Summary: They had been seeing each other in secret for a reason. They wanted something that didn't involve their family. They already had to deal with expectations and the impending uncertainty of their graduation. Sadly good things have to come to an end.

Pairing: Kagome/Sasuke

Disclaimer: Everything belongs to it's respected owners. All mistakes are my own.

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Kagome stared at the confused blue eyes reflected back at her. She placed her hands on the clear, cool surface, and concluded from the ripples that erupted under her hand were from water. Lifting her head, her body lazily following until she was standing.

"Where am I?" This place was water as far as the eye could see. Taking a few steps forward she stopped when she saw her reflection again. Looking up, she saw that they sky had a curve to it. A dome? She went to place her hands on the barrier.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," her hand froze, that voice, "This is only safe part of my mind, you don't need to get lost in the darker areas." She turned around. It couldn't be it was impossible, but the figure remained.

"Dad?" There he stood, his muscular frame easily towering over her, cloaked in a flowing white yukata. Long black hair pulled into a high ponytail. Dark blue eyes staring at her, a small smile on his tan angular face. "How?"

"I never thought you'd get it so soon," he said as he walked closer to offer his hand. Her hand felt so small next to his, she felt her back flair without the pain. "Do you feel it?" There was a small tug at her chakra similar to her vine creatures.

"What is this?" She frowned, when his smile faded to a frown.

"You haven't connected yet," he dropped her hand and turned his back to her, his hand on his stubble covered chin.

"Done what?"

"I should have," he glanced at her over his shoulder, "You've been mastering Wood and Lightning in such a short time," he let out a huff moving his hands to cup his forehead, "I should have waited, but you have Water now," he faced her once more, "I can't return home yet."

"Why? Do you know how much mom misses you or Sota or Naruto or even grandfather," her eyes shone with hurt, "You can't just abandon us."

"I'm not, Kagome," he paused to find the right words, "I'm trapped in a dark place," his eyes stared at the plane he could see beyond the bubble.

"Where? I can get you out," well not her, Shisui would help her. She followed his gaze. "Is it here?" Placing a hand on the barrier, watching the rippling, "I can free you," for the first time calling lightning didn't make her entire arm burn. She raised a fist and let her arm swing into the barrier.

"No, Kagome don't!" She heard behind her as her fist connected.

The light in the bubble dispursted and darkness consumed the space quickly. She watched paralyzed as it ran up her legs. It didn't cause pain, but she felt tears that weren't hers running down her cheeks. Her mind was then bombarded with images and memories of missions. Killing, there were children, mothers, families that her father had torn apart. She saw the masked comrade he had lost. Foreign fears suspended in the space around her. Her family, the village, all of destroyed by a raging grey snake. The snake that was coming for them, for her. Feeling of inadequacy swirled, not being able to protect enough, or provide support. She fell into arms and is cradled to a warm chest apologize whispered continuously.

Lifting her head from his chest she noticed the bubble was back, but there was a darkness that stretched far beyond that. Her body shook, she never wanted to go back there. Whatever that was.

"I'm sorry," strong shaky hands wiped tears from her face. "I can't keep this up. Kagome, I can't come back until you soar." The sanctuary began to crumble apart, and she was pushed away.

Kagome jolted awake, blankets gripped tightly in her hands. Naruto snored softly on the floor. The moon was still high in the sky, it's light illuminating the small room. She extended her chakra, the trees gave her no feedback. Her head fell back on the pillow. What did her father mean? Was he even real? She yawned, it was most likely a stress dream. It had to be, it made no sense. She just wanted to see her father before she met her jounin instructor. Her father, who was... she wasn't going to think about it. She rolled over and tried to fall back asleep.

Sasuke stopped at the training grounds, he was early. By an hour or so, but he had been restless last night. How could he not be? Kagome had beaten him multiple times. That's not how it was supposed to work. They were meant to be equals with him being a little stronger so that he was able to protect her. How was that going to happen now? What if they got into danger, and she saved him? She'd see him as less, useless. Why would she marry someone so weak?

At that moment a flash of those pale fucking eyes, then Kagome staring at them lovingly. His fist swung out to smash into an innocent tree. He'd kill that bastard before that could happen. He continued his assault on the poor creature, imagining that it was instead Hyuga Neji. His knuckles started to bleed. That asshole, that prodigy who had beaten Kagome in a fight. His hand put a hole in the bark. Before he could deliver another punch his hand was grabbed by a gentle hand. His head snapped to the offender ready to chew their head off. Any hurtful statement dissolved on his tongue as he met concerned blue eyes.

"Your hands are bleeding," she cradled his hands in hers, her chakra flared. Vines sprouted from the hole in the tree to intwine their hands together. The pain faded as the energy worked to heal the damage he caused. He looked at her, this felt right. Her tending to his wounds, he shuffled his feet closer to hers. When she lifted her head, he took the opportunity to slot their lips together. It felt better once he put more pressure behind the kiss.

