Another day spent on my self-imprisonment.
Usually with me being alone with my thoughts, but I'm indifferent to the circumstances after I gave Karin and Fu their mission, which they had been progressing quite well.
At least in the research department, as they were quite dutiful and earnest in my clan library, reading scrolls and books. And as expected, the jinchuuriki proved to be very interested in the Aburame clan and their symbiotic relationship with their beetles, while Karin had a more general approach, reading and keeping notes on everything rather than a specific subject.
So it is only a matter of time before they bring results. Patience is the key for now.
From my part I use my free time, which is most of the day, alternating between light training and meditation. Suigetsu was pretty excited about our constant friendly spars, proving himself to be quite the hassle to deal with.
Which is why I prefer to use that time for a moment of solace as I return to an old practice of sharpening weapons, ìs common to leave that task to blacksmith or weapon masters but I do know how to maintain my weapons, Orochimaru taught me a lot in those years and weapon maintenance was an important skill for a missing nin.
Though the Kiba blades didn't need such trivial things, they always remained sharp no matter what they cut is a convenient feature. However, that couldn't be said for the normal weapons from my clan which Suigetsu had been using to teach Fu or using for his own entertainment. Of course, he has the decency to maintain them as well, but not every single one.
Reasons I am in one of my family gardens sharpening a katana with a whetstone, calmly hearing the water bamboo click in my pond or at least that was the plan until a certain redhead came unannounced and started blabbering about an important situation and urgent missions.
"And why does any of that have anything to do with me?" I asked without looking at her, "as far as I am concerned, the hokage doesn't want me to leave this village under any circumstances. It would be contradictory on her part to ask me to leave, mission or not."
"The hag has a bad feeling. If there is something here, I learnt pretty quickly is that her gut feelings are always right. And she is pretty sure is related to the shithead's mission."
Did Tsunade win the lottery or something?
"And I don't know… send somebody else? I can name a couple of jounin more than capable of standing their ground against Akatsuki."
Hatake and Might Guy quickly came to mind, mostly Might thanks to his gate opening technique. That man is a monster, no matter the perspective. Actually, if he were to use the Gate of Death against Tobi, he would straight up pulverize the bastard, Izanigi or not.
"You are probably one of the strongest shinobi in this village right now. There is no better candidate to send as a support than you." She deadpanned.
I stop with my current task and slowly lift my gaze to match hers, "Flattery will get you nowhere."
"Don't be a bitch, princess." She scowled with her arms crossed, glaring daggers at me.
Her words made me frown, "I have no real reason to help you. Even the hokage herself will find it hard to convince me to move a finger after desecrating my family."
"For your information, it was Orochimaru and Danzo who desecrated your family and losing the nine tails to a terrorist organization is more than enough reason, if you ask me." Tayuya had the gall to correct me and even flash a smug smirk.
"To the villages, not to an individual like myself. And you lot are experimenting with my family's eyes. That's exactly the same as those two bastards did before earning my ire."
"Ugh, why are you like this?!" She threw her hands in exasperation.
"It all begins with you failing to stop Akatsuki from rescuing…" I trailed off.
"Okay fine fuck you. I hope you choke on your dick from all that self sucking." Tayuya finally snapped at me and left, stomping the ground before a swirl of leaves took her away, but she wasn't fast enough as I caught a glimpse of her jumping off my home roof.
My lips twitched as I realized how amusing it was to make her angry. Call it a payback for all those times she was a bitch with me.
And with her gone, I could focus on the sharpening of the katana with long strokes with the whetstone across the edge. A menial but relaxing activity to pass my time, waiting for any news from those two.
"Why don't you want to go?"
Fu's voice stopped me from my task and slowly turned my head to look in her direction. She was leaning on the wall with her arms crossed, watching me with those exotic orange eyes of hers.
I calmly set aside the weapon with the stone, "The main reason we are here is because we need to hide from Akatsuki's retaliation. Leaving the village walls is begging for an attack, which is not an idea I'm very fond of. Besides, I don't want to meet Naruto if I can help it. Not yet, at least."
