Tonight's My Eternity
Tainted Dreams 03
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
Warnings: Bad grammar (especially spelling)… Poor attempts at Japanese… and I'll probably have out-of-character characters.
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CHAPTER 14: Lesson Twelve: Misinterpretations
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This was slowly driving Sasuke insane.
He had woken up with a set of weary eyes entirely fixed on him, effectively jolting all fragments of sleep from his fatigued mind. Said weary eyes observed his every move, took note of every twitch and even seemed to dissect into his soul.
Itachi had lost it. His brother's porn corrupted mind finally lost all sense of thought, successfully liquefying all form of brain matter. His brother had most definitely lost it.
Though he was unnerved beyond compare, Sasuke shrugged it off. It wasn't his sanity at stake after all.
Toweling his hair dry, Sasuke stepped out of the bathtub thoroughly savoring his first descent bath since he'd come home from the hospital. The warm water did wonders for his mood, soaring higher than the usual level of monotonousness. For once, he'd actually felt relaxed. But of course, good things never did seem to last for the young Uchiha who almost fell over in shock when he'd opened the door to reveal the said pair of eyes once again. With what little dignity he could muster from his shocked state, Sasuke stomped off with angry grumbles and a few muttered curses.
Wherever he went, Itachi had been right behind. Either Itachi was undergoing some form of "second childhood" or Sasuke had just gained himself a watchdog. So there he was leaning on the kitchen counter, indignantly mumbling to himself as he willed the "spawn of hell" to disappear.
This was nauseatingly unnerving. Itachi's gaze was so intensive that Sasuke swore he could feel it prickle at his skin. But who knew right? Maybe the Uchiha family had come from a distinct line of mutants with laser eye powers? And perhaps some radiation plant exploded in the middle of nowhere effectively triggering something in Itachi's DNA.
Immediately, Sasuke dismantled that train of thought. As far as Sasuke knew, insanity was NOT contagious. But Itachi was slowly turning him into a basket case so maybe it was time to change resolve and move away from his brother. Far, FAR away. Sasuke let out an irritated huff. God he hated his life!
"Maybe you should stay home today." Itachi wondered aloud, quickly altering Sasuke's attention from his inner ramblings.
"Hn?"
"You know, just stay home and rest awhile." Itachi said, taking extra effort in keeping his tone as casual as possible. He knew Sasuke didn't appreciate being fussed over and his sickness wasn't something Sasuke liked holding him back. On most occasions (if not all) where people showed any form of compassion towards Sasuke's sickness, his little brother would get self-protective instinctively. Itachi understood that though. Sasuke was very self-governing and would rather fend for his own problems by himself. Sasuke was Sasuke and that fact would definitely never change.
His brother eyed him bitterly though Itachi had been vigilant with his manner. "I'm fine." Sasuke stated distastefully. "I've rested enough." There was trivial hiss signaling Itachi of his brothers rising temper.
Grabbing his bag that lay seated on the chair beside him, Sasuke stood and headed out the kitchen swiftly.
'He's mad.' Itachi thought as he let out a sigh. There were a lot of things Sasuke did not like and appearing weak was evidently on the top of is extensive list.
Shaking his head in mild disappointment, Itachi followed after Sasuke, grabbing his car keys on the way out.
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"I heard Sasuke-kun is back!"
"Really?.! That's great!"
"Yeah, I was beginning to worry!"
"Look! Look! There he is!"
Tuning out all forms of annoying squeaks, Sasuke continued his way. High school life couldn't have been so exasperating. Although he'd gotten here early, the halls were already filled with large mobs, busily talking amongst themselves excitedly. This was quickly damping his already damp mood. He'd only been absent for a mere three days and already, the high school girl population regarded him as though he'd come from a month long absence. How annoyingly pathetic...
Random gasps of "Sasuke-kun!" and lamentable attempts in conversation greeted him as he made his way towards his locker. There were those occasional leeches that clung to his arm voicing forged concern. Then there were those that followed along like a loyal dog as they tragically attempted to woe his attention
There were guys who'd try to act cool pathetically feigning friendship with him in high hopes to score with the ladies.
