He stared at me, his eyes wide, "What?"

I took a step back, "Nothing. I said nothing."

He glared, frustrated with me, "Seiray, don't."

I took another step, causing Sasuke to get out bed. He stumbled, falling to his knees, he's still weak.

I ran to his side, "Sasuke, get back into bed. Please."

He pushed me away, "Stop. I'm fine."

I tried get closer and he pushed me away again, this time, making me slide against the wall.

To be honest, it's breaking my heart.

I crawled back over to him, he tried to push me again but I grabbed his hand. I crawled on to his lap, straddling his hips, "Don't push me away." I whispered as I wrapped my arms around his neck, hugging him.

"You're pushing me away."

I hugged him tighter, "I'm not."

I pulled away from him, running my fingers through his hair, I looked into his onyx eyes. He looked confused. I felt terrible. I didn't know what else to do, I pressed my lips to his.

I felt his arms wrap around me as he kissed me back, no hesitation.

His lips are soft; he still tastes like tea.

I felt his fingers tangle in my wet hair and his arm tighten around my waist.

My heart is pounding.

The kiss is deep. I can feel him wanting me, almost as much as I want him.

We moved in sync with each other. My body pressed against his perfectly. His arms were strong around me.

When I finally pulled away, we were both out of breath. He looked into my eyes, like he was searching for something.

"I love you." He breathed out, surprising me.

He kissed me again, softly this time, "You look good in my clothes by the way."

I couldn't help but smile.

Sasuke hugged me tightly, "Thank you." He whispered, "For being there."

I know he's talking about the sealing.

I nodded but didn't say anything. I knew I didn't need to.

"Now," He spoke, "are you going to tell me what that earlier comment was about?"

"You just don't let things go, do you?"

"Tell me." He insisted.

I sighed and tried to pull away from him but he held on to me, tightly. I wasn't going anywhere.

"I saw you and Sakura in the forest."

He only looked confused.

"The way she hugged you. Supported you. It bugged me and I don't know why. But I do know, jealousy doesn't look good on me."

Sasuke rolled his eyes, "Really, Seiray? I'd think you'd trust me."

"I do." I said, immediately regretting telling him, "I know you wouldn't do anything like that. But it got to me and trust me, I'm ashamed."

He shook his head, "Whatever, let's just forget it."

I nodded, agreeing.

We sat there for a while longer, embracing one another, before he decided to get up and shower.

While he showered, there was a knocked. I debated whether I should answer when I heard, "It's Kakashi."

I opened the door, allowing him in, "Hey, Sasuke is showering."

Kakashi nodded, "Alright, I wanted to see how he was, the preliminary rounds are over."

I shrugged, "He's okay, weak, but okay. What were the results?"

"Naruto advances, Sakura doesn't."

I frowned, "Who did she fight?"

"Ino," He sighed, "They tied."

"Figures."

He nodded, "Anyway, tell Sasuke I want to speak with him tomorrow. Tell him to meet me in the training grounds before dawn."

I nodded, "Sure."

Kakashi waved before he began to walk away. He stopped at the door, "Oh, and Seiray, don't mention Orochimaru to your partner. We don't need this getting out."

I wonder what he wants to talk about. Maybe I should come along.

I heard the shower shut off. I made my way back to Sasuke's room and sat on the bed.

It wasn't long before Sasuke joined me, "Who was at the door?"

"Kakashi," I shrugged, "He wants to meet at the training ground before dawn."

"Before dawn?" He asked, "Why? He's incapable of being on time, why try to be early?"

I couldn't help but smile.

He set his ninja gear on his dresser, "Are you staying here tonight or are you going home?"

My hand rubbed his soft mattress, "I don't think my parents will notice I'm gone another night."

He smirked before he climbed in bed. I laid down beside him and he wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer. I felt him bury his face in my hair. I could smell the freshness the shower provided. It was comforting.

It wasn't long before I fell asleep.

When I woke up, I was alone. Sasuke had gone to see Kakashi. I know it.

I left the compound as soon as I could, making my way to the training ground Minori and I use.

He wasn't there.

I walked through the village, everything was normal. Like Orochimaru had never been here.

I thought about trying to find Sasuke but I decided against it. Whatever is going on is between him and Kakashi and if I'm supposed to know, he'll tell me.

I'm still worried about him leaving. Going to Orochimaru. I know power is important to Sasuke, but I am too, right? He'll stay here with me.

My parents fought so hard for me to be cold but when it comes to Sasuke, I can't.

After wondering for a while, I spotted Minori at Ichiraku's.

"Hey," I said as I sat beside him.

"Hi!" He said, his mouth full of ramen.

