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Chapter 10
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His Words
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"We'll continue the race next time. Guess you already know this is bad timing." Sasuke spoke, pulling me aside and facing Sasori instead.
"Hmph. No problem. Seems like the Rogue students aren't having much fun nowadays." Sasori mocked.
"Oh, hell we do. We just like to keep our responsibilities at bay." Shikamaru stated from the corner.
Sasuke yanked my arm and turned to Naruto. His hand was warm as it gripped my wrist tightly, like I was some sort of possession. "Obviously, this isn't a right place for these loony girls to be roaming around. I'll take Sakura home, you can take Ino. If there's any further action regarding the demi-human tonight, just give me a ring."
He didn't even give me a chance to make a comment, although the idea wasn't bad for me. I didn't think hanging around further here would be nice in this kind of situation. And besides, it was late.
Chouji stepped up. He was drinking a bottled iced tea at a time like this. "I can take Ino home." he volunteered.
"Alright. I'll keep an eye on this stupid gang." Naruto murmured, glancing at the other fellows with Sasori. "They can't really do much since there are Rogues here, anyway. They'll be off soon." He took one last look at me and winked. "See you around, Sakura-chan. Been a while since we have someone new around."
And with that bid, Sasuke started yanking me toward his motorbike again like a big pet dog. I saw Ino staring at us as Chouji escorted her away.
"See you tomorrow." I only managed to call out.
Sasori was bothered as we moved away from the scene. He looked like he wanted to block himself on our way but was hesitating to make a scene.
"I can walk by myself, thank you very much." I said to Sasuke as I pulled my arm free from his grip when we got to his motorcycle.
"What's your address?" he asked me.
"I can get home by myself."
"What's your address?" he only asked again stubbornly, the hard-headed guy that he was.
My house was practically across the city from where we were a moment ago. Sasuke appeared to have memorized every street in Tokyo. He knew where to turn and find the easiest roots. Since we were riding a small vehicle, he managed to squeeze ourselves between the tiniest paths. I didn't even know how we were able to get in and out of the playgrounds we had passed by with all those fences. Sasuke could almost fly the damn thing.
I wasn't used to the fast movements and I was feeling dizzy when we finally got to our house. The neighborhood was soundless at that time of the night as he pulled his motorcycle slowly to a stop in front of our house. We were the only ones left on the street. Thousands of stars were visible in the dark, clear sky. It could had been a romantic evening, if we were not just irritated by each other.
"Do me a favor and stay away from Sasori and his gang." Sasuke said as I handed to him his headgear. He was calmer now after the ride. The cool breeze must had cleared his head a bit.
He moved off of his motorbike and just lightly leaned his back against it. His spiky hair was swaying with the gentle night breeze. His face still looked flawless under the moonlight. There was a dim light emitting from the lamppost at the corner of our small front yard.
"You and his guys seem to be everywhere in this place." I said, flattening my blouse. "But thanks for the ride, anyway."
He gazed at our house. It was just the typical home that you'd see in Japan's neighborhood. It wasn't small and not that big either. It was the color of sand with a hint of mahogany brown on the window outlines. There were small trees on both sides of the house and some potted plants near the front gate.
"So this is your place." he said.
"Um… want to come in and get something to eat?" I asked half-heartedly. I wasn't trying to seduce him or some sort. I didn't want to be rude and just leave him there, but the idea of having him inside with my parents didn't seem to be appropriate for me either.
He must had sensed the hesitation in my voice, and just chuckled. "You don't have to ask if you don't want to."
I just shrugged. He sighed for a minute, and looked back at me. His gaze was much softer now than before. He was being serious. He must had been thinking about something during the way.
"Is that dude in love with you or what?" he asked.
It took me longer to think for a good response. And when I didn't reply at once, he continued.
"Do you know that he just asked you for a betting prize for the race?" he said in a hard tone. His head was tilted a bit on the side as he looked at me. "We usually bet money, vehicles or other possessions when it comes to racing. And you're actually the first living creature ever to be put on a bet in our entire life of racing. It's annoying, really… He asked for you. He could've asked for anything yet he wants you—the idiot newcomer from the province of wherever."
I felt a nerve shook in my forehead. "What's it to you, anyway?"
He crossed his arms and gave me that upset look. "Why the fuck is he so interested in you?"
