn't the type of individual to go after a girl simply because she's physically attractive. He nodded.

"I'm just trynna get her on the track team is all, but she kinda disappeared."

Naruto looked at his phone, no response yet. Yeah, she was that type of girl he recited in his head.

"Shoot. If I were you I'd be on that. I've only seen her once, and I have to tell you, she's pretty sexy. I don't see why you can't do both"

He shrugged. A flash of black hair caught Naruto's attention. He inclined his head in her direction, charcoal black eyes looked outwards staring towards his direction with her normal blank stare. Their eyes connected, as their stared out like beautiful black pearls. He hadn't realized just how much depth was in her eyes. How they seemed to glow and stand out in the crowd. Despite how dark they were how much light actually glowed from within. Her eyes, those black orbs, were just so mesmerizing. He brought himself back into reality.

"Sasuki-Chan! Yo, I've been waiting for you! My text dude." She approached, moving past him and opening her locker.

"Sorry, got lost. The school's kinda big." That's all she said, and Naruto got a feeling that that was just an excuse.

Naruto watched attempt to open her locker. Kiba's eyes staring heavily at both the blond and brunette. Naruto eyed him back before Kiba gave another toothy grin. He watched as his childhood friend literally scanned over the girl as if she were a piece of meat, the boy was practically drooling. Irritated, Naruto crossed his arms and found himself increasingly irritated when the boy's eyes laid the longest on girl's skirt covered backside.

"Sasuki-san was the name, correct?"

She nodded, not gazing at the man as she removed a small binder from her locker and placed it in her backpack.

To say that he wasn't liking where Kiba was going would be an understatement. And so, Naruto did his best to give his friend a death glare. This went unbeknownst by Sasuki.

"Just being polite and welcoming you to our little school here. The name's Kiba." The brown haired boy introduced.

Her voice came out smooth and politely. "I don't really consider this place little. I got lost coming to my locker from the third floor. It's my first day, I'm not familiar with the school."

Naruto glared, Kiba smiled and Sasuki remained obliviously silent. He wanted to growl but withheld himself.

"Maybe, I could take you on a tour sometime and help you learn the area?" He asked, which caused Naruto to almost jump in his skin.

"I see no issue with that." She replied.

"Damn it! Kiba stop flirting with Sasuki-Chan!" He stood tall and defiant, his outburst startling the hall.

"What, how am I flirting by just asking if she wants me to give her a tour?"

"Your mannerisms. Plus I know you, I know how you are, you're a fucking Dog!." Kiba became visibly irritated, a vein forming on his forehead.

"Can it! Sheesh, can't you see that I'm just trying to polite?" He gestured towards the girl, who was looking back and forth between the two a sense of unease within her black pupils.

"Ignoring this idiot." Kiba pointed towards Naruto, whom of which took offense to the insult, but chose not to comment on it "Let's be friends?"

"Sure." She stated bluntly. Naruto took a deep breath. It wasn't that serious he told himself. He had no idea was to why he was taking this as if he'd known her for a long time, shit he'd just met her yesterday. Even if Kiba was making moves on her, which he was, it was none of Naruto's business.

"Great, so lemme text you some time." Time moved slowly, as Sasuki shrugged and gave him his number. Kiba looked at her number contently before eyeing Naruto and leaving with a grin.

Okay, what an ass.

Naruto shook his head, but nonetheless grateful that Kiba had left. Sasuki closed her locker with a metallic shudder. Before picking up her bag.

"C'mon." He gestured with his hand for Sasuki to follow.

"Where are we going again?"

"To see track coach Guy. The gym teacher and one of the health teachers." Naruto informed quickly. He grabbed her wrist and began jogging towards the Gym.

"Coach Guy is not someone that would leave school late unless necessary. He'd go straight home!" They jogged through the hallways zooming past other students and teachers, Sasuki lagging behind but being able to keep up, his hand still wrapped around her wrist.

"Then maybe we can do this tomorrow?"

"Nonsense, we're getting this over with now!" She sighed heavily, and they finally arrived at the gym. He dashed, Guy-sensei's office being right next to the gym. They both tumbled inside, startling the track coach, who sat quietly at his chair placing his work into his suitcase. The man's eyebrows as bushy as ever, his eyes shining and face looking on with a concerned expression.

"Sensei… I have someone interested in joining the team. A girl at that!"

