Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail and Naruto. They belong to their respective owner.
A/N: Thank you to fellow readers, old and new especially jjjj, fin, me, jm, the oyabak, altajir95, anarochev, Eagleblade, Audnober29, kurumi fan, fictionlover1993, jerzafan, jellybeans, nikkitheprincess, fizirazak, chae kyung sooh, hhhh, neko erza and hi, for reviewing the previous chapter and also to those who favorite/follow this story. I really appreciate it.
I've been replying to the review from signed author/reader so to all Guest that has been reviewing this story, I'm sorry if I don't reply to the review but I really appreciate it.
I've been getting reviews to update this story faster. So I'm sorry for my tardiness. Sorry in advance for any mistake.
CHAPTER 7
"Itachi," the words escaped her lips easily and she felt relief washed over her at seeing his familiar face.
"Get in," he ordered in his usual aloof self.
Erza couldn't help but scowled at his tone but she complied anyway. Too tired to reprimand him about his social manner, she quickly opened the car door and slipped in the passenger seat, anything to get away from the cold and pouring rain outside.
Itachi drove away without any words to her once she closed the door.
It was quiet in the car but Erza was used to it anyway. She chanced a glance towards the driver next to her. He was composed and stoic as always but there was an unmistakable hint of annoyance on his handsome face.
Erza mentally sighed. Itachi was not a man of many words and he might seem like an uncaring and cold man, famous for his aggressive way in dealing with the business world. But behind the tough exterior he was actually a considerate, fair and kind person. He just had his own way of showing it through his action, even though not many people saw through the facade.
"You're shivering," he suddenly said without taking his eyes off from the road. Erza silently wondered if he had a 360 degree vision. How did he know it when he didn't even look at her once she stepped into the vehicle? Only now that he mentioned it, she could feel how cold she really felt.
Itachi moved to turn the air conditioner off and gave her his coat. "Here put this on, I don't want you getting sick from the cold," he instructed.
"Thanks," Erza whispered softly taking the coat handed to her with gratitude. She quickly put it around her body and was pleased for the warmth it provided.
"What are you doing in the rain in the first place?" He asked her with an accusing tone.
"I miss the bus stop," she answered truthfully with a shrug.
The car stopped at the red light and Erza felt apprehension of being lectured by the older man.
"You know I always get what I want, right? So you might as well start talking on what is bothering you. You miss the bus stop? That is so not like you for not being focus on your surroundings," he spoke with an intent glare sent her way.
Erza held her gaze against him showing defiance. She didn't feel like telling him anything. She just wanted to go home, took a long hot bath and hopefully gets some sleep. But he was still looking at her with the superior gaze he always wore and her own stare wavered a little. Damn, Itachi really was a master at things like this.
With a sigh, Erza removed her eyes from him and stared dead ahead on the road, folding her hands on her chest in annoyance. "I saw Jellal earlier today with Ultear," Erza started.
Itachi raised an eyebrow. "And…," he trailed letting her know to finish her story.
Obediently, she told him what had transpired today from the beginning, from the group assignment event to how she ended up on the street in the rain. "And it's all your brother's fault," she finished her story with a grumble.
The car starts moving at the green light and Erza spotted a smug smirk on Itachi's face.
Erza pouted and sank deeper in her seat, she knew better than to expect Itachi to sympathize with her fate for today. It was depressing but no matter how depressed she was, she couldn't alleviate the tiny guilt she felt for soaking the comfortable car seat with water accumulated from her wet clothes.
"Sorry. I'm making a mess in your car," she said with a small voice, not looking in his direction.
"It's okay," Itachi said in his cool voice. "Your day is bad enough without me nagging at you about it or anything."
Erza let a small smile escaped her lips. Sometimes, Itachi frustrate her without even trying with his behavior but some other times he was understanding enough she could kiss him for it.
"We're here," Itachi announced. He drove to the parking lot and parked the car at the designated space. They both exited the car and rode the elevator to her floor, making small talk along the way. Once they exited the elevator, they walked to the right until they reached her door. Erza took out her key and opened the door leading the way inside before Itachi too followed her step and closed the door behind him.
But unbeknownst to the both of them, someone was watching them with a surprised expression on his face.
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Hatake Kakashi shivered as he tightened the jacket around his body. It was cold because of the rain and he was glad that he took the car to work this morning. He walked to the elevator after he parked his car and pushed the button for his floor. Luckily no one was in the elevator so the ride shouldn't be long. He was dead tired and couldn't wait for a hot shower his mind wandered towards his comfy bed and fluffy pillows. Once the door opened he quickly exited the elevator and turned right, but what he saw made him stopped on his track. Kakashi couldn't believe his own eyes.
