~Chapter 18~

Shared Memories

Kinata and Sasuke woke up at the same time, both not exactly morning people, though quietly acknowledging one another while getting ready for the Academy. Kinata mentioned on their walk to there that they'd be lectured for skipping out on their last day, before she had moved out of the Iwatsuru household…for good. She had no sign of worries as far as Iruka-sensei was concerned, but he could tell that she'd rather not be seen so close to him. It was most likely due to how the girls had acted about it on previous occasions.

He frowned as she increased their distance upon walking near the entrance. Once she caught sight of Hinata, she tossed him an apologetic glance and went darting off towards the Hyuga girl. Sasuke stood frozen in spot, slightly agitated, watching her retreating form enter into the classroom. So much for friends, he scoffed to himself, taking a seat a few tables away from hers.

Half way in on the day's lesson, Iruka-sensei began to pass out quizzes. Sasuke saw him add in a pink slip to Kinata with her sheet, soon receiving one too. It was a written note stating to stay after when class was dismissed for lunch. He closed his eyes, more irritated. If he had ever skipped a day, their teacher would typically look the other way. Apparently it was unacceptable if he dragged someone else along with him.

The lecture was luckily short, perhaps a whole 5 minutes. Kinata bashfully explained having had a family emergency (not all together a lie) and that Sasuke had offered to assist her, yet again immediately taking the fall before he could (although it had been his idea to ditch class). Iruka-sensei tried to question her further on it but Sasuke had coldly cut in, reminding their instructor that those details could remain private, as it dealt with personal matters. He backed off, letting them go free.

They went to grab some rice cakes, sneaking off of course due to Kinata's cautious mindset.

"Look, I don't need the female drama. You of all people should get it." He glared at her defensive tone.

"No. I don't. I ignore them." She shook her head as some rice landed on the corner of her mouth while she quickly devoured her food. They were sitting on the edge of a branch in a tree, just outside the skirts of the Academy's training grounds.

"No. You avoid them. There's a big difference." He stared hard at her innocent expression which was focused on the blue sky. It was a beautiful day with only a few white clouds scattered around.

"Tch, whatever. Avoid them then. Why's it matter so much to you?" She finally turned her head to him. Her hair was unnaturally bouncy and shiny today, probably because of the showers and quality products she now had at her disposal. Either way, it made her more attractive…and kept Sasuke alert. He was fully aware of his thoughts and the opposing dreams he'd had last night. It was how he felt in general about the girl. He woke up wanting to stay silent with her, but that hadn't worked. Besides that, the other guys had taken notice to her physical transformation as her skin glowed without any under eyes or abnormal bruises. It had caused a good majority to act bold around her, flirtatiously so. Sasuke had felt the first pings of jealousy. He didn't care for it at all.

"Again, I'm not here to make enemies with those that should be my allies. I have enough people out to get me." She eyed him, suddenly serious.

"Which is something you alone know. And, honestly? I kind of want people to like me. I guess, I mean, I've never really had an opportunity to have friends. I don't want to ruin it now." She hugged her knees, resting her chin on them as she scanned the grounds. There were mainly chuunin out practicing.

Sasuke fought back a cocky retort, starting to understand what she was talking about. He too hadn't established any true friendships, up until this point. He had never wanted to. He'd always had better things – more important things – to concentrate on. But now, despite his earlier convictions, he couldn't help but acknowledge how he genuinely enjoyed her company.

"You can't even trust them." He paused, watching her eyes curiously flicker over to him. He felt his throat clench. The same problem existed between them.

"How would you know?" She sounded highly skeptical. He turned away from her, glaring at the ground.

"I can guarantee they don't trust you." In his peripheral he could see her shrug her shoulders.

"So? I don't need their trust. I can earn that. It still doesn't stop me from wanting to be their friend." Sasuke didn't even know he'd moved so that he was facing her. She was studying him. He felt childish all of a sudden.

"All of those girls are idiots." His rude and blunt comment took Kinata off guard. She gave him a hard look.

"How can you say that? You've hardly given any of them a chance to prove themselves." He narrowed his eyes at her scolding stare.

"I don't need to. I can tell just by analyzing their priorities." She sighed, shaking her head.

