Good day to you, amigo! I come with chappie. Yay! Right now I am suffering from a sugar high. Thought I grew out of those. Oh, well! I was reading through le reviews and died from laughter. I'm the shiznit! I don't know whether to take that as a compliment or an insult. Shank you, VampireSiren, KagomeUchiha101, 56183 and Sweden's Husband. I like your your names. Anywhooo...- Look, an arrow. Me being on a sugar high is almost as bad as me on a coffee high. Personally, I hate coffee but when stressed or annoyed or looking for something creamy to drink, I buy a large bottle of ice coffee. I did that before a maths exam and didn't do so well because of my constant fidgety-ness. My mind is filled with sunshine, lollipops and rainbows! Everything that wonderfu, ad beautiful, do do dododo! *continues to sing in a sweetness induced daze*
It is I, Little Red Bear, here to take over since Author Minami is out of it.
Minami: I am NOT out of it. I am merely driving under influence of sugar/sour gummy goodness.
LRB: You don't even have your learner's permit.
Minami: I drove once.
LRB: You reversed and nearly had a heart attack. Now, dear reader, read before she starts ranting on about her plans to own all of her fave manga/anime like Fairytail, Naruto, Kuroshitsuji, and how her plans of world domination using kittens and icecream beats Pein's plans anyday. Read, quickly while you have the chance. I'll hold her oooffffff!
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Miyuki had her head in with work. The tournament starts tomorrow and first up was archery and fencing, just her luck. So she was neck deep in school work, fencing practice, cheer practice and any other form of practice. Sitting at a cafe working on an essay isn't her ideal way to spend her last afternoon before the all out excitement of the tournament, but it had to be done. She finally learned the routine blindfolded and can wield her foil well enough that Suigetsu deemed her a 'master'. Her mind would also refuse to let go of one thing which distracted her immensely; Haku. After Halloween, he gave her the space she asked for. Now she wanted him back but he was too busy with practice and whenever they had brief moments together, Miyuki longed for him more. Her mind kept drifting away, thinking about him. The two of them, together and no one else, sitting in a park. The warm touch of his arms around her waist and his head near her ear, whispering how beautiful she is. Or maybe him giving her butterfly kisses on her neck, feeding her cake, sharing ice creams, going to all her favourite places. Oohh look, an amusement park! That rollercoaster looks scary. Don't worry, my princess. Haku leans in closer and kisses me. I'll never let go of you. Fan girl moment. AAAAHHHH! And breathe. Phew!
"What are you happily dreaming about?" Miyuki snapped back into reality to see Ino sitting in front of her.
"Um... Nothing." She could feel her face heat up and was probably-
"Look how red your face is. Somebody has a cruuuush!" Ino's sing songy voice was back.
So that's how having a crush feels. Ugh!
Ripe her larynx out. RIPE IT!
Whoa mind, whoa. That's illegal.
"I do not. If you must know, I was dreaming about me winning the tournament." Can't let her know about Haku or I will never hear the end of it.
"Seems just like you, competitive and all. You'd give Uchiha a run for his money."
"Speaking of Uchiha, have you seen him? Last time I spoke to him was the day before the Halloween party."
"Well according to Hinata, according to Naruto, Sasuke has spent every waking hour training for the taijutsu sector." Ah, Ino and her connections. "Since he is the favourite and now captain, everyone is relying on him to win."
"C-captain? When did Sasuke become captain?"
"A few weeks ago because Neji broke his hand. Didn't he tell you?"
"No." Miyuki was trying to recall any mention of that. "He didn't." She packed up her things and paid for the hot chocolate and éclairs. "I should go see him. Bye, Ino." She skipped out and went to Sasuke's house.
*Ding Dong*
"Hey, Sempai." Itachi opened the door to find Miyuki under a bright yellow umbrella. "Is Sasuke home?"
"Yeah, he's in the bathroom. You could wait in his room if you want."
"Thank you."
