Enter the Horizon (Naruto fanfic)

[kararayn]

Enter the Horizon: Chapter 1:

A blinding rain, pounding down over her head. Not yet numb, she shivered, entirely soaked, and yet having far left to go. Now she felt silently grateful that she hadn't had to carry any of her things, and that they were already in her room, just waiting to be taken out. Sloshing through the puddles, she ignored the stares of the ones driving past. Not noticing, however, that one roaming eyes had become sympathetic. She didn't know they had walked over, till she nearly crashed into them. Glancing up, she froze at first, greeted by the toothy grin, of a blue-skinned boy.

"Need some company?" he asked sheepishly. She realized she'd seen him during orientation, and relaxed. Nodding, he fell into stride before her, as she noticed, he was completely wet as well. An awkward silence fell between the two teenagers, until she spoke up finally, trying to break it.

"..um...thank you," she mumbled.

"No problem," he laughed a little. "The name's Hoshigaki Kisame, btw."

"Kumiko..er...Kumi, Rayn."

"Well, Kumi-san, I hope you enjoy the Academy." She tilted her head slightly. He seemed to roll over his words, with an accent she couldn't place.
Shrugging it off, as he broke into her thoughts. "Is this your first year?" he asked.

"Well...first year here, anyway," she nodded a bit.

"So, your the transfer?" he asked.

"...huh?"

"Ah, sorry. Gossip," he placed a hand behind his head, nervously. "We don't get transfers very often, and I thought you might be..well, the one who was."

"I'm from Mokugakure," she laughed.

"Seriously?" he stopped, and looked at her.

"Eep! There's a dog!" she shrieked suddenly. "Kisame!" She took off running right out in front of a car, as it swirved quickly, slamming on the breaks.

"What the heck, woman!" he yelled, rushing over. She was shaking, but unharmed. "What were you thinking.." His voice drifted off, as he spotted the trembling dog in her arms. She was petting it gently, trying to calm it, and herself down. "Shit..." he cursed, squatting down in front of her. "Give me a heart attack, why don'tcha?" He shook his head.

"Akamaru!" someone screamed running over, and taking the dog out of her arms. Hugging him tightly, the boy buried his face in it's fur. "Don't do that again, boy.." the person, said in a low voice. The dog whimpered in response, and licked one of the red stripes on his cheek. Lifting his gaze, he nodded to her.

"..t-thanks.." he mumbled.

"Is he okay?" she asked, quietly, standing up.

"Yeah...Really, thank you. I'd go crazy if i ever lost Akamaru," he sighed, petting the dog quickly, and worriedly.

"Oh my gosh! Kumi?!" a voice yelled, loudly. Looking over, she recognized the black - haired boy, getting out of the driver's side of the car.

"Madara?!" her eyes widened, as he hurried over.

"I'm really sorry Kiba, I didn't even see Akamaru, till she jumped in front of the car," he bowed, apologetically.

"Maybe you should learn to slow down.." the dog's owner growled.

"You know each other?" Kisame asked, glancing back and forth between the two. Madara glomped her suddenly, and squeezed her in a tight hug.

"Need...air.." she laughed a little.

"Sorry!" he let go quickly. "Oh! I know! Hop in. I'll give ya a lift to the school. It's the least I can do, at the moment." He grinned sheepishly. They all shrugged, but hesitated a bit, before squeezing into his backseat, with Kumi, sitting in the middle. Once they started off, Madara spoke up. "To answer your question, Kisame, yes, we do," he laughed a bit.

"It's been awhile though," she added quietly.

"Well yeah...but that's only because you live somewhere else!" he grumbled, pouting a bit.

"And you know why I do!" she stuck out her tongue teasingly.

"All cause of your village..." Madara sighed.

"Oi." she shook her head. A sudden bounce on her lap, made her jump a bit, till she realized Akamaru had hopped onto her lap. Her cheeks flushed embarrassed, but gently petted the dog, scratching behind his ears. He grumbled happily, and Kiba laughed beside her.

"Well, he seems to like you!" he grinned.

"Oh?" she giggled.

"Yeah! He usually won't go to anyone else!" Kiba nodded excited.