I frowned, really?

He laughed, choking on his food.

"See?" I said, shaking my head, "This is what you get for being a child."

He took a big drink of tea, "Oh hush. I'm just happy we get a month off from the chunin exams. In fact, I don't think they'll need us."

I shrugged, "Who cares if they do or don't? We'll probably be there anyway. Doesn't everyone go?"

He nodded, "That's true. How's the Uchiha boy, by the way?"

"He has a name," I pointed out, "Sasuke is fine. Just a bit banged up."

He nodded, "Good."

We sat for a while, talking until Minori had to go to the Hokage's office to report our experience in the Forest of Death.

I wondered around for the remainder of the day before I finally decided to go home. I haven't been home since before the last stage.

My house looked empty. But it wasn't.

My mother stood by the kitchen, her hands on her hips, "Where have you been?"

I shrugged, "The chunin exams. Minori and I were proctors."

"The last stage ended yesterday." My father pointed out.

"I trained for a while." I lied.

"We talked to a few jonin who were there. You left Sasuke and Kakashi." My mother said, her voice hiding her anger.

I rolled my eyes, "If you already knew where I was, why ask questions?"

"To see if you'd lie."

I sighed, they give me a headache.

My father crossed his arms over his chest, "We've warned you about this."

My mother nodded, "We told you to stay away from the Uchiha boy."

I became defensive, "You don't control me or who I hang out with."

Mother glared, "How dare you speak to us like that."

I opened my mouth, about to make another disrespectful comment but before I could, my father slapped me. I fell to the ground.

"Don't talk back to your mother."

I pulled myself up, "You both can go to hell."

My father grabbed me by my shirt, he slapped me again.

"We already are, being your parents."

My father pushed me away, his fist ready to punch me. I held my arms up in defense, I expect my mother's knee in my back.

I fell to my knees and my father punched me. I could taste blood.

I tried to run away, twisting my ankle and falling in the process.

I scrambled to my feet and got out of there, I wasn't sure where I going but I had to get out of there. It's dark and they weren't holding back.

When I stopped running, I noticed I was in front of Minori's house.

I fell to my knees on the doorstep before I could knock.

I heard the locks click as the door was pulled open, "Seiray?"

I didn't look up at him.

"What happened to you?" He asked as he fell to his knees beside me.

He put his hands on my shoulders, "Seiray?"

I broke down and started to cry.

He wrapped his arms around me, "Shh, it's okay. You're okay."

He scooped me up and brought me in, setting me on the couch.

He let me cry it out.

When he finally let go he walked away, coming back with a glass of water, "Do you want to talk about it?"

I sighed, finally calming down, "My parents. This is there way of showing love."

He shook his head, "Yeah, because making someone bleed is my go to 'I love you' too."

I shrugged, "Normally, I'm used to it but today I snapped. I couldn't take it. I started running and I ended up here."

Minori looked at me, his eyes full of sympathy, "I'm sorry, Seiray. You can stay here as long as you need to."

I shook my head and stood, "No, I can't impose."

Minori grabbed my hand, "Nonsense, you're my teammate. I'm here for you. Besides, you look like you could use a shower and sleep in a comfy bed."

I sighed and fell back on the couch, he's right, "Thank you."

He shook his head, "Don't mention it. I'll get you some clothes."

He returned with a shirt and a pair of shorts, "Sorry, it's all I have that might fit you."

I nodded and hugged him, "Thank you."

He smirked, "Wow, affection. This is a whole new side of you."

I rolled my eyes and made my way to the bathroom.

I took a quick shower, washing off the blood.

When I got out I wondered back to the living room, his house was cleaner than the last time I saw it.

"Hey," I heard his voice as walked down the hall, "My guest room isn't quite guest ready, so you can take my room for the night. I'll on the couch."

I shook my head, "No, I can sleep on the couch. I don't want to put you out."

He rolled his eyes before pushing me toward his room, "Shut up. You can take the bed. Besides, my couch is comfortable, I get the better end of this deal."

I couldn't help but smile. I'm sure he's lying but I know he's trying to make me feel better.

He forced me to lay down before tucking me in, I rolled my eyes, "I'm not five."

Minori smiled, "So, which would you like, a lullaby or bedtime story?"

I glared at him.

He chuckled at his own joke, "I'm down the hall if you need me."

Once I was alone, I buried my face in the pillow. It smelled like Minori. It smelled earthy. It smelled good, comforting.

I couldn't help but wonder why I didn't run to Sasuke. I came straight here. It's quite the turn of events. I told him I love him but run to my teammate for help.

It wasn't long before I fell asleep, the pain of my bruises fading as the darkness surrounded me.