AN: Grah... sorry about not updating my stories for awhile now... I've been busy x.X; -curses school- meh. anyway, I promise in the next two chapters, the story will get better and the plot will come together more... -forsees lots of angst and anger in the future- xDD Anyway. I just needed to get the last two chapters out of the way, that way you guys have more background for where the rest of the story's taking place. -forsees another time skip- xD
Thanks to all you reviewers! you totally make writing this story worthwhile! -hands out cookies-
As usuall, I own noooo naruto characterrrrssssss... except for Kaiya... and the plot's mine.. but Natsu and Kenta from the previous chapter are my friend xMendoukusai's..
I found the pieces in my hand...
They were always there it just took some time for me to understand
You gave me words I just can't say
So if nothing else, I'll just hold on while you drift away
Cause everything you wanted me to hide is everything that makes me feel alive
I've seen the ashes in my heart...
I smile the widest when I cry inside and my insides blow apart
I tried to wear another face just to make you proud,
Just to make you put me in my place
But everything you wanted from me is everything that I could never be.
Maybe tonight it's gonna be alright, I will get better.
Maybe today it's gonna be ok, I will remember...
I held the pieces of my soul...
I was shattered and I wanted you to come and make me whole
Then I saw you yesterday... but you didn't notice
You just walked away
Cause everything you wanted me to hide is everything that makes me feel alive
The cities grow, the river flow
Where you are I never know
But I'm still here
If you were right and I was wrong,
Why are you the one who's gone?
And I'm still here...
The lights go out, the bridges burn
Once you're gone you can't return
But I'm still here
- I'm still here by Vertical Horizon
Last chapter:
"...he's leaving?" Kaiya thought, standing up and following Sasuke in the trees as he continued walking off towards the forest.
-----
"You can stop following me, Aogiri." Sasuke announced without turning around, after they had gone a-ways into the forest.
Kaiya's body stiffened as she realized he knew she was there. "Where are you going?" she asked, a slightly desperate tone in her voice.
"Nowhere important to you." Sasuke responded as he turned around to face his childhood friend.
"I saw what you did to Sakura." She said quietly.
"Good. Then you'll know what I'll do to you if you don't let me leave."
"What's WRONG with you?" She questioned, tears pricking her eyes, "You've got FRIENDS here. People who care about you!"
"You don't get it Kai-chan," he said mockingly, using her childhood nickname. "I'll never be like you or the rest of the people in the village. But I'm sure you heard my explanation to Sakura about that already."
Kaiya shook her head, "You're smarter than that. Anyone can change with time. You're choosing not to be like us. Sasuke, if this has anything to do with the past...I'm sorry! I'm sorry you lost your family! I'm sorry about everything." She said, previously unshed tears spilling out.
His expression darkened as her tears became visible to him, "Why are you crying? Don't flatter yourself. This has nothing to do with anything from my past concerning you. All I want is power to kill Itachi; power to avenge my clan."
She stiffened as though she had been slapped, "Please Sasuke... come back to the village..." She said quietly.
Sasuke stared at the girl, disdainfully, though in truth his heart was hammering at a fast pace.. "Why? So I can stay at the same level I am now?"
Kaiya shook her head, "You don't get it...Power isn't everything. There's more to life than revenge."
"Tch, maybe to you." Sasuke grunted, "It's possible I thought this way at some point, but that old me died with the rest of my clan."
Her silver eyes widened in surprise. How could he say something like that so easily and without remorse? Her voice echoing through the empty forest as she cried, "Do you even know what you're saying?" tears spilling out as she jumped onto his branch and attempted to slap him.
He easily caught her wrist and looked down at her, seeing her silver eyes wet with tears, "Kaiya. Give it up."
"I'm not going back until you come with me!" she declared stubbornly.
"I'm not going back until I kill Itachi. And in order to do that, I need power." Sasuke explained patiently as though he was speaking to a seven year old.
Kaiya spat on him, causing him to flinch slightly. "Bastard. You're so egocentric! What about Naruto! And Sakura!"
"Go back to the village." Sasuke said simply, throwing her wrist to the side, his voice as emotionless as his eyes as he ran forward, leaving Kaiya standing there.
The stubborn girl knawed on her lip for a moment before taking off after him, finally catching up to him and barring his way.
The Uchiha frowned impatiently, "Kaiya, get out of my way."
"No." She replied simply, silver eyes flashing, but still clouded in tears.