After all this time, I still do not know what to say to him, unlike Sakura, but I cannot admit that to everyone. It would make me look bad.
"Isn't Naruto your friend? I think you should lend him a hand. I'm sure he will appreciate it." She argued back.
"Is very complex to explain with a few words, Fu." Just thinking about it puts another frown on my face, dealing with mixed feelings until something clicks in my mind breaking me away from that train of thought, "Don't try to play this game of guilt with me. Naruto is big enough to take care of himself and has many skilled shinobi to his side to protect him."
"Well, I tried." The jinchuuriki nonchalantly shrugged and entered the house.
It didn't come as a surprise to her lack of insistence on the topic. She knows when not to push it and I can appreciate that.
But what I can't appreciate is that somehow if my time is interrupted it will be interrupted indefinitely as the shark boy arrived to the scene from another door shirtless, and he had a toothpick between his sharp teeth only to spit it on my family garden with no care in the world.
He gets on my nerves with a different approach.
"Why are you here now?"
"Dunno. I got bored sitting all day. Maybe I will go eat some yogurt or blow off some steam." He extended an open hand, "Can you give me some money?"
"Karin is the one in charge of the money." I said curtly. She isn't a bank manager or an accountant, but she is good with numbers and logistics, so it was an obvious choice to leave her that task.
Suigetsu covered his face with both hands before releasing a long groan, "But she is a bitch to deal with. Come on, just a couple thousand and I won't bother you." He clasped his hand pleadingly.
Rejecting him would mean more nagging and the amount is insignificant to my entire fortune, but then he would consider me his ATM or something which would bring more annoyance in the future.
But I wanted him gone.
I pulled out my wallet and opened it to check if I ha some money on me, conveniently I had a small fortune held together with a rubber band making it easier to grab it and tossing it at him the couple thousands ryo to fuck off, "Don't cause trouble."
He grinned as he caught the small stack of money mid air and ran off, "No promises!"
I was once again alone in the middle of the garden, however I was looking around waiting for another uninvited guest to arrive but nobody came.
Suigetsu was the last one.
Even then, the mood was already spoiled and working on the katana didn't feel appealing anymore, so I needed to go outside for a stroll.
I stood up and left everything behind, not like anybody would complain about things out of place. Itachi made sure of it many years ago.
That bastard with a strong hero complex. What will he do? Or how will he react when we finally stand face to face?
I shudder at the thought.
To clear my mind, I left my home with no destination in mind. I just wanted to wander around the village rather than let a sense of dread grip my heart. Without the Mangekyou, Itachi will make quick work of me.
Even my Kirin will not be able to hurt him thanks to his broken Susanoo.
I shook my head as I pushed aside those bad thoughts. I didn't go for a stroll just to keep thinking about him. I wanted to have some solace, and technically speaking, I wasn't alone.
That gave me an idea.
"Come here, Hyūga, I know you can read my lips."
With my announcement made, I just stood there in the middle of the street patiently waiting for a response. He could be just around the corner or blocks away but the distance didn't matter, it was not like I was in a hurry.
And I didn't wait that long.
"I'm not a dog you can call to your leisure." His voice came from behind. Cute that he was trying to somehow appear intimidating before me.
"And yet you still came." I slowly turned my head with a smirk on my face, causing him to scowl.
"So, why did you call me? You made it very clear you didn't want to see my face."
I shrugged, "Simple, I want to fight you and your team. Being trapped inside my home all day slowly gets infuriating and I believe some stretching is in order."
His face twisted even further but relaxed after taking deep calming breaths before speaking up, "That's not up to you to decide. And team 10 disbanded after we all got promoted."
I didn't know that.
"But you still spend time with them as far as I'm concerned."
"So?"
"I just want to spar." My vision went red, "And beat you to the ground."
His byakugan immediately activated as well, the thick veins pulsing around his white eyes, "Bold words Uchiha. Don't think that your sharingan can beat the byakugan."
