Hello! I'm baaaaack. My exams are over and I have two weeks of cold winter holidays. I think I did well... More like hoping. Who cares? It's over. Yay! Gonna live in my pyjamas, making s'mores once I find the lighter... Here is chapter 29 offically.


"Where the hell am I supposed to find a toy of Thor?" Haku complained as he walked in the cold with Miyuki from Konoha's mall. "There were all sorts of Avengers crap but no toys."

"Thor plushie," she corrected him. "I don't know and I don't care. You owe me and I want Thor." She smiled in the most sly and evil way ever that Haku ever regretted making a bet with her.

"You don't have to be so smug about it. You're supposed to be sixteen, why do you want a toy?" he complained as he put his hands in the pocket of his jacket.

"Plushie. You're the genius who made a bet with me and I get what I want. For the record, I never lost a bet to anyone except-" Sasuke... No, must think about thinking about the bastard. Never! "Haven't you heard of online shopping, Haku?"

"Haven't you heard of asking for a normal prize like me treating you or buying you cake?"

"If I wanted something like that, I would demand you buy me a gourmet cupcake and deliver it to me at an allocated time for every day you have left in Konoha."

"You are unbelievable."

"Nu-uh, unbelievably awesome." She ran ahead to the park and sat on the swing, swaying softly. Haku sat on the swing adjacent to her. "I bet I can swing higher than you."

"No, no more bets. I don't want to end up getting you something farfetched like-"

"Captain America? God, he's sexy. And I choose the actor over a plush any day."

"He's also from the forties where women where the equivalent to domestic slaves." She perked up her brow. "Just saying."

"Cap is too much of a gentlemen to be sexist. And too gorgeous."

"I don't get how you can fan girl over him."

"You, my friend, obviously haven't been in love."

"That's love?"

"It's true love. I could never have my heart broken because I can shape my lover to however I want him to be."

"And you might end up in a mental institute."

"That's what you say." She jumped off the swing and gestured to Haku to go home. They walked along the path filled with crunchy autumn leaves. Haku smiled to himself as he watched Miyuki go out her way to step on super dry crunchy leaves.

"Why do you do that for?" he asked.

"Do what?" She went back by his side.

"Step on the leaves."

"Because it's fun how the crunch under my foot."

"That's why?"

She gave him a look of disbelief. "Man, I'd hate to get old. You coffin dodgers have no life."

"I'm only a year and a half older than you."

"You forgot that you are also a graduate."

"I'm graduating."

Miyuki ignored him and began to list things about being 18. "You can smoke, drink, vote, go to night clubs, pubs, paint balling, get full adult wage, tax, online shopping, have your full license, be in a contract, be part of a jury; that seems exciting-"

"Those aren't the highlights of turning 18."

She ignored him again, "While you're living the life, I am a Limbonian. Not yet an adult, but not a minor anymore. All I can do is drop out, get a part time job, get licences, get married, legally allowed to have sex- I can't believe there is a law on that-, move out of my house and live on my own."

"Please stop talking," Haku grumbled as a headache was beginning to form from the endless chatter.

"Don't you like the sound of my voice?"

"It's not that. It's because your voice is so beautiful that I am too lowly to listen to it."

"Oh, Haku. That is the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me." She rolled her eyes. "It's pointless using sarcasm on the Supreme Ruler/Queen of Sarcastic Land."

"I apologise, your majesty." She wished he said that and bowed. It was something that Sasuke would do, making her laugh and then he'd pick her up and run until she threatened to stuff up his hair.

"Haaaakuuuuu!"

"Yeah?"

"I changed my mind."

"On what?"

"I don't want Thor anymore."

"She is going all out," he muttered under his breath.

"Can you get me a box of cupcakes, instead? Any flavour of your choice."

"Are you feeling alright?"

She gave him a quizzical expression. "Yeah, fine. Why?"

"You asked for something normal. Usually you take advantage of favours."

"I feel like cupcakes. That's all." She skipped on ahead. "Well, must dash. It's my turn to cook dinner and I have a fantabby Russian dish to try out."