"Hey, stop that! Keep that away from the training ground," Sasuke ignored the annoying blonde, and went to cup Kagome's face.

"Maybe Naruto is right on this on. Don't want sensei to think our relationship doesn't have boundaries," she unwound their hands, she stepped away with a stretch of her spine. "Speaking of where is he?"

"He might be a little late, unless he's already here," Sasuke's eyes scanned the treeline.

"He's not here, the trees would have told me," she placed a hand on the tree, with an appreciative smile. "He should be here soon."

…

Sasuke sat near Kagome as rested on her elbows with her feet propped on her head. Tired black eyes blinked. He'll never understand how she can make the sharp curve of her spine look relaxing. Even when she was sparring him yesterday, she never tensed her body. Except when Shisui pointed out that she was holding back. His fists began to ball again, he forced them open again. He would get another chance to prove himself.

"He's close," Kagome announced as she rolled to stand, feet arched off the ground. Sometimes Sasuke just wanted to grab her by the heel and plant it firmly on the ground. It always looked like she was showing off. Or holding onto something she'd never be. Would he love her if she was a performer? She'd need his protection if she was. But then again their chances of meeting would have been drastically slim. He'd take her irritating walk pattern, than never knowing her.

"Hey you're late buddy," Naruto yelled much to the Uchiha's annoyance, why was the blonde even here? He lacked the skill to even be a ninja, he was only passed because Kagome almost killed a chunin on his behalf.

"Sorry a black cat walked in my path, so I went a different way," the silver jounin said from behind the orange covered book. His hair was spiked in an odd way, like he was stuck by lighting and never fixed it.

"A black cat, made you a couple hours late?" Kagome asked.

"It happens," their sensei answered.

"Whatever what's our first lesson as full fledge ninjas?" Naruto asked while he crossed his arms.

"I wouldn't call you that so soon,"

"What do you mean?" Naruto asked and grabbed his forehead protector, "Isn't this thing like a guarantee?"

"More like a placeholder depending on how this day goes," Sasuke's eyes brows shot up, as the jounin pulled out a clock.

"I've set this to go off at noon," He placed on a log and turned to them with bells held high, "Your goal is to get one of these from me. If you do, you get to officially be genin."

Sasuke started at the bells as they glittered in the sunlight. Only two. There were two, but three f could pass. He looked at Kagome. He needed to get those bells. Failure was not an option, they would not be separated. She needed him. And he had three hours to cement that.

"Start."

He took a page out of Kagome's book and perched on a tree branch, hidden by the branches. He had a good view of his sensei, as the man continued to read his book. She was gone, and he couldn't feel her at all. And Naruto hadn't moved an inch.

"I'm not backing down from you," the blonde declared his finger pointed at the man. Sasuke could have sworn he felt a blood vessel pound irritable against his temple. Why was this idiot on his team? He watched as Naruto charged the man. The sequence was unsure after that, but it ended with Naruto getting a finger shoved in his ass. The silver haired jounin was focused on the little idiot, leaving his side open. He waited until the man's back was to him when he sprang into action. One of his fingers managed to brush against the cool metal, before his wrist was grabbed.

"This is what the second Uchiha heir is capable of?" Kakashi held Sasuke with one hand and Naruto on the other. His one eye looked over them, with something he couldn't describe, before it scanned the tree line.

"Where's your other little teammate?" He asked as his gaze intensified, he was on high alert. Sasuke's jaw gnashed his teeth together with an audible crack. Sensei wasn't focused on him instead looking for Kagome. Who ,as if on command, emerged from the forest. Her eyes were downcast, hair covering her face.

"I see you're also going for the direct approach as well," Kakashi shook his head, "And to think I was most anticipating your approach," The girl didn't speak and only continued to walk closer. She stopped in front of him her hands were clenching and releasing.

"You're going to fight me for your teammates freedom? Or are you going to use me not being able to utilize either of my hands to go for the bells?" Kakashi almost sounded bored.

Kagome mouth split open in a teeth baring smile as she swung her arms forward with a vicious cackle. Her flesh gave way to tree branches and vines. Kakashi was too slow to move, and he was ensnared. He struggled, he could feel himself growing sluggish. His eye widened when he saw the blue and purple flowers that dotted the plant.

"Did I do good mistress? Did I? Did I?" It asked tongue lolling out of its mouth as it jumped in place.

"That you did," Kagome said as she emerged from the tree behind Kakashi bells held above her head.

"What are you going to do with them now?" Kakashi asked as he fought against his binds.

She looked at him, as her monster began to unravel him, before she tossed the bells to her stunned teammates. Sasuke's hand felt cold when he caught it, but his chest was hot. How? What? Why did she have to make it seem so easy?

"You know this means you fail right?" Kakashi asked while he stopped himself from swaying. But eye didn't match his tone, for a moment something lighter passed through his gaze.

"What? She got the bells!" Naruto said and he prepared to fight their teacher.

"Yeah," Sasuke chimed in, "If anything we fail, we didn't contribute to her attempt," he held out his hand with the bell in it, "Kagome take this."

