"Sasuke" I run up to him and wrap my arms around his shoulders. "How have you been? It's been so weird not having you around. We haven't been able to talk in a while." It feels almost weird; I wonder if he's thinking the same thing.
I feel slight pressure as Sasuke hugs me back. "Things have been advancing. I'm confident that I can beat my opponent in the exams" he smirks. What about you? I hope nobody has been bothering you." The only person that's been bothering me is him but I'm not about to say that out loud.
I pull back from our hug and all I see is concern in his eyes. It seems that he's completely forgotten about our previous fight and all my thought seem to vanish. I have my old big brother back. I think that's a step in the right direction.
"I'm ok I respond. I almost died of boredom waiting for my leg to heal. I got a lot of help though. Hiro and Isamu came over a lot to check on me a lot." Sasuke's face shifted a little. It wasn't a frown but he definitely looked more serious. "What's that face for" I tease. I couldn't help but tease him. He has gotten on my nerves so much lately I had to poke back at him when I could.
He could tell I was purposely annoying him so he just nudges me "whatever" he says and walks away. I follow him.
During the next hour or so we unpacked lunch and sat eating quietly. The silence is peaceful. I enjoy just being with him and not fighting. Besides this used to be our ritual every night for dinner. We would talk about our day then eat quietly before getting ready for bed. Whoever didn't cook dinner had to do the dishes. When we are just about finished eating I decide I should start asking him questions.
"Sasuke" I turn to look him in the eyes. "We need to talk. I've been hearing a lot of things lately, things that seem impossible." He just continues to eat. That usually means it's true. Kakashi left when we started to eat saying that he had some errands to run, even though I made food for the three of us, so its only Sasuke and I. I'm disappointed that I didn't get to see what was under Kakashi's mask but I think it's better that we're alone.
"So it's true?" I ask, "this stuff about a mark and this man who attacked you."
His eyes widen a little, most likely firm surprise that I know about it. After a brief pause "yeah" is his only reply.
"Well then why haven't you talked to me about it. Why haven't you gotten more help or stop participating in the chunin exams?" I ask my voice getting a little higher. I can't help but feel like I should do something, but I don't know what it is. I already decided to support him however I can.
The minute I mention the chunin exam he scowls "No," he says, "I will not quit." I feel his anger and I don't want to start fighting like we did at the hospital so I stop.
"Alright," I say, "just promise that if things go bad you'll come to me. I love you, you know. It's the reason I worry so much about you. But also, I want to make sure you know that I have complete faith in you. It's others I have issues with. I make a face.
His scowl fades and he looks into my eyes while taking my hand "I know" he says.
We spend the rest of the day talking, first about what happened during the chunin exam and then about the crazy mission I was on while he was taking the chunin exams. I try to push away any bad feelings I'm carrying. I know I will have time for those later, but today I'm just going to bejoy being here. I haven't seen Sasuke in a long time. So much for all those questions and arguments I planned.
Time passes, I train, I try to look toward the future and not think about the past. It's finally time for the chunin exams. I walk into the stadium and see Sakura sitting with a girl with blonde hair. I assume it's Ino because Sasuke has complained about her almost as much as he has about Sakura. They must be friends I guess. Sakura turns and sees me.
"Hey Nami" she yells, "why don't you sit in the seat in front of Ino and I." She smiles. I notice there are three seats there so I sit down and save seats for Hiro and Isamu they promised me they would come so we could watch Sasuke's match together.
Feeling like I shouldn't just ignore Sakura I turn around "How are you?" I ask.
"Good" she says.
Ino smiles too but quickly pouts "I still can't believe Naruto made it to the finals and we didn't."
Sakura smirks, "well that's because your opponent was me" Sakura says in a singing voice. Ino's forehead furrows with irritation.
"Oh shut up billboard brow," she yells. That makes Sakura mad
"You can't tell me what to do Ino pig!" she yells back.
This continues for about ten minutes before I decide to step in. Why am I always the one that has to break up the fights? "Maybe next time I say with a smile between shouts "although next time you'll have to get through me" I stick out my thumb pointing to my headband. I try to hind my nervousness behind the humor. It seems to be working well. I see Ino smirk. Even Sakura seems to relax with a little giggling.
I spot Hiro and Isamu walking into the stadium and I wave them over.
"You're late!" I yell at them. Hiro laughs.
"Sorry we couldn't seem to get away from Isamu's mom. She was running all over the place looking for her house key and we stayed late to help he look."
"Did you find it?" I ask.
Isamu nods and I turn to Ino and Sakura to introduce them. "Ino, Sakura, this is Hiro and Isamu. Hiro and Isamu this is Sakura and Ino."
"Hi Hiro" Ino says "How have you been I haven't seen you around lately."
"Good" he replies. I am surprised at first but then I remember Hiro and Ino's teammate Shikamaru are both from the Nara clan so of course they would probably run into each other.
"Nice to meet you both" Sakura smiles and nods, but can tell she's not really paying attention. Her mind seems to be somewhere else all of a sudden.
Isamu turns to me, "how are you feeling?" he asks.
"Good" I reply, moving the hair out of my eyes. "You and Hiro have made it much easier to stay grounded."
"Good" he replies, he looks like he's about to say more but then the voice of Genma interrupts. I'm starting to learn the names of all the jonin in the village. I went to the Hokage's office often these past few weeks.
"Attention everyone" Genma's voice radiates around the arena. The first round of this exam is about to begin. Will all the competitors not participating in the first round please leave the arena. I watch as the other competitors leave the arena. I am confused at first because I don't see Sasuke yet. He was perfectly fine when I saw him a week ago. I notice Sakura and Ino looking just as confused.
I turn around and reassure them. "Don't worry, I'm sure he'll be here soon." They looked surprised like I could read their minds. They obviously don't know how easy it is to read their expressions.
I turn back to the arena. Neji Hyuga and Naruto Uzumaki remain. They are both looking intently at each other "Alright, match one . . . . Begin," I hear Genma exclaims backing out of the fighting zone. This is going to be interesting.
Authors Note: Ok so this is a shorter chapter, I wanted to get something out because I haven't updated in like six months. But then I got this awesome review and I thought wow, I really have to finish what I started. I hope to update regularly once every two weeks to a month. Please tell me what you think and thanks for sticking around. You are all amazing!