Chapter 52

Sasuke's bleak eyes turned soft for one moment. He stared at the familiar back figure of his teammate, she had her hair cleanly tied up, just like she always did. He stepped inside the room, almost losing his balance due to the lack of sleep.

He held his ground against the wall, walking towards the female who was sitting on the stool beside where Naruto slept like a log. She didn't look back nor said anything, she probably still haven't sensed his presence.

Sasuke dragged his feet on the floor only stopping as he arrived beside the female. He felt relieved and at ease, it felt like all the weight on his shoulders were lifted.

He parted his lips, calling her name. "Lhexi."

She didn't respond so, he walked closer to get a better glimpse of her face only to see her with her eyes close. She was sleeping with her back straight and her right arm resting on her crossed legs.

It irked him a little before he smiled to himself. He reached for her face with his fingers abruptly stopping when he noticed she had her left arm back. He was quite sure he saw it getting cut off three days ago.

He shook the suspicious thoughts away. He didn't give much though about it, he was just purely happy she was back, at long last. His eyes landed on her hand that was resting over the knuckle of the blonde who was sleeping yet again, his smile disappeared from his face. He felt a pang of pain piercing through his heart and he clenched his jaw at this.

The silence was suffocating for the Uchiha who tried to look away as he stepped back. Much to his surprise, it was Shikamaru who disrupted the white noise.

"Oi, Lhexi.", he called a little louder than necessary.

Sasuke noticed her waking up and immediately marched towards the door, not wanting her to see that look on his face. Before Lhexi could even open her eyes, Sasuke was gone.

She looked back, seeing Shikamaru staring at the door.

"Shika...?", she grumbly asked as her eyesight began to clear.

He shrugged his thoughts away from the Uchiha who suddenly left the room.

"Team 8 told me you were back. How are you feeling?", he pulled a stool beside one of the empty beds, positioning it beside Lhexi before sitting next to her.

"Why? Were you worried?", Lhexi teased, her lips curved up.

"Not really, Kaa-san told me to give this to you and to that idiot.", he raised a box cladded with a blue cloth with the Nara's clan symbol etched on it.

"Tell her I'm grateful.", Lhexi reached for the food and Shikamaru gave it to her. He was a little confused.

"They said you lost your left arm.", he stated, narrowing his eyes at Lhexi.

Lhexi stared at her new arm, clenching her palms together before releasing it. "I got a new one. Surprise, I guess?"

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow, still skeptical.

Lhexi sighed as she purposely relax her shoulders. "I'm joking, I reattached it.", she lied.

"Bah. I don't buy it."

Shikamaru was not even considering it.

"Hey, I almost died in the process, you know."

"Very funny. Tell me another one."

Lhexi gave up. Why did she even think she could lie at Shika of all people?

"It's a long story. You see--", Lhexi started with her make up story and Shika eventually stopped her, raising his hand.

"It's a drag listening to you talking all day.", Shika averted the topic, noticing how uncomfortable his friend was. "What's wrong with Sasuke by the way?"

"Sasuke?", Lhexi parted her lips as she tilts her head to the side.

"Hm? He walked out all of a sudden, did you guys fought or what?"

"Eh? He came here? When?"

"Wha--? He was earlier than me. Hell, he was even standing next to you and you didn't noticed?"

Lhexi stood up, pushing the tray of food towards Shika's lap.

"Can you watch over Naruto for me?", she requested and the Nara was about to refuse but, Lhexi was already out of sight.

"Jeez, prodigies and their stupid speed. What a drag...", he yawned before resting his body on the empty bed beside Naruto. He didn't wanted to go back home at the moment, he was pretty sure his mom would order him around.

He doesn't want to and he's pretty lazy for that.

..........

Lhexi kicked Sasuke's knee before he could throw a quick 45 on Lhexi. He threw several punches in a row and the girl directed his attacks away from hitting her.

Sasuke took the offense and Lhexi simply defended herself against him. She was forced to take a couple step backs occasionally as the angry teen bombarded her with quick paced punches. Taking in a sharp breath, Sasuke increased his speed and didn't held back his strength from punching his teammate right across her cheek.

Lhexi felt the familiar iron taste on her tongue followed by a heavy sharp pain on her stomach. She clutched her stomach, her knees bending in return as she dropped on the ground leaving Sasuke punching nothing but, air.

Sasuke gritted his teeth, pulling Lhexi by her collar. The girl kicked herself from the floor, wrapping her legs clasped around Sasuke's nape, she held him still in a triangular choke. Her head and back was still forced against the ground as Sasuke strangled her by her neck, choking her in the process.

