Too Far Gone

Chapter 2: The Mystery Object

"It's... Cozy." Sen frowned, looking around.

"Says the one who lives in a huge rock." I chuckled, dropping my small bag onto the floor.

Everything was covered in a thin layer of dust. No one's been here since I left, which didn't surprise me.

"The guest room is down the hall, across from mine." I yawned, pointing to the hallway. We hadn't slept at all.

"You get some sleep too," Sen stretched, walking toward her room.

I shut and locked the door, turning around to walk towards my room. Damn Sen, making me travel all night. We barely stopped to rest. My muscles ached, all I wanted to do was sleep.

"What..?" I froze in my doorway. My bed was perfectly made, not a wrinkle in the sheets. The blankets were a bit dusty, but still this was strange. I never made my bed.

I walked over, running my hand over the fabric before picking up the blanket and giving it a good shake before pulling it back. I patted the dust off of my pillows and kicked off my shoes, falling on my back onto the mattress.

I knew it. It was very faint, and barely there. If my senses weren't heightened, I wouldn't have noticed it at all, but it was there, there was no mistaking it. I turned over and buried my face into the pillow, concentrating as hard as I could on the scent. Sauske's smell.

--

"My, my... Has all that training in the mountains made you soft?"

I groaned. Man, I haven't missed that voice. "Fuck off, Kakashi. We just got back."

He tsked as I cracked my eyes open to see him sitting in the window. "And you learned some new words. You were supposed to meet the rest of your squad an hour ago and here I see you waisting the day away in bed."

I sat up slowly and rubbed my eyes, pushing the stray hairs from my face. "Sen never told me that. I would've been up."

"She didn't even go to sleep when you two got back. She came to tell me that your training was over, and then the Hokage called her off to wherever." He shrugged.

So.. That means they know I'm back. "How are they?" I asked quietly as I got up, stretching my arms over my head.

"They're stronger. Naruto's improved, but he still hasn't been able to beat Sasuke in a fight. Sakura has definitely contributed more to the group. She's a tough fighter, and a valuable member to the team."

I walked into the bathroom and turned on the cold water, washing my face. "And Sasuke?"

The room grew quiet. I dried my face and started brushing my hair. "He's.." Kakashi started. "He's gone back to his usual self. Cold, arrogant, hellbent on getting stronger. He's channeled his energy into his hatred for his brother."

So.. He's closed himself off again. How like him. I shook my head and walked out, moving to shoo Kakashi out of my room. "Alright, the usual meeting place, right?"

He nodded and stepped out onto the roof, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"I'll be there in five minutes." I shut the window and closed the blinds, not waiting for his reply.

--

Sakura and I were the first ones there. So much for an hour ago. Stupid Kakashi, making me think I was late.

The pink haired girl wouldn't even look at me. You'd think the brat would be happy that I gave her all this time with Sasuke.

"HITAGI!!!!!"