"Ah stop hitting on the new girl, already," Kisame grinned, causing the dog boy's face to flush red.

"S-shut up!"

"Ah, so you are?" Madara joined in, winking to the other.

"I am not!" his blushed deepened.

"So what grades are you in?" she spoke up, trying to change the subject.

"Junior, with the hyperactive wierdo who's driving," Kisame jerked a thumb that way.

"Hey!" said person pouted, while the others laughed.

"I'm a freshman," Kiba shrugged.

"Oh, cool. Maybe we'll have some of the same classes!"

"So, what extras your planning on?" he asked, grinning.

"Mm...not sure yet," she admitted.

"Ah, you'll figure it out," Kisame shrugged. "If either of you need any help, just come find me, k?" They both nodded, thinking they might need to take him up on that later.

"Wait..so your allowed to bring your dog to school?" she asked, as the thought came.

"Several people bring animals to school. Usually, have to be trained, or something first. But you have to get a Summons tag for that," they explained.

"Oh."

"We're here!!" Madara cheered, swirving into a reserved spot, and slamming on the breaks, as he parked. The others groaned, and hurried out of the backseat. Happy to see, the rain had finally stopped, and that their clothes had started to dry a little, thanks' to the heater.

"Which dorms are you in?" Kisame asked.

"Co-ed," the two freshman answered at the same time, laughing after doing so.

"Ah okay.." the blue-skin grinned. " Madara and I, have to go to the upperclassman ceremony, for a bit. The co-ed dorm is over there." He pointed toward a dark brown and tan building. "Nice to meetcha!" He started dragging a protesting classmate away.

They waved bye, to each other, after Kiba left to go over to greet a few people he had recognized. She walked inside, glancing about, before finding the roommate board. Searching for her name, she stood up on her toes, trying to be able to read the higher papers. "Damn it..." she grumbled. Hearing a set of footsteps, she turned just as someone spoke up.

"Name?"

"Kumi Rayn.." she mumbled embarrassed. The figure was male, with dark - red hair, and a blank expression on his face. He was a good four inches taller at least, with light skin. He scanned the papers, for a few minutes.

"2B," he said finally.

"Thank you.." He met her gaze then, and nodded.

"Your roommates with the genius, and the art idiot."

"Huh...?" Her head tilted to the side.

"Your new aren't you?" he sighed quietly.

"Yeah...sorry."

"Sasori Akasuna." He shrugged.

"Nice to meet you," she bowed a bit.

"Ah! Don't bow!" he waves his hands quickly, and nervously.

"Oh...um...sorry."

"Follow me," he started off, and she fell into step just off to his side. "I'm in 5B, if you need any help with the blonde idiot." He stopped in front of a door, and pulled out a key.

"Who?"

"One of your roommates," he chuckled.

"Oh."

"What class are you in?"

"Freshman."

"Ah.."

"You?"

"Freshman. I had some...trouble last year, so I'll be in the class again."

"Maybe we'll end up having some together?"

"Perhaps," he hummed. " What extras are you taking?"

"I' wasn't really sure what ones there were," she admitted.

"I see." He shrugged. "Football, cheerleading, chess, track, art, drama." He named off, as though he had stated them many times before.

"Maybe art then, if it's not too late."

"I can let the teacher know your interested. The class usually is pretty empty."

"That would be great."

"I'll see you there then."

"Your in art?"

"Art is a way a life. It is something meant to last through the times."

"I'll take that as a yes."

"What about you?"

"Hm?"

"What do you think art is?"

"Art is your view of what you want, and how you see the world." she smiled sheepishly, as he hummed again.

"I think this year is going to be interesting."

"Um...huh?"

"Nevermind. See you later."

"Thank you, Sasori."

"Kumi-san," he nodded, and ducked inside.

She laughed then, before heading to her own room, and flipping the key in the lock, slowly, pushing open the door. Stepping inside, she smiled, realizing her roommates had already begun setting up the apartment-like space. Peeking around, she found there was an open kitchen, a nice -sized table./counter, and regular fridge. Off to the right, was a bathroom, with two other doors down that side, and another, across the living room from that.
Not sure what else to do, she knocked on the first room door. Hearing a groan, it swung open slowly, revealing a boy, with pineapple - style
hair. "How troublesome.." he sighed. "So your the missing roommate?"

