Chapter Seven

Aiko's Pov

The loud music continued to blast throughout the house, but the number of people were now decreasing...a bit. Let's just say, maybe ten or fifteen percent of of a hundred went home. It was already one in the morning, some people passed out on the backyard, the kitchen and even in one of the bathrooms. Half of the cries gathered with us here in the living room, well, most of them were girls. No one would want to miss seeing the two, hot Uchiha sitting right next to each other. They were practically ogling at the two of them.

"What a pain." I heard Shikamaru, who was beside me. He yawned, stretching his arms, "Do you think those girls will ever leave?" I asked in a whisper, placing a hand before my mouth as I looked at Sasuke who's basically glaring at either someone else behind me or beside me or probably just at me. What did I do?

Itachi kept his eyes closed, holding a red cup in his hand. I like how calm and collected Itachi is, not like his brother who's glowing at me like I killed a cat. I couldn't hold it any longer as I faced his younger and glared back at him mouthing a 'what'.

Of course he didn't respond. He just rolled his eyes , placing a leg above his lap and his arm resting on the side of the couch. The way he looked made the girls squeal. I would be lying if I'd say that he doesn't look attractive at all. Karin was there as well, using her fingers to trace down Sasuke's chest. She's been nagging him for hours, and to say that Sasuke was annoyed would be an understatement. Yet, eventually he gave up and just let her be.

But for some reason, I feel like I want to crush that girl into pieces, I felt wrathful. Just seeing her touching him makes me sick to the bones and he's not even doing anything about it anymore, which makes it even worse than its already been. I hate it! I just wanna jump in between them or grab Sasuke and take him somewhere far where Karin won't be able to find him.

With the thoughts, I found myself breathing heavily, my first were clenched and I was getting my teeth as I was gritting my teeth as I glared at a blank space. Why am I feeling this way? Why do I sound so overprotective? I don't, do I? Why do I care if someone ride is touching him?

"Aiko!" My haha instinctively found its way to my right ear where the sharp voice entered. I looked up to see Naruto who held two red cups. He offered me one and I accepted it, gladly. "Eh? Where's Neji?" he asked, taking a seat beside me. I held up a hand to wave ah Sasuke who was still in front of us. The Uchiha took a glance at him and looked away, eyebrows furrowed. "I don't know. I thought he was with you."

"Neji and Hinata says that they need to be home before 12. They left about an hour ago or so." Shikamaru informed, joining in the conversation. Both Naruto and I nodded, "Bummer." I mumbled. I really wanted to spend more time with both of them.

The Nara shrugged, "You know how strict uncle Hizashi and Uncle Hiashi are." (YES HIZASHI IS ALIVE BECAUSE I WANT HIM TO BE (╥╯﹏╰╥)ง)

"You could say that again."

The three of us chuckled, "I wonder who's more terrifyingly stern.. Uncle Fugaku, Uncle Hizashi or Uncle Hiashi?" I asked wryly. Stealing a glance of Sasuke who was surprisingly, still glaring at us. I don't know if he's glaring or it's just his face. What do people call it again? Hmm.... Oh yeah! The rest bitch face.

I quickly gave him the finger, bluntly and his expression immediately changed. At least that was an eye opener. He looked at me, agape with a face of incredulity. He nudge Karin who was still beside him rather harshly and tugged on his brother's sleeve, frantically. Itachi opened his eyes and looked at his brother nonchalantly, his drink almost spilling on the floor.

Sasuke pointed at me accusingly, but I could read his lips as they moved not can I hear them due to the loud music, yet I can assume that he's probably telling something exaggerated to his brother. Itachi looked at me apologetically as I gave an innocent smile before giving Sasuke a look that says, 'what did I do?'

I could hear Naruto and Shikamaru trying to suppress their laughter, but they couldn't do it so easily with the look on Sasuke's face. It was mixed in anger, shock, irritation. I found myself laughing as well when Itachi poked his younger brother's forehead, sending him back on the couch.

Naruto, Shikamaru and I continued our conversation, reminiscing add well. But I was cut off shortly when I felt my phone vibrate. I wasn't surprised when I saw who it was, Sasuke.

Emo Duckbutt: You're being annoying.