Then there were those who just appeared to not care, minding their own business as they chatted animatedly with their friends; taking no notice whatsoever of the high school "celebrity"… namely one ticked off Uchiha Sasuke.
Sasuke halted in his path, the flash of blond catching the corner of his eye. A jolt of disappointment entered his system as the blond continued to take no notice of his existence. Truthfully, he'd have expected at least anger if not apprehension from the boy. Impassive was unquestionably the last thing Sasuke had expected. Impassive and happy, he thought bitterly. He'd been sadistically anticipating the boy to mourn over his rejection or at least appear the slightest picture of sadness.
Willing his thoughts to remain dispassionate, he let out a muted frown. Almost forcibly, he averted his attention from the blond boy as he continued his way towards his locker, once again attempting to shrug off the damned leaches. Today was certainly not his day…
But from behind, blue eyes softened.
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"Oh. My. God! It's Sasuke-kunn!"
Without glancing over to acknowledge who had just irksomely regarded him, Sasuke stuffed his trigonometry book over to his locker, calmly closing it right after.
"Get a life, Neji." He said, taking on that ever present monotonous tone.
Neji feigned irritation at having been recognized despite his best "Sasuke fan girl" impersonation, but quickly shrugged it off seeing that Sasuke had began to walk off despite him.
"Feeling a little antisocial today, aren't you?" Neji alleged as he rushed over to Sasuke's side.
"What do you want?" Sasuke snapped as he glided through the hordes of students.
Neji rolled his eyes, completely aware of Sasuke's rather sour mood. "Just wondering how you were doing, is all." Neji admitted halfheartedly.
"Peachy." Sasuke answered rather sarcastically as he paid little heed to all of Neji's additional attempts to strike up a conversation. Completely blocking off whatever the younger boy was babbling about, Sasuke dwelled in his own broody state-of-mind.
Upon reaching his class, Sasuke pale hand reached out for the doorknob but instantly went flying off as Neji swatted it away.
"What the hell?.!" Glaring daggers over to his younger cousin, Sasuke willed Neji to just burn and die. What the heck was wrong with him? It wasn't right to just randomly strike at peoples body parts, whether related or not.
"I was asking if you've talked to Naruto already." Neji griped, fully displeased with Sasuke's cold (rather frozen) shoulder.
Apparently, his "streak of good luck" had extinguished leaving him no better then the others when it came to handling the Uchiha. Sasuke was just too unapproachable when faced with a foul mood. And from what Neji had observed, Sasuke was undeniably in a rather foul mood.
But of course, with Neji being… well, Neji- Sasuke's foul mood would simply have to deal.
"No." Came the frosted reply.
"Look, Uchiha-" Neji began as he folded his arms in front of him. "You two need to talk."
Maybe it was because of Sasuke's profound scowl that Neji realized Sasuke's foul mood just didn't want to "deal". Or maybe the way his hands clenched into fists that Neji realized the Uchiha did not feel the desire to talk. But simply put, Neji recognized Sasuke's need to brood… alone.
"I'll do what I want when I want." Sasuke hissed. And with that, the raven left for his classroom, shrugging Neji off for the umpteenth time that day.
As the door to Sasuke's classroom shut with a loud click, Neji glowered. His cousin was especially prickly today. Back in the hospital, Sasuke had been far less hostile and most definitely easier to talk to. So what had happened that caused Sasuke to clam up once again? And whatever happened to their unspoken agreement that Sasuke would in fact talk to Naruto? Had he read wrong?
Such a pity it was to have to retreat from unfinished troubles. Naruto was his friend and Sasuke was his cousin. He wanted both to be happy and it was starting to nag at him that they couldn't just realize the obvious. They were happy together, and Neji would be damned if those two didn't stop hurting one another.
So maybe forcibly getting Sasuke to talk to Naruto wasn't the greatest of his plans.
And maybe Neji was in -little ways- getting pissed off with Sasuke's … independent behavior.
And maybe, just maybe, if fate played along, both Sasuke and Naruto would find their happiness.
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Naruto slumped despairingly during history. The teacher had been lecturing like machine gun and just kept shooting date after date after date. All the months, years, and days were forming a little soup of jumbled nothingness in the blond head of this.
