Disclaimer: Same as always. This time I have a few others, though. The stories in this chapter 3 of them are from a web site called: "Castle of Spirits" and the other is from the manga by CLAMP, XXXHOLiC. I worded the stories a bit differently but that's where the base came from.

Chapter 6: The 100 Ghost Story Afternoon

Things were quiet, as they always were around the house. Well, for the most part anyway. The funny thing was, it was only quiet to her, because the rest of the house, was far from that long silence she was trapped inside. Sure enough, loud yells and some other comic sound effects were constantly echoing throughout the estate, and it was highly unlikely that it was the cats' fault.

Why Neji had such noisy friends, was still a mystery. Another question was why was it always the same people? Did they even live at home anymore? Well, her cousin of course, was always there, taking up his usual space on the couch. Sitting next to him was always Tenten, trying to persuade him to get off his lazy ass and do something (but she dared not use those words, for that also described Shikamaru who wasn't always there). Then there was Rock Lee, but Neji and he had been friends…or rivals…since middle school. Then there was Kiba and Naruto…those two were in a noise class by themselves.

She sighed, it was always like this during the summertime. The worst part of the whole thing was, she was never included at all. Well that reason was probably because she didn't want to be included anyway. Shy, quiet, the complete opposite of most of the teens inside the lounge, Hinata was.

She'd left her spot outside the door some time ago. Now her legs dangled down from the swing in the hidden park. It was a great place to think, and be alone. Two things she did rather well. Usually she'd think about the same thing, day in and day out. Those stupid blue eyes, and that damned blond hair and that ever so annoying, yet irresistible voice. Yeah, she had it bad all right. What Ino liked to call the love bug.

She shook the smiling face from her mind. It was a hopeless battle that she knew she'd lost ages ago. Hell, she'd probably go through life single, just because she couldn't open her mouth. And when she did, the sound was barely audible. Why would a loudmouth like Uzumaki Naruto want a girl with a personality that was practically opposite, like Hyuuga Hinata?

There was a rustling in the bushes. At first she thought it was Sakura, for she came also sometimes, but not as of lately. But what came forth was one of the last things she was expecting. It was a white dog with brown ears. She knew him all too well…

"Akamaru?" she called the tiny pup's name and it ran over to her with a bark. "Hey boy, what are you doing away from Kiba-kun? He gets mad when you run off…" her voice wasn't hesitant when she talked to non-human figures. Her hands reached out and picked up the small dog, and let him rest on her lap. She stroked his ears lightly and he relaxed.

"Akamaru!" a yell was rather faint, but it could have only been one person. At the calling of his name, the tiny dog lifted his head and barked. "Akamaru?" and then the bushes began to rustle again.

This time, it was a humanoid figure. "There you are!" Kiba sighed relieved that he wouldn't have to face the wrath of his mother if he told her that he'd lost his dog again. "Hinata? Why are you here?" he walked across the empty plain and sat down on the next swing.

"Um…h-hello Kiba-kun," she voice went back to quiet and shaky. "H-he just ran up to me and…here," she held the dog out to his master.

"Nah, I was just makin' sure he was okay," he smiled and took him from her, and lay him atop his head. "Anyway, whatcha doin' all the way out here alone? You didn't wanna join us back at your place?"

Her silver eyes scanned the ground as she shook her head.

"How come?"

She shrugged. She'd known Kiba for a long time, well before any of her girl friends. He'd always stuck beside her, in a way.

"You're one strange kid, Hinata," Kiba scratched the back of his neck, "I still don't quite get you. Even after all this time. Do you wanna…talk about something?"

She smiled at the ground, "No, r-really it's okay. You don't have to worry about me so much."

He was also looking at the dirt, with one hand holding his dog so he wouldn't fall. "That's the thing. I want to worry about you. That's what a friend does, right?"

She covered her glowing cheeks, "I-I guess. T-thank you, K-Kiba-kun."

He flashed her a toothy grin, "Don't mention it because I'm raiding your fridge when we get back."

Hinata giggled, and took his extended hand as she rose to her feet. Maybe if she summed up some courage one day, she could talk to him about her problems. It was a lot easier with Kiba then Neji, or even Ino, Tenten and Sakura.

To Akamaru, it was a cute sight. Well, a dog didn't exactly have too much opinion on a boy and girl walking home hand-in-hand.

