~Chapter 17~

Control

Sasuke paced back and forth. The cats kept purring and licking their fur around his legs. The Uchiha boy had waited over eight hours. It was dark outside by now. He went over what Granny-Kat had told them before heading off alone with Kinata. He felt his impatience come close to a boiling point. He had figured it'd only be a few hours, since it was just basics! Should I find her myself? She could be unconscious…

Granny-Kat could be ruthless. As a toddler, she'd intimidated him, having once tossed him over a roof after demonstrating how cats could land on their feet, and that he could do the same. He cringed at the memory. The cat lady was his only option and the old crone had surprisingly taken a liking to Kinata. It was rare for Granny-Kat to get along with ANY human besides those of the Uchiha.

Just as he had made up his mind to go after her, Granny-Kat came through the sliding entrance, with a dazed and exhausted Kinata beside her. Sasuke mentally sighed. At least she was okay, walking over to him with a forced smile on her face.

"She is done. There will be no need of sending her back until the time is needed." Sasuke furrowed his brows at her words that made no sense. How the hell would he know when the right time for her to come back would be? Before he could inquire further, Granny-Kat was bringing them to the curtain door. The other cats were now treating Kinata like one of their own, purring beside her happily. She smiled softly to the fury animals beneath her, still too tired to respond fully.

Kinata bowed again to the woman first, clear appreciation in her eyes.

"Thank you for your time, and your patience, Granny-Kat." The woman smirked, patting the girl fondly on the head. Sasuke's eyes widened. He'd never seen the old lady do that…ever.

"Mm. I always accept strays but only if they wish to be accepted." Kinata's eyes were glistening and she embraced the old lady. It was a really cheesy and awkward time for Sasuke who had never seen Granny-Kat act so sentimental, returning the young girl's hug. He had no intentions however of ruining their sappy moment. It was clear that during the training something had occurred that had brought the two females close. The cat woman turned her attention to the Uchiha, who tensed, and then quickly reminded himself to bow. When back to eye level, he saw concern in Granny-Kat's eyes.

"Kinata, head home now. Denka shall lead you out. Young Uchiha will soon follow." She had stared directly at him while saying this to the confused brunette, but she nodded nonetheless, giving him a curious glance, than leaving slowly down the steps. Sasuke watched her for a minute before looking at Granny-Kat. She was still staring him down. He shifted his weight, not sure if he should speak first or wait for her.

"That is a fine girl you have found yourself." The comment baffled him. It also irked the boy.

"She's not for myself." A small smirk appeared on her lips.

"Mm. Yes, of course. Take good care of her. Destiny has led you two together." He frowned…that was pretty rash to say that.

"What do you mean?" The old lady shook her head, suddenly ushering him away.

"The meaning will mean nothing to you now. Go Young Uchiha. Do not forget what has been said to you on this day." She softly pushed him through the curtain door, leaving him alone to find his way out.

Sasuke caught up with Kinata easily, who had been trudging through the hallway. Her state of mind had to have been pushed passed its limit, for when he brushed his shoulder against hers, she jumped, reaching for her sai knives.

"Sasuke!" She took a deep breath, replacing her weapons to the back of her sides. He gave her a questioning look. "Warn me next time before sneaking up on me…I almost attacked you." Her face was strained. He frowned, just now grasping the full extent of her exhaustion. His eyes narrowed a bit though at her scolding comment.

"I barely touched you." Her features softened, her legs moving again. He walked beside her, not sure how to handle her weird mood. She let out an exasperated sigh when they reached the ladder. Denka left them, bidding them farewell. Before she touched it, she turned to the raven-haired boy.

"I don't mean to be grouchy. That training…it was a challenge. I've been through extensive training before, but not like that. I feel mentally drained…and not really myself right now." Sasuke nodded, getting exactly what she was talking about. When he had trainedwith Granny-Kay he'd found that the word 'mercy' was no where in her vocabulary. The old woman never discriminated against age or gender; she would simply make you realize your limits and potential.

Once they were above ground Sasuke grabbed Kinata's arm. She raised an eyebrow.

