I have decided, for my own peace of mind, that this story shall be broken into two parts, but under the same title, IE their will not be two separate stories floating around , just this one. I will clearly state when part one ends and part two begins, and there will be a small interlude between them. So sit back, relax, and please continue to read and review 'Just a Dream'.
Disclaimer- I say again, Lusiphur. Nope, no thank you. Do not want to say good night to the sand man. Oh, and thank you Drew Hayes and your team for your magnificent artwork.
The streets of Konoha where positively livid with excitement.
Kagome found it daunting to venture forth into the streets. It had been years since the exams had been held in Konoha, so not very many people had seen it taken place in quite some time. She was slowly getting tired of people walking up to her and asking about the exam.
She found it much easier to remain in her district. Even though doing paper work and listening to her clans men complain was still irritating, it wasn't nearly as bad having all the teens run up to her and ask about the exam.
She sighed, rubbing her temples, as she tried to work out the bills for her household. It was usually the male of the household that did such, but seeing as her brother was much to young and her father was…dispatched….she was forced to take up the job. Once, she had asked her mother why she didn't do it, to which he mother explained her ignorance of the subject and continued with her cooking.
Tired brown eyes flashed over the paperwork once again, but the numbers seemed like they where all running together. Exasperated, she slammed her head on the desk.
Why didn't I pay more attention in math?
She kept her head down, trying to remember how much was in their bank account. Sure, she had a recite for it, but it was not right in front of her and she didn't feel like digging through the desk to find it. She made enough on ANBU pay to support the household, even with out Souta chipping in with some of his earnings. But it didn't help that she didn't know how much was in the account, which was information she would need before filling out the bills.
The door to the office slid open and she didn't look up. Whoever it was would have to wait until she could get through her mental mind rant about bills and missing account information.
A chuckle caused her to pick her head up, though her chin still rested on the desk.
"What is Otouto. I'm busy."
He laughed again and walked over to the desk, a steaming cup in his hand.
"Kaa-san said I should bring you some tea. How long you been at this?"
She grumbled and slid her head back down so her forehead was resting on the desk once more.
"To damn long. How does one family use a hundred and fifty dollars in water?"
Souta laughed again and set the cup down in front of her, "You should take a break."
Kagome shook her head, "If I leave now, I wont come back to it and they'll shut off our utilities."
Souta shrugged and sat on the edge of the desk, "Would you like me to take a crack at it?"
She sighed and shook her head, "I just need to find the account statements before I send off the bills."
She heard drawers start to open and papers rustle as Souta dug through the mess trying to find the elusive statements.
"You mean these?"
She rolled her head over and saw him waving the accursed papers. She sighed.
Well, there goes my break.
She sat back up and reached for them, just to have Souta pull his hand back.
"Not to sound bigoted or anything, Ane, but this is a job for the man." he grinned down at her, "And not to mention I am much better at math then you are."
She glared but slid away from the desk, standing from the seat "Fine, you want to do it so badly, you can do it."
He laughed and took the seat before sliding back forward and looking down at the bills. She couldn't help the smile that curved her face as her effortlessly started jotting down amounts and subtracting them from each other.
Who would have guessed you would actually surpass me in something, Otouto?
She sighed and took the tea Souta had brought her and sipped from it. The heat washed down her throat to pool in her stomach, bringing about a sense of uncommon euphoria.
She sighed in contentment and walked out of the room, leaving Souta to do the job. She felt slightly guilty, knowing that Souta was four years younger then her and doing her job. But the guilt wasn't enough to make her make Souta stop. Her detest for bills outweighed her sisterly instincts by two to one.
As she flittered through the house, intent on retiring to her room and going over the paper work she had to file as clans head, a soft knock came from the front door. Looking around and noticing her mother was no where in site, she sighed and walked towards the front of her home.
I swear if this is another person coming to complain, I am going to rip their vocal cords out and stran-
Her mental tirade was cut short as soon as she opened her door.
"Oh, Sasuke-chan. What are you doing here?"