He stood rooted there dumbfounded in front of the elevator still trying to process what he was seeing occurring just now. He thought he saw Itachi following a red headed girl which was also his neighbor into the apartment across his own. That was a sight he never dreamed to be seeing. Then, he remembered Sasuke telling him about Itachi's engagement which was kept secret from anyone except family members. And him, being a close friend to both brothers and mentor to Sasuke was told of the news, or more like Sasuke moaning and bitching about how he didn't like the decision his brother made. But, it would be made official soon as they were planning the engagement party. There was nothing Sasuke could do about it but accept the fact that Itachi had made his decision.
Shaking his head, Kakashi made his way towards his own apartment while fishing out the keys from his jeans pocket. He contemplated about knocking on the opposite door just to double check if it truly was Itachi and maybe a Hi was in order. It's been a while since he saw the other man because both of them were busy, but his need for shower and bed won out. He was cold and exhausted from his job. He really needed his sleep or he might crash outside of his door right then. With the decision in mind, he unlocked the door and quickly went inside. Itachi and his fiancée could wait until he got his sleep. They're not going anywhere, he could always call Itachi and the fiancée turned out to be living in front of his house.
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The next day in school, things were rowdy and hectic as usual. But for Erza, it was taking its toll on her. She was not feeling well and before class started, she was called to the principal office with the reason she knew nothing about. Turns out Principal Makarov requested a meeting with the student council later that day and being the president, she needed to inform the rest of the student council body about it and prepare for the meeting. She figured there must be something important would be happening if the Principal himself requested a meeting like this on short notice.
Everything was not going her way that day. Girls gathered around the hallway in a group of two or three before the class start trying their luck at bumping into Sasuke. Their incessant chattering and gossiping only made her headache worse. And in her hasty to go to school this morning she forgot to take her lunch, which was two slices of strawberry cake, with her to school. Now she had to go to the cafeteria to buy some food during lunch. She dreaded what was on the menu today. The tasteless and awful food in the cafeteria was legendary. She was also trying her best to avoid Sasuke who was trying to get her attention. His accusation of her yesterday was still fresh in her mind and she felt a little bitter about it. She's the grudging type, there's no way she's going to forget about that soon.
The only good thing that happened today was that Shikamaru finally was coming back to school from the trip to China for his Chess Tournament. Really, that man made her and the school proud with his talent. She grew closer to Shikamaru after he disclosed information that made her open her eyes and see things differently than she did before. She never talked more than necessary with him before. Their interaction consist of more like him getting scolded by her for sleeping in class and his laid back attitude didn't help his case. She didn't know how a man so lazy and laid back like him could be so brilliant. Even Itachi acknowledged that Shikamaru was better than him. He really was a genius.
So with a slightly better mood, she walked back to the class from the principal's office hoping to see him soon. And she was not disappointed when she saw a figure sitting next to her seat, hunching over with his face buried in his folded arm on the desk. Damn, the class didn't even start and he was already sleeping. With a purposeful stride, she walked towards her seat and sat in it. She swing her hand trying to slap his head to wake him up but before her hands could connect with his head, his hand shot out and grabbed hers instead.
Shikamaru raised his head and stared at her blankly.
"Is this how you treat a friend after two weeks of absence?" He said as he slowly released his hold on her hand.
Erza gave him a grin. "Who told you to sleep in class so early in the morning?" She swiveled in her chair to face him fully.
"Who cares? The teacher's not even in yet," he casually replied.
"Okay point taken," she grudgingly agreed. "But at least has the decency to greet me after two weeks of being away," she scolded with a frown.
Shikamaru had the nerve to smirk at her. "In other words, you have been missing me," he stated gleefully.
Erza scoffed at him but she knew that he was right. She did miss him.
"Don't worry Scarlet, I miss you too," he offered her a genuine smile and she couldn't help but gave him one in return.
"Yeah, you're a pain in the ass but I guess I miss you a little bit," she confessed. "But don't think that I won't punch you if you sleep in the class again," she jokingly warned.
"Yeah, yeah. The warning was seriously noted," he said with a sigh. "Troublesome woman," he muttered under his breath but Erza heard it anyway. "So tell me Erza, anything interesting happened while I'm gone?"
