Author's Note: Happy New Year!

Chapter 14:

when I rekindled the flame

I looked over my finished painting, rubbing the yellow oil paint off my fingers with an old rag. It was hard to admire as a whole, so I took a couple of steps back and started to see its colors blend together harmoniously. If it wasn't for Naruto, I wouldn't have touched my paint brushes or a canvas. There wasn't a better way to describe the surging inspiration; I had to paint him and feel his energy flowing through my finger tips.

I realized my art career wasn't a forgotten dream, in my heart there was still hope that I would get into an art school and pursue what has been my life since I could remember. I still had time to take out my, now dusty, portfolios and put together something. Anything to get a school's attention. My new resolve was made possible by him; I never imagined someone being capable of inspiring another person this way.

"What are you up to?" Hanabi entered my room with a look of boredom. She always found her way to my room when there was nothing else in her agenda.

"Just getting some school stuff done..." I muttered, paying more attention to the large, hardcover sketchbooks I had splayed out on my bed.

"Wow, I haven't seen you take out those things in a good year."

My head snapped up in her direction, but my eyes were looking down. She was right, I barely even remembered they existed. Just looking over to where I kept them felt painful, like I had lost a part of me and gave up on trying to get it back. I had shut down the thought of art altogether and didn't want to look back.

Letting out a sad chuckle I looked up at her and smiled, "I don't want to give up on this again."

The next couple of days went by as usual, but I took the time I had to myself to actually try and draw or paint something new. It was harder than I remembered to actually start a new project, but once I had something going, my hands wouldn't stop. There were constant pictures in my head I wanted to create, and for a second I thought all the inspiration I haven't used this whole time was coming back in truckloads.

Every now and then I would take a break and look over at my painting of Naruto. I knew he was busy with school, since he had a regular school-day schedule and I only spent three hours a day with my tutor. I wondered what he was doing at that very moment, constantly checking my phone to see if he answered my texts to no avail. I guess he must also be working hard to get into a good college.

I didn't realize we were both under the pressure of being in our senior year of high school until now that things sort of got back to normal. I don't even know if my situation is something to call normal.

But days were passing and our talks became less frequent. I wasn't getting his usually fast text replies and I'll be honest it kinda hurt. However, I needed to be more understanding. He had a full day schedule to fulfill and I only took three hours with one person to get my basic learning then had the rest of the day to myself. Even though the football season was long done with, he still had practice and grades to keep up to stay in the team. He was going for a sports scholarship, and I knew just how hard it is to maintain your passion.

Just as I sat on my bed with a book in hand, my mom peered into my room with her usual perky smile.

"I have some news!" She announced, letting herself in and sitting next to me with a look of pure excitement. Deep inside, I feared what kind of surprise she had in store, as she was always so unpredictable.

She cleared her throat and collected herself to speak calmly, "Your father talked to your cousin, Neji, and he asked him if you could stay with him during spring break to check out the college he's in. Well, at first he was just calling to ask about any good art schools, and apparently the college Neji goes to has a great art program!"

I blinked a couple of times, looked down at my book and back up at her; completely thrown off to say the least. Neji and I rarely spoke, ever since he graduated high school he's been hanging with older crowds, doing mature activities and just living his life independently. It's expected of a college student, after all. But, even though he is two years older than me, we've always been close throughout our childhood. It seemed like a fun idea to try and dabble in college life now that it was right around the corner, but I still felt uneasy. I worried that Neji might've changed since we last spoke.

I threw the book to the side and crossed my arms, "I don't know, mom. I haven't spoken to Neji in so long..."

She smacked my arms and unfolded them to hold my hands tightly, shaking her head, "Oh, who cares, at least go check out the art stuff! That's what really matters here, honey."

I must have looked very doubtful and concerned over what to do, so she softened the look in her eyes and brushed her fingers through my hair like she used to do when I was a child, "You're strong, baby. I know it all seems a bit scary at first but you'll see just how fun college is, trust me."

"Thanks, ma." I smiled brightly hearing her words soothe my worries away.