"Are you staying for dinner? I'm cooking fish and chips."
"Does that require much effort?"
"Give me credit, Yuki-kun. At least I'm putting it in the oven myself instead of ordering it."
She laughed. "I'd love to join you." She left her umbrella in the hallway and went upstairs to Sasuke's room. It was as clean and uniform as ever. His bed was freshly made that Miyuki couldn't resist the urge to sit on it. The main colour was blue of all shades. Unlike her room, he wasn't big on gaming, decorating or any mess in general. His desk had all his textbooks neatly stacked and the bookshelf had every novel in alphabetical order by author and there was hardly any manga or stuffed toys. Miyuki spread herself on his bed and hugged his body pillow. It smelt like him, all minty and comforting. She sat up, remembering the countless sleepovers she had here with herself, Sasuke, Itachi and Kimidori-san.
"What are you doing here?" Miyuki looked up and saw Sasuke standing in the door way. She got off his bed and straightened herself.
"Oh, I came to say congratz on becoming captain. So, congratz!"
"Hn." He turned around and went to his cupboard to pull out a sweater.
She noticed straight away. "Sasuke?" He ignored her. "Why are you upset with me?"
"Hn." He could see her come closer from the corner of his eye and touch his arm. He pulled out of her touch and put the jumper on.
"Is it something I said?"
"Why don't you just leave me alone?"Miyuki looked shocked at first, but then laughed rather weakly as if he was joking.
"I'm here to help you relax. You seem much stressed. Why don't we build a fort like we used to and read stories underneath with torches? You love tha-"
"Correction, you love that. I just tagged along because didn't give a shit about other people's opinion."
Her smile was gone and in its place; anger. "I do too. You're the one who didn't care."
"Really, like when?"
"Oh, let's see. Miyuki, make sure you have other snacks because Sasuke doesn't like sweets. We can't go to the park today because Sasuke doesn't want to. We can't do this, we can't do that because Sasuke is being a brat."
"If you were annoyed by me why did you stay?"
"Because you are my friend. We're supposed to stick by each other through everything, tell the truth no matter what."
"Yeah, like you do that."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Don't worry Sasuke, you only matter. I love you. You're the best, Sasuke. So on and so forth, was that all really true?"
"Of course it is."
"So you're not hiding anything?"
"No, never."
"Had fun after the Halloween party?"
"What on earth are you-"
"I saw you with Haruka in the park, okay? So much for being just friends."
"That was a mistake."
"Making out with someone is a mistake now, is it?"
"He wanted to be my boyfriend, if that too much to ask. I said no if you really want to know or maybe I should take that back."
"Just a boyfriend? I can see it in his eyes. Hikaru can't be trusted." Their argument excelled to shouts.
"First of, his name is Haku. Get it right. Second, everyone who asks me out 'can't be trusted'.
"I was right about Kiba."
"Thirdly," she said a little loudly. "At least he cares about me which you clearly aren't showing right now. I thought you were supposed to be my best friend."
"Has it ever wondered to you why I became your friend?" Miyuki's eyes were wide and worried as his voice became angrier and more poisonous. "Out of sympathy. A four year old who just lost her father and is the daughter of my mother's best friend. You put it together."
Miyuki's eyes were filled with tears. Slowly, they ran down her face. "I thought you-"
"You thought wrong. I don't need you. I never did need you and I never will need you." Tears continued to roll down her face. Miyuki hardly cried, only for things that mattered to her. Sasuke watched her as she lifted her hands up to the back of her neck. She undid the locket and waved it dangerously in her hand.
"What's this then? Out of sympathy? Is it a lie as well? Well, guess what? I don't want it!" She threw the locket at him. "And I don't want this!" She ripped off the scarf from her birthday day out. "Or this." The gloves. "OR THIS!" She threw the hat with the cat ears at his feet, practically screaming. "I hate you! I hate you so much! I don't know why I ever put any energy into you."
"What energy, lazy arse?"
