Friends
It was her first night camping with them. Most things hadn't gone over too horribly, but Kira was quickly growing weary of Karin. She seemed to have the constant need to push her way between Kira and Sasuke.
Earlier when they had sat down to rest, Kira had ended up between Sasuke and Juugo, for a moment at least. It wasn't a full minute before Karin had shoved Kira uncomfortably close to Juugo and slid in between herself and Sasuke. But that had passed, and now it was late into the night. All five of them desperately needed sleep.
Unsure what to do, Kira stayed close to Karin. Maybe I did something to offend her. If I talk to her, I'm sure she'll understand and I can make a friend. Kira watched as Karin made herself comfortable away from most of the group, but still within sight of Sasuke.
Blushing, Kira kneeled down next to her. "Would you mind if I slept here… By you?"
Karin narrowed her eyes over her shoulder. "You've got some serious audacity to ask that." She turned back, scooting slightly away.
Kira's mouth fell open. "W-what do you mean? If I offended you somehow… I'm sorry! I never meant to."
Glaring at her, Karin sat up. "You're either truly one of the stupidest girls I've ever met, or the biggest bitch."
Biting her lip, Kira twisted her fingers in shock. This wasn't the reaction she had expected. "What do you mean? I just want…" She sighed, hesitant to finish.
"You want what?" Karin snapped.
She continued meekly. "I was hoping we could be friends…"
Shooting her another dirty look, Karin hissed, "Don't give me that bullshit." Laying down with her back to her, she added, "Stay away from Sasuke…"
"Wait, what did you say?!" Kira asked, raising her voice. Her face burned with a horrified blush as she hoped she had misheard Karin.
Bolting back upright, Karin scowled at her. "I SAID, stay away from Sasuke! I found him first, so back off!"
Shaking her head, "Wait a second…" Kira glared back. "You think that I like… Sasuke?!"
"I don't 'think,' I know!" Karin hissed again.
Narrowing her eyes in disgust, Kira gathered herself and trudged away. She didn't want to be near the rest of Hebi, especially not Karin, while she slept. Her angry trail had led her a little farther into the forest than she had planned when she decided she was comfortable.
Sighing in frustrated dejection, she curled up next to a tree. The roots and trunk still held some of the day's warmth and were of slight comfort. Her eyes had slid shut, and she was almost asleep when there was the soft sound of breaking twigs. Turning slowly, her gaze met with Sasuke's silent stare.
There was an awkward silence as she reawakened fully. "W-what are you doing here?" she stuttered.
"I could ask you the same thing." Sasuke crossed his arms, leaning against the tree lightly.
"I was going to sleep…" She trailed off, nervous to be looking up at him, yet again.
"Hmph…" He started to walk away. Before he was out of sight, he stopped, glancing back at her. "Everyone else prefers to sleep in a group. You're the first, besides me, to choose the solitude."
She knit her eyebrows together in confusion, but he was gone before she could figure what it was she wanted to ask. The conversation was already beginning to trouble her, but keeping up with Hebi had taken a lot out of her. Kira pulled her knees to her chest, drifting back to sleep.
Dawn broke slowly, and Hebi rose with it, shaking off sleep and preparing to move on. They were almost ready to move out when Juugo noticed they were missing someone.
"What happened to Kira?" He asked, genuinely worried.
"She's gone," Suigetsu said slowly, turning about himself to see if she anywhere nearby.
"Does it matter?" Karin glared at Juugo, annoyed that he had taken note of the newcomer's absence. "We don't need someone like her."
Sasuke shot her a severe look. "We don't really need you either."
Sucking in a shaky breath, she shrank, unnerved to realize how Sasuke saw her. After an uncomfortable moment, she quietly made a suggestion. "Maybe we should find her."
"Don't worry about it." Sasuke was loping towards the forest. "Stay here."
Juugo nodded as Suigetsu took a seat on the ground. Karin crossed her arms displeased with the recent turn of events.
Kira rolled onto her back, stretching her legs and arms. Where am I? Something nagged at her half asleep brain. Slowly the other day came back to her. I'm traveling with Hebi… And Karin hates my guts. Eyes still closed, she grimaced. Things could have gone better last night.
There was a tap on her shoulder and she jumped. Catching her breath she whipped around, wide-eyed, to see Sasuke sitting on his heels with an amused glare. "We're leaving."
"Oh." She replied, not sure what else to say. Swallowing a lump in her throat, she pulled herself off the ground to follow to the area where the rest of Hebi had stayed.
The steady crunch of leaves and sticks beneath their feet emphasized the silence between them. Still uneasy around him, Kira glanced up at Sasuke through her parted bangs. Taking a deep breath, she apologized, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have made you chase me down to leave. Next time I'll stay with the group…"
"Hm," He ignored her for the most part, still leading her through the treacherous terrain. "Don't worry about Karin." The sunlight hit her abruptly as she followed him through a pair of pines and into clearing, distracting her from his words.
Karin gaped to see Kira tagging close behind Sasuke again. Catching Karin's scathing look, Kira made a point to move away from Sasuke as quickly as possible without attracting his attention.
The first thing she noticed, besides Karin's nasty glare, was Juugo's genuine relief at seeing her. Wanting to avoid Karin and Sasuke, she edged next to him.
"Hi," she mumbled, timing her step to his as they continued on their journey.
"Nice to know Karin didn't eat you alive during the night." Juugo grinned.
She laughed nervously. "I don't know about tomorrow night though…" Kira forced a smile.
"I'm sure Sasuke has already said this to you, but don't worry about her," he replied, stepping gingerly over a large, warped tree root.
"She just feels threatened because she knows she's not as good looking," Suigetsu glanced at her before smirking maliciously at Karin's back.
Spinning around and adjusting her glasses, Karin yelled back. "I heard that! You had best shut up, Suigetsu!"
Shifting his sword, he laughed quietly, thinking of the next irritating remark her could aim at her. Juugo sighed. Side-glancing at Kira he muttered just loud enough for her to hear, "This… All over again. Day in and day out, get used to it."
She smiled nervously, keeping pace with him as they moved ahead of Karin and Suigetsu, who were by know almost nose to nose, arguing loudly. One friend, one enemy, one helpful mystery… and a sword carrying annoyance… This is definitely an interesting group.
So yep. Here's what I've got for you. This is my 'Christmas Update'! XD I hope it wasn't too bad. So erm... PLEASE REVIEW! and... MERRY CHRISTMAS!!