"Nothing I guess," she shrugged.
"Then why do you look so down today?" He inquired.
Shikamaru was a very observant man. It is one his good quality but sometimes, she cursed his sharp mind. Nothing went through pass him.
"I forgot my bento of strawberry cake today," she grumbled. "Now I have to go to the cafeteria later if I don't want to starve. You know how I despise the food."
Shikamaru chuckled at her response. Of course, missing her strawberry cake was a big deal to Erza Scarlet.
"No need to go there, I bring something for you," he said.
"Really?" Erza looked at him in interest. "You bring me food?" She asked with hopeful expression. "How nice of you," she muttered with a smile.
"Just be at the usual place during lunch, then we can talk about what has been happening these past two weeks," he instructed.
"Sure," Erza answered shortly, just as the teacher came in for the first subject. She could feel the intense stare boring at the back of her head but she chose to ignore it since she knew who the culprit was. And she intended to avoid him for the rest of the day if she could help it.
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Sasuke stared at the back of Erza's head sharply as the teacher started teaching. She was avoiding him, he knew that. It was subtle and she hid it well but she was ignoring and avoiding him. Not that he could blame her about it. He was being a jerk to her yesterday. He had a mind to confront her in class before, but the appearance of an unknown student foiled his plan as he unexpectedly sat next to Erza and had the nerve to sleep there. He thought nothing of it at first, figuring that the student would move once Erza came back from the principal office.
He felt a little sorry for that guy when he noticed that Erza had returned yet he still was sleeping without any care in the world. Sasuke saw Erza balled up her fist and took a swing at the oblivious guy but imagine his surprise when the guy he thought was sleeping stopped Erza from hitting him as his hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. He was expecting some lecture from Erza and once again he was surprised when the red head merely gave a smile at the guy and start chatting casually with him. He was curious now. This was the first time he saw Erza interact with somebody casually like that. And that guy didn't even get punish for sleeping in class.
Damn it! Who the hell is he? He thought silently in his mind.
Turning to his right, he poked Naruto in the arm, interrupting the deep discussion he had with his twin brother.
"What is it?" Naruto asked.
"Who is that guy over there, sitting next to Erza? I never see him before," he pointed in Erza's direction.
Naruto's gaze followed his direction and his face broke out into an excited grin as he took noticed of it. "Damn it. When did that lazy ass get back here?" Naruto muttered gleefully.
"Lazy ass? So who is he?"
"That's Nara Shikamaru," Naruto supplied. "Damn, how can I miss him before? He must be sleeping again once he gets here, he always does that," Naruto mumbled.
"Well, he was sleeping before Erza came," Sasuke supplied.
"I knew it," Naruto replied. "He's not going to change anytime soon I guess," he said with a shrug.
"So that guy actually attends this class? How come I never seen him before?" Sasuke asked.
"Don't let appearance fool you when it comes to Shikamaru. He may look laid back and lazy, but he is a genius."
"How come he's close to Erza?" He mumbled with a scowl on his face. He noticed Naruto looking at him suspiciously. "What?"
"Why are you getting so work up with this matter? You sound like a jealous boyfriend," Naruto accused.
"W-what?" He stuttered. "Don't be ridiculous. I'm just curious that's all," he defended. "Who would want to date that violent girl anyway," he added.
Naruto snickered like there's no tomorrow at his reaction making Sasuke sent a nasty glare in his direction.
"Why are you so defensive? I'm just joking you know," Naruto said wiggling his eyebrow suggestively.
"Why you," Sasuke muttered in disbelief. But before he could start nagging at him, Naruto cut him off.
"And you better watch what you're saying. The next thing you know, you'll be eating your own words."
Sasuke was taken aback at his words. He watched Naruto closely and saw the sad serene smile on his face as he drifted off to whatever land he was visiting in his mind.
"Naruto," Sasuke whispered softly, sensing a story behind his attitude.
Could it be related to the red head student council president? Sasuke couldn't help but thought in his mind.
To be continued
A/N: I don't know why I've been crazy about this pairing lately. I've been thinking about a plot where the story takes place in Naruto-verse, in the ninja world. It must be fun. At least I would like to read one. Since I can't find stories about sasuza (is this the correct term for Sasuke x Erza pairing?) in Naruto verse, I'm thinking about writing a piece. But I'm horrible with a fight scene. So I'm in a dilemma. Hopefully, one day I can write it but not before I finish this story.
Enough with my rambling. Thanks for reading. I love you.