"Want to go out to eat?" His voice had an edge to it, as if he were trying to cheer her up without making here notice it…and himself. She shook her head in refusal, giving him a grateful smile.

"Thanks, but I'd rather just lie down. My head's pounding." Sasuke felt his throat tighten at her expression. She was really trying to hold it together.

"What did she say to you?" He was too engrossed in his thoughts of her that he didn't comprehend her question at all. When he noticed her waiting stare, he finally spoke.

"What?" She sighed again, brushing her hand through her hair like he did when he was becoming frustrated. Sasuke's eyes hardened. Was he irritating her?

"Granny-Kat. When I left. She spoke to you alone, remember? Did she…did she say anything to you about me?" Sasuke gave a curt nod, annoyed with her abrupt words. He was also unable to understand why she cared. Besides, he was still embarrassed and puzzled by the old woman's words.

"Not too much. Just to take care of you." He said that last part quickly, his cheeks reddening slightly, but he kept his gaze forward, ignoring her eyes. It hadn't been a lie and it seemed to calm the girl down. She nodded, smiling.

"Oh. She's an incredible lady. I hope one day we'll meet again." Sasuke stole a glance at her thoughtful face staring at the ground. Her eyes were striking to him, full of wonder and an odd wisdom he'd never witnessed before in any of his peers. He took a deep breath to chill his nerves.

"I'm sure we will. She seemed pretty confident about it." Kinata brought her smile up to him, almost causing him to grin. It was amazing how easily he could almost forget who he was. Her smile vanished a few moments after as she went back to staring at the ground. He could sense something was wrong with her, his intuition tugging at his practical side. He pushed the feeling away, wanting to make it home before it got too late. They still had to wake up early for the Academy tomorrow.

When the two made it back to his house, he swiftly went to fetch two glasses of water. Kinata was parched so he told her to wait on the stairs. Just as he filled up the two cups he heard a crashing noise on the stairs. He dropped the glass cups to flash over to the scene. He let out a silent gasp.

Kinata was lying sprung out on the bottom steps, with blood caked over the top three steps. Her whole body shivered. After the few seconds of shock passed, he immediately ran over to pick up her cripple state. She avoided eye contact, the corners of her own watery. He frowned.

"Kinata." He was demanding her to look at him. He didn't care if his tone sounded harsh. He needed to know what the hell had just happened. He practically scooped her up into his lap. Just as he did, she hid her head in his neck, her hands balling up in tight fists, clenching the shirt on his chest. Sasuke tensed at the physical contact. He had no idea how to react. When she silently began to cry, his instincts took over. His body adjusted to her new position and his arms went to reach around her, smoothly coaxing her back.

He dug his own face into her soft yet tangled hair, unconsciously moving. It felt right. It felt nice. The dried scent of sweat still lingered from her training, though it hardly bothered him. A stronger smell of vanilla and cherry blossoms came from within her thick mane. His eyes closed, comforted by the idea of comforting her. Sasuke had no clue what he was doing or why she was freaking out, but he could only hope for an explanation after she calmed down and after he was back to his logical thinking. Until then, he felt oddly content to simply have her close to him.

Minutes went by when Kinata finally scooted back. She wore an ashamed expression. Her lips and eyes were swollen, making the colors more vibrant. Her cheeks had a bright hue of red and her eyelashes were more distinct from the watery trails. She looked vulnerable…beautiful. The one word echoed in the Uchiha's head. He held back from brushing his fingers along her cheek, reminding himself that he wasn't a softie. He was a ninja…a man who wanted to kill another man…his brother.

"Kinata." He let her name roll off of his tongue quietly, contradicting his immediate thoughts. He wanted to slap himself…his actions, his body…it just wouldn't listen to his brain. It was annoying.

"Kinata…what's going on?" Now his voice sounded husky and deep, even to his own ears. It was strange. He hadn't meant that. She locked eyes with him, surprised too after hearing such passionate concern from him. They stared at each other for a second, making Sasuke uncomfortable.

"I…I seen my dead family, during training." Her blunt response threw him off but he recovered quickly. Kinata's eyes directed downwards. She took a major breath.