"100 ghost story night?" four voices chorused at the same time. Their eyes were upon the pink haired teen, who'd brought the previous topic to the table.

"Yeah! Don't tell me you haven't heard of that! And you guys live in this country? You ought to be ashamed of yourselves," she shook her head sarcastically.

"Well excuse me for not knowing culture," Naruto huffed, folding his arms.

The five were sitting at the usual corner table at Fire Country.

"Now that you mention it, I remember something about that in the newspaper once. Isn't it like the North American Halloween except in the summer here?" Ino was proud that she remembered so much.

"Like when you dress up in silly costumes and go around to people's houses collecting candy and stuff?" Rock Lee asked sitting straight up in his chair.

"Yeah! But this version is different! Basically it's a group of people…well nowadays it's seeing who can scare everyone the most," Sakura replied cheerfully. "We did it every year back home; it was like a tradition." She noticed all eyes upon here once again, like she was some sort of strange animal, "sorry. I was just so caught up in the…never mind. I just thought it was…an interesting idea." Her sentence was finished quietly.

The table was quiet for a moment, then Naruto was the one to break the silence. "I think it's a great idea, Sakura-chan!"

"Y-yes, it sounds quite interesting," Hinata agreed.

"Alright then it's settled! A 100 ghost story night at the Hyuuga estate!" Ino clapped her hands together.

"W-why my place?"

"Let's see…it's the biggest…and um…yeah it's the biggest," Ino couldn't think of another reason, so left it at that.

"B-but my father d-doesn't like guests after dark…"

"Ha! Are you kidding! Ghost stories at night? You have to be out of your tree to do that…" Ino's gaze brightened as she saw her favorite person walk towards the table.

"Yo," he greeted in his usual voice, "the usual all around I'm guessing?"

He was about to turn away after the chant of "yes" was heard, but an annoying pink haired pest tugged on his sleeve. "Neh, Sasuke-kun! You'll be there too right? I was told you guys do stuff together sometimes too!"

"What are you talking about? Let go of me," and he wriggled free from her grasp, then left.

She stuck out her tongue to his back. "How do you get him into doing stuff together anyway?"

"Play his ego," he blonde female friend winked, "works all the time."

"Neh, neh, Sakura-chan! How does the ceremony work?" asked a rather excited Naruto.

"Simple, you sit in a circle and tell stories."

"Wha? That's it?"

"No one uses the traditional methods anymore. So yes, that's it. It's just for fun…you'll see. So you guys are all coming right?"

"You bet!" Lee gave a thumbs up.

Naruto and Ino both nodded and Hinata answered with a, "I don't exactly have a choice. It is at my place…nii-san won't like this idea too much…"

"You worry too much, Hinata!" Naruto told her, "Tenten will convince him. Either that or I'll pound him until he sits there motionless!"

'Sure, right,' played through most of their minds.

The dark haired tenant made his way back, carrying a tray of shakes and placing it in the center of the table. The wheels in Sakura's head began to spin.

"Neh, Sasuke-kun, won't you join us for the ghost story night this weekend? It'll be fun," Sakura tried her innocent tone again, which was probably annoying him a lot at this point.

"Why would I want to do stuff with you?" he stuffed his hands in his pockets.

She sighed, "I guess what they say is true…" all ears perked up, "underneath that cool façade of yours, you really are scared of petty things like stories. What a shame…" she shook her head in pretend disappointment.

Some of them suppressed a giggle as his closed right eye twitched slightly. Oh, this would not end well. "What did you say?" he asked dangerously going up right into her face.

"You heard me. Or perhaps I need to say to louder. Sasuke-kun, underneath that…" maybe she should become an actress.

"Fine. I'll be there," and he instantly regretted what he'd committed to. "We'll see who's scared after, won't we?" and this time he really stalked off.

"Hook, line and sinker," her pink hair fell into her eyes and she quickly brushed them away.

More people turned up than she'd expected. Actually, everyone she knew so far was there. They'd all met in the front yard, where Neji said they could use the old martial arts dojo as their 'sanctuary'. How the news had gotten around, she'd no idea.

It was a Saturday afternoon, and everyone seemed chattier than usual. Maybe it was because in a few days, school would be starting, and it was their senior year.

They all at their own pace entered the dojo, opening the shoji paper door, to allow some air though. "Man, after all these years I still don't know what's here," Tenten said taking a seat on the wooden floor, and brushing non-existent dust off her shirt.