"Words are meaningless. Only action counts." I replied with confidence.
Soon we found ourselves in a staring contest, none giving an inch of ground. Instinctively I let my eyes cast a small genjutsu on him, yet he proved his mastery on his dojutsu as he remained unaffected, more he looked angrier than before knowing full well what I tried to do.
But that told me that low-level genjutsu wouldn't work, but what about higher-level ones?
Neji was the first to break away from my eyes as he deactivated the byakugan, "First I must consult with Hokage-sama about your request."
My head tilted to the left as my vision returned to normal, "Why with the formalities? Is just a… friendly spar."
"That responsibility doesn't fall on me, Uchiha. Even if I had the responsibility, I would reject your request, as I'm no mere tool to stroke your ever-growing ego." He venomously replied.
I closed my eyes for a moment but I couldn't contain my laughter. This exchange of words became surprisingly entertaining.
"I like you, Neji… not really like you, but more like a certain respect for you. That strong attitude of yours is unique, admirable to a degree. Unlike the Hokage's."
He narrowed his eyes, "Show some respect to Lady Tsunade."
His quick reply made me raise an eyebrow, "You wouldn't be as respectful if you were in my position, Hyūga. Could you sleep at night knowing your family property and legacy were being experimented on?"
That question made him hitch his breath for a second, only to return to his calm, stoic self, "I won't answer your question."
"You don't need to, because I know the answer. We both have great pride in our eyes."
"Pride and arrogance are two different concepts." He fired back.
"Funny you say that since your entire family line oozes arrogance, main house and branch house? Please, there is no difference between the two." I mocked his unfair reality. Even if he grew out of his bitter phase, that topic is still a dagger buried in his heart, and he couldn't hide that pained expression from me.
"Are you here to mock me and my clan?" He asked between his clenched teeth.
"Only speaking my mind. You shouldn't take those thoughts seriously, Neji." I waved my hand dismissively.
"I'm leaving."
"Nothing is binding you here, Hyūga." I shrugged, not like his presence is important or I want to speak with him more than necessary since I already said what I wanted to say. And he can't really leave, as it is his job to keep watch on me.
Unlike others, he calmly walked away in the opposite direction. Not even bothering to look back, not like he needs to thanks to his clan eyes.
Rationally speaking, antagonizing Neji and his clan as a whole is an idiotic idea, but I couldn't help myself. Our families had generational rivalries which were passed from father to son, and pissing off Tayuya only tempted me to do more.
I spun to the left and set off to a new destination where I can finally confirm some doubts that Tayuya had put in my head and had been lingering for a long while.
And finding that specific flower shop was no issue at all. The cream-colored walls surrounded with all species of plants and flowers made it stand out from the rest, and the big sign with the Yamanaka name only made it more obvious.
I stood in front of the glass door for a moment inhaling and exhaling, preparing myself to witness a very drastic change.
And the guest of honor was right in the middle of the store, sweeping the floor with a broom.
"W-welcome to… S-Sasuke?!" Ino Yamanaka exclaimed with wide eyes, not the one I remember and knew, but the new one I saw back in Suna. Wearing a long baggy lavender vest covered by a loose white apron and her waist long blonde hair which covered the right side of her face.
"I can't believe Tayuya was right." I muttered.
"Eh?"
I raised my hand to dismiss my last words, "Don't mind me, it's been a while, hasn't it?"
"W-well… y-yeah? We heard the news a-and we are glad things turned out okay, though i-it would have been better if you actually said y-your plans."
She stutters, confirming the doubts that she turned into the shy and reserved Hinata we all grew up with in the academy.
And it quickly became odd to hear the new Ino speak, "No offense, but it is really strange to see… the new you. You were always very open and the extrovert from the group."
Her cheeks turned red as she gripped her broom tighter, averting her gaze, "D-don't worry! Don't worry, everyone has told me the same…"
"I hope I'm not intruding, but I wish to know what happened all those years ago. That's why I've come here. Tayuya is very poor with her… explanations."