She grabbed his arm, pressing several vital points to weaken his grip.

"Why are you holding back?! I told you to fight me with your real strength!", Sasuke hissed while staring at Lhexi's bruised face.

"You're such a kid, can't you see I can't do that?", she responded almost yelling back at him. She's irritated to a whole new degree and it's taking all her strength to hold back from hurting her teammate.

"You're just looking down on me! You think I'm weak!"

Lhexi was left dumbfounded and stuttering. "W-what...? T-that's not..."

Lhexi's purple eyes flinched upon his charcoal gaze. His gaze was angry, sunken, depressed and there was this mysterious glint in his black orbs that she couldn't describe.

"Then at the Land of Iron why did you cover for me!"

"I--", Lhexi looked away also not knowing the reason why.

"Lhexi! You think I'm fucking weak don't you?!"

She parted her lips. "T-that's..."

"Enough of those bullshits and answer me!"

It was at that point when the walls she built up was no longer enough to suppress her emotions. Lhexi needs to let it out as much as she wanted to just scream until her lungs burst.

"I don't know! I don't know! My body just moved on its own! I was scared! Okay?! I was scared! What did you expected me to do?! Just stand there and do nothing?! I lost my family already! I lost my friends twice! I barely have anyone by my side! It felt like the world was against me! I feel like I don't belong here! I was scared that I would lose my love ones again, Naruto, Sakura, even Sensei! You too! If you died back then I wouldn't be able to forgive myself! So...!", she sobbed back on her tears as Sasuke stopped on tracks. "P-please...d-don't...don't say...such mean things..."

Sasuke was speechless. He was a kid and so was the girl infront of him. They weren't that different. The more he stared at Lhexi, the more she looked like a child to him. Even if it was an illusion, he saw someone in her stead.

It was a brown-haired child, her golden-jeweled eyes slowly losing its brightness as pearl tears fell down her cheeks. She remained kneeling on the ground, continuosly weeping and crying in her soiled white dress.

The girl cried underneath Sasuke's chest before she even realized what was happening.

"Hey...Lhexi..."

It was the last thing the Uchiha could have thought that was gonna happen. He just wanted to have a spar on her and probably vent his anger a little, he didn't meant to make her cry. It didn't even crossed his head that the girl could also have tears for she was always perfectly untroubled and collected.

Sasuke slowly hoisted her up, his gaze was steady and calm but, in reality he was frantically looking for ways to calm her down.

Her eyes were puffy barely unable to see anything clear and so was her cheeks that were glowing bright red. She hiccupped after several minutes of crying and the raven-haired teenager was drained of energy after trying numerous ways to hush her.

"Hic...!", she covered her lips, looking down. "Hic...!"

"You look like a pufferfish.", Sasuke stated the obvious, quietly adding a few words after. "An adorable one at that."

"..."

Lhexi didn't respond and quietly looked away. Sasuke sweatdropped, now this is a problem. Normally, the girl would have sparked a conversation but, this time she was ignoring him to the best of her abilities.

"Uhm...", Sasuke scratched his right cheek, awkwardly glancing at a small pebble.

'Stupid rock...why is that even here?'

He summarized what happened. He punched her square in the face and her stomach. He choked her before yelling profanities. He even made her cry. He shut his eyes, feeling a band of pain wrapped around his head.

"I'm sorry...", he just sold his pride. That took much bravery that he thought.

Lhexi simply hugged her knees, curling herslef into a ball while staring dazedly at the grass. Apart from her eyes, she hid the rest of her face. If Lhexi is truly ignoring him, oh boy, he's in deep trouble.

"Lhexi...do you want anything?"

"..."

His eyes twitched in annoyance but, it's his fault so who could he blame apart from himself.

"How about some takoyaki?", Lhexi's body jerked at the mention of her favorite snack. Sasuke noticed this and thought of adding more spice to get her to look at him, at the very least. "I heard there's a new flavor in town. Let's go get some, my treat."

She tilted her chin the slightest bit and gave him those puffy puppy eyes and Sasuke's breath hitched. He covered his lips with the back of his palm looking away with his ears beet red. 'Not now!'

'Why is this even harder than a mission?'

Standing up, Sasuke couldn't ignore the dirt on their clothes and skin, especially Lhexi's who was still keeping silent. He placed his hand on her shoulders and she tensed almost immediately. He took note of this as he quickly dusted off her clothes, patting away the dust before he worked on himself.

