Title: Disadvantaged Children
Rating: M
Chapter Eighteen
Imbalance
"Oioioioioioioioioioi, bastard! You left this the other day!"
I wave the folded paper in front of Sai who only grits and presses a finger to his forehead.
"What are you talking about, idiot? And must you be so loud?"
I frown before realization strikes me. Making a huge show of winking, I grin and roll Sai's second event into a little ball. "Playing it cool, I see?" Sai impassively continues to stare at me even when I flick the secret into his face. "Okay then teme. We'll pretend it never happened."
He blinks before sighing with irritation and going back to his food. A little unhappy with his silence, I pout and lean in forward to whisper something important. His hair tickles my face and for a second, I'm taken aback by the closeness between us. But I quickly shake it off and lean even closer, lips almost brushing his ear.
"So have you figured it out yet? Because I have."
"Figured out what?"
I smirk. "The Second event! The only thing that stands between our group's win! The difference between triumph and the Is-"
"No."
"-land and.. Wait, what?"
"No. I haven't." Sai's shoulders hunch over his tray and even though we're surrounded by loud, chattering kids eating in the cafeteria, he looks small and lonely. His face is tired, always tired, and the words are slow. "I gave up. Besides, this Event has to be stupid if a dimwit like you can do it."
I like flowers.
Suddenly, I grab Sai's arm, ignoring his hissing. "Today. After class. Go to the glasshouse."
"What?! What the hell are you talking abou-"
Sensing the curious eyes from the other people in our table, I frantically cover Sai's mouth with my hand and drop my voice to a fervent whisper. "The glasshouse. You know where it is, right?"
"Yes, of course I do, but what does that have to do-"
"Just do it, okay?!" My hopes drop a little when I see Sai's frown and his disbelieving eyes. Knowing that I have only one chance to convince the most skeptical person on earth, I bite my lip and softly murmur, "Flowers."
Sai's eyes widen and he yanks his arm away from me. "How do you know about that?" He suspiciously points a finger my way. "Were you snooping through my things?"
I hurriedly shake my head and push him off the chair with a cheerful grin. "Today is the last day, number two! Don't disappoint me."
Sai shoots me one lingering look that's mixed with doubt and an uncharacteristic gratefulness before walking out of the cafeteria. I breathe a sigh of relief, even though some part of me is screaming 'cheater!' But the careful way Sai had carried himself, as if he had forgotten what he was worth.. I knew that feeling all too well.
Failure...
I take a look around the cafeteria and sigh with relief when no one is noticing the guilt on my stained cheeks. Heads are bowed over food, like final prayers on wavering lips. A few teams are even sinking into their soups, paper in hand. They knew. Today was the last day of the Second Event and not a single team had won yet. But..
Grinning, I slip a hand into my pocket, fiddling with my own piece of paper with the words 'I love fishing.' It had been difficult but hey! I was Uzumaki Naruto, a boy who didn't disappoint, a boy who spilled loud words. A rush of accomplishment floods me and I almost bounce out of my chair, legs jiggling. Who would have known that I could get so happy from something so little...
An arm suddenly hooks on to mine and, surprised, I look to my left to find Sakura, eyes so bright that I've already lost sight of what she sees. "Look out the window, Naruto!"
I tear my eyes from Sakura's smile to focus on the skeletal trees and pale scene of a fading fall. Buildings surround us, as well as the chilly atmosphere that transcends into the cafeteria. Like everything in the Mansion, November beckons to the beginning, the beginning of everything. It's impossible to believe, but I've been here for months. And I'm starting to feel..
"Are you happy, Naruto?" Sakura's slender arms tighten around my own and she leans in closer, as if she's trying to grasp the strain in my voice and the ache in my smile.
"Yeah, I am. How did you know?"
She giggles, and it's so childish that I laugh with her. "Because I'm happy." She delicately untangles her arm and taps the window, startling the bird that had been resting on the sill. "Whenever I remember who I am and what I'm doing, I get this insanely happy feeling. The Mansion seems to be having this effect on everyone, not just you and me. I think it's the isolation from the real world, the.."
"Trust?"
Green eyes pull me in, like heavy truths in dreams. "Exactly."
I blink then turn away to stare at the cafeteria with the various teams. "So, Sakura-chan! Have you figured out your mystery man? Because I have!" I jab at the air with the last statement and it makes Sakura laugh.
"Stupid! I've already turned in mine."