"Everything! But all you changed from was an annoying, bratty, selfish, egotistical twit into a selfish, egotistical, shitty, little, snot nosed bastard!" Her eyes were red and her face was glistening from the tears. Her blood was boiling, head was pounding and she couldn't see well from the tears in her eyes. "I never want to see you ever again!" She turned on her heel and stormed out of his room.
"Good! Because I hate you!" Sasuke called out after her.
Miyuki stomped down the stairs. She past Itachi, now sobbing, forgetting about him completely and ran out the door. Confused about what the hell just happened, he went upstairs to confront his brother.
"Sasuke, what did you just do? Miyuki is crying and-"
"Can you just get lost?" His brother muttered, pushing him out of the room and locking the door.
Miyuki walked home in the rain, crying. She always fought with Sasuke but it ended up well. That didn't seem the case this time. She wiped her tears and went to the florist and bought a bouquet of red roses and fragrant lavenders to put on her father's grave. Whenever she was upset, she would visit him.
"Hey, Daddy," she whispered to his grave. "I kinda wish you were here right now. I know what you'd probably say. "That's selfish, princess and to be a good royal, you mustn't be selfish." I have Mum with me and she'd be more suited to help me with this but I love how you'd hold me and tell me a story to take my troubles away." She giggled remembering Hayate's crazy bedtime stories and how cows and cheese could destroy humanity as we know it. "Would you like to know my problem? Simple, King Daddy, boys. I remember telling me not to associate myself with them until I got married because you can't trust them or how troublemaking they are until they were older and more mature. As much as I hate to admit I'm wrong, I was wrong and you were right. When you left, Mum introduced me to Fugaku and Mikoto's son. I told you about all the wonderful things we did together and how he became my brother and bestest friend ever, yeah? Apparently that was all a lie. He hates me because of some stupid boy who likes me and was only my friend out of sympathy. That's not true. It can't be true, can it? I don't know what to do and I really need you here with me to make me forget about this entire gobbledegook as you would say." She paused to take a breath and sniffle. "I should tell mum about this, yeah? Because she is of the female kind, Heh." She pulled out a tissue and wiped her eyes. "Thank you for listening, sire. Your kingdom misses you dearly especially your queen and princess. I love you." She placed the flowers on her father's grave and walked home to her mother's comforting arms and the snuggliness of her room.
"Sasuke, open up!" Itachi was banging on his bedroom door. "What the hell is going on? Talk to me." Sasuke ignored the continuous thumping. He was lying on his bed looking at the ceiling with all of his gifts to Miyuki next to him. They smelt like her, of vanilla and jasmine. She smelt the essence of beauty, warmth, love and tranquility. He balanced her locket in his large hands. He remembered when he gave it to her. Seeing her smile for the first time that day after sheding so many tears made him feel happy. So why did he say all that? Were they all true or an angry spur of the moment? At first he was kind to Miyuki after her mother told him about the loss of her father but meeting her, she didn't need sympathy or kindness. Whether it was she hardly expressed her feelings publicly or something else, Sasuke found himself more comfortable with her than anyone outside of his family. She is, well now was, family. His heart wanted her to be more than just family but he blew his chance now. Was that why he was angry at Miyuki, for liking someone or for her not telling him? Or maybe it wasn't anger, maybe something else. The silver oval swung softly on its chain and Sasuke noticed it was ajar. He opened the locket completely and saw not just her family portrait but another photo. It was the image from the photobooth on her birthday. He traced his finger over himself carrying Miyuki, laughing at her fear/shock. He always found himself laughing in her presence, except today. Why would she keep this close to her heart? Was this a sympathy act or did he enjoy being in her company?
"Sasuke? Do you want to talk?" Itachi's voice replaced the knocks. The young Uchiha rolled over in his bed and pretended to sleep.