Ino took many deep breaths to calm herself and raise her gaze to meet mine, "I-is okay. Today has been slow so I c-can take a break. Do you want some tea?" She points to the left side of her family shop, where a small table with a tea set is located.
Why is there a tea table in a flower shop in the first place?
"No, I'm fine."
She nodded and left her broom leaning on the counter before going to the tea table, and I soon followed, making myself comfortable on the other chair.
She looked down, twiddling with her fingers, "S-so where do you want to start?"
"From the beginning, if possible."
"W-well…" She stuttered but cleared her throat before speaking up, "It all started two years ago, Hinata was very sad after Naruto's departure, it was like a changing point in her life where she finally decided to act and not wait."
"I think he was the only one who was oblivious to her feelings." I commented as I recalled all those events with the indigo girl watching behind a tree, which seemed rather dumb since she always had access to the byakugan she could have watched him from anywhere.
The blonde giggled, "Y-you're not the only one who thinks like that. Anyway, Hinata had been making decent progress and was getting close to finishing mastering her clan signature move, the sixty-four palms, but she reached a bottleneck. A-and that's where she asked for our help to finish it."
"Is hard to picture that girl performing such a technique."
"H-hinata fervently believed that her shyness was the thing holding her back to mastering the gentle fist. She needed to be determined like her cousin so that's why she called for our help, m-me specifically." She pointed at herself with her thumb, "And I tried to help her with more traditional methods, but it didn't work out."
"Traditional methods?"
She nodded before her cheek burning up, "Yes, s-showing a bit more skin. Taking her to the clubs and hanging out more, everything to b-build up her confidence."
"But it didn't work."
"Y-yeah, it was impossible to get her out of her shell. So I remembered reading about a jutsu from my clan's library. It was about influencing the mind, t-to nudge it in the right direction. It is mostly used to help people with traumas."
I could already tell where she was going with her words. Minds were a fragile thing. Orochimaru was very detailed with his notes and the hazard it could be, "And you decided to use that."
"Yes, I looked for that specific book and learned this particular jutsu. S-so I consulted her if she wanted me to use this jutsu to help her. And she accepted. She thought it would be the only way to finally reach her goal. I-I honestly should have spoken with my daddy instead of doing things on my own." She buried her face between her hands. In hindsight one should never practice or learn new techniques without supervision.
"So when the day came, what happened?" I asked her.
But there was no response on her part as she remained badly hidden behind her hands. I patiently waited for her. She had to be burning from embarrassment for her blunder and knowing the timid personality of Hinata; it was better to not force her.
And my patience worked as she slowly raised her head with a calmer expression, "Sorry, is just… embarrassing to remember my mistakes. When the day arrived, I had prepared everything exactly as it was written. I even had the book with me if I had any doubts. But when I proceeded with the jutsu, my head hurt a lot before I blacked out."
"Did you see anything? Or remember anything special?" I quickly ask for details, curiosity playing the better of me as my dreams are filled with strange imagery.
Ino shook her head, "N-no, it was just darkness. I remember nothing after passing out. And Hinata was the one who woke me up. I noticed the difference almost immediately. I felt ashamed of h-how I was dressed and worried about many things while Hinata acted more open, more like…the old me."
I remained silent as I watched her crestfallen look.
"Not even my daddy knows what or how it happened. He tried to reverse this…swap for years but failed. He has been researching for a way to reverse this change."
"Do you want to go back?"
Her nervousness forced her to bite her thumb, "I-I don't know, I really like this new… lifestyle. There are many things I learned to appreciate and love with this new quiet and peace."
So she became accustomed to the new lifestyle and feared the change. But if she makes her decision, then her father would no longer spend time looking for a way to fix her and put all energies in supporting her.
She must be feeling responsible and not wanting to voice her opinion of not disappoint him or make him feel his effort was worthless.
But that's just an opinion from somebody who isn't an expert.
Ino's case is complicated, to say the least.
"What about Hinata? Or your team? What are their opinions on all this matter?"