They slowly formed a circle, all wondering what to do next. "Um, okay. Basically we just take turns telling scary stories. I'd say two rounds for each person, since it's a rather large group. Any questions?"

"Yeah," Kiba was lying on his front, "is all this really necessary, I mean like sitting inside here?"

"Well it creates a larger impact in an enclosed area. But really, in a real ceremony that we tried one time, we actually told 100 stories, and dressed in yukatas and stuff. With scented candles, the bowl of water, the knife…" she looked at the rather blank expression on everyone's face that could easily be read as 'can-we-please-get-on-with-this?', "long story, not particularly interesting. Now, since we're already in a circle, Ino will start and go clockwise."

Shikamaru stared up at the ceiling, 'Does that mean I'm second? How troublesome…if Ino hadn't dragged me along I never would have come…'

"Oh and by the way," Tenten added, "new rule. First person to scream or jump in fear, everyone gets to call them the scardiecat of us all…for the whole school year. So don't let your guard down…it'll be the end of your pride."

Even with 10 people, everyone seemed to be enjoying it somewhat. There'd been some great stories…some made up, others urban legends. Time had flown quite quickly, so it was the second round, and only 4 people remained. Tenten, Rock Lee, Sasuke and Sakura.

"Alright, this story is called 'The Hand'. A babysitter told it to me once a long time ago. This is how it went:

"There was once a painter. He was getting old and he didn't have a lot of money. There was an art exhibit coming to town, and it wouldn't only make him famous, but rich as well.

"The artist was stewing because he tried painting but no matter how hard he tried he knew his paintings weren't good enough. He began thinking about how he could win the prize when all of a sudden the most terrifying figure appeared. It was a shrivelled old man with no hands and no eyes. Empty sockets. It began to speak. "I know how desperately you want to do well at that exhibit. I can guarantee you win on the condition you give me your right hand". The painter knew the presence was evil, but at this point was so desperate he agreed.

"The next day he showed up at the exhibit to see the most spectacular painting he had ever seen and sure enough it was signed in his name. So he took home his prize. That night the presence appeared and with one swift swing of a very large knife the artist's hand was gone."

She paused trying to remember the rest, while some of the others tried to imagine what knife could cut off a hand in one swing. "Anyway, sometime later the artist was enjoying his fame and fortune, he had made up a story about his hand and he had basically forgotten about the deal he'd made until one faithful night.

"He was sleeping when he awakened by a loud tap, tap, tap on his window. He woke up to see the hand. It was begging to be let in. Ignoring it he went back to sleep. Again later tap, tap, tap. Again, it wanted in. The artist ignored it again, but was getting nervous. A while later this happened again. This time the artist screamed "LEAVE ME ALONE!"" she chuckled because everyone jumped at the sudden change in her voice. "The rest of the night he slept peacefully and the next morning he thought he'd been dreaming.

"Well the next night he was again in a peaceful sleep when he heard a loud crash downstairs. Waking with a start he headed downstairs to investigate. He was rushing down and the last thing he felt was a hand gripping his leg.

"He was found two months later. Neighbors had been complaining of a bad smell. The cause of his death, a broken neck, a nasty fall down the stairs." She shrugged, "the end."

"Hey, don't scream next time," Neji told her, as he rubbed his ear, "it's louder than you think."

"Hey but it made you all jump, didn't it?" At this, no one replied. "Whatever, Lee, you go."

"After hearing those other stories mine doesn't seem as scary anymore…oh well. This one I read in a book recently. It's called 'The Hotel Room'. There once was an old house. It had been bought by a contractor, and since it was so big, it was going to be turned into a hotel.

"At first, business was great. The rooms were always filled, and they were booked for months. One night, a guest complained that he kept hearing weird noises from the other side of the wall. The manager had told him it was probably his imagination, and the problem was solved.

"However, the next few nights, the guests complained there were always noises coming from one end of the hall. So the manager came upstairs, and assured all the guests it was fine. One of the guests had asked what was behind the concrete wall, insisting that the noise was coming from behind there. The manager had told them that when the hotel was bought, the concrete block was always there.

"However, taking a closer look from the outside if the hotel, there was an extra window, so at one point there had been a room up there. After several more complaints, the manager had someone come in, and break down the wall.

"Just as they'd expected, there was a single room behind it. The door was closed, but it had no doorknob, and was bolted shut with many locks. They had them break down the door. They were all shocked by their discovery.