"Rule 1: Don't freak out because your opponent is taller, stronger or menacing. Just stay in the zone." Suigetsu was trying to calm Miyuki down, not that she needed it. Plus, it was annoying listening to his tactics while trying to put contacts in her eyes.
"I thought rule 1 was to win. Come to think of it all your 'rules' are number 1," she said, blinking to secure her contacts. She wasn't really up for Suigetsu's pep talk, which wasn't seriously doing her much good. "Why don't I just imagine them as someone I hate and beat the living crap out of them?" She grinned maliciously.
Suigetsu looked at her suspiciously. "If that helps. Just as long as you don't get fouled."
"Sure thing, Cap." She stood up, got her white and red mask and went to get ready for the final. "Good luck with your final."
"Just remember to enjoy yourself."
What? She looked at Suigetsu, eyebrows raised with a sarcastic expression, hoping he'd get the drift.
"I was being like Gai-sensei. 'Unleash the power of youth?' Not working, is it?" She shook her head, chuckling. She walked along seeing other competitors packing up their kits.
I'm in the final, baby! She made it as far as the semi finals because everyone she was paired with was mediocre. Semi finals were more challenging but imagining the opposition as Sasuke helped her thrash them. Now it was the best against the best and Shikamaru's lazy commentating wasn't really helping or motivating nor was Tsunade's threats through the microphone. Miyuki took off her headgear and sat down, cross legged, in a secluded corner of the hallway, relaxing and getting into Suigetsu's 'zone'.
Go into the zone. Go into the zone. Go into the zone. Go into the zone.
"He-ey, Miyuki!" Ino's voice broke her concentration.
"What?" she snapped, out of her zone and at Ino.
"What got shoved up your ass? We came to wish you good luck." Hinata waved happily.
"Hey, Hinata. Congratz on coming second in archery."
"Th-thank you, Miyuki-chan. Good luck with winning."
"How come you're nice to Hinata and not me?"
"You interrupted me in my zone." She waved her arms in a calming and meditating manner.
"Sorry," Ino said sarcastically, imitating Miyuki's had movements. "Go back to your 'zone'." She and Hinata went back to the audience. Okay, breathe and... Go back into the zone. Go back into the zone. Go back into the zone. Go back into the zone.
"What's with the meditation?"
"Will you just let me- Oh, hi Haku." She smiled at the gorgeous dark haired boy in his white and blue fencing uniform.
"How are you doing?"
"Great so far. I can win this; all I need to do is focus." She went on muttering about focus. Zone. Zone. Zone. Zone. Zone. Zone. Zone. Zone. It was actually working. Miyuki found herself calm and cool until...
"What the hell was that for?" She turned to a smug Haku while wiping her cheek. "You don't go around kissing people."
"I am your distraction. It's what I do." he smiled and hugged her closer to him.
"My distraction? For what?"
"Winning your division. I can't let you get focused because you will win for Konoha, so..." He grabbed her and sat her on his lap. "You look sexy without glasses." His voice was no louder than a husky whisper and his warm breath tickle her neck. He knew how to make her melt.
"Sabotage! Stop fraternising with the enemy. We're emenies"
"You sound cute when you mix words up." Pffft, that didn't do anything. Okay, two can play dirty.
"Haku?" He looked down at her and smirked. "Kiss me." Miyuki pouted and gave him a small smile, wiggling her hips in his lap.
"Now you're talking." He leaned in to give her the prize when he felt cold mesh collide with his face. His eyes snapped open and saw her red and white fencing mask in his face. "Oh-ho, you're good."
"Never let your guard down near the enemy. Basic rule of gaming."
"So I can't distract you. Dammit."
"Will the following two contestants make their way to the arena for the fencing final?" Miyuki's head snapped up on hearing her name and she was against the Kiri girl, last year's winner.
"Oh, you are dead. Mina isn't pretty to fence with."
"Bet you I can beat her."
"Even better, if I come first, you give me one favour and if you come first, I'll give you one favour. Deal?"