He regarded her with a bored look. "I was…curious."
She nodded and moved out of the doorway, inviting him in.
"I'll get Souta. Is he expecting you?"
Sasuke shook his head and she nodded, closing the door behind him. She motioned to the sitting room and sipped from her tea again.
"I'll tell Souta that you're hear. Just…make yourself at home."
He nodded but didn't sit. Instead his eyes locked with hers for a moment. She frowned slightly before turning and walking back towards the study.
What was that look for? Have I done something to him that I don't recall?
She shook her head. Why did she care if she did something to the Uchiha. It didn't matter. If he was mad at her for something, it was his own fault for not coming forth and saying so to begin with.
She opened the study door and leaned against the frame, "Yo."
Souta looked up from the paper work in front of him, a pen stuck behind his ear, "Yes, Ane?"
"Sasuke's here."
Souta raised an eyebrow, "Oh? Why?"
Kagome shrugged, sipping from her tea, "I didn't ask. I figured he was your friend."
Souta sighed and looked back down at the calculator in front of him, "Go…entertain him…or something. I should be through with this in a few moments."
Kagome felt like rolling her eyes but instead chose to take another sip from her tea, "Cant I just ask him to come back later?"
Souta glanced up at her, his face still down, "Do you have an aversion to entertaining a guy four years younger than you?"
She did roll her eyes at that. He was poking at her pride, almost guaranteeing that she would do as he asked. She sighed and closed the door before walking back to the sitting room.
Sasuke was staring out the window, which gave her a moment to study him. His usual clothing was gone, replaced by a solid black shirt and bottoms. His hair was slightly longer and rough looking, his eyes cold and calculating. This was not the child she remembered from her time with Itachi. She focused on the cursed mark on his neck, wondering what side effects it had. Certainly the boy was having trouble with it, seeing as he had immersed himself in training.
It could just be that he wants to become stronger. Don't jump to conclusions, Kagome.
He glanced over and she met his gaze with her own impassive one. She didn't look away, like most of the girls his age would. Sure he was cute, but he was just a kid in her eyes.
She saw something flicker through his eyes before they returned to their impassive inky black. She was curious about this, but didn't voice her questions. A voice in the back of her mind told her that it was a possessive look, but she quashed it instantly. There was no way he would look at her as such.
She leaned against the wall and averted her gaze down to her tea. She missed the look of satisfaction Sasuke shot her for being the first to break eye contact.
"Souta asked me to…entertain you as he finishes the bills."
Sasuke leaned back into the couch, switching into a more comfortable position. Truth be told he didn't come to see Souta, it had been a clever cover story that she had supplied for him. He was more curious about her well being. The last he saw of her was as her team mates rushed her from the forest, her Otouto and his team hot on their heels. He took a moment to study her, and found that he liked what he saw. She wasn't dressed for battle or even a mission, dawning a pair of dark sweatpants that flared out at her ankles and a tight green shirt with no sleeves, her clan emblem stitched into the back. Her inky locks where constrained in a loose braid ending just before the swell of her bottom. He watched the light play off of her hair, making it shine blue in the sun. Dark eyes focused on her cup and he could barely make out the scar above her eye. Light pink lips pulled together in a slight frown, causing her bottom lip to pout slightly.
He felt a yearning well up in side of him, one that he had never had with any of the girls that constantly flocked to him. He wanted to walk over and smash his lips to hers, to see if she tasted as good as she looked.
He pushed it away though, irritated at himself for a moment. He knew it was more than her beauty that called to him. It was the idea at having something Itachi had had, something that his brother could no longer have. He wanted to take everything from Itachi, just as he had done so long ago to him.
He heard Kagome sigh and brought his attention back to her. She drained the rest of the liquid from her cup before turning to him.
"I'm going to the kitchen. Would you like something to drink?"
He nodded, "Water, please."
She nodded and walked away. He couldn't stop his eyes from traveling to the way her hips swayed as she walked away.
