((((Sorry for the long waiiiiit...had some exams to focus on but was able to finish this chapter. Also, would like to say...thanks for the reviews!...helps a lot to get feedback which is why, the Zane character I introduce last chapter...was supposed to be an Oc of mines however, found a replacement. What I mean by that, Zane will not be an Oc but someone from the Naruto world that I think will fit well in what I have planned. The idea came from the reviews I read so thank you.
Extra note: one minor change will happen in the chapter before this, just one word to fit the "Zane" Character. Though that name will be important too, figured out something interesting with that but you will see that possibly next chapter but the true name will be revealed in this chapter…..)))
Reliving the past
On next day, school begins normally and Naruto had enough strength to go to school but is still a little sick. He had his head on his desk while staring at the board. Ino and Sakura were both surprised to see him in class. From the way they saw him yesterday, they didn't think he would show. Ino felt awkward sitting next to him from what happened yesterday. She kept her eyes focus in front. There was no reason for her to look at her left which she keeps reminding herself.
She was tapping faster than usual. Her eyes might be focus on the board but her mind kept on thinking of how Naruto acted yesterday. It made her tap harder. She felt frustrated then she heard Iruka beginning his class.
"Alright class...we will be having a new student" Iruka spoke causing small chatter among the students wondering who it will be and if they a boy or a girl. "Now, I want you to give him a warm welcome..to-"
Before he finished his sentence, the new student enters the class. That was when Ino stopped tapping her finger. Sakura froze in her seat being so close. Most of the students were shocked. Including Naruto who raised his head.
"Sasuke Uchiha" Iruka finishes.
Sasuke stood in the front of the classroom, examining the room. His eyes lands at the far corner. "Guess they aren't separatable" he thought. Ino and Naruto were staring directly at him. He chuckles to himself softly.
"Is there anything you want to say to the class?" Iruka asked.
"No..where would I be sitting?" Sasuke asked turning his head to him.
"There is an empty desk at the corner of the class near the second exit.
With that, Sasuke begins walking over to his new desk. The two pair eyes follows along with him. He takes a seat and looks straight at the board. He had a feeling, that he was going to bombarded with questions.
OOO
Once Lunch started, a crowd of students circle around Sasuke in the hallway. His looks were eye candy to every girl that and that's when his fan club was born. Many guys were jealous but his cool personality made them want to be his friends. He was gaining so much attention without even saying one word. It was annoying him, just like his old school.
Naruto had trouble getting through the crowd. It was hard enough to walk with a cold and now he has to deal with his fanboys. He needed a place to rest. He starts walking up the usual stairs to the roof. Sasuke saw him but gets pulled through the crowd.
He was able to slip out and turns to who pulled him out. It was Ino who was breathing heavily. It wasn't easy for her to get to him.
"Follow me" she said, motioning her hand to follow her.
Sasuke was surprised that she was taking the same flight of stairs as Naruto. She makes a turn and walks to the club room. When she opened it, Sasuke notice it was empty.
"Phew...that was troublesome..like my cousin would say" Ino said giggling softly. "Now, Sasuke...it's good to see you again!"
He was surprised receiving a hug from her that lasted a few seconds then letting go. He didn't hug back expect stared at her with a blank expression.
"Whats wrong?...wait..do you remember me?" Ino asked about to feel embarrassed if he didn't.
"hm..I do" Sasuke spoke softly, staring at her.
"So why aren't you showing it!" Ino shouts. "It's been years after-"
"We all moved" Sasuke finishes her sentence.
"Ya..your the first of the group I met with" Ino said smiling.
"First?" Sasuke thought then the question comes to his mind. Did she forget about Naruto or doesn't remember how he looked like. Is it possible that she doesn't even remember about him either.
"Let me ask you something.." Sasuke begins. "Do you remember the battle royal?"
Her smile slowly shrinks. She leans against the door and lowers her head a little. The battle royal was a game the four created. It was a competition made up.
Flashback
The four carry their own deck of cards with different colour covers. This would make it easier to tell what cards belong to who. The battle royal was created by one member in the group.