Thinking back on her team, specifically on Asuma, I guess I have indirectly saved him from a premature end. Even if the psychotic fanatic escaped, we still got his body chopped, sealed and spread around in multiple scrolls.
"Hinata… is happy, I guess. She finished her clan technique and then reinforced her position as the next Hyūga heiress. So technically my help was a success?" She tilted her head to the side, not sure of her answer, "And my team is supportive of whatever my decision is. Even Shika has been helping my daddy with his research."
"A success at the cost of your own integrity." I commented out loud, immediately making me bite my tongue with a scowl for a stupid slip up.
"If-if you put it like that…."
I raised my hand to stop her, "I didn't mean to offend or put you down. Don't take those words seriously. However, I should probably see Hinata. I'm really curious about her now."
"W-well, if she isn't training with her team, then she is drinking at a bar or a club." She answered with her head looking down at her twiddling fingers.
"Hinata drinking?"
Now that's something I really must see with my own eyes.
However, before she could add anything else, the bell at the door rang, making us both turn our attention to the newcomer.
And find a man dressed in the typical Konoha-nin uniform. But I couldn't help but frown when I saw the short brown hair, the fake frontal helmet carrying the village symbol and his black almond-shaped eyes looking right at me as if he had found his target.
"My apologies for intruding, but I need to stop your little gathering."
"You are….Yamato." Ino spoke up before me.
"Correct." He cordially nodded before turning his attention on me again, "The hokage has summoned you urgently."
Tayuya definitely sent him after failing to convince me earlier in the day, if we were to actually fight it would be a problem to deal with his mokuton, even if it was a watered-down version of the real thing it is a powerful bloodline at the end of the day that matched and even defeat the great patriarch of my clan.
That would make him a great sparring partner.
Suigetsu's attitude is slowly rubbing off on me, isn't it?
"Figures. My answer is still a resounding no."
He narrowed his eyes and took one step closer, making me raise a brow in question, "This isn't a request, Sasuke Uchiha."
"Really here in all places? I doubt the Yamanaka clan would take kindly to a random shinobi trashing their property." I pointed at the girl behind me with my thumb to reinforce my warnings.
"Ummm… please don't fight." The timid girl pleaded in a low tone.
Yamato exchanged glances with her and then with me before dropping his shoulder and sighing in defeat, "My apologies, Yamanaka-san. Those weren't my intentions."
"I-is okay."
I smirked in victory over him, but if Yamato left empty-handed Tsunade would send less diplomatic options which could light up a fuse, something I wanted to avoid in the meantime. But it was an entertaining idea to consider. Who would she send after him?
I slowly left the table and walked past Orochimaru's experiment, "Lead the way Tenzo, the sooner we finish the better."
"...How do you know that name?" He asked after a moment.
I stared blankly at him for a few seconds, trying to read that blank expression of his before shrugging off his question and exited the flower shop.
"I'm here. What do you want?" I said as I closed the door behind me.
Tsunade was in her chair signing papers, but unlike the other times she didn't bother to glance at me as her work seemed more important, "I need you to be ready to be sent to assist the diplomatic team if necessary."
"I'm not a guardian dog. Didn't Tayuya tell you of my refusal?"
The hokage slowly put down her pen while the other hand held her forehead and dragged it across her face with a groan, "That brat…"
So the redhead didn't report to Tsunade, whose calm expression twisted into her well-known frown, "That's beside the point. I'm preparing a quick response team in case things go south and I will need you on that team."
"I won't leave my team behind at your village's mercy."
Her right brow twitched, "Who do you think we are?"
"Shinobi. Just like me and you." I pointed at myself, then at her, "I would take any advantage against my enemies if possible."
Taking hostages to manipulate others to do your bidding is one of the oldest tricks in the book. Even with Danzo dead, I couldn't rule out the possibility of it happening.
She glared at me for a moment before closing her eyes, sighing, "Fine, I…"
"Even if you promise or swear an oath, I still cannot trust you just like you won't trust me. This is just a silly stalemate." I interrupted her, using the silence to finally take a seat in front of her desk.