Once she was gone he allowed himself to groan. Why did Itachi have to choose her? If he had chosen any other girl in the village, it would have been easier for Sasuke. He could make almost any woman in the village swoon by just looking at him. Of course the ones that where in his brothers class still viewed him as a child in some aspects. But that didn't stop them from swooning at the resemblance he held to the older Uchiha.
But no, Itachi had to choose someone just like him.
Sasuke allowed his head to rest against the back of the couch, his thoughts racing. When he had first decided to surpass his brother, it had been all about strength. Then as time wore on, he realized he not only wanted to destroy his brother, but his brothers memory as well. He wanted to take everything from him, and his life just wasn't enough.
So when he had started to study Kagome, he remembered how Itachi always acted like he hated her. Like she wasn't good enough. But as his Otouto, Sasuke knew different. He saw the way Itachi's eyes had softened when he looked at Kagome. He wasn't an idiot. Being friends with Souta did have its pay offs even at a young age. Sasuke had put two and two together when he had mentioned to the youngest Higurashi that his brother had come home late and he confirmed that his Ane had also come home late. Itachi had said it was a meeting with the ANBU.
Yes, with one ANBU in particular. Sasuke thought bitterly.
He heard soft footsteps and looked up to watch Kagome walk back into the room, a glass of ice water held in one hand and a steaming cup in the other. She set the glass down on the table in front of him and situated herself in the chair next to the couch.
"So," she began, a bit hesitantly, "how goes your training?"
He sat up fully, reaching for the water she had brought him, "Its training. What else is there?"
She sighed and rubbed her temples, her delicate eyebrows coming together in a frustrated frown.
"I guess you're right."
He took a sip of the water, the cool liquid helping to quench the fire slowly building inside him. This was a different woman than he had seen outside of her home. She seemed much more relaxed, her facial expressions actually expressing her emotions. Outside she was impassive, untouchable. Here, she was a normal woman, though still untouchable.
I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't. He thought bitterly, taking another sip from his glass.
"I see you healed nicely." he stated, setting his glass back down.
She nodded, swirling the steaming liquid in her cup with her fingers slightly. "The medic nin are trained well."
Why is this so hard? He's just a kid! Kagome mentally bereted herself. It didn't matter if this was Itachi's younger brother, or that her heart wept for something she would never have every time she looked at him.
Dammit, why does he have to look like Itachi?
She continued to stare down into her tea, as if seeking her answers from its dark depths. When it showed nothing but swirling foam from the melted sugar, she inwardly scoffed.
Figures. Stupid tea and your lack of answers.
The silence stretched on between them, becoming strained. Neither one was willing to break it though, so they sat silently as their thoughts whirled in two separate typhoons.
"Ok, I'm done."
Kagome inwardly sighed, about damn time!
She stood up and walked to her brother, "Everything all balanced out, Otouto?"
He nodded and stretched before regarding their guest, "what brings you here, Sasuke?"
He sighed and stood, "I was wondering if we could train a bit. There is no other techniques in the village like the one your family uses." a slight smile curved his lips, "I want to be prepared for the exams."
Souta nodded and turned to his sister who was slowly making her way to her bedroom, "I'll be back before sundown, Ane."
She waved him off, not turning around "Don't make me come after you. You know how Kaa-san worries."
He nodded and folded his hands behind his head, "What are you going to do today any way Ane?"
She shrugged, turning her head to regard her brother with a bored look, "I very rarely get a day to myself anymore. I was thinking about reading over some scrolls and taking a nap."
Souta chuckled, "You've become lazy, Ane."
She shot him a glare, but her small smile diffused it slightly, "I'll show you lazy when I tie you to your bed."
He grinned and watched as she turned the corner before turning back to the silent Uchiha.
"Shall we then?"
Sasuke nodded and followed Souta from the house. Outside he glanced back at the house, his gaze landing on an open window with dark green netting for curtains. He watched Kagome walk into the room and stretch her hands above her head before taking a scroll from its place and sitting on her bed.