"I ran into him days ago." I finally said. "I saw him wandering in the streets before. He was all drunk. I could tell he had some issues even before I found out that you know him. Since he was all delusional that night, he approached me and had me mistaken for someone else. He practically chased me all the way down the street. Then I saw him appeared at the academy again—picking a fight with you. He saw me too and he was acting all weird like that ever since."
Sasuke just listened and watched me with those piercing eyes of his. I felt a little tingle in my stomach.
"I don't know if he still remembers that night or if he still recognizes me, but he was already acting like that since the first time I saw him." I said. "He reminds me of you, actually."
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Well, you heard that stupid theory of Naruto. You remind him of his girlfriend—it's pretty obvious."
He gave a small, odd noise—like he was about to choke at that thought. I just gave him an annoyed look.
"Just stay away from him, got that?" he said in that egotistic tone. "And besides, do you think you still have the time to flirt with guys considering your position in the academy? You have way a lot of stuff to catch up to. We're bored waiting for Kakashi to teach us a goddamn thing. This whole training of yours might just be a waste of time and energy for all of us. You're not even part of the org, nerd."
There was just something about his words that makes me lose control. I held up one arm and my fist hastily zoomed toward his face.
WHIFFFFFT!
Sasuke caught my fist an inch from his face. He held it in one hand, gripping my knuckles with his fingers.
But there was something that struck him with my swift movement. I felt the ground and the posts around us vibrated with my fast action. His motorcycle even shook for a second. I saw his hair and felt mine swung back from the force.
And for the very first time, I felt my chakra around us. It disappeared as fast as it came. It was gone a second after my fist hit his palm. And I knew he felt it too. I could see the hint of wonder in his own eyes as he stared at me for a moment. I didn't realize I just released one.
He gently held my hand down and looked at me in an odd manner.
"Hm… that was a strong chakra for a newbie." He mumbled. Then, a small smirk spread across his face. He glanced around us to see if someone else was there.
I blinked for a moment and looked down at my knuckles. The old scratches from my training were starting to dry up, but there were some freshly made ones, too. My chakra was a proof that I was improving.
"So you're not quitting or what?" Sasuke teased.
The upset look on his face was suddenly gone now. It was unbelievable how this guy shifts from one mood to the other.
"Keep hoping, Uchiha."
His smirk widened. He was grinning now.
"You know…" he started saying in a subtle voice. "We've never had a newcomer last this long. They usually try for a month and just vanished after that. Just a bunch of weaklings and a waste of time if you ask me."
"Well, maybe they don't want to prove themselves worth to anyone."
The night was quiet. We just both stood there at the side, in front of the gate. My folks hadn't realize I was there. It was actually the first time I had a boy drop me off to our house. This place was just filled with unusual things for me. I wouldn't have thought a well-known guy like him would even be the one giving me a ride, even just by accident.
"No girl has ever tried to punch me before." Sasuke said, mostly wondering to himself. He was looking at me with an arched eyebrow. "All the girls I know in the academy are likely the same. They just do what they are told and so on."
His eyes were mesmerizing as they stared into mine. Then, he looked blankly toward the dark, starry horizon and drew out his breath.
"The academy… for me, it was just the same old thing. We just go there and study and train and do whatever we're good at. We're not your normal students and sometimes we also get tired of our duties. We have more responsibilities than the other students outside the school. Messing around the place is our way of feeling free from all of this. Racing or getting into trouble is our way of breathing." he said quietly.
It was the first time I had seen Sasuke act like this. He was usually a snob in school.
"And you…" he continued, his eyes watched my face. I could barely look back at him. He was just so attractive. I was afraid I would give myself away. "When you came, the world just seemed to have changed a bit. You don't know anything about our world, yet here you are. You're the first that tried to get in my way. And you do like hitting my nerve."
I didn't know why he had this reserved look just for me. I didn't see him talk nor look at other people this way. I was no special person, that was why I couldn't understand him.
Sasuke took a step toward me. He ran his hand through his hair one last time. He looked at the ground for a second before turning his onyx eyes back to me. I could only stare at his lips as he moved them.
"Go out with me."
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Monday morning.
I stared at my locker. The keys were finally on my hold, waiting to be used. I sighed and inserted it into the keyhole and pulled it open. The few textbooks I last left there were in an organized pile. There was a small white canvas bag on top of it. I didn't remember arranging them this neat the last time I used it. Which was weeks ago.