He noticed a small cut on the edge of her lips, a dark bruise taking form on one of her cheeks, then purple handprints on her neck. He internally smacked his face. He went too far.

Sasuke continuously blamed himself as they walked across the streets. He even forgot that Lhexi was used to this and have experienced worse before even becoming a kunoichi.

Her words rang in his head. "I lost my family already!"

They were a lot more similar than he thought. He will wait for her to open up before he asks personal questions.

The two walked side by side as the male silently wished the shop was still open. He looked up, seeing the dark clouds hovering over Konoha. Arriving in front of the stall, he grumbled at the sight of the crowded area.

"Wait here. I'll just buy some quickly."

He sighed when the girl didn't say anything back before he entered the shop, bells ringing leaving Lhexi on her own. A droplet of water fell on her nose, before rain began pouring as she stood underneath the sky. She looked up, stretching her hand a little to catch a few water droplets on her palm.

She closed her eyes, her ears becoming more sensitive to the sound of people and their foot steps on the ground, splashing mud, the noisy continuous pour of rain against the roof, and her own breathing.

She felt a tug on her arm and when she opened her eyes, she was no longer standing under the rain, rather someone else's robe. Her clothes were slightly drenched with water and so was the clothes of the man standing in front of her.

The empty space they filled up underneath the roof was cramped and her right shoulder was getting soppy. He hoisted his black cloak above her so she wouldn't get wet from the water dripping off the roof.

"Be careful, you might get sick."

She nodded her head in return at the familiar low voice. Both of them were silent and the atmosphere even became more quiet. She only heard her own heartbeat beating steady at that particular moment.

She stared at nothing but, his firm abdominal muscles hidden underneath his violet robe. She was unaware of the longing stare from above her. The man simply watched beads of water slide down from her dark and long eyelashes as she flutters them close.

There were red streaks running across her cheeks beneath her eyes. Seeing the dark bruise, and the small cut on her small lips, he guessed she had a spar with someone. She moved her head to the side, now noticing the intense stare of the grown adult. She was uneasy but, she firmly hid it while clasping her hands together.

Her hair was wet and was physically discomforted at how her black hair stick to her skin. Moving it behind her back away from her neck, she felt an ominous aura from the man before her. He saw the heavy bruises.

She looked up meeting his gaze, he had long and black spiky hair, it reached way past his chin. The familiar charcoal eye got her all in a state of comfusion but, when his bangs covering his left eye swayed a little revealing his ringed purple eye, she lost it and eveything clicked in right afterwards.

She jolted when she felt a touch on her neck and simply averted her gaze. He had a big calloused hand. She side glanced noticing his other hand still hoisted up. She looked down at their feet trying to ignore his touch before she snapped her wide eyes open.

He didn't had one but, two. He had two arms to be exact. But, if it's him, didn't he lost the other one?

She forgot how he still had his right hand placed on her delicate neck and simply looked at him. Bells rang as the door opened across them. The adult was debating among himself whether he should leave the girl at that moment so early when they barely spent time together for the first time in a while.

Sasuke's expression twisted dark at the sight of the adult man pressing his body against the small frame of Lhexi due to the tiny space. He pulled out his kunai almost dropping off the precious takoyaki box in his hand as he stepped forward after noticing Lhexi's uncomfort.

Lhexi didn't realized the genin's presence and slowly placed her hand on top of the adult's hand that was resting on her neck. She didn't know why he had such a pained expression on his face. For some reason it felt like he suffered through hell just so the both of them could meet again.

The thirteen-year-old Sasuke threw his kunai knife at a break-neck speed, only hitting the wooden sign of the other shop in front. The man was gone in the blink of an eye and he didn't even noticed how.

"Lhexi, who was that?"

He approached the girl who was slightly drenched with water hoping to hear an answer.

She touched her neck where she felt his warmth. "...he's in pain...", she whispered, unheard by her friend.

"Do you know him?", he asked holding her by her shoulders.

Lhexi glanced at the raven-haired boy before nodding. "Hm. I do."

Sasuke was confused as hell when Lhexi gave him an unknowing stare. The Uchiha sighed relieved but, curious as to who that man was. He hoped he could have seen his face at least.

Lhexi searched for the stranger's chakra, only to sense nothing, not even a trail of his presence. She looked down at her trembling fingers. Just a while back, she was frozen in fear of his incredible chakra that not a word escaped her lips.

She stares back at Sasuke's eyes that she couldn't describe. 'I still can't believe this kid would grow that powerful.'

