Ten

I'll never forget the day

The sun refused to shine

When the rain fell upon a dusty trail

Of footprints that fades

I only remember red

A tear-distorted vision

Moral shattered faith

In life itself

I lay upon the table

Chained and broken

Of an agony

I never knew

For that day

Marked the start

Of a cursed existence


Ba-bum.

Why am I still alive?

The whispers of secrets flowed over her existence.

Ba-bum.

Why?

The people were pleased to see her breathing.

Ba-bum.

Why can't they let me die?

They congratulated the old man. It was a success.

Ba-bum.

It hurts.

But no one seems to care. Alcohol flowed as eyes peered through the glass prison; the crimson life supporting element continues to drip into the bags.

The laughter haunts the peace.

And the body jerked awake. Cold sweat clung to the skin as the heart beats frantic to the minute. Streaks of hair stuck to the facial surface.

She sits up on the couch. The moonlight shines through the balcony that faces the living area where she slumbers. A cool night with fragile winds, the half moon hangs lantern offering light of low voltage.

The body slips off onto the floor and the feet drags. Outside she stood facing the sky that watches over all who sleep.

Swallows hard. Breathes harder.

Body slumps against the railing, one hand raises slowly. It shields the face from prying eyes.

Slumber has taken flight. There will be no more sleep tonight.

Only the agonizing psychological trip down memory lane.

Tears flow. Fears revives.

Only the morrow will bring normality back.

For now, she'll be human.


Kei felt warm. She basked in the security and buried herself deeper into the firm pillow, inhaling its sandalwood scent.

Sandalwood?

She pried her eyes awake to find herself not in the couch but in bed. And that was no pillow she was snuggling into. She realized in surprised that she was being cuddled teddy bear- style by no other than her roommate.

Right.

He was sleeping still. At least he appeared to. He laid there lying on his side, holding her close to him. Her head was leaning on his chest (the pillow, she imagined earlier) and his arm wrapped securely around her waist. Too secured for her liking at least.

She blushed at how the situation came about. She was rather certain that she did not consciously slip into his bed for comfort.

In any case, at least nothing else happened. I think.

She looked down under the sheets. Both individuals are fully clothed.

Nothing happened.

She shifted to get off the bed. His arm tightened its hold on her waist. He shifted, dragging her closer and resting his chin against her forehead. It was almost like a reflex action, she noted after a few more failed attempts. Finally, she just decided to heck with subtlety. Lifting the arm, she managed to find enough space to actually crawl out of the bed. Sitting at the edge, she stretched before turning to examine the boy. He was awake, lying on his stomach now and looking at her intently.

What a sight.

Embarrassed, she said nothing and headed for the bathroom for a morning shower.

He smiled. He remembered Ishida and Maiko's warnings not to touch their Onee-chan but last night couldn't be helped. He couldn't possibly leave her alone, not in that state.


FLASHBACK

He came out of the bedroom when he heard the balcony door slide open. He watched in the shadows as she stood there basking in the moonlight.

Sweat glistened as she buried her face in her hand. Her posture was slumped and mind in a frenzy.

Sobs.

Kei collapsed, back against the support that also hid her emotions from view. Knees drew up against the chest. Fetal positioned, she hugged herself and got lost in her thoughts.

Her body shook from crying. She crouched there in broken composure.

He steadily made his way near her, taking care not to startle the bundle of nerves.

Finally he crouched in front, facing her.

"Bad dreams?" He asked quietly.

The figure did not answer. He was tempted to reach out and offer a touch but uncertainly rocked his goodwill.

She couldn't seem to stop. She tried pacing her breathing to calm her frantic heartbeat but everything was just pouring out. A bottle of well-stuffed human emotions were flowing out after many pasts of encapsulation and it wasn't going to stop that easily.

She started to dig her nails into her flesh, in an attempt to us pain to drag herself back into reality.

That was it.

He wrestled to undo self-harm before getting around to pulling apart her defensive shell. Surprised caught the figure as he held her tight in his embrace. Shock caused a reflex action to try and push away the jounin, determination on his part stubbornly refused to let go.