"No, Kagome take mine," Naruto held his hand out.

"I'm not taking your bells," she stepped back, but Sasuke persisted.

"You've worked too hard to go back to the academy," he had too, but not as much she did. As she'll continue to do if she takes the bell. He could take the blunt of his father's disappointment and scorn. He didn't want to even think about what her grandfather would do to her.

"You didn't graduate early because of me, you aren't going back," the idiot had a point, she shouldn't be held back because of them. If they could do one right thing for her.

"Well I guess, I can make an exception," Kakashi's voice immediately got their attention. He held up his hand before they could speak, "I have an idea for another test, but that can happen after some lunch."

"Lunch? How can you think of lunch now?" Naruto asked over his growling stomach.

"Sound decisions can be made while eating," Sasuke tensed when Kakashi pulled out rope, "But there will be a condition. Kagome if you'll follow me," he watched as she walked after him, but he saw the hesitancy in her steps. Their sensei stopped at on the of the three posts, "If you could put your back to this," with quick practiced movements Kagome was bound to the wood.

"Is this revenge for earlier sensei?" she asked trying to lighten the mood.

"No," he turned to Sasuke and Naruto, handing them two bentos he produced out of thin air, "Feel free to eat, but there is one condition. Under no circumstances are you to feed her. If you do then you'll all fail, and none of you will get another chance from me," with that the scarecrow like man vanished.

Sasuke stared at the rice. He hadn't eaten since yesterday, but this meal didn't call to his hunger. Eyes trailed to Kagome, her eyes were vacant as she was probably talking with trees, or whatever she did with them. Birds chirped as the sun beat down on them. His ears heard the rumble deep in her stomach. The situation was deplorable. He had no right to eat, not when the person who held his heart couldn't.

"Sasuke, Naruto, eat," Kagome said as she stared off into the distance.

"Are you sure?" Naruto asked as he dragged his chopsticks through his rice.

"Whatever you're thinking isn't worth it," she hung her head letting her hair cover her face, "Destroying your chance at passing isn't worth it, two out of three is better than..."

"Shut up!" Sasuke yelled as he stood in front of her. Gripping her chin, he lifted her gaze and her eyes took him in. "You're really starting to piss me off. One of us should be tied to this and not you. Stop playing the humble hero." He grabbed a clump of rice with his chopsticks, placing them near her lips. When she pressed her mouth into a thin line, he gripped her jaw in an effort to pry it open. "You know as well as I do, whatever is next will be challenging if you're hungry. And if we fucking fail from feeding you, our sensei can eat my fire. And if you grandfather attempts to harm you, I'll burn him too. I can handle my father. Either outcome won't be pleasant, but it'll be with us together. I'll be damned if we get seperated. Now from the bottom of my heart, open your mouth," he growled, the food passed through stunned lips, "We either pass as a unit or not at all, because dobe and I can't function without you," the next bite taken eagerly.

"You!" they turned to the voice, the sky began to darken, the temperature dropped, smoke rolled across the ground. Sasuke dropped the bento and turned to the enemy Sharingan activated, Naruto flanking his other side "You disobeyed my orders."

"Yeah what of it, we weren't going to just sit there and do nothing," Naruto stated as he extracted a kunai.

"You're going to attack me?" Mirth coursed through the man's voice.

"Depends on the followup you have planned after your entrance," Sasuke mimicked the blonde's action.

"I don't think you'll want to attack me once I say," they tensed as the man cracked his knuckles, "You all pass," he said with a thumb raised.

"What?" Sasuke stared in shock as their sensei pushed past them to cut Kagome's ropes.

"A ninja who only listens to orders at the expense of their teammate isn't worth their title. I learned this from great men, and I'm glad that you hold the same sentiment. I'll see you later when I get your first mission," they watched as the man just walked away with his face buried in the orange covered book.

"Did you know that he was testing our teamwork from the beginning?" Sasuke pointed an accusing finger at his fiance.

"I swear, I didn't," she said with her hands raised, "My attack lining up with your's was by coincidence," they stared at each other, she cupped his face, "Thank you," she placed a chaste kiss on his lips.

"You're my responsibility, your life and well being are my main concern," flowed out of his mouth and his face flushed. Why did he say that? It was supposed to implied, through actions. Words were used only by cowards. Oh no, his heart thumped against his rib cage. He was such a-

"Hey, how about we go get food? I can't let my hero starve," she took his hand into her's and tugged him along to the busy streets of Konoha. He stared at their hands content as Naruto trailed after them.

Hey, well there it is. I was worried about making most of it in Sasuke's POV, but I was told that in one of my original works that shifting the POV constantly doesn't add to the reader's experience. But even if I hadn't written it from his perspective, the chapter would still have focused on Sasuke. And don't worry the conflict over his inferiority in the relationship is only starting, of course. I hope that it was overall, it was a good read. And I hoped that you had a good holidays and a happy new year. I love you, Ja Ne~