Chapter 3: More Shit
The next day was hell for Sasuke. Not only did he have to watch Naruto make a total idiot of himself all over again, this time Sasuke was actually supposed to work with him… Even the superior Uchiha resolve collapsed before such a daunting task. So when Sasuke staggered back home, without the bells, he was soo not prepared for this:
A scruffy group awaited at the entrance to the Uchiha Mansion. Some of them he recognized from school – it was the new kids Iruka mentioned, and with them, Sarutobi. Sasuke greeted the Hokage and invited him in, leaving the scruffy group outside…(they seemed noisy). They sat down cross-legged from one another in the same room where Itachi had once murdered his parents. It hadn't changed much since then – Sasuke was a conservative guy.
"I like what you've done to the place," said Sarutobi, admiring the blood stains.
"What do you want?"
"Ah, it has come to my attention that the school has got a ton of new students. Actually, a bit more than it can handle."
Sarutobi chuckled, Sasuke did not flinch.
"You have such a big place at your disposal…and you're living all alone. These new students need a place to live, and I figured you'd be the perfect host. Well, how about it?"
"What?!"
"So you agree? Excellent. Don't worry, the school will refund your expenses."
Sasuke stared as Sarutobi disappeared in a puff of smoke and the rag-tag bunch filed inside the premises. Wait, it's not too late yet! With the sudden urge of desperation Sasuke flung himself at the front door, covering it with both hands.
"Hey, your name is Sasuke, right?" said the bald kid,
the one who looked most suspicious of them all. Sasuke was sure, that if left alone, that one bald kid could destroy more than half of his home.
"No."
"Not Sasuke…?"
"No, I mean yes, I meant you're NOt living here!"
Twelve perplexed faces stared back at him. They looked at each other.
"But then where should we go…?" said that bald kid again.
"I don't know. Do whatever you like."
Sasuke turned his back on them. What a waste of time. He slammed the door shut and hurried inside the blood stained room, to brood in silence.
The door opened.
"What's your problem?"
"You."
An athletic looking girl waltzed right inside his house, through the corridor and into his bedroom. She took a peak inside.
"I sleep here," and tossed her backpack on the floor.
"You can't. That's my room!"
"I can do anything I want – you just told me so."
Her blood red lips curved in the patented shape of an Uchiha smirk. The other students followed her. Sasuke grabbed his forehead. How he hoped, how he prayed this was all a nightmare…
The bald guy came up to him.
"Sorry. We're not all like Azula. I promise. We won't be a burden to you at all."
"Just…leave me alone!"
/-tidlu-tidlu-tidlu-/
Deep down in some swamp where the Akatsuki had made their new lair… Deidara was busy curling his hair, when Pein came with the message: [Something suspicious is happening in Konoha. Itachi, why don't you check that out?]
Itachi's reply was the patented Uchiha smirk, because he already knew…
/-tidlu-tidlu-tidlu-/
There was a knock on her door. Azula uncrossed her legs and stiffened, her hands ready to lash out at any given moment.
"Who are you, and what do you want?"
"It's me," he muttered,
and seconds later Zuko's head peeked through the door, the rest of his body followed.
"I didn't say you could come in."
She stood up from the bed she'd been sitting on, ready to push him out by force. But instead of attacking, he held his hands up in front of his face, in what looked like…a begging motion? How pathetic.
"Wait, Azula, I'm sorry – I didn't mean it to turn out that way, I just…sort of lost control when you said those awful stuff – about mom and dad…"
"Spare me the excuses – you 'accidentally' killed your little sister? Ha. No – I thought so."
Zuko dropped his gaze, staring at his feet – he looks so pitiful, Azula noted.
"But, you're not dead."
She smirked.
"Surprised?"
"Yes. I mean, we checked your pulse, we tried reviving you, and then your body lay there – for several days! …you lost so much blood."
Zuko raked a hand through his hair, unsure whether to continue, or not… Until Azula inclined her head in encouragement.
"We even wanted to burn your body," he covered his eyes with a hand, shaking his head. "There was a ceremony – a burial. You were all dressed up for it."
"Ah, so that's where that ridiculously pompous dress came from…"
"What did you say?"
"Oh? Nothing!" Azula piped.
Time to quickly move on to other topics. She adjusted her hair and with a careful glance, observed her brother. He looked more than a little nervous. Good.
"So, that waterbender – are you dating her?"
It took Zuko a moment to realize who she was talking about. Then his mouth fell open, his cheeks flushed, and Zuzu looked just like he'd done something naughty.
"What?! NO!"
Azula shrugged.
"Oh, I was just wondering – you know."
She inspected her nails, her long pretty nails, covered in transparent polish.
"You two seemed pretty close," she added as an after-thought.
Zuko fled the room.
A/N: What do you think? ;-)