"So where do you want to do this, Sasuke?" Souta stated, bringing him back from his silent observation. Sasuke quickly looked away and regarded the back of the boys head in front of him. He was lucky Souta hadn't noticed him staring at his sister.
"Your choice. But lets get there quickly."
Souta nodded, "Well, it will have to be out of the Higurashi district. The family tends to not like it when their training grounds are clear cut from our rose whips."
Sasuke nodded and followed the other boy as they walked out of the Higurashi district, his thoughts running back to the one thing he would need to finally concur his brother completely.
Higurashi Kagome, you will be mine. Weather you realize it or not.
…
That night Kagome dreamed, which was an oddity in itself. She almost never dreamed, and when she did they where always filled with blood and gore with a pair of dark red eyes. This time it was different.
She was in a field, one she had never seen before. Below was a village, the small huts flaming, the people running away from a man seated atop a white horse. He mercilessly slaughtered the people, sparring only certain women. He instructed his soldiers to take the women though, their screams piercing through the night air, grating against her mind like nails against a chalk board.
She turned away from the carnage to see a man beside her, kneeling, his hands clasped together.
"please," he begged, "please help us to fight against the tyrant!"
A purple light engulfed the air, causing her to look away. When the light faded, a new man stood in front of the one crouched.
"Higurashi Soten. I have heard your call and come to your aid."
The man, Soten, scooted back from the new creature, "W-who are you?"
The man smiled, baring overly sharp canines, "I am the demon Loki."
Kagome's eyes widened. This was the story she had been told so many times as a child.
"L-Loki?"
The demons smile widened, "Hai. Do you wish for my help or not, Soten?"
Soten nodded, throwing himself at the demons feet, "Please great demon! Help me to protect my family! Before the over lord takes both my wife and daughter from me!"
Loki laughed, "Very well. But my assistance comes at a price. Are you willing to pay this price?"
Soten nodded, "anything! Just please help me!"
Loki nodded, "My price is this. I have watched your village for some time now. I find that one of your woman is of my interests. I wish to take her as my mate, but I find that I need the permission of her father before I do so." His smile was amused, "as her father, I guess I seek your permission."
Soten looked shocked, "My Kagome?"
Kagome's eyes widened at the sound of her name. Loki looked down at the man, his smile gone.
"that is my conditions Soten. Do you accept? I would think quickly if I where you." he smiled once again, turning his gaze back to the village, "it appears as if your village is doing poorly."
A look of disdain passed over Soten's face. Another scream ripped through the night and his eyes widened, "yes! Anything! Just help us!"
Loki smiled and held his arms up in the air, purple light engulfing him once more. When the light cleared once again, a small bundle of purple flowers grew where he once stood.
"Use them Soten. Defend your village. Teach them as well. We will be meeting again. Very soon."
Soten nodded and pulled the flower from the earth. His body glowed slightly as the technique he needed to use was etched into his mind.
Kagome watched as he flung the Kuruizaki no Hana down, turning it into the whip her family often used from roses. But this was different. Instead of green, the whip was a dark purple color and seemed to exuberate chakra all on its own.
Kagome watched as he ran into the burning village, determination hardening his features.
….
She awoke with a start, sitting up in her bed. She took several gulps of air, her heart beating quicker than she had ever felt it before. A fine sheen of sweat covered her skin, causing it to pebble up from the breeze blowing through her open window.
She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm her racing pulse. Where had that dream come from? She had never heard that in the legends. Her mind raced for a logical explanation. In all the times she had heard the legend, she couldn't remember her Kaa-san saying the name of the villager who had prayed to Loki. Or the fact that Loki had asked for a woman, a womanwith the same name as her, when he had given her clan the Kuruizaki.
Kagome put her head between her knees, her thoughts running out of control.
What was that? And why did I see it?
She leaned back against her pillows and ran her fingers through her hair, pulling back with a disgusted look at the feel of her sweat sudden locks. Grimacing she stood and stretched. Looking around her room her eyes landed on the scroll she had been reading before she had fallen asleep.