"Um...yes. I'm Kumi.." she smiled a bit, nervously. His jaw dropped in shock.
"Oh thank god! I got at least one normal person with me!" He said, suddenly cheerful.

"Uh..?"

He sweatdropped. "You'll understand when you meet our roomie." She could only nod. "I'm Shikamaru." He rubbed the back of his head, slightly embarrassed. "We kinda claimed our rooms, so you got the corner. The school already put your things inside."

"Nice to meet you," she laughed.

"Yeah," he smiled a bit. "Hey... you drink coffee?"

"Yes!" It was his turn to laugh, as she blushed.

"Want a cup, after I make some?" he asked.

"Sure," she nodded. He went over to the kitchen.

"I'll call you when it's done brewing."

"Thanks!"

"No problem."

Going into her room, she found a bed, desk, decent-sized closet, with drawers on the bottom, and a bookcase she'd brought from home. The floor was covered with a shaggy, dark-red carpet. Smiling, she hung up her coats, and put away what clothes she had brought. Stacking books on the shelves, along with notebooks, and journals, she grinned, as she took out a vase, and filled it with pens and pencils, before putting in on the desk. Throwing her black and silver cover over the bed, straightening it just in time, for Shikamaru to poke his head in, to tell her it was done.

Both claiming places at opposite ends of the couch, they sipped their sweetened coffee quietly. "Well, I'm guessing we're both freshman?" he spoke up, and she nodded. "Can i see your schedule?"

"Sure." She got up, and pulled it out of a binder in her room, before walking back out, and handing it to him. Glancing it over, he smiled.

"Ah..we have all the same classes."

"Really?" she looked over at him.

"Yeah. Though for my extra says Art, I go help out in the office, during that period." She laughed.

"I was actually thinking of taking art class.."

"Why would you willingly go?" his eyes widened half - mockingly.

"Um..Why not?"

"Ugh. Our roommate is art obscessed!" he grumbled. "All he ever talks around is art, and he gets that damn clay everywhere!" She laughed a little quietly.

"I'm sure he can't be that bad.."

"Just wait.." Shikamaru sighed. "He's very troublesome."

"Would you stop saying that, yeah!" a voice spoke up behind them loudly, causing them both to jump, and nearly spill their coffee.

"Damn it.." the pineapple hair grumbled. She looked him over, noting he had a light tan, and bright blonde hair. Part of his hair was swept back into a high ponytail, while long bangs, covered his left eye. He has a kinda smirky grin, but seemed friendly enough.

"Name's Deidara, yeah." He smiled.

"I'm Kumi. Nice to meet you," she smiled back.

"So your gonna take art, hmm?" he asked, jumping over the back of the couch, and plopping between them. Blinking in surprise, a bit, before she answered.

"I was planning to, if i can."

"Well, don't listen to Danna then, un."

"Danna...?"

"Red hair...artist, but quieter then him," Shikamaru spoke up. "He's art insane too."

"Don't talk about him like that!" Deidara growled.

"Oh...Sasori-san?" she asked.

"You met him?" Shikamaru asked, while Deidara's face fell almost instantly, when she nodded.

"...and..do you agree with his view of art?"

"I can see what he means, but...no. Not really," she shrugged. He grinned again.

"I can't wait for class now, yeah!" he cheered excited.

"So troublesome.." Shikamaru sighed, annoyed by how loud he was, while she just laughed.

