Chapter 3: The Dreams of Children Part IV

Chapter 3: The Dreams of Children Part IV

I woke up later than usual with the sun glaring into my eyes, an empty bed beside me, and I knew Sasuke was already gone. I did my daily routine minus the practice session and walked to school alone. At least I thought I was going to be alone when out of a tree came Ino.

“You know, I was expecting Sui.” I said, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

“I can go you know.” Ino said, walking away.

“No-no-wait.” I walked up beside her. “I’m glad you came. I just thought you’d be mad at me.”

“For what?”

Was she playing dumb? “For the things, I said last night about—” I noticed her glare and stopped talking.

“You really should learn to take a hint.”

I could only laugh when she said that. I guess she was playing dumb. I should probably think a little bit better of her. As we passed a corner, Sakura appeared in front of us.

“Hey Sasuke, I was wondering if you were feeling… better?” Sakura stared at us and noticed the empty space. “Where’s Sasuke?”

“No clue?” I shrugged my shoulders.

“What… I came all this way for nothing.” Sakura gave us a downward cast of defeat. I didn’t know if I should feel bothered that she only came for Sasuke or just sad for her. I decided I’d feel sorry for her. Then she sprang back up. “Then why is Inopig here?”

“Because unlike you and that billboard brow of yours, I have friends.” Ino said, facing off with Sakura. A lightning bolt seemed to clash between them.

“Ah, so you couldn’t get Sasuke, so now you’re going after his brother.” Sakura laughed. “When I thought you couldn’t stoop even lower. I guess I expected too much from a pig.”

“Oh really? Where is that dog boy that’s been sniffing around. Heard he got you some more sakuras.” Ino was ruthless. Since I noticed there was, funnily enough, a sakura in Sakura’s hair.

“At least boys get me gifts. I bet Yuki has never given you anything in his life. Besides his shitty jokes.”

“Hey! My jokes aren’t shitty…” I didn’t even know how I was dragged into this. Then I felt my skin crawl as if I was getting struck by daggers. Ino glared at me for some reason. “Wha-what did I do?”

“Why have I never gotten a gift from you?” Ino loomed over me. “I thought you liked me?”

“Well… that’s an easy answer. I thought you liked Sasuke, so what would be the point in trying.” I said, backing away from her. I did have a crush on her, but I was definitely not going to waste money on a girl that clearly had the hots for someone else. I am not a simp.

“Ha! See, he doesn’t even want to try.” Sakura was busy gloating as Ino gave me death glares.

“Hey, you better listen well cause I’m only going to say this once.” Ino had become a purple demon in my eyes. Horns and all, there weren’t even pupils in her eyes, just the whites.

I swallowed hard. “I- I-m listening.”

“I like the smell of Lavender, love the taste of chocolate, especially in the shape of flowers or hearts. Do not take me out to ramen or a barbeque place. I’d rather see you put some actual thought and give me a romantic picnic. Emphasis on Romantic. I do enjoy ninja tools for practice, but if you get me them, I will make sure you’re the first one I try them on. I do not like pet names. You will call me Ino or Ino-chan. I do like flower catalogs and shopping, so I will know if you’re being cheap. My favorite animal is the butterfly, in particular The Purple Emperor Butterfly. My family is extremely perceptive, which means they will know right away whenever I’ve gone somewhere and who I went with. Meaning you better be on your best behavior. No touching until I say so. Do you understand?”

“Um… Yes, Ino-chan.” I said, unsure what happened.

“Good.” Ino smiled, but it did not seem like a ray of sunshine. Almost like an inner black demon was punching behind her.

“But there may be one problem with that.”

“Hmm, what problem?” Ino said, staring at me.

“I didn’t say anything.” I then felt my hand get grabbed. The tenderness of it all from last night was gone. My bones were being crushed.

“Yuki and I are already a — how do you normal girls say — an item.” With that note, Sui pulled me away from them. Where the two could only look on in shock. As was I. “You’re welcome, by the way.”

“Oh… yeah, thank you for saving me.” I scratched my head, laughing even though she was still pulling me around. “I don’t know how the conversation got to that.”

“What am I going to do with you.” Sui shook her head and sighed. “Well, I knew having an Uchiha boyfriend would be difficult.”

“Ha-ha yeah, I know…” Then I realized what she had said. “Nani! I mean What! — No wait. I was right the first time — Nani!!!”

“Hmm yeah, so I went to thinking last night, and we have been putting this off for far too long.” Sui still had her hand entwined with mine even as we walked through the halls. Some of the students looked as shocked as I was. I mean, this was eye patch girl holding hands with the joke Uchiha. Not only that, but she was a Hyūga. It only left questions, and I had none of the answers. Then she stopped me in front of our class door.

“Last night. That kiss. I loved it. Actually. The best night of my life.”

“Mmhmm.” I nodded.

“So why did it have to stop there.”

“Because we’re ninjas?”

“Exactly, we’re officially ninjas meaning we could die at any moment.” She stared at me. Her white eye once again reflected my face that, to my own surprise, had a smile. I thought back to last night faced with that demon fox. She was right. We could die at any moment now.

“So, we should experience as much as the world has to offer.” She leaned her face against my ear. “Continuing that endless dream.” I felt her soft lips against my cheek as she pulled back. Sui let go of my hand and opened the door.

“Sure.” Was all I could say as she pushed me into the classroom where there were Jōnin level ninja waiting.