That's gotta be it. The names where just something my mind conjured up.
Shaking her head, she rolled the scroll back up and placed it on her nightstand.
"I really gotta stop reading clan history before bed. Makes for weird dreams."
She sighed again and glanced at the alarm clock on her bedside. It seemed like her dreams had perfect timing.
Gives me enough time to get a shower and wake Souta up so we can get over to the arena.
She walked over to her closet, her mind still trying to decipher her weird as hell dreams.
…
Souta yawned as he walked through the village, Kagome at his side. People rushed in front of them, trying to get to the arena as early as possible.
"Ane." Souta yawned again, "Why are we up so early again? I didn't think you cared about the last part of the exam."
She sighed, "Its not so much that Souta. I am kind of required to be there as a regulator."
Souta sighed, still moving sluggishly, "I thought that was only for the forest of death thing?"
Kagome shook her head, "as I understand it, it was for the entirety of the exam. If it isn't, then we can either watch the fighting or go home."
He nodded, trying to shake himself awake, "Why where you up so early anyway, Ane? Couldn't sleep or something?"
Kagome averted her gaze, not sure how to answer with out freaking him out. Hell, she was freaked out and she had been the one having the dream!
"So how was your training with Sasuke?"
He gave her a look, knowing she was trying to change the subject. That usually meant it was something she wasn't at liberty to discuss, or something she couldn't figure out yet.
Shaking his head, he returned his gaze back to the street that walked on, "It went well. We called it even though, seeing as neither one of where hurt afterward. It seemed like Sasuke was trying not to use his chakra."
Kagome nodded, curious about his statement. Her mind was still over run by the meaning of her dream though, so she didn't voice her confusion as they continued their walk to the arena.
…
"Hey! Souta! Over here! We saved you guys a seat!"
Kagome allowed a smile to curve her lips as they made their way up to her brothers team. Shiori bounced out of her seat and hugged Souta, much to his dismay. Kagome hid her amused smile behind her hand as the girl dragged him over to sit beside her.
Kohaku shook his head and greeted her with his usual nod. Kagome took the seat beside him and scanned the crowd behind them.
Seems like everything's normal. Its kind of hard to get a reading around all the excited chakras though.
She sighed, relaxing minutely in her seat, and returned her full attention to the grounds in front of her. She could see the Hokage sitting on the other side, in between two people she had never seen before. Behind him stood her team mates, both dressed in full ANBU uniform. She watched Inuyasha nod to her, which she returned, before he continued to watch the crowd.
She watched as the referee came out into the middle of the arena. She recognized his face, but couldn't think of his name to save her life.
"The genin whose names are flashed on the screen are to report to the stage promptly to begin their match. Just because you loose your match does not mean you will not be progressed to Chunin. The final decision shall be tallied at the show of skill."
Kagome glanced up at the screen and was pleased to see the first two combatants where Uzumaki Naruto and Hyuga Neji.
Hopefully this promises to be a good fight. I know Naruto has grown, but I don't know about the Hyuga. It will be interesting, to say the least.
Kagome watched the match begin. She found herself rooting for the annoying blonde, though her outward expression never changed. She was astonished to see him summon so many clones, and even more so when Neji destroyed all of them. Naruto didn't give in though, summoning more clones to attack him.
Doesn't he realize that brute force will not win the battle? What has Kakashi been teaching him?
Kagome shook her head, disappointed that Naruto didn't seem to be thinking things through. When Neji employed his families jutsu and seemed to block off Naruto's chakra flow, Kagome felt the battle was over. Turning her attention away from the battle, she found her gaze directed towards the Hokage. Studying the people seated to his left and right, she took in the man with his face covered completely. She assumed he was the Kazekage of the Sand, her senses going into full alert mode. He was the one the Hokage feared would attack Konoha.
A ruckus in the crowd had attention returning to the battle. It seemed that she missed something very important, for now Hyuga Neji was laying on the ground, Naruto standing above him. Behind Naruto was a large hole and Kagome silently wondered why she ever doubted the young blonde.
