Strawberries (A Naruto Fanfic)

Chapter 9: Unveil

Author's Note

Remember, Menma is the opposite of Naruto in the alternate universe in Naruto Shippuden 6: Road to Ninja Movie. If you haven't seen the movie, don't read this story because I guarantee, you won't understand who I'm writing about. Also don't complain about OOCness in this story because Menma is the opposite of Naruto, even though it isn't specified his personality changes, I would like to assume so. The only character's that haven't changed are all but Menma. Just thought you should be reminded. Thanks and enjoy!

"And it's like she pops up out of nowhere and declares we are friends. How is that even possible?"

I ask Sasuke this as we walk down the school halls together. It's the end of the next day at school.

"So you didn't have a choice in the matter? Interesting. Odd," he answers back thoughtfully.

He doesn't say anything for a few minutes, more than necessary, and being the impatient person that I am I urge hurriedly, "So, teme? What do you think of all of it?"

"Hn," he answers simply, his dark bangs covering his ebony eyes, making it hard for me to determine what he is thinking.

Not that anyone can ever tell what Sasuke is thinking.

"Errrghh! C'mon, you know I hate that! Just answer the damn question! You're going to make me pull my hair out if you keep doing that!" I stress, raising my voice on each word. I watch him from side-on and narrow my eyes in anger. Sasuke is the only person who miraculously knows how to get on my nerves like this. Multiple times when we were younger, he provoked arguments between us... mostly one-sided, since he would usually only listen to my bickering with amusement and indifference. I've always hated him for that. He does that type of thing often.

And he seems to get a kick out of knowing the simple fact that he can always take advantage of me like this.

"Woah, I've never seen you get so worked up over something as small as that, Menma," inputs an all-too-familiar voice behind me and Sasuke.

We both stop mid-step. Sasuke looks back first then stares placidly ahead. I turn around after and sigh exaggeratedly. "You... heard that? Wait, wait. Do me a favor and stop appearing out of thin air around me?"

Furea laughs out loud, her eyes creasing and her head craned back. "Pfft, could you control your little outbursts more often?" she chimes back.

I sneak a peek over at Sasuke, who is studying her questioningly. Whispering from the side of my mouth, I inform him, "That's her."

He raises a dark eyebrow only to put it down just as fast. He soon smirks and shoves both hands in his jeans pockets. I roll my eyes and look back over to Furea, who is also eying Sasuke carefully.

Suddenly, she walks up to him and stretches out her hand with a genuine smile. "Hi, you must be Sasuke Uchiha. My name is Furea Murasaki and I happen to know you are one of the top five smartest students in our school," she introduces matter-of-factually.

Sasuke takes her hand and shakes it firmly, studying her. "I'm impressed. Stating my rank with confidence on the first meeting... very commendable. The pleasure is all –" He stops mid-sentence and looks over at me in amusement. "– ours."

I raise a hand to my face. He's boasting. Again.

"Yeah, yeah, who didn't know that, teme? You aren't that special so stop acting so high and mighty."

Before he can answer back, Furea pipes up, "I happen to think that being in the top five is very special – and, let me just add, especially with the looks as an addition."