"Stroganoff?"

"Mm hm! Bye, now." She waved to Haku and jogged her way home. Sasuke would have gotten her Thor, regardless of how difficult it was (after non-stop complaints).

I can't turn Haku into him so it would be best for me to forget out He Who Must Not Be Named and be happy with what I have. She smiled sadly to herself and unlocked her front door. Face it, Miyuki. Sasuke's not coming back.


"Sasuke! Get up, you have school." Don't wanna, was the first thing that crossed the younger Uchiha's mind. He was too tired and generally not bothered. Sasuke slid further down the blanket before having it yanked completely off him.

"Get up. School, now."

"Cold, bright." Itachi's face slowly got into focus. He tried to pull his blanket back over his head but he couldn't find it.

"Sasuke, I have taken this hostage until you get out of bed and go to school. You haven't left your room for ages." Itachi's concern was completely ignored as the angsty teen grabbed his uniform and locked himself in his bathroom.

"Fine."


Miyuki sat in Chemistry and doodled little mad scientist stick figures in her notebook, when she should have been taking notes. There wasn't going to be any exams because of the tournament, so what was the point? Most of her classes were a bore because she was alone. More specifically, she shared them with Sasuke. It wasn't the problem of being on her own, that was relaxing to her part. It was more of the fact that she couldn't talk to him or laugh at funny pictures in text books going 'That's you'. All that was gone and in its place was an eerie silence. She sighed and saw the Uchiha surrounded by fan girls and first in line; Cake face. The regular classes were back as there were some technical difficulties with the tournament so next week, the remainders, included martial arts and cheer team, were to be held.

Eugh, stupid cheer crap. How did I get myself in that? Oh, yeah, contract. Curse you, Ino! Curse you to the most horrible unfashionable place ever! Ino got her to change the whole costume design into gothic Lolita or something. To Miyuki it didn't look like Lolita but more of the emo variety. At least they were done. The bell rung and Miyuki escaped the class as fast as she could. She bumped into someone in front of the doorway.

Who on earth stands in doorways? "Um... Sorr-"

The doorway blocker turned around. It was Little Miss Slutty Cake Face.

"Watch it, whore," she smiled in a way that her face may have cracked. Miyuki rolled her eyes and pushed past. Filthy, little hypocrite.

"Did Sasuke dump you? Must hurt, when you've been throwing yourself at him this entire time." The urge of saying something so cruel and sarcastic that she would, no doubt, end up in tears was too great but Miyuki didn't want any involvement.

"I think it was all an act, him being nice to you. From where I see it you wanted him and he wanted fun."

Think happy thoughts. Think happy thoughts. Think happy thoughts.

Here's a happy thought; RIP HER EFFING THROAT OUT!

I second that, but this is school and we must be civilised.

Is she civilised?

Good point but still no.

Miyuki was doing a pretty good job in ignoring her and she was nearly free, but Cake Face wasn't stopping. "I bet all he wanted was to get into your pants."

He's only been kissed twice and now he wants sex?

"That's what guys want and a nice little virgin like you would have been fun to knock up but you were too scared and immature. Face it, if you can't fulfil his desires your just one of his old toys."

That was the last straw. All that self control she had built up was washed away in a second. She turned around and prodded Cake Face in the chest, angry vibes going haywire.

"Don't come to me with your shitty little lies about Sasuke because I don't give a damn. I don't care about what he does every day, what he eats or his sex life. I am nothing like you. I don't need to go crazy stalking people to survive. I may not have had sex because unlike you, I actually want to do that with someone who loves me and not for the sake of being popular. Sorry, but getting an STI won't make you popular but will put you in hospital. I have what they call a life and you should seriously invest in one, they're such wonderful things." She turned around and made her way to Maths class, away from Cake Face.

"Oh, now I get it. You're the desperate one. You wanted him in you so bad that when he rejected you, you became this bitter batch. You're just some slutty little btchy hoe who isn't satisfied until she gets what she wants."

Oh, no she didn't.

