Patience

Kakashi eyed Tsukiko suspiciously while looking around, everything seemed to be in order… He froze, his hand moving to his pocket, only to find it empty.

"What did you do with it?" He growled, turning to face her fully now.

Tsukiko's smile didn't move as she patiently stood her ground. "What are you talking about?" She asked innocently, though the sparkle in her eyes gave it away.

"Where's my book?" He asked, slowly stalking towards his newest house-mate.

Tsukiko laughed, holding the book out in front of her, "Oh Kakashi! Let's play Icha-Icha paradise! You can be my sensei and I can be the naughty student!" Her voice was different, happier and more energetic, as she transformed into the main character of the book.

He took the book from her hands, his other hand sliding down to the dip in her back "We'll play later, I have a job to do." He growled into her ear, pulling her forward.

Tsukiko easily slipped from his grasp, "Alright then, have fun boys." She called over her shoulder, heading back upstairs to her room.

Kakashi glanced back at Iruka who seemed on the verge of a stroke. "I-Is she always like that?" Iruka asked, slipping his sandals on.

Kakashi laughed and slid his book into his pocket, "Worse."

:::

Tsukiko changed, slipping on a pair of black shorts and a tank top, and then finally she dried and straightened her hair, and brushed her teeth. Once she was satisfied with how she looked she walked downstairs, slid her sandals on, and walked out the door. 'Normal.' She thought to herself, clueless as to what that meant.

:::

"SASUKE!"

Tsukiko's nerves went raw, hearing someone else call out his name. She took a deep breath before turning around, her eyes met the other Uchiha's as he gave her a tentative smile. Tsukiko didn't bother saying anything, instead she looked past him noticing the pink-haired girl from before eagerly following him.

"Sasuke!" She called out again, oblivious to everyone else around her. "I – um – was wondering if you wanted to train with me today… The Chunin exams are only a few days away and-"

"I'm busy." He cut in, giving her a stern look.

The edges of Tsukiko's mouth twitched upwards in a half-way smirk, amused at how easily he rejected the other girl.

Sakura's face fell, all the sparkle and energy sucked away. "Oh, alright then… yeah…" She nervously laughed it off, her eyes turning to Tsukiko. "Oh, Tsukiko, it's you." She smiled, giving a small wave.

Tsukiko didn't move, her golden eyes surveyed Sakura for a moment, was this normal? 'Is that it? I have to throw myself at him like an idiot?' She wondered, gazing up at the sky… how humiliating.

"Tsukiko…?" Sasuke was suddenly looking at her as well.

Tsukiko suddenly snapped back to reality, "Yes?" She replied, voice cold as eyes as she looked at him.

"I-"

"Come with me." She muttered, turning and walking away. Her ears picked up on the sound of his footsteps trailing her, keeping a few paces behind her for safety. 'I'll get you back for this, Sensei.' Tsukiko thought bitterly as she inhaled, a smile replaced the stern look on her face as she turned to face him.

Sasuke froze; eyes wide with shock… were she actually smiling at him?

"I wanted to… apologize about last night. I wasn't in a good mood and, well, I shouldn't have taken it out on you." Tsukiko lied, though her face was sincere as she could manage.

Sasuke gawked in disbelief, what happened to the angry, bitter, Tsukiko? Was it all just a dream? A nightmare? "Tsukiko… Oh Tsukiko!" He cried, throwing his arms around her, he drew her tightly into his chest.

She tensed, not ready for the bear-hug. "Uchiha." She whispered, her arms slowly reached around him and hugged him back. She couldn't relax.

"I'm so sorry… I'm so sorry. I really am. I'll do whatever it takes to prove it to you, you know, that I still-"

"Please, Uchiha, let's just go spar." Tsukiko interrupted, letting him go.

"Alright, let's go." He grinned, choosing to lead the way.

:::

Tsukiko quietly followed behind him, she didn't notice that the pain in her chest was now completely gone.

Sasuke glanced back every once in a while, just to make sure that she was real, and not some hallucination he was having from the insomnia. "Here we are." Sasuke stepped aside as they entered the clearing.

Tsukiko looked around, noticing the different targets they were supposed to train with. "Interesting." She murmured, sitting down and resting against the base of one of the trees.

"So… Ummm…" Sasuke stammered, trying to find something to say.

"Go on, train." Tsukiko urged, smiling at him.

Sasuke turned, fumbling for a kunai as he strained for concentration.

'Just a façade.' Tsukiko reminded herself, watching as Sasuke flicked kunai and shuriken with perfection at the targets. "Not bad." She stood and gently took his chin in her hand, tilting it downward. 'Only two in each eye.' She thought to herself, her own Sharingan appearing while she examined him closely.

Sasuke's cheeks went pink, he wasn't sure what to do with Tsukiko being so close.

"Am I bothering you?" Tsukiko asked, letting go of his chin.

Sasuke shook his head no, he couldn't help but notice that her Sharingan was already fully developed. "How-"

"I've been using mine longer, and harder, than you have." She answered, flicking a kunai behind her. It landed with a dull thunk in the middle of a target.

"I see…" Sasuke looked away in shame.

"Stop it," Tsukiko chided, retrieving her kunai, "there's nothing wrong with your Sharingan. I'm surprised you've even managed to develop it this far." Sasuke could hear the playful teasing tone in her voice, and he nodded, gazing off into the distance. "We've had two different training styles, Sasuke, you'll catch up." Tsukiko tried to be positive, though, in her mind she wanted to throw him into a tree and leave. 'Patience.' She reminded herself, watching Sasuke begin to train with more determination than before. 'He's jealous,' Tsukiko thought to herself with a small smile, 'How odd…'