[kararayn]

Enter the Horizon:

Chapter 2: Enter the Sun

The salty, sizzling, smoke-smell of the sausage as it was stirred around the pan. Cooking in the hot grease, frying and grilling till it was done. Sipping his coffee slowly, Shikamaru's barely awake mind, could hardly focus, even as the girl before him made their breakfast. The beating for the pounding water behind a closed off shower; mixed with the occasional clank, as the pan was spun, and the chink of several coffee cups. A steady hum, and the no words tune that escaped her lips added to the drowsy surrealness of the early hours.
The semi - quiet chime of the clock, only caused the tired genius to sigh. He set down his cup, even as she turned around. Waving her off, he lay his head on his arms, just as the bathroom door swung open. A flushed, and extausted artist stepped out. His trademark blonde locks left loose, and only half - dried. Setting a cup of sweetened coffee on the table, as he picked his place, she spoke up.
"Good morning, Deidara. Hope your hungry."
"Good morning, Kumi," he yawned, rubbing his eyes, and sipping from the cup. She laughed a little, serving breakfast, and then soaking the dishes, vowing to finish them after class. Sighing, but complimenting the food, Shikamaru got up, explaining he has to leave early for a club.
"Which one?" she asked.
"Sorry, i'm late. Swear i'll tell you later," he bowed a bit, before darting out the door; almost running into the red haired man, who had been about to knock. "Ack!" He waved in apology, before heading off. The boy shrugged, before walking right into the kitchen, and taking the seat Shikamaru had been in before.
"Oh, Good morning," she said, blinking in surprise.
"Ah, Sasori!!" Deidara hurried to gulp down his coffee, before darting back into the bathroom to finish getting ready.
"He better not keep me waiting too long..." the other sighed.
"Impatient?" she tried.
"Easily."
"Oh."
"Where'd they order from?"
"Oh, nowhere." Sasori raised his brow. "I cooked."
"Ah." he nodded.
Eventually, they left, and headed towards class together. Deidara complaining loudly, about how early the hours were, while she just laughed, and Sasori sighed. Shrugging it off, she smiled, and starting talking to them, a little, only to find the red head, was obviously the dominant of the artist pair, though far less talkative. Deidara was friendly, and had a speech impediment, that caused him to end his sentences with a 'hm' or 'un' sound.
He seemed nervous about something as they got closer to the building. She glanced over, and realized she spotted Kiba, along with the people he'd run over to the day before. There seemed to be a lot of three, or four people groups. Shrugging, she looked up at the boys on either side of her, blushing a bit, when a loud wolf - whistle blew through the air. A wild - haired, black blur, glomped her quickly.
"Eeep!" she squeaked in surprise, and ended up falling down, tumbling with the result being the person falling over her stomach.
"Oww..." the lump groaned.
She stared at him. "GET OFF!" she yelled, shoving him off her lap, while Deidara has doubled over with laughter. He was not alone, as quite a few other students, were grinning, or chuckling at the sight. The older uchiha, sat cross - legged, and pouted his lower lip like a child.
He gave her the puppy eyes.
"You don't like me anymore...?" his pout deepened.
She tackled, and hugged him quickly, causing him to burst out laughing, catching her in his arms. He lifted her into the air, as he stood, and spun around, grinning. "You know you'll always be my best bud," he told her.
"Masterchief, second admin for life!" she smiled back, and both laughed, before she squeaked, as he carried her bride - style, back over the pair, he'd led her away from. Her face was red, by the time he set her back down. "Evil bastard..." she muttered, while the boys chuckled.