"There written all over the walls in big red letters were 5 words: Father, please let me out!" Lee scratched his head, "See, I told you it wasn't as good…"

"Don't worry! It was fine," assured Tenten.

"Really? Are you sure? I am honored you think so!" he grinned showing his sparkling teeth. One much have wondered how many hours a day he spent brushing them…

"Don't be…" she replied softly so he couldn't hear her.

"Are you two done? Let's get this over with," the usual silent Sasuke spoke, as it was his turn. And if it wasn't for that stupid girl sitting next to him, he wouldn't even be here in the first place. All eyes were upon him. He inwardly sighed, best get it over with. "This is an urban legend called the Monkey's Paw. The actual story takes a really long time to retell so I'll keep it short as I can.

"There once was a family who lived way on the outskirts of an old village in England. They barely made enough to support the family, so the son couldn't go to college, and had to work at the local mill instead. They were expecting a visitor that day…

"He was Sargent-Major Morris. The family hospitably took him in, and sat around the fireplace in the den, over a bottle or two of wine. The Sargent-major had opened up over the next two or three glasses, and began to retell his adventures in the war, plagues, and odd places he'd visited.

"I'd like to go to India myself one day," said the old man, "just to look round a bit, you know?"

"Better where you are," said the sergeant-major, shaking his head.

"I should like to see those old temples and fakirs and jugglers," said the old man. "What was that you started telling me the other day about a monkey's paw or something, Morris?"

"Nothing," said the soldier. "Leastways nothing worth hearing."

"Monkey's paw?" asked the old man curiously.

"Well, it's just a bit of what you might call magic, perhaps," said the sergeant-major, off-handedly.

His three listeners leaned forward eagerly. The visitor absent-mindedly put his empty glass to his lips and then set it down again. His host filled it for him. "To look at," said the sergeant-major, fumbling in his pocket, "it's just an ordinary little paw, dried to a mummy."

He took something out of his pocket and proffered it. The old lady drew back with a grimace, but her son, taking it, examined it curiously.

"And what is there special about it?" inquired the old man as he took it from his son, and having examined it, placed it upon the table.

"It had a spell put on it by an old fakir," said the sergeant- major, "a very holy man. He wanted to show that fate ruled people's lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow. He put a spell on it so that three separate men could each have three wishes from it."

He paused, trying to remember the rest. Sakura seemed surprised, he was a fairly decent storyteller.

"Well, why don't you have three, sir?" said the old man cleverly.

"The soldier looked at him strangely. "I have," he said, quietly, and his blotchy face whitened.

"And did you really have the three wishes granted?" asked the wife.

"I did," said the sergeant-major, and his glass tapped against his teeth.

"And has anybody else wished?" inquired the old lady.

"The first man had his three wishes, yes," was the reply. "I don't know what the first two were, but the third was for death. That's how I got the paw."

"A hush fell upon the group. If one had three wishes, death wasn't exactly a common thing to wish for.

"And…have you made your three wishes?" the old man asked at last.

"I have," the soldier said gravely. Then he pitched it into the fire.

The old man stooped down and pulled it out, with a small cry of pain as the fire burned his hand. "Why throw it away? If you have no use I'll take it."

"I wouldn't suggest it. Be sensible and throw it back into the fire."

"How do you wish upon it?" asked the man stubbornly.

"Hold it in your right hand and wish aloud…but I warn you of the consequences."

"Sounds like Arabian Nights…" the wife smiled. The family of three laughed.

"Be sensible what you wish for, by God."

"We can be rich, famous and living like emperors if what you say is true," the son commented, "wish for something Pa."

"Sensible?" he thought about it, "come to think of it, this place could use some fixing up. 200 pounds should do it, yes. I wish for 200 pounds." They all waited. Nothing happened.

"I don't see the money…" the son commented, "and probably never will." But the three of them wouldn't notice the look of alarm on the soldier's face. It would only turn out grimly.

"The next few days went by normally, and still no money. It was all just a hoax after all. The old man had kept the paw still in his bedroom, just as something to look at. "I'm off," said the son, as he rose from the table and set off to work.

"Always such a busy man," the wife had spoken to her husband a few hours later, then paused to look out the window.

"Yes," he agreed, then noticed his wife's troubled look, "what is it?"