I took the small bag and pulled it open. The dirty clothes I once left there were now folded and cleaned inside. It smelled good as well.
That snob. He did this.
I stood there for a moment, pondering… I thought he wasn't being serious that night when we talked. Yet his eyes were looking at me in a way that I couldn't turn away. I wanted to laugh at first, but when I saw no trace of hilarity in his face, I couldn't manage to say anything. I almost never go on dates. The last time I went out with a guy was in my senior year in high school. And he was my neighbor. There was no serious relationship or whatever involved. It was just a plain date that I couldn't refuse because I was afraid to hurt him. He was a nice guy and I liked him as a friend. And he wasn't the type that had a group of fan girls running around the school.
But with Sasuke… it was a different issue.
He handed me my locker keys that night before he left. He said it was about time I got it back, anyway. He was hoping I'd get it from him, but I had already forgotten about having a locker in the first place.
He must be joking. Will I be chased with burning torches by his fan girls if ever he was being serious? Who am I, anyway? Just some dorky student trying to pass the organization. I shook my head in confusion.
On the other hand, the problem about the loose demi-human was shortly fixed and the Rogue students who were involved were given some small gratitude, especially Ino. She had already talked about it the very next day. The scrape on her arm was healing. The woman whom we found was already dead even before she was admitted to the hospital. She was a wife of a government official. I heard she was off to meet her husband for a small dinner but ended up lifeless in an alley instead. Her husband had been the primary target.
Mortis Guild covered her death with a different reason. They made it looked like she was kidnapped and no one was able to get to her on time. The real cause was never said, of course. The false reason was the only thing that was published in newspapers and was reported on TV.
As I looked back to my locker, it was only then that I noticed a small poster taped on the other side of the door. I grabbed it off.
Big texts were written across the heading, and underneath was a vibrant illustration of a band playing on stage. It was an artistic poster, like those in storybooks that had a bit of an abstract touch. The band supported messy and loud hairdos as they play with their musical instruments.
Battle of the Bands Tokyo
Think you got what it takes to rock it?
Then show us what you've got!
Beneath the texts were the date, venue and the bands that'll be playing. About fifteen groups were signed up. The event was this Friday evening.
I looked at the back of the poster. Scribbled in red ink were the words:
I'll see you there. Be sure to show up or else…
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I flipped the pages of my textbook, trying to review the last lesson we had.
My other classmates were bored. Hinata was having a conversation with Ten Ten. Ino was taking pictures of herself with her mobile phone after asking me about how I ended up with Sasuke that night. Rock Lee was demonstrating a karate position at the back of the room. Akamaru was biting off someone else's shoe.
I didn't even notice when Sasuke came in. He leaned at the side of my desk and stared down at me. He looked fresh from the shower.
"So you'll be there, right?" he asked.
I remained my book open and looked up at him. "Why do you need me there for, anyway?"
"Why not?" he said unworriedly. He took a glimpse of what I was reading for a second and turned back to me. "You're going out with me, right?"
I gave him a peculiar look. "I don't remember anything about that."
"And you didn't say no, either." He said, rolling his eyes again.
I could feel the eyes of several of my classmates on me. Sasuke and I didn't usually hang out like this. And they'd known him for years. I suddenly felt self-conscious.
"I'll see you later. Just be sure to be there. We'll be playing." he said before walking back to his seat.
I didn't turn my head to look at the other's expression. I only kept my eyes glued on the pages of my textbook even if I couldn't get the words to sink in my head.
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Ino asked me that afternoon about what was going on while we were having a break in sports class. Our strange actions had became very much noticeable.
And when I replied—
"HE WHAT?"
"Shhhh—"
Hinata and Ten Ten, on the other hand, had started giggling after hearing my answer.
"That's a surprise." Hinata said between giggles.
"Guess you're off the wagon, Ino." Ten Ten teased.
We were sitting at the side of the football field that afternoon. The sun was high up in the sky and we founnd a nie spot under a tree. Ino, Hinata, Ten Ten and I were just taking a break from soccer practice.
"I-It's not anything special or something." I tried to explain. I knew she liked Sasuke a lot and I didn't want her thinking about anything suspicious or whatever. I scratched the back of my head, not knowing what else to do.
