Quote of the chapter: "Never underestimate the pain of a person, because in all honesty everyone is struggling. Some people are better at hiding it than others." -Will Smith

~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~

~cнαpтer 14: pαѕтѕ~

Did you ever wonder what obstacles did other people passed through? Were they desperate for love? In the midst of feeling pain, hatred, loneliness? Or were they one of the lucky people who didn't have a problem in comparison with the others?

Specifically based on some of the Konohagakure students, most have normal lives while few lived in sadness.

First off, Uchiha Sasuke. Or the people call him as 'The Hot'n Cold Prince' Hot on the outside, though cold in the inside.

Particularly, it may not look like it, he may not show it, but his life is one of the most hurtful ones. How? Loneliness. He is in the same shoes as Sakura, though Sakura's experience has just begun. Sasuke felt the pain a long time ago, which is also the reason why he is cold. Regardless of the situations, he is used to it. In being alone. Just by himself.

During his early days, his parents were always away to work because they are the head of the Uchiha comp and Sasuke respected that. Sasuke and his older bro, Itachi, were always together until time flew fast and Ita took his footsteps and became an official member of the Uchiha comp, leaving Sasuke behind. When Itachi graduated, Fugaku (father of Sasu) introduced Hatake Kakashi to guide Sasuke for protection and maturity. The masked Hatake is also their adviser. He also was the one who taught Sasuke many things, like how a teacher should be.

In his childhood, he has no true friends because his fangirls would always get in the way. Yes as early as elementary he already has fangirls.

Back to the main topic, he encountered his true friends when a certain blonde headed kid challenged him, which led both of them to rivalry.

Although, Sasuke always won. Both of them were lonely. The only difference is that Naruto often glances up to the bright side while Sasuke was stuck in the sea of darkness.

Sooner or later, they became best friends and met more people. In addition he and Ino, along with their friends, saved Sakura from the bullies' grasp which is why they became friends. Though saving her doesn't mean that Sasuke has a thing for Sakura. He just doesn't want more people to experience the burden he carried. That was his past.

As stated a while ago, Uzumaki Naruto is similar to Sasuke. He also felt loneliness, only in a different way. Ever since he was little, his parents were always gone. His mother, Kushina, was the owner of Ichiraku Ramen restaurant and his father, Minato, was the Hokage or "Leader of Konoha". A very hard job being a leader. The restaurant was famous in their city and Konoha is a well-known city around the world. With both very busy jobs, they were always at work and they barely see Naruto. So, Naruto was alone and doesn't get hurt because he was alone from the start.

Along the way, he met a man named "Jiraiya" when he was lost in the streets. Jiraiya helped him and soon they became close to each other, they had the same relationship as Kakashi and Sasuke.

In Naruto's love life, his heart sank when he first saw Sakura when they were still kids. But when he found out that Sakura has a deep crush on Sasuke, he didn't want to intrude his best buddy's relationship with Sakura. So after a lot of hesitations and second thoughts, he finally decided to stop having feelings for Sakura since he knows that Sasuke might have a thing for her. Though he found a new crush that is perfect for him and now, he also ships them to be together.

Haruno Sakura has always been the pinkette whose short-tempered. Her parents are always away due to their business. Her bond with her mother is complicated. Her mother would always lecture her because of her worry for her daughter while Sakura thinks too much about that and just wants to live her life normally. Though sometimes they go to a mother-daughter day out which they pretty much enjoy. His father was hard to understand. In times he would team up with Sakura and the other with her mother.

Before, when she was still in elementary, Her love for Sasuke was a fake. She would fangirl over him. Like Sasuke was a bag that every girl wants. She was only fooled by his looks, but when he saved her from the bullies. Sakura finally realized whats the true meaning of love and how to do it right. Eventually, they became friends and now she feels odd things for him. Love maybe?

