Hello again all. I want to say a quick thanks for all the reviews! I don't own anything just so you all know. And here is the next chapter. And if you don't mind please press the pretty green button after you're done reading to tell me what you think, especially the duet!
"Hello Sasuke!" the red head swayed her hips in what I guess she thought was a seductive manner as she sashayed up to me. I looked sourly at my perspective drummer.
"Something you want?" I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at her.
"Yes," she smiled happily, "Orochimaru wants us to start getting together and learning the music you wrote. I can't wait to start learning it." She leaned into me with lowered eyelids. I scoffed, and took a step back, causing her to stumble forward several steps.
"I know she's obnoxious, but what she's saying is right at least," an albino boy leaned against the wall near me.
"Hn," I brushed past them into the flow of the hall.
"So you have found your band," I sighed in frustration only to find the dobe walking next to me.
"Supposedly," I glared at nothing in particular.
"You must be ecstatic," I turned my gaze to examine her. Her tone bothered me, it sounded slightly dejected, but she was smiling like she would any other time.
"Hardly, he picked out a bunch of morons." I griped.
"But your one step closer to getting out of here to chase your brother." She interlocked her hands behind her head and let her eyes wander without focusing on anything.
"Dobe, you're acting strange." I pulled both of us to a stop to examine her face more closely.
"I am not you Bastard." She swatted at me, but I caught her hand and leaned closer to her.
She glared defiantly at me. "We're going to be late," she prompted, dropping her gaze to the floor. She pulled her wrist from my grip and walked off toward our class, leaving me utterly confused behind her.
"She knows that once you leave you're not coming back." Gaara stepped up beside me, examining me with critical eyes.
"What do you mean by that?" I raised an eyebrow and glared at him.
"I mean that you are the person she relies on most, and she knows that once you leave she'll lose you just like you both lost Itachi."
"Do NOT compare me to my brother! I am NOT abandoning ANYONE." I growled dangerously.
He simply shrugged, "But you ARE leaving." I watched as the red head began to waltz away. Suddenly he stopped, "But she will support you to the end. That's just how she is."
I was left once again, blinking after him in the hall.
I wasn't like my brother. I wasn't betraying or abandoning anyone.
*Elementary School*
I shoved my hands in my pockets and glared at anyone that dared to come near me. It was my first day back in school in weeks, to be more exact, since the accident. However, I couldn't stay home any longer, not with Itachi packing to leave. A blonde head of hair bent toward the ground.
My eyes widened as I watched her walk. I hadn't seen my best friend since the accident. The normally bright girl had her shoulders bent protectively in on themselves. Her bright blond hair was now cut short around her jaw. Bandages were covering her cheeks and a few other visible parts of her body. Dark circles lined under her eyes. What surprised me most was her demeanor; she seemed to be attempting to seep into the floor. That is when I noticed that everyone around her was whispering, and shooting her accusatory looks while they shot me looks of pity.
I felt rage bubble inside me as I stormed to her side and wound my arm over her fragilely small shoulders. She started in surprise, turning to gaze at me with wide eyes. I almost winced at how painfully breakable she appeared, her face lined with bandages, her eyes vulnerable.
"Come on, let's get to class." I said, turning my gaze forward. I felt her lean trustingly into me as I ushered her toward our classroom.
"Sasuke, they don't mean anything by it." We sat on Naruto's bed. Her knees were drawn protectively to her chest, cheek laying on them with her eyes closed. "They just repeat the rumors. They think the accident was my fault, that I'm bad luck. I was too ok when I got back to school and I was at school the day after I was released from the hospital." She shrugged.
"You shouldn't just accept that Naruto." I growled.
"There's nothing I can do." Her voice trembled slightly.
I watched her as her shoulders gently shook. It was so unusual to see her like this, she was usually the strong one. It was my job to be the depressed, antisocial one. My eyes wandered over to the keyboard in corner. I smirked as an idea formed in my brain.
Getting up I walked over to it, turning it on. I closed my eyes to concentrate, pulling up one of the few songs I had memorized. My fingers began picking out the notes to Moonlight, her favorite lullaby by Yiruma. I reopened my eyes and ran by muscle memory. My eyes wandered expectantly over to her. Her red rimmed eyes looked over at me. She had taken off the gauze bandages that had covered her cheeks to reveal gruesome looking, half healed stitches. Her eyes slowly gained their light. A light smile began to appear on her face as her eyes gently drifted closed.