However, she didn't take my interruption very well if her clenched fists were any indication, but she still maintained her composure, "So you want to move with your entire group? That can be arranged."
"No." I sternly shot down the idea, "I know that Akatsuki would be the only ones daring enough to attack the diplomatic team and I only fought Kakuzu and Hidan with my team because I was confident enough in their abilities to deal with one of them."
Without my Kirin and Gaara opportune intervention, Kakuzu might have escaped alive and come back stronger and become a thorn in my side. Thankfully that never happened and he is but dust in the wind.
"Besides, Fu is another jinchuuriki, and I cannot risk her being left vulnerable." I add.
I think she would be the only one who I shouldn't leave alone and take her to my travels where my full team isn't needed.
"We can keep her safe."
"Like Hidan's head?"
She shot me a nasty look.
I rolled my eyes, "I'm sure you can face a frontal assault with the village full might, but infiltration is an entirely different matter. Zetsu can just appear and capture her in a blink of an eye, same with Tobi."
"And what makes you different?"
"Isn't it obvious?" I smirked, my eyes flaring up with my sharingan activation.
However, Tsunade didn't take my action kindly as she slammed her fist on her desk, "Don't you dare to use those eyes on me or I will rip them out from your sockets."
"You already have my family's eyes hidden somewhere in this village. I don't think you need another pair." I argued back as my eyes turned back to normal.
Tsunade remained silent with her face shifting expression many times, but a safe bet is controlling her temperament to avoid trying to strangle me.
"Promise me you will help Naruto's teams if the need arises."
"I said this to Tayuya, but you can easily dispatch a couple of jounin to provide support if you are that worried." Is not like the village is having a jounin scarcity, and even then the village has the Anbu corps at her disposal.
"I already did that." Her reply surprised me, Tayuya made it sound as she only wanted me to go but I guess I should have expected the hokage to already send reinforcements.
"You care for him, don't you? He truly has a unique talent for how to make friends."
"..."
I leaned back in my chair and let out a long-drawn sigh, "I can make the promise to help you as long as you keep Yamato or Tenzo, whatever you call him, here in Konoha."
That caught her interest, leaning closer onto her desk, "Why?"
I passed a hand through my hair and stretched my neck in circles to release some tension, "I trust Juugo to keep himself in check. But I still want a failsafe in case he loses control. Only Yamato can subdue anybody in an instant and without causing harm." Also, if anything were to happen while I was gone, he would give the village a significant advantage. One couldn't underestimate the mokuton, fake or not.
Tsunade held her chin in thought for a moment before nodding, "I can accept that. Anything else?"
"My family property? End this obvious imprisonment?"
"Leave."
There was an attempt.
"By the way, I'm using the window now. The stairs are a pain and a waste of time." I didn't ask but stated my intentions as I stood up from my chair and made my way to her large window and unlocked it.
"...Fine." She accepted after a moment.
With her approval, I jumped through her window and landed on the roof before making my way down. Rather than waste a couple of minutes going through stairs and doors, I left the tower in a matter of seconds and the fall gave some excitement as well.
My feet landed on a lower roof but rather than jump towards the next one to return to my clan compound, I slowly approached the edge of the roof and looked down out of mere curiosity.
Unsurprisingly, there was nothing of interest happening below the streets.
"I won't bend the knee even to the hokage! Fucking all tallk Uchiha."A very high pitched mocking tone came from behind and I knew the owner very well, I just didn't expect her to come back so soon.
I kicked a pebble off the roof before turning to face the redhead who had her arms crossed, "As far as I'm concerned, spying on the Hokage is a crime."
"Evesdropping, not spying, and I am the exception to the stupid rule. One of the many perks of being a student of the old goat." Her lips spread into a smug grin as she unfolded her arms and extended them as far as she could to give herself the spotlight. .
Her action made me roll my eyes, not wanting to acknowledge her and give her the satisfaction of being right, "So I assume you are only here to avoid a lecture from Tsunade, aren't you?"