Suddenly a hand reached out, and pulled her away, from them. She glanced up, tilting her head to the side, before her eyes widened, recognizing, the one pulling her away. "Shikamaru?!" she squeaked, confused as to why the lazy boy, was leading her towards the main group, and away from her friends.
"Hey..!" Deidara yelled.
"Enough. We're late as it is," Sasori scoffed.
"Hmph...fine. C'mon Tobi!" Deidara hurried after. The dark haired shrugged, waving to his friend, being taken away.
"See ya later Kumi!" he yelled, before following the artists.
Shikamaru sighed with relief, while she grumbled. "What the hell... was that about?" she looked at him, and then cowered a little, when she realized they were surrounded, by other students.
"You must be either crazy, or a newb, to actually talk to them," a blonde girl scoffed.
"Why wouldn't I talk to them?" All six stared at her like she'd grown a second head. "What?"
"You really don't know anything, do you?" Shikamaru sighed.
"They are Akatsuki," the blonde girl whispered, then shuddered.
"Akat...suki?" she tilted her head to the side.
"Yeah, yeah! You have to know!" Kiba got excited.
"You mean the group, Tobi's in, right?"
"You knew?!" the rest of the group anime - fell, to the ground.
"Um...sort of." she shrugged.
"How in the heck did you end up meeting with gang members, and not getting attacked?" the blonde girl recovered first.
"Gang?"
"The Akatsuki are a criminal organization," Shikamaru put in. "That Uchiha who carried you, Deidara, and Sasori Akasuna, are some of the members."
"Kisame is a member too..." Kiba added.
"So?" she blinked, and stared blankly at them.
"Damn it girl, don't you get it?! They are cold - hearted killers!"
"Ino.." a chubby boy sighed.
"Hey!" a yell was heard. They turned to see a raven - haired boy, being dragged up by a girl.
"Forced by Sakura again, eh?" Shikamaru smirked slightly, and the boy scowled.
"Eh?!" her eyes widened. "Sasuke?" her voice failed her with a squeak.
"Another.. fangirl?" the girl known as Sakura whined.
"I'm not a damn fangirl, so shut the hell up, Pinky." she snapped.
"Kumiko?!" Sasuke was staring at her, for awhile, before shaking his head. " A Moku transfer, I should have known..." he smirked. "Still short as ever, neh, Kumi-chan?" She growled, and pounced on him, twisting his arms behind his back, and pinning him on one knee. "Nice. You've gotten way better, since training."
"Nice to see you too, Sasuke." Sakura glared, while the others were staring blankly. He never talked much, and was well known for hating girls, due to his fan club. She let him go, and he stood up, then hugged her tightly. They fell then.
"How ya been, Mimi?" he asked, glaring at Sakura to back off, and causing the kunoichi to shudder, and look away.
"Training as usual, and traveling alot."
"Brother, still?"
"Yep."
"Why do you listen to him?"
"He might be hard to understand, but I love him to death."
"Will never see why."
"I think you will eventually."
"You know exactly why I won't."
"I know why you think you won't. But trust me, you will, even if when it does come down to that."
"Hn, whatever."
A shrug was the only response.
"How the heck do you know each other?" Ino blurted out.
"Been to Konoha before, obviously. She's "best buds" with my cousin, Madara, aka Tobi," Sasuke explained. "Never understood why though, but she sure does beat hanging out with the hyper maniac, and the cold weasel." She laughed at that.
"And Mr. Duckbill here, was nice enough to add some normalcy, after the insanity."
"Stop calling me that, Miss Kuku!" Sasuke glared at her. "Besides your insane yourself, anyway."
"Randomness is awesome though," she whined. "Besides, sanity is boring.. "
"Yes, MOM.." he groaned, but smirked teasingly. They both laughed.
"Well, she's as pretty as you said, at least." It was her turn to smirk.
"No."
"No...?" she feigned innocence.
"No, torturing this girl. I'd like to get to try this time." He looked at her intensely, but she didn't even flinch.
