Babysitted by the Uchiha Avenger

Yet AnotherChapterInWhichLucyGetsHerShitTogetherAndLosesItAgain(Ch.15)

I almost laugh at my reflection. No. No way. I could not possibly be in love with Naruto. Lucy, come on!

Yeah, so you blushed. Of course you did. Naruto's super good looking. That does not mean you're in love with him!

I scolded myself for even having those stupid thoughts. I mean seriously. I blushed once and suddenly I think I'm in love with him. I shook my head.

I hesitantly leave the bathroom and make my way back over to the table. My heart was doing weird flips in my chest and I could feel my cheeks turning red already. Lucy, seriously. It didn't mean anything.

It's not like Naruto would even like me back, anyway. He liked Sakura, I reminded myself.

The first thing I noticed when approaching the table was that Ino and Sasuke were having a conversation. The second was that Kiba and Hinata were missing. I bit my lip and thought, Please let it go well. The third was Shikamaru staring at the chessboard and looking frustrated. I smiled. He still couldn't figure out how I'd won.

Then my eyes landed on Naruto. He was eating his ramen slowly, with a distant look in his eyes. His cheeks seemed flushed, but I couldn't be sure in the dim light.

I shook my head. Of course they weren't flushed! Honestly Lucy, this is getting stupid. He's way out of your league.

I shyly sat down. Ino shot me a grateful smile. Sasuke was eyeing me in a peculiar way. I blinked. "What?"

His eyebrows creased. "Did you get lost on the way to the bathroom or something? You took forever, and then Naruto..." He trailed off. I blinked again. Then opened my mouth. I could feel it getting wider and wider until I felt my jaw click.

"Wh-wh-what are you— are you saying I— You — You sick bastard!" I spluttered. My whole face was red. Naruto went red too. "Sa-Sasuke..."

He drew back, surprised. "Whoa, wait, no, that's not what I meant!" But I could see in his eyes that it was.

I stood up, unsure of what to do or where to go. Of all people, I didn't want Sasuke to think that low of me.

"Lucy, calm down," he soothed, trying to take my wrist. I jerked back. "You...you think that little of me?" It was all I could say. I felt like I was choking.

What was the big deal? It was a misunderstanding, my conscience screamed at me. But for some reaosn, it was a big deal. I was hurt and I wanted out of there.

Sasuke shook his head. "Lucy, would you listen to me—"

I turned on my heel and ran.

I didn't understand why I was being so childlike. Maybe he hadn't meant it that way. Maybe I was being stupid.

I hurried outside, ignoring calls and shouts from the others. I stopped outside the door. It was freezing out and I had no idea which way it was to my home.

I couldn't believe it. I was sitting with my heroes and they thought I was some kind of whore.

"Lucy?"

I jumped when I heard my name and glanced around. It took me a moment, but I spotted Kiba sitting by the door. His face was stained with tears.

"Kiba? Are you alright?"

He gave me a weak smile. "I was about to ask you the same."

I shook my head. "Never mind about me." I sat myself beside him and studied his face. "Is it...is it Hinata?"

He nodded. His face scrunched up and he buried his head in his hands. His shoulders shuddered and he gasped in lungfuls of the harsh night air. I felt my own breath hitch in my throat.

"Oh, Kiba, don't look like that, please," I begged, hugging him.

"She.....she loves someone else...." he hicupped. "Do you....know how....painful that is?"

I shook my head. "I've...never really been in love before."

He gave a bitter laugh. "You're lucky."

I swallowed. "Really? I've always considered myself kind of unlucky in that sense. I mean..." He looked up.

"Before, you were so happy to love her. I was jealous of how happy she made you."

He drew back in surprise and I realised how that sounded.

"U-uhm, well, I mean...uh..." How do I recover from that?! I can't tell him I didn't mean it like that! He'll just get even more upset!

When did I start becoming so fricking good at accidently flirting?!

Kiba swallowed.

"Lucy, I...I mean, I like you as a friend..."

I breathed an internal sigh of relief. There is a god.

"Oh," I shook my head. "Oh, no, I get that. Don't worry about it."

He rubbed the tears from his cheeks. "I can't believe after all this time, I have to give up on her..."

I leaned my head back against the cold stone and gazed at the stars overhead. "Do you have to, really?"

"Huh?"

"Well, I mean...she doesn't love you right now but that can change. You could win her over. With your charm."

He studied me for a moment, then wrapped me in a giant bear hug. "Lucy, can we be best friends? Please?" He pulled back. "Or would that be too awkward for you?"

I laughed. "Of course not! Besties?"

"Besties." We high fived.