Sasuke lowered his head and when he opened his eyes, he quickly looked away. Heat sent his head to almost blow up. Her clothes stuck to her skin like a glue, her shirt was a little transparent, enough for him to get a glimpse of her cleavage.

He fake coughed, looking away. "Ahem! Anyway, let's go home, q-quick."

He silently thanked the gods behind the rain as he took an umbrella from the store. Lhexi blinked her eyes, a little surprised. It was there the whole time and she didn't even noticed. The man from earlier probably did but, chose to ignore it.

"Hey Sasuke, is that yours?", she asks as they quickly head towards a better shelter.

"No, I'm borrowing it."

"Did you ask for permission?"

"..."

"Hey Sasuke that's not borrowing that's stea--"

He cuts her off. "It's raining bad, we need to get back home before you get sick."

Sasuke didn't noticed he was holding her hand the whole time and she giggled amused at this. Nevertheless, she tightened her hold, making sure they won't get separated as they run through the rain.

The door creaked open as Sasuke opened the door to his house. He took his sandals off before looking back at Lhexi who looked around the living room first while taking her boots off.

Arranging the shoes to a neat order, she follows Sasuke who turned to a corner which turns out to be the kitchen.

"You can sit anywhere you want.", he stated. He dropped several takoyaki boxes on the table then took the stairs leaving Lhexi alone for a short moment.

She took a glance around, smiling at how neat and organized Sasuke was. It's probably in his genes. She pulled one of the stools from the table and sat, patiently waiting for Sasuke to come down from the second floor.

She noticed his presence and turned around only to get her eyesight blocked by the towel Sasuke threw on top of her head. She felt his aggressive hands as he rubbed the towel against her hair. She brushed the fabric that was covering her eyes to look at the Uchiha.

He also had a towel draped around his neck, she stretched her hands out, taking the towel off from him. She did the same, only being more gentle and tender as she dries his hair.

"You're not good at this. Idiot, how are you gonna dry off my hair if you're being too careful?"

"It's just drying hair, why are you being so fussy?", she asks as she applies even more pressure to please the raven-haired teen. "And if I'm not gentle, I might ruin your precious duckbutt hair.", she teased with a curled up smile.

Sasuke clicked his tongue on the roof of his mouth, pulling his hands away from Lhexi. "Just hurry up so we can eat."

Lhexi sat on the chair looking up. Sasuke stood before her, slightly leaning forward, looking down. He looks away from staring at her eyes before taking one of the seats, sitting diagonal to Lhexi's.

Sasuke felt a nudge against his stomach. "Hey, these are really delicious...!"

Sasuke took a bite, saying the same thing in his head. He took out something from the box and slided it next to Lhexi. "Here, try it with Okonomiyaki sauce."

Lhexi dipped the round snack on the sauce, her face brightened in one bite. "Sasuke, you have a really good taste, you know?"

"You don't have to remind me."

Lhexi stared at him for a few seconds. 'He surely thinks highly of himself.'

Several boxes were messily scattered on the table as Sasuke ate the last piece.

"I'll be leaving then, I'll throw these out on my way.", the girl proclaimed as she stood up, cleaning the mess they made.

"You can stay here for the night.", he touched her wrist, slowly pulling her towards him. "And...about your answer..."

Lhexi parted her lips for one brief moment, silence enveloped the atmosphere before it was broken with the sound of her lips pressed against his forehead. Her hands caressed his cheeks tenderly, her fingertips tracing over his nightblack hair. She pulled herself back up, the corners of her eyes curling up, giving Sasuke a warm smile.

"Goodnight S'ke..."

..........

The knob clicked close before Lhexi leaned back, resting her body against the door. A long depressed sigh escaped her lips. Her body wobbled slightly when she stood straight, finally leaving the place. Throwing the box of her favorite takoyaki inside the trashbin she found on the streets, she looked up, noticing the black sky resembling Sasuke's eyes filled with constellations and stars.

"Foolish kid..."

..........

Alexa's POV

Tsunade-sama folded the paper on her hands, looking down, grimacing even. I silently watched her hold her forehead in pain. "Arexa...", she called.

"It's Alexa, Tsunade-sama.", Shizune corrected and I nodded in return.

"Ah! Who cares?! Why do you have such a complicated name...?", she muttered the last sentence, almost unheard. "Anyway, I'm assigning you to a new mission. There were two foreigners who trespassed the village yesterday. They claim to be performers but, I want you to watch over them just in case. Report to me if you sense anything weird."

