Sasuna Uchiha

Chapter 9 - Downhill Uphill

Itachi sat at the head of a table in what appeared to be a basement, his eyes shaded from the solo dim light hanging over him. Eight others sat ominously on all sides of the table. They all wore similar clothing; dark with red clouds. You could recognize the sign anywhere. It was, after all, the most powerful gang in the city. The Akatsuki.

Their leader, who is publicly known as "Pain" approached Itachi, his shoe taps echoing throughout the entire room. He stopped a few feet from Itachi. Lifting his foot, he pressed it into Itachi's chest. "Why are you here." He asked, or rather demanded, pushing harder on Itachi.

Itachi let out a small cough, his lungs seeming to collapse under the weight. He's so strong... Itachi thought, lifting his eyes slightly to glare at Pain. But if I want to get into this, I n-need to act toug- Suddenly he was on the floor, Pain having kicked Itachi, and the chair he sat strapped in, to the ground.

"Answer me." Pain pursued, leaning in, revealing his purple eyes. "Why have you come crawling back here?"

Itachi swallowed hard. "I... I need money."

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Sasuna lay on the floor, her eyes clouded with thought. The image of Sakura's tired face and weak smile ran through her mind over and over again. She couldn't shake it from her mind. She couldn't even think of the kiss without wincing. It was so...

There was a small yawn from the bed, the pinkette rising from her sleepy state to stare down at Sasuna. "Hey! How did you sleep?" She questioned innocently, obviously having had at least eight hours of sleep.

Sasuna cleared her throat. "I... I slept well..." She lied, having not actually slept a wink that night. She stood, folding the blanket Sakura had given her last night and placed it gently back on Sakura's bed. "Thank you." She whispered, shuffling her feet awkwardly. "About last ni-"

"SO! What do you want for breakfast?" Sakura asked, skillfully interrupting Sasuna's statement. She didn't need to relive last night, not right now. "My mom is really good at making waffles! They'll probably be extra good 'cause you're here! hehe!"

Sasuna licked her chapped lips. She was kind of hungry... and waffles sounded so appealing. "Y-yeah! That sounds amazing." Getting dressed, the two hopped downstairs. The kitchen table was already full of bubbly, hungry children, all who seemed under the age of 10. They all serenaded Sakura with a barrage of "welcome"s and "good morning"s.

Sasuna froze at the bottom of the steps. A family...

"Sasuna you ok?" Sakura's mother asked, politely. She was wearing a delicate pink apron that seemed to have been knitted by a nine-year-old. She also wore a macaroni necklace, each piece messily painted. Her scuffed slippers looked like they had been worn out by ages of walking.

Sasuna nodded, realizing she must have looked so weird just standing there. Finding an empty seat next to Sakura, Sasuna sat down, the wonderful smells from the kitchen wafting into the dining room. It smelled so sweet, yet something savory snuck in. Roses at the center of the table were fresh, probably picked from the garden that morning. They swelled like sugar, their candy petals swaying in the brisk breeze coming in from the open window.

"Who's ready for some waffles!?" Mrs. Haruno announced, presenting two plates stacked high with waffles. The entire table cheered, even Sakura, who let out a delighted squeal. Sasuna couldn't help laughing, covering her mouth with her hand. This family is just too cute! I wish mine was like this... Sasuna suddenly stopped laughing, the grin quickly melting from her face. I'm... just so horrible I don't... itachi I just... He must be so-

The clock down the hall suddenly began to chime. Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Din-

"Awwww shhhhi-ooot!" Realizing there were kids, Sasuna kept the cuss from escaping her lips. "Heck! Aah I'm going to be late! Late! LATE!" Jumping from the table, Sasuna dashed upstairs, shoving all her belongings back into her school bag, sloppily folding the pajamas she borrowed from Sakura, and sprinting back downstairs. She snatched a waffle and stuffed it into her mouth, chomping viciously and she pulled on her shoes.

"Sasuna wait-!" Sakura called, her eyes wide in confusion. Sasune cut her off, opening the door savagely.

"I have to go!" She didn't even bother shutting the door again, sprinting from their house as if it were about to explode.

"Sasuna wait!" Sakura called again. She jumped on her bike, patting the seat. Sasuna spun around, hopping on behind the pinkette.

I totally forgot about the tutor!

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Naruto sat in front of the school, flicking, irritated, through his phone. For once he was actually on time for something, and the person isn't even there! What a waste of a perfectly good Saturday!

The roar of an engine suddenly caught his attention. A cherry red motorcycle came zooming into the school. A woman with a helmet sat up front with a black-haired girl clinging on for dear life behind her.

"Who the hell..." He squinted to get a closer look. The one with the helmet was unrecognizable. Her hair and facial featured were hidden behind the dark helmet. The one on the back with long dark hair seemed familiar, but her luscious locks were flying in every direction, rendering her face unseen.

Turning a sharp corner, the motorcycle lurched to a halt in front of Naruto. The driver got off, her tight black leather pants hugging her legs, her red top hanging loose around her shoulders. She took off her helmet, pulling it back slightly, letting her long pink hair fall gently and elegantly against her back. She whipped it into place, then her eyes fell on Naruto.

"S-s-Sakura?" Naruto stuttered. "I thought you had the highest-"

Sakura, ignoring the blushing boy completely, spun around to the brunette still hugging the bike seat. "Sasuna! We're here."

Sasuna, clearing her throat and adjusting her school sweater, hopped from the bike. She looked up at Naruto, her eyes going from curious orbs to skeptical slits. Naruto's eyes seemed to do the same, his expression not too happy to see her.

"You." They both hissed, their glares nearly forming sparks as their looks clashed.

Sakura took a step back, sensing the tension. "I really should get going! Sasuna, call me if you need a ride." The pinkette flicked Sasuna a piece of paper, winking before haltering her bike and riding off, leaving the couple seething.

"I thought you had good grades." Naruto growled, before revealing a petty smile. "Or have you fallen out? Who's the doormat now?" After getting no response, Naruto continued, finding it a peak opportunity to get his vengeance. "I saw you and your brother fighting on Wednesday. Looked harsh. Bet you'll take after him, 'a good for nothing drop out-"

Naruto was suddenly on the ground, firmly held in place by an angry Sasuna. She had a belligerent look on her face, her teeth grinding loudly against each other. "Never!" She screamed. "Never talk to me like that again! Never speak of my brother like that again! Do you understand, you broken... piece of s-shit?"

Before the blond could respond, he felt something wet fall on his cheek. Looking up, his eyes focussed on hers. A tear rolled down her face, falling from her dark eyes and dripping onto his pale cheek.

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**author's note !!
Sorry for not updating recently ! I have no good excuses for neglecting this comic, and the only reason im updating today is because i already had this chapter written from a while ago but just never got to posting it. I'll try to update more often,, promise! augh rly sorry abt all this absence