I had to call Naruto to tell him all about my spring break plans. It looked cloudy outside, so I made sure I wrapped my painting well in the large, envelop I bought years ago to keep my large works from getting ruined, just in case it rained. I firmly held it and put it in the back seat of my dad's car. Surprisingly, he didn't nag me about taking his car this time. I had a permit, so I was safe to drive on my own, but he was still so strict about his car. it's not like I'd deliberately crash it.

Sighing, I started the engine and drove out to surprise Naruto at school. There were fifteen minutes left until the school day ended, so I drove leisurely down the rode, wondering where I should park and wait for him to come out. However, my thoughts didn't get far because as I neared the school, I saw her.

She was walking with her hands in her hoodie's pockets, her pace seemed rushed and I could see small puffs of smoke come out her mouth from the humidity. Her pink hair was straight and choppy, brushing her shoulders as she walked down the street, heading for the school.

What was Sakura doing here?

"Maybe she's here to see Sasuke." I told myself, almost to assure and appease certain thoughts, than to simply make a statement.

I hated myself for doing this, but something inside of me told me I had to. I started to drive at a safe distance from her as to not alarm her or make myself noticed. She wasn't stopping anywhere she could be seen by other students that walked out the front of the school, she was heading for the back of the building.

I followed silently, my heart was beating so hard, I could feel it pulsing in my throat. There was something insidious about this, and it scared me, but I couldn't stop following her. Once she turned the corner of the side of the school, I stopped my car and left it parked by the sidewalk. Rushing to catch up, I slammed the door closed and ran to a halt right at the corner and peeked for a second, only to jerk back and hide again. I had not seen anything, I was just afraid she might turn around and find me out. But she had no clue, she had stopped by the large metal garbage bins of the school, we were all the way in the back of the building, facing the football field. She was watching, sitting from a small step separating the pavement and the school's tiled floor.

She looked stoic, almost bored, hunched down with her knees barely touching her chest and her hands still in her pockets.

It started to feel wrong to just watch her so I decided it would be best to leave and look for Naruto, but as I looked over in the direction she was, I saw the football team. They were practicing today, but Naruto never told me. I guess it's because I never asked, I told myself, again trying to relax and not think any culpable thoughts.

Then I saw him, his bright spiky hair and piercing blue eyes. Naruto was in his uniform and gear, I thought he looked so handsome, but he wasn't looking my way. His eyes were on Sakura. I had forgotten that I was hiding this whole time, and realized that she was the only thing catching his attention aside from the ball. However, when I looked over at Sakura, she wasn't looking at him, but at Sasuke. He was also in his uniform and gear, looking as serious as always, except when he saw Sakura his eyes lit up for what seemed like the shortest second; it was enough for me to notice.

They both were so involved in the game, but every moment they could, their gaze was on the pink haired, green eyed beauty that was Sakura. I had to admit I was jealous, but a certain sadness overpowered that jealousy, and I could only feel empty standing behind that corner.

I had decided to leave, there was no way I could bare to just watch. I felt like an idiot, I felt like the most stupid girl in the universe at that moment, so I simply left.

Almost like a bright light shinning down on me, Kiba saw me about to enter my car. He was waving and smiling, shouting my name like he always did when we were in school together. His gesture made me smile.

"Hey!" I weakly smiled and gave him a semi wave, feeling defeated on the inside. Kiba has always been tactful and noticed the look in my eyes easily.

"I'm so happy to see you, but what's wrong? What happened?" His eyes looked me over concerned and seeing my best friend after so long caring about me like he always has made me run into his arms and let out the tears I was holding back.

"Shh, it's okay..." he wrapped his arms around me and touched my head, similar to my mother, and I immediately felt at ease.

I breathed deeply, "Come on, I wanna get away from this place."

Kiba nodded and got in the car with me. He was about to throw his bag on the backseat but saw the large envelop and looked at me, stunned.

"A painting? You're painting again?"

I scoffed, stopping at a red light and rubbing my nose, "Don't even mention it..."