I sighed in relief as I continued to let my fingers drift over the keys. Naruto's head relayed onto her knees as her breathing slowly evened out. I played out the final cord and let my hands drop onto my thighs. Naruto was emitting soft snores from where she lay curled up.
"I figured you'd be here." came a voice from the doorway. I turned to see my traitorous brother leaning nonchalantly against the doorframe. He pushed himself off and walked over to the small blonde, letting his hand trail over the wall to find his way. "I know you're mad at me but help me lay her down." I pointedly looked away from him as he lifted her slightly; I stood and walked over to the bed, pulling down the covers so he could slide her under. He gently ruffled her hair with a small smile, "Come on Sasuke, Our ride is waiting outside."
I stared straight ahead as I walked out the door. The orange light of the sunset awaited me outside as I stormed into the black car. Itachi slid in beside me with a sigh.
"She's had it pretty rough." He stated, "My friends have been told me today what's been going on while we've been gone."
"What do you care, you're leaving us." I glared out the window.
"Little brother, it's something I already committed to, long before the accident."
"I'm surprised they still want your blind ass." I told him in a bitter tone.
He sighed in defeat. "Just promise me you'll watch over the blondie, alright?"
"Like hell I need to hear that for you."
"Also, something you should know. As soon as this school year is over next week, I talked Jiraiya and Kakashi into moving. They both agree it will be better for Naruto. Jiraiya hasn't sold his old house yet so Kakashi s just moving there. It is only two towns away, but it should be far enough so that the rumors won't be as bad."
"When are you leaving anyway?" I stiffened, waiting for the answer
"I talked the band into leaving without me. They left a week ago. I'm going to meet them tomorrow after the funeral."
"Figures." I grumbled. I jumped out of the car as soon as it pulled up in front of our house.
"Sasuke, would you snap out of it already?" Naruto complained, hitching her bag up on her shoulder. "You're being even more emo then usual." I glared out of the corner of my eye, but took the opportunity to examine the blonde. Although I had grown own over the summer, she had remained tiny. However, since the move she had lost her fragility she had gained after the accident. The barely healed cuts were now faint scars, except the defined scars across her cheeks. I shrugged and she groaned in exasperation. "Come on, it's the first day of school. Cheer up."
"Hn." I answered with a scowl.
"Fine, be a teme," she stormed ahead of me.
"Eh!" I started in surprise as she sped away from me. I rushed to catch up.
Naruto snorted in amusement.
"Shut it dobe." I growled.
She giggled happily showing off her huge smile that had returned in the recent weeks. I crossed my arms moodily across my chest.
"Moody teme! But you can't follow me this time, we're in different classes." She stuck her tongue out teasingly as she ran.
I sighed as I wandered toward my classroom.
*REALLY quick change of point of view*
"Naruto! Follow me!" came a happy voice. I followed the sound to a table. Sakura happily patted the seat behind her. The happy girl had basically adopted me at recess. She wasn't in my class, but she had taken a liking to me because with my whiskers I was "So Cute!". I pulled on Gaara's hand. He was a quiet outcast boy that had sat next to me in my class. The whispers about him claimed he was a monster and dangerous. However, his moods weren't any worse than the Teme's. He grumbled moodily but followed anyway.
Sakura stared wide eyed as the boy every other student in the elementary school was terrified of followed me like a little puppy dog. "Hello Gaara." Her voice wavered as she gazed at him.
"Hn." He muttered.
"Oh my gosh," she suddenly bent, hiding her head, "it's the new guy!" she squealed. "He's in my class and all the girls are after him."
I turned my eyes and grinned.
*Back to normal POV*
I groaned as I walked into the lunchroom. Whispers followed me as all the girls began to drool.
"TEME!" my head jerked up as I heard the call across the room. Naruto sat giggling hysterically at a table with one of the drooling girls from my class and a redhead with a glare as toxic as the Uchiha glare. I sighed in relief as I slunk toward her.
"Wow Teme, aren't you the popular one." She teased through her laughter.
"Would you shut it already Dobe!" I growled, swatting at the back of her head. She only laughed harder.
"The emo duck butt bastard is the guy everyone wants!"
"SHUT IT!"
"Um, you two…know each other?" came the hesitant voice of the pink haired girl next to her.
"Oh yeah, I've know this teme since… forever!" Naruto grinned happily.