His text me me rolled my eyes as I texted back,  What did I do?

Not to long, my phone vibrated again. At first I ignored it, and went back to conversing with my two best friends. I find replying him unnecessary. I mean, he's right in front of me and I did nothing to him at all. So, I didn't bother, until I felt a ball of paper hit my temple. All our heads snapped to Sasuke's direction, but he didn't bother. He just raised his phone up, pointing at it, indicating to check mine.

The Uzumaki and Nara snickered and went to talk without me again. But I could still hear what they're talking about since I'm sitting right in between.

Emo Duckbutt: You're annoying without even doing anything (¬_¬). I guess it's in you.

Me: That doesn't make any sense 〣( º-º )〣

Emo Duckbutt: Everything doesn't make sense to you loser (￣へ￣)

I scowl at him, hey he looked at me with a smug look.

Me: You're the one who's being annoying.

Emo Duckbutt: What did I do?

Me: I don't know if it's you or Karin who's being clingy... I wonder.. Are you two dating? ◐∇◐*

Looking up to see him, I laughed, seeing him look at his phone in disbelief and disgust. He rapidly tapped his fingers against his phone, irked.

Emo Duckbutt: HELL NO! (ノﾟДﾟ) What's in it to you anyway?

I bit my lip to stop myself from giggling since Naruto and Shikamaru's starting to give me weird looks and replied.

Me: Hmm.. Thought so. You love me too much ٩(๛ ˘ ³˘)۶♥.

Emo Duckbutt: I don't. Stop being annoying loser.

Me: Yeah, yeah.

That ended our little chat. I gave Sasuke a toothy smile, as he pushed Karin's face away with his palm. He rolled his eyes and looked away. But I could see his lip tugged upwards before he frowned again, shaking his head. "Sasuke, eh?" Shikamaru teased and my heart flipped at his sudden words. "W-what are you talking about?" Both of them waved me off, saying nothing, wryly.

I pouted and looked over the room. Lots of people still filled this place. I groaned, placing both my arms hanging on Shikamaru's and Naruto's shoulders. Glancing at Sasuke, he had his eyebrows furrowed and eyes narrowed at me. Suddenly, another figure came in sight. She stood in front of Sasuke, fingers fiddling each other.

"Sakura?" I heard Shikamaru mutter, quietly for just the three of us to hear. I observe the two of them exchange a few words before the Uchiha stood up and followed her. My jaw mentally dropped, I felt like my face just got hit by a frying pan. "What the heck?" I mumbled.

"She's probably going to confess to him now." Naruto said, taking a sip of his beverage.

I felt myself stiffen, "C-confess?"

Why now? I mean why all of a sudden?

The irony. Why do I care?

"Cool, you know what? In think I better go. It's..." I glanced at my watch to see that it was already....2 in the morning?! How the heck!

Naruto and Shikamaru chuckled before I bade them goodbye. So Sakura's going to confess? Good luck to her, knowing Sasuke, she won't have the chance. But then again, the opposite can happen. They've known each other for a long time as well.

I walked through a swarm of people and made my way out. I took a deep breath and yawned. Wow, who knew time could fly so fast, I didn't even notice nor have I felt that it was already late.

"Aiko?" An overly familiar voice called.

At first I was startled but when I looked up, "Neji! I thought you went home."

He chuckled lightly and placed a hand on my head, patting on it softly. "Your Uncle Hizashi isn't as stern as you think he is. Besides, he thinks I could take care of myself now that I'm all grown up....at least. I just need to take Hinata home."

I smiled at him, taking his hand that rested on my head in mine, "You're going home? It's pretty early."

"Yeah right, pretty early in the morning." I replied, rolling my eyes at him playfully.

Neji flashed me a genuine smile, "Maybe I should walk you home?"

I raised my eyebrow at him, "Seriously? I'm like twenty steps away from home. You should go to the party. I can walk myself." I giggled, "Nah, I think I'd like to stay at yours.... Only if you don't mind though."

I looked at him dubiously and he pushed my face farther, "I was only joking Aiko."

"You know what? I wouldn't mind having your company. In fact, I'd be glad to spend some time with you. Though it's like already 2, are you fine with that? What about Shikamaru though?"

