Chapter 10

The sun's ray hit through Mikoto's window as her eyes fluttered open. She rolled over to the other side, her back facing the window. She didn't want to get up, even though she had classes today. She groaned, rubbing her forehead as she took off the blankets. She gasped, noticing that she was still wearing Fugaku's jacket. She immediately got up, looking back and forth. She sighed in relief, thinking for a moment he was next to her. She was still in her dress from last night. Remembering what had happened, her face turned red like a tomato, cupping both her cheeks.

Fugaku had kissed her last night. She didn't even see it coming at all. Well at least, not at that moment. It was just too sudden and very un-Uchiha. But what happened after that? She recalled. She didn't even remember coming home. She glanced at the clock, noticing it was almost time to head out for school. She took a quick shower, washed her face, dressed herself in the school uniform, and fixed her hair. She didn't look too bad after the club. It wasn't like she had a hangover. She looked over at Fugaku's jacket and wrapped it neatly in a plastic bag. She briskly walked down the stairs, smiling at the sight of the familiar white-haired man sitting on the table with a cup of coffee.

"Ohayou, Jiraiya!" Mikoto greeted cheerfully. Jiraiya looked over, returning the same big smile.

"Ah, about time you woke up, Miko-chan! Had a pretty busy night, eeehh?" Jiraiya grinned slyly. "Don't tell me you got any action. Minato-kun wouldn't like that, would he?"

Mikoto chuckled nervously. "N-No. Um, d-d-do you remember h-how-"

"You got home last night?" Jiraiya finished her sentence. He was always able to read these kids' mind. Aside from their parents, he had practically raised Minato and Mikoto since birth. Babysitting was definitely a hard job.

"That Uchiha boy took you home last night. Apparently, you fell asleep so he came in carrying you to your bedroom. You guys looked kinda cute together. What were you two doing exactly?"

Mikoto blushed a deep red. She couldn't even look at Jiraiya. He only chuckled, knowing that he was embarrassing her already.

"Um, I gotta head out now. Oh, did Minato-kun come home too?" Mikoto asked curiously. She never did get to discover what had happened at he and Kushina left. Jiraiya nodded.

"Yep. He came home early this morning but left for school already. He spent the night at Yamanaka's. I've confirmed with them so it's all good."

Mikoto smiled. It appeared she was right about him. Minato didn't go along with it at all. He was still a true gentleman. He probably just dropped her off. Minato-kun, I'm so proud of you.

"Anyway, I'm going now. See ya Jiraiya!" Mikoto exclaimed cheerfully before leaving her home.

She walked to school, fully content with the day. Her head was starting to clear up now. Fugaku had indeed kissed her last night. He didn't speak much after that nor confessed anything. He had only offered to drive her home. She had probably fallen asleep during the ride, but nonetheless, that did make her night. Actually, she wasn't sure what to do now if she saw him. Should she confront him about it? Ignore it? He could have just done it to shut her up.

Mikoto touched her lips, still trying to refresh the taste of his lips.

"Ahhh, shake it off! Shake it off!" Mikoto lectured herself, earning her weird looks from her fellow schoolmates. She giggled nervously, blushing. She clutched her schoolbooks tighter as she walked around the school. She headed for the courtyard, where she and her friends always met up. Everyday they would meet up in the courtyard just chatting about anything.

Today was not like every other day. Today, something was different. Today was the moment Mikoto had worried about so much. Her eyes widened as it flashed right in front of her. She gasped.

"Oh no..."

Just a couple feet away from her was Minato and Kazekage, facing each other. They were talking to each other, inaudible to Mikoto's ears. Shikaku, Inoichi, Fugaku, Choichi, and the Hyuuga twins stood behind Minato, ready for anything that could happened with Kazekage's goons behind him. Minato's hands reached out to Kazekage in the form of a fist. It never made contact with Kazekage's face but instead, released itself to drop a piece of bright red cloth into Kazekage's palms.

Her books dropped to the ground. Mikoto's hands immediately reached to cover her mouth, trying to mute herself from screaming. He couldn't have. No, he didn't... Minato, you didn't!

Minato's bangs fell over his eyes, blocking it from Mikoto's view. He looked to the side, away from Kazekage's smirk. Kazekage clenched it tightly as he stuffed it in his pockets. He said a few words before departing from Minato and the gang, roaring with laughter. Kazekage and his friends were making their way towards Mikoto. She froze up. She told herself to move, but she couldn't. It felt like last night in the club. That's what Kazekage did to her. He sent fear running down her spine. She saw Minato face at her, slightly distraught. He was yelling at her, but she couldn't hear him. Kazekage glanced at her, smirking. He placed a hand on her shoulder, catching her by surprise. She started to shake. Move, move, move, please, move...

"You're new friend sounds like one easy girl in bed," Kazekage whispered to her ear, sounding wild.

Mikoto's eyes widened, but not in shock. Kazekage's hand left her shoulder before disappearing from her sight. Minato and the others quickly ran up to Mikoto, surrounding her like a criminal. Minato grabbed her by the shoulders, shaking her gently.

"I've told you too many times not to be around him, even when I'm there, Miko-chan! Why didn't you go away?" Minato nearly screamed in her face angrily. He couldn't believe why she didn't move at all. Fugaku had told him of a similar incident last night as well and he thanked God for his friend being there. Maybe if he didn't tell Mikoto to avoid Kazekage all the time, she wouldn't be so scared.