The battle royal consists of four card games that each excel at. Ino's was mix'n'match though the boys were speed. That game was a challenge for her so she decided to do something different. The purpose of this game was too see who will become the card master. A silly idea but made each of them eager to gain that title.
From what she remembers, the game was going to start two days day before she moved.
Her first match was the goofy grinning boy though, he didn't show and so didn't the rest. She decided to leave without saying goodbye.
Flashback ended
"It was when you three abandoned me" Ino said glaring at Sasuke still hurt.
However, Sasuke didn't show any reaction. "So she doesn't know" he thought, closing his eyes. There was a piece of that event Ino doesn't know but Sasuke does and knows the reason why she didn't.
"We didn't-" Sasuke said but gets interrupted.
"Don't worry..." Ino said with a sigh. "I wasn't holding a grudge for this long...but I did wonder, why didn't you guys meet at the usual spot"
"...things changed.." Sasuke answers.
"Really?...why didn't you guys tell me!" Ino said surprised.
"We were young to have cellphones" Sasuke replies, walking to the door.
"Wait!" Ino shouting, putting her hands out, stopping him in his tracks. "I didn't bring you here to relive the past but….for you to join my club?"
"Your club?" Sasuke said confused.
"I made a card club…" Ino said, pulling out her purple deck of cards. "We have four members...you can be our fifth"
She shakes her deck in front of him. He was not amused but a question popped into his mind.
"Who is in your club?" Sasuke asked.
"Well...Sara, who gave me the idea and reminded me how much fun I had playing cards...then her classmate Choji..but part of me feels he was forced by Sara then there's.." Ino said sighing. "A student in my class...Naruto Uzumaki though...he's tough to work with, he hates card games but when he was playing speed the other day...he was..different"
"Naruto hating card games" Sasuke thought shocked hearing that but notice a frown in Ino's expression. What he understands from what she said is that Naruto doesn't even remember her either. It would make sense if the two weren't close.
Flashback
Sasuke notice the cards falling with the wind spreading them everywhere. He looks at Naruto, who made the mess. He was grinning and laughing at Ino.
"The queen of hearts" Ino spoke looking at the card that was stuck in her hair.
"Hmm...wouldn't think of you as a queen" Naruto said causing Ino to run after him with the card.
"And I wouldn't think of you as my king!" Ino yells but stops after noticing what she said and blushed.
"What?" Naruto said a few minutes ahead of her.
"S-shut up!" Ino calls out hitting him.
"What did i say!" Naruto shouts.
Sasuke chuckled at them. One of Naruto's cards fell in front of his feet. He picks it up and notice the suit.
"The Ace of spades" Sasuke spoke quietly to himself.
He turns around after hearing leaves being crushed. He looks at the other boy holding one of Naruto's card. He had a small grin behind the card.
Flashback ended
Remembering a small memory just let in another feeling in him other than joy. He stares at the door until opening his mouth again.
"I'll think about it" Sasuke said, walking out.
Ino watches him leave and breaths out. She forgets how unsociable Sasuke is but at least meeting one of her childhood friends is something. She looks at her deck and pulls out the last card that was the queen of hearts with the orange cover. The image of a small boy with a big goofy grin comes to her mind looking at this card. Warms her up inside. She puts it back in her deck and walks out of the club room.
OOO
Naruto was sitting on the roof looking at nowhere in particular. He needed to catch his breath after seeing him again. Though, is peace didn't last long. The door to the roof opens and the person he wanted to avoid came out.
"So this is where you are….Naruto" Sasuke spoke, closing the door behind him.
"How did you know I was here?" Naruto asked turning his head to him.
"I saw you going up the stairs" Sasuke answered simply because there wasn't anywhere else Naruto would go expect up.
"Heh…" Naruto said turning back to what he was looking at. "Well….what do you want?"
Sasuke stares at Naruto for awhile. He never would have guessed, what happened would cause Naruto to change into this. Its clear to him why Ino doesn't remember. The Naruto she remembers was more, lively while this one was the opposite. He leans back on the door.
"...What happened at the forest...you should forget about it" Sasuke spoke.
"...forget…" Naruto repeats softly confused at the words.
