Serena- Three more days till I have to go back to school! Sorry for the late update, the uploading thing wasn't working yesterday. I'll post the next one sooner, just to be fair.

Disclaimer- I own nothing except my Original Characters, but even then- they have a mind of their own.

A/N- Most people have asked where the flowers went… Half of me wants to tell them and the other half wants them to suffer until, like, the last chapter when it will be revealed… If you want to know, just review saying that you want to know and then I'll reply and tell you… unless you are anon. then just give your email when it asks for it and I'll email it to you.

Oh, and the other story is coming along… slowly, but surely… I'm still not sure what to call it… I've narrowed it down to a few choices but if anyone has any suggestions I'll lend an ear!

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Boundless

By: Serena

Chapter 13

Quotes From the Dead

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May 2nd

"What was the point of buying you those new clothes if you don't wear them?" Tenten wrinkled her brow as she poked through my dresser. Various articles of clothing were hanging from random pieces of furniture as the weapons mistress focused all her attention on finding something for me to wear.

Hinata sat quietly on my bed, watching Tenten with unease. I sat next to her, a small smile on my face. As much as I disliked anyone going through my things, I still liked the attention I was getting. These two, plus Sakura, (who wasn't there at the time) were the first things to friends that were my own age and my same gender that I had ever had.

"Um…." I started, looking for a good excuse. "Taking up room in my dresser?" My smile widened as a clever retort came to mind. "You know how I can't stand a bare drawer!"

Hinata gave a small, shy smile but Tenten just turned around with an annoyed expression on her face. "Rui, you are turning out to be a real bitch."

I didn't even think as the reply sprung from my mouth. "And that my friend, is my true calling!" Then, I realized what I had said. Placing a small hand over my mouth to cover the gasp that escaped from my lips, I tried to think of why I had said that.

It was as though, for a mere second, Kirinonai had possessed me! Those exact words were her trademark come-back. I had pratically grown up hearing those words. Perhaps that was why I immediately said them? Some sort of thing drilled into my head so much so that it was an instant thing? I didn't know.

The two girls noticed my surprise- most likely from the gasp- and both wore concerned expressions. Tenten came to sit on my other side and spoke carefully, "Are you okay?"

I nodded. "Yeah…" I started. "I- uh- I'm fine."

Tenten gave me another look of annoyance as she pointed out, "You suck at lying, ya know that, right?"

My gaze rested on the floor and I tried to mentally count the number of floorboards I could see in my direct vision. Finally Tenten sighed, "Fine. But if you ever need to talk, I'm always here. It helps, you know, to voice your problems…."

I nodded again, deciding to talk to Sasuke later- not that Tenten wouldn't be a great listener, but Sasuke knew what it was like to lose everything and how to deal with the memories that always seemed to spring up just around the corner. Now it was just the problem of figuring out to bring the topic up… "Hey, Sasuke! Today I just said something that my (possibly) late sister used to always say!" just really wouldn't work.

As the awkward silence dragged on, I turned to Hinata. "So… speaking of guys-"

"We weren't speaking about guys." It was my turn to give Tenten an annoyed look- even though mine was probably as intimidating as a bunnies glance.

"Well, now we are." I smiled sickly sweet at Tenten- surprising us both with my wonderfully-not-up-to-par-acting-skills- before turning to Hinata. "So… who do you like?" I felt Tentens eyes on my back and I could feel her suddenly understanding gaze.

Hinata's gaze instantly turned to the ground and she started twiddling with her thumbs, face on fire. When it was obvious that she wouldn't verbally respond, Tenten took over saying, "You know, this is just to confirm our suspicion."

"I- uh- well- um-" She sighed and looked Tenten in the eye. "Who do you think it is?"

"Naruto." Both Tenten and I chorused. It was common knowledge for everyone but Naruto. Hinata blushed and lowered her head once again before nodding. Tenten gave a squeal and hugged her, while I just smiled at the blushing girl, silently hoping Naruto would have the same feelings.

"Speaking of guys…" Tenten started, looking back at me. "I heard Sasuke bought you flowers."

I nearly choked on my spit. " W-what? Where did you hear that."

Tenten ticked off her fingers as she said, "From Neji, who heard it from Shikamaru, who heard it from Chouji, who heard it from Lee, who heard it from Sakura-" I flinched knowing that Sakura knew about it. "- who heard it from Ino-ikeike!" Taking a deep breath, she asked, "Has he asked you out yet?"

I shook my head, feeling dejected. "I heard him in Yamanaka's Flowers talking with Ino-ikeike, but when he came home, he didn't have any flowers." As an aftethought I asked, "Do either of you know why he would do that?"

Hinata shook her head, and Tenten shrugged, "No clue."

I sighed, knowing that the oppisite sex would remain a complete mystery to me till the end of my days.

And you had a good thing going! I heard my other half shout. How the hell did you mess it up!

I mentally sighed, before answering, I didn't mess it up, because I never had a thing- whether it be good or bad!

That's what you say… It trailed off. Damn it! You suck.

If I suck, then we suck. Ha. Even though we were one, it was still hard to believe it because of our different personalities.

Whatever. Just don't mess up. Man, it sounded like Kirinonai! Maybe that's who it really is… a contsant reminder of what my younger sister would normally say…

I was ready to retort when suddenly a hand was waved in front of my face. Tenten smiled at me. "You spaced out there for a moment!"

"Oh." I said looking down at the floor. "I'm sorry."

"Whatever! Anyway, are you going to answer the question?"

I cocked my head to the side and looked from Tenten to Hinata then back to Tenten again. "What question?"

"You really were spaced out!"

"Gone to a world of my own!" I smiled, quoting my grandfather. And yet, I didn't get the same feeling I got at quoting Kirinonai. "Now, what was the question?"

"The question was, do you like Sasuke?"

I knew my face held confusion as I stated. "You already asked me this question…"

"And you ran away instead of answering!"

"I did not!"

"She's right, Tenten-chan." I looked over at Hinata in surprise. Both because she was standing up to someone for the first time since I had known her and because she was defending me. "It was more like she walked away…"

My surprised look was instantly replaced with an annoyed look. Thanks Hinata…

She's a sly little girl… I was about to (surprisingly) agree with my other half when-

"Well anyway… What's the answer to the question?" Tenten asked, eyebrows knitted in frustration.

"W-well… you know the answer…"

"Is that a yes, or a no?"

"Yes…" I mumbled.

"What was that?"

"Yes!" I shouted.

A few moments of silence passed before I heard. "Rui, they need to go home by five o'clock."

The whole thing really didn't sink in, as I replied, "Okay, sure, Sasuke." Then it did. I blanched and turned towards the door. Sasuke was leaning against the door frame, arms crossed, head down. I couldn't see his face and I was glad for that.

"Uh… were you there the whole time?" He just shrugged and walked away.

My gaze instantly turned to Tenten and my eyes scanned for anything that could be used as a weapon. Finding a pillow I hit her against the side of the head with it. She gave a battle cry, grabbed another pillow, and launched herself at me.