He was met with a slap to his face. Minato didn't look back. He understood why she did it. It was probably the right thing too. He was not suprised Mikoto would resort to this. She was capable of anything now. Kushina's arrival just activated it.

"Why, Minato?" She asked darkly.

Minato rubbed his sore cheek. He didn't dare look her in the eye. "Don't meddle in things you have nothing to do with."

"I have every right to meddle! How dare you do that to Kushina! She trusted you! Why else would she go after you! She even loved you!" Mikoto screamed into his face. She had never yelled at him so loudly nor so angrily. He had gone too far this time. Minato had crossed the line. There was no way he could fix it. It was over.

Minato furrowed his brows. He looked guilty. The other boys around him looked at the ground, hoping to avoid Mikoto's gaze. She turned to them, especially the Uchiha.

"And you, Fugaku-kun...What the hell was that about yesterday..." She asked in a demanding tone. Fugaku closed his eyes. He hesitated to open his mouth.

"Only to keep you away from Minato and the Uzumaki girl."

Mikoto's fist clenched. She could feel her eyes getting moist. Everything was a lie with boys. She laughed.

"I should have known. You're an Uchiha after all," she stated bitterly before dashing away from the boys, leaving their sight.

Minato leaned against the tree trunk, letting out a huge sigh. He let out a hollow laugh.

"Funny huh, Fugaku? She slaps me and gives me the freaking lecture but all she does is remind that you're an Uchiha, eh Fugaku?" Minato chuckled with a pained smile. "Means she really likes you."

"Liked," Fugaku corrected with a grunt.

Minato wanted to laugh but couldn't right now. The situation wouldn't be right. He remembered what happened last night between him and Kushina. It was the most painfully emotional experience he had ever been through. It went uglier than expected. But it was the best way to end it. He looked over to Shikaku, who still retained a calm composure. Shikaku saw Minato's expression and shook his head.

"It's for the best," he said simply.

Minato nodded but wished things ended diferently.

On the rooftop, Mikoto was scanning down her contacts through vigorously and impatiently. Her fingers kept rolling down the screen, cursing Kushina for her last name. When she finally reached "Uzumaki Kushina," she immediately dialed it and brought the phone up to her ear.

"Come on, Kushi-chan, please pick up, please pick up," Mikoto prayed. The phone kept ringing and ringing. It stopped.

"Kushina!" Mikoto practically screamed in relief. But it did not calm her down. "I can't take it anymore! I can't hide it so please hear me-"

"I know, Miko-chan."

Mikoto's eyes widened. Kushina sounded so stern yet so vulnerable, as if she was going to cry any minute now. Mikoto couldn't believe this was happening. She gripped her phone tightly.

"Kushi, I'm so sorry this is all my fault! I should have told you from the beginning, then maybe, maybe-" Mikoto could fear the tears form around her eyes now. She didn't want to cry, but the guilt was too much. She could have stopped this. She could have reached out for Minato more like a good big sister. She could have seen through Fugaku's mask...

A chuckled escaped from the other line. "It's alright, Miko-chan. You had nothing to do with this. I was s-s-stupid...thinking Minato was different. I mean, he hangs out with Yamanaka," She let out a chuckle, but Mikoto knew it was a fake one. "I'm s-s-sorry, I d-d-don't feel so well. Can't come to school today." The more Kushina talked, the more the sobbing became apparently. Mikoto couldn't take this any longer.

"No, Kushina, don't even blame yourself! I'll come after school! I promise! I'll-"

The phone line went dead. Mikoto remained still for a moment, trying to translate everything that had happened in one morning. Just last night, it was so magical, between her and Fugaku. It was only one kiss but it had made her smile. She should had known. It was so obvious now that she was looking back. She turned her phone off, throwing it in her bag.

She leaned against the iron fencing surround the rooftop. Mikoto felt like crying. Tears formed across from her eyes, but she wiped them away. She couldn't believe what had happened.

I could have stopped this. I could have watched Kushina, no, her and Minato more. I could have taught him better. I could have showed him that just because he's a boy doesn't mean he should go on some sex bet. And Kushina, oh I wished I stayed close to her. I wished I could have told her everything from the beginning. And Fugaku, why did I fall for him? What on earth was there to like about him anyway? He was too quiet. He played me so I wouldn't ruin things with Minato and Kushina. He was an accomplice. He...

She grabbed the fencing, holding onto it for support. She wanted to break down and just hit herself a thousand times for letting this happen. Kushina would have said otherwise, but Mikoto couldn't help but blame herself for this whole problem. She ruined everything. Minato could had have a splendid time with his first girlfriend. Kushina could have had a wonderful year for a new school, not get caught in a sex bet and her heart broken. And herself, with Fugaku...

Would she have loved Fugaku is this happened? Would she had realized it if the bet didn't happen? Would even he...

She shook away those thoughts. Don't be selfish. He never liked you and never will. It was all just play and stunts. Don't think otherwise. It was just...

Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She gritted her teeth. She did not feel like seeing anybody right now.

"Go away you bastard-" She whispered harshly before she felt herself pushed against the fence and a pair of lips crash into hers.

Okay this chappie was shorter than most by...ALOT. Anyway, this is almost ending so thanks to all he read this!