"You haven't been alive forever dobe."
"The teme is actually being sarcastic? That's the first time in months!" Her genuine smile spread across her face.
"Yeah, yeah." I muttered, exhausted I lay my cheek on my folded arms.
"Hey Teme! I forgot, can I come over tonight? Kakashi told me that Big Brother Itachi is coming home today." She basically squealed.
I glare darkly at her, but she just returned it, "Hey, you may be pissed at him, but I'm not. You can take it out on him once you catch up to him like you've been blabbing that you would for the past months. After all you are the avenger." She stuck her tongue out.
I intensified my glare.
"You might as well give it up, I'm immune due to over exposure."
"Hn." I answered, burying my face into my arm.
"Itachi!" Naruto squealed, pouncing onto the black haired boy.
Itachi stumbled slightly, accidentally dropping his walking stick.
"Hello Naruto!" he laughed, gently wrapping his arms around her. He set her back onto her feet. I eyed him from across the room. He had grown quite a bit and now stood well above Naruto's small height.
"I actually have to go though; Grandpa wants me home early today so he's waiting outside, but I HAD to say hi. Bye Itachi!" Naruto once again squeezed the life out of my brother. She sent a wink my way, "Be nice Teme" she ran out of the room.
"Hello little brother," Itachi welcomed, bending to pick up the metal stick he used to find his way around.
"Hn." was all the welcome I offered.
"So, did you follow my orders? She seems better, however I'm not sure if it's any thanks to you." Hidden eyes turned to gaze at me through dark lenses.
I felt myself start in surprise. "What the hell are you talking about Itachi?"
"She relies on you Sasuke, protect her."
"Whatever." I spun walking toward the door.
"I'm serious."
"I know." I mumbled to myself as I walked out of the room.
*End Of Elementary School*
"Hey Dobe, Come here," I waved her toward where I sat at my piano. She cocked her head to the side but got up from her spot on my bed.
"Did you write a new song?" she asked, sitting down beside me. She bent to gaze at the sheet music that was on the stand. "It's a…duet?"
I nodded as I leaned away so she could get a better look at the paper.
"Who's this part for?" she pointed a finger to the second part.
"You dobe." It couldn't be for anyone else, I thought to myself, it's the story of when we were kids. "That is if you can handle it," I challenged.
"Bring it on!" she glared at me. (If you are going to go listen to this song, the version of it they are singing now is a lot slower than the actual song is and they're only using the piano, not guitar. It's "Reverie" by The Morning Of)
"Another morning with my eyes towards the Hudson
Wishing the current would carry me away
I would kill to make it to the Atlantic
If the world would only stop for me
Another day that I can't face your blue eyes
We're falling apart
and I'm scared to death
You were much worse for wear and I...
Am taking the blame for this
I am falling towards the coast
Let the waves crash over me
To life, to glory goes the toast
as I become the sea
Lord, get me out of this city tonight
Cause you are what made me feel alive
Here I am again, running away from the truth
Just know, that you move me, like I've never been moved
Yeah, like I've never been moved
Another night, looking past you towards the Hudson
Wishing I could move the mountains with my two eyes
I would kill to make it to the horizon
If the world would only stop for us
Another day that I crumbled beneath the sky
My regret is taking the place of all my dreams
It's all thats left to fill the void you left behind
But I, I guess I always had the choice
I am falling towards the coast
Let the waves crash over me
To life, to glory goes the toast
as I become the sea
Lord, get me out of this city tonight
Cause you are what made me feel alive
Here I am again, running away from the truth
Just know, that you move me, like I've never been moved
Yeah, like I've never been moved
They say the wind is everyone that you've ever loved
Grazing their lips upon your cheek
(spending forever in reverie...)
And they say the wind is everyone that you've ever loved
Grazing their lips upon your cheek
Lord, get me out of this city tonight
Cause I just want to make it out alive
Lord, get me out of this city tonight
Oh, you made me feel alive
Oh, Here I am
Here I am again, running away from the truth
And just know, that you move me, like I've never been moved
Lord, get me out of this city tonight
Cause you are what made me feel alive
Here I am again, running away from the truth
Just know, that you move me, like I've never been moved
Yeah, you move me, like I've never been moved"
Naruto's dazed appearance made a smile pull at my lips. My brother was right, it was my job to protect her as much as it was my job to catch up to him.