Chapter 15

Recap

Sasuke smirked against my lips at my shocked expression and slowly pulled away, lingering there for a second as though to tease me. I stared up at him, my cheeks feeling hot and stuttered as I spoke, "W-what..?" "What's wrong? Never been kissed before?" His voice was low and even if you weren't looking, you could tell he was amused by my reaction.

Snapping out of it, I forcefully ripped away my wrists from his grasp and pushed at his chest, making him fall off the sofa. Just as he was going down, he tugged on my arm and I fell with him. "Oof!" Was the noise we made at impact with the floor. Well, he made impact with the floor while I made impact with his chest.

Blushing, I stumbled off of him and to my feet before running upstairs to find the spare bedroom, not even sparing the Uchiha a glance as I'd only be embarrassed further.

My mind was filled with crazy thoughts. The main one being 'What's wrong with me?'

X~Story Start~X

I hadn't came out from my room for over an hour now, knowing the reason why but not wanting to admit it. As soon as I got to the guest room, I'd slammed the door shut, placed a random chair against it so that no one (Sasuke in particular) would be able to get it and sat myself on the bed to thin; I was determined to not leave the room until I knew what was going on with me.

Ever since the forest of death, something's been going on between Sasuke and I that I've no resolve to get rid of. At first, I had thought that it would leave by itself but it hasn't and has only grew further. 

From downstairs, I could hear the faint sound of someone moving around - Sasuke. I wondered what was going through his mind when he did what he did; what was going through his mind now. I knew that he had confidence in himself, but never would I have thought that he would dare to kiss someone. Not when he was so detached from everyone and everything with only the goal to defeating his brother. That got me thinking even further into it; what if this has caused the future to change. What if I cause Sasuke to stay- 

I stopped there, knowing that nothing and no one would ever be able to get Sasuke's heart back on track. There was just too much darkness and hatred spurring his vision. This darkness and hatred would only continue to grow as the days went on... 

I don't even think I want to be hear to watch it happen, even though I could stop some of the worst situations from occurring. 

Keeping my ears away from the noise, I though deep and hard about my situation, my face was probably scrunched up, causing beads of sweat rolled down my temple. By the time I'd gotten back from my thoughts, I noticed that the sky was already darkening. Night time. And Dante was not even back yet. Thinking back to Dante, I wasn't used to him having so many bad moods in a week. Back on earth was he at least tolerable when he was upset - as soon as something was wrong or on his mind, he made sure to tell me. However, since coming here he hasn't really been himself. 

With a sigh, I stood up and leaped from the window with a single destination in mind. Sure I was that Dante had also gone there because of how much peace it would give us. 

It had taken longer than expected to jump across the rooftops and all the way to the other side of the village. But, the point for tonight was to do things slow and calmly. Since coming here there has been a bit too much fighting and not enough calmness. First Zabuza, then the main antagonists of Naruto and finally the chunin exams - which was all but finished. There was only so much that Dante and I could take before we went crazy. I knew that Dante must have been feeling the same as me and all his frustrations had bottled up only to be unleashed earlier on. I didn't like fighting with him - he was my best friend after all- but sometimes even the best of friends fight with each other. 

The night sky was almost at it's darkest and many stars continued to pop up as clouds spread apart. It could have been a breath-taking sight, if I had not been on the move. However, I knew that I would be able to appreciate the sights when I arrived at my destination. 

Finally, after a while longer, I took the last step and reached the top of the mountain holding the Hokages' faces. I had expected what was to be there, but it still made me hesitate. 

There, at the edge on the monument, was my best friend of a wolf; he had seemingly not taken notice to my presence and was as still as a statue, a thinking expression gracing his snout. In fact, he was so deep in his thoughts that he did not even feel me sit next to him. 

I decided to leave him to his thoughts for a while longer, not wanting to ruin the peace that surrounded us, and tilted my head up to the sky. It was definitely a wonderful sight for anyones' eyes - and being this close just enhanced it. The stars seemed to twinkle as they watched over us through the black of the night, the moon shining alongside them with it's ever-lasting light.

"It just goes to show that there will always be a light to guide you through the darkness" The strangely soothing roughness of Dante's voice spoke wisely. I didn't know when he noticed me, but I was glad that he took the initiative to talk first. Surely, this meant that he had calmed down considerately.

Not turning my head away from the world above and in just above a whisper, I replied. "Even if the world was consumed in total darkness, you would light the way up for me. Just you being there for me these many years has helped me stay strong and I can't expect myself to be able to continue on if you weren't there for me anymore" It sounded cheesy in my own ears, but it was something that needed to be said because all of it was the truth. Ever since we met each other, I knew that he would keep me sane and be there when I needed him most. 

