Chapter 3 – Confusion

Ceres found herself by the river after she left. Sighing softly, she sat down at the riverbank.

'What's gonna happen now….If he's shown up, that means….oh God…..'

Tears started pouring down her face. Sobbing silently, she recalled the days when she still lived in confinement within the Mikage and the Uchiha family. Her head was flooded with the horrific images of the times she had had….both good and bad.

"Oi!!!Ceres!!!!"

Ceres jerked back to reality at the sound Yuuhi's voice.

"Yuuhi-kun….."

"Yo! What's the matter? I heard a lot of noise coming from your room and I went to check it out……Sakura had just finished cleanin'…"

"Oh….nothin' much….just a little misunderstanding…"

"Huh!?It's really rare for you to lose your temper or misunderstand someone you know……."

"I….I guess so….oh well. I'd better go to Tsunade and report to her…see ya'…"

With a swift movement, Ceres got up and moved towards the main office. Yuuhi sighed as he watched her back.

'Ceres….when will you realize my feelings for you are more than just friends…..'

~In Tsunade's office~

"Ceres….this is totally unexpected out of you. As our top assassin, how could you have lost your temper at a new member and on top of that, you even attacked him with your power!?"

"Forgive me, Tsunade, but I would deeply appreciate it if you questioned me no further about the relationship between me and Uchiha…I'm sorry if I sound rude.."

Sighing, Tsunade picked up a stack of papers lying in front of her and handed them to Ceres.

"I won't question you anymore but please do me the favor of not attacking Uchiha at least in our premises….It's pretty embarrassing if a client finds out we're actually cleaning the mess out of our own place,"

"Thanks for your understanding….these are….?"

"That is your new assignment. You will be having a partner this time as it will be quite an elite family you are to assassinate…..Apparently, this family is a major boss in a drug syndicate."

Tsunade stapled her hands under her chin and looked at Ceres seriously. A feeling of dread filled Ceres.

"May I know who my partner is?"

"Uchih…."

"NO!Absolutely not!!!I cannot accept this!!!Tsunade!!!You know very well I…"

"Ceres,"

Tsunade's voice cut through the air sharply.

"I don't know what is going on between you and Uchiha but know this. This mission I am sending the both of you on is crucial and requires the two best assassins and before you argue and say why can't you go with Yuuhi, I admit that Yuuhi is good but Uchiha surpasses his abilities. Please don't argue this time and just do it tomorrow. Dismissed,"

Ceres walked out of the office reading the instructions of the mission feeling more down with each second. The mission required her and Sasuke to go undercover as students at a prestigious school Eitoku Gakuen.

(A/N – Lol…yep…Hana Yori Dango…XD It's the only school name I could think of!)

From there, they were to do their best to get close to the children of the Tachibana family, Ryoki and Ruri. Then, when they had gained both the kids and the family's trust, they were to assassinate the entire family.

(A/N – Once again, yep, characters from Hot Gimmick… XD )

They could not do it the normal way as the Tachibana's were a very careful and alert family. Every inch of the house was said to be secured with security guards, cameras, and even ninjas.

Not only do I have to partner him in a mission….i have to live with him in the same apartment!!!Damn it!!!

Ceres' thoughts ceased abruptly as she felt herself bump into something….or rather, up, she started to apologize but her voice caught as she saw Sasuke's face looming over her.

"Hn….and to think I am to work with this so called top assassin in an S+-rank mission…It's pretty much amusing seeing how you can lose all alertness and walk around daydreaming like that….Mikage-san.

Ceres clenched her fist at the mocking tone of his voice. Forcing a smile, she replied coolly.

"And to think that the almighty son of the great Uchiha would actually have the time to look down at the lowly commoner…but come to think of it, I do believe the Uchiha's spend almost all their time on looking down on other people….don't you think?"

Without waiting for a reply, Ceres flipped her hair over her shoulder and brushed past him. What happened next was totally unpredictable. In just a split second,

Ceres found her back against the wall and she was once more pinned to it by Sasuke.

Refusing to look up at him she said coldly.

"Release me, Uchiha…I don't think you're hands are supposed to touch such a vile creature anyway, am I right?"

"Why, I'm not so sure….In fact, I'm pretty much enjoying this…"

His hands moved to stroke her hair as a small, mocking smile played on his 's head snapped up and she glared at him, her golden eyes blazing.

"Unhand me this instant, you jerk!!!"

"And just gimme a few reasons on why I should, hmm?After all, we were once a…"

"Shut up!!!Just shut up!!!!Leave me alone, damn it!!!!"

With a fast twist, it was Sasuke's turn to be pinned to the wall.

"Understand this…we may be working on a mission together but I will never, in my entire life forget what happened. I shall forever hate you till the day I die…"

Grunting in pain, Sasuke smirked.

"Hnh…you think you're the only one who's suffering? Gimme a break, fairy-girl….all this time I also was…."

He broke of in mid-sentence. Ceres released him and snorted in disbelief.

"I could not care less. Just keep away from me. Things will be more peaceful that way…"

With that, she walked away leaving Sasuke staring at her back. Little did she notice the slightly pained expression on his face.

But what both failed to notice was a lone figure hiding behind the tree. Sakura, who had been meaning to ask Sasuke to explain everything had seen and heard everything that had happened. Her heart burned with jealousy and a pain she felt that she could not bear.

A/N : well!!!Here it is!!!The 3rd chapter!!!Hope you guys liked it!!!Please gimme

more comments!!!Criticisms are also welcomed!!! (.)