"And then I saw you, dead before me too. In the genjutsu. The last one." Sasuke bit his lip, his eyes slightly widening at her words and from the crushed look that settled on her. Kinata's trembled breaths told him that the images were still clear as day to her. He too took a deep breath, pulling her closer into him so that their faces were mere inches apart. She hardly noticed though, reminiscing over that genjutsu. He gave her credit, knowing that if he were to be holding any other girl they would have fainted by now because of him.

"Kinata, it was only an illusion. I'm right here…and still breathing, last I checked." He tried to keep his voice light for a once. She faced him, suddenly realizing their close proximity. She didn't back away though, despite how unsure her eyes were. He remained still, waiting for her to agree.

"I'm a threat Sasuke. To you," she paused, her head hanging down a bit in defeat, "and to everyone." The last three words were mumbled darkly. Sasuke's eyebrows scrunched up in irritated confusion. He lifted her chin up roughly to be face to face.

"You're acting pathetic. When I feel in danger from you, I'll let you know." His face was determined and insensitive, but he wasn't about to let her slip into the self-pity phase, even if he had to beat if out of her. For whatever reason, he could see that she was afraid of herself.

Kinata snapped her head out of his grasp, glaring at him. He tensed, his fists clenching. Why was she acting so serious now? He would never understand or be prepared for her moods. They had JUST shared an intimate connection minutes ago…and now she was treating him like he was a jerk. He held back a growl, her actions so spontaneously infuriating.

"I'm not pathetic. I'm being realistic, jerk." The name that he'd just referred to himself in his head made him narrow his eyes at her, ready to toss her off his lap. She went on. "I have a long ways to go before I even come CLOSE to mastering this dangerous chakra. It really doesn't help to see visions of me failing or to know what I could do to you…or to anyone! It's like torture. I can't stand it!" She was rambling more to herself by the end of her rant. Sasuke's narrowed eyes were nearly slits now.

"What dangerous chakra?" Her body visibly tensed, though he could feel her every movement on top of him. Her eyes closed instantly as regret seeped through her.

How could she have let that slip so easily? But Granny-Kat had worked her hard. She was a merciless old woman who had known just how to push her. However, the elderly lady had understood exactly when she had stepped over the line, with the last genjutsu having been too devastating. It was almost a replica of the one that Sasuke had thrown at her before she'd blacked out.

Now she was hazy and overwhelmed with those thoughts rather than remaining secretive and mature about her true identity…even with Sasuke. The fall down the simple set of stairs had made her feel hopeless, thus releasing the bottled up emotions which had only been building over time. The Uchiha boy had held onto her…he had comforted her…he had left her feeling good yet exposed.

She now recognized that it was for that reason she'd let those two words slip. He was still waiting for an answer. Kinata gave up, staring directly in his cold black eyes.

"My bloodline…like you, I have a kekkei genkai." She scooted off his lap and sat next to him on the step. Sasuke crossed his arms, but the tension his face broke away. He leaned his back against the next step, eyeing her. She had wanted to tell him about her clan but decided against it, focusing on her chakra.

"Hmph. So what is it? Why'd you keep it secret?" She let out a loud sigh, almost making his eye twitch. The least she can do is cooperate after lying to me and not act like a fucking kid about it. Sasuke tried to ignore the feelings of slight betrayal. He had let her into his home. She should have told him this already, no matter what the situation. She was uptight and unsure of what to tell him. More so, how much to tell him. After she gathered her thoughts, she began to explain in a tired voice.

"My chakra, it can turn into a poisonous fume, that when released…it can deteriorate any cell within so far of a distance. I have to activate my eyes to trigger the stimulant though. People saw my kind as a threat. The jutsu is hard to control, and to retract the chemical is extremely difficult. That's why it…or me really, all of this has to be kept a secret." His eyes were calculative, reading her every move as she squirmed on the step. Kinata hadn't told ANYONE who wasn't supposed to know any of this. It made her nervous. Finally, he leaned towards her, only to wipe away the blood on the left side of her forehead. The fall down the few steps had busted open a small wound, one she'd received in training. It was already healing, but the red liquid still left a ghostly trickle down her cheekbone to her neck.

