Chapter 3 – First Impression
A lot of unexpected things happened to him today - things that he tend to avoid. Vacation has just ended and he was more than ready to go back to school. No, he is not looking forward to school. He was far from it. But if he had to choose between home and school, he'd rather be on campus - no stern and overbearing father, no perfect brother. He loved his mother dearly but it was two against one in favor of family members he can't stand. However, no matter where he goes, he can't get out of his brother's shadow. The people around him just can't stop comparing them. He was tired of it all.
After the encounter with his father and brother, he needed to cool his head off before coming to school. He had to or he might end up beating random people up. He knew the school's busy for relocation and for preparation for tomorrow's event. Chances that somebody notices him missing are slim to none. He didn't need to pack either. He didn't have much in the room and he took care of it before vacation. Besides, he was sure the idiot would take care of other things.
Wind and speed. These cooled him off. They always do. But this time, it took longer. Before he realized it, the sun was almost down. He hurried to campus, thinking everyone must already be inside having dinner and sneaking in would be no problem. He'd hide the bike at the usual place, eat dinner and get to bed. Easy.
But nothing goes as planned.
He could feel his cool fading… fast. He's annoyed just looking at this stupid girl in front of him, green eyes staring wide-eyed at him like an idiot behind her glasses.
"Quit staring," he snapped. "And get up."
She didn't move. "Tsk." He hung his helmet on the handle and took two steps toward her. He was about to yank her up when her expression changed.
"What?" she said, her brows furrowing. "What the hell happened to, 'I'm sorry. Are you alright?'" She got up, tidied herself and glared at him. "I mean, you almost killed me, jerk!"
"I didn't hit you, now, did I?" He had no time for this.
"Yeah, but you almost did!" She yelled.
"But I didn't," he said, having a hard time calming himself. "Even if I did, you won't die. It's just a bike, you idiot."
"I could have scratched something, you know," she said, stepping toward him. "Or broke a bone or two."
He looked at her from head to toe and smirked. "You're thick-skinned. I'm sure neither is a possibility."
"Why you little -," she said stomping toward him and shoved him.
He felt his fists clench tight. 'What the hell's wrong with this girl?' He felt the urge to hit her get stronger. They glared at each other for a long time, neither wanting to back down.
"Oi," came a voice from the entrance. "Watcha doin' out here, huh, Sasuke?"
She heard a familiar voice but she didn't want to be the first one to look away from their glaring contest. Then, she felt someone get closer.
"Oi, Sasuke!" The voice was so loud she was startled and blinked.
"What do you want?" said the jerk impatiently.
Sakura realized that he was no longer referring to her. Only then did she turn to look at the owner of the voice.
"I was looking all over for you, you bastard!" The loud boy crossed his arms across his chest.
"So?" The jerk's veins were starting to show on his temple.
"So?" The boy was now wildly flailing his arms up and down. "I had to come up with a lot of excuses for you during inspection, you know. Used up all the good ones, too."
"Hn." The jerk shrugged it off and went to his bike. "Nobody asked you."
"What? You wanna fight?" The noisy one started rolling up his jacket sleeves and poised to fight, fists balled up. The jerk ignored him and took his bike behind the bushes near the entrance just as the lamp posts lit up. "You bastard!" The boy ran to the jerk.
Sakura realized who it was and giggled. 'I should have known.'
Hearing her, the boy stopped in his tracks and looked at her. He blinked twice and straightened up.
"Hey, Naruto," Sakura said, smiling.
Naruto beamed. "Hi ya, Sakura!"
He didn't realize she was there. He was too focused on beating the bastard now standing behind him to a messy and bloody pulp.
"It's been a long time." Naruto ran toward her. "How are you?"
Sakura thought about what just happened but decided it doesn't matter anymore. "Fine. You?"
"Oh, you know," Naruto said, grinning. "Still the best."
'It's Naruto, alright,' she thought.
"So watcha doin' out here?"
"Oh, um…" Sakura hesitated and her eyes trailed to the figure behind Naruto. He looked at her, too and frowned. "Just teaching a dog some manners." She smirked. His frown turned to a scowl.
"Huh?" Naruto said, confused.
"Nothing," Sakura began heading for the entrance. "It's getting late, though, so I should probably head back. Nice to see you again, Naruto."
Naruto beamed. "Yeah! See ya later!"
Sakura went inside and disappeared into the almost empty cafeteria.
"You know her?" Sasuke asked once the girl was gone.
Naruto turned back to him, all anger gone. "Sakura? Yeah. The old lady used to take her to our house during vacations. Not all the time, though. Then, she'd just leave her and lock herself up with mom and dad in dad's office for a long time. Mom says I should be friends with her. She's pretty cool, you know."
Sasuke snorted. 'I think she's crazy.' He went to the entrance and Naruto followed.
"By the way, Sasuke," Naruto asked, now looking serious. "Did something happen?" Sasuke looked at him and raised his eyebrows in question. "You came here on your bike, right? What did you need to cool off for?"
"Nothing." Sasuke felt his frown deepening as he remembered.
He knocked on the large oak doors of his father's office.
"Come in," said the man inside.
Sasuke went inside and closed the door behind him. "You called for me, father?"
The stern man tore his attention off the file in his hands to look at him. "Yes. Sit down." And Sasuke did. He waited for the man to speak. "Are you ready for your presentation tomorrow?" he said, file still in hand.
"Yes, father," Sasuke said, trying to sound like an obedient son. The man looked at him straight in the eyes for a long time. Sasuke held his gaze. Then, the man sighed and placed the file aside, across from where Sasuke was sitting.
"Listen, Sasuke," the man began, his fingers crossed in front of his face, elbows on the table. "Tomorrow, you will be formally introduced to high society. You bear the Uchiha name and crest. As such, I expect highly of you. Do not disappoint me." The man's eyes narrowed.
Sasuke clenched his fists while maintaining his calm on his face. "I won't dishonor our family." They held each other's gaze again until someone knocked on the door.
"Come in," said the man, focusing his attention to the door. "Itachi." Sasuke tensed up.
"Good evening, father," Itachi greeted. The young man turned to him and said, "Sasuke." Sasuke reluctantly turned to him and gave him a curt nod.
"Sit down," ordered the man. Itachi followed and sat across Sasuke.
"Hey, li'l bro. Are you ready for tomorrow?" Itachi asked lightheartedly.
"Yeah." Sasuke's getting fed up. 'Not this again.'
Itachi chuckled. "Looking forward to it." Sasuke glared at him. Itachi simply smirked as if challenging him to do something in front of their father.
"Enough," said the man calmly. "Sasuke, you may go now."
Sasuke looked at him but his full attention was now on Itachi and vice versa. He bowed his head to hide his annoyance and caught a glimpse of something on the table. "I will take my leave then, father." He went out of the office, wanting to get on his bike and go away. Forgetting everything else, even what he saw before leaving the room.
On top of Uchiha Fugaku's desk lay a file labeled 'Case File 08754 - Robin.'