I really r e a l l y felt like updating instead of leaving this chapter lying around.
I know, I know. Another short chapter.
But I think I did fairly well on this one.
And I think I established a new connection between two characters.

Thank you to all n e w reviewers a n d all my beloved ones that followed this mini series from day o n e.

i l o v e u a l l


With her back against the wall, the horror stricken girl stared at her attacker. His stern orbs glowered upon her own. She felt a knot of sickness forming in her stomach. He had his arm outstretched, palm placed firmly on the tiled wall behind her head. It was clear he was blocking the only exit. Her only escape.

She couldn't let him intimidate her. It'd just give him more of a thrill. So mustering up all her courage - which was swiftly diminishing - she took a stand against the Uchiha.

"What do you want?" Hikari frowned.

Itachi's hand snaked out, grabbing her chin in his palm, and tilting her head to directly look at him. He didn't speak, just stared in utter silence.

It was unnerving.

But when he finally spoke, it was not of words. It was of actions. Actions that spoke louder than anything else could.

His lips possessively took a hold of her own, rough and daunting. Eyes wide with shock, Hikari was motionless for a moment. Her lips quivered against his. Panicked at the man's aggression. She felt his tongue slide against her lower lip. Abruptly, her lips tightened into a thin line. He was not going to gain access, she was adamant about that.

But, oh, so was he.

Itachi bit down on her lower lip, causing a gasp of surprise on Hikari's part. That was all he needed. His tongue plunged deep into her mouth, exploring in a dominate manner. His tongue twisted and weaved around Hikari's.

It was a disgusting feeling.

With her hands placed on his chest, she shoved Itachi back with all her might. And in the desperation, she found a brief burst of strength. The arrogant man stumbled away from her and she took the opportunity to bolt from the bathroom.

Itachi was left feeling satisfied.


Hikari let her feet carry her, running through the halls without a second thought at anyone seeing her. She gasped for air, her lungs feeling as if they were on fire. Yet she couldn't stop, fear continued to control her movements.

But when she collided with someone, she couldn't even think straight. She just stared, in a misty daze, at the floor. Her breathing still ragged from the encounter and the escape.

The person, whom she had smashed into, gave a bewildered look.

He was speaking, but Hikari couldn't hear the words. His lips moved, but she couldn't hear the sounds.

She just watched his lips. As if fixated on them.

He noticed this. He also noticed Hikari's own lips. How her bottom lip was slightly red. As if she had bitten it a little too hard.

Without a second thought, the man reached his fingers out, running his index along her lower lip. A gentle touch.

Hikari was yanked from her daze by his touch.

"Did he hurt you?" his voice was dull as usual, but his eyes betrayed him just a bit. Betrayed him with concern.

The tip of his finger was still placed lightly on her lower lip. She tried to remember how to form words. She couldn't even remember his name. A baffled look shown through her azure eyes, her eyebrows furrowing in concentration.

When she didn't answer, he cautiously slipped his arms around her shoulders. He wasn't used to comforting someone. Wasn't used to being so close to another person. Yet he pulled her soothingly against his body, her face burying into the crook of his neck. She didn't make any movement to push away, nor did she make any to signify she was comfortable with his gesture.

The girl in his arms was numb to the world around her.

And when she finally broke down. When she finally let the tears fall from her eyes. He just held her. It was all he could do. Just hold her and make sure the pain didn't engulf her. Those tiny fists balled up around the fabric of his shirt as she wept. Silent weeping.

It was tormenting. Even for the man that had locked his own heart away a long time ago.

The shuffling of feet and the ring of the school bell broke the bitter silence. Hikari's head flew up, eyes wide with anxiety. Stumbling in a inelegant way, Hikari managed to get to her feet. She hadn't realized her hands were placed on his shoulders as he was squatted in front of her, until she was staring down at tedious orbs.

"S-Sasori?" The girl almost seemed surprised to see him there. Despite the fact he had been the one comforting her the entire time.

Leisurely he got to his feet, "we should head back to homeroom."

She nodded as she vigorously wiped at her eyes.

"Just keep your head down and don't make eye contact with anyone," Sasori instructed as he turned to lead the way back to their class.

Hikari hurriedly followed suit.

Why her eyes were puffy and red was gonna be hard to explain.

Rentaro was gonna freak.


"What the fuck happened to you?" Rentaro slammed her hands down onto Hikari's shoulders, grasping her firmly. She took a moment to assess Hikari's bottom lip, "did some tramp hit you?" Her eyes raged as her fingers subconsciously dug into the girl's shoulders, "I'll kill 'em! Rip their heads off and mount 'em on sticks!"

Hikari flung her hands up in a 'calm down' sort of manner, "no one hit me, Ren! I ran into Sasori and ended up biting my lip."

"And the fact you look like you've been crying buckets?" Rentaro looked skeptical.

"It hurt when I bit my lip and I also hit my head when I fell down," Hikari rubbed the back of her head, trying to accent the 'sore' spot.

"God, be more careful than," Rentaro mumbled, letting her hands fall away from Hikari's shoulders.

"Anyway, wanna go to the Arcade?" she shifted, picking up her books.

Hikari shook her head, "nah… I think I'm gonna go home and get some rest."

"A'right. I'll see you tomorrow then," she gave a smile and a wave, "be careful, you klutz!"

She forced a smile, her voice a mere whisper, "maybe."

Tomorrow wasn't worth it.