"His wife made no reply. She was watching the mysterious movements of a man outside, who, peering in an undecided fashion at the house, appeared to be trying to make up his mind to enter. In mental connection with the two hundred pounds, she noticed that the stranger was well dressed and wore a silk hat of glossy newness. Three times he paused at the gate, and then walked on again. The fourth time he stood with his hand upon it, and then with sudden resolution flung it open and walked up the path. The wife at the same moment placed her hands behind her, and hurriedly unfastening the strings of her apron, put that useful article of apparel beneath the cushion of her chair. She brought the man into the room.

"I -- was asked to call," he said at last, and stooped and picked a piece of cotton from his trousers. "I come from 'Maw and Meggins.'"

"The old lady started. "Is anything the matter?" she asked, breathlessly. "Has anything happened to our son? What is it? What is it?"

"Her husband interposed. "There, there, mother," he said, hastily. "Sit down, and don't jump to conclusions. You've not brought bad news, I'm sure, sir," and he eyed the other wistfully.

"I'm sorry -- " began the visitor.

"Is he hurt?" demanded the mother.

"The visitor bowed in assent. "Badly hurt," he said, quietly, "but he is not in any pain."

"Oh, thank God!" said the old woman, clasping her hands. "Thank God for that! Thank -- "

"She broke off suddenly as the sinister meaning of the assurance dawned upon her and she saw the awful confirmation of her fears in the other's averted face. She caught her breath, and turning to her slower-witted husband, laid her trembling old hand upon his. There was a long silence.

"He was caught in the machinery," said the visitor at length in a low voice. "The firm wished me to convey their sincere sympathy with you in your great loss," he said, without looking round. "I beg that you will understand I am only their servant and merely obeying orders. I was to say that Maw and Meggins disclaim all responsibility," continued the other. "They admit no liability at all, but in consideration of your son's service they wish to present you with a certain sum as compensation."

"The old man dropped his wife's hand, and rising to his feet, gazed with a look of horror at his visitor. His dry lips shaped the words, "How much?"

"Two hundred pounds," was the answer."

Sasuke paused again. He'd just had to chose a lengthy story.

"It was but a week later, when the wife woke with a start.

"The monkey's paw!" she cried, wildly. "The monkey's paw!"

"He started up in alarm. "Where? Where is it? What's the matter?"

"She came stumbling across the room towards him. "I want it," she said, quietly. "You've not destroyed it?"

"No, it's upstairs in the room, why?"

"I only just thought of it," she said, hysterically. "Why didn't I think of it before? Why didn't you think of it?"

"Think of what?" he questioned.

"The other two wishes," she replied, rapidly. "We've only had one."

"Was not that enough?" he demanded, fiercely.

"No," she cried, triumphantly; "we'll have one more. Go down and get it quickly, and wish our boy alive again."

"The man sat up in bed and flung the bedclothes from his quaking limbs. "Good God, you are mad!" he cried.

"Get it," she panted; "get it quickly, and wish!"

"Her husband struck a match and lit the candle. "Get back to bed," he said, unsteadily. "You don't know what you are saying."

"We had the first wish granted," said the old woman, feverishly; "why not the second?"

"A coincidence," stammered the old man.

"Go and get it and wish," cried the old woman, and dragged him towards the door.

"He went down in the darkness, and felt his way to the parlor, and then to the mantel-piece. The talisman was in its place, and a horrible fear that the unspoken wish might bring his mutilated son before him ere he could escape from the room seized upon him, and he caught his breath as he found that he had lost the direction of the door. His brow cold with sweat, he felt his way round the table, and groped along the wall until he found himself in the small passage with the unwholesome thing in his hand.

"Even his wife's face seemed changed as he entered the room. It was white and expectant, and to his fears seemed to have an unnatural look upon it. He was afraid of her.

"Wish!" she commanded.

"It is foolish and wicked," he faltered.

"Wish!" repeated his wife.

"He raised his hand. "I wish my son alive again."

"The talisman fell to the floor, and he regarded it shudderingly. Then he sank trembling into a chair as the old woman, with burning eyes, walked to the window and raised the blind.

"He sat until he was chilled with the cold, glancing occasionally at the figure of the old woman peering through the window. The candle end, which had burnt below the rim of the china candlestick, was throwing pulsating shadows on the ceiling and walls, until, with a flicker larger than the rest, it expired. The old man, with an unspeakable sense of relief at the failure of the talisman, crept back to his bed, and a minute or two afterwards the old woman came silently and apathetically beside him.

