Chapter 25

At last Sasori decided, against his better judgment, to end his relationship with Jacarra. He sighed and walked slowly towards their usual meeting place.

"…Looks like I have to leave the rest up to you, Kei…"

"Sasori! Good morning!" she smiled, hugging him. "I missed you."

"L-let go…"

"Is something wrong? Your voice is shaking…"

"I'm….Sorry…"

"What for?"

"We have to break up."

"Why?" Her desperate words only saddened him more.

"I can't really explain it now…"

"Is it the rumors? You know they aren't true."

"It's not so much the rumors…" he began, linking gazes with her, "You know that I'd never want to hurt you, right?"

"I know…"

"And I'd do anything to protect you, no matter how hard…Right?"

"What are you getting at?"

"…Well, this is just a way of protecting you. I realize what I'm about to ask may be kind of thoughtless now but…Please trust me."

Jacarra bit her lip, silently allowing tears to drip from her cheeks. Cold stares fixed on the two of them, feeding greedily on the sight of a fresh breakup.

"You…" she chocked on her words, "You heartbreaker…"

"Jacarra…"

"Don't…Don't you dare call my name again."

"I'm sorry."

She pushed him away and dashed back to her office.

"Serves her right."
"I can't believe she cheated on him."

Sasori just stood there, his heart wrenching in agony. Why did he have to give in to Itachi like that? He only wanted to hurt her.

"Hey, Miyuki." Jacarra greeted her friend, the student council treasurer.

"What about me?" Satoru asked, turning to her. (Satoru is Miyuki's twin brother. His hair and eye color are a slightly darker blue than hers.)

"You're not important." Kei replied, calmly. (Kei is their older half brother. His hair and eyes are black. Also, he and Satoru are kind of like rivals.)

"What?" He narrowed his eyes.

Jacarra, amid the din of their dispute, allowed her forehead to rest on her desk. She stared aimlessly at the designs in the wood. Then all of a sudden, she lifted her head and declared:

"Sasori and I have apparently parted ways…"

Kei and Satoru immediately shifted to face her. Miyuki dropped her clipboard.

"Are you serious?" they chorused.

She nodded.

Kei stood quickly. "I'm going to find him. Satoru, Miyuki…No one gets in here and no one leaves. Understood?"

"Yes, sir!" Miyuki replied, playfully.

"Sasori!" Kei stormed over to him. "I only let you have her because you promised not to hurt her."

"I did what I thought was best."

"Best?"

"Let me explain. Itachi started some rumors about her. Then…"

"Itachi?" A shocked look crossed Kei's face.

"Yeah. He promised they would get worse if I didn't break up with her."

"How much worse?"

"He was going to make it seem like you were 'intimate' with her."

"…"

"And I knew that would definitely hurt her. Both her pride and her leadership…And besides, she deserves better doesn't she?"

"What the hell…She loves you." Kei pointed out.

"But I can't protect her anymore. The only reason Itachi aimed for me was because he knows he can't get past you. It's up to you to keep her safe now…I'm counting on you, Kei."

He stared down for a moment, "What if I can't?"

"You will. Trust me. And while you're at it, confess to her."

"Con…What?"

"You like her, don't you? Let her know before someone steals her away again." He strolled away.

Kei stood in silence. Did he really like Jacarra to the point where he loved her, or was that all in his head?

Author's note:

Sorry this chapter is so short. I've run out of ideas lately but next chapter will be right back to Inita.

This time a series (kinda..) of chapters, featuring the mysterious Kazai and his quest to discover more about her by questioning her personally. What kind of person is he? And who in the world is Kari Matsuki? Could she really be related to Inita?

...I haven't decided yet. Have fun reading! 3