Sasuki glared at him almost as if to say that she never agreed. And truthfully she didn't. But, shit Naruto had to try!

"A girl you say?" Guy's eyes went towards the black haired Uchiha.

"Yes, that'd be me. I'm new to Konoha, Sasuki Uchiha." she introduced politely.

"Alright, Sasuki-san. So you're interested in joining the varsity track team, huh?"

She nodded. To which Naruto let out a heavy grin.

"Great! This is most youthful of you Naruto, recruiting people of the gender that we are most deficient of!"

He scratched his head modestly.

"Now, Sasuki-san. Two weeks from now are tryouts. Now, the winter season does not start until November. We will be practicing 'til then."

She shook her head in understanding.

"At practice, you'll be given blue forms that you'll have to get your parents to sign and you'll have to provide evidence of a physical to the school's nurse." He stopped, his face becoming stern. "What is it that you're interested in running for this winter season?"

Naruto turned to her, realizing that he had yet to ask her personal preference on running. Or if she knew how track worked? Then again she did say she ran in Middle school.

"Uh, I remember being really good at both the 200 and 55 for winter. I also used to run relays... The 4 by 2 and 4 by 4."

"Oh, do you mind telling me your times for both the 55 and 200?"

"I ran a 7.2 back in middle school as my PR for the 55. Which was pretty impressive, especially for a middle school girl."

"7.2…" He repeated putting thought into the time. Naruto stated impressed. That was pretty fast for middle school, especially for a girl. His time was 6.5 in the 55.

"Impressive…" He stated simply.

"The 200, I PRed at 25 seconds flat."

There was silence, the flat running sound of the air condition being the only thing that played through the atmosphere. Naruto knew what Guy was thinking. She had potential, shit she was already fast and honestly was faster if not just as fast as Tenten.

"You do seem very youthful. Sasuki-san! I expect many great things from—" A tumbling down the halls caught everyone's attention. The offices seemed to fill with wind knocking everyone inwards as a figure dashed into the office, his eyes as bushy as ever. Naruto and Sasuki almost fell from the force of his movement.

"GUY-SENSEI!"

Guy stood his eyes holding passion as he approached the co-captain of the track team.

"LEE?"

"GUY-SENSEI!"

"LEE!"

This exchange went on for another long while. Naruto eyed Sasuki, who looked at the two skeptically but also curiously, "They do this all the time." She shrugged.

"How's your personal practice been going!"

"That is what I'm here to talk about Guy-sensei!" Rocklee declared.

"Oh?"

"I PRed in the 400 meter!"

Guy jumped in excitement. "The time?"

"49.8!"

They both jumped erratically, their excitement knowing no bounds. It was ridiculous, to say the least.

"I think we should leave." The sunkissed blond suggested.

"Agreed." Both the black haired girl and Naruto slipped away, leaving the two to jump around excitedly like a bunch of girls. Naruto thought he heard a squeal escape one of their mouths. Maybe even a giggle? It was getting a little cringe for Naruto's liking.

"That was weird. This place gets weird pretty often."

Naruto shrugged. "Happens. Trynna get some Dango?"

Her eyebrows rose and Naruto smiled in response.

"Please."

(*)

She had wholeheartedly accepted his offer to go get Dango. I mean, who'd give up Dango. They walked to the small Dango stall, it was nothing special just a small stall with stool standing on the outside. Sasuki went to make her order, bringing out her wallet as the man informed her of the price.

"Wait, Sasuki-Kun. I'll pay for you."

She turned money already in his hand and placing it in that of the clerk's.

"That won't be necessary, I can pay for myself." She countered.

He laughed. "Naw, don't worry! I got it, my treat." The black haired girl watched as Naruto paid for her food, before handing her the stick of Dango. She gazed at him with gratitude. He was truly a generous individual.

"Thank you."

"No prob. What are friends for?" She then made his order, she watched as the blond talked smoothly with the male clerk and found herself admiring his way of speech. Something about his words brought comfort. She was already forgetting about her experience from earlier. -Or so she thought.-

He gestured for the small stools. She took that as the incentive to sit and did so. He took a seat beside her holding the steaming hot treat in his hand. He smiled quickly before taking a large bite. She watched the boy chew with joy. She giggled at his antics before she caught herself. Since when did she giggle?

"What?" He said gobbling down his food with poor manners. "I'm not anywhere fancy."

