JOURNAL ENTRY 13:
ECCENTRIC FRIDAY: TSUNADE'S SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT
Three months had passed by and I felt that I was already staying at Konoha for almost half of my life! People were nice and pleasant to be with, as long as I kept my real individuality far from them. It was the only way I can survive for now. That was also the same thing that Mitarashi Anko told me. I met Anko when Kakashi was looking for a Jounin to teach me and continue what Itachi have started. Fortunately, Anko's schedule was empty and was already bored so, she agreed to be my teacher. She was cocky and strident, but she was also had this soft side. Well, you can't take that away to a girl already, and every one has a soft side despite how cruel and ruthless you might appear.
The day of the week was Friday. I promised Anko to demonstrate to her how I control and manipulate the element of wind. She told me that no one in the history of Konoha ever control the power of wind, except for a girl named Temari (well, Temari was from the Sand Country anyway). Anko also told me that Temari had a limit on that, also she had a weapon to control it. In my part, it was already a talent I don't have to deny.
I slowly lift myself up from the ground as I strode to throw the kunai in the tree. As I released the kunai in my hand, I was also manipulating the wind to adjust the kunai to the direction I desire. My eyes changed from hazel brown to sky blue eyes as I tried to shift and control the kunai's direction. The kunai hit the tree deeply. I looked at Anko in inquisitiveness. I smiled.
"Not bad." Anko said while walking to the tree. She pulled out the kunai from the trunk, with full strength and power. She threw it back to me. I caught it with my left hand. "That was very deep! The kunai that you threw this time cut through deeper than the previous ones. You're doing great."
"Thanks." I replied as I was trying to catch my breath.
"All you have to do is to control the flow of your charka in your body to connect it to the weapon. If you didn't control that well, you'll be wasting a lot of it. You need to control it to conserve energy."
"I got it."
Anko slipped her hand in the pocket of her beige jacket. She suddenly threw a piece of apple. I caught it effortless.
"What is this for?" I asked.
"I met Sasuke when I was going here this morning. He wants me to give that to you." Anko answered with a sneer.
Sasuke? The lone survivor of Uchiha clan? I must be dreaming! I felt a large fan was slapping me when I heard Anko telling me those things. Sasuke just gave me an apple? This must be one of the most unanticipated events in the history of my life! I thought Sasuke hated me for being with his brother. I looked at the apple with amazement and also, wonder. It was Sasuke who gave me this.
"I can't believe it." I said.
"Maybe the kid is trying to trust you, since he knows that you'll bring him to his brother. Also, he likes you. So, I was not surprise." Anko said.
"He likes me?"
"Well, Sasuke likes strong girls with wicked and unique abilities. You're not far from that selection."
"How did you say so?"
"Kakashi told me once that Sasuke was impressed by the way you save Itachi from his Katon Housenka no Jutsu. No one did that before except the First Hokage."
"Oh…"
I stared at the red apple. It was supposed to be nothing at all, but it came from Sasuke, Itachi's younger brother. I thought of expressing my gratitude to him. After all, it was really tiring to control the wind than earth and water. I bit the apple and smiled at Anko.
"Can you tell me where to find Sasuke?" I asked.
"Well, he might be with Kakashi. Kakashi told me that Jounins would be at the academy this afternoon. There'll be a huge announcement coming from the Hokage herself." Anko replied.
"Well, I don't know if I'll call this a coincidence… but I promise Naruto to go at the academy this afternoon."
"Naruto? That loud boy… Oh well! If that's the case, then you can come along with me."
"That's really nice of you, Anko-sensei!"
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The noon was so hot, and my perspiration was on its utmost level. I felt I was walking in the desert while Anko was discussing things with her friend, Yuuhi Kurenai. Kurenai was a mysterious but nice lady. I almost distinguished her eyes to eyes that possess Sharingan. But she told me that it was just the natural color of her eyes. Together with her was her long-time boyfriend, Sarutobi Asuma. I called him cigarette guy because there was never a day I didn't saw him without his precious cigarette stick in his mouth.
"Oh really? So, Hokage-sama wants to inform us with the upcoming threat?" Anko exclaimed.
"Yes. And good thing you brought your student, Subaru with us." Kurenai suggested.
"It was actually an accident. She went along with me because she promised to Naruto to see him at the academy. Why did you say so?"
"If I was not mistaken on what I heard yesterday, Hokage-sama wants to talk with her."
"With Subaru? I think I know what she'll be telling to us."
Kurenai suddenly whispered to Anko's ears. I was tempted to use one of my bloodline abilities to know what Kurenai just said to Anko. But, that was a very bad idea. I might disappoint and maybe hurt myself if I knew what are they thinking. Also, there'll be no thrill or excitement. So, I decided not to. But there was a sudden different throb came in my heart. It was like an electric current was sent in my mind. An image came out of my mind… an image so familiar… an image that made my heart… throbbed faster…
… An image of Itachi flashed in my mind…
But… Why it was Itachi? In all of the people that might be close to me, it was Itachi. Wait? Did I say? Itachi was close to my heart? Was this the real me? My mind suddenly drifted away by the stillness of the image that was on my mind. When I felt a tap from my left shoulders.
"Did you eat your lunch, Subaru?" Asuma asked.
"Ah… Yes. Why?" I answered.
"You suddenly turned pale. Do you need a drink? We can stop at Ichiraku to buy you one." Kurenai suggested.
