Unbreakable (Book 1) #Wattys2015

Life's Length-Katsu

Clink. Clink. Clink. The continuous sounds of the two bracelets linked by a single chain brushing against each other was driving Katsu mad. As much as she tried to forget about the situation she was in, the tremendously frustrating boy beside her didn't seem content with letting her do so any time soon. And neither did the vexing metal handcuffs.

She and Sasuke had spent the whole day at a paced run, him always leading, causing her to have to adjust her stride to fit his. On their 'breaks', just to really piss her off, Sasuke would skip and spin in circles with her, causing her to flail around like a rag doll.

At the present, he gripped her hand in his and was now skipping, while pulling her along with him of course, and swinging their hands in between them. Katsu groaned causing him to chuckle darkly.

The sky was a deep purple and pink, showing off the image of the stereotypical, beautiful sunset. The scenery didn't match the scenario, she thought.

Sasuke stopped on the cliff face they stood on which looked over a deep blue river. The water was fairly still, flowing very slowly. The dark boy put his hands to his hips, exaggerating a tired sigh. "Whew! Man, I am beat," he said, bringing the back of his hand across his face to wipe it of nonexistent sweat. "How you holdin' up?" He asked Katsu, a rude sneer pulling at his lips.

Katsu had both her hands placed over her knees, panting from the journey they'd traveled that day. It hadn't been the distance that killed her, it had been his constant change in pace, him leading the whole way, and his ridiculously childish skipping around. He hadn't let her heart rate grow accustomed to any level pace. Wherever they were going, he wanted her physically exhausted when they arrived.

Her clothes were drenched with sweat, her dark hair lathered with the stuff. She glared up at him, wishing more than anything that looks could kill. Because if they could, that boy would be dead. "Just peachy," she replied through clenched teeth. She wouldn't complain about what he put her through; she was tougher than that, and she knew it would only grant him the satisfaction he desired.

His sneer broadened, his dark eyes glimmering. "Terrific!" he exclaimed, showing off his sharp, white incisors like the snake Katsu knew he was.

She shook her head angrily, not looking at him. If he wanted to be that way, fine. She best not waste her energy trying to change something that couldn't be changed. "I'm going to go bathe," she said dismissively, taking several steps in the direction of the rock face. If she climbed downward, she could rinse off in the river, under the cover of the cliff's shadow as well as the darkening sky. But she paused when she remembered Sasuke's wrist was still linked to her own, the boy only following her steps. Katsu glared at him. "Give me the key."

Sasuke smirked. "Manners first, angel." His voice was deeply resonant.

Katsu took several shaking breaths, the sound of her teeth grinding together the only audible sound for several tense moments. "Please...give...me the key," she said, her voice rough.

Sasuke raised his eyebrows. "Much better."  He shrugged his shoulders slowly, the whole motion satirical, suggesting that the next words to come were not ones to look forward to. "But sorry, hun." He grinned. "I swallowed it several hours ago!"

Katsu's face fell in disbelief. "You're joking," she said slowly, anger boiling in her veins, straight to her heart. "You're joking!"

Sasuke looked at her and tilted his head to the side as if considering her question. He then shook his head. "No. I'm not."

Katsu slapped her palm against her forehead, groaning. "I hate you." What else could she say?

Sasuke chuckled. "Oh, I know that's not true, Katsu. But, if you're really that  desperate to obtain the key, you can always do so in six to eight hours from now." His grin was wicked, his dark eyes bright with mischievous amusement.