When I was seven, the Uchiha Clan was massacred. Sasuke didn't come to school for weeks. When he returned, he looked like he hadn't slept in days. Fought like it too.

Daikoku: "Winner: Kashime! Well done. Do the sign of reconciliation. Good. Well, that's it for the day everyone. Remember to read up on the toxic plants around Konoha. On the test will only be what we've covered so far, as I've told you already. Sasuke, come with me please."

That wasn't very satisfying. He barely fought back. When I left the field, I noticed some girls throwing me nasty looks. Whatever. Just because his family was killed didn't mean I would go easy on him.

"That was a little harsh." Shikamaru raised an eyebrow at me. Choji standing next to him.

Me: "Nah. He'll be fine. I just hope I won't have to deal with ... oh here she comes." She was practically stomping in my direction. That glare was something.

Ino: "What were you thinking?!"

Me: "Ino. What's up?"

Ino: "What's up?! That's what you're going with, 'what's up'?!"

Shikamaru: "You don't have to shout."

Ino: "Shut up Shikamaru!"

Shikamaru: "Jeez okay, okay..."

Me: "I don't know what your problem is?"

Ino: "My problem?! You are unbelievable. Sasuke just ... , you ... "

Me: "What?"

Ino: "You really just had to ... . Why? Just so you could win for once? How pathetic are you?"

Me: "I win sometimes."

Ino: "Cool. You want a cookie for that achievement?"

Me: "I'm good."

Choji: "I-I gave him some this morning. You want one?" Perfect timing Choji. She's about to explode, thanks for that.

Ino: "Noone asked you Choji!"

Me: "What are you shouting at him for? He was just trying to be nice."

Ino: "Kashime I swear to god."

Me: "What, just cause you're mad I beat up your boyfriend doesn't mean you get to shout at him."

The crowd was truly formed by now, in a ring around us. Ino was shrieking.

Ino :"He's not my boyfriend! And you didn't beat him up, you know Sasuke isn't feeling well!"

Me: "You think he wanted me to go easy on him?"

Ino: "What? No, that's not what I said at all!"

Me: "So you wanted me to go easy on him."

Ino: "Yes because-"

Me: "So you think it would be better we all coddle him for a bit. Really make him feel how much we pity him."

Ino: "You're an asshole Kashime. And a bully."

Me: "That makes two of us."

Ino: "Fight me right now!"

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

I looked at Shikamaru. He'd be mad if I kicked her face in. Sigh... .

Me: "I won't."

Ino: "Yes you will. What, are you scared?"

Me: "Of you?"

Ino leaped at me but Shikamaru was there. He grabbed Ino from behind while Choji stepped in between us.

Shikamaru: "Come on Ino, stop"

Ino: "Let me go Shika! I'll fucking kill him! Let me go!"

Choji: "I think you should go. We'll talk to her. Please, I don't want you guys to fight."

Me: "We won't. I'll go."

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Sasuke returned the next day with much improved vigor and determination. Daikoku-sensei did not pair us up again. Poor Kiba was the victim for today and got unceremoniously dealt with. After Sasuke was done with him he gave me a look promising retaliation for yesterday. I intended to give him what he wanted. After school was over, I followed him.

Quite obviously too. He was intent on ignoring me. When we arrived at the Uchiha compound I stepped in front of him.

Sasuke: "Get lost."

Me: "You're brother killed your parents."

Sasuke: "..."

Me: "Speechless?"

Sasuke: "Do you want to die?"

Me: "So what are you gonna do?"

Sasuke: "Get. Lost."

Me: "You want revenge, right? Kill Itachi I mean."

Sasuke: "If you don't step aside I will kill you first."

Me: "Good. Let's fight."

Sasuke: "..."

Me: "If you want to kill your brother you need to get stronger."

Sasuke: "Don't tell me things I already know."

Me: "How do you suppose to get stronger without a sparring partner?"

Sasuke: "You are delusional. I don't need you. I don't need any of you. Training with you'd be a waste of my time."

Me: "I beat you yesterday. And I have beaten you before."

Sasuke: "Barely."

Me: "Fine. I don't want to train with you. I just want to fight. And I know you want to fight to."

Sasuke: "Don't assume to know me Kashime."

Me: "You are so mad. Practically burning with rage. Let's find an outlet for that."

Sasuke: "Normally you never open your mouth and now you can't seem to shut it."

Me: "Let's fight so you can shut it for me?"

Sasuke: "No."

Me: "You know that noone in our class is ever gonna push you in a way that will bring you closer to your goal. Noone except for me."

Sasuke: "You are trash like the rest of them. And I don't trust you. I don't know what you are getting out of this."

Me: "I'm bored."

Sasuke: "Tell me."

Me: "Maybe I just want to get stronger too. Maybe there is someone I need to kill, just like you."

Sasuke: "... . You're lying."

Me: "Who cares?"

Sasuke: "..."

Me: "..."

Sasuke: "I don't need friends."

Me: "Me neither."

Sasuke: "Don't drag me down."

Me: "Sure."

Sasuke: "..."

Me: "Let's go inside?"

Sasuke: "You're not going in there."

Me: "Fine. Training ground 23 is not far from here."

Sasuke: "Hn."

Me: "..."

Sasuke: "..."

Me: "Did you know that the Hokages father was named Sasuke Sarutobi?"

Sasuke: "Everyone knows that you moron."

Me: "...Huh."

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Slowly things were coming back to me. My best friend had these amazing lego-sets that his mother bought for his birthdays at exorbitant prices she should absolutely not have been able to afford. We would sit in the attic that was his room for a time, reading the manga my mom would buy me at the central station every weekend. Half of them were still a little damp from an accident involving a knocked over water-bottle.

His mother called and because she couldn't get up the stairs he went down to get us the food she cooked for the whole family. Some bread pan-fried in oil with a little salt on top. Some kind of spice powder too.

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After waking, I got up to take a look outside. The rain was hitting in heavy drops against the small window. I wiped my face and went outside.

I wandered around in the still dark village for a while. For a time I just walked on and on, until in the mild moonlight that showed through the clouds I found a swing to sit on. The noise of the rain seemed to get louder and louder. I closed my eyes and then there was nothing else. And in the wave of sound I could hear a soft music.

When I opened my eyes the bright light of the sun surprised me.

I could hear the voices of children near by and got up to join them in class. I saw Shikamaru approaching in his slouched manner and stopped to wait for him.

Me: "Morning."

Shikamaru: "You're still a bit wet."

Me: "Yeah. Had a fun night."

Shikamaru: "Hmm. You could join me later. I found a great sleeping spot yesterday."

Me: "Good idea. But if your mom finds out I supported your behavior, I'd get an earful next time I come over. She hasn't given up on you yet."

Shikamaru: "And she propably never will that troublesome woman."

Me: "Wanna watch Sasuke beat the shit out of me later?"

Shikamaru: "If you get a concussion you won't be any good at shogi after."

Me: "I'm not any good as it is anyway. We can play while we wait for him."

Shikamaru: "Where?"

Me: "It's not that far."

Shikamaru: "That's what they always say when it's too far away."

Me: "I could carry you."

Shikamaru: "You would?"

Me: "No. Where's Choji?"

Shikamaru: "He'll be here soon. He had to help a little in the kitchens last night."

Me: "Kitchens plural?"

Shikamaru: "Yeah."

Me: "He could carry you around. For some chicken nuggets or something."

Shikamaru: "Your genius frightens me sometimes."

Me: "I know. And my brain is still developing."