"You shouldn't take him seriously" Sasuke tells him, closing his eyes. "It wasn't because of you"
"Hmph" Naruto chuckled softly and brought his knees up to his chest. "...but it did happened"
Flashback
Naruto rubbed the bump on his head that the short tempered girl gave him.
"Ha!...now you have to pick all your cards up" she said sticking her tongue out.
Naruto puffed his cheeks and starts collecting his cards. One by one until, he saw a pair of feet in front of him belonging to the other boy with black hair.
"Hey, Naruto...I have an idea?" He said with a grin.
"What kind?" Naruto asked raising an eyebrow.
"A little competition with only the four of us" He answers him.
"A competition sounds fun" Ino said overhearing the conversation. "But what will the winner get?"
"The title of being the card master" he answers with a big grin.
"Hmm...that would be interesting" Sasuke spoke liking the idea.
However, Naruto kept silent and looked at everyone. It did sound fun but in a couple of days he was going to be moving with his parents. If they were to start this game, it would be without him. He hasn't told them. There wasn't a time to tell them. He grips the cards in his hands and thinks.
"So let's start it now-" Naruto said in a cheery tone until getting interrupted.
"There will be four days…one for each of us" he spoke that shocked the three of them. "Since we each have our own decks...we have our own day to challenge everyone...for example...if my day was tomorrow, I get to decide the game...who will be my opponent, the time we start it and...the rules"
"You have it all organized" the girl said surprised in a low tone.
"But four days is too much...we can have all the games in one day" Sasuke stated.
"True...maybe i'm thinking...too far" he covers his face with his hand. "How about….tomorrow...but we all meet at certain times...each match will have their own time and we meet right here….and only the two people that are playing will be here as for the rest...they can wait at home"
"Why?" Naruto asked.
"So..your opponent doesn't see how you play and find a way to beat you...so...no cheating" he answered with a smile.
"Make sense...hate cheaters, they ruin the game" she said crossing her arms.
Naruto felt calmer now. It was good that Sasuke said that, he always been the smart one out of the group.
"So then...tomorrow, it will begin...I call debs for having the first match.." the boy said, showing them one of Naruto's card, the king of diamonds. "The reward is this card-"
"HEY!...that's my card!" Naruto shouts.
"So then...beat me in a speed match tomorrow here"
"Eh?...fine I will!" Naruto said with a confident expression.
"We might as well do the same then" the girl said showing the queen of hearts card.
"Something this simple would make Naruto serious in playing the game" Sasuke said with soft chuckling showing his Ace of spades.
"It's settled then...tomorrow...Naruto you're the first challenger who will face each of us"
A cool breeze past between the four of them. They all were smiling with excitement in their eyes. This idea spark a new flame in each of them. Naruto was happy but it all went downhill after the girl and Sasuke left.
OOO
Naruto collected the cards that he threw and notice the black haired boy placing his cards on the tree stomp.
"What are you doing?...aren't you going home too?" Naruto asked walking to the tree stomp.
"Let's have a little game Naruto" he spoke with a smile.
The boy stands on the opposite side of the tree trunk. Naruto looks down and sees the layout. It was for speed.
"I thought you wanted to play tomorrow?" Naruto said picking up his 20 cards.
"...well I didn't say we couldn't have a practice Match" he said putting five cards to his hand.
"Ok then.." Naruto said placing his deck down.
He slides five cards from the top onto the surface of the trunk. He slides his hand over them and picks them up.
Naruto's hand
2 of hearts
Jack of spades
10 of diamonds
8 of clubs
9 of clubs
When he was about to order his cards, he hears his opponent open his mouth.
"Playing cards is fun..isn't it...but, there is a way to make it more interesting"
Naruto looks up at him wondering what he meant by that.
"Attaching deals….whoever wins get something out of it...no matter what"
"...like what?...it's just a simple card game" Naruto said brushing off his idea and place his hand on one of the two cards in the middle.
"Hm...yet there are some card games that takes something precious from the loser" he said placing his hand on the other card. "Could be something small like candy to getting money"
The two cards were flipped. Naruto looks at him. It sounded like gambling. He remembers his parents telling him not to gamble because it was a bad way to get money and addictive. Naruto wasn't sure what gave him that idea. What deal will he ask for this game. Naruto was getting nervous and stared at his cards.