Blocking all the teachers ramblings from his delicate mind, Naruto recalled back to a while ago. Sasuke had finally returned from his three day absence, sending a wonderful feeling of relief into him.
Naruto, at first had thought Sasuke's absence had been his entire fault, what with the confession and all. But to his relief (well, sort of), Neji had informed him that Sasuke had been sick at home with the flu. With that, Naruto instantly perked up. Although yes, he was still especially gloomy that Sasuke had reacted the way he did, he felt somewhat enlightened that maybe Sasuke wouldn't end up completely hating him.
When he'd seen Sasuke this morning, his initial thought was to run up to the boy and randomly tease him for being stuck home with the flu. Although that had proven to be harder than he'd originally thought, therefore resolving to just pretending to have not noticed.
With a groan, he wondered if he'd ever muster the courage to just go up to Sasuke and act as though back in the past where everything was far less perplexing.
A nudge from his right broke him from his reverie. "You okay?"
Directing his gaze over to his seatmate, Naruto was surprised to see Gaara.
Gaara had never spoken unless deemed necessary. Naruto had met Gaara a couple years back, having been paired up for a project then. They'd been friends despite the red haired boy being as tedious as white walls.
Growing up, Gaara never "hung" with him and the guys, always choosing to do whatever wherever. There were a few instances where Naruto would spend lunch with him, but that was as far as it went. In a sense, they'd manage to form a silent, but comfortable friendship.
Managing an obligatory smile, Naruto nodded.
Gaara's eyebrow arched, rather, where Naruto imagined those red eyebrows would be. Gaaras's eyebrows were well, nonexistent or really, really, REALLY thin and very much see-through. Strangely enough, having a hairless face suited him.
Though Gaara did not look convinced, he opted to ask Naruto to eat with him later on.
"Lunch?" He asked, dismissing how Naruto's nod lacked its natural enthusiasm.
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"Talk to me." Came the gentle demand.
Glancing over to Gaara, Naruto cocked his head to the side, not entirely sure what the redhead meant.
"You've been poking at your ramen for the past ten minutes. You're not talking and you've been ignoring everything I've asked-." Gaara stated as the look of guilt splashed across his friends face.
"Sorry!" Naruto squeaked as he started cramming noodles in his mouth.
Letting out a sigh, green eyes stared up at the blue sky watching clouds lazily drift along. They'd been sitting at the school courtyard amongst a couple others. Most of the kids preferred to remain indoors considering how hot it had been lately giving Gaara a greater reason to stay outdoors. He hated crowds and he hated noise. But with Naruto, lack of noise was just… unsettling.
"So talk. Something's troubling you."
Setting his food on his lap, Naruto twiddled with his fingers contemplating on whether or not he'd tell Gaara.
"I'm sorry... I don't -"
"It's fine." Gaara cut in. "You don't need to."
Though Gaara had been very much concerned for the blond, he'd rather not play the forcible friend, having to nag in order to attain things despite the other's obvious uncertainty. So he'd leave it there and wait for the other to talk.
Naruto smiled broadly in relief as he grabbed the redhead into a tight lung-numbing hug who in turn, awkwardly hugged his friend back.
"Thank you." Naruto breathed out, fully relishing the warmth of his friend.
Who knew Gaara could serve as a great teddy bear? Naruto giggled fondly at the thought also comforted by the fact that he wouldn't have to explain.
And from behind a brick corner, a set of dark eyes watched dejectedly at the smiling blond. His already dark eyes obscured with misinterpretation.
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AN: Don't kill me! I know I haven't updated in a loooong (extends further on) while, but schoolwork's just getting ridiculous! Who knew the teachers would decided to save their wrath for fourth quarter?.! We've got this crappy English defense/lit-crit paper coming up soon and I find that horribly unnerving. Fudge feminism! FudgeFudgeFudge! And then there's all the other crap that comes with high school (example: Speechfest - which totally sucks in all the remains of free.fricken.time.). Ugh. But don't worry. I'll update, though believe me…it might prove to be a loooong, looong journey. Let's just hope that the work don't keep on a comin!