"What... I only did that, because the last one, was well.. you know," she shrugged. "Anyway, don't scare Ino before i get to meet - meet her, geez!" Kiba had long since been on the ground, though Shikamaru finally joined him, unable to contain his laughter any longer, over the exchange.
"I...I'm Ino..Yamanaka, " the blonde girl, stuttered.
"Don't worry, sweetie. I only did that, because she, and I had a bad history." the other smiled reassuringly.
"Oh, okay.." she sighed with relief.
"I'm Chouji Akimichi," the chubby boy, pulled his hand out of the bag of chips, and shook her hand.
"Akimichi? The ones who's house always smells like their making alot of food?"
Shikamaru laughed as he got back up. "Yeah, that one." Chouji shrugged, smiling sheepishly.
"Where's the dobe?" Sasuke turned to Sakura, while the others introduced themselves.
"I don't know. I told him to meet us here."
"I...I...ano...um.."
"Hinata Hyuuga, ne?" the mumbling girl's head snapped up. "Uh..the eyes...:" she added, and the girl nodded, as she sighed with relief.
"Sick! Shino...." Kiba whined. "Did you have to bring the bugs with you?"
"Yes." the boy replied flatly, while she bent down to look at the cocoon inside his container.
"Butterfly or Moth?" she glanced up, at the shaded eyes.
"Moth." He gave her a quick once over, before nodding.
"You approve to, eh?" Kiba prodded the other boy.
"If anyone doesn't approve of her, they can take up their complaints with me." Sasuke said with an emotionless tone.
"Approve for what?" Ino asked.
"To be in our group, of course!" Kiba exclaimed, excited.
"Though I supposed Naruto would take care of it first, if I don't," the Uchiha smirked.
"No way...!" Sakura stared.
"Yes, way. She knows him too." He shrugged, sticking his hands in his pockets.
"The Akatsuki didn't seem so bad to me," she whispered, thinking out loud to herself.
"Itachi is one of them." He whispered in her ear, before pulling Ino away, and into class.
"Oh...shit..."
"What?" Kiba looked at her.
"Um...nevermind. Just got stuck in my thoughts," she shook her head.
Her first class, was quiet when she went in. Not understanding why, she looked around, only realizing what it was, when someone tapped her on the shoulder. "Kankurou?!" she yelped, jumping backwards.
"Since you seem to know each other already. Kumiko will be your new lab partner." the teacher spoke up, and they took their seats. Ignoring the boring lecture for a moment, they hugged each other tightly, just before the bell rang. He ripped out a paper, then tossed the note onto her lap.
Man's it's great to see you!
It's really good to see you too. What are you doing away from Suna, though?
She folded it, and handed it back, and it came back just as crumpled as before.
I could ask you the same. What are you doing away from Moku?
She prodded him in the side, and he had to cover his mouth to hold in a laugh.
I asked first, she wrote.
We wanted to get Gaara, away from our father.
Oh.... he sighed.
Your turn.
For my brother. was all she said.
Just how far are you willing to follow him?!
Anywhere
... seriously?
Hai
He sighed, stuffing the note under the table as the teacher passed. He glanced over at her, and patted her head, a few times. It was her turn to sigh. "I'll be fine, Kankurou." she whispered. He lowered his hand, but hugged her tightly, only letting go when the bell rang.
"You better be." He smiled, half - heartedly.
"I can't leave you alone, now can I?" They laughed a little.
"I'll tell Gaara to find you." he shrugged, as they moved through the masses of students. Mostly, eople tended to avoid the puppet master, due to what he carried on his back.
"Tell Temari I said hi. Or We could actually not be lazy for once, and get together."
They laughed.
"Good to see ya Ku-chan. And yeah, let's actually not be lazy. I'll find out, so we can talk about it tomorrow, if we don't see you before then." He waved, and walked off, and she entered the gym.