"...though asking for money now..won't do much since...were just kids" he said and organizing his cards. "But...there is something you have and want"
"Heh?" Naruto spoke confused and was able to see a nasty grin on his face.
"...if you don't win...you will lose everything"
"Uh" Naruto said and sees him place a 5 of spades above a four of clubs.
"Naruto...I found a new and interesting way of playing cards...and plan..to use the battle royal to have everyone on my side...though, I know you would hate this idea...but I can find a way to persuade them-"
Naruto slams the 8 of clubs over the 7 of hearts. He had his hair covering his eyes.
"No, you can't...it's the wrong way of playing….they will feel the same too!" Naruto said with an angry expression.
"Hm...you know those bullies that came by her a week ago...they were older than us and played cards...but their version involved the loser giving up something...they wanted to take this place and anything we have on us...and what did we do?" he asked placing another card down.
"We….played 4 way speed" Naruto answers in a low tone.
"And that ended with us winning..and them leaving" he said with a chuckle.
"But it wasn't fun...it was stressful…" Naruto said gripping his cards. "I never want to play like that again"
"You felt that way...uh" he said softly. "Well I was the opposite...that feeling...I want to feel it again and more!"
OOO
Naruto can hear the sound of his card slam against the other. The memory gave him shivers. It was the first time, he experience fear and coming from a friend no less. That game ended with Naruto losing. His first lost. He was stressed and the deal was in the back of his head. He couldn't fully focus in the game. Thinking back on it now, that boy probably planned that to happen.
After Naruto lost, he went home and stared at his ceiling. He didn't know if it was going to happen. The deal, but he remembers that he stayed in his room the whole day. He didn't have a cell phone back then so he couldn't get in touch with the others. He wondered how, the winner was going to make the deal happen. Though, that question was answered. On his last days, he kept visiting the forest where the four usually hang out and where their card games was being held. However, no one came. The next day, he moved away to his new home and never spoke to them again.
Naruto hated playing cards ever since, because of what happened when he was young. However, time went by and he got older. His mind kept on going back to that day. He started to imagine ideas on why they didn't show up. One was that, their individual matches were happening at different times of the day that he wasn't around or that they agreed with him or they moved like him and didn't tell anybody for the same reason he didn't tell anyone.
Naruto leans his head against the wall and looks at the sky above. It didn't matter anymore, he started forgetting his past and his old friends. He isn't the goofy card lover anymore.
"What are you doing up here really...Sasuke?" Naruto said looking at the corner of his eye.
"I hear you joined a card club" Sasuke said shocking Naruto.
"How did you?" Naruto said turning his head to him.
"Our classmate Ino told me..and asked me to join" Sasuke answers.
"Heh" Naruto replies shaking his head and standing up.
He started to get light headed. He needed some rest.
"Well you are popular...the queen of hearts would want you to join.." Naruto said placing his hand on the door knob.
"Queen of hearts?" Sasuke said surprised.
"Its her nickname...everyone knows it" Naruto exclaims pulling the door.
"Isn't that the suit in his orange deck that Ino took" Sasuke thought. Chuckling to himself and biting his lip. There was one part that didn't change in Naruto that he wished it did. Naruto's cluelessness. Even back then, he didn't realize why that girl was watching him closely everytime he was playing cards.
It might be mean if he didn't tell him who Ino was or who Naruto was to her. He thinks they will figure it out someday. He doesn't want to intervene in their lives. He follows Naruto back inside the building.
OOO
School has ended. Ino was packing her things and notice Naruto staring at the window as usual. Her attention was grabbed by Sakura who touched her shoulder.
"Today is Neji's match...lets go and cheer for him" Sakura tells her.
"Ya" Ino replies and gets up from her seat.
They both leave and head over to the meeting place the four decided a few days before. They got outside and saw Sai waiting for them. He gave them a smile.
"Where's Neji?" Sakura asked.
"He's inside the dojo" Sai said turning to the dojo a few minutes away from him.
"Lets not keep him waiting" Ino said giving her smile and walks toward the entrance.
The two followed Ino. They enter the building and notice a big empty space. There was many club members, both new and old, sitting around the sparring zone where they see Neji wearing a white robe near the center of the floor holding a wooden sword.