"Do you know that I don't remember him asking someone out? He's dated before, but not anyone that I know in this freaking school." She was eyeing me in a disbelieving manner. Her voice sounded disturbed. "Are you being serious?"
I was but I felt like snorting.
"I mean—it's just—well—" Ino was fumbling for words.
"Unlikely, I know." I said. "He's just looking for someone to mess around with."
Ino was just looking at me. I didn't know if she hated me or if she was frustrated because of what was going on. She had a big crush on that airhead since the first time I met her. If I'd kept it a secret, it would be much worse. Who knows what she might think.
"Didn't know he likes newcomer girls from the province." she said quietly after a while. I was surprised to see her taking it in a funny way. Her blue eyes were shining bright against the sunshine. "I had the feeling that he likes you, you know… ever since he started acting more different when you came."
"He might just be pulling a prank on me." I said.
In any case, my training went on with Kakashi after my last class. He was pleased to see me able to discharge my chakra now. He said it was a strong one compared to other beginners in my condition. He wanted me to use it as my strength. Sasuke and Naruto were also there, training. They were having a tussle at the roof deck. I could notice Sasuke's glimpses at me.
Unexpectedly, it was actually the first time I had felt getting closer to someone. I didn't know much about him or his history but there was this air that kept me a bit attached to him. I was starting to had this bittersweet feeling whenever I see him.
I was starting to be like Ino.
He was still mocking me like I was some sort of a parasite in his day, yet he still gave me this soft look like he was glad to see me, too. His mood shifted from being annoyed to being amused. I had to remind myself that he had some personal issues.
Late that afternoon, I took a shower before heading home. The classes were mostly over at that time of the day, so I usually go home by myself. I was putting a few extra hours for my training with Kakashi and I could barely manage my schedule.
I walked passed the school grounds, with my bulky bag hanging from one shoulder. It became a habit to carry dirty clothes with me after school. I even lied to my mom that I was trying out for soccer and baseball. There were only several students left that day, mostly were athletes practicing on the fields. The orange glow of the sunset looked magnificent against the grounds.
I was already a couple of blocks away from the academy when I noticed a recognizable flaming red hair down the street. I abruptly stopped on my way.
Sasori was there at the corner alone. He seemed to be waiting for something or someone. He didn't look too intimidating since there were some people passing by the streets. He immediately saw me. He was trying not to look creepy, I could tell. He straightened up and tried to look at me with a pleasant manner. He realized that I had stopped walking. He looked a bit fidgety, too. Perhaps trying to decide what was the best thing he could do now.
I didn't know how he could kept on sprouting almost everywhere like a goddamn mushroom. If the rogue students see him, it'd be another riot.
Anyhow, I knew I couldn't keep on avoiding him while I was in this stupid city. He was like Sasuke. You couldn't be in Konoha Academy without meeting them. They came like some sort of gift set.
I marched ahead and readied my fist in case he'd get a bit too close again.
"Hello." he spoke as I came closer. "Please, I don't mean to scare you or anything."
"Is there something you want?" I asked indifferently.
He was a bit conscious with himself as he scratched the back of his head.
"Listen, I know I come as a creepy weirdo for some time now. But I just want to explain, all right?" he said. He looked around us for a second. "I don't know any way of approaching you without making a fuss except like this."
There was a good gap of space between us as we stood there. He wasn't acting much of a bully in front of me. He reminded me of a little boy who was caught guilty.
"I surely had mistaken you for someone." He said. A small humor was there in his crooked smile. He looked rather embarrassed of talking to me. "I thought you were my ex-girlfriend. You have the same hair and almost the same face. I'm not comparing you or anything—it's just that I haven't seen her for a really long time. And seeing you… it's just like seeing her again."
He was looking at me with his round brown eyes.
"Listen, don't go approaching people like they know you because it's freaky." I said.
"Yeah, I know." He said, scratching the back of his head. "Sorry."
"And I'm not your ex-girlfriend."
He pulled something out of his pocket. He flipped his black wallet open and gave it to me.
There, in the transparent compartment of his wallet, was a faded picture of a girl. She had the same hair color and hair length as mine. Her eyes were the shade of brown but we almost had the same skin color moreover. The picture looked like it was taken from the seaside. The sea surface was visible behind her. She was wearing a white top and a round summer hat and was smiling at the camera.