"I did? Well, maybe because of the severe heat of the sun." I suddenly smiled sweetly. I wanted to assure this Jounins that I was doing fine, even though I was having a very bad feeling about the announcement, and I was feeling so worried of Itachi, and his brother… Sasuke.
"Then, we should proceed. Surely, your students are already waiting for you." Anko suggested.
"Anko-sensei is right. Let's hurry up!" I yelled while walking backwards. I beamed sincerely at them. I turned my back around and sighed. But I continued to smile, even though my mind was going insane on the feelings that were circling my heart.
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We arrived at the meeting place exactly at the time it was decided. I was funny to see Maito Gai and his students in the meeting place too! And, once again… Gai made his opening speech to greet me.
"Such beautiful butterfly under the heat of noon sunshine! Good afternoon, Subaru!" Gai greeted.
"Cut that off, Gai. You're making my student uneasy." Anko suggested.
I smiled nicely at Gai. He was actually funny, with his green spandex stretchable suit, bobbed hair and ridiculous thick eyebrows. He was really funny. I suddenly looked at his novice, Rock Lee.
Rock Lee was such a wonderful guy. He taught me before pieces of knowledge about Taijustu and how can I use this. Gai always told me how hardworking Lee is. Despite the inability to do Genjutsu or Ninjutsu, he had perfected the Taijutsu. He was a personification of perseverance and determination, the same one I saw from Naruto. Except, that Rock Lee can really be so stupid, and also I can easily control him around my hands.
"Hello, Subaru-chan! Are you also going with us?" Lee asked.
"Yeah." I answered.
I looked at Hyuga Hinata, the girl with a very innocent demeanor but strength of a fierce warrior. I like her being herself. I smiled sincerely at her, and she did too. I suddenly remembered Naruto telling me how he liked Hinata so much. Except, that he didn't know how to approach Hinata properly. Yamanaka Ino suddenly tugged my long red auburn hair.
"Yes, Ino?" I asked.
"Have you seen Sasuke-kun?" She asked.
"Sasuke? Nope. But he gave me an apple."
"WHAT?"
I was never surprised in Ino's reaction. When Asuma invited me to train with his students, Ino kept on telling me stories how great and admirable Sasuke was. I just kept on nodding in all her comments. But I noticed noticeable reactions from her when her teammate, Nara Shikamaru started talking to me like he was courting. Shikamaru was a refined yet lazy man. I can tell directly from his eyes that he was a deep and unreadable person. But, he was intelligent. Asuma told me how Shikamaru deals with complicated problems with very simple solutions. I admired his uniqueness. I got to admit that if I became a ninja, I want Shikamaru to be my partner.
On the other hand, Tenten, Kurenai's only rose in her group was eyeing on me. I never talked much to Tenten. She was keeping on telling me how good the Hyuga genius was. That's all. I always wanted to ask Tenten if she "admired" Hyuga Neji. Alternatively, Neji was keep on persisting me to spar with him. He always reminded me that one day he'd surely beat me. I was just smiling at him whenever he asked me to.
We all went together to the academy, with my thoughts still attached on Itachi's image in my head. Neji noticed the anxiety that reflected in my eyes.
"What's wrong, Subaru?" Neji asked.
"Nothing. Why?" I answered.
"Don't lie to me."
"Why? Did you activate your Byakugan?"
"None of your business."
"What makes you talkative today, Neji?"
Neji was flabbergasted. I knew he was worried, but I have to act that I'm fine. Or else, they'll be having the most confusing event. If I tell them that I was thinking of Itachi, what would be their reactions? They might even conclude that I was working for him. That would be the possible effects. And, if that happened, I would find myself having a war against Konoha… nice nightmare.
I found myself facing the gates of the academy. The first person that came to me was the ever-famous loud yell from Naruto.
"Subaru-chan!" Naruto yelled.
"Hey!" I yelled. I waved my hand so he could see me.
Almost everyone was there. I saw Shizune, Ibiki, Ebisu and numerous different kinds of ninja existing at this village. I was surprised that aside from Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura was running to my direction. I smiled, but actually astonished.
"I'm sorry to leave you alone this morning, Subaru-chan." Sakura apologized.
Yes. I was living at the house of Sakura. It was actually a difficult process to convince her. It was actually Sasuke who convinced her. Sasuke promised to Sakura to go dating with her if she agrees. Well, it seemed like it was not just once, but Sasuke dated Sakura already several times after that deal. Naruto told me that he saw Sasuke and Sakura together several times at Ichiraku and at the village park. I smelt something's on. I just thought if that regular normal life would happen to me. Oh well! Subaru will never have that.
"It's fine, Sakura. I can manage myself." I said, trying my best covered up my anxiety.
All of the sudden, the people became quiet when Tsunade came into the scene. They started to lend their ears to the Hokage's announcement.
"I don't know how to start this but our dear country will be experiencing another challenge again. This will test the strength and unity of our dear nation. I received a letter coming from Akatsuki." Tsunade said. She was straightforward and didn't want to waste anytime.
Akatsuki? The first two persons that popped into my mind was…
… Itachi…
And
… Sasuke…
I looked beside me. Sasuke was standing beside me. I was surprised to see that Kakashi was one my back. His eyes were vigilantly staring at me. There's something I didn't know that I must know…
For Itachi…
My dear Itachi…
Is in trouble…
A/N: Chapter 13 is up! She meant! She loves Itachi? Let's find out the next chapters, and thanks for the reviews. Hehe! Thanks for reading it, and my past chapters. I'll be updating late, as you'll expect so that's all I think! Please leave a review and I hope you like it! Take care and have a nice day!