She clicked her tongue, "Spot on. With you around, I can stall her as long as possible. Deafness is a potential issue with her."
I raised a single brow at her explanation as an idea formed in my head, "You should face the consequences of your actions just like I face mine every day." I spun on my heel and left her behind.
"Fuck you!"
Ignoring her insult, I walked towards the other side and checked the street below. Unlike the other side, it had a small crowd of civilians drinking and laughing, too distracted to pay attention to what was happening in the above them.
I jumped into the next house and kept walking while my eyes wandered in the skies, the clouds slowly moving forward.
Expectedly, my solitude didn't last as Tayuya landed in front of me with a very pissed expression but not willing to give up.
"You should visit Karin more. She would appreciate the company." I said.
My words caught her off guard. Her expression softened and changed into confusion, "Since when do you care?"
I shrugged, "Because I'm also the team leader, I need to look out for everyone's wellbeing. Besides, Karin works a lot and deserves a break, a proper one, mind you. And I highly doubt you want to be seen as a bad friend besides being a shitty person."
My explanation got her thinking for a bit, "You still are a bigger piece of shit, you know that?"
I pinched the bridge of my nose, "And I have to agree with Suigetsu about how much of a foul-mouthed bitch you are."
Catching on my words, she puckered her lips tauntingly, "These lips can do more than hurl insults you know?"
"Do you really want to play that game? With me, of all people?" I asked in amusement.
I wasn't a virgin that would cower for mere teasing, besides many strange girls made their sexual advances so obvious since I was a young teen. It was a pathetic display of affection and it was an annoyance more than anything.
Sakura never took the hint, at least now she did.
Tayuya bursted out laughing, holding her stomach with one hand while the other pointed at me, "You fuck a single girl and then you think yourself as hot shit, as if everyone should bow down to you and worship the ground you walk on." She slowly recovered from her laughing fit and looked at me with a smug smile, her hands resting on her hips, "Should I assume that you have gotten inside greenie's panties already?"
Her comment set off something in my mind. I narrowed my eyes and took one step closer, towering over her, "Why do you like to push my buttons so much?"
Instead of retreating, she took two steps closer with her face closing in, inches away from mine and with the same smugness as before, "Same question to you, Uchiha. I don't forget."
I found myself in another standoff, my opponent being a stubborn redhead.
And I got enough of her antics for the day. I know that words alone won't chase her off.
Yet I know a single action that would send her away, and she practically presented herself to me on a silver platter.
My hand slowly sneaked its way up and carefully grabbed her chin before pulling her towards me.
Sealing our lips together.
I had the perfect view to watch her brown eyes widened as her pupils turned into pinpricks at the sudden turn of events.
A Moment that didn't last more than five seconds.
"Fuck off!" She screamed as she pushed me away, or at least tried as I didn't move an inch unlike her, who was several feet away from me and wiping her mouth with her arm.
Unfortunately for her, the reddish tinge on her cheeks told me more than enough, making me smirk in victory.
That small action only pissed her off more and quickly left on a swirl of leaves. This time, I didn't catch a glimpse of which direction she took.
With her gone, I wiped off my mouth with my right hand and resumed my roof walking, occasionally taking glimpses of the streets below.
Was it a mistake?
Probably.
Do I regret it?"
Not really. She owed me a kiss, after all.
I said it a long time ago. I'm the one who should make girls blush, not the other way around.
AN: So finally here it is after finishing with quite the numbers of chaps for Shards of Reminisce a RWBY gamer story, it should have been finished a week earlier but I got sick really bad and couldn't think straight or write but I got better though my throat is coughing from time to time. But still can't believe I have this bad habit or finishing and publishing chapter quite late in the day.
Also, I decided to set a minimum word count for each chapter from now on. Each chapter must have at least 4k at minimum so you guys don't feel cheated from waiting for so long with a meager chapter of 2k or even fewer words.
Anyway, I will write the next chapter as soon as possible, before this month ends. Good thing that I was able to meet the deadline I set myself.
Don't forget to pump those favs and follow!