"Please. You judge them on a whim. They're out to impress, which is still a strong motivation. Maybe I can believe and trust in their dedication and passion…doesn't mean I have to tell them everything about me. I've never had to with Hinata." He held a blank expression, actually considering her words. She, to Sasuke's irritation, was remaining practical. He finally gave a quick shrug himself.

"It's your life. I'm sitting next to you though when we go back inside." She snapped her head to look at him, surprised.

"What?" He gave her an impassive face.

"If you want to be any of their friends, you'll have to deal with the fact that we already are. If they can't handle that, then move on." It sounded rough but she took it as it was – an honest statement. She gave him a soft smile.

"Kay. Fair enough." The two jumped down from the tree right after, heading back to the Academy.

Sasuke watched her walk a few inches ahead of him. She had baffled him with his indirect proclamation on the subjects of friendship and trust. Last night he'd been dead set on having at best a neutral connection with her, but now he had a different perspective. Kinata was smart and he could gain a lot if he had her as an ally…more so as a friend. It only made sense.

"So? I don't need their trust. I can earn that. It still doesn't stop me from wanting to be their friend." Her words echoed in his head, just as the two rearranged their spots so that Kinata sat in between Sasuke and Hinata.

She doesn't trust me…but I can earn it. Tch, I shouldn't have to after all I've done. She's too guarded of a person. Dammit Kinata. Guess it doesn't matter...I'll just think of this as a challenge.

The girls in the room still glared and sent her envious glances, knowing the Uchiha boy had purposely sat next to Kinata. She was better about ignoring them. He could still see that she was uneasy. When class was over, she was happy to be out of there. She was actually in a giddy mood leaving, only because Hinata had told her something about her family and that it was making the usually shy girl more talkative. The white-eyed friend of Kinata's respected Sasuke enough not to inquire about their relationship, but she still acknowledged him silently, giving him nervous nods. Sasuke didn't mind, he would rather all of the girls act like that. At least it didn't make Kinata feel uncomfortable and annoy the hell out of him.

"So if Hiashi can train and take the place as heiress, you can focus on your own goals Hinata! Go for it." Sasuke was half-listening to their conversation as all three of them walked passed the park just outside of the Ninja Academy. Naruto hadn't shown up, much to Sasuke's relief. It was bad enough he had to socialize with one more of his peers due to Kinata's preference in friends.

"Yes. I know. But…but, I just, I'm happy, I am, I just, I'm not sure if I should just give up. I guess, I don't think its right. I think, it just seems selfish." Kinata shook her head at the girl to her left.

Sasuke had been silent the entire time. She assumed he was thinking about his own problems, though she was grateful he wasn't annoyed with her deciding to spend extra time outside to talk to her other (and technically one of her first) friend.

The Hyuga girl finally had a breakthrough with her father's harsh training, allowing her to escape the boundaries and ruthless ideals of their noble family. Kinata could only sympathize. Her noble family had all died before she could find out what traditions were all about.

"It's not selfish. They were being selfish with you." She paused to ensure that her friend was listening. She was, so Kinata continued.

"Hinata, you have a different path, and they can't force you to take one they deem is better. As long as you work hard and believe in yourself, you'll still do your clan justice. Take advantage of the freedom! I know it's what's best. Trust me!" She smiled brightly to the anxious girl.

Hinata stopped, her fingers twiddling and crossing. She was staring at the ground, going over Kinata's words. The other two had paused right along with her. Finally, she looked up, giving the brunette a grateful smile.

"Kinata. Thank you. I, you're right, I will. I have never had, never been offered, freedom. This, it's my chance. Thank you." She gave a slight bow and took off, running down the street that led up to the Hyuga territory. Kinata had been shocked at the sudden departure, but gave a thoughtful smile to the direction her friend had gone. Sasuke stared at her.

"Done giving advice?" His sarcastic words didn't dampen her excitement for the Hyuga girl, one who – like Kinata – had the potential, but just needed the right chance to prove it.

She glanced over at a bored raven-haired kid. She nodded, smile still in place.

"Yeah. It's not advice by the way, more like encouragement. She deserves it." He shook his head in disbelief as they continued walking again. She wanted to question him, but he spoke before she could.