Her friendship with Ino lasts with a piece of forever. In the beginning, Sakura has no friends at all and she is a victim of bullying because of her large forehead, making her feel she's useless. Ino noticed the gloomy emerald eyes of the pinkette. Whenever she glances at her she would always feel pity and hurt for Sakura. She wanted to help, but she's afraid that she may also be bullied. One day in her elementary days, Sakura was bullied again. Though she had enough of it and made the biggest mustake of her life. She fought back. She talked back. The bullies got mad and the latter part came in, violence. When Sakura was down with bruises and scars all over her body and face. Ino and the others saw what had happened. The boys were about to move but Ino ran to Sakura first, releasing both her arms as if she was blocking her. She warned the bullies to stop, but it did not work on them. They hit Ino and that is where Sasuke came into the picture. He beat them up with a single blow and Kiba added the pain. Also, that's when Sakura blacked out. After a trip to the clinic and the principal's office, Sakura bowed as she thanked Ino, Sasuke and Kiba for defending her. When Sakura was about to walk away, Ino offered Sakura to be her friend as she gladly accepted.

Yamanaka Ino is an only child. Her mother had taught her many things. Though she died, protecting her. Seeing her mother die before her very eyes was the one that caused Ino to open her eyes and see the real world. She was also daddy's girl. When her mom died, she felt sadness. But her father cheered her up even if it was hurtful for him too. If it wasn't for the death Ino's mother, she should've been a mean and spoiled person by now. Meeting Sakura was like a duplicate of her mother, like a clone. They both have the exact same attitude except the fact that Sakura's hot-tempered.

It was a long time ago that Ino had a crush on Sasuke. She was a victim of 'fangirlness'. She was also fooled by Sasuke's looks, just like Sakura. A few months passed and she got out the fangirl zone. She became friends with Sasuke, but didn't feel anything romantic. Like they were just normal friends. Then Ino sets her heart and it only beated for one boy, which is Shikamaru, her childhood friend and a close friend because of the bonds with their family.

Hyuga Hinata strives for his father's acknowledgment to her. She wants to prove to her father that she is also like her sister, Hyuga Hanabi, who is strong and smart. Despite the fact that Hanabi is younger and Hinata is the opposite of her. Weak though smart and shy. She also wishes to be kind and smart like her mother, but strong like her father. Unfortunately, her mother died when she was little along with her uncle who is Hyuga Neji's father. They both died in a car accident while Hyuga Hiashi, father of Hinata, was the only survivor. The truth of the story was the father of Neji sacrificed himself to save Hiashi which was his twin brother. Which is why Hyuga Neji lives at Hiashi's home. Neji and Hinata are cousins and when Neji found out the story of Hinata, she protects her. Treats her like his own sister. He believes that Hinata can do it and he stays by her side to support and help her throughout the way.

Sabaku Gaara lives in Suna though he may be the leader of Suna for a few years from now. With that, he needs to have allies. Sunagakure has a lot of allies, however Konoha is their most trusted ally of all. Proof that they are allies, the sand sibling lived their for more than a year to specify the truth and also, so that the sand siblings may discover more things in Konoha, make friends is also an option. Gaara is the serious and quiet type of guy, hard to socialize with but of all the sand siblings, Gaara has the highest chance of being the Kazekage due to his intelligence, actions and his attitude. Some students are afraid of him because of the rumors that says he kills people, which is obviously a lie but still people tend to believe in that. Which is also the reason why he hardly has friends. Whenever he makes the first move, everyone disappears, they run away from him like he's some kind of monster.

His mother died when she was giving birth to him and his mother was the most precious to him in their family. Gaara and his father/s bond is not really that close. His father was strict and always thinks about his job rather his family. Gaara despised him, he may be famous around the world, but he is not the best father towards Gaara.

Apparently, Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura are the ones who felt loneliness and endured the misery they suffered. 

~

Sasuke was sitting at his computer chair. In front is his desk, facing the opened glass window. He was staring outside of his own window with his cheek placed at the palm of his hand, watching the flickering stars from above and embracing the soft breeze hitting his face.

He was bored, nothing's good on television and he finished all the levels in his video games. Same with the anime he watches, he finished watching the anime and reading the manga of his favorites.

He moved his sight to his laptop and started to think if he could surf the internet, create some account and make friends or what. Being an unsocial person on the outside much like him, he probably would want to do that.

A laughter was heard, from outside of the window. Because of instincts, he immediately looked below his window and spotted a pinkette and a guy with her who has crimson hair. He leaned and his eyebrows furrowed as his eyes nearly closed, figuring out who the guy is. Sakura grinned, waving goodbye as she bowed. The anonymous boy waved back and a smile crept his lips. As he turned around, Sasuke identified the guy. It was the mysterious Gaara of the Sand.