The referee called the match in Naruto's favor and the crowd silently murmured amongst themselves. She mentally scowled.
Of course they would not see the victory as something good. They all view him as a monster despite his every attempt to prove them wrong.
Sighing she applauded slowly as her brother and his team cheered loudly. Naruto beamed up at them, but she could tell that his chakra had reached its limit.
Neji was cleared from the field and the next match was called. Kankuro, the sand nin that had called her a bitch, and Aburame Shino. She sat up straighter, anticipating a good show, but was highly disappointed when Kankuro forfeited.
Crossing her arms over her chest in disappointment, she leaned back in her seat. Bored she stood from her seat and walked to the back of the stands even as the next match was called.
She passed by an ANBU and nodded to him, his face covered in a cat mask. It looked similar to the one Itachi had once wore, except this one didn't have painted lips. He nodded back to her and she felt a strange chakra brush against hers. One all to familiar for her liking.
She studied the ANBU even as he turned away from her. His chakra was eerily similar to that of Orochimaru, but different at the same time. Deciding to wait and see if he posed a threat, she leaned against the wall and faked interest in the battle in front of her.
It appeared she had missed something important once again because the spectators where disappointed. She looked up at the screen to see that the next match was supposed to be Gaara of the sand against Uchiha Sasuke. But the screen quickly flashed away, showing two new names.
Uninterested, she allowed her gaze to float up to the ceiling. She knew why the spectators where disappointed, they had become excited to see the famous Uchiha fight. Truth be told, she didn't want to see Sasuke again. Their failed conversation still irked her.
If he didn't look so much like his damn brother it would be much easier. She inwardly scoffed, a frown marring her otherwise bored exterior.
The match below came to an end, and Kagome wondered who the next would be. Again the screen flashed Sasuke and Gaara's names and she felt her pulse quicken slightly. She had yet to see the sand nin perform, and couldn't help but be a little curious.
As the minutes ticked by the crowd started to become restless. Kagome, fearing their would be a riot, felt her muscles tense and allowed her concentration to fall away from the masked nin at her side.
When both the fighters immerged she allowed herself to relax. When she looked over to see if the ANBU had been affected at all, he was gone.
On edge now, she scanned over the crowd. Not finding the masked nin, the feeling began to swell.
I should have taken him out when I first felt the chakra similarity! Dammit, what is Orochimaru doing in Konoha?
The crowd gasped in horror and she looked down at the arena to see the sand nin had formed a encasement of sand around himself. Sasuke held what appeared to be a glowing ball of lightning in his hand. The chakra coming from him made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.
She watched in astonishment as Sasuke rushed at the sphere and slammed his attack into it. It effectively crumbled around the sand nin and Kagome was shocked to see Gaara seemed to be disfigured slightly.
Suddenly a new scent whirled around her, making her drowsy. Kagome tried to shake it off, but the feeling just strengthened. She looked up and watched as the audience started to fall asleep.
Dammit! Dammit! DAMMIT!
She dropped to her knees, shaking her head vigorously in a feeble attempt to dispel the jutsu. She slowly slid to the ground, her eyes fluttering closed, as the jutsu over powered her and put her to sleep.
Wow! Ten pages! I know that's not a lot, but hey, I felt this was as good as place as any to end this chapter! But…Unfortunately…Its kind of a (dun dun dun!) cliffhanger! (EEEP!)
Yea and the whole Sasuke thing, it was the only way I could actually think about bringing him into the picture. He plays a much bigger part in part 2, but I don't know if I am going to make him romantically involved. Its kind a possession thing for him, wanting to take everything away from Itachi and such. So yea, you know the drill! Review! Else I will leave you all wondering about my tale!
Pretty please? I'll give you Itachi!
Itachi-::Glares::
Me-Uh…heh…Well, maybe not. I'll give you all a cookie then?
Itachi- That's what I thought, Discord.