Oh, yes she did. Can we kill her now?

Miyuki couldn't take it anymore. She clenched her fist so tight that her nails were digging into her hands. She stormed up to Cake Face and punched her in the cakey make up face. She fell onto the floor, cupping the side of her face.

"YOU BTCH! You broke my jaw." There wasn't any blood and the worse was that it may bruise. Miyuki bent down until their faces were only centimetres away.

"Say one more word and I will break it or worse." Her voice was harder than stone and colder than ice. She turned on her heel and went to Maths class. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Sasuke, gobsmacked.

See, I don't need you to fight my battles.


Sasuke couldn't believe what he saw. Wow... He never expected quiet, shy, strangerphobic Miyuki to flip out and punch someone. Well that girl had it coming. Speak of the devil...

"Sasuke-kun, could you take me to the infirmary?" She battered her eyelids and squished herself closer to him. She recovered pretty quickly.

"Your legs seem to be working fine so you don't need me." He turned around and went to his English class.


Miyuki sat next to Ino in double Maths class. Ino was excited about their costumes and how everything was going according to plan but Miyuki couldn't share the same excitement. She found more fun in sitting in the dark than this. But what's done is done. I just can't wait for it to be over. Iruka continued to drone on about something that would obviously be no help in later life.

He's actually starting to sound like the adults in Charlie Brown. Wowowowowo. Heh, Snoopy's a funny beagle.

As she began to relive her childhood, the most overwhelming thing happened. Iruka stopped talking. Some random student (first year by the looks) came in and mumbled something to the maths teacher. He looked up and scanned the classroom.

"Ms Nakamura." He gestured with his head that she'd have to follow the girl.

"Lucky bastard," Ino mumbled. Miyuki smiled, packed her things and followed the timid first year.

"So what's up?"

"Tsunade-sama wants you." Tsunade-sama? Freshman are absolutely adorable.

"What for?"

"I'm not sure, sempai." Ah! Imma sempai! They arrived at the headmistriss office and the girl left Miyuki on her own.

"Sit down, Miyuki." Tsunade was sitting at her desk with her hands clasped under her chin. Miyuki did as she was told, confused by the seriousness of the headmistress.

"Do you know why you are here?" Miyuki thought hard and shrugged her shoulders.

"When Rinmei came in here crying about being punched in the face, I expected to pull in Ino or Sakura. Violent girls. What surprised me is when she said your name. You know the rules, Miyuki. Do you have anything to say?"

"Yeah, one thing. What did she say to you?"

"She said she was speaking to you after class and you flipped out and punched her in the face."

"So she didn't mention the part about pestering me, insulting me and I quote 'slutty little btchy hoe who isn't satisfied until she gets what she wants'. That girl needs to be contained for the sake of humanity."

"I can't do that." Tsunade stood up. "I knew you wouldn't act so rash unless in reason but rules are rules and I can't let you get off easily or it may start a reign of mad delinquency. Normally this would cause for a suspension but since your record is clean, I need to think of something else. So a suitable punishment would be... Ah, I hereby ban you from the tournament. You may leave."

"Um..." She got up and went towards the door.

"Oh, yes, one more thing. Excellent work in winning your match, you made me as a principal very proud."

"Yeah, I heard." She slipped out the door before Tsunade registered what she muttered.

Stupid Cakeface. Stupid Tsunade. Stupid rule system. She walked down the halls angrily muttering to herself. All that effort, time, energy and life gone for something she wasn't going to be in. Sure she complained non-stop but it was finally coming together.

Who wouldn't want to dance to a song called 'Invaders Must Die'? It's not the worst punishment and I should have seen something coming... Cakeface is gonna get it.

School had an hour to go so the best thing to do was avoid Gym class. Miyuki snuck past teachers and students to go up onto the roof. She sat against the wall and relaxed herself as she enjoyed the view of Konoha. To think that a boring old high school had a view like this that only few could cherish. She looked around, taking in her crisp surroundings as a memory came to her. Where she was sitting was where Sasuke comforted her and listened to her problems selflessly. She placed her hand at the base of her neck to play with the locket he gave her but she couldn't find it. Oh, I threw it at him. She remembered what he said that day.