"Heck yeah, deal. Sui is gonna kick your ass. Get ready to buy me that Thor plushie. He would look great around the other Avengers."
"Don't count on it." She stuck out her tongue and vanished up the stairs, muttering 'Thor is mine'.
Haku was right; Mina wasn't pretty to fence with. Miyuki had to put all her concentration on the tall, agile girl in front of her and the crowds crazy cheering was making her head spin as she tried hard to ignore them.
What did Sui say? Zone, zone, zone-y, zone. Be the foil. Be the foil. Relax, breathe, out, in. No, in, out. Wait, does it really matter? Dammit, focus Miyuki.
She spent most of her time blocking Mina's artillery of jabs, that she had hardly enough time be offensive. If it continued like this, the game would go on forever. As hard as she tried, Miyuki was unable to land a hit on Mina. She was more focused, skilled, faster and generally better. It was like she trained for years while Miyuki only put her theory in practice for the past six month. She analysed every bit of Mina's movements and this girl never let herself open long enough for her to get hit.
At this rate, I'll never wi- Oh, my god! There it is.
When Mina aimed for Miyuki's right, she had left her whole torso unprotected.
It's now or never.
Miyuki stepped forward and lunged for the unprotected side. Mina saw what was coming and reacted in a way no fencer ever should react. She used her free hand to block the attack. The referee blew his whistle.
"Use of non-sword arm. Yellow card." He held up the card and everyone knew what that meant. "Winner of the female fencing division, by default; Miyuki Nakamura for Konoha High."
I won? Holy mother of Prussia, I WON! Ah-ha-ha! Miyuki couldn't believe she won. By default but still a win. She shook Mina's outstretched hand while her mind was partying like a freak.
"Well, Konaha wins that one." Shikamaru's lazy voice drawled into the microphone.
"Told you I'd win, Mei! Now, fork up!" Tsunade stole the microphone and demanded her gambling share from Kiri's headmistress.
"See, Sui? Told you not to worry." Miyuki was being extremely smug towards her captain as he had been pestering her about her skills. She sat on the bench, swinging her legs, as he got ready for his final match against Haku.
"Yeah, yeah. You were right, okay? Now stop bragging."
"Now all you have to do is win and Konoha takes the title for fencing. Woo hoo!"
"Why don't you go tell someone else?" Suigetsu was getting seriously annoyed.
"Okay!" She hopped off the bench and skipped out of the change rooms. I won. I won. I won. She met Hinata and Ino as they came towards her.
"I won."
"We know. Never would have thought."
"Congratulations, Miyuki-chan."
"Thank you, Hinata. At least you show appreciation." She glared at Ino as she hugged the Hyuuga.
"Hey, I'm happy for you. Well done."
"Your mother was looking for you, Miyuki-chan."
"Ma muzzer? She was 'ere? No way! Where is she now?" She had a fake French accent.
"Not sure, I think she may have left, but she said she is very proud of you."
"Sacre bleu! I'm gonna find 'er." She ran along to find her 'muzzer'. La de da dedo. La de da dedo.
"Oh, hello loser to be. Prepare to buy me Thor, darling" Miyuki's smugness reached an all time high when she saw Haku.
"Don't count on it because I will win."
"Wait, what happens if we both win?"
"No prize, I suppose."
"Hmm... You are so gonna lose." She smiled psychotically and went along her way, while Haku went up to his final match. La de da dedo. La de da dedo. La de da de- "Ohh, hey Sempai. Who has two thumbs and a shiny trophy with her name on it?"
Itachi smirked and raised his eyebrows. "Is this a trick question?"
"Uh, this gal."
"I didn't come here to find out something I already knew, but congratulations anyway. I was wondering, to celebrate, would you and Yumi like to go out to dinner with myself and Sasuke?" Upon hearing the name of Mortal Enemy No. 1, Miyuki's mind went overdrive. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No.
"Uh, no. I can't, I have to practise for Friday."
"You could spare some time."