"You look like such a dobe." She stated, jester in her tone.

"Dobe? I'm not a Dobe!" He responded in an exaggerated childish tone. Laughing as he did so.

"I think I'll call you that from now on. Dobe!",

"I'm not liking the name Dobe ."

She sneered. "Well, that's your nickname from now on so, get used to it."

"Asshole." He muttered through a stuffed face full of dango, of which he finished in that one gulp.

"Oh, so harsh." She mimicked him from the day before.

"You best believe it." He finished wiping his hands and then staring at Sasuki. "You didn't finish yet?"

"I didn't even start yet." She retorted. "I'm not a savage beast like you, dobe."

He growled at his new nickname, to which she grinned, before starting her small stick of Dango. "How can you be such an ass after I paid for your food?"

She shrugged, taking another bite. "You insisted. I offered to pay for myself." The brunette checks his facial expression and decides that his gaze of irritation and annoyance was acceptable and went back to her dango.

"You're enjoying this aren't you?"

"Very much."

He lets out a defeated sigh. "You're an asshole."

"Hm.", She says impassively before a quietness falls upon the two. As she slowly enjoyed the rest of her free Dango. Yep, free Dango.

So, her first day of school was pretty weird...actually pretty horrible. She had a life-changing encounter that til this very moment was in absolute denial about, and had even been physically harmed. Now, Sasuki could so a few things here. One she could tell someone of what happened and try to get the man arrested or two she could keep it all to herself.

The former was very tempting and honestly was the most logical choice. The man was still out there being a creep and could honestly cause harm to some other poor person. But, then again who would believe her story? Shit, she barely believed the fire and everything. She figured she could just lie, and leave those parts out but it just didn't seem like it'd work out that way. Thankfully, the experience wasn't affecting her too much. Granted she was probably just in denial, but she was definitely functioning correctly.

A vibration in her back pocket brings her from her Dango. She quickly stuffs the food in her mouth and grabs her phone from her back pocket.

It was the prodigal bastard. Naruto stares at her and she mutters, "Gimme a second."

"Hello?"

The voice on the other line speaks smoothly. "Hello, baby sister. I hope you've enjoyed your first day of school."

She inadvertently rolls her eyes, before she actually contemplates explaining what had happened earlier. She shakes those thoughts away, no one needed to know and answers. "My day was perfectly fine."

"That's good to hear. Mother wishes for me to pick you up, that is unless you're already on your way home."

She replies. "No, I'm actually at the Dango shop with Naruto, the neighbor."

"Oh, does he want a ride?"

"I'll ask." She puts her phone down for a moment and quickly asks. "You want a ride from my brother?"

He stares before nodding. "If it's no issue."

She returns to her phone. "He said yes."

A small cough came from the other line before, Itachi continued. "I'll be there in five minutes, so be prepared." He hung up the phone.

"What's your brother's name again?"

"Itachi", she answered instantly.

"Alright, cool. Not trying to walk into his car without knowing his name." Naruto laughed.

"You know, my Godfather heard that you brother is somewhat of a prodigy."

Sasuki turned her head, her attention now fully on the boy.

"Oh, and who'd he hear that from?"

"Your mother." Of course, her parents were always praising Itachi for his achievements and what people called prodigal status.

"Hm."

"So, he's pretty smart and successful. A genius even."

She almost let out a gag, she had heard this her whole entire life. She instead rolled her eyes.

"I sense some sort of sibling rivalry."

"Ugh!" He moved towards her putting a friendly arm around her neck.

"It can't be that bad, he seems really cool."

"That's because you don't live with the bastard." She replied. "Though, I do appreciate his generosity.", she commented under her breath.

The blond chuckled.

"Well, I don't have any siblings so I wouldn't know. But, hell I'd like to know how it'd feel to have at least one."

"Maybe we can trade." She joked, her eyes suddenly falling on the blond, he was a robust bundle of fire. She smiled. Maybe, today wasn't so bad, maybe days would only get better from here on out. Maybe moving wasn't so bad? And maybe, the weird things were just figments of her crazy imagination. Maybe, she needed to just think rationally. Yes, that's it rational thoughts.

"I'd take him. Shoot, he's ganna be rich someday!" Naruto said proudly. "You're lucky actually. As his sister, he'll definitely pass some of his earnings your way."

Yeah, as if she wanted his money.