You're Yin and I'm Yang. Two opposites that belong together. Don't worry, Kitty Kat, I'll always be with you.

She believed his words but now she found herself wishing them to be true. Sasuke was her comfort through hard times and with him gone, Miyuki found herself shutting away from the world.

Maybe you should go talk to him.

Yeah, and be humiliated. He thinks I'm a waste of space; I don't want him to know I am.

Fine, I'll watch all this as it slowly destroys you.

The final bell rang and Miyuki escaped out of school as fast as she could and slipped quietly into her garage.

"Hello, baby. I missed you." She dumped her satchel on the floor and hugged her birthday motorbike. "You're the only one who understands me even if you are a load of mechanics. I love you, ne? And I never want you to change."

"You know talking to inanimate objects is one of the many signs of madness?" Haku was standing in her garage doorway holding a box.

"Sneaking into people's houses would make you look like a felon. What's the box for?"

"Your cupcakes." He passed the pink patisserie box to Miyuki who stared at the goods in excitement.

"Nice. Wait, were these illegally bought?" She raised her eyebrow and got up. Haku laughed and shook his head. "You wanna go somewhere?" He followed her inside as she took the cupcakes to the kitchen.

"Well you see my schedule is pretty tight, but I might be able to squeeze you in."

"How generous. Let's go." Miyuki grabbed the front of his jacket and dragged him out.

"You might want to change out of your uniform."

She looked down at herself. "That's what I forgot." She ran up the stairs to get changed.


Itachi believed Sasuke required fresh air after being a Moaning Myrtle for the past... Foreverness. So best Big Brother solution: drag Baby Brother around to places he would never be bothered to go. In other words, annoy him so much that he goes back to his old sadistic ways and not this new fangled depression crap.

I'm getting to old for this, he thought as he pushed his brother into a music store.

"Do you want a new instrument, Sasuke?"

"Hn."

"This looks nice." Itachi picked up a bass guitar and started plucking at it.

"We already have one." Sasuke turned away looking bored.

"Look, an electric cello. This would revolutionise bands."

"Hn."

"I have to go to Yuki for the winter collection photo shoot. It's during your holidays, wanna come? You could bring Naruto."

"Hn."

"What's wrong now?" Itachi put down the cello and went to his brother.

"I want to go home."

"That's not an option."

"I'm hungry."

"Fine, let's go to that tea hut." They left the store and went down a level to Itachi's favourite tea hut in the food court. Sasuke walked in but tried to immediately walk out.

"Where are you going?"

"I don't feel like tea anymore."

"I do, so we stay." Itachi wondered what on earth his brother was so fidgety about as he went up to the counter to order some tea.

"Hey, sempai!" An unexpected, happy voice exclaimed.

"Miyuki, you shouldn't give people heart attacks." So this is the reason for Sasuke's behaviour. "Who's the friend?" he asked gesturing to Haku.

"This is a foreigner, German I think. He doesn't know any English and apparently needs money." Miyuki decided to have some fun with the situation.

"Okay." Haku the 'foreigner' smiled like a lost cause as Itachi eyed the pair.

"I found out his name is ... Ludwig Amadeus and something about a wallet."

"Ludwig Amadeus? You really attract the wrong crowd." He turned to 'Ludwig' and spoke really slowly and loudly. "Where do you come from?"

Haku looked at him cluelessly and then acted excited, pretending he understood. "Wunderbar! Bayern Munich. Guten avehay oneymay?"

"That's pig Latin. Nice try, kids but I was on to you the moment his name was 'Ludwig Amadeus'. Bayern Munich is a football club and not a place. He doesn't even look foreign, let alone German."

"Balderdash, Haku. We've been spotted."

"You're the one who picked Germany," muttered previously Ludwig, now Haku.

"Would you and Ludwig or whatever like to join us for tea?" Itachi offered politely.