I pout. "Well, so did I! And you don't have to worry about Sai." I make a huge show of winking and whispering. "He left his paper on my bed and I just had to give a tiny clue.."
Sakura puffs up for a minute before deflating to wearily shake her head. "It was bound to happen sooner or later. Just be careful not to blab. But.." She pauses before making a face. "Isn't it weird that Sai would do something so careless? And how did he know that you would be able to help him?"
I roll my eyes and walk towards the door. "Ne, Sakura-chan! Stop reading things so deeply. And of course he knew that I'd be able to help him. I mean, c'mon. My name is, after all-"
"Why are you so close to him?"
I stop, brief smile on my lips. "What?"
"You heard me, Naruto-kun!" Sakura's voice is light, almost teasing, but I know her well enough to sense her feet shifting awkwardly and her eyes widening. "I-I mean, it's not my business. But.. You and Sai... It's no big deal, it's not like anyone cares about stuff like that-"
"Stuff like what?"
Silence. And then a frantic rush of words. "I know about your past, Naruto! You can't deny that part of your fame came from who you..." Sakura looks around before taking my arm and dragging me out of the cafeteria, where the hallways are empty. "Did it with."
"Uh.."
"And I'm your teammate! Don't think that your relationship with Sai hasn't escaped my notice. You and Sai are real, more real than these last couple of weeks."
She pauses before meeting my eyes. "What do you feel for him?"
I gape, opening and closing my mouth before shaking my head. "What do you want me to say? That he and I are.. Are.." I laugh lightly. "In love? Sorry, Sakura, but this time your big brain is wrong."
My careless words are coupled with a light pat on Sakura's head, but she only pouts and brushes off my casual statement with a sigh.
"Maybe you're right, maybe you're not. I just don't understand why everyone here acts like it's a crime to put their hearts on the line." She throws her hands up in the air, wrinkles appearing on her smooth skin. "Live a little! Doesn't anyone here know how to love? And.. Hey, Naruto! What are you.. Where are you going? Wait up!"
I ignore Sakura's cries and merely wave a hand over my shoulder, grin plastered on my face. "I need to meet Kakashi for counseling. See ya, Sakura-chan!"
"No, wait, Naruto!"
Sakura's fuming fades when I turn the corner, each step taking me away from Sakura's obseession with finding love in a place like this. She was asking for the impossible. We were a family, but that didn't mean we were fools.
Gaara
I stop right then and reach a hand against the wall to steady myself. I was normal, right? I could live through this. What was it Kiba had told me so long ago? I had people I could depend on. I had precious people. Friends.
"Gaara," I whisper quietly as I face ahead, looking forward to a future I can depend on. "Do you have what I do now? Do you regret what I've stopped regretting?"
Only the slight echoes of doors slamming respond and I smile before straightening myself and walking forward. In the end, that's all I can do in a place like this.
The world slows down.
I'm looking ahead and people blur, shapes fade, and feelings wither under the harsh, stringent lights in the room.
Nothing's here except the occasional emptiness from people, a sleepy gaze from Shikamaru, and the regular disinterest from girls who gossip, trade secrets, and wish for love.
"Class.. Class!"
We're slow today, because there are days when we can't feel anymore. Reasons don't matter, nor excuses like the late nights in consoling a desolate roommate or the suppression of memories. Some people miss their families, others miss the loneliness. But for now, we are just a classroom, waiting, always waiting for something to change.
"We're doing something different today." Iruka is hesitant, even though he's boldly waving stacks of paper in the air. "I want to go past the welcoming exercises, the little question and answers."
"Che. No one cares about these team interactions unless there are points involved," someone sneers.
I glare at the person and open my mouth to retort, but Iruka comfortably responds by writing on the chalkboard and talking at the same time.
"No more team interactions." His swift words are accompanied by chalk streaking the board, making arches and letters that cause us to shift in our chairs and slowly wake from the living dreams that haunt us. "I want everyone to participate in this, because it's time that we, as a group, learn from each other."
The lights buzz and the scene outside still presents an alternative, but I find myself watching Iruka as he quickly passes out pieces of notecards to every student. When he gets to my desk and sees me blinking up at him, he pauses. Unspoken words hang between us, but all I need from him is a nod, which he gives readily.
"Before you are sixteen slips of paper. I want everyone to write four people, four favorite foods, four important places, and four activities. But.." Iruka looks around the room, steady and never wavering. "One of the cards must have your own name."