"Is the match already starting?" Ino asked whispering.
"Ya...his opponent came earlier than expected" One of the members said.
"Whose his opponent?" Sakura said not recognizing the other student.
"He came from another school…" Sai replies. "His name...is Gaara"
A loud smack echoes through the room. Neji and Gaara were looking intensely in each other eyes. Neji begins going in on Gaara who blocks each of his attacks. His expression didn't show any fear.
"Uh..different school.." Ino said with her arms crossed and notice someone else with paint marks on his face watching the fight. "Is he from the other school too?"
"yup..Kankuro...there was two more..but not sure where they went" Sai states.
"Oh, that's interesting.." Sakura said feeling weird seeing Kankuro with face paint.
The match continues. The sound kept on getting louder and louder. Gaara began attacking more aggressively than blocking. He was pushing Neji back.
OOO
Naruto was walking through the empty hallway. He had a massive headache and needed to go home and sleep. He started to lose his appetite which was the worse thing when being sick. In the distance away, there was a student cleaning his glasses near a water fountain.
Naruto's mind was focus on getting home that he didn't bother to look at the student, until he spoke.
"Your looking under the weather"
Naruto stopped walking and turns his head around. He sees the student putting his glasses on.
OOO
Sasuke walked out from the building and heard loud chatter. He starts walking toward it, curious who was causing it. What he found was surprising. There was a group of students wearing the same uniform as him, about four of them, with another student not from his school. She had dark gold hair. There was cards on the ground around them.
"Too easy...I would say" she spoke with a grin.
The students from his school dropped on their knees. When they did, Sasuke notice a table with money over it. This made him realize what was going on.
OOO
"Argh.." Neji said, breathing heavily blocking another strong hit from Gaara.
He was a tough opponent. Neji couldn't find a opening to strike. He surprised himself for being able to block his attacks well but wasn't sure how long he can keep up.
"Ahh" Neji said swinging his sword, trying to push Gaara back.
Neji can't give up. Ino and his friends were watching him. He needed to win. He swings his sword again and again more forceful than before. Gaara notice this and quickly changed his stance. In a swift motion with his sword, Gaara trips Neji by hitting his leg. The winner was decided right after.
"He lost" Sakura said with a frown.
"Awee...well he did a good job" Ino states trying to see the brighter side.
"That's true" Sai states.
Ino felt bad for Neji. He was excited for this match and wanted to win. She sees Neji stand up while Gaara walks over to Kankuro. Ino walks over to Neji.
"Hey are you alright?" she asked kindly.
"hmm..I'm fine" Neji answers softly looking down.
"Hey..cheer up this was one match...you will win in the next one" Ino said smiling, patting his back.
Neji didn't respond. He wanted to impress Ino but it ended with him losing and getting cheered up from her. Not what he had imagined. Neji raises his head and turns to Ino.
"Thank you-" Neji begins saying until she sees Ino looking shocked facing the direction of Gaara and Kankuro.
Ino heard a familiar name coming from the two. She started to walk over to them leaving Neji confused. Sakura and Sai notice this too. Kankuro stopped talking with Gaara after noticing Ino coming toward them. Gaara turns to her.
"hi ..I'm one of Neji's friends..Ino" she said kindly. "I was wondering...the person you were talking about a few seconds ago...what was his name?"
Gaara and Kankuro looked at each other then at her.
OOO
An image of Naruto reflects off his glasses with an intense expression. The student slides his hands through his grey hair. He had a grin that was so familiar. Naruto knew that grin. His hair colour may have changed but that expression and voice.
"...Kabuto"
((...and Now you found the "Zane" Characters true identity. Though I forgot about who Kabuto was and his personality until I remember and I think he fits well. This chapter may not have been….too exciting but there certain ideas I came up with beforehand will shock and surprise you...ha..ha...I guess..:-: one being….ships….. there is one i like so much in Naruto but in this story...that GIRL…I will have to use because… I CAN'T THINK OF ANY OTHER CHARACTER THAT FITS THE ROLE...but thats later...so don't worry…:3 unless you figured it out…then...good...so thanks for reading, the next chapter...I hope it doesn't take too long))