"As a threat? So there are people still after you." She knew it wasn't a question. He was preoccupied with wiping her forehead clean and the blood trail to really look her in the eyes. Kinata strangely relaxed against his touch. To her, a weight seemed lifted from her shoulders. This boy…the one who had mysteriously gone out of his way to help give her a home had also been the first stranger to know about her true identity. It wasn't in detail of course but at least the main parts were out in the open.

"Yes." She didn't want to expand her answer, and luckily Sasuke had noticed this, dropping the interrogation. When his sleeve was officially stained with her blood, he locked eyes with her, but just for a few seconds before he stood up and offered out his hand. She grasped it, swiftly bringing her to her feet. She grunted at the speed of his actions, ignoring the light-headed wave while keeping her balance.

"Best you have someone watching your back then." He had dropped his hand so that he could dig them into his short pockets. She could only stare for a few seconds at his cocky face before presenting him with a small smirk.

"If you're up for such task…sure." He closed his eyes, shaking his head in mock disbelief.

"Please," he sarcastically started. "You can barely make it up a set of stairs." Her smirk never wavered at his teasing.

"Thanks Sasuke." She said it with sincerity, wanting to hug him. His stance was sustaining a cool composure, and he gave her a quick nod. Save-face…she thought, amused at his sudden badass attitude, knowing that if she did embrace him he would most likely squirm away, humiliated. She didn't want to ruin the moment, so she let him follow her up the stairs, two steps behind.

Kinata went into her room, which was somewhat put together. Sasuke had obviously started moving his training equipment out of the place when she had been passed out in the morning. Kinata snuggled in her bed, falling asleep soundly. The fact that Sasuke was more informed about whom she really was left a smile on her face. I know I can trust him. For his sake though, the less he knows, the better it'll be for him. It could save his life one day.

Sasuke however couldn't doze off right away. He was still in his bed, staring at the ceiling, with Kinata's haunting eyes clear in his vision.

He had, without hesitation, pretty much offered Kinata access to a complete and real friendship with him. Not that he'd went out to blatantly ask her to be his best friend, but technically watching over her while caring for her was just the same.

It wasn't like he had a lot control around her…that much he was starting to see. She reached his emotions like no one before. She reminded him of what loss and trauma could do to someone who didn't deserve it and the long-term suffering it caused. Her past came back to interfere with the present and of any chance for a peaceful future. Her eyes, when he had first taken her into his arms and then allowed her some space, had shown to him her honest predicament. She had not only lived in an abusive home, but she had to be on the constant look-out for enemies. There was no break for her. It made his heart race, even now while he lay restlessly in his sheets.

Not to mention…this will be the first night without her in my bed.

He narrowed his eyes at the top of his room. He'd only been with her for three days! He huphed.

"What the hell?" He asked himself, now angry. The whole situation confused the shit out of him. He had never felt so lost over a female…he didn't like it. He should've just minded his own business. But of course he had to meddle in her affairs…all because he had felt some connection. She had won him over with respect, and then empathy. He…Sasuke Uchiha, had fallen for it.

She's making me soft…and dependent. All I seem to think about now is her. I won't resort to trusting her though. She lied to me. I don't care if she has to be cautious. She clearly didn't trust me before. I know she's holding back from telling me everything, which means…she still doesn't trust me.

Sasuke turned on his side, his mind fuming over the brunette probably in slumber to the room next to him. The idea of her not trusting him struck the boy hard. He grit his teeth.

Fuck that. I can help her, but I don't need to care about her. I need to care about me. I need to care about my goal. She doesn't get it. None of her family members turned against her. Fine, she knows the pain of losing loved ones…but she doesn't know the betrayal I feel. She has NO right to lecture me about revenge. Itachi DESERVES to die…and Kinata's only distracting me. I need to get my priorities straightened back out. I need to keep our relationship neutral.

But as Sasuke closed his eyes to sleep, the absence of her warmth bothered him. He saw her body and eyes beneath him, embracing him, stroking him. He could feel in his mind the admiration for her bravery and endurance, her intelligence and sociable smiles. It was a contradicting fantasy, in which he had absolutely no control. A place where he was kissing her…and he loved it.