Easy enough. Leaning back in my chair, I quickly come up with activities and food (ramen, birthday cake..) But thinking of only four people and places is a little more difficult. I take a look around the room to see my classmates furiously scribbling words and honesty. Finally, I decide that it doesn't matter.
Sai
Kakashi
Naruto
It's a long time before my pencil scratches the last name.
Sasuke
I quickly choose my favorite places then cross my arms, grinning occasionally at Iruka when he looks my way. Finally, the few stragglers finish and Iruka, satisfied, walks to the center of the room. "What I'm about to do may be distressing, offensive, and insensitive to every single one of you. If this doesn't bode well for you, then please feel free to leave."
A second passes but no one leaves. Iruka smiles slightly while some of the people shift in their seat awkwardly.
"It's simple, guys." Iruka says, his quiet voice cutting through the silence. "I'm going to say a couple of sentences and then tell you to lose a card. I advise that you take care in which card is disposed of first, because I want you to understand the purpose of this exercise."
I lean forward in my seat and catch sight of Sai doing the same. Sakura fingers her cards absentmindedly while Ino frowns at Iruka. "What do you mean, lose a card? Like lose a card that relates to what you're saying?"
Iruka shakes his head briefly. "No. Every time I tell you to lose a card, I want you to discard the one that is least important to you. Got it?"
The class nods in unison and Iruka stares at the room before finding us prepared, alive. He clears his throat before running with his own words, voice light and casual.
"You were born into a loving family, or at least loving enough to give you whatever you wanted. In the crib, you learned to tell the difference between Udon noodles and spaghetti. You were everyone's favorite baby, if only because you looked so cute eating that last cherry or sucking on a crayon."
Some people quietly titter as Chouji's face slowly pinkens and Iruka pauses to laugh lightly and continue. "You had it all. Family, fun, and most of all, food."
This time, most of the class laughs along as Chouji visibly sinks into his chair. Sai is one of the few who shift uneasily, and I can't help but notice the smile fading on Iruka's face. Without another thought, I look down on my desk, already knowing which card will be discarded.
"Yes, it's okay to laugh. That's what you do when life gives you everything." Iruka's voice suddenly grows quieter, so soft that we immediately cease our laughter. "However, what do you do when you leave the safety of home? When you realize that careless happiness comes with a price?"
Chouji closes his eyes, and it's then that Iruka speaks.
"You go to elementary school. Everything is different. Kids stare at you, taunt you, push you around. In the end, you do what your body was made to do. You fight back." Silence swallows the class as well as Chouji's shaking. "Lose one card."
Like automatons, we collectively reach forward and choose something trivial, something we don't really need. Iruka continues and this time I can feel before I hear.
"This time, you're the daughter of the most lucrative and successful marriages in all of Kononha. You've been normal all your life, focusing mostly on boys and looks."
"Bingo." Chimes in a voice and I turn my head to find Ino smirking at the class, hands twirling her long hair. I have a feeling she knows what Iruka's going to say, but she's unshakable.
Iruka smiles, neither nodding nor shaking his head. "Your mother's always been a little distant, as well as your father, but you assume that this is the case for all families. Your closest relative is not related to you – Your nanny has nursed you, grown up with you, and healed every wound in your body, every false hope of a true family. When you start to get headaches, you immediately go to your nanny. In that one day, everything changes."
He never falters from the swirling colors in Ino's eyes, only softly saying.
"You're abnormal. You're not right. Lose one card."
I understand only as far as we've gone. As one more card drops to the ground, I can sense the mood shifting, the happy atmosphere disappearing. In the end, that's what the Mansion was for. Freaks, kids who didn't belong. Iruka was going slowly, taking his time, but he would get to me, to Sai, to those who knew and never learned.
Iruka goes on, spinning tales of lives that careen off the path of normal society by one punch, one word, one act. Cards fall to the ground like autumn leaves, leaving us empty and lost. Things that aren't important are sacrificed early on (ramen, running, the sun) while the cards that live, that breathe are kept within our reach.
Hinata is the girl who liked rabbits, poems, and songs, but lived in a household that shunned her for another relative (the clearing.) Shino is the boy who lost track of reality because of his fixation with insects and their subtle power (the Mansion.) Other people come into the complex equation, weaving stories, hardships, obstacles into the fabric of our secrets (Konoha, cotton candy, Kakashi.)