Miyuki, wondering who he meant by 'us', looked around and spotted Sasuke. "Nah, I need to take this tourist home and I have to go to Ino's later." She rushed out of the hut dragging Haku along. Itachi sighed and took his tea and dango and sat next to Sasuke who was playing Angry Birds on his phone.

"Isn't Angry Birds Miyuki's favourite game?"

"She prefers Angry Birds: Seasons out of them all because of the change in scenery. Her favourites are St Patrick's Day and Halloween," he muttered without much thought. It took a few seconds for Sasuke to realise what he said and when he did, Itachi was smirking like he was on a high. "Or something," he added meekly.

"Yeah, sure thing. While on the topic of Miyuki, I saw her while ordering. That's why you didn't want to come."

"No." He turned around to see if she was still there, then went back to his game.

"You can't avoid her forever. It's best to solve it now."

"And what do you propose I say to her?" Sasuke locked his phone and turned to his brother.

"Mmm... I don't know, say sorry. She's your friend."

"Well, I don't want that anymore." He stood up and stormed out.

He doesn't want her as a friend? What's up with tha- Holy shit! HE LIKES HER! He wants to go out with Miyuki. Sasuke likes Miyuki..? Hmm... That makes sense. He thought best to finish his tea and confront him later.


"Haku?"

"Yeah?"

"Where do you live?"

"A bunch of friends and I are renting an apartment."

"Really? That makes sense. Now go home."

"Why?"

"Because I'm meeting up with Ino and you don't really fit into the picture."

"How?"

"She's crushing on you," Miyuki muttered.

"So?"

"So, I don't want her hurt. You know, because you like someone else."

"Who?" Haku smirked, having the time of his life.

Miyuki stared at her feet the whole time. This is going to be hard. "This girl with violet eyes and glasses who you always called a little nerd. She likes you back and wants to see if you'd like to go out."

"Miyuki, I'm only here for one more week. That isn't enough time."

"I know, Haku," she sighed, still fascinated with her boring Ugg Boots. "I just wanted to tell you." She felt him pull her closer to hold her.

"Thank you, Miyuki." Haku bent down and kissed her. The kiss now was better than before. Instead of playful and fun, it was passionate and kind. He stopped and held her close. "Hey, Miyuki-"

"Nah, nah. You forgot something." She placed a hand on the side of his face and pulled him down to kiss again. She felt him smirk underneath her lips as she kissed him. She let go of his face and held onto his neck, playing with his dark hair. Haku became dominant and took over, his hands sliding down her arms until they met with her small hands. She wished that it could last but he pulled away. He held her hands and just stared into her eyes.

"You are always late for important things, aren't you?" he smiled and stroked her hair.

"Heh." She laughed weakly and squeezed his hand.

"I'll see you later. Maybe we could do something before I go." He bent down and kissed her forehead.

"I'd like that." She smiled and went to the Yamanaka flower shop.

"Hello, Ino."

"Hi, Miyuki. What are you up to?" Ino was arranging a flower display.

"Oh, nothing. I was wondering why your parents own a flower store."

"It's one of my mother's many hobbies."

"Oh, nice." Miyuki hopped onto the counter and watched Ino organise the flora.

"Why are you watching me like I have something weird on my face? Oh my god, you did something. Please don't let it involve me."

"You are being to rash. It's nothing."

"What did you do?"

"I may or may not have gotten myself banned from the rest of the tournament."

"You what?" Ino stared at Miyuki in raging anger. "Wait, is there more?"

"Hence I can't perform in your dance routine." Miyuki covered her head with her arms. "Please don't hurt me."

"Why did you do this?" Ino was now more annoyed than angry.

"Well you see... I accidently on purpose punched this girl for insulting the crap out of me."

"What did she say?"

"That I'm a slutty little btchy hoe who isn't satisfied until she gets what she wants."

"That bastard deserves it. Problem is if you can't do it, what are we supposed to do?"

"You don't need me. I think you'll look good with just the four of you."

"'Good' isn't good enough. Now I have to sort this out. God, Miyuki are you the world's number one stuffer uperer?"