It was quiet for a while longer, but in no way was it awkward. I basked, feeling the warmth of his fur press against my shoulder as a gust of cool wind flew by. 

"I'm sorry" 

This time, my neck twirled to the right and I stared at Dante with partially widened eyes. He was apologising to me... when I should be the one apologising to him. This was something the made Dante who he was; even though he could be ferocious beast sometimes, he was actually really kind hearted and would be the first to end an argument and say sorry. 

I shook my head slowly and sighed through my nose. "There's no need for you to apologise, I can understand. I was feeling frustrated as well and with all of what's been going on... we needed to let it out" 

"But I shouldn't have snapped at you" A guilty look appeared in his eyes as he glanced over me as though checking for any wounds. 

I would set him straight.

"Just as I shouldn't have snapped back at you. But, it's in the past now and all we can do is forgive and move on. But not forget. We never forget, we just make everything right from the wrongs we've done. Apologising to each other was enough for me. Next time though, we should let out our frustrations in battle - what d'ya say?" Seeing that smile in his eyes and a toothy grin back on his snout, I knew that what occurred earlier was behind us. 

"That sounds rather fun..." 

It was only a splt-second later that we two were on our feet around ten feet away from each other. The wind that passed through the area blowing against our fur/hair. The leaves from the trees shook and a silence that would surely be disrupted enveloped us. 

We both watched as a single leaf breezed through the sky, only to land between us. As though we were reading each others' thoughts, in that single second we disappeared from our starting spots and appeared again right where the green-coloured leaf had landed, my kunai knife against his razor-sharp claws. 

In that single moment of contact, I saw Dante as my enemy just as likely that he saw me as his prey. This battle -although not a death-match against enemies- was for us a battle to reconnect with each other. 

As I swiped a second kunai out of my holster to attack at his neck, he countered by bringing up his rock hard head into my stomach to which I tried hard to hold back a cough for breath. I shot backward and skip a few meters before charging towards him once again. 

We continued going at each other for god-knows how long; both receiving scratched and bruises. However, no wound were too deep and bones were not broken. I revelled in the sensation of our fight, my breath coming out in short pants now that I was using more energy and the sweat that rolled in small pools down my forehead and neck. This was something that I longed for; battle. Ever since working for Alessandro, whenever I fought I would get this way. Nevertheless, It almost gave me the biggest rush when I was fighting against Dante - even if we both weren't fighting at out best. Just giving it a good push and spending up all of our energy made me -us- happy.

After wasting much of the whole night letting loose our stress and frustration, Dante and I stopped to catch our breath as well as to rest for the pain appearing in our muscles did not want to continue any further. I did not mind, however, as Dante and I sat back down at the edge of the Hokages' monument to watch the sun that would soon begin to set over the edge of the village. 

Watching the sunset used to be a recurring activity that the two of us would do to share precious time with each other. Even though I would rather be where we are right now, I can't help but miss those moments. Although I probably wouldn't say that to Dante since he hates to even think about our home back on earth. 

Soon enough, the morning sun was up and glimmering over the wooden houses, casting light throughout every corner of street -even the darkest of alleyways. The birds began to wake up; they sung in joy as their mothers began their search for food. The village hidden in the leaves was -in my opinion- the most peaceful, loving and accepting village that there is. Instead of leaving and fulfilling my duty, I would much rather stay and live a peaceful life. It almost hurt to think of going away. This just goes to show that the village -and all of it's people (yes, even Sasuke and Sakura)- has taken up a part of my heart and I would never be able to forget it. 

Taking a second longer to look, I stood up and stretched my body -grinning in satisfaction when hearing the cracks that popped all over my back- before turning to Dante. The knowing look in his eye told me that he understood what I wanted to do and we both left down the mountain in a hurry.

Now that my best friend and I were back on track, It was time to eat some dango!

Still... I knew that this was only the calm before the storm as in just a few days, the final round of the chunin exams would begin and death would be upon many of us. 

A/U Hey readers :) I know you're all probably not very happy with me for not updating this story since last June -which I am also not happy with myself about- but I have finally given you a chapter. Even though It is a filler, I needed to get Alexis and Dante back on track with each other. I do apologise that it isn't even that long of a filler.

After this, I am pretty sure I know what I am going to do... though I still need to work some things out. I just hope that you can all wait a while longer because I am also going to try and update my other stories. My motivation has came back a bit and my writers block is almost gone (which I am glad for) but now all I need to do is make more time for writing. 

Thank you for taking time for reading this author's note :D and until next chapter!