It's during the middle that I start to regret every word that I've written on these cards. With each card I throw to the ground, I'm separated, fading away...
"You're a genius who can solve complex problems in two seconds. But you're also lazy, unemotional, and uncaring. Your parents worry about you and your teachers complain about your apathy. There's only one thing, one person who can affect you and that's your childhood friend, a girl who shares your secret.."
Heads swivel to Shikamaru, who only clenches his jaw. I don't understand Shikamaru or his past, but I can't shake off the feeling that it has to do with the flowers. And secret?
Everyone had their secrets and somehow, someway, we were all linked together.
What was it?
Iruka sighs, a witness to our crimes. "The day comes when your friend is threatened. Without another thought, you, the lazy genius, defend her, save her, and take the blame. You are taken to the Mansion, because you've convinced yourself that she doesn't need you anymore." Iruka sighs again, and I don't like seeing his normally cheerful face into one of weariness. Did he regret taking this responsibility? "Lose one card."
Silence before he goes on. Another story, another card.
"When you were born, your parents refused to hold you. As you grew up, they continued to ignore you, too immersed in their own world. Because of what they had, you were forced to adapt, to develop multiple personalities."
I breathe in sharply and in the corner of my eyes, I see Sakura look forward, steadily, never wavering.
"You didn't have anywhere else to go. With voices in your head and a permeating loneliness, you eventually started your own gang. It's only until you meet your precious friend in the streets that you wonder.. How could it have come down to this? But you're fighting and you can't question or feel. You only listen to the bloodthirst in your head, the voice saying you are disadvantaged, broken, useless."
He doesn't even say it this time, because we're automatically reaching to discard something close to us, something dear. Good bye faith, good bye hope.
Iruka goes on to start on a boy who forgot to feel the day his brother died (Sai, is that you?) when someone walks into the room. So caught up in murdering possessions, The class barely stirs, allowing the person to slink into the front of the room. When I languidly look up, I see him and the spark is infinite, something comfortable, something amazing.
Sasuke's smile pulls me away from the activity, so far that I barely hear the rest of Iruka's words. I make a face at him and he only raises an eyebrow. Biting my tongue, smothering a quick smile, I let go of another card, another heartbeat.
Iruka notices Sasuke because he nods quickly then continues.
"You were born an orphan, but it didn't matter to you. You were cheerful and loud, the number one orphan in Konoha, you told yourself."
I freeze, even though I've been prepared to hear my own story. It's different to hear it from someone else. I've become a stranger.
"But you soon came to find the cruelty inherent in humans. Time and time again, you lost things. Friends, homes, faith. People shunned you, whispered your name like you were a demon, a human without his humanity. So you stole, threw punches, and even murdered. And then, in one day, fire consumed your reason to live."
"Lose one card."
I slowly unclench my fists when I realize he's done. My story fades to black as Iruka begins a new bargain for life without consent.
"Imagine this. You have power, wealth, and perfection. But what is it you really want? Your acquaintances, friends, even the precious people in your life... They know who you are but not who you wish to be or who you once were."
This time, there are no sly glances or giggles among the studets. I frown at Iruka, wondering why this story isn't forcefully obvious. He doesn't give anything away, only slowly continuing.
"You've always known – you need the money, the philanthropy, the work, because you need humanity. You need redemption. And one day, because of the real reason that you live, you'll give up everything." Iruka stops before repeating with a scary finality. "Everything."
Who? The questions scurries around the room, digging into corners and thickening the atmosphere. But then I catch Sasuke's gaze and my breath gets lost, lost somewhere within the cold air.
"Class. Lose your final card."
I look down, about to choose my last card, and it's all there. Two cards, two names. I get it.
Sasuke
Naruto
Electricity shoots straight through my spine, leaving nothing but lies and chills. Here we were, together again. And looking at our names, I know. I just know.
A shadow falls on my desk, but I don't notice anything besides the heat beating freely and my hand moving to the card with my name on it and the stream of thoughts – Something had to give... And here he is, ready to give everything away.
Sasuke, that was you, wasn't it? You want humanity? Would you take mine if I offered?
Given one more second, my name would be dropping slowly on the ground, like leavings screaming in the dark. But before I can take the card, a hand clasps over mine and a whisper that tastes like fall.
"Don't."