"Maybe we can make arrangements. You get Itachi and I get to be an only child." She insisted with a blank expression.

"Too bad he's a grown man, or else I'd totally take you up on that offer."

"Oh, no trust me. Age isn't a variable, he still lives with my parents and I."

Naruto took their trash and threw it away, walking away from their stools.

With that a black two door sedan pulled up to the side. It's rims shiny, reflecting the sunlight into her eyes causing her to squint a bit. It's paint freshly washed, she knew his car anywhere.

"That's him?"

Sasuki acknowledged his question with an affirmative nod before gesturing for him to follow. He did so, the two walking towards the car that parked at the side of the road. She entered the passenger side of the car while Naruto got into the back.

"Sasuki…" Itachi began. She eyed him.

"Hey, man. How's it going?" Naruto greeted from the back seat, as Sasuki buckled in her seat belt.

"I'm quite fine. Naruto, correct?"

The blond responded. "Yep, the one and only."

"Ah, how are you Naruto?"

"Oh, just a bit tired." He said with a yawn to emphasize his statement. "But, nothing serious just ganna probably nap when I get home.

Itachi nodded, before his black eyes landed on her She stared at him for a moment, his eyes not on her eyes, nor were they on her face. It took her a moment to process before she realized that he was staring at her band-aid.

"I don't remember you have a bandage when you left for school." He spoke confidently, not starting the car yet.

Sasuki was just about to tell him a little white lie, but unfortunately, the blond spoke for her.

"She fell down some stairs."

Itachi's eyes narrowed. "Fell down some stairs?"

"Hard to believe, huh? You know your sister's very clumsy."

A knowing glare formed in Itachi's eyes. The man was far from stupid, hell he was the exact and total opposite of the word. Naruto on the other hand—. She wanted to kick the living daylights out of him.

"Yes, I wasn't paying attention while walking and I fell down a few." She responded backing up Naruto's story.

"I see." He responded, starting the ignition for the car and pressing his foot on the gas.

The charcoal-eyed girl knew that this wasn't going to be dropped for some time, and now Itachi was suspicious of some sort of foul play. He was such an overprotective asshole. Sasuki sighed. Damn it, Dobe!

She shot him a glare, to which the boy watched he skeptically as if he didn't understand the lethal stare.

She was irritated, to say the least, and Naruto, the oblivious blond, would feel her wrath. It took about ten minutes to reach Naruto's house and drop him off, the boy left with a wave before Itachi drove down the street and into the driveway of their home. They were silent, which is really what was expected of the Uchiha siblings. She just hoped he'd forget about the cut on her neck. He pulled into the driveway but didn't remove the keys from the ignition. He sat with an impassive expression for a short sum of time.

"Spit it out."

She blinked. Damn it!

"What?" She question, playing as if she didn't understand.

"Your neck has a cut, and you say it's from falling down stairs." He pointed at her band-aid.

"Hm." She confirmed.

"I find that hard to believe, Sasuki.", She looked away not wishing to look at him.

"It's oddly suspicious."

She didn't say anything, instead, she sat still and silent. Should she say something? Tell her brother about the experience, tell him about everything that had occurred in the span of a day. Tell him about the strange snake man, how he cut her, the fire and the way her eyes changed. Should she tell him?

She sat quietly, the ponytailed man sighing before opening his car door. She followed stepping out of the passenger side and heading inside.

"Mother will not be so quick to dismiss your absurd explanation." He stated before opening the door with his keys.

He was right. She didn't wish to admit it, but the bastard was right. She walked through the front door and instantly went upstairs. Thankfully, her mother was nowhere to be seen and Sasuki made it to her room safe, sound and without being nagged about the bandage on her neck. She plopped down on her bed, relaxing her muscles from the long and unexpected day. She fell asleep with no issue, maybe it wouldn't be so bad here. All she wanted was peace and normality. Unfortunately, the intimidating face of the man with the long tongue made its way into her mind and imprinted itself in her very memory.

(*)

The week went rather well and fast. Homeroom seemed to be absent of their sensei majority of the time, and Sasuki found herself wondering just how in the hell the man kept his job. The students held enough sense not to do anything idiotic however, it was annoying that the late rules didn't apply to Kakashi-sensei. Naruto and his friends usually spent that time chatting and enjoying themselves, while Sasuki listened quietly, not wishing to join or anything.