"I want to stop somewhere before we head home."

She gave another nod, following him silently, curious to find out his destination. It didn't take her long to recognize the path, more so when he jumped up the pillar and onto the roof of the shrine-like building that led to the odd, secret little pathway, viewing over the forest of Konoha.

Sasuke sat down, inclining his head for her to follow suit. She plopped right next to his slightly smirking form. He turned his gaze to the slowly setting sun. Kinata pulled out the worksheet which Iruka-sensei always handed out at the end of the day. She started to solve the problems and began to hum a song, one she'd known since she had been a child. The day had such a perfect temperature and she was officially determined to turn in her homework each day, more so because she had no crazy distractions. That was when Sasuke scooted closer to her, peeking over her shoulder at her work.

She poked him with her pencil.

"No cheating." He scoffed at her.

"I'm checking your work. I finished mine in class." She faced him, surprised. Iruka-sensei had handed them their sheets with only ten minutes (if that) before dismissal. She hadn't noticed him either because of what Hinata had started telling her concerning her little sister. Kinata was impressed he had been able to finish it in time. She had no clue he was that good at paperwork.

"Oh. That's impressive! Nice job." Her words were awed in a way and sincere. It made him involuntarily blush, as he went to avoid her astonished eyes. He squirmed a bit beside her.

"Sure. The third answers wrong by the way." She frowned down at her work, eyeing the problem, narrowing her gaze to reassess it.

"No it's not." Sasuke raised an eyebrow at her defiant tone.

"Yes. It is." She huphed, dropping the sheet in his lap. He held back from letting out a chuckle after observing her actions. She folded her arms, pouting like a child.

"Prove it. I see nothing wrong." She sounded offended.

"Tch." He was clearly holding back an arrogant smirk. He took her pencil to rewrite the problem beside her original work. She intensely watched over his shoulder. Her nose slightly scrunched up as she inspected his solving skills. He was right. She couldn't help but marvel at his strategic and mathematical choices. It came so naturally to him.

"Your trajectory was off by 2. This jutsu only requires 43% of chakra levels. There's no additional variable to add. You rounded the rest wrong because of it." The question was a story problem and required four answers. The first two being practical worded paragraphs, while the last two were a combined geometric equation. He was pointing out her minor miscalculation. He definitely had quick eyes to catch something so small. Kinata frowned. She should've double checked her work.

"Oh." She went to grab her items back from him when her hand swiped his. Sasuke tensed, his body oddly enough inching towards her. Their legs were also touching. She felt a blush creep to her cheeks. That's a first…She mused to herself, avoiding his eyes now. She instead stared down at the paper to finish the last problem.

He too was aware of their physical attraction. She almost jumped when she felt his hand swipe her hair all to the right side, his hand touching her neck and shoulder. She looked up at his focused eyes. And it was only to realize that she was his focus.

Kinata took a deep breath, calming her nerves.

She had never felt nervous like this before, and she didn't like it. So Kinata gave him a soft smile instead to clear the awkward atmosphere. He didn't return it, but his features did relax. His eyes scanned down to her lips. Kinata could immediately feel her heart beat pick up.

"What were you humming?" She was unusually caught in the moment that it took her a good minute to process his words and respond.

His intense gaze was beginning to unnerve her.

"Just a song." She turned away, her attention concentrating on the long drop beneath them, suddenly fascinated with their surroundings.

"My mother used to sing it to me." She brushed her hand through her hair, trying to pick up her worksheet and finish it. He kept his eyes trained on her. A moment of silence passed between them. She could hardly write anything down. Her thoughts were now sucked into the past, where she was cuddling in her mother's soft arms, entranced by her lovely voice.

Unbeknownst to Kinata, Sasuke too had his memories clouding his mind. His mother had sang to him too when Itachi had been out on a deadly mission or on two nights when his father had upset him.

He frowned.

"Can you," he paused, looking away, his voice hardening. "Could you sing the song?"

She didn't answer. He glanced over to her, getting annoyed with her silent response but instantly regretting his question upon seeing her. Kinata's eyes were closed, but he could clearly see the water streak that had made its way down her face. She nodded however, to his surprise. Her eyes opened up and she gave him a reassuring smile. Their eyes locked…memories.