"Neither spoke, but both lay silently listening to the ticking of the clock. A stair creaked, and a squeaky mouse scurried noisily through the wall. The darkness was oppressive, and after lying for some time screwing up his courage, the husband took the box of matches, and striking one, went down stairs for a candle.

"At the foot of the stairs the match went out, and he paused to strike another, and at the same moment a knock, so quiet and stealthy as to be scarcely audible, sounded on the front door.

"The matches fell from his hand. He stood motionless, his breath suspended until the knock was repeated. Then he turned and fled swiftly back to his room, and closed the door behind him. A third knock sounded through the house.

" What's that?" cried the old woman, starting up.

"A rat," said the old man in shaking tones -- "a rat. It passed me on the stairs."

"His wife sat up in bed listening. A loud knock resounded through the house.

"It's him!" she screamed. "It's our son!"

"She ran to the door, but her husband was before her, and catching her by the arm, held her tightly.

"What are you going to do?" he whispered hoarsely.

"It's my son!" she cried, struggling mechanically. "I forgot it was two miles away. What are you holding me for? Let go. I must open the door."

"For God's sake don't let it in," cried the old man, trembling.

"You're afraid of your own son," she cried, struggling. "Let me go."

"There was another knock, and another. The old woman with a sudden wrench broke free and ran from the room. Her husband followed to the landing, and called after her appealingly as she hurried down stairs. He heard the chain rattle back and the bottom bolt drawn slowly and stiffly from the socket. Then the old woman's voice, strained and panting.

"The bolt," she cried loudly. "Come down. I can't reach it."

"But her husband was on his hands and knees on the floor in search of the paw. If he could only find it before the thing outside got in. A perfect fusillade of knocks reverberated through the house, and he heard the scraping of a chair as his wife put it down in the passage against the door. He heard the creaking of the bolt as it came slowly back, and at the same moment he found the monkey's paw, and frantically breathed his third and last wish.

"The knocking ceased suddenly, although the echoes of it were still in the house. He heard the chair drawn back and the door opened. A cold wind rushed up the staircase, and a long loud wail of disappointment and misery from his wife gave him courage to run down to her side, and then to the gate beyond. The street lamp flickering opposite shone on a quiet and deserted road."

Sasuke was thankful that the story had ended. "What happens next is for you to decide. Now, that being said," he reached into his pocket, "which one of you chicken-shits are brave enough to wish on it?"

He held out a mummified paw. How he had something like that, was anyone's guess. He threw it into the center of the circle and observed the controversial expressions of most people.

It was Neji who finally reached slowly to pick up the cursed item. Everyone else still seemed to think it was rather…possessed? "I wish this stupid thing burn in hell," and tossed it back to its owner. His comment seemed to lighten the mood, considering the gates of hell hadn't appeared before them and swallowed up the paw. It was most certainly a fake.

"Okay guys! Just one more story! I'll keep it short, since that last one took up awhile. This one was told to me during another ceremony last year. It's called, Till Death Do We Part.

"A newly married couple, let's just call them Billy and Mable, had bought a house in the US. They disregarded the stories told to them about the house by the realtor about the house being haunted by an insane serial killer and moved in. Mable frequently complained about the feeling that someone was touching her in the night, and Billy resolved to stay up the whole night and see who was doing it.

"True to his word, Billy stayed up the whole night. He just didn't stay in the room. Around midnight, he was gripped by the feeling of an overwhelming thirst. He went downstairs to the kitchen to get a glass of water. Before he could get a glass, he heard the most horrible screaming from Mable's room. Billy rushed upstairs and screamed himself. Mable's mutilated corpse was strewn in various places around the bed. Billy rushed downstairs and called the police.

"Several nights later, Billy was sleeping peacefully. Until around midnight. Again feeling very thirsty, he went downstairs and got a glass of water. He went upstairs and saw a lump in the bed. He ripped off the covers and the ghost of Mable floated up. She had an unholy light in her eyes, and the dark form of another man floated beside her. Mable held the biggest knife Billy had ever seen in her hand.

"Didn't you promise, Billy? Didn't you promise? 'Till death do we part? Didn't you promise?" Mable said as she floated towards the paralyzed Billy.

