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Chapter 5: Looking for Zeni's Apartment

"I'll get it!" yelled Mom once the doorbell rang.

I rolled out of bed and landed with a thud. I moaned as I put my hand on my head. "Who would be up this early?" I growled. "It's a Saturday!"

"Zeni! Door!"

I got myself up and headed downstairs. Who could it be? I swear, once I find out who it is, I'm gonna give them -

"Hey, Zeni!"

I blinked. "What are you doing here?"

Sakura blinked back. "Why are you still your pajamas? It's six o' clock."

"And…?" I asked, leaving the sentence to hang in the air. "People are usually asleep at this hour."

"Don't you want to get dressed?"

"Dressed?" I repeated stupidly back.

Sakura tried to hold in her laughter. "Training!"

I clenched my fists as I ran up the stairs. Training? Training at this hour?! Our sensei must be crazy! Hasn't he heard the word sleep and weekends? What kind of a sensei is he?!

I slid into my room and quickly dressed. I went over to my mirror and got my shuriken and kunai pouches. I noticed Sakura-chan's necklace from the night before. I quickly put it on.

I skipped a few stairs at a time and came face to face with Sakura. Sakura let out a low whistle. "Wow. That was fast."

I nodded. I took a step out of the door, Sakura followed. "Bye, Mom! I'm gonna go training!" I slammed the door. We began the journey down the stairs of the apartment.

Sasuke was leaning against the tree, pure boredom was etched across his face. He looked at Naruto. "Do you think Sakura found the apartment yet?"

Naruto looked at the sky. "I dunno."

Sasuke sighed. "We better find her ourselves then."

"Hey, I have an idea! How about you find her, while I get some ramen for us to eat later!"

"Fine. Do you know where Zeni lives?"

Naruto nodded. "Yeah, she told me yesterday. It's the apartment building on the left side of the grocery store. Her room number is 528."

Sasuke nodded. "Thanks, all right, let's go."

Sakura examined the walls while walking down the stairs. "So, this is where you live?"

I shrugged. "It has been for the past year. Hey, how come you knew where I lived?"

"Hokage-sama wanted me to get you to training earlier, so you wouldn't be as late as Kakashi-sensei. So, he gave me your address so I could come and get you."

I rubbed my eyes and yawned. We walked in silence for a moment, with only our feet hitting the stairs to be heard. That's when an idea struck me. I turned to Sakura. "Ne, you know Sasuke, right?"

Sakura lifted an eyebrow. "Yeah…"

"Does he seem quiet to you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why is he so quiet?"

Sakura shrugged. "He's always been the calm and cool type. He never did like to talk much. But it gives him a mysterious air. I guess that's the reason why I like him so much!" she said flashing a smile.

I focused my eyes on the ground. "Oh."

"But, one thing has been bothering me."

I lifted my head up. "What is it?"

"You weren't there on the day that we first go together as a team. Kakashi-sensei took us out on the bridge so we could introduce ourselves. Kakashi went first, then Naruto, and then me. Then, it was Sasuke-kun's turn. He began to talk about killing a man. I don't know the man who he was talking about. In fact, he never even stated his name. I've never feared Sasuke-kun before. Never. This was the only time when I was really afraid of him," she chuckled a little bit. "Why am I telling you this? Just forget about it."

"But," I didn't get a chance to say anything, because, at that moment, I fell on someone. I picked myself up. "Shoot, I'm sorry! I missed the last step and I-AUGHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I had landed on Sasuke! When did he get here? His face turned beet red in embarrassment.

Naruto walked into the apartment building, carrying his big bag of ramen that he got at the grocery store. "Hey, Sasuke! I'm back! Did you find her-"

"We're right here," Sakura said, a little bit shocked.

Naruto looked down. He smiled and began to laugh out loud.

Sasuke turned red as ever. "Naruto, shut up," he said through gritted teeth.

I scrambled up off him. "Are you alright? I didn't hurt you, did I? I'm sorry! Please-"

Sakura helped Sasuke up. Once he stood, he held up a hand. I fell silent.

He turned his back on me. "C'mon. Kakashi should be there by now."

We left, single file, with me right behind Sasuke. I examined the back of his head. His ears and neck were still burning.

I still didn't get it. So, Sasuke has an ambition to kill? I wonder whom. But, he didn't strike me as the killing type. Sakura was right though, about the calm and cool personality. Maybe that's the reason why he looks so cute. What am I saying? Nu-uh! No way could I ever be attracted to this kid! Never! I have got to keep my mind focused on my training!

I bit my lip.

Why am I so confused? I mean, Sasuke looks like the killer.

But, just because he looks like him, doesn't mean he has played the part, commented the voice in my head.

I sighed inwardly. That was true.

Give him a chance.

Give him a chance? I asked.

Maybe you'll grow to like him.

Maybe, I said, starting to give in.

But, keep your guard up.

I will, I replied.

I walked out into the streets of Konoha with confidence.

Reviewer Responses:

swt-angel-babi3: Yeah, they are yummy, huh? I LOVE your story! It's so cute! Please update soon on it! Thanks for all the nice compliments!

lukeluke: Thanks for the compliments! I hoped you enjoyed this chapter!

sUmbOdi: LOL! No prob. Thanks for the nice compliments! I hoped you enjoyed this chapter!

Anna: Yes, I know it's uncharastic for him to be giving out candy. But there's a reason for this, which all the readers will find out sometime (don't know when). Yeah, I agree, a variety of girls (not fangirls) for Sasuke would be nice. I dislike yaoi too. Thanks for the nice compliments!

Monkey Shoes: LOL! So do I!

x0-Summer-aurora-0x: Thanks for your compliments and if all goes well, that will be what the pairing will be.

Legna03: Thanks! I'm glad you like it! Thanks for your nice compliments!

Neonn: Yes, agreed. Unhappy is happy. I think it's really cruel for our friend to throw peppermints in random places and expect us to fight over them. LOL! Naw, it's fun!

One Azn Dragon: Thanks again! And you better update soon!

Demoneyes14: Thanks for your nice compliments and I'm sorry that you're grounded. That must be the pits. When will you be coming out with your sequel? I really wanna know!

Okay. First things first. I'm sorry if Sakura seemed a little bit OOC to you. I tried to potray her as the best I could. So, please, no flames on that.

Now, here is a question for all of you: Who would you like to see Zeni be paired up with? I'm ALMOST positive it's gonna be Sasuke, but what do you guys think? No, this isn't a vote, I just want to see what you guys want to see. Okay? Thanks!

I'm sorry for being a slow updater on this fic. I've hardly had anything posted this month, so don't think I'm abandoning this ficcy. There's so much planning ahead in this fic, so I guess that's what's been taking me so long. Sorry!

Remember, the more reviews I get, the faster I'll update!