Sasuke held his breath. He had NEVER empathized with anyone about anything. People couldn't comprehend all that he'd been through. Kinata had just changed that. She knew his pain – at least with the recollections of their past. She knew too that he knew of her pain. Because of that, they both (like an epiphany) linked in knowing they shared the same kind of pain. No words needed.

Kinata sang a short song that lasted hardly even two minutes. She had set the sheets to the side and went to lay down with her eyes closed. Sasuke had felt content to watch her, more so because she couldn't see him. The last rays of the sun soaked into her skin, sending warm sensations throughout her body. She sighed, enjoying the comfortable silence when she finished. It was like a rare meditation she was receiving after all of the chaos in her life. Kinata wasn't alert like she normally had to be. She felt in tune with her senses and the elements, like her instinctive ones. That was, until a low tone interrupted.

"We should head back." She opened her eyes, as the sky merged into twilight. She sat up, only to meet Sasuke's intense stare again. He looked like he wanted to say something more but his lips never moved. He was patiently waiting for her to make a move.

She frowned, taking his features in. He had a hard set jaw, arched eyebrows, steel-like dark eyes, and a defined, sculpted face. She gulped, a lump in her throat. He was handsome, and there was no doubt why all the girls in her class had a crush on him. But there was more to it than that. His spirit…it was raw, like her own. A soul had been damaged and was slowly repairing itself. She just had no idea how to fully mend his scars when she was still trying to heal her own. Kinata moved to her knees, grabbing his hand, causing his eyes to widen a bit.

"Yeah. And thanks Sasuke, for letting me sing." She hesitated after having said her thanks, wanting to imply exactly why she was thankful. By letter her voice such a personal song, he'd given her the chance to see his own vulnerability. But she couldn't just come out and say that. He definitely wasn't the highly emotional type…at least not on the outside.

"Sure." He mumbled, his eyebrows scrunching up. He didn't exactly know how to respond, but her hand felt soft and warm in his. He stared down at their still locked hands. A few seconds passed.

Then she withdrew hers, standing up. He followed, his body feeling like a wound up spring, digging his hands back into his pockets.

What the hell just happened? He thought frantically. Kinata was an ASSET. She had advanced abilities that he could use to improve his odds against his brother. That was what he'd come to the conclusion of continuing on the relationship with the girl.

What he'd just felt however…it wasn't just friendship.

Sasuke swore quietly to himself as they made their way home, both distracted by their own thoughts. He glanced at her hands, remembering them in his. The boy clenched his own pair tightly, both hidden in his shorts.

He, in those few seconds of her holding him like that, had hoped that she would lean in. Sasuke shook his head, the split-second ideas that had formed then was what had the Uchiha boy's heart racing.

He had imagined her lips on his, rather than just her hands on his. He had wanted it. Badly.

It scared the hell out of him. He was now angry with himself, ignoring her insistent presence beside him, nearing his house. He repeated his oath, one that he'd said while underground in the secret Uchiha shrine, just days after the massacre.

"Defeat him. Kill Itachi. No matter where I end up. No matter who I meet. He HAS to die."

Those words, as a more devastated child back then, had settled deep into his soul.

He could feel his fists trembling in his pockets.

But now, here he was with this girl, one that had made an exception into his goal. It was such a sensitive subject. He stared beside his left to the female. Her head was bent down, eyeing her feet, watching them as they absentmindedly led her. She too was lost in a daze. Her eyes held a passion of their own, causing him to be alert. He was suddenly curious to know what she was thinking about that would make her appear that way.

He frowned, staring straight ahead again.

She captured his interest whether he wanted it to or not. The fact made him growl quietly. It pissed him off. How could this one random girl have crawled her way into his brain? He seriously was losing focus. It HAD to stop.

They made it inside. Sasuke went straight to preparing his nightly tasks, ignoring Kinata completely. She hardly noticed, crossing his pathway to the upstairs training room. He went to bed after she had voiced a simple goodnight.

Sasuke hardly found sleep. His body rolled around while he battled with his once committed heart, now hesitant.