In the end, pride gave way for the need of basic human touch.

Arms rose hesitantly to take the comfort he offered. Her face buried in his chest as soothing words relaxed the muscles.

Many moments passed before she was lulled to rest by the rhythmic song of heartbeats. Deciding against leaving her alone, he cradled her protectively in bed. Sleep came in the appreciation of the warm of another's company.

Life is full of mysteries:

What triggers the cracks in perfection?

END OF FLASHBACK


Naruto and Sakura sat waiting on the bridge. It was a bright sunny morning and the perverted old man was late.

"What is it with older guys? They are always late!"

"You don't change much do you? Still just as loud as ever!" A voice rose out from the other side, it was an old friend by the name of Shikamaru.

"Good to see ya! How have you been?"

"Nothing much. Life's just too troublesome as it is." He smiled. He was accompanied by his other teammates Ino and Chouji.

"Ino-pig!"

"Forehead girl!" She grinned. They were rivals but in the end, friends no matter what. Chouji in view of the good atmosphere even offered some of his food to his friends.

Naruto spied more people coming.

Neiji, Lee and Tenten were also walking across the bridge to meet them. It was a huge gathering. Everyone greeted one another. It was good to see everyone in good health and in such high spirits.

More people. A reunion almost.

Kiba arrived shortly alongside with Shino and Hinata.

Naruto-kun….. Hinata smiled while twiddling her fingers.

But why? Shikamaru wondered

"Ano sa, what are you guys doing here?" Naruto asked the rest.

Yeah, something doesn't seem right. Why are the genins gathering here? Are we meeting the same person? Shikamaru wondered.

'Poof.'

Right in front of their eyes appeared two masked figures dressed in sleek black attires appeared.

"Maiko-chan!! Ishida Nii-chan!!" Naruto yelled with gee.

"Ohayo Minna-san!! Gomenasai, we got lost but its pardonable since we haven't been living here long anyway, right Sakura-chan?" Maiko winked at Sakura, who smiled in favor.

"Who are you again?" Neiji asked. He was getting suspicious of the situation.

"Yes, we ought to introduce ourselves. I am Ishida and this is Maiko. We'll be your senseis for the next few weeks.

"EH?" People said in union.

"Wow. What a large crowd!! How exciting! It's my first time teaching!!!" Maiko said eyeing the numbers present.

"Ano, but I thought I was meeting Ero Senin (perverted hermit)?"

"Ha-ha! Yeah, that's because he was suppose to be introducing us as substitute teachers. But I remembered him saying something about important business at the bath house and felt we would be able to handle it anyway." Maiko said.

Placing us in the hands of strangers eh? Something big must be going on for them to be engaging these two happy clowns and man, can they handle such a large crowd?, Shikamaru wondered.

"Are you sure you can handle us?" Kiba asked.

""Hmm? You don't think we are up to it?" Ishida challenged.

"Nope. Not at all. One looks like a grown up clown version of Naruto while the other doesn't look too much older than the rest of us. Who are you trying to kid?"

A sparkle appeared in their eyes. Oh how they love challenges.

"Tell you what – If either of you manage to land a blow on either of us, we will call it a day and report to the Hokage that we are not fit to be teaching you lot. How's that? And we will even throw in dinner too should we lose, say let's make it ramen?"

"Ramen!!!!" Naruto yelled. He loved challenges too and ramen but more importantly, he wanted to test his skills against these two. Just how good are they?

"What are the rules?' Neiji enquired, his business manner of handling thing never changes. The girls on the other hand were quiet; it was just easier to let the boys handle things – even if they get dragged into messes that certainty call for regret.

"No rules. Use all you've got and the time limit is set for 2 hours." He then sets the clock on a rock.

"And it starts NOW."


Author's note:

Hi everyone! Here's chapter 10 as promised! The rest of the chapters are coming nicely and so regular updates are assured. Hope everyone's having a nice holiday!

Cheers!

Arte

Syllable: Thanks!! I hope you like the coming chapters too!!

Rhythmic: Thanks so much! Really appreciate all your encouragements! :)