A frown flits my face, irritation at a command so simple that it breaks the scene around us. "Sasuke, what are you-"
But I stop because Sasuke slowly maneuvers my hand so that it's placed over his own name, the card to be lost.
"You can't lose yourself. Not here. Not now."
He turns his head so we're facing each other and it's like forever. Always.
"Not ever."
xx
"Raise your hand if your last card was your own name. Hmm..I see Naruto and Ino have understood the purpose of this exercise. Chouji too..."
"Naruto, have you heard?"
"As everyone already should know, I read a couple of the situations that caused some of the inhabitant's entrance to the Mansion. As a side note, I did not compose these. One of the faculty members oversaw each word that came out of my mouth."
"Are you still fixating on that exercise we did in class? I mean, I admit Iruka got me right with the multiple personalities thing and I'm pretty sure yours was the second to last, but you should be over it by now."
"Don't think that I didn't have qualms about reading these out loud. But this is the power of this exercise. Hearing these life stories will bring everyone closer, because secrets are thrown out into the open. There is no shame within one's self, because strength comes from each other, from empathizing and acknowledging the pain of the past."
"..The last one? Yeah, I didn't get that one, either. But, neee Narutoo I have something to tell you! Something that'll make you become a loudmouth again."
"But the most powerful strength comes from one's own self. Oh, I know, I know, it's one of the biggest cliches in the world. But, think about it. When you lose everything, when each card was discarded, who, what is left? Yourself."
"We won the Second Event! We're only trailing behind Ino's team by fifty points!"
I grin and the world speeds up again.
The days go slowly, fast, speeding up then slowing down just to let me catch my breath. I laugh until my sides hurt, grumble friendly words to Kakashi, then crash in my bed, just in time to say good night to my roommate. Sometimes, I'll walk to the clearing, reminding myself of times with Kiba – each time I stare at the sky, the blurring clouds, the sprinkle of stars, I remember. And for once, I want to.
Sai, Sakura, Kakashi.. It's not just them, though. Some days, I'll walk into the cafeteria and notice the subtle happiness in even the most scary orphans. It's difficult to describe, but it's there. The Mansion is a haven, somewhere to sleep, talk, and breathe without threat.
And everything would be perfect. Everything, even the grueling talks with my counselor or the panic attacks whenever someone mentioned Gaara's name. Everything would be perfect, if it weren't for..
"You can't lose yourself."
"Not ever."
Even though I'm collected on the inside, I still feel the hand, hear the whisper. My mind isn't quite sure what it has bargained for, but I can't get rid of the whirl of this game that Sasuke's playing with me. This tugging and pulling, the constant presence, the teasing, the heartbeats of mine that won't stop beating to his consistent words.
At this rate, I'm going to become a crazy bastard, lost every time he came near. I wanted... I wanted answers. I wanted him.
And for some reason, this confession becomes more painless with each word I take.
But the moment that I've decided to close the distance between me and Sasuke, the boy in question decides to avoid me. Even though I've been looking for him unconsciously, I can't find him. He's already canceled our daily community service meetings and chance encounters have all but disappeared.
The bell suddenly rings, jarring me from my thoughts, and I bump shoulders with Sai, who smiles at my frown. He takes my fingers, tracing something on them with his stained hands, and coolly asks, "Something wrong? You've been quiet lately."
I shrug and allow him to continue playing with my fingers. "I haven't seen your counterpart in a while." I grab my backpack then follow Sai out into the hallway. "Not that I care about that teme! But.. It's just weird, you know. Normally, we always see each other in the hall or in a classroom or.."
"Maybe he's avoiding you." Sai smirks.
I squint at him, then grumble, "Yeah, yeah, whatever."
"Just saying. You shouldn't lose sleep over him. I doubt he spends his days thinking about you."
Ignoring Sai's careful gaze, I paste a smile and shake my head. "Ha. Fat chance of that. That bastard always follows me everywhere. Just last week, I saw him a total of five times! Five!"
Sai looks unimpressed, so I squeeze his cheeks, lightly, molding the pale skin into a slight grimace.
"In fact, Number two, I'm going to find him and ask why he's ruining his reputation of big, bad, owner of the Mansion. Don't try to stop me, ne?"
"Don't worry, I won't."
I laugh lightly then walk backwards. "Lies are bad for you, Sai-kun! Drink your milk! Don't have sex without protec- OOFT!"
Swiveling around, I sheepishly duck my head when I see Jiraiya with his arms crossed, wrinkles set in a stern face. "Whazzup, old man?"
