A/N: Okay, since it took me like ages to finish this chapter, I'll do the disclaimer again: I don't own Naruto but maybe I'll get it for my birthday? P

Chapter 4: Impossible

So that was my first day of training... I was lying in my bed with my head buried in my pillow and tried to avoid thinking about it. But of course it was in vain. I didn't feel like I had improved the slightest bit. And the memory of what had happened at the training grounds brought a blush to my face that was much worse than usual. I put my hands over my ears as if I could block the memories out. Because this time I wasn't blushing from my feelings for Naruto-kun but from embarrassment. I knew he liked doing pranks and he had probably intended to cheer me up. Then why did it hurt?

When I woke up the next day and got dressed for training, I considered going to the wood again despite Sasuke-san's warning. Because there was no way I would go to the training grounds. I didn't feel like I could put up enough courage to face anyone. The forest though was big enough that I could avoid any person if I was really careful. So I wouldn't bother the Uchiha. I could still see his red Sharingan-eyes in front of me and it made a shiver run down my spine.

I pulled the zipper of my jacket up as far as I could, hid my hands in the sleeves due to the cold morning breeze and made my way to the forest. I spent the whole day training as hard as I could and stopped only once to eat a simple meal I had prepared at home and took with me as provisions. I didn't go home until I was almost completely exhausted.

The next day was exactly the same but by now I had to deal with a few sore muscles because I had never imposed such an intense training on myself before. And still I wasn't improving no matter how hard I tried. Therefore, my subconsciousness was in a constant state of slight panic when I got up early on the fourth day.

.oOo.

Silently and unnoticed like a pale shadow under the distant moon, I made my way through konohagakure. My feet faltered only once when I passed Kurenai-sensei's house. She was a nice and caring woman and she always supported me. Sometimes she was more of a mother to me. I knew she would have helped me. But she was on a mission, too. I sighed deeply and continued my way to the forest. This was something I had to go through all by myself. "And" I thought sadly "I'll probably fail..."

In the forest, I started my daily training, clinging desparately to the will to improve. There was a big, old tree and I hit and kicked the trunk as hard and as fast as I could until I was out of breath. I didn't even bother to shove the chips aside when I slumped down onto the ground to have a little meal.

Afterwards, I leaned my back against the trunk and closed my eyes. I wanted to stand up and continue training right away but for some reason I just couldn't move my body. "Just a little... moment..." I thought. Suddenly, I felt tears filling my eyes. I opened my eyes and whiped the salty trickles away but my vision stayed blurry. "H-How could father do this t-to me?" I mumbled to myself "It is... impossible!" "What is impossible?" I jumped and activated the Byakugan instinctively. I would have known without its seeing-skills who stood behind the big, old tree. I remembered his cold and clear voice that always sounded a little bit threatening as well as I remembered those red eyes.

"S-Sasuke-san! G-g-gomenasai! I d-didn't meant t-to - " "You didn't answer my question" he stated and appeared right in front of me. I flinched and pressed my back against the tree to gain as much space between us as possible. At that moment, there was a rustling sound and both our heads spun around, his eyes suddenly red again, mine piercing white. "J-just a... a squirrel!" I breathed, as I slowly turned my head back to face the boy. For a split second our activated eyes met before I hastily squeezed my eyes shut. I heard a soft thud.

I was confused and opened my eyes, just to see the Uchiha lying on the ground. "Sasuke-...san? Are you alr-right?" He had passed out again. I didn't understand that. It was not as if he had a weak circulation. "What will he s-say when he wakes up?" I wondered fearfully "He will be mad... at me." I buried my face in my hands and tried to control my shaking breath. "Cut it, you freak" said a voice, cold but not unfriendly. I peeked between my fingers. The black-haired boy got up in one flowing movement and glared at me with deep black eyes. I was glad that he recovered so quickly this time but mainly I was frightened to the core of what was about to come.

"What did you do?" he said in a harsh voice. "N-nothing" I whispered and tried to inch away from his angrily scowling face a little more until I felt the back of my head resting against the tree trunk. "It must be those eyes of yours" he concluded after a while. I shook my head but stopped instantly when he gave me a questioning look, surprised by my sudden movement. Now, with his full attention on me, I could barely croak: "B-but... c-can't m-make them..." Whenever I was afraid, my stutter always got worse. Finally, I managed to utter: "B-but nobody w-would... pass out bec-cause o-of... me..." My voice trailed off but my own words were echoing in my ears. Somehow, they sounded VERY wrong. As if I had mixed up the word order, maybe. Or as if there was some meaning behind the words I didn't intend. I blushed deeply and looked down at my hands which I had clutched over my chest. "Whatever. You still haven't told me what you consider impossible." "Uhm..." For a while, I thought about how I could put the answer.

"D-do you... think one c-can i-improve in se-seven days?" I asked eventually. "Sure" was his simple reply. I looked up shyly to see if maybe he was mocking me. But he just stood there with his hands in the pockets of his black pants and with an emotionless, relaxed face. And then, before I really knew what I was doing, I told him about the task my father had given me. My voice was small and full of stuttering and stumbling but Sasuke didn't even interrupt me once. After my story had been told, he remained silent for a moment and I added that father would only ever accept me if I surpassed Neji-nii-san... which was truly impossible with three and a half days left.

Sasuke shrugged. "I don't know your strenghts and weaknesses exactly. Let's find out." I snapped my eyes wide open in disbelief. "B-but you said - " "I know what I said the other day. And I WILL make sure that you'll regret it." I flinched at his words but followed him through the wood nonetheless. "Besides..." he said over his shoulder "I want to detect and repair that little mistake your eyes seem to cause."

A/N: Alesha: Gomenasai!!! . I know I promised to update faster during my holidays. With the result that I didn't update one single sentence... It's not that I didn't have the time but I was totally lacking any inspiration.

Sasuke-kun: You're a pathetic writer.

Alesha: Sasuke-kuuuuuuun! T.T You can be so mean.

Sasuke.kun ::glares::

Alesha ::hides behind whatever:: Anyway, tell me if you like the story so far and if you forgive me! xD