She was significantly known for being the new girl and the daughter of the chief of police, considering this a lot of people wanted to talk to her make her feel welcomed. The week was filled with a small some of the work in each class, and meeting new interesting individuals. Like Kiba for one, the boy who had received ISS from the principal, he was a pretty interesting guy. He seemed friendly but sounded like a bit of a troublemaker. Well, she literally saw him get in school suspension.

Sakura was a nice girl with unusually pink hair. She was sweet but seemed to have a wicked attitude when the time came for it.

Gaara, the redhead boy in her AP Physics class was quiet yet extremely intellectual. He didn't bother people much but she respected him.

The week was simply fair for the and Sasuki enjoyed her time, despite hard beginnings. She enjoyed the people and but not so much the attention. Her mother had approached her about the cut on her neck, but Sasuki just stated that there was glass on a set of stairs and she fell on it. She informed her Mother that the Nurse had cleaned it properly and they left it at that.

She was content for now…

Her eyes shot open as her phone went off. She scrunched her eyelids as she gazed over at her phone. She stared at the contact name. Dobe. Before her eyes laid harshly on the time.

7:34AM

She instantly answered.

"What're you doing interrupting my sleep like this!" She half yelled not wanting to wake anyone else.

"Sorry, Sasuki-Chan! I really am, just dude I can't sleep and I really feel like running!"

She seemed way too early for him to be this hyped up.

"And?" She said dragging her voice tiredly. She let a yawn escape her mouth.

"I wanted to know if you'd come with me?"

She closed her eyes hard. "Now?"

"Yes, now!"

She looked at the time again. "Do you know how early it is? It's aSaturdayy."

"But, you're already up soooo…You might as well."

His logic was stupid and she let out another yawn. He was taunting her, wasn't he?

"We'll run the track and I can finally test your times in the 100 and 400."

She shook her head not caring about that at the moment.

"Hm."

"C'mon."

"I really don't want to."

"It's better to workout when it's cool."

She sighed. "I don't know."

"C'mon please…I'm already at the track", She hated him, she hated him so much.

"You're annoying…"

"Dude, stop being lazy!"

"It's 7 in the morning!"

"So… I'll see you at the track?" She could hear his obnoxious laughs through the phone. He wasn't going to let her live, was he? She was tired, and honestly staying in bed would probably be the best feeling in the world right now. But, then again she did make a commitment that she would join the track team when the time came. Furthermore, she was aware of how harsh running could be and she wished to be ahead of the game before starting.

"Fine! I have to get ready, though." She finally caved throwing her blankets to the floor in one swift motion.

"Do you have running sneakers… Or your spikes from middle school?" She heard from the other line.

She looked over to her closet, groaning. "I have running sneakers but my spikes are nowhere to be found."

"I'll be waiting." He stated, and she hung up. Throwing herself off her bed and towards her bathroom. Muttering a sum of obscenities, and cursing the blond.

(*)

He sat on the metal bleachers, a small duffle back by his side which held water, Gatorade, and his runners. The boy sat clad in casual running attire simple clothing that was both comfortable and efficient for running. He listened to music on his phone, his eyes falling to the bleacher floor as his thoughts scrambled. Today he planned on really pushing himself, considering that he hadn't actually run in about a week, he only saw it fit. The winter and spring season would definitely be his for the taking, there was absolutely no way he wasn't going to be the best and that was that. He'd make his father proud, even more so than he already was. Shoot, the old man would probably jump with joy if Naruto informed him that would be going to Nationals. He smiled at the thought, gazing at his feet. He was going to push himself, and also get a good understanding of where Sasuki was in terms of speed and time. If from what she informed them, she was fast and she would be good for the girls. He wanted to see her potential and help her get faster… That is if she was serious about track. To which he'd find out soon enough.

His eyes fell upon the green track, it's circular structure rather beautiful in his opinion. He kept his eyes on it, people walked on it and some jogged. He watched as a lady even jogged with weights in her hand. He was used to the fact that a lot of people got up early on what he assumed was their days off to work out. It was pretty interesting to know that a bunch of people were interested in their health. By no means were they track runners, but they were just regular people trying to stay in shape and keep themselves fit.

Light tapping of rubber on metal brought him out of his gaze.