I'm sorry if this may seem a little dispassionate (and short) but please bear with me! This chapter will help with the next chapter, which will definitely be more emotional (and longer). Oooh! Confession! Confession!
Also, don't worry! The next chapter should be a good turn of events relationship wise. This story is nearing its end (3 or 4 chappies maybe? Unless I think or you suggest another plot) and yet I can never manage to update faster. :Sigh: Bad author! BAD!
Oh! And lastly! I SO DUNOO HOW TO SPELL! I've spelt Neji wrong all throughout chapter 13! Ack! What's wrong with me! Must edit that later!
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I'm back to replying like this… just takes lesser time and I get to make sure I reply or thank everyone... Hehe.
O yeah. Sorry if I haven't been replying to everyone, but know all your reviews are VERY much appreciated.
ochibi-chwanAww! It's alright! I don't appreciate your review any less! And 102's not so far from 100… it's only two persons from 100! HEHE! I'm sorry. You might just feel the killing intent for Sasuke now… but the boy has his reasons for being uptight I tell you! And yup! Next chappie will be kiss and make up time.
Inu.RoxsI've been willing myself to give their relationship a little obstacle instead of just magically being together since I felt horrible for Naruto too. :Evil author! Evil!: Hehe!
JulesInTheSeaAww crap. I must endure the terrors of physics next year, and judging from what you said, I know my brain will have evacuated before graduation! Hehe! I hope you did well on your physics exams! Must've sucked relearning everything but alas… this is the life of a student. Sorry for the long wait!
Banana Pancakes: Aww! Cheer up! Cheer up!
k1ta.ky0koHehe! He will! He will! I'll try to hurry along with the next chapter! Sorry, the story (and updatings) have been a little… (scrap little) …sluggish.
aurora silvas: I'm surri! You might hate me for stopping here too! HEHE! I'll try to write sooner!
Crimson AriesAww, I'm sorry to hear that. I really hope your heart problem's not bad. :frowns: But on the brighter side: ooo! I'd like to read your fic when you do write it! I've been anticipating fics where Sasuke's sick (I know! I know! I'm so mean to poor Sasuke even though he's my favorite character) or something but I've only seen like one or two.
And regarding Neji and Sasuke being cousins, I figured since their both sexily pale and randomly alike in character and history, why not make them related? Hehe! (yep. Odd reasoning.)
Death By SquishyI love your penname! Lol! (sorry, just had to say that) I'm really happy you liked my story!
YumehitoWow! Did it really? That's nice to know… WAIT! Nice to know the "angsting" was moving and not that you cried! Hehe! And I'm really flattered you think my writing has improved! I'm working on making it more descriptive and less monotonous (though this chapter wasn't all too descriptive). I guess reading an enormously large number of fics has helped improve my writing somewhat.
trollyOoh! It's great to hear from you again!
TarkemelhionI actually was considering on getting Naruto sick at first but then I figured since Sasuke's the one that actually is sick, why not trigger that! Hehe!
ZoomiOh, wow. Now that you've summed it all up, I'm also surprised how emotional my fic has become. I didn't even realize I've been making all my characters miserable. Hehe! They deserve a happy ending, don't you think?
LadyLiv: Omg. I know! I've spelt Neji wrong since the beginning of chapter 13. I'll edit that later but thanks so much for pointing that out!
babii.ang3lsDon't worry, Sasuke will admit it to the RIGHT person this time, otherwise, I'll beat him to a bloody pulp. Lol. Kidding. I could never do that!
InfynitiStarThey'll be together next chapter (lol. I've been totally giving that away.) And yay! It's nice to hear from you again!
Thank you to all those who reviewed! I so love you all! HEE!
Asf, kokoko, ochibi-chwanInu.RoxsJulesInTheSea, Banana Pancakes, k1ta.ky0ko, aurora silvas, Crimson AriesDeath By Squishymomiji lover 5727trollyTarkemelhionYumehitoZoomi, LadyLiv, DarkRaviebabii.ang3ls, AMC, InfynitiStarNarutoNineTails, Ragdoll, Non Innocent angel
Reviews, suggestions, random blurt outs or the like are welcome and very much appreciated!
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