"I need to talk to you."
I cross my arms in mock imitation of the old geezer in front of me. "Yeah?"
"Walk with me, kid."
He turns and I sigh, a little disappointed that I won't be able to talk to Sasuke. But when I look back at Jiraiya, I scratch my head, a little puzzled by Jiraiya's solemn attitude. At the very least, the pervert always greeted me with a grin. But today, tension lines his shoulders and his walking is stiff, like he's afraid to share anything with anyone.
We walk for a couple more minutes until he turns a corner. "You've been left in the dark for a while, runt. Got anything to say about that?"
A little bewildered, I shake my head. "Define 'in the dark.'"
"You get only pieces of the whole jigsaw. Just smatterings of words, never the full picture." He turns his head and he's tired, I can tell. "People mention things to you, but you only get confused as hell."
..And we have a winner.
Suddenly, I'm much more focused on what Jiraiya's saying. With quicker steps, I walk ahead of him, so that I can face him with wide eyes. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, old man. You too? Sasuke, Kakashi, even that student aide, Neji.. They all seem to know something that has to with me. And now you too?"
Jiraiya turns another corner and the silence pervades throughout the corridor. Complete privacy. "You're involved too."
"I know that!" I groan in frustration. "But I don't know why. And Sasuke also mentioned something about the Akatsuki, which ties in with.." I lower my voice, a silent plea in my eyes. "With Gaara. Is that what this is about? About Gaara?"
Jiraiya stares at me for a full second before chuckling. "Oh, you don't got a clue, kid. I suggest you keep your assumptions to yourself, until you've got the full picture."
"But no one is telli-"
"I am." He ignores my gaping. "It's high time you know the secret that this Mansion holds."
He looks up at the ceiling, eyes holding an eternal fatigue. "You wouldn't understand, but this Mansion was built to get rid of the evil inherent in human beings. And it's been largely successful. I look at you kids, at kids like you, and every year, things change. You start smiling, you begin laughing, and eventually, you heal."
He pauses before going on, fingers twitching, legs jittery. "But recently, Sasuke-san has begun to notice other things. Things he couldn't possibly change. And I know what he wants because a long time ago, I wanted the same thing."
My mouth dry, I can't stop myself. "What does he want?"
Jiraiya's mouth quirks. "That foolish kid. He wants to get rid of the Akatsuki."
"WHAT?!" My yell reverberates through the hallway and I have to struggle to keep my composure enough to speak. "I don't know much about that gang, but this is Sasuke. There's no way he could-"
"First of all, the Akasuki isn't a gang. They're a group of so called scientists who specialize in heinous experiments." He sees my mouth opening and he shakes his head. "Your friend, Gaara, joined the shadier part of the Akatsuki, the part that no one sees. This section of the Akatsuki deals with hitman and use murder as a final tool."
I'm still speechless, unable to think farther than the realization that Sasuke wanted to take on the biggest threat to Konoha. Jiraiya takes advantage of my shock to continue, voice lowering.
"Second of all, Sasuke isn't doing this by himself. I have good reason to believe that most of the faculty is involved, along with Kakashi and some of the more loyal students."
I finally gain my wits and ask the central question to all of this. "And me? What does this have to do with me?"
Jiriya stops in his tracks and slowly turns to stare at me, gaze penetrating through my shield. "Kid.." He stops, then starts again.
"Naruto. You were one of their experiments."
He doesn't know.
He doesn't know about the Akatsuki's involvement in his own birth. He doesn't know about the pure, blinding need for revenge. He doesn't know, yet, doesn't know how to lose himself.
Then could he be the one to save Sasuke before he falls?
Jiraiya
AN: Three weeks. Three. Weeks.
As in three multiplied by my laziness and worthlessness and laziness. How could I have done this to my story? To my amazing reviewers?! I AM SO ASHAMED. -hides then cries-
Excuses: Colleges, testing, violin
Read and review. I will be incredibly happy. :)
Bonus: Naruto's person for the Second Event was Shino. In chapter 8, during kitchen duty with Kiba's team, Shino mentions that he values insects because they remind him of certain memories with his family. He goes on to talk about a memory in which he and his father went to go to the lake and took bugs with them – WHY ON EARTH WOULD THEY DO THAT IF THEY WEREN'T GOING TO GO FISHING?! Also, Sai's person for the Second Event was Shikamaru.