[kararayn]

She changed quickly, and made her way over to Kiba, ignoring the glares, and confused looks of the other girls.
"Uh..Kumi. You're supposed to over there," he pointed at the spot from she'd come from.
"What, I can't go over here to get away from the boy talk?" He blinked for a bit.
"Your different," he said finally.
"No shit sherlock."
"Ah! You must be the one I've heard of!" a green blur dashed over, stopping directly in front of her, and shaking her hand excitedly. "I am Rock Lee, and it is my pleasure to meet such a youthful person as yourself." He flashed his grin. She couldn't help it; she laughed.. His face fell, and he started to turn away.
"I'm Kumi Rayn. Nice to meet you, Lee," she forced down the giggles, to speak. "You sure do have alot of energy." He turned to look at her once more, surprised at her reaction.
"Oh...god...Not again! Lee!" a female voice spoke up, as a girl with her hair in double buns ran over. "He didn't right?" she looked at Kiba, who shook his head.
"Ignore my energetic teammate." she rolled her eyes, before looking at the girl.
"Uh..why?" she asked.
"Tenten!" the green jumpsuit wearer, pouted slightly.
"He was just introducing himself." The other girl stared, then smacked herself in the forehead.
"Sorry..." she said. "I thought he did something else."
"Alright class! Laps around the track! Go, go!" the teacher, (a sub, she was told, by the others), yelled.
"Care to race?" Lee looked at the new girl.
"Uh..sure, why not?" she shrugged.
"You're going to regret that." Kiba laughed.
"Why?"
"Lee is the fastast track runner here," Tenten explained.
"Good practise to keep up then." She shrugged again, and they took off. Leaving a trail of dust, and surprising the others, as she kept up to his speed. Although, twenty laps later, the others were collapsed on the inner ground, and watching the still running pair.
"How...the hell...can they do that..." Kiba said, trying to catch his breath.
"Lee always seems to be able to go like that...but usually only Neji, or Gai - sensei can stand to keep up with, or pass him." Tenten shrugged, having just plopped down herself. The pair stopped, and waited for Lee to remove his leg weights, before taking off again. Though, their speed increased greatly from before. Lee pulled far ahead, calling back.
"Do you need me to slow down?" She grinned, stopping herself, as he drew closer to the finish mark. Dropping two dark green bandages on the track, she took off running, making several pairs of eyes widen. She was not only going faster, she was catching up with him. Finally, she finished after, pulling up alongside to her partner, smiling, while the other spun her around, excited.
"Your earlier prediction proved correct, Lee." A voice spoke up, as a taller, and older man walked over; himself wearing a similiar outfit to the boy.
"Gai - sensei!" the boy jumped over, and saluted him.
"She is indeed very youthful. Not many can keep up with your speed." Lee blushed slightly, embarrassed by the compliment. She shrugged, mostly ignoring the exchange, to collect the leg weights she'd left back on the track, and picking up Lee's as well. Walking back over, she placed them in his hands, before following the other girls to get changed. She was stopped by Tenten on the way back out though.
"Explain, please?" the bun - head, pointed at her leg weights.
"Oh those...? My brother makes me wear them for training. He'd just push me harder if I tried to sneak without them."
"What the heck training do you need those for?" the girl looked shocked.
"Mm..well, fighting I suppose."
"You fight?" she raised a brow.
"Only for self - defense. My brother is the one who teaches me."
"Oh wow... What does he do?"
"He works for the Hokage."
The other girl froze. "No...way! Seriously?!"
"Well yeah."
"That is so..."
Her voice was drowned out by the bell, and they got seperated, as the class pushed back out into the halls. Feeling someone shove her from behind, until she slammed right into someone, before boucing back, onto her ass, on the ground. She heard laughter, that faded, as the ones' responsible hurried away. "Okay..ow.." she shook her head, standing back up, and brushing herself off. "Sorry, didn't mean to..." Her apology got cut off, as the one she'd bumped into, picked her up off the ground, and slammed her into the wall. She didn't scream, choosing instead to stare right up at their face.
"What the hell, put her down!" someone yelled.
She looked at the red eyes blankly. "Itachi..." she said, quietly.
"..."
"Set her down Uchiha," a cold monotone spoke, and she was placed to her feet once more. She recognized the voice, but stared at the back of the Uchiha who walked away, till he was out of sight. Sighing, the girl glanced back towards the ones, who'd come. Blinking with surprise a bit, as she realized it was Sasori, who'd gotten him to put her down. Deidara, meanwhile, raced over, checking her for injuries, and seeming worried about something.
"I'm fine," she said flatly.
"Your sarcastic tone, suggests otherwise," Sasori pointed out.
"I just..."
"Just what, hm?" Deidara asked.
"I don't exactly get along withthatUchiha." she stated simply. The boys exchanged looks, but said nothing. Deidara looped arms with the girl, and starting dragging her towards an exit, while Sasori followed behind, chuckling. She tried to get free, but he was holding her with a death grip. "I'm supposed to be going to class, and so are you two!" she tried protesting, but gave up, as they took her to a smaller building, just off the school grounds.
"Gave up, hm?" Deidara chuckled.
"Can you at least tell me why you're making me play Hooky?" she asked.
"Why else?" He sighed, at her raised brow. "To meet the Akatsuki, of course!"
"Wait, what?" she stared at him, the surprise evident on her face.
"Well, if you survive the meeting, they might let you stay around," the clay artist grinned.
"You mean if I don't get killed, is that right?"
"Of course. We are Killers after all." Sasori stated, matter - of - factly.
"Wonderful..." Her voice dripped with sarcasm.
They both chuckled at that.