"Understood."

"They're with Naruto right at the moment.", my eyes dilated a little wide hearing the kid already running around the village.

"Shouldn't he be staying at the hospital?", I asked a little worried and she stared back at me, unamused.

"I know, but that brat naturally heals his wounds overnight. Since you're meeting him, tell him not to do anything reckless."

"I understand. Then, I'll be taking my leave.", I respectfully bowed my head and immediately left her office. Marching down the hallways ignoring the ninjas who walked past me who were about to say hi, I sped up my pace turning corner to corner.

Looking around frantically, I stopped in the middle of the streets in front of Ichiraku Ramen where I find him usually. Breathing deep and slow while closing my eyes, I put my practice into trial.

Focus.

All living beings has distinct chakra signatures, considering Naruto possessing the most chakra, it shouldn't be that hard to find him. Stretching my limit of fifty meters to ten more meters, I felt all life force within my scope. Humans, dogs, cats, birds, crickets, plants...but, Naruto's was still further away.

Suddenly, a faint chakra distinct from anyone else I've ever felt glowed in the dark. It was evil, tempting even. My heart stopped, spiders crawling on my skin. My heartbeat pounded in my ears, gradually speeding up. I opened my eyes, quickly trying to find the source and get rid of it as soon as possible.

I bended my knees, concentrating chakra on my feet before jumping to an elecitric pole, then running vertical towards the top. Sending chakra to my optical nerves, I quickly stopped myself from activating my Seiryuugan.

Not here.

I can't use it here.

But, I need to find that person quick. He's dangerous, there's something ominous hiding benath all those layers of chakra.

Running and jumping from roof to roof, I stopped, finding myself infront of Naruto's apartment. Naruto was in there and so was the other person I was looking for.

Hesitating for a bit, I knocked on the door, hearing footsteps a few seconds later.

"Hai hai! Coming!", it was Naruto's voice.

As soon as the knob clicked open, a pair of blue eyes stared back at me in half a second. Before I knew it, the door was opened all the way through and found a yellow fluff of sun embracing me tight.

"Damn it! Where have you been all this time?! I truly thought you were gone for once ttebayo!"

My fingers traveled from touching his back to playing with his locks. He buried his face on my neck and I simply sighed in return, hiding the jitteries of butterflies in my stomach.

"I'm really sorry...I'm back...so, would you forgive me?", I asked as he pulled himself back from crushing me.

He stepped back a little then crossed his arms, thinking deeply, even acting spoiled. "Hmmmm...."

I sweat-dropped at his antics.

"Alright!", he suddenly yelled and I looked behind him when I felt the ominous chakra getting closer.

"Oi! Who was that ttebasa? All the cup ramen are gonna get soggy if you let it be, you know."

His dark blue eyes stopped, flinched even when we locked eyes. Eh? Who...? I could see a sillhuette of a white long-haired man with fascinating eyes behind his shadows.

Blond hair, that particular hairstyle even reminded me of a leaf, eyes bluer than Naruto's, and those two pair of whisker marks on his cheeks got me all reminded of a particular someone I know.

Anyway.

Who the fuck is that?

Why does he looks so much like Naruto?

Those whiskers should only be present to people who have inherited Kurama's chakra in their genes. So why the hell...is he...?

Remembering the adult guy yesterday, I felt the color of my face dissappearing in return. Just why...?

"Go on a date with me!"

"Yeah...I get it...it's my karma..."

"Eh?", Naruto asked a little shocked at how fast I replied.

"Eh?", the other kid asked, dropping the cup of ramen in his hands. He face palmed, looking embarassed for Naruto after realizing what just happened.

I tilted my head to the side. "Eh?", I looked back at Naruto who's face went through a lot of different phases.

Shock, incredulity, a little bit of suspicion and finally joy.

"Yosha! Really?!"

I looked back at his lookalike who quickly crossed his arms forming an X. He was silently yelling a big NO to which I can't oblige for Naruto was already celebrating in his own world.

My lips forced into a guilty smile. "I'm sorry...", I mouthed and the kid facepalmed.

A/N

I'm sorry but, updates would be slow 'cause I need to prioritize my studies first. As much as I want to update the next chapter as soon as possible, I can't. But, no worries, I ain't be dropping this shit 'cause I'm starting to love it even more.

Me: *throwing some random shit*

My awesome Readers be like:Wait what just happened?lemme go reread that A'ight Author where's the next chapter?Don't be making us wait another 20 days!