"The house being far out into the country side, no one could hear Billy's horrified and pain-filled screams. The end," and she smiled, " now when my friend did it, it was a lot scarier, considering she likes the use of, um, graphics, so to speak."

"So what happens now?" asked Naruto, getting up from his position on the floor.

"We go home," the pink haired girl replied cheerfully.

They all had slowly milled out of the dojo and breathed some fresh air rather then the stuffiness inside. Most of them were talking amongst each other now, minus a few people. "Oh, Neji-kun!" Sakura ran up to him before the Hyuuga could walk away back towards the main house, " I just wanted to thank you for letting us use this place. I really appreciate it." She gave him a friendly smile.

"Sure," but something forced him so say a little bit more, "it was nothing…"

She giggled, and he didn't quite understand what was so funny. "You're family is really soft-spoken," she commented rather bluntly, "you should open up a bit more, you know? Anyway, I guess I'll see you at school next week!" With that, she ran off.

What a strange girl…

Most of them were still milling around the grounds, but Sakura notice her onyx-eyed friend about to leave. "Neh, Sasuke-kun. Wait for me, I don't want to walk home alone." And she ran up to join him.

"What? You guys are going home together?" Ino cried in disbelief.

"Don't get the wrong idea," her friend laughed, "we just live in the same direction."

"Oh, okay then." The blonde watched the two leave. "Even if they aren't exactly going home together, she still gets to walk with him…all I have is lazy-ass Shika and loudmouth Naruto."

"Is there a problem with me?" Naruto crossed his arms, as she'd hit a sore spot.

"Whatever," she shrugged it off, "let's just get going."

Sakura shivered as a cool breeze blew by. "Man, now I won't be able to sleep until next weekend…" she commented to herself.

"You were the one who organized the stupid thing," Sasuke replied plainly. "You shouldn't be afraid of things like that."

"I wasn't! It's just that after you start to have second thoughts about things. Like now I'm going to think a hand will come to my widow and strangle me…or something."

"Your logic makes no sense."

"It isn't supposed to really."

The two drifted off into silence again. The male liked it, however on the contrary, the female despised it. "So anyway, Sasuke-kun, are you going to walk me to school come the first day?"

That was something he didn't have to think about. "No."

"Aww! Come one! I don't know where I'm going to get there! Just the first day?"

"No. It's called a map. Get one. They're really useful."

"You're such a sadist."

At this he didn't say anything.

"Do you still have the Monkey's Paw?"

"Yeah," he lifted it out of his pocket, "why?"

"Because I want to make a wish, obviously. Not that it'll work." She snatched it out of his hand. "I wish a bucket of water would fall on top of your head. That's punishment for you!"

"Right…" he looked up at the sky. He felt a drop hit his cheek.

They'd reached Sakura's house. This time, she felt it too. "Don't tell me it's…" and then it didn't just rain. It poured. In a matter of seconds they were both drenched to the core. Her emerald eyes just gazed at the mummified paw.

"Be careful what you wish for, okay?" he let out a small sigh and took it back. Then he waltzed slowly down the road, not caring how much wetter he got.

When Sakura entered the warmth of her abode, it was her turn to let out a sigh…that and wring out her hair.

"Sasuke-kun, you're such a sadist."

AN: All I can say is that this chapter was painful to write. Don't expect another chapter this long…ever! You notice Sasuke has the most lines? The Monkey's Paw really is a huge story. Anyway, I don't really know what prompted me to write this chapter, but either way I needed something before school starts (which is next chapter by the way). And as a side note, the beginning with Hinata and Kiba…see right now it's a sort of love triangle. Not really sure who to pair her with, since both would be fine. What do you think?

Just as another side note, I wanted to say big thanks to all the reviewers! You guys totally made my day! Now for some random responses since I don't really remember who said what (heh heh). About their past, more will happen later with that. Scenes focusing on other pairings? You guys will just have to wait a bit longer for those -laughs- And the Sand Siblings…they do appear, but later (and I mean waaaaaaay later. They're at different schools don't forget, but they are in multiple flashbacks later on). And finally, with the whole SasuSaku moments, I'm taking it sorta slow, considering they just got on good terms with each other. I hope you can be somewhat patient with me…-cowers in fear-.

And lastly, I'll try to update sometime before the beginning of July, since I'm going on vacation and won't be at the computer for 2 weeks…so now even a short review would be nice! Thanks, -hugs all-.