Sasuke didn't noticed that his hands were balled up into fists. He felt his heart beating rapidly, but in a resentful way, enraging of anger. However, the destitute Uchiha didn't know why, yet again it seems like his body has a mind of its own.

Gaara left, but Sasuke's memory is still stuck on wondering whats with them together.

Obviously, he isn't Sakura's father. So why should he care? He doesn't even talk to her anymore. He ignores her. Thinking she's invisible. Or does he? Is this feeling a coincidence? Or he felt jealousy warming up inside his body? Does he have a thing for Sakura? Or may be he just denies it? Or he doesn't know either? Only Sasuke knows all answers to those questions.

Regaining his self-consciousness back to himself, Sasuke muttered. "Tch. Whatever." He rolled his eyes to his bed and walked to lay down. Both of his hands under his head, staring at the ceiling. Closing his eyes slowly, he swamped into the land of dreams.

~

"AHHH!"

Ino screamed loud as she can.

"Ino, put yourself together!" Tsunade demanded as she removed the injection at Ino's right arm.

"I've just been shot!" Ino yelled as she lost her consciousness.

Tsunade sighed. "What a drama queen." She thought to herself. She just gave Ino a fast injection shot composed of her medicine so that she can leave the hospital feeling alright. "Get up! Kiba will be here in a few minutes." She patted her head as Ino got up and held her right arm.

Ino's sickness was just a fever. She was absent at school so that she can recover quickly. Turns out, instead of having a whole week to rest she just needed rest for a whole day and she's ready to go.

Kiba picked her up since Shikamaru was needed with Ino's father. Shikamaru asked Kiba a favor to get Ino at the hospital after school.

Before Ino left, she thanked Tsunade for healing her.

Tsunade smiled with her eyes closed. "Don't thank me. I'm not your doctor."

"Then who is?"

"Kiba will be responsible on telling you." Tsunade left before Ino could say a word.

Ino went inside Kiba's car and sat at the back. She was curious on what happened when she was out and who was her doctor? Nevertheless, she wanted to know what exactly happened. "Kiba, what happened after I blacked out yesterday?" She questioned.

Kiba glanced at Ino then his eyes back to the road. "We brought you to the hospital." He chuckled at his own response.

Ino's eyes was half-closed as her shoulders were down, exhaling. "Baka, I meant the details on what happened."

"Yeah yeah I know. Well,  Shikamaru was the one who brought your body to the hospital." Ino's cheeks were warming up to heat. "Also, Sakura was our leader and your doctor." Kiba felt his heart sank in sorrow when he said the name 'Sakura'.

Ino blinked her eyes, not believing what she heard. "...Sakura? Leader? Doctor? What?"

Kiba's cheerful face turned upside down, thinking of his best female friend that he let go. "She was the one who told us what to do and she was the one who healed or the one who helped you get better."

Ino's memory moved back from where they saved Sakura, then those times that they had fun all full of laughs and smiles then lastly, the time she last saw her. The time she saw her alone.

Alone.

Alone.

Alone.

All alone in the darkness.

Kiba snapped Ino out of her thoughts. "You okay back there?"

Ino nodded in return as they talk about a different topic so that thoughts wouldn't block their minds.

~ 

Lunch stays the same, however Sakura was with Gaara. Kankuro and Temari were absent since they needed to attend a certain party in connection with Sunagakure and Konohagakure City. Gaara stayed because he doesn't want to go on a party. He'd rather go to school than go on a party that girls will just flirt or what.

Sakura and Gaara had fun talking together. Gaara may be serious and quiet most of the times but he still has a fun side which was only shown to Sakura and sometimes to his siblings.

English was their last subject, which means they'll be meeting up with Kakashi before dismissal to give them announcements.

Kakashi banged the classroom door opened and started the class. "Good Afternoon students and Welcome back, Ino."

"Good Afternoon Kaka-sensei!" They all greeted as Ino nodded in response to Kakashi.

After teaching his students and giving them a test. He wanted to know more about them despite the fact that they've been together for months now, and he is still not that much familiar with them. "For today, let's do an activity. Write down in a piece of paper, the names of a people whom are important to you and it can only be inside this class. Also, describe him/her in one word." All the students began writing down.