"Dobe." His eyes raised upwards. Blue and black met and he found himself taking in her whole entire figure. Her arms were folded and black eyes narrowed. She was clad in an all-black attire with the exception of gray jogging sneakers. An obsidian shirt that stuck tightly to her small figure, and black joggers that were equally tight around her waist and legs. A small bag behind her back. His eyes found themselves wandering all over her. She held an hourglass figure, which he was already aware of, but right now she looked extremely attractive. He blinked, as he allowed himself to process the girl. She was beautiful, more so than he had initially realized.

"Dobe, why are you staring at me like that?"

He shook himself and immediately answered. "Just daydreaming, didn't think you'd actually show up."

"Psst, I was thinking about staying in bed." He laughed, before standing overly excited.

"Alright! Let's, go straight into it! How about this? A four lap warm up, and then we stretch."

"Hm."

"Great!" He yelled jumping off the bleachers and onto the track, she followed making sure to stop at the 100-meter line.

"Four laps starting here." He pointed to the hundred meter mark. "And then ending at the end of the straight away." He pointed towards the 100-meter finish."

"I know how this works Dobe."

"Alright." He stated softly while still in thought. They stepped on the line, and Naruto looked outwards. "Start whenever you want and go at your own pace."

She rose an eyebrow at her as if to ask if he'd be running with her. He smirked and started his jog without any fair warning. It was a few seconds before she caught up with him the two running completely leveled with one another. It was just a warm up, nothing drastic just something to get the blood into momentum. But he made sure to keep his pace fairly ahead of Sasuki. He found himself a bit surprised when the girl was keeping a steady pace with the boy. He rose an eyebrow looking sideways, she was pacing herself well and actually keeping up with him. He didn't address this but instead allowed the ecstasy and adrenaline of running consume him. He loved the feeling, it was everything that came with running, all except for the part where you pushed yourself.

Or so he thought. Every so often Sasuki would increase in speed, somewhat passing the boy, seeing this Naruto would increase his speed ever so slightly. This process repeated itself throughout their jog, she was actually trying to compete with him, she was trying to one-up him. He accepted the challenge wholeheartedly, though there was no possible way she could be faster than him or hold the same speed as him, she was able to keep up and pass him every so often. This went on until the two reached the final 100 mark, that was when he kicked it into gear. His soft rubber bottom shoes hit the track elegantly as he ran on the balls of his feet, he moved increasing his speed as he extended his stride outwards. His arms coming all the way to his face and towards his back. He ran faster than what was normal for a warm up, but definitely not his fastest. He was showing off, telling her that he was superior for the hell of it.

However, he didn't account for one thing. That Sasuki had the ability to catch up and match that speed. His eyes narrowed as they both passed the finish line simultaneously. He came to a full stop as he took large inhales through his nose and out through his mouth. He bent over his hands coming onto his knees as he took deep breaths. She was fast… He smirked, that meant she'd be good, she shared the same mental ideology as him. She enjoyed a challenge and refused to fail.

"I thought… This was a warmup." She stated through inhales and exhales.

It took him a moment to catch his breath. "You challenged me." He stated softly, though not commenting any further on it. He called for her to come. "We have to stretch."

"Hm", and with that, the two got to the general track stretches and warmups. The whole entire time Naruto found himself having trouble keeping his gaze off of the beautiful girl before him. His attempts at concentrating on his stretching and warmups were in vain, he couldn't keep his eyes off of her. She just looked extremely good without even trying. The way she stretched and her flexibility. It was all just enjoyable to watch for the boy. He hated it, she was curvy in all the correct places and he hated himself for ogling at her internally. It was wrong, she was the new girl and a new friend, he didn't want to come off as a creep or perv, but she just looked absolutely good in his opinion. He sighed, finally the two finished their stretches.

"We'll do 100s." He began, shaking his eyes from her figure.

"Okay." She replied impassively.

"You go first, I'd like to get your time." He stated this while pulling out his phone, and opening the stopwatch app.

"Like, I want you to get down get into the stance and everything. We're gonna make this as accurate as possible!" She nodded, looking at him almost as if that was implied and he was an idiot. She complied walking back to the 100m start line and choosing lane 1 and getting into the formal stance for the track. She did it with ease, which he hadn't expected but probably should have considering that she did run in middle school, albeit it was years ago. Regardless, she got into the position. He watched as his heart skipped a beat for a split second. He suddenly found himself silently agreeing that Kiba was correct about her having a very nice ass. It was well formed and plump, kept in shape and fit her hips perfectly. The stance only made the obvious even more of that. He cleared his head and got to business as he stepped off the track and onto the football field that was center the track.

