God-like

Five

(Name) and her friends didn't do much - they only ate at McDonalds and chatted. They were planning to go watch a movie, but no movies of their liking were playing and nobody's house was available either. They were now walking (Name) home, since hers was the closest and also came along the way to their houses.

"You know what, it's dark. Walking me home will make you late." said (Name).

"Nah, it's fine." said Ayame, and grinned.

"No, I'm serious. I can go home alone. Besides, I have a few places to drop by." said (Name).

"Really ?"

"Yeah." said (Name), and made her classmates go ahead.

(Name) didn't have any place to be before going home, but it wouldn't hurt to take her own time to walk. Saturday was the next day, and the day on which she was to meet Sasuke's parents. Recently, she had been sceptical about him. Meeting his family might just put all her worries to rest.

As she walked, she passed some shops with beautiful dresses and accessories on display. (Name) looked through the glass at them. They were not in her budget, but just admiring them wouldn't hurt. The dresses were beautiful, but none caught her eye as much as a necklace with a diamond-studded heart-shaped pendant did. There was a shiny stone in the middle of it. (Name) couldn't help but smile as she looked at it.

"Um, hey ?"

(Name) turned when somebody tapped her shoulder. It was that blonde boy from Sasuke's middle school.

"Hey." she said.

"Last time, I couldn't introduce myself properly. I'm Uzumaki Naruto, and I love ramen." he said, and held out a hand which (Name) shook. She chuckled at his imtroduction.

"I'm (Last Name) (Name)." she said.

"I know." Naruto grinned. "What are you doing here ?" he asked.

"No, I was just on my way home." she said.

"What ? And where's Sasuke ?" he asked. (Name) noticed slight anxiety in his voice.

"He... Went ahead ?" (Name) herself wasn't sure where Sasuke was. Once again, (Name) noticed a relieved expression on Naruto's face, before it became the usual cheerful again.

"What about you ? What are you doing here ?" (Name) asked him.

"Oh. I was just with my friends--" Naruto turned to point at his friends, or at least where they were supposed to be. He turned back to (Name) with teary eyes. "They abandoned me ! I told them it'd just take a while." he whined.

(Name) awkwardly smiled at him. "What would just take a while ?"

"Oh. I recognized you so I thought I'd come say 'hi.' I told them to wait for me but.... I guess they didn't." said Naruto, and rubbed the back of his neck.

(Name) let out a small laugh. Looking at her, Naruto laughed too.

"So, how long have you known Sasuke ?" asked (Name). She was genuinely curious.

"Hm.. Almost all my life. Our mothers were friends." he said.

(Name) nodded thoughtfully. Before she knew it, she had already agreed to let Naruto walk her home.

"How's he doing these days ? We haven't been in touch since high-school started." said Naruto.

"Fine, I guess." replied (Name).

She suddenly remembered how Sasuke had said Naruto was nobody important - just a friend from middle school. If they knew each other almost all their lives, Naruto couldn't possibly be just a friend from middle school. They had to be closer than that. Had Sasuke lied to her ? Was he... hiding sonething from her ? Maybe he didn't want her to meet Naruto.

"Earth to (Name). Please respond. I repeat : Earth to (Name)." Naruto shook (Name) slightly.

(Name) snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Naruto. She slightly blushed for day-dreaming and he just grinned at her.

"You know, Naruto, I feel really bad. I feel as if I took your friend away from you. You both were really close, right ?" she said.

"Huh. I hate that jerk." said Naruto, much to (Name)'s surprise. "But I didn't expect him to go this far for you." he mumbled.

"What ?"

"Nothing." said Naruto. "I was just remembering our unhappy memories together." he said.

Once again, (Name) laughed. "I know. You miss him, but just don't want to admit it, right ?" she said.

"Who'd miss that jerk ?!" said Naruto, and looked up at the dark sky. If it was the Sasuke from a few years ago that (Name) was talking about, then sure, Naruto missed him. But the Sasuke now..... He had changed way too much. All (Name) saw was Sasuke's (fake) sweetness. It was just a matter of time till she saw the truth. Until then, all warnings from others would be of no use.

"I think I can go alone from here." said (Name).

"You sure ?"

"Yes. My house is just up there." she pointed towards a lane.

"Okay, then. Good night, (Name)." said Naruto.

"Good night." she replied and started walking. Naruto stopped her.

"What plans for the weekend ?" he asked. Naruto wasn't sure why he did.

"I... am going to Sasuke's house." she replied awkwardly.

Naruto felt alarm rising inside him. Why was she going to Sasuke's house ? Surely she trusts Sasuke a lot. But, what if--?

"What for ?" asked Naruto, even though he realized it was none of his business.

"He's going to introduce me to his parents." said (Name) with a small blush.

"What do you mean ?" said Naruto. "Sasuke's family died years ago."