Minutes passed and Kakashi collected the papers, placing them at his pockets. "Don't worry I won't let anyone else see this." He gave his word and continued to announce the best works of the summary project.

"Now, do you still remember the summaries that you passed?" Kakashi looked from left to right, glancing a his students. They all nodded as he continued his message. "There are two works that I really liked and I think that they should be recognized. The first pair is Sasuke and Sakura's work which is entitled as 'Loneliness'." Sakura smiled and Sasuke with his usual blank expression didn't flinch a smile since most of the ideas came from Sakura. He was just an editor, perhaps, but he was thankful. Ami, on the other side of the ship, clenched her fists in anger as she gritted her teeth.

"It's about a girl who particularly lost almost everything that she loves and still strives to endure the burden she carries." He took a glimpse at Sasuke and Sakura. "Nice work, Sakura and Sasuke." He smiled with his eyes closed.

When Ami heard what the summary was about, she removed her anger and changed it into a smirk. She knew that the 'girl' was Sakura and the plot came from her. Like she did a job well done.

"Two smart brains together in one project?"

"Well of course."

"I expected that."

The students whispered to each other as they clapped for them then waited for the last pair, wishing it's them.

"The last pair is very creative, but I didn't expect that the authors would be these two..

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

....Naruto and Kiba's project which is entitled 'Life of a Ninja'."

The students' jaw were dropped as their eyes widen in shock. Kiba and Naruto cheered for themselves with joy. Who knew the two knuckleheads' work would reach to Kakashi's standards?

"It's about a boy who's a nobody and wished to be a hero of his village. Along the way, he made new friends and discovered the world full of mysteries and powers. Great job, Kiba and Naruto." He simpered behind his mask. "May I ask, how did you make this story?"

"It's simple, I was the one who made it." Kiba said, proudly of his remark.

"No! We got that idea from playing video games! Dattebayo!"

"Yeah, but I was the one who thought of it."

"Hey-"

"The two pairs will receive extra points in class participation and attitude." Kakashi interrupted their little fight and added. "Of course, they also received perfect scores in the project. In which, the four of them may be in top 10 of this class." Naruto and Kiba looked at each other as they hug each other while jumping, cheer for themselves once again.

"That's if they do well in other subjects." Kakashi finished his statement with his usual grin as the two goofballs sulk down at the corner.

 "I suppose I should prepare for the upcoming noise." Kakashi muttered. The students had imaginary question marks plastered on their faces.

The masked Hatake closed his eyes and opened them once again. "Your field trip will be next week so I suggest you pick your partner to the plane and prepare your things as soon as-"

"FIELD TRIP?!"

"PLANE?!"

"WHERE IS THE FIELD TRIP GONNA BE?!"

"WHAT SHOULD WE BRING?!"

The students crowded their sensei with random questions.

Kakashi sighed and explained all the things that should be done and the things that are needed for the trip. "Now, you may pick your partner during the plane ride and the field trip is at the beach so you may bring your swimming clothes or anything else for you to have fun during the trip."

The bell rang and they said their goodbyes.

Kiba went off to look for Sakura and ask her to be his partner at the airplane so that their relationship as best buds will be close again just like the previous times. When he spotted Sakura at her locker, he quickly ran for her. But he stopped when he saw her together with Gaara. His eyes sank down as he felt that he was replaced. Though it's his fault in the first place. He should've been there for his best bud when she was alone by herself. He turned back and took a last look of his previous best friend, slowly walking away even if he didn't want to.

He caught sight of Sasuke at the classroom, of course Ami was asking him to be her partner at the plane. Sasuke denied, but Ami wouldn't stop. Kiba went inside the classroom and broke in their conversation. "Sorry Ami but Sasuke and I are already partners for the airplane ride."

Ami crossed her arms to her chest and left in a grumpy way.

"Thanks Kiba." Sasuke walked beside Kiba.

"Anytime. You're still my partner though."

Sasuke nodded.

~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~#~

Now you know the summary of Naruto and Kiba's work. Also, I know the chapter is not enough though, Happy New Year!! xD

Thanks for reading/voting/commenting!

:)

~TheSketcher