"It's not my fault and I am as bummed as you are."

"Wait, one more question; why are you upset?"

"I wanted to look like an emo and dance to 'Invaders Must Die'. It was a much better choice than that 'Lolly, lolly. Oh, lollipop.' song."

"Seriously, that's it?"

"Yeah, so?" Miyuki felt Ino pushing her out the door.

"Now you run along home and leave me alone so I could fix up your mess. Go bug Sasuke or read a book or something." Upon the mentioning of Sasuke's name, Miyuki felt her heart ache.

Sasuke... Why are we doing this?


"Okay, Haku. I'm ready but not too hard. It'll hurts."

"Fine. Get ready, it's coming."

"Gaah! You hit my eye." Miyuki picked up the Skittle that hit her eye. Haku was over at her house and sitting on opposite ends of the couch. Since she was banned from the tournament, he offered to keep her company on his last day in Konoha. They were trying to see if they could throw Skittles into each other's mouths.

"Okay, my turn." Haku opened his mouth and Miyuki aimed carefully. "Ready, set, GO!" The red Skittle flew in the air, building the anticipation... "Yay! I got it in." Haku ate the lolly and crawled towards her.

"Now that you won, you deserve a prize." He bent down and kissed her. She giggled into the kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck. When they broke apart, Miyuki asked a question.

"Haku?"

"Hmm..." He responded while kissing her neck.

"What are you doing to do after you graduate?"

"I was thinking architecture." He placed his head on Miyuki's chest as she ran her fingers through his hair.

"Oooh, classy. You could build me a pretty house."

"Heh, yeah but it'll cost you. I was also thinking to take a year break between school and university and travel or something. What do you think?"

"Going ronnin, sounds fun! Take me with you."

"You'll be in your last year of school. I can't take you." He lifted his head up and kissed her, as if to apologies, but the phone interrupted.

"Ignore it," she breathed but Haku thought otherwise.

"It could be important." He picked up the phone and tossed it to Miyuki.

"This better be important because you interrupted me in the middle of something."

"If this was another one of your Lego marathons, I'm glad I called," Ino's voice answered.

"What do you want?"

"'Hey, Ino. How are you?' 'I'm great, thanks for asking.' That's how normal friends talk."

"Thank you for that enlightening bit of etiquette, Miss Yamanaka."

"Anyway, the reason that I called was to tell you, we won!"

"See, I told you so."

"And you could not believe how many guys asked me for my number after woods." And that's the Ino I know.

"Just hope they're not gay."

"What?"

"You know, Call Me Maybe."

"That guy wasn't even hot, covered in tattoos and all."

"I know." Miyuki heard Haku mouth that he had to leave. "Ino could you hold a minute."

"Actually, I have to go soon. Sakura came second for Taijustu and, surprise, surprise, Sasuke Uchiha came first. Naruto's furious because he came second."

"Yeah, that's excellent. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, we have to plan our plans for this winter break. See ya later."

"Yeah, bye." She put the phone down and turned to Haku. "Where are you going?"

"Tournament's over, meaning I need to go back to Kiri." He bent down and kissed her.

"So that's it? Only a week?"

"Looks like it." He stroked her cheek and kissed her forehead. "If it helps, I had tons of fun."

"Can we still be friends? Since long distance relationships never work."

"Of course." He smiled and left.


So this arc is over and next one is all about wintery goodness. I kinda wished it snowed here. Curse you, sunny Australia. It gets soo cold that you think you might lose your toes but no snow. Apparently it isn't normal for a person to stop and pet a cat in the middle of the street. I was buying Pocky befor school and I say the most prettyful cat ever. I coaxed it with my Pocky and started to scratch it's ears and stuff. When I told me best matey, who is also a cat lurver, she said that isn't normal. So I was all like but Sebastian does it and she said, "I rest my case." So that gets me wondering, is Sebastian, the demon butler from Victorian time, normal? He so is.

Well, I'll see y'all later.

Au Revoir,

Minami.