"Her name's Aya." Sasori said, watching me as I stared down at the picture. "She passed away two years ago, you see."
"I heard." I mumbled. I was amazed by the resemblance. I didn't have any sister nor brother so it was odd for me to see someone who looked like me.
Somehow, I was beginning to understand his position. But even so, hanging out with him wasn't a good idea.
"Of course, I know you're not her. I can see the difference attitude-wise." He spoke. "I just want to apologize, that's all."
I handed him his wallet back. "Well, you have already."
He laughed quietly, shaking his head. He really did remind me of Sasuke a lot. They had a lot of things in common than they think.
"I hate your classmates and your stupid school, but I do wish I can live in peace with you." He said. "I do wish you could have been anywhere but there. I think you're different from all of them."
I coiled my forehead.
"I don't mean anything like that." Sasori said defensively after seeing my expression. "I think you're just different, that's all. I would like to get to know you without any strings attach."
Before I could reply, a voice rang out from my side.
"You. What the fuck do you think you're doin' here?"
That very identifiable voice. And that very identifiable remark.
I turned around and Sasuke approached beside me. His backpack hung from his right shoulder. He looked from me to Sasori. I could tell he was all infuriated by the way he was scanning the both of us as if we were caught red-handed about something.
It was amazing how this two could accidentally meet anywhere in this place. They seemed to be bounded to bump into each other. And why do they had to meet when I was also there?
"What do you want?" Sasuke asked Sasori bitterly.
"I have no business with you, if that's what you're thinking." Sasori's cold voice was there again. "I just wanted to talk to her."
Sasuke looked at me with an uptight face.
"We were just talking." I said as if I owe something to him. "What are you doing here, anyway?"
He ignored me and only turned to the red-head.
"You're all alone that's why you can't show your face up at the academy?" he mocked. "If I ever see you near anywhere here again, be sure to expect a mess."
Sasori didn't move even if I could see the bitterness in his appearance. Seemed like he didn't want to pick a fight while I was there.
"And stay away from what's mine." Sasuke turned around in a swift movement. He yanked my upper arm and started pulling me away with him, leaving Sasori there on his spot.
I started to protest but he didn't pay any attention. He just pulled me away to the direction of our house. He didn't need to do that whenever Sasori was there. It was starting to get really bothersome. He must had already memorized the way to our home.
I only managed to take one last look at Sasori before we disappeared in a corner. We had passed three blocks when he finally halted and freed my hand. He promptly turned to me, glaring.
"You're really a flirt, do you know that?" he said angrily to my face.
"What?"
We were standing at the side of an antique shop. Passers by could hear us clearly.
"Do you know that I was looking for you for half an hour already? And here you are flirting with that asshole."
He looked threatening with his tall posture and spikes.
"I was on my way home, you idiot! He just approached me to apologize for something!"
I couldn't understand why he was so possessive. What's it with him if I talk to others?
"Really? Does it have to be there?"
"Well, I don't know—maybe because you're going to go ballistic if he shows up at the entrance gates?"
He glared at me again and tried to compose himself for a moment. I couldn't help but notice how handsome he still looked even if he was upset. He simply ran a hand through his hair, like what he usually did.
"I don't want you hanging out with some other bastards, okay?" he spoke in a cooler approach.
I stared at him in confusion and curiosity. "Why are you acting this way, anyhow? What do you care about what I do?"
He fell silent after that. He was usually undisturbed and confident in front of people, yet he really appeared uncomfortable that day. He only looked at the façade around us. There were shops, stores and restaurants everywhere. It was easy to get lost in the environment around us.
Then, he faced me again. This time, his anger had subsided and was replaced by another feeling. He gave me that reserved look again… And at that moment, I was caught in his web. I felt my world turned only to him and his boyish face.
His words were very much like a whisper.
"Can't you see that I like you?"
I couldn't move… I felt my heart thumped in a way it hadn't done before.
And with that statement, he turned around and walked away. Leaving me staring after him as he disappeared with the crowd of people passing by.
He took me away from Sasori, like I was some sort of token, yet he just left me there alone after. He must be really upset.
And I felt really foolish. I could already feel what was coming after that night, but I tried to push it out of my head. I was quite afraid. I wanted to ask why…
Uchiha Sasuke had some characteristics that I really found irritating. Yet when I came home that day, I couldn't stop thinking about him.
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