In your Face, World!

By the Yasha Sisters

Chapter Three

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Infatuation

I remember how he had the biggest crush on me. I think it was around the time when he passed his Ninja Exam after the third try. I mean, if he had failed again, even I would've been surprised.

Although, thank goodness, he eventually got over that. I think for a long time afterwards, he was pretending to be in love just to bug me. God bless Hinata.

He was always the comic relief. At first I thought he was doing it to gain attention, but when he kept it up even after he had more than his share, I realised he just loved making his friends smile. I remember that sheepish grin on his face when we suddenly clued in to another one of his jokes.

And the pained expression that flashed across it when I hit him over the head.

Ah yes, Good times.

He was a stubborn one, never giving up, even when he should have. Like that time when Kakashi taught us to walk up trees. He stayed outside all the time until he could beat Sasuke. I think that was one of his greatest pleasures in life, beating Sasuke. Not quite as good as Iruka treating him to Ramen, but pretty damn close.

That brings me to another point. He's never broken his word, not to anyone. That's really hard, if you knew the way of the Nin. He promised me that he would bring Sasuke back for me, help him escape the clutches of Orochimaru, even though he knew that while Sasuke was alive, I could never return his love. And then a week later, he tells me that he's in love with Hinata and that it was over between him and me.

I didn't know there was something between us to begin with.

Even after that, he hung around just to bug me. I think Sasuke came pretty close to hurting him a few times.

No, wait, Sasuke did hurt him a few times.

He was always sweet to me, no matter how much of a pain he was. Wait, make that Royal pain. He was always helping me improve my skills. Even if it was unsuccessful, I still appreciate the gesture. I'm just not cut out to be a nin. Medicine is much more natural to me.

After I cut off my hair during the Chuunin Exam, he came up to me and told me I look cute, and that Sasuke would be a blind idiot not to notice me. I didn't notice it then, but now that I think about it, his voice held a tinge of sadness.

During the Chuunin Exam, it was his encouragement that helped me pull through. Stupid Ino-pig and her stupid Technique and her stupid hair.

He's always been a pillar for me, something to lean on, and something which will always be there. And I think that that's exacly what he's going to be Konoha

Shoot, Sasuke's late.

I'm gonna kill him.

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Yay!!!