"Set." He stated loudly, as a few people past and removed themselves from her lane. Naruto waited until everyone was out of their way and the lane free. He waited a few more seconds before finally, he yelled. "Go!"

She dashed off, and at the same time, Naruto started his stopwatch. He gazed upwards as to coordinate the time with her finishing her personal race. He jogged a bit to get a better view as the time went up.

5.55 She was getting close. He watched her stride, taking account of every detail in order to somehow help make the girl better when and if needed. She was fast, and he could already tell he was going to be impressed. She moved fluently each motion looking beautiful and tranquil. He couldn't place it, but he seemed to be growing a small, if anything insignificant, infatuation with his new friend. He tucked his thoughts away as the girl crossed the finish. He slammed his thumb on the stopwatch app, finalizing her time as she passed the finish line. His eye narrowed.

12.01

She ran a 12 flat, which was above average for girls, and almost as fast as tenten's PR of 11.9. He smiled, instantly screenshotting her time to save it for later. Guy-sensei would wanna see this without a doubt. This girl was definitely special. She finished and bent over a bit in her weariness. Thankfully, Naruto had prepared for that and had brought a water bottle over. "12 flat!"

"I have my own." She stated, she didn't seem to be impressed by it, hell she didn't even react to her time.

"I brought extra don't worry about it." He handed it to her with a voice that held no argument to it. She took it reluctantly while muttering "Dobe, between breaths."

"Sheesh, are you gonna keep calling me Dobe?"

She rose an eyebrow, almost as if the question confused her. "Probably." She took a sip of water.

"Don't drink too much, we still got work to do." She nodded finishing her small sip of water. "I know."

He watched her and silently prayed that the way he was feeling about his newly found friend would disappear as time went by.

(*)

When they finished, both her and Naruto were exhausted. They had run five sets of 100s, to which Sasuki found herself completely drained afterward, and four sets of 400s. Thankfully she had run a 400 in 54 seconds. And to finish it all off, they did two sets of 1-minute planks. To say she didn't even last 30 seconds would be the absolute truth. She was tired and felt her calve muscles burn. They laid out on the track field, the artificial grass more comfortable than she had ever expected. She rested her aching body. Naruto sat next to her, resting on his knees as he seemed to be busy texting. She didn't care enough about who he was speaking to, to say anything she was tired and was actually regretting getting out of the bed earlier this more. She took a quick glance at her phone.

9:53 AM

She could still be in bed! She growled internally, also realizing that she had not eaten before running or done anything beforehand. She would have to have quite the recovery meal.

"I'm going home." She blurted out suddenly, getting to her feet. The boy eyed her from his phone for a second. "Alright." He yawned. "I'll text you later I guess. I'm staying here for a bit longer."

She shrugged. "Alright. See ya, later Dobe."

"I'm not a Dobe. Asshole!"

"Sure." She taunted.

"Alright, you wanna play the Nickname game? Okay, two can play!"

"Try it." She rolled her eyes as the words came out blankly.

"Teme!" He blurted out the name with such confidence and stupidity that Sasuki almost didn't quite catch it.

"Teme?" She asked.

"Yeah! That's what I'll call you from now on. Teme!",

That was intriguing. Intriguing, yet stupid as fuck.

"You're an idiot. A complete Dobe." She stated before walking away.

The boy continued to yell, as she made her way back home. Yelling quite the amount of curses louder than what needs to be in the atmosphere itself. He was embarrassing, to say the least. He was loud, obnoxious and an idiot.

Maybe he was someone she'd like to be close friends with.

(*)

.

.

.

There was no light.

Darkness was the lore of the atmosphere, the only light emanating from the center of the clearing where a small fire burned very dimly. The darkness seemed to stretch out far consuming the very air itself. The air was hot and arid, no moister f any sort seemed to pump into the cavern. It was void of any life, all that seemed to dwell in the cave were two figures clad in black robes that were decorated with small dark red clouds.

*Oh, hello! Look an Update, that's awesome, isn't it? Anyways, let's be short! Hopefully, you guys enjoyed my little chapter here and the little fun I had with it. Next chapter should definitely build more on the High school experience, and more on the power that Sasuki contains.

*So, please leave a review and tell me what you think.