"Move." He tried again, emphasizing his point by trying to push her out of the way.
"NO." Kaiya repeated, pushing him backwards.
Sasuke growled in frusteration, "Damn it, get out of my way Kaiya!" he said pushing her against the tree and pinning her there with his arms.
Kaiya pushed against his arms, trying to work free, "Let go of me!" she cried indignantly.
"Listen to what I have to say first!" Sasuke demanded, waiting until she calmed down enough to act reasonably. Red met silver and Kaiya gasped in surprise at seeing his sharingan active... "I'm leaving, and you can't change that." he continued calmly, ignoring her surprise, "And you can't stop me. But maybe...after I kill Itachi...maybe I'll be back." He said, looking even unsure of himself.
Kaiya continued to stare into his red eyes, her steady, clouded gaze beginning to unnerve the Uchiha.
Disgruntled, he pulled away, creating more space between them. "Got it?" he questioned to make sure she even heard him.
The raven-haired girl shook her head, her silver eyes regaining their clarity as she quickly reined her emotions back under control. "I don't think I ever will Sasuke... I think you're making a big mistake."
Sasuke gave a simple 'hn' in response, standing still for a minute as though he was having an inner confict. Truth be told, he was deciding whether or not he should knock Kaiya out like he did with Sakura. It would be much easier than having to deal with her trying to stop him. Finally coming to a conclusion, he leapt from the branch, moving forward at a fast pace, leaving his childhood friend behind.
---
"BEST FRIENDS FOREVER!" Kaiya and Sasuke shouted in unison, grinning wildly at their mothers' cameras.
Minami chuckled, "You guys certainly make quite the pair."
Mikoto nodded, "Hopefully the Academy will be ready for such a dynamic duo." she grinned, tweaking her son's nose playfully, causing him to scowl and hiss, "Mooom..."
"Sorry, sorry." Mikoto smiled down at her son.
"You two better get going. It seems like the bell's about to ring..."Minami said, giving her daughter a small push.
"Ok! C'mon Kai-chan!" Sasuke said, "Race ya!"
"I can run from Suna and back faster than you can get to the building." Kaiya boasted matter-of-factly.
A frown tugged Sasuke's mouth before an idea hit him. "Hey! Look over there!" he said, pointing in the opposite direction.
"Huh?" Kaiya asked, turning around. "But there's nothing there..." she said before turning around to find Sasuke already halfway to the Academy entrance. "HEY! NO FAIR!!" she shouted, running to catch up with him.
"BLEEHHHHHH!" Sasuke smirked, turning around and sticking his tongue out at the girl playfully as he ran into a pole. "Ow..." he complained, landing on his back and rubbing his nose where his head had collided with the metal.
"Are you ok Sasuke-chan?" Kaiya asked, coming to a stop next to him and sitting down as the bell rang.
"Yeah..." He said, still clutching his nose.
"Move your hand..." She instructed, trying to get a better look at his injury.
"Go to class, Kai-chan. I'll come in a minute; the bell rang." he said, observing the girl as he moved his hands away from her nose.
Kaiya shook her head, "But I'm your friend and friends don't leave each other behind." She said matter-of-factly before standing up and offering the boy her hand so he could do the same.
Sasuke stared at his friend's hand for a moment before taking it and letting her help pull him up.
"Friends forever?" she asked grinning, still clutching his hand, as though they were making a pact or promise.
"Best friends forever." Sasuke corrected, poking his companion in the forehead with his other hand, a devious grin playing across his face before he released his hand from hers and ran into the Academy building, Kaiya running close behind him.
---
Sasuke stopped a few branches ahead of where Kaiya was still standing and glanced back. Partly to make sure she wasn't following him, and partly because he felt he needed to...maybe just to put a picture of her in his mind. The kunoichi stood in the same spot as where he had left her, watching him retreat, her tears staining the tree branch. Satisfied that she wasn't going to try and stop him, he quickly turned back around before he changed his mind and decided to stay. With another quick glance back, he took off running through the trees.
She let him go, against her better judgement, she watched him until he faded into the trees. Assured that he was gone, she allowed her legs to collapse beneath her as she fell to her knees on the rough bark of the tree branch. "Sasuke..." She murmured his name like a prayer, tears still falling from her eyes, as she finally released all the emotion she had been holding inside. Her sobs echoed throughout the empty forest, until she finally wore herself out and fell asleep under the light of the full moon.
Reviews are appreciated... and criticism.. constructive criticism.. : )