"Actually, I can't. I have to know the stupid routine off by heart, like the back of my hand because I'll be doing it blindfolded. Sorry." She tried really hard to look bad and walked away.
"Miyuki?" Her movements were stopped when Itachi grabbed her wrist. "What the hell is going on between you and Sasuke?"
"Nothing, we just need... Um... You know some space. That's all." Her voice questioned what she was saying, not strengthening her case what so ever.
"You're not some old couple married for ten years. Sasuke won't come out of his room and talk to me. It's like he's a ghost or something."
"Good, the bastard shouldn't even exist. Second child's always a mistake," she mumbled angrily.
"Miyuki..." Itachi's voice was threatening and the grip on her wrist wasn't loosening. "Tell me."
"But-" He isn't going to take no for an answer. Stupid, pestering Uchiha. "Fine," she grumbled, sat down and told him what happened.
"And if that stupid, emo bastard would even comprehend me forgiving him, I will snap his neck."
"From where I see it, Sasuke is trying to protect you."
"How is breaking my heart and making me feel worthless protecting me?"
"He wants what's best for you, what makes you happy."
"Even if it hurts me and snaps me in two?" Miyuki interrupted, her voice shaking.
"Let me finish, he wants you to be happy even if it means you'll hate him and not need him."
"But I do need him. I don't know how I'd be without him. Sasuke is the one who doesn't want me, and I am not going to be some inconvenience."
"Miyuki, he cares about you, trust me. Sasuke has a tendency to watch over people he cares about. He looked away once and lost them forever. He doesn't want that to happen to you."
Itachi was referring to the sudden death of Mikoto and Fugaku. The amount of pressure placed on the both of them, from the company, media and family, was too great and Miyuki wished she was there for them.
"He keeps blaming himself. It was the one afternoon they were free at the same time and wanted to pick him up from school. Sasuke said no because he and Naruto made plans for some assignment. My parents planned to meet him home but it never happened." This was the first full recount of their deaths she heard. Most of the time she tried to pick up the pieces from what she heard from Hinata, her mother, and Sasuke. "He didn't cry once at the funeral. I couldn't tell whether he wanted to or not but he was dead silent. He stayed home from school for a week, but never left his room. Sometimes I, usually, hear him crying or in complete silence. He didn't tell me any of this until months later when I badgered him to open up. Miyuki, you have to be patient with Sasuke. I know it's hard and I know you aren't exactly the Queen in patience but bear with him. He isn't an emotional package."
No, he wasn't the best went it came to dealing with feelings but he did know how to love and care unintentionally. She realised he was exactly like her when she lost her father and maybe they both needed to open up. She did to him, so now it was his turn.
"He may not show it, but he loves you more than anyone else, even me. You mean everything to him. Miyuki, please forgive Sasuke." She felt sorry for Itachi the most, having to pick up the pieces of two angsty, hormone ridden teenagers. But-
"Not yet, Sempai. I promise to forgive him, if the bastard is willing to take back what he said and apologise."
"You're both as stubborn as each other." Itachi face palmed.
"And the winner... Suigetsu Hozuki for Konoha High." Shikamaru lazily announced followed by the roars of the crowd.
"Oh dear, looks like we missed the match."
"Thor is mine! Yay!"
"What?"
"Let's just say I won a title and a bet." She grinned at Itachi's clueless face and went to be smug at a certain bet loser.
By the great words of Sir Isaac Newton (or was it Albert Einstein), "What goes up, must come down". My sugar high was up, very up and now it is so down I bet the dinosaurs in the centre of the earth can see it and are probably rawring about how weird this unidentified object is and can they trust it. My mind is too sore that the little men with pick axes, hacking at my brain, are working in overdrive. So I leave you with this wise lesson I learnt the hard way. Never answer the phone when you have lost your voice. It is worse than calling a mime.
Au revoir, minions.
Minami-notsohigh-chan.
P. S. Cannot be bothered to tell you to review.