The Hyuga shrugged and hung an arm on my shoulder, "He'll be fine. Besides, he has Chouji.

The two of us began to walk down the streets, passing through my house and Sasuke's. It was nice, having to spend some time with an old best friend... Except it was only the two of us. It didn't make much of a difference though. Our feet ended up taking us to an old park where Shikamaru, Kiba, Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, Neji, Hinata and I used to play most of the time. Now it looked deserted, but despite the fact that it is, it still looked beautiful. Fallen leaves covered the pathway, the benches looked the same. I guess no one really bothered to come anymore because the trees that surrounded the area were gigantic and creepy. But that's not really how I find it. For me, it's just the same old park.

Neji and I entered the park and immediately I felt nostalgic. The moonlight area reminded me of my childhood, the grass were dewy, making it look like they're twinkling. "I remember when you used to be a total klutz." The Hyuga reacted, giving me a smug look.

Yeah, I remember. I used to always fall every time I get too excited when I ran, we always played tag before and I'd always get cuts all over my knees, elbows or my hands. "You don't have to remind me." I say, pouting as I crossed my arms.

He snickered at my actions, "But you were always the one who's it!" I countered, nudging him.

Neji shook his head, "That was because I was always the one keeping you from getting it."

That.... was true. I was probably almost the target since I was a total klutz but nonetheless, I could run as fast as Naruto. Everytime I'd fall Neji would block me from getting it. I giggled, "Yeah, I guess so."

"And Sasuke was always the prick." He muttered, rolling his eyes as he took a seat on the bench. I laughed, "Yes, he was."

"Do you remember that time when we were climbing that tree," He starts, pointing to an old tree from across. I blinked when I saw it. I couldn't believe it was still there and it's already big! Bigger than I even remembered, "And he pushed you off."

I remembered that day clearly like it was only yesterday.

Flashback

"oi, Naruto! That's not fair!" I exclaimed, holding another branch of the tree. The seven year old boy blew a raspberry at me and continued to climb upwards. I sighed and pulled myself up, "You started way ahead of us!" Kiba growled with Akamaru barking at him as well. The ball of sunshine shook his butt at us, not saying anything.

Right when I took hold of an offshoot, I sat on it and looked down, seeing that I was already quite high from the ground. I gulped, "You're not scared are are you Aiko?" A familiar voice asked with a conceited look.

"Like hell I am, Sasuke."

He laughed at me, "Scaredy cat."

I glowered at him, wanting to pounce at him and beat him. But before I could do anything I desired to do, he pushed me off the branch all of a sudden. As I fell I looked at him in pure shock, my heart beating hard against my chest. His expression mirrored mine when he looked down at me, he yelled, "Aiko!"

I closed my eyes shut and braced myself as I knew what was about to happen.

But what I expected didn't happen. Instead, I found myself in another's arms. It was Itachi. "Are you okay?" he asked, looking at me worriedly. I was speechless, still in the state of shock but I managed to nod at him in response.

Itachi's eyes averted from mine to Sasuke's with a scowl, "SASUKE!!"

End Of Flashback

"What an absolute prick." I mumbled, feeling the cold breeze hit my warm skin, making me shiver. Of course, Neji, being the gentleman he is, which I accepted gladly.

I glanced at my watch only to find out that it was already ten minutes past four. My eyes widened in surprise, that was fast! I guess I never really noticed since I enjoyed having Neji with me.

In the end, Neji and I just sat under the tree which Sasuke pushed me off and where we used to hang out during our childhood. We watched the sunrise together  him offering his shoulder to lean on. I'm so happy to have a best friend like him. You know what most people say, 'Every girl has a male best friend who is just a friend but the whole universe thinks he's not just a friend.'  and that doesn't only apply to Neji. It applies to Naruto and Sasuke too.

Even Shikamaru or Kiba sometimes.

But really.... We're a just friends.

I hate it when people judge me. They used to call me names, hateful ones. But that was before Sasuke stood up for me. Since then, I didn't have to care about the world. I guess that's just how life is.

Then out of nowhere, both our heads snapped to different directions when we both heard a familiar, menacing tone call, "Aiko!"